Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. 0108263 License for publishing multimedia online Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 Oilfield with 100 million tons of shale oil reserve certified in E.China 08:40, March 24, 2025 By Chu Daye ( Global Times Workers patrol at a combined processing station for shale oil of Jiqing Oilfield, in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Nov. 24, 2024. (Photo/Xinhua) The Shengli Oilfield, under China Petrochemical Corp (Sinopec Group), the country's largest oil refiner, said its Jiyang shale gas oilfield has officially passed a review and documentation process at the Ministry of Natural Resources to become China's first oilfield with a reserve of 100 million tons of shale oil, news portal stdaily.com reported on Sunday. The oilfield is the first in China to have its proven reserve certified by the ministry with its specification on shale oil reserve calculation, introduced in January. The oilfield, in Gaoqing county, East China's Shandong Province, has a proven reserve of more than 140 million tons, of which 11.36 million tons are technically extractable. Meanwhile, the reserve at Jiyang oilfield is buried deep, under high pressure and formed with complicated geographical conditions. By tapping proprietary drilling theory and technological approach, oil workers extracted some 500,000 tons of shale oil from the oilfield in 2024, while the accumulated crude production exceeded 1 million tons. Jin Lei, a professor at the China University of Petroleum, told the Global Times on Sunday that the announcement reflected scientific breakthroughs by China in the exploration of lacustrine shale oil. "The oilfield is the first to be announced after the introduction of the new state specification governing the calculation of shale oil reserves," Jin said. "This homegrown metric is more suited to the concrete conditions of China's shale oil reserves, and reduced reliance on the US method, which is rooted in evaluating marine shale oil, facilitating domestic shale oil exploration." Shale oil mainly refers to liquid hydrocarbons that are trapped in formations of shale rock that can be extracted for refining. It is often found in organic-rich shale and thin interlayers of carbonate rocks, sandstones, and siltstones. According to official data, China's crude oil output reached 213 million tons in 2024, while shale oil production surpassed a record high of 6 million tons. A total of three national-level shale oil demonstration zones have been established in China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Heilongjiang Province and Shandong Province. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun) Flash Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Sunday called an early election on April 28, pledging to counter U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff impositions and annexation threats. Carney, sworn in as prime minister on March 14 after winning the Liberal leadership race, said he's asking Canadians for a mandate to deal with Trump and build an economy that works for everyone. "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. "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 outlined his vision for a stronger economy and a more secure Canada. "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," he said. Trump has repeatedly challenged Canada's sovereignty by dismissing its borders as artificial and asking it to become the "51st state" of America, besides imposing tariffs on a range of goods from its northern neighbor. "They want our resources. They want our water. They want our land. They want our country. Never," Carney said at a rally in Newfoundland. Carney still hasn't had a phone call with Trump, pledging not to meet the U.S. leader until he recognizes Canadian sovereignty. Right before Carney's announcement, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre launched his party's election campaign, vowing to stand up to Trump and his threats of annexation. "I will insist the president recognizes the independence and sovereignty of Canada. I will insist he stops tariffing our nation," he said. Poilievre said a "lost Liberal decade" has left Canada weak and vulnerable on the world stage. Other major parties, including the New Democratic Party, the Bloc Quebecois and the Green Party, also launched their campaigns. With the election now expected to revolve around who is best equipped to take on Trump, the U.S. leader claimed not to care. "I don't care who wins up there," Trump said. "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," he said. Polls updated on Sunday showed that the Liberals are leading with the potential to win the majority seats of the parliament and the Conservatives are catching up. According to Elections Canada, the agency responsible for conducting elections, the campaign will end on April 27, one day before the election day. State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington D.C. 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Ireland Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe Flash This photo taken on March 24, 2025 shows the hotel where U.S. and Russian delegations begin a new round of talks in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. [Photo/Xinhua] U.S. and Russian delegations began a new round of talks in Saudi Arabia on Monday, eyeing a Ukraine settlement and Black Sea ceasefire deal before securing a broader agreement. The talks follow a meeting between the United States and Ukraine in Saudi Arabia on Sunday. Last week, Trump held phone talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively. The U.S. delegation is led by Andrew Peek, a senior director at the White House National Security Council, and Michael Anton, a senior official from the State Department, according to local media Al Arabiya News. Russia is represented by Grigory Karasin, chair of the Federation Council's Foreign Affairs Committee and a former diplomat, along with Sergei Beseda, an adviser to the director of the Federal Security Service, it said. 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. MARKING THE MOMENT: Prime Minister Stuart Young greets members of the Spiritual Baptist faith at the Diplomatic Centre on Saturday, at a event held in commemoration of the repeal of the Shouters Prohibition Ordinance which is officially recognised annually with a public holiday on March 30. Photo: OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER 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. PHOENIX A sweeping measure passed by the Arizona House giving utilities like Arizona Public Service and Tucson Electric Power major protections from lawsuits for wildfires sparked by their equipment will be stripped of the most contentious provisions in a state Senate committee hearing on Monday, the panels chairman said. Finance Committee chairman Sen. J.D. Mesnard told Capitol Media Services on Friday that the amendment he has crafted will remove provisions sought by the utilities requiring people or companies who sue over wildfire damages to prove by clear and convincing evidence that the utilities were at fault. Thats a much higher level of proof than what is normally required in civil lawsuits. Also gone is a prohibition on recovering consequential damages, said Mesnard, R-Chandler. Those include things like lost business income or compensation for renting a car if a persons vehicle is destroyed by a fire and the owner awaits a replacement from the utility at fault. Mesnard said thats only fair. The analogy that resonates with me is, I get in an accident (and) the persons at fault, but my car is totaled, and I still need to get to work, he said. Well, I need a rental car to make that happen, and thats a consequential damages thing, Mesnard explained. So you know, the other side is going to pay for my car or a new car eventually, but in the meantime, Im kind of stuck. Multiple drafts of the amendment posted late Friday and still subject to change also restore the ability to win punitive damages from a company whose negligence sparks a wildfire. What utilities will still get in the legislation theyve been pushing are hefty new protections from lawsuits if they follow new wildfire mitigation plans they will be required to create if House Bill 2201 is enacted. But Mesnard plans some changes there as well, removing a provision giving utilities the lawsuit shield if they only substantially comply with those plans. Also gone will be sections allowing the boards of public utilities like the Salt River Project to approve their own plans. Mesnard said that having a public utility approve its own plan that grants it lawsuit protections was problematic. Those companys plans will instead have to be reviewed by the state Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. That resonated with me, the idea of having your own board approve your plan, and that allowing for you to then have immunity or some degree of protection, Mesnard said. That did not make sense to me. I needed there to be some other authority. The Arizona Corporation Commission is charged with reviewing plans from regulated utilities like APS, TEP and UniSource Energy Services under the House-approved version, although Mesnard said hes considering having all reviews done by the Forestry Department. That substantial compliance provision that Mesnard found troubling could have awarded liability protections for utilities even if they didnt follow parts of their plans, like failing to trim back vegetation along parts of their power lines route. Under the House-passed measure, someone who lost a home still had to prove by clear and convincing evidence the utility was at fault even if they didnt follow their plans to the letter. So its sort of like if we reach a lower bar it protects us to a higher bar, and I had a hard time going along with that, he said. The version that reached the Senate had legal issues as well, according to House lawyers who reviewed the proposal. Most notably, they said it likely ran afoul of a provision in the state constitution that bars laws that limit the right of people to sue for compensation. The changes Mesnard is pushing should address those concerns. Mesnard said he met with APS lobbyists and with opponents of the bill, most prominently lobbyists for the insurance industry and trial lawyers, to hammer out changes he would need before agreeing to put the measure on his committees agenda. Committee chairs can kill legislation by refusing to hear a bill, and Mesnard said he was prepared to do that if his concerns werent addressed. An APS spokesman said the company, the largest power provider in the state, supports the measure and Mesnards proposed amendment. An SRP spokeswoman said her company still needs to review the final proposed changes but appreciated Mesnards attention and expects to be able to support the bill. TEP spokesman Joe Barrios said his company welcomes the clear guidance it will give utilities for submitting wildfire mitigation plans that include procedures for things like cutting off power during high wind events to avoid triggering a fire and for cutting back trees and brush near power lines. It will also provide protection for customers because wildfire liability costs and higher insurance costs are passed (on) through higher rates, Barrios said in a written statement. We have an obligation to continue serving customers, even in areas that may be risk-prone for wildfires, he wrote. The bill would reduce exposure to unfair financial risks only if we satisfy standards in our wildfire mitigation plans, thereby reducing real and potential costs for our customers. Utilities in California, Oregon and Colorado have faced huge lawsuits after their equipment was found or suspected to be the cause of forest fires that in some cases consumed whole communities. Pacific Gas & Electric Co. in California was forced to seek bankruptcy protection a year after its poorly maintained equipment sparked a 2018 fire that destroyed the Northern California mountain community of Paradise, killing 85 people. PG&E emerged from bankruptcy in 2020 after paying $4.5 billion into a fund to compensate victims and handing them more than 20% of the companys stock. In January, two big wildfires in Los Angeles destroyed thousands of homes, and Southern California Edison power lines are suspected of sparking one of them. Opponents of the Arizona liability protection measure said Mesnards proposed changes will make the bill more palatable. Insurance companies and trial lawyers have strongly opposed the original measure because it striped homeowners and insurers of much of their current ability to recover damages from utilities responsible for starting a blaze. It is a lot, a lot better, said Marc Osborn, a lobbyist who represents Farmers, Geico, Nationwide and Allstate at the Capitol. He said on Friday night that he still needed to review final details of the amendments after a furious week of meetings. Osborn said the utilities are still getting major protections, but insurers and homeowners have more opportunity to be compensated with the changes. Thats important because homeowners insurance policies often have large deductibles and if the insurance company is able to recover damages from a company that caused a fire they can get that money back, Osborn said. The same is true of a destroyed auto. Having the ability to hold a utility responsible is important, he said. PG&E, for example, is now burying its power lines to avoid sparking a wildfire something that only happened after the company faced two multi-billion dollar lawsuits. He called the bill much more reasonable with Mesnards changes. Would we prefer no bill? Yes, Osborn said. But I think Mr. Mesnard did a pretty good job of grinding off the rough edges on it. Barry Aarons, a lobbyist for the Arizona Trial Lawyers Association, said that although Mesnards changes greatly improve the bill, it still puts in place a new system of protections for utilities and makes it much more difficult for people who have lost homes and businesses to recover damages. Theyre getting this new system of having a standard ? and creating some really high bars that youve got to overcome in order for a jury to find in our favor, Aarons said. A homeowner would have to prove that the utility caused the fire, that they didnt follow their wildfire mitigation plan, and that they were in some way negligent, he said. Those are three pretty significant hoops to jump through, because usually you dont have all three as part of court litigation, Aarons said. If the changes are adopted in Mesnards committee, the measure will go to the full Senate for approval and then back to the House for them to sign off on the changes. Gov. Katie Hobbs will have the final say. Were at the point now where the Legislature has to determine whether this type of litigation paradigm, this type of tort system, where youve got a plan, where youve got a three-level hoops to jump through, and so on and so forth, is something that they feel is in the best interest of the state, Aarons said. And thats up to them in their own conscience. If they like it, theyll vote for it, he continued. If they dont like it, theyll vote against it. But it is certainly better than where we started. Parents of students with disabilities along with their teachers and advocates were left wondering what comes next after President Donald Trump directed Secretary of Education Linda McMahon to dismantle her department on Thursday. Arizona schools received about $227 million in federal funds last year for special education, according to state data. The grants are distributed by the federal Department of Education under the Individuals with Disability Education Act, or IDEA. Its unclear if the funding would still come from that department as its dismantled, and especially if its fully eliminated. Trump said core functions including special education programs would be preserved in full but redistributed to various other agencies and departments. Education leaders and other critics expect cuts, though. And families that rely on services the funds provide are seeking reassurance. Theyre all worried, said Paul McDonald, a former school superintendent in Arizona who works as a consultant for parents of children with disabilities. Whats going on at the federal level to this all, its causing a lot of anxiety. Nationwide, 7.5 million students receive special education and related services under the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), according to the National Center for Education Statistics. Thats about 15% of the public school population. Arizona had 141,000 students with disabilities in the 2022-2023 school year, according to the state Department of Education. Most students with an Individual Education Plan, or IEP, have a learning disability, autism, a speech or language impairment or some other health impairment. Services and accommodations can include occupational, physical or speech therapy; extended time to complete assignments; written backup to oral instructions; shorter assignments; audiobooks and assistive devices. McDonald said state law should ensure that students dont lose services. But he is concerned that local schools arent equipped to deal with some of the funding decisions that could eventually fall to them. All were doing is pushing the burden for these services to the state and these taxpayers arent we then having to do it state by state? he said. A Phoenix-area advocate, Shannon Wilke, is telling parents to get any pending paperwork done sooner rather than later and get as much in writing as you possibly can, in case of procedural changes or slowdowns at the federal level. Everyones kind of up in arms about what could happen, she said, adding that the system is already strained. Any reduction in federal education funds, and schools are going to struggle even more to provide the mandated services. Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne welcomed Trumps move, saying he hopes the funding Congress provides for education will be controlled at the state level, and not by bureaucrats in Washington. We can do a much better job than they can do. Theyre mostly an irritant in our communications, Horne said Thursday in an interview with Cronkite News. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Thursday that critical functions of the federal Education Department would not be cut. Advocacy groups and parents remain worried. Among other impacts, Trumps actions will be taking away special education services for students with disabilities, National Education Association President Becky Pringle said Wednesday ahead of the announcement. Amanda Glass, managing attorney of the education team at Disability Rights Arizona, expects growing obstacles when a student is being bullied or faces discrimination, and if a kiddo is not getting a service they need. One avenue is for parents to file a civil rights complaint. Much of that is enforced by the U.S. Department of Education, Glass said. And while understaffing has meant slow response, she added, Trumps moves to eliminate that office and its specialists mean parents have nowhere to turn but the courts. Steve Metzer Tulsa World Capitol Bureau Staff Writer Follow Steve Metzer 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 OKLAHOMA CITY Medical marijuana dispensaries, recently so common in Oklahoma that theyve sometimes occupied opposite corners of the same intersection, struggled in many cases to survive through the last fiscal year. Many didnt. According to the most recent annual report of the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority, the number of licensed dispensaries dropped 27% from 2,852 as of fiscal year 2023 to 2,051 in FY 2024. Other related businesses buckled, as well, as the medical marijuana industry experienced a continuation of a trend of painful "rightsizing" that many believe hasnt ended yet. The annual report, released in the past week, documents trends from summer 2023 through summer 2024. It reflects how the industry, which experienced a rush of entrants following passage in 2018 of a state question legalizing medical marijuana use, contracted in FY 2024. The total number of commercially licensed businesses including growers, medical marijuana product processors and dispensaries numbered 11,330 in July 2023. According to the report, that number steadily declined through most of the year before beginning to level off in April and then settling at 6,937 total commercial licensed businesses recorded in June 2024. Licensed marijuana growers sustained the largest losses. They numbered 6,497 in July 2023; by the following June the number dropped to 3,645. OMMA Executive Director Adria Berry and others previously said an oversupply of marijuana both legally and illegally grown would likely make it increasingly difficult for some businesses to survive. "What we are seeing is the free market doing exactly what it's intended to do balancing out supply with demand," the OMMA said in a statement Friday. The number of licensed medical marijuana product processors declined 39% from 1,792 to 1,092. The number of medical marijuana patients in Oklahoma dipped during the same time period, according to the report, from 353,437 to 344,556. Mike Ervin, the director of the Oklahoma Cannabis Industry Association, said the industry rightsizing wasnt unexpected, but it has been difficult nevertheless, especially for those who invested early in dispensaries and other businesses only to see them close after a few years. I think this industry is no different than any other. When you start out, there are early entrants, things expand fairly rapidly and then you see a multitude of competitors enter at some point and the market becomes saturated, he said. He described what has happened in the past few years as a shakeout phase that will end only after more of an equilibrium has been reached between business supply and consumer demand. He noted that about 84 business licensees exited the market each week throughout FY 2024, and yet nearly 7,000 business licenses remain on the OMMAs books. We feel that equilibrium can only be reached when those numbers are much lower, Ervin said. I think were going to see many, many people in the industry exit in the next 12 months. Probably the biggest factor contributing to the turmoil has been the oversupply of marijuana, which Ervin said has put pressure on growers, processors and others to turn out products at cheaper and cheaper prices. Most marijuana that is illegally grown in Oklahoma is exported to markets out of state, but some remains behind and contributes to the oversupply problem. We are extremely happy with the OMMA and OBN (Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics) in their efforts to reduce the amount selling on the illegal market, he said. However, he said that as consumers become more accustomed to declining prices, their expectations will put even more pressure on businesses and could accelerate the business closings. (The industry) will suffer for a while yet, and those that have the business acumen the ability to be more vertically integrated, who have cash flow and are able to demand price reductions based on volume those folks are going to be able to survive, he said. While numbers of dispensaries and other businesses may have declined significantly in FY 2024, tax revenues related to medical marijuana sales remained fairly consistent. According to the OMMA report, the state collected slightly more than $51 million in excise taxes on medical marijuana sales through the course of the year, with monthly averages hovering in the range of $4.3 million to $4.4 million. State and local sales taxes related to medical marijuana purchases totaled about $65.7 million, with monthly averages remaining fairly consistent in the range of $5.6 million. Documentary Australia has named producer Jessica Hamilton (pictured right) and communications professional Matisse Walkden-Brown (pictured left) as participants of its third Impact Producer Program. The program offers professional training, mentorship, and practical experience in developing and executing documentary impact campaigns that drive social change. Lisa Kanani, Documentary Australias Impact Director, says An Impact Producers role is to design and implement strategic impact and education strategies around social impact documentaries. We are excited to equip Jess and Matisse with the knowledge and hands-on skills to be able to do this important work. Documentary Australias CEO, Dr Mitzi Goldman, emphasises the programs importance in todays evolving media landscape: We are thrilled to welcome Matisse and Jess to our team for the third year of the Impact Producer Program. This year we had 120 applications, illustrating the broad interest in this continually developing role. We have no doubt about the need for this skill set in the changing media landscape we operate within. The role needs cross-sector collaborations, partnerships, networks and broad coalitions to make impact with documentary stories if we are to make positive change in our world. We will be offering new learning modules, masterclasses and events this year and we look forward to connecting our two new participants with the broader sectors we work with. An important part of the program is our public masterclasses, adds Lisa. They are a great opportunity to learn from the sector, gain practical insights and be part of a passionate community using storytelling to make a difference. Jessica Hamilton, a writer and producer, says, Its an incredible opportunity to be invited to participate in Documentary Australias Impact Producer Program. Im a strong believer in the power of storytelling to connect to audiences and inspire social change, and Im looking forward to deepening my understanding of how change can flow from the screen to our homes, classrooms and policies. Its a privilege to be able to soak up the wealth of knowledge and experience from the team, impact experts and values-led filmmakers. Matisse Walkden-Brown, a communications professional with a background in media, NGOs, and international development, says, I am absolutely over the moon to be selected for this years Impact Producer Program. To have the opportunity to build on my passion for creating social impact through beautiful storytelling, in such a significant way, is phenomenal. Im incredibly grateful to Documentary Australia and look forward to immersing myself in all the deep learnings this year has in store. Jessica Hamilton is a writer and producer. She has created and produced audio documentaries for ABC RN, CSIRO, Greenpeace, the Sydney Opera House, and Audible, and is currently producing an independent series about regenerating soil. Her work has been awarded by the Australian Podcast Awards, Rose DOr, and ACRA, and has been shortlisted for Third Coast & BBC Audio Drama Awards. With a background in behaviour change campaigns and a masters degree in Marine Science and Management, Jess is passionate about creative storytelling for environmental, climate, and social impact. Matisse Walkden-Brown is a communications professional specialising in campaigning and impact content. Having worked across mainstream media, NGOs, and international development, she focuses on harnessing the power of strong stories to activate lasting change. Matisse grew up in Fiji and has experience in both the Pacific climate justice movement and the local film industry. She holds a BA in Journalism and a masters degree in International and Community Development. Documentary Australias Impact Producer Program is made possible thanks to the support of its major partners, including The Snow Foundation, Screen Australia, Screen NSW, Minderoo Pictures and Dyson Bequest, plus venue partner Shark Island Institute. Seven screens a 7NEWS: Federal Budget Special at 9:30pm this Tuesday. Michael Usher, Chief Political Editor Mark Riley, National Business Editor Ameila Brace and BetaShares Chief Economist David Bassanese will analyse and speak to Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Shadow Treasurer Angus Taylor. Mark Riley said: This is the most important of Jim Chalmers four Budgets so far a chance for the government to set the economic agenda and springboard itself into the election campaign. Our experienced Canberra team will be looking at every line, every detail to determine what this Budget means for our viewers and their families. The Seven Networks 7NEWS will deliver unrivalled insights and analysis when Treasurer Jim Chalmers hands down his fourth Federal Budget on Tuesday, 25 March, ahead of the yet-to-be-called Federal Election. 7NEWS comprehensive coverage begins at 6.00pm on Tuesday, with analysis on what the Federal Budget means for Aussie households, breaking down the impact it will have on hip pockets and mortgages during a cost of living crisis. Seven and 7plus will bring breaking updates from Canberra across the night, as the Budget is handed down from 7.30pm AEDT. Sevens extensive coverage continues from 5.30am Wednesday, 26 March, on Sunrise where Natalie Barr and Matt Shirvington will break down the Budgets winners and losers. As the Budget reverberates around the country, the 7NEWS Election Needle will chart reaction, offering an immediate pulse-check on how the budget went down across the electorate. Australians can also turn to 7NEWS.com.au for up-to-the-minute Federal Budget analysis and insights right throughout the night. Texas lawmakers agree that the states water infrastructure needs a big investment. As the state population booms and the economy grows, a Texas 2036 analysis projected the state will need to invest at least $154 billion over the next 50 years on new water supplies and infrastructure upgrades. The majority of that would be dedicated to fixing deteriorating drinking and wastewater systems. Earlier this year, Gov. Greg Abbott called for a Texas-sized investment in water and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has prioritized water infrastructure bills filed during the 89th legislative session. The session is about halfway over, and there are multiple pieces of legislation in the works. Sen. Charles Perry, R-Lubbock, and Rep. Cody Harris, R-Palestine, have both filed sweeping pieces of legislation tied to water supplies, both of which include building new infrastructure to transport water throughout the state and establishing a Texas Water Fund Advisory Committee. Perrys Senate Bill 7 establishes the administrative framework for how the water projects would be funded under the Texas Water Development Board. In addition to the advisory committee, it would establish the Office of Water Supply Conveyance Coordination to improve water infrastructure interconnectivity. Harris House Bill 16 also establishes an administrative framework and addresses funding, flood plans and developing infrastructure. SB7 was scheduled for a public hearing on Monday and HB16 was referred to a House committee on natural resources, of which Harris is the chairman. Perry and Harris also both filed two joint resolutions to establish $1 billion in dedicated funding allocated annually to the Texas Water Fund. Lawmakers created the Texas Water Fund in 2023 as a general revenue account administered by the Texas Water Development Board to pay for water projects. Voters overwhelmingly approved a $1 billion startup investment for it. Perry filed the Senate Joint Resolution 66 as a constitutional amendment that would dedicate $1 billion to the Texas Water Fund for up to 16 years beginning in 2027. The funding would be a combination of sales and use taxes and insurance premium taxes. This resolution ensures 80% of funds would be directed toward new infrastructure projects. The remaining money would be for fixing aging infrastructure. House Joint Resolution 7 was filed by Harris as a constitutional amendment dedicating $1 billion to the Texas Water Fund for up to 10 years. The funding would be solely from sales and use tax revenue, and the Texas Water Development Board would have full discretion as to how to distribute the money. SJR66 was referred to a Senate committee for finance and HJR7 was discussed at a public hearing on Wednesday. Other bills tied to water Rep. Gary VanDeaver, R-New Boston, and Rep. Cole Hefner, R-Mount Pleasant, co-authored a pair of bills they described as a way to tighten the states water planning process, to ensure the state cant call dibs on private property decades in advance. An ongoing example is the proposed Marvin Nichols Reservoir in Northeast Texas thats sparked disagreement between regional officials. House Bill 2109 would require the Texas Water Development Boards executive administrator to drop a proposed reservoir from the state water plan if construction hasnt begun within 50 years, and House Bill 2114 is intended to prevent engineers involved in the preparation of a state or regional water plan from participating in the construction of a reservoir. Senate Bill 1145 which the House has received after it passed the Senate authorizes the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to issue permits for land application of water produced from certain mining and oil and gas extraction. It would also develop standards that prevent the pollution of surface and subsurface water. House Bill 2584 is an identical companion to this. Some bills are calling for investment in research and studies, like House Bill 1501 directing the Texas State University Meadows Center for Water and the Environment to study how Texas can develop desalination plants along its Gulf Coast, and House Bill 1400 creating funding for scientific research about the quality, quantity and threats to the states groundwater. The state of water All of this is happening as the Texas Water Development Boards 16 regional water planning groups are finalizing details that will inform the 2027 State Water Plan. This process happens every five years. The initial draft of Region Cs plan, which includes Dallas-Fort Worth and multiple North Texas counties, called for the construction of a significant amount of new water supplies in order to meet the projected water needs of the area. The Texas Senate has passed a bill that would give parents more power over which books their children can read in public school libraries. The measure was approved Wednesday by a 23-8 vote. Introduced last month by Sen. Angela Paxton, R-McKinney, Senate Bill 13 would represent an overhaul of how schools decide what books are placed in their libraries. The bill now heads to the Texas House. SB 13 would require that school boards, rather than librarians, have the final say over which new books or materials can be put in school libraries. The bill would also create a way for parents to challenge any library book and have it removed from shelves until the school board decides whether that material is allowed. Under SB 13, each school district would also be required to have local advisory councils with parents of students in the district making up a majority of voting members that would recommend which books should be added and removed from school libraries. Additionally, the bill would not allow schools to have library materials that have indecent content or profane content, which can include books that use grossly offensive language. During a committee hearing last month, Paxton characterized the bill as a way to address parents concerns about sexually explicit content in Texas public school libraries. She added the legislation clarifies parental rights with respect to school libraries. It comes as the Senate is also considering a proposal that would amend the state constitution to enshrine parents right to direct their childs education. No child should pick up a book in their school library of all places and be exposed to inappropriate, harmful material within its pages, Paxton said. These young brains cannot unsee what they see. A similar proposal passed the Senate but didnt get a vote on the House floor last session. The bill would build on House Bill 900, a law passed in 2023 to keep sexually explicit content off of bookshelves. Last year, a federal appeals court blocked Texas from enforcing parts of the law that required book vendors to assign ratings to books based on the presence of or depictions of sex, saying it was unconstitutionally broad. Since then, Texas conservatives have increased their push for new legislation. This session, SB 13 is one of Lt. Gov. Dan Patricks legislative priorities. But the proposal has also drawn harsh criticism from school librarians and anti-censorship advocates, who say it would make it easier for school districts to target and remove books about people of color and involving LGBTQ+ characters. The measure comes as book bans have increased in Texas and nationwide in recent years. Texas banned around 540 books during the 2023-24 school year, according to PEN America, an organization tracking bans throughout the country. Of all the books banned during that time, 44% included characters or people of color and 39% included LGBTQ+ characters. Some of the book titles banned in Texas school districts in 2023 included The Perks of Being a Wallflower, The Kite Runner, The Color Purple and The Handmaids Tale, among other acclaimed books, according to PEN America data. Our communities are diverse and thats the power and beauty of the communities to have so many different experiences available for our students to learn from, Lucy Podmore, a public school librarian and former chair of the Texas Association of School Librarians, told The Texas Tribune last month. Its imperative that when we say parents and parental choice and parents are the final say that we include all parents that were not just giving voice to a select few. The library bill also raises some logistical concerns. In requiring school boards to approve each new library material, a responsibility traditionally overseen by school librarians, the bills proposed process would make it more difficult for libraries to obtain new books in a timely manner, librarians say. As a result, critics add, the bill could lead to school-aged children reading less, even as Texas students are still recovering academically from the COVID-19 pandemic. Shirley Robinson, executive director of the Texas Library Association, said its critically important for libraries throughout the state to either maintain or increase the number of books available to students given the lagging reading scores. But the Senate proposal, she said, would create new obstacles toward achieving that and potentially hamper spending on school library books in the long term. Budgets are based on what the spending was the prior year, Robinson said. So if we are essentially putting roadblocks and barriers up for those campus library budgets to be spent, theyre going to continue to be reduced further and further every single year. The local advisory councils created under the bill would recommend removing library materials that have indecent content or profane content. According to the bill, these councils would also make recommendations to ensure that local community values are reflected in public school libraries in their districts. Education advocates say its unclear what the phrase local community values is supposed to mean. For Emily Witt, an author at the progressive-leaning Texas Freedom Network, its an open question about which community values are being upheld. The answer to that question, she said, may vary depending on the makeup of a given community and result in majority voices having an outsized opinion over what materials are available for all students to choose to read. Parents do have the right to control the education of their children, absolutely, but I think that creating laws like this and stoking fear in parents puts out the message that its not okay for their kids to learn about people who are different from them, Witt said. I think that does a disservice to parents as well. Texas isnt alone in its efforts to further regulate school libraries statewide. More than 3,400 books have been banned in Iowa school libraries since 2023, a Des Moines Register survey found, after the state passed a law meant to ban books depicting sex acts from school. And in 2023, Florida put in place a policy allowing parents to challenge books in school libraries or classrooms that they say depict sexual conduct. During the 2023-24 school year, Florida led the nation in book bans with more than 4,500, according to PEN America. Deborah Caldwell-Stone, director of the American Library Associations Office for Intellectual Freedom, said these efforts are being driven by advocacy groups that want many books on topics like race, history, sexual orientation and gender identity out of school libraries and out of reach for children. The result, she said, has been increased censorship in schools and public libraries nationwide. A library is really designed to be a place where you should be able to find a wide range of ideas that serve a variety of information needs that reflect the views and opinions of a wide range of people in the community, Caldwell-Stone said. Everyone should be able to find something on the shelf that reflects their experience, their identity and their beliefs and were seeing that attacked as a concept. SB 13 is expected to swiftly pass the Senate. All 20 Republican senators sponsored the proposal. A date for the vote hasnt been set yet. HA NOI A delegation of 64 prominent US companies has arrived in Viet Nam to explore business opportunities, the largest delegation of its kind to date. The firms represent a wide range of sectors, including energy, technology, defence, aviation, manufacturing, agriculture, healthcare, financial services and investment funds. Among the key players in the delegation are global giants like Apple, Boeing, Intel, Nike, Amazon, Pacifico Energy and Meta. President and CEO of the US-ASEAN Business Council (USABC), Ted Osius, which hosts the delegation, said as Viet Nam enters a new phase with a reformed and streamlined political system, the US business community is optimistic about the positive impacts of these changes and the new opportunities for cooperation they will bring. He said at a press conference on Tuesday that the three-day trip of US businesses to Viet Nam offers an opportunity to reaffirm the long-term commitment of US businesses in the country, highlight the diverse areas of cooperation, and strengthen the close relationship between the Vietnamese government and the US business community. During the event, representatives from several major enterprises expressed their strong commitment to investing in Viet Nam. A representative from Pacifico Energy Group praised the Vietnamese government's efforts in removing barriers to investment, business, and trade, fostering a more business-friendly environment, and increasing imports of goods from the US. The representative said Viet Nam holds significant potential in developing offshore wind power and is eager to take the lead in collaborating with the country to enhance energy security, paving the way for more potential investors. The group also expressed confidence that increased energy cooperation between the US and Viet Nam will bolster energy security in Viet Nam and further strengthen the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries. Also at the event, a representative from Meta shared the company's upcoming investment plans in Viet Nam, reaffirming the firm's commitment to long-term investment in the country. The US is Viet Nams second-largest trade partner, a top investor, and one of the biggest export markets. At the same time, Viet Nam is the US seventh-largest trading partner. The growing presence of US corporations highlights their confidence in Viet Nams economic potential and investment climate. BIZHUB/VNS HA NOI Many cooperatives in Viet Nam have prioritised green and clean products to enhance their brand image and creating a competitive edge in the global market. According to experts, green production, green exports and green consumption have become crucial trends globally. In key export markets like the United States, Europe, China, Japan and South Korea, consumers are placing increasing importance on environmental protection alongside product quality and price. For instance, the European Union (EU) is towards sustainable consumption, which requires compliance with stringent standards on animal and plant quarantine, traceability, environmental protection, food safety and packaging. Therefore, Viet Nam's cooperatives must adapt to meet the evolving expectations of both international consumers and regulatory bodies. These cooperatives are responding to the market shifts by adopting sustainable practices and focusing on eco-friendly production methods. For them, the green transformation is not just a trend, but a necessary strategy to maintain competitiveness and capitalise on opportunities arising from free trade agreements (FTAs). One notable example is the ong Trieu Custard Apple Cooperative, which has encouraged its growers to adopt VietGAP (Vietnamese Good Agricultural Practices) and organic farming methods. These practices have significantly boosted the cooperative's output, with each hectare of custard apple yielding over ten tonnes annually, translating to a revenue increase of approximately VN70 million per hectare compared to traditional farming methods. This shift has also helped meet the demands of international markets, particularly those that prioritise traceability and environmentally friendly production. Similarly, Tam Nong Vietnam Cooperative based in HCM City, produces chilli sauce and other agricultural products. The cooperative has invested in packaging solutions that meet the strict requirements of Japan's market. Specifically, theyve opted for aluminum trays for packaging chili sauce and frozen productsensuring both product safety and environmental sustainability. According to the head of Tam Nong, Nguyen Thi Van Anh, these improvements in product quality and packaging not only ensure export compliance but also reinforce the cooperatives commitment to being green, helping to establish a strong and trustworthy brand. Another innovative product from Viet Nams cooperative sector is Ecos straws, developed by the Song Hong Agricultural Cooperative. Made from organic vegetables, these straws are biodegradable and can be used in various ways, including as fish feed after use. Their products have been tested for quality and have even received the FDA certification from the United States, allowing them to penetrate international markets with confidence. In the Lien Minh Safe Agricultural Products Cooperative, located in a small farming area, there were initial challenges in maintaining product quality and minimising environmental pollution. However, after embracing organic farming practices, the cooperative now produces tea that complies with safety standards, using organic fertilisers and minimising chemical use. As a result, the cooperatives monthly production has increased to three tonnes of dried tea, generating a revenue of over VN500 million. Despite the progress made by many cooperatives, experts have raised concerns about the rise in organic certification fraud. This issue not only undermines consumer trust but also threatens the reputation of cooperatives and businesses on the international stage. Tran Van Hieu, director of DACE Company, which specialises in exporting agricultural products and spices, emphasises the importance of legitimate organic certifications. Products with international organic certification, such as EU Organic or USDA Organic, typically command higher prices - often 10-25 per cent more than conventional products. Legitimate certification provides assurance to international customers that products are natural, free from chemicals, and produced using sustainable methods. However, the rise in organic certification fraud poses a serious threat to the credibility of Viet Nams agricultural sector and its cooperatives, potentially affecting their export opportunities and damaging the commodity industrys reputation. VNS HA NOI Vietnamese banks are ramping up share-based dividend payouts to increase charter capital, meet Basel III capital adequacy standards and enhance their competitive edge. Since early March, many banks have unveiled plans to distribute profits and issue shares during their annual general meeting (AGM) season. This strategic move aims to reinforce financial capacity while complying with international safety standards, said economists and industry experts. Vietcombank plans to use all remaining 2023 profitsover VN22.77 trillion (US$891 million)to issue dividends in shares. This issuance, at a record 49.5 per cent ratio, will increase its charter capital from VN55.89 trillion to VN83.56 trillionthe highest dividend payout rate in the banks history, surpassing the 35 per cent issued in 2016. VietinBank intends to raise its charter capital from VN53.7 trillion to VN77.67 trillion through a share issuance of up to 2.4 billion shares at a 44.64 per cent ratio. This plan, upon approval, will use retained earnings, reserves and past cash dividends from 2009 to 2016. BIDV plans to issue 123.8 million shares via private placement to professional investors in Q1/2025 at VN38,800 per share, aiming to raise over VN4.8 trillion. If successful, BIDVs charter capital will exceed VN70.2 trillion. MB (Military Bank) is set to issue nearly 796 million shares for a 15 per cent stock dividend, increasing its charter capital from VN53.06 trillion to VN61.02 trillion. Additionally, MB will privately issue 62 million shares to raise another VN620 billion. SHB (Saigon-Hanoi Bank) announced an 11 per cent stock dividend from 2023 profits, pushing its charter capital to VN40.66 trillion. Nam A Bank plans to issue over 343 million shares for a 25 per cent stock dividend, raising VN4.28 trillion and increasing its charter capital from VN13.73 trillion to VN18 trillion. Stock dividends are becoming the preferred choice over cash payouts, allowing banks to retain funds for technology investment, credit expansion, and capital adequacy improvement. This aligns with State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) guidance on capital reinforcement to strengthen the financial system. Mounting pressure Banks aim to boost their capital adequacy ratio (CAR), a critical metric for risk resilience, as they work toward full compliance with Basel III standards, which demand higher capital buffers to safeguard against economic shocks. Experts said that higher charter capital enables banks to increase lending limits, expand credit and finance large-scale projects. With fierce domestic competition and growing foreign financial institution presence, capital expansion enhances credibility, market position and investment in technology and services. Raising capital through stock dividends also helps banks preserve cash flow for reinvestment while delivering value to shareholders through increased shareholdings. This is particularly vital for maintaining liquidity amid economic recovery. The Chairman of BIDV, Phan uc Tu, said State-owned banks must bolster their financial strength to support the economy. With a projected 16 per cent credit growth target, commercial banks must expand their equity base accordingly. This places significant pressure on commercial banks to sustain rapid economic growth while adhering to global regulatory standards. We urge the National Assembly and the Government to allow banks to retain profits for capital increases, as previously permitted, he said. Economist Dr Can Van Luc pointed out that despite aggressive capital-raising efforts, Viet Nam's CAR remains below regional averages. Increasing charter capital is essential not only for Basel III compliance but also for risk management and financial resilience. Dr Nguyen Huu Huan from the University of Economics HCM City said capital increases are crucial for addressing rising non-performing loans (NPLs). Retaining earnings for equity growth helps optimise returns for shareholders, especially given the recent surge in bank stock prices. VNS HA NOI The Ministry of Finance has submitted to the Government a draft decree on implementing a pilot programme for the issuing and trading of digital assets. The importance of developing regulatory frameworks to manage virtual assets, virtual currencies, crypto assets, crypto currencies was at the centre of discussion of the Government Standing Committees meeting on March 3. Following the discussion, the Government Office and the Prime Minister issued Notice 81 on March 6, and Directive 22 on March 9, respectively, stressing the need to pilot a programme on the issuance and trading of digital assets. The draft decree outlining the programmes content was submitted by the Ministry of Finance to the Government on March 11. Digital assets are being issued and traded in large volumes, with high transaction value and complexity, around the world and in Viet Nam, according to the ministry. The widespread popularity of these assets presents opportunities, challenges, and risks, to the stability of the financial system and the development of economies, prompting regulatory agencies in many countries to develop legal frameworks to regulate and manage this market. The pilot programme, announced on March 20 will be implemented under State management and supervision. It will create a flexible legal environment in Viet Nam that adapts to, and leave room for, innovation, which fosters business development and the growth of the digital economy, the ministry said. A digital asset market piloted with a limited scale under the control and supervision of regulatory authorities will respond to meet market demands, while giving regulators time to develop appropriate policies and mechanisms in line with real-world conditions. This preparation will help to minimise illegal activities such as money laundering and terrorist financing, protect investors, and lay the groundwork for the development of a transparent, safe and sustainable financial market, according to the ministry. The finance ministry proposed that a coordination mechanism will be developed between the ministry, the Ministry of Public Security and the State Bank of Vietnam to promote market activities, while minimising financial security risks and ensuring market stability. The draft decree added that while current tax laws have had provisions for taxing goods and services bought, sold, and consumed within Viet Nam, regulations related to digital assets lack provisions on the identification and classification of digital assets and related commercial activities. As a result, at the moment, there is no legal basis for applying corresponding tax policies for the trading of digital assets. If the specialised laws on digital assets clarify the nature of digital assets and allow them to be traded as an asset class, then tax obligations will be fulfilled in accordance with tax laws, according to the Ministry of Finance. VNS HA NOI As the home market sees a rapid shift in consumer behaviours, domestic firms have promoted integration of modern and traditional distribution systems as a crucial solution to increase competitiveness. The ability to connect with consumers across diverse MT and GT channels will ultimately define the leaders in the rapidly changing domestic market. MT stands for modern trade, a form of contemporary commerce or a modern distribution channel with types of hypermarket, supermarket, convenience stores and e-commerce. While, General Trade (GT) is known for traditional product distribution with markets in residence regions in urban and rural areas or small outlets of business households. The general director of Thien Long Group Corporation, Tran Phuong Nga, a leading company in Viet Nam's stationery industry, said Thien Long operates a vast business network across the country, with 55,000 points of sale. Nga emphasised the importance of the MT channel, where product presentation is paramount to maintaining brand identity. Thien Long places a focus on making products visually appealing, ensuring they stand out in the competitive retail environment. Meanwhile, the GT channel has a different role in the company's strategy. Nga described the GT channel as a revenue maker to support investments in other distribution channels. With over 70 per cent of Thien Long's revenue coming from this channel, the company is restructuring and evaluating the effectiveness of each outlet across its GT channel. This analysis helps identify regions that are underperforming, allowing the company to address these gaps and share success stories from more successful areas to encourage growth across the network. Nga pointed out that their strategy to elevate the visual appeal of GT sale points, mimicking the high standards seen in MT outlets. This initiative helps improve the GT stores aesthetics, which in turn attracts more customers, benefitting both the store owners and the companys overall sales. Recent surveys have shed light on the increasing role of emerging enterprises in improving their distribution networks. A study conducted by the Vietnamese High Quality Goods Business Association found that more than 44 per cent of enterprises have achieved nationwide coverage. These companies, often focused on exporting to international markets with demanding standards, have seen significant improvements in market penetration. Nguyen Van Phuong, who oversaw the survey, highlighted that while shopping activities in traditional markets have slowed down in recent years, the GT channel remains the highest in consumer spending. The reason for this is that supermarkets and other modern retail outlets have not fully reached rural areas. Additionally, online shopping, which accounted for less than 10 per cent of consumer purchases in previous years, now represents 13 per cent in the food industry alone. This increase reflects broader consumer adoption of multi-channel shopping habits. Of which, customers research product information at online channels, but often make purchases offline. The trend toward multi-channel shopping has become more pronounced as consumers seek convenience and variety in how they shop. According to a survey by QandMe Market Research, traditional commerce remains the most widely used by 96 per cent of consumers, while supermarkets and convenience stores account for 69 per cent. Online shopping, however, is used by 35 per cent of respondents, with platforms like Shopee, Facebook and TikTok leading the way. The survey also revealed interesting differences between urban and rural shopping habits. Urban consumers tend to shop at supermarkets and online stores more frequently, while rural residents still prefer local markets. Online shopping is notably more prevalent in urban areas, where 42 per cent of consumers engage in e-commerce, compared to 32 per cent in rural areas. In addition, younger consumers are more inclined to use supermarkets and online shopping, whereas older individuals tend to stick with local markets. High-income groups also show a preference for shopping across diverse types of stores. Experts argue that domestic enterprises' competitive advantage in todays market lies in their ability to effectively manage and optimise distribution channels. However, a crucial factor in this battle is the quality of the products themselves. No matter how advanced a companys distribution system is, its products must meet consumer expectations to stand a chance in the competitive market. In industries like food, competition is often fierce as companies try to capture the purchasing power of consumers who are becoming more price-sensitive due to tightening budgets. Ensuring that distribution channels are easy to access and products are readily available is essential for any company seeking to maintain consumer interest and loyalty. The current market environment is highly competitive, with many challenges such as slow growth, difficulty adapting to rapidly changing distribution systems, and high distribution costs. So, these businesses are required to continuously innovate and redesign their distribution strategies. The enterprises that are able to integrate diverse distribution channels and meet consumer demands will have a distinct competitive advantage. VNS HA NOI PVI Insurance Corporation has once again affirmed its position as the leading non-life insurer in Viet Nam after being awarded an A- (Excellent) financial strength rating by global credit rating agency AM Best for the third consecutive year. The insurer also retained its long-term issuer credit rating of 'A-' (Excellent) and the Vietnam National Scale Rating (NSR) of aaa.VN (Exceptional), with a stable outlook across all ratings. According to AM Best, PVI Insurance's financial strength is underpinned by its very strong balance sheet, robust operating performance, neutral business profile and effective enterprise risk management. The company also benefits from the backing of its majority owner, Germany-based HDI Haftpflichtverband der Deutschen Industrie V.a.G. (HDI V.a.G.), which provides financial flexibility and technical expertise. PVI Insurance continues to lead Viet Nam's non-life insurance market across all key financial indicators, including profit, capital scale, revenue and market share. It remains the largest non-life insurer in the country, as measured by direct premiums in 2023, and has maintained steady market expansion. The company's capitalisation, as assessed by Bests Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR), is expected to stay at the strongest level in the medium term. Despite a high dividend payout ratio and significant reliance on reinsurance to underwrite large-scale industrial risks, PVI Insurance maintains a well-balanced investment portfolio, primarily in cash, term deposits and select corporate bonds and private equity. AM Best highlighted PVI Insurance's strong operating performance, with an average return-on-equity ratio of 17.1 per cent over the past five years. Even in 2024, when underwriting results were impacted by Typhoon Yagi, the insurer sustained a return on equity of 14 per cent, demonstrating its resilience and profitability. Both commercial and retail insurance lines are expected to continue contributing positively to its earnings. With a dominant presence in industrial insurance segments, including energy, property, engineering, aviation and marine insurance, PVI Insurance has strengthened its position in the regional market. The support from HDI V.a.G. has enhanced its technical capabilities and service offerings, particularly in industrial risk insurance. The company's growth is also supported by its affiliation with PetroVietnam (PVN), one of the countrys largest state-owned oil and gas corporations. Recent growth in inwards reinsurance has also been a notable factor in the companys expansion strategy. However, prudent accumulation management remains a key focus area for sustainable growth. PVI Insurance's continued recognition by AM Best reaffirms its financial strength and leadership in Viet Nam's non-life insurance sector, positioning it for further growth in both domestic and regional markets. VNS ONG NAI The Peoples Committee of the southern province of ong Nai has issued a plan to develop a local digital technology industry, which will contribute to the actualisation of the Politburos Decree 57 on national digital transformation. A key goal of the plan is to establish the Long Thanh Concentrated Information Park by 2030, which will be a core element sustaining the industry in the area. The province will also form a digital technology industrial ecosystem focusing on strategic technology, which will be comprised of data centres and establishments dedicated to the development of semiconductors, artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), big data, cloud computing and blockchain technology. According to Ta Quang Truong, director of the provinces Department of Science and Technology, ong Nai has a lot of potential for innovation and digital transformation. The province has a strategic position as a gateway connecting the southern key economic region, he said. In particular, when Long Thanh International Airport goes into operation, it will facilitate the application of high-tech logistics and production. ong Nai also has a strong industrial base, with 31 active industrial zones ready to incorporate technology into their production and business activities, he added. The province's young labour force is a good foundation to develop tech-savvy workers, while its natural resources and good weather conditions are also conducive to applying green technology in agriculture and developing renewable energy, Truong said. According to Pham Nguyen Xuan Quynh, head of the Data Center and Cloud Partner Development Division at the Southern Digital Communications Association (SVDCA), high-tech industrial investors and foreign technology corporations often choose to invest in places that have preferential mechanisms, developed infrastructure and a skilled workforce. In this context, ong Nai should establish specific and attractive incentives, and create a transparent and fast approval process to attract high-tech investments, she said. BIZHUB/VNS HA NOI Omoda & Jaecoo Vietnam has signed strategic agreements with five major partners to develop a nationwide electric vehicle (EV) charging network. The partnership brings together industry leaders, including EBOOST (EVMobility), which specialises in personal charging solutions, EV Power specialising in charging station development, EV Pay in digital payment services, Rabbit EVC in integrated charging solutions, and Nova Energy in large-scale renewable energy projects. The collaboration is a key step towards strengthening Viet Nams EV infrastructure ahead of Omoda & Jaecoo Vietnams planned vehicle production and assembly operations in the northern province of Thai Binh. The initiative aims to support green mobility and environmental sustainability. The network will feature fast-charging stations with capacities from 30kW to 360kW, strategically located in major cities, shopping centres, residential areas, and along highways. Smart management technology, integrated via a mobile app, will allow users to locate charging stations, check availability and make payments seamlessly. To encourage EV adoption, Omoda & Jaecoo Vietnam is offering incentives for buyers of electric and hybrid vehicles. The flagship Jaecoo J7 PHEV, equipped with a Super Hybrid System (SHS), boasts a driving range of over 1,300km on a full charge. As a joint venture between Chinas Chery Automobile and Viet Nams Geleximco Group, Omoda & Jaecoo Vietnam is investing over US$800 million in an automobile assembly plant in Thai Binh. The facility, set to open in 2026, is expected to enhance Viet Nams automotive manufacturing capabilities and global competitiveness. VNS Compiled by Mai Huong Viet Nam is intensifying efforts to attract foreign investment and deepen economic cooperation with major global partners as part of its strategy to sustain high economic growth. The Government has set an ambitious target of 8 per cent GDP growth this year, with aspirations for double-digit expansion in the years to follow. To achieve this, alongside domestic resources, Viet Nam is tapping into global expertise and establishing new business partnerships. Last week, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met with 64 US businesses, while Deputy Prime Ministers Nguyen Chi Dung and Nguyen Hoa Binh visited China and the United Kingdom, all working to boost international economic ties. A delegation from the US-ASEAN Business Council (USABC), led by President & CEO Ted Osius to Viet Nam during March 18-20, has reaffirmed US businesses' strong interest in expanding investment in Viet Nam, particularly in green transition, technology, digital economy, AI and sustainable development. The delegation, comprising senior executives from 64 major US firms including Boeing, Apple, Intel, Meta, Coca-Cola, Nike and Amazon marks the largest-ever US business mission to Viet Nam. Marking 30 years of US-Viet Nam ties, the visit underscores strengthening economic relations. Since the 2023 Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, bilateral trade had surged to nearly $150 billion in 2024, up over 20 per cent year-on-year, with US investment reaching 1,400 projects worth nearly $12 billion. US businesses expressed confidence in Viet Nams growth prospects and called for further regulatory reforms, administrative streamlining and investment incentives to enhance trade and investment. PM Chinh reaffirmed Viet Nams view of the US as a top strategic partner in trade and investment. He urged American businesses to expand investment, particularly in energy, high technology, semiconductors, AI, aerospace, and climate change mitigation. He also called for stronger business ties, government-business dialogue, and deeper Vietnamese participation in US supply chains, aiming to make Viet Nam a key production hub in Southeast Asia. Besides key events at home, high-level diplomatic activities are also active, reflecting its commitment to expanding relations with key global partners. Last week, Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Chi Dung led a delegation to Chinas Guangdong province, a long-standing economic powerhouse with a GDP reaching nearly $2 trillion in 2024. His visit underscored Viet Nams interest in learning from Chinas economic model, particularly in areas such as private sector development, free trade zones, and high-tech industrial parks. Guangdongs success is largely driven by its strong manufacturing base and its role as a global trade hub. In 2024, Guangdong's foreign trade reached $1.24 trillion, accounting for nearly one-fourth of Chinas total trade value. Deputy PM Dung emphasised that Viet Nam seeks to implement strategic economic breakthroughs, accelerate digital transformation, and enhance the role of the private sector. With the private sector accounting for over 50 per cent of GDP, the Government aims to boost its growth by enhancing access to capital and cutting red tape, striving for a 70 per cent contribution by 2030. The visit also saw discussions on infrastructure development, supply chain integration, and high-tech cooperation, particularly in semiconductors, artificial intelligence (AI), and big data. With China being the worlds largest semiconductor consumer, Viet Nam aims to position itself as a key supplier within the global value chain. Guangdong-based companies have also expressed interest in investing in Viet Nams high-tech zones, particularly in Bac Ninh and Binh Duong, where semiconductor and electronics manufacturing clusters are developing. For another key pillar of Viet Nams investment strategy the establishment of an International Financial Centre (IFC) in HCM City and a Nang Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh last week visited the United Kingdom and Luxembourg to promote financial sector collaboration and attract investment. Luxembourg, known as one of Europes leading financial hubs, manages over 5.5 trillion euros in assets. Viet Nam seeks to leverage its expertise to develop its own financial ecosystem, particularly in areas such as green finance, fintech and digital banking. Viet Nam has evolved as one of the fastest-growing digital economies in Southeast Asia with digital banking sector recording a 40 per cent year-on-year growth in the past few years, demonstrating the increasing demand for fintech solutions. In the UK, Permanent Deputy PM Binh engaged with London-based financial institutions, exploring best practices for establishing a globally competitive financial centre. The UK, home to one of the world's largest capital markets, has expressed interest in supporting Viet Nams financial reforms and investment climate improvements. Viet Nams goal is to create an IFC that serves as a gateway for international capital, supports domestic economic expansion and fosters financial innovation. Viet Nam is among the top 20 economies projected to experience the strongest growth this year, with an estimated GDP expansion of 6.1 per cent, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). In 2025, Viet Nam is set for strong FDI growth, with registered inflows reaching nearly $6.9 billion in the first two months a 35.5 per cent increase year-on-year. This builds on a solid 2024, where total FDI hit $38.23 billion, placing Viet Nam among the top 15 developing nations for investment. With a better investment climate stronger regulations, improved infrastructure and streamlined processes Viet Nam is proving to be a reliable partner and actively pursuing new business opportunities. By learning from successful economic models, fostering innovation and enhancing its investment climate, Viet Nam is paving a way for long-term prosperity. The countrys proactive approach to economic diversification, green transition and digital transformation ensures that it remains a competitive destination for global investors. VNS HCM CITY Young Vietnamese are actively reducing single-use plastics, shaping new consumption habits and encouraging businesses to go green. Viet Nam is among the top five countries contributing to ocean plastic pollution, with an estimated 3.9 million tonnes of plastic waste generated annually. A significant portion comes from single-use plastics, widely used in food packaging, drinks, and shopping bags. While convenient, these items take hundreds of years to decompose, polluting waterways, harming marine life, and entering the food chain. For many young people, reducing plastic waste starts with small, everyday actions. Nguyen Vu Hoai Linh, a 20-year-old university student in HCM City, shared to Viet Nam News: I always carry a reusable bottle and cloth bag every time I go out. When I buy drinks, I refuse plastic straws. At first, it felt inconvenient, but now I get used to it. Nguyen Hai ang, a 23-year-old environmental science student in Ha Noi, has studied the impact of plastic pollution firsthand. During a beach cleanup, I saw turtles tangled in plastic bags and fish swallowing plastic fragments. It made me realise how serious this problem is. Faced with the alarming effects of plastic waste, many young people are rethinking their daily routines. The change in mindset is not limited to individuals. Many young people are influencing their peers, encouraging friends and family to adopt more sustainable practices. Huynh Duy Anh, 20, from HCM City Economic University said: At first, I didnt believe small actions could make a difference. But when I started bringing my own coffee cup and shopping bag, I realised it wasnt difficult at all. Le Hoang Nam, 25, an office worker in Ha Noi, has also changed his habits: A few years ago, I never thought about how much plastic I used. But after seeing shocking images of polluted beaches, I decided to stop using plastic cutlery and packaging whenever possible. Avoiding plastic remains a challenge due to both practical and cultural reasons. The affordability and availability of plastic products make them hard to replace. Many people are simply unaware of how much plastic they use or do not see it as a priority. Even those who want to change their habits struggle with convenience. Fast food culture and the popularity of bubble tea contribute significantly to the problem. A 2023 survey by the Plastic Waste Reduction Initiative found that more than 60 per cent of young Vietnamese buy takeaway food and drinks at least twice a week, with most packaging made of plastic. People love convenience, said Nam. Bringing your own cup or container takes effort, and many dont want to be bothered. Businesses also play a role in maintaining plastic consumption habits. Many small restaurants and street vendors still rely on plastic because it is cheap and easy to use. While some coffee shops and supermarkets are introducing eco-friendly alternatives, these are often more expensive and not widely available. I want to use biodegradable packaging, but it costs too much, said Tran Minh Khoa, a grocery store owner in a Nang. Environmental experts warn that if plastic consumption continues at its current rate, Viet Nam will face severe ecological and health consequences. According to the United Nations Environment Programme, plastic waste has been found in seafood, salt, and even drinking water. Dr. Pham Thu Hang from the Viet Nam Institute for Environmental and Social Studies explained: Microplastics are now present in our food and bodies. Long-term exposure can affect human health, including hormone disruption and other risks we dont fully understand yet. Despite these challenges, young people are coming up with creative solutions to promote plastic-free lifestyles. Social media campaigns encouraging people to bring their own cups and bags have gained traction. Some university students have started swap groups where people can exchange plastic products for reusable alternatives. Community-led initiatives are making an impact as well. Volunteer groups like Plastic-Free Vietnam organise cleanups and workshops on sustainable living. We dont just clean up trashwe educate people on why reducing plastic matters and how they can make practical changes, said Tran Ngoc Linh, the groups founder. Ultimately, reducing plastic waste requires collective action. While individual choices matter, policy changes and business participation are equally crucial. We are the generation that can make a real difference. If enough of us take action, businesses will have to follow," Duy Anh said. As Viet Nam works towards reducing single-use plastics, the choices young people make today will play a crucial role in shaping a cleaner, greener future. VNS Dr Mattias Larsson Ngoc, a 12-year-old girl, was usually active and loved participating in school sports. However, over the past two months, she had been coughing persistently. Her parents took her to several clinics, where she received antibiotic treatment five times. While her condition improved briefly, it soon worsened. She lost her appetite, lost 3kg in weight and sweated heavily at night. When she started coughing blood, her parents grew deeply concerned. Hearing about Family Medical Practices reputation for paediatric care, they brought Ngoc to the clinic. The paediatrician listened to her symptoms, examined her and ordered an X-ray. The results showed abscesses and infiltrates in her lungs, suggesting tuberculosis (TB). To confirm the diagnosis, sputum tests for acid-fast bacilli and culture were conducted. The doctor asked if anyone in the household had been coughing. Ngoc's mother recalled that her grandmother, who lived with them, had been coughing for months. The doctor explained that TB is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis and can be fatal if untreated. He also mentioned latent TB, where the bacteria remain dormant in the lungs for years before causing illness. Ngoc's mother remembered that her grandmother had been treated for a lung disease in her youth but had been reluctant to discuss it. The doctor noted that TB was once highly stigmatised in Viet Nam, especially among women, leading many to hide their symptoms. Viet Nam faces a significant TB burden, with approximately 170,000 new cases and 11,000 to 12,000 deaths annually. TB is one of the leading causes of death from infectious diseases in the country. Challenges include the rise of multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB), limited healthcare access in rural areas, and the impact of co-infections like HIV. Globally, TB remains a major health crisis. In 2022, an estimated 10.6 million people fell ill with TB, and 1.3 million died, making it the second-leading infectious killer after COVID-19. An additional 187,000 deaths occurred among people living with HIV, underscoring the link between TB and HIV co-infections. Efforts to combat TB are ongoing. The World Health Organisation (WHO) and organisations like the Global Fund have supported diagnostics and treatment worldwide. However, disruptions in funding, such as the potential withdrawal of USAID a major contributor to TB care in low-income countries, could hinder progress and increase transmission and mortality. Viet Nam has made strides in TB control through national programmes, improved diagnostics, and public awareness campaigns. Despite these efforts, TB remains a critical issue, requiring continued investment in healthcare systems and public health initiatives. Ngoc was diagnosed with TB and referred to the National Lung Hospital. Fortunately, her strain was not drug-resistant, and she responded well to treatment: two months of four drugs followed by four months of two drugs. When she returned, Ngoc and her family were relieved to have received the correct diagnosis and effective care. Family Medical Practice *Dr Mattias Larsson is a paediatric doctor at FMP Hanoi and associate professor at Karolinska Institutet and has a long experience in research on infectious diseases. He has worked with the Oxford University Clinical Research Unit and the Ministry of Health of Vietnam. He is fluent in English, Swedish, Vietnamese, German and some Spanish. FMP Healthcare Group operates medical centres in major cities including HCM City, Ha Noi, and a Nang, offering consultations with international doctors, check-up centres, and emergency ambulance services. Visit FMP Hanoi 24/7 at 298I Kim Ma Street, Kim Ma Ward, Ba inh District. To book an appointment, please call (024).3843.0748, chat via Whatsapp, Viber or Zalo on +84.944.43.1919 or email hanoi@vietnammedicalpractice.com. BANGKOK A Thai-Vietnamese Cultural Food Street has opened in Nakhon Phanom province, over 700 km northeast of Bangkok, Thailand. The March 22 launch was co-organised by the Thai-Vietnamese Association in Nakhon Phanom and local authorities, with Governor Pratya Unphetwarakon, Vietnamese Consul General in Khon Kaen inh Hoang Linh, and hundreds of overseas Vietnamese in attendance. Governor Pratya highlighted the food streets role in boosting the local economy and attracting tourists. He noted that alongside landmarks such as the Ho Chi Minh Memorial and the Thai-Vietnamese Cultural Street Gate, it further strengthens ties with Vietnamese localities. Consul General Linh called the initiative a cultural milestone that deepens Viet Nam - Thailand relations. He stressed that their growing Enhanced Strategic Partnership provides a strong foundation for cultural and people-to-people exchanges. Nguyen Ngoc Thin, President of the Vietnamese Association in Thailand, welcomed the project as a step towards closer ties between Thai authorities and the Thai - Vietnamese community. Nguyen inh Vi, a representative of the Nakhon Phanom chapter, said the street would showcase Vietnamese and Thai traditions through food and folk music. Initially open on Saturdays, it plans to expand to Fridays and Sundays. Local authorities have pledged logistical support, including security and designated vendor areas. Part of wider efforts to promote Vietnamese culture in Thailand, the street features around 40 Vietnamese - Thai families offering traditional dishes such as gio cha (Vietnamese sausage), banh chung (square glutinous rice cake), stuffed pork leg, and bun bo (Vietnamese beef noodle soup). VNA NGHE AN A captivating exhibition showcasing vivid images of people and member countries of ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations) will be held in May in Nghe An Province, the homeland of President Ho Chi Minh. Over the course of ten days, from May 10 to 20, the exhibition will be an integral part of the Sen Village Festival celebrating the 135th birthday of Viet Nams national hero, President Ho Chi Minh (May 19, 1890 May 19, 2025). The event is organised by the Department of Fine Arts, Photography and Exhibition under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in partnership with Nghe Ans Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism. The exhibition will unveil 200 captivating photographs, offering a kaleidoscopic view of ASEANs cultural and geographical diversity. Among these, 50 images by Vietnamese photographers will spotlight the nations unique beauty, while the remaining 150 photos, captured by photographers from other ASEAN countries, will paint a broader picture of the region's rich tapestry of life. Through the photographs, visitors will experience authentic portrayals of the landscapes and people of ASEAN. The photographs promise to transport audiences into the vibrant essence, cultural heritage and dynamic growth of this united and diverse region. VNS SINGAPORE Following the official upgrade of bilateral ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership on March 12, the visit to Viet Nam by Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong just over a week later has drawn significant public attention. According to experts in Singapore, PM Wong's visit to Viet Nam from March 25-26 reflects high expectations for the substantive relationship between the two nations. In an interview with the Vietnam News Agency's correspondent in Singapore, Professor Vu Minh Khuong from the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at the National University of Singapore said the establishment of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, coupled with PM Wong's upcoming visit, demonstrates Singapore's strong expectations for the partnership. According to him, this optimism is fueled by Viet Nam's impressive transformation as it turns challenges into major advantages, particularly in improving institutional frameworks, embracing science and technology, and achieving remarkable economic growth. Khuong noted that the timing of PM Wongs visit signals Singapores confidence in the significant value this partnership can deliver. With Singapores upcoming general elections, a pivotal event for the ruling People's Action Party (PAP) and the Singaporean people, the visit also demonstrates that strengthening ties with Viet Nam has become a strategic priority of the city-state in 2025 and beyond, he added. The scholar highly valued Viet Nam-Singapore ties in the broader context of ASEAN and global developments. He stressed the importance of enhancing resilience amid global uncertainties. Both countries should prioritise regular consultations and practical solutions to improve labour productivity, competitiveness, digital and green economies, logistics, and maritime cooperation. He said he hopes that Viet Nam and Singapore will emerge as prominent examples of success not only in Southeast Asia but also globally. Professor Bilveer Singh, Deputy Head of the Department of Political Science at the National University of Singapore, remarked that PM Wongs visit clearly demonstrates Singapore's goodwill to promote bilateral relations. Singh said frequent high-level visits foster comprehensive mutual understanding, particularly regarding each countrys priorities, adding that the visit reaffirms the positive tradition in Viet Nam-Singapore relations: maintaining close ties and working together to develop a more substantive and effective partnership. VNS HA NOI The upcoming official visit to Viet Nam on March 25 and 26 by Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and his spouse reflects Singapores interest and commitment to strengthening its cooperation with Viet Nam, and is expected to realise the potential of the newly-upgraded Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two nations. Comprehensive Strategic Partnership - New milestone in Viet Nam-Singapore ties Viet Nam and Singapore, both active members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), have enjoyed a growing relationship due to their geographical proximity, cultural similarities, and shared interests. The two countries have adapted well to the regions and the worlds major changes, and their bilateral ties have continued to develop strongly, practically and effectively. Looking back on history, during the early 1930s, President Ho Chi Minh visited Singapore twice in his arduous journey for national liberation. In fact, there is now a commemorative plaque at the Asian Civilisations Museum Park in Singapore to honour the Vietnamese leader. Singapore was one of the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with the Democratic Republic of Viet Nam(now the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam) after the signing of the Paris Peace Agreement in January 1973. The two nations also established a Strategic Partnership in September 2013, marking a new chapter in the bilateral ties. Over the last five decades, especially after the elevation of their relationship to a Strategic Partnership in 2013, Viet Nam and Singapore have increasingly deepened their cooperation, with high-level visits and cooperation mechanisms becoming increasingly frequent and effective. For example, in February 2023, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh visited Singapore, where the two countries signed a number of agreements to further strengthen bilateral cooperation in areas such as trade, investment, maritime cooperation, and consular affairs. Later in August 2023, Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and his spouse also visited Viet Nam, resulting in the signing of many important agreements in the fields of education, human resource development, sustainable infrastructure, and skills training. Most recently, the official visit to Singapore by Party General Secretary To Lam in March 2025 marked an important milestone as the two sides decided to upgrade their relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. This new partnership is set to create fresh momentum for the bilateral cooperation in all areas. Notably, Viet Nam is the only ASEAN country with which Singapore has established such a relationship. During the visit, the two countries agreed to further enhance political trust; expand economic, trade, and investment cooperation; promote digital transformation, green energy, and the development of innovative sectors. Additionally, they committed to deepening cooperation in defence, security, culture, education, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges, as well as expanding the Viet Nam-Singapore Industrial Park (VSIP) network with a focus on innovation and low-carbon development. Along with bilateral cooperation, the two countries have also coordinated and cooperated closely at regional and international forums, especially within the ASEAN and the UN. Thriving economic, trade, investment cooperation The economic, trade, and investment cooperation between Viet Nam and Singapore has flourished significantly. Singapore has remained one of Viet Nam's largest trading partners since 1996. The trade turnover between the two countries has consistently increased, reaching US$8.3 billion in 2021, over $9.16 billion in 2022, and more than $9 billion in 2023, with a notable growth of 14.7 per cent in 2024, compared to the previous year. The first two months of 2025 have already seen a trade turnover of $1.77 billion. Viet Nam and Singapores economies are complementary, and the two nations have effectively leveraged free trade agreements such as the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) to enhance bilateral cooperation. This collaboration has been helped boost economic recovery in the post-pandemic period, benefiting both countries as well as the wider region. As of January 2025, Singapore remained Viet Nam's largest ASEAN investor and the second-largest overall investor after the Republic Korea, with 3,951 active projects totalling $84.14 billion, largely focused on manufacturing, real estate, and energy sectors. Singapore's investment spans 18 out of 21 sectors and reaches across 54 out of 63 provinces and cities in Viet Nam. The Viet Nam-Singapore Industrial Parks (VSIP) have become a symbol of the successful economic cooperation between the two countries. The first VSIP, established in 1996 in southern province of Binh Duong, has been followed by 18 similar parks across 13 Vietnamese provinces and cities, attracting over $18.7 billion in investment and creating more than 300,000 jobs. These parks have played a significant role in modernising Viet Nam's industrial sector and contributed to the region's economic connectivity. Viet Nam has also invested in 153 projects valued at over $690 million in Singapore, mainly in science and technology, information and communications, and other sectors. The two nations also have regularly held the Viet Nam-Singapore Connectivity Ministerial Meeting to address issues and chart the way forward for enhanced economic and trade relations. The most recent meeting was held on September 18, 2024 in Singapore. At the meeting, the two governments agreed to upgrade the framework agreement on economic connectivity signed in 2005, focusing on energy, sustainability, infrastructure, digital transformation, innovation, and other key sectors. A notable development step is the establishment of the Viet Nam-Singapore Green-Digital Economic Partnership during PM Chinh's visit to Singapore in February 2023. In October 2022, the two countries also signed a memorandum of understanding on carbon credits, in line with the Paris Agreement on climate change. This partnership reaffirmed the commitment of both countries to driving innovation, reducing emissions, and promoting sustainable development in sectors such as digital economy, circular economy, clean energy, and climate change mitigation. Viet Nam and Singapore are now looking to expand cooperation into new areas, including food security, renewable energy, and innovation. The Viet Nam-Singapore Energy Project (VSEP), for example, aims to develop Viet Nam's abundant renewable energy resources, particularly offshore wind power, and integrate Viet Nam into the ASEAN Power Grid, ensuring energy security while working towards achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. Education and training have been a key area of cooperation. In 2001, the Viet Nam-Singapore Training Centre (VSTC) was established in Ha Noi with Singapores support to help Viet Nam quickly integrate into the regional and global economies. More than 21,000 mid- and senior-level officials from Viet Nam have participated in training programmes in Singapore under this initiative. In addition to training officials, Singapore has also provided scholarships for Vietnamese students, with over 30 scholarships awarded each year since the late 1990s, and the number doubled in 2023. Bilateral agreements have also been signed in the education sector, including a memorandum of understanding on education cooperation in August 2023, which will further enhance educational exchange and collaboration. Since March 2022, when both countries eased travel restrictions after the COVID-19 pandemic, Viet Nam and Singapore resumed direct flights. Four Vietnamese airlines and two Singaporean carriers currently operate direct flights between the two countries. Singapore is one of the top 15 markets for Vietnamese tourists, while Viet Nam is among the top 10 destinations for Singaporean travellers. The Vietnamese community in Singapore, numbering between 20,000 and 25,000 people, is mainly composed of students, workers, and long-term residents. The community has played an important role in strengthening people-to-people ties between the two nations. Effectively realising Viet Nam-Singapore Comprehensive Strategic Partnership PM Wongs upcoming official visit to Viet Namfrom March 25-26, only more than one week after Party General Secretary To Lams visit to Singapore, represents a significant step in further solidifying the Viet Nam-Singapore Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Vietnamese Ambassador to Singapore Tran Phuoc Anh held that with both countries already working together on key initiatives and projects across a range of sectors, this visit will serve as an opportunity to take bilateral cooperation to new heights. The visit will be a highlight for 2025, a year that holds special significance for both countries, with Singapore celebrating the 60th anniversary of its Independence Day and Viet Nam marking the 80th anniversary of its National Day. He underlined 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 foodstuff, and data centres and those at the Viet Nam-Singapore Industrial Parks (VSIPs). Financial centre building 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 for Singapore's support is 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 Nam's 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, the diplomat added. Anh expressed his confident that the visit will be a success and a great contribution to making the Viet Nam-Singapore Comprehensive Strategic Partnership more effective and substantive. VNA/VNS HA NOI Deputy Defence Minister Sen. Lt. Gen. Hoang Xuan Chien on Monday proposed expanding delegation exchanges at all levels to foster mutual understanding, trust and defence collaboration between Viet Nam and Poland. Key collaboration areas include training, UN peacekeeping operations, the defence industry, military medicine and young officer exchanges, Chien said at his talks with his Polish counterpart Pawel Bejda in Ha Noi. The host officer underscored Viet Nam's consistent policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, friendship, cooperation, development and multilateralisation and diversification of foreign relations, as well as its 'Four No's' defence policy. Stressing peaceful measures to resolve disputes and disagreements based on international law, Chien emphasised Viet Nam's stance on the East Sea (internationally known as the South China Sea), an issue that relevant parties should adhere to international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), and accelerate the negotiations for and signing of a substantive and effective Code of Conduct (COC) in the East Sea. Highlighting successful defence ties under the 2010 bilateral defence cooperation agreement, Chien commended the progress made in high-level visit exchanges, training programmes, peacekeeping efforts and across the defence industry. He affirmed Viet Nam's readiness to welcome Polish military personnel to study Vietnamese at the Military Science Academy and participate in international training courses at the National Defence Academy. Chien also called on Poland to continue supporting defence cooperation between Viet Nam and the European Union (EU) in line with their signed agreement. For his part, Bejda hailed Viet Nam as a key partner in Southeast Asia, expressing Poland's eagerness to expand cooperation in both economic and defence sectors, particularly in the defence industry, training, and peacekeeping operations. Bejda also expressed his hope that, through these talks, bilateral defence cooperation would continue to be strengthened, bringing practical benefits to both sides. Following the meeting, Minister of Defence General Phan Van Giang also hosted a reception for Poland's defence delegation, where the two sides expressed their appreciation for the effective defence cooperation between Viet Nam and Poland, particularly in delegation exchanges, training, UN peacekeeping, and the defence industry. General Giang affirmed that the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defence will direct relevant agencies to continue implementing agreed-upon initiatives to enhance defence cooperation between the two countries effectively and practically in line with the overall bilateral relationship. VNS HA NOI Minister of National Defence General Phan Van Giang hosted a reception in Ha Noi on Monday for a visiting high-level delegation from the Ministry of National Defence of Poland led by its Secretary of State Pawel Bejda. Giang expressed his pleasure at the sound traditional friendship between the two countries over the past 75 years. Especially, during Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's official visit to Poland in January 2025, leaders of the two countries agreed to elevate the bilateral relationship a strategic level. This will be a foundation for the two nations to continue developing cooperation in many areas, including defence, he stated. For his part, Bejda conveyed the greetings of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of Poland Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz to Giang. He briefed the host on the outcomes of his earlier talks with Deputy Defence Minister Sen. Lt. Gen. Hoang Xuan Chien, underlining that the two sides discussed the progress of their past cooperation and agreed to further enhance collaboration in areas where both countries have potential and needs. The Polish Secretary of State expressed his confidence that, with the political determination, goodwill, and efforts from both sides, Viet Nam-Poland defence cooperation will develop strongly in the future. Lauding the outcomes of the talks between Bejda and Chien, Giang acknowledged the positive results of defence cooperation between the two countries over the past years, based on the memorandum of understanding on bilateral defence cooperation signed in 2010. Notable areas of cooperation include delegation exchanges, particularly at the high level, training, UN peacekeeping, and defence industry. Giang affirmed that in the coming period, the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defence will direct relevant agencies to continue implementing the agreed contents, with a view to promoting increasingly effective and practical defence cooperation in line with the overall relationship between the two nations. VNS HA NOI Deputy Defence Minister, General Phung Si Tan, Deputy Commanding General of Homeland Affairs for US Army Pacific (USARPAC) Major General Lance Okamura, and US Ambassador to Viet Nam Marc Knapper on Monday presided over the official handover ceremony of the Ba Vi Humanitarian Mine Action Demolition Training Range. The facility, worth over US$700,000, spanning over 2 hectares, seeks to enhance Viet Nams capacity to remove unexploded ordnance (UXO), marking a key milestone in US commitments to war legacy issues and the USARPAC-Viet Nam Humanitarian Mine Action (HMA) programme. The ceremony also coincides with the 30th anniversary of US-Viet Nam diplomatic relations (1995-2025). The Vietnamese defence official said in Viet Nam, the consequences of unexploded ordnance (UXO) from the war continue to pose a direct threat to the lives, health, and property of the people, significantly impacting socio-economic development. Over the years, Viet Nam has made great efforts to address the aftermath of UXO contamination, with large areas being surveyed and cleared to support production and socio-economic growth. However, in order to completely clear the 5.6 million hectares of suspected UXO contamination nationwide, numerous challenges must be addressed, requiring substantial resources, Tan noted. The cooperation in handling UXO is also one of the foundation that enables the two countries to elevate ties to the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for Peace, Cooperation, and Sustainable Development, according to Tan. US Army Pacific, through the HMA programme, has supported Viet Nam Mine Action Centre (VNMAC) demining efforts since 2016. The Ba Vi range provides VNMAC with a dedicated facility for explosive ordnance destruction training, instructor development, and operational management, Okamura said. Ambassador Knapper highlighted Viet Nams growing capability in UXO removal worldwide, reinforcing its role as a proactive and responsible member of the international community. This effort demonstrates our shared goal of making America, Viet Nam and the world a safer place, he said. The Ambassador also acknowledged the contributions of NGO partners, including Norwegian People's Aid, PeaceTrees Vietnam, Mines Advisory Group, and the Quang Tri Mine Action Centre, in advancing this critical work. Addressing war legacy issues remains a cornerstone of US-Viet Nam relations. The visit further reflects the trust built between the two nations since establishing diplomatic ties in 1995. Looking ahead, US Army Pacific anticipates continued collaboration with Viet Nam in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief training, military medical support, engineering projects and civil-military outreach programmes. The new Ba Vi Humanitarian Mine Action Demolition Training Range was constructed in 2024. Designed to meet International Mine Action Standards (IMAS), the facility supports Viet Nams National Programme 504 by providing specialised training in explosive handling, clearance operations, equipment testing and demolition procedures. VNS HA NOI State President Luong Cuong hosted a reception in Ha Noi on Monday for Prosecutor General of Azerbaijan Kamran Bayram Aliyev, who is on a working visit to Viet Nam. During the meeting, Cuong congratulated Azerbaijan on its recent achievements in ensuring political and social stability and economic development, which contribute to Azerbaijans increasing position and role in the international arena. He affirmed that the Vietnamese people always remember and esteem the valuable support provided by the Soviet Union, including Azerbaijan, during Viet Nam's struggle for independence and reunification in the past, as well as in the national construction and development at present. He said the visit holds great significance in further strengthening the traditional friendship between Viet Nam and Azerbaijan in general, as well as cooperation between the judicial bodies of the two nations in particular. Cuong hoped for closer relations between the two nations, thus fostering mutually beneficial cooperation across fields in the coming time. For his part, Aliyev expressed his delight at the flouring development of the bilateral relations, saying that the people of Azerbaijan always keep in mind the memories of President Ho Chi Minh's visit to Azerbaijan in 1959, which laid the foundation for the traditional friendship between the two countries. Reporting to the Vietnamese State leader on the outcomes of his working session with representatives of the Supreme People's Procuracy of Viet Nam, the guest revealed that the two sides had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on cooperation, which is expected to further deepen their relations. This visit provided the Azerbaijani delegation with an opportunity to share experience, strengthen cooperation with Viet Nam, and gain a deeper understanding of Vietnamese culture and history, and the hospitality of its people, he said. President Cuong affirmed the countrys consistent policy of continually strengthening relations with traditional friends, including Azerbaijan. He noted that many Vietnamese students trained in Azerbaijan have now become key officials in various ministries and sectors, bridging the friendship between the people of Viet Nam and Azerbaijan. Agreeing with the guest's ideas, the Vietnamese State leader said that Viet Nam is committed to continuing to build a professional, modern, fair, disciplined, and incorruptible judiciary that serves the country and the people as one of the key tasks in the process of building and perfecting the socialist rule-of-law state in Viet Nam. Currently, Viet Nam is carrying out a revolution to streamline the organisational apparatus of its political system, including the judicial system, to meet the demands of the cause of nation construction and defence in the new context, he stated. Lauding the signing of the MoU between Viet Nam's Supreme Peoples Procuracy and the General Prosecutor's Office of Azerbaijan during this visit, President Cuong said he believes that this document will provide a crucial legal foundation for the agencies to carry out cooperation activities that both sides are interested in, thus improving the effectiveness of their work. To ensure that the cooperation between the two bodies becomes more practical and effective, the host leader suggested that both sides regularly exchange delegations at all levels to enhance mutual understanding and friendship, while cooperating closely in training and capacity building for officials and prosecutors, and actively supporting each other's initiatives in international multilateral cooperation forums where both countries are members. He said he is confident that through this visit, cooperation between the two supreme procuracies will achieve positive breakthroughs, contributing to deeper and more effective relations between the two countries. VNS HA NOI Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh affirmed that to develop more strong science and technology enterprises, it is essential to first build a thriving ecosystem that supports their growth. He made these remarks on Monday while holding a dialogue with Vietnamese youth in 2025 under the theme 'Vietnamese Youth Leading the Way in Science, Technology, Innovation and National Digital Transformation'. The event was organised by the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Government Office and the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union to celebrate Youth Month 2025 and to commemorate the 94th anniversary of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union (March 26, 19312025). The dialogue gathered 300 young delegates representing more than 20 million Vietnamese youth nationwide. During the event, PM Chinh addressed delegates thoughts and concerns regarding the development of science, technology, innovation and digital transformation in Viet Nam. He called on young people to contribute their talents and intelligence to the nations sustainable development. To foster a supportive ecosystem for business development, PM Chinh emphasised three key strategic breakthroughs, including institutional reform, strategic infrastructure development, and high-quality workforce training. Firstly, the legal framework must be improved to create a more favourable business environment. This improvement requires simplifying administrative procedures, reducing unnecessary intermediary steps and promoting decentralisation. By implementing these measures, Viet Nam can ensure that business registration becomes more straightforward and compliance costs are significantly reduced, making it easier for enterprises to operate and grow. Secondly, the expansion of development spaces is essential to enhancing land value and fostering economic growth. To achieve this, Viet Nam must invest in the construction of industrial zones, urban areas, service hubs and tourism destinations. Additionally, priority must be given to strengthening digital infrastructure, science and technology infrastructure and energy infrastructure. These investments will not only lower input costs but also increase product competitiveness and create new opportunities for businesses to develop and thrive. Thirdly, the development of a highly skilled workforce is crucial for improving labour productivity and ensuring Viet Nams ability to compete in emerging industries. To achieve this goal, Viet Nam must focus on equipping workers with expertise in key sectors such as the digital and green economy, the circular and sharing economy and the knowledge economy. By investing in education and vocational training, the country can build a dynamic and adaptable workforce capable of driving sustainable economic growth. PM Chinh emphasised that the Government is also working on a plan to promote private sector growth, recognising it as a key driver of economic development. The plan aims to remove barriers and create better conditions for private enterprises to thrive. In response to a question about the development of the fundamental sciences, the Prime Minister acknowledged that Viet Nams basic science fields have not yet developed in line with national growth demands and global trends. He stressed the need for preferential mechanisms and policies to encourage students and researchers to pursue careers in mathematics, physics, biology, chemistry, engineering and key technologies. These fields, he said, are vital to Viet Nams advancement in science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation. To support this, the Government must implement scholarship programmes, establish recognition initiatives and create favourable policies to attract and nurture talent in these critical areas. Additionally, he underscored the importance of strengthening the teaching force and fostering a culture that values science education. Schools provide the foundation, teachers are the driving force and students play a central role in promoting fundamental sciences, he said. He also pointed out that in previous years, many young people pursued careers in economics, banking and finance because these fields provided stable employment and better incomes. However, he stressed that Viet Nam must now introduce policies that promote the development of fundamental science disciplines to ensure a balanced and future-oriented workforce. Regarding international collaboration, PM Chinh stated that Viet Nam is actively attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) by implementing appropriate mechanisms and policies. The country is calling for international partners to provide capital investment, transfer technology, train human resources, develop infrastructure and enhance management capabilities. He reiterated that the Party and the State of Viet Nam have two primary objectives: safeguarding national independence, sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity and improving the material and spiritual well-being of the Vietnamese people. At the dialogue, Prime Minister Chinh also recognised and honoured the recipients of the Outstanding Young Faces of Viet Nam and Promising Young Faces of Viet Nam awards for 2024, celebrating their contributions to the countrys development. VNS HCM CITY The Party organisation, government, and people of HCM City consistently give the highest priority to the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between Viet Nam and Laos, particularly the relationship between HCM City and its twinned Lao localities, said Permanent Deputy Secretary of the municipal Party Committee Nguyen Thanh Nghi. During a visit to the Lao Consulate General in HCM City on Monday on the occasion of the 70th founding anniversary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) (March 22, 1955 - 2025), Nghi spoke highly of the significant and comprehensive achievements that the Party, State, and people of Laos have made over the past 70 years. Under the sound leadership of the LPRP, the Lao people have overcome numerous challenges and achieved great victories of historic significance in their struggle for national liberation, as well as in building, protecting, and developing the country. The HCM City official affirmed the citys consistent commitment to fostering strong relationships with localities in Laos. It always strongly supports Laos' comprehensive renewal efforts and is confident that under the leadership of the LPRP, the Lao people will reap even greater successes in their reforms as well as in realising the goals set forth in the 11th Party National Congress. Nghi also noted that HCM City will remain committed to deepening cooperation across all fields with Laos. Lao Consul General in HCM City Phonesy Bounmixay expressed his delight at the positive development of the two countries' ties. He also thanked the Party, State and people of Viet Nam, particularly HCM City, for their effective support for Laos' past struggle for independence and current development efforts. The Lao diplomat said he appreciated the cooperation results between HCM City and Lao ministries, sectors, and localities. He expressed his hope that in the coming time, HCM City will expand its cooperation with Laos, particularly in education and human resources training, and strengthen people-to-people exchanges, especially among the youth, to further solidify the enduring friendship and comprehensive cooperation between Laos and Viet Nam. VNS HA NOI Chief Justice of the Supreme People's Court Le Minh Tri and Prosecutor General of Azerbaijan Kamran Bayram Aliyev have expressed a hope to explore the possibility and promote the signing of cooperation agreements between the two countries' court sectors during their meeting in Ha Noi on Monday. Tri emphasised that the traditional friendship between Viet Nam and Azerbaijan is opening up many opportunities for their cooperation in various fields. The two countries have witnessed growth in their economic, trade, and investment cooperation while promoting fruitful connections in traditional areas, especially culture and people-to-people exchanges, he said, noting thousands of Vietnamese youths who used to study in Baku are now contributing to the countrys vigorous development. The host congratulated the Supreme Peoples Procuracy of Viet Nam and the General Prosecutor's Office of Azerbaijan on achieving an important milestone with the signing of a memorandum of understanding on cooperation. This serves as a foundation for the two sides to implement many practical cooperative activities, particularly in fighting transnational crimes, protecting public interests, and enhancing capacity through procurator training, which will positively contribute to strengthening bilateral relations. On this occasion, Tri also introduced some key tasks and achievements of the Vietnamese court sector, alongside its adjudication activities. Currently, the Supreme People's Court of Viet Nam is reorganising its system to ensure it is streamlined and operates effectively and efficiently. Digital transformation is also being promoted, which is identified as a key breakthrough in 2025 and the following years. The Supreme People's Court is actively expanding international cooperation, especially bilateral relations with the countries that Viet Nam have traditional ties with, strategic partners, and regional countries. The sector is also stepping up the learning of international experiences in developing high-quality human resources; combating cybercrime, transnational crime, and environmental crime; and improving skills of handling cases involving minors, he added. For his part, Aliyev expressed his delight at many strides in the cooperative relationship between the two countries. He expected further development in the cooperation between Viet Nam and Azerbaijan in general, as well as between their procuracies and courts in particular. The visiting Prosecutor General also voiced his hope for increased high-level mutual visits and meetings between leaders of the countries' court and procuracy sectors. VNS HA NOI For decades, a stable job in the public sector has been considered the golden standard for many Vietnamese workers. But as Viet Nam pushes forward with bold reforms to streamline the system, more and more civil servants are walking away from State employment for the thrill and risk of private enterprise. Under the Partys Resolution No 18-NQ/TW, Viet Nam has embarked on an ambitious mission to streamline its public sector, cutting red tape and aligning its human resources with the fast-evolving demands of a globalised economy. As a result, a wave of resignations is emerging, with State employees voluntarily stepping down to forge new careers beyond government walls. This policy is accepted as a necessary shift, a recalibration to position the nation for sustainable growth. Behind this movement are personal stories of courage, innovation and reinvention, as individuals break free from tradition to explore new paths. A changing tide Le The Phong grew up in Trung Thanh Hamlet, Luong Son Commune, Thanh Hoa Province, surrounded by chalkboards and textbooks. Coming from a family steeped in the teaching tradition, Phong followed the expected path - graduating from Vinh University with a degree in History and returning home to teach at the local secondary school. But after 13 years in front of a classroom, Phong decided to resign in 2020. His reason was simple yet daunting. He dreamt of going into business. It was not an easy decision, Phong told Vietnam News Agency. My family worried, but I had a burning desire to improve our financial situation. With determination, Phong ventured into the forestry sector, investing in a wood-chipping production line focused on acacia trees, a key poverty-alleviation crop in the area. His factory now employs eight workers, each earning VN8-10 million per month (US$310-$390), and yields an annual profit of around VN300 million (over $11,740). While Phong acknowledges that his journey is still in its early stages, he is confident he made the right choice. I have no regrets. Even without Government support, following my passion has laid a foundation for something bigger. He is also supportive of the countrys restructuring policies, believing that many civil servants will soon follow similar paths. He said that individuals who possess skills, good health and determination would be able to adapt and succeed. Bui Chinh Thu spent nearly 20 years honing his craft as a journalist at Ha Tinh newspaper in Ha Tinh Province. But in 2019, both he and his wife - a high school teacher with a similarly long tenure - chose to step away from the State sector. Together, they launched their own business. The transition came with its share of risk, but Thu now reflects on the move as transformative. "I owe much to the profession, but this new path has given us more autonomy over our lives and finances. Thu now urges young professionals to embrace change: Step out of your comfort zone, but prepare well. Adaptability and critical thinking are your best assets. Former agriculture officer in Nghe An Provinces Con Cuong District, Phan Xuan Dien, took the leap in 2017. After years leading a Government-backed project to cultivate medicinal plants, he faced a life-changing decision: remain a Government official or leave to fully dedicate himself to the project. He said his friends had called him reckless, but he knew he had to give it a try. Dien left the public sector and launched Pu Mat Pharmaceutical JSC, producing herbal teas from ca gai leo (Solanum procumbens), a traditional medicinal plant. "At the time, all I thought about was how much I liked it, how passionate I was, so I went ahead without fully anticipating the challenges ahead. From growing medicinal herbs to producing finished goods was already difficult, but getting the products to sell proved even tougher." The business now boasts 15 products, with thirteen earning prestigious OCOP ratings. His goods are sold in supermarkets nationwide and across online platforms. Despite the many difficulties and challenges, Dien has no regrets about the path he chose. Ive lost a fair bit, but Ive gained even more, he said. By forging my own way, Ive had the freedom to pursue my ideas and passions to the fullest. "I am happy, not just of the business, but of helping local farmers diversify crops and improve incomes. Stories like these are increasingly common as Viet Nams public sector undergoes necessary reforms. The non-State sector is flourishing, said Le inh Ly, deputy head of the Nghe An Provincial Party Committees Organising Committee. Private enterprises and services are growing rapidly, opening doors for former State workers to contribute in new ways. Permanent Deputy Secretary of the Thanh Hoa Provincial Party Committee, Lai The Nguyen, added: Today, private companies and foreign-invested firms offer competitive salaries and attractive benefits. The public sector is no longer the sole route to stability. Former National Assembly Deputy Le Van Cuong highlighted the wider benefits: Streamlining boosts efficiency and creates room for capable officials to stay where theyre most needed while freeing others to enrich the private sector. In provinces like Thanh Hoa and Nghe An, the policys impact is clear. Hundreds of officials have registered for early retirement as part of the restructuring. Among them is Le Hai Hung, former head of the Ethnic Affairs Office of Lang Chanh District Peoples Committee, who left the post with nearly ten years of service remaining. The State is not the only avenue for contribution, Hung said. We can apply our strengths in business, investment, or other areas. But we must also guard against brain drain. Ngo Quang Hung, deputy head of the Publicity and Mass Mobilisation Committee of Nam an District Party Committee, Nghe An Province, is also stepping down almost a decade early. This is not a sacrifice, Hung said. It is a responsibility to create space for young, capable leaders to rise. To date, the provinces Department of Home Affairs has received 380 early retirement applications under Decree No 178, submitted by departments and localities across the province. While voluntary retirements help streamline the system, local leaders stress the need to thoroughly assess each case to prevent the departure of skilled personnel while underperformers seek to stay. Streamlining must be done carefully, said Nguyen. Talented, experienced cadres should be retained, while those with fewer contributions or limited capacity may opt to step aside. Nguyen Viet Hung, Director of the Nghe An Department of Home Affairs, said: We are drafting criteria to fairly assess public employees. The goal is to retain talent while encouraging weaker performers to transition. Need for support policies While support policies are in place, many believe more can be done. Dien suggested preferential credit packages and entrepreneurship training to help early retirees establish new livelihoods. Reform is vital, Dien said. But these individuals need tools to succeed outside the public sector. Offering preferential loan policies would equip them with the means to enter the dynamic economic market. Moreover, local departments and sectors should organise training courses to help them acquire modern, up-to-date sales and business skills that meet current market demands. Phong agreed, saying that he left teaching without the benefit of support programmes. With the right backing, many more would feel confident to take this step. Recent amendments, such as Decree No 67/2025/N-CP, have expanded eligibility for early retirement benefits, addressing earlier concerns among officials in mass organisations. Still, timely and transparent processing of benefits remains a priority. Retirees need certainty to plan their next steps, said Hung. Authorities across localities, including Thanh Hoa and Ha Tinh, are now fast-tracking administrative procedures to ensure entitlements are disbursed promptly. VNS HA NOI Lo Thi Sang, a middle-aged woman from Dao Cu Nha Village, Lao Chai Commune, Mu Cang Chai District, in the mountainous northern province of Yen Bai, is delighted now that her family can enjoy electricity. At my age, its only now that my home has electricity. Before, everything had to be done in the dark, she said. I am so happy now. During the day, I can go to the fields, and in the evening, I can sew and weave cloth, she added. Lo A Sau, from the same village, echoed her sentiments, expressing how pleased he was that his family now had electricity for their daily activities. The village, located nearly 10 kilometres from the centre of the commune, is home to 160 households. The areas unpaved roads and lack of electricity have made socio-economic development particularly challenging. Sang and Sau are among 300 households in the district that have benefitted from a project for the promotion, demonstration and commercialisation of solar power generation and storage systems, with Internet of Things (IoT) monitoring via cloud computing technology. Thanks to this project, funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) through Niinuma Vietnam Co., Ltd., local residents have access to electricity for daily use. The project's total funding exceeds approximately VN17.7 billion (US$690,000). One of the initiatives under JICAs Support Programme for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises, the project aims to help achieve the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and address socio-economic challenges in developing countries. The proposal was submitted by Niinuma Vietnam Co., Ltd. and was selected by JICA in 2020. Niinuma Corporation, based in Ishinomaki, Miyagi Prefecture, established a subsidiary in Viet Nam in 2019 and is expanding into the fields of LED lighting and solar power production. As part of the project, solar power generation and storage systems have been installed in 300 households across the district, providing electricity for lighting, small fans and mobile phone charging. Niinuma Vietnam Co., Ltd. also handles the operation and evaluation of the systems. A handover ceremony for the projects equipment took place at the JICA Viet Nam Office on Monday morning in Ha Noi. A valuable project ao Ngoc Hung, Chairman of the Peoples Committee of Mu Cang Chai District, said the project began in May 2023 in celebration of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Viet Nam and Japan. After the installation of solar power systems in 300 households in the four villages of Hang A, Dao Cu Nha, Trong Khua and Na Hang, the project has provided much-needed light for evening activities and small appliances, enabling students to study at night. The lights also allow people to watch television, women to sew and weave and men to craft household items, he said. Villagers can now also host evening events for festivals and family celebrations, Hung said. He stated: "We see this as a valuable and effective project, helping to improve local peoples lives and alleviate poverty in the region." Through a survey of local households, over 90 per cent of families reported satisfaction with the solar power systems installed under the project, Hung added. However, some households expressed concerns, noting that the 500-watt capacity of the solar systems for each household might be too small for their needs. In the future, the district's residents hope JICA will continue to support them by providing additional equipment for households not yet connected to the national grid and consider increasing the capacity of the solar power systems to over 800 watts. At the handover ceremony, Nakata Shota, a representative from JICA and the projects advisor, said that in Viet Nam, bringing electricity to mountainous regions remains a significant challenge due to the high costs and time needed in building transmission lines. Today, JICA and Niinuma Vietnam Co., Ltd. are handing over 300 solar power generation and storage units, along with IoT monitoring systems using cloud computing technology. We hope this equipment will help address some of the issues. However, Shota said, many people in remote areas still lack access to electricity, so it is crucial to continue working towards providing power to even more communities. Minowa Yuya, CEO of Niinuma Vietnam Co., Ltd., said the project helps to improve the living environment by reducing indoor air pollution, as villagers previously had to burn firewood for light. Although the current electricity supply may not meet all demands, Minowa expressed hope that, based on the trial results and data collected, the company could offer further optimisations in the future. VNS The loan is provided to support TGDDs working capital in recognition of their efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across it operations, while implementing action to minimise plastic bags in its stores. TGDD is Vietnams leading mobile phone and consumer electronics retail chain with over 3,000 points of sales nationwide and millions of products sold annually. TGDDs ESG Key Performance Indicators were developed in line with international Sustainability-Linked Loan Principles (SLLP) and validated by an external Second Party Opinion firm. The transaction with TGDD reflects HSBCs ongoing efforts to support Vietnamese corporates to adopt more sustainable business practices, said Tim Evans, CEO and head of Banking at HSBC Vietnam. Building the strategic relationship with Mobile World Group for nearly 20 years has helped us appreciate their long-term strategy and leverage our solutions to meet their increasing demands. Vu Dang Linh, CFO of Mobile World Group said, Sustainability is more than just a trendit is our responsibility to the environment and society. This sustainability-linked trade loan provides working capital to The Gioi Di Dong in the recognition of our strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emission intensity and reduce use of plastic bags across our retail network. IFCs record climate financing in Vietnam supports green transition Boosting its support for Vietnam's green transition and sustainable development, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) scaled up its long-term investment in the country with a strong focus on climate finance in the last fiscal year. Green finance to be unlocked As Vietnam progresses towards sustainability, integrating green finance is key to balancing economic growth with environmental preservation. The countrys unique social, political, economic, and environmental context presents both pros and cons for leveraging green finance solutions that align with global best practices while addressing local realities. Photo: binhduong.gov.vn The information was shared at a meeting with Bui Minh Tri, Vice Chairman of Binh Duong People's Committee, and Hirohisa Fujiwara, international business director of Tokyu Group. Fujiwara highlighted the success of Becamex Tokyu, a joint venture between Tokyu Group and Becamex IDC Corporation, thanks to the support of local authorities. Tokyu Group will continue to cooperate and share its 100-year experience of urban development to help Binh Duong become a green, smart, and liveable city. "We hope that the province will create conditions for Becamex Tokyu to conduct a feasibility study for a light rail transit in Thu Dau Mot city," he added. In response, Tri stressed, "Public transport, especially a light rail transit, is one of the key focus areas for Binh Duong. The locality is taking steps to complete its transport network for residents in urban areas. The light rail transit is expected to create a breakthrough in the development of transport infrastructure in Thu Dau Mot city." Tri lauded the partnership and achievements between Tokyu Group and Becamex IDC, which have made a positive contribution to Binh Duong's growth. "Becamex Tokyu has invested in commerce, urban development, and transport infrastructure. Hopefully, Tokyu Group and Becamex Tokyu will accompany the province to bolster expansions across many fields and projects in the near future," he said. In addition, Binh Duong is researching its first metro line, connecting Thu Dau Mot city to Suoi Tien Station on Ho Chi Minh City's Metro Line 1. Spanning 32.4km, the line includes 29.01km of main line and 3.42km of depot connections. Binh Duong's metro line will mainly feature double tracks with a standard gauge of 1.435m and a maximum speed of 120km per hour. Total investment for the project is estimated at $2.52 billion. Under the plan, the line is expected to start construction in 2027 and be completed in 2031. Start date set for Binh Duong-Ho Chi Minh City metro construction Binh Duong province's first metro line, connecting Binh Duong New City to Ho Chi Minh City's Suoi Tien, is expected to start construction in 2027 and be completed in 2031. Japan's Tokyu researches semiconductor technology in Binh Duong Japan's Tokyu Group has established research teams to explore investments in a number of new fields such as high technology and semiconductors in the southern province of Binh Duong. At the government meeting on science and technology development, innovation, and digital transformation on March 18, Minister of Finance Nguyen Van Thang delivered a speech on the allocation of state budget and investment cooperation. Minister Nguyen Van Thang Minister Thang said that the budget has so far allocated 2 per cent, equivalent to VND51 trillion ($2.04 billion) for sci-tech development. Another 1 per cent of regular expenditure for sci-tech development is being moved from other resources. "If needing to supplement expenditure for sci-tech, innovation and digital transformation, relevant authorities should submit to the Ministry of Science and Technology and the MoF to immediately add to the budget plan," he said. For the budget from 2026 onwards, the MoF will synthesise and calculate to allocate resources following the direction of the Central Steering Committee and the prime minister. According to the Law on State Budget, the state ensures expenditure for sci-tech equalling 2 per cent at least of the total annual state budget expenditure and gradually going up as the fact requirements. The allocation of the state budget for sci-tech in the following year is based on practical needs and the results of previously using the allocated budget. Thang shared the reason for the unachieved budget expenditure for sci-tech. Ministries, agencies, and localities have not paid attention to sci-tech development, and not many projects can ensure the correct principles and criteria for capital allocation. Many localities do not allocate capital or allocate very little for sci-tech development. The ability to absorb investment capital of the sci-tech sector is not commensurate. The number of cancelled estimates, the number returned to the state budget every year is considerable. In the 20212025 period, the state budget allocation for sci-tech development, innovation and national digital transformation was integrated from various sources. The total expenditure for this field is still modest. Specifically, it reached 1.37 per cent in 2021, 1.72 per cent in 2022, 1.39 per cent in 2023, 1.97 per cent in 2024, and being expected to reach 2 per cent in 2025. State budget expenditure for sci-tech is mentioned in many laws, such as the Law on Science and Technology, the Law on State Budget, and the Law on Public Investment. Furthermore, other regulations on spending on sci-tech also have some inconsistent content, leading to challenges in the process of allocating capital sources, payment, and settlement of projects. To remove difficulties in institutions, and procedures for spending on R&D, sci-tech, digital transformation, and innovation, the MoF has worked with the Ministry of Science and Technology to advise the government to submit to the National Assembly for promulgation of Resolution No.193/2025/QH15 on pilot implementation of special policies to create breakthroughs in national digital transformation. "Currently, the two ministries are working to soon issue a guiding decree, expected in March, to remove all obstacles from the budget arrangement, estimates, allocation, disbursement, and settlement," Minister Thang said. "When the guiding decree is issued, the woes in spending on sci-tech will be completely removed." Additionally, the MoF is working with the Ministry of Science and Technology to submit a draft law amending many laws in the upcoming National Assembly session. In May, the MoF will also propose to amend the Law on State Budget, including regulations on spending on sci-tech. Technology primed as next modern growth driver Obstacles in funding sci-tech projects could soon be resolved to release resources and create momentum for the countrys economic growth. Strong trend towards tech-driven retail in Vietnam There is a strong trend towards tech-driven retail in Vietnam to help increase operational efficiency, enhance customer experience, and prevent losses. The Department of Taxation held a meeting with the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) of the United States on March 21 to discuss policy reforms and investment opportunities. Photo: Phuong Thao Ed Brzytwa, vice president of the CTA, highlighted Vietnams growing role in the global technology market and commended the governments initiatives, particularly in the tax sector, to create a more predictable and business-friendly regulatory environment. "Vietnams commitment to improving its tax policies and aligning with international standards will be instrumental in attracting long-term investment in e-commerce and innovation," said Brzytwa. Mai Xuan Thanh, director general of the Department of Taxation, emphasised the strong economic and technological ties between the two nations, underscoring Vietnam's commitment to fostering innovation and investment. "Vietnam is a dynamic, young consumer market with a rapidly growing demand for technology products," Thanh said. "This evolution is reshaping how consumers interact with goods and services while also presenting new challenges for the regulatory landscape." To address these challenges, according to Thanh, Vietnams tax authorities are working to modernise policies that support the countrys digital transformation. "We recognise the critical role that technology firms play in driving economic growth and global integration," Thanh said. "Thats why we are prioritising tax reforms that ensure fairness, transparency, and maximum support for businesses operating in the consumer technology sector." Thanh also reaffirmed the governments commitment to tax reforms that foster economic growth and technological advancement. "The Ministry of Finance remains dedicated to crafting tax policies that encourage business sustainability while ensuring transparency and fairness," he said. Looking ahead, Vietnams tax authorities plan to maintain an ongoing dialogue with industry leaders, including the CTA, to exchange insights on regulatory frameworks in both Vietnam and the US. "Through continued collaboration, we can enhance mutual understanding, swiftly address industry concerns, and cultivate a more competitive and investor-friendly business environment," Thanh added. During the meeting, tax officials and industry representatives discussed strategies to harmonise Vietnams tax framework with global best practices. Key topics included the impact of tax policies on foreign investment and the role of taxation in fostering a sustainable digital economy. US tariff policies causing concern in Vietnam As new tariffs on imported goods may create significant impacts on domestic enterprises and foreign-invested enterprises (FIEs), legal reform is increasingly important for Vietnam to maintain its attractiveness and competitiveness. Tax extensions could support sustainable growth Continued fiscal support is expected to benefit individuals and businesses in production activities. The company has signed a 15-year charter agreement for two additional Very Large Ethane Carriers (VLECs) to transport ethane from the Untied States to Vietnam, bringing the total to five vessels as planned, and securing long-term transportation of one million tonnes of ethane per year. SCGC has reaffirmed its commitment to accelerating the project, confident that using ethane as an alternative feedstock will enhance LSPs cost competitiveness while being more environmentally friendly by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2027, aligning with the anticipated recovery of the petrochemical market in the region. Sakchai Patiparnpreechavud, CEO and president of SCGC, said, SCGC has signed a long-term time charter agreement for two additional VLECs with Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL), a global liquified natural gas carriers shipowner, through its subsidiaries. This agreement increases the total fleet to five vessels, following the initial three secured in January 2025. Under the agreement, MOL group will transport ethane from the US to Vietnam for 15 years. The expansion of the VLECs fleet aligns with the LSP's supply chain strategy to boost operational efficiency and reduce long-term transportation risks. The ethane supply chain for the LSP plant is now fully established, comprising the ethane supply agreement and export terminal; time charter agreements for five VLECs; and the engineering, procurement, and construction of feedstock storage facilities specifically designed for ethane. The company has now completed all these steps and is ready to accelerate to the next phase. The project has an estimated investment of approximately $500 million sourced from SCGs internal funding, with the majority allocated to feedstock storage tanks construction. The plant was already designed with gas feedstock flexibility, allowing us to immediately modify the plant to receive ethane as a feedstock. The LSP plant in Vietnam is the first in ASEAN to utilise ethane from the US as a feedstock, which will significantly reduce costs by over 30 per cent compared to current naphtha prices, Patiparnpreechavud noted. Long Son Petrochemical Complex to be SCG's model for circular economy Thailand's leading industrial conglomerate SCG wants to turn the $5.4 billion Long Son Petrochemical project in the southern province of Ba Ria Vung Tau into a model for the circular economy. Long Son Petrochemical Complex receives $1.4 billion added capital The approval to add $1.386 billion to Long Son Petrochemical Complex is expected to put new wind in the sails of the project which is running significantly behind the schedule. It has always been this way. Yet recently (last 5 presidencies very obvious), as we watched and seriously realized that an extremely obviously senile Biden was not in charge as president, we now see and watch a solid confirmation that American Presidents are puppets ruled by martinets It has never been clearer and by Trump following Biden is has become forefront in the worlds eyes Sad really WtR Cases of Tuberculosis rise across Wales This article is old - Published: Monday, Mar 24th, 2025 A warning has been issued by health officials amid a rise in cases of TB in Wales. According to the latest Tuberculosis in Wales Annual Report cases rose from 84 in 2023 to 95 in 2024, raising the incidence rate from 2.7 to 3.0 per 100,000 people. Despite being preventable and curable, TB can cause long-term illness, with symptoms including a persistent cough lasting more than three weeks, night sweats, unexplained weight loss, or a high temperature. It disproportionately affects underserved communities, including those experiencing homelessness, migration, substance misuse, or imprisonment. Addressing these health inequalities is essential to eliminating TB. Now Public Health Wales is working with partners to strengthen prevention strategies, improve access to early diagnosis, and ensure people receive timely treatment to reduce the spread of TB. A strategic screening programme is in development, along with targeted screening and treatment activities which target communities most at risk. To help raise awareness and drive progress, Public Health Wales held the first-ever Wales World TB Day Symposium in Cardiff on 24 March. The event brought together healthcare professionals, policymakers, researchers, and patients to share insights and drive progress in TB prevention, detection and treatment efforts. Lizzy, a 38-year-old lecturer, faced a battle with TB over the past year. Initially diagnosed with chest infections, Lizzy endured months of extreme fatigue, a persistent cough, and difficulty breathing. Despite a history of good health, she was diagnosed with TB. After a difficult 15-month treatment journey, she is now TB-free. She said: I was shocked but relieved when I finally had an answer. The treatment was tough, I lost weight, felt constantly exhausted, and had to take time off work. It affected my personal and professional life, the experience was traumatic, but I was lucky to have access to fantastic care and support. Many people arent aware that TB can remain dormant for years before becoming active. Its crucial that people recognize the symptoms and seek help early. Professor Meng Khaw, National Director of Health Protection and Screening Services at Public Health Wales, said: TB is still present in our communities, and it remains a significant health challenge. The increase in TB cases in Wales, highlights the urgent need for strengthened prevention strategies and improved access to early diagnosis. By ensuring people receive timely treatment, we can protect our communities from this serious but preventable disease. Tabitha Kavoi, Consultant in Health Protection and TB lead at Public Health Wales, added: TB remains a serious public health issue, but it is both preventable and curable. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment are crucial in stopping the spread of the TB. If you experience symptoms such as a persistent cough lasting over three weeks, night sweats, unexplained weight loss, or fever, seek medical advice immediately. By raising awareness, improving early diagnosis, and ensuring equitable access to treatment, we can move closer to eliminating TB in Wales. Northampton man charged with keyless car thefts in North Wales This article is old - Published: Monday, Mar 24th, 2025 Detectives investigating a series of keyless car thefts across North Wales have said a man has been charged in connection with the incidents. Police say incidents were logged in the Conwy and Denbighshire areas. In a statement officer said yesterday they charged Tomas Politovas aged 34 of Kettering Road, Northampton with conspiracy to commit vehicle thefts between the 22nd February and 22nd March 2025. They added, He is also charged with possessing a knife in a public place, use of apparatus for the purpose of interfering with wireless telegraphy and possession of Cannabis. He will appear at Llandudno Magistrates Court, March 24th. The charges relate to a series of keyless vehicle thefts over recent weeks across Prestatyn, Rhyl, Abergele, Penrhyn Bay, Llandudno and Llandudno Junction areas. Detective Constable Ashley Davies from Central CID said I would urge owners of vehicles with keyless entry and start to continue to be vigilant, particularly owners of BMW and Mercedes vehicles. Owners are advised to ensure that vehicles are locked, and to utilise anti-theft car key pouches also known as Faraday Pouches which prevents this type of keyless vehicle crime. We will continue to proactively target individuals travelling into North Wales to commit criminality of this nature, and enquiries are on-going to further identify and target those involved. Plaid Cymru demand for fair share from HS2 voted down This article is old - Published: Monday, Mar 24th, 2025 The Senedd rejected Plaid Cymru calls to demand HS2 be redesignated as an England-only project to unlock billions of pounds of consequential funding for Wales. Senedd members voted 42-12 against a Plaid Cymru motion on HS2, a high-speed railway from London to Birmingham, following a debate on March 12. The project was classified as a Wales-and-England project in 2015 by David Camerons UK Government despite not an inch of track crossing the border. As a consequence, no funding has come to Wales under the Barnett formula but Scotland and Northern Ireland have received a population share of HS2 spending. Plaid Cymru has made the case for 4bn in compensation based on estimates of the total cost but the Welsh Government has quoted a 400m figure based on spending to date. Decades of neglect Peredur Owen Griffiths, the partys shadow transport secretary in the Senedd, warned Welsh rail infrastructure has been systematically underfunded by the UK Government. Calling for an end to fundamental injustice, he said: Wales has received a fraction of the rail enhancement funding it is owed, our infrastructure has suffered from decades of neglect and the UK Government has failed to deliver the fair funding Wales needs. The Plaid Cymru politician pointed to an acknowledgment from Heidi Alexander, the UK transport secretary, that Wales has received low levels of funding historically. But this underfunding is not just historical, it is ongoing, he warned. Westminster, whether red or blue, continues to deny Wales the consequentials it is due. Mr Owen Griffiths raised concerns about reports that UK chancellor Rachel Reeves plans to freeze spending on major new rail projects until after the 2029 general election. Collective amnesia Pointing out that Welsh ministers previously called for 5bn in consequential funding, he told the Senedd: Clearly, the people of Wales cannot trust this Labour party to stick to its word. Mr Owen Griffiths criticised the Welsh Governments delete-all amendment, which was narrowly agreed, for U-turning on previous policy positions. He said: Now, when it truly matters, they have collective amnesia. What has changed? The only thing that has changed is Labours willingness to stand up for Wales when they finally got the chance to do something about it. Peter Fox, the Tories shadow transport secretary, accused Labour of playing politics. It must be embarrassing for Labour backbenchers, hence not many here, he said. Labours heckler-in-chief Lee Waters pointed out: Theres nobody on your front bench. Mr Fox said: Politicians in both Wales and England were calling for billions of pounds but now Labour are in power in Westminster, their call is for just a meagre 400m. Grotesque imbalance Labour backbencher Mick Antoniw pointed out that the previous Conservative UK Government could have designated HS2 as an England-only project. Mr Fox, a former council leader, said the Tory Senedd group has stood against its own party on HS2 funding, adding: Its a kick in the teeth that you are turning your back. His Conservative colleague Gareth Davies warned of a grotesque imbalance between spending on rail in north Wales compared with the south of the country. Labours Hefin David remarked: The closer we get to an election, the poorer the standard of debate happens to be in this chamber. You would swear that actually theres been no progress whatsoever on rail in Wales which is manifestly not the case. Dr David pointed out that the newest trains in the whole of Europe now run on the Rhymney line through his Caerphilly constituency following an incredible transformation. Transformation Welsh Lib Dem leader Jane Dodds said: I feel these debates are really the opposition parties putting down a motion and the Welsh Government saying delete all, and it feels like on this occasion just for the point of doing it and that depresses me beyond belief. Labours Alun Davies agreed, saying: I dont believe thats the correct way of approaching these debates. We should look for consensus where possible and thats coming from me. We should look towards amending motions rather than deleting them. Wales transport secretary Ken Skates said the Welsh Government took ownership of the core valley lines and transformed a liability into an asset. He told the Senedd: And now that we have a Labour UK Government we will transform services across north Wales as well, increasing services by 50% next year. Mr Skates said a review of Network Rail processes will ensure Wales finally receives a fair share of all future rail infrastructure investment. by Chris Haines ICNN Senedd Reporter Scouts from Clwyd join 500 others from across the UK to shape the future of the Scout movement This article is old - Published: Monday, Mar 24th, 2025 Seven young people supported by four leaders from Flintshire, Llangollen, Vale of Clwyd & Wrexham travelled to Manchester to have their say on the future strategy and direction of the Scout Movement This event was the first of its kind ever to take place in the UK Scout Movement and took place at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester. Clwyd Area Scouts, which is made up of over 2,000 young people from across North East Wales were lucky enough to send two delegations to the event. Young people from Rhyl, Wrexham, Broughton, Hawarden and Llangollen attended the event. Clwyd Area Youth Lead, Aimee Curtis, from Wrexham, who supported young people at the event, said: Being part of the first ever Scouts UK Youth Forum was an incredible experience. Making sure Scouting is Youth Shaped at every level is crucial for our future, ensuring we offer activities that truly engage young people in the 21st century. Events like this are crucial for that. The young people we took were fantasticthey contributed brilliantly, fully engaged in every activity, and proved themselves to be real change makers. Theyre helping Scouts move forward, continue delivering Skills for Life, and shape a future strategy that will leave a lasting impact on them, their peers, and generations to come. Sam Brumby, 13, from Rhyl, said: I feel important, I feel like Im making a really big difference. Ive been participating in loads of activities today, and I feel like this is going to help change Scouts for the better. I think its a good opportunity to meet new people, to make new friends, and to have fun with other people from all walks of life. I feel very proud of myself. From every Scout County or Area, two Scouts aged 10 to 14 and two Explorer Scouts aged 14-18, supported by two adult volunteers, have been invited to youth forums in Belfast, Edinburgh, Manchester and Oxford to give as many young people as possible the chance to input into the Movements future plans. The adult volunteers taking part in the event were all also under 25 years old. Dwayne Fields, the recently appointed Chief Scout, said: Its important that the future plans of the Scouts are informed by young people, so thats why its essential that young people from Clwyd are able to contribute to the future of the Scout Movement in the next ten years by having their say on our future plans. The day forum event consisted of workshops and plenary sessions where those attending were able to examine draft plans for the future of the Movement and update and modify those plans in the light of their experiences. The sessions including activities look at the future of scouting, our connection to nature and the outdoors, safety and safeguarding and youth voice. As well as attending the forum, Scouts from across the country have been invited to take part in activities to share their ideas to help shape the future of Scouting. Jacob Jones, Vale of Clwyd District Lead Volunteer, from Rhyl, who also supported young people at the event, said: Im incredibly proud of the young people we took to the Youth Forum. They shared fantastic ideas and suggestions, helping shape the future of Scouting. They connected with Scouts from across the UK and British Scouting Overseas (BSO), fully immersing themselves in the experience and representing our area brilliantly. Hearing directly from young people and having them actively contribute to shaping our movement is essential to keeping Scouting relevant and ensuring its continued positive, life changing impact. As a younger leader myself, Im proud that Scouting is so inclusivevaluing young voices and giving them real opportunities to be heard. Its an experience that helps develop key life skills like confidence, public speaking, and teamwork. The Washoe County Sheriff's Office is warning that there is someone out there on social media posing as an employee of their agency. According to an official statement from WCSO, the person is not employed by the Washoe County Sheriff's Office and does not represent them in any capacity. WCSO is asking that if you have interactions with the fake account claiming they are with the sheriff's office, to report it to Facebook immediately. For any questions or concerns, call the Washoe County Sheriff's Office directly at (775) 328-3001. The Fallon Police Department is asking for the public's help identifying a person as part of an active investigation. They have provided the photos attached to this story, which were captured via surveillance camera. Officials are asking that if anyone recognizes this person, to call Fallon Police at (775) 423-2111. When calling, ask to speak with the case agent for F25-01164. Perhaps its the rising price of buying straight off the rack or a heightened awareness of the environmental impact of fast fashion, but south of San Francisco they're experiencing a boom in secondhand shopping. Pre-loved shopping on the Peninsula comes in many forms: authentic, dealer-sourced vintage ranging from the 1930s to the early 2000s; gently used clothing from contemporary brands, big and small; and luxury consignment from designer labels. These four destinations sell secondhand gems at a range of price points, from Lululemon to Louis Vuitton. Need to clean out your own closet to make room for your finds? Many of these shops also offer buy-and-sell or consignment programs, helping you earn some extra cash for items that are ready for a second life. Juliannas Luxe in San Bruno (Courtesy of @juliannasluxe) Juliannas Luxe, San Bruno Owner Jan Regala Freeman, a San Bruno resident with a background in banking, always dreamed of opening a brick-and-mortar business to give women the chance to buy their dream handbag at a reasonable pricewithout the impersonal experience of resale sites. In September last year, she opened her charming boutique, Julianna's Luxe, in one of San Brunos oldest strip malls on San Mateo Avenue. In it, shoppers can find a selection of high-end and contemporary gently worn pieces, all personally authenticated by Freeman. Also offering personal styling services and hosting pop-up events, Juliannas Luxe is more than just a haven for luxury consignmentits a concept store. This past January, they hosted the Iconic by Juliannas Luxe fashion show at the Philippine Center in San Francisco, where models wore entirely pre-owned outfits in support of local schools and nonprofits. // Email style@juliannasluxe.com to make a personal styling appointment or consign@juliannasluxe.com to consign items from your collection; 440 San Mateo Ave Suite N4 (San Bruno), juliannasluxe.com Sainted Goods in Belmont (Courtesy of @saintedgoods) Sainted Goods, Belmont In 2021, friends Carissa Noelle Galvez Rey-Hipolito and Evangeline McNeil turned their mutual love for fashion, jewelry, and vintage into Sainted Goods, a small store packed with personality in Belmonts Carlmont Village Shopping Center. Inspired by the previous "sainted" lives of vintage clothing, entering the store feels like stumbling into the closet of a woman who's lived a glamorous life, racks full of party dresses, sparkly bags, and '60s fur coats. With a trove of pieces to work with, Rey-Hipolito and McNeil often style customers in-store to curate looks brimming with vintage flair. In addition to selling pre-owned clothing, pieces from the owners side businesses, along with other locally-made products, have also made their way into Sainted Goods selection. Rey-Hipolitos repurposed jewelry brand and McNeils upcycled label, Tweed Fancy, bring a personal touch to the stores inventory. //1027 1/2 Alameda de las Pulgas (Belmont), saintedgoods.com Fillmore & 5th in Palo Alto (Courtesy of @fillmoreand5th) Fillmore & 5th, Palo Alto This longtime fixture in Palo Altos Town & Country Shopping Center is the mature older sister brand of Crossroads Trading, with its name referencing the original Crossroads location, which opened in 1991 on Fillmore Street. Fillmore & 5th came along in 2012 as a new concept to cater to an audience hungry for consignment. While the flagship in San Francisco closed in 2015, the Town & Country location is in its 13th year in business and has since expanded to double its original size, with racks of activewear, seasonal pieces, trendy items, and formalwear. Fillmore & 5th predominantly sells pre-owned contemporary items at a fraction of the original price, with a smaller selection of luxury purses, shoes, and other accessories. Expect to find brands including Ganni, Anthropologie, A.L.C., and Frame. Fillmore & 5th's buy-and-sell model is similar to that of Crossroads, offering sellers 30 percent of the items store value in cash or 50 percent in trade credit. // 855 El Camino Real Suite 88 (Palo Alto), crossroadstrading.com/fillmore5th Black and Brown in San Jose (Courtesy of @blackandbrownsj) Black and Brown, San Jose Black and Brownwhich recently celebrated 20 years of selling pre-loved clothing in the Bay Areais where twenty-somethings south of the city score their best secondhand finds. The store on the west side of San Jose buys and sells mens and womens clothing, shoes, and accessories, styling and sharing the hottest items on its Instagram page before they hit the floor. Owner and San Jose native Monisha Murray has witnessed Black and Brown's evolution over the past two decades. From its early days in San Carlos, where Murray hosted fashion shows and art happenings in the early 2000s, to its five years on The Alamedain San Jose, the shop has had many lives, each with the same core principles: to sell contemporary and vintage styles and to keep curation fashion-forward for all types of shoppers. With a name that nods to Murrays African American and Mexican American background, fostering community is at the heart of Black and Brown and its upcoming plans for expansion into the building next door. In mid-April, Black and Brown will unveil a community space where it plans to host pop-ups, DJs, and other events. // 751 W San Carlos St (San Jose), shopblackandbrown.com If Yoko Onos life were a novel, it would be a twisting, turning, wildly unpredictable epic. What a story: Little Yoko was the scion of a powerful Japanese family who lived through Tokyos bombing in World War II and grew into an important avant-garde artist. That was before becoming the much-maligned wife of musical icon John Lennon and shouldering the blame for breaking up his previous marriage and the Beatles. Then she witnessed her beloved husband gunned down in front of their apartment at the Dakota in New York City on Dec. 8, 1980. Author David Sheff, 69, whos written other notable books, including the 2008 bestseller Beautiful Boy about his sons drug addiction (adapted into a 2018 movie of the same name), captures this all in Yoko, his new biography of Ono, 92, with whom hes maintained a friendship since he interviewed her and Lennon for Playboy in 1980. When Lennon died less than three months after that interview, Sheff hopped on a red eye from California to be by Onos side. Members only He has said he was inspired to write the biography after sighting a bumper sticker that read, Still Pissed at Yoko. Yoko did not sit for new interviews for this book because, her book publicist says, she stopped granting interviews in 2020, essentially retiring. Instead, the author drew on the hundreds, if not thousands, of hours he spent interviewing and hanging out with her over the last 40-odd years, as well as interviews with people close to her, including her son, Sean, and her daughter, Kyoko. Here are some highlights from Yoko. Ono with her mother, Isoko, and father, Eisuke, in 1935 when she was 2 and a half years old. Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images 1. Yoko Onos wealthy parents gave her everything except affection. Onos parents came from powerful Japanese banking families. Her artistically frustrated father, Eisuke, was a gifted pianist who ended up yoked to the family business. Her glamorous mother, Isoko, left child-rearing to nannies, who were instructed never to rock the baby or help her up if she fell. Ono did not meet her father until she was two and a half years old because he was abroad running a branch bank in San Francisco, where the family eventually joined him. 2. The trauma of living through World War II permeated her whole life. As a young girl sheltering in place with her mother and two younger siblings in Tokyo, she saw the city bombed and heard Kamikaze pilots broadcast their goodbyes on the radio. It was just the most horrific thing that Ive heard, she once told the BBC. I think that changed my whole idea about war. Eventually, her mother dispatched the children to the countryside, where Ono, 12, bartered their possessions for food. She suffered from malnutrition and endured an appendectomy with insufficient anesthesia. A doctor made inappropriate sexual advances. After the war, teenage Ono suffered from bad earaches and depression, and attempted suicide. 3. A multi-media performance artist before those terms existed, Ono helped fuel New York Citys avant-garde art movement. Ono dropped out of Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, N.Y.. in 1956 at the end of her junior year, asphyxiated by conservative teachers, she said. She married her first husband, Toshi Ichiyanagi, a Japanese pianist studying at Julliard that same year. The two became fans and proteges of the experimental composer John Cage. Ono rented a loft space downtown and held candle-lit concerts and art exhibits. One of her most famous works from the 1960s was the feminist statement, Cut Piece, where audience members were invited onstage to pick up scissors and shear off parts of her clothing. In 2020, the New York Times deemed it one of the most influential works of American protest art since World War II. Ord Minnett Conference Presentation Sydney, Mar 21, 2025 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Empire Energy Group Ltd ( ASX:EEG ) ( EEGUF:OTCMKTS ) is actively developing the Beetaloo Basin, a key shale gas resource in Northern Australia, strategically located near Asian LNG markets. This focus positions the company to potentially meet growing energy demands, with the basin's low CO2 emissions aligning with global sustainability goals. Resource Holdings and Specifications The company holds approximately 3 million net effective acres, with a 100% working interest and about 85% net revenue interest, as per recent industry reports. The Velkerri Shale, similar to the US Marcellus Shale, boasts significant resources, with over 47 TCFe of best estimate prospective resources and more than 1.6 TCF of contingent resources, assessed by NSAI. Notably, Empire's gas has less than 1% CO2 and high ethane content (~12%), meeting Japanese specifications and supporting the Ichthys LNG expansion by 2030, which could enhance regional energy exports. Project Developments and Agreements Empire has secured a gas sales agreement with the Northern Territory Government, committing to supply up to 25 TJ/d over 10 years, with first sales targeted for 2025 from the Carpentaria Pilot Project. The project aims for initial production of up to 25 TJ/d, with plans to expand to approximately 200 TJ/d, serving both east coast and LNG markets. Recent achievements include signing MoUs with APA Group and Power and Water Corporation, drilling the Carpentaria-5H well, and acquiring a gas plant from AGL, reflecting steady progress toward commercialization. This focus is driven by the Beetaloo basin's potential to supply gas to both domestic and international markets, particularly given its proximity to key demand centers. The company's operations are centered on maturing its assets to production, with significant investments and activities aimed at unlocking the basin's vast potential. The Beetaloo Basin's low CO2 emissions align with global efforts to reduce carbon footprints, making it an attractive prospect for sustainable energy development. The company's land holdings are substantial, with reports indicating it holds approximately 3 million net effective acres, accompanied by a 100% working interest and about 85% net revenue interest, as highlighted in the Ord Minnett Conference on March 20, 2025. This acreage figure, however, shows some variation in online sources, with earlier reports suggesting holdings of 28 million acres or more, potentially reflecting gross versus net effective differences due to working interest calculations. The net effective figure of 3 million acres likely accounts for the 100% working interest, ensuring Empire has full operational control. This discrepancy underscores the complexity of land tenure in oil and gas, where net effective acres may reflect economic interest after revenue sharing. The Velkerri Shale, a key formation within the Beetaloo Basin, is compared to the US Marcellus Shale due to its significant resource potential. Research suggests it contains over 47 TCFe of best estimate prospective resources (2U) and more than 1.6 TCF of contingent resources (2C), as assessed by Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc. (NSAI). The 2U and 2C classifications refer to best estimate prospective and contingent resources, respectively, with prospective resources indicating potential for future development and contingent resources being more likely to be recoverable under current conditions. The 47 TCFe figure, likely including both gas and liquids converted to gas equivalent, suggests a vast untapped potential, while the 1.6 TCF of 2C resources aligns with recent assessments, such as a 270% increase to 1,739 PJ (approximately 1.648 TCF) reported in 2023, confirming the basin's significance. Empire's gas composition is particularly noteworthy, with less than 1% CO2 and high ethane content (~12%), meeting Japanese specifications. This quality is crucial for supporting the Ichthys LNG expansion by 2030, potentially enhancing Australia's LNG exports to Asia. The low CO2 content is an unexpected detail, as it positions Empire's gas as environmentally favorable compared to other shale gas sources, potentially attracting premium markets and supporting regional energy security. On the operational front, Empire has secured a gas sales agreement with the Northern Territory Government, committing to supply up to 25 TJ/d over 10 years, with first sales targeted for 2025 from the Carpentaria Pilot Project. This agreement, signed in July 2024, covers approximately 75 petajoules total, with an option for additional supply if production exceeds 100 TJ/d, extending to 2035 with a possible extension to 2040. The Carpentaria Pilot Project is central to Empire's strategy, aiming for initial production of up to 25 TJ/d, with ambitious plans to scale to approximately 200 TJ/d, targeting both east coast and LNG markets. This scalability is a critical aspect, as it could position Empire as a major player in Australia's gas supply chain, addressing potential shortages as existing sources decline. *To view the Presentation, please visit: https://abnnewswire.net/lnk/H5E34554 About Beetaloo Energy Australia Limited Beetaloo Energy Australia Limited (ASX:BTL) (OTCMKTS:EEGUF) holds 28.9 million acres of highly prospective exploration tenements in the McArthur Basin and Beetaloo Sub-basins, Northern Territory. Work undertaken by the Company since 2010 demonstrates that the Eastern depositional Trough of the McArthur Basin, of which the Company holds around 80%, has enormous conventional and unconventional hydrocarbon potential. The Beetaloo Sub-basin, in which Beetaloo Energy holds a substantial position, has world-class hydrocarbon volumes in place and a ramp up in industry activity to appraise substantial discoveries already made by major Australian oil and gas operators is ongoing. Related Companies loading......... Malibu, CA, Mar 24, 2025 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Welcome to Money Talk Radio. Join Ellis Martin for a conversation with Yannis Tsitos, the Chairman of the Mining Committee for Blue Lagoon Resources Inc. ( CNSX:BLLG ) ( BLAGF:OTCMKTS ). Exciting developments are underway at the company's Dome Mountain Gold Project in British Columbia! With final mine permits secured, full-scale underground mining operations are set to begin, targeting an annual production of approximately 15,000 ounces of gold. The company is gearing up for an operational launch as early as July 2025, with infrastructure, equipment, and key personnel being finalized. A toll-milling agreement with Nicola Mining ensures efficient processing, while final preparations-including the installation of a water treatment facility-are on track for completion within the next three months. Mr. Tsitos has over 35 years of experience in the mining industry, including 19 years with BHP Billiton. Originally a physicist-geophysicist, he later served as New Business Development Manager for Minerals Exploration, where he was instrumental in identifying, negotiating, and executing over 60 mining agreements worldwide. Mr. Tsitos sits on several company boards, has contributed to four deposit discoveries, and has published multiple articles in exploration and mining publications. He has also been a strong advocate for anti-corruption policies in the mining industry, ensuring responsible business practices across the sector. Stay tuned as Blue Lagoon Resources move closer to production and the next chapter in Dome Mountain's mining journey! To Listen to the Interview, please visit: https://www.abnnewswire.net/lnk/8K37H3R2 About Blue Lagoon Resources Inc. As of February 2025, Blue Lagoon Resources Inc. (CNSX:BLLG) (OTCMKTS:BLAGF) achieved a major milestone by securing its mining permit, making it one of only nine companies to receive such approval in British Columbia since 2015. With this critical permit in place, the company is now focused on completing its state-of-the-art water treatment plant-expected to be operational by the end of May 2025. This marks a pivotal step in Blue Lagoon's transition from an exploration company to a fully operational producer, with first production targeted for Q3 2025. About The Ellis Martin Report The Ellis Martin Report (TEMR) is an internet based radio program showcasing potentially undervalued companies to an audience of potential retail investors and fund managers that comprise our listening audience. TEMR is broadcasted on the VoiceAmerica Business Channel and The Opportunity Radio Network. CEO and company interviews are paid for by those represented on the program. loading......... Related Companies By John M. Bremen, Managing Director and Chief Innovation & Acceleration Officer at WTW Heres how predictions made about the post-pandemic business world are tracking: Risk remains top of mind tracking. Effective leaders acknowledge risk has become a mainstream element of business decisions and will remain so. WTWs recent Emerging Risks Survey suggests the complex risk landscape is not slowing down. The frequency and simultaneous occurrence of high-impact risks require managing an interconnected portfolio of risks at the enterprise level (e.g., climate, geopolitics, health, financial, supply chain, talent shortages, human capital, cyber, war). These risks have continued to increase and proliferate, necessitating a culture of adaptability to incorporate new information that arrives daily or hourly, and requiring leaders to act decisively when events occur. The role of the chief risk officer continues to increase in prominence at the board and senior management level, working to create flexibility and reduce risk across the organization. Remote and hybrid work models will stabilize and normalize varies. Effective leaders understand that remote and hybrid working arrangements are not a product of the COVID era, but that COVID changed the landscape. According to WTW research, prior to the pandemic about 350 million people worked remotely around the world, representing approximately 10% of the global workforce. During the pandemic, the number surged to approximately half to two-thirds of the global workforce, depending on region. At the time, leaders expected that most (but not all) workers would return to workplaces following the pandemic, with approximately one-third of the global workforce remaining remote. While definitions of remote, hybrid and onsite work vary, recent WTW research reports that 31% of employees are onsite 80% of the time, 19% are remote 80% of the time and 50% are hybrid (a mix of onsite and remote). More than two-thirds of companies around the world have implemented a formal policy requiring employees to be in the office for a minimum number of days each week, with less than 5% of organizations completely prohibiting remote work. Most companies require employees to be onsite between one and four days per week, with three days being most prevalent. Effective leaders consider multiple factors as they make remote, hybrid and in-person arrangements work in their organizations. The Great Resignation will give way to permanent talent shortages in some areas tracking, generally. Effective leaders emphasize talent strategies that involve creating places people want to be regardless of circumstance. As leaders emerged from the pandemic, most believed that the Great Resignation would end and labor markets would eventually stabilize. Labor markets are indeed more stable than they have been over the past five years, with quit rates, labor participation, unemployment and job openings recovering in many countries to where they likely would've been without a pandemic. Nevertheless, permanent demographic shifts, including a baby bust, have created long-term talent shortages for certain jobs, skills and geographies that could persist for years. Environmental, social and governance (ESG) and sustainability will become mainstream varies considerably by country. Effective leaders understand ideological polarization changed the direction of ESG following the pandemic and was directly impacted by the new U.S. administrations policy changes this year. Many corporate stakeholders shifted course on ESG topics related to climate, and diversity, equity and inclusion, with some corporate boards and management teams doubling down and continuing efforts, some reducing emphasis on ESG and instead focusing on specific elements directly applicable to their industries and businesses, and some eliminating focus on ESG. Effective leaders learn the facts and circumstances for each jurisdiction and set of stakeholders, reduce ideological rhetoric and focus on the relevance and impact of actions on business performance and risk. Employee wellbeing and organization resilience will create competitive advantage tracking. During the pandemic, effective leaders learned to promote employee wellbeing connecting the support of healthy, resilient employees to healthy, resilient organizations. Their focus continued after the pandemic through an expansive view of resilience, connecting its financial, operational and workforce dimensions. WTWs 2024 Global Directors and Officers Survey Report identified health and safety as the top risk category across more than 50 countries. WTW research also demonstrated the positive impact of employee wellbeing on retention of key talent, employee productivity and financial performance. Technological renaissance will occur tracking. Effective leaders learned during the COVID crisis that most pandemics throughout history were followed by technological renaissance (for example, innovations in labor-saving tools and processes after the bubonic plague, assembly-line manufacturing after the Spanish Flu and space and computer technology following Influenza A). Following the COVID pandemic, leaders experienced dramatic acceleration in development and adoption of technologies such as generative AI, the metaverse, spatial computing and quantum computing. Effective leaders understand that these technologies require new skills and deeper knowledge of their applications. They are using more dynamic governance models, leveraging the potential of new technologies while protecting the organization. Effective leadership reflects on companies trajectories since the pandemic, taking actions to position their companies for success despite not knowing what the future might bring. A version of this article originally appeared on Forbes on March 12, 2025. Emma Wall, head of platform investments, Hargreaves Lansdown: With the tax year end fast approaching, you may be wondering how to optimise your finances. If you are in the fortunate position of having already used all your ISA and pension allowances for this tax year, VCTs could just be for you! A Venture Capital Trust (VCT) is similar to an investment trust. Theyre for UK investors looking to add diversification to their portfolio with smaller UK companies. Introduced three decades ago, VCTs are designed to encourage investment that is both tax efficient for the investor and at the same time funnels capital to drive innovation and stimulate economic growth by funding young and fast-growing UK companies. Since 1995, VCTs have generated over 41bn of investment. After the commitment made by the Government to extend VCTs to 2035 and given the tax changes announced in the last Budget, VCTs are a great way for people to invest their money in a tax-efficient way, over the longer term, as part of a diverse investment portfolio. VCTs are listed on the London Stock Exchange and typically invest in small, young and innovative companies that are unlisted and often privately owned. Smaller companies are a vital area of the UK economy. They help provide jobs, prosperity and economic growth. Examples of former VCT investments include the snack company Graze, property website Zoopla and clothing marketplace Depop. VCTs are an exciting and dynamic area to invest in, with the potential opportunity to outperform the wider stock market. But these investments are by nature higher risk as they invest in smaller new companies that are more likely to fail, and their shares can be harder to sell. How VCTs can save you tax To encourage investors who are taking on more risk by investing in smaller growing companies, the Government offers generous tax incentives: 30% income tax relief on what you put in VCTs as part of new share issues, up to 60,000, as long as you invest for at least five years. No tax on dividends from VCTs No capital gains tax (CGT) on your holding, if held for at least five years. 200,000 limit per tax year While you can buy VCT shares on the stock exchange like a normal share, you only get the tax relief if you invest in new issues. The VCT managers offer these in tranches at different times of the year. You can apply via the VCT manager directly, but you can get discounts by applying using a stockbroker like Hargreaves Lansdown. Only investments made in new issues of VCTs qualify for the tax relief, not shares bought on the London Stock Exchange. You also cant claim tax relief if you reinvest into a VCT youve sold within the last six months. Youll need to claim the tax relief on your self-assessment, but you dont need to declare any dividends. VCTs also need to maintain their qualifying status in order to keep all these tax benefits for their investors. Should you consider investing in VCTs? VCTs are typically used by those investors who may have used their ISA and pension allowances and have larger portfolios, and the appetite for higher-risk investments. As the companies VCTs invest in are often new, very small companies which have a higher likelihood of failure, they are higher-risk investments. Theyre therefore aimed at more experienced investors with a detailed understanding of investments, who can afford to take a long-term view. If that sounds like you, VCTs could be an opportunity for you to invest and save tax. At HL, we recommend that VCTs be held as a smaller part (under 10% of the portfolio) of a large (over 100,000), diversified portfolio. Typically, higher or additional rate taxpayers are more likely to benefit from the tax benefits than basic rate taxpayers. We would recommend that investors have used other tax efficient investments like ISAs or pensions before looking at VCTs. Investors should also have already built-up cash savings for emergencies. Three types of VCT Generalist VCTs - invest in a broad range of companies in different sectors and at different stages of development. AIM VCTs - invest predominantly in companies listed on AIM, or those which are about to list on AIM. Specialist VCTs - focus on a specific sector like infrastructure or biotechnology, which can make them higher risk as they are less diverse. Where do VCTs invest? There are strict rules on where VCTs can invest. This is because the companies they invest in must, in most cases, be less than seven years old when the VCT first invests in them. They have to invest at least 80% of their value in qualifying investments in order to maintain their VCT status and their tax benefits for investors. Investments can be in unlisted private companies or those traded on AIM or the AQSE Growth Market both stock exchanges for smaller companies. A share listed on AIM or AQSE is regarded as an unlisted company. They must have a place of business in the UK, typically have fewer than 250 employees, with assets worth less than 15mn before investment and 16mn after. There are some exceptions for knowledge-intensive companies. They also cant carry out certain activities, for example, banking, dealing in land or energy generation. How are VCTs valued? Like investment trusts, VCTs have a net asset value which is provided by the VCTs board of directors, usually twice a year. The net asset value represents the value of the underlying investments. As the investments are not always listed on a stock exchange, this means that the value may be estimated using set valuation methods. These are, however, estimates and the price you get for selling VCTs could be higher or lower than the net asset value. How can I invest in VCTs? VCTs are traded on the London Stock Exchange, so can be purchased like a normal share. But as even the largest VCTs are quite small, they can be illiquid as there are not many buyers and sellers. This means its often difficult to buy and sell shares on the stock exchange and the price to buy and sell may be higher or lower than the value of the underlying investments. It may even be difficult to find a price at all in some cases. Also, you wont get the income tax relief if you buy shares on the stock exchange, which makes it far less appealing to most investors. Though youll still benefit from tax-free dividends and no tax on capital gains and can sell without any minimum holding period. So, its less common to invest in VCTs this way. VCT managers will typically provide windows for new investment to investors where they issue new shares in the VCT. If you apply during one of these windows, the income tax relief will be available on those new shares. You should read the prospectus for any new offer carefully as this will contain the specific risks for that VCT. VCT managers may also from time to time provide buybacks, where they buy shares from existing investors. This is often at a small discount to the value of the shares. The VCT market has been a vital tool for entrepreneurial UK businesses to get the seed funding they need to kick-start their enterprise for 30 years, which has helped the UK to be one of the best places in the world to start a business. Using HLs market leading position and scale, our VCT online service plays a crucial role in helping the VCT market grow, delivering favourable tax efficient returns for investors, and supporting more businesses at the start of their growth journey. Why invest in VCTs using HL? We make it easy: Clients can apply online and hold shares for free in their Fund and Share Account. Our new service doesnt require paper forms, cheques or share certificates and everything is done online. Great discounts: We provide a discount on the initial charge so its cheaper than applying directly with the VCT provider. No commission: Any commission received is given to the client. Investment amounts: Clients can invest from 10,000 up to a maximum of 200,000. IACG Multimedia College is an industrial academy serving the creative industry for 23 years, providing students with industry-aligned training and live production experience, ensuring they meet market standards. Final-year students gain hands-on exposure to real-world projects, preparing them for successful careers. IACG earned its place as a global leader in creative education through three prestigious certifications: Amazon Certified 3D Content Provider, The Rookies Certified Creative School, and Unreal Engine Academic Partner. These recognitions highlight IACGs commitment to providing industry-standard training that empowers students with real-world skills and global career opportunities. Amazon Certified 3D Content Provider IACG has achieved a significant milestone by becoming an Amazon Certified 3D Content Provider, a testament to its expertise in creating professional-grade 3D assets that meet Amazons stringent quality standards. What is an Amazon Certified 3D Content Provider? This certification is awarded to institutions that demonstrate excellence in creating photorealistic 3D product visuals for e-commerce platforms. With Amazon being a major player in the global e-commerce industry, this certification equips IACG students with invaluable skills in digital content creation. Benefits for Students: Hands-On Training: Students receive direct exposure to Amazons 3D modeling and rendering tools, ensuring they master industry-relevant skills. Real-World Project Experience: IACG students gain practical experience by working on 3D product visualization projects aligned with Amazons standards. Enhanced Career Opportunities: This certification enhances employability in industries such as e-commerce, gaming, product design, and digital advertising. By mastering 3D content creation for global platforms, IACG students are prepared to excel in the fast-evolving digital economy. For More info ( https://iacg.co.in/iacg-amazon/ ) The Rookies Certified Creative School IACG has earned the prestigious title of India's first Rookies Certified Creative School, positioning itself among the worlds top creative media institutions. Out of 1,532 global institutions, IACG secured a place in the top 68 creative colleges worldwide. Additionally, IACG has been recognized among the Top Global Creative Schools in The Rookies' 2024 Annual Rankings. The institution achieved impressive ranks in specific categories: Graphic Design 7th place Game Development & Design 37th place Concept Art 29th place What is The Rookies Certification? The Rookies is an internationally recognized platform that ranks the best animation, VFX, gaming, and creative media schools. This certification signifies that IACG meets global benchmarks for education quality, faculty expertise, and student outcomes. Benefits for Students: Global Recognition: Being Rookies-certified makes IACG students highly attractive to major creative studios and employers worldwide. Exclusive Opportunities: Students gain access to mentorship programs, portfolio reviews, and internship opportunities with leading creative companies. Career Advancement: Many top animation, VFX, and gaming studios prioritize hiring students from Rookies-certified institutions, giving IACG graduates a competitive edge. This certification solidifies IACGs status as Indias leading creative education hub, ensuring its students are recognized for their exceptional skills on an international stage. For More info ( https://iacg.co.in/the-rookies/ >Unreal Engine Academic Partner IACG is the first and only institution in Asia to be recognized as an Unreal Engine Academic Partner. This partnership with Epic Games offers students specialized training in Unreal Engine, the worlds most powerful real-time 3D creation tool used across gaming, film, and virtual production. Why Unreal Engine Matters for Students: Unreal Engine is widely used by industry giants in gaming, film production, and AR/VR content creation. It has powered iconic projects such as: Fortnite A global gaming phenomenon. The Mandalorian Leveraging Unreal Engine for stunning virtual sets. The Batman (2022) Enabling real-time CGI and immersive visual effects. Benefits for Students: Expert Training: IACG students receive hands-on training from Unreal Engine specialists, ensuring they master real-time 3D workflows. Practical Game Development Skills: Students develop AAA-quality game assets, animations, and environments. Diverse Career Opportunities: Proficiency in Unreal Engine opens doors to careers in gaming, animation, VFX, architecture, automotive design, and live events. By mastering Unreal Engine, IACG students gain future-ready skills that make them invaluable in the digital content creation industry. For More info ( https://iacg.co.in/unreal-academic-partner/ ) Why These Certifications Matter for Students IACGs achievements with Amazon, The Rookies, and Unreal Engine provide students with unparalleled advantages, including: Global Industry Exposure Access to expert mentorship, exclusive resources, and real-world project experience. Enhanced Employability Graduates are highly sought after by top studios and creative companies worldwide. Real-World Skills Training in industry-standard tools ensures IACG students are job-ready from day one. IACG: Empowering Creative Aspirants for a Bright Future IACG Multimedia College stands at the forefront of creative education in India, shaping the future of animation, gaming, and digital content creation. With cutting-edge certifications, world-class faculty, and direct industry partnerships, IACG empowers students to thrive in the global creative landscape. Join IACG and Unlock Your Creative Potential! If you aspire to build a career in animation, VFX, or gaming, IACG is the ultimate destination to gain world-class skills and industry recognition. As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to redefine the marketing landscape, industry leaders gathered to discuss its impact on performance marketing, the challenges of a cookieless world, and the future of AI-driven campaigns. The 9th edition of the DIGIXX Summit and Awards 2025, held in Delhi on March 20, brought together industry leaders to discuss Performance Marketing 3.0: Leveraging AI and Data for Performance-Driven Campaigns. Moderated by Devang Shah, Chief Business Officer, Consumer, Industrials & Commerce, dentsu India, the panel featured insights from experts across industries, including FMCG, BFSI, B2B, and digital marketing agencies: Anuj Sriraj, Digital Activation Lead, Reckitt Benckiser India Jatin Kapoor, Managing Director, Adsflourish Mayank Saxena, Group Head - Marketing, Rupee112 & Bharatloan Nishit Mohan, Co-founder, Lyxel & Flamingo Robin Samuel, VP - Marketing, IndiaMART InterMESH Sushrut Pant, Head - Marketing, Shree Cement Devang Shah initiated the discussion by asking how AI is transforming performance marketing, particularly in the FMCG sector. Anuj Sriraj highlighted how AI has evolved campaign management from manual optimization to automated, real-time improvements. He said, In the past, I had to manually adjust campaign settings in the middle of the night. But now, AI eliminates such inefficiencies. Performance marketing is often associated with lower-funnel metrics like CTR, ROAS, or bounce rate. However, at Reckitt, weve adopted AI-driven performance marketing across the entire funnel from awareness to conversion. For example, we use Googles DV360 Persona AI for audience identification and creative AI tools that optimize ad content based on historical performance. With Google phasing out third-party cookies, Devang Shah raised concerns about marketing productivity in a cookieless world. Emphasizing the power of first-party data, Jatin Kapoor said, Even if third-party cookies disappear, marketers are sitting on a gold mine first-party data. User behaviour from websites, CRM insights, and service history provide valuable audience insights. The key is leveraging this data for engagement and retention rather than focusing solely on user acquisition. Echoing this sentiment, Nishit Mohan reassured that alternative mechanisms like Googles Topics API would support marketers. Google wont eliminate advertising altogether its a marketing company at its core. AI-driven on-device processing will allow interest-based targeting without compromising privacy. Platforms like DSPs and federated learning tools will help brands continue targeted advertising effectively. With AI-driven campaigns relying heavily on data, Devang Shah asked the panelists how brands can ensure privacy compliance. Robin Samuel detailed how IndiaMART uses AI while maintaining data security. He said, We manage vast amounts of first-party data, including 20 crore registered buyers and 90 lakh monthly purchase requests. AI enhances our ability to match buyers with the right sellers. Unlike Google, which may know a user is interested in an excavator, we know whether they need a 10-ton or 25-ton excavator. By using behavioral data and category-specific insights, we improve ad relevance while ensuring privacy compliance. Shah here pointed out that BFSI has been at the forefront of AI adoption and asked how marketers decide when to rely on AI versus human intervention. Mayank Saxena, explained how AI optimizes customer targeting in financial services. We integrate AI across the funnel, from lead generation to loan disbursement. Predictive analytics helps us identify high-conversion audiences. However, we also track conversion rates to validate AIs effectiveness. If AI-driven audience segmentation doesnt yield expected results, human oversight helps recalibrate the model. AI is only as good as the data its trained on, so monitoring and adjustments are crucial, he added. Given the extended buying cycles in industries like cement, Shah asked how brands tackle attribution challenges. Sushrut Pant reflected on the evolution of performance marketing and the need for holistic attribution models. When I started marketing, performance wasnt a term we associated with the field it was simply good or bad marketing. Now, AI helps us track how different marketing efforts contribute to consumer journeys. Cement buying decisions can span a lifetime, so ensuring seamless connectivity between media, website interactions, and on-ground retail efforts is key. Weve been implementing a full-funnel AI-driven marketing approach to bridge these gaps. Watch the entire discussion here: Also Read: Leveraging data for smart digital marketing decisions Madison Media Infinity, a unit of Madison World has recently won the Media AOR for Samsonite India. The agency will be responsible for both traditional and digital media mandate that includes TV, Print, Radio, Cinema, Outdoor and Digital. Samsonite India is a leading travel luggage brand, is known for its durable, stylish and innovative products. A subsidiary of the global Samsonite International, the brand offers a wide range of luggage, backpacks and travel accessories designed to meet the needs of modern travellers. The company also has brands like American Tourister and Kamiliant in its portfolio which the agency will work on. Speaking about the agencys appointment, Anushree Tainwala, Vice President, Marketing, Samsonite India, commented, Samsonite has always been at the forefront of creating high-quality, durable luggage & travel accessories with a strong focus on innovation, continually adapting to evolving consumer needs. This strategic partnership with Madison, known for their impactful & integrated media strategies, is a perfect match to further propel our brands leadership in the market. With a shared commitment to innovation and excellence, Madisons expertise will play a key role in our vision to make Samsonite brands the preferred travel companion in India. Commenting on this win, Abhik Banerjee, COO, Madison Media Infinity, said, We are excited to partner with Samsonite India and look forward to driving impactful media strategies across both traditional and digital platforms to strengthen their brand presence. Madison Media, Indias largest homegrown communication agency, is the Worlds 4th Largest Independent Media Agency as per RECMA. Madison Media also tops RECMAs qualitative ranking chart for the last 4 consecutive years with a Dominant Score. At recent E4Ms Media Ace Awards, Madison Media won the title of, Independent Agency of the Year 2024, the agency also won TV Media Agency of the Year for the 5th consecutive at the E4M Prime Time Awards 2024.The agency is ranked the 2nd Most Powerful Media Agency by The Economic Times Brand Equity Ad Agency Reckoner in addition to winning over 500 awards since 2020. Also Read: Madison Media gears up for tomorrow at Futurise 2024 A London resident, Tanya O'Carroll, has successfully compelled Meta, Facebook's parent company, to cease utilizing her personal data for targeted advertisements. This outcome follows a legal challenge she initiated, aiming to prevent the tech giant from customizing her social media feed with ads based on her inferred interests and demographics. O'Carroll, who works in tech policy and human rights, believes her victory sets a precedent, empowering others to challenge Meta's advertising practices. The UK's data protection authority, the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), has clarified that online targeted advertising falls under the definition of direct marketing. In response, Meta asserted that it provides users with comprehensive data and advertising preference controls. However, O'Carroll's 2022 lawsuit argued that Facebook's advertising system violated her rights under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). O'Carroll recounted her realization of the extent of Facebook's targeting when, during her 2017 pregnancy, she noticed a rapid shift in her displayed ads to baby-related content, even before she had publicly shared her news. This incident highlighted, for her, the intrusive nature of the platform's data tracking. The core of her legal argument rested on the claim that Facebook's targeted ads constituted direct marketing, thus granting her the right to object. Meta countered, stating that ads were targeted to groups, not individuals. However, the ICO supported O'Carroll's position, emphasizing that organizations must respect user preferences regarding data usage. As a result of the settlement, Meta has agreed to discontinue using O'Carroll's personal data for direct marketing, effectively allowing her to disable personalized ads. O'Carroll expressed her desire to continue using Facebook, despite its intrusive practices, due to its importance in maintaining social connections. She hopes her case will serve as a catalyst for others to exercise their rights against targeted advertising, citing the ICO's backing as crucial. Meta, while disagreeing with O'Carroll's claims, defended its advertising model as essential for providing free services and supporting the economy. The company also mentioned that they are exploring the possibility of offering a subscription service in the UK, similar to their European model, which would allow users to avoid ads by paying a monthly fee. Also Read: A Game of Golf: A metaphor for life E-commerce firm in Hefei, Anhui Province, cleared to resume operation after rectifying false advertising in live streaming promotions Global Times) 08:42, March 24, 2025 The market regulatory authorities in Hefei, East China's Anhui Province, announced on Sunday that Three Sheep Group, the Hefei-based live-streaming e-commerce firm founded by social media influencer Zhang Qingyang, is cleared to resume operations after completing rectification measures linked to a false advertising scandal last September. This decision followed a joint investigation and a comprehensive assessment conducted by regulators, legal experts, and consumer representatives, according to a notice issued on the Hefei market regulator's WeChat account. In response to issues identified in product quality control, promotional practices, after-sales services, and internal management, the investigation team has guided the company in formulating 89 specific rectification measures, and urged for the effective implementation of these measures, according to the statement. The company paid the full penalty of 68.9495 million yuan ($9.5 billion), on October 11, 2024, per the notice. As to the implicated products, including "Hong Kong Meisun mooncakes" and "Australian grain-fed beef rolls" sold on its livestream accounts, the company has compensated consumers a total of 27.78 million yuan and will continue to process eligible refunds. In September of last year, the company was found by market regulators to have engaged in false commercial advertising during its live-streaming promotion of mooncakes and beef rolls, by misrepresenting product origins and ingredients. Due to the influencer's massive following, the incident drew widespread public and media attention. Upon the company's request, the investigation team conducted the follow-up evaluation and concluded that the company's rectification efforts met the required standards, making it eligible to resume operations, according to the regulator. Three Sheep Group also issued a renewed public apology on the same day on its official WeChat account, following the Hefei regulator's notice, stating, "We deeply regret the losses and harm caused to consumers and feel immense remorse." The company pledged to tighten control over brand partnerships, increase the proportion of self-operated products, strengthen live-streaming content review, and ensure the accuracy and consistency of product information and promotional content. Since September 21, 2024, Douyin, a major Chinese live-streaming platform, suspended broadcasts from the company's affiliated accounts due to the incident and urged the company to actively implement rectifications. According to third-party data platforms, as of January 13, Three Sheep Group had 800 affiliated accounts under contract, compared to nearly 2,400 in early December 2024, indicating a loss of over 1,600 accounts within a month. The Hefei regulatory authorities further noted in Sunday's statement that they will enhance supervision, improve enforcement mechanisms, and promote fair competition to better protect consumer rights and maintain a healthy market environment. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun) What happens when a fashion critic meets a style icon at a grand Iftar party? Myntras latest campaign, Jashn-e-Iftar, brings to life the humor and charm of Farah Khan as she faces off against the witty fashion critic Sufi Motiwala in a playful qawwali battle. The campaign blends comedy with festive fashion, reinforcing Myntras position as the go-to destination for premium ethnic wear, luxury gifting, and home decor this festive season. The film takes place at an elegant Iftar gathering, where Sufi, notorious for his sharp online critiques, takes the stage to share his thoughts on fashion. While he is at it, Farah Khan steps in, challenging him with witty qawwali-style verses of her own. The exchange turns into a lively celebration, showing that fashion is about confidence, fun, and the joy of dressing up. Speaking on the campaign, Abhishek Gour, Director, Brand and Digital Marketing, Myntra said, At Myntra, we believe that fashion is an essential part of celebrations, and the festive season is the perfect time to express personal style with confidence. Jashn-e-Iftar is a playful yet meaningful campaign that captures the joy of dressing up, blending humor, and festive fashion in a way that resonates with our audience. Farah Khan and Sufi Motiwala bring their signature wit and charm to this film, turning a fashion face-off into a moment of celebration. With our selection of ethnic wear, premium gifting, and home decor, we make it effortless for everyone to embrace the festive spirit in style. After all, fashion is not just about looking good, its about feeling great and making memories along the way. About the ad film: The story starts at a lavish Iftar gathering, where Sufi Motiwala in his usual critiquing style begins a qawwali performance, but Farah Khan soon arrives, ready to turn the tables. The two engage in a playful back-and-forth, with both poking fun at each others fashion in true qawwali style. Eventually, the harmonium player steps in with a simple suggestion: why argue when Myntra has a wide selection to make the festive season perfect? As the qawwali battle reaches its peak, a grand Myntra-branded phone descends onto the screen, unveiling the platforms premium festive fashion. In a dramatic transformation, Sufi and Farah reemerge in exquisite ethnic wear from Myntra, seamlessly turning their playful feud into a vibrant celebration. The film concludes with a powerful reminder that festive fashion is about confidence, joy, and embracing ones unique style with flair. Speaking on the campaign, Farah Khan said, "Festivals are meant to bring people together, celebrate traditions, and, of course, look fabulous while doing it! I had an absolute blast working on this campaign because it perfectly captures the fun and joy of dressing up during festive occasions. Myntra makes it so effortless to find the perfect festive look, whether its for an Iftar gathering or any other celebration. And lets be honest, who doesnt love a little bit of Bollywood-style drama mixed with fashion?" Speaking on the film, Sufi Motiwala, said, "Fashion is all about making a statement, and Myntra helps you do just that! This campaign takes my signature fashion critiques and flips them in the most entertaining way possible. The qawwali banter, the humor, and the larger-than-life celebration of style, all come together to show that fashion should be fun, expressive, and full of personality. Working with Farah Khan was an absolute adventure, and I cant wait for the audiences to see this one!" Ira G, Chief Creative Officer, Toaster India, said, When we got the brief for Jashn-E-Iftar, we knew that we had the chance to create something beautiful that captures the joy of festive tradition. With Farah and Sufi on board, we wanted to get a jugalbandi of banter going between them. And when we landed on the Qawwali, we knew we had struck gold. The campaign captures the essence of proudly flaunting your heritage with the amazing curated looks that Myntra has to offer. Also Read: Experience the Magic: MY Music Studio's Sagar Wali Qawwali with Sagar Bhatia TRAs Brand Trust Report (BTR) 2025, which annually ranks Indias 1000 Most Trusted Brands, has been released today revealing Dell as Indias Most Trusted Brand for the sixth consecutive year an unprecedented achievement. Apple iPhone has made a remarkable jump of 13 ranks to occupy second position for the first every time in the fourteen Brand Trust Reports, marking a significant trust surge among Indian consumers. Equally significant climb was registered by Hewlett Packard Laptops which secures the third spot this year. This is the fourteenth edition of Brand Trust Report which brings brand insights from 2,500+ peer-influencers across 16 cities. Sony (Televisions) has climbed to the fourth rank and Honda (Motorcycles - Manufacturer), despite dropping three places, is ranked fifth, making it a leader in the Automobiles Super-Category and the only automobile brand among the top 15. LIC (Life Insurance - PSU) has secured the sixth position, gaining three ranks and D-Mart (Hypermarket - Indian) has made an impressive 16-rank leap to eighth position and LG (Refrigerators) has also made a significant leap of 18 places to break into the top ten at rank 10. Big rank climbers among top twenty include Tanishq which soared 34 ranks to reach 13th rank and Amul Butter which has seen a 14-rank uptick to reach 15th in BTR 2025. Some significant drops include Amazon (Online retailer), which fell 9 places to 12th position, MI (Mobile Phones), which declined 10 ranks to 16th position, Nike slipped 13 ranks to go out of the top twenty and be ranked at 21st rank this year. Chandramouli, CEO, TRA Research, commented, Even the most seasoned marketers believe that trust is a very stable factor in a brands achievement. However, nothing could be further from reality. While trust is difficult to build, it is quite easy to lose depending on brand action and communication, or lack thereof. This is evidenced by the brand performances in this years study with 324 brands having improved rank positions from the previous year, 349 brands which fell in ranks and 326 either exited from last year or entered new this year." This year the largest number of brands has been seen in the category of air conditioners and mobile phones with 19 brands each, Televisions has 17 brands, and both categories of Deo/Perfume and SUV-Brands have 14 brands each. The key to sustaining trust is authenticity, transparency, and meaningful consumer engagement across all touchpoints. As new technologies like AI evolve and get adopted, we will an impact of brand trust through the learning curves that brands make, Chandramouli further added. Other category leaders include ACC (Cement), Airtel (DTH), AMD (Semiconductors), American Express (Credit Cards), Apollo Hospitals (Hospitals), Ashirwad (Packaged Flour), Aviva (Life Insurance Private), Chaipoint (QSR Tea), Crompton (Fans), Dr. Agarwals (Eye Hospitals), Ensure (Health Supplements), ICICI Lombard (General Insurance), Jeep (SUV - Manufacturer), Kent (Water Purifiers), KFC (QSR - Chicken), Mahindra Thar (SUV - Brand), Muthoot Finance (Financial Services), Nataraj (Pencils), Pediasure (Health Supplements - Children), PhonePe (Digital Payments), Rasna (Soft Beverages - Powdered), TTK Prestige (Pressure Cookers), Wagh Bakri (Tea), Whirlpool (Washing Machines). Nagpur Violence: Civic Authorities Demolish Illegal Portions of Fahim Khan House 2 Civic authorities demolish the illegal portions of the house of Fahim Khan, a key accused in the Nagpur violence. Khan, a leader of the Minority Democratic Party (MDP), has been booked for sedition. He is among the over 100 persons arrested for the violence in Maharashtras Nagpur city on March 17. A few days back, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation issued a notice to Khan, citing various lapses and lack of the building plan approval (for his house), sources said. At around 10.30 am on Monday, three JCB machines of the Nagpur Municipal Corporation started demolishing the house, located at Sanjay Bagh Colony in Yashodhara Nagar area here, amid heavy security and drone surveillance in the entire area. The area where the demolition work was being done was completely barricaded. The house, registered in the name of Khans mother, was located on a plot of Nagpur Improvement Trust (Lease) and the lease ended in 2020, a civic source said. There was no sanction plan for the building and the entire construction was unauthorised, the source said, adding the action was being taken under the MRTP Act. A notice of demolition was given 24 hours prior to the action, the source said. MDP city chief Khan is currently lodged in a jail. The violence erupted in Nagpur on March 17, after rumours spread that a chadar with religious inscriptions had been burnt during protests led by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) demanding the removal of Aurangzebs 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. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday said the cost of properties damaged during the violence will be recovered from rioters and the failure to pay up would lead to the seizure and selling of their properties to recover losses. My government will not rest until those responsible for attacking the police are found and dealt with sternly, said Fadnavis, who also heads the Home Ministry. The CM said those who circulated inflammatory content would be charged as co-accused for their role in inciting violence. Fadnavis also said it was too early to comment on a foreign or Bangladeshi link to the riots as the probe was underway. However, the Malegaon connection can be seen (in violence) as one of the accused belongs to a political party from Malegaon who could be seen helping rioters, he said without taking the name of Fahim Khan, arrested for sedition. Recklessness in Garb of Freedom of Speech Won't Be Tolerated: Fadnavis on Kamra Row 2 Amid a row over stand-up comedian Kunal Kamras alleged defamatory remarks against Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, CM Devendra Fadnavis on Monday said the reckless misuse of the freedom of speech will not be tolerated. Speaking in the state assembly after the issue figured in the House, Fadnavis said Kamra has a history of making low-level comments on the prime minister, Chief Justice of India and the judiciary. His modus operandi is to create a controversy for publicity, the chief minister said. During his performance at the Habitat Studio at the Unicontinental hotel in Mumbais Khar area, Kamra had referred to Shinde as a traitor and went on to sing a parody on him. Kamra used a modified version of a Hindi song from the movie Dil Toh Pagal Hai to describe the 2022 rebellion of Shinde against his then boss Uddhav Thackeray. Fadnavis said Kamra has now targeted Deputy CM and Shiv Sena leader Shinde, and the people of Maharashtra showed through the 2024 assembly polls mandate that who is khuddar (self-respecting) and who is gaddar (traitor). Is Kamra bigger than the people of Maharashtra? he asked. The people of Maharashtra have shown that Shinde is the true inheritor of Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackerays ideology. Kamras aim was to belittle Shinde in the eyes of the people. The opposition is supporting such a talk and one wonders whether Kamra is hand-in-glove with the opposition. He has posted a picture of himself with a red copy of the Constitution book which Rahul Gandhi carries, Fadnavis said. When you attack the freedom of others, your freedom is restricted. If you insult people on constitutional posts to create disturbances by taking supari (contract) to get publicity, it will not be tolerated. No one will object to stand-up comedy and satire. If we behave recklessly in the garb of freedom of speech and expression, it will not be tolerated. Strict action will be taken as per law, the CM said. A 41-year-old Birmingham man has been charged in the shooting death of his cousin. Donald Dewayne Holt is charged with murder in the death of 36-year-old Curtis Holt Jr., and attempted murder in the wounding of another family member. Birmingham police tactical officers took Donald Holt into custody in west Birmingham within two hours of the fatal shooting. The suspect was booked into the Jefferson County Jail at 5:37 p.m. Sunday and remains held without bond. The shooting happened shortly after 8 p.m. Friday 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. Officer Truman 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 Donald Holt shot both victims and then fled the scene. Curtis Holt was one of two men killed in Birmingham over the weekend and one of three killed in six days after the city went one month without a homicide. Dorian Jackson, 20, was also shot in an unrelated incident Friday night and he died Saturday morning at UAB Hospital. The gunfire that killed Jackson also wounded an adult female and a 12-year-old boy. So far this year, there have been 19 homicides in Birmingham. In all of Jefferson County, there have been 31, including the 19 in Birmingham. At this time last year, March 23, 2024, there had been 32 homicides in the city and 34 countywide. As Callery pear trees, otherwise known as Bradford pears, begin to bloom in abundance, Kentucky meteorologist Brad Maushart has taken it upon himself to offer a little pruning advice to the Southeast. Its Bradford Pear trimming season, Maushart wrote in a recent Facebook post. To properly trim your Bradford Pear, use a chainsaw to make a cut on the main trunk, as flush to the ground as possible. Its Bradford Pear trimming season. To properly trim your Bradford Pear, use a chainsaw to make a cut on the main trunk, as flush to the ground as possible. #BadNewsBrad Posted by Meteorologist Brad Maushart on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 Over the past week, the post has received over 100,000 reactions, comments, and shares, with most of the public sharing Mausharts perspective. Treat the stump with herbicide too, reads one of the top liked comments. Bradford pear trees are a biological war crime, one woman wrote, and she didnt stop there. They reek like fermented bedroom sauce, shatter into splinters if you so much as breathe near them, and somehow still manage to infest every square inch of land like a botanical STD. Their pollen turns my allergies into a full-blown near-death experience, and they summon wasps like theyre performing some ancient insect ritual, she continued. Every spring, I step outside and immediately regret existing. These trees arent just a nuisancethey feel like a personal attack. Whoever thought planting them was a good idea deserves to have their car totaled by one in a mild breeze." John Creech, a former employee of the U.S. Department of Agricultures Plant Introduction Station, is credited by Harvards Arnold Arboretum with planting the countrys first two Bradford pear trees in Maryland in 1954. While a few people took to Facebook to share their support for the trees, which are native to China and Vietnam, there were many more who said they were confused about the vitriol. Why do all the tree guys hate em so bad.. genuine question, one commentor wrote. The answer, for most, seems to be a uniquely unpleasant smell the tree produces, which has often been described as the smell of rotten meat or fish. We ask this question every March. The answer: https://www.al.com/life/2021/03/why-do-bradford-pear-trees-smell-likethat.html Posted by This is Alabama on Thursday, March 13, 2025 I believe the strong scent of the Bradford pear, a cultivar of Callery pear (Pyrus calleryana), is a combination of trimethylamine (fishy smell), dimethylamine, and possibly a few more chemical compounds created within the plant, Dale Dickens, registered forester and Urban Forestry Coordinator with the Alabama Forestry Commission, told AL.com recently. The purpose is not fully known but is likely a signal to pollinators attracting them to help the trees with reproduction. But beyond its smell, the tree also poses a threat to an areas natural environment, according to Dickens. I would be remiss if I didnt remind you that Bradford pear is a non-native invasive plant and should be considered for removal, he said. The Alabama Cooperative Extension Systems even provided the public with a list of alternatives to plant in its place in 2020. Callery pears are rapidly growing trees that can form dense thickets, outcompeting native plants for light, water, and nutrients, the article reads. The species has proven very successful at invading disturbed areas, open fields, unimproved pastures, rights of ways, and forest edges. It is tolerant of partial shade and sites with dry to wet soils, it continues. As they continue to spread, it is likely that a greater array of sites will be prone to invasion, including managed pine stands. Several Facebook commentors said that the trees can also be a safety hazard due to their fragile bark. All these Bradford pear supporters have never had one fall on their garage from strong winds when all the other trees were unphased, one woman wrote. A dead and rotting maple had a better root system than that Bradford pear. But take it or leave it, it looks like the states most hated tree isnt going away any time soon. What are your thoughts on Bradford pears? Share them on the This is Alabama Facebook page. Behold the glory of a perfect seafood po-boy: a mound of fried shrimp and big fried oysters on one side of the open bun, already spilling over onto the tomato and onion and pickle and lettuce on the other side, a landslide in progress even before you try to fold the halves together. You have to fold them together. Its impossible, but you must. Its not a sandwich until you do that. There is no honor in eating a deconstructed po-boy with a knife and fork. Small children would point at you and laugh. So you pick it up in both hands as best you can, shrimp and oysters tumbling out even before you begin the fold, and honestly youre not really even folding it, youre just sort of wadding it up. Thats fine. The first bite of fried oyster is juicy and piping hot, catching you by surprise and scorching the roof of your mouth, and that also is just fine. Used to be, you could take oysters like this for granted. Oyster economics have made people stingy. You dont see them as much in gumbo. Get them fried and they tend to be smaller, not two- or three-bite monsters like these. This is a sandwich good enough to remind you that some things never should be taken for granted. Baudean's Seafood and Restaurant Bar sits just off Ala. 193 (Dauphin Island Parkway) in Theodore, Ala. Lawrence Specker | LSpecker@AL.com Credit to Baudeans for the revelation. Baudeans Seafood Restaurant and Bar is a restaurant that has stood for many years along Dauphin Island Parkway in Theodore, a little south of where another revered seafood institution, Bayleys, did business until 2022. My interest in paying the place a visit increased last year, when I realized that Baudeans had been nominated in a Southern Living survey of The Souths Best Seafood Dives. In a just world, it would have beaten all the listed competition, since most of the field didnt come remotely close to measuring up (or down) to the standard of a dive. But in our world, the published Top 10 includes two Alabama places that absolutely, positively are not dives the Original Oyster House and Docs Seafood Shack & Oyster Bar in Gulf Shores and most of the other eight finalists look pretty swanky. But anyway, dive is a vague and debatable concept that can seem like a backhanded compliment even when it applies. Lets just say this: Yes, Baudeans is a small, very casual place where you can order rum drinks with names like the Tipsy Turtle and the Pain Killer. But it has more of a diner feel, with plenty of sunlight coming in. On Facebook it calls itself a non-smoking family restaurant and it back that up by offering half-priced kids meals on Wednesday nights. Its a classic old-school Mobile seafood restaurant and it smells like one, which is a weird thing to say, but if you know, you know. Theres a note in the air reminiscent of a clean seafood market, which tells you that this is a place where truly fresh seafood is handled. Theres another note that tells you that a lot of that fresh seafood hits hot, clean oil. Together theyre a subtle but clear sign that youre at the right place. On the side at Baudean's: Fried pickles, slaw and oyster stew. Lawrence Specker | LSpecker@AL.com The menu is broad, though, both in options and price range. Po-boys start at $12.99. Choosing two seafood options as I did puts you at $17.99, having it Cajun style with a spicy remoulade rather than mayo adds a buck, and choosing onion rings is another $2, so my moment of po-boy bliss set me back $20.99. Burgers start at $11.99, wraps at $12.99; wrap options ($12.99-$14.99) include Philly cheesesteak, chicken Philly and shrimp or chicken grilled or fried. Pasta options (shrimp or chicken, Scampi or Alfredo or Florentine) are a little more. You can get your seafood platters fried, grilled, broiled or blackened starting at $18.99. From there they range up to $26.99 for options such as the Creole Supreme (grilled fish on rice with a spicy Shrimp Creole) or the dreaded market price for whole flounder or catch of the day. Steamed platters also are market price. Surf n turf options range up to $42.99 for the ribeye with snow crab legs. And there are several soup, appetizer and salad options. And there are daily specials, so dont be surprised to be tempted by blue-plate options such as country fried steak or catfish with cheese grits or sweet chili chicken over rice. It really is a lot for a small place. Fried softshell crab with hush puppies and a loaded baked potato at Baudean's. Lawrence Specker | LSpecker@AL.com Naturally, given the cornucopia of options, a companion and I took the most basic path possible on a recent dinner visit, ordering fried seafood platters. She chose fried fish and stuffed crab, I went with softshell crab. Shes a fried catfish snob; it has to be top-notch to get her seal of approval. This was, but the crab must have been even better because she let me try the fish and wouldnt share a bite of the stuffed crabs. Meanwhile, we dont talk enough about soft-shell crab. Or maybe we do. Like crawfish, its one of those dishes were you basically cook the whole animal and, and some people find that off-putting. Lets not tell them what theyre missing. It leaves more for the rest of us. Its an easy dish to screw up, because the heat permeates the thin legs much more quickly than the body. Its easy to overcook parts of the crab while barely getting the rest done or, as it more commonly the case, overcooking the whole thing. Theres some sort of wizardry to doing it right, where the legs are crispy but not charred and the interior is steaming-hot but not dried out. Whoevers in the kitchen at Baudeans knows what theyre doing. There was no need for tartar or cocktail sauce to help the flavor, though a dash of lemon juice was no bad thing. Looking for good seafood on the way to Dauphin Island? here's your sign. Lawrence Specker | LSpecker@AL.com Various sides and appetizers rounded out the meal: Fried pickles (excellent, not overly salty); a cup of oyster stew (oysters in a cream-based broth); fries for her, loaded baked potato for me; hush puppies and slaw all round. The total came to $72.46 before tip, which wasnt cheap, but we each got two meals out of it. If youre headed to Dauphin Island, Baudeans is right along the way but easy to overlook. Its worth a stop. All in all, Baudeans is not a dive. But its definitely a place you can dive into. Baudeans is at 3300 River Road in Theodore, along Ala. 193. For updates on daily specials, visit www.facebook.com/baudeans. State and local officials, including Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey (center), Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson (fourth from left), and U.S. Rep. Barry Moore (far right), celebrated the groundbreaking of RailPort Logistics Mobile, a logistics park with connection to CSX rail service, on Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024. The park is on Todd Acres Drive in Theodore. (Photo by Margaret Kates | mkates@AL.com) Margaret Kates Alabama saw 224 economic development projects last year, totaling $7 billion in investments, with 8,500 jobs announced. Thats according to a new report from the Alabama Department of Commerce, released today. Alabamas Gulf Coast powered those numbers, as the top county for new investment was Baldwin County, with $1.8 billion, while the top county for new jobs was Mobile County, with more than 2,500. Novelis is investing $1.6 billion in its integrated aluminum mill in Baldwin County, pushing the total investment in the project to over $4 billion. Gov. Kay Ivey hailed the report as a sign that the states economy is on the move. Companies around the world see Alabama as the place to invest, grow and succeed and were just getting started, she added. Other big projects announced included an $800 million data center for Meta Platforms in Montgomery, with 100 jobs, and Coca-Colas Bottling Uniteds $330 million headquarters in Birmingham, creating 50 jobs. The report also highlighted rural economic growth, with $1.2 billion in investment, creating 1,700 jobs. One particular project was Republic Airways choosing historic Moton Field in Tuskegee as the location for its Southeast pilot training school, LIFT Academy. Escambia County was the top rural county for investment, with $355 million. Foreign investment continued to provide a large slice of investment, with $3.5 billion and 3,759 jobs announced. Companies from 17 different nations announced projects last year. Commerce Secretary Ellen McNair said the states new Catalyst economic growth plan prioritizes innovation, attracting talent and long-term prosperity. Together, well keep driving growth, creating jobs and ensuring a bright future for every Alabamian, McNair said. In this photo illustration, a 23andMe logo seen displayed on a smartphone. (Photo Illustration by Avishek Das/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images) SOPA Images/LightRocket via Gett If youre one of the 15 million people who shared your DNA with 23andMe, its time to delete your data. The genetic information company, best known for its saliva test kits, announced Sunday that it is headed to bankruptcy court to sell its assets. And 23andMes financial distress prompted California Attorney General Rob Bonta to issue an unusual privacy consumer alert about it Friday. 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, he said in a statement. The company said there will be no changes to the way it protects consumer data while in bankruptcy court. But unless you take action, there is a risk your genetic information could end up in someone elses hands - and used in ways you had never considered. It took me just a minute to delete my data on the 23andMe website, and I have instructions on how to do it below. Its a privacy nightmare, but also an example of how state privacy laws pioneered in California can help protect Americans - at least the proactive ones. Founded in 2006, 23andMe was a pioneer in the quest to unlock knowledge from the human genome. It offers customers information about their family tree and hereditary characteristics, while researching new kinds of treatments. But in recent years, 23andMe has been slammed by simultaneous business and security challenges. It went public in 2021 but burned through its cash and watched its value drop from about $6 billion to around $50 million now. In 2023, it had a data breach that affected some 7 million customers. Hackers used customers old passwords to gain access to information that in some cases included family trees, birth years and geographic locations. In September, 23andMes board of directors quit after rejecting CEO Anne Wojcickis proposals to take the company private. With the bankruptcy announcement, Wojcicki quit to pursue another bid for the business. 23andMe didnt immediately respond to my questions. But in its Sunday filing announcing bankruptcy, it said it intends to continue operating its business in the ordinary course throughout the sale process. --- How to delete genetic data from 23andMe -- Log into your 23andMe account. -- Go to your Profile, then tap Settings. -- Scroll to the 23andMe Data section at the bottom of the page and click View. -- If you want to download your data, select what you want. -- Scroll to the Delete Data section and click Permanently Delete Data. -- Confirm your request: Youll receive an email from 23andMe, and click the link in the email to confirm. --- The privacy risks Bonta, the California attorney general, didnt specify the risks of leaving your trove of sensitive consumer data with 23andMe. But privacy advocates Ive spoken to have been watching the companys challenges with concern on several fronts. First, you are relying on 23andMe to keep your DNA safe from hackers. But that could be hard for any company to do under bankruptcy proceedings - and 23andMe has had plenty of security trouble in the past. (On its website, 23andMe says the company has achieved three certifications to demonstrate the strength of its security program.) Theres also a risk that your data could get sold or transferred to a new company, which might want to use it for new purposes. The privacy statement of 23andMe seems to treat your data as a company asset thats on the table like anything else. It reads: If we are involved in a bankruptcy, merger, acquisition, reorganization, or sale of assets, your Personal Information may be accessed, sold or transferred as part of that transaction. On the website page to delete your data, 23andMe says: If the company does change ownership in the future, your data will remain protected under the current 23andMe Privacy Policy unless and until you are presented with materially new terms, with appropriate advanced notice to review those material changes as required by law. A new owner could also try to change the companys practices and privacy policy - and it would be on you to keep on top of the changes. The DNA data could be used to discern your relatives and ancestry, unearth family secrets, and reveal clues about diseases you have or could be predisposed to. If the data makes its way to certain insurers, they may deny you coverage or charge you more for life, disability, or long-term care insurance because of your genetics, said Ginny Fahs, director of product R&D for Consumer Reports Innovation Lab. This is some of the most precious data that exists about you; youre right to be concerned that it may be up for grabs, she said. But you do have rights over your data before any of that comes to pass. The California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018 gives you the right to delete data from businesses that collect it. While the law specifically applies to California residents, many other states have passed similar laws. California also has a separate law pertaining to DNA data, called the Genetic Information Privacy Act. It gives you the right to delete your account, have your biological sample destroyed, and revoke consent you may have previously given to use or disclose your genetic data. Before you delete your data, you might want to choose to download some or all of it. If you do, just make sure you have a good way to store and keep it safe. Unlike a password or telephone number, this is data youre stuck with for the rest of your life. Geoffrey A. Fowler is The Washington Posts technology columnist based in San Francisco. He joined The Post in 2017 after 16 years with the Wall Street Journal. He won the 2020 Gerald Loeb Award for commentary. 'We only need one book' - Christian nationalists JD Crowe This is an opinion cartoon and column. Tyrants view educated citizens as their greatest enemy. Slaveholders stopped the enslaved from learning to read. Nazis burned books. Dictators censor media. Thats why Donald Trump is attacking education, science, museums and the arts. Ignorance is the handmaiden of tyranny. - Robert Reich President Trump, Gov. Kay Ivey, John Wahl, Alabama GOP lawmakers and right wing extremist groups like Moms for Liberty and Clean Up Alabama only need one book. Its for their special project. To hell with the rest. That special project is Project 2025. You know, the Christian nationalism playbook designed specifically for Trumps aggressive second term agenda of maniacal chaos and petty grievances that he denied knowing anything about when campaigning but has been using as a wrecking ball on the U.S. Constitution nonstop since day one. The democracy death march toward authoritarianism continues and our libraries are in the crosshairs. Sign up for JD Crowes newsletter: Enter your email to subscribe to JDs weekly newsletter, Crowe Jam. Public libraries have been under fire in Alabama and across the nation the last couple of years. The attacks are now coming fast and furious. On March 14, Trump signed an executive order dismantling the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services. Related: Closure of federal library could have $3 million impact on Alabama libraries Last week, Nancy Pack was fired from the Alabama Public Library Service, which distributes funding and training to about 200 libraries in the state, after almost two years of intense scrutiny from conservative groups, legislators and Gov. Kay Ivey about so-called inappropriate content in childrens library books. More from Williesha Morris' story: In 2023, conservative groups Moms for Liberty and Clean Up Alabama began challenging library books that have themes based on race, gender or the LGBTQ community. That year, Alabamians challenged more than 100 books in at least eight Alabama libraries. Which books get challenged in Alabama libraries? See the list From John Sharps story last Friday: Alabamas state library board on Thursday voted to cut Fairhope Public Librarys $42,000 in state funding because it allegedly didnt comply with new library codes. But the decision came a month after the head of the state library board gave Fairhope supporters assurances that the library was in compliance. From compliance to defunding: The case over Fairhopes library causes confusion It caused confusion alright, and a whole lot of uproar. Fairhope doesnt take kindly to evil doers messing with our treasure of a public library. It sparked this fund-raising effort to Save Fairhope Public Library. It also sparked some passionate comments on social media. Heres my friend Jeanine Anne Normands take on Facebook: The librarians are the best qualified to classify books, not random members of a known, domestic terrorist group, M4L, who are in cahoots with guv meemaw, and she controls the APLS. People: Get your heads out of the sand. Pay attention. Parents have the ability to tell their children what to read. They dont have the right to tell mine. Thats in the US Constitution under Free Speech. Kids can find anything they want on the Internet / on their phones. Anything. Ask yourself WHY are they attacking the libraries, pretending to be the arbiters of what everyone of every age should read? I trust our librarians. NO CENSORSHIP of LIBRARIES. Thanks for your support of our libraries and librarians, Jeanine. Check out more cartoons and stuff by JD Crowe JD Crowe is the cartoonist for AL.com. He won the RFK Human Rights Award for Editorial Cartoons in 2020. In 2018, he was awarded the Rex Babin Memorial Award by the Association of American Editorial Cartoonists. Follow JD on Facebook, Twitter @Crowejam and Instagram @JDCrowepix. Give him a holler at jdcrowe@al.com. For a time this month, the federal government knew it wanted to get an Alabama Civil Rights landmark off its books. Yet Washington didnt actually know what the Montgomery Bus Station home of the Freedom Rides Museum costs to keep open each year, according to an AL.com review of public data on thousands of pieces of federally owned and operated real property. That finding highlights one of many problems with the federal governments management of its vast real estate holdings. Those problems were recently featured in a report by the U.S. Government Accountability Office, which noted Washington struggles to manage its real estate portfolio about 277,000 buildings. Yet despite its flaws, the data paints a costly picture. GAO reports the price tag to maintain federal buildings both civilian and Department of Defense totaled $10.3 billion nationwide in 2023. In Alabama, the data for civilian agency real property details of Defense properties are not publicly available shows nearly 1,200 federal buildings racked up $84.9 million in maintenance and operating costs alone in 2023. The 100 buildings with the highest annual costs account for $80.5 million, or almost 95% of that total. [Cant see the map? Click here.] The Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville is by far Alabamas highest-cost federal complex, with its dozens of buildings topping $26.2 million to operate annually. The sprawling VA Medical Center in Birmingham follows, at $11.2 million. Federal prisons, Tennessee Valley Authority sites, other Veterans Health Administration hospitals and clinics, and FEMAs Center for Domestic Preparedness in Anniston also cost multiple millions of dollars per year, the data shows. Yet hundreds more buildings in Alabama show zero or single-digit operating costs. Thats among the concerns highlighted by the March GAO report. The federal watchdog agency criticized lapses in flagging and disposing of unneeded property, and in keeping up with maintenance costs. Moreover, the federal real property database itself is rife with errors, according to the GAO report, meaning the government itself often does not know exactly what happens in its buildings, precisely where they are located, or how expensive they are. The federal data, for instance, does not list many details of the Montgomery Bus Station. There is no information across 82 fields of data that are required to be reported annually by federal agencies that own real property on the facilitys annual maintenance or operating costs, on the number of federal employees housed there, or on the condition of the building itself. The federal property portfolio came into contention in March after the U.S. General Services Administration the independent government agency that manages real property announced hundreds of non-core real estate assets would be sold as part of a cost-savings push by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). [Cant see the list? Click here.] Several Alabama properties were included among them the historic Montgomery Bus Station. A GSO statement at the time said the non-core assets on the block were not intrinsically significant to the mission of the federal government and primarily consist of office space. The agency quickly removed the list of for-sale properties, and Sen. Katie Britt later told AL.com that the Freedom Rides Museum would not be sold off. Yet the incident brought into rare focus the rising costs and the sheer variety of federal real property, at a time when President Donald Trump and his DOGE are seeking to cut spending almost everywhere possible. Even if as in the case of the Montgomery Bus Station the actual savings are less than clear. FILE - Republican U.S. Rep. Mia Love has died at age 49 following a battle with cancer. In this photo, Love greets supporters during an election night party, in Lehi, Utah, Nov. 6, 2018. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File) AP Groundbreaking U.S. Congresswoman Mia Love of Utah has died, her family announced. She was 49. Love was the first Black Republican woman elected to Congress. The news of her death was announced by her family via X. Love Family: With grateful hearts filled to overflowing for the profound influence of Mia on our lives, we want you to know that she passed away peacefully today. She was in her home surrounded by family. In the midst of a celebration of her life and an avalanche of happy pic.twitter.com/YzhAuH1l9x Mia Love (@MiaBLove) March 24, 2025 In the midst of a celebration of her life and an avalanche of happy memories, Mia quietly slipped the bands of mortality and, as her words and vision always did, soared heavenward. We are thankful for the many good wishes, prayers and condolences, her family message said. According to The Associated Press, Love had been undergoing treatment for glioblastoma, a form of brain cancer, and received immunotherapy as part of a clinical trial at Duke University. In March, her family announced the treatment was no longer effective. A Haitian American, Love represented Utahs 4th congressional district from 2015-2019. She won two consecutive elections before losing in 2018 to Democrat Ben McAdams. She was later hired as a political commentator by CNN and in 2021, was a guest host on the ABC daytime TV talk show The View. Love is survived by her husband and three children. Hyundai today announced it will invest $21 billion on its U.S. manufacturing operations. In an event at the White House Monday, the company said that amount will include $5.8 billion for a steel factory in Louisiana that will employ 1,300 people. President Donald Trump took the opportunity to say the announcement proves his tariff policy is working. There are no tariffs if you make your product in America, he said. Money is pouring in, Trump said. The announcement by Hyundai is a clear demonstration that tariffs very strongly work, Trump added. The South Korean automaker also pledged: $9 billion to expand its U.S. automobile production to 1.2 million units a year. $6 billion to enhance parts, logistics and steel business, strengthening supply chains. Another $6 billion to expand its energy infrastructure, including EV charging. The investment is expected to create more than 100,000 direct and indirect jobs by 2028, according to the company, including 14,000 direct full-time jobs. Hyundai said the amount almost doubles the companys total investment since it entered the U.S. market in 1986. It was unclear how these investments might impact Alabama. In a press release, the company said it plans to invest in improving its production facilities, including Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama and Kia Autoland Georgia, to further enhance its customer-centric approach in delivering high-quality automobiles. The Korea Times last month reported that Hyundai was mulling over increasing production at its plant in Montgomery, though it was not clear how much production might increase. Hyundai Motor Group aims to produce 1 million units annually in the U.S., including 360,000 units from its Alabama plant, according to the Korea Herald. Hyundais Montgomery factory currently employs about 4,000 people, contributes about $5 billion to the states economy and is the largest employer in the central Alabama region. The New York Times is reporting that, in todays event at the White House, Trump said he intends to press on with proposed tariffs on steel and autos produced outside the U.S. Money is pouring in, Trump said, flanked by Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry and Euisun Chung, the executive chair of Hyundai. This investment is a clear demonstration that tariffs very strongly work. According to the Wall Street Journal, Hyundai doesnt currently produce steel in the U.S., but operates a steel division in South Korea. The investment plan comes as South Korea is losing its relief from a 25% U.S. tariff on imported steel. Several U.S. and international companies have announced big investments in American manufacturing since the start of Trumps second administration. One man is dead following a single-vehicle crash in Choctaw County on Sunday. According to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, Judge Johnson Jr., 57, was identified as the man fatally injured in the accident. At about 2 p.m., Johnson was traveling along Choctaw County Road 32 near Choctaw County Road 9 in a 2007 Buick Lucerne. Thats when Johnsons car went off the road, striking a ditch and overturning. Johnson was not wearing a seatbelt and was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident, ALEA said. The agency said that no further information was available at this time. Twenty-seven of the states 50 rural hospitals are at risk of closure within the next few years. (Mike Kittrell, AL.com) This is an opinion column. How long? Too long. How long will Alabama watch the slow, agonizing descent of its rural hospitals before lawmakers and leaders act? How long will they ignore the swelling health deserts, large swatches of our state where our rural neighbors have to fill their gas tank to access quality care, including maternity and inpatient care? Its already been too long. Far too long. We have rural hospitals that now are facing an existential crisis, said Dr. Donald Williamson, president of the Alabama Hospital Association. Not only of their survival but He didnt have to say: The survival of folks living in our rural health care deserts. Williamson said 27 of the states 50 rural hospitals are at risk of closure within the next few years. The more immediate problem, he added, is that 19 of those 27 rural hospitals are in immediate risk of closure. That means they dont have the resources to stay open beyond two to three years. Some dont have the resources to stay open six months. Rural hospitals in our state have long been on life-support. And long been ignored. In 2014, money woes forced the closing of the maternity ward at Whitfield Regional Hospital in Demopolis, west of Montgomery in the Black Belt. It defied a trend of rural hospital closures by reopening in April 2022 under a management agreement with the University of Alabama at Birmingham. A little over a year later, however, in November 2023 , Monroe County Hospital in south Alabama closed its labor and delivery department . That was the third hospital in a month to issue a death certificate for services for pregnant women and newborns. Last July, Grove Hill Memorial Hospital in Clarke County stopped providing labor and delivery services . Babies are going to die, one of the hospitals OB/GYNs told us then . They already are. Dying sooner than in other states . Dying at the highest rate in almost a decade . The prognosis for in-patient care is unsettling, too. Over the last six months, two rural hospitals yanked the sheets from in-patient services: Thomasville Regional Medical Center in Clarke County in southwest Alabama and Lawrence Medical Center in Moulton in the northwest corner of Alabama. Call it a tourniquet allowing struggling facilities to stay open (alive) as a Rural Emergency Hospital, a designation established by Congress in 2021 . Yet people still get sick and those who need more than a bandage or quick fix must now travel miles and miles for long-term health care, often to an urban facility facing its own strains. See: Jackson Hospital in Montgomery, which filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy last month . Its a spiral that has Alabama rural healthcare, such as it is, in danger of coding. How long from now? Sooner than anyone wants to hear. Williamson wouldnt name the facility but revealed that one hospital administrator recently said they had just nine days of cash on hand. Thats not a sustainable model, he said. Some rural hospitals have found ways to survive and not close, and so people mistakenly assume that they will always be there, like the power company, Williamson said. Unfortunately, were reaching the end of those ways to pull rabbits out of hats. Some communities are going to be very surprised that something they just assumed would always be there will not be there unless some things change. If yet another rural hospital closes, will anybody hear it? Does another have to shutter and create another healthcare desert before some things change? Well see. Thus far, rather than triage and do something to stop (or at least slow) the bleeding, lawmakers continue to shrug their shoulders and ignore the buzzing call button. One challenge, Williamson says, is that hospitals may not be fully appreciated as economic drivers in their communities, especially in rural communities. Collectively, according to the hospital association, Alabamas 114 hospitals (for now) employ almost 78,000 Alabamians theyre often the largest employer in a rural community, or a close second to the school system. A nd, they generate $25 billion in annual economic impact for the state . While a hospitals primary impact is providing necessary health care to citizens, its impact also goes to the economy and jobs in a community, Williamson said. It goes to the ability of communities to recruit industry and businesses. Yet deciphering how hospitals generate the money they need to survive can be more convoluted than a Rubiks Cube and its often infected by politics. Now, the nations rural hospital ecosystem is choking amid the clown-show chaos and uncertainty embroiling the federal government. Heres Hospital Economics 101: They generate revenue through reimbursement for services and medicine in four buckets: State officials have no control over the first two. Even worse, Alabama is at a severe disadvantage in the Medicare reimbursement because of whats called the wage index, which is mind-numbingly complicated, Williamson said. In short, states with higher wages get reimbursed at a higher rate for the same service, and Alabama has the lowest wage index in the country. Thus, Medicare reimburses hospitals in, say, Mississippi and Georgia more than hospitals in our state for providing the same service. Thats a federal problem that cant be solved by the state, Williamson said. What our lawmakers can fix, and should try to fix, are closing coverage gaps through expansion of Medicaid and other programs to the self-insured. About one in five Alabamians are currently covered by Medicaid. However, Williamson said, to qualify a family with minor children can make up to only 18% of the poverty line ($4,648 for a family of three) Yeah, you read that right about $4,500 annually. Its among the most restricted in the country, he said. Alabama does a great job of covering children, he added. But if you look at 19- to 64-year-olds, thats where our problem is. Alabama Medicaid does not cover childless adults from 19 to 64 so it doesnt matter how poor or sick you are. If youre between 19 and 64 and you dont have a child, the only way you can get on Medicaid is if youre female and getting pregnant, or if youre a disabled male, is by becoming disabled. Stop me if youve heard this: Expand Medicaid. Expand Medicaid. Expand Medicaid. Doing so would cover an additional 300,000 working families, according to Alabama Arise . Yet myriad calls to do so including my own have fallen on deaf ears among Republican lawmakers and in the governors office . They cite cost uncertainty, but we all know thats just a cover for those who still disdainfully refer to the Affordable Care Act governing Medicaid expansion as Obamacare. Sigh. To address the uninsured (and assuage cost concerns), the hospital association partnered with BCBS to create ALLHealth, a plan that would leverage federal Medicaid expansion funds to pay for private insurance plans for Alabamians without health coverage . Now, of course, who knows if a penny of that money will be left after Congress figures out how to pay for the massive budget recently passed by the House of Representatives, a budget that calls for $2 trillion in spending cuts . AllHealth was based on Medicaid as we knew it, Williamson said. Its understandable that people want more clarity before they consider what action needs to occur around closing the coverage gap. But at the end of the day, closing it will have a significant effect in stabilizing rural hospitals. Any new reimbursement is better than no reimbursement. In the meantime, two bills created to address the rural hospital crisis are idling with the Alabama House Ways and Means Education Committee . HB46 tweaks an existing tax credit provision that incentivizes physicians to practice in rural areas. Sponsored by Rep. Ed Oliver, R-Dadeville, the bill would double the credit to $10,000 and eliminate a residency clause requiring doctors to live in a city with a hospital providing emergency-care services. The latter became harder to fulfill as hospitals closed. In essence, thats a bandage on a bullet wound. It helps, but more physicians than the buildings that must remain open for them to be able to practice. The bigger, bolder move is HB86 , sponsored by Rep. Terri Collins, R-Decatur. Itll create the Rural Hospital Investment Program , allowing individuals and businesses to donate to a fund supporting rural hospitals. Donations would receive a 100% income tax credit. The program is based on The Georgia Heart Hospital program, which launched in 2016 and this year reached its $100 million cap to support 50 rural hospitals. Hospital eligibility and oversight of the Alabama fund credits would be capped at $20 million through 2026, then increase to $30 million would be handled by a board within the State Treasurers office. Another potential revenue source? A portion of proceeds raised from gambling if lawmakers ever decide to close the massive wound allowing Alabama money to bleed into other states. Im agnostic on the source of revenue, Williamson said. If the state had more revenue, more cash on hand, then potentially it would make legislators more comfortable closing the coverage gap. Before the patient dies. Lets be better tomorrow than we are today. My column appears on AL.com, and digital editions of The Birmingham News, Huntsville Times, and Mobile Press-Register. Tell me what you think at rjohnson@al.com, and follow me at twitter.com/roysj, Instagram @roysj and BlueSky. FILE - President Donald Trump's portrait hangs in the Colorado Capitol after an unveiling ceremony, Aug. 1, 2019, in Denver. (AP Photo/Thomas Peipert, File) AP President Donald Trump took to social media Sunday night to complain about what he called a distorted portrait of himself hanging in the Colorado State Capitols Gallery of Presidents. Nobody likes a bad picture or painting of themselves, but the one in Colorado, in the State Capitol, put up by the Governor, along with all other Presidents, was purposefully distorted to a level that even I, perhaps, have never seen before, Trump wrote in his post on Truth Social. The portrait, commissioned during Trumps first term, was paid for with a Republican-led fundraising effort and approved by Colorado Republicans before it was put on display in 2019. Former state Senate President Kevin Grantham, a Republican, raised nearly $11,000 in an online fundraiser for the portrait in the summer of 2018 after he learned no donations had been received to fund the painting more than a year into Trumps first term. The unveiling of the portrait on Aug. 1, 2019 at an event hosted by the Colorado Senate Republicans and artist Sarah Boardman of Colorado Springs was described as nonpartisan by organizers. I would much prefer not having a picture than having this one, Trump wrote, asking that Gov. Jared Polis take it down. Trumps social media post complained about Boardman, who also painted former President Barack Obamas portrait in the Capitols Gallery of Presidents. The artist also did President Obama, and he looks wonderful, but the one on me is truly the worst, Trump wrote. She must have lost her talent as she got older. Boardman previously told The Denver Post it was important to her that both Trump and Obama looked apolitical in their portraits because the gallery is meant to tell the story of the U.S. and not one specific president. The other 43 presidential portraits in the Colorado gallery were painted by Lawrence Williams. He died before he could continue the collection with Obamas portrait. In 2018, after Colorado Citizens for Cultures initial effort had failed to raise any money for a Trump portrait, an aide to then-House Speaker Crisanta Duran, a Democrat, helped a liberal political group sneak a portrait of Russian President Vladimir Putin into the Capitol, where it was displayed on an easel beneath the spot reserved for Trump. Grantham launched his own fundraising campaign days later. ------------- 2025 MediaNews Group, Inc. Visit at denverpost.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) speaks at a press conference with members of Senate Republican leadership in Washington, DC on March 4, 2025. (Photo by Nathan Posner/Anadolu via Getty Images) Anadolu via Getty Images Alabama U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville has brushed aside questions about his eligibility to run for governor due to his residency, saying theres no problem. According to WAFF, speaking with reporters at Huntsvilles Redstone Arsenal last week, Tuberville said he hadnt thought much about it but swatted aside concerns about whether he could seek the office. As I tell people, Im either going to be a senator, Im going to work for President Trump, I could possibly be governor, or Im going home, he said. Youve got to remember, thats two years down the road. He attributed questions to potential rivals for the office. Well, Ive been a United States Senator representing the state of Alabama for the last four years, with two more years remaining, he said. Theres no problem with that. We looked at that six, seven years ago. Its just people that are probably, maybe, wanting to run for governor. Hey, if you want to run, go run on your abilities. Dont try to trick somebody else. Theres nothing to that. No candidates have announced for the governors race next year. Earlier this month, Tuberville said he has not made a decision on the race but believes he can make a greater impact as governor than in the Senate. Sen. Sam Givhan, R-Huntsville, said last week that hes worried a controversy over Tubervilles residency could leave Alabama voters with a poor range of choices in the governors race. As far as governor, youve still got a question, Givhan said. Because owning a house in Alabama is not enough. Youve got to live here seven years. You dont have to live here a day to run for U.S. Senate. So thats going to be a hurdle. The subject of Tubervilles residency came up during the race for the Republican nomination for Senate in 2020, Tubervilles first run for public office. Former Sen. Jeff Sessions, who challenged Tuberville in the race, raised the issue of Tubervilles residential property in the Florida panhandle. AL.com reported at that time that Tuberville and his wife, Suzanne, were both registered voters in Alabama, according to the Alabama Secretary of States Office. They also had owned a house in Auburn since March 31, 2017, according to Lee County property records reviewed by AL.com. That will be a full nine years before the May 2026 GOP primary for governor. Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump atalks with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of N.Y., at the 79th annual Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner, Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson) AP 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. 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 U.S. 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. 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 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 U.S. 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. 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. _____ 2025 Bloomberg L.P. Visit bloomberg.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., expressed optimism Monday that Greenland will become an American territory, claiming the potential acquisition is a win-win for the United States and Greenlanders. Its all about national security, but its much about for the people of Greenland as anything, Tuberville told Fox Business host Larry Kudlow. Alabamas senior senator dismissed Democrats' claims that the people of Greenland, who are citizens of Denmark, do not want to become an American territory. If you just listen to them talk on the interviews over the last month, theyre all in on it, Tuberville said, referring to Greenlanders becoming American citizens. Second Lady Usha Vance, along with National Security Adviser Mike Waltz and Energy Secretary Chris Wright are visiting Greenland later this week, according to ABC News. Greenlands prime minister said the trip was part of a very aggressive American pressure against the Greenlandic community. In January, Donald Trump Jr. visited the semi-autonomous territory and appeared with Greenlanders wearing Make America Great Again hats. An executive of the hotel where Trump Jr. met with the Greenlanders told The Guardian that the supporters were actually homeless people who were offered free food. Trump Jr. dismissed the executives claim. The president has also set his sights on annexing Canada as the 51st state, heightening tensions between the two countries. Tuberville acknowledged that while Canada may be a tough sell, the Greenland acquisition is realistic. Now, were going to have problems with the other group across the water, but I think President Trump is exactly right here, the senator said. We dont keep going there for our health, I tell you. You go up there to make something happen. President Trumps right on line with this. And again, hell make it happen. Hes a dealmaker. Meanwhile, the Danish prime minister maintains Greenland is not for sale. This is a guest opinion column Rents are rising too quickly in Alabama, and the reason is perfectly obvious. Demand for housing is outstripping supply. The solution to these high prices is just as obvious: increase supply by building more houses and apartments. Unfortunately, this commonsense solution barely seems to be part of the conversation. Instead, people want to look everywhere other than right in front of them for solutions, perhaps because changing housing policy is hard. To wit, the Biden Department of Justice went after artificial intelligence-based property management software that helps landlords set rents in an allegedly unlawful scheme to increase prices. In its complaint, the DOJ alleged that the use of the software has raised prices in multiple Alabama cities. This is nonsensical. Is it collusion to look up the market price of a share of Apple on a Bloomberg Terminal before deciding to sell? Were you colluding when you looked up the value of your used car in the Kelley Blue Book before trying to sell it? Is the Blue Book why used car prices are up over 30% since before the pandemic? Of course not, and AI-based rental pricing software is really just the 21st century version of the Blue Book for landlords dressed up with a bunch of jargon (machine learning, GenAI). All the software does is offer pricing recommendations based on existing marketplace supply and demand conditions. How banning such a piece of software will lower prices is beyond me. Dig into the data, and you will find that housing supply shortages explain the situation a lot better than some far-fetched theory about an evil algorithm conspiring to raise prices all over Alabama. Researchers from the University of Alabama, Florida Gulf Coast University, and the University of Mississippi recently conducted a study of the Alabama rental market and concluded that in January, 12 of the states 15 metro areas for which data was available saw a year-over-year increase in rents higher than the national average of 3.46%. But that is not because of an algorithm. It is because these cities were not building nearly enough housing stock. According to a separate 2023 study that ranked 339 metro areas nationwide, metros where rent is increasing much faster than average, like Florence (3.8%) and Decatur (4.1%), are building very little housing. In Lauderdale County where Florence is located, the number of building permits issued for private housing in 2023 was 40% of what it was in 1990 even though the population was 20% higher. The only exception is Auburn (9.0%), which is building new homes and apartments at a feverish pace. I saw it with my own eyes over the last decade the downtown has been completely transformed with multiple new apartment buildings for students, and, in my own neighborhood, there are many new houses for young families and retirees. Of course, Auburn is currently one of the hottest small cities in America, so theyll just have to keep building if they want to keep pace with demand. Most cities in America would kill to have a problem like this. Contrast these cities with two of the three metros where rents increased slower than average Huntsville and Daphne. They just so happened to have built a lot of housing recently. In Madison County, which Huntsville dominates, the number of building permits for private housing has nearly doubled since 2018. The third, Mobile, built just 3.9 new units of housing per 1,000 existing units (coming in 279th), but its population has been declining for decades, while Daphne and Huntsville are both on the rise. If nobodys moving in, you do not need new housing. Now let us consider the influence of rent software. AL.com notes that, in parts of Mobile and Birmingham, as much as 80% of 1- and 2-bedroom apartment units managed by RealPages software, which is the most used property management software on the market today and the one that the Justice Department is targeting. Sure, pricing software might make it harder to find a steal by giving landlords a better idea of what everyone else is charging, but by the same token, you are also less likely to get ripped off. In the end, pricing software does not create housing market conditions. It cannot build more houses or make a place more attractive to live. It just reports on the way things are like the Kelley Blue Book or a Bloomberg Terminal. Unfortunately, instead of tackling the real problem, the feds are chasing a phantom. Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall wisely declined to squander state resources by signing onto the DOJs lawsuit, and Attorney General Pam Bondi and the rest of the President Trumps new DOJ leadership team is likely to drop the case soon. Still, it is a shame that so much time, effort, and taxpayer money were wasted when the real solution was staring at us in the face all along: build more housing. Nicolas Ziebarth served as a Professor of Economics at Auburn University from 2017-2024, including as Interim Chair of the Economics Department. He is now the Cook Professor of Economics at the University of Missouri. President Donald Trump, joined by the Easter Bunny and first lady Melania Trump speaks from the Truman Balcony of the White House in Washington, Monday, April 22, 2019, during the annual White House Easter Egg Roll. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) AP The Peeps White House Easter Egg Roll? The White House Easter Egg Roll brought to you by Cadbury? Both of those -- and more -- are possibilities amid reports the White House is soliciting corporate sponsors and donations for the Easter tradition. Harbinger, an outside event production company, is reaching out to possible sponsors on the White Houses behalf, according to CNN and The New York Times, which obtained a nine-page document that highlights logo and branding opportunities. Sponsorships, according to the document, range from $75,000 to $200,000. Ethics experts are sounding the alarm that the sponsorships go against rules preventing government officials from using their offices for private gain. Im shocked that they are doing this to raise money, Richard Painter, the chief ethics lawyer in the George W. Bush administration, told the Times. You cant use the power of the United States government to favor one nonprofit over another. Sponsorship opportunities include Naming rights for key areas or elements, Sponsor logos featured on event signage, Custom-branded baskets, snacks/beverages, or souvenirs, Mentions in official event communications and social media posts, Acknowledgment in printed or digital event programs, and Inclusion in press releases and media interviews, according to CNN. An unnamed former White House official who was involved in planning the event, criticized the Trump administration for courting corporations. This is an enterprise. This is not your grandmothers Easter Egg Roll where people lined up outside the gate and go and roll an egg and get a little gift bag and walk out, the official told CNN. The White House Easter Egg Roll would not be the first time Trump has promoted corporations from his office. Earlier this month, the president showcased Teslas outside the White House after claiming Elon Musk, the billionaire who was the largest donor to Trumps 2024 campaign, was treated unfairly by the press. There is a Level 1 out of 5 risk for severe weather on Monday in the areas in dark green. Damaging winds and hail will be the main concerns if any stronger storms develop. Storm Prediction Center Spring breakers at the beach may have to dodge storms today. NOAAs Storm Prediction Center is maintaining a Level 1 out of 5 (marginal) risk for severe storms today for extreme south Alabama. A Level 1 risk means that isolated severe storms will be possible. The strongest storms could have damaging winds and hail. Storms were moving across the southern half of Alabama on Monday morning, but the National Weather Service said they were staying under severe limits. 7:30 AM Radar Update: Showers and thunderstorms continue across the area producing moderate to locally heavy rainfall. A couple storms across coastal counties could still become strong this morning with gusty winds and small hail possible in the strongest storms. pic.twitter.com/WiofLdV7p7 NWS Mobile (@NWSMobile) March 24, 2025 The rest of Alabama had to deal with storms late Sunday and during the overnight hours. Many of them prompted severe thunderstorm warnings in north Alabama, and the weather service got several reports of large hail. No tornado warnings were issued overnight, however. After todays storms clear out from south Alabama the rest of the week looks drier and calmer. However, the Storm Prediction Center has added a risk for severe weather for nearly all of Alabama next Sunday, March 30, that will need to be monitored. Heres the outlook for March 30: The Storm Prediction Center thinks severe storms could be possible in Alabama next Sunday, March 30. SPC The weather service said that as of today forecast models were having big disagreements on details of next weekends forecast, but it will be one to watch. March 24, 2025 By Kenneth Mullinax/ASU The Office of Career Services at Alabama State University is holding a Career Fair (Fair) on Thursday (March 27) from 10 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. The event will be held at ASUs Dunn-Oliver Acadome and is presented in partnership with Alabama Power Company. Dr. Sabrina C. Simmons, assistant vice president for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management/Student Development and Engagement, will host the Career Fair. "In alignment with ASU President Ross's dedication to CommUniversity, the Fair is free of cost and is open to the public, ensuring that local residents benefit from the same access to employment resources and professional networking opportunities as does ASU's student body and alumni," Simmons stated. "This is a great opportunity for our students and the public to meet with recruiters offering job opportunities and internships, and to interact with officials from the Alabama Power Company who are partnering with us to make this great event happen. We are encouraging all who are interested to commit just 30 minutes of their time to attend and possibly change the course of their lives and careers by meeting that perfect employer." PARTNERSHIP WITH ALABAMA POWER In a strategic partnership, ASU's Office of Career Services has joined forces with Alabama Power Company for the Alabama Power Corporate Takeover, which includes three days of events from March 25-27, 2025, which are aimed at providing students and faculty with valuable engagement opportunities with Alabama Power professionals. The first two days of this initiative are private events targeted solely for ASU students and faculty so they may have better insight into the companys career pathways, industry insights, and networking prospects. The third day of the event (Thursday/March 27) features the Career Fair, which is open to the public. As part of the Alabama Power Corporate Takeover, Alabama Power will showcase the Alabama Experience (ALEX) at the ASU Career Fair. ALEX is an immersive mobile exhibit designed to showcase educational pathways, career opportunities, and economic growth across Alabama. Attendees will have the chance to engage with industry professionals, explore potential careers, and gain valuable insights into workforce development. MORE THAN 60 EMPLOYERS AND COUNTING The Career Fair already features more than 60 employers who have confirmed to be present and are eager to hire both full and part-time employees, as well as interns, for their public and private firms. Dr. Simmons is confident the Fair will attract even more employers by Thursday. Employers interested in participating are encouraged to contact the ASU Office of Career Services, using the contact information listed below. DRESS FOR SUCCESS/ON-THE-SPOT HIRES Simmons stressed that all who attend should dress in business attire since their interactions at the Fair are essentially job interviews in most cases. She stressed that all participants also should have several copies of their resumes with them to give to prospective employers. "Some of the employers may hire individuals on the spot, so we ask that everyone come prepared and be dressed professionally in business attire. Please have your 30-second 'elevator-pitch' honed and ready (an elevator-pitch explains in 30 seconds who you are and why you should be selected for the employment position) and with good preparation, many of our attendees may land their dream jobs or internships by attending our Career Fair," Simmons stated. Simmons shared that the slate of potential employers represents a wide variety of local, state, and federal government positions, as well as local and national industries and businesses. By fostering direct access to employers and expanding career possibilities, the Spring 2025 Career Fair serves as a key event for job seekers in the River Region, including ASU students and community residents. "We truly care about our ASU students and our local residents, and that is why we have organized ASU's Career Fair," Simmons said. "We want to lend a hand's-up to our students and to the public, so they may be fully or part-time employed or be selected for important internships that so many times becomes the foot-in-the-door to future full-time employment. ASU truly wants to help people find employment," Simmons said. March 24, 2025 Aaron Pe'rez By Kenneth Mullinax/ASU An undergraduate student at Alabama State University, Aaron Pe'rez, recently brought home top honors in The Guild of the Birmingham Music Club (The Guild). Perez was named the First-Place Winner in the piano category and won the overall Grand Prize in The Guilds 84th statewide competition held on March 8 on the campus of Samford University. In winning the grand prize, Pe'rez defeated all other first-place winners in several different instrumental categories. The music competition is presented annually for statewide undergraduate students who plan to continue their music studies at a four-year institution of higher education in Alabama. ASU's Dr. Adonis Gonzalez, professor of Music in the College of Visual and Performing Arts, shared that Pe'rez, a native of Havana, Cuba, was awarded $2,500 for his first-place win and an additional $1,000 for being the grand-prize winner. Perez is a sophomore, majoring in Music and is also a member of the University Choir. He also is an honor student who has maintained a 3.9 GPA. "It feels extremely gratifying to have won both top awards this year after having won second place during my freshman year in the same competition," Pe'rez said. "I am so thankful that the judges appreciated my talent at playing the piano. I give all of the glory of winning to God and also thank my piano professor, Dr. Gonzalez, and Dr. Carly Johnson, chair of our Department of Music, for the professional and personal support they both give me." Pe'rez thanked his family in Havana, who have worked and sacrificed so that he could come to the United States to study music. "The patriarch of our family is my grandfather, Herminio Pupo Gonzalez, who oversees all we do, and along with my parents, Jesus and Dexy Pe'rez, they all are my inspiration to excel in everything that I do. I dedicate my winning to all three of them, and I love them very much," Pe'rez said. PIANO PROFESSOR PRAISES PEREZ Dr. Gonzalez explained that in addition to his monetary prizes, Pe'rez has been invited to perform at the Guild of the Birmingham Music Clubs Spring Luncheon in April. The professor explained that Perez made history twice with his two wins. He is the first ASU piano student to win first prize in the piano category, and he also is the first University undergraduate to win the grand prize in the statewide event. "I am incredibly proud of Aaron and all that he has accomplished. I knew from the moment I recruited him from Cuba that he had extraordinary potential, but seeing how he has grown and developed as a musician has been truly inspiring," Gonzalez said. "His recent success winning both the first prize in the piano category and the grand prize against all other instrumentalists is a remarkable achievement that reflects not only his immense talent but also his unwavering dedication and hard work." HONORS BRING RECOGNITION TO ASU MUSIC PROGRAM The chairwoman of ASU's Department of Music, Dr. Carly Johnson, said Pe'rez's success in The Guild's competition is a significant achievement for Alabama State University and its music department. "Aaron's win highlights the caliber of student talent within the department and brings recognition to the University on a statewide level," said Chairwoman Johnson. "Such accomplishments not only elevate the profile of the music program but also attract prospective students and foster a sense of pride and accomplishment within the University community. Additionally, the exposure of winning these prestigious awards can open doors for further opportunities for collaboration, funding, and partnerships." PE'REZ'S FUTURE IS BRIGHT Pe'rez's piano professor says it has been a privilege to guide him on his musical journey which is only in its second year at ASU. "I am filled with pride knowing how much Aaron has accomplished. His artistry and commitment have set him apart, and I have no doubt that he will continue to achieve great things in the future," Gonzalez said. "I am excited to see where his music will take him next." Pe'rez will be presenting a full-length recital of solo piano works on April 26, at 7 p.m. at Montgomery's Trinity Presbyterian Church. The event is free and open to the public. English News China's global vision: a call for inclusive governance and shared prosperity Alwihda Info | Par peoplesdaily - 18 Mars 2025 China's actions in enabling global governance reflect its commitment to pursuing shared interests and mutual betterment of humanity. This year, China will host the Fourth Ministerial Meeting of the China-Community of Latin American and Caribbean States Forum, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit, and the Global Summit of Women. These gatherings are expected to further drive reforms in global governance. By He Yin, People's Daily In an era marked by rising global tensions and shifting geopolitical dynamics, nations - especially major countries - find themselves at a crossroads. They must decide whether to forge a future based on multilateral cooperation and reform global governance, or retreat into a zero-sum paradigm where narrow self-interest and unilateral actions risk undermining the international order. In its latest government work report, China outlined a comprehensive vision for the future. It is ready to work with other members of the international community to promote an equal and orderly multipolar world and universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, pursue the Global Development Initiative (GDI), the Global Security Initiative (GSI), and the Global Civilizations Initiative (GCI), and actively participate in reform and development of the global governance system. In doing so, it will promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind and create a bright future of world peace and development. This approach underscores China's resolve to act as an "enabler" on the world stage - steadfastly advocating for fairness, justice, peace and stability. As a responsible major country, China always stands firm on the right side of history and on the side of human progress, aligned with the broader cause of human progress. Its persistent emphasis on peace, development, cooperation, and mutual benefit is reflected in its ongoing provision of global public goods and its commitment to improving global governance. At the heart of the vision lies building a community with a shared future for mankind - a concept that resonates with the long-standing traditions of Chinese civilization and the internationalist commitment of Chinese Communists. It enables China to secure benefits not just for itself but for the international community at large. The appeal of the concept is underscored by tangible support from the international community. Over 100 countries have embraced the GDI, GSI and GCI, and more than three-quarters of countries in the world have joined the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) - a testament to the broad appeal and influence of China's enabling role on the global stage. China is steadfastly committed to fairness and justice, enabling global peace and stability. With an unparalleled record in maintaining peace and security, China follows a path of peaceful development - resolving disputes through dialogue and playing a constructive role in addressing hotspot issues. By promoting a vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security and by advancing the GSI, it galvanizes international support for peace and development. China is a cornerstone of multilateralism and a staunch advocate for the Global South. It holds membership in nearly every universal intergovernmental organization and stands as a party to over 600 international conventions and their amendments. Its commitment to equality in rights, opportunities, and rules is reflected in its vigorous support for the development of Global South nations, as well as its ongoing efforts to amplify their representation and voice in global governance. China maintains a steadfast commitment to win-win cooperation, serving as a driving force for global development and prosperity. It has built a global network of connectivity within the BRI framework - one that spans economic corridors, international transportation routes, and information highways, as well as critical physical infrastructure including railways, roads, airports, ports, pipelines and power grids. This comprehensive network, which covers land, sea, air and cyberspace, has significantly boosted the flow of goods, capital, technology and human resources among partner countries. Moreover, China has implemented over 1,100 projects under the GDI and has hosted over 2,000 capacity-building programs to support other developing countries. As a proactive advocate for global development, the country always places the well-being of the international community at the forefront of its agenda. Through a series of concrete actions, it strives to promote a more inclusive, beneficial, and resilient model of global development - one in which every nation has the opportunity to emerge as a winner in the modernization process. China maintains a steadfast commitment to inclusiveness and mutual learning, acting as a cornerstone for the progress of human civilization. In recent years, China has hosted a series of cultural dialogues - such as the Conference on Dialogue of Asian Civilizations, the World Conference of Classics, and the Liangzhu Forum - and has organized initiatives such as the year of culture and tourism, joint archaeological research, and classics translation programs. These efforts aim to celebrate cultural diversity, promote common values of humanity, and foster dialogue among civilizations. A foreign scholar remarked that the GCI answers the questions of the times, offering Chinese wisdom in response to today's common challenges. China's actions in enabling global governance reflect its commitment to pursuing shared interests and mutual betterment of humanity. This year, China will host the Fourth Ministerial Meeting of the China-Community of Latin American and Caribbean States Forum, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit, and the Global Summit of Women. These gatherings are expected to further drive reforms in global governance. For the common good of humanity, China will continue to champion a model of global governance rooted in extensive consultation and joint contribution for shared benefit - building a world where every nation plays a role and the promise of tomorrow is a collective achievement. Dans la meme rubrique : < > Low-altitude economy lifts off as Chinese automakers enter the eVTOL era China expands efforts to boost global e-commerce cooperation Legacy of Tea-Horse Road lives on at China-Laos border Pour toute information, contactez-nous au : +(235) 99267667 ; 62883277 ; 66267667 (Bureau N'Djamena) There has been considerable debate about Trumps plan to incorporate Greenland into the American empire, something which I think has great strategic and security advantages. There has even been trolling, perhaps half serious, of Canada being absorbed as the 51st state of the U.S. But so far nothing has been said about Australia, which is of even greater strategic defense interest to the United States than Greenland. Many Americans may think that there is no problem here as we have the AUKUS treaty for defense. However, in this brief note I would like to ignite a debate about Australia/U.S. relations, in the light of disturbing developments in Australia. There are many inter-related issues here, so I will skate over them to give an overview. I am thus not concerned with rolling out supporting statistics here, rather than make an initial case that others can debate. First, Australia has for some decades, perhaps since early 1980, been actively pursuing a policy of Asianization. One part of this is about trade integration with Asia to ensure markets for its raw materials, as that is about all Australia has, having had its manufacturing base eliminated, more than perhaps any other Western country. But Asianization goes further, and involves an explicit policy of ethno-racial demographic change, where the immigration intake is skewed towards, majority/Asian, now mainly Chinese and Indian, with Prime Minister Albanese having worked out a special labor immigration deal with the Indian government. Hence, one no longer sees, for example, white bus drivers or taxi drivers; all are Indian. Han Chinese flood the professions, so it is the Great Replacement from below and above. This replacement of traditional white Australians by Asians gained momentum under the John Howard Liberal Party government (what passes for conservatives in the country), as detailed by P. Wilkinson, The Howard Legacy: Displacement of Traditional Australia from the Professional and Managerial Classes (2007), and has accelerated since then, with a steep turn taken by the Albanese socialist Labor government. The Great Replacement is conducted through mass immigration as well as the deluge of overseas students, the highest per capita in the West. With a population of just 26.66 million (2023 figure), there were 1,018,799 international students enrolled at Australian universities in the year to 2024. It is well-known that these are all backdoor migrants, with immigration laws being set up to allow permanent residency for such students, who never return to mainly China. And more than one million overseas migrants came to the country over just the period 2022-2024, with 2.46 million temporary visa holders as of September 2024, which is one of the highest net immigration rates relative to present population numbers in the West. This influx of foreign students and migrants has generated an accommodation crisis, and a massive rise in property prices, making the once traditional Aussie dream of home ownership impossible for the youth of today, unless they are cashed up Chinese. Thus, tent cities have emerged, of people, mainly poor whites, who cannot get any accommodation at all. Welcome to the Third World. It is significant for this paper that the Chinese proportion of the Australian population is rapidly increasing, and I do not trust the official statistics on this. For one thing, migrants from Britain and New Zealand, for example, may be Asians, and apart from that, after all the deceptions with the COVID plandemic, I do not trust government proclamations, full stop. The story told by ones eyes moving around cities like Sydney is that they are rapidly becoming Chinese; Sydney CBD is little Hong Kong. The main group of eight universities look majority Chinese. Institutions like the universities, who have promoted Asianization for their own profits, and for vice chancellors to take home multi-million-dollar salaries, tell this tale, too. Material at the economic site Macrobusiness.com.au is very good on detailing the corruption. Some universities are 50 percent foreign students, mainly from communist China; tutorials are conducted in Mandarin, as there are no whites in the classes, including tutors. There are articles even in the mainstream press of cheating by mainly the Asians, Chinese and Indian, being done on an industrial scale. The universities really do not care, giving only lip service opposition. Full fee-paying students will get through, and there is an unspoken rule not to fail any of them; I know as I have been told this by tutors. These Asians do not go back to China but become the new professional class, as noted above, regardless of the merits of their degrees. The problem here is that not only is China buying up much of the country, Australia always having a 'dirty whore' mentality, but Chinese influence is now powerful enough to have an electoral impact, and it is hypothesed that Chinese influence was one factor bringing down the former Liberal government in the last federal election, as the Morrison government had made meek criticisms of China. The colonials had to be taught a lesson by the new Asian masters, who dwell in the multicult pot. The problem for the U.S. is that this Chinese influence in Australia is set to grow, and become a major political force. It will not be too many years before whites in Australia become a minority; Anglo Saxons who constituted 97 percent of the population at Federation in 1901, already are a minority. China demands loyalty of all its diaspora, and when things move to a kinetic conflict, it will call all of its racial tribe in Australia to take a stand for the Fatherland of world Emperor Xi, ruler of all men. That could raise security concerns for U.S. military infrastructure in Australia, such as the base at Pine Gap. This is an absolutely crucial aspect of U.S. nuclear defense. If Chinese power grows to such an extent that the bases are politically threated, the U.S. will face a security major issue. It would have been preferable for Australia to become a state of the U.S., rather than a colony of communist China, allowing its people to be liberated from one of the most stiflingly oppressive woke cultures on the planet. Thus, Australias lockdowns and denial of basic liberties under COVID attracted attention for U.S. commentators, who were amazed that COVID concentration camps were set up. Police viciously attacked even old ladies who dared to venture outdoors during lockdowns, and the State of Victoria had the longest lockdown in the West. But the majority cretins who would not know liberty if they tripped over it, voted the leftist Premier Daniel Andrews (equivalent of a state governor) back in! Same situation in Western Australia. As far as free speech goes, Australia joins the U.K. in tyrannical internet censorship, as Elon Musk has recognized with his federal court case. Australia seeks to censor, not merely home content, but overseas sites as well. Perhaps the real indication of just what a cesspool this country has become, is the ban on the humble machete in Victoria, with a two-year jail sentence for anyone having one without an exemption, but perhaps soon the entire country will follow if Victoria has its way, as the Victorian state government is lobbying for this. Yes, a simple agricultural tool used for thousands of years, essential for firebreak clearing in hilly areas vulnerable to bushfires, where machinery cannot be used, gets banned because mainly African migrants have used these cheap weapons in home invasions and gang fights. Yet the government never addresses the real problem of the African gangs, because that would mean dealing with the race and immigration issue, which it created and continues to fuel with runaway immigration of people who simply do not integrate, but bring their tribal antagonisms with them with their designer shoes and smart phones. Instead, after the media whips up a scare campaign, the solution is rolled out of banning the tool, not the criminal. The agenda, as is seen with Australian gun control, is to remove any reasonable weapon of self defense from citizens, so that they can be at the mercy of those who do not obey the law. Likewise in the U.K., where we saw from the Southport protests, whites were imprisoned for social medias posts, while Muslims roamed the streets around mosques, armed with swords and machetes, with no Muslim getting arrested. And what would one expect from governments which allowed, and still does, thousands of white British children to be groomed, raped, prostituted and in some cases murdered? Elon Musk rightly described this as two-tier policing, and the same is true of cesspool Australia. In summary, Australia is set to become a problem, morphing into an authoritarian anti-liberal state, defecting from the West. Everything that Vice President Vance said about Europes turning away from free speech and liberty, applies even more so to Australia. While Americans may not see the country of much significance, that is mistaken, as Australia has a great strategic role in the Asian-Pacific, to combat communist China. In the short term, Australia is of strategic interest for the United States. Hence Americans need to look more closely at the state of tyranny in Australia before it becomes an even bigger problem than China's potential for war against Taiwan. Michael Dundee is a pseudonym of an Australian who is shy about identification, given his life in a tyrannical regime. Image: Grok, via X, AI-generated image. Autopen has been in the news these past few weeks. Its not a new alternative rock group; rather, its a shadow government, worse than anything in a Robert Ludlum novel, governing America behind the scenes without any transparency or accountability. At least until now. Wikipedia describes an autopen as a device that automatically replicates signatures. Celebrities frequently employ autopens to manage large volumes of autographs. Since Harry Truman's presidency, autopens have been utilized, with Gerald Ford being the first to confirm their usage publicly. YouTube screengrab Since then, U.S. presidents have enacted urgent legislation during vacations due to the impracticality of transporting them or the necessary documents. The legitimacy of an autopen signature remains unchallenged in court, even though President George W. Bush obtained clearance from his Department of Justice regarding its constitutionality. Nonetheless, he never utilized it himself. In the last two weeks, social media has been hopping with reports of President Joe Biden using an autopen to sign executive orders and late presidential pardons. Since these signatures didnt come from Bidens own hand, questions have emerged regarding their authenticity and legitimacy. The legal analysis offered by Matt Margolis: The United States Constitution vests numerous powers in one man and one man alonethe President of the United States. These powers include signing or vetoing bills, signing or vetoing orders, resolutions, or certain legislative votes, nominating and commissioning Officers, and granting reprieves and pardons. In all of these instances, the Presidents personal action is required, i.e., he shall perform some action. These mandates are exclusive to the President. Therefore, it is well established that the President cannot delegate these decisions to anyone. The President affixing his wet signature not only signifies consent, but is the legally required act. So who was running the autopen and where was President Biden? President Donald Trump has mentioned the autopen several times, and without accident. While aboard Air Force One, he told reporters, It seems like we had an autopen for a president. On Truth Social, Trump commented: The Pardons that Sleepy Joe Biden gave to the Unselect Committee of Political Thugs, and many others, are hereby declared VOID, VACANT, AND OF NO FURTHER FORCE OR EFFECT, because of the fact that they were done by Autopen. In other words, Joe Biden did not sign them but, more importantly, he did not know anything about them! Trump continued: Who was signing all this stuff by autopen? Who would think youd sign important documents by autopen? You know, these are major documents. Nobodys ever heard of such a thing. So, it should have never happened. This is not mere coincidence; Trump continuously expressed his worries. What was Trump aware of regarding President Autopen, and when did he become aware? Do you recall that on Jan. 20, Trump's inauguration day, he signed a pile of executive orders with his Sharpie in the Oval Office, displaying his actions and signature to the media? He had the option to do this privately, yet the media documented every second, highlighting a clear distinction with the autopen an issue that came up two months later. Was this a foreshadowing? I believe this display was deliberate. It documented actual signatures in front of the world, setting the stage for future revelations about the autopen. Why didnt Biden sign his own orders and pardons? Would he even have been aware of what he was signing? This raises the issue of Bidens cognitive status and whether he was capable of understanding and signing pardons and executive orders, and by extension, fulfilling the duties of the presidency. Special Counsel Robert Hurs report on President Biden was a devastating synopsis of his mental state. Here are a few snippets from Hurs report. We have also considered that, at trial, Mr. Biden would likely present himself to a jury, as he did during our interview, as a sympathetic, well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory. ... It would be difficult to convince a jury that they should convict him by then a former president well into his eighties of a serious felony that requires a mental state of willfulness. ... In his interview with our office, Mr. Bidens memory was worse, Poor memory and questionable mental state? Was Biden up to the job of president? Did he know what he was signing? During the sole debate between Trump and Biden, Biden seemed bewildered for a lengthy 14 seconds. CBC News referred to this as a catastrophic moment, highlighting his voice raspy, his gaze distant, and labeling it Bidens debate disaster. In January, the New York Post reported that: "President Biden seemed unaware if he had signed a crucial executive order during a previous discussion with Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson, who expressed concern that the country is facing significant challenges." Was Biden aware of the executive orders he supposedly signed? Or the pardons? Or did someone else in his administration play president via the autopen? These are all legitimate questions. On Dec. 22, 2022, while Biden was vacationing in the U.S. Virgin Islands, some pardons were signed using an autopen, yet all stated they were signed in Washington, D.C. Was Joe Biden aware of this? Is this considered fraud? My American Thinker colleague, Dr. Ted Noel, pointed out in an email: When the creator/signer of a document is not mentally competent, the document is a nullity ab initio. In plain English, its wasted paper and has no legal meaning. That development of Bidens impaired status leads to a rebuttable conclusion that none of his autopen documents are valid. Dripdripdrip. The case for Bidens cognitive impairment was developed gradually and deliberately, prompting curiosity about who actually led the executive branch in the last four years. President Trump concluded this week that all pardons granted by Biden, including those for Jan. 6 prosecutors, certain criminals, COVID-related authorities, and family members, are considered "void because Biden reportedly signed them using an autopen during his time in office. Whats next? What would happen if Trump instructed the FBI and DOJ to investigate, arrest, or prosecute individuals who may have committed crimes, including those who received potentially dubious presidential pardons? Criminal defense lawyers can be expensive, with legal fees potentially reaching millions, causing angst as the U.S. Supreme Court deliberates on the legal validity of autopen-signed documents. If lawfare is good for the goose, its good for the gander. Does accepting a presidential pardon imply guilt? The White House Historical Association states: The Burdick v. United States (1915) ruling determined that a pardon implies guilt; acceptance is a confession of it. This suggests that individuals who have received pardons have admitted to their offenses. Following this, sentencing should occur. FBI Director Kash Patel and his deputy, Dan Bongino, should reflect on the Biden FBI and DOJ lawfare operations and will hopefully hopefully course correct their agency. I trust that the FBI and DOJ will uphold the rule of law and the Constitution while investigating and prosecuting criminal activities, especially as the courts evaluate President Autopens directives. Joe Biden's legacy is a farce: his presidency is widely viewed as a disaster. A January Rasmussen Reports survey indicates that "48% of likely U.S. voters believe Biden will be remembered as one of the worst presidents in American history. Who operated his autopen, and under whose guidance? Attorney General Pam Bondi must investigate this insurrection during Bidens presidency. In the meantime, observe how the corporate media is melting down over President Autopen and how, coincidentally (or not), pardoned Hunter Biden is currently living large in South Africa with round-the-clock Secret Service protection, recently revoked by President Trump. We have an extradition treaty with South Africa, but we lack similar agreements with several neighboring African countries. Could Hunter Biden have signed his own pardon, as suggested by Attorney Mike Davis? Will he be returning home to the U.S.? The upcoming weeks promise to be intriguing as this saga unfolds. If Trump continues to pursue the issue, its not by chance. This thread could unravel the entire Biden presidency. Stock up on popcorn. Brian C. Joondeph, M.D., is a physician and writer. Follow me on Twitter @retinaldoctor, Substack Dr. Brians Substack, Truth Social @BrianJoondeph, LinkedIn @Brian Joondeph, and Email brianjoondeph@gmail.com. "Render unto Caesar what is Caesars, and unto God what is Gods" When Jesus was alive, the religious leader of Rome was, in fact, both Caesar and the voice of God, for Emperor Augustus had taken the position of Pontifex Maximus , the chief high priest, for himself. A separation between church and state would occur in the late 4th century when Saint Ambrose, the Bishop of Milan, would cleave the two. In 390 AD, in Thessalonica, a Macedonian city in the Roman Empire, the citizens murdered a Roman garrison commander for arresting the most popular Macedonian charioteer just before a major race. A seething Emperor Theodosius ordered his soldiers to slaughter the entire population. When the smoke cleared, 7,000 men, women, and children died in the Massacre of Thessalonica . Ambrose, the most powerful man in Christianity at the time, banned the emperor from Mass. Theodosius I , an extremely devout man, would spend the next six months seeking Ambroses forgiveness and doing penance. Eventually, Ambrose decided the Emperor had shown sufficient contrition and allowed him back into the Church, but not before forcing him to make Christianity the official religion of the Empire and outlawing every other faith. Image by Vince Coyner That was one of the first and most powerful checks on a monarchs power in the history of Western civilization. Another would come in 1215 when English King John was forced by a group of rebellious barons to sign the Magna Carta , which provided protections for the church and guaranteed the barons a variety of liberties and rights. Fast forward 562 years and another step towards a truly limited government would occur in Philadelphia in 1787. In an unprecedented advance for Western civilization and, frankly, humanity, the Founding Fathers wrote the Constitution of the United States. With a keen understanding of mans nature, this document was sufficiently robust and prescient that it would last for centuries. In a direct reaction to the English system, they wrote a constitution in which, while the primary power lay in the legislature, the power of all three branches was checked by the other two and ultimately by the citizens and the Bill of Rights. To give some perspective on where the locus of power lay in the new constitution, compare the articles that define the powers of the three branches: Article I, the Legislature, has 2,268 words. Article II, the Executive, has 1,025 words, while Article III, the Judiciary, has a mere 377. The Founding Fathers went to great lengths to divide the powers and put in place checks and balances so that mob rule and demagogues would not take hold of the government and bring about tyranny. One of those checks was the Judicial Branch : The judicial Power of the United States, shall be vested in one supreme Court, and in such inferior Courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish. Alexander Hamilton assured all and sundry that the judiciary would be the weakest branch, writing in Federalist 81 : It may in the last place be observed that the supposed danger of judiciary encroachments on the legislative authority, which has been upon many occasions reiterated, is in reality a phantom. He stated that a judicial usurpation of the legislature could not happen: This may be inferred with certainty, from the general nature of the judicial power, from the objects to which it relates, from the manner in which it is exercised, from its comparative weakness, and from its total incapacity to support its usurpations by force. This, combined with Congresss ability to impeach judges for judiciary encroachments, said Hamilton, would be sufficient to keep judicial usurpation from occurring. Hamilton was responding to the writings of Judge Robert Yates, who warned of a rapacious judiciary in Anti-Federalist No. 78. Hamilton was wrong, and Yates was right. Within a very short time, Hamiltons error and Yates prescience became clear. Marbury v. Madison established Judicial Review in 1803, taking for the Court the ability to invalidate a law it deemed in conflict with the Constitution. Although the court would use that power only twice over Americas first 70 years, it would do so 50 times over the subsequent 75 years and over 125 times in the last 90 years. That trajectory not only reflects the extraordinary growth in the areas of American life into which the leviathan of government has inserted itself, but it also reflects a far more activist judiciary. And how can we tell? Look at nationwide injunctions . Judges issued six nationwide injunctions against George Bush over eight yearsone per every sixteen months he was in office. Barack Obama was the subject of 12 or one every eight months. In Trumps first term, judges issued 64 nationwide injunctions, or one every 22 days. After he left office, the courts retreated, with Joe Biden getting 14 or one every three months. Now, in his second term, Trump has received 12 in only six weeks; that is, one every four days. Meanwhile, in the single four-year period of his first term, he faced more of these injunctions than every president in the previous 60 years combined! But the thing is, injunctions are found nowhere in the Constitution. Nonetheless, with almost 700 federal judges, activists can easily find fellow travelers who are more than willing to do their bidding. Its no coincidence that the judges who have issued many of the injunctions against Trumps executive actions have ties to hardcore leftists: Using injunctions, a radical leftist cabal is attempting to thwart President Trump from doing the job he was elected to do, which is to enforce and execute the laws of the United States. He should not allow them to do so. Unfortunately, impeachment is not the answer because there is zero chance of getting a conviction, with half the Senate applauding the judges actions. The first thing Trump should do is ignore the order. This will force SCOTUS and/or Congress to act. The second thing he should do is strongly encourage Congress to act, regardless of what SCOTUS does. ( Or doesnt do given the Manchurians Roberts and ACB .) Congress has the ultimate constitutional power to define the courts jurisdiction, whether granting or restricting it . They should eliminate or restrict federal judges ability to issue injunctions in general or, at a minimum, prohibit nationwide injunctions. The Founders created a system of checks and balances that has served America well for most of her history. But that system only works when the three branches remain true to their nature. You can argue that Congress has given too much of its power to the regulatory state, but thats a case of one branch willingly, if foolishly, ceding power to another. In the case of the Judicial Branch, were seeing something different. Activist judges across the country are asserting that they basically have the power to micromanage how the Executive Branch carries out its constitutional duties. They dont, but that doesnt matter if the Executive Branch allows it to become reality. And the reality is, theyre using Chief Justice Roberts treacherous normal appellate review process framework to run out the clock on President Trumps term. And Trump knows it . In 1832, in reaction to Worcester v. Georgia , President Jackson is said to have announced: John Marshall has made his decision; now let him enforce it! Donald Trump should state unequivocally that he will not allow activists masquerading as jurists to hijack the proper functions of the Executive Branch. Americans, like Jesus, Ambrose, and Jackson did, understand there are separate realms of governing, and for good or bad elected presidents execute the laws, not judges. Follow Vince on X at ImperfectUSA Western law is derived in large measure from Jewish legal principles. The rabbis expound on Rabbi Yishmaels 13 Principles (Middot) of interpretation, even expanding to some by Rabbi Akiva. Perhaps the most important of all is kal vachomer, light and heavy. This principle says that if something is forbidden in a minor situation, it is also forbidden in a more weighty (important, stringent, etc.) situation. The reverse also applies. If something is not allowed in a prominent situation, it isnt allowed in the minor one either. Finally, this rule also applies to what is allowed. These principles matter a great deal when considering the efforts leftist judges are making to prevent President Trump from carrying out his election mandate to govern under the Constitution. Americans are intuitively aware of Trumps mandate to govern. As James Woods puts it, How do Republicans hold all the power yet cant bring criminals to justice, but Democrats push all these hoaxes through and hold hearings nonstop? Is there one single Republican with balls besides Trump? Just one? The injustice of this situation is part of why we elected Donald Trump. Its also why we cheer when an FBI agent who tried to take Trump down during his first term is arrested at JFK airport trying to flee the country after leaking classified information. We shouted for Hillary Clinton to be arrested for national security violations with her unsecured server and for James Comey to be taken down for his blatant leaking. This list of gross injustices is, to quote Goose, long and distinguished. Image by Grok. Yes, were starting to see formerly privileged individuals called to account for their previously protected criminal activity. But that isnt the big issue. Donald Trump (Surprise, surprise!) is at the center, both in what hes doing, what the courts are doing to stop him, and what American legal principles and kal vachomer say that Trump should be able to do. This essay will walk you through it. In my recent AT post, I covered a list of cases that acknowledge that current Supreme Court precedent creates some restrictions on who and how the President can fire. In addition to those cases, some others you can review are Humphreys Executor v. United States (1935), as modified by Seila Law v. CFPB (2020), and Bessent v. Dellinger (2025, DC Court of Appeals). The upshot of these Supreme Court-created firing restrictions is that America has a permanent, protected class of bureaucrats. In practical fact, they are not answerable to anyone, and this is the root of our public distaste for government. Government is supposed to serve us, but instead, it serves itself. The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service stands as a sentinel example near K Street. While fewer than a hundred officially occupy offices in its luxurious nine-story office building, it has little real oversight and great personal privileges. Similar sinecures exist all through the government. As DOGE discovers each new nest of feral feds, that information is handed to Trumps department heads, and these heads then terminate those feral feds paychecks and privileges. Almost immediately, however, some federal court judge then issues an order demanding that Trump give the candy back to the babies. In most cases, the reasons come from one of two legal authorities. The first legal authority arises in the case of USAID and other similar agencies. There, the Court will say that the employees are protected by the Civil Service Act (CSA), and Trump didnt jump through the hoops that it and the Administrative Procedures Act require. That means that he violated the law. And technically, if were talking about the CSA, he probably did violate the laws terms. It has a maze of protections that make it almost impossible to terminate a federal employee. But pointing to the CSA is looking in the wrong direction. The Constitution is the highest law in the land, and the CSA directly contradicts Article II, 1, which gives all executive branch power to Donald Trump. No exceptions. The President is required to take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed (Art II, 3). Since the CSA is a law, it would seem that he is required to follow the CSA. But that would see him violate the vesting clause, which is a higher law. So, either the President is required to break the CSA to follow the Constitution to get rid of employees that are supernumerary or acting contrary to the Presidents direction, or he has to break his oath to the Constitution. Thats an interesting issue but it doesnt touch upon the kal vachomer principle. That shows up when we get to the second line of cases involving Trumps firing agency directors for the Federal Trade Commission, Office of Government Ethics, and Merit Systems Protection Board. The president has the sole constitutional authority to nominate these people, with the Senate then confirming them under its power to advise and consent (Art II, 2, Cl 2). At present, the claim is that these directors are protected from being fired without specified notice and cause, under a line of cases following Humphreys Executor. But, as noted in my prior post, that case is ready to be overturned since it conflicts with Article II, 1. Our key case, which is still the core of all cases around the Presidents power to fire, is Myers v. United States (1926), which clarified that the President has the freedom to fire any official he nominated and the Senate confirmed. In short, it says that the Presidents power to appoint also includes the unfettered power to remove. The only excuse in the other cases for tying the presidents hands is that the agencies were somehow independent. But this stands even further from the Constitution in that this idea creates an unaccountable fourth branch of government. As Star-Kist used to say, Sorry, Charlie. There are only three branches, and this is a key reason that the current justices seem poised to overturn Humphreys Executor. But what does this have to do with Jewish legal principles? Its easy to point out Article II, 1. But the real principle has to do with Myers. This case established that the President can terminate at will the service of the highest level officers in his Cabinet. Lower-level firings logically fall under the principle of kal vachomer: If the President has the power to remove the highest and most important officers, that heavy task necessarily includes the lighter task of removing officers in the so-called independent agencies. Thus, if there is no legal reason to prevent the President from removing Cabinet level officers he appointed, there is similarly no legal reason to prevent him from removing any officer he has appointed. Lets follow this rabbit trail. If the President has the power under the principle of kal vachomer to remove all the officials he appoints, then he also has the power to remove anyone who works for those higher-level officials. In short, he has plenary hiring and firing authority throughout the Executive branch. But isnt that what Article II, 1 says? After all, we already know that because the Constitution also makes him the Commander in Chief (Article II, 2) of the armed forces, Trump can drum out every transgender with a stroke of his pen, and no one has the right to question himnot even Judge Ana Reyes. Ultimately the Supreme Court is going to have to return to Constitutional order. It does not matter that some lefty lawyer complains. Donald Trump can fire the entire Executive branch in one fell swoop if he chooses. Of course, that might leave him with no one to take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed. At the same time, this ridiculous example makes it clear that resistance is futile. Ted Noel is a retired physician who posts on social media as Doctor Ted. His Doctor Teds Prescription podcast is available on multiple podcast channels. This town is now as nervous as its ever been. Thats Congressman Chip Roys assessment of the mood in Washington, D.C., since President Trumps return to the White House. Its one of several dozen refreshingly blunt descriptions of American politics in Ned Ryuns new documentary based on his book, American Leviathan. The documentary is available to anyone with an Internet connection, and it is nothing short of a declaration of war on the administrative state. I highlighted Ryuns book when it came out last September for several reasons. First, it is a remarkably clear description of the ideas, people, and events that led us to this unique moment in history when the inevitable clash between the authoritarian bureaucracy and the constitutional Republic has come to a head. There was nothing natural about this process. The vast and unaccountable administrative state did not arise from the U.S. Constitution; it is a repudiation of the Constitution. The unelected bureaucracy does not reflect the wishes of the American people; it is the polar opposite of representative government. No matter how many propagandists defend Big Government as our Democracy, the ever-growing Leviathan is thoroughly authoritarian in disposition. It jealously guards its expanding powers and despises American citizens who insist that legitimate government comes only from the consent of the people. It is such an unnatural beast that it must spy on Americans, censor their speech, and intimidate them into submission merely to maintain control. The administrative state is government by coercion and the antithesis of limited government and individual liberty. Second, Ryun is a rather unique political operative in that he walks the walk every bit as much as he talks the talk. He is an effective warrior when it comes to getting Republicans elected, but he is also a tireless critic of the Deep State. Those qualities are often mutually exclusive in high-stakes American politics where a persons clout is usually directly proportional to his willingness to sell out personal principles. Washingtons political machine the Frankensteinian monstrosity composed of equal parts malevolent bureaucracy, corporate blackmail, academic blacklisting, news media gatekeeping, Intelligence Community skulduggery, and rank influence peddling tends to scoop up true believers and recondition them into compliant cogs of the permanent governments hive-mind, collectivist Borg. Ryun is a rare political player who refuses to be assimilated or transformed into another D.C. drone. Lastly, I wanted readers to mentally prepare for what would happen after President Trump won in November. There were fifty days between the publication of Ryuns American Leviathan and Trumps victory, and while those crucial days required all of our efforts to make sure that he would, in fact, be re-elected, I knew that we would have no time to waste once he succeeded. Thats where Ryuns efforts really stand out. His book is meant (1) to wake up those who have been sleeping during the century-long transformation of the American Republic into a tyrannical bureaucracy, (2) to re-energize those who have been fighting the good fight for most of their lives, and (3) to lay out the blueprint for restoring the Republic and destroying the Deep State. I wanted readers to spend time before the election thinking about what would come next because winning was only Step One of a much larger operation. Something that should be clear six months after American Leviathan came out in print is that President Trump and his closest advisors have long been preparing for this war against the administrative state. They werent just running a political campaign the last few years; theyve been planning their return to Washington, D.C., in meticulous detail. From the moment the news media cartel was forced to announce Trumps victory, those plans became active operations. Critical personnel choices were announced. Executive orders were finalized. Litigation strategies were put into motion. It is no coincidence that many of Ryuns recommendations for slaying Leviathan are now official White House policy. The Trump administration embraces American Leviathans proposition that the only way to save the Republic is to disembowel the unelected, unaccountable bureaucracy. While Ryuns book is an excellent resource for American minds desperate to break free from a century of bureaucratic hypnosis and Deep State conditioning, his documentary provides a kind of real time snapshot of the Trump administrations ongoing Leviathan hunt today. Among many interesting contributors to the film, Congressman Roy and Senators Jim Banks, Rick Scott, and Marsha Blackburn offer insightful perspectives regarding Trumps impact on Establishment Washington, and Jeff Clark, Mike Davis, Steve Cortes, Bradley Watson, and Rachel Bovard provide excellent analysis of the many conflicts playing out publicly today. Every speaker is strikingly candid about where all this is heading a showdown between two incompatible systems of government from which only one may survive. Senator Banks says plainly that the Deep States animus toward President Trump originates with the three most dangerous words he uttered during the 2016 campaign: Drain the Swamp. As soon as then-candidate Trump identified the administrative state as not only an affront to the U.S. Constitution but also a threat to the American Republic, he became public enemy number one for the bureaucratic blob. The Russia collusion hoax, the Mueller Inquisition, the farcical impeachments, the endless lawfare, and the ridiculous investigatory witch-hunts all arose because Donald Trump directly attacked institutions that have governed almost absolutely for over a century while avoiding serious public scrutiny. In front of huge crowds, Trump called out agencies and bureaucrats by name and promised to rein in their out-of-control harassment of the American people. The administrative state, having long exercised the constitutionally delegated powers of the Executive Branch while thumbing its nose at the elected president, correctly worried that Trump would reclaim legitimate Executive authorities that it had illegitimately usurped decades ago. For a hundred years, Americas permanent ruling class has operated a state within a state in which the president is treated mostly as a figurehead and recognized as chief executive in name only. In this absurd Bizarro World where low-level bureaucrats are quasi-kings and the three branches of government retain meager residual powers, the Constitution is a document that just gets in the Deep States way. In Ryuns documentary, Congressman Roy pulls no punches against the administrative state while laying well-deserved blame at the feet of lawmakers. In lauding Elon Musks work to expose and eliminate government waste, fraud, and abuse, Roy says the American people have to hold Congress accountable. Because youve been searching for the enemy, and the enemy is right in front of you. It is us. It is Congress. Were the ones that continue to fund the very things that enable the Deep State. Were begging you to save us because were that bad. Thats a rather direct plea from a sitting congressman for the American people to rise up and demand an end to Americas unconstitutional bureaucracy. In calling for the slashing and burning of Leviathan, Roy argues that DOGE shouldnt stand for the Department of Government Efficiency but rather the Department of Government Elimination. That s a theme throughout Ryuns documentary. Another theme is that Americans can win this war against the administrative state. Rachel Bovard acknowledges how difficult it is for any country that has gone so far down the path of bureaucratic tyranny to survive. But then she notes, Every day this country does something that no-one has ever seen before in the history of the world. If there is anyone who can shake off the shackles of bureaucratic statism, its us. Its America. As Ryun says at the end of both his book and documentary, the solution is simple: Break the State. Drain the Swamp. Restore the Republic. In a hundred years, there has never been a better time. Image: Trump White House Archived via Flickr, public domain. Does President Trump understand how lucky he is with respect to his enemies? He probably does, which is why he keeps making traps and they jump in with gusto. We learned that Governor Tim Walz (Kamala's VP) sort of admitted that he made a you know what out of himself with his Tesla comments. He was "joking" or something like that. I guess that someone told him that the teachers' pension plan has money in the now "evil" Tesla. Remember when something similar happened to Hillary Clinton years ago? She was bashing fossil fuel companies until someone passed her a note that public sector employees have their retirement plans in those same companies. Trump is lucky -- what else can I say? Well, a breeze of good luck came over President Trump when we learned that former President Biden wants to make a comeback. Yes, Joe wants back, or so we hear: Former aides to Joe Biden and other Democratic flacks were aghast Friday following a report that the 46th president recently met with party bosses to offer to put himself back in the spotlight and boost the ailing partys image and fundraising. Biden, 82, and wife Jill sat down with newly elected Democratic National Committee chairman Ken Martin last month to pitch themselves for a revamped campaigning effort, according to NBC News. Recent public polling shows Democrats support has cratered, with less than one-third of Americans approving of the partys performance since President Trump returned to the White House Jan. 20. You can't make this up. Wonder if the editors at the NY Post had their people "triple source" this story to make sure that it was true. Wouldn't you? Memo to Mr. Biden: A big reason for the condition that the party is in is because of your policies. Yes, as Mark Penn pointed out, Joe left the party in really bad shape. Just look at the county-by-county electoral map. You can draw line from San Francisco to Washington D.C. and not pass a lot of counties that voted for the Harris-Walz ticket. Look at the map and see for yourself. Honestly, who in the world is singing, "All you need is Joe? Maybe it's Hunter or someone else who heard about the autopen signing their pardons. P.S. Check out my blog for posts, podcasts and videos. Image: AT via Magic Studio Over the weekend, the Wall Street Journal ran a long article addressing the fact that huge cohorts of young American women no longer want to get married or have children. This is a big problem for America and a tragedy for both young men and women. The essay opens with the usual anecdote, this one about a Boston-based 29-year-old woman who has given up. Shes college-educated, financially self-sufficient, and had a handful of underwhelming relationships and dozens of disappointing first dates. Shes given up and says shes at peace with that decision. The essay quotes Daniel Cox of the American Enterprise Institute, saying that the problem is systemic: The numbers arent netting out, said Daniel Cox, director of the survey center at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI), a conservative think tank. He ticked off the data points: More women than men are attending college, buying houses and focusing on their friendships and careers over dating and marriage. The AEI has the data to prove it: Over half of single women said they believed they were happier than their married counterparts in a 2024 AEI survey of 5,837 adults. Just over a third of surveyed single men said the same. As of now, 51.4% of American women between 18 and 40 are completely single: no husband, no boyfriend. Meanwhile, per a 2023 Pew Research Center survey, 48% of women no longer believe marriage is important, even as 39% of men think it is. Both these numbers have gone up in just the past few years. The essay zooms in on a few of the big issues: Women are more likely to have college degrees than men and consider it marrying down if the man has no degree. Women are also earning more than men and, again, consider it marrying down to pair with a lower-earning man. My two cents is that this is an atavistic feeling. No matter how modern women are and how disinclined toward motherhood, their lizard brains tell them that they need a man who can support them and their babies. And speaking of babies, the article also says that men are more likely to want them than women are. Thats because men envision a Leave It To Beaver household, where they work outside the home while the woman works inside the home. Women, however, expect to continue to work and, therefore, expect the men to help around the house. Arlie Hochschild discussed this mismatch in her 1989 book The Second Shift: Working Parents and the Revolution at Home. She discovered that old-fashioned men who didnt think their wives should work were much more helpful around the house if the economy forced their wives into the workforce. Younger men, however, who paid lip service to helping out around the house, actually did very little. That was a raw deal for women. And, of course, concludes the Wall Street Journal essay, women have shifted dramatically leftward politically while men have gone in the opposite direction. All these trends are a disaster for America as a whole and for both men and women. Pairing up is nice and natural. Having a life companion and children are great blessings. My thoughts are best expressed by looking at one specific young woman I know. Maeve (not her real name) is 31, college-educated, and has a good job that she loves. Shes charming, intelligent, and truly adorable. Shes also a pretty hard-leftist. She doesnt believe in God, despite a somewhat traditional upbringing in a loving, two-parent home, but does believe in climate change. Maeve has already determined that she will not have children because of climate change. Not only is there no future for these hypothetical children, but they will put even more pressure on the planet. Its a lose-lose. And if shes not having children, why have a husband? Maeve is paid well at work, gets promotions, and has great reviews from her boss. It fills her emotional needs. Telling her that, when she retires at 65, no one from the job will ever call her to say, I love you, is meaningless to her. She cannot imagine being 65 and alone. She cannot imagine getting sick and having no one who cares about her. The job is fulfilling; thats all she needs. Maeve came out of college liking guys, but she also considers them deeply flawed. She wont use the word toxic, but the fact that guys are not girls is a problem. While the French used to say vive la difference when considering the male-female dynamic, Maeve belongs to a cohort that would say, putain la difference (damn the difference). Her take on the old Henry Higgins song would be Why cant a man be more like a woman?). Shes by no means a lesbian, but men fail to meet her emotional needs and practical standards, and shes not willing to bend. Finally, Maeve is deeply affected by hook-up apps. Remember how that Wall Street Journal spoke of the young womans dozens of disappointing first dates? We gals of an older generation probably didnt have dozens of first dates. It took work to get a first date. But the hook-up apps mean that if one connection fails, theres always someone else out there for both guys and gals. Thus, if the meet-up isnt movie-perfect, theres no need to give someone a second chance. Just swipe left on that person, ghost em, and move on. This is especially true for genuinely attractive women like Maeve. She can afford to be picky at a level no young woman ever could before. The concept of bending before non-essential imperfections doesnt exist in her world. When you have women who have been trained not to like men, to consider babies immoral (not just babies out of wedlock, as in the old days, but all babies), who get their emotional fix from work and friends, and who feel that they have endless choices...well, a genuine, imperfect man, one who forgets to put the toilet seat down, belches after he drinks a soda, and smells rank after a day of physical labor...the truth is, he doesnt stand a chance. Image by AI. Today, the United States recognizes children of foreigners and non-citizens who are born in this country as U.S. citizens. President Trump believes that if the parents are foreign-born or non-citizens, and they happen to give birth to a child in the United States, that child does not automatically become a citizen of the United States and therefore is not entitled to all the benefits a U.S. citizen has earned and is eligible for. Many support and many are in opposition to the presidents view. At the same time, we have many people working hard to become citizens through naturalization. Naturalization is the process of voluntarily becoming a United States citizen. In the first case, U.S. citizenship is a luck of the draw. Your mother happens to be in the U.S. while shes pregnant and gives birth. You happen to be born in the U.S. Congratulations: Youre a citizen with full citizen benefits. In the second case, you work hard over several years, study about our country and its history, and practice and take tests youre required to pass to earn your citizenship. Many, many countries have already weighed in on the birthright subject. I would like to share one very recent story. Good friends of ours well refer to them as Stephen and Megan both U.S. Citizens, love to travel in Europe and the U.K. They were especially excited to tell us about their recent river cruise. They were determined to see Amsterdam to walk among the historical merchant buildings lining the canals, to shop the Nine Streets, the Negev Straatjes, for as long as Megan could hold up. Megan, you see, is 7 months pregnant, and although she is a real trooper with a lot of energy, the back-to-back traveling has begun to wear her down. Then it happened. One night, while enjoying dinner along the Keizergracht Canal, Megan went into early labor. The Dutch authorities were very nice, transporting Megan and Stephen to the hospital, where, after a very short wait, Megan delivered a beautiful little girl she named Emma in honor of the nurse who took care of her. Once the oohs and ahs of the hospital baby-gazers subsided, and Stephen completed his I told you it was too late to take her traveling lecture by Megans mom, all was well, and there was a lot of happiness for the new life brought into the world. Shortly afterward, Stephen found out that the rules in Amsterdam are very different from the United States. Regarding birthright citizenship: Whereas American TV networks are digging up and parading their constitutional scholars to provide their unique and personal interpretations of the 14th Amendment, in the Netherlands, its cut and dry: There is no birthright citizenship. In the Netherlands, a child born to tourists in Amsterdam are not automatically considered Dutch simply because of their birth location. Dutch nationality is primarily determined by the nationality of the parents at the time of the childs birth. If one or both parents are Dutch citizens, the child will automatically acquire Dutch nationality at birth. Every child born in the Netherlands must be registered within three days with the municipality where the birth occurred. After registering, the parents will receive a birth certificate. If the parents are not Dutch citizens, as in the case of Stephen and Megan, their child Emma will not automatically become a Dutch citizen because she was born in the Netherlands. Nor will Emma receive the medical benefits that Dutch citizens receive. One more thing: Stephen and Megan were responsible for all the medical costs of childbirth and the hospital stay. In researching other countries where foreigners, visitors, or tourists give birth in another country, all seem to follow the Amsterdam example. The child who is born is not automatically granted citizenship and citizenship benefits of the country he is born in. Now, why on Earth would the United States be the only country on the planet to encourage foreigners and non-citizens to come to this country to give birth, receive immediate citizenship, and receive medical and other benefits that in many cases are much better benefits than those received by U.S. citizens who have paid into the system their entire lives? Somehow, birthright citizenship doesnt seem quite fair to all those people who have been waiting and working and studying our country for years in hopes of becoming a U.S. citizen. I know my grandmother was extremely proud when she officially became one. Image via Pexels. Among Western Europe's preening princeling elites, they don't understand human nature very well. They also don't understand President Trump. So we see silly thinking like this, from a German businessman who seems pretty plugged into the thinking of Europe's elites: The US is openly threatening Denmark and Greenland. The aggressive rhetoric of the Americans can no longer be distinguished from that of russia. Both justify territorial claims with security interests and exert open pressure. Europe must immediately stop all orders for weapons https://t.co/E5rwyd2nCZ Jurgen Nauditt (@jurgen_nauditt) March 24, 2025 O.K., let's unpack this: Europe is on the verge of being attacked by the U.S. And the solution is: Stop arming up. Don't buy American advanced weapons. That'll chase the threat away. Which doesn't exactly sound like they're in the midst of a threat, the way, say Ukraine was three years ago. Once the shellings started, did anyone in Ukraine say that they shouldn't get their hands on every Russian weapon they could? Even buying them with money from Russia means more Russian dead bodies for Vlad Putin. When you buy something, you get something -- in this case, arms to defend yourself from invaders. But this Euroloon would rather Denmark signal its displeasure with President Trump's ideas about buying Greenland, which he calls 'threats' by boycotting American arms. Denmark without fancy American weapons -- what a battle strategy for stopping the Yankee invaders. Not buying arms -- that'll stop 'em! I'm not sure he understands why nations buy arms. He seems to think arms purchases are welfare subsidies and he's urging Denmark to withold them. A closer look at what they are saying in Denmark itself is similar, but has a paranoid flavor. According to Business Insider: The chairman of Denmark's parliamentary defense committee said he regrets choosing the F-35 for his country, citing fears that the US may threaten to cease support for the fighter. "As one of the decision-makers behind Denmark's purchase of F-35s, I regret it," Rasmus Jarlov, a member of parliament for the center-right Conservative People's Party, wrote on social media on Wednesday. Jarlov was addressing rumors that the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II may have a "kill-switch" that allows Washington to remotely disable F-35s purchased by US allies. The Pentagon said on Tuesday that the stealth fighter does not have such a feature. But the Danish MP isn't convinced. "We obviously cannot take your word for it," Jarlov wrote in his post. Instead of boycotting American arms to teach America a lesson like the Euro-German, this guy wants to boycott American arms because he thinks the Pentagon either won't service the advanced weaponry, or secretly has a "kill switch" to stop the jets midair as Trump invades Greenland or lets the Russians do it for him. He actually said this: "I can easily imagine a situation where the USA will demand Greenland from Denmark and will threaten to deactivate our weapons and let Russia attack us when we refuse," wrote Jarlov, who is also his party's spokesperson for his stance on Greenland's affairs. ... which kind nullifies Trump's whole purpose of buying Greenland, which is to counter the Russians whose Arctic presence is already well advanced. Trump would use the Russians to counter the Russians? Don't think it would work out the way this poor fellow's fevered imaginings have it. What makes this nutty is that Trump has never once threatened to invade them. Not once. Sure, he's dished criticism, and made a persistent effort to buy the island of Greenland from them, but he's not threatening to steal it from them, through military invasion or through any other means of force. He's no flying bombers over Copenhagen the way China flies its bombers over Taiwan. He's not threatening a thing physical against them. He just really, really wants to buy the island of Greenland and give Denmark a whole lot of money for it. If Denmark were clever, they'd see about swapping a few tropical islands held by the U.S. in the Caribbean for it, giving themselves a vacation paradise that would make them money in exchange for a costly ice block they have no capacity to develop. But that's not how they think. Fact is, Trump hasn't invaded anyone at all, through any of his presidencies, past or present. The only people who've gotten bombed are terrorists, and there are no terrorists from Denmark. The U.S. under Trump has gone out of its way to stay out of wars and foreign entanglements, and on this, Trump has been steadfast and firm. As for 'threats,' we are in absurdville, if anyone thinks this cordial message from the gracious second lady of the U.S., Usha Vance, who's apparently flying her kids to Greenland to see the dog races, is any kind of threat: SLOTUS VISITING GREENLAND Hands up If USA should purchase Greenland. pic.twitter.com/fkduBBVOPB Usha Vance News (@UshaVanceNews) March 23, 2025 Disarmament wins wars. Arms have secret buttons in them. Trump is issuing threats. It's all nonsense. All Trump wants to do is give Denmark some money, and they're going bonkers over it, completely failing to read the situation at all. Image: Screen shot from X video Why did Kamala Harris lose to Donald Trump? Was it a lack of trust? A failure to connect? A habit of spouting robotic, circular nonsense? Did she lose because voters saw through her painfully inauthentic persona? Because her lame attempts at humor landed with the grace of a sledgehammer through a windshield? Was it her dismal record as vice president, her inability to answer basic policy questions, or the sheer volume of word salad she force-fed the American public? Wrong. Wrong. Wrong. None of the above. Kamala Harris didnt lose because she was untrustworthy, uninspiring, and deeply unpopular. She lost because of TikTok. Or at least, thats what the people over at Vox would have us believe. The anemic argument goes like this: Through some sinister mechanism, TikTok radicalized young voters against Kamala, swaying them toward Donald Trump. Its a lie, a lie so obvious that it barely needs debunking, but Im going to do it anyway. First, lets address the elephant in the room. TikTok is overwhelmingly left-leaning. It is a platform where progressive ideas thrive, where social justice slogans are parroted endlessly. Its a platform where identity politics reign supreme. If anything, TikTok has been one of the most powerful tools for the Democrats, mobilizing Gen Z and Millennials in a way no other medium has. Consider the type of content that dominates TikToks algorithm. Simply scroll, and in a matter of minutes, find yourself bombarded with clips pushing transgender ideology, white privilege, toxic masculinity, radical feminism, and anti-capitalist talking points. The app is an echo chamber of leftist orthodoxy, where questioning narratives about climate change and DEI policies is met with immediate suppression and/or mob outrage. Users are inundated with woke slogans, gender ideology, and economic illiteracy masquerading as political discourse. For years, TikToks moderation policies have favored leftist narratives. Right-leaning creators frequently complain that their content is shadowbanned, removed, or algorithmically buried. Meanwhile, radical left-wing accounts gain massive reach. If Harris lost voters on TikTok, its because even a platform dominated by progressive narratives couldnt make her palatable. She failed to energize young votersnot because of some nebulous right-wing propaganda campaign, but because even the most media-saturated generation saw through her lies. TikTok was on her side, not Trump's. The idea that TikTok is some breeding ground for MAGA-loving voters is, of course, laughable. If anything, TikTok has been one of the most effective radicalization tools for the left. Look at how the app was used during the George Floyd riots. Mobs of activists coordinated through TikTok to organize protests (many of which turned violent), spread anti-police propaganda, and push the now-infamous defund the police movement. The results, as we all recall, were disastrous: A massive spike in crime, emboldened criminals, and police departments gutted in major cities. Then, theres COVID. TikTok aggressively promoted narratives supporting indefinite lockdowns, vaccine mandates, and social distancing hysteria, while punishing any skepticism. Alternative perspectivessuch as those of doctors questioning mRNA technology or arguing against prolonged school closureswere either removed or ridiculed. Does this sound like a platform sympathetic to right-wing concerns? No. Because its not. TikTok has always served as a megaphone for progressive politicians and activists. Leftist educators and woke celebrities continue to flood the platform with content designed to shame, mock, and demonize anyone who doesnt toe the Democrat party line. This is not a neutral platform. This is a machine for left-wing social engineering. Kamalas Icarus-like plunge into political oblivion is much simpler than the media will ever acknowledge. Similar to Hillary Clinton, shes not likable. This is not a sexist critique. This is not a racist critique. This is an objective political reality. Her tenure as vice president was one of the least consequential in modern history. She was given the border crisis. She did nothing. For four years, she did nothing. Nothing good, anyway. This is why she lost. The media refuses to accept the fact that Harris was (and likely still is) very unpopular, so they fabricate external forces to blame. If its not TikTok, its misinformation. If its not misinformation, its sexism. If its not sexism, its racism. No doubt, youve spotted the pathetic pattern. Its never her fault. Never the Democrats fault. Always some invisible enemy, some intangible evil that robbed them of their rightful victory. This is a tired excuse. The American public has had plenty of time to evaluate Kamala Harris, from her disastrous 2020 primary run (where she collapsed before a single vote was cast) to her turgid tenure as vice president, to her even more disastrous attempt to replace Joe Biden. The verdict is clear: the votes are in. The people of America have spokenthey dont want her. Not now, and probably never. Kamalas political career is in ruins. And that has nothing to do with TikTok. Image from X. The Danish media is now busy covering the upcoming visit of second lady Usha Vance, the Department of Energy's secretary, and the Security Advisor to Greenland to watch its yearly National Dogsled Race or Avannaata Qimussersua taking place on March 29th. According to www.visitgreenland.com: The race brings together approximately 37 mushers and their 444 dogs from across Greenland, competing in a challenging event that highlights the bond between humans and their dogs. It rotates between different towns and routes in northern Greenland, celebrating the dog sledding tradition as a vital part of the countrys cultural heritage. Vance put out this friendly video: SLOTUS VISITING GREENLAND Hands up If USA should purchase Greenland. pic.twitter.com/fkduBBVOPB Usha Vance News (@UshaVanceNews) March 23, 2025 Unfortunately, the media here in Denmark, and certain Danish parliamentarians, are viewing the visit as a provocation and American propaganda while Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said she is looking at the visit "seriously." One member of the Danish parliament (the Folketing) representing Greenland called the private visit an effort by the U.S. to "meddle in internal affairs of the Greenland election." To my knowledge, private visits by highly-placed Americans have never before been characterized as meddling, but times have apparently changed now that Donald Trump has been elected and expressed a keen interest in buying Greenland. Fact: The United States and Denmark and many other European countries have a bilateral agreement to allow each other's citizens to visit without a visa or an invitation. This "visa waiver program" covers all citizens of the participating countries which includes the visits of official representatives of those countries' like parliamentarians and congressional representatives, cabinet level officials and ordinary government employees. That said, this "inconvenient truth" has not been mentioned by the Danish media which continues to put its thumb on the scale of the "boycott America" bandwagon and has tried to avoid presenting the U.S.'s side of the Danes' boycott ambitions. As of today, nearly 80,000 Danes have expressed their support for boycotting American products on Facebook. So far, the American Chamber of Commerce here and American friendship organizations have kept deadly silent on the ongoing attacks on the U.S. and its products, which makes one wonder why they even exist if they are going to refuse to defend American industry and the long-standing U.S.-Danish bilateral trade relationship. American expats are also under pressure, and while I would stop short of calling them persona non grata, I can relate a personal story that will help describe the prevailing atmosphere: I was invited to participate in a Danish radio broadcast that had tariffs and trade wars as the topic. We were three on the panel. As we filed into the studio and found our places and organized our papers, I rose from my chair and gave the female debate participant my business card. She thanked me and put it in her purse. Then, I gave my card to the other male participant, a 40ish serious-looking man who was a member of the largest Danish political party, the Social Democrats, and was a former candidate from that party to the European Parliament (he was unsuccessful in his campaign). I introduced myself and gave him my Danish language business card. He looked at it for two seconds and then abruptly pushed it across the desk, back to me and said: (in Danish, translated here) "I don't need this. I will never use it. I know all I need to know about the U.S.A. and am married to an American." This took me by surprise because I had never before experienced such bad behavior from a Dane. I took a breath and vowed not to let it rattle me or affect my civility as I prepared myself to thrust and parry with him on the air. Things went fairly well, but it was clear to me, if not to listeners, that I was sitting across from an America-hater. After the program, he rose, didn't look at me, didn't shake my hand and didn't offer even the most essential of Danish pleasantries, "tak for i dag" (thanks for today). He just took off his headphones, gathered his papers, stood up, put on his coat, said goodbye to the Danish female participant, ignoring me completely, and left the studio. Times are indeed changing here. In addition to the Facebook protests, Danish universities like the one in the northern Jutland city of Aarhus are now getting revved up to protest America and President Trump. I suspect that the upcoming visit of Mrs. Vance and company will ratchet up the anger even more. I never thought in my wildest dreams that the normally well-behaved, cool-headed Danes would be willing to jettison 80-plus years of good relations with the United States by demanding that any U.S. visitors receive an engraved invitation to their pearl of the Arctic, but I guess that anything is now possible now that we find ourselves in the first phase of "dog-sled-gate." Stephen Helgesen is a retired career U.S. diplomat specializing in international trade who lived and worked in 30 countries for 25 years during the Reagan, G.H.W. Bush, Clinton, and G.W. Bush Administrations. He is the author of fourteen books, seven on American politics, and has written over 1,500 articles on politics, economics and social trends. He now lives in Denmark and is a frequent political commentator on Danish media. He can be reached at: stephenhelgesen@gmail.com. Image: Screen shot from X video Its only been a couple of months since Samsung launched the Galaxy S25 series, and leaks regarding the Galaxy S26 series have already started popping up. The rumor mill has begun leaking their alleged features, especially for the Galaxy S26 Ultra. Last week, a report claimed that this model will recover the variable aperture camera functionality. Now, a source claims that Samsung could ship the Galaxy S26 Ultra with one less camera sensor and a bigger battery. Only three main cameras, but with variable aperture According to @Vhsss_God on X/Twitter, Samsung will fit the Galaxy S26 Ultra with only three rear cameras. The last Galaxy S Ultra device with three cameras was the S20 Ultra, the first of its kind. The South Korean tech giant may already be testing a prototype with this configuration. This prototype features a 200-megapixel main sensor, a 50-megapixel ultra-wide lens, and a 200-megapixel 4x optical zoom camera. This means that next years Galaxy S Ultra could be ditching one zoom lens. However, the company is allegedly bringing back the variable aperture feature, which it first introduced with the Galaxy S9 series. The brand offered this functionality on some of the follow-up models before ditching it from the Galaxy S20 series. The variable aperture feature allows a phone to switch between different focal lengths. The Galaxy S9 series can switch between f/1.5 and f/2.4, for instance. You can read more about this in our earlier post. Galaxy S26 Ultra could have a bigger battery Furthermore, the new rumor also suggests that Samsung is exploring stacked battery technology for the Galaxy S26 Ultra. This could allow the company to cross the 5,000mAh battery threshold of the Galaxy S25 Ultra. The firm has reportedly achieved a stacked 5,500 mAh cell capacity in a prototype model. Its worth mentioning that an earlier report suggested that the Galaxy S26 Ultra could end up offering a behemoth 7,000 mAh battery. The company has been reportedly testing with silicon-carbon batteries, potentially allowing the entire Galaxy S26 series to offer cells with much higher capacities than the S25 series. Samsung reportedly bringing back Bluetooth functionality for the S Pen The report also claims that the S Pen of the Galaxy S26 Ultra prototype has built-in Bluetooth functionality. The company disappointed some loyalist fans after removing it from the Galaxy S25 Ultras S Pen. The new rumor is a bit surprising since analysts dont expect Samsung to bring back this feature so soon. However, it wont be that surprising if Samsung indeed brings back this feature. Notably, in January, thousands of fans signed a petition urging Samsung to reinstate Bluetooth functionality on next years flagship model. At the time of publication, the petition has racked up 8,722 verified signatures. Samsung has quite a lot of time to explore the features to be implemented in the Galaxy S26 Ultra. Since the phone isnt launching anytime before a year, we advise our readers to take the rumors regarding the new series with a pinch of salt. Google Maps is one of the highly popular services for getting information about local businesses and directions. Users have downloaded the Maps app over 10 billion times from Androids Play Store. The service that has more than 2 billion monthly active users has recently become a target of fraudulent activities. Google has recently unearthed thousands of fake Maps listings and sued a network of scammers running these illegal activities. Google sues scammers responsible for 10,000 fake Maps listings A Texas-based locksmith informed Google that someone was impersonating them on the Google Maps service. Soon after, the company investigated the claim and filed a lawsuit against an alleged network of scammers. Googles lawsuit, announced Wednesday, mentioned a man working within a wider network. The person created and sold fake business listings on Google Maps. Furthermore, Google uncovered and eliminated more than 10,000 illegitimate listings on Google Maps. The scammers created outright fake businesses to replace legitimate accounts that they had hacked or hijacked. Once we receive alerts about the actual fraud, we make extreme efforts to identify similar fraudulent listings, Halimah DeLaine Prado, Googles general counsel, said on CBS Mornings Plus Wednesday. What was the modus operandi of scammers? DeLaine Prado also mentioned that scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated in their fake Maps listing scams. He also shed some details regarding how the scammers operated. One of the main methods was the bait and switch. In this medium when someone searches for a local service, they dont land on a legitimate listing. Instead, they fall for a fake one. Users typically search for these services, which mainly include locksmiths, plumbers, and roadside assistance, during urgent or stressful situations. Furthermore, the scammers would intercept calls made to real business listings via lead generation services or directly through fake listings. Then, they would charge the unsuspecting victims higher prices for substandard or non-existing services beforehand. Googles preventive measures for fake Maps listings Its worth mentioning that Google has already taken action to combat this fraud previously. In 2023 alone, the company took down nearly 12 million fake business profiles. That year, the search titan used advanced machine learning algorithms to identify and remove fraud content on the Maps app. Google will also donate any damages awarded in the latest lawsuit to organizations fighting online scams. How can you protect yourself from fake Maps listings? While Google is doing everything possible to fight these scams, users can take proactive steps to avoid falling victim to fraud listings on Google Maps. You should always verify business details by checking the businesss website or contact information. Furthermore, always read reviews carefully by looking for patterns in reviews, which are usually fake. If a local business Maps listing has a suspicious number of positive reviews, then you should think carefully before using their services. Googles Pixel 10 will launch later this year and will feature a brand new chipsetthe Tensor G5. While that might sound routine by now, this years upgrade is different. The Google Tensor G5 Imagination combo marks one of the most exciting developments in the Pixel 10, as the G5 is rumored to be Googles first truly custom chipset. Say hello to a new GPU According to a report from Android Authority, the G5 could bring major changes under the hood. The report references a blog post shared by postgraduate student Yang Yanling on WeChat, which includes a table listing the Tensor G5 alongside Imagination Technologies DXT-48-1536 GPU. Android Authority had previously suggested that Google might abandon the Arm Mali-G715 GPU in favor of the DXT-48-1536. This new report appears to support that claim. While the publication acknowledges the possibility of image manipulation, they believe the screenshot is genuineespecially since it aligns with their earlier findings. If true, the Google Tensor G5 Imagination pairing could bring noticeable upgrades in GPU performance, particularly in gaming. It will be interesting to see how this impacts real-world use cases like mobile gaming and graphic-intensive applications. Modest upgrades That said, users shouldnt expect a dramatic leap in overall performance. An earlier report claims that the G5 will only deliver a modest upgrade over its predecessor, the Tensor G4, offering incremental improvements rather than a full overhaul. However, what makes the Google Tensor G5 different is that Google has created its first fully custom silicon. Previously, Google relied on Samsung to manufacture its Tensor chipsets. With the G5, however, Google is shifting production to TSMCthe same company that supplies chips for Apple and Qualcomm. This transition gives Google tighter control over the Pixels hardware-software integration. By designing its own chipset and working with TSMC, Google is no longer bound by third-party hardware limitations. This strategic move puts the company closer to Apples playbook, where custom chipsets enable tighter ecosystem control and performance optimization. The Pixel 10 is expected to be announced around August or September, following the same launch window as the Pixel 9. All eyes will be on the Tensor G5 and its role in ushering in Googles next-generation of Pixel devices. Right now, the world of cybersecurity is in a chaotic spot. Just about every day, we hear about some new cyber threat or data leak happening. Its evident that something needs to change. Well, Microsoft just launched new Security Copilot Agents that will help tighten cybersecurity. This news comes from a new Microsoft security update. The company has been banking on AI technology heavily over the past couple of years, and its been making some great strides. It wants to help with the cybersecurity issue, and it looks like its calling its buddy Copilot to do so. Microsoft launches Security Copilot Agents This is something thats rather risky for obvious reasons. Microsoft just launched some AI agents that will help automate some tasks and assist in areas like phishing, data security, and identity management. The company launched a handful of agents to help. Six of them will assist with Microsofts own e2e security platform. Were sure that it will launch more agents as time goes on. Microsoft has also launched a batch of five AI agents for its security teams worldwide. So, theres no doubt that Microsoft wants Copilot to be a major part of its cybersecurity efforts. Potential risks This seems like it could be a good idea to help boost cybersecurity across Microsoft. The company has been dealing with some major data leaks and hacks over the past couple of years, and we know that hackers arent going to let up. However, we need to acknowledge that AI technology isnt perfect yet. While its generally accurate depending on the scenario, theres always the chance of there being hallucinations. Thats not so bad if youre talking about generating a short story or an essay, but when youre talking about cybersecurity the stakes are much higher. Not only that but there will be a level of autonomy with these agents. This means that Microsoft will be trusting some tasks with them fully. Lets hope that they dont experience any issues down the road. Last year, numerous reports talked about Samsungs XR developments. Several sources mentioned a pair of smart glasses, although the company later only teased an XR headset. However, it appears that Samsungs smart glasses project is still ongoing under the codename Haean. According to South Korean outlet ET News, Samsungs smart glasses are not only still in development but will arrive sometime in 2025. The report mentions that the information comes from reliable internal sources in the industry. Currently, Samsung is reportedly working on the wearables features and tech specs. Samsung working on smart glasses under the Haean project; launch tipped for this year Apparently, Samsung wants to enter the XR segment in the best possible way. To do so, the company has a plan: launch devices that fit multiple needs and use cases. The companys XR headset, known as Project Moohan, is ideal for both immersive experiences (movies, gaming, space computing, etc.) and professional environments thanks to its ability to block out external light. Meanwhile, the smart glasses will offer useful, easily accessible features and can be worn outdoors without problems, displaying information directly on the lens without affecting vision and transmitting audio through the frame. The report says that Samsung is finalizing a design that best fits everyone. They may also be working on gesture and voice control systems. This system could be based on multiple sensors and cameras. As with the Moohan XR headset, the price of the glasses is unknown. However, the company will have to offer a competitive product if it wants to stand out in the segment. Currently, Metas Ray-Ban smart glasses are quite popular and have a very attractive feature-price ratio. That said, Meta could also be working on more advanced smart glasses with integrated displays. Samsung will also have to face other competitors, such as Snaps Spectacles or the latest XREAL One, among others. Overall, the competition in the smart glasses segment looks like its going to get hot. The arrival of a big name like Samsung could help shake things up a bit. Late last year, Qualcomm launched the Snapdragon 8 Elite, which quickly became one of the most powerful chipsets in the smartphone industry thanks to its new Oryon custom cores. At this point, many Android flagship smartphones use this chipset and are much faster than their predecessors. No wonder the chipset is expensive, and so are the smartphones that come with it. This is why Qualcomm is gearing up to launch a new, trimmed-down version of that chipset. The company will reportedly call it the Snapdragon 8s Elite. That said, multiple reports, including a new leak, suggest that the SoC wont come with custom Oryon cores. The Snapdragon 8s Elite will miss Oryon Cores, tipster claims On Saturday, an Indian tipster, Debayon Roy, posted on X, claiming that the Snapdragon 8s Elite will miss Oryon cores, fueling the rumor again. The tipster notes the chipsets tech specs and also that it will be built on the 4nm process. Per the post, the SoC will have a Cortex-X4 prime core that clocks at up to 3.21 GHz and three Cortex-A720 cores clocking at a speed of up to 3.01 GHz. There are two other cores that work up to 2.8 GHz. Lastly, it will have two extra Cortex-A520 cores running at up to 2.02 GHz. Not to forget, everyone initially expected the Snapdragon 8s Elite SoC to be somewhere close to its flagship sibling. However, when benchmarks of the chipset surfaced back in January, they suggested otherwise. A Chinese tipster then claimed it only beats the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 by a small margin on Geekbench 6. The chipset reportedly scored 1,967 and 5,827 on single-core and multi-core tests. The chipset will use a downgraded version of the GPU found in Qualcomms flagship SoC The Adreno 825 GPU will be taking care of the graphics processing on the Snapdragon 8s Elite chipset. Said GPU is the trimmed-down version of the Adreno 830, used on the Snapdragon 8 Elite. Moreover, brands like iQOO and Redmi are gearing up to launch Snapdragon 8s Elite-powered smartphones as soon as next month. People take part in a march to the US consulate under the slogan Greenland belongs to the Greenlandic people, in Nuuk. Photograph: Christian Klindt Soelbeck/AP Greenlands prime minister, Mute B Egede, has called for the international community to step in after it was announced that Donald Trumps national security adviser and the US second lady will visit the Arctic island, accusing Washington of foreign interference. Mike Waltz and Usha Vance are scheduled to arrive in Greenland this week as part of a delegation that will also include the US energy secretary, Chris Wright. A spokesperson for the Danish police confirmed on Monday that they had sent extra personnel and sniffer dogs to Greenland as they step up security measures before the visit. Local media also reported the arrival of four bulletproof cars in Nuuk city centre, delivered by plane from the US. Trump told reporters after a cabinet meeting on Monday: I think Greenland is going to be something that maybe is in our future. He has previously pledged to make the autonomous territory part of the US one way or the other, and has refused to rule out using military or economic force to do so. Greenland is part of the kingdom of Denmark, which ruled the island as a colony until 1953 and continues to control its foreign and security policy. Rene Gyldensten, the Danish police spokesperson, said the extra officers, deployed on Sunday, were part of regular steps taken during visits by dignitaries but declined to specify the number of extra police flown in on a chartered aircraft. News reports put the figure at dozens. Greenlandic parties are in coalition talks after an election less than a fortnight ago in which the country voted for a complete overhaul of its government, with the Democrats replacing Egedes party, Inuit Ataqatigiit (IA), as the biggest party in the Inatsisartut, the Greenlandic parliament. It should be said clearly that our integrity and democracy must be respected without foreign interference, Egede said. He added that the US delegations visit cannot be seen as just a private visit. In further comments he accused Greenlands allies of hiding and almost whispering their support. If the international community did not step up its support for Greenland, he warned, the situation would escalate. Yes, the western allies stood together and helped each other through thick and thin, but it has turned upside down now with the sitting president in the USA, he told the Greenlandic newspaper Sermitsiaq. But the fact that our other allies in the international community feel like hiding in a small corner and almost whispering that they support us has no effect, and if they do not speak out loudly about how the USA is treating Greenland, the situation will escalate day by day, and the American aggression will increase. He added: So we need our other allies to clearly and distinctly come with their support and backing for us. The most pro-Trump and pro-US party in the Greenland coalition talks Naleraq, which came second in the vote left the negotiations on Monday, according to the leader of the Greenland Democrats, Jens Frederik Nielsen. It has always been my intention to form a broad coalition, as I believe it is the right thing to do in the situation our country finds itself in, he said. But it requires that one is able to agree on the conditions for entering into an agreement. And that has proven to be too difficult in the negotiations with Naleraq. Our country needs a coalition to be formed as soon as possible that can pull together and work for the entire population and for our common future. The time has come to stand together. Nielsen, who is expected to become the next prime minister, had earlier called for calm and said they would continue to take the time needed to reach a solid and sustainable political agreement. He accused the US of a lack of respect in planning the visit while coalition talks were still happening. The visit, which is said to be private, is pure charm offensive, and if we allow ourselves to be influenced by it, for example by rushing to form a new coalition, we may become even more vulnerable to pressure, Nielsen told Sermitsiaq. So lets cool our nerves and maintain our common goal of showing the outside world that our country is not a commodity, and that we have sovereignty over the country, which must be respected and no one can take it away from us. Vivian Motzfeldt, the chair of the social democratic party Siumut, which was in coalition with IA in the last government but suffered its biggest ever defeat in this months election, said she understood concerns about the upcoming US visit. But she said she believed it was time to look at what opportunities increasing cooperation with the US might offer Greenland. She wrote on social media: The United States wants a closer relationship with our country, and if that had happened a year ago, we would have had a very different reaction in our country. The presidents words, which change everything, are the basis for our assessment today, and it is understandable, since the words used should not be used among countries that are allies. Instead of worrying, we should examine how the opportunities that arise can benefit our country. The Danish prime minister, Mette Frederiksen, said on Sunday that the planned visit cannot be seen independently of the public statements that have been made. She added: In the kingdom, we want to cooperate with the Americans. But it must be a cooperation that is based on the fundamental values of sovereignty and respect between countries and peoples This is something we are looking at seriously. The dialogue with the US regarding Greenland will take place in close coordination between the Danish government and the future Greenlandic government. Announcing the trip on Sunday, the second ladys office said Vance would visit Greenland together with her son and a US delegation from Thursday to Saturday this week. The White House later announced that Waltz and Wright would visit the US military base in Greenland, Pituffik, for briefings from US personnel. They are expected to join Vance to visit historical sites and attend a dog sled race. TV personality and former soldier Ant Middleton has been banned from being a company director after his business failed to pay more than 1 million in tax. The former star of Channel 4s SAS: Who Dares Wins and his wife Emilie were the directors of Sway and Starting Limited before it went into liquidation at the end of 2022. The Governments Insolvency Service found that the couple were taking millions of pounds out of the company at the same time that taxes were not being paid. Some 385,000 in VAT and 869,000 in corporation tax was owed between 2019 and 2022. But the pair had taken out about 3 million from the company in the form of a directors loan by the time it went into liquidation at the end of 2022, the service said. Sway and Starting, which was described as offering media representation services, was set up to manage income from Middletons television and media work. It went into a creditors voluntary liquidation, whereby a business in distress has the opportunity to pay off debts to creditors over a fixed period of time. More than 4.5 million was paid into the companys accounts from 2020 to 2022. Dave Magrath, director of investigation and enforcement services at the Insolvency Service, said: Companies not paying the tax they should deprives the Government of the money it needs to pay for the countrys defence services, our NHS, schools and universities, and transport systems. Ant and Emilie Middleton had legal and financial duties as directors to ensure their company paid the corporation tax and VAT it owed. Instead, they were taking millions of pounds out of the company at that time. This disqualification should serve as a deterrent to other directors that if you do not pay your taxes while directing money elsewhere, you are at risk of being banned. The ban for the pair, both aged 44, means they cannot form or manage a company without the courts permission for the next four years. Ant Middleton agreed to repay 300,000 of the directors loan as a settlement with the liquidator. But after not initially meeting the payment plan, he agreed to sell his and his wifes home to pay off the rest of the settlement, according to a report filed to Companies House. Middleton left SAS: Who Dares Wins four years ago where he acted as an instructor to civilians put through gruelling military training exercises to test their physical and mental strength. Channel 4 said it would not work with the former soldier again because of his personal conduct. Middleton criticised the statement and said it was his decision to quit the programme. Middleton offered his support to Nigel Farages Reform UK when he spoke at the partys conference in September last year. British and French military chiefs have met in London at the start of a week that will see further talks on plans for a peacekeeping force in Ukraine. Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, the head of the UKs armed forces, said Europes two nuclear powers were stepping up to forge a stronger and deeper partnership after meeting his French counterpart General Thierry Burkhard on Monday. Alongside the heads of each nations army, navy and air force, the two men discussed efforts to galvanise the European response to the situation in Ukraine while Ukrainian, Russian and American officials attended talks in Saudi Arabia aimed at achieving a ceasefire. Admiral Sir Tony said: At this pivotal time for European security, the third meeting of the British and French chiefs of staff should be seen as a sign of reassurance and commitment. British and French military leads have met several times over the past month (Sarah Meyssonnier/Pool via AP) Europes two leading nuclear powers are stepping up to forge a stronger and deeper partnership that has a vital foundational role to play in the security of the continent. Todays deliberations will help shape the future of British and French military cooperation, and our shared efforts to support Ukraine with military aid now and after any peace deal. The meeting comes as operational planning for a European-led peacekeeping force in Ukraine is set to continue at the UKs military headquarters in Northwood this week. Downing Street said last week that the talks on creating a coalition of the willing would continue to accelerate the pace and scale of operational planning and look more closely at the details and structure of any future force. Number 10 has also sought to shrug off comments by US special envoy Steve Witkoff, who dismissed Sir Keir Starmers plans for an international force in Ukraine as a posture and a pose. Mr Witkoff said in an interview with US journalist Tucker Carlson that it was based on a simplistic idea of the Prime Minister and other European leaders thinking we have all got to be like Winston Churchill. Asked if Sir Keir is worried by the remarks, the Prime Ministers official spokesman said: No, the PM has repeatedly said that a lasting peace in Ukraine can only be achieved if we provide real and credible security assurances to deter Putin. And the coalition of the willing is a group of nations politically aligned to the defence, security and sovereignty of Ukraine if there is a deal, its a deal that has to be defended. Asked if there is a specific moment when the coalition of the willings plans will be presented to Donald Trump, the official spokesman said there were lots of conversations happening and discussions would not take place in a linear sequence. He added: These conversations are happening the whole time between the US, UK and other allies. Ahead of, following these military planning meetings, political leaders meetings, were continuing to update US and debrief them on these discussions. Actor Charles Collingwood has said it is an honour to celebrate 50 years on BBC Radio 4 soap The Archers. The 81-year-old radio star plays the hard-headed Brian Aldridge, who was introduced to the show in March 1975. Its great. How lucky Ive been, havent I? 50 years?, he told BBC Breakfast. I started when I was 31 and here I am 81 82 in May. Full of optimism, just bought a new car, thats bold when youre 81. Its all good. Im a bit old to do the farming, I hear people say We havent heard you much recently on the farm, I say Not too many people hop on the back of a Massey Ferguson do they when theyre my age? But its good, its been an honour. He also pushed back at the idea Brian is a villain but called him a philanderer who has enjoyed the company of ladies rather more than he should have done. As an actor, these are great scenes, what fun, he said. Wealthy young farmer Brian was introduced to the fictional English village of Ambridge in 1975. A year later he wed Jennifer Archer who he was married to until her death in January 2023. I often say, I behave really badly as Brian, its allowed me a very happy, settled married life with my wife, Judy (Bennett). So its all good, Collingwood said. Bennett voiced Shula Hebden-Lloyd on the soap but stopped playing the role full-time in 2022. Charles Collingwood in 1985 (PA) Collingwood said: When Brian was going to have yet another affair, I think it was Vanessa Whitburn who was the producer then, I said Dont make him all bad, though, because thats boring. Give him some redeeming features, give him perhaps a sense of humour, or make him a good dad, which I think he has been. And hes had to be, well, recently. My daughter Alice (Carter) is recovering from alcohol. Ive been given the most glorious stories. He added: I did The Archers podcast with Emma Freud recently, which was an absolute joy. One of the things she did was play my first episode, my first scene ever in The Archers, and when it was over I thought it was so dreadful I was amazed I got another episode after it. The Archers was created by Godfrey Baseley, originally as a way to help educate farmers in modern production methods, when Britain was still in the grip of food rationing. Pilot episodes of the soap first aired in May 1950 on the BBC Midlands Home Service. The first national episode was broadcast on January 1 1951. Christopher Dean has said he does not know yet whether Dancing On Ice will be renewed for another series. Along with his Olympic skating partner Jayne Torvill, Dean has been a judge on the ITV1 contest since the show began in 2006. The programme, which sees celebrities matched with professional skaters, briefly ended after the ninth series in 2014, before making a comeback in 2018. Last year, Torvill and Dean announced, on the 40th anniversary of their Olympic gold success, that they would be stepping back from skating after embarking on one last UK tour in 2025. Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean (Victoria Jones/PA) Dean, 66, told Saga Magazine: Jayne and I decided to call our new tour, which starts this month, Our Last Dance because this really is the end. There may be another series of Dancing On Ice we dont know yet. Last year, Dean and 67-year-old Torvill issued a joint statement saying they had no plans to step back from Dancing On Ice and hope that the series continues for years to come. An ITV spokesman said: The Dancing On Ice team has been fully concentrating on the recent 2025 series, therefore no decision has been made yet about any forthcoming return. Dean also told the magazine that he has moved back to the UK after living in the US as politics there is very polarised and he worried about saying the wrong thing. We (me and partner Karen Barber) found a place in Yorkshire and, later this year, were planning to hit the road in our camper van, he added. Dean was asked about when he will tie the knot with fellow ice dancer Barber, 63, his partner of more than a decade. Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean during their Bolero routine (PA) He said: Id like to announce that at the moment, were happy with the way things are. Lets see what happens. Torvill and Dean wrote their names in British sporting history at the 1984 Winter Games with an Olympic gold medal win following their routine to Ravels Bolero in Sarajevo. They will hang up their skates after their Torvill & Dean: Our Last Dance tour, which runs from April to July and includes dates in London, Belfast, Newcastle and Glasgow. The shows will celebrate 50 years since they formed their skating partnership in 1975. On the 17th series of Dancing On Ice, Coronation Street actor Sam Aston and his skating partner Molly Lanaghan were crowned the winners. The show, presented by Holly Willoughby and Stephen Mulhern, has a judging panel that also includes Diversity star Ashley Banjo, and former Strictly Come Dancing professional Motsi Mabuse. New shows starring Sir David Attenborough and Freddie Flintoff are to air on Disney+ in 2025. National Geographics Ocean With David Attenborough and an original documentary about former cricketer Flintoff have been announced, after the streaming platform unveiled its schedule for the year. The currently untitled documentary will cover Flintoffs recovery from a serious car crash, which left him with facial and rib injuries, which he suffered while filming Top Gear at the motoring shows test track at Dunsfold Aerodrome in Surrey in 2022, along with his career to date, and will be directed by John Dower. Sir Davids latest show will explore the health of the ocean showing viewers how it is vital for humanitys survival. A documentary about Freddie Flintoff is to feature on Disney+ (John Walton/PA) Other shows to feature on Disney+ in 2025 will include Alien: Earth, which serves as a prequel to the 1979 film; new FX limited series Dying For Sex; and The Stolen Girl, a five-part psychological drama starring Denise Gough, Holliday Grainger and Ambika Mod, which will air on April 16. Lucasfilms Star Wars series Andor will return on April 23, for its second series, which will see the shows conclusion, while A Real Pain, which saw Kieran Culkin scoop an Oscar for best supporting actor, will also be made available. FXs The Bear, Only Murders in the Building, and the latest season of The Simpsons will also stream exclusively on Disney+ in the UK. Four-part, British drama, Suspect: The Shooting Of Jean Charles De Menezes, will launch in spring 2025, written and produced by Bafta Award winner Jeff Pope, and follow the events surrounding the killing of an innocent Brazilian who was mistaken for a terrorist in London in 2005. Other original shows will include Sneaker Wars: Adidas vs Puma, a three-part documentary series from David Beckhams Studio 99 looking at the rivalry between the two brand; and Caroline, a documentary about the late TV presenter, Caroline Flack. Programming will also include season two of The Secret Lives Of Mormon Wives, which will air on May 15; Stanley Tuccis food travel show Tucci In Italy; and a new series of Limitless With Chris Hemsworth, which sees the actor discover how to live better for longer. At least 74 people were wounded in Russias missile attack on Sumy - REUTERS Negotiations between Russian and US officials in Saudi Arabia ended after 12-hours on Monday, with no comment from either side. A joint statement on the talks, which the Trump administration had hoped would pave the way to end the three-year war, is expected tomorrow. With Ukrainian negotiators waiting nearby, a day after they sat down with the US team, the Americans and Russians met with a Black Sea ceasefire top of the agenda. Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin appeared at odds on Sunday night over the peace talks. The US was optimistic that the summit could help achieve a full-on ceasefire while the Kremlin said the meeting was just beginning and that difficult negotiations lay ahead. While the talks took place at a luxury hotel in the Saudi capital, Russia launched a missile attack on Sumy in northeastern Ukraine. At least 90 people were injured, including 17 children, in the daylight attack, Volodymyr Zelensky said, leading Kyiv to accuse Moscow of making hollow statements on peace. Every day like this, all the nights with Russian missiles and drones against our country, every day of the war means losses, pain, and destruction that Ukraine never wanted, Mr Zelensky said. 08:50 PM GMT Russias barbarism never ends, says Kyiv As high-level talks in Riyadh drew to a close, Ukraines foreign minister warned that Russia does not respect borders or other nations. Russians often say that Russki Mir (Russian world) does not end anywhere. This is meant to show off their disregard for borders and other nations. In fact, the only thing that never ends is Russian barbarism. Russia is not a "exceptional" civilisation; it is the absence of one. Andrii Sybiha (@andrii_sybiha) March 24, 2025 08:27 PM GMT US, Russia talks on Ukraine ceasefire end after 12 hours A meeting between Russian and US officials on a partial ceasefire in Ukraine ended after 12 hours of negotiations in Saudi Arabia on Monday, Russian state media reported, with a joint statement expected the following day. With Ukrainian negotiators waiting nearby, a day after they sat down with the US team, the Americans and Russians met in Riyadh with a Black Sea ceasefire top of the agenda. President Donald Trump is pushing for a rapid end to the three-year war and hopes the latest round of talks will pave the way for a breakthrough. While the talks took place at a luxury hotel in the Saudi capital, nearly 90 people including 17 children were wounded in a missile attack on Sumy in northeastern Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky said. 07:48 PM GMT Every day like this: Zelensky describes Sumy attack Volodymyr Zelensky said this evening that the number of wounded in a Russian strike on the city of Sumy rose to almost 90 people, including 17 children. The strike hit as Russia held talks with the US in Saudi Arabia on a potential ceasefire. There are a lot of wounded - as of now, we know about almost 90 people, including 17 children, Mr Zelensky said in his daily evening address on social media, adding that rescue operations were still ongoing. Every day like this, all the nights with Russian missiles and drones against our country, every day of the war means losses, pain, and destruction that Ukraine never wanted, he added. Ukrainian emergency services work to extinguish a fire following a Russian missile attack in Sumy - AFP 07:25 PM GMT Talks conclude after 12 hours Talks between US and Russian officials in Saudi Arabia have finished after 12 hours. Russian state news agency Ria Novosti said the two sides were agreeing the wording of a joint statement following the negotiations. We are completing negotiations, Gregory Karasin, a Russian senator who joined talks, said. 06:44 PM GMT UK-French defence chiefs discuss Ukraine peace plan British and French defence chiefs met again in London today to discuss plans for allied countries to safeguard a potential Ukraine ceasefire as part of Sir Keir Starmers coalition of the willing. The meeting was the third of its kind since the Prime Minister announced he would work to bring together nations who could enforce a potential peace deal between Russia and Ukraine. Europes two leading nuclear powers are stepping up to forge a stronger and deeper partnership that has a vital foundational role to play in the security of the continent, Tony Radakin, the chief of the defence staff admiral, said afterwards. Todays deliberations will help shape the future of British and French military co-operation, and our shared efforts to support Ukraine with military aid now and after any peace deal, he added. No10 said it was continuing to keep the US updated on military planning meetings. 06:24 PM GMT Casualty toll rises from Sumy strike The number of people injured in Russias missile strike on Sumy has risen to 88, including 17 children, local authorities have said. The strike damaged a school and a childrens hospital just as US and Russian officials spoke about implementing a partial truce with Ukraine in Saudi Arabia. A wounded person stands near an apartment building damaged during a Russian missile strike on Sumy - REUTERS 06:07 PM GMT Trump responds to Zelenskys comments on disinformation Earlier today, Volodymyr Zelensky said senior members of Donald Trumps administration had been influenced by Russian disinformation (see 1.43pm post). Asked about his comments, Mr Trump said his team have been influenced to see it settled before repeating his claim that the war would have never started were he in office in 2022. The US president said the critical minerals deal would be signed with Ukraine soon. He also said securing the return of stolen Ukrainian children was one of the things were talking about with Russia, in addition to dividing territory and US ownership of Ukraines nuclear power plants. 05:29 PM GMT US-Russia talks continue after 10 hours Talks between the US and Russia in Saudi Arabia are ongoing after nearly 10 hours, according to the Russian state news agency Ria Novosti. The Kremlin said earlier today that discussions would primarily centre around resuming the Black Sea Initiative. The July 2022 initiative was signed in Istanbul by Turkey, the UN, Russia, and Ukraine, and was aimed at resuming grain exports from Ukrainian ports. But Mr Trump said determining who gets what territory and US ownership of Ukrainian power plants had also been raised during the talks (see 5.14pm post). The discussions come after US and Ukrainian officials met in Saudi Arabia on Sunday. 05:20 PM GMT Eyewitness account: Houses left shaking in Sumy attack Houses in the area near Russias missile attack on Sumy were left shaking as explosions rang out across the city, according to eyewitnesses. Liza Sherstyuk, an aid worker in the Sumy region, told The Telegraph her colleagues were left very scared by the explosions, which injured at least 74 people. It was very loud, houses were shaking, windows were flying out. They were very scared, she said. Moscow attacked a childrens hospital and a residential building, according to the citys acting mayor. Smoke rises from a damaged residential building in Sumy, northern Ukraine - Global Images Ukraine 05:14 PM GMT Trump expects Ukraine to sign minerals deal soon Donald Trump has said he expects a US-Ukraine minerals deal to be signed soon. Mr Trump also told reporters as he met his cabinet that the US was talking to Ukraine about the potential for American firms owning Ukrainian power plants. Were talking about territory right now. Were talking about lines of demarcation, Talking about power, power plant ownership. Some people are saying the United States should own the power plant...because we have the expertise, he said. Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president, has previously ruled out US ownership of Ukraines power plants, though said he would be open to American investment and modernisation. Experts have cast doubt over the feasibility of Mr Trumps proposal to own Ukrainian power plants. You can read more about that here. 04:59 PM GMT Ukraine war must end through negotiation, says Rubio Marco Rubio, the US secretary of state, has said Russias war in Ukraine must end through negotiation. Mr Rubio was asked by Donald Trump to provide an update on peace negotiations during a cabinet meeting this afternoon. US and Russian officials are currently locked in talks in Saudi Arabia as Mr Trump pushes for a partial ceasefire covering energy and civilian infrastructure to be implemented. The US delegation is being led by Andrew Meek, a former US Army intelligence officer who now serves as a senior director on his national security council, and Michael Anton, a conservative essayist and head of policy planning at the state department. 04:34 PM GMT Zelensky invites JD Vance to Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky once again invited JD Vance, the US vice president, to Ukraine following their Oval Office shouting match. During the heated exchange on Feb 28, the Ukrainian president invited Mr Vance to Ukraine, who said he had seen the stories and so was aware of what was happening on the ground. Mr Vance also accused Mr Zelensky of organising propaganda tours. One of his recent calls with the US, Mr Zelensky reportedly told the vice president: Were still waiting for you. Mr Vance reportedly did not reply. 03:56 PM GMT Russia making hollow statements on peace, says Kyiv Russia must stop making hollow statements on peace rather than stepping up its attacks on Ukraine, Kyivs foreign minister has said. Any diplomacy with Moscow must be backed up by firepower, sanctions and pressure, Andrii Sybiha said after a Russian missile attack that wounded at least 74 in Sumy. 03:28 PM GMT Ukrainian PM: Russia wants to continue campaign of terror Russia has been accused of continuing a campaign of terror after it struck a childrens hospital in Sumy. Denys Shmyhal, Ukraines prime minister, said the attack shows Russia is not interested in peace. Ukraine is striving for peace, and Russia is once again showing that it wants to continue the terror, he said. The international community must increase the pressure on Russia to stop the aggression and ensure justice and save the lives of Ukrainians. An elderly lady is given help after she was injured in Russias strike on Sum - REUTERS 03:09 PM GMT Watch: Aftermath of Russian strike on Sumy Smoke can be seen billowing around a residential building following Russias strikes on Sumy. At least 74 people were wounded in the attack, including 14 children, according to local authorities. Credit: Instagram/0542.ua 03:00 PM GMT Russia takes village in Sumy Russian forces have taken another settlement in Ukraines northern Sumy region, pro-Kremlin military bloggers have claimed. Putins troops took control of Vladimirovka and are fighting for Vodolaghy, military bloggers said on Monday morning, hours before Russia launched a devastating strike on a childrens hospital in Sumy. Russian forces have been advancing in the Ukrainian border region, which Volodymyr Zelensky has warned could turn into a full-scale assault. Moscows troops pushed into Sumy at the start of the invasion in 2022 but failed to establish control before being pushed out two months later as part of a broader retreat. 02:46 PM GMT Cyber attack takes down Ukraine railway Ukraine said its national rail operator was hit by a large-scale enemy cyber attack as Russian-US peace talks were in full-swing. Kyivs state-owned railway company Ukrzaliznytsia said it was countering a sophisticated cyber attack for the second day running, with online services down. Ukrzaliznytsia, whose facilities have been targeted by drone and missile attacks throughout Russias invasion, operates a sprawling railway network across Ukraine that links with European countries and moves Kyivs troops across the country. The company did not explicitly identify who was behind the attack, but describing it as the work of the enemy, implicitly pointed the finger at Russia. Operational traffic did not stop for a single moment. The enemy attack was aimed to stop trains, but we quickly switched to backup systems, Oleksandr Pertsovskyi, Ukrzaliznytsias board chairman, told national TV. Vladimir Putin last week provisionally agreed to a US-proposed 30-day halt on attacks on energy and civilian infrastructure, but Ukraine has accused Russia of repeated breaches. Passengers arrive at the main train station in Kyiv, amid Russias attack on Ukraine - Thomas Peter/REUTERS 02:34 PM GMT Russian missile attack on Sumy injures 28 A Russian missile attack on Monday hit a childrens medical facility and wounded 28 people in the northeastern city of Sumy, local officials said. Today, the enemy attacked the residential neighbourhood and infrastructure facilities in the city, in particular childrens medical facilities, the acting mayor of Sumy, Artem Kobzar, said. He added that 24 adults and four children were wounded. Russia launched a daylight missile attack on the centre of the Ukrainian city of Sumy, wounding 28 02:04 PM GMT Analysis: Major cracks emerging in US-Russia talks There were very different sounds coming out of each side ahead of the talks in Riyadh. Steve Witkoff, the US special envoy, promised there would be real progress on Monday. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, on the other hand, warned we are only at the beginning of the path. The split speaks to the key challenge in the talks: one side, the US, wants to get things wrapped up quickly. The other, Moscow, wants to drag things out as long as possible to win concessions from the Trump team. Mr Witkoff would like to be discussing a ceasefire in Saudi Arabia. But what he will likely spend most time doing is working out the specifics of a far more narrow agreement, on a suspension of attacks on energy infrastructure and moves to protect Russian ships in the Black Sea. Of course, in time these may lay the groundwork for larger deals. Vladimir Putin clearly has an interest in normalising relations with the US and jump-starting the Russian economy through greater access to world markets. But he can also string out the talks with no intention of ceding ground on his maximal demands for the evisceration of the Ukrainian state. Many Russia analysts note the Russian dictators habit of dwelling on important decisions - working out where Moscows red lines are will be a challenge for the US negotiators, when they may not even be fully decided upon by the president himself. 01:53 PM GMT Pictured: Ukrainian troops operate machinery on the frontline Ukrainian soldier operating machinery on the frontline - X A Ukrainian hides under camouflage as artillery is fired - X 01:43 PM GMT Zelensky: Putin influenced White House with disinformation Volodymyr Zelensky has accused Russia of successfully managing to influence high-level officials in the Trump administration into believing false narratives about the war spread by the Kremlin. In an interview with Time magazine, the Ukrainian leader noted the emerging pattern of US officials taking Putin at his word, saying:I believe Russia has managed to influence some people on the White House team through information. Their signal to the Americans was that the Ukrainians do not want to end the war, and something should be done to force them. Mr Zelensky also referenced his televised shouting match with Mr Trump in the Oval Office last month, saying he was forced into defending the dignity of his country. In that moment there was the sense of not being allies, or not taking the position of an allyIn that conversation, I was defending the dignity of Ukraine, he explained. 01:15 PM GMT Russia deliberately prolonging peace talks Russia is deliberately prolonging peace talks over the war in Ukraine in order to seize more territory and strengthen its negotiating position, diplomatic sources have told the Moscow Times. One source told the independent Russian website that the Kremlin wanted to make the most of peace talks. Another official said the Kremlin is hoping Washington will pressure Kyiv into withdrawing from occupied regions, including Kherson and Zaporizhzhia. Moscow illegally annexed those regions, as well as Donetsk and Luhansk, in 2022, meaning Putin cannot afford to lose them, the source added. 12:53 PM GMT Putin speaks with UAE president about Ukraine Vladimir Putin has spoken with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, leader of the UAE, about the war in Ukraine, state news has reported. According to the Kremlin, the UAE president expressed his support for the Russia-U.S. dialogue on the conflict in Ukraine. Putin also thanked him for mediating prisoner exchanges between Russia and Ukraine, the latest of which occurred on March 19, with each country handing back 175 prisoners of war 12:34 PM GMT Ukraine to hold another meeting with US after Russian talks Ukraine expects to meet US officials again later today once discussions with Russian officials have finished, a source has said. We are so far waiting for the outcome of the meeting between the United States and Russia. Based on that, we will have another meeting with the United States, a senior Ukrainian official told AFP. 12:22 PM GMT Ukraine destroys Russian helicopters with Himars missile strike Ukraine destroyed four Russian attack helicopters with US-made Himars missiles hours before high-level peace talks between Moscow and Washington. Ukraines special forces released footage showing the US-made missiles blowing up two Russian Ka-52 and two Mi-8 helicopters in Russias Belgorod region, deep behind enemy lines. Once again, [Russia] thought deep rear positions were unattainable. We proved that nothing is out of reach for Ukraines special operations forces, the unit said in a statement. It added that the helicopters, which Russia had attempted to camouflage close to a new landing platform, had been used in attacks on Ukraine. Credit: Ukraine's Special Operations Forces 12:14 PM GMT Ukraine claims 748 Russian tanks destroyed in 2025 Gen General Oleksandr Syrskyi, Ukraines commander-in-chief, claimed that his forces have destroyed 748 Russian tanks in 2025 so far. Thanks to the coordinated combat work of our defenders, more than one and a half thousand (1609) enemy armoured combat vehicles and 748 tanks have been neutralised since the beginning of the year, he wrote on X. Thank you to our soldiers! The Defense Forces of Ukraine continue to destroy the invaders and their equipment. Glory to Ukraine! The Telegraph cannot independently verify his claims. Ukraine in January claimed that Russia had lost more than 10,000 tanks in Ukraine. Other reports suggest a more conservative estimate of up to 3,800. (1609) 748 . ! . ! pic.twitter.com/Lfe4YsM99H Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (@CinC_AFU) March 24, 2025 12:04 PM GMT Starmers Ukraine peacekeeping plan dismissed as political theatre Sir Keir Starmers plans for a coalition of the willing to keep the peace in Ukraine have been dismissed as political theatre. The Prime Minister proposed the peacekeeping initiative earlier this month, insisting several countries were prepared to enforce any peace deal. But 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. Earlier this weekend, Donald Trumps special envoy dismissed the plans as a posture and a pose. Steve Witkoff said the idea was based on a simplistic notion of the Prime Minister and other European leaders thinking we have all got to be like Winston Churchill. Sir Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron assured Volodymyr Zelensky of their support when they met in London - JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP 11:51 AM GMT Russian priest arrested over 2014 photo with Ukrainian flag A Russian Orthodox priest has been sentenced to 14 days in custody over a 2014 photo in which he was shown with a Ukrainian flag. Nikolai Savchenko posted on social media that police had come to his church to arrest him. A court sentenced him on a charge of displaying an extremist symbol, according to court documents. The Russian Orthodox Church strongly backs the war in Ukraine and has punished dozens of priests who have defied its official line, for example by reading out prayers for peace instead of victory. Last year, a priest who led a memorial service at the grave of late opposition leader Alexei Navalny was suspended from clerical duties and ordered to serve three years of penance. However, Ksenia Luchenko, an expert on the Russian Orthodox Church, said Mr Savchenkos arrest was unique. If this is true, then this is the first case of detention of an active cleric of the Russian Orthodox Church who was not banned and not defrocked, Ms Luchenko, who is based outside Russia, said. Father Nikolai Savchenko has been arrested over this 2014 photograph of him holding a Ukrainian flag - X/ vkaramurza 11:32 AM GMT Saudi talks in full swing Talks between the US and Russia in Riyadh are in full swing, one of Moscows delegates said. Grigory Karasin, chair of Moscows foreign affairs committee, said he was having interesting discussions on quite pressing subjects with his US counterparts. Id say that the negotiations are going on creatively, he told Russian state media. 11:28 AM GMT Pictured: Ukrainian troops prepare to launch Vampire drone Ukrainian troops prepare to launch a Vampire drone fitted with infrared cameras for nighttime capabilities - 82nd Separate Air Assault Bukovynska Brigade 11:15 AM GMT What Telegraph readers are saying: 11:06 AM GMT US-Ukraine talks focused on halting strikes against ports The talks between US and Ukrainian officials in Saudi Arabia last night focused on infrastructure and shipping safety, a Ukrainian official said. Kyiv called the meetings constructive and beneficial, but revealed little about their content. Serhii Leshchenko, one of Volodymyr Zelenskys aides, revealed on Monday that the delegations discussed a possible pause on strikes against both Ukraines and Russias port infrastructure. The discussion concerned a mutual ceasefire: we wont attack their (Russian) facilities at sea and rivers, and they wont attack our facilities, our Kherson and Mykolaiv ports, the Greater Odesa ports, the presidential advisor said. 10:47 AM GMT Huge fire engulfs luxury penthouse in central Moscow A huge fire is raging at a luxury residential complex in central Moscow. According to reports and footage, the blaze has engulfed the roof and upper floors of the building. Its cause is currently unknown and there are not immediate reports of casualties. Credit: Nexta 10:43 AM GMT Russia downs 227 Ukrainian drones in past day Russian air defence units have destroyed 227 Ukrainian drones in the last 24 hours, Russias defence ministry claimed. The Telegraph cannot independently verify the reports 10:32 AM GMT Kremlin claims key parts of original Black Sea grain deal never fulfilled Russia and the United States will discuss resuming a deal to ensure the safety of merchant shipping in the Black Sea, the Kremlin said, while claiming that earlier agreements were never fulfilled. Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin spokesman, said that the Black Sea Initiative, more commonly known as the grain deal, was on the agenda at talks in Saudi Arabia. He said that Donald Trump had proposed discussing the Black Sea deal and that Putin had agreed to discuss it. This is primarily about the safety of navigation, Mr Peskov told reporters on Monday. But if you remember the initiative in its previous form, there was quite a large part of the obligations to our country that were not fulfilled last time. Therefore, this will also be on the agenda today. 10:08 AM GMT Further US-Ukraine talks could take place today Ukraine might hold further peace talks with the US in Saudi Arabia today, according to reports. Delegations from Moscow and Washington are currently meeting in Riyadh, a day after Ukraines talks with the US in the same city. In his nightly address, Volodymyr Zelensky said Sundays talks were carried out in a a completely constructive manner, adding: The conversation is quite useful, the work of the delegations is continuing. But the Ukrainian leaders envoys might hold additional discussions with US officials on Monday, depending on progress, an official told The New York Times. Ukraines delegation was headed by Rustem Umerov, the defence minister, who said the aim of such contacts was helping to bring a just peace closer and to strengthen security, though Mr Zelensky also said the talks were essentially technical. 09:52 AM GMT Russia accuses Ukraine of continuing strikes on energy targets Russia has accused Ukraine of breaching a partial truce on attacks on energy targets, saying that Kyivs forces tried to attack an oil pumping station in the Krasnador region. Ukraine keeps attacking Russian energy infrastructure, its defence ministry said. Its not clear exactly what exact site Russia is referring to. However, a massive blaze continued to rage for the fifth day at a major oil depot near the village of Kavkazskaya in the Kransnador region after Moscow said Ukrainian drones hit it on March 19. The fire has since spread to 2,000 square meters, with one of the storage tanks and the oil products inside still burning, according to local authorities. Kyiv has also repeatedly accused Moscow of continuing strikes on energy and civilian targets, despite Vladimir Putin telling Donald Trump last week he would cease such attacks last week. 09:36 AM GMT In pictures: Russia strikes Kyiv, Kharkiv and Donetsk Firefighters put out a blaze following a Russian attack near Kyiv this morning - Ukrainian Emergency Service A fire rages at a home in Kharkiv, northeast Ukraine, after a Russian strike - Ukrainian Emergency Service Emergency services put out a fire at a home in Donetsk after another heavy night of Russian attacks - Ukrainian Emergency Service 09:20 AM GMT Kremlin dials down Trump hopes of Ukraine ceasefire by Easter 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. 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. 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. 09:05 AM GMT China denies reports it is considering sending peacekeeping troops to Ukraine The Chinese foreign ministry has denied reports that it is discussing sending troops to be part of a peackeeping force in a post-war Ukraine. Guo Jiakun, a spokesman for the ministry, told reporters: Id like to emphasise that corresponding reports are absolutely false. Chinas position on the Ukrainian crisis is consistent and clear. Mr Guo added that Beijing is seeking to continue working with the international community toward peace talks and creating conditions for a ceasefire and ending the conflict. 08:57 AM GMT Media asked to leave hotel as US-Russia talks start Journalists have been asked to leave the Ritz-Carlton hotel in Riyadh, where talks are taking place between the US and Russia according to Russian state media. The closed-door meetings are aimed at making progress towards a broad ceasefire in Ukraine, with Washington eyeing a separate Black Sea maritime ceasefire deal before securing a wider agreement. A view of the Ritz-Carlton hotel in Riyadh where talks are underway between the US and Russia - AFP 08:38 AM GMT Watch: Ukrainian soldier uses helmet as pretend grenade A Ukrainian soldier was filmed appearing to use his helmet as a pretend grenade. Inside a trench in an undisclosed location on the frontline, the troop is seen throwing the helmet at a Russian soldier, who then flees his position in fear of an impending explosion. Credit: 43rd Mechanized Brigade Ukraine 08:17 AM GMT Q&A: What to expect from Russia-Ukraine peace talks Russian and Ukrainian officials will 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 after talks involving Ukraine began 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? What has been agreed upon already? What does Ukraine want? What does Russia want? And what happens next? Diplomats from warring nations meeting with US officials in Saudi Arabia amid hopes for pause in fighting 08:07 AM GMT Czech Republic ready to join peacekeeping force in Ukraine The Czech president said his country is ready to join a future peacekeeping mission in Ukraine. Petr Pavel, who visited Kyiv on Friday to meet with Volodymyr Zelensky, warned that the biggest threat to European security was and still is Russia. As a result, he signalled his country should join Keir Starmers coalition of the willing, made up of Nato states and other interested countries, who are drawing up plans for an international force to protect a future ceasefire in Ukraine. He told European Pravda on Saturday: We are part of this coalition now...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. 07:43 AM GMT Trump envoy says Putin not planning to invade all of Europe Donald Trumps envoy said that he does not see Vladimir Putin wanting to invade beyond Ukraine and described fears of broader Russian aggression as an academic issue. I just dont see that he wants to take all of Europe, Steve Witkoff told Fox News on Sunday. 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. 07:36 AM GMT US-Russia talks begin in Riyadh The US-Russia talks on a ceasefire in Ukraine ceasefire have started in Riyadh, Russian state news agency TASS reported. The talks at the Ritz Carlton hotel kicked off a day after US officials held meetings with a Ukrainian delegation in the city. 07:23 AM GMT Ukraine urges EU to renew duty-free trade deal Ukraine has warned of really damaging consequences if the EU does not renew its trade deal with the war-torn country ahead of a looming deadline. After Russias full-scale invasion in 2022, emergency EU measures were enacted to lift duties and quotas on Ukrainian exports in order to support its economy. However, the policy is due to expire in June - and some member states have been pushing back against the temporary deal, citing concerns over its domestic impact. The European Union is our key trade partner, and thats why it would be really damaging for us if we [found] ourselves in a situation which we had before the war, Ukrainian finance minister Serhiy Marchenko told the Financial Times. According to government data, revenues from exports to the EU under the trade measures accounted for almost a tenth of the countrys $41bn export revenue in 2024. 07:04 AM GMT Who is leading the Russian negotiations with the US? Vladimir Putin has sent a disgraced FSB officer and a former Russian ambassador to Britain to lead negotiations with US officials in Saudi Arabia on Monday. Sergey Beseda served in Russias federal security service (FSB) until he resigned after his unit was accused of sharing faulty intelligence with Putin on the eve of his full-scale invasion of Ukraine. He will be joined by Grigory Karasin, who served as ambassador to the UK between 2000 and 2005, for talks with a US delegation in Riyadh on Monday. Mondays negotiating team represents an effective downgrade in seniority from when Marco Rubio, the US secretary of state, met with his counterpart Sergei Lavrov in initial talks in February. Sergey Beseda served in Russias federal security service (FSB) 06:57 AM GMT Ukraine says it shot down 57 out of 99 Russian drones Ukraines air force said on Monday that it shot down 57 drones out of 99 launched by Russia overnight. Another 36 drones did not reach their targets, it said, without specifying what happened to the remaining six drones. 06:56 AM GMT Ukraine railway targeted by large-scale cyberattack Ukraines state-owned railway Ukrzaliznytsia said on Monday that its online systems have been subjected to a large-scale targeted cyberattack. Restoration of the online systems is ongoing, the company said, but train traffic has been stable and running without delays. 06:55 AM GMT Hello and welcome to our live coverage Were bringing you all the latest from the war in Ukraine. Mute B Egede, Greenlands outgoing prime minister - Mads Claus Rasmussen/Ritzau Scanpix Greenlands prime minister has attacked a planned visit by a US delegation to the island as highly aggressive and has called on the international community to respond. Usha Vance, the wife of vice-president JD Vance and second lady, and Michael Waltz, the US national security adviser are among those travelling to Greenland, which Mr Trump has vowed to take over one way or the other. The Danish-owned, semi-autonomous territory of about 57,000 people is mineral-rich and strategically important in the Arctic region. Mr Trump has claimed its ownership is vital for US national security. On Monday, Mute B Egede, Greenlands outgoing prime minister, said: It should be said clearly that our integrity and democracy must be respected without foreign interference. He added that the visit cannot be seen as just a private visit. What is the US national security adviser doing in Greenland? The only purpose is to demonstrate power over us, Mr Egede told local media. His mere presence in Greenland will no doubt fuel American belief in Trumps mission and the pressure will increase. We are now at a point where it can no longer be described as an innocent visit from a politicians spouse... the international community must now react. Mr Egede said every effort to be diplomatic with the US just bounces off Donald Trump and his administration in their mission to own and control Greenland. Mrs Vance will join a delegation of senior Trump administration officials travelling to the island on Thursday. It comes after Donald Trump Jr toured Greenland in January on a personal day trip. Credit: donaldjtrumpjr/Instagram The timing of the trip has drawn criticism as Greenlands political parties are deep in coalition negotiations to form a new government after elections earlier this month. Jens-Frederik Nielsen, who led his centre-Right Demokraatit party to victory in this months election, has told Mr Trump that Greenland is not for sale. Commenting on the latest visit, Mr Nielsen said: The fact that the Americans are well aware we are in the middle of negotiations once again shows a lack of respect for the Greenlandic people. All of Greenlands major political parties support independence from Denmark but are divided over how quickly it should happen. According to polls, most Greenlanders support independence from Denmark, but not annexation by the US. The Greenlandic government, Naalakkersuisut, is in a caretaker period following the March 11 general election won by Mr Nielsens pro-business party, which favours a gradual approach to independence from Denmark. On Sunday, Mr Vance increased pressure on Denmark, suggesting it was not doing enough to guarantee security in the Arctic, where Russia and China are competing with the US for influence. Denmarks not doing its job, not being a good allyif that means we need to take more territorial interest in Greenland that is what President Trump is going to do, he said. He doesnt care about what the Europeans scream at us, he cares about putting the interests of American citizens first. Mette Frederiksen, the Danish prime minister, said: The visit from the United States cannot be seen in isolation from the public statements that have been made. This is something we take seriously. The White House said Mrs Vance and the delegation will visit historical sites, learn about Greenlandic heritage, and attend the Avannaata Qimussersua, Greenlands national dogsled race.Mrs Vance and the delegation are excited to witness this monumental race and celebrate Greenlandic culture and unity, it added. A spokesman for Mr Waltz said: The United States has a vested security interest in the Arctic region, adding: This is a visit to learn about Greenland, its culture, history and people. During a recent Oval Office meeting with Mark Rutte, the Nato secretary general, Mr Trump said: Denmarks very far away from Greenland. A boat landed there 200 years ago or something. And they say they have rights to it. I dont know if thats true. I dont think it is, 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. Irish language signage is set to be installed at the Grand Central Station in Belfast. Stormont Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins said it will be installed later this year and will include wayfinding, passenger information, safety and welcome signage. The 340 million station is set to become the largest integrated transport hub on the island of Ireland, with services including trains between Belfast and Dublin. Disappointment has been expressed by the Irish language community that the station, which started opening in phases last year, did not include Irish language signage. Stormont Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins said Belfasts Grand Central Station will have Irish language signage installed later this year (NI Assembly/PA) Ms Kimmins was asked by TUV MLA Timothy Gaston during questions for her department at the Assembly whether she would commit to a consultation and an equality screening exercise before taking any decision on the installation of the signage at the station. She responded by confirming the signage will be installed this year. I am committed to the visibility and promotion of Irish language across public services and in our society. Grand Central Station is not just for the people of Belfast, it is a transport hub for people right across the island and its important therefore that it is reflective of all citizens. Ive therefore taken the decision to instal bilingual signage in Belfast Grand Central Station, and on all Translinks ticket vending machines. This is an important and positive development to demonstrate my support for the Irish language as a living language, which is used daily by citizens across the north. The new Belfast Grand Central Station started opening in phases last year (Rebecca Black/PA) Mr Gaston said Sinn Fein once described every word spoken in Irish as another bullet in the freedom struggle, and queried why the minister was abusing her position to fire cultural bullets in a situation that is situated in a Loyalist heartland of Belfast. Ms Kimmins responded: The Irish language is for everyone and it is reflective of the culture right across this island. The transport hub is not just for the people of Belfast, it is for all people right across our island and its nothing to fear. I think the important point as well to make is that the Irish language is actually in law, and Belfast is one of the most thriving areas in the north, if not in Ireland, for the Irish language. I am committed to delivering equality for everyone across this island. Dr Marwan al-Hams, the director of the field hospitals department in Gaza, surveys the destruction inside the surgical building of Nasser hospital. Photograph: Abdel Kareem Hana/AP Israeli airstrikes have killed at least 65 people in Gaza in the past 24 hours, including women, children and two journalists, the Palestinian health authority said on Monday, nearly a week after Israel broke its ceasefire with Hamas. Palestinians in Gaza have again been fleeing for their lives after Israel launched its new offensive in the territory, which started on Tuesday last week with a wave of airstrikes that killed about 700 people, mostly civilians, ending two months of relative calm, according to the Palestinian health ministry in the territory run by Hamas. Hossam Shabat, a journalist for the Al Jazeera Mubasher channel, was killed in northern Gaza on Monday. Witnesses told the network that his car was targeted in the eastern part of Beit Lahiya. Related: There was just wave after wave: Gaza doctors recount horror of the last week Earlier in the day, Mohammad Mansour, a reporter who worked for Palestine Today, was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Khan Younis, southern Gaza. According to witnesses, Mansour was targeted in his house alongside his wife and his son without any prior warning. There was no immediate comment by the Israel Defense Forces. At least 208 journalists and media workers have been killed in Israeli attacks since October 2023, according to the Palestinian Journalist Syndicate. Palestinian medics say an Israeli strike hit a school where displaced people were sheltering in the Gaza Strip on Monday, killing at least four people, including a child. Another 18 people were wounded in Mondays strike in the built-up Nuseirat refugee camp, according to al-Awda hospital, which received the casualties. Three other hospitals had earlier reported 25 deaths from Israeli strikes overnight and into Monday. There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military, which says it only targets militants and tries to avoid harming civilians. In a separate Israeli airstrike on Sunday night, the Nasser hospital, the largest medical facility in southern Gaza, was hit, killing five people, including a Hamas political leader. The Israeli military said its attack followed extensive intelligence and used precise munitions to minimise harm at the site. Hamas confirmed that a member of its political office, Ismail Barhoum, had been killed. Israels defence minister, Israel Katz, confirmed the target was Barhoum. Hamass al-Aqsa TV said Barhoum was being treated at the hospital for wounds sustained in a previous attack. Another Hamas leader, Salah al-Bardawil, was killed in an Israeli airstrike on Khan Younis on Sunday. Both Bardawil and Barhoum were members of the 19-member political office, the groups decision-making body, 11 of whom have been killed since the start of the war in late 2023, according to Hamas sources. Sundays strike on Nasser hospital was the second on a health facility in Gaza in three days. On Friday, Israel blew up central Gazas Turkish-Palestinian Friendship hospital, Gazas only specialised cancer treatment hospital, which had already been severely damaged by Israeli airstrikes since October 2023. Dr Tanya Haj-Hassan, a volunteer in a Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP) team working at Nasser hospital, said medics in the emergency department were awaiting casualties when a massive blast shook the building. Everybody ran out to see what happened until one of my colleagues screamed They hit surgery, Haj-Hassan said in a voice message. There was so much smoke and fire. I ran across to the building next door, where the paediatric ICU is, just to grab my portable ultrasounds and a few things, knowing that wed be receiving casualties. As I walked out, I could see the second floor of the building on fire. Steve Cutts, the chief executive of MAP, said the attack demonstrates once again that nowhere is safe in Gaza. Cutts said a 16-year-old boy recovering from earlier surgery was also killed and at least eight people, including medical staff, were injured. The International Committee of the Red Cross said its office in the southern Gaza Strip was damaged by an explosive projectile on Monday, adding that no staff were wounded. Related: Gazas ceasefire brought hope, but it was the calm before a brutal storm The Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has said the aim of the war was to destroy Hamas as a military and governing entity. The ambition of the new campaign was to force the group to give up the remaining hostages, he said last week. On Monday, Hamass armed wing released a video showing two Israeli hostages held in Gaza since the Palestinian militants attack on Israel on 7 October 2023. The footage, which lasts a little over three minutes and whose exact recording date could not be verified, shows two men sitting on the floor speaking in Hebrew to a hostage who has since been released, asking him to recount his experiences in captivity in order to speed up their release. Meanwhile, officials say Egypt has introduced a new proposal to try to get the Gaza ceasefire back on track. According to the plan, Hamas would release five living hostages, including an American-Israeli, in return for Israel allowing humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip and a weeks-long pause in the fighting, an Egyptian official said Monday. Israel would also release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. A Hamas official said the group had responded positively to the proposal, without elaborating. The Gaza Health Ministry said at least 50,082 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza and another 113,408 have been wounded, since the beginning of the war, triggered by an attack by Hamas militants in Israel in October 2023 in which they killed about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and took 251 hostages. The government crackdown has sparked clashes between riot police and protesters 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. The SNP is back in business, First Minister John Swinney has insisted as he added he is very optimistic for next years Holyrood elections. While the party had seen its support drop during a long-running police investigation into its finances, that has now closed, with former first minister Nicola Sturgeon who had been arrested by police during the Operation Branchform probe last week cleared of any wrongdoing. Mr Swinney confirmed he has spoken to Ms Sturgeon following that announcement which came on the same day her estranged husband Peter Murrell, a former SNP chief executive, appeared in court. Murrell made no plea or declaration when he appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court last Thursday and was committed for further examination and bailed. Former first minister Nicola Sturgeon has been cleared of wrongdoing following a police investigation into SNP finances (Steve Welsh/PA) At an internal party gathering at the weekend, Mr Swinney is reported to have given members an assurance that our resources will always be used wisely. Speaking to journalists on Monday, the SNP leader said he had promised the highest standards of governance when he took on the job last May, adding: Thats exactly what Im putting into practice. Mr Swinney also stressed the heavy lifting needed to get the party ready for next years Scottish Parliament elections is taking place. Saying he was going to do my bit of making sure the SNP is in a fit state to win the election, Mr Swinney added: Were back in business. Im really pleased with the election results that were now delivering on the ground. Opinion polls are healthy for us, the partys in good heart, the party is in great heart, and Im very optimistic. While Labour had been leading in the polls in Scotland following last summers general election victory, a fall in support for Sir Keir Starmers party has put the SNP on top again. If Mr Swinney was to win next May, it would be the fifth consecutive Scottish Parliament election victory for his party. Speaking to journalists during a visit to Kirkintilloch, East Dunbartonshire, he said: Im very, very pleased with where the SNP is. Just now weve just were leading in the opinion polls. I dont think people would have suspected that when I became First Minister 11 months ago. He also noted recent council by-election successes for the SNP, adding: Weve just won two seats from Labour on Glasgow City Council, on top of a secret one in Broxburn, another one in Kilmarnock and another one in Bannockburn in the course of the last few weeks. So, were back to winning seats again. We went for 22 months without winning a local government by-election and we have just won five seats in 2025 already. So, I think, electorally, were doing better. Candidates for the Holyrood constituencies will be in place by May, the leader added, as he said he had reorganised our party headquarters, and thats now on a firm footing. He stated: All the things I said to the party we would do, the heavy lifting thats required to get ready for 2026, is all happening. Were building up and working very hard to win in 2026, which is what I intend to do. A man sits on the rubble of a building destroyed by the United States aerial attacks on 20 March, in Sana'a, Yemen. Photograph: Mohammed Hamoud/Getty Images Senior members of Donald Trumps cabinet have been involved in a serious security breach while discussing secret military plans for recent US attacks on the Houthi armed group in Yemen. In an extraordinary blunder, key figures in the Trump administration including the vice-president, JD Vance, the defence secretary Pete Hegseth, the secretary of state, Marco Rubio, and the director of national intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard used the commercially available chat app Signal to convene and discuss plans while also including a prominent journalist in the group. The news was met with outrage and calls for an investigation in the US, with Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer calling it one of the most stunning breaches of military intelligence I have read about in a very, very long time Signal is not approved by the US government for sharing sensitive information. Related: Outrage after White House accidentally texts journalist war plans: Huge screw-up Others in the chat included the Trump adviser Stephen Miller; Trumps chief of staff, Susie Wiles; and the key Trump envoy Steve Witkoff. The breach was revealed in an article published on Monday by Jeffrey Goldberg, the editor of the Atlantic magazine, who discovered that he had been included in a Signal chat called Houthi PC Small Group and realising that 18 other members of the group included Trump cabinet members. In his account, Goldberg said that he removed sensitive material from his account, including the identity of a senior CIA officer and current operational details. The report was confirmed by Brian Hughes, a spokesperson for the national security council, who told the magazine: This appears to be an authentic message chain, and we are reviewing how an inadvertent number was added to the chain. Hughes added: The thread is a demonstration of the deep and thoughtful policy coordination between senior officials. The ongoing success of the Houthi operation demonstrates that there were no threats to troops or national security. Donald Trump told reporters at the White House that he was unaware of the incident. I dont know anything about it. Im not a big fan of the Atlantic, Trump said. Hegseth, in his first comments on the matter, attacked Goldberg but did not shed light on why Signal was being used to discuss the sensitive operation or how Goldberg ended up on the message chain. Nobody was texting war plans and thats all I have to say about that, Hegseth said in an exchange with reporters after landing in Hawaii on Monday as he began his first trip to the Indo-Pacific as defense secretary. Goldberg responded to Hegseths denial in an interview on CNN late on Monday by saying, No, thats a lie. He was texting war plans. The White House press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, later released a statement saying: President Trump continues to have the utmost confidence in his national security team, including national security advisor Mike Waltz. The incident is likely to further raise concerns over the Trump administrations trustworthiness with intelligence shared by erstwhile allies not least as Hegseth boasts at one stage of guaranteeing 100 percent OPSEC operations security while a celebrated journalist is reading his message. The discussions seen by Goldberg include comments from Vance, who appeared unconvinced of the urgency of attacking Yemen, as well as conversations over what price should be expected of Europeans and other countries for the US removing the threat to a key global shipping route. Security and intelligence commentators in the US described the breach of operational security as unprecedented both for the use of a commercial chat service and for the inclusion of Goldberg. In the US military, the highest political echelon and intelligence services operate under strict rules for communication of classified material and for the discussion of issues concerning operational security where lives and outcomes could be compromised by disclosure. While Signal is regarded as a secure encrypted chat service, its weakness is that phones on which it is installed can themselves be vulnerable. Among those aghast at the breach was the Democratic representative Pat Ryan, an army veteran who sits on the House armed services committee who described it using the second world war-era epithet Fubar meaning fucked up beyond all recognition. If House Republicans wont hold a hearing on how this happened IMMEDIATELY, Ill do it my damn self. Shane Harris, a longtime national security reporter formerly of the Washington Post and now with the Atlantic wrote on BlueSky: In 25 years of covering national security, Ive never seen a story like this. Goldberg writes that he was initially dubious about whether the messages might be some kind of foreign disinformation operation, but became convinced they were genuine both because of the language and positions presented and because the plan discussed coincided with an actual attack on Yemen. One striking exchange involved Vance and Hegseth making disparaging remarks about Europe. The account identified as JD Vance addressed a message at 8:45 to @Pete Hegseth: if you think we should do it lets go. I just hate bailing Europe out again. (The administration has argued that Americas European allies benefit economically from the US navys protection of international shipping lanes,) Goldberg wrote. Goldberg continues: The user identified as Hegseth responded three minutes later: VP: I fully share your loathing of European free-loading. Its PATHETIC. But Mike is correct, we are the only ones on the planet (on our side of the ledger) who can do this. Nobody else even close. Question is timing. I feel like now is as good a time as any, given POTUS directive to reopen shipping lanes. I think we should go; but POTUS still retains 24 hours of decision space. In reality, about 20 countries are involved in the mission to protect shipping from Houthi attacks including British warships. As Goldberg became aware of the attack on Yemen taking place, he recorded how he went back to the Signal channel: Michael Waltz [US national security adviser] had provided the group an update. Again, I wont quote from this text, except to note that he described the operation as an amazing job. A few minutes later, [another individual wrote]: A good start. Not long after, Waltz responded with three emojis: a fist, an American flag and fire. Others soon joined in, including MAR, [Marco Rubio]. He wrote: Good Job Pete and your team!! and Susie Wiles. She texted: Kudos to all most particularly those in theater and CENTCOM! Really great. God bless. The King has met with the UK and Frances top military leaders at Windsor Castle. Charles, who is head of the British armed forces, held an audience with the joint chiefs of staff from both countries on Monday afternoon. He welcomed the 10 guests including Chief of the Defence Staff Admiral Sir Tony Radakin and his French counterpart General Thierry Burkhard to the royal residences White Drawing Room in Berkshire, where they posed for a group photo. The French military chiefs, the King and the UKs military leaders during the audience at Windsor Castle (Aaron Chown/PA) The meeting came as Western military planning to enforce a potential ceasefire in Ukraine intensified in London, with discussions between the British and French military chiefs. Sir Tony, the head of the UKs armed forces, said Europes two nuclear powers were stepping up to forge a stronger and deeper partnership. Alongside the heads of each nations army, navy and air force, Sir Tony and General Burkhard have discussed efforts to galvanise the European response to the situation in Ukraine while Ukrainian, Russian and American officials attended talks in Saudi Arabia aimed at achieving a ceasefire. Also at Windsor with the King were Vice Chief of the Defence Staff General Dame Sharon Nesmith, First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Sir Ben Key, Chief of the General Staff General Sir Roly Walker and Air Marshal Allan Marshall. And from the French forces were French Army Chief of Staff General Pierre Schill, French Navy Chief of Staff Admiral Nicolas Vaujour, Chief of Staff of the French Air and Space Force General Jerome Bellanger, along with General Stephane Abrial. Downing Street said on Friday that nothing is off the table over possible troop deployment for Kyiv. Sir Keir Starmer said new military sub-planning groups would continue talks during three intensive planning days this week (Chris Radburn/PA) Thousands of personnel would be required to support any operation whether by sea, on land or in the air as allies prepare for all eventualities amid diplomatic efforts to end the war, Number 10 said. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said new military sub-planning groups would continue talks during three intensive planning days this week, in a call with EU chiefs and non-EU countries on Friday. Operational planning for a European-led peacekeeping force in Ukraine is set to continue at the UKs military headquarters in Northwood this week. Lara Kilner lives with her husband Annaafiz and their children Raffi, 14, and Amber, 10, in Brighton. As the fifth anniversary of lockdown approaches, she reflects on much her life has changed. Lockdown led to Lara being made redundant, stopping her four-hour daily commute and gave her the quality time she craved with her children. Lara Kilner with her husband on a walk during lockdown 2020. (Supplied) (Supplied) One day in early March 2020 my journey home from London to Brighton after work was the usual frustrating chaos. I ran for the tube, missed my connection and the next train saw me wedged by the door under a fellow commuters armpit. Then a signal failure saw us kicked off at East Croydon for a while until I finally made it home at 9.30pm, shedding tears of exasperation. My children, then eight and and four, were already in bed and my house was in the usual messy state of disarray, thanks to my husband juggling everything by himself. And the next morning, I'd have to be back at the station to do it all over again. Except, the next day everything changed and as it turned out, I would never do that brutal commute ever again. The following morning, Boris Johnson put us into a national lockdown, after 10 days of debating, and my boss told us all not to come into the office. In all honesty, I was delighted. A change of pace Since leaving London for a new chapter in Brighton seven years earlier, Id been running at 150 miles an hour, attempting to raise a young family while spending up to four hours a day commuting. I barely saw my kids when they were small, leaving as they got up in the morning and coming home to them tucked up in bed. Id been running at 150 miles an hour, attempting to raise a young family while spending up to four hours a day commuting. I loved my job, working on a magazine with great women and an understanding boss who already let me work from home one day a week (a revolutionary idea at the time). But the slog of commuting on all the other days was the single worst thing about my life. There were so many things Id miss out on at home, from simple acts like choosing my childrens clothes for the day and making sure they ate something other than my husbands go-to pasta pesto, to missing school performances and being too far away when my son smashed his face up falling from the top of a skateboard ramp. Lara Kilner, her husband Annaafiz and their children Raffi and Amber on their first post-lockdown holiday to Scotland. (Supplied) (Supplied) Working from home As for my social life, I rarely got to meet my friends for drinks after work and if I ever did, Id either have to stay on a friends sofa or I'd get back to Brighton so late that Id feel as though I was just turning round and going back to the station for work again. My commute now consisted of a 30-second walk downstairs to the kitchen where I was actually able to cook dinner for everyone an untold joy. And so my colleagues and I began to work from home. Being in my house each day in my slippers with no make-up on, my commute now consisting of a 30-second walk downstairs to the kitchen where I was actually able to cook dinner for everyone, was an untold joy and five years later, the novelty still hasnt worn off. After the UK locked down on 23 March 2020, it soon became apparent it wasn't for the short haul. My husband hastily built me a desk in the corner of our bedroom and a new normal began, where we grappled with Zoom and House Party (RIP) and learnt the meaning of the word 'furlough'. Lara finally had time to do crafts with her children during lockdown. (Supplied) (Supplied) The new normal Of course, the new normal brought with it a new chaos and I won't sugarcoat the horror that was home-schooling. Im also fully aware that many people were going through hell and, while my family were relatively fortunate, we did have our own worries my stepdad was rushed to hospital where he caught Covid (fortunately he didnt suffer too badly) and my mum began showing the early signs of possible dementia. Aside from home-schooling, I absolutely relished the reset, the not having to go anywhere and finally being able to do all the things Id never had time to do. I also suffered from bouts of cabin fever but the fact remains that lockdown, ultimately, gave me my life back. Aside from home-schooling, I absolutely relished the reset, the not having to go anywhere and finally being able to do all the things Id never had time to do. Lara Kilner helping out at her children's school post-lockdown. (Supplied) (Supplied) Lara's daughter Amber showing her thanks to the NHS during lockdown. (Supplied) (Supplied) More involved as a mum Id always felt pangs of mum guilt because I'd never been a parent who had time to play with my kids. Now, with the hours that I'd reclaimed back from no longer commuting, we were making pizza and sushi from scratch, we were baking cakes, we were playing board games and I even managed a spot of crafting with them. We were making pizza and sushi from scratch, baking cakes and playing board games. In a strange way, I saw more of my friends too, doing Zoom quizzes with uni mates and chatting over long phone catch-ups in place of sending cursory texts. But, really, I was perfectly content just with my little family, my stress levels vastly reduced and my work-life balance finally in a healthy place. By the summer, like many others, I found myself at risk of a Covid-induced redundancy and, while it initially sent me into a blind panic, it turned out to be exactly what I needed. Id never have been brave enough to just leave my job, but, by October, thats exactly what'd happened, as I bid farewell to the friends, colleagues and familiarity Id had for the best part of 15 years. I set about relaunching myself as a freelancer and, while it was undeniably daunting at first, it has only served to improve my wellbeing even more. I still work from home, but now to my own schedule, and answer only to myself. Lara loves having more time for exercise, pictured here swimming in a lake in Snowdonia. (Supplied) (Supplied) Healthier and happier Pre-pandemic, just one in ten people in the UK worked from home. Now, its one in five, a positive after-effect of lockdown for those of us whose lifestyle it suits. A study in the scientific journal Nature found that those who WFH reported a better work-life balance than those who were office-based and companies who allowed it saw their staff retention rate improve by 35%. A review by the National Institute for Health and Care Research has shown that working from home allows people to eat more healthily, helps lower blood pressure and reduces stress levels. There can also be a reduction in money worries a study by small business experts Bionic discovered that home workers could be saving up to 2,400 per year. I go to the gym, I swim, I do pilates classes, I cycle along the seafront and I go for beach saunas and walks with friends, all things that took a backseat while I was stuck on a train. I've definitely noticed the financial benefits. My travel used to cost me around 100 a week. Add to that, all those Itsu lunches and coffees from Pret and I was spending 600 a month just on being at work. Now, my main form of transport is walking, lunch is leftovers and I no longer have the anxiety that my card will be declined at the station and I literally wont be able to afford to go to work (yep, this happened once). Nowadays, Im on almost every school run with my daughter, Ive never again missed a school play, and Im a fully signed up member of the PTA, wringing every bit of joy out of the last of my daughters primary school years. I go to the gym, I swim, I do pilates classes, I cycle along the seafront and I go for beach saunas and walks with friends, all things that took a backseat while I was stuck on a train. If wed never had a pandemic or a lockdown, Id probably still be sitting there, looking out of the train window as my life whizzed on by. Read more about lockdown and working from home: What appears to be Mark Carneys short temper has already gained notice - Blair Gable/REUTERS Politics is a game of patience. Politicians need to master the ability to control their words, thoughts and emotions, whether theyre speaking in front of small groups, large audiences or the media and no matter what the provocation. If a politician lets his or her guard down too often, the voters are likely to catch on. At best, they will develop a reputation for gaffes. At worst, theyll be considered unsuitable for high office. Canadian prime minister Mark Carney, who called a snap election on Sunday afternoon for April 28, might be about to head down that path at lightning speed. It could ultimately lead to a very brief tenure as my countrys leader. As far back as 2013, comments were already being made about Carneys self-confidence and hot temper. Reuters was comparing the then outgoing head of the Bank of Canada to his number two, who was described as soft-spoken [and] cautious. Its a reputation Carney carried with him to the UK, when he took up the position of governor of the Bank of England as a supposed superstar. The Guardians former economics editor, Larry Elliott, reported that Carney was charming if he chose to be, but that there is another side to his character. Journalists sometimes caught a glimpse of his volcanic temper, Elliott wrote earlier this month, and Bank staff were wary of getting on the wrong side of him. Carney is an intelligent man. And perhaps his combination of personality traits suited him well in the ultra-competitive world of international finance. But will it survive the intense scrutiny of an election campaign? Given that Carney has largely lived outside the country for years, many Canadians will thus far be unaware of his failures, including his less than stellar record at the Bank of England. They will similarly not have been exposed to his personal foibles. But in recent weeks, his short fuse has been on full display. A mildly tense moment occurred during Carneys first address as prime minister on March 16. He was asked about fulfilling his Liberal leadership campaign promise to remove former prime minister Justin Trudeaus hated consumer carbon tax before April 1, and how he planned to accomplish this in two weeks. Your questionhow are we going to do it by the end of the day? Thats a great question, and well come right back to you on that following the cabinet meeting, Carney responded. When the reporter asked, In that order?, the PM replied only half jokingly: Have a better follow-up than that. The reporter replied, There is a better follow-up, its just to get clarification, leading Carney to say: Then that would be three questions, and everyone else would get angry. A more intense back-and-forth took place between Carney, the Globe and Mails Stephanie Levitz and CBC News Networks Rosemary Barton on March 17. They had asked about Carneys blind trust, amid concern about possible conflicts of interest due to his years in the private sector. When Barton said it was very difficult to believe there couldnt be any conflicts, Carney told her blankly to look inside herself you start from a prior of conflict and ill will. On March 20, a reporter asked about his trip to Europe, as a politician who has not yet won a federal election, with an expense of at least half a million dollars, and whether he would refund taxpayers. Carney said it was an interesting question and way of framing it, and then proceeded to talk about tariffs and trade. When the frustrated reporter said, Ill take that as a no, then, Carney responded bluntly: No, youll take that as a very comprehensive answer to your question. Thus far, what might be described as Carneys impatience has been limited to his answers to journalists. With the polls so tight, however, Canadas prime minister will now have to jump straight into an intense and stressful election campaign. It will undoubtedly contain questions from voters that he may consider beneath his intelligence, and hes going to have to somehow figure out how to deal with them properly. The problem for Carney is compounded by the reputation of his own party for political arrogance. Under former prime minister Justin Trudeau, the Liberals made a habit of governing with little recourse to public opinion, imposing the priorities of the progressive elite rather than advancing the interests of the common man. Theres little indication that Carney will be any different. Canadas prime minister is enjoying a political honeymoon, one of the key reasons why he decided to go for an early election. Some voters might imagine that his experience and straight-talking will serve Canada well when standing up to US president Donald Trump. But its only a few days into his premiership, and already what appears to be his short temper has gained notice. It could turn out to be a very short honeymoon indeed. Michael Taube, a columnist for the National Post, Troy Media and Loonie Politics, was a speechwriter for former Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper Meghan also posted a rare photograph of herself with her children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet The Duchess of Sussex is slightly adrift on the facts and reality, according to the former editor of Vanity Fair. Graydon Carter said he only put Meghan on the front cover of the magazine in 2017 because he was told she was going to marry the Duke of Sussex, adding that she did not understand why the interview was not solely about her charity work. He laughed as he told the New York Post that the Duchess, then an actress on Suits, had challenged the reporter, saying: Excuse me, is this going to all be about Prince Harry? Because I thought we were going to be talking about my charities and my philanthropy. Carter added: This woman is slightly adrift on the facts and reality. His comments came as the Duchess launched an online clothing shop selling many of the luxury pieces she wore during the filming of her Netflix lifestyle series, With Love, Meghan, or on recent public engagements. The website selling almost 40 items, from cashmere sweaters and linen dresses to oversized shirts and leather sandals acknowledges that some products may contain commissionable links. The Duchess will use the online shop to share the products she loves and uses herself, sources told the Telegraph. It is considered an opportunity to promote brands and businesses she believes in. A Heidi Merrick Windsor gown with a price tag of 1,068 is featured on Meghans online shop She will collect commission on some, but not all, of the items featured. Among those in her initial collection is a 712 handbag from Cesta Collective, a brand she revealed she had invested in last summer. The online store shows for the first time how Meghan plans to monetise her look, cementing her status as an influencer, despite her protestations to the contrary. She told People magazine earlier this month: I see myself as an entrepreneur and a female founder, and if the brand ends up influential, then thats great. The Duchess promoted the launch of the shop on Instagram, posting a ShopMy link with the message: A handpicked and curated collection of the things I love I hope you enjoy them! The items include a Loro Piana beige sweater costing 1,096 and a Heidi Merrick ivory silk dress for 1,068. Those wishing to emulate the Duchesss style can also buy a gold Maya Brenner Happiness Retreat necklace, made in collaboration with her former Suits co-star Abigail Spencer, for 383, or a Velvet linen dress made in collaboration with her stylist friend Cleo Wade, for 251. The shop also includes a 100 trench coat by Uniqlo, whose creative designer is Clare Waight Keller, the designer of Meghans wedding dress, who is said to share a beautiful friendship with the Duchess. A Maya Brenner necklace which sells for 383 As a working royal, the Duchess quickly discovered that she could influence the sale of clothing, with items she wore on public engagements rapidly selling out while blogs listing her wardrobe choices amassed huge followings. The 495 Strathberry bag she carried on her first official engagement with Prince Harry in December 2017 sold out in 11 minutes, catapulting the fledgling Scottish brand to new heights. Last August, the Duchess acknowledged her selling power, telling the New York Times: I support designers that I have really great friendships with, and smaller, up-and-coming brands that havent gotten the attention that they should be getting. Thats one of the most powerful things that Im able to do, and thats simply wearing, like, an earring. Meghan was featured on the cover of Vanity Fair in October 2017 - Reuters Almost all of the items for sale via the Duchesss shop are either neutral or black, hues she has favoured since leaving the UK. She claimed in the 2022 Netflix series, Harry & Meghan, that she was not allowed to wear the same colour as more senior members of the Royal family, suggesting she had little choice but to wear muted tones to blend in and ensure she did not stand out. Meghan, meanwhile, posted a rare photograph of herself with her children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. The Instagram post, which did not show the childrens faces, was captioned Every day is a love story alongside a dove of peace emoji. She also published video footage of birds flying in formation against a blue sky and the sun, alongside the message: Flying into the week with my family (Thanks to my H for capturing this!). Squeals of delight could be heard presumably the voices of the children with one of them shouting Wow. Meghan has this month faced widespread critical reviews of her Netflix lifestyle show, but has already filmed a second season and is focusing on her new brand As Ever. She has responded to requests for additional information and corrections on the trademark and is expected to begin selling items such as fruit spread, dried biscuit mix and edible flower sprinkles imminently. The Duchess of Sussex has shared a collection of clothing and accessories on Instagram with some items featuring links through which commission can be earned. Meghan posted a rare photograph of herself with her children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet to her profile on Monday, and also shared a story of a collection of her style inspirations with purchase links. The duchess described her style as high-low in her Netflix lifestyle show With Love, Meghan, meaning she wears items from designer brands and high street retailers. She posted a ShopMy link in a story, featuring a collection of clothes and accessories, with the message: Many of you have asked, so here you go! A little shopping to start the week. More to come. A message on the ShopMy page read: A handpicked and curated collection of the things I love I hope you enjoy them! with the addition: Please note, some products may contain commissionable links. The items, mostly in her signature neutral colours, included an oversized white shirt by Reformation for 128, a beige Uniqlo raincoat costing 99.90 and a gold Maya Brenner Happiness Retreat citrine stone necklace, made in collaboration with Meghans former Suits co-star Abigail Spencer, for 383. The collection also includes a pre-order link for a 712 handbag from Cesta Collective, a brand which she told the New York Times she had invested in last summer. The bag, which is similar to one Meghan was seen wearing on a tour of South America with Harry, has been made in a small batch to be shipped in June, the Cesta Collective website says. Meghan shared a collection of clothes and accessories in an Instagram story (Instagram) Secure yours before it sells out again, the page Meghan linked to adds. The basket bags are handwoven of locally sourced, renewable resources, by talented female artisans in Rwanda, Africa, Cesta Collectives website says. Other items include leather sandals made by shoe designer Emme Parsons for sale on luxury American department store Bergdorf Goodmans website for 495 US dollars (383). While some products are from high street chains like Gap, others are from small boutiques including a 395 brown blouse from Brochu Walker. Her story showed the disclaimer Please note, some products may contain commissionable links in asterisks on her ShopMy page but did not have a specific disclaimer on the post itself. In the UK, the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) requires people sharing affiliate links which are unique URLs that allow companies to track who is responsible for a sale or lead to identify links and sections of content related to affiliate products as advertising. Many influencers will mark such content with ad affiliate link on Instagram stories when they can earn a commission from purchases made through links shared. Meghan has faced widespread critical reviews of her Netflix lifestyle show With Love, Meghan this month, but has already filmed a second season and is focusing on her new brand As Ever. Netflix has also become a partner in the duchesss As Ever business, with the first products set to include raspberry jam, herbal tea and a ready made crepe mix. Ministers are closely monitoring how airlines look after their passengers following the unprecedented Heathrow shutdown, the Transport Secretary has said. Heidi Alexander told the Commons the Government is acutely aware of the need to ensure that passengers are well looked after, after around 200,000 passengers were disrupted by the closure. A fire at the North Hyde electricity substation last week disrupted power supplies at the West London hub. Ms Alexander said back-up systems ensured safety and security systems and protocols were maintained at all times, but these systems including diesel generators were not designed to support the airports full operations. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said earlier on Monday he was not comfortable with the shutdown. At the despatch box, the Transport Secretary said: The Government is acutely aware of the need to ensure that passengers are well looked after and their consumer rights are protected. This is why UK law ensures that airlines must provide passengers with a refund within seven days or to be rerouted to their destination under the same conditions. We are closely monitoring to ensure that passengers are properly supported. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander (Chris Radburn/PA) Ms Alexander said the Government temporarily lifted restrictions on overnight flights to ease congestion and allowed rail passengers to use their tickets flexibly during the disruption. Conservative MP Mark Pritchard alleged some customers had been ripped off, with huge hikes for alternative flights, car hire, and hotels. The MP for The Wrekin asked: Isnt it time the Government brought forward robust anti-price gouging legislation? And in fairness to her and the frontbench, I also asked the previous government (who) did absolutely zero on it as well. He also called on the Government to review the monopoly of the operators of hotels in Heathrow and the lack of competition of airlines coming into Heathrow. Ms Alexander told MPs: It wouldnt be right for anyone or any business to be capitalising from this disruption. And whether it is airlines or hotels, I would be expecting those organisations to be doing everything they can to support travellers who have been disrupted by this incident. Ms Alexander had earlier described the fire as an unprecedented outage and added that it wasnt the result of a single point of failure on the electricity transmission or distribution system. She said North Hyde was one of three electricity feeds into Heathrow Airport, and the remaining points continued supplying the airport throughout the incident. Heathrows view was that this supply was insufficient to ensure the safe and secure ongoing operation of all systems across the whole airport, Ms Alexander continued. She later said: Heathrow does day-in, day-out very successfully provide services to hundreds of thousands of passengers and businesses, so whilst its right that we do everything we can to interrogate the causes of this incident and learn any lessons, I do believe that Heathrow Airport can continue to be a trusted partner for Government in the longer term. (PA Graphics) Father of the House Sir Edward Leigh, the Conservative MP for Gainsborough, asked for assurances the Governments net-zero aspirations would not affect the sustainability and safety of our vital transport systems. The Transport Secretary said in her reply: There were some other honourable members of this House who arent present in the chamber today who were busy pedalling some myths on Friday morning about this issue. It was very clear to me that the backup power supplies that Heathrow have consist of both diesel and electricity generators, so no matter what some other honourable members might be saying, those systems did work. Munira Wilson, whose Twickenham constituency lies in west London, said the substation fire crippled Europes busiest airport as she called for a better Heathrow, not a bigger Heathrow, ie: we need to focus on the infrastructure in and around Heathrow to improve resilience, to improve security, to improve the passenger experience. The Liberal Democrat MP said a third runway at the airport would make the impact of a similar incident all the greater. Ms Alexander replied: I am not putting all of the countrys aviation eggs in one basket. At the moment we dont have proposals before us for a third runway at Heathrow. We will look at those proposals carefully when they are submitted. The Transport Secretary had earlier said Heathrow Airports potential expansion and this very rare, unprecedented event are two entirely separate issues. A view of the North Hyde electrical substation (Maja Smiejkowska/PA) Nigel Wicking, chief executive of Heathrow Airline Operators Committee, representing more than 90 airlines, told Sky News he hoped an agreement over the costs they incurred from the closure could be amicably settled at some point in time. But he said there might be a case for legal action if they did not get good enough recourse and repayment in terms of the costs, adding: I would hope not. But in some of these situations thats the only course once youve gone through everything else. Heathrow is Europes largest airport, with more than 83.9 million passengers travelling through its terminals in 2024. An internal review of the airports crisis management plans and its response will be undertaken by former transport secretary Ruth Kelly, who is an independent member of Heathrows board. Netflix drama series Adolescence has topped the UKs weekly TV ratings, with its first episode pulling in 6.45 million viewers in its first week, according to ratings provider Barb. The results make it Netflixs most viewed series in the UK in a single week, as its first and second episode, which got 5.9 million viewers, beat the likes of BBC Ones The Apprentice and Death In Paradise, and ITV1s The Bay. Adolescences third episode ranked fifth in the UKs top 50 shows, with 5.1 million views, from March 10 to March 16, while its fourth and final episode ranked ninth, with 4.65 million views. Adolescence co-creator Jack Thorne (Ian West/PA) The Netflix crime drama is about a boy accused of killing a girl in his class, with This Is England star Stephen Graham playing Eddie Miller, the father of 13-year-old Jamie, played by newcomer Owen Cooper, who sees armed police burst into his home to arrest his son. Eddie is then chosen as Jamies appropriate adult, accompanying him at the police interview, and learning the extent of what his son is accused of doing. The programme, created by Graham and writer Jack Thorne, examines so-called incel (involuntary celibate) culture, which has led to misogyny online and bullying using social media. The show also beat the likes of BBC gameshow Gladiators and soaps Emmerdale, EastEnders and Coronation Street to the top of the rankings. Adolescence has prompted a national conversation around online safety, with Graham and Thorne accepting an invite to a parliamentary meeting on the subject by Labour MP Josh MacAlister. It comes after Thorne advocated for the show to be shown in Parliament and schools, with Sir Keir Starmer indicating that it should during Wednesdays Prime Ministers Questions. The Prime Minister said he watched the programme with his children, and added that this violence carried out by young men, influenced by what they see online, is a real problem, its abhorrent, and we have to tackle it. During an interview with BBC Twos current affairs programme Newsnight, Thorne said he hopes we can use this moment to provoke this Government to consider quite serious change. He referenced that the Australian senate has passed a social media ban for young children. Thorne said: I would extend it further, it is about gaming too, and its about getting inside all these different systems. He admitted there were good things about social media and gaming, but stressed the Government should legislate to protect teenagers and see what change that could bring to our society. Australia is set to make platforms including TikTok, Facebook, Snapchat, Reddit, X and Instagram liable for fines of up to 50 million Australian dollars (25 million) if they systematically do not prevent those younger than 16 from holding accounts. Up to 291,000 passengers and at least 1,351 flights are thought to have been affected by Fridays closure of Heathrow - Maja Smiejkowska/PA Airlines have threatened Heathrow with legal action over costs they incurred when it closed on Friday. The chief executive of the Heathrow Airline Operators Committee, which represents more than 90 airlines, said that there could be cause for legal action if they do not get enough money back. Nigel Wicking told Sky News he hoped the matter would be amicably settled at some point in time but said, if we dont get good enough recourse and repayment in terms of the costs, then yes, there might be a case for legal action. I would hope not. But in some of these situations thats the only course once youve gone through everything else, he added. A substation fire near Europes busiest airport caused it to be closed for almost 24 hours on Friday, leading to the cancellation of more than 1,000 flights. At least 1,351 flights going to and from the airport were hit by the closure, with up to 291,000 passengers thought to be affected. The fire at the North Hyde electrical substation caused Europes busiest airport to be closed for almost 24 hours on Friday - Matthew Muirhead/AP Mr Wicking said: Undoubtedly, theres going to be questions as to who should pay for this in the longer term. Airlines have a regulatory duty to take care of their passengers, but in this particular case, we do feel that it was another party that caused the situation. He added that he believed there would have to be an independent investigation of what happened and why recovery did take so long. It comes after the Prime Minister refused to back the boss of Heathrow Airport. Asked on Monday whether Sir Keir had full confidence in the Heathrow boss, the Prime Ministers official spokesman said: I dont think its for the Prime Minister to offer confidence in CEOs of private organisations. On Sunday, the head of the National Grid claimed the airport had enough power to avoid shutting down. Thomas Woldbye, Heathrow airports chief executive, is now facing increased pressure over his handling of the crisis following reports he went to bed while the fire was blazing rather than work through the night. Thomas Woldbye, Heathrows chief executive, is under pressure over his handling of the crisis - PA On Saturday night, Ed Miliband, the Energy Secretary, ordered an official investigation into Britains energy resilience in the wake of the Heathrow meltdown. In a statement, he said a review by the energy watchdog would include recommendations on any wider lessons to be learnt on energy resilience for critical national infrastructure. A Heathrow spokesman said: This was an unprecedented issue which began with a fire at an off-airport substation, in less than 24 hours the entire airport was rebooted from a standing start and we delivered a full schedule from Saturday onwards. There are two reviews into the systems and response both at Heathrow and with the wider grid infrastructure. We will support these and lessons will be learnt where needed. Every penny we invest in our airport infrastructure is approved by airlines and our regulator. On a project-by-project basis they oversee and influence how we build and maintain Heathrow. Facial recognition cameras have secretly been monitoring airport passengers under a scheme backed by the Home Office Facial recognition cameras have secretly been monitoring airport passengers under a scheme backed by the Home Office, documents obtained under freedom of information (FoI) laws reveal. Unpublished Home Office orders reveal airports are required to carry out biometric face scanning of any passenger boarding a domestic flight. The orders, made under Schedule Two of the Immigration Act 1971, are the first known examples of the Government making facial recognition a legal requirement. They have been in place for at least 15 years, since the last Labour government, but have never been publicly disclosed. The rules require airports with a single departure lounge to capture a facial biometric photo of domestic passengers entering and leaving this area before they board their planes. Airports are expected to use biometric technology to compare the photos and verify that the correct people are boarding their flights. The measures are designed to prevent international passengers switching boarding passes in order to illegally enter the UK on a domestic flight. The orders were obtained by the campaign group Big Brother Watch after a year-long transparency battle when Home Office officials initially fought to keep the orders secret. They argued that releasing the documents would reveal sensitive operational information. Big Brother Watch complained to the Information Commissioners Office, which intervened and told the Home Office to release the documents. The ruling found that the Home Office had overreached by claiming that publication would undermine immigration controls, stating that it had not presented credible evidence of harm. New era of biometric surveillance Madeleine Stone, senior advocacy officer at Big Brother Watch, said attempts to keep the orders secret were staggering given that they meant tens of millions of law-abiding passengers have had no choice but to have their faces scanned. She said: This is the first example of mandated facial recognition in Britain and represents a new era of biometric surveillance for citizens, yet the Home Office fought to keep this legal notice a secret. The orders obtained under FoI law relate to Manchester and Gatwick, but the rules are understood to apply to all airports which have common departure lounges for both domestic and international passengers. One dates back to 2009-10, when Alan Johnson was Labour home secretary under Gordon Brown. Some 3.7 million passengers took domestic flights from London Gatwick and Manchester Airport in 2023, while Heathrow had an estimated 4.2 million domestic passengers. The order for Gatwick states that it must use biometric systems whereby a photo reconciliation system is located at the entrance and exit to the common departure lounge. A photo must be taken of each domestic passenger on entry to the lounge. On leaving the lounge, each departing domestic passenger must have their identity verified against the image captured on entry into the lounge. Technology used to capture and verify images must be of a good standard which will provide assurance of continuity of identity, says the order. Failure to comply with the order carries a maximum sentence of 14 years in prison. Manchester Airport states in a privacy notice that it collects biometric data in the form of facial recognition images in terminal one security areas, terminal two transfers and terminal three. It is understood Manchester complies with data protection laws, with the images retained for 24 hours and shared with statutory agencies only for national security purposes. Facial images are captured as passengers enter the lounge through a gate and present their boarding pass to a reader. A second image, with which to compare their facial identification, is taken when they board their plane and leave the departure gate. Big Brother Watch said that under UK and European law, the collection of biometric data such as facial recognition scans, fingerprinting or DNA samples was subject to strict regulation and could only be required where absolutely necessary for a legitimate or legal purpose. It said: Passengers travelling internationally can choose whether to undergo facial recognition checks at e-gates or human verification by queuing for manual checks on UK borders making the secret mandatory biometric checks for domestic travel the first known such example. A Home Office spokesman said: The use of facial recognition at airports protects the public and our borders by preventing passengers from bypassing border control and exploiting our immigration system. The Queensland government has announced a $24m boost to Queenslands Fire Ant Suppression taskforce, to target 212,000 hectares within the regions suppression zone over the next two years. Photograph: Lyle Radford Twenty-three people have been hospitalised with serious fire ant stings amid a surge in reports of the invasive pest in the aftermath of Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred and a new $24m package targeting suppression of the insect. The National Fire Ant Eradication Program has received notifications of 60 serious red imported fire ant (Rifa) stings in south-east Queensland since 1 March, with 23 serious enough to warrant hospital care. Separately, a puppy stung to death 15 months ago was reportedly the first pet killed in Queensland by the ants. A program spokesperson said: Fire ants deliver painful, fiery stings that can cause severe, and sometimes fatal, reactions in humans, pets, and animals, citing National Allergy Centre of Excellence and Allergy and Anaphylaxis Australia figures that show up to 7.5% of people stung require medical attention. The reported rates of fire ants stings were well above average, said Reece Pianta, the advocacy manager at the Invasive Species Council. Most people stung were doing cyclone clean-up work at the time, he said. It just shows you what a serious risk fire ants pose to anyone whos got a job that requires them to go outdoors, or who enjoys bush walking or barbecues on the beach, he said. It tells us what the future will be like across the country if fire ant densities grow and spread everywhere. Related: Large rafts of invasive fire ants seen floating in flood waters after Cyclone Alfred The impacts of growing Rifa densities on pets was also becoming clearer, Pianta said. We are getting a lot of reports of animals having anaphylactic reactions in parks [and] of insect sting events causing animal fatalities, he said. Fifteen months ago, Ebony Brittons puppy was found dead on a fire ant nest in Greenbank, near Logan. Pianta said it was the first pet death he could definitively say was caused by fire ants. Pianta said back-to-back flooding events, under-resourcing and inadequate support for property owners was to blame on an explosion in fire ant numbers. The council has warned that flood events spread the super-pest. I can easily think of half a dozen locations south of Brisbane where I can go and see 100 nests right now. That is something thats changed in the last 18 months. He said earlier modelling showed that were fire ants to become endemic, 150,000 Australians each year would need medical attention because of fire ants stings. On Monday, the Queensland government announced a $24m boost to Queenslands Fire Ant Suppression taskforce, which will target 212,000 hectares (523,862 acres) within the regions suppression zone over the next two years. The Crisafulli government said the treatment would reduce Rifa density in the fire ant suppression zone by up to 80%, focusing on areas along the Logan and Albert rivers and parts of the Scenic Rim, where Rifa densities were highest. The Queensland minister for primary industries, Tony Perrett, said: Were hitting fire ants hard in the suppression zone, doubling down on suppression efforts to deal with this destructive pest before it impacts more Queenslanders. By working with other states and the commonwealth I am very confident we will be able to prevent a fully fledged invasion. Pianta said the federal government now needed to match the funds. Thats why this funding announcement is so timely, and why it is essential that we see a federal commitment about this at the coming election. This is an issue the community is very concerned about in Queensland at the moment, he said. Rifa are native to South America and are believed to have arrived in Australia via infected materials on ships at the port of Brisbane in 2001 but may have been present in the country since 1992. They are dark reddish-brown with darker abdomens and pose a widespread risk to native wildlife, industry and Australias way of life. The pest has now spread to more than 700,000 hectares (1.73m acres) in the Brisbane region and outlier detections have in the past year been found in Oakey, the Sunshine Coast and northern NSW. A disgraced Labour MP has said he punched a man in the street because he was anxious. Mike Amesbury added he had felt the pressure of Labour having a tough time in Parliament in the lead-up to the assault. The 55 year-old, who admitted drinking about seven pints that evening, said he should have walked away instead of repeatedly punching Paul Fellows, his constituent. Amesbury was given a 10-week prison sentence, which was suspended on appeal last month after he had spent three days behind bars. He has since announced he is stepping down as MP for Runcorn and Helsby, in Cheshire, which will trigger the first by-election of Sir Keir Starmers Government. Paul Fellows was assualted by his MP, Mike Amesbury, in Frodham, Cheshire Appearing on ITVs Good Morning Britain wearing an alcohol monitoring tag, Amesbury said he had drunk probably about six and seven pints in three pubs on an empty stomach after a busy Friday in parliament. I was a very public face in the community, he told the programme. He said people were quite vexed about a number of issues, including the removal of winter fuel payments. It does make you somewhat anxious, he continued. Constituent was somewhat vexed Amesbury said Mr Fellows, 45, had been somewhat vexed about a number of issues including a local bridge and winter fuel payments. I did feel personally threatened at that time and I made an instantaneous judgment call which was wrong, he added. I should have walked away. In January, Amesbury pleaded guilty to assaulting Mr Fellows after a row in Frodsham, Cheshire, in the early hours of Oct 26. Video of the incident was shared on social media soon after it happened. After knocking Mr Fellows to the ground, the MP hit his constituent at least five more times and said: You wont threaten your MP again, will you? Amesbury told police he had been approached by a shouting and screaming Mr Fellows whose arms were swinging an account which the judge described as a pack of lies. Its a living nightmare, but its a nightmare I created, Amesbury told presenters. I pleaded guilty at the first stage of the legal process and I own that. Im being punished and rightfully so. Akshata Murty and her husband are estimated to be worth 651 million - Carl Court/PA Images Rishi Sunaks wife has been appointed a trustee at one of Britains leading museums by Sir Keir Starmer. Akshata Murty was confirmed by the Prime Minister as one of six new appointments at the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) in London. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport, which announced her appointment, said it was hoped she could bring her experience in both business and No 10 to the role. A spokesman added: Akshata is passionate about education and the power of creativity to have positive effects on young people. With her husband, former prime minister Rishi Sunak, Akshata is a co-founder of The Richmond Project, a charity focused on enabling social mobility by breaking down barriers to numeracy. She is also a keen supporter of the UKs veteran community. The role of trustee entails scrutinising and promoting the museums work, as well as seeking out chairmen to handle its day-to-day running. Ms Murty, who together with her husband is worth an estimated 651 million, will oversee the work of Tristram Hunt, the current V&A chairman, who is a vocal advocate for returning contested artefacts to their countries of origin. The Telegraph revealed in 2023 that the museum was one of several whose Indian collections were being targeted for repatriation by government officials in New Delhi. Under Narendra Modi, the countrys prime minister, India has been pursuing long-term plans to reclaim artefacts removed by British soldiers and collectors. Ms Murtys mother, Sudha, was appointed to the Indian parliament by Mr Modi in 2024. She is married to Narayana Murthy, the billionaire chairman of technology company Infosys. The former prime ministers wife was appointed to help fill slots vacated by V&A trustees who have completed their four-year terms. Presenter and author among other appointees Other new trustees include Nigel Newton, the Bloomsbury publishing chief executive, Pedro Pina, a YouTube vice-president, and Andrew Keith, the retail veteran. Also appointed by Sir Keir are Mariella Frostrup, the broadcaster and author, and Vick Hope, the television presenter and former Strictly Come Dancing contestant. Trustees, including Ms Murty, must apply through an official process before their selection is signed off by the serving prime minister. The Sunaks are now thought to be splitting their time between the UK and US, after the former prime minister announced in January this year that he would be taking up a visiting fellowship role at Stanford University, as well as a position at the University of Oxfords Blavatnik School of Government. Meanwhile, Sir Keir has also approved several new appointments at the British Museum, also in the capital. Its new trustees include Claudia Winkleman, the presenter of the popular television programme The Traitors, along with Martha Kearney, presenter of BBC Radio 4s The World at One, and Tom Holland, the historian. Nine schools across Northern Ireland were targeted by a threatening email which is thought to be a hoax, police have said. Several of the schools across counties Antrim, Fermanagh and Tyrone closed due to a security concern on Monday morning. It is being investigated whether the alerts are linked to similar incidents in London earlier this month. The Police Service for Northern Ireland (PSNI) said they were liaising with the Metropolitan Police over the emails. Stormont Education Minister Paul Givan condemned the disruption, and welcomed what he termed the speedy response from the PSNI. The PSNI said they were investigating the circumstances of the threatening email which was sent to nine schools on Monday, and are at this time, treating the matter as a hoax. They said they received reports from three schools in Strabane, three schools in Ballycastle and three schools in Enniskillen that they had received an email during the early hours of Monday. Officers were deployed to each of the schools, with the force saying: Checks have not, at this time, resulted in anything untoward at any of the schools. Based on inquiries and information to date, police are treating this as a hoax, the PSNI added. Chief Superintendent Gillian Kearney (Liam McBurney/PA) Chief Superintendent Gillian Kearney said inquiries are continuing. We take incidents of this nature very seriously and we understand the concern in the community, not to mention the disruption it has caused in each of the school communities and for students and parents, she said. Thank you to each of the schools for their assistance with our enquiries to date. Our enquiries are ongoing and we will continue to liaise with each of the schools impacted to provide reassurance. We urge everyone, in the meantime, to be vigilant and report anything suspicious to police immediately by calling 101, or 999 in an emergency. A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: It is being investigated whether there are any links to similar incidents reported in London earlier this month. Mr Givan said in a statement: I condemn the disruption caused this morning after an email was sent to a number of schools across Northern Ireland. I welcome the speedy response from the PSNI who have now assessed the threat and explained to schools they do not need to take any action as a result of this hoax. A threatening email sent to nine schools in Strabane, Ballycastle and Enniskillen today causing some of them to close is, at this time, being treated as a hoax. Officers were immediately deployed to each school to engage with staff. Read more here : https://t.co/8Opvk64NZn pic.twitter.com/BQhHHW1wo1 Police Service NI (@PoliceServiceNI) March 24, 2025 Several of the schools impacted posted messages on social media. Holy Cross College in Strabane, Co Tyrone said: Unfortunately the school has had to close today due to a security concern. Any children already en route, we would ask that parents make arrangements to collect them. We will update you all as soon as possible this morning. The same message was posted on the Facebook account of Cross and Passion College in Ballycastle, Co Antrim. Meanwhile, Erne Integrated College in Co Fermanagh posted: Due to a security alert this morning, traffic around the school and Erne Integrated Primary is extremely backed up. We are open as normal, after the all-clear was given by the PSNI. DUP MLA Deborah Erskine said it had been a scary incident for the schools involved (Liam McBurney/PA) DUP Fermanagh and South Tyrone MLA Deborah Erskine said it was particularly reprehensible to target schools. She said: Threats issued against what we believe to be nine schools across Northern Ireland are to be unequivocally condemned. Whilst we await more detail as to their credibility, such threats are unacceptable and have no place in our society. Targeting schools places of learning, personal growth, and friendship for young people is particularly reprehensible. Ms Erskine added: I commend the leadership of the affected schools for their swift and responsible response in prioritising the safety and wellbeing of their pupils and staff. Their professionalism and dedication in the face of this situation is testament to their commitment to their school community. My thoughts are with all the pupils, parents and staff impacted by this incident and subsequent school closures. No child should have their education disrupted in this manner, and no family should have to endure the fear and uncertainty caused by such reckless actions. The PSNI must act swiftly to identify the culprit behind this. Appalling to see NI schools closed because of a security threat, including Cross & Passion College in Ballycastle in North Antrim.I trust the police get on top of this situation quickly and that concerns of parents, staff and pupils can be allayed. Jim Allister (@JimAllister) March 24, 2025 TUV leader and North Antrim MP Jim Allister said on X: Appalling to see NI schools closed because of a security threat, including Cross & Passion College in Ballycastle in North Antrim. I trust the police get on top of this situation quickly and that concerns of parents, staff and pupils can be allayed. A spokesperson for the Education Authority said: We have been working closely with PSNI who have confirmed that the threatening email sent to nine schools in Northern Ireland today is being treated as a hoax. PSNI immediately attended each school to engage with staff, and checks have not resulted in anything untoward being identified at any of the schools. Police inquiries are continuing, and they will continue to liaise with each of the impacted schools. We are very grateful to PSNI for their rapid response to this issue. We understand the concern and disruption this has caused for those school communities, and we are also liaising with the schools to provide any support they require at this time. We would urge everyone, to continue to be vigilant and report anything suspicious to police immediately by calling 101, or 999 in an emergency. Israeli settlers beat up one of the Palestinian co-directors of the Oscar-winning documentary film No Other Land on Monday in the occupied West Bank before he was detained by the Israeli military, according to two of his fellow directors and other witnesses. The Israeli military said it was looking into the episode but did not have any immediate comment. The filmmaker Hamdan Ballal was one of three Palestinians detained in the village of Susiya, according to lawyer Leah Tsemmel. From left, Basel Adra, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal and Yuval Abraham, winners of the award for best documentary feature film for No Other Land, at the Oscars in Los Angeles (Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) Police told her they are being held at a military base for medical treatment and she said she has not been able to speak to them. Basel Adra, another co-director, witnessed the detention and said around two dozen settlers some masked, some carrying guns, some in Israeli uniform attacked the village. Soldiers who arrived pointed their guns at the Palestinians, while settlers continued throwing stones. We came back from the Oscars and every day since there is an attack on us, Adra told The Associated Press (AP). This might be their revenge on us for making the movie. It feels like a punishment. The Israeli military said it detained three Palestinians suspected of throwing rocks at forces and one Israeli civilian involved in a violent confrontation between Israelis and Palestinians a claim witnesses interviewed by the AP disputed. The military said it had transferred them to Israeli police for questioning and had evacuated an Israeli citizen from the area to receive medical treatment. No Other Land, which won the Oscar this year for best documentary, chronicles the struggle by residents of the Masafer Yatta area to stop the Israeli military from demolishing their villages. Ballal and Adra, both from Masafer Yatta, made the joint Palestinian-Israeli production with Israeli directors Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor. The film has won a string of international awards, starting at the Berlin International Film Festival in 2024. Salem Adra, left, brother of Palestinian activist Basel Adra, who won best documentary feature at the Oscars for No Other Land, talks with a local Palestinian shepherd as they stand near an Israeli settlers outpost at the West Bank village of Tuwani (Leo Correa/AP) It has also drawn ire in Israel and abroad, as when Miami Beach proposed ending the lease of a cinema that screened the documentary. Adra said that settlers entered the village on Monday evening shortly after residents broke the daily fast for the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. A settler who according to Adra frequently attacks the village walked over to Ballals home with the military, and soldiers shot in the air. Ballals wife heard her husband being beaten outside and scream Im dying, according to Adra. Adra then saw the soldiers lead Ballal, handcuffed and blindfolded, from his home into a military vehicle. Speaking to the AP by phone, he said Ballals blood was still splattered on the ground outside his own front door. Some of the details of Adras account were backed up by another witness. A group of 10-20 masked settlers with stones and sticks also assaulted activists with the Centre for Jewish Nonviolence, smashing their car windows and slashing tyres to make them flee the area, one of the activists at the scene, Josh Kimelman, told the AP. Video provided by the Centre for Jewish Nonviolence showed a masked settler shoving and swinging his fists at two activists in a dusty field at night. The activists rush back to their car as rocks can be heard thudding against the vehicle. From left, Basel Adra, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal and Yuval Abraham accept the award for best documentary feature film for No Other Land during the Oscars in March at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles (Chris Pizzello/AP) Israel captured the West Bank in the 1967 Middle East war, along with the Gaza Strip and east Jerusalem. The Palestinians want all three for their future state and view settlement growth as a major obstacle to a two-state solution. Israel has built well over 100 settlements, home to more than 500,000 settlers who have Israeli citizenship. The three million Palestinians in the West Bank live under seemingly open-ended Israeli military rule, with the Western-backed Palestinian Authority administering population centres. The Israeli military designated Masafer Yatta in the southern West Bank as a live-fire training zone in the 1980s and ordered residents, mostly Arab Bedouin, to be expelled. Around 1,000 residents have largely remained in place, but soldiers regularly move in to demolish homes, tents, water tanks and olive orchards and Palestinians fear outright expulsion could come at any time. During the war in Gaza, Israel has killed hundreds of Palestinians in the West Bank during wide-scale military operations, and there has also been a rise in settler attacks on Palestinians. There has been a surge in Palestinian attacks on Israelis. New South Wales police said they began investigations in March following reports of a fiction novel containing child abuse material. Photograph: Dean Lewins/AAP A Sydney woman has been charged with producing child abuse material in relation to a novel. New South Wales police said they began investigations in March following reports of a fiction novel containing child abuse material. About 12.30pm on Friday detectives attended a home in the western Sydney suburb of Quakers Hill where they arrested a 33-year-old woman. The police also executed a search warrant at the home, seizing several hard copies of the novel they said will be forensically examined. The woman was charged with possessing child abuse material, disseminating child abuse material and producing child abuse material, NSW police said. She was granted conditional bail to appear before Blacktown local court on 31 March. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (Ice) agents detain a man after raiding an apartment complex in Denver, Colorado, last month. Photograph: Kevin Mohatt/Reuters The US Internal Revenue Service is reportedly nearing a deal to allow immigration officials to use tax data to support Donald Trumps deportation agenda. Under the proposed data-sharing agreement, said to have been in negotiations for weeks, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (Ice) could hand over the names and addresses of undocumented immigrants to the IRS, raising concerns about abuse of power from the Trump administration and the erosion of privacy rights. If access to this confidential database is agreed on, it would mark a significant shift, likely becoming the first time immigration officials have relied on the tax system for enforcement assistance in such a sweeping way. Under the agreement, the IRS would cross-reference names of undocumented immigrants with their confidential taxpayer databases, a move that would breach the long-standing trust in the confidentiality of tax information. Such data has historically been considered sensitive and thereby closely guarded, so the reported deal has raised alarm bells at the IRS, according to the Washington Post. Here are the key US politics story from Sunday: IRS nears deal with Ice to share data of undocumented immigrants reports The potential shift in taxpayer data use, from once being used to rarely build criminal cases to now reportedly becoming instrumental in enforcing criminal penalties, aligns with many of the more aggressive immigration policies Trump is pursuing. Read the full story Anger in Greenland over visits this week by Usha Vance and Mike Waltz Usha Vance, the wife of US vice-president JD Vance, will travel to Greenland this week as President Donald Trump clings to the idea of the US annexing the strategic, semi-autonomous Danish territory. Vance will visit Greenland on Thursday with a US delegation to tour historical sites, learn about the territorys heritage and attend the national dogsled race, the White House said in a statement. Read the full story Im not stepping down: Chuck Schumer defies Democrats calls over funding bill Chuck Schumer rejected calls to give up the top Democratic position in the Senate after he voted for Republicans funding bill to avoid a government shutdown, saying on Sunday: Im not stepping down. Schumer has faced a wave of backlash from Democrats over his decision to support the Republican-led bill, with many Democrats alleging that the party leader isnt doing enough to stand up to Donald Trumps agenda. Read the full story Bernie Sanders, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and the courage to brawl for the working class Bernie Sanders is not running for president. But he is drawing larger crowds now than he did when he was campaigning for the White House. The message has hardly changed. Nor has the messenger, with his shock of white hair and booming delivery. Whats different now, the senator says, is that his fears a government captured by billionaires who exploit working people have become an undeniable reality and people are angry. Read the full story Trumps defiance of court orders is testing the fences of the rule of law Donald Trumps second administration has shown an unprecedented degree of resistance to adverse court rulings, experts say, as part of a forceful attack on the American judiciary which threatens to undermine the rule of law, undercut a co-equal branch of government and weaken American democracy. Read the full story The Trump administration is descending into authoritarianism Trumps breach of the justice departments traditional independence last week was neither shocking nor surprising. His speech quickly faded from the fast and furious news cycle. But future historians may regard it as a milestone on a road leading the worlds oldest continuous democracy to a once unthinkable destination. Read the full story What else happened today: Unions have warned that as many as 50,000 people could lose their jobs and vital services could deteriorate after Rachel Reeves confirmed plans to cut Civil Service running costs by 15%. The Chancellor said Labour was looking to cut back the Civil Service, which she said had swelled during the Covid-19 pandemic, by slashing its back office functions, the administrative and bureaucracy functions by the end of this parliament. The leader of the biggest civil service union said any cuts will hit frontline services after years of underfunding by previous Conservative governments. Public and Commercial Services union general secretary Fran Heathcote said: The impact of making cuts will not only disadvantage our members but the public we serve and the services they rely on. Weve heard this before under Gordon Brown when cuts were made to backroom staff and consequences of that was chaos. The Chancellor told Sky News she was confident Civil Service numbers could be reduced by 10,000, but one union chief said the cuts could lead to some 50,000 staff being let go. FDA general secretary Dave Penman told ITV: Were talking about something thats close to 10% of the entire salary bill of the Civil Service over the next three to four years. The Civil Service is about half a million staff. So that could be up to 50,000 staff who would go. PCS general secretary Fran Heathcote said Civil Service cuts could cause chaos (PCS/PA) Mike Clancy, general secretary of Prospect, said there must be a realistic assessment of what the Civil Service doesnt do in future as a result of these cuts. Public servants in both back office and front line roles will both be critical to delivering on the Governments missions, and the Government must recognise that many civil servants are working in front line roles, he said. Ms Reeves confirmation of the plans comes after a backlash, including in the partys own ranks, to cuts to welfare spending and a decision to slash the aid budget to fund a boost to defence spending and ahead of the Chancellors spring statement on Wednesday. Ms Reeves was asked about some people on the left of the party who think she is wielding the axe and fear that Labour austerity is on the table. She told the BBCs Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg: Last year, I put 100 billion more into capital spending than the previous government had committed to, we put more than 20 billion into the National Health Service. That is a far cry from what weve seen under Conservative governments in the last 14 years. Chancellor Rachel Reeves and shadow chancellor Mel Stride appearing on Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg (Jeff Overs/BBC/PA) She said any budgets for unprotected departments, such as the Ministry of Justice, would be set out in the spending review in June. Well set all that out when we do the spending review, but we cant just carry on like we have been spending on the same things that the previous government spent on. People want to know were getting value for money, when people are paying more in tax that theyre getting more in return. She said anyone who runs a business will agree that plans to cut Civil Service costs will be more than possible given advances in technology and AI. The Cabinet Office will tell departments to cut their administrative budgets by 15%, which is expected to save 2.2 billion a year by 2029-30. We are, by the end of this Parliament, making a commitment that we will cut the costs of running government by 15%, Ms Reeves said. (PA Graphics) Ms Reeves said the size of government increased massively during the pandemic. But the size of the Civil Service hasnt come back during that period. So, we now need to make sure that we do realise those efficiency savings so we can invest in the priorities. She said the cuts would come from the back office functions, the administrative and bureaucracy functions. Looking ahead to the spring statement, Ms Reeves said she would not pre-empt the Office for Budget Responsibilitys forecast she will be responding to. The Chancellor has repeatedly said she will not budge from her fiscal rules, which rule out borrowing to fund day-to-day spending. This has led to mounting pressure over how to balance the books by raising taxes or cutting spending amid disappointing growth figures and higher-than-expected borrowing. (PA Graphics) She told The Sun she would not be raising taxes in the spring statement. The Bank of England has reduced its forecasts for growth this year and Ms Reeves was dealt a fresh blow on Friday as figures showed that Government borrowing had soared past forecasts in February at 10.7 billion 4.2 billion more than had been forecast by the OBR. An impact assessment for welfare cuts is due to be published alongside the Chancellors statement. Experts estimate that around a million people in England and Wales will lose their disability benefits as part of a welfare overhaul that the Government believes will save more than 5 billion a year by the end of the decade. Ms Reeves told the BBC the benefits bill is through the roof and people are locked out of work. I want to change that and give more people the dignity and pride that comes from work through proper support to get there, she said. Shadow chancellor Mel Stride said the Conservatives would have gone even further with welfare changes and undertaken a fundamental overhaul of personal independence payments (Pip) to make them more targeted. He told Trevor Philips: What it means is that if you were on Pip, for example, and you had a mental health condition, a reformed Pip would quite possibly say Trevor, rather than giving you amounts of money every year, we will actually provide you with treatment that will help you, and in particular help you, for example, if youre not in work, to get into work. In a statement, Mr Stride said Labour was totally out of touch with the reality facing families across the country. US president Donald Trump's delegation has been tasked with securing a maritime ceasefire deal. (AP) (ASSOCIATED PRESS) Talks between the US and Russia about securing a peace deal in Ukraine began on Monday in Saudi Arabia. Delegates from both countries met in Riyadh in an attempt to work towards some kind of ceasefire three years after the Russian invasion. It is understood that US president Donald Trump's delegation has been tasked with securing a maritime ceasefire deal in the Black Sea before brokering a wider agreement. The talks follow US negotiations with Ukraine on Sunday, which also took place in Saudi Arabia, after Trump spoke to both Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian president Vladimir Putin by telephone last week. Ahead of Monday's talks, Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff who met Putin last week dismissed scepticism from EU nations and the UK of the Russian leader's intentions, saying: I don't regard Putin as a bad guy. Hes super smart. The White House wants to help broker a maritime ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia, which would allow the free flow of shipping. US national security adviser Mike Waltz said the "line of control" between the two warring countries will also be discussed, which he said included peacekeeping. Read more from our media partners below or click the headlines to skip ahead >US looks to make headway on ceasefire in talks with Russia in Saudi Arabia >Downing Street hits back at US envoy who criticised Starmer's Ukraine plan > Trumps special envoy praises 'super smart' Putin > Disgraced spy and former ambassador to Britain to lead Russian negotiations US looks to make headway on ceasefire in talks with Russia in Saudi Arabia The Ritz-Carlton hotel in Riyadh where talks are underway. (Getty Images) (FAYEZ NURELDINE via Getty Images) A United States delegation led by real estate tycoon-turned-diplomat Steve Witkoff has begun a high-stakes meeting with Kremlin negotiators in Saudi Arabia, where the Trump administration is pushing for progress toward a ceasefire in separate talks with Russia and Ukraine. Washington is eyeing a potential maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea and hoping that some of the initial positivity in peace talks can be translated into a broader 30-day truce and longer-term negotiations. But a wide gulf in expectations exists between Russia, Ukraine and their US interlocutors. Read the full story from CNN Downing Street hits back at US envoy who criticised Starmer's Ukraine plan Keir Starmer's proposal of a Europe-led peacekeeping force has been dismissed by both Russia and Trump envoy Steve Witkoff. (Getty Images) (CHRIS RADBURN via Getty Images) Steve Witkoff made clear his scepticism about the prime ministers plan to bring together a coalition of the willing of nations prepared to guarantee Ukraines security once a peace deal with Russia is agreed. Asked about the comments today, Starmers official spokesman mounted a strong defence of the PMs plan. He said: The prime minister has been very clear about the role of the coalition of the willing in delivering a lasting peace in Ukraine, and thats why were pushing ahead with the operational planning phase. Read the full story from HuffPost Trumps special envoy praises 'super smart' Putin White House special envoy Steve Witkoff praised Russian leader Vladimir Putin. (AP Photo) (Mark Schiefelbein, Associated Press) Donald Trumps special envoy Steve Witkoff has praised Russian president Vladimir Putin as super smart, as talks over a ceasefire in Ukraine get underway in Saudi Arabia. Ahead of Sundays discussions in Riyadh, Mr Witkoff a former real estate mogul tasked by Mr Trump with leading negotiations on Ukraines future met with Mr Putin in Moscow for a second time on Thursday for talks on ending the war. Speaking to far-right commentator Tucker Carlson in an interview broadcast on Friday, Mr Witkoff said he liked the Russian president, who he described as gracious. Read the full story from The Independent Disgraced spy and former ambassador to Britain to lead Russian negotiations Former spy Sergey Beseda is part of the Russian delegation in negotiations over Ukraine. (Alamy) (Alamy) Putin has sent a disgraced FSB officer and a former Russian ambassador to Britain to lead negotiations with US officials in Saudi Arabia on Monday. Sergey Beseda served in Russias federal security service (FSB) until he resigned after his unit was accused of sharing faulty intelligence with Putin on the eve of his full-scale invasion of Ukraine. He will be joined by Grigory Karasin, who served as ambassador to the UK between 2000 and 2005, for talks with a US delegation in Riyadh on Monday. The supreme court in Washington DC last year. Photograph: Aashish Kiphayet/NurPhoto/Rex/Shutterstock The US supreme court appeared sharply divided on Monday on whether it should strike down Louisianas congressional map because the state added a second majority-Black district. The case, Louisiana v Callais, arrived at the supreme court after years of legal wrangling over Louisianas congressional map. It centers on the drawing of the states sixth congressional district, a majority-Black district that stretches in a diagonal slash across the state and is currently being represented by a Democrat. The case is being closely watched because Republicans hold a narrow majority in the US House, so a ruling upending the map could have significant partisan consequences. Related: US supreme court to rule on new mostly Black Louisiana congressional districts It also comes as the court has worked through a series of cases in recent years regarding protections for minority voters in redistricting cases. The justices could use the case as a vehicle to weaken the Voting Rights Act or give more leeway to lawmakers to draw districts that sort voters based on race. After the 2020 census, Louisianas Republican-controlled legislature only drew one majority-Black congressional district when it redrew the boundaries for the states six seats in Congress. A group of Black voters, who make up about a third of the states population, sued the state in 2022, arguing that section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, which prohibits voting practices that discriminate on the basis of race, required lawmakers to add a second majority-Black congressional district. A federal judge agreed with that argument, blocked the state from using the map, and told the state to add a second majority-Black district, which it did. The US court of appeals for the fifth circuit, one of the most conservative courts in the United States, upheld the ruling. A group of non-African American voters then sued in a different court, saying the new map unconstitutionally sorted voters based on their race. They pointed out that the new district was unusually shaped and that race had predominated in drawing it. A court struck down Louisianas new map in 2024, but the US supreme court allowed it to be used for elections last year. Cleo Fields, a Black Democrat, won the seat last fall. During oral arguments on Monday, the courts three liberal justices Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson all signaled that they believed Louisiana lawmakers had made a good faith effort to comply with court orders and had acted lawfully. It was well, well, well within the parameters of a good faith, reasonable choice, Kagan said. But the courts six conservative justices all appeared much more skeptical of the district. They attacked it on a variety of grounds, including questioning whether the initial case striking down the map was correctly decided and whether Louisiana was obligated to draw a new map if they believed the courts were wrong. What if the Robinson decision were plainly wrong? Justice Samuel Alito asked, referring to the original decision ordering Louisiana to add a second majority-Black district. Would you still have a good reason to follow it? Alito later all but said he believed the Robinson decision was wrong. J Benjamin Aguinaga, Louisianas solicitor general and former Alito clerk, said repeatedly that even though Louisiana believed the courts original decision was wrong, it still had an obligation to follow court rulings. Im not going to stand here and say that the Robinson court was right, but what is set in stone is what they said. Edward Greim, a lawyer representing the voters challenging the map, disputed the idea that the state was forced by a court to draw the new map. They could have continued to litigate the case, he said. But Aguinaga noted in his own argument that it was an election year and the state was running out of time to get a map that kept its political interests in place. In an election year, we faced the prospect of a federal court drawn map that placed in jeopardy the speaker of the House, the House majority leader and our representative on the appropriations committee. And so in light of those facts, we made the politically rational decision. We drew our own map to protect them, he said. Much of the scrutiny from the conservative justices focused on the fact that the new district sprawls from Shreveport in the north-west of the state to Baton Rouge in the middle. Those challenging the map described it as stretching 250 miles in a jagged slash mark. Its a snake that runs from one end of the state to the other, I mean how is that compact? Chief Justice John Roberts asked Stuart Naifeh, a lawyer with the NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund representing Black voters defending the map in the case. Louisiana lawmakers have said that the district is so oddly shaped because they wanted to preserve safe seats for two other powerful Republican members of Congress in Louisiana: the House speaker, Mike Johnson, and representative Julia Letlow, who sits on the powerful House appropriations committee. Even though Black voters had presented them with a map that added a second majority-Black congressional district and was more compact, Louisiana lawmakers said they drew the elongated district because they wanted to preserve safe Republican seats. The motivation, they said, was politics, not race. Do you think the drawing of this district was not predominantly based on race, Roberts asked Naifeh at one point. It runs from one side of the state to the other, picking up Black populations as it goes along. Naifeh replied that the supreme court has long drawn a line between redistricting where lawmakers are race conscious and redistricting where race predominates. That distinction is important to preserving states flexibility to account for these kinds of political considerations while also complying with the law, he said. Politics is the only reason the state chose the map that it did. Justice Neil Gorsuch voiced deep skepticism of that argument. Isnt saying race was one consideration another way of saying race predominated? he said. Greim, representing the challengers, said it was obviously race that predominated. The baseline was to draw a second majority-Black district, he said. Everything else flowed from that. The 14th amendment prohibits discriminating on the basis of race, and courts have prohibited mapmakers from moving voters into districts based on their race. However, the supreme court has long allowed mapmakers to consider race if it serves a compelling interest and its use is narrowly tailored to that interest. The court has also long assumed that one compelling interest is complying with operative provisions of the Voting Rights Act, Kagan wrote in a 2017 majority opinion. In his questioning on Monday, Justice Brett Kavanaugh repeatedly asked lawyers whether they believed there was an expiration date on section 2s protections for minority voters. It was a line of questioning that built on a 2023 opinion in which he said the authority to conduct race-based redistricting cannot extend indefinitely into the future. His questions on Monday suggested he was still looking to build an argument for that date a decision that would be a significant blow to the Voting Rights Act. A ruling in favor of the non-African American voters who challenged the districts could further chip away at the Voting Rights Act by making it nearly impossible for lawmakers to draw districts that comply with the landmark civil rights law. It would basically lead to just endless collateral attacks on maps that were drawn to remedy Voting Rights Act violations and even potentially existing districts that are compliant with section 2, said Sara Rohani, a lawyer with the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, which represents the voters who challenged the original map in Louisiana and is arguing in defense of the current one. The case is the most recent in a series of cases the court has heard in recent years dealing with race and redistricting. Last year, the justices made it harder to win suits that allege voters have been unlawfully sorted based on their race and said South Carolina lawmakers had acted lawfully when they moved 30,000 Black voters from one congressional district to another to make a district more Republican. Emma*, 46, is still coming to terms with the sense of betrayal and hurt left by her former best friend Jo* when they fell out two years ago. Like the toxic trio in The White Lotus, her friend would be nice to her face, but subtly put her down. Here she explains why she eventually had to end the friendship for her own good. The friendship tensions portrayed in The White Lotus have reminded many viewers of their own painful experiences. Left to right: Jaclyn (Michelle Monaghan), Laurie (Carrie Coon) and Kate (Leslie Bibb). (Sky/HBO) ((HBO/Sky)) From the moment I met Jo at university we were thick as thieves. She was my soulmate back then and I couldnt imagine life without her. But watching the third series of The White Lotus and the unfolding of the toxic friendship between Laurie, Jaclyn and Kate, has reminded me of how things fell apart between me and Jo. Like the three women on their five-star Thai holiday, she was often nice to my face, but there were little 'jokey' put-downs and actions that eroded my confidence and ultimately killed the friendship Id once cherished. When I met Jo at university in Leeds I was instantly drawn to her confidence, her outrageous fashion sense and wicked sense of humour. Once we shared a flat in our second year and proceeded to date a series of disappointing men, she made me feel like they didnt matter as long as we had our friendship. We laughed a lot it was us against the world and it felt good. She had a big personality but a soft heart. Moving in together After leaving uni, Kate moved to London and I worked in Belgium for a few years. We stayed in touch throughout and, to help with my homesickness, shed send me packages filled with mixtapes and my favourite sweets. Once home, I moved into her spare room. We were thrilled to be reunited. It would be just like the old days. But it soon became clear that the dynamic of the friendship had changed. She had a glamorous job and new friends who loved to party. They did drugs, which left me feeling excluded when we went out in a group. It soon became clear that the dynamic of the friendship had changed. When it was just the two of us in our kitchen it was just like we used to be laughing, gossiping and solving our problems over endless cups of tea. But her party friends meant more to her and, from the things they said, it was obvious she talked about me to them. Increasingly, I felt judged and sidelined. Belittling me Worse than that, shed often make me the butt of the joke when we were out in a group. Shed always done this joke-teasing affectionately in the past and Id happily gone along with it, but now it was a bit cruel. Shed often precede these comments with, "Im not being funny, but" as if that made the 'joke' OK. Shed known me for all these years and was only too aware how this would make me feel so her cruel jibes felt like a betrayal of our friendship. Then, when I met Ian*, my partner, and we fell in love and moved in together, things shifted again in the friendship. It was soon obvious that Jo didnt like him she said he was boring (I didnt agree). But Ian saw her for what she was. He hated the way she belittled me. Shed often make me the butt of the joke when we were out in a group. It was a confusing time. Jo always described me as her best friend and would lean on me whenever she went through a difficult break-up or was just a bit down. And when her mum and dad came to visit, shed always want me there I knew her family well and loved seeing them. Shed gossip with me about her hedonistic friends and pass judgement on their promiscuity. But then social media would show me what I was missing. Jo lived out her life on Instagram and I was constantly confronted with her photos and reels of wild parties and trips away. Id hear about 'gatherings' at her house that I hadnt been invited to ("It wasnt a party just a spontaneous thing after the pub.") Excluding me It hurt so much to see her life playing out before my eyes without me. I thought she of all people would understand, but when I let her know that I felt left out, shed mock me or imply I was possessive and say, "Oh I didnt think youd want to come" or "It wasnt your kind of thing." We used to do some pretty wild things together back in Leeds, but she seemed to have forgotten that. She wrote this awful post on Instagram about not needing people in her life that make her feel bad about herself quoting lyrics from a song wed both loved... I felt like Id been relegated to her 'safe but boring' friend and feeling dismissed in this way was really affecting my self-esteem. I lost my social confidence. On the rare occasions we did go out, Id cling to the walls rather than head for the dance floor. Im not usually a shrinking violet, but the 'safe but boring' label did its damage self-doubt had burrowed into my soul. Kate (played by Leslie Bibb) in The White Lotus is part of a toxic friendship triangle. (Sky/HBO) (A Home Box Office, Inc. All rig) The final straw For me and Jo things finally came to a head when I had to have an operation. In the weeks of recovery, she didnt come round once and didnt call. I got a card that was it. In the past shed have been round with armfuls of magazines, but now I realised she wasnt there for me in any real sense. She was too wrapped up in her exciting world to have room for our friendship and for me, friendship is about being there through thick and thin. When I told her Id had enough of her version of 'friendship', her response was fury... When I told her Id had enough of her version of 'friendship', her response was fury that Id painted a picture of her she didnt like. She didnt apologise or accept that things needed to change for us to remain friends. Then she wrote this awful post on Instagram about not needing people in her life that make her feel bad about herself quoting lyrics from a song wed both loved to make sure I really got the message. It was clear that shed moved on and now I had too. That was the end of our 20+-year friendship. *Names have been changed to protect identities. Read more about The White Lotus: A protester during a rally in support of Istanbuls arrested mayor - OZAN KOSE/AFP The mass protests across Turkey after the arrest of the opposition mayor of Istanbul, Ekrem Imamoglu, are the biggest challenge yet to Recep Tayyip Erdogans domination of the country since 2002. But this is no simple internal crisis of an ageing authoritarian crony regime; it cuts to the heart of the EUs aspirations to be a pan-European superpower determining the political terrain of its neighbourhood. Turkeys six decades long push to join Europe used to give Brussels the whip hand over Ankara. The country was asked to jump through hoops to meet EU standards of all kinds from economic organisation to health and safety legislation and even water purity. The biggest stumbling block for gaining admission to the EU was whether Turkey met the so-called Copenhagen criteria laying down the democratic standards expected of a member state. Yet since the beginning of the Arab Spring uprisings in 2011, Turkeys role as Natos frontline in an unstable Middle East has turned it from a supplicant of Brussels to a pivotal state with a big card to play. President Erdogan could let the flood of refugees from the Syrian civil war and unstable countries like Iraq, Iran and Afghanistan flow across Turkey into Europe causing political upheaval there, or plug the border albeit for a price. Indeed since 2015, the EU has provided billions to the Turkish government to stop the boats crossing the Aegean sea to Greece or refugees over the Bulgarian border. The significance of Turkeys role to the bloc was heightened by the rise of anti-immigrant, Eurosceptic parties in major EU states France, Germany and the Netherlands which had been fuelled by the mass influx of refugees into the continent ten years ago. Blunting that challenge has given the EU a huge incentive to curry favour with Mr Erdogan as the man to hold back any new migrant wave even if that comes at a price. It is striking, for instance, that none of the usual suspects who turn up to support street protests against regimes out of favour with the Commission, in Victor Orbans Hungary or Turkeys neighbour, Georgia, have appeared yet in solidarity with the protests in Istanbul. Indeed another pressure on the EUs position are the large Turkish communities that exist within it. Countries with large migrant populations like Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden and Belgium, have often seen domestic tensions inside Turkey reflected on their streets. In the past, President Erdogan was able to mobilise millions of voters in Germany to back his election bids. Now is no different, although judging by the size of the anti-Erdogan crowds in Berlin over the weekend it will be unlikely that he can count on his supporters. That said, there are enough pro-Erdogan Turks in Europe, mobilised by Ankaras funding of mosques and educational institutions, to create the risk of disorder. As long as Mr Erdogan keeps diasporic Turkish communities in Europe in his grip, turning a blind eye to his domestic heavy-handedness is a price worth paying for the EU to keep the peace. But there is a more important question at stake. Should Brussels stick with the devil it knows in the hope that he sticks to his historic deals with the bloc or try to accommodate itself to a new order in Ankara? Offending Mr Erdogan by jumping too soon, or alienating Turkeys next generation by changing sides too late could cost the EU dear. Turkey may not be a member of the EU, but it remains Brussels problem. Tavares Police Department Xavier Williams Xavier Williams, 10, has died after allegedly suffering "unimaginable abuse" from his mother and her boyfriend, police have said "This innocent child's life was marked by unspeakable suffering, and his loss has deeply shaken our community and everyone involved in this case," the Tavares Police Department in Florida wrote on Facebook Kimberley Mills and Andre Walker are facing multiple charges after the victim was taken to hospital "covered with bruises," a previous police post stated A 10-year-old boy in Florida has died after allegedly suffering "unimaginable abuse" at the hands of his mother and her boyfriend, authorities have said. On Saturday, March 22, the Tavares Police Department confirmed in a Facebook post that Xavier Williams, "a beloved 10-year-old boy who touched the hearts of many," had died. Officers said in a previous post that he'd died the day prior. "With profound sorrow, the Tavares Police Department announces the tragic passing of a 10-year-old boy, a victim of unimaginable abuse and neglect at the hands of those who were meant to care for him," police stated, per the post. "This innocent child's life was marked by unspeakable suffering, and his loss has deeply shaken our community and everyone involved in this case," the message continued. Tavares Police Department Kimberley Mills "We remain steadfast in our commitment to securing justice for this child and ensuring accountability for the heinous acts committed," officers added, writing that police were "working closely with the State Attorney's Office to enhance the charges against Kimberley Mills and Andre Walker." "Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences go out to all who mourn this irreplaceable loss," police concluded in the Facebook post. A GoFundMe page set up by the victim's aunt to help the family financially confirmed Xavier had taken "his last breath" at 5:18 p.m. local time on Friday after he "suffered unspeakable abuse from his mother and her boyfriend." Police previously confirmed that on Feb. 22 the team had "responded to Advent Health Waterman, a local hospital, in reference to a juvenile male that appeared to have several injuries consistent with physical abuse," per a Facebook statement. Hospital staff told officers that the victim was "covered with bruises in various stages of healing, burn marks and other injuries," according to the post, which stated that the suspects had taken the victim to the hospital, but left after learning that law enforcement was on its way. Police said in another post on March 19 that the boy had been "beaten and tortured by his mother and her boyfriend." Tavares Police Department Andre Walker According to local NBC-affiliated station WFLA, police previously uncovered items including duct tape, a six-foot ladder and a 10-pound weight which had reportedly been used to restrain and inflict harm on the victim. Weights had reportedly been dropped on the boy's exposed stomach, the outlet added, citing police. Xavier's younger brother told officers he and his sibling suffered "unspeakable torment," the station stated. In a separate Facebook post, while identifying the victim on March 22, police confirmed that a candlelit vigil would be taking place on Saturday, March 29, at 7 p.m. at Wooton Park in Downtown Tavares to honor Xavier's life. "Xavier's 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 Xavier's life and the joy he brought to those around him," officers wrote, adding links to the Tavares Police Charity link, as well as the family's GoFundMe page. Police told those attending to consider wearing blue, which was Xavier's favorite color. 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. On Feb. 28, while the victim remained in critical condition, police confirmed on Facebook that Mills was facing two counts of aggravated child abuse, two counts of child neglect, two counts of accessory to aggravated child abuse and one count of tampering with evidence. Meanwhile, Walker is facing charges of two counts of aggravated child abuse, two counts of accessory to aggravated child abuse and one count of tampering with evidence. "In the event he does not make it, we are prepared to add enhanced charges," police said of the charges at the time. Xavier's family's GoFundMe had raised just over $12,900 as of Monday, March 24. The Tavares Police Department did not immediately respond when contacted by PEOPLE for additional information. If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages. Read the original article on People Ask anyone whos traveled with their stomach first: the cities that stay with you are the ones where food speaks in its native language. These cities offer dining experiences shaped by history, migration, and innovation. Heres a look at a few places where food is a significant part of the culture. Paris, France Credit: iStockphoto Theres no shortage of places that romanticize Paris, but what keeps its dining scene relevant is how it honors technique without becoming rigid. At the markets, cheesemongers are cut from specific wheels based on your request. They assume you care. Bistros lean on technique more than showmanship. A duck confit will taste the same on Monday as last year that's the point. Tokyo, Japan Credit: iStockphoto In Tokyo, food defines the structure of the day. A bowl of ramen might involve a broth simmered for 12 hours and noodles made from scratch that morning. Conveyor-belt sushi isnt a gimmickits an efficient solution to a high-volume city that values precision. Even department store basements serve multi-course meals in neatly arranged bento boxes. The attention to detail isnt there to impress. Its there because nothing less would feel right. Lima, Peru Credit: Reddit Limas culinary reputation is built on access to the Pacific and the Andes and a long history of cultural layering. Ceviche is made to order and meant to be eaten immediately, without refrigeration or waiting. But the citys culinary draw goes deeper. Nikkei cuisine, developed by Japanese immigrants, combines soy, citrus, and chili in intuitive, not experimental ways. Street carts serve anticuchos with the kind of char that comes only from repetition and instinct. The food feels both familiar and completely on its own. New York City, USA Credit: Wikimedia Commons New York isnt a food city in the traditional senseits dozens of food cities stacked on top of each other. Every neighborhood has its rhythm, and you can eat across continents without leaving a single borough. It also has a great tolerance for extremes. You can walk into a Ukrainian diner at 2 a.m. for pierogi or sit down to a tasting menu where every element is tweaked to perfection. Neither experience cancels the other out. That tension is what keeps the city interesting. Bangkok, Thailand Credit: Getty Images If you want a glimpse into how much a city can do with limited space, walk through a night market in Bangkok. The smoke, speed, and smells all compete but somehow coexist. Street food here is methodical: curry pastes ground by hand, soups layered with broth simmered for hours. Dishes like khao soi or pad kra pao have been refined by demand, not marketing. Eating in Bangkok means being alert. Youre not just trying flavors; youre tracking them. Copenhagen, Denmark Credit: pixabay What Copenhagen brought to global dining is claritynot just in plating or technique but in thought. The New Nordic movement was all about asking why we eat what we eat. At its best, that philosophy filters down beyond fine dining. Even a bakery in a quiet neighborhood will bake with grain grown nearby or source butter with intention. And while some dishes feel sparse, they rarely lack depth. Copenhagen rewards patience, not indulgence. Singapore Credit: Getty Images Singapore built a system that makes good food easy to access. Hawker centers were created to regulate street food and make it safer. The result is a city where you can eat Hainanese chicken rice, Indian dosas, and Malay satay within steps of each other, all prepared by people who specialize in those dishes. You wont find many jack-of-all-trades spots here. The food scene thrives because the city respects specialization and builds around it. Melbourne, Australia Credit: Wikimedia Commons Melbournes food scene didnt appear overnight. It evolved through waves of immigrationfrom Greeks and Italians post-WWII to Vietnamese and Lebanese communities decades later. What sets it apart is how it integrated these influences without flattening them. Coffee culture gets the headlines, and for good reasoncafes here are meticulous, not pretentious. Hong Kong Credit: Getty Images Hong Kong is one of the few places where you can see a 70-year-old chef making the same dish he started with as a teenagerand youd be lucky to get a seat. Dim sum is part of it, but the broader food system relies on generational knowledge. Noodle shops, roast meat stalls, seafood spotseach serves a distinct purpose. Theres little room for novelty unless it adds value. Istanbul, Turkey Credit: Getty Images Eating in Istanbul is an act of remembering. The food isnt frozen in time, but it does carry history in a visible way. Youll find Roman influence in olive oils, Ottoman echoes in spices, and Central Asian fingerprints in grilled meats. Meals are often stretched outnot because of formality, but because thats how the table works. Mexico City, Mexico Credit: Wikimedia Commons The term street food feels inadequate in Mexico City. A taco al pastor off a side street carries the same culinary weight as any dish in a white-tablecloth restaurant. Chefs whove studied abroad return home to refinenot rewritewhat their grandmothers made. The mole is still thick and smoky, but maybe it is now made with single-origin cacao. What unites both ends of the spectrum is a belief in deep, layered flavor. You dont need fusion when your roots are already this complex. New Orleans, USA Credit: Instagram In New Orleans, food carries memoryof migration, survival, and joy. Cajun and Creole dishes like gumbo, jambalaya, or etouffee are proof of cultural endurance. Even humble ingredients like rice and beans get elevated through technique and time. Meals here are loud, messy, and often social by default. Every dish comes from somewhere specific, even if that story isn't always written on the menu. Barcelona, Spain Credit: flickr Barcelonas dining culture is deeply social and shaped by traditions that favor variety over volume. Tapas, for example, are a way of pacing the evening. Youll find high standards at the most unassuming spots, whether a plate of pan con tomate or perfectly grilled octopus. Beyond that, markets like La Boqueria arent tourist traps; there are long-standing vendors and complex flavors if you know where to look. Marrakech, Morocco Credit: pixabay In Marrakech, meals begin long before theyre served. Tagines simmer for hours, not because its dramatic, but because thats how the flavor develops. Spice blends are handed down, not improvised. Even bread is baked daily in communal ovens. The medinas food stalls might feel chaotic at first, but most are tied to local rhythmsbreakfast bread in the morning, grilled meats at night. Naples, Italy Credit: Canva Naples doesnt chase food trends, and thats part of its charm. Pizza here is treated with respect. The dough rises slowly, the tomatoes are San Marzano, and the mozzarella is fresh. That discipline extends beyond pizza. You won't find shortcuts, even if it's a sfogliatella from a bakery or fried zucchini blossoms at lunch. The city knows what works and sticks to it. Cape Town, South Africa Credit: flickr Cape Towns food is shaped by its geography and history. The coastal influence brings in rich seafoodoysters, crayfish, and line-caught fish grilled over open flames. Cape Malay cuisine, complete with spices like turmeric, cinnamon, and clove, tells of forced migration and resilience. Dishes like bobotie or bredie are rooted in community cooking. The food isnt flashy, but it carries weight. 23andMe said on Sunday it had started voluntary Chapter 11 proceedings in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Missouri. 23andMe users are being advised to delete their data as the company files for bankruptcy. The California attorney general issued a consumer alert urging users of the biotech company to consider asking the company to delete their data and destroy any samples of genetic material. California attorney general Rob Bonta is urging 23andMe users to ask the company to delete their data and destroy any samples of genetic material as it files for bankruptcy. The biotech company said on Sunday it had started voluntary Chapter 11 proceedings in the US Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Missouri. It is operating as usual throughout the sale process. On Friday, when rumors of 23andMe's plans started to circulate, Bonta issued a consumer alert reminding users of their right to request the biotech company to delete their genetic information under the Genetic Information Privacy Act (GIPA) and California Consumer Protection Act (CCPA). California has robust privacy laws that allow consumers to take control and request that a company delete their genetic data, Bonta said in a statement. 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. Users can request that 23andMe delete their genetic data in the "settings" section of their profile under "23andMe Data" at the bottom of the page. Users can also download a copy of their genetic data for personal storage. If users previously opted to have a saliva sample and DNA stored by 23andMe, they can change that under the "Preferences" section. Representatives for 23andMe said in an open letter to customers that their data remains protected. "The Chapter 11 filing does not change how we store, manage, or protect customer data," the company said. "Any buyer of 23andMe will be required to comply with applicable law with respect to the treatment of customer data." 23andMe's fall from grace 23andMe has had a tumultuous few years. The company is still grappling with the aftermath of a massive 2023 data breach that compromised the information of nearly 7 million peoplearound half of its customer base. As many of its 15 million users rush to remove their genetic data from company records, revenue has continued to decline. In November, the company laid off 200 employeesaround 40% of its workforceand halted the development of all its therapies. The company's CEO and cofounder, Anne Wojcicki, also announced she was stepping down over the weekend. She will be temporarily replaced by the company's chief financial officer, Joe Selsavage, but will remain on the 23andMe board. Wojcicki had been advocating for a buyout since April of last year, but the companys board rejected the proposal. In late February, Wojcicki teamed up with New Mountain Capital, a venture capital firm, to propose buying out the struggling companys shareholders at $2.53 per share, valuing the company at $74.7 million. Just four years ago, the biotech firm was worth $6 billion. In a post on X, Wojcicki said she was "disappointed" the company had filed for bankruptcy. "While I am disappointed that we have come to this conclusion and my bid was rejected, I am supportive of the company and I intend to be a bidder. I have resigned as CEO of the company so I can be in the best position to pursue the company as an independent bidder," she wrote. If I am fortunate enough to secure the companys assets through the restructuring process, I remain committed to our long-term vision of being a global leader in genetics," she added. This story was originally featured on Fortune.com A painful, never-ending period sent Kristina Adams to the emergency room for the first time when she was in college. It was the kind of pain that takes your breath away. The bleeding was so severe that she went through a maxi pad every hour. Two decades later, at age 38, she had another period that felt like having your intestines grabbed and squeezed on the inside. She called her gynecologist, and recalls that a nurse told her it was just a bad period. As the pain and abnormal bleeding raged on, she called again and was told to come in for an appointment the following week. I feel like this is where everything went downhill, Adams, now 46, says. At her appointment, she found out she was having a miscarriage. She didn't know she was pregnant. The miscarriage, she suspects, escalated the heavy and painful periods she had experienced since her first menstruation. When she expressed this to her doctor, it was dismissed. But three years into a new relationship, she began bleeding after sex. Then, she bled all the time. She struggled to go to work, where she was a teacher for people with severe disabilities. The pain was so bad, I couldn't breathe, I was crying," she says. She was taking the maximum doses of Advil and Tylenol every day "and it didnt even touch the pain, she remembers. When her doctor retired, she found a new doctor who ordered tests to assess her abnormal uterine bleeding. Adams was finally diagnosed in 2023 with adenomyosis, a gynecological condition once thought to impact only 1-5% of women, but recent estimates suggest it likely affects at least 1 in 5 women. Due to underdiagnosis, the actual prevalence may be higher. Adenomyosis is referred to as the "silent disease," as many women experience mild or no symptoms, and it often goes undetected on ultrasounds. However, some women present with symptoms like Adams, but are misdiagnosed for years. Dr. Natalya Danilyants, a board-certified gynecologic surgeon and the director of The Center for Innovative Gyn Care, says many OBGYNs and researchers are either unaware of the condition or fail to take it seriously. Adams had never heard of the condition before being diagnosed. Common conditions in men and women, like cancer, diabetes or hypertension, get a lot of attention, but things like adenomyosis do not, says Danilyants, who specializes in complex gynecological conditions. Patients dont know about it. The OBGYNs maybe know about it, but don't educate the patients. This leads to delay in care and underdiagnosis. Kristina Adams says the doctor who diagnosed her with adenomyosis "saved her life." What is adenomyosis? Symptoms, causes explained Adenomyosis occurs when tissue from the lining of the uterus, called endometrial tissue, grows into the uterine wall. It can cause the uterus to double or triple in size, painful menstrual cramps (dysmenorrhea) and heavy menstrual bleeding (menorrhagia). Other symptoms include irregular periods, pelvic pain, painful intercourse, bloating (nicknamed "adenomyosis belly") and infertility. The abnormal bleeding can increase a persons risk of anemia and fatigue. Adenomyosis has related symptoms but is distinct from endometriosis, in which endometrial tissue grows outside of the uterus. MRIs are more likely than ultrasounds to pick up adenomyosis, but insurance doesn't always approve them and it can cost patients thousands of dollars out-of-pocket. Danilyants says even when adenomyosis markers are found, doctors don't always take it seriously. Sometimes patients come in with a copy of their ultrasound or MRI, and on that report, there are findings suspicious of adenomyosis, and the patient didnt even realize because the OBGYN never highlighted it as a significant finding, Danilyants explains. So theres already the diagnosis, but still no ones stressed that thats the cause of the issue. The cause of adenomyosis is unknown, but Danilyants says risk factors include being in your 40s and having a history of multiple C-sections. Childbirth, prior uterine surgeries, such as a uterine fibroid removal or a dilation and curettage (D&C), and a history of endometriosis are also risk factors, according to Cleveland Clinic. Medication can help manage pain, but the only way to fully stop adenomyosis is a hysterectomy, a surgical procedure to remove the uterus. Most insurances cover a hysterectomy for adenomyosis if it is deemed medically necessary. Surgery is a big decision, but Danilyants says a vaginal or laparoscopy hysterectomy done by a specialist is a minimally invasive procedure that takes only 45 minutes under general anesthesia. Within 7 days, Danilyants says her patients can return to work. Recovery can look different for everyone, but typically takes 2-4 weeks, shorter than the 6-8 weeks for abdominal hysterectomies, according to Brigham and Women's Hospital and Cleveland Clinic. 'I was very in the dark' PMDD can be deadly but many women go undiagnosed for decades She lost her job due to untreated adenomyosis After Adams symptoms escalated, the school day she once looked forward to became increasingly challenging to get through. Her doctor advised her to get a hysterectomy, and in 2024, she joked to her students that she was going away to get old woman surgery. But on the backend, she was pleading her case to human resources. She had run out of sick days. She couldnt afford her bills and was living off credit cards. At the end of the school year, she left her job. Teaching gave me purpose, it was my identity, she says. Adenomyosis has gotten into all aspects of my life. My career, my relationships, my lifestyle. Kristina Adams before her hysterectomy on October 27, 2024. She was diagnosed in summer 2023 after suffering for 20 years. Women may self-advocate, but patient neglect can delay care Adams is not alone. Kristina Poffenroth, 35, had heavy periods starting in junior high, and was put on various forms of birth control for 20 years. After switching from oral contraception to an intrauterine device (IUD) in 2016, she experienced an escalation of symptoms in 2017. I started having really bad cramps all the time, even when I wasn't bleeding, she recalls. I would just get this sharp stabbing pain on my right side that would leave me just completely incapacitated. Doctors kept telling her to give her body a few months to adjust to the switch. For a year, Poffenroth pushed off asking them about her symptoms, even though she was leaving work early or waking up in the middle of the night, crying in pain, multiple times a month. After finally receiving an ultrasound in 2018, the doctors said everything was normal, and didnt discuss her results in depth. Poffenroth decided to make a color-coded calendar for her doctor that showed how many days she was bleeding when she shouldnt have been and rated her pain on a pain scale daily. After taking it to his office, she pleaded, This is not normal. Please fix this. Her IUD was removed that same day. She eventually switched to continuous birth control, which stops periods, but started bleeding through that. In October 2024, an ultrasound under a new doctor detected markers for adenomyosis. She had a thicker endometrial lining than the average person and was a candidate for a hysterectomy. When (my doctor) walked into the room with the results, the first thing she said was, Good news. It's not all in your head. I immediately started crying because I was so relieved, Poffenroth says. The worst part was when I wasnt getting answers, because thats when I felt the most invalidated. Her hysterectomy is set for June 12. She has a countdown on her phone. I still feel like I've had it easier than a lot of people, she says. But I also think that is related to how women minimize their pain and suffering a lot of the time. 'I was trying to survive' Yale Fertility Center patients say signs of neglect were there all along Darlene Valencia wasnt diagnosed with adenomyosis until after her surgery, despite suffering from painful and heavy periods for 10 years. The doctor recommended a hysterectomy. He never said why, the 45-year-old says. At least three months passed before the procedure, and she was bleeding the whole time. When the report came back that she had adenomyosis, the doctor said, I knew thats what it was going to be all along. She asked what it was and he gave her the "textbook definition," but left it at, Its gone now. I felt really uncomfortable, she says. I feel fantastic now, (but) I kind of mourn my 30s, because I could have been feeling this way a long time ago. Darlene "Dee" Valencia didn't know she had adenomyosis until after her hysterectomy. Jennifer Fleming, 52, is an active mother of two who enjoys sailing and hiking. At 30, her ultrasound showed markers for adenomyosis, but she didn't want a hysterectomy she was busy with her career, traveling and taking care of two young kids. But in January 2023, she had a period that lasted for a month. The blood loss is crazy, she says. Tampons dont even matter, because youre gonna stick them in and youre going to pull them out in 15 minutes. Its scary when youre looking at it. Her doctor dismissed her concerns. "He just chalked it up to being close to menopause, she says. There was no, Hey, you dont have to go through this. She took a trip to the UC Davis Medical Center's emergency room in Sacramento, California. A uterine biopsy confirmed that she did not have cancer, but adenomyosis. Shes tried progesterone pills and an IUD to manage her symptoms, but the IUD isnt working. I feel like crying, because Ive been trying to hold out from major surgeries, she says. This bleeding situation sucks because Ive stopped sailing because of it. I was trying to go on this 40-mile backpacking trip. I cant do any of that right now. Jennifer Fleming believes going to the emergency room was why she was able to get the proper care from gynecological specialists at UC Davis Medical Center. 'Hysterectomy is the gold standard' The issue with adenomyosis care, Danilyants says, is that the doctors often treating patients are OBGYNs who like to treat everything medically" by prescribing birth control and pain medications. Birth control pills are not effective. It's treated by surgery, she explains. Hysterectomy is the gold standard for treating adenomyosis. There is also an economic burden of untreated disease chronic pain, infertility treatments and lost wages, Danilyants adds. This disease affects millions of women, and they're going to the ER getting blood transfusions. They're seeing a hematologist to get iron infusions, she says. So this is years and years of spending money to treat this condition that could have easily been treated with surgery. OBGYNs should be referring to specialists who can provide better treatment options. Adams cant help but wonder what her life would have been like if she had a different doctor or known about adenomyosis sooner. Periods shouldn't be that painful. This is real and you need to go to a doctor who will take you seriously, she says. I will never have a child now. I have my brother, but it's been a journey. I want women to believe in themselves, trust themselves, and seek a second opinion. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Adenomyosis plagues women's lives but goes undiagnosed for decades House Democrats vying to flip control of the lower chamber in next years midterm elections may face a new challenge: the exodus of battleground incumbents seeking higher office. A number of vulnerable House Democrats are eyeing runs for the Senate or other offices in a handful of states around the country, including Michigan and Maine. If they do make the leap, they would vacate tough House seats, eliminate the Democrats advantage of incumbency, and force party campaign operatives to recruit new candidates and spend more money to keep those districts in the next Congress. The trend could complicate the Democrats path to winning back control of the House in the 2026 midterms, when party leaders are optimistic about their chances of seizing the Speakers gavel after four years in the minority wilderness. The midterm cycle has been historically brutal for the party that controls the White House, and House Republicans are already clinging to just a tiny majority in the current Congress. If Democrats net three House seats in November of 2026, theyll control the chamber an outcome Democrats are confident theyll achieve. For the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC), seeing talented politicians who can win in swing districts reach for higher office is just a reality of the job. House Democrats overperformance last cycle proves no one is better at recruiting and working to elect genuine and authentic candidates than the DCCC and well do it again this cycle, DCCC spokesperson Viet Shelton said in a statement. Still, the razor-thin margins in the House have left leaders in both parties scrambling to maximize every small advantage that comes along. With that in mind, Republicans are practically drooling at the prospect that a few of their top Democratic targets might leave the lower chamber on their own accord before voters ever go to the polls. House Democrats arent just fighting amongst themselves, theyre fighting an uphill battle for the majority while watching their own ranks thin out as ambition takes priority over party survival, one GOP campaign operative said. The list of Democratic incumbents considering a run at another office is not a long one. But its grown in recent weeks with the announced retirements of several sitting senators, and it includes a handful of vulnerable front-liners whose experience and regional branding has given Democrats an edge even in some districts carried by President Trump. In Maine, for instance, Rep. Jared Golden (D) is reportedly facing some pressure from allies to run for either the Senate, where GOP Sen. Susan Collins is vying for a sixth term in 2026, or the governors mansion, where the current resident, Democratic Gov. Janet Mills, will be term-limited out of office at the end of next year. Golden squeaked to victory last November, winning a fourth term in a district that Trump carried, and Republicans have perennially made him a top target on their pickup list. Goldens campaign did not respond to a request for comment about his future plans. Another Democratic front-liner, Michigan Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet, is also considering a run for the Senate following the announced retirement of two-term Sen. Gary Peters (D-Mich.), according to local reports. Trump won the state in last years presidential contest. But Democratic Sen. Elissa Slotkin (Mich.) successfully jumped from the House to the Senate despite those national headwinds. And McDonald Rivet, who outperformed former Vice President Kamala Harris by a healthy margin last year to win her first term in the House, is weighing whether to follow in Slotkins footsteps. Her office did not respond to a request for comment last week. In Minnesota, Democratic Rep. Angie Craig said last month that she is giving serious consideration to a run for the Senate after Sen. Tina Smith (D-Minn.) announced she will bow out at the end of the term. Craig easily carried her district last year, by almost 14 points, en route to a fourth term a performance that far outpaced Harris, who won the region by 5 points. But Craig was a front-liner in her first three races for the lower chamber, and the seat could become more competitive without her on the House ballot. A campaign spokesperson said Craigs decision will likely arrive in weeks, not months. New Hampshire is another battleground state that could see some shake-ups this cycle. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) is retiring at the end of 2026 after 18 years in the upper chamber, and two House Democrats are eyeing the opportunity to replace her. Rep. Chris Pappas (D-N.H.), who was just elected to a fourth term, is one, according to numerous reports. And first-term Rep. Maggie Goodlander (D-N.H.) is also weighing a run, according to a person familiar with her thinking. Pappas is not on the Democrats front-line list heading into next years midterms. But he was a part of that swing-district group in previous cycles, and the Republicans campaign arm has him listed among their top targets in 2026. His campaign did not respond to requests for comment about his plans. House Democrats, to be sure, are not alone in having members eyeing higher office. Most notably, Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.), one of only three House Republicans to win a district that former Harris carried in 2024, is eyeing a run for governor. And the open Michigan Senate seat or the states gubernatorial race could draw interest from Rep. John James (R), who represents a more competitive House district. James previously ran for Senate in 2020 and 2018. Republicans success in any swing districts that are vacated by Democrats seeking higher office is not a guarantee, though, as key races in the 2024 cycle showed. While Rep. Tom Barrett (R-Mich.) won the seat vacated by Slotkin, Democratic Reps. Dave Min (Calif.) and Eugene Vindman (Va.) won competitive races in the seats vacated by former Reps. Katie Porter (D-Calif.) and Abigail Spanberger (D-Va.). Redistricting slated for this year in Ohio, where there is an open gubernatorial race and special Senate election, could add another wrinkle for Democrats. Redrawn districts could potentially encourage some Democrats like Rep. Greg Landsman (D-Ohio) and Rep. Emilia Sykes (D-Ohio), a front-liner this cycle, to abandon reelection bids and seek higher office, as Inside Elections analyst Nathan Gonzales wrote. Despite the possible loss of swing-district incumbents, Democratic leaders are voicing confidence that theyll prevail in the midterms and seize power in the House in 2027, when theyre vowing to provide a check on a president they deem to be out of control. Donald Trump and the Republicans are crashing the economy in real time and potentially driving us toward a recession, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), whos in line to become Speaker if Democrats do take over, told reporters last week in Brooklyn. Im very confident that next November were taking back control of the United States House of Representatives. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Champagne-based cocktails can be a fun choice. annabogush/Getty Images/RooM RF We asked three bartenders which drinks they enjoy making and wish more patrons would order. Champagne-based cocktails, like the French 75, can be easy and fun to customize. Some bartenders like making sotol cocktails or a simple but elegant smoked Old Fashioned. Although it's great to have a go-to drink order that never lets you down, it can be fun to try something new. By doing so, you might just find your new favorite cocktail. So, Business Insider asked bartenders and mixologists which drinks they love to make and wish patrons would order more often. Here's what to try if you're looking for your next favorite sip. Champagne is good for more than just mimosas Champagne can add flavor and sparkle to a cocktail. Vicki Jauron, Babylon and Beyond Photography/Getty Images Alex Cabrera, head mixologist at Puente Romano resort, said he loves to create Champagne-based cocktails. One of his favorites has just three ingredients: Champagne, passionfruit juice, and strawberry juice. He said it's refreshing, and the simple ingredients let the fruit flavors shine. Plus, wine-based cocktails like these are generally solid choices for those looking for low-ABV (alcohol by volume) drinks. There are some great spins on a French 75 Monica Wells, a Florida-based mixologist, said she enjoys playing with a classic French 75. It's typically made with gin, lemon juice, Champagne, and simple syrup. She called it a solid base drink for bartenders to customize and add flair to. Sometimes, she makes it more unique by swapping the lemon out for a regional citrus or tropical fruit. A smoked Old Fashioned isn't as complex as it seems Smoke can add depth to an Old Fashioned. BURCU ATALAY TANKUT/Getty Images Wells said her favorite cocktail to make is a smoked Old Fashioned because it has a simple, yet elevated vibe. Although it's only a three-ingredient drink usually made with bourbon, simple syrup, and bitters it's surprisingly complex. She said the cocktail can also be customized by switching up the age of the liquor and the wood chips used to smoke it. Try a sotol cocktail if you see one on the menu Instead of another tequila-based cocktail, try ordering one with a different Mexican spirit: sotol. Sotol has a "distinct earthy, herbal, and slightly smoky profile," said Eder Leon, restaurant and bar manager at Bonny Moon beach club. The former bartender said sotol usually has a strong taste, so it shines in cocktails like the Durango, which often contains ingredients like mezcal, grapefruit soda, and jasmine syrup. The mezcal supports the bolder spirit's smokiness while the grapefruit and jasmine uplift its floral and herbal notes. You can't go wrong with a Dark and Stormy Sotol aside, Leon said his favorite cocktail to make is a Dark and Stormy. It's typically made with dark rum and ginger beer and served over ice. "The combination of deep, caramelized rum flavors with the zing of ginger beer makes it both bold and refreshing," he said. Plus, it's versatile and easy for bartenders to put their own twists on it. "You can add a splash of bitters, swap in a spiced rum, or experiment with different types of ginger beer," Leon told BI. Read the original article on Business Insider Latah County Prosecutor's Office Bryan Kohberger The father of one of the University of Idaho students stabbed to death at an off-campus residence in 2022 is speaking out after prosecutors released a selfie taken by accused killer Bryan Kohberger. Steve Goncalves, whose 21-year-old daughter Kaylee Goncalves was among the four college students brutally stabbed to death overnight, said in an interview that he believes Kohberger took the photo as a way to celebrate his alleged crime. "I see somebody that was there making himself a trophy, he said while appearing on Fox & Friends. Goncalves went on to say that in his mind, Kohberger wanted that "little trophy to let himself know: 'Hey, I got away with it.'" Latah County Prosecutor William Thompson stated in a court filing obtained by PEOPLE that Kohberger took the selfie just a few hours after the brutal massacre in the town of Moscow. Thompson, however, did not discuss the possibility that the photo was a "trophy" or related to the murders. Authorities are requesting the photo be allowed into evidence because one of the surviving roommates who is the lone eyewitness in the case said in multiple interviews with police that the man she saw leaving the home after the killings had "bushy eyebrows." Thompson and Kohberger's attorney Anne Taylor, who are prohibited from making extrajudicial statements about the case under a non-dissemination order filed just days after Kohberger's arrest, did not respond to PEOPLE's requests for comment. Kaylee Goncalves Instagram Goncalves (right) was visiting best friend Madison Mogen (left) that weekend. There were only four girls living in the house at the time of the murders, because Kaylee had moved out of the home. Her father has said in multiple interviews that she returned to Moscow that weekend despite having graduated early. Kaylee wanted to spend one last weekend with her best friend Madison Mogen, 21, according to her father, before moving to Austin, Texas, where she had already lined up employment with an I.T. firm. 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. Kaylee and Madison had been out together the night before their murders and returned home in the early morning hours of November 13, as did their roommate Xana Kernodle, 20, and her boyfriend Ethan Chapin, 20. Kaylee and Madison were sleeping in Madison's bed on the third floor while Xana and Ethan were in Xana's room on the second floor when all four were stabbed to death, according to the probable cause affidavit. The killer did not target two other roommates, one asleep in her room on the first floor and one in her bedroom on the second floor. The latter of those two has said she saw a man exiting the residence that night, according to authorities. The roommate noted the man had "bushy eyebrows," according to court documents. Six weeks later, the Moscow Police Department announced the arrest of Kohberger, a doctoral candidate at nearby Washington State University. Instagram Final photo of the group (l to r: Goncalves, Mogen, Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle) The probable cause affidavit alleges that authorities linked Kohberger to the killings after finding traces of his DNA on a knife sheath, as well as tracing the location of his cell phone and obtaining surveillance footage that showed a car which appeared to be the same make and model as his driving to and from the scene of the crime. In a motion laying out his alibi, Kohberger's lawyer, Anne Taylor, said the suspect was out driving by himself on the night of the murders but that he did not kill the four victims. Kohberger's murder trial is set to get underway Aug. 11 in Idaho in Boise County after the defense successfully petitioned for a change of venue in the case. If convicted, he could be sentenced to death. Kohberger told the public defender who represented him after his arrest in Pennsylvania that he expects to be exonerated at trial. He declined to enter a plea in court when the judge formally charged him with four counts of murder, at which time a not guilty plea was entered on his behalf. Read the original article on People By Liz Lee BEIJING (Reuters) -China's economy tsar, Vice Premier He Lifeng, sought to reassure foreign CEOs of the country's business potential, describing the economy as highly resilient, while global investment banks cautiously raised their 2025 outlook for the country. Vice Premier He met with the heads of Apple, Pfizer, Mastercard, Cargill and others on Sunday, and held meetings with pharmaceutical firm Eli Lilly, medical device company Medtronic and specialty glass maker Corning, a commerce ministry statement said. Beijing is keen to stabilise foreign investment and attract new capital as policymakers try to boost domestic consumption to offset the impact of U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods. Several global investment banks have acknowledged China's latest supportive policy moves, with Nomura, ANZ, Citi and Morgan Stanley all raising their forecasts for the country's 2025 economic growth by 50 basis points since last week. However, they all fell short of China's official 5% growth forecast, citing U.S. tariffs and domestic deflationary pressures. "China will continue to improve the business environment and welcome more investment by multinational companies in China, sharing opportunities for development," He told the business leaders, describing China's economy as "highly resilient" and "full of vitality". Foreign CEOs are attending the China Development Forum in Beijing on Sunday and Monday, with some expected to meet President Xi Jinping on Friday, sources have told Reuters. On Monday, Cargill CEO Brian Sikes also met with China's commerce minister. 'RISING INSTABILITY' The Trump administration has imposed 20% tariffs on all Chinese goods since taking office in January, accusing Beijing of not doing enough to stem the flow of fentanyl into the United States. Chinese Premier Li Qiang, speaking at the forum on Sunday, urged countries to open their markets to combat "rising instability and uncertainty", and promised more active macroeconomic policies. U.S. Republican Senator Steve Daines, a staunch supporter of President Donald Trump, met Li on Sunday with seven senior executives from U.S. companies. Daines called the meeting a chance for them to air their views on the business environment in China directly to Li. Some 86 company representatives from 21 countries came to the business forum this year, with American firms making up the largest group of attendees, state broadcaster CCTV said. However, a source said fewer American CEOs are in attendance compared with last year. "Definitely, we have confidence for China's development. We have been invested consistently for decades in China, and we will continue for decades to come," Corning CEO Wendell Weeks told the state-run Global Times. American direct-selling firm Amway was monitoring the impact of U.S. tariffs, but its chief executive, Michael Nelson, said the company is focused on the future of the Chinese market, according to the newspaper. Apple, which depends heavily on China for the production and assembly of its products, on Monday announced that it will set up a new clean energy fund worth 720 million yuan ($99 million) to expand its clean energy capacity in China. (Reporting by Liz Lee and Shanghai newsroom; Editing by Tom Hogue and Sonali Paul, Kirsten Donovan) Michael Thaddeus, professor of mathematics at Columbia University, speaks during a rally in New York on March 24, 2025. - Spectrum News NY1 Three federal agencies on Monday said they welcomed the policy changes announced Friday at Columbia University, following the Trump administrations revocation of $400 million in federal funding following campus protests. Their statement seemed to signal the first steps of a possible restoration of money to the institution. Among the changes at the Ivy League school are a review of admissions policies, making it easier to report harassment, tightening rules about the location of protests, prohibiting masks at protests, giving campus police new arrest powers and giving the office of the provost more authority to deal with disciplinary action against students involved in protests. The Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Education and the General Services Administration called the Columbia moves a positive first step. Columbias compliance with the Task Forces preconditions is only the first step in rehabilitating its relationship with the government, and more importantly, its students and faculty, they said in a release. The decisive steps the Task Force has taken with Columbia have yielded positive results that should serve as a roadmap for universities with similar problems across the country, the release added. Columbia students encountered a new campus environment Monday after the sweeping policy changes were announced while they were away on spring break, seemingly bowing to the Trump administrations demands. The school said it would revise its disciplinary policies, sharply restrict protests, ban masks, sanction student groups in violation and immediately review its Middle East studies programs and admissions. Columbias interim president, Katrina Armstrong, met with members of the faculty over the weekend to urge support of the policy changes, The Wall Street Journal reported. During the meeting, Armstrong told faculty leaders six federal agencies are investigating the school and could pull support, which would be potentially devastating to our students in particular, according to a transcript reviewed by The Wall Street Journal. She faced pushback during the meeting from concerned faculty members, the newspaper said. The school hasnt taken any legal options off the table, Armstrong told the faculty according to the Journal. While Columbia is caught in the crosshairs of the Trump administration zeroing in on campus protests and cracking down on immigration, many questions remain about how the announced changes will take shape as students return with less than two months left in the school year and tensions once again flaring in Gaza. Columbia was the first college to see its funding slashed as part of President Donald Trumps threats to cut federal money to colleges accused of tolerating antisemitism amid the Israel-Hamas war that began in October 2023. The university has repeatedly stated it will not tolerate antisemitism. On Monday, faculty at a vigil spoke out against university concessions. The last academic year saw widespread campus unrest, including pro-Palestinian protests and encampments, counterprotests, building takeovers, arrests and scaled-back graduation ceremonies as Columbia became the epicenter of the nationwide demonstrations. Shubhanjana Das, a student leader in the masters program at Columbia Journalism School, told CNN the universitys dispute with the Trump administration over federal funds is not just about the money but rather the signals it sends to education at large in the country, to higher education, to elite universities like these. All of us are quite aware that because of the status that Columbia University has in American education, the attack isnt singular. Were going to see a ripple effect, said Das. Das said as Columbia has been at the center of pro-Palestinian protests, to say that its essentially going to ban any protest that it thinks is antisemitic/pro Palestine I guess were mixing up those words now theres going to be armed officers with power to arrest people. We dont even know how theyre going to carry out these things. The Trump administration on March 8 directed immigration officers to arrest Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia graduate and prominent Palestinian activist who played a central role in protests against the Israel-Hamas war on the campus last year and who believes he was targeted for his beliefs. Khalil is a permanent legal resident married to an American citizen, but his green card has been revoked. He is challenging his detention in court and a federal judge has temporarily blocked his deportation. Hes been in ICE custody for three weeks and has not been charged with any crime. In a new court filing arguing against Khalils release, Justice Department attorneys accuse the activist of immigration fraud, alleging he failed to disclose both his membership in the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) and his previous employment with the Syrian office of the British Embassy in Beirut. The DOJ argues misrepresentations in this context are not protected speech. Its the first time the government is pointing to specific alleged violations by Khalil. His attorney Baher Azmy told CNN he does not think the claims undermine their case for release. Its a recognition that the initial charges are unsustainable So theyre going with a theory that they must think is more legally defensible, Azmy said. Khalils arrest has helped fuel an environment of uncertainty, fear, stress and frustration, Das said. One could literally see the number of students decreasing on campus, she added. Heres a look at how campus life could change for students returning Monday and in the weeks to come: Protests effectively banned on campus The new rules effectively ban protests inside and immediately outside academic buildings, and all demonstration activity is subject to the universitys antidiscrimination and anti-harassment policies. The university hired 36 new campus police officers specifically trained to deal with protests with powers to remove or arrest protesters as part of the changes, and it will continue to cooperate with the New York Police Department as needed. Anyone who engages in protests or demonstrations must, when asked, show their university ID and are banned from wearing face coverings for the purpose of concealing ones identity, according to the universitys statement released Friday. CNN reached out to Columbia to ask about what methods they will use to identify students, along with details on how curriculum will be reviewed, but university spokesperson Matthew Vuono said: Were not going to comment beyond the materials we shared. One Jewish student at Columbia University told CNN the policy changes have created a climate of fear as they return to classes to finish the school year. Were going to be walking around campus knowing that at any moment, really, we could be harassed by one of these new security officers theyre hiring, said the student, a lead organizer for Columbia University Jews for Ceasefire who spoke with CNN anonymously due to safety and privacy concerns. Or perhaps even by a police officer in certain cases, for simply sharing our viewpoints, which is a gross violation of free speech, the student said. He added the mask ban is notable due to its clear intention of surveilling students. Demonstrators are seen at a pro-Palestinian encampment at Columbia University in New York on April 28, 2024. - Charly Triballeau/AFP/Getty Images The office of the provost will also have new authority to deal with disciplinary action against students involved in protests, although the university president retains the final decision on appeals. Faculty members dressed in black held a vigil Monday outside the universitys gates and spoke out about the changes. In a nutshell, academic freedom is the commitment by universities to protect the intellectual discourse within their walls from political interference, or external interference of any kind, said Michael Thaddeus, a professor of mathematics. The whole reason universities exist is to foster debate, discussion, inquiry, investigation and discovery without fear of external pressure, Thaddeus added. Another professor said she could have been at home dry, grading as it was raining in New York City but she showed up to remind the administration capitulating to demands will not save us. Timothy Frye, professor of post-Soviet foreign policy, said, The assault on higher education erodes our countrys greatest asset, our human capital, and benefits only those who seek us harm. Dont be afraid, Frye said. We are attacked not because we are weak but because we are strong. New antidiscrimination policies The implementation of new antidiscrimination policies allows the university to take sanctions against student groups for violations of their policy. Its approach and relevant policies will incorporate the definition of antisemitism recommended by Columbias Antisemitism Taskforce in August 2024. Their definition of antisemitism reads in part: Antisemitism is prejudice, discrimination, hate, or violence directed at Jews, including Jewish Israelis. It also includes holocaust denial, and targeting Jews or Israelis for violence or celebrating violence against them. The report from the task force included testimony from hundreds of Jewish and Israeli students and found what it called a pattern of behavior toward Jewish and Israeli students that is troubling and violates norms of behavior and speech that are central to the values of our university. Both Jewish and Muslim students have said theyve experienced an uptick in hate speech and harassment on campus. Jewish students at Columbia were among others from major universities who testified to lawmakers last year about feeling unsafe on campus amid a surge in antisemitism. They described hearing violent chants on campus and complained administrators are not doing enough to fight antisemitism, CNN previously reported. The anonymous Jewish student accused the Trump administration of trying to use Jewish students to enforce its authoritarian anti-free speech agenda and essentially have us take the blame for it. Theyre saying this is for Jewish safety. Its not. It doesnt make anyone safer, and certainly not Jews, he continued. Karl H. Jacoby, a professor of American history at the university, argued the Trump administrations move to roll back grants violated the law and its demands to make changes to curriculum represent a government overreach. Now that this sort of federal takeover has been sanctioned by the Columbia administration, there is every reason to believe that Trump will use this same sort of pressure to constrain other units at Columbia that Trump finds inconvenient, be it our Institute for the Study of Sexuality and Gender or our Earth Institute, which is a leading center for investigating climate change. The US House of Representatives Committee on Education and Workforce said in a statement on X following the policy changes Columbia FOLDS to the Trump admins demands to protect Jewish students and faculty. School administrators failed to hold pro-terror mobs accountable for rampant antisemitism. Now, masks are banned during protests and safety measures are increasing. Republicans and the Trump admin are stopping it, the post reads. Jack Lewis Snyder, a professor of international relations at the university, said he does not think Columbia has made concessions. Columbias response to the Trump administrations demands can be carried out in a way that is consistent with our rules. Thats what I expect will happen, Snyder told CNN. Well see whether the Trump administration will find that acceptable. An immediate review of Middle East studies The university said its immediate review of Middle East studies will be overseen by a newly appointed senior vice provost, which the university said will expand intellectual diversity among faculty to assure fairness in Middle East studies and will commit to institutional neutrality universitywide. Its not clear what the university means by fairness or how quickly the curriculum review will be carried out, and the spokesperson declined to comment further. A new judicial board will be overseen by the office of the provost to determine appropriate disciplinary actions. The universitys plans provided in a document to the Trump administration said it is applying consistent, rigorous, and effective disciplinary actions, citing how Columbia has expelled, suspended or temporarily revoked the degrees of students who occupied Hamilton Hall in April 2024, leading to dozens of arrests. Disciplinary proceedings against other encampment participants are ongoing, the document says. It also promised a review of admissions policies, noting admissions of Jewish and Black students have been in decline. Police use a special vehicle to enter Hamilton Hall, which protesters occupied, as other officers enter the campus of Columbia University in New York on April 30, 2024. - David Dee Delgado/Reuters The universitys board of trustees endorsed the reforms in a letter to Columbias academic community, saying they had met with federal agencies and discussed changes and decisions the school has made. The letter, a copy of which was obtained by CNN on Saturday, appears to be the first public signal the university is united behind the controversial changes. The trustees wrote they believe the changes are in line with the schools values and mission. Members of our community and external stakeholders have raised concerns about a multitude of issues, such as antisemitism, discrimination, harassment, and bias, the trustees wrote. Whether the universitys plans will lead to the release of the $400 million in funding is unclear. CNN has reached out to the White House for comment. The anonymous Jewish student said he and others are starting to feel like our university is working less for us and more for the Trump administration. While he and others chose the school seeking a place of real learning and inquiry, the student said the campus is becoming a place of surveillance and of authoritarianism. Students are scared to share their viewpoints, go to class and protest out of fear it could be used against them legally or through student disciplinary measures, he said. Das said the repression of free speech on campus is targeting pro-Palestine expression of any sort, any shape or form. She added, Thats why Columbia is such an easy target, because we started this movement across educational institutions in the world, let alone America. Das said the lack of specific detail from the university on rolling out the policy changes has further fueled the fear of what they will tangibly look like on campus. I dont see how the spring is going to be peaceful at all for the students, for us, Das said. CNNs Gloria Pazmino, Hanna Park, Jeff Winter and Sabrina Souza contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Karen Kennerley / SWNS Karen Kennerley gives a thumbs-up while undergoing treatment for cancer. A special education teacher and mom of two is trying to raise funds or a last-chance treatment to stop the spread of stage 4 colon cancer which less than three years ago manifested as simple exhaustion. Karen Kennerley, 57, first started experiencing extreme fatigue in December 2022, but when she sought medical care, blood tests indicated that she likely had an iron deficiency. Still, her doctor advised her to get a colonoscopy, just to be on the safe side. I worked in a small school for special educational needs pupils, and I was working really hard at the time I was exhausted, Kennerley, who hails from the English county of Lancashire, said, according to The Daily Mail. Everyone was telling me I was fit and healthy, that there was nothing to worry about but they were doing the tests to rule things out. Karen Kennerley / SWNS Karen Kennerley with her husband Craig. Related: I Was Told It Was a Gluten Allergy, but I Was Diagnosed with Stage 4 Colon Cancer at Age 26 (Exclusive) The colonoscopy revealed a tumor in her colon but she was told it was benign. It wasnt until she underwent a procedure to remove it in May 2023 that a surgeon thought it looked suspicious. It turned out to be malignant, Kennerley was told; the benign diagnosis was due to a sampling error." I was devastated from being told that I was benign to then being told I have stage three colon cancer, she said, according to the outlet. There were so many emotions. I was obviously devastated and then horrifically scared. That June, she had surgery to remove the tumor and parts of her large intestine, followed by chemotherapy. But in March 2024, the mom of two was rushed to the hospital with abdominal pain for suspected appendicitis. Scans discovered her cancer had spread to her ovaries and abdominal wall. Karen Kennerley / SWNS Karen Kennerley with her husband Craig. Related: This Refrigerator Staple Might Lower a Woman's Risk of Colorectal Cancer, New Study Says While undergoing a total hysterectomy, the surgeon looked at my liver and was not happy with how it felt or looked, she said, adding that another scan showed the cancer had indeed spread to her liver. Kennerley is now struggling to find ways to continue treatment, as shes said shes been offered palliative chemo that may keep it from spreading, but not destroy the cancer. Shes been paying out-of-pocket for chemotherapy in Germany, but says shes run out of money. The results I have had so far show that the tumours have shrunk nicely but I still need further treatment. I am now out of money, said Kennerley, whose children, Jade and Jordan, have set up a GoFundMe to help pay medical bills. The mental torment is horrendous," she said, "worrying about not working, worrying about how I will fund the treatment. People with stage four cancer feel totally abandoned, Kennerley said. I want to change that, not only for me, but for everyone else going through this. 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. Read the original article on People A critically endangered species of iguana, Brachylophus vitiensis, is spotted on a piece of bark on Viti Levu island in Fiji. - Don Mammoser/Alamy Stock Photo/FILE Sign up for CNNs Wonder Theory science newsletter. Explore the universe with news on fascinating discoveries, scientific advancements and more. Around 34 million years ago, the ancestors of modern iguanas likely embarked on what may be the longest overwater journey undertaken by a nonhuman, land-dwelling vertebrate species. Starting off the epic trek from the western coast of North America, these iguanas traveled nearly 5,000 miles (8,000 kilometers) one-fifth of the Earths circumference across the Pacific Ocean, eventually arriving in Fiji, according to a new study. Using genetic evidence, researchers propose that these iguanas made the extraordinary voyage by rafting on floating vegetation, possibly composed of uprooted trees or plants. For decades, scientists have debated how Fijis iguanas arrived. Previous theories suggested that an extinct species of iguana rafted from the Americas without a clear timeline, while others proposed that the lizards migrated overland from Asia or Australia, said lead study author Dr. Simon Scarpetta, an assistant professor at the University of San Francisco. Scarpetta conducted this research during his National Science Foundation postdoctoral fellowship at the University of California, Berkeley, and in his current role. The findings, published Monday in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, help clarify the long-standing mystery of how these reptiles reached such remote islands. Scarpetta and his team aimed to test both the overwater rafting and overland theories, as well as other hypotheses for the biogeographic origin of Fijian iguanas, including dispersal through Antarctica or across the Bering land bridge. Understanding this type of water dispersal could offer new insights into how other species have colonized isolated areas over time, Scarpetta added. Tracing genetics Iguanas have already demonstrated an ability to survive long-distance ocean travel, according to an October 1998 study. At least 15 green iguanas appeared on the beaches of Anguilla in the Caribbean in 1995 on rafts of uprooted trees. Researchers determined the lizards likely floated nearly 200 miles (322 kilometers) from Guadeloupe following a hurricane event. Scarpetta noted that this type of overwater rafting is often described as sweepstakes dispersal, a rare event that allows a species to colonize an otherwise unreachable area. Major weather events, such as hurricanes or floods, can dislodge vegetation and carry animals along with it. To determine when iguanas arrived in Fiji, researchers analyzed the genes of 14 living iguana species. The team found that the closest living relative of Fijian iguanas is the Dipsosaurus a type of desert iguana native to the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, according to the new study. Fossil evidence further supports the idea that these iguanas originated in North America, as no fossils of desert iguanas have been found elsewhere in the world, Scarpetta said. The analysis also suggests that the Fijian iguanas diverged from their American ancestors between 34 million and 30 million years ago, settling around the same time as the volcanic formation of the Fijian archipelago, Scarpetta said. This timeline challenges previous theories that iguanas may have made a complex overland journey from South America via Antarctica, which would have happened much later in history, said study coauthor Dr. Jimmy McGuire, a professor of integrative biology at University of California, Berkeley. In phylogenetic analyses there is always some degree of uncertainty when trying to predict the timing of divergence events between species, said Dr. Shane Campbell-Staton, an associate professor of ecology and evolutionary biology at Princeton University, who was not involved in the study. In this case, the authors were very thorough in collecting multiple different kinds of genetic data and use(d) multiple different models to test their hypothesis and find that most of the results are largely in agreement. How was the trek possible? While a monthslong voyage across the Pacific may seem impossible, iguanas are surprisingly well-equipped for such extreme travel. If you had to pick a vertebrate group that could survive a rafting event across thousands of kilometers of open ocean, iguanas are a great choice, Scarpetta said. Many iguana species, especially those in desert environments, can endure extreme heat, starvation and dehydration, Scarpetta noted. Being ectothermic means that you dont expend many of your food resources or fat reserves maintaining an elevated body temperature, McGuire said, referring to the metabolic rate of cold-blooded animals. Ectotherms can be about 25 times more efficient in this regard than endotherms (warm-blooded animals), so they dont need to eat nearly as much food nor nearly so frequently. Some estimates suggest that an overwater journey from North America to Fiji could have taken anywhere from four to 12 months. However, newer simulations indicate the trip may have been closer to 2 to four months, Scarpetta said. Despite basic survival challenges, food scarcity likely wouldnt have been a major one. If necessary, the herbivorous reptiles may have been able to feed on their floating vegetation mats, McGuire said. Scientists said they hope that by studying dispersal events, they may be able to predict which species can survive long-distance overwater travel, offering new insights into how animals spread across the globe. We now know that overwater dispersal is not only possible, but it has likely played a large role in shaping species diversity on islands around the world, Campbell-Staton said via email. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Riley Strain was last seen at a bar with fraternity brothers in Nashville, Tenn. The family of University of Missouri student Riley Strain has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against his fraternity, accusing Delta Chi of instilling a code that taught brothers to abandon one another. The suit was filed in Boone County Circuit Court on Friday, almost a year to the day after Strains body was found in the Cumberland River in Nashville, Tennessee, following an extensive two-week search. Strain, 22, had traveled to Nashville with fellow Delta Chi members for a spring formal, an annual event that the lawsuit described as involving prolific consumption of alcohol. Much of it was above 15% alcohol by volume, the suit said, even though Delta Chis risk management policy prohibits beverages with such high alcohol content from being served at fraternity events. The suit names Delta Chi and more than two dozen fraternity leaders and members as defendants, accusing them of negligence that it says led to Strains death. It accuses the fraternity of failing to ensure that the chapter was following a strict safety protocol, failing to enforce its written policies and instilling a code into its fraternity members that encouraged or taught fraternity brothers to abandon one another instead of helping one another, among other allegations. The suit accuses the fraternity members of encouraging Strain to continue drinking after it became apparent that he was acting in an unusual way, failing to arrange a ride back to the hotel for him after he got kicked out of a bar when he was out with fraternity friends and delaying a 911 call to report him missing. A representative for Delta Chi did not immediately respond to a request for comment, nor did attorneys for Strains family. At the time of Strains death, Delta Chi released a statement saying it was deeply saddened by the tragic passing of our esteemed fraternity brother and said that it was providing support and resources to those affected. An attorney for the family, Jacob Lewis, declined to comment, as did Strains stepfather, Christopher Whiteid, who is one of four plaintiffs. The three other plaintiffs Strains mother, Michelle Whiteid; his father, Robert Gilbert; and his stepmother, Melissa Gilbert did not respond to requests for comment. The legal complaint describes Strain as an often-reserved young man that did not tend to go with the typical fraternity flow, whose fraternity brothers persuaded him to come on the chartered bus trip to Nashville for the formal. On the bus ride from Columbia, Missouri, the suit said, Delta Chi members served beer and jello shots they had made with vodka, which has well over 15% alcohol by volume. The lawsuit goes on to say that Strain was offered several drinks, and fraternity members noticed him having difficulty speaking and walking within hours of arriving in Nashville, but brought him along as they went bar-hopping. When a bar made Strain leave later that night, his fraternity brothers chose to continue partying instead of making sure he was safe, the lawsuit states. Rather than having the support of his brothers, Riley was abandoned and alone, it said. Instead of heading toward the hotel, Strain made a wrong turn and began walking toward the river, the lawsuit said. When his hotel roommates returned around 1 a.m. and saw he had not completed what should have been a 12-minute walk back to the hotel despite leaving the bar about three hours earlier, there was no search, no panic, and no call made to 911, according to the suit. The fraternity brothers did not even think to call Rileys parents, they simply got ready for bed and went to sleep, it said, adding Strains parents and police in Nashville were notified the following afternoon. Strain was eventually found facedown in the Cumberland River. An autopsy report revealed he died as a result of drowning and ethanol intoxication, also known as alcohol poisoning. Lukes 32 Bridge Food + Drink in Nashville, the bar that Strain was last seen at, released a statement last year while Strain was still missing saying that he was served one alcoholic drink and two glasses of water before he was escorted out by security based on our conduct standards. The autopsy report said his death appeared to be accidental and did not indicate any signs of foul play. Strains family is seeking a jury trial and unspecified damages plus compensation for the pain and suffering he experienced before he died. Nvidia chips on display during the Taipei Computex expo in Taipei on May 29, 2023. (I-Hwa ChengBloomberg via Getty Images) Malaysia, a budding hub for both chip manufacturing and data centers, is coming under scrutiny as a possible funnel for Nvidia processors to third countries, particularly China, in violation of U.S. export controls. The countrys government now says that its planning to tighten regulations over the flow of Nvidia chips, following pressure from the U.S. The U.S. is asking Malaysia to monitor every shipment of Nvidia chips to the Southeast Asian country, trade minister Zafrul Aziz told the Financial Times in an interview published Monday. Zafrul noted that Washington wants to ensure servers with Nvidia chips go where they are supposed to go, and not suddenly move to another ship. The trade minister added that hes formed a task force with digital minister Gobind Singh Deo to tighten regulations around Malaysias data centers. Malaysias Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The U.S. has imposed strict export controls on the sale of advanced chips, including the Nvidia processors that power the AI boom, to Chinese companies. Yet officials are increasingly concerned that these processors are making their way to China through third countries. This scrutiny has intensified in the wake of DeepSeek and its powerful and efficient AI models. U.S. officials are reportedly investigating whether the Chinese AI startup got Nvidia processors through Singapore, in spite of U.S. restrictions. (For its part, the Chinese AI startup has disclosed that it acquired Nvidia processors before export controls came into effect) Recently, Singapore charged three men with fraud for allegedly misleading server suppliers over the identity of final end-users. The transactions involved are worth around $390 million. Singaporean officials have reiterated that the country is ready to work with any government that suggests that laws have been breached. About 18% of Nvidias revenue is generated by customers using Singapore as a billing location, yet both the company and Singapores government note that only about 1-2% of revenue is generated from shipments to the country. This story was originally featured on Fortune.com Ray Dalio will join a slate of newly appointed advisors to Indonesias sovereign wealth fund, Danantara. Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto announced the fund last month in a bid to consolidate the countrys state-owned enterprises in one place and help achieve his goal of reaching 8% GDP growth by 2029. Legendary investor Ray Dalio will join Indonesias newly created sovereign wealth fund, Danantara, as a special advisor. Dalios appointment is part of a dream team of new advisors the firm announced on Monday. Alongside Dalio, Danantara also appointed famed economist Jeffrey Sachs and the former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto launched Danantara last month to much fanfare. The idea behind the new sovereign wealth fund was to consolidate Indonesias many state-owned enterprises under a single umbrella that would also have its own investment arm. The new combined company will eventually manage more than $900 billion in assets. Danantaras initial investment budget for this year will be $20 billion, which the firm plans to spend across 15-20 projects. Dalio met with Prabowo and Indonesias richest men at the presidential palace in Jakarta earlier this month, according to local reports. The meeting included the countrys largest magnates who have vast control over certain industries. Among the attendees were Indonesias richest man, Prajogo Pangestu, the real estate baron James Riady (who pled guilty to campaign finance violations in the U.S. in 2001), coal executive Garibaldi Thohir, and Franky Widjaja, whose agribusiness company dominates the palm oil market. The appointment of Dalio and Sachs comes as Danantara faces questions from global investors about accountability and governance. Investors feared that because Danantara would report directly to Prabowo it would lack the oversight needed to ensure it delivered returns. There were also fears that Prabowos role could lead to political interference in investment decisions. By naming trusted experts like Dalio, the founder of the worlds largest hedge fund, and Sachs, one of the worlds foremost experts on economic development, Danantara hopes to assuage the markets concerns. Since the start of the year Southeast Asian markets saw a major selloff, with Indonesia hit particularly hard. Indonesian stocks fell to their lowest points in four years and the central bank made major policy interventions to stop its currency from slipping. The wobbly response from investors was a hit to Prabowos plan for Indonesian GDP growth of 8% by 2029. Dalios understanding of Asian markets comes from his longstanding business relationships in China. During his more than 40 years of investing in China Dalio built strong ties to the business community and the government. I have pretty much always been involved in the Chinese markets, Dalio wrote in a LinkedIn post in April. I got involved in the stock markets in China before the stock markets existed by helping in a small way those who created them, and I have invested in them beginning from when I was allowed to until now. Since the start of the year Chinese equities have been some of the best performing in the world. That has been welcome news for investors, after the last couple years in which the Chinese economy risked flatlining due to a property crash and a crisis of consumer confidence that led to reduced spending. With Chinese stocks returning to growth, many investors are pulling out of Southeast Asian markets, including Indonesia, and flocking to the relative safety of Chinas rebounding economy. This story was originally featured on Fortune.com Gunmemorial.org A 20-year-old man who was shot dead in a Georgia home last week and police believe his twin brother was responsible. Kiian Hodnett, 20, was found dead by officers responding to an unknown medical call in his LaGrange, Ga., home on Friday, March 21, local police said in a statement. Police say Hodnett was dead from gunshot wounds. They arrested his twin brother Kiias Hodnett, who police allege shot Kiian shortly before the 911 call. LaGrange police declined to comment on a motive. In a Facebook post, a woman identifying the men as her nephews said she's hurting for both of them. "Im praying for them both. Mental illness is such a thing and I wish it was more of us can agree and admit to it and let the younger generation know that ITS (sic) OK," wrote Shan Staples, alongside photos of the two men. "It can be ok and seek help if/when needed These boys have been through [so] much over the years and felt as NO ONE understood them as if they were the only ones on this DARK A-- PLANET CALLED EARTH," she added. LaGrange police did not comment on whether mental illness was a factor in the shooting. 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. Kiias has been charged with malice murder and possession of a firearm during the commission of certain felonies, per LaGrange police. Plea and attorney information for Kiias were not immediately available. Read the original article on People Actor Gerard Depardieu arrives to face trial for the alleged sexual assaults of two women on a film set in 2021, Monday, March 24, 2025 in Paris. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard) PARIS (AP) French actor Gerard Depardieu went on trial Monday in Paris on charges of sexually assaulting two women on a movie set, in a case seen as a potential watershed for the #MeToo movement in France. Depardieu, 76, is accused of having groped a 54-year-old set dresser and a 34-year-old assistant director during filming in 2021 of Les Volets Verts (The Green Shutters). The actor faces up to five years in prison and a fine of 75,000 euros ($81,000) if convicted. Depardieu denies any wrongdoing. To reporters massed outside the courtroom, he briefly said I'm ok. Inside, he told the judges that he was prepared to answer the courts questions. We will be able to show in an impartial, objective and incontestable manner that all of the accusations are lies, his attorney, Jeremie Assous, told journalists. The truth will be obvious and the truth is on our side, he said. Trial is a test of France's attitudes to sexual violence Depardieu's long and storied career has turned the trial into a post- #MeToo test of the willingness of France and its movie industry to confront sexual violence and hold influential men accountable. Depardieu has been a darling of French cinemagoers for decades and was Oscar-nominated in 1991 for his performance as swordsman and poet Cyrano de Bergerac. But his alleged boorish behavior off-screen has also long made headlines. He has been accused publicly or in formal complaints of misconduct by more than 20 women, but so far only the sexual assault case has proceeded to court. Some others were dropped because of a lack of evidence or the statute of limitations. Feminist and historian Florence Montreynaud described Depardieu's court appearance as a historic moment" for women's rights, as she joined other campaigners who demonstrated outside the court. A dozen chanted Sexist violence, complicit judicial system" as they danced to techno music. Times are changing. #MeToo has swept through. At last, mentalities are changing, Montreynaud said to French broadcaster BFMTV. The trial also follows in the wake of the historic case last year involving Gisele Pelicot, whose bravery put the spotlight on sexual violence in France. She demanded that the drugging-and-rape trial for 51 men tried for a horrific catalogue of abuse on her be held in open court, arguing that doing so would help make shame change sides. France has often been ambivalent even resistant toward the #MeToo movement. 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. At the time of the alleged 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 that it go to trial. Prosecution alleges actor groped plaintiffs Prosecutors say Depardieu trapped the set dresser with his legs before groping her waist and breasts in front of witnesses. She says the actor also used obscene language and had to be pulled away by bodyguards. The assistant director alleged that Depardieu groped her both on set and in the street. The women sat side by side in court. The Associated Press doesnt name people who say they were sexually assaulted unless they consent to being identified. Neither has done so in this case. The trial is expected to last at least two days, but could be extended beyond Tuesday, if the chief judge wants more time. The trial was initially scheduled for October, but then postponed because of Depardieus health. A verdict is expected at a later date. Depardieu grasped his lawyer's shoulder as he strode calmly into the courtroom. The actor has undergone a quadruple heart bypass and has diabetes, according to his lawyer. A court-appointed medical expert determined that hes fit to stand trial, but recommended that the hearings don't exceed six hours, with a 15-minute pause and snack every three hours. Plaintiffs keen to be heard Beyond giving his name, Depardieu didnt testify Monday. Instead, his lawyer took up much of the time, raising what he described as legal issues and seeking to cast doubt on witness testimony and the police investigation. The attorney alleged, without providing evidence, that police acted under instructions from magistrates who led the investigation to make Depardieu fall. Depardieu listened intently, sometimes nodding. One of the plaintiffs burst into tears when her lawyer read a message she wrote about the alleged sexual assault. Sitting by her side, the other accuser put a hand on her shoulder in a gesture of empathy. The plaintiffs' lawyers said they would lay out their evidence later. One of the lawyers, Carine Durrieu Diebolt, said Depardieu had apologized to her client at the time. "So why apologize if you havent done anything? It was unclear what the apology message was about. Durrieu Diebolt had previously said that four additional women who say they have been sexually assaulted by Depardieu would testify. In an open letter published in October 2023, Depardieu wrote: Never, but never, have I abused a woman. The actor had dropped out of sight in recent months, his film career seemingly on hold. But he still has friends in the industry. Actors Vincent Perez and Fanny Ardant were among those who took seats on his side of the courtroom. ___ AP journalists Tom Nouvian and Thomas Adamson contributed to this report. State Sen. Randy Fine's special election campaign for a U.S. House seat in Florida has caused concern among Republicans in Washington. Republican leaders have grown privately alarmed about the massive fundraising disparity their candidate, Randy Fine, faces in a special House election in a deep-red Florida district and have swooped in to help resuscitate his campaign at the eleventh hour. House GOP leaders have in recent days been calling donors to plead for financial help in the race to fill the seat previously held by Mike Waltz, who is now President Donald Trump's national security adviser, according to two sources with knowledge of the matter. In addition, Fine, a state senator, has made personal pleas to Florida-based lobbyists and donors for a quick infusion of cash before the April 1 election, according to two sources familiar with those conversations. While party leaders in Washington and Florida are ultimately confident that Fine will pull off a victory, Republicans say theyre frustrated that they need to intervene in a district that Trump won by 30 points last year. Rep. Richard Hudson, R-N.C., who leads the House GOPs campaign arm, said Fine needs to do better on his fundraising. But Hudson was confident Republicans would hold on to the seat and said he didnt expect the National Republican Congressional Committee to spend in the race. I would have preferred if our candidate had raised money at a faster rate and gotten on TV quicker, Hudson told reporters Monday. But hes doing what he needs to do. Hes on TV now. Were going to win the seat. Im not concerned at all. Fines campaign didnt respond to a request for comment. Fine has been significantly outraised by his Democratic opponent, teacher Josh Weil, who has raised a whopping $9.7 million to Fines $561,000, according to fundraising reports filed last week with the Federal Election Commission. Fine also just started airing his first TV ad last week as part of a joint ad buy with the Florida Republican Party, according to the ad-tracking firm AdImpact. Democrat Josh Weil has significantly outraised Randy Fine in the race. In recent days, Fine has contributed $600,000 of his own money to his campaign, and FEC filings show that he has received contributions from PACs tied to Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., and GOP Reps. Byron Donalds, of Florida; Greg Murphy, of North Carolina; Jeff Crank, of Colorado; and Ben Cline, of Virginia. The White House is also "concerned" and has been hyper-focused on the race, according to a senior Republican source in close contact with the White House. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Trump, who first backed Fine ahead of the January primary, reiterated his endorsement on Truth Social last week. He also boosted Republican Jimmy Patronis, who is running in an April 1 special election in Florida's 1st District to replace GOP former Rep. Matt Gaetz, on Monday, encouraging his supporters to head to the polls. Trumps political orbit has directly been guiding Fines campaign. Fines top consultant is Chris Grant, who worked for the pro-Trump super PAC MAGA Inc. during the 2024 election cycle, and his top pollster is Tony Fabrizio, who has long done work for Trump, including last year. Rapid Loop Consulting, a firm co-founded by White House deputy chief of staff James Blair, is advising a super PAC backing Fines campaign. Blair is no longer involved with the firm, which is run by his former business partner, Ryan Smith. Floridas 6th Congressional District seat has been vacant since Jan. 20, when Waltz resigned from Congress to become Trumps national security adviser, leaving House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., with a historically small majority. Fine has a prickly reputation even among Florida Republicans. Many of those who have worked with him over the years arent surprised that he is at risk of underperforming in a solidly Republican area. This race is proof that candidates matter, said a veteran Florida GOP operative, who was granted anonymity to speak candidly. Randy will win because the seat is so Republican and because so much money came in late, but this is a case of Team Trump dragging him over the finish line. Another longtime Florida Republican said that for state-level Republicans there would be no tears shed for Fine if he snatched defeat from the jaws of victory, though the person acknowledged a victory is important because of Republicans slim House majority. Patronis, Florida's chief financial officer and the Republican running to replace Gaetz, was also significantly outraised by his Democratic opponent. Patronis pulled in $1.1 million, compared with gun control activist Gay Valimonts $6.4 million, in the most recent fundraising period. But the 1st District race hasnt raised the same level of concerns, given Patronis stronger fundraising and the districts redder hue Trump carried the seat by 37 points, according to election results data from NBC News Decision Desk. Still, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., said the fundraising gaps are a sign that the American people are not buying what the Republicans are selling. These districts are so Republican there would ordinarily be no reason to believe that the races will be close, but what I can say almost guaranteed is that the Democratic candidate in both of these Florida special elections will significantly overperform, Jeffries told reporters. Republicans have scrambled to match Democrats spending on the Florida airwaves in recent days. Defend American Jobs, a super PAC tied to the cryptocurrency industry, and an outside group called Conservative Fighter PAC have launched ads in both races within the last week, according to AdImpact. Both groups have touted Trumps endorsements of Fine and Patronis in ads. I havent heard real concerns that either of them are going to lose, said a GOP strategist, who was granted anonymity to speak candidly about the races. But there are certainly concerns that theyre underperforming and whether its a harbinger of something this cycle. From Shantou to the world: textile and garment industry weaves new vitality into BRI 08:46, March 24, 2025 By Zhang Yiyi ( Global Times Models showcase the latest fashion collections at the opening ceremony of the 4th China Chaoshan Textile and Garment Exhibition (CTGE), on March 18, 2025. (Photo/Courtesy of CTGE) Colourfully knit fabrics shimmered under the lights as neatly arranged fashion samples attracted buyers from across China and abroad. The 4th Chaoshan Textile Garment Exhibition opened on March 18 in Shantou, South China's Guangdong Province, and the venue buzzed with activity. Buyers and trade representatives from over 40 countries and regions packed the venue, with some booths attracting long queues and lively business talks echoing throughout the hall. "This is my third year attending the expo, and each time we see changes and highlights," said Anna Dubrovina, CEO of Xiamen-based Greenlight Trading Co, a Russian entrepreneur who was busy discussing new product lines with suppliers. "Made-in-China products offer great value, and services are becoming increasingly professional and international. The maturity of the supply chain gives us strong confidence in our future cooperation," she said. Since China's reform and opening-up policy was initiated in the late 1970s, Shantou's textile and garment industry has flourished. In 2024, total investment in the city's textile and garment sector reached 21.32 billion yuan ($3.05 billion), accounting for 31.27 percent of Shantou's total industrial investment a growth of 35.7 percent year-on-year. Shantou's textile and garment products are rapidly expanding into the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) markets, with their exports reaching markets from Southeast Asia to the Middle East and Africa. As a top export hub in Guangdong, the city is stepping confidently onto the global stage, showcasing the strength of "Made in China." High-quality products "We're primarily sourcing underwear products that are made in China, leveraging Chinese technology to ensure high quality at affordable prices," Dubrovina told the Global Times on Sunday, adding that most of her company's loungewear products are made in China. "Based in Xiamen, our company exports a range of productsincluding T-shirts, underwear, sunwear, and clothingsourced from Chaoshan, to European countries, Canada, Australia, and the BRI markets," she said. "Our cooperation with the BRI partners has greatly supported our business growth," said Dubrovina. "It's easy to manufacture in China and manage cross-border trade thanks to efficient logistics and very supportive policies, which have made our operations much smoother," she added. Local traders in Guangdong are increasingly confident of the province's competitiveness. "We offer better and affordable prices than Western suppliers and higher quality than Southeast Asian producers Chaoshan textiles are a prime example of Chinese manufacturing excellence," Chen Dilong, executive vice president of the Guangdong Emirates Business Union, told the Global Times on Sunday. "The United Arab Emirates (UAE) serves as a key re-export hub, connecting Chinese goods with the broader Middle East and North Africa. From Saudi Arabia to Iran, and from East Africa to North Africa, we've seen growing demand for Chinese-made underwear, loungewear, fabrics, and accessories," Chen said. "These countries often lack strong domestic manufacturing bases, so Guangdong, Shantou in particular, has become an essential supplier for them," Chen noted. Industry insiders say Shantou's complete supply chain helps keep textile products affordable and high-quality by reducing logistics and labor costs. Shantou International Textile City officially opened on March 19. With an additional 2.63 million square meters of exhibition space set to be delivered by the end of this year, and is expected to become China's largest specialized textile trading hub. "Leveraging Chaoshan's fully integrated textile supply chain, the Shantou International Textile City aims to build a global hub that combines R&D, manufacturing, product display, domestic and international sales, and smart logistics," said Li Ruiping, executive deputy general manager of the Textile City's operation and promotion centre. "Once completed, it will streamline operations and further reduce costs." Models showcase the latest fashion collections at the opening ceremony of the 4th China Chaoshan Textile and Garment Exhibition (CTGE), on March 18, 2025. (Photo/Courtesy of CTGE) Technology-driven growth While cost-effectiveness and high quality remain the key leverages, non-stop technological innovation is helping reshape the next phase of the sector's growth. Wang Yonglin, who runs a business making lace-cutting machines for underwear, said their laser cutters can automatically detect patterns and cut fabric with high precision, which saves time, labor, and material. He noted that as their cutting technology becomes more advanced and increasingly cost-effective, inquiries from foreign buyers, especially from the Middle East and Southeast Asia, have been rising. "This year's expo showcases a diverse range of textile and apparel enterprises, with many functional and digital products put on display," said Xu Jianhua, an official from China Commercial Circulation Association of Textile and Apparel. "Now, high-tech marketing tools like AI-powered livestreaming are being used in cross-border e-commerce to expand our global reach." "China is not only Tanzania's main cotton buyer but also a key partner in textile technology and industrial growth," Khatibu Makenga, Consul General of Tanzania in Guangzhou told the Global Times. "What we've seen in Shantoufrom smart manufacturing to an integrated supply chainoffers valuable lessons for our own development." Makenga noted that under the BRI platform, Tanzania is looking to shift from exporting raw cotton to boosting local value-added apparel production, with Chinese support in technology, investment, and market access. Xu said that China's textile and garment industry has invested heavily in the BRI markets, especially in Southeast Asia, expanding both spinning and garment production. "Yet some gaps remain in making high-end fabrics and dyeing technologies, areas where Shantou and the broader Chaoshan region lead, thanks to integration with many Pearl River Delta suppliers," Xu added. Official data shows that Shantou exported $1.23 billion worth of textile products in 2024, underscoring its growing global footprint. From January to October 2022, textile and garment exports to the BRI markets totaled 780 million yuan, up 19.1 percent year-on-year, according to data from Shantou Customs. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun) As President Donald Trump's battle with the judiciary escalates, House Republicans are eyeing ways to rein in judges from blocking parts of his agenda. House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan said on Monday his panel will hold hearings next week on U.S. District Judge James Boasberg, who is at the center of the administration's legal fight over deportation flights and the Alien Enemies Act. Trump accused Boasberg -- an Obama appointee who was first named to a lower Washington, D.C., court by President George W. Bush -- of bias and called for his impeachment after he blocked the administration from using a centuries-old law to deport more than 200 alleged gang members to El Salvador. MORE: Judge keeps block on Trump gang deportations, says they face 'torture, beatings' in El Salvador Trump and his Republican allies, including Jordan, have also taken issue with the use of injunctions and temporary restraining orders to halt Trump policies nationwide as the courts weigh the merits of each case. "It really starts to look like Judge Boasberg is operating purely political against the president, and that's what we want to have hearings on -- this broad issue and some of what Judge Boasberg is doing," Jordan said on Fox News. Jordan said he thought Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley, the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, will do the same. In addition to hearings, Jordan said he expects House Republican leadership to move forward with a bill from California Rep. Darrell Issa aimed at limiting some judges' power to issue nationwide injunctions. PHOTO: Rep. Jim Jordan speaks at a House Republicans press conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, June 12, 2024. (Craig Hudson/Reuters) Issa's bill -- entitled the "No Rogue Rulings Act" -- would put restrictions on federal judges issuing orders providing injunctive relief that impacts the entire country outside their districts. Jordan called it a "good piece of legislation." The bill was voted out of the House Judiciary Committee before lawmakers broke for recess earlier this month. Speaker Mike Johnson appears to be warming up to the idea of potentially impeaching judges who rule against Trump, saying "everything is on the table." "Impeachment is an extraordinary measure. We're looking at all the alternatives that we have to address this problem. Activist judges are a serious threat to our system," Johnson said Monday afternoon. Johnson confirmed that the GOP-led House will hold hearings to "highlight the abuses" of federal judges -- saying lawmakers "may wind up questioning some of these judges themselves to have them defend their actions." "We'll see about limiting the scope of federal injunctions," he added. "One judge should not be able to suspend and uphold everything that a president does on their issues. I think the American people agree with that." Over the weekend, Johnson appeared to endorse the measure, writing on X that the House is "working overtime to limit the abuses of activist federal judges." "Speaker Johnson's indicated he'd like to get this bill to the floor next week and move it through the process," Jordan told Fox News. "So, we think there's some things we can do legislatively, and then, frankly, there's the broader issue of all these judges' injunctions and then decisions like Judge Boasberg ... what he's trying to do, and how that case is working." MORE: Is the Trump administration's conflict with judges a constitutional crisis? What to know Meanwhile, the push from Trump, Elon Musk and several Republican hardliners to impeach Boasberg and other judges faces steeper obstacles. Johnson has not said where he stands on pursuing impeachment, but given the slim House majority, it would be extremely difficult to get the House Republican conference together to vote to impeach a judge. If the House were to successfully impeach a judge, the Senate would be compelled to act in some way, but the odds of a Senate conviction are almost zero, as it would require support from at least 14 Democrats. As the rhetoric ramps up between the Trump administration and the courts, the U.S. Marshals Service is warning federal judges of an increase in threats, ABC News reported. Chief Justice John Roberts last week issued a rare public statement amid Trump's attacks on Boasberg, saying impeachment was not "an appropriate response" to legal disagreements and that the correct path forward was the appeals process. House Republicans eye hearings on Judge Boasberg, bill to rein in federal judges originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Hyundai announced plans Monday to invest a fresh $20 billion in the US, including a new steel plant in Louisiana making the South Korean automaker the latest major foreign firm to move more operations to America to avoid looming tariffs. Money is pouring in, and we want to keep it that way, President Trump said at the White House. This investment is a clear demonstration that tariffs very strongly work. President Trump on Monday is set to announce a new Hyundai steel plant in Louisiana. Bloomberg via Getty Images The main gate of a factory of South Koreas steelmaker Hyundai Steel in Pohang. AFP via Getty Images Hyundai is expected to construct the $5.8 billion plant near Donaldsonville, about 40 miles south of Baton Rouge. Trump claimed the steel facility would create more than 1,400 jobs as part of the investment. Hyundai already has factories in Alabama and Georgia, but the Louisiana steel plant would be its first such facility in North America and provide metal supplies to the neighboring states. The company will also be massively increasing its auto manufacturing in Georgia and investing billions of dollars in advanced American technology companies, Trump celebrated. The president announced a 25% tariff on foreign-made steel and aluminum in February, but said metals produced in the US would not be impacted. Hyundai is South Koreas leading car maker. Bloomberg via Getty Images Im simplifying our tariffs and steel and aluminum so that everyone can understand exactly what it means. Its 25%, without exceptions or exemptions, Trump said at the time. And thats all countries, no matter where it comes from, all countries. If its made in the United States of America, there is no tariff, zero, he added. Chung Eui-sun, the executive chairman of Hyundai Motor Group, congratulated Trump on the remarkable start to his administration at the White House and said the company has a shared vision for American industrial leadership. Mondays announcement came as Trump faces an April 2 deadline to install reciprocal tariffs on goods from around the world a date the administration has promoted as Liberation Day. Vehicles wait to be exported at a port next to Hyundai Motors manufacturing facility in Ulsan last month. AP Other foreign companies, including Japans Softbank and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., recently announced major planned investments in the US to try to curry favor with the administration before the tariffs kick in. Hyundai will be producing steel in America and making its cars in America, and as a result, theyll not have to pay any tariffs. You know, there are no tariffs if you make your product in America. So its something thats why so many people are coming, Trump said in his White House remarks. South Korea has a massive trade surplus with the US, and is likely to be affected in some way by the April 2 tariffs. Weve been ripped off by every country in the world, friend and foe, Trump said Friday about the upcoming duties. On Monday, the president revealed he may give a lot of countries breaks on April 2, but didnt say which nations would be affected. Hyundai CEO Jose Munoz, speaking to Axios before Trump came to power in January, said the then-president-elects promised tariff policies incentivized the company to come to the US. We decided to invest big time in America as the most important market, Munoz said. So the best way for us to navigate tariffs is to increase localization. By Nidal al-Mughrabi, Maayan Lubell and Ahmed Shalaby CAIRO/JERUSALEM (Reuters) -Egypt has put forward a new proposal aimed at restoring the Gaza ceasefire deal, security sources told Reuters on Monday, as Palestinian health authorities said Israeli strikes have killed at least 65 people in the enclave in the past 24 hours. The proposal, made last week, follows an escalation in violence after Israel resumed air and ground operations against Hamas last Tuesday, effectively ending a two-month period of relative calm. Health officials said Israel has killed nearly 700 Palestinians since it resumed its attacks, including at least 400 women and children. Islamist group Hamas said several of its senior political and security officials had also been killed. The Egyptian plan calls for Hamas to release five Israeli hostages each week, with Israel implementing the second phase of the ceasefire after the first week, two security sources said. Hamas is still holding 59 hostages, with 24 of them thought to be still alive. Both the U.S. and Hamas agreed to the proposal, the security sources said, but Israel has not yet responded. A Hamas official didn't confirm the proposed offer, but told Reuters that "several proposals are being discussed with the mediators to bridge the gap and to resume negotiations to reach common ground that would pave the way to start the second phase of the agreement." TIMETABLE FOR WITHDRAWAL The sources said the Egyptian proposal also includes a timeline for Israel's full withdrawal from Gaza, backed by U.S. guarantees, in exchange for the hostages' release. Hamas has accused Israel of breaking the terms of the January ceasefire agreement but has said it is willing to negotiate a truce and was studying proposals from U.S. President Donald Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff. Israel says it resumed its military operations to force Hamas to release the remaining hostages it is holding in Gaza. It says it does its best to reduce harm to civilians and has questioned the death toll provided by health authorities in the Hamas-run enclave. Palestinian officials on Sunday put the death toll from nearly 18 months of conflict at over 50,000. 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. In Rafah, the local municipality said thousands of people were stuck inside the Tel Al-Sultan area, where the Israeli military sent some of its forces, with families trapped among the ruins, with no water, food, or medicine. The Palestinian Civil Emergency Service said 50,000 residents remained cornered in Rafah. The Israeli military said troops had encircled Tel Al-Sultan to dismantle "terror infrastructure sites and eliminate terrorists in the area." U.N. Palestinian relief agency UNRWA said 124,000 people have been displaced in Gaza in recent days. "Families carry what little they have with no shelter, no safety, and nowhere left to go. The Israeli authorities have cut off all aid. Food is scarce and prices are soaring. This is a humanitarian catastrophe. The siege must end," it said on X. (Reporting and writing by Nidal al-Mughrabi. Additional reporting by Maayan Lubell and Ahmed Shalaby; Editing by Sharon Singleton) By Luc Cohen and Ted Hesson (Reuters) -A U.S. appeals court judge said on Monday that Nazis were given more rights to contest their removal from the United States during World War Two than Venezuelan migrants deported by the Trump administration. In a contentious hearing, U.S. Circuit Judge Patricia Millett questioned government lawyer Drew Ensign on whether Venezuelans targeted for removal under a little-used 18th-century law had time to contest the Trump administration's assertion that they were members of the Tren de Aragua gang before they were put on planes and deported to El Salvador. "Nazis got better treatment under the Alien Enemies Act than has happened here," Millett said, to which Ensign responded, "We certainly dispute the Nazi analogy." Prior to the Trump administration's invocation of the Alien Enemies Act, the law had been used just three times in U.S. history, most recently to intern and remove Japanese, German and Italian immigrants during World War Two. The Trump administration was asking the appeals court to halt Washington-based U.S. District Judge James Boasberg's two-week ban, imposed on March 15, on the use of the 1798 Alien Enemies Act to justify deportation of alleged Tren de Aragua members without final removal orders from immigration judges. Millett, an appointee of Democratic President Barack Obama, is one of three judges on a panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit hearing the government's challenge to Boasberg's order. U.S. Circuit Judge Justin Walker, who was appointed by Trump during his first term as president, appeared more supportive of the government's arguments. The third judge on the panel, Karen Henderson, was appointed by Republican President George H.W. Bush. The court did not say when it would rule. In a 37-page ruling on Monday, Boasberg said the people Republican President Donald Trump's administration is seeking to deport under the law must be given the chance to challenge the government's stance that they are indeed members of Tren de Aragua. Family members of many of the deported Venezuelan migrants deny the alleged gang ties. The case has emerged as a major test of Trump's sweeping assertion of executive power. With Republicans holding a majority in both the House of Representatives and Senate and largely falling in line behind the president's agenda, federal judges often have emerged as the only constraint on Trump's wave of executive actions. After Boasberg temporarily halted the deportations, Trump called for the judge's impeachment in a process that could lead to his removal. In response, U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts issued a rare statement rebuking Trump and stating that appeals, not impeachment, are the proper response to disagreements with judicial decisions. Boasberg is also weighing whether the Trump administration violated his order by failing to return deportation flights after his order was issued. In Monday's ruling, the judge wrote that the administration appeared to have "hustled people onto those planes" to avoid a potential court order blocking the deportations. Boasberg rejected the Trump administration's request to set aside the two-week deportation ban. Trump has argued that it is the judiciary, not his administration, that is overreaching. Ensign told the appeals judges that Boasberg's order must be paused because the judge had no right to second-guess the president's decisions on foreign affairs matters. MORE THAN 200 DEPORTED The Trump administration on March 15 deported more than 200 people to El Salvador, where they are being detained in the country's massive anti-terrorism prison under a deal in which Washington is paying President Nayib Bukele's government $6 million. Boasberg's ruling on Monday applied to five plaintiffs represented by the American Civil Liberties Union involved in a prior more narrow ruling, as well as other Venezuelans in the U.S. who may be targeted for removal under the Alien Enemies Act. The judge did not address the migrants currently held in El Salvador. In a court filing on Monday, the ACLU urged Boasberg to require the migrants be returned to the U.S. if he establishes they were deported in violation of his order. The ACLU said eight Venezuelan women and a Nicaraguan man were among those flown to El Salvador, but were not accepted by El Salvador and returned to the U.S. In a sworn declaration, one of the Venezuelan women said she heard a U.S. official discussing an order "saying we cant take off" while in flight. (Reporting by Luc Cohen in New York and Ted Hesson in Washington, Additional reporting by Nelson Renteria in San Salvador, Editing by Franklin Paul, Noeleen Walder and Bill Berkrot) The United States treated alleged Nazis better during World War II than the Trump administration treated Venezuelan migrants last week, a federal appeals judge told a Justice Department lawyer during a court hearing Monday. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit heard arguments Monday afternoon over the Trump administration's use of the Alien Enemies Act last week to deport more than 200 alleged members of a Venezuelan gang to El Salvador with no due process. "There were plane loads of people. There were no procedures in place to notify people," Judge Patricia Millett said. "Nazis got better treatment under the Alien Enemies Act." MORE: 'Incredibly troublesome': Judge grills DOJ over alleged gang member deportations Judge Millett noted that alleged Nazis were given hearing boards and were subject to established regulations, while the alleged members of Tren De Aragua were given no such rights. "There's no regulations, and nothing was adopted by the agency officials that were administering this. They people weren't given notice. They weren't told where they were going. They were given those people on those planes on that Saturday and had no opportunity to file habeas or any type of action to challenge the removal under the AEA," Judge Millet said. "What's factually wrong about what I said?" "Well, Your Honor, we certainly dispute the Nazi analogy," Deputy Assistant Attorney General Drew Ensign said, arguing some of the men were able to file habeas petitions. The Trump administration has asked the Court of Appeals to overturn a temporary restraining order issued last Saturday by U.S. District Judge James Boasberg, who blocked the government's use of the Alien Enemies Act for deportations. PHOTO: Alleged members of the Venezuelan criminal organization Tren de Aragua who were deported by the U.S. government, are detained at the Terrorism Confinement Center in Tecoluca, El Salvador in a photo obtained Mar. 16, 2025. (Presidency Of El Salvador/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock) The appellate judges said they would issue a decision in the coming days. Ensign compared Boasberg's restraining order to a judge directing a carrier group from the South China Sea to the Persian Gulf -- an analogy that drew an immediate rebuke from Millett. "Hang on. Hang on," Millett said. "Asserting a power to do that is not ordering ships to relocate in foreign waters, right? That is a straight up judicial process that's allowed by the Supreme Court and Circuit president." Government attorneys argued that the detainees had a right to petition against their deportation -- but Judge Millett questioned whether they realistically had an opportunity to challenge the government's move before they were flown out of the country. "District court here hasn't called into question the constitutionality of the Alien Enemies Act," the judge said of Boasberg. "It's been upheld, as you said, as a part of the war power. That's not the question here. The question is the implementation of this proclamation without any process to determine whether people qualify under it." But even as the government maintained that the matter should be dealt through habeas action and that the case does not belong in the federal court in D.C., it refused to provide operational details of the flights that removed noncitizens and the timing of their petitions. "So your theory is that they don't get the challenges until they're in the Salvadorian jail?" the judge said. "Are you saying that they don't have a right, until they're removed from the United States, in U.S. custody, to challenge?" Judge Millett said the alleged lack of opportunity for people to petition deportation before it happens "paralyzed" the courts, calling it a "misreading" of the Alien Enemies Act. "The problem here is that they are challenging implementation of a proclamation in a way that never gave anyone a chance to say, 'I'm not covered,'" the judge said. "And if your argument is we didn't have to do that, it's an intrusion on the president's war powers, the courts are paralyzed to do anything ... that's a misreading of precedent, misreading of the text of the Alien Enemies Act," she said. Judge Millett and Ensign appeared to agree on one thing: The president's actions have brought the court into "unprecedented territory." "I think the intrusion upon the War Powers and foreign policy powers of the president is utterly unprecedented," Ensign argued. "Well, this is an unprecedented action as well," Millet responded. "So of course, there's no precedent for it, because no president has ever used this statute this way, which isn't to say one way or the other if it can be done, but simply to say we are in unprecedented territory." The hearing comes hours after Judge Boasberg ruled that the migrants deserved to have a court hearing before their deportations to determine whether they belonged to the Tren de Aragua gang. In a ruling denying the Trump administration's request to dissolve his order blocking the deportations, Judge Boasberg wrote that Trump's "unprecedented use" of the Alien Enemies Act does not remove the government's responsibility to ensure the men removed could contest their designation as alleged gang members. Trump last week invoked the Alien Enemies Act -- a wartime authority used to deport noncitizens with little-to-no due process -- by arguing that the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua is a "hybrid criminal state" that is invading the United States. Boasberg temporarily blocked the president's use of the law to deport more than 200 alleged gang members to El Salvador, calling the removals "awfully frightening" and "incredibly troublesome." An official with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement subsequently acknowledged in a sworn declaration that "many" of the noncitizens deported last week under the Alien Enemies Act did not have criminal records in the United States. MORE: Trump administration escalates legal battle over alleged gang member deportations "The Court need not resolve the thorny question of whether the judiciary has the authority to assess this claim in the first place. That is because Plaintiffs are likely to succeed on another equally fundamental theory: before they may be deported, they are entitled to individualized hearings to determine whether the Act applies to them at all," Judge Boasberg wrote in his ruling Monday, adding the men were likely to win their case. Judge Boasberg acknowledged that the use of the Alien Enemies Act "implicates a host of complicated legal issues" but sidestepped the larger question of whether the law was properly invoked, instead focusing on the due process deserved by the men. He added that the men have been irreparably harmed by their removal to an El Salvadoran prison where they face "torture, beatings, and even death." "Federal courts are equipped to adjudicate that question when individuals threatened with detention and removal challenge their designation as such. Because the named Plaintiffs dispute that they are members of Tren de Aragua, they may not be deported until a court has been able to decide the merits of their challenge," he wrote. Judge Boasberg also cast doubt on the Trump administration's allegation that the decision risks national security, noting that the men would still be detained within the United States if they had not been deported. During a court hearing on Friday, DOJ lawyers acknowledged that the men deported on the Alien Enemies Act have the right to a habeas hearing -- where they could contest their alleged membership in Tren de Aragua -- but declined to vow that each man would be given a hearing before they were removed from the country. If the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals overturns Boasberg's blocking of the president's use of the centuries-old wartime law, the Trump administration could exercise the authority to deport any suspected migrant gang member with little-to-no due process. Lawyers representing the Venezuelan men targeted under Trump's proclamation have argued that the president exceeded his authority by using the Alien Enemies Act against a gang -- rather than a state actor -- outside of wartime. PHOTO: Alleged members of the Venezuelan criminal organization Tren de Aragua who were deported by the U.S. government, are detained at the Terrorism Confinement Center in Tecoluca, El Salvador in a photo obtained Mar. 16, 2025. (Secretaria de Prensa de la Presidencia via AFP via Getty Images) "The President is trying to write Congress's limits out of the act," the plaintiffs argued, adding that U.S. presidents have used the law three other times during or immediately preceding a war. But the Trump administration has argued that the judiciary does not have the right to review the use of the Alien Enemies Act, alleging the deportations fall under the president's Article II powers to remove alleged terrorists and execute the country's foreign policy. "The President's action is lawful and based upon a long history of using war authorities against organizations connected to foreign states and national security judgments, which are not subject to judicial second guessing," DOJ lawyers have argued in court filings. The Trump administration is asking the appeals court to overturn Boasberg's temporary restraining order blocking the deportations, while Judge Boasberg continues to examine whether the Trump administration deliberately defied his order by sending the men to an El Salvadoran prison rather than returning them to the United States as he directed. "The government's not being terribly cooperative at this point, but I will get to the bottom of whether they violated my order and who ordered this and what's the consequence," Boasberg said on Friday. MORE: 'Many' alleged gang members deported by Trump didn't have criminal records in the US: ICE With deportations under the Alien Enemies Act temporarily blocked, the Trump administration has vowed to use other authorities to deport noncitizens. Over the weekend, Venezuelan National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez announced that the country had reached an agreement to resume repatriation flights of Venezuelan migrants from the U.S. "We're going to keep targeting the worst of the worst, which we've been doing since day one, and deporting from the United States through the various laws on the books," border czar Tom Homan told ABC's Jon Karl on Sunday. The three-person panel hearing today's arguments includes two judges nominated by Republican presidents, including one nominated by Trump himself. The D.C. Circuit is the last stop before the Trump administration could take the case to the U.S. Supreme Court, where Trump nominated three judges during his last term, solidifying the court's conservative majority. 'Nazis got better treatment,' judge says of Trump administration's Alien Enemies Act deportations originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Colleen Sheridan/Facebook Colleen and Connor Sheridan An 80-year-old man allegedly shot his wife and son to death before killing himself in an apparent double murder-suicide in Florida, according to reports. James Sheridan, 80, was found dead with a self-inflicted gunshot wound alongside another man and woman shot to death at a home in Pompano Beach on the evening of Wednesday, March 19, Broward Sheriffs Office (BSO) said in a news release. The other victims were identified as Sheridan's wife Colleen, 72, and son Connor, 31, NBC 6 South Florida, CBS News and WPLG reported. Broward County Regional Communications received a welfare check call at the residence at approximately 7:17 p.m. and deputies arrived to find two vehicles parked in the driveway. Neighbors had called in after noticing the vehicles parked outside the home for several days, per WLPG. A deputy requested Pompano Beach Fire Rescue respond to assist with gaining entry into the residence, BSO said. Emergency crews located three individuals suffering from apparent gunshot wounds [and] James Sheridan, who appeared to have suffered from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The three people were pronounced dead at the scene, per BSO. Colleen Sheridan/Facebook Connor Sheridan Related: 'Um, I Just Shot My Daughter': How a Disturbing 911 Call Revealed a Family Murder-Suicide Spanning 3 Generations The family moved to Florida from New York in the 1990s and worked at the St. Vincent thrift store nearby, NBC 6 South Florida and CBS News reported. Connor worked in real estate, according to multiple outlets. At the time of their deaths, the thrift store had a note on the front door that said it would be closed until further notice, NBC 6 South Florida reported. Its shocking. I dont understand it. I hope we can make sense of it," family friend Anita Horten said, as noted by WLPG. Neighbor Lauren Goltz told NBC 6 South Florida, "[They] were very quiet people. We saw them coming and going, just a wave. Nobody really knew them. She said the family had been renting at the home for about a year. Friend Marie Alicata said its hard to accept the loss of Coleen. She was such a loving mother and they were a nice family unit," she said, according to NBC 6 South Florida. Colleen Sheridan/Facebook Colleen Sheridan Related: Former American Airlines Flight Attendant Who Founded Charity Organization Killed in Apparent Murder-Suicide 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. St. Coleman Catholic Church in Pompano Beach is handling the funeral arrangements for Colleen and Connor, per CBS News. The BSO's Homicide Unit and Crime Scene Unit are continuing to investigate the case. PEOPLE has reached out to the BSO for further comment but did not immediately hear back. Read the original article on People By David Shepardson WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Three Democratic senators on Monday urged the White House to seek authority from Congress to extend a deadline for China's ByteDance to sell TikTok to safeguard the popular video sharing app from a potential ban. President Donald Trump in January unilaterally extended the sale deadline from January 19 to April 5 by postponing enforcement of a law passed last year that requires ByteDance to sell a majority stake to U.S. owners or face a ban on the app in the United States. Trump said last month that he could further extend that deadline to give himself time to shepherd a deal. "This non-enforcement of the TikTok ban was not only unlawful but also raised serious questions about TikTok's future," wrote Senators Ed Markey, Chris Van Hollen and Cory Booker, urging the president to back legislation extending the deadline to October. "The path to saving TikTok should run through Capitol Hill." The White House and TikTok did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Reuters reported last week that White House-led TikTok talks are coalescing around a plan for the biggest non-Chinese investors in ByteDance to up their stakes and acquire the app's U.S. operations, according to two sources familiar with the discussions. The plan entails spinning off a U.S. entity for TikTok and diluting Chinese ownership to avert a U.S. ban, the sources said. The fate of the app, used by 170 million Americans, has remained uncertain for months. "We urge you to stand up for TikToks users and use your immense influence over congressional Republicans to demand a long-term solution to the TikTok ban," the senators wrote. The law, passed last year with broad bipartisan support, reflects concern in Washington that Beijing could use the app to conduct influence operations against the United States. The app went dark briefly, then came back online shortly after Trump's inauguration. Reuters and others reported in January that the Trump administration was working on a plan that would involve tapping software giant Oracle and some existing ByteDance investors to take control of the app's operations. The Democratic senators said they want Trump to say whether he plans to extend the deadline and, if so, on what legal basis. They also want to know if news reports are accurate that say the White House "is considering a potential deal with Oracle under which Oracle would take a stake in TikTok" and provide security for TikTok's user data. Trump said earlier this month his administration was in touch with four unidentified groups about a prospective TikTok deal. (Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Chris Reese and Joe Bavier) By Jeff Mason and Michael Erman (Reuters) -U.S. President Donald Trump plans to nominate Susan Monarez as director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the organization she currently leads in an acting capacity, he said on Monday. Monarez, with 20 years of U.S. government agency experience, was previously deputy director of the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health, a research funding agency that describes itself as supporting "transformative biomedical and health breakthroughs." She also previously held roles at the Department of Homeland Security and in the White House's Office of Science and Technology Policy. "Dr. Monarez brings decades of experience championing Innovation, Transparency, and strong Public Health Systems," Trump said in a post on his Truth Social site. "As an incredible mother and dedicated public servant, Dr. Monarez understands the importance of protecting our children, our communities, and our future. Americans have lost confidence in the CDC due to political bias and disastrous mismanagement." If confirmed by the U.S. Senate, Monarez will continue to lead the response to public health threats, including the growing measles outbreak in West Texas and New Mexico that has killed two people, and play a critical role in tackling the spread of bird flu. Atlanta-based CDC, with an annual budget of $17.3 billion, tracks and responds to domestic and foreign threats to public health. Roughly two-thirds of its budget funds the public health and prevention activities of state and local health agencies. It is also responsible for making vaccine recommendations for Americans, including by setting the childhood vaccination schedule, and funds vaccines for children who otherwise would not have access to them. Monarez would report to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has sown doubt about the safety of vaccines for decades. Her positions on vaccines are not widely known. Trump said she would work with Kennedy on disease prevention and making the country healthy. Monarez is not a physician but has a Ph.D. in microbiology and immunology. She has been a government employee since 2006 and served under both Republican and Democratic presidents. The White House earlier this month withdrew the nomination of former Republican congressman and vaccine critic Dave Weldon to head the CDC. Weldon told Reuters at the time he had been informed there were not enough Senate votes to confirm him for the post. The Republican-led Senate has confirmed several unconventional and controversial Trump picks including Kennedy, former Fox News host Pete Hegseth for defense secretary, and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, who had been critical of U.S. intelligence efforts. Monarez would require a vote from Senate HELP Committee Chairman Bill Cassidy, a doctor who had expressed wariness about Kennedy's anti-vaccine views. He ultimately cleared the path for his confirmation after Kennedy pledged to protect existing vaccination programs. The White House also considered former Republican Representative Michael Burgess for the role, three sources familiar with the matter told Reuters last week. (Reporting by Jeff Mason, Michael Erman, Ahmed Aboulenein and Jasper Ward; Editing by Leslie Adler and Richard Chang) Kelsey Hansen / Food Styling: Kelsey Moylan / Prop Styling: Joseph Wanek A good sauce can take an average meal and turn it into something memorable. Most chefs know this secret well, which is why your favorite restaurant meal is usually blanketed in a velvety sauce with many layers of flavor. French cuisine is especially known for its dedication to the art of preparing sauces. In fact, one could say the appreciation for a well-made sauce is central to its culinary identity. As Julia Child put it: The French take their sauces seriously, and so should we. They provide the soul of French cooking, giving every dish its character. As might be expected, sauces are one of the first things a French-trained chef must masterfive sauces, to be exact. Termed mother sauces, bechamel, Hollandaise, espagnole, veloute, and sauce tomat set the foundation for French sauce-making and, subsequently, French cuisine. The Origins of the 5 Mother Sauces The concept of mother sauces was introduced by Marie-Antoine Careme in the early 1800s. Auguste Escoffier added sauce tomat and Hollandaise in the early 20th century and is credited with perfecting and popularizing all five sauces. Experience, which plays such an important part in culinary work, is nowhere so necessary as in the preparation of sauces, for not only must the latter flatter the palate, but they must also vary in savour, consistence, and viscosity, in accordance with the dishes they accompany, wrote Auguste Escoffier in "Le Guide Culinaire," the same publication in which he introduced the five mother sauces in 1903. Escoffier presented the sauces in great detail. He believed that technical mastery of these basic sauces allowed for a later mastery of French cuisine. His goal was to create a comprehensive and foolproof system that would yield consistent, high-quality results for French chefs. While a contemporary kitchen may use ready-prepared stock or canned tomatoes in place of homemade or homegrown, these mother sauces have remained virtually unchanged ever since. They are just that good. Kelsey Hansen / Food Styling: Kelsey Moylan / Prop Styling: Joseph Wanek The Versatile Power of Mother Sauces When learned and perfected, mother sauces provide the premise for limitless saucy potential. The French call the sauce derivatives "daughter sauces." By adding a variety of ingredients, from cream to wine, daughter sauces provide a diversity of flavor, texture, and depth to perfectly complement any food. "Armed with the art of the mother sauce and a pinch of innovation, every dish can get the character it deserves." The adaptations dont stop there. Chefs worldwide continue to lend their own innovations, allowing mother sauces to provide the basis for the finishing touch on a full spectrum of culinary dishes. No one is knocking the originalsmother sauces can easily stand on their own. Plus, we need them to teach us the basics. But from the basics, the possibilities are endless. Armed with the art of the mother sauce and a pinch of innovation, every dish can get the character it deserves. Terms to Know Roux (pronounced "roo"): a mixture of equal parts flour and fat (usually butter) used to thicken sauces. The longer it cooks, the darker and nuttier it becomes, but with less thickening power. Nappe (pronounced "nap"): the ideal sauce consistency when the sauce coats the back of a spoon and leaves a line when you draw your finger through it. The 5 Classic Mother Sauces Bechamel Bechamel is a smooth white sauce made by thickening milk with a white roux. Simplicity is the art of a bechamel. The short cooking time for white roux allows the flavor to stay muted, providing a rich and simple complement on its own or an obliging base. Historians debate this simple sauces origin, but many agree it was first developed in 17th-century France. Even more agree that it gets its name from Louis de Bechamel, Marquis of Nointel (1630-1703), a French financier who lived during the reign of Louis XIV. Kelsey Hansen / Food Styling: Kelsey Moylan / Prop Styling: Joseph Wanek Hollandaise Hollandaise is known for being tricky to make and rich to eatpure decadence comes to mind. Egg yolks carefully whipped in a double boiler thicken this predominantly butter sauce. Lemon juice and a pinch of cayenne bring balance. Smooth, thick, and luxurious, Hollandaise is traditionally served with eggs or fish. Hollandaise, which translates to "Dutch sauce, has a complex history. While there are frequent historical Dutch references to egg and butter sauces as early as the 17th century, the French are credited with refining and standardizing the sauce into the form we know today. Espagnole Sauce Espagnole sauce is all about building flavor. To start, beef bones are simmered with various aromatics and vegetables for hours to create beef stock. Roasted bones are often used to fully deepen the flavor. The most flavorful roux, a brown roux, thickens an espagnole sauce. Mirepoix (onion, celery, and carrot), tomato puree, and a bay leaf boost flavor to another level. Escoffier placed espagnole within the French mother sauce system, although its name likely suggests a Spanish origin, indicating historical culinary exchange. Espagnole sauce is a robust and deeply flavorful labor of love that demonstrates the classical culinary emphasis on time and technique. Veloute Veloute, French for velvety, is made by thickening a light stock with a white roux. White roux is cooked the least and, therefore, has the mildest flavor and thickens sauces the most. Similar in simplicity to a bechamel, veloute gets a dose of flavor from fish, veal, or chicken stock. Also like bechamel, veloute lends itself well to adaptations, serving as the foundation for a variety of classic French sauces. The creation of veloute is often attributed to chef Marie-Antoine Careme in the early 19th century. Earlier versions of veloute have been seen as early as the 17th century. Sauce Tomat Originally showcasing peak-season peeled tomatoes, this sauce was used to preserve the fresh tastes of the summer crop. Mirepoix, garlic, light stock, and herbs build flavor. A blond roux provides a balance of thickening power and flavor. The inclusion of pork provides a depth of flavor that is enhanced by long, slow cooking. The origins of sauce tomat can be traced back to the introduction of tomatoes into Europe after the Columbian Exchange in the 16th century. 5 Next-Generation Sauces for the Modern Cook The five mother sauces may be classic, but their modern descendants bring bold new flavors to the table. Here are five next-gen sauces inspired by the originals: Pimento Beer Cheese Sauce Mother Sauce: Bechamel Kelsey Hansen / Food Styling: Kelsey Moylan / Prop Styling: Joseph Wanek This is bechamels creamybut not so milddaughter. This sauce gets a triple kick from stout beer, sharp Cheddar cheese, and pimentos. It's a rarely disputed fact that beer and cheese are soulmates. The maltiness of stout beer is balanced with the tangy richness of sharp Cheddar. Bechamel is just there to quietly hold them together in saucy harmony. Slather it on a pretzel or drizzle it over your kielbasano party is quite the same without it. Get the Recipe Lime-Herb Hollandaise Mother Sauce: Hollandaise Kelsey Hansen / Food Styling: Kelsey Moylan / Prop Styling: Joseph Wanek Lime juice gives this Hollandaise variation a zesty edge. To keep things extra bright, we added herbs as well. Take your pickcilantro, parsley, or chivesor add all three and take fresh to a whole new level. This seems like the perfect sauce for an elevated brunch. Crab cakes? Better. Breakfast potatoes? Move over, cheese. Smoked salmon? Who knew we could love you more? Get the Recipe Soy-Miso Sauce Mother Sauce: Espagnole Kelsey Hansen / Food Styling: Kelsey Moylan / Prop Styling: Joseph Wanek Remember all that depth of flavor we built with our espagnole sauce? Lets go deeper. While the French refined the mother sauces over centuries, East Asian culinary practices have long emphasized the creation of umami through fermentation, with evidence dating back at least 2,500 years. Umami, the fifth taste after sweet, sour, salty, and bitter, is particularly strong in fermented foods. It is best described as deep savoriness. Rich and savory on every level, espagnole sauce can hold onto a lot of flavors. Hard-working soy sauce and miso paste allow this flavor to go to whole new depths. Get the Recipe Cajun-Spiced Sauce Mother Sauce: Veloute Kelsey Hansen / Food Styling: Kelsey Moylan / Prop Styling: Joseph Wanek The Cajun history is rooted in the history of the Acadians, French settlers exiled from Canada who made their way to Louisiana. There, classic French techniques met the ingredients and influences of the regioncarrots in mirepoix were swapped for bell peppers, and French herbs mingled with the bold spices of Mexico and the Caribbean. The result? The "holy trinity" of onions, celery, and bell peppers, along with the unmistakable heat of Cajun seasoning. While traditional French methods may have encouraged straining out the Cajun holy trinity, mother sauces teach us that adaptation is power. Cajun cooking embraced texture and bold flavors, keeping these foundational vegetables in the dish. We love the heat from the addition of Cajun seasoning and hot pepper sauce. Old World French meets New World influenceand they get along swell. Get the Recipe Moroccan Ras el Hanout-Spiced Tomato Sauce Mother Sauce: Sauce Tomat Kelsey Hansen / Food Styling: Kelsey Moylan / Prop Styling: Joseph Wanek Ras el hanout, which translates to top of the shop in Arabic, has been used in Moroccan cuisine since the Middle Ages. This spice blend historically contained a unique combination of spices that varied by spice merchant. Now, common ingredients include cumin, ginger, turmeric, cinnamon, black pepper, coriander, cayenne, allspice, nutmeg, and cloves. Raisins (a common complement to ras el hanout-spiced dishes) bring a characteristic balance of sweetness to the dish. When combined with a rich tomato sauce, this spice blend transforms meatballs into something unforgettable. Get the Recipe Read the original article on ALLRECIPES Nick Viall's wife, Natalie Joy, shared a heartbreaking update on Instagram over the weekend, revealing she has suffered another miscarriage. In an Instagram story on Sunday, Joy opened up about the devastating loss, just months after announcing the miscarriage of their second child in January. Nick Viall, fiancee Natalie Joy expecting 1st child together: 'Our biggest dream came true' "While mourning the loss of our second baby at the beginning of this year, I quickly and very unexpectedly found out I was pregnant again," she wrote. "It took some time for me to accept what had happened, only to be handed another chance so easily and so fast. But eventually, I found so much happiness. We were finally in a place of complete and utter gratitude." Joy went on to share that she miscarried again last week and had to undergo a dilation and curettage (D&C) procedure, which she admitted "was harder than I imagined." "It's going to take some time for me to feel like myself again, and honestly, I may never will, but I hope to keep y'all involved in whatever that may look like," she added. She concluded her message with a tribute to her family, writing, "Going back to squeezing my husband and my sweet angel River Rose, who are truly the reason[s] I have survived this time and time." PHOTO: In this Jan. 7, 2023, file photo, Natalie Joy and Nick Viall attend an event in Los Angeles. (Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for ESPN & CFP, FILE) Viall reposted his wife's statement on his Instagram story, along with photos of her playing with their 1-year-old, whom they welcomed in February 2024. The term miscarriage "refers to a failure or end of pregnancy in any trimester," former ABC News chief medical correspondent Dr. Jennifer Ashton told "Good Morning America" in October 2021 during Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. "Typically, we consider a miscarriage occurring in the first and second trimester, and a third trimester miscarriage as a stillbirth. That is the lay terminology," Ashton said at the time, adding that there are many factors that determine "a woman's risk for having a miscarriage, but in general, a singular miscarriage is incredibly common. Most women can or will suffer a miscarriage a lot of times even before they even know that they're pregnant." According to the American Pregnancy Association, "studies reveal that anywhere from 10-25% of all clinically recognized pregnancies will end in miscarriage," and "chemical pregnancies may account for 50-75% of all miscarriages." The organization noted that miscarriages "can be very difficult" and the "emotional impact usually takes longer to heal than physical recovery does." Joy first spoke about their pregnancy loss in January during an episode of Viall's podcast, "The Viall Files," where she revealed she was "actively miscarrying" their second child. At the time, she described the loss as "the biggest heartbreak, I think, of my life," admitting, "I've never experienced something where I feel so empty inside." The couple also said they decided to share their story to support others struggling with pregnancy loss. "Our hope for this episode is to just hopefully allow people like Natalie to feel seen that have gone through this experience, because it's incredibly traumatic for even the dads, but especially the moms," Viall said at the time. Joy added, "I want to show people ... you're not alone" and hoped their daughter would one day see how much love they had for the sibling they lost. Nick Viall's wife Natalie Joy reveals she suffered 2nd miscarriage originally appeared on goodmorningamerica.com Tech stocks led a US stock market rally on Monday, with headlines on more targeted tariff plans from President Trump and a new AI breakthrough from Jack Ma's Ant Group helping boost the sector to start the week. Shares of Meta (META) and Nvidia (NVDA) rose 3.7% and 3.1%, respectively, while AMD (AMD) stock rose 6.9% and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC) gained 2.3% to kick off the final full week of trading for the month of March. Monday's broad market rally followed reports late Sunday that Trump would narrow the number of US trading partners subject to reciprocal tariffs on April 2. The administration is also reportedly set to limit some industry-specific tariffs that were set to take effect, including those on cars and chips. In the tech world, news early Monday out of China that Ant Group, the Jack Ma-backed tech conglomerate, has trained cheaper AI models using Chinese-made chips and those from AMD was the latest sign the AI race continues to push new boundaries. Speaking last week at its GTC Conference, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said the introduction of lower-cost models like those most notably put forth by China's DeepSeek shows the computing needs for AI are actually higher than previously thought. Nvidia's chips are also subject to an export ban from the US in China. Read more about Nvidia's stock moves and today's market action. Earlier this year, Nvidia stock fell over 16% in a single day after DeepSeek's R1 model matched the performance of higher-cost AI models like those from OpenAI (OPAI.PVT) at a fraction of the cost. Jensen Huang, head of the chip company Nvidia, appears at the GTC developer event. (Andrej Sokolow/picture alliance via Getty Images) (picture alliance via Getty Images) In the weeks since these developments, the industry has seen similar breakthroughs in the same vein as that vocalized by Huang. These reflect the larger-than-imagined potential of even deeper AI investments rather than exposing the limits of current plans. (See also: Jevons Paradox.) Also in tech news, a South Korean AI chip startup FuriosaAI reportedly rejected an $800 million offer from Meta. This takes a potential headache away from Meta shareholders, who might have to price in regulatory overhangs and integration costs, and shows AI startups have plenty of confidence to explore the market independently. Tech-specific developments, though a boost for the AI trade on the margins, still take a back seat to trade news. And though AI may not be the clearest fundamental winner or loser due to Trump's tariffs, tech's central role in the stock market rally since late 2022 has seen these stocks retain their leadership position on the way up and the way down. Read more: The latest news and updates on Trump's tariffs As Yahoo Finance's Josh Schafer noted over the weekend, last week's reaction to the Federal Reserve's latest announcement made clear tariffs are and will be the key catalyst for markets in the coming weeks. Fears about the health of the US economy, the outlook for corporate profits, and the direction of Fed policy have all taken a turn leading the daily market discussion during the S&P 500's swift 10% pullback from its Feb. 19 record close. But tariffs have become the clear catalyst in shaping investor sentiment and the market's daily direction. First, in their absence. And on Monday, as a positive presence. "We are watching headline to headline," Jay Woods, chief market strategist at Freedom Capital Markets, told Yahoo Finance last week. "And when didn't we have headlines? We didn't get any headlines out of Washington last Friday [March 14]. We didn't get any headlines out of Washington last Monday [March 17]. Guess what we did? We rallied." 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 There are spoilers ahead. You might want to solve today's puzzle before reading further! Play Your Cards Right Constructor: Noelle Griskey Editor: Amanda Rafkin JANE'S (55A: ___ Addiction (rock band)) The rock band Jane's Addiction formed in 1985 in Los Angeles, California. It currently consists of Eric Avery, Dave Navarro, and Stephen Perkins. The band was named in honor of Jane Bainter, who was a housemate of one of the founding members. Fun fact: The band's first farewell tour (guess it didn't stick...) in 1991 launched Lollapalooza , a music festival that now takes place in Chicago. ACTS (5A: Performs in "Oh, Mary!") The answer here was inferable, but the play Oh, Mary! is new to me. Oh, Mary! premiered off-Broadway and has been on Broadway since July of last year. The play is a comedic spoof of the lives of Abraham Lincoln and Mary Todd Lincoln. According to the show's website , "Oh, Mary! is a dark comedy about a miserable, suffocated Mary Todd Lincoln in the weeks leading up to Abraham Lincoln's assassination." The play was written by Cole Escola, who also originated the role of Mary. TESSA (19A: "Selma" actress Thompson) The 2014 MOVIE, Selma, directed by Ava Duvernay, is a historical drama about the 1965 voting rights marches from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama. TESSA Thompson portrays Diane Nash, a Civil Rights activist who helped organize the Freedom Rides. RIO (25A: City whose official song is "Cidade Maravilhosa") RIO de Janeiro, Brazil is one of the Southern Hemisphere's most visited cities. One of RIO de Janeiro's nicknames and its official song is "Cidade Maravilhosa," which translates to "Marvelous City." RIO de Janeiro hosts a Carnival each year for five days prior to Lent. The song was composed for the 1935 carnival. EAR (29A: Mr. Potato Head piece) This clue is a bit ambiguous. Is it "eye," or "arm," or "leg," or "hat?" Oh, it's EAR! So many three-letter Mr. Potato Head pieces. That's what crossing answers are for. SEVEN (34A: Square root of 49) and SIETE (68A: Seis mas uno) First of all, who put math in our word puzzle? (For the record, I enjoy math.) Secondly, it's fun to have both the English and Spanish words SEVEN and SIETE in the puzzle, and to have them each clued with an equation. LOKI (42A: Mischievous Norse god) In Norse mythology, the god LOKI is a shape shifter, sometimes appearing in the form of a salmon, a mare, or a fly. LOKI has made appearances in modern pop culture, including as a character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (played by Tom Hiddleston), and in Rick Riordan's trilogy, Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard. FETA (53A: Spanakopita cheese) Spanakopita is a spinach pie of Greek origin. A filling - traditionally spinach, eggs, FETA cheese, and onions - is layered in phyllo pastry. FUNNY BUSINESS (57A: Shenanigans) This answer made me smile, because just yesterday we saw the answer DON'T GET ANY IDEAS clued as [No funny business], and we saw FUNNY BUSINESS as a theme answer (for a different theme) just three days ago. AMINO (61A: ___ acid (protein building block)) I have previously geeked out about AMINO acids. Always happy to see science in the crossword. SHASTA (1D: Soda brand named for a California peak) Mount SHASTA is located in the Cascade Mountain Range in northern California, Oregon, and Washington. Mount SHASTA, which is at the southern end of the Cascades, is its second-highest peak. (Mount Rainier is the highest peak in the Cascades.) SHASTA Beverages, which takes its name from Mount SHASTA, began as "The SHASTA Mineral Springs Company" in 1889. It didn't produce its first soft drink, ginger ale, until 1931. SHASTA currently produces 34 varieties of soda (or pop, depending on where you live). COUPON (2D: Discount document that might be clipped) My first thought when I read this was, "Do people still clip COUPONs?" And then I remembered I have some COUPONs hanging on my refrigerator, so I guess the answer is yes... Many COUPONs are digital these days, making the clipping part symbolic. PASTRAMI (11D: Brined and seasoned deli meat) PASTRAMI is a type of cured meat that originated from Romania. The preparation method was created as a way to preserve meat before refrigeration was invented. ETS (12D: Alf and Mork, e.g. (Abbr.)) Alf is a TV sitcom that ran for four seasons from 1986 to 1990. The title character was an "alien life form" (aka an extraterrestrial, or ET) from the planet Melmac. Mork, one of the title characters on the sitcom Mork & Mindy (which also ran for four seasons, but from 1978-1982), was an ET from the planet Ork. Robin Williams (1951-2014) portrayed Mork in what turned out to be his breakthrough role. STEEL (21D: Material associated with Pittsburgh) Pittsburgh is the second-most populous city in Pennsylvania, after Philadelphia. One of Pittsburgh's nicknames is "the STEEL City," in recognition of its major role in the history of the U.S. STEEL industry. POE (22D: "The Force Awakens" pilot Dameron) POE Dameron is an X-wing fighter pilot for the Resistance. He was introduced in the 2015 movie Star Wars: The Force Awakens. From 2016 to 2018, he was featured in his own comic book series: Star Wars: POE Dameron. Oscar Isaac played the role of POE Dameron in the movies. OKAY FINE (38D: "Yeah, whatevs") This clue / answer pair has some Attitude with a capital A. (I like it!) EMOJI (41D: Face Blowing a Kiss, for example) LOS (42D: The "L" of LACMA) The LOS Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) is the largest art museum in the western United States. It is located in the Miracle Mile neighborhood of LOS Angeles, California, and is adjacent to the La Brea Tar Pits. The governors of Maryland, Michigan and Connecticut have all spoken about the need to do more to help boys and men. For Democrats, reaching male voters became a political necessity after last falls election, when young men swung significantly toward President Donald Trump. But for some like Maryland Gov. Wes Moore its also a personal goal. The first-term governor, who has spoken about his own struggles as a teenager, recently announced plans to direct his entire administration to find ways to help struggling boys and men. The well-being of our young men and boys has not been a societal priority, Moore said in an interview. I want Maryland to be the one that is aggressive and unapologetic about being able to address it and being able to fix it. Moores not the only Democrat vowing to help boys and men. Maryland Gov. Wes Moore announced plans to "uplift" boys and men in his State of the State address last month. In her State of the State address, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer shared plans to help boost young mens enrollment in higher education and skills training. And Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont announced what he called a DEI initiative, which folks on both sides of the aisle may appreciate, to get more men into teaching. The announcements come at a critical time. Researchers have argued that the widening gender gap reflects a crisis that, if not addressed, could push men toward extremism. And Democratic pollsters fret that if liberal politicians, in particular, do not address these issues, the party is at risk of losing more men to the GOP. When Trump talks about fixing the economy and being strong, they hear someone who gets it, said John Della Volpe, director of polling at Harvard Kennedy Schools Institute of Politics, and an adviser to Joe Bidens 2020 presidential campaign. That doesnt mean they trust him. But it does mean hes speaking to their reality in a way most Democrats arent. Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer hopes to boost men's enrollment in higher education and skills training. On the campaign trail, Kamala Harris often spoke about issues of importance to women, emphasizing reproductive rights, for instance, and paid family leave policies. But soul-searching over her loss has prompted Democrats to reach out more aggressively to men, by engaging more with sports, for instance, and looking for ways to make the party seem less uncool to young voters. Shauna Daly, a Democratic strategist and co-founder of the Young Men Research Project, said candidates need to do more than show young men that they can hang. Where the Democratic Party has really fallen short with this cohort is that they dont feel like Democrats are fighting for them, she said. They need policies like those the governors have proposed, Daly said, that address men's tangible problems. In every state, women earn more college degrees than men. Boys are more likely to be disciplined in class, and less likely to graduate high school on time than girls. Men die by suicide at higher rates than women and are more likely to rely on illicit drugs and alcohol. And while women increasingly participate in the workforce at higher rates, men have steadily dropped out of the labor market. Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont launched a plan to help more men enter the teaching profession and serve as mentors. The governors speeches touched on many of these issues, and earned cautious applause from masculinity researchers, who said they reflected a promising shift. I think its part of a growing recognition among Democrats that neglecting the problems of boys and men is neither good policy nor good politics, said Richard Reeves, founder of the American Institute for Boys and Men, who has informally advised Moores staff. If Democrats werent thinking about male voters, and especially young male voters, then it would be a pretty serious dereliction of duty, looking at the polls. In the past, Democrats might have been wary of targeting programs toward boys and men for fear of excluding girls. Whitmer seemed aware of this dynamic in her speech, when she followed her announcement about young men with a shoutout to women and a vow not to abandon her commitment to equal opportunity and dignity for everyone. A handful of other states, including some run by Republican governors, have already launched initiatives targeting men in recent years. Utah established a task force that aims to help men and boys lead flourishing lives, and North Dakota created the position of a mens health coordinator to study and raise awareness of disparities affecting men. Moore said he was partly inspired by his own experience growing up in the Bronx after his father passed. He has described how troubles in his youth including a brush with the police for vandalism, skipping school and getting poor grades led his mother to send him away to military school, which he credits with helping him straighten up. It is very personal for me, because I was one of those young men and boys that were trying to reach, he said. And I felt like so many of the conversations that were being had about me were not being had with me. Moore will hold a cabinet meeting in April to discuss plans for the state agencies, but he has some initial goals: to encourage more men in his state to pursue jobs in education and health care, help boys within the juvenile justice system, and make sure he solicits input from boys and men on how the initiatives are designed. For Della Volpe, from the Harvard Kennedy School, the governors announcements are encouraging. The truth is, young men are speaking, he said. Theyve been telling us they want respect, opportunity, and strength. If Democrats dont listen and act theyll keep losing ground. But this moment offers hope. Serious Eats / Getty Images In a Nutshell Cornmeal, grits, and polenta are largely unregulated terms that often overlap in meaning. Cornmeal is the broadest term, referring to any dried and ground field corn. Polenta and grits are both types of cornmealtypically more coarsely groundand derive much of their meaning from their specific associations with Italian and Southern U.S. cuisines, respectively. Understanding the differences between polenta, grits, and cornmealand how best to use themis complex and interesting, and well get to that! But theres also a short answer, so lets start there and work backward. Cornmeal, grits, and polenta are all terms that describe ground, dried field corn (which is different from sweet summer corn that we eat on the cob). Depending on the type of field corn (usually dent or flint), how finely or coarsely its ground, and how it's cooked and served, it can become different things: Fine and medium cornmeal are often used for cornbread, muffins, and hush puppies; more coarsely ground cornmeal can be used to make dishes like grits and polenta. On a basic level, that's it. But beyond those physical differences, much of what separates cornmeal, grits, and polenta comes down to how and where theyre used. In many cases, the products themselves are nearly identicalwhat differs most is the cultural tradition they belong to and the way theyre prepared and served. Lets dig a little deeper. There are small, artisanal producers that grind corn with nuanced flavors from regional and heirloom corn varieties. And there are large-scale and industrial producers whose cornmeal, polenta, and grits are familiar grocery store staples. Heres the catch: There are no labeling standards requiring packages to list the corns origin or processing method. Smaller producers might proudly list those details as well as the coarseness of the grind, and whether its stoneground; whereas grocery store offerings might be generically labeled polenta or grits with no further detail. If theres a silver lining to these labeling vagueries, it may be to underscore the interchangeability of these three products in the kitchen. In our quest to learn all about cornmeal, grits, and polenta, we spoke with Virginia Willis, chef, cookbook author, and Southern foodways expert. She recalled an old joke that goes back to when Italian polenta first made a big splash on the American specialty food and restaurant scene. The opening goes, Whats the difference between a bag of grits and a bag of polenta? The punchline: About $15. In all seriousness though, Willis, along with other experts we reached out toincluding grain authorities Glenn Roberts and Claire Reynolds from Anson Mills, an artisan mill in Columbia, South Carolina specializing in heirloom corn and other grains, as well as Bobs Red Mills Culinary Content Specialist, Sarena Shasteenall encouraged cooks to seek out and use the specific product called for in a recipe to achieve optimal results. Still, they recognized the need to be resourceful in the kitchen and at the grocery store. As Shasteen mentioned in an email, You can generally substitute polenta, grits, and cornmeal, keeping in mind the differences in texture. You may also need to adjust cooking time and liquid amounts, per Shasteen, as different grinds cook at different rates and absorb liquid differently. Further underscoring this point, Serious Eatss editorial director Daniel writes about polenta, Polenta doesn't have to be made with a product that says polenta on the package. There's nothing wrong with using a product designed exclusively for polenta, but you can just as easily use any medium- or coarse-ground cornmeal. Bottom line: There is plenty of room for interchangeability. As much as these products overlap, there are some details worth discussing that can help us differentiate them. What Kind of Corn Is Used to Make Cornmeal, Polenta, and Grits? The type of field corn used for cornmeal and grits is dent corn, which is relatively soft and starchy, and gets its name from the little dent at the top of the kernel. True Italian polenta, on the other hand, comes from flint corn, so called for being as hard as flint. A particular variety of flint corn, called "otto file" (which describes the "eight rows" of kernels on each cob), is often the corn of choice for Italian polenta. That said, some American companies sell polenta made from corn grown in the US that may or may not have Italian lineageconsidering the aforementioned package label vagueries, theres often no easy way to know. You can find various kinds of both dent and flint corn grown and milled by small farms that focus on cultivating and preserving regional and heirloom varieties, prized for their depth of flavor and terroir (a term that refers to an agricultural products distinct local characteristics). Some producers, like Anson Mills in the US, specialize in freshly milled grains and have gained a following among home cooks and chefs for their attention to historical varieties and flavor. More widely available options include brands like Bobs Red Mill, which sources US-grown corn cultivated without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers, according to Shasteen. At the other end of the spectrum are large-scale commercial producers whose sourcing practices are less transparent. The Importance of the Grind Aside from the type of corn used, one of the primary factors that can distinguish cornmeal, polenta, and grits from each other is the grind itself. Industrial vs. Stoneground: Large commercial brands typically use metal rollers or grinders to mill corn. Most of the hull and the germ are removed from the kernels in this process, which gives them a long shelf life, and a texture that is fairly uniform. When corn is stoneground, its literally ground between stones. Some/much of the hull and germ remain intact, meaning more textural variation and deeper flavor. It also produces a wider range of particles, some larger, some finer, resulting in a more varied final texture. Grind size: Whether its ground industrially or stoneground, corn can be ground to different sizes. Finer cornmeal is often used to make more delicate baked goods, while more coarsely ground cornmeal is well suited for hearty bowls of grits or polenta. Keep in mind that the size of the grind also indicates how fast it will absorb liquid and cook, with finer grinds absorbing water more quickly. A Note on Instant Polenta and Grits Much of the polenta and grits on the shelves in grocery stores today are instant or quick-cooking. Instant products are typically finely ground corn thats been cooked, dried, and then ground again. Add these grains to hot liquid, stir very briefly, and theyre done. But that time savings comes at the expense of flavor and texture. Willis likens instant grits to a pot of starch with no flavor. As she puts it, Instant grits are zombie grits. They have no soul. The same is true of polenta. Willis recommends choosing the longest cooking product availablein the world of grocery store grits, quick-cook is better than instant, and old-fashioned is better than quick-cook. This means that if you're faced with only instant or quick-cook polenta or grits alongside medium or coarse cornmeal and want to make polenta or grits, you're often better off getting the coarse cornmeal and skipping the others, even if they have the more appropriate name on the bag. Cornmeal, Polenta, and Grits: A Closer Look Cornmeal This is the broadest and hardest to define of all the terms, because "cornmeal" simply describes a dried meal made from corn. Cornmeal can be ground to any size, can be made from many different types of corn, and can be used for any imaginable purpose. In fact, one can correctly consider polenta and grits to be types of cornmeal (in that they are meals made from corn). Because it's such an all-encompassing term, it's important to understand that not all types of cornmeal are appropriate for all uses. Getty Images / AnthonyRosenberg Most products sold as "cornmeal" are a fine- to medium-grind, and can be used to make cornbread, corn muffins, and hush puppies, to bread fish and seafood for frying, and to dust a pizza pan so the crust doesn't stick. Some producers, including Bobs Red Mill, also make coarse-ground cornmeal, which can work well as a stand-in for polenta and grits. Depending on how its cooked and served, that same coarse cornmeal might be called polenta in one kitchen and grits in another. Polenta Most strongly associated with the cooking of northern Italy, polenta is sort of an Italian cousin to grits. Polenta dates back to ancient Roman times and was originally a term for mush or porridge made from various grains cooked with water. Before corn made its way to Italy from the New World in the 1500s, grains ranging from buckwheat to fava beans were the norm. Eventually, corn became the preferred grain for polenta, and now the dish is nearly synonymous with corn. Getty Images / Lew Robertson While much less common, you can still sometimes find "taragna" or "nera" polenta, which is a mix of corn polenta and buckwheat flour that hails from the Italian Alpine valleys north of Brescia and Bergamo. Whether it has authentic Italian lineage or not, polenta today is typically medium- or coarsely-ground corn with a texture similar to grits that may or may not be stoneground. Stoneground polenta cooks up into a porridge with a more varied texture compared to polenta ground to a more consistent size; many prize the texture of stoneground, but it's ultimately a question of personal preference. Polenta is best when slowly cooked in liquid (usually water or broth) over low heat. As it cooks, the grains swell and release their starches, becoming thick and creamy. Polenta can be a main course, often topped with braised meats or melted cheese, or a side dish, enriched with butter and/or cheese stirred in at the end of cooking. Polenta can also be cooled and set, then later sliced, crisped (usually grilled or fried), and topped with cheeses, olives, fresh herbsalmost like toast. Or try Virginia Williss favorite way: Cut firm polenta into cubes, then fry them and use them as croutons, a go-to method Willis learned in Tuscany from cookbook author and food expert Paula Lambert. Pre-cooked polenta is also sold in tubes at the grocery store, sometimes refrigerated, sometimes shelf-stable. Not all cooks like its flavor or texture, but in a pinch it can be cut up and fried, or even made soft and creamy again by simmering in liquid, and then mashing it thoroughly to remove lumps. Grits Grits refers to corn that's been coarsely ground for the specific purpose of making the Southern dish of the same name. At the store, look for the longest-cooking grits available, and simmer them with water, or possibly stock (shrimp stock is a nice addition if youre making shrimp and grits). Cooking over low heat will help develop the best texture, giving the grits plenty of time to fully absorb water, hydrate, and slowly release their starches for a creamy, corn-forward result. Grits can be a simple breakfast side dish topped with just salt, pepper, and a pat of butter (Sarena Shasteens favorite), as the base for Lowcountry seafood stews like shrimp and grits, or reimagined in new ways (Virginia Willis uses it as the topping on her Southern-style shepherds pie). Getty Images / Liudmila Chernetska Sometimes grits are sold as "hominy" grits, another term that can add considerable confusion. Traditionally, hominy grits differ from other grits in that the dried corn theyre made from has been soaked and simmered in an alkaline solution to remove their hulls. The process is called nixtamalization, and it makes some of the nutrients in the corn easier for our bodies to absorb. This resulting corn is called hominy, and it is dried and ground to make hominy grits. Watch out, though, because some products that are sold as "hominy" grits are made with regular dried corn and not nixtamalized corn (once again, we can thank a lack of labeling regulations for this confusion). You can identify whether the corn in "hominy" grits has actually been nixtamalized or not from the ingredient listit should include some type of alkaline agent like calcium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide (you may also see common names for these alkalis like "lime" or "cal"). Masa Harina As long as we're discussing hominy and nixtamalization, it's worth briefly acknowledging another nixtamalized corn flour on market shelves: masa harina. Similar to the hominy mentioned above, the corn for masa harina is soaked and simmered in alkalized water before being ground into a dough called masa and then dried to make masa harina. It's shelf-stable and can easily be reconstituted and used just like fresh masa to make Mesoamerican foods like tortillas, tamales, and so much more. Read the original article on Serious Eats Actor Sydney Sweeney will star in a movie based on a Reddit post. Jacopo Raule/Getty Images Warner Bros. has secured the rights for a film based on a Reddit post starring Sydney Sweeney. The story was first posted to the r/nosleep subreddit, known for its "creepypasta" scary tales. Hollywood has previously adapted internet stories, like "Slender Man" and "Zola." Hollywood is betting big on a longtime internet classic: the creepypasta. Warner Bros. has won the rights to a film starring Sydney Sweeney based on a 4-year-old story posted to the r/nosleep Reddit community. The r/nosleep community on Reddit is a place where users share scary first-person stories. The community encourages users to maintain "immersion" by behaving as if the stories are real. The term "creepypasta" describes stories from the subreddit and is a play on the term "copypasta" blocks of text that are so memorable they are reposted and repurposed across social media, becoming a meme. The film will be based on one of the community's most popular stories titled, "I pretended to be a missing girl so I could rob her family." The story follows a girl who pretends to be a daughter missing for several years so she can steal from a family. The plot is similar to the 2009 horror movie "Orphan," which follows a 33-year-old Russian woman pretending to be a young girl so that an unsuspecting family will adopt her. Sweeney has signed on to star in and produce the project and Academy Award-winning "Forest Gump" writer Eric Roth will write the script, Warner Bros. confirmed. Joe Cote, an English teacher from Massachusetts, posted the story on Reddit. Cote told The Daily Mail that his first thought when Hollywood talent managers reached out about the film last year was, "Holy crap. What is happening?'" Cote did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider. Hollywood has tried to bring other popular internet stories to the big screen before, banking on their already-established popularity. In 2018, Ryan Reynolds agreed to produce a film based on a post on the r/nosleep subreddit called "The Patient Who Nearly Drove Me Out Of Medicine." The film was never released. Maybe the most notable "creepypasta" to hit the big screen was the 2018 film "Slender Man," which is based on the Slenderman character that rose to fame through creepy stories on an internet forum called Something Awful. In 2021, A24 also released "Zola," which was based on a popular Twitter thread in 2015 posted by A'Ziah King. It recounted her trip to Florida to become a stripper. Reddit and the moderators of r/nosleep did not immediately return requests for comment from Business Insider. Warner Bros. also did not immediately return a request for comment. Read the original article on Business Insider Cherry blossom season is in full swing in Washington, D.C., with the trees reaching peak bloom on Friday, according to the National Park Service. Originally a gift from Japan to the United States, the capital's cherry blossoms mostly appear along the Tidal Basin and in surrounding parks. Photos on Friday show the trees in bloom with white and pink flowers. The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. memorial surrounded by cherry blossom trees as the cherry blossoms hit peak bloom on March 28, 2025, in Washington, D.C. / Credit: Shannon Finney / WireImage Cherry blossom trees stand along the Tidal Basin as the cherry blossoms hit peak bloom on March 28, 2025, in Washington, D.C. / Credit: Shannon Finney / WireImage The Washington Monument is framed by cherry blossoms as the trees hit peak bloom on March 28, 2025, in Washington, D.C. / Credit: Shannon Finney / WireImage The National Park Service determines the cherry blossoms' peak bloom date based on when 70% of the blossoms on the Yoshino cherry trees, which are the most common type of cherry tree planted along the Tidal Basin, are open. Typically, peak bloom occurs between the last week of March and the first week of April, according to the park service. The average peak bloom date falls on April 3, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, which says the exact timing varies from year to year because warmer temperatures can encourage an earlier bloom. The Yoshino trees usually bloom over multiple days. Even before peak bloom, the blossoms have attracted visitors and photographers. Below are images of the cherry blossoms between March 21 and 27. Cherry blossoms are seen along the Tidal Basin on March 27, 2025, just before peak bloom in Washington, D.C. / Credit: Kayla Bartkowski / Getty Images The sun rises over the blooming cherry blossoms at the Tidal Basin on March 27, 2025, in Washington, D.C. / Credit: Kayla Bartkowski / Getty Images Framed by blooming cherry blossoms, Hallie Wilde, left, looks on as Victoria Bartlett, center, prepares to pose for photographs along the Tidal Basin on March 27, 2025, in Washington, D.C. / Credit: Matt McClain / The Washington Post via Getty Images People are framed by blooming cherry blossoms along the Tidal Basin on Thursday March 27, 2025, in Washington, D.C. / Credit: Matt McClain / The Washington Post via Getty Images There are a multitude of opportunities for people to enjoy the cherry blossoms in D.C. before they disappear for the year. The city's Cherry Blossom Festival offers an extensive lineup of events, which are mostly free and pay homage to the city's culture and history. Held to commemorate the gift of 3,000 cherry trees from Tokyo's then-mayor Yukio Ozaki to Washington, D.C., the festival draws more than 1.5 million to a range of programs, according to its website. The events include a kite festival and the National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade. The Jefferson Memorial is seen with cherry blossoms in bloom along the Tidal Basin on March 27, 2025, in Washington, D.C. / Credit: Rod Lamkey / AP Anna Vo Nguyen, left, and her mother, Tina Vo, explore the blooming cherry trees at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial near the Tidal Basin on March 24, 2025, in Washington, D.C. / Credit: Matt McClain/The Washington Post via Getty Images Blooming cherry blossoms are seen near the Tidal Basin on Sunday March 23, 2025, in Washington, D.C. The Washington Monument stands in the background. / Credit: Matt McClain / The Washington Post via Getty Images People take photos of blooming cherry blossoms near the Tidal Basin on Sunday March 23, 2025, in Washington, D.C. / Credit: Matt McClain / The Washington Post via Getty Images Jeff Reinbold, the superintendent of National Mall and Memorial Parks, said in a statement that instilling community-wide appreciation for the cherry trees is a big part of the festival's mission. "The National Park Service takes great pride in the work we do to care for the stars of this festival the 3,700 cherry trees, which are both natural and cultural treasures of our city and our nation," Reinbold said. "We encourage all visitors to the Festival to be good stewards of the trees and join us as "cherry blossom protectors" to help us preserve them for future generations and Festivals." Cherry blossoms begin to bloom, March 21, 2025 in Washington, D.C. / Credit: Jose Luis Magana/AP Hegseth reacts to Atlantic releasing his Signal texts to Trump team detailing Yemen bombing Deadly earthquakes rock Myanmar, Thailand Former National Security Adviser H. R. McMaster reacts to Trump administration leak French actor Gerard Depardieu walks with his lawyer Jeremie Assous (R) as he arrives for the opening of his trial in which he is accused of sexually abusing two women during a film shoot in 2021, at the Paris criminal court in the Tribunal de Paris courthouse, on March 24, 2025. Depardieu, 76, who has made more than 200 films and television series, has been accused of improper behaviour by around 20 women but this is the first case to come to trial. The two plaintiffs -- Amelie, 54, a set dresser, and Sarah (name changed), 34, an assistant director -- allege sexual assault during the filming in 2021 of "Les Volets Verts" ("The Green Shutters") by director Jean Becker. (Photo by JULIEN DE ROSA / AFP) (Photo by JULIEN DE ROSA/AFP via Getty Images) - Julien de Rosa/AFP/Getty Images The trial of Gerard Depardieu, who has been accused of sexually assaulting two women on a movie set in 2021, began on Monday after a five-month delay due to the French actors poor health. The 76-year-old arrived in the courtroom wearing a formal black suit, smiling as he walked in holding his lawyers shoulder. He faces charges of allegedly assaulting the women while filming Les Volets Verts, or The Green Shutters. Depardieu was accused in both cases of using violence, coercion, surprise, or threat in the alleged assaults, by trapping the victims between his legs and groping their buttocks, genitals, and chest over their clothing according to the Paris prosecutors office. Depardieu has denied any wrongdoing. His lawyer, Jeremie Assous, told CNN that his client categorically disputes the facts and says the accusations are all false. Carine Durrieu-Diebolt, a lawyer of one of the women, said her client was seeking a recognition of the facts in light of Depardieus denials. She said the two women are waiting for judicial recognition, an official acknowledgement by the justice system that they were victims of sexual assaults. With more than 240 films under his belt, Depardieu is one of Frances most prolific and famous actors. Internationally, he is known for his roles in films like Green Card, The Man in the Iron Mask and Life of Pi. He was also nominated for an Oscar in 1991 for his role in Cyrano de Bergerac. In a separate case, the actor is facing charges of rape and sexual assault against actress Charlotte Arnould, allegedly committed in August 2018, according to the prosecutors office. The French actor has denied all accusations against him. Never, absolutely never, have I abused a woman, he wrote in a letter published in Frances Le Figaro newspaper in October 2023. Hurting a woman would be like kicking my own mother in the stomach, he added. Months later, French President Emmanuel Macron drew criticism after describing Depardieus situation as a manhunt in comments on French TV and expressing his admiration for an immense actor who is making France proud. The support was not well received by many in France, including by former president Francois Hollande who declared: No, we are not proud of Gerard Depardieu! what was expected of the President of the Republic was to talk about the women rather than stating that Gerard Depardieu is a great actor. Macron later walked back his remarks, in an interview with ELLE magazine in May 2024, insisting he never defended an aggressor against its victims but that the presumption of innocence should be respected. Women demonstrate outside the court where actor Gerard Depardieu faces trial for the alleged sexual assaults of two women on a film set in 2021. - Aurelien Morissard/AP Investigative journalist Marine Turchi has interviewed more than 20 women who allegedly faced sexual harassment or attacks at the hands of the actor, with some testimonies of abuse dating back to 1985. Some of these allegations would be subject to the statute of limitations; Depardieu denies all the claims made. The world of cinema is typically a place where there can be abuses of power. Its a setting with a very strong hierarchy, where highly powerful decision-makers often still men interact with freelancers, technicians, makeup artists, extras, actresses, and others who have no power, Turchi, who writes for the French online newspaper Mediapart, told CNN. Turchi believes Frances smaller film industry in comparison to Hollywood makes speaking up harder. You can very quickly be identified as the person who spoke up, someone who might be seen as a bit troublesome, she said. Depardieus legal woes extend further, with the actor also under investigation for tax fraud, aggravated tax fraud, and money laundering, a judicial source told CNN. In 2013, Depardieu set up residence in the Belgian village of Nechin, adjacent to the border with France. The small town with a population of just over 2,000 people initially welcomed him as an honorary citizen, but he was stripped of the title in 2023 following the allegations of sexual misconduct. Investigators suspect that the actor never lived there and the property was set up to avoid paying taxes in France. Searches were carried out in France and Belgium last month to determine if his Belgian tax domicile was fictitious. The tax authorities have been trying for years to establish fraud, without success; they are now attempting through criminal proceedings, Assous, Depardieus lawyer, told CNN. Mondays sexual assault trial is scheduled to last two days, with a verdict expected a few weeks after. If found guilty, the French actor could face up to five years in prison and a 75,000 ($81,000) fine. CNNs Dalal Mawad contributed to this story. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Catherine Falls Commercial/Getty A South Korean man was sentenced for raping his ex-girlfriend after at least one of his attacks was recorded by a security camera through its reflection on a washing machine door. The 24-year-old man, who has not been named in South Korean media, was sentenced to seven years in prison, The Korea Times, The Korea Herald and YTN reported this week. The BBC also reported on this case, citing local media. The man's ex-girlfriend, whose age was not clear, told police he had raped her at least six times between March and April of 2024, The Korea Times and YTN reported, citing an indictment. Per the indictment, she also told police he had held her captive for several hours. His attacks began when she told him she wanted to end their relationship after discovering sexually explicit photos and videos of other women on his phone, the outlets reported. The man initially denied the allegations but later admitted to the crimes after investigators presented damning, albeit unconventional, evidence, per the outlets. Part of the attack was captured in CCTV footage the victim provided to authorities. But the attack itself was not in clear view of the video. The footage, which Korea Times and YTN reported was 39-minutes long, captured a clear view of the man and woman only for two minutes, which did not include the attack. For the other 37 minutes of the clip, the attack could be witnessed in the reflection caught in the plastic door of the washing machine, per The Korea Times,The Korea Herald and YTN. 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. The man had already been convicted of the crime in November, and the latest sentencing came after he tried to appeal his sentence, per the outlets. If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual abuse, text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor. Read the original article on People The stocks of Freddie Mac (FMCC) and Fannie Mae (FNMA) are once again surging amid new signs that the Trump administration could be interested in loosening the government's grip on the US mortgage giants. That speculation got a boost last week when US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent appeared to suggest on a podcast called "All In" that the government's stakes in Fannie and Freddie could land in a new US sovereign wealth fund already authorized by President Trump. "Government has a big stake in Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac ... where does that go?" Bessent said when asked about the sovereign wealth fund, without offering further detail. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. (Reuters/Evelyn Hockstein/File Photo) (Reuters / Reuters) The Wall Street Journal also reported this past weekend that the Trump administration has, in fact, contemplated an executive order that might include studying the privatization of Fannie and Freddie. A proposal has been shown to the administration, according to the Wall Street Journal, outlining how Treasury's ownership of the mortgage giants could be moved to the sovereign wealth fund. The stocks of Freddie and Fannie semi-acronyms for Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation and the Federal National Mortgage Association rose more than 8% Monday. Read more: How much money do I need to buy a house? The stocks have each jumped more than 350% since Trump's election win on investor optimism about taking the giants private. The new speculation comes as the president's pick to lead the overseer of the mortgage giants, Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) Director William Pulte, has already replaced the boards of each government-sponsored institution and laid off dozens of FHFA employees. Pulte appointed himself as chair of both Fannie and Freddie. I spent the weekend speaking with some great leaders at Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. There are some really great people inside of these businesses, and the good news for them is there is a lot of upward mobility, to earn and grow MORE! Pulte (@pulte) March 16, 2025 Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae play a central role in the US housing market by purchasing mortgages from lenders and repackaging them as securities. Both fell under government control during the 2008 financial crisis as mortgage defaults soared. Some prominent Wall Street investors, including Bill Ackman, long ago wagered by purchasing stock in Fannie and Freddie that the companies would eventually be returned to private control. Investors hoped the transition would happen during the first Trump administration, only to see that effort fizzle. Now Ackman and others believe a second Trump administration can get it done. The argument for doing it is that selling the government's stakes in the companies could generate billions that could be used to reduce the deficit and return money to taxpayers or even be added to a US sovereign wealth fund. Bill Ackman, CEO of Pershing Square Capital, speaks at the Wall Street Journal Digital Conference in Laguna Beach, Calif., on Oct. 17, 2017. (Reuters/Mike Blake) (REUTERS / Reuters) The argument against the move is that it could affect access to credit in the housing market, which relies on Fannie and Freddie to fund 30-year mortgages, and that the giants may not be as successful on their own. "I think they are playing with fire here," Chris Whalen, chair of Whalen Global Advisors, told Yahoo Finance in December. Earlier this month, Stifel CEO Ronald Kruszewski argued in a Financial Times op-ed that integrating Fannie and Freddie into a sovereign wealth fund would be one way the government could provide continued support. If executed well, Fannie and Freddie could generate $30 billion in annual income that could largely be reinvested in a sovereign wealth fund after both institutions are adequately capitalized. "This combination could pave the way for a $1tn sovereign wealth fund by 2040," Kruszewski wrote. Mark Calabria, FHFA head during the first Trump administration, told Yahoo Finance at the end of last year that he put the odds of such a development happening within the next four years at 70%. He also said "there's zero chance" it will happen in 2025. 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 SEOUL, South Korea (AP) South Koreas Constitutional Court overturned the impeachment of Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, reinstating the nation's No. 2 official as acting leader Monday while not yet ruling on the separate impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol over his shocking imposition of martial law in December. Many observers said the 7-1 ruling in Han's case did not signal much about the upcoming verdict on Yoon, as Han wasnt a key figure in imposing martial law. But the ruling could still embolden Yoons staunch supporters and ramp up their political offensive on the opposition. Speaking with reporters following his reinstatement, Han thanked the court for what he called a wise decision and promised to focus on tackling urgent matters, including a fast-changing global trade environment, in an apparent reference to the Trump administrations aggressive tariffs policy. He also called for national unity, saying: Theres no left or right what matters is the advancement of our nation. South Korea has been thrown into political turmoil since Yoon, a conservative, declared martial law on Dec. 3 and sent hundreds of troops to the liberal opposition-controlled National Assembly and other places in Seoul. Yoon's decree lasted only six hours as enough lawmakers managed to enter an assembly hall where they quickly voted down the decree. The impeachment arguments The assembly impeached Yoon on Dec. 14, alleging he violated the Constitution and other laws by suppressing assembly activities and trying to detain politicians. Yoon's impeachment made Han acting president until he was impeached in late December. The unprecedented, successive impeachments that suspended the countrys top two officials intensified domestic division and deepened worries about South Korea's diplomatic and economic activities. A major trigger for the oppositions push to impeach Han was his refusal to fill three vacant seats at the Constitutional Court's nine-member bench. That was a highly explosive issue because the court needed support from at least six justices to approve Yoon's impeachment and filling its empty posts could make such a decision more likely. After Han was suspended, his successor as acting president, Choi Sang-mok, appointed two new justices but left the ninth seat vacant. Han was also accused in the impeachment motion of abetting Yoons martial law declaration and obstructing efforts to open independent investigations into Yoons alleged rebellion in connection with his martial law decree. On Monday, seven of the Constitutional Court's eight justices ruled to overturn or dismiss Han's impeachment. They ruled that his alleged actions werent against the law or werent serious enough to remove him from office or his impeachment motion didn't even met a required quorum when it passed thorough the assembly. One justice upheld Hans impeachment. The main liberal opposition Democratic Party expressed regret over the courts decision to reinstate Han and urged it to dismiss Yoon quickly. Yoons office welcomed Mondays ruling, saying it shows again the oppositions repeated uses of impeachment motions were reckless, malicious political offensive. What's next? Observers earlier had predicted the Constitutional Court would rule on Yoons case in mid-March, but it hasnt done so, sparking varied speculation on possible reasons. Todays verdict will give hope to Yoons supporters for a similar fate and hope for Yoons opponents for his ouster, said Duyeon Kim, a senior analyst at the Center for a New American Security in Washington. But its too soon to predict the courts verdict on Yoon because the specific details of both cases and allegations are different. Kim said the reinstatement of Han, a career bureaucrat, will bring more stability to South Korea compared to when his powers as acting president were suspended. Massive rival rallies backing or denouncing Yoon have divided the streets of Seoul and other major cities in South Korea. Earlier surveys showed that a majority of South Koreans were critical of Yoons martial law enactment, but those supporting or sympathizing with Yoon have later gained strength. Yoon argues that his martial law introduction was a desperate attempt to bring attention to the wickedness of the Democratic Party which obstructed his agenda and filed many impeachment motions against senior officials. Yoon critics counter he likely tried to use military rule to frustrate possible special investigations into scandals involving him and his wife. Senior military and police officers sent to the assembly have said that Yoon ordered them to drag out lawmakers to prevent a floor vote to overturn his decree. Yoon says the troops' deployment was designed to maintain order. If the court upholds Yoons impeachment, South Korea must hold a presidential election to choose his successor. If it rules for him, Yoon will regain his presidential powers. Yoon has separately been charged with directing rebellion, a charge that carries the death penalty or a life sentence if he is convicted. ___ Associated Press writer Kim Tong-hyung contributed to this report. A year after Baltimores Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed after being struck by an errant cargo ship, a new study indicates such incidents are more likely to occur in the U.S. than commonly known, with potentially similar catastrophic consequences. Some of the nations busiest bridges are likely to be struck by ships within several decades, the study authors said, reflecting a dramatic increase over time in vessel size and shipping lane traffic. The two most vulnerable spans listed in the assessment the Huey P. Long Bridge outside New Orleans and the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge face a likelihood of collisions of approximately every two decades. We have significantly underestimated the risk that large ships pose to existing bridges across the U.S., said Michael Shields, an associate professor of civil and systems engineering and lead investigator of the study conducted by Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. These results verify that the Key Bridge was not an aberration. Its something we should have better seen coming and can now react to by putting appropriate corrective measures in place. The studys preliminary findings echo a March 20 update from the National Transportation Safety Board on its investigation of the disaster. Board chair Jennifer L. Homendy faulted Maryland officials overseeing the Key Bridge for failing to recognize that the structure's vulnerability to such collisions was 30 times more than the federal standard. The MV Dali, a 984-foot container ship headed for Sri Lanka, struck a pier of the Key Bridge after losing power early on the morning of March 26, 2024, causing the structure to collapse into the Patapsco River, killing six road workers and forcing temporary closure of the Port of Baltimore. It was a shocking reminder of the fragility of the engineering marvels we so often consider indestructible, the Johns Hopkins project site noted. The university's national risk assessment of bridge vulnerability was funded by the National Science Foundations Rapid Response Program, which focuses on studies in the immediate aftermath of disaster. It focused on a central question: How likely was a disaster like this to occur? Its list of the nations 20 most at-risk bridges includes seven bridges with a probability of being struck by ships every 50 years or less, including the Huey P. Long Bridge (17 years), the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge (22 years), the Crescent City Connection in New Orleans (34 years), the Beltway 8 Bridge in Houston (35 years) and the Hale Boggs Memorial Bridge west of New Orleans (37 years). The findings are unsettling to commuters like Darby Li Po Price, a professor of Asian and Asian American Studies at Oaklands Merritt College who drives across the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge about once a month. Hes sailed the waters underneath the bridge and knows how problematic they can be. We have a complex water system, he said. The winds and currents are a lot more dramatic. And we have fog. Price wasnt too surprised, then, to learn the bridge was among the nations most at-risk spans of being hit by a ship, though the discovery did prompt some gallows humor. Maybe it just means Ill drive across the bridge a little faster, he said. Id rather risk a speeding ticket than the bridge collapsing while Im on it. Shields said the risk is incredibly low for the average daily commuter. Youre talking about an event that will potentially occur over a span of decades, he said. But if you compound that and say, what are the chances that this will occur in my lifetime the chances for an individual traveler are very small, but the risk to society and communities is very real. Why the likelihood of collisions has risen Two primary factors contribute to greater than expected frequency of ship-bridge collisions, experts say: the immensity of todays ships and higher volumes of traffic prompted by the explosion of global trade. These are really large ships that you dont want anywhere near the piers of a bridge, Shields said. They will be damaging, and it will be a consequential event. The San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge, completed in 1936, is among the spans most vulnerable to ship collision, according to a risk assessment study conducted by Johns Hopkins University. The study was prompted by the March 26, 2024, collapse of Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge after being struck by a container ship. Many large bridges, Shields said, were built more than 50 years ago, when ship traffic was one third or less of the volume it is now; meanwhile, ships are several times larger than were at the time, so youre seeing a much higher volume of really large ships. The study focused on major bridges with high traffic including ships more than 150 meters long, or just shy of 500 feet. That narrowed the review to about 400 of the nations roughly 80,000 bridges. Project engineers evaluated several factors to determine the likelihood of ship collisions for each bridge, including traffic patterns combined with the probability of ships veering off course and the chances that those that do will strike bridge piers. The researchers mined 16 years of U.S. Coast Guard data detailing the position, velocity, status and heading of ships in U.S. waterways, cross-referencing hundreds of millions of data points with port and bridge data kept by the National Bridge Inventory. They also considered the reasons a ship might deviate from its path, whether it be pilot error, weather conditions or a loss of power, using a base aberrancy rate calculated by the American Association for State Highway and Transportation Officials. Finally, they looked at the protections in place to prevent ships from striking piers for example, arrays of so-called dolphins, pilings embedded into the seabed and visible above water level to aid navigation. Salvage work continued on Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge on May 9, 2024. The major span over the city's Patapsco River collapsed on March 26, 2024, after being struck by a container ship, killing six road workers on the bridge at the time. Abi Aghayere, a professor of structural engineering at Drexel University in Philadelphia, said the increasing size of vessels in navigable waterways makes it imperative that piers be protected from ship strikes. Aghayere, who is unaffiliated with the Johns Hopkins study, said an examination of Coast Guard data conducted by one of his students found 2,100 reports of engine failure within a mile of the U.S. coast or its waterways in the last 14 years; about 100 of those occurred in the area between the Key Bridge and the Delaware Memorial Bridge 70 miles away, he said. Meanwhile, just 2,360 of the more than 4,200 bridges with piers listed in the Federal Highway Administrations national bridge inventory, Aghayere said, feature protective dolphins, fenders or islands. There are at least 1,800 bridges without any functional pier protection, he said. What is even more worrisome is that many of these unprotected bridges are fracture critical, which means that if one member of the bridge fails in tension, the whole structure could suddenly come crashing down. 1980 Florida bridge collapse 'a wake-up call' Thats what happened in the case of the Key Bridge, which the Johns Hopkins study determined would have been among the nations 10 most vulnerable bridges, with a 48-year likelihood of experiencing a collision. A pair of dolphins were placed too distantly from bridge piers to be effective, Shields said. BALTIMORE, MARYLAND: In an aerial view, salvage crews clean up wreckage on June 11, 2024, following the March 26, 2024, collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in the Patapsco River in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images) According to the study, vessel collisions caused 17 major bridge collapses in the U.S. between 1960 and 2011 or every three years with varying consequences. In 1980, 35 people died when the Sunshine Skyway Bridge connecting St. Petersburg and Bradenton, Florida, collapsed after being hit by a freighter during a sudden thunderstorm; in 1993, an Amtrak passenger train derailed, killing 47, after barges pushed by a towboat lost in thick fog struck the Big Bayou Canot Bridge near Mobile, Alabama. In 2002, a freight barge struck a pier of Oklahomas Interstate 40 bridge after the towboats captain lost consciousness, collapsing a section of the bridge and killing 14. The important point is not whether it will occur every 17 years or every 75 years, Shields said. Its that its happening way too often. The Sunshine Skyways collapse was a wake-up call, Shields said, prompting new federal standards issued in 1994 requiring bridge designs to have no more than a 1-in-10,000 probability of collapse due to ship collision. However, no provision mandated that existing bridges needed to be retroactively protected. Most of these bridges were never designed with ship collision in mind to begin with, Shields said, noting that just one of the assessments 20 most at-risk bridges was built after 1994; most were built between the 1930s and 1970s. A view of the Verrazano Bridge from the Staten Island Ferry on January 04, 2021, in New York City. (Photo by Angela Weiss / AFP) (Photo by ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images) Thats evident, he said, in some of the most at-risk bridges, some of which are shorter spanned bridges with piers nearer shipping channels challenged by the length of the vessels themselves. In the case of the Key Bridge, the width of the span was only slightly longer than the ship passing through it, Shields said. Meanwhile, bridges with lower risks for instance, the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge in Staten Island, New York, for which the assessment predicts a ship collision every 362 years have longer spans and piers farther removed from shipping channels. Some busy bridges such as Minnesotas Deluth Lift Bridge and Californias Vincent Thomas Bridge escaped the list altogether because their supports are on land. Thats in contrast to the two most at-risk bridges, the Huey P. Long and San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge, each of which has at least four piers in the water where shipping traffic passes through. For every pier you put in the water, thats an additional risk, Shields said. 'The physics take over' While the Johns Hopkins study examined the probabilities of collision, it stopped short of considering collapse because of the unique factors underlying individual bridges; analyzing even one bridge for that result, Shields said, is a mammoth undertaking. As part of last weeks update, the NTSB urged bridge owners and operators nationwide to conduct risk assessments, identifying 68 U.S. spans for which it said evaluations had not been done. The Crescent City Connection spans the Mississippi River in New Orleans. The bridge was listed among the nation's most vulnerable to ship collision in a study conducted by Johns Hopkins University engineers, who released their preliminary findings on March 24, 2025. The study was prompted by the collapse of Baltimore's Francis Scott Bridge on March 26, 2024. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images Shields said he hopes his teams findings, along with the NTSB recommendations, spur port authorities and bridge owners to follow up and act to minimize such collisions. Local authorities, he said, could also employ more extreme measures such as requiring very large vessels to be towed under certain bridges. Christopher Higgins, a professor of structural engineering at Oregon State University in Corvallis, said a lack of protective measures are likely more to blame than structural deficiencies. The main way you avoid ship impact, especially with large container ships, is with tugboats, said Higgins, also unaffiliated with the Johns Hopkins study. If you have a ship with electrical difficulties and you lose power there isnt much you can do. The physics take over at that point and that ships going to go where its going to go. Aghayere, of Drexel University, said the cost of protecting bridge supports pales when compared to the consequences of collapse. For instance, he said, while it would cost $100 million to install dolphins protecting the Delaware Memorial Bridge against ship strikes, the cost of replacing the Key Bridge is estimated at nearly $2 billion. I believe these incidents are more likely than we think, Aghayere said. Given the scale of tragedy that could have happened had the Key Bridge been struck during rush hour and that so many bridges are susceptible to collapse if struck, its all the more imperative that something be done, he said. The sun sets on the Francis Scott Key Bridge, a major span over the Patapsco River in Baltimore on March 28, 2024, two days after it collapsed after being struck by a container ship. Mandatory Credit: Jasper Colt-USA TODAY Ryan Zamarripa, who manages grants under the U.S. Economic Development Administrations Build Back Better Regional Challenge, fears a rash of recent federal cutbacks could affect the ability of ports to prevent such tragedies from happening again. Given the Trump administrations overt hostility toward federal agencies and civil servants responsible for keeping infrastructure like our ports running smoothly, catastrophes like what happened at the Key Bridge are at risk of increasing in frequency over the near term, he said. The resulting chaos, he said, is severely disrupting the highly complex logistics required by modern-day commerce and transportation. Shields said theres no one-size-fits-all solution. Each bridge will require its own set of protective measures and protocols. Youre never going to build a bridge that can withstand the impact of the Empire State Building, in all reality, Shields said. What you really need to do is put protections in place to ensure that ship never gets anywhere near the piers to begin with. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Span of disaster: US bridges face deadly risk of ship ramming Love a good mystery, especially one that's got to do with animals? If so, perhaps you can help solve the mystery of what exactly this critter captured on a South Florida trail cam truly isa mysterious cryptid, or just a normal animal needing a definitive ID? This photo from last week depicts a classic sighting of a UFFan unidentified furry friend. The eerie-looking apparition has wildlife fanatics dumbfoundedthough of course, they have a few good guesses. Mystery cat cryptid, or just a standard cat? If it is a cat species we're all familiar with, which one is it? The animal appears feline based on its blurry, shadowy silhouette and flashing, reflective eyes, but as the poster from the South Florida Wildlife Association remarks, it "looks a little bit wrong and a little bit right for a number of different species." Related: Trail Cam Captures Touching Video of Bear Taking Outdoor Bath After Terrible Injury What Is the Trail Cam Critter? For posterity, the SFWA suspects that they have a feral cat on their hands. But there's a reason why they're not sold 100% on this idea: "...The public lands where this cam shot was taken also hosts many bobcats as well as panthers. Would guess life expectancy for a domestic cat living in the wild here would be very short." A bobcat standing in grass Grim though a domestic cat's prospects would be that far out in the wild, there are some things contradicting the other two hypothetical creatures: bobcats and panthers. Many commenters pointed out that a bobcat would have a shorter tail, a spotted pattern, and squatter legs, while a panther would have bigger paws and a more muscular build. A Florida panther Of course, those weren't the only two guesses. Commenters threw some of their own more out-of-left-field ideas into the mix, suggesting that the critter might be a dog, a fox, or even a jaguarundia South American wild cat somewhere between a house cat and a panther in size. They're not native to Florida, but they've been sighted there many times. A jaguarundi on a log At this point, it's anyone's guess. If you think you might crack the case, though, be sure to throw your hat in the ring! WASHINGTON The Atlantic magazines editor in chief was included on a message chain in which top Trump administration officials including Vice President JD Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and national security adviser Mike Waltz discussed recent strikes against the Houthi terror group in Yemen, in a stunning breach of national security. Jeffrey Goldberg revealed the jaw-dropping mishap Monday, writing he connected with Waltz on Signal March 11 and was invited to join a chain called the Houthi PC small group two days later before receiving a stream of internal deliberations and operational details. The bombs fell on the Middle Eastern country March 15, with the Trump administration claiming to have taken out multiple leaders of the Iran-backed Houthis. Atlantic editor Jeffrey Goldberg revealed that the Trump national security team included him on messages discussing strikes against the Houthis in Yemen. Getty Images for The Atlantic National Security Council spokesman Brian Hughes told The Post that the Signal chain that included Goldberg appears to be an authentic message chain, and we are reviewing how an inadvertent number was added to the chain. President Trump pleaded ignorance when asked Monday afternoon about the staggering snafu. Youre telling me about this for the first time, the president told reporters. Having to do with what? What were they talking about? White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt later said: President Trump continues to have the utmost confidence in his national security team, including National Security Advisor Mike Waltz. The incident drew bipartisan outcry from Capitol Hill, with Senate Intelligence Committee Vice Chair Mark Warner (D-Va.) writing on X: This administration is playing fast and loose with our nations most classified info, and it makes all Americans less safe. Classified information should not be transmitted on unsecured channels and certainly not to those without security clearances, including reporters. Period, added Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY). Safeguards must be put in place to ensure this never happens again. Ive accidentally sent the wrong person a text. We all have, said Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.). The unconscionable action was sending this info over non-secure networks. None of this should have been sent on non-secure systems. Russia and China are surely monitoring [Hegseths] unclassified phone. Russian intelligence reportedly has targeted Signal through phishing attempts and a feature that allows the platform on multiple devices. Hacking a phone also can allow access to Signal without breaking into the encrypted platform itself. The thread is a demonstration of the deep and thoughtful policy coordination between senior officials, Hughes insisted. The ongoing success of the Houthi operation demonstrates that there were no threats to troops or national security. President Trump watches as the military carries out strikes in Yemen. The White House / X Vance: We are making a mistake Top administration officials on the Signal chat included someone identified only as MAR, the same initials as Secretary of State Marco Rubio; CIA director John Ratcliffe; special Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff; White House chief of staff Susie Wiles; someone named S M, thought to be deputy White House chief of staff for policy Stephen Miller; and someone named TG, which Goldberg believed to be Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard. Goldberg claimed that he was signed into the chat with just his initials JG, suggesting Waltz or a subordinate had mistaken his Signal info for that of Jamieson Greer the US Trade Representative who often attends National Security Council meetings. Initially, when Goldberg received a connection request from Waltz, he was skeptical that it was from Trumps actual national security adviser and suspected it may have been someone masquerading as him. But then on March 13, Waltz instructed participants on the Houthi PC small group to provide the best point of contact from their team to help with correspondence over that coming weekend. Team, you should have a statement of conclusions with taskings per the Presidents [sic] guidance this morning in your high side inboxes, Waltz texted the group at 8:05 a.m. March 14, using the term high side to refer to classified computer systems. This image taken from video provided by the U.S. Navy shows an aircraft launching from the USS Harry S. Truman in the Red Sea before airstrikes in Sanaa, Yemen, Saturday, March 15, 2025. AP State and DOD [Defense Department], we developed suggested notification lists for regional Allies and partners. Joint Staff is sending this am a more specific sequence of events in the coming days and we will work w DOD to ensure COS [Chief of Staff], OVP [Office of the Vice President] and POTUS are briefed. Vance, who was traveling to Michigan for an economy-focused event, told the group that I think we are making a mistake with the strikes. [Three] percent of US trade runs through the [Suez Canal]. 40 percent of European trade does, said the veep. There is a real risk that the public doesnt understand this or why its necessary. The strongest reason to do this is, as POTUS said, to send a message. I am not sure the president is aware how inconsistent this is with his message on Europe right now, Vance went on. Theres a further risk that we see a moderate to severe spike in oil prices. I am willing to support the consensus of the team and keep these concerns to myself. But there is a strong argument for delaying this a month, doing the messaging work on why this matters, seeing where the economy is, etc. via REUTERS Another user named Joe Kent, the same moniker as Trumps pick to run the National Counterterrorism Center, argued that There is nothing time sensitive driving the time line and stressed, Well have the exact same options in a month. Hegseth replied to Vance that I understand your concerns and argued that messaging is going to be tough no matter what nobody knows who the Houthis are which is why we would need to stay focused on: 1) Biden failed & 2) Iran funded. The Pentagon boss argued in favor of following through on an attack, stressing the importance of not looking indecisive. Whether its now or several weeks from now, Waltz chimed in, it will have to be the United States that reopens these shipping lanes. Per the presidents request we are working with DOD and State to determine how to compile the cost associated and levy them on the Europeans. Vance then seemingly backed down, telling Hegseth, If you think we should do it lets go. I just hate bailing Europe out again. VP, Hegseth answered, I fully share your loathing of European free-loading. Its PATHETIC. But Mike is correct, we are the only ones on the planet (on our side of the ledger) who can do this. Nobody else even close. Question is timing. I feel like now is as good a time as any, given POTUS directive to reopen shipping lanes. I think we should go; but POTUS still retains 24 hours of decision space. At that point, the account believed to be Stephen Miller chimed in and said: As I heard it, the president was clear: green light, but we soon make clear to Egypt and Europe what we expect in return. The following day, on March 15, Hegseth gave an update to the team at 11:44 a.m. with operational details about the strikes on Yemen, which were reported by news outlets a couple of hours later. Goldberg did not divulge the specific message due to concerns about jeopardizing US military and intelligence capabilities. I will say a prayer for victory, Vance replied in the group. Goldberg later removed himself from the group chat and reached out to officials including Waltz, Hegseth, and Gabbard and others about the lapse. A spokesperson for Vance later downplayed the appearance of daylight between the veep and Trump over the attack. A building is reduced to rubble after US strieks against Houthi targets in Yemen. Getty Images The Vice Presidents first priority is always making sure that the Presidents advisers are adequately briefing him on the substance of their internal deliberations, spokesperson William Martin told The Atlantic. Vice President Vance unequivocally supports this administrations foreign policy. The President and the Vice President have had subsequent conversations about this matter and are in complete agreement. Suckers and losers author Goldbergs inclusion in the group chat was stunning for a number of reasons including the fact that he authored a disputed 2020 article accusing Trump of disparaging US troops buried in France as suckers and losers. Trump vehemently denied saying so, but the allegation was cited as fact by Democrats, including regularly by former President Joe Biden even after the lede of Goldbergs piece was debunked by a Freedom of Information Act release. The author claimed that Trump falsely blamed rain for the last-minute decision to cancel a cemetery visit near Paris in 2018 by saying that the helicopter couldnt fly and that the Secret Service wouldnt drive him there. Neither claim was true. Navy records showed that military personnel made a bad weather call that canceled the helicopter flight, which typically happens when low cloud cover makes it unsafe to land. Goldberg never corrected his story. A spokesperson for the Pentagon referred The Post to Hughes statement. I have two very short things to say to you, State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce told reporters at her Monday afternoon briefing. First is that we will not comment on the Secretarys deliberative conversations. And, secondly, that you should contact the White House. New Jersey brothers car accident comp image Two New Jersey brothers and their puppy were killed when their car fell 30 feet off an overpass while they were street racing with their two 18-year-old brothers also left fighting for their lives, police said. Aaron Davis, 23, and Joshua Davis, 22, were not wearing seatbelts when they were thrown from the back seats of a 2006 Mazda that crashed into a guardrail while racing a Dodge Challenger in Philadelphia late Friday, Pennsylvania State Police said Monday. A puppy in the back with them was also thrown from the car and found dead after it crashed around 30 feet from an overpass on the I-95, police said. Aaron Davis, 23, and Joshua Davis, 22, died after the car they were inside flew off an overpass and landed on an avenue below. 6abc Action News Two other Davis brothers Benjamin and Nathaniel, both 18 were taken to the hospital with severe injuries, cops said. They remain in critical condition, 6ABC reported. It was not immediately clear which brother was driving when it crashed and plunged off the overpass onto the street below. Police believe the brothers may have been street racing. 6abc Action News Footage captured by 6ABC showed the totaled car with shattered windows flipped onto its side. Street racing might have contributed to the crash, cops said. Aaron Davis is identified as a resident of Cranbury, New Jersey, while the rest of the brothers are residents of East Windsor, according to cops. RIYADH (Reuters) -U.S. and Russian officials began talks in Saudi Arabia on Monday aimed at making progress towards a broad ceasefire in Ukraine with Washington eyeing a separate Black Sea maritime ceasefire deal before securing a wider agreement. The talks, which followed U.S. negotiations with Ukraine in Saudi Arabia on Sunday, come as U.S. President Donald Trump intensifies his drive to end the three-year-old conflict after he last week spoke to both Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and Russian President Vladimir Putin. A source briefed on the planning for the talks said the U.S. side was being led by Andrew Peek, a senior director at the White House National Security Council, and Michael Anton, a senior State Department official. The White House says the aim of the talks is to reach a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea, allowing the free flow of shipping, though the area has not been the location of intense military operations in recent months. Russia will be represented by Grigory Karasin, a former diplomat who is now chair of the Russian upper house of parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee, and by Sergei Beseda, an adviser to the director of the Federal Security Service, the main successor agency to the Soviet-era KGB. Trump, who has repeatedly called for an end to the war in Ukraine, has expressed broad satisfaction over the way talks have been going and has been complimentary about Putin's engagement in the process so far. He said on Saturday that efforts to stop further escalation in the conflict were "somewhat under control". But there is scepticism among major European powers over whether Putin is ready to make meaningful concessions or will stick to what they see as his maximalist demands that do not appear to have changed since he sent tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine in 2022. 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 the territory of four Ukrainian regions claimed and mostly controlled by Russia. BLACK SEA 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, he said, the teams will discuss "the line of control" between the two countries, which he described as "verification measures, peacekeeping, freezing the lines where they are." He said "confidence-building measures" are being discussed, including the return of Ukrainian children taken by Russia. The Kremlin said the talks will be "mainly to study the prospects for the possible implementation of a well-known initiative related to the safety of navigation in the Black Sea." 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 in 2023, complaining that its own food and fertiliser exports faced serious obstacles, though Russia is not currently facing serious problems getting its grain to market by the Black Sea. Ukraine's defence minister, Rustem Umerov, the head of the Ukrainian delegation, said on Facebook that the U.S.-Ukraine talks included proposals to protect energy facilities and critical infrastructure. U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff, who met Putin in Moscow in early March, played down concerns among Washington's NATO allies that Moscow could be emboldened by a deal and 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 told Fox News. "I feel that he wants peace," Witkoff said of Putin. (Reporting by Steve Holland in Washington, Pesha Magid in Riyadh and Pavel Polityuk in Kyiv, Additional reporting by Phil StewartWriting by Guy Faulconbridge/Andrew Osborn editing by Toby Chopra and Ros Russell) Dozens were injured, including children, in a Russian strike on Ukraine, officials said Monday, as American and Russian negotiators met again in Saudi Arabia in the White House's continued push for a ceasefire and eventual peace deal to end Moscow's three-year-old war on Ukraine. A proposed pause on strikes targeting energy infrastructure was expected to be among the topics of discussion, with both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy having already indicated their support -- at least in principle -- for the plan. Russia's state-run TASS news agency reported that the American and Russian teams met behind closed doors in Riyadh for 12 hours. A joint statement by Russia and the U.S. on the results of the talks will be issued on Tuesday, Russian state media reported. President Donald Trump's Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff -- who has been central to talks with both Moscow and Kyiv -- expressed hope for progress ahead of the talks, telling Fox News on Sunday that the president's "philosophy of peace through strength brings people to the table to clear up misconceptions and to get peace deals done." "I'm not sure how anyone would expect an end to a conflict when you're not communicating," Witkoff said. PHOTO: A picture taken on March 23, 2025 shows a view of the Ritz-Carlton hotel in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where talks are underway with U.S. mediation to try to reach a ceasefire in the Russia-Ukraine war. (Fayez Nureldine/AFP via Getty Images) The Kremlin, meanwhile, said this weekend that "there are difficult negotiations ahead." spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told Russian state television, "We are only at the beginning of this path." On Monday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said proposals to ensure the safety of Black Sea shipping would be among the topics discussed in Saudi Arabia, suggesting the idea came from Trump and was agreed to by Putin. The U.S.-Russia meeting on Monday came on the heels of a meeting between the American and Ukrainian teams in Riyadh on Sunday. Zelenskyy said Sunday evening he had been briefed on the "quite useful" discussion by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, who took part. "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," Zelenskyy said, referring to Moscow's continued missile and drone attacks across the country. Ukraine has also continued its own long-range drone strikes into Russia. New minerals deal presented to Ukraine Amid the latest U.S.-Russia talks, the U.S. presented a new draft of the minerals deal to the Ukrainian delegation in Saudi Arabia on Monday, a Ukrainian official told ABC News. The draft is much longer and has more details than the previous framework agreement that Ukraine was ready to sign, the official added. The Ukrainian delegation was studying the new draft, which was developed by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, according to the Ukrainian official. A new meeting between the U.S. and Ukrainian delegations in Riyadh began Monday night local time, according to a source familiar with the meeting. The Ukrainian delegation had remained in Riyadh after it met with the U.S. delegation in Saudi Arabia on Sunday. The latest draft comes nearly a month after the blowup between Trump and Zelenskyy in the Oval Office. Zelenskyy left the White House without signing an anticipated minerals deal. Witkoff remarks spark concern Other remarks made by Witkoff over the weekend again piqued concerns in Ukraine and elsewhere that the Trump administration is aligning itself with false or misleading Russian narratives about its decades-long campaigns of meddling and aggression in Ukraine. Discussing the Ukrainian regions partially occupied and claimed annexed by Russia since 2022 -- Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson -- plus Crimea, which was annexed in 2014, Witkoff told conservative media personality Tucker Carlson, "They are Russian-speaking, and there have been referendums where the overwhelming majority of the people have indicated that they want to be under Russian rule." MORE: Ukraine, Russia exchange deadly drone attacks amid ceasefire maneuvering Witkoff did not acknowledge that the supposed referenda held in those territories -- whether in 2014 in the case of Crimea or 2022 in the other regions -- were widely dismissed by Western powers, human rights organizations and international bodies as fraudulent and illegitimate. In September 2022, then-Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the U.S. "does not, and will never, recognize any of the Kremlin's claims to sovereignty over parts of Ukraine that it's seized by force and now purports to incorporate into Russia." Witkoff also touted the apparent warm relationship between Trump and Putin, telling Carlson that the Russian leader claimed to have prayed for "his friend" Trump after the assassination attempt against the president in July 2024. Putin also gave Witkoff a portrait of Trump as a gift, he said. "This is the kind of connection that we've been able to reestablish through a simple word called communication, which many people would say I shouldn't have had because Putin is a bad guy," Witkoff said. "I don't regard Putin as a bad guy." PHOTO: A firefighter works at a site an apartment building hit by a Russian drone strike in Kyiv, Ukraine, on March 23, 2025. (Vladyslav Musiienko/Reuters) Witkoff's latest remarks have deepened concerns in Ukraine as to the Trump administration's approach to the nascent peace process. "What he has said is absolutely unacceptable," Oleksandr Merezhko, a member of the Ukrainian parliament and the chair of the body's foreign affairs committee, told ABC News. "Listening to his interview I thought to myself: 'Who is he? The American president's envoy or Putin's envoy?'" Witkoff, Merezhko added, may have fallen for "Russian propaganda" or may be trying to win Putin's support for Trump's ceasefire proposal. Regardless, Merezhko urged Trump to disavow what he called Witkoff's "dangerous statements." Strikes continue Meanwhile, deadly cross-border drone attacks continued through the weekend. On Sunday night into Monday morning, Ukraine's air force said Russia launched 99 drones into the country, of which 93 were either shot down or jammed. The attacks caused damage in five regions of Ukraine. Russian air defense shot down 28 drones fired into Russian territory by Ukraine, according to the Russian Defense Ministry. Nearly 90 people, including 17 children, were injured in a Russian missile strike on Sumy, local authorities said Monday. A school was partially destroyed in the strike, and several apartment buildings were damaged, local authorities reported on social media. "Moscow speaks of peace while carrying out brutal strikes on densely populated residential areas in major Ukrainian cities," Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said in a post on X. "A few hours ago, another horrific Russian bombing of Sumy's city center injured dozens [of] civilians, including many children," Sybiha said. "Instead of making hollow statements about peace, Russia must stop bombing our cities and end its war on civilians." ABC News' Yuriy Zaliznyak, Victoria Beaule, Anna Sergeeva and Guy Davies contributed to this report. Dozens injured, including children, in strike on Ukraine as US-Russia talks resumed, officials say originally appeared on abcnews.go.com The U.S. has almost doubled imports of Brazilian eggs once used only for pet food and is considering relaxing regulations for eggs laid by chickens raised for meat, as President Donald Trump's administration seeks to bring down sky-high prices spiked by bird flu. While none of the Brazilian or broiler chicken eggs would wind up on grocery shelves, they could be used in processed foods such as cake mixes, ice cream or salad dressing, freeing up more fresh eggs for shoppers. Allowing the use of broiler chicken eggs would require changing regulations, and some food safety experts warned that this could risk tainting food products with harmful bacteria. Nationwide economic strain persists from the virus that has wiped out nearly 170 million chickens, turkeys and other birds since early 2022. Grocery shoppers peruse thinly stocked shelves, restaurants have raised menu prices, and wholesale egg prices surged 53.6% in February before easing a bit in March. The egg shortage has fueled food inflation even as Trump's trade disputes have threatened to disrupt supply chains and raise costs for fresh produce and other goods. Chickens sit at a poultry farm as Brazil's egg exports soar amid stronger U.S. demand, in Taquari, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil on March 12, 2025. In February, the administration announced a $1 billion plan to lower egg prices, which includes helping farmers prevent the spread of the virus and researching vaccine options. The Trump administration is also promoting imports from countries such as Turkey, Brazil, and South Korea, which typically send a few eggs to the U.S., and has asked Europe to send more. U.S. egg imports from Brazil in February increased by 93% from a year earlier, the Brazilian Animal Protein Association said. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration told Reuters it is reviewing a petition from the National Chicken Council to allow the sale for human consumption of eggs laid by chickens that the council's members raise for meat. Currently, broiler chicken producers destroy millions of those eggs because they lack sufficient refrigeration to meet an FDA food-safety requirement. In 2023, the FDA denied a similar request from the council, citing salmonella risk. The chicken industry hopes the agency will now support the effort as aligned with Trump's goal of slashing unnecessary regulations, said Ashley Peterson, the council's senior vice president of scientific and regulatory affairs. "We need more yolks for folks," said U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson, R-South Dakota, who is co-sponsoring a bill to allow the eggs to be used in food products. Meat, eggs dumped Each year, broiler chickens lay about 360 million eggs that are not fit to hatch chicks, according to the council. Some are used to manufacture vaccines, exported or used for other purposes, the petition said, but most are destroyed. Wayne-Sanderson Farms, a top U.S. producer of chicken meat, probably throws away about 500,000 eggs per week that do not meet specifications, said Mark Burleson, the company's senior director of veterinary services. Such eggs were once sold to egg-breaking plants to be pasteurized and used in processed foods. But in 2009, an FDA rule aimed at reducing illness from salmonella required eggs to be refrigerated at 45 degrees Fahrenheit (7 degrees Celsius) starting 36 hours after they are laid. A rooster sits next to an egg at a poultry farm as Brazil's egg exports soar amid stronger U.S. demand, in Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil on March 11, 2025. Chicken producers keep broiler eggs at about 65 degrees and do not have equipment in place to refrigerate them at the lower temperature on the FDA's timetable, the council and farmers said. The council said the eggs are pasteurized and do not threaten public health. It said it was not aware of safety issues with them before the 2009 rule. Food safety experts said insufficient refrigeration may increase pathogens to levels where pasteurization is not fully effective. "There is a real possibility of trading off increased risk of foodborne illness for some proportion of eggs going into the egg products market," said Susan Mayne, who was director of FDA's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition when it considered the previous petition. Egg imports, laws considered In January, the Trump administration allowed imports of Brazilian eggs to be processed into food products for people, after they were previously only allowed for use in pet food, according to the Brazilian Animal Protein Association. Brazilian authorities had already proved that Brazil meets U.S. requirements to export eggs to be processed for human consumption, the association said. However, Brazil is affected by Newcastle disease, a virus that often kills poultry, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said, and the country cannot supply the U.S. with eggs for sale in grocery stores or pasteurized liquid eggs for human consumption. Chickens sit at a poultry farm as Brazil's egg exports soar amid stronger U.S. demand, in Taquari, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil on March 12, 2025. States including Nevada and Arizona have paused animal welfare policies that required eggs to come from cage-free hens, in an effort to address tight supplies and high prices. Nevada in February suspended a 2021 law requiring all eggs sold in the state to come from cage-free hens. In Arizona, state lawmakers are considering a proposal to repeal a similar rule that was already delayed due to bird flu, said Patrick Bray, executive vice president of the Arizona Farm and Ranch Group, which represents farmers. "A few years ago, the consumer was demanding a cage-free product," Bray said. "Now, the consumers' eyes have been opened up a little bit as we've lost hundreds of millions of birds and egg prices are through the roof." This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: US turns to Brazil for eggs during bird flu outbreak GoFundMe Jallen McConnie A New York City woman has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for the 2021 killing of her teenage cousin with intellectual disabilities, whom she tortured for more than a month. The victim, 15-year-old Jallen McConnie, died from homicidal asphyxia after being severely beaten on June 28, 2021, in his cousin Johnette Bookers Manhattan home, according to a March 24 press statement from the Manhattan District Attorneys office. Booker, 43, was convicted on several charges, including manslaughter, in February, District Attorney Alvin Bragg said at the time. She has now been sentenced to 20 years in prison, Bragg said in the release. At trial, prosecutors said Booker had repeatedly attacked Jallen, who had been sent to her for a cousin boot camp by a relative for disciplinary reasons, per the statement. During his stay in Booker's home, Booker repeatedly physically and emotionally tortured the child, who had autism, Bragg said in his statement. The torture included beating him with belts; forcing him to sleep on the floor; intensive exercises; standing in a corner and touching his toes; and denying him his prescribed medication, per Bragg. On the day of the killing, Booker beat Jallen for over an hour, using a belt and hitting him across his face, arms, legs and body, Bragg said. The child was left with welts and bruises all over his body. Prosecutors said two other people joined Booker during the attack. After beating him, the group dragged Jallen to the bathroom and one of them forced water down Jallens throat, and Booker aided in that attack. It's not immediately clear if the two other people allegedly involved in the attack face charges. The child collapsed in the bathtub. GoFundMe Jallen McConnie Booker also failed to call emergency services or family members in the immediate aftermath of the incident, Bragg said. She later gave officers several inconsistent statements, such as claiming she was not at home when the attack happened. She initially also claimed Jallen had been jumped by boys in the park, later changing the story to say Jallen died by suicide, according to Bragg. A GoFundMe has been set up for Jallen to assist his family with a headstone and memorial services. 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. In his statement, Bragg condemned Bookers vicious and cruel behavior and for putting the child through an excruciating level of abuse and trauma." In addition to first-degree manslaughter, Booker has been convicted of first-degree assault, two counts of gang assault, one count of second-degree assault and one count of child endangerment. She will serve her time in state prison. If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages. Read the original article on People Progressive judges have become a panel of fascists running much of the country By Rachel Alexander web posted March 24, 2025 Everyone is railing against progressive activist judges who are blocking the Trump administration's policies. They issued 15 injunctions in just eight weeks at least 46 federal court decisions since Donald Trump took office again. But what most people don't realize is that it is far worse than we think. This is not just a feud among politicians. This is an outright power grab from the judicial branch, trampling over the executive branch. It's a different type of fascism, that people don't recognize as fascism since we're used to seeing it as one leader of the executive branch controlling everything. Instead, this is a large handful of judges controlling much of the country, thwarting the president from accomplishing his agenda. The judges use Orwellian doublespeak to get away with it, which is parroted over and over again in the MSM. They state that they are "upholding the rule of law," when the reality is they are destroying it. They find bogus technical reasons to rule against Trump. This is no longer judging, because they're not applying the law correctly. It's ignoring and distorting the law. People don't want to admit this is what is happening, because it means the whole fabric of our representative government has been eroded, the justice system. Usually without justice, there's anarchy. But in this case, it's the opposite. The judges frequently claim that Trump overstepped the power of the executive branch, violating the separation of powers. When the reality is they were the ones overstepping their authority by incorrectly interpreting the Constitution and associated case law in order to make that claim. They are shrinking the president's authority granted to him by the Constitution and enlarging their own powers under Article III. For example, far left U.S. District Judge Amir Ali blocked Trump's freeze on USAID payments, calling the freeze "'vast and generally unreviewable' executive power and diminution of Congressional power." We all know that Trump has the top attorneys in the country surrounding him, and he's not actually a fascist as the left claims. He's asked all these attorneys if he has the authority as president to trim the wasteful spending within the executive branch, and the attorneys researched the law and advised him yes. Sending money from an executive branch agency is simply not the realm of the judiciary branch or the congressional branch. A similar bogus claim by judges is that Trump misapplied other laws. Trump invoked the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to deport illegal immigrants. Far left U.S. District Judge James Boasberg halted the deportations by narrowly interpreting the law, sneakily stating that it only applied during declared wars or against enemy nations. While the left has no respect for the Constitution and usually ignores it, preferring to misinterpret it through a bogus legal interpretation theory called the "Living Constitution" which basically just says they can interpret it any way they want since this is the modern era they'll bring it up to claim that Trump is violating it when it suits them. Judge Leo T. Sorokin in Massachusetts ruled earlier this year that abolishing birthright citizenship via executive order infringes on the 14th Amendment. The 14th Amendment has been very broadly interpreted for many years to apply in ridiculous ways to all kinds of situations, so no surprise it was used there. I'm just waiting for them to invoke the Commerce Clause next, possibly the most abused clause in the Constitution. In 1942, a sleazy Supreme Court ruled in Wickard v. Filburn that the government could limit the amount of wheat that farmer Roscoe Filburn grew for personal use because it affected interstate commerce by reducing the amount he would buy on the market. Since most people aren't lawyers, they don't fully understand all the nuances, which these judges use to their advantage. The MSM does too, they think they are so clever, but those of us who are lawyers cringe reading their propaganda because they don't understand the law. For example, they refer to J6 as an insurrection when not a single J6er was charged with insurrection. Fortunately, the House Judiciary Committee will be holding hearings on these rogue judges. Chair Jim Jordan would not say whether they were going as far as impeachment hearings. It would be next to impossible to impeach any of them, since it requires a supermajority of 67 in the Senate (only a simple majority in the House). There is a bill that would restrict injunctions by judges, and Jordan said he's looking at some other remedies too. The Trump administration has begun defying some of the rulings, setting them up for a showdown at the Supreme Court. However, this current Supreme Court ducks a lot of important cases. Most of the federal courts of appeals lean to the left, so if SCOTUS rejects certiorari on appeals from those courts, the bad rulings will be allowed to stand. And most of them will end up in leftist circuit courts, since the left sleazily shops for the most far left jurisdictions to file its lawsuits against the Trump administration. Corrupt presiding judges then assign the cases to the furthest left district court judges, and at the appeals stage to panels dominated by leftist judges. Another aspect of these bogus rulings is that the Constitution was set up to divide powers between the branches, and those assignments cannot be adjudicated by the courts. It is known as "nonjusticiable." Otherwise, the judicial branch would not be co-equal, but the most powerful branch. Sadly, progressive activist judges have been ignoring this principle and getting involved anyway, trampling the Constitution. Just because we've never experienced this type of fascism creep into the U.S. before does not mean it is not a form of it. Trump cannot do his job as president. The left takes and perverts all of our institutions, maximizing the abuse they can get away with, so it should come as no surprise that they've now set their sights on the judiciary. Rachel Alexander and her brother Andrew are co-Editors of Intellectual Conservative. She has been published in the American Spectator, Townhall.com, Fox News, NewsMax, Accuracy in Media, The Americano, ParcBench, Enter Stage Right and other publications. Home Deb Cohn-Orbach/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty A 51-year-old woman's body was found floating in the East River near Queens on Sunday morning, according to a New York City police spokesperson. Police responded at 11:15 a.m. to a 911 call and found Sharon Shao dead in the water by Fort Totten Park near Totten Road and Cross Island Boulevard. Shao was found about 1.7 miles from her home in Flushing, according to police. Police also found blood in a white Mercedes that was parked nearby. While the case is still actively being investigated, police are trying to determine if Shao was the victim of a crime, according to ABC7. 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. Related: NYC Man Charged with Murder After Roommate's Torso Found in Suitcase Floating in River The park is home to the 533rd Brigade of the U.S. Army Reserve and U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. It is also partially used by the NYPD and FDNY as a training center. Although it is a public park with a refurbished visitor's center and a museum about Fort Totten's history, it is typically monitored with officers at all times. The medical examiner's office will make their final determination on what Shao's cause of death was on Tuesday, according to a spokesperson. Read the original article on People Today's news: Israeli raid on Gaza hospital to target hospitalised Hamas member, death toll exceeds 50,000. Chinese Vice-Premier meets global multinational leaders to encourage investment in the country. Motion of no confidence in Paetongtarn Shinawatra: His father is the real head of the government. Russian dissident Aleksandr Skobov sentenced to 16 years in prison. SOUTH KOREA The Constitutional Court has rejected the impeachment of Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, reinstating him as interim president of South Korea, in the midst of the political chaos following the attempt to impose martial law by the suspended president Yoon Suk Yeol. Five of the eight judges on the Court, while identifying misconduct on the part of the prime minister, did not consider it serious enough to justify impeachment. Two other judges voted to dismiss the motion completely. The Court has not yet announced the date of the ruling in the Yoon case, but many observers expect it to come sometime this week. ISRAEL-GAZA At least five people were killed last night and many others injured in an Israeli air strike targeting Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, in southern Gaza. The attack destroyed a large section of the hospital. The target of the raid was Ismail Barhoum, a senior Hamas political figure, who was receiving treatment at the hospital for injuries sustained in a previous Israeli attack. According to Palestinian health sources, the death toll in Gaza has risen to over 50,000. CHINA Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng met the heads of several large multinationals including Apple, Pfizer, Mastercard and Cargill in Beijing yesterday, reassuring them about the potential for their activities in the country. Beijing is keen to attract foreign investment in a context of growing geopolitical tensions, while politicians are trying to stimulate domestic consumption in a slowing economy to compensate for the impact of US tariffs. THAILAND The Thai parliament is today debating a motion of no confidence presented by the opposition against Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who is accused of incompetence, tax evasion and (above all) of being a mere front for his father Thaksin Shinawatra. Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, leader of the opposition and the People's Party, declared to the Assembly that 38-year-old Paetongtarn does not have the necessary knowledge for national administration nor the intention to solve the problems. Paetongtarn can however count on a majority of votes in parliament, so it is unlikely that the motion will be approved. PAKISTAN-AFGHANISTAN The Pakistani army killed 16 Islamist militants along the country's western border with Afghanistan in a firefight that took place during the night between 22 and 23 March in the North Waziristan district. Islamabad claims that the Islamic militants who attack inside Pakistan and its army have safe havens in Afghanistan, a charge that Kabul denies. RUSSIA Russian dissident Aleksandr Skobov has been sentenced to 16 years in a hard labour camp, as well as a fine of 300,000 roubles, for having publicly criticised the Kremlin's war propagandists. At the trial he intervened stating it is I who condemn you, together with Putin's clique that reeks of corpses for having conducted the criminal war against Ukraine, and for having thrown Russia into political terror. TAJIKISTAN In honour of the spring festival of Nawruz, Tajik President Emomali Rakhmon has pardoned 897 prisoners, based on humanist principles, mostly those convicted of minor crimes. The last time Rakhmon pardoned 400 people was in 2020, on the occasion of his umpteenth presidential term; there are currently 13,500 prisoners in Tajikistan. A million bounty was offered for Sirajuddin Haqqani, leader of the Haqqani network. For Taliban officials, this is a quid pro quo for the release of a US hostage, but according to some observers, Washington could reopen its embassy in Kabul. Meanwhile, the rift between the Haqqani network and Supreme Leader Hibatullah Akhundzada is widening. Kabul (AsiaNews) The United States has removed bounties on three Taliban members of the Haqqani network, including the acting Interior Minister, Sirajuddin Haqqani,. A US$ 10 million reward was offered for information leading to his arrest. He was wanted along with his brother, Abdul Aziz Haqqani, and a cousin, Yahya Haqqani, in connection with some of the most brutal attacks against the former Western-backed Afghan government. The names of all three have disappeared from the US State Department's website on rewards for international terrorists. Abdul Aziz is Sirajuddin's deputy and is the head of the suicide brigade created by another brother, Badruddin, killed by a US drone in 2012. According to Zakir Jalaly, an official with the Taliban Foreign Ministry, the removal of the bounties, done in return for the release of a US hostage, signals that both sides are 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. Anas Haqqani, another brother of Sirajuddin, welcomed the removal of the bounties and said he was confident that relations between the United States and the Taliban would become cordial. According to several commentators, this is aimed at normalising the Taliban government after US pullout from Afghanistan and the Taliban return to power after two decades of war. The first Trump administration signed the agreement with the Taliban in Doha, Qatar, in 2020. The US negotiator at the time, Zalmay Khalilzad, is reportedly to be named US ambassador to the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan if the US decides to reopen a diplomatic mission in Kabul. In recent months, several countries have returned to interact with Afghanistan. Japan, for example, welcomed a Taliban delegation at the end of February, while other countries, such as China and Russia, agreed to receive Taliban diplomatic representatives. The U.S. has limited goals in Afghanistan freeing hostages, retrieving equipment, and potentially seeking Taliban help in targeting ISIS. Removing the rewards could serve as an incentive, said Michael Kugelman, director of the Wilson Center's Institute for South Asia. 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, said Ibraheem Bahiss, analyst at the International Crisis Group. The US decision is also important because it signals Washingtons willingness to deal with the Haqqani leadership (considered more pragmatic) than the religious authorities in Kandahar, led by Mullah Hibatullah Akhundzada, who is still the subject of an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court for the repression of Afghan women and girls. The administration seems to be banking on getting things done w/Taliban political leaders in Kabul while ignoring the supreme leadership in Kandahar. Makes sense; Kandahar doesnt engage w/the West, and US asks (which avoid social/ideological issues) fall under Kabuls portfolio, Kugelman wrote on X (formerly twitter). The rift between Sirajuddin Haqqani and Hibatullah Akhundzada is increasingly visible. Over the past year, the United Nations allowed Haqqani to travel abroad despite international sanctions against him. The Taliban leader, who travelled to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, stayed for more than a month along with other government representatives from the "pragmatic line" to escape the threats of the supreme leader. Akhundzada is responsible for issuing dozens of edicts that have progressively reduced the rights of the Afghan people, in particular Afghan women, but also of a series of decrees that have progressively attempted to deprive Haqqani and his clique of their powers as ministers. The Haqqani network had tried in recent months to oppose restrictions on women's rights more forcefully, in an attempt to obtain recognition of their government by the international community. Champion local news. Join our community of readers who value daily beat reporting and in-depth stories alike. Your membership allows us to continue the legacy of local, independent journalism in the Roaring Fork Valley. With your support, we can remain a free and accessible source of news for everyone, always without paywalls or corporate influence. Together, we can ensure that vital local stories are told. 24 March 2025 08:30 (UTC+04:00) Nazrin Abdul Read more In 2024, Azerbaijans foreign direct investment (FDI) landscape experienced notable shifts, reflecting the countrys strategic position as a regional economic hub. The total volume of FDI in Azerbaijan increased to 7.046 billion US dollars, representing a 5.83% rise from the previous year. However, a closer examination of these inflows and outflows reveals intricate patterns of economic activity, particularly in relation to Azerbaijans investments in other countries and the inflow of foreign capital from key partners. UAE's growing investment in Azerbaijan The United Arab Emirates (UAE) played a significant role in Azerbaijans economic development, with FDI from the UAE rising by 53.7% to 490.1 million US dollars in 2024. This marked a substantial 171.2 million US dollar increase from 2023, underscoring the UAEs growing confidence in Azerbaijans economic potential. The UAEs share of total FDI in Azerbaijan reached 7%, signaling its prominent position in the countrys investment framework. Such a sharp increase in UAE investments could be indicative of the UAEs long-term strategy to strengthen ties with Azerbaijan, particularly in sectors such as energy, infrastructure, and tourism. The UAEs expertise in these areas, coupled with Azerbaijans favorable investment climate, creates a synergistic environment for mutual growth. Moreover, the diversification of UAEs investments into sectors beyond energy could signal a strategic shift towards broader economic collaboration. Azerbaijan's expanding investment in the UAE Conversely, Azerbaijan made significant strides in enhancing its investment portfolio in the UAE, with the volume of Azerbaijani investments reaching 457.5 million US dollars in 2024. This represents a dramatic 4.8-fold increase compared to 2023, reflecting Azerbaijans commitment to strengthening its economic presence in the UAE, which has become a key business hub in the Middle East. The specific weight of Azerbaijani investments in the UAEaccounting for 26% of Azerbaijans total outward FDIhighlights the strategic importance of the UAE in Azerbaijans foreign economic activities. The large increase in Azerbaijani investments is likely tied to the diversification of Azerbaijan's economy, with an emphasis on non-oil sectors, technology, and infrastructure projects. By investing heavily in the UAE, Azerbaijan aims to capitalize on the UAEs advanced financial sector and business ecosystem, creating opportunities for cross-border partnerships and knowledge exchange. A mixed outlook for Turkish-Azerbaijani investments Turkiye, traditionally one of Azerbaijans largest investment partners, saw a decrease in FDI inflows to Azerbaijan, dropping by 6.4% to 1.2 billion US dollars in 2024. While the Turkish share in the total FDI inflows to Azerbaijan still accounted for 17.3%, the decline in investments signals a possible slowdown in the Turkish economy, which could be affecting its appetite for overseas investments. On the other hand, Azerbaijans investments in Turkiye plummeted by a staggering 86.3%, from 1.8 billion US dollars in 2023 to just 248.9 million US dollars in 2024. This dramatic drop, accounting for 14.1% of Azerbaijans total outward FDI, suggests a shift in Azerbaijans investment strategy, possibly influenced by geopolitical factors or a reallocation of resources toward other, more profitable markets. While Turkiye remains a crucial partner in terms of trade and political ties, Azerbaijans reduced investments could reflect a recalibration of priorities amid changing regional dynamics. Hungarys rapid rise as an FDI partner Perhaps the most striking development in Azerbaijans foreign investment landscape is the significant rise in Hungarian investments, which surged 5.1 times to 1.018 billion US dollars in 2024. The Hungarian share of total FDI inflows to Azerbaijan reached 14.5%, a clear indication of Hungarys expanding role in Azerbaijans economy. This increase can be attributed to enhanced economic cooperation between the two countries, particularly in areas such as high-tech industries, manufacturing, and infrastructure development. The rapid growth of Hungarian investments may also point to Hungarys strategic interest in tapping into Azerbaijans natural resources and its favorable investment climate. Moreover, the EU-Azerbaijan relationship has been strengthening in recent years, and Hungarys role as a conduit between the EU and Azerbaijan is likely contributing to this growth. A diverse and evolving investment landscape In conclusion, the data reveals a diverse and dynamic foreign direct investment landscape in Azerbaijan in 2024. While traditional partners like Turkiye have seen a decrease in investment flows, newer partners such as the UAE and Hungary have significantly increased their contributions. Azerbaijans outward investments, particularly in the UAE, demonstrate a shift toward broader international engagement and diversification. As the Azerbaijani economy continues to diversify and integrate into global markets, these trends will likely evolve further. A careful analysis of these shifts will be crucial for policymakers and businesses alike, as Azerbaijan seeks to balance its inflows and outflows of investment to ensure sustainable long-term growth. The growth of investments from the UAE, Hungary, and other emerging economies signals an opportunity for Azerbaijan to enhance its international partnerships, diversify its economic base, and improve its standing as a key player in regional and global markets. 24 March 2025 20:24 (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. Azerbaijan has been making concerted efforts to enhance its entrepreneurial ecosystem, recognizing entrepreneurship as a key driver of economic growth and social development. As the country continues to evolve in its economic diversification efforts, there is a clear shift towards encouraging innovative and sustainable business models. In this context, the 2024 edition of the Global Innovation Index (GII) holds particular significance. 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! 24 March 2025 16:59 (UTC+04:00) Elnur Enveroglu Read more Brussels is once again stirring the pot and reigniting tensions in the South Caucasus with its unnecessary interventions. This is not the first time, but the manner in which the Belgian Federal Parliaments Foreign Affairs Committee has approached the issue raises serious doubts about the political system's integrity, both within the Committee and the country as a whole. Els Van Hoof, a Belgian Federal Member of Parliament, recently told Armenian media that her government stands in defense of all Armenians, claiming that Belgium shares the same democratic values as Armenia. But what democratic values is she referring to? It is particularly ironic that Belgiumwhose colonial past is marred by exploitation, imperialism, and historical atrocitieswould invoke these values while supporting a country that occupied Azerbaijani lands for over three decades. Belgiums colonial history, including its past control over Rwanda, Burundi, the Congo, and the Lado Enclave until the 1960s, casts a long shadow. Its no surprise, then, that Belgium seems to have an affinity for Armenia. But what is less expected is Belgiums calls for justice on behalf of a group of war criminals who used the Lachin road to smuggle arms and ammunition for terrorism, and are now facing trial for crimes against humanity in Baku. It is likely that the Armenian lobby has once again worked its magic, influencing Belgian politicians with misleading information about the South Caucasus. If not for this influence, how else could Belgian lawmakerswho seem to lack even the most basic understanding of the regions geographymake such uninformed statements? First and foremost, the Lachin road is part of Azerbaijans territory. During the occupation, this route was used for the illegal settlement of Armenians in the region. Historically, it was a transit route for Armenians traveling between deoccupied Garabagh and Western Azerbaijantodays Armeniabecause of the natural terrain between Zangazur in the east and the western part of Azerbaijan, which made it a more convenient path. Over time, Armenians who sought to expand their territorial claims in the region began portraying the Lachin road as their own "corridor," even though its historical use was different. This narrative also extends to the Zangazur corridor, which plays a significant role in the broader strategic context, including Azerbaijans territorial integrity - the only segment that connects Nakhchivan to Azerbaijan's mainland and the territory that has been usurped in the late 1920th. Since 2020, these Armenian territorial ambitions have faltered. Armenias long-held territorial aspirations have been thwarted, and today, Yerevan, along with its international lobbyists, continues to peddle fabricated historical narratives to mislead Western politicians. Belgium may have a sentimental attachment to Armenia and Armenians, but this platonic affection does not give the country the right to violate international law. No matter what resolutions or sanctions they may contemplate against Azerbaijan, such actions will ultimately backfire. If they continue to disregard international laws, they should not underestimate Azerbaijans ability to restore the rule of law in the region. 24 March 2025 13:15 (UTC+04:00) Full digital access to all news for 1 year Full digital access to all news for 6 months Full digital access to all news for 3 months Full digital access to all news for 1 month Find the plan that suits you best. In the first two months of 2025, Azerbaijan produced 1.5 million square meters of construction glass, Azernews reports, citing the State Statistical Committee. Here we are to serve you with news right now. It does not cost much, but worth your attention. Choose to support open, independent, quality journalism and subscribe on a monthly basis. By subscribing to our online newspaper, you can have full digital access to all news, analysis, and much more. Subscribe You can also follow AzerNEWS on Twitter @AzerNewsAz or Facebook @AzerNewsNewspaper Thank you! 24 March 2025 15:22 (UTC+04:00) After prolonged negotiations, 18 Azerbaijani citizens detained in Eritrea since November 7, 2024, have been released following instructions from Azerbaijans head of state, Azernews reports. The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry informed that this was achieved through coordinated efforts by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport, and the Azerbaijan Caspian Shipping Closed Joint-Stock Company. During their detention, the Azerbaijani Embassy in Ethiopia provided consular support to the ship crew, ensuring their needs were met. The ministry also expressed gratitude to the Turkish Embassy in Eritrea for its assistance in the process. The released individuals were crew members of the "CMS Pahlevan," "CMS Yigid," and "CMS-3" vessels operated by the Azerbaijani branch of Caspian Marine Services B.V. U.S. attacks in Yemen provide a security blanket for Israel in The Hague By Lt.-Col. (res.) Maurice Hirsch web posted March 24, 2025 While many commentators may have overlooked the significance, the latest wave of U.S. strikes against the Houthis in Yemen was, in fact, an expression of clear U.S. support for a legal position long held by Israel. Describing the strikes, Al-Jazeera quoted an analyst who said, "The strikes in Sanaa targeted a residential neighbourhood known to house a lot of Houthi leaders." This statement raises the legal question of who can be targeted, under what circumstances, and in which location. The Laws of War, predominantly designed to deal with wars between armies, generally distinguish between two main categories: Soldiers/combatants, who, while they enjoy the protections of the Third Geneva Convention (GCIII), are generally considered legitimate targets; and civilians, who enjoy the protections of the Fourth Geneva Convention (GCIV) and cannot be the subject of direct attack. The question that arises is what to do with civilians who take part in the hostilities i.e., people who present themselves as innocents but are combatants. The Laws of War define these people, who attempt to abuse their "civilian" status to conceal their true function, as "direct participants in hostilities" or DPHs. Under the Laws of War, DPHs are legitimate targets and do not enjoy the protection of the Third or Fourth Geneva Conventions. Israel has been forced to deal with the question of targeting DPHs for decades. As an intentional method of terror warfare, often referred to as asymmetric warfare, the Palestinian terrorist organizations, supported by the mechanisms of the United Nations and other actors, have intentionally tried to manipulate the Laws of War as a means to vilify Israel. Distorting reality, they refuse to recognize Hamas and the other Palestinian terrorists as "combatants" and simply declare that "Israel intentionally targets civilians." The most opaque current example of this phenomenon is the UN death tolls for the recent war in Gaza. Taken directly from the propaganda apparatus of Hamas, the UN statistics merely refer to dead men, women, children, and the elderly, without ever providing even basic statistics regarding the number of dead terrorists whether those terrorists were men, women, children (who are intentionally abused by the terrorists) or the elderly. The UN position does not exist in a vacuum. In 2009, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) released an opinion that severely limited the temporal targeting of DPHs. According to the ICRC, DPHs could only be targeted while they were actively engaged in their terrorist activities. What does that mean? The ICRC accepts that a Gazan terrorist involved, for example, in firing rockets to indiscriminately target Israel's civilian population or one who infiltrated Israel to participate in the October 7, 2023, massacre can be classified as DPHs. However, per the ICRC, that classification ends one second after the terrorist ignites the rocket firing mechanism and returns to his "day job," or once the terrorist is no longer participating in the massacre. At such time, according to the ICRC, they resume their "civilian" status and can no longer be the subject of a direct attack. The ICRC opinion, which ignored the actions of terrorists and was legally flawed, was rejected by almost everyone except the terrorists and their sundry (including the UN) supporters. Criticizing the flawed approach, former Canadian JAG Kenneth Watkin wrote that the ICRC definition "failed to attract universal consensus on terms that by their nature are both amorphous and contextually contingent. Resistance to the Interpretive Guidance resulted in part because it is viewed as having defined DPH too narrowly and has suggested applying it in too restrictive a fashion that does not match the realities of contemporary conflict (see the U.S. DoD Law of War Manual, para. 5.8.3, pp 228-32, as well as analysis here, here, here and here)." In a similarly comprehensive discussion on the subject, Prof. Michael N. Schmitt explained how terrorist organizations, such as the genocidal Gazan terrorists who carried out the October 7 massacre, can be viewed in the Laws of War as "Organized Armed Groups" (OAGs) and noted that the United States takes the broader position that OAG members are targetable merely while they remain members irrespective of their temporal actions. As support for his position, Schmitt quoted the US Army/Marine Corps Commander's Handbook on the Law of Land Warfare, which provides: Membership in the armed forces or belonging to armed groups, that is, affiliation with these groups, makes a person liable to being made the object of attack regardless of whether he or she is taking a direct part in hostilities. Moreover, the individual, as an agent of the hostile group, may be assigned a combat role at any time, even if the individual normally performs other functions for the group. Thus, with limited exceptions, combatants may be made the object of attack at all times, regardless of the activities in which they are engaged. Herein lies the fundamental conflict between the forces fighting international terror and terrorists and those defending the terrorists. Using the widely accepted definition of DPH and membership in OAGs, Israel has targeted hundreds of terrorists from Hamas and other Gazan terror organizations. Many of these terrorists were targeted, similar to the U.S. strikes against the Houthis, in their homes. While these strikes sometimes also resulted in the death of civilians, they remained legal and legitimate under the Laws of War and the principle of "proportionality." Contrary to popular misconception, the principle of "proportionality" does not refer to a tit-for-tat situation in which the terrorists fire X rockets, and the other side is limited to a similar response using the same X number of munitions. Similarly, the principle does not require that an attacked country limit its response to killing a similar number of combatants on the other side as that side killed in the initial attack. Instead, the Laws of War and "proportionality" accept that incidental or collateral damage may be caused when a military target is attacked. Attacks of this nature are legitimate so long as the loss of life and damage to property incidental to the attack is not excessive in relation to the concrete and direct military advantage expected to be gained. As the value of the military target grows, so too does the extent of permitted incidental damage. The principle does not limit the extent of the response or the number of casualties on the opposing side. In its strike in Yemen, the United States was implementing the same position held by Israel. The Houthis are terrorists, no different from their Hamas partners in the Iranian axis of terror. As such, its members and leadership are legitimate targets even when sleeping in their beds. When the United States attacked those Houthi leaders in their homes, they were not only targeting the terrorists but also, possibly inadvertently, providing substantial support for Israel's approach towards the Gazan terrorists. The meaning of this support cannot be understated. If hostile elements such as the UN and the International Criminal Court were to rule that Israel's actions were illegitimate, in practice, they would also be condemning the similar U.S. approach. Since vilifying Israel alone, or even prosecuting Israeli officials for acting in accordance with the Laws of War as accepted by Western countries, would be discriminatory, the support given to Israel by the recent U.S. attack is not restricted to defending Israel against the Iranian-backed, direct Houthi kinetic aggression, but rather, also provides Israel with a much broader legal security blanket. Lt.-Col. (res.) Maurice Hirsch served as Director of the Military Prosecution for Judea and Samaria. Since retiring from the IDF, Hirsch worked as the Head of Legal Strategies for Palestinian Media Watch, as a Senior Military Consultant for NGO Monitor, an advisor to the Ministry of Defense, and head of an advisory committee in the Ministry of Interior. Hirsch was the architect of the Israeli law that strips citizenship from Israeli terrorists who have been convicted for terror offenses, sentenced to a custodial sentence, and receive a payment from the Palestinian Authority as a reward for their acts of terror. Home 24 March 2025 16:12 (UTC+04:00) The Working Commission on Tourism and Service within the Azerbaijan Confederation of Entrepreneurs held a meeting to discuss sector development, challenges, and future projects, Azernews reports. During the meeting, updates were provided on the Commissions new charter and achievements in personnel training, including the establishment of the Gastrotourism Academy in Sumgayit offering 12 specialties. Commission Chairman Ruslan Guliyev highlighted Azerbaijans efforts to promote its tourism potential internationally, noting plans to participate in four major international events in 2025 and a new project focused on Eastern Zangezurs tourism potential. Discussions also addressed tourism trends in 2025, including a decline in Novruz holiday visitors compared to last year. Despite a 30% increase in tourism in 2024, numbers have not yet reached 2019 levels. Deputy Chairman Jeyhun Ashurov emphasized the need for regional tourism development, calling for increased incentives to attract visitors and better utilization of Azerbaijans international airports beyond Heydar Aliyev Airport. The commission also reviewed a sector survey, identifying key challenges such as personnel shortages, investment climate, tax regulations, financing, and unregistered tourism service providers. Additionally, discussions were held on creating an investment-friendly environment for budget hotels in the regions. 24 March 2025 17:17 (UTC+04:00) Prosecutor General of Azerbaijan Kamran Aliyev, during his visit to Vietnam, was received by President Luong Quang, who emphasized that the visit would further strengthen Azerbaijan-Vietnam friendly relations, particularly in the field of judicial cooperation. According to Azernews, Luong Quang praised Azerbaijans achievements under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, highlighting political stability, economic growth, and Azerbaijans rising international influence. He also expressed Vietnams commitment to deepening ties with friendly nations, including Azerbaijan. The Vietnamese president noted the historical ties between the two countries, pointing out that many Vietnamese professionals educated in Azerbaijan now hold key government positions, strengthening bilateral relations. In the framework of the visit, the Prosecutor Generals Offices of Azerbaijan and Vietnam signed a Memorandum of Understanding, aiming to enhance legal cooperation and exchange of expertise between the two countries. The document is expected to bolster collaboration in the judicial sphere and contribute to the development of legal frameworks between the two nations. 24 March 2025 08:00 (UTC+04:00) Several European countries, along with Canada, have updated their travel guidance, warning citizens to adhere strictly to US to try rules amid an immigration crackdown under the Trump administration, Azernews reports, citing Tribune. Denmark, Germany, Finland, and the United Kingdom have revised their advisories following reports of travelers being detained or deported upon arrival in the United States. The warnings come in response to a series of incidents involving European travelers who were refused entry at US borders. Some were detained, questioned, and later deported despite holding valid visas or ESTA authorization. Germanys Foreign Ministry has confirmed it is assisting one of its nationals who remains affected by border enforcement measures. The final decision on entry lies with US border authorities, a spokesperson for the ministry stated, cautioning that even minor past infractions, overstays, or incorrect travel details could lead to detention. Britains Foreign Office has issued a similar warning, advising that travelers could face arrest or deportation if they fail to comply with regulations. Meanwhile, concerns have also been raised over recent changes in US passport policy, including the suspension of provisions allowing transgender, intersex, and nonbinary individuals to update their gender markers. US border crackdown The updated guidance comes as the Trump administration implements stricter immigration controls, including tougher visa screening procedures and enhanced border enforcement. In recent weeks, reports have surfaced of a Canadian traveler and a British artist being detained at US entry points, adding to concerns that even those with valid documents may be at risk. Germanys Foreign Office has urged travelers to carry proof of return plans and be prepared for thorough questioning at the border. Those who encounter difficulties are advised to seek assistance from their respective embassies or the US Department of Homeland Security. 24 March 2025 09:00 (UTC+04:00) Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine began three years ago, the UK government has frozen more than 25 billion ($32 billion) in Russian assets, according to the latest data from the UK Treasury. This asset freeze is part of the "toughest sanctions Russia has ever faced," as stated by the British government. Emma Reynolds, a representative from the UK Treasury, highlighted that in collaboration with allies, they have deprived Russia of over $400 billion, which equals four years of Russias military expenditure. Reynolds assured that the UK will continue to rigorously enforce these financial sanctions as part of its broader response to Russias "barbaric" invasion of Ukraine. Additionally, the UK has supported the idea of confiscating frozen Russian assets and using them to aid Ukraine. The UK is also involved in a $50 billion loan mechanism for Ukraine, which is funded by Russian assets. This framework ensures that repayments will be funded by a windfall tax on the profits from the frozen Russian assets. 24 March 2025 11:05 (UTC+04:00) Irans Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi will arrive in Armenia today for an official visit, Azernews reports. He will discuss bilateral relations and recent developments in the South Caucasus region with the Armenian authorities. This was stated by Irans Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Ismail Baghaei. As part of ongoing consultations regarding bilateral relations between the Islamic Republic of Iran and its neighbors, and the changes taking place in the region, the foreign minister of our country will visit Yerevan on Monday, Baghaei said, according to the Telegram channel of Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Araghchi will meet with Armenia's foreign minister, as well as the prime minister of Armenia and other government representatives. 24 March 2025 19:05 (UTC+04:00) By Alimat Aliyeva North Korea has condemned the annual joint military exercises between South Korea and the United States, warning that it will continue to strengthen its strike capabilities to counter any perceived threats from its adversaries, Azernews reports. The statement from the Institute for Disarmament and Peace of the DPRK Ministry of Foreign Affairs was published by the state-run Central Telegraphic Agency of Korea (KCNA). "The Freedom Shield military exercises, held annually, create instability on the Korean Peninsula and have reached their highest level in history this year in terms of their aggressive and offensive nature," the Ministry said. The current exercises are described as "more systematic" and "provocative." "For the first time in the history of joint exercises between the United States and the Republic of Korea, the current Freedom Shield drills have been conducted across all domains: land, sea, air, space, and cyberspace," the DPRK noted. According to Pyongyang, "military clashes on the Korean Peninsula will not be limited to just the conflict between the DPRK and the United States, and this could inevitably lead to a new world war." "Possessing a massive strike force that no one can stop is the most reliable guarantee of preventing war and effective deterrence, as well as controlling any threats or blackmail from aggressors. North Korea will continuously improve and strengthen powerful countermeasures in all areas, enabling it to suppress any military actions by hostile states that seriously threaten its sovereignty and security, and reliably protect peace and security in the region and on the planet as a responsible nuclear state," the DPRK concluded. The ongoing tensions surrounding these military drills reflect the deep-rooted geopolitical challenges on the Korean Peninsula, where military exercises are often viewed as provocative by North Korea. This situation highlights the broader struggle for regional stability, with countries like China and Russia also expressing concerns over the escalation of military activities in the region. North Koreas emphasis on developing its strike capabilities and its nuclear arsenal is part of its broader strategy to deter perceived foreign aggression, but it also raises questions about the future of disarmament and the prospects for diplomatic solutions. Additionally, the growing involvement of cyber and space domains in military exercises suggests a shift toward modernized warfare, indicating that future confrontations may increasingly take place in non-traditional arenas. 24 March 2025 19:35 (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. The German Development Bank ("KfW Bank") plans to provide financial assistance of 52 million euros to the Egyptian Ministry of Electric Power. The goal is to support the financing of clean energy transition projects in Egypt, Azernews reports. 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! Oregon Coast Spring Break? Bring the Rain and Beach Hazards (But Record Temps Coming) Published 03/24/25 at 5:25 a.m. By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff (Bandon, Oregon) Just what every parent wants for their spring break: a beach hazards statement and plenty of rain. However, inland Oregon is going to get quite the dose of spring with many places reaching close to and over 70 degrees. (Above: Bandon, courtesy Manuela Durson - Manuela Durson Fine Arts) Along the Oregon coast, it's spring break business as usual: rain. Add to that, on the south coast (and to some degree up north) there is an increased chance of sneaker waves, with the National Weather Service (NWS) issuing a beach hazards statement for the areas of Reedsport down to Brookings, including Port Orford, Coos Bay and Bandon. That section of coast is not as heavy with spring breakers as the northern half, but the NWS is saying that now through Tuesday morning conditions have come together to create a moderate risk of sneaker waves. Farther up, the NWS office out of Portland has sent out a message on its social media about sneaker waves, but no official beach hazards statement as on the south coast. Still, their message is that sneaker waves are a possibility on north coast beaches from today through Thursday. The risk will be highest on west facing beaches, especially early Tuesday morning, the NWS in Medford said regarding the south coast. - Washington Coast Weather - Oregon Coast Weather - Inland Oregon Weather While the northern half won't be quite as tumultuous the caution is for a longer period, including areas like Lincoln City, Pacific City, Seaside and Cannon Beach. Oregon Coast Beach Connection However, the south coast is more likely to see temps above 70 at some point whereas the north coast won't. Yet for those sticking around inland areas like Salem, Portland, Eugene, Kelso, Washington, or Silverton, Tuesday has a very good chance of getting up to 70 degrees or higher. The NWS said it's likely going to be record-breaking, with about 99% or greater chance many of those spots will see the mid 70s. Temps will be even more dramatic around the Cascades and near Medford and Roseburg, which are expected to hit 80. Portland - Oregon Coast Beach Connection A brief warming trend is in store early this week across NW Oregon & SW Washington, the NWS said. Temperatures quickly warm to the upper 60s to 70s inland Monday - Wednesday, with the peak on Tuesday. Daily temperature records could fall on Tuesday with temperatures peaking in the max 70s. Right after that, more active weather returns to all areas after Wednesday. Oregon Coast Hotels in this area - South Coast Hotels - Oregon Coast Vacation Rentals - Where to eat - Maps - Virtual Tours MORE PHOTOS BELOW More About Oregon Coast hotels, lodging..... More About Oregon Coast Restaurants, Dining..... Coastal Spotlight Andre' GW Hagestedt is editor, owner and primary photographer / videographer of Oregon Coast Beach Connection, an online publication that sees over 1 million pageviews per month. He is also author of several books about the coast. LATEST Related Oregon Coast Articles Back to Oregon Coast Contact Advertise on Oregon Coast Beach Connection All Content, unless otherwise attributed, copyright Oregon Coast Beach Connection. Unauthorized use or publication is not permitted WELCOME ABOARD! By: The Eastern Carolina Avenger Ahoy Eastern North Carolina! It is I, the Eastern Carolina Avenger, here to sail the seas of truth bringing insight into current events, pop culture, politics and more! The EC Avenger gives no quarter and expects none in return. Do you wish to fill your chest with the bounty of truth and knowledge? Weigh anchor and join the crew in our tireless quest for enlightenment. I was born and raised in Barbados, but my parents sent me away to Oxford in England to receive a formal education. Returning home, I grew restless managing the family farm and yearned for a life filled with adventure. I signed on with a Dutch merchantman and began a life at sea. Not satisfied with being a mere seaman, I saved my earnings, purchased the leakiest brig I could find, hired a crew, lashed a few cannons to the main deck and set off in search of the Fount of Knowledge. Look out for more messages in a bottle as I regale you with future stories of the escapades of The EC Avenger! A CONVENTION, BY NO MEANS CONVENTIONAL BY: The Eastern Carolina Avenger Ahoy! It is I, the EC Avenger, bringing you a tale of the Battle of Beaufort that occurred this past weekend. My ship and crew were sailing the stormy seas in search of the Fount of Knowledge when we emerged from a fog bank and happened upon a battle of epic proportions. I spied two ships through my looking glass. It was clear from the battle flags flying above the mainmasts that one ship, the Rhino, belonging to the privateer, Captain Kidd Well, was being pursued by one of the royal navys men-o-war, the H.M.S. Hood. Both ships maneuvered, seeking favorable winds to their advantage but neither side yielding. The Rhino and Hood began exchanging broadsides at rapid pace. It was apparent that the Hood was in a position of advantage, having struck down three or four attempts by the Rhino to gain the upper hand. Captain Kidd Well could be seen standing on the bridge shouting orders to the crew. As the broadsides from the Hood struck home, finding their mark, the crew of the Rhino began to lose nerve and hope. Captain Kidd Well could be seen flogging his crew of scurvy dogs to do his bidding as they attempted to desert or mutiny his cause. All appeared lost for the Rhino until the Treacherous Terror captained by the pirate queen, Lyn Gariss, came over the horizon. The sun was already beginning its steady descent toward the horizon and both sides broke off the action. The Rhino set sail toward its haven south of the Pamptico river as the Hood returned to the seat of government in the colonial capital of Caroline. It appeared to yours truly, the EC Avenger, that the Hood had given better than she got. However, it was clear both sides, though unbeaten, would emerge again at a later time to rejoin battle for control of the Fount of Knowledge off Beaufort. But that my friends is a tale for another day. Until we meet again, I am the Eastern Carolina Avenger reminding you to stay vigilant as you sail in search of truth and knowledge. A perfume manufacturer has submitted a planning application for a new 11m factory outside Ballymena which is expected to create 300 new jobs. The application has been lodged with to Mid and East Antrim Borough Council by an agent on behalf of Connor Martin, of JAQ Group Holdings, the company behind The Essence Vault and Liquid London fragrances. A design and access statement submitted with the application said: The founder and managing director is Ballymena native Connor Martin who started out selling perfume in 2019 under the brand The Essence Vault. He has achieved extraordinary growth The Essence Vault has become a 100m brand in five years. Mr Martin has proceeded to create two further fragrance brands: Thomson Carter which achieved 5m within 16 months of launch and Liquid London reached 2m in just seven months. It has been named as TikToks Beauty Brand of the Year, the report says. The proposal is seeking outline planning permission for the erection of a manufacturing facility and associated office and storage buildings, access improvements and provision of car parking, landscaping and associated site works at Moorfields Road, outside the town. Currently, the business is based at Craigstown Industrial Estate, Randalstown, where 230 people are employed. It first occupied one of the units and has now purchased the industrial estate and expanded into additional units. However, it requires a lot more space to fulfil its growth plans and so has acquired the application site at Ballymena in order to deliver a purpose-built facility for fragrance production. The Randalstown site would also continue to operate, the statement explained. The proposed site, which is comprised of four agricultural fields, is located east of Ballymena, to the south of Moorfields Road and close to the Larne Road Roundabout and the M2 motorway. The statement noted that the JAQ Group requires additional space to support its growth plans. The Ballymena site would become the companys principal facility and would be used for making perfume and skincare products. The report said that the production process is not noisy or odorous. Connor Martin, founder of the JAQ Group Watch: Belfast theatre show featuring deaf and hearing relationship travelling to Colombia It continued: Ballymena is a sustainable location for the proposal. The majority of the applicants existing employees are from the town. The proposal will not have a significant adverse impact on landscape character or rural character. The preliminary scheme has been designed so that the lower buildings will be sited closer to the road to minimise visual impact. Actor Alan Cumming is also known for his stage success (Jane Barlow/PA) Scottish star Alan Cumming will host the Bafta TV awards for the first time when he presents the ceremony in May. The 60-year-old actor, writer and presenter known for hosting the US version of The Traitors and American drama The Good Wife will helm the event at the Southbank Centres Royal Festival Hall in London. Young artist takes sideways look at religion in Northern Ireland for latest exhibition Shauna inspired by how representations of faith are central to peoples lives here Shauna Fox - Belfast painter Jessica Rice Mon 24 Mar 2025 at 08:31 An art exhibition with a difference, which takes a sideways look at religion in Northern Ireland, is running in east Belfast. Motorcycling Andrew Irwin reveals his target for a successful weekend as he looks to get British Superbike season back on track 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: An anti-immigration protest and counter protest takes place in Belfast on March 23rd 2025 (Photo by Kevin Scott) A man who was arrested at an anti-immigration protest and an anti-racism counter-demonstration which took place in Belfast yesterday has been charged. Police said the 44-year-old man has been charged with disorderly behaviour and attempted criminal damage. Read more Anti-racism demo told wannabe McGregors not wanted in Belfast They said he is expected to appear before Belfast Magistrates Court on Thursday 14th April. As is usual procedure, the charges will be reviewed by the Public Prosecution Service. Both demonstrations in the city centre brought thousands of people out onto the streets. An anti-immigration protest and counter protest takes place in Belfast on March 23rd 2025 (Photo by Kevin Scott) Anti-immigration protest in Belfast this afternoon There was a large police presence in the city centre, with multiple armoured Land Rovers parked around City Hall, along with a large number of uniformed officers who separated the two protests on each side of the gates. However, scenes of violence last summer were not repeated, when anti-immigration protesters rioted. Both protests passed off without major incident, with Wellington Place reopening shortly after 2pm and normal bus services resuming. Nine schools across Co Fermanagh, Co Tyrone and Co Antrim received the email during the early hours of this morning Strabane Academy was one of the schools closed today. Photo: Jonathan Porter / PressEye Strabane Academy was one of the schools closed today. Photo: Jonathan Porter / PressEye Strabane Academy and Holy Cross College are among the schools that closed. Photos: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press, Jonathan Porter/PressEye Police in London are investigating whether a series of threatening emails sent to nine schools in NI is linked to a number of similar incidents in the English capital earlier this month. The correspondence was sent to a number of schools across Co Tyrone, Co Fermanagh and Co Antrim and the decision was taken to close some due to what was described as security concerns on Monday morning. The PSNI later confirmed the incident was being treated as a hoax, but added enquiries are continuing. London Metropolitan Police said it was investigating a potential link between the threats and a number of similar incidents in the city earlier this month. "The Met are assisting with enquiries by the Police Service of Northern Ireland following reported threats made to schools in Northern Ireland on Monday March 24, said a spokesperson. It is being investigated whether there are any links to similar incidents reported in London earlier this month. Enquiries are ongoing. NI Education Minister Paul Givan condemned the threats. In a statement, the DUP MLA said: I condemn the disruption caused this morning after an email was sent to a number of schools across Northern Ireland. I welcome the speedy response from the PSNI who have now assessed the threat and explained to schools they do not need to take any action as a result of this hoax. The PSNI said its officers immediately attended the affected schools after the incident was reported. Strabane Academy was one of the schools closed today. Photo: Jonathan Porter / PressEye Police received reports from three schools in Strabane, three schools in Ballycastle and three schools in Enniskillen this morning that they had received an email during the early hours of today, they added. Officers were immediately deployed to each school to engage with staff. "Checks have not, at this time, resulted in anything untoward at any of the schools. Based on enquiries and information to date, police are treating this as a hoax. Enquiries are continuing. Three schools in Enniskillen which received the email stayed open while three schools in Ballycastle and three in Strabane closed. PSNI Chief Superintendent Gillian Kearney said: "We take incidents of this nature very seriously and we understand the concern in the community, not to mention the disruption it has caused in each of the school communities and for students and parents. "Thank you to each of the schools for their assistance with our enquiries to date. "Our enquiries are ongoing and we will continue to liaise with each of the schools impacted to provide reassurance. "We urge everyone, in the meantime, to be vigilant and report anything suspicious to police immediately by calling 101, or 999 in an emergency." Strabane Academy was one of the schools closed today. Photo: Jonathan Porter / PressEye Three schools in the Strabane area were closed this morning, including Strabane Academy and Strabane Primary School. Schools in the Ballycastle area, including Cross & Passion College and St Patrick's & St Brigid's Primary School, announced similar closures this morning. Schools in Co Fermanagh were also impacted, including Enniskillen Royal Grammar School, Enniskillen Integrated Primary School and Nursery as well as Erne Integrated College, which has since opened after advice from the PSNI. An Education Authority (EA) spokesperson said it was grateful for the PSNI response. We have been working closely with PSNI who have confirmed that the threatening email sent to nine schools in Northern Ireland today is being treated as a hoax, a spokesperson said. "PSNI immediately attended each school to engage with staff, and checks have not resulted in anything untoward being identified at any of the schools. "Police enquiries are continuing, and they will continue to liaise with each of the impacted schools. We are very grateful to PSNI for their rapid response to this issue. "We understand the concern and disruption this has caused for those school communities, and we are also liaising with the schools to provide any support they require at this time. "We would urge everyone, to continue to be vigilant and report anything suspicious to police immediately by calling 101, or 999 in an emergency. DUP Fermanagh and South Tyrone MLA Deborah Erskine said despicable emails had been sent to the schools and suggested on social media that an individual was behind the threats. In a statement this morning the politician said: Threats issued against what we believe to be nine schools across Northern Ireland are to be unequivocally condemned. "Whilst we await more detail as to their credibility, such threats are unacceptable and have no place in our society. Targeting schools - places of learning, personal growth, and friendship for young people - is particularly reprehensible. "I commend the leadership of the affected schools for their swift and responsible response in prioritising the safety and well-being of their pupils and staff. Their professionalism and dedication in the face of this situation is testament to their commitment to their school community. "My thoughts are with all the pupils, parents, and staff impacted by this incident and subsequent school closures. No child should have their education disrupted in this manner, and no family should have to endure the fear and uncertainty caused by such reckless actions. The PSNI must act swiftly to identify the culprit behind this. Strabane Academy and Holy Cross College are among the schools that closed. Photos: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press, Jonathan Porter/PressEye News Catch Up - Monday 24th March A PSNI spokesperson previously said: Police received reports today, Monday 24 March, of an email sent to a number of schools in Enniskillen, Strabane and Ballycastle. "As a result of this email, we are conducting enquiries, and liaising with the schools in question and also with the Metropolitan Police in London. In a post on social media, Strabane school Holy Cross College with 1,500 pupils wrote: Unfortunately the school has had to close today due to a security concern. "Any children already on route, we would ask that parents make arrangements to collect them. "We will update you all as soon as possible this morning. Please share our closure notice with friends and family of Holy Cross College. The schools gates at Strabane Holy Cross College remain closed. Picture By: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press. In Ballycastle, Cross & Passion College wrote on social media: Unfortunately the school has had to close today due to a security concern. St Patrick's & St Brigid's Primary School on the Moyle Road said: School closed until further notice. We will update you when we know more. Alliance MLA Sian Mulholland also confirmed Ballycastle Integrated Primary School & Nursery Unit and Ballycastle High School and Gaelscoil An Chaistil were also closed. She added: This is so concerning, and Im thinking of the impact on the schoolchildren at each school. Local MP and TUV leader Jim Allister posted on X: Appalling to see NI schools closed because of a security threat, including Cross & Passion College in Ballycastle in North Antrim. I trust the police get on top of this situation quickly and that concerns of parents, staff and pupils can be allayed. One mum of a pupil at Ballycastle High School wrote online that her daughter had been impacted. She wrote online: "I have just had a text to say Ballycastle High has decided to close because of security alerts at The Cross and Passion and St Brigids. "Buses are being brought back to take them home. My daughter has rang and is very worried. Its a disgrace, what do these people gain from doing this? Strabane Controlled Primary School has closed. Picture by Jonathan Porter / PressEye Independent Derry City & Strabane councillor Jason Barr shared that a number of other schools in his local area have also been forced to close because of the security reasons. He said these closures included Strabane Academy and Strabane Primary School on the Derry Road. "Closed this morning due to security reasons, he added. Not sure of the circumstances as of yet. Reacting to the closures, DUP MLA Gary Middleton wrote: Concerning that schools across NI have been affected by a security threat. An update from the PSNI and Education Authority is due to be issued shortly. Earlier, Erne Integrated College confirmed they were also impacted by a security alert which they said had since been cleared by the PSNI. They have confirmed the school is now open. "Due to a security alert this morning, traffic around the school and Erne Integrated Primary is extremely backed up, they wrote on social media. "We are open as normal, after the all clear was given by the PSNI. Police have made an appeal to help find a kidnapped cat in south Belfast. They said Dobby has been missing since Wednesday last week and was last seen at his home on the Lower Ormeau Road area. A PSNI spokesperson added: It is believed that Dobby has been brought in by someone in the Ormeau Road area who is refusing to return him. They said anyone with information about the cat should contact police on the 101 non-emergency number. Missing cat Dobby Photo Credit: PSNI South Belfast Facebook News Catch Up - Monday 24th March Australian clairvoyant misled police, telling them Robert Nairac was alive in Kildare months after his murder Claim from Australia that farmhouse owned by Michael Murphy was location of missing undercover officer Captain Robert Nairac pictured not long before his murder in 1977 Sam McBride Mon 24 Mar 2025 at 07:36 Almost a year after Robert Nairac was murdered, police were sent on a wild goose chase by an Australian clairvoyant who claimed he was still alive. Northern Ireland has to begin competing on the same terms as the Republic if it wants to build PSNI numbers that reflect the community, the SDLP has said after an Irish Minister suggested poaching officers and potential recruits for the Garda. Irish Justice Minister Jim OCallaghan said in the Dail last week that we are at a stage where we are trying to recruit as many members into An Garda Siochana as we can and that potential PSNI officers could be tempted south by the better pay and conditions in the Republic. The Independent Commission for the Location of Victims Remains has carried out an exhumation (PA) Remains exhumed from a grave in Co Monaghan are not those of Disappeared victim of the Troubles Joe Lynskey, investigators have said. The Independent Commission for the Location of Victims Remains (ICLVR) said the remains recovered from the grave in the village of Annyalla also do not belong to any member of the family who own the plot. The ICLVR further confirmed that the remains were not those of any of the three other Disappeared victims murdered and secretly buried by republican paramilitaries during the Troubles whom the commission continues to search for. The Irish police service, An Garda Siochana, is now attempting to identify the remains. In a statement, a spokesman said: An Garda Siochana has notified the local coroner, and An Garda Siochana has commenced enquiries to assist the local coroner to determine the correct identification of the remains exhumed on November 26 2024. Joe Lynskey was a former Cistercian monk who later joined the IRA (Wave Trauma Centre/PA)The commission opened the grave in November last year after it received information related to suspicious historical activity during the 1970s at a grave in Annyalla cemetery. The commission opened the grave in November last year after it received information related to suspicious historical activity during the 1970s at a grave in Annyalla cemetery. It instigated the exhumation operation to establish whether Mr Lynskey had been secretly buried there by the IRA. Mr Lynskey, a former monk from Belfast who later joined the IRA, was abducted, murdered and secretly buried by members of the republican paramilitary group in 1972. He was one of 17 people who were Disappeared by republican paramilitaries during the Troubles in Northern Ireland. The ICLVR did not become aware that Mr Lynskey was one of the Disappeared until 2010. A number of searches since then have all failed to locate his remains. The commission was set up by the UK and Irish governments during the peace process to investigate the whereabouts of the Disappeared. Thirteen have been formally found. As well as Mr Lynskey, the commission is also tasked with finding three other Disappeared victims Co Tyrone teenager Columba McVeigh, British Army Captain Robert Nairac, and Seamus Maguire, who was in his mid-20s and from near Lurgan, Co Armagh. Annyalla Cemetery in Co Monaghan (Jonathan McCambridge/PA) A statement from the commission said: In an effort to locate the remains of Joe Lynskey, one of the Disappeared who went missing in the summer of 1972, human remains were exhumed from a grave in Annyalla Cemetery, Co Monaghan on 26 November 2024. The results of the DNA examination of the remains have now eliminated them as being those of the family to whom the grave belongs and now also eliminated them as being those of Joe Lynskey or any of the Disappeared. All the interested parties including the Lynskey family have been informed. We know that this news is deeply disappointing for the Lynskey family and the thoughts of everyone in the commission are with them at this most difficult time. We are also conscious that this was a distressing experience for the family whose grave was opened to facilitate the exhumation. We are grateful for their co-operation and support at all stages of the process. The commission will continue to do everything in its power to locate and recover the remains of all of the outstanding Disappeared cases. We would again appeal to anyone with information relating to Joe Lynskey, Columba McVeigh, Robert Nairac or Seamus Maguire to bring it to the ICLVR where it will be treated in the strictest confidence. Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn said he was saddened to hear the search for Mr Lynskey was unsuccessful. My thoughts are with his family, who have faced decades of uncertainty and heartache. I thank the ICLVR for its tireless commitment to reuniting the families of the Disappeared with their loved ones. Todays news is a reminder of the importance of this humanitarian work. Every piece of information, no matter how small, could help bring closure and peace to these families who have waited so long for answers. I urge anyone who may have information that could help locate Joes remains or those of Columba McVeigh, Captain Robert Nairac and Seamus Maguire to come forward in confidence to the ICLVR. A sixth body found in the Comiskey plot was initially believed to be that of IRA man Joe Lynskey Human remains recovered from a burial plot in a Co Monaghan graveyard last November are not those of Disappeared republican Joe Lynskey, officials have confirmed. Mr Lynskey, a former Cistercian monk from the Beechmount area of west Belfast, was abducted and murdered by the IRA in 1972. Late last year, remains were recovered from a rural graveyard plot which belongs to the family of the former Bishop of Ferns, Brendan Comiskey. Mr Lynskeys family members were hopeful that DNA testing would confirm the remains were those of Mr Lynskey. However, the Independent Commission for the Location of Victims Remains (ICLVR) has now announced that they are not. They also do not belong to anyone from the family to which the grave belongs. In an effort to locate the remains of Joe Lynskey, one of the Disappeared who went missing in the summer of 1972, human remains were exhumed from a grave in Annyalla Cemetery, Co Monaghan, on November 26, 2024, a statement from the ICLVR reads. The results of the DNA examination of the remains have now eliminated them as being those of the family to whom the grave belongs and now also eliminated them as being those of Joe Lynskey or any of the Disappeared. All the interested parties including the Lynskey family have been informed. We know that this news is deeply disappointing for the Lynskey family, and the thoughts of everyone in the Commission are with them at this most difficult time. The ICLVR further thanked the family of Mr Comiskey, who underwent a distressing experience upon having the grave opened to facilitate the exhumation. The statement added: We are grateful for their co-operation and support at all stages of the process. The Commission will continue to do everything in its power to locate and recover the remains of all of the outstanding Disappeared cases. We would again appeal to anyone with information relating to Joe Lynskey, Columba McVeigh, Robert Nairac or Seamus Maguire to bring it to the ICLVR, where it will be treated in the strictest confidence. Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Hilary Benn, said: I am saddened to hear that the exhumation undertaken by the Independent Commission for the Location of Victims Remains in the search for Joe Lynskey has been unsuccessful. My thoughts are with his family, who have faced decades of uncertainty and heartache. I thank the ICLVR for its tireless commitment to reuniting the families of the Disappeared with their loved ones. Todays news is a reminder of the importance of this humanitarian work. Every piece of information, no matter how small, could help bring closure and peace to these families who have waited so long for answers. "I urge anyone who may have information that could help locate Joes remains or those of Columba McVeigh, Captain Robert Nairac and Seamus Maguire to come forward in confidence to the ICLVR. Speaking to The Belfast Telegraph last month, Mr Lynskeys niece Maria said that her uncle deserves a proper funeral and burial, adding that she hoped that the wait to find his body would now be over. Mr Lynskey disappeared in 1972, and for more than three decades his family believed he had moved to America, with even some unverified reports of him being seen in the US. However, it wasn't until 2010, when former IRA member Dolours Price confessed, that his case was added to the list of the Disappeared individuals who were killed and secretly buried by republican paramilitaries. The issue of the IRA's Disappeared gained renewed global attention after the release of the Disney+ series Say Nothing last year, which focused on the lives of IRA bombers Dolours and Marian Price, as well as their involvement in the abduction and murder of Jean McConville in 1972. Mr Lynskeys own disappearance was also featured, although the timing of the broadcast and the exhumation is understood to have been coincidental. He was murdered after ordering the unsanctioned shooting of another IRA member with whose wife he was having an affair. Mr Lynskey was said to be infatuated with the woman and told another member to shoot his love rival. The attack was at first blamed on the Official IRA, before it was discovered that Lynskey had ordered it. He was collected from his west Belfast home and driven to Monaghan, where he was handed over to a local unit of the IRA. A devout Catholic, he was said to have spent his last days in captivity praying. Anyone with information on the four outstanding Disappeared cases Joe Lynskey, Columba McVeigh, Robert Nairac and Seamus Maguire should contact the ICLVR on +353 1 602 8655 or email secretary@iclvr.ie or ICLVR PO Box 10827 Dublin, Ireland. All information is treated in the strictest confidence. Andrew Tate gestures while speaking to the media after checking in at a police station (Vadim Ghirda/AP) Controversial social media influencer Andrew Tate has checked in at a police station following his return to Romania. Tate, alongside his brother Tristan Tate, flew to the US on a private jet last month after a travel ban imposed on them during a human trafficking investigation was lifted. A lawyer acting on behalf of the brothers previously said the Tates were due to check in with a surveillance officer on Monday. Tate posted on X to say there were 100 cameras when he arrived at a police station. In Romania, the Tate brothers are facing allegations of trafficking minors, sexual intercourse with a minor and money laundering. Andrew Tate, centre, arrives at a police station (Vadim Ghirda/AP) A separate case against them, in which they are accused of human trafficking and forming a criminal gang to sexually exploit women, has been sent back to prosecutors. The pair are due to be extradited to the UK following the conclusion of proceedings in Romania, after Bedfordshire Police secured a European arrest warrant for further separate allegations of rape and human trafficking involving different women. Those allegations, which the two brothers unequivocally deny, date back to 2012-2015. The Trump administration reportedly pressed the Romanian government to lift travel restrictions on the brothers last month, before they were allowed to fly to Florida. Speaking about whether he would go back to the US and how long he would stay in Romania after leaving the police station on Monday, Tate told reporters: Im not convicted of any crimes, Im a free person who has not been convicted of anything so I can take a holiday wherever I want. I can go to Greece, I can go to Australia, I could go anywhere I like so Im not sure but for now, Im happy to be back in Romania, this is where I live, I love Romania very much. Im going to spend the next few weeks in Romania, probably, unless I decide spontaneously to leave and I will do that as long as I obey my obligation to the court, which I of course will do, Im allowed to go anywhere I like. Asked how often he would go to the police station, Tate said: If they call me, Ill come. If they dont call me, Ill be busy living my life. The King with the joint chiefs of staff of the UK and France at Windsor Castle (Aaron Chown/PA) The King has met with the UK and Frances top military leaders at Windsor Castle. Charles, who is head of the British armed forces, held an audience with the joint chiefs of staff from both countries on Monday afternoon. He welcomed the 10 guests including Chief of the Defence Staff Admiral Sir Tony Radakin and his French counterpart General Thierry Burkhard to the royal residences White Drawing Room in Berkshire, where they posed for a group photo. The French military chiefs, the King and the UKs military leaders during the audience at Windsor Castle (Aaron Chown/PA) The meeting came as Western military planning to enforce a potential ceasefire in Ukraine intensified in London, with discussions between the British and French military chiefs. Sir Tony, the head of the UKs armed forces, said Europes two nuclear powers were stepping up to forge a stronger and deeper partnership. Alongside the heads of each nations army, navy and air force, Sir Tony and General Burkhard have discussed efforts to galvanise the European response to the situation in Ukraine while Ukrainian, Russian and American officials attended talks in Saudi Arabia aimed at achieving a ceasefire. Also at Windsor with the King were Vice Chief of the Defence Staff General Dame Sharon Nesmith, First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Sir Ben Key, Chief of the General Staff General Sir Roly Walker and Air Marshal Allan Marshall. And from the French forces were French Army Chief of Staff General Pierre Schill, French Navy Chief of Staff Admiral Nicolas Vaujour, Chief of Staff of the French Air and Space Force General Jerome Bellanger, along with General Stephane Abrial. Downing Street said on Friday that nothing is off the table over possible troop deployment for Kyiv. Sir Keir Starmer said new military sub-planning groups would continue talks during three intensive planning days this week (Chris Radburn/PA) Thousands of personnel would be required to support any operation whether by sea, on land or in the air as allies prepare for all eventualities amid diplomatic efforts to end the war, Number 10 said. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said new military sub-planning groups would continue talks during three intensive planning days this week, in a call with EU chiefs and non-EU countries on Friday. Operational planning for a European-led peacekeeping force in Ukraine is set to continue at the UKs military headquarters in Northwood this week. Protesters face off riot policemen during a protest after Istanbul's Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu was arrested and sent to prison, in Istanbul, Turkey, Sunday, March 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco) Turkish citizens living in Northern Ireland hold a protest outside Belfast City Hall on the 24th March 2025 (Luke Jervis/Belfast Telegraph) Turkish citizens living in Northern Ireland hold a protest outside Belfast City Hall on the 24th March 2025 (Luke Jervis/Belfast Telegraph) The organiser of a protest by Turkish students in Belfast against the arrest of President Recep Tayyip Erdogans main political rival has said she is fighting for democracy and justice back home. As the vice president of Queens Universitys Turkish Society, PhD student, Canan Ozkaya (32) is seeking to bring attention to what is happening in her home country. Students gathered outside Belfast City Hall on Monday, as violent crackdowns in Turkey continue. A court on Sunday formally arrested Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu and ordered him jailed pending a trial on corruption charges. Imamoglu a member of the opposition Republican Peoples Party, or CHP has been endorsed as the partys presidential candidate, and had been favourite to win. His jailing is widely regarded as a political move to remove him from the race, which the government denies. His detention last Wednesday sparked the largest wave of street demonstrations in Turkey in more than a decade, deepening concerns over democracy and the rule of law. In response, the government has cracked down on the demonstrations, with police using tear gas, pepper spray, water cannons and rubber bullets against protesters. More than 1,100 have been arrested as tens of thousands of protestors take to the streets, branding Erdogan a dictator. Prosecutors have accused Erdogans strongest political rival of corruption and aiding a terrorist organisation accusations he has denied. Turkish citizens living in Northern Ireland hold a protest outside Belfast City Hall on the 24th March 2025 (Luke Jervis/Belfast Telegraph) Canan, who is studying womens education and feminism theories, told the Belfast Telegraph she worries for her family as unrest rages at home. All of my family, they are there. My mum and my dad, they are retired, but my sister and my brother, they have children, she said. I actually have a scholarship from the government of Turkey to study here, it has been a four years term, explained Canan. I was always anxious about the regime in Turkey, my scholarship could be in danger. I am criticising them and our government doesnt like this. We are worried about the future in Turkey, and I love my country. I want to go back, and I want to go live in my country again, I dont want to be an immigrant in another country because of this government. That is why I am fighting. Protesters face off riot policemen during a protest after Istanbul's Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu was arrested and sent to prison, in Istanbul, Turkey, Sunday, March 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco) Canan said that many Turkish living abroad feel politics and society in Turkey is stuck. We are doing this because they arrested the mayor of Istanbul three days ago, this is because he was going be a prime minster candidate, Canan explained. It was obvious that he was going to win, it could mean the end of the ATP, the ruling political party in Turkey. They are still holding him in the prison, they didnt say anything to the public, that is why most of the Turkish people are out on the streets, we are waiting for a proper explanation, truth. The police are quite violent against these people who protest against the government, they are beating them. Even if I didnt support CHP I would join this protest again. It is about democracy and justice. As a woman, I am a bit more worried I am working here on feminism, and I want to apply the outcomes of my degree. I learnt a lot from Belfast and the culture. In the UK, women are always protected, but I dont feel this in my home country. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Actor Gerard Depardieu arrives to face trial for the alleged sexual assaults of two women on a film set in 2021 (Aurelien Morissard/AP) French actor Gerard Depardieu has gone on trial in Paris on charges of sexually assaulting two women on a movie set, in a case seen as a potential watershed for the #MeToo movement in France. Depardieu, 76, is accused of having groped a 54-year-old set dresser and a 34-year-old assistant director during filming in 2021 of Les Volets Verts (The Green Shutters). The actor faces up to five years in prison and a 75,000 euros (62,000) fine if convicted. Actor Gerard Depardieu, centre, who is facing trial for the alleged sexual assaults of two women on a film set in 2021, arrives with his lawyer Jeremie Assous, right, in Paris (Thibault Camus/AP) Depardieu, who denies any wrongdoing, told the judges that he was prepared to answer the courts questions. We will be able to show in an impartial, objective and incontestable manner that all of the accusations are lies, his lawyer, Jeremie Assous, told journalists massed outside the courtroom. The truth will be obvious and the truth is on our side, he said. Prosecutors say Depardieu trapped the set dresser with his legs before groping her waist and breasts in front of witnesses. She says the actor also used obscene language and had to be pulled away by bodyguards. The assistant director alleged that Depardieu groped her both on set and in the street. The women sat side by side in court. Women demonstrate outside the palace of justice where actor Gerard Depardieu faces trial (Aurelien Morissard/AP) The Associated Press does not name people who say they were sexually assaulted unless they consent to being identified and neither has in this case. France has often been ambivalent even resistant towards the #MeToo movement. 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. At the time of the alleged 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 that it go to trial. The sexual assault trial that opened on Monday is expected to last at least two days, but could be extended beyond Tuesday, if the chief judge wants more time. Actor Anouk Grinberg answers reporters outside the courtroom (Thibault Camus/AP) The trial was initially scheduled for October, but then postponed because of Depardieus health. A verdict is expected at a later date. Depardieu grasped his lawyers shoulder as he strode calmly into the courtroom. The actor has undergone a quadruple heart bypass and has diabetes, according to his lawyer. A court-appointed medical expert determined that he is fit to stand trial, but recommended that the hearings do not exceed six hours, with a 15-minute pause and snack every three hours. This is the first time that Depardieu, one of Frances most prominent film actors, has been tried over sexual assault allegations. He has previously been accused publicly or in formal complaints of misconduct by more than 20 women, but no other case has proceeded to court. Some were dropped because of a lack of evidence or the statute of limitations. The first hours of Mondays hearing were largely taken up by Depardieus lawyer, who sought to cast doubt on witness evidence and the police investigation. Actor Gerard Depardieu, centre, who is facing trial for the alleged sexual assaults of two women on a film set in 2021, arrives with his lawyer Jeremie Assous (Thibault Camus/AP) The lawyer alleged, without providing evidence, that police acted under instructions from magistrates who led the investigation to make Depardieu fall. Depardieu listened intently, sometimes nodding. Carine Durrieu Diebolt, the lawyer for one of the two plaintiffs, said on France Info radio that her client is calmly awaiting the outcome of the case because the case is solid. Durrieu Diebolt said that four additional women who say they have been sexually assaulted by Depardieu will speak at the trial. In an open letter published in Le Figaro in October 2023, Depardieu wrote: Never, but never, have I abused a woman. Campaigners for womens rights demonstrated outside the courthouse. A dozen performed a choreographed dance to techno music while chanting: Sexist violence, complicit judicial system. Depardieu had dropped out of sight in recent months, his film career seemingly on hold. But he still has friends in the industry. Actors Vincent Perez and Fanny Ardant were among those who took seats on his side of the courtroom. From left, Basel Adra, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal and Yuval Abraham, winners of the award for best documentary feature film for No Other Land, in the press room at the Oscars in March (Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) Israeli settlers beat up one of the Palestinian co-directors of the Oscar-winning documentary film No Other Land on Monday in the occupied West Bank before he was detained by the Israeli military, according to two of his fellow directors and other witnesses. The Israeli military said it was looking into the episode but did not have any immediate comment. The filmmaker Hamdan Ballal was one of three Palestinians detained in the village of Susiya, according to lawyer Leah Tsemmel. From left, Basel Adra, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal and Yuval Abraham, winners of the award for best documentary feature film for No Other Land, at the Oscars in Los Angeles (Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) Police told her they are being held at a military base for medical treatment and she said she has not been able to speak to them. Basel Adra, another co-director, witnessed the detention and said around two dozen settlers some masked, some carrying guns, some in Israeli uniform attacked the village. Soldiers who arrived pointed their guns at the Palestinians, while settlers continued throwing stones. We came back from the Oscars and every day since there is an attack on us, Adra told The Associated Press (AP). This might be their revenge on us for making the movie. It feels like a punishment. No Other Land, which won the Oscar this year for best documentary, chronicles the struggle by residents of the Masafer Yatta area to stop the Israeli military from demolishing their villages. Ballal and Adra, both from Masafer Yatta, made the joint Palestinian-Israeli production with Israeli directors Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor. The film has won a string of international awards, starting at the Berlin International Film Festival in 2024. Salem Adra, left, brother of Palestinian activist Basel Adra, who won best documentary feature at the Oscars for No Other Land, talks with a local Palestinian shepherd as they stand near an Israeli settlers outpost at the West Bank village of Tuwani (Leo Correa/AP) It has also drawn ire in Israel and abroad, as when Miami Beach proposed ending the lease of a cinema that screened the documentary. Adra said that settlers entered the village on Monday evening shortly after residents broke the daily fast for the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. A settler who according to Adra frequently attacks the village walked over to Ballals home with the military, and soldiers shot in the air. Ballals wife heard her husband being beaten outside and scream Im dying, according to Adra. Adra then saw the soldiers lead Ballal, handcuffed and blindfolded, from his home into a military vehicle. Speaking to the AP by phone, he said Ballals blood was still splattered on the ground outside his own front door. Some of the details of Adras account were backed up by another witness. A group of 10-20 masked settlers with stones and sticks also assaulted activists with the Centre for Jewish Nonviolence, smashing their car windows and slashing tyres to make them flee the area, one of the activists at the scene, Josh Kimelman, told the AP. Video provided by the Centre for Jewish Nonviolence showed a masked settler shoving and swinging his fists at two activists in a dusty field at night. The activists rush back to their car as rocks can be heard thudding against the vehicle. From left, Basel Adra, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal and Yuval Abraham accept the award for best documentary feature film for No Other Land during the Oscars in March at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles (Chris Pizzello/AP) Israel captured the West Bank in the 1967 Middle East war, along with the Gaza Strip and east Jerusalem. The Palestinians want all three for their future state and view settlement growth as a major obstacle to a two-state solution. Israel has built well over 100 settlements, home to more than 500,000 settlers who have Israeli citizenship. The three million Palestinians in the West Bank live under seemingly open-ended Israeli military rule, with the Western-backed Palestinian Authority administering population centres. The Israeli military designated Masafer Yatta in the southern West Bank as a live-fire training zone in the 1980s and ordered residents, mostly Arab Bedouin, to be expelled. Around 1,000 residents have largely remained in place, but soldiers regularly move in to demolish homes, tents, water tanks and olive orchards and Palestinians fear outright expulsion could come at any time. During the war in Gaza, Israel has killed hundreds of Palestinians in the West Bank during wide-scale military operations, and there has also been a rise in settler attacks on Palestinians. There has been a surge in Palestinian attacks on Israelis. Top national security officials for US President Donald Trump, including his defence secretary, texted war plans for upcoming military strikes in Yemen to a group chat in a secure messaging app that included the editor-in-chief for The Atlantic, the magazine reported. The National Security Council said the text chain appears to be authentic. The material in the text chain contained operational details of forthcoming strikes on Iran-backed Houthi-rebels in Yemen, including information about targets, weapons the US would be deploying, and attack sequencing, editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg reported. It was not immediately clear if the specifics of the military operation were classified, but they often are and at the least are kept secure to protect service members and operational security. The US has conducted air strikes against the Houthis since the militant group began targeting commercial and military vessels in the Red Sea in November 2023. Just two hours after Mr Goldberg received the details of the attack on March 15, the US began launching a series of air strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen. The National Security Council said in a statement that it was looking into how a journalists number was added to the chain in the Signal group chat, which included Tulsi Gabbard, Mr Trumps director of national intelligence, and secretary of state Marco Rubio. Mr Goldberg said he received the Signal invitation from Mike Waltz, Mr Trumps national security adviser, who was also in the group chat. In a statement late on Monday, White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said the president still has the utmost confidence in Mr Waltz and the national security team. Mr Trump told reporters he was not aware of the apparent breach in protocol. I know nothing about it, Mr Trump said, adding that The Atlantic was not much of a magazine. He went on to say: I dont know anything about it. Youre telling me about it for the first time. Government officials have used Signal for organisational correspondence, but it is not classified and can be hacked. Privacy and tech experts say the popular end-to-end encrypted messaging and voice call app is more secure than conventional texting. The sharing of sensitive information comes as defence secretary Pete Hegseths office has just announced a crackdown on leaks of sensitive information, including the potential use of polygraphs on defence personnel to determine how reporters have received information. Sean Parnell, a spokesman for Mr Hegseth, did not immediately respond to requests for comment on why the defence secretary posted war operational plans on an unclassified app. The breach in protocol was swiftly condemned by Democratic legislators. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer called for a full investigation. This is one of the most stunning breaches of military intelligence I have read about in a very, very long time, Mr Schumer, a New York Democrat, said in a floor speech on Monday afternoon. If true, this story represents one of the most egregious failures of operational security and common sense I have ever seen, said Senator Jack Reed of Rhode Island, the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, in a statement. He said American lives are on the line. The carelessness shown by Trumps Cabinet is stunning and dangerous. I will be seeking answers from the Administration immediately. Representative Jim Himes of Connecticut, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, said in a statement that he was horrified by the reports. Mr Himes said if a lower-ranking official did what is described here, they would likely lose their clearance and be subject to criminal investigation. The American people deserve answers, which he said he planned to get at Wednesdays previously scheduled committee hearing. Senate Majority Leader John Thune said he wants to learn more about what happened. Obviously, we got to run it to the ground, figure out what went on there, said Mr Thune, a South Dakota Republican. The handling of national defence information is strictly governed by law under the century-old Espionage Act, including provisions that make it a crime to remove such information from its proper place of custody even through an act of gross negligence. The Justice Department in 2015 and 2016 investigated whether former secretary of state Hillary Clinton broke the law by communicating about classified information with her aides on a private email server she set up, though the FBI ultimately recommended against charges and none were brought. President Donald Trump said he did not know about the incident (Jacquelyn Martin/AP) In the Biden administration, some officials were given permission to download Signal on their White House-issued phones, but were instructed to use the app sparingly, according to a former national security official who served in the Democratic administration. The official said Signal was most commonly used to communicate what they internally referred to as tippers to notify someone when they were away from the office or travelling overseas that they should check their high side inbox for a classified message. The app was sometimes also used by officials during the Biden administration to communicate about scheduling of sensitive meetings or classified phone calls when they were outside the office, the official said. The use of Signal became more prevalent during the last year of the Biden administration after federal law enforcement officials warned that China and Iran were hacking the White House as well as officials in the first Trump administration, according to the official. The official was unaware of top Biden administration officials such as vice president Kamala Harris, defence secretary Lloyd Austin and national security adviser Jake Sullivan using Signal to discuss sensitive plans as the Trump administration officials did. Some of the toughest criticism targeted Mr Hegseth, a former Fox News Channel weekend host. Senator Tammy Duckworth, an Iraq War veteran, said on social media that Mr Hegseth, the most unqualified Secretary of Defense in history, is demonstrating his incompetence by literally leaking classified war plans in the group chat. The impact of a projectile is visible on the wall of a UN guesthouse where United Nations workers were located when the building was struck, leaving one staff member dead and five others injured, in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza (Abdel Kareem Hana/AP) The United Nations has said it will reduce its footprint in the Gaza Strip after an Israeli tank strike hit one of its compounds last week, killing one staff member and wounding five others. Israel has denied it was behind the March 19 explosion at the UN guesthouse in central Gaza. In a statement on Monday, UN secretary-general spokesman Stephane Dujarric said that based on the information currently available, the strikes on the site were caused by an Israeli tank. A man shows what he said was shrapnel from a projectile that struck a UN guesthouse in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza (Abdel Kareem Hana/AP) The Israeli military did not immediately comment. Mr Dujarric said the UN has taken the difficult decision to reduce the organisations footprint in Gaza, even as humanitarian needs soar. He said the world body was cutting back about a third of its approximately 100 international staff members in Gaza. Mr Dujarric said the UN is not leaving Gaza, pointing out that it still has about 13,000 national staff in Gaza, mainly working for UNRWA, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees. The move comes as Israel has cut off all food, fuel, medicine and other supplies to Gazas around two million people for more than three weeks. Last week, it relaunched its military campaign in Gaza, with bombardments that have since killed hundreds of Palestinians, breaking a ceasefire in place since mid-January. Israel says it is targeting Hamas to force it to accept new terms for the ceasefire and release more hostages. Olga Cherevko, spokesperson for the UNs humanitarian office, known as OCHA, said the UN and its partners have already suspended a number of activities, many in education, protection and water and sanitation services. Trucks line up at the Egyptian side of the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and the Gaza Strip after Israel blocked the entry of aid trucks into Gaza (Mohamed Arafat/AP) The reason, she said, was safety concerns and the impact of Israeli evacuation orders. A lot of things are constrained right now because of the security situation, Ms Cherevko told The Associated Press before Mr Dujarrics announcement. The challenges are massive. We have had a lot of our activities affected by the situation and a lot of our partners have had to suspend operations because it is just not safe. Movement of trucks, including those distributing water, have been affected, she said. Only 29 out of 237 temporary learning spaces have resumed their activities since the ceasefire collapse, Ms Cherevko said. The United Nations previously did not say who was behind the strike on its compound. The Bulgarian staff member who was killed, Marin Valev Marinov, 51, was a member of the UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS), which carries out infrastructure and development projects around the world. A strike exploded near the compound, then hit it directly in the days before the deadly strike, UNOPS chief Jorge Moreira da Silva said earlier. He said the agency had contacted the Israeli military after the first strike and confirmed that the military was aware of the facilitys location. Servicemen attend a dedication ceremony for soldiers near the frontline in the Donetsk region, Ukraine (Ukraines 24th Mechanised Brigade via AP) By Jon Gambrell and Illia Novikov, Associated Press By Jon Gambrell and Illia Novikov, Associated Press US negotiators worked to hammer out details of a proposed partial ceasefire in Ukraine on Monday, meeting with representatives from Russia a day after holding separate talks with the Ukrainian team. Each side has accused the other of undermining efforts to reach a pause in the three-year-old war. Kyiv and Moscow agreed in principle on Wednesday to a limited ceasefire after US President Donald Trump spoke with the countries leaders, but the parties have offered different views of what targets would be off-limits to attack. Firefighters put out a fire following a Russian attack in the Donetsk region, Ukraine (Ukrainian Emergency Service via AP) While the White House said energy and infrastructure would be covered, the Kremlin declared that the agreement referred more narrowly to energy infrastructure. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said he would also like to see railways and ports protected. Talks on Monday are expected to address some of those differences, as well as a potential pause in attacks in the Black Sea to ensure the safety of commercial shipping. In an exchange with reporters at the White House, Mr Trump said territorial lines and the potential for US ownership of a key nuclear power plant in southern Ukraine have been part of the talks. Last week, Mr Trump floated the idea of the US taking control of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. The six-reactor facility one of the worlds largest was seized by Russia early in the war. Some people are saying the United States should own the power plant work it that way because we have the expertise to get the plant operating, Mr Trump said. Something like that would be fine with me. President Donald Trump speaks during a cabinet meeting at the White House in Washington (Pool via AP) Since falling under Russian control, the plants conditions have deteriorated. While its reactors have been shut down for years, they still require power and staff to maintain cooling systems and safety features. The facility is connected to Ukraines energy grid without producing electricity. US and Russian representatives met in the morning in the Saudi capital, Russias state Tass and Ria-Novosti news agencies reported. The US and Ukrainian teams met on Sunday. Serhii Leshchenko, an adviser to the Ukrainian presidency, said the delegation remained in Riyadh on Monday and expected to meet again with the Americans. In his nightly address on Monday, Mr Zelensky said representatives from Ukraine and the US will meet again, although he did not specify when. Grigory Karasin, head of the foreign affairs committee in the Russian parliaments upper house and a participant in Mondays talks, told the Interfax news agency the negotiations were going on in a creative way and that the US and Russian delegations understand each others views. A Russian Army 2S5 howitzer Giatsint-S fires towards Ukrainian positions in Ukraine (Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP) Meanwhile, Russian troops launched a new barrage of drones, including decoys, into Ukraine overnight into Monday, according to Ukraines air force, causing some damage and injuries. Before the latest attack, Mr Zelensky said in a televised statement Sunday evening that 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 added that Ukraines partners the US, Europe, and others around the world should step up pressure on Russia to stop this terror. Mr Zelensky has emphasized that Ukraine is open to a full, 30-day ceasefire that Mr Trump has proposed. But Mr Putin has made a complete ceasefire conditional on a halt of arms supplies to Kyiv and a suspension of Ukraines military mobilisation demands rejected by Kyiv and its Western allies. Speaking on Fox News Sunday, Mr Trumps special envoy Steve Witkoff said he expected some real progress at the talks in Saudi Arabia, and that a pause in hostilities between both countries in the Black Sea would naturally gravitate into a full-on shooting ceasefire. Serhii Leshchenko, an adviser to the Ukrainian presidency, said the delegation remained in Riyadh on Monday and expected to meet again with the Americans. Asked about reports speculating that China might send peacekeepers to Ukraine to enforce any future peace deal, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun responded on Monday with an unequivocal no. Servicemen attend a dedication ceremony for soldiers near the frontline in the Donetsk region, Ukraine (Oleg Petrasiuk/AP) Let me stress that the report is completely false. Chinas position on the Ukraine crisis is clear and consistent, Mr Guo said at a daily briefing. China has provided Russia with trade earnings from oil and other natural resources, along with diplomatic backing, but has not given any weapons or sent any personnel. China is, however, on close terms with North Korea, which has sent troops to fight alongside the Russian army. A massive targeted cyberattack hit Ukrainian state railway operator Ukrzaliznytsia on Sunday, the company wrote on Telegram, adding that the restoration of its systems was ongoing as of Monday morning. The company said the attack did not affect train movements or schedules, but that the online booking system was currently unavailable. The railway continues to operate despite physical attacks on the infrastructure, and even the most vile cyberattacks cannot stop it, the company wrote. Meanwhile, Ukraines Special Operations Forces claimed to have destroyed four military helicopters in Russias Belgorod region with the use of American-supplied Himars rocket systems. The special forces published drone footage of what they said was the attack on their Telegram page on Monday. Firefighters put out a fire following a Russian attack near Kyiv, Ukraine (Ukrainian Emergency Service via AP) The group wrote that the strikes had occurred at a concealed jumping-off point for Russian aircraft used in surprise attacks on Ukrainian forces. Russian troops, meanwhile, fired 99 attack and decoy drones into Ukraine overnight Sunday, according to Ukraines air force, of which 57 were shot down and 36 were lost from radar. In the Kyiv region, one man suffered injuries overnight as a Russian drone struck a residential area. The man has superficial shrapnel wounds to his abdomen, chest, thighs, and head, the acting head of the Kyiv region, Mykola Kalashnyk, wrote on Telegram on Monday. In the Kharkiv region, a Russian drone struck a residential building in the village of Velyka Babka, injuring a 25-year-old man and a pregnant woman. Both were admitted to hospital, regional head Oleh Syniehubov said on Telegram on Monday morning. In Zaporizhzhia, Russian drones damaged several houses of local residents overnight with one elderly woman suffering light injuries, regional head Ivan Fedorov wrote on Telegram. A Russian missile struck the northern city of Sumy, across the border from Russias Kursk region, hitting residential buildings and a school, said regional head Volodymyr Artiukh. Children at the school were being evacuated at the time, and all were safe, he added. But the regional prosecutors office said 65 people were injured, including 14 children. Earlier, Russia fired 99 attack and decoy drones into Ukraine overnight, according to Ukraines air force, of which 57 were shot down. Judge disqualifies Downpatrick man for six months A boozed-up Downpatrick social worker who claimed to have found his crashed car in the early hours of the morning and refused to give a breath sample has been banned from driving. Conor McKenny told cops he had been out partying with a friend who took his car keys, before he later saw his crashed Audi A3 when passing by in a taxi home. Thousands of Ukrainians expected to leave NI if peace deal agreed, but Syrian and Afghans allowed to stay More than 5m paid out to people hosting families fleeing Russian invasion Police officers and rescuers work in front of a residential building destroyed by a Russian drone strike in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine last week. (AP Photo/Kateryna Klochko) Noel McAdam Mon 24 Mar 2025 at 14:00 Ukrainians living in Northern Ireland are expected to return home if a peace deal is agreed. Shutterstock.com Its a sad truth that at some point we as children will likely become the caretakers for our parents. There is nothing easy about this transition and, unfortunately, it often sneaks up on us catching us unprepared and in denial. But aging is the great equalizer no one escapes it, and as uncomfortable as it may be to think of your parents as being anything less the vibrant adults you have always leaned on, its much better to look forward and be ready for the inevitable. Your parents aging and the associated changes arent just tough for you though. They are even more as difficult for your parents. The idea they may have to become reliant on others, especially others that were once reliant on them, can be very painful. Their discomfort with these changes can make navigating them even more challenging for you. While there are many practical and financial concerns when it comes to your parents golden years, what it can be most difficult to handles the associated emotions both yours and theirs. Those feelings have to be faced though because they dont just go away. There are, however, a few things that can be helpful to keep in mind as you cope with your new role. The Emotions of a Child Turned Caregiver There is no easy way to move from being the child to the caregiver. The fluctuating and sometimes overwhelming and fluctuating emotions that come along with your changing roles may feel like they take over and rule your life. Grief, guilt, resentment, and the intense weight of responsibility are all normal and valid feelings. In fact, all feelings you experience are valid. And they will vary from person to person in prominence and intensity depending upon the relationship you have had with your parent. Many adult children who are taking care of their parents feel guilty about any emotion that isnt positive and altruistic. After all, they took care of you, so its only right that you do the same when they need it, right? Probably, but that doesnt mean that the natural feelings of frustration, fear, even anger and impatience arent normal. I promise that when they were raising you they felt these feelings occasionally too. In order to effectively handle these feelings you will first need to admit to them. How you do this depends on your circumstances. If you have a strong support system and people whom you trust you may choose to talk to them about what youre experiencing. If not, then a trained counselor with experience supporting caregivers may be a good choice. Regardless, understand that your feelings, no matter what they are, are normal and have been experienced by others in your situation. Some of the most common feelings that adult children caring for aging parents experience (and often try to hide or turn away from) include the following: Depression Seeing your parents health start to fail means facing their inevitable death. Many children think of their parents as something close to immortal. Whether you had a close relationship or not, their presence in your life has likely been constant even if distant. The idea of your life without them in it can lead to depression and possibly cause you to consider your own mortality. Anger Its not unusual to feel angry at the position youre now in. You are likely managing many things at this stage of your life and having to care for your parents on top of all that will make things incredibly difficult. Not to mention the how-dare-they feeling you may get at the idea of them becoming infirm and potentially passing away. Disgust Just like children who need to be changed, cleaned, and fed, its possible your parents may need that as well. Or maybe, they just need to be constantly reminded of little things and handheld through their days. Whatever it is, feeling disgust over needing to care for an adult, especially your parent, in this manner is normal. But there are resources available in many cases to assist you. Loneliness Caring for a parent can be very isolating. You may find that all your spare time is dedicated to their care and your hobbies and social life are pushed to the side. This can be very difficult on your relationship with your partner as well. Many caregivers are managing not only their parents, but children of their own in addition to jobs and other responsibilities. This can leave very little time and energy for the intimacy and connection thats required for keeping a relationship healthy. Resentment Its not uncommon to feel like you are missing out on many things due to your commitments to your parents. Whether its social engagements, travel, or just being able to relax, you may feel pulled in so many different directions that you become resentful and jealous of those who arent in the same situation. Often referred to as the sandwich generation, many adult children caring for parents are also caring for their own children also. This creates a compounding layer of responsibilities and stress. Effectively dealing with your emotions and stress that comes with this stage of life is crucial. If you dont acknowledge them they will find ways to surface and those can be detrimental your to psychological and physical health, not to mention relationships with everyone around you, including the parents you are caring for. Coping With Your Feelings Its important to understand that youre not alone. There are many people who have been, or are currently, in the same situation. This means there are also many resources and support options available to help you manage your circumstances and guide you through the complex associated emotions. Its vitally important to give yourself permission to accept help and to live your own life. You will need to take breaks and maintain the aspects of your life that make you happy and keep you sane. Self-care is so important in order for you to continue to care for anyone in your life, especially your parents. And you deserve and need it too. Your parents needed the same things when raising you. No matter how much you are involved in your parents care, whether its just a little or as a primary caregiver, taking care of ailing and aging parents is very difficult. Although its often compared to the care they gave you as a child, the emotions can be far more complicated because it doesnt feel like the natural order of things. If your role is changing from child to caretaker remember that it shouldnt ever mean that you fully give up your own life and all that makes you happy. Your parents wouldnt have wanted that. 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. Quality local journalism needs your support Access this story and all of our stories with 24/7 unlimited access. Subscribe today. Cancel anytime. Subscribe now for 99 Subscriber Sign In | Return Home NORTH ADAMS After an avalanche of uncertainty from Washington, about 75 Berkshire residents had enough. On Sunday afternoon, the group lined State Street in North Adams, armed with signs expressing their discontent with President Donald Trump and Elon Musk, who has spearheaded cuts to the federal government through the so-called Department of Government Efficiency. The event, organized through Facebook, invited people "to protest the disrespectful (and often illegal) ways Trump and his administration treats so many of its citizens, immigrants and allies." For some, it was exactly the outlet they needed after a week that saw Immigration Customs and Enforcement agents pick up at least 10 people in the Berkshires and an executive order aimed to initiate the dismantling of the federal Department of Education. Its better than yelling at the TV, said Tim Jay of Williamstown. Some turned their furor to Musk, who has held great sway over Trump's policy decisions despite being unelected and unappointed. Members of Greylock Together circulated a petition for protesters to sign to fire Musk. Tell me what democracy looks like, this is what democracy looks like, protesters chanted. Hey hey, ho ho, Elon Musk has got to go. The standout was organized by Eileen Gloster. She plans to attend the "Hand Off Massachusetts!" rally and march in Boston on April 5, but for her, the date couldn't come soon enough. I didnt want to wait, she said. It was important to have this event so people could gather to stand up for others, she said. What makes America great is striving together to make sure people respect all people regardless of race and gender, she said. Trump is mean but we are not afraid. Some motorists honked their horns and waved through open windows at the protester. Others were not so encouraging, showing their disdain with obscene gestures. At least two revved their engines at the nearby traffic light and skid their tires when they got the green light, creating dense, white smoke. Percolating through the standout was uncertainty and unease. Im worried about my Social Security and Medicare, Joyce Wrend, of North Adams, said. Holding a sign that read Make Empathy Great Again," Hailey Peters said she had always felt proud to be an American, but she doesn't feel that now. With soaring housing prices in the Berkshire and beyond, she felt like the American Dream is no longer attainable. Nancy Girard, who is a caregiver to the elderly, said she feels that the rule of law is important. Her late father was a World War II veteran and Pearl Harbor survivor. Hed be mortified of the current administration, which has been testing the limits of its authority, she said. Wendy Penner of Greylock Together, denounced the recent ICE detainments in the Berkshires. No one asked for this, Penner said. Our own neighbors are being snatched up by the government! Penner also plans to attend the rally in Boston. She's facilitating a bus to go to it. It has 55 seats and will leave from the Lee Big Y at 8 a.m. The cost is $30 per person. For Patti Lentine and her sister Janet, protesting was relatively new. Neither had attended one before last year and have since been to ones in Albany, N.Y., and Bennington, Vt. Recent events spurred them into action. "You've got to do something," Patti Lentine said. Alice Cande, on the other hand, protested the first Trump administration and donned a pink hat she first wore in 2017 during a protest in New York City. She remembers the enthusiasm she encountered while taking a commuter train from the Wassaic Train Station to the city it was packed with people planning to attend the protest with her. I didnt expect that, she said. I [also] didnt think that Id need to wear this hat again. Educators at Williamstown Elementary School express solidarity in response to President Donald Trump's plans to eliminate the U.S. Department of Education on March 4. On Monday, Somerville and Easthampton schools partnered with the American Federation of Teachers Massachusetts and other groups in a new lawsuit challenging Trump's executive order to dismantle the federal education department. Olieprijs sluit hogerAMSTERDAM (Dow Jones)--De olieprijs is woensdag hoger gesloten, nadat de Federal Reserve woensdag bekendmaakte dat het de belangrijkste rentestand handhaaft op 0% tot 0,25% tot tenminste 2014. Omdat de handhaving van de rentestand kan bijdragen aan het herstel van de economie in Amerika en het land de grootste olieverbruiker ter wereld is, wordt de stap positief ontvangen op de oliemarkten.In het commentaar bij het rentebesluit waarschuwden de beleidsbepalers van de Federal Reserve echter wel dat het herstel te traag is en wordt gekenmerkt door significante risico's.Eerder op de dag fluctueerden de olieprijzen nog nadat Amerikaanse Energy Information Administration bekendmaakte dat de voorraad ruwe olie de afgelopen week steeg met 3,6 miljoen vaten tot 334,8 miljoen, waar vooraf werd gerekend op een kleine toename van 0,7 miljoen vaten. De benzinevoorraden daalden juist met 0,4 miljoen vaten tot 227,13 miljoen vaten, terwijl vooraf werd uitgegaan van een toename met 1,4 miljoen vaten.De voorraden stookolie en diesel daalden met 2,5 miljoen vaten tot 145,6 miljoen en daarmee namen de voorraden meer af dan de vooraf verwachte 0,5 miljoen vaten.De capaciteitsbenutting van raffinaderijen daalde naar 82,2%, van 83,7% een week eerder. Gerekend werd op een daling tot 83,4%.Volgens analisten wijzen de cijfers erop dat de oliemarkten een betere balans zoeken tussen vraag en aanbod. "Er is vraag naar olie. De vraag is slecht, maar we hebben erger gezien tijdens recessies", aldus Carl Larry van Oil Outlooks and Opinions. "We moeten ons voorbereiden op een toename. De economie beweegt zich en hoewel het een langzame beweging is, zal de vraag uiteindelijk weer omhoog gaan".Het gebruik van olie en brandstof in de VS is niet gestegen hoewel een reeks aan macro-economische cijfers erop wijzen dat de economie in het land zich herstelt. Toch zijn de futures er de afgelopen maand niet in geslaagd om boven de $100 per vat te komen.De spanningen tussen Iran en het Westen zorgen er echter voor dat de olieprijzen niet verder onderuit gaan. Maandag maakte de Europese Unie bekend dat er per 1 juli een embargo komt op olie uit Iran. Tevens worden er nu al geen nieuwe oliecontracten met het land meer afgeslotenDe maartfuture voor een vat ruwe olie sloot woensdag op de New York Mercantile Exchange $0,45 hoger op $99,40.Door Marleen Groen; Dow Jones Nieuwsdienst; +31 20 5715 216; marleen.groen@dowjones.com Have you ever watched something fall apart and wondered how it got to that point? Imagine a nation, chosen by God, blessed with his promises, and destined for greatness, suddenly torn in two. We dont have to imagine it because it happened. Israel and Judah emerged as two separate nations when the nation of Israel split. Why did this happen? As you will soon discover, there was one simple yet powerful underlying cause that led to it all. This same cause that wreaked havoc in Israel is doing the same today. Israel and the Seeds of Division We often think of Israel as always being a unified nation before the split. However, the seeds of division and separation were present following the death of Saul. After he died, we begin to see mention of two separate kings for the nations of Israel and Judah. Ish-Bosheth son of Saul was forty years old when he became king over Israel, and he reigned two years. The tribe of Judah, however, remained loyal to David. The length of time David was king in Hebron over Judah was seven years and six months (2 Samuel 2:10-11). This division happened because there was a war between the house of Saul and the house of David. It would take over seven years for this war to be resolved and for David to become king over a unified Israel and Judah. When all the elders of Israel had come to King David at Hebron, the king made a covenant with them at Hebron before the Lord, and they anointed David king over Israel. David was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned forty years. In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months, and in Jerusalem he reigned over all Israel and Judah thirty-three years (2 Samuel 5:3-5). After uniting the nation under David, it was Gods desire to keep it that way. However, as you will see, the actions of Solomon, Davids son and heir, prevented that from happening. Sin Leads to Division As the leader of Gods people, Solomon had great wisdom. Yet for a man with such wisdom, he lacked judgment in one critical area: he loved many foreign women. God warned Solomon against marrying these foreign women because he knew they would turn his heart towards their gods. Knowing this, the Bible makes one of the most incredible statements about Solomon. Nevertheless, Solomon held fast to them in love (1 Kings 11:2b). Solomon ended up having over 700 wives and 300 concubines. I dont know how he managed all those wives (Im good with my one), but as God predicted, they turned his heart away from God. Solomon did not remain faithful to Gods commands. With his heart turned towards other gods, he was not fully devoted to the Lord as David was. Because Solomon disobeyed Gods decrees and did not keep the covenant with the Lord, God had to respond. So the Lord said to Solomon, Since this is your attitude and you have not kept my covenant and my decrees, which I commanded you, I will most certainly tear the kingdom away from you and give it to one of your subordinates. Nevertheless, for the sake of David your father, I will not do it during your lifetime. I will tear it out of the hand of your son. Yet I will not tear the whole kingdom from him, but will give him one tribe for the sake of David my servant and for the sake of Jerusalem, which I have chosen (1 Kings 11:11-13). As you can see, Israel was split into the nations of Israel and Judah because of Solomons unfaithfulness. It was his sin that laid the foundation for the split. God Raised Up an Adversary The split did not happen during Solomons lifetime, as God promised. In preparation to take the kingdom from Solomon, God raised up adversaries against him, both internally and externally. His primary internal adversary was Jeroboam. God made a promise to Jeroboam through the prophet Ahijah that he would rip the kingdom from Solomon and give him ten tribes to rule over. Upon Solomons death, his son Rehoboam succeeded him as king. However, none of his fathers wisdom seemed to rub off on him. Rehoboam also showed poor judgment in ruling the people. Jeroboam and the people of Israel went to Rehoboam who was the king of all Israel at this point to request that he lighten up the harsh labor burden that Solomon had put on them. Instead of listening to their request and to his fathers advisors, he increased the burden. In response, all the Israelites rebelled against Rehoboam and declared Jeroboam their king of Israel. Rehoboam gathered men from the tribe of Judah and Benjamin to reclaim the kingdom they had lost, but God stopped him. God told Rehoboam that he split the kingdom, so there was no need for him to fight to get it back. From that point forward, there were two nations. Israel, which was the Northern kingdom, and Judah, which was the Southern kingdom. Israel existed as a nation until 721 BC, when the Assyrians conquered them and took them into captivity. Judah existed as a nation until 587 BC, when the Babylonians conquered them, led by Nebuchadnezzar II, and many were taken into captivity. Lesson from the Splitting of the Nations The nation of Israel began with Gods promise to Abraham that he would birth a nation from Abrahams descendants. God fulfilled that promise. However, the promise fell victim to the only thing that can ever hinder or interfere with Gods plan and promise for your life: sin. Sin was the root cause of the split and downfall of both Israel and Judah. What you learn from their story is that sin has a high price tag. While sin makes promises, it never fulfills them, and the consequences are usually devastating. As the saying goes, the juice is not worth the squeeze. Sin has ruined and destroyed the promise of many peoples lives throughout the years, and still does it to this day. The consequences of sin are real, and they often reach far beyond what we initially imagine. As we've seen in this story, God's mercy doesn't always free you from sins consequences. Yes, he is gracious and forgiving, but sometimes we must live with the results of our choices. This happened to Solomon. But here is when God's faithfulness shines brightest. Sin can derail everything, but it cannot overcome God's promises. God could have stripped everything from Solomon. He had every right to because Solomon had turned his heart to other gods. However, he didnt. Why? God remembered his covenant with David. Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever (2 Samuel 7:16). This wasn't just about keeping a promise to David, but something far greater. Through the tribe of Judah would come Jesus Christ, the Lion of Judah, the ultimate fulfillment of God's promise. While sin divided a kingdom, Jesus would be the one to restore it. His kingdom can never be torn apart by sin or division. There will only be one king sitting on the throne forever, and that is Jesus. This proves once and for all that through the twists, turns, sins, and failures of this life, Gods plan will prevail because just like his promise to David, all his promises endure forever. Photo credit: Getty Images/Ridatiningsih Keller and his wife planted Redeemer Presbyterian Church in 1989, in New York City. Within months, he started to see growth. Our church grew in the middle of Manhattan at a time when people were moving out because of the crime. We didnt have church shoppers. We were starting from scratch. It was a difficult spot to start, and yet the church grew to about 1,000 people attending services in two years. His church was planted where no one previously had thought to address the deep spiritual need of urban Americans. Rather than head to an exotic foreign location, Keller realized the needs of an enormous, overlooked, domestic group closer to home. What Keller noticed was that three types of people were answering the call to worship: sleepy Christians, nominal Christians, and non-Christians. When the Holy Spirit begins to do his work, he brings repentance and assurance. Ordinary Christians arent usually sad enough or happy enough. Were not convicted enough about our sin. Were not experiencing deep repentance and therefore we dont experience high assurance. Rather than give them something watery and unconvincing, Keller taught both the good news and the bad news: The gospel is this: We are more sinful and flawed in ourselves than we ever dared believe, yet at the very same time we are more loved and accepted in Jesus Christ than we ever dared hope. Those saved during this revival were suddenly and powerfully convicted of their sin. Yet, though convicted, they also met a merciful and loving God who showed them the beauty of repentance and the reward that awaited them: eternal life with Jesus (not to mention the joy of his constant presence day by day). Many of those attending Redeemer were singles who invited their unsaved friends to church. Their boldness led to growth, not merely in church attendance, but in souls saved. Pray for Real Revival We want revival if we love Jesus and love our neighbor. We know that it is not Gods desire for any to perish (2 Peter 3:9). We want everyone to hear the gospel and live. Although we cannot make revival happen, prayer is an essential catalyst. Then, the faithful must act on the prompting of the Holy Spirit to start something. An individuals response to Christ has the potential to be so beautiful that it attracts others. In Wales, large groups could be heard singing, full of devotion to the Lord, attracting attention to their joy and eventually to Christ. But even if your faith alone is revived and not used by God to spark something bigger, sing anyway. The joy of singing praises to the Lord is a gift to the believer and also an offering to the Lord. Photo credit: Getty Images/fizkes BillOReilly.com is not available in this country. We apologize for any inconvenience. Thermo Fisher unveils One Lambda HybriType HLA Plus Typing Flex kit March 24, 2025 | Monday | News To enable human leukocyte antigen (HLA), scientists and researchers to continue to advance research of histocompatibility and immunogenetics Thermo Fisher Scientific has launched the One Lambda HybriType HLA Plus Typing Flex kit. This next-generation sequencing (NGS) hybrid capture assay featuring a probe-based design that optimises read balance and uniformity is designed to provide flexibility in testing configuration and coverage, supporting human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genotyping analysis across various sample types, including whole blood and buccal swabs. This testing kit aims to enable customers to perform deeper research into the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) that can impact various evolving conditions. Its simple workflow combined with One Lambda TypeStream Visual NGS Software enables rapid automated analysis. Its flexible content and extensive gene coverage may minimize ambiguity, delivering results with 99.8% concordance. The streamlined workflow, taking less than 5.5 hours with under 2.5 hours of hands-on time, combined with One Lambda TypeStream Visual NGS Software, enables rapid automated analysis. We developed HybriType to enable our customers to perform deeper research into the major histocompatibility complex (MHC), a genetically rich region that plays a key role in histocompatibility and immunogenetics, said Tina Liedtky, president, Transplant Diagnostics, Thermo Fisher Scientific. As our knowledge of the human immune system and how the MHC may impact various conditions continues to evolve, were committed to providing our customers with the tools they need to further our collective understanding. Borsa Italiana non ha responsabilita per il contenuto del sito a cui sta per accedere e non ha responsabilita per le informazioni contenute. Accedendo a questo link, Borsa Italiana non intende sollecitare acquisti o offerte in alcun paese da parte di nessuno. Sarai automaticamente diretto al link in cinque secondi. 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 Key consensus reached at China-Japan high-level economic dialogue Xinhua) 09:46, March 24, 2025 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) TOKYO, March 22 (Xinhua) -- 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. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) George Clooney has said he is not doing romantic films anymore. The Hollywood actor, 63, who has starred as the romantic lead in films including One Fine Day (1996) and Ticket To Paradise (2022), said he is not trying to compete with 25-year-old leading men. Advertisement The Kentucky-born Oscar-winner reflected on his career and his new role playing journalist Edward R Murrow in Broadway play Good Night, And Good Luck on 60 Minutes for CBS News. George Clooney with his wife Amal (Yui Mok/PA) Its exciting to be here (on Broadway). Lets not kid ourselves. Its nerve-racking. And theres a million reasons why its dumb to do, he said. Its dumb to do because youre coming out and saying, well, lets try to get an audience to take this ride with you back to 1954. The play depicts Murrows on-air showdown with Senator Joseph McCarthy who was a tireless crusader against communism, leading to a mass hysteria known as the Second Red Scare. Advertisement The production is an adaptation of his Oscar-nominated movie of the same name which Clooney directed in 2005. Reflecting on the US governments relationship with the press today, he said: Were seeing this idea of using government to scare or fine, or use corporations to make journalists smaller. Governments dont like the freedom of the press, they never have. And that goes for whether you are a conservative or a liberal or whatever side youre on. They dont like the press. George Clooney stars in Good Night, And Good Luck (Jonathan Brady/PA) The lifelong Democrat also discussed when he asked former president Joe Biden to step down from the race for the White House after he stumbled over his words when he faced now President Donald Trump during a televised debate. Advertisement I was raised to tell the truth, he said. I had seen the president up close for this fundraiser, and I was surprised. And so, I feel as if there was a lot of cowardice in my party, through all of that, and I was not proud of that, and I also believed I had to tell the truth. Speaking about his career, he added: Look, Im 63 years old. Im not trying to compete with 25-year-old leading men. Thats not my job. Im not doing romantic films anymore. Advertisement He added: There isnt a single actor alive that wouldnt have loved to have gone on Broadway. So thats the fun of it. Its tricky the older you get. But why not? Central Bank of Ireland governor Gabriel Makhlouf has cast doubt on Government proposals that would allow developers to invest less money and borrow more from banks to increase building supply. Mr Makhlouf said that banks are well capitalised and already have the capacity to lend more, adding that the number one issue in housing is planning. Advertisement His comments come after it was reported that Government want banks to ease their lending rules for developers, which would see the amount of funding a builder has to put up front reduced. The Irish Independent newspaper reported that Taoiseach Micheal Martin and Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe will meet with the banks about reducing the level of equity and providing more funds. Governor of the Central Bank of Ireland Gabriel Makhlouf (Niall Carson/PA) The governor is due to meet the Minister for Housing James Browne in the next few weeks to discuss Government-backed plans. Mr Makhlouf said it has been a long-schedule meeting, which he is looking forward to taking place. Advertisement Asked about proposals to ease the banks lending rules, Mr Makhlouf said: Firstly, in my view, its obviously up to the Government to decide what policies (to) put in place. My very strong advice to Government is that there are many interventions that they have already made, and are making in the housing market, my advice would be to take stock of all of those interventions, make sure theyre all mutually supportive of each other before introducing new ones. So thats a basic piece of advice. Otherwise, I mean, we think that the banks are well capitalised, and they have the capacity to lend more, its their commercial judgement at the end of the day as to whether they want to do that, depending on their own risk appetite. Advertisement Thats at this stage thats all that reading. So I havent seen detailed government plans. I cant really comment on speculation. He went on to say that he is very conscious of the many Government housing policies already in place. My advice to people who want to introduce new ones, just to make sure that what youve got going, you know what it is achieving and you dont do the wrong thing. I have said, and I wrote to the (housing) Minister in my letter last month that I would prioritise investing in making sure that land is available for development, and thats infrastructure is where I put a particular focus on. Advertisement We published a report before Christmas in October or September, on specifically on housing, where we made clear, and Im happy to repeat it now, that the number one issue on housing is not finance. The number one issue of housing is planning. Its absolutely planning. This is not a unique situation in Ireland, but planning is a problem. Changing the law is one thing, making sure that the new law is implemented well is as important as law itself. So I would put all my energies, at whatever levels of government, and whatever levels in industry, to making sure that planning rules are being implemented in a way that supports the construction of housing. Remains exhumed from a grave in Co Monaghan are not those of Disappeared victim of the Troubles Joe Lynskey, investigators have said. The Independent Commission for the Location of Victims Remains (ICLVR) said the remains recovered from the grave in the village of Annyalla also do not belong to any member of the family who own the plot. Advertisement The ICLVR further confirmed that the remains were not those of any of the three other Disappeared victims murdered and secretly buried by republican paramilitaries during the Troubles whom the commission continues to search for. An Garda Siochana is now attempting to identify the remains. In a statement, a spokesman said: An Garda Siochana has notified the local coroner, and An Garda Siochana has commenced enquiries to assist the local coroner to determine the correct identification of the remains exhumed on November 26 2024. Joe Lynskey was a former Cistercian monk who later joined the IRA (Wave Trauma Centre/PA)The commission opened the grave in November last year after it received information related to suspicious historical activity during the 1970s at a grave in Annyalla cemetery. The commission opened the grave in November last year after it received information related to suspicious historical activity during the 1970s at a grave in Annyalla cemetery. Advertisement It instigated the exhumation operation to establish whether Mr Lynskey had been secretly buried there by the IRA. Mr Lynskey, a former monk from Belfast who later joined the IRA, was abducted, murdered and secretly buried by members of the republican paramilitary group in 1972. He was one of 17 people who were Disappeared by republican paramilitaries during the Troubles in Northern Ireland. The ICLVR did not become aware that Mr Lynskey was one of the Disappeared until 2010. A number of searches since then have all failed to locate his remains. Advertisement The commission was set up by the UK and Irish governments during the peace process to investigate the whereabouts of the Disappeared. Thirteen have been formally found. As well as Mr Lynskey, the commission is also tasked with finding three other Disappeared victims Co Tyrone teenager Columba McVeigh, British Army Captain Robert Nairac, and Seamus Maguire, who was in his mid-20s and from near Lurgan, Co Armagh. Annyalla Cemetery in Co Monaghan (Jonathan McCambridge/PA) A statement from the commission said: In an effort to locate the remains of Joe Lynskey, one of the Disappeared who went missing in the summer of 1972, human remains were exhumed from a grave in Annyalla Cemetery, Co Monaghan on 26 November 2024. The results of the DNA examination of the remains have now eliminated them as being those of the family to whom the grave belongs and now also eliminated them as being those of Joe Lynskey or any of the Disappeared. Advertisement All the interested parties including the Lynskey family have been informed. We know that this news is deeply disappointing for the Lynskey family and the thoughts of everyone in the commission are with them at this most difficult time. We are also conscious that this was a distressing experience for the family whose grave was opened to facilitate the exhumation. We are grateful for their co-operation and support at all stages of the process. Advertisement The commission will continue to do everything in its power to locate and recover the remains of all of the outstanding Disappeared cases. We would again appeal to anyone with information relating to Joe Lynskey, Columba McVeigh, Robert Nairac or Seamus Maguire to bring it to the ICLVR where it will be treated in the strictest confidence. Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn said he was saddened to hear the search for Mr Lynskey was unsuccessful. My thoughts are with his family, who have faced decades of uncertainty and heartache. I thank the ICLVR for its tireless commitment to reuniting the families of the Disappeared with their loved ones. Todays news is a reminder of the importance of this humanitarian work. Every piece of information, no matter how small, could help bring closure and peace to these families who have waited so long for answers. I urge anyone who may have information that could help locate Joes remains or those of Columba McVeigh, Captain Robert Nairac and Seamus Maguire to come forward in confidence to the ICLVR. The Minister for Justice, Jim OCallaghan TD, expressed his disappointment following confirmation that the human remains recovered recently by the Independent Commission for the Location of Victims Remains in Co Monaghan are not those of Joe Lynskey. Minister OCallaghan said: When the Commission announced that unidentified remains had been found following an exhumation late last year, we all hoped that they would be identified as those of Joe Lynskey. I held hope that the Lynskey family would finally be able to lay him to rest. I am saddened that this is not the case. Today, my thoughts again are with the Lynskey family who have had to endure this particular cruelty for over 50 years. I would also acknowledge that this experience has been distressing for the family whose grave was opened in order to carry out the exhumation and I am thankful for their understanding in such difficult circumstances. "I want also to commend the dedicated and ceaseless humanitarian work of the Independent Commission for the Location of Victims Remains. I assure them and the families of the Disappeared of my and the Government's support for their ongoing work. "The Commission will continue its vital work and I appeal again, today, to anyone with any information that could help the families of Columba McVeigh, Joe Lynskey, Robert Nairac and Seamus Maguire to share this information with the Commission now. Five men were arrested by the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau (GNDOCB) in Dublin on Monday morning. According to The Irish Times, three senior members of a Dublin-based drugs gang known as The Family were arrested by gardai during early morning raids in the city. Advertisement The gang has been active in drug dealing for over two decades but in recent years has displaced the Kinahan cartels Irish operation as the biggest drugs importers into the Republic. The men, aged in their 30s, 40s and 60s, were arrested for alleged offences contrary to the Criminal Justice Act, 2006 and are currently detained, pursuant to the provisions of Section 50 of Criminal Justice Act, 2007, at Garda stations across the Dublin and Eastern garda regions. Gardai said the operation was supported by the Emergency Response Unit, Regional Armed Support Unit, Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation and the Dublin Crime Response Team. All five men who were arrested remain in Garda custody. An Irish payroll manager who is alleged to have passed trade secrets of his US-headquartered human resources company to a rival firm is cooperating with efforts to recover information sought as part of an investigation, the Commercial Court has heard. Last week, Keith O'Brien told the court he had destroyed a phone a judge had ordered him to preserve. Advertisement On Monday, Mr Justice Mark Sanfey was told Mr O'Brien was now co-operating with efforts to recover the information on his devices and it may lead to the resolution of legal moves to force him to hand over the devices. HR firm People Centre, trading as Rippling, has claimed that Mr OBrien, with an address at Ringfort Avenue, Balrothery, Co Dublin, was placed in their company by rival firm Deel in order to unlawfully obtain its trade secrets. Last Wednesday, Mr OBrien came before the judge and said he destroyed a mobile phone sought by Rippling the previous week after interim court orders were granted requiring him to hand over his devices. He apologised to the court, stating that he understood what he did was wrong. I was under complete duress, he said, [my] mental state ... over the last few days has been absolutely horrific. Advertisement The US Rippling and its Irish wing, Rippling Ireland Ltd, had sought a number of orders including that Mr OBrien be compelled to provide full details of any of the companys confidential information communicated by him since October 2024 to any third parties and the identities of any such parties. It also sought orders restraining sharing of such information and requiring its return. Following an incident in which Mr O'Brien allegedly disappeared when a court-appointed supervising solicitor turned up at the Rippling offices to ask him to hand over his devices, the company sought further orders against him which meant he could be jailed if he failed to turn up in court and answer alleged contempt for breach of the court orders. He appeared in person last Wednesday and the matter was adjourned for a week to allow him get legal representation. Advertisement On Monday, a separate application to admit the Rippling proceedings to the fast track Commercial Court was adjourned for a week. Marcus Dowling SC, for Rippling, said Mr O'Brien had been in contact with the supervising solicitor appointed by the court when it made orders that he hand over the devices and there had been "significant progress". He was to meet with the supervising solicitor on Tuesday, March 25th, and it was hoped events will overtake the need for further orders, counsel said. It was possible, he said, that there may be a resolution of the matters before the end of week. Mr Justice Sanfey said that while he was glad to hear Mr O'Brien was cooperating, he noted there were "significant difficulties on Mr O'Brien's part on a personal level". Mr O'Brien still had an obligation to purge his contempt so the judge said he would put the matter back for a week and vacate another adjournment date that had been put in for this Thursday. He also agreed to a request from Mr Dowling to extend the orders requiring him to hand over the devices until the case comes back next week. Former taoiseach Leo Varadkar is to take up an advisory role with a US-based public relations firm which has Microsoft, Google and JP Morgan among its clients. Penta, which acquired Irish PR firm Hume Brophy in 2023, said it had appointed Mr Varadkar to its advisory board and that he would bring a wealth of global leadership experience to the firm. Advertisement Washington-headquartered Penta has a network of offices across Europe, North America and Asia and advises some of worlds largest companies, including Open AI, Johnson & Johnson and Bank of America. The company told The Irish Times that Mr Varadkar, who is due to take up the role next month, would be working with Pentas teams and clients across all markets. He will be providing senior strategic advisory and will work with our teams globally, it said. The company noted that Mr Varadkar, who stepped down as taoiseach last April, would not be lobbying. Ireland Varadkar says 'good Irish dads teach their sons to... Read More It is understood that ethics watchdog Sipo (Standards in Public Office Commission) has been consulted about the appointment and has approved the role and start date. Advertisement Mr Varadkar, who served as taoiseach across two terms, from 2017-2020 and again from 2022-2024, also recently took up a part-time teaching and mentoring role at the Harvard Kennedy School Center for Public Leadership in the US. We are thrilled to welcome Leo Varadkar to our team, said Penta chief executive Matt McDonald. His deep commitment to evidence-based policymaking and strategic leadership aligns seamlessly with Pentas mission, he said. Penta, which employs 350 staff globally including 20 at its Dublin office, acquired Irish public relations firm Hume Brophy, set up by John Hume, son of the former SDLP leader John Hume, and Dublin businessman Eoin Brophy, in 2023 for an undisclosed sum. A man in his 40s was arrested after gardai seized around 150,000 worth of cannabis in Sligo on Sunday. The arrest and seizure form part of an ongoing operation targeting the sale and supply of drugs in the region. Advertisement The Sligo Detective Unit searched a residential property in the Cranmore area and found a total of 7.5kg of cannabis. The man was arrested and is currently being detained at a station in in the Garda North Western Region under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act 1996. The drugs seized will be sent to Forensic Science Ireland (FSI) for analysis. Gardai said investigations ongoing. A jury in the trial of four men charged in connection with the murder of Mahamud Ilyas over two years ago has viewed CCTV footage of what a garda described as the moment two figures in dark clothing carried his body to a parked car. Garda Dermot Sloane told the jury that the two figures carried a red object containing the deceased to the car that was parked at apartments in Verdemont in Blanchardstown. Advertisement The body of Mr Ilyas (22) was discovered at a wooded area at Belgree Lane in Co Meath on December 10th, 2022, with a pathologist finding that he suffered blunt force trauma to the head that caused traumatic brain injury. Viorel Doroscan (23), of Bay Meadows Square, Hollystown, Dublin, and Otniel Richardo Clejan (24), with a former address at Verdemont, have pleaded not guilty to the murder of Mr Ilyas on December 9th, 2022. Co-accused Robert Burns (59), with an address in Verdemont, and Lorenzo Cantaragiu (21), of Castlegrange Park, Blanchardstown, face charges of impeding the prosecution or apprehension of Mr Clejan and Mr Doroscan, by committing various acts while knowing or believing them to have committed the offence of causing serious harm to Mr Ilyas. They have pleaded not guilty to all charges. The jury at the Central Criminal Court on Monday viewed CCTV footage showing the movements of the accused on December 9th, with Garda Sloane giving evidence to counsel for the prosecution, Jane Murphy BL. Advertisement Garda Sloane said that footage from Verdemont in Blanchardstown at around 4pm on December 9th showed two persons wearing dark clothing carrying a red object, which contained the deceased. He said that the footage went on to show Mr Doroscan and Mr Clejan dressed in black standing beside a car. Garda Sloane said that a BMW driven by Lorenzo Cantaragiu exited the car park and travelled in a northerly direction towards Kilbride, Co. Meath. Garda Sloane said that this car returned at 4.18pm from the area where the deceased was found. He said that at 4.29pm, Mr Cantaragiu entered the Circle K at Mulhuddart, where he purchased cleaning products. At 4.43pm, at Circle K, Coolmine, Mr Cantaragiu met with an individual to sell the BMW. The jury also saw video footage taken by a member of the public on their iPhone that showed a figure in black at 4.34pm running across the field where the deceased was found. Advertisement Footage from a residence at Kilbride showed two figures in dark clothing walking in the direction of the scene at 5.36pm. At the opening of the trial, Eoin Lawlor SC, for the Director of Public Prosecutions, said the prosecution intends to show that Mr Doroscan, Mr Clejan and Mr Burns were involved in the sale and supply of drugs. On December 8th, 2022, counsel said, Mr Burnss home at Verdemont was being used to store cannabis. That evening Mr Ilyas called to Mr Burnss home and was seen leaving carrying a shopping bag containing cannabis. Mr Lawlor said Mr Ilyas wasnt supposed to take the cannabis and then tried to sell it to others. Ireland Five men arrested as part of investigation into ma... Read More The following afternoon, Mr Lawlor said Mr Doroscan made contact with Mr Ilyas and told him he wished to speak to him urgently. Mr Ilyas went into the house at Verdemont at about 2.41pm. Advertisement Mr Lawlor said another man, who will be a witness in the trial, was outside and heard noises that caused him to enter the house. Counsel told the jury they will hear what this man saw in the living room of the house, including: The violence done to Mr Ilyas in his presence and what was said to Mr Ilyas and the connection to the drugs taken from Mr Burnss house the previous day. The trial continues tomorrow before Mr Justice Tony Hunt and a jury of five women and seven men. Nine schools across the North were targeted by a threatening email which is thought to be a hoax, police have said. Several of the schools across counties Antrim, Fermanagh and Tyrone closed due to a security concern on Monday morning. Advertisement Earlier the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said they were liaising with the Metropolitan Police in London over the emails. Stormont Education Minister Paul Givan condemned the disruption, and welcomed what he termed the speedy response from the PSNI. The PSNI said they were investigating the circumstances of the threatening email which was sent to nine schools on Monday, and are at this time, treating the matter as a hoax. They said they received reports from three schools in Strabane, three schools in Ballycastle and three schools in Enniskillen that they had received an email during the early hours of Monday. Advertisement Officers were deployed to each of the schools, with the force saying: Checks have not, at this time, resulted in anything untoward at any of the schools. Based on inquiries and information to date, police are treating this as a hoax, the PSNI added. Chief Superintendent Gillian Kearney (Liam McBurney/PA) Chief Superintendent Gillian Kearney said inquiries are continuing. We take incidents of this nature very seriously and we understand the concern in the community, not to mention the disruption it has caused in each of the school communities and for students and parents, she said. Advertisement Thank you to each of the schools for their assistance with our enquiries to date. Our enquiries are ongoing and we will continue to liaise with each of the schools impacted to provide reassurance. We urge everyone, in the meantime, to be vigilant and report anything suspicious to police immediately by calling 101, or 999 in an emergency. Mr Givan said in a statement: I condemn the disruption caused this morning after an email was sent to a number of schools across Northern Ireland. Advertisement I welcome the speedy response from the PSNI who have now assessed the threat and explained to schools they do not need to take any action as a result of this hoax. A threatening email sent to nine schools in Strabane, Ballycastle and Enniskillen today - causing some of them to close - is, at this time, being treated as a hoax. Officers were immediately deployed to each school to engage with staff. Read more here : https://t.co/8Opvk64NZn pic.twitter.com/BQhHHW1wo1 Police Service NI (@PoliceServiceNI) March 24, 2025 Several of the schools impacted posted messages on social media. Holy Cross College in Strabane, Co Tyrone said: Unfortunately the school has had to close today due to a security concern. Any children already en route, we would ask that parents make arrangements to collect them. Advertisement We will update you all as soon as possible this morning. The same message was posted on the Facebook account of Cross and Passion College in Ballycastle, Co Antrim. Meanwhile, Erne Integrated College in Co Fermanagh posted: Due to a security alert this morning, traffic around the school and Erne Integrated Primary is extremely backed up. We are open as normal, after the all-clear was given by the PSNI. DUP MLA Deborah Erskine said it had been a scary incident for the schools involved (Liam McBurney/PA) DUP Fermanagh and South Tyrone MLA Deborah Erskine said it was particularly reprehensible to target schools. She said: Threats issued against what we believe to be nine schools across Northern Ireland are to be unequivocally condemned. Whilst we await more detail as to their credibility, such threats are unacceptable and have no place in our society. Targeting schools places of learning, personal growth, and friendship for young people is particularly reprehensible. Ms Erskine added: I commend the leadership of the affected schools for their swift and responsible response in prioritising the safety and wellbeing of their pupils and staff. Their professionalism and dedication in the face of this situation is testament to their commitment to their school community. My thoughts are with all the pupils, parents and staff impacted by this incident and subsequent school closures. No child should have their education disrupted in this manner, and no family should have to endure the fear and uncertainty caused by such reckless actions. The PSNI must act swiftly to identify the culprit behind this. Appalling to see NI schools closed because of a security threat, including Cross & Passion College in Ballycastle in North Antrim. I trust the police get on top of this situation quickly and that concerns of parents, staff and pupils can be allayed. Jim Allister (@JimAllister) March 24, 2025 TUV leader and North Antrim MP Jim Allister said on X: Appalling to see NI schools closed because of a security threat, including Cross & Passion College in Ballycastle in North Antrim. I trust the police get on top of this situation quickly and that concerns of parents, staff and pupils can be allayed. In a social media post, DUP MLA Gary Middleton said: Concerning that schools across NI have been affected by a security threat. An update from the PSNI and Education Authority is due to be issued shortly. A spokesperson for the Northern Ireland Education Authority said it was aware of reports of an email sent to schools. The spokesperson added: PSNI are conducting inquiries and it would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage. The Health Service Executive is not taking the prospect of a healthcare worker dispute seriously, according to multiple unions representing staff. The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation, Forsa, Connect, Unite, and the MLSA all expressed disappointment with what they described as a "cavalier attitude" by the HSE to a dispute that is due to begin in the form of a work-to-rule by over 80,000 workers in the public health service next Monday, March 31st. Advertisement The unions involved in the dispute released a joint statement via a spokesperson following a meating with the chief executive of the HSE Bernard Gloster. "Despite asking trade unions to meet this morning in a bid to explore options for avoiding planned action, the Health Service Executive is demonstrating a lax approach to upcoming industrial action which is to begin next Monday," the statement said. "Unions have given the employer over three weeks notice to plan around what will be mass disruption to the health service, yet no formal derogations have been sought by the employer or no real contingency planning has been done. "The fact of the matter is this dispute will begin next Monday. The HSE have not taken this process seriously and have chosen to walk away before matters can be dealt with." Advertisement In response to the union's release, the HSE said that Mr Gloster has asked the HSE's National Employee Relations Service to request the Work Relations Commission to intervene in the threatened industrial action. "Last Thursday Mr Gloster asked the General Secretaries of the health staff unions to meet him this morning. He approached that meeting in good faith, but unfortunately no progress was made. There will be further talks this afternoon between the HSE and the health unions in relation to the nature of the threatened dispute," a spokeswoman for the HSE said. "According to Mr Gloster: 'Any industrial action would be very regrettable, particularly in the context of possible negative impacts on the public.' The HSE will now await the intervention of the WRC." Danish police sent extra personnel and sniffer dogs to Greenland as the icy island steps up security measures ahead of a planned visit this week by US second lady Usha Vance, the chief spokesman for Denmarks national police said. Rene Gyldensten said on Monday that the extra officers, deployed the day before, were part of regular steps taken during visits by dignitaries to Greenland, a self-governing, mineral-rich territory of American ally Denmark. Advertisement Citing office procedure, they declined to specify the number of extra police flown on the chartered flight. Boys play on a frozen beach in Nuuk, Greenland (Evgeniy Maloletka/AP) News reports put the number at dozens of officers. Ms Vances visit comes at a time when President Donald Trump has suggested the US should take control of Greenland. Greenlandic news outlet Sermitsiaq posted images of two US Hercules workhorse military aircraft on the tarmac on Sunday in Nuuk, the capital, adding that the planes later departed. Advertisement Ms Vance will leave on Thursday and return on Saturday, a statement from her office said. She and one of her three children will be part of a US delegation that will visit historic sites and learn about Greenlandic heritage. On her visit, Ms Vance will attend the Avannaata Qimussersu, Greenlands national dogsled race, featuring about 37 mushers and 444 dogs. Houses covered by snow are seen on the coast of a sea inlet of Nuuk, Greenland (Evgeniy Maloletka/AP) The statement said Ms Vance and the US delegation are excited to witness this monumental race and celebrate Greenlandic culture and unity. Advertisement Media outlets in Greenland and Denmark reported that Ms Vance would be accompanied by Mr 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 Denmark, a Nato ally, insisted it was not for sale. The people of Greenland have also firmly rejected Mr Trumps plans. Advertisement 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. South Koreas Constitutional Court has overturned the impeachment of Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, reinstating the nations No 2 official as acting leader while not yet ruling on the separate impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol over his shocking imposition of martial law in December. Many observers said the 7-1 ruling in Mr Hans case did not signal much about the upcoming verdict on Mr Yoon, as Mr Han was not a key figure in imposing martial law. Advertisement But the ruling could still embolden Mr Yoons staunch supporters and ramp up their political offensive on the opposition. Protesters stage a rally calling for impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol to step down in Seoul (Ahn Young-joon/AP) Speaking with reporters following his reinstatement, Mr Han thanked the court for what he called a wise decision and promised to focus on tackling urgent matters, including a fast-changing global trade environment, in an apparent reference to the Trump administrations aggressive tariffs policy. He also called for national unity, saying: Theres no left or right what matters is the advancement of our nation. South Korea has been thrown into political turmoil since Mr Yoon, a conservative, declared martial law on December 3 and sent hundreds of troops to the liberal opposition-controlled National Assembly and other places in Seoul. Advertisement Mr Yoons decree lasted only six hours as enough legislators managed to enter an assembly hall where they quickly voted down the decree. The impeachment arguments The assembly impeached Mr Yoon on December 14, alleging he violated the Constitution and other laws by suppressing assembly activities and trying to detain politicians. Mr Yoons impeachment made Mr Han acting president until he was impeached in late December. The unprecedented, successive impeachments that suspended the countrys top two officials intensified domestic division and deepened worries about South Koreas diplomatic and economic activities. Advertisement A major trigger for the oppositions push to impeach Mr Han was his refusal to fill three vacant seats at the Constitutional Courts nine-member bench. That was a highly explosive issue because the court needed support from at least six justices to approve Mr Yoons impeachment and filling its empty posts could make such a decision more likely. South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, left, arrives at the Government Complex in Seoul, South Korea (AP) After Mr Han was suspended, his successor as acting president, Choi Sang-mok, appointed two new justices but left the ninth seat vacant. Mr Han was also accused in the impeachment motion of abetting Mr Yoons martial law declaration and obstructing efforts to open independent investigations into Mr Yoons alleged rebellion in connection with his martial law decree. Advertisement On Monday, seven of the Constitutional Courts eight justices ruled to overturn or dismiss Mr Hans impeachment. They ruled that his alleged actions were not against the law or were not serious enough to remove him from office or his impeachment motion did not even meet a required quorum when it passed thorough the assembly. One justice upheld Mr Hans impeachment. The main liberal opposition Democratic Party expressed regret over the courts decision to reinstate Han and urged it to dismiss Mr Yoon quickly. Advertisement Mr Yoons office welcomed Mondays ruling, saying it shows again the oppositions repeated uses of impeachment motions were reckless, malicious political offensive. Whats next? Observers earlier had predicted the Constitutional Court would rule on Mr Yoons case in mid-March, but it hasnt done so, sparking varied speculation on possible reasons. Todays verdict will give hope to Yoons supporters for a similar fate and hope for Yoons opponents for his ouster, said Duyeon Kim, a senior analyst at the Centre for a New American Security in Washington, US. A member of the main opposition Democratic Party, front, and members of the ruling People Power Party stand in front of the Constitutional Court in Seoul, South Korea (AP) But its too soon to predict the courts verdict on Yoon because the specific details of both cases and allegations are different. Ms Kim said the reinstatement of Mr Han, a career bureaucrat, will bring more stability to South Korea compared to when his powers as acting president were suspended. Massive rival rallies backing or denouncing Mr Yoon have divided the streets of Seoul and other major cities in South Korea. Earlier surveys showed that a majority of South Koreans were critical of Mr Yoons martial law enactment, but those supporting or sympathising with Mr Yoon have later gained strength. Mr Yoon argues that his martial law introduction was a desperate attempt to bring attention to the wickedness of the Democratic Party which obstructed his agenda and filed many impeachment motions against senior officials. Mr Yoon critics counter he likely tried to use military rule to frustrate possible special investigations into scandals involving him and his wife. Senior military and police officers sent to the assembly have said that Mr Yoon ordered them to drag out legislators to prevent a floor vote to overturn his decree. Mr Yoon says the troops deployment was designed to maintain order. If the court upholds Mr Yoons impeachment, South Korea must hold a presidential election to choose his successor. If it rules for him, Mr Yoon will regain his presidential powers. Mr Yoon has separately been charged with directing rebellion, a charge that carries the death penalty or a life sentence if he is convicted. Top national security officials for US President Donald Trump, including his defence secretary, texted war plans for upcoming military strikes in Yemen to a group chat in a secure messaging app that included the editor-in-chief for The Atlantic, the magazine reported. The National Security Council said the text chain appears to be authentic. Advertisement The material in the text chain contained operational details of forthcoming strikes on Iran-backed Houthi-rebels in Yemen, including information about targets, weapons the US would be deploying, and attack sequencing, editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg reported. It was not immediately clear if the specifics of the military operation were classified, but they often are and at the least are kept secure to protect service members and operational security. The US has conducted air strikes against the Houthis since the militant group began targeting commercial and military vessels in the Red Sea in November 2023. Just two hours after Mr Goldberg received the details of the attack on March 15, the US began launching a series of air strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen. Advertisement The National Security Council said in a statement that it was looking into how a journalists number was added to the chain in the Signal group chat, which included Tulsi Gabbard, Mr Trumps director of national intelligence, and secretary of state Marco Rubio. Mr Goldberg said he received the Signal invitation from Mike Waltz, Mr Trumps national security adviser, who was also in the group chat. In a statement late on Monday, White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said the president still has the utmost confidence in Mr Waltz and the national security team. Mr Trump told reporters he was not aware of the apparent breach in protocol. Advertisement I know nothing about it, Mr Trump said, adding that The Atlantic was not much of a magazine. He went on to say: I dont know anything about it. Youre telling me about it for the first time. Government officials have used Signal for organisational correspondence, but it is not classified and can be hacked. Privacy and tech experts say the popular end-to-end encrypted messaging and voice call app is more secure than conventional texting. Advertisement The sharing of sensitive information comes as defence secretary Pete Hegseths office has just announced a crackdown on leaks of sensitive information, including the potential use of polygraphs on defence personnel to determine how reporters have received information. Sean Parnell, a spokesman for Mr Hegseth, did not immediately respond to requests for comment on why the defence secretary posted war operational plans on an unclassified app. The breach in protocol was swiftly condemned by Democratic legislators. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer called for a full investigation. Advertisement This is one of the most stunning breaches of military intelligence I have read about in a very, very long time, Mr Schumer, a New York Democrat, said in a floor speech on Monday afternoon. If true, this story represents one of the most egregious failures of operational security and common sense I have ever seen, said Senator Jack Reed of Rhode Island, the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, in a statement. He said American lives are on the line. The carelessness shown by Trumps Cabinet is stunning and dangerous. I will be seeking answers from the Administration immediately. Representative Jim Himes of Connecticut, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, said in a statement that he was horrified by the reports. Mr Himes said if a lower-ranking official did what is described here, they would likely lose their clearance and be subject to criminal investigation. The American people deserve answers, which he said he planned to get at Wednesdays previously scheduled committee hearing. Senate Majority Leader John Thune said he wants to learn more about what happened. Obviously, we got to run it to the ground, figure out what went on there, said Mr Thune, a South Dakota Republican. The handling of national defence information is strictly governed by law under the century-old Espionage Act, including provisions that make it a crime to remove such information from its proper place of custody even through an act of gross negligence. The Justice Department in 2015 and 2016 investigated whether former secretary of state Hillary Clinton broke the law by communicating about classified information with her aides on a private email server she set up, though the FBI ultimately recommended against charges and none were brought. President Donald Trump said he did not know about the incident (Jacquelyn Martin/AP) In the Biden administration, some officials were given permission to download Signal on their White House-issued phones, but were instructed to use the app sparingly, according to a former national security official who served in the Democratic administration. The official said Signal was most commonly used to communicate what they internally referred to as tippers to notify someone when they were away from the office or travelling overseas that they should check their high side inbox for a classified message. The app was sometimes also used by officials during the Biden administration to communicate about scheduling of sensitive meetings or classified phone calls when they were outside the office, the official said. The use of Signal became more prevalent during the last year of the Biden administration after federal law enforcement officials warned that China and Iran were hacking the White House as well as officials in the first Trump administration, according to the official. The official was unaware of top Biden administration officials such as vice president Kamala Harris, defence secretary Lloyd Austin and national security adviser Jake Sullivan using Signal to discuss sensitive plans as the Trump administration officials did. Some of the toughest criticism targeted Mr Hegseth, a former Fox News Channel weekend host. Senator Tammy Duckworth, an Iraq War veteran, said on social media that Mr Hegseth, the most unqualified Secretary of Defense in history, is demonstrating his incompetence by literally leaking classified war plans in the group chat. A portrait of US President Donald Trump hanging at the Colorado state capitol will be taken down after Mr Trump claimed it was purposefully distorted, state officials said. House Democrats said in a statement that the oil painting would be taken down at the request of Republican leaders in the legislature. Advertisement If the GOP (Republican Party) wants to spend time and money on which portrait of Trump hangs in the capitol, then thats up to them, the Democrats said. President Donald Trump in the East Room of the White House in Washington (Jacquelyn Martin/AP) The portrait was painted by artist Sarah Boardman during Mr Trumps first term and was unveiled in 2019. Colorado Republicans raised more than 10,000 dollars (8,360) through a GoFundMe account to commission the oil painting. In a Sunday night post on his Truth Social platform, Mr Trump said he would prefer no picture at all over the one that hangs in the Colorado capitol. Advertisement The Republican lauded a nearby portrait of former president Barack Obama also by Boardman saying he looks wonderful. The portraits are under the purview of the Colorado Building Advisory Committee. Boardman did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Associated Press. She previously told The Denver Post that it was important her depictions of both Mr Obama and Mr Trump looked apolitical. Turkish authorities detained several journalists from their homes, a media workers union said, calling it a crackdown amid growing protests triggered by the jailing of Istanbuls mayor, a top rival to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. A court on Sunday formally arrested mayor Ekrem Imamoglu and ordered him jailed pending a trial on corruption charges. Advertisement His detention on Wednesday sparked the largest wave of street demonstrations in Turkey in more than a decade, deepening concerns over democracy and the rule of law. Fireworks thrown by protesters explode over riot police during a protest after Istanbuls mayor Ekrem Imamoglu was arrested and sent to prison (Francisco Seco/AP) The Disk-Basin-Is union said at least eight reporters and photojournalists were detained in what it called an attack on press freedoms and the peoples right to learn the truth. It called for their immediate release. The social media platform X, formerly Twitter, said it was objecting to multiple court orders from Turkish authorities to block more than 700 accounts, including of news organisations, journalists and political figures in Turkey. Advertisement Hundreds of protesters detained A total of 1,133 people have been detained since the mayor was arrested at his home, interior minister Ali Yerlikaya said. As many as 123 police officers were injured in the protests, he said, adding that materials such as acid, firebombs and knives were seized. Some circles have been exploiting the right to assemble and demonstrate, attempting to disrupt public order, incite street unrest and attack our police, Mr Yerlikaya said on social media. The minister said some of the detained were identified as having ties to groups listed as terrorist organisations and others had criminal records. Advertisement Hundreds of thousands of people have come out for the largely peaceful protests across Turkey in support of the mayor. There has been some violence, with police deploying water cannons, tear gas and pepper spray and firing plastic pellets at protesters in Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir. Riot police officers use pepper spray to clear a protester after Istanbuls mayor Ekrem Imamoglu was arrested and sent to prison (Huseyin Aldemir/AP) Some protesters hurled stones, fireworks and other objects at riot police. Mayor urges more rallies In a message on social media, Imamoglu urged people to rally outside city hall and other locations for a sixth night on Monday. Advertisement He also called on youths to avoid clashes and asked police to treat demonstrators with kindness. Im working hard, I will work even harder. Where I am does not matter, he said. The mayors jailing is widely regarded as a political move to remove a major challenger to Erdogan from the next presidential race, scheduled for 2028. Government officials reject the accusations and insist that Turkeys courts operate independently. Advertisement Imamoglu was jailed on suspicion of running a criminal organisation, accepting bribes, extortion, illegally recording personal data and bid-rigging accusations he has denied. A request for him to be imprisoned on terror-related charges was rejected although he still faces prosecution. The Interior Ministry later said Imamoglu had been suspended from duty as a temporary measure. The municipality previously appointed an acting mayor from its governing council. Imamoglu was taken to Silivri prison, west of Istanbul, as more than 1.7 million members of his opposition Republican Peoples Party, or CHP, held a primary election, endorsing him as its presidential candidate. Millions of non-members also cast votes in a solidarity ballot, the party said. Alongside Imamoglu, 47 other people were also jailed pending trial, including a key aide and two district mayors from Istanbul. One was replaced with a government appointee. A further 44 suspects were released under judicial control. Ankara municipality also under scrutiny Meanwhile, authorities were investigating the office of Ankaras mayor, another popular opposition figure, over the alleged misuse of public funds concerning the organization of 33 concerts, the municipality said on Monday. It said the decision was made even though the concerts had been thoroughly audited. 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 a quarter-century. 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. The United Nations has said it will reduce its footprint in the Gaza Strip after an Israeli tank strike hit one of its compounds last week, killing one staff member and wounding five others. Israel has denied it was behind the March 19 explosion at the UN guesthouse in central Gaza. Advertisement In a statement on Monday, UN secretary-general spokesman Stephane Dujarric said that based on the information currently available, the strikes on the site were caused by an Israeli tank. A man shows what he said was shrapnel from a projectile that struck a UN guesthouse in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza (Abdel Kareem Hana/AP) The Israeli military did not immediately comment. Mr Dujarric said the UN has taken the difficult decision to reduce the organisations footprint in Gaza, even as humanitarian needs soar. He said the world body was cutting back about a third of its approximately 100 international staff members in Gaza. Advertisement Mr Dujarric said the UN is not leaving Gaza, pointing out that it still has about 13,000 national staff in Gaza, mainly working for UNRWA, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees. The move comes as Israel has cut off all food, fuel, medicine and other supplies to Gazas around two million people for more than three weeks. Last week, it relaunched its military campaign in Gaza, with bombardments that have since killed hundreds of Palestinians, breaking a ceasefire in place since mid-January. Israel says it is targeting Hamas to force it to accept new terms for the ceasefire and release more hostages. Advertisement Olga Cherevko, spokesperson for the UNs humanitarian office, known as OCHA, said the UN and its partners have already suspended a number of activities, many in education, protection and water and sanitation services. Trucks line up at the Egyptian side of the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and the Gaza Strip after Israel blocked the entry of aid trucks into Gaza (Mohamed Arafat/AP) The reason, she said, was safety concerns and the impact of Israeli evacuation orders. A lot of things are constrained right now because of the security situation, Ms Cherevko told The Associated Press before Mr Dujarrics announcement. The challenges are massive. We have had a lot of our activities affected by the situation and a lot of our partners have had to suspend operations because it is just not safe. Advertisement Movement of trucks, including those distributing water, have been affected, she said. Only 29 out of 237 temporary learning spaces have resumed their activities since the ceasefire collapse, Ms Cherevko said. The United Nations previously did not say who was behind the strike on its compound. The Bulgarian staff member who was killed, Marin Valev Marinov, 51, was a member of the UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS), which carries out infrastructure and development projects around the world. Advertisement A strike exploded near the compound, then hit it directly in the days before the deadly strike, UNOPS chief Jorge Moreira da Silva said earlier. He said the agency had contacted the Israeli military after the first strike and confirmed that the military was aware of the facilitys location. US and Russian negotiators sat down for talks in Saudi Arabia on a partial ceasefire in Ukraine, hours after a round of negotiations between US and Ukrainian negotiators, Russian news reports said. The state Tass and Ria-Novosti news agencies said the negotiations began in Riyadh. Advertisement The meeting is expected to be followed by another contact between US and Ukrainian teams. Firefighters put out the fire following a Russian attack in near Kyiv, Ukraine (Ukrainian Emergency Service via AP) The separate meetings are set to discuss details of a pause in long-range attacks against energy facilities and civilian infrastructure and a halt on attacks in the Black Sea to ensure safe commercial shipping. Ukraine and Russia agreed in principle on Wednesday to a limited ceasefire after US President Donald Trump spoke with the countries leaders, but the parties have offered different views of what targets would be off-limits to attack. While the White House said energy and infrastructure would be covered, the Kremlin declared that the agreement referred more narrowly to energy infrastructure. Advertisement Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he would also like railways and ports to be protected. Russia launched a barrage of drones across Ukraine overnight into Sunday that killed at least seven people, including a father and his five-year-old daughter in Kyiv. There must be more pressure on Russia to stop this terror, Mr Zelensky said in a statement, adding that it depends on all our partners the US, Europe, and others around the world. Police officers carry the body of a person killed by a Russian drone strike in a residential neighbourhood in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine (Kateryna Klochko/AP) Mr Zelensky has emphasised that Ukraine is open to a full, 30-day ceasefire that Mr Trump has proposed, while Russian President Vladimir Putin has made a complete ceasefire conditional on a halt of arms supplies to Kyiv and a suspension of Ukraines military mobilisation demands rejected by Ukraine and its Western allies. Advertisement Speaking on Fox News Sunday, Mr 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. As for Sunday talks in Riyadh between Ukrainian and US representatives, Mr Zelensky said they had been conducted on a more technical level compared to similar meetings last week, this time involving representatives from Ukraines military, energy ministry and diplomatic corps. Our team is working in a fully constructive manner, and the discussion is quite useful. The work of the delegations continues, Mr Zelensky said. But no matter what were 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 negotiators worked to hammer out details of a proposed partial ceasefire in Ukraine on Monday, meeting with representatives from Russia a day after holding separate talks with the Ukrainian team. Each side has accused the other of undermining efforts to reach a pause in the three-year-old war. Advertisement Kyiv and Moscow agreed in principle on Wednesday to a limited ceasefire after US President Donald Trump spoke with the countries leaders, but the parties have offered different views of what targets would be off-limits to attack. Firefighters put out a fire following a Russian attack in the Donetsk region, Ukraine (Ukrainian Emergency Service via AP) While the White House said energy and infrastructure would be covered, the Kremlin declared that the agreement referred more narrowly to energy infrastructure. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said he would also like to see railways and ports protected. Talks on Monday are expected to address some of those differences, as well as a potential pause in attacks in the Black Sea to ensure the safety of commercial shipping. Advertisement In an exchange with reporters at the White House, Mr Trump said territorial lines and the potential for US ownership of a key nuclear power plant in southern Ukraine have been part of the talks. Last week, Mr Trump floated the idea of the US taking control of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. The six-reactor facility one of the worlds largest was seized by Russia early in the war. Some people are saying the United States should own the power plant work it that way because we have the expertise to get the plant operating, Mr Trump said. Advertisement Something like that would be fine with me. President Donald Trump speaks during a cabinet meeting at the White House in Washington (Pool via AP) Since falling under Russian control, the plants conditions have deteriorated. While its reactors have been shut down for years, they still require power and staff to maintain cooling systems and safety features. The facility is connected to Ukraines energy grid without producing electricity. Advertisement US and Russian representatives met in the morning in the Saudi capital, Russias state Tass and Ria-Novosti news agencies reported. The US and Ukrainian teams met on Sunday. Serhii Leshchenko, an adviser to the Ukrainian presidency, said the delegation remained in Riyadh on Monday and expected to meet again with the Americans. In his nightly address on Monday, Mr Zelensky said representatives from Ukraine and the US will meet again, although he did not specify when. Advertisement Grigory Karasin, head of the foreign affairs committee in the Russian parliaments upper house and a participant in Mondays talks, told the Interfax news agency the negotiations were going on in a creative way and that the US and Russian delegations understand each others views. A Russian Army 2S5 howitzer Giatsint-S fires towards Ukrainian positions in Ukraine (Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP) Meanwhile, Russian troops launched a new barrage of drones, including decoys, into Ukraine overnight into Monday, according to Ukraines air force, causing some damage and injuries. Before the latest attack, Mr Zelensky said in a televised statement Sunday evening that 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 added that Ukraines partners the US, Europe, and others around the world should step up pressure on Russia to stop this terror. Mr Zelensky has emphasized that Ukraine is open to a full, 30-day ceasefire that Mr Trump has proposed. But Mr Putin has made a complete ceasefire conditional on a halt of arms supplies to Kyiv and a suspension of Ukraines military mobilisation demands rejected by Kyiv and its Western allies. Speaking on Fox News Sunday, Mr Trumps special envoy Steve Witkoff said he expected some real progress at the talks in Saudi Arabia, and that a pause in hostilities between both countries in the Black Sea would naturally gravitate into a full-on shooting ceasefire. Serhii Leshchenko, an adviser to the Ukrainian presidency, said the delegation remained in Riyadh on Monday and expected to meet again with the Americans. Asked about reports speculating that China might send peacekeepers to Ukraine to enforce any future peace deal, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun responded on Monday with an unequivocal no. Servicemen attend a dedication ceremony for soldiers near the frontline in the Donetsk region, Ukraine (Oleg Petrasiuk/AP) Let me stress that the report is completely false. Chinas position on the Ukraine crisis is clear and consistent, Mr Guo said at a daily briefing. China has provided Russia with trade earnings from oil and other natural resources, along with diplomatic backing, but has not given any weapons or sent any personnel. China is, however, on close terms with North Korea, which has sent troops to fight alongside the Russian army. A massive targeted cyberattack hit Ukrainian state railway operator Ukrzaliznytsia on Sunday, the company wrote on Telegram, adding that the restoration of its systems was ongoing as of Monday morning. The company said the attack did not affect train movements or schedules, but that the online booking system was currently unavailable. The railway continues to operate despite physical attacks on the infrastructure, and even the most vile cyberattacks cannot stop it, the company wrote. Meanwhile, Ukraines Special Operations Forces claimed to have destroyed four military helicopters in Russias Belgorod region with the use of American-supplied Himars rocket systems. The special forces published drone footage of what they said was the attack on their Telegram page on Monday. Firefighters put out a fire following a Russian attack near Kyiv, Ukraine (Ukrainian Emergency Service via AP) The group wrote that the strikes had occurred at a concealed jumping-off point for Russian aircraft used in surprise attacks on Ukrainian forces. Russian troops, meanwhile, fired 99 attack and decoy drones into Ukraine overnight Sunday, according to Ukraines air force, of which 57 were shot down and 36 were lost from radar. In the Kyiv region, one man suffered injuries overnight as a Russian drone struck a residential area. The man has superficial shrapnel wounds to his abdomen, chest, thighs, and head, the acting head of the Kyiv region, Mykola Kalashnyk, wrote on Telegram on Monday. In the Kharkiv region, a Russian drone struck a residential building in the village of Velyka Babka, injuring a 25-year-old man and a pregnant woman. Both were admitted to hospital, regional head Oleh Syniehubov said on Telegram on Monday morning. In Zaporizhzhia, Russian drones damaged several houses of local residents overnight with one elderly woman suffering light injuries, regional head Ivan Fedorov wrote on Telegram. A Russian missile struck the northern city of Sumy, across the border from Russias Kursk region, hitting residential buildings and a school, said regional head Volodymyr Artiukh. Children at the school were being evacuated at the time, and all were safe, he added. But the regional prosecutors office said 65 people were injured, including 14 children. Earlier, Russia fired 99 attack and decoy drones into Ukraine overnight, according to Ukraines air force, of which 57 were shot down. A woman has been arrested after killing her two pet dogs by throwing them out of her eighth-floor flat because she was fed up of taking them out. The 53-year-old reportedly told officers that she lost her temper during a row with her husband because the responsibility of walking their two Yorkshire Terriers "always fell on her". Advertisement Police were alerted around 1pm on Sunday after neighbours saw what they first mistook for a cuddly toy being hurled to the ground. Seconds later the animals bed, a dog collar and a lead were thrown out of the window followed by the second animal. Both of the dogs were killed instantly in the 75ft fall. The horror incident happened in the Albufereta neighbourhood of the east coast Spanish city of Alicante. Officers called to the scene identified the dogs owner by their microchips and help from witnesses. The partner of the woman held, a Spanish national with no previous convictions, is said to have corroborated her shock explanation for her actions. The dogs bodies were transferred to a local animal protection centre. It was not immediately clear if the suspect has already appeared in court, although a judge would be likely to release her on bail rather than remanding her in custody pending an ongoing investigation. Animal mistreatment can be punished by a prison sentence of up to two years in Spain. People convicted of the crime can also be banned from owning animals for up to four years. The company can now go full steam ahead in pursuit of its exploration target of 3.4 million tonnes to 5.2mt at its Resolution and Adventure prospects at Irvine, for 280,000 ounces to 420,000 ounces of gold grading at 2-3 grams per tonne (g/t). The Irvine project is in Victorias Wimmera region, about 240km west northwest of Melbourne. The 304,000-ounce gold resource is grading at 2.4g/t, running from shallow depths to 400 metres. Irvines targets remain open along strike and at depth. The company recently kicked off a diamond drilling program for 2000m at the Resolution lode, aiming to drill high-grade shoots to significantly expand and upgrade the resource. Previous stellar gold hits at Irvine include 5m at 10g/t, a 9.4m slice going 5.3g/t and a 10.8m hit running at 4.5g/t. Irvine sits 20km from the impressive Stawell gold mines 5m-ounce operation. Aureka Limited managing director James Gurry said: Acquiring these properties is an important step in delivering a path to production for the Irvine project as we continue to uncover its true potential, we are building off a strong base that already contains 304,000 ounces of gold plus an exploration target of 280,000 to 420,000 ounces. Aureka holds the Tandarra project, which is part of Victorias Bendigo gold zone that, in a joint venture with ASX-listed Catalyst Metals. Catalyst owns 51 per cent of the project and manages it. Tandarra includes the promising Lawry and Upton Road prospects. The joint venture project sits along the Whitelaw gold corridor and the Tandarra fault, extending for 13km along the two faults. The Whitelaw corridor is considered a major structural control of gold mineralisation north of Bendigo. Tandarra also sits 50km northwest of Agnico Eagles globally leading Fosterville gold operation and 40km north of the 22m-ounce Bendigo goldfields. Fostervilles underground mine is one of the richest gold mines globally. It produced 225,000 ounces of gold last year at a stunningly low cost of US$653 (A$1031) per ounce. With todays gold price of more than US$3021 (A$4807), the mine is almost licensed to print money. Catalyst has recently completed a seven-hole diamond drilling program at Tandarra and the samples are being prepared for assaying. Aurekas latest drilling program at Tandarra includes 1000m of diamond holes at the Lawry prospect to increase the projects mineralised footprint. The program stretches 100m north and south of a previous campaign, where multiple gold-mineralised zones were found to extend into fresh rock. Previous gold results were stunning, with 12.9m grading 33.1g/t from 66.4m, including 0.5m at a whopping grade of 831g/t, and a 9m section running at 14.8g/t gold. Tandarra has three main prospects Tomorrow, Macnaughton and Lawry. Tomorrow is regarded as the most advanced prospect. Notably, the Tandarra ground is adjacent to Catalysts Four Eagles gold project, which it holds in partnership with a subsidiary of Gina Rineharts Hancock Prospecting. The gold grades at Four Eagles are eye-watering. It has a 163,000-ounce resource at 7.7g/t and 70,000 ounces at a super-grade of 26.2g/t. Due to the previous gold hits at Tandarra and its proximity to the Four Eagles project and its high grades, Aureka management will be keenly awaiting the assay results from the latest drilling. In what could be a further massive benefit for the project, Catalyst recently struck a deal with ASX-listed Kaiser Reef Ltd to sell its Henty gold mine in Tasmania. As part of the deal, it negotiated an option to acquire a 50 per cent interest in the Maldon processing facility, an operational 200,000-tonne-per-annum plant 100km south of the Four Eagles and Tandarra projects. If there is sufficient mineable ore at Tandarra, Aureka potentially has a place to process ore to take advantage of the current red-hot gold price environment. Management says more than $7m has been spent on exploration at Tandarra. If the assays from recent drilling point to high gold grades, it may prove to be money well spent. Is your ASX-listed company doing something interesting? Contact: mattbirney@bullsnbears.com.au The full headline hit comprises 49.92m at 5909ppm TREO from 27m, including 8m at 13,604ppm TREO from 55m, with 1m at 22,115ppm TREO from 60m. In addition to the headline hit, a second hole in the same area intercepted 38.20m at 3499ppm TREO from 6m, including 3m assaying 13,496ppm TREO from 37m. Two other holes produced 15m and 17m at 1929ppm and 2693ppm TREO, with 24 per cent and 21 per cent magnet rare earths respectively. The rare earth hits were accompanied by high-grade gallium results, using a high-grade cutoff of 50 grams per tonne (g/t) gallium, which continues to be identified in assays as occurring from surface. Gallium results include 17m at 85g/t gallium trioxide from surface, including 6m going 95g/t gallium trioxide from 5m, with 1m assaying 102g/t gallium trioxide from 8m. A second hole delivered 4m at 79g/t gallium trioxide from 16m, including 1m going 105g/t from 19m. The third to fifth holes gave up 14m at 67.5g/t gallium trioxide from surface, 16m assaying 57.5g/t from surface and 13m running 60g/t gallium trioxide from surface. Axel REE is a critical minerals exploration company focused on exploring the Caladao, Caldas, Itiquira, and Corrente rare earth elements projects in Brazil. The companys combined project portfolio encloses more than 1105 square kilometres of exploration tenure in Brazil. Management says its final set of results have re-confirmed high-grade and thick gallium and rare earths mineralisation, which occur in the upper and lower saprolite zones respectively. It concludes from the latest assays that gallium extends for as far as 5km beyond the Caladao granite into the leucogranite host rock, which represents a significant expansion of the mineralised area. The northern end of Resouro Strategic Metals Tiros Central block in Brazil. Resouro Strategic Metals (ASX:RAU) Tiros project, Minas Gerais, Brazil Hit: 54m at 13.04 per cent titanium dioxide and 3593ppm TREO from surface, including 3m at 26.05 per cent titanium dioxide, 7936 parts per million TREO and 640ppm combined neodymium-praseodymium from 5m. Resouro Strategic Metals revealed significant titanium dioxide and rare earth elements in every hole from its remaining 32-hole infill and step-out diamond drill program at its Tiros Central project in Brazil. Seventy-two per cent of the holes in the 1981m program exhibit high-grade mineralisation above the companys selected cut-off grades of 16 per cent titanium dioxide and 6000ppm TREO. Resouros reported best hole, which conforms to its cut-off grades, produced a primary 54m intercept assaying 13.04 per cent titanium dioxide and 3593ppm TREO from surface. The hit included a secondary intercept of 3m at an impressive 26.05 per cent titanium dioxide and 7936 parts per million TREO. Resouros second-best selected drill hole delivered a primary intercept of 50m at 12.80 per cent titanium dioxide from 17m down hole and 4491ppm TREO. That run includes 6m going 25.34 per cent titanium oxide and 10,036ppm TREO from 23m. The best titanium dioxide grade is in a third hole that included 4m at an exceptional 27.62 per cent of the oxide. The hole also gave up a pleasing 8837ppm TREO and 1829ppm combined neodymium and praseodymium (NdPr), yielding a strong NdPr:TREO ratio of 20.69. The best primary TREO intercept is in a fourth hole with 45m assaying 13.24 per cent. That hole also has the second best TREO grade, including a 4m intercept assaying 11,190ppm TREO. That 4m interval also gave up the best combined NdPr hit of 2969ppm for an NdPr:TREO ratio of 26.53 per cent. Neodymium and praseodymium are key components of high-performance magnets, critical for high-efficiency electric vehicles, wind turbine electricity generators and other developing technologies. In rare earth element deposits, higher neodymium and praseodymium ratios signify a greater concentration of the two elements and hence the greater potential value of the deposit. The results across all 32 holes provide a very respectable ratio of 21.62 per cent combined neodymium and praseodymium to the TREO results. Among the primary intercepts, even the lowest neodymium and praseodymium assay is 15.22 per cent of the total TREO grade and rises to 23.05 per cent in the lowest secondary intercept. With high-grade zones identified in 23 drill holes and 72 per cent of the holes reporting well-above the expected ratio for infill and step-out drilling in that location, Resouro has justifiably concluded that the region is highly prospective. The company is now finalising its mineral resource estimate update for the Tiros Central Block, which will include the latest drilling assays. Caspin Resources Limited Bygoo tin project, NSW. Hit: 11m at 2.30 per cent tin from 100m, including 5m at 4.63 per cent tin from 106m Caspin Resources recent results from two reverse circulation holes in a 12-hole maiden drilling program at the companys Bygoo tin project in New South Wales have turned up the resounding headline tin hit. The 150m hole was designed as a step-out to test for down-dip extension to high-grade tin that was noted in historical drilling. The hole returned a significant result of 11m assaying 2.3 per cent tin from 100m. The new intercept is consistent with other respectable grades seen in previous drilling programs. It also extended further down-dip the high-grade mineralisation previously encountered in historical holes, which included 35m at 2.1 per cent tin from 43m, 7m going 1.5 per cent tin from 87m and 12m running 1.92 per cent tin from 77m. The hole also intercepted 5m at 0.63 per cent tin from 125m and another 10m going 0.11 per cent tin near the bottom of the hole, after it passed through the interpreted down-dip extension of the greisen-host Main lode which remains open down-plunge. Caspin says the drill results validate those obtained by third parties and demonstrate the strong continuity of high-grade tin mineralisation encountered in the Main lode, which the company views as a promising result that bodes well for future exploration. The companys latest drill hole also intersected elevated copper in its Main lode, jagging 3m at 0.76 per cent copper from 141m. Caspin notes that while copper mineralisation is occasionally observed at Bygoo North, the latest hit is one of the more significant results encountered to date. A second drill hole was drilled at the parallel P380 lode, which is about 50m north of the main lode. P380 also plunges east-northeast. The second hole intercepted 4m assaying 0.54 per cent tin from 48m at the upper contact zone and appears to have run across the top of the core P380 lode position. The company expects the geometry will be resolved when the results are returned from the next holes drilled along strike. Caspin has completed 12 holes for about 1400m but received results from only two holes so far. Analyses for the remaining 10 holes are expected to be completed over the coming weeks. The company also tested other targets, including the adjacent P380 lode and extensions to the Stewart lode, about 330m north of the main lode. This program aims to confirm the continuity of high-grade mineralisation, particularly within the three Main, Dumbrells and P380 lodes, which comprise the heart of the prospect and extend along a north-south trend over about 480m. The companys Smiths Greisen lode is about another 150m further south of Dumbrells. With its first remarkable result in hand, Caspin will be keenly awaiting the results from the remaining holes for its initial program, particularly for two holes drilled up-plunge from the headline hole into the Main lode. The company is already planning a follow-up drill program with many options to extend the projects high-grade mineralisation and to test additional untested lode positions. Is your ASX-listed company doing something interesting? Contact: mattbirney@bullsnbears.com.au A big For Sale sign has gone up outside dozens of Australias private hospitals, but the real concern is why. Healthscope, operator of the hospitals, is on the verge of collapse, the group unable to pay landlords and lenders what they are owed. For those scratching their heads over what is at stake, heres a refresher. Healthscope nurses and midwives walking off the job in November to demand a 15 per cent pay rise. Healthscope has 38 private hospitals including Sydneys Northern Beaches Hospital, Holmesglen Private Hospital and The Melbourne Clinic which house 5000 beds and employ 17,000 staff across the country. State and federal health ministers will be among those watching closely to ensure that Healthscopes precarious financial position does not translate into health failures especially given the tragedy at Northern Beaches recently. But at the same time I dont think, when you look at the sort of recent evolution of labour market data, that you can completely rule them out as a partial factor. COVID-19 spurred an increase in the proportion of vacant jobs, Borland said, which has been decreasing rather slowly since then, with the proportion of vacant jobs considerably above where it was before COVID-19. When the pandemic hit in March 2020, the proportion of vacant jobs was about 1.5 per cent, according to Australian Bureau of Statistic data. That figure surged to 3 per cent in the middle of 2022, as lockdowns and supply disruptions drove up demand for workers. However, since the lockdowns have passed, the proportion of vacant jobs has remained higher at 2.1 per cent, according to ABS data. In February, the Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA) internet vacancy index showed 31 per cent more advertisements in the labour market than compared with the monthly average for 2019. It eased further to about 20 per cent in March. Professor Jeff Borland Department of Economics says ghost jobs cannot be ruled out. Credit: Fairfax Media In a statement, JSA explained the surge in job ads by pointing to a tighter overall labour market with strong job growth and an unemployment rate well below the 2019 levels. And the RBA has cited strong job growth as one of the reasons for maintaining the cash rate at 4.35 per cent from late 2023 to February. In a bulletin released in April last year, the RBA said that any single indicator tends to provide a partial view of the labour market and the level of each indicator that is consistent with full employment can change over time as the structure of the economy evolves. This lack of clarity suggests that the online fakery common on social media may now be creeping into the job market. Loading Edith Cowan University adjunct professor of business Ben Hamer said identifying a verified ghost job ad is difficult because by its very nature, the company advertising it wants to give the impression it is being actively recruited for. He points to the numbers of conversations on social media of people comparing notes, and even drawing up lists, of ghost advertisers. The impact on data remains unclear. Melbourne Universitys Borland asks why ghost jobs werent a significant issue in Australia before the pandemic if they were merely the result of fake job listings. Nevertheless, if hard data on job demand is increasingly diluted with postings for non-existent work, the false information may have an effect. In the US last year, after a voter brought the issue of ghost jobs to his attention, Congressman Keith Self raised the issue of economic impact with the US Department of Labour. How do ghost job postings affect the accuracy of unemployment figures and other labour market indicators? he asked. While the overall number of ghost job ads is difficult to measure, the definition of a ghost job isnt clear, either. Hunter Ng, of City University of New York, in a paper on the trend in the US, posits three motivations for posting ads for non-existent jobs: human resource departments seeking to get around long hiring times for specialised jobs; companies trying to understand the state of the candidate market, and productivity theatre essentially, a way for the HR departments to look efficient. CV-building service MyPerfectResume, which polled 753 recruiters on the trend through its site, puts forward a more colourful motivation behind why they advertise non-existent jobs. A common reason for posting ghost job ads was to maintain a presence on job boards even when we arent hiring, recruiters said. Other motives stated by the recruiters were to build a talent pool for the future, gain insights into the job market, and try to learn how hard it would be to replace a particular employee which can be read as a kind of psychological warfare against that employee. Whether its for making a company look viable during a hiring freeze, to raise its online profile or improve its reputation, a ghost job ad is a legitimate advertisement: but one aimed at the said companys competitors, the market, media or the public. The only constituent it doesnt cater to is prospective employees. Without knowing the full extent of the phenomenon in our job market, its very difficult to know just how big a distortion these fake job ads are delivering to our economy. Credit: Getty Another reason often put forward to justify these ads is downright Pavlovian and cheeky. The fake job ads are there to assess the effectiveness of job descriptions. Productivity theatre, indeed. With online job sites offering free posting, the dynamics of job search are changing. ACUs Mariappanadar says ghost jobs put businesses in a commanding position with relation to hiring. From a business perspective, employers see certain service sector jobs as very dynamic, Mariappanadar says, so they are moving towards competency-based job descriptions which can change. Loading So thats why employers are trying to keep [the ad] open, according to Mariappanadar, in effect to cast a wider net and always have the whip hand during the hiring process. ANU professor Alison Booth said that companies would risk building up a pool of out-of-date candidate resumes by keeping the same ad up for extended periods of time. So if companies are posting ads for jobs that dont exist, a much more plausible motive would be the desire for the company to look dynamic in the marketplace. And like Borland, Booth warns that without knowing the full extent of the phenomenon in our job market, its very difficult to know just how big a distortion these fake job ads are delivering to our economy. Traditional racewear is being reimagined in Sydney, but still your best bet in Melbourne. Racewear competitions have been slowly phased out of major Sydney race days by the Australian Turf Club with a social media mention the only recognition at Rosehills Golden Slipper on Saturday. While some have questioned the move, the shift away from traditional racewear competitions is outweighed by growing ticket sales at the ATC. Our general admission audience continues to grow, and they continue to break the traditional rules of racewear fashion, says Donna Forbes, head of commercial at the ATC, which oversees Randwick and Rosehill racecourses. Comfort is key to our younger audience. We are seeing people in the general admission areas wearing Australian designer dresses and Reeboks. We want people to know that you can turn up in shorts or a $700 dress. Opposition frontbencher James Paterson has declared he will stand by his assessments of underworld figure Mick Gatto and his conduct in the construction industry. Gatto has featured repeatedly in reporting by this masthead and 60 Minutes as part of the Building Bad investigation into the CFMEU and the building sector. Loading On Monday, Gatto issued a statement saying he denied all accusations made against him, calling them baseless, sensationalised and damaging to my reputation and personal life. I have always conducted my business and personal affairs with integrity, he said. I will not allow these falsehoods to tarnish my name. As well as the media outlets, Gatto called out Paterson and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton in his demands for retractions and apologies. Speaking in the Senate on Monday, Paterson said he would not resile from any earlier statements as he blamed the governments abolishment of the Australian Building and Construction Commission for the issues exposed in the Building Bad investigation. I note in the last 24 hours that Mr Gatto has had a few things to say about me and the leader of the opposition, he said. All I would say in response to that is that I am not intimidated by Mr Gatto, I will not be retracting any statements I have made about him and I am more determined than ever before to help clean up the building industry and crack down on this criminal enterprise that is the modern CFMEU. Paterson also blasted independent MPs including Monique Ryan and Zoe Daniel for voting with the government to scrap the ABCC. The government was warned that if they voted to abolish the [ABCC] that they would let the CFMEU off the leash, that they would allow the CFMEU to return to and expand their criminal ways and that is exactly what has happened, he said. The member for Kooyong Monique Ryan the member for Goldstein Zoe Daniel, they voted with the Labor Party to abolish the ABCC and to let the CFMEU off the leash, and the consequences of those votes and the consequences of those decisions were put to air for all Australians to see. Underworld figure Mick Gatto has denied all allegations about his conduct in the construction industry including receiving payments from companies, including some linked to bikies, working on publicly funded projects. Gatto was responding to a series of recent claims in this masthead and on 60 Minutes about his role in the building industry including revealing that an Australian Federal Police raid on his accountant earlier this month was linked to an investigation of suspect payments in the sector. Mick Gatto attends the funeral of the father of a former CFMEU boss. Credit: 60 Minutes Last week, this masthead also revealed LTE Construction Group was one of the building firms at the centre of recent federal police raids investigating suspect payments to gangland figures including Gatto. No charges have been laid and it is not suggested that any offence has been committed. Geoffrey Watson, QC, who is working as an investigator for the CFMEU administration, previously told this masthead that subcontractors on Victorias Big Build infrastructure program had been paying Gatto to sort out union-related issues as recently as a few weeks ago. Thousands of flathead, bream, whiting, and schooling prawns have died in a devastating fish kill in the aftermath of Tropical Cyclone Alfred, choking the waterways of coastal and riverside towns in northern NSW. Residents spared from the worst effects of Alfred say the catastrophe has now arrived as the fish die gasping in blackwater starved of oxygen. Even hardier creatures such as eels and mud crabs are emerging from the deoxygenated water and dying on the shore. Thousands of dead fish litter the canals of Ballina due to oxygen-starved blackwater. Credit: Danielle Smith Weve lived here for five years, and during this time, weve had a flood, weve had a cyclone and a fish kill, said Lucy van der Hoeven, who lives on a canal in Ballina, a coastal town at the end of the Richmond River. The flood was tough, but this would have to be the toughest to see all that death and sadness. I mean, just to see these beautiful, beautiful fish die its killing us. A freight truck has flipped onto two cars, trapping one woman, injuring two others and closing a busy Sydney road during peak hour. Police and NSW Ambulance paramedics were called to Bells Line of Road in Kurrajong Heights about 3pm on Monday, where they found the truck on its side, a Toyota SUV buried in its trailer and a Ford SUV crumpled. The truck fell onto two cars. Credit: Nine News A woman in her 50s was trapped inside the Toyota until just before 5pm, when she was freed by paramedics and taken to a waiting Westpac Rescue helicopter to be transported to Liverpool Hospital. The woman suffered leg injuries and is in a stable condition. Moves to construct a Victoria Park stadium have been met with praise from the AFL and Queensland Cricket, with AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon confirming the game would now be able to look to Brisbane for other opportunities in the future to drive capacity crowds. Queensland Cricket chief executive Terry Svenson expressed hope Brisbane would once again be a staple of the summer codes calendar. The Gabba does not meet accessibility standards, lacks modern amenities, and is on a restricted site with limited opportunity for expansion. Credit: AAP As revamped venues in Adelaide and Perth left the Gabba in their wake, the ground was left off the hosting cities for the 2026/27 four-Test series between Australia and New Zealand the first time in 50 years it has not featured in the rotation. The Gabba has been wonderful venue for cricket for many years and has provided fans and players with countless memories however the challenges the stadium faces are well documented, and we need to look to the future, Svenson said. Todays decision gives us certainty after many years without clarity. We now stand at the starting line as Queensland prepares to unveil a signature stadium that will be known the world over. Read the full story from our sports reporter Nick Wright. A man has been arrested at Brisbane Airport and charged with murder after a woman was allegedly stabbed and died at a home in Brisbanes north-west. Police were called to a home on Chestnut Place, The Gap, about 4.20pm on Monday, after reports a neighbour had discovered an elderly woman in a front yard suffering stab wounds. Paramedics also attended the residence, and the woman, 79, was declared dead at the scene. Police established a crime scene and launched a search across Brisbanes northside on Monday evening, before a man was arrested at Brisbane International Airport about 6.25pm. A teenage girl is accused of the overnight shooting of a man north of Brisbane. The 42-year-old victim was found in a car park on Lakefield Drive in North Lakes, Moreton Bay with chest wounds about 9.40pm on Monday. He was taken to Royal Brisbane and Womens Hospital in a serious but stable condition. A 42-year-old man has been shot in the chest at North Lakes. On Tuesday morning police announced they had arrested a 17-year-old girl from Windsor and charged her with attempted murder. A freight empire has collapsed with massive debts of more than $116 million, while its high-flying director insists he will launch fresh bankruptcy proceedings against former AFL manager Ricky Nixon over an alleged debt of $40,000. Family-owned Austrans Container Services was placed into liquidation last July, but documents filed with the corporate regulator reveal Gregory OShea is being investigated over allegations he repeatedly breached his director duties and allowed the company to trade while insolvent. Greg OSheas transport and logistics company, Austrans, collapsed with debts of more than $116 million. Credit: Instagram A statutory report by liquidator Cor Cordis also confirmed it was examining claims that unfair preference payments and uncommercial transactions were made before Austrans sudden demise. A number of stakeholders have raised concerns about the companys conduct during the period prior to our appointment. The concerns raised appear to relate to the misappropriation of company and customer assets, according to the report by Cor Cordis chief executive Daniel Juratowitch. A Carey Grammar teacher who was sacked after starting a romantic relationship with a student soon after they graduated from high school faces a years-long ban from teaching. Eleanor Louise Yorke faced a disciplinary hearing at the Victorian Institute of Teaching on Monday over allegations of serious misconduct while she was a teacher at the private school in Melbournes south-east in 2020. Former teacher Eleanor Yorke has been suspended from teaching and her registration is now at risk after admitting to an inappropriate relationship with a student. Yorke was 26 and the former student was 18 when they began dating soon after the student graduated at the end of 2020. The relationship continued for a year. Yorke, 31, started her career at Carey Baptist Grammar School in 2017 after completing her teaching masters at the University of Melbourne. She quickly rose through the ranks at the school, and by 2020, she was teaching chemistry and biology to year 12 students and was promoted to head of digital learning. Golfing great Tiger Woods has confirmed his relationship with the former daughter-in-law of US President Donald Trump, publishing two images to social media in a post that said love is in the air. Woods and Vanessa Trump, who was married to Donald Trump Jr, had been seen at Torrey Pines in San Diego along with her daughter, Kai, when Woods arrived for the final round to hand out the trophy to the winner of the Genesis Invitational. He is the tournament host. Tiger Woods has confirmed his relationship with Vanessa Trump, the former daughter-in-law of President Donald Trump. Credit: X/@TigerWoods Kai Trump goes to the Benjamin School with Woods two children, Sam and Charlie. She and Charlie competed on invitation at a high-profile junior golf tournament this week. Love is in the air and life is better with you by my side! We look forward to our journey through life together, Woods said on X, where he has 6.4 million followers. Washington: After US President Donald Trump spoke on the phone with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky last week, the White House wanted to make one thing clear: the Ukrainian leader was grateful to the American president. Very grateful. The statement recounting the call mentioned four times that Zelensky had thanked the president for his efforts to negotiate terms of a ceasefire with Russia. It then went on to note that Zelensky was grateful for Trumps leadership. The starkest example of Donald Trumps insistence on a thank you came during a meeting last month in the Oval Office with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Credit: Bloomberg The description revealed a pattern in the Trump administrations shaping of its foreign policy agenda: when it comes to diplomacy, Trump wants an implicit or explicit display of personal gratitude from US allies. Michael Froman, president of the Council on Foreign Relations, said Trumps transactional approach to diplomacy suggested he saw aiding US allies as a favour, rather than as a cornerstone of foreign policy that will pay dividends down the road. According to Sian Fenner (pictured right), head of business and industry economics at Westpac, the budget is unlikely to contain any significant surprises, as several key initiatives have already been disclosed. Were continuing to introduce new tools to help bring down scam losses but we need other organizations across Australia to step up and stop scams at the source, so we can shut these criminals down, McCann said. But with persistent delays in planning approvals and rising regulatory costs, theres still a long way to go, Stevenson said, emphasising the severe impact of escalating government taxes and the proposed shift of the Emergency Services Levy onto property owners, which could further strain the housing market. 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 By David Young, PA Remains exhumed from a grave in Co Monaghan are not those of Disappeared victim of the Troubles Joe Lynskey, investigators have said. The Independent Commission for the Location of Victims Remains (ICLVR) said the remains recovered from the grave in the village of Annyalla also do not belong to any member of the family who own the plot. The ICLVR further confirmed that the remains were not those of any of the three other Disappeared victims murdered and secretly buried by republican paramilitaries during the Troubles whom the commission continues to search for. An Garda Siochana is now attempting to identify the remains. In a statement, a spokesman said: An Garda Siochana has notified the local coroner, and An Garda Siochana has commenced enquiries to assist the local coroner to determine the correct identification of the remains exhumed on November 26 2024. Joe Lynskey was a former Cistercian monk who later joined the IRA (Wave Trauma Centre/PA)The commission opened the grave in November last year after it received information related to suspicious historical activity during the 1970s at a grave in Annyalla cemetery. The commission opened the grave in November last year after it received information related to suspicious historical activity during the 1970s at a grave in Annyalla cemetery. It instigated the exhumation operation to establish whether Mr Lynskey had been secretly buried there by the IRA. Mr Lynskey, a former monk from Belfast who later joined the IRA, was abducted, murdered and secretly buried by members of the republican paramilitary group in 1972. He was one of 17 people who were Disappeared by republican paramilitaries during the Troubles in Northern Ireland. The ICLVR did not become aware that Mr Lynskey was one of the Disappeared until 2010. A number of searches since then have all failed to locate his remains. The commission was set up by the UK and Irish governments during the peace process to investigate the whereabouts of the Disappeared. Thirteen have been formally found. As well as Mr Lynskey, the commission is also tasked with finding three other Disappeared victims Co Tyrone teenager Columba McVeigh, British Army Captain Robert Nairac, and Seamus Maguire, who was in his mid-20s and from near Lurgan, Co Armagh. Annyalla Cemetery in Co Monaghan (Jonathan McCambridge/PA) A statement from the commission said: In an effort to locate the remains of Joe Lynskey, one of the Disappeared who went missing in the summer of 1972, human remains were exhumed from a grave in Annyalla Cemetery, Co Monaghan on 26 November 2024. The results of the DNA examination of the remains have now eliminated them as being those of the family to whom the grave belongs and now also eliminated them as being those of Joe Lynskey or any of the Disappeared. All the interested parties including the Lynskey family have been informed. We know that this news is deeply disappointing for the Lynskey family and the thoughts of everyone in the commission are with them at this most difficult time. We are also conscious that this was a distressing experience for the family whose grave was opened to facilitate the exhumation. We are grateful for their co-operation and support at all stages of the process. The commission will continue to do everything in its power to locate and recover the remains of all of the outstanding Disappeared cases. We would again appeal to anyone with information relating to Joe Lynskey, Columba McVeigh, Robert Nairac or Seamus Maguire to bring it to the ICLVR where it will be treated in the strictest confidence. Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn said he was saddened to hear the search for Mr Lynskey was unsuccessful. My thoughts are with his family, who have faced decades of uncertainty and heartache. I thank the ICLVR for its tireless commitment to reuniting the families of the Disappeared with their loved ones. Todays news is a reminder of the importance of this humanitarian work. Every piece of information, no matter how small, could help bring closure and peace to these families who have waited so long for answers. I urge anyone who may have information that could help locate Joes remains or those of Columba McVeigh, Captain Robert Nairac and Seamus Maguire to come forward in confidence to the ICLVR. The Minister for Justice, Jim OCallaghan TD, expressed his disappointment following confirmation that the human remains recovered recently by the Independent Commission for the Location of Victims Remains in Co Monaghan are not those of Joe Lynskey. Minister OCallaghan said: When the Commission announced that unidentified remains had been found following an exhumation late last year, we all hoped that they would be identified as those of Joe Lynskey. I held hope that the Lynskey family would finally be able to lay him to rest. I am saddened that this is not the case. Today, my thoughts again are with the Lynskey family who have had to endure this particular cruelty for over 50 years. I would also acknowledge that this experience has been distressing for the family whose grave was opened in order to carry out the exhumation and I am thankful for their understanding in such difficult circumstances. "I want also to commend the dedicated and ceaseless humanitarian work of the Independent Commission for the Location of Victims Remains. I assure them and the families of the Disappeared of my and the Government's support for their ongoing work. "The Commission will continue its vital work and I appeal again, today, to anyone with any information that could help the families of Columba McVeigh, Joe Lynskey, Robert Nairac and Seamus Maguire to share this information with the Commission now. Ellen O'Donoghue Five men were arrested by the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau (GNDOCB) in Dublin on Monday morning. According to The Irish Times, three senior members of a Dublin-based drugs gang known as The Family were arrested by gardai during early morning raids in the city. The gang has been active in drug dealing for over two decades but in recent years has displaced the Kinahan cartels Irish operation as the biggest drugs importers into the Republic. The men, aged in their 30s, 40s and 60s, were arrested for alleged offences contrary to the Criminal Justice Act, 2006 and are currently detained, pursuant to the provisions of Section 50 of Criminal Justice Act, 2007, at Garda stations across the Dublin and Eastern garda regions. Gardai said the operation was supported by the Emergency Response Unit, Regional Armed Support Unit, Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation and the Dublin Crime Response Team. All five men who were arrested remain in Garda custody. 7/5/2025 Here is the latest Hamilton County arrest report. (If your case is dismissed, just email us your name and date we ran it and we will promptly take off. Email to news@chattanoogan.com ) ANDRUS,KIMBERLEE ... more It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Grace LeVan, who left this world on March 23, 2025, at the age of 74. Born on April 28, 1950, Grace was a beloved daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, friend, and educator whose life was dedicated to her family, faith, and the love of teaching. Grace grew up in Ringgold, Ga., with her loving family. She was the daughter of James and Margaret LeVan. She had a close bond with her younger sister, Virginia Bryson, her older brother, John LeVan, and his wife Susan, who has truly been a sister for over 50 years. Grace was a proud graduate of the University of Georgia in 1972, where she graduated third in her class. Grace began her remarkable career as an English teacher in a convent in Mexico for two years, where she inspired her students with her passion for learning and unwavering kindness. After returning to the United States, she devoted 44 years to teaching, predominantly in the sixth grade. Her impact on her students and fellow teachers was profound; she connected with young minds and instilled a love for literature and learning in all those she taught. A woman of faith, Grace was a member of Morton Memorial Presbyterian Church. Her faith guided her actions and was a source of strength for her family. She helped her loved ones believe in God and find comfort in their faith. Grace was not only an exceptional educator but also a loving and nurturing figure in her family. She is survived by her daughter, Brandy LeVan, and her three grandchildren, Thomas Crump III, Ashley Crump (Yovanni Valladares), and Fade Crump. Grace also leaves behind beloved nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and great-great-nieces and nephews, all of whom brought immense joy to her heart. With a heart of gold, Grace went out of her way to help others, always striving to do the right thing. Her compassion and generosity touched the lives of many, and her legacy of love and kindness will continue to inspire all who knew her. A celebration of Grace's life will be held at 4 p.m. on Saturday, March 29, at Morton Memorial Presbyterian Church with Pastor Bob Butler officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Catoosa County Childrens Fund, a cause that was close to her heart. Grace is now at peace in heaven, where she will continue to watch over her family with love. She will be deeply missed but forever remembered for the light she brought into our lives. An online register book is at www.wilsonfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are by Wilson Funeral Homes Wallis ~ Stewart Chapel, Ringgold. Throughout our history, the federal courts have strived to help make this country, composed of several sovereign states and disparate people, one nation. In doing so, they have sought to carry out the goal stated in our nations first motto: E Pluribus Unum, or in English, Out of Many, One. The motto has a rich and amazing history. It was conceived by a committee formed on July 4, 1776, just a few hours after the Declaration of Independence was adopted. The Continental Congress appointed John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson to devise a national sealwhat would eventually become The Great Seal. As part of its work, the committee adopted E Pluribus Unum as the motto to adorn the front of the seal. And of course, both Adams and Jefferson were lawyers. This was merely the start of the legal profession contributing to the founding, development, and growth of our nation. The Motto's Meaning In 1776, the 13 colonies had just declared their independence from Great Britain, one of the most powerful nations on the face of the earth. The declaration was considered an act of war. The colonies had relatively small populations and were weak militarily with little chance of successfully standing up to the might of England. The 13 new independent and sovereign states were quite disparate, with different cultures, histories, religious practices, and geographical environments. They included very small states such as South Carolina, whose population was made up of a majority of African slaves working in agriculture, and large states with commercial traditions, such as Massachusetts and New York. People in the various states also held very strong and different views on the important issues of the day. Popular support for independence from Great Britain varied greatly among the states and even within the states at the time of the declaration. As another example, in the years after the declaration, seven of the new states used their independence to abolish slavery, while the six southern-most states chose to retain it. In facing the daunting challenges of coming together for a common purpose, the motto acknowledged that it was imperative for all the states to stick together and for the people within those states to stick together. The only way the states could prevail against the military might of England was to unite. This meant they had to put aside their rivalries, animosities, and differences. They had to understand that they were all in the struggle together. Unlike when they were individual colonies, now they would have to turn towards each other and work together to survive. The Role of the Federal Courts in Making the Nation One Nation During both the long war of independence and the years under the Articles of Confederation, it became evident that the goal of having one nation and one people was not being achieved. The states were squabbling and could not agree on the most basic things. This discord and inability to function effectively led to the adoption of the Constitution. After the adoption of the Constitution, with a stated objective of forming a more perfect union, it was even more imperative for the new sovereign states and their people to promote the goal of becoming out of many, one. This was not an easy, simple, or quick task. The new states found it difficult to let go of elements of their sovereignty and independence. So to help make one nation a reality, the new federal courts had to play a major role when disputes arose. For example, in 1819, the Supreme Court addressed whether the federal government and federal law prevailed over state laws. The Court held that the federal government is supreme within its sphere of action. McCulloch v. Maryland, 17 U.S. 316 (1819). Otherwise, if every state were supreme in every sphere, then the motto of E Pluribus Unum would just have been a noble but empty sentiment with no resemblance to reality. Another important early dispute arose over the states rights to regulate commerce coming into or out of their borders. In 1824, the Supreme Court decided this issue by finding that interstate commerce was a federal function and individual states did not have the authority to restrict or prohibit commerce from other states. Gibbons v. Ogden, 22 U.S. 1 (1824). This decision demonstrated that in terms of economic commerce we were one nation and not several nations loosely associated. Conclusion Out of Many, One. In the 249 years since the adoption of that motto we have largely lived up to the goal of forming one nation out of many states and people. We have not reached perfection, however. We still have discord and passionate disagreements about major public issues, both among the states and among our people. Disagreements are to be expected with so many states and such a large and varied population engaged in the ongoing experiment of self-government. When such disagreements arise, the courts and the legal profession play an essential role in keeping our nation united. he district courts provide an avenue for those insistent on the primacy of the states within our form of government to be heard. The district courts also provide a forum for those whose passionate beliefs are not shared by the majority of their fellow citizens. The courts of appeal provide an opportunity for relief when a party believes a district court has erred. And the legal profession provides zealous advocacy within the law for those with differing views across all possible spectrums and at all court levels. Without the federal courts and the legal profession serving as a relief valve and a peaceful method to resolve disputes, we would be nowhere near the goal of being Out of Many, One. Curtis L. Collier United States District Judge Chair, Eastern District of Tennessee Civics and Outreach Committee Carrie Brown Stefaniak Law Clerk to the Honorable Curtis L. Collier Katherine E. Philyaw Law Clerk to the Honorable Curtis L. Collier Katharine M. Gardner Law Clerk to the Honorable Curtis L. Collier After being saved from near-certain extinction last summer and overwintering in the expert care of biologists at the Tennessee Aquarium, more than 230 critically endangered Laurel Dace are finally back where they belong. Last July, a prolonged regional drought caused many Southeast Tennessee streams to dwindle and, in some cases, dry up entirely. Atop Walden Ridge north of Chattanooga, water flow ceased at Bumbee Creek and Youngs Creek, the last sites known to support populations of Laurel Dace. When conditions in these rapidly disappearing waterways reached a tipping point, the Aquarium led a series of emergency rescue operations to save as many of these red-bellied, highlighter yellow-finned minnows as possible. In coordination with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency and with assistance from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the University of Georgia, about 300 Laurel Dace the majority left on the planet were relocated into the safety of human care at the Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga and Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery in Jamestown, Kentucky. According to the most recent report from the USDAs U.S. Drought Monitor, much of Southeast Tennessee is still experiencing moderate drought conditions. However, a slightly wetter-than-average February made it safe to return these rescued minnows to the wild. Today is really a day of hope and optimism, Tennessee Aquarium Vice President of Conservation Science and Education Dr. Anna George said on Tuesday. We have water running back in the creek. We have fish that thrived in our care at the Tennessee Aquarium. We had a chance to rescue these fish and safeguard them. Now, here we are getting to release them back into the wild. A caravan of aquarium biologists and aquarists escorted the homeward-bound Laurel Dace from Chattanooga back to Bumbee Creek along perilously rutted dirt roads winding deep into a sprawling private timberland. The Aquariums team was met by representatives from Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, who assisted with last summers rescue and the recent reintroduction. While waiting for the fish to acclimate to conditions at Bumbee Creek, George looked out from the cobbled bank at the stream, where abundant 50-degree water was once again burbling underneath the outstretched limbs of winter-bare trees. It's kind of amazing how much things can change in six months, she observed. Last summer, this just did not look like a beautiful mountain stream. It didn't look like a place where a critically endangered minnow was going to survive for much longer. Despair is not too strong a word to use for how we felt then. With water flow restored and after months of attentive care by biologists, the Laurel Dace were in prime shape for their homecoming, said Jason Miller, the assistant chief of Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agencys biodiversity division. They looked ready to go back in the wild, he said. Today is a happy ending. I mean, those fish survived. If it wasn't for the Aquarium and others coming out here to rescue them and hold them, we wouldn't have had today. Its very satisfying to see these fish back in this creek. The impact of the drought may have spurred scientists to rescue the Laurel Dace, but the species still faces other significant threats to its survival. As recently as 2012, the Laurel Dace was still found in five streams on Walden Ridge. After more than a decade of rampant habitat degradation, however, its range is now confined to Bumbee Creek and Youngs Creek. Trying to survive without water is hard enough, but even when the weather cooperates, the Laurel Dace has to contend with issues like runoff chemicals and dirt from nearby fields and competition with predatory invasive species. Scientists have even identified an infestation of parasites plaguing the fish in Youngs Creek. As a consequence of these numerous, persistent threats, scientists consider the Laurel Dace to be one of the top 10 most-imperiled fish in North America. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service first identified Laurel Dace as potentially needing protection under the Endangered Species Act in the early 2000s. In 2007, the Service posted notice that it was elevating the Laurel Dace to candidate status for inclusion on the list. Four years later, it was officially designated as endangered, and all remaining Laurel Dace populations have been closely monitored by the Aquarium, the Service, and other partners ever since. Combined with a release of the fish in the care of the Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery earlier this month, almost all fish rescued from Bumbee Creek are now back in the wild. About 30 adults will remain in human care at the Tennessee Aquarium Conservation Institute to serve as an assurance or ark population. These individuals and their offspring will continue to be cared for so that the Laurel Dace will survive, even if events lead to the species extinction in the wild. The Laurel Dace indisputably can use a helping hand, and in the residents of nearby Spring City, Tennessee, it has found several thousand extended in support. With city limits that run up against the range of the Laurel Dace, the community has rallied around their critically endangered neighbor and will soon serve as hosts to the first Laurel Dace Day festival on Saturday, May 17. This all-day celebration in the Spring City Nature Park will feature a packed schedule of activities, including a farmers market, local artists and craftspeople, food and drink vendors, musical performances and a 5K race and half-mile fun run. It's really been interesting to see how Spring City has embraced the Laurel Dace, said Melanie King, the Aquariums vice president and chief development officer. Being aware that this beautiful fish was right there in the waters around them I think there's a great sense of community pride around that. Since last summers rescues, many donors have responded with pledges of support for the Aquariums ongoing work with the Laurel Dace. As the Aquarium continues its conservation efforts, this assistance will fund husbandry needs, genetics research, and a study of the parasite impacting the Youngs Creek population. The fact that so many people came forward to help us with the Laurel Dace lets us know that what we're doing is valid, Ms. King said. Our donors trust us; our members trust us; the community trusts us. They know that we are the right people for the job. We always say, If not the Tennessee Aquarium, then who? Who's going to do this? That's us. That's what we do. To learn more about the Aquariums ongoing work with the Laurel Dace or to make a donation in support of those efforts, visittnaqua.org/donate/race-for- the-laurel-dace/ Jennifer Coolidge regrets chasing "men who were unavailable". Jennifer Coolidge has opened up about her love life The 63-year-old actress has admitted that her career stalled for a period of time because she became "obsessed" with an unnamed man. The Hollywood star told The Sunday Times newspaper: "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. "Actually I dont want to say it was just one guy. "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." Jennifer feels she hasn't had the same "luck" as some of her childhood friends. She explained: "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. I havent had that luck - it has never been the right person." The actress currently splits her time between Los Angeles and New Orleans, but Jennifer thinks she might actually find her future partner in Europe. Jennifer - who is perhaps best known for starring in the 'American Pie' film franchise - reflected: "European men like the idea of sleeping with an older woman more than Americans do. Somebody youd expect to be skilled and sexy. "Its not the American fantasy, but lots of European films are about young guys with an older woman. I think I have to go overseas then!" Home News Anti-Israel Arab groups launch boycott against 'Snow White' because of Israeli star Gal Gadot Several Arab groups opposed to Israel have launched an online boycott of Disney's movie "Snow White" because of its lead actress, Gal Gadot. Gadot, like most Israeli Jews, served in the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and is being accused by these groups of "whitewashing the occupation." "Boycott normalization, boycott Snow White.' Former soldier Gal Gadot represents nothing but the occupation and its terror. We reject any attempt to whitewash the occupation through art. Join our digital storm against Snow White and send a clear message supporters of the occupation have no place among us," the anti-Israel digital boycott message stated. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe Arab organizations that back the anti-Israel and anti-Gadot campaign include "Jordanian Organization for Resistance Support and Anti-Normalization," the "Bahraini Association for Resistance to Normalization" and "Cinema Professionals Against Normalization." In a joint letter, the groups claimed that screening Snow White in the Arab world means "promoting a company that supports the occupation and helping to rehabilitate the image of a former soldier in an army committing the worst crimes against our Arab people." The letter further claimed that "the occupation has always sought to infiltrate our audience through screens to whitewash its crimes, using artists and actors to break psychological barriers and end its imposed isolation. While the campaign focused on Gadot, it called for a general boycott of all movies with Israeli actors and actresses. Films starring Israeli actors directly contribute to the occupations goals. We urge cinema owners not to screen it, in line with public opposition to any form of cultural and artistic normalization. We call on the free public to boycott the film and Disney. The "Kuwaiti Democratic Youth Union have launched a separate boycott campaign against Gal Gadot and Snow White on the media platform X, urging cinemas in Kuwait to ban the American movie. Meanwhile, there are reportedly tensions between Gadot and co-star Rachel Zegler, who plays the titular role in "Snow White." Zegler, who has previously expressed anti-Israel views in the Hamas-initiated Gaza war, recently left out Gadot in her tribute to cast and crew in Snow White. It is unclear whether it was an intentional decision by Zegler to snub Gadot due to her Israeli Jewish origin. Gadot, who is known for her iconic role as Wonder Woman, is a vocal supporter of the Jewish state. She is also no stranger to anti-Israel boycotts. In February 2022, Kuwait banned the movie Death on the Nile because Gadot played the leading female role. Our stance on Israel has not changed, following the UAE normalization agreement, and we will be the last to normalize relations, an unnamed senior Kuwait official said at the time, referring to the historic Arab Israeli Abraham Accords in 2020 when Israel normalized its relations with the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco and Sudan. Earlier this month, Gadot delivered a powerful speech in New York City where she denounced hatred against the Jewish people. My name is Gal, I am Jewish, and we have had enough of this hate, she stated. The Israeli-born actress, who has increased her support for Israel after Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023, massacre, vowed to continue combating antisemitism while not allowing antisemites to define or defeat the Jewish people. We will confront antisemitism, we will call it out, but we will never let it defeat us or define us, Gadot said. Because our love is stronger than their hate, she vowed. This article was originally published by All Israel News. Home News Christian author recounts harrowing 'swatting' incident: 'Demonic strongholds' 'Thank God the door was locked' A Christian author and apologist who was recently "swatted" at his rural Alabama home told The Christian Post he believes the recent spate of false police reports made against conservative commentators indicates the Left is getting desperate. Larry Alex Taunton told CP he grabbed his pistol and nearly shot a heavily armed police officer who attempted to enter his house shortly after 1 a.m. on March 17. The local sheriff's office in Talladega County responded in full force that morning upon fielding a call from a man who said he was trapped inside Taunton's blood-soaked home after having been shot in the leg amid three active shooters at his residence. 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 'Thank God' As has been the case for approximately 15 other prominent conservative voices in recent weeks, the call was fake and made in an apparent attempt to instill fear and potentially instigate a lethal situation. Swatting is a form of criminal harassment where someone makes a false emergency call to law enforcement, typically reporting a serious crime with the intent of provoking a large police response involving Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) units. "I've never had an experience where police came without sirens or lights while not announcing themselves," said Taunton, who claimed nine police cars surreptitiously parked in his gated community that night as the deputies descended on him, decked out in body armor and loaded for bear. Taunton, who said he was already awake during that early morning because he struggles to sleep, recalled he was clad in his boxers as he investigated after Ranger, his vigilant German Shepherd, alerted him to potential intruders outside. "So here's someone trying to breach my front door with a semi-automatic rifle without announcing himself," he said. "I'm armed. I can see him, he cannot see me. And I'm thinking, 'If this guy comes through my door, I will shoot him. I'm not asking questions. He's more heavily armed than I am, and if I'm to have any chance at all, I will have to shoot first.'" 1/5 I was SWATed last night as you can see in these 3 videos. I was in bed, but noticed Ranger, my German shepherd, was on the prowl, his ears up. I heed his instincts. I then saw a flicker of light on my BR door. Ranger went to investigate, I got my gun.. pic.twitter.com/B6MIKHC3V8 Larry Terrorist Taunton (@LarryTaunton) March 17, 2025 Taunton's footage of the incident, which shows a deputy trying Taunton's locked door before all of them ultimately identified themselves and defused the situation, has amassed more than 36 million views on X as of Monday. "Thank God the door was locked," Taunton said. Common threads Taunton joins other conservative influencers who have been swatted after being outspoken on social media regarding Ukraine, Israel and corrupt waste in USAID. While he concedes he is not a household name, Taunton believes he potentially placed a target on his back when he recently visited the USAID compound in Cairo, Egypt, to investigate its operations. Driven by his prior reporting on the USAID's alleged involvement in controversial activities such as human trafficking, Taunton bluffed his way past Egyptian security guards last month at the gate of the USAID facility, which he characterized as a military-style compound. He was detained by Egyptian security forces, and his video of the incident has drawn millions of views. ***USAID - CAIRO CORRUPTION*** By Gods grace, I am now out of Egypt. Let me state at the outset of this report: An X????is insufficient to tell the full story. There are ongoing complications. So you must read between the lines. Last week in a????that got 12 million pic.twitter.com/GWBHb2OxzD Larry Terrorist Taunton (@LarryTaunton) February 17, 2025 Based on his communications with others who have been swatted, he also pinpointed his public opinions regarding the corruption in other countries, such as Ukraine. "A lot of the information that they're sharing is quite fascinating," he said of the other SWAT victims he has since come to know. "What all of us apparently have in common is a support for Israel, criticism of Hamas and criticism of Ukraine." "Is it possible that somebody in Ukraine didn't like the fact that I said I just don't think that the United States should send billions of dollars more to Ukraine?" he said. "It's possible. Is it because of my run-in with the Egyptian secret police, which became almost an international incident?" 'Demonic strongholds' Taunton told CP he sees his own ordeal in the context of a larger spiritual battle. "These are demonic strongholds, and we wrestle not against flesh and blood," he said. "But I think that the corruption that we're talking about here everything from human trafficking, sex trafficking, funding of terrorism this not speculative; we know that USAID has been involved in this kind of stuff." "This really comes down to not just political agendas," he said. "I think this comes down to money. There's greed involved here. Those taps are being threatened to be shut off. These people want that tap open. To me, it's the most desperate measure of all when you resort to violence. It's indication that everything else has failed." A spokesperson for the FBI told The Christian Post that their policy is to neither confirm nor deny if they are conducting an investigation on a case, but both Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel have condemned swatting and promised an investigation. "Attorney General" Pam Bondi on the swatting incidents: "We are looking into all of these swattings. These investigations are important because they are not practical jokes; they are meant to terrorize the people in the homes and risk the lives of law enforcement officers." pic.twitter.com/h6AHZqvdLP Gunther Eagleman (@GuntherEagleman) March 19, 2025 During an interview with radio host Vince Coglianese last week, Vice President JD Vance was asked about both the proliferating swatting incidents as well as the attacks on Tesla vehicles and facilities. "My guess is that if we do get to the bottom of this, we are going to find out there are some very crazy, very deranged but very wealthy left-wing people who are funding this stuff, and I think that is the most important thing that we have to focus on," Vance said. Home News Dave Dummitt stepping down as Willow Creeks senior pastor to pursue other dreams After five years in the senior pastor role stabilizing Willow Creek Community Church in suburban Chicago, Dave Dummitt announced to the congregation on Sunday that he is stepping down to pursue other dreams. Willow Creek Elder Board Chair Harold Engelmann confirmed that starting in April, Shawn Williams, who currently serves as the South Barrington campus pastor and executive pastor of weekends, will replace Dummitt as the church's new senior pastor. Dummitt was named Willow Creek's senior pastor in April 2020, two years after the tumultuous resignation of the church's high-profile founder, Bill Hybels, under a cloud of sexual misconduct allegations. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe In his address on Sunday, Dummitt made it clear to congregants that this time around, the leadership transition is a healthy one. "There is no moral failure. There's no scandal. No one has forced me to step down, so sorry bloggers. There's no dirt to dig up," Dummitt declared. "This is just a beautiful healthy handoff, smooth momentum building." The outgoing megachurch pastor, who was forced to make significant staff cuts as the COVID-19 pandemic raged in 2022 and the church lost about half its pre-pandemic membership, said he was leaving the church in a healthier position. "It's been a privilege to be the pastor of this church over the last five years. ... The board that hired me five years ago and I, in the very beginning, talked about what would need to be done. We were entering into a season at the church that was very challenging, to say the least," he said. Dummitt said he and the elders discussed what they wanted to do to "bring beauty back to our church." They agreed that they wanted to reach lost people, raise up leaders and fully devoted followers of Jesus. With the help of God, the staff and volunteers, Dummitt said they were eventually able to improve the health of the church. "We ended the year last year with all those metrics up and to the right. The attendance was up; the baptisms were up; we saw that 40% of all the new people that are coming to our church weren't a part of a church before they came to Willow. So we're reaching lost people and not just transferring people from other churches," he said. "Discipleship, the things we use to measure that, groups, teams, giving, all of those things were up and that's a beautiful, beautiful thing." Williams was hired and mentored by Dummitt, who called him a "man of great character." "He's a proven leader around here, and as a teacher, the only thing wrong with him is that he doesn't use notes enough, and that just makes me mad and jealous, and he's a phenomenal communicator as well," Dummitt quipped. Dummitt plans to be at the church until July to help with the transition, but he expects to take a break from ministry after handing over the reins of the church to Williams. "I've been doing this job, senior ministry, for over 20 years, and I'm ready for a break, and I've got some other sandboxes that I'm looking forward to playing in and dreams that I want to pursue," Dummitt said. He said he and his family have businesses in Chicago, and he will join a friend in a consultancy business after taking some time off. "I've got a friend that does consulting with churches and executive leaders and some development work, and I'm going to join him in that," Dummitt said. "We're not going to go anywhere; we've got businesses in Chicago. I'm going to lean into those a little bit." 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 Orlando Salazar and the rise of Voz Media: A conservative voice for Hispanics in the US (exclusive) The Hispanic-American entrepreneur, founder and CEO of Voz Media, talks about the impact of his platform on the Hispanic media landscape. Orlando Salazar, a renowned businessman and Hispanic leader in the United States, founded Voz Media in 2022, a media outlet with a conservative focus and based on family values. Its rapid growth has positioned it as the largest right-leaning Hispanic media outlet in the country. In April 2023, Salazar was awarded the first Aguila Hispanic Influence Award, recognizing his impact on the community and his commitment to spreading Judeo-Christian principles. Voz Media and its focus on conservative values 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 Since its inception, Voz Media has distinguished itself with its clear stance on political and social issues. Salazar emphasizes that his outlet is based on a Judeo-Christian worldview and family values. Its easy to say were conservative, but we prefer to describe ourselves as a media outlet that promotes family values, he explains. Although Voz Media isn't a Christian outlet as such, Salazar emphasizes that the majority of his team shares these principles, which influences his approach to reporting. "It's not something we intentionally seek out, but the majority of our team happens to be believers," he comments. Influence of the Hispanic vote, shift away from the Democratic Party Salazar analyzes how changes in American politics have impacted Hispanic voting preferences. Historically identified with the Democratic Party, more and more Latino voters are migrating toward conservative options. "Democrats have abandoned the values that represent the Hispanic community, such as family, respect for the law, and hard work," he notes. According to Salazar, issues such as gender ideology, abortion, and economic policies have contributed to this distancing. Hispanics remain fundamentally conservative, with a love of God, family and country. When the Democrats strayed from these principles, many Hispanics began to rethink their political allegiance, he says. Role of conservative media in the Hispanic community In an environment dominated by left-leaning media, Voz Media seeks to offer a different alternative for Hispanics in the U.S. "At the Hispanic level, we are the largest in the conservative sector and we continue to grow," says Salazar. The businessman points out that the lack of conservative Hispanic leaders has been an obstacle to the growth of this vision in the community. We have failed to cultivate and support leaders who represent our values in politics and the media. We need more strong voices like [Secretary of State] Marco Rubio, but also leaders with Mexican roots in Texas and other states, he emphasizes. Challenge of immigration and Voz Media's stance The immigration debate is a central topic on Voz Media's agenda. Salazar recognizes the complexity of the problem and the need to address the situation with a balance between compliance with the law and recognition of the reality of immigrants. "I admire what's being done to remove criminals from the country, but after that, the situation gets complicated," he admits. From his perspective, the Hispanic community must educate themselves about politics and economics to make informed decisions. Capitalism is rooted in Christianity and is the system that allows people to progress. We need to realize that socialism has been devastating for our countries of origin, he warns. Future of Hispanic media and the growth of Voz Media Salazar is optimistic about the future of conservative Spanish-language media. He believes the Hispanic community continues to grow and needs more platforms that represent its views. We will continue to expand because the demand is there. We want to be a reference for Hispanics seeking information aligned with their values, he asserts. With a strategy based on consolidating and expanding its audience, Voz Media is projected as a key player in the Hispanic media ecosystem. Salazar concludes: "Our commitment is to inform and educate our community so they can make decisions that benefit their future and that of the country they have chosen as their home." As the Hispanic community continues to grow its influence in the U.S., media outlets like Voz Media play a crucial role in representing their values and interests. Salazar is committed to journalism that strengthens Hispanic identity and participation in society, consolidating their role in the country's political and cultural future. Home News Primary school faces backlash for canceling Easter to respect diversity A primary school in the United Kingdom has canceled its annual Easter Bonnet Parade and Easter Service, citing respect for diversity as the reason behind the decision. The move, announced in a letter to parents, has sparked significant backlash online, with critics labeling it disgraceful and accusing the school of eroding traditional celebrations. Stephanie Mander, the headteacher of Norwood Primary School in Eastleigh, Hampshire, informed parents in the letter that the decision was aimed at promoting inclusivity and ensuring that the school honors the diverse beliefs of its students and families, GB News reported. By not holding specific religious celebrations, we aim to create a more inclusive atmosphere that honors and respects the beliefs of all our children and their families, she was quoted as saying. 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 headteacher acknowledged in her letter that the decision to cancel the annual Easter events might be disappointing for some families, particularly those who have valued these traditions over the years. We appreciate your understanding and support as we make this transition, she wrote. The letter was shared in a local Facebook group, which led to criticism. One commenter questioned whether Christmas celebrations would be the next to be canceled. Is Miss Mander preparing to cancel Christmas as well? reads the comment. Another person expressed confusion over the decision, stating, I dont get it personally. Parents have always been given the option to not attend. The schools always been diverse and accepting of all. The decision to cancel Easter events contradicted the schools own policy on celebrating religious festivals. According to the schools website, important religious and cultural occasions, including Eid, Diwali, Christmas and Easter, are typically marked and celebrated together. At these times the school welcomes in members of the wider school community to lead assemblies and learning activities with the children to share their beliefs with them, it adds. The school, a mixed primary for children aged three to eleven with no religious affiliation, received a "Good" rating in most categories during its September 2024 Ofsted inspection. However, its Outcomes for children and learners category was marked as requiring improvement. While Easter celebrations have been canceled, the school plans to mark Refugee Week in June, an event that focuses on the experiences of refugees and promotes awareness of their challenges, The Telegraph reported. One of the ways we will be celebrating inclusivity is by taking part in Refugee Week, which occurs in June, as well as beginning our journey to become an accredited School of Sanctuary, reads the letter. 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. Kieran Culkin got down on one knee "between two dumpsters" to propose to wife Jazz Charton. Kieran Culkin proposed to his wife between two dumpsters The 'Succession' star married the advertising executive in 2013 and they are parents to two children together - and Jazz has now revealed Kieran asked her to marry him while crouched between two rubbish bins on a street in New York City. She told the Sunday Times newspaper: "We were about to go on a road trip to California, so we were having a going-away party with our friends before we left. "Kieran said: Wait, come outside, I want to tell you something. And he got down between two dumpsters and said: Will you marry me? "I was, like: Really, here? I mean, yes, obviously, but really?'" Jazz also shared the moment they first met - revealing Kieran sat down next to her in a bar in Manhattan and asked her: "Is that your boyfriend?" She added of the encounter: "He was very forward but hilariously so, and he said: 'Theres this Indian restaurant thats really good.' I said: 'Oh cool, can you give me the name? And he said: No, you idiot, I want to take you there'." They went on to elope and tie the knot during a road trip in Iowa and Jazz - who was 26 at the time - admits she was very young to get married. Jazz - who was born in the UK - joked to the publication: "I know, so young. Its devastating - he took my best years. I tell him hes just my green card husband." She added of the Oscar winner: "I know Kieran comes across as this quirky guy but hes actually really sensible. "That was one of the ways I knew he was the right person. Kieran is the most charismatic person youll ever meet and you just want to be around him. But I also wanted to be like him in terms of how he behaves. Nothing really fazes him." Home News USAID pays Samaritans Purse $19M reimbursement for Africa aid The Evangelical humanitarian aid charity Samaritan's Purse has received a $19 million reimbursement from the United States Agency for International Development after aid funding was halted in the early days of President Donald Trump's second administration. The North Carolina-based Samaritan's Purse confirmed in a statement to Ministry Watch that it received the funding shortly after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the Trump administration must unfreeze $2 billion in foreign aid payments for completed work. Samaritan's Purse began working with USAID in 1994 to respond to the genocide in Rwanda, with the most recent funds reimbursing the group for providing food and medical care to people in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan and South Sudan. The reimbursement payments for aid and services already provided in those countries had been on hold since January. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe In an emailed statement to The Christian Post, Samaritan's Purse President Franklin Graham expressed the organization's willingness to continue working with USAID if possible. "If the U.S. State Department continues to provide funds for emergency food and medicine, we will continue to consider working with them on a case-by-case basis, as we have done for more than 30 years," stated Graham, son of the late evangelist Billy Graham "Of course, none of this changes any of the work that Samaritan's Purse is already doing throughout Africa and the rest of the world. The funding agreements with USAID are in addition to our ministry work." Since taking office, Trump has sought to drastically cut funding and personnel from USAID. In January, he ordered a pause on all foreign aid funding. The White House alleges that the agency has engaged in extensive wasteful spending that has supported controversial initiatives that many conservatives oppose. Examples cited by the White House included $1.5 million spent on "advance diversity equity and inclusion in Serbia's workplaces and business communities," $2 million spent on sex change operations and "LGBT activism" in Guatemala and the delivery of hundreds of thousands of free meals to al Qaeda-affiliated terrorists in Syria. Critics, including some Christian nonprofits, have argued that the cuts which reportedly amounted to 92% of USAID and State Department foreign assistance-related grants and contracts have eliminated life-saving programs for vulnerable communities abroad, with many already suffering the consequences. In a 5-4 unsigned opinion released March 5, the Supreme Court denied the Trump administration's request to freeze $2 billion in USAID reimbursement funds, upholding a lower court order. When asked his opinion of the USAID cuts, Graham, who has long supported many of Trump's policies and offered prayers at both of Trump's inauguration ceremonies, responded that "Samaritan's Purse does not rely on government funding." He said less than 5% of the organization's funding in 2024 came from government grants. "I think it's a good thing for the government to assess and reexamine the various programs that the U.S. is funding around the world. We trust that the new leadership will analyze all of the information and make good decisions," Graham continued. "I encourage the State Department to continue providing life-saving aid such as food and medicine. Whatever the outcome, this will not change the fact that Samaritan's Purse will continue to help people in need." Home Opinion The false narrative about money Many people around the world look at money like its a means to salvation. We can easily think that if we just made a little more, everything would be alright, or if we found a higher-paying job, then we would finally be happy. Thats a false narrative. Money cannot and will not buy happiness. Dont misunderstand: money itself is not bad or wrong. But our relationship with money can quickly become that and much more. Thats why the Bible teaches that we shouldnt love money. Love of money, after all, is the root of all kinds of evil. But the Bible doesnt just have negative teachings. It also tells us many things we should love, seek and prioritize instead of money. 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 Proverbs talks about the importance of wisdom and 1 Corinthians emphasizes love. But over and over, the Bible holds out one thing that is more crucial, more lasting, and more effectual than money. Thats faith. Perhaps no story in the Gospels demonstrates this truth better than the woman with the blood issue found in Mark 5:25-34. Many modern English translations of the Bible simply call this woman sick. But theres more to her story. Shes bleeding. She has been suffering. And shes tried everything to find healing and wholeness. Mark says that this woman had suffered under the care of many doctors. Think about that. The very people who were supposed to bring relief to this woman caused additional suffering. This has to be incredibly discouraging. With each appointment, each visit to the physicians, fresh hope rises only to be dashed again and again. This has been her reality for 12 years. Years of searching for a cure and praying that something would change. But despite medical help and spending all she had, nothing is changing. In fact, her condition has got worse. A lot of us can relate to this woman. All too often, we spend our time and effort searching for healing and salvation in things of this world. We foolishly think that relationships, or money, or technology, or politics can fill the longing inside of us. But just like the sick woman, our hopeless condition only gets worse. Notice that the woman in Mark 5 doesnt give up. She hears about Jesus and decides to take one more leap of faith. But this time, she isnt putting her faith in something. Shes placing it in someone. The only one who can bring real healing. All it takes is one touch for Jesus to see a breakthrough. And for this woman, it was immediate. Her bleeding stopped completely. She was fully and finally healed. This story is instructive. We live in a time with more money and advanced technology than ever before. While this has brought an incredible amount of good, these realities can tempt us to put our ultimate hope in the wrong place. We can start to think that we dont need Christ to find healing and meaning. Look around. Thats what the world wants you to believe. Every product and politician promises that it can deliver what were really searching for. But those are empty promises and if thats where we put our faith, well be empty too. Thats why this story is so instructive. Jesus tells this suffering woman that her faith in Him did what all doctors and money couldnt. And then he tells her something even more wonderful: Go in peace and be freed from your suffering. This woman isnt just given healing. She was given peace and freedom. Shes given a fresh start. Thats what Jesus wants to do for us today. But hes waiting for us to realize that the things of this world cannot ever do what He can. Hes waiting for us to put our faith in the right place Him. Thats when well see a breakthrough. Thats when we too can find peace and freedom. Home News Former pastor of Jimmy Carters Baptist church arrested for child solicitation crimes A former pastor of Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, Georgia, where former President Jimmy Carter had long been a member before his death on Dec. 29, has been arrested in Volusia County, Florida, on child sexting charges. Jeffery Summers, 52, was taken into custody as part of Operation Full Throttle, an undercover sting aimed at targeting suspected child predators. Authorities from the Port Orange Police Department reported that Summers was among 17 individuals arrested during the operation, WALB reported. 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 Summers, believing he was communicating with a 14-year-old boy, had been using the internet and a cell phone to solicit unlawful sexual activity. Instead, he was conversing with undercover officers posing as minors. According to the incident report, Summers knowingly engaged in obscene communication and traveled intending to meet the individual he believed to be a minor. Summers now faces two felony charges, including traveling to meet after using a computer to lure a child and obscene communication with a minor. Additional charges include the use of a computer to solicit or lure a child. Police documents also identified Summers as an employee of Horizon Elementary School in Volusia County. The school, along with the Volusia County School Board, has been informed of the charges and is reportedly taking appropriate action in response. Summers previously served as a pastor at Maranatha Baptist Church, the same congregation where Carter had been a long-standing member and taught Sunday school for decades. Carter died last December at the age of 100. After leaving office, Carter became known for many charitable efforts, including decades of volunteering with Habitat for Humanity alongside his wife, Rosalynn. Beginning in the 1980s, Carter was a regular Sunday school teacher at Maranatha Baptist, overseeing classes even in 2015 while he was battling cancer. Summers led the church from 2005 to 2013, a period during which Carter was actively involved in the churchs spiritual activities. Maranatha Baptist gained national recognition due to the Carters' involvement. The church has undergone significant changes in leadership in recent years. In May 2024, the church hired its first female pastor, the Rev. Ashley Guthas, marking a historic shift in its tradition. Guthas succeeded the Rev. Tony Lowden, who in 2019 became the churchs first black lead pastor. Guthas, a graduate of the McAfee School of Theology, was previously an associate minister specializing in youth and family ministries before taking up her role at Maranatha Baptist. Home News Judge blocks Texas A&M ban on drag shows, cites Shakespearan cross-dressing Ruling also references 'Mrs. Doubtfire': 'Performances by men dressed as women are nothing new' A federal judge struck down an attempt by Texas A&M University (TAMU) officials to ban drag performances across its 11 campuses, ruling that the policy is unconstitutional. U.S. District Judge Lee H. Rosenthal issued the ruling Monday granting a temporary injunction against the universitys policy while a lawsuit filed by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) on behalf of the student group moves forward. The Queer Empowerment Council, a coalition of LGBT-identified students, had faced cancellation of their event after the TAMU Board of Regents voted in February to prohibit drag performances, citing a recent executive order from President Donald Trump on gender ideology. The board claimed such shows were offensive and inconsistent with the universitys core values of its universities, including the value of respect for others. 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 decision ensures that Draggieland, an annual drag show organized by the Queer Empowerment Council at Texas A&M University-College Station, will proceed as scheduled this Thursday. In her ruling, Judge Rosenthal emphasized the constitutional protections afforded to theatrical expression like drag, drawing on centuries of historical precedent. Performances by men dressed as women are nothing new, she wrote. Men have been dressing as women in theater and film for centuries. It is well-established among scholars of Shakespeares literary works that, when his plays were written and performed, female characters were played by young men dressed in womens attire. She referenced the Royal Shakespeare Companys documentation, noting how this practice was standard in Elizabethan England. Rosenthal further highlighted the evolution and persistence of performances, pointing to the Elizabethan-era works of William Shakespeare. Women may not have been permitted to perform themselves in Shakespeares time, but that has not been true for many years, she continued. Yet many popular contemporary musicals and films have included male characters dressed in what amounts to drag, including Hairspray (1988), Mrs. Doubtfire (1993), and White Chicks (2004). In the college campus context, organizations like Harvard Universitys Hasty Pudding Club have put on performances with male performers dressed in drag in campus theaters for centuries. Those performances continue to this day. The court found that the Queer Empowerment Council was likely to succeed in proving the ban unconstitutional, rejecting the universitys justifications including claims that drag could create a hostile environment for women as insufficient to override First Amendment protections. The ruling cited precedent from the 2010 case, Christian Legal Society Chapter v. Martinez, which addressed the balance between university policies and student expression. Addressing the universitys objections, Rosenthal posed a critical question: When do performances in which men dress as women cross the line from entertaining to demeaning? The impossibility of objectively answering that question demonstrates why such standards are impermissible as the basis for a restriction on expressive conduct. She concluded that the First Amendment does not bend to subjective offense, stating: In recent years, the commitment to free speech on campuses has been both challenging and challenged. There have been efforts from all sides of the political spectrum to disrupt or prevent students, faculty, and others from expressing opinions and speech that are deemed, or actually are, offensive or wrong. But the law requires the recognition and application of speech rights and guardrails that preserve and protect all our treasured First Amendment rights. Anyone who finds the performance or performers offensive has a simple remedy: dont go. FIRE, which brought the case earlier this month, celebrated the outcome. Today is a resounding victory for the First Amendment at public universities in Texas, said Attorney Adam Steinbaugh, who argued the case last week. The court reaffirmed that state university officials cannot block student expression they claim is offensive. State officials should stop trying to score political points at the expense of students First Amendment rights." Texas A&M, like any public university, has the utmost duty to respect the First Amendment rights of students, said FIRE Supervising Senior Attorney JT Morris. As public officials, they cant banish speech from campus just because it offends them, any more than they could shut down a political rally or a Christmas pageant. The Queer Empowerment Council, which has hosted Draggieland a blend of Drag and Aggieland every year since 2020, celebrated the ruling, calling it another display of the resilience of queer joy, as that is an unstoppable force despite those that wish to see it destroyed. While this fight isnt over, we are going to appreciate the joy we get to bring by putting on the best show that we can do. The fight over drag shows in the TAMU system goes back to at least 2023, when West Texas A&M University President Walter Wendler cited the Bible and other religious texts to support his decision to cancel a planned drag show scheduled to take place on campus. At the time, Wendler compared his opposition to the drag show to not supporting blackface performances on campus, calling such displays wrong. I do not support any show, performance or artistic expression which denigrates others in this case, women for any reason, he added. Home News Man arrested for threatening to butcher church members with machete in email to choir director A man in Memphis, Tennessee, has been arrested after allegedly sending a threatening email to St. Louis Catholic Churchs choir director, warning that he would butcher people in that church with a machete if his demands were not met. Authorities identified the suspect as Zachary Liberto, who has been charged with terrorism charges and is being held on a $200,100 bond. The email, which prompted a swift police response last Friday, was forwarded to investigators by the churchs music director, one of the two victims involved in the case, Action News 5 reported. According to court records, the email stated, I need a video of [the complainant] getting slapped by you in 24 hours before I butcher people in that church with a machete. 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 Officers confirmed that the email originated from an address Liberto had previously used during past communications with the victims. Law enforcement officials said Liberto is known to carry a machete, which he reportedly refers to as chete. Both victims, who include the churchs pastor and music director, told investigators they were unsure what triggered the threatening email, though they believe Liberto might be suffering from an unidentified mental illness. According to court records, Liberto had also been involved in a verbal altercation with the church's pastor earlier that day, during which he allegedly defaced the baptismal pool inside the church. Authorities later obtained a phone recording from a parishioner who had spoken with Liberto. In the recording, Liberto was 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. Rick Ouellette, a spokesperson for the Catholic Diocese of Memphis, expressed gratitude for the swift response by authorities and reassured the public that the church has a comprehensive safety and security plan in place. The safety and security of everyone on campus is a top priority, Ouellette said, according to News Channel 3. He also noted that the church community is praying for all involved in the incident. St. Louis is a well-known parish in Memphis and home to prominent local parishioners. The suspect, who has been charged with the Commission of an Act of Terrorism, is expected to appear in court on Monday as investigations into the case continue. Home News Military sets fire to cathedral amid increasing attacks on Christians in Myanmar Soldiers from Myanmar's Buddhist nationalist military junta reportedly set fire to St. Patrick's Cathedral in the majority-Christian Kachin state, reducing the historic church to ashes amid escalating attacks targeting Christian communities and religious sites. The cathedral, a significant spiritual and cultural landmark for Christians in Kachin, was burned during ongoing military operations in the area just before the church's annual celebration of Saint Patrick's Day last Sunday, reports the United Kingdom-based watchdog Christian Solidarity Worldwide. The fire in the Banmaw area broke out around 4 p.m. last Sunday, according to the Vatican news agency Fides. The blaze follows earlier incidents of destruction on the church grounds, including the demolition of the priest's residence, diocesan offices and a high school on Feb. 26. 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 junta, officially known as the State Administration Council, has intensified its offensives in regions with large Christian populations. In recent months, several other churches and religious sites have fallen victim to the junta's military operations. On Feb. 6, Sacred Heart Church in Mindat, Chin State, another Christian-majority region, was destroyed by airstrikes. On March 3, an airstrike leveled the pastoral center of St. Michael's Catholic Church in the Banmaw Diocese in Kachin. The Banmaw Diocese, established in 2006 and led by Bishop Raymond Sumlut Gam, is situated in a mountainous region with a diverse population of over 407,000 people, including more than 27,000 baptized Catholics. The area has faced increasing instability since the military coup in February 2021, which has plunged the country, officially recognized as Myanmar but also known as Burma, into civil conflict. The junta has intensified airstrikes on civilian areas and camps for internally displaced persons, also in states such as Karen and Karenni, which are home to many Christian communities. Attacks on churches, even Buddhist monasteries and other places of worship, are part of a larger pattern of retaliation against communities accused of supporting ethnic resistance movements. The surge in violence coincides with the launch of Operation 1027 by ethnic resistance groups aimed at countering the military's control. Ethnic armed groups, as part of the operation, have overrun hundreds of the junta's military bases, indicating a significant loss of control and morale. Within its ranks, the junta is experiencing defections and surrenders. "Operation 1027 represented a glimmer of hope to the wider pro-democracy movement," said an earlier report by the group Humanitarian Aid Relief Trust. "However, it provoked a brutal response from local military commanders, who doubled down on their efforts to suppress the opposition. The escalation of conflict in Shan state represents the heaviest clashes in Burma since the military coup in 2021." Although a majority of Burma's population is ethnic Burman and Buddhist, the country is home to several ethnic and religious communities. About 20%-30% of the ethnic Karen are Christian, and in Chin and Kachin States, where the majority of the population is Christian, the military finds a target-rich environment for its operations. The long-standing persecution has led many to flee Myanmar, seeking refuge in neighboring countries like India and Thailand. Some have even resettled as far away as the United States and Australia. However, many remain in refugee camps close to the Myanmar border, facing decades of uncertainty. Trump Considers Military Zone At Border, SBC Spent $13M On Sex Abuse Investigations, Astronaut Stranded For 9 Months link to download the audio instead. link to download the audio instead. 08:26 08:26 Top headlines for Monday, March 24, 2025 In this episode, we explore the Trump administration's controversial proposal to use the U.S. military to temporarily detain illegal migrants in a buffer zone along the southern border, sparking discussions about immigration policies. Next, we discuss the financial toll of ongoing sexual abuse investigations within the Southern Baptist Convention, which have already amounted to nearly $13 million, shedding light on the profound implications for the organization and its members. Finally, we share the inspiring story of NASA astronaut Butch Wilmore, who credits his unwavering faith in Jesus for helping him endure nearly nine months stranded in space. 00:11 Trump admin. considers military buffer zone at southern border 01:07 Ex-Futures Church pastor granted bail after child porn charges 01:56 SBC has spent nearly $13M on expenses related to sex abuse probe 02:53 Christian teacher fired for biblical views on sin loses case 03:44 Christian beaten by Iranian prison guard for requesting treatment 04:44 Israeli hostage shares his experience with UN Security Council 05:40 Liberian lawmakers mediating United Methodist property dispute 06:34 NASA astronaut stranded in space: God was there in hardest times #BorderSecurity #Immigration #ChurchScandal #PastorControversy #SouthernBaptist #ChurchAccountability #ReligiousFreedom #ChristianPersecution #HumanRights #ReligiousFreedom #IsraelHamas #MiddleEastCrisis #ChurchDivision #ReligiousDispute #NASA #FaithInSpace Home Opinion Leftist faith leaders twisting Bible to support wasteful gov't spending Were seeing a society become unhinged again. Trump has quite a way with the radical Left. They absolutely hate him and DOGE, and they lose it by the hour. Now theyre burning Teslas (so much for climate care), raging in hotel lobbies and on college campuses to defend Hamas supporters, and cursing up a storm at rallies. It's not just paid activists and politicians jumping into the resistance ring; its leftist faith leaders too. Recently, nearly 100 progressive religious folks signed a letter demanding an unbiblical Return to Jesus. The Lent letter demanded that hundreds of millions of dollars of wasted taxpayer dollars continue to flow to (leftist) NGOs. Funny. I dont recall the Bible ever advocating that government fund the Church. I dont recall Jesus demanding the government take care of the poor and the needy and ensure justice for those being crushed. Oh, wait, thats because thats the Churchs job. But a social justice worldview sees forced taxpayer funding of (leftist) faith-based organizations (despite massive taxpayer fraud and little to no accountability) as good stewardship. 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 This is what happens when social justice and critical race theory supplant Scripture. Its all Marxism masquerading as Christian theology. According to the letter, stopping runaway spending of our hard-earned dollars is a form of racial discrimination. Here's why being biblically literate matters. People from all kinds of backgrounds and political persuasions manipulate the Word to fit their agendas. People who love God and the advancement of His Kingdom (and not some political Partys agenda), however, submit to the Word and abandon their agendas. Sadly, these leftist Christian leaders do the former as they strangely mesh Mark 11 and John 19 into a false narrative to politically attack the current administration: As we anticipate this sacred season, and Holy Week to follow, let us recall the humble procession of our Lord on a donkey, confronting the imperial, autocratic power of the Roman Empire, with its domestic religious collaborators. In that conflict, the manipulated crowd cried out We have no King but Caesar. First, Jesus didnt ride in on a donkey to confront the Roman Empire. Our Messiah wasnt a political revolutionary. He was a spiritual one. Second, these 100 faith leaders are the religious collaborators who are manipulating the public as they demand that we all bow to the State. The State will provide. The State giveth (to NGOs) and the State taketh away (from taxpayers). The letter begins with the admonition: Defending the vulnerable and opposing unjust decisions are faith-rooted commitments we must examine during Lent. Who is more vulnerable than the unborn? Faith communities can be lights shining in the darkness, and truth-tellers to power, based on our proximity and relationship to the most vulnerable children of God who we are especially called to love. No proximity is any closer than the relationship between a mother and her unborn child. But truth-telling about the violence and exploitation of abortion doesnt matter to these so-called faith leaders. Nearly every one of the signers is radically pro-abortion: Jim Wallis (Sojourners), Shane Claiborne, Bishop Claude Alexander (Evangelicals for Harris), Rev. Dr. Starsky Wilson (Childrens Defense Fund), Dr. Jacquelyn Dupont-Walker (AME Church) and so many more. Jim Wallis One of the signers, Jim Wallis, is the founder of the pro-abortion faith-based magazine Sojourners. In an article he penned about abortion he asks: Is Common Ground on Abortion Possible? Lets see. Is common ground possible on slavery? Sex trafficking? Domestic violence? Clearly, abortion resides in a different moral space for liberal Evangelicals. And of course, the sole example he gives for advocating abortions legality is rape. Never mind those cases constitute less than 1% of all our nations tragic million annual abortions. Are those lives worth less? I was conceived in rape but adopted in love. Shouldnt Christians believe in a God who can enable triumph to rise from tragedy? Rev. Adam Taylor The President of Sojourners seems to have no regard for the most vulnerable human beings. In his response to the Dobbs ruling, Taylor opines: Now is the time to rededicate ourselves to protecting the reproductive rights of all people. Everyone deserves equal access to the full range of reproductive healthcare services, including safe and legal abortion. Dr. Jacquelyn Dupont-Walker A member of the Social Action Commission of the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, a predominantly black denomination, Dr. Jacquelyn Dupont-Walker is also pro-abortion. The AME church repeatedly denounces white supremacy and racism while adamantly supporting it in the form of systemic abortion the number one killer of black lives. When the Dobbs decision was handed down by the Supreme Court, Dr. Dupont-Walker signed an official (and bizarre) statement from the AME, declaring: This decision puts millions of womens lives in danger and threatens the civil rights of all people. We will not let the retrogressive politics of one extremist political party strip away the rights for which our fore parents died. Nobodys parents died so that someones child could be killed by abortion. We must stand together against all forms of racism, xenophobia, and white supremacist misrepresentation of biblical faith. Every one of those words is a misrepresentation. Shane Claiborne I remember sitting in a meeting with a bunch of liberal Evangelicals in DC a few years ago. Claiborne was part of it. One of the most ridiculous things said during that weekend conference was that a pro-life ethic included advocating for cage-free chickens! Claiborne et al were not interested in my challenge to the group to see abortion as an injustice equivalent to slavery. Quite frankly, most of them didnt see it as an injustice at all. Claiborne only advocates against late-term abortions (which comprise less than 4% of all abortions), explaining: To me, the broad framework for that is for abortion to be legal and safe, and for us to work to make it rarer and rarer, and to limit abortion in the later term. Should slavery have been safe, legal and rarer and rarer? These faith leaders probably wouldve demanded so. China to lift hukou-based marriage registration restrictions nationwide Xinhua) 10:07, March 24, 2025 BEIJING, March 22 (Xinhua) -- China will soon offer nationwide access to its cross-regional marriage registration service, following a recent revision of the regulations governing marriage registration, the Ministry of Civil Affairs said on Saturday. Under the new rules, couples will no longer need to register marriages in the location of their hukou, which is permanent household registration. Instead, they will be able to choose a registry office in the habitual residence of either party, removing a significant logistical barrier. This reform is aimed at addressing the needs of people who live or work away from their registered hometowns, particularly younger generations. Previously, couples had to return to their hukou location for marriage registration, which created travel and financial difficulties. According to the latest national census, about 493 million Chinese people lived away from their hukou location in 2020, an 88.52 percent increase from a decade earlier. A pilot program for inter-provincial marriage registration began in June 2021 and was gradually expanded to 21 provincial-level regions, including Beijing, Shanghai and Inner Mongolia. By February 2025, approximately 492,000 couples had benefited from the program. The reform was made possible through the digitalization of the marriage registration system. A national marriage information database has been established, enabling civil affairs agencies nationwide to share data seamlessly. To streamline the process further, the Ministry of Civil Affairs plans to improve digital infrastructure for online appointments and inter-provincial data verification, ensuring a smoother experience for couples across the country. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) Aging is getting a vibrant new makeover on the cliffs of Portugal. Bluceira, an innovative retreat nestled in the picturesque surf town of Ericeira, is turning heads with its refreshing and empowering approach to life after 60. Launched at the start of 2025, Bluceira has already won the hearts of its first guests, who describe the experience as transformative, energizing, and deeply uplifting. Discover Bluceira and embrace aging More than just a wellness escape, Bluceira is the first retreat designed specifically for seniors seeking to embrace aging with autonomy, joy, and renewed purpose. The programme is intentionally holisticthink less anti-aging, more pro-living. Participants are guided through personalised physical activities, nutrition plans curated by an on-site chef, and meaningful community connections that stretch beyond the retreat into Ericeiras welcoming local scene. This isnt a yoga retreat or a quick detox, says co-founder Amelie. Its about creating sustainable, positive habits that support long-term independence and vitality. Every element of the programme is thoughtfully tailored to meet guests where they arephysically, emotionally, and socially. Whether its movement adapted to individual abilities, workshops on aging well, or shared meals that nourish the body and soul, the Bluceira experience builds confidence, inspires new perspectives, and reminds guests that growth doesnt stop with age. One guest shared, Bluceira has been a turning point in how I see aging and the possibilities still ahead of me. I arrived feeling unsure, but left feeling stronger, more confident, and excited for the next chapter of my life. Following the success of its inaugural retreat, Bluceira has announced several new sessions in 2025. A full 13-day programme begins March 31, with additional retreats planned for October and November. For those looking to dip their toes into the experience, one-week formats will be available in May, June, and September. Founded by French duo Amelie and Antonie, who have made Ericeira their home, Bluceira blends the tranquility of coastal Portugal with a mission to redefine aging. The result? A space where community, learning, wellness, and purpose come together to celebrate the art of aging wellwith serenity, strength, and a whole lot of sunshine. Aging isnt the end of adventure. At Bluceira, its just the beginning. by Natalie key for www.femalefirst.co.uk Abonati-va sa primiti pe email saptamanal lista articolelor adaugate pe parcursul saptamanii. Adresele .ru nu sunt acceptate. Email NEWSLETTER Property data provider CoreLogic is rebranding itself to Cotality. The rebrand includes a new name, logo and brand identity. The property ecosystem underpins the prosperity of individuals, businesses, governments, and society as a whole. But at the core, its people, businesses, and communities that drive it forward, Patrick Dodd, president and CEO of Cotality said in a statement. Cotalitys insights build on this, by turning questions into futures you can see. A company spokesperson said no other changes are planned at this time. The new Cotality also comes with a new tagline, Intelligence beyond bounds, which the company said serves as an expression of the companys identity. The company formerly known as CoreLogic provides regular forecasts on properties and perils endangering them. The company is based in Irvine, California, and has operations in the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, India and Germany. The family of a former Boeing quality control manager who police say killed himself after lawyers questioned him for days about his whistleblowing on alleged jumbo jet defects has sued the airplane maker. Boeing subjected John Barnett to a campaign of harassment, abuse and intimidation intended to discourage, discredit and humiliate him until he would either give up or be discredited, lawyers for the family wrote in a wrongful death lawsuit filed in federal court in South Carolina. Barnett, 62, shot himself March 9, 2024, in Charleston after answering questions from attorneys for several days. He lived in Louisiana. Boeing had threatened to break John, and break him it did, the attorneys wrote in court papers. Boeing has not yet responded in court filings. We are saddened by John Barnetts death and extend our condolences to his family, the company said in a statement this week. Barnett was a longtime Boeing employee and worked as a quality-control manager before he retired in 2017. In the years after that, he shared his concerns with journalists and became a whistleblower. Barnett said he once saw discarded metal shavings near wiring for the flight controls that could have cut wiring and caused a catastrophe. He also noted problems with up to a quarter of the oxygen systems on Boeings 787 planes. Barnett shared his concerns with his supervisors and others before leaving Boeing, but according to the lawsuit they responded by ignoring him and then harassing him. Boeing intentionally gave Barnett inaccurate, poor job reviews and less desirable shifts, according to the lawsuit. Barnetts family argues the company publicly blamed him for delays that angered his co-workers and prevented him from transferring to another plant. Barnett eventually was diagnosed with PTSD and his mental condition deteriorated, his family said. Whether or not Boeing intended to drive John to his death or merely destroy his ability to function, it was absolutely foreseeable that PTSD and Johns unbearable depression, panic attacks, and anxiety, which would in turn lead to an elevated risk of suicide, the lawsuit said. Boeing may not have pulled the trigger, but Boeings conduct was the clear cause, and the clear foreseeable cause, of Johns death. The lawsuit doesnt specify the amount of damages sought by Barnetts family but asks for compensation for emotional distress and mental anguish, back pay, 10 years of lost future earnings as well as bonuses, health expenses and his lost life insurance benefits. Editors note: This story includes discussion of suicide. The national suicide and crisis lifeline is available by calling or texting 988. There is also an online chat at 988lifeline.org. Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., Mudrick Capital Management and other noteholders of Ambac Assurance Corp. sued the bond insurer for allegedly making an unauthorized transfer of $65 million to its parent company. The creditors, which also include CQS and Shenkman Capital Management, said in a lawsuit filed earlier this month in New York the transfer violated a term of Wisconsin-domiciled Ambacs rehabilitation the equivalent of Chapter 11 for insurers. They pointed out that they have not been paid principal or interest on their notes since 2018. The dispute is the latest wrinkle in the long-running travails of Ambac, which was the worlds second-largest bond insurer on the eve of the 2008 global financial crisis. The firm fell into severe distress when the market for collateralized debt obligations tied to the US subprime mortgage industry collapsed. It started rehabilitation proceedings in 2010 and exited them in 2018. Over the years, Ambac has brought numerous lawsuits against underwriters like Bank of America Corp., accusing them of improperly passing on the risks of mortgage-backed securities to the insurer. Surplus Notes The creditors who sued Ambac on March 12 hold the so-called surplus notes that were issued to policyholders as part of Ambacs rehabilitation. They say they had an agreement with Ambac by which any transfer of more than $5 million requires the approval of Wisconsins insurance commissioner. According to the complaint, Ambac transferred $65 million to its parent company, Ambac Financial Group, to acquire a stake in Beat Capital Partners Ltd. Though Ambac Assurance had a pre-approval letter from the state commissioner for insurance-related co-investments with its its parent company up to $75 million, the creditors claim the structure of the deal as an intercompany loan doesnt qualify as a co-investment and benefits Ambac shareholders over noteholders. Spokespeople for Ambac, the Wisconsin OCI, Deutsche Bank, Mudrick Capital and Shenkman Capital declined to comment, while a representative for CQS didnt reply to a request for comment. In the suit, the creditors said Ambacs counsel told them that their allegations were based on erroneous and uninformed factual allegations and misleading statements, including an incomplete and inaccurate characterization of the Beat Capital investment. According to an Ambac Financial Securities and Exchange Commission filing from last year, the insurers surplus notes had a $519 million current principal outstanding and unpaid interest of $475 million, as of end of 2023. Since their 2010 issuance of the notes in 2010, the Wisconsin OCI has only permitted two exceptional payments and has declined to approve any regular payments, according to the filings. Oaktree Sale The creditors who brought the March 12 suit hold about 50% of the surplus notes. Last June, Ambac Financial agreed to sell its legacy financial guarantee business, including the bond insurer, to funds affiliated to Oaktree Capital Management. According to the suit, that sale was structured in a manner intended to harm AAC, forfeit valuable tax attributes in contravention of AFGs commitments, and to leave the surplus notes matured and unpaid. Creditors also claim that the insurers board which overlaps with the Ambac Financial board chose to pursue a transaction that only benefits AFG as the holding company. Top photo: Pedestrians pass in front of Deutsche Bank headquarters in New York on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025. Photographer: Michael Nagle/Bloomberg. Copyright 2025 Bloomberg. Molotov cocktails at Tesla showrooms. Disturbing messages on Cybertrucks. Vandalism at charging stations. A backlash against Elon Musk is taking the form of physical attacks against Tesla Inc. cars and dealerships as a growing rank of protesters is emboldened. Their actions are drawing a response from the Trump administration, which is vowing to prosecute those engaging in violence. Caught in the middle are millions of customers whose electric vehicles increasingly are viewed as political symbols. The public displays of anger, stemming from Musks outsize role in the administration, has led the presidents backers to step up their response. US Attorney General Pam Bondi said this week that attacks on Tesla property were nothing short of domestic terrorism. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick urged Fox News viewers to buy Tesla, describing the stock as a bargain. President Donald Trump himself recently made a show of purchasing one of the vehicles outside of the White House. Trump came out on Friday vowing to retaliate against people who vandalized Teslas and give them 20 year jail sentences for what they are doing to Elon Musk and Tesla. Musk, on his X platform, has repeatedly railed against violence and said Thursday that Tesla has turned on a security feature on all vehicles at its showrooms. Late in the evening, he streamed a surprise all-hands meeting, where he said the company is overall good despite media coverage of burning vehicles making it feel like Armageddon. He also urged employees to hang on to your stock after it plunged by half in three months. From Brooklyn to Austin to the Bay Area, coordinated weekend protests at showrooms are attracting more people each week. The organizers, a decentralized group called Tesla Takedown, held a mobilization call Wednesday that included celebrities, politicians and academics and said it is targeting March 29 as the biggest day of action yet, with a goal to have same-day protests at 500 locations worldwide. The group has condemned destruction and stressed that demonstrations should be nonviolent. Taken together, the backlash has reached levels that are unprecedented for corporate America, said Mike Paul, chief executive officer of Reputation Doctor, a firm that advises brands on crises and reputation. Unlike typical consumer outcry that might show up through a boycott, every Tesla showroom, vehicle and charging station is a reminder of the brand and marks a place for potential protest. I believe were going to see more Teslas on fire, I believe were going to see a lot more protests at showrooms all over the world, and I think anyone that owns a Tesla who has it parked on the street is at risk, Paul said. And I dont think thats going away anytime soon. Teslas Set On Fire At Service Center In Las Vegas Investigators look over the scene at a Tesla collision center after it was vandalized and several vehicles were set on fire in Las Vegas on March 18. Thats affecting Tesla owners such as Avi Benhamo, who was standing on a Brooklyn street corner last week when he noticed a stranger approaching his Cybertruck. He watched as the man wrote a message into the dust coating his vehicle: Elon Musk equals swastika. Benhamo said the incident highlighted an unsettling new dynamic owning a Tesla now means becoming a political target. I dont care for Elon Musk, Benhamo said. I like the car, and I am driving the car. You have your own agenda, go online. Say whatever you want online. Dont draw your swastika on my car. Other incidents have been more extreme. In Salem, Oregon, a man was charged after he allegedly threw Molotov cocktails at a Tesla showroom, according to a criminal complaint. In Loveland, Colorado, a woman faces federal charges after surveillance video allegedly captured her throwing gasoline-filled Smirnoff Ice bottles at parked Teslas at a showroom and spray-painting an expletive across its doors, federal prosecutors said. Authorities in North Charleston, South Carolina, charged a man for damaging Tesla Superchargers with vandalism targeting Trump and writing Long Live Ukraine, before igniting beer bottles fashioned into firebombs. Fires involving EVs with lithium-ion batteries can be especially difficult to extinguish, posing risks to bystanders and emergency responders. Defendants in those cases face penalties of as much as 20 years in prison, the Department of Justice said. The acts have stretched north to Canada, where Trumps tariffs and expansionary rhetoric have sparked deep-seated anger among residents. Police in Hamilton, Ontario, said Thursday that more than 80 vehicles were damaged at a Tesla dealership, including scratches and punctured tires. This week, a car show in Vancouver removed Tesla as an exhibitor, citing safety concerns. Sales Declines Owners such as Benhamo, who said he has no intention of giving up his truck, show how its difficult to measure the effect of the anger on Tesla sales. Consumers are unlikely to switch a car theyve already purchased based on political leanings, while conservative buyers may be eager to support Musk. Some owners have taken to placing anti-Musk stickers on their vehicles rather than selling. Meanwhile, prices for used Teslas are cratering, meaning that any owners who want to get rid of their cars potentially will have to do so at big losses. Unlike switching smartphone brands or streaming services, replacing a car is a major financial decision, and even the most disillusioned Tesla owners will likely hold onto their vehicles out of necessity, said Jessica Caldwell, head of insights at Edmunds. Still, data from Edmunds found that this month marked the highest share on record of Teslas being traded in at dealerships toward purchases of new or used vehicles from other car brands. Last month, Tesla new-model shopping consideration on Edmunds dropped to 1.8%, the lowest since October 2022. Tesla shares have plunged more than 50% from a December high. At the all-hands meeting Thursday evening, Musk said that despite rocky moments employees should expect better times ahead. He made lofty predictions about the companys future, including that autonomous Tesla products would be global in five years. Last year marked the EV makers first annual drop in vehicle deliveries in more than a decade. Sales and shipments have dropped precipitously in key markets including Europe and China. Market researcher Kelley Blue Book estimates the company sold about 43,650 vehicles in the US in February, among its lowest monthly totals of the past three years. In research notes, a number of analysts have called out Musks politics as a potential issue for the company. Analysts at Oppenheimer & Co. said this week that Teslas stock price would partly be determined by the companys ability to replace some of its consumer base. While we see potential for a conservative customer base to emerge, we believe the companys product line is not a great match, the analysts wrote, noting Teslas dealer and service infrastructure isnt well set up geographically for that demographic. A separate note from TD Cowen said increased EV adoption in conservative regions may bolster the companys sales. The shift could result in a net gain for Tesla of about 107,000 units over time, the analysts wrote. Stephen Hahn of RepTrak, a reputation advisory firm, said his firms measure of Teslas reputation, based on a proprietary system of data points, has dropped 29 points from strong in September 2021 to vulnerable in February 2025. If it falls further to poor it could be considered a crisis thats hard to come back from, he said. It would suggest there are some challenges ahead for Tesla, not just based on reputation, but how that translates to people making purchasing decisions and otherwise now looking at alternative EVs, Hahn said. All on Elon The attention on the company is increasing from both sides of the political aisle. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Kamala Harris running mate in the 2024 election, joked that he tracks Teslas falling share price on an iPhone app for a boost and quipped about pulling off its logo from cars with dental floss. Musk fired back on social media, referencing Walz and Harris election defeat. On a podcast released Thursday, Vice President JD Vance called the vandalism terrorism and said the administration wont stand for it. We have to do everything we can, he said. If we identify people who are committing crimes we are going to prosecute them. Meanwhile, Tesla Takedown is looking to amplify its movement even more. The group has about 115 events listed on its website for this upcoming weekend. About 70 are already registered for March 29. Wednesdays group call attracted speakers including Democratic Representative Jasmine Crockett and actors Alex Winter and John Cusack. Winter, best known for his role in Bill & Teds Excellent Adventure, pushed back on unsubstantiated comments that Musk and others have made about dark money funding the backlash. Elon Musk only has himself to blame for tanking this company, Winter said. Its all on Elon. There is no conspiracy. There is no well-funded cabal. It is just Elon Musk who has taken Tesla down, and meanwhile, the protests will continue to grow. A group called Planet Over Profit is taking part in a protest at a Tesla showroom in Manhattans Meatpacking District this weekend, said Sophie Shepherd, one of the organizers. At the first event on March 8, attendees gathered with signs, chants and speeches against Musk. We want to make him toxic, Shepherd said. We dont want people doing business with him, we dont want him to have the power he has in the federal government. Between 300 and 350 people attended the first protest, Shepherd said. She expects at least the same this Saturday. Top photo: Investigators look over the scene at a Tesla collision center after it was vandalized and several vehicles were set on fire in Las Vegas on March 18. Copyright 2025 Bloomberg. Barclays won the dismissal on Friday of two U.S. securities fraud lawsuits stemming from the British banks unauthorized sale of $17.7 billion more securities than U.S. regulators allowed. U.S. District Judge Lewis Liman in Manhattan said investors who acquired Barclays iPath Series B S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Future exchange-traded notes (VXX) could not sue over general assurances the bank made about its internal controls even as it issued the notes without the required regulatory approval. Liman also dismissed similar claims by investors who got caught in a market squeeze when Barclays suspended VXX sales in March 2022, causing the price of VXX securities they had sold short to soar 140% above their so-called indicative value. The judge also found no proof of intent to defraud or conscious recklessness, saying bank officials including former Chief Executive Jes Staley would have been incentivized to register more securities rather than let the problem grow. Barclays remedial efforts including the sales halt, disclosures to regulators and the public, and a buyback offer were a prudent course of action that weakens rather than strengthens an inference of [intent to defraud], Liman wrote. Lawyers for investors in both proposed class actions did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Limans decisions totaled 111 pages. Barclays halted VXX sales in March 2022, when it admitted to having sold $15.2 billion more structured notes and ETNs over the prior five years than U.S. regulators allowed. The bank later boosted the overissuance estimate to $17.7 billion. Barclays executives have called the overissuance entirely avoidable and self-inflicted. In September 2022, Barclays reached a $361 million settlement, including a $200 million civil fine, with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission related to the overissuance. Barclays agreed in December to pay $19.5 million to settle a related shareholder lawsuit in the Manhattan court. Staley stepped down as the banks chief executive in November 2021. The cases in the U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York are May et al v Barclays Plc, No. 23-02583, and Puchtler v Barclays Plc et al, No. 24-01872. (Reporting by Stempel in New York; Editing by Kirsten Donovan) Tens of thousands of people in Paris and other French cities rallied against racism and the rise of the far right on Saturday. Some protesters took aim at the US administration of Donald Trump and others carrying Palestinian flags. Police officers and some protesters clashed in Paris. The rallies took place amid the rightward shift in French politics, with the government pledging to tighten immigration policies and border controls. Nearly 91,000 people took part in protests across France, said the interior ministry, with the Paris rally attracting 21,500. Two people were arrested and three people injured, including a riot police officer, during the clashes in Paris, the ministry statement added. At demonstrations elsewhere in France, there were three other arrests. Many of those marching highlighted the growing strength of reactionary political forces, in France but also in the United States. In the French capital, thousands of people took to the streets. "Fascism is gangrene from Washington to Paris," read one placard. "The far right is on the rise everywhere in Europe," said Evelyne Dourille, a 74-year-old pensioner. "It's scary because in France we see far-right ideas becoming more and more commonplace, even among ministers in this government." One American protester said similar demonstrations should be taking place in the United States. "America is sliding towards fascism," said the 55-year-old woman. Aurelie Trouve, a lawmaker for the hard-left France Unbowed (LFI) party, pointed to the growing popularity of the far-right party of Marine Le Pen in France. "Far-right ideas are contaminating even the government," she said. In the southern port city of Marseille, some 3,300 people took to the streets, while 2,600 protested in Lille in the north, according to police. "Against state Islamophobia" and "Tesla is the new swastika" said some of the placards. Ines Frehaut, a student taking part in her first demonstration, said some of the statements from France's hardline interior minister worried her. "When you see what Bruno Retailleau has said about Islam, Algeria and the wearing of the veil, it's serious!" she said. The protests took place a day after the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. "There is a global reactionary offensive against foreigners and their children, against Muslims," added Dominique Sopo, head of SOS Racisme, also pointing to increasing racist and anti-Semitic acts. In the run-up to the rallies the LFI party caused an uproar in France by publishing the image of Cyril Hanouna -- one of the most influential stars of right-wing media in the country -- as part of a campaign calling on people to turn out for the anti-racism protests. The image pictured Hanouna, who was born into a Jewish family that had immigrated to France from Tunisia. Critics accused the LFI of imitating the anti-Semitic tropes of the Third Reich. Key LFI figures admitted publishing the image was a "mistake" and it was withdrawn. The U.S. Supreme Court refused to reinstate a novel and far-reaching lawsuit filed by young people who sought to force the federal government to take steps against climate change. The justices without comment left intact a federal appeals court decision rejecting the lawsuit. The appeals court said the youths lacked legal standing to sue because they hadnt alleged the type of concrete injury that the judicial system could redress. The ground-breaking suit was filed a decade ago by 21 teenagers and children who said government policies have exacerbated global warming in violation of their constitutional rights and those of future generations. A federal trial judge in Oregon said in 2023 that the case could proceed to trial, but the San Francisco-based 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ordered the suit thrown out. In their appeal to the Supreme Court, lawyers for the young people argued they had evidence that government conduct alone is responsible for over 25% of greenhouse gas pollution and the measurable increase in temperatures to which plaintiffs are exposed. Administrations from both parties have urged dismissal of the suit. The Trump administrations top Supreme Court lawyer, acting Solicitor General Sarah Harris, told the justices that this sprawling and unprecedented suit is far beyond the type of matter traditionally resolved by American courts. Forty-three Democratic members of Congress joined the young people in urging Supreme Court review. The case is Juliana v. United States, 24-645. Top photo: Emissions rise from the Valero Energy Corp. oil refinery in Memphis, Tennessee, U.S., on Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2022. Photographer: Luke Sharrett/Bloomberg. Copyright 2025 Bloomberg. CLEVELAND, Ohio - A Cleveland man has pleaded guilty to a lesser charge in the hit-skip accident that took the life of a 7-year-old boy. Donald Mynatt, 33, was originally charged with negligent homicide, two counts of failure to stop after an accident and tampering with evidence after police said his Mercedes Benz SUV struck and killed Amir Prewitt on Aug. 16, 2024. Police said Amir was riding his skateboard near an apartment complex on Lakeshore Boulevard when he was struck. He later died at a local hospital. Mynatt fled the scene, police said. Mynatt pleaded guilty on Thursday to one count of failure to stop after an accident, a third-degree felony, according to the Cuyahoga County prosecutors office. He also admitted to charges of failure to comply and attempted domestic violence in unrelated cases, prosecutors said. Bret Jordan, Mynatts attorney, said his client reached an agreement with prosecutors ahead of a jury trial scheduled to begin Monday. He did not plead guilty to or was held responsible for the childs death at all, Jordan said. Jordan said Mynatt was driving 5-10 mph when Amirs skateboard rolled underneath his vehicle. Mynatts pleas on the unrelated charges were part of the agreement, Jordan said. Prosecutors said Mynatt could face up to seven years in prison and a lifetime drivers license suspension. After the investigation was completed and after a thorough review of the evidence including reviewing the videos and obtaining the cars data recorder and having it analyzed the State of Ohio was not able to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Donald Mynatt was negligent when causing the death of Amir Prewitt, the prosecutors office said in a statement Monday. Police found Mynatts SUV abandoned in Cleveland the day after the accident. U.S. marshals arrested him nearly a week later in an abandoned office space above storage units in Lake County. At the time of his arrest, Mynatt faced charges for failing to stop his vehicle when signaled by a police officer in July and domestic violence for a September 2023 incident, according to court records. Mynatt is set to be sentenced by Common Pleas Judge Joan Synenberg on April 10. Influentual, popular podcaster Joe Rogan, who has been supportive of President Donald Trump, says the United States and Canada need to be "friends again" and that Trump's feud with America's biggest trading partner is ridiculous. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan, File) AP AUSTIN, Texas -- Podcaster Joe Rogan, who has repeatedly voiced support for President Donald Trump, in a recent broadcast called one of the presidents tiffs with Canada ridiculous and the dumbest f------ feud ever. Relations between the United States and its biggest trading partner have been tense at a level not seen before in modern times thanks to Trumps on-again, off-again threat over the past two months to place taxes on a long list of goods going across the border. Trump has promised new tariffs will take effect on April 2. Canada has promised it will take retaliatory action against American goods. Trump also has contended Canada would be better off as the 51st state in the United States and derisively referred to former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as Governor Trudeau. Rogan, though, called the ongoing trade war between the US and Canada ridiculous and urged the two countries to get along. In his March 14 episode of The Joe Rogan Experience with comedian Mark Kosta, Rogan said he didnt think Canada should join the United States. There, I said it, Rogan said. I just want America and Canada to get along. This is so ridiculous. We have to become friends with Canada again. And as far as the bickering goes, Rogan pulled no punches. This is the dumbest f--king feud, he said. While Rogan rejected the idea of Canada becoming a state, he was on board with another nation becoming No. 51 Greenland. Trump has advocated adding Greenland to the United States, alternating between calling making a deal with Denmark, which controls Greenland, and annexing the worlds largest island. The United States already has a military presence in Greenland, and Trump has argued it is important for both its resources and for security purposes. In his podcast, Rogan joked that Greenland might be more accessible and could even be bought. If we want a 51st state, its Greenland, Rogan said. Following Israel's violation of the ceasefire agreement it came to with Hamas last week, the number of people killed in the Gaza Strip since the events of October 7, 2023, has now surpassed 50,000. The onslaught inflicted upon Gaza by Israel has resulted in the deaths of at least 50,021, representing around 2.1% of the strip's total population, which stands at about 2.3 million. This comes 18 months after Palestinian militant group Hamas launched surprise attacks on Israel resulting in the deaths of 1,200 Israelis, with another 240 being kidnapped and held hostage by Hamas. The following assault from Israel killed thousands of Palestinians before the two came to a temporary ceasefire agreement meant to last two months. Under the agreement, Israel would return Palestinian prisoners taken into Israeli custody in exchange for the return of Israelis taken hostage on October 7. The agreement was broken by Israel last week, with the Israeli government resuming air strikes and ground operations within Gaza. Israel has also threatened to invade certain parts of Gaza which will be "annexed to Israel", according to Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz, unless Hamas returns all remaining hostages. Furthermore, the Israeli government, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has vowed to intensify attacks upon Gaza until the 59 remaining hostages are returned (both dead and alive). Katz also stated that Israel would enlist "all military and civilian pressure tools including the evacuation of Gaza's population southward and the implementation of voluntary relocation plans for Gaza residents." This would be accomplished "through permanent Israeli control of the territory." Hamas, which stated that it "remains at the heart of negotiations" with mediators and President Donald Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, has further stated that its goals are "achieving a prisoner exchange deal that secures the release of prisoners, ends the war, and achieves withdrawal." Originally published on Latin Times The "Fighting Oligarchy Tour" drew thousands as Senator Bernie Sanders and Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez attempted to energize Democratic opposition to the Trump administration. Sanders' communications director told NPR that an event in Denver, Colorado drew more than 30,000, surpassing any crowd Sanders drew while running for president twice. Starting on Thursday, the tour had stops in Las Vegas, Nevada, Tempe and Tucson, Arizona, and Greeley and Denver, Colorado. "We will not allow you [Trump] to move this country into an oligarchy," Sanders said at one stop, according to NPR. "We're not going to allow you and your friend Mr. Musk and the other billionaires to wreak havoc on the working families of this country. No, you're not going to destroy Social Security. You're not going to destroy Medicaid. You're not going to destroy the Veterans Administration." The tour comes amid frustration by some within the party at what they see as a fairly listless approach to opposing Trump administration policies, punctuated by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer's surrender in a budget showdown earlier this month. "Ironically, the most divisive forces in this country are actually starting to bring more of us together," NPR quoted Ocasio-Cortez at one event. "And that's important because the same billionaires who are taking a wrecking ball to our country derive their power from dividing working people apart." An NBC poll earlier this month found that the Democratic Party's population had fallen to an all-time low with only 27% of registered voters saying they had a positive view of it. The poll found that Democrats wanted the party to take a harder stand opposing Trump policies, NBC News reported. "With these numbers, the Democratic Party is not in need of a rebrand. It needs to be rebooted," Democratic pollster Jeff Horwitt of Hart Research Associates told NBC News. Originally published on Latin Times The UN Human Rights Council is expected to address concerns regarding North Korea's involvement in supporting Russia's war in Ukraine, particularly focusing on the country's troop dispatch to Russia. Documents released on Sunday show that Poland and Australia submitted the draft resolution, which the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights unveiled on Thursday. The draft urges North Korea to "refrain from the use of deadly and other excessive force at its borders and elsewhere, particularly where it would exacerbate civilian suffering, fuel human rights violations, and destabilize international security." While previous resolutions have emphasized the need for Pyongyang to exercise restraint in the use of force, this year's draft explicitly underscores concerns over the potential global security impact of North Korea's actions. The resolution is set to be adopted during the 58th session of the UN Human Rights Council, scheduled for April 2-4, following deliberations among member states. South Korea has co-sponsored the resolution for the third consecutive year. Meanwhile, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un oversaw the test-firing of the country's latest anti-aircraft missile system, as Russia's security chief arrived in Pyongyang for talks. According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the test proved that the new weapons are "highly reliable" and that the country's combat response was "advantageous." The missile test took place just a day after South Korea concluded its annual joint military exercises with the United States, which North Korea condemned as a "rehearsal of war of aggression." KCNA reported that the test, conducted by North Korea's Missile Administration, was meant to examine the performance of a new weapon system whose production has already begun. The report did not specify the test's location, but it mentioned that Kim was joined by members of the Central Military Commission of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea. Kim expressed satisfaction with the test, stating that it demonstrated the army's readiness to be equipped with a new major defense weapon system. Photos released by KCNA showed a missile soaring into the sky with a midair explosion, with images of Kim observing the test and smiling. Experts have speculated that Russia may be assisting North Korea in developing the anti-aircraft missile system, particularly in light of the strengthening security ties between the two countries. Shin Seung-ki, head of research on North Korea's military at the Korea Institute for Defense Analyses, said that due to "strengthening of cooperation" between Russia and North Korea, it is "highly likely" that Moscow provided Pyongyang with the necessary support to develop the new weapons. Ahn Chan-il, a defector-turned-researcher, suggested that the latest launch might involve testing weapons for export to Russia for use in the ongoing war in Ukraine. On Friday, Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu arrived in Pyongyang for talks with Kim and other officials, signaling a further deepening of ties between the two countries. Earlier in the month, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko also visited Pyongyang, meeting with North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui. Last year, South Korea's national security adviser revealed that Russia had provided North Korea with anti-aircraft missiles and air defense equipment in exchange for sending troops to Russia to support its military operations in Ukraine. Analysts estimate that more than 10,000 North Korean soldiers have been deployed to Russia to assist in its fight against Ukraine. Anne Wojcicki, co-founder and chief executive officer of 23andme Inc., during the South by Southwest (SXSW) festival in Austin, Texas, US, on Friday, March 10, 2023. Embattled genetic testing company 23andMe , once valued at $6 billion, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in Missouri federal court on Sunday night. The company's CEO, Anne Wojcicki, has resigned from her role as chief executive effective immediately, though she will remain a member of the board. Joseph Selsavage, 23andMe's chief financial and accounting officer, will serve as interim CEO, according to a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. "We have had many successes but I equally take accountability for the challenges we have today," Wojcicki wrote in a post on X early Monday morning. "There is no doubt that the challenges faced by 23andMe through an evolving business model have been real, but my belief in the company and its future is unwavering." 23andMe declined to comment further on the filing. The former billionaire co-founded 23andMe in 2006, and the company rocketed into the mainstream because of its at-home DNA testing kits that gave customers insight into their family histories and genetic profiles. The five-time CNBC Disruptor 50 company went public in 2021 via a merger with a special purpose acquisition company, which valued 23andMe at around $3.5 billion at the time. 23andMe's stock has mostly been in free fall in recent years as the company struggled to generate recurring revenue and stand up viable research and therapeutics businesses. As of Monday's close, the company has a market capitalization of less than $20 million. In this article TSLA Follow your favorite stocks CREATE FREE ACCOUNT Burned Teslas are shown at a Tesla Collision Center after an individual used incendiary devices to set several vehicles on fire on March 18, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Ethan Miller | Getty Images The FBI said on Monday that it has launched a task force to investigate scores of attacks in recent weeks targeting Tesla , the electric vehicle company headed by Trump administration DOGE chief Elon Musk. The announcement of the task force, which is operating in conjunction with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, came hours after a bomb squad found multiple incendiary devices at a Tesla showroom in Austin, Texas, the same city where the company has its headquarters. That incident is the latest in a series of attacks and vandalism on Tesla properties related to CEO Musk's DOGE team. DOGE, or the Department of Government Efficiency, is engaged in a wide-ranging effort to sharply cut federal government spending and staffing. There have been at least 80 reported cases of vandalism or arson of Tesla vehicles in the United States and Canada, in addition to peaceful protests at Tesla showrooms, NBC News reported. Police take security measures as demonstrators gather outside a Tesla showroom for a protest dubbed 'Tesla Takedown' against the company's CEO, Elon Musk (not seen), in New York, United States on March 13, 2025. Selcuk Acar | Anadolu | Getty Images "The FBI has been investigating the increase in violent activity toward Tesla, and over the last few days, we have taken additional steps to crack down and coordinate our response," FBI Director Kash Patel said in a post Monday on X, the social media site owned by Musk. "This is domestic terrorism," Patel wrote in that tweet. "Those responsible will be pursued, caught, and brought to justice." FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino tweeted, "Justice is coming." The New York Post first reported news of the task force. Laurie Shelby, Tesla's vice president of Environment, Health and Safety and Security, did not immediately respond to CNBC when asked what the company is doing to protect its facilities. Musk at a Tesla event on Thursday referenced the spate of vandalism on Tesla vehicles and sites. "If you read the news, it feels like, you know, Armageddon," Musk told employees. The CEO said that anyone burning Tesla vehicles was "psycho" and should "stop being psycho!" Investigators look over the scene at a Tesla Collision Center after an individual used incendiary devices to set several vehicles on fire on March 18, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Ethan Miller | Getty Images A Tesla employee told CNBC that there had not been any company-wide communications about protests or criminal acts targeting the company since Thursday's all-hands event. President Donald Trump, Attorney General Pam Bondi and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick in recent weeks have defended Tesla and condemned the attacks on its vehicles. Bondi last week highlighted the arrests of several people in connection with vandalism of Tesla vehicles, while Trump suggested that people convicted of such crimes could be sent to serve any sentence in prisons in El Salvador. A drone view of Tesla cars parked outside a Tesla showroom as police investigates a report of vandalism to dozens of vehicles in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada March 20, 2025. Carlos Osorio | Reuters Mark Uyeda, a commissioner at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, speaks at the 2023 Milken Institute Global Conference in Beverly Hills, California, U.S., May 2, 2023. Days before Republicans took the helm of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in January, the agency's five commissioners held a closed-door vote on whether to sue Elon Musk. Since 2022, the agency had been investigating whether the billionaire, a close ally of incoming President Donald Trump, had violated securities laws by disclosing too late his purchase of shares of Twitter, now known as X, prior to acquiring the company that year. Four of the five commissioners, including Republican Hester Peirce, voted yes, three sources said. The fifth Republican Mark Uyeda, now the acting head of the SEC voted no, the people said. The week after the 4-1 vote in favor, the SEC filed a lawsuit against Musk on January 14. The details of the vote including Uyeda's dissent are reported here for the first time. In the days before the vote, Uyeda pressed enforcement staff involved in the Musk case to sign pledges that the case was not driven by politics, according to two of the sources. That effort was first reported by Bloomberg News. The staff refused to sign the pledge, as it is not typical SEC practice, the sources told Reuters. Two of the sources said Uyeda and his fellow Republican Peirce took issue with what the SEC wanted Musk to pay - giving up $150 million in alleged unjust enrichment plus a penalty. Nonetheless, Peirce joined with the three Democrats in voting to sue. An SEC spokesperson declined to comment about the vote or the Musk case on behalf of the agency and Uyeda. The SEC also denied a public records request by Reuters for the voting record. Peirce, Musk, his lawyer and the White House did not answer questions from Reuters. Under U.S. law, investors who accumulate a stake exceeding 5% of a company's outstanding shares must disclose that holding within 10 days. Musk's disclosure in April 2022 sent Twitter's share price soaring 27% over the previous close. Because Musk's disclosure came 21 days after his purchase, the SEC has said, he was able to buy more shares at lower prices, ultimately allowing him to save $150 million on his acquisition of Twitter. Twitter shareholders have also sued Musk for fraud. Investors should continue to practice caution when it comes to Boeing , despite the stock's outperformance in the past few days, according to Oppenheimer's Ari Wald. The firm's head of technical analysis joined CNBC's " Power Lunch " on Monday to offer his take on the beleaguered aerospace and defense stock. Here's what he had to say. Boeing Shares of Boeing popped 3% last Friday after winning a multibillion dollar fighter jet contract from the White House, beating out competitor Lockheed Martin. The stock ended last week 10% higher after CFO Brian West told investors at a Bank of America conference that Boeing's cash burn is easing this quarter. On the back of this news, on Monday Melius Research upgraded Boeing to a buy rating, pointing to a "period of positive newsflow" that could help boost the stock. Shares of Boeing ended Monday 1.6% higher. Despite this, Wald cautioned that he's still avoiding the stock at its current levels. "I'm just skeptical about what I see as a longer-term trend of lower highs dating back to 2019; I just wouldn't be able to defend it on a pullback," he said. "Now, we saw similar action in the stock in 2022 that was really kind of the last time the stock started to break to the upside after a sustained down move. Consider though, that period was supported by this new bull market cycle." "I'm just unsure if strength can be sustained in what we see as this more later innings bull-market cycle. [If] the market tide recedes, I think Boeing comes in with it," Wald added. Palantir On the other hand, Wald singled out Palantir as one of his favorite stocks due to its high momentum. Despite falling off its all-time high, the software stock has rallied in recent days, adding 4% on Friday and 6.4% on Monday. "The stock has been able to hold support levels. I think it is still intact. And actually, contrary to popular belief, short-term trading aside, we have shown the factor has typically outperformed, both into a major top and coming out of it as well," Wald said. "So again, while there is risk for I think equity markets as a whole, I like Palantir. I think it looks better than the market. It's still in an uptrend." Dutch Bros Wald is also bullish on Dutch Bros . On Monday, the coffee chain stock added 7.7% after Morgan Stanley initiated shares at an overweight rating and $82 price target, representing 25% upside for the stock. Morgan Stanley analyst Brian Harbour said that Dutch Bros' new management should boost the chain's medium-term outlook. "The uptrend is intact here," Wald said. "I think with today's breakout move jumping back above the 50-day average at $67 I think the trade is for a test to that low-80 mark. And I think that's the trade that we see in the upside potential." Get Your Ticket to Pro LIVE Join us at the New York Stock Exchange! Uncertain markets? Gain an edge with CNBC Pro LIVE , an exclusive, inaugural event at the historic New York Stock Exchange. In today's dynamic financial landscape, access to expert insights is paramount. As a CNBC Pro subscriber, we invite you to join us for our first exclusive, in-person CNBC Pro LIVE event at the iconic NYSE on Thursday, June 12. Join interactive Pro clinics led by our Pros Carter Worth, Dan Niles, and Dan Ives, with a special edition of Pro Talks with Tom Lee. You'll also get the opportunity to network with CNBC experts, talent and other Pro subscribers during an exciting cocktail hour on the legendary trading floor. Tickets are limited! My top 10 things to watch Monday, March 24 1. President Donald Trump's planned round of reciprocal tariffs set to begin on April 2 may be more targeted than we thought, according to multiple media reports. While still lacking full clarity on Trump's plans, the big winners, for now, are autos and tech hardware. 2. Wall Street is poised for a sharply higher open this morning thanks to those encouraging reports on tariffs. In my Sunday column for Investing Club subscribers , I explained why I've been willing to buy stocks in the face of all the recent negativity. 3. Melius Research upgraded Boeing to buy from hold after the airplane maker won the contract to make the Pentagon's newest fighter jet. Analysts at Melius expect more positive news for Boeing ahead. I think this stock is at last turning around after that defense win. 4. Lockheed Martin , on the other hand, was downgraded by both Melius and Bank of America after losing the next-generation jet contract to Boeing. Shares are lower again this morning after dropping nearly 6% Friday. Bank of America worries the stock could be rangebound in response to the loss. 5. The gist of JPMorgan's note on Netflix : Don't sell the stock just because it has gone up so much already this year. There is more ahead. Analysts see Netflix as acting "relatively defensively" due to its strong engagement and the value of its subscription. I love subscription models: Not just Netflix, but also Spotify and Club names Costco and Amazon . 7. Big, big call here: Goldman Sachs downgraded server maker Super Micro to sell from hold after a 38% year-to-date rally for the stock. Analysts argued the risk/reward now looks unfavorable and cited concerns about competition and valuation. 8. Piper Sandler lowered its price target on Lowe's and Home Depot to account for pressures on big-ticket spending and tariffs. The analysts kept their overweight buy rating on both stocks, though. This is not the time to go away from home-improvement stocks. We own Home Depot for the Club and have been buying shares into weakness. 8. James Hardie Industries announced plans to buy Azek , which makes TimberTech and other outdoor building products, for $8.75 billion. The cash-and-stock deal is a bet on the U.S. housing market and a positive sign for M & A activity. James Hardie shares are getting crushed on the news. 9. A wave of price target cuts for homebuilder Lennar after its earnings report Friday. Evercore ISI also downgraded the stock to a hold-equivalent rating from outperform. Barclays, which went to $110 a share from $121, said it's worried about "cracks" in Lennar's fundamentals. KB Home reports tonight . 10. Citigroup lowered its price targets across the banking sector, including Club names Goldman Sachs and Wells Fargo . Needless move. Bank of New York Mellon was the exception, with Citi going to $85 a share from $82. I like BNY Mellon a lot. Sign up for my Top 10 Morning Thoughts on the Market email newsletter for free (See here for a full list of the stocks at Jim Cramer's Charitable Trust.) As a subscriber to the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer, you will receive a trade alert before Jim makes a trade. Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust's portfolio. If Jim has talked about a stock on CNBC TV, he waits 72 hours after issuing the trade alert before executing the trade. THE ABOVE INVESTING CLUB INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PRIVACY POLICY , TOGETHER WITH OUR DISCLAIMER . NO FIDUCIARY OBLIGATION OR DUTY EXISTS, OR IS CREATED, BY VIRTUE OF YOUR RECEIPT OF ANY INFORMATION PROVIDED IN CONNECTION WITH THE INVESTING CLUB. NO SPECIFIC OUTCOME OR PROFIT IS GUARANTEED. Novo Nordisk said on Monday all eligible cash-paying customers in the United States can buy its weight-loss drug Wegovy at a discounted price of $499 per month at their local pharmacy. U.S.-listed shares of Novo fell more than 2.5% to $74.92 in premarket trading. Novo has also lost its spot as Europe's largest company to German software firm SAP having underperformed the market in recent months. The Danish drugmaker and rival Eli Lilly have begun offering their popular weight-loss drugs at discounted prices, as they grapple with shifts to the competitive dynamic of the highly lucrative obesity drug market. Investors have been worried about growing competition with Lilly as well as disappointing data from its next-generation weight-loss candidate CagriSema, which Novo hopes will be a powerful successor to Wegovy. Last month, Lilly cut the price for vials of its weight-loss drug Zepbound by $50 or more and expanded the range of doses sold online to try to stave off competition. Compounding pharmacies have been selling hundreds of thousands of doses of copies of Wegovy while it was in shortage. The Food and Drug Administration has since asked them to cease making copies but will hold off on taking action until a federal court delivers its ruling in a lawsuit. Wegovy can cost more than $1,000 per month for those who do not have health insurance coverage. The high costs had been widely criticized by former President Joe Biden and U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders, among others. Until now, the drug was only available at the discounted price through its NovoCare Pharmacy program. The expanded program will offer all dosage strengths of the drug to uninsured patients or eligible patients with commercial insurance who do not have coverage for obesity medicines. This replaces Novo's previous program through which it offered month's supply of Wegovy for $650. Medical bottles and a syringe are seen with the Novo Nordisk logo displayed on a screen in the background. Nurphoto | Nurphoto | Getty Images Novo Nordisk 's hopes of heralding a new era of obesity treatment with its CagriSema drug have been called into question after a series of trial results sent shares falling. Headline results from a REDEFINE-2 late-stage trial released earlier this month showed that Novo's next-generation CagriSema helped obese or overweight adult patients with type 2 diabetes lose 15.7% of their weight over 68 weeks, compared with 3.1% with placebo. This was below the high-teens percentage of weigh loss previously forecast. A prior late-stage trial published in December showed the drug helped obese or overweight patients with one or more comorbidities, but not type-2 diabetes, lower their weight by 22.7% after 68 weeks, also below the 25% expected. Both results wiped significant value from Novo's share price as investors' hopes of finding a superior alternative to the company's existing Wegovy injection and rival Eli Lily's Zepbound, both GLP-1 medications, were dashed. The once darling stock is now down around 50% from its 2024 highs. "Sentiment toward these guys is as negative as it's ever been," Emily Field, head of European pharmaceuticals research at Barclays, told CNBC over the phone Wednesday. Stock Chart Icon Stock chart icon Novo Nordisk "The stock reaction felt disproportionate, but there's just no buyers that are offsetting the sellers," Field said, noting that some U.S. hedge funds were now shorting the stock, either because of the trial results or over wider concerns about high valuations in the weight loss drug industry. A next-gen obesity treatment CagriSema is a combination of cagrilintide a nascent form of weight loss treatment known as an amylin analog and semaglutide, the active ingredient in Wegovy. It was hoped that the drug would offer improved weight loss for patients with diabetes, who typically have a tougher time shedding pounds on existing GLP-1 treatments, but the 15.7% weight reduction result from the REDEFINE-2 trial disappointed. "We had seen potential for CagriSema to demonstrate superior weight loss to Zepbound given the amylin component; however, the CagriSema delta from obese to obese diabetics patients looks very similar to both Sema and Zepbound," BofA Global Research said in a note last week, adding that the outcomes were "not enough to rebut future competition." There's a very, very short-term focus right now. People just aren't thinking about the broader potential,. Emily Field head of European pharmaceuticals research at Barclays In the meantime, questions remain around CagriSema's tolerability, with fewer than two-thirds of patients progressing to the highest dose after 68 weeks. Novo said last week that CagriSema was "well-tolerated" and that the most common adverse effects were gastrointestinal, but they were "mild to moderate and diminished over time." "Investors are looking for treatment options that are best in class and will secure Novo's place in the obesity drug market," Soren Lontoft, pharma equity analyst at Sydbank, told CNBC over the phone Tuesday. "We're not sure that the CagriSema is best in class." However, an upcoming REDEFINE-4 study, due for release in early 2026, could provide further color on the drug's efficacy over an extended duration and more flexible dosing something Lontoft said could set it apart. "That could yield the superiority," Lontoft said. Expanding weight-loss treatments "Boardwalk Empire" actor Isaiah Stokes was sentenced this week to 25 years for murdering a man who threw Stokes out of his birthday party. Stokes, whose acting credits also include "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," was previously convicted in the February 7, 2021 murder of Tyrone Jones in New York. According to prosecutors, Stokes stalked Jones for more than a week. Eventually, Stokes ambushed Jones while he sat in his Jeep Cherokee, firing 11 shots. "Isaiah Stokes, embarrassed and upset that he was thrown out of a birthday party in October 2020, sought revenge on Tyrone Jones," prosecutors said. "Months later, the defendant attached a GPS tracking device to his victim's vehicle and stalked Jones for more than a week. Stokes tracked Jones down to Linden Boulevard and fired 11 times into Jones' vehicle, striking the man in his head and chest." Stokes, 45, was found guilty of murder in the second degree and two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree following a two-week jury trial. Jones, 37, met Stokes at his birthday party at a Club in Queens. Prosecutors said there was an altercation between Jones and Stokes related to Stoke's "inappropriate behavior toward female party guests," prosecutors said. Jones told Stokes to leave, but he refused, leading to a physical altercation with other partygoers, which resulted in Stokes being injured. Originally published on Lawyer Herald South Korean conglomerate Hyundai on Monday announced a roughly $21 billion investment in U.S. onshoring that includes a $5.8 billion steel plant in Louisiana. The plant is set to hire more than 1,400 employees and will produce next-generation steel that will be used by Hyundai's two U.S. auto plants to manufacture electric vehicles. The investment was announced Monday at the White House by President Donald Trump, Hyundai Chairman Euisun Chung and Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry. CNBC earlier reported the expected announcement and details of the investment. Hyundai's announcement comes as major international conglomerates are racing to dodge tariffs and avoid a trade war ahead of Trump's April 2 tariff deadline. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. and Japan's SoftBank are among the major foreign players that have visited the White House in the last two months to announce big U.S. onshoring plans. Hyundai Motor CEO Jose Munoz recently told Axios that the "the best way for [Hyundai] to navigate tariffs is to increase localization." The South Korean company is a top seller of electric vehicles in the U.S., competing directly with Tesla . It already has two major automotive plants in the U.S., one in Alabama and the other in Georgia. Hyundai on Monday also announced the opening of a third automotive plant, also in Georgia. South Korea is also among the countries with which the U.S. carries a trade deficit. In early March, Trump singled out South Korea for applying high tariffs to U.S. exports, saying the Asian ally's tariffs were four times higher than those of the United States. Seoul has disputed that imbalance. As of 2024, South Korea's effective tariff rate on U.S. imports stood at 0.79% as the two countries have a free trade pact, according to the South Korean government. Han Duck-soo, South Korea's prime minister and acting president, speaks during a news conference after lawmakers passed a motion to impeach South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol in Seoul, South Korea, on Dec. 14, 2024. South Korea's Constitutional Court on Monday struck down Prime Minister Han Duck-soo's impeachment, local media reported, reinstating him as acting president. He will take over the post from Choi Sang-mok, current acting president and finance minister. Han was impeached by the opposition Democratic Party in December, after he reportedly refused to appoint three justices to the Constitutional Court that was looking into the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol after he briefly imposed martial law. Choi appointed two of the three justices after he took over as acting president. Han's impeachment was dismissed in a 5-1 vote by the court's eight justices, while two justices rejected the motion entirely, according to domestic media outlet Yonhap. South Korea's presidential office welcomed Han's reinstatement, adding the court ruling proved that the country's parliament had abused its authority to impeach officials, local media reported. The verdict on Han comes ahead of an appeals court ruling due Wednesday on opposition party leader Lee Jae-myung, who was found guilty of violating election laws last November. Lee had run against Yoon in the 2022 presidential election. If found guilty by the appeals court, he may lose his parliamentary seat and be disqualified from running in the next presidential race. The court has not revealed a date for ruling on Yoon's impeachment. It has 180 days starting Dec. 14 to give a verdict. South Korea has been in political turmoil since Yoon imposed martial law on Dec. 3, only to revoke it within hours as parliamentarians rushed to the country's National Assembly to vote down the decree. He was impeached on Dec. 14, with all opposition lawmakers and at least 12 members of Yoon's People's Power Party joining hands to pass the impeachment motion. The country has seen several protests organized by Yoon's opponents and his supporters. Should Yoon's impeachment be upheld, South Korea must call an election within 60 days of the president's removal. If the impeachment is struck down, Yoon will be restored to office. Check out the companies making headlines in midday trading: Tesla The electric vehicle maker popped nearly 12%, making it the top performer in the S & P 500. The megacap tech stock and retail investor favorite is coming off nine straight down weeks, its longest ever weekly decline. AZEK The outdoor products maker rallied 17.3% after Australia's James Hardie Industries agreed to acquire it for about $9 billion in cash and stock . James Hardie, a cement maker, tumbled more than 17%. Visa The credit card stock rose 2.5% after Coinbase reported that World Network, the crypto firm run by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, is in talks with Visa for a stablecoin wallet. Pinterest The social media platform added 5% after Guggenheim upgraded its investment opinion to buy from neutral. Analyst Michael Morris said a recent pullback has opened up an attractive entry point for investors, adding that user base monetization should grow at above-market rates in the next two years. ViaSat The satellite stock rallied about 14.4% on the back of Deutsche Bank's upgrade to buy from hold. The bank said ViaSat, which competes with Elon Musk's Starlink, has "multiple paths" to create equity value. Steel Dynamics , Nucor Shares of Steel Dynamics and Nucor rose more than 3% and 4%, respectively, after UBS upgraded the steel producers to buy from neutral. Analyst Andrew Jones said tariff protection for U.S. steel and aluminum has helped lead to higher prices, and sees President Donald Trump's tariffs as having created an attractive entry point for investors. Commercial Metals climbed more than 4% in sympathy. 23andMe The DNA testing company collapsed more than 59% after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in federal court. Co-founder Anne Wojcicki resigned as CEO effective immediately. Lockheed Martin The defense contractor lost just over 1%, extending losses from Friday, in the aftermath of losing the next-generation fighter jet contract with the U.S. Air Force to competitor Boeing. Bank of America downgraded LMT on Monday, saying shares will likely remain rangebound following the contract award. Boeing The aircraft maker saw shares rise more than 1.5% after Wall Street research firm Melius upgraded it to buy from neutral. Melius cited "an operationally focused CEO," a faster-than-expected post-strike 737 increase in deliveries and the win over Lockheed on the Air Force's next gen fighter program as catalysts. FedEx The package delivery company rose more than 5% following an upgrade at Jefferies to buy from hold. The firm believes investors are ignoring an "idiosyncratic cost transformation" going on under the surface at FedEx. Super Micro Computer The tech hardware stock fell 1% on the heels of a Goldman Sachs downgrade to sell from neutral. After a rally this year, the firm said Super Micro has downside risks tied to valuation, competition and profit margins. Generac The generator maker advanced more than 4% after Bank of America reinstated coverage at a buy. The bank said Generac can benefit from the rising number of natural disasters and from aging baby boomers' need for reliable power for medications and medical devices. CNBC's Michelle Fox, Lisa Kailai Han, Sean Conlon, Yun Li and Hakyung Kim contributed reporting. Get Your Ticket to Pro LIVE Join us at the New York Stock Exchange! Uncertain markets? Gain an edge with CNBC Pro LIVE , an exclusive, inaugural event at the historic New York Stock Exchange. In today's dynamic financial landscape, access to expert insights is paramount. As a CNBC Pro subscriber, we invite you to join us for our first exclusive, in-person CNBC Pro LIVE event at the iconic NYSE on Thursday, June 12. Join interactive Pro clinics led by our Pros Carter Worth, Dan Niles and Dan Ives, with a special edition of Pro Talks with Tom Lee. You'll also get the opportunity to network with CNBC experts, talent and other Pro subscribers during an exciting cocktail hour on the legendary trading floor. Tickets are limited! A Tesla Cybertruck is parked in front of a showroom in Austin, Texas, on March 20, 2025. Police said Monday that multiple "incendiary" devices had been placed at a Tesla showroom in Austin, Texas. FBI agents responded to the showroom after the Austin Police bomb squad identified the devices on Monday morning. The incident appears to be the latest targeting of a Tesla location. The electric vehicle company has faced criticism and a spate of vandalism over CEO Elon Musk's role in the Trump administration. Musk is overseeing DOGE, the administration's effort to drastically slash federal spending and employee headcount. The headquarters of Tesla is located in Austin. News of the police activity broke as Musk attended a Cabinet meeting at the White House with President Donald Trump. The Austin Police Department, in a statement, said that officers responded to the Tesla showroom just after 8 a.m. local time. "When officers arrived on scene, they located suspicious devices, and called the APD Bomb Squad to investigate," the department said. "The devices, which were determined to be incendiary, were taken into police custody without incident." "This is an open and ongoing investigation, and there is no further information available for release at this time," the department said. Police did not say if they had any suspects. A spokeswoman for the Houston field office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms said, "ATF is part of the investigation but FBI is the lead. All information will come from FBI." The spokeswoman said that ATF agents from the Austin office were responding to the showroom. Trump last week had suggested that people found guilty of attacking Tesla properties could serve their sentences in prisons in El Salvador. Attorney General Pam Bondi has called the vandalism against Tesla properties, which has included an attack on vehicles with Molotov cocktails, "domestic terrorism. Shares of Trump Media jumped about 9% in extended trading on Monday after the parent of the president's social media company announced an agreement with Crypto.com to launch a series of exchange-traded funds and related products. The company, which runs the Truth Social platform, has been hammered by investors so far this year despite President Donald Trump's return to the White House. Prior to the after-hours gain, the stock was down 38% in 2025. In the press release on Monday, Trump Media said the ETFs and exchange-traded products will have a "Made in America" focus and will launch later this year, subject to regulatory approval. It's President Trump's latest foray into crypto, after his family introduced several Trump-branded non-fungible tokens and memecoins and announced plans to start a crypto bank of sorts. The announcement also further blurs the line between the president's business ventures and his policy agenda. Trump is the majority owner of Trump Media, which has a market cap of about $4.6 billion. It's a tiny and money-burning business. Trump Media last month reported losing $400 million in 2024, while taking in $3.6 million in revenue. Much of the work in bringing the new ETFs to market will fall to Crypto.com and its U.S. affiliate, Foris Capital, a familiar arrangement for Trump, who has long allowed other companies to develop products with his name and brand. Crypto.com CEO Kris Marszalek, in the statement, touted access to a "brand with a loyal following." The funds will be marketed under TMTG's newly-launched fintech brand, Truth.Fi. According to the press release, the crypto exchange will "support the backend technology, provide custody, and supply the cryptocurrencies for the ETFs," which are set to include a unique basket of digital assets like bitcoin and cronos (Crypto.com's native token), alongside traditional securities spanning industries such as energy. If the ETFs launch, they'll be available internationally, including in Europe and Asia, on major brokerage platforms and via the Crypto.com app, which boasts 140 million users globally. WATCH: Trump's World Liberty Financial projects says it sold $550 million in tokens The U.S. extended Chevron 's wind-down of oil exports from Venezuela by two months on Monday, after President Donald Trump said that any country buying oil or gas from Venezuela will pay a 25% tariff on any trades made with the United States. In an expected move, the Trump administration extended until May 27 the wind-down of a license that the U.S. had granted to Chevron since 2022 to operate in sanctioned Venezuela and export its oil. Chevron is only permitted to export that oil to the United States. Trump had initially given Chevron 30 days from March 4 to wind down that license after he accused President Nicolas Maduro of not making progress on electoral reforms and migrant returns. Chevron did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Earlier on Monday, Trump announced a "secondary tariff" to take effect on April 2, in a post on Truth Social. The two moves taken together alleviate some pressure on Chevron while putting more pressure on consumers of Venezuelan oil, though it is uncertain how Trump's administration will enforce the tariff. Trump is imposing the tariff because, he said, Venezuela has sent "tens of thousands" of people to the United States who have a "very violent nature." Benchmark crude oil futures jumped nearly 1.5% on the news of the tariff. Trump earlier this month invoked the 1798 Alien Enemies Act to justify the deportation of alleged members of Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua without final removal orders from immigration judges. China, which already has been the subject of U.S. tariffs, is the largest buyer of Venezuela's oil, the OPEC member's main export. In February, China received directly and indirectly some 503,000 barrels per day of Venezuelan crude and fuel, which represented 55% of total exports. Tariff impositions in China on imports of certain types of Venezuelan oil in past years led to a decline in the volume of Venezuelan crude received by Chinese buyers, which ultimately forced state company PDVSA to widen price discounts to continue selling to its most important market. Spain, Italy, Cuba and India are other consumers of Venezuelan oil. U.S. imports of the oil are set to end May 27. There was no immediate response from Maduro's government to a request for comment. Trump's notice of the tariff occurred days after news that Shell Plc SHEL.L aims to begin producing natural gas at Venezuela's Dragon gas field and exporting it to neighboring Trinidad and Tobago in 2026, a year ahead of the original 2027 start date. President Donald Trump has officially moved to dismantle the Department of Education, but said federal funding for core programs, including Pell Grants and student financial aid, will be unaffected. The president cannot unilaterally abolish a federal agency without the approval of Congress. However, in the executive order signed Thursday, he instructed Secretary of Education Linda McMahon "to the maximum extent appropriate and permitted by law, take all necessary steps to facilitate the closure of the Department of Education." It's unclear how the order will be carried out and whether Congress will support the president's agenda. When it comes to federal financial aid, "consistent with the Department of Education's authorities, the Secretary of Education shall ensure that the allocation of any Federal Department of Education funds is subject to rigorous compliance with Federal law and Administration policy," the order states. However, the order also says to comply with federal policy, programs receiving funding must terminate "illegal discrimination obscured under the label 'diversity, equity, and inclusion' or similar terms and programs promoting gender ideology." Critics of the order are skeptical that whatever remains of the Department of Education particularly as its workforce has already been reduced by half will be able to carry out the administrative work necessary to keep funds flowing. "The notion that the Department can be summarily closed or functionally decimated while maintaining 'uninterrupted delivery of services, programs and benefits on which Americans rely' as the order reportedly directs is a pipe dream," Aaron Ament, president at advocacy nonprofit The National Student Legal Defense Network, said in a March 19 statement. The order comes as high school seniors wait to hear back from colleges regarding admissions decisions and financial aid. Current college students may also be awaiting decisions on their financial aid packages for the 2025-26 school year. "Dismantling the Department in haste could cripple the government's ability to accurately distribute billions in federal student aid, putting millions of students at risk especially low-income students who lack a financial safety net," Beth Maglione, interim president and CEO at the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, said in a statement. Indonesia stocks tumbled on Monday, extending a rout as investors grew jittery over the countrys economic outlook.The benchmark Jakarta Composite Index fell as much as 4.7%, the biggest one-day slide in nearly a week. Healthcare shares were the worst performing sector.Investors are generally feeling uncertain about where the economic policies are heading toward under President Prabowo, said Kok Hoong Wong, head of institutional equities sales trading at Maybank Securities.The selloff came as the government started transferring ownership of several top state companies, such as telecommunications firm PT Telkom Indonesia and steelmaker PT Krakatau Steel, to the new sovereign wealth fund Danantara.The Southeast Asian countrys financial markets have been under pressure in recent weeks due to concerns that the populist agenda of President Prabowo Subianto, including costly welfare plans, may strain the nations finances and threaten to sap economic activity.The transfer of state firms ownership to the sovereign wealth fund seemed to have continued to unsettle investors, Wong said. Also, the government is scheduled to reveal full management team today, that has added to the whole uncertainty surrounding this market.The benchmark index fell as much as 7.1% on March 18, the steepest intraday decline since 2011. It also breached the 5% threshold that day and triggered circuit breakers that halted trading for 30 minutes. Kunal Kamra, an Indian comedian known for his politically charged humor, is facing an investigation for potential defamation following jokes made about Eknath Shinde, a prominent Indian politician and ally of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The investigation has sparked fresh concerns about the state of freedom of speech in India, with many pointing to increasing pressure on artists and performers who criticize politicians. Mumbai police opened the probe on Monday after a complaint was filed by a member of Shinde's Shiv Sena party, which leads Maharashtra's state government. The complaint was prompted by a skit performed by Kamra, aimed at Shinde. The controversial remarks were made in a comedy skit, though the exact date of the performance remains unclear. In the video clip shared on Kamra's Instagram account on Sunday, the comedian mocked Shinde in a parody song. Kamra's use of the term "traitor" particularly triggered anger among Shiv Sena party workers. The clip quickly went viral, and on Sunday, Shiv Sena supporters ransacked the studio where Kamra had filmed the skit. The police are not only investigating Kamra for defamation but also looking into the vandalism that occurred at the studio. Following the release of the video, Shiv Sena members responded vehemently. One lawmaker, Naresh Mhaske, issued a direct threat to Kamra, warning that he would be "chased" by party workers across India. "You will be forced to flee India," Mhaske said in a video message, further fueling tensions around the case. Despite the mounting criticism, Shinde, the leader targeted in the skit, has remained silent on the issue. However, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis weighed in on the matter, stating that while freedom of expression is respected, "recklessness will not be tolerated." Fadnavis added that Kamra should apologize for his remarks, signaling the government's disapproval of the comedian's actions. Kamra has yet to comment publicly on the investigation. However, late Sunday, he posted an image on his Instagram of himself holding the Indian Constitution, with the caption, "The only way forward." The Habitat Comedy Club, where Kamra performed the skit, announced on Monday that it would be shutting down following the acts of vandalism. The club expressed shock and distress over the incident, noting that the destruction of their property had left them "worried and extremely broken." The statement indicated that the venue would remain closed "till we figure out the best way to provide a platform for free expression without putting ourselves and our property in jeopardy." This latest incident is not the first time Kamra has faced backlash for his political humor. In the past, he has been targeted by Hindu nationalist groups and other political parties, especially for jokes about Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Kamra, who often mocks political leaders through satire, has gained a reputation for challenging India's political landscape through comedy. Today, when a kid is caught breaking the rules for a prank, you can count on cameras and posts documenting it. If the infraction is serious enough, it will be tied to them for life, leaving them no choice but to join whichever political party most supports crime. Go back a couple generations, and the story would be thoroughly buried. Only later, once the guy became famous, would someone dig up the past, leaving us to say, Really? They did that? 5 Conan OBrien Stole Burt Wards Robin Costume When OBrien was a student at Harvard, Ward came by to speak, which was pure arrogance on the actors part. Not only was Ward known for delivering blatant lies about his time on the Batman TV show, but he now prepared for his Harvard appearance by giving an interview to the Crimson newspaper rather than doing the responsible thing and speaking to The Harvard Lampoon, where Conan wrote. Don't Miss Clearly, Ward needed to be taken down a peg. The solution was to steal the original Robin costume, which Ward was bringing with him to show off during the talk. ABC He wouldnt be wearing it. Hed have to shed 65 pounds to fit in it again. Step one was approaching Ward disguised as security, to talk to him and determine precisely how he would be displaying the costume at the event. This bit of recon is less absurd than it sounds. Dressing as security perhaps requires just a tucked-in shirt and a nametag, and many a college student has used this trick to slip into functions where they dont belong. Step two was just flicking the lights off at the event, grabbing the costume and running off. Conan and his friends took it somewhere private and snapped photos with it then sent it back to Ward, to avoid actual arrest. In the end, maybe Conan was the one who missed the joke. According to the students who invited Ward to speak at Harvard (including Peter Sagal, whod go on to a career at NPR), inviting him was a prank in itself. They were treating him as an intellectual, which he clearly was not. This prank offered subtlety, insisted Sagal, which isnt necessarily Conans style. Advertisement 4 The Imprisoned Donkey James Fenimore Cooper wrote The Last of the Mohicans in 1826. He wrote dozens of other novels as a well, which made for quite an accomplished career for someone who had been expelled from Yale at the age of 16. The first offense: locking a donkey in a classroom. Well, that just sounds like fun for everyone and merited no punishment at all. Advertisement Ryan Ancill Really, they should have paid him for the gift hed brought them. The second offense was slightly more serious. He built his own bomb and set it off to try to break into another persons dorm room. Exactly why he wanted to enter this room wasnt recorded. Perhaps there was a donkey locked inside it, and he wanted to set it free. 3 Steve Wozniak and the Fake Bomb Wozniak, meanwhile, didnt do something so crazy as set off a bomb when he was a kid at Homestead High School in Cupertino. No, he merely constructed a fake bomb, by sticking the labels from batteries onto a metronome of his own design. Left on its own, the metronome emitted a steady tick-tick-tick noise. Once disturbed, the device would suddenly start ticking at a much faster rate, just like a bomb about to go off. Paco/Wiki Commons Or a bomb from a cartoon, anyway. He stuck this not-bomb into someones locker. He felt no particular fear about landing in trouble over this, and when he was summoned to the principals office a little after that, he thought this was going to be a commendation for a recent math prize hed won. Wozniak was a high-level nerd, in case that wasnt already clear. Instead, he faced a meeting with the police. His contraption wasnt a real bomb, but hed committed a severe enough offense to be sentenced to a night in juvie. Advertisement There, he met several budding criminals, which inspired him to found Apple. Advertisement 2 Burning a Bunch of Cacti Early in the 1980s, Munich was fortunate to host an exchange student from the exotic country of England. His name was Nick Clegg from Londons Westminster School, and during his stay in Germany, he was going to live with a professor and his family. One night, 16-year-old Nick got drunk and decided on a fine prank. Hed take out his lighter and set fire to the professors cactus collection. You might think a prank requires some level of deception, but fire is also always an option. Advertisement Frankie Lopez Performing this magic outside school was forbidden, as he was an underage wizard. This incident resulted in his getting arrested, followed by having to manually collect replacement plants once he was back home in England. He then went on to become Deputy Prime Minister of the nation. He no longer has that position, but he remains a knight, which means he may soon need to use his fire powers to defend us all. A three-hour layover at EWR feels like an eternity. Imagine what 30 years must feel like Whether youre waiting for your no-show 90-day fiance, or the Canadian government is slow-walking your asylum status, theres one thing we can all agree on: the airport isnt a fun place to be. Advertisement 14 Any Minute Now German citizen Heinz Muller showed up to a Brazilian airport to meet up with a woman he met online, and waited 13 days for her to show up. He was finally taken to a hospital for a psychological evaluation. Advertisement 13 This Is Why You Always Show Up Earlier Than You Think You Need To British national Gary Peter Austin missed his flight out of the Philippines, and ended up hanging out at the airport for 23 days before he got enough money from local donors to get on a new flight. 12 The Oldest Trick in the Book German Edgard Ziebart was on his way home after a series of international flights when COVID restrictions were put in place. He was stuck in Indira Gandhi International Airport for 55 days, because he thought the German Embassys generous offer to evacuate him was a ploy to put him in jail. 11 Thats Chicago Hospitality California man Aditya Singh was also traveling during COVID, but chose not to catch his connecting flight to India, hoping it would all blow over soon. He was highly educated, but unemployed, so he took a three-month sabbatical and camped out in a closed-off section of OHare, posing as an employee. He was arrested, but later cleared of any crimes. Advertisement Advertisement 10 All Right Then, Keep Your Secrets Hiroshi Nohara was a mysterious Japanese citizen who showed up at Mexico City International Airport one day in 2008, hung around for 117 days without telling anyone why, then suddenly left with an even more mysterious traveler, a woman known only as Oyuki. 9 Canada to the Rescue Syrian national Hassan Al Kontar was deported by the government of the UAE, who figured Malaysia was as good a place as any to send him. He spent 208 days there, saving up for a flight to Ecuador. For some reason, he was barred from his flight by Turkish Airlines employees, and Canada finally stepped in to grant him asylum. Advertisement 8 Well, I Guess You Live in Turkiye Now While traveling from Istanbul to Toronto, Syrian refugee Arwa Almsrawi was told he was on the United States no-fly list. Canada stepped in, this time revoking his status as a refugee. Turkiye granted him citizenship after eight months in their airport. Advertisement 7 Eissa Muhamad Took an Unfortunate Detour on the Way Home After being kicked out of Israel for not having the proper documentation, he was trekking back to his home country of Niger, when he inexplicably made a pitstop in Ethiopia. He was stuck there for about 300 days, because Niger insisted the documents given to him by Israel were fake. He eventually made it to Senegal. Advertisement 6 Zahra Kamalfar Had to Hang Out in Russia for a Year The Iranian refugee and her family were trying to make a hop, skip and a jump from Iran to Germany to Russia to Canada in 2006. But the Canadian government took 318 days to grant them asylum. 5 Sanjay Shah Camped Out in Duty-Free for 13 Months The former Kenyan citizen was petitioning for British citizenship. After 13 months, the U.K. caved and granted it to him, since hed already renounced his Kenyan citizenship. Advertisement 4 Well, I Guess Youre French Now Iranian Mehran Karimi Nasseri said his ID was stolen while in Paris, and because somewhere along the way hed changed his name (and, somehow, his date of birth), no country would help him get new documentation. So he just hung out in a French airport for 17 years before being hospitalized. Advertisement 3 This Guy Crashed at the Airport for 17 Years (and Counting) Because He Liked to Party Chinese national Wei Jianguo started sleeping at Beijing International Airport because he wanted to drink and smoke without his family giving him guff about it. Hes been there since 2008. Advertisement 2 Denis Luiz De Souza Has Been in an Airport for Over Two Decades The Brazilian man ran away from home at age 17 to escape family trouble, and has been at the airport ever since approximately 25 years. In recent years he occasionally ventures out, but is mostly based out of Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport. Evacuation orders have been issued for parts of the western foothills in the Carolinas, as multiple wildfires continue to spread across dry woodlands, according to authorities. As of Sunday, three major wildfires had scorched over 3,000 acres, with officials continuing their efforts to contain the flames. Three distinct wildfires -- Black Cove, Deep Woods, and Fish Hook -- are all raging approximately 30 miles southeast of Asheville, according to the North Carolina Forest Service, ABC reported. The fires started last week and quickly intensified over the weekend, fueled by dry vegetation and low humidity, officials reported. In Polk County, North Carolina, a federal incident management team has taken over the response to a trio of fires, with help from out-of-state firefighters, including 25 from Oregon who arrived Saturday. No injuries or fatalities have been reported so far. A shelter has been set up in Columbus, North Carolina, to assist evacuees. North Carolina is currently experiencing its usual spring wildfire season, prompting the state Forest Service to implement a statewide burn ban on Friday. Similarly, South Carolina has also enforced a burn ban in response to the heightened fire risk. Emergency declared in North Carolina North Carolina Governor Josh Stein announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) had approved a grant to assist with firefighting efforts. Im concerned about the wildfires in Polk County, where people are already struggling due to Mother Nature. I thank FEMA for approving North Carolinas Fire Management Assistance Grant. Stay safe and please continue to listen to emergency guidance around evacuation orders. Governor Josh Stein (@NC_Governor) March 23, 2025 Polk County declared a state of emergency on Wednesday after the Black Cove Fire began in the Green River Gorge, burning more than 2,000 acres. As of Sunday, additional evacuations were ordered for residents on five roads near the fire zone, while some people from over a dozen streets had to evacuate Friday. However, some of them were allowed to return later. The 199-acre Fish Hook Fire is now 50% contained enough to lift evacuation orders, the department stated. Despite the new evacuations and ongoing challenges from dry fuels and persistent heat in areas already scorched by the fire, firefighters remain optimistic, reporting progress over the weekend, aided by water-dropping aircraft. The Deep Woods Fire, which has scorched over 2,500 acres, remains at 0% containment, according to a department statement. Evacuation orders were issued for residents as firefighters focused on protecting structures along the fire's southern edge, the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services reported. Brian Rogers, the state forest ranger, responsible for the federal response, said that in some areas, firefighters allowed the fire to burn itself out as it reached logging roads, with new fire lines helping to contain its spread on Sunday, NBC reported. Fires continue to burn in South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster declared a state of emergency Saturday to allow for the use of state resources to fight the blaze after wildfire started on Table Rock Mountain. The fire, which covers about 1,300 acres, has also been reported as 0% contained. Firefighters have been working to create fire breaks and conduct controlled burns to prevent the fire from spreading toward nearby homes. Meanwhile, the Persimmon Ridge Fire, located in the Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area, grew rapidly from 50 acres to 800 acres by Sunday. "The State of Emergency allows us to mobilize resources quickly and ensure our firefighters have the support they need," McMaster said in a statement that reinforced a statewide outdoor burning ban issued Friday by the South Carolina Forestry Commission. Aftermath of hurricane Helene disrupt firefighting efforts The damage from Hurricane Helene in September is still being felt in the region, as downed trees and damaged infrastructure make it more difficult for firefighting crews to access certain areas, Associated Press reported. The hurricane affected 5,000 miles of state roads and caused damage to 7,000 private roads, bridges, and culverts in North Carolina, further complicating efforts to contain the fires. Weather conditions over the weekend, including high temperatures in the 70s and gusty winds of up to 28 mph, increased the risk of fire spread. The National Weather Service issued red flag warnings for some areas due to extreme fire danger, with relative humidity dropping to about 20%. A low-pressure system is expected to bring some rain to the area Monday, but experts warn that fire weather may return in the coming days. Ongoing efforts Emergency officials continue to manage the fires, with voluntary evacuations still in place for about 100 residences. Two campgrounds in the park have been evacuated, but no buildings have been damaged, as the fire is moving away from them. The cause of the fire in Table Rock State Park is still under investigation. Originally published on IBTimes 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. It's a workout adored by fitness fanatics longing to flex their core strength on social media. However as reformer Pilates takes hold around the world, some have raised concerns that the low-intensity training classes are becoming unsafe. For those who have eschewed TikTok, the exercise has witnessed a mammoth boom online in recent times, with celebrities including the Duchess of Sussex and the Kardashians, tightening their muscles on the machine. German creator Joseph Pilates developed the workout in 1946 during the First World War as a method to continue his strength training while imprisoned in an Isle of Man cell. Fast forward almost 80 years and the exercise is no longer one motivated by necessity - but rather it's a high-end, luxurious workout frequented by A-listers who pay premium prices at dedicated Reformer Pilates studios. The exercise, loved by Meghan Markle and Jennifer Aniston, costs around 25 to 40 for a 45-minute class and is surging in popularity in the UK. 'Pilates is a low-impact exercise system designed to improve overall physical strength, posture, and flexibility,' Dr Hana Patel, NHS GP and GP Medico-Legal Expert Witness, explained. Patel, who sometimes recommends the workout to patients suffering from chronic back pain, added: 'Unlike conventional strength training that often focuses on individual muscle groups, Reformer Pilates emphasises core strength, alignment, and controlled movement patterns. Reformer Pilates is trending on TikTok, with thousands, including Lily Huther from Australia (pictured), giving it a go - but the workout isn't always as safe as it seems Philippa Younger (pictured) suffered serious injuries after her Reformer Pilates machine snapped during the workout Despite evidence of potential benefits including weight loss, there's a dark side that arises when gymgoers fail to follow the correct procedures or attend classes with unfit trainers - and a slew of gymgoers have faced harmful repercussions. On the topic, doctor Veronika Matutyte, explained to Femail: 'Reformer Pilates can be a highly effective method for improving flexibility, strength, and posture. However, it carries certain risks, particularly when equipment is faulty or improperly used. 'It is also crucial that instructors are well-trained and knowledgeable about Pilates mechanics. Inexperienced instructors may unknowingly encourage clients to perform exercises incorrectly, which could lead to injuries such as tendon tears or strains. 'Additionally, Pilates, if not done properly, can exacerbate existing injuries, especially if participants overexert themselves or fail to maintain proper alignment. Many people may not realise that some Reformer Pilates exercises require careful attention to form and posture to avoid strain on joints and muscles.' To minimise these risks, it is essential to start with low-intensity sessions and gradually build up. If you experience any discomfort or pain, it is important to stop immediately and seek medical advice. Back in 2012, Sophie Barnes highlighted a concerning consequence after she started the workout. Barnes, who was 42 at the time, took up Pilates following the birth of her third child to help combat the effects of scoliosis, a condition she was born with that sees patients have an abnormal curvature of the spine. TikTok user @fritzieguarino (pictured) took a tumble after trying her first Reformer Pilates class The exercise is very popular with celebrities - including Kate Hudson (left) and Cristiano Ronaldo (right) Jennifer Aniston is also fan of the exercist Lady Gaga has also showed off her exercise at home Her doctor warned her that the extra weight of the baby could put added strain on her fragile back and muscles. A maternity nurse told her that Pilates a series of stretching exercises to improve physical strength and flexibility was excellent for women post-birth. 'Seven months after the birth I felt ready to start exercising,' said Sophie, who lives in London, adding: 'I told the instructor about my scoliosis and the pregnancy, and he nodded and told me to join a class. 'I went once a week for three months as part of a group of 12 people, and everything was fine but then overnight my left leg went numb. I mentioned this, but the instructor didn't seem concerned and just told me to take it easy. I didn't think to question it.' However, within a few weeks the numbness worsened, and Sophie had excruciating pain at the base of her spine. Concerned, she went to the doctor. 'I was referred to a specialist and given an MRI scan. The results were irrefutable I'd slipped a disc. 'The increased pressure and strain of the exercises had aggravated my weakened spine, causing the disc to rupture, so it was pressing on my nerve. 'Worse still, the damage was so extensive they thought the only way round it was surgery to trim the disc.' She suffered three tears of the tendons in her right shoulder, which left her unable to work or drive for several weeks Years later, a different woman experienced similarly disturbing effects after taking up Reformer Pilates in Australia. Philippa Younger started her Reformer Pilates journey to combat her chronic headaches, shoulder, and neck pain, which she believed stemmed from sitting down at her desk all day. Initially, the workout was effective in offering pain relief, according to Tyla. Things took a dramatic turn for the worse when Philippa's Reformer Pilate's machine snapped mid workout, leaving her with three tears in her tendons in her right shoulder and requiring surgery. She described the pain as 'excruciating' in conversation with 7news via Tyla, adding that she was unable to work or drive for several weeks. Philippa said: 'It's been a really, really long and hard journey.' 'It has had a big impact on (my) life.' Examples of incidents occurring at Reformer Pilates are similarly rife on TikTok, with Fritzie Guarino sharing a video of herself falling off the machine, leaving her 'traumatised'. @fritzieguarino Traumatized AF! For a premium rate per class, you'd expect that the equipments are in tiptop shape The manager was present but was unbothered. I can't. pilates pilatesreformer original sound - Lauren Wisken She wrote: 'Traumatised! For a premium rate per class, you'd expect that the equipment's are in tiptop shape. The manager was present but was unbothered. I can't.' Elsewhere, TikTok user Gabriella Foster from Henley-on-Thames shared a clip of herself appearing equally confused about how to correctly conduct the exercises during a Reformer Pilates class. Lily Huther from Australia had a similarly concerning experience, and fell off the machine after viewing others take the class on TikTok. She warned her followers against the position, adding that it left her with a 'very bruised leg'. Elsewhere, after attempting the workout and considering it potentially dangerous, Madeline Spencer of The Standard took it upon herself to understand whether trainers receive adequate training. Spencer found that some instructors may simply be attempting to cash in on the Reformer Pilates boom, stuffing in as many machines into one space, which is, in turn, potentially increasing the chances of mishaps. 'The problem is, a lot of the newer breed of studios offering group Reformer Training are trying to cram too many Reformers in a room for the sake of maximising their return on investment and that, coupled with subterranean lighting and a soundtrack you'd normally find at a rave (with the volume cranked up to match) is throwing a lot of people off balance (often quite literally),' instructor Luke Meessmann told Spencer. It's the same reason that Robyn Rix, president of the Pilates Australian Alliance is calling for regulations to mandate minimum training and qualifications for trainers, according to ABC News. 'Over the last year I've heard so many reports of injuries in Pilates studios,' Rix told the news outlet. She added: 'Someone broke their arm, and someone broke their leg and actually needed surgery on their leg.' Now, Rix is calling for trainers to undergo a minimum of 500 hours of training, including in first aid. While the Reformer Pilates boom shows no sign of slowing down, all directions point to gymgoers taking precautions seriously before giving the workout a whirl. READ MORE: Sex experts reveal the top three positions and how to better them There are a lot of questions to ask a potential partner in order to vet their interests and views. One of those stubborn and often uncomfortable conversations is about politics. A recent study conducted by We-Vibe, a sex-toy company, alongside the Kinsey Institute, asked 1,500 adults about their political dating preferences. The findings showed that 72 percent of Republican men and 70 percent of Democratic men are willing to date outside their political party. Despite those numbers, only 53 percent of Republican men and 42 percent of Democratic men report having actually dated someone with opposing political views. This differs drastically for women - with only 50 percent of Republican women and 48 percent of Democratic women saying they were open to dating across parties. The study found that only 36 percent of Republican women and 28 percent of Democratic women have had partners in the opposite party. To figure out how to approach what can be a tough conversation, DailyMail.com spoke to Dr. Michael Kane, a psychiatrist, and chief medical officer at Indiana Center for Recovery, as well as Dr. Jess Carbino, who was the former sociologist for the dating apps Tinder and Bumble. Dr. Kane said: 'One suggestion I would offer is to try and understand a particular viewpoint without treating it as an argument. There are a lot of questions to ask a potential partner in order to vet their interests and views (stock image) 'Try to take a step back and blend active listening into deep reflection noting the partner's belief systems through questioning the why behind their party politics. 'From my experience, this ensures progress and gives one the ability to have dialogue without controversially disagreeing.' Dr. Kane also said that 'having boundaries is essential when debating matters such as politics in a relationship.' 'For newcomers, using these topics on the first few dates is a good strategy as it allows people to align with core values,' he detailed. 'For people [who are] already in relationships, they need to focus on such discussions in a defined calm environment without any interruptions. 'Accept that there is an inherent nature for some of these political values to change over time and leave space for is they want to grow. 'Having terms like suspension of discussion and stepping out of the room for a break is also advisable for those looking to maintain a balanced compromise.' He also suggested 'active listening' and the acknowledging that a person's 'political identity doesn't encapsulate their whole being.' A recent study showed that 72 percent of Republican men and 70 percent of Democratic men are willing to date outside their political party (stock image) 'Until now, managing politics within a relationship requires mutual consideration as well as active listening. 'Sustaining a relationship despite political divergences requires adaptability, common interests, and remembering what initially attracted you to each other in the first place,' he concluded. Dr. Jess chimed in and reflected on the political polarization that has overwhelmed the last 10 years. 'Conversations tend to be fraught and nerve-wracking. In fact, for quite some time an adage in polite society was to not speak about sex, politics, and religion with company or strangers,' she stated. 'Obviously, this adage may no longer be applicable or potentially possible, especially when trying to find a romantic partner.' She also commented on the younger dating generation saying: 'Many daters, particularly young adults, view politics as a proxy for values. Values, however, may not neatly translate into politics. 'Moreover, labels in the US context of Democrat, Republican, and Independent may not fully convey the nuance associated with the often complex and differing views held about a variety of issues.' Dr. Jess also argued the importance of these tough conversations early on. 'Conversations about politics may be daunting and intimidating, especially when these conversations are had with a stranger and in an ambiguous context, but are important to determine potentially earlier on.' With all the data collected, it wasn't a surprise to learn that 49 percent of American adults wanted to know their future partner's political views early on (stock image) She then suggested a few ways to approach the topic in a way that reflects your own views. 'A more subtle and potentially less intimidating way to broach the political landscape when dating is to consider the issues that matter to you and think about how to discuss those issues in a nuanced way,' she explained. 'This can be done relatively early on in the relationship, such as the first or second date. 'For example, if you're interested in understanding someone's view of the environment, you can work the California wildfires into a conversation to see whether the individual brings up climate change. You can also discuss your own perspective on the issue and gauge the individual's response.' She continued: 'Another potentially easy way to discuss politics would be to incorporate film or television into the conversation. For instance, perhaps you could discuss a recent documentary like Separated, [which is] about immigration, to gauge their policy views. 'In other words, by making the conversation less direct and combative you can gracefully navigate and gain a more full understanding of how your date approaches the world.' In a survey performed by the dating app Hily, it found that out of 5,000 Americans, 43 percent of women and 42 percent of men claim to have strong political views. It also collected that one in three women and one in 10 men would decline a date if their political views differed, and 43 percent of women and 21 percent of men couldn't date someone who voted for the 'other side' in the last election. With all the data collected, it wasn't a surprise to learn that 49 percent of American adults wanted to know their future partner's political views early on. A few years before my mother's death in 2013, I sent her a huge bunch of flowers on Mother's Day. When I rang her to see if the bouquet had arrived, she sounded grateful but puzzled. 'The flowers are lovely, but I don't understand why you sent them.' When I pointed out it was Mother's Day, she was surprised. I realised it was because she didn't think of herself as a mother. She saw herself as a free spirit, a creative force, a woman who lived life to the full, but she never saw her children as part of her life's achievements. My mother, the writer Jocasta Innes, had so many talents. I still meet people who tell me they taught themselves to cook with her Pauper's Cookbook, or that they stencilled their hallway with the help of her bestselling decorating book, Paint Magic. They will say: 'How lucky you are to have had such an amazing mother!' But the truth is that while my mother was amazing in many ways, being a mother was not one of them. I remember the day when my mother told me she wasn't going to live with us any more. I was five and my brother was three. We were sitting in the back of my grandmother's Mini Clubman and my mother leaned over and told us that she was never coming back. We would still see her at weekends and in the holidays, but from now on we would be living with my father. What she didn't tell us was that she had left because she had fallen in love with a younger man. Writer Jocasta Innes, left, never forgave Daisy Goodwin, right, for a memoir detailing her abandonment This man who eventually became my stepfather adored a sexy older woman, not the mother of two young children. When the crunch came, my mother chose him over us. As a child I just got used to this new reality. It didn't occur to me that my mother had made a choice not to be a mother. I grew up shuttling across the country from my father's house in London to where my mother lived in Swanage, Dorset, every other weekend and half of the holidays. As I got older, I began to notice that other people's mothers would remember their birthdays without being reminded, or would instantly recognise their children's voices on the phone. My friends' mothers knew what subjects they were studying and could always remember how old they were. But as my mother never sent us to bed, or made us do our homework, or told us off for not brushing our teeth, I felt that I wasn't doing too badly. It was only when I had my first child that I realised exactly what sort of a mother mine was. As I looked at my baby I knew that nothing, not even Brad Pitt in a thong, would persuade me to choose him over her. I knew I was responsible for my baby daughter's happiness, and it was clear that my mother had never felt that way about me. Jocasta with Daisy in 1962... she loved dressing her up when she was a baby but became less interested as she grew up She loved dressing me up when I was a baby 'You can't imagine how cute you were darling' but she was less interested as I grew into a dumpy and resentful little girl. She published her first book, The Pauper's Cookbook, when I was 12. When I opened it up, I read in the foreword that Jocasta Innes lives in Swanage with her two children. This was true, she had two daughters with my stepfather, but her bio made no mention of her two older children who lived in London. It sounds like a small thing but at the time it felt like she was disowning me and my brother. And in a way she was it is hard to present yourself as a domestic goddess when you have abandoned two children. My mother was never very interested in my career as a television producer (she didn't actually own a television) until I took over a BBC show called Home Front. As she was now running a chain of paint shops, she wanted to be on the show. That put me in a difficult position. I wanted to use her as I loved her work, but I didn't want to lose my job. Nepotism is not a good look especially when you are working for a public broadcaster. But my mother never even tried to understand my difficulty, instead she accused me of being selfish. Was it selfish to hesitate between pleasing my mother and losing my job? I don't think so, and I know that I would do anything to make sure my daughters were happy in their work. That isn't because I am a better person, but I am only ever as happy as my unhappiest child. I was 40-something when I published a memoir called Silver River in July 2011, which was born out of a desire to understand why my mother had left me as a child. It wasn't a misery memoir. I wrote about how I worshipped my mother growing up, but she still felt that it was an act of betrayal. For 18 months or so we didn't speak, but I couldn't bear the silence between us and I turned up on her birthday with a load of presents and my kids. She accepted the presents and slowly we went back to our usual pattern of weekly dinners at her house. My book was never mentioned again and I hoped that she had forgiven me for writing it, just as I had forgiven her for leaving. But after her death, when I read the terms of her will I realised I was wrong. She divided her estate the proceeds of selling her house in London's Brick Lane, a wreck which she had done up and was now worth millions between my three siblings, leaving me 5,000 ($6,500) and a portrait of my fierce maternal grandmother. Her reasoning was that I didn't need the money as much as my siblings, but I knew it was also a punishment for pointing out that she had been a less than perfect mother. A narcissistic mother always has to have the last word. We can't change the past, but we can change the future and I have tried to be the mother I never had to my daughters Otti, 33, and Lydia, 24. It isn't that hard, I revel in their gorgeousness. I can honestly say, at the age of 63, that I never feel jealous of their youth and beauty. Daisy says she has tried to be the mother she never had to her daughters Otti, now 33 (pictured together when her eldest was a teenager), and Lydia, 24 I wish I could say the same of my mother who once accused me of trying to seduce her boyfriend because I was wearing a skirt made of PVC with a revealing split (it was the 1980s, I was going to a punk-themed party). My mother's boyfriend at the time was ten years older than me, which to my 19-year-old self made him almost prehistoric, but my mother couldn't see that. She didn't see a teenager going to a party, but a Lolita-like figure bent on seducing her man. I have always been on the plump side (the PVC skirt was in a rare thin moment) and my mother rather enjoyed the fact that she could rock a pair of leather trousers in her 50s, while I struggled to find clothes that suited what she called my 'Junoesque' figure. My advice to anyone who has a narcissistic mother is to try to understand what made her that way. My mother grew up during the Second World War, and like so many others she was separated from her parents for long periods of time because they were both posted overseas. I think she had to be selfish to survive there was no one around to take care of her so she had to make her own luck. When she became a mother herself, she saw her children not as a responsibility to be cherished but as a threat. I can't undo that, but it helps to know that her behaviour towards me was nothing personal. It wasn't me she was running away from but a situation where she couldn't put her own needs first. Understanding doesn't make the hurt go away entirely, but it helps to know that it wasn't my fault. Mothering styles have changed. I have just written a play about the late Queen Elizabeth who regularly left her children behind for months at a time when she went on royal tours. It is hard to imagine the current Princess of Wales leaving her children for more than a few days. I am sure that is an improvement. My mother wanted to be the centre of attention. I am quite happy to let my daughters have the limelight. I have been lucky enough to learn that, while I am proud of my achievements, my greatest success is having two daughters who know that I love them unconditionally. I don't expect flowers on Mother's Day, or presents. It sounds corny, but the greatest gift I can have is to see them happy. The Radford family was left in shock last week when the partner of one of their 22 children suffered a suspected minor stroke, just days before they were set to celebrate Sue Radford's 50th birthday. Harley Passmore, who is the husband of Millie Radford, 24, was rushed into hospital after he he experienced numbness in his body that doctors suspected could be a mini stroke. The 22-year-old, who lives with his wife in Morecambe, Lancashire, took to Instagram last Thursday to share details of the the major health scare - which came days before Sue's birthday bash this weekend. The father-of-two, who married Sue and Noel's seventh child Millie last year, said he was 'glad to be back to normal' after the terrifying incident. In the post, Harley explained that he had been told by doctors that he had Bell's palsy, which is a temporary condition causing sudden weakness or paralysis on one side of the face. Following doctor's orders, Harley then took the next couple of days to 'relax', but soon began to panic on 16 March when he 'went numb' on his left side and had to be rushed to hospital. There, doctors feared that Harley may be suffering a mini-stroke, since Bell's palsy is not supposed to affect the body. Harley Passmore, who is the husband of Millie Radford, 24, was rushed into hospital last week after he began experiencing numbness in his body that doctors suspected could be a mini stroke (pictured) The Radford family was left in shock last week when the partner of one of their 22 children nearly suffered a stroke, just days before they were set to celebrate Sue Radford's 50th birthday (Sue Radford pictured celebrating her birthday last weekend) Explaining the terrifying ordeal on social media, Harley wrote: 'Got a lot of people asking what was up. I went in on Sunday, they told me it was Bell's palsy so I came home and relaxed for the rest of the day and Monday. 'But yesterday my arm/ leg went numb and weak on my left side so I had to be rushed to hospital as they said that bell palsy shouldn't go to your body so they thought I had a mini stroke.' After having several tests and scans, Harley revealed that doctors had confirmed he had not had a mini-stroke, adding that he was 'glad' to be back to normal. 'They kept me in over night last night to do tests/ MRI scan. So glad it wasn't a stroke at such a young age,' he explained. In November last year, Harley and Millie tied the knot during a lavish ceremony held at Wennington Hall, which is situated near their family home in Morecambe, Lancashire. But the nuptials were far from smooth sailing with several hiccups in wedding planning; all of which were documented in a bumper double episode of Channel 5's 22 Kids and Counting. Nevertheless, the pair happily tied the knot surrounded by their loved ones, including Millie's extensive family. Millie has three children, Ophelia Jo, Chester Bleu and Elodie Jade, two of whom she shares with Harley. Harley's frightening ordeal occurred earlier this month, just days before Britain's largest family were set to celebrate mother-of-22, Sue Radford's 50th birthday. In November last year, Harley and Millie (pictured right) tied the knot during a lavish ceremony held at Wennington Hall, which is situated near their family home in Morecambe, Lancashire Despite the frightening ordeal the week prior, Harley still made an appearance at the party, fully kitted out in a turquoise blue silk shirt The celebrations didn't end there. The family became the envy of their neighbours after they unveiled a brand new 400,000 hydropool on their Instagram over the weekend This weekend, the Lancashire-born mother celebrated turning 50 alongside her enormous roster of children and friends. On Instagram, shared a glimpse into how the birthday bash unfolded, posting several pictures of the family partying hard together. In the morning, the mother was treated to a magnificent surprise as she entered her living room while was filled with cards, flowers and gorgeous family photos strung from the ceiling with pink ribbon. Sue was then promptly served a well-deserved glass of pink Prosecco, which she was able to enjoy alongside her loving family. Later in the day, the family hit the dance floor for a era themed birthday bash that saw the entire family dressed to the nines in flamboyant costumes. Despite the frightening ordeal the week prior, Harley still made an appearance at the party, fully kitted out in a turquoise blue silk shirt. Pictured alongside his wife, Millie, and one of their young children, the 22-year-old shared an adorable selfie alongside the caption: 'Such a good night celebrating Sue's 50th'. Several of Sue's children shared birthday wishes to their loving mother on social media. This weekend, the Lancashire-born mother celebrated turning 50 alongside her enormous roster of children and friends The Radford family pictured. Sue previously said she would be spending the entire year celebrating turning 50, starting with a family holiday to Disney World Florida Millie posted a sweet picture of her mother helping her slip into her wedding dress, writing: 'Happy birthday to the most amazing lady our mum/nan. We hope you have the most amazing day ever. Thank you so much for everything you do for us.' Sophie, who is the second eldest of the Radford's, said: 'Huge happy 50th birthday to my beautiful mother. Thank you for everything you do for all of us. You are our rock. Love you always.' Elsewhere, Aimee Radford shared a series of photos of herself with her mother and some of her siblings. Her husband, Noel, wrote: 'Myself and all of our children want to wish this beautiful, loving, caring lady who we all call Sue and Mum a Happy big 50th Birthday today or as Sue says Im 49 plus 1.' The celebrations didn't end there. The family became the envy of their neighbours after they unveiled a brand new 400,000 hydropool on their Instagram over the weekend. Sue previously said she would be spending the entire year celebrating turning 50, starting with a family holiday to Disney World Florida. Speaking to The Mirror, she said: 'Turning 50 is such a big deal. I remember when I was 40 and that was a big deal. I absolutely hated it! So [this time], I said: You know what, because I am turning 50, I am definitely having a whole year of celebrations!' I think if you are going to turn 50, to soften the blow a little bit, its got to be big It will be nice to do a few things!' The royal, 36, welcomed her second daughter Athena on January 22 Princess Beatrice has recalled her 'overwhelming fear' surrounding her daughter's pre-term birth in a candid and intimate essay. The royal, 36, and her husband, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, welcomed the newest addition to their family in January, when baby Athena was born several weeks premature. Now, Beatrice has opened up about her pregnancy journey after she was informed the family needed to prepare for an early birth, in a poignant first-person essay for British Vogue. Though she confirmed that her daughter is now 'doing well', she admitted the weeks before her birth were filled with crippling 'uncertainty' and 'sheer worry'. 'Nothing quite prepares you for the moment when you realise your baby is going to arrive early,' she wrote in the protocol-defying piece. 'Theres so little control. Will she arrive healthy? Will there be complications? How will you juggle the rest of family life while trying to keep a tiny human safe and well? 'You know that when your baby arrives the doctors and midwives are going to be there, doing everything they can to ensure she makes it through those challenging first few days. 'But you have no idea how these things will play out, what happens next. The uncertainty leaves you with an overwhelming fear of the unknown.' Beatrice, who is already mother to Sienna, three, and stepmother to Wolfie, eight, revealed that Athena was born on January 22 - 'weeks' earlier than planned. Princess Beatrice has recalled her 'overwhelming fear' surrounding her daughter's pre-term birth in a candid and intimate essay. Pictured with her husband Edo on March 6 Beatrice described 'weeks of worry' before her daughter (pictured) Athena was born in a personal essay for British Vogue After routine scans, she was told Athena would need close monitoring, and that they would need to prepare for an early arrival. Though her daughter was 'tiny' when she was born, Beatrice shared that she's now doing really well - but has no 'precise' explanation for what happened. The essay was accompanied by a new photograph of Beatrice cradling Athena protectively in her arms, with the newborn draped in a soft pink blanket. Another picture showed Edoardo, 41, holding Athena while gazing down at her face lovingly. Elsewhere in the essay, the royal expressed her determination to 'help others find answers' to questions about the complications of pre-term pregnancies in her new role as patron of Borne - a UK charity on a mission to end premature birth. She said she is committed to helping and supporting as many other families through some of the challenges she and Edoardo confronted. Beatrice also highlighted how 'nothing feels more vital than facilitating the health challenges that women face daily' after her mother, the Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson's back-to-back cancer diagnoses. Sarah, 65, underwent a mastectomy and reconstruction surgery in 2023, after she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Athena is the third child in the Mapelli Mozzi brood alongside Beatrice's three-year-old daughter Sienna, and Wolfie, eight, from Edo's relationship with Dara Huang. Princess Beatrice often describes Wolfie (above) as her 'bonus' child. Edoardo and Beatrice at the Borne Wonderland gala, where she was named the premature birth charity's newest patron Alongside the statement of her pregnancy announcement last October, Beatrice, 36, shared a picture of Edo, Sienna and Wolfie walking in the woods Princess Beatrice is already mother to Sienna Elizabeth Mapelli Mozzi, three (pictured) In 2024, she announced she'd been diagnosed with malignant melanoma, a form of skin cancer. She then underwent further surgery, around the edges of the site of the mole and lymph nodes, as doctors said it appeared the cancer had not spread. Writing on Instagram after the essay was published, Beatrice's husband Edo took to Instagram to praise her bravery in speaking out. He said: 'So much pride for my beautiful wife, who has bravely shared our story of Athenas early arrival. 'Also for her support and patronage for the incredible organisation @bornecharity, which provided us with invaluable help during that challenging time.' The essay was published weeks after Beatrice made her first official appearance since giving birth to Athena, with the royal stepping out for Borne's Wonderland gala accompanied by Edoardo earlier this month. Her patronage was announced at the fundraising gala for the UK charity that funds research to advance knowledge of pregnancy and childbirth, improve the lives of mothers and babies, and prevent preterm birth. The Duke and Duchess of York's daughter put on an elegant display for her first engagement as Borne's patron, with Beatrice picking an all-cream ensemble for the event. Photographed arm-in-arm with her husband, the late Queen's granddaughter teamed a fashionable silk skirt with a chic long sleeved blazer, featuring button and bow detailing. Princess Beatrice is pictured with her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi Beatrice, who fondly refers to Wolfie as her 'bonus child', placed a loving hand on the eight-year-old's back at the Christmas Day service in Sandringham last year She teamed her stylish outfit with a pair of beige heels while carrying a cream clutch bag to complement her ensemble. With her hair styled in soft curls, Beatrice opted for a glamorous makeup look, completed with bright blush and pink lipstick. Her husband looked equally sophisticated in a black tie outfit as he posed up a storm with his glamorous wife. Commenting on her new role, the Princess said: 'The work that Borne is undertaking is something that is incredibly close and personal to me following the recent birth of my daughter. 'Every year in the UK, 60,000 babies are delivered too soon, with little information or research as to why this is. 'That is why I am really looking forward to supporting Borne and its programme of groundbreaking research, which I hope will help thousands of parents and children in the future.' Princess Beatrice joins a distinguished group of Borne patrons, including Will Greenwood MBE and Caro Greenwood, Dame Darcey Bussell DBE, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, and Erin OConnor MBE, all of whom share a personal connection to the cause. Athena Elizabeth is 11th in line to the throne, pushing her aunt Princess Eugenie down to 12th place. She's the third child in the Mapelli Mozzi brood alongside Beatrice's three-year-old daughter Sienna, and Wolfie, eight, from Edo's first marriage to Dara Huang. Princess Beatrice often describes Wolfie as her 'bonus' child. Beatrice opened up about her mother Sarah Ferguson's (pictured) illness in the essay In a sweet Instagram post to announce her birth, Buckingham Palace wrote: '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. 'The baby was born weighing 4 pounds and 5 ounces. 'The King and Queen, and other members of The Royal Family, have all been informed and are delighted with the news. 'Princess Beatrice and Mr Mapelli Mozzi would like to thank all the staff at the hospital for their wonderful care. 'Her Royal Highness and her daughter are healthy and doing well, and the family are enjoying spending time together with Athena's older siblings, Wolfie and Sienna.' Athena is the fourth grandchild for Prince Andrew and Sarah, Duchess of York. Their others include Princess Eugenie's sons August, three, and Ernest, one, whom she shares with her husband Jack Brooksbank. Edo, 41, also posted on Instagram to reveal his new daughter was 'tiny and absolutely perfect'. He shared a photograph of Athena wrapped in a blanket, with the caption: 'Athena Elizabeth Rose Mapelli Mozzi. 'We welcomed baby Athena into our lives last week. She is tiny and absolutely perfect. 'We are all (including Wolfie and Sienna) already completely besotted with her. 'Our hearts are overflowing with love for you, baby Athena. 'A massive thank you from my wife and I goes out to all the wonderful staff at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital for their exceptional care and support during this incredibly special time.' Reposting the baby announcement on her Instagram story, Athena's aunt Princess Eugenie wrote 'welcome baby girl'. Her grandmother, Sarah Ferguson, wrote: 'Overflowing with love and joy to be able to welcome Athena Elizabeth Rose into the world. She is already so adored and Im incredibly blessed to be a Granny once again. So proud of Edo, Beatrice and the rest of my little 5-a-side team!' Mia Love, the first Black Republican congresswoman, died at age 49 on Sunday, her family announced on Monday. "She passed away peacefully" with her family at her home in Saratoga Springs, a statement added. Love was elected to represent Utah in the House of Representatives in 2014, serving for two terms. A daughter of Haitian immigrants, she was also the mayor of Saratoga Springs. Love, who suffered from brain cancer, was receiving palliative care after treatment failed to stem the advance of the disease. Earlier this month she wrote an op-ed in Deseret, detailing her "living wish" for the country: tackling division in politics. In her message, Love reflected on her personal journey, recounting how her parents immigrated to the United States with little money but a firm belief in the country's opportunities. She described growing up with an appreciation for hard work, personal responsibility, and the idea that government should be limited to allow individuals to thrive. "When tough times came they didn't look to Washington, they looked within. Because the America they knew was centered in self-reliance, the America I know is founded in the freedom self-reliance always brings," she wrote. Love also acknowledged witnessing the divisiveness of politics but highlighted the resilience of communities. She emphasized the importance of maintaining national unity, warning against the dangers of division. She stated that America's strength comes from its people rather than its government, pointing to the contributions of everyday citizens, entrepreneurs, military personnel, and public servants Love also expressed her belief that the United States remains a place of opportunity and progress. She referenced historical struggles and achievements, urging Americans to continue the nation's legacy of striving for improvement. She reiterated her faith in the resilience of the country and the ability of its people to uphold its ideals. "The America I know will continue as long as each of us simply remember that this country is exceptional because it is! I know it is! I can see on the horizon that our best and brightest days as a nation are still to come," Love added in a passage of her op-ed. Love concluded by saying that as her "season of life begins to draw to a close," she still believes "that we can revive the American story we know and love." "My living wish and fervent prayer for you and for this nation is that the America I have known, is the America you fight to preserve and that each citizen, and every leader, will do their part to ensure that the America we know will be the America our grandchildren and great grandchildren will inherit," she finished. Originally published on Latin Times A doctor has issued an urgent warning against people kissing men with a beard. Dr Myro Figura, an anesthesiologist from Los Angeles, took to Instagram to explain why kissing someone with a beard can result in infections and skin irritation. He explained: 'Kissing somebody with a beard can cause an infection? It sure can. 'If not clean, the beard can harbour a lot of bacteria like staph and strep and when kissing the beard can cause breaks in the skin, allowing bacteria to enter and cause an infection called impetigo.' Impetigo is contagious but not serious. According to the NHS, it starts with red sores or blisters, but the redness may be harder to see on brown and black skin. 'The sores or blisters quickly burst and often leave crusty, golden-brown patches. 'The patches can look a but like cornflakes stuck to your skin, get bigger and spread to others parts of your body, be itchy and are sometimes painful.' A doctor has shared a warning against kissing bearded men and revealed the gruesome health issues that can arise as a result Treatment can include hydrogen peroxide cream if it's in 1 area, antibiotic cream or tablets if it's widespread and antibiotic tablets if it is bullous impetigo (impetigo that includes large, fluid-filled blisters). It added that pharmacists can help, providing a consultation and treatment but if it is particularly painful or not going away then it's best to speak to a GP. Cases typically clear up in seven to ten days with treatment but a surefire way to avoid getting the nasty skin infection is for men to make sure they're taking good care of their facial hair. TikTok dermatologist Muneeb Shah previously explained that it's important to reduce the spread of bacteria and so cleaning regularly can help your skin and your partners. Social media users flocked to Dr Figura's video and shared their shock at the infection, with many women revealing that infections like impetigo are the reason they avoid men with beards. One wrote: 'That's why I like clean shaven', while another said, 'They will never make me like men with beards!' and a third commented, 'baby-faced boys till i die'. Others took to the comments to share their surprise than men might not wash their beards regularly. One said: 'For how long did they keep it unwashed to be a deadly weapon like that?' and one person commented, 'Dude who is not washing their beard DAILY?! That thing is a wet sponge when it comes to crumbs and liquids.' Dr Myro Figura took to Instagram to explain why kissing someone with a beard can result in infections and skin irritation including impetigo (pictured) Social media users flocked to Dr Figura's video and shared their shock at the infection, with many women revealing that infections like impetigo are the reason they avoid men with beards It comes after doctors issued an urgent warning over a common sexual act. The herpes virus can travel to the brain during oral sex, scientists warn. They've discovered that people can contract herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) in and around the nose, which provides a dangerously direct corridor to the brain. The infection, in theory, could then cause inflammation and lead to complications such as brain damage and dementia. The University of Chicago's Professor Deepak Shukla, who led the research, told DailyMail.com this mode of transmission could occur in the bedroom. He said any position that makes it possible for someone's nose to come into contact with HSV-1 particles from a person who is actively shedding the virus is a risk. Nearly four billion people worldwide carry HSV-1, the main cause of oral herpes. The most common way it's transmitted from a carrier to someone without herpes is by touching an active sore. For someone with oral herpes, occasionally causing blisters around the lips, this means making contact with that person's cold sore or saliva - when their body is actively producing or 'shedding' the virus. Professor Deepak Shukla explained that one of the possible ways someone could contract a herpes infection through the nose is through oral sex on an infected partner (stock image) However, there are cases of HSV-1 causing genital herpes, meaning that an infected carrier passed on the virus during oral sex. Essentially, someone could inhale infectious particles when their face is pressed up against skin or sores shedding HSV-1. For the first time, in the journal mBio, Professor Shukla revealed that there's a key enzyme in the human body that could make these herpes infections entering through the nose particularly devastating for brain health. The enzyme is called heparanase (HPSE) and experiments revealed that it might be a hidden puppet master, amplifying inflammation and driving the long-term brain damage after HSV-1 sneaks into the brain through the nose. HPSE is a normal enzyme in humans and other mammals, which breaks down sugar-like molecules that are part of the supportive structures of our cells. HPSE usually acts like a cleanup crew, clearing out damaged cells so the body can regenerate injured tissues. However, when someone becomes infected with HSV-1, the herpes virus hijacks this enzyme and causes it to produce too much inflammation. For most of the world's population that carries HSV-1 with only the occasional cold sore, there really isn't much to worry about. When this infection somehow reaches the brain, however, HSV-1 can cause encephalitis, a dangerous brain inflammation, or linger quietly, possibly contributing to conditions like Alzheimer's disease later in life. Overall, cases of herpes simplex encephalitis (HSE), where HSV-1 infects the brain, causing inflammation, are still rare. He built an outdoor kitchen, cabanas and even built an entire pool Sometimes the choice between leaving the house and going out is a hard one - but one man's commitment to do both has left his landlord with a property she doesn't recognize. TikTok user Mica posted a shocking video showing the home in Accra, Ghana, explaining it belongs to her mom who renovated it in 2020 before returning to the United States. However, the family were forced to evict their tenant after discovering he had turned it into a nightclub. In shocking videos posted online, Mica showed the sprawling properly before the tenant moved in. The house, which is on a compound in the West African city, featured several rooms and outdoor spaces, however she explained it was a residential building with no intention for it to be used commercially. 'My mom invested a lot of her retirement money to bring the house from that old school version [into] something that was more modern,' she explained. In shocking footage posted online after the family had managed to evict the man, an entire outdoor bar had been built, along with cabanas, temporary walls and even a pool. 'Early 2021 into 2022 is when this whole debacle was starting,' Mica said. 'He told us that he wanted somewhere residential that he could host his business partners when they come into town. 'We understood that,' she continued. TikTok user Mica posted a shocking video showing the home in Accra, Ghana, explaining it belongs to her mom who renovated it in 2020 before returning to the United States 'There was no indication whatsoever about this being a bar, a private club - anything that would commercialize it,' she said, outraged. Mica said they started to notice he was making changes about two months into the lease, starting with him repainting the entire house without their knowledge. He had also knocked down an outdoor gazebo and started building a new structure in its place. 'We had confronted him about the situation,' she assured viewers. 'There were various conversations and confrontations that we had with him with regards to all these changes being made.' Mica said he would not properly answer them or, when he did, would respond by telling the family his renovations are benefiting them and their property. 'In order for my mom to get her rent and her return on investment, we were allowing a certain amount of leeway,' she added. 'But at the same time, he was going absolutely overboard with it.' It got to the point where the man had security that would stop them from coming to inspect their home, with Mica explaining how they found out he had turned the house into a swanky club. 'One, the neighbors told us about the noise complaint,' she recalled. 'And two, I had been invited to a soft launch for a local bistro bar by my friend.' Mica explained she didn't even have to put the address in to Google Maps, as the name of the lounge came up on the app. However, the family were forced to evict their tenant after discovering he had turned it into a nightclub 'I was like "My mom's house is in this neighborhood,"' she recalled. 'Low and behold, the bar is my mom's house.' At this point, Mica said it was 'too far gone.' 'The pool had been put in, an outdoor kitchen had been built - the whole entire compound had been drastically changed. 'Instead of making a scene - although I did record everything - I told my mom about it and had videos of everything,' she added. 'We are a family, and we were trying to rent it out to other families, or people who were family orientated,' Mica said. 'We didn't want to turn this into a commercialized business.' Mica went on to say they needed him to pay the rent for her mom to get her return on investment on the renovations she did. Instead, he would give them a portion of the rent to 'keep them at bay,' and they would be constantly chasing him up for it. 'Our biggest fear is that he was doing all these changes to eventually take the house from us,' she said, noting that as her mom doesn't live in the US there was concern about what he may do to stop her from getting back in once his lease was up. Lucky, the family was able to eventually evict him after a two-year-long battle, and they began the process of restoring the house back to what it originally looked like. Other social media users were appalled by the story, some even chiming in to say they attended events there at some point. 'All the money he put in this place. Why the hell did he not just buy his own place?' one questioned. 'So he was making money and couldn't pay the rent. How can you make this s**t up,' another astonished user wrote. 'I went for a food tasting event at this place in 2022 omgg,' someone wrote. A designer who crafted a jacket for Nebraska fashion week that appeared to feature a swastika has claimed the controversial piece was a misunderstanding. Kelli Molczyk faced immediate backlash after the garment was seen on the runway at Omaha Fashion Week in late February. She has since claimed that the hate symbol was not intentional and revealed that the piece started as an 'antique pinwheel quilt remnant purchased from a well-known store in Central Nebraska two years ago.' 'I have never been a part of a hate organization, and I condemn, in the strongest terms, the swastika and any form of hate speech or conduct,' Molczyk wrote in an Instagram post. 'To associate me with any such acts of hate or hate groups is reprehensible and defamatory,' she added to the March 21 post. Organizers said they are 'appalled by what appeared on the runway,' and they 'staunchly stand against everything that symbol stands for.' 'This was not something that was seen beforehand,' organizers said in a March 20 post on Facebook. 'It was not at our rack check, which happens a few weeks before shows, and was not put on the model until shortly before she walked the runway, so our team did not have the chance to pull the garment until after it had walked the runway once.' Designer Kelli Molczyk faced immediate backlash after the garment was seen on the runway at Omaha Fashion Week in late February They added the designer will not be allowed to return to the Omaha Fashion Week runway or to her panelist position. 'We are changing protocols backstage and our pre-show screening processes to prevent this from happening in the future,' they continued. 'Omaha Fashion Week exists to give a platform to designers,' they continued. 'We see that it is a great place to raise awareness for larger issues. 'Our immediate reaction was to put a statement out, but we also did not want to give a voice to the symbol of hate.' Fashion week owner Brook Hudson told KMTV that usually the outfits will go down the runway three times during the show but Molczyk's design was immediately flagged and only sent out once. She told KMTV the jacket was 'ripped' off the model after the first time she appeared on the runway and that she was sent back out without it on. 'When the model turned, the whole production team was like, "Oh my gosh, that's a swastika, we've got to remove that immediately,"' she recalled. Hudson told the publication that all designers are required to participate in rack check weeks before the event, with no one picking up anything awry about Molczyk's collection. She has since claimed that the hate symbol was not intentional and revealed that the piece started as an 'antique pinwheel quilt remnant purchased from a well-known store in Central Nebraska two years ago' An image of the jacket went viral after a woman, Whitney Hansen, posted a photo of the model on the runway to Facebook on March 19. She criticized the fashion week's organizers for waiting to make a statement, telling KMTV she wasn't convinced the design was a misunderstanding. 'Your organization should be making a clear *public* stand against this very *public* action that occurred during your event, whether you applied private consequences or not,' she berated the organization in the Facebook post. According to Hudson, Omaha Fashion Week has assured that going forward, all garments will be thoroughly checked. Danielle Donald woke up in a hospital bed, totally confused. She had suffered a seizure in her early twenties - maybe she'd had another one? But something about this felt different. Scarier. 'Where am I?' She opened her mouth but there was no sound. Her words were choked by the tube down her throat. She was hooked up to other bleeping machines, too. Her vision was blurry and her entire body was racked with pain. One of the nurses around her bed stepped forward to speak to her. She told Danielle she'd been in a coma for 48 days after the car she was driving had hit a tree at high speed. The 31-year-old remembered nothing of the crash, which had caused a severe brain injury and broken her back, ribs and face. A flying shard of glass had damaged the vision in her right eye. Danielle Donald, from Melbourne, Australia, was in a critical condition after her car collided with a tree on March 26, 2018. The single mother, now 38, is pictured here before the accident She'd been on life support since arriving at a hospital in Melbourne six weeks earlier. It was a miracle she wasn't brain dead. But there was something even more profound that Danielle was unable to recall. She had a 14-month-old son, Bruce. He'd been in the back seat of the at the car when the accident happened, but was unharmed. 'I didn't know who Bruce was,' Danielle tells me. Even when her little boy was brought in to see her, Danielle was still confused and felt heartbreakingly disconnected from her own child. 'I couldn't put two and two together. I couldn't understand he was mine. I couldn't hold him because of the nerve damage in my arms. I could only look,' she says. The day everything changed Before her accident, Danielle was a hair stylist and makeup artist. She loved getting dolled up in glamourous outfits for nights out with friends. Police believe she was driving at 110km/h when a kangaroo jumped out from the bushes on the side of the road. She was in a coma for 48 days and was left fighting for life after suffering from severe traumatic brain injuries, a broken back, broken ribs, blindness and a 'broken face' She was a single mother to Bruce and fiercely independent. The accident had changed everything. While Danielle was unable to recall details of what happened, a police investigation was able to piece together the events of that fateful day. Danielle had been driving at dusk along a country road from Tarrawingee in Victoria to her parents' home in Eldorado. Bruce had been sitting in his car seat in the back on the left hand side. Danielle was driving in a 110km/h zone when a kangaroo jumped out from the bushes on the side of the road. To try to avoid hitting the animal, which was on her son's side of the car, Danielle panicked and swerved. The vehicle hit the roo on her side before colliding with a tree. Nearby homeowners who heard the screeching sound from the crash dialled Triple-0 and emergency services rushed to the scene. Danielle's dad and brother, both volunteers for the Country Fire Authority (CFA) which assists firefighters, also arrived at the scene without any idea Danielle was the one who'd been in the crash. 'It breaks my heart knowing they both would've recognised my car straight away,' she says. 'I had to be physically cut out of the car. Bruce was distraught but completely fine.' Danielle was airlifted to The Alfred Hospital in Melbourne for urgent care while Bruce was taken to Wangaratta hospital. After arriving at the Alfred, she remained there for 48 days in a coma. During that time, her parents were asked an unthinkable question by doctors: Do you want to turn off her life support? The doctor explained the hospital needed the bed and if Danielle were to wake up, there was a high likelihood she would need around-the-clock care. Danielle's parents, who were also now caring for Bruce, refused to give up on her. She was transferred from the Alfred to Epworth Hospital where she eventually woke up from her coma. 'The coma was the easy part - the hard part was when I got out and had to live day-to-day like this,' she says. Now she is 'bright but brain damaged' and avoids social situations The road to recovery From then on, Danielle had to relearn how to walk, talk, read and take care of herself. 'The coma was the easy part. The hard part was when I got out and had to live day-to-day like this,' she says. At the start, Danielle was bedridden and developed a blood clot from lying down all day, for which she needed medication. 'I just wanted my normal life back and they had to teach me the basics like how to cross a road,' she tells me. The rehabilitation was exhausting and mentally challenging for Danielle. Even after she was well enough to leave the hospital, she had to move back in with her parents and needed ongoing physio and doctor appointments. Doctors would use large flashcards with pictures on them to help improve Danielle's memory, but her score was always below average. 'I have post-traumatic amnesia, so I can remember memories from 10-20 years ago but can't remember what I ate for breakfast yesterday,' she explains. 'I'm also unfit to work which has been a really confronting life change for me. Life is over in that regard. 'I think slowly, struggle with my emotions, and have ADHD and OCD. I avoid going out and prefer going to the gym.' Grieving the loss of her former self Accepting that her looks have changed has also been challenging for Danielle. 'Before the accident, I was all about looking good. I was into beauty, I loved attention and makeup, but now I get attention for all the wrong reasons,' Danielle says. 'I get weird stares from people because I look a bit different and walk a bit different, which has impacted my mental health. 'I've gone from this glamour girl to being a mentally disabled single mum.' Now Danielle describes herself as 'bright but brain damaged'. She avoids social situations, taking selfies or looking at herself in the mirror because her reflection is so different to the person she once was. Her son Bruce is now eight and one of the biggest challenges she faces is being a mother with limitations. 'I have the mental capacity of a child; I get angry or frustrated really easily and when I do it's difficult to get over things,' she explains. In a way, she and her son have the same emotional capacity. To cope with the trauma of the accident, Danielle has shifted her focus to health, fitness and wellbeing. She exercises every day and describes the gym as her 'happy place'. For the last three months she's been training intensely to compete in a bodybuilding competition - the AusFitness Expo. 'Gym has been my love since I was able to live as an adult again,' she says. Danielle describes her parents as the 'real heroes' in her story. They moved 300km to be closer to her while she was in hospital, supported her through her recovery and have played a key part in raising their grandson. Danielle says her own relationship with Bruce is now 'amazing'. 'Thats why Ive kept going,' she says. A new budget-friendly gadget from Kmart is making waves among Aussie shoppers, with many calling it a 'game-changer' for wet and sweaty shoes - just in time for winter. The $19 Shoe Dryers have been flying off shelves as customers rave about their ability to gently dry and warm shoes, boots, and even socks, preventing that dreaded damp odour. With three time settings - three, six, and nine hours - and an all-around hot air outlet for even heat distribution, the nifty device offers a simple, no-fuss solution to wet footwear woes. Social media influencer Michael Jaimie shared his excitement over the product in a now-viral video, explaining why they were a must-have for him. 'I'm someone who sweats a lot, even in winter. You can only imagine how gnarly my shoes get - particularly in summer,' he admitted. 'These are just little heated fans you can stick inside your shoes. I thought these would be perfect for my exercise shoes - especially coming up to winter in case you get caught in the rain.' Michael also pointed out that the dryers would be ideal for his favourite cold-weather footwear. 'I mostly wear Converse in winter, so I thought this product was an absolute genius idea to keep them dry.' The $19 Shoe Dryers have been flying off shelves as customers rave about their ability to gently dry and warm shoes, boots, and even socks, preventing that dreaded damp odour With three time settings - three, six, and nine hours - and an all-around hot air outlet for even heat distribution, the nifty device offers a simple, no-fuss solution to wet footwear woes It's not just fitness enthusiasts who are snapping them up - parents and workers dealing with wet shoes daily say the product is a total lifesaver. One mum shared her struggle with her son's constantly damp school shoes, saying: 'We live in Queensland and my son's school shoes are always wet. Air drying or even using a hair dryer is not always successful.' Another parent admitted she couldn't resist grabbing a set after watching Michael's video. 'I love your content, but you are costing me a fortune! I'm off to buy the shoe dryers for my three children. When I wash their runners - especially in winter - it takes ages to dry. The tumble dryer ruins the glue!' Support workers have also praised the device, highlighting its practicality for those on their feet all day. 'I'm a support worker, and these would be fabulous after showering duties. Even with shoe covers on, my feet still get soaked,' one shopper commented. With the colder months approaching, Kmart fans are predicting the shoe dryers will sell out fast. Shoppers who are tired of waiting days for their sneakers to dry - or dealing with that damp, musty smell - are rushing to their nearest stores. A highly invasive pest is quietly spreading through Queensland's waterways, with experts sounding the alarm over its devastating potential. The freshwater gold clam - a species first recorded in Australia in February 2024 - has now been detected in multiple locations across Brisbane's river systems, sparking concern for native wildlife and water quality. Biosecurity Queensland issued a warning recently after the tiny but destructive shellfish was spotted in Kedron Brook by a dog walker. 'Freshwater gold clam is a small shellfish, with a big threat on our freshwater ecosystems. It can outcompete native species and diminish water quality,' experts warned in a social media statement on 24 February 2025. This follows previous detections along the Brisbane River, where the clam was first discovered in early 2024. Despite its small size - typically less than 25mm, but capable of growing up to 65mm - the freshwater gold clam is a huge threat to Australia's freshwater ecosystems. Experts warn that this pest has an alarming ability to multiply, thanks to its rapid growth, short lifespan, and high reproductive rate. It spreads easily through water currents, ballast water, and even the aquarium trade. The freshwater gold clam - a species first recorded in Australia in February 2024 - has now been detected in multiple locations across Brisbane's river systems Once established, it can outcompete native species, clog pipes and pumps, and degrade water quality - causing serious environmental and economic consequences. The freshwater gold clam is already well-established in New Zealand, North America, and South America, but its arrival in Australia has left authorities scrambling to contain it. The federal agriculture and fisheries department revealed that the National Biosecurity Management Consultative Committee convened in January 2024 and decided that eradicating the clam from Queensland was not possible. This decision was made based on the assessment that the species is now firmly established in the Ipswich region of the Brisbane River and that no effective eradication methods currently exist. 'Freshwater gold clam has not been successfully eradicated from any locality it has invaded globally,' the department said. Biosecurity Queensland believes the pest was most likely transported via ballast water from ships or accidentally introduced through the aquarium trade. While some invasive species can be spread by migratory birds, experts say this is unlikely in this case, as the clam requires water to transfer successfully. Authorities are urging people to stay vigilant when near Queensland's waterways. Despite its small size - typically less than 25mm, but capable of growing up to 65mm - the freshwater gold clam is a huge threat to Australia's freshwater ecosystems If you spot what you believe to be a freshwater gold clam, you should report it immediately to Biosecurity Queensland. Additionally, to help prevent further spread, Queenslanders are being advised to check, clean, and dry any boats or equipment used in affected areas before moving to another waterway. However, not all small clams are invasive. The Corbicula australis, or 'Little Basket Clam,' is a native species that many may mistake for the freshwater gold clam. Surveys at Lake Samsonvale in late 2024 confirmed healthy numbers of native clams, but no signs of the invasive species - a rare piece of good news in the ongoing battle against freshwater pests. For now, the full extent of the freshwater gold clam's spread remains unknown, but one thing is clear: early detection is key. If left unchecked, this small invader could cause big problems for Australia's waterways. In 2017, my life was already full to the brim. As a 52-year-old single mother and full-time carer for my son, who has a complex mental illness, there wasn't much space left for myself. Like most carers, I was used to pushing through discomfort and ill health. The indigestion, the nausea - I convinced myself it was stress, exhaustion or just life. But eventually, my doctor insisted I see a gastroenterologist. During a routine gastroscopy, they found some unusual little dots inside my stomach. 'Nothing to worry about, probably,' I thought. But those dots were sent off to the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre. Days later, the results came back: well-differentiated papillary mesothelioma, non-asbestos related (WDPM). It's a cancer so rare that fewer than 50 cases have ever been documented - and most of those were only discovered after people had died. I remember staring at the words on the paper, trying to make sense of them. 'One in 250 million,' my doctor said, shaking his head. 'I've never seen it before, and I probably never will again.' I remember staring at the words on the paper, trying to make sense of them. 'One in 250 million,' my doctor said. 'I've never seen it before, and I probably never will again' It was like I had won the worst lottery in the world. The first wave of emotion that hit me wasn't fear. It was disbelief, soon followed by a cold, practical dread. Who is going to care for my son if I don't survive this? There's no manual for this type of diagnosis. No neat pamphlet titled, 'So, you've been diagnosed with a cancer that shouldn't exist.' I am stubborn and determined, so I turned to research, desperate for answers. I reached out to people overseas, joined support groups, but even the international forums called me a 'rare duck'. There just weren't many people like me. Through my digging I learned all about stomas and a radical treatment called HIPEC - heated chemotherapy pumped directly into your abdomen during surgery, washing your organs for hours in an attempt to remove every last trace of the disease. Unlike other cancers that grow as tumours, this one spreads like moss, clinging to the surfaces of your internal organs, invisible on scans. It was decided that HIPEC would be the treatment for me. I had to be cut open from my breastbone to pelvis. The surgeons would scrape away what they could see, and then flood my abdominal cavity with heated chemo for two hours. Only two hospitals in Australia offered the procedure. I kept thinking: How did I end up here? But I knew I didn't have time for shock. I had to act. Nothing about my treatment went to plan - and no one apart from my son came to visit me On the day I was diagnosed, I stopped by my parents' house. I told them, hoping they'd sense the gravity of the situation. My dad got emotional. My mother stayed cool, detached. I could tell they didn't really understand how serious this was. Later, I brought my entire family - my parents, brother and sister - into an appointment with my surgeon. I thought hearing it from a medical professional will make them take it seriously. But while my surgeon was brilliant, he was also reassuring by nature; he focused on the positives. My family latched onto that and dismissed everything else. The situation quickly spiralled. They thought I was being dramatic. They didn't hear the gravity, the risk, the sheer scale of what I was about to face. Instead, they decided I was exaggerating. Overreacting. The cancer wasn't that bad, after all. Did I really need the surgery? The insinuation stung. Did they think I'd dreamt up a vanishingly rare, life-threatening condition for attention? Meanwhile, my son was unravelling. The stress sent him deeper into his addictions, already fuelled by his mental health issues. I watched him teeter on the edge while I was barely hanging on myself. I called a family meeting, desperate to create some boundaries. I asked everyone to stop burdening my son with questions. 'Come to me,' I said. 'He's unwell and can't handle this.' I also announced that I'd given medical power of attorney to a trusted friend - someone I knew would make decisions in my best interest if I couldn't. Some family members took that news as a betrayal. The meeting blew up and arguments escalated until, in exhaustion, I said to my mother, 'I relieve you of your parental duties. You don't have to do anything if that's what you want.' She took me at my word. The day of the operation, I reassured my son as he dropped me off at the hospital. I forced myself to be cheerful; if this was the last memory he'd have of me, I wanted it to be a good one. The plan was straightforward: in and out in seven to ten days. That's what everyone expected. That's what I expected, too. But nothing about this went to plan. Even though I had been diagnosed with one of the rarest forms of cancer in the world, my family told me I was 'being dramatic'. I knew I would have to go through treatment alone The initial surgery itself went well. But seven days later, a wound complication - my abdomen bursting open internally - meant I was rushed into emergency surgery. After that, my body began to fail me. I couldn't eat. I was fed intravenously through a PICC line. I contracted infections, developed a collapsed lung, endured a stomach bubble, and battled through each day with barely enough strength to sit up. I wasn't in hospital for seven days. I was there for three months. And no one came. Not one member of my family visited - not during the first week, not when things became critical, not when doctors thought I wouldn't make it. Not even as the days dragged into weeks and then into months. My son visited as often as he could manage, given the turmoil he was facing on his own. Some friends came too - most of them carers themselves who carved out precious time between their responsibilities to make the long trek into the city to be with me. But family? Nothing. They later told me, 'But you said not to come.' No. I had said, 'You don't have to if it's too much.' I had simply tried to ease the burden. But they took that as permission to disappear entirely. There were moments in that hospital room - alone, frail, staring out the window - that I thought maybe this was it. Maybe the invitation to let go was right there. But stubbornness is a powerful thing. Every day, the nurses would pull me out of bed and sit me by the window overlooking the city. I'd watch the people walking along the streets below and whisper to myself, 'You will walk down there again one day.' And eventually I did. Maybe, deep down, I knew I still had work to do. I had already lived as a carer, supporting my son through the challenges of mental illness long before cancer knocked on my door. And after surviving what felt like the impossible, I wrote Called to Care: Everything You Never Wanted to Know About Mental Illness and Caring for Someone Who Suffers. It's the book I wish I'd had when I first stepped into the world of caregiving - raw, honest and filled with the kind of truths most people don't talk about. I know now that my story, as painful as it has been, is meant to help others find their own strength in the darkest of times. Maybe that was the reason I was still here: to make sure no one else feels as alone as I did. But despite what I have achieved since, I didn't come out of those three months in hospital the same woman. I had faced one of the rarest cancers on earth, endured unimaginable complications, and survived. Alone. That kind of survival changes you. It makes you see who you really are when everything else falls away. It would be easy to sit here and tell you that I don't still grieve the absence of family during the hardest time of my life - but I do. Somewhere deep inside, I wish someone had been there to hold me, even just once. But what I found instead was something far more powerful: the belief that I could hold myself. I survived for my son. For the story that still needed telling. For the women I knew I could help if I made it through. Even now, life isn't easy. The HIPEC procedure has left my organs fused together. I can feel food moving through me, painfully. Sometimes I stop mid-sentence, breathing through waves of nausea. The medications are expensive. The pension barely covers it. But I keep going. What surprises me most about all of this is the resilience I didn't know I had. If I can survive this, why can't I have the life I want? Why can't I help change the world? Im working on a new book now. Its a book for unpaid carers, and women in the middle of their lives; it is for those women who give up so much their time to care for others, and those who feel invisible, unseen and unfulfilled. The Art of Ageing Backwards will be the encouragement they need to reclaim those lost years and live a life they always wished they had. I'm also intent of building a community of women I call 'Brave and Unstoppable'. Because that's what I've become. And if I can, so can they. No one should have to endure something like this without support. But if you're reading this and you feel alone, please know you're stronger than you think. And when family fails you, there's always a chosen family waiting somewhere out there. You can survive. You can heal. And you can still create a life worth living. The strength is always within you. Experts have issued a stark warning after the world's first case of bird flu in sheep was detected on the UK farm, triggering a Government alert. The case was identified in Yorkshire during routine surveillance on a premises where avian influenza had been confirmed in captive birds. The Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs confirmed that the infected sheep has been 'humanely culled' to enable extensive testing. Bird flu can cause severe illness, including pneumonia, and even deathwith experts on high alert amid fears it could trigger a human pandemic. The new report will further raised concerns after the UK's first human case of the infection, also known as H5N1, was recorded in January. Commenting on the incident, Professor Ed Hutchinson, a virologist at the University of Glasgow Centre said a 'particularly aggressive strain' of the virus was to blame. 'H5N1 avian influenza virus has spread through bird populations across the world,' he added. 'On the way, it has caused repeated "spillover" infections of mammals: mammals that wouldnt normally get avian influenza have caught the disease from birds.' In late January, a patient in the Midlands was diagnosed with H5N1 after close and prolonged contact with a large number of infected birds The strain, called H5N1, has been found in a sheep in England. It- has previously been detected in livestock n other countries such as the US. Pictured here: dead cows at a Californian dairy farm In March last year, the US Centers for Disease Control recorded the first cases of H5N1 in dairy cows, and the virus has continues to spread among cattlesomething Prof Hutchinson called 'surprising'. He added: 'Another animal we hadnt previously thought of as a host is sheep, which makes this announcement of H5N1 influenza in a single sheep in Yorkshire startling.' The sheep in question was reportedly on a farm where bird flu was also present in captive birds. Said Prof Hutchinson: 'In terms of direct risk to humans, we know from the dairy outbreak in the USA that H5N1 in milk is a possible source of human infection. 'H5N1 can cause severe illness in humans and it is important to minimise the risk of farmed animals infecting them, although so far in the USA human cases of H5N1 contracted from cows in dairies have typically been quite mild. 'There is also a risk of H5N1 "breeding" with human strains of influenza to produce a new human influenza virus. 'There is no evidence that this has happened anywhere with an H5N1 virus, but it is important that we work hard to keep that risk as low as possible.' UKs chief veterinary officer, Christine Middlemiss, added: 'While the risk to livestock remains low, I urge all animal owners to ensure scrupulous cleanliness is in place and to report any signs of infection to the Animal and Plant Health Agency immediately.' UK scientists tasked with developing 'scenarios of early human transmission' of bird flu have warned that 5 per cent of infected people could die if the virus took off in humans (shown under scenario three). Under another scenario, the scientists assumed 1 per cent of those infected would be hospitalised and 0.25 per cent would die similar to how deadly Covid was in autumn 2021 (scenario one). The other saw a death rate of 2.5 per cent (scenario two) Alan Gosling (pictured), a retired engineer in Devon who kept ducks at home, caught bird flu in early 2022 after his pets became infected In January, the first bird-flu related human death was reported in Louisiana in the US. The victim, who was 65 with underlying health conditions, contracted bird flu after being exposed to a personal flock of birds and wild birds. The virus has gone on to infect workers at dairy farms in the US and some cases have also been found in pigs. In November, it was reported the Centers for Disease Control tested 115 workers at farms suffering outbreaks and found eight of them were positive for the virus an infection rate of seven per cent. Many of them had no symptoms, which officials fear indicates H5N1 is spreading far more widely than previously thought. Late last year hundreds of American cattle farms across dozens of states were confirmed as experienced bird flu outbreaks among their livestock. No cases in British cattle have been found, but officials are monitoring herds due to the risk. More broadly, H5N1 has been shown to be capable of jumping to numerous mammal species like mink, foxes, raccoons, bears and seals. Pets are also vulnerable, at least 99 domestic cats have been infected since late 2022, according to the US Department of Agriculture, some through raw pet food. Health experts are concerned over the virus's success at jumping between multiple species, as each iteration gives it the opportunity to mutate to become better at infecting humans. Experts have previously told MailOnline this could, in theory risk another pandemic, though they added there is no evidence of this at present. Professor Paul Hunter, a renowned infectious diseases expert from the University of East Anglia said: 'The concern is that should the virus evolve further to be better able to spread in humans then we would be at risk of another pandemic. 'There is no evidence of that at present, but such a future shift cannot be excluded.' Humans are unlikely to catch bird flu from eating poultry and game birds because it is heat-sensitive, and properly cooking the poultry will kill the virus. Instead, human infections mostly occur when the virus gets into a person's eyes, nose, mouth or is inhaled. Usual symptoms in humans are high fever, a cough, sore throat, muscle aches and a general feeling of malaise. And just like with ordinary flu, it can quickly develop into serious respiratory illness and pneumonia. Britain has seen cases of bird flu in humans before. One, Alan Gosling a retired engineer in Devon who kept ducks at home caught the virus in early 2022 after his pets became infected. He later tested negative while he was in quarantine for nearly three weeks. A distraught mother has warned of the dangers of energy drinks after her 'super healthy' 28 year-old daughter died following a shock heart attack which she blames on the gym bunny's caffeine habit. Katie Donnell, from Florida in the US, took a caffeine supplement, followed by up to three energy drinks a day as well as the odd coffee, in order to fuel her workouts. The teacher was 'rarely' seen without an energy drink in her hands, and would buy a four-pack of the sodas every two to three days, according to her boyfriend. Apart from 'horrible anxiety', which her mother also blames on energy drink 'abuse', Ms Donnell was the 'epitome of health', suffering no underlying conditions. But in August 2021, while out with friends, she suddenly fell unconscious, her eyes 'rolling into the back of her head'. 'They [her friends] thought she was having a stroke but she was actually having a heart attack,' said her mother, Lori Barranon, 63. 'The ambulance got there and couldn't intubate her. She was without oxygen for too long and it caused brain damage. 'They worked on her for three hours and she never woke up.' Katie Donnell, 28, was the 'epitome of health', according to her mother. After 10 days in a coma, the family were forced to give permission for doctors to switch off her life support machine. Doctors were so shocked by the attack that they initially believed it was the result of a drug spiking incident, Ms Barranon said. 'She was left for 10 days in a medically induced coma but she never woke up. 'Whenever she tried to wake up she was having seizures. Then her body started to fail.' After an anxious bedside vigil, the family had to make the 'horrible' decision to switch off Ms Donnell's life support machine. 'At 28, you just don't see people dropping dead of a heart attack,' said Ms Barranon. 'She was a workout queen, she ate real clean, she ate organic food, she was the epitome of health other than [having energy drinks]. 'Doctors said they see this happen a lot with people that do a lot of pre-workout or energy drinks but they wouldn't give the cause of death to that. 'I know for a fact that was what was wrong with her.' Ms Barranon said her daughter would typically start the day with a 'pre-workout' supplement which contains roughly the same amount of caffeine as an energy drink. Ms Donnell would begin her day with a 5am workout, fuelled by caffeine supplements, according to her mother. 'I didn't realise how much she was drinking until after she passed. Her boyfriend said she would buy a four-pack [of drinks] every two to three days. 'Not to mention she was drinking a lot of coffee and doing the pre-workout. 'One of her friends said she'd hardly see Katie without an energy drink in her hands. When I cleaned out her car after she passed it was full of cans, at least three or four in there. 'She thought it'd help her work out and give her more energy. She was working out, working full time and going to school, burning it at both ends. 'I think she got used to the buzz.' The consumption of energy drinks that contain high levels of caffeine can cause cardiovascular issues, including high blood pressure, heart arrhythmias and even heart attacks if drunk excessively, according to some studies. While the recommended daily dose of caffeine is around 100 milligrams for adolescents and 400 milligrams for adults, some UK energy drinks contain more than 300 milligrams. In the US, drinks containing more than 500milligrams of caffeine are available. A number of energy drinks also include additional ingredients such as taurine which, along with caffeine, are believed to contribute to alterations in heart rate, potentially disrupting the organ's electrical system. Last summer, researchers in the US warned that energy drinks could trigger a life-threatening cardiac arrest in those with genetic heart defaults the majority of which are undiagnosed. Researchers at the Mayo Clinic in the US looked at the medical data of 144 patients who had survived a cardiac arrest and found seven of them had consumed an energy drink shortly before the attack. 'We would be remiss if we were not sounding the alarm,' the scientists said. The Government has plans to introduce a ban on selling high-caffeine drinks to under 16s, according to the Labour manifesto. Many supermarkets have already adopted a voluntary policy that stops teenagers from purchasing them. Now, almost four years after her daughter's death, Ms Barranon is urging others to stay away from 'deadly' energy drinks and calling for a ban. 'If you don't keep your kids away from this stuff you may be in my situation where your life is ruined. 'It's so harmful and deadly, my whole family is affected by this. 'I beg people to counsel your kids and watch what they're doing, I thought I was. 'I tell everybody I see with energy drinks that this is what it can do in the blink of an eye' Ms Donnell is not the first energy drink fan believed to have suffered devastating consequences of her habit. In August 2024, Zach Doran, 18, a healthy Oklahoma high schooler, suffered a fatal heart attack at the gym. His girlfriend attributed the shock attack to his relentless use of caffeine products. He had been in the habit of using both pre-workout supplements and energy drinks before going to the gym. Jason and Tami Doran [parents] kneeling in front of Zach's casket at his funeral '[H]e was the healthiest person that I knew in my life and I can say confidently that he was the healthiest person in the majority of peoples lives he was apart of,' Ms Gilmore said in a June Facebook post. 'Because he was so healthy and fit i never really thought much of it. although knowing the dangers of energy drinks and how they can cause heart problems I never thought Zach would be a part of this.' A small 2018 study suggested that consuming just one energy drink could increase your risk of heart attack and stroke in 90 minutes. Researchers from the University of Texas at Houston said the drinks narrow blood vessels, which restricts blood flow to vital organs. The team suggested that the negative effect on blood vessels could be related to the effects of ingredients in the energy drinks including caffeine, taurine, sugar and other herbals. Sheeraz Henderson had just arrived in France on holiday when she noticed her foot was swollen. Shed travelled on the Eurostar, so I wondered if it was from not moving around enough, she says. But the foot swelling didnt go down and she had to swap her usual shoes for Crocs. On her return home to Shropshire two weeks later Sheeraz, 53, went to her doctor. By now her foot was swollen with a constant dull ache. The doctor asked me if Id done anything to it or if I exercised a lot and had sprained it, but I said no, she says. Blood tests came back positive for raised levels of inflammatory markers but nothing else was done, says Sheeraz. I was referred to a rheumatologist but there was a years waiting list. My foot remained swollen for more than a year and over the course of that year my skin became dry and sensitive. My hair thinned too. Her mouth also became so dry the skin peeled, and she developed a hoarse voice I was always having to sip water as well as aches and pains in her legs and jaw. Just before her appointment with the consultant, she was referred for physio as she was suffering badly with hip pain. Sheeraz Henderson, 53, was diagnosed with Sjogren's syndrome, a rare autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks the body's moisture-producing glands I was also quite fatigued making usual activities more of a challenge. I used to love walking but I felt too tired to go on long walks. Finally, after the year-long wait, in October 2023 Sheeraz saw a rheumatologist who ran more complex blood tests. A few days later he sat me down and told me I had Sjogrens syndrome, she says. I was stunned. Sjogrens is an autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks the glands that produce moisture in the body. As Ben Fisher, a professor in rheumatology at the University of Birmingham, explains: Patients very often get problematic dryness of the eyes and mouth; and the skin and vagina can also be affected. Around 30 to 40 per cent of patients also experience inflammation in the joints, causing joint pain and stiffness; in the lungs, causing a cough or difficulty breathing; and nerves, causing numbness, he says. Its a condition that affects mainly women. A lot of autoimmune diseases have a bias towards more women than men and Sjogrens is probably the most sex-biased autoimmune disease; its at least nine to ten times more common in women than in men, adds Professor Fisher. Ben Fisher is a Professor in Clinical Rheumatology at the University of Birmingham. Symptoms of Sjogren's can overlap with other conditions making it difficult to diagnose, he says This may be because some of the genes linked to autoimmune conditions are located on the X (i.e. female) chromosome women have two X chromosomes. Sex hormones also influence how our immune cells function, leading to a difference between men and women and at different phases of life, he adds. And because Sjogrens has been much less researched compared to other autoimmune diseases, we know far fewer of the genetic risk factors for it than for diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, for example. But even then, the vast majority of Sjogrens patients dont have a family history of the disease and we dont know what triggers the disease in most cases. And because the symptoms can be quite subtle, or overlap with other conditions, it can lead to a delayed diagnosis. Its like a jigsaw of lots of different symptoms, all of which can be quite vague on their own, says Professor Fisher. For example, patients can get a gradual onset of dryness of the eyes and mouth, and fatigue but there are many other things that cause these symptoms such as eye conditions like blepharitis [inflammation of the eyelid] and other causes of tear loss. Fatigue is common to many chronic illnesses, he explains. Youre putting the pieces of the jigsaw together. Sheeraz was eventually prescribed hydroxychloroquine, an anti-rheumatic drug, which eased her symptoms within days Sheeraz is now able to manage the incurable condition with medication and support from charity Sjogren's UK Diagnosis is often based on symptoms, and blood tests for a specific antibody and/or a biopsy of the salivary glands. Antibodies are produced by our immune system to help clear bacteria and viruses but in some people antibodies bind to proteins in our own body - several autoantibodies are seen in Sjogrens. But a doctor needs to recognise the symptoms and the possibility of Sjogrens to even order these extra tests. He adds: Even awareness of Sjogrens itself may be low because it is less common than some other autoimmune diseases and because of the competing pressures and demands in primary care. Delayed diagnosis can cause long-term complications. Over time, left untreated, Sjogrens can lead to gland damage and a progressive loss of tears and saliva (which in turn can lead to dental decay, for example). One in 20 patients may go on to develop a type of blood cell cancer known as lymphoma due to uncontrolled inflammation. Research conducted by the Sjogrens Foundation in the US found the average time it used to take people to be diagnosed was around six years. This has gone down to just under three years, but there are of course still many people who wait a long time for a diagnosis. Once Sheeraz was diagnosed, her consultant gave her eye drops for the dry eyes and a saliva spray for dry mouth. Each symptom is treated separately, explains Professor Fisher: There arent any therapies that can be used to control the way that Sjogrens affects the whole body, so in the majority of people its really about using symptomatic treatments. For example, artificial saliva for dry mouth, which is often not that effective, and artificial tears which dont work for everyone and some people need to use them every hour to try and obtain relief, which is not convenient or pleasant. Immunosuppressants and drugs such as hydroxychloroquine (which regulates rather than suppresses the immune system) are used when Sjogrens affects other organs such as the joints or lungs. Sheeraz was prescribed hydroxychloroquine and within days I could walk faster and for longer, it was amazing, she says. Professor Fisher says there is hope of new drugs on the horizon: There are a lot of clinical trials going on, so we are in a very different place than we were even ten years ago. We have four or five drugs globally that are in late-stage clinical trials and the results of these may be available in the next one to three years. These drugs are targeted at suppressing parts of the immune system that seem to be overactive in Sjogrens, he explains. Although they are mainly focused on treating organ involvement outside the moisture-producing glands, the hope is that they will also improve the symptoms and signs of dryness as well as fatigue. While there is no cure for the condition, Sheeraz is managing it thanks to her medication and support from the charity Sjogrens UK, through which shes met others with the condition. I am relieved to have a diagnosis but do wish more in the medical profession were aware of it. Hopefully my story will help someone else. Visit The British Sjogren's Syndrome Association for more information: sjogrensuk.org READ MORE: The soaps and shampoos that could harm your immune system More than 1,000 bottles of shampoo have been recalled due to containing deadly bacteria. Germany-based Henkel voluntarily recalled 1,068 units of its Tec Italy Shampoo for 'dry and damaged hair' after the product tested positive for the Klebsiella oxytoca, a bacterium naturally found in the intestinal tract, mouth, and nose. While the bacteria is harmless inside the intestinal tract, it can kill anywhere from 10 to 20 percent of patients if it migrates to other areas like the bloodstream. According to the FDA, recalled products were shipped from a facility in Mexico to the distributors C&R Beauty, Caesar's Professional Products Inc, and Vero Beauty Distributors. While Tec Italy is a popular brand sold at stores like Walmart, Target and Amazon, the affected products were sold directly to salons, where customers can purchase them. It's unclear how many salons sold the products and how many customers purchased them. There have been no illnesses reported so far. Affected products have an expiration date of May 27, 2027, and have the lot code 1G27542266. Henkel voluntarily recalled 1,068 units of its Tec Italy Shampoo for 'dry and damaged hair' after the product tested positive for the Klebsiella oxytoca (stock image) Your browser does not support iframes. The recall was designated Class II, which refers to 'a situation in which 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.' The above image shows Tec Italy's shampoo for dry or damaged hair. It's unclear if this is the exact product recalled The recall comes after Tec Italy's Tonico Shampoo was recalled in January due to potential contamination with E coli bacteria. Klebsiella oxytoca is considered healthy bacteria when it stays in the intestines. However, if it enters the body through other areas like the bloodstream, it can lead to pneumonia-like symptoms such as fever, chills, shortness of breath, and cough. Patients may also experience pain during urination, lower abdominal pain, and vomiting. While most patients recover with antibiotics or rest, others with weakened immune systems or chronic health conditions may develop additional infections in the lungs or bloodstream, as well as sepsis. Because Klebsiella oxytoca infection is rare - striking 100 Americans every year - the mortality rate varies. It's unclear how many of these infections spread to the bloodstream. Estimates suggest Klebsiella oxytoca infection kills 10 to 20 percent of patients. The FDA has not listed specific guidance for disposing of affected products. Children who are breastfed are less likely to develop neurological conditions, including autism, a new study found. Researchers from Israel studied 570,000 infants, about half of which were breastfed for at least six months. They found exclusively breastfed babies were 28 percent less likely to be diagnosed with a neurodevelopmental condition (NDC), such as autism, ADHD and cerebral palsy. Breastfed babies were also 18 percent less likely to have delays in language and social milestones compared to babies who were breastfed for less than six months. Babies who were partially breastfed - possibly supplemented with formula - were 14 percent less likely to have delays. The reduced risk even persisted among siblings, who would most likely have similar genetic risks if they have the same parents. Those who were breastfed for at least six months were nine percent less likely to have milestone delays. They were also 27 percent less likely to be diagnosed with NDCs compared to their sibling who was breastfed for less than six months or not at all. The World Health Organization recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of an infant's life, followed by a combination of breastfeeding and the introduction of healthy foods for up to two years. Breastfed babies were 28 percent less likely to be diagnosed with a neurodevelopmental condition (NDC) Your browser does not support iframes. The American Academy of Pediatrics, which follows the WHO's recommendations, calls breastfeeding 'imperative' to public health. Numerous studies and research have shown breastfeeding has immense health benefits for babies and moms, including boosting the immune system. Benefits in infants include a reduction in the risk of asthma, sudden infant death syndrome, celiac disease, leukemia, obesity, diabetes and organ damage. Breastfeeding can also reduce the risk of high blood pressure, diabetes and breast, ovarian and endometrial cancers in mothers. The researchers said less has been investigated on neurological development and breastfeeding and previous studies looking at this relationship found it was positive but results were limited. And while this new study, published in JAMA, found a stronger positive correlation, the team did not theorize as to why there is an association. Additionally, this study was observational and cannot prove that breastfeeding will prevent any NDC. To investigate a link between breastfeeding and neurodevelopment, the researchers looked at the medical records of 570,532 children in an Israeli national network for routine child development surveillance. The babies were born after 35 weeks gestation between January 2014 and December 2020 and had no coexisting health problems. Additional data showed babies breastfed had a 17 percent lower risk of having any milestone delay, such as smiling, tracking and soothing, and a 12 percent lower chance of having a motor milestone delay, which include rolling, crawling and head control. Breastfeeding for six or more months reduced the risk of having a language NDC by 28 percent and a motor NDC by 24 percent. Additionally, breastfed babies had a 26 percent lower risk of having an undetermined NDC. While the benefits of breastfeeding were seen after at least six months, they plateaued after 10 to 12 months. Significant benefits of breastfeeding were seen after at least six months, but they plateaued after 10 to 12 months The researchers did not publish which specific NDC the children had. For the purposes of diagnoses, researchers identified language or social NDCs as ADHD, severe behavioral disorder and autism, which has seen a rise in diagnoses. Autism diagnoses increased 175 percent between 2011 and 2022, growing from a rate of 2.3 to 6.3 per 1,000 people. Separate researchers have said better screening, raised awareness and a broader diagnostic criteria are driving the surge. However, autism advocacy groups have said the causes of autism are not fully understood and many experts suggest there isn't one specific cause. Motor NDCs included cerebral palsy, paralysis or malfunction of two limbs, and unclassified NDCs included developmental NDC, epilepsy and low development quotient. Most children had delayed developmental milestones, such as delays in speech, social or motor skills. And while not hitting a milestone on time does not directly indicate a developmental delay, it is linked with future development issues. TV anchors and reporters across a range of networks avoided saying the phrase 'Gulf of Mexico' while reporting on the recent splashdown of several stranded NASA astronauts. Instead, hosts like Lester Holt and David Muir used imprecise language like 'the Florida coast' and 'the Gulf' to refer to the body of water - a decision seemingly made in apparent deference to Donald Trump. He has since renamed it as the Gulf of America. More verbal tiptoeing was seen from CBS Evenings' Maurice DuBois and John Dickerson - as their network is said to be mulling a lawsuit settlement with the president. Even correspondents from CNN and MSNBC abstained from saying the words in said succession, Status's Oliver Darcy was the first to point out. A review of transcripts from the TV monitoring website SnapStream corroborated the claims. They showed how over the past week, not one major outlet dared to use the full name. Darcy, in turn, speculated the strategy stemmed from unseen, scared executives - wary of again invoking Trump's wrath. The maritime wonder had held the 'Mexico' moniker for roughly half a millennium - until Trump signed an executive order rechristening it 'the Gulf of America' this year. At the time, Trump said the took the action 'because [the Gulf] has long been an integral asset to our once burgeoning Nation... and an indelible part of America.' That was on January 20. And after the coverage surrounding astronauts Nick Hague, Suni Williams, Butch Wilmore, and Aleksandr Gorbunov this week it seems the gulf's new name is starting to stick. TV anchors and reporters across a range of networks avoided saying the phrase 'Gulf of Mexico ' while reporting on the recent splashdown of several stranded NASA astronauts Instead, hosts like Lester Holt used imprecise language like 'the Florida coast' and 'the Gulf' to describe the body of water - a decision made in apparent deference to Donald Trump 'We begin tonight with breaking news here - the spectacular images from off the coast of Florida tonight, astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore are back on earth after their eight-day mission that turned into more than nine months in space,' Muir said on the set of World New Tonight. The rest of the broadcast - and any reference to the event from ABC over the course of the week - contained similar 'Mexico-less' diction. The same went for Holt and NBC News, a little more than a month removed from the first day of FCC chairman Brendan Carr's probe into the station's parent company over its diversity, equity, and inclusions programs. Similar to Muir, the longtime host said the astronauts were simply 'splashing down off the Florida Gulf coast', avoiding a more accurate categorization. CBS Evening News anchors DuBois and Dickerson used even more loose language - referring to the inlet merely as 'the Gulf.' Jake Tapper came the closest to calling the body of water by its name, new or old - however, he only did so when speaking hypothetically about the controversy the rebrand has caused. 'The 17-hour trip home began around 1 am this morning. Within the hour, theyre expected to splash down near Tallahassee in an area that the US government now calls the Gulf of America, known everywhere else as the Gulf of Mexico,' he said Tuesday. 'Were closely tracking every step of this journey and well bring you the re-entry and the splashdown live.' CBS Evening News anchors DuBois and Dickerson used even more loose language wheb referring to the inlet - a move media maven and Status founder Oliver Darcy said stemmed from unseen, scared executives Jake Tapper came the closest to calling the body of water by its name, new or old - however, he only did so when speaking hypothetically about the controversy the rebrand has caused Another reference later on, during an exchange with Scott Altman, a former NASA astronaut who offered analysis for the network, came after Altman made a remark about the G-force that pushes down on the capsule as it re-enters the atmosphere, Tapper, in turn, said: 'And its going into the Gulf of America, what they call around the world the Gulf of Mexico - do they have an idea of where its going to land in the gulf?' The sole instance of a TV journalist openly referring to the body of water as the Gulf of Mexico came on MSNBC, during an appearance from NBC News correspondent Tom Costello. He used the term before quickly correcting himself, showing how the Trump-era diction is taking hold. 'Six hours from right now, there will be a splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico,' he said on the network Tuesday, before reversing course. 'Sorry, however you want to call the Gulf. It will be splashing down in the Gulf.' Not one of the outlets could muster the courage to simply refer to it as the Gulf of Mexico, the water features name since the 16th century, a disgusted Darcy, formerly of CNN, wrote in response. 'Americans tend to believe the press is too independent and too proud to ever bow to government pressure,' he went on. 'We assume that if a president ever tried to dictate language, [the country] would resist. We assume were immune from such pressures.' The sole instance of a TV journalist openly referring to the body of water as the Gulf of Mexico came on MSNBC, during an appearance from NBC News correspondent Tom Costello. He used the term before quickly correcting himself, showing how the Trump-era diction is taking hold On January 20, Trump signed an executive order rechristening it 'the Gulf of America' - spawning controversy ever since Instead, the coverage seen over the past week 'quietly demonstrated that it is far less adversarial and far more compliant than the breathless promos these networks air hyping themselves as fearless truth-tellers,' Darcy wrote. He further categorized the development as 'important, particularly given how Trump has made his desire for land grabs no secret', pointing to the president's very public talks about annexing Canada and seizing control of the Panama Canal. The prospective takeover of Greenland was also pointed out, as were Trump's comments about claiming the Gaza Strip. 'In other words, each of the outlets made a willful decision to forgo referring to the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of Mexico,' Darcy at a point concluded, painting a picture of an unseen, propaganda-fueled power struggle occurring behind Conceding the strategy had been 'subtle', he said 'it was still an act of submission.' 'Executives at television news organizations may believe that avoiding a term like Gulf of Mexico is a fairly harmless concession. But there is no such thing when dealing with language. 'When the battle is over what words are permitted to be used, cute linguistic gymnastics amount to a surrender. 'Words are the front lines of truth, and once theyre ceded, it becomes far easier for strongmen like Trump to shape reality.' Humiliated Mark Zuckerberg tried to gag a former executive from speaking about a tell-all Meta tome...even though many of its juiciest secrets are already out there. The tech giant two weeks ago won an emergency ruling to temporarily stop Sarah Wynn-Williams from promoting or further distributing copies of her memoir, invoking the terms of her eight-year-old separation agreement while doing so. A new report from the Washington Post shows how PRs for Zuckerberg and his cronies went into overdrive behind the scenes to try and discredit Wynn-Williams, who was fired as Facebook's director of global policy in 2017. Despite all this, the 400-page 'Careless People: A Cautionary Tale of Power, Greed, and Lost Idealism' made its way to the No. 3 spot on Amazon bestsellers list this week. The post report, meanwhile, includes several alleged accounts surrounding top Mark Zuckerberg lieutenants like former Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg, some of which were salacious. She alleges leaders like Sandberg engaged in open sexual harassment, while brass willingly turned a blind eye. Sandberg stepped down as Meta's COO in June 2022, and will leave Meta's board in May. Her exit is said to not be related to Wynn-Williams. Public relations staffers and execs at Meta have 'been working in overdrive the past two weeks' since, the Post notes - citing specific attempts to discredit Wynn-Williams ahead the book's release. Aside from the lawsuit, this included negative statements about the author sent to reporters in advance of publication, the Post reported. Meta has denied a great deal of the claims. Meta tried to bury a former staffer's tell-all about her six years at Facebook this year - and a new report claims to have revealed how. The Washington Post piece surrounded author Sarah Wynn-Williams, who was fired from her post as the company's director of global policy in 2017 It includes several alleged accounts surrounding top Zuckerberg lieutenants like former Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg (seen with the Facebook CEO in 2021), who the author says sexually harassed her and her then assistant On March 7, Meta spokeswoman Erin Logan sent Steven Levy, a veteran journalist for the tech news site Wired, a preemptive warning about the soon-to-be-released book, the Post revealed. The warning was made before anyone at Meta had even seen the book, but Logan still reiterated to Levy in an email that Wynn-Williams had been fired and had previously made 'false claims.' Details of those supposed false claims weren't shared. Logans attempts to discredit Wynn-Williams a only piqued Levys interest, Logan told the Post in an interview. Meta also dispatched current and former employees to question the veracity of the claims in Wynn-Williams' book, while attempting to downplay some of the more serious allegations. This included allegations that Sandberg once made the author's assistant buy $13,000 worth of lingerie for the two during a steamy Italian work trip, amid what Wynn-Williams presented as an inappropriate, overbearing relationship. It saw Sandberg and the young, 26-year-old assistant - named only as Sadie - take turns sleeping in each others laps and stroking each others hair during a lengthy drive through Europe, according to Wynn-Williams. Moreover, during a private jet flight back to the States, a pouty Sandberg allegedly told Wynn-Williams herself to 'come to bed' (the sole one on the aircraft) - all while treating her assistant as a sort of 'little doll' or 'lady-in-waiting.' The memoir further claims Sandberg became visibly annoyed when Wynn-Williams rejected her invitation to join her in bed, at a time when the author was also visibly pregnant. Aside from alleged sexual harassment allegations, Wynn-Williams (seen here with Zuckerberg during her six years at the social media giant) painted her CEO as a coder-turned-megalomaniac - one increasingly obsessed with politics and his own public image 'Sadies slept over lots of times and Im not asking Sadie. Im asking you,' she supposedly said. The alleged hair-petting, lap-sitting, and propositioning was not all, though - as the Post report learned Meta staffers flooded outlets with positive comments about the company from other employees to outweigh those from Wynn-Williams. Also named was then vice president of Facebook's global policy Joel Kaplan, who, at the time, was Wynn-Williams boss. A conservative operative with ties to Republican politics, Kaplan once told Wynn-Williams she looked 'sultry' and pressed against her on the dance floor at a work event, Wynn-Williams claimed. When the author was on maternity leave and still bleeding from surgery, Kaplan allegedly continued to call her, it is claimed. He even allegedly asked where she had been bleeding from. Wynn-Williams went on to report Kaplan for sexual harassment, leaving Meta to conduct what it later put as lengthy investigation, which included interviews with 17 witness and ended with Kaplan being cleared. CEO Zuckerberg, meanwhile, was portrayed as a coder-turned-megalomaniac - one increasingly obsessed with politics and his own public image. Also named was then vice president of Facebook's global policy Joel Kaplan, who, at the time, was Wynn-Williams boss, and allegedly once told Wynn-Williams she looked 'sultry' and pressed against her on the dance floor at a work event, Wynn-Williams claimed He, Sandberg, and Kaplan were collectively categorized as 'careless' - with the title itself being a reference to F Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby, whose well-heeled cast of characters are said to 'smash up things... and then retreat back into their money'. The dynamic, Wynn-Williams said, was seen from her old bosses - many of whom she claimed willingly turned a blind eye to the ways its platforms could harm users around the world. This included enabling human rights violations in Asia and granting China surveillance power over Facebook users, she wrote - describing exec 'providing briefings to CCP officials on new technologies like artificial intelligence, developing bespoke censorship tools with the CCP, and making efforts to hide Metas cooperation with the CCP from the United States Congress.' Wynn-Williams further claimed Meta uses ads targeted toward teens based on their emotional state - and says the social media platform is proud of doing so. She also suggested that her 2017 firing - officially for 'poor performance and toxic behavior' - was retaliatory, after she raised concerns about Kaplan. In a statement, Meta slammed those claims, saying it contains 'a mix of out-of-date and previously reported claims about the company and false accusations about our executives.' Wynn-Williams further claimed Meta uses ads targeted toward teens based on their emotional state - and is proud of doing so. She also suggested that her 2017 firing - officially for 'poor performance and toxic behavior' - was retaliatory, after she raised concerns A company further said Wynn-Williams 'has been paid by anti-Facebook activists', as the Post report claimed to offer new light on Zuckerberg's reaction to recent leaks about his management style in the form of more quotes relayed by insiders'. 'Everything I say leaks. 'And so it sucks, right? Zuckerberg said during a company meeting called in January after it announced would no longer support independent fact-checking on its sites, A month later, the company announced it had fired 'roughly 20 employees' - for 'sharing confidential information outside the company,' the Post reported. The president has a new reporter in his crosshairs - and in true Trump fashion, he has already christened the correspondent with a nickname. Christened 'Liddle'' Peter Baker by Trump Sunday, the reporter is chief White House correspondent for the New York Times. President Trump unveiled his latest foe in a post on Truth Social, where he took shots at fellow NYT correspondent Maggie Haberman as well. Also singled out was the New Yorker's Susan Glasser, who happens to be Baker's wife, as well as the founding editor of Politico. The latter is one of six publications the government has cut all ties with when it comes to subscriptions, as is the Times. 'The Failing New York Times insists on using Liddle Peter Baker, a really bad writer and Obama biographer and sycophant, to write many of the long and boring Fake News hit pieces against me,' Trump wrote, using a certain spelling for the adjective. 'The only two people with less talent than Peter are his wife, the lovely Susan Glasser, and, of course, Maggot Hagerman, who may be the least talented writer in the entire stable of New York Times MEDIOCRITY!' he went on, using another nickname. 'Theres something really wrong with these people, and their SICK, TRUMP DERANGED EDITORS. 'They did everything within their power to help rig the Election against me,' he continued, with the Times one of several holdouts still critical of Trump amid probes into NPR and PBS and his complaints about ABC, NBC, and CBS's election coverage. 'How did that work out??? MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!!!' he concluded. The president has NYT correspondent Peter Baker in his crosshairs - christening him 'Liddle' Peter Baker' in the process He did so in a post to Truth Social, where he took shots at another NYT correspondent, Maggie Haberman, and Baker's wife as well Baker - seen her with his New Yorker columnist wife Susan Glasser (seen with Baker here) - joined the Times in 2008, and offered detailed, kind coverage on Barack Obama's presidency. Glasser has as well, with the two penning multiple books about the president Also a political analyst for MSNBC, Baker earned his stripes as a reporter for the Washington Post, working there for more than 20 years. He joined the Times in 2008, where he offered detailed, kind coverage on Barack Obama's presidency. In December 2016, the 57-year-old was named White House chief ahead of Trump's first term. Coverage from Baker - when it comes to the Republican party - has become increasingly critical since. In February, he compared the early days of Trump's second term to the early days of Vladimir Putin's reign, which he covered in Moscow. And that has now prompted Trump to weigh in. The New York Times defended its reported on X Monday, saying: 'Presidents from both parties have found reason to be unhappy with honest, independent journalism. 'Peter Baker, Maggie Haberman and their colleagues have an unrivaled record of covering this and prior administrations fully and fairly. 'Intimidation tactics against Times reporters or their family members have never caused us to back down from our mission of holding powerful people to account, regardless of which party is in office.' Days before Trump's Truth Social attack, he fumed that Haberman owes him her Pulitzer Prize following her recent reporting on DOGE boss Elon Musk. The jab came in response to a report from Haberman that Musk would be briefed Friday on potential U.S. military plans in the event of a conflict with China - a move that would grant him access to some of the US's most sensitive secrets. He called Haberman - who has written her own books in critique of the conservative -'Maggot Hagerman,' and 'the least talented writer in the entire [Times] stable' Baker recently penned similar stories and took to X to question some of Trump's other strategies. 'Trump and his allies used to argue that it was un-American for colleges to punish free speech. But now that they are in charge, they are cracking down on political expression on campus they dislike,' he tweeted Saturday, in one of many critiques. 'Trump and his allies have long said they were targeting immigrants in the country illegally. But in fact they are also targeting legal immigrants, tourists and academics on the basis of their speech and opinions,' he wrote the day before. A couple days before that, the unassuming journalist spoke about the Trump administration's decision to terminate a US-funded initiative that documents alleged Russian war crimes. Baker, in turn, tweeted how this could include a sensitive database detailing the mass deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia. As for the apparent insult, Trump has used Liddle (with the apostrophe) on Twitter to slam dissidents before, first doing so with Liddle Bob Corker, a former Republican Senator, in 2017. Corker was also short in stature, standing at around 5-foot-seven. He then reused the nickname for Democrat Adam Schiff from 2018 onward. Both men have been critical of Trump. The spelling - and punctuation - in both cases seemed purposeful, with Trump slamming CNN for questioning the spelling at the time. Rhe Times remains of one of several holdouts still critical of Trump amid probes into NPR and PBS and his complaints about ABC, NBC, and CBS's election coverage. The administration has cancelled all government news subscriptions for the paper, as well as five others 'To show you how dishonest the LameStream Media is, I used the word Liddle, not Liddle, in discribing Corrupt Congressman Liddle Adam Schiff. Low ratings @CNN purposely took the hyphen out and said I spelled the word little wrong,' Trump complained, misspelling 'describing' while referring to an apostrophe as a hyphen. He used the word 'little' to mock current secretary of state Marco Rubio, when the two were running against each other in 2015. All the men described stood somewhere around 5'9" or below. Trump is said to be 6-foot-3. Drivers wanting small petrol cars ideal for nipping around town and parking in tight spaces now have extremely limited options in showrooms. Instead, buyers searching for this type of motor are most likely to be corralled into EV ownership as the segment has already become dominated by compact battery vehicles. It comes as manufacturers over the last 36 months have been killing off a number of much-loved internal combustion engine (ICE) models in the pursuit to electrify their ranges for a zero-emissions future. And it has typically been small and relatively inexpensive cars that have been first for the chopping block as brands go about reshaping their model line-ups ahead of the ban on new petrols and diesels from 2030. This includes popular petrol cars of the likes of the Fiat 500 and VW Up. As such, the number of ICE options available to motorists in the smallest 'A-segment' - commonly referred to as 'city cars' - has shrunk to just three choices. Drivers wanting small petrol cars - ideal for nipping around town and parking in tight spaces - now have extremely limited options as manufacturers have been culling new models at a pace The only alternative is to make the transition to an EV, which are more widely available in the smallest car category. This shift in the market comes in contrast to what experts and motor industry bosses suggested would happen. Major car makers have stated that small EVs are 'economically difficult' to bring to market due to high battery costs, while green campaigners have accused manufacturers of prioritising expensive large electric SUVs for profit over small affordable cars with far tighter margins. City cars are the ideal solution for drivers needing compact runarounds that are cheap to buy and run and who rarely cover long-distance journeys. They too are incredibly popular among young drivers due to their combined ease of use and ultra-low insurance costs. But motorists wanting a vehicle of this description with a petrol engine under its bonnet are already faced with incredibly limited options on the market. If you want an A-segment model, the only new cars in dealerships today are the Hyundai i10 (from 16,380), Kia Picanto (from 15,845) and Toyota Aygo X (from 16,515). One of the three only remaining A-segment cars on sale in Britain is the Hyundai i10. City cars like this are the ideal solution for drivers needing compact runarounds that are cheap to buy (from 16,380 in this instance) and run Kia's Picanto is the Korean company's sister car to the Hyundai i10 and one of the trio of options still on the market today, starting from 15,845 Toyota's Aygo X is the last of the UK-available city cars from 16,515. A-segment models are incredibly popular among young drivers due to their ultra-low insurance bands The city car category has become depleted of ICE choices over the last few years as manufacturers have culled various models, some of them very popular. Last summer, Fiat retired both its 500 hybrid and petrol Panda from showrooms. The former - which is based on a 20-year-old platform has been killed off for failing to adhere to upgraded safety regulations demanded of new models. The all-new 500e, introduced in 2021, is based on completely new architecture, however Fiat initially said it would be exclusively available with battery power. The Italian marque has since shifted its stance following disappointing demand and has already confirmed it will reverse-engineer the 500e's platform to incorporate a petrol-hybrid powertrain from next year to accommodate those not yet ready to transition to EV ownership. The Panda has also since been replaced with the new Grande Panda EV and hybrid, however, its larger dimensions mean it now sits in the B-segment - commonly known as superminis - going up against rivals like the Vauxhall Corsa and Renault Clio. Fiat introduced an all-new 500 in 2021 and announced it would exclusively be an EV. However, a lack of demand has seen the Italian firm perform a U-turn and will reverse-engineer its platform to accommodate a petrol-hybrid drivetrain from 2026 Suzuki removed a number of models from its line-up in 2024 as it looked to increase its EV efforts. One of the cars to go was the A-segment Ignis Volkswagen's Up was disappointingly culled at the end of 2023. Its sister models - the Seat Mii and Skoda CitiGo - were axed in 2020 and 2022 respectively Suzuki also ditched its Ignis last year. Volkswagen officially retired its Up! city car at the end of 2023, following in the tyre tracks of its sister models, the Seat Mii and Skoda Citigo, which were dumped in 2020 and 2022 respectively. While Toyota offers a third of the new city car options in showrooms today with its Aygo X crossover, the conventional Aygo hatchback was scrapped towards the end of 2021 - the Citroen C1 and Peugeot 108, both using the same platform, were axed in January 2022. Renault hauled the Twingo city car from its line-up in 2019, though has promised a new electric A-segment model using the same nameplate for next year. And while Smart ended production of its electric ForTwo in 2024, the demise of the petrol version came at the end of 2017. And it's not just city cars being decommissioned ahead of an electric revamp of showrooms; Ford contentiously ceased production of Britain's best-selling car of all time, the Fiesta supermini, in summer 2023. Audi has this week reiterated its plan to discontinue its smallest car the A1 this year. While Toyota still offers the Aygo X crossover in the A-segment, it no longer sells the conventional Aygo hatchback (pictured). The Citroen C1 and Peugeot 108 - both built on the same platform - have also disappeared from the market in the last three years Renault pulled the rear-engined, rear-wheel-drive Twingo from UK showrooms in 2019. However, the nameplate will return in 2026 on an A-segment EV The Smart ForTwo for decades was Britain's smallest petrol car but the Daimler-owned maker ceased sales of petrol examples back in 2017. The ForTwo lived on as an EV until last year The eight 'A-segment' city cars on sale in 2025 (smallest to largest) 1. Leapmotor T03 (15,995) EV: L: 3,620mm / W: 1,652mm / H: 1,577mm 2. Abarth 500e (29,975) EV: L: 3,632mm / W: 1,683mm / H: 1,527mm 3. Fiat 500e (24,995) EV: L: 3,632mm / W: 1,900mm / H: 1,527mm 4. Hyundai i10 (16,380) PETROL: L: 3,670mm / W: 1,680mm / H: 1,480mm 5. Kia Picanto (15,845) PETROL: L: 3,670mm / W: 1,625mm / H: 1,500mm 6. Toyota Aygo X (16,515) PETROL: L: 3,700mm / W: 1,740mm / H: 1,525mm 7. Dacia Spring (14,995) EV: L: 3,701mm / W: 1,583mm / H: 1,485mm 8. Hyundai Inster (22,715) EV: L: 3,825mm / W: 1,610mm / H: 1,610mm The emergence of small - and cheaper - funsize EVs While fossil-fuelled compact cars are rapidly disappearing, in their places arrives a new wave of funsize EVs. With petrol options dwindling to three, there are already five A-segment EVs. some of which are cheaper than their ICE equivalents. Smallest of these battery city model is the new Leapmotor T03 - the sub-16,000 EV from the Chinese maker. It has signed a deal with Stellantis to join its expansive UK dealer network with models going on sale this week. At 3.6 metres long and just 1.6 metres wide, it has the most compact footprint of any new 'car' on sale in the UK today. We say 'car' because Citroen's Ami (2.41m long and 1.39m wide) is far smaller but - like the equally minute Microlino bubble car - is classed as a 'quadricycle' due to its weight and restricted top speed. Quadricycles also do not need to pass the same strict crash protection tests that all passenger cars are mandated to achieve. The Leapmotor T03, which has just started to appear in UK showrooms this week, is officially the smallest car sold in Britain. The Chinese EV has an official range of 165 miles and costs under 16k Dacia's Spring - the cheapest electric car in Britain with a start price of 14,995 - is another A-segment EV that undercuts petrol equivalents in the city car category Hyundai's Inster is another example of an ultra-compact electric car that's being sold in Britain Chinese EV giant BYD has confirmed its A-segment Seagull EV will be coming to the UK, though rebadged as the Dolphin Surf with a price under 20k Other A-segment EVs include the previously-mentioned Fiat 500e and its spicier Abarth 500e sibling, soon-to-arrive Hyundai Inster and Britain's cheapest EV of all, the 14,995 Dacia Spring. And more dinky EVs will follow this year. Chinese EV giant BYD recently confirmed its electric Seagull, which is proving hugely popular in its home nation and other markets, will debut in Britain this year, though will be renamed Dolphin Surf for the UK market. It is likely to start from under 20,000, bosses have said this week. Why are all the small petrol cars disappearing? With the A-segment now showing the strongest market share of EV options, it begs the question as to why manufacturers have been killing off their smallest petrol cars first. It flies in the face of comments made by manufacturer execs in recent years who have suggested that ICE city cars and superminis are most likely of all segments to stay on sale closest to the end of the decade. Paul Philpott, UK boss at Kia, said less than two years ago that car makers are finding it 'economically difficult' to bring affordable smaller vehicles to market The UK boss at Kia, Paul Philpott, in 2023 said that car makers are finding it 'economically difficult' to bring affordable smaller vehicles to market due to the high cost of batteries. Despite the Korean car firm selling an increasing volume of EVs, he hinted that small, affordable electric models from the brand might be some way off. He said: 'The electrification of the small car is really difficult, economically speaking.' However, campaign group Transport & Environment, accused car makers of playing tactics with their transition to EVs in a bid to reap the largest financial reward. It said in 2023 that manufacturers are prioritising expensive battery-powered SUVs 'in pursuit of profits'. The think tank estimated that major brands could sell compact EVs built in Europe for 21,000 and still pocket a profit but instead are focusing on large SUVs that are 'too big and bulky for British roads' but offer greater margins. Andy Palmer pictured in 2010 with the world's first mass-production EV, the Nissan Leaf Dr Andy Palmer, CEO of Palmer Technology and former COO at Aston Martin, was boss at Nissan when it launched the first mass production EV, the Leaf, in 2011. He told This is Money: 'An anomaly of the car industry is that profitable cars are usually in either the premium SUV space - think Porsche - or the affordable space - think Dacia. All points in between are a sea of red. 'As such, it follows that that's where an automaker targets EV deployment.' But Andy says this isn't necessarily the case. 'In Japan, the small Kei-cars are a great starting point. 'Limited in size and features, with a small battery to keep down price, they are perfect for city use, which is where a lot of the worst air pollution is. 'Easy to park, easy to manoeuvre, and sometimes complying to lower regulatory standards such as quadricycle regulations in Europe, these cars keep costs low - and are there ideally to help accelerate EV adoption.' For those who already own a petrol A-segment car, experts say it could become a slower depreciating asset than they originally would have thought. Matthew Freeman from Solera cap hpi consulting, says petrol city cars are holding value exceptionally well due to the shrinking availability of new models. 'Manufacturers originally designed small cars to meet urban driving needs. Their production also helped manufacturers achieve CO2 and emissions targets,' he explained. 'In recent years as the focus has shifted to EVs, the need to produce new city cars has diminished as EVs are zero-emission. 'What we're seeing now is car manufacturers allocating more research and development into EVs. 'That's not to say that there isn't a market for small, city cars, there is and the very fact that less are being produced makes them more sought after, which means residual values of small, city cars remain strong in the used market. 'Looking beyond 2025, we will see new small cars coming into the market, but the focus will be on electric as we head towards the phase-out of non-zero-emission vehicle sales.' Rachel Reeves may have infuriated her predecessor Jeremy Hunt by blaming him for what she contentiously described as a '22billion black hole' in the nation's finances. But she seems to be in agreement with the previous occupant of No 11 on the importance of the UK stock market to the country. The City, despite recent well-publicised stories of companies defecting to the US, remains the envy of most of the world. The Square Mile lost some ground to rivals after the vote to leave the EU, but Donald Trump's antics are putting that in the shade. With Wall Street in a funk, the London stock market and the UK in general are starting to look like a haven of stability for investors, relatively speaking at least. This creates a window of opportunity for the Chancellor, if she is brave enough to grasp it. No laughing matter: Turmoil on Wall Street creates a window of opportunity for the Chancellor, if she is brave enough to grasp it Perhaps it seems counter-intuitive that a Labour chancellor would want to do so. But the point of the City, in very basic terms, is to act as a conduit for capital from investors to businesses and projects that will make a return. These will employ people, provide money for our pensions and help us all live more prosperous lives. There is no shortage of capital in the UK: our pension funds are looking after squillions of savings on our behalf. The problem is that the money is not going to where it is most productive, so we are all losing out. Much of it is held in gilts, or government IOUs, which are seen as low risk but often merely lock in a low return. Far too little is invested in UK-listed shares, let alone in start-up ventures that are risky but could be the titans of tomorrow. Pension funds seem to struggle to find infrastructure projects in areas such as green energy or transport in which they want to invest. Canadian and Australian retirement funds often seem more keen on Britain than British ones. Reeves has not helped by creating an atmosphere of uncertainty around pensions. Ahead of her October Budget, this turned into a low-grade version of Trump's tariff hokey-cokey. The will-she, won't-she speculation that she would attack the tax-free lump sum or relief on contributions was very damaging, as were the changes to inheritance tax. She should give 'forward guidance' that no more changes on pensions are planned. The Chancellor wants to revitalise the London stock market without foregoing any tax revenues in the short term, even if it would pay off long term. So she is going about it indirectly, with moves such as asking regulators to change their philosophy on risk and consumer protection. Senior figures in the City would like a bolder approach. Virtually everyone in the Square Mile wants the Chancellor to scrap stamp duty on share dealings. That would be a start. Some want her to go much further and abolish capital gains tax on share profits, along with taxation on dividend income. Slashing taxes on shares would not be popular with her trade-union friends. But it would send out a very strong message, not only to domestic investors but to the world, that the UK is the place to invest. Without action of this sort, one suspects we will remain stuck with the status quo indefinitely. This can seem like an abstract concern, but it really isn't. In the end, it is about the real economy and real people's lives. When picking everything from a haircut to a hemline, your choice will often be influenced by what is considered 'age appropriate' and the investments you hold in your stocks and shares Isa are just the same. Some investments may be a perfect fit when you're in your 20s and 30s, but by the time you are in your 60s and 70s you've outgrown them. Others are ideal for an older investor, but would not suit one starting out. That's why it's essential to check in on your portfolio every few months to make sure that you're getting the returns you'd hoped for, and that your holdings are still right for your age. Although the composition of your portfolio should change over time, the benefit of an Isa will not. They allow you to build a nest egg to pay for your goals, from buying your first home to retirement. Some investments may be a perfect fit when you're in your 20s and 30s, but by the time you are in your 60s and 70s you've outgrown them The advantage of investing in a stocks and shares Isa is all returns are tax free. Plus you can put up to your full Isa allowance of 20,000 into one each tax year this year's deadline is less than a fortnight away, so get a wiggle on. 18-29 At this age you're likely new to investing. Of course, you may have held a Junior Isa (Jisa), which can be opened for a child by their parent or guardian. However, you only take over the ownership of a Jisa at 18. As you are getting started, you may want to keep things simple. We asked investment platform AJ Bell to reveal the top five investments among its customers at each decade (see table, right). Clearly, those aged 18-29 are successfully adopting this keep-it-simple approach. The most popular holding is Fidelity Index World, which gives you a sliver of thousands of top companies from 23 developed countries perfect to ensure all of your eggs are not in one basket. It is also dirt cheap with an annual charge of just 0.12 per cent. The HSBC Tracker FTSE All World is similar, except it invests in developing as well as developed markets. It costs 0.13 per cent. Time is on your side. In general, the longer you have to invest the better, as you have time to ride out fluctuations in the stock market and benefit from your returns compounding year after year. Let's say, for example, you put 1,000 into a stocks and shares Isa at 18 and leave it untouched until the state pension age of 68. If you earned an average annual return of 6 per cent after fees, you'd be sitting on 18,420 even if you didn't contribute another penny. If you won't need your money for some time, you could consider higher-risk funds. Scottish Mortgage Trust, the second most popular investment for this age group, fits this definition as it seeks out companies ripe for strong growth. If you plan to cash in soon, for example to buy a home or go travelling, you may want to take on less risk so you don't suffer a big dip in the value of your savings right before you need them. 30-39 Your income is hopefully creeping up, but it's likely outgoings are too, in the form of a mortgage, childcare and possibly school fees. You may have savings you won't need for decades you can invest these with a high-risk strategy as you might have in your 20s. Savings you will need sooner could be better in cash, or investments with a similar level of safety, such as money market funds. These typically invest in government bonds set to pay out in the next few months, so the income they offer is quite secure. Aberdeen, BlackRock and Vanguard offer them. Charlotte Ransom, chief executive of investment manager Netwealth Charlotte Ransom, chief executive of investment manager Netwealth, recommends investors in this bracket think about savings as a family. 'You could use your Isa allowance, your spouse theirs, and then put up to 9,000 into Junior Isas for each child every tax year. 'If you do that, you soon build up an attractive family nest egg.' Ransom points out your investment strategy may vary according to family members, depending on what they are saving towards. 40-49 Your income may still be growing 47 is the average age for peak earnings in the UK and your outgoings are likely to be high too, possibly with children's university costs now in the mix. However, you still have decades until retirement so could take risks with money you won't need until then. Dan Coatsworth, AJ Bell investment analyst, says: 'Many in this group are happy to seek higher-risk investments, such as in the tech space where they might be au fait with the latest innovations. US tracker funds are popular among this age group, as America is the land of mega cap tech firms.' 50-59 You may not have specific retirement plans, but the notion may appear on your radar. Some investors start to consider dialling down the risk in their portfolios. Bonds and government gilts tend to offer a nice ballast to shares as they are generally less volatile. The performance of shares and bonds don't tend to move in tandem, which means if your shares portfolio suddenly dips there is a chance your bond funds won't, so your losses will be tempered. While losses will be less extreme with a mix of shares and bonds, the gains will be also. Vanguard has five funds in its LifeStrategy range, each with a different ratio of shares and bonds depending on your appetite for risk. AJ Bell investment analyst Dan Coatsworth BlackRock's MyMap range is similar, but also has ethical and income-targeting options. However, while you're closing in on the start of your retirement, you are likely decades away from the end of it. For money you will not need to touch until later, you may still wish to keep the risk ramped up. Although your children may no longer be financially dependent on you, you could still consider your Isas as a family. 'Contributing to the Isas of family members can be a good way of passing on wealth at this age,' says Ransom. 'If you survive for seven years after making the gift, it falls out of your estate for inheritance tax purposes.' 60-69 Now you may prioritise generating income from your investments rather than growth. Funds and investment trusts comprised of company shares can produce an income, as well as bonds and gilts. Single shares that tend to pay a good dividend feature heavily in popular investments for people of this age and above. Coatsworth says: 'Large income stocks feature heavily such as Legal & General. Older people might feel these are trusted names companies that won't disappear in a puff of smoke.' However, the dominance of these shares in older investors' portfolios may also be an accident of history. In the 1980s, investing in companies was more common, and the passive index funds now beloved of younger generations were less common. Ransom warns: 'Older investors should proceed with caution having too much of your money in just one stock is highly risky.' 70 plus You may choose to rely even more heavily on investments that produce an income at this age for day-to-day expenses. At all ages, your Isa portfolio should be considered within the context of other assets. If you are generating income from your pension you may use your Isa to continue to grow or preserve your wealth. And the winner is We asked AJ Bell which group would have fared the best over the past three years if they'd split their Isa equally between the five most popular investments. The winner was 30-39-year-olds with an 85 per cent return, largely because they held US chip company Nvidia, which enjoyed growth of 344 per cent. This also bumped up the returns of 40-49-year-olds, at 81 per cent. In third place was 80-89-year-olds, thanks to strong returns from Aviva and Lloyds a 36 per cent return overall. The lowest return, 22 per cent, was by 18-29-year-olds. However, the portfolios with the highest returns are not necessarily the best overall. Very strong returns often point to high volatility and income rather than returns may be more valued to some investors. Nearly 30 companies listed on London's junior stock market have been taken over in the past year, with seven going to private equity. Accountant UHY Hacker Young says 27 firms on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) have been bought in deals worth 7.8billion. Seven, worth 5billion of that figure, were backed by private equity figures that underline concerns about AIM as it struggles to attract initial public offerings (IPOs) while losing others to takeovers. Some companies have gone private, blaming low valuations, high costs and red tape. Falling numbers: There are now 669 firms on AIM, down from 685 a year ago There are now 669 on AIM, down from 685 a year ago. Colin Wright, UHY Hacker Young chairman, said: 'The interest is a sign the market is functioning well as a shop window. However, the lack of IPOs means there are concerns over the health of the market over the longer term. 'The high value of deals shows a lot of higher quality companies were taken off the market. 'Problems could arise if those aren't replaced by new listings and some of the liquidity leaves the market.' BT is planning to revive its historic name in a reversal of previous plans to make EE its flagship brand for consumers. Chief executive Allison Kirkby, who took over in February last year, is understood to oppose the decision to sideline the brand by Marc Allera, the outgoing head of BT's consumer division. One industry expert described the shift to EE previously called Everything Everywhere as a 'vanity project' by Allera. In 2022, the telecoms giant said it would make EE its main retail brand with the aqua blue and yellow logo replacing the BT name on bills, phones, TV boxes and wifi home hubs. The overhaul, dubbed 'New EE', marked a dramatic shift for the business, with BT being one of the most recognisable names of the past 30 years thanks in part to memorable ad campaigns including 'It's Good to Talk' which starred Maureen Lipman as an archetypal grandmother phoning about her grandson's exams. 'Part of this is a concern over alienating older people who are more attached to the BT brand,' said Kester Mann, an analyst at CCS Insight. Change of plan: Chief executive Allison Kirkby is understood to oppose the decision to sideline the BT brand by Marc Allera, the outgoing head of the company's consumer division The move will put the brakes on the 'New EE' rebranding process led by Allera, who will leave the business at the end of this month. He is being replaced by Claire Gillies, previously head of the consumer division of Canadian mobile network Bell. Mann said that while he did not expect Gillies to reverse the decision to make EE the main brand seen by retail customers, she 'will slow the transition'. 'The company never said it was axing BT from the consumer market, but it will be interesting to see if it now gives it greater prominence,' he said. An industry source said: 'I think that the big shift to EE was a bit of a vanity project by Marc Allera.' The renewed emphasis on the BT name is the latest example of a British corporate U-turning on a decision to change its brand. This month, investment firm Abrdn announced it would be changing its name back to 'Aberdeen' after a widely mocked rebrand in 2021. A BT spokesman said: 'There will always be a big role for BT as one of our most highly valued brands by our customers. BT will continue as part of our portfolio of well-loved brands alongside EE and Plusnet.' China, Japan can jointly promote, practice Asian values: Wang Yi Xinhua) 10:21, March 24, 2025 Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with Yasuo Fukuda, former Japanese prime minister and former chairman of the Boao Forum for Asia, in Tokyo, Japan, March 23, 2025. (Xinhua/Yue Chenxing) TOKYO, March 23 (Xinhua) -- China and Japan can advocate the Eastern wisdom of valuing harmony and practicing empathy, and promote and practice Asian values, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said here on Sunday. Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks during his meeting in Tokyo with Yasuo Fukuda, former Japanese prime minister and former chairman of the Boao Forum for Asia. Wang expressed appreciation to Fukuda for taking the lead in Japan to endorse and support China's vision of a community with a shared future for mankind and for taking the lead in establishing the cultural exchange institution for an Asian community. China and Japan are geographically close and share many cultural similarities and intertwined interests, Wang said. "We hope that the Japanese side will work with China to maintain the political and public support for China-Japan relations, push for the sound and stable development of bilateral ties, and jointly promote peace, stability and prosperity in Asia," Wang added. Fukuda said it is of great significance to deepen exchanges in various fields such as people-to-people, cultural and academic interactions between Japan and China. He affirmed his commitment to promoting dialogue and cooperation, enhancing mutual understanding, and contributing to the improvement and development of Japan-China relations. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) A Queensland father says he owes his life to his 'hero son' who punched out two ferocious pit bull terriers as they mauled him during a family outing. Locksmith Brett Grant, wife Jennifene and son Dalton were at Ingham Showgrounds in far north Queensland last Saturday when a stranger's ute pulled up close to them. The driver unloaded a pack of six dogs, including the two pit bull terriers, which made a beeline for Mr Grant's family. 'They tried to attack my wife at first,' Mr Grant told Daily Mail Australia. 'When I asked the man with the ute if they were his dogs, they just started coming for us.' Mr Grant tried to hide in a nearby car as the dog owner attempted to control one dog, but the second continued the frenzied attack and sunk its teeth into him. 'It latched on to my backside, then it started going at my throat I couldn't do anything to get this dog off me, it wouldn't stop,' he said. As Mrs Grant watched on in horror, Dalton, 24, leapt in to save his father from almost certain death as the dogs tore at his flesh. Queensland father Brett Grant says he owes his life to his 'hero son' Dalton (pictured) who punched out two ferocious pit bull terriers as they savagely mauled him during a family outing The driver unloaded a pack of six dogs, including the two pit bull terriers, which immediately made a beeline for Mr Grant's unwary family (stock image pictured) 'He just kept on punching the dog until it finally released,' Mr Grant said. 'If it wasn't for him I would be dead, I owe him my life.' Mr Grant was rushed to Townsville University Hospital before undergoing three hours of surgery to treat injuries including multiple bites to the shins, lower and upper legs, knee-joint, buttocks and upper right arm from protecting his throat and face. 'I was in surgery for about three hours because with dog bites they had to reopen [all the wounds] to clean and wash everything thoroughly,' he said. 'The doctors think there are about 13 bites - it's a bit hard to count because there's sort of tooth marks everywhere.' Mrs Grant was treated for shock at Ingham Hospital due to the savagery of the attack. 'She's still very shaken,' he said. 'And Dalton's not ready to talk about it.' Mr Grant, who owns a security locksmith business in Ingham, said he will now focus on helping his son with some of his 'projects' as a way to repay him. Mr Grant was rushed to Townsville University Hospital before undergoing three hours of surgery to treat injuries including multiple bites to the shins, lower and upper legs, knee-joint, buttocks and upper right arm from protecting his throat and face Brett Grant sustained a total of 13 serious bites, including two to the right bicep as he protected his throat Mr Grant was in surgery for about three hours because doctors had to reopen [all the wounds] to clean and wash everything thoroughly Ingham showgrounds where the savage attack took place 'He wants some [water] tanks built and some ride-on stuff done,' he said. Mr Grant said he was speaking out to warn others about the dangers posed by irresponsible dog owners. 'I am an animal lover and I don't blame the breed. I've met plenty of pit bulls which are absolute puppies,' he said. 'I blame the way they were raised.' Hinchinbrook Mayor Ramon Jayo confirmed that the dogs had been seized pending an investigation, and a legal process was underway. Police are searching the country for Britain's most wanted 12-year-old - who is accused of using a BMW to drive off with a holiday caravan. The youngster, a member of the travelling community, was due to appear before magistrates last week but failed to attend. With no permanent address to go to, the court had no option but to issue an arrest warrant for the young fugitive and police are currently scouring the country. It is now over a year since the boy - who was then aged 11 - was apprehended by police at the wheel of a BMW X5, even though he could barely see over the steering wheel. The 4x4, which allegedly had cloned number plates, had been towing a caravan for 40 miles along the A1M in North Yorkshire after disappearing from a holiday park in Thirsk. When police finally caught up with the youngster he had reached the London-bound M1 at Garforth just outside Leeds. The boy was due to appear before Harrogate Magistrates' Court on Friday March 14. A spokesman for the court said: 'A juvenile was due to appear before Harrogate magistrates charged with theft of a motor vehicle of value unknown, driving it dangerously and handling stolen goods, namely a caravan. Police are searching the country for Britain's most wanted 12-year-old - who is accused of using a BMW to drive off with a holiday caravan. Pictured: Officers from North Yorkshire Police stopped the vehicle and found the schoolboy inside last March The youngster, who is now being hunted by police, was stopped after he left the A1 and began driving up the M1 at Hook Moor Interchange Junction 'The defendant has not attended and an arrest warrant has been issued.' People in Thirsk have been awaiting the outcome of the case since the alleged theft happened on March 7 last year. One local said: 'The young lad is from the travelling community so it's taken quite a while to get the case to court, because he and his family move around so are difficult to contact. 'Now it seems he hasn't turned up at court so they have issued an arrest warrant - but when there's no address to serve it, they're going to have a job on their hands.' When the caravan was stolen, its owner Janine Forth, of Leeds, took to Facebook, posting: 'We arrived at the caravan site just as they had hitched it up and were driving away with it. 'If it [hadn't] been for quick thinking and the amazing response from the police, god knows what would have happened.' She added the caravan had 'all the up to date security', which was fortunate as she claimed 'the first thing they did when they broke into it was wreck the front end to get the tracker out'. 'All I can say is that for those who leave their pets in their caravan whilst they go out, please DON'T! Thank god ours was with us safe,' she said. The youngster managed to drive for 40 miles before the police finally caught up with him The youngster, a member of the travelling community, was due to appear before Harrogate Magistrates' Court last week but failed to attend After the theft Sergeant Paul Cording said he 'struggled to comprehend' what he found when the car was pulled over, despite having 23 years of service in the police. Sergeant Cording said: 'Even after over 23 years service, you come across things that you struggle to comprehend. 'Like yesterday when some great fast track work from the team identified a recently stolen caravan being towed by a vehicle on false plates, but then to find the driver was only 11 years old!' The force recommends all owners take measures to try and deter thieves, such as installing CCTV, fitting alarms and tracking devices, and taking good quality photos of their vehicle to help it be identified by police if it is stolen. A primary school teacher has been banned from the classroom after being so drunk at work that she struggled to lead her class into assembly and was unable to present a pupil award. Ashley Atkin, 38, was just weeks into a new job at Horn's Mill Primary School in Helsby, Cheshire, when colleagues noticed that she smelled of alcohol. The Year 1 teacher 'looked dazed and was staggering' as she brought her class into the school hall for its star-of-the-week assembly. Instead of leading her children as expected, she walked off to sit down on a chair away from her class. The Year 1 teacher (pictured) 'looked dazed and was staggering' as she brought her class into the school hall for its star-of-the-week assembly When it was time to present the school's weekly Big Cheese award to a star pupil, she whispered to a colleague to ask who the recipient was, before handing over the certificate and refusing to announce the winner herself. One colleague told a teaching disciplinary hearing: 'When [Ms Atkin] stood to take to children in [to the assembly] she seemed to have trouble with her dress round her feet and was unsteady. 'She moved slowly and gingerly.' The Teaching Regulation Agency heard that Atkin was drunk on school grounds in October 2023, having taken up a job at the school the previous month. Instead of leading her children as expected, she walked off to sit down on a chair away from her class The incident happened just months after an episode in July 2023 when she was banned from driving after being caught at twice the legal drink-drive limit. During a school disciplinary investigation, Atkin said she had consumed a bottle of white wine and an additional glass the night before school. Colleagues said they were able to 'smell alcohol' on the heavily-perfumed teacher, describing it as 'pungent', 'strong' and 'and distinctive to drinking'. After the meeting, the smell of alcohol lingered and the door had to be opened to air the room as Atkin was driven home. Following the incident, the school launched a disciplinary investigation. However, before the process concluded, Atkin resigned from her position in December 2023. A professional conduct panel concluded that her ability to teach had been significantly impaired by alcohol. It found Atkin, from Frodsham, Cheshire, guilty of unacceptable professional conduct and conduct that may bring the profession into disrepute. She was banned indefinitely from classrooms in England and Wales. Panel chair Melissa West said: 'Ms Atkin was teaching on 20 October 2023; she went to work, on her evidence, having drunk a bottle and a glass of wine during the early hours of the morning. Following the incident, the school launched a disciplinary investigation. However, before the process concluded Atkin resigned from her position in December 2023 'She was seen to be staggering in the school, her eyes were glazed, and she appeared drunk. 'Ms Atkin was unprepared to start the school day and unable to lead her class in the assembly to be seated. She was deemed by a witness not to be in a fit state to work and was escorted home.' The hearing was told that Atkin was drunk at the school just two days after being handed a copy of the school's drugs and alcohol policy, which stated: 'Under no circumstances should you attend school under the influence of alcohol'. Mrs West added: 'The panel was satisfied that the conduct of Ms Atkin fell significantly short of the standard of behaviour expected of a teacher in that she presented at work after consuming alcohol and smelling of alcohol and for safeguarding reasons could not be left in charge of her class for the day.' Atkin was banned from driving for 18 months in July 2023 after being stopped by police who noticed her cross out of her lane and hesitating when turning a corner. She was driving in a 'situation that was dangerous to herself and the public', the panel said. Atkin was not present or represented at the hearing but in earlier correspondence told of her shame. She said: 'I'm absolutely devastated about what happened and it's all I can think about. 'I was going through such a difficult time at that point. Since then I am in a much better place.' A professional conduct panel concluded that her ability to teach had been significantly impaired by alcohol A colleague described Atkin as a 'passionate teacher' who 'has the ingredients to be a good teacher'. Signing off on the ban on behalf of education secretary Bridget Phillipson, civil servant Marc Cavey said: 'In my judgement, the lack of evidence that Ms Atkin has developed full insight into and remorse for her actions means that there is some risk of the repetition of this behaviour and this jeopardises the future wellbeing of pupils.' Atkin cannot reapply to the profession for two years. She has 28 days to appeal the ruling. Elon Musk's special status in Donald Trump's inner circle was starkly defined at the president's latest cabinet meeting. Surrounded by department heads like Marco Rubio, Robert F Kennedy, and Pete Hegseth, Musk stood out for more than his red hat. Each of the other men around the table had a place setting with their name and title - national security adviser, secretary of state, defense secretary. Expect for one: The Tesla boss had only his name, 'Elon Musk'. The missing title was a visual representation of the controversial role the world's richest man plays as one of Trump's closest advisors. Having spent the past two months taking a chainsaw to the public service, his critics call him the unelected 'First Buddy' illegally wielding massive power over Americans. Liberals like Senator Bernie Sanders and and Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez have been sent into a tailspin over his growing influence in the White House, it calling an 'unelected oligarchy'. Elon Musk's table place setting at a cabinet meeting on Monday had only his name - unlike others around him who also had their titles Surrounded by department heads like Marco Rubio, Robert F Kennedy, and Pete Hegseth, he stood out for more than his red hat Thousands of protesters rallied on Presidents Day in Washington, DC and other major cities in a 'Not My President' rally as many of the signs condemned Musk as acting as an unelected DOGE 'king'. 'Elon Take Your Nazis and Go to Mars,' one sign read. Other signs read 'Burn a Tesla, Save Democracy', 'Deport Nazi Musk' and 'You Can't Spell Felon Without Elon'. Musk is officially a 'special government employee' with the title of 'senior adviser to the president', according to official documents. The Department of Government Efficiency is not an official department that would be led by a cabinet secretary, and thus doesn't need Senate approval. Court filings last month also made clear that Musk is 'not the US DOGE Service Administrator' in any official capacity. 'In his role as senior advisor to the president, Mr Musk has no greater authority than other senior White House advisors,' the court filing noted. The document added that he had 'no actual or formal authority' to make government decisions by himself. He is a White House employee and not an employee or service administrator of DOGE, which is a temporary organization within the executive office of the president. Each of the other men around the table had a place setting with their name and title - national security adviser, secretary of state, defense secretary Musk was wearing a red MAGA-style hat that said, 'Trump was right about everything' in all caps Trump, Musk, and others in the administration regularly play up or downplay Musk's role and powers in the government, depending on the situation. The president made it clear on several occasions that Musk was running the show at DOGE, regardless of what was on paper. Musk has said DOGE is 'pretty much' in every federal department, and has fired tens of thousands of government employees in the name of cost cutting. But on other occasions he sought to minimize his responsibility - even wearing a T-shirt reading 'tech support' to an Oval Office photo op. 'Elon Musk is a special government employee and has abided by all applicable federal laws,' White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has said. Trump and Cabinet officials spent nearly an hour talking about their accomplishments and answering questions from journalists at the White House. Musk was wearing a red MAGA-style hat that said, 'Trump was right about everything' in all caps. For Trump, these have been opportunities to highlight his administrations progress on his agenda, such as ramping up deportations and reducing the federal workforce. Musk sat at the foot of the table, directly opposite Trump, during the hour-long meeting Theyre also a showcase for Musks influence. Near the end of Mondays meeting, Trump praised the billionaire entrepreneur as 'a patriot' who is selflessly serving his country. 'Elon has never asked me for a thing,' he said. Special government employees are frequently used by presidential administrations, since they ware created in 1962, to fill talent gaps with specialist knowledge and expertise, without having to make them full-time staffers. Trump's AI and crypto czar David Sacks is another in his administration, and Joe Biden appointed communications advisor Anita Dunn during his presidency. But SGEs are usually limited to a very narrow focus, such as Sacks, and never to the extent of Musk's influence. This, along with Musk's ownership of Tesla, SpaceX, and Starlink - which receive government contracts - has lawmakers worried about conflict of interest. A demonstrator protests against US President Donald Trump's policies and executive orders during the US holiday, Presidents' Day Senator Ron Wyden, the top Democrat on the Senate Finance Committee, highlighted these concerns in a letter to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on January 31 as DOGE tried to access the department's payment system. 'I am concerned Musk's enormous business operations in China - a country whose intelligence agencies have stolen vast amounts of sensitive data about Americans, including US Government employee data by hacking US government systems - endangers US cybersecurity and creates conflicts of interest that make his access to these systems a national security risk,' he wrote. Leavitt has attempted brush aside such concerns when asked about them at her press briefings. 'For concerns regarding conflicts of interest between Elon Musk and DOGE, President Trump has stated he will not allow conflicts, and Elon himself has committed to recusing himself from potential conflicts,' she said. 'DOGE has been incredibly transparent about what they're doing, posting daily updates on X and updating their website. People participate in a "TeslaTakedown" protest against Elon Musk 'It's standard practice for administrations to hire individuals as special government employees to focus on specific issues, based on their outside experience, for a limited period of time.' 'All SGEs are filling out the appropriate paperwork, receiving briefings on ethics rules, including the conflict of interest rules, and abiding by all applicable federal laws.' The president has also tried to reassure Americans that he and his administration was watching Musk for conflicts of interest or a lack of transparency. Federal law 'prohibits government employees from participating personally and substantially in official matters where they have a financial interest'. This also applies to 'their spouse, minor child, general partner and certain other persons and organizations'. They can apply for a waiver from this rule if their 'interest is not large' or they are viewed as such an important asset that it outweighed a the conflict. SGEs also have restrictions put on them to go with their status. They are only expected to work, for the government for 130 days or less in a 365-day period. An 'orb' UFO was shot out the sky and retrieved by the US Navy during a 1962 missile test, a former top aide to four US presidents revealed. Harald Malmgren was a senior advisor to John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson, Richard Nixon, and Gerald Ford. The retired government official said he was briefed by top CIA and Atomic Energy Commission officials on a videotaped missile test that took place during the Cuban Missile Crisis of October 1962, during which the shocking UFO incident occurred. Malmgren's daughter, economist Dr. Pippa Malmgren, herself a former Special Assistant to President George W. Bush, revealed the details of her father's story on her blog last week, after the veteran presidential aide passed away on February 13 aged 89. She said before his death, her father had recently decided to tell his full story 'for the sake of history'. Harald described a video of a missile test launch from October 25, 1962, in which a mysterious 'white orb' can be seen flying in circles around the rocket as it speeds through the air. The missile was equipped with what Pippa described as 'an X-ray machine in the nosecone', designed to use radiation to disable an incoming enemy nuclear missile. But the test missile's intense X-ray burst appeared to disable the UFO too. Harald Malmgren, a former senior advisor to presidents John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson, Richard Nixon, and Gerald Ford, revealed he was briefed on a videotaped missile test that took place in October 1962, during which a shocking UFO incident occurred Harald described a video of a missile test launch from October 25, 1962, in which a mysterious 'white orb' can be seen flying in circles around the rocket as it speeds through the air 'The X-rays knocked it out of the sky. The US Navy retrieved the orb out of the ocean,' Pippa wrote in her March 18 blog post, recounting her father's story. And it wasn't the first time an orb had been spotted chasing a US missile, according to Harald. 'We called them 'tagalongs,' Harald said, according to the blog post. 'We knocked a "tagalong" out of the sky.' Pippa said her father was briefed on the incident because he was in charge of the budget for the missile testing program, as a top White House and Pentagon official. 'Before my father recently passed away, he went on record explaining what he knew about all this because he felt it was important for the sake of history,' she said. Harald, who was active on social media site X even in his final months, alluded to the incident in a tweet last August. '60+ years ago I was provided highest level classifications to lead DOD [Department of Defense] work on nuclear weapons and antimissile defense,' he wrote. 'Informally briefed on "otherworld technologies" by CIA's Richard Bissell (who had been in charge of Skunkworks, Area 51, Los Alamos, etc.) but sworn to secrecy. Malmgren's daughter, economist Dr. Pippa Malmgren (left) said her father had recently decided to tell his full story 'for the sake of history' before his death Pippa Malmgren, herself a former Special Assistant to President George W. Bush, is pictured with the veteran presidential aide who passed away on February 13 aged 89 Harald, who was active on social media site X even in his final months, alluded to the incident in a tweet last August 'Bissell briefed me off the record after his resignation as CIA Deputy Director Special Ops. 'He felt I needed a heads up in case the subject ever came up in my meetings with Presidents or others. I swore secrecy to him, not under any law.' Pippa wrote on her blog that her father told her he was also briefed in 1963 by the then-regional chief of the Atomic Energy Commission, Lawrence Preston Gise. Gise also happens to be the grandfather of Jeff Bezos, Billionaire founder of Amazon and space travel company Blue Origin. It was at that meeting, Malmgren claimed, that he got his hands on a piece of the alleged 'otherworldly' craft and had an out-of-this-world experience. 'He flew out to Albuquerque to be briefed,' Pippa wrote, adding Gise 'apparently received materials from the crashed craft.' 'He kept them on his desk, handed them to my Dad, and then asked him to describe how he felt. Dad said a voice began talking to him inside his head. That's all Gise wanted to know. 'Dad never recalled or would not say what that voice said. Apparently, he said, some people interact with the materials, and others don't. This led to briefings at Los Alamos and an invitation from Richard Bissell.' Malmgren said he was 'informally briefed on 'otherworld technologies' by Richard Bissell (pictured) after Bissell's resignation as CIA Deputy Director Special Ops One of the USS Safeguard's deck logs notes the ship recovered a 'pod' in its net, then suddenly lost power to the ship on October 26, 1962 A log from a few days later on October 29, mentions the 'continuing recovery operations' near Johnston Island Harald told his daughter that then-President JFK and Vice President Johnson received their own raft of 'highly classified briefings' about the incident on December 7, 1962, at Strategic Air Command Headquarters in Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska, the Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico, Kirtland AFB, and Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque. She claims it was this incident that spurred JFK's historic de-escalation talks with Soviet Union leader Nikita Khrushchev. 'The reason JFK reached out to Khrushchev and commenced arms limitation talks was because he was made aware by America's top government scientists that UAPs [Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena] were appearing and even being brought down in Anti Ballistic Missile tests,' Pippa wrote. 'Specifically, JFK was briefed in three locations on December 7th 1962, including at Los Alamos, about a missile test called Operation BlueGill Triple Prime and became aware that this test brought a UAP down and confirmed that we are not alone in this universe. 'My father confirmed to me and others that we learned something from the UFO crashes,' the former White House adviser wrote. 'He said we learned that these strange craft were susceptible to X-rays. That was another reason we were testing X-rays at high latitudes.' The extraordinary story is partially backed up by government records, dug out by former Australian intelligence official-turned UFO researcher Geoff Cruickshank, and published last December on UFO news site Liberation Times. Cruickshank noted a Cold War experimental warhead, the XW-50-X1, which was 'built to emit high-energy X-rays, designed to disable missile re-entry vehicles by causing intense heat and internal damage,' which fits Harald's description. Now-declassified videos showing an October 26, 1962 high-altitude test explosion of a nuclear bomb over the Pacific Ocean near Johnston Island Pippa claims it was this incident that spurred JFK's historic de-escalation talks with Soviet Union leader Nikita Khrushchev Cruickshank also pointed to now-declassified videos showing an October 26, 1962 high-altitude test explosion of a nuclear bomb over the Pacific Ocean near Johnston Island. An apparent object can be seen tumbling out of the nuclear fireball in the footage. He wrote that a later version of the video was redacted by officials at Los Alamos lab with a white triangle obscuring the region where the falling object appeared. Two weeks earlier, on September 19, 1962, another UFO was filmed traveling at 18 times the speed of sound following an Avco Mark 4 missile for 90 seconds as it descended through the sky after a launch from the Atlantic Missile Range off the coast of Cape Canaveral, Florida. An index card with the video records it as a 'UFO sighting'. 'Shows missile in flight, then breaking up, camera holding on nose cone, with smaller object in flight above and behind nose cone on parallel path,' the card says. Following the October 1962 BlueGill test, Navy ships were sent to retrieve debris. Cruickshank reported that deck logs preserved by the National Archives say some of this debris was 'anomalous'. Logs from two accompanying ships, the USS Engage and USS John S. McCain, recorded picking up an 'experimental pod', as well as a 'black ball in [the] water' and a 'green tube'. The logs said the tube had a radiation measurement of 60 mR (milli-Roentgen) from a distance of one foot, which is a safe but elevated level suggesting it had been near a nuclear event. The crew of one ship, USNS Point Barrow, reported unusually high radiation exposure levels after the recovery mission, according to logs from other ships. But Point Barrow's own logs are mysteriously missing from the archives, Cruickshank wrote. A legal expert has revealed three damning reasons why a chilling selfie taken by Bryan Kohberger hours after the massacre of four University of Idaho students could help seal the accused murderer's fate. The creepy photo shows the quadruple homicide suspect sporting earphones and a pristine white shirt buttoned all the way up to the collar as he stands in front of a shower. A slight grin is plastered across his face as he gives a thumbs-up to the camera. The photo, prosecutors say, was taken at around 10:30am on November 13, 2022 - about six hours after the 30-year-old allegedly broke into a home near the college in Moscow, Idaho, and slaughtered students Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, Ethan Chapin and Kaylee Goncalves. The photo was snapped about an hour after Kohberger's cellphone allegedly placed him outside the home between 9:12 and 9:21am - indicating the suspected killer returned to the scene before the grisly murders were discovered and a distressing 911 call was placed. The photo was revealed for the very first time in a new court document filed by prosecutors as they fired back at the defense team's efforts to get a term describing Kohberger's appearance struck from the trial. That term - 'bushy eyebrows' - marks the defining characteristic that the victims' only surviving roommate recalled about the masked intruder she saw inside the home at the time of the murders. Former federal prosecutor Neama Rahmani, who is the president and co-founder of West Coast Trial Lawyers, told the Daily Mail that 'the selfie is important for several reasons' in Kohberger's upcoming capital murder trial. This chilling selfie taken by Bryan Kohberger was snapped at around 10:30am on November 13 2022 - around six hours after the murders, prosecutors say 'First it supports the surviving roommate's description of the perpetrator having bushy eyebrows. Here we see Kohberger with bushy eyebrows in a selfie just a few hours after the murders were committed,' he said. 'The second reason it's important is it supports the theory that Kohberger showered and cleaned up after the gruesome murders. 'And the third reason is it just looks creepy. So during the penalty phase, if Kohberger is convicted, one of the aggravating factors in support of the death penalty is a perpetrator who shows no remorse. 'Someone who stabs and kills four college students and is taking a selfie afterwards is not someone who is remorseful for what they did.' Prosecutors want to present the photo at trial, arguing that the jury should decide if the accused killer could be described as having 'bushy eyebrows' at the time of the murders. The sole surviving roommate, Dylan Mortensen, is expected to be a key witness in the prosecution's case as the only person to have come face-to-face with the alleged killer inside the home and make it out alive. She and fellow roommate Bethany Funke lived with the three female victims at the off-campus home at 1122 King Road and they were inside at the time of the murders. At around 4am, Mortensen said she was awoken by sounds inside the home, according to court documents. Left to right: Dylan Mortensen, Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen (on Kaylee's shoulders) Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle and Bethany Funke DNA was found on a Ka-Bar knife sheath (seen in a stock image) left behind at the scene. Kohberger's Amazon history shows he bought a knife and sheath before the murders, prosecutors say She heard what sounded like whimpering coming from Kernodle's room, as well as a man's voice that she was sure was not Chapin's saying: 'It's ok, I'm going to help you.' Mortensen told investigators she that she opened her door and looked outside twice. When she did so a third time, the student came face-to-face with a man dressed in all black and a mask who walked past her doorway and headed toward the back sliding door, court documents show. The terrified roomie then sent a series of panicked texts to Funke and her slain roommates moments later. Only Funke responded. The others were already dead. Mortensen ultimately went to Funke's bedroom, where the two young women stayed together. Around eight hours later, after cellphone records show their texts and calls to their roommates continued to go unanswered, they called two friends to the home, court documents show. Kohberger's apartment in Washington state, just seven miles from the crime scene. He is believed to have taken the selfie in the home A harrowing 911 call was made from Funke's phone just before midday as Kernodle's body was discovered . Police arrived on the scene to find young couple Kernodle and Chapin dead in her room on the second floor. Best friends Mogen and Goncalves were both found dead in Mogen's bed on the third floor. All four had been brutally stabbed to death. Following the murders, Mortensen told police in multiple interviews and testified to a grand jury that the masked man inside their home had 'bushy eyebrows.' 'I just remember, like, bushy eyebrows. That's all I could think about,' Mortensen told investigators. In a series of court documents, the defense has tried to cast doubt on Mortensen's version of events - and is asking the judge to ban the term 'bushy eyebrows' from the trial. 'Although she has never identified Mr. Kohberger, testimony by [Dylan Mortensen] from the witness stand, describing bushy eyebrows while Mr. Kohberger sits as the accused at trial, will be as damning as her pointing to him and saying, "he is the man that did this,"' the defense argued in a recent filing. The defense has pointed to artwork on Mortensen's bedroom walls - some of which she had drawn - featuring 'many pictures of eyes with prominent eyebrows' to try to sow doubt about her recollections. Blood appears to drip down the wall of the house where the four Idaho students were murdered Investigators from the Idaho State Police remove bloodied mattresses, bed frames and other possessions from the Moscow home The off-campus home at 1122 King Road where the murders took place Questioning her credibility, the defense has also pointed to statements Mortensen made in police interviews where she said her memory was hazy and that she had been drunk at the time. Prosecutors have pushed back, arguing she has been consistent in her account. They are seeking to present the selfie as evidence of Kohberger's 'bushy eyebrows.' 'Whether or not Bryan Kohberger can be described as having "bushy eyebrows" is a factual determination to be decided by the jury,' the state argued in a court filing. While Rahmani said the selfie is strong evidence supporting Mortensen's credibility as an eyewitness, what remains unclear is why Kohberger snapped the selfie in the first place - and if he sent the image to anyone. Rahmani said it's possible the selfie could have been a ploy to manufacture an alibi by placing him at his home in Pullman, in Washington state, on the morning of the murders. It could also be some sort of trophy, he said. 'It could be someone who is happy with what happened,' he said. 'It's not a typical trophy. You see serial killers who take body parts or take pictures so it's not a classic serial killer trophy. But it just looks creepy.' Despite the chilling selfie being an important piece of evidence, Rahmani said he does not think it's 'the smoking gun in the case.' 'If I was the prosecuting attorney, I would care much more about evidence that places him at the scene of the murders,' he explained. Bryan Kohberger's defense wants the term 'bushy eyebrows' struck from his murder trial To Rahmani, DNA evidence and the newly unveiled details about Kohberger's Amazon history is 'so much stronger.' When the murders were discovered, investigators found a Ka-Bar brown leather knife sheath featuring a US Marine Corps seal next to Mogen's lifeless body. Trace DNA on the sheath was traced back to Kohberger using Investigative Genetic Genealogy. Following his arrest, further testing found it to be a statistical match to Kohberger, according to prosecutors. While the murder weapon has never been found, prosecutors revealed for the first time that Kohberger allegedly bought a knife in the months leading up to the killings. According to the bombshell court filing, Amazon shopping history showed the criminology PhD student bought a Ka-Bar knife, sheath and sharpener from the site in March 2022. Investigators believe that eight months later, this same type of knife was used to murder the four victims. The off-campus home being torn down Kohberger's Amazon history also reveals that he searched for a replacement knife or sheath in the days after the murders, according to prosecutors. Rahmani told the Daily Mail that evidence about the knife and sheath - from the DNA on the sheath to the Amazon shopping history - is 'such strong evidence that the defense can't even get around it.' 'The defense is now going to have to argue that the knife was stolen from him. That it was placed at the scene and, that after he realized it was missing, he tried to search for another knife to replace it,' he said. 'I'm sure the defense is going to have some sort of explanation of how someone got into his apartment and took it. 'But the fact is his DNA is on the knife sheath. The fact is he bought the knife. The fact is that he tried to replace the knife. 'That puts the murder weapon found at the scene in Bryan Kohberger's hands. That is very strong evidence.' Rahmani added that the only explanation the defense will be able to give is that Kohberger was framed. 'They're having to argue it was planted by the real killer,' he said. 'That will be difficult for jurors to believe.' Best friends Kaylee Goncalves and Madison Mogen were found stabbed to death in the same bed on the third floor Couple Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin were found dead in Kernodle's room on the second floor It's an argument that the defense is expected to try to make, according to recently unsealed court documents. Kohberger's legal team is also seeking to present alternative suspects at his trial and argue it would have been impossible for one person alone to have killed the four victims in the estimated 13-minute timeframe that the crimes occurred. The 30-year-old has been held behind bars since his arrest at his parents' home in the Poconos area of Pennsylvania on December 30, 2022. His trial is due to get under way in August. If convicted, he faces the death penalty. A man from Manchester who moved to Pakistan was shot in the head in what appears to be an 'execution-style' killing in which his dogs were also poisoned. Mohammed Anwar Zeb, 51, was found dead in a ditch at the back of his home in the remote rural village of Shingardar, in the north of the country, the Manchester Evening News reported. Anwar is believed to have died in the early hours of March 16, and his sister Alaia, who lives in Didsbury, Manchester, thinks his body was buried within two or three hours without an autopsy taking place. She said Anwar's beloved Gull Dong canines - a breed popular in India and Pakistan, which he had trained as guard dogs - were also found poisoned. He was reportedly killed with a solitary shot to the back of the head and found in a ditch at the back of the house. Alaia said she found out about her brother's death after receiving a telephone call from a relative based in Pakistan. 'It is devastating. It is shocking. It is like something you only see in movies. I am trying to come to terms with what has happened,' she added. 'I have been sent pictures of the gunshot wound to his head. I am traumatised by them. It has been in the news over there with pictures of my brother lying there. My heart is broken.' Manchester-born Mohammed Anwar Zeb, 51, was found dead in a ditch at the back of his home in the remote rural village of Shingardar in what appears to be an execution-style shooting Anwar had moved the remote rural village of Shingardar, in the Swat Valley (pictured) in the north of Pakistan Both of Anwar's sisters live in Didsbury, a leafy suburb of Manchester, and he would regularly return to the city to visit them According to Alaia, their father passed away in 2011 and Anwar had been living at one of his dad's houses in Pakistan alone while he worked on a court case regarding their deceased parent's assets. The home is in the Swat Valley, a region in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province (KPK), in the north of Pakistan. However, Anwar would still return to Manchester to stay with his two sisters, both of whom live in Didsbury, a picturesque suburb of Manchester about five miles south of the city centre. He had also recently told his sister that he was planning to renew his passport and return for a two-month-long visit soon, Alaia claims. She said that the last time she spoke with her brother was on February 4, followed by a text on February 7 confirming his upcoming trip. Anwar was married but separated from his wife, and did not have any children, and Alaia said that he was not currently working and was dealing with depression after his younger brother took his own life. A stock shot of a Gull Dong, the type of dog owned by Anwar and found poisoned at the scene She is now appealing for help to track down her brother's killers and bring them to justice, but it is believed no witnesses have yet come forward and Alaia says the stress of dealing with her brother's death is causing her to rapidly lose weight. Alaia said she has been in constant contact with police in Pakistan and even offered to pay for forensics tests for the dogs if police were reluctant to carry them out for cost reasons. 'No one is helping me. I have hit a brick wall,' she added. 'I am reaching out to request media coverage for the tragic and brutal murder of my beautiful brother. 'Despite the severity of this crime, justice has yet to be served, and our family is desperate for answers.' Officials at Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry said that the death toll in the enclave has surpassed 50,000 after 18 months of conflict. 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 last Tuesday against Hamas. Explosions echoed throughout the north, central and southern Gaza Strip early on Sunday, as Israeli planes hit several targets in those areas in what witnesses said was an escalation of the attacks that began earlier in the week. At least 50,021 Palestinians have been killed and 113,274 wounded since the beginning of the war, the Hamas-run health ministry said in a statement on Sunday. One of the renewed Israeli airstrikes killed Hamas political leader Salah al-Bardaweel and his wife in Khan Younis. The Israeli military confirmed in a statement on Sunday that it had killed the Hamas official on Saturday. 'This elimination further degrades Hamas' military and government capabilities,' the military added. Bardaweel was a member of the Hamas decision-making body, the political office, and had held posts such as heading the Hamas delegation for indirect truce talks with Israel in 2009 and led the group's media office in 2005. An explosion following an Israeli air strike in Gaza City, March 23, 2025 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 last Tuesday against Hamas. One of the missiles launched towards Gazan targets can be seen above shortly before it hits the ground on March 23 People gather as smoke rises following an Israeli airstrike at Nasser hospital which killed Hamas leader Bardaweel in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip on March 23, 2025 'His blood, that of his wife and martyrs, will remain fuelling the battle of liberation and independence,' the group said. 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 remaining hostages. Israel launched its initial assault on Gaza after Hamas fighters stormed southern Israel on October 7, 2023, killing 1,200 people and taking more than 250 hostages, according to Israeli tallies. Hamas has accused Israel of breaking the terms of the January ceasefire agreement by refusing to begin negotiations for an 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 'bridging' proposals from US President Donald Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff. This comes as Israeli military spokesperson Avichay Adraee issued an evacuation warning on X for residents in the Tel Al-Sultan neighbourhood in western Rafah in the south of the strip. The military later 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. Palestinians try to put out a fire at the emergency department of the Nasser hospital after it was hit in an Israeli airstrike, in Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip on March 23, 2025 Palestinians attend the funeral of Hamas political leader Salah al-Bardaweel and his wife, killed in an Israeli strike on March 23, 2025 A Palestinian woman reacts at the scene where an Israeli strike killed Hamas political leader Salah al-Bardaweel and his wife 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. '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 return of the risk of famine in the enclave. '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 Lazzarin 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. A California man has been found guilty of strangling and beating a teenage girl to death more than four decades ago. Marvin Ray Markle, 59, was convicted of first-degree murder this week for killing De Anna Lynn Johnson, 14, in her hometown of Vacaville, California. Johnson's battered body was found on railroad tracks the day after her mother, Ginger Dimpel, reported her missing when she never returned home from a neighborhood party on November 15, 1982. Police named Markle, who was then 17 and at the same party as Johnson that night, as a suspect in the initial investigation, The Sacramento Bee reported. But despite investigators' best efforts, the case went cold for decades. Markle popped back up on investigators' radars in 2004, when they discovered he was a suspect in another homicide in Butte County - the 2001 murder of Shirley Ann Pratt, 41. The killer was not arrested for Pratt's death until 2013. That case went to trial in 2014 and Markle was then convicted and sentenced to 80 years in prison for Pratt's death. As Markle was on trial for Pratt's Butte County murder, detectives were still looking into Johnson's death. Those investigators went to the trial hearings regarding Pratt's death to gather evidence that helped 'advance' their investigation into Johnson's death, police said. De Anna Lynn Johnson, 14, was murdered on November 15, 1982 on her way home from a party Johnson's body was discovered badly beaten and strangled on railroad tracks close to her Vacaville home More than four decades after the murder, Marvin Ray Markle was convicted of Johnson's death. He has already been serving an 80-year sentence for another homicide By January 24, 2017, police had built a strong enough case against Markle - who was already incarcerated at Kern Valley State Prison for killing Pratt - to formally accuse him of murdering Johnson. He pleaded not guilty to the crime. Johnson's mother Dimpel said at a 2017 press conference: 'Today is a day De Annas family never thought would come. 'We miss her very much, and we rely on happy memories and live on knowing that De Anna believed in God because of rainbows, but we believe in God because of De Anna.' 'The justice process is just beginning, the journey for truth has been their all along,' Vacaville Police Chief John Carli said at the same 2017 conference. Johnson's murder case went to trial this month and after three weeks, the jury came to their verdict. The Solano County District Attorney's Office (SCDAO) said: 'From that moment of finding De Anna Lynn Johnsons lifeless body on the railroad tracks and all the years since, Vacaville Police Department never once gave up.' Two detective's from the investigation testified in court, including Joe Munoz, who claims the reason it took so long to convict Markle was lack of forensic technology at the time of the murder. 'What I had was DNA... We had that, but we didn't know what DNA was during that time,' Munoz told CBS News Sacramento. 'I got this weight off my shoulders now, the guy's convicted of two murders.' Markle, who was also know as 'Ziggy', was arrested in 2013 for murdering Butte County woman Shirley Ann Pratt Johnson's childhood best friend Mary Borchers said it was widely known among her peers that Markle, who she knew as 'Ziggy', had been responsible for killing her dear friend. She told CBS: 'Everybody knew in our minds, it's always been Ziggy, Ziggy, Ziggy, Ziggy. But no one ever came straight out and made it factual.' District Attorney Abrams Krishna Abrams said in a Thursday statement: 'I am so thankful for the dedication of the Vacaville Police Department and members of our office that no matter how much time went by they remained steadfast in their commitment to De Anna Lynn Johnson to solve her horrific case. 'Although justice for De Anna Lynn Johnson and her family has been significantly delayed, and there have been evidentiary obstacles and legal challenges in court, we remained committed to solving De Anna Lynns case and are extremely grateful the jury was able to bring justice today.' Donald Trump says he 'always' believed that Lee Harvey Oswald killed former President John F. Kennedy in Dallas - but has speculated that the gunman may have had some help. The president made the remarks in a wide-ranging interview with Outkick founder Clay Travis onboard Air Force One on Saturday, after Travis asked the commander-in-chief whether he thinks Oswald killed JFK. 'I do,' Trump replied. 'And I've always felt that, but of course, was he helped?' The Justice Department has long maintained that Oswald, 24, acted alone when he opened fire on the presidential motorcade on November 22, 1963 from the sixth floor of the Texas School Book Depository. But Oswald denied the claims, famously declaring to the police that he was 'just a patsy,' before he, too, was gunned down on November 24, 1963 - and to this day, many Americans believe Kennedy's death was the result of a conspiracy. Some have even claimed Oswald may have received assistance from either the US government, the Mafia, the CIA, the Cuban government or the Soviet Union's KGB. After decades of speculation, Trump ordered the federal government to release more than 2,000 pages of documents related to the Kennedy assassination. The trove of top-secret files released on Tuesday included typewritten reports and handwritten notes spanning decades - including details from a top CIA agent who claimed the deep state was responsible, Oswald was a 'poor shot' and that the Secret Service had been warned Kennedy would be killed in August. President Donald Trump expressed doubts that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone in the assassination of former President John F Kennedy in an interview with Outkick founder Clay Travis on Saturday His remarks came just days after the federal government released more than 2,000 pages of documents related to Kennedy's assassination The rollout of the files stunned Trump's national security team, who spent 24 hours racing to assess security hazards ahead of publication. Experts have warned as they sift through the information that they do not expect the release to overturn the long understanding of what happened or earth-shattering reveals. Trump, himself, also noted in his interview with Outkick that 'the papers have turned out to be somewhat unspectacular. 'I don't think there's any that earth-shattering,' he said, adding that the public can make their own 'determination' about the infamous assassin. But those who have dug through thousands of pages have already uncovered some intriguing details. They found that one of the many documents was a memo released on a passage from the left-wing political magazine Ramparts from June 1967 about intelligence agent, CIA informant and former US Army Captain John Garrett Underhill Jr. 'The day after the assassination, Gary Underhill left Washington in a hurry. Late in the evening he showed up at the home of a friend in New Jersey He was very agitated,' the passage starts. 'A small clique within the CIA was responsible for the assassination, he confided, and he was afraid for his life and probably would have to leave the country. Less than six months later Underhill was found shot to death in his Washington apartment. The coroner ruled it a suicide,' the passage continued. The Department of Justice has long maintained that Oswald, 24, acted alone when he opened fire on the presidential motorcade on November 22, 1963 Oswald fired at the then-president's motorcade (pictured) from the sixth floor of the Texas School Book Depository It noted that he was on 'intimate terms with a number of high-ranking CIA officials. The passage was shared numerous times by conservatives on social media on Tuesday night. But others dismissed it, pointed out the magazine passage had been publicly available and discussed for decades. Another document that made the rounds in the MAGA world Tuesday night focused on Oswald. One line in the document stated that KGB watched Oswald closely while he was in the USSR. But files indicated that Oswald was a poor shot when he tried target filing in the USSR.' Another detail released was a letter sent by a man named Sergyj Czornonoh in 1978 to the British Embassy. He claimed that he was detained in London on July 18, 1963 and questioned by authorities. Czornonoh said that he told them about Lee Harvey Oswald, saying he planned to kill the president. He added that he warned American Vice Consul Tom Blackshear of the plans of Oswald, who tried to defect to Russia. Oswald denied the claims, famously declaring to the police that he was 'just a patsy,' before he, too, was gunned down One journalist has claimed that the newly-released files prove that the so-called 'deep state' is real. Glenn Greenwald highlighted a warning about the CIA's operations issued by President Kennedy's top adviser in 1961 which appears in the newly released dossier. In a 15 page memo, Arthur Schlesinger called for the intelligence agency to be disbanded, referring to it as a 'state within a state'. 'No one knows how many potential problems for US foreign policy and how much potential friction with friendly states are being created at this moment by CIA clandestine intelligence operation,' the famed journalist wrote. He then went on to claim that 'JFK's top adviser -- a year after Eisenhower's 1960 warning -- warned the CIA had become "a state within a state".' The term 'deep state' refers to the idea that there is a shadowy group of influential people, typically embedded within official agencies, who are manipulating government policy. It has been pushed by the likes of President Trump, who previously laid out a 10-step plan to 'dismantle the deep state'. Your browser does not support iframes. Yet some crucial information was missing from the JFK files, experts say. The transcript of the first conversation between president Lyndon Johnson and CIA Director John McCone after the 1963 assassination has still not been released to the public, author James Johnston told USA Today. He said the document could help answer questions about any possible involvement from Cuba in Kennedy's assassination, since the president had famously tried to use the CIA to kill communist dictator Fidel Castro. McCone has previously been accused of keeping 'incendiary' information from the Warren Commission that probed the assassination, as reported by Politico. The sensitive information revolved around the existence of plots to assassinate Castro, which put the CIA 'in cahoots with the mafia.' Without this information, the Warren Commission - which ultimately declared that Oswald acted alone in the assassination - never looked at whether the gunman could have had accomplices in Cuba or elsewhere who wanted the president dead. Jefferson Morley, vice president of the Mary Ferrell Foundation, a repository for files related to the assassination, also said that the documents released on Tuesday did not include two-thirds of the promised files, any of the recently discovered FBI files or 500 Internal Revenue Service records. Still, he said in a statement on X that the release is 'an encouraging start,' noting that much of the 'rampant over-classification of trivial information has been eliminated' from the documents. The vast majority of the National Archives collection of over 6 million pages of records, photographs, motion pictures, sound recordings and artifacts related to the assassination have previously been released. The famed Warren Commission determined that Oswald was the sole shooter Dorothy Kilgallen was zeroing in on a prolific Mafia boss who she suspected had orchestrated JFK's murder when she was suddenly found dead in her home But with some documents missing, Trump's assassination task force is now facing calls to investigate the mysterious death of a renowned journalist who was on the cusp of shattering the official line about President John F Kennedys death The released files appeared to make no mention of investigative journalist Dorothy Kilgallen, her exclusive reporting and two-year probe into the shooting, or her own sudden death in 1965. There also appears to be no mention of Carlos Marcello - the Mafia boss she believed plotted the assassination and then orchestrated the murder of assassin Lee Harvey Oswald at the hands of nightclub owner Jack Ruby. And also missing is the stash of evidence and notes Kilgallen had compiled about the president's murder - a dossier that mysteriously vanished without a trace on the night of her apparent suicide. It was disappointing but not surprising, lawyer and author Mark Shaw, who has investigated Kilgallens death for 15 years, tells DailyMail.com about the lackluster files. He is now urging the House of Representatives Task Force on Declassification and Transparency to use Kilgallens line of investigation as a springboard to finally get to the truth about both JFKs assassination and her own death two years later. One hope of mine is that by exposing the injustice done to Kilgallen when she died, a fresh, independent investigation of her death may be possible sooner than later based on compelling evidence that she was murdered, he wrote in a letter shared with DailyMail.com. It appears certain that if there had been a thorough, independent investigation of the assassinations of President John F. Kennedy in 1963, Robert F. Kennedys death five years later and the poisoning of heralded journalist and media icon Dorothy Kilgallen, the course of history would have been changed forever. Your Task Force now has the chance to provide that thorough, independent investigation so the world at large finally learns of the most credible analysis of what really happened to these three 20th century icons. Such will prove that there should have never been three true crime murder mysteries at all since based on logic and the homicide detectives favorite tools to solve such mysteries, motive and benefit from the crime, there were not mysteries, only coverups of the truth from start to finish. Shaw tells DailyMail.com he has received confirmation that the letters reached the lawmakers' offices but had received no response from any members of the task force as of Friday. A disturbing website has been exposed as a scam after claiming to sell high-powered guns to Australians without the need for a permit. The website, whose ownership and where it's based is hidden in a complex international web, is offering gold pistols, M16 military assault rifles and Kalashnikov AK-47s. The M16s are priced from $6,500 to $10,000, depending on the model, an AK-47 is $12,000 and a gold Desert Eagle handgun can be had for $15,000. But beyond the fact that selling such weapons is illegal, there is another major problem with this website - two separate Australian police forces believe it's a scam designed to part naive gangsters from their money. 'Police are aware of a website claiming to be selling illegal firearms,' a NSW Police spokeswoman told Daily Mail Australia on Monday. 'Officers from the Drug and Firearm Squad, State Crime Command, are investigating the matter. 'The public is reminded that websites claiming to sell illegal items are generally scam sites.' Queensland Police said it is investigating the site and that it 'urges the public to remain vigilant against online scams and fraudulent activities'. The police have issued a warning over a website claiming to sell high-powered guns to Australians without needing a permit. One of the guns supposedly for sale is pictured M16 military assault rifles (pictured) are priced from $6,500 to $10,000 on the website For those desperate to get a high-calibre weapon online, the site says: 'YOU DO NOT NEED A FIREARM PERMIT to purchase a firearm here.' 'With or without a firearm permit, you can anonymously obtain a firearm or ammo from our marketplace.' But just in case anyone might think the sellers are completely unscrupulous, the website points out that all customers must be aged 21 or older. The website accepts payment by cryptocurrency, which it says allows buyers to remain anonymous. A company based in the Netherlands has been used to hide the supposed gun dealer's personal details. EXCLUSIVE At least four victims of crime advocates have pulled out of speaking at a fundraiser for a domestic violence charity run by a convicted Centrelink fraudster. Daily Mail Australia revealed at the weekend that Mel Kane, who runs Single Steps Tasmania, had pleaded guilty to ripping off almost $50,000 from taxpayers. The mother-of-three is now facing mounting allegations about the way she operates Single Steps and has shut down its Facebook page. Social media users have accused 42-year-old Kane of advertising goods given to her charity for sale on sites including Facebook Marketplace. In one post, Kane offered a high chair for $20, prompting the donor to reply: 'You got this off me for free, now you're trying to sell it for $20. Lol ok then.' Kane pleaded guilty at Hobart Magistrates Court almost three years ago to obtaining financial advantage from the Commonwealth. The offence was committed in Fremantle in Western Australia, between March 2016 and November 2018, when Kane defrauded Centrelink of $46,122. She had originally been accused of fraudulently taking more than $100,000. Prominent crime victims' advocates have pulled out of speaking at a fundraiser for a domestic violence charity run founded by convicted Centrelink fraudster Mel Kane (above) Kane was convicted on May 18, 2022 under the name Melissa Maree Banks and sentenced to home detention for nine months, as well as being ordered to repay $38,871.26 to the Commonwealth. Earlier that month, as Melissa Kane, she had been named as a finalist in the community care and health volunteer category of the Tasmanian Volunteering Awards. Single Steps has been promoting a night of 'fundraising and domestic violence and family abuse awareness' at Rhonda's on Midlands at Bagdad, north of Hobart, on April 26. Tickets to the event cost $20 and guest speakers were to include Tasmanian victims' rights advocates Maddy Butler and Faith Tkalac but both women have withdrawn from the event. Ms Butler's 10-month-old son Khaylan died in Hobart in December 2023 after 25-year-old Daniel John Ridgers picked up the baby, shook him and dropped him in his cot. Ridgers was jailed for a minimum three years for manslaughter and Ms Butler has campaigned for harsher sentences for perpetrators who shake babies under the banner of 'Justice for Khaylan'. Ms Tkalac's 26-year-old son Jari Wise was killed after being struck by a car driven by his girlfriend Melissa Oates at Huonville, south of Hobart, in February 2020. Oates served eight months in prison after pleading guilty to dangerous driving, drink driving and failing to stop to assist after an accident. Daily Mail Australia revealed at the weekend that Mel Kane, who runs Single Steps Tasmania , had pleaded guilty to ripping off almost $50,000 from taxpayers. She is pictured with partner Marty Martin, who is not accused of any wrongdoing Ms Tkalac subsequently established Jari's Place at Huonville as a safe haven for men and their children who need support and has campaigned for greater awareness of domestic violence. Ms Butler announced she had distanced herself from Single Steps Tasmania and withdrawn from its fundraiser in a statement on Justice for Khaylan's Facebook page. 'We would like to take a moment to clarify our position regarding Single Steps Tasmania,' the statement said. 'With the recent controversy surrounding Single Steps, we have made the difficult decision to withdraw from speaking at their upcoming fundraiser. 'We are truly mortified and, frankly, shocked by the issues that have come to light. It is not something we stand for, nor wish to be involved with.' Ms Tkalac posted a similar video on her Facebook page. 'I just wanted to jump on here to say that Jari's Place is in no way at all affiliated with Single Steps Tasmania,' she said. 'It's not really for me to discuss but I think that a lot of you are working it out for yourselves. Single Steps has been promoting a night of 'fundraising and domestic violence and family abuse awareness' at Rhonda's on Midlands at Bagdad, north of Hobart, on April 26 'I was meant to be a guest speaker at an event that they have coming up in Bagdad. I've pulled out of that. I won't be participating in that event if that event indeed goes ahead.' The daughter and sister of a woman allegedly murdered by her ex-boyfriend at Campania, east of Hobart, were also due to speak at the fundraiser but will not be attending now. Shakira Robertson's mother Jacqui Purton, 37, was killed in March 2023 after being hit by a car police allege was deliberately driven at her by 39-year-old James Kenneth Austin. Austin has pleaded not guilty. 'I will not be speaking at the Single Steps event,' Ms Robertson said. 'I do not agree with what Mel Kane has done benefiting off of struggling women.' Ms Butler, who is Kane's cousin, told Daily Mail Australia that Single Steps held a of Justice for Khaylan fundraiser last year which featured raffles, prize cards, a silent auction, donation tin and a $10 entry fee. She was unsure how much money had been raised on the night but said Kane gave her just $700. The manager of Rhonda's on Midlands believed there was 'no way' the April event would go ahead and said she had not heard from Kane since concerns about Single Steps were made public. Local comedian Aaron Maxwell, who was to MC the event, said he had also pulled out last week 'after recent information came to light'. Kane advertised a bottle of Ariana Grande perfume on the Brighton Community Garage Sale page. A user responded: 'This was a perfume that my great aunt had donated to Single Steps' Kane launched Single Steps in January 2022 with the stated mission of helping Tasmanians leave abusive relationships. In one early media interview, the former shoe shop manager and sometime wedding photographer said she wanted to be 'the first point of call' for those experiencing domestic violence. Kane said she had 'an amazing committee', including a nurse who could provide immediate medical assistance and two qualified counsellors. Several sources have told Daily Mail Australia that Kane was seen at her sister's wedding in November 2022 wearing an ankle monitoring bracelet. The same sources said Kane had claimed police asked her to wear the device so they could track her whereabouts for her own safety due to some unspecified threat from a domestic violence offender. Kane sought to have the home detention order cancelled but that application was rejected by a Hobart magistrate on January 18, 2023. Single Steps was registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) on August 17, 2023 with deductible gift recipient status. ACNC records show Kane filed her first annual information statement on March 18 as online sleuths began raising concerns about the charity and circulating Single Steps bank statements. Several sources told Daily Mail Australia that Kane attending her sister's wedding in November 2022 wearing an ankle monitoring bracelet. Her dress covers the device in this picture Those banking records, which purport to show deposits and withdrawals totalling thousands of dollars from a Single Steps account, have been provided to Glenorchy Criminal Investigation Branch. Kane's ACNC statement for Single Steps in 2024 recorded total revenue of $10,471 - all from donations and bequests - with $19,561 in expenses, for a deficit of $9,090. Expenses were made up of $18,783 in grants and donations, as well as $778 in employee payments. Some of Kane's accusers say they have spotted goods they donated to her charity listed for sale on Facebook pages in her name or that of Single Steps. One Facebook post by Single Steps Tasmania offered a cabin bed for $150 and received the reply: 'I donated this.' Kane responded to that claim with a request the apparent donor contact her rather than 'downgrading the page to everyone else'. 'If you donate items to anywhere like charity shops, it will usually get sold to put back to good use and sometimes that's what we need to do also,' she wrote. 'Not everything is perfect but we're doing the best we can to help people with the funds we have or can acquire.' In May 2022, Kane was announced as a finalist in the community care and health volunteer category of that year's Tasmanian Volunteering Awards Kane also advertised a bottle of Ariana Grande perfume for $20 on the Brighton Community Garage Sale page. 'Paid $59.95 but not really my kind of scent,' she wrote. 'Barely any has been used so almost a full bottle. Pick up Chigwell.' That post drew this response: 'This was a perfume that my great aunt had donated to Single Steps. This and a bulk lot of women's hygiene products. 'I can't believe this lady is selling an item that was donated this makes me so furious.' Other social media users defended Kane and Single Steps, saying the charity was doing good work. 'I know of 2 families this organisation has helped in the north of Tasmania albeit with help of a few others,' one said. Daily Mail Australia repeatedly attempted to contact Kane and sent her a long list of questions on Tuesday last week. A lawyer replied on her behalf on Friday night. 'She categorically denies any wrongdoing in relation to Single Steps Tasmania,' the lawyer said. Marjorie Taylor Greene's boyfriend has suggested Tesla should impose a 'Kyle Rittenhouse-style' security plan to protect dealerships amid a spike in vandalism. Rittenhouse, then 18, became a MAGA icon after he was acquitted of killing two protesters while defending businesses during an anti-police demonstration in Wisconsin. Greene's reporter boyfriend Brian Glenn has called on Elon Musk to 'start having armed security guards in front of dealerships' in a sensational bid to protect Tesla's assets. 'This is domestic terrorism. These people are terrorizing not only dealerships and taking down an American company, but also drivers as well,' he said. 'Maybe it's time to go full-on Kyle Rittenhouse-style security and start having armed security guards in front of a dealership.' Glenn said if he were in charge of a dealership that 'is exactly what I would be doing.' Rittenhouse traveled from his home in Illinois to Kenosha, Wisconsin in August of 2020 when he was just 17 amid ongoing protests relating to the shooting of Jacob Blake - a black man who was shot dead by a police officer. The teenager was armed with an AR-15 style rifle and said he joined a group of people who were at the protest to defend local businesses from looting and violence. Marjorie Taylor Greene's boyfriend (pictured together) has suggested Tesla should impose a 'Kyle Rittenhouse-style' security plan to protect dealerships amid a spike in vandalism Glenn's proposal comes as vandals begin targeting Teslas in an effort to violently protest Musk's close relationship with Trump and his involvement in the Department of Government Efficiency He shot three men who were trying to take his rifle. Two of them died. A jury found him not guilty of all charges. Glenn's proposal comes as vandals begin targeting Teslas in an effort to violently protest Musk's close ties with Trump and his involvement in the Department of Government Efficiency. There have been more than a dozen acts of vandalism against Tesla vehicles, dealerships and charging stations since Musk was introduced to be play a key role in the administration. Musk is simultaneously contending with Tesla shares nosediving an extraordinary 40 per cent since the start of 2025. Tesla has been losing its long-held EV dominance in several markets, including a 45 percent sales drop in Europe in January and a 19 percent year-on-year sales drop in China as of January. Overall, there has been a year-over-year sales decline in 2024, marking the first annual downshift in deliveries in the company's history. Glenn said petty celebrations from Democrats - including Tim Walz - about the downfall of Tesla also impacts everyday Americans who may not realize they have retirement funds tied to Musk's company. 'Last time I checked there were millions in the retirement, in the 401ks and other retirement accounts with Tesla stocks,' he said. Rittenhouse, then 18, became a MAGA icon after he was acquitted of killing two protesters while defending businesses during an anti-police demonstration in Wisconsin There have been more than a dozen acts of vandalism against Tesla vehicles, dealerships and charging stations since Musk was introduced to be play a key role in the administration A vandalized Tesla with red spray paint reading "Musk Nazi" is seen during the demonstration Video of Glenn's proposal faced fierce backlash on social media, with critics condemning the use of violence to target protesters. 'You and Marge can be the first grab your Trump Bibles and your AR-15s,' one critic said. 'They want that. Don't waste the money. Jail them. Money well spent,' another said. Trump has described the Tesla attacks as an act of 'terrorism' and threatened to imprison or deport offenders. He said he would send them to the same 'hellish' mega-prison in El Salvador to which his officials have deported alleged Venezuelan gang members. 'I look forward to watching the sick terrorist thugs get 20 year jail sentences for what they are doing to Elon Musk and Tesla,' he wrote on TruthSocial. 'Perhaps they could serve them in the prisons of El Salvador, which have become so recently famous for such lovely conditions!' 'People that get caught sabotaging Teslas will stand a very good chance of going to jail for up to twenty years, and that includes the funders. WE ARE LOOKING FOR YOU!!!' Rittenhouse traveled from his home in Illinois to Kenosha, Wisconsin in August of 2020 when he was just 17 amid ongoing protests relating to the shooting of Jacob Blake - a black man who was shot dead by a police officer The burnt-out remains of a Tesla electric car in Germany amid a global boycott of Musk's products President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social Thursday night that those who are caught vandalizing Teslas 'stand a very good chance of going to jail for up to twenty years' Attorney General Pam Bondi said three people have been charged so far in attacks at Tesla showrooms in the wake of Trump's threat. One 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 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 near an outlet mall in North Charleston, according to police. Lucy Grace Nelson, also known as Justin Thomas Nelson, 42, was taken into custody in Loveland, Colorado on January 29 after allegedly being caught attempting to light Molotov cocktails near a dealership. Musk is simultaneously contending with Tesla shares nosediving an extraordinary 40 per cent since the start of 2025 Prosecutors said Nelson was in possession of a container of gasoline, bottles and wicks, which were allegedly intended to be used to create incendiary weapons. Lanksy and Nelson are charged with arson of property in interstate commerce and possession of unregistered destructive device, while Clarke-Pounder was charged with arson of property in interstate commerce. All three suspects face up to 20 years in prison if convicted, the DoJ said. '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,' Bondi said. Hackers have even doxxed Tesla owners in the United States, releasing an interactive map showing their names, addresses, phone numbers and emails on a website that uses a Molotov cocktail as a cursor. Fresh questions were raised tonight over the decision to close Heathrow after the boss of the National Grid insisted enough power remained to keep the airport running following last week's fire at an electricity substation. In his first comments since the fire broke out late on Thursday night, John Pettigrew said that, while one nearby substation was knocked out by an 'unprecedented' blaze, two others serving the airport were working throughout. 'Each substation individually can provide enough power to Heathrow,' he told The Financial Times, adding it was a 'question for Heathrow' why it took the decision to close the airport. He added: 'Losing a substation is a unique event - but there were two others available. So that is a level of resilience.' Around 200,000 passengers were affected by the decision to close the airport in the early hours of Friday morning, which resulted in planes being diverted or returned to their city of origin while still in the air. The disruption is expected to have cost airlines tens of millions of pounds. Flights had largely returned to normal today but there was criticism of Heathrow's leadership as it emerged chief executive Thomas Woldbye had gone to bed as the fire raged and flights were cancelled - leaving the decision to close the airport to his number two. Mr Woldbye had been at an event in central London when the fire broke out shortly after 11pm on Thursday. The CEO of the National Grid John Pettigrew (pictured) said that, while one nearby substation was knocked out by an 'unprecedented' blaze, two others serving the airport were working throughout Heathrow Airport's CEO Thomas Woldbye is pictured above. Following the fire it was decided that Woldbye's team would go to bed just after midnight The fire at a electric substation close to the airport started at just before 11pm on Thursday night As the airport was plunged into darkness the airport's senior leadership was split into two 'gold command' teams. At about 12.30am it was decided that Woldbye's team would go to bed, according to The Sunday Times. The official announcement that Heathrow was closed came at 1.44am on Friday, on the orders of Javier Echave, the airport's chief operating officer. Mr Woldbye then dialled back into a call with senior leadership at 7.30am on Friday before arriving at the airport's head office shortly after 9am. Today, a Heathrow spokesman said it 'did not recognise the description of proceedings' but confirmed it was following a 'robust crisis protocol' so 'experienced leaders [are] able to take key decisions having had adequate rest.' The spokesman added: 'This protocol was followed so that Thomas [Woldbye], and his whole senior leadership team, were exactly where they were supposed to be during an incident of this scale.' Asked on Saturday on BBC Radio 4's Today programme whether he should resign, Mr Woldbye, the Danish former boss of Copenhagen Airport who took over at Heathrow in 2023, said 'no comment'. He added: 'I'll let others judge that, if they think that's an issue.' Passengers Kim Schmidt (right) with his wife Julia, and daughter, Shalene. The family had been due to fly back to Hamburg on Friday night Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has also ordered the National Energy System Operator to 'urgently investigate' the power outage But, Mr Woldbye, who was paid more than 3million last year, did face calls to hold himself accountable for the fiasco. An internal review of the airport's crisis management plans and its response to the power outage will be undertaken by former transport secretary Ruth Kelly, who is an independent member of Heathrow's board. Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has also ordered the National Energy System Operator to 'urgently investigate' the power outage. One senior Tory MP said: 'What happened at Heathrow was a national embarrassment. Stories of decision-makers going back to bed aren't going to give the public confidence that this airport is being properly run or managed. 'This investigation has to move quickly as there is nothing to say that this won't happen time and time again. The public can't wait six months for a clipboard exercise to say something went wrong - immediate steps need to be taken to ensure that this can't happen again and there are robust backup systems in place.' At Heathrow, many passengers affected by the power outage were still attempting to make their way home and vented their fury at Mr Woldbye and the impact of the substation fire. Estate agent Kim Schmidt, 55, was originally due to travel back to his home in Hamburg on Friday with his wife, Julia, and daughter, Shalene. He spoke to the Mail while preparing to finally return to Germany. 'We were lucky - we have been staying with my sister but they did not offer any emergency accommodation or get in touch,' Mr Schmidt said. 'I think the CEO should absolutely resign. He handled the situation badly. 'If my airport was going to close, I'd want to be there to check what's going on.' Counter-terrorism officers from the Metropolitan Police initially led the investigation into the fire, but the force said the fire is not believed to be suspicious so London Fire Brigade is now leading the probe which will focus on the electrical distribution equipment. The fire at the Hayes substation broke out shortly after 11pm on Thursday and Heathrow announced it would close for most of Friday hours later The electric substation the morning after it caused a fire which led to widespread disruption that is expected to have cost airlines tens of millions of pounds A spokesman for the Civil Aviation Authority [CAA] said: 'We require Heathrow to have a resilience plan to cover periods of disruption and we also require it to work with other parties at the airport to manage and recover from it 'There will of course be lessons learned from this event.' A Heathrow spokesman added: 'We apologise for the inconvenience caused by our decision to close the airport on Friday following a significant fire at an off-site power substation.' Heathrow spokesperson said: 'As the National Grid's chief executive, John Pettigrew, 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 Heathrow's size and operational complexity, safely restarting operations after a disruption of this magnitude was a significant challenge. 'In line with our airline partners, our objective was to reopen as soon as safely and practically possible after the fire. The emergency services and hundreds of airport colleagues worked tirelessly throughout Friday to ensure the safe reopening of the airport. Their success meant that over the weekend, we were able to focus on operating a full schedule of over 2500 flights and serving over 400,000 passengers. 'Lessons can and will be learned, which is why we fully support the independent investigation announced by the Government yesterday.' A California wife was strangled to death during a conjugal visit with her quadruple-murderer husband, leaving her family heartbroken and desperate for answers. Stephanie Dowells, 62, was visiting her husband David Brinson, 54, at Mule Creek State Prison when she died just before 3am on November 13, 2024. Brinson, who was convicted of four murders in 1993 and is in prison for life, used the visitor complex's phone to alert guards his wife passed out, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) told KCRA. Officials rushed to the private area and found Dowells unresponsive. She was pronounced dead about an hour later. The Amador County Corner ruled her death a homicide and determined Dowells did not just 'pass out' - she had been strangled. The CDCR is investigating the death, but Brinson has not been charged with anything related to the incident. Dowells' family, however, is certain Brinson is to blame and has called out the prison for putting the beloved hairstylist and small business owner in danger. 'How could they just let this happen? I just don't get it,' Dowells' son Armond Torres told KCRA. David Brinson, 54, is a convicted quadruple-murderer who claimed his wife passed out during a conjugal visit in November 2024 Dowells was a beloved grandmother to her eight grandchildren and was the sole provider of her family Binson and Dowells were seeing each other during an unsupervised visit at Mule Creek State Prison when Dowells died 'My mom was just left alone, and she called for help, I'm sure, and there's nothing she could do. 'Given the history that this guy has, we kind of wanted to know how is it even possible for them to be unsupervised?' The CDCR explained family visits take place 'in private, apartment-like facilities on prison grounds,' according to the department's website. These sessions are generally 30 to 40 hours long and the CDCR operations manual states an inmate having one of these visits must 'present themselves' at least four times within 24 hours. An officer tasked with monitoring a visit can check in unannounced, but 'every effort shall be made to ensure the privacy of the inmate and their visitor(s),' according to the manual. The only inmates who are barred from having conjugal visits are those convicted of sex offenses or on death row. Prisoners who have just arrived at the facility and are going through the Reception Centers process, as well as those under disciplinary restrictions, are also prohibited from family visits. A CDCR representative told KCRA: 'Family visits are a privilege, and incarcerated persons must apply and meet strict eligibility criteria to be approved. Stephanie Dowells, 62, was a hairstylist and small business owner who was reportedly strangled during a family visit with her husband Dowells, known by loved ones as 'Stevi', was described as intelligent and generous, Her family said she was trying to help Brinson better his life 'Only those who demonstrate sustained good behavior and meet specific program requirements are considered. These visits are designed to support positive family connections and successful rehabilitation.' Dowells' daughter-in-law Nataly Jimenez said Dowells, known by loved ones as 'Stevi', was trying to help her husband improve his life. 'They would read the Bible together. He was in school in there because she was pushing him to try to be this better person,' Jimenez told KCRA. According to a GoFundMe set up by Dowells' family, she was the sole provider for her elderly parents, two sons and eight grandchildren. 'Stevi was a passionate hair stylist, small business owner, esteemed educator, and master Brazilian Blowout specialist,' the page reads. 'She continuously advanced her skills and generously shared her knowledge, mentoring numerous colleagues and guiding them toward brighter futures.' They made an unlikely pair, the hangman and the sister of the woman he executed. But here they were on their way to view together the final resting place of Ruth Ellis, the last woman to be hanged for murder in the United Kingdom. Two prison officers completed this unusual group. What made it even more bizarre, giving the entire scene a veneer of pathos, was an atmosphere that was more akin to a charabanc outing than a sombre excursion to a churchyard. For on the journey and later on the way back the group were singing. Things became yet more surreal when they arrived at their destination and were greeted by the sound of groaning noises, apparently coming from Ellis's grave. This, it turned out, was a mumbling drunk hidden behind tombstones and lying out of sight. The story of this extraordinary encounter between Ruth Ellis's sister Muriel and Albert Pierrepoint, once Britain's most celebrated hangman, emerged after a tape of a long-lost radio interview was recently unearthed. In it Pierrepoint, a wiry, neatly-dressed Yorkshireman who prided himself on the speed with which he carried out his grim task, describes the meticulous detail that went into every hanging with macabre satisfaction. He was certainly the most prolific public executioner. In the 25 years before his retirement in 1956, he claimed to have dispatched 550 people 530 men and 20 women. They included John Haigh, the infamous acid bath murderer, Rillington Place serial killer John Christie, the wartime traitor William Joyce better known as Lord Haw-Haw and dozens of convicted Nazi war criminals who were so numerous he devised a way to execute them in pairs. But of all those he stood with on the gallows as they took their last breaths before placing a hood over their head and a noose around their neck, the name of Ruth Ellis has echoed the loudest down the years. Ruth Ellis (pictured), a Welsh nightclub owner, was the last woman to be hanged for murder in the United Kingdom The ITV drama A Cruel Love, starring Lucy Boynton and screened this month, suggested Ellis was as much a victim of the prevailing icy snobbery over class and sex that existed then The story of this extraordinary encounter between Ruth Ellis's sister Muriel and Albert Pierrepoint (pictured), once Britain's most celebrated hangman, emerged after a tape of a long-lost radio interview was recently unearthed Was she the cold-hearted femme fatale portrayed at her Old Bailey trial who shot her violent, public school-educated lover David Blakely in a fit of jealously or was she a victim herself? The ITV drama A Cruel Love, starring Lucy Boynton and screened this month, suggested Ellis was as much a victim of the prevailing icy snobbery over class and sex that existed then. And that the post-traumatic stress she suffered at Blakely's brutal hands a condition not recognised in 1950s Britain meant she should never have been hanged. Now the discovery of Pierrepoint's own words as we near the 70th anniversary of Ellis's execution in July seems especially poignant. It was one of the last hangings he supervised before suddenly quitting his post the following year. Many wondered if his conscience had been so troubled by executing the young woman, he could no longer stomach his job. Certainly, her conviction and sentence triggered a huge public reaction. Many believed it was an affront to justice to execute her despite the admission of her guilt and her refusal to lodge an appeal. When Pierrepoint arrived at Holloway Prison in north London to prepare for his grim task he described fighting through crowds, many of whom had their heads bowed in prayer. But there was also anger among the mob and, at first, police refused to allow even the hangman admission. By the following morning, July 13, 1955, the crowd was hushed, and as the 9am execution approached, the only sound was of a lone violinist playing in a side street Bach's Be Thou With Me. So, was Pierrepoint troubled? Even though he later disavowed capital punishment, there is no suggestion in the tape recording that he felt different about hanging Ellis than he did any of the other psychopaths and murderers he put to death. If anything, he seemed impervious to the outcry when Ellis went to the gallows and which lead eventually to the abolition of capital punishment apart from one moment of soul-searching. 'It's a bit dicey,' he reflected of hanging Ellis. 'You don't like doing it to a little woman because they're supposed to be the weaker [sex]but you have to, you've got to do it.' Ellis was hanged in July 1955 after being found guilty of murder Ellis is played by Lucy Boynton in ITV production A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story Ellis was the victim of a 'severe miscarriage of justice', her grandson claimed after the release of A Cruel Love In his chilling, matter- of-fact way, Pierrepoint recalled her final moments. 'She was no trouble really,' he said. 'She wobbled a bit like, naturally, any woman can do that. Nothing went wrong with her. She was good as bloody gold she was.' It is talking about Ellis that triggered another, unexpected memory. According to the interview first aired on a now defunct local radio station in 1987, five years before his death Pierrepoint made his startling claim about meeting Ellis's sister. 'I've never told anybody this,' he says at one point. 'I went out one afternoon and had a meal with her.' He said he had been accompanied by two prison officers who had made the arrangements and they'd met in London. Afterwards, he said: 'And on my God's honour, you won't believe it, we [were] all singing as if we were going on a bloody trip.' What happened next was even more astonishing. 'We went to see where she was buried,' he said, describing the position of her grave as being at the end of a row near a wall. Out of respect, he said: 'I took my hat off.' It was then that he heard 'some bugger groaning' and added: 'I thought she was coming up from the grave!' Instead, it was 'some bloody clot' whom the party couldn't see at first, 'this drunken fellow who'd been boozing right behind the grave'. From there, he said, they returned to the sister's home, adding: 'We were singing all the bloody way to this house where she lived.' As he speaks there seems little doubt in his memory, but his recollection does pose questions. He offers no other details of where and when these events took place. Ellis standing next to her lover David Blakeley, who she shot dead in 1955 Ellis had been condemned to death for shooting her violent racing driver boyfriend David Blakely following a trial that lasted under two days What is known is that Ellis, whose family are now seeking a pardon for her, was buried in the unconsecrated grounds inside Holloway's walls. It was only in 1971 that her body was quietly exhumed and reburied by her son Andy in the churchyard of St Mary the Virgin in Amersham, Bucks. By coincidence the spot is five miles from the village of Penn where her murdered lover Blakely, a hard-drinking racing driver, was laid to rest. Her grave is at the end of a row and close to a boundary wall, as Pierrepoint describes in the interview, but he does not say when his visit took place. He had been retired for 15 years by the time Ellis's remains were removed from Holloway and he made no mention of it in his 1974 memoir, Executioner: Pierrepoint. But in that book he did make a shocking assertion. While defending the 'humane' and 'dignified' method of implementing state-sanctioned killing, he observed: 'I do not now believe that any of the hundreds of executions I carried out has in any way acted as a deterrent against future murder.' That clearly didn't stop him taking satisfaction in his handiwork, however. As he says in the radio interview: 'I've enjoyed every bloody minute of it.' 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 country's 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: 'Today's 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.' Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson (above) 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 Stock Image: It follows a probe which reports thousands of students with 'no academic intent' are suspected of fraudulently claiming hundreds of millions of pounds from the country's university loans system Stock Image: The Student Loans Company spotted suspicious applications involving fake documents and address duplication, and franchised colleges are enrolling students who cannot speak adequate English 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 today's 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 we'll 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. Stock Image: There is a concern of potential 'organised recruitment' of Romanian nationals in particular to enrol on courses '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 won't 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.' Parents of babies murdered by Lucy Letby highlighted 'errors' in new defence evidence and dismissed the idea it could have resulted in different verdicts at her trial. In submissions to the public inquiry into the killer nurse, the families accused her new legal team of inaccuracies, including details of supposed infections which two babies did not have. The inquiry headed by Lady Justice Thirlwall into the deaths of babies at the Countess of Chester Hospital, where Letby worked, closed last week to consider conclusions. Richard Baker KC, representing the families, made submissions to 'debunk' arguments from 14 international medical experts who gave evidence for Letby's Criminal Cases Review Commission challenge. Among the debated claims, Letby's new defence team, headed by human rights barrister Mark McDonald, says Baby I, who died in October 2015, had a bacterial infection causing thick secretions which blocked an endotracheal tube. But the families said testing indicated the child never developed the infection and the tube was not in place when they died. Parents of babies murdered by Lucy Letby (pictured) highlighted 'errors' in new defence evidence and dismissed the idea it could have resulted in different verdicts at her trial In submissions to the public inquiry into the killer nurse, the families accused her new legal team of inaccuracies, including details of supposed infections which two babies did not have. Above, Letby was arrested at her home in 2018 Among the debated claims, Letby's new defence team, headed by human rights barrister Mark McDonald (left), says Baby I, who died in October 2015, had a bacterial infection causing thick secretions which blocked an endotracheal tube Meanwhile, according to Letby's team, Baby G who the nurse attempted to kill with an air injection in September 2015 had an infection causing vomiting. The families said she became severely unwell after she was attacked. Letby is serving 15 life sentences for murdering seven babies and attempting to murder seven others one of them twice. The families' submissions to the Thirlwall Inquiry were revealed after other parents of babies murdered and harmed by Letby spoke out last week, branding the nurse's supporters a 'misinformed circus'. Pauline Hanson has promised to bring to an end the 'corrupt Aboriginal industry' as part of a controversial new policy announcement. In a new policy, the One Nation leader outlined a plan to scale back government initiatives aimed at addressing the disparities faced by Indigenous Australians, claiming these efforts had failed to close the inequality gaps. 'There will be no treaties, no voices to Parliament, no more native title claims or land transfers to indigenous corporations,' Senator Hanson said. 'One Nation will abolish all of it, along with the $4.5billion National Indigenous Australians Agency, and dismantle the corrupt "Aboriginal industry" which has failed so spectacularly to close the gaps. 'Indigenous Australians in genuine need will not miss out on assistance, but they will have no more assistance than anyone else in genuine need.' Senator Hanson said under the policy, taxpayers would no longer fund Welcome to Country rituals, and that Indigenous flags will no longer be considered national flags. 'Indigenous languages will not be taught in schools, and students will no longer be indoctrinated with woke indigenous activism or forced to perform Acknowledgements of Country,' she said. She claimed that Indigenous Australians currently enjoy many privileges. Pauline Hanson unveils a controversial policy to cut Indigenous programs and reshape government spending A Welcome to the Country ceremony is performed on track during the F1 Grand Prix of Australia 'Being indigenous now confers many unfair advantages in terms of access to employment, credit, education, land or water, natural resources and generous government largesse with little to no accountability or transparency and absolutely no compelling justification,' she said. 'All of it must stop, and One Nation is committed to stopping it. We will wind back all race-based privileges. 'Indigenous Australians in genuine need will not miss out on assistance, but they will have no more assistance than anyone else in genuine need. All Australians in need will be treated equally in this regard.' Senator Hanson also revealed One Nation would withdraw Australia from the United Nations, World Health Organisation, World Economic Forum and other global bodies. She also vowed to rein in National Disability Insurance Scheme funding and abolish the Department of Climate Change. 'There is a lot of duplication - it is out of control - and there is wasteful spending,' Senator Hanson said. 'Most people that I talk to around Australia don't even believe all this climate change.' One Nation also wants to increase scrutiny on the pay and hiring processes of public servants, with Senator Hanson claiming 'incompetent' people were being hired based on their sex. One Nation pledges to pull Australia out of the UN, WHO, and WEF and cut the beer and spirt tax at venues Savings would be invested in tax relief, such as abolishing the excise tax on alcohol served at venues, exempting insurance companies and building materials on GST - which could bring down housing construction costs - and paying down Australia's debt. If the election ends in a hung parliament, as many polls predict, One Nation could soon hold more sway. But it's not just about the balance of power, Senator Hanson said, it's about fighting for Australians. 'They are struggling, they are hurting and the governments do not understand what the hell is going on,' she said. Convicted violent terrorist Abu Hamza will die in a supermax prison after he failed to escape his life sentence in a US jail and return to the streets of Britain. Despite attempting to be released on compassionate grounds, a judge said the hate preacher and former London nightclub bouncer, 66, posed the greatest threat to the public he ever has. Known in the US as Mostafa Mostafa, the hook-handed terrorist pleaded with Judge Justice Analisa Torresto release him from the allegedly poor conditions he claimed to be in, according to The Mirror. The 66-year-old was convicted in 2015 in New York over his role in the 1998 kidnapping in Yemen of 16 tourists, of whom four died, and of conspiring to set up a militant training camp in Oregon, in 1999. He was also found guilty of other terror charges including providing material support to Osama bin Laden's network. And his attempts to evade his prison sentence at Colorado's supermax, ADX Florence, took a significant blow after he was caught brainwashing jihad into his young granddaughter. Hamza had reportedly written a 76-page complaint file about his prison's conditions, and had his kids plead with the judge to release him as they said he is 'one of the most intellectual and upright men you could come across'. However, Judge Torresto said Hamza would remain in prison for the rest of his life as she was not convinced he'd had a 'change of heart' since his role in the deadly terror offences 27 years ago. Abu Hamza was convicted in 2015 in New York over his role in the 1998 kidnapping in Yemen of 16 tourists, of whom four died, and of conspiring to set up a militant training camp in Oregon, in 1999 His attempts to evade his prison sentence at Colorado's supermax, ADX Florence (above), took a significant blow after he was caught brainwashing jihad into his young granddaughter Hamza had reportedly written a 76-page complaint file about his prison's conditions, where he is in solitary confinement (above) She also said Hamza would likely continue to 'support and inspire others to acts of violence' if released. The rejection reportedly left the terrorist 'furious' and he has subsequently appealed it. Hamza's lawyers say staff at the supermax prison have neglected the 66-year-old in his solitary confinement, which they say does not meet the standards expected. His legal team branded his room as 'a modified large storeroom', and said that it does not have the required natural light or a 'proper toilet for his disabilities'. The 66-year-old, who has diabetes, is said to have had his feet repeatedly bleed due to overgrown toenails and has 'no assistance from anyone'. In a statement to the lawyers, Hamza's lawyers added: 'As a result of the lack of accommodations and care, Mr Mostafa has lost almost all of his teeth, suffers from multiple infections, and has consistently been without the medical care considered reasonable to any civilized society.' The rejection reportedly left the terrorist 'furious' and he has subsequently appealed it When he was sentenced to life ten years ago for the terrorism offences, his family all wrote to the Southern Court to boost his chances of returning to the UK. Attempting to help his father's appeal, his son, Imran Mostafa Kamel, said he was in 'desperate need' of his father's 'presence, love, and unwavering support'. He added: 'To witness his reunion with our precious grandchildren and to enjoy quality time together as a family would be a dream come true.' Meanwhile his wife, Najat Chaffe, said: 'Our family has been deeply distressed by his absence, as he has left an irreplaceable void that no one can fill.' She added that her mental health had been significantly affected by her husband's imprisonment, and that she 'yearned' to have him home to spend time with his family again. The UK's first permanent facial recognition cameras are set to hit south London's high streets. The cameras will scan for wanted criminals walking by in Croydon as part of a project by the Metropolitan Police that could extend across the capital. They will capture the faces of people on the street in order to catch alleged rapists, burglars, robbers and other criminals by matching them with the images they have in their database. The cameras will alert officers if there is a match and are set to begin recording in June or July, according to the Times. The data is immediately deleted if there is no match. It also does not exhibit the same racial bias as found in other forms of facial recognition, the Met has previously claimed. It's a step forward for the force who have for the past two years deployed live facial recognition (LFR) cameras to its vans which has resulted in thousands of arrests -including at least two rapists in the last year. The new cameras will be positioned on existing lampposts or attached to buildings and will only operate when officers are nearby and ready to respond to database matches. The UK's first permanent facial recognition cameras are set to hit south London's high streets They will capture the faces of people on the street in order to catch wanted rapists, burglars, robbers and other criminals by matching them with the images they have in their database It's a step forward for the force who have for the past two years deployed live facial recognition (LFR) cameras to its vans which has resulted in hundreds of arrests - including at least two rapists in the last year The cameras will be located at North End and London Road. Mitch Carr, the Met's neighbourhood policing superintendent for south London, wrote to local community figures earlier this month announcing the move. He said: 'I am currently working with the central team to install fixed LFR cameras in Croydon town centre. This will mean our use of LFR technology will be far more embedded as a 'business as usual' approach rather than relying on the availability of the LFR vans that are in high demand across London. 'It will remain the case that the cameras are only switched on when officers are deployed on the ground ready to respond to alerts. 'The end result will see cameras covering a defined area and will give us much more flexibility around the days and times we can run the operations.' However, the move has been met with hostility by privacy campaigners who described it as a 'steady slide into a dystopian nightmare'. Rebecca Vincent, interim director of the privacy campaign group Big Brother Watch, said: 'We are alarmed by reports that Croydon police are installing an unprecedented permanent network of fixed live facial recognition cameras across Croydon town centre, which marks a worrying escalation in the use of LFR with no oversight or legislative basis. 'It's time to stop this steady slide into a dystopian nightmare and halt all use of LFR technology across the UK until legislative safeguards are introduced.' However, the move has been met with hostility by privacy campaigners who described it as a 'steady slide into a dystopian nightmare' But Chris Philp, the Conservative MP for Croydon South and shadow home secretary, hit back at anti-LFR campaigners: 'Using fixed cameras is the logical next step in the roll-out of this technology, which will ensure even more wanted criminals get caught. 'This technology will mean wanted criminals are unable to wander round town and city centres without getting caught. 'Those few people opposing this technology need to explain why they don't want those wanted criminals to be arrested. 'There are no legitimate privacy concerns given that the images of those people not on the wanted list are immediately and automatically deleted. 'This technology has the potential to revolutionise crime fighting in the same way that fingerprints and DNA have in the past.' Police are said to be urgently working to charge the prime suspect in the Madeleine McCann case, fearing he could walk free in just days unless they act swiftly. Christian Brueckner, 48, is the main suspect in the disappearance of three-year-old Madeleine McCann, who vanished from a holiday apartment in Praia da Luz, Portugal, in May 2007. Brueckner, who is currently serving a prison sentence for the 2005 rape of an American woman in the same Algarve resort, is seeking early release after serving less than half of his seven-year term. His bid for release has left investigators on edge, especially following the shock acquittal of Brueckner last year in a separate case involving allegations of rape and sex abuse in Portugal between 2000 and 2017. With his release date looming in September, police are racing against the clock to bring charges in the McCann case, as a new arrest warrant could ensure Brueckner remains behind bars. A source close to the investigation told the Sun: 'Normally a move like his bid for an early release would be laughed out of court. 'But everyone is very nervous after what happened with his rape trial last year. The court was surprisingly favourable to him. 'Brueckner's lawyers know they need to go for this now, in case an appeal against his acquittal is allowed. That will create a new arrest warrant and he'll be stuck behind bars.' Brueckner denies the charges against him. German investigators sensationally named Brueckner as the key suspect in the abduction of the British three-year-old Maddie McCann in 2020 Christian Brueckner , 48, is the main suspect in the disappearance and presumed murder of three-year-old Madeleine McCann, who vanished from a holiday apartment in Praia da Luz, Portugal, in May 2007 Kate and Gerry McCann, parents of missing British girl Madeleine McCann, hold pyjamas similar to those of their daughter during a press conference June 2007 A number of key witnesses have been called to private meetings as prosecutors prepare for the possibility of charging Brueckner with Madeleine's disappearance. The investigators' move is said to be a last-ditch effort to secure his continued detention. While a German court cleared Brueckner of other rape charges in Portugal, his current sentence keeps him incarcerated. However, the clock is ticking on that sentence, and if the court grants his release request before any charges are brought against him for the McCann case, he would walk free. If Brueckner is released, authorities could file an appeal, delaying his freedom. However, if the appeal fails, the only remaining option would be to press charges related to Madeleine's disappearance. That would allow prosecutors to issue a new arrest warrant, potentially keeping Brueckner behind bars while they continue to build a case. Though prosecutors are still confident they have evidence to charge Brueckner, they remain cautious. Investigators have not yet publicly confirmed details of any new physical evidence, although sources claim they possess strong circumstantial proof. His lawyers, however, have indicated their intention to vigorously challenge any new charges. Brueckner, who was named the prime suspect in the McCann case in 2020, was allegedly linked to the crime through a call made to his mobile phone on the night Madeleine disappeared. Police are also probing his connections to a white camper van and a Jaguar XJ6 seen in the area at the time. Authorities continue to work on the case, but the prosecution's plans hinge on an upcoming ruling on Brueckner's early release. Christian Brueckner sits in the courtroom at Braunschweig District Court in October 2024 moments before he was found not guilty on all sex crimes charges Kate and Gerry McCann, the parents of missing three-year-old girl Madeleine McCann, stop to talk to the press after attending a church service in Praia da Luz in 2007 Madeleine McCann (pictured) went missing on May 3, 2007 at the age of just three. She has never been found If successful, it would delay any charges or trial relating to Madeleine's disappearance. Three-year-old Madeleine went missing from her family's holiday apartment in Praia da Luz in Portugal's Algarve region in May 2007 while her parents dined at a nearby tapas bar. Despite a huge international manhunt and global media attention, no trace of her has been found, but investigations are continuing in the 'Maddie' case, prosecutor Wolters declared. 'At present, I am unable to say when we will be able to conclude these investigations and with what result,' he said. The charges of which Brueckner was acquitted last October came about as a result of investigations into the 'Maddie' case, according to prosecutors. In one of the cases, prosecutors had accused Brueckner of entering the holiday apartment of a woman aged between 70 and 80, tying her up and beating and sexually assaulting her. In another case, he had been accused of entering a young Irish woman's apartment via her balcony while she was sleeping, threatening her with a knife and raping her several times. He had also been accused of exposing himself in front of a 10-year-old German girl on a beach and to an 11-year-old Portuguese girl at a playground. But the defence raised serious doubts about the cases against Brueckner, which were based on testimonies but not forensic evidence. Irish tour guide Hazel Behan earlier in the trial gave a harrowing account of her ordeal, allegedly at Brueckner's hands, on the Algarve. Madeleine McCann (pictured) went missing on May 3, 2007 at the age of just three. She has never been found. German criminal Christian Brueckner has been named by German prosecutors as their chief suspect in her disappearance Ms Behan, 40, who waived her anonymity said she had returned to her flat in Praia da Roche, in Portugal, in June 2004, after a row with her then-boyfriend when she was just 20. Appearing in court in May 2023, she described how she got into bed fully clothed and then fell asleep, only to wake moments later when she heard her name being called. Ms Behan said: 'I thought it was my boyfriend who had come to apologise. After a short space of time I said to myself in my head "He doesn't have a key so how did he get in?" 'I had such a fear which I have never experienced and it felt as if all the blood in my body went to my feet. 'I turned and saw a man fully dressed in black from head to toe, with a knife and the first thing he did was put his knee into my back and a hand over my mouth. 'He pulled my head and said in English: "Don't f***ing scream or I will kill you", so that's why I didn't. It was all very quick. 'He pulled my head back and said in English: "Don't look at me", and then I smelt a fruity smell. I knew it was condoms, so I knew it was going to happen.' Ms Behan, from Mullingar, County Westmeath, Ireland, added: 'I have had three children, but I have never felt a pain like that and I felt it would last forever.' But Mr Fuelscher said in his closing speech his client was innocent of the attack. Tradie was blasted in the ankle in suspected 'warning' shot A tradie shot in a horrific daylight attack was an associate of executed crime boss Sam 'The Punisher' Abdulrahim, detectives revealed on Monday. Chilling CCTV footage of the shooting was released by Victorian police on Monday in a last ditch effort to catch the hoodie-clad gunman, said to be of African appearance. Detective Inspector Adam Tilley confirmed the 49-year old victim was known to police as a mate of feared underworld figure, Abdulrahim, known as The Punisher. 'I can say they were known to each other, but is that linked to this shooting?' he said. 'We have no intelligence to suggest that because of his association with Sam that this matter is linked,' Abdulrahim was gunned down by a team of assassins on January 28 in the underground car park at Preston's Quest Hotel in Melbourne's north. The champion kickboxer had been a key player in Melbourne's ongoing 'tobacco wars', which has seen shops around the state torched in a deadly turf war. Inspector Tilley declined to elaborate on just how the latest shooting victim was known to police, nor would he reveal what trade he was in. In the days before The Punisher was murdered, it was reported his associates had also become targets. The horrific moment a tradie was shot while attending a job has been caught on shocking CCTV footage (pictured) Inspector Tilley refused to speculate on the victim's possible involvement in the illicit tobacco trade. 'I don't have any information to accurately say that' he said. 'We don't have a motive for the shooting. We don't know who the offender was.' The victim had been 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 the footage in the hope someone might recognise the shooter. Questioned about the delay in coming forward, Inspector Tilley conceded the shooter may very well have already fled overseas. 'There are numerous inquiries that we have to make in relation to any significant incident,' he said. 'Numerous avenues of inquiry have already been explored. 'We obviously have forensic evidence and we hope that at some point the car will be recovered. 'We've conducted various inquiries to try and get to the point where we can ultimately charge someone and provide some reassurance to the victim and his family. 'We're now at the point where a number of those avenues have been exhausted and that's where we're seeking support from the public.' 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. Sam 'The Punisher' Abdulrahim was gunned down in January Sam 'The Punisher' Abdulrahim on his final journey to the grave 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. Inspector Tilley said police believed the shooter appeared to have no intention on killing his target. 'The angle of the firearm is pointed down at the time of the shooting. I don't believe the intention was to kill,' he said. 'He certainly got up close enough that if he wanted to do that I believe he could have.' A witness said the gunman was of African appearance, about 182cm tall, with a slim build, dark hair and brown eyes. The tradie was rushed to hospital with serious injuries, which he is still being treated almost six months later. The gunman's getaway car is believed to be a 2018 white Mercedes Benz GLC43 with cloned plates reading 1NB7FC. 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 Police are hunting any trace of the getaway car (pictured) which was using cloned pics 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. While the victim himself has provided some information to police, Inspector Tilley suggested he had not been fully co-operative with the investigation. 'He spoke to police,' he said. 'He provided an account. He's in contact with us and his partner. However limited co-operation.' 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. The Home Office has been ordered to find cheaper accommodation for migrants in a bid to stop private firms from 'profiteering' from small boat crossings. A Treasury document acknowledged that in the face of 'global instability' migrants are likely to need to be put up in hotels for years to come, The Sunday Times reported. At present the Home Office houses more than 38,000 migrants in hotels at a cost of 5.5million per day, with a further 65,000-plus migrants staying in 'dispersal accommodation'. Dispersal accommodation refers to longer-term, temporary housing for asylum seekers in the UK where they can stay until their claim is processed - the term encompasses everything from shared houses to bedsits and flats. The difference in cost to the UK taxpayer is considerable, with a hotel stay costing 145 per night on average, compared to only 14 for dispersal accommodation. The new document, published by the Treasury's new Office for Value for Money (OVfM), makes clear that, if achieved, Sir Keir Starmer's plan to build 1.5million homes in England by 2029 would help reduce the need for asylum seekers to be funneled into hotels. Labour pledged during the election campaign in June last year to 'end asylum hotels, saving the taxpayer billions of pounds'. But earlier this month it was revealed that he number of migrants living in hotels at the expense of taxpayers has actually risen by 8,500 since Sir Keir took power. Back in 2019 the Home Office agreed ten-year contracts with three private contractors to procure accommodation for migrants on UK shores. While each firm has a 12 cap on the profit they can make per person, the influx of small boats has led to a sharp spike in revenues While Labour pledged during the election campaign in June last year to reduce the number of asylum seekers living in hotels, earlier this month it was revealed that the figure had actually risen by 8,500 under Labour A group of men outside one of the many hotels across the UK currently housing migrants However, the document also reaches less than flattering conclusions about the private outsourcing companies contracted to find hotels for migrants, which it says have 'made record profits in recent years,' leading to 'accusations of profiteering'. Back in 2019 the Home Office agreed ten-year contracts with three private contractors who were tasked with procuring accommodation for migrants on UK shores at a total cost of around 4.6billion. The three firms - Serco, Clearsprings Ready Homes, and Mears - pay hotel owners, who in turn make a profit of their own. Each of the three private firms have a limit of approximately 12 on the profit they can make per person but the influx of small boats has led to a sharp spike in migrants for them to accommodate. According to their most recent accounts, Serco registered a 5 per cent spike in profits in 2023 to 249million. Meanwhile both Clearsprings and Mears made a profit of more than 50million - a record for the former. Serco and Mears told the The Sunday Times that their profits resulted from performance across their companies and were not solely the consequence of Home Office contracts, while Clearsprings did not respond to a request for comment. Mears said: 'The provision of asylum accommodation and support is one part of our activities and our publicly declared profits relate to performance across the group. Serco is the biggest of the private contractors paid by the government to find accommodation for migrants. According to their most recent accounts, the company registered a 5 per cent spike in profits in 2023 to 249million - which they say resulted from performance across their overall company and were not solely the consequence of Home Office contracts 'Profits on the provision of the asylum accommodation and support contracts are capped and open book arrangements exist with the Home Office.' A government spokesperson accepted that the cost of temporary accommodation for migrants had 'skyrocketed' but said that was partly because they had 'inherited an asylum system under unprecedented strain.' They added: '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.' The sky is lost to Russian drones. Sometimes their buzzing sound gets so close that it seems almost to burrow into you. On the ground, their troops are swarming the Ukrainian right flank. That was the scene last week in the Russian region of Kursk, which the Ukrainians entered last August. Today, the situation is dire. Their soldiers are dying in the mud every day. But they are taking many Russians with them and, even as they withdraw into Ukraine under relentless drone attack, they refuse to surrender. From his base on the Ukrainian side of the border, the voice coming over the Starlink-enabled communications system cuts in and out. The internet signal is patchy. But the words are clear enough: 'The Russians have cut one road off but we are not surrounded. I don't know why Donald Trump lies and says that we are.' I am with Vitaliy, a good friend of mine who has been fighting in Kursk since almost the beginning of the operation. He left there just over a week ago. But for months he crossed over into Kursk and back again as part of the first army to invade Russia for 80 years. As the summer of 2024 dawned, it looked like Russia was unstoppable. Ukraine's war effort was stalling in the face of delayed US weapons deliveries. Putin was crowing. Kyiv's Western allies were in despair. The Ukrainians needed to do something dramatic, so they did. And it was truly astonishing. On August 6, 2024, a battalion's worth of Ukrainian tanks and armoured vehicles drove across the border and carried out raids in Kursk. Early reports of the operation confused Western observers. Not least because nobody could quite believe it had gone ahead. I remember speaking to Western officials at the time. This is incredible, I told them. No, no, the Ukrainians could not possibly be invading Russia, I was told. No one would be that crazy. Vitaliy (pictured) said he left Kursk there just over a week ago. But for months he crossed over into Kursk and back again as part of the first army to invade Russia for 80 years Ukrainian servicemen firing with a D-30 howitzer at Russian positions near Bakhmut, eastern Ukraine, on March 21 2023 David Patrikarakos (pictured) writes that Ukraine's soldiers feel 'betrayed' by the US Well, they were because they are. Putin was clearly stunned for weeks he couldn't even bring himself to mention the incursion. He just pretended it wasn't happening. But it made no difference. More and more Ukrainian forces crossed the border over the following days and weeks. They set up fortified positions. They did to Moscow what for so long it had done to them. Vitaliy felt this strongly. 'This was revenge,' he told me. 'You were on our territory, now we are on yours. When we arrived over the border, it was a shock to discover that the town of Sudzha was not really Russia at all. About half the people there spoke Ukrainian and the other half Russian, and most of them were ethnically Ukrainian.' Seven months into the incursion, however, events took a decisive turn. After the disastrous Oval Office meeting between Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelensky, President Donald Trump and his oleaginous and unpleasant vice-president JD Vance on March 3, the US suspended its intelligence-sharing agreement with Kyiv. It was an act of moral treason and it emboldened the Kremlin's most brutal impulses. Early this month, scores of Russian soldiers wearing oxygen masks spent days moving several miles through an underground gas pipeline that went into Sudzha. On March 8, they emerged to ambush Ukrainian forces. Just a few days later, on March 12, Russian troops completed their capture of Sudzha, a town of 5,000 people that had served as the key logistics and command point for Ukrainian forces in the region. A few days after that Ukraine's general staff published an updated map that showed their forces had redeployed from Sudzha to what defence minister Rustem Umerov later called 'more advantageous defensive lines'. Now, the situation on the ground is horrific. Glide bombs and drones deliver death from the air. The charred vehicles littering the roads out of Kursk grisly proof of their effectiveness. But if the Ukrainians have taken casualties and seen organisation break down in certain areas, they have largely remained disciplined and withdrew in good order. More than this, their forces remain in Kursk, now largely, as Umerov promised, on more easily defendable high ground. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during his heated discussion with US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office last month Ukrainian soldiers from a sniper unit prepare to deploy to the front line in Kharkiv region, Ukraine, on March 18, 2025 Analysts estimate that Russia has now amassed a force of up to 70,000 troops including about 12,000 North Koreans who conduct wave after wave of assaults in a bid to clear the Ukrainians out of Kursk for good. Fighting North Koreans was a new experience for Vitaliy and his friends. They remember seeing them through their gun sights and binoculars for the first time last year. Vitaliy told me that what struck them most forcibly about the North Koreans was their height. They were so much smaller than the Russian soldiers, even, he told me, those from its impoverished Eastern provinces. As time went on, though, other aspects of the North Koreans made an impression on the Ukrainians. Speaking to me for my new podcast Apocalypse Now? Dispatches From A World On The Brink, the Mail's weekly global news podcast, Vitaliy recalled sitting in a Kursk basement that served as his brigade's HQ at around the time that the North Koreans began storming their positions. 'So the first difference is that North Koreans do not leave their wounded comrades on the battlefield like the Russians usually do,' he told me. 'The second difference is that the North Korean soldiers do not just run away from, for example, Ukrainian drones they try to shoot back. Sometimes they are successful. 'They attacked us with such massive waves. And their losses were colossal. But they kept coming and coming.' Times are now tough. And for Vitaliy it's about getting everyone out as best they can. Last week, he and some of the guys from his brigade heard about some soldiers from another brigade who were trapped in Kursk. They didn't know them personally, but they decided they had to help. No one ordered them to. But they could not let them die there. The soldiers were about six miles inside Kursk, a ten to 15-hour march with full equipment, a 'yomp' made all the more difficult by the need to move stealthily because of the Russian drones flying overhead. So they took dozens of cars and, despite being in what was one of the most dangerous border areas, managed to get them out. On March 12, the day Sudzha was restored to Russian control, Putin visited a command post in Kursk, wearing military fatigues no less. This was only the second time Putin had visited the front lines since the start of the war. Ukrainian soldiers prepare artillery to fire on orders from the high command close to the Russian border in Kharkiv Region on March 17 This is a reflection of two things. First, Putin has always refused to be associated with any form of failure and so his appearance can be seen as a sign of the Russians' growing confidence that the operation in Kursk is nearing its conclusion. Second, his arrival to 'boost morale' probably indicates that Russia intends to prolong the war as long as it continues to gain ground. I asked Vitaliy to give me his assessment of the Kursk operation now that the Ukrainians are being forced to withdraw after suffering severe losses. 'You have to understand that our invasion of Kursk was such a fundamental issue for the Russians that they were forced to divert so much manpower and resources to deal with it,' he replied. 'They took their best people from other fronts to Kursk. They took a huge amount of drones there.' Strategically, Kursk was a great success for Ukraine and, in terms of morale and national pride, it was priceless. Vitaliy added: 'Why Trump is lying about us being surrounded, we do not understand. Why Trump the president of America, which two months ago was a symbol of freedom and democracy repeats Russian narratives, we do not understand. 'I feel with my fellow citizens that the United States of America betrayed Ukraine, betrayed Ukrainian democracy, betrayed our values and, over the past two months, even betrayed the values of freedom.' Having spent some of the last week in Kyiv, it is clear to me that Ukrainians are furious with Trump, not least for his treatment of Zelensky at the Oval Office. 'I didn't vote for Zelensky, but now I fully support him,' said Anna, a waitress in a central Kyiv cafe. 'He was standing up not just for himself but for all of Ukraine.' Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky speaks at a press conference in Kyiv, Ukraine,March 15 2025 Russian soldiers patrol an area of Sudzha in the Kursk region of Russia which Ukraine had occupied Then came last Tuesday's phone call between Trump and Putin, which the American president said would be about 'land', 'power plants' and 'dividing up certain assets'. Trump's opening gambit was to propose a simple unconditional 30-day ceasefire something Ukraine had already signed up to. But Putin was not returning the love. Peace would only happen if Ukraine's foreign military aid and intelligence support were cut off essentially ending not just U.S. backing but Europe's, too. It was an absurd demand that would amount to Ukraine essentially giving up its ability to defend itself and Putin must have known it. So much for Trump the great deal-maker. What was eventually agreed was a 30-day ceasefire on targeting energy and infrastructure, as well as 'technical negotiations on implementation of a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea, full ceasefire and permanent peace'. Another guest on my Apocalypse Now? podcast was former Ukrainian foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba. Like everyone in Ukraine, he cannot understand Trump's behaviour since the start of his second term. 'Trump fulfilled the biggest dream of Putin, which is to speak with the Americans on equal terms,' he told me. 'Because Russia spent the past 30 years trying to prove to everyone that it is a superpower while not being one.' He was sceptical about the proposed ceasefire. 'No one can guarantee that this ceasefire will actually hold. But, most importantly, Putin will spend these 30 days drowning the Americans in endless conversations . . .while continuing his assaults on Ukraine and trying to grab as much territory as he can. A Russian drone strike on Kyiv left at least three people dead, including a young child, aged five, and dozens injured, with damage reported across the city on March 23 So, in a nutshell, whatever happened yesterday or two days ago or two months ago, the war continues to rage.' I asked him: Who is Putin? Who is this man Trump seems to be so taken with? He is just a butcher, isn't he? 'He is,' Kuleba replied. 'But he's not much different from most of his predecessors, the Russian tsars . . .You can only understand Putin if you see him as the culmination of a line of Russian tsars.' He and the rest of Ukraine realise that Putin is waging a war of atavistic brutality. A war more reminiscent of the imperial fantasies of an 18th-century tsar than a 21st-century technocrat. 'I suggest to these people to think differently and at least to take time and consider one simple fact,' Kuleba said. 'If Putin fails to subjugate Ukraine, he will become the first ever Russian tsar to do so. And ending up in the history books as a loser is definitely not in his retirement plan.' Shocking footage has emerged of the moments before disaster struck a snorkelling boat in Bali, leaving one Australian dead and two others seriously injured. 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. Brisbane couple Gabriel Hijniakoff and Cintamani Warrington suffered severe burns in the accident which happened about 8.30am local time last Friday. The boat, which was carrying 13 tourists of which 11 were Australians, flipped when it was hit by two large waves, with nobody in the video wearing a lifejacket. In an astonishing video shown on Dutch public service broadcaster NOS, a woman was heard saying: 'It's so wavy, I'm getting nervous. Oh my God.' 'I've never seen this in my life,' she said. Another woman was seen grabbing onto the side of the boat as the huge waves slammed onto the vessel, causing the others to scream out in horror. When the person filming started recording again, a boat that had rushed to help is seen throwing a lifebuoy ring into the roiling sea to save the stranded passengers sitting on top of the capsized vessel. The same woman who was speaking previously thanked the rescuers before her camera panned to a man and woman floating in the water, desperately grabbing onto what appeared to be part of the boat that broke off. She then assured a woman looking for her husband that 'he is here, your husband is here'. As the video ended on a beach, the woman spoke in Dutch with a shocked tone, saying 'We washed up on this beach. This is the famous Nusa Penida beach.' Her camera then filmed shocked survivors sitting on the sand, comforting each other and crying. Olivia Hijniakoff has set up a fundraiser to help get her brother-in-law Gabriel Hijniakoff and his wife Cintamani Warrington back to Australia from Bali for urgent medical treatment. She wrote on the GoFundMe they have lost all of their personal travel documents and important belongings. 'Both were left stranded on the boat for an extended period along (with) other passengers and did not receive timely medical attention or transfers ... 'Local reports (of what happened) have been inaccurate and down played by initial reports through local authorities,' Ms Hijniakoff said. A man and woman are pictured desperately grabbing onto what appears to be part of the boat that broke off A fundraiser has been set up to help get her Gabriel Hijniakoff (left) and his wife Cintamani Warrington (right) back to Australia from Bali Melbourne executive Anna Marie Blight (pictured), 39, lost her life in the capsizing event 'What we do know is that Gabriel and Tam were involved in a serious accident, resulting in sustaining serious injuries. 'The gravity of such events and injuries unfortunately do sustain long term effects and further treatment.' She said Ms Warrington's injuries 'are particularly severe, as she has sustained extensive chemical burns ... to a large portion of her body' and requires urgent surgery. 'Unfortunately, she is unable to speak due to the pain and her condition remains critical,' Ms Hijniakoff wrote. She said her brother-in-law had also 'sustained significant injuries and they were only able to begin medical treatment nearly 24 hours after the incident'. Ms Hijniakoff said she had set up the fundraiser, which had raised more than $22,000 by early on Monday afternoon, because 'insurance only covers so much when it comes to international medical bills'. The couple is going to need 'further medical treatment and outpatient appointments once they return home', she said. The fundraiser will also help with the cost of flights, emergency passports, the replacement of belongings, psychological support and the loss of income as they recover from their injuries. Australian tourists, and Sea Dragon 2's two local crew, spent more than an hour clinging to the capsized vessel before being rescued on Friday Melbourne nurse Stephanie, 27, said she made the same trip on the Sea Dragon 2 one day before the tragedy She alleged the company did not offer life jackets to passengers on board despite the strong currents, and 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. She 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,' Stephanie said. Donald Trump slammed actor George Clooney as a 'second rate movie star' as he hit out at the Hollywood legend for comments he made on 60 Minutes. The 63-year-old actor appeared on the news program Sunday night to promote his Broadway debut as renowned journalist Edward R Murrow in Good Night and Good Luck when he took aim at the Trump administration. Clooney spoke about his decision to drop his support for Joe Biden - accusing the Democratic Party of 'cowardice' and covering up the ex-president's ailing health while claiming he was forced to 'tell the truth' in a bombshell op-ed calling for him to step down. The president quickly responded on Truth Social to blast Clooney and the role he played in Biden's demise. 'Why would the now highly-discredited 60 Minutes be doing a total "puff piece" on George Clooney, a second-rate movie "star" and failed political pundit,' he wrote. 'He fought hard for Sleepy Joe's election, and then, right after the Debate, dumped him like a dog. Later, I assume under orders from the Obama camp, pushed all out for "Kamala," only to soon realize that this was not going to work out too well. '60 Minutes even fraudulently inserted fake answers into her disastrous interview, and just before Election Day, in one of the most embarrassing and dishonest events in broadcast history,' Trump said, reiterating claims he made in his $10 billion lawsuit against the network. 'And now George Clooney again? His press agent should be making a fortune!!!' President Donald Trump slammed actor George Clooney as a 'second rate movie star' as he hit out at the one-time ER star for comments he made on 60 Minute George Clooney appeared on 60 Minutes to promote his Broadway debut as renowned journalist Edward R Murrow in Good Night and Good Luck The president shared his thoughts on the Sunday night interview on his Truth Social page The actor was asked point-blank about his decision to publish a damning op-ed in the New York Times over the summer entitled 'I Love Joe Biden. But We Need a New Nominee' - and whether he would still write the essay if he had known Trump would win against Harris. 'Yeah, I'll make it kinda easy,' said Clooney, a lifelong Democrat and the son of a journalist. 'I was raised to tell the truth.' He explained that he saw Biden at a Hollywood fundraiser in June 2024 'and I was surprised'. 'I feel as if there was a lot of profiles and cowardice in my party through all of that, and I was not proud of that and also I believed I had to tell the truth,' Clooney said. He reaffirmed that 'I've always liked Joe Biden and I like him still,' but said that his obvious incapacities made it impossible to defend his record. Clooney, though, also had some pointed words for the Trump administration as he shared what he believed were parallels between McCarthyism in the 1950s and today. The actor was asked about his decision to publish a damning op-ed in the New York Times over the summer when he called for then-President Joe Biden to drop out of the race for president Clooney has said he saw Biden at a Hollywood fundraiser in June 2024 and 'was surprised' by his mental acuity at the time 'We're seeing this idea of using government to scare or fine or use corporations to make journalists smaller,' Clooney said. 'Governments don't like the freedom of the press. They never have,' he explained. 'And that goes for whether you are a conservative or a liberal or whatever side you're on. They don't like the press.' Clooney pointed specifically to ABC News' decision to contribute $15 million to then President-elect Trump's presidential foundation and museum in order to settle a defamation suit over claims made by George Stephanopoulos that Trump was found civilly liable for raping writer E. Jean Carroll. The actor also mentioned Trump's lawsuit against CBS News, in which he claims that the network purposely edited Harris' interview in October in a way that put him at a disadvantage in the presidential election. The Federal Communications Commission was forced to release the unedited version of the interview amid the claims - and found that CBS News aired just 20 minutes of their hour-long interview. The lawsuit is now ongoing. Meanwhile, Trump-appointed FCC Chair Brendan Carr must determine whether to push forward a proposed merger between the network's parent company, Paramount, and Skydance. Clooney's interview came amid Trump's lawsuit against CBS News for its editing of then-Vice President Kamala Harris' 60 Minutes interview When Clooney was asked how the historic television showdown between Edward R Murrow and Sen. Joseph McCarthy relates to today, he replied that the fight between the government and the press is a 'fight for the ages.' 'You see it happening at the LA Times, you see it happening at the Washington Post,' he said. At the LA Times, staffers are openly protesting the paper's increasingly right-leaning owner on Slack. Washington Post owner Jeff Bezos has also sparked outrage from his staff after announcing plans to overhaul the paper's Opinion page to focus solely on support for 'personal liberties and free markets.' Longtime Washington Post columnist Ruth Marcus also stepped down, complaining about journalistic freedoms being 'dangerously eroded' under Bezos and new boss Will Lewis. 'I love the Post. It breaks my heart to conclude that I must leave' she said. Now, Clooney says journalists must hold strong. 'When the other three estates fail, when the judiciary and the executive and the legislative branches fail us, the fourth estate has to succeed,' Clooney said. His remarks come just days after he appeared on the Late Show with Stephen Colbert, when the Oscar-winner shared his feelings about the Democrats losing the 2024 election. 'Well I don't know, what am I supposed to do? Storm the f***ing Capitol?' he said referencing the January 6 2021 insurrection, prompting applause from the crowd. Clooney also had an unexpected direct message to Trump, without saying his name: 'Good for you. I hope you do well because our country needs it, and we will meet you in 3.5 years and see where we go next.' A DJ has lashed out at an upmarket Sydney venue after he was ordered to cut the music during a wedding celebration because it was too loud. DJ MGUNZ used social media to warn people not to book weddings at Pier One Sydney Harbour following the incident at the swanky hotel. But the hotel has fired back, telling Daily Mail Australia they are bound by NSW Government legislation and each client is informed of the noise limitations. The dispute flared up after DJ MGUNZ posted videos of the incident to Instagram where he was depicted playing music until a Pier One staff member approached and asked him to turn the music off. The pair also exchanged words during the incident believed to have occurred just after 10.30pm on a recent evening at the Sydney Harbour venue. The confused DJ, who said on the video he was 'just here vibing', told the staff member 'it's a wedding' when asked to shut down the tunes. 'Completely off, completely off. It's not about the couple, it's about our licence,' the staff member said in the video. The guests then booed and hissed the staff member before another partygoer yelled to everyone to 'calm down'. DJ MGUNZ posted videos of the incident to social media where he is depicted playing music at Pier One Sydney Harbour Pier One Sydney Harbour (pictured) is in a bind over music volume 'Ok, crowd is starting to lose it,' the DJ said. Another guest approached the DJ stage and addressed the Pier One staff member, who clarified the DJ could play music at 80 decibels but with no amplifier. The guest also requested the DJ be allowed to play for another 30 minutes, but 'after that we'll stop'. 'Don't worry and just put the music on,' the guest told the DJ. However, the staff member refused the request. 'Sorry, you've got to go with what we say because that is the legislation,' he said. 'We are happy to use the decibel meter,' the guest responded. 'It's already at 95 (decibels) and this is not even with music playing. This is people talking,' the DJ said. DJ MGUNZ (pictured) warned people not to book weddings at Pier One Sydney Harbour Pier One is a boutique hotel and function venue located on Sydney Harbour 'Hey guys, can we get everyone to keep it down for a sec,' a guest yelled out. Another man who appeared on the stage said: 'This is just people talking and its 85 decibels.' According to the TikTok video, the volume fiasco was still being argued at 11pm while the wedding party still had another hour left in the booking. Venue staff tested the volume and found the guest's voices exceeded 85 decibels while the music could not be heard. In a second video posted to Instagram, the staff member eventually left the stage, but was soon replaced by the venue manager who pulled out a copy of the contract and pointed out the noise stipulation to the DJ. The newly-wed couple also came over to speak with management before the DJ was allowed to play background music no louder than 80db. The DJ then transformed the remainder of the gig into a 'silent' rave party, which inspired the rowdy guests to rev up and sing at the top of their lungs. It caused Pier One staff to tell the DJ to lower the music, but he said the volume was already at a minimum. A Pier One spokesperson said the 'dedicated event space hosts numerous events, including weddings across the year' 'Well that's the lowest man, you can ask them to stop singing,' the DJ said. The staff member eventually gave up and allowed the 'silent' party to continue. 'It is what it is,' the staff member was heard saying in the video posted on Instagram. The staff member then danced along with the DJ. DJ MGUNZ said via a social media post the allowed music volume was 'about as loud as a vacuum cleaner'. 'Pier One requires clients to sign a contract agreeing to cap the music at 80dB, but most have no idea what that actually means,' he said in the post. 'Turns out, its about as loud as a vacuum cleaner. So basically, we went from a dancefloor to background music real quick. 'The funny part is we couldn't even get background music cause the crowd was already louder than the limit.' DJ MGUNZ suggested the venue install a 'soundproofed area' for 'late-night dancing'. 'Or at least make sure your bride and groom know about this up front? It's literally meant to be one of the best nights of their life,' he said. The DJ also gave some advice to the 'stunning venue' about how its 'sound policy could use a little rethinking'. 'Clearer communication upfront so couples arent blindsided on their big night,' he suggested. 'Most couples don't know what 80dB sounds like so you might want to make this bit very clear so there's no surprises on the night. 'Dont allow bookings until midnight if the music has to drop to background levels at 11 PM! If the dancefloor starts at 10:30. Social media users were left divided with some claiming the venue encapsulated the lack of nightlife in Sydney. 'This is the problem with Sydney,' one wrote. 'Whilst there are venues wanting to bring back the nightlife, the amount of uptight people that live in these areas are the ones making the complaints. Sydney will never be the same again.' Another posted: 'I love the way venues treat couples like s*** once the gig is done.' Multiple social media users defended Pier One However others said the wedding couple needed to bear some responsibility. 'I think couples need to actually start reading contracts and thinking tbh,' one posted. 'I get they dknt (sic) know but in a contract if you don't know something find out. 'The venues e.d (sic) up costing a majority of the budget so let's be sensible.' A Pier One spokesman said the 'dedicated event space hosts numerous events, including weddings across the year'. 'We receive excellent feedback from our many clients and performers on the venue attributes including the location, service, food and beverage offering and amenity,' he said. 'The technical benchmark limitations are set by the NSW Government to consider the local community. 'We ensure our clients, event organisers and hired talent are made aware of the technical benchmark to ensure there is always transparency in the way we do business.' Daily Mail Australia contacted DJ MGUNZ for comment. Liberal Californians have fiercely lashed out against a renowned Los Angeles restaurant after a co-owner praised Elon Musk's plans to open a Tesla diner. Walter Manzke, co-owner of beloved French restaurant and bakery Republique, came under fire when he expressed enthusiasm about Musk's all-night Tesla diner opening on West Hollywood's Santa Monica Boulevard. 'It sounds exciting,' Walter told the New York Times, adding that his wife and co-owner Margarita said she wants to buy a Tesla. 'So I can tell you what side she's on.' The brief statement sparked immense outrage among Musk-loathing Redditors, who devoted an entire thread to bashing the couple. Hundreds of heated commenters chimed in to denounce the Manzkes under a post titled 'Looks like Republique is off my list.' 'What a moron,' one user said in response to Walter's sentiment. 'Why would you open your fat mouth and alienate at least half of your clientele?' 'That said, this will go unnoticed by the vast majority of people and likely wont affect business at Republique at all.' But others were not as confident that Walter's comment would be swept under the carpet. Walter and Margarita Manzke have come under fire after Walter told the New York Times he was excited about Elon Musk's restaurant plans Beloved French restaurant and bakery Republique is known for its fresh pastries, made by Margarita Others declared they are 'definitely never going back' to the Michelin-starred establishment and said it is an 'easy boycott.' Several of the comments came from people claiming to personally know - and dislike - the Manzkes. 'As someone in the industry, I wont go to any Manzke establishment. Theyre atrocious,' someone wrote. Another person said: 'I worked for [Margarita] for a couple years.. she loves Trump. Voted for him the first time and was very proud of it.' In an attempt to ease some of the social media tension, Republique posted an Instagram statement about Walter's New York Times quote. The post reads: 'At Republique, we believe in focusing on what we do best - creating exceptional food and a welcoming experience for all our guests. 'In response to a recent New York Times article, we want to clarify that the quote about possibly buying a Tesla was simply about exploring electric vehicle options, not a political statement. 'We value innovation and sustainability, and we respect all viewpoints. Republique does not take political stances; we are here to create a space for everyone, no matter their background or beliefs.' Elon Musk has been building a 'Grease meets The Jetsons with Supercharging' diner in West Hollywood Margarita 'loves Trump,' according to a Reddit user who claimed to have worked for the award-winning pastry chef But instead of acting as damage control, this post only appeared to have added fuel to the fire. One critic wrote: 'Not "taking a stance" against nazism, is supporting nazism...' Another agreed: 'No kidding. I certainly dont respect all viewpoints, that doesnt mean what they think it does. 'If you respect an imperialistic, fascist and authoritarian government that is currently imprisoning people against our laws, halting programs that will lead to bankruptcy of its citizens and death, in some cases, to those we supported overseas, I dont respect that.' The New York Times article that catalyzed these harsh reactions was about the DOGE leader's 'retro-futuristic diner' being built up in Los Angeles. Musk has spoken about these plans since 2018, when he posted about them on X, which was Twitter at the time. In 2023, the tech mogul described his idea as 'Grease meets The Jetsons with Supercharging.' It is unclear when exactly Musk's combination of a drive-in theater, charging stations and an eatery will open its doors. Walter and Margarita posted a follow up statement to address the hate Republique has been receiving A Reddit thread was created with the sole purpose of bashing the ritzy restaurant. Hundreds of Californians shared their thoughts Chefs Walter and Margarita have owned several award-winning restaurants and bakeries. Margarita also co-owns sixteen Wildflour Bakeries in the Philippines, which is where she is from. But out of a string of high-end LA establishments over the years, only Republique remains after their other restaurants shuttered in 2023 and 2024. Margarita, won the prestigious James Beard Award - known as the 'Oscars of the food world' - for Outstanding Pastry Chief for her work at the restaurant in 2023. Republique is well known for its fresh pastries and historic location: the building was designed by filmmaker Charlie Chaplin in 1929. The restaurant has been praised by fine-dining lovers as one of the best places to eat in LA. One man wrote on Open Table: 'Republique is one of be most thoughtfully crafted restaurants in LA. Designed like a European Castle with modern lines, this cafe is unique and exquisite.' A food delivery rider has been caught on camera apparently urinating inside a Sydney apartment block's lift while dropping off a customer's Betty's Burgers order. The incident, which occurred on March 10 at Artarmon's Northview building, on the the lower north shore, has been reported to NSW Police by residents. 'There's just no mistaking it,' 2GB host Ben Fordham said on Monday morning as he described the footage to listeners. 'All of the elevator floor is dry, then he starts fiddling with the front of his pants, and then he's pressing the buttons in the lift,' Fordham explained. 'He seems to be obsessed with this corner of the lift - we know why, because he's taking a pee. 'He's standing there for I don't know, 10 to 15 seconds as the elevator is going up, then he does something to adjust the front of his pants and he steps outside, leaving behind the wet patch.' Fordham said he was holding 'food in his right hand and his willy in his left hand'. 'Filthy little grub,' he added. A food delivery driver was caught urinating inside a Sydney apartment block lift before delivering a customers order The elevator still reeks of urine, with the building considering replacing the carpet, estimated to cost at least $2,000 Geoffrey Grasso, a resident and the building's secretary, said he was revolted by the delivery rider's actions. 'It raises a whole bunch of questions about their food handling training of their drivers at the very, very least,' he told Fordham. 'But the one thing that literally disgusts me is the fact that he is holding those people's food while he is urinating and then delivers it to them.' Mr Grasso said that the elevator still reeks as a result of the incident and that the building is considering taking action against the delivery company. 'We may well need to change the carpet - it's going to mount up,' he added. 'The building manager estimates no less than $2,000 just for that. 'It's just a disgusting thing to do, it breaches any form of normal etiquette and health standards. 'I'm sure if he was that desperate and said to the resident in question, "May I use your toilet?" I'm sure they would have said yes.' Greenland's Prime Minister has condemned the Trump administration for trying to take control of his country after learning that a visit by Vice President JD Vance's wife would be preceded by the arrival of a delegation of senior security officials. Washington touted Usha Vance's three-day visit to Greenland as friendly, revealing she would travel with her son from Thursday to Saturday to explore historical and cultural sites and watch the annual dogsled race. But little information was shared about a visit set to be led by national security advisor Mike Waltz, which is reportedly scheduled to take place earlier in the week. When Greenland's prime minister Mute B. Egede learned about the back-to-back trips, he was incensed and vented his anger in a statement to local media. 'We are now at a level where it can in no way be characterized as a harmless visit from a politician's wife,' he said. 'What is the national security adviser doing in Greenland? The only purpose is to demonstrate power over us. 'He is Trump's confidential and closest advisor, and his presence in Greenland alone will certainly make the Americans believe in Trump's mission, and the pressure will increase after the visit.' He added that Greenlanders' collective effort to be diplomatic just 'bounces off Donald Trump and his administration in their mission to own and control Greenland.' Trump has made no secret of his ambition to annex Greenland, which is a semiautonomous territory of Denmark but has recently asserted a level of independence. The administration touted Vance's three-day visit to Greenland on Sunday, revealing she would travel with her son from Thursday to Saturday to explore historical and cultural sites and watch the annual dogsled race When Greenland's prime minister Mute B. Egede learned about the back-to-back trips, he was incensed and raged in a statement to local media He sent his son Don Jr. in the wake of his election victory to scope out the world's largest island, and most recently questioned Denmark's authority over the land. 'A boat landed there 200 years ago or something. And they say they have rights to it,' Trump said. 'I don't know if that's true. I don't think it is, actually.' Speaking of Greenland, he added: 'I think we're going to get it. One way or the other, we're going to get it.' In response, all five parties in Greenland's parliament issued a joint statement slamming the remarks. While Don Jr. maintained that locals 'love America' and 'love Trump', relations appear to have plunged to a new low. Meanwhile, Denmark's prime minister Mette Frederiksen also issued a statement about the upcoming trips. She labelled the Trump administration's tactics to merge Greenland with the US 'highly aggressive'. 'The visit from the United States cannot be seen in isolation from the public statements that have been made,' Frederiksen said. 'This is something we take seriously.' Waltz will be joined by energy secretary Chris Wright, with the duo reportedly scheduled to visit a military base, according to two unnamed sources. 'We are now at a level where it can in no way be characterized as a harmless visit from a politician's wife,' Greenland's prime minister said. Usha Vance is taking her son with her on the trip Trump has made no secret of his ambition to annex Greenland, which has long been linked to Denmark but has asserted a level of independence Less was revealed about a delegation led by national security advisor Mike Waltz, which is reportedly scheduled to take place earlier in the week A spokesman for Waltz said the visit was for gathering information and exploring local culture. 'The United States has a vested security interest in the Arctic region, and it should not be a surprise the national security adviser and secretary of energy are visiting a U.S. space base,' National Security Council spokesman Brian Hughes told the New York Times. He said the duo would 'get firsthand briefings from our service members on the ground. 'We also look forward to experiencing Greenland's famous hospitality and are confident that this visit presents an opportunity to build on partnerships that respects Greenland's self-determination and advances economic cooperation. 'This is a visit to learn about Greenland, its culture, history and people.' In a quick video on the upcoming trip posted to social media, Usha Vance said she hopes the U.S.-Greenland relationship 'will only grow stronger' in the future. She and her son will watch the Avannaata Qimussersu dog sled race during their trip. The US is a sponsor of the race where 444 dogs and 37 mushers will compete. 'I look forward to meeting many of you soon and to learning from you about your beautiful land, culture and traditions,' she said. Donald Trump Jr. visited Nuuk, Greenland in January with a few of President Donald Trump's close allies Greenland is rich in minerals and has a strategic location in the Arctic, although an inhospitable climate According to local media, US officials reached out to Malik Berthelsen, the mayor of Qeqqata in Greenland, to set up a visit with Vance. Reports state Berthelsen 'declined the request' from an American delegation, citing ongoing election campaigning. 'I can confirm that they have approached me and wanted to meet,' Berthelsen told TV2 Denmark. 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. The emerging contest over work from home rights between the major parties may play a bigger role at the election campaign than previously thought. The Coalition kicked the debate off when Peter Dutton pledged to force taxpayer- funded public servants back into the office, arguing that WFH was a drain on national productivity. There are studies to support the claim, but the Opposition Leader's real aim was to appear tough on bureaucrats. It was a deliberate effort to attack the Canberra insiders set, where most bureaucrats are of course based. Dutton was also hoping to receive applause from older Australians and conservatives who find WFH anathema to their values. Not to mention commercial property owners and small businesses operating in CBDs worried about reduced occupancy and consumer traffic. The tradition of getting ready for one's working day, including the commute there and home, is a long one. The pandemic blew that tradition up and some who relied on the certainty of it have struggled to understand the potential upsides of allowing WFH to continue. While Dutton's strategic play might have come and gone with little attention or even contestation, Labor had other ideas. Armed with internal party research showing that challenging Dutton on this issue could reap political rewards, Albo fired back. The PM came out and defended people's rights to WFH. He highlighted the financial savings in these difficult cost-of-living times, and also as something Dutton would put at risk. While Dutton's strategic 'back to the office' play might have come and gone with little attention or even contestation, Labor had other ideas Even though Dutton is only promising to curb WFH rights for federal public servants, Labor hopes to widen the debate to WFH rights more generally Labor plucked the figure of $5,000 out of thin air to claim that is the extra cost of transport and car parking that Dutton will load on Australians if he's elected PM by forcing them to return to their workplaces. The retort from the government is designed to appeal to anyone comfortable working from home, especially younger voters - a not insignificant voter cohort. Even though Dutton is only promising to curb WFH rights for federal public servants, Labor hopes to widen the debate to WFH rights more generally. Suggesting Dutton's agenda might stretch wider and wider if he's elected into power. Labor is also using Dutton's WFH comments to suggest he is thoughtless about the needs of female voters in particular, who disproportionately work from home compared with men. Labor is using this line of attack to try and claw back lost support amongst women. This week's Newspoll (perhaps surprisingly) showed that Labor has a problem with women just as the Coalition does. While the specifics of the WFH debate are narrow in a policy sense, centred on public servants specifically, the wider culture war it could spark suits both Albo and Dutton's styles. The pair sit on polar opposites of the culture war debates, as the Voice referendum highlighted. Dutton won that particular contest convincingly, but it's unclear if he'll be similarly successful on the issue of WFH. A New Jersey mother is calling out United Airlines for what she has described as a 'horrible' experience on a recent flight. Melissa Sotomayor accuses crew members of repeatedly pressuring her to disconnect her 21-month-old son from his life-sustaining ventilator and oxygen concentrator before the plane could takeoff. Sotomayor's son, Noah, was born with a rare medical condition and depends on a tracheostomy and ventilator to breathe - but he became the center of a spiraling confrontation on United flight UA1349 from Tampa to Newark earlier this month. The confrontation that left nearby passengers shocked and Sotomayor in tears. She explained what happened on the March 8 flight in TikTok in a video that has since gone viral, garnering more than 1.2 million views. 'My son is dependent upon a trach and ventilator,' she explains calmly, but visibly shaken. 'And they told me I needed to take him off it.' Sotomayor said she had already flown the outbound flight without any issues on March 2, using the same airline, equipment, and documentation. But her return flight was entirely different. Shortly after boarding a male flight attendant approached Sotomayor telling her she needed to disconnect her son's ventilator and oxygen concentrator during takeoff. Melissa Sotomayor accuses crew members of repeatedly pressuring her to disconnect her 21-month-old son from his life-sustaining ventilator and oxygen concentrator during takeoff Her son, Noah, was born with a rare medical condition and depends on a tracheostomy and ventilator to breathe 'I told them that equipment is what's keeping him alive,' she said. But instead of backing off, the situation only escalated further. Two more flight attendants and even the plane's captain joined in, all repeating the same directive and demanding documentation. Sotomayor said she had already submitted everything ahead of time through United's accessibility department. 'I worked with their team. I provided all required documentation. Everything was cleared,' she said. 'And still, they told me to take him off the vent.' She alleged how one crew member told her, 'He'll be okay until we're in the air at a high enough altitude.' Passengers seated nearby were so disturbed by what they saw with some even speaking up, describing her treatment as harassment, according to Sotomayor's video. Crew members then suggested Sotomayor would need to change seats if she refused to comply. Her son was born at just 22 weeks and has needed help breathing since birth Her son became the center of a spiraling confrontation on United flight UA1349 from Tampa to Newark earlier this month (file photo) The captain allegedly taxied the aircraft for over an hour in what Sotomayor believes was a deliberate attempt to delay or discourage her from continuing the flight. 'He [the captain] didn't even come back to tell me if we were going to fly,' she said. 'He just got on the speaker and said we were cleared for takeoff.' Those hearing her story online appeared incensed by what they had heard. '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,' one user wrote. 'Please, please retain an attorney that specializes in ADA. MAKE ALL THE NOISE. Nobody should have to go through this,' urged another. Others went further still calling for a boycott of United Airlines and demanding accountability. 'So we boycott United Airlines? Seems like the only way to get a point across these days is stop paying these people,' one user posted. Sotomayor explained how days earlier on a United flight from Newark to Tampa there were no issues at all Noah is seen with his younger sibling in a recent photograph of the pair Sotomayor has now launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds for legal action against United Airlines. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) guidelines allow the use of portable ventilators and oxygen concentrators on commercial flights. United, like most major carriers, has an established accessibility policy requiring medical device documentation, something Sotomayor insists she submitted well in advance. In her TikTok, Sotomayor made it clear she is not backing down. 'This wasn't just a mistake,' she said. 'This was a complete disregard for my son's life, and our dignity. 'I'm not going to let this go. They need to be held accountable - not just for Noah, but for every family who's been made to feel like they don't belong.' When contacted by DailyMail.com, United Airlines said: 'Weve connected with the customer to address her concerns and apologized for any frustration she may have experienced.' The first black Republican woman to be elected to Congress has passed away after battling aggressive brain cancer for three years. Mia Love, a 49-year-old former Utah representative, died in her Saratoga Springs home on Sunday, her family announced on her X account. Their heartbreaking statement reads: 'With grateful hearts filled to overflowing for the profound influence of Mia on our lives, we want you to know that she passed away peacefully. 'We are thankful for the many good wishes, prayers and condolences.' Utah Governor Spencer Cox referred to Love as a 'dear friend' in a statement addressing her devastating death. Cox wrote on X: 'A true trailblazer and visionary leader, Mia inspired countless Utahns through her courage, grace, and unwavering belief in the American dream. 'Her legacy leaves a lasting, positive impact on our state. We will miss her deeply.' Love publicly came forward about her glioblastoma - a type of brain tumor - in May 2024 with CNN's Jake Tapper, but she was diagnosed in 2022. Mia Love, the first black Republican woman to be elected to Congress , died in her Saratoga Springs, Utah home on Sunday (pictured: Love at the Republican National Convention in 2012) Love, pictured hugging her father Jean Maxime Bourdeau after she won her House seat in 2014, beat Democratic candidate Doug Owens by about 7,500 votes Mia Love, 49, was diagnosed with a glioblastoma, an aggressive brain tumor in 2022. after rigorous treatment proved ineffective, the politician shifted her focus to 'enjoying every moment' The politician had undergone rigorous treatment for brain cancer and received immunotherapy as part of a clinical trial at Duke Universitys brain tumor center. But she was no longer responding to treatment, her daughter Abigale revealed earlier this month. 'Hello Friends, Im Mias daughter Abigale. Many of you are aware that Mom has been fighting GBM brain cancer,' Abigale's post began. 'Sadly her cancer is no longer responding to treatment and the cancer is progressing. We have a shifted our focus from treatment to enjoying our remaining time with her. I am building an archive of special memories with Mia.' Love, a Mormon mother-of-three, then wrote a letter describing how she would be living out her final days. 'I am taking up my pen, not to say goodbye but to say thank you and express my living wish for you and the America I know,' Love started the note published by Deseret News. Her message detailed her latest health updates, noting that she has shifted her focus from trying to combat the cancer to 'enjoying every moment and making memories with the time we have.' Love (pictured with her daughter Abigale, left, and sister Cyndi Brito, right) will be remembered as a 'trailblazer and a visionary leader' Love, 49, (pictured with her family) announced she was battling brain cancer in May 2024 'My life has been extended by exceptional medical care, science and extraordinary professionals who have become dear friends,' she wrote. 'My extra season of life has also been the result of the faith and prayers of countless friends, known and unknown.' She also reflected on her long political journey and how her upbringing influenced her strong character. Love, the daughter of Haitian immigrants, entered politics in 2003 after earning a seat on the city council in Saratoga Springs, a community about 30 miles south of Salt Lake City. In 2010, she become the mayor of Saratoga Springs. In 2012, she narrowly lost a House bid against the Democratic incumbent, former Representative Jim Matheson, in a district that covers a string of Salt Lake City suburbs. With unwavering determination, she ran again two years later and defeated first-time Democratic candidate Doug Owens by about 7,500 votes. After her 2014 victory, she said her win defied naysayers who said a black, Republican, Mormon woman could not win a congressional seat in overwhelmingly white Utah. She was briefly considered a rising star within the GOP and notably distanced herself from President Donald Trump. Love was re-elected in 2016, but lost her third-term seat by less than 700 votes to former Salt Lake City Mayor Ben McAdams, a Democrat in 2018. The former Utah Congresswoman made history as the first black Republican woman to be elected to congress (pictured: Love at the Utah County Republican Party Lincoln Day Dinner in 2018) Mother-of-three Love, 49, (pictured with her family) announced that she was living out her final days as she penned an open letter to her country Trump called out Love by name in a news conference the morning after she lost, where he also bashed other Republicans who did not fully embrace him. 'Mia Love gave me no love, and she lost,' Trump said. 'Too bad. Sorry about that, Mia.' After her loss, Love served as a political commentator on CNN and as a fellow at the University of Sydney. Following Trumps election in November, Love said she was 'OK with the outcome.' 'Yes, Trump says a lot of inconsiderate things that are unfortunate and impossible to defend. However, his policies have a high probability of benefiting all Americans,' Love wrote in a social media post. For a long time, I thought incels were a joke. Sad, bitter men holed up in their bedrooms, raging at women online because they couldn't get a date. Pathetic, sure, but mostly harmless. Then I became their target. As a dating columnist who writes about sex and relationships, I've had my fair share of trolls. But over the past year, the tone has shifted. It's darker. Angrier. Coordinated. I've had YouTube videos made about me - furious rants from men I've never met - dissecting my dating life like it's a war crime. And it's not just YouTube videos. One particular 'influencer' has more than 500,000 followers, and every time he posts about me, my social media gets hammered with abuse. I've been called the most horrendous names, with 'sl*t' being the tamest but most common. They also like to comment on how my 'eggs have all dried up' because I'm *gasp* 40 and that 'I've hit a wall'. Just your usual rubbish At first, I rolled my eyes. I've got thick skin. But the deeper I look into this toxic corner of the internet, and the more I see it bleed into real life, the more concerned I am. Because this isn't just about a few angry men hurling insults from behind screens. This is about boys. Teenagers. Your son, your nephew, your mate's kid. And the terrifyingly effective system designed to recruit them. This past weekend I binged all four episodes of Netflix's new series Adolescence and it left me feeling unsettled for hours afterwards. Actually, if I'm honest, I still feel a bit off. The series, co-written by one of its stars, Stephen Graham, nails the frightening truth: a 13-year-old boy, lonely and struggling, stumbles across red pill forums online. He's told girls will never like him because they only go for 'the 20 per cent of the male population deemed attractive'. That women are shallow, manipulative, dangerous. And, for the first time, he feels seen. Empowered, even. What starts as curiosity quickly mutates into something much darker. This past weekend I binged all four episodes of Netflix's new series Adolescence and it left me feeling unsettled for hours afterwards. Actually, if I'm honest, I still feel a bit off. Pictured is Erin Doherty as Briony Ariston as she is confronted by troubled teen Jamie Miller (Owen Cooper) It's confronting because it's so plausible. It's happening. In fact, in a recent interview, Graham revealed he didn't just wake up one day and decide to make Adolescence. The idea came after he read two horrifying news stories - both involving young boys fatally stabbing girls at their schools, in separate parts of the UK. He wanted to know: How did we get here? What's going on with boys today? In an interview on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, Graham said: 'I just think, what kind of a society are we living in at the moment where young boys are stabbing young girls? And you know that beautiful saying, "It takes a village to raise a child?" Well, I just thought, what if we're all accountable? The education system, parenting, the community, the government.' And honestly, he's got a point. While many parents assume their children are safe when they're at home in their bedrooms, we forget that their phones and laptops open the door to a whole other world. One that's flooded with so-called 'influencers' and powered by algorithms specifically targeting their feeds. While I'm being shown cute puppies, annoying tradwives, and tarot card readers, teenage boys are being shown scary videos featuring Andrew Tate and others, pushing toxic messaging about how women should be controlled, shamed and dominated. While many parents assume their children are safe at home in their bedrooms, we forget that their phones and laptops open the door to a whole other world. One that's flooded with misogynist 'influencers' like Andrew Tate (pictured outside court in Romania in August 2024) The Netflix drama Adolescence explores the dark world teenage boys can inhabit, when 13-year-old Jamie, played by Owen Cooper, is accused of the murder of a female classmate And the boys they prey on all have one thing in common: romantic failure. That's the golden thread tying all of incel culture together - they're not getting the girl. Instead of being told heartbreak and rejection is a part of growing up, that they can work on themselves and try again, they are told it's women's fault. They're victims. That women owe them attention - and punishment if they don't get it. Of course, plenty of men experience rejection and don't become misogynists. But if you're 14, lonely, insecure and spending hours scrolling TikTok, Reddit or YouTube, that algorithm will serve you poison on a silver platter. And it doesn't take long before you start swallowing it. And here's the thing that breaks my heart: even the best mums can't stop it. I look at how my brother and his wife raise my two nephews - loving, respectful, switched-on. You can teach your son about consent. You can raise him to cherish women. But you can't make a girl like him. You can't guarantee he'll be kissed at the school dance or texted back after a first date. And if that rejection starts to feel constant, that's the crack in the armour. That's where the red pill creeps in. Because incel culture doesn't attack women first - it appeals to male pain. It says: You're not the problem. They are. And for a generation of boys growing up in a world of curated perfection, dating apps and constant social comparison, that message hits hard. It feels like truth. No mother, now matter how loving or present, can protect her son from the one vulnerability that toxic influencers prey upon - a lack of romantic success. That's precisely why I feel so helpless about the rise of 'incel' culture Not so long ago, I was listening to Caitlin Moran - the bestselling author and columnist known for her brutally honest takes on womanhood, parenting and culture - tell a story on a podcast that made me stop mid-scroll. It was about a 15-year-old boy, a friend of her son's, who'd come over for Sunday lunch. She said he was the kind of kid who used to be 'so lovely' but had recently become obsessed with Andrew Tate. So obsessed, in fact, that he ruined their roast. He kept quoting Tate at the table and flashing a hand signal that basically meant, 'Shut up, woman,' every time Caitlin's teenage daughter tried to speak. She ended up in tears, skipped dessert and hid in her room. Moran was confused because his parents were 'left-leaning, feminist, Guardian-reading types who'd raised him to be respectful and thoughtful'. So what happened? Well, Caitlin nailed it. She said: 'If he's grown up hearing that straight white men are awful, if he's been made to feel shame, and guilt, simply because of who he is, then of course he's going to be attracted to the man who says, "Don't be ashamed! Men are great! We need men! F*** woke-dom!" That's a classic piece of dumb teenage rebellion against your parents... Tate is currently the loudest voice shouting, "I can show you how."' And sadly, it makes sense. I don't know what the solution is. I wish I did. But I know it's not enough to just tell boys to be nice. We need to talk to them about failure. About rejection. About resilience. We need to show them that they can build confidence without tearing someone else down. That their worth isn't tied to how many women like them. And we need to hold platforms accountable. Because this stuff doesn't stay online. It seeps into classrooms, bedrooms, workplaces. It fuels real-world violence. And it silences women, like me, who speak out. Until we start to wonder if it's even worth it anymore. I'm still speaking. But I'm not laughing anymore. A Labor party social media post featuring a slogan, many believe resembled a white nationalist meme, has been deleted from its social media pages. The post was uploaded to the Australian Labor Party's primary Facebook, TikTok and Instagram accounts on Sunday. It featured a man wearing a T-shirt with an Australian flag superimposed on a map of Australia. Over the graphic were the words: 'This is Australia.' 'We eat meat, We drink beer, And we love Medicare,' the slogan read. On Instagram, the caption read: 'Calling all Aussie patriots now is the time to protect our Medicare.' The T-shirt was compared to an archived example of racist memorabilia displayed in a Museums Victoria collection. The white nationalist shirt in question featured a similar graphic with the words: 'This is Australia. We eat meat, we drink beer and we speak f#ckin' English.' Labor has been criticised for posting an image of a white man wearing the above T-shirt A similar T-shirt is currently in Museums Victoria's collection of 'racist memorabilia' The Labor party's message that Australians value Medicare wasn't well communicated on its social media pages The slogan on the shirt, sold in 2009, was interpreted by Museums Victoria to be targeted towards Muslims. 'The slogan is aimed at Muslims in particular who have customs which ban alcohol and non-halal meat,' Museums Victoria's website said. 'The slogans on these t-shirts are racist and seek to define Australian identity by excluding 'the other' and by excluding anyone who dares to voice criticism. 'The slogans "If You Don't Love It, Leave!" and "Support it or F*!k Off" are indicative of the latter sentiment.' Labor's social media followers drew attention to the similarities between its image and the racist shirts. 'Have you been hacked by the far right,' one Instagram user wrote before the post was deleted. 'How cringe-worthy. It's incredible that someone thought repurposing a racist meme was a good idea,' another said. Another user accused the party's social media team of 'toxic, patriotic masculinity'. Labor removed the posts on Monday and issued an apology. 'Labor is seeking to reach everyone with our message that Australians value Medicare and we'll do everything we can to protect it from Peter Dutton's cuts,' a spokesperson said. 'However, the party acknowledges this post missed the mark and it has been deleted.' Meghan Markle has fired back at Gwyneth Paltrow in their breakfast war as she unveiled her 're-invented banana split' with no motivational message to soften the blow. Yesterday, fans went wild with speculation after Ms Paltrow, 52, posted an Instagram video of herself making breakfast in which she appeared to be subtly put the Duchess of Sussex, 43, in her place. The post came hot on the heels of the Duchess's latest attempt at getting back on TV with her Netflix series, With Love, Meghan, which was met with negative reviews when it started streaming on Netflix last month. Some viewers suggested Ms Paltrow's laid back look, crumpled pyjamas and simple, silent cooking demonstration were chosen to contrast with Meghan's flawless make-up, designer clothes and rented kitchen. Other clues include the music playing behind Ms Paltrow's video This Will Be (An Everlasting Love) by Natalie Cole which was used in promos by Meghan. Yesterday, the Duchess appeared to retaliate when she posted two videos to her Instagram story with her 'bestie' Kelly McKee Zajfen. Meghan stood behind the camera giggling as Ms Zajfen carefully placed blueberries, raspberries and granola on top of a yogurt and jam covered banana. The Duchess made sure to tag her own preserve brand As Ever with a caption reading: 'When one of your besties reinvents a banana split for breakfast.' In the next clip, Meghan and her pal cheers their forks before trying the re-imagined banana split, both letting out an 'Mm!' as Ms Zajfen said it tasted 'so good'. Yesterday, the Duchess appeared to retaliate when she posted two videos to her Instagram story with her 'bestie' Kelly McKee Zajfen The Duchess made sure to tag her own preserve brand As Ever with a caption reading: 'When one of your besties reinvents a banana split for breakfast' Fans believe when Ms Paltrow, 52, posted an Instagram video of how she makes breakfast, she may have been subtly putting the Duchess of Sussex in her place She also posted another video, taken by Prince Harry, a few hours later showing a flock of birds flying across the sky in a V-formation with a gushing caption which read: 'Flying into the week with my family. (Thanks H for capturing this!)'. It's unclear whether or not Meghan's posts were a retaliation but fans are convinced Ms Paltrow was throwing 'shade' at her - slang which means to make fun of someone in an underhanded way. After seeings Meghan's banana split video, one person on X, formerly Twitter, wrote: 'Omg! Meghan & Kelly try to throw shade back at Gwyneth Paltrow! This is a game they are going to lose.' Fans also made posts after Ms Paltrows video, with one writing on X: ''Gwyneth Paltrow continues to throw shade & I'm here for it! No make-up in her actual kitchen!' Another said: 'Even the music... that's Natalie Cole 'this will be (an EVER lasting love)'!!!!!' A third posted: 'Lol isn't it this the song they keep using in the Meghan Markle promo?' 'And being as relatable as she can be, in her pjs, hair not styled, no make-up sipping coffee. No one praising her. Just her phone filming. Simple and easy.' The post came hot on the heels of the duchess's latest TV series, With Love, Meghan, which began streaming on Netflix last month to a chorus of negative criticism Some viewers suggested Ms Paltrow's unmade-up look, rumpled PJs and simple, speech-free cooking demonstration were chosen to contrast with Meghan's flawless make-up, designer clothes and rented kitchen With a jazzy soundtrack, the wholesome clip shows the actress at home in her pyjamas with her dog, making a simple meal of fried eggs, bacon and 'biscuits' One fan added: 'Go Gwyneth... a real dog in her own real kitchen on her own real property.' Meghan did not film her series which has been renewed for a second season at the home in Montecito, California she shares with Prince Harry and their children, instead hiring a 6.2million farmhouse. Other comments highlighted Ms Paltrow's monogrammed mug, speculating it could be a reference to Meghan's monogram as Duchess of Sussex. One said: 'Notice the lettering on the cup?!!' Last week, Ms Paltrow and fitness guru Tracy Anderson were accused of mocking Meghan. Making a recipe in a video on Goop's Instagram page, Ms Anderson said: 'I'm Tracy Anderson, and welcome to my actual kitchen' pausing for effect. She later insisted: 'Absolutely no shade intended!' A day earlier, Ms Paltrow said Meghan seemed 'lovely', adding: 'Maybe I'll try to get through their security detail and bring them a pie.' The Duchess of Sussex, 37, was pictured writing empowering notes of support on bananas as she joined husband Prince Harry on a visit to sex worker charity One25 However now a sex worker by the name of Nikki has slammed Meghan Markle for writing the messages of inspiration on fruit during her visit to a Bristol charity last week, claiming she 'should be doing more'. Pictured: The messages of support It's not the first time Meghan has been at centre of banana related backlash. In 2019, the then pregnant Duchess was criticised by a prostitute for writing messages including 'you are special' and 'you are strong' on bananas she added to food parcels during a visit to sex worker charity One25 with Prince Harry. A sex worker named Nikki branded the move 'offensive', and claiming she 'should be doing more'. Speaking to The Sun at the time, the woman said: 'People out here struggle to eat and sleep and she gifts us some words on a piece of fruit. 'She has the means to help us more than that. It's offensive, you know.' Russian and American officials are set to meet in Saudi Arabia for talks on a partial ceasefire in the Ukraine war, a day after delegates from Washington and Kyiv had their own discussions. US President Donald Trump is pushing for a rapid end to the three-year war and hopes talks in Riyadh could pave the way for a breakthrough. Both sides have proposed different plans for temporary ceasefires, but cross-border attacks have at the same time continued unabated. Originally planned to take place simultaneously to enable shuttle diplomacy - with the United States going back and forth between the delegations - the talks are now taking place one after the other. The meeting between the Ukrainian team, led by defence minister Rustem Umerov, and the Americans finished up late Sunday night. 'The discussion was productive and focused - we addressed key points including energy,' Umerov said on social media, adding Ukraine was working to make its goal of a 'just and lasting peace' a reality. Trump envoy Steve Witkoff voiced optimism that any agreement struck would pave the way for 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. US and Russian delegations seen attending a bilateral meeting at the Diriyah Palace on February 18 US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the Head of the Presidential Office of Ukraine Andriy Yermak, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, and Minister of Defense of Ukraine Rustem Umerov posing for a photograph during a meeting in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, 11 March 2025 'We are only at the beginning of this path,' Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Russian state TV. He said there were many outstanding questions 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. In this image taken from a video distributed by Russian Defense Ministry Press Service on Monday, March 24, 2025, a Russian Army 2S5 howitzer Giatsint-S fires towards Ukrainian positions Rescuers work at the impact site of a Russian Shahed attack drone strike on a residential high-rise in Kyiv, Ukraine, on March 23, 2025 Ukrainian officials said a Russian drone attack overnight Saturday 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 early 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. 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. Moscow heads into the Saudi talks after a rapprochement with Washington under Trump that has boosted confidence in the Kremlin. Peskov said 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. Shocking footage shows the moment panicked schoolchildren fled for their lives after a gang of youths crashed a school birthday party and launched a horrifying knife attack. Dozens of police officers swooped on Elm Park Primary School's hall, in Havering, east London, at around 9pm on Saturday when a group of more than 50 youths armed with knives and machetes reportedly gatecrashed the 16th birthday celebration. The fighting, which police say involved a 'number of teenagers', allegedly lasted until 11pm, with two victims, aged 16 and 19, taken to hospital with non-life threatening knife injuries. Police said three teenagers were arrested at the scene on suspicion of assaulting emergency works. A spokesman for the force said the group became 'aggressive' towards them when officers tried to engage. The officers who clashed with the youths were treated at the scene by the London Ambulance Service. New footage has now revealed the moment dozens of teenagers are seen running through the streets in a desperate bid to get to safety. In chaotic scenes, the youths are seen sprinting through the road as officers scramble to disperse the crowds. At least two officers are seen using police dogs and shouting at the teenagers to help clear the area as blue light vehicles lit up homes on the quiet residential street. Teenagers are seen putting their arms around each other and fleeing after the shocking scenes unfolded on Saturday. This is the moment schoolchildren ran through the streets for safety after a knife attack at a birthday party Pictured is Elm Park Primary School's hall, in Havering, where the horror incident unfolded It comes after footage circulated over the weekend of one of the attackers brandishing a knife as dozens of schoolchildren fled the hall screaming. 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. '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.' They added that they saw police chasing the youths as they tried to disperse the crowd. 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.' 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. Three teenagers were arrested on Saturday 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 More than 50 youths ran into Elm Park Primary School's hall, in Havering, where a 16th birthday party was being hosted '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.' Police have arrested a 25-year-old man they allege lured a girl nearly half his age to a Cairns hotel room before drugging and raping her. Port Douglas man James Charles Brown allegedly used social media to arrange to meet with the 13-year-old girl on Friday. A family member alerted police to the alleged meeting when she became aware of it. Police immediately launched an investigation and officers attached to the tactical crime squad found the pair later that evening. Officers surrounded Brown and arrested him on Cairns Esplanade after he allegedly tried to dispose of a phone. Police alleged Brown supplied the 13-year-old with cannabis before he sexually assaulted her. Officers charged him with three counts of rape and three counts of supplying dangerous drugs. Police also charged him with one count of using the internet to procure a child under 16, one count of possessing dangerous drugs and breaching of bail conditions. Police surrounded a 25-year-old man on Cairns Esplanade on Friday after he allegedly lured a girl half his age to a hotel and sexually assaulted her Police alleged Brown took the young girl to the Acacia Court Hotel in Cairns (pictured) Police seized a phone they alleged the man had been trying to dump Brown appeared in the Cairns Magistrates Court on Saturday where he was remanded in custody after police opposed his bail. Police believe the pair had met before the alleged rape. The officer in charge of the Cairns Child Protection and Investigation Unit, Detective Senior Sergeant Mick Gooiker, said the alleged offending was 'abhorrent'. 'This alleged victim has shown immense bravery in coming forward and speaking to us in relation to this matter,' Detective Senior Sergeant Mick Gooiker said. 'The fact that this man was quickly located and arrested by police demonstrates the dedication of police in responding to child harm in the community. 'We will continue to investigate all reports of offences against children and bring alleged offenders before the court.' Brown will front court again on June 10. Meghan Markle is a person 'adrift on facts and reality', the former editor of Vanity Fair said today. Canadian journalist and author Graydon Carter, 75, who ran the society bible for 25 years, has revealed that the Duchess of Sussex made a baffling complaint when he made her the magazine's cover star in October 2017. Meghan, who had recently started dating Prince Harry and was still playing Rachel Zane on Suits, thought Vanity Fair should be more interested in her 'charity work and philanthropy'. 'This woman is slightly adrift on the facts and reality', Mr Carter has said. Meghan was the star of one of Mr Carter's final editions as editor of Vanity Fair, in October 2017, which was entitled: 'She's just wild about Harry'. He has admitted that he initially had 'no idea' who Meghan was when one of his team suggested her for the cover, asking them initially: 'Why should we do a story on her?'. His colleague swiftly replied: 'Because shes going to marry Prince Harry'. But when a Vanity Fair reporter interviewed Meghan she apparently snapped: 'Excuse me, is this going to all be about Prince Harry? Because I thought we were going to be talking about my charities and my philanthropy'. Weeks after the interview was published, in November 2017, Meghan's engagement to Prince Harry was announced in a statement released by his father. By early 2020 the couple had stepped down as working royals and emigrated to California. Mr Carter, who was friendly with Princess Diana, has claimed that Harry's mother 'would feel great sorrow' that her youngest son is estranged from Prince William and King Charles. 'Anytime someone comes between siblings thats a disaster - horrible for a family', he said. Vanity Fair's ex-editor claims duchess believed she was magazine's 2017 cover star (pictured) because of her 'charity work' and not because she was dating Prince Harry Graydon Carter (left) and Harry's mother in 1994. She is wearing her famous 'revenge dress' in retaliation to the TV admission on a Dimbleby documentary by her then husband, Prince Charles, that he had an affair with Camilla Parker-Bowles When a Vanity Fair reporter asked about her future husband, Meghan apparently declared: 'Excuse me, is this going to all be about Prince Harry? Because I thought we were going to be talking about my charities and my philanthropy' Toronto-born Mr Carter has enjoyed a long career in journalism. He co-founded the satirical monthly magazine Spy in 1986. From 1992 to 2017 he edited Vanity Fair. Under his stewardship, the magazine became famous for its mix of celebrity stories and serious journalism. In 2019 he launched Air Mail - an online newsletter featuring the best of arts, culture, TV and film from around the world. His new memoir, 'When the Going Was Good: An Editor's Adventures During the Last Golden Age of Magazines', is released tomorrow in the US and on Thursday in the UK. He has given a wide-ranging interview with the New York Post's Page Six, where he has spoken about his career, Tom Cruise, Harvey Weinstein, launching Vanity Fair's now famous Oscars party and the Duchess of Sussex. Describing how Meghan became a cover star, he said: 'Jane Sarkin, who booked our covers, came in and said: "We should do a cover on Meghan Markle". 'I said, "I have no idea who that is". 'She said: "Shes on Suits". 'I said: "I have no idea what that is, why should we do a story on her?" So she said: "Because shes going to marry Prince Harry".' He then apparently laughed as he recalled how Meghan then challenged one of his reporters when she asked about her now husband. Mr Carter claimed Meghan said: 'Excuse me, Is this going to all be about Prince Harry? Because I thought we were going to be talking about my charities and my philanthropy'. According to Page Six, Mr Carter raised his eyebrows as he recalled the story and said: 'This woman is slightly adrift on the facts and reality'. The journalist said Princess Diana would be very sad to see the wedge between Harry and his British family. Mr Carter was the co-host of the 1994 party at the Serpentine Gallery where Princess Diana wore her famous 'revenge dress' in retaliation to the TV admission that her husband, Prince Charles, had an affair with Camilla Parker-Bowles. Speaking about how she would view Harry's isolation in California, he said: 'I would think she [Diana] would feel great sorrow for her son to have been pulled away from his family like this, especially his brother but also his father'. Mr Carter said he sat next to Diana at several dinners. 'She was very intrigued and kept asking questions she wanted to know how Jackie Kennedy was treated by the Kennedy family because, I think, she felt there were parallels between how Jackie was treated and the way she was treated by the royal family', he said. It is not the first time Mr Carter has criticised Meghan. In 2023 he predicted that her marriage to Prince Harry will last 'years rather than decades.' He said he believes the Duchess of Sussex, who wed the Duke in 2018, 'has run rings around poor Harry to get money, notoriety and a title.' Since their royal nuptials in St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle in 2018, the Sussexes have stepped back from their duties in the royal family, moved to California, and had two children. He said two years ago: 'I would measure the duration of the marriage in years rather than decades. 'I think she has run rings around poor Harry and gotten what she wanted: notoriety, money, and a title. His usefulness to her diminishes daily.' Mr Carter said that he did not think Markle would make an acting come back - but did say: 'If there is a Real Housewives of Montecito show in the works, shed be a shoo-in.' Former Vanity Fair editor Graydon Carter, pictured above in 2017, criticised the Duchess of Sussex as 'adrift from reality' in a new interview Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at their wedding in May 2018. Graydon thinks the couple's marriage will be measured in 'years, not decades' There also appears to be a growing rivalry with a near neighbour: Gwyneth Paltrow. Yesterday, Meghan fired back at Gwyneth in their so-called breakfast war as she unveiled her 're-invented banana split' with no motivational message to soften the blow. Over the weekend fans went wild with speculation after Ms Paltrow, 52, posted an Instagram video of herself making breakfast in which she appeared to be subtly put the Duchess of Sussex, 43, in her place. The post came hot on the heels of the Duchess's latest attempt at getting back on TV with her Netflix series, With Love, Meghan, which was met with negative reviews when it started streaming on Netflix last month. Some viewers suggested Ms Paltrow's laid back look, crumpled pyjamas and simple, silent cooking demonstration were chosen to contrast with Meghan's flawless make-up, designer clothes and rented kitchen. Other clues include the music playing behind Ms Paltrow's video This Will Be (An Everlasting Love) by Natalie Cole which was used in promos by Meghan. The Duchess appeared to retaliate when she posted two videos to her Instagram story with her 'bestie' Kelly McKee Zajfen. Meghan stood behind the camera giggling as Ms Zajfen carefully placed blueberries, raspberries and granola on top of a yogurt and jam covered banana. The Duchess made sure to tag her own preserve brand As Ever with a caption reading: 'When one of your besties reinvents a banana split for breakfast.' In the next clip, Meghan and her pal cheers their forks before trying the re-imagined banana split, both letting out an 'Mm!' as Ms Zajfen said it tasted 'so good'. Yesterday, the Duchess appeared to retaliate when she posted two videos to her Instagram story with her 'bestie' Kelly McKee Zajfen The Duchess made sure to tag her own preserve brand As Ever with a caption reading: 'When one of your besties reinvents a banana split for breakfast' Fans believe when Ms Paltrow, 52, posted an Instagram video of how she makes breakfast, she may have been subtly putting the Duchess of Sussex in her place She also posted another video, taken by Prince Harry, a few hours later showing a flock of birds flying across the sky in a V-formation with a gushing caption which read: 'Flying into the week with my family. (Thanks H for capturing this!)'. It's unclear whether or not Meghan's posts were a retaliation but fans are convinced Ms Paltrow was throwing 'shade' at her - slang which means to make fun of someone in an underhanded way. After seeings Meghan's banana split video, one person on X, formerly Twitter, wrote: 'Omg! Meghan & Kelly try to throw shade back at Gwyneth Paltrow! This is a game they are going to lose.' Fans also made posts after Ms Paltrows video, with one writing on X: ''Gwyneth Paltrow continues to throw shade & I'm here for it! No make-up in her actual kitchen!' Another said: 'Even the music... that's Natalie Cole 'this will be (an EVER lasting love)'!!!!!' A third posted: 'Lol isn't it this the song they keep using in the Meghan Markle promo?' 'And being as relatable as she can be, in her pjs, hair not styled, no make-up sipping coffee. No one praising her. Just her phone filming. Simple and easy.' The post came hot on the heels of the duchess's latest TV series, With Love, Meghan, which began streaming on Netflix last month to a chorus of negative criticism Some viewers suggested Ms Paltrow's unmade-up look, rumpled PJs and simple, speech-free cooking demonstration were chosen to contrast with Meghan's flawless make-up, designer clothes and rented kitchen One fan added: 'Go Gwyneth... a real dog in her own real kitchen on her own real property.' Meghan did not film her series which has been renewed for a second season at the home in Montecito, California she shares with Prince Harry and their children, instead hiring a 6.2million farmhouse. Other comments highlighted Ms Paltrow's monogrammed mug, speculating it could be a reference to Meghan's monogram as Duchess of Sussex. One said: 'Notice the lettering on the cup?!!' Last week, Ms Paltrow and fitness guru Tracy Anderson were accused of mocking Meghan. Making a recipe in a video on Goop's Instagram page, Ms Anderson said: 'I'm Tracy Anderson, and welcome to my actual kitchen' pausing for effect. She later insisted: 'Absolutely no shade intended!' A day earlier, Ms Paltrow said Meghan seemed 'lovely', adding: 'Maybe I'll try to get through their security detail and bring them a pie.' It came after Netflix boss Ted Sarandos broke his silence on Meghan Markle's future and appeared to back her despite the poor reception to her eight-part lifestyle series. But fellow Netflix stars have been mocking the series, while the Duchess of Sussex has become a punching bag for some comedians. During NBC's The Tonight Show last Monday, Jimmy Fallon's sidekick Steve Higgins asked the host the 'number one question that mystifies scientists.' Answering his own question, he said: 'Why does Meghan Markle make her own pretzel bags? They don't know why.' They were referring to a moment in the show where the duchess transfers pre-packaged pretzels into another bag with a personalized label on to show visiting guests that she is thinking of them. Despite being mocked, the series has been renewed for a second season, with Mr Sarandos insisting the Duchess has been 'underestimated.' Since the couple signed the mega deal with Netflix in 2020, there has been one smash hit and three relative duds. With Love, Meghan was watched by 526,000 households in the first five days it was available on Netflix since its release on March 4, according to data gathered by Samba TV. Meghan was mocked for transfering pre-packaged pretzels into another bag with a personalised label on to show her guests she is thinking of them The show sees the duchess trying to promote herself in a new way as a 'domestic goddess', baking cakes, arranging flowers and slipping into a beekeeper's suit to collect honey. She shared a number of recipes throughout the series, including for spaghetti, a honey and lemon cake and a cooked breakfast. Meghan said her new show had helped her to 'find herself' again. But despite her huge two-million-strong following on social media, she insisted she instead saw as a 'female founder' and 'entrepreneur' rather than an influencer. By comparison, the biographical 'Harry & Meghan' was the streaming service's biggest documentary debut, viewed in almost 29 million households in its first four days, and proved a global sensation. But Polo, a sports docuseries, Live to Lead - which focused on 'global justice activists' - and Heart of Invictus, about Harry's games for wounded soldiers, proved lacklustre additions that failed to set the streaming service's viewing figures ablaze. An Iranian activist has been sentenced to 178 lashes and 18 months in prison after being arrested for not wearing a hijab. Hamideh Zarei, a Gilak activist and former political prisoner, was released earlier this month from Rasht Central Prison after spending nearly a month behind bars - only to now face a brutal new sentence. Her latest sentence includes nine months of imprisonment and 74 lashes for 'disrupting public order,' nine months for 'resisting law enforcement officers,' 74 lashes for 'insulting an officer on duty,' and 30 lashes for 'causing non-visible injuries.' The Tehran University masters student's ordeal began on February 3, when she appeared at the Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor's Office in Rasht as part of a forced residency sentence. She was detained for not wearing the mandatory hijab, which led to her receiving new charges. Zarei spent 29 days in detention at Rasht Central Prison before being released on bail on March 3, according to a report from the Hengaw Organisation for Human Rights. During her time in custody, the activist was reportedly physically assaulted by two officers from the Rasht Prosecutor's Office Protection Unit, which resulted in wrist injuries and severe bruising. But this is just the latest chapter in the regime's relentless targeting of Zarei. Hamideh Zarei, a Gilak activist and former political prisoner has been sentenced to 178 lashes and 18 months in prison after being detained detained for not wearing the mandatory hijab, which led to her receiving new charges Her latest sentence includes nine months of imprisonment and 74 lashes for 'disrupting public order,' nine months for 'resisting law enforcement officers,' 74 lashes for 'insulting an officer on duty,' and 30 lashes for 'causing non-visible injuries' A woman takes part in the Freedom Rally for Iran demonstration against the Iranian regime on February 22, 2023 in Rome In June last year, she was arrested after being summoned to Rasht Court and sent to Lakan Prison, only to be released on June 10 after securing a judicial bond. But her troubles with Iranian authorities date back to 2022. In November 2023, the Karaj Revolutionary Court, under Judge Mousa Asafolhosseini, sentenced her to one year in prison for 'propaganda against the Islamic Republic of Iran.' After accepting the verdict, the sentence was reduced to nine months. Zarei was first detained in Karaj on May 29, 2023, and imprisoned in Kachouii Prison until her release on February 22, 2024, after serving her sentence. However, she was also banned from traveling for two years, prohibited from social media activity for two years, and forced into exile in Rasht. Her first known arrest took place on November 3, 2022, when she was detained for attending a memorial marking the 40th day since the killing of Hadis Najafi - a young woman shot dead by security forces during the 2022 protests. She was imprisoned in Kachouii Prison before being released on February 7, 2024, under a so-called 'pardon' directive. Hamideh Zarei's case is yet another chilling example of Iran's brutal suppression of women's rights activists. With her new harsh prison sentence and the barbaric punishment of 178 lashes, the Iranian regime continues its merciless crackdown on those who dare to defy its oppressive laws. A female student was arrested in Iran in November after she was spotted walking around the campus of Tehran's Islamic Azad University in her underwear Mahsa Amini, 22, died in 2022 three days after falling into a coma following her arrest Mahsa Amini was arrested after failing to observe Iran's ultra-conservative dress code It comes after an Iranian student was arrested and taken to a mental hospital by morality police after she stripped down to her underwear and walked around Tehran's Islamic Azad University in November last year. Footage of the brave moment saw the student sitting and pacing back and forth with her arms crossed in front of stunned onlookers at the university's science and research campus before she was detained by security forces and forcibly put in a car. Following her arrest, there were widespread calls from human rights activists on social media for her immediate release after she reportedly sustained severe injuries during her violent arrest. A growing number of women have defied authorities by discarding their veils after nationwide protests that followed the death in September 2022 of a young Iranian Kurdish woman in the custody of the morality police for allegedly violating hijab rules. Mahsa Amini, 22, died after being arrested by morality police for not wearing her hijab correctly. Her death spearheaded mass 'Women, life, freedom' protests which continued for months in the country. A year later, in October 2023, an Iranian teenager named Armita Geravand was injured in an alleged encounter with police on Tehran's metro while not wearing a head covering. She later died in hospital. Ministers have been accused of offering 'bleeding stump' cuts to services in a bid to head off Rachel Reeves bid to balance the books. Cabinet tensions are threatening to catch fire just days before the Chancellor's crucial Spring Statement - where she is expected to lay out 15billion of spending curbs. There are claims that Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has proposed a menu of politically impossible reductions in her department. They include ending universal free school meals for infants, charging pupils for period products, and scrapping junior ISAs for children in care. But the apparent briefing from the Treasury has drawn a furious response with allies of Ms Phillipson flatly denying that she has backed the ideas. Sources described the suggestion as 'baffling' insisting they were only included in a 'zero based' exercise for the Spending Review, which is due to be finalised on June. Ms Reeves also appeared to torpedo the idea this morning, saying she did not 'recognise' it. The government is facing a make-or-break week with Ms Reeves admitting 'hard' decisions in her fiscal event as the economy stalls - although she denied it would amount to 'austerity'. Keir Starmer tried to cool tempers this morning by insisting the government will still be making 'record investments'. 'At the budget last year we made some record investments, and we're not going to undo that,' he added. He told BBC Radio 5 Live that the NHS had 'just delivered five months' worth of waiting lists coming down, five months in a row during the winter'. 'So we're not going to alter the basics, but we are going to look across and one of the areas that we will be looking at is, can we run the Government more efficiently? Can we take some money out of Government?' Sir Keir said. 'And I think we can. I think we're essentially asking businesses across the country to be more efficient, to look at AI and tech in the way that they do their business. I want the same challenge in Government, which is, why shouldn't we be more efficient?' Cabinet tensions are threatening to catch fire just days before Chancellor Rachel Reeves' (centre) crucial Spring Statement - with claims Bridget Phillipson (right) has been trying to 'game' the system Your browser does not support iframes. Touring broadcast studios yesterday, the Chancellor was forced to deny fuelling the problems with higher taxes and gloomy comments. 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. However, unions have warned the figure could be more like 50,000. And the Treasury is still 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. That will have to come from lower spending as Ms Reeves has ruled out tax rises at this stage. Although budgets are still expected to rise in real terms overall in the coming years, unprotected departments will be exposed to cuts. A Treasury source told The Times that Ms Phillipson had been trying to dodge cuts to her department by proposing unpalatable options. The source said: 'We were anticipating there would be some game-playing. But the spending review remains vital to getting a grip on the public finances.' The source claimed at least three other government departments were engaging in a so-called 'bleeding stumps' strategy. That is a Westminster phrase for the tactic of floating ridiculous options to avoid cuts. Ms Phillipson was reported to have accepted the schools budget could be reduced by 500million from around 64billion currently. All children in reception, Year 1 and Year 2 are currently eligible for free school meals. However, there were claims that could be means-tested in future, like meal provision for other pupil ages. A Department for Education (DfE) source said: 'It's simply not the case that the DfE has not co-operated in this way. 'Politicians have been working together closely to fix the foundations after inheriting a gigantic black hole in the public finances.' A spokesman for the department added: 'This government has made significant additional investment in education. 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 Your browser does not support iframes. 'We will continue to support teachers and education leaders to use funding as efficiently as possible, while continuing to deliver better life chances for children and young people across the country.' Asked this morning if free school meals would be means-tested following the spring statement, Ms Reeves told broadcasters: 'This Government is rolling out free breakfast clubs in all primary schools from April. 'I don't recognise those claims that the Government are looking at means-testing free school meals. 'In fact, this Government are ensuring that all children get a good start to the day with a breakfast club, helping working parents and helping all children get a good start in life. 'That is what this Government is determined to do after 14 years of Conservative failure.' The Mail on Sunday revealed that anger about briefing against senior women ministers was raised at last week's Cabinet meeting. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall and Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson are said to have been singled out for attacks. A Labour source said: 'Keir was read out of a list of women who were being briefed against and he was very clear he wasn't going to tolerate it any more. 'He said it was unacceptable and if it continued, there would be consequences.' Disgraced MP Mike Amesbury showed off his alcohol detector tag on live television this morning after drunkenly assaulting a constituent. The former Labour MP punched a man after a night out in October and has since had to resign from his seat in parliament. He told ITV's Richard Madeley and Susanna Reid: 'It's a living nightmare - but it's a nightmare that I created.' The one-time Shadow Employment Minister was confronted by Paul Fellows about a bridge closure at 2am on October 26 last year. He knocked Mr Fellows to the ground with one punch to his face and then, as he lay on the ground, delivered another five blows to the head. As he did so 55-year-old Amesbury shouted: 'You won't threaten the MP again, will you, you f****** soft lad'. The married father-of-one pleaded guilty to common assault and accepted Mr Fellows had not physically provoked him. He spent three nights detained at His Majesty's Pleasure earlier this month before successfully appealing his 10-week jail sentence. Mike Amesbury said: 'It's a living nightmare - but it's a nightmare that I created' in reference to punching a constituent in October Amesbury showed off his electronic tag on Good Morning Britain this morning Richard Madeley and Susanna Reid speak to Mike Amesbury on Good Morning Britain this morning His punishment was downgraded to a suspended sentence and he must now carry out 200 hours of community service. The former labour MP was spotted last week being picked up with fellow workers in a Probation Service van. In a sit-down studio interview with ITV's Good Morning Britain Amesbury said: 'I had about six or seven pints on an empty stomach and had been to three pubs. 'It was a Friday which is a busy day for members of parliament with constituents. The judge made a decision to use an alcohol tag. 'I've got this on for 180 days and every half hour it measures your sweat and it's zero alcohol intake for 120 days. I intend to go beyond 120 days.' Co-presenter Richard Madeley spoke directly to Amesbury, saying it must feel 'surreal' sitting here on television talking about having to wear an alcohol detector tag. Amesbury said: 'It does. It's a living nightmare - but it's a nightmare that I created. I pleaded guilty at the first stage in the legal process and I own that. I'm being punished and rightfully so.' A clip of the interview was posted on X by Good Morning Britain and has been viewed more than 27.8K times. The video has sparked debate in the comments with some users questioning why he was given a platform to speak about his crime. One user said: 'Arent we supposed to look up to the people running our country?' Amesbury is seen leaving hester Crown Court after he had his 10-week prison sentence for assault suspended for two years following an appeal The one-time Shadow Employment Minister's punishment was downgraded to a suspended sentence and he must now carry out 200 hours of community service. His tag is seen in a snip from Good Morning Britain Amesbury punched Paul Fellows and continued to do so another five times as he lay on the ground. A static shot shows the encounter Mr Fellows wasnt looking for trouble when he encountered Amesbury at a taxi rank at 2am on October 26 Other jested that he would be the next contestant on the reality shows I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! or Big Brother. In an interview with The Mail on Sunday, Mr Fellows spoke for the first time about the unprovoked attack. He said that police initially told him incorrectly that CCTV cameras failed to capture the incident. Yet footage from a camera by a minicab office showed the sickening assault. He could have killed me and deserves to be in prison, said Mr Fellows. He should never have been let out so early. I was standing on the pavement with my hands in my pockets when he punched me in the face. I could easily have hit the back of my head as I fell into the road. The intent was there. If you punch someone you have to accept the consequences that you might kill them. Keir Starmer's peacekeeping proposals in Ukraine have been dismissed as 'political theatre' by senior military insiders. The Prime Minister laid out plans for a 'coalition of the willing' earlier this month, suggesting several nations were ready to enforce any deal brokered between Russia and Ukraine. The aspiration has not yet been backed up with concrete detail, while Germany, Poland and Italy are not expected to be part of any joint force. Yesterday military sources said the Prime Minister had 'got ahead of himself' and that it was not 'remotely possible' for a plan to be drawn up by April 20 - the White House's target date for a peace deal. One senior figure told The Telegraph: 'There is no defined military end-state or military-strategic planning assumptions. It's all political theatre. 'Starmer got ahead of himself with talk of boots on the ground before he knew what he was talking about, which is why we hear less about it now and more about jets and vessels which are easier to do and don't need basing in Ukraine.' Another said there was 'no military sense' in the plans due to the disparity between any joint European cohort and both the Russian and Ukrainian troop numbers. 'There are about 700,000 Russians in and around Ukraine and over a million Ukrainians under arms,' they said. France and the UK are expected to lead the peacekeeping force in Ukraine Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky, Keir Starmer and France's President Emmanuel Macron held a meeting earlier this month to discuss future peace arrangements Russia have continued to bombard Ukraine despite both parties starting ceasefire negotiations 'What is a 10,000-international force based in the west of the country over 400km from the front line meant to do? 'It cannot even protect itself. What is the mission? What is its legitimacy? What are the rules of engagement? How is it commanded, supplied and housed? How long is it there for and why? No one knows.' Former Conservative Defence Secretary Ben Wallace warned of 'coalition waffle' without any 'resolve', suggesting recent talks were more 'spin' than substance. Downing Street have said military planners will meet this week to discuss the 'details and structure of any future force'. Starmer's 'coalition of the willing' refers to a group of countries prepared to enforce any agreement by sending soldiers to act as peacekeepers. Led by the UK and France, the initiative could see troops from several nations deployed to Ukraine to act as a buffer to any future Russian aggression following a hypothetical peace deal. Spain, Turkey, Finland, the Czech Republic and the Baltic states - Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia - are all likely to be involved, according to reports. Ukrainian firefighters put out the fire following a Russian attack near Kyiv today Destruction caused by Russian glide bomb strikes on the front-line city of Kostiantynivka in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine Emergency services deal with another Russian attack in Donetsk Canada and Australia are seen as the two most likely countries from outside Europe to support the plans. But the plans appear to be opposed by the US, with President Donald Trump's special envoy dismissing the plans as a 'posture and a pose'. In an interview this weekend, Steve Witkoff said the idea was based on a 'simplistic' notion of the UK prime minister and other European leaders thinking 'we have all got to be like Winston Churchill'. He told journalist Tucker Carlson: '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.' Chief of the Defence Staff Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, who will host French officials today at the Ministry of Defence, dismissed criticism of the Ukraine military planning as 'nonsense'. He said: 'Anyone who isn't aware just how serious the discussions underway by chiefs of defence and chiefs of operations from 30 countries is simply proving they are too junior or too out of the loop to know what they are talking about. 'The process underway, led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer and President Macron, is preparing Europe and Ukraine for whatever comes next, and while providing a running commentary on the potential options would be unhelpful to the planning and detrimental to potential peace, no one should be in any doubt that this work is critical and substantial.' Ministry of Defence sources also stressed that momentum was building up behind the proposed coalition, with leaders 'prepared to step up to secure a peace'. European leaders met in London earlier this month to discuss Ukraine Trump and Zelensky have enjoyed a fractured relationship in recent weeks They also insisted Starmer was 'leading from the front' on the issue and that he is commanding 'respect' for his approach. Earlier today the US and Russia began talks in Saudi Arabia aimed at making progress towards a broad ceasefire in Ukraine. Kremlin spokesman played down hopes of a deal being reached in the coming weeks, saying that the parties were 'only at the beginning of this path' to peace. American officials have already spoken to their Ukrainian counterparts, with the initial aim being a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea to allow the free flow of shipping. The fighting has still continued to rage inside Ukraine, however, with the country's air force saying it shot down 57 drones out of 99 launched by Russia overnight, with another 36 failing to reach their target. The daughter of an elderly British couple imprisoned in Afghanistan for unclear reasons says that she worried her parents could die in jail as their health deteriorates. Peter, 79, and Barbie Reynolds, 75, were arrested after they returned to their home in Bamiyan province on February 1 for as-yet-unknown reasons. While they weren't officially charged with any crimes, it is believed that the Taliban took an interest in the couple as they ran a course teaching women mothering skills as the terror group places severe restrictions on the education of women. Since their arrest nearly two months ago, Sarah Entwistle, the couple's eldest daughter, said that her father's health was in decline and that her mother had been 'collapsing due to malnutrition.' Since Peter was separated from his wife and moved to a maximum security prison by the Taliban, he has suffered from a chest infection, a double eye infection and severe digestive issues, Entwistle told the Times, adding that without immediate access to medicine, his life is at risk. She added: 'He's experiencing tremors in his head and left arm.' Sarah told the newspaper that her family was particularly frustrated by the fact that her parents continue to be held by the Taliban even after they repeatedly told her that Peter and Barbie would be imminently released due to misunderstandings. '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,' Entwistle said. Peter, 79, and Barbie Reynolds, 75, (both pictured) were arrested after they returned to their home in Bamiyan province on February 1 Mr and Mrs Reynolds married in Kabul in 1970 after meeting as students at Bath University The Reynolds refused to flee Afghanistan when the Taliban unexpectedly seized power in August 2021 (File image of Taliban fighters) Your browser does not support iframes. It comes days after the couple were said to have been hauled off to court at a moment's notice alongside their interpreter who has been now been detained as a 'suspect.' In a worrying update shared with the Mail, the Reynolds' daughter, Sarah Entwistle, who is from Daventry, Northamptonshire, said Mrs Reynolds had called her from a pay phone to reveal the 'distressing' news they are to be hauled to court on Thursday. Mrs Entwistle said: 'They have not been informed of any charges having been filed against them. 'The reason for the court hearing remains unclear.' In an alarming twist, the couple's interpreter, who has been caring for Mr Reynolds amid his health woes, is now being detained as a 'suspect' without being told the charges against him, she added. 'He will no longer be allowed to translate for them, and is also due to be produced in court, together with them, tomorrow. 'Mum is obviously extremely concerned that without a competent interpreter, their case cannot be accurately or fairly represented and will not be able to properly follow or engage in the proceedings, in serious breach of their rights.' Sources within the Taliban say the arrests are a bid to increase international pressure on the government and its supreme leader, Haibatullah Akhundzada (pictured) Their arrest was by ordered by a commander linked to the Haqqani network, a faction led by Sirajuddin Haqqani, the interior minister (pictured) The Reynolds refused to flee Afghanistan when the Taliban unexpectedly seized power in August 2021, arguing 'they could not leave when Afghans were in their hour of need', Mrs Entwistle said. Mr and Mrs Reynolds married in Kabul in 1970 after meeting as students at Bath University. They have dual British Afghan citizenship and have lived in the country for 18 years. They run five schools in Kabul, which includes a mothers and children training programme reportedly approved by the Taliban. The number of Channel migrants arriving in the UK has set a new record for the first three months of the year - loading more pressure to find a solution to the crisis. There have been 5,847 arrivals so far in 2025, including 335 yesterday, according to provisional Home Office figures. This is already higher than the 5,435 migrants who arrived across January, February and March in 2024 - at the time, a record for the first quarter of a calendar year. It is also well above the 3,793 arrivals in the first three months of 2023 and the 4,548 in the equivalent period in 2022. The cumulative total for 2025 of 5,847 people is up 36% on this point last year (4,306) and 59 per cent higher than at this stage in 2023 (3,683). Among those being brought ashore at Dover by a Border Force vessel yesterday were men and women, all wearing life jackets and some wrapped in blankets in the rainy conditions. There have been 5,847 arrivals so far in 2025, including 335 yesterday (pictured), according to provisional Home Office figures The migrants were pictured yesterday being taken ashore from a Border Force vessel Your browser does not support iframes. The French coastguard confirmed two migrants died in two days attempting to cross the Channel on Wednesday and Thursday. One person died after being pulled from the water while the other person died after trying to cross in an overloaded boat, despite rescue efforts to save them. The UK signed a 'road-map' agreement with France earlier this month aimed at bolstering co-operation to tackle people smuggling across the Channel. The Government's new Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill also continues through Parliament with plans to introduce new criminal offences and hand counter terror-style powers to police and enforcement agencies to crack down on people smuggling gangs. However, Sir Keir Starmer has been criticised for failing to introduce a deterrent to cross-Channel migrants like the last government's Rwanda scheme. Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. The Treasury has admitted that one particularly controversial aspect of Britain's asylum system - the housing of asylum seekers in hotels - will continue for years to come. A document published by the Office for Value for Money stated that 'global instability' meant the use of hotels was likely to continue. The document, published earlier this month, said: '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.' Labour pledged during the election campaign in June last year to 'end asylum hotels, saving the taxpayer billions of pounds'. However, the Treasury document also reaches less than flattering conclusions about the private outsourcing companies contracted to find hotels for migrants, which it says have 'made record profits in recent years,' leading to 'accusations of profiteering'. Your browser does not support iframes. But earlier this month it was revealed that the number of migrants living in hotels at the expense of taxpayers has actually risen by 8,500 since Sir Keir took power. A Home Office spokesperson said: 'We all want to end dangerous small boat crossings, which threaten lives and undermine our border security. 'The people-smuggling gangs do not care if the vulnerable people they exploit live or die, as long as they pay. 'We will stop at nothing to dismantle their business models and bring them to justice.' Tourists planning trips to the US are being warned of increasingly tough questioning at border control that could see them barred from entry or even detained amid Donald Trump's immigration crackdown, it emerged today. US border officials have been using more aggressive methods with holidaymakers and legal immigrants, with the Trump administration calling it 'enhanced vetting', according to the New York Times. Britain's foreign office has revised its advice for citizens travelling to the US to include a warning that anyone found breaking its rules 'may be liable to arrest or detention'. Previously the guidance had only stated: 'The authorities in the US set and enforce entry rules.' There has been suspicion in some cases that people have been turned away for expressing anti-Trump views, with a French scientist allegedly denied entry after officials discovered 'hateful' messages criticising the President on his phone. And last month British artist Becky Burke, 28, was handcuffed and taken to a detention cell in Tacoma, Washington, after being classified as an 'illegal alien'. She attempted to cross the border into Canada with an 'incorrect visa' on February 26, US authorities said, with her parents telling the BBC that she had been getting free accommodation for helping families with chores. Her father believed that in doing so she had essentially broken the terms of her tourist visa waiver, which bans vacationers from doing work while in the US. A US Customs and Border police officer stands guard at the San Ysidro Port of Entry in 2020 Becky Burke, 28, was handcuffed and taken to a detention cell in Tacoma, Washington, on February 26 and is now back in the UK Last week it emerged that a French space researcher - who has not yet been named - was subject to a random airport search on his way to a conference in Houston, Texas. Officers found messages 'which conveyed a hatred toward Trump and could be considered to be terrorism', according to AFP, while another source suggested they felt the messages were 'hateful and conspiracy'. Philippe Baptiste, France's minister of higher education and research, condemned the US authorities for taking action over a 'personal opinion'. The FBI later informed the academic that they had opened an investigation into the matter, but the agency later dropped charges. After being rejected on March 9, he was sent back to Europe the following day, with authorities confiscating his personal and professional equipment. In a statement to Le Monde, Baptiste said: 'I learned with concern that a French researcher who was traveling to a conference near Houston was denied entry to the United States before being expelled. 'This measure was apparently taken by the American authorities because the researcher's phone contained exchanges with colleagues and friends in which he expressed a personal opinion on the Trump administration's research policy.' Homeland Security Department spokeswoman Tricia Mclaughlin told the New York Times that this was not the case, claiming instead that the scientist had confidential information on his electronic device from Los Alamos National Laboratory, which he had taken without permission and tried to conceal. 'The Trump administration is enforcing immigration laws - something the previous administration failed to do,' Ms McLaughlin said of the recent arrests. 'Those who violate these laws will be processed, detained and removed as required.' While US customs officials are allowed to stop and search all people attempting to enter the country, customs agents are not allowed to search people or conduct inspections 'based on your religion, race, national origin, gender, ethnicity or political beliefs'. The French researcher is just the latest tourist to face deportation back to their home country. German tourist Jessica Brosche, 26, faced a similar ordeal she tried to walk through a checkpoint at the southern border. German tattoo artist Jessica Brosche, 26, says she was left in solitary confinement with over a week after being arrested while trying to legally cross the US-Mexico border The tattoo artist was arrested by border agents when she tried to cross from Tijuana into San Diego on January 25. Brosche was traveling with her American friend Nikita Lofving as a tourist under the ESTA visa waiver program. The two had met in Tijuana and were carrying tattooing equipment. Immigration officials reportedly accused Brosche of working in the US the last time she entered the country with the ESTA program, an electronic system that determines whether someone is eligible to enter the US without a visa. Lofving told the outlet she asked officials if Brosche could be sent back to Mexico, but they said she would be deported to Germany in three to five days because she could not offer proof of residence in the Latin American country. But Brosche says she spent days in a cell at the San Diego border before she was taken into ICE custody and brought to the the Otay Mesa Detention Center, where she has been held for more than a month. 'I just want to get home, you know? I'm really desperate,' she told ABC 10. Her detainment included a 'horrible' eight days in solitary confinement, she added. Berlin has said it is investigating and has involved its consulate in Boston to assist one of the individuals still affected. American Pie actress Jasmine Mooney was also detained by ICE for nearly two weeks 'The final decision on whether a person can enter the US lies with the U.S. border authorities,' a spokesperson for Germany's Foreign Office said. Germany's travel advisory warns that false information, past criminal records, or even minor overstays on previous trips could lead to arrest, deportation, or detention - with no legal recourse. Canadian actress Jasmine Mooney was also detained by ICE, in her case for nearly two weeks. The 35-year-old had been denied entry into the US while trying to make her way from Mexico to San Diego, California after her work visa was revoked back in November while traveling from Vancouver to Los Angeles. The American Pie: The Book of Love star landed back on Canadian soil on Saturday as her mother, Alexis Eagles, and friends met her at Vancouver International Airport around midnight. According to her mother, who's been fighting for her daughter's return home, Mooney was detained at the San Ysidro border crossing before being transferred to San Luis Regional Detention Center in Arizona. She was loaded into a prisoner van, she said, and 'put in chains' by border officials. 'That's when I realized they are onboarding me into a real prison,' she said. While she was there, Mooney said she endured some of the harshest treatment there that left her weak and confused. After being arrested and taken to the detention center, Mooney was featured in an emotional interview with ABC10, where she sobbed describing the conditions she and other women faced. 'I've never seen anything like this,' she told the outlet. 'I feel like we have been kidnapped, and we are in some sort of insane social, psychological, social experiment.' Welling up, Mooney added: 'I really want to be a voice for the women in here, because what is happening is so unjust and I know that there's a better way to do this.' She also noted how her time in custody made her severely confused. 'It's been 11 days now, and I have no idea what is going on, they don't tell you anything, and I have lost so much weight. I'm truly, physically, weak.' The rise in tourists being detained was green-lighted by President Trump as part of his 'Securing Our Borders' executive order signed in hours after the inauguration. Hilton Beckham, Assistant Commissioner of Public Affairs for the US Customs and Border Protection, told MailOnline: 'If individuals violate the terms of a lawful immigration status and attempt to re-enter the country, officers will take appropriate action. Federal privacy restrictions prohibit CBP from discussing specific cases. 'All persons arriving at a port of entry to the United States are subject to inspection on a case-by-case basis. As part of their critical national security mission, CBP officers routinely determine admissibility of foreign nationals using longstanding U.S. immigration law. 'If an individual has material discovered on their electronic media that raises flags during an inspection, it can result in further analysis. Claims that such decisions are politically motivated are completely unfounded.' A female teacher sent 35,000 messages to one of her students before having a sexual relationship with them after they graduated. Former Carey Baptist Grammar teacher Eleanor Louise Yorke, 31, faces a long ban after the Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT) met on Monday to assess allegations of her misconduct. Yorke was 26 in 2020 when she began dating an 18-year-old former student of hers, who cannot be named for legal reasons. Yorke began working at the illustrious co-ed private school in 2017, teaching biology and chemistry to Year 12 students, the Herald Sun reported. During the Covid-19 lockdowns, Yorke and the Year 12 student began to talk online over Microsoft Teams. In 2020, the then-17-year-old student sought additional help with schoolwork, as they struggled with lockdowns, before the two began speaking daily. The VIT found Yorke sent the student 35,000 messages. 'It was also alleged that Ms Yorke then began a sexual relationship with the student after they had graduated and turned 18 and this relationship continued for a year,' a VIT statement read. Eleanor Louise Yorke will be banned from teaching following a relationship with a former student in 2020 Yorke exchanged thousands of messages with the student, who cannot be named, over Microsoft Teams while the student was in Year 12 at Carey Baptist Grammar Yorke conceded the relationship was inappropriate. The hearing heard there was no sexual or intimate relationship between the pair while the student was studying at the school. On one occasion, Yorke asked the student if they should end their communications and told the hearing she tried to 'reset' boundaries. Yorke said their relationship was, however, entirely consensual, but she was worried about the circumstances. 'Even though we spoke about our concerns with [the power imbalance], it still exists,' she told the regulator. Yorke also told the hearing she had been 'deeply lonely' at the time and had not yet come out as queer. Carey Baptist Grammar became aware of the relationship in 2023 and stood Yorke down over concerns for professional standards. Yorke began pursuing a psychology career following her dismissal from the school and claimed she had no desire to return to teaching. The VIT panel decided Yorke's registration should be cancelled and the length of her ban would be released at a later date. A suspected kidnapper has been arrested after a heroic bystander contacted police after the alleged victim bravely slipped her a note in a gas station restroom. The witness, whose identity has been withheld, made a quick stop at the Cedar Band Travel Plaza near Cedar City, Utah on March 8 when the alleged victim approached her in the facilities. The woman handed her a scrap of paper that had a handwritten note asking for 'help' and contained details about her identity and the suspect's vehicle. 'The lady just kind of flung the door open, she handed me the paper and said "please give this to police",' the bystander told KSL-TV. She asked the woman 'are you in trouble?', to which the alleged victim replied 'yes'. The bystander agreed to help her and then the alleged victim, whom the woman described as 'shaking', said: 'Give this to police I have to go, he's waiting right outside, he's right there.' The woman, pretending to be on her phone, recorded video as the other woman and her alleged kidnapper got into a Chevrolet Equinox. She then followed the car so she could get the license plate number and called 911 to alert police of the situation. Epigmenio Bustillos Marquez, 53, was arrested during a coordinated traffic stop about 8 miles south of the gas station. He faces multiple charges, including aggravated kidnapping, assault, providing false personal information to a peace officer, and damage or interruption of a communication device. Epigmenio Bustillos Marquez, 53, was arrested on March 8 during a coordinated traffic stop about 8 miles south of the Cedar Band Travel Plaza near Cedar City, Utah. He is pictured at the gas station in footage captured by a bystander who helped save his alleged kidnapping victim The alleged victim approached in the gas station restroom and handed her a scrap of paper (pictured) that had a handwritten note asking for 'help' and contained details about her identity and the suspect's vehicle The bystander agreed to help the woman and spent several minutes watching Marquez and the alleged victim inside the gas station. She says got a hot dog and drink, (pictured) before getting into a white Chevrolet Equinox with the alleged victim The bystander was travelling home from a softball tournament when she stopped at the gas station in Cedar City, roughly 170 miles north of Las Vegas, on March 8. She said she knew the alleged victim was in 'trouble' from the 'second that she handed me the paper that said, "Help me, call police",' while the pair were in the bathroom. 'I think she was really terrified that he was going to peek in and he would have seen us,' she recalled in an interview with Fox 13 Now. The witness rushed to help the woman, spending about five minutes watching the woman and Marquez inside the gas station. Marquez, who got a hot dog and drink, then got into a white Chevrolet Equinox with the alleged victim. The bystander, who had secretly recorded the interaction of her cell phone, then got into her car and followed the pair as they drove along northbound on Interstate 15. She called 911 as soon as she managed to get the plat number of the SUV, which was registered in Nevada. She remained on the phone with police as she continued her pursuit. 'I wasn't panicked or anything. I was just like, "I'm not gonna let this lady not be helped",' she said. The woman, pretending to be on her phone, recorded video as the other woman and her alleged kidnapper got into a Chevrolet Equinox. She then followed the car so she could get the license plate number and called 911 to alert police of the situation Pictured is the back of the woman's note, which stated that Marquez was taking her to Salt Lake City, Utah, located roughly 250 miles north of the gas station in Cedar City A deputy with the Iron County Sheriff's Office located Marquez's vehicle just before 1.30pm and orchestrated a traffic stop to pull him over, approaching the SUV from the passenger's side. Marquez provided the officer with a fake ID, claiming to be a man from Durango, Mexico, according to court documents obtained by Fox 13. Investigators later found a second Mexican ID which revealed his true identity. The officer reported that the alleged victim was 'not behaving normally' as they spoke and asked her to exit the vehicle. She later told police that she and Marquez had been in a relationship for 25 years, but his behavior had recently become erratic. The alleged victim claimed that Marquez was supposed to be driving her to a hotel in Las Vegas where she worked, but when he picked her up he accused her of cheating on him. She alleges that he then threatened to take her to Salt Lake City or Denver and refused to let her out of the vehicle. She further claimed that Marquez hit her in the face and stole her phone so she couldn't contact anyone for help. Marquez is being held without bail in the Iron County Jail. A British tourist was seen causing chaos in a Benidorm KFC after footage captured her hurling a napkin folder at staff and shouting insults over the state of her chicken. Wearing a multi-coloured top and floral skirt, the purple-haired woman was spotted by another shocked customer as she launched tissues over the counter. She was seen repeatedly grabbing tissues from the holder while yelling at a worker stood behind a wall in the fast food restaurant. The woman picked up straws and other paper items left scattered across the counter as she carried out her foul-mouthed rant. She can be heard shouting about the 'f****** menu' and appears to tell the staff member to 'grow up' in her fit of rage. After picking up the last of the serviettes and straws, the woman decides to lift the entire holder before raising it over her head and tossing it over across the tabletop. The worker can be heard shrieking in the background as the enraged woman begins to back out of the eatery, yelling 'you c****' while leaving the restaurant. The video was uploaded to TikTok on March 15 and has since racked up over 11,000 views and 1,200 comments from stunned viewers. Footage captured by a KFC customer captured the moment a British tourist flew into a fit of rage in the fast food restaurant The woman was seen launching a napkin holder across the counter as she yelled insults at the staff member standing on the other side The post, captioned 'Only in Benidorm kicking off over chicken' raised questions about British tourist's behaviour on the Spanish seaside resort. One viewer wrote: 'Tell me again why Brits have a bad rep?' While another added: 'And its a wonder why Spain want to limit visitors from the UK into the country' A third said: 'This [is why] Spain doesnt want tourists coming over' One more warned: 'There needs to serious consequences for that type of behaviour....it's happening far too often...' It comes after anti-tourism activists promised to wreck havoc across Spain this summer as they ramp up their campaign against holidaymakers. Activists have recently blocked beauty spots and torched hire cars ahead of a planned international summit to discuss protest tactics. Visitors to the party paradise of Ibiza were left disappointed last month after a popular viewing point was dramatically blocked off with boulders in the latest sign of growing local resentment towards mass tourism. The famous Es Vedra viewpoint, where thousands gather to watch the sun sink behind the mountainous island each evening, is now off-limits after frustrated landowners declared they'd had enough of being overrun by crowds. A blunt sign now warns visitors: 'Private Property. Restricted Access.' Furious activists reportedly torched and smashed a fleet of hire cars in a shocking act of protest in Tenerife two weeks ago Visitors to Spain's party paradise Ibiza last month were left disappointed after a popular viewing point was dramatically blocked off with boulders Graffiti reading 'kill a tourist' was spotted on a wall in Tenerife amid Spain's anti-protest movement But the blocked roadway was seemingly tame compared to the violence and chaos that erupted in Tenerife two weeks ago, where furious activists reportedly torched and smashed a fleet of hire cars in a shocking act of protest. Disturbing footage circulating online shows masked vandals dousing around 20 rental vehicles with flammable liquid before setting them alight in the popular Costa Adeje resort - a favourite among British holidaymakers. Angry demonstrators targeted visitors last year, blaming them for soaring rents and a cost of living crisis that's driving locals out of their homes. Some campaigners have even threatened to take their protests to the next level by blocking airports. The anti-tourism movement is gaining momentum across southern Europe with at least 15 activist groups from holiday hotspots in Spain, Portugal, Italy and France set to meet in Barcelona next month to plot their next steps. The recent vow for more protests follows a summer of major demonstrations across Spain's popular resorts, with anger particularly mounting over mass tourism. In January shocking graffiti reading 'kill a tourist' appeared in Tenerife amid the holiday hotspot's ongoing protests against holidaymakers. The frightening slogan was spotted on a house in the south of the Spanish island by a concerned resident who admitted to being worried that the mass protest movement against overcrowding was going too far. Some 6,500 people take part in a demonstration organised by a platform reflecting the growing discontent among locals with the current tourism model in Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain on October 20, 2024 Anti-riot forces gesture as demonstrators put symbolic cordon on a bar-restaurant window during a protest against mass tourism on Barcelona's Las Ramblas alley, on July 6, 2024 Thousands of people demonstrate against tourism policies on the island of Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain on April 20, 2024 More than 3,000 people demonstrated against the tourist overcrowding suffered by the city of Barcelona and in favor of tourism reduction policies in July People take part in a protest against mass tourism in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, July 21, 2024 Demonstrators put symbolic cordon on a bar-restaurant window during a protest against mass tourism on Barcelona's Las Ramblas alley, on July 6, 2024 Speaking to LBC, they said: 'Things on the islands are getting worse due to the large number of tourists and new residents, which leave us without homes and severely affect our natural environment'. The local, who remained anonymous due to safety concerns, added that people on the island are becoming desperate for change and respect. 'But perhaps this does not justify those actions, which seem to be escalating. It's frightening,' they said. A protest also erupted in October after hundreds of demonstrators stormed Tenerife's Troya beach, where sun-seeking holidaymakers were stunned to be disrupted by a placard-waving mob yelling slogans such as 'More tourists, more misery' and 'the Canary Islands are not for sale'. Protesters descended on the beach, one of the most popular in Las Americas (Tenerife), with many beating on drums and blowing whistles as they walked along the shoreline. Astonishing footage of the incident showed holidaymakers being surrounded and penned in by Spanish locals while they were sunbathing in swim shorts and bikinis. There were no reports of any violence, but protesters, whose banners included one in English which said 'Go Home Tourist' are said to have been mocked and taunted. Dramatic footage captured the moment a British soldier declared he was going to gun down Russian troops on the battlefield before he was apprehended. James Anderson, 22, was seen in the clip watching on as heavily armed Russian soldiers approached him and his team as he threatened:'I'm gonna f****** shoot them.' But the young fighter, and British prisoner of war, is ordered in his woodland hideaway: 'Stop stop stop stop stop! No more!' He and his fellow Ukrainian fighters quickly become overwhelmed by Russian troops grabbing back territory in Kursk region as the video showed dozens of gun-wielding soldiers emerging from behind the surrounding trees. Anderson, from Banbury, Oxfordshire, is seen in the newly-released footage from his body armour camera as he surrenders to the Russians. He is ordered by his captors: 'Put your machine gun down, put it down!' He is then told: 'Get down, lie down! Down! Lie down!' Anderson frantically admits there are two grenades on him, and he is disarmed. New footage shows British POW James Anderson threatening to shoot Russian troops as they approached the group in Kursk The Brit realises he is surrounded and is ordered by Russian soldiers to drop his machine gun The Russians could be seen lurking in the trees before closing in on Anderson and his team James Scott Rhys Anderson was sentenced last month to 19 years imprisonment A Russian voice yelled: 'Keep him at gunpoint! Get down on your back!' The Brit tells the Russian Black Sea marines that some part of his military kit is American. One of the Russian soldiers demands another on his team to: 'Take his armoured vest off. Hold his hand.' Anderson is ordered: 'Hold still, give me your hands.' The British man was held in November, but the footage has only emerged now. He was earlier paraded on Putin's propaganda TV. Late last month he was sentenced to 19 years in jail in Russia's hellhole penal system after being charged with terrorist and mercenary offences. The court said he should serve the first five years of his sentence in a harsh prison and the remainder in a bleak penal colony. Investigators accused Anderson of illegally crossing into Kursk in November as part of an armed group that committed unspecified 'criminal acts against civilians'. Russian state media then published footage showing him being led in handcuffs and locked in a cage where defendants in Russian court cases are held. It reportedly showed Anderson saying he had served in the British army from 2019 to 2023 before deciding to join the foreign legion of Ukraine's armed forces. His father Scott Anderson told the Daily Mail: 'I just feel his life's over. At 22, 19 years is a long time to get. It's going to be difficult for him not being able to contact his family, and it's heartbreaking for me and his mum. His father has said he fears his son's life is 'over' Anderson reportedly crossed into Russia in mid-November 2024 with firearms and explosives A Russian 'kangaroo court' in early March sentenced British POW Anderson, 22, to 19 years in prison 'I think the sentence is ridiculous. I'm hoping a prisoner swap can be made. I'm only praying that something can be done to get him home.' The Foreign Office said: 'We strongly condemn the sentencing of James Anderson, a British national, in a Russian court on false charges. 'Under international law, Prisoners of War cannot be prosecuted for participating in hostilities. 'We demand that Russia respect these obligations, including those under the Geneva Conventions, and stop using Prisoners of War for political and propaganda purposes. 'We remain in close contact with Mr Anderson's family and are providing consular support.' Anderson had told state news agency RIA Novosti that it was wrong for Ukraine, backed by the West, to invade Russia's Kursk region, where he surrendered. 'We shouldn't be here - the Russians really don't want us here,' he said. A marine commander had earlier told Russian state TV of the moment Anderson was caught. 'There was a foreign man organising the battle, then we found out it was a Briton,' said the commander, call sign Bach. 'We just came up and said, surrender lads, you're surrounded. 'The Briton immediately threw down his foreign machine gun.' Five of six British prisoners previously detained in Ukraine by Russian-backed separatists were freed although one died while in custody. In 2022, six British nationals - fighters Sean Pinner, Aiden Aslin, Andrew Hill and John Harding, and aid volunteers Dylan Healy and Paul Urey - were captured by Kremlin-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine and threatened with the death penalty. Father-of-four Mr Urey, aged 45, died in Russian captivity, while the other five were eventually released in September that year following negotiations between Ukraine and Russia, brokered by Saudi Arabia and involving former Chelsea FC owner Roman Abramovich. Israel killed Hamas' so-called new Prime Minister in a precision airstrike that struck the largest hospital in southern Gaza last night, it has emerged. Ismail Barhoum, a member of Hamas' political bureau, was killed in the strike that hit the surgical building of Nasser Hospital in the city of Khan Younis on Sunday night. Barhoum, who had taken office just days ago, was being treated at the hospital at the time of the blast, Hamas said in a statement. The hospital strike killed two people, included a 16-year-old boy who had underwent surgery two days ago, the territory's Hamas-run Health Ministry said. Others were left wounded in the blast, which also caused a large fire at the facility. Nasser Hospital was overwhelmed with dead and wounded when Israel resumed the war in Gaza last week with a surprise wave of airstrikes, Hamas says. The Israeli 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. Barhoum is the fourth member of Hamas's political bureau killed since last Tuesday when Israel resumed air strikes in the territory after an impasse over continuing a ceasefire. Hamas' so-called new Prime Minister Ismail Barhoum (pictured) was killed in the strike that hit the surgical building of Nasser Hospital in the city of Khan Younis on Sunday night Barhoum, who had taken office just days ago, was being treated at the hospital at the time of the blast, Hamas said in a statement. Pictured is Nassar Hospital after it was hit in an Israeli airstrike on March 23, 2025 The hospital strike killed two people, included a 16-year-old boy who had underwent surgery two days ago, Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry said. Others were left wounded in the blast, which also caused a large fire at the facility. Pictured is an interior view of the destroyed Nasser Hospital this morning A Hamas source told AFP after Sunday's strike that the 'Israeli army assassinated Hamas political bureau member Ismail Barhoum'. 'Warplanes bombed the operating room at Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis, where Barhoum was receiving treatment after sustaining critical injuries in an air strike targeting his home in Khan Yunis at dawn last Tuesday,' the source added. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz confirmed in a statement that Barhoum had been targeted in the strike. The Israeli military said it hit the hospital with 'precise munitions' following extensive intelligence-gathering. It said the target was a key member of 'the Hamas terrorist organisation who was operating inside the Nasser Hospital compound.' Gaza's Hamas-run healthy minister said Israeli forces 'targeted the surgery building inside the Nasser Medical Complex, which houses many patients and wounded individuals, and a large fire has erupted at the site'. Earlier on Sunday, Hamas said an Israeli air strike the previous day near Khan Yunis killed Salah al-Bardawil, another senior member of its political bureau. Bardawil, 65, was killed along with his wife in a camp in al-Mawasi, the group said. The Israeli military confirmed 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. Israeli strikes across the Gaza Strip overnight killed at least 25 people, including several women and children, according to three hospitals. Pictures is a plume of smoke erupting from a demolition carried out by Israeli forces on a Palestinian building in Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip on March 24, 2025 Palestinians gather at the site of an Israeli strike on a house in Gaza City on March 24, 2025 Israeli strikes across the Gaza Strip overnight killed at least 25 people, including several women and children, according to three hospitals Monday. The strikes came nearly a week after Israel ended its ceasefire with Hamas with a surprise bombardment that killed hundreds. The Israeli military claimed to have 'eliminated' dozens of Hamas terrorists since Israel ended a ceasefire Tuesday with strikes that killed hundreds of people on one of the deadliest days in the 17-month war. 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. Israel's military has 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. 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. 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. Mourners pray next to the bodies of Palestinians killed in Israeli strikes, at Nasser hospital in Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip on March 24, 2025 Smoke rises after an Israeli airstrike at Nasser hospital, according to the Palestinian civil defence, in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip on March 23, 2025 The Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza 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. Meanwhile, officials say Egypt has introduced a new proposal to try and get the Israel-Hamas ceasefire back on track. Hamas would release five living hostages, including an American-Israeli, in return for Israel allowing humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip and a weekslong pause in the fighting, an Egyptian official said Monday. Israel would also release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. A Hamas official said the group had 'responded positively' to the proposal, without elaborating. Both officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to brief media on the closed-door talks. Like other medical facilities around Gaza, Nasser Hospital has been damaged by Israeli raids and strikes throughout the war. An explosion following an Israeli air strike in Gaza City on March 23, 2025 Security forces inspect a damaged vehicle at the scene of an attack at the Tishbi road junction about 30 kilometres southeast of Haifa in northern Israel on March 24, 2025. Israeli police said on March 24 that officers 'neutralised' a gunman who carried out an attack in the country's north which first responders said killed one man and wounded another. The attack is the first in Israel since a ceasefire with Hamas in Gaza broke down after Israeli forces resumed bombings on the Palestinian territory on March 18 Pictured are armoured vehicles as the Israeli military has said its 36th Division, which has been deployed in Lebanon, has begun preparations for possible activity in Gaza, amid the Israel-Hamas conflict, at an unknown location, in this image released March 23, 2025 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. 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, but those talks never began. Israel's Cabinet passed a measure creating 13 new settlements in the occupied West Bank by rezoning existing ones, according to Bezalel Smotrich, Israel's far-right 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 receive independent budgets from Israel and can elect their own local governments, the group said. A corrupt prison nurse who used hollowed-out shoes to smuggle drugs and SIM cards into jail has been locked up for 20 months. Kiera Burton, 33, was rumbled after being found with the contraband during a stop and search on her way to work. The healthcare worker was part of a 15-strong gang who also used high-tech drones to deliver parcels of drugs into the yards at HMP Preston. Another tactic involved a serving prisoner claiming to be unwell so they were taken to hospital where they would pick up packages of drugs and phones in the toilets. Evidence was gathered to show drugs were also brought into jail in children's clothing on prison visits. The investigation that exposed the prison gang began when police started tracing the drug supply of two HMP Preston inmates, Stinton Glover, 32, and 38-year-old Eric Taylor. Kiera Burton, 33, was rumbled after being found with drugs and SIM cards during a stop and search on her way to work. Pictured right: The hollowed-out shoes she used to smuggle drugs The gang used sophisticated drones to deliver parcels of drugs into the yards at HMP Preston. This image shows a drone control panel as the drone hovers over a prison Drugs were found inside condoms (pictured) Glover's phone revealed his top contacts were Jonathan Royal and Danny Ryder, both 32, who were behind bars at nearby HMP Lancaster Farms - a Category C jail housing 549 men. It later emerged that Royal and Ryder were coordinating the supply of drugs into HMP Preston from their cells, working with conspirators both within and outside the jail. All 15 members of their organised crime gang were sentenced on Friday to more than 50 years in prison. Burton was locked up for 20 months. Royal received seven years and 11 months and Ryder six years. Det Sgt Stu Peall, of the East Exploitation Team, said: 'This was a sophisticated criminal gang involving both serving prisoners and people on the outside smuggling drugs and other contraband like mobile phones and sim cards on a regular basis into prisons using a variety of different methods. 'We will continue to work with our partners in the prison service to tackle drug supply and target anyone involved. 'Criminals who think they can carry on with their illicit operations behind bars should think again this case shows that we will dismantle criminal gangs operating inside and outside of prison, disrupt their activity and pursue offenders and put them before the courts.' 'I am grateful to colleagues in the prison service and at the Crown Prosecution Service in what was a very complex investigation.' A stash of cash seized by officers investigating the massive and 'sophisticated' conspiracy The investigation that exposed the prison gang began when police started analysing the drug supply of two inmates at HMP Preston, Stinton Glover, 32, and 38-year-old Eric Taylor Jonathan Royal and Daniel Ryder coordinated the supply of drugs into HMP Preston Bundles of cannabis were disguised by the gang as candy The latest inspection report for HMP Preston found that drugs were too easy to get hold of inside the jail, and their use was directly linked to debt and violence. It is far from the only British jail struggling with the issue, with Charlie Taylor, HM Chief Inspector of Prisons, describing the issue of drones dropping contraband into prisons as a threat to national security. Apart from consignments of illegal drugs and weapons, prisoners are receiving mobile phones and even takeaway meals, Mr Taylor found. He called for urgent action earlier this year after inspections found high levels of drugs in HMP Manchester and HMP Long Lartin in Worcestershire. Mr Taylor said: 'The safety of staff, prisoners and ultimately that of the public, is seriously compromised by the failure to tackle what has become a threat to national security. 'It is highly alarming that the police and Prison Service have, in effect, ceded the airspace above two high-security prisons to organised crime gangs, which are able to deliver contraband to jails holding extremely dangerous prisoners including some who have been designated as high-risk Category A. 'It is chilling that weapons can be delivered in this way especially when some of these wings hold terrorists.' Katie Walter, Deborah Ingram and David Leach helped the gang smuggle drugs into HMP Lancaster Farms and HMP Preston Jamie Whelan, Michael Royal and Oliver Howlett were all convicted as part of the conspiracy Mr Taylor previously described how one prison was being swarmed by so many drones that it was like an 'airport'. He found that more than a dozen cells at HMP Garth had holes in their windows, which had been burnt by inmates using the element from their kettles. They then use mops and brooms to haul in illicit substances hanging down from drones hovering outside. Last year, a couple were jailed for making more than a hundred drops in 11 jails over just a year. Drone pilot Sajad Hashimi, 27, flew his DJI Phantom 4 into prisons on 78 dates between August 2022 and October last year - making drops as far south as Dorset and as far north as Edinburgh, with his wife Zerka Maranay hiring cars to help along the way. A Just Stop Oil activist grandmother jailed for bringing the M25 to a standstill has moaned about life on the inside including the 'insulting' thing she was asked to do in prison. Quaker and artist Gaie Delap, 78, who scaled the motorway gantry during a climate protest in November 2022, was recalled to prison last year because her wrists were too small for electronic tags. Whilst locked up in HMP Peterborough, Ms Delap claimed she witnessed numerous failings in the justice system, including botched medication deliveries, horrendous staffing issues and a complete lack of educational support for inmates. Ms Delap was one of four activists who were released early and she was freed on November 18 on a home detention curfew. But while the other three early release protesters were successfully tagged, the Electronic Monitoring Service (EMS) was unable to fit a tag to Ms Delap's ankle due to a health condition, so attempted to fit one to her wrist instead. When they were unable to do so since her wrists were too small for the tag, a warrant was issued for her arrest on December 5 despite, according to Just Stop Oil, her being 'fully compliant with the terms of release'. The activist group said police arrived at her home in Bristol to escort her to HMP Eastwood Park, which they described as having the highest rates of self-harm of any women's prison in England and Wales, according to a 2023 report. The campaign group said Delap suffers from numerous health conditions and suffered a stroke in the run-up to her trial in August 2024. Quaker and artist Gaie Delap was recalled to prison in December last year as her wrists were too small for electronic tags She was imprisoned for joining in a Just Stop Oil protest on the M25 (Pictured) JSO occupies a gantry over the M25 near Godstone in Surrey as part of the November 2022 protests Speaking to the Guardian following her release this month, Ms Delap was apoplectic with rage concerning her treatment in the justice system. She claimed: 'At the pharmacy at Peterborough one day a woman who had a colostomy asked for a new bag. She was told they didn't have any and was given one of those little black plastic dog poo bags instead. 'Another woman was a wheelchair user who used incontinence pads. They didn't have the right size for her so she was turned away without any.' Ms Delap also claimed when she was booked into the prison staff had tried to insist she complete a pregnancy test. She said: 'I burst out laughing, I said I'm not going to do it, it's an insult. They didn't make me do it.' The M25 protest triggered mass anger among motorists with long tailbacks at several stretches of the motorway and even caused one man to miss his father's funeral. However, there were figures willing to come to the group's defence, including former Newsnight host Emily Maitlis, who compared the group to Rosa Parks and the suffragettes. Ms Delap was sentenced on August 1 to 20 months in prison at Basildon Crown Court after breaching a National Highways injunction that sought to stop protesters grinding the M25 to a halt. Retired teacher Gaie Delap, of Bristol, outside the Royal Courts of Justice in central London where she told a High Court judge why she climbed on to a motorway gantry to take part in a Just Stop Oil protest. The M25 blockade in November 2022, which saw campaigners climb gantries over the motorway, caused 50,000 hours of delays and forced a man to miss his father's funeral Friends and family of climate activist Gaie Delap, 78. Pictured (left-to-right): Gaie's brother Nick, and friends Mike Campbell and Annie Menter Activists carried out the blockade across different parts of the M25 motorway orbiting London during the protest in November 2022 The retired teacher from Bristol previously told the judge that her 'heart was breaking' for the future of her six grandchildren. Mr Justice Soole found that she and nine of the others had not been made aware of the injunction by a Just Stop Oil mentor prior to the protest, describing the omission as a 'significant failure and breach of trust'. According to Ms Delap's daughter, Lily Pridie, the severity of the sentence came as a shock to the family. Upon sentencing, she said the family will 'miss the childcare' and that Ms Dalep's granddaughters, then both under one, will miss seeing her. A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: 'The prisons this government inherited are not working for most women. Many female prisoners are victims and over half are mothers. That's why the lord chancellor has launched a new Women's Justice Board to reduce the number of women in prison, and better support those who must still be imprisoned.' An NHS spokesperson said: 'All patients, regardless of location, deserve a good standard of care however we know more needs to be done to expand access, which is why we've increased HMP Peterborough's healthcare budget by over 20% over the year, while we also roll out better staff training to ensure women receive the same quality of care as they would in the community.' It is the defining relationship in life: the bond - or lack of it - between mother and child. As revealed in the Mail at the weekend, Russian dictator Vladimir Putin's barbaric world view was influenced by the horrifying experience of his mother, who narrowly escaped starvation during the Siege of Leningrad. Although little is known about what kind of relationship Putin had with her, we do know about the mother-son bond in the lives of some of history's most notorious dictators. Adolf Hitler Given his murderous brutality and unhinged hatred of Jews, it is jarring to think of Hitler as a defenceless child. But that is, of course, what he once was. When growing up in his native Austria, Hitler was very close to his mother, Klara. He found solace in her embrace after regular beatings handed out by his brutal father Alois, who even turned his fists on the family dog. Klara's death with breast cancer when Hitler was 18 in 1907 left the future dictator distraught. Given his murderous brutality and unhinged hatred of Jews, it is jarring to think of Hitler as a defenceless child. Above: Hitler as a baby with his mother Klara In his infamous memoir, Mein Kampf, Hitler wrote that his mother's passing 'hardened' him. He said: 'I am thankful for that period in my life because it hardened me and enabled me to be as tough as I now am. 'And I am even more thankful because I appreciate the fact that I was thus saved from the emptiness of a life of ease and that a mother's darling was taken from tender arms and handed over to Adversity as to a new mother. 'Though I then rebelled against it as too hard a fate, I am grateful that I was thrown into a world of misery and poverty and thus came to know the people for whom I was afterwards to fight.' Klara Hitler died from cancer in 1907, leaving 18-year-old Adolf distraught Hitler in Munich in the spring of 1932, shortly before was elected chancellor of Germany Joseph Stalin Like Hitler, Joseph Stalin was savagely beaten by his father, who was an alcoholic. His mother Ekaterine - known as Keke - worked as a laundress and was also handy with her son. Hoping that he would become a priest, she sent him to a small Greek Orthodox school and then to the theological seminary in Tbilisi, the Georgian capital. Stalin - who was born Joseph Dzhugashvili - repeatedly clashed with the institution's spartan regime and was eventually expelled for being 'politically undesirable.' The dictator would later credit his experience at the seminary as the reason he took up the mantle of Communism. Ekaterine Geladze, the mother of Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin. She sent her son to theological seminary in the hope he would become a priest He said: 'I became a Marxist because of my social position, but also because of the harsh discipline which crushed me at the seminary.' Stalin, who was known as 'Soso' to his mother, grew distant from Keke during his rise to power. In one letter home, he wrote: 'I know youre disappointed in me but what can I do? Im busy and can't write often.' While visiting his mother in 1935, two years before her death, Stalin allegedly demanded: 'Why did you beat me so hard?' According to a doctor who was treating her and heard the conversation, she replied: 'That's why you turned out so well. Joseph - who exactly are you now?' Stalin told her he was 'like the tsar', prompting his mother to allegedly tell him: 'You'd have done better to become a priest'. Like Hitler, Joseph Stalin was savagely beaten by his father, who was an alcoholic Saddam Hussein As the brutal ruler of Iraq for more than two decades, Saddam Hussein was responsible for much misery. Saddam Hussein had a traumatic upbringing. Above: The future dictator of Iraq as a young man But, had his mother Subha Tulfah Al-Mussallat succeeded in getting an abortion when she was pregnant with him, history would have been very different. She tried and failed to end her pregnancy after the death of Saddam's father. Subha also attempted to take her own life. When Saddam was born, his mother did not want anything to do with him and so sent him to live with an uncle. In 2004, American psychiatrist Jerrold M Post said that Hussein's background was 'assuredly the most traumatic' of leaders he had profiled. When he was three, Hussein was reunited with his mother after she got married. But the youngster was then abused by his new stepfather. He returned to live with his uncle when he was eight or nine. Dr Post claimed: 'Most people with that kind of background would be highly ineffective as adults and be faltering, insecure human beings.' But Hussein instead developed what he called 'malignant narcissism', the personality disorder that the academic claimed fuelled his rise to power. Hussein was finally toppled in 2003, when American and British forces invaded Iraq. Jean-Claude Duvalier For more than 30 years, Haiti suffered under the Duvalier regimes. First it was voodoo-obsessed Francois - so-called 'Papa Doc' - and then it was his son, 'Baby Doc' Jean-Claude. The matriarch was Jean-Claude's wife Simone Ovide, the daughter of a merchant. For more than 30 years, Haiti suffered under the Duvalier regimes. First it was voodoo-obsessed Francois - so-called 'Papa Doc' - and then it was his son, 'Baby Doc' Jean-Claude. The matriarch was Jean-Claude's wife Simone Ovide, the daughter of a merchant Like her husband, Simone was also into voodoo and was a major power behind the throne. When Francois died in 1971, Jean-Claude was still a teenager, and so Simone continued to wield much influence. Baby Doc often left his mother in charge as he closed off public roads to race his high-performance cars, drank booze and cavorted with women. In 1986, when he son was ousted from power, Simone joined her son in exile. They were said to be living in virtual poverty in her final years. Slobodan Milosevic Serbian dictator Slobodan Milosevic, who presided over mass murder in the 1990s, had a traumatic early life. Milosevic's mother, Stanislava, hanged herself at the family home in 1974, a decade after his father had taken his own life. Stanislava had been a devout Communist activist and Milosevic was said to have been her favourite. The dictator reportedly later said that his mother 'never forgave' him for his romance with his future wife, Mira Markovic, who she did not get on with. Milosevic died suddenly in 2006, when he was on trial for war crimes. Serbian dictator Slobodan Milosevic, who presided over mass murder in the 1990s, had a traumatic early life Milosevic's mother, Stanislava, hanged herself at the family home in 1974, a decade after his father had taken his own life Kaiser Wilhelm II Although he did not have the powers of a dictator, Germany's Kaiser Wilhelm II did wield significant power over the direction of his country. But the son of Queen Victoria's eldest daughter also had a virulent hatred of Britain, an attitude that contributed to the outbreak and continuance of the First World War. Wilhelm's life was defined by his relationship with his mother, who was also called Victoria, and her reaction to his disability. Born with a withered arm after a traumatic birth, Wilhelm was subjected by his mother to cruel treatments to try to cure him of his embarrassing disability. Kaiser Wilhelm II had a tortured relationship with his mother Victoria One involved the Kaiser having his damaged arm thrust twice a week into a freshly slaughtered hare in the hope that its blood would have a healing effect. The young royal also had his good arm tied behind his back to try to force him to use the withered one. And for two years he was regularly strapped to an appliance featuring a metal rod to straighten his back and a screw to keep his head upright. The young Wilhelm was desperate for his mother's attention. He wrote strange - almost sexually charged - letters to his mother Princess Victoria in which he described dreams of kissing her hands and caressing her. 'Promise to do to me as I did in my dream to you. I love you so much,' the future German monarch wrote in one. But when she replied speaking only of art and politics, the already tortured relationship continued to worsen. Victoria died in August 1901, just months after her mother the Queen. The Kaiser was forced to abdicate in November 1918 amid his country's defeat in the war. Andrew Tate today bragged that he can 'go on vacation any time' as he appeared at a Romanian police station after returning to the country from the US. Tate was seen smiling and waving to reporters outside the station in Voluntari, Romania, this morning, while brother Tristan stood by and watched. Speaking to reporters on the ground, the controversial influencer said of his return from the US: 'I am not convicted of any crime. I can go on vacation anytime, I love Romania very much. I will stay in Romania for a few weeks.' He added that he was also willing to speak to Romanian authorities in the future: 'If they call me, I will come to the Police. God is testing me.' The brothers landed in Bucharest on a private jet early on Saturday morning after flying from Ford Lauderdale Airport, Florida. The Tates, who are dual U.S. and British citizens, were arrested in Romania in late 2022 and formally indicted last year. They are charged with participating in a criminal ring that lured women to Romania, where they were allegedly sexually exploited. Tate was also charged with rape. The brothers deny all of the allegations against them. 'Spending 185,000 dollars on a private jet across the Atlantic to sign one single piece of paper in Romania,' Tate posted on X. Andrew Tate (pictured) was seen smiling and waving to reporters outside the station in Voluntari, Romania Andrew said of his return from the US: 'I am not convicted of any crime . I can go on vacation anytime, I love Romania very much. I will stay in Romania for a few weeks' He added that he was also willing to speak to Romanian authorities in the future 'Innocent men don't run. They clear their name in court.' After arriving at their residence near the capital, Tate said they returned because 'innocent men don't run from anything'. 'After all we've been through, we truly deserve the day in court where it is stated that we've done nothing wrong and that we should have never been in court in the first place,' he said. 'We should have never gone to jail. We should have never had our assets seized. We should have never had our names slandered. 'Anyone who believed any of this garbage has a particularly low IQ.' The figurehead of the online masculinist movement travelled to Florida with his brother last month, marking the first time they had left the eastern European country since their 2022 arrest. The brothers remain under judicial control, which requires them to appear before legal authorities in Romania when summoned. Eugen Vidineac, one of their lawyers in Romania, said the Tates are due to check in with a surveillance officer today. After they arrived in the states on March 4, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier opened a criminal investigation into the brothers. Andrew Tate waves next to his brother Tristan as they check in at a police station as part of their judicial control, which requires them to appear before judicial authorities in Romania when summoned, after returning from the United States, in Voluntari, Romania, Monday, March 24, 2025 Reporters swarm around a car transporting the brothers back to their Bucharest residence They are charged with participating in a criminal ring that lured women to Romania, where they were allegedly sexually exploited The brothers were arrested in Romania in late 2022 and formally indicted last year (Pictured: Tristan) They have 'publicly admitted to participating in what very much appears to be soliciting, trafficking, preying upon women around the world', said Uthmeier. A day after the investigation was opened, Tate said online: 'I didn't commit any crime and they're trying to find one because they don't like me.' In a separate civil case in the UK, four British women have accused Tate of rape and coercive control. The lifting of their two-year travel ban came after a Bucharest court in December ruled that a case against the brothers could not go to trial because of multiple legal and procedural irregularities by prosecutors. The case, however, remained open. Tristan said after returning to Romania: 'I think it's very telling that we were investigated for two and a half years and we were dragged in front of the media, into prison, out of prison, all this time. 'And in December, a judge said there's not enough evidence for this to even go to trial.' In August, Romanian authorities launched a second case against the brothers, investigating allegations of human trafficking, the trafficking of minors, sexual intercourse with a minor, influencing statements and money laundering. Tate gave an impassioned speech to the press, saying 'innocent men don't run' Andrew Tate (R) and his brother Tristan (L) speak to the media as they arrive in Romania from the U.S. The brothers deny all the allegations against them (Pictured: The pair attend a mixed martial arts event on March 8, 2025, in Las Vegas) They have denied those charges as well. Tate, a former professional kickboxer and influencer who has amassed more than 10 million followers on X, has repeatedly claimed that prosecutors in Romania have no evidence against him and that there is a political conspiracy to silence him. 'There are a lot of people in the world today that do not have faith in Romanian institutions but we're going to restore that faith by coming home, as American citizens, going to court and getting the not guilty that we deserve,' he said. 'If a court needs to speak to us, we'll be there because we're innocent.' Tate moved to Romania years ago after first starting a webcam business in the UK. He leapt to fame in 2016 when he appeared on the Big Brother UK reality television show but was removed after a video emerged showing him attacking a woman. He then turned to social media platforms to promote his misogynistic and divisive views on how to be successful. In March last year, the brothers appeared at the Bucharest Court of Appeal after UK authorities issued arrest warrants over allegations of sexual aggression in a case dating from 2012 to 2015. The Romanian court has granted a British extradition request, but only after legal proceedings in Romania have concluded. A controversial book describing the relationship between a girl and her father's friend has led to the arrest of its author on child abuse material charges. Lauren Tesolin-Mastrosa, who writes under the pen name 'Tori Woods', came under fire for her book Daddy's Little Toy. The book, with a cover featuring children's building blocks, described a man who speaks about how he desired the now 18-year-old since she was a young child. Readers who got advanced copies for review alleged the book made graphic references to fantasising about the teenager since she was just three years old, the Daily Telegraph reported. The Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation received complaints about the book and the Australian Federal Police referred them to New South Wales Police who arrested her on Friday. 'About 12.30pm detectives attended a home on Penn Street, Quakers Hill, and arrested a 33-year-old woman before being taken to Riverstone Police Station,' NSW Police said in a statement. 'At the home, police executed a search warrant, seizing several hard copies of the novel to be forensically examined.' Tesolin-Mastrosa, who also works as a BaptistCare marketing executive, was charged with possessing child abuse material, disseminating child abuse material, and producing child abuse material. Lauren Tesolin-Mastrosa came under fire for her book Daddy's Little Toy She was granted conditional bail and will appear before Blacktown Local Court on March 31. A BaptistCare spokeswoman said the organisation would not comment on individual employees' circumstances. 'We can confirm that we received complaints regarding an unnamed employee,' the spokeswoman said. 'As a result of these complaints, the employee was stood down effective March 20 while we undertake an internal investigation. 'BaptistCare takes matters of ethical conduct seriously. Our focus remains on upholding the values and integrity of our organisation.' Prior to her arrest, Tesolin-Mastrosa took to social media to say the backlash from her book was a 'big misunderstanding'. 'DLT is definitely not promoting or inciting anything ever to do with (child sexual abuse) or pedophilia,' she wrote. 'What is being said is grossly disturbing and breaks my heart as well as makes me sick.' The cover of the controversial book which got Lauren Tesolin-Mastrosa in hot water is pictured Tesolin-Mastrosa then took down her social media accounts and her book was also removed from Amazon and GoodReads. Georgia Stove designed the cover and claimed she had since received death threats. 'I have cut ties with Tori Woods, effective immediately,' she said in a statement. She claimed she did not know what was in the book when she designed the front cover. 'All I had known about the book was the blurb which read 'barely legal' and in my mind I truly thought that was okay,' she said. 'I am here to answer any questions you may have. Just please stop with the threats over something I had no say in.' Ms Tesolin-Mastrosa was a former journalist for News Corp. A rapist has had his conviction upheld by a South Korean court after key evidence was caught thanks to a washing machine. The rapist, identified only as a man in his twenties, appealed his original conviction of eight years in prison after a court in the country found him guilty of a series of sexual crimes, including rape. He was taken to court by a former girlfriend, who alleged he had raped her six times between March and April last year. According to local media, he trapped and raped the woman after she broke up with him upon catching him with nude photos and videos of him having sex with other women on his phone. While local prosecutors at the Gangneung Branch of the Chuncheon District Prosecutors' Office originally relied on victim testimony, the victim handed over CCTV footage that showed the attack reflected on the plastic front of the washing machine. Local prosecutors sent the 39-minute clip to the Supreme Prosecutors' Office of the Republic of Korea, who conducted a detailed forensic analysis that unlocked the evidence of the rape. The man, who had already been indicted for several other offences including the suspected rape of a former girlfriend and sex with a minor according to local media, eventually admitted to this rape. But the Chuncheon Branch of the Seoul High Court ended up reducing his sentence to seven years in prison, saying it took into account a settlement he reached with one of his victims. The victim handed over CCTV footage that showed the attack reflected on the plastic front of the washing machine (File image) The man will also be require to wear an ankle monitor for seven years after he leaves prison, and has been banned from working with children, juveniles and disabled people for seven years. A judge at the Wonju Branch of the Chuncheon District Court, in which the first trial was held, said at the time: 'Despite being on trial for a long time for a sexual assault crime, the defendant showed little self-reflection and continued to commit various sexual assault crimes against the victims repeatedly.' The court pointed out that 'the defendant's crime is very serious, and the circumstances after the crime were not good, such as consistently making excuses during the investigation and psychologically pressuring the victim by countersuing her, so severe punishment is inevitable.' A former elite soldier and host of SAS: Who Dares Wins on Channel 4 has been banned from being a company director after he failed to pay his taxes. Ant Middleton, previously the boss of Sway and Starting Limited along with his wife Emilie Middleton, both 44, left large amounts unpaid despite making more than four times the money over the same period. In total, the company did not hand over more than 1million in tax but continued to welcome 4.5million into its accounts, 'indicating it had enough money to pay the tax it owed in full', the Government's Insolvency Service said. The statement added: 'Both the directors failed to ensure the company paid more than 300,000 in VAT and over 800,000 in corporation tax between 2019 and 2022. 'This was despite more than 4.5 million being paid into the company's accounts from 2020 to 2022. 'The pair had also taken out almost 3 million from the company in the form of a director's loan account by the time the company went into liquidation in December 2022. 'Ant Middleton later agreed to repay 300,000 of the director's loan as a full and final settlement with the liquidator.' Ant Middleton , previously the boss of Sway and Starting Limited along with his wife Emilie Middleton, both 44, left large amounts of tax unpaid despite making more than four times its amount over the same period Special forces veteran Ant Middleton previously hinted that he wants to run for London Mayor. He is pictured here giving a speech at the Reform UK conference in September Ant Middleton - centre left - spoke about raising his son to be resilient and teaching him not to cry. He is well known for giving SAS Who Dares Wins candidates a grilling on the Channel 4 programme The Middletons have been subsequently banned as company directors for four years. Dave Magrath, Director of Investigation and Enforcement Services at the Insolvency Service, said: 'Companies not paying the tax they should deprives the government of the money it needs to pay for the country's defence services, our NHS, schools and universities, and transport systems. 'Ant and Emilie Middleton had legal and financial duties as directors to ensure their company paid the corporation tax and VAT it owed. Instead, they were taking millions of pounds out of the company at that time. 'This disqualification should serve as a deterrent to other directors that if you do not pay your taxes while directing money elsewhere, you are at risk of being banned.' Mr Middleton had formed the company in September 2019, with his wife becoming a director in May 2019. Previously known as Middleton Global Limited, Sway and Starting was set up to manage income from Mr Middleton's television and media work and is described as offering media representation services. The company failed to pay any of the 869,351 in corporation tax it owed between September 2019 and March 2021. In addition, Sway and Starting only paid 267,443 in VAT out of a total 651,961 between March 2020 and September 2022, leaving 384,518 unpaid. Meanwhile, Insolvency Service analysis of the firm's bank accounts showed 4,592,200 was paid into the company between April 2020 and November 2022. By the time of its liquidation, the pair also owed Sway and Starting at least 2,961,745 through their directors loan account. Sway and Starting went into liquidation in December 2022, with the progress report filed by liquidators begbies Traynor being the third insolvency document drawn up Bans against Ant and Emilie Middleton by the Secretary of State for Business and Trade began today and last Wednesday respectively. The pair are now prevented from being involved in the promotion, formation or management of a company, without the permission of the court. Last month, it was revealed Mr and Mrs Middleton had been forced to sell their family home as the firm's debts built up and they faced bankruptcy. Mr Middleton, a father of five, had purchased his property in Essex back in 2019 for 1.16million. It was described as an 'exceptional residence' and 'exquisite home' with a standalone gym and one that the TV star would often show off in snaps on social media. A Companies House Progress Report said: 'During the period a settlement was entered into with the director whereby he would pay 300,000 in full and final settlement of his overdrawn Directors Loan Account. 'The director failed to adhere to the payment plan and only one instalment was received. 'A statutory demand was served on the Director with a view to petitioning for his bankruptcy. He subsequently agreed to sell his matrimonial home and provide the remainder of the amount owed under the settlement agreement.' Sway and Starting went into liquidation in December 2022, with the progress report filed by liquidators begbies Traynor being the third insolvency document drawn up. A Statement of Affairs signed off by Mr Middleton at liquidation reported monies owed by directors to the firm stood at 2.7million. Also reported were 1.2million in tax debts - comprising 342,792 in VAT, 907,191 in corporation tax and 6,370 in employee taxes. In addition to the sale of the family home, the progress report also revealed an 'asset trace' was undertaken into 'the assets of the director'. Sway and Starting was set up by the Middletons in 2014, trading as Middleton GLobal until September 2022. Its original net worth was modest but an upturn in profits was soon underway, accompanied by an increase in the firm's tax debt. The mother of a two-year-old who drowned in a dam said she was devastated by suggestions she left her daughter unsupervised before the tragedy. Aleece Shearer and her daughter Mackenzie were visiting a rural property in Whroo, about 160km north of Melbourne, on Sunday. The pair were feeding farm animals before they planned on heading to the local market. Ms Shearer said she and Mackenzie were in a fenced-in, secure area, but the two-year-old disappeared when she turned to feed some chickens. Ms Shearer immediately began searching the property for her only daughter before finding her unconscious in a dam on a neighbouring property four minutes later. 'The two properties are separated by a six-foot fence,' Ms Shearer told Seven News. The mother was shocked to receive online comments accusing her of leaving her daughter unsupervised. 'She was being watched. She has gone through multiple fences in four minutes,' Ms Shearer said. Two-year-old Mackenzie drowned after entering a dam in regional Victoria Mother Aleece Shearer said her little girl vanished behind high fences before she was found in the dam Emergency services attended the dam in Whroo about 10am on Sunday and attempted CPR 'She hasn't gone through a gate, she has climbed over a fence that hundreds of kids have been secure behind. (They are) camel fences to keep out animals. She has gotten through that.' Ms Shearer said the system was more secure than pool fencing. She remembered her daughter as an active young girl. 'She just lit up a room, a wild child,' she said. Mackenzie was a young cowgirl who loved horses and agricultural shows, Ms Shearer said. Family friend Nicole Hotker started a GoFundMe for the family. 'Dear little Mackenzie grew her wings today!' Ms Hotker said. 'She was a cheeky little cowgirl who loved her pony princess and her dogs. She was always up for adventures and was totally fearless. 'Her mum is a single mum and fulltime unpaid carer for her disabled father. She didnt ask for this GoFundMe and would be too proud to ask for help.' Ambulance Victoria confirmed crews attended a farm at Whroo just after 10am on Sunday, where CPR could not revive the two-year-old. Police will prepare a report for the coroner. A JFK expert has highlighted two pieces of evidence pointing to more than one shooter that were not debunked by last week's assassination files release. The documents released by the Trump administration fail to explain how Lee Harvey Oswald was able to strike the moving president in the head from six floors up 80 to 100 yards away, JFK scholar Peter Lucas wrote in the Boston Herald. They also fail to explain why footage of the killing shows Kennedy's head snapping backwards as if he had been shot from the front - even though Oswald was to his rear, aiming from the sixth floor of the Texas Book Depository in Dallas. 'There had to be another shooter, possibly firing from the grassy knoll to the right of the Kennedy motorcade,' Lucas wrote. 'One of the shots in the film of the assassination has Kennedys head going backwards as though shot from the front.' One of the most popular theories asserts there was a second gunman who fired shots at JFK from a now-iconic 'grassy knoll' to the right of his car as it passed by. No definitive proof of that claim has ever been shared, although sleuths have shared grainy grabs over the year that they've suggested shows a second shooter. Jackie Kennedy can be seen helping a Secret Service agent into her car moments after the November 1963 shooting in Dallas. A now-infamous grassy knoll where a second shooter may have been stationed sits behind her Jack Ruby, a nightclub owner, fatally shot Oswald, pictured, during a jail transfer broadcast live on television President John F Kennedy and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy moments before the president was shot in Dallas on November 22, 1963 as his car passed through Dealey Plaza More than 63,000 pages of records related to the November 1963 assassination of President Kennedy were released Tuesday following an order by President Donald Trump, many without the redactions that had confounded historians for years and helped fuel conspiracy theories. The US National Archives and Records Administration posted to its website roughly 2,200 files containing the documents. They included typewritten reports and handwritten notes spanning decades, including details of a top CIA agent who claimed the deep state was responsible, Oswald being a 'poor shot' and that Secret Service had been warned Kennedy would be killed in August, three months before the murder. The JFK assassination files released by the Trump administration gave curious readers more details into Cold War-era covert US operations than any credence to long-circulating conspiracy theories about who killed JFK. The vast majority of the National Archives more than 6 million pages of records, photographs, motion pictures, sound recordings and artifacts related to the assassination have previously been released. Some were not directly related to the assassination but rather dealt with covert CIA operations, particularly in Cuba. And nothing in the first documents examined undercut the conclusion that Kennedy assassin Oswald was the lone gunman in Dallas on November 22, 1963. U.S. President Donald Trump holds a signed executive order in the Oval Office of the White House, in Washington, U.S., January 23, 2025. Kennedy was killed on a visit to Dallas, when his motorcade was finishing its parade route downtown and shots rang out from the Texas School Book Depository building. Police arrested 24-year-old Oswald, a former Marine who had positioned himself from a snipers perch on the sixth floor. Two days later Jack Ruby, a nightclub owner, fatally shot Oswald during a jail transfer broadcast live on television. Ruby died of cancer in jail. Conspiracy theorists say he murdered Oswald to stop the shooter spilling more details about JFK's assassination. A year after the assassination, the Warren Commission, established by President Lyndon B. Johnson to investigate, concluded that Oswald acted alone and there was no evidence of a conspiracy. But critics of the commission still spun a web of alternative theories. The most common conspiracy theory centers on the CIA either helping organize or turning a blind eye to an assassination plot it knew was underway. Kennedy had been urged to dismantle the shadowy government organization shortly before his murder over fears it was out-of-control Genetics testing giant 23andMe has filed for bankruptcy, with its 15 million American users urged to wipe their profiles over fears their DNA information could be sold. California Attorney General Rob Bonta urged 23andMe users to 'delete their data and destroy any samples of genetic material held by the company'. He spoke hours before 23andMe filed for bankruptcy late Sunday. That filing saw its stock tank to just 96 cents a share while CEO Anne Wojcicki, who is also the company's co-founder, resigned. 23andMe will continue to trade, as Wojcicki tries desperately to mount a takeover bid to try and save the ailing tech firm. But she faces an uphill battle after California's most powerful lawyer said users should have zero confidence in 23andMe. Bonta said it is impossible to know where the ultra-personal data will now end up, after users paid $200 to have DNA samples analyzed to reveal their family's past. 23andMe was founded by entrepreneur Wojcicki and is based in Silicon Valley, meaning it falls under California's Genetic Privacy Act. That allows consumers to access and delete data at will. 23andMe users can purge their files by logging into their account and clicking 'settings,' then 'view' then 'delete data.' That then generates an email which customers must click on to finalize the deletion. 23andMe was a tech darling as recently as 2021, when its share price hit $320. Users were fascinated to discover which parts of the world their ancestors came from. 23andMe CEO Anne Wojcicki, whose company has just filed for bankruptcy, amid a warning 15 million users DNA information could be shared on the dark web 23andMe was a tech darling for years and was even listed on Oprah Winfrey's annual list of her favorite thing California AG Rob Bonta has urged 23andMe users to delete their data. The firm is based in California, where a local law makes it easy for users to wipe their information and samples Oprah Winfrey was among fans and listed the 23andMe test kits in her annual list of her favorite things in 2017. Anyone who shared a DNA sample was given a breakdown of their ancestry detailing the ethnic background of their predecessors. 23andMe was also used by law enforcement to solve high-profile cold cases. Investigators were able to plug a suspect's data into the DNA database to identify possible relatives who'd shared their DNA information for innocent purposes. That enabled them to identify and dramatically narrow down potential suspects whose backgrounds were then checked to see if there was anything that put them at the scene of a crime. The corporation's implosion was blamed on rapid over-expansion and a 2023 data breach which put people off using the site. Wojcicki, the site's CEO and co-founder, was married to Google co-founder Sergey Brin between 2007 and 2015. She used her contacts to try and drum-up investment for the firm. Wojcicki's most recent buy-out offer valued 23andMe at just $11 million, or 41 cents per share. That is a stunning decline from the company's peak valuation of 46 billion in early 2021. The son of Gisele Pelicot has shared how he recoiled as his mother first told him of his father's horrific 10 year campaign of abuse. David Pelicot told Sky News that his mother had called her children in late 2020 after police showed her photographs of her abuse at their home in Mazan, France. It was a harrowing call to make. For a decade, Ms Pelicot had been oblivious to how her husband had coordinated dozens of men to rape her while she was unconscious in her bed - abuse that Dominique filmed in the couple's retirement home. 'It's a moment that will remain etched in my memory forever,' David told the outlet. He said his wife picked up the phone and turned pale as she spoke to her mother-in-law. David took the phone and was asked to go somewhere quiet for them to speak. 'What she told me was like a tsunami,' he recalled. Overwhelmed by emotion, he began feeling nauseous. 'I hung up the phone and it felt like the floor gave way under my feet, and I felt sick,' he said. 'I went to the bathroom and threw up.' David explained how the image of his father was shattered when his mother called to explain how she had been drugged and assaulted. He 'was the backbone of the family', he said. 'He'd taught me to respect women, so when I heard what he'd done to our own mother, as the eldest son, I was filled with anger and total incomprehension'. David cut off all contact with his father after police exposed the crimes. He said he will never be able to forgive his father, who he now refers to by his full name. The only question he still wants answered is why the father committed such acts of cruelty against his wife, children and grandchildren. David Pelicot revealed his anguish at learning of his mother's abuse first in 2020 Gisele Pelicot leaves the courthouse after hearing the verdict on December 19, 2024 Dominque Pelicot was found to have organised the repeated rape and sexual abuse of his wife online, sedating her with drugs laced into her food and drink In December, Dominique Pelicot and dozens of other men were found guilty of raping and sexually assaulting Gisele at the behest of her husband over the course of a decade. The court found 47 of the defendants guilty of rape, two guilty of attempted rape and two guilty of sexual assault. The 51 men faced a combined sentence of 600 years. Gisele Pelicot was heralded as a national hero after she bravely waived her anonymity and had details of her story retold at the three month trial in Avignon. She told the court how she wanted to 'disappear' when police first told her of the evidence they had compiled in late 2020, after arresting her husband for taking photos up the skirts of female shoppers. 'I only wanted one thing and that was to disappear. I told myself: "I am going to get in my car with my dog and end it all'',' she told the court in September. She said her children were terrified she was going to take her own life before they could reach her. 'When I told my sons about this, I don't think they really understood, they were withdrawn... I think they were in a state of shock. They said: "Don't say such silly things". '[That] evening, the children rang all the time saying "don't disappear"... they were worried I might die.' Pelicot instead went on to face defendants accused of attacking her, including her former husband, as they were pressed by lawyers in court. Dominque Pelicot was found to have organised the repeated rape and sexual abuse of his wife online, sedating her with drugs laced into her food and drink. David Pelicot told Sky News that he had cut off contact with his father after his mother told him of her abuse. But during the trial, he said, his father sent him a letter. It was something he read 'carefully', but decided to tear up and throw in the bin. He 'will never' forgive his father, he said. But he was left wondering what purpose the letter could have served. 'Is he writing to apologise? To ask for forgiveness? Or to try to manipulate me?' Caroline Darian (2nd L) and David Pelicot (R) arrive at the courthouse in Avignon on December 19, 2024 Dominique Pelicot and dozens of other men were found guilty of raping and sexually assaulting Gisele at the behest of her husband over the course of a decade. Dominique Pelicot appears with his lawyer Beatrice Zavarro at the courthouse in Avignon, France, December 16, 2024 in this courtroom sketch before his conviction Psychologists assessed that Dominique Pelicot had a split personality that allowed him to manage being a husband and father while committing heinous assaults in private. He was described during the trial as a 'Jekyll and Hyde' character who considered himself a 'good husband' - even though he routinely drugged his wife and directed men to violate her without her knowledge or consent. They also concluded that although he has acknowledged his crimes, he will always remain a danger and 'cannot be treated'. David told Sky News he agreed with the Jekyll and Hyde assessment. Dominique received the largest sentence of 20 years for raping and organising the mass rape of Gisele. Judges have also found him guilty of recording and illegally broadcasting images of his wife and of recording images of three other women. Police found some 20,000 lurid images and videos of Pelicot's wife being abused in files on his computer, as well as pictures of his daughter and his two daughters-in-law naked. Earlier this month, Caroline Darian, daughter to Gisele and Dominique, filed a complaint accusing her father of drugging her and committing 'sexual abuse' against her, she told the AFP news agency. This court-sketch made on December 19, 2024 shows Gisele Pelicot during the hearing of the verdict of the court that sentenced her ex-husband to the maximum term of 20 years Gisele Pelicot (R), accompanied by her son David (C) and Florian (L) as they leave the criminal court in Avignon, France, September 5 The sons of Gisele Pelicot, Florian, right, David, left, and her daughter Caroline, centre, arrive in the Avignon court house, southern France, Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024 Madame Pelicot is determined that the public knows that she played no part in her husband's warped sexual fantasies that he played out at their picturesque chalet home in the Provence village of Mazan (pictured) She said she took legal action as a 'message to all victims' of sexual abuse who were drugged not to give up. She has said she suspects her father abused her too after the pictures of her naked and unconscious body were found among the detailed records he kept of his crimes. Dominque Pelicot has denied abusing his daughter. 'Yes, he denied it, but he also lied several times and gave different versions of the story during the two and a half years of the investigation,' Darian said. 'We clearly saw in court that at no time was Dominique capable of telling the whole truth about what happened,' Darian told AFP. A former US attorney found dead at home at the age of 43 had reportedly been suffering from a longstanding medical issue. Jessica Aber, once the top prosecutor in the Eastern District of Virginia, was found unresponsive in her Washington DC home on Saturday. She likely died from natural causes, police believe. 'Police believe the death was the result of a longstanding medical issue,' a source told ABC News. A friend told Fox News Aber suffered from a chronic illness, but did not elaborate further. A formal report providing Aber's cause and manner of death is still spending, which has sparked speculation online. Officials said a cause of death will be released by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner of Virginia. Aber 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. The 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. Former US attorney Jessica Aber was found dead at the age of 43 on Saturday 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 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. Aber worked in the investigation of former CIA analyst Asif Rahman, who pleaded guilty to leaking Israel's plan to strike Iran last year. She was also part of several probes into illegal activities by Russia-tied individuals. 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.' 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. Aber was a former US Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia who served under President Joe Biden 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.' An idyllic seaside village has been split in a dispute between locals and newcomers over noise caused by its centuries-old fishing industry. Holiday let and second home owners have complained that activity at a yard where fishermen store boats and equipment is ruining their peace and quiet. But the fishermen and locals argue the work is essential to the traditions survival in the area and say the newcomers shouldnt have bought properties nearby if they didnt want the disruption. The dispute is focused on the boat yard in Sea Palling, Norfolk, which is 300ft inland and has been in use since the early 1980s. When tides and weather conditions permit, the fishermen use tractors to tow their vessels along a road called The Marrams and onto the beach. But The Marrams is a popular spot for second homes and holiday rentals and owners claim the site has become more industrial over the years, with larger boats and more machinery operating there. One objector wrote: The landowner appears to want free reign to do anything he wishes not necessarily related to historical small-scale local fishing. North Norfolk District Council has now sided with them and refused to grant the owner a Certificate of Lawfulness stating the land has the correct permissions in place for the work that goes on there. Richard Clarke, a third generation fisherman taking his boat back to the yard A photo submitted by an objector taken in August 2023 shows hardstanding and advertising boards The Marrams is a popular spot for second homes and holiday rentals and owners claim the site has become more industrial over the years, with larger boats and more machinery operating there The site now faces enforcement action, which could impose restrictions on what activity takes place there and make it commercially unviable. Furious fishermen include Richard Clarke, who catches crabs, lobster, whelks, herring, bass and mackerel with his brother, Jason. If we lost that land, then we would not be able to operate how we do. We have always used it and it is our base. It would kill it for us, he said. We have been going out from Sea Palling for three generations and have never had any complaints. There have been boats stored on that land for over 20 years. We are lucky to be here and have a nice place to work from. It is a shame really. Nobody would take over after us. We will be the last generation to fish commercially here. It is hard enough to make a living with all the rules and regulations. We just want to carry on and fish for a living. Among the locals in the village of around 700 residents who fear the fishing fleet could be driven away is Lifeboat Tavern landlord Mark Casson, who said: The whole village is backing the fishermen. We are so proud to have them here. Furious fishermen Richard Clarke catches crabs, lobster, whelks, herring, bass and mackerel with his brother, Jason Coastal erosion in Norfolk at the Marrams previously meant houses were lost to the sea and the road itself was lost in part A photo submitted by an application objector shows a sign which advertised 'Horsey Seal Boat Trips' in 2023 Wealthy people have bought these properties and are destroying what makes this place so beautiful. Matthew Fernando, who also run the pub, added the newcomers to the village have no right to complain about fishermen moving their boats in and out of the sea often during the night, according to tides. If you buy a house in a fishing village by the sea, you cant expect to get rid of historic fishermen who have been here for years and years, he said. Fishing is a dying trade and its a beautiful thing to see these boats come in and out. If youre upset about that, go buy a house [further] inland. He added: How can you want to take away culture and history from a seaside village? These are guys who are just working day to day to get as much as they can to survive and live. When you eat fresh lobster in a restaurant, while youre on holiday, where do you think it comes from? He pointed out villagers had no problem with the boats because they were used to the noise, saying: It wouldnt wake me up. Another local, who asked not to be named, said a petition had been placed in the local shop that reflected the feeling of local people. Tensions in Sea Palling (pictured) have risen to a new level after yard owner Fred Pages application for a Certificate of Lawfulness was turned down by the council following objections from the holiday home owners Mr Page said: Fishermen have been there since around 1980. If they lose this, they will go. It will be the final nail in the coffin for the fishing out of Sea Palling' Sea Palling was also a hotspot for smuggling, peaking in the late 18th century when Revenue cutters patrolled the coast to seize illicit goods including tea and tobacco They added: This history of it is its one of the only fishing fleets that is expanding. It would be such a shame if it had to stop. The flashpoint is the latest problem between long-standing locals and newcomers who have recently arrived in communities along the Norfolk coast after investing in second homes and holiday lets. Long-term residents argue the influx of outsiders has created a housing shortage, pushing up property prices and leaving communities like ghost towns in the off-season when holidaymakers go home. But the wealthy investors argue they are vital for shoring up the livelihoods of locals businesses and tradesmen. A string of communities in the county have introduced measures to stop newbuild properties being snapped up by people who wont live in them full-time following local referendums that revealed the level of anger. More than four-fifths of locals supported the measures in many of the sought-after seaside towns and villages. But tensions in Sea Palling have risen to a new level after yard owner Fred Pages application for a Certificate of Lawfulness was turned down by the council following objections from the holiday home owners. The council said it had checked images provided by the objectors and concluded that work at the site had intensified, while some vessels were not used for fishing. In a report, it stated: Documents setting out detailed photographic evidence alongside publicly available aerial images has been provided by objectors to the application and documents the changes to the site. These images corroborate the Google Earth aerial imagery. The council said it had checked images provided by the objectors and concluded that work at the site had intensified, while some vessels were not used for fishing A lifeguard watches over beach goers on Sea Palling beach in 2019, one of 71 beaches previously awarded a Blue Flag award by Keep Britain Tidy It is clear that the use currently taking place has used more land, broadened in scope and intensified significantly within the last four or five years via the storage of more and larger boats (not all of which relate to the local fishing trade), additional huts and greater outside storage of equipment. The parish council is also supportive of the fishermen, however. Defending the certificate application, it wrote: The fishing industry in Sea Palling is the only local fleet along the North Norfolk coast which has actually grown in recent years and it is an integral part of the village and local economy. The parish council feels that it is iniquitous for people who own only holiday cottages in the village to try and alter something which has been in situ for several decades and is integral to the way of life here. If the holiday home owners didnt want to own a property next to a thriving fishing fleet facility, why on earth did they buy it? Mr Page said he was appealing against the councils decision and had recruited a property consultant for professional advice. He said: Fishermen have been there since around 1980. If they lose this, they will go. It will be the final nail in the coffin for the fishing out of Sea Palling. The villagers recorded history dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086, which stated that there were nine villagers and four smallholders who lived in an area surrounded at the time by salt marshes although its economic links to the sea date back much further. Sea Palling was also a hotspot for smuggling, peaking in the late 18th century when Revenue cutters patrolled the coast to seize illicit goods including tea and tobacco. It remains prone to coastal flooding, with the great North Sea Flood of 1953 taking the lives of seven villagers. A sea wall was subsequently extended and the Environment Agency has installed artificial barrier reefs. A North Norfolk District Council spokesman said: While officers were satisfied that the site has been used for the storage of small boats and associated equipment over a ten-year period, the later intensification of the site represented a further change, which was not of sufficient duration or evidenced to be established as lawful. As such the certificate of lawfulness request was refused. As is usual procedure, applicants are entitled to reapply for a certificate of lawfulness or submit a planning application, and officers would be happy to discuss any further submission details. Green energy bosses are at odds over the future of Britain's electricity grid as Labour mulls the introduction of zonal pricing. Under radical reforms being considered by Energy Secretary Ed Miliband, the UK may be split into several different zones with varying electricity prices between them. This would see the electricity price reflect what it costs to produce and supply energy in each region, rather than what is currently a single countrywide price. It could mean people who live near wind farms or other clean power projects paying less for electricity than those living in other parts of Britain. Supporters of a move to zonal pricing, such as Octopus Energy boss Greg Jackson, claim it could save households billions of pounds on their energy bills. His company recently commissioned research that found Britons could save between 55-74billion by 2050 on electricity bills if the Government adopts zonal pricing. It is also claimed zonal pricing is a more efficient system and could address regional inequalities in the UK by boosting investment in areas where there is cheaper energy. Tech giants are putting pressure on ministers to encourage an AI datacentre boom in remote areas of Britian by offering some of the cheapest electricity prices in Europe. But opponents say zonal pricing would merely create a 'postcode lottery' for energy bills, with those in the south facing sharply increased costs. Dale Vince, the founder of Ecotricity, has warned the 'complicated' reforms would be 'lengthy and difficult to implement' and create huge uncertainties for investors. Some of the UK's largest trade unions and business groups are also urging the Government to rule out a move to zonal pricing. They argue it would increase costs for heavy industries like carmaking, ceramics and oil refineries. Your browser does not support iframes. Under radical reforms being considered by Energy Secretary Ed Miliband, the UK may be split into several different zones with varying electricity prices between them The possibility of a zonal model is currently being considered as part of the Review of Electrical Market Arrangements, or REMA. It could see the UK split into between seven and 12 zones and copy a pricing system used in countries such as Italy, Denmark, Norway and Sweden. A final decision on REMA is expected around the middle of this year. Mr Jackson, the chief executive of renewable energy group Octopus Energy, bemoaned the UK's current 'crazy' power system. He said it had encouraged developers to build huge wind farms in Scotland, despite there not being power cables to transfer the electricity generated to customers. He told the Telegraph: 'If you look at what's causing our record high energy costs at the moment, we banged a load of renewables on to a system that wasn't designed for it. 'As a result, the biggest wind farms in the UK, that should be the most productive, stand idle the vast majority of the time.' He added: 'It would be mad to keep building on our current system because you're building wind farms that are idle more often than they're productive. '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.' Mr Jackson argued that zonal pricing would encourage developers to build renewable energy infrastructure - such as wind farms and solar farms - closer to where demand is highest. 'The major benefit of zonal pricing is not that we expect households in different regions to behave differently,' he continued. 'It's things like the interconnectors, the huge grid-scale batteries, the stuff at the backend, it will all behave very differently, saving everyone a fortune.' Research by FTI Consulting, commissioned by Octopus Energy, found zonal pricing could save consumers an average of 3.7billion a year - equivalent to around 132 per customer. It is also argued that zonal pricing could mean fewer pylons cluttering up the countryside. And there could be potential for boosted economic growth in places like Scotland where new energy-intensive industries such as data centres could locate and benefit from some of Europe's cheapest electricity. But opponents of zonal pricing said the claimed savings would actually only be 32 per customer per year. Supporters of a move to zonal pricing, such as Octopus Energy boss Greg Jackson, claim it could save households billions of pounds on their energy bills Dale Vince, the founder of Ecotricity, has warned the 'complicated' reforms would be 'lengthy and difficult to implement' and create huge uncertainties for investors RenewableUK pointed to research by LCP Delta, commissioned by energy firm SSE, that found households and businesses in England and Wales would be hit the hardest under the proposals The UK's energy regulator, Ofgem, has also thrown its support behind zonal pricing. Jonathan Brearley, Ofgem's chief executive, recently claimed shifting to a zonal model would be better for consumers. He told Montel's Plugged In podcast: 'With the amount of change that's in this sector, the idea we leave this market as it is, I don't think is credible. 'We've had a robust debate within Ofgem [and] we have come to the view that zonal pricing is the best way forward.' But Mr Vince, who has given more than 5million to Labour and was the party's biggest corporate donor at the last election, is opposed to such a move. He questioned why Mr Jackson was 'evangelical' about zonal pricing. 'Part of me thinks that he's 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,' the Ecotricity founder told the newspaper. He added: 'Zonal pricing would be one of the most complicated reforms that we could make to our energy system. '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.' RenewableUK, the trade associationfor the UK's renewable energy sector, has also warned against the introduction of zonal pricing. They claim it would jeopardise investment in clean energy and push electricity prices up in parts of England and Wales - with analysts suggesting the highest increases would be in the south of England. Jane Cooper, Deputy CEO of RenewableUK, said: 'It would create on a postcode lottery on bills, which understandably worries communities and businesses which might see higher charges. 'It's hard to see how the Government could succeed in delivering clean power by 2030 whilst also introducing this complex and controversial scheme. 'If ministers choose to move to zonal pricing, they would essentially be asking companies to build wind and solar farms with no idea of what their future market might look like.' RenewableUK pointed to research by LCP Delta, commissioned by energy firm SSE, that found households and businesses in England and Wales would be hit the hardest under the proposals especially those on the south coast, where wholesale prices would be highest. RenewableUK was among a number of bodies to write to Mr Miliband and Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds last month to outline their concerns about zonal pricing The trade association was among a number of bodies to write to Mr Miliband and Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds last month to outline their concerns about zonal pricing. The signatories to the letter also included British Glass, Ceramics UK, the Food & Drink Federation, and UK Steel. 'The uncertainty caused by the continued deliberation of zonal pricing is undermining both the competitiveness of the UK's industrial base and the investment required to deliver the Government's desired growth across all parts of the country,' the letter stated. 'We remain of the view that incremental reforms under a Reformed National Market programme, including reforms to transmission network charges and system balancing alongside strategic delivery of energy networks, will deliver clean, secure, and competitive energy for the UK. 'This approach will best support clean growth opportunities for the UK's existing, and future, energy intensive industries whose locations are determined by a range of factors delivered by existing locations, most notably its workforce. 'Therefore, we repeat our call on the Government to rule out zonal pricing and commit to a Reformed National Market programme to support investment and best deliver secure, competitive, low carbon energy to the UK's industrial heartlands.' The letter was also backed by the GMB, Unison, Unite and Prospect trade unions. A spokesperson for the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero said: 'In an unstable world, the only way to guarantee our energy security and protect consumers from future energy price shocks is by moving towards homegrown power. 'We are considering reforms to Britain's electricity market arrangements, ensuring that these focus on protecting billpayers and encouraging investment. 'We will provide an update in due course.' The man who died from bondage roleplay was dangerously drunk when a sex worker immobilized him in Saran Wrap before allegedly duct-taping a plastic bag over his head. Michael Dale had a .33 percent blood alcohol content when he arrived unresponsive at a San Diego area hospital, according to a medical examiner's report. It would have almost certainly been even higher four hours earlier when OnlyFans model and paid escort Michaela Rylaarsdam started Gorilla Gluing women's boots to his feet and confining him in kitchen wrap, as he requested. Dale's drunkenness is certain to be highlighted by both the prosecution and the defense in the murder case filed against Rylaarsdam, who charged $11,000 to carry out his elaborate fantasies of being tied up and dominated. Police in Escondido, California, and San Diego County's DA's office have declined to speak publicly about Dale's death which the medical examiner attributed to asphyxiation in a report that authorities have sealed from the public but DailyMail.com has reviewed. Prosecutors are expected to argue that Rylaarsdam, 31, knew Dale was so drunk that she should have questioned his ability to give informed consent. A .33 percent concentration of alcohol impairs brain function and judgment and can cause a loss of consciousness or even death. It is more than four times the legal driving limit in most states. Besides, 'There is no evidence that Dale ever requested Rylaarsdam to place a bag over his head and secure it, which eventually caused him to suffocate and die,' reads the arrest warrant from the case. OnlyFans model and paid escort Michaela Rylaarsdam's client Michael Dale had a .33 percent blood alcohol content when he arrived at the hospital when their BDSM roleplay went wrong Dale died in this nondescript ranch house in Escondido, California. He had moved in just three days before his death It noted that Rylaarsdam who goes by the professional name Asshley SinCal tied Dale's wrists together and wrapped his hands and fingers in ways that he could not have used them to remove the bag and breathe. Rylaarsdam's defense lawyer Dan Cohen believes Dale's alcohol consumption that evening 'may have caused respiratory failure' and vomit that could have blocked his airways. 'At this point, I'm not taking the coroner's medical evaluation at face value,' Cohen told DailyMail.com. Rylaarsdam is due to appear in court in Vista, California, on Wednesday. Dale, 56, and Rylaarsdam, then 29, connected through Eros.com, a website to advertise sex workers' services. After chatting about BDSM short for bondage and discipline, dominance and submission, sadism and masochism they met in person on April 17, 2023, at a home in Escondido in which he had lived for just three days. She complied with his requests to bind him tightly 'like a mummy' in Saran Wrap and superglue his feet into a pair of knee-high women's boots that he had asked her to buy for him. Records show he had also wanted her to superglue a sex toy in his mouth and pour Gorilla Glue into his eyes to keep them shut. Dale, 56, and Rylaarsdam, then 29, connected through Eros.com, a website sex workers use to advertise their services Rylaarsdam spent at least eight minutes filming herself masturbating with a vibrator as video content for her OnlyFans account while Dale suffocated behind her Rylaarsdam had an Only Fans account where she used the name Claire Blake But she drew a line, Cohen said. 'She told [police] she didn't do everything he asked her to do. 'There were times when he said stop and she stopped.' According to the arrest warrant, Rylaarsdam spent at least eight minutes filming herself masturbating with a vibrator as video content for her OnlyFans account while Dale, visibly wrapped up and unable to move, suffocated behind her. When she realized he wasn't breathing, she yelled for one of his housemates to call 911 and performed CPR until emergency responders arrived. Dale was found to be brain dead at the Palomar Medical Center and was taken off life support four days later. Rylaarsdam cooperated with police, answering their questions both the night of and the day after the incident and agreeing to let investigators download her phone records. Her messages to and from Dale, texts with her husband about allegedly squeezing more money out of Dale than originally agreed upon, and her photographs and footage while Dale was suffocating contain most of the evidence against her, a source told DailyMail.com. The mother of three from Rancho Cucamonga, California, remained free for nearly two years until this Valentine's Day when she was charged with murder and booked without bail in the Las Colinas Detention Facility near San Diego. Prosecutors are expected to argue that Rylaarsdam knew Dale was so drunk that she should have questioned his ability to give informed consent The videos Rylaarsdam took for her OnlyFans page, while Dale was suffocating from the bag and wrappings over his head, have been sealed from public view Texts between Rylaarsdam and her husband Brandon allegedly show they spoke about squeezing more money out of Dale than originally agreed upon and will likely be used as evidence against her In California, prosecutors don't specify first- or second-degree murder in charging decisions, leaving it up to juries or judges to determine defendants' intent. The medical examiner's report shows Dale told Rylaarsdam that he had drunk a fifth of vodka before she arrived at his rented room. The owner of the nondescript ranch home it is in didn't want to discuss the tenant. 'We're not really friends with the people who rent here, so we didn't know anything about him,' the owner's daughter told DailyMail.com. The medical examiner's report lists Dale's address as a rehab center in Canoga Park, a neighborhood in northern Los Angeles. The report shows that Dale struggled with chronic alcoholism and that he had hypertension and diabetes and was taking taking trazodone for depression at the time of his death. Police found that he messaged his addiction sponsor admitting that he had been drinking heavily in the days before his death. Defense attorney Cohen says Dale had nodded off at points during his rendezvous with Rylaarsdam: 'There were times when he fell asleep and she kept saying, "Wake up, wake up or I'm going home".' It's unclear whether the escort knew that his slips into unconsciousness were due to alcohol or if she just thought he was asleep. On her page on the escort site Secret Hostess, Rylaarsdam says she goes by the name Asshley adding 'the h is silent'. There she lists her services and fees for potential Johns Rylaarsdam isa mother of three boys, she says on her page on Secret Hostess, a web site for sex workers Little is known about Dale other than that he was white, 6ft 2in tall, weighed 250lbs, had brown hair and hazel eyes, and that his face was unshaven and stubbled when he died. Records show he was born and spent most of his life in Missouri where he may have worked for a linen company and a cafe. They list six arrest filings against him four in Missouri and two in Kansas. Three involved alcohol-related incidents. Records show that Dale's mother still lives in Missouri, but was not notified of her son's death until four days after he was taken off life support. She has not responded to DailyMail.com's phone calls. Donald Trump wants the judge who attempted to block his deportation flights of illegal immigrant gang members to lose his license and be prohibited from practicing law. The president now accuses District Court Judge James Boasberg of taking politically motivated actions against him from the bench. His Monday morning Truth Social post included an article link revealing Boasberg attended a legal conference featuring sponsors and speakers with clearly expressed anti-Trump perspectives that particularly are out-of-alignment with the president's immigration policies. 'He should be disbarred!' Trump demanded, claiming the judge was almost as bad as the one who presided over another 'fake case against me.' Trump called the latest incident a 'miscarriage of justice.' Donald Trump demanded federal Judge James Boasberg (pictured) be disbarred for taking politically-motivated actions against his administration from the bench The federal judge tried to block at the last minute two planes from taking off from the U.S. with undocumented gang members en route for El Salvador to be imprisoned there. But the planes were already in the air when Judge Boasberg's order was transmitted and White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt says he had no jurisdiction over international waters to make them turn around. Trump invoked the Alien Enemies Act to make the deportation flights. He defended the operation to deport the 200 'monsters' linked to gangs responsible for kidnapping, extortion and contract killings. 'These were bad people. That was a bad group of, as I say, hombres,' he told reporters earlier this month. Asked about using the controversial Alien Enemies Act outside of wartime, Trump insisted: 'This is a time of war because Biden allowed millions of people many of them criminals, many of them at the highest level.' 'They emptied jails out other nations. It's an invasion and these are criminals.' Judge Boasberg tried to block deportation flights of illegal immigrant gang members from departing the U.S. for El Salvador earlier this month but they were already en route when the order was issued On Monday, Judge Boasberg took another step against the president's actions by rejecting Trump's call to rescind the restraining order that five Venezuelan citizens filed to prevent the federal government from deporting them. They claim not to members of the Tren de Aragua (TdA) gang as a few hundred associated with the gang were sent to El Salvador's notorious maximum security Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT). Boasberg wrote in his opinion that the five plaintiffs are entitled to due process and that deportees must have the chance to argue why they are not subject to Trump's actions taken under the Alien Enemies Act. It may be only March but that hasn't stopped one Christmas event popular with celebrities including Molly-Mae Hague and the Beckhams announcing a major change up for this year. The glitzy LaplandUK has announced that their iconic winter spectacular will now take place in two locations this year due to overwhelming demand last year that saw 1.2million people scrabble for the limited tickets. Traditionally, the festival has taken place in a secret location in the middle of the Berkshire countryside. However this year to cope with demand, organisers say they will be opening another destination in Manchester. Lapland UK can cost 1,000 or more per family with celebrities and royalty among those queuing to see Santa in the middle of the Berkshire countryside, MailOnline previously revealed. Britain's most exclusive festive immersive theatre experience has the pricetag to match, with more than 100,000 people queuing virtually in March to grab tickets costing up to 179 each for Christmas 2023. Former hedge fund trader Mike Battle and his primary school teacher wife Alison founded LaplandUK in 2007 because they were unable to find their four young sons a quality Father Christmas experience in the UK. The festive attraction, the biggest of its kind in Europe, and reportedly made more than 20million last year after selling out. The glitzy LaplandUK has announced that their iconic winter spectacular will now take place in two locations this year The festive attraction, the biggest of its kind in Europe, and reportedly made more than 20million last year after selling out Molly-Mae Hague has previously enjoyed a day out at Lapland UK with daughter Bambi and pals The Prince and Princess of Wales and their three children have been among the well-heeled visitors to the Whitmoor Forest site near Ascot - just 15 minutes drive from their home in the grounds of Windsor Castle. The Beckhams, the Rooneys, Sir Elton John and David Furnish, Tom Hardy and their families are among the host of A-listers who have been seen at the '4.5-hour immersive Santa experience'. Girls Aloud member Kimberley Walsh is among the stars who have gone for some Christmas magic in the past. Abbey Clancy pulled on a Santa hat as she enjoyed it with husband Peter Crouch and their four children while Joe Swash, Stacey Solomon and their brood were there on Saturday. But the extraordinary cost is grating with some visitors, with some claiming it may now be better value to get a last-minute deal to visit the real Lapland in the Arctic Circle for a few days than head to Berkshire for half a day. Several have said in the past that that 'magic is gone' after getting 'hyped up' by celebrities and on social media. This bill shows what it sets back one family of five to attend LaplandUK, with tickets costing 179 per adult and child at peak times David and Brooklyn Beckham on their visit with the family to LaplandUK, Britain's most exclusive Christmas attraction Cruz and Harper Beckham listen to Santa Sir Elton John and David Furnish with former hedge fund trader Mike Battle and his primary school teacher wife Alison, who founded LaplandUK in 2007 Actress Liv Tyler pictured meeting Father Christmas at LaplandUK The Rooneys with their boys at LaplandUK, which has also been visited by the Prince and Princess of Wales with George, Charlotte and Louis Boris and Carrie Johnson's son Wilf meets Santa and posts his letter at the immersive Christmas experience, which takes four and a half hours Both LaplandUK Ascot and LaplandUK Manchester are based on six best-selling books, written by founders Mike and Alison Battle, and will offer guests an enchanting single day experience. Each will envelop families in the same breathtaking performances and interactive activities, including assisting the Toy Factory Elves to make a toy for Father Christmas Sleigh, decorating gingerbread with Mother Christmas, ice-skating on the frozen pond, and the magical finale: an intimate and personalised encounter with Father Christmas. In total, 350,000 tickets will be available. A spokesman said: 'In response to the overwhelming demand, for the first time in the events history, LaplandUK will open a second magical portal in 2025, doubling the opportunity for families to revel in elven wonder this Christmas. 'Marrying the scale and intricacy of film production with the vivid immersion of live theatre, LaplandManchester will join the original LaplandUK, with tickets to both shows going on sale on 31st March 2025.' Donald Trump announced on Monday a new set of tariffs on Venezuela. He said the action is a result of Venezuela purposefully and deceitfully sending criminals, gang members and violent murderers to the U.S. undercover. Trump told relevant agencies through his social media post on Monday to be on notice that a 25 percent tariff on oil and gas from Venezuela will be implemented on April 2, a day he called LIBERATION DAY IN AMERICA. It comes after Trump deported 200 illegal immigrant monsters from the U.S. associated with gangs like Tren de Aragua and MS-13 to be imprisoned in El Salvador. French actor Gerard Depardieu arrived at a Paris court Monday for his trial on charges of sexually assaulting two women during a 2021 film shoot - which he denies. The 76-year-old, who has appeared in over 200 films and television series, has been accused of improper behaviour by around 20 women, but this is the first case to reach trial. Depardieu, dressed in a dark suit with no tie, strolled into the Paris criminal court with a hand on his lawyer's shoulder, appearing unfazed by the serious allegations against him. The trial revolves around accusations of sexual assault during the filming of Les Volets Verts (The Green Shutters) in 2021, directed by Jean Becker. Two woman - a 54-year-old set dresser and a 34-year-old assistant director - claim Depardieu subjected them to sexual violence on set. Prominent French actress Anouk Grinberg, who also starred in the film, has publicly supported the accusers, claiming Depardieu routinely made 'salacious remarks' during filming. She has accused producers of knowingly 'hiring an abuser'. The set dresser alleged the actor was openly making crude remarks on set, and at one point loudly complained he 'couldn't even get it up' because of the heat. She claimed he boasted he could 'give women an orgasm without touching them' and that an hour later Depardieu 'brutally grabbed' her. French actor Gerard Depardieu arrives on the day of his trial for two sexual assaults allegedly committed on the set of the film 'Les Volets Verts', at the courthouse in Paris, France, March 24 Two woman - a 54-year-old set dresser and a 34-year-old assistant director - claim Depardieu subjected them to sexual violence on set Depardieu, dressed in a dark suit with no tie, strolled into the Paris criminal court Prominent French actress Anouk Grinberg has publicly supported the accusers The actor pinned her by 'closing his legs' around her before groping her waist and her stomach, continuing up to her breasts, she added. She said Depardieu made 'obscene remarks' including: 'Come and touch my big parasol. I'll stick it in your p****.' She described the actor's bodyguards dragging him away as he shouted: 'We'll see each other again, my dear.' The second accuser, the assistant director, has also accused Depardieu of sexual violence, though details of her allegations have not yet been made public. 'What my client wants is for the trial to take place. But I am also worried about how Mr Depardieu's defence will treat the civil parties at the hearing,' said lawyer Claude Vincent. Depardieu's lawyer, Jeremie Assous, has insisted that the trial will prove the accusations 'false'. 'This trial is going to allow us to confront all accusations with reality, witnesses and the layout of the premises. We will thus be able to show in an impartial, objective and undeniable manner that all the accusations are false,' he said. The case was initially set for trial in October but was postponed due to Depardieu's ill health. The actor, according to his lawyer, has undergone a quadruple heart bypass and suffers from diabetes, which has been aggravated by the stress of the case. The 76-year-old, who has appeared in over 200 films and television series, has been accused of improper behaviour by around 20 women Activists hold placards as they demonstrate outside the Paris courthouse on the opening day of French actor Gerard Depardieu's trial Around 20 women have come forward, but many cases have been dropped due to France's statute of limitations The trial revolves around accusations of sexual assault during the filming of Les Volets Verts (The Green Shutters) in 2021, directed by Jean Becker Actor Charlotte Arnould hugs Anouk Grinberg, on the day of the trial of French actor Gerard Depardieu He will reportedly be allowed six-hour court sessions with breaks whenever needed. Depardieu has been the subject of multiple sexual misconduct allegations over the years. Around 20 women have come forward, but many cases have been dropped due to France's statute of limitations. In 2018, French actress Charlotte Arnould became the first woman to file a criminal complaint against Depardieu, accusing him of rape and sexual assault. In August 2023, French prosecutors requested a trial on those charges - claims Depardieu has vehemently denied. 'Never, but never, have I abused a woman,' the actor wrote in an open letter to conservative newspaper Le Figaro. Depardieu, once France's most celebrated actor, has become equally infamous for his controversial behaviour off-screen. In 2011, he made headlines for urinating in the aisle of a plane. He has been involved in drunken brawls, arrested for drink-driving, and has sparked outrage with his close ties to Vladimir Putin. A 2023 French TV documentary, 'The Fall of the Ogre', revealed footage of Depardieu on a 2018 trip to North Korea making explicit sexual comments in front of a female interpreter and appearing to sexualise a young girl riding a horse. A Miami woman has come forward with harrowing allegations against embattled real estate mogul Oren Alexander, claiming he raped her inside the famed Versace Mansion in 2014 - and that he left her with a chilling three word remark after the attack. Maria Suska, who had remained silent for nearly a decade, has recounted the night she was allegedly raped - as the Alexander brothers, who were once the faces of Miami's ultra-luxury real estate scene, face multiple sexual misconduct and trafficking charges, to which they have pled not guilty. Suska recounted the horrifying moment she claims Oren Alexander attacked her inside a darkened watchtower of the mansion, where she said she had been invited to after a dinner with the broker and his circle. In an exclusive interview with Good Morning America, she claimed Alexander forcibly stripped her top off, ignored her pleas for him to stop, and raped her - claims that Alexander's legal team have strongly denied. She said Alexander, whom she described as a 'six-foot guy, very heavy set, very strong,' would get more violent the more she begged him to stop. 'First, I told him to calm down. Calm down,' she said. 'He didn't.' 'He started to strip my top off. I said, stop. And I started angrily, yelling louder. The more I said, stop, the more he got violent with me.' When it was over, she said he simply smirked and uttered these haunting words: 'Oh, that was good.' Maria Suska, who had remained silent for nearly a decade, has recounted the night she was allegedly raped by Oren Alexander inside the famed Versace Mansion in 2014-and that he left her with a chilling three word remark after the attack Suska recounted the horrifying moment she claims Oren Alexander attacked her inside a darkened watchtower of the mansion, where she had been invited to after a dinner with the broker and his circle 'He got himself together,' she recalled. Then 'he got up and he left.' Miami Beach Police documented that Suska did not report having sustained any injuries during the incident. Oren Alexander's attorneys have adamantly denied her allegations. Attorney Jenny Wilson pointed to what her team claim are inconsistencies in her story. 'She would have had to pick her phone up from security. She would have had to walk outside onto Ocean Drive, where there are roving police officers, and these allegations were not reported to them,' Alexander's legal team said in a statement. 'Our system is built on testing allegations, and we fully intend to test these in a court of law.' Suska is not among the 60 women accusing the Alexander brothers in ongoing civil lawsuits, nor is she part of the federal alleged sex trafficking case that has landed Oren, his twin Tal, and their older brother Alon in jail awaiting trial. All of the men deny the allegations of the civil claims and have pled not guilty. It is now past the statue of limitation since 2014 - the year when she was allegedly attacked. But when she saw news of their arrests, she said she was shocked and wanted to share her story as she thought she was the 'only one.' Oren Alexander's attorneys have adamantly denied her allegations. Attorney Jenny Wilson pointed to what her team claim are inconsistencies in her story He allegedly friended her on Facebook and messaged her casually before asking her to come to a dinner at a high-end Miami restaurant, screenshots of the conversation reveal When it was over, she said he simply smirked and uttered these haunting words: 'Oh, that was good' 'I was shocked at first, because I said, 'I remember him. This is the guy. This is my attacker.' So this time I thought I'm the only one that this happened to,' she said. According to a Miami Beach police report filed in December 2023 and obtained by ABC News, Suska claims she met Oren Alexander through Facebook in early 2014. He friended her on Facebook and messaged her casually before asking her to come to a dinner at a high-end Miami restaurant, screenshots of the conversation reveal. At the restaurant, she found herself seated among a group of about ten people. 'The vibe was very awkward,' she recalled. 'The people were not talking to each other.' She said the other woman seemed to not know each other. After dinner, Suska said Alexander invited her to a party at the Versace Mansion - an exclusive venue in Miami Beach. When they arrived, the place was closed to the the public and only open for their private party. Security confiscated their cell phones. Suska claimed Oren later offered to show her the view upstairs in the mansion's Watchtower. The reason Suska is speaking out now, is not for money but because she said she can't stay silent any longer 'It was very, very dark. It's only like a couple of windows, no furniture. And that's when he attacks me,' she said. That's the moment he allegedly raped her. Suska said she tried to resist, telling Alexander to 'calm down' but he ignored her pleas. While she did not report the alleged assault at the time, Suska said she sought therapy just weeks after the attack and reportedly received treatment for post-sexual assault trauma. The reason Suska says she is speaking out now, is not for money but because she said she can't stay silent any longer. 'I just want my voice heard,' she said. 'Not for money.' The Alexander brothers, who built a multi-billion-dollar real estate empire through their firm, The Alexander Team, were arrested last year on federal charges of conspiracy and forced sex trafficking involving multiple women. They have pleaded not guilty and remain in custody awaiting trial. Lawmakers furious with DOGE leader Elon Musk have called on their voters to protest the billionaire's company Tesla, and their constituents have lost billions. A DailyMail.com analysis of Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) data reveals that just under half of the country, 24 states, owned Tesla stock in some form as of December 31, 2024. These holdings come in the form of state-funded pensions, public school teacher and first responder's retirement funds, investments from state treasuries and more. The remaining states almost certainly hold Tesla stock directly or through index funds, though public disclosures of their holdings are not readily available. These states may have their funds managed externally or their investments do not reach disclosure thresholds, which are generally over $100 million. 'Basically, everyone owns a piece of Tesla these days,' Dr. OJ Oleka, CEO of the State Financial Officers Foundation, told DailyMail.com. When it comes to state's pension funds, 'practically every state' has some exposure to Tesla stock, he said. Of the 24 states that own Tesla stock and share detailed disclosures on their holdings, almost $4 billion worth of retirement and pension money has been erased this year. Today, these states own a combined $8.2 billion worth of Tesla stock based on Monday's share price around $270. On the last day of 2024, that total was worth over $12 billion. A protester holds a sign that reads 'SELL YOUR STOCK' with an image of Musk holding a chainsaw outside the Tesla showroom in Manhattan's Meatpacking District on March 22 Demonstrators gather outside a Tesla dealership to protest businessman Elon Musk's current role in US President Donald Trump's administration President Donald Trump sits in a Tesla Model S with Tesla CEO and Senior Advisor to the President of the United States Elon Musk, on 11 March 2025 The erasure of retirement wealth frustrates Oleka, who argues that the loss in savings is due to politics. Tesla's share price has not fallen this year because they 'made some bad decision in terms of their technology,' the CEO said, 'it's political, by a small minority on the left for politics.' 'That's real wealth that's gone,' he continued. 'That's $4 billion [for] teachers, law enforcement, firefighters, first responders.' As Donald Trump's government trimming effort percolates globally, and Musk has been leading the effort, Tesla locations have been vandalized and activists have blockaded customers from entering dealerships. Tesla cars and charging stations have been set on fire by arsonists and Tesla owners are finding their rides vandalized with scratches and spray paint. Yet as pensions and retirement funds across the country rely on the American electric vehicle manufacturer to generate returns, lawmakers, many of whom represent people that own Tesla, are calling for voters to protest the EV company. Former Democratic vice presidential hopeful and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz recently grabbed headlines for sharing how much joy he gets in watching Tesla stock plummet. 'Some of you know this, on the iPhone, theyve got that little stock app,' Former Democratic vice presidential hopeful and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said last week while holding up is cell. Unidentified persons have allegedly set fire to four Tesla cars in Berlin 'I added Tesla to it to give me a little boost during the day $225 and dropping,' Walz continued. 'Im not a vindictive person or anything but I take great pleasure in the fact that [Musk's] life is going to get very, very difficult.' Meanwhile, Minnesota, owns 1.8 million shares of Tesla, totaling over $486 million as of Monday. The Democrat later walked back his comments, saying his enthusiasm about Tesla's plummeting stock price was just a 'joke.' Similarly, Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, spoke to activists on a 'Tesla Takedown' conference call last week and urged them she wants to see Musk 'taken down.' 'I'll make sure that I keep it short,' Crockett said in the video. 'But I am truly here for very selfish reasons.' 'Starting with on March 29, it's my birthday, and all I want to see happen on my birthday is for Elon to be taken down. Texas's teacher and public employee retirement funds own over 1.3 million shares of the Musk-led company, totaling over $350 million, per Tesla's share price on Monday. 'When you actively call for the financial destruction of an American company, you are harming those workers before anybody else, and you're harming the pensioners whose pensions are invested in that fund, like public school teachers and members of law enforcement,' Oleka told DailyMail.com of the Tesla protests. Your browser does not support iframes. A member of the Seattle Fire Department inspects a burned Tesla Cybertruck at a Tesla lot in Seattle, Monday, March 10, 2025 'Why would you want to financially destroy an American company because of politics?' 'It makes no sense,' he continued. 'People who are doing it are domestic terrorists.' Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah and Wisconsin all hold Tesla on their balance sheets. Illinois and Massachusetts are also presumed Tesla holders, though their individual investments and dollar amounts are not readily available. Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs told ABC News recently that Tesla's stock dipping 'is a real cost to people' in his state, indicating that the state owns shares of the EV maker. 'We're talking about firefighters, police officers, nurses who work in public,' Frerichs said of Illinoisans. 'Their retirement dollars are at stake.' Massachusetts, though it does not disclose specifics about its investments, is also presumed to hold stake in Tesla through its investments in the S&P500. Tesla has been in the index fund for years, and it makes up over one percent of the entire fund. Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., posted several times on social media about selling his Tesla after complaining he did not want to drive a car designed by an 'a**hole.' The Grand Canyon State holds over 830,000 shares of Tesla stock in its retirement fund, totaling $225 million as of Monday. The states that own the most Tesla stock are, expectedly, California and New York, according to the SEC data. The Golden State holds nearly 10 million shares of Tesla stock through its public employee and teachers retirement funds, as of Monday, those shared were worth a combined $2.6 billion. The Empire State, on the other hand, holds around 6 million shares, totaling $1.6 billion across New York's teachers and common retirement funds. The heartbroken family of Riley Strain, who died on a college trip to Nashville one year ago, have filed a lawsuit against his fraternity. Strain's relatives have accused University of Missouri Delta Chi members of failing to follow policy by leaving their intoxicated son 'abandoned and alone' on March 8, 2024, which they say 'ultimately resulted in his death'. The 22-year-old's parents and step-parents - Michelle Whiteid, Christopher Whiteid, Robert Ryan Gilbert, and Melissa Gilbert - have claimed the fraternity is liable for negligence by failing to implement safety measures on the Nashville trip. Strain went missing after he was kicked out of a bar in the Tennessee city on March 8, prompting a high-profile search. He was found eight miles away, face-down in the Cumberland River 14 days later. A medical examiner concluded that Strain died as a result of drowning and intoxication in a tragedy which was deemed an accident. He had a blood alcohol content of .228 - almost three times the legal driving limit. The student's family have filed their lawsuit in Boone County, Missouri, taking aim at 32 people, including fraternity chapter presidents, recruitment chairs and other members. They have requested a trial by jury while seeking compensation and damages for expenses incurred from Strain's death. Their lawsuit recounts the harrowing details of the night he died, and what led up to it. According to the family, Strain was an 'often-reserved young man who did not tend to go with the typical fraternity flow' and he did not initially plan to attend the Nashville trip, known as their Spring formal. The heartbroken family of Riley Strain (pictured), who died on a college trip to Nashville one year ago, have filed a lawsuit against his fraternity Strain's relatives, including his mother Michelle Whiteid and her partner Christopher Whiteid (pictured together above) have accused University of Missouri Delta Chi members of failing to follow policy by leaving their intoxicated son 'abandoned and alone' on the night he died But they say he was 'pressured' into attending by fraternity brothers, and he agreed to attend after their 'continued cajoling'. On March 8, Strain boarded the charter bus from the fraternity house in Columbia, Missouri, to Nashville, Tennessee, which was loaded with pre-made vodka Jello shots. 'Although it was supposed to be prohibited, this type of conduct was typical for the Delta Chi formal. It would have disastrous results for Riley,' the lawsuit reads. When the group arrived in Nashville, 'several fraternity members noticed that Riley was acting unusual' according to the suit. 'He began to have difficulty speaking, walking, and interacting with those around him.' His parents said that by the time the group reached the final bar of the night, Strain was 'virtually incoherent'. Describing Strain's drunken demeanor as shown in surveillance footage of his final hours, they said 'he was leaning against walls to stay upright, stumbling up and down steps, was completely unable to speak or communicate, and needed help'. They say that rather than 'go with Riley, make sure he was safe and take care of him', his fraternity brothers chose to 'continue partying'. 'After being kicked out of the bar, Riley was lost,' the lawsuit reads. 'Without help, he immediately began walking in the wrong direction and away from the hotel where the fraternity was staying and towards the Cumberland River. 'He began stumbling and falling while walking on flat surfaces. Rather than having the support of his brothers, Riley was abandoned and alone.' Pictured: Michelle Strain Whiteid, left, and her husband, Chris Whiteid, speak to the media during a press conference to update the public about the disappearance of Riley Strain Strain disappeared just before 10pm on March 8, but his fraternity brothers 'failed to notice'. 'By approximately 1:00 a.m. on March 9, 2024, most of the Delta Chi group returned to the hotel,' the lawsuit reads. 'Rileys roommates for the night saw that Riley was not in the room and did nothing. 'There was no search, no panic, and no one called 9-1-1 to report that Riley had failed to make the twelve (12) minute walk back to the hotel in over three hours. 'The fraternity brothers did not even think to call Rileys parents, they simply got ready for bed and went to sleep.' The parents said they were 'eventually' called, and Nashville Police were contacted at around noon on March 9. 'On March 22, 2024, Riley was found face down in the Cumberland River, the banks of which were a four-minute walk from the bar where Riley was deserted by his brothers",' the lawsuit reads. The devastated family is pushing for compensation of an unspecified amount. Strain's parents also previously said cops butchered the investigation into his disappearance, as more clues seemed to have come from the public than officers. Their criticism came after TikTokers found a crucial piece of evidence that investigators failed to discover over a week after Strain went missing. Riley Strain falls to the ground before stumbling off after being thrown out of Nashville bar Strain's relatives said they staunchly believe the missing college student is still alive - and they want the FBI to step in and take over the investigation from the Nashville cops Anna Clemdening and Brandy Baenen had been rummaging through trash along the riverbank when they located Strain's bank card. In May last year, his heartbroken parents also bravely walked onto stage at the University of Missouri and accepted Strain's diploma from the Mizzou College of Arts and Science. His mother wept and held his diploma up to the sky as students stood and cheered in a standing ovation in his honor. Despite the family previously criticizing the police, Gilbert thanked the Metro Nashville Police Department for their efforts, as well as the volunteer United Cajun Navy. 'It's just unbelievable what they've done for us,' Gilbert said. Stepfather Chris thanked the entire Nashville community for their help in trying to find Riley. 'To the people of Nashville, I can't thank you enough for the support, the love, the encouragement that you've shown myself and my wife,' Chris said. 'It's been an emotional rollercoaster. We're quite thankful for everything that you've done for our family. The grace that you've given us, it means a lot, more than you'll ever know.' A London Zoo stalker who sent flowers and chocolates to a female colleague he fancied is now facing jail. Asish Jose Paul, 26, made a beeline twice to Lutaruta Masiulonyte's workplace despite a warning to stay away. A court heard the accountancy student did the stalking between July 7 2024 and December 30. Following his arrest, Jose Paul, originally from Kerala in India, was given police bail and warned not to go back to the zoo. But he returned the very next day to try and speak with his love interest. Jose Paul was again bailed with a condition not to go within 50 metres of London Zoo. But he went back again explaining to Royal Park attendants that he was in love with his former colleague. Jose Paul finally admitted stalking involving serious alarm or distress at Westminster Magistrates Court. Asish Jose Paul (pictured), 26, made a beeline twice to Lutaruta Masiulonyte's workplace despite a warning to stay away Following his arrest, Jose Paul, originally from Kerala in India , was given police bail and warned not to go back to the zoo He studied for a masters in accounting and finance at Anglia Ruskin University between 2022 and 2023. Prosecutor David Burns said: This is a matter involving stalking. At the time they were both employed by London Zoo. He pleaded not guilty on the first occasion, and he maintained that plea until the day of the trial. He changed his plea on that day. He became very interested in her. He started texting her. She couldnt understand how he got hold of her number. She said she didnt respond to the messages. He asked her why she hadnt responded. She said she was not interested and could she please be left alone. The messages continued. She goes on to state that he began to follow her around the work place. She states that he became more and more persistent. He attempted to engage in conversation with her. She goes on to say that his behaviour made her feel scared and upset. She said he doesnt accept any boundaries, and refuses to listen to her desire to be left alone. In a victim impact statement Ms Masiulonyte said: This incident has taken a toll on me emotionally and psychologically. The harassment was going on for so long it drained me. I feel scared and anxious being in London. Jose Paul went back to the zoo explaining to Royal Park attendants that he was in love with his former colleague My friends and family are worried for me and for my safety. I feel anxious all the time. I feel frustrated. I repeated myself so many times I started to question whether I was the problem. I lost my independence through the harassment. I have to rely on someone to be with me to feel safe. Mr Burns said: He has shown no remorse for what he has done wrong. Adrian Lee, defending, said: It is classic stalking, but no insults or inappropriate remarks are made in any of the text messages. He was doing a Masters Degree at Anglia Ruskin which is now finished. I gather that it is a Masters in accounting and finance. This was essentially a job that he was doing at the weekend, or a couple of days a week if he was free. He does accept his guilt on this. He is someone with a future and prospects ahead of him. He is here on a graduate visa. After he has graduated he is allowed to stay for a period of time. That expires in August. At the moment he is not in employment. He has been relying on family in India for financial support. Judge Nina Tempia told Jose Paul she did not have sufficient sentencing powers, saying: Im afraid I cant deal with this case and Im going to send it to the Crown Court for sentence. She added he would be sentenced within the next few weeks at Southwark Crown Court. Jose Paul, of Felixstowe Court, Docklands, admitted stalking involving serious alarm or distress. The White House is being criticized for seeking sponsors for its annual Easter Egg Roll, a free event for kids to celebrate the holiday. Sponsors can choose from three packages that cost between $75,000 and $200,000, according to a nine-page pitch document first reported by CNN. The top tier includes includes a 900-square-foot booth, tickets to a brunch hosted by First Lady Melania Trump and 150 tickets to the event. 'For $200,000, CEOs can slap their corporate logo on Donald Trump dressed as the Easter Bunny. It's absurdly corrupt,' Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren wrote on X. Former Republican Congressman Adam Kinzinger, fierce critic of President Donald Trump called for a boycott of any company that sponsors the Easter Egg Roll. 'Let's make sure it's just Balance of nature, my pillow and relief factor and whatever else Foxnews one,' he wrote on social media. Richard Painter, who served as chief White House ethics lawyer in 2005-2007, joked: 'Of course the White House Easter Bunny drives a Tesla. Can't wait to see the photo!' President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump wave along side the Easter Bunny at the 2019 White House Easter Egg Roll But Painter had a broader point: the offer could violate government ethics rules. 'Showcasing company brands at the White House Easter Egg Roll in return for payment is impermissible use of public office for private gain,' he noted. The Emoluments Clause of the Constitution forbids an elected official from profiting from their public position. And the White House could be seen in violation of that by allowing private businesses to use an official event to showcase their brands and letting the proceeds flow into a private nonprofit. The sponsorship package was put together by Harbinger Events, an outside firm contracted by the White House Historical Association to help with the event. Any profit will go to the WHHA, a nonprofit established by Jackie Kennedy to help preserve the White House. Neither the historical association or Harbinger responded to DailyMail.com's request for comment. But Stewart McLaurin, head of the WHHA, told CNN: '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.' It's common for outside firms to be hired to help with major events - state dinners, the Easter Egg Roll, and Halloween - given the small number of staff in the White House social office and Visitors' Office. And the Easter Egg Roll has sponsors. It is not paid for with taxpayer money. The American Egg Board donates the thousands of eggs used at event just like the National Turkey Federation sponsors the annual turkey pardoning. But it's unclear whose idea it was to offer corporate sponsorships. The event is put together by the White House Historical Association, Harbinger and the East Wing, where there is still not a social secretary in place. Often it's the social secretary's responsibility to provide oversight of the event planning process. President Trump and Melania Trump look on as children roll eggs on the South Lawn during the 2019 White House Easter Egg Roll First Lady Melania Trump hugs a girl as they make cards for members of the military at 2017 annual Easter Egg Roll The first White House Easter Egg Roll took place on April 22, 1878 after President Rutherford B. Hayes agreed to open the White House Grounds on Easter Monday. It features a variety of events - including an egg rolling race, reading nooks and education areas. The pitch deck sent to potential sponsors allows for naming rights of key areas, logo placement, and branded giveaways. It wouldn't be the first time the White House showcased a major corporation on its grounds. Last month, Trump turned the South Lawn into a Tesla showroom, letting five of its vehicles be parked on the drive. The move came as Tesla stock was down amid criticism of CEO Elon Musk's role in cutting the federal government. An Italian TikToker who came out as transgender and then non-binary has taken his own life after internet bullies allegedly targeted him for changing his gender identity. Davide Garufi, 21, came out as a transgender woman and asked his followers to call him Alexandra. After a few months, the content creator reportedly said he had decided to go back to using his birth name, telling fans that he instead identified as non-binary and would use male pronouns again. The announcement sparked conversation about gender identity among his followers, but also saw a number of abusive and transphobic comments directed towards Garufi. Tragically, on March 19, Garufi shot himself dead at the home he shared with his family near Milan, police said. A probe has been launched into his death, with police looking into possible third party involvement. Two case files have reportedly been opened for possible incitement to suicide and failure to correctly store a firearm. The weapon Garufi used to take his own life had been loose in a backpack in the house, according to information obtained by news outlet Fanpage.it. Davide Garufi came out as a transgender woman and asked his followers to call him Alexandra Reports in Italian media earlier suggested that police were looking into whether hate comments online caused his death, but authorities have now said that the probe is not directly linked to these messages, ANSA reports. Investigators are said to be focusing on the analysis of Garufi's computer and phone, and have heard testimony from his friends and boyfriend. Garufi began posting on TikTok in 2020 and had built up a following of more than 278,000 with more than 1.4million likes on content on his main page. He posted comedy sketches as well as more personal content about his gender identity using various different handles on the platform, as well as on Instagram. He also worked in a shoe store at a shopping centre near where he lived, and was regularly recognised by customers due to his internet fame. Tributes have poured in for the creator, including from the Sinistra Italiana (Italian Left) political party. In a statement it expressed 'pain and anger for the death of Alex/Davide Garufi' believing that he was 'a victim of transphobic bullying'. Tributes have poured in for the creator, who began posting on TikTok in 2020 and had built up a following of more than 278,000 The party added that his death is 'the result of traditional culture that finds support in anti-choice movements and the intolerant right'. Daniele Durante, a delegate from the left-wing party, said he held 'traditional' Italian society responsible for Garufi's death, saying it 'does not understand the devastating impact of online bullying'. The Milan branch of Sinistra Italiana said in response to the tragic news that it 'is committed to fighting' intolerance, adding that its goal 'is to build a more just and inclusive society'. Usha Vance has unwittingly revealed that she may be a fan of former Democratic vice-president Al Gore and his climate change warnings. The second lady, 39, displayed one of Gore's books, Earth in the Balance, in the background of a video where she announced an upcoming visit to Greenland. The video, posted on the SLOTUS Instagram account, featured a mostly empty background except for a small figurine and the 1992 title, where Gore issued an early warning of the 'grave danger' presented by climate change. Gore famously made global warming a focus of his time at the Bill Clinton White House in the 1990s. It's a notable title for the second lady to own, given Gore's views of climate change are directly opposed to those of the GOP and the Trump administration, which prioritizes energy production over environmental concerns. Usha Vance has remained tight-lipped about her personal views, but she was a registered Democrat until 2014 - the same year she married the vice-president. Her mother Lakshmi Chilukuri is a DEI advocate at the University of California San Diego. But Vance says he loves his mom-in-law regardless and doesn't mind that their political views diverge. While at Yale, a campus magazine described her as 'of the leftish political persuasion,' as noted by Business Insider. However, the magazine added she went for partners who are 'tall, handsome, and conservative.' Second lady Usha Vance had a book by former Democratic vice-president Al Gore in the background of a video she posted to Instagram Vice-president JD Vance and his wife Usha Vance on February 11, 2025, in Paris, France The 1992 book was Gore's first book about climate change and how humans contribute to it In the video, Usha Vance said she is leading a US delegation to Greenland on Thursday. The trip comes amid a continued effort from President Donald Trump to purchase the arctic territory from Denmark. In a quick video, 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. The second lady also disclosed that the U.S. is a sponsor of the race where 444 dogs and 37 mushers will compete. 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. Al Gore, seen in 2016, has focused on climate activism after leaving the Clinton administration 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.' Migrants will continue to be housed in asylum hotels and other temporary accommodation for years to come, the Treasury has admitted. Before winning power at last July's general election, Labour vowed to end the use of hotels for asylum seekers. But an ongoing review of Government spending has acknowledged that 'demand for short-term residential accommodation... is likely to remain over the coming years'. A Treasury document revealed how a study is looking at ways to improve the procurement of short-term accommodation by the Government and local councils. It is being undertaken by officials from Chancellor Rachel Reeves' new Office for Value for Money, as well as from the Home Office and other Whitehall departments. The document noted how the Home Office spent 2.3billion on hotels as part of asylum support in 2022-23. It pointed to 'pressures on housing supply' and 'risks presented by global instability' as reasons for the continued demand for asylum seekers to be put up in hotels. Labour is under fresh scrutiny after the number of migrants arriving in the UK after crossing the Channel set a new record for the first three months of the year. As part of his efforts to reduce the number of crossings, it has recently emerged how PM Sir Keir Starmer could consider sending failed asylum seekers to overseas 'return hubs' in the Balkans. Your browser does not support iframes. An inflatable dinghy is pictured carrying a group of people across the English Channel Before winning power at last July's general election, Sir Keir Starmer vowed to end the use of hotels for asylum seekers A total of 241 people crossed the Channel in four boats on Saturday, according to the latest figures from the Home Office. According to an analysis of the Government figures, this brought the total this year - up to March 22 - to 5,512. This compares to 4,306 by the same date in 2024 and 3,683 in 2023; while in 2022, 3,836 had crossed by March 22. The highest number arriving in one day this year so far stands at 592 people, who crossed the Channel in 11 boats on March 2. The Treasury document outlined an audit of Government spending on short-term residential accommodation, including for asylum seekers. It highlighted how a report last year by the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) found that per asylum seeker costs had increased by 141 per cent from 17,000 in 2019-20 to 41,000 in 2023-24. 'Private sector suppliers of short-term residential accommodation have made record profits in recent years, leading to accusations of profiteering,' the document added. 'There is also evidence that some forms of short-term residential accommodation have a detrimental impact on children and families.' The Treasury found there was a 'value for money case for improving the procurement of short-term residential accommodation across central and local government'. A Government source accused firms of exploiting the small boats crisis for profit. They told The Times: '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'. Meanwhile, Downing Street this morning did not rule out sending failed asylum seekers to the Balkans. It was recently revealed how Home Office officials have discussed proposals to set up overseas 'return hubs' to house asylum seekers who have had their claims rejected and all appeals exhausted. The proposals are set to involve payments to host countries for each person removed from the UK. It follows moves by the European Commission to endorse the use of 'return hubs' by EU member states. 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.' Terrifying footage captured the moment an enraged rhino chased after two safari trucks full of tourists before trying to flip it over. The wild animal was seen charging after the jeeps as they drove through Manas National Park, India, on Sunday. The drivers of the vehicles were forced to accelerate away from the animal in a bid to escape, leaving the tourists inside frightened for their lives. Footage of the shocking incident saw the huge beast running behind the trucks, and at several points getting scarily close to them. Some of the tourists can be seen standing up in the vehicle driving behind the one in the lead, as they watched the animal edge closer and closer to their car. As they sped down the muddy track and between the greenery, the wild animal does not give up its chase as it relentlessly charges on until it manages to place itself directly next to the vehicle in the back. The driver manages to swerve his truck away from the rhino just in time as the high speech chase continues through the jungle setting. The vehicles soon manage to get ahead of the wild animal, but not before the rhino throws its head to the side in a bid to flip the jeep. A rhino was filmed chasing a safari truck through Manas National Park, India, on Sunday The group of tourists were left terrified when the rhino chased after their safari trucks The animal was seen throwing its head to the side as it tried to flip the vehicle over As they sped down the muddy track and between the greenery, the wild animal does not give up its chase as it relentlessly charges on Luckily, the rhino misses and the cars speed off, just about leaving the massive animal in the dust as they continue their getaway. The animal ultimately caused partial damage to one of the vehicles and the incident has sparked concerns of tourist safety within the national park. Park officials are investigating the incident to see if the rhino's actions stemmed from territorial instincts, provocation, or other reasons. Authorities have advised tourists to adhere to park regulations and keep a safe distance from wildlife to minimise the risk of incidents of this nature. It comes after a group of tourists were left fearing for their lives when a lion decided to chase down their car during a safari in India in 2019. Footage of the horror moment was captured in Atal Bihari Vajpayee Zoological Park in Karnataka, India, where the tour group spotted the big cat. As the vehicle drove down the dusty path, the animal chased after them as someone filmed from the back seat. The car then stopped further down the path as the lion continued approaching. The vehicle eventually left it behind. Local reports claimed the lion tried to pounce on the car but the driver managed to escape. Luckily nobody was injured in the incident and it was not known what caused the aggression from the lion. A GOP activist credited for winning Pennsylvania for Donald Trump revealed he is already starting to campaign for JD Vance to become president in 2028. Scott Presler, described as a 'gay MAGA warrior,' was rewarded with a visit to the Oval Office by president Trump and VP Vance for helping them win Pennsylvania. He told the Wall Street Journal that his political vision ends with Vance in the White House in 2028. In 2023, after Trump lost Pennsylvania by 80,000 votes in 2020, Presler formed the Early Vote Action committee to register voters and commit them to cast ballots. Presler, who spends an hour styling his luxuriant hair before TV appearances, never stopped campaigning for the GOP after the 2020 election, and wants to make sure Pennsylvania remains red, he said. He rose to prominence after organizing a 2017 nationwide 'March Against Sharia' and was in the news again after attending the January 6 riots at the Capitol, though he has maintained he did not enter the Capitol. Presler now plans on using his influence, which includes 2.2 million X followers, to support an eventual run for president by Vance. Vance's name has been floated around by several MAGA figures including Tucker Carlson as the chosen replacement for Trump. 'MAGA Warrior' Scott Presler said he is backing JD Vance for president in 2028 Presler was rewarded with an Oval Office meeting with president Trump and VP Vance President Trump will be prevented from running for a third term, thanks to the 22nd Amendment allowing a president to only serve two terms. Carlson spoke about Trump's successor in a conversation with radio show host Vince Coglianese, who replaced broadcaster Dan Bongino on his show after he was appointed to serve as the Deputy Director of the FBI. 'I don't see any other, at this point, as of today, any other conceivable option. I think JD Vance will be the nominee,' Carlson revealed. Vance addressed the idea of succeeding Trump in an interview with NBC News on Friday. 'You know, if I never go further in politics, Im totally fine with that, but we get a really good opportunity to do a lot of really good sh*t in the next four years,' he said. 'If I do really well for the next four years, everything else will take care of itself.' But president Trump gave a stunning and frank response last month when asked if he saw Vance as his political successor. 'No,' the 78-year-old Republican said to the question, posed by Fox News' Bret Baierduring a Super Bowl interview. Trump was asked if he viewed Vance as his political successor, and whether he expected Vance to be the 2028 Republican nominee. After Trump lost Pennsylvania by 80,000 votes in 2020, Presler formed the Early Vote Action committee to register voters and commit them to cast ballots. They are seen together After answering in the negative, Trump added, 'But he's very capable.' 'I mean, I don't think that it, you know, I think you have a lot of very capable people. So far, I think he's doing a fantastic job. It's too early,' the president said. 'We're just - starting,' Trump added. Vance was added to the ticket in July after Trump had a falling out with his original running mate, former Vice President Mike Pence, over the 2020 election and the January 6th Capitol attack. If the 40-year-old Vance decides to run in 2028, he could announce as early as November 2026 - with Trump setting that precedent. During the 2024 cycle, Trump announced his third presidential campaign just a week after the midterms concluded - on November 15, 2022. The bravery medals of a fearless Battle of Britain pilot who survived his oxygen supply failing at 25,000ft have emerged for sale for 30,000. Wing Commander James 'Butch' McArthur claimed eight kills and three other 'probables' during heartstopping dogfights with the Luftwaffe in 1940. During one duel, he closed to within 10 to 20 yards of his adversary so he could shoot them down. His closest brush with death came when he lost consciousness over Warmwell in Dorset while helping to engage more than 50 enemy aircraft. He came round as his aircraft hurtled towards the ground in a high-speed dive, but was able to regain control just in time to avoid crashing. Wing Commander McArthur joined the Canadian Royal Air Force after the war and served with them in the Korean War of 1950 to 1953. But, with his active operations days well behind him, he was killed in a civilian air crash in 1961. The airman's medal group, including the prestigious Distinguished Flying Cross, is going under the hammer at London-based auctioneers Spink & Son. The bravery medals of a fearless Battle of Britain pilot who survived his oxygen supply failing at 25,000ft have emerged for sale for 30,000. Wing Commander James 'Butch' McArthur claimed eight kills and three other 'probables' There are now no surviving members of The Few after Group Captain John Hemingway's death was announced last week. Churchill said of the 3,000 Battle of Britain airmen who kept the Luftwaffe at bay in the summer of 1940: 'Never was so much owed by so many to so few..' Marcus Budgen, head of the Spink & Son medals department, said: 'Wing Commander 'Butch' McArthur was one of the most outstanding Spitfire pilots of the Battle of Britain. 'He shot down eight enemy aircraft at the height of one of the most pivotal events of the Second World War - when the fate of these isles of ours hung in the balance. 'These medals are one of the few which still remain outside of a museum and available for collectors to acquire. 'At this poignant time that we lost the last of 'The Few', it is a fitting moment to commemorate one of his gallant comrades of the skies.' Wing Commander McArthur was born in Tynemouth, North Tyneside, in 1913 and attended the Marine School in South Shields, Tyneside. He was employed as a seagoing radio officer by the Marconi Company and took part in long distance races. Gun camera footage taken from Flight Lieutenant J. H. McArthur's Spitfire The airman's medal group, including the prestigious Distinguished Flying Cross, is going under the hammer at London-based auctioneers Spink & Son Wing Commander McArthur flew in the England to Australia 'MacRobertson Air Race' in 1934. He then attempted to break the London to Cape Town return record, but had to bail out of his aircraft north of Khartoum, Sudan. Landing safely in the desert, he became the youngest member of the Caterpillar Club, for airmen who successfully use a parachute. Wing Commander McArthur joined 609 Squadron in August 1940 at Middle Wallop, Hampshire, and in his first sortie destroyed a pair of Ju 87s during a dogfight over the Isle of Wight. He wrote in his combat report: 'I dived on the outside of the Ju. 87 from just over 5,000 feet, fired a 7 second burst and saw him turn on his back and go into the sea. 'The formation then split up and I regained 4,000 feet very quickly. Height of Ju. was about 100 feet. 'I then dived again and gave a long burst of 10 seconds on another Ju. 87 which started to emit black smoke and dive into the sea.' Fellow ace Flight Lieutenant David Crooks recalled: 'Mac was very pleased about this fight, and certainly a bag of two for one's first action is very good. Pilots of No. 609 Squadron at Warmwell in 1940 - McArthur, standing, fourth from right 'But it made him rather over-confident, and for the next few days he regarded the German Air Force rather as an organisation which provided him with a little target practice and general harmless amusement. 'He soon learnt better!' Wing Commander McArthur, having heeded his squadron mate's advice, shot down more German aircraft over the south coast in the following weeks, including an Me 110 'from a range of just 10-20 yards'. He wrote afterwards: 'I turned quickly and out came the Me 110. When 3,000 feet above it and on its port side I attacked and opened fire at about 200-300 yards * and by this time almost dead astern. 'Both engines were on fire and a fair piece of something fell off. 'I kept firing until about 10-20 yards from his tail when he turned violently to port and over on his back. 'I followed him down for about 7,000 feet and saw him dive into the ground.' Wing Commander McArthur kept up his kill rate in September and had his close escape when his oxygen supply failed. He retired from the air force after a motorcycle accident in 1957 and relocated to Mexico, but died during a pleasure flight near Las Vegas in 1961 That did not put him off as he was soon back in the sky downing an Me 110 over Bournemouth. It was his final Battle of Britain sortie as he had to be hospitalised due to damaged eardrums from a breakneck descent. But he received the consolation of a DFC for his 'brilliant leadership, skill and determination'. His citation reads: 'An outstanding fighter pilot who has now destroyed 8 enemy aircraft (confirmed) and 3 others probably, besides damaging a further 2. 'His brilliant and inspiring leadership has raised the morale of his flight to a very high standard since he took it over.' Wing Commander McArthur did early test flights on B17 aircraft and other experimental work in the US and Canada for the rest of the war. He left the RAF in 1947 and joined the Royal Canadian Airforce in Edmonton, Alberta. Wing Commander McArthur was back in action during the Korean War ferrying American troops to and casualties from Tokyo as part of Operation Hawk. He retired from the air force after a motorcycle accident in 1957 and relocated to Mexico, but died during a pleasure flight near Las Vegas in 1961. Both he and his passenger, a croupier from the Horseshoe Club, perished after the aircraft inexplicably dived into the ground. Wing Commander McArthur was buried at Woodlawn Cemetery, Las Vegas, with full military honours. His medal group consists of the Distinguished Flying Cross; 1939-45 Star, clasp, Battle of Britain; Air Crew Europe Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; U.N. Korea 1950-54; Canadian Forces Decoration. They have been consigned by an American medal collector who has owned them for nearly 40 years. The sale takes place on April 24. Tourists planning trips to the US are being warned that they could be barred entry or detained as experts suggested a series of high-profile border arrests could see traveller numbers drop off significantly. Donald Trump's immigration crackdown has seen US border officials using more aggressive methods with holidaymakers and legal immigrants, with the Trump administration calling it 'enhanced vetting', according to the New York Times. The UK Foreign Office has strengthened its advice for citizens travelling to the US to include a warning that anyone found breaking its rules 'may be liable to arrest or detention'. Previously, the guidance had only stated: 'The authorities in the US set and enforce entry rules.' Earlier today the Department refused to comment on when or why it made the changes, but sources said they 'constantly review' their advice for every country. Germany has also updated its recommendation for those travelling to the US to warn of possible detention after a tattoo artist was arrested by border agents in January. Travel experts have now warned that the US could experience a downturn in tourism due to the perceived 'difficult or unpredictable' entry requirements. Neri Karra Sillaman, an entrepreneurship expert at Oxford University, told Fast Company: 'Even if you get a visa, you have the risk of being detained or to be denied.' Visitor numbers from Western Europe fell by a percentage point year-on-year in February, after rising 14 per cent in the same period last year. Europeans spent around 130billion on US travel in 2023, according to US figures, but this is likely to fall in the coming years. Tourism Economics, an industry monitoring group, suggested predicted visits to the US this year had been revised downward from a projected five per cent rise to a nine per cent decrease due to 'polarising Trump Administration policies and rhetoric'. A US Customs and Border police officer stands guard at the San Ysidro Port of Entry in 2020 Becky Burke, 28, was handcuffed and taken to a detention cell in Tacoma, Washington, on February 26 and is now back in the UK Their forecast came even before the most recent flurry of detentions, which could further discourage potential tourists. American officials have denied turning people away for expressing anti-Trump views, with a French scientist allegedly denied entry after officials discovered 'hateful' messages criticising the President on his phone. And last month British artist Becky Burke, 28, was handcuffed and taken to a detention cell in Tacoma, Washington, after being classified as an 'illegal alien'. She attempted to cross the border into Canada with an 'incorrect visa' on February 26, US authorities said, with her parents telling the BBC that she had been getting free accommodation for helping families with chores. Her father believed that in doing so she had essentially broken the terms of her tourist visa waiver, which bans vacationers from doing work while in the US. Last week it emerged that a French space researcher - who has not yet been named - was subject to a random airport search on his way to a conference in Houston, Texas. Officers found messages 'which conveyed a hatred toward Trump and could be considered to be terrorism', according to AFP, while another source suggested they felt the messages were 'hateful and conspiracy'. Philippe Baptiste, France's minister of higher education and research, condemned the US authorities for taking action over a 'personal opinion'. The FBI later informed the academic that they had opened an investigation into the matter, but the agency later dropped charges. After being rejected on March 9, he was sent back to Europe the following day, with authorities confiscating his personal and professional equipment. In a statement to Le Monde, Baptiste said: 'I learned with concern that a French researcher who was traveling to a conference near Houston was denied entry to the United States before being expelled. 'This measure was apparently taken by the American authorities because the researcher's phone contained exchanges with colleagues and friends in which he expressed a personal opinion on the Trump administration's research policy.' Homeland Security Department spokeswoman Tricia Mclaughlin told the New York Times that this was not the case, claiming instead that the scientist had confidential information on his electronic device from Los Alamos National Laboratory, which he had taken without permission and tried to conceal. 'The Trump administration is enforcing immigration laws - something the previous administration failed to do,' Ms McLaughlin said of the recent arrests. 'Those who violate these laws will be processed, detained and removed as required.' While US customs officials are allowed to stop and search all people attempting to enter the country, customs agents are not allowed to search people or conduct inspections 'based on your religion, race, national origin, gender, ethnicity or political beliefs'. The French researcher is just the latest tourist to face deportation back to their home country. German tattoo artist Jessica Brosche, 26, says she was left in solitary confinement with over a week after being arrested while trying to legally cross the US-Mexico border German tourist Jessica Brosche, 26, faced a similar ordeal she tried to walk through a checkpoint at the southern border. The tattoo artist was arrested by border agents when she tried to cross from Tijuana into San Diego on January 25. Brosche was traveling with her American friend Nikita Lofving as a tourist under the ESTA visa waiver program. The two had met in Tijuana and were carrying tattooing equipment. Immigration officials reportedly accused Brosche of working in the US the last time she entered the country with the ESTA program, an electronic system that determines whether someone is eligible to enter the US without a visa. Lofving told the outlet she asked officials if Brosche could be sent back to Mexico, but they said she would be deported to Germany in three to five days because she could not offer proof of residence in the Latin American country. But Brosche says she spent days in a cell at the San Diego border before she was taken into ICE custody and brought to the the Otay Mesa Detention Center, where she has been held for more than a month. 'I just want to get home, you know? I'm really desperate,' she told ABC 10. Her detainment included a 'horrible' eight days in solitary confinement, she added. Berlin has said it is investigating and has involved its consulate in Boston to assist one of the individuals still affected. American Pie actress Jasmine Mooney was also detained by ICE for nearly two weeks 'The final decision on whether a person can enter the US lies with the U.S. border authorities,' a spokesperson for Germany's Foreign Office said. Germany's travel advisory warns that false information, past criminal records, or even minor overstays on previous trips could lead to arrest, deportation, or detention - with no legal recourse. Canadian actress Jasmine Mooney was also detained by ICE, in her case for nearly two weeks. The 35-year-old had been denied entry into the US while trying to make her way from Mexico to San Diego, California after her work visa was revoked back in November while traveling from Vancouver to Los Angeles. The American Pie: The Book of Love star landed back on Canadian soil on Saturday as her mother, Alexis Eagles, and friends met her at Vancouver International Airport around midnight. According to her mother, who's been fighting for her daughter's return home, Mooney was detained at the San Ysidro border crossing before being transferred to San Luis Regional Detention Center in Arizona. She was loaded into a prisoner van, she said, and 'put in chains' by border officials. 'That's when I realized they are onboarding me into a real prison,' she said. While she was there, Mooney said she endured some of the harshest treatment there that left her weak and confused. After being arrested and taken to the detention center, Mooney was featured in an emotional interview with ABC10, where she sobbed describing the conditions she and other women faced. 'I've never seen anything like this,' she told the outlet. 'I feel like we have been kidnapped, and we are in some sort of insane social, psychological, social experiment.' Welling up, Mooney added: 'I really want to be a voice for the women in here, because what is happening is so unjust and I know that there's a better way to do this.' She also noted how her time in custody made her severely confused. 'It's been 11 days now, and I have no idea what is going on, they don't tell you anything, and I have lost so much weight. I'm truly, physically, weak.' The rise in tourists being detained was green-lighted by President Trump as part of his 'Securing Our Borders' executive order signed in hours after the inauguration. Hilton Beckham, Assistant Commissioner of Public Affairs for the US Customs and Border Protection, told MailOnline: 'If individuals violate the terms of a lawful immigration status and attempt to re-enter the country, officers will take appropriate action. Federal privacy restrictions prohibit CBP from discussing specific cases. 'All persons arriving at a port of entry to the United States are subject to inspection on a case-by-case basis. As part of their critical national security mission, CBP officers routinely determine admissibility of foreign nationals using longstanding U.S. immigration law. 'If an individual has material discovered on their electronic media that raises flags during an inspection, it can result in further analysis. Claims that such decisions are politically motivated are completely unfounded.' Powerful MAGA loyalist Rep. Jim Jordan has broadened the attack on Judge James Boasberg over his deportation rulings to bring up his time serving on a special intelligence court that ruled on FBI 'spying' on Donald Trump's 2016 campaign. The comments in advance of hearings on the judge and legislation meant to circumscribe court rulings adverse to Trump come as the president himself has been branding the judge a 'radical left lunatic.' Trump allies have stepped up with moves to impeach judges who have ruled against Trump. Trump on Monday called the judge 'totally conflicted' and said he 'should be disbarred!' Similar attacks have become par for the course in other cases for Trump, who over the weekend compared Boasberg to Judge Juan Merchan, the judge Trump attacked repeatedly during his Manhattan Stormy Daniels hush money case. Jordan, a fierce Trump ally who sits atop the House Judiciary Committee, has now brought up another matter central to Trump: the FBI's 'Crossfire Hurricane' probe of his 2016 campaign's connections to Russia. 'Particularly when you look at judge Boasberg, it starts to look like this is getting totally political from this guy,' Jordan told Fox News on Monday. 'Particularly when you remember he is also the judge who was part of the Trump Russia FISA court granting those warrants that allowed the Comey F.B.I. to spy on President Trump's campaign.' He was referencing former FBI Director James Comey, who Trump fired early in his first term, helping launch the Mueller probe. The line appeared to fault the special intelligence court for granting the warrants. MAGA loyalist Rep. Jim Jordan, the House Judiciary Chairman, brought up Judge Boasberg's tenure on a special intelligence court that approved FBI wiretaps during the probe of ties between Trump's 2016 presidential campaign and Russia A 2019 Department of Justice Inspector General's report found serious problems with the FBI's applications to get warrants to surveil Trump associate Carter Page. But GOP ire over the issue has focused on the FBI officials for misleading the court, not on the court's members. (The report also found there was justification to open the probe. The IG concluded 'the FBI had an authorized purpose when it opened Crossfire Hurricane to obtain information about, or protect against, a national security threat or federal crime, even though the investigation also had the potential to impact constitutionally protected activity.') It was Judge Boasberg who handed down the no-jail sentence for FBI lawyer Kevin Clinesmith after he admitted to doctoring an email in a FISA warrant application. He gave him probation when prosecutors were seeking jail time. 'Weighing all of these factors together both in terms of the damages he caused and what he has suffered and the positives in his own life I believe a probationary sentence is appropriate here and will therefore impose it,' the judge said at sentencing. Trump attacked Judge Boasberg again over the weekend U.S. District Judge James Boasberg, chief judge of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, issued a temporary order to pause the deportation of alleged gang member sunder the Alien Enemies Act Jordan defended the administration on use of the 1798 Alien Enemies Act to deport alleged Venezuelan gang members to a notorious El Salvadoran prison, when quickly turned back to the era of the original Russia probe. 'And then finally you've got the judge saying this crazy decision: turn the plane around (with deportees), bring the bad guys back to America. That makes no sense. So when you look at all that, coupled with this judge's history with the FISA court, with the sentence he gave to Clinesmith the lawyer, Kevin Clinesmiwth, the lawyer who altered the document in front of the FISA court. 'It really starts to look like Judge Boasberg is operating purely political against the president and that's what we want to have hearings on,' he said. Before those hearings, Judge Boasberg's temporary restraining order will be adjudicated before an appeals court panel in D.C. on Monday, in the latest legal battle that the Trump administration predicts will end up before the U.S. Supreme Court. Boasberg served seven years on the FISA court, beginning in 2014. He was appointed by Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts and served as presiding judge in 2020-2021. Alina Habba is heading back to New Jersey to serve as interim U.S. Attorney for the district. Habba was President Donald Trump's personal attorney during prosecutions between his first and second term before joining his 2024 campaign as a senior adviser. After just two months in Washington, D.C. as Counselor to the President, Habba is now heading back to her home state to serve as interim U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey, Trump announced on Monday. Her appointment by Trump comes as John Giordano, who was in the role, is vacating the position and moving onto the State Department side to be Trump's ambassador to Namibia. 'I am honored to serve my home state of New Jersey as Interim U.S. Attorney and I am grateful to President Trump for entrusting me with this tremendous responsibility,' Habba wrote on X. 'Just like I did during my time as President Trump's personal attorney, I will continue to fight for truth and justice.' 'We will end the weaponization of justice, once and for all,' she vowed. Alina Habba announced on Monday she is leaving her role as Counselor to the President after Donald Trump appointed her to interim U.S. Attorney for the district of New Jersey Habba served as Trump's personal attorney before joining his 2024 campaign as a senior adviser Habba first met Trump at his Bedminster club in New Jersey in 2019. Soon after, she was brought in for an interview to join his legal team. When she took a role with the administration years later, she left her husband and two children and step son back in New Jersey, traveling between D.C. and her home state frequently for the two months of her tenure. In a gaggle with reporters at the White House on Monday, the attorney confirmed her impending departure from the administration. She also called out New Jersey's Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy and Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) for allegedly failing to address crime in the state. 'There is corruption, there is injustice and there is a heavy amount of crime right in Cory Booker's backyard and right under Governor Murphy and that will stop,' she said in brief remarks to reporters at the White House. 'I look forward to working with Pam Bondi with the Department of Justice, and making sure that we further the President's agenda of putting America first, cleaning up mess and going after the people that we should be going after, not the people that are falsely accused,' she added, vowing: 'That will stop in the great state of New Jersey starting now.' Habba said Booker and Murphy have 'failed' New Jersey and 'neglected' crime there. She didn't answer when asked if this interim position is meant to set her up for a future, higher office in New Jersey. John Giordano is vacating the interim position in New Jersey and moving onto the State Department side to be Trump's ambassador to Namibia. Placing Habba in the vital attorney role comes as Trump continues to overhaul these top legal positions nationwide amid him taking aim at the U.S. justice system, which he feels has been weaponized against him. 'It is with great pleasure that I am announcing Alina Habba, Esq., who is currently serving as Counselor to the President, and has represented me for a long time, will be our interim U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey, her Home State, effective immediately!' Trump wrote on Truth Social. 'Alina will lead with the same diligence and conviction that has defined her career, and she will fight tirelessly to secure a Legal System that is both 'Fair and Just' for the wonderful people of New Jersey,' the president noted. Family members of three American women mysteriously found dead in a Belize hotel room last month have questioned the integrity of local officials and voiced concern over vital information about their deaths being withheld. Kaoutar Naqqad, 23, Imane Mallah, 24, and Wafae El Arar, 26, were found dead inside their room at the Royal Kahal Beach Resort in San Pedro on February 22, having each suffered acute pulmonary edema - a build-up of fluid in the lungs. Belize Police Commissioner Chester Williams quickly suggested the women may have suffered a drug overdose, despite no illicit substances being found in their room, which outraged the women's loved ones. Their remains have since been flown back to their home state of Massachusetts where the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner is conducting a second autopsy. DailyMail.com previously revealed, citing a source close to one of the families, that preliminary autopsy results showed signs of carbon monoxide poisoning. Other guests at Royal Kahal have also come forward claiming to have suffered CO poisoning while staying at the luxury resort. Williams then announced last week that authorities have conducted a second round of carbon monoxide tests at the hotel having previously claimed initial tests found nothing of concern. Now, in a new statement, the families of Naqqad, Mallah, and El Arar have questioned the honesty and meticulousness of the Belizean cops' investigation to this point. Addressing authorities in Belize directly, the women's families said their late loved ones deserve better treatment than what they've received. The victims: Kaoutar Naqqad, 23, Imane Mallah, 24, and Wafae El Arar, 26. A source close to one of their families says preliminary autopsy results show signs of carbon monoxide poisoning Three women were found dead in the above hotel room at the Royal Kahal Beach Resort. DailyMail.com's source 'Jane' arrived just over a week later Belize Police Commissioner Chester Williams confirmed more carbon monoxide tests are being conducted at the hotel 'We speak today because we want the public and authorities, particularly those in Belize, to hear this: Kaoutar, Imane and Wafae deserve your best,' reads the statement in part, which was shared with DailyMail.com on Monday. 'They deserve an honest and full investigation and we ask all of those in power in both Belize and the United States to join us in demanding answers to the true cause of this tragedy. 'We continue to believe the deaths of Wafae, Imane and Kaoutar are suspicious. We are hopeful the authorities will fulfill their responsibility to complete their reviews in a timely but thorough manner to ensure we know the full truth about what caused this tragedy.' The women's families also said they are 'concerned' that the results of a toxicology report conducted in Belize have still not been released to them, despite being told they would be 'available with in two weeks.' 'As the lead investigative authority, Belizean officials have a critical responsibility to thoroughly and transparently determine what caused this tragedy,' continues the statement. 'We are deeply alarmed by news reports which suggest that carbon monoxide levels in the hotel could have been at dangerously high levels and that the resort has now suddenly closed without public explanation. 'We believe the families of all guests past and future deserve a clear explanation for this action. 'We respectfully urge the resorts management and Belizean authorities to share any information they have immediately, so that no other family has to endure the unimaginable pain we must now bear. Our loved ones deserve transparency and all who visit Belize, especially the resort, deserve to know they are safe. The families say they remain 'shattered' by the loss of Naqqad, Mallah, and El Arar, but are grateful for the outpouring of support they've received over the last month. Williams has not returned repeated requests for comment. He told local reporters on March 14 that the CO tests at Royal Kahal were still being finalized and he expected the women's toxicology results to be returned within the next two weeks. 'That is going to give us some good guidance in terms of what may have led to the death of these three women,' he said. 'I still dont want to speculate at this time and await the result of the toxicology report.' Kaoutar Naqqad (right), 23, Imane Mallah (center), 24, and Wafae El Arar (left), 26, were found dead in San Pedro on February 22 Belize Fire Chief Colin Gillett previously told Belizean media that carbon monoxide poisoning had been ruled out following an investigation. However, last week, Chief Environmental Officer Anthony Mai told 7NewsBelize that abnormal levels of carbon monoxide were found inside the hotel. Sources close to that investigation reportedly told the network the levels registered about 500 PPM - which is dangerously high and poses a serious health risk. A guest at the Royal Kahal, who DailyMail.com is identifying under the pseudonym 'Jane', believes she suffered carbon monoxide poisoning at the hotel a week after the women were found dead, having been assured by Royal Kahal staff that the resort was safe. Jane and a group of her friends checked into the Royal Kahal on March 1. Concerned by the news of their deaths, she reached out to the hotel on February 25 to ask 'Is it safe to come?' messages shared with DailyMail.com show. A hotel representative identified as Daniel assured her there are no safety issues at the Royal Kahal and the sad incident involving Naqqad, Mallah, and El Arar was out of their control. While we are still waiting on the authorities to formally release their findings, all signs indicate that this was a drug overdose, wrote Daniel. As unfortunate as these circumstances are, there is nothing the hotel couldve done to prevent these deaths. Janes concerns were quickly assuaged by the hotels explanation, so she and her friends decided to proceed with their booking. But Jane said that five days into the trip, she awoke in the morning and her left leg was completely numb. She said she was also experiencing dizziness, blurred vision, and a headache. When she attempted to get up to go to the restroom, Jane said she collapsed to the ground. I laid on the ground for, Id say, at least 30 to 40 minutes because I could not pull myself up, I just had no strength in my body, it was the weirdest thing, shared Jane. Ive never experienced anything like that in my life. I couldnt figure out where it was coming from. The women's families paid tribute to each of them in a heartfelt statement on Monday Excerpts from a text exchange between Jane and a representative of Royal Kahal show the hotel assuring Jane's safety, insisting the women's deaths were caused by a drug overdose After finally gathering the strength to get up, she spent the next three hours seated in a chair by an open window before she was finally able to walk again. She said she was still struggling with headaches, a cough, brain fog, and blurred vision five days after returning home to California. One of Jane's friends on the trip had also been suffering from recurring migraines, she said. All of the symptoms described by Jane are textbook side effects of carbon monoxide poisoning. Jane has sought medical treatment and contacted Royal Kahal and the U.S. Embassy to report her story. One of Jane's friends on the trip was told by embassy officials that initial tests found some rooms at the hotel contained high levels of carbon monoxide. The U.S. Embassy declined to comment on those claims, sharing only that their office 'continues to work with the Belizean law enforcement in the investigation into this case. We also have close contact with the families of the victims. 'We dont have further information to release about the investigation or other incidents at the Royal Kahal resort.' However, a recent review on Royal Kahals Trip Advisor page, dated March 1, complains of critical safety concerns during a visit to the resort in February. I had a wonderful stay at Royal Kahal Beach Resort from February 17th-21st. The staff was exceptional - [the] front desk, maintenance, housekeeping, bartenders, and beach staff went above and beyond. The beauty of San Pedro, Belize, and the warmth of its people made this trip unforgettable, wrote user Naquana H. However, I cannot, in good faith, rate the hotel highly due to serious safety concerns. On February 18th, our carbon monoxide detector went off with levels above 400. Despite informing the front desk, the staff seemed unfamiliar with the issue. Maintenance suggested turning off the gas, but the CO levels remained dangerously high. We were left feeling uneasy. The next morning, a friend reported dizziness, which we now suspect was from CO exposure. While the hotel is beautiful, the lack of CO detectors is concerning. I urge management to address this for the safety of future guests. A review posted on Trip Advisor just over a week ago complained of carbon monoxide exposure and 'critical' safety concerns at Royal Kahal While the investigation into the deaths of Naqqad, Mallah, and El Arar remains ongoing, Jane said shes furious the hotel lured her into a potentially dangerous situation with false promises of guaranteed safety. She said her heart breaks for the womens families and feels remarkably lucky to have avoided any serious harm. They told us everything was safe, and we believed them. We had no reason not to, said Jane. And I cant get the girls and their families off my mind. Its heartbreaking. But its also frightening knowing the same thing couldve happened to us. Who knows what wouldve happened if I was left to sleep in my room for another few hours, or if when I fell on the ground I couldnt get up and nobody came to check on me. Its just so sad those girls werent afforded the same luck. The Royal Kahal has not returned several requests for comment. The hotel is currently closed as the investigation continues. It's not just 'radical left lunatic' judges who have ruled against federal deportation actions President Trump's own sister has gotten in on the act. Trump's older sister, Maryanne Trump Barry, issued a ruling trashing the use of a 1952 law to grant the executive sweeping authority to toss someone out of the country. The Trump administration is using the same law to remove green card holder Mahmoud Khalil from the country after his arrest by ICE agents by saying his presence violates U.S. policy interests. In her ruling, she blasted the government's use of the singular authority in a case she called 'truly Kafkaesque.' 'Make no mistake about it. This case is about the Constitution of the United States and the panoply of protections that document provides to the citizens of this country and those non-citizens who are here legally and, thus, here as our guests,' Trump's sister wrote in her 1996 ruling on the case. The law 'confers upon a single individual, the secretary of state, the unfettered and unreviewable discretion to deport any alien lawfully within the United States' if 'that person's mere presence here would impact in some unexplained way on the foreign policy interests of the United States,' Judge Barry, a Ronald Reagan appointee, ruled. That case related to a prominent Mexican national who the government tried to report on a directive by then-Secretary of State Warren Christopher. Her decision was later overturned by an Appeals court, but not on the substantive basis of her ruling. It is nearly identical language to that Secretary of State Marco Rubio is using as the basis of to deport green card holder Mahmoud Khalil, who has not been charged with a crime but has been found to conflict with U.S. policy. That deportation case has drawn Trump's ire as the government seeks to expel from the country Khalil, who led Columbia University protests against Israel. The late Judge Maryanne Trump Barry called the case of a Mexican national being removed from the country 'truly Kafkaesque.' She ruled against a 1952 law that was being used as the basis for removal. The Trump administration is using the same law to try to remove pro-Palestinian protester and Columbia grad student Mahmoud Khalil Maryanne Trump Barry died in 2023 at the age of 86, after a career on the federal bench in New Jersey. Trump praised her wits and character, although Trump Barry was caught on tape eviscerating her younger brother in tapes secretary recorded by her niece, Mary Trump. 'His goddamned tweet and the lying oh, my God,' she could be heard saying. 'I'm talking too freely, but, you know. The change of stories. The lack of preparation. The lying.' 'All he wants to do is appeal to his base. He has no principles. None.' She added: 'It's the phoniness and this cruelty. Donald is cruel.' 'You can't trust him,' she added. At one point she surmised her brother 'hasn't read my immigration opinions.,' in comments reported by the Washington Post. Federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials dramatically arrested and detained Khalil this month. Khalil was arrested in New Jersey and has been removed to a Louisiana courthouse The administration accuses him of being pro-Hamas for his participation in Columbia University protests last year The administration accuses him of supporting Hamas. He was quickly moved to a Louisiana prison as the administration seeks to deport him. His wife, who is eight months pregnant and a U.S. citizen, is fighting for his release. His lawyers cite the First Amendment as they fight his deportation. The government has updated charges against him, accusing him of failing to disclose his membership in a UN organization or work he did for the British government at its embassy in Syria when he applied to become a U.S. permanent resident. That appeared to be a new basis to send him out of the country. Khalil was born in Syria to parents of Palestinian descent. Rubio told CBS 'Face the Nation' last weekend: 'And if you tell us, when you apply for a visa, "I'm coming to the U.S. to participate in pro-Hamas events," that runs counter to the foreign policy interest of the United States of America. If you had told us that you were going to do that, we never would have given you the visa.' Trump posted on Khalil's case after his arrest, and used it to issue a stark warning. 'We will find, apprehend, and deport these terrorist sympathizers from our country never to return again,' Trump wrote on his Truth Social site. 'If you support terrorism, including the slaughtering of innocent men, women, and children, your presence is contrary to our national and foreign policy interests, and you are not welcome here. We expect every one of America's Colleges and Universities to comply.' He called it the 'first arrest of many.' Rubio justified Khalil's arrest under a provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952. It states that any 'alien whose presence or activities in the United States the secretary of state has reasonable ground to believe would have potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences for the United States is deportable.' In her own ruling decades ago, Trump Barry wrote that 'the decision to deport cannot be left to an agency's unfettered and unreviewable discretion exercisable pursuant to a standardless law embodying only precatory congressional policies.' Keir Starmer has held talks with Donald Trump on a trade agreement as the UK makes a last-ditch bid to dodge more tariffs. Downing Street revealed the leaders had a phone call to discuss an 'economic prosperity deal' overnight. The US president 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, Britain 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. Sir Keir has already failed to carve out an exemption from US levies on steel imports, with fears of job losses. Keir Starmer has held talks with Donald Trump on a trade agreement as the UK makes a last-ditch bid to dodge more tariffs (pictured together last month) 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 The PM's spokesman said: 'The UK is working with the United States on an economic prosperity deal, building on our shared strength of that commitment to economic security. 'As part of those discussions, the Prime Minister and President Trump discussed progress made in those discussions last night. 'The UK will only do a deal in the national interest, which reflects this Government's mandate to deliver economic stability for British people.' Giving TV interviews yesterday ahead of the Spring Statement, Chancellor Rachel Reeves said that Mr Trump was 'right' to be concerned about unfair trade - but argued that the UK was not a culprit. She suggested it would become clear if a deal could be done 'in the next few days'. Questions have been raised on whether the UK would need to sacrifice a planned digital services tax on tech firms in order to get an agreement. But speaking to broadcasters today Ms Reeves described the 2 per cent tax on social media companies, search engines and digital marketplaces as 'hugely important', adding that it brings in around 800million a year. 'So, we will continue to make sure that businesses pay their fair share of tax, including businesses in the digital sector,' she said. Four alpacas were 'executed' in a field by shots to the head on Sunday in a scene described by their owner as a 'massacre'. Horrified Dawn French was alerted to the bloodbath in the morning and rushed to the horrific 'murder scene' at her six-acre field in a small Cambridgeshire village. A .22 calibre rifle or similar is believed to have been used for the callous killings, with a fifth alpaca surviving despite a shot to its face. An ewe was also torn apart by dogs and had to be put down. 'It looked like a murder scene when we arrived. The alpacas had all been shot in the head like an execution. It was absolute carnage,' said Mrs French. 'It's something I would never want to see ever again and wouldn't wish on my worst enemy.' Mrs French and her husband Brian, who have a smallholding in East Hatley, a few miles west of Cambridge, originally had six alpacas and two sheep, as well as chickens and geese. One of the sheep was lying badly injured in a ditch and later had to be put to sleep. The other terrified sheep was hiding in a hedge. 'We had a call on Sunday telling us to quickly get to the field and that it wasn't a pretty sight,' Mrs French added. Dawn French (pictured) with an alpaca called Pheobe, who survived despite a shot to its face Mrs French and her husband Brian, originally had six alpacas and two sheep, as well as chickens and geese Four alpacas were 'executed' in a field by shots to the head - a .22 calibre rifle or similar is believed to have been used for the callous killings 'We found four alpacas scattered around the field and they all had horrific head injuries. Another alpaca, our oldest, Pheobe, had a surface wound where she was shot in the face. She has survived but her face is paralysed and she is now on strong painkillers. 'There appeared to have been a dog in the field as there were dog footprints everywhere and sheep's fleece on the ground where it appeared to have pulled [at] the sheep. 'It all seems completely unreal, like something from a movie. We've had scenes of crime here investigating and the police are very concerned because a gun was used.' All the alpacas were bred by the couple and were between eight and 12 years old. 'They were our pets, we love animals and we used to breed the alpacas and when they were younger we'd sell their fleeces,' she said. 'No one has any idea what the motive was. You can't see the field from the road. 'One person said perhaps they were mistaken for deer at night, as we do get deer stalkers. I just don't know, maybe it's the latest sick sport. It's definitely not for food as they left the bodies behind.' In a post of Facebook, she wrote earlier: 'Well, what an absolutely horrific day we've just had. Four of our lovely alpacas shot in the head and killed, one ewe massacred by dogs, another alpaca wounded and one alpaca & ewe terrified and so skittish. The alpacas were killed on a six-acre field in East Hatley (pictured), which is a few miles west of Cambridge Pheobe (pictured) survived but four other alpacas were killed in the shooting in a scene described by their owner as a 'massacre' One of the sheep was lying badly injured in a ditch and later had to be put to sleep - the other terrified sheep was hiding in a hedge 'All day spent at East Hatley with police, rural crimes team, SOCO (scene of crime officers) & vet saving the injured one. What the hell happened! 'Absolute b******* that have taken so many lives. Police are taking it very seriously with guns involved.what on earth next?' She added: 'Anyone with animals please be on your guard for these sick f***ers.' Officers from Cambridgeshire Police have been carrying out house to house enquiries and are now asking for anyone with information about the incident to get in contact. Sergeant Tom Nuttall, from the Rural Crime Action Team, said: 'This was a highly distressing crime that has caused death and serious injury to defenceless animals. 'I would encourage anyone who knows anything about this offence to get in touch as soon as possible.' A police spokesperson confirmed the weapon used was believed to be '.22 or higher rifle'. Jeffrey Goldberg, the editor in chief of The Atlantic, made the jaw-dropping revelation on Monday that President Donald Trump's national security team added him to a top secret chat on the military strikes in Yemen. National Security Adviser Mike Waltz started the conversation on Signal, an encrypted messaging app, that included users identified as Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard. A CIA representative, Trump adviser Stephen Miller and White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles were also listed in the group. Goldberg, a longtime Washington D.C. journalist, found himself added to the conversation. 'It should go without sayingbut I'll say it anywaythat I have never been invited to a White House principals-committee meeting, and that, in my many years of reporting on national-security matters, I had never heard of one being convened over a commercial messaging app,' he wrote in The Atlantic. The shocking story shows operational details were unwittingly revealed. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, a former Fox News host, is now under the microscope over the egregious failing. Goldberg noted that 'Pete Hegseth, the secretary of defense, had texted me the war plan at 11:44 a.m.' The bombs started dropping in Yemen around 2 p.m. Trump told reporters at the White House he hadn't seen The Atlantic story: 'I don't know anything about it. I'm not a big fan of the Atlantic. It's to me, it's a magazine that's going out of business.' When pressed about the Signal chat, Trump said: 'It couldn't have been very effective, because the attack was very effective. I can tell you that I don't know anything about it. You're telling me about it for the first time.' President Donald Trump in a Cabinet meeting with Secretary of State Marco Rubio Goldberg outlined the bizarre tale, where he first expressed disbelief about the text chain, questioned whether or not it was real and then realized it was genuine when 'the bombs started falling.' He admits he 'could not believe that the national security adviser to the president would be so reckless as to include the editor in chief of The Atlantic in such discussions with senior U.S. officials, up to and including the vice president.' He appeared as 'JG' in the chat. It's unclear who Waltz meant to add but Jamieson Greer, the US Trade Representative, has the same initials, sparking speculation it was meant to be him. Goldberg didn't disclose all the information on the chat, citing national security concerns. The White House expressed confidence in Waltz. 'As President Trump said, the attacks on the Houthis have been highly successful and effective. President Trump continues to have the utmost confidence in his national security team, including National Security Advisor Mike Waltz,' press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement. The National Security Council confirmed the chat was authentic. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce told reporters at her daily briefing: 'We will not comment, and you should contact the White House.' If true, it is an astonishing security breach. Trump ordered the strikes against the Iran-backed rebels in Yemen as a warning to Tehran. The Houthi rebels were targeting ships on the Red Sea from countries with ties to Israel, including the U.S. and UK. Waltz started the principles group on Signal to coordinate on it, naming it 'Houthi PC small group.' Goldberg had his doubts when he found himself added, admitting he was worried that the text chain was a 'disinformation operation.' But he also found, as he watched the texts flow, that the statements in it sounded genuine and some of the details matched up. For example, the account labeled Vance texted he would miss a meeting because he would be in Michigan for an economic event. And, indeed, the vice president was in Michigan on the day in question. Vance also expressed his doubts about the operation. 'I am not sure the president is aware how inconsistent this is with his message on Europe right now. There's a further risk that we see a moderate to severe spike in oil prices,' Vance wrote. 'I am willing to support the consensus of the team and keep these concerns to myself. But there is a strong argument for delaying this a month, doing the messaging work on why this matters, seeing where the economy is, etc.' Hegseth responded he understood: 'VP: I understand your concerns and fully support you raising w/ POTUS. Important considerations, most of which are tough to know how they play out (economy, Ukraine peace, Gaza, etc). I think messaging is going to be tough no matter what.' After some discussion, Vance concedes: 'If you think we should do it let's go. I just hate bailing Europe out again.' The Atlantic editor in chief Jeffrey Goldberg was included in a Trump administration chat on national security issues Emojis and congratulations appeared in the text chain after a successful mission Vice President JD Vance (left) and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth (right) were among the officials in the group chat Goldberg, watching the exchange play out on his Signal app, admitted he was 'mystified that no one in the group seemed to have noticed my presence.' He also writes he voluntarily held back information that was in a lengthy text written by Hegseth because if it 'had been read by an adversary of the United States, could conceivably have been used to harm American military and intelligence personnel.' 'What I will say, in order to illustrate the shocking recklessness of this Signal conversation, is that the Hegseth post contained operational details of forthcoming strikes on Yemen, including information about targets, weapons the U.S. would be deploying, and attack sequencing,' Goldberg added. The principles on the chat responded to Hegseth, however. 'I will say a prayer for victory,' Vance wrote. 'Two other users subsequently added prayer emoji,' Goldberg notes. Realizing if the chat was real, bombs would begin to hit targets in Yemen at 1:45 pm ET, Goldberg 'waited in my car in a supermarket parking lot.' 'If this Signal chat was real, I reasoned, Houthi targets would soon be bombed. At about 1:55, I checked X and searched Yemen. Explosions were then being heard across Sanaa, the capital city.' Goldberg returned to the group chat were he found a flurry of emojis and congratulations flying throughout the text chain. Waltz responded with three emoji, he noted: a fist, an American flag, and fire. Susie Wiles wrote: 'Kudos to all most particularly those in theater and CENTCOM! Really great. God bless.' Steve Witkoff added five emoji: two hands-praying, a flexed bicep, and two American flags. Goldberg wrote he voluntarily left the group chat and promptly contacted the figures in it to ask about it. Brian Hughes, the spokesman for the National Security Council, responded to him, confirming the chat was real. 'This appears to be an authentic message chain, and we are reviewing how an inadvertent number was added to the chain,' Hughes wrote. 'The thread is a demonstration of the deep and thoughtful policy coordination between senior officials. The ongoing success of the Houthi operation demonstrates that there were no threats to troops or national security.' The chat was started by Trump National Security Adviser Mike Waltz President Donald Trump looks on as military strikes are launched against Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis earlier this month Smoke plumes rise above buildings following bombardment on Yemen's Huthi-controlled capital Sanaa after the U.S. strikes Criticism of the Trump administration figures has started pouring in, with questions being raised about why top secret security matters were being discussed on a messaging app. 'I've accidentally send the wrong person a text. We all have. The unconscionable action was sending this info over non-secure networks. None of this should have been sent on non-secure systems,' Republican Rep. Don Bacon, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, said. 'Russia and China are surely monitoring his unclassified phone,' he added, referring to Hegseth. And Republican Rep. Mike Lawler wrote on X: 'Classified information should not be transmitted on unsecured channels and certainly not to those without security clearances, including reporters. Period. Safeguards must be put in place to ensure this never happens again.' New Jersey Senator Andy Kim, a Democrat, called on Hegseth to be fired: 'Really dumb and epically irresponsible. People need to lose their jobs over this. Preferably Hegseth.' Another reporter at The Atlantic reached out to several national security lawyers to ask about the situation. Their conclusion was Waltz, by coordinating a national-security-related action over Signal, may have violated several provisions of the Espionage Act, which governs the handling of 'national defense' information. The lawyers agreed the signal group should not have been established in the first place. The government has its own communications systems for classified information to be shared. Officials are supposed to discuss classified information in a SCIF - most Cabinet-level national-security officials have one installed in their home - or communicate only on approved government equipment. Also the officials may have violated the Presidential Records Act, which requires all presidential records to be preserved. Texts on Signal disappear after a set amount of time. Trump, as a presidential candidate, repeatedly demanded that Hillary Clinton be imprisoned for using a private email server for official business when she was secretary of state. 'Lock her up,' he said over and over again. An elderly couple who like to keep the heating on at home were left 'shaking in fear' when police burst into their home searching for a cannabis farm after a thermal camera on a helicopter wrongly identified it as a drugs den. Pensioners Barry and Mavis Lovelock were finishing their breakfast when the 'terrifying' raid took place. Nine officers stormed in because a helicopter camera had mistakenly identified their toasty terrace home as a potential cannabis grow. But after charging upstairs looking for cannabis plants and the strong lamps used to grow them, the sheepish officers came back down empty-handed after quickly concluding their tip-off had been 'not fully accurate'. The heat signature on the couple's roof had instead been caused by their two gas fires, which they keep on around-the-clock in the colder months. Leicestershire Police has now apologised. They said another raid on a separate property in the street in Newfoundpool, Leicester, had found a large cannabis farm, with 79 plants being seized. Mrs Lovelock said the 'awful' incident, which took place on March 15 at the property the couple had lived in since 1978, had left her in tears. She said: 'They told us the camera on the helicopter had noticed our roof glowing white but that was just because we have the heating on all of the time. An elderly couple were left 'shaking in fear' when police burst into their home searching for a cannabis farm after a thermal camera on a helicopter wrongly identified it as a drugs den Officers concluded their tip-off had not been accurate after charging upstairs in search for the plants (stock photo) Leicestershire Police has now apologised. They said another raid on a separate property in the street in Newfoundpool, Leicester, had found a large cannabis farm (stock photo) 'People of our age feel the cold so we need the heating on. 'We have two new gas fires downstairs and the gas engineer told us they will warm the whole house and they do. We keep the doors open and the heat circulates. We have electric wall heaters too, but we only need to put the electric heater on in the back bedroom.' She said the couple had just finished their breakfast when she noticed a group of police officers outside as her husband, a retired water board worker, went to make another cup of tea. Mrs Lovelock said that police then 'hit the door', prompting Mr Lovelock to shout: 'Hang on mate', before somebody shouted 'Stand clear' from the street outside. She added: 'They just rammed the door in. It was awful. They knocked the gate at the back in as well. 'It was terrifying and I said to them, "What the devil do you think you're doing? There's two pensioners here".' The couple, who celebrated their Golden Wedding anniversary last year, were shown a warrant with their house number on it. Mrs Lovelock, a former hospital worker, added: 'They got in and two of them ran upstairs, but they only went to the top of the stairs and ran back down. 'I think there were about nine of them altogether, maybe more. Police entered the house looking for cannabis plants and the strong lamps used to grow them (stock photo) Nine officers stormed into the house because the helicopter camera had mistakenly identified their toasty terrace home as a potential cannabis grow (stock photo) 'This could have been avoided. The warrant was dated from February 18 so they had plenty of time to make the proper checks, but they don't appear to have done so. 'I'm 78 and my husband's 80 and he suffers with Parkinson's. Nobody comes and goes.' Leicestershire Police has since said it would reimburse the couple for any damage caused during the raid, the Lovelocks said. They have been asked to get quotes for the cost of replacing their front door and back gate, they added. The couple have two sons, Paul, 46, and Austin, 48. Mr Lovelock said: 'Mavis has been left really shook up, and struggling to sleep. 'After most of the officers left, and they were only here for four or five minutes, two stayed behind and were apologetic. One female PC was quite upset. 'A rapid response repair came round and fixed the front door, but told us not to use it until it's been properly replaced.' He said he had 'confidence in the police, but it has gone downhill a bit after this', adding: 'They said they checked everything, but it doesn't sound like they did. 'The actual cannabis farm was three doors down.' A spokesman for Leicestershire Police said that officers executed two warrants at properties in Leicester, which were carried out based on information received that related to the production of cannabis. They would not elaborate on where the intelligence came from for 'operational reasons', but forces are known to use thermal imaging drones or heat-seeking cameras on police helicopters to identify residential cannabis farms through their tell-tale heat signatures in the roof space. The spokesman added: 'Due diligence was completed prior to the enforcement taking place. 'However, the force acknowledges that the information was not fully accurate and no plants were found inside. 'Officers have spoken to the residents living at that address regarding the incident to apologise, provide reassurance and explain why the lawfully-executed warrant took place. 'At the other property, 79 cannabis plants were seized. No-one was arrested and an investigation is continuing.' Plane crash survivor Liliana Estrada has revealed chilling details of how she lived through the Lahnsa Airlines disaster that left 12 people dead and four others injured in Honduras. Speaking to DailyMail.com from her home in the northern Caribbean port city of La Ceiba on Monday, the 25-year-old explained how her life was likely saved by the position of her seat in the small aircraft. She described how the Jetstream 32 had two rows down either side of the plane, one row with one seat and the other with two seats. By luck, the contractor for Minnesota-based freight auditor Navix said she selected the single seat on the left side of the plane - opposite an exit door. 'I was sitting right on the wing of the plane. I think that was one of the ways I was able to get out when the plane fell and split in two,' she said. 'According to what I've been told, I got out; I took off my seatbelt myself and was able to swim,' she added. Estrada was leaving the island of Roatan on March 17 after spending the weekend with her boyfriend. For unknown reasons, the flight from Jose Manuel Galvez International Airport was delayed by almost an hour before it eventually departed at 6:28 pm local time. It barely got airborne before crashing 328 feet off the edge of the runway at 6:30 pm. As the plane wreckage began to sink into the Caribbean Sea, Estrada managed to get out on her own before she was rescued by two fishermen. Pictured: Honduras National Airlines Jetstream-32 that crashed in Roatan, Honduras on March 17 Liliana Estrada told DailMail.com she was seated by the wing of the Lahnsa Airlines plane that crashed in Roatan, Honduras on March 17 and claimed the lives of two crew members and 10 passengers. Estrada said she was able to remove her seatbelt and swam away from the aircraft that split in two parts after crashing in the Caribbean Sea Liliana Estrada told DailyMail.com that she booked a flight with Lahnsa Airlines on March 17 because all other flights were sold out and she had to be back home the next day to work - she is contracted by Navix, a Minnesota-based freight auditing company 'Honestly, I can't give you much detail about that because I don't remember exactly how I got out due to the bumps and bruises I have. I don't remember,' she said. Cell phone video footage of the rescue shows first responders carrying her off the rock-filled shore and up a hill towards a police pickup truck, where they placed her body on the flatbed as she screamed in pain. Estrada underwent surgery to treat a fractured pelvis and was discharged Saturday. 'I'll be bedridden for at least eight weeks, unable to get up. Thank God, I've been able to cope with the pain. It's not easy. It's not easy at all, to be honest, because it's not easy to be bedridden 24/7, needing help even to eat,' she said. Estrada also suffered a second fracture in another part of her pelvis and a fracture in her spine, but both did not require operations because the doctor found that the injuries could heal on their own. 'Even the spinal fracture was very delicate, down to the millimeters,' she said. 'It's true that only God could have put his hand there. I wasn't paralyzed.' Five people were injured and 12 were killed after a Lahnsa Airlines Jetstream 32 crashed off the coast of Roatan, Honduras on March 17 Liliana Estrada told DailyMail.com that she had surgery for a fractured pelvis and also suffered a fracture in the spine that was just 'millimeters' from leaving her paralyzed According to Estrada, it was the first time she had flown with Lahnsa Airlines since 2024. The flight to Roatan was booked with Sosa Airlines, another regional carrier. Estrada slammed the conditions of the fleet of planes that Lahnsa Airlines operates across the region. 'This airline [Sosa] generally has planes in very good condition, and I understand they actually inspect them. I've been able to confirm this because you can definitely feel the difference,' she said. 'I've flown on Lahnsa before. I hadn't flown on Lahnsa since last year until this year. The other times I've flown, I could tell that the planes were definitely neglected,' Estrada said. 'Many of them don't even have air conditioning. I know these are planes that are very old and don't have regular maintenance.' Her comments come after she posted a video on her social media over the weekend and criticized Lahnsa Airlines for exposing the two flight crew members and 15 passengers to dangerous flying conditions. 'I also want to make it clear that the plane was already having problems before it even took off,' said Estrada, who texted her boyfriend that 'something' was about to go wrong when the plane skidded before taking off. 'The plane was leaving at 5:40 pm, and they told us they were going to be 25 minutes late, which wasn't the case; it was more than 25 minutes late. They didn't explain why,' Estrada said. 'They simply told us it was a delay and put us on the plane, knowing full well the odds that we wouldn't make it.' The tragedy claimed the lives of the pilot, Luis Araya, the co-pilot, Francisco Lagos, and 10 passengers, including Honduran musician and politician Aurelio Martinez, 56, a famous figure in the Garifuna music scene, who held dual Honduran-American citizenship. Santos Guardiola Fire Department captain Franklin Borjas told reporters that the small plane made a right turn before crashing. He said that the accident may have been caused by a failure in the aircraft's motor. Lanhsa Airlines has said it will cover the medical and funeral expenses for the victims. According to aviation experts, the possibility of surviving a plane crash could be higher for those passengers who opt for seating the rear of the aircraft. Over the past eight decades there have only been 18 fatal commercial flights carrying at least 80 passengers that left behind survivors in their wrecks. 'There are a lot of reasons someone may survive in what appears to be a totally unsurvivable situation,' Barbara Dunn, the president of the International Society of Air Safety Investigators, told the Wall Street Journal. 'Depending on how the aircraft lands and where a passenger is seated has an impact,' she continued. 'If you have your seatbelt tightened, it limits the amount of flailing the body goes through. It also depends on whether the passenger is able to assume a brace position.' Where you sit on a plane isn't the only factor that comes into play for potential survival. Although the back of the aircraft may be relatively safer, where the plane touches down is one of the biggest factors that tie in - passengers in the front of a nose-first crash bear the brunt of the force. 'A lot of people think it's safer in the back than in the front,' Dunn added. 'Not necessarily.' 'How quick the fire takes over and how quick you can get to an exit, all those things matter as well.' Two people people survived a Jeju Air crash that left 179 occupants dead in 2024. There were also two survivors and 97 people dead in a 2020 Pakistan International Airlines accident in Pakistan. When you here survivable, you'd think people survived, and when you hear non-survivable, you'd think everybody dies,' Anthony T. Brickhouse, an expert in aerospace safety, told WSJ. 'We've had people survive what we would call nonsurvivable crashes and we've also had people die in what we would call survivable crashes.' President Donald Trump has launched an attack on Painter Sarah Boardman after her presidential portrait of him was displayed in Colorado's State Capitol. Trump blasted the painting on his Truth Social platform, claiming the portrait was 'purposefully distorted' and 'truly the worst' picture ever painted of him. The British-born artist, who lives in Colorado Springs, painted the controversial portrait in 2019. She has previously painted portraits of five presidents, including one of Barack Obama that Trump claims 'looks wonderful'. Boardman, 63, studied art in Germany in 1985 and has built a reputation for creating historical portraits of political figures. When she painted Trump's portrait, she said her goal was to create an image that would look like 'just another president on the wall.' Boardman insisted at the time that her aim was to create a 'neutral' representation that would stand the test of time. 'My portrait of President Trump has been called thoughtful, non-confrontational, not angry, not happy, not tweeting. In five, 10, 15, 20 years, he will be another president on the wall who is only historical background and he needs to look neutral,' she said. Sarah Boardman is a British-born artist, who lives in Colorado Springs. She painted the controversial portrait of Trump in 2019 Her impressive portfolio includes five presidential portraits, a District Court Judge, and several military portraits But she was accused by Trump of purposefully 'distorting' his image in a furious social media post. 'Nobody likes a bad picture or painting of themselves, but the one in Colorado, in the State Capitol, put up by the Governor, along with all other Presidents, was purposefully distorted to a level that even I, perhaps, have never seen before,' Trump wrote in the Truth Social post. While Trump complimented her portrait of Obama saying he looks 'wonderful' in his, he accused her portrait of him as being 'truly the worst.' He suggested she might be losing her touch as she gets older. 'The artist also did President Obama, and he looks wonderful, but the one on me is truly the worst,' he wrote. 'She must have lost her talent as she got older.' He demanded Colorado's Governor Jared Polis to remove the portrait and claimed he would 'much prefer not having a picture than having this one'. 'In any event, I would much prefer not having a picture than having this one, but many people from Colorado have called and written to complain. In fact, they are actually angry about it!' He also went on to say the 'radical Left Governor' should be 'ashamed of himself.' 'I am speaking on their behalf to the Radical Left Governor, Jared Polis, who is extremely weak on Crime, in particular with respect to Tren de Aragua, which practically took over Aurora (Don't worry, we saved it!), to take it down. Jared should be ashamed of himself!' Boardman's artistic background began in Germany in 1985, where she trained as an apprentice to an Alt Meister. She has previously painted portraits of five presidents, including one of Barack Obama that Trump claims 'looks wonderful' Trump blasted the painting on his Truth Social platform, claiming the portrait was 'purposefully distorted' and 'truly the worst' picture ever painted of him She learned classical painting techniques from Old Master painters. She is dedicated to capturing the 'personality, character and soul' of an individual through her work, according to her bio. Her impressive portfolio includes five presidential portraits, a District Court Judge, and several military portraits. She famously painted Barack Obama's portrait for Colorado's State Capitol after winning the national art competition. 'Sarah has always been passionate about painting portraits, being particularly intrigued by the depth and character found deeper in her subjects,' her bio states. 'Sarah believes that the ultimate challenge is to capture the 'personality, character and soul' of an individual in a two-dimensional format. She uses a combination of realism and painterly aspects designed to draw the viewer [a] into piece.' A mother who founded a leading British private school has been charged after overseeing 5million fraud from its accounts. Yasmin Sarwar, 43, from Cyncoed, opened Cardiff Sixth Form College in 2004 and claims to have 'helped over 800 students' gain admission into some of the UK's most illustrious universities. But there were said to have been irregularities in the school's finances between 2012 and 2016 - leading South Wales Police to launch an official investigation. And now the probe by police and the Charity Commission for England and Wales has seen Sarwar and two others charged with the theft and fraud offences totalling 5million. Nadeem Sarwar, 48, from Pentwyn, Cardiff, and Ragu Sivapalan, 39, from Penylan, Cardiff were also charged. The headteacher, who previously branded herself as the 'tiger mum', is due in Cardiff Magistrates Court after the Crown Prosecution Service authorised theft and fraud charges. Police said: 'Following an investigation by South Wales Police, with vital evidence provided by the Charity Commission for England & Wales, three people have been charged in connection with a multi-million pounds fraud and theft investigation into the former independent Cardiff Sixth Form College which happened between 2012 and 2016. 'Yasmin Anjum Sarwar, 43, from Cyncoed, Cardiff and Nadeem Sarwar, 48, from Pentwyn, Cardiff have been charged with multiple theft and fraud offences totalling some 5 million. Yasmin Sarwar (pictured) opened Cardiff Sixth Form College in 2004 and claims to have 'helped over 800 students' gain admission into some of the UK's most illustrious universities But during the 43-year-old's tenure, there were said to have been irregularities in the school's finances between 2012 and 2016, leading South Wales Police to launch an official investigation which revealed the 5million fraud Nadeem Sarwar (pictured) from Pentwyn, Cardiff, and Ragu Sivapalan, 39, from Penylan, Cardiff were also charged due to their involvement 'Ragu Sivapalan, 39, from Penylan, Cardiff has been charged with false accounting between 2013 and 2016.' The former headteacher, who left the school in 2017, saw her independent school take the crown for the best A-level results in Britain. It rose to rank above illustrious Rugby and Marlborough schools with pupils travelling all over world to take top A-levels. At the time, Sarwar said: 'I am a mother to the students. I want to make a difference in their lives and them to then make a difference in other people's lives. 'To create that difference in someone else's life you need to create that trust - and say I am here for you because I care.' The mother-of-one moved from Malaysia to Britain to study for her own A-levels when she was just 17. After graduating with a Biochemistry degree from Cardiff University, Sarwar started tutoring A-level science students. Ten years later she launched what would go on to be the UK's top performing fee-paying school where 95 per cent of pupils achieved A-A* in their A-levels last year. The mother-of-one, who previously branded herself the 'tiger mum', moved from Malaysia to Britain to study for her own A-levels when she was just 17 Cardiff Sixth Form College is the UK's top performing fee-paying school where 95 per cent of pupils achieved A-A* in their A-levels last year She later said parents seen her as a 'mother figure' and 'somebody they can trust with their children'. Cardiff Sixth Form College has more than 300 students on its register and attracts children from all around the world, including Albania and China. Fees at the school were 15,000 per year for day pupils while international boarding students can pay up to 26,000 each year. A South Wales Police spokesperson said: 'Cardiff Sixth Form College has since changed hands. 'Since the sale of the College the charity changed its name to Cardiff Educational Endowment Trust - 1123262 and is now operating as a grant making charity.' A local politician in Pennsylvania has been accused of attempting to pose as a victim of a hate crime by planting a noose at her own desk, cops have said. Allentown Police Department said LaTarsha Brown reported finding the rope on the desk of her office on the morning of January 10 this year. The department launched a criminal investigation and submitted the noose to the Pennsylvania State Police crime lab for DNA testing. On March 10, forensic investigators found Brown's DNA on swabs from both the outer surface and inner knotted portion of the noose after it was taken apart. No one else's DNA was detected on any part of the rope. The damning finding came after cops trawled video surveillance and building access control records to identify which city employees were present on the third floor of Allentown City Hall where Brown works to try to identify the suspect. Cops interviewed each employee and asked them to provide a buccal swab for DNA testing. Local politician LaTarsha Brown has been accused of attempting to pose as a victim of a hate crime by planting a noose at her own desk, cops have said The department launched a criminal investigation and submitted the noose to the Pennsylvania State Police crime lab for DNA testing 'Every city employee agreed, except for Ms. Brown,' Allentown Police Chief Charles Roca told a press conference about the case on Monday. 'Initially cooperative, Ms. Brown later requested that the investigation be discontinued.' The hate crime investigation subsequently turned into a probe against Brown herself. She was charged on Monday with tampering with or fabricating physical evidence - a second-degree misdemeanor, and making false reports to law enforcement, which is a third-degree misdemeanor. Third-degree misdemeanors carry a maximum penalty of up to one year in jail, and a fine of up to $2,500 under Pennsylvania law, according to Fienman Defense attorneys. Cops released an image of the object left on Brown's desk, which comprised a small black rope tied into a noose shape. The damning finding came after cops trawled video surveillance and building access control records to identify which city employees were present on the third floor of Allentown City Hall (pictured) where Brown works, to try to identify the suspect Allentown Police Chief Charles Roca held a press conference about the case on Monday Responding to questions at the press conference, Roca said that Brown remains a City Hall employee for the time being. Brown is also a member of the Allentown School Board. She is scheduled for a preliminary court hearing on April 22 before Magisterial District Judge Karen Devine. Allentown is located in eastern Pennsylvania, around 60 miles north of Philadelphia. Roca said that Brown will be presumed innocent unless found guilty by jurors. Her case echoes that of Jussie Smollett, who was accused of staging a racist and homophobic attack against himself in 2019 and lying to Chicago Police. The Empire actor was convicted last year, but this was overturned by the Illinois Supreme Court in November after judges ruled he should not have been charged a second time due to a deal he reached with prosecutors. The ruling, which did not address Smollett's continued claims of innocence, was the latest twist in a years-long saga. Smollett, who is black and gay, made headlines around the world after he told police in January 2019 that two men assaulted him in his downtown Chicago neighborhood. He said the men shouted slurs at him, tossed a noose around his neck, and yelled that he was in 'MAGA country'. The report prompted a massive search for suspects by Chicago police before investigators announced that they believed the attack was a hoax. Vice President JD Vance defended President Donald Trumps envoy Steve Witkoff on Monday after foreign policy experts protested his description of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Witkoff said he liked Putin and did not see Putin as a 'bad guy during an appearance on the Tucker Carlson show on Friday to discuss his meeting with the Russian president. '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. Steve Witkoff is a great guy doing an incredible job, Vance wrote on social media on Monday. The people sniping at him are mad that he is succeeding where they failed for 40 years. Turns out a lot of diplomacy boils down to a simple skill: dont be an idiot, Vance continued Witkoff discussed his unconventional approach to diplomacy outside of the traditional government centered diplomatic channels, which led to a successful ceasefire agreement with Gaza and Israel. This whole peace with strength thing, its not just a slogan it actually works, he explained. Witkoff said he was successful in his negotiations because President Trump set clear goals for him on foreign policy and had his back. I sit with the president and we talk often about what the end game is, where does he want to get to, and once you decide where to get to then its all about tactically figuring out what that pathway is, he said. U.S Vice President JD Vance defended President Donald Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff Steve Witkoff on the Tucker Carlson show Putins got a huge respect for the president, Witkoff said who noted that respect was the key to negotiating with Trump. He cited the Zelensky meeting as a demonstration of how not to act when trying to make a deal with Trump. Disrespecting him is not a healthy way to have a good relationship with him, he said referring to Trump. But he said that Zelensky had since reset his relationship with Trump and made headway in negotiations and had since had a wonderful conversation with the president. Witkoff said his goal was to reach a deal where both parties were satisfied and was one that everyone could live with. During the interview Witkoff struggled to recall the names of all four names of the so-called four regions in Ukraine. Donbas, Crimea, he began before referring to two others and indicated that two of the regions were Russian-speaking. Witkoff said that Russian President Vladimir Putin was 'gracious' by meeting with him in Russia Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (L) talks with US President Donald Trump (C) and US Vice President JD Vance (R) i Thats the elephant in the room, Witcoff said referring to constitutional issues in Ukraine prohibiting them to give up territory to the Russians that were de-facto controlled by Russia. He said the Zelensky had essentially accepted the fact that Ukraine would not be a member of NATO. If theres going to be a peace deal, Ukraine cannot be a member of NATO, I think thats been largely accepted, Witkoff said. Witcoff said he met with Putin at length to discuss the issues regarding the ongoing conflict as an emissary of the president. I liked him. I thought he was straight up with me, he said. I thought it was gracious of him to accept me, to see me. Witkoff said that Biden and Putin had not spoken in three and a half years during the conflict in Ukraine and that Trump urged him to open up communications with the Russian president. A U.S. appeals court judge said on Monday that Nazis were given more rights to contest their removal from the United States during World War Two than Venezuelan migrants deported by the Trump administration. In a contentious hearing, U.S. Circuit Judge Patricia Millett questioned government lawyer Drew Ensign on whether Venezuelans targeted for removal under a little-used 18th-century law had time to contest the Trump administration's assertion that they were members of the Tren de Aragua gang before they were put on planes and deported to El Salvador. 'Nazis got better treatment under the Alien Enemies Act than has happened here,' Millett said, to which Ensign responded, 'We certainly dispute the Nazi analogy.' Prior to the Trump administration's invocation of the Alien Enemies Act, the law had been used just three times in U.S. history, most recently to intern and remove Japanese, German and Italian immigrants during World War Two. The Trump administration was asking the appeals court to halt Washington-based U.S. District Judge James Boasberg's two-week ban, imposed on March 15, on the use of the 1798 Alien Enemies Act to justify deportation of alleged Tren de Aragua members without final removal orders from immigration judges. In a 37-page ruling on Monday, Boasberg said the people Republican President Donald Trump's administration is seeking to deport under the law must be given the chance to challenge the government's assertion that they are indeed members of Tren de Aragua. Family members of many of the deported Venezuelan migrants deny the alleged gang ties. The case has emerged as a major test of Trump's sweeping assertion of executive power. In a contentious hearing Monday at the E. Barrett Prettyman Federal Courthouse in Washington, D.C. a U.S. appeals court judge said that Nazis were given more rights to contest their removal from the. United States than a recent group of Venezuelan migrants U.S. Circuit Judge Patricia Millett said Monday that Nazis were given more rights to contest their removal than Venezuelan migrants With Republicans holding a majority in both the House of Representatives and Senate and largely falling in line behind the president's agenda, federal judges often have emerged as the only constraint on Trump's wave of executive actions. After Boasberg temporarily halted the deportations, Trump called for the judge's impeachment in a process that could lead to his removal. In response, U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts issued a rare statement rebuking Trump and stating that appeals, not impeachment, are the proper response to disagreements with judicial decisions. Boasberg is also weighing whether the Trump administration violated his order by failing to return deportation flights after his order was issued. In Monday's ruling, the judge wrote that the administration appeared to have 'hustled people onto those planes' to avoid a potential court order blocking the deportations. The judge rejected the Trump administration's request to set aside the two-week deportation ban. Trump has argued that it is the judiciary, not his administration, that is overreaching. Ensign later on Monday told a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit that Boasberg's order must be paused because the judge had no right to second-guess the president's decisions on foreign affairs matters. 'The district court's order represents an unprecedented and enormous intrusion upon the powers of the executive branch,' Ensign said. U.S. Circuit Judge Patricia Millett said Trump's actions in this case were unprecedented as well. The Trump administration on March 15 deported more than 200 people to El Salvador, where they are being detained in the country's massive anti-terrorism prison under a deal in which Washington is paying President Nayib Bukele's government $6 million. Boasberg cited accounts of poor conditions in the prison as one justification for maintaining the ban on deportations. El Salvador's presidential office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Boasberg's ruling on Monday applied to five plaintiffs represented by the American Civil Liberties Union involved in a prior more narrow ruling, as well as other Venezuelans in the U.S. who may be targeted for removal under the Alien Enemies Act. The judge did not address the migrants currently held in El Salvador. ACLU lawyer Lee Gelernt told reporters after a hearing on Friday that Boasberg has the authority to order those migrants be returned to the U.S., and said he may raise that issue in court. Vice President JD Vance advised against a military strike in Yemen, according to a secret Signal chat about the proposed operation with President Donald Trump's national security team. Jeffrey Goldberg, the editor in chief of The Atlantic revealed that Trump's national security team added him to the secret chat, and published details of the conversation on Monday. In the conversation, the user identified as 'JD Vance' wrote that 'Andy baker for VP' was messaging for the vice president. 'Team, I am out for the day doing an economic event in Michigan. But I think we are making a mistake,' the Vance user stated to the group that included National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard. 'There is a real risk that the public doesnt understand this or why its necessary. The strongest reason to do this is, as POTUS said, to send a message,' the Vance user continued. The military strike against the Houthis, the team argued, was necessary to keep shipping lanes open on the Red Sea, as the insurgents were targeting ships. Vance's account expressed concerns about the timing of the proposed operation, warning of oil prices spiking as a result. 'I am not sure the president is aware how inconsistent this is with his message on Europe right now,' he wrote. 'Theres a further risk that we see a moderate to severe spike in oil prices.' U.S. Vice President JD Vance listens as President Donald Trump delivers remarks U.S. President Donald Trump looks on as military strikes are launched against Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis The Vance user said that he would remain publicly silent about his concerns, but expressed them to the team. 'I am willing to support the consensus of the team and keep these concerns to myself. But there is a strong argument for delaying this a month, doing the messaging work on why this matters, seeing where the economy is, etc,' he said. Vance's communications director William Martin said the vice president remained aligned with Trump's decision, but wanted to make sure he was properly briefed by his advisors. 'The Vice Presidents first priority is always making sure that the Presidents advisers are adequately briefing him on the substance of their internal deliberations,' he said in a statement. 'Vice President Vance unequivocally supports this administrations foreign policy. The President and the Vice President have had subsequent conversations about this matter and are in complete agreement.' In the chat, the Hegseth user said he understood Vance's concerns and urged him to raise them with the president, but argued for immediate action. 'We are prepared to execute, and if I had final go or no go vote, I believe we should,' he wrote. The Walz user also said the United States would have to act and reminded Vance that 'Per the presidents request we are working with DOD and State to determine how to compile the cost associated and levy them on the Europeans.' 'If you think we should do it lets go. I just hate bailing Europe out again,' the Vance user replied. The SM user, identified in the article as Trump's advisor Steve Miller, reminded the group about the president's goal. US President Donald Trump with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth Deputy White House chief of staff Stephen Miller 'As I heard it, the president was clear: green light, but we soon make clear to Egypt and Europe what we expect in return,' he wrote. Trump ultimately ordered the strikes against the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen over the weekend from his club at Mar-a-lago in a successful mission. The president on Monday told reporters at the White House he hadn't seen The Atlantic story revealing the details of the chat. 'I don't know anything about it. I'm not a big fan of the Atlantic. It's to me, it's a magazine that's going out of business.' President Donald Trump said he didn't know 'anything' about an extraordinary security breach where a magazine editor was inadvertently included on a group chat with his entire security team strategizing about an upcoming military attack. The stunning revelations came Monday afternoon, after the Atlantic reported on jaw-dropping revelations that editor Jeffrey Goldberg got invited to join a chat on the messaging act Signal that featured internal debates before the U.S. carried out military strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen. Some of the material was so sensitive that the magazine decided not to publish it, but the article from the group chat did feature Vice President JD Vance raising arguments against the decision to strike the targets. 'Pete Hegseth, the secretary of defense, had texted me the war plan at 11:44 a.m.' about two hours before it happened on March 15th, wrote Goldberg. The Signal app is unclassified, although it is often used in the private sector as a form of more secure communications. Usually internal conversations about a looming military operation must be held using secure facilities. 'I dont know anything about it,' Trump said when asked about it at a White House event with Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry nearly three hours after the story posted, sending shockwaves through the security establishment. Then Trump quickly pivoted to attacking the magazine. 'Im not a big fan of the Atlantic, to me its a magazine that is going out of business. I think it's not much of a magazine,' Trump said of the publication, which was founded in 1857. 'I know nothing about it,' said President Trump when asked about bombshell revelations that an editor was actually included on a top level group chat of his security team before a military operation 'I know nothing about it. Youre saying that they had what?' he asked a reporter for guidance on what they were talking about. His questioner informed him that he was asking about the Houthis the group who has intensified attacks on shipping interest and U.S. vessels amid Israel's war on Hamas in Gaza. 'The Houthis? You mean the attack on the Houthis? Well, it couldnt have been very effective because the attack was very effective, I can tell you that. I dont know anything about it. Youre telling me about it for the first time,' Trump said. Trump had a similar reaction last month when asked about a Time Magazine cover that pictured Elon Musk seated behind the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office. 'Is Time magazine still in business? I didnt even know that,' Trump said. The National Security Council confirmed the chat that included Goldberg appeared to be authentic. The bizarre saga began when Goldberg got a request to connect on Signal from Michael Waltz, the name of the White House national security advisor. ' Pete Hegseth , the secretary of defense, had texted me the war plan at 11:44 a.m.' The chat was started by Trump National Security Adviser Mike Waltz Vice President JD Vance (left) and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth (right) were among the officials in the group chat The Atlantic editor in chief Jeffrey Goldberg was included in a Trump administration chat on national security issues Vice President JD Vance weighed in with concerns about the operation 'I accepted the connection request, hoping that this was the actual national security adviser, and that he wanted to chat about Ukraine, or Iran, or some other important matter,' Goldberg wrote. 'Two days laterThursdayat 4:28 p.m., I received a notice that I was to be included in a Signal chat group. It was called the Houthi PC small group.' Some of the most revelatory information came from Trump's Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, 44, a former Fox News host. So began Goldberg's inclusion in the ultra high level chat. Some of the contents he would only summarize. What he would say, 'to illustrate the shocking recklessness of this Signal conversation, is that the Hegseth post contained operational details of forthcoming strikes on Yemen, including information about targets, weapons the U.S. would be deploying, and attack sequencing.' When it was over, according to Goldberg, Waltz called the operation an 'amazing job' and Director fo National Intelligence John Ratcliff caleld it 'a good start.' It was unclear Monday if there would be any fallout from the disclosure. As a candidate Donald Trump tore into Hillary Clinton for her use of a private email server when she was Secretary of State. 'If true, this story represents one of the most egregious failures of operational security and common sense I have ever seen,' said Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.), the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee. 'Military operations need to be handled with utmost discretion, using approved, secure lines of communication, because American lives are on the line. The carelessness shown by President Trumps cabinet is stunning and dangerous. I will be seeking answers from the Administration immediately.' Trump revokes security clearances for Kamala Harris, Hillary Clinton Xinhua) 10:27, March 24, 2025 WASHINGTON, March 22 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday revoked security clearances for former Vice President Kamala Harris, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and others. Former Secretary of State Antony Blinken and former National Security Advisor Jacob Sullivan were among several others who had their security clearance revoked. "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 said in a memorandum. In 2021, then President Joe Biden revoked the security clearance for Trump, who was then a former president. Former U.S. presidents have traditionally received intelligence briefings so they can advise incumbent presidents on national security and foreign policy. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) A plane heading to New York was forced to turn around just two hours into the flight after a passenger suddenly 'fell ill' onboard. The Virgin Atlantic flight heading to JFK Airport had to return all the passengers and crew to Manchester Airport because the person needed urgent medical attention. The aircraft flew west over Ireland and made it over the Atlantic Ocean before the pilot took a U-Turn, landing back in Manchester at around 4.10pm today. The VS127 flight, which departed at 1.58pm, was expected to land in New York at around 9pm Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). Virgin Atlantic said: 'Due to a medical issue onboard, flight VS127 operating from Manchester to New York on Monday 24 March has returned to Manchester. 'We're sorry for the inconvenience caused to customers onboard and plan to resume the flight to New York as soon as possible.' The airline also posted travel updates, apologising to customers. They wrote: We're sorry to advise that flight VS127 to New York has been required to return to Manchester Airport after a customer took ill inflight and needed immediate medical attention on the ground. The aircraft flew west over Ireland and made it over the Atlantic Ocean before the pilot diverted the flight, landing in Manchester at around 4.10pm today The VS127 flight, which departed at 1.58pm, was expected to land in New York at around 9pm Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) The Virgin Atlantic flight heading to JFK Airport had to return all the passengers and crew onboard to Manchester Airport 'We appreciate this is unexpected, and we thank you for your patience and understanding while the customer receives the medical support they require. 'If customers have an onward connecting flight booked on the same ticket, our team will rebook once the flight is airborne. 'We apologise for any inconvenience this delay may have caused.' A Virgin Atlantic flight to New York took off from Manchester Airport at 5.56pm this evening. The family of a man who died after officers restrained him have settled their damages action against Police Scotland. Relatives of Sheku Bayoh sued the force following the 31-year-olds death in police custody in 2015. But rank-and-file officers have criticised the decision to offer a settlement, with the Scottish Police Federation expressing its surprise at the move. In a broadside against Chief Constable Jo Farrells decision, the federation said the only person who can be said indisputably to have broken the law is Sheku Bayoh. Mr Bayoh was restrained by up to six police officers in Kirkcaldy, Fife, on May 3, 2015. They had been called to the scene amid reports he had a knife and was behaving erratically, but when they arrived he was unarmed. The father-of-two died shortly after and since then the national police force has been dealing with the fallout from Mr Bayohs death in custody. A force spokesman said: The civil settlement was agreed without any admission of liability by Police Scotland. Sheku Bayoh died in May 2015 after he was restrained by officers responding to a call in Kirkcaldy, Fife. The decision to reach a settlement with Mr Bayoh's family by Police Scotland, led by Chief Constable Jo Farrell, has been met with dismay by rank and file officers To respect the privacy of the family the details of the agreement will remain confidential. For Mr Bayohs family the settlement brings to an end a battle that has lasted several years. In May 2018 they sued Police Scotland, launching a first-of-its-kind 1.85million civil case against the force. Since then officers involved in the incident and its aftermath have given evidence to the Sheku Bayoh Inquiry, while Police Scotland was declared institutionally racist. Last month Chief Constable Farrell met with Mr Bayohs family, a meeting which was described as brutally honest. Aamer Anwar, the familys solicitor, yesterday said: On May 3 it will be the 10th anniversary of Shekus death in police custody, however the struggle for the truth continues. As we reach the final stages of the public inquiry, those who broke the law should remember there is no time limit on justice. The Scottish Police Federation has reacted with fury at the settlement. Yesterday its spokesman said it was surprised to find that the Chief Constable has decided to settle this claim and hit out at Mr Anwars statement. The spokesman said: The only person who can be said indisputably to have broken the law is Sheku Bayoh. On any view of the evidence, he took illegal drugs, engaged in a fight with a friend, armed himself with a large knife and then took to the streets of Kirkcaldy. He terrified many members of the public who asked the police to help before assaulting a female police officer by punching her to the ground. These are facts which are wholly unchallenged. As the inquiry continues, it would be inappropriate to say any more at this stage, other than to remind the public that the clear position of the officers involved in the apprehension of Mr Bayoh is that they acted reasonably, in the public interest in the circumstances, given the danger that he presented. Following the family meeting with the Chief Constable last month, Ms Farrell said she took the opportunity to express my personal condolences and reiterated those of the service. She said there had been extensive work towards becoming an anti-racist, anti-discriminatory service which better reflects and represents the communities we serve. The public inquiry, which is examining the circumstances of Mr Bayohs death, the subsequent investigation, and whether race was a factor, has so far cost taxpayers more than 23million. Following Mr Bayohs death the Crown Office did not prosecute anyone. Mr Anwar had called on the inquiry to be widened to examine why that decision had been made. However, last month, this call was rejected. A speeding driver has been locked up after he killed a student in a horror crash. Akbar Razaq was going at double the 30mph limit in his Audi A4 near Glasgow city centre on the night of February 2 2023. The 29-year-old hit another car before mounting the pavement and hitting a traffic light pole. Chinenye Okonkwo was waiting to cross the road but ended up being crushed between railings and the front of the Audi. The 33-year-old - studying Public Health at the citys Caledonian University - never survived. Razaq is now behind bars after he admitted to a charge of causing death by dangerous driving at the High Court in Glasgow. He is due to be sentenced in May. Nigerian-born Ms Okonkwo had moved to the UK in 2022 to study in Glasgow. Members of her grieving family were able to watch and listen to the hearing yesterday from their home country. The student also had a part-time job at a nursing home in the citys east-end. She was walking on way to start a shift there when tragedy struck. Moments before the collision, the student stopped to await a gap in the traffic to cross. Chinenye Okonkwo was waiting to cross the road when she was hit by speeding driver Akbar Razaq Razaq is now behind bars after he admitted to a charge of causing death by dangerous driving Prosecutor Alex Prentice KC said: Chinenye Okonkwo was standing on the pavement at the crossroads of Newton Street and St Vincent Street in Glasgow when she was struck by the speeding Audi A4 driven by Razaq. The Audi had already been struck by a Ford Fiesta as it began to make a right turn into St Vincent Street from the left-hand lane at Newton Street. The court heard how Razaq had initially blasted his horn at the Fiesta driver to try and avoid a crash. But the Audi was hit before going onto the pavement and smacking into the traffic light post. Ms Okonkwo was then struck by both the car and pole causing her to be pinned between the railings and the car. Razaq got out to remonstrate with the other driver. It was only then that a passenger in his car spotted Ms Okonkwo under the Audi. Razaq moved the Audi and a 999 call was made. Ms Okonkwo received extensive advanced life support at the scene, but did not recover. Crash investigators concluded the collision was caused by negligence on the part of both drivers. But Mr Prentice added: Despite different degrees of responsibility, it is also their opinion that the blame for the death is attributed to the driver of the Audi due to his dangerous manner of driving at excessive speed. The indictment stated he was going at 60mph in the 30mph zone. The Fiesta driver had also initially been charged, but she no longer faces prosecution. John Scullion KC, defending, yesterday said Razaq, of the citys Kinning Park, wanted to apologise. He had shown deep regret and remorse. Razaq had been on bail, but Mr Scullion did not move for that to be continued. Lord Mulholland deferred sentencing for reports. Addressing Ms Okonkwos family, the judge said: I have read the victim impact statement and it is clear she was a much-loved sister and daughter. She had huge potential and was working hard to fund herself through university. From what I have read, she was a very talented and hard-working woman. It is an utter tragedy for you. You have my deepest sympathies. Film star Gerard Depardieu today denied sex assault charges that could see him jailed for up to five years. The 76-year-old looked tired and frail on Monday as he appeared at the Paris Correctional Court at the opening of a high-profile criminal trial. I would like to make a statement beforehand, and then answer the court's questions, said Depardieu, who made his name in hit movies including Green Card, Cyrano de Bergerac and The Last Metro. His lawyer meanwhile said the charges were part of a flawed manhunt against the Sacred Monster of French cinema. Sitting a few feet away from Depardieu, who was wearing a black suit and Nike trainers, were the two plaintiffs: Amelie, a set designer aged 54, and Sarah, a 34-year-old assistant producer. Both said they were repeatedly assaulted by Depardieu during the filming of The Green Shutters (Les Volets Verts) in 2021. Jeremie Assous, for Depardieu, said their claims should be rejected because of a failed investigation. Calling the honesty of the complainants into question, Mr Assous said: The mission had to be fulfilled to bring down the sacred monster, Gerard Depardieu. French actor Gerard Depardieu has denied sex assault charges as he faces up to five years behind bars The 76-year-old looked tired and frail on Monday as he appeared at the Paris Correctional Court at the opening of a high-profile criminal trial Mr Assous said witnesses were all part of a flawed manhunt and that the trial should be cancelled. In this trial, we have proof that the most basic principles were trampled on both by the judicial police officer in charge of this case, and by the public prosecutor, said Mr Assous. He added: Today, a complaint for sexual violence atomizes you, it kills you socially. In turn, lawyers for the complainants accused Mr Assous of stalling tactics, and said the trial should go ahead. Carine Durrieu-Diebolt, for Amelie, said the defence arguments presented today are inadmissable. Amelie has told French media that it felt like being in a wolf trap when Depardieu grabbed initimate parts of her body, and verbally abused her. It was only thanks to security guards pulling Depardieu away that the assaults were not worse, she alleges. Sarah, the second plaintiff, says she was molested three times, with Depardieu grabbing her buttocks and breasts. Depardieu is also set to stand trial at a later date for allegedly raping French actress Charlotte Arnould (pictured) Court artist sketch shows Depardieu (right) and his lawyer Jeremie Assous (centre) Anouk Grinberg, 62, an actress who appeared in The Green Shutters, is among those who have backed such accounts. The case was adjourned in October, when a lawyer for Depardieu said he was in great pain, both psychologically and physically, because of diabetes and a serious heart condition. During the current trial in the 10th Chamber of the Correctional Court, hearings are limited to six hour, with Depardieu allowed regular breaks, and permission to nibble at energy bars. He has also been given access to a private toilet and rest room, and is allowed to check his smartphone for blood sugar readings. Depardieu was first placed in police custody on April 29th last year, accused of the sexual assaults, and then bailed to appear in court, where he faces up to five years in prison, and a 75,000 (62,000) fine. Depardieu is also set to stand trial at a later date for allegedly raping French actress Charlotte Arnould, 29. Ms Arnould has renounced her right to legal anonymity, saying there is video footage of her performing a sex attack on Depardieu at his Paris mansion. He claims the sex was consensual, and denies two counts of rape and sexual assault against Ms Arnould. Lawyer Carine Durrieu-Diebolt (pictured), for Amelie, said the defence arguments presented today are inadmissable Her decision to go public led to up to 15 women reporting Depardieu for alleged crimes that could also end up in court. It was also announced last month that Depardieu is under criminal investigation for tax fraud and money laundering. Frances National Financial Prosecutor's Office said on Monday that an enquiry was first launched into Depardieus finances last year. Sexual attacks are a huge issue in France right now, thanks to the #MeToo movement highlighting crimes by rich and powerful men, including actors, sportsmen, and other celebrities. A year ago, French President Emmanuel Macron sparked fury by defending Mr Depardieu. Mr Macron appeared on a TV chat show and said he detested the actor being subjected to a manhunt. The current Depardieu trial is listed for two days, although the verdict may be withheld until later in the year. A man has been charged after an elderly woman was found with fatal stab wounds in the front yard of her home in Brisbane's northwest. The 40-year-old man from Victoria was arrested in dramatic scenes at Brisbane International Airport at 6.25pm on Monday. He has been charged with murder (domestic violence offence). Police will allege the woman and man were known to each other. Emergency services rushed to a home on Chestnut Place, in The Gap, at about 4.20pm on Monday where the woman was found unresponsive and declared deceased. Detective Acting Inspector Mick Jones said the scene was confronting for first responders and witnesses on the usually quiet street. Queensland Police 'scrambled' to form a team after the man was seen by members of the public leaving the home on Monday afternoon. A police helicopter and the dog squad were deployed to hunt the man down, who was located and arrested at Brisbane Airport. A man has been charged after an elderly woman was found with fatal stab wounds in the front yard of her home in Brisbane's north-west (police are seen at the scene on Monday) The elderly woman was found unresponsive and declared dead at the scene 'It was an excellent response by everybody involved,' Acting Inspector Jones said. 'It was a rapidly evolving situation which involved a number of police methodologies to locate that person in such a quick period of time. 'I think the important thing is that the residents of The Gap here can be safe and knowing that there's no one outstanding and there's no danger to anyone here in the community.' It remains unclear how the man travelled to the airport. The 40-year-old recently caught the attention of authorities for an unrelated matter but was not well-known to police or subject to a domestic violence order. He has been remanded in custody and is due to front Brisbane Magistrates Court on March 25. Investigations are continuing. There are few areas of public life which have been spared the ham-fisted reforms of the SNP and sadly higher education isnt one of them. In an act of hubris, Alex Salmond promised free degrees - and even had the pledge carved into a commemorative stone at Heriot-Watt University. The former First Minister said that the rocks will melt with the sun - quoting Robert Burns - before a degree came with a price-tag. That tied the SNP into an unsustainable policy which necessitated a cap on the number of Scottish students who were able to study in Scotland. Cuts were inflicted on the sector under Nationalist rule, and increasingly principals had to depend on cash from fee-paying international students. It created the bizarre spectacle of Scots being frozen out of Scottish universities - forcing them to study south of the Border or abroad. How many of them are likely to return any time soon, knowing that Scotland is the most heavily taxed part of the UK? Now the number of students from overseas is dwindling after a fall of more than 10,000 in the past year, threatening a cash crisis. John Swinney and the SNP are unwilling to abandon their policy of providing 'free' university places Dundee University is proposing to cut 632 full-time equivalent posts to help it deal with a 35million deficit, and other institutions face similar problems. Theres no doubt incompetent bosses at Dundee were partly responsible for plunging it into the red while the SNP government was asleep at the wheel. But it has reignited the debate over how we should fund universities - and whether or not families should be compelled to pay towards their childrens degrees. A poll for the Carnegie Trust found 43 per cent of adults would prefer those whose households could afford it to pay at least some of their childs tuition fees. Its a sizeable minority, and the findings suggest that the politics of university funding are more complicated or nuanced than the SNP is prepared to admit. The Lib Dems provide a stark example of the consequences for any party which breaks its own pledges their decision to back tuition fees south of the Border had dire electoral consequences. But how much more damage is the SNP willing to see the university sector suffer before it intervenes? For the moment, all the signs are that the government is in denial and clinging for dear life to the wreckage of Mr Salmonds long-ago commitment to free degrees. Yesterday John Swinney said he believed the ability to learn should determine access to higher and further education, not the ability to pay. Earlier this month, the BBCs Martin Geissler put to Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth the example of a pupil at prestigious Fettes College in Edinburgh, whose family are paying tens of thousands of pounds per year in fees. If that child then decides to go on to university, the taxpayer picks up the tab for it and Ms Gilruth, not unreasonably, was asked why this should be the case. Her response was robotic: Our policy in relation to free tuition is well understood by the Scottish people and we dont go back on our promises in relation to this. Ms Gilruth also warned of the dangers of using the situation at Dundee University to justify the reintroduction of tuition fees but can it really be written off so easily as an isolated, never-to-be-repeated financial catastrophe? Almost half of Scots universities have reported a deficit including the University of Edinburgh whose bosses say they need to make major savings to plug a 140million budget gap. With an election looming next year, going anywhere near this issue is fraught with risk for the SNP. Take away free higher education and the SNPs list of achievements - which was always short - becomes even shorter. For those cynical reasons, the chances of Mr Swinney and his colleagues taking their heads out of the sand to have anything approaching a debate about funding universities are in the minus figures. But the case for urgent action is unanswerable - regardless of the political repercussions for the SNP. Umbrella body Universities Scotland has estimated that the rapid decline in the number of international students means some institutions are in a hugely exposed position. Its director, Claire McPherson, also highlighted chronic underfunding over the past decade. Principals on eye-watering salaries are now pleading poverty on behalf of their cash-strapped institutions. The money rolled in when the going the was good - in 2023, Scottish universities were accused of profiteering in a report which said that bosses had expanded international admissions by adjusting minimum entry requirements and English language tests for some programmes. The report, compiled by the Scottish Centre for Crime and Justice Research, said serious questions need to be asked about the value for money being offered to students charged between 25,000 and around 50,000 per year. Now that this income stream is on the decline, principals are having to adjust to a new and tougher reality. The only benefit to arise from this appalling situation one which could lead to the loss of hundreds of jobs and contribute to the steady decline of the sector is that at least politicians are having to talk about tuition fees, however reluctantly. More cash is needed to raise the cap on Scottish student numbers, and its unlikely to be forthcoming given the hash the SNP has made of running the economy. Brexit had helped to ease the funding squeeze as the declining number of EU students freed up funds to pay for more Scots - in theory at least - but a lot of that funding was used to pay for the spike in numbers during the Covid pandemic. Exams were ditched but teachers recommended awards in thousands of cases were downgraded when an algorithm went haywire and there was a U-turn after an outcry by students affected - but the reversal of the decision bumped up the volume of university admissions. So, an SNP blunder fuelled the crisis which is now engulfing the sector one for which it appears to have no credible solution. The free degrees pledge was a myth because too many Scots have lost out thanks to the SNPs cap on their numbers, while overseas students helped to keep universities afloat by paying exorbitant sums to study here. Grown-up politicians, if there are any, would admit that any pledge which no longer works needs to be ditched, paving the way for an honest discussion of alternatives. There are no prizes for guessing whether Mr Swinney and his ministers will rise to the challenge - or choose to keep their fingers firmly in their ears. Political expediency shouldnt stifle a debate that must be allowed to happen if we are to have any chance of restoring Scotlands once cherished reputation for educational excellence. An Oscar-winning Palestinian filmmaker was reportedly attacked by Israeli settlers on the West Bank before being detained by the military. Hamdan Ballal was one of the co-directors of No Other Land, which scooped the Best Documentary category at this year's Academy Awards. An anti-Zionist Jewish activist group said dozens of Israeli settlers attacked the Palestinian village of Susiya in the Masafer Yatta area, south of Hebron. Members of the Center for Jewish Nonviolence said a rampaging mob descended upon the village, throwing stones, smashing windows, slashing car tyres and destroying a war tank in the village. The settlers beat the director, leaving him bleeding from the head, and threw punches at activists. While Ballal was being treated in an ambulance, soldiers from the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) detained him and a second Palestinian man, the group added. Joseph, one of the five activists who witnessed the brutal attack, said the filmmaker was surrounded by a group of around 15 armed settlers. 'They started throwing stones towards Palestinians and destroyed a water tank near Hamdan's house,' he told The Guardian. Another activist Raviv, told the same publication: 'The settlers destroyed his car with stones and slashed one of the tyres.' Oscar-winning Palestinian filmmaker Hamdan Ballal was reportedly attacked by masked Israeli settlers on the West Bank before being detained as he was being treated for his injuries No Other Land, co-directed by Hamdan Ballal, highlights the plight of Palestinians in the occupied West Bank In a video posted by Israeli investigative journalist and filmmaker Yuval Abraham, one of the co-directors of No Other Land, one of the settlers is seen hurling a rock into a car window The Jewish activist group said the settlers arrived at the scene dressed in military uniform, alongside actual soldiers, who chased Hamdan to his house and handed him over to the military. Another of the activists, Josh Kimelman, said: 'We dont know where Hamdan is because he was taken away in a blindfold.' Video provided by the Center for Jewish Nonviolence showed a masked settler shoving and swinging his fists at two activists from the group in a dusty field at night. The activists rush back to their car. 'Get in, get in!' one shouts, and they duck inside as the thuds of rocks being thrown can be heard. 'Car window was broken,' the driver says as they drive off. In another video, posted by Israeli investigative journalist and filmmaker Yuval Abraham, one of the co-directors of No Other Land, masked men reported to be settlers are seen sprinting towards a car before hurling a rock through its window. Chase Carter, the development and communications director for the Center for Jewish Nonviolence, said: 'Tonight, the Oscar-winning Director of No Other Land Hamdan Ballal was attacked by Israeli settlers and arrested by the Israeli army in his home village of Susiya in Masafer Yatta. 'The group of assailants arrived at approximately 6PM with batons, knives, and at least one assault rifle; many were also masked. 'Five Jewish American activists responded to the scene to document the attack and they were violently assaulted by the settlers, who also used rocks to smash their car with the activists inside.' The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) sought to blame the outbreak of violence on alleged incidents of Palestinians throwing rocks at Israeli citizens near Susya, damaging their vehicles. The back window of the car belonging to the Center for Jewish Nonviolence was broken after rocks were thrown at the activists when driving away from the attack Another video shows a masked Israel settler (right) approaching Jewish activists (in patchwork trousers and black tee) who are supporting Palestinians on the West Bank The masked settler then starts throwing punches at activists, hitting one in the face and neck An IDF spokesperson said: 'Following this, a violent confrontation broke out, involving mutual rock-hurling between Palestinians and Israelis at the scene. 'IDF and Israeli Police forces arrived to disperse the confrontation, at this point, several terrorists began hurling rocks at the security forces. 'In response, the forces apprehended three Palestinians suspected of hurling rocks at them, as well as an Israeli civilian involved in the violent confrontation. The detainees were taken for further questioning by the Israel Police. 'An Israeli citizen was injured in the incident and was evacuated to receive medical treatment. 'Contrary to claims, no Palestinian was apprehended from inside an ambulance.' However, Carter said: 'The Israeli military and police regularly lie about what goes on within the occupied territories and seek to criminalise Palestinians at every turn.' He said he had heard from colleagues that Hamdan is likely to be held overnight, but hopes the success of No Other Land might lead both to a quick release and to political change in the West Bank. He added: 'We hope that the high profile of the film will support this story staying in the news for a long time - and cause so much outrage that it makes some kind of positive impact in the region to curb Israeli settler violence.' No Other Land co-directors (left to right) Basel Adra, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal and Yuval Abraham clutch their awards after winning Best Documentary at this year's Oscars No Other Land, which won the Oscar this year for best documentary, chronicles the struggle by residents of Masafer Yatta to stop the Israeli military from demolishing their villages and the alliance which develops between the Palestinian activist Basel and Israeli journalist Yuval. The film has two Palestinian co-directors, Ballal and Basel Adra, both residents of Masafar Yatta, and two Israeli directors, Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor. The documentary won a string of international awards, starting at the Berlin International Film Festival in 2024. However viewings have drawn ire in Israel and abroad, with the mayor of Miami Beach in Florida briefly proposing to ending the lease and withdrawal all funding to a movie theatre that screened the documentary. The Israeli military designated the village of Masafer Yatta as a live-fire training zone in the 1980s and ordered residents, mostly Arab Bedouin, to be expelled. However, around 1,000 residents have largely remained in place, but soldiers regularly move in to demolish homes, tents, water tanks and olive orchards - and Palestinians fear outright expulsion could come at any time. While the West Bank is the larger of the two Palestinian territories, Israel captured the area in the 1967 Six-Day War, along with the Gaza Strip and east Jerusalem, and has occupied it ever since. Israelis have now built well over 100 settlements on the West Bank that are home to over 500,000 settlers with Israeli citizenship. The three million Palestinians in the West Bank live under Israeli military rule, with the Western-backed Palestinian Authority administering population centers. The attack comes on the back of criticism leveled at Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after Israel broke the ceasefire in bombing raids believed to have killed more than 700 people in Gaza since last week. Dozens of residents have been told to stay inside their homes after a fire at a western Sydney laundromat triggered a giant smoke cloud. The blaze erupted at a factory on Dunlop Street in North Parramatta in Sydney's west at about 1am on Tuesday. More than 100 firefighters from 30 trucks attended the fire which at one point was burning at 800C. Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) said the fire had been contained from 6.40am. 'Because there may be smoke in the area, residents and businesses in the vicinity are advised to keep doors, windows and vents closed,' it said. FRNSW Commissioner Jeremy Fewtrell said tackling the blaze was a huge effort from his crew. 'They contained it to the building where the fire started, and they were able to save it from impacting on the neighbouring properties which were actually very close,' he told 9News. 'The fire and the impact on that business or the property where the fires occurred is really bad, but it makes a huge difference if we can stop it from impacting on the neighbouring properties, and that's exactly what they were able to do.' Dozens of residents have told to stay inside their homes after a fire at a western Sydney laundromat (pictured) triggered a giant smoke cloud FRNSW Superintendent Adam Dewberry said the cause of the fire was not yet known. 'We will continue to what we call mop up, get in when it's safe to do so, so extinguish that fear completely,' he told Channel Seven's Sunrise. 'We had a really well-developed fire when the first trucks arrived. That's where we've got more than 100 firefighters off 30 trucks here. 'The firefighters have done a wonderful job stopping the fire from spreading.' No injuries have been reported. Nearby Church St has been closed between Barney Street and Factory Street. Motorists are advised to avoid the area and to use alternative routes. A concerned mother thought she was the victim of an acid attack after she was 'pepper sprayed' by a man during a hen do bar crawl. Jana Silgale has vowed to never set foot in Krakow again following the bizarre incident last Saturday. The mother from Birkenhead, in Merseyside, had travelled to city with five other women for her sister's hen do. Following a bottomless brunch the group decided to join a tour group embarking on a bar crawl across the city centre. After this the party decided to head to a nightclub which was when they were approached by a group of 'four of five men' who were 'talking another language'. 'A group of four or five men approached us talking in another language, one of them put his arm on my sister's shoulder. We told them we didn't understand what they were saying to us,' Ms Silgale told the Liverpool ECHO. She added: 'Then all of a sudden there was a spraying noise. It looked like it had come from a water gun, it didn't burn straight away, we didn't know what had happened, then next thing it was burning our eyes, nose, mouth, hands, everywhere.' The 'scary' attack left the women frightened that they had been blinded by the substance and rushing to remove it from their faces. Jane Silgate (far right) had travelled to Krakow with five other women for her sister's hen do Following a bottomless brunch the group decided to join a tour group embarking on a bar crawl across the city centre. After this the party decided to head to a nightclub which was when they were approached by a group of 'four of five men' who were 'talking another language' Since returning to the UK, Ms Silgale has blasted Krakow claiming that she will never visit the city again (file image) They then rushed into a nearby McDonald's to wash out their eyes. Since returning to the UK, Ms Silgale has blasted Krakow claiming that she will never visit the city again. She claimed that despite the six women being attacked in the city's main square nobody stopped to help them. The altercation has left such a sore taste in Ms Silgale's mouth that she said that the trip was 'our first time in Poland and probably the last'. She added that the group didn't even bother to buy any fridge magnets and instead left Krakow without any souvenirs. Donald Trump Jr.'s ex-fiancee Kimberly Guilfoyle made a triumphant return to the White House Monday - to mark Greek Independence Day. In December, the president-elect announced that he had chosen Guilfoyle, 56, to serve as his ambassador to Greece. It coincided with DailyMail.com's exclusive report that Trump Jr. and Guilfoyle had called off their years long engagement, as the Trump heir romanced Palm Beach socialite Bettina Anderson. Guilfoyle has yet to receive Senate confirmation for the ambassadorship, which would send her across the Atlantic to Athens. But the president touted her love for Greece and his love for her as a person as he pulled her onstage Monday afternoon. 'Also with us in person, a person that really is a great friend and been a great friend for a long time,' Trump said. 'I've known this woman - although she's very young, yet - I've known her for a long time.' 'She came here and she loves our country and she loves Greece and now she's going to be the future ambassador to the Hellenic Republic, Kimberly Guilfoyle,' the president said to cheers. 'And I'm going to say Kimberly, come on up and say a few words. Kimberly, come - she's really a good person.' 'She represents the Greek culture very well,' Trump said of Guilfoyle, who is of Puerto Rican and Irish heritage. 'I will tell you, she's very proud of it.' President Donald Trump greets Kimberly Guilfoyle with a kiss and a hug as the Greek ambassador nominee was on hand for a Greek Independence Day celebration at the White House on Monday Kimberly Guilfoyle concluded her remarks by outstretching her arms, a move reminiscent of her viral 2020 Republican National Convention speech. She was tapped in December to be Trump's ambassador to Greece after her break-up was made public by DailyMail.com Trump greeted his son's ex-fiancee with an air-kiss and a hug as she came to the podium in the White House's East Room. 'I tell you, this is the honor and privilege of a lifetime to serve this country and to serve a country that I love so much, that is so near and dear to my heart, with Greece and to do it under the guidance, the leadership, of the most important, powerful president that this country has ever seen,' said Guilfoyle, who was previously married to Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom. She then called Trump a 'man of integrity.' 'I know the measure of the man and his character and his strength, and I know his love for the people of Greece, the birthplace of democracy,' she continued. She said under Trump people would 'sleep well at night and wake up in the morning feeling hopeful and optimistic for a man that will fight for the economy of this country and of Greece, for religious liberty and freedom and for the enduring alliance of Greece and the United States.' Guilfoyle made a Catholic cross over her face and then raised her arms in a way that was reminiscent of her viral 2020 Republican National Convention speech in which she dramatically pledged that the 'best is yet to come.' Her speech prompted cries of 'four more years' from the crowd - despite the fact that Trump is constitutionally limited to serving only two terms. Trump hasn't had trouble getting even his most inexperienced nominees across the line, and both parties traditionally use ambassadorships as a way to reward political allies. Kimberly Guilfoyle (left) delivers brief remarks at a Greek Independence Day celebration at the White House on Monday, alongside President Donald Trump. She'll need Senate confirmation to become Trump's ambassador to Greece Her former love, Donald Trump Jr. (left) has moved on to Palm Beach socialite Bettina Anderson (right). DailyMail.com reported on Trump Jr. and Guilfoyle's break-up in mid-December. And Trump Jr. brought Anderson as his date to Mar-a-Lago on New Year's Eve President Donald Trump (right) also invited Alek Skarlatos (left) to speak. Now a Republican serving in the Oregon House of Representatives, he was among the Americans to repel the 2015 Thalys train attack, which was later made into a Clint Eastwood movie Besides Guilfoyle, Trump also invited Alek Skarlatos to speak. Skarlatos is a Republican member of the Oregon House of Representatives but was one of the heroes of the 2015 Thalys train attack. 'Alek and his friends were on a train from Amsterdam to Paris when a bloodthirsty radical Islamic terrorist began shooting innocent people all over the train,' Trump recalled. 'In an act of tremendous valor, Alek and his comrades charged the gunman despite being completely unarmed and beat him into submission.' Skarlatos recalled how during his last trip to the White House, Trump screened Clint Eastwood's The 15:17 to Paris, which allowed Skarlatos to reenact his role but this time as an actor. 'And I honestly was surprised because I thought the president would watch about 10 minutes and leave and he stayed for the whole movie, which I was very impressed by because we played ourselves in the movie and acting wasn't the best, but it was a very accurate movie,' Skarlatos said. 'And the best part was when it came to the part where we were beating up the terrorists, the president hit me on the shoulder and was like, "right on,"' he remembered, prompting cheers from the audience. 'That was one of the top-tier memories for me. So I just wanted to say thanks so much, great to see you again.' The Trump administration has clarified why pro-Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil is facing deportation, in response to claims he was targeted for his free speech. Khalil, 30, a graduate student and legal US resident involved in the anti-Israel protests at Columbia University last year, was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Homeland Security Investigations agents on campus on March 8. At the time, the Trump administration said he was being apprehended under a rarely-used 1952 law that gives the Secretary of State the power to deport noncitizens if he or she determines that their continued presence in the United States would threaten foreign policy. But in a legal filing on Sunday, the Department of Justice claimed Khalil knowingly withheld information about his membership in certain organizations when he applied for permanent residency last year. The filing accuses Khalil - a native of Syria and a citizen of Algeria - of failing to disclose his employment as a program manager by the Syria Office in the British Embassy in Beirut and his involvement in Columbia University's Apartheid Divest club, according to NBC News. The DOJ also says that Khalil purposefully left off the application that he was employed at the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees as a political officer. The agency had come under fire after the United Nations admitted that several staff members may have been involved in Hamas' October 7, 2023 attack on Israel - which prompted the United States to halt funding for the international group. A spokesperson for the agency, though, has said Khalil was an unpaid intern in 2023, but was never on the staff. The spokesperson added that the group does not have in its job descriptions the post of political affairs officer. Columbia University graduate student Mahmoud Khalil, 30, was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Homeland Security Investigations agents on campus on March 8 Any omissions on the permanent citizen application, though, could be considered fraud and willful misrepresentation if an applicant 'misrepresents material facts' to 'conceal group memberships' that would make them ineligible for permanent residency status, according to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services. 'It's a black-letter law that misrepresentation in this context are not protected speech,' the filing says. 'Thus, Khalil's First Amendment allegations are a red herring, and there is an independent basis to justify removal sufficient to foreclose Khalil's constitutional claim here.' Still, the government will have to prove to an immigration judge that Khalil purposely failed to disclose the information - and that if he had disclosed his involvement in the groups, he would not have been eligible for permanent residency. Khalil's defense is planning to file a response to the allegations by Tuesday afternoon, CNN reports. 'These late-breaking, after-the-fact allegations, silly as they are, primarily show that the government must know the supposed "foreign policy" grounds for Mahmoud's removal are absurd and unconstitutional,' his lawyer Baher Azmy told NBC News. He went on to say that the federal governments new claims 'cannot change the obvious fact the government has admitted he is being punished in the most autocratic way for his constitutionally protected speech.' Khalil's supporters have argued that his arrest is a violation of his First Amendment right to free speech He was highly involved in the anti-Israel protests at Columbia University last year Following his arrest, Khalil was briefly held at an ICE facility in New Jersey but was promptly moved to an immigration detention center in Louisiana after the federal government argued that the detention center in New Jersey was unsuitable 'because the facility was dealing with bedbug issues' and a lack of space, according to CNN. However a petition for his release is moving forward in the New Jersey courts, where his attorneys first filed the case, a New York judge ruled last week. That judge also blocked his immediate deportation, so his legal challenge could be considered. Yet the Trump administration's filing on Sunday argued that the state of New Jersey lacks the jurisdiction to hear Khalil's case. Meanwhile, hundreds of people have come out to protest Khalil's arrest last week, and several Democrats have raised alarms after he was arrested but not charged with a crime. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, though, has fired back at critics of Khalil's arrest, saying that it is 'not about free speech.' Hundreds of people have come out to protest Khalil's arrest last week 'When you come to the United States as a visitor, which is what a visa is, which is how this individual entered this country, on a visitor's visa, you are here as a visitor. We can deny you that visa,' the U.S. top diplomat argued. If someone said they intended to come to the U.S. as a student 'and rile up all kinds of anti-Jewish student, anti-Semitic activities' and shut down universities, they would be denied the visa, Rubio said. He added: 'If you actually end up doing that once you're in this country on such a visa, we will revoke it.' Rubio also said if they end up on a green card with such activities, the U.S. will kick someone out. 'This is not about free speech. This is about people who don't have the right to be in the United States to begin with,' the secretary of state said. 'No one has a right to a student visa. No one has a right to a green card,' Rubio added. He said the U.S. can deny one for 'virtually any reason.' That included 'being a supporter of Hamas and coming into our universities and turning them upside down, and being complicit in what are clearly crimes of vandalization, complicit in shutting down learning institutions.' A lorry driver has been charged with facilitating illegal immigration after a six-year-old and a woman were found hidden in his van. The Albanian nationals were smuggled into the UK from Hook of Holland in The Netherlands. They arrived on a ferry into the port of Killingholme, North Lincolnshire, the National Crime Agency (NCA) said. The pair were found on Sunday in the driver's area of the lorry and were briskly handed over to the immigration authority. The 36-year-old driver from Poland was arrested and later charged - he was meant to appear at Grimsby Magistrates' Court on Monday. Two Albanian men were also detained by NCA officers a few miles from the port. They had driven from Hendon, north London and were suspected of being on their way to meet the lorry. One of the men, aged 24 remains in custody because he could face extradition to Italy, where he is wanted in connection with drug trafficking offences. The Albanian nationals were smuggled into the UK from Hook of Holland in The Netherlands The six-year-old and a woman were found on Sunday in the driver's area of the lorry and were briskly handed over to the immigration authority The other man, aged 44 was released on bail pending further inquiries. NCA regional head of investigations Jacque Beer said: 'Tackling organised immigration crime remains a top priority for the NCA. 'While many of the groups involved are based overseas, where there are UK-based individuals engaged in this type of criminality they can expect the full attention of the NCA and our partners. 'Our investigation into this incident continues.' An unflattering portrait of Donald Trump has been removed from the Colorado State Capitol after the president criticized the painting. Trump blasted the painting on his Truth Social platform, claiming the portrait was 'purposefully distorted' and 'truly the worst' picture ever painted of him. The president demanded 'Radical Left' Democrat Governor Jared Polis remove the artwork, which is hanging alongside portraits of 'all the other presidents.' It appears that the Colorado GOP has done it for him, according to a spokesperson for the State House's Democrats. 'Republican leadership asked for it to be taken down,' Jared Freedman told DailyMail.com. He also provided a letter signed by the Democrat-controlled Colorado General Assembly confirming the painting would be removed. The portrait will not be destroyed but instead 'stored in a secure and appropriate location, as determined by the Director of Research of Legislative Council Staff, until further notice.' 'The Speaker and Majority Leader are focused on keeping Coloradans safe and reducing costs, not hanging portraits. If the GOP wants to spend time and money on which portrait of Trump hangs in the Capitol, then that's up to them,' Freedman added, explaining why the Democrats went along with the idea. An unflattering portrait of Donald Trump made by a British-born artist has been removed from the Colorado State Capitol after the president criticized the painting Trump blasted the painting on his Truth Social platform, claiming the portrait was 'purposefully distorted' and 'truly the worst' picture ever painted of him DailyMail.com has reached out to the White House, the Colorado GOP and Governor Polis for comment. Trump posted about the portrait Sunday night on his Truth Social account. 'Nobody likes a bad picture or painting of themselves,' the president wrote. 'But the one in Colorado, in the State Capitol, put up by the Governor... was purposefully distorted to a level that even I, perhaps, have never seen before.' Trump said the British-born artist behind the portrait, Sarah Boardman, also painted Obama during his stint in the White House, and managed to do a successful job. 'He looks wonderful, but the one on me is truly the worst,' Trump wrote. 'She must have lost her talent as she got older. In any event, I would much prefer not having a picture than having this one.' Trump claimed 'many people from Colorado have called and written to complain' about the unflattering artwork. 'Republican leadership asked for it to be taken down,' Jared Freedman told DailyMail.com in a statement. He also provided a letter signed by the Democrat-controlled Colorado General Assembly confirming the painting would be removed Trump claimed 'many people from Colorado have called and written to complain' about the unflattering artwork Sarah Boardman is a British-born artist, who lives in Colorado Springs. She painted the controversial portrait of Trump in 2019 'They are actually angry about it! I am speaking on their behalf to the Radical Left Governor, Jared Polis, who is extremely weak on Crime, in particular with respect to Tren de Aragua, which practically took over Aurora (Don't worry, we saved it!), to take it down. 'Jared should be ashamed of himself.' The portrait was first unveiled in 2019 during Trump's first stint in the White House, so it is unclear what sparked his Sunday night complaint on social media. The artist behind the portrait was also commissioned to paint former president George W Bush in 2012. The British-born artist, who lives in Colorado Springs, painted the controversial portrait in 2019. She has previously painted portraits of five presidents, including one of Barack Obama that Trump claims 'looks wonderful'. Boardman, 63, studied art in Germany in 1985 and has built a reputation for creating historical portraits of political figures. When she painted Trump's portrait, she said her goal was to create an image that would look like 'just another president on the wall.' Trump is blaming 'Radical Left' Governor Jared Polis for the artwork Trump blasted the painting on his Truth Social platform, claiming the portrait was 'purposefully distorted' and 'truly the worst' picture ever painted of him Boardman insisted at the time that her aim was to create a 'neutral' representation that would stand the test of time. 'My portrait of President Trump has been called thoughtful, non-confrontational, not angry, not happy, not tweeting. In five, 10, 15, 20 years, he will be another president on the wall who is only historical background and he needs to look neutral,' she said. Back when the portrait was first unveiled in August 2019, Boardman shared pictures of her work on her professional Facebook page, hailing the 'great day.' 'The unveiling of the 45th President in the Gallery of Presidents, Rotunda, Denver State Capitol building,' she wrote. 'Thank you to all the dignitaries, staff, donors and visitors who attended and made this a wonderful event! Thank You, I appreciate you all more than you know. Feeling Very Grateful. 'Please remain respectful - this is about portraiture, not politics.' Polis was elected as the Democrat Governor in 2019. He serves as chair of the bipartisan National Governors Association, and has even been criticized for being too accommodating of Trump's agenda in the past. He told Politico Democrats should be trying to work with Trump where they can, and supported his controversial appointment of Robert F. Kennedy as Health Secretary. Polis has also tried to offer pointers to Trump's Department of Government Efficiency, encouraging Elon Musk to 'get rid of pennies' in order to save cash. But Polis may have fallen foul of Trump last week when he spoke out about the detention of Colorado resident Jeanette Vizguerra. Airlines have threatened to take legal action against Heathrow if a settlement is not reached over the costs caused by the airport being shut on Friday. The chief executive of Heathrow Airline Operators' Committee Nigel Wicking - which represents over 90 airlines using the airport - said he hoped the matter could be 'amicably settled at some point in time'. He told Sky News :'If we don't get good enough recourse and repayment in terms of the costs, then yes, there might be a case for legal action. 'I would hope not. But in some of these situations that's the only course once you've gone through everything else.' Mr Wicking also wants an independent investigation of what went wrong and why it took so long for the airport to get back up and running again. Experts say that airlines and suppliers alone could face costs of 'at least' 20m for the day of disruption. This figure includes an estimate of expenses for passengers, crew accommodation, additional transport, fuel and other costs for the aircraft themselves. Nearly 300,000 passengers were affected by the meltdown, which led to the cancellation or delay of more than 1,350 flights. Pictured is the fire which caused massive disruption as Heathrow Airport shut down 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 on Friday morning Pictured is the aftermath after the fire was put out Ed Miliband ordered an urgent investigation into the Heathrow fire after the airport boss claimed he is 'proud' of how the power outage was handled. He is working with Ofgem and using powers under the Energy Act to formally launch the grid operator's investigation. 'We are determined to properly understand what happened and what lessons need to be learned,' Mr Miliband said. 'That is why, working with Ofgem, I have today commissioned the National Energy System Operator to carry out an investigation into this specific incident and to understand any wider lessons to be learned on energy resilience for critical national infrastructure, both now and in the future. 'The Government is determined to do everything it can to prevent a repeat of what happened at Heathrow.' Earlier, the airport's chief executive Thomas Woldbye was grilled over claims that Europe's biggest airport had become an international 'laughing stock' after a substation fire caused a temporary power loss and forced hundreds of flights to be grounded on Friday. Your browser does not support iframes. Firefighters at the scene of the fire at an electrical substation in Hayes But despite the ongoing chaos, Mr Woldbye told BBC Radio 4's Today programme he was 'personally quite proud' of his staff's response to the unprecedented scenes and appeared to shift the blame for the outage. 'Don't forget the situation was not created at Heathrow Airport. It was created outside the airport and we had to deal with the consequences,' he told presenter Emma Barnett on Saturday. The airport boss, whose salary is believed to be around 5million a year, also refused to comment on whether he should still be in his role following the disaster, saying 'I will let others judge if they think there is an issue'. It emerged over the weekend that Woldbye went back to bed to make sure he was 'well rested' rather than work through the night as the fire raged through the power substation. 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. Firefighters douse the remainder of a fire that broke out at a substation supplying power to Heathrow Airport in Hayes, west London Your browser does not support iframes. 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. 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.' A passenger lying on the floor at Heathrow T5 on after the fire knocked out power The National Energy System Operator (Neso) is expected to report to the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and Ofgem with initial findings within six weeks. Operations at Heathrow were normal on Saturday morning after flights began taking off on Friday following hours of closure after a blaze at an electricity substation in Hayes cut power to the west London airport. 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. But Heathrow bosses are facing questions about how a small fire shut down one of the world's biggest airports. 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 bosses are facing questions about how a small fire shut down one of the world's biggest airports. Pictured: The fire at Hayes electrical substation 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. A Heathrow spokesperson said: 'This was an unprecedented issue which began with a fire at an off-airport substation, in less than 24 hours the entire airport was rebooted from a standing start and we delivered a full schedule from Saturday onwards. 'There are two reviews into the systems and response both at Heathrow and with the wider grid infrastructure. We will support these and lessons will be learned where needed. 'Every penny we invest in our airport infrastructure is approved by airlines and our regulator. On a project-by-project basis, they oversee and influence how we build and maintain Heathrow.' Shes back, and she means business. After months away from the spotlight, the Princess of Wales has made her triumphant return to public life with a striking new look, and one thing is clear - she has embraced the power of the shoulder pad. From her first reappearance in Southport last October to her recent engagement at the St Patricks Day parade, the future Queen has ditched her flowing midi dresses in favour of a sharper, more structured silhouette. The message is unmistakable - Kate is stronger than ever - and her wardrobe is the proof. In place of floaty skirts and delicate detailing, we are seeing a new, more commanding princess. With every appearance, she steps out in expertly tailored blazers, impeccably cut coats, and structured dresses, all featuring one common element - shoulder pads. Adding structure without overwhelming her frame, Kates power dressing has become more pronounced with defined shoulders creating an unmistakable nod to authority as she stands tall and exudes confidence and control. Kates new penchant for power dressing is no accident. In times of transition, a change in wardrobe can be a deliberate and powerful statement. The strong silhouette created by shoulder pads conveys a sense of authority, stability and resilience - qualities essential for the Princess of Wales increasingly prominent royal role. After all, history has shown us time and time again that women in power turn to sharp tailoring as their sartorial weapon of choice. The Princess of Wales made a triumphant return to the Irish Guards St Patricks Day parade, keeping to tradition in an elegant head-to-toe green ensemble that paid homage to the occasion. The strong shoulders of the tailored coat lent a sharp, military-inspired edge, a fitting nod to her role as honorary Colonel of the regiment Kate Middleton was the picture of elegance as she attended the Six Nations match, donning a bespoke Alexander McQueen coat for the occasion For this year's Commonwealth Day service, the Princess of Wales opted for a red coat dress by Catherine Walker which was adorned with an oversized bow. The strong shoulders together with the flowing skirt helped accentuate her waist The Princess of Wales made her first joint public appearance since she announced that she had finished her chemotherapy treatment to support the community of Southport. Kate opted for a chocolate brown Alexander McQueen coat which gave structure to her polka-dot Whistles dress Dressed head-to-toe in black with a poppy adorning her coat dress, Kate looked dignified in her sombre ensemble as she paid her respects at the Festival of Remembrance. The sharp shoulders gave the ensemble a commanding presence Kate stepped out for her first official state visit since announcing her cancer diagnosis to welcome the Emir of Qatar. Looking chic in a burgundy Alexander McQueen coat, the shoulders were sharply tailored to accentuate her waist in December 2024 Joining the royal family for the National Service of Remembrance, Kate wore a black, military-inspired coat dress by Catherine Walker, which featured a large, velvet bow at the collar, and a Juliette Botterill black fascinator with a lace veil in November 2024 Christmas day is always an opportunity for the Princess of Wales to blend her quintessentially British style with a sense of Christmas spirit, and last year she wore a structured Alexander McQueen coat and Lock & Co hat with a tartan scarf as a festive twist Embracing her signature structured silhouette, Kate chose a tailored blazer by Petar Petrov and wide-legged pinstripe trousers from Maxmara as she stepped out at the National Portrait Gallery in 2025 At her first public appearance of 2025 at the Royal Marsden Hospital, Catherine looked understated but by no means less elegant, wearing a long tailored coat from Blaze Milano with a burgundy skirt by Edeline Lee. The bespoke maroon tartan coat with double breasted finish, nipped in at the waist, was accentuated further by the structure in the shoulders The Oruola shoulder pads from Amazon. The Princess of Wales is using shoulder pads as her secret weapon in all her structured looks since returning to her duties after cancer treatment Its been a while since the fashion sphere has been treated to a good pair of shoulder pads, a style which first became popular in the 1930s, inspired by military silhouettes. They again rose to fame in the 1970s, championed by the likes of Balenciaga, Yves Saint Laurent and Dior in both ready-to-wear and haute couture collections. In the 1980s, Princess Diana also turned to structured suiting during the later years of her public life, signalling her independence and strength. And now, in 2025, Kate is following suit. This is a woman preparing for her future role as Queen. Every outfit is carefully considered, every detail meticulously planned. She is dressing not just for the role she has now, but for the role she will inherit in the years to come. And with every precisely tailored shoulder pad, she is making it abundantly clear - she is ready. The best part? You dont need a royal budget to channel Kates new look. Shoulder pads are an easy and affordable way to upgrade your wardrobe, and they can make an instant difference to your outfit. For as little as 3.50 on Amazon, you can purchase a pair of attachable shoulder pads that will add structure to any blazer, coat, or dress for an instant royal power boost. So, as Kate steps into an ever more pivotal role within the monarchy her floral dresses and soft silhouettes have taken a backseat and one thing is certain - the Princess of Wales is ready for the next chapter, and shes doing it in structured shoulder pad style. Oracle co-founder and Trump confidant Larry Ellison is pouring a fortune into the Florida seaside town of Manalapan as he transforms the area into an exclusive haven. Ellison, the world's fourth-richest billionaire, is worth more than $187 billion, and also a close friend and political ally of President Donald Trump. In August of last year, Ellison purchased the town's crown jewel - the 300-room Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa for a staggering $277 million. The seaside resort sits 20 minutes south of Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago compound in ritzy Palm Beach. Ellison's massive cash injection is rapidly transforming the the sliver of coastline into what some are calling the 'new Riviera of American wealth.' The deal, one of the most expensive hotel purchases in US history, was the latest in a series of acquisitions by the 80-year-old mogul as he looks to rejuvenate the hotel - the town's largest structure and top employer. It means a town that was once overlooked by developers is now emerging as a billionaire's playground, and all a stone's throw from Trump's 'Winter White House'. Manalapan, home to just 400 people, was once a quiet enclave of old-money charm, known mostly to insiders and real estate insiders but it also held has long held whispers of glamor. In the 1950s, the original La Coquille Club on the same stretch of beach welcomed royalty and titans of American industry - from the Duke and Duchess of Windsor to the Vanderbilts and Fords. The sleepy Florida seaside town of Manalapan, with a population of just 400, is being thrust into the spotlight following a massive investment Oracle co-founder and Trump confidant Larry Ellison has plowed $450 million of investment into the town Manalapan, Florida sits just 20 minutes south of Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago compound But after decades of decline, the town's glitzy reputation gradually faded. With the purchase of the Eau Palm Beach, Ellison has vowed to restore its appeal. He has already launched a Nobu pop-up restaurant on the property - a brand he's closely tied to and known to frequent with fellow tech moguls. Renovations are underway, and Manalapan's mayor, John Deese, told Bloomberg he believes Ellison's vision could turn the resort into one of the top destinations on the planet. 'The recent sales have just added to the overall success of the real estate market in South Florida,' Deese said. 'We feel very fortunate that Mr. Ellison and others chose Manalapan for their residential and commercial property investments.' 'The hotel has the potential to be an extraordinary property in the town,' echoed local developer Stewart Satter, who recently listed a neighboring estate for an unprecedented $285 million. Industry insiders are calling it 'The Ellison Effect' - attracting the kind of wealth- that doesn't just elevate a town but it transforms it. He has promised renovations to the estate and it's expected he will perform a complete renovation from top to bottom, possibly introducing private villas, tech-enhanced rooms, and celebrity-grade amenities that would be among the best in global hospitality. Ellison is well-versed in top tier resorts being the owner of the Four Seasons Resort Lanai in Hawaii, the Nobu Ryokan Malibu and the Sensei Porcupine Creek, both in California. In August Ellisone bought the town's crown jewel - the 300-room Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa for a staggering $277 million It's believed Ellison may be about to renovate his resort which will create jobs for the area Local home owners now also get an added perk - free membership at Ellison's luxury resort club. There are no joining fees or annual dues Real estate analyst Ana Bozovic told Realtor.com that Ellison's arrival has put Manalapan on the map in a way that few other developments ever could. Median home prices in the town have already begun to soar, with some estates now touching the $100 million mark. 'These titans of industry are essentially emperors bringing their courts with them,' Bozovic said. 'Manalapan is going back to its glamorous roots. 'If Ellison decides to renovate his resort, this will absolutely create jobs and work. This is a net positive for the local economy.' Homes along the same narrow barrier island stretch are now listed at stratospheric prices: $150 million here, $285 million there. Ellison's neighbors include hedge fund billionaire Chris Rokos, Fox News host Sean Hannity and WeatherTech founder David MacNeil who purchased a glistening $38.5 million home last year. Among the several homes are on the market in the area, two listed by Nick Malinosky, Mike OConnor and Gary Pohrer of The Exclusive Group at Douglas Elliman. One sprawling mansion at 2363 S Ocean Blvd is listed for $33 million, and features a 17,400-square-foot home featuring six bedrooms, nine bathrooms and a 100ft of ocean frontage. A plot of land at 1300 S Ocean Boulevard will set a new buyer back a cool $32 million - but come with counting Campbell Soup heiress Mary Alice Dorrance Malone as a neighbor. Part of the town's appeal lies in its sprawling estates and relative seclusion, making it a quieter, more private alternative to Palm Beach, just 10 miles to the north. With a village-like population and its own dedicated police force, Manalapan offers exclusivity and privacy that wealthy buyers find irresistible. Local home owners now also get an added perk - free membership at Ellison's luxury resort club. There are no joining fees or annual dues. While Ellison is best known for revolutionizing enterprise software, his real estate acumen is no less legendary. His portfolio spans four states and includes ultra-luxe properties in Malibu, Newport, San Francisco, Lake Tahoe and nearly 98 percent of the Hawaiian island of Lanai, which he bought in 2012 for $300 million. The sliver of exclusive coastline is rapidly transforming into what some are calling the 'new Riviera of American wealth' The plot at 1300 S Ocean Boulevard in Manalapan for $32 million offers a rare opportunity for a new owner to build their dream estate with fully approved architectural plans already in place The mansion will offer breathtaking views, luxurious waterfront living, and expansive, pristine outdoor spaces Another extraordinary oceanfront estate sits at 2363 S Ocean Blvd for a cool $34million A town that was once overlooked by developers is now emerging as a billionaire's playground He transformed the island into a luxurious retreat of private airstrips, solar farms, and five-star amenities. Ellison's real estate push in Manalapan began in 2021, but it wasn't until his record-shattering $173 million purchase of a 62,000-square-foot, ocean-to-lake estate in 2023 that it became clear it was no ordinary land grab. The purchase set a Florida record and cemented Ellison's intent to shape Manalapan into a billionaire's playground. Then came the August 2024 acquisition of the Eau Palm Beach Resort. Palm Beach County Commissioner Maria Sachs noted that proximity to Mar-a-Lago has become a major draw for buyers. 'Every place in that area is having a moment because of Donald Trump,' Sachs told Bloomberg. 'You are so close to Mar-a-Lago, you can get a membership and everyone knows that he's very public there.' Walking down Main Street in Bennington, Vermont, the signs of quintessential New England are everywhere. Monuments to the Revolutionary War stand among the quaint cafes and storefronts. Multicolored foliage covers the trees in autumn, and snow sweeps the surrounding mountains in winter. Altogether, it makes the Green Mountain State's oldest town one of the most picturesque in the region. But in the woods just a short walk from Bennington's breweries and galleries hides America's 'Bermuda Triangle', an area haunted by its spine-chilling past. Considered one of the scariest places in the US, it's the source of decades-old mysteries that still spook anyone searching for the truth. According to Native American lore, the land is 'cursed.' Five people vanished there without a trace in the space of five years, UFOs have been spotted, and tales of monstrous encounters have been spread. Visitors have reported hearing random sounds, seeing peculiar rays of light, smelling odors that don't match the surroundings and even finding strands of human hair left on rocks. Even now, locals experience events that they simply cannot explain. Paula Jean Welden (pictured), a sophomore at Bennington College, was last seen on December 1, 1946 about two miles south of the area where Middie Rivers, 76, vanished the previous year. Her body was never found Freida Langer, 53, disappeared on October 28, 1950, sixteen days after 8-year-old Paul 'Buddy' Jepson vanished without a trace Although the exact perimeters of the 'Bennington Triangle' are ambiguous, it is thought to be centered around Glastenbury Mountain and covers approximately 100 square miles. In 1946, 18-year-old Bennington College student Paula Jean Welden took a solo hike in the area and disappeared without a trace. In 1950, eight-year-old Paul 'Buddy' Jepson, who had special needs, joined his mother to do farm chores and was never seen again. In a terrifying twist, Welden and Jepson were both wearing red at the time they went missing - leading many locals to believe the color is bad luck. To this day, residents still refuse to wear the color when visiting the area. Sixteen days after Jepson vanished, experienced hiker Frieda Langer went missing while in the woods. Middie Rivers, 74, an experienced outdoorsman and mountain guide, also disappeared while on a trail with a group of hunters in 1945. And military veteran James Tedford, 68, was last seen at a local bus stop while visiting relatives in the area in December 1949. Bennington is a picturesque town in southern Vermont, where monuments to the Revolutionary War stand among the quaint cafes and storefronts The town, home to Bennington College, is Vermont's oldest An aerial view of Bennington features breathtaking views of the lush landscape With the exception of Langer, the bodies of the four others were never found. Joseph Citro, the author of Green Mountain Ghosts, Ghouls & Unsolved Mysteries, told DailyMail.com that things got 'weirder' after he started doing research on the area decades ago. He shared one peculiar event in which two cold-case investigators, who were also retired ex-military detectives, approached him to discuss the unexplained mysteries in the area. He recounted that one of the detectives was trying to solve the Welden case but went missing during his investigation - never to be heard from again. Citro said the detective told him 'that he knew where [Welden] was.' 'He had traced her body to the trunk of a car that was buried beside a cabin that was no longer standing,' the historian explained. The last time Citro and the detective spoke, the investigator said that he was 'planning a big news event' and wanted Citro to be there for the 'big reveal.' That was the last the author would hear from him. Although the exact perimeters of the 'Bennington Triangle' are ambiguous, it is thought to be centered around Glastenbury Mountain and covers approximately 100 square miles The mountainous peaks of the Green Mountain National Forest holds many secrets of those who vanished without a trace Those have taken journeys to Glastenbury Mountain recall eerie experiences there Signs warning 'Do Not Enter' are posted along a number of trails in the vast woods 'His phone number no longer worked. His emails weren't answered. He was gone!' Citro said. 'Maybe something happened to him or maybe it was an "Al Capone's Safe" kind of deal. Anyway, that was the end of it. Never heard from him again.' In another odd twist, the second detective also fell off the radar. Citro said he later learned the detective had died by suicide, but he does not believe it had any connection to the Bennington Triangle. In 1992, appearing on public radio, Citro coined the term 'Bennington Triangle' - a nod to the infamous Bermuda Triangle in the Atlantic Ocean, where boats and planes have mysteriously vanished going back decades.. From there, the legend took on a life of its own. Television crews, podcasters and YouTubers that focus on the paranormal have visited the area hoping to find out more. When asked what he believes is behind all the strange happenings, Citro said he doesn't 'believe a single theory is possible.' 'The are so many disparate phenomena associated with the area. Shall we just talk about the vanishings? Or shall we include the Bigfoot sightings? And the UFO activity?' he said. 'The vanishings are a matter of history. I've talked with very credible people who've clearly seen Bigfoot-like critters in the area,' he continued. 'It is tempting to blame the former on the latter, but I resist making that leap.' Some residents are skeptical, but others who have taken their own journeys to Glastenbury Mountain recall eerie experiences there. Joseph Citro is the author of 'Green Mountain Ghosts, Ghouls & Unsolved Mysteries' 'The Bennington Monster' is thought to look like Bigfoot. Pictured: a 'Bigfoot' sighting in Eureka, California The missing person handout for Paula Welden. She had been in a red coat when she left for a hike and mysteriously vanished. She was in her second year at Bennington College Middie Rivers, an experienced outdoorsman and mountain guide, disappeared while on a trail with a group of hunters in 1945 Rebecca Silver, 36, who was born and raised in Bennington, told DailyMail.com that she has heard the strange stories since she was a child. 'People went missing in Glastenbury in the mountains and that Bald Mountain, across from Glastenbury, has an underground chamber for UFOs,' she said matter-of-factly. When Silver was in her 20s, she went to visit the site with friends at night and remembered how 'eerie' it was. 'I don't know how to explain it. It felt like we weren't alone,' she said. Though Silver didn't personally experience any extraterrestrial activity, she said that her boyfriend's friend had an 'alien sighting.' 'They were all men in black dressed in suits but they were aliens,' she recalled. 'Like the movie Men in Black.' Nancy Kozial, who has been living in Vermont for more than two decades, told DailyMail.com that 'there are definitely things at work' in the Bennington Triangle. 'I'm not generally one to believe in stuff like that (I recently debunked my husband's insistence that there's a ghost in our house),' she said in an email, 'but I avoid that particular swath of land after one weird experience.' The incident happened in 2003, when Kozial had just moved to the town and 'knew nothing about' the area's frightening history. She was on a hike at the base of the triangle when her 'rugged, outdoor' dog sensed something was not right. 'Not far into our hike, she got spooked like I'd never seen before. When I stopped to pay attention (always trust your dog's instincts!) I noticed that the cairn marking a turn had what looked like human hair on it,' Kozial recounted. 'Like long, dark hairs. It was creepy. I cajoled the dog a little farther and saw another at which point I got out of there and have never been back to that section of the trail. I'm sure it was just someone messing around but it was weird.' Since that encounter, she said that she and her husband have hiked in a different area and nothing strange has occurred. But she hasn't forgotten. 'It kind of sticks with you and there's definitely an unease,' Kozial said. Lifelong Vermont resident Autumn Post, 46, who works at Knapp's Music Store near Bennington, told told DailyMail.com that she hasn't had any off-putting personal experiences but that people 'claimed to see strange things, strange lights, portals.' 'The talk for me is enough,' she laughed. She did recall one unusual story of a male friend who went camping in the area. 'He told me he had lost time, that there was some lapse' that he couldn't explain. 'When people go camping they get drunk and maybe he passed out, but I took his word for it,' she said. A view of the Green Mountain National Forest in Vermont The heavily wooded trail where skilled mountain guide Middie Rivers, 72 was last seen The vast wilderness is host to many legends and folklore The mountainous region has plenty of treacherous terrain Green Mountain National Forest spans roughly 400,000 acres Historian Joseph Hall, 93, told DailyMail.com that he was in high school when Welden and Rivers went missing. 'All I can remember is that I was a freshman in high school and Paula was at Bennington College,' he said of the December day in 1946 she went missing. 'She simply disappeared. They had no clues as to what happened to her. It was a big mystery. They never did find a trace of her.' Hall explained that Welden came from a prominent and wealthy family in Connecticut and that her father helped look for her. The teen's father was 'dismayed' that Vermont did not have sate police at the time and had to rely on the local sheriff's department. It was Welden's disappearance, Hall said, that prompted the formation of the Vermont State Police. He believes that the student's father funded his own search for his daughter. 'Helicopters were flying the mountain looking for her,' he recalled. 'The area that Paula and Middie vanished in is all wilderness. It's a vast piece of property. It's part of the National Forest and it's extensive.' The author of Green Mountain Ghosts, Ghouls & Unsolved Mysteries said that things got 'weirder' after he started doing research on the area decades ago Hall said that Middie was an expert hunter and knew the mountain very well. One of his theories is that he may have fallen into an old well on an abandoned property. 'It's a lame assumption. It's not fact,' he acknowledged. 'No one found him. No trace of him.' Hall admits that the area's strange phenomena continues to elude him. 'It's a mystery,' he said. Despite the spine-tingling tales that have circulated for decades, Citro said that the area is still a popular place for sightseeing, hiking and camping. 'The Long Trail goes right through there - I'm not sure if the scary stories attract people or frighten them away,' he said, referring to the famous hiking trail spanning entire state. And while he has never had an encounter with a cryptid, he admitted that the idea helped influence one of his novels, The Gore. 'Early childhood experiences of extreme uneasiness in wooded places links directly to my lifelong interest in collecting unusual local folklore,' he said. 'It deals with weird things in the woods! Including Bigfoot.' Citro explained that long before area became the scene of multiple vanishings, many of its earliest settlers reported mysterious lights, formless phantoms, unidentifiable sounds, and mysterious odors. 'For centuries the Glastenbury Mountain has been a hotspot for creature sightings. But the so-called Bennington Monster, or its lookalike kin, is not unique to the Vermont wilderness.' 'Every state in New England - and by extension the country and the world - seems to have its tradition of Big Hairy Monsters,' he added. The discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb back in 1922 was one of the most remarkable finds of the 20th century. Located in Egypt's Valley of the Kings, the young pharaoh was found with more than 5,000 priceless treasures including his iconic golden mask. Now, more than a century later, Tutankhamun's tomb is still yielding secrets, according to a new study. Dr Nicholas Brown, an Egyptologist at Yale University, claims the significance of a 'humble' set of objects in the tomb has until now been overlooked. In his new study, he explains the true significance of clay trays and wooden staffs positioned near Tutankhamun's sarcophagus. The clay trays and staffs were a key part of the 'Osirian funerary rite' relating to Osiris, the god of the underworld, which Tutankhamun himself pioneered. Tutankhamun came to the throne as a young boy in 1332 BC and died around a decade later at the age of 18 or 19. Although he only ruled for 10 years, Tutankhamun is one of the best known Ancient Egyptian pharaohs due to the fabulous treasures discovered when British archaeologist Howard Carter opened his tomb in 1922. Your browser does not support iframes. Tutankhamun came to the throne as a young boy in 1333 BC. Although he only ruled for 10 years Tutankhamun is one of the best known Ancient Egyptian pharaohs due to the fabulous treasures discovered when British archaeologist Howard Carter opened his tomb in 1922. Pictured, gold and lapis lazuli funerary mask of Tutankhamun, King of Egypt, c1323 BC The gold coffin was covered in a black perfumed resin and here, British Egyptologist Howard Carter and a colleague are cleaning it, using a small hammer and a solvent 'While excavating the tomb of Tutankhamun, an enigmatic set of objects was discovered in the burial chamber,' Dr Brown says in his study. 'However, closer examination of the religious and archaeological context of the artefacts enables another interpretation of their function.' Tutankhamun's tomb was provided with vast quantities of wealth, such as the famous golden funerary mask, golden shoes, clothing, statues, jewelry and more. But the clay trays and four 3-ft-tall wooden staffs placed about 5 feet from the head of the pharaohs sarcophagus initially seemed plain in comparison. Originally, the clay troughs were believed to be merely functional, acting as stands for more captivating emblems found nearby. But now Dr Brown argues in favour of a new interpretation of the clay trays, which were originally crafted using mud from the River Nile. The academic believes the trays were used for 'libations' the ritual pouring of a drink as an offering to a deity, in memory of the dead. Likely poured into them was water from the Nile, in the belief that the water's purity could help revive the body of the deceased. The clay trays (pictured) shaped with Nile mud were likely used for 'libations' the ritual pouring of a drink as an offering to a deity Originally, these clay troughs were believed to be stands for the emblems found nearby and in close association to them Sarcophagus containing the gold coffin of the pharaoh Tutankhamun (ruled 1333-1323 BC) which held his mummy. From the Cairo Museum, Egypt Who was Osiris? One of the most important gods of ancient Egypt, Osiris was the 'Lord of the Underworld' and judge of the dead. He is commonly depicted as a pharaoh with a complexion of either green - the color of rebirth - or black, alluding to the fertility of the Nile floodplain. Pharaohs and other rich ancient Egyptians were associated with Osiris in death if they paid for assimilation rituals, which meant they could rise from the dead with Osiris and inherit eternal life. Through hope of new life after death, Osiris is associated with cycles observed in nature, but he was worshiped as Lord of the Dead until the suppression of the Egyptian religion during the rise of Christianity in the Roman Empire Advertisement Meanwhile, the wooden staffs, placed near the pharaohs head, may have played a central role in ritually 'waking' Tutankhamun. For example, in ancient Egyptian myth, god of the underworld Osiris is commanded to wake by staffs held behind his head. Dr Brown says the arrangement of the trays and staffs recalls the Awakening of Osiris a famous ancient Egyptian myth involving the god. According to the American Research Centre in Egypt, the earliest depiction of the Awakening of Osiris Ritual comes from Egypt's 19th Dynasty (1292 BC to 1189 BC). But Tutankhamun ruled earlier, during the 19th Dynasty, so Dr Brown suggests that Tutankhamun pioneered this ritual when he died. 'Im pretty convinced that what were seeing within Tutankhamuns burial chamber is probably the earliest iteration of this ritual that we can see in the archaeological record,' he told New Scientist. One of the most important gods of ancient Egypt, Osiris was the 'Lord of the Underworld' and judge of the dead. According to the myth, Osiris was killed by his brother Seth and hacked into pieces that were scattered across Egypt. In 1922, British archaeologist Howard Carter discovered the mask in Tut's lavish tomb in the Valley of the Kings on the west bank of the Nile River A room inside the tomb of King Tutankhamun, died at the age of 18 or 19, in the Valley of the Kings in Luxor, Egypt. The tomb has undergone numerous and meticulous restoration works over many years According to the myth, Osiris, god of the deceased, was killed and hacked into pieces that were scattered across Egypt. Depicted is Osiris on the facade of the mortuary temple of Hatshepsut, Egypt After finding all of the pieces and making her husband whole again, his wife (and sister) Isis was able to resurrect him for a time. Dr Brown said Tutankhamun's predecessor, Akhenaten, shifted the country's religious beliefs to the religion focused on Aten the sun-disk. 'This also affected the official afterlife beliefs focused on resurrection through Osiris, which was no longer permitted,' he told MailOnline. 'Tutankhamun and the officials acting on his behalf had the opportunity to adapt, alter, and change royal funerary practice and bring back Osiris into the picture.' Jacobus van Dijk, an Egyptologist at the University of Groningen who was not involved in the study, agrees that the trays had a ritualistic purpose, although it's unclear what he makes of the staffs. But he thinks they may have represented part of a different and even more unusual ritual known as the 'spell of the four torches' In the ritual, four torchbearers stand at the corners of the sarcophagus an act that intended to guide the king through the underworld. The torches are then extinguished in the clay trays, which were filled with 'milk of a white cow'. Dr Brown's study, published in Journal of Egyptian Archaeology, comes more than 100 years since Tutankhamun's tomb was found by London-born archaeologist Howard Carter and his financial backer Lord Carnarvon. A colourised version of a black and white photograph of Howard Carter and Lord Carnarvon as they break into the burial chamber in the tomb of Tutankhamun Photographer: Harry Burton Lord Carnarvon was rewarded with a great discovery - wonderful, priceless and hidden for 3,000 years, including, ultimately, the sarcophagus of King Tutankhamun On November 4, 1922, in the Valley of Kings, Carter's group found steps leading to a doorway stamped with oval seals and hieroglyphics. They spent several months cataloguing am antechamber filled with thrones, alabaster vases, musical instruments and dismantled chariots. Less than three weeks later, Carter made a breach in the corner of a second door deeper underground, which enabled him to peer in by candlelight. 'Can you see anything?' Lord Carnarvon famously asked him, before Carter's astonished reply: 'Yes wonderful things!' Finally, in February the following year, the team opened the burial chamber and discovered the sarcophagus the stunning stone coffin containing the mummified pharaoh. The tomb is considered one of the most lavish to be discovered in history, filled with precious objects to aid the young Pharaoh on his voyage to the afterlife. READ MORE: Row erupts over what REALLY lies beneath Egypt's pyramids Scientists have triggered an international row with the claim there's a vast ancient undiscovered mecca beneath the Pyramids of Giza. Using radar waves, the scholars claim to have found mysterious cylindrical objects descending more than 2,000 feet beneath the 4,500-year-old Khafre Pyramid at Egypt's Giza complex. This has triggered speculation that the pyramid sits above the Hall of Records, a legendary concept often linked to ancient Egyptian lore. Some believe the Hall of Records contains vast amounts of lost wisdom and knowledge about the famous ancient civilization. But does the Hall of Records really exist? Speaking to MailOnline, Dr Roland Enmarch, Reader in Egyptology at the University of Liverpool, said that the concept 'makes for great science fiction, but it is most definitely not science fact'. 'I will believe something exists when the balance of credible evidence points towards such a thing existing or having once existed,' he scathingly told MailOnline. 'That is not the case with the idea of a Hall of Records under the Giza plateau.' 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 (artist's impression) Your browser does not support iframes. The first person to use the term 'Hall of Records' was Edgar Cayce, an American psychic and 'healer' known for tall tales of ancient civilizations, including Ancient Egypt, El Dorado and Atlantis. However, most scientists agree that it is fictional. Dr Nicholas Brown, an Egyptologist at Yale University who has just published a new study on Tutankhamun's tomb, told MailOnline that there is 'no such thing' as the Hall of Records. He compared it to Atlantis - the world's most famous fictional island invented by Greek philosopher Plato 2,300 years ago. 'There's certainly no evidence of Hall of Records from ancient Egypt and it is linked to Atlantis, which also doesn't have any hard evidence of being true,' he told MailOnline. 'I base my work on hard facts and data, so I am usually weary of these pseudo-science claims.' Dr Melanie Pitkin, Egyptologist at the University of Sydney, also says the Hall of Records does not exist and debunked the alleged findings below the Khafre Pyramid. 'No ancient archaeological, artistic or literary evidence exists to support such a claim,' she told MailOnline. The forequarters of the Great Sphinx of Giza. The entrance to the Hall of Records is alleged to be near the sphinx's right paw (at lower right) It's generally believed the story about the world of Atlantis was first told 2,300 years ago by the Greek philosopher Plato who made it up, but some history fans persist with the idea that it actually existed (artist's impression) What is the Hall of Records? The first person to use the term 'Hall of Records' was Edgar Cayce Hall of Records is a legendary concept 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. However, there is no reliable evidence that the Hall of Records exists. Advertisement Meanwhile, Dr Jane Draycott, lecturer in ancient history at the University of Glasgow, said there's 'no basis' at all to the myth. Instead, she claims that scientists should be focusing their efforts elsewhere. 'There are plenty of surviving temple libraries, or at least the remains of them, so people should pay more attention to those,' she told MailOnline. Dr Draycott also called the alleged new findings beneath the Khafre Pyramid 'complete and utter nonsense'. She pointed out that they're yet to be published in a scientific journal a process that involves being evaluated by independent experts. The findings were described by two Italians Corrado Malanga and Filippo Biondi, who purport to be from University of Pisa and the University of Strathclyde in Scotland. They published a 2022 paper about their work using radar to explore the Giza pyramid. However, the research contains no scans of these structures and alludes to fringe theories, Snopes reports. 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 Imagery of the scans appears to come from a presentation made by the duo a few days ago in Bologna. What's more, Malanga is a UFOlogist and has appeared on YouTube shows about aliens. Also, there's no reliable evidence that the duo have been employed of University of Pisa and the University of Strathclyde (Biondi said on LinkedIn that he left the University of Strathclyde 'some time ago'). Having made making headlines over the weekend, their claims of the vast underground cylinders have been widely discredited by academics. Dr Zahy Hawass, archaeologist and Egypt's former minister for tourism and antiquities, called it 'fake news' from a 'group of amateurs'. 'All this information is completely wrong and has absolutely no scientific basis,' he said in a statement posted to Facebook on Sunday. 'The ministry of tourism and antiquity did not give permission to any individuals or institutions to work inside or outside the second pyramid. 'In addition, the claim that a radar was used inside the pyramid is false. 'These people who announced this wrong information, they used techniques that are not approved nor validated [and] the details announced would never have been seen by using this technique.' Dr Draycott added: 'I'm suspicious of people who claim affiliations with academic institutions that they don't actually have, and who attempt to venture into fields where they don't have sufficient academic expertise and claim they have suddenly discovered something that everyone else has missed. 'Until this is verified by people with the necessary expertise and credentials, it is pseudoscience and conspiracy theory.' Organic molecules of 'unprecedented size' have been discovered on Mars, adding further evidence that life may once have existed on the Red Planet. Experts have found long carbon chains, containing up to 12 consecutive atoms, in samples of Martian rock which date back billions of years. These organic molecules the longest identified so far could originate from fatty acids, which are the building blocks of fats and oils and are created on Earth through biological activity. And scientists said the discovery is of 'high interest' in the search for potential signs of life. The samples were collected by the 'Sample Analysis at Mars' (SAM) one of the instruments on-board NASA's Curiosity Rover which has been studying the Gale crater since 2012. It has a gas chromatograph and mass spectrometer which allow it to identify molecules in samples. Analysis revealed that the collected mudstone contains the organic molecules decane, undercane and dodecane. The lack of geological activity and the cold, arid climate on Mars have helped preserve this invaluable organic matter for the past 3.7 billion years. Organic molecules of 'unprecedented size' have been discovered on Mars, adding further evidence that life may once have existed on the Red Planet It therefore dates from the period during which life first emerged on Earth, the experts said. While fatty acids are an important component of living cells on Earth, they can also be formed by abiotic physical, rather than biological processes, they added. Writing in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) the team said their success paves the way for future missions in search of signs of complex, life-like chemistry. 'Organic molecules preserved in ancient Martian rocks provide a critical record of the past habitability of Mars and could be chemical biosignatures', they wrote. 'The source of the long-chain alkanes remains uncertain; however, laboratory experiments support a source from the saturated form of straight-chain, primary carboxylic acids [fatty acids]. 'Although abiotic processes can form these acids, they are considered universal products of biochemistry - terrestrial, and perhaps Martian. 'Thus, the provenance and distribution of these molecules are of high interest in the search for potential biosignatures on Mars.' Searching for further life-like chemistry on Mars will be one of the goals of the European Space Agency's upcoming ExoMars mission, set to launch in 2028. The samples were collected by the 'Sample Analysis at Mars' (SAM) one of the instruments on-board NASA's Curiosity Rover which has been studying the Gale crater since 2012 Samples were collected by drilling into Martian rock (pictured with superimposed carbon molecules) The same team involved in this study will build an instrument similar to SAM for Dragonfly the drone that is due to explore the surface of Titan, Saturn's largest satellite, from 2034 onwards. A separate study recently concluded that Mars was once home to sun-soaked, sandy beaches with gentle, lapping waves. Researchers discovered evidence of a 'vacation-style' environment on the Red Planet, despite there being no visible liquid on the surface of Mars today. An international team of scientists used data from China's Zhurong Mars rover to unearth hidden layers of rock underneath the planet's surface that strongly suggest the presence of an ancient northern ocean. The new research offers the clearest evidence yet that the planet once contained a significant body of water and a more habitable environment for life, the researchers said. Mysterious glowing orbs have been spotted flying off the coast of Florida - months after New Jersey was invaded by drones. Residents of Daytona Beach have described the unidentified objects rising directly from the ocean and flying over the surface of the water. One extremely viral video from March 17 at around 10pm captured what appeared to be a large object moving toward land, and the flare of light surrounding it gradually dissipating to reveal the shape of an aircraft. While many have dismissed it as simply a passenger plane, locals have shared similar videos online claiming the objects moved in unconventional ways. One particularly extraordinary theory has surfaced on social media, where locals say a 'group of whistleblowers' claiming to be 'military personnel and sailors' told them the US Navy discovered a 'huge' underwater mothership that they believe is producing the orbs. 'Apparently whatever this thing is has sent numerous pulses of energy out, and apparently knocked out power to a couple of the ships,' one TikTok user explained. 'This thing is appearing on radar and then disappearing off of radar,' he added. There have also been eyewitness reports of US Navy vessels patrolling near Daytona Beach amid the orb sightings, with many speculating that they are there to observe or respond to the bizarre activity. An X user posted images of an orb that they claim to have seen flying over Florida on March 13 These reports are unverified. But after thousands of unidentified drones were reported throughout the US just a few months ago, Floridians are concerned that the activity appears to have started up again in their state. The Florida orb phenomenon gained widespread attention when TikTok user 'CocoSongz' shared a video of a bright orb flying over the ocean off the coast of Daytona Beach around 10pm ET on March 17. In the video, eyewitnesses can be heard exclaiming that the object 'came out of the ocean' and that several more objects were flying around it, though they cannot be seen in the footage. 'Y'all we got real alien activity going on,' one eyewitness said. While multiple eyewitnesses have said that they saw the orbs rising straight out of the water, no footage of them doing so has surfaced. CocoSongz later posted several more videos of Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) flying over the ocean, but they have since been removed from her TikTok page. The original video has been shared widely on social media, and similar footage began to surface from other sources as well. TikTok user 'djlovelyy' posted a video of a bright orb flying near the moon off the coast of Miami Beach on the evening of March 18. But after thousands of unidentified drones like this one were reported throughout the US just a few months ago Floridians are concerned that the activity appears to have started up again Your browser does not support iframes. The orb gradually fades and then disappears from view. From November to December 2024, thousands of 'car-sized' drones were reported flying or hovering over residential communities, military bases and other locations across several regions of the US. The phenomenon began in New Jersey, with the first drone sighting occurring over Picatinny Arsenal in Morris County on November 13. The activity soon spread across the state and then the region, with reports surfacing in New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and many other states. The phenomenon eventually swept across the country. Drone reports emerged in several regions and over more military bases, sparking widespread panic. On December 3, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) launched an investigation into the activity. But by mid-December, they determined that most of the sightings could be explained by normal aerial activities. 'We have no evidence at this time that the reported drone sightings pose a national security or public safety threat or have a foreign nexus,' the FBI and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said in a joint statement issued on December 12. But many state officials and concerned citizens were not satisfied, and continued to report sightings and pressure the Federal government for answers through January. Now, orbs spotted in Florida have raised concerns once again, as no one has been able to determine exactly what these objects are or where they are coming from. But it is possible that these strange lights have a mundane explanation. Orbs in photos or videos are typically created by light shining through dust particles or water droplets that reflect the light and cause it to flare. When flying over the ocean at night, an aircraft's headlights can give it an orb-like appearance as the light shines through fog or mist. As for whether the origin of these aircraft is foreign, or even extraterrestrial, there is currently no solid evidence to suggest this is the case. They may be US-authorized drones or planes, perhaps connected to Daytona Beach National Airport or one of several nearby military installations. Neither Florida nor US officials have acknowledged the surge of UAP reports this month. Never before has a rocket blasted from European soil reached orbit but a German start-up is now on a mission to finally change this. Isar Aerospace, a private aerospace company based in Munich, is preparing to launch its 95-foot-tall Spectrum rocket from Norway. The ambitious two-stage launch vehicle is designed for sending small and medium-sized satellites into orbit much like rivals including Elon Musk's SpaceX. More than six years in development, Spectrum was due to launch on Monday from Andya Space Centre on Norway's remote Andya island. Unfortunately, blast off was scrapped due to adverse weather conditions, although the company will try again at a later date, to be confirmed. 'The first test flight of #Spectrum is scrubbed due to unfavorable winds,' the company posted to X on Monday. 'Launch vehicle and range remain healthy, and the team is working to determine a new launch window together with @AndoyaSpace Spaceport.' The startup, which says it has raised more than 400 million euros (335 million), hopes to build up to 40 launch vehicles per year in the future at a plant outside of Munich, all for putting satellites into orbit. Your browser does not support iframes. Isar Aerospace, a private aerospace company based based in Munich, is preparing to launch its 95-foot-tall Spectrum rocket from Norway. Pictured, Isar Aerospace's 'Spectrum' liquid-fueled rocket stands on a launchpad at Andya Space Centre, Norway, March 21, 2025 Unfavorable winds meant that the Spectrum rocket couldn't be launched from the island of Andya in northern Norway Named after the river that flows through Munich, Isar Aerospace was founded in 2018 by Daniel Metzler, Markus Brandl and Josef Peter Fleischmann. Among its mission objectives are lowering 'the entry barriers to space' and creating 'easy access to space for global customers' with its Spectrum rocket. Spectrum uses liquid oxygen and propane, offering 'high-performing, clean propulsion that minimizes the environmental impact', the firm says. 'By enabling access to space, we contribute to humanitys progress and our planets sustainable technological and economic development,' it adds. Already, Spectrum has completed 'static fire tests' where fueling and ignition systems are tested without the rocket leaving the ground. But before it can send up satellites for clients, it needs to demonstrate its ability to reach orbit. An orbital flight is a major milestone for any company, representing much more than simply reaching space and coming back down. During an orbital flight, a spacecraft is placed on a trajectory where it could remain in space for at least one orbit around Earth. Spectrum is transported to a launchpad at Andoya Spaceport in Nordmela, on Andya island, Norway, on March 10, 2025 Isar Aerospace is separate from the European Space Agency (ESA) which is funded by its 23 member states. Pictured, Spectrum in transit at Andya Space Centre More than six years in development, Spectrum was due to launch on Monday from Andya Space Centre on Norway's remote Andya island Spectrum: Key specs Manufacturer : Isar Aerospace : Isar Aerospace Height : 95 feet : 95 feet Diameter : 6 feet 7 inches : 6 feet 7 inches Payload capacity to low-Earth orbit : 1,000 kg (2,200 lb) : 1,000 kg (2,200 lb) Propellant : Liquid oxygen and propane : Liquid oxygen and propane First orbital launch : TBC Advertisement Amazingly, there's never been an orbital space launch from European soil before, although a few European nations have launched from other parts of the world. In 1965, France launched its Diamant rocket from Algeria, while in 1971 the UK launched Black Arrow from South Australia. The European Space Agency (ESA) has been launching rockets and satellites into orbit for years, but mainly from French Guiana in South America, as well as Cape Canaveral in Florida. Isar Aerospace now represents a realistic and highly promising candidate for this milestone. Although Monday's launch has been scrubbed, the company said it could conduct it later in the week, subject to weather conditions. Isar Aerospace has admitted it may not reach orbit on this first attempt, which has no customer payloads on board. It aims to collect as much data and experience as possible on the first integrated test of all the vehicle's systems. Before long, it hopes to have an orbital launch perfected to the point where it can launch with precious client payloads aboard. The firm says: 'By enabling access to space, we contribute to humanitys progress and our planets sustainable technological and economic development' Britain is also eyeing the milestone with a rocket launch later this year from SaxaVord Spaceport on Unst, the northernmost of the Shetland Islands. The 100ft RFA One launch vehicle, developed by German company Rocket Factory Augsburg, will perform a NASA-style vertical blast off from the site. It will transport small and micro-satellites of up to 1,300 kg into Earth orbit for paying customers marking the first ever British satellite launch. It comes two years after Virgin Orbit's attempt at a launch from Cornwall ended in failure. Almost 300,000 residents in Alaska's largest city are bracing for an explosive volcanic eruption. Mount Spurr, a 11,000-foot-tall volcano that sits just 81 miles from the largest city in the state, is due to blow this year for the first time in 30 years. City officials in Anchorage have raised the emergency planning level to Level 2, meaning that they will ramp up communication with the public about the threat and public safety agencies will prepare to launch into eruption response protocols. 'If it's during the school day, as soon as we get word that an eruption has occurred, we're going to be reaching out to the Volcano Observatory,' said Anchorage School District Office of Emergency Management Director Jared Woody. 'We're going to be working with the National Weather Service, as well as (the city) to find out what are the anticipated impacts to the city. Is the ash plume coming towards us at this point?' Scientists at the Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) say Mount Spurr is 'moving closer to an eruption' that could happen in 'weeks to months.' On March 7, the volcano began releasing elevated levels of gas from its summit and a side vent that last erupted in 1992. These emissions are the latest development in a period of unrest this volcano has been experiencing since April 2024, when it started shuddering with small earthquakes the first clue that new magma was rising toward the volcano's vents. Scientists warn Mount Spurr in Alaska could erupt within the next few weeks or months. It last erupted in 1992 (pictured) 'This escalation is simply because we know something might come and we're getting ready,' Municipal Manager Becky Windt Pearson said. The eruption would most likely occur at the Crater Peak side vent, and 'it would be explosive,' Matt Haney, scientist-in-charge at the Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) at US Geological Survey (USGS) told DailyMail.com. This event would spew multiple plumes of ash rising as high as 50,000 feet into the air, Haney said. Each ash-producing explosive episode would last three to four hours, and the resulting cloud could blanket the city of Anchorage and other nearby communities in a thick layer of dust. The eruption would also produce destructive mudslides and avalanches volcanic debris racing down the volcano's side at over 200 miles per hour, 'but fortunately, there are not any communities in that radius that would be affected,' Haney said. The USGS has the volcano under 'advisory,' meaning it 'is exhibiting signs of elevated unrest.' In light of Mount Spurr's unrest, Anchorage School District officials have shared their plans for if it erupts. The first thing they will do is contact the AVO to assess the threat and determine how much time they have to act. An eruption from this massive stratovolcano could cover the city of Anchorage, home to nearly 300,000 people, in a thick layer of ash Mount Spurr is one of 53 volcanoes in Alaska. It sits 81 miles from Anchorage 'The response time really determines on how much time do we have,' said Anchorage School District Chief Operating Officer Jim Anderson. 'If they say there's no ash coming to Anchorage, it's business as usual. We may pre-stage buses, but if they say it's coming now, we will close schools. We will inform the public. 'The buses, we've already walked this through with transpiration, and they will start slowly getting kids home as they would a normal end of day.' If the ash plume barreled toward Anchorage so fast that schools couldn't get kids home in time, officials have a plan for that too. 'If it was coming so quickly that you couldn't get them home, we would move them to one of the shelter sites where we have cafeterias, we can feed them,' Anderson said. 'They're going to have water. And then we'll inform the public. We know that some parents would come and pick up their students. But we'll have staff there to make sure that we affect the link-up.' District officials said every school has a volcano response plan with shelter-in-place procedures and air quality measures, and that schools will take extra precautions with students and staff who have respiratory conditions. The district also has 22 emergency Connex units across the school district that are filled with enough N95 masks, first-aid kits and essential supplies for any staff members, students and visitors who may be inside schools if and when the ash cloud arrives. An eruption from Mount Spurr will probably look similar to the one that occurred in 1992, Haney said. In June 1992, the Crater Peak flank vent awoke from nearly 40 years of dormancy and erupted after 10 months of elevated seismic activity, according to the USGS. In recent days, Mount Spurr has been releasing elevated levels of gas and has continued to experience an uptick in seismic activity Mount Spurr's summit vent has not erupted in the last 5,000 years, scientists estimate This event covered the city of Anchorage, home to nearly 300,000 people, in an eighth of an inch of ash. The skies darkened in the middle of the day due to the enormous cloud of dust and gas, and the city's airport was forced to shut down for 20 hours. Crater Peak then erupted two more times, once in August and again in September. The Municipality of Anchorage reported nearly $2 million in damages, office closures and cleanup costs from the August eruption, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). No one was killed by these events directly. But two heart attacks, one fatal, from shoveling ashfall were reported in Anchorage. Breathing in ash also poses a health hazards. The tiny particles can work their way deep into the lungs, worsening symptoms for people with respiratory conditions such as asthma or bronchitis. The AVO has been monitoring Mount Spurr's heightened activity for the last year. Between April 2024 and February 2025, Mount Spurr exhibited three key signs of a forthcoming eruption: increased seismic activity, swelling of the volcano's surface and snow and ice melt near the summit. Last month, the AVO said the volcano's activity was equally as likely to die down as it was to lead to an eruption. But on March 7, scientists flew over Mount Spurr to measure the gases rising from its two vents. For the first time since the heightened activity began, they detected gas emissions that were 'above background,' Haney said. They flew over again on March 11 to check their measurements, and confirmed that the volcano was producing higher-than-average levels of gas. 'With the new measurement of gas emissions above backgrounds, that led us to conclude that an eruption like the two recent ones was the most likely scenario,' Haney said. Mount Spurr last erupted in 1992 and 1953, and both events were produced by the Crater Peak side vent. Haney and his colleagues estimate that the volcano's summit crater hasn't erupted in the last 5,000 years. So when Mount Spurr blows again, it will most likely be from the side vent, he said. While all signs point to an eruption in the near future, it's impossible to say exactly when it will occur. But if Mount Spurr's activity continues to ramp up, the next sign of an eruption will be a volcanic tremor, Haney said. This would be different from the brief, shallow earthquakes this volcano has already been experiencing. A volcanic tremor is a longer stretch of ongoing shaking that can persist for minutes to days. It occurs when magma beneath the volcano begins rising toward the surface as the eruption grows imminent. Back in 1992, Mount Spurr was rocked by a volcanic tremor about three weeks before the June eruption, so this type of seismic activity could signal that the volcano will blow in just a few weeks. However, other volcanoes have experienced longer periods between a volcanic tremor and an eruption, such as the nearby Mount Readout. This volcano experienced a volcanic tremors for two months before it finally blew in 2009. While forecasting an eruption is filled with uncertainty, Haney and his colleagues will continue to closely monitor Mount Spurr to glean a rough idea of when it is most likely to erupt. A single shot of stem cells may hold the cure for people paralyzed by a spinal cord injury. Stem cell scientist Hideyuki Okano from Keio University in Japan has just announced that a fully paralyzed man can now stand and is learning how to walk again after receiving reprogrammed stem cells. The patient was one of four Japanese men to receive the injection shortly after devastating injuries left each one paralyzed. Another man in the first-of-its-kind trial can now move some of his arm and leg muscles. Although scientists said larger clinical trials will be needed, the early results point to a 50-50 chance that stem cells could restore a paralyzed patient's ability to move again. Okano noted that the medical trial used induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells, which basically means they are normal adult cells which have been reprogrammed to act like the embryonic stem cells found in unborn babies. Those stem cells have the power to transform into any kind of cell the body needs, which has made them incredibly valuable for doctors looking for new ways to treat severe injuries. Over 15 million people worldwide are currently living with a spinal cord injury and the majority of these patients are men. Nerve cells derived from induced pluripotent stem cells have the potential to reverse paralysis and have already helped one patient to walk again The World Health Organization has said that over 15 million people throughout the world are living with a spinal cord injury 'This is a dramatic recovery,' Okano said about the patient who can stand again. 'That person is now training to walk.' The new report in the journal Nature revealed that all four patients received an injection of two million iPS cells right into their respective injuries. Okano's team was hoping that the stem cells would turn themselves into neurons (nerve cells) and glial cells - the cells which hold nerve cells in place so they can do their jobs. Each man was over the age of 60 and had suffered a spinal cord injury two to four weeks before the stem cell procedure. The cells were taken from a donor after the program received the full support of the Japanese government in 2019. Before that, Okano had demonstrated how the reprogrammed cells could regenerate neurons in monkeys paralyzed by a spinal cord injury. After received approval for human trials, an ideal patient emerged in December 2021, followed by three other spinal cord injury victims in 2022 and 2023. The researchers have been following these patient ever since, hoping that the cells would begin to regrow the damaged parts of their spinal cords preventing communication between their brains and limbs. A full year of follow-up revealed that there were no side-effects to the stem cell injections and half the group has begun to show noticeable improvements. Stem cells can be guided to turn into many different cell types, which makes them a powerful tool for regenerative medicine Prior to the start of this medical experiment, scientists used other types of stem cells with very mixed results. James St. John, a translational neuroscientist at Griffith University in Australia admitted: 'Nothing's really worked so far.' This included using cells taken from human bone marrow, muscle-making cells harvested from donors, and embryonic stem cells extracted from fetuses. In the new procedure, scientists grab cells from easily accessible areas like an adult donor's skin or blood. Next, researchers use a set a four specific genes which they slip into the harvested cells - turning the clock back and forcing them to turn into stem cells. Scientists inject these genes into the cells using carriers like harmless viruses or mRNA - the same tool doctors use for vaccines. Nobel Prize winner Shinya Yamanaka was first credited with discovering these genetic switches for reprogramming cells in 2006. It can take weeks before the adult cells start to lose all of these specialized traits and revert back into stem cells. Once they're all turned into stem cells, doctors can inject them into the areas of the body where there's damage or degeneration. If successful, the cells will start to act like the missing or damaged cells - essentially re-growing those parts of the body - such as a knee ligament, the retina of an eye, or a spinal cord. 'That's a great positive outcome. It's very exciting for the field,' St. John added. However, St. John warned that there's still a long way to go before this breakthrough becomes a definitive cure for spinal injuries. St. John, who has conducted his own stem cell trials involving spinal cord injuries, noted that every single injury is different and researchers will need to run more trials to see if iPS cells work for all types of injuries or just certain paralysis cases. This museum is quite literally a hidden gem. Kristallwelten Wattens, a Swarovski crystal-themed museum, is concealed beneath a hulking greenery-covered giant in the Austrian mountains. Created to mark Swarovski's 100 year anniversary, the museum describes itself as a 'unique destination, celebrating the brilliance and fascination of Swarovski crystals'. Tourists enter the museum via the crouching giants head and will find a world of crystal-themed exhibits inside. Lonely Planet says: Swarovski crystals sparkle in all their glory at the fantasy fairytale Kristallwelten. A giants head spewing water into a pond greets you in the park, where you will also find the attention-grabbing crystal cloud, embellished with 800,000 crystals and drifting above a mirrorlike pool and a crystalline-themed playground, tower and labyrinth for kids. Inside of the giant, tourists can explore a range of themed exhibits. The wintery Silent Light exhibit has a crystal tree which was designed by Alexander McQueen. Visitors are warned that temperatures inside the exhibit can fall to as low as -10 degrees celsius. Meanwhile, The Art of Performance' room celebrates Swarovskis long standing relationship with Hollywoods top entertainers and creatives. Kristallwelten Wattens, a Swarovski crystal-themed museum, is concealed beneath a hulking greenery-covered giant in the Austrian mountains The Crystal Cloud (pictured above) is 'embellished with 800,000 crystals' above a 'mirrorlike pool' Outside there's a crystal-themed carousel with a backdrop of the surrounding Tyrol mountains (pictured above) Tourists will find original Swarovski encrusted outfits worn by Elton John and Lady Gaga and a leotard owned by Olympic gold-medallist Simone Biles. Other exhibits include a mirror installation by the celebrated Japanese artist, Yayoi Kusama, and a representation of the sun made out of Swarovski crystals. Outside there's a crystal-themed carousel with a backdrop of the surrounding Tyrol mountains. Reviewer Cheryl H wrote on Tripadvisor: I really loved this unique experience. The crystals, light and artwork are beautiful. MinervaM wrote: It was an amazing and fun experience. My husband and I had a lot of fun and took great pictures inside and outside of the building. Kristallwelten Wattens is located about a half hour drive from Innsbruck and theres a shuttle bus to the museum from the city five times a day. Tickets cost 24 (20) if purchased online and 26(21) on the door for adults. It costs 7 (5.85) both on and offline for children. LEFT: The Art of Performance' room celebrates Swarovskis long standing relationship with Hollywoods top entertainers and creatives. RIGHT: The 'Silent Light' exhibit has a crystal tree, designed by Alexander McQueen Find out where to 'find a fairytale landscape' or which historic neighbourhood is a 'feast for the eyes' Advertisement Turkey is one of the world's leading tourist destinations. And it's not hard to see why. MailOnline Travel has selected 14 breathtaking photos which showcase Turkey's incredible beauty and explain why the country is quite so popular. But beware - they might leave you wanting to book a trip. From 'azure' lagoons to 'picture-perfect' peaks and ancient UNESCO heritage sites, Turkey really has it all. Scroll down to feast your eyes on Turkey's delights. Which destination would you most like to visit? In the Pontic Mountains, you'll find the Sumela Monastery (pictured) 'clinging improbably to a sheer cliff, high above evergreen forests', says Lonely Planet. The travel guide says the extensive ruins, founded by Greeks in the 4th century, are one of the 'unquestionable highlights' of Turkey's northern Black Sea region This stunning beach above is Blue Lagoon, part of Oludeniz, one of Turkey's leading beach resorts. Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2Holidays, previously told The Mail it was one of his favourite beaches in the world, calling it 'the perfect place to unwind' This beautiful picture is of Golden Horn Bay, with Istanbul's skyline, including the Blue Mosque (top right) seen above it. Istanbul is one of the world's most visited cities, with 20 million tourists every year, according to Euromonitor, and straddles two continents; Europe and Asia. Lonely Planet describes the city as a 'magical meeting place' with 'enough layers to spend a lifetime exploring' This breathtaking image is of Love Valley's famous 'fairy chimneys', in Goreme Historical National Park, Cappadocia, an area consistently voted one of the best places in the world to go hot air ballooning. Speaking about the tourist hotspot, Go Turkiye says: 'Imagine waking up to a fairy tale landscape, with a brilliant sun rising into the bluest of skies. The same sky is peppered with hot air balloons slowly ascending' Mount Ararat (pictured) is a dormant volcano close to Turkey's border with Armenia, seen above from within the latter. Lonely Planet describes it as a 'picture-perfect peak' but climbing to the top of the 5,000m (16,404ft)-peak will require a permit and a guide. For those that do make the climb, the travel company says: 'During the ascent, there are epic views across a vast landscape stretching into Turkey, Armenia, and Iran' This beautiful beach is called Patara and, at 18km (11 miles), is Turkey's longest. That means, despite the beach's popularity, 'you're sure to find a private spot all to yourself', says Thomas Cook. The holiday company adds: 'Lay down your towel on the soft sand and gaze around at the spectacular wild scenery, with mountains rising up behind you and sparkling Mediterranean in front' This remarkable photo is of Safranbolu, a town in the Black Sea region of Turkey that's a UNESCO World Heritage site due to its traditional Ottoman architecture. Lonely Planet says: 'The real joy of Safranbolu is simply wandering the cobblestone alleys. Everywhere you look is a feast for the eyes. Virtually every house in the neighbourhood is an original, and what little modern development there is has been held in check' The stunning natural beauty of Koprulu Canyon, a national park in Antalya, is clear in this photo. Jet2Holidays says the area is 'ideal for watersports', but if visitors don't want to take to the water, they can 'trek through the stunning scenery of cypress and cedar trees' instead This superb sea view is of Iztuzu Beach in Dalyan, also known as 'Turtle Beach' due to the loggerhead sea turtles that nest there. Rough Guides explains: 'Turtles and tourism coexist on the protected 4.5km (2.8 miles) of hard-packed sands of Iztuzu Beach, which is considered one of the best beaches in Turkey.' If you're looking to visit, just be aware that access to the beach in the evening during the summer is prohibited to protect the turtles' nests Pictured are the ruins of the Celsus Library in Ephesus, an ancient city and recognised UNESCO World Heritage site in Turkey's Central Aegean region. Go Turkiye says: 'Ephesus is one of the largest and most impressive ancient cities in the world. It was second in importance only to Rome within the vast Roman Empire' Pictured above is the Pokut Plateau, or the 'Windy Valley', in Rize, a green and lush province in Turkey's northern Black Sea region. Turkish Airlines suggests visiting Rize for its 'hillside tea plantations, misty emerald plateaus and rivers where fierce waters meet the sea' as well as its 'renowned sunrise and sunset views' Butterfly Valley (pictured above) is on Turkey's Mediterranean Coast close to the port city of Fethiye. Named after the 'many species that flutter about during the right seasons', Rough Guides says Butterfly Valley's 'golden sands are backed by a beautiful limestone canyon just inland' The giant heads pictured above are on Mount Nemrut, in southeastern Turkey, which is 'one of the country's most impressive ancient sites'. The sculptures were built in the 1st century BC, weigh six tonnes, and are a whopping 10m (33ft)-tall. Go Turkiye describes them as 'some of the most magnificent that you'll find anywhere in the world' Find out which underrated city is 'magical' and which European capital is 'ugly' Are you thinking of booking your next holiday in Europe, but in need of some inspiration? Here are some hotspots to add to your bucket list - and some to leave off - according to Reddit travellers. Tourists on the social media platform have been sharing their best, worst, and most surprising European holiday destinations. So read on to find out which city has 'everything you could possibly want', which metropolis is an 'absolute nightmare' and which mountainous destination feels like a movie set... The best... There's plenty of love for Europes City of Love. Paris tops the list for Trafficon405 who says: Been many times. Never tire of it. Its not perfect but I always come back. Seroiaa agrees: I just love the architecture, food and general atmosphere. Italy's 'Eternal City has plenty of travellers ready to Rome too. Reddit users have been sharing their thoughts on top European destinations. Strasbourg, France, is 'perfect', according to one tourist PurpleMonkey781 says: I probably wouldnt want to live there but there was so much to see. Accomplished_Map7752 was also a fan, adding: It is an amazing city full of ancient history. Minskoffuspreme, meanwhile, was mad for Madrid, explaining: Its such a fantastic mixture of culture, food and fun. It has the best museums in Spain, hands down. 'I have been a few times and never get sick of it, there is always something new to do. Vienna has been crowned the worlds most liveable city several times and the Austrian capital also has everything you could possibly want as a tourist destination, according to Dustyloops. They add: Beautiful architecture, not too expensive, lively nightlife, cultured museums and palaces and amazing food and beer. But it's not just capital cities that have left travellers impressed, as 'Ok_Fan7382 says: Strasbourg [in France] was perfect. Impeccable tourist sites in the most relaxing city imaginable. Florence, Italy, was also called 'simply the most beautiful city in the world' by 'SerSace. Edinburgh was a pleasant surprise for one tourist who says they 'couldn't believe how beautiful it was' Athens is 'dirty and ugly' apart from the big sites, according to one disgruntled traveller They add: I loved it both as a tourist and citizen since I lived there for a couple of years. 'Monuments, art, culture, history, food - it has everything. The worst... Some destinations were more of a nightmare than a dream for many Reddit users, including Podgorica, Montenegros capital. Deepinthecoats says there's 'nothing remarkable' about it. They also have nothing good to say about Barcelona which they complained felt like a crowded theme park with huge crowds absolutely everywhere. Athens failed to impress a couple of travellers, including Visible-tea-2734, who moans that the Greek capital is dirty and ugly aside from the big sites. Castlebanks goes a step further, describing Athens as ugly as f**k'. Meanwhile, a comment from a deleted account says they were disappointed by Naples, in Italy, claiming it was dirty, felt unsafe and [is] not as interesting as many people made it out to be. The air in Ostrava 'stank of burning coal' claims one traveller who says they were 'pestered by dodgy characters' in the Czech city Venice didn't float 'blehful''s boat as they describe it as an absolute nightmare of a city. They complain the Italian canal city was full of endless throngs of people and say they were left to fight through sweaty mobs of these families in narrow alleys to move at anything resembling a normal pace'. Theres nothing worth Czech-ing out in the Czech city of Ostrava, according to Dustyloops'. They say: Went as a group as part of a backpacking holiday and feared for my safety. 'Followed and pestered by dodgy characters, police patrolling supermarkets, decaying communist tower blocks, massive steel mills in the middle of the city with smashed up warehouses surrounding them and the air stank of burning coal. Felt like I was in 1980. For Trudestiny', it's Brussels, Belgium that they found grim. They add its one of the only [European] cities theyve never returned to. And proving that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, NostaglicDreamer puts Paris on their least favourite list, saying they felt on edge most of the time and felt like [they] were ripped off everywhere they went. The surprising... Montreux is 'magical and truly picturesque', according to a happy traveller So which European hotspots are a pleasant surprise? Portugals capital impresses PurpleMonkey781 who says Lisbon is cheaper than most other cities, yet clean, easy to get around and lots of things to see'. Meanwhile, Budapest left Ok-Fan-7382 Hungary for more. They write: Wasnt expecting such entertaining nightlife and the breathtaking architecture at random. NostalgicDreaming gives Edinburgh the seal of approval, explaining: [I] couldnt believe how beautiful it was. 'Locals were as friendly as Ive met and they had great bars and restaurants too. Slovenias capital, Ljubljana, is pretty small for a capital says Shisu-Choc, but adds the city centre is absolutely beautiful and the castle is great'. Blehful recommends Montreux in Switzerland, describing it as jaw-droppingly gorgeous. They add: Wandering the vineyards overlooking Lake Geneva with the Alps in the background was magical and truly picturesque, like out of a movie. Theres something about San Sebastian for JakBlakbeard who explains it has mild weather in the summer and a beautiful town with two beaches. And Glad_Cardiologist_24 was frankly positive about Frankfurt, saying: Didnt expect much as people seem to hate it. Great food, nice historical centre and nice downtown. Wouldnt be opposed to going there again! Food is a holiday highlight for many travellers. But which countries have surprisingly good - or bad - cuisine? That's a question that Reddit users have been trying to answer after 'BornThought4074' asked: 'What country had food better than you expected and which had food worse than you expected?' From 'mind-blowing flavours' in Georgia to 'bland' cuisine in a South American country...these are the destinations where a dish might surprise you... Better than expected... Georgia Georgia has 'incredible food' says Reddit user 'CaptMonkeyPants78'. They say: 'We went in not really knowing much about the cuisine, but after doing a food class in a local home and eating until we nearly exploded, we came out so impressed we started cooking Georgian food back home. Reddit users have been sharing the countries that have surprisingly good or bad cuisine. Georgia has 'mind blowing' food according to some travellers. Pictured above is khachapuri One traveller says they still get 'cravings' for Iceland's hot dogs even a decade after tasting them For one deleted user, it's the 'quality' of ingredients that elevates Georgian cuisine. They explain: 'The cuisine itself is mind blowing but even just the simplest bread, cheese and wine are of the highest quality. You could tell you were in a place where people really care about food. And for 'Mrsoap3', it's Georgia's khachapuri (cheese filled bread) and satsivi (poultry in walnut sauce) that can't be missed. Iceland Iceland is an unexpected foodie gem for several travellers, with 'KyleUTFH' describing the country's hot dogs, lamb chops, fresh rye bread, skyr (yoghurt) as 'delicious'. Iceland's hot dogs left a lasting impression on 'MargaritaBarbie' who says: 'I went over a decade ago and barely eat meat and I still get cravings for those things and their delicious crispy onions.' 'Treehugger312' says the country has the 'best healthy food' and raves about its fish stew. They say: 'I know it doesn't sound appetizing' but it's 'one of my favourite dishes'. Ireland The Emerald Isle's 'food scene' is 'excellent', according to 'Mrburbbles88'. They say: 'So many good cuisines across the board. Americans stereotype Irish food as meat and potatoes more often than not.' Ireland's 'phemonenally delicious' bread was a culinary highlight for one traveller Irish local 'Kieleesi' explains: 'The thing with Ireland is we don't really have too many cultural dishes but we have a fantastic quality of food, especially our dairy and meat. So we are able to do a variety of cuisines pretty well here. Meanwhile WellTextured reveals that they ate 'some wonderful seafood dishes' in Ireland and enjoyed 'phenomenally delicious brown bread'. Indonesia Indonesia's 'great food' was a 'nice surprise' for adventu_Rena as the cuisine isn't well known in their home country. Earthsalibra concurs, saying: [I] lived in East Java for a couple of years in a rural community, and I miss many of the foods. Also the freshest, tastiest fruit I had ever had. Malaysia Many travellers went to Malaysia with high hopes for the cuisine but the food still managed to exceed expectations. Vbm raves: I had very high expectations for food in Malaysia and I could not believe how much better the food was. Utterly amazing for nearly every meal. Vbm raves: I had very high expectations for food in Malaysia and I could not believe how much better the food was. Utterly amazing for nearly every meal. Pictured above is a Malaysian laksa (a spicy noodle soup) Charmanderaznable adds: Malaysia has the best food on earth. Both Malay and Chinese Malaysian foods are the peak of cuisine as far as I'm concerned. 'Unlikely_ending' says the country's laksa (spicy noodle soup) is an incredible dish. Worse than expected... Colombia At the other end of the scale, Colombia's cuisine is described as 'abysmal' by 'King9WillReturn'. And for Carpe_Cervisia, it's even worse than that. They say: I'm not sure abysmal covers it. Even the giant plates of meat were bland. Every good meal I had in Colombia was at a non-Colombian restaurant. KyleUTFH also describes the food as 'bland'. It's still worth visiting Colombia though says Rarelyimportant who explains: I mean if Colombia also had some of the world's best food, it would just be unfair at that point. Beautiful people. Diverse, stunning country. Colombia's cuisine is described as 'abysmal' by 'King9WillReturn'. One user describes the country's 'giant plates of meat' as 'bland'. Pictured above is Colombian food New Zealand New Zealand might be a popular holiday destination but it's not worth visiting for the food says Goadventuring who claims the country's cuisine is 'terrible'. They say: 'Absolutely tasteless. We usually get a cookbook focused on local cuisine when we travel somewhere and didn't even bother in New Zealand.' Epponnee-rae adds: Smaller regional towns and cities often have a couple of good restaurants but otherwise it can be dire in small places. France The birthplace of haute cuisine, it might be a shock to many people to see France's food named as a disappointment. However, Lifeinabox1981 says: Definitely France for worse than expected - they have a superiority complex when it comes to food that isn't warranted. Picklesadog adds: Agreed on France. Not bad, but worse than expected. I had great food, but it was expensive so it better have been good. I feel like French food can be a case of "the sum is less than the parts." Dishes were often so overcomplicated that the main ingredient seemed buried. A new leaderboard has revealed the top countries for immigrants to move to in 2025 - with Iceland coming out on top. The Nordic nation triumphed with a score of 58.4 out of 100 based on 24 key criteria, including economic strength, living costs and the quality of healthcare and public transport. But while the top 10 were dominated by other European nations, including Switzerland, Luxembourg, Norway, Ireland, Denmark and the Netherlands, the UK came a less impressive 19th - behind the USA in seventh place. The UK received a score of 46.5, putting it just ahead of New Zealand, Spain and France but behind Australia on 51.7. Researchers for Remitly, a remittance service, also drilled down into a series of areas considered of importance to prospective immigrants. Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. South Korea scored top for healthcare, followed by Australia, while Sri Lanka was considered top in the education category thanks to its incredibly low annual childcare costs of just $354.60 (274.13) per year. Meanwhile, Luxembourg led the way for public transport and the UAE was ranked safest. The UK only made the top ten for the category rating nations for their environmental credentials. A separate study ranking countries on the happiness of their citizens saw Finland take the top spot once again for the eighth successive year in a row. Nordic countries dominate the top of the World Happiness Report, with Denmark in second, Iceland in third and Sweden in fourth. The UK came 23rd while the USA falls to its lowest ever position in 24th place. Both countries were behind Israel (8th) despite the ongoing conflict in the region. Afghanistan was once against the unhappiest happiest country in the world, with Sierra Leone, Lebanon, Malawi and Zimbabwe rounding off the bottom five. Iceland, which is ranked the best country for migrants to move to, is known for its beautiful landscapes Despite its relatively low ranking in the Remitly study, the UK is experiencing a historically high level of immigration, with 906,000 people now thought to have been added to the population in a single year. Huge revisions to official data showed the extraordinary mark was hit in the year to June 2023 - and the figures remain at unprecedented levels. Official data covering the 12 months to June this year revealed long-term immigration was 728,000 higher than those leaving the country. In itself that was almost as much as the previous record. But the bar was dramatically shifted upwards by the Office for National Statistics, with net migration for the year to June 2023 now thought to have been 166,000 above the initial estimate of 740,000. A similar revision was made for net migration in the year to December 2023, which was initially believed to be 685,000 and is now put at 866,000, an increase of 181,000. The ONS attributed the radical shift to more complete data and improvements in how it estimates the behaviour of people arriving in the UK from outside the EU. Wedding season has finally arrived, and while most couples get married in the UK, there's nearly always one who expects everyone to plan an expensive holiday around their big day. The global destination wedding industry is expected to grow from 27.9 billion in 2024 to a whopping 36.8 billion, as a quarter of Brits shell out thousands for the most scenic overseas location to exchange their vows. Guests can end up spending almost as much as the bride and groom, having to fork out over 900 on average to attend. From flights to accommodation to attire, the mounting costs can prove too much for guests on a budget, as Google searches for 'friend's wedding + debt' increase by a whopping 151 per cent - and as many as 40 per cent of attendees go into arrears. Although it's difficult to say no, just how do you break it to the nearly-weds that you are no longer able to attend due to financial strain? Fear not, as travel expert Justin Chapman, from Go2Africa, has given his top tips for how to tell loved ones you can't afford to make it to their overseas wedding. Be honest - don't make excuses Money is a sensitive subject, and as uncomfortable as it might be discussing personal finances with friends, Justin stresses the importance of being transparent in this particular circumstance. For those who plan on attending a destination wedding, it can be an expensive affair, with over a third of wedding guests preparing to spend over 900 on average to attend (stock image) He said: 'Talking about it can make it even more uncomfortable, and we find ourselves making up excuses for not doing things, rather than being upfront and explaining that its out of budget. 'An honest and simple response is best; there's no need to over-explain, or apologise excessively.' Inform them immediately The longer you wait, the harder it will be - and the more upset the couple could be - if it seems like you're bailing at the last minute. If you know straight away that you can't afford to go to the wedding, don't delay the conversation. Justin adds: 'Letting them know as soon as possible gives them time to adjust their guestlist or even suggest something that might make it easier for you to attend.' Don't over-apologise Over-apologising can often make the situation bigger than it is, and it can put emotional weight on both you and the couple. Justin advises: 'Rather than saying sorry again and again, express your regret once, then move the focus to your excitement for their big day. 'Try saying "I wish I could be there, but I'll be celebrating you from a distance."' Money is a sensitive subject, and as uncomfortable as it might be discussing personal finances with friends, Justin stresses the importance of being transparent (stock image) Suggest an alternative celebration Justin recommends suggesting another way to celebrate the couple's big day, such as attending pre-wedding events, or taking them out for a meal once they are home. Sharing a video message of raising a glass to the newlyweds on their wedding day, or sending a heartfelt, handwritten note are some of the most conscious ways to show love and support from afar. Use "I" statements It's important to avoid telling the couple, 'Your wedding is too expensive,' which can make it sound as if they are to blame for you not being able to attend. Instead, it's advised to use "I" statements, such as 'I wish I could be there, but Im not going to be able to make it work financially' or 'I'd love to come, but I need to be mindful of my budget,' which avoids placing blame. Stand your ground and don't feel guilty Whether the wedding is taking place at a French vineyeard or a Zanzibar island resort - if it's out of your budget, then it's out of your budget. Justin's final piece of advice? 'Stay calm, and try not to feel guilty. Remember that genuine relationships are built on mutual respect and understanding, not attendance at events' Justin's final piece of advice? 'Stay calm, and try not to feel guilty. 'Remember that genuine relationships are built on mutual respect and understanding, not attendance at events. 'If they're upset, give them time. They'll understand.' A unique danger of travelling onboard a luxury cruise ship has been revealed, after passengers were instructed to turn off their lights and close their curtains due to a highly unusual threat. The Cunard Queen Anne ship, embarking on an 111-night 'maiden World voyage' from Hamburg, Germany, visits sights such as New York, Sydney, Hawaii, Penang and Cape Town, alongside passing through the Sulu-Celebs sea. However, while picturesque, the nearly 3,000 travellers onboard the vessel appear to have more to fear than simply just sea sickness or poor weather. In a new video amassing more than 8 million views posted to the social media platform TikTok, passengers were seen to receive an announcement from the captain warning them of a 'heightened level of security alertness' as a result of possible 'piracy' threats. As a result of being at risk of attacks by pirates, travellers were instructed to close their statesroom curtains and turn off their lights. The announcement also revealed that the external promenade would be closed from 9pm to 5pm for a two-day period, while only 'essential' lights would be on in the ship's communal external areas. Despite possible anxieties the unusual bulletin may have prompted, the captain was quick to assure that 'measures to prevent any unlikely incident have been well-planned' and that the likelihood of a possible piracy attack occurring remains 'absolutely minimal'. Passengers onboard Cunard's luxury Queen Anne cruise ship (pictured) received an announcement from the captain warning them of a 'heightened level of security alertness' due to 'piracy' threats TikTok commenters were quick to express their shock at the possible threat of pirates during a luxury cruise break, with one user saying: 'People pay for this???? That's crazy' while another, who's set to take their first cruise trip this summer, declaring that the video had 'unlocked' a 'new fear'. While some viewers felt that the fear of pirates is 'another thing to add to the list of why not to go on a cruise', others appeared less phased, with one commenter saying: 'Been through it a good few times as well as the drills. On Queen Victoria, Andonia, Oriana and Arcadia. It's all part of the fun!' The ICC International Maritime Bureau (IMB) annual Piracy and Armed Robbery Report recorded up to 116 incidents against ships in 2024, a decline from 120 recorded in 120 and 115 in 2022. However, the ICC Secretary General, John W.H. Denton AO, warned that 'the ongoing threats to crew safety remain a significant concern', with 126 crew members taken hostage in 2024, compared to 73 in 2023, and 12 reported kidnaps compared to 14 in 2023. The Sulu and Celebes Sea previously gained a reputation for being a hotspot for kidnapping-for-ransom incidents, with one incident in 2020 reportedly linked to the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), a violent Islamic separatist group operating in the southern Philippines. Meanwhile, in 2019, there were at least 12 reported boardings, attempted boardings, attacks, hijacks and kidnapping incidents in the sea's waters, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. Described as a 'modern, yet timeless' luxury ship that 'offers both exciting, novel experiences', the Queen Anne voyage accommodates 92 cabins spread across 13 decks In a statement given to Business Insider, a representative for Cunard said: 'There was no specific threat to the ship or its guests, and our onboard experience remained uninterrupted' While the threat of piracy and abduction was previously ranked 'moderately low', in February it was downgraded by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to 'low'. However, those onboard a vessel, including luxury cruise ships, are still advised to be 'vigilant'. Described as a 'modern, yet timeless' ship that 'offers both exciting, novel experiences', the Queen Anne voyage is up to 1,058ft in length, accommodating 92 cabins spread across 13 decks. With prices for the cruise line's first ever world voyage starting at $16,379 per person, according to Cruise Critic, passengers have access to the world class vessel's pools, restaurants, promenade deck, spa and sweeping staircase, alongside luxury suites that even come with a personal butler. In a statement given to Business Insider regarding the possible risk of piracy for those onboard, a representative for Cunard said: 'As part of standard maritime procedures, our Captains may make precautionary announcements when sailing through certain regions. 'There was no specific threat to the ship or its guests, and our onboard experience remained uninterrupted.' Royal Caribbean has warned passengers not to use Bluetooth speakers A major cruise company is cracking down on noisy passengers with a new rule banning people from using Bluetooth speakers on its private island. Royal Caribbean, one of the world's largest cruise companies, has warned passengers to stop using the devices at CocoCay, its island in the Bahamas. In a message posted on its website, it says: 'You'll find music to set the soundtrack to your day playing throughout the island. 'But if you'd prefer to listen to your own selection of music, we ask that you please do so with personal headphones.' CocoCay is a popular stop that's often included on the brand's Caribbean cruise itineraries. The warning comes after one cruise passenger said they saw a family have their speaker confiscated at another of Royal Caribbean's private destinations, Labadee in Haiti. 'Modestcouch' writes on Reddit: 'A large family comes down [to the beach] and sets up in the front row. 'Loads up the speakers and sets it to top volume. Then they all head into the water.' Royal Caribbean is cracking down on the use of Bluetooth speakers at its island destination, CocoCay The cruise company says: 'If you'd prefer to listen to your own selection of music, we ask that you please do so with personal headphones' Passengers are banned from using the speakers at CocoCay (pictured above) The holidaymaker explained that one of the beach lifeguards then came to get the speaker. 'Modestcouch' says: 'The guy swims back and is yelling at the lifeguard, who is just smiling at the guy. 'Finally the lifeguard says: "No speakers". He can get it back when he leaves.' And Bluetooth speakers definitely aren't popular among cruise guests. Reddit user 'Thick_Asparagus3978' says: 'Please ban them everywhere. I have reached my limits with speakers being played constantly wherever I go.' 'Alexfaace' adds: 'There is so much noise on a cruise ship. I genuinely don't understand how anyone thinks "Let me add more noise".' Carnival Cruise Line, another major line, banned Bluetooth speakers from all its ships in November 2024. The company's official ambassador, John Heald, said at the time: 'Bluetooth speakers will be collected and returned at the end of the cruise as they are not allowed anywhere on the ship.' READ MORE: The best countries for immigrants to move to in 2025 revealed The pair say the hack has let them visit some of the world's priciest countries Silvi and Lucas have found an incredible hack to avoid paying for hotels A couple have revealed how they ditched their jobs for a year to travel the world by using a clever money-saving hack. Silvi Drebenstedt and Lucas Roth managed to visit bucket list destinations without breaking the bank. The couple, who are aged 29 and 33, have been able to save thousands by avoiding pricey hotels. Instead, they house or pet sit which has led them to look after a herd of alpacas in Hawaii, hang out with a budgie in Australia and help fishermen in Indonesia. 'Accommodation is usually one of the biggest expenses while travelling, so house sitting made a huge difference for us,' Silvi told Luxury Travel Daily. 'Looking after the alpacas in Hawaii was definitely the highlight of our pet-sitting journey so far. 'Christine, the owner, was incredibly kind and gave us a thorough introduction to caring for the alpacas. 'Dorothy, the oldest alpaca, was especially dear to us she required special soft food and had such a calm, wise demeanour. A couple have revealed how they ditched their jobs for a year to travel the world by using a clever money-saving hack LEFT: Silvi Drebenstedt and Lucas Roth managed to visit bucket list destinations without breaking the bank. RIGHT: The couple say helping weigh Rose, a newborn alpaca, was an 'unforgettable moment' 'One unforgettable moment was helping weigh Rose, a newborn alpaca, with Lucas holding her in his arms on the scale. 'Christine even taught us how to spin wool, which was so fascinating. 'We definitely saved a lot [by housesitting] while it's hard to give an exact number, I'm sure it was several thousand euros.' The couple who took time out of their office jobs to travel used the app Trusted Housesitters to help match them with people looking for someone to take care of their home and pets while they were away. Aside from their alpaca adventure, they spent a Christmas dog-sitting in New York, trekked across glaciers while staying in Argentina and enjoyed trips to Mexico, Taiwan and Switzerland. They are now back home in their native Germany but still enjoy regular housesitting adventures. Silvi said: 'That year was a year out of work for us. 'We took a break from our jobs to fully immerse ourselves in the adventure. The couple describe looking after alpacas as 'highlight' of their travels. Housesitting has helped the pair to make 'substantial savings' 'We still enjoy staying in hotels sometimes but house sitting remains a big part of how we travel. 'We have [since] done a lovely sit in Switzerland, which was a wonderful experience. 'Since we mostly [housesit] in more expensive countries, like the U.S., Australia, and Switzerland, the savings have definitely been substantial. 'House sitting has allowed us to visit these places without constantly worrying about the cost of accommodation which is often a big barrier for travellers.' An AirFrance plane was forced to return home just two hours in to its flight after a passenger lost their phone on board. The plane, flying on Friday from Paris to Pointe-a-Pitre in Guadeloupe, in the Caribbean, was forced to turn its 375 passengers and 12 crew members back to France around a quarter of the way into the flight. According to AirPlusNews, the plane was made to turn around as a safety precaution. Data from FlightRadar24 revealed that the plane looped once off the west coast of France before flying back to Paris' Orly airport, where it began its journey. After landing back at Paris Orly at 3.25pm that day, the plane then took off for Guadeloupe 20 minutes later, arriving at 7.20pm local time that evening. AirPlusNews reported that it came a month after the same plane was made to turn back after a passenger dropped their phone into air vent, significantly increasing the risk of a fire. The plane, which was meant to fly from Paris to Fort-de-France, Martinique, was turned around after 'a passenger's phone slipped through a galley air vent and ended up in an inaccessible area', according to AirPlusNews. 'Fearing that the phone's lithium battery had been damaged, creating a fire risk, the crew decided to divert the flight to Paris as a precaution', it added. The plane, flying from Paris to Pointe-a-Pitre in Guadeloupe, in the Caribbean, was force to turn its 375 passengers and 12 crew members back to France (stock image) Data from FlightRadar24 revealed that the plane looped once off the west coast of France before flying back to Paris' Orly airport, where it began its journey It comes a month after a power bank exploded on an AirAsia flight mid-air, sending passengers into panic. The plane was flying from Bangkok to Nakhon Si Thammarat in the south of the country when flames and smoke were witnessed 30 minutes in. Shocked cabin crew rushed to the middle row of the Airbus A320 to extinguish the flames, as nervous passengers watched on. Those on board rushed out of their seats and flocked to the other side of the aircraft, with some clutching their children. As fumes filled the cabin, passengers frantically moved their belongings away from the flames. Others rushed to go and get bottled water in an attempt to put out the fire. Flight attendants grabbed fire extinguishers and eliminated the fire. Sayan Srimai, who recorded the video, said: 'The whole plane was in a state of chaos. 'We had been sitting for about 30 minutes when suddenly there was a fire burning and smoke rising in the middle of the plane, in row 15. Those on board rushed out of their seats and flocked to the other side of the aircraft, with some clutching their children The plane was flying from Bangkok to Nakhon Si Thammarat in the south of the country when flames and smoke were seen 30 minutes in 'Passengers were extremely shocked. The crew were excellent and it only took them two minutes to put out the fire.' The eruption left one of the leather seats burnt and charred and the plane landed on time. Nobody was injured in the incident. Technicians boarded the vehicle to check the damage and found black burn marks on the seat. They told passengers that a power bank had been stored in the seat pouch but it exploded during the flight. Founded nearly 130 years ago, it is one of the world's most iconic theme parks where thrillseekers can enjoy some of Britain's oldest rollercoasters including the Big Dipper. But Blackpool Pleasure Beach bosses have confirmed they are being forced to close some rides this year and cut staff numbers after posting a 2.7million pre-tax loss. It comes after the site revealed last month that five smaller rides - the Eddie Stobart Convoy, Alpine Rallye, Thompson Carousel, Gallopers and Red Arrows Skyforce - would all be shut during the 2025 season, which began in February half-term. The historic attraction, which has operated on the Lancashire seafront since 1896, said it had been struggling with visitor numbers not recovering after the pandemic. Other rides will open later and close earlier this year as the venue attempts to reduce costs and warned the cost-of-living crisis was 'depressing non-essential spend'. The park is also bracing for staffing costs to soar next month due to the increase in national insurance contributions (NICs) for employers and the minimum wage rise. It has also recently unveiled ambitious plans for a new 8.7million spinning pendulum ride, dubbed 'Project MMXXVI', which will reach 138ft when it opens next year. New accounts filed for the latest financial year - the 12 months to March 24, 2024 showed the park had a turnover of 32.1million, up from 31.8million the year before. But the Companies House return last Friday also revealed it made a pre-tax loss of 2.7million, which worsened significantly from a 520,000 loss the previous year. Blackpool Pleasure Beach theme park in Lancashire celebrated its 125th anniversary in 2021 Riders on the 74mph Big One at Blackpool Pleasure Beach which was opened in 1994 Blackpool Pleasure Beach is home to some of the oldest rollercoasters in the world New accounts filed for the latest financial year to March 24, 2024 showed Blackpool Pleasure Beach made a pre-tax loss of 2.7million, after a 520,000 pre-tax loss the previous year Director Jonathan Gray, writing on behalf of the board, said: 'Trading in the current year has been extremely difficult due to many external factors beyond our control. 'The cost-of-living crisis is ongoing. We do not foresee any short-term change. We continue to review our operation with a view to making the business more efficient and sustainable. Blackpool Pleasure Beach has its origins in a steam carousel and pedal-bike monorail Blackpool Pleasure Beach theme park, which celebrated its 125th anniversary in 2021, is located in the South Beach area of Blackpool where fairground rides were initially run by travellers. Later, a steam carousel was opened by Yorkshire meat trader John Outhwaite in 1895, before William George Bean started up a pedal-bike monorail. The two joined forces after Bean founded the Pleasure Beach Company in 1896, with iconic ride the 'Flying Machine' opening in 1904. A roller-skating rink was opened in 1909, then demolished in 1935 to build what is the world's oldest Ice Drome. The theme park was on the beach itself until 1923, when the promenade was extended south on reclaimed land. Blackpool is now home to some of the oldest rollercoasters in the world - the Big Dipper, Blue Flyer, Grand National and Nickelodeon Streak. The 'Pepsi Max' Big One was opened in 1994 as the world's tallest and steepest roller coaster with a top speed of 74mph and a height of 213ft. Advertisement 'The company has instigated a headcount review and a review of the assets on park. As a result, a number of rides will be closed for the forthcoming season. 'We are also looking at how we profile the opening and closing times of both individual rides and the park itself with a view to maximising efficiency (and therefore cost) whilst balancing it with achieving great customer satisfaction.' The report also revealed a series of 'energy efficiency actions' taken at the site, including LED lights and a new staff canteen with a ground source heat pump. Mr Gray added: 'The company continues to ensure that all our guests receive a quality experience and value for money. This is monitored through a comprehensive programme of guest research and satisfaction surveys. 'The company continues to invest in its infrastructure to ensure that the business is well promoted through marketing and improved control systems to ensure we are able to maximise our returns and reduce our exposure to potential loss.' Tickets cost from 30 for adults or from 25 for children under 12 - going up to 50 and 40 respectively on the day. A spokeswoman from Pleasure Beach Resort told MailOnline: 'It has been a challenging few years of trading across the entire industry, and we have undertaken the necessary actions to continue to offer the same amazing experiences to our guests. 'We have already undertaken a strategic review and implemented changes; this has now concluded. The changes referenced in the accounts have all been actioned and completed, furthermore there are currently no plans to close any further rides. 'We are confident there is lots to look forward to at Pleasure Beach Resort for the immediate and long-term future, beginning with the opening of Launch Pad this spring, and our announcement of an 8.72million Gyro Swing, opening in 2026.' The park also pointed out that its overall opening hours in 2025 are actually greater than in 2024 because it will be open 220 days in 2025 but it was only 213 last year. This equates to 1572.5 operational hours this year, compared to 1504.5 in 2024. It comes as beloved theme parks are vanishing from Britain as increased costs, dwindling visitor numbers and Labour's Budget bear the brunt of the blame. The Big Dipper, Blue Flyer, Grand National and Nickelodeon Streak are among its rollercoasters Rollercoaster enthusiast Richard Rodriguez set a world record in 2000 by spending 2,000 hours on the Big Dipper rollercoaster at Blackpool Pleasure Beach, travelling 22,665 miles The venue is in the South Beach area where fairground rides were initially run by travellers The 'Pepsi Max' Big One was opened in 1994 as the world's tallest and steepest roller coaster The largest theme park in Wales which opened in 1987 became the latest to fall by the wayside earlier this month after bosses announced its sudden and immediate closure. Oakwood Theme Park in Pembrokeshire said financial issues from rising costs and falling admission totals meant they were shutting rides for good after four decades. Owner Aspro Parks appeared to have a dig at Rachel Reeves's Budget, saying it had been affected by 'unrelenting economic challenges' and national insurance changes - having invested more than 25million since the park was saved from closure in 2008. Meanwhile the boss of another theme park in Essex warned Labour's Budget tax raid will see him lose 600,000 in turnover and employ 200 fewer staff this year. Philip Miller, owner of Adventure Island in Southend-on-Sea, hit out at the Chancellor and also said he had been forced to raise ticket prices by 25 per cent. Blackpool Pleasure Beach introduced the 'Switchback Gravity Railway' rollercoaster in 1906 Blackpool Pleasure Beach, pictured In 1933, was first opened on the seafront in 1896 The Big Dipper rollercoast at Blackpool Pleasure Beach in Lancashire opened in August 1923 The theme park was on the beach itself until 1923 when the promenade was extended south The 69-year-old, whose family have been running the attraction since buying it in 1976, told MailOnline that he 'can't afford to die now' because the 'tax would finish the business'. And Britain's oldest theme park Wicksteed Park in Kettering, Northamptonshire, last month warned it was under threat of closure with the owner blaming the Budget. In North Tyneside, Wet n Wild in North Shields was home to the UK's biggest water slide but closed its doors in 2020 after 27 years much to the shock and dismay of locals. A 1.1million makeover by then owners Serco Leisure had failed to turn around its fortunes after the firm bought the site in 2014. Meanwhile in Cornwall, Flambards shut its doors last November after 48 years, again citing 'rising costs and a steady decline in visitor numbers'. Oakwood theme park in Pembrokeshire, West Wales, has announced its immediate closure Wicksteed Park in Kettering, Northamptonshire, has warned it was under threat of closure Wet n Wild in North Shields was home to the country's biggest water slide but shut in 2020 Ms Reeves previously said she had to increase taxes for employers because 'we've got to raise the money to put our public finances on a firm footing'. Organisations currently pay a rate of 13.8 per cent on employees' earnings above a 9,100-a-year threshold. But Ms Reeves announced last October that a new rate of 15 per cent will come in from April 1, with the threshold reduced to 5,000. Also from next month, the national living wage for workers aged 21 and over will increase by 6.7 per cent from 11.44 an hour to 12.21. An airport worker nearly lost both legs to frostbite after accidentally trapping himself in the cargo hold just before the plane took off - leaving him to survive minus 25C conditions for an hour. Ali Celikten, 29, had been loading the Turkish Airlines Airbus A321-200 when he climbed into the luggage storage area to secure passengers' bags. But with fellow colleagues not realising the worker was still inside the plane, the cargo hold hatches were closed and the engines were switched on. Ali banged on the metal door and screamed for help, but through the whir of engine and wind, no one could hear him. The plane then took off from Istanbul Airport and headed for its destination airport in Greece. But as the aircraft reached its cruising altitude of 36,000 ft, the temperature in the cargo dropped significantly. The trapped man continued his efforts in attempting to attract attention from flyers and other colleagues, but to no avail. Ali was forced to search through passengers' suitcases for warm clothing, knowing he would not be able to survive for long in minus 25C. Ali Celikten, 29, was accidentally left in the cargo hold of a Turkish Airlines plane before it took off, leaving him in sub-freezing temperatures for around an hour Ali has reportedly sued Turkish Airlines following his ordeal which left him almost having to have his legs amputated Paramedics found Ali in the cargo hold with severe hypothermia and frostbite (file image) Back on the ground at Istanbul Airport, no one had noticed his absence, thinking he was in the break room. But when they went to check on him and he wasn't there, they looked at CCTV footage which captured him climbing into the cargo hold, but not coming back out. According to Turkish media, the tower was immediately informed and the plane was diverted. Instead of its original destination in Athens, the plane landed in Izmir, Turkey, around an hour later. Paramedics found Ali in the cargo hold with severe hypothermia and frostbite. According to German newspaper Bild, Ali almost lost his legs due in the incident. The airline worker later recounted: 'I was trapped in an airtight, ice-cold room. 'I couldn't do anything except cry. 'Now I'm receiving psychological support and have lost my job.' He has since sued his 'forgetful' colleagues. According to the newspaper, he rejected allegations that he had intentionally stayed on the plane. 'Some say I wanted to leave illegally. But no one would voluntarily endure even a minute under these conditions.' It comes after an AirFrance plane was forced to return home just two hours in to its flight after a passenger lost their phone on board. The plane, flying on Friday from Paris to Pointe-a-Pitre in Guadeloupe, in the Caribbean, was forced to turn its 375 passengers and 12 crew members back to France around a quarter of the way into the flight. According to AirPlusNews, the plane was made to turn around as a safety precaution. Paramount Plus' Yellowstone prequel 1923 has no shortage of star-power with A-listers like Helen Mirren and Harrison Ford, but it also has its fair share of hard-working supporting stars. One such supporting actor is Brian Konowal, who plays the intriguing character Clyde in the series, which follows the Dutton family as they try to retain control of their sprawling ranch. Clyde is not a Dutton, though we first met him in Season 1 when he applied to be one of the Livestock Agency's new lawmen to stop cattle thieves. While Cara Dutton (Helen Mirren) seemed hesitant, Sheriff William McDowell (Robert Patrick) was impressed enough with his background as a Chicago cop to give him a badge. What neither Cara nor Sheriff McDowell knew is that Clyde is actually a spy, feeding intel on the Duttons to his real bosses - Banner Creighton (Jerome Flynn) and Donald Whitfield (Timothy Dalton). In an interview with DailyMail.com, Konowal discussed working with the iconic cast, winters in Montana and much more an an exclusive interview. Paramount Plus' Yellowstone prequel 1923 has no shortage of star-power with A-listers like Helen Mirren and Harrison Ford , but it also has its fair share of hard-working supporting stars One such supporting actor is Brian Konowal, who plays the intriguing character Clyde in the series, which follows the Dutton family as they try to retain control of their sprawling ranch. Clyde is not a Dutton, though we first met him in Season 1 when he applied to be one of the Livestock Agency's new lawmen to stop cattle thieves Daily Mail was able to speak with Konowal over the phone about this role, working with the iconic cast, winters in Montana and much more an an exclusive interview The Philadelphia native has had credits on everything from Spike Lee's Clockers to iCarly, The Newsroom, indie films like Bloodsucking Bastards and much more. He revealed that he originally auditioned for both the flagship Yellowstone series and the first prequel 1883, before becoming Clyde in 1923. 'You know, Ive auditioned for Yellowstone, and I auditioned for 1883, but I auditioned for a really nice part in 1883, and, you know, you hope you know how it goes. I thought it went well, so you dont know. I hope maybe that helped down the road, because the team is the same and they see your tape,' he said. 'Thats my guess. I hope it helped. And then, 1883 finished, and theyre not doing a Season 2, and then when 1923 came, I was like, Ive gotta track this. I love this writing, I love this show, please, I gotta get on there,' Konowal continued. He added there was 'at least a year' between his 1883 audition and sending in his tape for 1923, revealing he was about to start watching another show with his wife when he got the call about landing his Clyde role. 'I auditioned, I want to say, maybe late May or June, and I didnt get the word that I got the gig until later in July, because I didnt go up to Montana before August. I remember the day. I remember we were actually sitting down to watch the first episode of Severance, strangely, me and the wife, when I got the call. Then it was like, Oh my God, Ive got to pack a bag and get on a plane. It was chaos. So Severance got delayed a bit and now were catching up on that,' he added. While many shows have quite the drawn-out audition process, Konowal revealed that for 1923, it was just an audition tape he sent in, which was ultimately given the seal of approval by Yellowstone franchise creator Taylor Sheridan. 'For 1923, I think it was just the initial tape. We did a few tapes, give them some options, but no, I didnt have to audition with Taylor. I know that he watches all the tapes and all that, which is a real testament to how much trust, how much he knows actors, I think. He just kept writing more stuff for me,' Konowal admitted. The Philadelphia native has had credits on everything from Spike Lee's Clockers to iCarly, The Newsroom, indie films like Bloodsucking Bastards and much more He added there was 'at least a year' between his 1883 audition and sending in his tape for 1923, revealing he was about to start watching another show with his wife when he got the call about landing his Clyde role 'When I first auditioned, I think it was, you know, two episodes, possibly recurring, and youre like, Ooh, possibly. And then, you know, I got to do a great scene with Helen (Mirren). Basically, all my scenes are with, you know, legends, so thats been amazing,' the actor said. While Clyde appeared briefly in the third and fourth episodes of Season 1, his big scene came in the sixth episode, when he was interviewing for Cara and the Sheriff, two of the legends he's referring to, with Helen Mirren and Robert Patrick. Creator Taylor Sheridan writes or co-writes all of the episodes, though he hasn't directed any of the 1923 episodes, ceding that duty mainly to Ben Richardson, though Konowal revealed his 'stamp' is on everything. 'He was there early. I know he was there for the cowboy camp in Season 1 and came and said hello to everybody. I was not there yet, and I think he just checks in, you know. Hes got (director and executive producer) Ben Richardson, whos also amazing. I think everybody is amazing. Ben is just great. You know, he just trusts Ben so much and I know theyre in communication all the time, but Taylor wasnt there during my stuff,' Konowal said. He added, 'I know, even when were doing costumes, Gaby Acosta, who does costumes, were taking pictures, doing things, and shes texting and I say, Gaby, who are you texting? She says, Taylor! I said, Oh, you check in with Taylor? She said, Yeah, he checks everything out. Hes really detail-oriented. I mean, his stamp is on everything, from what I understand, so thats awesome.' Clyde appears in two more episodes of Season 1, where fans ultimately learn that he's spying on the Dutton family for Banner and Donald. This is solidified even further in the second episode of Season 2, where he waits out a storm in a saloon with Banner. When asked if we find out what parts of his life that he revealed in his interview with Cara and the Sheriff are fiction, he simply said, 'I know what you're going to ask.' 'When I first auditioned, I think it was, you know, two episodes, possibly recurring, and youre like, Ooh, possibly. And then, you know, I got to do a great scene with Helen (Mirren). Basically, all my scenes are with, you know, legends, so thats been amazing,' the actor said He added, 'I know, even when were doing costumes, Gaby Acosta, who does costumes, were taking pictures, doing things, and shes texting and I say, Gaby, who are you texting? She says, Taylor! I said, Oh, you check in with Taylor? She said, Yeah, he checks everything out. Hes really detail-oriented. I mean, his stamp is on everything, from what I understand, so thats awesome' 'I think thats left to the viewers to decide. Is Clyde spinning a yarn that theyve come up with? Or did Clyde have this other life, you know? And as an actor, you get the pages and you go, OK, how can I play it? I had said, we knew that he wanted to be charming. He needs to get this job, and if he didnt get this job, God knows what happens to Clyde, because hes answering to Banner and then Whitfield , so Clyde did his homework and was ready to dazzle,' Konowal revealed. When asked about creating a backstory for Clyde that may not be seen on the screen, Konowal thought, 'hes had a rough-and-tumble background, probably got out of Scotland, Banner probably said its time to go and he made the whole voyage, because hes loyal to Banner. You can see him, in the beginning, hes not afraid to sort of question banner, at least in Season 1, but, when people ask me, I also say hes, you know, a little caught between a rock and a hard place.' 'Originally, hes like, Lets get out of town, and Banner is like, No, were staying. Clyde doesnt ride out, he stays with him, and by this season, I like to think Clyde is starting to enjoy the ride a little bit. He gets the badge and yeah. I want there to be a prequel between Season 1 and Season 2 where you just see, you know, Clyde doesnt have to do much, hes enjoying the badge, hes riding around town, you know. Him and Alex are living it up. Alex is Colt Brown, my buddy,' Konowal added. The series is shot in various parts of Montana, with Konowal adding he had never been to the state before filming started, adding it was, 'a dream' and 'amazing.' 'I spent time in Bozeman, Butte and Missoula this second season, we did some stuff in Missoula. Its just beautiful. We made some trips. We went up to Glacier (National Park) when we didnt have work, which was beautiful. We did a cold plunge up there. It was the coldest,' he added. 'It was beautiful when we caught the end of the summer in the first part and then it turns cold quick in Montana. Im not exaggerating when I say it starts snowing and an hour, hour and a half later, theres a foot of snow on the ground. But its beautiful, and the people in Butte, Montana are just so great. They welcomed us, so any time we grabbed dinner or something, they loved the show and were really supportive. Its great up there,' he said. Konowal has an extensive background in improv comedy, cutting his teeth at Improv Olympic West in Hollywood, and while he revealed there is no improvising one of Taylor's scripts, the skills he learned there do come in handy. 'Yeah, I was wondering if you were gonna bring that up, the old iO days, years and years of improv. I think the improv helps in everything. I think having that ability, if you have to theres not a lot of improvising with Taylor, at least on this, Ive been told, maybe on some other stuff, but its super tight,' he said. When asked about creating a backstory for Clyde that may not be seen on the screen, Konowal thought, 'hes had a rough-and-tumble background, probably got out of Scotland, Banner probably said its time to go and he made the whole voyage, because hes loyal to Banner. You can see him, in the beginning, hes not afraid to sort of question banner, at least in Season 1, but, when people ask me, I also say hes, you know, a little caught between a rock and a hard place.' Konowal has an extensive background in improv comedy, cutting his teeth at Improv Olympic West in Hollywood, and while he revealed there is no improvising one of Taylor's scripts, the skills he learned there do come in handy. Most of his work in Season 2 is with Jerome Flynn's Banner Creighton, best known as playing Bronn in Game of Thrones, describing him as a 'dialed-in actor.' While the Pennsylvania native is no stranger to cold, Konowal admitted, 'Its pretty cold in Philly, but this was a different kind of cold' 'It comes in even if it doesnt mean you have to be improvising and saying all this new information, it helps in your head to have that reaction so that youre present, so that when youre doing a scene with Helen or Robert or Jerome, who is fantastic, it comes off in the moment, and it might be a little different each time. You dont know what theyre gonna do, so you dont want to be so set in stone that you cant react honestly, so any kind of improv training is going to help with that, on some level,' he said. He also shared a humorous story about a memorable moment with Timothy Dalton as the rehearsed in the bitter Montana cold. 'I had a funny rehearsal in the snow with Timothy Dalton, even though it was a little scene, it was nice. He goes, Brian, do you want to rehearse? I go, Id love to rehearse, Tim. And we did the lines a few times and he looked at me and I thought he was going to say something about the scene and he said, Its so cold! I said, It is! Its freezing out here! He said, Ive never experienced cold like this!' Konowal said with a laugh. Brian Konowal's Clyde returns in the fifth episode of 1923, where he helps with the now-infamous 'train station' of Yellowstone lore, which is currently streaming on Paramount Plus. The remaining couples on Married At First Sight had their relationships put to the test on Monday night, in a challenge which has been described as 'the most f***ed in the show's history'. They were given the opportunity to meet with another potential love match the experts found during the audition process. It seems that curiosity go the better of French groom Paul Antoine, who decided to meet up with blonde bombshell Hannah Brown. This, despite Paul insisting at the beginning of the episode that he and bride Carina Mirabile could not be in a better place. 'My relationship with Carina at the moment is absolutely amazing,' he gushed. 'I'm just on a little cloud. Our feelings are strong. We are united.' Carina Mirabile has walked out on Paul Antoine after he 'cheated' on her by accepting a date with another woman. Both pictured However, that unity was shaken when Paul was met with the chance to catch-up with Hannah. 'The experts have done an amazing job at matching myself and Carina,' he said. 'We are very compatible, so if someone else is out there that is compatible with me I'm very curious.' For her part, Carina said she had no interest a meeting as it was 'borderline cheating'. 'Paul and I are the perfect match,' she said. 'We have something so good established. I want us to continue the fairytale. I really like Paul. So, that's an easy decision - the grass isn't greener on the other side. 'My decision is going to be a "no". It's black and white for me. I don't want to go on a date with another person. It's borderline cheating.' However as Carina played the dutiful wife, folding Paul's underpants and cleaning back at their apartment, her groom was inspecting his options. Paul's date was 32-year-old Sydneysider Hannah (left) The blonde beauty appeared eager to get to know Paul, however the alarm bells quickly started ringing Paul's date was 32-year-old Sydneysider Hannah. The blonde beauty appeared eager to get to know Paul, however the alarm bells quickly started ringing. She appeared nonplussed when Paul explained he and Carina were very happy and he had agreed to the date out of sheer curiosity. As her body language toward Paul visibly shifted after his admission, Hannah revealed to producers: 'I do not want to be in a relationship with someone as curious as Paul.' And the curious groom received an even frostier reception upon returning to Carina and admitting his 'indiscretion'. Instantly sensing Carina's displeasure with his decision to go on the date, Paul started speaking a mile a minute in an effort to justify his actions. 'When I got there, all I wanted to do was run away,' Paul told his bride. 'It was the most uncomfortable thing ever. Yuk.' Carina was having none of it, explaining to Paul that his sneaky date had embarrassed her, especially after just taking him home to Perth to meet her family 'He's trying to justify the reason of going and doing what he did and that to me is alarm bells if you cant have self control,' she said Carina was having none of it though, explaining to Paul that his sneaky date had embarrassed her, especially after just taking him home to Perth to meet her family. 'He's trying to justify the reason of going and doing what he did and that to me is alarm bells if you cant have self control,' she said. Paul continued to protest his innocence, which did not sit at all well with Carina who declared 'I feel sick' before dramatically exiting the apartment. Paul followed, continuing to plead his case to an emotional Carina in the hallway, but she remained unmoved. They eventually returned to the apartment where Carina became well and truly fed up with Paul's justifications. You f***ed up, Paul. Do you think Rhi and Jeff would've done something like that?' she raged. 'You're an idiot that's all I have to say. It's like cheating. You actually just cheated.' The scene devolved into a shouting match between the couple, with Paul still trying to worm his way out and bag Carina's good graces. Paul continued to protest his innocence, which did not sit at all well with Carina who declared 'I feel sick' before dramatically exiting the apartment 'I'm actually done,' she spat. 'Get your s*** and leave' However, it was not to be. 'I'm disgusted,' she said. 'There's no going past this - I'm done. That was the last straw, I don't want anything to do with this. You were just thinking about yourself.' Carina then punctuated her statement with a dramatic exit, but not before ending the confrontation with a dramatic ultimatum. 'I'm actually done,' she spat. 'Get your s*** and leave.' Paramount Plus' 1923 has certainly been putting young Alexandra (Julia Schlaepfer) through quite a lot this season, though fans may have reached a breaking point after this week's new episode, which comes after a different 'train station' was revealed. Alex has been slowly making her way to her husband Spencer Dutton's (Brandon Sklenar) home in Montana, traveling by train, though her journey hit a violent snag. While she booked passage by train to Big Sky country, her ticket didn't come with meals, so she found herself working in the dining car so she could eat along the way. She ends up spilling a beverage on a man (Chad Dorcek) who demands she clean up his trousers, though he would get violent the next morning. He notices that she isn't wearing stockings, so while she's pouring his coffee, he slides his hand up her dress, raping her with his hand, callously adding, 'Your tears are saying no but your body is saying something else.' At first she's turgid with fear, but then she snaps out of it, pouring the hot coffee on him and then beating the man to a pulp with the coffee pot, and while she ultimately survived the ordeal, fans took to social media to call out creator Taylor Sheridan for this 'unnecessary' scene. Paramount Plus' 1923 has certainly been putting young Alexandra (Julia Schlaepfer) through quite a lot this season, though fans may have reached a breaking point after this week's new episode. She ends up spilling a beverage on a man (Chad Dorcek) who demands she clean up his trousers, though he would get violent the next morning. There was only one other couple in the dining car - a pair of fellow Brits like Alex, Paul (Augustus Pew) and Hillary (Janet Montgomery), who make small talk while she does her work. They watch the assault as it's happening, clearly unsure of whether or not they should intervene, when Alex snaps and bludgeons him repeatedly with the coffee pot. The conductors ultimately took her to the train's jail for assaulting the man, insisting he assaulted her, though the man claimed he was one of his ladies. While it looked like she would be arrested and taken into custody in Chicago, Paul and Hillary ultimately vouched for her story and took her in, while the man was arrested and taken into custody by Chicago police. Paul and Hillary offer to take her to Winnetka, adding that a train station in Chicago is no place for a young lady like her, though how this impacts her journey to Montana remains to be seen. Meanwhile, her husband Spencer is rounded up by US Marshal Mamie Fossett (Jennifer Carpenter), who insists on having him checked out. She even says that if he's not a fugitive they'll pay for his train ticket to Montana, which they ultimately do after speaking on the phone with Sheriff McDowell (Robert Patrick). With Spencer on the way to Montana from Texas, and Alex in Chicago for now, it remains to be seen if they will be reunited after a season of turmoil for them both. There was only one other couple in the dining car - a pair of fellow Brits like Alex, Paul (Augustus Pew) and Hillary (Janet Montgomery), who make small talk while she does her work They watch the assault as it's happening, clearly unsure of whether or not they should intervene, when Alex snaps and bludgeons him repeatedly with the coffee pot The conductors ultimately took her to the train's jail for assaulting the man, insisting he assaulted her, though the man claimed he was one of his ladies With Spencer on the way to Montana from Texas, and Alex in Chicago for now, it remains to be seen if they will be reunited after a season of turmoil for them both. Pretty Little Truther (@LittleTruther) said, 'Can we have an episode where no one is fighting for their lives? Or violence against women? Taylor Sheridan has a sicko masochist mind.' Shanaye (@nayemonique) asked, 'Taylor Sheridan, do you hate women? Or moving a story along? If there isn't gonna be a spinoff show for Spencer & Alex coming out of this, then I'm not sure what we are enduring this arduous, drawn out journey for. They really could have sped this voyage home up.' Daisy (@IAmSnazzyDaisy) said, 'Alex & Spencers stories are ridiculously frustrating. The continuous roadblocks & unnecessary conflicts, UGH.' Denizze (@Denneeze200) added, '#1923TV by the time Alex & Spencer get together they will have been so broken they wont be the same couple anymore.' Nikki (@niirvikalpa) wondered, 'Can Spencer and Alexandra have something go their way for once... ? Will they be reunited by the finale or... ? #1923tv.' Alex (@atxylorrr) insisted, 'taylor sheridan needs his a** beat what the f**k is this??? turned a great show into something i dont even want to watch anymore #1923tv.' Alex also added, 'its 3 episodes left.. theyre gonna have them barely reaching montana/yellowstone before the finale & then theyre gonna rush to conclude everything. I hate when shows do that, especially ones that had over 2 yrs AND good material but decided to just get it all wrong #1923TV.' Detroit Girl (@NickEllaJim) theorized, 'I just thought of something horrible. What if Spencer gets to the ranch first and goes to war with the sicko? And Spencer dies before Alex gets there?? Sheridan would do that. Ugh!!' Pretty Little Truther (@LittleTruther) said, 'Can we have an episode where no one is fighting for their lives? Or violence against women? Taylor Sheridan has a sicko masochist mind.' Shanaye (@nayemonique) asked, 'Taylor Sheridan, do you hate women? Or moving a story along? If there isn't gonna be a spinoff show for Spencer & Alex coming out of this, then I'm not sure what we are enduring this arduous, drawn out journey for. They really could have sped this voyage home up' Daisy (@IAmSnazzyDaisy) said, 'Alex & Spencers stories are ridiculously frustrating. The continuous roadblocks & unnecessary conflicts, UGH' Denizze (@Denneeze200) added, '#1923TV by the time Alex & Spencer get together they will have been so broken they wont be the same couple anymore.' Nikki (@niirvikalpa) wondered, 'Can Spencer and Alexandra have something go their way for once... ? Will they be reunited by the finale or... ? #1923tv' Alex (@atxylorrr) insisted, 'taylor sheridan needs his a** beat what the f**k is this??? turned a great show into something i dont even want to watch anymore #1923tv' Alex also added, 'its 3 episodes left.. theyre gonna have them barely reaching montana/yellowstone before the finale & then theyre gonna rush to conclude everything. I hate when shows do that, especially ones that had over 2 yrs AND good material but decided to just get it all wrong #1923TV' Detroit Girl (@NickEllaJim) theorized, 'I just thought of something horrible. What if Spencer gets to the ranch first and goes to war with the sicko? And Spencer dies before Alex gets there?? Sheridan would do that. Ugh!!' Chrisler San Martin (@ChrislerOficial) said, 'Guys, lets face it, they are never getting to Montana. We have all been fooled.' Another X user dubbed @zegghead_ said, 'More rape and no plot. Sheridan managed to f**k up some of the best characters on TV in #1923TV. Sheridan needs to stop writing or stop ranching because he clearly can't multitask.' Goat Girl (@michelehemming) said, 'I loved Season 1 but this season theres too much unnecessary sexual violence and too much violence as Spencer & Alexandra make their way to Montana. We get it, that world was dangerous.' Chrisler San Martin (@ChrislerOficial) said, 'Guys, lets face it, they are never getting to Montana. We have all been fooled.' Another X user dubbed @zegghead_ said, 'More rape and no plot. Sheridan managed to f**k up some of the best characters on TV in #1923TV. Sheridan needs to stop writing or stop ranching because he clearly can't multitask.' Goat Girl (@michelehemming) said, 'I loved Season 1 but this season theres too much unnecessary sexual violence and too much violence as Spencer & Alexandra make their way to Montana. We get it, that world was dangerous.' Season 2 of 1923 has just three episodes remaining, airing on Paramount Plus March 30, April 6 and April 13 respectively. Advertisement The Vivienne's 'devastated sister Chanel Williams has revealed she and her family had no idea the Drag Race star was once again 'struggling' with addiction ahead of his tragic death aged 32. The Vivienne, whose real name was James Lee Williams, died January 5 from a cardiac arrest after taking ketamine, following years of sobriety and being open about their battle with drugs. Chanel appeared on Monday's Lorraine in her first TV interview since her brother's death and said she believed 'breaking down the stigma' of addiction could have helped save her sibling. She told host Lorraine Kelly: 'He's gone through long periods of sobriety so for us as a family, we didn't know that struggle that was clearly going on towards the end of his life'. 'He was maintaining, he was on tour, doing so well. He was reading scripts for the future. So I think that stigma we need to break down so people feel about to talk.' Before adding: 'It's hard if you've battled and then gone through that period of sobriety, it's even harder to come back and say: 'I'm struggling again''. The Vivienne's 'devastated sister Chanel Williams has revealed she and her family had no idea the Drag Race star was once again 'struggling' with addiction ahead of his tragic death The Vivienne, whose real name was James Lee Williams, died January 5 from a cardiac arrest after taking ketamine, following years of sobriety (pictured 2022) Chanel went on to say that the family saw it as The Vivienne's 'legacy' to raise awareness around the dangers of Ketamine and get it reclassified to class A and are taking their fight to the Houses of Parliament. She said: 'know that he would want this. He struggled and he was open about that, I know that he would want this fight. This is beyond the most devastating time. For me to see my parents struggle as they are, we've just got to channel that into hoping that other families don't feel like this'. Reflecting on other people who have sadly lost their lives due to Ketamine usage, Lorraine said: 'The first time I really heard about this and how dangerous it was, was Matthew Perry. Was he not given it to help with depression I believe?' Cheryl Williams, manager of a drug rehabilitation centre joined the conversation to issue a stark warning, saying: 'This is the thing we need to make clear, in a medically monitored situation, the drug is pure. 'When you're buying it off the street through the drug dealers, you have no idea what it's being cut with and children are also then taking it with other substances.' The Vivienne once said ketamine was her 'breakfast, lunch and dinner' at the height of addiction. Telling The Mirror: 'I could have three bags of it just putting my face on, I did it on and off for four years, I was getting evicted from apartments, I had no money.' Following the inquest last week The Vivienne's friend Simon Jones said on Instagram that he and the the family feel it is 'important to say how James tragically died'. Chanel appeared on Monday's Lorraine in her first TV interview since her brother's death and said she believed 'breaking down the stigma' of addiction could have helped save her sibling She said: 'He was maintaining, he was on tour, doing so well. He was reading scripts for the future. So I think that stigma we need to break down so people feel about to talk' Chanel went on to say that the family saw it as The Vivienne's 'legacy' to raise awareness around the dangers of Ketamine and get it reclassified to class A and are taking their fight to the Houses of Parliament (pictured 2023) She said: 'know that he would want this. He struggled and he was open about that, I know that he would want this fight. This is beyond the most devastating time' Added: 'We hope that by us releasing this information, we can raise awareness about the dangers of ongoing ketamine usage and what it can do to your body. 'Ketamine usage is on the rise, particularly amongst young people, and I don't think the full dangers of the drug are being discussed.' He added they hope to work with mental health and addiction service Adferiad to 'raise vital awareness and give information on how to get help if you are struggling with ketamine usage'. A post mortem found The Vivienne's cause of death was 'unnatural', a coroner was told during the February hearing, but no further information was revealed about how the TV star died. The body of the star was identified to police by their father, Cheshire Coroner's Court heard. There were no suspicious circumstances. Area coroner Victoria Davies adjourned the brief hearing for a full inquest in June. The Vivienne was catapulted to international fame after winning the first series of RuPaul's Drag Race UK in 2019. But amid their rise to fame, they also battled with drug addiction - something they openly spoke about in the past. News of their sudden and unexpected death in January sparked an outpouring of grief, with hundreds of family, friends and fans gathering in their adopted home city Liverpool to release green balloons into the air to The Vivienne's favourite songs from Wicked. Mourners including Ian 'H' Watkins, Kim Woodburn, Jade Thirlwall, Aston Merrygold and Claire Sweeney attended the TV star's funeral in Denbighshire, North Wales. Following the inquest last week The Vivienne's friend Simon Jones said on Instagram that he and the the family feel it is 'important to say how James tragically died' (pictured 2023) The Vivienne was catapulted to international fame after winning the first series of RuPaul 's Drag Race UK in 2019 (pictured) But amid their rise to fame, they also battled with drug addiction The crown and sceptre The Vivienne won on Ru Paul's Drag Race UK were carried into the church ahead of their coffin, family and a host of stars. Many wore green for the service while Vivienne Westwood badges were worn on the lapels of some of the men's suits. Floral tributes in the hearse read 'Vivienne', 'James' and 'Son'. A fourth was made up of purple flowers in the shape of a witch's hat - a nod to their Wizard Of Oz stint. Born in Colwyn Bay, North Wales, the entertainer grew up watching Lily Savage on TV, citing that as their first exposure to drag. Describing Wales as a 'big-fish-in-a-small-pond situation', the star moved to Liverpool aged 16 to pursue a career as a makeup artist, first working on the beauty counter in Debenhams If you are struggling with addiction, call the Frank drugs helpline on 0300 123 6600 Watch Lorraine weekdays from 9am on ITV1, ITVX, STV & STV Player Advertisement Coleen Nolan's brother has revealed the heartbreaking reason he kept his prostate cancer diagnosis a secret in his first TV interview on Loose Women on Monday. Brian, 69, appeared on the ITV daytime show alongside his sister Coleen and her co-stars Christine Lampard, Brenda Edwards and Gloria Hunniford in a bid to raise awareness about the disease. The news of Brian's diagnosis came just weeks after their sibling Linda passed away at 65 on January 15 following a 20-year breast cancer battle. Brian explained that he had a urinary problem and decided to go to the GP because it was affecting his life, and after blood tests he was told his PSA levels had risen, so was sent for an MRI scan - and was told that they had found something. Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, measured in nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL), are a blood test used to screen for prostate cancer, with higher levels potentially indicating prostate problems, though not necessarily cancer. But he waited a few days before telling his siblings because they were coming to terms with the loss of their sister Linda. Fresh heartache for Coleen Nolan as her brother receives horror cancer diagnosis - and admits he found out just days after the loss of their sister Linda The 69-year-old, with sister Coleen, on Loose Women earlier this month The news of Brian's diagnosis came just weeks after their sibling Linda passed away at 65 on January 15 following a 20-year breast cancer battle Coleen pointed out: 'He went through all of this, none of us knew, at the same time organising everything for Linda. 'Brian and Annie took control of the whole thing. At not one moment did I think something was up with Brian.' Brian added: 'It was a conscious decision, we'd been through too much with Linda and Bernadette. 'We've been through so much with cancer. I left it three or four days and I told you [his siblings] all individually.' As well as Linda, the Nolan siblings also lost Bernie to breast cancer in 2013 while Anne, 74, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2000 and Coleen, 60, was told she had skin cancer in 2023. 'I just want cancer to leave us alone,' Brian, the fifth of the eight Nolan siblings, heartbreakingly told The Mirror. Brian described his diagnosis as 'like being hit by a train' and said he thought the worst when he was first diagnosed. 'You start plunging into the abyss of: ''I'm going to die'',' he admitted. 'The urologist stood up and said ''We're going to treat this and we're going to cure this'', I'm focusing on that and hope to God I can have the courage my sisters had.' The cancer has thankfully not spread and Brian will undergo surgery to remove his prostate gland. Brian decided to keep his cancer fears quiet from his siblings as they were already devastated by Linda's deteriorating condition before her death in January. 'I thought I was doing the right thing and I still do, it would have meant more tears and we were already knee-deep in tears and knee-deep in grief,' he added. Amid his own struggles, he spent 28 hours sitting by Linda's bedside in her final days. His sister, Loose Women panelist Coleen, admitted she was lost for words after Brian told her of his shock diagnosis and went 'completely numb' and wanted to 'scream'. However, she also shared her pride at her brother's strength and said they will face the challenge as a family. Brian first went to the doctors in November after noticing he needed the toilet more, leading to doctors giving him PSA tests - which use blood to screen for prostate cancer. Linda Nolan pictured with her sisters Maureen, Bernie, Coleen and Denise with their brothers Tommy and Brian, and parents Tommy and Maureen He then had an MRI scan just after Christmas and a biopsy in the New Year before he was diagnosed with prostate cancer following Linda's death. Brian is being supported by his wife Ann and has decided to speak out about his diagnosis to raise more awareness about prostate cancer and its symptoms. Linda was first diagnosed with stage three breast cancer in 2005 before getting the all-clear in 2006 - but in 2017 she was diagnosed with a form of incurable secondary cancer in her hip, which spread to her liver in 2020. Three years later, she shared the news that the cancer had spread to her brain, with two tumours discovered on the left side of her brain which left her struggling with her speech and balance. And she issued an update last August that the tumours - which were thought to be stable - had grown. The Irish star was part of family group the Nolans, alongside her sisters Coleen, Maureen, Denise, Anne and Bernie - who died of breast cancer in 2013 aged 52. Brian's sisters have a history of cancer, with Linda, Coleen and Anne all receiving diagnoses as well as Bernie passing away from the disease. Linda had admitted last November she 'never expected to make it to Christmas', meaning that the festive period meant all the more to her. She said at the time: 'I can't wait. Not to be morbid, but I didn't think I'd make Christmas, so it's a real bonus. 'We love Christmas as a family and we're all going to gather at Denise's. It will be great. We all have such a good time when we get together so I can't wait. I especially love seeing all the little ones and how excited they get.' And just before the festive season she admitted to OK! magazine she was afraid of death, saying: 'What scares me the most? Dying. I am sad that it is going to happen. 'When people start talking about 'putting things in order' I don't want to talk about that. I don't want to think about my affairs. It's so final. 'Every birthday and every Christmas, I want to make it to the next one. This year, for instance, I will certainly raise a glass and say, 'Here's to 2025'. 'I have to be like that, I can't be a grey cloud of doom.' Linda had appeared on ITV's GMB last August, revealing how she was being set on a new course of chemotherapy - and sharing the news that she could face losing her hair once again. She also described the physical toll the ongoing treatment was taking on her smile, pointing to a gap in her teeth and exclaiming: 'Look, I've lost a tooth!' Linda said of cancer's prevalence in her family: 'I'm just like everybody else really, I just want it to go - or leave us alone for a little while at least.' Beth Kelly has slammed her groom Teejay Halkias, suggesting that he is only on Married At First Sight for fame, not love. After Teejay continued to send her 'mixed signals' Beth says that it dawned on her that their connection was wafer thin. 'I don't think he's a bad person at all, but I think looking back now, he wasn't into me at all' she tells Yahoo. 'And so the only thing I can really think of is maybe he just wanted to stay for as long as he could to get as much fame as he wanted'. She added: 'I feel like there must have been ulterior motives. 'I think maybe he just wanted to stay on the show for as long as he could and maybe he had to string me along to do that until it was at the point where he was like, "Okay, I can't keep doing this".' Beth Kelly has slammed her groom Teejay Halkias, suggesting that he is only on Married At First Sight for fame, not love. Both pictured It comes after MAFS expert Alessandra Rampolla sensationally called out groom Teejay for sending 'mixed signals' to his wife Beth. 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. 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. 'I don't think he's a bad person at all, but I think looking back now, he wasn't into me at all' she tells Yahoo 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. Beth took a swipe at Teejay after their disastrous Homestays in Brisbane last week. 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 comes after MAFS expert Alessandra Rampolla (pictured) sensationally called out groom Teejay for sending 'mixed signals' to his wife Beth '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. '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.' Teejay appeared caught off guard, admitting, 'I don't think I thought about it like that at the time' 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. Jacinta Stapleton has finally spoken out about Neighbours facing the axe yet again -just two years after its dramatic revival. The 45-year-old actress, who plays Amy Greenwood in the beloved Aussie soap, revealed she felt 'free' and 'in charge of her life' despite the latest setback for the long-running drama. Jacinta didn't shy away from addressing the elephant in the room, reflecting on the uncertain future of Neighbours and her evolving career. 'I feel free and in charge of my life,' she told Daily Mail Australia. 'And I'm really looking forward to my future.' While many fans have been left devastated by the show's cancellation, Jacinta is channelling her energy into new projects - including an ambitious sci-fi script she's been developing for years. 'I've written a script which I'm super proud of. I wrote it a while ago, but now it's got legs,' she revealed. Jacinta Stapleton (pictured) has finally spoken out about Neighbours facing the axe yet again- just two years after its dramatic revival The 45-year-old actress, who plays Amy Greenwood in the beloved Aussie soap, revealed she felt 'free' and 'in charge of her life' despite the latest setback for the long-running drama 'It's an important story that needs to be told - not just for women, but for the world, the universe, everything.' Although the actress remained tight-lipped on the details, she hinted at a dark femme-based fantasy with twelve main characters and twenty-six species - a stark contrast to the suburban drama of Ramsay Street. 'It's a sci-fi that will enlighten people about what we're doing to the Earth and how humans are affecting it,' she explained. 'It's one of the biggest fantasy projects I've ever worked on.' Jacinta co-wrote the script with a woman from Texas she met in Los Angeles, and she's now surrounded by a team of producers and filmmakers who are just as passionate about bringing the project to life. Beyond her writing ventures, Jacinta has a packed schedule, including a major appearance at Bare Minimum, an Australian TV forum in Birmingham this July. 'I'm on a panel of people - yes, of course, it's about Neighbours' she joked. 'They love their Neighbours! But I can't say too much... I don't want to get sued!' 'I feel free and in charge of my life,' she told Daily Mail Australia. 'And I'm really looking forward to my future' Despite her deep connection to Australian television, Stapleton admits she has always felt more love from British audiences than from her home country. 'I feel like we don't talk about it enough, but why do Australians not support their own talent the way the UK does?' she mused. 'I love British TV. It's the funniest, the smartest. 'That's ultimately where I want to work.' Although proud of her Australian TV roots, she believes the industry lacks commitment to the arts, forcing many actors to seek opportunities overseas. 'There needs to be more commitment to the arts in this country' she stated. 'There needs to be more acceptance. That's why we all leave. There's just more opportunity elsewhere.' With Neighbours now facing an uncertain future, it seems Stapleton is ready to embrace change. Whether that means Hollywood, London, or another out-of-this-world adventure with her upcoming sci-fi project. Bachelorette alum Katie Thurston and comedian Jeff Arcuri have tied the knot. The lovebirds got married in a simple and intimate ceremony in their own backyard with their dog Charlie and their parents in attendance. After the vows were said, they adjourned for a celebratory dinner at DaAndrea in New York City. The couple plan to have a bigger wedding with personalized vows when Katie beats cancer. 'I want to be able to be in the hospital with her and just be like, "My wife's in there." There's more power to that,' Jeff told Us Weekly. 'I don't want to be not with you for any of this.' Katie said: 'It was this kind gesture of him saying, truly, in sickness and in health.' Bachelorette alum Katie Thurston and comedian Jeff Arcuri have tied the knot. The lovebirds got married in a simple and intimate ceremony in their own backyard with their dog Charlie and their parents in attendance 'He is proving that hes here to stay. He shows up every day and he does it in ways that just continue to surprise.' Thurston and Arcuri met over Instagram when the reality TV star sent the comedian a clip of him to a friend exactly one year before they got married. 'If youve ever looked at his page, you just cant help but truly fall in love with him as a person. His personality hes so pure and just charming,' she told the outlet. 'So on March 22nd of last year, I sent a clip to my girlfriends. I had never talked to him. We had never met. I sent this clip and said, "Future husband." 'At the time, I didnt realize, but I was manifesting my actual future husband, so when we were looking at dates, I was like, "Wait, it has to be March 22nd."' After spending three to six hours a day on the phone, they met up for the first time on May 5, 2024 in Los Angeles. 'Ive been in a handful of relationships. Obviously, you have too on TV,' Arcuri joked to Thurston before getting sentimental again. 'Sometimes when youre in a relationship early on, you feel like youre being dishonest or theres a vibe of 10 percent things you dont know about them yet. After the vows were said, they adjourned for a celebratory dinner at DaAndrea in New York City The couple plan to have a bigger wedding with personalized vows when Katie beats cancer 'I want to be able to be in the hospital with her and just be like, "My wife's in there." There's more power to that,' Jeff told Us Weekly 'I don't want to be not with you for any of this.' Katie said: 'It was this kind gesture of him saying, truly, in sickness and in health' 'And I never felt that with her. I felt that way [about] myself with her. Ive always felt like an open book with you. Theres nothing Id ever hide from you. Theres no reason to.' Thurston agreed that they were both 'fully ourselves' from the beginning. 'Youre the first person to not be upset with my goofiness,' Arcuri continued. 'Ill dance and sing and shes the only person thats ever been cheering me on for it and then videotaping me and joking with me about it as opposed to being like, "Oh my God, what are you doing right now?" I just love that too. You make me feel not stupid.' When the outlet asked about how Katies stage three breast cancer diagnosis a few days before the wedding, Arcuri said. 'You would think it would cause more tribulation or problems between you, but its bonded us more than anything else, which is why were moving up the wedding a little bit. Were getting married in two days.' Thurston recalled Arcuris 'sweet sentiment of being there for me' becoming her husband before she begins her treatment on Thursday, March 27. 'It was so sweet. Obviously, we were wanting to plan a wedding and theres a lot of emotions that come in with chemo and the impact and the health and we dont know what the next year looks like,' Thurston said. 'And one night he said, "I want to show you that I still love you and that Im here to stay. Ill get married to you tomorrow." We flew our parents in from Michigan and Washington State. We got our marriage license and a friend is just gonna marry us.' Katie shared the news of her diagnosis last month, saying that she and Jeff were going to go to Hawaii and travel the world and then settle down in New York City, but her diagnosis changed their plans. 'He is proving that hes here to stay. He shows up every day and he does it in ways that just continue to surprise' Thurston and Arcuri met over Instagram when the reality TV star sent the comedian a clip of him to a friend exactly one year before they got married 'If youve ever looked at his page, you just cant help but truly fall in love with him as a person. His personality hes so pure and just charming,' she told the outlet 'So on March 22nd of last year, I sent a clip to my girlfriends. I had never talked to him. We had never met. I sent this clip and said, "Future husband" Katie shared a photo from before the wedding and she looked gorgeous 'At the time, I didnt realize, but I was manifesting my actual future husband, so when we were looking at dates, I was like, "Wait, it has to be March 22nd"' On Sunday, March 23, Katie posted a short video on her Instagram Stories. in it, she sat in a chair in a hospital with an IV line in her arm. Arcuri sat in the other seat, smiling and trying to keep her spirits up. She captioned it: 'Honeymoon at Columbia with some mocktails.' Before she began treatment, Katie froze her eggs. Chemotherapy damages women's fertility and she and Jeff hope to have kids in the future. Katie recently revealed on the Almost Famous podcast with Ben Higgins and Ashley Iaconetti that she has undergone oncofertility, which she described as 'IVF for people with cancer.' 'Because with chemotherapy, it does impact your reproductive system in a negative way. So you want to be proactive and at least have options in the event that you can't conceive naturally in the future,' she explained. 'Now, some women have told me they had cancer, [and when they became] cancer free, they were able to conceive naturally, but we didn't want to hold on to that. 'So we did go through the whole IVF process and ended up freezing our embryos. As of right now, we have successfully six fertilized embryos,' she shared. On Sunday, March 23, Katie posted a short video on her Instagram Stories. in it, she sat in a chair in a hospital with an IV line in her arm Arcuri sat in the other seat, smiling and trying to keep her spirits up. She captioned it: 'Honeymoon at Columbia with some mocktails' After spending three to six hours a day on the phone, they met up for the first time on May 5, 2024 in Los Angeles 'And one night he said, "I want to show you that I still love you and that Im here to stay. Ill get married to you tomorrow' She also shared that she hopes to save her left breast via a lumpectomy rather than having a double mastectomy. 'Especially at my age and my hopes to have a family and potentially even breastfeed, I think at the bare minimum, the left breast, which is not [cancerous] right now, it would be something I would hope to hang on to,' Thurston said on the podcast. 'But again, I have to put my health first, so it's kind of case by case in the coming months, what ends up ultimately being the decision. Thurston went on to explain that her insurance 'covers reconstruction' if she has to go the mastectomy route for her health. 'So you know, some women, I think also then go, "Yeah, if that, like it decreases the stress of reoccurrence and I get a boob job so be it,"' she shared. The well-heeled suburb of Bellevue Hill is an unlikely location for a scuffle with police. So when 54-year-old socialite Vanessa Jacobs Fennell was filmed being arrested by uniformed officers over there last week, it certainly had the in-crowd talking. Footage of the charity maven being frogmarched away by cops in front of stunned diners was captured after she allegedly smashed her black Range Rover Sport into a parked Tesla at 7pm on Friday. Her car reportedly had scratch marks, dents and shredded tyres. An onlooker was quoted by a Sydney newspaper as saying she'd been 'doing laps' around the area. Jacobs Fennell, a mother of two, was charged with assaulting a police officer and refusing a breath test. She would later claim she suffered a panic attack and was injured during her arrest. The incident has become a cause celebre in the eastern suburbs, with high society housewives taking a rare break from Instagram to watch her arrest footage lead the nightly news bulletins over the weekend. Sydney socialite Vanessa Jacobs Fennell is seen on the balcony of her oceanside home in Tamarama on Monday At about midday, a shattered Jacobs Fennell was briefly spied on the balcony. She looked strained during a phone call and quickly retreated inside Of particular interest was one moment during the arrest when, as she was escorted to a police van, she appeared to break free and slap an officer on the arm. 'Everyone was texting each other about it,' one socialite tells me. 'It was crazy to see her being frogmarched by police because she's such a big deal in the east. We were like, "What the hell is going on?"' On Monday, Jacobs Fennell was seen bunkering down at her oceanside home in Tamarama, where she lives in a five-bedroom mansion that last sold in 2014 for $5.5million and is now believed to worth twice that amount. Inside, she was tearfully telling friends how she was planning to fly to Hong Kong in the wake of her arrest. Whether she actually makes it overseas remains to be seen. Besides the phalanx of news trucks and photographers camped outside the home, the only activity on Monday morning was a young man, confirmed to be an employee of the Jacobs Fennell household, who arrived to pick up her son for school. After the school run, the man was later seen returning with groceries. At about midday, a shattered Jacobs Fennell was briefly spied on the balcony. She looked strained during a phone call and quickly retreated inside. The only other activity on Monday morning was a young man, confirmed to be an employee of the Jacobs Fennell household, who arrived to pick up her son for school The man was seen collecting Jacobs Fennell's son, who wore cadet clothes After the school run, the man was later seen returning with groceries from Coles Friends tell me the alleged incident in Bellevue Hill was 'out of character' for a woman known for spending her days fundraising and helping others. The reason for her allegedly erratic behaviour, I am told, was her recent break-up with prominent Melbourne businessman Nathan Sable. The two are believed to have been a couple until a few weeks before Valentine's Day when things suddenly cooled. 'They met at a charity function. He was charming,' a source with knowledge of the relationship tells me. 'She let her guard down and he ended it. The whole thing left her spiralling because she wanted answers.' Before dating Sable, Ms Jacobs Fennell was married to private equity banker Tom Fennell, who coincidentally lives a stone's throw away from Friday's crash site. The reason for Jacobs Fennell's allegedly erratic behaviour, I am told, was her recent break-up with prominent Melbourne businessman Nathan Sable (pictured) Jacobs Fennell was arrested after her Range Rover allegedly swiped a parked Tesla on Friday The socialite was apparently once on a shortlist for a season of Real Housewives of Sydney Jacobs Fennell last made headlines in 2021 when she took action against a 'pushy' McGrath real estate agent who was pestering her to put her Tamarama home on the market According to bystanders, Jacobs Fennell was waving away enraged diners who had rushed to the corner of Riddell St and Bellevue Rd to try to pull her out of the car. She was taken to Waverley Police Station where she was charged with refusal to submit to breath analysis, assault police in execution of duty and not give particulars to the owner of the damaged property. She was expected to face Parramatta bail court on Sunday but police instead released her early on bail on Saturday evening. She will face court again next month. Jacobs Fennell was described as 'a charity fundraiser who has been on committees for Sydney Children's Hospital and Murdoch Children's Research Institute'. However, I am reliably told she won't be attending the upcoming Silver Party, which raises funds for the Sydney Children's Hospital Foundation. Jacobs Fennell, who was apparently once on the shortlist to appear on The Real Housewives of Sydney, last made headlines in 2021 when she took action against a 'pushy' real estate agent. She lodged a complaint with NSW Fair Trading over allegedly aggressive tactics from a 'pushy' McGrath realtor who was trying to convince her to sell multimillion-dollar Tamarama home. The agent had allegedly caused her 'enormous stress' for 14 months by repeatedly approaching her with offers, despite her house not being on the market. Advertisement The Gold Coast mansion that was used as the backdrop for The Bachelors has gone under the hammer in a record multi-million dollar deal. The stunning Broadbeach Waters property was used as the location of Bachelor spin-off The Bachelors starring Felix Von Hofe, Thomas Malucelli and Jed McIntosh. The Gold Coast Bulletin reported that the home went under an eye-watering $18million contract back in March 2024, but the deal failed to settle six months later. The home went under the hammer for an impressive $16 million earlier this month, and despite a $2million reduction, still managed to set records for the area. The publication reported that the sale eclipsed the previous Broadbeach Waters record of $15.1million. 'I think most people are realising there are very few homes available on the river at the moment in that $12 to $30m price point,' agent Michael Kollosche said. The Gold Coast mansion that was used as the backdrop for The Bachelors has gone under the hammer in a record multi-million dollar deal. Pictured: host Osher Gunsberg 'If you look at the central Gold Coast right now there are four to five available on the riverfront in that price point.' The Monaco Street mansion last sold for $14.5 million in October 2021. The significant sale also broke records for a Broadbeach Waters property at that time. The two-storey mansion includes four large bedrooms, five bathrooms, a gym and outdoor pool. Created by celebrated Gold Coast designer Jared Poole, the home includes waterfront views and an impressive position on the river. An upper-level balcony offers stunning views of nearby Surfers Paradise cityscape. Coming in an a whopping 2,400 sqm, it includes a gym, fireplace and wet bar, as well as an alfresco entertaining space set on a waterfront pavilion. Covering almost 2,400sqm with an incredible 115.1m of water frontage, the mansion has an open-plan kitchen and opulent dining areas. The two-storey mansion includes four large bedrooms, five bathrooms, a gym and outdoor pool Created by celebrated Gold Coast designer Jared Poole, the home includes waterfront views and an impressive position on the river Coming in an a whopping 2,400 sqm, it includes a gym, fireplace and wet bar, as well as an alfresco entertaining space set on a waterfront pavilion Covering almost 2,400sqm with an incredible 115.1m of water frontage, the mansion has an open-plan kitchen and opulent dining areas The mansion was a massive upgrade from the $6.3million 'French chateau' in Dural, in Sydney's west, used for Jimmy Nicholson's season. Before Dural, The Bachelor and The Bachelorette were filmed at a $2.3million property in Oxford Falls, in Sydney's north. The stunning Gold Coast property only served as the backdrop for one season of The Bachelors, with production heading south to Melbourne for he subsequent season. A $6.4million mansion in the swanky Melbourne suburb of Brighton provided he luxe backdrop for the show's eleventh and final season. One of Sydney's historic waterfront gems was recently unveiled as the secret filming location of the anticipated Samantha Armytage-helmed Bachelor spin-off The Golden Bachelor. Channing Tatum and new girlfriend Inka Williams cozied up during a date night with friends in Los Angeles over the weekend. The 44-year-old actor and 25-year-old model, who just flew in from Australia, dined at Chez Jay restaurant in Santa Monica. The Magic Mike star and young beauty even brought their dog along for the night out. Channing was casually dressed in a short-sleeved, white, graphic T-shirt with his hair cut into his signature low buzz. For her part, Inka put her washboard abs on display in a tiny crop top worn underneath an oversize, hooded blue jacket. Channing Tatum and new girlfriend Inka Williams cozied up during a date night with friends in Los Angeles over the weekend Channing was casually dressed in a short-sleeved, white, graphic T-shirt with his hair cut into his signature low buzz Inka put her washboard abs on display in a tiny crop top worn underneath an oversize, hooded blue jacket She added low-slung, light wash jeans and punctuated her effortlessly cool look with tan, pointy-toe boots. Her sunkissed, wavy, dirty blonde locks spilled out from underneath a light-colored trucker hat. Channing went public with his relationship earlier this year at the Creative Artists Agency pre-Oscars party. He was previously engaged to Zoe Kravitz, but the couple called off their engagement in late 2024. 'I feel like I'm dating the king of England actually he's way better,' Inka recently said about the new romance, per Hello magazine. 'I am very happy,' she added. Days ago the Bali-raised model was spotted at Sydney Airport in route to the states. And once she touched down, she reconnected with friends, appearing in photos with them on Instagram this weekend. 'Bali bebes reunite,' she captioned an image with two gal pals as they posed on a rooftop with a blue sky hovering above them. The 44-year-old actor and 25-year-old model, who just flew in from Australia, dined at Chez Jay restaurant in Santa Monica Channing went public with his relationship earlier this year at the Creative Artists Agency pre-Oscars party The Magic Mike star and young beauty even brought their dog along for the night out Days ago the Bali-raised model was spotted at Sydney Airport in route to the states Once she touched down in the US, she reconnected with friends, appearing in photos with them on Instagram this weekend. 'Bali bebes reunite,' Inka captioned an Instagram image with two gal pals as they posed on a rooftop with a blue sky hovering above them Last week Tatum announced that he has sworn off doing any more acting roles that require him to On Friday the heartthrob took to Instagram to share a set of shirtless photos with his 17.4 million followers. Starting with a present-day snapshot of him wearing nothing but black briefs and showing off his chiseled torso, he wrote in the caption, 'We back up! lol. 1st photo is today 205 [lbs].' A second image featured the star appearing noticeably heavier as he took a mirror selfie. He noted, '2nd photo 235 for a movie called Josephine.' He shared a third and final image looking lean and slender, announcing, 'I won't be doing any more fat roles, haha. It's too hard on the body and too hard to take off now.' The last picture showed him with his dark hair longer than usual and he shared that at the time he weighed '172 for a movie [called] Roofman.' Gwyneth Paltrow knows a thing or two about presentation, having promoted her successful lifestyle brand Goop since 2008. And with an Oscar under her belt and starring roles in Shakespeare In Love, Iron Man and The Talented Mr Ripley, you can bet that nothing she films is left to chance. Which is why fans believe that when Ms Paltrow, 52, posted an Instagram video of how she makes breakfast, she may have been subtly putting the Duchess of Sussex in her place. With a jazzy soundtrack, the wholesome clip shows the actress at home in her pyjamas with her dog, making a simple meal of fried eggs, bacon and 'biscuits' a sort of American scone. The post came hot on the heels of the duchess's latest TV series, With Love, Meghan, which began streaming on Netflix last month to a chorus of negative criticism. Some viewers suggested Ms Paltrow's unmade-up look, rumpled PJs and simple, speech-free cooking demonstration were chosen to contrast with Meghan's flawless make-up, designer clothes and rented kitchen. Other clues include the music playing behind Ms Paltrow's video This Will Be (An Everlasting Love) by Natalie Cole which was used in promos by Meghan. Fans said Ms Paltrow had thrown 'shade' on Meghan slang for showing contempt or undermining someone. One wrote on X: 'Gwyneth Paltrow continues to throw shade & I'm here for it! No make-up in her actual kitchen!' Another said: 'Even the music... that's Natalie Cole 'this will be (an EVER lasting love)'!!!!!' Fans believe that when Ms Paltrow, 52, posted an Instagram video of how she makes breakfast, she may have been subtly putting the Duchess of Sussex in her place The post came hot on the heels of the duchess's latest TV series, With Love, Meghan, which began streaming on Netflix last month to a chorus of negative criticism Some viewers suggested Ms Paltrow's unmade-up look, rumpled PJs and simple, speech-free cooking demonstration were chosen to contrast with Meghan's flawless make-up, designer clothes and rented kitchen With a jazzy soundtrack, the wholesome clip shows the actress at home in her pyjamas with her dog, making a simple meal of fried eggs, bacon and 'biscuits' Fans said Ms Paltrow had thrown 'shade' on Meghan slang for showing contempt or undermining someone A third posted: 'Lol isn't it this the song they keep using in the Meghan Markle promo?' 'And being as relatable as she can be, in her pjs, hair not styled, no make-up sipping coffee. No one praising her. Just her phone filming. Simple and easy.' One fan added: 'Go Gwyneth... a real dog in her own real kitchen on her own real property.' Meghan, 43, did not film her series which has been renewed for a second season at the home in Montecito, California she shares with Prince Harry and their children, instead hiring a 6.2million farmhouse. Other comments highlighted Ms Paltrow's monogrammed mug, speculating it could be a reference to Meghan's monogram as Duchess of Sussex. One said: 'Notice the lettering on the cup?!!' Last week, Ms Paltrow and fitness guru Tracy Anderson were accused of mocking Meghan. Making a recipe in a video on Goop's Instagram page, Ms Anderson said: 'I'm Tracy Anderson, and welcome to my actual kitchen' pausing for effect. She later insisted: 'Absolutely no shade intended!' A day earlier, Ms Paltrow said Meghan seemed 'lovely', adding: 'Maybe I'll try to get through their security detail and bring them a pie.' Jodie Marsh has given a health update from her hospital bed on Instagram after having blepharoplasty surgery. The former Page Three girl, 46, shared a number of videos on Sunday, updating fans on how her procedure went as she admitted 'I look rough' after being 'fully knocked out'. Jodie was seen wearing a hospital gown and had bandages on her eyelids as she said: 'I'm awake I was fully knocked out and I'm not really in any pain. I look rough but I am well excited though.' The TV personality was later seen being driven home by a friend as she admitted she 'can't see anything or feel anything'. She added: 'I'm being driven home, I can't see anything, I can't feel anything but I feel gangster. I feel like I'm really drunk'. Blepharoplasty is a cosmetic procedure that removes excess skin or fat from the eyelids to improve their appearance, potentially addressing hooded or drooping eyelids. Jodie Marsh has given a health update from her hospital bed on Instagram on Sunday after having blepharoplasty surgery The former Page Three girl, 46, shared a number of videos updating fans how her procedure went as she admitted 'I look rough' after being 'fully knocked out' Earlier in the day, Jodie told fans about the surgery and showed off her eyelids before. She said: 'I'm having my eye surgery today and I am so excited about it. All of this will be gone, this skin will be gone. I'm so excited I can't tell you, I've wanted this surgery for so so long. Wish me luck'. The star wrote: 'Guys Im having blepharoplasty today!!!! And I am SO excited!!!!!!!!!!!! Ive wanted this for years and have finally plucked up the courage to go for it! Im in Harley Street. Wish me luck'. It comes after Jodie spoke about 'changing her life' after previously saying she is 'fat but happier than ever' after ditching her glamour modelling lifestyle. The model lives a quieter life these days, having largely left the world of showbiz behind in favour of running an animal sanctuary in Great Dunmow, Essex. Along with glamour modelling and her various reality TV stints, Jodie also memorably competed as a bodybuilder and at one point sported six pack abs. Jodie exalted the benefits of a CBD oil she has been using to relieve pain, aches and anxiety. In the clip, she sported a loose fitting T-shirt and a pair of blue leggings and wrote alongside it: 'I've never had a bad word said about. Jodie was seen wearing a hospital gown and had bandages on her eyelids as she said: 'I'm awake I was fully knocked out and I'm not really in any pain. I look rough but I am well excited though' The TV personality was later seen being driven home by a friend as she admitted she 'can't see anything or feel anything' Blepharoplasty is a cosmetic procedure that removes excess skin or fat from the eyelids to improve their appearance, potentially addressing hooded or drooping eyelids 'It changed my life you just need the 6000mg oil and works straight away, anyone with anxiety/depression any aches or pain or insomnia NEEDS TO TRY THIS.' Jodie previously described herself as 'fat' because she no longer has time to work out while running her animal sanctuary. She told The Sun: 'You might recognise me as someone that used to be glamorous, sexy, a bodybuilder and everything else, but now I'm just a farm girl and I look a mess.' Jodie added: 'The reason I'm now fat and haven't got a six pack is because I don't have time to eat properly or even do the food shopping. Not ever. 'I used to cook healthy meals and don't have time for that anymore. I don't gym at the moment either. I don't have time. It's manic.' Yet Jodie has made peace with her current figure as she feels 'happier than ever' with her new career. Aged 17, Jodie decided to pursue a career in glamour modelling, and applied to a tabloid hoping they'd feature her. 'They sent me a letter back rejecting me! Thank you, but no thanks,' she revealed. 'I was devastated because I'd been bullied at school. They'd all called me ugly for many years. 'So in my head, I was like, I've got to be a model I've got to prove to my bullies that I'm not ugly.' Jodie lives a quieter life these days, having largely left the world of showbiz behind in favour of running an animal sanctuary in Great Dunmow, Essex Jodie became one of the country's most famous glamour modesls (pictured in 2003) Jodie also memorably competed as a bodybuilder and at one point sported six pack abs She ended up becoming one of Britain's most well-known glamour models and has since moved on to running her own farm. Her new life doesn't come cheap however and Jodie returned to her glamour model roots to help fund the farm. She launched an OnlyFans account and has earned thousands selling X-rated photographs of herself. Jodie explained: 'We needed to put perimeter fencing around the whole entire farm, and that cost 65,000. I funded that entire thing from my OnlyFans. 'For the first year my OnlyFans also paid all my staff. I never took a penny for myself. 'Now, I probably only make a couple of grand a month on it, because I've been really slack on it because I'm so busy with the animals. 'But I'm back posting again so that should shoot up again now. Back when I was paying the staff wages I was earning around 10,000 a month.' Advertisement Tammy Hembrow has unfollowed and quickly re-followed her husband Matt Zukowski on Instagram again after she was spotted crying this week. Facebook gossip group Tea Time shared a screenshot of the Australian YouTuber's Instagram page showing that Matt's name could not be found in the list of people she follows. 'Here we go again,' the post was captioned, hinting at the previous times the couple had deleted each other from their socials. 'Tammy Hembrow has unfollowed her new husband Matt Zukowski and removed some posts with him in it,' the post read. 'Don't come at me I'm just sharing.' Tammy, 30, who has unfollowed Matt, 29, multiple times in the past, also deleted several images of the pair together before re-following him again. Tammy Hembrow has unfollowed and re-followed her husband Matt Zukowski on Instagram again after she was spotted crying this week 'Here we go again,' the post was captioned, hinting at the previous times the couple have deleted each other off of their socials The couple met after the former Love Island star slid into Tammy's DMs in 2023 and wed a year later in a stunning Byron Bay ceremony. However, her recent social media move has fans questioning the state of their marriage. Fans flooded the comment section, with multiple people claiming that they had seen the influencer 'crying'. 'Not crying in the bathroom then this,' one person wrote. 'Is this who we saw yesterday,' another person commented, which was met with the response: 'yep'. Other commenters had much to say about her husband, speculating that there may be trouble in paradise. 'Lmao I heard him talking crap about her on the phone,' one person wrote, adding: 'he trains at my gym'. 'We've seen him around South Melbourne for ages now, not sure how long he's not been living with Tammy for,' the person revealed, before saying: 'She was crying yesterday.' Facebook gossip account Tea Time shared a screenshot of the Australian YouTuber's Instagram page, showing that Matt's name could not be found in the list of people she follows Fans flooded the comment section, with multiple people claiming that they had seen the influencer 'crying' Tammy's Instagram now shows that she has re-followed her husband of four months. This isn't the first time the fitness influencer has unfollowed and re-followed her partner on social media. The couple sparked speculation that their relationship was in strife after they briefly unfollowed each other on social media in October last year - just one month before their wedding. However, the pair quickly re-followed each other shortly after Daily Mail Australia contacted them for comment. Before that, the pair briefly unfollowed each other on social media in April last year. Neither of them had been featured in each other's Instagram posts at the time, sparking rumours that the couple were in troubled waters. Tammy left little to the imagination as she stepped out for lunch on Saturday. The social media personality shared a series of photos to Instagram as she posed in a busty bandeau top. Tammy left little to the imagination as she stepped out for lunch on Saturday She flaunted her toned figure in the strapless white top which she paired with a white mini skirt. Tammy accessorised her look with a pair of strappy black heels and a matching coloured Chanel bag. The influencer left her straight blonde locks out and accentuated her beauty with a bronzed makeup palette. She also wore gold hoop earrings as she posed inside the waterfront restaurant. Daily Mail has reached out to both Tammy and Matt for comment. Tammy and Matt exchanged vows in a gorgeous ceremony at Chateau Du Soleil in Byron Bay, NSW back in November. As the couple held hands, Tammy became emotional and broke down in tears while they exchanged vows and said, 'I do.' Tammy and Matt got engaged in December 2023 following just three months of dating. Tammy and Matt got engaged in December 2023 following just three months of dating The jet-setting pair were engaged in the Maldives, before heading off to Greece and Bali for luxury holidays. Tammy has been engaged twice before, the first time to influencer Reece Hawkins, who she shares her son Wolf and daughter Saskia with. In November 2021 the fitness guru became engaged to restaurateur and former Ironman Matt Poole. The pair, who split in December 2022 share one-year-old daughter Posy. Albuquerque police arrested a third youth in connection with the fatal hit-and-run of a bicyclist from New Mexico and have charged a detained 11-year-old with murder. Law enforcement officials had already taken into custody two of the three boys who killed 63-year-old bicyclist Scott Habermehl. On Wednesday, authorities noted that they have arrested a 16-year-old who joined the first two, aged 11 and 13, in purposely running into the victim. Third Youth Arrested in Fatal Hit-And-Run of Bicyclist The 13-year-old was arrested on Monday while the 11-year-old was taken into custody on Tuesday. On Wednesday, the department confirmed that the two initially arrested youths were charged with murder. So far, police have not yet confirmed charges for the 16-year-old who was recently arrested. However, law enforcement personnel said that the teenager could face an open count of murder, conspiracy to commit murder, leaving the scene of an accident involving great bodily harm or death, and unlawful possession of a handgun by a person, according to USA Today. Read more: Teen Who Fatally Stabbed Mother Was Reportedly Inspired by the Menendez Brothers The Office of the Second Judicial District Attorney in New Mexico declined to answer the question of whether the boys would be tried as adults. The office cited that there is still an active investigation into the case. The bicyclist in the case was reportedly struck while he was on his way to work at the Sandia National Laboratory in Albuquerque at around 4:40 a.m. on May 29, 2024. The victim was said to be in a dedicated bike lane at the time of the incident. Charges of Murder Video footage of the crash was recorded from inside the vehicle that the three youths were riding and quickly spread on social media. During a children's court hearing for the 13-year-old suspect, Deputy District Attorney Bridget McKenney played the video, CBS News reported. The footage showed the car quickly accelerating as the flashing tail light of a bicycle suddenly became visible. Viewers could hear a voice, which was believed to be that of the 16-year-old, saying, "Just bump him, brah." Kyle Hartsock with the Albuquerque Police Department's criminal investigation division said that the 13-year-old was believed to be the one driving the car when the bicyclist was struck. Albuquerque police chief Harold Medina said that they hope the system can deal with the individuals involved in the case to impose sufficient punishments. Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller called the fatal incident "unimaginable," noting that it was incredibly heartbreaking. He noted how the perpetrators were so young and were already caught up in the cycle of violence, as per ABC News. Melbourne radio host Christian O'Connell has hit back a claims he and his wife Sarah are heading for a divorce. The GOLD104.3 star addressed shocking rumours that appeared on a Facebook fan page, claiming his marriage was on the rocks and he was taking an extended break from his hosting gig. He said he was made aware of the speculation by his daughter Lois during a shock Friday night phone call. 'This is a hot potato,' Christian began. 'Friday night, I get a phone call from my 18-year-old daughter Lois and it's like 11:15. When your kids call and it's that time of the evening, your first thing is something's happened.' Christian explained his daughter had been made aware of the rumour via a friend living in Holland. Melbourne radio host Christian O'Connell has hit back a claims he and his wife Sarah are heading for a divorce He said he was made aware of the speculation by his daughter Lois during a shock Friday night phone call 'So, I'm like, "are you okay? Is everything all right?" She was like, "is there something going on with you and mum?" 'I am utterly confused. I'm like, "what do you mean?" She goes, "well, a friend of mine who now lives in Holland has just texted me. Her mum has seen a message on Facebook. There's a statement saying that you and mum are breaking up. Is this true?" I start to laugh.' He added that Lois then sent a screenshot of the rumour that read: 'Christian and Sarah have separated. He's expected to be taking an extended break.' 'My wife, when she saw this, genuinely, she was almost in tears, really upset,' he added. 'With this job, sometimes you get people say stuff about you. It comes with the territory. It shouldn't, but it does.' 'I laughed it off right and said, "you dont need to worry - This is some loon on Facebook." I turned the light off five minutes later and my wife goes to me, "you're just going to go to sleep?"' Rubbishing the suggestion, Christian added he was more perplexed by one fan who reacted to the rumour with a 'thumb's up emoji'. 'My wife, when she saw this, genuinely, she was almost in tears, really upset,' he added Newsreader Patrina Jones also jumped in, rubbishing the claims as 'ridiculous'. 'Seriously, if that were true, all relationships are doomed. They are soul mates. Like to say this is so ridiculous. We're all doomed if you two are doomed because you are made for each other,' she said. Going further, Patrina admitted that the rumour had annoyed her. 'That really annoyed me, as you can tell. I feel really sorry that she [Laura] feels sad, and I understand why,' she said. 'Our partners put up with a lot with us on air because we talk a lot about them. And you know what? They don't deserve this. Because if it wasn't for them, we wouldn't be as good as we are as a show because of the partners we have.' Christian relocated from the UK to Melbourne with his family back in 2018. The radio star recently revealed he had been hiding a crippling secret for years - he suffered from anxiety, panic attacks and breakdowns. Dealing with it made him realise just how long his mental health had been a part of his life, he told Andy Coulson's Crisis, What Crisis? podcast. Christian relocated from the UK to Melbourne with his family back in 2018 'I can probably see that anxiety was around in my life in my nervous system as a teenager, but in the '80s that word hadn't been invented. You were told just to stop being so sensitive and man up,' he said. Like many young men in that era, he found a temporary solution in alcohol. He admitted there was 'an unease in my system and fearing fear, and not knowing what to do'. 'And so when I got to like 17, 18, that would mean drinking two litres of cider on a park bench with my friends,' he said. 'That's what we did. You looked for those things, you didn't realise at the time what you were trying to do with that, to try and relax yourself, to try and basically not feel what was trying to come through you.' For almost 12 years O'Connell was the breakfast host on Absolute Radio in the UK, winning awards and entertaining millions of listeners. He stunned those listeners when, at the peak of his presenting powers, he upped sticks with his wife Sarah and their children and moved to Australia. His audience had no inkling that he had suffered a breakdown, a series of panic attacks so bad they sometimes left him unable to go on air. 'I'd never been nervous before a radio show ever, suddenly I'd walk into my radio station and I'd start to have panic attacks,' he went on to explain. 'I didn't even know what they were at the time. I'd walk back out blaming that I wasn't feeling very well and going home, and I was breaking apart.' For a year or two before that, O'Connell had started to feel very unhappy and wasn't enjoying radio for the first time in his life. He describes what happened to him as 'a life quake'. 'It stripped away everything and it forced me to listen to it. And I am eternally grateful that I did turn around and stop and get help. It changed my life and changed me as well,' he said. BBC Three star Steve Stamp has revealed that he was rushed to hospital after falling off his Lime bike. The People Just Do Nothing star, 40, had been riding the bike while drunk when he suffered the horrific fall. Sharing a snap from his hospital bed on Sunday, Steve issued a warning to fans not to cycle while drunk. Attached to a snap of his bandaged arm, Steve wrote: 'Please don't cycle home drunk on Lime bikes.' Keeping his sense of humour, Steve shared a message from a fan reply to the picture of his arm which read: 'This reminds me of in PJDN when u ran to the shop and got hit by a car.' 'Thanks for your kind messages,' Steve captioned the exchange. BBC Three star Steve Stamp revealed on Instagram on Sunday that he was rushed to hospital after falling off his Lime bike The People Just Do Nothing star, 40, had been riding the bike while drunk when he suffered the horrific fall Steve didn't share any more details about his accident or the extent of his injury. It comes after Comic Relief viewers were left 'cringing' by the annual telethon's 'embarrassing' Gladiator's sketch during it's 40th anniversary show on Friday evening. The comedy scene featured Steve's co-star, actor Asim Chaudhry, as his People Just Do Nothing character Chabuddy G and took on resident bodybuilder Bionic. After beating his rival in The Duel, the character was caught to be cheating and was beaten up by the other Gladiators before farting. Viewers branded the sketch 'embarrassing' and 'the most unfunny thing ever' as they took to X to complain. Writing: 'That Gladiator sketch was a embarrassment. The Gladiators are modern icons and that's what you producer! Waste,'; 'That Gladiators sketch on Comic Relief was the most unfunny thing I have ever seen, and that includes watching Mrs Brown's Boys,'; 'Gladiators NO,'; 'What fresh hell is this.' Keeping his sense of humour, Steve shared a message from a fan reply to the picture of his arm which read: 'This reminds me of in PJDN when u ran to the shop and got hit by a car' Sharing a snap from his hospital bed on Sunday, Steve (right) issued a warning to fans not to cycle while drunk Steve (right) didn't share any more details about his accident or the extent of his injury It comes after Steve's recent sitcom Peacock, about Andy (Allan Mustafa), a personal trainer specialising in body positivity. Andys struggling with what it means to be a modern man. In an environment of wannabe winners aiming for endless Personal Bests, hes a bit of a loser. Peacock is a workplace comedy. From Are You Being Served and Fawlty Towers, to The Office and The Thick Of It. The sitcoms arguably provide the funniest situations for our finest comedies while the best of the rest invariably work from home. For situational spin (never mind a spin class) gyms are perfect environments, heaving with the kind of people who take their glutes too seriously. It comes after Comic Relief viewers were left 'cringing' by the annual telethon's 'embarrassing' Gladiator's sketch during it's 40th anniversary show on Friday evening It's written and created by Steve and Ben Murray, both members of the team who gave us the silly-funny mockumentary series, People Just Do Nothing> Its supporting cast includes Pippa Haywood (Green Wing) and Lucien Laviscount as Andys nemesis Jay a long way from his role as Emily In Pariss beau. The cleverly observed sitcom whose protagonists likeability far exceeds that of David Brent or Alan Partridge, never mind Basil Fawlty. Advertisement Chrissy Teigen and John Legend have expanded their family with the addition of a rescue dog they've named Dudley. It comes two months after the 39-year-old model and 46-year-old music artist announced that their French bulldog Penny passed away. The pet was introduced in a video shared via a joint Instagram post with their pet lifestyle brand Kismet. 'In honor of National Puppy Day, meet Dudley the newest member of our fam!!' the note began. It continued, 'When we first met Dudley, he was fighting for his life. Thirteen days in the hospital, endless love from his foster family, and an incredible recovery later hes officially home.' It went on to say, 'Nothing can replace the dogs weve loved before, but sometimes, the universe sends us the reminder that we need to open our hearts again. Call it kismet. Chrissy Teigen and John Legend have expanded their family with the addition of a rescue dog they've named Dudley The pet was introduced In a video shared via a joint Instagram post with their pet lifestyle brand Kismet 'Adoption saves lives, and there are so many more dogs waiting for their second chance. Thank you @wagsandwalks we are in love.' The montage included footage two of their four children playing with Dudley, an adorable blonde and white pup, with big smiles on their faces. Teigen and Legend share daughter Luna, nine in April, Miles, six, Esti, two, and Wren, one. In February Chrissy and John paid tribute to Penny in a Valentine's Day clip. The longtime couple performed a duet of the 1960s Nat King Cole song L-O-V-E in various scenes while serenading all of their beloved animals in an Instagram video. During one moment, John held the urn with Penny's ashes, while singing to it. In another moment, Chrissy leaned down to give the urn a kiss. Penny passed away suddenly at the age of 11. In January, the cookbook author shared the devastating news by posting an heartfelt tribute and several photos of the canine that captured her playful personality. It comes two months after the 39-year-old model and 46-year-old music artist announced that their French bulldog Penny passed away 'In honor of National Puppy Day, meet Dudley the newest member of our fam!!' the note began The Instagram caption continued, 'When we first met Dudley, he was fighting for his life. Thirteen days in the hospital, endless love from his foster family, and an incredible recovery later hes officially home' 'Our beautiful little tripod queen, penny, passed on peacefully in her sleep today,' she captioned her slideshow. 'Born the same day John and I got married, 11 years ago, she was there for us for every baby, every loss, every joy.' Chrissy continued: 'She loved nothing more than being loved, having her nub rubbed and destroying any ball she could get her paw on, even til her last weeks.' She went on to gently remind her followers to 'never forget that while every pup is just a few chapters in your long life, for them you are their entire book, their entire lives.' 'Oh Penny. We were so beyond lucky to have you. Say hi to Puddy and Pippa for us. You are all together again,' she concluded. Scottish star Alan Cumming has been announced as the host of the 2025 BAFTA Television Awards. The actor and US Traitors host, 60, is renowned for his celebrated career in the arts, spanning television, film, and theatre. He will take over hosting duties at the 2025 ceremony, replacing Romesh Ranganathan and Rob Beckett who have been at the helm for the last two years. From his Tony and Olivier award winning performance in Cabaret, to his memorable performance in The Good Wife, Alan is recognised for his versatility both on-screen and behind the scenes. More recently, his signature charm has captivated TV audiences worldwide as host of The Traitors US, for which he has won two Emmys and two Critics Choice awards. 'We're delighted that Alan Cumming will be hosting this year's BAFTA Television Awards with P&O Cruises, he will definitely bring a playful sense of mischief and fun to the ceremony, so audiences should expect the unexpected at Britain's biggest celebration of TV on Sunday 11 May,' said Emma Baehr, executive director of awards and content at BAFTA. Scottish star Alan Cumming has been announced as the host of the 2025 BAFTA Television Awards (Seen in February) He will take over hosting duties at the 2025 ceremony, replacing Romesh Ranganathan and Rob Beckett (Seen in 2024) 'We'll be revealing the nominations for the 2025 BAFTA Television Craft Awards and BAFTA Television Awards with P&O Cruises on Thursday 27 March. 'The sheer quality, innovation, and breadth of talent in British television in front of and behind the camera is second to none, and we look forward to honouring and celebrating these talented people at our upcoming awards ceremonies.' The announcement comes ahead of Thursday's nominations unveiling for all 49 competitive categories across the BAFTA Television Awards. P&O Cruises is the headline sponsor for the BAFTA Television Awards for the third year running. Voting for the six nominees of the public-voted Memorable Moment, sponsored by P&O, is now open and will close on April 25. It was revealed earlier this year that Alan was among the stars planning to move back to Britain after more than a quarter of a century living in America. The award-winning actor moved to New York in 1998 after starring in Cabaret on Broadway. He went on to have a glittering career in the States, and in 2008 he even became an American citizen. But the actor said in January that he eventually wants to die in his home country after realising that Americans don't share his values. More recently, Alan's signature charm has captivated TV audiences worldwide as host of The Traitors US, for which he has won two Emmys and two Critics Choice awards Comedic duo Romesh and Rob have fronted the TV awards ceremony for the last two years but Alan will take over Alan said: 'My husband Grant and I are planning to split our time more between here and New York, rather than before we had a holiday home here. 'I've definitely been planning to do that just as a thing in my life, but also my work. 'I'm now doing The Traitors, so once a year I'm here for a month and I made two films here last year. It's almost like the universe is pulling me back.' Alan told Kaye Adams on her How to be 60 podcast that he wanted to be among people who felt the same way about the world as he did. The actor, who famously starred as Russian Boris Grishenko in the James Bond film GoldenEye, explained: 'I feel like I am pulled back, because I really like how good it feels and how important it is to be around people who share my values. 'That gets really important as you get older. Alan is recognised for his versatility both on-screen and behind the scenes (Seen in Spy Kids in 2001) It was revealed earlier this year that Alan was among the stars planning to move back to Britain after more than a quarter of a century living in America (Seen earlier this month) 'I feel I lived in New York for a long time and I love it, but more and more with the political situation in America, I realize people don't share my values. 'It's so great when you're here, that even someone far on the right wing still thinks it's important to have a safety net and to be kind and compassionate to people less fortunate than you. 'In America that's clearly not the case. You realize the American dream is really every man for himself and I just value more and more now being here. 'Grant was here and after a couple of months he said: 'Gosh I just love the fact that no one around me has a gun.' Michael Hutchence's pregnant daughter Tiger Lily stepped out with her boyfriend Ben Archer in London on Thursday. The 28-year-old showed off her growing baby bump in a tight grey crop top as she went for a relaxing stroll through the city. She completed her casual look with comfortable white tights and a wool jacket under an oversized denim jacket. Tiger wore a pair of light blue sneakers and left her brunette locks out as she soaked up the sunshine. Ben also looked stylish as he joined her for the outing in black jeans, a polka dot shirt and a black jacket. Tiger's long-term boyfriend revealed the news of her pregnancy last month when he shared an art flyer on Instagram which showed her showing off a large baby bump. Michael Hutchence's pregnant daughter Tiger Lily stepped out with her boyfriend Ben Archer in London on Thursday The 28-year-old showed off her growing baby bump in a tight grey crop top as she went for a relaxing stroll through the city 'My love @heavenlytiger is doing a show,' he commented. Tiger then confirmed the exciting news by responding with a hatching chicken emoji. 'Wahooo love you,' she wrote alongside the post. Followers expressed their excitement, with one person commenting: 'The joint exhibition!! the pregnancy!! I can't take it!!' 'Is T having a baby?' another questioned while a third wrote: 'YES!! THIS IS HUGE.' Tiger Lily, who is the daughter of Hutchence and late British TV presenter Paula Yates, has been quietly dating British model Ben, 27, since June 2023. They were pictured for the first time in public in photos published by Woman's Day in January last year. According to the magazine, the pair have been 'inseparable' and celebrated Christmas and rang in the New Year together. She completed her casual look with comfortable white tights and a wool jacket under an oversized denim jacket Tiger wore a pair of light blue sneakers and left her brunette locks out as she soaked up the sunshine Ben also looked stylish as he joined her for the outing in black jeans, a polka dot shirt and a black jacket Tiger's long-term boyfriend revealed the news of her pregnancy last month when he shared an art flyer on Instagram which showed her showing off a large baby bump They were pictured for the first time in public in photos published by Woman's Day in January last year 'His family adore her and she loves that they're so normal compared to hers,' a source told the magazine. 'Things are getting very serious between them. Everyone's expecting an engagement announcement any day now.' In July 2023, Tiger made her feelings clear when she declared 'I love you' on an affectionate birthday post Ben made for her on Instagram. Another photo saw Tiger leaving flirty comments underneath his modelling photos. 'Fit. I love you naked,' she wrote, to which he cheekily replied: 'Make out with me?'. Tiger then quickly replied: 'Yes!'. Tiger was previously romantically linked to Aussie musician Nick Allbrook, but the pair called it quits after six years in April 2023. According to reports in 2020, Tiger Lily and her former partner were engaged after she was seen sporting a ring on her wedding finger. In July 2023, Tiger made her feelings clear when she declared 'I love you' on an affectionate birthday post Ben made for her on Instagram Tiger Lily has been quietly dating British model Ben, 27, since June 2023 She is the daughter of Hutchence and late British TV presenter Paula Yates Tiger was previously romantically linked to Aussie musician Nick Allbrook, but the pair called it quits after six years in April 2023 According to reports in 2020, Tiger Lily and her former partner were engaged after she was seen sporting a ring on her wedding finger In 1997, when Tiger was just 16 months old, her father Michael killed himself in a Sydney hotel room at the age of 37. Her mother Paula overdosed on heroin at her home in Notting Hill, London, less than three years later. She was 41. Tiger was last seen performing on stage in Perth at two separate venues in 2020, where she sang and played piano with a guitarist. Her life is a paradise of surfing, meditation and yoga a world away from the gritty celebrity scene enjoyed by her late parents. In 2023, Paula' legacy was once again thrust into the spotlight in the wake of a two-part documentary that aired on Britain's Channel 4. The documentary would have opened old wounds for Tiger, who was just four and alone in the house with her mother when she found Paula dead. Tiger raised the alarm when a friend of Paula's phoned, and she told her she 'couldn't wake mummy'. Following her parents' death, Tiger was raised by her mother's ex-husband Sir Bob Geldof alongside her three older half-sisters Fifi, Peaches and Pixie. Jenna Jameson has 'hard launched' her new relationship with much younger partner less than a month after filing for divorce. The former adult film star, 50, debuted her new partner, Milagros R. Ocampo, who described themselves as an 'author & voice actor of upcoming literary fiction novel' in their Instagram bio. Her partner, who goes by she/her pronouns, also added that she is 'Happily Taken.' The 40-year-old writer, whom Jameson referred to as her 'bestie with benefits' in a since-deleted comment on her newfound love's recent Instagram post, shared a photo of herself wrapping her arms around her smiling love on Sunday. A couple days earlier, she shared a photo of her kissing OCampo and wrote in her caption: 'Her brain though... it outshines her exterior, which I didn't think possible.' In late February, she called it quits, seeking to dissolve the short-lived union with her estranged wife Jessi Lawless, 41. Jenna Jameson has 'hard launched' her new relationship with much younger partner less than a month after filing for divorce In late February, she called it quits, seeking to dissolve the short-lived union with her estranged wife Jessi Lawless, 41; pictured August 2023 in Los Angeles Jameson's earliest posts hinting at her newfound love but never showing her partner's face dates back to early February. According to Ocampo's Amazon author page, the writer was born in Managua, Nicaragua and currently resides in Florida. The Marine-turned-author now writes about their faith and religion. Debuting their romance comes just weeks after Jameson, born Jenna Marie Massoli, filed a complaint for divorce after nearly two years of marriage. Jameson and Lawless tied the knot in May 2023, just months after meeting on TikTok, but split up less than one year later. In April 2024, Lawless addressed the breakup rumors in a TikTok video, explaining they were splitting up because Jameson had broken her sobriety and started drinking alcohol again. 'There are a lot of rumors going around that Jenna and I are getting a divorce,' she said at the time. 'I am making this video to confirm that.' Lawless added: 'I told her in the beginning of our relationship that I was drawing a hard line and that drinking had led to so many problems in her life that I would not tolerate it at all under any circumstances.' The former adult film star, 50, debuted her new partner, Milagros R. Ocampo, who described themselves as an 'author & voice actor of upcoming literary fiction novel' in their Instagram bio. Her partner, who goes by she/her pronouns, also added that she is 'Happily Taken' The 40-year-old writer shared a photo of herself wrapping her arms around her smiling love on Sunday. A couple days earlier, she shared a photo of her kissing OCampo and wrote in her caption: 'Her brain though... it outshines her exterior, which I didn't think possible' According to Ocampo's Amazon author page, the writer was born in Managua, Nicaragua and currently resides in Florida. The Marine-turned-author now writes about their faith and religion Jameson's earliest posts hinting at her newfound love but never showing her partner's face dates back to early February Lawless claimed she filed for an annulment of their marriage, saying that it 'shouldn't take long to finalize.' Just a couple months later, however, it appeared the pair had reconciled. In June 2024, Jameson said that she and Lawless were 'trying to work through things.' The social media personality explained in a video she posted on Instagram: 'I want to be very clear about something. She was never abusive.' Addressing rumors, she defended Lawless. Debuting their romance comes just weeks after Jameson, born Jenna Marie Massoli, filed a complaint for divorce after nearly two years of marriage. Jameson and Lawless tied the knot in May 2023, just months after meeting on TikTok, but split up less than one year later In April 2024, Lawless addressed the breakup rumors in a TikTok video, explaining they were splitting up because Jameson had broken her sobriety and started drinking alcohol again 'She wasn't everything that's being portrayed right now so we're trying to work through things and I adore her,' she added. 'I don't want her to be dealing with drama. She doesn't deserve it. I love her.' Last month, Lawless said in a statement shared with People that Jameson had 'tried to rekindle the relationship multiple times but I was unwilling to entertain her advances.' She added that her former partner had 'moved around several times staying with a friend in Chicago and then with another friend in California.' Lawless said Jameson 'was in Las Vegas for a little while, but she was hard to keep up with so getting her served was challenging.' Brooke Boney couldn't wipe the smile off her face as she jetted back into Sydney on Monday, eight months after moving to the UK. The 37-year-old left her Today show role as a presenter last year and moved to the UK to study a Master of Public Policy at Oxford University. The TV star was glowing as she landed back into Sydney Airport to visit her friends and family. She was dressed casually for her flight in jeans, a white T-shirt and a blue buttoned shirt. Brooke completed her look with a navy cap and a pair of matching coloured sneakers. She was seen chatting on the phone while standing near her suitcase and waiting for a car. Brooke Boney couldn't wipe the smile off her face as she jetted back into Sydney on Monday after moving to the UK. Pictured She was dressed casually for her flight in jeans, a white T-shirt and a blue buttoned shirt Brooke became teary-eyed as she was given an emotional farewell on the Channel Nine breakfast show, ahead of her moving to England for her studies back in August. The reporter was given flowers from her colleagues as she gave a heartfelt statement live on-air. 'I'd like to say thank you to the audience for accepting me. I'm grateful to every one of you for tuning in every day,' Brooke began. 'It's a privilege to go over to Oxford, but it is even more of one that I have got this much love around me. It makes it difficult to leave.' The veteran presenter added her appointment on the show was a huge milestone for Indigenous Australians, and thanked the team for taking a chance on her. 'Today was the first breakfast show in the country to put an Aboriginal person on as a full time host. Now it is a very normal thing to do in this time slot, and I'm proud of that.' Several months earlier in March, Boney broke down in tears when she announced her resignation live on air. Channel Nine later confirmed that Jayne Azzopardi, who co-hosts Weekend Today with Clint Stanaway, would be Boney's replacement. Brooke left her Today show role as a presenter last year and moved to the UK to study a Master of Public Policy at Oxford University Brooke told Stellar Magazine that when she was offered the opportunity to study a at Oxford University, she questioned whether she was making the right choice. 'I remember getting the email to say I'd got in and thinking, am I even allowed to go? Are they going to let me do this?' she admitted. However, after some thought, the newsreader decided to make the leap to pursue her dream and was backed by all of her co-workers in the process. Brooke admitted she initially thought 'everyone would be angry' at her for leaving but was relieved when they supported her decision. 'I felt so relieved but also kind of sick. You can't go back after that. And once I'd said it on TV, that's it,' she explained. Brooke also reflected on telling fellow Today show hosts Karl Stefanovic and Sarah Abo, revealing that the pair were sad to hear that she was leaving the broadcasting channel - and jealous that she'd be saying goodbye to early wake ups. Despite being down about Brooke leaving the program, the TV pair made a lighthearted quip. 'They were both like, "Oh, you're going to get off the early mornings, we're so jealous!"' Isla Fisher has treated fans to a throwback share featuring some of her most 'questionable' red carpet looks. The 49-year-old took to her stories on Sunday with a gallery of photos as a birthday tribute to her stylist, Micah Schifman, who is known for dressing stars such as Sarah Silverman and Diane Kruger. 'HBD... or as I like to call you Janet,' the Wedding Crashers star joked in the post, before adding: 'I f***ing LOVE you'. Isla introduced her gallery, with the caption, 'You are the best stylist except when you dressed me in this.' The Australian actress next shared a tile which showed her modelling a colourful outfit at the Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards in 2022. The dress sported pink feathers on the shoulder and around the hemline and featured a teddy bear print. Isla Fisher has treated fans to a throwback share featuring some of her most 'questionable' red carpet looks. The 49-year-old took to her stories with a gallery of photos as a birthday tribute to her stylist, Micah Schifman (pictured right, with Isla) The Australian actress next shared a tile which showed her modelling a colourful outfit at the Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards in 2022. The dress sported pink feathers on the shoulder and around the hemline and featured a teddy bear print Isla next shared a look which showed off the beauty's red hair in a woolen top with daring cut-outs. 'But then you recovered with this lewk,' Isla joked in the caption. She also shared another outfit in which the Great Gatsby star could be seen rocking a pink and white pants suit with matching top. 'Not sure this has aged well,' Isla commented before posting a pink evening gown with puff sleeves. 'But this one did,' a clearly delighted Isla added. She also posted a clip of herself modelling a racy, low-cut gold retro dress that showed off the stars' ample assets. 'But why are my boobs out,' she joked in the caption. She completed her birthday tribute to her stylist with a selfie in which the Wolf like Me star can be seen accompanied by Schifman. Isla next shared a look which showed off the beauty's red hair in a woolen top with daring cut-outs Isla also posted an image of her in a pink evening gown 'Either way, you are always my favourite date. So grateful for our friendship,' she wrote alongside a love heart emoji. Isla recently returned Down Under to film her new movie Spa Weekend on the Gold Coast amid her $120 million divorce from ex-husband Sacha Baron Cohen. Isla was spotted on set of her new comedy last month following a 'flirty' exchange with Sacha, 53, over her latest saucy photoshoot online. The sighting came just days after Isla and Sacha shared a friendly exchange on social media amid reports their divorce is getting 'messy'. The exes engaged with one another on the Australian star's latest Instagram post, which shows her in a sultry photoshoot for Style Magazine. 'Stunning photoshoot,' the British actor complimented his former wife in the comments below the post, which he also 'liked'. Isla replied some hours later, tagging her ex-partner and writing, 'Thank you,' alongside a blushing emoji. The friendly interaction occurred amid reports her amicable divorce from comedian Sacha is set to turn sour as they divide their 60million (AUD$119million) fortune. Isla and Sacha both live in London where they co-parent their three children. January Jones had some harsh words for an airline's compensation for a 16-hour flight delay. On Sunday, the Mad Men star, 47, took to Instagram to criticize the airline for only offering her 'a couple $15 food vouchers' for the inconvenience. She shared a screenshot showing how her flight over the weekend did not arrive on schedule and was delayed for 16 hours and 25 minutes. 'Do better,' she wrote as she tagged United Airline's official Instagram account. 'A couple $15 food vouchers isn't gonna cut it. Our 7:30 [p.m. flight] last night still hasn't left.' The actress who was briefly romantically linked to Kevin Costner, 70, earlier this year shared a follow-up post on her Instagram Story of herself lying down on the ground at her gate in the airport, using her carry-on bag as a pillow. In a seemingly shady caption addressing the government changes since Donald Trump's presidential inauguration, she wrote over the snap: 'Is there still a secretary of transportation? Can't remember what's left...' January Jones had some harsh words for an airline's compensation for a 16-hour flight delay; pictured November 2021 in Los Angeles The actress, who is best known for her portrayal of Betty Draper in the drama series Mad Men, has not yet shared a follow-up update about whether or not she was able to get on another flight; pictured in 2008 Mad Men still The actress, who is best known for her portrayal of Betty Draper in the drama series Mad Men, has not yet shared a follow-up update about whether or not she was able to get on another flight. A spokesperson for United Airlines said the flight that Jones was scheduled to be on was operated by regional airline SkyWest, according to People. A representative for SkyWest told the outlet 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 said. 'Passengers were provided with meal vouchers and compensation. We apologize for the inconvenience.' On SkyWest's official website, the company states that it will 'do our best to keep you informed about the status of your flight when there is an operational irregularity.' SkyWest also said the company will provide meal and overnight accommodations when flights are canceled 'due to factors within our control.' Competitive companies such as JetBlue, Southwest, Delta and American Airlines are among those committed to providing 'meal cash or vouchers' if customers have to wait three hours or more for a new flight, according to the Department of Transportation. - She shared a screenshot showing how her flight over the weekend did not arrive on schedule and was delayed for 16 hours and 25 minutes. 'Do better,' she wrote as she tagged the airline's official Instagram account In a seemingly shady caption addressing the government changes since Donald Trump 's presidential inauguration, she wrote over the snap: 'Is there still a secretary of transportation? Can't remember what's left...' Jones rose to fame for her role in the 2003 sex comedy American Wedding. She is best known for her performance in the AMC drama Mad Men and received two Golden Globe nominations as well as an Emmy nod for her performance Her most recent role was five years ago. She currently prioritizes being the mother of 13-year-old son Xander Dane, her only child whom she rarely shares photos of on social media but she posted him in a birthday tribute in September 2024 Jones rose to fame for her role in the 2003 sex comedy American Wedding. She is best known for her performance in the AMC drama Mad Men and received two Golden Globe nominations as well as an Emmy nod for her performance. She starred in the hit series from 2007 to 2015. She has also appeared in 2003 comedy drama Anger Management, 2003 romantic comedy Love Actually, 2011 action flick Unknown and 2011 Marvel movie X-Men: First Class. Her most recent role was when she made an appearance in the 2020 Netflix drama Spinning Out. She is the mother of 13-year-old son Xander Dane, her only child whom she rarely shares photos of on social media but she posted him in a birthday tribute in September 2024. She has never disclosed the identity of Xander's father, previously telling The New York Times: 'That's my son's business. It's not the public's business.' Conan O'Brien was roasted by leading American comics as he collected a prestigious prize for comedy. The 61-year-old comedian was supported by rarely seen daughter Neve, 21, as well as wife Liza Powel O'Brien, 54, and son Beckett, 19, as he was honored with the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor on Sunday at The Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. But ahead of the former late night show host's award acceptance, David Letterman and Sarah Silverman took to the stage to playfully roast him, while also targeting Donald Trump. OBrien was announced as the 26th recipient of the Mark Twain Prize in mid-January, just weeks before Trump ousted president Deborah Rutter, board chairman David Rubenstein, and dismantled the board of trustees. He replaced the board with friends, who subsequently elected him as chairman. Conan O'Brien was honored with the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor on Sunday at The Kennedy Center in Washington, DC The 61-year-old comedian was joined by his rarely seen kids Neve, 21, and Beckett, 19 The behind-the-scenes drama of Kennedy Center leadership was the subject of stage jokes, as well as other bold moves made by Trump in the early weeks of his second presidency. Trump wasn't in attendance at the ceremony, but his presence was felt nonetheless. 'I'm not a historian, but I believe that history will show in the history for all time, this will have been the most entertaining gathering of the resistance, ever,' David Letterman quipped. Meanwhile, Sarah Silverman teased O'Brien as she said, 'I just really miss the days when you were America's only orange a**hole.' The annual ceremony will air on Netflix on May 4th. O'Brien, in his acceptance speech, expressed shock at receiving the biggest award in American comedy. He also acknowledged the changes and precarious future the Kennedy Center faces in the wake of Trump's takeover. 'Thanks to my people who invited me here a few months ago: Deborah Rutter and David Rubenstein,' he said. 'Honestly, I don't know why they aren't here tonight. I lost WiFi in January guessing they're in traffic,' O'Brien added lightheartedly. 'And a special thanks to all the beautiful people who have worked here at the Kennedy Center for years and who are worried about what the future might bring.' Conan's wife Liza Powel O'Brien, 54, was by his side on the red carpet Conan's young adult children had proud smiles on their faces as their father was honored Ahead of the former late night show host's award acceptance, other standout comics took the stage to playfully roast him while also targeting President Donald Trump with their punchlines OBrien was announced as the 26th recipient of the Mark Twain Prize in mid-January, just weeks before Trump ousted president Deborah Rutter, board chairman David Rubenstein, and dismantled the board of trustees Mentioning Mark Twain, Conan mused, 'Twain was a patriot in the best sense of the world. He loved America, but knew it was deeply flawed.' Quoting the late writer and humorist, he said: 'Twain wrote, "Patriotism is supporting your country all of the time and your government when it deserves it." 'Now, some of you might be thinking, "What does this have to do with comedy?" Twain is funny and important today because his comedy is a hilarious celebration of our fears, our ineptitude, and the glorious mess of being human.' Will Ferrell took the stage at one point, pointing to Trump's effort to cut parts of the federal government as he joked: 'I don't have time for this. You know what I'm supposed to be doing right now? Do you have any idea? I'm supposed to be shutting down the Department of Education.' Comedian Nikki Glaser told reporters on the red carpet that comedians should address Trump's decision to take over as chairman of the Kennedy Center and the controversial decisions he's making as president. 'I think it's insane not to address the elephant in the room. And it's insane comedically to not do that, because it's right there,' she said. A 48-year-old mother has been charged with the murder of her 11-year-old son after she allegedly slit his throat following a trip to Disneyland. Reports identified the suspect as Saritha Ramaraju, who killed her son and allegedly took pills to kill herself afterward. Local police arrested and charged the mother with one felony count of murder for slitting the young boy's throat that killed him. She is also facing charges of one felony enhancement of personal use of a weapon. Mother Slits Son's Throat Officials said that the mother and son traveled to Disneyland during a custody visit. The Office of the District Attorney, Orange County, California, said the suspect is now facing a maximum sentence of 26 years to life if she is convicted on all charges. The woman was found to have gotten a divorce from the victim's father in 2018 and moved out of California soon after. The suspect was said to have been staying with her 11-year-old son at a motel in Santa Ana for the custody visit, according to LiveMint. The mother bought three-day passes to Disneyland for both her and her young boy during the custody visit. The suspect was originally scheduled to check out of the motel on Mar. 19, 2025. However, 911 received a call from the woman at 9:12 a.m., confessing to slitting her son's throat and taking pills to commit suicide. Authorities added that Ramaraju had previously been in a custody battle with her husband, Prakash Raju, since last year. During that time, the woman accused her former partner of making medical and school decisions without her input, adding that he had substance abuse issues. Attempting To Commit Suicide The Orange County District Attorney also noted that when authorities responded and traveled to the mother's location, they found the boy lifeless. It appears that the victim had been dead for several hours prior, People reported. For now, Ramaraju has no cash or bond bail and is still in the custody of Santa Ana jail officials ahead of her next court appearance scheduled on Apr. 17, 2025. Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer said that the life of a child should not be at risk because of two parents' anger toward each other. Spitzer added that a child should find a safe place in their parents' arms, arguing that the mother in the case slit her son's throat instead of wrapping her arms around him. The victim, who has not been identified, was supposed to go back to his father on the morning of his death, as per the Los Angeles Times. Jennifer Lawrence was spotted out in New York on Sunday, amid rumors she recently gave birth to her second child with husband Cooke Maroney. The Hunger Games star, 34, rocked a stylish look, wearing a chic black coat over a navy sweater and light blue jeans. She accessorized with a large red handbag, and kept warm with a beanie on her head. The actress completed the look with black loafers and a pair of red-tinted sunglasses, and wore her blonde tresses plaited into two braids. Lawrence, who was pictured out with her husband, 40, just days earlier, was solo for the outing. The actress and the art dealer are already parents to son Cy, three. Jennifer Lawrence, 34, was spotted out in New York on Sunday, amid rumors she recently gave birth to her second child with husband Cooke Maroney, 40 Earlier this week the actress was seen clad in a fuzzy blue sweater, hinting that the couple's newborn might be a boy. Less than one month ago the Oscar-winning actress was still visibly pregnant as she strolled through the Big Apple with longtime friend Woody Harrelson. The No Hard Feelings star announced her second pregnancy publicly when her representative confirmed the news to Vogue in an article published in October 2024. The Indian Hills, Kentucky native and Cooke married in October 2019 at the Belcourt mansion in Newport, Rhode Island. Maroney has worked as the art gallery director for Gladstone Gallery in New York City since 2022. Jennifer's due date was rumored to be due in early spring. A source close to the actress dropped a clue as to when the Golden Globe award winner may become a mother again. In October, an insider teased to People magazine that JLaw's son Cy 'will be 3 when the new baby arrives.' Cy was born in February 2022, which means he turned three last month. The Hunger Games star rocked a stylish look, wearing a chic black coat over a navy sweater and light blue jeans. She accessorized with a large red handbag The star announced her second pregnancy when her representative confirmed the news to Vogue in October 2024. Her due date was rumored to be in early spring; seen November 2024 The actress and the art dealer are already parents to son Cy, three; Pictured in New York City in 2023 'She loves being a mom. Shes thrilled to be pregnant again. It feels like the perfect timing to her. Her son will 3 when the new baby arrives,' they added. In a 2022 interview with Vogue, Lawrence opened up about the joy of becoming a first-time mother, sharing that the birth of her son Cy 'felt like my whole life had started over.' 'I just stared. I was just so in love. I also fell in love with all babies everywhere. Newborns are just so amazing,' she gushed. Elsewhere in the conversation, she described, 'I mean the euphoria of Cy is just Jesus, it's impossible. My heart has stretched to a capacity that I didn't know about. I include my husband in that.' Aside from being a busy mom, Lawrence has also been gearing up to promote her new film Die My Love. Co-starring Robert Pattinson, the film comes from acclaimed Scottish filmmaker Lynne Ramsay and deals with the subject of postpartum depression. Director Lynne Ramsay said the storyline of the upcoming film is really 'hardcore' and JLaw responded eagerly to it. The thriller is based on Ariana Harwiczs 2019 novel of the same name and marks Ramsay's first film since 2017s You Were Never Really Here. The Kentucky native and Cooke married in October 2019 at the Belcourt mansion in Newport, Rhode Island; seen in 2023 in New York City 'Lawrence just really responded to the material, which is hardcore in some ways, because its about postnatal depression and bipolar [disorder],' the director told IndieWire. 'But its funny as well. Well, Ive made it funny. I think Ive made it funny. I hope Ive made it funny.' The movie is set in rural America where Lawrence's character is gripped by the sort of symptoms that often accompany postpartum depression and bipolar disorder. In addition to dealing with her infant, the protagonist is torn between her husband, played by Pattinson, and her lover, played by LaKeith Stanfield. Married At First Sight's Adrian Araouzou has lifted the lid on his tumultuous experience in the experiment addressing the harsh online backlash. The outspoken groom also spoke about the emotional toll of reality TV, and the real reason he stayed in the experiment despite being paired with a bride who had a child. In a raw interview with Daily Mail Australia, the Sydney-based sportswear entrepreneur, 30, admitted he was left reeling after watching his edit back on TV and confessed he wasn't prepared for the avalanche of criticism that followed. 'We're not taught how to handle those things,' he said. 'Watching yourself on TV make some mistakes and having everyone judge you online it's a lot. It was a new experience for everyone on the cast.' The fiery groom was paired with Awhina Rutene, a 30-year-old single mum from Western Australia, and became one of the most divisive figures of the 2025 season. Adrian says the version of himself viewers saw wasn't the full picture. 'There's the edit and then there's the truth,' he explained. 'I know what was shown. But a lot of the reasons behind certain situations, especially involving Awhina's son and the logistics of our lives, weren't included. That was frustrating.' Married At First Sight's Adrian Araouzou (pictured) has lifted the lid on his tumultuous experience in the experiment addressing the harsh online backlash In a raw interview with Daily Mail Australia, the Sydney-based sportswear entrepreneur, 30, admitted he was left reeling after watching his edit back on TV and confessed he wasn't prepared for the avalanche of criticism that followed. Pictured with Awhina Rutene Adrian and Awhina faced a number of roadblocks from the get-go most notably, the challenge of living in different states and Awhina's responsibilities as a mother. The groom revealed he specifically asked not to be matched with someone who had a child before filming began but when he met Awhina, he made a choice to push past his reservations. 'I asked for someone open-minded. Who would I be if I wasn't open-minded in that moment?' he said. 'It wasn't what I wanted, but I chose to stay and give it a shot.' Despite the rocky start, Adrian said his feelings for Awhina were 'definitely developing,' and the pair built a deep connection off-camera even going 'missing' one weekend and spending time with fellow groom Tony in Shellharbour, away from production. 'We weren't supposed to, but we got an Airbnb and spent three days together after the final dinner party,' he revealed. 'That's why the final vows ended the way they did because we knew what we had was real.' Addressing accusations that he stayed on the show for clout or airtime, Adrian didn't hold back. 'Imagine being stuck in a room with someone 24/7 that you don't like. You will leave. The perfect example is Billy and Sierah they were done,' he said. 'We're not taught how to handle those things,' he said. 'Watching yourself on TV make some mistakes and having everyone judge you online it's a lot' Despite the rocky start, Adrian said his feelings for Awhina were 'definitely developing,' and the pair built a deep connection off-camera even going 'missing' one weekend and spending time with fellow groom Tony in Shellharbour, away from production 'If you're gonna hate on me, I'll give you a reason to. Judging me off a show that's not who I really am.' He admitted that he struggled with how to respond to the backlash, often turning defensive online as a coping mechanism. Adrian said he now regrets not being more self-aware during filming particularly in moments where Awhina was visibly upset. 'Watching it back, I was like, damn. I didn't see that at the time. I had my walls up. I was thinking about myself and being selfish,' he said. 'I should have done better.' Despite everything, Adrian insists he has no regrets. 'As cheesy as it sounds, I don't have any regrets,' he said. 'We go into this experiment knowing we have flaws the whole point is to become a better person. And I've done that.' The self-proclaimed 'main character' of MAFS season 12 also hopes viewers are finally starting to see the real him. 'I'm not perfect. I never have been and I never will be. But what you're seeing now that's the real me,' he said. 'Hopefully, this is the biggest redemption in MAFS history.' And with final vows still to come, Adrian teased something viewers have never seen before and hinted that, for him and Awhina, it might not be over just yet. One nepo baby shared a very provocative snap on Sunday wearing a busty black swimsuit. The blonde beauty, 20, posed up a storm in a mirror selfie where she wore the skimpy swimwear that displayed her ample assets. In the snap she accessorised with a bright yellow cap and wore a pair of comfortable white and blue patterned shorts. She looked to be in a sunny, tropical location but did not reveal exactly where she was in the Instagram Story post. The nepo baby is an influencer but has also dipped a toe into the modelling world in recent years. But can YOU guess who it is and who her famous parents are? One nepo baby shared a very provocative snap on Sunday wearing a busty black swimsuit. But can YOU guess who it is and who her famous parents are? That's right, it's Claudia Schiffer's daughter Clementine! Claudia shares Clementine - as well as son Caspar, 21, and daughter Cosima, 14 - with her film director husband Matthew Vaughn, who she married in 2002. The renowned filmmaker, 53, is best known for producing films like Kick-A**, Layer Cake, Stardust, Argylle and the Kingsman franchise. Clementine has become a social media sensation in recent years, by showcasing her lavish lifestyle on Instagram - consisting of glamorous getaways, invites to coveted fashion events, dinners at celebrity-loved restaurants, and access to her mum's designer closet. She's often seen donning exquisite looks or toting around expensive handbags, and has been spotted at a slew of star-studded events and mingling with stars backstage at a number of fashion shows. Last year, she accompanied Claudia to Italy for Milan Fashion Week, where she watched as the German icon strutted down the runway during Versace's 2024 Spring Summer show. And following in her mother's footsteps, Clementine has already shown a fierce passion for fashion and dipped her toe into the world of modelling. That's right it's Claudia Schiffer's 20-year-old daughter Clementine! (Claudia is pictured right at the same age in 1990) Following in her mother's footsteps, Clementine has already shown a fierce passion for fashion and dipped her toe into the world of modelling Clementine (right) has been frequently labelled as Claudia's (left) 'lookalike' or 'twin' thanks to their striking similar features In fact, she has already appeared on the cover of Vogue when she was a baby, in a raw shot being held by her supermodel mother. Clementine has been frequently labelled as Claudia's 'lookalike' or 'twin' thanks to their striking similar features, with many predicting that it's only a matter of time before she starts gracing the cover of magazines and reigning the fashion world as her mum has. In an essay written for The Guardian last year in April, Claudia revealed that both her daughters have also developed a love for fashion. 'I have kept so many pieces over the years, including my Valentino wedding dress,' she had explained. 'My daughters are now starting to wear my vintage pieces too, but in a style of their own.' 'I love watching how they put together outfits. Wardrobe sharing, swapping and preloved seems second nature to my daughters' generation. While in an interview with Vogue, the mother-of-three revealed that out of all her kids, it was Clementine who showed the most interest in her fashion. While she said both of her daughters loved to explore her closet, she added: 'Especially Clementine. 'She loves oversized everything; sweatshirts and big chains. She's always saying, 'What have you got from the '90s, mom?'' In fact, she has already appeared on the cover of Vogue when she was a baby, in a raw shot being held by her supermodel mother (pictured) Claudia shares Clementine - as well as son Caspar, 21, and daughter Cosima, 14 - with her film director husband Matthew Vaughn, who she married in 2002 Last November Clementine celebrated her 20th birthday, with her mother taking to Instagram to share a sweet tribute, with a string of photos including of Claudia holding her as a baby. In the caption, she gushed: 'My old soul, Clementine turns 20 today.The most empathetic yet fiery Scorpio. Who has been called the 'hardest working' at every job she's had. 'She's passionate, tenacious, and curious with the strongest sense of self and depth. To know you is to be inspired by your positive mindset and contagious zest for life. 'Can't wait to see you grow further in your new art / fashion student adventure, marching to the beat of your own drum.' Maya Jama and her incredible youthful lookalike mother Sadie were the epitome of chic in white when they joined forces on Thursday for a Mother's Day campaign. The Love Island host, 30, and her age-defying mother, 48, strutted around central London hand-in-hand as they posed for a new filming project. TV star Maya cut a casual figure for the outing as she stepped out in blue baggy jeans, which she paired with a crisp white top. She layered a black jacket over her T-shirt and added a hint of glamour by slipping into a pair of black heeled mules. Meanwhile her mother looked ethereal in a one-shouldered white pleated dress which featured a ribbed design and an asymmetrical hem line. Sadie looked as elegant as ever as she added inches to her toned physique with some white strappy heels. Maya Jama, 30, and her youthful mother Sadie, 48, were the epitome of chic in white as they joined forces to film something special for a brand on Thursday ahead of Mother's Day The Love Island host and her age-defying mother strutted around central London hand-in-hand as they posed for a new filming project The mother-daughter duo both styled their brunette locks into some loose curls as they both opted for a natural makeup look. TV personality, Maya, has opened up about her very close relationship with her mother in the past. She revealed their relationship is 'a bit different' because her mum had her when she was very young. She told the Evening Standard: 'She had me at 18, so our relationship was a bit different. I rebelled less because I was quite free. 'My mum's always been like, 'I want you to have your experiences just tell me. I'm not going to judge you or shout at you'.' The star also admitted that her mother has a wild side, saying: 'She's banned from my parties though. She gets too drunk.' Maya's outing comes after she opened up on her relationship preferences, as she admitted she is not willing to continue a romance that isn't adding anything to her life. She declared that she is 'really, really happy' where she is and only wants to date someone who can make her even happier. TV star Maya cut a casual figure for the outing as she stepped out in blue baggy jeans which she paired with a crisp white top She layered a black jacket over her T-shirt and added a hint of glamour by slipping into a pair of black heeled mules Meanwhile her mother looked ethereal in a one-shouldered white pleated dress which featured a ribbed design and an asymmetrical hem line Sadie looked as elegant as ever as she added inches to her toned physique with some white strappy heels The mother-daughter duo both styled their brunette locks into some loose curls as they both opted for a natural makeup look TV personality, Maya, has opened up about her very close relationship with her mother in the past She revealed their relationship is 'a bit different' because her mum had her when she was very young Maya's outing comes after she opened up on her relationship preferences, as she admitted she is not willing to continue a romance that isn't adding anything to her life In a brutal blow to exes Stormzy and Ben Simmons, Maya added that she is a 'big leaver' who 'knows what she likes' and hasn't hesitated to walk away from past relationships that weren't satisfactory. While she confessed that dating in the public eye is a 'ball-ache', teasing that she's had to be secretive with her love life, amid her rumoured new romance with Ruben Dias. Speaking on video series Now You Know with Julie Adenuga, the TV host revealed what she looks for when it comes to a partner. Maya said: 'I'm such a lover but I am a big leaver as well. I know what makes me happy and I know what I like and this is no disrespect to anyone I've been in a relationship with, but if it's not that then I will leave it.' Teresa Palmer has stepped out at a glitzy event after revealing she is expecting her fifth child. The 39-year-old attended the premiere of Binge series The Last Anniversary at Sydney's State Theatre on Monday. She was accompanied by her older sons, Bodhi Rain and Forest Sage, and her stepson, Isaac Love, all of whom she shares with husband Mark Webber. Teresa was absolutely glowing in a flowing deep brown maxi gown with pleats throughout. The dress was sleeveless and featured a gold collar neckline, to which the star matched her bracelet. The blonde opted for a natural makeup look with a nude lipstick and wore her hair in beachy waves. Teresa Palmer (pictured) has stepped out at a glitzy event after revealing she is expecting her fifth child The 39-year-old attended the premiere of Binge series The Last Anniversary at Sydney's State Theatre on Monday She was accompanied by her older sons, Bodhi Rain and Forest Sage, and her stepson, Isaac Love, all of whom she shares with husband Mark Webber. All pictured Teresa shared the happy news of her pregnancy in an Instagram post on Thursday, posing alongside her four children. 'Our family is expanding. Overwhelmed with gratitude to be welcoming another little one into our lives. Feels like a dream' the Australian actress wrote. Further photos showed Teresa with her husband, Mark Webber, and showing off her growing bump from various angles. Teresa shares four children with husband Mark - Bodhi Rain, 11, Forest Sage, eight, Poet Lake, five, and Prairie Moon, three. She is also a dedicated stepmother to Mark's teenage son Isaac Love, 15, whom he shares with his ex, SMILF actress Frankie Shaw. The happy news comes after the Lights Out star revealed she suffered a miscarriage three months after falling pregnant. The star shared a heartbreaking video on Instagram in May last year, which documented the moment she found out she was expecting another baby. In the clip, the mother-of-four showed a positive pregnancy test to her family members, including husband Mark, 44. Teresa was absolutely glowing in a flowing deep brown maxi gown with pleats throughout The dress was sleeveless and featured a gold collar neckline, to which the star matched her bracelet The blonde opted for a natural makeup look with a nude lipstick and wore her hair in beachy waves Teresa shared the happy news of her pregnancy in an Instagram post on Thursday 'Our family is expanding. Overwhelmed with gratitude to be welcoming another little one into our lives. Feels like a dream' the Australian actress wrote The happy news comes after the Lights Out star revealed she suffered a miscarriage three months after falling pregnant Other moments showed Teresa displaying her growing baby bump, as well as her kids kissing her stomach. But as the video continued, Teresa broke down in tears in what appeared to be the moment she lost her baby. 'TW: pregnancy loss. It feels really good to be able to share my story,' she wrote in her caption. 'Honoured and grateful to have been able to carry this little soul, my fifth baby, in my heart and body for the past three months. Sometimes in life things happen that we just dont understand. 'Brimming with gratitude for my people who have held me close during this time. To anyone who knows the pain of pregnancy loss, sending you immense love. Teresa had not publicly announced her pregnancy, and revealed that she will be sharing 'the full story' of her loss in an episode of The Mother Daze Podcast. The couple wed in 2013, while Teresa was still pregnant with their first child. Mark, also an actor, has appeared in the film Scott Pilgrim vs The World and co-starred in the animated Netflix spin-off Scott Pilgrim Takes Off. The star was showing off her growing bump from various angles as she made her pregnancy announcement last week Teresa shares four children with husband Mark - Bodhi Rain, 11, Forest Sage , eight, Poet Lake, five, and Prairie Moon, three. All pictured Meanwhile, on the eve of their ninth wedding anniversary in 2022, Teresa said she was aiming to add more children to her brood. The Hollywood star says she wants at least three more kids and is hoping she falls pregnant with twins. 'Twins run in the family. I might get two for one next time,' she said in an interview with The Daily Telegraph. Teresa said she told Mark on their first date she wanted six kids. 'He said he also wanted six,' she added. 'So I am holding him to that number.' Teresa said the pressures of raising five kids has meant juggling the demands of a career. 'I don't think I've slept properly in about eight years,' she joked. Advertisement Ben Barnes has hilariously reacted to a clip of Andrew Garfield complaining that he didn't get the role of Prince Caspian in 2008's The Chronicles of Narnia. Andrew revealed in 2022 that he was almost cast in the movie but lost out on the role to the Westworld star because he wasn't considered 'handsome enough'. Looking back on the clip of Andrew in an exclusive interview with MailOnline, Ben, 43, had nothing but praise for the American actor. Andrew, 41, said: 'I auditioned for the Prince Caspian film. I think Ben Barnes ultimately got it.' 'Ben Barnes, I'll get ya', he joked. After watching the clip, Ben said: 'Andrew Garfield talking about Prince Caspian. As if there aren't 10 roles that he's done since that I would have like to have played. Ben Barnes (pictured), 43, has hilariously reacted to a clip of Andrew Garfield, 41, complaining that he didn't get the role of Prince Caspian in 2008's The Chronicles of Narnia Andrew revealed in 2022 that he was almost cast in the movie but lost out on the role to the Westworld star because he wasn't considered 'handsome enough' (Andrew pictured in 2024) Ben pictured as Prince Caspian in the 2008 movie 'I loved the film he just did with Florence Pugh. I thought he did a beautiful job in that. 'I would love to do like a very, like deeply, deeply romantic kind of film like that. 'Obviously a great actor. So his entire, his entire filmography, is beautiful.' Ben is best known for his acting roles in Westworld, The Punisher, and The Chronicles of Narnia. He also opened up about why he decided to explore his longstanding interest in music and release an album. Speaking exclusively to DailyMail.com while on tour for his debut album, Where The Light Gets In, the British heartthrob didn't shy away from explaining the reasoning behind his decision to take some time to prioritize music as his acting career blossomed. 'When the pandemic hit and I was sort of flashing forward to the 80-year-old me looking back at my life wondering why I never prioritized writing music,' he explained. Ben most recently played the villain General Kirigan on the Netflix series Shadow and Bone. Looking back on the clip of Andrew in an exclusive interview with MailOnline, Ben had nothing but praise for the American actor - despite his bitter response to loosing out on the part The star also revealed why he decided to release an album after self reflecting during the pandemic His roles took a darker turn when he went on to play sinister characters in HBO's Westworld and Marvel's The Punisher before he decided he'd had enough and was ready to try his hand at another artistic endeavor. 'I've played a lot of villains and a lot of bad guys,' the Dorian Gray actor noted. 'It was a priority for me to kind of play the guy that you're rooting for again.' He explained that picking up a guitar and recording music 'actually allowed me to release a lot of fear of judgment which I'd had in the decades previous being an actor.' As a result, Ben recently released his album, published a music video for the hit song 'One Minute More' featuring Monica Martin, and headlined a tour throughout the US and Europe. The final show of his tour took place March 5th at Los Angeles' The Wiltern, with a portion of the proceeds from the show being donated to the California Community Foundation after the devastating wildfires almost destroyed the crooner's property. The Stardust star revealed the importance of his donation saying, 'The fires were happening on the very first night of the tour. 'I was actually on stage in San Diego so it was sort of nerve wracking. The actor is best known for his acting roles in Westworld, The Punisher, and The Chronicles of Narnia (pictured as Prince Caspian) 'I got a call from my neighbor saying the fires are 500 feet away from the house. I didn't know if my house would be there when I came off stage.' 'The firefighters and the first responders were just incredible putting that particular fire out very quickly. I was obviously just so relieved.' Post-tour, Ben did tease he may not be done with acting just yet telling Daily Mail his hopes for his next project. 'I want to be in a romcom. I love romcoms. Harry Met Sally, Four Weddings and a Funeral, Notting Hill, Sleepless in Seattle, You've Got Mail, all of those,' he gushed. But it may take some convincing as he subtly shaded today's love stories saying, 'They just don't write them how they used to. I think phones ruined it.' Ben wrapped up the U.S. leg of his tour with a show in New York City on February 1 before heading out to perform across Europe. Sharing a behind-the-scenes highlight video with his 2 million Instagram fans, he wrote: 'Here's a look behind the scenes of the US leg of the tour; it's had been an absurdly wonderful, glorious adventure! 'I am so in awe of and obsessed with the humans in this video. I'm so grateful to them for loaning me their talents and heart and humor.' Advertisement Love Island star Chris Williamson has gone viral after he appeared on Joe Rogan's podcast to discuss what really lies underneath the Pyramids of Giza. Last week, Italian researchers claimed to have uncovered 'a vast underground city' which stretches more than 4,000 feet directly underneath the structure, making them 10 times larger than the pyramids themselves. Yet debate around the topic exploded after one of Egypt's top ancient history experts slammed the underground city claims as 'fake news'. As a result of the ongoing conversation, Rogan and Williamson's debate has gone viral, with more than 1.5 million viewers tuning into the episode in just 48 hours. Yet with Joe's podcast marketed at international audiences, many will be unaware of his guest Williamson's unusual background. Brits may well be familiar with Williamson, 37, and his reality TV roots having appeared as a contestant on Paddy McGuinness' Take Me Out in 2012 before finding fame on the first series of reality show Love Island UK three years later. How Love Island star Chris Williamson (left, with Josh Ritchie on the show) has reinvented himself as a millionaire podcast host - after his debate with Joe Rogan on what really lies beneath Egypt's pyramids went viral As a result of the ongoing conversation about the Giza Pyramids, Rogan (left) and Williamson's debate has gone viral, with more than 1.5 million viewers tuning into the episode in just 48 hours Williamson was working as a club promoter when he appeared on the ITV2 series, which was ultimately won by Jess Hayes and Max Morley. He entered the villa on day one but failed to strike up a romance despite being coupled up with Danielle Pyne, Lauren Richardson and Zoe Basia Brown, ultimately being dumped from the show on day 19. Three years on, Williamson - who hails from Stockton-on-Tees in County Durham - decided to launch his own podcast, called Modern Wisdom, and completely reinvented himself from his party boy era. He has since recorded more than 900 episodes, and interviewed over 100 New York Times bestsellers including Douglas Murray, James Clear, Aubrey Marcus. Seth Godin, Jordan Peterson and Steven Pinker. Williamson now boasts more than 3.4 million YouTube subscribers, which has the bio: 'Life is hard. This podcast will help.' Speaking to ITV in 2022, he explained: 'Bizarrely, Love Island was kind of like a mini existential crisis. I basically got to the Champions League of being a party boy and then I realised that I wasn't supposed to be there at all. 'I spent just under a month in a villa with no distractions, no phone, no internet, no friends, no contact with the outside world surrounded by people that were the epitome of the person I thought I was. 'I thought I was this super extroverted big name on campus, a big guy around town. And it turned out that maybe I wasn't like that. 'I made myself into a club promoter, which I needed to do to make a successful company, but that perhaps wasn't fully aligned with who I truly was. 'I then took the opportunity to think - could I do with a little bit of self-work and some personal development to try and figure out who I actually am and what I want to try and contribute to the world?' Members of the Love Island series one cast at the wrap party (L-R from back) Tony and John Alberti, Chris, Travis Almond and Omar Sultani, Naomi Ball, Chris Baxter, Jonathan Clarke, Hannah Elizabeth, Rachel Christie and Lauren Richardson Three years after Love Island, Williamson - who hails from Stockton-on-Tees - decided to launch his own podcast, called Modern Wisdom and has interviewed over 100 New York Times bestsellers including Jordan Peterson (pictured) He describes his podcast as being about He describes his podcast as 'being about human nature, marketing, philosophy, life, life hacks, biohacking, fitness, health, pretty much everything'. Detailing his plans for the future, he told Practical Ecommerce: 'I want to focus on conversations with people. Theres not much in my life now that I would get rid of. I like what I do. I like doing the research, for instance. 'My two longtime business partners one for nightclubs and my video guy for Modern Wisdom are both friends. They were friends that became business partners. I know that thats fraught with danger, but Ive managed to get lucky.' Now Williamson has reached a wider audience after teaming up with American podcaster Rogan to debate the 'mind-blowing' Giza Pyramid debate. Rogan said in his latest episode: 'This is insane. It's quite stunning. They don't understand what it is but it's a uniform structure. There are several pillars and all of this is very very very weird. It's really crazy.' He added: 'Christopher Dunne believes that the Pyramid of Giza is a big power plant. He has a theory about why its built the way its built. 'He thinks it coincides with the ability to produce hydrogen, to utilise the rays of space and to generate electricity through this.' Researcher Jay Anderson added: 'What has just been announced in relation to the pyramids at the Giza plateau and the plateau itself is so incredible, so awe-inspiring and narrative shattering that I've been sitting here for the last hour trying to wrap my heard around the implications of what we were just told. 'It's nothing short of mindblowing. What's been discovered is that there are huge structures coming down from the base of the pyramid deep into the bedrock. It then connects to massive internal structures deep deep down. 'The pyramid itself was already a massive red flag in the ancient Egyptian historical narrative but now, with this discovery, I think it's impossible to say that the Egyptians we've been taught about built these structures. 'It provides the most extraordinary evidence for a pre-flood era civilisation that was flourishing in a way that we can scarcely comprehend.' Now Williamson has gone viral after American podcaster Rogan weighed in on the 'mind-blowing' theories about a hidden city below the Pyramids of Giza, calling it 'very very very weird' Scientists used advanced technology to see beneath the three pyramids, finding evidence of a 'vast underground city' Your browser does not support iframes. The paper, which has not been peer-reviewed by independent experts, found eight vertical cylinder-shaped structures extending more than 2,100 feet below the pyramid and more unknown structures 4,000 feet deeper. A press release described the findings as 'groundbreaking' and if true could rewrite the history of ancient Egypt. However, independent experts have raised serious concerns about the study. 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.' Professor Conyers said it is conceivable there are small structures, such as shafts and chambers, beneath the pyramids that existed before they were built because the site was 'special to ancient people.' He highlighted how 'the Mayans and other people in ancient Mesoamerica often built pyramids on top of the entrances of caves or caverns that had ceremonial meaning to them.' The work by Corrado Malanga, from Italy's University of Pisa, and Filippo Biondi with the University of Strathclyde in Scotland has only been released during an in-person briefing in Italy this week and is yet to be published in a scientific journal, where it would need to be analyzed by independent experts. Despite the scepticism, Professor Conyers added that the only way to prove the discoveries to be true would be 'targeted excavations.' 'My take is that as long as authors are not making things up and that their basic methods are correct, their interpretations should be given a look by all who care about the site,' he explained. 'We can quibble about interpretations, and that is called science. But the basic methods need to be solid.' 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 The team also found a hidden chamber in the pyramid that contained five identical structures with sloped roofs and five levels He also told DailyMail.com that he could not tell if the technology used actually picked up hidden structure below the pyramid. 'They are using all kinds of fancy proprietary data analysis software,' said Professor Conyers. The Giza complex consists of three pyramids, Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure, built 4,500 years ago on a rocky plateau on the west bank of the Nile River in northern Egypt. Each was constructed in the name of a pharaoh. The northernmost and oldest of the group was built for Khufu. Also known as the Great Pyramid, this structure is the largest, at 480ft tall and 750ft wide at its base. The middle pyramid was built for Khafre, which the team studied, and Menkaure is the southernmost and last built of the group. Malanga is a UFOlogist and has appeared on YouTube shows about aliens, where he has discussed his more than decade-long career of studying UFO sightings in Italy. Biondi, on the other hand specializes radar technology. Malanga and Biondi's 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 new study used similar technology, but got a boost from a satellite orbiting Earth. The new radar technique works by combining satellite radar data with tiny vibrations from naturally-occurring seismic movements, to construct 3D images of what lies beneath the surface of the earth, without doing any physical digging. Nicole Ciccolo, the project's spokesperson, said: 'A vast underground city has been discovered beneath the pyramids,' '[The] groundbreaking study has redefined the boundaries of satellite data analysis and archaeological exploration.' She shared a short clip of the press briefing held on March 15, saying the full video of the event will be released on March 25. The cylinder-shaped structures, which Ciccolo referred to as 'shafts,' were arranged in two parallel rows and surrounded by descending spiral pathways. The shafts were said to be connected to larger, cubic structures. The team said there could be a hidden city below all three pyramids Ciccolo said the cylinder structures were found underneath each of the three pyramids and appeared 'to serve as access points to this underground system.' The team explained the system as other chamber-like structures interconnecting under all three of the pyramids. 'The existence of vast chambers beneath the earth's surface, comparable in size to the pyramids themselves, which have a remarkably strong correlation between the legendary Halls of Amenti,' Ciccolo said. 'These new archaeological findings could redefine our understanding of the sacred topography of ancient Egypt, providing spatial coordinates for previously unknown and unexplored subterranean structures,' she added. The news has gone viral this week, with X flooded with posts about the potential discovery. Florida congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna shared a post about the structures on her X page. The team plans to continue their research throughout 2025. Eva Longoria has claimed she first got into performing to compensate for feeling like the 'ugly duckling' in her family. The Desperate Housewives star, now 50, is famed for her flawless looks - however the star noted that she 'wasn't the pretty one' compared to her three sisters. Opening up about her feelings at the time in an new interview with Today, the actress explained that she decided for focus on being the 'funny' and 'smart' one. 'I was performative in my family because I was the ugly duckling,' she explained, before joking: 'Documentation is available if you need it.' The Only Murders In The Building star continued: 'My three sisters look alike. They are all blonde. 'I knew I wasn't the pretty one and I was like, "okay, I'm not the pretty one so I'm going to be the funny one. I'm going to be the smart one."' Eva Longoria has claimed she first got into performing to compensate for feeling like the 'ugly duckling' in her family The Desperate Housewives star, 50, is famed for her flawless looks - however the star noted that she 'wasn't the pretty one' compared to her three sisters The Land of Women star was the youngest of four sisters, and grew up with chickens on a ranch in Texas. She recounted: 'We had to go get the eggs in the morning. We had to milk the cow for the milk that was going to go in the coffee and in our cereal.' Eventually, Eva achieved a degree in kinesiology from Texas A&M, using scholarship money from a beauty pageant she had won to partly fund her studies. It was competing in pageants that led her to Hollywood as she noted: 'I land in Hollywood and I don't know what happened. I just was like, "I think I'm going to be an actor."' The star then became a household name thanks to the success of Desperate Housewives, which ran for eight seasons from 2004 to 2012. It's not the first time the star has opened up about feeling ugly as a child. Back in 2008, she told Channel 4's Richard and Judy said: 'I was the darkest one of my family. I was the only one with black hair and the only one with dark skin. 'All my sisters were light blondes with hazel eyes. They used to call me ugly duckling.' The Land of Women star was the youngest of four sisters and grew up with chickens on a ranch in Texas The star explained: 'My three sisters look alike. They are all blonde. I knew I wasn't the pretty one and I was like, "Okay, I'm not the pretty one so I'm going to be the funny one" She continued: 'I grew up without being beautiful so I kind of relied on my personality and my character. 'I kind of developed a skill not to depend on anything superficial because I didn't have anything superficial to depend on.' Elsewhere, the actress recently revealed the playful way Meryl Streep reacted to the news that the Hollywood stars are actually cousins. Eva had discovered that she is related to the legendary actress during an appearance on Dr. Henry Louis Gates' genealogy series, Faces of America. Recalling the moment during her appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon last week, the actress explained: 'He cross-references everybody's DNA to see if we share a relative in the last 100 years. 'And he's like, "Do you want to know who you're related to? Meryl Streep." I was like, "Oh my god!"' While the Sylvie's Love star was 'so excited' by the news, she said she had been reluctant to go and share the information when she crossed paths with Meryl at an awards show later on. But when she did work up the nerve to chat with her relative about it, Meryl's reaction was pretty comical. Eva achieved a degree in kinesiology, partly using scholarship money from a beauty pageant she had won. It was competing in pageants that led her to Hollywood The Desperate Housewives star pictured with her mom Ella Eva Mireles and sisters Esmeralda Josephina Longoria, Elizabeth Judina Longoria and Emily Jeannette Longoria in 2018 Eva continued: 'I was at the Golden Globes or I don't know - something backstage in the green room - and my friend was like, "There's Meryl, go say you're her cousin."' 'I'm like, "I'm not gonna go up to Meryl Streep and say we're cousins. It's not gonna make any sense. I don't know if she saw that part of the show."' Thankfully, Eva didn't have to approach the Oscar-winner because it turns out, Meryl had already been informed about their relation. Eva continued: 'Then I hear, "Cousin! Cousin!" That's how cool Meryl Streep is. 'I was like, "Clearly you got the talent in the family." And she's like, "Clearly you got the beauty."' 'How sweet is she?' the star gushed before she then joked: 'So... Meryl's Latina.' Advertisement Amy Schumer is having a lot more sex these days. Over the weekend, the 43-year-old movie star shared 'I want to get down more, if you know what I mean. Im talking about sex.' The beauty, who is married to chef Chris Fischer, said she has more of a sex drive thanks to the drug Mounjaro which has been 'great' for her. She revealed she has been on the diabetes and weight loss drug Mounjaro for a while now. Earlier this year she said on The View that she schedules ex with her spouse. 'We're pretty corny. We will make love, we will make sweet love,' she said during the talk show. We do birthdays we do schedule it, we do schedule it. Nobody ever is like, Oh! Theres never like, a vibe where it just happens. Do people do that? the I Feel Pretty star light-heartedly continued. Amy Schumer is having a lot more sex these days. Over the weekend, the 43-year-old movie star shared 'I want to get down more, if you know what I mean. Im talking about sex.' Seen in Mau 2024 The beauty, who is married to chef Chris Fischer, said she has more of a sex drive thanks to the drug Mounjaro which has been 'great' for her In her new Instagram post she raved about her new drug. Schumer noted, 'My hair is fuller, my skin is better, I have more energy.' She is also losing weight adding that it's worked out better than its competitor Wegovy. '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.' 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.' '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.' Earlier this year she also revealed that similar drug Ozempic did not agree with her. 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. Schumer and husband Chris pictured in February. Earlier this year she said on The View that she schedules ex with her spouse. 'We're pretty corny. We will make love, we will make sweet love,' she said during the talk show. We do birthdays we do schedule it, we do schedule it. Nobody ever is like, Oh! Theres never like, a vibe where it just happens' '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. Amy recently slipped into a snug-fitting, baby blue and navy rugby dress for Love Rocks NYC benefit concert The comedienne was seen on Instagram on Friday to share her experience with the diabetes and weight loss drug Mounjaro 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 '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 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.' A relationship expert has shared her thoughts after Rhian Sugden's decision to openly criticise her husband Oliver Mellor on social media. The lingerie model, 38, blasted the ex Corrie actor, 44, for 'going out drinking' while she and their son George, 11-months, were both rushed to A&E over the weekend. But sex and relationships expert at Lovehoney, Annabelle Knight, has now claimed that this act of public frustration could suggest Rhian has been feeling 'growing resentment' towards Oliver. Annabelle told MailOnline that when a couple start airing their frustrations over social media, 'it often suggests deeper issues brewing beneath the surface' - which she said is 'never a great sign'. The expert said Rhian could be feeling 'resentment' that Oliver wasn't available to lend emotional and physical support to her through her and their young son's illness. She said: 'In this case, Rhian's public criticism of Oliver for choosing a night out with friends over supporting her after a health scare suggests she's feeling undervalued and perhaps even unheard in the relationship. A relationship expert has shared their thoughts after Rhian Sugden publicly dressed down her husband Oliver Mellor The lingerie model, 38, blasted the ex Corrie actor, 44, for 'going out drinking' while she and their son George, 11-months, were both rushed to A&E over the weekend 'When one partner is unwell or struggling, they typically look for emotional and physical support from their significant other - so if there's a lack of support, it can give rise to resentment and frustration.' Annabelle added: 'The fact that neither of them has posted about each other in weeks could also hint at growing emotional distance. 'While not everyone chooses to share their relationship online, the sudden change in social media behaviour especially for a couple that usually does might mean there are rising tensions between the couple. 'Whether they're experiencing a rough patch or something more serious, open and honest communication will be key in resolving these issues before the cracks deepen. I'd also recommend they address their concerns privately, as airing grievances on social media can often escalate tensions rather than resolve them.' Rhian took to her Instagram Stories on Saturday to hit out at Oliver, whom she wed in 2018, after he opted to head out with his mates rather than 'helping at home'. Rhian revealed she'd been rushed to hospital twice with Quinsy - a 'Victorian disease' that has left her in 'absolute agony', while George had been struck down with possible measles. She fumed: 'Anyone else ever been so ill they've ended up in A&E twice in two days and yet their husband would rather go out drinking with his mates instead of helping at home, or am I just the unfortunate one?'. In a fresh update on Sunday morning, Rhian reposted a cryptic and pointed reel to her Story, seemingly directed at Oliver. But sex and relationships expert at Lovehoney, Annabelle Knight, has now claimed that this act of public frustration could suggest the couple are going through a 'rough patch' (Rhian and Oliver seen in 2019) Rhian took to her Instagram Stories on Saturday to hit out at Oliver, whom she wed in 2018, after he opted to head out with his mates rather than 'helping at home' The black-and-white video showed a group of people dancing together while audio over the top encouraged viewers to stand up to 'someone who doubted you'. It said: 'Good morning you brilliant beam of f***ing sunshine. Reminder... not a single f*** should be given today. 'Got someone who doubted you? Smile and remind them, I don't just rise and shine I f***ing rule and conquer.' Rhian hasn't posted a picture of husband Oliver on her Instagram since January, despite hr page being filled with recent snaps. Meanwhile Oliver's most recent post is one of him, Rhian and George - however it was four weeks ago. She also shared an update from bed as she told followers: 'I'm home for those of you who are asking, but oh my god I am so much worse. 'They sent me to A&E the other day because it was bad but i feel like its got worse even though I am on strong antibiotics.' 'I don't really want to waste a space in hospital and it's dramatic if I call an ambulance but I am really feel like I am struggling to breathe, I can't swallow. In a fresh update on Sunday morning, Rhian reposted a cryptic and pointed reel to her Story, seemingly directed at Oliver 'This is the sorest throat I have ever ever head, give me [giving birth] to a child ten times over than this. And I have a very high pain threshold but this Quinsy, I don't know what to do with myself.' She previously shared a photograph of herself in a hospital room to let fans know that her health has taken yet another turn. She said: 'So I've just been back to the doctors because my throat is in absolute agony. I think I've got quite a high pain threshold, but this is something else. 'I've got Quinsy. I thought that was a Victorian disease, but oh my god, if anyone's ever had it, oh god, I can't even. It hurts to even open my mouth.' Rhian captioned the hospital snap of herself: 'Quinsy: 1, Rhian: 0.' Oliver and Rhian endured a long journey to conceive and spent over 150,000 to go through eight gruelling rounds of IVF over six years to get pregnant with their son George. Rhian hit headlines back in in 2010, when she was found to be exchanging racy messages with Vernon Kay - who has been married to Strictly host Tess Daly since 2013. The TV star pursued Rhian on Twitter, text and email for four months, with the blonde later claiming he also tried to set up a secret liaison with her in a hotel room. Rhian hit headlines back in in 2010, when she was found to be exchanging racy messages with Vernon Kay - who has been married to Strictly host Tess Daly since 2013 Afterwards, she assured Tess that they never met up alone and it was nothing more than a 'close friendship and flirty messages'. Rhian concluded with offering her 'sincerest apologies' and wishing the both of them happiness for the future. Vernon was famously forced to make a public apology to Tess on BBC Radio 1 back in 2010 after the saucy messages came to light. He went on to promise live on air that he would no longer contact Rhian or the four other women he had been caught messaging at the time. It was then revealed the pair had got back in touch in 2015 with Vernon sending hundreds of texts asking to 'reconnect' with the model. Parents in New York are calling on lawmakers to support Gov. Kathy Hochul's proposed ban on cell phones in schools amid various concerns. The situation comes as lawmakers have already made efforts to allow local districts to have leeway over the ban itself. Advocates, including Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, said that legislators must "not take the wrong path" at this crucial moment. Kathy Hochul's Proposed Smartphone Ban in Schools The letter the advocates sent also blasted state Assembly and Senate Democrats for separate proposed bills. The legislation would give the New York City Public School System and other school districts more leeway instead of implementing a complete ban on cell phones in schools. It noted that a classroom ban only prohibits phones from being used when it is class time, which could be seen as reasonable in theory. However, it argues that it would make the governor's proposed policy absolutely meaningless, according to the New York Post. The letter argued that bell-to-bell policies are vital because they work to create lively engagement throughout schools. It added that a classroom ban means that students will still be victims of their cell phones and social media after class is over. Gov. Hochul's proposed cellphone ban, included in her executive budget proposal for 2025-26, requires that mobile phones be stored until students are dismissed. Lawmakers are set to adopt the 2025-26 budget by April 1, 2025. Advocates of the ban argue that the policy has many benefits, especially for students studying in school. Some of these include a smartphone-free environment that goes beyond encouraging classroom focus, the New York Daily News reported. Providing More Flexibility Hochul's proposed policy would also ban smartphones but allow students to use simple phones to make calls or send text messages. This would maintain students' access to the outside world without causing too much distraction. Supporters of Hochul's proposal argue that American teens have long been sucked into the vortex of always being online. This is because social media has stimulated and affirmed their feelings about themselves and the things they do. The situation comes as New York's school boards, superintendents, and building administrators are not fully on board with the governor's cellphone ban. Many of them have argued that students need more flexibility regarding the issue. A memo by a coalition of school organizations argues that they favor the approaches to school smartphone regulation proposed by the Senate and Assembly. This is in contrast to the policy that Hochul is backing, as the Gothamist reports. Janice Dickinson stepped out in Los Angeles on Sunday. The 70-year-old supermodel from the 1990s was unrecognizable as she wore sunglasses and a yellow top while running errands. Janice was one of the world's top models, appearing on the covers of Harper's Bazaar, Cosmopolitan, Vogue and Playboy magazines. The brunette bombshell also worked with fashion houses including Versace, Oscar de la Renta and Calvin Klein. She was a judge on America's Next Top Model and appeared on the fourth season of Celebrity Rehab With Dr. Drew. Janice was the star of her own reality series, The Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency that ran from 2006 to 2008, named after the business she opened in 2005. Janice Dickinson stepped out in Los Angeles on Sunday. She was unrecognizable in sunglasses; seen here in the late 1970s Janice was once one of the world's top models, appearing on the covers of Harper's Bazaar, Cosmopolitan, Vogue and Playboy magazines. Seen here in 1986 The beauty pictured at age 32 in 1986 She's currently married to Dr Robert 'Rocky' Gerner, an LA-based psychiatrist. They tied the knot in 2016 after Dickinson revealed that she had beaten the breast cancer that had been diagnosed with that March. She went through a six-month course of radiation and two lumpectomies. In 1994, Stallone and Dickinson had an affair while he was in a relationship with his now-wife Jennifer Flavin. At that time, Dickinson would have been age 39 not 32. They met a year prior at a charity event and Stallone eventually left Flavin to be with the top model. They got engaged but Stallone called it off six months later after learning that he was not the father of her daughter Savannah, who was born in February 1994, as per The Mirror. It was later revealed that businessman Michael Birnbaum, who she dated in the early 1990s, was Savannah's biological father. Stallone rekindled his relationship with Flavin, who is the mother of his three adult daughters, in 1995 and they tied the knot 1997. The star hasn't been shy about her love of plastic surgery, having previously spent thousands of dollars on procedures to defy the aging process. In June she talked to Kaitlyn Bristowe's Off The Vine podcast. Janice said that she got her very first cosmetic surgery at age 32 while dating A-list actor Sylvester Stallone. Last year she revealed that she got her very first cosmetic surgery at age 32 while dating A-list actor Sylvester Stallone; seen in 1994 They got engaged but Stallone called it off six months later after learning that he was not the father of her daughter Savannah, who was born in February 1994, as per The Mirror; seen in 1994 Back in 1994, Stallone and Dickinson had an affair while he was in a relationship with his now-wife Jennifer Flavin. At that time, Dickinson would have been age 39 not 32; Stallone and Flavin seen in 2023 'What point in your career were you like, "I'm gonna start getting surgery done?"' Bristowe asked. 'Oh, gosh. I was dating Sylvester Stallone, and I was 32,' Dickinson replied. 'I noticed I started getting jowls...' To tackle the issue, Dickinson got a 'mini face-lift' done. A mini face-lift is meant to address early signs of aging as it corrects sagging on the lower third of the face. It requires smaller incisions than a regular face-lift, minimal downtime and the results can last up to 10 years. Dickinson recommended that Bristowe who she said she felt she was 'at that age' where jowls start to become a concern should also go the mini face-lift route. 'Get a mini face lift. It kept me going up until last week when I noticed [my lip lines]. I did smoke for a bit. Don't smoke. It's bad for you,' she said. When asked if she 'regrets' any of her past surgeries, Dickinson replied: 'Oh, no.' Dickinson is an open book when it comes to her cosmetic procedures. Dickinson is seen dropping off her dry cleaning in Los Angeles over the weekend With sunglasses on and a bright sheer top on, she was hard to recognize She previously admitted on E!'s Botched that she's 'no stranger to plastic surgery' as she's previously undergone a boob job, a tummy tuck, neck and face-lifts and liposuction. She's also tried injectables like Botox but insists that her plump pout is natural. In 2013, Dickinson declared herself bankrupt owing almost $1 million in taxes and unpaid cosmetic bills. At the time of her bankruptcy filing, the star owed $8,000 to Beverly Hills dermatologist Arnold Klein and over $8,000 in debt to the Beverly Hills Anti-Aging Center. In 2007 her son Nathan said he was desperate for her to stop, but she said: 'I won't do any more plastic surgery if he's looking.' In 2015 she appeared on Botched to fix a breast enlargement done 30 years prior which had left her with rippling across her breasts. During the episode, Janice was seen swearing, demanding drugs and, after her implants were replaced, walking around naked, which led Dr Terry Dubrow to brand her his worst patient. Gwyneth Paltrow flashed a hint of cleavage in a dazzling Tom Ford gold dress as she graced the front cover of Family Style magazine. The American actress, 52, showcased her age-defying looks in a Victoria Beckham white ensemble as she struck a pose in the jaw-dropping shoot. Gwyneth candidly revealed she feels 'worn down' because of the amount of 'little time' she has for herself in the midst of her busy schedule. The Academy Award winner, who was catapulted into the spotlight at a young age, also declared she 'doesn't miss acting at all' and has 'zero' plans to direct in the future after stepping away to focus on her lifestyle brand Goop. Gwyneth launched her business as a weekly newsletter in 2008 and she has gone on to build it into a major lifestyle branding - selling clean cosmetics and candles as well as other brands and even branching out into a Netflix documentary series. Speaking to the publication alongside the gorgeous shoot, she said: 'I think Ive had a bit of a metamorphosis over the years.' Gwyneth Paltrow, 52, flashed a hint of cleavage in a dazzling Tom Ford gold dress as she graced the front cover of Family Style magazine The American actress showcased her age-defying looks in a Victoria Beckham white ensemble as she struck a pose in the jaw-dropping shoot 'I feel like I have so little time lately, and its worn me down. Part of that, or most of that, is my fault for giving myself so much responsibility, so I would like to figure out a way to take some responsibility off my plate and give myself time back to just daydream and luxuriate a little bit. 'Time to do nothing like we used to do before every millisecond was crammed full of something', she added. After admitting she feels 'worn out', Gwyneth recently explained that she has been having trouble with insomnia - an issue she did not have before menopause. 'I've always been a real sleeper,' the Hollywood star shared on her Goop podcast, but adding that after menopause, 'I went through a particularly bad time with it. 'There were nights where my anxiety - like, I just thought it meant, "Oh, you're not gonna be able to sleep because you don't have enough progesterone or whatever."' The mother-of-two continued, 'I would just wake up [and] I would get crushed with anxiety, which I've never had in my life. 'And I would lie in bed thinking about every mistake I've ever made, every person's feelings I ever hurt, like, every bad, you know - And I would be up, like, for six hours. It was crazy. I feel like hopefully I'm coming out the other side.' Guest Dr. Mary Clare Haver joined in on the episode and explained, 'In perimenopause, we call it the zone of hormonal chaos. It's all over the place. It is completely unpredictable, and our brains hate chaos. Gwyneth candidly revealed she feels 'worn down' because of the amount of 'little time' she has for herself in the midst of her busy schedule Gwyneth also declared she 'doesn't miss acting at all' and has 'zero' plans to direct in the future after stepping away to focus on her lifestyle brand Goop The Academy Award winner was catapulted into the spotlight at a young age Speaking to the publication alongside the gorgeous shoot, she said: 'I think Ive had a bit of a metamorphosis over the years' She added: 'I feel like I have so little time lately, and its worn me down. Part of that, or most of that, is my fault for giving myself so much responsibility' 'It's years for some women,' Haver added, with the Iron Man actress replying with, 'I feel like I've been in it for years.' Gwyneth has previously opened up about the importance of having discussions about menopause, per Elle. 'I started asking my friends around the dinner table a few years ago. "This is happening for me. Is it happening for you guys? These are my symptoms." Really cultivating the conversation,' Gwyneth explained. 'I just think it's crucial for us to have community around these difficult things. When we have little kids, we dont feel ashamed saying, "I'm having a problem with my toddler." 'Or, "How do you potty-train them?" But for some reason, when it's around this phase of our lives, it becomes some weird or bad thing. 'The idea that women have been enshrouded in silence and shame around menopause for years and years and years is so crazy. This is such a natural, wonderful, different time in a woman's life,' the star further expressed. Gwyneth later added, 'I'm not sure why it was made to be embarrassing or shameful to talk about. It's perfectly natural that we all traverse through it. 'If we're lucky, we live to go through perimenopause, and someday I'll be in menopause. And I'm looking forward to understanding what that means and the gifts that come along with it.' Sam Thompson was seen cosying up to a a group of women outside the Savoy Hotel on Monday after it was revealed he has joined a dating app. The TV star, 32, split from Zara McDermott, 28, in December after five years together, and she has since moved on with One Direction's Louis Tomlinson, 33. But it seems former Made In Chelsea star Sam was seen having a good time living a single life as he was spotted with Pete Wicks giggling away with a group of women. Sam was seen sharing a cigarette with one woman after he whispered in her ear and hugged her. He was also seen chatting away with another woman in a chic black ruffled dress, before seemingly reassuring another women who wore a backless silky dress as he was seen placing his hand on her arm. However it has been revealed the interaction was nothing romantic and the women were just members of JLS's management team. Sam Thompson was seen cosying up to a a group of women outside the Savoy Hotel on Monday after it was revealed he has joined a dating app Former Made In Chelsea star Sam was seen having a good time living a single life as he was spotted with Pete Wicks giggling away with a group of women A source told The Sun: 'Sam and Pete are both single now and will be each others' wingmen. And Sam is definitely ready to get back on the horse and date again after a miserable few weeks now Zara is moving on. 'But this time it was just a friendly chat, they were with JLS's management team outside Marvin's party!' For the outing, Sam cut a handsome figure in a navy suit, which he paired with a blue shirt, black tie and black shoes. Meanwhile, his pal Pete wore his usual two-piece black flared-trouser suit layered over a low-cut top. The outing came as Sam's celebrity dating app profile on Raya was revealed. The profile shows him posing in one snap with the cat he still shares with Zara. Another snap on the profile shows him with best pal Pete who has been supporting him through the breakup. A source told The Sun about Sam joining Raya: 'Sam's been left devastated by the end of his relationship, which was made even more difficult when he saw who Zara was dating. But now it appears the former Made In Chelsea star was having a good time living a single life as he was seen with Pete Wick giggling away with a group of women Sam was seen sharing a cigarette with one woman after he whispered in her ear and then proceeded to hug her He was also seen chatting away with another woman who wore a chic black ruffled dress, which she paired with gold sandals and a brown bag The podcaster seemed to be reassuring one of the women who wore a backless black silky dress as he was seen placing his hand on her arm For the outing, Sam was seen cutting a handsome figure in a navy suit, which he paired with a blue shirt, black tie and black shoes Meanwhile, his pal Pete stepped out in his usual two-piece black flared-trouser suit layered over a low-cut top 'Even though he might not be quite ready to jump back into something serious yet, Sam was encouraged by his friends to dip his toe in the water.' The publication previously reported that Sam was back on celebrity dating app Raya days before his ex Zara's shock new romance with Louis was revealed. Despite claims he was 'blindsided' by Zara's new romance, it seems Sam was keen to move on himself. A fan last week claimed to have seen Sam on Raya the week before, noting 'So he's back on the dating scene as well.' Sam had made an account before meeting Zara, which he seemingly reinstated in the wake of their split. As well as keeping busy by looking for love, Sam is also said to have been partying with his pals in Chelsea and his close friend Pete Wicks. A source told The Mirror: 'Sam has been making jokes about his life since the break up, and that's not really something you'd be doing if you were experiencing total heartbreak. 'Of course they were sad, but they sort of accepted it a long time ago. 'Sam has been going out and having fun again, he's not dating anyone but he's been on dates. 'He's been around the Chelsea lot and hanging out with Pete [Wicks] a lot. He's really enjoying himself at the moment but doesn't want to be tied down.' MailOnline contacted a representative for Sam Thompson for comment. Sam's celebrity dating app profile on Raya has also been revealed - showing him posing in one snap with the cat he still shares with Zara Another snap on the profile shows him with his best pal Pete Wicks who has been supporting him through the breakup Zara and Louis' romance was exposed last Monday when a fellow diner at The Suffolk in Aldburgh took snaps of Zara and Louis enjoying a romantic date. The pictures confirmed rumours of a relationship first detected by sleuth-like One Direction fans who noticed Louis had followed Zara on Instagram and liked a string of her pictures. According to Zara's friends, Louis has put 'a smile back on her face' following her split from ex boyfriend of five years Sam on New Year's Day. A friend told MailOnline: 'Zara is so happy, it's early days with her and Louis but everything is going well between them. 'News of their romance leaked sooner than they intended - the plan was to keep things private for as long as possible. They still hope to keep intimate details away from prying eyes. Zara and Louis Tomlinson' romance was exposed last Monday when a fellow diner at The Suffolk in Aldburgh took snaps of Zara and Louis enjoying a romantic date (stock images) 'Zara is enjoying being wined and dined and experiencing the thrill of dating someone new again. 'She had been with Sam for years and in the end their relationship became transactional they had lost their sparkle. Louis has certainly put a smile back on her face.' Zara and Louis tucked into 100 fish and chips, plus cocktails, at the 315-a-night hotel in Suffolk. The pair stayed at night and left for their respective London homes in the morning. MailOnline revealed in January that Zara had split from long-term partner Sam after five years of dating. They lived together in Sam's Fulham house which was usually the base of the couple's amusing TikTok videos. Advertisement Kate Bosworth and husband Justin Long enjoyed hitting the red carpet together in Los Angeles at the Clarins ICONS Event at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures. Kate, 42, looked sensational in an elegant, low-cut nude gown that made the most of her figure. She wore her hair pulled back as she added pale pink makeup while flashing her diamond engagement ring and wedding band from Long. The Blue Crush actress also had on diamond hoop earrings and a diamond ring from Anita Ko, the jewelry company Brad Pitt's girlfriend Ines de Ramon works at. Long, 46, was dapper in a black suit and no tie. The two were very flirty as they smiled and touched each other while on the red carpet. At one point, he put his hand on her butt. Kate Bosworth and husband Justin Long enjoyed hitting the red carpet together in Los Angeles at the Clarins ICONS Event at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures. At one point, he put his hand on her butt Kate, 42, looked sensational in an elegant, low-cut nude gown that made the most of her figure The two had electric energy on the red carpet. When they looked at each other they both smiled from ear to ear proving that marriage has been great for them. Also at the Clarins even was Pierce Brosnan's son Pierce, Chet Hanks, Kelly Osbourne and Carly Steel. Kate and Justin seemed to start dating around December 2021 after they met on the set of a movie. Kate and Justin sparked engagement rumors in March after she was seen rocking a large diamond ring on her ring finger. In May 2023, the actor called Kate his 'now-wife' during his podcast episode of Life is Short. Justin was chatting with actress Kyra Sedgwick about Kate visiting the set while he filmed Barbarian in Bulgaria. The actor said: 'I was there while I was like really falling in love with my now-wife. She came to visit and I had never been comfortable withset visits. I like to separate the relationship... But, yeah, I loved having her there and we just had the most magical time.' She wore her hair pulled back as she added pale pink makeup while flashing her diamond engagement ring and wedding band from Long The Blue Crush actress also had on diamond hoop earrings and a diamond ring from Anita Ko, the jewelry company Brad Pitt's girlfriend Ines de Ramon works at Long, 46, was dapper in a black suit and no tie The two were very flirty as they smiled and touched each other while on the red carpet Left, Alex Lee-Aillon and Paris Brosnan, and right, TV star Carly Steel Kelly Osbourne was stylish in a pink and black dress with black heels Justin added: 'It helped me having her there. She'd help me with scenes. It was the best.' Kate was previously married to Michael Polish. Kate and Michael were married from August 2013 until they announced their separation in August 2021. In 2023, Justin gushed about Kate in honor of her birthday, also talking about having kids one day together. The couple first sparked dating rumors in December 2021 after they met on the set of a movie In May 2023, the actor called Kate his 'now-wife' during his podcast episode of Life is Short 'You made so many people smile with your warmth and curiosity,' the actor penned in the caption of the Instagram post. 'You rode horses again and they helped you heal. 'You overwhelmed a boy when you first called him 'husband' and made him feel luckier than he's ever felt.' Adding: 'One day our kids ask me, 'Dad, why did you write things about Mom on that old Instagram app? The one you won't let us use?' 'And I'll say, 'Well, because there are a lot of poisonous things on the internet but your mom always inspires me to put good things into the world. 'Besides, I know reading those old posts touched her and made her smile.'' She instantly became a pop culture icon after bursting into the public eye as loudmouthed Page 3 girl, Jordan. Having tried her hand at modelling, singing, presenting, campaigning and reality TV, the glamour model quickly became a household name in Britain. Yet while Katie Price's moniker will ring a bell for both young and old, you would be forgiven for not recognising the star on sight alone, with Katie famously undergoing numerous cosmetic procedures over the years. After two decades in the spotlight, Katie is almost unrecognisable from the naturally pretty teenager who burst on to the modelling scene at the age of 16, with her natural curls and fresh-faced beauty winning her an army of fans. Katie, now 46, has undergone an array of procedures over the years, including rhinoplasty, a silhouette facelift, 3D, veneers, lip fillers and Botox, culminating in her first facelift in 2017. Now, after two decades under the surgeon's scalpel, MailOnline takes a look at the many faces of Katie Price. The many faces of Katie Price: MailOnline takes a look at the star's changing look after two decades of boob jobs, Botox and face lifts 1995 - Barefaced beauty At the age of 17, Katie Price was a fresh-faced natural beauty looking to make it into the world of glamour modelling. At a friend's suggestion, the teenager had professional photographs taken and was quickly snapped up by a modelling agency who landed her a Page 3 slot in The Sun newspaper the following year, sparking the creation of her glamour model alter ego, Jordan. Speaking last year, Katie revealed she was glad that she wasn't exposed to social media at the time as she had 'no idea what Botox was or fillers', otherwise she may have started her tweaks and enhancements at an even earlier age. 1995: At the age of 17, Katie Price was a fresh-faced natural beauty looking to make it into the world of glamour modelling 1998 - First boob job Having just turned 20, the rising glamour model experienced her first taste of cosmetic surgery, boosting her 32B cup breasts to a 32C. The procedure cost 4,500 and it's thought her mum Amy and stepdad Paul helped pay for her to have the procedure. Katie has since spoken out about her decision to go under the knife, admitting she was 'too young' and that she feels sorry for young girls growing up these days in a world of social media and filters. 1998: Having just turned 20, Katie experienced her first taste of cosmetic surgery, boosting her 32B cup breasts to a 32C 1999 - Second and third boob job Despite having only just increased her breast size, Katie opted to have two more procedures the following year at the age of 21. Katie boosted her bust from a C cup to a D cup and just a few months later went up again to a F cup. Katie has previously claimed that she has only paid for two of her boob jobs over the course of her career - it is not known if these were the ones. 1999: Despite having only just increased her breast size, Katie opted to have two more procedures at the age of 21 2001 - Lip fillers At the age of 21, Katie had her first cosmetic procedure on her face, opting for lip fillers. While the glamour model did not confirm the rumours at the time, she was seen sporting a noticeably fuller pout while out enjoying the party scene. Her overall look had also started drastically transforming, with the model sporting dramatic false lashes, bright lipstick and pale hair extensions. 2001: At the age of 21, Katie had her first cosmetic procedure on her face, opting for lip fillers 2004 - Botox Aged 26, Katie began to experiment with Botox injections that relax the muscles in your face to smooth out lines and wrinkles. She made no secret of her love of the procedure, announcing at the time: 'I get my forehead and around my eyes Botoxed every six months and I love it. You can't beat it. It just freezes all the wrinkles and that's what you want.' At the time, Katie insisted she would never take things further and have a facelift, explaining: 'I'd never have a full facelift. I've seen what they can do to people and I don't want to go through that.' 2004: Aged 26, Katie began to experiment with Botox injections that relax the muscles in your face to smooth out lines 2006 - Fourth boob job Katie went under the knife yet again to take her F cup breasts up to a G cup. The glamour model also played around with her overall look and embraced her dark side with a new brunette hairstyle. She also continued to dabble with fillers and Botox. 2006: Katie went under the knife yet again to take her F cup breasts up to a G cup 2007 - First nose job and veneers At the age of 29, Katie took her love of surgery to the next level, undergoing rhinoplasty, a chemical peel and treating herself to a 25,000 set of new veneers. 'Oh my God, it burned like hell!' she said at the time. 'The next day I had this hideous red rash on my chin but two days later there wasn't a single spot left.' Speaking about her nose job at the time, she admitted to liking her original nose, explaining: 'I liked my nose before and now. If I had a cupboard with both noses, I would alternate between them!' 2007:Katie took her love of surgery to the next level, undergoing rhinoplasty, a chemical peel and a 25,000 set of veneers 2008 - Fifth boob job Despite gradually increasingly her bust size over the year, Katie fancied a change on her 30th and brought her bra size back down from an F cup to a C cup. The procedure meant that Katie had returned to the size of her first boob job 10 years prior. Katie's changing shape also coincided with the launch of her first clothing line - an equestrian range. 2008: Despite gradually increasingly her bust size, Katie fancied a change and brought her bra size back down to a C cup 2011 - Sixth boob job Katie's smaller chest didn't last long, and at age 33 she went back under the knife again to boost her bust to an F cup. Katie also underwent body-contouring treatment and cheek and lip fillers. The Loose Women panelist admitted that she loved having her cheeks filled to give her a 'plumper, more youthful look'. 2011: Katie's smaller chest didn't last long, and at age 33 she went back under the knife again to boost her bust to an F cup 2015 - Seventh and eighth boob job Just before appearing on Celebrity Big Brother, the reality star had a botched boob reduction that left her with a hole in her breast and an implant protruding from her flesh. Katie told her shocked housemates: 'Ive got no tits anymore. Theyve gone. Theres not even anything there. If you saw what Im like underneath. The scars gone septic. My whole implant was hanging out on New Years Day.' Shortly after leaving the Big Brother house she underwent corrective surgery and had her implants swapped for a D-cup. 2015: Just before Celebrity Big Brother, the star had a botched boob reduction that left her with a hole in her breast 2016 - Ninth boob job and tattooed makeup Despite her surgery horror the year before, Katie was undeterred and flew to a Brussels clinic to go under the knife yet again, this time settling on a 32GG bust. The reality star also had her eyebrows and lips tattooed, also known as 'permanent make-up', explaining that she prefers to go make-up free on a day-to-day basis. Additionally the star has regular facial treatments, last year sharing a bloodied selfie after having a dermal roller micro-needling treatment, which sees a dermaroller with many tiny needles rolled across into the skin - designed to stimulate cells into regeneration. 2016: Despite her surgery horror the year before, Katie flew to a Brussels clinic to get another boob job, this time a 32GG cup 2017 - First face lift, new veneers and 10th boob job Despite insisting she would never have a face lift and could rely on Botox, Katie went back on her word undergoing a 'Silhouette' face lift. The procedure is designed to lift a sagging cheeks and blurred jawline, using 'sutures' implanted under the skin to sculpt features. However, Katie was soon spotted with puffy features, revealing that she suffered an allergic reaction to anesthetic penicillin after having further work on her veneers. She also had her breast implants reduced from 1000ml implants to 795ml. 2017: Despite insisting she would never have a face lift and could rely on Botox, Katie went back on her word 2018 - Second face lift Katie claimed her first face lift had been a botched job and went back under the knife the following year aged 40 to correct it. She said at the time 'I need to get my face re-corrected after surgeon has totally f**ked my face up', admitting it had He agent added: 'She had the thread and it really quite distorted her look. She got a lot of backlash, a lot of negative press, a lot of trolling, everyone saying shed taken it too far, when actually it was a job that had not gone to plan.' 2018: Katie claimed her first face lift had been a botched job and went back under the knife the following year aged 40 2019 - Third face lift, boob job first Brazilian bum lift and 11th boob job Katie jetted to Turkey to overhaul her entire look with a full body transformation. The reality star opted for a face, eye and eyelid lift, Brazilian bum lift along with a tummy tuck. Just three months later she returned to the clinic and opted for another boob job, going back down to a D cup. 2019: Katie jetted to Turkey to overhaul her look with a face, eye and eyelid lift, Brazilian bum lift along with a tummy tuck 2020 - 12th boob job and another set of veneers Katie returned to Turkey to have another set of veneers and revealed her real teeth had been reduced to stubs as she flashed a smile on her YouTube channel. The mother-of-five then jetted to Belgium to correct botched surgery on her breasts, saying her surgeon was utterly shocked by the 'awful' previous procedure. Katie said: 'They looked deformed, they were absolutely awful. That's the first time I've gone to a different surgeon. I had to go back to Frank with my head down, ashamed that I'd been to another clinic.' 2020: Katie returned to Turkey to have another set of veneers then jetted to Belgium to correct a botched boob job 2021 - Liposuction, eye and lid lifts and 13th boob job Amid the Covid pandemic, Katie jetted off to then red-list Turkey for a complete cosmetic surgery overhaul, undergoing full body liposuction, eye and lip lifts, liposuction under her chin, and fat injected into her bum. The reality star also visited Belgium to have her 13th boob job as well as full body liposuction with bum fat removal. The plastic surgery - performed by Dr Frank Plovier - came just five days ahead of the glamour model's sentencing for her shocking drink-drive crash. 2021: Katie jetted to Turkey for a complete cosmetic surgery overhaul, undergoing full body liposuction, eye and lip lifts 2022 - Another brow and eye lift Katie secretly jetted back to Belgium at the beginning of 2022 for an eye and brow lift and had been concealing her new look with her head in a bandage. Dr Judy Todd, an aesthetic doctor at Clinica Medica in Glasgow, said: 'It appears like she's had a face lift, temporal brow lift, and possibly an upper blepharoplasty.' It was reported last month that Katie plans to travel to Turkey imminently for yet more plastic surgery, amid claims she wanted to get some tweaks in after being unhappy with her latest work. Sian Dellar, Brow Specialist and Founder of Sian Dellar Permanent Makeup Clinic, added: 'Katie's eyebrows, like the rest of her, have changed lots over the years! 'Back in the 90s she had a very thin over plucked brow which was the fashion at the time, and today she has an extremely thick and unnatural looking brow. 'Currently it seems the face or eye lift that shes had have pulled her brows outward which looks unnatural and makes the brows appear almost stretched. 'Of course, as with any enhancement, its personal preference but we recommend not going too many shades darker, and keeping the shape as natural looking as possible and work to create or enhance brows to frame the face. 'Katies choice to have them so thick and dark and in that unusual positioning means they dominate her face and are the first thing the eye is drawn to. I would love to see Katie take her brows back to 2015/2016 when the fuller brow became a big trend. She got it right then and they framed her face well.' 2022: Katie secretly jetted back to Belgium for an eye and brow lift and is planning to to travel to Turkey for more surgery 2023 - 16th and 'biggest ever' boob job It's not clear if Katie lost track of the number of breast augmentations or opted to keep some of her surgery private but by 2023 it emerged she'd undergone her 16th boob job, two years after claiming to be on her 13th. The star went under the knife in a bid to have the 'biggest in Britain' and was subsequently pictured being wheeled into surgery at the Be Clinic in Belgium. She is said to have wanted even bigger breasts, opting for 2120 CC implants in a bid to boost her already large bust size. Katie told OK! magazine of her boobs: 'I love them. They healed really quickly and they didn't hurt at all. That probably doesn't help. Because I heal quickly, it doesn't put me off and I have more. 'I would go bigger as well and I will eventually. I just love having big boobs and a small body. I've always loved that look. In my eyes, if I'm having a boob job, I want them to look fake, I don't want them to look natural. I don't like the natural look. 'I just like that old-school American Playboy pin-up look. When I have surgery, that is what I'm striving for. If I could look like my airbrushed pictures, that would be amazing. But that's impossible to achieve.' 2023: It's not clear if Katie lost track of the number of breast augmentations or opted to keep some of her surgery private but by 2023 it emerged she'd undergone her 16th boob job, two years after claiming to be on her 13th 2024 - MORE facial surgery In July 2024 Katie confirmed she is travelling to Turkey for facial surgery, to be filmed for a new documentary, after failing to attend a bankruptcy hearing. The former glamour model was absent at a scheduled 760,000 bankruptcy court hearing having flown overseas for her latest cosmetic procedure. A warrant was subsequently issued, with Katie admitting she's 'doing the best she can' to rectify her financial issues after receiving 'very clear warnings' that she needed to attend court. Jennifer Aniston fans all spotted the same nostalgic detail as she enjoyed a night out with hunky Pedro Pascal on Saturday. The Friends star, 56, showed off her fit frame in a black cropped sleeve vest worn with a white tee as she chatted to Pascal, 49, outside West Hollywood's Tower Bar. Fans quickly saw the similarity between Aniston's look and the chic ensemble her Friends character Rachel Green wore in the show's 2004 finale. In the final episodes Rachel donned a black sweater and white top, paired with a mini skirt as she boarded her flight to Paris - before she was memorably stopped by Ross Geller (David Schwimmer) who declared his love for her. One fan wrote: 'Is she wearing the Rachels going to Paris look?!?' Others penned: 'It really looks like a friends outfit! Jennifer Aniston fans all spotted the same nostalgic detail as she enjoyed a night out with hunky Pedro Pascal on Saturday 'Right?! Before I read the caption I thought it was a behind the scenes from that episode! 'I thought the same thing! She had a skirt on in the show but the top looks identical! 'I was thinking the same thing! 'I got off the plane.' Jennifer who was reportedly 'blindsided' after her second ex-husband Justin Theroux, 53, recently married his 30-year-old girlfriend Nicole Brydon Bloom and Pedro arrived separately after 8 PM and left separately at around 11:30 PM. They were pictured talking to each other outside the valet area before parting ways. Meanwhile Pedro was pictured rocking a mustache and a pair of eyeglasses for the outing. The dinner date comes after speculation that Pedro might appear on Aniston's TV series, The Morning Show. Fans quickly saw the similarity between Aniston's look and the chic ensemble her Friends character Rachel Green wore in the show's 2004 finale (left) Fans were blown away by the nostalgic look The star wore the look as Ross declared her love for her at the airline gate - but she got on the plane to Paris anyway The pair reunited however as she memorably declared: 'I got off the plane!' During the Critics Choice Awards red carpet, Aniston and her co-star, Reese Witherspoon, invited him to join the hit Apple TV+ show for season 4. The invitation came as he joined their interview with KTLA anchors Sam Rubin and Jessica Holmes. 'Do you want to be on it?' asked Aniston. Witherspoon said, 'Wait, we actually do have a really good part for him.' Pascal replied, 'Pitch it to me now.' Jennifer and Pedro arrived separately after 8 PM and left separately at around 11:30 PM They were pictured talking to each other outside the valet area before parting ways Production on the fourth season of The Morning Show wrapped in early December 2024; Aniston seen in a still When questioned if the part involved 'anything romantic with anybody' Aniston responded 'All of us.' 'I sleep with everyone on the show,' Pedro joked. 'I'm in. All right, I'll be waiting to hear from my agents.' Production on the fourth season of The Morning Show wrapped in early December 2024. Aniston plays anchor Alex Levy while Reese stars as Bradley Jackson on the show about the culture behind a network broadcast morning news program. Her outing comes days after it was revealed that her ex-husband Justin has remarried, eight years after their divorce. The actress was reportedly taken by surprise by the marriage and sent a message to him after news broke. The Running Point star secretly tied the knot with actress Nicole during an intimate beach ceremony in Tulum, Mexico. The couple, who were first romantically linked in February 2023, looked happy in love as they shared their first moments as newlyweds together in front of their loved ones. Aniston was reportedly 'blindsided' after her second ex-husband Justin Theroux , 53, recently married his 30-year-old girlfriend Nicole Brydon Bloom; the pair seen in February Theroux, known for his roles in Mulholland Drive and HBO's The Leftovers, was previously wed to Aniston from 2015 to 2017; they are seen in 2017 Theroux, known for his roles in Mulholland Drive and HBO's The Leftovers, was previously wed to Aniston from 2015 to 2017. The two have remained on good terms. Most recently, Justin said his former wife was 'still very dear to me' in a September 2024 interview with The Times. Prior to Theroux, she was married to Pitt, 61, from 2000 to 2005. Whilst Justin is once again throwing himself into married life, Jennifer hasn't been publicly linked to anyone since the divorce. In October, she spoke out to deny claims that she had an affair with former President Barack Obama, branding the rumor 'absolutely untrue.' Mimicking oral sex, gyrating on all fours and bending over seductively for her male backing dancers Sabrina Carpenter's Short n' Sweet tour seems to be played more for shock value than female empowerment. Indeed, the 25-year-old former Disney star has thoroughly rejected her once-wholesome image in favor of becoming a 'sexpot' who revels in innuendos and double-entendres as she sings about sex in front of overhwhelmingly teenage crowds. 'Come right on me, I mean camaraderie,' she belts in Bed Chem. Undoubtedly, this pushing of boundaries with sexually suggestive lyrics and her barely-there outfits has helped to catapult her fame well, that and joining Taylor Swift on her record-breaking Eras Tour back in 2023. But now the Espresso songstress is facing growing heat about the hypersexualized nature of her shows, which attract thousands of children. In fact, such is the mounting backlash that sources tell the Daily Mail Carpenter's team are now dramatically re-evaluating plans to sex-up her image to sell records, fearing it has 'gone way too far' and could cost her dearly. Sabrina Carpenter has rejected her wholesome image in favor of becoming a 'sexpot' who now plays with innuendos and double-entendres Her Short n' Sweet tour has seen her mimicking oral sex, gyrating on all fours and bending over seductively for male dancers as part of her explicit routine for her single, Juno 'Sabrina's already earned thousands in endorsements, but there are now fears that sponsors will pull out and future endorsements could be affected,' said one insider. 'You can show sexy without making it seem off-putting, embarrassing and crude. The general consensus is she's gone way too far. The repercussions of her actions could cost her a fortune.' Since kicking off her world tour in Colombus back in September, the pint-sized pop star has become increasingly more risque. 'Wanna try out some freaky positions? / Have you ever tried this one?' she sings during her hit Juno, before tottering to centre stage and shocking her audience with a different graphic pose each night. Recently in Paris, for instance, she paid homage to the city of love by simulating the 'Eiffel Tower' sex position. Wearing a tiny green skirt, she bent over while sandwiched between two male dancers, her head in crotch of one and her backside toward the other. 'Lady Gaga and Katy Perry are both sexy in concert but neither has stooped to the level Sabrina did last week [in Paris],' said our source. Originally from Quakertown, Pennsylvania, Carpenter whose aunt is actress Nancy Cartwright was homeschooled alongside her three sisters before relocating to Los Angeles where, aged 15, she landed a starring role as Maya Hart in Disney Channel's Girl Meets World in 2014. Carpetner then released four albums with Disney-owned label Hollywood Records between 2015 and 2019, while also acting in films including The Hate U Give, Tall Girl, Adventures In Babysitting and The Short History of the Long Road. But Carpenter, 25, is facing increasing heat about the explicit nature of her shows, which attract children and pre-teens, with many taking aim at how hypersexualized she has become 'You can show sexy without making it seem off-putting, embarrassing and crude,' sources tell us. 'The general consensus is she's gone way too far. The repercussions of her actions could cost her a fortune' (pictured with Taylor Swift who she joined on her Eras Tour) But her otherwise middling career only properly took off when she moved to Island Records in 2021, and dropped her album Emails I Can't Send the following year. She then got the opportunity of a lifetime: hitting the road with global megastar Swift in 2023, and appearing as a warm-up act on the Latin American, Australian and Singaporean legs of the Eras Tour. Then, in August 2024, Carpenter released her sixth album Short n' Sweet which topped the UK Charts and the US Billboard 200 - and this year earned her a slew of Grammys. With her torpedoing presence in the mainstream, brands were quick to harness her influence, with Carpenter snapped up as the face of Marc Jacobs's campaign for 'The Sack Bag' last May. It was also around this time that she seemed to shed her girl-next door Disney image in favor of a more adult look - notably, starring in a Skims campaign. Channelling Nineties nostalgia in babydoll lingerie and wearing pigtails, her turn in Kim Kardashian's shapewear empire reportedly generated $5.5 million in media impact value (MIV) in the first 48 hours. Then, in September last year, Carpenter partnered with Prada Beauty, having helped to sell out the brand's Astral Pink Lip Balm after wearing it in her Please Please Please music video. She also enjoyed a partnership with Dunkin' off the back of her viral hit Espresso which not only provided the soundtrack to last year's 'pop girl summer' but also spawned a special edition 'Me Espresso' perfume. Carpenter, who is personally worth an estimated $12 million, is catnip for brands, with a combined 80 million followers on Instagram and TikTok at the whim of her influence. But now, her increasingly provocative stage acts and explicit lyrics while pushing 'Lolita' marketing (for a W magazine spread she appeared to recreate a scene from Stanley Kubrick and Adrian Lyne's reimagining of Vladimir Nabokov's novel which saw 12-year-old Dolores Haze getting soaked by water sprinklers in a sheer nightgown) have prompted calls for a 'crisis intervention.' The Espresso hitmaker channelled Nineties nostalgia in babydoll lingerie as she modelled for SKIMS. She reportedly generated $5.5 million in media impact value (MIV) in the first 48 hours Brands were quick to harness her influence, with Carpenter snapped up for Marc Jacobs and Prada Beauty (pictured with her ex-boyfriend Barry Keoghan) 'Sabrina is stuck in the mindset that she must be sexy to sell music,' another source tells us. 'This is not entirely her fault. She allowed everyone around her to change her into what they wanted her to be. She has become a super sexualized version of herself and sadly this is overshadowing her talent. Her team wants to have a mini crisis intervention and is deciding how to approach this.' The source warned: 'If she doesn't go back to her roots and who she is as an artist, she can wave goodbye to longevity.' Fans have speculated that her team are already working to soften her sexualized image, with many claiming they have been taking down posts circulating a video of Carpenter asking a 16-year-old fan if they were feeling 'horny' at one of her concerts. One internet sleuth claimed: 'This was posted the other day and it got taken down PR team working OT [overtime].' Another added: 'I saw another post about her yesterday and I saved it to read later because I was busy and it's vanished also lol.' Carpenter, who split at the end of last year from Saltburn's Barry Keoghan, recently addressed the backlash to her onstage outfits, telling critics 'don't come to the show' and insisted that her skimpy costumes make her feel 'comfortable'. And, certainly, not everyone thinks her image is such a disaster. 'Throughout her entire career, Sabrina has wanted to be the star that she is now,' a third insider said. 'Some people close to her might hate her whole "sex sells" image, but it has granted her the recognition she has worked hard for. It has made a lot of people rich, and until that is seriously threatened, she'll have to keep embracing it.' Famed music video director Marty Callner died at the age of 78 on March 17. The director was best known for his Aerosmith music videos which starred Alicia Silverstone. The blonde movie star played the teen heroine in three of the band's videos: Cryin', Amazing and Crazy. Marty was also known for collaborating on clips with Cher (If I Could Turn Back Time) and Stevie Nicks (Stand Back). He also helped make several songs massive hits with his slick videos: he directed Whitesnake's Here I Go Again, Cher's If I Could Turn Back Time, Poison's for Every Rose Has Its Thorn, Heart's Alone, Pat Benatar's We Belong and Twisted Sister's We're Not Gonna Take It. 'There are no rules in rock video,' Callner said. 'You can experiment and play with film and have a good time. You can get as weird as you want.' Callner's family confirmed his death to Rolling Stone, adding that he died of natural causes at his home in Malibu. Famed music video director Marty Callner died at the age of 78 on March 17 The director was best known for his Aerosmith music videos which starred Alicia Silverstone Silverstone left a gushing tribute on Instagram. 'Marty was truly one of a kind. He had this incredible ability to make everyone around him feel deeply loved... unconditionally and effortlessly,' began the Clueless actress. 'An amazing father, devoted husband, loyal friend, and just an all-around cool guy, Marty had a genuine rock n roll spirit and knew how to fully embrace life. It feels unreal to have lost him so soon.' Alicia then explained that Marty saw the movie The Crush and asked her to be in the Aerosmith Cryin music video. 'I was 16 when we first met in his office, and he pinky-swore to me that day that we would be lifelong friends and he was right,' said the blonde. 'We would drive around talking about important things and go out to lunch. He invited me into his family where I got close to his beautiful wife Aleezathe warmest, most loving womanand all of their kids. 'He was there at my wedding; I was at his son Jazzs bar mitzvah. We shared countless family days and holiday celebrations... always showing up for each other whenever we could.' She then said that if there was an iconic rock music video you adored from the golden days of MTV chances are that Marty directed it. The star played the teen heroine of three perfect videos: Cryin', Amazing and Crazy. Alicia with Liv Tyler in the Crazy Silverstone seen in another music video from Callner Here the actress was seen in a white tank top and cut-off denim Daisy Duke shorts Silverstone left a gushing tribute on Instagram. 'Marty was truly one of a kind. He had this incredible ability to make everyone around him feel deeply loved... unconditionally and effortlessly,' began the Clueless actress Marty also directed Cher's music video for If I Could Turn Back Time 'He poured heart, humor, and passion into every story he told, touching so many lives along the way,' added the movie star. She then said that he was like a father to her. 'I realize now that while we were always family, Marty was like another dad to me, filling my life with the unconditional loving support and warmth I needed at a critical time. Watching his family speak so passionately at the funeral, we cried deeply and laughed fully, celebrating a beautiful soul who touched us all.' Callner was known for casting hot women in his music videos. 'That's what I think rock & roll is all about,' Callner said in 1987. 'That's what kids relate to. Hopefully we're not gratuitous about it. 'I'm not really the Russ Meyer of rock videos. I don't want you to think it's sex for sex's sakealthough it is and it isn't, if you know what I mean. It's not a lot of skin; it's all attitude.' Callner got his start in TV news in Cincinnati before moving into the world of directing commercials and Boston Celtics games. Callner was known for casting hot women in his music videos. 'That's what I think rock & roll is all about,' Callner said in 1987. 'That's what kids relate to. Hopefully we're not gratuitous about it.' Seen in 2012 in Thailand HBO hired him to direct the first stand-up comedy special for the network, 1975's An Evening with Robert Klein. 'Nobody had ever really done standup on TV before,' Callner said later. 'I had come from directing Boston Celtics games, so I did it like it was a sporting event. It was crude, there weren't enough closeups, but it worked.' He also worked with Billy Crystal, Robin Williams and Steve Martin. Callner also helped introduce the world to Jerry Seinfeld, Jim Carrey and Billy Crystal. In later years, Callner and his company, Cream Cheese Films, directed concert films for Nicks, Benatar, Justin Timberlake, Britney Spears, Paul Simon, Garth Brooks, Fleetwood Mac and Diana Ross. Callner was nominated for 12 Emmy Awards and two Grammys. Leonardo DiCaprio's girlfriend Vittoria Ceretti, 26, boldly went topless for a new shoot this week - as she made rare remarks about her romance with the actor, 50. Ceretti, who became the latest supermodel aged 25 or under to date DiCaprio when their relationship began in summer 2023 when she was 25 and he was 48, flashed her bust in a racy shoot for Vogue France. The stunning star wore a pair of sheer Louis Vuitton tights and sported minimal make-up for the shoot - which saw her open up about her boyfriend and the bond she has with his family. Ceretti revealed the pair first met 'in Milan. But I prefer not to go into details.' She added that she was a fan of DiCaprio's iconic 1997 film Titanic - a film that was released before she was even born. Ceretti said: 'Who hasn't seen it? Or didn't like it? It's an iconic film...' Leonardo DiCaprio 's girlfriend Vittoria Ceretti, 26, boldly went topless for a new shoot this week - as she made rare remarks about her romance with the actor, 50 Ceretti became the latest supermodel aged 25 or under to date DiCaprio when their relationship began in summer 2023 when she was 25 and he was 48 - pictured August 2023 The fashion star said the couple's love for another was strong enough to avoid any jealousy between them: 'It's something you learn. If what you're experiencing is real, if you know you love each other, then there's no reason to be alarmed. Because love protects and gives confidence.' Ceretti also revealed she had forged a close bond with the Oscar winner's family - especially his mother Irmelin Indenbirken. She said: 'A while ago, I was looking through childhood photos with my boyfriend's mom, and we noticed that every time I dressed up, it was as a witch, a bunny, or a clown! And I never played with Barbie. I spent hours in my room, alone, with my brother's cars. And I wrote a lot of diaries.' Due to her decade in modelling, Ceretti says she feels older than her years and that she 'sometimes forgets I'm only 26.' Leonardo and Vittoria were first romantically linked shortly after his rumored fling with Gigi Hadid. The star's famous exes include models such as Camila Morrone, Gigi Hadid, Gisele Bundchen, Bar Refaeli and Nina Agdal. Ceretti has already been married. She was wed to 37-year-old DJ Matteo Milleri from 2020 to 2023. He is one half of the DJ and production duo Tale of Us, alongside Carmine Conte, and co-founded the Afterlife Records label. The stunning star wore a sheer dress and sported minimal make-up for the shoot - which saw her open up about her boyfriend and the bond she has with his family. Cerretti flashed her sideboob as she modelled sheer underwear She also donned a skimpy bikini and pink wig for an edgy shot The star sported Prada shades for a beauty shot She added that she was a fan of DiCaprio's iconic 1997 film Titanic - a film that was released before she was even born - pictured with Kate Winslet in Titanic Ceretti revealed the pair first met 'in Milan. But I prefer not to go into details.' She flashed her abs in a white top and ripped jeans The star looked incredible as she posed up a storm Ceretti also revealed she had forged a close bond with the Oscar winner's family - especially his mother Irmelin Indenbirken - pictured 2014 DiCaprio is well known as a 'modelizer' with many supermodels among his exes - pictured with Gisele in 2005 They sparked dating rumors in the summer of 2023 when they were spotted on an ice cream date in Los Angeles and later dancing together at a club in Ibiza. They have remained together since she turned 26, in spite of the tongue-in-cheek rumors that Leo has a '25 and under' rule for his girlfriends. However in March of this year, Leo was spotted putting on a cozy display at a pre-Oscars party with none other than songstress Teyana Taylor, with whom he has been filming the upcoming Paul Thomas Anderson movie. At the pre-Oscars party, Teyana was glimpsed gently caressing Leo's face, and he in turn was seen tapping her on the derriere, according to TMZ. Later that same month, he was spotted enjoying a lunch date with Vittoria in Los Angeles, indicating their relationship was still going strong. Leo and Teyana were seen together again last month when he allegedly attended the New York party she threw to celebrate the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame inductions. Hours after he went on a date with Vittoria, Leo is said to have gone with a group of friends to the Manhattan nightclub The Stafford Room - the site of Teyana's fete. Vittoria did not attend the bash, where Leo and Teyana 'were dancing very closely' and shared 'a lot of laughs,' according to a Page Six source. 'They hung out the whole night and they were pretty much in a corner together,' added the insider, noting that Teyana appeared 'very protective' of Leo. The source described Leo as 'flirty' but asserted that he did not indulge in any public displays of affection with Teyana at the club. However an insider then exclusively informed DailyMail.com that the equation between Leonardo and Teyana is strictly platonic. Michelle Williams stripped down to her black lacy panties and stockings for a very risque shoot to promote her upcoming sex-positive show, Dying for Sex. The 44-year-old Dawson's Creek alum could be seen touching her breasts with her tongue out, splaying her arms and legs across a bed, sucking her thumb, and eating grapes blindfolded. The sexy spread was captured by Ellen von Unwerth at The Greenwich Hotel in Manhattan's Tribeca neighborhood. Michelle produced and stars as Molly, a breast cancer patient who leaves her husband of 15 years Steve (Jay Duplass) in order to explore her sexuality and heal past trauma, in Liz Meriwether and Kim Rosenstock's eight-episode series. 'The show careened from dramatic to absurd to hilarious to unbelievable and then back again,' Williams explained in her New York Magazine cover story Monday. Michelle Williams stripped down to her black lacy panties and stockings for a very risque shoot to promote her upcoming sex-positive show, Dying for Sex Dying for Sex is based on Nikki Boyer and Molly Kochan's hit six-part Wondery podcast series of the same name from 2020. 'I was just sort of wondering what the tone would be. And nobody gave me an answer.' The real Molly passed away in 2019 following a four-year battle with Stage IV metastatic breast cancer, but not before hooking up with 200 men whom she grew to love dominating. In one BDSM scene, the five-time Oscar nominee pretended to kick her castmate Rob Delaney in the genitals while telling him: 'I want to hit you and kick you in the d*** and destroy you.' For a hotel masturbation scene, Michelle had to figure out how to climax six different ways. 'You've already done, like, four scenes, and then it's five o'clock at night and you have to do six masturbation sequences with six sculpted, individuated orgasms, and youre like, "Woo! Okay,"' Williams recalled. 'I just kept joking, like, "Just so you know, this is how Molly comes, not Michelle. This is not my come face."' The Montana-born mother-of-three marveled: '[The show] definitely opened my eyes in a way that was also like, "God, I'm such a dummy for not having realized this stuff sooner!"' Dying for Sex - premiering April 4 via FX on Hulu - also features Sissy Spacek as Molly's mother Gail and Jenny Slate as her friend and caregiver Nikki. The 44-year-old Dawson's Creek alum touched her breasts with her tongue out, splayed her arms and legs across a bed, sucked her thumb, and ate grapes blindfolded in the sexy spread captured by Ellen von Unwerth Michelle produced and stars as Molly, a breast cancer patient who leaves her husband of 15 years Steve (Jay Duplass) in order to explore her sexuality and heal past trauma, in Liz Meriwether and Kim Rosenstock's eight-episode series Williams explained in her New York Magazine cover story Monday: 'The show careened from dramatic to absurd to hilarious to unbelievable and then back again. I was just sort of wondering what the tone would be. And nobody gave me an answer' Dying for Sex is based on Nikki Boyer (L) and Molly Kochan's (R) hit six-part Wondery podcast series of the same name from 2020 The real Molly passed away in 2019 following a four-year battle with Stage IV metastatic breast cancer, but not before hooking up with 200 men whom she grew to love dominating In one BDSM scene, the five-time Oscar nominee pretended to kick her castmate Rob Delaney in the genitals while telling him: 'I want to hit you and kick you in the d*** and destroy you' For a hotel masturbation scene, Michelle had to figure out how to climax six different ways: '[The show] definitely opened my eyes in a way that was also like, "God, I'm such a dummy for not having realized this stuff sooner!"' Iceland's Minister for Children Asthildur Loa Thorsdottir stepped down from her post after admitting that she had a child with a teenager more than 30 years ago. On Sunday, the North Atlantic island nation's president, Halla Tomasdottir, accepted the minister's resignation. Thorsdottir's decision was made as it was revealed last week that she gave birth to a child 35 years ago when she was still 23 years old, where the father was found to be a 16-year-old. Iceland Minister's Child With a Teenager National broadcaster RUV was the one that revealed the relationship between the minister and the teenager, noting that they met as a church youth group when the boy was only 15 years old. In Iceland, the age of sexual consent is 15, but it is still an offense for an adult to have sex with a teenager that they teach, employ, or mentor. In a statement, Thorsdottir confirmed her relationship with the boy, noting that she was not a leader of the church group, only a member. She noted that relationships between people of that age were not at all uncommon at the time, according to Yahoo News. The minister said that their relationship only lasted for a few days but noted that the father was present when she gave birth to their child. RUV also reported that the father sought access to is child through the government and church but was only granted occasional visits and still paid child support for 18 years. Thorsdottir said that the father of her child did not make efforts to establish a relationship with his son. Despite her justification of her past actions, the minister announced her resignation during a meeting of the State Council on Sunday. Stepping Down From Her Position While the minister has decided to leave the government, she is still a lawmaker for the People's Party. This is part of a coalition government that is led by Prime Minister Kristrun Frostadottir of the Social Democratic Alliance, the Associated Press reported. Iceland is a volcanic island nation that is located below the Arctic Circle and has a population of fewer than 400,000. The nation's parliament was founded in 930 by Viking settlers and is arguably the oldest legislature in the world. During Thorsdottir's announcement, she said that it has been 36 years since she had a relationship with the teenage boy. She added that a lot of things could change within that time, saying that she would have dealt with things differently now, as per BBC. Michelle Keegan and Mark Wright have been enjoying time as a family with their newborn daughter after welcoming her into the world. The actress, 37, and the former TOWIE star, 38, announced the birth of baby Palma earlier this month by sharing an adorable black-and-white picture of their daughter. Now, Michelle's mother Jackie has taken to Instagram on Monday to share a rare photo of her cuddling her grandchild. The little girl was sweetly dressed in a personalised yellow knitted cardigan with Palma written in white writing across the back. The newborn had a large brown bow headband on as she peacefully slept on Jackie's chest. Jackie wrote: 'It's the little cuddles that are the best'. Michelle Keegan's mother Jackie has taken to Instagram on Monday to share a rare photo of her cuddling her adorable grandchild who was dressed in a personalised yellow cardigan As the newborn peacefully slept on her grandmothers chest, Jackie penned: 'It's the little cuddles that are the best' Michelle and Mark have so far only shared a glimpse at their baby girl as they uploaded black and white pictures. Over the weekend, the actress shared a close-up shot of her baby girl's tiny foot on her Instagram Stories. The Netflix star captioned the sweet snap with: 'Simply magic' (with a twinkling star emoji). Michelle's mother Jackie is said to be over the moon at becoming a grandmother and is supporting her daughter in every way. A source told The Mirror: 'Jackie is over the moon to be a grandma. Palma is her first grandchild and she is besotted, as are the whole family. Shes so proud of Michelle.' Insiders told the publication she has been a 'pillar of support' and a frequent visitor at Michelle and Mark's Essex home since the baby's birth. Mark and Michelle built a designer granny flat at their 3.5million mansion, meaning the couple's parents can stay and help out whenever they like with their own space. The 60 sq ft annexe - which is bigger than the average London flat - is used by family members when they come to visit their dream home. Michelle and husband Mark Wright have been enjoying time as a family with their newborn daughter after welcoming her into the world earlier this month Michelle's mother Jackie is said to be over the moon at becoming a grandmother and is supporting her daughter in every way Over the weekend, the actress shared a close-up shot of her baby girl's tiny foot on her Instagram Stories Mark has described fatherhood as the 'biggest achievement' of his life since welcoming baby Palma into the world with Michelle on March 6. Chatting with his best friend and fellow dad Olly Murs on his Heart Breakfast show, Mark recalled the moment he first held his newborn daughter in his arms. Mark fought back emotions as he said: 'Mate, it's actually hard to put into words. 'It's the biggest achievement of my life its all I think about but obviously hats go off to my wife she is an absolute super human, a superhero for bringing this baby into the world.' Sharing his appreciation for Michelle, he added: 'It makes you realise what our mums did for us and makes me have so much more respect than I already had and what women had to go through. 'It's the best feeling in the world. I wake up every morning just so excited to see her face.' Recalling the first moment he held Palma, he continued: 'That moment when I held her in my arms, it gets me emotional now thinking about it. 'I suppose everything else goes out the window and its made me realise what life is all about and my little baby Palma I love you so much and I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you. 'It's a very special feeling. I cant really put it into words. We've waited a little bit of time, we've chased our dreams and our careers and now we're here. We've got a baby.' Mark has described fatherhood as the 'biggest achievement' of his life since welcoming baby Palma into the world with Michelle on March 6 The couple announced the birth of baby Palma earlier this month by sharing a black-and-white picture of their daughter Mark and Michelle announced the news of their daughter's birth last Wednesday with a sweet snap shared to Instagram. In a sweet black-and-white photo, the proud new parents held Palma's tiny hand, with the newborn dressed in a crochet set. It's believed the couple chose the name Palma because of their strong links to Mallorca, their go-to holiday destination and the setting for their pregnancy reveal photoshoot. Michelle married Mark in May 2015 and the couple live together in an Essex mansion they built from scratch. Ed Westwick and Amy Jackson have announced on Instagram on Monday that they have welcomed their first child together. The Gossip Girl actor, 37, and the model, 33, looked on cloud nine as they introduced their baby boy to the world by sharing a number of sweet black and white photos. Amy was seen cradling the newborn while Ed placed a caring hand on the little boy and kissed his wife's cheek as they posed for photos in a field. The happy couple also revealed their bundle of joys sweet name and shared a close up photo holding his tiny hand. Amy looked stunning in a white jumper dress as she kissed the newborns head in another adorable snap. They wrote: 'Welcome to the world, baby boy. Oscar Alexander Westwick' Ed Westwick and Amy Jackson have announced on Instagram on Monday that they have welcomed their first child together The Gossip Girl actor and the model looked on cloud nine as they introduced their baby boy to the world by sharing a number of sweet black and white photos Amy is already a proud mother to son Andreas, five, whom she shares with her former partner, hotelier George Panayiotou. Amy recently showed off her growing baby bump last month as she cosied up to Ed at the British Asian Trust annual gala dinner at the Peninsula London. She showed off her bump in a stunning gold sequin gown which boasted a plunging neckline and long sleeves. In November, Amy shared a heartwarming insight into their baby's ultrasound scan in London. Amy, who 'absolutely cannot wait for baby Westwick,' gave fans a sneak peek into their day to day lives as they prepared to welcome the new addition to their family. The model captioned the clip, which was posted to her 445,000 TikTok followers, with: 'Literally the best day ever #babys #pasta & a whole lotta #LOVE'. The happy couple also revealed their bundle of joys sweet name and shared a close up photo holding his tiny hand They wrote: 'Welcome to the world, baby boy. Oscar Alexander Westwick' Amy is already a proud mother to son Andreas, five, whom she shares with her former partner, hotelier George Panayiotou In a voiceover, Amy said: ''Come and spend the day with us - baby scan edition. Alright, we started the day, Ed made breakfast. 'I love my eggs in the morning, today was a runny egg kind of situation and he makes them so well. Then we headed to the gym, blasted For You of course. They're playing some gigs this weekend.' She then slipped into workout gear and continued: 'Then I like to get 6k minimum in on the treadmill, have a little perv on Ed whilst I'm at it. 'And then I finish the workout with some stretches, but today I got a little bit distracted. 'We had our protein shakes and then we drove into London and we're about to meet our doctor and see our baba again. We're so excited.' Amy included adorable clips of the couple cosied up and linking arms as they made their way to the clinic together. She went on to film Ed's name on the paperwork next to 'husband' and joked that she wasn't used to seeing that title. Finally, she shared a glimpse into their ultrasound scan as Amy looked at the screen in awe of their baby, with Ed standing eagerly at the bottom of the bed. 'There he is! Smiling, aww,' gushed Amy as she showcased the sonogram image. Amy recently showed off her growing baby bump last month as she cosied up to Ed at the British Asian Trust annual gala dinner at the Peninsula London Amy also showcased her blossoming baby bump in a black bikini while posing for snaps on her luxury holiday with husband Ed and her son in Dubai The pair have been together since 2021 after they were introduced by a mutual friend at an Aston Martin event in the UK - and tied the knot in August last year. The couple became husband and wife after saying 'I do' in a stunning ceremony in Italy surrounded by their family and friends. For her big day, Amy wore a sweeping white satin gown with a flattering strapless neckline and full princess-style skirt, teamed with a long veil with intricate lace detailing. While Ed cut a dashing figure in a cream blazer and black trousers, teamed with a white button-up shirt and a bow tie. The actor took to his Instagram to announce they had tied the knot and shared glimpses into their nuptials at the Castello di Rocca Cilento. Captioning the gorgeous snaps, Ed gushed: 'The journey has just begun' followed by a ring emoji. The couple, tied the knot in a lavish ceremony on the Amalfi Coast in August, and announced they are expecting their first child together last week (pictured at their pre-wedding party) Ed got down on one knee during a trip to the Swiss Alps in January this year and asked the mother-of-one to be his wife in front of a crowd of onlookers Ed first met Amy at Silverstone racetrack in 2021, with a source telling The Sun on Sunday at the time: 'Ed and Amy are a really good match. They hit it off straight away. 'Both like to have fun and are career-driven. They're enjoying getting to know each other for now.' The couple went Instagram official just before Valentine's Day in 2022, with Amy penning a sweet note on her social media just in time for the occasion. She wrote: 'Happy Valentine's Baby - forever grateful for the endless belly laughs and ultimate love!' Advertisement Jackie 'O' Henderson made a bizarre confession during her KIIS FM radio show on Tuesday morning. The 50-year-old Kyle & Jackie O radio star revealed she recently asked ChatGPT for advice while she was 'sobbing in the bath'. 'I was lying in the bath crying and I asked ChatGPT for advice and the advice she gave me was so beautiful,' Jackie told her co-host Kyle Sandilands. 'It was really empowering - about knowing your worth and what you deserve. 'I was sobbing in the bath and started responding to ChatGPT and telling her she is such a great friend to me and she would respond with even nicer things. 'And then I thought my best friend is a robot.' Jackie O Henderson (pictured) made a bizarre confession during her radio show on Tuesday Her stunned co-host Kyle admitted: 'Twice in a year you shocked me. First with the pills [confession] and now this!' Jackie's confession comes after she spoke about her years-long battle with drug and alcohol addiction for the first time in her memoir, The Whole Truth, which was released last year. She told how she spent 28 days in the famous rehab clinic, The Betty Ford Center, in November 2022 after struggling with addiction during the Covid lockdown. In a candid extract, Jackie revealed that at the height of her addiction, she took around 10-12 Stilnox/Ambien sleeping pills and 24 Panadeine Forte painkillers a day. In her memoir, Jackie told how she spiralled into a deep addiction following the 2018 breakdown of her marriage to UK photographer Lee and again during Covid. But her struggles first began more than 15 years ago, when she was prescribed a strong opioid painkiller for endometriosis - a disease in which tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus, causing severe pain. 'I got prescribed that and I found myself at the time taking it more than I needed and I recognised that this might be a bit of a problem, so I stopped at the time,' she said. However, Jackie then went back to the medication after her turbulent split from Lee, who she shares her daughter Kitty, 13, with. The 50-year-old revealed she recently asked ChatGPT for advice while she was 'sobbing in the bath' 'I went back to it as a way to kind of go to some happy please, and it was a way of escaping and it was so the wrong thing to do,' she confessed. Jackie said she started taking a few codeine 'here and there' and one Stilnox at night with a glass of wine, which she described as a 'blackout' situation. 'You can still be awake and have no idea what's going on,' Jackie shared. 'It's like you're kind of functioning but you have no memory.' What really 'kickstarted' Jackie's harrowing addiction was isolating at home during the Covid-19 pandemic, when she said she was 'struggling' and felt 'so sad'. 'The dosage started to creep up more and more and it got extreme and I was averaging about 24 Panadeine Forte a day and then I was averaging about 10 to 12 Stilnox,' she shared. She kept her addiction battle a secret from her loved ones, saying she had long Covid when she took an extended absence from work in November 2022 to check into The Betty Ford Clinic in California. Apologising to her listeners, she tearfully admitted she 'lied' by 'omission' when she publicly shared on her radio show that she was battling long Covid at the time. 'I want to apologise to our listeners and everyone in my life where I haven't sort of been forthcoming with this, I just needed to concentrate on that part first, that recovery for the first year particularly,' she said. Target had high hopes that Easter would boost its sales and make up for a disappointing start to 2025. But a church-led boycott of the retailer appears to be ruining this plan. During a quarterly earnings call on March 4, Target reported that quarterly net sales had declined by over 3 percent. But executives pinned their hopes on Easter to bolster sales, mentioning the Christian holiday five times during the call, Retail Brew reported. 'We had record sales [for] Valentine's Day,' Rick Gomez, Target's chief commercial officer, said during the call. 'That bodes really well for Easter. So we are encouraged by that and looking forward to Easter.' But the retailer is now facing a major boycott spearheaded by black members of the clergy after it rolled back on its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) program in January. The protest, named Target Fast by organizers, asks participants to boycott the company for the 40 days of Lent, which started on March 5 and runs through to April 17. More than 150,000 people have already signed up, according to Retail Brew. Target is facing an Easter boycott led by black members of the clergy Target had long been known for its progressive merchandise and years of championing racial justice and social justice. In 2023, it even faced widespread backlash for a collection designed to celebrate Pride. But earlier this year, the company joined many other brands including Walmart and Harley-Davidson in scrapping its DEI policies, angering many of its loyal customers. Target was also among many companies targeted by a one-day 'economic boycott' organized on February 28. Target Fast had only aimed to sign up 100,000 customers to participate in the Lent boycott. But as it has already surpassed this goal, the company may feel the impact. When asked about how the protest could impact Easter sales, Emily Bisek, senior crisis communications manager at Target, told Retail Brew that the brand does not have 'anything new to share at this time.' Target Fast was initiated by Jamal Harrison Bryant, who is senior pastor of the New Birth Missionary Baptist Church outside of Atlanta, Georgia. 'The African-American community has been disrespected after loyal consumerism,' Bryant told Fortune. 'For the company to turn its back on us is an insult at the highest level.' Target Fast was initiated by Jamal Harrison Bryant, who is senior pastor of the New Birth Missionary Baptist Church outside of Atlanta, Georgia Target had high hopes that Easter would boost its sales, after a disappointing start to the year Target CEO Brian Cornell The protest's website reads: 'In recent days, we have witnessed a disturbing retreat from Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives by major corporations - companies that once pledged to stand for justice but have since chosen the path of compromise. 'These rollbacks represent more than just corporate decisions; they reflect a deeper erosion of the moral and ethical commitments necessary to build a just society. 'As people of faith, we cannot be silent. We are called to resist systems that perpetuate exclusion and inequity.' The website estimates that black consumers spend $12 million a day at Target. 'This is a fast for accountability. A fast for justice. A fast for a future where corporations do not bow to pressure at the expense of marginalized communities,' it says. Kevin Brockenbrough, a brand strategist who has consulted with retailers and brands for more than 25 years told Retail Brew that black customers have more of an affinity for Target than other retailers. Not only did the company have a commitment to racial justice in the past, but it also has a larger presence in cities, he said. 'Walmart is in small, rural areas; Target is in urban areas. Target is where black people are,' Brockenbrough said. 'So for Target to back away from DEI really feels a little bit like a slap in the face.' A team of medical experts from the premier Army Hospital (Research & Referral) and two other key hospitals have conducted more than 350 cataract surgeries over a period of five days as part of a camp in West Bengal, officials said here on Monday. Seventeen ex-servicemen and their dependents from Nepal, having ophthalmic ailments, were also successfully treated free of cost during this camp held at 158 Base Hospital at Bagdogra, West Bengal, from March 20 to 24. A total of 1,752 ex-servicemen and their dependents were screened for various ophthalmic ailments, including cataract, as part of this exercise, the Defence Ministry said in a statement. The doctors and other medical staff provided advanced medical care to these ex-servicemen. aAn expert medical team from Army Hospital (Research & Referral), New Delhi, Base Hospital, Delhi Cantonment and Command Hospital, Lucknow, cumulatively conducted more than 350 cataract surgeries over five days,a the ministry said. Army Hospital (Research & Referral) or AHRR, located in Delhi Cantonment area, is one of the premier medical facilities in the country. In addition, over 500 high-standard glasses were distributed free of cost. The use of top-tier equipment and high-quality lenses ensured that patients received the best possible care, reinforcing the ministryas emphasis on quality healthcare, it said. The biggest highlight of the camp was the presence of ophthalmic patients from Nepal. aA total of 17 ex-servicemen, including their dependents, were screened for ophthalmic ailments and some of them were subjected to cataract surgeries free of cost with high-quality lenses,a the statement said. The initiative was spearheaded by Brigadier Sanjay Kumar Mishra, an ophthalmic surgeon and the head of Department of Ophthalmology at AHRR here. aBrig Mishra has been credited to perform over one lakh successful cataract, vitreoretinal, refractive and glaucoma surgeries,a it said. He said the camp had brought aworld-class treatment at the doorsteps of veteransa, who have devoted their life to the nation in the foothills of the Himalayas, spanning a vast region of West Bengal, Sikkim, Assam and even Nepal. It was ensured that the veterans receive the care they deserve without the need to travel, he was quoted as saying in the statement. The camp was conducted under the directives of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi on the request of West Bengal Governor C V Ananda Bose, extending high-quality ophthalmic treatment to the region, the statement said. aThis initiative is a testament to the unwavering commitment of the Indian Army in ensuring top-tier medical services reach our veterans in an eastern sector,a it said. It highlighted the Armyas commitment to the well-being of its veterans and their families. Bangladeshas request for a meeting between its interim governmentas Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus and Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the upcoming Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Summit in Bangkok is under consideration, External Affairs minister S Jaishankar is learnt to have told a Parliamentary panel meeting here. At this yearas 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. They said Jaishankar informed the members that the interim government in Dhaka has claimed that the attacks on Hindus were apolitically motivateda and not aminority targeteda. 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 Pakistanas approach and thus India is trying to strengthen BIMSTEC. 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 PM 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. Army troops in Bangladesh on Saturday intensified their patrols on the streets of Dhaka as the country witnessed rising tensions with the newly formed student-led National Citizen Party (NCP) accusing the military of political interference. The NCP staged protest rallies at the premier Dhaka University campus vowing to thwart at any cost a amilitary-backed plota to rehabilitate deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasinaas Awami League which was toppled seven months ago in a student-led violent street protest in July-August last year. A key leader of NCP, which was floated last month with widely assumed blessings of Professor Muhammad Yunus, accused the military of apolitical interferencea over a proposal for inclusiveness that would allow Awami League to participate in the next elections. aThose who are supposed to discharge their work inside cantonment should stay there. In the apost-revolution Bangladesha no interference in the political landscape from the cantonment will be accepted,a said Hasnat Abdullah in a press briefing at the NCP office. Several hundred followers of Hasnat and NCP activists also chanted slogans at the rallies against Army chief General Waker Uz Zaman chanting aWaker or Hasna, Hasnat, Hasnata and demanded Hasina and her acohortsa to be hanged after trial. The military, which is now entrusted with maintaining nationwide law and order with magistracy power, however, did not enter the campus but continued their intensified patrol, particularly in the capital. In a Facebook post two days ago, Hasnat claimed that a aconspiracy is afoot to rehabilitate the Awami Leaguea in the name of arefined Awami League at the behest of Indiaa. He wrote that a proposal for the refined version of Awami League was pitched to him and two others aby the (military) cantonmenta on the afternoon of March 11 and awe were asked to accept this proposal in exchange for a seat-sharing agreement.a Hasnat was a key organiser of the now-defunct Students Against Discrimination (SAD) that led the July-August violent mass uprising eventually toppling Hasinaas 16-year regime and installed Yunus as the chief adviser of the interim government as their nominee. Yunus earlier inducted three SAD leaders as advisers or ministers in his advisory council. Of them, Nahid Islam, quit the government last month to lead the newly floated NCP as its convener. One of the SAD leaders Asif Mahmud who still serves as the local government ministry adviser, on Friday came up with a video post alleging that the military leadership led by the army chief was reluctant to accept Yunus as the interim government head. aWith a heavy heart I am accepting the proposal,a Mahmud quoted the Army chief as saying at the end of a anearly four-hour discussiona between the generals and the SAD leaders at Bangabhaban presidential palace following the ouster of the past regime. Hasina has been living in India since August 5 last year, when she fled Bangladesh as the fallout of the uprising. Meanwhile, most of her senior party leaders and cabinet colleagues were either arrested or on the run, both at home and abroad, facing accusations of mass murder and crimes against humanity in an effort to suppress the protesters. Yunus, who was in a protracted dispute with the past regime for obscure reasons, was in Paris at the time of Hasinaas ouster and flew to Dhaka at the call of SAD leaders and took oath as the chief adviser on August 8. The past government had called out army troops to tame the protestors by joining hands with police, but the military preferred to stay on the sidelines expressing their reluctance to use lethal weapons against the protestors. Mahmud said that between August 5 and 8, the SAD leaders held discussions with Yunus when both sides agreed that the interim government must be freed from military influences. He claimed that the army wanted to run the country keeping Yunus and his advisory council on the forefront, following the footsteps of one past such military-backed caretaker government in 2007-2008, widely called athe 1/11 governmenta referring to the date of its installation. NCP convenor Nahid Islam, meanwhile, said at the Muslim fast-breaking iftar party that the army or any other state institution had no aauthority to propose or make decisionsa about politics. aThe matter of banning the Awami League and elections is a political decision. It is for the government, the people, and the existing political parties to decide,a he said. He added that in no way awe will allow installation of another 1/11 governmenta in the country. China on Monday said it had not received any application for asylum from Philippinesa former president Rodrigo Duterte, regarded as a close ally of Beijing, who was arrested after his visit to Hong Kong. Duterte was arrested on March 11 at Manilaas main airport and deported to The Hague for trial by the International Criminal Court (ICC) over the allegations of serious human rights violations, including sanctioning the killings of drug dealers as part of his war against drugs. Asked about reports from the Philippines that Duterte sought asylum in China before his arrest, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun told a media briefing here that the Chinese government had never received any so-called asylum application from Duterte or his family. aLet me point out in particular that Duterteas visit to Hong Kong was a private vacation trip. We have never received the so-called application for asylum to the Chinese government from former president Rodrigo Duterte or his family,a Guo said. aWe hope people from the media can be careful about the so-called ainformation from sources,a either unfounded or ill-motivated, and do not easily believe what they hear,a he said. Thailandas Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra on Monday faced a no-confidence motion in Parliament as the Opposition alleged she was being unduly influenced by her father, a former prime minister, and is mismanaging the country. Paetongtarn, who took office last year, is expected to survive her first no-confidence vote on Wednesday with the backing of her ruling coalition that makes up the majority of the House of Representatives. The head of the Opposition in Parliament, Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, said Paetongtarn had failed to address many of the countryas chronic problems including the slumping economy, air pollution, crimes and corruption. He said her administration was serving the interests of her family and her father, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, a popular but highly controversial political figure. Paetongtarn heads the Pheu Thai Party, the latest in a string of populist parties affiliated with Thaksin, who was ousted in a 2006 military coup, fled into exile and recently returned to Thailand. Thaksin has been at the heart of nearly two decades of deep political divisions pitting a mostly poor, rural majority that supported him against royalists, the military and their urban backers, who accuse him of threatening their status and that of the revered monarchy. Natthapong is the leader of the Peopleas Party, a resurrection of the progressive, reformist Move Forward Party, which took the most seats in the general election in 2023 but failed to take power due to strong opposition from the conservative establishment, and was ordered dissolved. Natthapong said the formation of the ruling coalition, which saw Pheu Thai partner with its former conservative rivals, was part of the political bargain to bring Thaksin home. Paetongtarn was also accused by Prawit Wongsuwan, head of the Palang Pracharath Party, Pheu Thaias former coalition partner, of falsely declaring her assets, which she denied. 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) Disney doubled-down on wokism by releasing an atrocious, disgusting woke Snow White remake defiling of the original Snow White film, which has been greeted with empty cinema seats across the globe. Id rather have my eyes and ears gouged out with ice cream scoops than watch that woke shit, some kid said in Los Angeles outside an empty IMAX theatre broadcasting the Disney film. People genuinely have had enough. By adopting the Marxist woke ideology, which defiles everything it infects, Disney have committed corporate suicide. Wokism murdered the Star Wars franchise, killed off Indiana Jones, and now its woke Snow Whites turn. The ironic part of this sorry affair is that these fuckers are so indoctrinated in woke theory and ideology that losing millions of dollars will still not awaken them from the woke indoctrination, they will double-down and triple-down until there is nothing left in their bank accounts. Good luck with recouping the $410 million ($270 million for production) budget for this woke mess. We can only hope they keep going, and going until they have nothing left. Well done, woke Disney. Keep going fuckers. Woke Snow White is an utter disgrace, and the woke Disney board of directors all need to be fired for this atrocious crime against cinema. Opening Friday night for Disneys Snow White in IMAX. Only ONE person bought tickets for tonight. Yeah this movies gonna flop. pic.twitter.com/1fyXlij5mi Kangmin Lee | (@kangminjlee) March 21, 2025 Opening Friday night for Disneys Snow White in IMAX. Snow White (2025), 3:15PM showing, 5 minutes until showtime, Dolby Cinema PLF (1 of 4 in the state). pic.twitter.com/RQ10NFHp4l Dre (@VashSky) March 20, 2025 This is the 8:00 PM Snow White opening weekend showing near me. Nine whole tickets sold. pic.twitter.com/CuPYJZmysq Libertarian Mama (@LibertarianMama) March 23, 2025 #SnowWhite opening weekend ticket seat selection in my city today Saturday at 630pm showing at North Americas biggest mall. 2 hours before the movie starts. Go woke go broke @Disney pic.twitter.com/tU2f4Gb7hu LisanAlGaib (@1solinjan2025) March 22, 2025 Empty theater for Snow Whites debut pic.twitter.com/c7IlIUWuih End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) March 23, 2025 The original Snow White was nominated for Best Musical Score at the Academy Awards in 1938, and the next year, producer Walt Disney was awarded an honorary Oscar for the film. This award was unique, consisting of one normal-sized, plus seven miniature Oscar statuettes. They were presented to Disney by Shirley Temple. Its prototypical animated feature and use of fairy tale adaptations as well as technical innovation became a major milestone of the early animation industry, Snow White is widely regarded as one of the greatest films ever made and creating the new form of the golden age of animation; Disneys take on the fairy tale has had a significant cultural effect, resulting in popular theme park attractions, a video game, and a Broadway musical. In 1989, the United States Library of Congress deemed the film culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant and selected it as one of the first 25 films for preservation in the National Film Registry. The American Film Institute ranked it among the 100 greatest American films, and also named the film as the greatest American animated film of all time in 2008. China, Serbia agree to deepen trade, economic cooperation Xinhua) 10:36, March 24, 2025 Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic meets with a Chinese business delegation led by Ren Hongbin, president of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, in Belgrade, Serbia, March 21, 2025. A Chinese business delegation has just concluded its visit to Serbia from March 19 to March 21, during which Chinese and Serbian companies reached multiple cooperation intentions in cross-border e-commerce, agricultural trade and information technology. (Xinhua/Shi Zhongyu) BELGRADE, March 22 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese business delegation has just concluded its visit to Serbia, during which Chinese and Serbian companies reached multiple cooperation intentions in cross-border e-commerce, agricultural trade and information technology. During the visit from March 19 to March 21, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic met with the delegation, led by Ren Hongbin, president of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade. In addition, Ren held talks with Serbian government officials, business associations and Expo institutions while attending the China-Serbia Economic and Trade Cooperation Forum. Speaking at the forum, Ren reaffirmed China's commitment to expanding cooperation in trade and investment, consolidating existing areas of cooperation, and exploring innovative cooperation in multiple fields. He also voiced China's support for Serbia's hosting of the 2027 Belgrade Specialized Expo and invited Serbian businesses to participate in the third China International Supply Chain Expo. Meanwhile, the Serbia side said that amid increasing global economic uncertainties, China can bring stability to Serbia's development, and Serbia is willing to strengthen economic and trade cooperation with China to achieve mutually beneficial growth. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) Ulster University researchers have been awarded major funding to help tackle the problems of climate change impacts on the Irish coast. This four-year, cross-border, Coastal Monitoring and Adaptation Planning (CMAP) project is supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB). The Irish coast is facing a combined climate and biodiversity crisis with species loss, impacts from rising sea levels and increased storm activity causing erosion challenges and reducing resilience of our coasts. Ireland faces the brunt of Atlantic storms whilst hosting a rich and diverse array of marine flora and fauna. Local authorities, communities and government departments are now challenged to plan for recovery from this crisis. This will require policy alignment and active environmental cooperation between both sides of the border. For a coordinated approach, issues must be tackled at a regional level, incorporating the skills, knowledge, and experiences of local communities. CMAP's work will help interweave local action and citizen science at a range of 15 coastal sites incorporating Counties Sligo, Donegal, Londonderry, Antrim, Down and Louth. This collaboration will enhance understanding of coastal processes, habitats and species, while addressing community concerns. Scientific measurement and habitat and species restoration will be supported by community-based activities, offering opportunities for knowledge exchange, benefiting communities on both sides of the border. Lead Investigator on the project, Professor Derek Jackson of Ulster Universitys School of Geography and Environmental Sciences, said: We are delighted to have been awarded this hugely important funding, which will help us to better understand and address the many problems of climate change impacts on the Irish coast. Until now, we have largely adopted a 'hold the line' strategy for coastal erosion in the UK and Ireland. However, we now need to reassess this approach, and adequately include physical processes, realignment, ecological succession, and natural change at the coast. Including these in the CMAP project will help to develop more appropriate strategies to better tackle pressures at the coast Global climate change, including sea-level rise and increased storminess, poses real challenges for our coastal environments and the species living there and this has created the need for adaptation planning and restoration of coastal habitats. Adaptation on the coast requires specific attention and awareness raising of the nature of coastal change and the impacts of various adaptation options to address this change. The CMAP project will help create sustainable adaptation to the threats posed by climate change and will in turn provide decision-makers and stakeholders at the coast with: Specific information on the nature of coastal change (that does not currently exist). Understanding of coastal change (that requires education). Awareness of adaptation options and their implications. Feasible, evidence-based options and routes to habitat and species restoration to mitigate impacts. Ulster University Pro Vice-Chancellor of Research, Professor Liam Maguire added:This award reflects our research excellence and track record in this area and resonates with our strategic focus on partnerships, place and sustainable futures for all. The CMAP project brings together a diverse group of 19 organisations [see Notes to editors] from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland with important expertise, experience and existing resources, essential for addressing coastal restoration challenges. SEUPB Chief Executive Gina McIntyre said: Our natural environment is one of our most important assets and continued enhancement and protection is critical to future economic and social development. A clean, green and accessible environment makes a major contribution to people having long, active, healthy lives as well as creating a place where people want to live, visit and invest. This helps support a community who want to have a peaceful and prosperous future.Strategic cross-border investment will enhance and protect the environment while strengthening the economy. Both human activities and climate change pose a very real threat to Ireland and Northern Irelands cultural and natural resources. Given the transboundary nature of the marine environment, this funding announcement presents a welcome and timely opportunity for cross-border collaboration. Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister Andrew Muir MLA said: I am delighted that the Special EU Programmes Body has worked with my Department and our colleagues in Ireland in funding these three exciting marine projects. The projects proposals are of a high standard and will help us to understand climate change pressures and how we can both adapt and mitigate in protecting ecosystems, coastal communities and coastal economies. Our seas and oceans do not recognise borders and it is key that we work together through these projects in tackling climate change challenges and the biodiversity crisis we are facing. As part of Build UK and coordinated by Construction Futures NI, CivCo were delighted to welcome students and academic staff for exclusive behind-the-scenes tours of the Maghera Public Realm Environmental Improvement Scheme. The event, held between March 17 and 21, was part of Open Doors Week and gave participants a unique opportunity to explore the fantastic career opportunities the construction industry has to offer. Participants experienced firsthand the work, planning and organisation required to manage a complex public realm project while ensuring the town centre remains open and accessible. Students from Queens University, North West Regional College and Bangor Grammar attended the exclusive tours, benefitting from the unique opportunity to see a live construction site in action. They also had the chance to try out specialist site surveying equipment, including a GPS and Total Station, giving them practical insight into modern construction technology. When asked what their favourite part of the experience was, one student said, The tour of the site and the CAT Scanner. It was a good day out of the workshop to see real-life work situations. Paul McFlynn, Director at CivCo, commented: We were delighted to participate in Open Doors Week and showcase the Maghera Public Realm Scheme to inspire future construction workers and engineers. This is a great opportunity to see how major works are planned, scheduled and managed while keeping the town open to the public. "Thank you to Construction Futures NI and Open Doors, as well as all the students and staff who visited us this week." Jenni Marshall from Construction Futures NI added: "Open Doors is a longstanding initiative from Build UK, which has successfully been running in England for the past decade. This year, Construction Futures are proud to have partnered with them to introduce the program to Northern Ireland for the first time. We are delighted with the overwhelming response from both industry professionals and educational institutions, with over 500 visitors engaging in our inaugural year. The success of this initiative would not have been possible without the invaluable support of companies like CivCo, who generously donated their time and expertise to inspire the next generation of talent in our industry." Judges granting anonymity orders to defendants charged with drug supply offences have been accused of protecting those peddling death in our communities by a former Derry City and Strabane District councillor. Derry holds the record for the highest number of such orders. Between 2019 and 2023, there were 329 anonymity or reporting restriction orders granted in courts across the North, including 292 in Derry and five in Strabane. 17 were granted in Laganside Courts in Belfast and fewer than five each were granted in Newtownards, Antrim, Coleraine, Limavady, Ballymena and Dungannon. Speaking to The Derry News, Emmet Doyle, Aontu Ballyarnett representative, said there was considerable anger in the city those charged with drug distribution were being granted anonymity in Derry Magistrates Court. Mr Doyle described the situation as tipping the scales of justice away from victims and potential victims, towards protecting those who are peddling death in our communities. The granting of anonymity orders for serious drug offences in Derry has become a focal point of anger for the public at large, and particularly for the families of victims that have died as a result of drugs, added Mr Doyle. Those who are before the courts for other offences are rarely given the opportunity of such protection. As part of an Aontu campaign to inject accountability into this process, while seeking to respect the independence of the judiciary, I wrote to the Lady Chief Justice about the matter. The reply I received from her principal private secretary contained two interesting pieces of information which moved this argument forward significantly. Firstly, he said Judicial Studies Board guidance on granting anonymity to defendants means, in practical terms, the applicant will have to provide clear and cogent evidence to show publication of his or her name will create or materially increase a risk of death or serious injury. I simply do not believe this is being done. It is my understanding no such clear and cogent evidence is being presented in court; solicitors are requesting anonymity orders based purely on the nature of the charges - the possession of drugs with the intention to supply, said Mr Doyle. In the correspondence to Mr Doyle, seen by The Derry News, the Lady Chief Justices principal private secretary asserted open justice is a fundamental principle of the justice system. He added: Any request to depart from this, for example by way of an application for an anonymity order or other reporting restriction, must be clearly established as any restriction on public access to information about what happens in the justice system must be kept to the absolute minimum. In this area, the judiciary is bound by legislation and case law. The Judicial Studies Board guidance on the making of anonymity orders states: Where the ground for seeking [an order] is that the identification of a witness or a defendant will expose that person to a real and immediate risk to his life engaging the states duty to protect life under Article 2 European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) the court will consider whether the fear is objectively well-founded. In practical terms, the applicant will have to provide clear and cogent evidence to show that publication of his name will create or materially increase a risk of death or serious injury. It will be for the judge dealing with such an application to satisfy him or herself in each case that there is a good reason to make an order and that the effect of the order is proportionate. The media may make representations to the court when it is considering making such an order or may challenge such decisions judicially either by way or appeal if the order is made in the Crown Court or by way of judicial review proceedings if it is made in the magistrates court, wrote the principal private secretary. Mr Doyle referred to the reporting of recent court cases where the judge had stated anonymity was being granted due to the threat existing in the city against those accused of drug offences in the area. This is not the clear and cogent evidence demanded by the Judicial Studies Board, said Mr Doyle. Secondly, it was reported in a drug-related case in the last week, where drugs including viagra and steroids were being sold, the court refused to grant anonymity because the addresses for the defendants were outside the area of risk. Both defendants were from the Waterside area. Are we really saying those who pose risk to drug accused defendants do not operate in or have access to the Waterside or drug accused defendants from BT47 will not be granted anonymity but those on the Cityside will? This is a ludicrous situation. Anyone who sells drugs in our community has potentially dozens of victims, yet they are granted a level of protection that in many cases a sex offender would not receive. Faith in the justice system is based, in many ways, on justice being seen to be done. However, in drug supply cases it simply is not. It is time to demand transparency and real accountability in these situations and I will continue to work to deliver it. Police investigating the circumstances of a threatening email sent to nine schools in Northern Ireland today (Monday, March 24), causing some of them to close are, at this time, treating the matter as a hoax. Police received reports from three schools in Strabane, three schools in Ballycastle and three schools in Enniskillen this morning that they had received an email during the early hours of today. Officers were immediately deployed to each school to engage with staff. Checks have not, at this time, resulted in anything untoward at any of the schools. Based on enquiries and information to date, police are treating this as a hoax. Enquiries are continuing. Three schools in Enniskillen who received the email stayed open while the schools in Ballycastle and three in Strabane closed. READ NEXT: Derry businesses considering reintroducing shutters following break-ins Chief Superintendent Gillian Kearney said: "We take incidents of this nature very seriously and we understand the concern in the community, not to mention the disruption it has caused in each of the school communities and for students and parents. "Thank you to each of the schools for their assistance with our enquiries to date. A threatening email sent to nine schools in Strabane, Ballycastle and Enniskillen today - causing some of them to close - is, at this time, being treated as a hoax. Officers were immediately deployed to each school to engage with staff. Read more here : https://t.co/8Opvk64NZn pic.twitter.com/BQhHHW1wo1 Police Service NI (@PoliceServiceNI) March 24, 2025 "Our enquiries are ongoing and we will continue to liaise with each of the schools impacted to provide reassurance. "We urge everyone, in the meantime, to be vigilant and report anything suspicious to police immediately by calling 101, or 999 in an emergency." A number of schools in Northern Ireland have been closed due to a security concern. The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said it was liaising with the Metropolitan Police in London after an email had been sent to schools in Co Fermanagh, Co Tyrone and Co Antrim. Some schools posted messages on social media advising parents that they had closed. One political representative said it is believed as many as nine schools could have been impacted. A PSNI statement said: Police received reports today, Monday March 24, of an email sent to a number of schools in Enniskillen, Strabane and Ballycastle. Police received reports today, Monday 24 March, of an email sent to a number of schools in Enniskillen, Strabane and Ballycastle. As a result of this email, we are conducting enquiries, and liaising with the schools in question and also with the Metropolitan Police in London. pic.twitter.com/3X41dJyAOm Police Derry City and Strabane (@PSNIDCSDistrict) March 24, 2025 As a result of this email, we are conducting inquiries and liaising with the schools in question, and also with the Metropolitan Police in London. In a post on social media, Holy Cross College in Strabane, Co Tyrone said: Unfortunately the school has had to close today due to a security concern. Any children already en route, we would ask that parents make arrangements to collect them. We will update you all as soon as possible this morning. The same message was posted on the Facebook account of Cross and Passion College in Ballycastle, Co Antrim. Meanwhile, Erne Integrated College in Co Fermanagh posted: Due to a security alert this morning, traffic around the school and Erne Integrated Primary is extremely backed up. We are open as normal, after the all-clear was given by the PSNI. DUP Fermanagh and South Tyrone MLA Deborah Erskine said it was particularly reprehensible to target schools. She said: Threats issued against what we believe to be nine schools across Northern Ireland are to be unequivocally condemned. Whilst we await more detail as to their credibility, such threats are unacceptable and have no place in our society. Targeting schools places of learning, personal growth, and friendship for young people is particularly reprehensible. Ms Erskine added: I commend the leadership of the affected schools for their swift and responsible response in prioritising the safety and wellbeing of their pupils and staff. Their professionalism and dedication in the face of this situation is testament to their commitment to their school community. My thoughts are with all the pupils, parents and staff impacted by this incident and subsequent school closures. No child should have their education disrupted in this manner, and no family should have to endure the fear and uncertainty caused by such reckless actions. The PSNI must act swiftly to identify the culprit behind this. Appalling to see NI schools closed because of a security threat, including Cross & Passion College in Ballycastle in North Antrim.I trust the police get on top of this situation quickly and that concerns of parents, staff and pupils can be allayed. Jim Allister (@JimAllister) March 24, 2025 TUV leader and North Antrim MP Jim Allister said on X: Appalling to see NI schools closed because of a security threat, including Cross & Passion College in Ballycastle in North Antrim. I trust the police get on top of this situation quickly and that concerns of parents, staff and pupils can be allayed. In a social media post, DUP MLA Gary Middleton said: Concerning that schools across NI have been affected by a security threat. An update from the PSNI and Education Authority is due to be issued shortly. A spokesperson for the Education Authority said it was aware of reports of an email sent to schools. The spokesperson added: PSNI are conducting inquiries and it would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage. There is no current need for the reintroduction of a 50-50 recruitment policy for the PSNI, justice minister Naomi Long has told MLAs. However, Ms Long expressed concern about the low number of Catholic applications to a police recruitment drive, and said she wanted to see the force become more reflective of society. Amid ongoing concerns over low PSNI numbers, the recent recruitment campaign saw almost 5,000 applications to become student officers. During ministerial question time at Stormont on Monday, Ms Long said the proportion of Catholic applicants was less than 30%. She said: While this is comparable to previous campaigns, I would wish to see figures more reflective of the wider community. Sinn Fein MLA Linda Dillon asked the minister if she agreed there needed to be better representation of Catholics at all levels of the PSNI. Ms Long said the large number of people who had applied to join the force suggested that its recruitment practices were not flawed. But she added: There is a wider issue and that is one of attrition over time. Where people, either because of threats received, because of intimidation, because of the disconnect between their community and the work that they do, find it difficult to maintain their working arrangements. That is something as a society we need to look at and we need to consider. If, however, there is evidence that there is a culture within the organisation that also mitigates, either against progression of peoples careers through the organisation or against people wanting to remain within the organisation, we should not be blind to that issue, we should address it and look at it carefully and ensure that is no longer the case. TUV MLA Timothy Gaston asked for an assurance that there would be no return to 50-50 recruitment. The 50-50 policy ran operated for the first decade of the PSNIs existence, meaning one Catholic recruit for every one person from a Protestant or other background. Ms Long said: I am not convinced we have reached the point where we need to reconsider the introduction of 50-50 recruitment. However, the member will be aware that as a minister, I must remain open to that request should it be presented to me when it comes either from the Policing Board or the Chief Constable. When previously utilised, it was linked to a severance scheme and of course that was established as temporary measures to hasten the restructuring of policing at that time. We are in a very different arrangement now. It is not something I supported at that time and it is not something I see a need for at this time. SDLP MLA Mark Durkan asked the minister if she believed the UK Government recognised the damage being caused by their handling of legacy issues to confidence in the rule of law. Ms Long said: I have shared publicly my concerns about the approach taken and of course that will impact across the board, not just in terms of confidence in policing but also in terms of confidence in the wider justice system. That is of concern to all of us in this House. What the UK Government does is sadly outwith my responsibilities. I would want to stress it is important consideration is given to the impact of those issues in terms of our contemporary justice system and in terms of the impact it might have on public confidence in that. The fantasy horror-thriller Kingston has been receiving positive feedback from critics and audiences alike. Directed by Kamal Prakash, the film hit theatres on March 7 in Tamil and Telugu and impressed viewers with its narrative and strong performances. As fans eagerly await its digital release, heres everything we know about Kingstons OTT release. Kingston plot Set in the coastal village of Thoovathur, Tamil Nadu, Kingston shifts between two timelines1982 and the present day. The village is plagued by a curse that forces its residents to abandon fishing, their primary livelihood. In the present, Kingston (played by GV Prakash Kumar) works for a smuggling gang led by Thomas (Sabumon Abdusamad) in Thoothukudi. However, after a significant incident, Kingston decides to leave his criminal life behind and return to his village, hoping to revive fishing. As he confronts the mystery of the curse, the film unfolds a thrilling mix of supernatural elements, action, and suspense. Also read: Solo Leveling Season 2 episode 13 release: Date, streaming details and more Kingston OTT release timeline and platform The digital streaming rights for Kingston are reportedly acquired by Zee Studios, suggesting that the film will be available on Zee5 after its theatrical run. While an official announcement is yet to be made, rumours indicate that the movie might premiere on the OTT platform in the first week of April. Also read: Mufasa OTT release date: When and where to watch the Disney film in India Kingston cast and crew The film stars GV Prakash Kumar as Kingston and Divyabharathi as Divya, with supporting roles played by Chetan, Nithin Sathya, Azhagam Perumal, Elango Kumaravel, Sabumon Abdusamad, and others. The movie is co-produced by GV Prakash Kumar, Bhavani Sre, and Umesh KR Bansal under Parallel Universe Pictures and Zee Studios. Also read: Wednesday Season 2 release timeline, plot, cast, and what we know so far Save my User ID and Password Some subscribers prefer to save their log-in information so they do not have to enter their User ID and Password each time they visit the site. To activate this function, check the 'Save my User ID and Password' box in the log-in section. This will save the password on the computer you're using to access the site. Note: If you choose to use the log-out feature, you will lose your saved information. This means you will be required to log-in the next time you visit our site. Weekly news roundup: China pays uncapped PhD salaries to develop ASML alternative; TSMC board member dismisses Intel foundry takeover rumors These are the most-read DIGITIMES Asia stories from the week of March 17 March 22. China pays uncapped PhD salaries to develop an ASML alternative China's Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics, and Physics (CIOMP) is offering uncapped salaries to PhD researchers to accelerate domestic semiconductor lithography development amid US technology restrictions. With research contracts worth CNY53.98 billion (US$7.46 billion) in 2025 and industrial sales exceeding CNY160 billion in five years, CIOMP plays a key role in China's push for technological self-sufficiency. Beyond high salaries, PhDs receive CNY300,000600,000 annually in research funding, plus local government subsidies for living and housing. This reflects China's broader strategy to overcome semiconductor bottlenecks as it competes with the US in technology dominance. TSMC board member dismisses Intel foundry takeover rumors, calls them unfounded Paul Liu, head of Taiwan's National Development Council (NDC) and a TSMC board member, dismissed speculation that TSMC is considering acquiring Intel's struggling foundry business, calling it an incompatible move. Speaking before Taiwan's Legislative Yuan Economic Committee, Liu assured lawmakers that the topic was never discussed at the board level despite international reports suggesting potential US partnerships. Industry analysts warn that acquiring Intel's foundry operations could be more harmful than beneficial to TSMC. Liu also addressed concerns about TSMC's US expansion, explaining that new process nodes take 1824 months to stabilize and that US production lines would lag behind Taiwan's by three years. He urged lawmakers not to view the US as a semiconductor rival, emphasizing global cooperation over confrontation. Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan's appointment sparks renewed hopes for India Intel's appointment of Lip-Bu Tan as CEO has reignited speculation about the company's potential entry into India's semiconductor sector, particularly in outsourced semiconductor assembly and testing (OSAT). Although an immediate investment is unlikely, analysts believe Tan's leadership could revive Intel's interest in an OSAT facility in India. An Intel OSAT facility in India could accelerate its semiconductor ecosystem, introducing a mature supplier network and advanced packaging technologies. Intel's leadership in Advanced Packaging (EMIB, FOVEROS, ODI, and Co-Packaged Optics) could help India leapfrog 57 years in semiconductor development. Huawei turns to SMIC's 7nm for Kirin X90 PC chip, cutting ties with Intel and Microsoft Huawei is accelerating its self-sufficiency in personal computing, developing in-house chips, and transitioning away from Intel, Microsoft, and Qualcomm. Its latest Kirin X90 processor has earned China's Level 2 security certification, a key step toward domestic alternatives to Western semiconductor giants. With strong government support and a maturing supply chain, China's semiconductor sector is moving from catching up to leading in key areas. Intel's new CEO and breakthrough in 18A process technology signal a new era Intel is making a strong comeback with two major announcementsthe appointment of Tan as CEO and the successful production of Intel 18A wafers at its Arizona plant. These developments have temporarily silenced speculation about Intel's future in semiconductor manufacturing. The company aims to become a top-tier foundry player, leveraging its superior salaries, US-based expansion, and leading-edge technology. However, success will depend on assembling an experienced team and achieving cost-efficient, high-yield manufacturing. Samsung's HBM3E reportedly receives high marks during Nvidia audit Samsung Electronics' fifth-generation HBM3E memory has performed well in Nvidia's recent audit and is on track to receive quality certification by June, according to South Korean reports. The industry is closely watching for potential announcements about Samsung's entry into Nvidia's HBM supply chain. China's AI infrastructure surge fuels SSD boom, fast-tracks local memory supply chain The rapid expansion of AI infrastructure in Chinadriven by large-scale models like DeepSeekis significantly increasing demand for enterprise SSDs, DRAM, and NAND flash storage across healthcare, finance, and government sectors. With strong AI investment, growing domestic manufacturing, and increasing NAND flash localization, China's enterprise SSD market is poised for rapid expansion, challenging global leaders in the long term. Article edited by Jerry Chen A sharp drop in the number of Gardai stationed in Dundalk is bad news for the town and the community, Louth Sinn Fein TD Ruairi O Murchu has said. Commenting on figures presented in the Irish Independent today, the Dundalk TD said it was not good enough that Dundalk had 25 fewer gardai at the end of 2024 compared to the start of the year. He said that Fianna Fail and Fine Gaels failure to address the problem of too few gardai to meet the needs of an increased population was a dereliction of duty, that Minister Jim OCallaghan must now tackle this issue seriously as a matter of urgency, and that this would only be done by increasing the training capacity of An Garda Siochana. Deputy O Murchu said: "Fianna Fail and Fine Gaels failure to address policing numbers is Dundalk exposed and putting communities here at risk. The lack of gardai has very serious consequences in terms of deterring crime, investigating crime and ensuring that people feel safe. "Successive Fianna Fail and Fine Gael governments have failed to properly plan for and address this issue for more than a decade. This is a dereliction of duty, and communities in Dundalk and right across the state are now paying the consequences. "There is a serious problem in terms of garda visibility, particularly in terms of the lack of community gardai. It is unacceptable that almost a quarter of stations saw a drop in garda numbers over the course of 2024." The Louth TD added that, "until there is a significant increase in the training capacity of An Garda Siochana, this problem will not be fixed. Sinn Fein has called for Garda numbers to be increased to 16,000. Minister Jim O'Callaghan, as a matter of urgency, must put a plan in place to achieve this to ensure that every community has a sufficient amount of gardai assigned to their local stations. 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. Engineering services and nuclear company, AtkinsRealis, has delivered designs for what it says are cutting-edge facilities, including new data and energy centres, as part of plans to transform a former manufacturing site in Louth into a sustainably-powered enterprise campus, driving, it says, the energy transition programme in Ireland. The project is a joint venture between Meridiam, an independent investment Benefit Corporation and an asset manager in long-term sustainable infrastructure solutions, and Gyrogy, an Irish energy-tech firm, which acquired the Premier Periclase business in May 2023. Since then, the partners have designed plans to transform the site on the north bank of the River Boyne beside Drogheda Port into a state-of-the art industrial campus for large energy users. Read next: Shocking fall in number of homes started in Louth in February Drogheda manufacturer Premier Periclase Limited (PPL), appointed AtkinsRealis to deliver full multidisciplinary design services for the unique business campus on its site, which it says could ultimately involve an investment of between 600 million and 1 billion over the next ten years. AtkinsRealis says that this would facilitate and manage flexible and renewable energy in real-time for the national grid and will pave the way for a net zero industrial campus emissions model that can change how large energy users operate in Ireland. The appointment has seen AtkinsRealis develop its designs to support PPLs redevelopment of the Drogheda manufacturing site, involving demolition and site remediation works, substantial upgrades to the PPL site infrastructure, and the integration of renewable energy sources and advanced energy storage systems on the new CORE campus. The first phase of development will focus on installing sustainable energy infrastructure and a 32MW data centre. Kevin Holland, Director of Infrastructure for AtkinsRealis Ireland, said: The project is a fantastic example of how AtkinsRealis can support the delivery of grid positive initiatives which will drive the energy transition in Ireland. Not only will it bring investment and new jobs to the area, but it also aligns with Irelands climate action objectives and the AtkinsRealis purpose of engineering a better future for our planet and its people. This appointment follows AtkinsRealis previous appointment to undertake a feasibility plan for the site. A planning application has been submitted for the new campus by PPL and it is hoped, subject to approval, that the site will grow to accommodate a range of high-tech industries, such as biopharma, food, beverage, horticulture and sustainable manufacturing. AtkinsRealis says that the sites decarbonisation and development focus will make the campus extremely attractive to large foreign direct investment and Irish projects. The planning application for the redevelopment of the site is seen as a major milestone for Drogheda according to AtkinsRealis, as the project would bring essential infrastructure upgrades and enhanced biodiversity to the area. The development, which will be known as the CORE sustainably powered enterprise campus, will significantly reduce emissions, noise, and light pollution, complementing the special areas of conservation and special protection zones associated with the River Boyne. CEO of Gyrogy, Colin Kelly, stated: By transitioning to a sustainable business model, this project will secure the long-term future of this historic industrial site, creating more jobs and economic opportunities than ever before for the local community. We are proud to be part of a project that delivers significant energy transition and community benefits which will set a new benchmark for sustainable energy practices in Ireland. USE ARROWS OR NEXT BUTTON TO SEE MORE Womens Aid Dundalk held a dancing event last Wednesday, March 19 at the Market Square in Dundalk held a dancing event as part of the annual One Billion Rising event to fight against violence against woman and children in Ireland and across the world. The One Billion rising campaign began in 2013 and aims to bring woman together to rise up against gender-based violence that happens to one billion woman at least once in their lives. The aim of the Dundalk event was to create a vibrant celebration of dance, uniting various local community groups. Womens Aid Dundalk took to social media last week following the event, to thank all those who took part and attended the event, saying: Special thanks to Suzanne Stafford at The House in Coxes for bringing along her wonderful little dancers to lead the event. Dun Dealgan National, students from O'Fiaich Secondary School, Dundalk Institute of Technology, pupils from The Grammar and finally transition year students from St Louis Secondary School, who also treated us to a dance the featured in their recent musical. To Town Talk for broadcasting the event live, Louth County Council for permission to use the Market Square and Erin McGreehan TD for Louth for coming along to show her support. READ NEXT: Louth put in a huge shift to stay in Division 2 says Brennan Special mention to Panama for their patience! Finally to the general public who came along to witness the event and have a chat, thank you for your time. Central Bank of Ireland governor Gabriel Makhlouf has cast doubt on Government proposals that would allow developers to invest less money and borrow more from banks to increase building supply. Mr Makhlouf said that banks are well capitalised and already have the capacity to lend more, adding that the number one issue in housing is planning. His comments come after it was reported that Government want banks to ease their lending rules for developers, which would see the amount of funding a builder has to put up front reduced. The Irish Independent newspaper reported that Taoiseach Micheal Martin and Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe will meet with the banks about reducing the level of equity and providing more funds. The governor is due to meet the Minister for Housing James Browne in the next few weeks to discuss Government-backed plans. Mr Makhlouf said it has been a long-schedule meeting, which he is looking forward to taking place. Asked about proposals to ease the banks lending rules, Mr Makhlouf said: Firstly, in my view, its obviously up to the Government to decide what policies (to) put in place. My very strong advice to Government is that there are many interventions that they have already made, and are making in the housing market, my advice would be to take stock of all of those interventions, make sure theyre all mutually supportive of each other before introducing new ones. So thats a basic piece of advice. Otherwise, I mean, we think that the banks are well capitalised, and they have the capacity to lend more, its their commercial judgement at the end of the day as to whether they want to do that, depending on their own risk appetite. Thats at this stage thats all that reading. So I havent seen detailed government plans. I cant really comment on speculation. He went on to say that he is very conscious of the many Government housing policies already in place. My advice to people who want to introduce new ones, just to make sure that what youve got going, you know what it is achieving and you dont do the wrong thing. I have said, and I wrote to the (housing) Minister in my letter last month that I would prioritise investing in making sure that land is available for development, and thats infrastructure is where I put a particular focus on. We published a report before Christmas in October or September, on specifically on housing, where we made clear, and Im happy to repeat it now, that the number one issue on housing is not finance. The number one issue of housing is planning. Its absolutely planning. This is not a unique situation in Ireland, but planning is a problem. Changing the law is one thing, making sure that the new law is implemented well is as important as law itself. So I would put all my energies, at whatever levels of government, and whatever levels in industry, to making sure that planning rules are being implemented in a way that supports the construction of housing. Speaking later on Monday, Mr Browne said planning is not an issue in Dublin city centre. He said: We know finance is a real issue for delivering housing in this country, certainly in the private sector. As a Government, we have to look at every measure possible that could be used to deliver that housing. The Government has stepped up to the mark. It is delivering at least six-and-a-half billion euros in capital funding this year, and expect that will be exceeded. We need a multiple of that from the private sector to deliver that housing, and that includes financing that is needed to deliver that housing, but housing right across the country, but more importantly, or as importantly I should say, large-scale apartments in Dublin city centre, where we know that financing is simply broken and it is not working. It is not delivering those apartments, because if it was, they would be built. He added: Planning is an essential part, and we do need more zoning. But planning is not really the issue in Dublin city centre, and it is Dublin that is dragging the whole housing delivery back where theres a lack of delivery of apartment blocks, and that is a financing issue. That is not a planning issue. We do need to open up planning, in particular around the areas around Dublin city, but this cant be simply about Dublin. We need apartments and we need them in Dublin city centre. Perseverance rover marks four years on Mars with 500,000th laser shot 03-13-2025 The SuperCam instrument is mounted at the top of the Perseverance rover, as seen here on Mars. Its laser fires at rocks and soils through the 4.5" window, using its optics to analyze its targets by optical emission. Photo Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU. On the fourth anniversary of its landing on Mars, NASA's Perseverance rover marked a significant milestone. It has now fired its 500,000th laser shot using the SuperCam instrument. This accomplishment highlights its longevity and success, developed under the guidance of Purdue University professor Roger Wiens. Humanity's quest to understand Mars has reached new heights, driven by the groundbreaking SuperCam instrument aboard the Perseverance rover. This state-of-the-art tool, developed under the leadership of Purdue's Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Science professor Roger Wiens, has redefined our ability to explore and analyze the Red Planet's rugged terrain. Wiens, who proposed the instrument to NASA and now co-leads its scientific team, provides an in-depth look at SuperCam's technological expertise, collaborative development, and the discoveries it has facilitated, offering a glimpse into Mars' ancient past and its potential for harboring life. At the heart of SuperCam's capabilities is its innovative laser and telescope system located on the top of the rover. Wiens elaborated on the process, stating, "The laser is mounted at the top of the rover's mast and fires its beam through a 4" telescope at targets within 40 feet of the rover. The laser provides the science team with information on the elemental and mineral composition of the rocks and whether they were exposed to water in the past, like in a lake or river. In this way, we learn about the ancient environment of the red planet." SuperCam also includes infrared vision for analyzing rock minerals, a high-resolution camera that can "spot a softball from a mile away," according to Wiens, and a microphone that captures sounds from Mars. It has recorded audio of the Ingenuity helicopter, dust devils, and wind turbulence. Future Mars missions may rely on this data to determine where to land and what samples to prioritize in the search for past microbial life. The SuperCam instrument reveals Mars' watery past in an ancient crater lake featuring a river delta. SuperCam's long-range camera and laser have identified boulders, altered rocks, and sulfates, indicating potential flash floods, a warm and wet climate, and rapid evaporation. SuperCam's 500,000th shot coincided with Perseverance's fourth anniversary on Mars, marking its Martian debut landing on February 18th, 2021. The target that received the half-millionth laser shot was a strip of bedrock named "Whites River" (see photo below) located in the Gros Morne quadrangle on the west rim of Jezero crater. SuperCam was developed and built by Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico and the Institute for Research in Astrophysics and Planetary Science (IRAP) in Toulouse, France, with major contributions from CNES and other institutions. Its longevity reflects exceptional craftsmanship, allowing for ongoing discoveries. Wiens says, "In my career, I have seen various failures of equipment during flight, which reminds me to be grateful for SuperCam's continued success." The target analyzed with the half-millionth laser shot from SuperCam on Mars is a strip of bedrock that was 12 meters (38 feet) from the rover. The red crosses mark the locations analyzed by the laser. The rock is fine-grained and likely consists of ancient lithified sand dunes. Photo Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/LANL/CNES/IRAP. SuperCam's success demonstrates the strength of international collaboration with researchers at Purdue University. The project unites a diverse team of about 85 scientists, engineers, and students from institutions across North America and Europe. Wiens highlights the team's daily efforts to keep the Perseverance rover active and thriving from 140 million miles away to the Red Planet, "The team sends commands to Mars nearly every weekday to use SuperCam to explore the environment around the Perseverance rover as it travels across the Martian terrain. Operations alternate between North America and Europe; each Monday, the lead switches over to the other continent." This global network ensures that the instrument benefits from a wide range of expertise, fostering innovation and accelerating scientific progress. The research team at Purdue University is actively involved in the operation and analysis of the data from SuperCam. Purdue University's Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences (EAPS) includes Dr. Candice Bedford, a research scientist, and graduate students Dr. Stephanie Connell (third-year), Henry Manelski (third-year), Noah Martin (first-year), along with Wiens himself. "Candice, Stephanie, Henry, and Noah are all heavily involved in operating the SuperCam instrument and in writing about the discoveries that we have made with SuperCam," said Wiens. Their dedication and expertise have been crucial in transforming raw data into significant scientific insights, further reinforcing SuperCam's position as a cornerstone of Mars exploration, which is rooted in the spirit of Boilermaker pride. The SuperCam team operates the instrument on Mars daily and studies its results. The team consists of approximately 85 scientists and engineers working throughout North America and Europe, shown here at a meeting in Spain. Courtesy U. Valladolid. Wiens' leadership has been the driving force behind SuperCam's development and ongoing mission. With a deep commitment to advancing planetary science, Wiens spearheaded the instrument and guided its creation from concept to reality. "I proposed the instrument to NASA and led its development and now co-lead its scientific team," he shared. "I'm very proud of the engineers who built SuperCam's laser and the students and scientists who are carefully operating our instrument." The SuperCam project at Purdue is funded by NASA's Mars Exploration Program, with support through Los Alamos National Laboratory, where Wiens worked before arriving at Purdue. The French government provides funding for its operation in France, and organizations in Spain, Canada, Germany, Denmark, and Italy also operate on local funding. This funding and international collaboration have been critical to ensure that the instrument remains operational and continues to produce valuable data. Wiens explains, "Purdue has developed a strong program in planetary science. I came to Purdue University three years ago to take advantage of the synergy with other planetary science professors and their students and staff." Roger Wiens (Purdue University photo/Kelsey Lefever) As Wiens and his team at Purdue University, along with the international group, advance, the secrets of the Red Planet are gradually being unveiled, offering a tantalizing glimpse into its ancient history and role in the cosmic narrative of life. Through the lens of SuperCam, Mars is no longer just a distant world. It has become a living laboratory, rich with the potential to transform our understanding of the universe. About the Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences at Purdue University The Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences (EAPS) combines four of Purdues most interdisciplinary programs: Geology & Geophysics, Environmental Sciences, Atmospheric Sciences, and Planetary Sciences. EAPS conducts world-class research, educates undergraduate and graduate students, and provides our college, university, state and country with the information necessary to understand the world and universe around us. Our research is globally recognized, our students are highly valued by graduate schools, employers, and our alumni continue to make significant contributions in academia, industry, and federal and state government. Written by: David Siple, Communications Specialist, in the Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences (EAPS) at Purdue University. Contributions by: Roger Wiens, Professor in the Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences (EAPS) at Purdue University. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Sunday embarked on a visit to Brazil to participate in the 11th BRICS Parliamentary Forum where he is scheduled to prese ... Summer is here, and you know what that meansits time for sunshine, beach days, and spontaneous road trips! If youve been dreaming of a tropical escape, nows your chance to make it happen. C2 Cool and Clean is giving you an exciting opportunity to win a trip for two to some of the best destinations in the Philippines with their Sip, Switch, and Fly promo! So, whether youre looking to soak up the sun in Boracay, catch some waves in La Union, or fly off to your dream destination, C2 has got you covered. All you need to do? Sip, Switch, and Fly! Whats Up for Grabs? 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Dick, from a family of three boys and two girls, was a fisherman himself, says Adrian. He knew all about catching fish, filleting fish, selling fish and cooking fish. One day 40 years ago, Dick said to his wife Mary: Theres grand fish going up to Cork and being exported. Riding a wave of ambition, he suggested: Well open a fish shop What did Mary say? Let it with me, she said. Three days later, Mary had a name, Ballycotton Seafood. The rest is history... Adrian and Diane Walsh of Ballycotton Seafood in their fish shop in Garryvoe The family-run business offers a huge array of fresh fish, from the boats to your table. They smoke their own fish using traditional oak methods. Oven-ready seafood is on offer daily from the Ballycotton Seafood in-house kitchen. The successful business, which has evolved for four decades, started off in a sitting room! Ms Lynch owned An Siopa at the bottom of Midleton and she gave over her sitting room to us, explains Diane, Adrians wife. Our first customer was Finin, of the well-known Midleton restaurant Finins. He cycled in from his house to buy his supply of fish. The array of fish on offer in the small sitting room at the bottom of town was a sight to behold. People came in for a look, says Diane. They marvelled at the squid, the monkfish, the ray-wing, the John Dory, and the lobsters. Back then, I remember many of us only knew of smoked haddock and mackerel, which was usually presented for dinner on Fridays and Good Fridays. Right? That is true, says Diane. People were familiar with whiting and cod. We sold a variety of fish. Diane got hauled into Ballycotton Seafood at a young age. I met Adrian when I was 15 at a disco in Garryvoe, she says. I wasnt going to be left go to it, but my aunt and uncle were visiting us in Loughaderra. My uncle said to my mother, Ah, shes only a young one, let her go out. Diane was a good catch. I joined the shop when I was still in school and after meeting Adrian, says Diane. I was in fifth year, and I came in on Saturday mornings and school holidays to tail the prawns. She was a fast learner! chips in Adrian. Three generations of Ballycotton Seafood - Dick Walsh, Adrian Walsh, and Kieran Walsh. He was butchering at this time in Carrigtwohill, and at one time he thought of opening his own butchers shop before he got hooked on the seafood business instead. He was more surf than turf. Once upon a time, there were nine butchers in Midleton. Now there are just two, Adrian says. Diane did a secretarial course after leaving school, which was to serve her well in the future. You have to be a solicitor, an accountant, a HR person, and do the banking, and quality control, says Adrian. Diane runs the show! When Anthony Walsh, who was helping to man the fish shop, left for West Cork, Adrian and Diane began to make plans of their own. In October, 1985, the Dice Man came to town. Dick had some great ideas, and when we acquired 46, Main Street, Midleton, he brought the Dice Man, the street entertainer, down from Dublin for the opening, says Diane. He was a huge attraction, and he did amazing things with the fish for the crowd of people on the street. We never advertised our business. It all came from word of mouth. Adrian and Diane were in business. We got married aged 23/24, says Diane. At the time, Marys brother, Sean, was hopping with ideas, and he opened a vegetable and deli shop in Castlemartyr. Dick and Sean were in business too. Dick said to Sean, Ill buy your house in Garryvoe. The deal was done over a cup of tea, and today this is our fish shop and fish processing plant here in Garryvoe. The business grew and grew. We bought fish from local fishermen in Ballycotton, Helvic, Youghal, Kinsale and Union Hall, says Adrian. Jolanta, with us 20 years in Midleton, works in the shop and in the kitchen. She was great when our kids were small. Jay, from South Africa, is our manager there. Ive met Alan OLoughan who manages the Ballycotton Seafood fish stall at the English Market where he is kept busy. Alan loves his job! says Diane. Like all our staff, he takes fierce pride in it and in the brand Dick created. How did the famous Ballycotton Seafood Pie come about? One day, Mary decided to make two fish pies for the dinner, explains Diane. One pie was enough, and she sold the other one to a lady who came back for more! Today, Ballycotton Seafood supplies wholesalers, shops, fish shops and restaurants as well as exporting its own brand of smoked salmon to France and Scotland. Diane wasnt always an authority on all types of fish. When I went to Adrians house for the first time, Mary served up plaice on the bone. I didnt know how to eat it! Dick and Mary Walsh I tell Adrian and Diane that once, on holidays in France, I got the whole deal on the plate, head, eyes, fins and all. I made a fast exit, which they find very amusing. Like all businesses, Ballycotton Seafood was challenged during the downturn of 2007/2008 and by covid. We were shut down in a day, says Diane of the pandemic, which began five years ago this month. Jay, our Midleton manager, cried and said what are we going to do? Hotel and restaurants were shut. Shops were allowed to stay open, and we were one of the first to put the plastic guard in place to protect people who were observing the two-metre distance rule. One Sunday evening, we got a phone call from a lady who couldnt get her fish, and could we deliver it? We said yes. That was the start of our home delivery service during covid. Our incredible staff came in to keep our business open. Our loyal customers supported us always. Ballycotton Seafood is a family-run business, but we are nothing without our team, says Diane. They are the engine that drives us. They all muck in together here. One of us can be sweeping the floor, while another puts on the kettle for tea. We are all in it together, says Diane. They are all in the same boat! That is our motto, says Diane, who is at the helm of her brilliant team, adding: We miss our valuable members of staff who have passed on. What of Dick, the businessman? The couple laugh. Dick is back in business. He is cutting sticks for kindling, and he has an honesty box outside his house, says Diane. The girls in the office made a sign for him. Will the third generation immerse themselves in the business? Our son, Kieran, is mad for it, says Diane. He never liked college. He said hed learn more from us. When he was knee high, he absolutely loved going down to the boats and driving in the van with his father. Hed stop at the shop for sweets and go to sleep in the van. Adrian did long hours in the early days. Hed be up at 4am to collect the fish and often not be home until midnight. I was like a lone parent! Once, Kieran had a run in with one of the sea creatures that were landed. We were here one day after school and I heard Kieran roaring, says Diane. He was about seven or eight. There was a basket of live whole crabs and one of them caught his finger! But that didnt deter him from his future prospects. He absolutely loves Ballycotton, says Diane. He is a home bird. Our daughter, Rebecca, is currently in Scotland. She loves Ballycotton too. Ballycotton Seafood has been good to the Walsh family. If you asked me what I earn, I have no idea, says Adrian. Do I want a new car? No. I am happy out in the van. Adrian and Diane are still young at heart. Sometimes, I cant believe the age we are, says Diane. We worked hard, and it paid off. We went to Superquinn in Dublin for a tour. Fergal Quinn told us he built the team around himself, the secret of his success. It is our secret too. Life is good for the family. We often fish off the pier for mackerel, says Diane. Mary, who named the business, still has her say. She says, we cant pass her door. We have to cook the fish! Ballycotton Seafood employs more than 40 people who work across processing, the smokehouse, food preparation and in its three shops in Garryvoe, Midleton and the English Market in Cork city. Two county councillors in the Carrigaline municipal district have called for the council to investigate road drainage issues at Halfway village in Ballinhassig. Fine Gaels Una McCarthy and Independent Ben Dalton OSullivan explained that residents are concerned that the pipes under the road are either blocked or inadequate to handle water flow. Ms McCarthy told The Echo that residents were constantly worried about their properties flooding. We had a severe weather event on February 23 that caused flooding in the village. I went out to meet with the residents and they showed me the impact it had outside their properties. One man said this is constantly happening. Hes afraid to go away for the weekend in case theres another serious rainfall because hes worried that unless theres sandbags right outside the door, his house will be overwhelmed with water when he comes back. I also met a woman who moved into her home eight months ago and shes been flooded four times since then. She says she never would have moved here had she known. The residents are concerned that the pipes are inadequate, Ms McCarthy explained, adding that she asked the area office to look into this and they have identified some areas of the culvert that would benefit from clearance. The stream overflows, the culvert gets blocked and the water flows down onto the road, thats what causes the build-up, she said. The councillors were told by senior engineer Catherine Murphy that Cork County Council Flood Projects has undertaken a post flood report following the flood event in February. She explained: The flood occurred as a consequence of the stream overflowing at the inlet to the culvert, which runs under the public road. Water crossed the road and entered the Castan Doire housing estate. No properties were reported as flooded but flooding would likely have occurred if sandbags had not been in place at a number of properties. It is also understood that pumps were deployed, which provided some reduction in flood levels during the event. The public road was closed for approximately one hour due to the flood event. There are some areas of the open stream and an inlet to a culvert which would benefit from some clearance. Flood Projects will review further and discuss with our colleagues to identify if funding is available to carry out some clearance works here. Garda shortages could soon mean that four large parts of the greater Cork metropolitan area will be left with reduced numbers of gardai working across neighbouring districts which had, until now, their own dedicated officers, the Garda Representative Association (GRA) has warned. The GRA said that because of a lack of manpower, the garda units currently covering Douglas and Carrigaline are facing effective amalgamation, with one unit covering both areas, within a month. The same arrangement is planned for Bishopstown and Ballincollig, with gardai on duty in one area also covering the other, the association said. Douglas, Carrigaline, Bishopstown and Ballincollig are all run from Togher Garda Station, the Cork City South community engagement headquarters. Padraig Harrington, the GRA delegate for Cork city, said reduced garda numbers would mean gardai working in one area would also be on call should they be needed in a neighbouring area. Whereas now you have one unit working in Douglas and another unit working in Carrigaline, in future youll have one unit working in Douglas and theyll be covering Carrigaline as well, and the following night one unit in Carrigaline might cover Douglas, he said. So on one night, youll have one unit working in Douglas, and what we call a ghost unit, a unit without members, in Carrigaline, so the guards in Douglas are covering for that unit too. Mr Harrington said the plan highlighted the lack of garda resources across the city. Obviously its informed by health and safety concerns, it not being safe to have one member on duty without back-up, but if anybody says its not going to affect the policing service, I would say thats like somebody saying Were going to shut down a post office in your village but the service wont be affected, he said. If 50% of the time there are no guards on duty in Carrigaline, or Douglas, or Ballincollig, or Bishopstown, the service has to be affected. 'SERIOUS DIMINUNATION' Seamus McGrath, Fianna Fail TD for Cork South Central, said there had been repeated warnings about staffing in the Togher district over many years. Unfortunately, this has largely been ignored by garda management in the city division and now we are faced with a crisis response resulting in a serious diminution of the Garda service. He added that he had urgently sought a meeting with the assistant garda commissioner and had spoken with justice minister Jim OCallaghan. Donnchadh O Laoghaire, Sinn Fein TD for Cork South Central, said it was profoundly worrying news, not least because the garda stations in question were already totally overstretched. Youll have one unit covering an area of probably over 40,000 people, youll lose a significant amount of local knowledge, but it will also mean that if there are two incidents in that huge area, there wont be enough gardai in the area to cover them, he said. Eoghan Fahy, Sinn Fein councillor for Carrigaline, said the news was catastrophic for the area. A garda spokesperson said the priority was to have local gardai on patrol in their local communities, adding that the public counter opening hours of garda sub stations was not equivalent to the availability of gardai patrolling in the community. Outside of these opening hours, members of An Garda Siochana continue to operate from these garda stations, are on patrol in their local communities, are involved in community engagement and investigations and available to respond to assist the public, they said. In emergency situations such as crime in progress, or urgent Garda assistance is required, members of the public should always contact 999/112. A man has sustained a serious head injury following a fall North of Roches Point this evening. The incident, which was reported to the Irish Coast Guard at approximately 6.30pm, occurred at White Bay Beach in Glanagow. A spokesperson for the Irish Coast Guard told The Echo that the casualty, who had been walking on the nearby cliff walk, fell approximately 10 to 30 feet, and sustained a head injury causing serious bleeding. Following a request for assistance from the National Ambulance Service, the Valentia Coast Guard station tasked their Rescue 117 helicopter from Waterford. A ground team from the nearby Guileen Coast Guard also attended the scene of the incident. Upon arrival at the scene, the team from the National Ambulance Service assessed the man, and later cleared him for road transfer via ambulance at approximately 6.50pm. Once the [National Ambulance Service] got on scene and assessed him, they said that he was okay to go by road and that it wasnt necessary for him to go by helicopter, the spokesperson said. As the casualty was transported by ambulance to seek further medical treatment, the Rescue 117 helicopter was then stood down. The earliest known painted copy of one of the most iconic paintings of the Great War is now on display at Cork Public Museum as part of a new exhibition to mark the centenary of the unveiling of the Cork War Memorial on the South Mall. The exhibitions main feature, which is open from now until May 22, is the copy of the First World War painting, The Last General Absolution of the Munsters at Rue du Bois by Italian artist Fortunino Matania. The painting depicts the 2nd Battalion of Royal Munster Fusiliers receiving general absolution on the eve of battle from their chaplain, Father Gleeson. The Last General Absolution of the Munsters at Rue du Bois by Italian artist, Fortunino Matania. The following day, the British Army lost 11,000 men, dead or wounded, during the Battle of Aubers Ridge, of whom 300 came from the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Munster Fusiliers. Of these 300, 95% were Irish, with at least 50 connected to Cork. Commissioned The original painting is believed to have been lost in the bombing of London during the Second World War, however the version currently on display at Cork Public Museum was specifically commissioned from the artist in 1919 by Alfred Robinson to celebrate the safe return of his son from the war. The painting stayed with the Robinson family until it was sold at auction last year. It was purchased by Willie and Mary Slattery from Dublin, who generously loaned it to Cork Public Museum for public display. Commenting on the exhibition, Daniel Breen, curator of Cork Public Museum, said the Fitzgeralds Park-based venue is delighted to be able to display this wonderful and historic painting to the public for the first time ever. Brutal futility The original Last General Absolution of the Munsters on the Rue du Bois is considered one of the most iconic paintings of the Great War and is internationally beloved for capturing the brutal futility of war, as well as illustrating the courage of the soldiers and the sacrifices made by their families, he added. *Some readers may find this content distressing* A man has been jailed for eight years for the rape of his then wife almost five years ago. A jury at the Central Criminal Court convicted Riad Hamzi, aged 51, last December of a single count of rape on August 19, 2020 at a house in Cork. The court heard today that his former wife, Elena O'Brien, wished to waive her anonymity to allow Hamzi to be named. Today, Mr Justice Paul Burns imposed a sentence of nine years on Mr Hamzi of Elmvale Court, Wilton, Cork with the final year suspended for three years on strict conditions. He backdated the sentence to December 20, when he went into custody. Mr Justice Burns said the aggravating features of the case included the relationship between the parties and the impact on the victim. The judge said the level of violence over and above the rape itself was also an aggravating factor. Mr Justice Burns said he had taken into account the mitigation including the contents of a medical report, Hamzi's health issues, work history and that he is an active member of his religious community as outlined by two character witnesses called on his behalf. The judge wished Ms O'Brien well for the future. At a previous sentence hearing, Ms O'Brien said in her victim impact statement that Hamzi was supposed to be my husband, the one person I could trust most in the world, the person I should feel safest with, who was supposed to love and protect me". Instead, he broke all trust. He told me he loved me, but his actions showed me that he thought he owned me and saw me as a possession here to serve him. The court previously heard evidence that on the night in question, the victim expressed concerns about difficulties in their marriage and a wish to separate. Hamzi told her everything was fine, then became aggressive, punching her twice in the body. He then raped her and put his fist in her mouth after telling the victim to be quiet. Hamzi denied the allegation of rape and told gardai it was consensual sex. He has a long work history and is an Algerian national who has been living in Ireland for over 25 years. The investigating garda confirmed to Alice Fawsitt SC, defending, that he was aware of Hamzi's previous cancer diagnosis. A medical report was handed to the court, and Ms Fawsitt said a recent scan is clear, but her client has ongoing health issues. 'Just a possession' Reading her impact statement, Ms O'Brien said she had used his name with love and affection for many years, but doesn't say it anymore as it is now the name of the person who crushed me. She said she gave everything to build their life together, but their marriage was difficult and the decision to leave was not made lightly. She said Hamzi chose to rape me, instead of talking to me and through his actions, showed me exactly what he thought of me. I was just a possession, she said, adding that Hamzi had no love or respect for her and instead believed he owned me and could do what he wanted to me. She said she feared for her life in that moment and no longer felt safe. She outlined struggling with sleep, PTSD and nightmares. Ms O'Brien said she found the criminal process difficult and was unable to work for several months. She said she also faced additional costs for counselling and other supports. She said she is just surviving, not living and doesn't yet know the full impact on what happened on her. I need to try to find some peace and healing...I dont know how or if it's possible, but I know it will take a lifetime. Ms Fawsitt asked the court to take into account her client's cancer diagnosis, the contents of medical reports and his personal circumstances. Character witnesses Two character witnesses - a surgeon and a businessman - read testimonials on Hamzi's behalf at an earlier sentence hearing. The surgeon said Hamzi's conviction contrasts with the character of the man I've known for many years. He said he always found him [Hamzi] to be a gentlemen. The surgeon said he was shocked and deeply saddened when he was told about the charge faced by Hamzi, who he described as a man who genuinely feels the pain of others and has always been a help to others in need. He said he'd never seen him [Hamzi] engage in conflict with others. My thoughts are entirely with him and I hope the court will take into account his character, health challenges and background, the surgeon said. When asked by prosecuting counsel if he accepted that Hamzi had been convicted by a jury of rape, the surgeon replied: I am aware of the verdict. The businessman said the news of Hamzi's conviction had taken him aback. He said he'd known Hamzi for many years and knew him to have never previously been involved in any troubles with others, male or female. He said he was deeply saddened by Hamzi's cancer diagnosis and that Hamzi expressed a desire to him to get back to good health. The businessman said Hamzi is respectful to others and very much respected. He said he was hopeful the court would be lenient in sentencing to allow Hamzi to recover his health and get back to normal life. Previous hearing At a previous sentence hearing, the court heard the victim asked to speak to Hamzi the night before as they were having marital difficulties. He left the house, returning around 1am, then asked her what she wanted to talk about. The victim was in the sitting room and initially told him it was too late, then after he insisted, told him about her wish to end their marriage. He told her everything was fine, then became aggressive, punching her twice in the body. Hamzi pushed the victim onto the sofa, then raped her. The victim was hysterical and crying, telling him no. He told her to be quiet and put his fist in her mouth. He left the sitting room, but returned shortly afterwards, and turned up the TV to drown out the woman's crying. She later emailed her solicitor to tell them what had happened. She carried on as normal the next morning, before going to a garda station to make a complaint. - If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please click here for a list of support services. The man who was put on trial today for the murder of his wife was described by the prosecution as making a 999 call on the night in question in which he said he had killed his wife. That was one of the allegations made by prosecution senior counsel Sean Gillane in his opening of the case before a judge and jury at the Central Criminal Court in Cork. Mr Gillane stressed that his opening address was a thumbnail sketch of the evidence anticipated by the prosecution but was not itself evidence. Regin Parithapara Rajan, aged 43, was arraigned on the single charge of murdering 38-year-old Deepa Paruthiyezhuth Dinamani at their home at Cardinal Court, Wilton, Cork, on July 14 2023, contrary to common law. He replied: Not guilty. Mr Gillane said it would also be alleged by the prosecution that the accused purchased the knife used on July 14 2023 two days earlier. The prosecution senior counsel said that on that day he phoned a friend to ask him to collect his child from a summer camp and to bring him to the friends house, and not back to Cardinal Court, because he [the accused] said he had a job interview that afternoon. Mr Gillane said that in fact the accused did not have a job interview. He said that the first person who arrived in the house that evening was a nurse who shared the house with the family. She encountered the accused at the doorway to the bedroom and reference was made to the deceased working. Regin Parithapara Rajan, aged 43, was arraigned on the single charge of murdering 38-year-old Deepa Paruthiyezhuth Dinamani at their home at Cardinal Court, Wilton, Cork, on July 14 2023, contrary to common law. He replied: Not guilty. File pic: Larry Cummins The friend minding the five-year-old son of the couple arrived at the house with his own wife soon afterwards to bring the child home. This couple and the nurse then went for a walk together in the Wilton area before returning to the house. He [the accused] said to him [his friend who minded the child] he had killed his wife and she was inside. He also said he stabbed her with a knife. His reaction was one of shock. Unfamiliar with what to do in such circumstances in Ireland he rang a friend before ringing 999. A 999 call was also made by the accused and in it he indicated had killed his wife. The call was made coming up to 10pm. [Gardai found] the bedroom heavily bloodstained. It was immediately obvious she had passed. There was nothing that could be done for her. Recovered from the scene was a bloodstained knife. She had suffered a large incised wound to her neck that severed the main strap muscle in her neck. Effectively, blood loss from that injury was the cause of death, complicated by inhalation of blood. A palm print of the accused was recovered from the bloodstained knife. It was a knife purchased by him two days prior to the incident, Mr Gillane said. The deceased, who was a native of Kerala in south-west India, was highly educated and qualified as a chartered accountant who had fluent English and worked in London before coming to Cork with her husband child in March 2023, four months before her death. She had married the accused in October 2015. Mr Gillane said the marriage was in difficulty in 2023, it had cooled and she was contemplating divorce. Their home in Cork had been sourced by an agency that specialised in securing accommodation for executives coming to work in Cork. Mr Gillane said she was well-regarded and a good worker and a good colleague in the accounts section of Alter Domus fund services at Cork Airport Business Park. Ms Justice Siobhan Lankford told members of the jury panel at the courthouse in Anglesea Street that they should be available until April 11 as the trial could last in excess of two weeks and a jury of seven women and five men was sworn in for the trial. A man faced charges today for an incident during campaigning in relation to the referendum on the 8th Amendment to the Constitution, where he allegedly damaged a poster with a knife. 50-year-old Jason Calnan with an address at a flat at 4 Victoria Terrace, St Lukes, Cork, is charged with three counts and appeared before Cork District Court. The criminal damage charge states that on May 17 2018 at St Lukes Cross, Mayfield, Cork, he did without lawful excuse damage property, to wit, 8th Amendment Referendum poster belonging to another, intending to damage such property or being reckless as to whether such damage would be damaged. He was also charged with having a kitchen knife intending to cause damage to a poster in a manner which he knew was likely to endanger the life of a named person. He faces a related charge under the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act of producing the same knife to intimidate another person. Sgt John Kelleher said it was alleged that a man saw another man removing campaign posters in relation to the referendum which was upcoming at the time, and allegedly brandishing the knife in the other mans direction. Solicitor Killian McCarthy said the accused did not have legal representation when he came to court today and approached him asking him to represent him. Free legal aid was granted when Judge Mary Dorgan was informed that the accused was in receipt of a disability allowance. Mr McCarthy said that the issue of delay in bringing the case would be raised by the defence and he sought a report from the prosecution explaining why charges related to May 2018 were being brought in March 2025. Judge Mary Dorgan adjourned the case until May 26 for the issue of delay to be addressed. What is Illness Benefit? It is a weekly payment you may get if you cannot work because you are sick or ill. To get Illness Benefit, you must meet the social insurance (PRSI) conditions. You should always apply for Illness Benefit if you are medically certified as unfit for work. Even if you dont qualify for the weekly payment, you may get PRSI credited contributions which can help you qualify for future social welfare payments. If you dont qualify for Illness Benefit, or while you are waiting for a decision on your claim for Illness Benefit, you may get a Supplementary Welfare Allowance. Should I apply for Illness Benefit if I am on paid sick leave? You should apply for Illness Benefit while you are out sick from work, whether your employer pays you or not. It is not linked to your employers policy on pay for sick leave. However, if you get sick pay from work and Illness Benefit, you should ask your employer about any arrangements in place for this. How does the Statutory Sick Pay link with Illness Benefit? Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) is paid for five days a year. You cannot get Illness Benefit on the days you get SSP. If your illness is less than five days and you qualify for Statutory Sick Pay, you dont need to apply for Illness Benefit. For illnesses lasting more than five days, Illness Benefit starts from day six. If you use your five days of SSP and become ill again in the same year, youll get Illness Benefit from day four of your illness, which is after the normal three waiting days. How to qualify for Illness Benefit To qualify, you must: Be under pension age Be medically certified as unfit for work by a GP Have enough social insurance (PRSI) contributions Apply within six weeks of becoming ill There is no payment for the first three days of illness. These are known as waiting days (Sunday is not counted here.) There are no waiting days if you were getting certain other social welfare payments within three days of the start of your illness. You should talk to you local Citizens Information Centre for more information on the qualifying conditions and how they apply to your situation. Only PRSI contributions paid at class A, E, H and P count towards Illness Benefit. Class S PRSI, paid by self-employed people, is not a qualifying social insurance class. How long is Illness Benefit paid? For a maximum of two years (624 payment days) if you have at least 260 weeks of social insurance contributions paid since you first started work, or one year (312 payment days) if you have between 104 and 259 weeks of social insurance contributions paid since you first started work What happens when my entitlement to Illness Benefit expires, and I am still unable to return to work? Before your payment is due to stop, you will be contacted by the Department of Social Protection (DSP) telling you when your payment will stop and giving you information on your options, for example: If you are ill and likely to be permanently incapable of work and satisfy the PRSI conditions, you may get Invalidity Pension If you do not get Invalidity Pension and have a disability that is expected to last for a year or more, you may get a Disability Allowance If you do not qualify for any other payments and your income is too low to meet your needs, you may get a Supplementary Welfare Allowance Can I work or attend training when on Illness Benefit? You cannot work while you are getting Illness Benefit. If you are getting Illness Benefit for at least six months, you can apply for Partial Capacity Benefit (PCB). This allows you to return to work and continue to get a social welfare payment, if you have a reduced capacity to work. A Medical Assessor (a doctor employed by the Department of Social Protection) will assess the restriction on your capacity for work. The rate of PCB paid is based on this assessment. You cannot start work until you have written approval from the DSP. You must get written approval from the Illness Benefit section of the DSP before you start any training or educational course or voluntary work. How much Illness Benefit will I get? Your weekly rate of Illness Benefit (IB) will depend on average weekly earnings in the relevant tax year. These are your gross earnings (without deductions) in the relevant tax year divided by the actual number of weeks you worked that year. If your Illness Benefit claim begins in 2025, the relevant tax year is 2023. How to apply for Illness Benefit You must apply within six weeks of becoming ill or you may lose some of your payment. If there is a good reason for a delay in applying, your payment may be backdated. You should apply for Illness Benefit online at MyWelfare.ie if you have: A verified or basic MyGovID account, and A medical certificate from your GP If your GP completed the medical certificate online, you will get a copy of it for your records. If your GP cannot complete it online, you can get the certificate from your GP and post it to Freepost, Social Welfare Services, P.O. Box 1650, Dublin 1. Alternatively, you can complete a paper Illness Benefit application form and a medical certificate called a Certificate of incapacity for work from your family doctor (GP). You fill in the IB1 form and freepost it to the Department of Social Protection. Your GP can provide one medical certificate to cover the duration of your illness. Some GPs can complete the medical certificate online. If your GP cannot send it online, you will get a paper medical certificate which you must fill in with your personal details and freepost it with your IB1 form to the Department. You do not pay for the Certificate of incapacity for work as the Department pays the doctor an agreed fee. However, you may have to pay for the doctor to examine you. Can I appeal a decision to refuse my Illness Benefit application? If you think you have been wrongly refused Illness Benefit, you can appeal the decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office within 21 days of getting the decision. Contact your local Citizens Information Centre for more. By Jonathan McCambridge and Rebecca Black, PA Nine schools across the North were targeted by a threatening email which is thought to be a hoax, police have said. Several of the schools across counties Antrim, Fermanagh and Tyrone closed due to a security concern on Monday morning. Earlier the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said they were liaising with the Metropolitan Police in London over the emails. Stormont Education Minister Paul Givan condemned the disruption, and welcomed what he termed the speedy response from the PSNI. The PSNI said they were investigating the circumstances of the threatening email which was sent to nine schools on Monday, and are at this time, treating the matter as a hoax. They said they received reports from three schools in Strabane, three schools in Ballycastle and three schools in Enniskillen that they had received an email during the early hours of Monday. Officers were deployed to each of the schools, with the force saying: Checks have not, at this time, resulted in anything untoward at any of the schools. Based on inquiries and information to date, police are treating this as a hoax, the PSNI added. Chief Superintendent Gillian Kearney (Liam McBurney/PA) Chief Superintendent Gillian Kearney said inquiries are continuing. We take incidents of this nature very seriously and we understand the concern in the community, not to mention the disruption it has caused in each of the school communities and for students and parents, she said. Thank you to each of the schools for their assistance with our enquiries to date. Our enquiries are ongoing and we will continue to liaise with each of the schools impacted to provide reassurance. We urge everyone, in the meantime, to be vigilant and report anything suspicious to police immediately by calling 101, or 999 in an emergency. Mr Givan said in a statement: I condemn the disruption caused this morning after an email was sent to a number of schools across Northern Ireland. I welcome the speedy response from the PSNI who have now assessed the threat and explained to schools they do not need to take any action as a result of this hoax. A threatening email sent to nine schools in Strabane, Ballycastle and Enniskillen today - causing some of them to close - is, at this time, being treated as a hoax. Officers were immediately deployed to each school to engage with staff. Read more here : https://t.co/8Opvk64NZn pic.twitter.com/BQhHHW1wo1 Police Service NI (@PoliceServiceNI) March 24, 2025 Several of the schools impacted posted messages on social media. Holy Cross College in Strabane, Co Tyrone said: Unfortunately the school has had to close today due to a security concern. Any children already en route, we would ask that parents make arrangements to collect them. We will update you all as soon as possible this morning. The same message was posted on the Facebook account of Cross and Passion College in Ballycastle, Co Antrim. Meanwhile, Erne Integrated College in Co Fermanagh posted: Due to a security alert this morning, traffic around the school and Erne Integrated Primary is extremely backed up. We are open as normal, after the all-clear was given by the PSNI. DUP MLA Deborah Erskine said it had been a scary incident for the schools involved (Liam McBurney/PA) DUP Fermanagh and South Tyrone MLA Deborah Erskine said it was particularly reprehensible to target schools. She said: Threats issued against what we believe to be nine schools across Northern Ireland are to be unequivocally condemned. Whilst we await more detail as to their credibility, such threats are unacceptable and have no place in our society. Targeting schools places of learning, personal growth, and friendship for young people is particularly reprehensible. Ms Erskine added: I commend the leadership of the affected schools for their swift and responsible response in prioritising the safety and wellbeing of their pupils and staff. Their professionalism and dedication in the face of this situation is testament to their commitment to their school community. My thoughts are with all the pupils, parents and staff impacted by this incident and subsequent school closures. No child should have their education disrupted in this manner, and no family should have to endure the fear and uncertainty caused by such reckless actions. The PSNI must act swiftly to identify the culprit behind this. Appalling to see NI schools closed because of a security threat, including Cross & Passion College in Ballycastle in North Antrim. I trust the police get on top of this situation quickly and that concerns of parents, staff and pupils can be allayed. Jim Allister (@JimAllister) March 24, 2025 TUV leader and North Antrim MP Jim Allister said on X: Appalling to see NI schools closed because of a security threat, including Cross & Passion College in Ballycastle in North Antrim. I trust the police get on top of this situation quickly and that concerns of parents, staff and pupils can be allayed. In a social media post, DUP MLA Gary Middleton said: Concerning that schools across NI have been affected by a security threat. An update from the PSNI and Education Authority is due to be issued shortly. A spokesperson for the Northern Ireland Education Authority said it was aware of reports of an email sent to schools. The spokesperson added: PSNI are conducting inquiries and it would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage. Founded in 2005 as an Ohio-based environmental newspaper, EcoWatch is a digital platform dedicated to publishing quality, science-based content on environmental issues, causes, and solutions. Architecture and planning firm LUC helped the Forest of Avon select lands for a successful bid to establish the new Western Forest across Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, and the West of England. LUC / LinkedIn The first national forest in the United Kingdom in 30 years will cover at least 6,200 acres and involve the planting of 20 million trees, the government announced on Friday. Trees for the Western Forest will be planted across Somerset, Gloucestershire, Bristol and Wiltshire by 2050, a press release from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) said. The Government was elected on a mandate to plant three new national forests this parliament, as part of our commitment to reach net zero and drive sustainable growth under the Governments Plan for Change, Nature Minister Mary Creagh said in the press release. We will plant 20 million trees in the Western Forest to bring nature closer to people, prevent flooding and support wildlife. The Western Forest will bring trees and woodlands closer to more than 2.5 million residents. The Forest of Avon will spearhead the new forest, supported by up to $9.69 million in government funds over five years. The Forest of Avon is thrilled to have led a wonderfully diverse and engaged partnership to bring the Western Forest to life. This is about resource, funding and expertise coming directly to landowners, partners and communities, planting millions of trees in the right places. Together, we will enhance landscapes for all to enjoy, improving the lives of our 2.5 million residents and visitors to the region, said Alex Stone, chief executive of Forest of Avon, Englands Community Forests. The goal of the project is to create a network of forests by revitalizing existing woodlands and other important habitats at a truly landscape scale for wildlife and people. The new national forest will help the drive to net zero while promoting economic growth and creating jobs in Wiltshire, Gloucestershire and across the West of England, as part of the Governments Plan for Change. It will also help us meet our nature and legal environment targets including halting the decline of species and protecting 30% of land for nature by 2030, the press release said. Over 73 percent of the planned Western Forest area is farmland, meaning it will give farmers an opportunity to integrate trees into the agricultural landscape through farm woodlands and agroforestry. These tree habitats can regenerate the soil and improve resilience to flooding and drought delivering multiple environmental, economic, and social benefits, without compromising food production, supporting the Governments Land Use Framework, the press release said. The National Forest Company, manager of the National Forest, will mentor the new Western Forest project team. The National Forest Company is delighted to see the announcement of the Western Forest as the first of the governments new national forest commitments, said John Everitt, chief executive of the National Forest, in the press release. This initiative builds on the success of the National Forest in the Midlands, where planting more than 9.8 million trees has transformed the landscape, benefitting wildlife, communities and the economy. The Western Forest was selected because of its ability to demonstrate a similar scale of ambition, with trees and woods supporting growth and farming while enhancing natures recovery and access to green space, Everitt said. The Western Forest will also contribute to the governments target of increasing tree and woodland cover in England to 16.5 percent by 2050. Our countryside and woodlands are a source of great national pride, and todays announcement is a further example of this government delivering for nature, following historic announcements on the wild release and management of beavers in England, a new approach to neonicotinoid pesticides on crops grown in England and new measures to strengthen our protected areas and meet 3030, the press release said. Dr. Kevin James ORANGEBURG, S.C. Dr. Kevin James, president of Morris Brown College, a historically Black college in Atlanta, Georgia, will address South Carolina State Universitys Class of 2025 during Spring Commencement on Friday, May 9, 2025. The ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium. Graduation rehearsal is scheduled for Thursday, May 8, 2025, at 9 a.m. at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium. During rehearsal, each graduating senior will receive guest tickets. The tickets will be used in case of inclement weather because of limited seating in the alternative location, Smith-Hammond-Middleton Memorial Center. Graduating students will receive official information from the Universitys Registrar's Office and are encouraged to order their academic regalia from the University Bookstore as soon as possible to ensure availability. Graduating seniors should contact the University Registrars Office at registrar@scsu.edu or 803-536-7185 for more information. The Registrars Office is in Moss Hall room 202. About Dr. Kevin James James is Morris Brown Colleges19th president. Under his leadership, the college regained accreditation after a nearly 20-year hiatus, becoming the first HBCU to achieve such a feat. Driven by a commitment to Morris Brown's legacy, he initiated the #TheHardReset campaign, successfully restoring the institution to compliance and recognition by the Department of Education. With a career spanning over 23 years as an educator, administrator, executive business leader, and motivational speaker, James brings a wealth of experience to his role as the colleges chief executive officer. He has been responsible for stabilizing finances, expanding academic offerings, increasing fundraising, launching a new five-year strategic plan, and achieving record-breaking enrollment in the past two decades. The institution secured full accreditation from the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS) on April 26, 2022, enabling the college to regain access to federal financial aid programs and Title IV funding. He also solidified Morris Brown College's reinstatement as a participant in the Strengthening Historically Black Colleges and Universities program under Title III. Throughout his tenure, James has received numerous accolades and awards for his contributions to higher education, business, and executive leadership. In 2024, James was named Titan 100 of Georgia. The Titan 100 recognizes the top 100 CEOs & C-level executives in the state who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, vision, and passion. Collectively, the 2024 Georgia Titan 100 and their companies employ more than 125,000 individuals and generate over $31 billion in annual revenues. James was named HBCU College President of the Year by Our HBCUs Matter Foundation, Most Admired CEO by the Atlanta Business Chronicle in 2023, and Atlantas Top 500 Leader each of the last four years. James is a staunch advocate for educational accessibility. He is regularly sought after as a mentor, lecturer, and agent of strategic change, particularly at HBCUs. As an innovator and authority on higher education, particularly regarding underserved communities, he has spoken about HBCUs, equity and inclusion in higher education and the unique challenges of minority-serving institutions. He has been featured in prominent media outlets, including CNN, CBS, NBC, and FOX, and in leading news publications such as U.S. News, Forbes, Black Enterprise, The Root, NewsOne, TheGrio, HBCU Times, Diverse Issues in Higher Education, Inside Higher Education, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Atlanta Business Chronicle, Atlanta Voice, Atlanta Magazine, and The Atlanta Tribune. James is active in various organizations and serves on the boards of the African Methodist Episcopal Church Worldwide, the Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Kappa Kappa Psi, and the Historic Oakland Foundation, among others. He is a member of such honor societies and organizations as Kappa Delta Pi Honor Society, Golden Key International Honor Society, the Prince Hall Masonic Fraternity, Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. James holds a bachelor's degree in communication disorders and social sciences from Winthrop University, a master's degree in business management, leadership, and organizational effectiveness from Troy State University, and a Doctor of Education degree in higher education leadership from Nova Southeastern University. He also is a graduate of the Higher Education Institute at Harvard University. A native of Columbia, South Carolina, James is deeply committed to empowering the community through education and has played a transformative role in revitalizing Morris Brown College. His strategic vision, dedication, and numerous accomplishments have positioned the institution for a successful future. Engadget has been testing and reviewing consumer tech since 2004. Our stories may include affiliate links; if you buy something through a link, we may earn a commission. Read more about how we evaluate products . The Nothing Phone 2a was one of the most memorable smartphones of 2024. It offered a fast display, big battery and personality, all for just $349. For a follow-up, Nothing could have simply refreshed the 2a and the result would have probably been worth recommending. But the company didn't do that. Instead, it decided to update the 2a and release an entirely new handset alongside it. That new device, the Phone 3a Pro, has something you don't find on many midrange smartphones: a periscope telephoto camera. If you can live with some added weight and a slightly silly design, the 3a Pro offers a nearly flagship camera experience for $459. As for the 3a, its a great device on its own, and a smart alternative if you have even less to spend on a new phone. Nothing/Engadget 80 100 Expert Score Nothing Phone 3a If youre okay with Nothings limited US warranty, the Phone 3a is a great budget device. It offers a great screen, fun design and a surprisingly great camera package for the price. Pros Fun design Large 120Hz AMOLED screen Clean but customizable Android skin Cons Limited US warranty No wireless charging Tinny speakers $379 at Nothing Nothing/Engadget 82 100 Expert Score Nothing Phone 3a Pro Provided youre okay with Nothings limited warranty in the US, the 3a Pro is a great midrange device. It offers a vibrant screen, fun design and a great telephoto camera. Pros Large 120Hz AMOLED display Great, versatile cameras Clean but customizable Android skin Cons Limited US warranty No wireless charging Massive camera bump $459 at Nothing Carrier compatibility Igor Bonifacic for Engadget There are a couple of important details I need to mention before I get too far into this review. In the US, Nothing is selling the 3a and 3a Pro through a "beta" program where the company only offers 14 days of after-sale support. If there's something wrong with your new phone and it's outside the extremely short return period, you could easily be out of luck. This is separate from Nothing's software support policy, which promises three years of Android upgrades and six years of security patches for the 3a and 3a Pro, in addition to "corrective and functionality updates." Additionally, the phones don't support all of AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon's 5G bands. Youll get basic connectivity, but mmWave speeds are off the table. Lastly, Nothing notes AT&T and Verizon customers will need to contact their carrier to enroll their new phones IMEI for 5G access. I mention these things upfront because I think the 3a and 3a Pro are great phones worthy of your consideration, but its also understandable if Nothing's limited customer and carrier support put you off. Design Igor Bonifacic for Engadget The 3a and 3a Pro don't feel like two sub-$500 handsets, and a big part of that is a new glass backing. Compared to my iPhone 12, the 3a and 3a Pro feel very Apple-like in their construction. I especially like the coating Nothing used for the outer casing of the two phones, which makes the frame feel like it's made from ceramic. Both are big handsets, and the texture made for a secure grip anytime I took one of them out of my pocket. Nothing has also added better waterproofing, with both the 3a and 3a Pro offering IP64-certified protection against moisture and dust. That's up from the IP54 rating on the 2a. If you spend a lot of time around water, plenty of other midrange phones come with better protection, including the new $499 Pixel 9a. Another new feature is a button called the Essential Key. On both phones, it's located on the right side, right below the power button. I'll have more to say on what it does later, but for now I'll mention it feels less solid than all the other buttons on the two phones. It's a shame because everything else is so well-made. The Phone 3a is available in three colors (black, white and blue) and the 3a Pro in two (gray and black). Unfortunately, you can't buy the blue 3a in North America, otherwise I would get one for myself. Nearly three years after the release of the Phone 1, Nothing's devices continue to have unique designs, though I imagine some people might not be thrilled about the look of the 3a Pro. Igor Bonifacic for Engadget I mean, look at it. The 3a Pro is a modern-day Lumia 1020, and is sure to attract confused looks. Not only does the camera housing make an already thick phone thicker, but the extra hardware makes the 3a Pro a whole 10 grams heavier than the 3a. And at 201 grams, the 3a already feels substantial. It's hard to see in photos but there's a gap between bottom of the 3a Pro's camera module and the top of the back casing. In the short time I've had the phone, it has already started collecting dust and debris there. The outer ring of the module also has a finish that doesn't match with any of the other materials used on the phone. Ultimately, it feels like the 3a Pro sacrifices some of the 3a's cool factor for camera performance. That tradeoff is ultimately worth it and its design grew on me, but I wouldn't judge you if you found the 3a Pro too much. Display Igor Bonifacic for Engadget The 3a and 3a Pro have the same display. At 6.77 inches, it offers slightly more real estate than the 2a's 6.7-inch screen. This time around, Nothing has also gone with Panda Glass to protect the AMOLED panel from scratches. On paper, that's a downgrade from the Gorilla Glass Nothing used for the 2a and what you'll find on the Pixel 9a and Galaxy S24 FE, but short of conducting a drop test, its hard for me to say if there's any difference in durability. What I can say is the display looks great. It's still an FHD panel with a variable refresh rate that goes up to 120Hz. However, it offers improved visibility in direct sunlight with the ability to hit a peak brightness of 1,300 nits automatically. I never struggled to see the screen, even on a sunny day when I wore polarized glasses. For the price, Nothing picked the perfect screen. It's fast, vibrant and, thanks to a new 480Hz sampling rate, highly responsive. One aspect of the display that may annoy some is that Nothing went with an optical in-display fingerprint sensor instead of ultrasonic. Ultrasonic sensors tend to be faster and more accurate, but they also cost more to make, so they're typically only found on flagship devices like the Galaxy S25. Don't let that scare you away from the 3a and 3a Pro though. Outside of a bit of pokiness during setup, I haven't had any issues with the fingerprint sensor. Cameras Igor Bonifacic for Engadget The cameras on the 3a and 3a Pro are the complete package. Starting with the 3a, Nothing has made a few tweaks. For a main camera, you still get a 50-megapixel Samsung GN9 sensor paired with an f/1.88 lens and optical image stabilization (OIS). Instead of the 50MP ultrawide camera on the 2a, the 3a has an 8MP sensor from Sony and a slightly wider 120-degree field of view. Most notably, the phone now comes with a 50-megapixel telephoto camera with 2x optical zoom. While more manufacturers are beginning to include telephoto cameras with their midrange phones, it's still not a feature you find on every device. For $379, the 3a's telephoto has no right being as good as it is, and I was constantly surprised by the detail in the shots I took. Across the entire package, Nothing has really pleasing image processing. The contrast that the software adds to photos might be too much for some, but it otherwise does a great job of producing warm and inviting natural colors. Like a lot of phones in its price range, the 3a's cameras can struggle in low light or when it has to contend with harsh sunlight. Nothing Phone 3a Pro camera samples A great Pyrenees sits on the pavement. One idiosyncrasy of Nothing's image processing is that photos will often look unusable before you press the shutter. For example, bright scenes will frequently have blown out highlights. However, once the phone has had a second to apply HDR, those same images will often turn out great. I didnt know this when I first started using the phone, so sometimes I gave up on a shot before taking it. This is true of the 3a Pro too, so keep that in mind if you decide to buy one of them. As for the 3a Pro, it offers a near flagship experience and the highlight is the phone's periscope camera. It has a 50MP Sony sensor with an f/2.55 lens and built-in OIS. The telephoto gives a 3x optical zoom, but you can also push it to 6x with a lossless crop. Either way, the images produced by this lens can look sharp and detailed, as long as the subject you're trying to shoot is relatively still. As you can see from the sample gallery, some of the cats I tried to photograph around my neighborhood came out a bit blurry. That's because the 3a Pro attempted to get away with using a relatively slow shutter speed. However, for less challenging scenes, the periscope camera consistently felt like cheating, and I had to keep reminding myself this is a phone that costs less than $500. The telephoto also has a macro mode, allowing it to focus on subjects as close as 5.9 inches away. It can be tricky to judge how close you need to be to the subject, but when I was able to nail focus, the 3a Pro produced detailed shots. Igor Bonifacic for Engadget The main camera on the 3a Pro is similarly great. Like on the 3a, you get a 50MP sensor with an f/1.88 lens. However, it comes with a different Samsung sensor that has dual-pixel autofocus, which helps the 3a Pro lock in faster and more accurately. Here, Nothings image processing goes a long way to deliver photos that look pleasant. Colors are vibrant without being overbaked and there's just enough detail to satisfy anyone who's looking for it. I didn't take too many selfies. The 3a Pro has a slight edge in that department thanks to a higher resolution 50MP sensor, but the 3a is no slouch either with its 32MP sensor. Neither phone has a front-facing camera with autofocus, but thats often the first feature manufacturers cut to make a more affordable device. Nothing Phone 3a camera samples A pair of fish tacos. In the US, the 3a Pro has no counterpart. There are phones like the Motorola Edge 50 Pro that offer a great telephoto at a comparable price, but it's not sold in North America. If a camera with reach is important to you, the 3a Pro's closest stateside competitor is the Galaxy S24 FE, but it normally costs $650. And for that reason, I think it's well-worth considering over dual rear camera phones like the Pixel 9a. Performance Igor Bonifacic for Engadget On top of updated camera hardware, the 3a and 3a Pro feature a new Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chipset. Relative to the 2a's MediaTek Dimensity 7200 Pro, Nothing says the new Snapdragon SoC has a 33 percent faster CPU and 11 percent faster GPU. When I ran the 3a Pro through Geekbench 6, the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 earned a single-core score of 1,115 and a multicore score of 3,082. For context, the Dimensity processor scored 1,123 and 2,603 when my colleague Sam Rutherford reviewed the 2a last year. For another point of comparison, the Exynos 2400e in the Galaxy S24 FE easily beats both the Qualcomm and MediaTek chips with scores of 2,140 and 6,690, respectively. I know thats a lot of numbers all at once, but I put them upfront to set expectations: think of the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 more as a budget chip than a flagship one. For everyday use, I found it was more than enough for my needs. With 12GB of RAM, the 3a and 3a Pro offer plenty of headroom for scrolling through social media, multi-tasking and AI applications like Gemini. However, the phones are less ideal for gaming. When I tried to play games like Diablo Immortal and League of Legends: Wild Rift, I found it was possible to run them at 60 frames per second, but the 3a and 3a Pro would occasionally drop frames and I couldn't play either game with all their graphics settings maxed out. Battery Igor Bonifacic for Engadget Like the 2a, the 3a and 3a Pro feature a 5,000mAh battery. Looping a YouTube video until the battery died, the 3a went 19 and a half hours on a single charge. If you want to spend a day gaming, the 3a Pro is good for about eight hours before it needs charging. For more average use involving a mix of social media use and web browsing, I was able to get close to 14 hours of screen time. Once the battery is empty, the 3a and 3a Pro support 50W fast charging, up from 45W on the 2a. Neither phone comes with a power adapter inside the box, and Nothing didn't provide me with one for testing, but the company claims the 3a and 3a Pro can go from zero to 100 percent battery in less than an hour using its new charger. Most people probably have a 20W power adapter lying around, and based on my observations, you can expect to charge the phones from 10 percent to full in about an hour and a half. If your budget allows for it, it's definitely worth spending extra to buy Nothing's new charger since few phones in this price range offer charging as fast as the 3a and 3a Pro. The tradeoff is neither the 3a or 3a Pro support wireless charging, but if you ask me, I would take faster wired charging over Qi compatibility every time. Software Igor Bonifacic for Engadget The 3a and 3a Pro arrive with Android 15 and the latest version of Nothing OS out of the box. As I mentioned at the start, Nothing has promised to support these phones with three years of Android updates, so if you buy one now, you can expect to get at least Android 18 before you might need to consider upgrading phones. Google and Samsung offer longer support, but relative to the rest of the Android ecosystem, Nothings policy is pretty good. This was my first time using Nothing OS and I have to say I'm a big fan. Nothing hasn't gone overboard customizing stock Android, and there's really no bloatware to speak of. Both the system and quick settings menus mostly follow the format established by Google, so navigating the interface is easy. One nice touch is that Nothing includes its own monochromatic icon pack, with many popular third-party apps covered. There are 18 custom widgets that come standard with Nothing OS and they all look great. The one major new software feature included with the 3a and 3a Pro is tied to the Essential Key I mentioned. A single tap of the button allows you to take a screenshot, which you can immediately annotate. If you long press instead, the 3a and 3a Pro will start recording a voice memo. Finally, a double tap opens the Essential Space, the new app where all of those screenshots and notes are stored. An algorithm will automatically transcribe any voice memos and do its best to categorize all your clippings into categories, though you can also create your own. Nothing plans to do more with Essential Space in the future, but for now it's limited in its functionality, and you can't rebind the Essential Key to do something else if you don't find the app helpful. If you're the type of person who uses Apple Notes religiously, I can see the Essential Key and Essential Space being a great way to keep your digital life tidy. I found it less useful, mostly because I've never been much of a notetaker. I will say I do think it's a good idea, and, with a bit more iteration, Nothing could create something that feels, well, more essential. Wrap-up Igor Bonifacic for Engadget The Nothing Phone 3a and 3a Pro offer tremendous value for $379 and $459. It's really hard to criticize Nothing for any of the component choices, and if you're willing to take a risk on the company's limited US warranty and want something unique, these are the phones to buy. For everyone else, it's safer to buy something like the Pixel 9a or Galaxy S24 FE directly from your carrier. You won't have to worry about calling your carrier about your phone, and you'll get a longer one-year warranty. Additionally, both Google and Samsung offer up to seven years of software support with their latest devices. Jessica Aber, a former U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, was found dead at her home in Alexandria, Virginia, on Saturday morning. Aber's body was found around 9:18 a.m. local time by authorities who responded to the scene after receiving a report of an unresponsive woman inside a home in the 900 block of Beverly Drive. Aber was pronounced dead at the scene. She was 43. The cause of death has not been determined, and an investigation is underway as a matter of protocol. The Virginia Medical Examiner's Office will conduct an autopsy to establish the cause and manner of death. "In a matter of protocol, an investigation is underway surrounding the circumstances of her death. The office of the chief medical examiner of Virginia will determine the cause and manner of death," the police said in a statement posted on Facebook. Additionally, it was not immediately clear whether the home she was found in belonged to her or who initially contacted the police. Aber notably stepped down from her role as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia on Jan. 20, the same day President Donald Trump swore in for the second time. Aber had a distinguished career in public service, having been nominated by then-President Joe Biden in August 2021 and unanimously confirmed by the Senate. She led the Eastern District of Virginia for approximately three years, overseeing a staff of about 300 prosecutors and other personnel. During her tenure, Aber handled high-profile cases involving terrorism, espionage, public corruption, and corporate crime. Her office prosecuted cases against Russian nationals for money laundering, secured a guilty plea from Siemens Energy over corporate espionage charges, and obtained murder convictions against an MS-13 gang member. Prior to being nominated for U.S. Attorney in 2021, Aber was the Deputy Chief of the Criminal Division for EDVA. Rachel Zegler, the 23-year-old star of Disney's live-action "Snow White" remake, has sparked speculation about a potential rift with co-star Gal Gadot after notably omitting the Israeli actress from a recent tribute. Zegler posted a series of Instagram posts where she celebrated the film's release. The posts featured behind-the-scenes photos and heartfelt messages about her experience making the Disney film, adding that the project was a "life-changing" experience. "I became a real adult during the course of this filmlearned hard lessons, did hard things, laughed, cried, turned 21, lived across the ocean from my family, made new friends, and completely fell in love with this group of people I got to work with for three magical summers," she wrote in the caption. Zegler also posted other tributes in which she highlighted various crew members, including choreographers, camera operators, and director Marc Webb. She also mentioned co-stars Dujonna Gift and Andrew Burnap. However, it was notable that she did not mention or reference co-star Gadot, who plays the Evil Queen. Furthermore, none of the images Zegler posted included the "Wonder Woman" actress. The apparent snub comes amid reports of behind-the-scenes conflict between Zegler and Gadot. Sources cited by People magazine claim the actresses have "nothing in common" due to their significant age gap and differing political views, particularly regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Zegler has been an outspoken supporter of Palestine, while Gadot, who served in Israel's defense forces, has publicly supported her home country. Despite the alleged tension, Zegler and Gadot presented together at the 2025 Oscars on March 2, and both attended the Los Angeles premiere of "Snow White" on March 15. However, their joint press appearances have been limited, with the film's premiere reportedly scaled back and featuring no press interviews. Neither Zegler nor Gadot have publicly acknowledged or commented on rumors of a feud. Vivian Wilson, the 20-year-old daughter of Elon Musk and Justine Wilson, has opened up about how different her parents were when she came out as trans in 2020. In an interview with Teen Vogue, she opened up about how her mom is on her side despite the rocky relationship with Musk. "She was very supportive of my transition," Vivian said of her mother, author Justine Wilson, 52. Vivian recalled how her mother immediately supported her when she came out as transgender. She explained that her mother had already suspected the truth, making her reaction more of a confirmation than a revelation. Justine briefly feigned surprise before offering her complete acceptance, reinforcing the ease with which she embraced Vivian's identity. "She kind of [pieced it together], so when I came out, she pretended to be slightly surprised for 30 seconds and then was like, 'Yeah, honey. Okay.'" The experience with Musk, however, was different. "He was not as supportive as my mom," Vivian stated. She described their relationship as distant, revealing that she had not spoken to her father for months before seeking gender-affirming medical care. Despite the lack of communication, she was still required to obtain his legal consent for hormone blockers and hormone replacement therapya process she found frustrating and burdensome. "First of all, I had not talked to him in monthsin monthsso I had to get f*****g parental consent to get testosterone blockers and [hormone replacement therapy]." She revealed that her coming-out journey reached a breaking point late one night when she could no longer suppress her identity. "It was 11:00 p.m., and I was like, I know for a fact I am trans. I had known for a few months at that point, and I was like, I cannot f------ do this anymore," she said. She described experiencing severe emotional distress during this time. "That was the point where puberty was really picking up and everything in my life was completely falling apart. I was constantly having mental breakdowns in the middle of class." "I could not get through days. I didn't want to wake up, I didn't want to do anything. I just wanted to rot, pretty much." Looking back, Vivian wishes she had come out to her mother first rather than through social media. "I do regret that," she admitted. "If I were to do it again, [my mom] deserves to be the first one to know." On Estrangement from Elon Musk Vivian has not spoken to Musk since, who has even made statements against his particular gender-affirming medical care for minors. Musk has previously claimed that he was "tricked" into letting Vivian go through a medical transition at 16something she has since denied. Vivian later pushed back against Musk's claim in an interview with NBC News, labeling it a "lie." Remembering her own experience as a child, she continued to say that her dad was there about 10% of the time. Vivian also thanked her mother for standing up for her despite her contentious relationship with Musk. "She's been supportive of the choices that I have made in college, about being public. She kind of was like, 'Well, I can't stop you, so whatever.'" Netflix has reportedly pitched Prince Harry and Meghan Markle a documentary project about the life and death of Princess Diana. Timed to coincide with the 30th anniversary of Diana's death in 2027, the proposal may prove to be instrumental in sealing the Sussex's fate with the streaming giant, insiders alleged to Radar Online. Prince Harry is said to lead the docuseries and would be co-executive producer and host. However, according to an insider, the idea would be to see Harry speaking about his memories of his mother and exploring her legacy as a cultural and social icon. The deal for which the couple signed with Netflix in 2020 is set to expire in the next few months and is worth $99.5 million. However, the streaming platform still hopes to partner with the duo. According to royal insiders, if the Diana doc is aired, it will pave the way for a new deal. Negotiations are taking place about the new series, but a lasting agreement has yet to be reached. The source, who is well acquainted with the negotiations, told The Express, "Harry might even see it as a stepping stone to building bridges with William and the rest of his family." The possible deal comes hot on the heels of Meghan's recently released Netflix series, "With Love, Meghan," a lifestyle and cooking show released this spring. The series picked up a mixed bag of reviews yet proved a success for the streamer, debuting in the top 10 of both the US and UK Netflix, breaking the top 10 of both, reaching sixth place. When she and her husband, Prince Harry, landed a $100 million deal with Netflix, neither had earned a dollar in Hollywood. Royal Expert Weighs in on Sussexes' Netflix Goal Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams has told the Sussexes that it is crucial they sign a new deal with Netflix. Of the couple Fitzwilliams said to GB News, "They have to get Netflix and have to keep them on board." He added, "I think they will get something from Netflix in the future. The head of content at Netflix appeared to be appreciating their efforts in statements, so that does imply that something is going to continue." "I would be amazed if it was anything like what they planned when they first signed. Whatever contract comes up, it appears there's going to be some sort of continuation." But Fitzwilliams sounded a note of caution, "Certainly, for the Sussexes, it is far from encouraging." he concluded. Fairfield, MT (59436) Today Mostly sunny this morning then becoming cloudy during the afternoon. Slight chance of a rain shower. High near 70F. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies. Low 49F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph. 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 (The Center Square) President Donald Trump is standing by Department of Government Efficiency leader Elon Musk in spite of criticism from Democrats from Illinois and around the country. Union leaders led rallies on Sunday to protest potential changes to the U.S. Postal Service. Trump has suggested a move to privatize the agency or merge it into the Department of Commerce. U.S. Senator Dick Durbin, D-Illinois, posted a video on X from a downtown Chicago rally on Sunday. Durbin said he opposed Musk and others who want to privatize USPS. The U.S. Postal Service was created in the Constitution. Most people dont know that, but they do know that they can count on the postal service every day, six days a week, Durbin said. Now there are those in Washington, Elon Musk and others, who want to privatize the postal service. I am opposed to that. Lets keep it an independent agency above politics. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson also spoke at the rally and pledged his support for workers. Trump defended Musk at a Cabinet meeting on Monday. Hes a patriot more than anything else. Hes never, think of it, he has never asked me for a thing. He could have. I always say, I wonder if hes ever going to ask me for something, Trump said. The U.S. Postal Service reported a $9.5 billion net loss in fiscal year 2024. Chicago Flips Red Vice President Danielle Carter-Walters said she supports Trumps suggestion to privatize or merge USPS. We have companies like Amazon, these big billion-dollar companies, that use the postal service to send their packages because theyre saving them money, Carter-Walters told The Center Square. Carter-Walters said Trump is working on behalf of the people. They always want to say that President Trump, hes for the rich. No, hes not for the rich. He wants the rich to pay their fair share, just like we the regular people have to pay, Carter-Walters said. GREAT FALLS, Mont. A water main break occurred near Chowen Springs Park at 801 17th St. S. on Sunday, March 23. The break was discovered around 1:00 a.m., leading to water being diverted into the park, which serves as a natural storm water detention pond, until repairs were completed. Fairfield, MT (59436) Today Sunshine early then becoming cloudy later in the day. Slight chance of a rain shower. High 71F. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies. Low 48F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph. The Trump administration said Friday evening it wont shut down the Social Security Administration after the agencys acting commissioner previously threatened to shutter offices and systems after a federal court ruling temporarily stopped Elon Musks Department of Government Efficiency from systems that hold Americans personally identifiable data Today, the Court issued clarifying guidance about the Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) related to DOGE employees and DOGE activities at the Social Security Administration (SSA). Therefore, I am not shutting down the agency. President Trump supports keeping Social Security offices open and getting the right check to the right person at the right time. SSA employees and their work will continue under the TRO, said Acting Commissioner Leland Dudek in a statement Friday evening. Earlier, Bloomberg and the Washington Post reported that Dudek was conferring with Trump administration officials about potentially shutting down Social Security offices and systems over the DOGE court ruling by U.S. District Judge Ellen Hollander. Dudek previously argued the ruling was broad and could be construed as applying to SSA employees beyond Musks DOGE team, according to the report. Hollander issued a statement on Friday that her temporary restraining order only applies to Musks team. That resulted in Dudek's statement on not shutting down Social Security. Social Security provides monthly payments to 70 million Americans including 59 million retirees (who paid into the system via payroll systems) and as well as persons with disabilities. The Social Security shutdown threat sparked criticism from progressive groups worried about how Musks DOGE Social Security efforts will impact benefits checks. Musk previously called Social Security the biggest Ponzi scheme of all time. Democratic lawmakers have also voiced concerns about SSA closing hearing offices and staffing cuts hurting customer services and operating systems. They also worry about Trump and Musk privatizing benefits and Martin O'Malley, who served as Social Security administrator during the Biden administration worries, DOGE cuts jeopardizing operations and deliveries of benefits. Spokespersons for President Donald Trump have said Musk DOGE efforts are aimed at eliminating fraud and waste and not impacting benefits checks. Trump and the White House have also criticized judges who have blocked DOGE efforts related to staffing, operational and procurement cuts contending they are biased. The Scottish government has spent over 200 million on external consultants to help administer agricultural support payments, according to media reports. On average, more than 20m has been paid out each year to firms to advise and administer the payments over the last nine years, ITV News has found. The total spend is just over 203 million since 2016, with the significant majority of it going to three external companies. Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon told the broadcaster that the firms were providing IT services rather than simply consulting on how to run the programmes. But Finlay Carson, Scottish Conservative MSP for Galloway and West Dumfries, said this was an "astonishing sum of money that the SNP have squandered". He called on government ministers to "get a grip" on costs and ensure that the money being spent on consultants was fair for taxpayers. Ministers cannot keep farmers and the wider agriculture in the dark over what is happening with how this system is operating," Mr Carson added. "Their previous IT system turned out to be a total disaster in terms of delivering payments and weve known for some time that this version simply is not fit for purpose. This is a huge drain on the public finances yet Jim Fairlie, as the relevant SNP minister, is still pretending everything is fine. This is not just about the cost of the system, it is also about future policies to deliver a just transition for farmers being put at risk." Ms Gougeon told ITV that all the contracts were "subject to Scottish government procurement procedures to ensure value for money". She said: These payments are for IT services, not consultancy, to deliver ongoing operational delivery, maintenance, modernisation, cybersecurity and development to a range of areas, including vital farming support payments. Expenditure has reduced in recent years, and we have seen consistent improvement in agriculture support payment performance and lower costs as a result of these investments meaning money is reaching farmers more quickly." Defra has confirmed avian influenza in a single sheep in Yorkshire following repeat positive milk testing, with farmers urged to remain vigilant for the disease. The case of H5N1 was identified following routine surveillance of livestock on a farm where avian influenza had previously been confirmed in captive birds. Defra said on Monday (24 March) that there was no evidence to suggest an increased risk to the UK livestock population. Livestock surveillance had been introduced on the infected Yorkshire premises, the department added. The infected sheep had been humanely culled to enable extensive testing, and no further infection was detected in the remaining flock. While this is the first time this virus has been reported in a sheep, it is not the first time avian influenza has been detected in livestock in other countries. In the United States, more than 700 dairy herds have been infected across the country since last year, but mostly in California, government statistics show. In December, the United States Department of Agriculture issued a federal order for the testing of the nations milk supply due to the surge. Following the case in Yorkshire, the UK chief veterinary officer urged farmers and livestock keepers across the country to remain vigilant to the disease's clinical signs. Dr Christine Middlemiss said strict biosecurity measures had been implemented on the farm to prevent the further spread of disease. "We have confirmed the detection of influenza of avian origin (H5N1) in a single sheep on a farm in Yorkshire," she said. While the risk to livestock remains low, I urge all animal owners to ensure scrupulous cleanliness is in place and to report any signs of infection to the Animal Plant Health Agency (APHA) immediately. In line with the UKs international reporting requirements, the case will be reported to both the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) and the World Health Organisation. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said that avian influenza "is primarily a disease of birds and the risk to the publics health is very low, but people should not touch any dead or sick wild birds they find". Dr Meera Chand, emerging infection lead at the agency said: Globally, we continue to see that mammals can be infected with avian influenza A(H5N1). However, current evidence suggests that the avian influenza viruses were seeing circulating around the world do not spread easily to people and the risk of avian flu to the general public remains very low. UKHSA has established preparations in place for detections of human cases of avian flu and will respond rapidly with NHS and other partners if needed. In January, it became mandatory for all poultry farmers and keepers in Britain to follow strict biosecurity measures to help protect their flocks as part of the Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ). The AIPZ measures apply to all poultry farmers and bird keepers whether they have pet birds, commercial flocks or just a few birds in a backyard flock. There is also a mandatory poultry housing order in place across large swathes of England and all of Northern Ireland. Scotland and Wales are not included in this. Avian influenza is notifiable in all poultry and other captive birds and influenza of avian origin is notifiable in both kept and wild mammals. If the disease is suspected, it must be reported immediately to APHA. Failure to do so is an offence. 03000 200 301 in England 0300 303 8268 in Wales Contacting a local Field Services Office in Scotland A Kent farmer has achieved a 9t/ha winter bean crop, in an era where UK winter field bean yields range from a low of 3.7t to highs of 4.9t/ha. In 2024, Kent grower Richard Budd averaged a winter bean yield of over 6t/ha, with some fields achieving more than 9t/ha. These fields generated a higher gross margin compared to the Tonbridge-based farm's winter wheat crop. A gross margin of 1,170/t on a 9t/ha crop, and 780/t on 6t/ha, demonstrates that, if grown well, beans can be a lucrative break crop. Mr Budd, who farms over 1,600ha, has been awarded ADAS YEN trophies for his wheat, oilseed rape and beans over recent years. His 2023/4 bean crop - 200ha of Vesper benefited from his non-negotiables: no compaction, minimal weed competition and good disease control "Beans hate compaction, so we subsoil before drilling at 45 seeds/m2, adjusted for germination rates," he explains. "The bean seeds were big with a good thousand grain weight, which is known to make a difference to yield. "We applied Kerb (propyzamide) and Nirvana, pre-emergence, to give residual grassweed control. Mr Budd notes that at their peak, his beans reached over 8ft tall, with up to 50 stems/m and 55 pods/plant. While last years spring was detrimental to many crops development, the cooler, wetter weather meant good flowering and pod set conditions. Any tell tail senescence in July indicates one of two issues Mr Budd says - a heat wave or a chocolate spot infection. He explains: It doesnt matter which crop you look at in the YEN competition, the longer you can keep them green, the bigger the yields. Beans are no different. "I aim to keep them green until mid-July for harvest in late August or early September. When chocolate spot gets going it can be very aggressive, and it is the number one disease for yield loss. "We mainly use tebuconazole and Signum, both are protectant, so we keep an eye on disease levels and maintain spray intervals. Iain Ford, BASFs business development manager, explains that the farm's seedbed preparation is key to the herbicides performance. Getting the most out of Nirvana is largely about timing applications within 24 hours of drilling into fine, firm seedbeds to ensure even herbicide coverage and good crop safety. He adds that Signum is widely recognised as being the most effective product for controlling chocolate spot and contributes to keeping crops green in several ways. Applications at early flowering, repeated at mid to late flowering, protects beans through those important growth stages," he explains. Ultimately, Mr Budd says growing high yielding bean crops is about mindset: I believe that break crops must contribute as much as possible to the rotation, they arent there just to give us good wheat crops." He concludes: "Last years results werent a complete fluke. The weather certainly helped but we worked hard to get the basics in place. Northern Irish farm leaders have welcomed the progression of the Suckler Cow Scheme into legislation, despite a delayed start from the originally proposed date. The scheme, which was due to start in January, will roll out on 1 April and run for four years, with changing targets for calving intervals and age at first calving. The Ulster Farmers' Union (UFU) said it was pleased to see the scheme moving forward, providing much-needed support for suckler farmers. However, it raised concerns with the Department of Agriculture (DAERA) regarding its start date in April, which coincides with a busy spring calving period. The different calving intervals based on dates could also create challenges for farmers, the union added. For example, a cow calving on 31 March 2026 will require a calving interval of 415 days, whereas a cow calving on 1 April 2026 will need to calve within 405 days. In year one, the scheme will run from 1 April to 31 March 2026, with initial targets of a maximum calving interval of 415 days and an age of first calving of 34 months and under. These targets will tighten annually: in year two, it will include a 405-day maximum calving interval, 32 months and under for first calving. UFU deputy president, Glenn Cuddy the gradual reduction in calving intervals and first-calving age would require careful management from farmers. "While we support measures to improve efficiency and productivity, it is essential that the scheme remains practical and achievable for our members, he said. The payment rate for the scheme is set at 100 per eligible cow, with payments scheduled for summer 2026. There will be no individual farm quotas; instead, a total Northern Ireland herd quota of 222,000 has been set. If the number of eligible calving events exceeds this threshold, payments will be reduced accordingly. Mr Cuddy said that to ensure clarity and fairness, it was vital that farmers understood the eligibility requirements. "We urge farmers to review their records and ensure compliance, he added. "The UFU will continue to engage with DAERA to address industry concerns and ensure the scheme delivers real benefits for suckler producers." The US market for women's synthetic trousers is characterised by intense competition, with Asian countries playing a dominant role in exports. This analysis delves into the market performance of leading exporters, assessing key indicators such as export values, revealed comparative advantage (RCA), unit value realisation (UVR), and the effect of tariff rates. By analysing export values, RCA, UVR, and tariff rates, we can better understand the competitive landscape of womens synthetic trousers in the US market. Countries with strong RCA and favourable tariffs have a strategic advantage, while those with higher UVR may be targeting premium segments. As trade policies evolve, exporters must adapt their strategies to maintain and expand their market share in this dynamic sector. Table 1: Top 5 countries exporting womens synthetic trousers (HS code-610463) to the US and trade statistics of CY 2024 US market for women's synthetic trousers is highly competitive, with Vietnam, China, Jordan, Cambodia, and Indonesia leading exports. Vietnam dominates due to strong specialisation and pricing balance, while Jordan benefits from tariff-free access. China's cost efficiency offsets tariff burdens, though its competitiveness may decline. Cambodia and Indonesia hold mid-range positions. Source: TradeMap and F2F Analysis, *Effective March 4, 2025 Note: LPI (Logistic Performance Index) Figure 1: Top 5 countries exporting womens synthetic trousers to the US and trade statistics of CY 2024 Source: TradeMap, F2F Analysis Trade Overview Vietnam: Market leader with strong RCA and competitive UVR Vietnam leads the US market for womens synthetic trousers, boasting an impressive export value of $631.24 million. With an RCA of 2.35, Vietnam demonstrates a strong specialisation in this product category, reinforcing its dominance in global trade. Vietnams UVR of $24.18/kg positions its exports in the mid-range price segment, striking a balance between affordability and quality. This competitive pricing strategy enables Vietnam to cater to both value-conscious buyers and those seeking reliable quality at a reasonable cost. Despite facing a 14.9 per cent tariff rate, Vietnam remains highly competitive due to its efficient production capabilities, economies of scale, and well-integrated supply chains. The country's ability to produce cost-effective, high-quality trousers has solidified its status as a key supplier to the US market, allowing it to maintain a significant edge over competitors. China: Strong exporter facing high tariffs China ranks second with an export value of $271.56 million. Its RCA of 1.11 reflects a moderate comparative advantage, while its UVR of $9.47/kg places its products in the lower price range. However, China faces a high tariff rate of 34.9 per cent, which slightly impacts its pricing competitiveness in the US market. Figure 2: Tariff rates (%) and UVR ($/kg) for China Source: F2F Analysis Tariff Impact: With the first tariff imposition on February 4, 2025, the tariff rate increased to 24.9 per cent. This rise in the tariff burden would lead to an increase in the UVR as production and export costs rise. As a result, the UVR would likely increase to around $10.40/kg, reflecting the growing challenges posed by the higher tariffs. The increase in the UVR indicates that the product is becoming more expensive, which could make it less attractive for price-sensitive US consumers. In the second tariff imposition, effective from March 4, 2025, the tariff rate rose further to 34.9 per cent. This substantial increase would push the UVR to approximately $11.50/kg or higher. The higher tariff burden will continue to raise costs, further diminishing the cost-effectiveness of women's synthetic trousers. However, China might continue to dominate in the segment despite the tariff imposition. This is because China has been able to produce womens synthetic trousers at much lower prices compared to its competitors. The tariffs are unlikely to affect the key strength of Chinas womens trouserscost-effectiveness. Jordan: Tariff-free advantage with high RCA and competitive UVR Jordan is a strong competitor with an export value of $198.12 million and an impressive RCA of 109.25, indicating a dominant comparative advantage in producing synthetic trousers. With a UVR of $24.56/kg, Jordans products are positioned in the mid-to-high price range, making them highly attractive to quality-conscious US consumers. The biggest advantage for Jordan is its tariff-free access to the US market, which enables it to offer competitive pricing while maintaining high-quality standards. Jordans tariff-free status gives it a significant edge over countries facing higher tariffs. Jordan also benefits from its relative proximity to the US, which helps reduce trade costs. It avoids higher logistics expenses while benefitting from zero-tariff access. Cambodia: Competitive player with strong RCA and moderate UVR Cambodia ranks as the fourth-largest exporter of womens synthetic trousers to the US, with an export value of $148.84 million. Its exceptionally high RCA of 21.15 underscores its strong specialisation in this product category, making it a key player in global trade. With a UVR of $22.65/kg, Cambodia positions itself in the mid-price segment, offering a balance between affordability and quality. While its 14.9 per cent tariff rate is moderate, it poses a challenge in competing with tariff-exempt exporters like Jordan, which enjoys a pricing advantage. Despite tariff pressures, Cambodia maintains a strong market presence due to its lower production costs, skilled workforce, and well-integrated supply chains. Its competitive pricing allows it to challenge lower-cost exporters like China while offering a quality alternative to higher-priced suppliers. As trade dynamics shift, Cambodias ability to sustain cost efficiency and capitalise on its strong RCA will be crucial in maintaining and expanding its share in the US market. Indonesia: Emerging competitor with moderate RCA and UVR Indonesia ranks as the fifth-largest exporter of womens synthetic trousers to the US, with an export value of $120.59 million. Its RCA of 7.75 reflects a moderate specialisation in this category, while its UVR of $23.59/kg places it in the mid-to-high price range. Like Cambodia and Vietnam, Indonesia faces a 14.9 per cent tariff rate, which, while moderate, presents challenges in a market historically dominated by Chinas cost-efficient exports. Despite its strong RCA, Indonesia struggles to gain a significant foothold due to pricing constraints. Its higher UVR makes it less competitive against Chinas lower-priced offerings, which continue to dominate the segment despite tariff hikes. Additionally, established supply chains and buyer preferences for Chinese products make it difficult for Indonesia to capture a larger share of the market. To strengthen its position, Indonesia may need to focus on product differentiation, value-added features, or trade agreements that could provide a tariff advantage over competitors. Competitive summary & outlook Vietnam will likely sustain its leadership due to its balanced pricing, strong RCA, and moderate tariffs. Jordan will capitalise on its tariff-free advantage, strengthening its position in higher-value segments. Cambodia and Indonesia will continue competing for mid-range buyers, but Cambodias cost-effectiveness may give it a slight edge. Chinas dominance will weaken but not disappear, as its cost-efficiency and logistical strength will offset some of the tariff impact. Looking ahead, trade policies, tariff shifts, and evolving buyer preferences will be critical in shaping market dynamics. Countries that combine production efficiency with strategic pricing and trade advantages are likely to capture greater share in the US womens synthetic trousers market. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (NS) The United States share in apparel exports from Bangladesh surprisingly increased to almost threefold during the first two months of the current year. It reached 54.28 per cent of the total apparel exports of $1.407 billion from Bangladesh. The US share in outbound shipments was recorded at 18.52 per cent in 2024. Bangladesh shipped garments worth $763.810 million to the US in JanuaryFebruary 2025, accounting for 54.28 per cent of its total garment exports of $1.407 billion during the same period, according to Fibre2Fashion's market insight tool TexPro. US' share in Bangladesh's apparel exports surged to 54.28 per cent in JanuaryFebruary 2025, up from 18.52 per cent in 2024, reversing a three-year decline. Despite overall export fluctuations, US-bound shipments saw a significant jump early in 2025. Cotton garments made up over 73 per cent of 2024 exports to the US, with men's, women's, and unisex garments contributing the bulk. It is important to note that the US share had been consistently declining over the past three years. It dropped to 18.52 per cent in 2024 from 21.36 per cent in 2022. Bangladesh exported garments worth $43.494 billion in 2022, of which shipments to the US amounted to $9.291 billion, representing 21.36 per cent of total garment exports. Outbound shipments from Bangladesh declined by 16.31 per cent to $36.400 billion in 2023, while shipments to the US dropped by 25.41 per cent to $6.930 billion. Consequently, the US share in total exports fell to 19.04 per cent in 2023. In 2024, total exports rose by 4.66 per cent to $38.098 billion, while shipments to the US increased marginally by 1.80 per cent to $7.055 billion. The slower growth in exports to the US further reduced its share to 18.52 per cent. According to TexPro, exports of baby garments to the US stood at $250.831 million in 2024, accounting for 3.77 per cent of total exports. Shipments of mens garments were recorded at $3,072.098 million (45.23 per cent), womens garments at $1,908.758 million (28.70 per cent), and unisex garments at $1,415.126 million (21.30 per cent). During 2024, exports of cotton garments to the US amounted to $4,869.570 million (73.28 per cent), man-made garments $1,234.608 million (18.58 per cent), and other types $536.168 million (8.07 per cent). Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KUL) Chinas General Office of the State Council recently issued guidelines aimed at further strengthening trade policy compliance with World Trade Organization (WTO) regulations. Compliance assessment should be a necessary prerequisite of the introduction of new trade policies, the guidelines emphasised, requiring governments at all levels to assess proposed trade policies in accordance with WTO agreements and China's commitments, a state-controlled media outlet reported. China's General Office of the State Council has issued guidelines aimed at further strengthening trade policy compliance with WTO regulations. Compliance assessment should be a necessary prerequisite of the introduction of new trade policies, the guidelines emphasised, requiring governments at all levels to assess proposed trade policies in accordance with WTO agreements and China's commitments. Strengthening trade policy compliance efforts is conducive to fostering a top-tier business environment and promoting the establishment of a unified national market, said a commerce ministry official. Ensuring a non-discriminatory and transparent policy framework will promote the smooth flow of production factors and efficient allocation of resources, and unlock greater market potential, the official added. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS) How did you come on board for Hindi Vindi? See Also: Ali Abbasi on Sebastian Stans physical transformation in The Apprentice What was it like debuting in a film with Neena Gupta? Initially, I was approached to be the singing voice for the main protagonist, Kabir, played by Mihir Ahuja. Then I met Jay and Ali. I told them I've got this song which is not going on my album, but I wrote it for a film. I didn't know which film it would land in. But I showed it to them, its called Made of Heart and they fell in love with the song. I ended up writing a few songs with Mohsin, the music director of the film. Then I got asked to star in the film as Kabir's father. It was an honour for me. My mum is from India so I grew up watching Hindi movies. She speaks Hindi, I love the culture and was lucky enough to grow up with good Indian values. I told my mum, I'm not joking. I really am in a Hindi movie and Neena Gupta is in it. She just thought I was joking. She wouldn't believe me. Then I FaceTimed her with Neena ji and she was just so proud. It was amazing. Even having Neena ji's involvement made me take the role seriously. I've been on camera and on stage for most of my life. So I knew that people would be watching this and people who know me would be thinking, Oh, how's he gonna act? There's all this pressure. But having Neena Ji and Mihir as well, who has worked on The Archies, was great. I watched Mast Mein Rehne Ka and it made me wanna bring my A-game. I wanted to make sure that I was doing justice to the role of James. He's quite a complex character. Hes full of charisma and confidence but underneath he's a softy. Hes a father who realises his mistakes and wants to redeem himself. Hes at a crossroads where life has gone so bad but hes learning a lot of lessons from his son, especially about compassion and grace. Tell us about creating this tense father-son dynamic with Mihir Ahuja Growing up did you feel like you arent Indian or Australian enough? It was probably a lot easier for me to relate to Kabir than it was to be the father. I have a beautiful father. He's a geologist and used to work on different oil rigs. He would be away for a month, home for three weeks and away for a month again. He worked so hard to give us a good life and moved us to Australia. We moved all over the place. That is very much Kabir's story. He's got this father who is very successful in work but has moved him around a lot. And he's this kid that's now in Australia that speaks in an accent. I was a young kid, seven years old, trying to fit in with this accent. But I must say, I had a really great childhood with beautiful friends that were very accepting. Often we tend to concentrate on the negative. The negative was very small when I compared it to the beautiful friends who never made me feel different. They always made me feel like I was an Aussie. To put it in context, I was on Australian Idol in 2003 and I won. The person I was up against was probably the most cliche Australian person you could have. I'm very proud to be a multicultural Australian. There's a lot of love for Indian culture here. That's why we love playing you guys in cricket. I grew up playing cricket my whole life. I was trying to get Steve Smith into this movie to play one of the scenes. I spoke to Brett Lee as well to come on board for this film, but they couldn't make the dates. Are you a fan of any Indian cricketers? What I love is cricketers that will make you hate them. I know that's a weird thing to say but if you're an Australian cricketer and India hates you. I love that because when Virat Kohli is on fire, Australia hates him because he's so good. So it makes the rivalry really fun to watch and it's more competitive. I also love Shubhman Gill. Hes a star. He looks like he should be in Bollywood. I grew up in the days of some legendary cricketers. I love cricketers who don't feel the pressure and are just stars. Like when Rishabh Pant bats, it can be the most crucial time in a game but do you think Rishabh is changing the way he plays? He doesn't care if hes in the last wicket stand and there's still a hundred to score. He will bat how he bats because he is who he is. What goes into balancing acting and music? They both exist in totally different worlds. Music I'll do that in my sleep. I'm not saying that in an arrogant way. I've done my time. I'm here in my studio so I can wake up and think of a song. But then put me with the script into acting. that's when I get nervous because I respect the art form of acting as much as I respect any other art form. You have to do your 10,000, or 20,000 hours to get good at any art form. I've done a lot of TV work as a coach on The Voice and The X Factor. But it's very different when you've got to literally be somebody else. When I needed to step into James's shoes, that required a completely different set of skills. And I'm glad I did because when I'm alongside people like Neenaji and Mihir, I have to do my best. See Also: Ali Abbasi on Sebastian Stans physical transformation in The ApprenticeEXCLUSIVE: Adarsh Gourav On Self-Doubt: Am I Crazy To Be Doing This? One of the first scenes I saw Mihir shoot was very emotional. The character that he was playing came to life through his face so beautifully because he was able to really tap into an emotion. It was awesome to work alongside Mihir and it didn't take long for me to tap into that feeling that this is my son and he deserves better. It surprised me because I took the role very seriously. I grew a big beard so I would look older. We put some greys in my hair. James is an idiot. He's funny and takes jokes too far but he's trying to redeem himself. So getting that balance was really important for me. I wanted to make sure that the audience believed in my redemption.It was probably a lot easier for me to relate to Kabir than it was to be the father. I have a beautiful father. He's a geologist and used to work on different oil rigs. He would be away for a month, home for three weeks and away for a month again. He worked so hard to give us a good life and moved us to Australia. We moved all over the place. That is very much Kabir's story. He's got this father who is very successful in work but has moved him around a lot. And he's this kid that's now in Australia that speaks in an accent. I was a young kid, seven years old, trying to fit in with this accent. But I must say, I had a really great childhood with beautiful friends that were very accepting. Often we tend to concentrate on the negative. The negative was very small when I compared it to the beautiful friends who never made me feel different. They always made me feel like I was an Aussie. To put it in context, I was on Australian Idol in 2003 and I won. The person I was up against was probably the most cliche Australian person you could have. I'm very proud to be a multicultural Australian. There's a lot of love for Indian culture here. That's why we love playing you guys in cricket. I grew up playing cricket my whole life. I was trying to get Steve Smith into this movie to play one of the scenes. I spoke to Brett Lee as well to come on board for this film, but they couldn't make the dates.What I love is cricketers that will make you hate them. I know that's a weird thing to say but if you're an Australian cricketer and India hates you. I love that because when Virat Kohli is on fire, Australia hates him because he's so good. So it makes the rivalry really fun to watch and it's more competitive. I also love Shubhman Gill. Hes a star. He looks like he should be in Bollywood. I grew up in the days of some legendary cricketers. I love cricketers who don't feel the pressure and are just stars. Like when Rishabh Pant bats, it can be the most crucial time in a game but do you think Rishabh is changing the way he plays? He doesn't care if hes in the last wicket stand and there's still a hundred to score. He will bat how he bats because he is who he is.They both exist in totally different worlds. Music I'll do that in my sleep. I'm not saying that in an arrogant way. I've done my time. I'm here in my studio so I can wake up and think of a song. But then put me with the script into acting. that's when I get nervous because I respect the art form of acting as much as I respect any other art form. You have to do your 10,000, or 20,000 hours to get good at any art form. I've done a lot of TV work as a coach on The Voice and The X Factor. But it's very different when you've got to literally be somebody else. When I needed to step into James's shoes, that required a completely different set of skills. And I'm glad I did because when I'm alongside people like Neenaji and Mihir, I have to do my best. Hindi Vindi, a film about a teenager in Sydney looking to bridge the cultural gap through his music, is a heartwarming story about self-discovery. Directed by Ali Sayed, the film features The Archies star Mihir Ahuja, Neena Gupta and Guy Sebastian. In an exclusive chat with Filmfare, musician-turned-actor Guy Sebastian opened up about playing a complicated father, his desi side and much more. Jacqueliene Fernandez rushed back home from her overseas work commitments after her mother, Kim Fernandez, reportedly fell sick. Kim has been admitted to the ICU at Lilavati Hospital due to a medical emergency. Some videos, doing rounds on social media, suggest that Jacqueliene is currently with her mother at the hospital. She was reportedly photographed entering the premises of the hospital. While details about the illness or sudden sickness haven't been confirmed, Jacqueliene's mom had a similar health scare in 2022. She stays in Manama, Bahrain and was admitted to a hospital in Bahrain after suffering a stroke. She is of Malaysian and Canadian descent. Her maternal grandfather is Canadian and her great-grandparents were from Goa in India. See Also: WATCH: Jacqueliene Fernandez drops a teaser for her debut single Stormrider Jacqueliene keeps her private life away from the media, but she has been vocal about the heartwarming relationship she has with her mother. "My mom always supported me. I miss her a lot. I live here alone without my parents. There are these two people who have been so strong and they have been such an inspiration for me which always keeps me going," she noted. "They never stopped me from doing anything. When I told my mom that I am joining the Miss Sri Lanka contest, she said 'Okay, cool' and when I said, 'Mom, I am moving to India', then also she was like 'Okay'," she added. Opening up further, she noted that her mother never judged her, even when she did not make the best decisions. While details about the illness or sudden sickness haven't been confirmed, Jacqueliene's mom had a similar health scare in 2022. She stays in Manama, Bahrain and was admitted to a hospital in Bahrain after suffering a stroke. She is of Malaysian and Canadian descent. Her maternal grandfather is Canadian and her great-grandparents were from Goa in India.Jacqueliene keeps her private life away from the media, but she has been vocal about the heartwarming relationship she has with her mother. "My mom always supported me. I miss her a lot. I live here alone without my parents. There are these two people who have been so strong and they have been such an inspiration for me which always keeps me going," she noted."They never stopped me from doing anything. When I told my mom that I am joining the Miss Sri Lanka contest, she said 'Okay, cool' and when I said, 'Mom, I am moving to India', then also she was like 'Okay'," she added. Opening up further, she noted that her mother never judged her, even when she did not make the best decisions. On the professional front, Jacqueliene hasn't announced any projects yet. However, she was last seen in Fateh, alongside Sonu Sood. She is known for movies including Aladin, Jaane kahan se aayi hai, Murder 2, Housefull 2: The Dirty Dozen and more. We wish for her mother's speedy recovery. Superstar duos are our favourite kind of casting. Especially when that happens for an action flick. The latest duo to join forces are the two men who unmistakably stand for unbridled machismo Salman Khan and Sanjay Dutt. While these two stars have given us classics like Saajan (1991) and Chal Mere Bhai (2000), its not time for them to come together for an out-and-out action flick. Our trusted sources revealed, Salman and Sanjay love working together. They havent come together in a while, but once they got wind of this action flick project both stars were excited. Their new action, adventure caper is going to be directed by a debutant director. Interestingly, Salman and Sanjay have never worked together in a full-blown action film, despite having undeniable charisma as action stars. Saajan was a romantic drama, while Chal Mere Bhai was a family comedy. Theyve also worked together in a David Dhawan film called Ye Hai Jalwa (2002), but that was a family comedy, too. See Also: No one can do justice to Sanjay Dutts part Salman Khan This new project will mark an all-new style of collaboration between these leading men. It will be great to see how Salman Khan and Sanjay Dutts real-life friendship translates into the action heroes chemistry. The fact that this new film is going to be directed by a newcomer also promises that the film could bring in a never-seen-before kind of treatment and style. Both Salman and Sanjay have larger-than-life personas on screen and that could translate into an action film that impresses genre fans. Were keeping our fingers crossed and eye peeled for more developments around this project. Salman Khan and Sanjay Dutt were also recently spotted in Dubai, where they were shooting for the international project, a remake of the Argentinian movie Seven Dogs (2021). Sanjay Dutt is reportedly working with Prabhas in Spirit and thats another exciting project in the offing. A Media Snippet accompanying this announcement is available by clicking on this link. LONDON, March 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Apollo Art Auctions is delighted to announce its upcoming Fine Ancient Art, Antiquities & Jewellery auction, set to take place on March 29th at 1pm GMT. This highly anticipated event will feature an extraordinary collection of ancient marbles, jewellery, seals, and antiquities. The sale is honoured to present pieces coming from the collections of Charles Ratton & Guy Ladriere, Dr. W. Benson Harer, P. Verite, Kurt Deppert, Suzanne Tardivat, Georges Halphen, Taher Khorassani, Borowski, Donald Wonder, James Wolfensohn, Dr. Ulrich Mullerb and Philip Mitry. The sale will be held live at our Central London showroom (63-64 Margaret Street, W1W 8SW) and online via the Apollo Art Auctions platform. Items in the auction come from a vast range of cultures, including outstanding pieces from Ancient Egypt, Rome, Greece, Viking, Medieval European, and Western Asiatic civilizations. Each lot has been carefully curated to highlight the remarkable artistry, craftsmanship, and cultural heritage of the ancient world. Auction Highlights: Lot 10 - Rare Egyptian Gold Bes Pendant A stunning Ancient Egyptian gold pendant, depicting Bes, the god of protection, fertility, and household blessings. Bes was a beloved figure in Egyptian, Persian, and Achaemenid cultures and often appeared in amulets, jewelry, and decorative art. Lot 86 - Apulian Bell Krater Depicting a Rider on a Panther (Attributed to the Black Thyrsus Painter) Attributed to the Black Thyrsus Painter, this Apulian red-figure bell krater captures the Dionysian spirit through its depiction of a rider on a panther. In Greek mythology, Dionysus, the god of wine, theatre, and revelry, is often portrayed riding a panther to symbolise the untamed and ecstatic nature of his cult. Bell kraters were used in Greek symposia for mixing wine and water, making them essential pieces for social and ceremonial gatherings. Lot 93 - Rare Roman Marble Portrait Head of Marcus Crassus An imposing Roman marble portrait head believed to represent Marcus Licinius Crassus, one of Rome's wealthiest statesmen and a key figure in the First Triumvirate alongside Julius Caesar and Pompey. Known for his immense fortune and military prowess, Crassus played a crucial role in Roman history, including his infamous campaign against Spartacus' slave revolt. This grand-scale portrait, likely once part of a public monument or private villa, reflects the artistic and political significance of Roman portraiture. Lot 97 - Very Rare Attic Bronze Helmet This magnificent Attic bronze helmet would have been worn by Greek warriors, possibly during battles fought in the Peloponnesian War or against the Persian Empire. Attic helmets were favored for their sleek design, practicality in battle, and symbolic representation of military valor. Lot 114 - Greek Gold Ring with Sphinx and Amphora This exquisite Greek gold ring, dating from 400-300 BC, features an intricately detailed sphinx crouching beside an amphora. The sphinx, with its muscular hind legs, curled tail, and outstretched wings, embodies the mystery and wisdom associated with this mythological guardian. Its finely sculpted profile and beaded necklace showcase the artistry of the ancient Greek goldsmiths. The amphora, a vessel commonly used for storing wine and oil, adds a further symbolic element to the piece, possibly linking it to trade, wealth, or ritual practices. Lot 398 - Akkadian Lapis Lazuli Cylinder Seal A stunning Akkadian cylinder seal carved from lapis lazuli, a stone deeply associated with royalty, divinity, and power in Mesopotamian culture. These seals were used for legal, administrative, and religious purposes and often depicted elaborate mythological scenes. The choice of lapis lazuli underscores the extensive trade networks of the Akkadian Empire as it would have been sourced from the distant mines of Western Asia. Preview and Bidding Information: All auction lots will be available for private preview by appointment only at our Central London showroom from March 24th-28th, 2025 (10 a.m. - 5 p.m. GMT). Our expert team ensures that each artifact is prepared for professional in-house shipping. For inquiries or to schedule a preview, contact: enquiries@apolloauctions.com (+44) 7424 994167 Join the Live Auction on March 29th at 1 p.m. GMT For full auction details and to explore the complete catalogue, visit: Apollo Art Auctions: www.apolloauctions.com Ende Mai leitete US-Prasident Donald Trump mit der Unterzeichnung mehrerer Dekrete eine weitreichende Wende in der amerikanischen Energiepolitik ein. Im Fokus: der beschleunigte Ausbau der Kernenergie. Mit einem umfassenden Manahmenpaket sollen Genehmigungsprozesse reformiert, kleinere Reaktoren gefordert und der Anteil von Atomstrom in den USA massiv gesteigert werden. Ausloser ist der explodierende Energiebedarf durch KI-Rechenzentren, der eine stabile, CO-arme Grundlastversorgung zwingend notwendig macht. In unserem kostenlosen Spezialreport erfahren Sie, welche 3 Unternehmen jetzt im Zentrum dieser energiepolitischen Neuausrichtung stehen, und wer vom kommenden Boom der Nuklearindustrie besonders profitieren konnte. Holen Sie sich den neuesten Report! Verpassen Sie nicht, welche Aktien besonders von der Energiewende in den USA profitieren durften, und laden Sie sich das Gratis-PDF jetzt kostenlos herunter. Dieses exklusive Angebot gilt aber nur fur kurze Zeit! Daher jetzt downloaden! EQS Newswire / 24/03/2025 / 10:34 UTC+8 Hong Kong - March 24, 2025 - SeaPRwire , a leading Public Relations Communication Platform in Asia, has announced the integration of an innovative Intelligent News Push System into its service offerings. This new system, powered by Asia Presswire, aims to revolutionize how press releases are distributed by personalizing the delivery process based on users' interests and reading history. The Intelligent News Push System leverages artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) algorithms to tailor news content recommendations. By analyzing user preferences and behaviors, the system provides news platforms and social media Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs) with highly relevant and personalized press release suggestions. This approach enhances the chances of reaching the right audience and maximizes the impact of communications efforts. "With the integration of this AI-driven solution, SeaPRwire is taking a major step forward in delivering more targeted and effective communication strategies for our clients," said Jane Woo, Product Director at SeaPRwire. "By utilizing the latest in machine learning technology, we are able to offer a personalized experience that not only improves audience engagement but also helps brands achieve greater visibility and influence across diverse media platforms." The system's ability to track and analyze user interactions, such as reading habits and engagement patterns, ensures that each press release reaches the most relevant journalists, editors, and influencers. This level of customization allows for a more efficient distribution process, reducing noise and ensuring that the right content gets into the hands of those who are most likely to share or report on it. In addition to its AI-powered features, the Intelligent News Push System can measure the effectiveness of each press release by analyzing engagement data, providing valuable insights into how content is performing across different channels. This helps brands fine-tune their communications strategy for optimal results. SeaPRwire's new system is designed to serve clients across the Asia-Pacific region, including Japan, China, Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines. With a network that spans over 80,000 journalists and 300 million KOL followers, SeaPRwire continues to build on its reputation as a leading platform for earned media communications management. The collaboration with Asia Presswire brings cutting-edge technology to the platform, making SeaPRwire a more powerful tool for PR and communication professionals looking to enhance their brand presence in the region. This strategic development reinforces SeaPRwire's commitment to providing innovative, data-driven solutions that meet the evolving needs of the modern communications landscape. By focusing on personalization and AI-driven strategies, SeaPRwire is poised to transform how press releases are distributed, ensuring that brands can connect with the right audiences at the right time. About Asia Presswire Asia Presswire is a press release distribution service that provides tailored solutions for public relations firms, agencies, organizations, and corporations worldwide. They specialize in delivering customized press release distribution, including direct-to-editor email delivery to targeted media editors at newspapers, magazines, and broadcast outlets. Their extensive network spans 172 countries, connecting with over 230,000 media outlets and 3.6 million self-media platforms. Supporting over 46 languages, including English, Chinese, French, German, and Japanese, Asia Presswire ensures effective communication across diverse linguistic regions. Their services are designed to enhance brands' online visibility and reputation, enabling effective connection with target audiences. About SeaPRwire SeaPRwire is a leading earned media communications management platform in Asia, designed to empower PR and communications professionals. Its Branding-Insight Program streamlines communication management by connecting clients with a network of over 80,000 journalists, editors, magazines, and online media outlets, along with 300 million followers of key opinion leaders (KOLs). Leveraging AI-driven technology, SeaPRwire enables users to identify relevant media and KOLs, personalize pitches, and measure the impact of their communications efforts. Operating across regions including Japan, China, Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines, SeaPRwire enhances brand awareness and educates audiences effectively. Media Contact Brand: SeaPRwire Contact: Media team Email: cs@seaprwire.com Website: https://seaprwire.com 24/03/2025 Dissemination of a Financial Press Release, transmitted by EQS News. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. Media archive at www.todayir.com GUANGZHOU, China, March 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The 137th Canton Fair, set to open on April 15 in Guangzhou, China, has wrapped up a series of promotion events in Europe and Africa. As a portal of China's opening up and premium platform for international trade, the Canton Fair is committed to serving international trade and promoting economic cooperation through continuous upgrades of trade structures, exhibition themes, events and fair services. On March 5, the Canton Fair working group hosted a promotion conference in Vienna, Austria. Liu Xiaomin, Exhibition Director of China Foreign Trade Centre Group, noted that the 137th Canton Fair will continue to optimize the exhibitor and product lineup, upgrade trade promotion activities, and make the experience more convenient. The Canton Fair team also visited stores of XXXLutz to learn its sourcing demands, attendance feedbacks and suggestions, and invited the company to participate in matchmaking activities. Earlier, on March 3, a session in Budapest, Hungary, attracted over 110 local representatives. On February 27, the trade promotion event in Amsterdam, Netherlands, was joined by over 60 local representatives. The working group visited import company Koopman International and learned of its latest sourcing demands and attended a local household product exhibition. From February 24 to March 4, the Canton Fair hosted events in Nigeria, Ethiopia and Kenya. In Nairobi, Xu Jiansheng, Operation Director of China Foreign Trade Centre Group, stated that China is Kenya's largest trading partner and the largest source of imports. The upcoming 137th session will further emphasize the advantages of new products, reasonable price, good quality and full-chain service. On top of that, the Fair rolled out the Canton Fair App to provide more efficient and convenient services for global buyers. In Lagos, more than 180 participants, including local enterprises and media representatives, attended the promotion conference on February 24. The working group also visited the Computer Village technology Market lkeja, a consumer electronics market, ShopRite, a large supermarket chain, and Chinese companies' overseas warehouses. In Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the Canton Fair team engaged with the Ministry of Trade and Regional Integration and industry associations, organizing a seminar with Chinese-funded enterprises to discuss local market demands and exhibition participation. A partnership agreement was signed with a local business association. The 137th Canton Fair will be held from April 15 to May 5, 2025 in Guangzhou. To download the Canton Fair App, please visit https://cief.cantonfair.org.cn/en/app/appintro.html. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2647914/image_969985_6694363.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/the-137th-canton-fair-promotes-trade-and-international-exchanges-in-europe-africa-302408753.html Seattle, Washington--(Newsfile Corp. - March 24, 2025) - AGII, a next-generation Web3 and AI platform, has announced the expansion of its artificial intelligence capabilities, aimed at supporting the rapidly changing landscape of smart contract technology. As decentralized ecosystems evolve, AGII's upgraded AI tools are positioned to address the increasing complexity and flexibility required by modern smart contracts in Web3. Bringing advanced AI to Web3 automation and security. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8833/245780_024a9d6ee4f4d997_001full.jpg Smart contracts are foundational to decentralized applications, and their effectiveness relies on adaptability, security, and precision. AGII's enhanced AI systems now include intelligent automation, context-aware analysis, and real-time decision-making support. These upgrades allow developers to build smarter contracts that react autonomously to shifting conditions across blockchain networks. AGII's latest development empowers creators to deliver more robust, secure, and responsive decentralized solutions. The platform's integration of scalable machine learning models ensures that smart contracts can efficiently handle multi-chain environments, compliance requirements, and complex transactional logic. By improving AI-assisted auditing, validation, and behavioral forecasting, AGII minimizes vulnerabilities and maximizes performance across Web3 applications. These advancements support a new wave of contract innovation, where intelligence is built into every layer of execution. AGII continues to lead the way in AI-Web3 convergence by developing technologies that are not only reactive but forward-thinking. With its latest expansion, AGII reinforces its commitment to powering a smarter decentralized future-where contracts can evolve and adapt alongside the communities and ecosystems they serve. About AGII AGII is a cutting-edge AI and Web3 platform focused on advancing decentralized technology through intelligent automation. With a robust suite of AI tools tailored for blockchain, AGII enables developers and organizations to build secure, scalable, and adaptive solutions for the next generation of Web3. Social Media Twitter Instagram To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/245780 SOURCE: Kaj Labs LONDON, March 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- NTT DATA Business Solutions UK&I are proud to announce a partnership with Airbus owned, Surrey Satellite Technologies Ltd (SSTL), a long-time pioneer of small satellite and spacecrafts, as they prepare for the launch of SAP S/4HANA Cloud Public Edition. The new solution will go live in early 2026 and underpins their mission in continued space innovation. SSTL, a world leader in small satellite and spacecraft manufacturing, have formed a transformative partnership with NTT DATA Business Solutions to evolve their current SAP software platform to SAP S/4HANA Cloud Public Edition. This strategic evolution of SSTL's SAP software environment opens access to cutting-edge technology as the company evolves and builds on its legacy of innovation that began with a pioneering group of researchers at the University of Surrey in the 1970s. With a history marked by the launch of 70 satellites for 20 international customers and numerous innovations, including the first modern microsatellite with in-orbit re- programmable computers, and later the first commercial application of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), SSTL continues to push the boundaries of space technology. The deployment of SAP S/4HANA Cloud Public Edition will enhance these capabilities, embedding advanced automation in back-office functions and managing the full project lifecycle - from bid to design, engineering, and launch. This adoption promises new levels of operational insight and efficiency, supported by SAP Analytics Cloud and SAP Datasphere solutions. Andrew Cawthorne, Managing Director of Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd, expressed his enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, "We are delighted to announce our partnership with NTT DATA Business Solutions as we evolve our SAP software platform to SAP S/4HANA Cloud Public Edition and accelerate our transformation as a business. This investment will deliver the precision, automation, and scalability our business needs to continue to focus on what we do best; pioneering satellite technologies." Steve Khetani, Digital Transformation Manager, emphasised the broader impacts of the digital transformation, noting, "SAP S/4HANA Cloud Public Edition is about more than a system of record, it's about providing a platform for our business that enables us to scale. The extended toolset that SAP brings in terms of extensibility, automation and analytics represents a huge opportunity for us to continue to deliver real value to the very talented people who make this business so special." The program will see NTT DATA Business Solutions leverage its EVOLVE framework to guide the streamlined migration. Justin Brading, EVP Western Europe and MD UK&I of NTT DATA Business Solutions commented, "We are incredibly proud to be supporting the next chapter of space innovation and business growth as we evolve SSTL's SAP ERP application to SAP S/4HANA Cloud Public Edition." Pablo Castagnini, Delivery Director, from NTT DATA Business Solutions added, "Surrey Satellite Technology are born innovators, making this programme far more than just a system upgrade. It's about leveraging the new platform to drive automation and deliver deeper business insights - fuelling their continuous journey of innovation." Since its acquisition by Airbus in 2009, Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd has significantly expanded its technological capabilities and market reach. This new digital operations transformation with SAP S/4HANA Cloud Public Edition marks another milestone in the company's journey towards enhanced productivity and continued innovation in the aerospace sector. About NTT DATA Business Solutions NTT DATA Business Solutions is a leading global IT service provider focused on SAP with a powerful ecosystem of partners. With more than 35 years of in-depth experience, we enable companies worldwide to become Intelligent Enterprises. We deliver end-to-end solutions that accelerate sustainable growth and success - from strategic consulting and implementation to managed services and beyond. As a global strategic SAP partner, we drive innovation and leverage the latest technologies to support our customers individually and across all industries. Our more than 16,000 dedicated employees in over 30 countries work passionately every day to make it happen. NTT DATA Business Solutions is part of NTT DATA, a $30+ billion trusted global innovator of business and technology services headquartered in Tokyo. As One NTT DATA we serve 75% of the Fortune Global 100 and are committed to helping customers innovate, optimize and transform for long-term success. NTT DATA is part of NTT Group. SAP and other SAP products and services mentioned herein as well as their respective logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of SAP SE in Germany and other countries. Please see https://www.sap.com/copyright for additional trademark information and notices. All other product and service names mentioned are the trademarks of their respective companies. https://www.linkedin.com/company/ntt-data-business-solutions https://www.youtube.com/@NTTDATABusinessSolutions https://www.facebook.com/NTTDATABusinessSolutions/ https://www.instagram.com/ndbs_global/ Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2569346/5228721/NTT_DATA_Business_Solutions_Logo.jpg View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/surrey-satellitetechnology-ltd-prepares-for-launch-with-sap-s4hana-cloud-public-edition-302408268.html Rise in prevalence of cardiovascular diseases (CVDS), expanding applications in pain management & fever reduction, and government & healthcare initiatives promoting preventive medicine drive the growth of the global aspirin drugs market. WILMINGTON, Del., March 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "Aspirin Drugs Market by Dosage Form (Tablets, Capsules, and Others), Application (Pain Relief, Cardiovascular Disease Prevention, Anti-inflammatory Uses, and Others), and Distribution Channel (Hospital Pharmacies, Retail Pharmacies, and Online Pharmacies): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2024-2035". According to the report, the "aspirin drugs market" was valued at $1.3 billion in 2023, and is estimated to reach $1.8 billion by 2035, growing at a CAGR of 2.7% from 2024 to 2035. Request Sample of the Report on Global Aspirin Drugs Market 2035 - https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/A325604 Prime Determinants of Growth Rise in prevalence of cardiovascular disease and rise in demand for pain management solutions are major factors that drive the growth of the global aspirin drugs market. However, availability of alternative for aspirin are anticipated to hinder the market growth. On the contrary, rise in research and development is expected to offer remunerative opportunities for the aspirin drugs market during the forecast period. Report coverage & details Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 2024-2035 Base Year 2023 Market Size in 2023 $1.3 Billion Market Size in 2035 $1.8 Billion CAGR 2.7 % No. of Pages in Report 276 Segments covered Dosage Form, Application, Distribution channel, and Region Drivers Rise in prevalence of diseases Widespread availability and affordability of aspirin Increase in awareness of preventive healthcare Opportunity Rise in research and development (R&D) initiatives Restraint Availability of alternative medications Want to Explore More, Connect to our Analyst - https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/connect-to-analyst/A325604 The tablet segment held the largest market share in 2023 By dosage form, the tablet segment held the largest market share in 2023, accounting for almost two-third of the aspirin drugs market revenue, owing to its widespread availability, ease of administration, and precise dosage control. Tablets offer longer self-life, cost-effectiveness, and patient convenience, making them the preferred choice for both prescription and over the counter (OTC) use. In addition, advancements in enteric-coated and extended-release formulations have enhanced patient compliance by reducing gastrointestinal side effects. The pain relief segment held the largest market share in 2023 By application, the pain relief segment accounted for the largest share in 2023, contributing more than two-fifths of aspirin drugs market revenue, and is projected to maintain its lead position during the forecast period. This is attributed to its widespread use in managing headaches, muscle aches, and other pain-related conditions. Aspirin's proven efficacy as an analgesic, along with its availability in various formulations, has contributed to its strong demand. In addition, rise in prevalence of chronic pain and growing consumer preference for over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers have further driven the segment growth. The retail pharmacies segment held the largest market share in 2023 By distribution channel, the retail pharmacies segment held the largest market share in 2023, accounting for almost half of the aspirin drugs market revenue. This is attributed to its widespread accessibility, strong distribution networks, and growing consumer preference for over-the-counter (OTC) medications. Retail pharmacies offer convenient purchasing options, professional guidance from pharmacists, and wide range of aspirin formulations. In addition, increasing self-medication trends, especially for pain relief and cardiovascular disease prevention, along with the expansion of pharmacy chains in emerging markets, contributed to the segment growth in the aspirin drug market. North America to maintain its dominance by 2035 By region, North America held the largest market share in terms of revenue in 2023, accounting for more than one-third of the aspirin drugs market revenue and is expected to dominate the market during the forecast period. This is attributed to rise in prevalence of cardiovascular diseases, widespread awareness of preventive healthcare, and strong healthcare infrastructure in the region. The region benefits from substantial healthcare investment, a well-established pharmaceutical industry, and presence of major market players. In addition, increase in geriatric population, rise in adoption of OTC drugs, and favorable regulatory policies have further fueled the demand for aspirin in both prescription and over-the-counter applications. For Purchase Related Queries/Inquiry - https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/purchase-enquiry/A325604 Leading Market Players: - Bayer AG Perrigo Company plc Cardinal Health Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. Mayne Pharma Group Limited Advacare Pharma Inc. Dexcel Pharma Limited Hyloris Pharmaceuticals SA Conical Pharmaceuticals Geri-Care Pharmaceuticals Corp. The report provides a detailed analysis of these key players in the aspirin drugs market. These players have adopted strategies such as product approval and clinical trails to increase their market share and maintain dominant shares in different regions. The report is valuable in highlighting business performance, operating segments, product portfolio, and strategic moves of market players to highlight the competitive scenario. AVENUE- A Subscription-Based Library (Premium on-demand, subscription-based pricing model) Offered by Allied Market Research: AMR introduces its online premium subscription-based library Avenue, designed specifically to offer cost-effective, one-stop solution for enterprises, investors, and universities. With Avenue, subscribers can avail an entire repository of reports on more than 2,000 niche industries and more than 12,000 company profiles. Moreover, users can get an online access to quantitative and qualitative data in PDF and Excel formats along with analyst support, customization, and updated versions of reports. Get an access to the library of reports at any time from any device and anywhere. For more details, follow the link: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/library-access About Allied Market Research: Allied Market Research (AMR) is a full-service market research and business-consulting wing of Allied Analytics LLP based in Wilmington, Delaware. Allied Market Research provides global enterprises as well as medium and small businesses with unmatched quality of "Market Research Reports" and "Business Intelligence Solutions." AMR has a targeted view to provide business insights and consulting to assist its clients to make strategic business decisions and achieve sustainable growth in their respective market domains. AMR offers its services across 11 industry verticals including Life Sciences, Consumer Goods, Materials & Chemicals, Construction & Manufacturing, Food & Beverages, Energy & Power, Semiconductor & Electronics, Automotive & Transportation, ICT & Media, Aerospace & Defense, and BFSI. We are in professional corporate relations with various companies and this helps us in digging out market data that helps us generate accurate research data tables and confirms utmost accuracy in our market forecasting. Allied Market Research CEO Pawan Kumar is instrumental in inspiring and encouraging everyone associated with the company to maintain high quality of data and help clients in every way possible to achieve success. Each and every data presented in the reports published by us is extracted through primary interviews with top officials from leading companies of domain concerned. Our secondary data procurement methodology includes deep online and offline research and discussion with knowledgeable professionals and analysts in the industry. Contact David Correa 1209 Orange Street, Corporation Trust Center, Wilmington, New Castle, Delaware 19801 USA. Toll Free: +1-800-792-5285 Int'l: +1-503-894-6022 UK: +44-845-528-1300 Hong Kong: +852-301-84916 India (Pune): +91-20-66346060 Fax: +1-855-550-5975 help@alliedmarketresearch.com Web: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com Follow Us on: LinkedIn Twitter Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/636519/Allied_Market_Research_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/aspirin-drugs-market-to-reach-1-8-billion-globally-by-2035-at-2-7-cagr-allied-market-research-302409079.html Shareholders in Elanders AB (publ) are invited to attend the Annual General Meeting to be held on Wednesday April 23, 2025 at 1.00 p.m. at Sodra Porten Conference Center, Flojelbergsgatan 1 C, Molndal. Lunch will be served from 11.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m., and registration for the meeting will begin at 12.30 p.m. RIGHT TO PARTICIPATE Shareholders who wish to attend the Annual General Meeting must be recorded in the register of shareholders maintained by Euroclear Sweden AB on Friday April 11, 2025. In addition, shareholders must notify the company of their intention to participate in the Meeting by latest April 15, 2025. In order to be entitled to participate in the meeting, shareholders who have trustee-registered their shares must, in addition to notify its intention to participate in the meeting, re-register the shares with Euroclear Sweden AB in their own name in order for the shareholder to be registered in shareholders' register as of April 11, 2025. Such registration, which may be temporary (so called voting rights registration), is to be requested with the trustee in accordance with the trustee's routines at such time in advance as decided by the trustee. Voting rights registrations made no later than the second bank day after April 11, 2025, will be considered in the production of the share register. There is a total of 35,357,751 shares in Elanders, whereof 1,814,813 class A-shares with ten votes per share and 33,542,938 class B-shares with one vote per share. The shares entitle to 51,691,068 votes in total. The company does not hold any treasury shares. NOTIFICATION Notice of attendance shall be made in one of the following ways: on Elanders' website www.elanders.com (https://www.elanders.com/corporate-governance/annual-general-meeting/annual-general-meeting-2025/); (https://www.elanders.com/corporate-governance/annual-general-meeting/annual-general-meeting-2025/); in writing to Elanders AB (publ), att "Annual General Meeting 2025", c/o Euroclear Sweden AB, Box 191, 101 23 Stockholm, Sweden; or by telephone +46 8 402 91 33. The notice shall state name, address, telephone number, personal or corporate identity number and, if applicable, the number of advisors (not more than two) that will accompany the shareholder at the Meeting. Shareholder represented by a proxy shall issue a power of attorney for the proxy. If the power of attorney is issued by a legal entity, a registration certificate or a corresponding document which indicates the authorised signatories of the legal entity must be enclosed. The original power of attorney, and any registration certificate or the equivalent, should be sent to the company well in advance of the Meeting at the address above. Proxy forms are available at www.elanders.com and can also be ordered from the company at the address above. PROPOSED AGENDA Opening of the Meeting Election of Chairman of the Meeting Preparation and approval of the voting list Approval of the agenda Election of two persons to approve the minutes Determination of whether the Meeting has been duly convened Presentation by the Chief Executive Officer Presentation of the work performed by the Board and its committees Presentation of the annual accounts and the auditors' report as well as the consolidated financial statements and the auditors' report for the group Resolutions regarding adoption of the income statement and balance sheet as well as the consolidated income statement and consolidated balance sheet allocation of the company's profits according to the adopted balance sheet the discharge of Board Members and the Chief Executive Officer from liability Determination of the number of Board Members, deputies and auditors Resolutions regarding the remuneration to the Board of Directors the remuneration to the auditor Election of Board Members and Chairman of the Board re-election of Carl Bennet; re-election of Ulrika Dellby; re-election of Eva Elmstedt; re-election of Dan Frohm; re-election of Erik Gabrielson; re-election of Anna Hallberg; re-election of Anne Lenerius; re-election of Magnus Nilsson; re-election of Johan Trouve; and re-election of Dan Frohm as Chairman of the Board. Election of auditor Resolution regarding the nomination committee Resolution to approve the Board of Directors' remuneration report Closure of the Meeting DIVIDEND DISTRIBUTION (ITEM 10 b) The Board of Directors proposes that the Annual General Meeting resolves on a dividend of SEK 4.15 (4.15) per share for the fiscal year 2024. As record date for the dividend, the Board proposes Friday April 25, 2025. If the Meeting resolves in accordance with the proposal, it is expected that the dividend will be disbursed by Euroclear Sweden on Wednesday April 30, 2025. The last day for trading in the Elanders share including the right to dividend is Wednesday April 23, 2025. BOARD OF DIRECTORS ETC (ITEMS 2 and 11 - 14) The nomination committee, composed of Carl Bennet (Carl Bennet AB), Chairman, Johan Stahl (Svolder AB), Dan Frohm (Chairman of the Board of Elanders AB), Jannis Kitsakis (Fourth Swedish National Pension Fund) and Viktor Henriksson (Carnegie Funds), proposes: the appointment of Dan Frohm as Chairman of the Meeting, that the Board shall be composed of nine Members without any deputies, that the remuneration to the Members of the Board shall amount to SEK 4,693,800 (4,512,600 preceding year), to be divided so that the Chairman receives SEK 882,000 (848,000) and the other Members not employed by the company receive SEK 441,000 (424,000) each, the chairman of the audit committee receives SEK 180,000 (173,000) and each other Member of the audit committee receives SEK 90,000 (86,500), the chairman of the remuneration committee receives SEK 92,400 (88,800) and each other Member of the remuneration committee receives SEK 46,200 (44,400), the re-election of the Board Members Carl Bennet, Ulrika Dellby, Eva Elmstedt, Dan Frohm, Erik Gabrielson, Anna Hallberg, Anne Lenerius, Magnus Nilsson and Johan Trouve. the re-election of Dan Frohm as Chairman of the Board, that the company shall have one auditor without any deputies, that remuneration to the auditor be paid according to approved invoices within the limits of the offer, and that a new election of the registered auditing firm Ernst & Young AB will take place for the period up until the end of the Annual General Meeting in 2026. Authorized Public Accountant Andreas Mast is intended to be the auditor in charge. The proposal concerning the auditor is consistent with the audit committee's recommendation. THE NOMINATION COMMITTEE (ITEM 15) The nomination committee proposes that the Annual General Meeting resolves: to instruct the Chairman of the Board to convene a nomination committee for the Annual General Meeting 2026, composed of the Chairman of the Board and one representative of each of the company's four largest shareholders as per August 31, 2025, to instruct the Chairman of the Board, in consultation with the representatives of the company's four largest shareholders, to determine if one representative of the minority shareholders also should be appointed to the nomination committee, that, in the event any of the four largest shareholders refrains from exercising its right to appoint a representative to the nomination committee, such right shall pass to the shareholder that, next to these four shareholders, has the largest shareholding in the company, that, in the event a representative no longer represents the relevant shareholder, or otherwise resigns from the nomination committee prior to the completion of its work, such shareholder shall be offered the opportunity to appoint a new representative to the nomination committee, that, in the event a representative represents a shareholder that has sold all or the main part of its shareholding in Elanders, the nomination committee may resolve that such member shall resign and, if deemed appropriate by the nomination committee, offer another representative for a larger shareholder a place in the nomination committee, and that the nomination committee shall perform such duties that fall on the nomination committee in accordance with the Swedish Corporate Governance Code. DOCUMENTS The annual report and other supporting documentation will be held available at the company's premises at Flojelbergsgatan 1 C in Molndal, Sweden, and on its website, www.elanders.com , at least three weeks before the Meeting. Copies of these documents will be sent to shareholders who so request and provide their postal address. The shareholders are reminded of their right to demand information according to Chapter 7 Section 32 of the Swedish Companies Act. For information about the processing of your personal data, please refer to www.euroclear.com/dam/ESw/Legal/Privacy-notice-bolagsstammor-engelska.pdf . If you have any questions regarding our processing of personal data, you can contact us by e-mail at dataprotection@elanders.com. Elanders' corporate registration number is 556008-1621 and its registered office is in Molndal municipality, Sweden. Molndal, Sweden, in March 2025 The Board of Directors of Elanders AB (publ) Attachment How CNH's precision technology is helping farmers tackle water scarcity Basildon, March 24, 2025 Following World Water Day on March 22, CNH brands - Case IH and New Holland - continue to lead the way in breaking new ground in precision agriculture. As part of the Drops of the Future initiative, CNH has teamed up with Italy-based agri tech company, xFarm, to develop a pilot project in Uzbekistan to show how precision technology and data from our machines can help farmers increase productivity and save water. The Drops of the Future initiative is tackling water scarcity in Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan by empowering young professionals through innovation and collaboration. It has been set up by The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe CNH Industrial (NYSE: CNH) is a world-class equipment, technology and services company. Driven by its purpose of Breaking New Ground, which centers on Innovation, Sustainability and Productivity, the Company provides the strategic direction, R&D capabilities, and investments that enable the success of its global and regional Brands. Globally, Case IH and New Holland supply 360 agriculture applications from machines to implements and the digital technologies that enhance them; and CASE and New Holland Construction Equipment deliver a full lineup of construction products that make the industry more productive. The Company's regionally focused Brands include: STEYR, for agricultural tractors; Raven, a leader in digital agriculture, precision technology and the development of autonomous systems; Hemisphere, a leading designer and manufacturer of high-precision satellite-based positioning, and heading technologies; Flexi-Coil, specializing in tillage and seeding systems; Miller, manufacturing application equipment; and Eurocomach, producing a wide range ofmini and midi excavators for the construction sector, including electric solutions. Across a history spanning over two centuries, CNH has always been a pioneer in its sectors and continues to passionately innovate and drive customer efficiency and success. As a truly global company, CNH's 35,000+ employees form part of a diverse and inclusive workplace, focused on empowering customers to grow, and build, a better world. For more information and the latest financial and sustainability reports visit: cnh.com For news from CNH and its Brands visit: media.cnh.com Media contacts: Alex Ellis United Kingdom Tel. +44 (0)758 106 1696 mediarelations@cnh.com Attachments Brings on Jim Lyke as SVP for Company's Strategic Growth Nueva Network, the leading independently owned and fastest growing Spanish-language audio network, has announced a strategic leadership change and recruitment to accelerate its company's growth. Jose Mateo has been promoted to President of Sales for Terrestrial Radio and Digital Media, and industry veteran Jim Lyke has joined as Senior Vice President of Sales and Business Development. Nueva Network Logo "The strength of Nueva Network is rooted in our exceptional Sales Team. Elevating Jose Mateo and bringing on board Jim Lyke underscores our commitment to lead and innovate within the audio and digital media space. Both Jose and Jim bring respected leadership and passion that will drive our radio network and digital revenue to new heights," said Jose M. Villafane, Founder and CEO of Nueva Network. Nueva Network recently celebrated significant milestones, marking its 4th anniversary at its first-ever Audio Upfront event on March 5, 2025, and launching its digital platform QueOnnda.com. The network has experienced remarkable growth since its inception, consistently delivering double-digit growth outpacing the market and attracting top-tier media talent to bolster its experienced sales and marketing team. Jose Mateo, who joined Nueva Network as Senior Vice President of Sales in November 2022, has been instrumental in driving the company's dynamic growth, including the successful launch of Nueva Plus. Prior to Nueva Network, Mateo served as Vice President of Network Sales at Entravision Communications, showcasing his deep expertise in Hispanic media sales. Jim Lyke brings extensive experience and a proven track record in strategic client partnerships and business development. He previously served as Senior Vice President for SBS Aire Network, where he significantly contributed to the network's growth and development of strategic brand and agency partnerships. Nueva Network uniquely stands as the only fully Hispanic-owned and operated Spanish-language radio network in the U.S., encompassing 527 radio affiliates across 112 DMAs with 97% U.S. Hispanic market coverage. It syndicates premiere shows such as the Alex Lucas Show, El Show de Chiquibaby, Los Jefes, and MacDeportes. About Nueva Network: Nueva Network is a 100% minority-owned audio media company, representing 500+ radio stations across the top 100 DMAs, covering 97% of the U.S. Hispanic market. Nueva Network's mission emphasizes supporting brands and agencies through cost-efficient entry into network audio and unique advertising opportunities. The company provides comprehensive client solutions, including spot production, branded content, social media integration, live reads, and celebrity endorsements to elevate brand campaigns. For Inquiries about Nueva Network Please Contact: Maria Castillo, Senior Sales Audio Planner, maria@nuevanetwork.com SOURCE: Nueva Network Former Payoneer CTO and Microsoft VP brings over two decades of expertise in enterprise security, scaling startups within enterprises, and driving strategic growth Linx Security, a pioneer in modern identity security and governance solutions, today announced the appointment of Sarit Reiner Frumkes as Chief Technology Officer (CTO). With over 20 years of experience in cybersecurity, enterprise security solutions, and large-scale identity protection, Sarit will lead Linx's technology strategy, product innovation, and research initiatives, further strengthening the company's position as a leader in identity security. Sarit Reiner Frumkes, CTO of Linx Security Sarit joins Linx with a distinguished career spanning Microsoft, Payoneer, and the Israeli Prime Minister's Office. Sarit served at the Israeli Prime Minister's Office cyber division for over 20 years. later, she joined Microsoft, becoming VP of Product and Engineering, where she led the integration of CyberX, Aorato and Adallom-acquired for nearly $500 million combined-into Microsoft's security ecosystem, ensuring seamless enterprise adoption and global expansion. In her last position as CTO of Payoneer, she led platform innovation and system modernization while driving the secure and compliant growth of one of the world's largest financial infrastructures to enable business expansion.. "Identity security is one of the most pressing challenges for enterprises today, and as demand for Linx's solutions accelerates, we are focused on expanding globally and driving both business growth and technological advancement," said Israel Duanis, Co-Founder and CEO of Linx Security. "Sarit's deep expertise in scaling security solutions within large enterprises aligns perfectly with our aggressive expansion strategy. Her leadership will be instrumental in advancing our innovation, expanding enterprise adoption, and solidifying Linx's position as a global leader in identity security." Linx Security is revolutionizing identity security by eliminating blind spots and security gaps inherent in traditional identity tools. The company's AI-driven platform continuously maps, monitors, and mitigates identity risks, helping organizations shrink their attack surface, achieve compliance, and streamline identity governance. Since emerging from stealth in 2024 with a $33 million funding round led by Index Ventures and Cyberstarts, Linx has remained dedicated to delivering best-in-class identity security solutions to Fortune 500 enterprises. Linx continues to scale, it is poised to double its workforce by 2025, fueling further global expansion and innovation. Linx recently appointed former Okta CRO Adam Aarons to its board, adding deep expertise in enterprise security and market expansion. "I've spent my career navigating the evolving cybersecurity threat landscape, and one thing has remained constant-identity is at the heart of nearly every major security breach," said Sarit Reiner Frumkes, CTO of Linx Security. "Linx is tackling one of the biggest security challenges today-ensuring enterprises can seamlessly manage and secure identity at scale. With a modern, automated approach, we're redefining how organizations protect access in an increasingly complex environment. I'm excited to build on this strong foundation and drive the next phase of innovation and growth. About Linx Security Linx Security is at the forefront of transforming identity security with an innovative platform that addresses the limitations of traditional identity tools. By continuously minimizing the attack surface and mitigating compliance vulnerabilities, Linx Security helps organizations protect identities in real time, aligned with the dynamic pace of business operations. Offering comprehensive visibility of all identities, along with advanced threat detection and automated remediation, Linx ensures effective identity management and governance. The platform's precise insights and actionable recommendations enhance security posture while streamlining operations. SOURCE: Linx Security DEXIS , the global leader in dental imaging technologies, is excited to announce its participation in the International Dental Show (IDS) 2025 in Cologne, Germany. The company will showcase new technologies within the DEXIS digital ecosystem , an AI-powered platform that connects each step of the digital workflow, from diagnosis to delivery. The ecosystem combines AI, 2D & 3D imaging, intraoral scanning, diagnostics, and treatment planning to create one integrated solution that streamlines processes and boosts productivity. "We're excited to give IDS attendees the very first look at some of our new technologies," says DEXIS President, Robert Befidi. "All of our innovations are designed to improve patient interactions and make dental practices more effective and efficient. We're eager to put our products into the hands of dental professionals and demonstrate the capabilities of our new technologies." Among these innovations are some exciting updates to the DEXIS intraoral scanning portfolio. Visitors will get an exclusive first look at the company's all-new intraoral scanner under development, Imprevo. With a sleek new design, fully rebuilt hardware, and AI-powered algorithm, Imprevo will become the new high-performance flagship of the DEXIS IOS portfolio. IS ScanFlow , the software that powers the DEXIS intraoral scanner line, will preview its newest version, IS ScanFlow 2.0, featuring a new Smile Visualizer tool. The tool will allow dental professionals to show patients a realistic preview of their smile before and after treatments, helping them to visualize and better understand treatment recommendations. DEXIS will also unveil updates to the ORTHOPANTOMOGRAPH OP 3D EX , which will soon include cephalometric imaging capabilities. The new ceph modality, which features the company's patented ORTHOceph Plus design, will provide necessary protocols such as lateral and pediatric lateral projections, posterior-anterior projections and carpus imaging* - all with fast scan times and at a limited dose. Additionally, the DEXIS 3D imaging portfolio will introduce an Automatic Dose Control feature for the ORTHOPANTOMOGRAPH OP 3D LX. The feature will measure patients' anatomy and automatically set exposure levels for optimal image quality and dose. Early adopters have reported positive feedback: "The new Automatic Dose Control is one of the few things in life I don't have to question," says Dr. Katya Archambault of San Diego Health Center. "It offers both better and more consistent image quality. I could never argue with the results." Also being showcased are new features within DTX Studio Clinic , the core software of the DEXIS digital ecosystem. Known for its comprehensive integration of all modalities of patient data, DTX Studio Clinic streamlines diagnostics, patient education, treatment planning, and surgical guide generation. The software's new features include a suite of tools designed to streamline the implant treatment planning process. Users can now plan an implant treatment and generate an automated surgical template chairside in under 3 minutes. Additionally, the software introduces an Assisted Implant Planning module that automates initial implant positioning, and a Face Scan tool that integrates facial scans with 3D X-rays, further enhancing the planning process. Attendees will also get the chance to preview new innovations, set to be released in future updates of DTX Studio Clinic. Among these innovations is a new, AI-driven endodontic capability, that will provide 3D visualizations of root canals, enhancing diagnostic accuracy and treatment efficiency. Additionally, updates to the focus areas detection tool will be showcased, enhancing the visualization of teeth in intraoral X-rays and detecting eight additional dental findings. DTX Studio Clinic will also introduce a new Cloud-based solution that will allow clinicians to connect their practices and consolidate data in one place. This feature is designed to enhance collaboration and streamline workflows, ultimately improving practice efficiency and patient outcomes. These advancements showcase the future of dental technology, making DTX Studio Clinic an integral part of modern dentistry. DEXIS invites all IDS attendees to visit Hall 11.2 K050 L069 to experience the innovations that DEXIS has to offer. Their team of experts will be ready to provide demonstrations and answer questions. With more than 165,000 solutions in use around the world, DEXIS continues to set the standard for quality and reliability in dental imaging. For more information about DEXIS and its participation in IDS, please visit DEXIS @ IDS 2025. About DEXIS DEXIS is the global leader in dental imaging. We bring together the most trusted brands in 2D and 3D imaging, intraoral scanning solutions, and diagnostic software, in one connected and AI-powered ecosystem. Our innovative and award-winning technologies use smart simplicity to increase productivity and enhance diagnostic confidence. For more information, please visit DEXIS.com. About Envista Envista Holdings Corporation is a global family of more than 30 trusted dental brands, including Nobel Biocare, Ormco, DEXIS, and Kerr, united by a shared purpose: to partner with professionals to improve lives. Envista helps its customers deliver the best possible patient care through industry-leading dental consumables, solutions, technology, and services. Its comprehensive portfolio, including dental implants and treatment options, orthodontics, and digital imaging technologies, covers a wide array of dentists' clinical needs for diagnosing, treating, and preventing dental conditions as well as improving the aesthetics of the human smile. With a foundation comprised of the proven Envista Business System (EBS) methodology, an experienced leadership team, and a strong culture grounded in continuous improvement, commitment to innovation, and deep customer focus, Envista is well equipped to meet the end-to-end needs of dental professionals worldwide. Envista is one of the largest global dental products companies, with significant market positions in some of the most attractive segments of the dental products industry. For more information, please visit ? www.envistaco.com .? DXIS01006/Rev00 *Carpus is an optional imaging program Contact Information Maria Penaloza Media & Content Strategy Manager mariap@accessnewswire.com Michelle Cabral Senior Marketing Director, DEXIS michelle.cabral@envistaco.com SOURCE: Envista Regulatory News: Llama Group (Paris: ALLAM) (Brussels: ALLAM): Jamendo, the music platform and a member of the Winamp family, has called for legal assistance to reach out to tech giant Nvidia and AI music startup Suno for allegedly using its music catalog without authorization to train their AI models. At the end of 2024, Jamendo was alerted by its community to online articles suggesting that Nvidia and Suno had incorporated Jamendo's licensing music catalog into their AI training datasets. Independent developers, as well as Jamendo's own clients, raised concerns and questioned whether such usage was permitted. Publicly available documents indicate that both the SunoAI Foundation Model and Nvidia's Non-Vocal Model may have utilized datasets sourced from Jamendo. Founded in 2004, Jamendo has long championed independent artists, providing a platform for over 70,000 musicians and bands worldwide, with a catalog exceeding 600,000 tracks. The platform safeguards artists' work through Creative Commons licenses, ensuring that music remains free for personal use while prohibiting unauthorized commercial exploitation. Additionally, Jamendo Licensing enables artists to earn revenue through synchronization and in-store music licensing. "As soon as we became aware of this situation, we reached out to Suno and Nvidia, but our multiple messages have gone unanswered," said Alexandre Saboundjian, CEO of Jamendo and Winamp. "Consequently, we have requested the help of an international reputable law firm, and our lawyers have now sent an oWicial letter demanding a response and an explanation within a month. If we do not receive a reply, we will have no choice but to escalate the matter further. Jamendo has been supporting independent artists for nearly two decades, and we remain committed to protecting their work." Next Meeting April 30, 2025 Publication of 2024 annual results About Llama Group Llama Group is a pioneer and leader in the digital music industry. With extensive expertise across various sectors, the group owns the iconic Winamp platform, the Bridger copyright management company, and the Jamendo music licensing company. Llama Group's ambition is to build the future of the music industry through sustained investment in a range of innovative solutions and in the talent and skills of people who love music. The group stands by its brand values: empowerment, access, simplicity, and fairness. Winamp's vision is a world where a cutting-edge music platform connects artists and their fans like never before. Bridger's mission is to support songwriters and composers by providing a simple and innovative solution for collecting royalties. Jamendo enables independent artists to generate additional income through commercial licenses. Finally, Hotmix offers a bouquet of more than sixty thematic and free digital radio stations. About Jamendo - www.jamendo.com Jamendo is all about connecting musicians and music lovers from all over the world. Our goal is to bring together a worldwide community of independent music, creating experience and value around it. Jamendo offers the perfect platform for all independent artists wishing to share their creations as easily as possible, reaching new audiences internationally. About Winamp - www.winamp.com Winamp is redefining the music experience by creating an innovative platform that strengthens the connection between artists and fans. We provide powerful tools that empower creators to manage their music, grow their audience, and maximize their revenue-all while delivering a seamless listening experience through the Winamp Player Winamp for Creators is our dedicated platform designed to give music artists everything they need to succeed. From monetization tools to music management services, it brings together essential resources to help creators take control of their careers. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250324364495/en/ Contacts: Investors Relations Olivier Van Gulck investors@llama-group.com At Legalweek 2025, Relativity showcases the proven impact of aiR, introduces aiR for Review for the public sector and celebrates the legal industry's AI Visionaries CHICAGO, March 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- At Legalweek 2025, global legal technology company Relativity highlights the power of its generative AI product suite, Relativity aiR, underscoring how the speed and accuracy of the technology are reshaping the future of legal review processes. The company also announces the general availability of Relativity aiR for Review in RelativityOne Government, the only FedRAMP authorized generative AI solution purpose built for document review. "While the speed and scale of AI's impact may feel sudden, Relativity has been gearing up and investing for this landmark moment for years to be in the position we are now to set our customers and partners up for success," said Phil Saunders, CEO of Relativity. "We're not just evolving with the industry; we're driving it forward, ensuring our community has the tools, education, and support needed to not just keep pace, but to thrive in this new era." aiR's Proven Impact: Cutting First-Pass Review Time and Costs While Enhancing Accuracy Since becoming generally available in RelativityOne in late 2024, hundreds of customers have embraced aiR for Review and Relativity aiR for Privilege to find the sensitive, useful and necessary information needed within datasets that are often massive and complex. Early adopters reported that the solutions have enabled them to save months of time, prevent costly mistakes, and have been instrumental in maintaining the highest standards of data security. "Considering the significant cost and time required to conduct privilege reviews, the cost-effective, accurate, and efficient results of aiR for Privilege are poised to significantly outperform linear processes," said Cody Holifield, Director of Managed Review at Cimplifi. "Its ability to recognize more complex privilege concepts while providing rationales and considerations around its decisions bolsters confidence that it's getting calls right and has been crucial for clients' adoption of this technology." Leveraging the power of generative AI, aiR for Review quickly identifies the most impactful content with rationale and citations on why that content matters, reducing the discrepancies and knowledge gaps that come with traditional review. aiR for Review customers have reported up to 70% cost savings, 80% reduction in review time and over 90% recall. "Since the start of the year, Gravity Stack has been using aiR for Review on various matters, continuously discovering new ways to apply it," said James Whittington, Associate Director, Disputes & eDiscovery at Gravity Stack. "Legal teams have come to expect AI-enhanced document review, and aiR for Review integrates easily into many existing eDiscovery review workflows. Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with one legal team noting that the tool's review rationale was clearer and more insightful than attorney notes from associates." By combining aiR's agentic AI capabilities with human expertise, even small, under-resourced teams can reliably find key details and insights, no matter the size of the project. All of Relativity's AI solutions are created with the company's AI Principles in mind and are meticulously designed so that humans have clarity and control over every component of the AI. Bringing Generative AI-Driven Review Efficiency to the Public Sector Starting March 31, aiR for Review will be available in RelativityOne Government, enabling legal practitioners in the public sector to significantly improve the speed and quality of document review in litigation, investigations and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests. As the only FedRAMP-authorized generative AI solution purpose-built for document review, aiR for Review empowers users to understand each AI decision, make final calls with confidence, and ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and policies. JND Legal Administration, a U.S. leader in legal management and administration services, has successfully supported clients in handling case litigation more quickly and economically, utilizing aiR for Review. Recently, they leveraged the solution to help a government agency conduct issues review on 650,000 documents in just one week, identifying key documents for review in roughly 20% of the time of traditional processes. "We've seen both state and federal agencies express tremendous interest in using aiR for Review," said Ben Sexton, Senior Vice President of Innovation and Strategy at JND. "They are tasked with completing some of the largest and most challenging projects, often with very limited resources. aiR allows agencies to do more with less, and to have confidence that they're finding the most important documents, even if there are only five out of five million." aiR for Privilege will be made available within the security of RelativityOne Government by the end of this year. Relativity Shines a Spotlight on AI Thought Leadership Today, in line with the company's longstanding commitment to advancing the practice of AI in legal technology, Relativity will host its fourth annual private dinner celebrating the 2025 AI Visionaries announced last week. Highlighting leaders from Fortune 500 companies and top Am Law firms, the AI Visionaries list features those who have led AI innovations in legal applications. Relativity is sponsoring and participating in Legalweek sessions on Tuesday, March 25, with thought leaders covering topics ranging from reimagining legal in the year of AI agents and legal ethics around generative AI, to negotiating electronically stored information protocols for the use of generative AI in e-discovery. Experience Relativity aiR at Legalweek: A Hands-on Exercise and Live Demos Those attending Legalweek 2025 can visit Relativity at booth #2000 in Americas Hall 1 and at The Grove on the first floor of The Luxury Collection Hotel. In The Grove, guests can get hands-on experience using aiR for Review, stepping into a live RelativityOne environment, exploring real-time prompts and even running their own. After trying out aiR for Review at The Grove, guests will have the opportunity to take the full aiR for Review Learning Lab on their own time post-show. About Relativity Relativity makes software to help users organize data, discover the truth and act on it. Its SaaS product, RelativityOne, manages large volumes of data and quickly identifies key issues during litigation and internal investigations. Relativity has more than 300,000 users in approximately 40 countries serving thousands of organizations globally primarily in legal, financial services and government sectors, including the U.S. Department of Justice and 198 of the Am Law 200. Please contact Relativity at sales@relativity.com or visit www.relativity.com for more information. Contact: PR@relativity.com Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/445801/new_Relativity_logo_Logo_v2.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/relativity-drives-transformation-across-the-legal-industry-through-strategic-ai-investments-302408670.html Silver Scott Mines, Inc. (OTC PINK:SILS), a leader in real-world asset (RWA) tokenization for blockchain applications, is poised to leverage emerging regulatory changes in the NFT sector to drive growth and establish itself as a premier advisory firm for blockchain compliance. Regulatory Shift on NFTs Recent indications from the White House Crypto Task Force suggest forthcoming regulatory clarifications that may exempt certain NFT categories from securities regulations. This potential regulatory evolution represents a watershed moment for the blockchain industry, creating new avenues for compliant fundraising and innovation. The pending regulatory changes are expected to fundamentally transform how companies approach NFT projects. This evolution represents the emergence of a clearer framework that may allow legitimate NFT projects to flourish while maintaining appropriate investor protections. The developments follow successful NFT projects like Stoner Cats and Flyfish Club, which raised significant capital by offering utility and perks rather than speculative investments. Silver Scott anticipates similar opportunities for companies that can navigate this evolving landscape with expert guidance. Maintaining Focus on Compliance As regulatory frameworks evolve, Silver Scott Advisors is uniquely positioned to guide blockchain ventures through compliance challenges. The firm's deep expertise in securities law and blockchain regulation provides clients with strategic guidance to: Design NFT offerings that leverage potential regulatory exemptions Implement compliance protocols that align with emerging guidelines Mitigate regulatory risks while maximizing innovation potential Structure offerings that balance utility and fundraising objectives Alfred Farrington II, Strategic Blockchain Advisor for Silver Scott Advisors commented, "Not all NFTs will receive regulatory exemptions, particularly those resembling traditional securities through tokenized ownership or revenue-sharing models. Our team helps clients distinguish between compliant NFT models and those requiring more rigorous regulatory approaches." Silver Scott continues to strengthen its position as a thought leader in the blockchain compliance space. The company's advisory services help clients capitalize on regulatory developments while avoiding potential compliance pitfalls that could derail promising projects. As the NFT market matures and regulatory clarity increases, Silver Scott Advisors remains committed to helping clients navigate this complex landscape with confidence and compliance. About Silver Scott Mines, Inc. Silver Scott Mines, Inc. (OTC:SILS) is a forward-focused holding company accelerating blockchain integration across traditional asset classes. Specializing in private blockchain solutions for institutional-grade tokenization, the company enables fractional ownership models and cryptographic validation of assets through TrustNFT technology. The company acquisition pipeline will target blockchain-enhanced opportunities in healthcare, cleantech, and digital platforms.? www.silverscottdigital.com LinkedIn:? www.linkedin.com/company/silverscott-blockchain/ X: https://x.com/silverscottmine Forward Looking Statements This press release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are not historical facts and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expected and projected. Words such as expects, believes, anticipates, intends, estimates, seeks and variations and similar words and expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements with respect to revenues, earnings, performance, strategies, prospects and other aspects of the businesses of Silver Scott Mines, are based on current expectations that are subject to risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual events, performance or results to differ materially from the events, performance and results discussed in the forward-looking statements. Contact Information Stuart Fine CEO stuartfine@silverscottmines.com 908-356-9852 SOURCE: Silver Scott Mines Inc. Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - March 24, 2025) - Herba Health Inc., Canada's trusted natural supplement brand, announced today the completion of its strategic expansion to British Columbia, strengthening its Canadian warehousing & distribution network while supporting local jobs during ongoing international trade tensions. Image 1 To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8530/245805_a38750d594986b5f_001full.jpg The expansion, which began in late 2024 and was completed in Q1 2025, includes a significant warehouse relocation that increases the company's distribution capacity by multiple folds. This strategic move enables Herba to better serve its growing customer base both domestically and internationally while maintaining its commitment to Canadian operations. "This expansion represents a pivotal moment in Herba's growth journey," said Peter Moon, CEO of Herba Health Inc. "By strengthening our presence on Canada's west coast while keeping our roots firmly planted across the country, we're not just improving our logistics capabilities-we're reinforcing our commitment to Canadian jobs and quality during a time when supporting local businesses has never been more important. I want to especially thank our loyal Canadian customers who have trusted us with their wellness for over two decades and continue to choose locally-made products." The company's headquarters will remain in Toronto, where Herba was founded in 2003, while the new BC facility will serve as a primary distribution hub for international and domestic markets. Herba continues to maintain its network of over 20 partner warehouses strategically located across Canada, ensuring rapid fulfillment for Canadian customers from coast to coast. Supporting Canadian Jobs During Trade Uncertainty This expansion comes at a critical time as tariff tensions affect cross-border trade. Herba's investment in expanded Canadian operations highlights the company's dedication to supporting local jobs and maintaining its "Made in Canada" commitment. "When international trade becomes uncertain, doubling down on Canadian operations isn't just good business-it's good citizenship," added Moon. "Every Herba product continues to be crafted with care by Canadian hands, supporting our local economy while delivering the exceptional quality our customers expect." The company's expanded distribution network will strengthen Herba's ability to serve both domestic and international markets with Canadian-made supplements, reinforcing its commitment to quality and local production. About Herba Health Inc. Founded in 2003, Herba is a proud Canadian family business dedicated to providing the highest quality natural supplements to support well-being. With over 85 carefully crafted products sourced from the finest ingredients globally but manufactured in Canada, Herba has earned the trust of millions of Canadians over two decades. Herba's commitment to quality includes rigorous third-party testing, transparent labeling in both English and French, and adherence to Health Canada's strict requirements. Every product carries an NPN (Natural Product Number), signifying official registration with Health Canada. Beyond product excellence, Herba is committed to sustainability through responsible manufacturing practices, reduced plastic packaging, and partnerships with eco-conscious delivery services. The company has donated over $10,000 worth of high-quality supplements to food banks and local charities and continues to seek new partnerships to make wellness accessible to all Canadians. For further information please visit the Company's website at https://www.herbahealth.ca/ or use the following media contact: To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/245805 SOURCE: GYT Visit Emphasizes Directive to Expand Domestic Defense Industrial Base General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) hosted U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth on March 20, at its Manufacturing Center of Excellence in Tupelo, MS at the invitation of U.S. Senator Roger Wicker (R-Miss), the Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee. The visit punctuates Secretary Hegseth's commitment to re-invigorate and expand the nation's defense industrial base to rapidly deploy weapons technologies to support an expanding range of national security initiatives. Sec of Defense Hegseth, Senator Wicker Visit GA-EMS Manufacturing Facility in Tupelo L to R: Senator Roger Wicker (R-Miss), Secretary of Defense Pet Hegseth, GA-EMS Vice President of Manufacturing Pete Rinaldi, GA-EMS President Scott Forney During his visit, Secretary Hegseth was briefed on GA-EMS' manufacturing capabilities and expansive portfolio, with a focus on the company's weapons systems including hypersonics, missiles and space-based tracking payloads; all of which facilitate a comprehensive, layered defense shield for early detection and rapid response in support of Golden Dome for America. "It was great to host Secretary Hegseth in Mississippi as we engaged with some of our state's best-in-class defense capabilities, including at General Atomics," Chairman Wicker said. "The General Atomics facility in Tupelo has a nationally competitive workforce that conducts cutting-edge work in advanced military technologies. As Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, I will always showcase Mississippi's leading contributions for the warfighter and work to expand our state's growing role in the defense industrial base." With over 750,000 square feet of manufacturing facilities located in Tupelo, Scott Forney, president of GA-EMS noted during the tour that the company's commitment to and investment in research and development, its highly trained workforce, and its production capacity directly aligns with the Secretary of Defense's stated goal of advancing "made in the U.S." manufacturing capability to ensure the delivery of highly-capable, cost-effective weapons, specifically missile defense and hypersonics, to support the warfighter and advance America's national interests. GA-EMS also has manufacturing facilities in Iuka, MS with strategic access to the Tennessee - Tombigbee Waterway and Gulf of America to facilitate the expansion of shipyard capacity to meet shipbuilding demand. General Atomics was honored to host the Secretary of Defense and remains a committed partner to helping the Department of Defense deliver the most transformational and effective weapons to the warfighter at scale to support U.S. military operations. SOURCE: General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems PUNE, India, March 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The global Medical Tourism Market is witnessing significant growth, driven by the rising demand for high-quality yet cost-effective medical treatments across international borders. The market is projected to grow from USD 46.27 billion in 2023 to an estimated USD 142.7 billion by 2032, reflecting a CAGR of 15.12% from 2024 to 2032. Factors such as the availability of advanced healthcare infrastructure in emerging medical tourism destinations, shorter wait times for critical procedures, and affordable treatment options compared to developed nations are key contributors to this expansion. Additionally, increasing awareness about medical tourism through digital platforms, coupled with government initiatives to promote cross-border healthcare, is further propelling market growth. Popular procedures driving this trend include cosmetic surgeries, dental treatments, fertility treatments, orthopedic procedures, and specialized surgeries such as cardiovascular and oncology treatments. The market is also shaped by technological advancements and international collaborations, which enhance the accessibility and quality of healthcare services in medical tourism hotspots. Countries such as India, Thailand, Malaysia, Mexico, and Turkey are among the leading destinations due to their state-of-the-art hospitals, skilled healthcare professionals, and competitive pricing. However, challenges such as regulatory barriers, visa restrictions, and concerns over post-operative care in foreign countries may impact market expansion. Nonetheless, the growing acceptance of telemedicine and medical concierge services is improving patient confidence in traveling abroad for medical treatments. As global healthcare costs continue to rise, medical tourism is expected to remain a viable alternative, driving sustained market growth over the forecast period. Browse the report and understand how it can benefit your business strategy -https://www.credenceresearch.com/report/medical-tourism-market Key Growth Determinants Cost-Effective Medical Treatments and High-Quality Healthcare One of the primary drivers of the medical tourism market is the significant cost savings offered by emerging medical destinations compared to developed nations. Patients from countries like the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. seek medical treatments abroad due to high healthcare costs and insurance limitations. Countries such as India, Thailand, and Mexico provide high-quality healthcare services at a fraction of the price, making medical tourism an attractive alternative. Additionally, international accreditation of hospitals, technological advancements, and skilled medical professionals contribute to the growing preference for overseas medical treatments. Rising Demand for Specialized Medical Procedures Increasing incidences of chronic diseases, the aging population, and advancements in cosmetic, orthopedic, cardiovascular, and fertility treatments are fueling demand for medical tourism. Patients opt for international healthcare providers to access cutting-edge treatments, shorter wait times, and innovative surgical procedures. Additionally, medical tourists seek treatments not readily available or legal in their home countries, such as certain fertility treatments and stem cell therapies, further boosting market expansion. Government Support and Infrastructure Development Several governments are actively promoting medical tourism by investing in world-class healthcare facilities, launching special visa programs, and establishing medical tourism hubs. Countries like Singapore, the UAE, and Turkey are developing policies to attract international patients by offering streamlined medical visas, tax incentives, and infrastructure development in healthcare. Public-private partnerships (PPPs) in medical tourism, including collaborations between hospitals, airlines, and hospitality services, further facilitate the growth of this sector. Technological Advancements and Telemedicine Integration The integration of AI, telemedicine, and digital health platforms has enhanced accessibility and patient engagement in medical tourism. Patients can now consult specialists online, receive pre-treatment counseling, and access follow-up care remotely, making cross-border medical travel more convenient. AI-driven diagnostics, robotic-assisted surgeries, and minimally invasive treatments have also improved patient outcomes, increasing trust in international medical providers. As digitalization continues to evolve, medical tourism is expected to witness greater patient confidence, improved care coordination, and seamless cross-border healthcare experiences. Key Growth Barriers Regulatory and Legal Challenges One of the significant barriers to the medical tourism market is the variation in healthcare regulations, accreditation standards, and legal frameworks across countries. Differences in medical malpractice laws, patient rights, and treatment approvals create uncertainty for international patients. Additionally, some insurance companies do not cover treatments performed abroad, limiting the accessibility of medical tourism for a broader patient base. Stricter visa policies and bureaucratic hurdles in obtaining medical visas also act as obstacles, particularly for patients traveling from developing nations. Quality and Safety Concerns While many medical tourism destinations offer high-quality healthcare, concerns over inconsistent standards, counterfeit medications, and unregulated practices can deter patients. Lack of post-operative care, language barriers, and varying levels of medical expertise pose potential risks, affecting patient trust. The absence of a globally unified accreditation system means that some healthcare providers may not meet the safety standards expected by international patients, leading to apprehension in seeking treatment abroad. Travel Risks and Logistical Challenges Long-distance travel for medical procedures presents physical, financial, and logistical challenges for patients. Risks associated with air travel after surgeries, medical complications due to long-haul flights, and post-treatment complications without adequate follow-up care can impact patient recovery. Additionally, factors such as unexpected treatment costs, lack of transparency in pricing, and hidden expenses make it difficult for patients to plan their medical trips effectively. Political instability, economic downturns, and travel restrictions in key medical tourism destinations further pose challenges to market growth. Pandemic-Related Uncertainties and Health Risks The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the vulnerabilities of the medical tourism industry, with border closures, travel bans, and heightened infection risks affecting patient mobility. While the market is recovering, ongoing concerns about infectious diseases, emerging health crises, and stringent quarantine regulations continue to impact international medical travel. Patients may hesitate to seek treatment abroad due to fears of contracting infections, particularly in countries with less developed public health infrastructure. Additionally, fluctuating international healthcare policies and uncertainties surrounding future pandemics remain potential barriers to long-term market stability. Segmentation Based on Procedure Type Cosmetic Surgery Dental Treatments Orthopedic Surgery Fertility Treatments Based on Application Elective Procedures Critical Care Preventive Healthcare Rehabilitation Services Based on Service Medical Services Hospitality Services Travel Logistic Language Interpretation Based on region North America The U.S. Canada Mexico Europe Germany France UK. Italy Spain Rest of Europe Asia Pacific China Japan India South Korea South-east Asia Rest of Asia Pacific Latin America Brazil Argentina Rest of Latin America Middle East & Africa GCC Countries South Africa The Rest of the Middle East and Africa Preview the report with a detailed sample and understand how it can benefit your business strategy. Request a free sample today -https://www.credenceresearch.com/report/medical-tourism-market Regional Analysis Asia-Pacific: Leading the Global Market The Asia-Pacific region dominates the medical tourism market, driven by countries such as India, Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore, which offer high-quality healthcare at competitive prices. India, in particular, is a preferred destination for cardiac surgeries, orthopedic procedures, and fertility treatments, owing to its skilled medical workforce and cost-effective healthcare infrastructure. Thailand and Malaysia are recognized for cosmetic and dental procedures, attracting patients from North America and Europe. Additionally, government initiatives, medical visa programs, and internationally accredited hospitals further strengthen the region's position. The region's rapid advancements in robotic-assisted surgeries, regenerative medicine, and alternative therapies are expected to boost market expansion in the coming years. North America: Outbound Medical Tourism Growth North America, particularly the United States and Canada, contributes significantly to outbound medical tourism, as high healthcare costs and long wait times drive patients to seek treatments abroad. Many U.S. patients travel to Mexico, Costa Rica, and the Caribbean for affordable dental procedures, cosmetic surgeries, and bariatric treatments. However, the region also has advanced healthcare facilities, attracting patients for specialized treatments in oncology, neurology, and organ transplants. The increasing acceptance of cross-border healthcare agreements and telemedicine consultations is expected to shape the region's medical tourism dynamics. Europe: Growing Inbound and Outbound Tourism Europe has a dual role in the medical tourism industry, with countries such as Germany, Switzerland, and Turkey emerging as top destinations for high-quality, specialized treatments in areas like orthopedics, cardiology, and cancer care. The U.K. and France, on the other hand, witness substantial outbound medical tourism, as patients seek quicker and more cost-effective treatments in Eastern Europe and Asia. Turkey is a key player in hair transplants, cosmetic surgeries, and dental procedures, offering cutting-edge healthcare at competitive rates. Additionally, advancements in regenerative medicine, medical research, and EU-funded healthcare initiatives continue to drive the region's growth. Middle East & Africa: Expanding Medical Infrastructure The Middle East, particularly the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan, is witnessing rapid growth in medical tourism, fueled by government investments in state-of-the-art hospitals and luxury medical facilities. The UAE, especially Dubai and Abu Dhabi, is positioning itself as a premium medical tourism hub, offering world-class cosmetic, orthopedic, and fertility treatments. Meanwhile, Africa is still in the early stages of medical tourism development, with South Africa emerging as a key destination for cosmetic and dental procedures. The region faces challenges such as political instability, limited specialized treatments, and travel restrictions, but growing investments in healthcare infrastructure and accreditation programs are expected to drive future growth. Latin America: Cost-Effective and Rapidly Growing Market Latin America is gaining traction in medical tourism, particularly in Mexico, Brazil, Costa Rica, and Colombia, which offer affordable and high-quality medical treatments. Mexico, due to its proximity to the U.S., attracts a large number of American patients for dental work, bariatric surgeries, and cosmetic procedures. Brazil is a leader in plastic surgery, while Costa Rica is known for dental and wellness tourism. The region's affordability, improving hospital infrastructure, and government-backed medical tourism initiatives are driving its expansion. However, safety concerns and inconsistent healthcare regulations remain challenges for sustained growth. Credence Research's Competitive Landscape Analysis The medical tourism market is highly competitive, with key players focusing on cost-effective treatments, advanced medical technologies, and international accreditations to attract global patients. Leading hospitals such as Apollo Hospitals (India), Bumrungrad International Hospital (Thailand), Clemenceau Medical Center (Lebanon, UAE, Saudi Arabia), Fortis Healthcare (India), Anadolu Medical Center (Turkey), and KPJ Healthcare Berhad (Malaysia) are at the forefront, offering specialized treatments in cardiology, oncology, orthopedics, fertility, and cosmetic surgery. Competitive strategies include securing Joint Commission International (JCI) and ISO certifications, investing in AI-driven diagnostics, robotic-assisted surgeries, and telemedicine, and forming public-private partnerships (PPPs) with government bodies to facilitate seamless medical tourism. Many players are expanding through global affiliations, setting up international referral networks, and offering patient-centric services such as visa assistance, travel arrangements, and post-operative care coordination. The adoption of digital health technologies and regulatory support for cross-border healthcare is expected to further intensify competition, with market leaders focusing on high-quality care, affordability, and comprehensive patient support services to maintain a strong global presence. Tailor the report to align with your specific business needs and gain targeted insights. Request customization now -https://www.credenceresearch.com/report/medical-tourism-market Key Market Companies Bumrungrad International Hospital Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Ltd. Bangkok Hospital Medical Center Fortis Healthcare Ltd. KPJ Healthcare Berhad Clemenceau Medical Center Prince Court Medical Center Anadolu Medical Center Wooridul Spine Hospital Gleneagles Global Hospitals Group Recent Industry Developments Expansion and Investments in Medical Tourism January 2024: Ferns N Petals launched MediJourney , a medical tourism venture offering healthcare services across 30+ treatment segments, including cardiology and oncology. This initiative aims to streamline medical travel and enhance patient care. Ferns N Petals launched , a medical tourism venture offering healthcare services across 30+ treatment segments, including cardiology and oncology. This initiative aims to streamline medical travel and enhance patient care. January 2024: Apollo Hospitals, known for attracting international patients to India, announced a ?3,000 crore investment to add 2,000 beds across its branches by 2028. Apollo Hospitals, known for attracting international patients to India, announced a ?3,000 crore investment to add 2,000 beds across its branches by 2028. September 2024: EaseMyTrip is investing INR 90 crore in medical tourism by acquiring a 49% stake in Pflege Home Healthcare (INR 30 crore) and a 30% stake in Rollins International (INR 60 crore). This move aims to expand healthcare services and wellness products, leveraging the fast-growing medical tourism market. Strategic Partnerships and Collaborations January 2024: Sunway Healthcare Group partnered with PT JCB International Indonesia to promote medical tourism in Malaysia, offering wellness packages and value-added services to over 156 million JCB card members worldwide. Sunway Healthcare Group partnered with PT JCB International Indonesia to promote medical tourism in Malaysia, offering wellness packages and value-added services to over 156 million JCB card members worldwide. February 2024: Apollo Hospitals in India collaborated with Emirates Airlines to introduce medical travel packages for Middle Eastern patients. These include priority appointments, luxury accommodations, and bilingual medical concierge services, facilitating treatments like organ transplants and orthopedic surgeries. Apollo Hospitals in India collaborated with Emirates Airlines to introduce medical travel packages for Middle Eastern patients. These include priority appointments, luxury accommodations, and bilingual medical concierge services, facilitating treatments like organ transplants and orthopedic surgeries. January 2024: South Korea's JK Plastic Surgery Center partnered with global travel agencies to offer premium cosmetic surgery tourism packages, including facial contouring and anti-aging treatments, alongside five-star recovery accommodations in Seoul's medical tourism district. South Korea's JK Plastic Surgery Center partnered with global travel agencies to offer premium cosmetic surgery tourism packages, including facial contouring and anti-aging treatments, alongside five-star recovery accommodations in Seoul's medical tourism district. May 2024: Fortis Healthcare partnered with mental health super app United We Care to launch Adayu Mindfulness, providing telemental health services, residential psychiatry care, addiction treatment, and rehabilitation services. Healthcare Infrastructure and Innovation April 2024: Thailand's Bumrungrad International Hospital launched an AI-powered telemedicine service, enabling international patients to access pre-surgery consultations and post-treatment follow-ups online, reducing unnecessary travel. Thailand's Bumrungrad International Hospital launched an AI-powered telemedicine service, enabling international patients to access pre-surgery consultations and post-treatment follow-ups online, reducing unnecessary travel. October 2022: Fortis Healthcare inaugurated a 200-bed multispecialty hospital in Greater Noida, strategically positioned near Jewar's new airport to facilitate cross-border healthcare access. Medical Tourism Recognitions and New Facilities September 2024: Bangkok's ViMUT Hospital opened a Maxillofacial Contouring Centre , responding to the rising demand for facial contouring in Thailand's booming cosmetic surgery market. Bangkok's ViMUT Hospital opened a , responding to the rising demand for facial contouring in Thailand's booming cosmetic surgery market. May 2023: Advantage Health Care India recognized Fortis Healthcare for making India a preferred healthcare tourism destination. Advantage Health Care India recognized Fortis Healthcare for making India a preferred healthcare tourism destination. April 2023: Thailand's Rattinan Medical Center, in collaboration with FICO Group, launched a new clinic to enhance wrinkle-free medical tourism. Thailand's Rattinan Medical Center, in collaboration with FICO Group, launched a new clinic to enhance wrinkle-free medical tourism. January 2023: The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) introduced Dubai in One Day, an innovative medical tourism package that allows international patients to book medical procedures and access tourism services within a few hours. Government Initiatives in Medical Tourism February 2024: Egypt's Ministry of Tourism launched a unified health tourism platform, integrating both healing and medical services. This initiative aims to identify key healthcare tourism destinations and attract investments into the sector. Egypt's Ministry of Tourism launched a unified health tourism platform, integrating both healing and medical services. This initiative aims to identify key healthcare tourism destinations and attract investments into the sector. January 2024: JCB International Indonesia and Sunway Healthcare Group signed an MoU to boost medical tourism to Malaysia, offering preferential wellness packages at Sunway Medical Centre (SMC), one of Malaysia's largest private quaternary hospitals. Reasons to Purchase this Report: Gain a comprehensive understanding of the market through qualitative and quantitative analyses, considering both economic and non-economic factors, with segmentation and sub-segmentation details provided in terms of market value (USD Billion). Identify regions and segments expected to experience the fastest growth or dominate the market, with a detailed analysis of geographic consumption patterns and the factors driving or hindering market performance in each region. Stay informed about the competitive environment, with rankings of major players, recent product and service launches, partnerships, business expansions, and acquisitions from the past five years. Access detailed profiles of major market players, including company overviews, insights, product benchmarking, and SWOT analysis, to understand competitive advantages and market positioning. Explore the present and forecasted market landscape, with insights into growth opportunities, market drivers, challenges, and constraints for both developed and emerging regions. Benefit from Porter's Five Forces analysis and Value Chain insights to evaluate various market perspectives and competitive dynamics. Understand the evolving market scenario, including potential growth opportunities and trends expected in the coming years. Browse the report and understand how it can benefit your business strategy - https://www.credenceresearch.com/report/medical-tourism-market Discover additional reports tailored to your industry needs GCC Countries Medical Tourism Market - https://www.credenceresearch.com/report/gcc-countries-medical-tourism-market Halal Tourism Market - https://www.credenceresearch.com/report/halal-tourism-market Heritage Tourism Market - https://www.credenceresearch.com/report/heritage-tourism-market Bicycle Tourism Market - https://www.credenceresearch.com/report/bicycle-tourism-market Faith Based Tourism Market - https://www.credenceresearch.com/report/faith-based-tourism-market Fishing Tourism Market - https://www.credenceresearch.com/report/fishing-tourism-market Urban Tourism Market - https://www.credenceresearch.com/report/urban-tourism-market Sustainable Tourism Market - https://www.credenceresearch.com/report/sustainable-tourism-market Sleep Tourism Market - https://www.credenceresearch.com/report/sleep-tourism-market Shopping Tourism Market - https://www.credenceresearch.com/report/shopping-tourism-market Music Tourism Market - https://www.credenceresearch.com/report/music-tourism-market LGBT Tourism Market - https://www.credenceresearch.com/report/lgbt-tourism-market Dark Tourism Market - https://www.credenceresearch.com/report/dark-tourism-market Business Tourism Market - https://www.credenceresearch.com/report/business-tourism-market Birth Tourism Market - https://www.credenceresearch.com/report/birth-tourism-market Sports Tourism Market - https://www.credenceresearch.com/report/sports-tourism-market Ethnic Tourism Market - https://www.credenceresearch.com/report/ethnic-tourism-market Culinary Arts Tourism Market - https://www.credenceresearch.com/report/culinary-arts-tourism-market Ecotourism Market - https://www.credenceresearch.com/report/ecotourism-market Dental Tourism Market - https://www.credenceresearch.com/report/dental-tourism-market Indigenous Tourism Market - https://www.credenceresearch.com/report/indigenous-tourism-market Follow Us: https://www.linkedin.com/company/credenceresearch/ https://x.com/CredenceResearc https://www.facebook.com/CredenceResearch MRAAS Consulting - https://www.mraasconsulting.com/ Credence Turbine - https://credenceturbine.com/ About Us: Credence Research is a viable intelligence and market research platform that provides quantitative B2B research to more than 2000 clients worldwide and is built on the Give principle. The company is a market research and consulting firm serving governments, non-legislative associations, non-profit organizations, and various organizations worldwide. We help our clients improve their execution in a lasting way and understand their most imperative objectives. Contact Us Mitul Dean Tower C-1105 , S 25, Akash Tower, Vishal Nahar, Pimple Nilakh, Haveli, Pune - 411027, India sales@credenceresearch.com www.credenceresearch.com Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2562161/Credence_Research_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/medical-tourism-market-to-reach-usd-142-7-billion-by-2032--growing-at-a-15-12-cagr--credence-research-302409576.html Feature: China-aided borehole brings clean water, economic relief to Zimbabwean villages Xinhua) 10:40, March 24, 2025 Women carrying water containers on their heads are pictured in Wedza District, Mashonaland East Province, Zimbabwe, March 20, 2025. (Xinhua/Tafara Mugwara) HARARE, March 22 (Xinhua) -- Before a China-aided borehole was drilled in her village, 56-year-old Hilda Mutangadura walked over two hours to fetch clean water, carrying a 20-liter container. Despite her household's daily water needs exceeding 80 liters, she had to make do with a single 20-liter bucket -- the most she could carry in one trip. "We used to walk for two hours to fetch water. Now it's much better because there is a borehole nearby. In just five minutes, I can get my water and return home to cook for my children," she told Xinhua in a recent interview. A subsistence farmer from Chirinda village in Wedza District, Mashonaland East Province, Mutangadura said the long hours spent fetching water had cost her valuable economic opportunities. The new borehole in her village is part of a China-aided project to drill 300 boreholes across four Zimbabwean provinces. It now provides clean water to nearly 140 households across three villages. Despite clean water being a basic human right, Mutangadura said it had long been a scarce and precious commodity in her community. With reliable water access, she and other women can now focus on income-generating activities such as crop farming and poultry rearing without the constant worry of where to find their next bucket of water. The impact of the borehole has rippled through her household. With clean water readily available, even her livestock is thriving. "Our livestock now drinks clean water. In the past, we gave them dirty water -- what was left after washing clothes or dishes. Now, they get borehole water, and they are much healthier," she said. Providing her free-range chickens with clean water has also reduced mortality and improved their health. "I am healthy, my chickens are healthy, and we are all healthy," Mutangadura said. In many rural areas, water shortages have worsened due to climate change, which has disrupted rainfall patterns and made the search for water even harder, especially during the dry season that peaks around October. Monica Maruta, 58, noted that when water is scarce, the burden falls primarily on women, who are responsible for water collection and management. Beyond health concerns, water shortages also impact food security. "During the cropping season, we used to wake up early to fetch water -- at a time when we should have been in the fields before the heat set in. By the time we finished collecting water, we were too exhausted for other productive work. That's why we are so happy with the borehole," she said. Itayi Ndudzo, minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Mashonaland East Province, said the borehole initiative aligns with Zimbabwe's national development agenda of ensuring inclusive access to water, sanitation, and sustainable growth. "This latest development assistance is yet another testament to China's unwavering commitment to supporting Zimbabwe's socio-economic development. Through this China-aided initiative, we will reach some of the most remote communities in Mashonaland East," Ndudzo said during the unveiling of the borehole in Chirinda village on Thursday. Over the past decade, China has drilled more than 1,000 boreholes across Zimbabwe, benefiting nearly 400,000 people, most of them in rural areas. "We are grateful to the Chinese for helping us. We used to see them going about their business, but now that they have helped us. It has forged a lifelong bond," Maruta said. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) Tokyo, Japan--(Newsfile Corp. - March 24, 2025) - Podtopia Network today announced that Vince Chan's podcast, Chief Change Officer, has officially surpassed 250 episodes and has been ranked #1 in the Apple Podcasts' Careers category in the USA. The show is also within the top 3% of all Apple Podcasts and has experienced rapid growth since launching just over one year ago. Chief Change Officer applies a structured, case study-style format inspired by Harvard Business School to explore pivotal career and life transitions. Each episode features real individuals sharing defining moments that have shaped their identities and trajectories. Vince Chan, the host of the podcast, brings over three decades of cross-industry experience and holds dual MBAs from Yale and Chicago Booth. Chan's career includes leadership roles such as a billion-dollar fund manager at TCW Asset Management, as well as authorship of two career development books. The podcast marks Chan's 18th career transition, further reinforcing the show's core theme of personal and professional reinvention. "The podcast is designed to provide authentic, experience-driven insights into how individuals navigate significant change," said Chan, host of Chief Change Officer. Chief Change Officer is distributed via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube and has gained traction among professionals seeking depth, authenticity, and real-world examples of transformation. The show is intended for a global audience of professionals, mid-career changemakers, and aspiring leaders. It avoids quick-fix career hacks, instead focusing on long-form interviews that uncover the human intelligence behind growth and resilience. The show is a space for visionary underdogs, black sheep, bold hearts, and growth progressives. At 250 episodes and counting, the message is clear: whether a listener is 25 or 52, the ability to outgrow oneself is what sets game-changers apart. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/245769 SOURCE: Chief Change Officer ParkerVision, Inc. (OTCQB:PRKR) ("ParkerVision"), a developer and marketer of technologies and products for wireless applications, today announced results for the year ended December 31, 2024. Year End 2024 Summary and Recent Developments The U.S Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit ("CAFC") overturned the federal district court's 2022 summary judgement ruling that dismissed the case prior to a jury trial in its patent infringement action against Qualcomm and ended the case. The CAFC's decision remanded the case back to be reopened in the district court in the Middle District of Florida (Orlando division) for trial. A trial date has not yet been set by the district court. The court has indicated it will set a date for trial following its ruling on remaining outstanding motions, including Qualcomm's motion for a third claim construction hearing, the Company's motion to substitute its technical expert due to serious medical issues, and Daubert motions regarding damages, among others. The Company currently has active patent infringement cases in the Western District of Texas against MediaTek, Realtek, Texas Instruments, and NXP Semiconductors with at least two trials expected to commence in the second half of 2025 and one or more trials expected in the first half of 2026. The Company filed a cert petition with the U.S. Supreme Court challenging the CAFC's use of Rule 36 orders to uphold decisions of the Patent Trial and Appeal Board ("PTAB") regarding invalidation of patent claims. The Supreme Court issued its orders list today, denying the Company's petition. Jeffrey Parker, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "The most impactful event of 2024 was the Federal Circuit's agreement with ParkerVision's appeal, reversing the Orlando district court's 2022 rulings that had ended our prospect for a jury trial in our patent infringement case against Qualcomm. This coming May will mark the start of the 12th year since this case was filed as it has faced numerous delays due to, among other things, patent validity challenges, two years of a pandemic, and, ultimately, a trip to the appellate court. We are eager to receive the district court's rulings on the remaining pending motions, after which the court has indicated it will hold a pre-trial conference and establish a trial date." Mr. Parker continued, "We have also made meaningful progress in our patent infringement cases in the Western District of Texas in 2024. We are anticipating at least two jury trials in the Waco court in the second half of this year, with additional trials scheduled in 2026. We are confident that juries will find our story compelling as we explain the benefits our innovations brought to the accused infringing wireless products. In certain cases, we had prior interactions with the defendants that we believe provide a basis for claims of willful infringement." Commenting on the recent Supreme Court decision on the Company's cert petition, Mr. Parker stated, "We are disappointed with the Supreme Court's decision today, denying our cert petition that raised challenges to the CAFC's use of Rule 36 to affirm PTAB decisions with no written opinion. I am appreciative of the public support received for this petition, including from two former federal circuit judges, as well the number of amicus briefs filed on behalf of this petition by members of the venture capital, startup, intellectual property and national security communities." Financial Results Net loss for 2024 was $14.5 million compared to net income of $9.5 million for 2023. Basic and diluted loss per common share was $(0.16) for 2024, compared to basic and diluted income per common share of $0.11 and $0.08, respectively, in 2023. The $24 million decrease in earnings from 2023 to 2024 is primarily the result of a $25 million decrease in licensing revenue and a $9.5 million non-cash increase in loss from the change in fair value of contingent payment obligations, offset by a $10.5 million decrease in operating expenses. The decrease in revenue and related decrease in operating expenses from 2023 to 2024 is primarily the result of a $25 million license and settlement agreement reached in 2023, as a result of the Company's patent infringement litigation, and corresponding contingent expenses payable to legal counsel recognized in operating expenses. For the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company recognized a loss of $9.6 million and $0.1 million, respectively, on the net increase in fair value of its contingent payment obligations. This increase in fair value is the result of changes in significant estimates and assumptions regarding the amounts and timing of projected future proceeds that will be used to repay the contingent obligations. The significant estimates and assumptions in 2024 were impacted, in particular, by the CAFC decision received in September 2024 that remanded the Qualcomm case back to district court. Our long-term liabilities increased by approximately $8.6 million from year-end 2023 to 2024. This increase is the result of a $9.6 million increase in our contingent payment obligations, based on an overall increase in the estimated fair value of those obligations, partially offset by a decrease in outstanding convertible notes as a result of conversions by the holders into shares of common stock during 2024. At December 31, 2024, we had $4.9 million in cash and cash equivalents following a December 2024 equity financing About ParkerVision ParkerVision, Inc. invents, develops and licenses cutting-edge, proprietary radio-frequency (RF) technologies that enable wireless solution providers to make and sell advanced wireless communication products. ParkerVision is engaged in a number of patent enforcement actions in the U.S. to protect patented rights that it believes are broadly infringed by others. For more information, please visit www.parkervision.com. (PRKR-I) Safe Harbor Statement This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These include statements regarding the timing, scheduling, and expected outcomes of current and future legal proceedings; the potential impact and significance of such proceedings; expectations concerning court rulings, trial dates, and pre-trial motions; the Company's ability to demonstrate infringement and obtain damages; assumptions regarding willful infringement; the projected value and benefits of the Company's intellectual property; and statements regarding the scope, scale, or potential results of the Company's litigation and patent enforcement efforts. Forward-looking statements also include estimates and assumptions underlying financial information, including the fair value of contingent payment obligations, and statements regarding future liquidity, financing activities, and the Company's ability to support ongoing operations and litigation. These statements are based on current expectations, estimates, projections, and assumptions as of the date of this release, and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. Words such as "believe," "expect," "will," "may," "are confident," and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, though not all forward-looking statements include these words. Risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ include, among others: adverse developments or delays in legal proceedings; unfavorable court decisions or rulings; changes in the legal or regulatory environment; inaccuracies in financial estimates or assumptions; and risks disclosed in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, and subsequent filings. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Except as required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances. Cindy French Chief Financial Officer ParkerVision, Inc. cfrench@parkervision.com (TABLES FOLLOW) ParkerVision, Inc. Balance Sheet Highlights December 31, (in thousands) 2024 2023 Cash and cash equivalents $ 4,918 $ 2,560 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 127 95 Intangible assets, net 832 1,055 Other noncurrent assets, net 2 313 Total assets 5,879 4,023 Current liabilities 2,408 2,289 Contingent payment obligations 46,659 37,020 Convertible notes 3,023 3,893 Other long-term liabilities 201 340 Shareholders' deficit (46,412 ) (39,519 ) Total liabilities and shareholders' deficit $ 5,879 $ 4,023 ParkerVision, Inc. Summary Results of Operations Year Ended (in thousands, except per share amounts) December 31, 2024 2023 Licensing revenue $ - $ 25,000 Cost of sales (229 ) (227 ) Gross margin (229 ) 24,773 Selling, general and administrative expenses 4,262 14,744 Total operating expenses 4,262 14,744 Interest and other income 52 58 Interest expense (394 ) (424 ) Change in fair value of contingent payment obligations (9,639 ) (148 ) Total interest and other (9,981 ) (514 ) Net income (loss) $ (14,472 ) $ 9,515 Basic earnings (loss) per common share $ (0.16 ) $ 0.11 Diluted earnings (loss) per common share $ (0.16 ) $ 0.08 Weighted average shares outstanding - basic 92,150 85,732 Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted 92,150 119,888 ParkerVision, Inc. Summary of Cash Flows Year Ended (in thousands) December 31, 2024 2023 Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities $ (3,216 ) $ 10,791 Net cash used in investing activities - (2 ) Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities 5,574 (8,338 ) Net increase in cash & cash equivalents 2,358 2,451 Cash & cash equivalents - beginning of year 2,560 109 Cash & cash equivalents - end of year $ 4,918 $ 2,560 SOURCE: ParkerVision, Inc. Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - March 24, 2025) - Pedro Resources Ltd. (CSE: VBN) ("Pedro" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the appointment of Deborah Mercier as Chief Financial Officer of the Company. Ms. Mercier has been in the accounting industry for approximately 45 years. In the past 20 years, she has owned and operated multiple businesses in the United States and the Edmonton Area. She specializes in assisting companies as they navigate complex circumstances. The board of directors would like to thank Ms. Jacqueline Wilkie, who acted as interim Chief Financial Officer during this transition period. Ms. Wilkie will continue with the Company in her roles as Chief Executive Officer, interim Corporate Secretary and director. The Company is also pleased to announce the engagement of Mr. Patrick Cossette as a consultant to provide financial strategy and planning advice to the Company. Mr. Cossette is a seasoned finance and accounting professional with over 17 years of experience supporting growth and strategic company objectives across domestic and international locations while seamlessly directing all accounting functions. Corporate Update: The Company is pleased to provide an update on its operations and its proposed change of business (the "Change of Business") announced on November 3, 2023. Pursuing the Change of Business has been a lengthy process that has been delayed, among others, by complexities surrounding the departure of the Company's former Chief Financial Officer in 2024 which contributed to the Company's difficulties in meeting listing requirements for the Change of Business within the expected timeframe. While these factors have resulted in delays, the Company continues to address all the regulatory requirements necessary to move forward. Management has been diligently focused and is actively working to meet the Canadian Securities Exchange's (the "CSE") requests to expedite the approval process which includes securing financial resources in an amount sufficient to undertake the Company's proposed new business following the Change of Business. Pedro appreciates the patience and support of its stakeholders as it continues to work towards achieving this significant milestone. Further updates will be provided as material developments occur. Annual and Special Meeting: The Company is also pleased to report that all matters presented for approval at the Company's annual and special meeting of shareholders held on January 20, 2025, were duly authorized and approved, including the Company's long-term incentive plan and the proposed continuance of the Company from British Columbia to Ontario which will take place in due course. The Change of Business: Following completion of the Change of Business, the Company intends to redeploy its assets and resources from the mining business towards the development of biotechnologies for the remediation and reclamation of contaminated soils. The Company intends to change its name to MiGlobe Biosciences Inc. concurrently with the Change of Business. In July 2023, the company signed a Collaboration Agreement with Fixed Earth Innovations Ltd and additional collaboration agreements have been entered into with FCS Solutions Ltd., Oil-Out Ltd. and Dirty Dirt Services Ltd. (collectively, the "Collaboration Agreements:"). The intent of these agreements was to enable the Company to provide environmental remediation and site restoration services to the resource sector. While this initiative was pending, it became apparent to management of the Company that the opportunities to employ microbiology to a much wider range of environmental challenges was more in the Company's interest and would ultimately be a greater benefit to shareholders. The proposed primary business activity of the Company would involve the use of microbes for the benefit of several environmental challenges faced by various markets and industry segments. Among these are agriculture and food production; reforestation; land reclamation, remediation of properties contaminated by hydrocarbons; clean-up and restoration of sites contaminated by PERC chemicals (formerly solvents that were almost impossible to break down such as dry-cleaning chemicals, etc.); PFAS chemicals known as "forever chemicals" (impossible to breakdown such as fire-fighting foams) as well as products, applications and solutions for a variety of consumer environmental issues. The Company's partners remain committed to supporting and working with the Company. The Collaboration Agreements bring a wealth of expertise and biotechnology capabilities to the Company and significant positive use of microbes to resolve issues in multiple market areas has already been achieved. For more information on the Change of Business, please visit www.pedroresources.com. The Change of Business is subject to the receipt of all necessary approvals, including without limitation regulatory approval from the CSE. There can be no assurance that the Change of Business will be completed as proposed or at all. About Pedro Resources Ltd. Pedro Resources Ltd. is a Canadian exploration company listed on the CSE focused on mineral exploration and development. The Company is currently advancing a proposed change of business toward the development of biotechnologies for the remediation and reclamation of contaminated soils. Neither the CSE nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-Looking Information This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. These statements relate to future events or future performance. All statements other than statements of historical fact may be forward-looking statements or information. More particularly and without limitation, this news release contains forward-looking statements and information relating to the Company's proposed change of business and the Offering. The forward-looking statements and information are based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by management of the Company. Although management of the Company believes that the expectations and assumptions on which such forward-looking statements and information are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements and information since no assurance can be given that they will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements and information are provided for the purpose of providing information about the current expectations and plans of management of the Company relating to the future. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such statements and information may not be appropriate for other purposes, such as making investment decisions. Since forward-looking statements and information address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors and risks. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release. The forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof and no undertaking is given to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws. The forward-looking statements or information contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/245807 SOURCE: Pedro Resources Ltd. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 24, 2025) - Makenita Resources Inc. (the "Company" or "Makenita") (CSE: KENY) (WKN: A40X6P) wishes to announce a private placement financing (the "Financing") to raise gross proceeds up to $500,000 through an issuance of up to 5,000,000 units (each, a "Unit") at a price of $0.10 per Unit. Each Unit will be comprised of one common share in the capital of the Company (each, a "Share") and one transferrable share purchase warrant (each, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to acquire one additional Share (each, a "Warrant Share") at a price of $0.16 per Warrant Share until 5:00 p.m. (Vancouver time) five years from the closing of the Financing. All securities issued in connection with the Financing are subject to a statutory hold period expiring four months and one day after the closing of the Financing. Makenita Resources Inc. plans to rely upon the existing security holder exemption (the "Existing Security Holder Exemption") found in B.C. Instrument 45-534 Exemption from Prospectus Requirement for Certain Trades to Existing Security Holders ("BC Instrument 45-534") and as further described in Multilateral CSA Notice 45-313 Prospectus Exemption for Distributions to Existing Security Holders (published March 13, 2014) or analogous exemptions in each of the applicable permitted jurisdictions for shareholders of record as of March 11, 2025, as well as other exemptions. As at the date hereof, the Existing Security Holder Exemption is available in each of the provinces of Canada, with the exception of Newfoundland and Labrador. As required by BC Instrument 45-534, the attached table sets out the intended use of proceeds of the offering on a percentage basis. The intended uses of proceeds and/or the Company's development capital needs may vary based upon a number of factors. These funds will be allocated 100% working capital. None of the securities issued have been registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), and none of them may be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the 1933 Act. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any state where such offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful. Finder's fees may be paid to eligible finders in connection with the Financing. Any questions regarding this placement please contact President Jason Gigliotti directly at 1 604 609 6527 or info@makenitaresources.com Jason Gigliotti, President of Makenita, stated, "This financing will strengthen our working capital, allowing us to be more agile in the future when allocating resources for projects and marketing efforts." About Makenita Resources Inc. Makenita currently has rights in and to the Hector Silver/Cobalt Property, consisting of 126 contiguous unpatented mineral claims totaling 2,243 hectares (5,542-acres), located within the Coleman and Gillies Limit Townships, Larder Lake Mining Division, Timiskaming District, Ontario, Canada. Makenita Resources Inc. "Jason Gigliotti" Jason Gigliotti President, Chief Executive Officer and Director For more information regarding this news release, please contact: Makenita Resources Inc. The CSE has neither approved nor disapproved of the contents of this press release. Forward Looking Statements Certain information in this news release may contain forward-looking statements that involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as "will", "may", "should", "anticipate", "expects" and similar expressions. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this news release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking information may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted, as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of Makenita. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and Makenita disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise such information, except as required by applicable law. Not for distribution to United States newswire services or for release publication, distribution or dissemination directly, or indirectly, in whole or in part, in or into the United States. None of the securities sold in connection with the private placement will be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and no such securities may be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/245901 SOURCE: Makenita Resources Inc. Novotech, a globally recognized full-service clinical research organization (CRO) and scientific advisory company that provides biotech and small- to mid-sized pharma companies an accelerated path to market, has been recognized as the Best Contract Research Organization in Australia at the Asia-Pacific Biopharma Excellence Awards (ABEA) 2025. Novotech, headquartered in Australia with a global presence across 30+ offices, is not only a global CRO but a leading CRO in the Asia-Pacific region. The Asia-Pacific Biopharma Excellence Awards 2025, which celebrates excellence in clinical trials among others, recognizes organizations, experts, and technologies at the forefront of biopharma innovation. Winners are selected through 100% industry voting, ensuring recognition by industry peers. At the recent Awards event held at the Sands Expo Convention Center in Singapore, Chris Chong, Senior Director of Clinical Services, accepted the award on behalf of Novotech. In his remarks, Mr. Chong expressed gratitude for the recognition, stating, "We thank the Asia-Pacific Biopharma Excellence Awards for this recognition. This award reflects the dedication of our teams worldwide who support biopharma innovation. Our clients and partners entrust us with their research, and we take pride in accelerating the development of new therapies. Novotech remains committed to advancing clinical research, strengthening partnerships, and maintaining high standards in biopharma development." This recognition further strengthens Novotech's industry leadership, adding to its long-standing achievements, including being named Frost Sullivan CRO Company of the Year award for 19 consecutive years. For more information on Novotech, visit Novotech-CRO.com About Novotech Novotech-CRO.com Novotech is a globally recognized full-service clinical research organization (CRO) and scientific advisory company that provides biotech and small- to mid-sized pharma companies an accelerated path to market since 1997. With a global footprint spanning 30+ offices across the Asia-Pacific region, North America, and Europe, and partnerships with 5,000+ trial sites, Novotech offers unparalleled access to key clinical trial destinations and diverse patient populations. Novotech leverages its therapeutic and regulatory expertise, client-centric service model, local market insights, and advanced analytical tools to expedite patient recruitment, enhance trial efficiencies, and bring life-changing therapies to market faster. This work has been recognized by awards such as the Frost Sullivan CRO Company of the Year, which Novotech has received for 19 consecutive years. For more information or to speak to an expert team member visit www.Novotech-CRO.com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250324111556/en/ Contacts: Media: Toyna Chin mediacontact@novotech-cro.com North America: +1 415 364 8135 Market Growth Driven by Clean Beauty Demand and Sustainability Trends REDDING, Calif., March 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- According to a comprehensive new market research report titled 'Natural Cosmetics Market Size, Share, Forecast, & Trends Analysis by Product (Skincare, Haircare, Body Care), Source (Organic, Natural), Price Orientation (Economy, Mid-range, Premium), and End User (Super & Hyper markets, E-commerce) - Global Forecast to 2032', published by Meticulous Research, the natural cosmetics market is projected to reach $35.96 billion by 2032, expanding at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.5% from 2025 to 2032. Market Drivers and Emerging Trends The natural cosmetics industry is experiencing unprecedented growth, propelled by increasing consumer awareness regarding potentially harmful synthetic ingredients. This shift is characterized by growing preference for organic and plant-based formulations, alongside stricter regulatory frameworks promoting environmentally friendly products. Digital platforms and social media have significantly amplified this trend, with consumers increasingly demanding transparency in ingredient sourcing and manufacturing processes. Key market trends include the rising popularity of vegan and cruelty-free cosmetics, incorporation of wellness-enhancing ingredients such as CBD and adaptogens, and adoption of biodegradable packaging solutions to minimize environmental impact. Innovation is accelerating in the sector, with companies leveraging biotechnology to develop sustainable lab-grown natural ingredients that maintain product efficacy while reducing environmental footprint. Growth Opportunities Significant market opportunities exist in emerging economies across Asia-Pacific and Latin America, where rising disposable incomes and increasing beauty consciousness are creating new consumer segments. Technological advancements in microbiome-friendly skincare and waterless beauty formulations represent largely untapped potential. The industry is also witnessing increased interest in farm-to-beauty supply chain partnerships and AI-enabled personalized natural cosmetic solutions. For more comprehensive insights, download the FREE report sample of the Natural Cosmetics Market report: https://www.meticulousresearch.com/download-sample-report/cp_id=6139 Market Challenges Despite robust growth projections, the sector faces notable challenges including elevated production costs for natural ingredients, reduced shelf stability compared to synthetic alternatives, and inconsistent regulatory standards across global markets. Greenwashing remains a persistent industry concern, necessitating more stringent certification requirements. Additionally, scaling the sourcing of rare organic ingredients presents substantial supply chain challenges for manufacturers. Segment Analysis Product Type Insights The skincare segment currently dominates the natural cosmetics market, representing approximately 35-40% of market share. This leadership position stems from heightened consumer willingness to invest in daily skincare routines, increased scrutiny of ingredients in products with prolonged skin contact, and substantial clinical evidence supporting natural ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, plant extracts, and botanical oils. Additionally, skincare products typically command premium pricing, generating higher profit margins for manufacturers specializing in natural formulations. The color cosmetics (makeup) segment is emerging as the fastest-growing category during the forecast period. This accelerated growth results from technological breakthroughs that have eliminated previous performance limitations in natural makeup formulations. Contemporary natural color cosmetics now deliver comparable pigmentation intensity, longevity, and application experience to conventional alternatives. Growth is further catalyzed by celebrity and influencer-launched clean beauty brands, expanded inclusive shade ranges in natural formulations, and heightened awareness regarding potential irritants in conventional makeup products. The expansion of specialized clean beauty retailers and digital-native brands has significantly improved product accessibility, further driving segment growth. Source Analysis Traditional natural cosmetics are projected to maintain market dominance in 2025, attributed to their established market presence, broader availability, competitive pricing compared to organic alternatives, and increasing consumer demand for sustainable, clean beauty products. However, the organic cosmetics segment is demonstrating the highest growth rate, driven by increasing consumer prioritization of ingredient transparency, sustainability, and health-conscious purchasing decisions. Consumer preference is increasingly favoring certified organic products that guarantee absence of pesticides, GMOs, and synthetic chemicals. Regulatory authorities and environmentally conscious brands are accelerating this trend through the development of certified organic product lines that address growing demand for verifiably clean and sustainable beauty solutions. Get Insightful Data on Regions, Market Segments, Customer Landscape, and Top Companies (Charts, Tables, Figures And More) - https://www.meticulousresearch.com/product/natural-cosmetics-market-6139 Price Orientation Analysis The mid-range natural cosmetics segment is positioned to maintain market leadership in 2025, offering an optimal balance between quality and affordability that appeals to a broad consumer base, particularly middle and upper-middle income demographics. Consumer demand for natural ingredients and sustainability at price points below luxury offerings drives strong performance in this segment. Expanded distribution through online retail channels, direct-to-consumer brands, and physical retail growth has increased product accessibility. Rising awareness in developing economies including India, China, and Brazil has further stimulated demand for quality-oriented yet reasonably priced natural cosmetics. The premium segment exhibits the most dynamic growth trajectory, reflecting increasing consumer willingness to invest in high-quality, ethically sourced, and scientifically validated natural beauty products. The beauty industry's premiumization trend, combined with the rise of conscious consumerism, has intensified demand for luxury natural cosmetics featuring advanced formulations, organic certifications, and environmentally responsible packaging. Distribution Channel Analysis Supermarkets and hypermarkets remain the leading distribution channel in 2025, benefiting from comprehensive product assortments, competitive pricing structures, and high consumer traffic. These channels offer convenient one-stop shopping experiences enabling direct product comparison, complemented by regular promotional activities that enhance affordability and accessibility of natural cosmetics. The online/e-commerce segment demonstrates the strongest growth momentum, propelled by retail digitalization, increasing smartphone adoption, and evolving consumer shopping preferences. E-commerce platforms and direct-to-consumer brands have transformed the market landscape by providing convenience, personalized recommendations, and access to diverse product selections, including specialty and premium offerings. Online channels offer comprehensive product information, ingredient transparency, and user reviews-particularly valuable for consumers researching natural and organic products. Social media influencers, beauty content creators, and digital marketing initiatives play critical roles in driving online sales growth. Additional advantages including subscription services, home delivery, and exclusive online product launches position e-commerce to outpace traditional retail channels in growth trajectory. Request a customized research analysis tailored to your specific requirements: https://www.meticulousresearch.com/request-customization/cp_id=6139 Geographic Market Analysis North America currently leads the global natural cosmetics market in 2025, supported by substantial presence of key industry players, accelerating clean beauty adoption, sophisticated consumer awareness regarding ingredient transparency, and heightened focus on personal appearance. The Asia-Pacific region is emerging as the fastest-growing market during the forecast period, driven by a unique convergence of cultural, economic, and technological factors. Expanding middle classes and rising disposable incomes in China, India, and South Korea are accelerating preference shifts toward clean, natural beauty products. This transformation leverages the region's established cultural heritage of herbal remedies and natural treatments, with brands successfully modernizing traditional Ayurvedic, Traditional Chinese Medicine, and K-beauty ingredients for contemporary consumers. Digital transformation has accelerated regional market development, with e-commerce platforms and social media influencers increasing natural cosmetics visibility and accessibility across both urban and rural markets. Government initiatives supporting stricter synthetic ingredient regulations and promotion of heritage wellness practices provide additional market support. While local brands currently dominate with culturally relevant, affordable offerings, global companies are rapidly expanding their presence in this high-potential market. Despite challenges including greenwashing concerns and supply chain complexities, the Asia-Pacific natural cosmetics sector shows strong momentum, with advancements in biotechnology and eco-friendly packaging positioning the region as an emerging global industry hub. Competitive Landscape The report provides comprehensive competitive analysis based on extensive evaluation of leading companies' product portfolios, geographic presence, and strategic initiatives implemented over the past 3-4 years. Major industry participants have deployed various strategies to expand product offerings, strengthen market presence, and increase market share. Predominant strategies in the natural cosmetics market include product launches, geographic expansions, mergers and acquisitions, agreements, collaborations, and strategic partnerships. Key market players operating in the global natural cosmetics market include 100% Pure (U.S.), Amway Corporation (U.S.), Arbonne International LLC (U.S.) Aveda Corporation (U.S.), Avon Products, Inc. (U.K.), Bare Escentuals Beauty Inc. (U.S.), Burt's Bees (U.S.), Coty Inc. (U.S.), Estee Lauder Companies Inc. (U.S.), Johnson & Johnson (U.S.), L'Oreal SA (France), Procter & Gamble Co. (U.S.), and Shiseido Co., Ltd. (U.S.) among others. Immediate Delivery Available | Buy this Research Report (Insights, Charts, Tables, Figures and More)- https://www.meticulousresearch.com/view-pricing/1456 Scope of the Report: Natural Cosmetics Market, by Product Color Cosmetics - Concealer - Foundation - Blush - Mascara - Eyeshadows - Eyeliner - Lipsticks - Others Color Cosmetic Products - Concealer - Foundation - Blush - Mascara - Eyeshadows - Eyeliner - Lipsticks - Others Color Cosmetic Products Skincare Products - Lotions & Moisturizers - Cleansers - Creams - Face Oils - Serums - Other Skincare Products - Lotions & Moisturizers - Cleansers - Creams - Face Oils - Serums - Other Skincare Products Haircare Products - Shampoo - Conditioners - Hair Oil - Hair Masks - Other Haircare Products - Shampoo - Conditioners - Hair Oil - Hair Masks - Other Haircare Products Body Care Products - Shampoo - Conditioners - Hair Oil - Hair Masks - Other Body Care Products - Shampoo - Conditioners - Hair Oil - Hair Masks - Other Body Care Products Fragrances - Perfumes - Deodorants - Body Mists - Perfumes - Deodorants - Body Mists Other Natural Cosmetic Products Natural Cosmetics Market, by Source Organic Cosmetics Traditional Natural Cosmetics Natural Cosmetics Market, by Price Orientation Economy Mid-range Premium Natural Cosmetics Market, by Distribution Channel Supermarkets & Hypermarkets Specialty Stores Convenience Stores Online/E-commerce Related Reports: Algae Products Market for Cosmetics by Type (Hydrocolloids, Lipids, Carotenoids), Source (Seaweed, Microalgae {Chlorella, Spirulina}), Form (Dry, Liquid), Application (Skin Care {Moisturizers}, Hair Care Products), and Geography - Global Forecast to 2031 https://www.meticulousresearch.com/product/algae-products-market-for-cosmetics-5294 Phycocyanin Market Size, Share, Forecast, & Trends Analysis by Form (Powder, Liquid), Grade (Food-grade, Reagent grade, Cosmetic-grade Phycocyanin), Category (Non-Organic, Organic), Application (Food & Beverages, Pharmaceuticals)-Global Forecast to 2031 https://www.meticulousresearch.com/product/phycocyanin-market-5126 Algae Market by Type (Macroalgae/Seaweed {Red, Brown}, Microalgae {Spirulina, Chlorella, D. Salina}), Distribution Channel (B2B, B2C), Form (Dry, Liquid), Application (Nutraceuticals, Food & Beverages, Animal Feed, Cosmetics) - Global Forecast to 2032 https://www.meticulousresearch.com/product/algae-market-5424 About Meticulous Research We are a trusted research partner for leading businesses worldwide, empowering Fortune 500 organizations and emerging enterprises with market intelligence designed to drive revenue transformation and strategic growth. Our insights reveal future growth opportunities, equipping clients with a competitive edge through a versatile suite of research solutions-including syndicated reports, custom research, and direct analyst engagement. Each year, we conduct over 300 syndicated studies and manage 60+ consulting engagements across eight major sectors and 20+ geographic markets, all to deliver targeted business insights that help our clients lead in a rapidly evolving global market. 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Ltd. 1267 Willis St, Ste 200 Redding, California, 96001, U.S. USA: +1-646-781-8004 Europe: +44-203-868-8738 APAC: +91 744-7780008 Email- sales@meticulousresearch.com Visit Our Website: https://www.meticulousresearch.com/ Connect with us on LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/company/meticulous-research Top Market Research Reports Blog - https://meticulousblog.org/ Content Source: https://www.meticulousresearch.com/product/natural-cosmetics-market-6139 Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1757980/Meticulous_Research_Logo_1.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/natural-cosmetics-market-projected-to-reach-35-96-billion-by-2032--growing-at-7-5-cagr-from-2025-exclusive-report-by-meticulous-research-302409747.html La Demeure du Chaos ("The Abode of Chaos" - dixit the New York Times) was conceived in 1999 as "a m irror of our world" by thierry Ehrmann. Besides his many business accomplishments, his certified biography in Who's Who In France describes Ehrmann as a 'visual artist since 1980'. https://imgpublic.artprice.com/img/wp/sites/11/2025/02/2025-Biographie_de_Thierry_Ehrmann-Who-s-Who-In-France.pdf The Abode of Chaos is managed by a contemporary art museum baptised "Organe" and located in the village of Saint-Romain-Au-Mont-d'Or just outside Lyon, France. This unique open-air museum spans 7,555m and features a one-of-a-kind museum trail set in the heart of nature. Open to the public free of charge, it was conceived as a total work of art, ensuring accessibility and inclusion for all audiences, in line with the vision of its founder and creator, thierry Ehrmann. It is classified by the Prefecture as an ERP open-air museum. Since its opening in 2006, the Contemporary Art Museum has received 2.5 million visitors free of charge, 25% of whom are from outside France. In 25 years, the Abode of Chaos has been the subject of nearly 3,600 written and audiovisual press reports from 72 countries. Its activities are followed around the world by more than 10.9 million subscribers on its social media accounts and it counts 720,000 signatories to the petition for its preservation and recognition by France's public authorities. The Abode of Chaos has three imposing buildings dating back to 1630 that have been completely re-sculpted in an alchemical transmutation that gave birth to nearly 7,200 distinct works of art created by thierry Ehrmann. Each work has its original name, its original medium and its original shape. There are 4,500 laser-sculpted steel artworks, some weighing several hundred tons. There are also portraits, paintings, street artworks, mural engravings, installations, digital artworks created with AI, works of land art and an all-encompassing electronic system, which together constitute a 'total work of art': https://ftp1.serveur.com/abodeofchaos_singular_architecture.pdf France's Minister of Culture, Madame Rachida Dati has officially recognized in a letter dating 20 March, 2025 thierry Ehrmann's Abode of Chaos as a total work of art in the following terms: "Dear Sir, For several years you have been practicing a proteiform artistic activity alongside your energetic development of Artprice, the company you founded. Not long ago, you drew the attention of one of my predecessors and my ministerial services (DRAC and DGCA) to the complex situation surrounding the product of your artistic activity: the A bode of Chaos. Originally a n old farm in the Monts du Lyonnais, you made the property your personal residence as well as the headquarters of your company Art p rice. At the same time, you developed a multi-faceted and abundant artistic project on th e entire site, part of which has National Historical Monument protection, called "La Demeure du Chaos" (Abode of Chaos). This project, which integrates the architecture of the existing building as well as its surroundings, while preserving and respecting the remains of an old Protestant cemetery, is a total work of art, in perpetual evolution . It's primary artistic objective is to reflect the historical and societal convulsions at the end of the 20th century and the promises and uncertainties of our 21st century . The work is both indoors and outdoors, integrating public and private spaces, notably those dedicated to the daily activities of your company. Its int egrated contemporary art museum offers a hallucinatory and fascinating promenade through the recesses of human memory via portraits of the prominent personalities of our modern era , as well as key quotes , sculptures and architectural extensions that modify the existing buildings. Repurposed car and plane wrecks also play a key role, alongside contemporary ' factories ' installe d in the park. I would like to inform you that my ministerial department officially recognizes the value of this unique work, which I understand is in perpetual motion and will only stop evolving when you are no longer. " According to Madame Dati, thierry Ehrmann's work, "is in line with great ' total works of art ' like Postman Cheval's I deal P alace and the Cyclops in Milly la Foret By this letter I wish to inform you that the Ministry of Culture recognizes the artistic value of the work already created and encourages you to continue it. " Recognition by public authorities constitutes the highest point in the process of protecting the artworks of the Abode of Chaos and, with regard to the law, it is the principal factor that triggers the work's inclusion in the History of Art and its preservation for posterity. The different protection measures constitute a subsidiary factor, while the Minister offers a range of legal solutions to allow the transmission of the Abode of Chaos to future generations: "I also hope that a dialogue can be initiated with S tate S ervices and in particular with the R egional P refecture and the Regional Office of Cultural Affairs (DRAC) , in both directions. The first concerns allowing greater access to the Abode by extending the openings hours that you already practise . The second concerns implementing the right conditions to ensure the sustainability, conservation and accessibility of the Abode to future generations. I will also ask my services, both central and decentralized, to collaborate with your teams to examine the various legal frameworks that could be used to allow the perennity and transmission of the Abode to future generations: endowment fund, a protected f oundation, or a foundation recognized as being of public utility, or any other suitable device. " With great emotion, upon reading this letter, thierry Ehrmann - founder of Artprice, historian and visual sculptor - cannot help but reflect on the extensive study he dedicated to the sculptor Constantin Brancusi: "Exactly a century ago, the U.S. High Court (Brancusi/USA) redefined the cognitive value of a work of art through a landmark trial involving Constantin Brancusi's The Bird in Space . Today, after 25 years of legal struggle, France, through its Minister of Culture, Madame Rachida Dati, has officially recognized the value of my work, defining it as unique through my artistic creation embodied in The Abode of Chaos and its total work of art. Furthermore, it acknowledges that my work is in constant evolution and encourages me to continue, while supporting its dissemination, conservation, and sustainability. This moment forms a true ' mise en abime ', linking Brancusi's The Bird and his portrait painted in my studio at the heart of The Abode of Chaos . It represents both my Great Alchemical Work and my 45 years of artistic creation. I receive this recognition with deep gratitude towards the Minister of Culture, her team, and all my long-standing supporters , as we mark the 25th anniversary of the Abode of Chaos . Today, France, through the voice of its Minister of Culture, is writing a new chapter in the history of art ." The process of recognition and legal protection of the Abode of Chaos relies on in part, on the creation of an in-depth bilingual architectural study titled "The Abode of Chaos: Gesamtkunstwerk & Singular Architecture". This study is now freely accessible to the public at: https://ftp1.serveur.com/abodeofchaos_singular_architecture.pdf The brief description provided in this press release is not exhaustive. The reader is encouraged to consult the typescript for a comprehensive reading of the referenced works. The study examines the Abode of Chaos from a historical, archaeological, sociological, artistic, architectural and scientific points of view, with the help of international experts, distinguished professors, and multidisciplinary researchers. This Study constituted the core requests led by Sandra Bechiche - Director of thierry Ehrmann's office, in charge of international relations and heritage conservation, for legal protection addressed to the French Ministry of Culture, and more specifically to the General Director of the General Department of Artistic Creation (DGCA) in the person of Christopher Miles, as well as to Marc Drouet, Regional Director of Cultural Affairs Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes (DRAC AURA). These initiatives began in December 2019 in order to obtain recognition from the public authorities of thierry Ehrmann's total work of art, and to ensure its sustainability and a peaceful resolution to the 25-year legal dispute initiated by the Commune of Saint-Romain-Au-Mont-d'Or, based on town planning law in the face of artistic creation. This dispute was initially protected by the Malraux laws and later by the law of July 7, 2016, concerning freedom of creation, architecture, and heritage. thierry Ehrmann contributed to this through the legal debate he initiated on the status of the artist in France and the freedom of artistic creation. The surveys, plans, sections, illustrations, orthophotographs for the complete digitization of the 7200 artworks connected to the buildings, outbuildings and surrounding walls over 7,555 m (generating a digital heritage of 1.2 Terra-Bytes [1 pixel IPTC/GPS DMS = 1mm]) was carried out in 18 months by Philippe Barthelemy, founder of ICONEM (which has done extensive work of the Bamiyan cliffs, Palmyra site etc.) as well as TT Geometres Experts Group and its 3D Lab. This work was based on the European Commission's standards for the digitization and online accessibility of cultural material and digital preservation (2011/711/EU). The study and the complete digitization of the Abode of Chaos was overseen by martyr heritage specialists led by Dr. Nicolas Detry, a specialized Heritage Architect. N. Detry wrote the main corpus of the section on "Formativity of the Abode of Chaos" with reference to the work of Luigi Pareyson. Raphaelle Riviere, historian of art & architecture and archaeologist, studied the Total Work of Art (Gesamtkunstwerk) and the Singular Architecture that is the Abode of Chaos / Demeure du Chaos with Nicolas Detry. They were both also the curators of the exhibition "The Abode of Chaos: History of a Sustainable Heritage from the 17th Century to the Present Day" in 2022. Finally, from a purely pedagogical perspective, the notion 'total work of art' (from the German Gesamtkunstwerk) that Madame Rachida Dati, Minister of Culture, has officially recognized in the Abode of Chaos, is an aesthetic concept originating from German romanticism and appearing in the 19th century in Europe. A 'total work of art' is characterized by the simultaneous use of numerous artistic mediums and disciplines, and by the symbolic, philosophical or metaphysical significance it holds. Such projects are born from a desire to reflect the interconnectedness of all elements of existence. thierry Ehrmann opens the doors of the total artwork La Demeure du Chaos to Loic Ballet & Sebastien Chabal for the TV program En vadrouille on March 9, 2025 (France 3 Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes, France Televisions group, LB Production): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nF_W2e4NeCc thierry Ehrmann's Abode of Chaos is regularly cited by art historians as the artistic continuity of the Merzbau, a monumental spatial assemblage, the culmination of the 'total work of art' that the artist Kurt Schwitters worked on in his studio and home in Hanover as of 1923. At the same time, a number of other studies were conducted, notably on the conservation and restoration of the corpus of works at La Demeure du Chaos. The eminent specialist, Simona Sajeva, a civil engineer and international specialist in the conservation-restoration of historic buildings, and President of the International Scientific Committee on Mural Paintings of ICOMOS (International Council of Monuments and Sites) played a key role in these studies. La Demeure du Chaos is regularly included in international nominations for selections such as the Watch List of the World Monument Fund proposed by the DIVA (Documentation Interpretation and VAlorization of Heritage) research laboratory of Liege University in Belgium. The DIVA specializes in conservation sciences for art and architecture under the direction of Claudine Houbart, professor, architect, art historian, and specialist in the conservation of monuments and sites. She is also a Doctor in engineering sciences, and President of the Doctoral School at the FNRS (Scientific Research Fund) dedicated to building arts and urban planning, and a member of the ICOMOS International Scientific Committee on the theory and philosophy of conservation. This nomination benefited from prestigious sponsorships including the support of Giovanni Carbonara (1942-2023) - professor, architect and Director Emeritus of the School of Specialization of Architectural Heritage and Landscape at the University of Rome, "La Sapienza", and Special Advisor to UNESCO - and Pierre Hallot - Doctor of Philosophy and Geospatial Information Sciences, professor at Liege University, member of ICOMOS, expert and Belgian Representative of the CIPA (International Committee of Architectural Photogrammetry - Heritage Documentation). In addition, La Demeure du Chaos has been subject to restoration after thierry Ehrmann reluctantly agreed to the destruction of part of his works to comply with requests from the public authorities. This work was conducted by specialists in listed monuments, including the company Comte (Vinci Group), which, among other projects, has restored the Primatiale Saint Jean in Lyon on several occasions, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The memory of this artistic loss will remain in the martyred heritage thanks to the "Catalogue Raisonne of an Artistic Loss Necessary for Republican Peace" created in 2023, which lists the 450 destroyed works. Lastly, the dimentions of the "total work of art" of the Abode of Chaos include the global headquarters of Artprice by Artmarket, World Leader in Art Market Information since 1987, listed on the Paris Euronext's regulated market, as well as Groupe Serveur (Artprice's principal shareholder) and its legal, scientific, and press agency subsidiaries (since 1985). The Abode of Chaos is also home to the world's largest collection of manuscripts, codices and art market sales catalogs kept under exceptionally high security standards. These documents represent the history of the art market from 1700 to the present day, a modern-day 'Library of Alexandria'. All the archives belong to Artprice by Artmarket and they have all been scanned annotated and studied by the company's historians and experts. The company's underground area also hosts its various data centers, hosting more than 180 data banks of art market information which constitute the global reference for art market professionals all over the world, and for more than 9 million Artprice by Artmarket subscribers. Artprice's press agency, ArtMarketInsight, distributes Art Market news with its long-standing partner of 27 years, Cision PR Newswire, to 122 countries and in 11 languages. Of the many descriptions of the Abode of Chaos proposed over the last 25 years, many a rt h istorians have used the term 't otal work of art ', while others have described it as a "Black W ork of hermetic tradition feeding on the A lchemical C haos of our tragic and sumptuous 21st century, whose embers were ignited on September 11, 2001 ". Various studies from different parts of the world suggest that the genesis of the Abode of Chaos can be traced back to first Masonic trestle boards by thierry Ehrmann at the National Grand Lodge of France in 1985, referring to the remarkable alchemical work "The Philosophers' Mansions " by Fulcanelli. In addition, over the last twenty-five years, thierry Ehrmann's Abode of Chaos has regularly been compared to the famous 'total work of art' created by "Postman Cheval" with his "Ideal Palace". Indeed, the reference work on Postman Cheval's work (published by Postman Cheval's Ideal Palace in conjunction with the Ecole Nationale Superieure des Beaux Arts and the Musee de la Poste in 2008) described thierry Ehrmann as The Postman Cheval of the 21st century (section titled "Cheval and his artistic lineage", page 18). The Postman Cheval lineage is clear and unambiguous, and there exists a cultural tour incorporating visits to the two sites for more than 15 years now. The Abode of Chaos is also home to more than 1,800 geopolitical, literary, scientific, philosophical, artistic, and historical portraits. The portraits reference personalities involved in 90% of the global news regularly covered by written and audiovisual media around the world, as well as thousands of alchemical engravings. The international press sees the Abode of Chaos as a "body of distinct works" and as an "essential and unique 'Factory'" that has a key place in the History of Art as the most significant major work of the beginning of the 21st century (see press review, notably the special issue of the The New York Times and Artpress). It also exists within the realm of ideas. It has sparked exhibitions, debates, numerous books, short and feature films by renowned directors, theses, research, and reverberations across different continents. In 2024, the 36th Congress of the International Committee of Art History (CIHA) convened in Lyon. On a global scale, the CIHA Congresses have constituted the most unifying events for the entire community of researchers and professionals in the world of art and heritage since 1873. thierry Ehrmann, CEO and Founder of Artprice declared: "Considering our strategic mission, it is natural for Artprice and the Organe Museum of Contemporary Art that manages the Abode of Chaos, to sponsor the 36th CIHA Congress as one of its principal patrons, with contributions from all of Artprice's historians and researchers. We were delighted to welcome delegates to the global headquarters of Artprice by Artmarket in the heart of the Organe Contemporary Art Museum and its Abode of Chaos." This extraordinary event for Art History, held every four years, contributed to re-emergence of France, which - according to Artprice's 30th Annual Art Market Report - is now positioned as the second largest public art market in the world in terms of transaction volumes, just behind the United States. In 2024, Paris generated the 4th largest art auction turnover in the world, surpassing both Beijing & Shanghai. https://www.artprice.com/artprice-reports/the-art-market-in-2024 Copyright 1987-2025 thierry Ehrmann www.artprice.com - www.artmarket.com Artprice's econometrics department can answer all your questions relating to personalized statistics and analyses: econometrics@artprice.com Find out more about our services with the artist in a free demonstration: https://artprice.com/demo Our services: https://artprice.com/subscription About Artmarket.com: Artmarket.com is listed on Eurolist by Euronext Paris. The latest TPI analysis includes more than 18,000 individual shareholders excluding foreign shareholders, companies, banks, FCPs, UCITS: Euroclear: 7478 - Bloomberg: PRC - Reuters: ARTF. Watch a video about Artmarket.com and its Artprice department: https://artprice.com/video Artmarket and its Artprice department were founded in 1997 by thierry Ehrmann, the company's CEO. They are controlled by Groupe Serveur (created in 1987). cf. the certified biography from Who's Who In France: https://imgpublic.artprice.com/img/wp/sites/11/2025/02/2025-Biographie_de_Thierry_Ehrmann-Who-s-Who-In-France.pdf Artmarket is a global player in the Art Market with, among other structures, its Artprice department, world leader in the accumulation, management and exploitation of historical and current art market information (the original documentary archives, codex manuscripts, annotated books and auction catalogs acquired over the years) in databanks containing over 30 million indices and auction results, covering more than 865,100 artists. Artprice Images allows unlimited access to the largest art market image bank in the world with no less than 181 million digital images of photographs or engraved reproductions of artworks from 1700 to the present day, commented by our art historians. Artmarket, with its Artprice department, constantly enriches its databases from 7,200 auction houses and continuously publishes art market trends for the main agencies and press titles in the world in 119 countries and 9 languages. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/artmarketcom-artprice-and-cision-extend-their-alliance-to-119-countries-to-become-the-worlds-leading-press-agency-dedicated-to-the-art-market-nfts-and-the-metaverse-301431845.html Artmarket.com makes available to its 9.3 million members (members log in) the advertisements posted by its Members, who now constitute the first global Standardized Marketplace for buying and selling artworks at fixed prices. There is now a future for the Art Market with Artprice's Intuitive Artmarket AI. Artmarket, with its Artprice department, has twice been awarded the State label "Innovative Company" by the French Public Investment Bank (BPI), which has supported the company in its project to consolidate its position as a global player in the art market. See our 2024 Global Art Market Annual Report , published in March 2025 by Artprice by Artmarket: https://www.artprice.com/artprice-reports/the-art-market-in-2024 Artprice by Artmarket publishes its 2024 Contemporary Art Market Report: https://www.artprice.com/artprice-reports/the-contemporary-art-market-report-2024 Summary of Artmarket press releases with its Artprice department: https://serveur.serveur.com/artmarket/press-release/en/ Follow all the Art Market news in real-time with Artmarket and its Artprice department on Facebook and Twitter: www.facebook.com/artpricedotcom/ (more than 6.5 million subscribers) twitter.com/artmarketdotcom twitter.com/artpricedotcom Discover the alchemy and the universe of Artmarket and its Artprice department: https://www.artprice.com/video whose head office is the famous Museum of Contemporary Art Abode of Chaos dixit The New York Times / La Demeure of Chaos: https://issuu.com/demeureduchaos/docs/demeureduchaos-abodeofchaos-opus-ix-1999-2013 La Demeure du Chaos/Abode of Chaos - Total Work of Art and Singular Architecture. Confidential bilingual work, now made public: https://ftp1.serveur.com/abodeofchaos_singular_architecture.pdf L'Obs - The Museum of the Future: https://youtu.be/29LXBPJrs-o https://www.facebook.com/la.demeure.du.chaos.theabodeofchaos999 (more than 4.1 million subscribers) https://vimeo.com/124643720 Contact Artmarket.com and its Artprice department - Contact: ir@artmarket.com ------------------------ This publication embed "Actusnews SECURITY MASTER ". - SECURITY MASTER Key: lGebk5Vul5yYxp1wlpiYl5KVnG1okpHKZWaZm2dxZJnHnGpklWtlb5aeZnJhmm5n - Check this key: https://www.security-master-key.com. ------------------------ Copyright Actusnews Wire Receive by email the next press releases of the company by registering on www.actusnews.com, it's free Full and original release in PDF format:https://www.actusnews.com/documents_communiques/ACTUS-0-90591-artmarket-com-en-madame-rachida-dati-french-minister-of-culture-has-granted-official-recognition-to-thierry-ehrmann-abode-of-chaos-as-a-total-work-of-art.pdf The Group to invest a total of USD 21 billion in the U.S. from 2025 to 2028 USD 9 billion to expand U.S. automobile production to 1.2 million units annually USD 6 billion to enhance parts, logistics and steel business, increasing the localization of auto parts and strengthening supply chains USD 6 billion to expand future industries and strengthen external partnerships and energy infrastructure, including EV charging Investment is expected to create more than 100,000 direct and indirect job opportunities by 2028, including 14,000 direct full-time jobs SEOUL, South Korea, March 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Hyundai Motor Group (the Group) is announcing a significant investment of USD 21 billion in the United States from 2025 to 2028. This commitment reflects the Group's strategic focus on expanding its manufacturing capabilities, advancing future technologies, and enhancing energy infrastructure in America. This latest U.S. investment builds on the Group's existing allocation of approximately USD 20.5 billion since entering the U.S. market in 1986. "Hyundai Motor Group is deepening its partnership with the United States, reinforcing our shared vision for American industrial leadership. The Group's investment and efforts will further expand our operations in the U.S. and grow our American workforce. Thank you to our American partners, employees, and communities. We're proud to stand with you, and proud to build the future together." Expanding automotive production capacity To reinforce its production capabilities, the Group will invest a total of USD 9 billion to establish an annual production capacity in the U.S. of 1.2 million vehicles across its automotive brands, Hyundai Motor, Kia, and Genesis. In addition, the Group plans to invest in improving its production facilities, including Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama and Kia Autoland Georgia, to further enhance its customer-centric approach in delivering high-quality automobiles. Enhancing parts localization and logistics to strengthen supply chain A total of USD 6 billion will be allocated to increase the localization rate of automotive components - including core parts for electric vehicles (EVs), such as battery packs - to form an auto cluster following expansion of the Group's production facilities, as well as strengthening Group logistics to ensure robust supply chains and investing in steel production in the U.S. Hyundai Steel, the Group's steel affiliate, will construct an Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) steel mill in the state of Louisiana, capable of producing 2.7 million tons of steel annually. This facility will produce low-carbon steel sheets using the abundant supply of steel scrap in the U.S. with the aim of enhancing the Group's agility and flexibility in response to external uncertainties. Strengthening collaboration in future industries and investing in energy infrastructure The Group will invest USD 6 billion to drive innovation and expand strategic partnerships with U.S. companies in areas including autonomous driving, robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), and advanced air mobility (AAM). Key initiatives include: Collaborating with Boston Dynamics to expand the U.S. ecosystem for robotics components and establish a mass-production system Partnering with NVIDIA to accelerate the development of AI solutions for future mobility, including autonomous driving and robotics Advancing R&D with Supernal, the Group's US affiliate for AAM business, to commercialize an eVTOL vehicle by 2028 Supplying robotaxis to Waymo as part of its strategic partnership with Hyundai Motor Company, and co-developing autonomous driving services with Aptiv Investing potential startups through venture capital and other funding mechanisms to support U.S. startups specializing in mobility, robotics, and AI As part of its USD 6 billion commitment, the Group will also invest in energy infrastructure projects to secure new business opportunities and contribute to the development of sustainable energy generation, including: Strategic cooperation between Hyundai Engineering & Construction Holtec International on Small Modular Reactor (SMR) technology Establishing infrastructure to bolster use of renewable energy Investing in IONNA EV charging alliance to expand infrastructure Through these investments, the Group anticipates it will create 14,000 new direct full-time jobs in the U.S. by 2028. The overall economic impact is expected to generate more than 100,000 direct and indirect job opportunities across related industries. The Group plans to hold its Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America Grand Opening celebration in Georgia, U.S., later this week, marking the completion of the largest economic development project in Georgia's history, just two and a half years after breaking ground. HMGMA exemplifies HMG's dedication to driving economic growth, furthering technological advancements, and delivering sustainable solutions to the U.S. market, creating or supporting over 570,000 jobs nationwide. Hyundai Motor Group Commits to U.S. Growth with USD 21 Billion Investment Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2648827/5232341/Hyundai_Motor_Group_Logo.jpg PDF - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2648934/Press_Release__Hyundai_Motor_Group_Commits_to_U_S__Growth_with_USD_21_Billion_Investment.pdf View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/hyundai-motor-group-commits-to-us-growth-with-usd-21-billion-investment-302409759.html Onco-Innovations Limited (CSE:ONCO)(OTCQB:ONNVF)(Frankfurt:W1H), (WKN: A3EKSZ ) (" Onco " or the " Company "), at the request of the Canadian Securities Exchange, provides, by way of the table below, an update to the use of proceeds disclosure contained in its prospectus dated November 25, 2024 (" Prospectus "). Principal Purposes as described in Prospectus Maximum Offering(i) ($) Use of Funds to Date(ii) Projected remaining cost to December 31, 2025 Technology Transfer 250,000 103,392 146,608 Research and development of ONC010 150,000 494,580(iii) 250,000 Commercialization / production (pre-clinical) 230,000 - 500,000 Estimated remaining cost of Prospectus and Listing 70,000 91,567 N/A Operating expenses for next 12 months 387,500 583,806 475,000 Investor relations activities 200,000 1,661,114 600,000 Unallocated working capital 1,283,822 N/A N/A Available Funds 2,571,322 N/A N/A The Company raised the maximum offering amount of $2,500,000 under the Prospectus. The Company has raised an additional $1,290,250since the date of the Prospectus. Includes an estimated $180,000 in costs incurred directly by Onco since its acquisition of Inka for the further development of Synograph, including its core AI Model. The Company notes, as indicated in note (ii) to the table above, that it has raised an additional $1,290,250since the date of the Prospectus, which additional capital has provided the Company the flexibility to pursue initiatives and expenditures that would not have been described in the Prospectus. The Company further notes that the use of proceeds as described in the Prospectus, and as indicated in the table above, contained a category of unallocated working capital of $1,283,822. The Prospectus also contained the following disclosure: "The Company intends to spend the funds available to it as stated in this Prospectus. However, there may be circumstances where for sound business reasons, a reallocation of the funds may be necessary." The Company made the decision to focus a significant portion of its financial resources towards investor relations activities in order to enhance market visibility and foster investor confidence. The Company notes that Canadian capital markets have unfortunately become increasingly frail in terms of being able to generate investor engagement, due in part, in the Company's view, to challenging economic conditions and the difficult state of the junior markets in general and most poignantly in relation to retail investors. Accordingly, the Company's strategy has been to utilize effective investor relations to reach a wider audience, particularly in Germany, in an effort to counteract this trend with the goal of instilling investor confidence and advancing its operational roadmap from a position of strength. The Company notes that the cost of investor relations activities has increased substantially due to increasing demand, including from U.S. exchange listed venture issuers, and also notes that such services are typically priced in Euros or U.S. dollars which has increased costs substantially when converted to CAD. The Company notes further that it would like to eventually expand its investor relations activities into the United States, though there are no definitive plans for this to occur in the near term. The Company also notes that the table above indicates that its operating expenses are higher than was anticipated in the Prospectus. This is due primarily to the Company being more active more quickly than was anticipated. In particular, this increase has been driven by costs associated with the Company's acquisition of Inka Health, its fundraising activities, and increased administrative costs associated with a much higher than anticipated level of regulatory interaction. Finally, the Company notes that the table above indicates that it will spend substantially more money on research and development activities than contemplated in the Prospectus. This is a direct function of the Company having secured more equity financing more quickly than was contemplated at the time of the Prospectus, as well as the Inka acquisition, with the latter having increased the Company's technology base for research and development. The Company is proud of its financing activities and grateful to its shareholders for their continued support. About Onco-Innovations Limited Onco-Innovations is a Canadian-based company dedicated to cancer research and treatment, specializing in oncology. Onco's mission is to prevent and cure cancer through pioneering research and innovative solutions. The company has secured an exclusive worldwide license to patented technology that targets solid tumours, setting new standards in cancer treatment. Onco's commitment to excellence and innovation drives it to develop advanced therapies that improve patient outcomes and offer hope in the fight against cancer. ON BEHALF OF ONCO-INNOVATIONS LIMITED, " Thomas O'Shaughnessy " Chief Executive Officer For more information, please contact: Thomas O'Shaughnessy Chief Executive Officer Tel: + 1 888 261 8055 investors@oncoinnovations.com The CSE and Information Service Provider have not reviewed and do not accept responsibility for the accuracy or adequacy of this release. Forward-Looking Statements Caution. This news release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as "will", "may", "potential", "should", "anticipate", "expects" and similar expressions. All statements other than statements of historical fact, included in this release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and the Company will update or revise publicly any of the included forward-looking statements as expressly required by applicable law. SOURCE: Onco-Innovations Limited Kamil Magomedov, a premier real estate investment brokerage and advisory firm headquartered in Dubai, has achieved an exceptional milestone by selling three complete residential buildings within a mere seven hours at Expo City, Dubai's emerging real estate epicenter. This unprecedented transaction highlights Expo City's rapid ascent as a globally recognized hotspot for strategic real estate investment. Expo City is positioned to evolve into Dubai's newest World Trade Center district by 2026, already capturing significant interest from international investors. Projected to attract an annual footfall exceeding 2.5 million visitors and host over 300 high-profile events per year, Expo City represents an extraordinary and timely investment opportunity. By 2032, planned expansions are expected to boost annual visitor numbers to over 6 million across more than 600 events annually. "Expo City is experiencing remarkable growth, rapidly becoming one of the world's most compelling destinations for property investors. The intersection of unprecedented demand with constrained supply conditions has fostered a highly attractive market environment, generating robust rental yields for investors," remarked Kamil Magomedov, a distinguished real estate investment advisor specializing in premium investment opportunities and branded residential developments across Dubai. Currently, Expo City's residential offerings total approximately 1,100 units distributed across the Al-Waha Residences, Mangroove Residences, and the Rove Hotel. With Sky Residences and Sidr Residences expected to deliver an additional 1,000 units by 2028, the total stock will reach only around 2,100 units-significantly below the projected requirement. Beginning in 2026, Expo City will necessitate at least 4,000 residential units to adequately accommodate between 8,000 and 10,000 event attendees. This substantial gap between supply and demand presents investors with rental yields projected at an attractive 13-16%, markedly surpassing the market average. The recently unveiled Al-Waha Residences, characterized by boutique-style, low-rise buildings (G+1, G+2) comprising between 10 to 50 units each, have rapidly become a preferred asset class among discerning investors. The strategic opportunity to acquire entire buildings for conversion into short-term rental properties near Dubai's future central business district has accelerated sales velocity. Notably, entire buildings are being purchased faster than individual units, reflecting a robust investor appetite for flexible, high-yield assets. Expo City's advanced infrastructure, prime location, and the impending relocation of Dubai World Trade Center operations to this district have significantly enhanced its attractiveness as a global investment magnet. The compelling blend of limited housing supply, surging demand, and ongoing infrastructure improvements positions Expo City as an exceptional high-growth investment opportunity. To further guide potential investors, Kamil Magomedov has launched an informative video series on his YouTube channel, offering expert insights and in-depth analyses on Dubai's real estate market dynamics. His latest video thoroughly examines the strategic advantages and economic rationale behind investing in Expo City. Kamil Magomedov is a renowned real estate investment specialist affiliated with Provident Real Estate, a distinguished Tier 1 brokerage firm in the Middle East. With an extensive professional background in investment strategy, urban development, and governmental advisory roles, Kamil consistently identifies emerging high-growth real estate investments ahead of market trends. His previous roles include serving as CEO of a prominent investment group, strategic advisor to the CEO of Forbes Russia, and Minister of Investment in a key Russian region. He also contributed significantly to developing the master plan and growth strategy for a new urban area in Russia's Far East. Investors interested in capitalizing on Expo City's unparalleled growth trajectory are encouraged to act promptly. For immediate assistance in securing strategic real estate assets within Dubai's most promising investment destination, contact Kamil Magomedov today. Media Contact: Kamil Magomedov Provident Real Estate Phone: +971501610143 YouTube: Kamil Magomedov Real Estate Instagram: @kamilmagrealestate Email: kamil@providentestate.com SOURCE: Kamil Magomedov Houston, Texas--(Newsfile Corp. - March 24, 2025) - Bracewell LLP announced today the promotion of five lawyers to senior counsel and counsel: Emily A. Banse (Houston), Margaret B. Beasley (New York), Tamara McKinzie (Houston) and Kenni C. Wilkinson (Houston), each of whom has been promoted to senior counsel; and Daniel J. Pope (Austin), who has been named counsel. "I'm pleased to congratulate these outstanding lawyers on their promotions. Each has distinguished themselves through their dedication to the firm and our clients," said Bracewell Managing Partner Gregory M. Bopp. 2025 Senior Counsel and Counsel Promotions Emily Banse, Senior Counsel, Houston - Banse focuses her practice on financial transactions in the energy industry, representing lenders and borrowers in syndicated, secured and unsecured and traditional and debt financings. She received her B.A. from The University of Texas at Austin and her J.D. from the University of Houston Law Center, where she was magna cum laude, Order of the Coif, Order of the Barons and served as alumni development editor on the Houston Law Review. During law school, Banse served as judicial intern to the Honorable Nancy Johnson, US Magistrate Court for the Southern District of Texas and to the Honorable Marvin Isgur of the US Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas. Best Lawyers has recognized Banse as "One to Watch" in Banking and Finance Law. Margaret B. Beasley, Senior Counsel, New York - Beasley represents corporations and individuals in every level of federal and state court, as well as in frequent engagement with the Department of Justice, Securities and Exchange Commission and Department of the Treasury. She provides counsel in matters including white-collar defense, government investigations, Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), sanctions compliance, anti-money laundering, Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), and cybersecurity and data breach response. Beasley received her B.A., summa cum laude, from The George Washington University and her J.D., with honors, from The George Washington University Law School. She completed internships with the Criminal Division of the US Department of Justice and in the Superior Court for the District of Columbia. Beasley also served as law clerk to S. Bernard Goodwyn, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Virginia. Best Lawyers has recognized Beasley as "One to Watch" in Commercial Litigation, and she has been recognized in the Lawdragon 500 X in Energy Litigation, White Collar and Cybersecurity. Tamara McKinzie, Senior Counsel, Houston - McKinzie represents commercial clients with the acquisition, development, financing and divestiture of real estate projects. She routinely advises investors, developers and utilities on the structuring of mixed-use, multifamily and industrial transactions and resolving issues related to zoning and other land use restrictions. McKinzie also represents borrowers and lenders in both commercial and consumer transactions. She received her B.S. from Sam Houston State University and her J.D., summa cum laude, from South Texas College of Law, where she was valedictorian. McKinzie is ranked in Chambers USA for Texas Real Estate and is recommended by Best Lawyers for Real Estate Law. Kenni C. Wilkinson, Senior Counsel, Houston - Wilkinson focuses her practice on financial transactions, representing lenders and borrowers in large, syndicated and bilateral, secured and unsecured, and traditional and structured financing arrangements. She received her B.B.A, summa cum laude, and M.S. from Texas A&M University. Wilkinson graduated magna cum laude with a J.D. from Baylor Law School, where she served on the Baylor Law Review. During law school, Wilkinson served as intern for the Honorable Judge Jaclanel McFarland of the Harris County 133rd District Court in Houston. Best Lawyers has recommended Wilkinson as "One to Watch" in Banking and Finance Law. She is also recommended in The Legal 500 US for Commercial Lending. Daniel J. Pope, Counsel, Austin - Pope advises energy, infrastructure and industrial clients on environmental permitting and transactions, and represents clients in litigation, environmental permit proceedings and environmental enforcement defense under several federal and state environmental, natural resources, and energy statutes and regulatory programs. He earned his B.A. from Auburn University and his M.A. from The University of Texas at Austin. Pope graduated with a J.D. from The University of Texas Law School, where he was associate editor of the Texas Law Review. He served in the Office of the Attorney General of Texas as an intern in the Civil Medicaid Fraud Division and as a law clerk in the Special Litigation Division. Pope also served as a judicial assistant for The Honorable Fred Biery, Judge to the US District Court for the Western District of Texas, San Antonio Division. Best Lawyers has recognized Pope as "One to Watch" in Energy Law. About Bracewell LLP Bracewell is a leading law and government relations firm primarily serving the energy, infrastructure, finance and technology industries throughout the world. Our industry focus results in comprehensive state-of-the-art knowledge of the commercial, legal and governmental challenges faced by our clients and enables us to provide innovative solutions to facilitate transactions and resolve disputes. ### To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/245887 SOURCE: Bracewell Ashbury, Australia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 24, 2025) - Pro Electrical has expanded its emergency electrical services, now offering 24/7 support throughout Sydney's Inner West. This decision comes as more homes and businesses seek fast, reliable solutions for urgent electrical issues, ensuring safer properties and uninterrupted operations. Sydney's Inner West has seen increased electrical emergencies, including power surges, faulty wiring, circuit failures, and unexpected outages. The need for quick-response electrical services is growing, with property owners looking for trusted professionals to address these challenges at any hour. Expanding to provide round-the-clock service strengthens Pro Electrical's ability to respond rapidly, helping to minimise disruptions and reduce potential hazards. Electrical failures can lead to serious risks, from fire hazards to costly damages. The extended service ensures residents and businesses have immediate access to skilled electricians capable of identifying issues, repairing faulty components, and restoring power efficiently. The Pro Electrical Services team arrives fully equipped with advanced tools and industry expertise to handle a wide range of emergencies with precision. Offering 24/7 availability aligns with the increasing reliance on electrical systems in modern households and commercial spaces. As more homes integrate smart technology and businesses extend their operating hours, a sudden power failure or electrical fault can lead to significant disruptions. The expanded emergency services ensure customers no longer have to wait until regular business hours to resolve critical electrical issues. Pro Electrical's ongoing investment in staff training, safety compliance, and modern equipment ensures that every emergency call is handled with expertise. Electricians follow strict safety protocols to minimise risks while delivering long-term solutions tailored to each client's needs. By staying up to date with the latest industry advancements, the company continues to provide dependable and forward-thinking electrical services. In addition to expanding emergency services, Pro Electrical is exploring future initiatives to enhance energy efficiency and sustainability in electrical solutions. Plans include incorporating smart technology, eco-friendly practices, and partnerships with local businesses to deliver customised electrical services that align with modern energy demands. Residents and businesses in Sydney's Inner West can now rely on Pro Electrical's 24/7 emergency services for immediate assistance. Potential clients can visit the company's website to schedule a consultation or learn more about the expanded services. About Pro Electrical: Pro Electrical is a locally owned and operated electrical service provider serving Sydney's Inner West. The company specialises in residential and commercial electrical solutions, including emergency repairs, switchboard enhancements, lighting installations, safety inspections, and smart building integrations. Its team has extensive industry experience and a deep understanding of the area's unique needs to support communities and address electrical requirements. Media Contact: To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/245906 SOURCE: GetFeatured Charlotte Rothert, Mona Feder and Daniel Marinkovic, founding team of doinstruct (Picture: doinstruct) doinstruct, a Berlin, Germany-based provider of a compliance platform for frontline worker training, raised 16.5M in Series A funding. The round was led by HV Capital with participation from existing investors including Creandum, HTGF, D11Z and others, bringing the total amount to 26M. The company intends to use the funds to further expand its offering across key European markets. Led by CEO Charlotte Rothert, and CPO Mona Feder, doinstruct provides an AI-powered training platform for frontline workers, enabling companies to achieve their compliance and operational targets. The platform automatically identifies risks, generates documentation, and delivers bitesized training content in workers native languages all without requiring app downloads, passwords, or email addresses. The platform automatically handles documentation and training in over 25 languages, enabling companies like Do&Co, Wiesenhof, Voelkel, Schmitz Feuerwehrtechnik, and Echterhoff to safely integrate international workers while maintaining compliance standards. FinSMEs 24/03/2025 MonacoSol, a Manchester, UK-based private equity firm, has taken a majority stake in virtualDCS, a Leeds, UK-based cloud hosting company. The amount of the deal was not disclosed. The acquisition will enable virtualDCS to accommodate a team in line with its expansion strategy. Following the deal, the company has moved its headquarters from The Waterscape in Kirkstall to larger offices at Wellington Place, a modern development in Leeds city centre. Founded by Richard May, John Murray and Dan Nichols, virtualIDCS delivers a range of cloud services, including a host of Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) products which enable companies to protect their data and enhance their cyber resilience and security. Its customers span sectors ranging from retailing, local government, hospitality, food wholesaling, healthcare, IT support and fuel supplies to research outfits and professional bodies. Clients include B&M Retail, The Rix Group and its diverse portfolio of businesses, and Achilles, a supply chain risk management software provider. The business, which was founded in 2008 and turns over 2.8m, works directly with customers as well as through a variety of channel partners, including Phoenix Software, CCS Media and Vapour Cloud. virtualIDCS currently has 22 staff, including developers, system analysts, network engineers and cyber security specialists, and expects its workforce to grow by around a dozen over the next 12 months backed by MonacoSols investment, with recruitment plans focused on expanding its commercial and technical teams. MonacoSol is the family office of technology and software entrepreneur Richard Beaton, who is its chairman. His sons Ollie and Eddie are its chief executive and chief financial officer respectively. FinSMEs 24/03/2025 Dia wrote, Who in the media will have the grace to put out a written apology to Rhea Chakraborty and her family? You went on a witch hunt. read more Dia Mirza, Pooja Bhatt have demanded an apology after Rhea Chakrabortys witch-hunt in the Sushant Singh Rajput case. Dia wrote, Who in the media will have the grace to put out a written apology to Rhea Chakraborthy and her family? You went on a witch hunt. You caused deep anguish and harassment just for TRPs. Apologise. Thats the very least you can do. Pooja Bhatt wrote to Akshay Kumars old tweet, 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. Advertisement 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. 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. Juhi Chawla and Shah Rukh Khan have been co-stars, business partners (Dreamz Unlimited and Kolkata Knight Riders) and really close friends read more Juhi Chawla once shared her experience of telling Shah Rukh Khan about the colour of their jersey and why she chooses not to watch the matches with him. In the documentary Living with KKR, Juhi Chawlas husband shared an anecdote and said, After we came back from South Africa with our famous losing streak, Juhi, suddenly, tells me I am superstitious about black as a colour and I think black is unlucky for KKR. Advertisement Their collective response was What nonsense. But the KKR team did change the colour of their jerseys from black to purple as years passed by. Juhi Chawla and Shah Rukh Khan have been co-stars, business partners (Dreamz Unlimited and Kolkata Knight Riders) and really close friends. They have worked in films like Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman, Ram Jaane, Yes Boss, One 2 Ka 4, Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani, Paheli, Bhoothnath, Duplicate. Talking about his journey at the Gujarat Chamber of Commerce & Industry, the actress recalled the time when Khan was new to Mumbai and the world of films. Chawla revealed, I remember Shah Rukh those days didnt have a home in Mumbai. So he used to come from Delhi (his hometown). I dont know where he stayed. He used to have tea with the unit (the film crew), eat with the unit, and blended in the unit seamlessly. He also did 2-3 shifts then. He was doing Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman (1992) with me, Dil Aashna Hai (1992), and another film with Divya (Bharti, Deewana, 1992). He was very driven. The actress added, He had a black Gypsy. But it was taken away one day because he couldnt pay the EMI, or there was something. He came on our set very dejected. I told him, Dont worry, youll have many more cars one day. And he still remembers that. Because its true. Look at him today. US President Donald Trump has announced that Boeing will develop the F-47, a sixth-generation fighter jet. Trump has vowed that the planes will have unprecedented power and that Americas enemies will never see them coming. But what do we know about the aircraft? How does it compare with Chinas J-36? read more This graphical rendering provided by the US Air Force shows the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) Platform, the F-47. AP America has said it will build a sixth-generation fighter jet. US President Donald Trump, making the announcement, said Boeing will develop the fighter jet which will be known as the F-47. They will have unprecedented power, Trump said. Americas enemies will never see [them] coming. US airpower is currently led by the F-35 built by weapons manufacturer Lockheed Martin. The fifth-gen jet, each of which costs between $80 million and $115 million, is recognised as the most complete fighter plane in the skies. Advertisement However, some critics have called it a white Elephant. The F-47 is envisaged as a replacement for the F-22 raptor. But what do we know about the F-47? How does it compare with Chinas J-36? Lets take a closer look: What do we know? You may well wonder what the 47 stands for. Trump, incidentally, is the 47th President of the United States. But he insists thats a coincidence. The generals picked a title, and its a beautiful number, Trump was quoted as saying in the Oval Office. Nothing in the world comes even close to it. The plane is officially called the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD). NGAD was conceived as a family of systems centered around a sixth-generation fighter to counter adversaries such as China and Russia. As per St Louis Public Radio, the plane will be built at a Boeing manufacturing space in the city. As per BBC, Trump called it the most lethal aircraft ever built. He claimed a test version of the plane had been flying in secret for years. Theres never been anything even close to it, from speed to manoeuverability, to what it can have, to payload, Trump said. Our allies are calling constantly, Trump added. He said foreign sales could be an option. Advertisement They want to buy them also. The planes specifications, for obvious reasons, are being kept under wraps. However, it will have stealth capabilities, advanced sensors and cutting-edge engines. An artistic representation of the plane put up at the White House showed a tiny part of it along with front landing gear. As per AirandSpaceForces.com, artistic renderings of the F-47 show a number of differences from other stealth craft. While the images show a conventionally stealthy nose and bubble canopy with a chiseled chine and a flattened overall fuselage shape, they also reveal both canards and wings with a distinctive upward angle, features that arent typical of previous stealth designs, the piece stated. Advertisement President Donald Trump, left, and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth listen as an image of an F-47 sixth-generation fighter jet is displayed during an event in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington. AP Boeing said that the F-47 will build on Boeings fighter legacy which includes the P-51 Mustang, F-4 Phantom, F-15 Eagle, F/A-18 Hornet, and EA-18 Growler. As per Fortune, the F-47 will fly alongside an autonomous drone. The AP reported that the plane will cost $20 billion to develop initially. The War Zone estimated that the final cost will be in the billions. Weve given an order for a lot. We cant tell you the price, Trump said. Despite what our adversaries claim, the F-47 is truly the worlds first crewed sixth-generation fighter, Chief of Staff Gen. David W Allvin was quoted as saying by AirandSpaceForces.com The website quoted Allvin as saying that X-planes have been testing NGAD technologies for the last five years, flying hundreds of hours, testing cutting-edge concepts, and proving that we can push the edge of technology with confidence. Advertisement This has accelerated the technology, refining our operational concepts, and proving that we can field this capability faster than ever before. Because of this, this fighter will fly during President Trumps administration. With the F-47, we will strengthen our global position, keeping our enemies off-balance and at bay, Allvin said. And when they look up, they will see nothing but the certain defeat that awaits those who dare to challenge us. How does J-36 compare? The J-36 is Chinas sixth-gen fighter plane. As per The War Zone, it is being built by the Chengdu Aircraft Corporation. Its details too are a closely-guarded secret. Its features include a triangular, tailless configuration which increases stealth by tamping down on radar signature. Advertisement It is also thought to increase aerodynamic efficiency for long-range operations. Chengdu J-36. Image courtesy Quwa However, this may come at the cost of maneuverability without advanced thrust-vectoring engines. The J-36 is said to be powered by three WS-10C turbofans. This engine plan, which is extremely unconventional, has likely been undertaken to maintain high speeds and operations at extreme altitudes. The J-36s overall size likely means it has the capacity to carry extra fuel. It is thought to have internal space for advanced weapons and sensors. The J-36 likely has side-looking airborne radar, electro-optical sensors, and low-observable technologies. As per The Diplomat, the J-36 is thought to be around 22 metres in length. It is said to have a 20-metre wingspan. It has a low observable, double delta tailless flying wing planform, with a huge and blended fuselage. A canopy is present giving rise to rumours it may have a two-pilot cockpit with them side-by-side. The J-36 has two side air intakes of a caret design, and also a dorsal air intake of unclear geometry. The J-36 is thought to have a big central internal weapons bay (IWB). This could contain the PL-17 air to air missile. It is thought to have two smaller IWBs on the side It is thought that its maximum take-off weight will be more than 50 tons. It also has dual wheel main landing gear. The J-36 also has split flap rudders on the outboard wing positions. As per The Times of India, images and videos of the J-36s maiden came to light in December 2024 on the anniversary of Mao Zedongs birth, the founder of the Peoples Republic of China. The J-36 took to the skies alongside a Chengdu J-20s plane. Though China has claimed the J-36 is a sixth-gen fighter, this is impossible to verify. What do experts say? Some people have claimed that fighter planes are obsolete in todays world. As per Fortune, Elon Musk, has called the F-35 an expensive & complex jack of all trades, master of none. Musk, who is a high-profile confidante of Trump, in November claimed some idiots are still building manned fighter jets like the F-35. And manned fighter jets are obsolete in the age of drones anyway. Will just get pilots killed, he wrote on X. Billionaire Elon Musk has claimed that fighter planes are obsolete in todays world. AP However, experts say that despite grumbles from certain quarters, manned aircrafts will continue to rule the skies. Bill Sweetman, writing for The Strategist, claimed that the J-36 represents a significant leap in aviation technology. As Stacie Petty John, a senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security, told the Washington Post, This is one of the US Air Forces core strengths, so continuing to invest in the high-end aircraft that allows us to do this is key to maintaining an edge over China. The presidents decision to move forward with the F-47, also known as the Next Generation Air Dominance fighter, is likely to be the most important defense decision that he makes during his entire term, retired Air Force Lieutenant General David Deptula told Fox News. Thats because our entire way of waging war involves integrating all the services, which depends on US control of the air, Deptula explained. No major military campaign can succeed without air superiority, Deptula, who served as the Air Forces deputy chief of staff for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, added. NPR quoted Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth as saying the development sent a strong message about Americas commitment to its airpower. The new fighter jet sends a very clear, direct message to our allies that were not going anywhere. The development is a big win for Boeing and a reversal of fortune for a company that has struggled on both the commercial and defence sides of its business. It is a major boost for its St Louis, Missouri, fighter jet production business. Boeings win means it will make the jet fighter and receive orders worth hundreds of billions of dollars over the contracts multi-decade lifetime. We recognise the importance of designing, building and delivering a 6th-generation fighter capability for the United States Air Force, Steve Parker, who leads Boeings defence business, said in a statement. In preparation for this mission, we made the most significant investment in the history of our defense business. The loss is another blow to Lockheed after it was eliminated from the competition to build the Navys next-generation carrier-based stealth fighter, and amid growing discontent from the Pentagon over delays in upgrading its F-35 fighter jet. In recent weeks, Trump met with Lockheed CEO Jim Taiclet to discuss the F-35, according to three sources. The win is a major boost for the company, which has struggled with cost overruns, schedule delays and execution on other Department of Defense programs, said Roman Schweizer, an analyst at TD Cowen. While disappointed with this outcome, we are confident we delivered a competitive solution, Lockheed said in a statement. We will await further discussions with the US Air Force. However, its not all doom and gloom for the weapons firm. The silver lining of this award for Lockheed is that the Air Force sees value in manned capabilities at the same time China is ramping its fifth gen fighter production, analysts wrote, as per Fortune. With inputs from agencies Amit Gupta, an Indian techie from Gujarat, has been detained in Qatar for the past three months. According to multiple reports, he has allegedly been held over accusations of data theft. His family maintains that he is innocent and has been wrongfully accused, as his wife and elderly parents make desperate efforts to secure his release read more Amit Gupta was taken into custody by Qatari authorities on January 1. Image courtesy: LinkedIn An Indian techie, Amit Gupta, has been detained in Qatar for the last three months. The Indian embassy in Qatar is aware of his detention, which is allegedly linked to an ongoing investigation. The embassy is also in regular contact with Guptas family, his lawyer, and Qatari authorities, according to news agency PTI. ALSO READ | Who was Shahzadi Khan, the UP woman executed in UAE? Gupta was taken into custody by Qatari authorities on January 1. Advertisement But who is Amit Gupta, and why has he been detained by Qatari authorities? We will answer these questions. Explained: Who is Amit Gupta? 1. Amit Gupta is a senior employee at Indian IT company Tech Mahindra and has been detained in Qatar for three months. 2. Originally from Vadodara in Gujarat, he relocated to Qatars capital, Doha, in 2013. 3. For the past three years, Gupta has worked as the region head for Qatar and Kuwait at Tech Mahindra, overseeing business operations, according to a report by Mint. 4. Before assuming this role, he worked as a senior sales manager and client partner at the company, with nearly 12 years of experience at the Indian IT giant. 5. Prior to joining Tech Mahindra, Gupta spent three years at Nucleus Software Exports. 6. Earlier in his career, he was also employed as an assistant manager at Infosys. Wrongfully Detained? Vadodaras Amit Gupta Awaits Justice in Qatar Amit Gupta, Country Head at Tech Mahindra in Doha, Qatar, has been wrongfully detained for three months by Qatars State Security, leaving his family in deep distress.Despite his wife seeking help from the PMO, pic.twitter.com/0Qv6jXtV6Y Our Vadodara (@ourvadodara) March 22, 2025 Advertisement 7. Notably, Gupta holds a Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) in Computer Science from the Malaviya National Institute of Technology, Jaipur. 8. He later completed a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Marketing and Systems from the International Management Institute (IMI) in New Delhi, according to his LinkedIn profile. 9. According to his parents, unidentified individuals took him away on January 1 while he was out for a meal. 10. His family, unaware of the reasons behind his detention, has appealed for help from the Prime Ministers Office and other authorities. Advertisement Why Amit Gupta has been detained The specific charges against Amit Gupta have not been disclosed. However, multiple reports suggest that he has allegedly been detained in Qatar over accusations of data theft. His family maintains that he is innocent and has been wrongfully accused. Guptas father said that Qatars state security detained the Tech Mahindra employee. His wife and elderly parents are making desperate efforts to secure his release. ALSO READ | Why PM Modi broke protocol to welcome brother emir of Qatar at airport During a media interaction, Guptas mother reiterated that her son was falsely accused. She also claimed that he was detained and held without food or water for 48 hours. He was kept seated for about 48 hours without food. He was then shifted to a room and has been kept there for nearly three months now, his mother, Pushpa Gupta, told news agency IANS. Advertisement 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 When asked if they knew why he was detained, she responded, Someone in the company must have done something, he (Gupta) was arrested because he is the country head. She further revealed that the family receives a five-minute call from Gupta every Wednesday, their only means of contact. During these calls, he has only been able to say, Get me out of here as soon as possible, India Today reported. We recently went and stayed in Doha for a month. We were allowed to meet him for half an hour after the Indian ambassadors intervention. He told us what he is going through, she said. The couple also recently sought help from Vadodara MP Hemang Joshi, who assured them he would raise the issue with the government. According to sources familiar with the matter, Indian authorities are extending all possible assistance to Gupta, Hindustan Times reported. How the company responded A Tech Mahindra spokesperson stated that the company is supporting Guptas family and remains in close contact with them. We are actively coordinating with authorities in both countries and following the proper legal processes. The well-being of our colleague is our top priority, the spokesperson told NDTV. With inputs from agencies Bradley Bartell and his Peruvian wife Camila Munoz were returning from their honeymoon when federal immigration officials at the airport arrested Munoz over her expired visa status. Despite the ordeal, Bartell continues to support the president, saying he has no regrets about voting for Donald Trump, who has vowed to conduct the largest mass deportation operation in US history read more Bartell and Munoz were returning from their honeymoon from Puerto Rico. However, ICE agents detained the Peruvian woman at Luis Munoz Marin International Airport in San Juan and locked her in a detention centre. Image courtesy: Go Fund Me Bradley Bartell never imagined his honeymoon would end with his wife in an immigration detention centre. A proud supporter of Donald Trump, the Wisconsin man had always backed the presidents tough stance on immigration. But now, those very policies have turned his life upside down. His wife, Camila Munoz, a Peruvian immigrant, was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers at the airport, leaving Bartell scrambling to get her released. Despite everything, he remains unwavering in his support for Trump, insisting he has no regrets about his vote, Newsweek reported. Advertisement So, what led to Munozs arrest? And what is Bartell doing to bring her home? Heres what we know so far. What happened? Bartell and Munoz had just celebrated their honeymoon on the Caribbean island of Puerto Rico. However, during their return, ICE agents detained the Peruvian woman at Luis Munoz Marin International Airport in San Juan and locked her in a detention centre. According to Newsweek, Munoz first came to the US in 2019 on a work-study visa in Wisconsin Dells. But when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, international travel came to a standstill, and her visa expired. She continued working in farming and hospitalitywhere she met Bartell. After initially losing his phone number, Munoz later reconnected with Bartell on Facebook, and their relationship grew serious. They eventually married but postponed their honeymoon due to the pandemic. She also embraced Bartells 12-year-old son as her own, Newsweek reported. The couple had spent two years planning their future, saving up to buy a home and start a family. At the airport, an ICE agent asked Munoz, Are you an American citizen? She replied honestlyno, she wasnt. She was from Peru. But she and her American husband had taken all the legal steps to obtain a green card, hoping she would eventually gain US citizenship. They never imagined that, despite her ongoing green card application, clean record, and history of paying taxes, she would get swept up in Trumps immigration crackdown. Trump voter Bradley Bartell is distraught as his Peruvian wife Camila Munoz is currently detained by ICE. Her application for legal status is under review. Nevertheless the Trump administration's immigration agents have kept her locked up for now four weeks pic.twitter.com/vuH11KSE8e chris evans (@notcapnamerica) March 16, 2025 Advertisement Before agents led her away, Munoz pulled off her wedding ring, afraid it might get confiscated. She shoved it into her backpack and handed it to Bartell. He shook as he watched her disappear. He thought, What the f do I do? Also read: Trump revokes legal status for 530,000 migrants. Who are they? What does this mean for them? Its all been a nightmare says Bartell but still supports Trump It took Bartell nearly a week to find out where his wife had been taken. Munoz is now being held in a private immigration facility in Louisiana, far from home. Describing the emotional toll of watching his wife being detained, Bartell said, Its all been a nightmare really, taking things as they come and moving forward. He added that they had hired an attorney but found the immigration system frustratingly slow. The system for getting people through seems to be very inefficient, so it is taking longer than it should. Advertisement Despite everything, Bartell still stands by his vote for Trump, even as the president pushes for a large-scale immigration crackdown. [Trump] didnt create the system, he argued, but he does have an opportunity to improve it. Hopefully, all this attention will bring to light how broken it is. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents detain a man after conducting a raid at the Cedar Run apartment complex in Denver, Colorado, U.S., February 5, 2025. Image for Representation/Reuters Since sharing his story, Bartell has faced a wave of backlash. Ive received a lot of hateful messages, plenty of people saying we deserve this. And a lot of other insults, he said. He recently spoke to his wife over the phone and admitted hes deeply worried about her. Emotionally, Im concerned for her, he told The Independent. It cant be easy being trapped in a room with 100 other people. They dont have anything in there. Its just so wasteful. Advertisement To help cover legal fees, Bartell has launched a GoFundMe campaign, aiming to raise $30,000. This money will be used for legal support and the bond money for my wife, he said, adding that the bond alone could be upwards of $10,000. Trumps mass crackdown on immigration Since returning to the White House, Donald Trump has doubled down on his promise to carry out large-scale deportations, focusing on undocumented migrantsespecially those with criminal records. However, growing concerns suggest that enforcement efforts are expanding beyond the worst first approach Trump originally pledged. They have begun detaining nonviolent offenders and legal residents as part of the presidents deportation plans. ICE is really widening the net in a really chilling way in terms of who they are going after, Jesse Franzblau, senior policy analyst for the National Immigrant Justice Center, told Newsweek. People who generally dont fit the profile of who they picked up before are being picked up now. Advertisement Since returning to the White House, Donald Trump has doubled down on his promise to carry out large-scale deportations, focusing on undocumented migrantsespecially those with criminal records. File image/ AFP Bartell has criticized ICE, calling for reform. ICE never really has any information, it seems. The system needs to be revamped for better processes and communication between departments. He also acknowledged that he has considered shifting to Peru if his wife is deported. It has crossed my mind, but it would be very difficult for my son, he said. Also read: How unpredictability at US borders is fueling anxiety among tourists The White House has maintained that anyone in the country illegally is considered a criminal. If an individual is overstaying their visa, they are therefore an illegal immigrant residing in this country, and they are subject to deportation, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in January. While overstaying a visa isnt a criminal offenceits an administrative violation that can result in a 10-year ban from re-entering the US. However, if an undocumented immigrant is married to a US citizen, they may qualify for a waiver of unlawful presence to stay legally. Since Trumps return to office, over 90,000 immigrants have been arrested by the agency. With input from agencies Days after taking oath as Canadas new PM, Mark Carney has called for a snap election on April 28. Why is Canada holding early elections? What can we expect amid Donald Trumps tariff and annexation threats read more Canadians hold an 'Elbows Up' protest against US tariffs and other policies by US President Donald Trump, at Nathan Phillips Square in Toronto, Ontario, on March 22. The levies and Trump's threat of making Canada the 51st US state are expected to dominate the election. Reuters Canadas new Prime Minister Mark Carney took oath on March 14. Now 10 days later, he had called for a snap election on April 28. will take place amid a trade war and sovereignty threats from US President Donald Trump. Carney met Governor General Mary Simon on Sunday and requested her to dissolve the Parliament. Requests by the prime minister to the governor-general are rubber-stamped. We are facing the most significant crisis of our lifetimes because of President [Donald] Trumps unjustified trade actions and his threats to our sovereignty, the Liberal Party leader told reporters in Ottawa after he met with the governor-general. Im asking Canadians for a strong, positive mandate to deal with President Trump and to build a new Canadian economy that works for everyone because I know we need change big change, positive change. Advertisement An election campaign, which will last about five weeks, has officially begun. Why did Mark Carney call for an early election? Carney was selected as the leader of the Liberal Party two weeks ago. He succeeded Justin Trudeau, who quit on January 6, after the sudden resignation of his deputy Chrystia Freeland in December and amid declining popularity within his party and the public. The new PM called for a snap election, a day before the Parliament was to return on Monday (March 24) after being prorogued for two months following Trudeaus resignation. With this, Carney has avoided an expected showdown over the fact that he doesnt have a seat in the House of Commons. Canadas Prime Minister Mark Carney gestures, before boarding an aircraft, after calling for an election, in Ottawa, Ontario. The head of the Liberal Party, he is one of the key players in the contest. Reuters The elections were to be held in October and experts believe Carney is hoping the early polls will help the Liberal Party, which is once again seeing a rise in popularity. In January, the prospects of the Liberals appeared bleak. But now there is a change in the nations mood and an unexpected swing in opinion polls, with some surveys projecting that Carneys party could secure a majority government. With the election campaign kick-starting, the banker-turned-politician is hoping to ride the wave. How will the election work? In next months election, Canadians will elect 343 members of parliament to the House of Commons, an increase of five compared to the 2021 vote, reflecting the countrys growing population. Seats are won based on the first-past-the-post system. Several parties can run candidates in an electoral district, also known as a riding. The candidate with the most votes wins, regardless of whether they secured an absolute majority of votes, reports AFP. If a party wins 172 seats, they secure a majority government. If no individual party wins a majority, the party with the most seats is typically given the chance to form a government, which requires having the confidence of the house. The party with the most seats can seek to form a minority government through formal coalition agreements with smaller parties or try to govern through a series of informal or written agreements with other factions. Advertisement The prime minister is Canadas head of government. A supporter of Mark Carney holds a flag during a Liberal Party rally after Carney called an election, in St. Johns, Newfoundland, on March 23. The popularity of the Liberal Party has risen Justin Trudeau resigned. Reuters The governor general is the British monarchs official representative in Canada, a Commonwealth country, and is appointed by the monarchy, on the advice of the prime minister. The governor general performs largely ceremonial and constitutional functions, with no political role. King Charles III is head of state in Canadas constitutional monarchy. The Liberals under Trudeau secured a majority in 2015, but have governed with a minority since 2019. Before the Parliament was dissolved, the Liberals held 152 seats in the House of Commons, the Conservatives 120, the Bloc Quebecois 33, the New Democratic Party 24, and the Green Party two. Advertisement Since Canada was founded in 1867, power has alternated between the Liberals and the Conservatives Who are the important players in the Canadian federal elections? Mark Carney: The 60-year-old Carney, who heads the Liberal Party, is the incumbent prime minister. He was picked to lead the party with an 85 per cent vote earlier this month to succeed Justin Trudeau. He is a known face in the country, where he was the head of the Bank of Canada during the 2008 financial crisis. He was at the helm of the Bank of England during Brexit. Carney has not hesitated to take on Donald Trump. He has vowed retaliatory tariffs against the US, announced measures aimed at reducing the impact of US tariffs and reiterated that Canada will never become the 51st American state. Mark Carney poses for a picture with a supporter during a Liberal Party rally after calling an election, in St. Johns, Newfoundland. Reuters A recent survey shows Canadians view him as more capable than Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre in handling trade talks and relations with the US and economic uncertainty back home. Advertisement Pierre Poilievre: Since mid-2023, it looked like Pierre Poilievres Conservative Party was all set to win the election. But now the situation has changed with his party slightly ahead of the Liberals. The 45-year-old launched his election campaign on Sunday, saying that the Conservative government would take a respectful and firm approach against Trump. He said that he would insist that Trump end tariffs and respect Canadas sovereignty. His message on the housing crisis and the cost-of-living crisis has resonated with the Canadians. Conservative Party of Canada leader Pierre Poilievre speaks at a campaign election rally in North York, Ontario. He has drawn comparisons to Donald Trump. Reuters However, his populist politics have drawn comparisons with Trump. While the US president has said Pollivere is not Maga enough, his ally Elon Musk has praised the Canadian Conservative leader. Advertisement As Canadians seem united with a surge in pride amid Trumps tariff threats, Poilievre has attempted to distance himself from the US president and focused on change in messaging, emphasising Canada first. Jagmeet Singh: The 46-year-old is the leader of the left-leaning New Democratic Party (NDP), which focuses on labour issues. The NDP provided support to the Trudeau-led government since 2021 with the needed votes in Parliament. But in September 2024, Singh pulled the plug on the agreement with the Liberals over the Cabinets decision to impose binding arbitration to end a work stoppage at Canadas two largest railways. Then Singh had accused the Liberals of letting people down. The NDPs popularity has been on the wane. Polls in mid-March showed only nine per cent of Canadians intended to vote for them. NDP leader Jagmeet Singh speaks with Laurier-Sainte-Marie candidate Nima Machouf as he helps her install posters in Montreal, Quebec. Reuters Yves-Francois Blanchet: Blanchet leads the Bloc Quebecois, a Quebec nationalist party that only contests in a French-speaking province. While a PM from the party is unlikely, it matters in the elections. Bloc Quebecois is popular in Quebec and this could play a key role in determining the fate of the major parties looking to form the government, according to a report in the BBC. Blanchet, who has been leading the party since 2019, has also dismissed Trumps tariffs and his talks on taking over Canada. Polls show the party trailing behind the Liberal Party in Quebec. What are the key issues? Donald Trump, tariffs, and trade wars will dominate the election campaign. The other big concern is the US presidents constant threat to Canadas sovereignty. Most political scientists have traditionally argued that foreign policy does not matter to Canadians at the voting booth. But a recent book by historian Patrice Dutil has claimed that at least half of Canadas national elections featured substantive discussions of Canadas place in the world, reports The Conversation. Canadians hold an Elbows Up protest against US tariffs and other policies by President Donald Trump, at Nathan Phillips Square in Toronto, Ontario, on March 22. Reuters The worry on the domestic front is the cost-of-living crisis housing and healthcare affordability. Pollster David Coletto, CEO of Abacus Data, told BBC that Canadians have been subsumed by the existential threat of the trade war with the US. Even if the cost of living is still the top issue, it may not be as powerful a motivator to drive voting behaviour, he said. It is a challenging time for Canada and whoever wins the election will have to be ready for a trade war and to mend ties with Trump as he goes on about annexation. There is also the fear the growing fear of recession amid global uncertainty. The road ahead is a tough one. With inputs from agencies Stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra once again finds himself in the middle of a controversy. On Sunday, as part of his new show, he hinted that Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde was a traitor but did not name him. This prompted outrage from his supporters, who vandalised the Mumbai hotel where the show was shot and even filed a police complaint, demanding an apology from the comic read more A clip from stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra's recent show went viral, stirring a massive row in Maharashtra, with Shiv Sena workers vandalising the hotel where the show was shot. File image/Kunal Kamra/Instagram A joke has turned out to be no laughing matter as Shiv Sena ransacked a hotel in Indias financial capital, Mumbai, where stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra shot his show in which he mocked Maharashtras Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. The Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena faction has also filed FIRs against the comedian, demanding swift action against him. Moreover, they warned him of dire consequences, with one Sena leader even saying, Let alone Maharashtra, Kunal Kamra cannot freely go anywhere in India, Shiv Sainiks will show him his place. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD What exactly happened? What did Kunal Kamra say that incited the Shiv Sena? Why did the Shiv Sainiks vandalise the Mumbai hotel? We get you the full story. What Kunal Kamra said Popular stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra found himself in the firing line over the weekend when he was shooting his new show titled Naya Bharat in which he was discussing contemporary politics. Kamra, as many would remember, is no stranger to controversy; in 2020, he butt heads with news anchor Arnab Goswami while travelling on an IndiGo flight. His actions led him to be banned by the airline for six months. In the same year, he also criticised the Supreme Court in a series of fiery tweets which landed him in legal soup over contempt of court. This time, Kamra took aim at the situation of Maharashtra politics, namely at Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and his breakaway from the Shiv Sena. He referred to Shinde as a traitor (gaddar) without actually naming him. He made the remark while performing a modified version of a Hindi song from the movie Dil to Pagal Hain. Kamra remarked, Meri nazar se tum dekho to gaddar nazar wo aaye. Haaye, referencing the 2022 rebellion , which led to the split of Shiv Sena into the Shinde faction and the Uddhav Thackeray faction. How Eknath Shindes followers reacted Parts of Kamras show, which were released online, sparked outrage among supporters of the Shinde-led Shiv Sena faction, leading to protests and legal action against the comedian. Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction) MLA Murji Patel reached a police station in Mumbais suburbs to file an FIR against the comedian. Murji Patel said, We have filed an FIR against Kunal Kamra for his comments against our leader and Maharashtras Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. We have demanded quick action against him. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Patel further demanded that Kamra should apologise to Shinde within two days, failing which, The Shiv Sainiks will not let him move freely in Mumbai. If he is seen anywhere in public, we will paint his face black. We will take up this issue in the assembly and request our states home minister to order action against him as soon as possible, he said. #WATCH | Mumbai: Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction) MLA Murji Patel lodged an FIR at MIDC police station against comedian Kunal Kamra for his remarks on Maharashtra DCM Eknath Shinde. Murji Patel says, "We have filed an FIR against Kunal Kamra for his comments against our leader pic.twitter.com/qLXb9bWkUU ANI (@ANI) March 24, 2025 While Patel filed an FIR against Kamra, other Shiv Sena members and workers staged protests against the comedian, with some even reaching The Unicontinental Mumbai the hotel where Kamra had shot his show. Videos shared on social media showed the Sena members vandalising the studio smashing chairs, tables and lights to express their anger against Kamras remarks. Please give me one reason why a well-educated person would want to live in this country.#kunalkamra pic.twitter.com/TiestMfxmf Travis Kutty (@TravisKutty) March 23, 2025 However, it didnt stop there; many Shinde supporters came out on the streets of Mumbai burning Kamras photos. Naresh Mhaske, a Lok Sabha MP from Shindes Sena even alleged that Kamra had accepted money from Uddhav Thackeray to malign the deputy chief minister. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Kamra is a contract comedian. But he should not have stepped on the tail of a snake. Once the fangs are out, there will be dire consequences, he said, adding: We will make sure you cannot move freely throughout the country. We are Shiv Sainiks of the late Balasaheb Thackeray. If we start following you, you will have to leave the country. Sena social media in-charge, Rahul Kanal, also demanded swift police action against Kamra, stating in a letter that this was an intentional effort to defame Shinde. I have reason to believe that the act committed by Mr. Kunal Kamra was pre-planned and executed in furtherance of a criminal conspiracy with Mr. Aaditya Thackeray, Mr. Rahul Gandhi, and Mr. Sanjay Raut. This conspiracy appears to be part of a systematic paid campaign aimed at maligning the reputation, image, and goodwill of Shri Eknath Shinde, a respected public figure and constitutional officeholder, Kanal wrote in the letter. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD @RahoolNKanal ji has submitted letter at m Khar Police Station to book FIR against Kunal Kamra for his cheap comedy to malign the image & reputation of @mieknathshinde Saheb (Honble Deputy Chief Minister, Maharashtra) !!! pic.twitter.com/kNyhN8a70x Shivsena & Yuvasena (Bandra West Assembly) (@yuvasenabandraw) March 23, 2025 The coordinated nature of the attack, the timing of the event in Maharashtra (a politically sensitive region), the involvement of political figures known to oppose Shri Eknath Shindes party, and the endorsement by Sanjay Raut suggest a deliberate and orchestrated effort to defame him, he added. What reactions have come after the Kamra row As of now, Kamra, the man at the centre of this all, has remained quiet, choosing not to comment on the situation. He only posted an image of himself holding a copy of the Constitution on X, captioning it as the only way forward The only way forward pic.twitter.com/nfVFZz7MtY Kunal Kamra (@kunalkamra88) March 23, 2025 STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD However, the vandalism and the FIR against Kamra have elicited reactions from members of the opposition in the state. Aaditya Thackeray of the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena referencing the violence wrote on X, Mindhes coward gang breaks the comedy show stage where comedian @kunalkamra88 put out a song on Eknath Mindhe which was 100% true. Only an insecure coward would react to a song by someone. Btw law and order in the state? Another attempt to undermine the CM and Home Minister by eknath mindhe. The young Thackeray often refers to the Maharashtra deputy CM as Mindhe (subservient) to taunt him. Priyanka Chaturvedi, another member of the Uddhav Thackeray-led Sena also remarked on the situation, saying, Dear Kunal, stand strong. The man and the gang you exposed will go after you. I will defend to death your right to speak your mind. With inputs from agencies Gerard Depardieu, 76, is on trial in Paris for allegedly assaulting a set dresser and an assistant director during the 2021 filming of Les Volets Verts. Prosecutors claim he groped one woman in front of witnesses and made sexually explicit remarks. While over 20 women have accused him of misconduct, this is the first case to reach trial read more Actor Gerard Depardieu addresses the media during the press conference for the film 'Saint Amour' at the 2016 Berlinale Film Festival in Berlin, Germany on February 19, 2016. File Image/AP Gerard Depardieu is only not only facing two women accusing him of sexual assault when he entered a Paris courtroom on Monday. Frances most renowned male actor is also confronting a nation often criticised for its reluctance to address sexual violence particularly when powerful figures are involved. 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 marks the first time one of these cases has reached trial. Advertisement It is also Frances most high-profile post-#MeToo case, testing whether a country known for its culture of seduction is ready to hold its cultural icons accountable. Prosecutors allege that Depardieu trapped one of the women with his legs before groping her waist and breasts in front of witnesses. 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 due to the heat, then told her: Come and touch my big parasol. Ill stick it in your (nether regions). She recounted that he then grabbed her forcefully and had to be pulled away by bodyguards. The second woman, a 34-year-old assistant director, alleged that she was groped both on set and in the street. The plaintiffs identities have been withheld to protect alleged victims of sexual violence. Depardieu has denied all accusations. In an open letter published in Le Figaro in October 2023, he stated: 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. Advertisement His lawyer, Jeremie Assous, dismissed the case as baseless, saying Depardieu who recently underwent a quadruple bypass and has diabetes will attend the two-day trial, with breaks reportedly scheduled to accommodate his health condition. A culture slow to confront abuse France has historically been ambivalent even resistant toward the #MeToo movement. While Hollywood swiftly saw the downfall of powerful men, the French film industry was slower to respond. Some dismissed #MeToo as an American import incompatible with French values, citing concerns over free expression and fears of eroding flirtation culture. Roman Polanski, convicted in the U.S. of unlawful sex with a minor and accused by multiple women of sexual assault, continues to live and work in France largely unchallenged. Despite international outrage, he remains a celebrated 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. Advertisement Yet, institutional pushback within the industry remained minimal, underscoring a deep reluctance to confront abuse involving revered cultural figures. In February, director Christophe Ruggia was convicted of sexually abusing Haenel when she was a child. Haenel, who had already left the film industry in protest, has become one of Frances most vocal advocates against abuse. Actor and filmmaker Judith Godreche has also emerged as a leading voice. In February 2024, she testified before 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 lawmakers. It is about power. It is about a system that enables silence. Advertisement That same commission has summoned major actors and producers including Jean Dujardin to testify. Several reportedly requested that their hearings be held behind closed doors. Witnesses and whispers Anouk Grinberg, a respected actor who starred in Les Volets Verts, has publicly backed the plaintiffs. She described Depardieus behaviour on set as vulgar and unsettling, saying she felt a sense of shame. 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 remains active, and in August 2024, prosecutors recommended it go to trial. Over a five-decade career, Depardieu has appeared in more than 200 films, including Cyrano de Bergerac, Jean de Florette, Green Card, and The Man in the Iron Mask. However, his off-screen controversies have long made headlines, from drunk driving to urinating in a plane aisle. Advertisement A 2023 France Televisions documentary, La Chute de lOgre (The Fall of the Ogre), reignited debate over his alleged impunity. The film included footage from a 2018 trip to North Korea, in which Depardieu made sexually inappropriate remarks to a female interpreter and appeared to sexualise a young girl on horseback. For years, such behaviour was dismissed as part of his larger-than-life persona. Now, that legacy is being directly challenged. Resistance in a country famed for seduction Godreche, who told lawmakers she was 14 when Jacquot first exploited her, has called for reforms to Frances statute of limitations on child sex crimes and for stronger protections for minors in the arts. Her testimony alongside those of other survivors has brought rare political focus to the culture of silence that many argue pervades French cinema. Yet resistance persists. In 2018, actor Catherine Deneuve and more than 100 prominent French women signed an open letter in Le Monde defending what they termed a freedom to bother. The letter argued that flirtation should not be confused with harassment and warned against what they saw as creeping American puritanism. Womens rights activists demonstrate outside the Paris Palace of Justice as French actor Gerard Depardieu, who is facing trial for the alleged sexual assaults of two women on a film set in 2021, wont appear before a criminal court, October 28, 2024, in Paris. File Image/AP With inputs from AP March 24 is a significant day in history. Oil tanker Exxon Valdez, operated by Exxon Shipping Company, ran around on a reef in Alaskas Prince William Sound in 1989. This incident is termed the worst environmental damage in US history. On this day in 1958, the King of Rock and Roll Elvis Presley was inducted into the US Army read more It was on March 24 that one of the worst oil spills in US history took place when super oil tanker Exxon Valdez ran aground on the Bligh Reef in Alaskas Prince William Sound in 1989. Close to 11 million gallons of oil eventually spilled into the water leading to the pollution of close to 700 miles of coastline. If you are a history geek who loves to learn about important events from the past, Firstpost Explainers ongoing series, History Today will be your one-stop destination to explore key events. Advertisement Another major event occurred on this in 1958 when 23-year-old Elvis Presley was inducted into the US Army in 1958. On this day in 1999, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (Nato) began airstrikes against Yugoslavia, a sovereign nation. Oil tanker Exxon Valdez crashes One of the biggest environmental disasters in history began on March 24 when the supertanker Exxon Valdez crashed along a reef in the Prince William Sound in southern Alaska. It is one of the worst spillages as more than 11 million gallons of oil was splattered. The massive ship, operated by Exxon Shipping Company, was en route from the Valdez Marine Terminal to California when it struck the reef just after midnight. The collision ruptured multiple tanks, spilling approximately 11 million gallons of crude oil into the icy Alaskan waters. Workers test a mild chemical oil disperant on a beach contaminated by the Exxon spill in Anchorage, Alaska. File image/AP The Exxon Valdez oil spill contaminated more than 1,300 miles of rugged coastline and disrupted delicate ecosystems. The spill caused the death of hundreds of thousands of marine animals, including sea otters, harbour seals, seabirds, and fish. The environmental damage was immediate and long-lasting, with some species and habitats taking decades to recover. In the aftermath, the company faced significant backlash from environmental groups, the public and government agencies. This incident exposed serious shortcomings in oil spill preparedness and led to greater scrutiny of maritime safety and environmental policies. In response, the US Congress passed the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, which strengthened regulations for oil spill prevention, response and liability. Elvis Presley inducted into the US Army The King of Rock and Roll Elvis Presley was inducted in the US Army on this day in 1958. Presley reported to the Memphis draft board before heading to Fort Chaffee, Arkansas, for his initial processing. Presley chose to serve as a regular soldier during his time in the Army. This move struck a chord with the public, especially among conservative Americans who had previously criticised his rebellious persona. He went on to be stationed in Germany with the 3rd Armored Division, where he served from 1958 to 1960. Advertisement To capture every moment of Elviss induction, Colonel Tom Parker ensured a photographer was present. The day began early at Graceland, with photos that showed Elvis in formal attire, departing with his parents for the Memphis induction center. While Elvis showed no outward signs of distress, his mothers expression foreshadowed tragedy. This was her final glimpse of her son in good health. Later that year she succumbed to illness shortly before his departure for Germany. Elviss two-year military service ushered in a period of profound change, marked by his meeting with the 14-year-old Priscilla Beaulieu in Germany and the concurrent rise of a new generation of teen idols who captured the attention of the US pop music scene. Advertisement This event remains one of the most significant intersections of celebrity and public service, demonstrating how even a music legend could serve his country. Nato attacks Yugoslavia North Atlantic Treaty Organization (Nato) launched a full-scale attack on Yugoslavia on March 24, 1999, with a large-scale aerial bombing campaign. This marked the first major military offensive by the alliance without the approval of the United Nations Security Council. The attack came in response to a new wave of ethnic cleansing launched by Serbian forces against the Kosovar Albanians on March 20. The campaign, named Operation Allied Force, was aimed at halting the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Kosovo, where Yugoslav and Serbian forces were accused of committing atrocities against the ethnic Albanian population. A man leads his daughter away from destroyed buildings after NATO air strikes hammered the center of Pristina, the Kosovo capital. File image/Reuters The conflict in Kosovo had been escalating throughout the late 1990s, with reports of ethnic cleansing, mass killings and widespread human rights abuses. After diplomatic efforts failed at the Rambouillet peace talks, Nato decided to intervene militarily to prevent further violence. Advertisement Over the course of 78 days, Nato forces carried out relentless airstrikes targeting military infrastructure, government buildings and supply lines within Serbia and Montenegro, the two republics that comprised Yugoslavia at the time. The bombing also struck civilian targets, including bridges, power plants and broadcasting facilities, leading to international criticism and accusations of violating international law. The 1999 NATO bombing of Yugoslavia remains a deeply controversial chapter in international relations, sparking debates over the legality of humanitarian interventions and setting a precedent for future military actions without direct UN endorsement. This Day, That Year On this day in 2008, Bhutan held elections for the National assembly, thus, completing the countrys transition to a democracy. In 1603, King James Vi of Scotland ascended the English throne as James I. An Indian-origin woman, Saritha Ramaraju, has been charged for killing her 11-year-old son during a trip to Disneyland. The police also recovered a kitchen knife that she had acquired the previous day. What had happened on the day? read more Saritha Ramaraju has been accused of murdering her 11-year-old son in California. Image credit: X/@SantaAnaPD A three-day trip to Disneyland turned into a horrifying incident as an Indian-origin woman allegedly killed her 11-year-old son. According to the police, the boy was stabbed multiple times on March 19 in Californias Santa Ana. The murder of the child, it appears, was the result of the parents being involved in a custody battle since last year when Saritha Ramaraju accused her former husband of alleged substance abuse. Ramaraju was in town for a custody visit when she bought three-day passes to Disneyland for herself and her son. Advertisement As police investigate a gruesome murder, here is what we know so far. Indian-origin Saritha Ramaraju allegedly killed her 11-year-old son during a trip to Disneyland on March 19. The two were on a three-day vacation. The 48-year-old woman has been charged with felony murder in connection with the alleged fatal slitting of her sons throat along with one felony enhancement of personal use of a weapon, a knife. According to the Orange Countys Office of the District Attorney, if convicted on all charges she can face a prison term ranging from 26 years to life. According to a report by NBC Los Angeles, the boy has been identified as Yatin Ramaraju, although the statement did not state his name. Ramaraju, who had relocated after her 2018 divorce, stayed with her son at the La Quinta Inn and Suites in Santa Ana for a custody visit. She had bought three-day Disneyland passes. At 9:12 am on March 19, the day Ramaraju was scheduled to check out of her motel and return her son to his father, she contacted 911 to report that she had murdered her son and attempted to take her own life by consuming pills. When the police reached the motel, they found the young boy dead in the bedroom surrounded by Disneyland souvenirs. It appeared that he had been dead for several hours before Ramaraju called the emergency services, as per the statement. The police detained Ramaraju in the hotel hallway. She was then transported to a local hospital for evaluation. From the hotel room, they recovered a large kitchen knife that had been acquired the preceding day. Ramaraju was subsequently apprehended on suspicion of homicide by stabbing after she was released from hospital care on Thursday (March 20). Orange County District Attorney 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. He further said, 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. According to the report, Saritha Ramarajus custody battle with her husband, Prakash Raju, stemmed from her accusations of unilateral medical and school decisions and alleged substance abuse issues on his part. As reported by NBC, Prakash Raju, who stated in court documents that he was born and raised in Bengaluru, India, and Saritha Ramaraju were divorced in January 2018. Court records indicate that custody of their son was awarded to Raju with Ramaraju granted visitation privileges. Ramaraju accused her ex-husband of substance abuse, aggression, and controlling behaviour, alleging their son feared him. Raju countered these accusations, labelling them as fabricated. With inputs from PTI Prasanna Sankar, the co-founder of the $10 billion tech firm Rippling is caught in a bitter divorce and custody feud with his estranged wife, Dhivya Sashidhar. The tech entrepreneur has accused his wife of kidnapping their nine-year-old son and alleged that Chennai Police are harassing him in the false cases filed by her. Meanwhile, Sankars wife has alleged him of being a sexual predator read more What began as a divorce dispute between tech entrepreneur Prasanna Sankar and his estranged wife Dhivya Sashidhar has spiralled into a high-stakes clash involving allegations of child abduction, police harassment, and even extortion. Image courtesy: X/@NCMIndiaa Prasanna Sankar, the co-founder of the $10 billion tech firm Rippling, is caught in a bitter legal feud with his estranged wife, Dhivya Sashidhar. What began as a divorce dispute has spiralled into a high-stakes clash involving allegations of child abduction, police harassment, and even extortion. Currently in India to file for divorce, Sankar took to X on Sunday to share his side of the story. He claimed he is on the run with his son, alleging that the Chennai law enforcement are trying to arrest him following a complaint from his wife, who accused him of kidnapping their child. Advertisement But, who is Prasanna Sankar? What exactly is happening? And what are the accusations being made against him? Heres everything you need to know. Who is Prasanna Sankar? Prasanna Sankar (full name Prasanna Sankaranarayanan) is an Indian entrepreneur based in Singapore, best known as the co-founder of Rippling, a workforce management software company valued at around $10 billion. Born in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, he has built a strong reputation in the tech industry. He holds a Bachelors degree in Computer Science from the National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappalli (NIT Trichy), where he met his wife. The couple was married for 10 years and has a nine-year-old son, Amar. Before launching Rippling with American entrepreneur Parker Conrad, Sankar worked with several top tech companies. His career began with an internship at Google in 2006, followed by a role at Microsoft Canada. Prasanna Sankar (full name Prasanna Sankaranarayanan) is an Indian entrepreneur based in Singapore, best known as the co-founder of Rippling, a workforce management software company valued at around $10 billion. Image courtesy: LinkedIn I used to do a lot of programming contests: I was ranked #1 in India at TopCoder while at college. 2x Google Code Jam world finalist. 2x ACM ICPC world finalist, he stated on his profile. According to his LinkedIn, he also co-founded LikeALittle, a campus social network where he served as Chief Technology Officer (CTO). More recently, in January 2023, he founded 0xPPL, a decentralised social network designed for the crypto community. The techies allegations In a series of posts on X, Prasanna Sankar alleged that his wife, Dhivya Sashidhar, had been involved in an extramarital affair. Dhivya, [we] were married for 10 years and we have a 9-year-old son. Recently our marriage broke down after I discovered she was having an affair, with a person named Anoop for 6+ mos, he wrote. Sankar claimed he received proof of the affair from the spouse of the man involved, including messages and hotel booking records. Advertisement Anoop's wife sent me the message my wife had sent Anoop and hotel bookings she made for him. pic.twitter.com/0gs1mMBc6d Prasanna S (@myprasanna) March 23, 2025 Following this, he alleged that divorce negotiations took a bitter turn. After that, we were negotiating the terms of how many million dollars I needed to pay her as a part of our divorce. She was unhappy and decided to instead file a fake police complaint against me saying I hit her," he stated. Advertisement According to Sankar, the accusations didnt stop there. Later, she made further fake complaints that I raped her (1 mo after the alleged rape). That I circulated her nude videos, etc. Singapore police have investigated these allegations, found them baseless, and have cleared me from all charges. Sankar claimed that while he filed for divorce in India, Dhivya filed hers in the US in an attempt to extract more money from the divorce. He further alleged that she abducted their son to the US to strengthen her case, which led him to file an international child abduction case. A US court ruled in his favour, leading to a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the two. Since she had violated laws in Singapore, she negotiated with me to instead come to Chennai, our home town, and settle down here. We signed an MOU Id pay her approx 9 Crores and 4.3 Lakhs/month, Sankar wrote. Advertisement However, he claimed that Dhivya later backed out of the agreement. She now claims that the MoU is not valid and she wants more and will go to the US again to file a divorce." When Sankar moved to court to enforce the agreement, he said his wife retaliated by accusing him of kidnapping their son. He alleged that the police arrived at his hotel late at night, forcing him to flee with his child to avoid what he called a wrongful arrest. Sankar insisted that he had provided proof that his son was safe and that the matter was being handled legally. Advertisement Son is safe and happy with me. pic.twitter.com/UpvZKNBMju Prasanna S (@myprasanna) March 23, 2025 Despite this, he claimed the authorities continued to pursue him, allegedly pressuring his family and friends while demanding Rs 25 lakh as extortion. Do I know any media people? The Thirumangalam, Chennai police station is harassing me for money knowing that I'm a successful founder. The AC and the SI have asked me for 25L to release my friend who has been in custody. Please RT for support. @CMOTamilnadu @PMOIndia Prasanna S (@myprasanna) March 22, 2025 He also accused the Chennai police of raiding his friend Gokuls home in Bengaluru without a warrant and detaining him in Chennai. Additionally, he alleged that the police had been illegally tracking his movements, seizing the phone of a caretaker he had paid Rs 200 via UPI, and raiding an Airbnb where he had previously stayed. Concluding his statement, Sankar said he would be taking legal action. On Monday, I will be filing a dont harass for me in courts and taking matters through the court system. Meanwhile, my entire family is out of the state, hiding from the TN cops. A sex predator: Dhivya counterclaims According to local media reports, Dhivya filed a complaint accusing Sankar of wrongdoing, alleging that their son was forcibly taken from her by a man named Gokula Krishnan and never returned. I didnt know what happened to my son, and that is why I filed a complaint with the police, she said. Dhivya, who claims both she and her son are US citizens, stated that after returning to India earlier this month, Sankar took their child away from her. We returned to India, and I thought at least now my son and I could live peacefully, but he is not allowing that too, she reportedly said. Beyond the custody battle, she also accused Sankar of financial misconduct, claiming that he transferred their matrimonial assets to his fathers name to evade taxes. According to Dhivya, Sankars father then moved these assets to his brother in Thailand. His father transferred the assets bypassing tax in India to his brother Vidyasagar in Thailand, and I dont know what happened to it, she alleged. She further claimed that she was coerced into signing documents preventing her from reporting these alleged tax violations to US authorities. They threatened and took my signature, claiming that I shouldnt complain about this tax crime. We then returned to India and thought of living peacefully, but he is not allowing that too, she stated. In a more serious allegation, Dhivya reportedly labelled Sankar a sex predator, accusing him of secretly recording women, for which she claimed he was arrested in Singapore and later released on bail. She also alleged that he was caught in a sting operation for solicitation and prostitution, which led to his removal from his company. Citing these accusations, she said she sought help from the Chennai Police. With input from agencies Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharajs descendant and former Rajya Sabha MP, Sambhajiraje Chhatrapati, has asked Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis to remove the statue of a dog, who is believed to be the pet of the Maratha ruler, at the historic Raigad Fort. The statue of Waghya was erected in 1930s to honour his loyalty and bravery after he grievingly jumped onto Shivajis funeral pyre and immolated himself in 1680 read more When Shivaji died in 1680, the grieving dog reportedly jumped onto his funeral pyre and immolated himself. Image Courtesy: @HISTORYTV18/X A new controversy surrounding Maratha ruler Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj has been making headlines recently. A descendant of the Kolhapur royal family has reportedly raised an issue with the memorial of a dog at the historic Raigad Fort. Former Rajya Sabha member Sambhajiraje Chhatrapati has written to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, asking him to remove the dogs memorial, saying that it is unfortunate and demeans the legacy of the great Maratha emperor. Lets take a closer look. Advertisement Calls for removal of Waghyas statue at Raigad Fort Sambhajiraje, in a letter to CM Fadnavis dated March 22, has stressed that the dogs memorial should be removed before May 31. A few decades ago, a memorial of a dog named Waghya was erected near that of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at the Raigad Fort, his capital in the 17th century, his letter read. However, there is no documentary evidence concerning Waghya, the name of the pet dog of Shivaji Maharaj. As there is no evidence, it is an encroachment on the fort, which is legally preserved as a heritage structure, he added. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has also clarified that there was no evidence or written proof of the dogs existence, he claimed. It is unfortunate and demeans the legacy of the great Shivaji Maharaj, said the former MP. A structure older than 100 years is protected as per ASIs policy. The dogs commemorative structure should be removed before it earns such a status, Sambhajiraje added. The state government is yet to respond to the letter. Also read: Why a Shivaji statue in Ladakh has sparked a debate The truth about Shivajis dog According to HistoryDraft, Waghya, which means tiger, was born in Raigad, Maratha Empire, in the 1670s. Legend has it that he was a mixed-breed dog of the Maratha emperor. When Shivaji died in 1680, the grieving dog reportedly jumped onto his funeral pyre and immolated himself. Advertisement In 1906, Prince Tukoji Holkar of Indore donated Rs 5,000 to erect the dogs memorial close to Chhatrapati Shivajis samadhi at Raigad Fort in honour of Waghya. Shri Shivaji Raigad Smarak Samati (SSRSS), led by Narasimha Chintaman Kelkar, is said to have erected the statue in 1936. Waghyas heroic story was also portrayed in noted Marathi playwright Ram Ganesh Gadkaris play titled Rajsanyas. However, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) claims there is no documentary evidence to support this tale. In addition, Shivaji Maharaj is well-known for his affection for animals, particularly dogs. The Maratha king reportedly enlisted Mudhol Hound, Karnatakas breed of indigenous dogs, in his army because he loved them so much. Advertisement According to legend, one of these Maratha hounds rescued Shivajis older son, Sambhaji Maharaj. In fact, this breed of dog was also included in the Special Protection Group (SPG) squad tasked with Prime Minister Narendra Modis security arrangements for the first time in 2022. In February 2016, the Indian Army enlisted a batch of Mudhol hound puppies into its Remount and Veterinary Corps (RVC) training centre, where foreign breeds such as Labrador and German Shepherd, are trained before being inducted into service. As per Indian Express, of the eight dogs, six were selected for field evaluation and suitability trials with the Srinagar-based HQ 15 Corps and Nagrota-based HQ 16 Corps. They were trained to detect explosive devices and not guard duties and search and rescue operations. Advertisement Also read: Why Wikipedia is in trouble over content on Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj Not the first time In 2011, the Maratha organisation, Sambhaji Brigade, had raised similar calls for the removal of Waghya at Raigad. There is no historical proof that the dog existed. We want the government to remove the statue by June 6 or else we will break it, brigade founder Praveen Gaikwad had said. We are just trying to fix the errors in history committed long ago, Anyone who is concerned about the dogs statue is welcome to take him home, he added. The organisation even claimed that the history of Shivaji written by Brahmin historians is flawed and it was written in such a way to assert their superiority over the Maratha community. Advertisement The community had removed the Waghya statue, however, it was reinstalled after the protest by the extremist group was strongly opposed by the local Dhangar community for they believed that the dog was real. With inputs from agencies Also read: US Second Lady Usha Vance, wife of Vice President JD Vance, will travel to Greenland this Thursday (March 27) along with her son and a US delegation. While the White House has termed this to be a friendly visit during which she will tour historical sites, learn about Greenlandic heritage, and attend the national dogsled race, the trip comes amid US President Donald Trumps increasing rhetoric on acquiring the mineral-rich semi-autonomous territory read more US Second Lady Usha Vance will visit Greenland on Thursday as part of a US delegation to the Danish territory. File image/AFP Theres a famous saying you can catch more bees with honey than with vinegar and it seems that the Trump administration is adopting this adage when it comes to its plan to acquire Greenland, the semi-autonomous territory of Denmark. On Sunday (March 23), the White House announced that Second Lady Usha Vance will travel to the Danish territory from Thursday (March 27) along with her son and a delegation from the US until March 29 during which she will tour historical sites, learn about the territorys heritage and attend the national dogsled race. Advertisement Vances visit, however, has prompted anger in Greenland, with Prime Minister Mute Egede telling Greenlandic newspaper Sermitsiaq it is a provocation. We take a closer look at why Second Lady Usha Vance is travelling to Greenland and how the territory is reacting to this tour. Ushas going to Greenland US Vice Presidents wife, Usha Vance, along with one of her sons, Michael Waltz, the national security adviser, and Energy Secretary Chris Wright will travel to Greenland on Thursday, the White House announced over the weekend. It has been reported that Vance will 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. In a video posted on Instagram, the 39-year-old Second Lady said shes looking forward to visiting Greenland and specifically highlighted her and her childs excitement to witness the dog sled race, which she said the US helps sponsor. Ive been reading all about it with my children, and Im amazed by the incredible skill and teamwork that it takes to participate in this race, she said in the Instagram post. Im 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. Advertisement The White House also said in a statement, Vance and the delegation are excited to witness this monumental race and celebrate Greenlandic culture and unity. Meanwhile, US NSA Waltz and Energy Secretary Chris Wright are expected to tour a US military base in Greenland, said officials. A small commercial aircraft comes into land in Nuuk, Greenland. Since his return to the White House, US President Donald Trump has ramped up his rhetoric on acquiring the territory. File image/AFP Trumps growing call to annex Greenland One cant escape the timing of US Second Lady Usha Vances Greenland visit. It comes at a time when US President Donald Trump is ramping up his rhetoric on acquiring the territory. Soon after Trump returned to the White House in January, he pushed advisers to find a way to make a Greenland acquisition a reality. It was at this time that the US president also floated the idea of retaking the Panama Canal. The US president in January even stated that he wouldnt rule out using military or economic power to get Denmark to hand over the mineral-rich and strategically important island. When asked if he would rule out the use of the military, Trump said to reporters, Im not going to commit to that. It might be that youll have to do something. We need Greenland for national security purposes. Advertisement Then in March, during his joint address to the US Congress, Trump once again raised the issue of acquiring Greenland, saying, We need Greenland for national security. One way or the other were going to get it. He even offered a similar rationale during an Oval Office meeting with Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte in March, when he suggested the military alliance may have to aid his effort to annex the territory. We have a lot of our favourite players cruising around the coast, and we have to be careful, Trump told Rutte. I think thats why Nato might be, have to get involved in a way, because we really need Greenland for national security. Advertisement Trump has repeatedly stated that acquiring the strategically located territory in the Arctic is a must for Americas security. In fact, in January, Trumps son Donald Trump Jr visited Greenland and even said in a podcast, No, I am not buying Greenland although he said he did love it there. Even Trumps second in command, JD Vance, agrees with this, telling Fox News in a February interview that an American takeover of the territory could be possible. How are we going to solve our national security? If that means that we need to take more territorial interest in Greenland, thats what President Trump is going to do, Vance said. Advertisement Other Trump administration officials have also echoed the need for the US to acquire Greenland with Waltz saying in January that talks about Greenland are not just about Greenland, this is about the Arctic. You have Russia that is trying to become king of the Arctic with 60 plus icebreakers, some of them nuclear powered, Waltz said in January. You know how many we have? We have two and one just caught on fire. This is about critical minerals. This is about natural resources. Protesters gather in front of the US consulate during a demonstration, under the slogan, Greenland belongs to the Greenlandic people, in Nuuk, Greenland earlier in March. File image/Reuters Anger over Vances Greenland visit While the White House has presented Vances visit as friendly, it seems Greenland and Denmark dont take it the same way. Greenlands PM Mute Egede said the trip was a show of force meant to intimidate local leaders. We are now at a level where it can in no way be characterised as a harmless visit from a politicians wife, Egede told the national newspaper Sermitsiaq on Sunday. What is the security adviser doing in Greenland? The only purpose is to show a demonstration of power to us, and the signal is not to be misunderstood. Even earlier, Greenlands PM, Mute Egede had responded to Trumps remarks to Congress, saying, We are not for sale and cannot simply be taken. Denmarks Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen also reacted to Vances visit, saying, this is something we take seriously. She said Denmark wanted to cooperate with the US but it should be cooperation based on the fundamental rules of sovereignty. Polls suggest that a majority of Greenland residents support independence from Denmark but are against being annexed by Washington. She also clarified that neither Denmark nor Greenland had solicited the trips. It is to be seen if Usha is welcomed or booed in Greenland. With inputs from agencies The US has lifted bounties on three senior Taliban figures, including Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani known for orchestrating deadly attacks. This follows the Talibans release of US citizen George Glezmann. China, the UAE and other nations have accepted Taliban diplomats, while the group claims control of 40 Afghan embassies. The US remains cautious on formal recognition read more Taliban 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, December 12, 2024. File Image/AP The United States has removed bounties on three senior Taliban figures, including Sirajuddin Haqqani, Afghanistans Interior Minister and leader of the infamous Haqqani network, marking a significant shift in policy. The question that rises is what US President Donald Trumps administration has in mind vis-a-vis its decisions for or against the interim Taliban government in Afghanistan. A News18 exclusive has reported that Washington may prepare to re-engage with the Taliban, going as far as reopening its embassy in Kabul. Advertisement This development is reportedly motivated by the need to counter any Chinese or Pakistani influence in the South Asian nation, while also curbing the spread of ISIS-K. The report also stated that the US has unfrozen approximately $3.5 billion in Afghan central reserves for the Afghan interim government. Reports of back-channel communication between the US and the Haqqani network have also surfaced. A forget what is done policy? Also affected by US bounty removal decision are Abdul Aziz Haqqani and Yahya Haqqani, both of whom are relatives of Sirajuddin Haqqani. Haqqani, who has been under UN sanctions since 2007, is known for his involvement in deadly attacks against US and coalition forces, including the 2008 Kabul Serena Hotel bombing that killed six people, among them an American citizen. His network has also been linked to kidnappings, extortion and other criminal activities. Despite the US removing his bounty from the Rewards for Justice website, the FBI still lists him as wanted. Interior Ministry spokesman Abdul Mateen Qani confirmed the decision, stating that the removal of bounties signalled a shift in US engagement with the Taliban. Afghan Foreign Ministry official Zakir Jalaly further described the move as a step toward a more pragmatic and realistic engagement between the two governments. A strategic move following US prisoner release? The US decision comes just days after the Taliban released an American citizen, George Glezmann, who had been held captive for more than two years. Glezmann, a Delta airline mechanic from Atlanta, was abducted in December 2022 while travelling as a tourist in Afghanistan. Advertisement US citizen George Glezmann stands at Kabul airport, following his release from Afghan custody, with US hostage envoy Adam Boehler, former US special representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad and Qatari diplomats, before departing for Doha, Qatar, in Kabul, Afghanistan, March 20, 2025. Qatars Ministry of Foreign Affairs via Reuters The US government did not exchange any prisoners in return for his release, and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio described it as a positive and constructive step. He also acknowledged Qatars role in facilitating the negotiations. The Talibans Foreign Ministry confirmed that Glezmanns release was granted on humanitarian grounds and reiterated that dialogue, understanding, and diplomacy are the best avenues for resolving issues. Glezmann is the third US citizen freed by the Taliban since January, reinforcing the belief among analysts that such prisoner releases may be part of a larger effort by the Taliban to achieve diplomatic normalisation. How is Taliban being accepted globally? Since taking power in August 2021, the Taliban has faced international isolation, particularly due to their policies on womens rights and restrictions on freedoms. However, in recent months, they have achieved key diplomatic breakthroughs. China was the first country to formally accept a Taliban diplomat as Afghanistans ambassador in January 2024, followed by the United Arab Emirates in August. Advertisement Russia has hinted at removing the Taliban from its terrorist organisation list, and Uzbekistan sent its prime minister to Kabul, marking the highest-level foreign visit since the Talibans takeover. Meanwhile, the Taliban claims that about 40 Afghan embassies and consulates worldwide are now operating under their control, shifting the balance of Afghanistans diplomatic presence abroad. Norway was one of the most recent countries where the Taliban announced it had taken control of the Afghan embassy. In June 2024, the United Nations secured Taliban attendance at an Afghanistan conference by deferring discussions on womens rights, indicating that some global institutions are willing to engage with them despite their controversial policies. Advertisement Reports suggest that India may soon accept a top Taliban representative, marking a significant shift in its diplomatic stance toward Afghanistan. Is the US moving toward diplomatic engagement with the Taliban? Despite increasing global acceptance of the Taliban in diplomatic circles, Washington has remained cautious. While the US has met with Taliban representatives through backchannel diplomacy, it has not formally recognised the group as the legitimate government of Afghanistan. The Talibans strict policies, particularly those restricting womens rights, remain a major point of contention. Ibraheem Bahiss, an analyst at the International Crisis Group, sees the lifting of bounties as a calculated diplomatic overture. 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, he told AP. While official recognition might not be on the immediate horizon, Bahiss suggests that such small diplomatic gestures indicate a potential thaw in US-Taliban relations. Advertisement The US is showing that it can reward those who make compromises, even if these compromises dont necessarily translate to national policy, he added. The Talibans global normalisation efforts have not been without challenges. While some leaders, like Sirajuddin Haqqani, have gained some level of international engagement, Taliban supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada remains highly isolated. Reports suggest that Akhundzada could face charges at the International Criminal Court for the Talibans persecution of women under his leadership. Members of the Taliban carrying flags participate in a rally to mark the third anniversary of the fall of Kabul, in Kabul, Afghanistan, August 14, 2024. File Image/Reuters The US is yet to formally embrace the group, but its recent actions suggest a shift away from total isolation. The transactional nature of recent diplomatic moves seem to be shaping the evolving relationship between Washington and Kabul. With inputs from agencies Canadas investor visa scheme is among the top five in the world. The countrys high-quality economy, with a favourable business environment and low corporate taxes is what makes the programme so attractive to investors read more According to the 2024 Best Countries ranking from US News & World Report, Canada was the fourth best country to live in. Representational image/Reuters Canada, which is frequently voted one of the best countries in the world to live in, has one of the best residency-by-investment visas globally. Moneycontrol and Firstpost bring you a series on golden visas. We look at Canadas program, which is among the top five residency-by-investment visas, as per 2025 Global Residence Program Index by Henley & Partners, an investment migration consultancy. Residency by investment is a way to secure immigration, permanent residency or eventually citizenship in another country. These visas provide wealthy individuals the opportunity to effectively purchase residency rights. Advertisement The Canada Investment Visa, also known as the Canada Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP), has been paused since 2014, but wealthy Indians can still pursue other immigration pathways such as the Alberta Advantage Immigration Programme (AAIP), Quebec Immigrant Investor Program (QIIP), and the Start-up Visa Programme. The lure of Canadas visa programme According to the 2024 Best Countries ranking from US News & World Report, Canada was the fourth best country to live in. Canada offers a stable and high-quality economy, with a favourable business environment and low corporate taxes, making it an attractive destination for investment. The country is renowned for its education system, healthcare, and high standard of living, which appeal to wealthy Indian families, said Gaurav Nalawade, Country-Head India, RIF Trust. According to Nalawade, permanent residents and citizens of Canada enjoy visa-free travel to over 180 countries, enhancing global mobility. Further, the countrys favourable tax treaties, including those with India, make it an attractive option for efficient tax planning. One of the most important reasons for wealthy individuals to consider Canada is the easy access to the United States with a Canadian passport, which allows for seamless travel and business opportunities across North America. Types of investment programmes in Canada 1. Quebec Immigrant Investor Program (QIIP) Investment: CAD 1.2 million (about Rs 7.2 crore) in a government-backed passive investment for 5 years. Eligibility: Business management experience and net worth of CAD 2 million (About Rs 12 crore). 2. Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) Investment: Minimum CAD 180,000 (Rs 1.08 crore). Eligibility: Business management experience and commitment to creating jobs in Alberta. 3. Start-Up Visa Programme Investment: Secure support from designated Canadian investors. Eligibility: Must have an innovative business idea that can create jobs. Rohit Bhardwaj, Country Head India, Henley & Partners, said, The Canada Federal Startup Visa Programme is intended to help Canada develop a strong startup ecosystem by supporting foreign entrepreneurs who can build scalable businesses, create jobs, and contribute to the Canadian economy. Successful applicants receive a five-year permanent residence permit. A minimum stay requirement of 730 days is needed to renew this permit. 4. Provincial Nominee Programmes (PNP) Investment: Varies by province (typically CAD 150,000 (Rs 90 lakh) to CAD 800,000 (Rs 4.81 crore). Eligibility: Business or investment criteria set by the province. 5. Saskatchewan Immigrant Entrepreneur Programme Investment: Typically, CAD 200,000 (Rs 1.20 crore). Eligibility: Business experience and job creation in Saskatchewan. 6. Manitoba Business Investor Stream Investment: CAD 250,000 (Rs 1.51 crore) to CAD 350,000 (Rs 2.1 crore) depending on location. Eligibility: Business experience and investment capacity. Advertisement 7. British Columbia Entrepreneur Immigration Programme Investment: Minimum CAD 200,000. Eligibility: Viable business plan and experience in business management. Spouse or common-law partner Dependent children: You can sponsor children under 22 who are not married or in a common-law relationship. Parents and grandparents: You can sponsor them under super visa scheme, though there are annual quotas and specific financial criteria. Canadas visa programmes might look more appealing cost wise and flexible for many Indian families. Representational image/Reuters Canadas investor visa versus others According to experts, among all the investment programs globally and in Canada, the Alberta Advantage Immigration Programme (AAIP) stands out as one of the most affordable investment immigration options, requiring just CAD 180,000 (about Rs 1.08 crore), compared to much higher thresholds in other countries. In comparison to other residence-by-investment or business-led investment programs in English speaking countries such as Australia, the UK, the US and New Zealand, Canada visa programme might look more appealing cost wise and flexible for many Indian families. For example, the US EB-5 programme demands $800,000 (About Rs 7 crore), the UK Tier 1 Investor Visa requires 200,000 pounds (about Rs 2.25 crore), and Portugals Golden Visa needs an investment of EUR 500,000 (About Rs 4.7 crore). Canadas investor visa programs, such as the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP), offer a clear and fast pathway to permanent residency and citizenship with a respected immigration process. In comparison, the US EB-5 program is more complex and often results in longer wait times for securing permanent residency, said Nalawade. Advertisement Further, the UKs Tier 1 Investor Visa requires five years to secure permanent residency, with a total of six years to become a citizen. Meanwhile, Portugals Golden Visa offers residency with minimal stay requirements and citizenship after five years but lacks the extensive social benefits Canada provides. Process for applying For AAIP, interested applicants first submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to the Alberta government, detailing their qualifications, business experience, and investment plans for Alberta. If the applicant is invited, they can then proceed with applying for the Alberta Provincial Nominee Programme (PNP), and if successful, they will receive a nomination for permanent residency. After receiving the nomination, applicants can apply for permanent residency through Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). To be eligible for Canadas Start-up Visa Programme, applicants must meet several criteria. Advertisement First, the applicant must have a business idea that is innovative, can create jobs for Canadians, and can compete on a global scale. If the applicant does not have a suitable business idea, he can be paired with other start-up founders, said Bhardwaj. Applicants must demonstrate proficiency in either English or French through a language test. The minimum required Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) is CLB 5 in speaking, reading, writing, and listening. Further, applicants must show they have enough money to support themselves and their family members when they arrive in Canada. The required amount depends on family size and define minimum amount limits set. Advertisement Residency requirements in Canada The AAIP requires applicants to reside in Alberta for at least two years within the first five years of receiving permanent residency. To apply for Canadian citizenship, applicants must meet the general residency requirement of living in Canada for three out of the last five years. This ensures a pathway to both permanent residency and eventual citizenship, with the commitment to reside in Alberta. Local taxes on business and individual income Canada has a federal corporate tax rate of 15 per cent, with personal income tax ranging from 15 per cent to 33 per cent. Provincial taxes vary by region, with corporate taxes and personal income tax rates ranging from five per cent to 25 percent. Sales taxes include a five percent federal GST, along with provincial sales taxes (PST or HST), depending on the province. Local municipalities levy property taxes based on property value. The Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) between Canada and India ensures that individuals and businesses are not taxed twice on the same income. The DTAA allows taxpayers to claim tax credits or exemptions for taxes paid in the other country, preventing double taxation. Abhinav Kaul is an Assistant Editor at Moneycontrol. Two women in China recently spent small fortunes resurrecting their dead pets a Doberman and a cat. Not only are there more pets in China than children today, the country also has a burgeoning pet industry read more Follow us on Google News Image used for representational purpose/Freepik China is witnessing a new phenomenon grieving owners cloning their dead pets. Two women in China recently spent small fortunes on resurrecting their dead pets a Doberman and a cat respectively. Which ought to come as little surprise. Not only are there more pets in China than children, the country also has a burgeoning pet industry. But what do we know? What do experts say? Lets take a closer look: What do we know? According to SCMP it all began in 2017 when Chinese scientists successfully cloned a dog. Then, in 2019, scientists cloned a pet cat. Advertisement The newborn, known as Garlic, attracted the attention of the public. China has since legalised commercial animal cloning. This comes as China is going crazy for pets. Last year, the country had around 124 million pets. A study pegged the value of the pet industry at $41 billion. Today, one in every eight urban Chinese citizen has a pet. Reuters As per The Independent, one in eight urban citizens in China now owns a pet. The industry is set to hit $55.6 billion by 2027. Little wonder that the subject of pet cloning has done 460 million views on social media. How does it work? The process works by collecting skin samples from the original pet and combining these with an egg cell from another pet, as per SCMP. The resulting embryo is then inserted it into a surrogate mother. Owners receive their news pets from a year to a year and a half. A health report, genetic comparison, and a photo album is also provided. The clones mirror the appearance and personality of the original pets. They can live full, normal lives and even reproduce. As per SCMP, the cost of cloning a pet can range from $21,000 (Rs 18 lakh) to $52,000 (Rs 44.5 lakh). Several companies are now offering such services. As per Nikkei Asia, Sinogene, an industry leader, charges $40,000 (Rs 34 lakh) for a cat and $50,000 (Rs 42 lakh) for a dog, according to a report in Nikkei Asia. Advertisement Its website advertises the opportunity to get your friends [back]. A section about dog cloning pledges to help you keep your canine companions spirit alive. Sinogene, an industry leader, charges $40,000 to clone a cat and $50,000 for a dog. Pixabay/Representational Image The company says its process preserves all the unique traits that make your dog irreplaceable, including temperament, intelligence, and physical appearance. More and more people are trying it. As per Economic Times, Liu Xing, a designer who lost her pet cat Tomcat of 15 years, had him cloned. Though Liu spent around $19,000 (Rs 16.5 lakh), she insists it was worth every penny. Another woman in Chinas Hangzhou province spent Rs 19 lakh to clone her Doberman. The pet Doberman Joker, who belonged to the woman identified only as Xu, died in November 2022. Advertisement According to the newspaper, Xu said she noticed many things in common between the two pets. Not only were they nearly identical, but Little Joker displayed the same behaviour as his predecessor. What do experts say? They arent surprised by the popularity of cloning. Pets used to be kept for guarding homes and other practical purposes. Now, theyre taking on more humanised roles, valued for emotional interaction and companionship. Their deep integration into peoples daily lives also led to an explosive growth in consumption, Liu Xiaoxia, deputy secretary-general of the Pet Industry Branch of the China Animal Agriculture Association, told The Global Times. But public opinion is more split. As per SCMP, animal rights activists have labelled cloning selfish and cruel. Advertisement Another comment read on social media read, People should understand the life cycle of birth, ageing, illness, and death, and accept farewells with calm. The H5N1 virus was detected in a single sheep in Yorkshire, England, during routine testing conducted on a site where avian influenza had previously been identified in birds. No other sheep in the flock tested positive for the virus. read more The UKs first case of H5N1 bird flu in sheep has been confirmed in Yorkshire, prompting authorities to step up efforts to prevent large-scale outbreaks similar to those seen in US livestock. The infection was detected through routine surveillance of livestock on a site where avian influenza had already been confirmed in captive birds, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said on Monday. While UK officials have downplayed the risk to both livestock and humans, scientists and authorities are urging precautionary measures to prevent widespread transmission as observed in US poultry and cattle. Advertisement Many different mammals have died of the H5N1 bird flu virus across the globe including bears, cats, dairy cows, dogs, dolphins, seals and tigers. The case was identified following routine surveillance of farmed livestock on premises in Yorkshire where highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1) had been confirmed in other captive birds, Britains government said in a statement. There have been cases among humans that have ranged in severity from no symptoms to, in rare cases, death. But there has not yet been any confirmed transmission between humans. The sheep that tested positive was a ewe with signs of mastitis, an inflammation of breast tissue, and no other clinical signs, the statement from the British governments Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, and the Animal and Plant Health Agency said. Ed Hutchinson, professor of molecular and cellular virology at MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, said the fact that the sheeps milk also tested positive suggested parallels with the ongoing H5N1 outbreak among dairy cows in the United States. Bird flu has spread among U.S. dairy cattle since March 2024. He added, however, at the moment there was no evidence of ongoing transmission from the sheep and the case appeared to have been contained. The ewe was culled and no further infection was found in the rest of the flock. Britains rural affairs ministry has introduced surveillance of livestock on premises where bird flu has been confirmed in captive birds following the outbreaks among dairy cows in the United States. Advertisement Globally, we continue to see that mammals can be infected with avian influenza (H5N1), Dr Meera Chand, emerging infection lead at the UK Health Security Agency, said. However, current evidence suggests that the avian influenza viruses were seeing circulating around the world do not spread easily to people and the risk of avian flu to the general public remains very low. With inputs from agencies Varma is facing a judicial probe after a fire at the judges official residence in Delhi allegedly led to the recovery of a huge pile of cash by the firefighters, triggering a huge controversy read more Indias Supreme Court Collegium on Monday (March 24) repatriated embattled Delhi High Court Justice Yashwant Varma back to his parent Allahabad High Court. Varma is facing a judicial probe after a fire at the judges official residence in Delhi allegedly led to the recovery of a huge pile of cash by the firefighters, triggering a huge controversy. This is the second meeting held by Supreme Court Collegium on this matter. The first meeting was held on March 20 when it was initially proposed to send Varma to Allahabad High Court. Advertisement The Supreme Court Collegium in its meetings held on 20th and 24th March 2025 has recommended repatriation of Mr. Justice Yashwant Varma, Judge, High Court of Delhi, to the High Court of Judicature at Allahabad, said a statement issued by the Collegium. Justice Varma de-rostered from Delhi HC Meanwhile, it was reported on Monday that Varmas name has been removed from Delhi High Court registry, essentially withdrawing judicial work assigned to him. According to the high courts new roster, Varmas cases will now be handled by Justice Subramanium Prasad and Justice Harish Vaidyanathan Shankar. Indias chief justice launches probe Earlier on March 21, the Chief Justice of India, Sanjiv Khanna, launched an in-house probe into the matter. Later, on March 22, he formed a three-member panel to investigate the case. The Supreme Court has also published a report prepared by Delhi High Court chief justice regarding the case, along with Justice Varmas response to the allegations. Justice Varma has refuted the allegations, labelling them as an attempt to malign his reputation. He has also claimed none of his family members or staff had placed the cash inside the building. I state unequivocally that no cash was ever placed in that storeroom either by me or any of my family members and strongly denounce the suggestion that the alleged cash belonged to us. The very idea or suggestion that this cash was kept or stored by us is totally preposterous. The suggestion that one would store cash in an open, freely accessible and commonly used storeroom near the staff quarters or in an outhouse verges on the incredible and incredulous," he said in his response. Union Law minister and vice president react Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Monday said he welcomed the Supreme Courts intervention in this case and asked parliament to wait for the panel to submit its findings. Dhankhar also met with Leader of the Upper House (Rajya Sabha) J P Nadda and Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge to discuss the matter. It is for the first time since Independence that a Chief Justice has in a transparent, accountable manner put all material available to him in the public domain and shared it without keeping anything with the Court. This is a step in the right direction. Constitution of a committee by the Chief Justice of India and the alertness he has reflected is also a factor that needs consideration. Institutions like the Judiciary and Legislature serve their purpose best when their in-House mechanism is effective, fast and upholding public trust, said VP Dhankhar in a statement. Advertisement Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal said he would like to wait for the committees report before making any statement. 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 was quoted as saying by news agency ANI. Grossi emphasised that countries with large nuclear projects and a commitment to responsible nuclear trading should be invited into the NSG read more Rafael Mariano Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), praised Indias worldwide position in nuclear energy as indisputable during his recent visit to the country. In an interview with The Economic Times, Grossi indicated strong support for Indias ambition to join the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), a 48-member organisation devoted to preventing nuclear proliferation by regulating the export of nuclear materials and technology. Grossi emphasised that countries with large nuclear projects and a commitment to responsible nuclear trading should be invited into the NSG. Advertisement Reflecting on his stint as NSG president, he stated, We got very close, and that Indias membership was hampered not by its own qualities, but by the multilateral dynamics at the time. Some nations, particularly China and New Zealand, had previously expressed worry about Indias membership in the group. Grossis visit coincided with his participation in the Raisina Dialogue, a geopolitical conference aimed at strengthening India-IAEA collaboration in fields such as nuclear energy and cancer care. During his trip, he praised Indias expertise in cancer treatment, announcing, I am proud to recognize Tata Memorial as an IAEA Rays of Hope Anchor Centre. He emphasised Indias leadership in the Global South and its ability to spread cancer care expertise throughout the world, saying, With this partnership, we will bring Indias know-how to regions that need it the most. The Tata Memorial Centre, a premier cancer treatment facility, has been named the latest Rays of Hope Anchor Centre, joining six others in Asia-Pacific. With this addition, there are now 11 such centres throughout the world that serve as information exchange and capacity development hubs to increase cancer care access, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. On the civil nuclear front, Grossi dedicated the SN Bose Building at the Global Centre for Nuclear Energy Partnership (GCNEP) and established a certificate course in nuclear engineering in conjunction with Indias Department of Atomic Energy. He emphasised the need of a competent workforce in sustaining the expansion of nuclear energy, particularly in Asia, saying, India is an important nuclear country, and the IAEA partnering with the DAE at GCNEP will help train the next generation of workers. Advertisement Grossi also met with Indias External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, and DAE Secretary, Ajit Kumar Mohanty. Commenting on Indias increasing nuclear program, he stated, Indias civil nuclear programmefrom power to health and agricultureis growing rapidly. As a leading nation of the Global South, it plays an important role in shaping the future of nuclear science . His visit came after India announced plans to build five compact modular reactors, demonstrating its commitment to advance nuclear technology. The latest ceasefire was more of a convenience to please the big boss Trump before his entry into the White House; and with Hamas still indulging in bravado, Netanyahu has no reason stop unless the US president stops him read more The recent polls show that Netanyahu does not have any grave threat domestically going forward if he pursues the invasion yet again. Representative Image: FP Gaza has become the plaything of extremist approaches. Gazans hang by the thread between expulsion from their battered land and hope of reconstruction and rehabilitation with the help of the Arabs. They are in a highly primitive situation with no humanitarian assistance allowed. Talks galore but no real solution. Hardline positions by Hamas, Israel and the US would not yield any scope for ending this nearly one-and-a-half-year-old war, which has been unprecedented for both the Israelis and Palestinians in terms of losses of lives, prestige and dignity. Advertisement It has also exposed the vulnerability and hypocrisy of the international community which gapes at the disaster as a bystander. It was said by US Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff that extending the first phase of the ceasefire through Ramadan rather than entering into a difficult second and later the third phase ending complete occupation would alleviate the suffering of the Gazans and the hostages alike. Hamas did not buy this idea, and Benjamin Netanyahu, who has vowed to destroy Hamas and its military capabilities and complete denial in the Gaza governance in the day-after scenario, has resumed fighting. He has even threatened to take over and annex Gaza by force if the hostages are not released immediately. On the other hand, Hamas is still indulging in bravado even as its successive leaders have been killed by the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) in the most recent offensive. The prolonged fighting has shown that every time some hostages have been released, it has happened during or after some kind of a ceasefire has been achieved, however tenuous these have been. The latest ceasefire was more of a convenience to please the big boss Trump before his entry into the White House the second time. He had threatened both sides, and the two obliged. Netanyahu was rewarded with an early audience by Trump at the White House with lots of goodies and assurances to continue moving in his tracks. Trump even wanted to resolve the Gaza issue by throwing out Palestinians and developing the beautiful real estate for everyone but the Palestinians to inhabit and enjoy. This was not very different from Netanyahus original plan, which he keeps propounding repeatedly in the statements of his and his ultra-right political bedfellows. Gaza has tremendous strategic value, from gas to transit and connectivity, let alone its beautiful coastline. If Tel Aviv could, it would love to hold it dearly. Advertisement But in all these machinations and threats to somewhat pliable and dependent Arab states and allies of the US, the backlash from the street and the meek international community was perhaps not factored in. Palestinians and the world have not forgotten the Nakba, and the second Nakba might have its consequences in yet another Intifada. Hence, Trumps proposal woke up the Arabs, led by Saudi Arabia, to come up with an alternative. Egyptians, who, along with the Qataris and Americans, have been working on the ceasefire and plans for the day after for months, put out another proposal which was accepted by the Arab League and the OIC, putting a financial commitment of $53 bn on the table. Meanwhile, Trump also tempered and backed down, at least overtly, stating that no one was expelling Palestinians from Gaza. Advertisement Despite that, talks have been going on with many destinations in Africa since overtly the economically flailing Egyptians and Jordanians both peace treaty partners of Israel declined to accept millions of more refugees, let alone their strategic compulsions if they were to accede to such orders. One of the key recipients is the breakaway Somaliland in return for US diplomatic recognition and financial and security assistance. King Abdullah II of Jordan, whose kingdom already has over sixty per cent Palestinians as citizens and a large number of refugees, during his White House meeting pleaded with Trump while accepting a critically ill couple of thousand children. Jordanians have also recalled their ambassador yet again in the wake of the recent and ongoing military onslaught by the IDF and advised the Israeli ambassador to stay in Tel Aviv. Advertisement For King Abdullah, being the custodian of the third holiest Al Aqsa Mosque and Christian religious places, the Jerusalem sanctity and legitimacy are critically important. A recent controversy on the alleged Egyptian stance that they were willing to let over half a million Gazans stay in Sinai during the reconstruction phase was vehemently denied by them. Arm twisting also has its own limitations when confronted with grassroots political reality and challenges. As soon as Netanyahu resumed fighting, his estranged ultra-rightist and anti-ceasefire partner Itamar Ben Gvir rejoined the cabinet, which indicates that Netanyahu will have to continue intensifying the war until he has achieved his so-called objectives, despite the almost vertically divided nation. Advertisement The Israeli PM even fired his Shin Bet chief, Ronen Brar, accusing him of plotting against his regime. Another one was the so-called Qatar Gate, in which an Israeli businessman, Gil Birger, admitted that he had transferred funds from a Qatari lobbyist to Eli Feldstein, a member of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus media team unlikely to make any impact except a minor blip, as Bibi himself, being mired in corruption cases, has not yielded. There is no dearth of issues of disaffection among the Israelis, from economic and security stresses to the release of the remaining 59 hostages. But divided as they may be, the polls show that Netanyahu does not have any grave threat domestically going forward if he pursues the invasion yet again. In a Maariv poll (March 21) a majority of Israelis57 per centbelieve Israel should continue fighting with full force until Hamas agrees to a deal. Only 34 per cent think the fighting should stop in favour of negotiations, and 9 per cent are undecided. This divide is largely partisanwhile 89 per cent of coalition voters support intensifying military action, opposition voters are split, with 51 per cent favouring an end to the fighting and 40 per cent calling for escalation. As for the annexation of Gaza, the same is nearly true, even if the polls may not be truly representative. As many as 59 per cent of the coalition voters support territorial annexation, whereas opposition voters lean toward a ceasefire and renewed talks (40 per cent). Hence, the writing on the wall is quite clear that Netanyahu really has no incentive or disincentive to stop until and unless President Trump changes his mind one fine day that enough is enough. Meanwhile, the plight of Gazans will have no respite. The author is the former Indian Ambassador to Jordan, Libya and Malta and is currently a Distinguished Fellow with Vivekananda International Foundation. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. It seems that between the US and Israel, dismantling three Hs, ie, Hamas, Hezbollah, and Houthi, the three proxies of Iran, will be necessary before any offensive or military action is taken against Iran. Or is there divergence between Israel and the US on what to do with Iran? read more Broken pictures of Iranian spiritual leaders Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini lie on the floor at the Iranian embassy after opposition forces took control of the city in Damascus, Syria, December 8, 2024. AP Syrias dismantlement of the Assad regime could have emboldened Israel to defang Irans nuclear programme. But the strategy seems to decimate the three proxies of Iran first to prevent a multidirectional attack which has the potential of saturating Israels air defence systems associated with Iron Dome. It may be recalled that in the past, Irans 200-strong surface-to-surface missile (SSM) attack in response to Israels repeated strikes on Hamas in Gaza was partially neutralised by US warships surface-to-air missiles. Advertisement Yet a few succeeded in saturating the Iron Dome and caused damage, including one loss of life. This was the first time that Iran directly entered a missile war against Israel in support of its proxy, Hamas. This was in response to Israels continuous pandering of Gaza after the terror attack by Hamas, which killed 1,200 people and many were taken hostage on October 7, 2023. Iran also announced at that time it had no intention of escalating the offensive after its SSM attack on Israel. The Biden administration was half-hearted in its support for Israel. It didnt seem to warn Hamas of any consequences. President Donald Trump had warned Iran to desist from enriching uranium for assembling nuclear devices during his first tenure. This time, immediately after the presidential election results were announced, he warned Israel-Hamas and Russia-Ukraine to end the conflicts. For Israel-Hamas, he had set the date as January 20, the date of his swearing-in, when Hamas was to stop the attacks on Israel or else face the consequences. However, the situation has spiralled out. Hezbollah jumped into the fray in support of Hamas. In response, Israel launched a massive strike on Hezbollah targets in Lebanon, and the IDF Army moved into Lebanon to physically eliminate Hezbollah leadership. Assads fall has reduced pressure on Israel from one direction, much to its relief. Upon assuming the presidency, the POTUS has been attempting to broker peace in both the conflicts. As a result, the conflict was halted between Israel and Hamas, though by this time the top leadership of Hamas had been eliminated. Advertisement During the period of truce, each side was supposed to exchange prisoners with priority to women, children and the wounded. Phase I has been completed. However, the second phase not having progressed as envisaged, Israel has recommenced strikes over southern Gaza and warned the leftover Hamas that the IDF will continue to stay in Gaza till such time as the last prisoner is handed over. A senior Hamas leader, Salah al-Bardawil, was killed on March 23. Coming up to civilian casualties, some reports say over 50,000 have been killed in Gaza. In the meanwhile, Houthis recommenced attacking merchant ships in the Red Sea. President Trump retaliated by launching a massive attack on Yemens Houthi targets to ensure open and free navigation for world shipping and commerce. Advertisement In the meanwhile, President Trump has mounted pressure on Iran to come to the negotiating table for talks on halting the nuclear programme. He has warned Iran of military action should Iran not give up its nuclear programme. POTUS has also said that it will hold Iran responsible for Houthi attacks in the Red Sea. However, Iran has insisted that Houthis operate independently. Iran has also displayed its new missile system on three islands in the Gulf under its control, Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb and Abu Musa. Iran has warned the US that any action against Iran will result in missile attacks on US targets within 600 kilometres from these islands. Quoting President Trumps letter to Ayatollah Khomeini, the US has reiterated that it wasnt a threat but an invitation to begin talks with the US for denuclearisation. Advertisement In the overall analysis, it seems that between the US and Israel, dismantling three Hs, i.e., Hamas, Hezbollah, and Houthi, the three proxies of Iran, will be necessary before any offensive or military action is taken against Iran. Or is there divergence between Israel and the US on what to do with Iran? Israel probably has a sense of urgency since Iran possessing nuclear weapons could become an existential threat. Israel also finds itself in a situation wherein there is an opportunity for Israel to strike Iran even if the US is not supportive. The loss of Syria has been a big loss to Iran. Also, the air defence systems in Syria arent a threat to Israeli strike aircraft anymore, making it safer for passage to Iran. The other two countries over which a strike package will have to fly to Iran are allies of the US. Advertisement Will those countries permit an Israeli strike package over Iran? A question which will need an answer. Though it seems Netanyahu finds it a suitable window which can also act as political heft for his next election. Having reduced the abilities of Hamas, Hezbollah and now the Houthis, why should Netanyahu not attempt defanging Irans nuclear programme? The US will have to factor in the after-strike impact on the West should Iran be struck to defang nuclear devices. After all, Hamas, Hezbollah and Houthis have not been decimated completely. These are ideologies which do not destroy themselves. Killing the leaders will restrict their actions for some time but not wipe out their ideology. President Trump will have to calculate the risk of retaliation by Iran, some response of which has already come in the form of arming the three islands in the Gulf. US NSA Mike Waltz has said that the world cannot have Ayatollahs having their finger on the nuclear trigger. Though some of Irans nuclear enrichment plants are buried deep down under the earth, which even the US will find difficult to destroy. The Trump administration will be hesitant to strike and possibly advise Israel not to strike. In that sense the two could be divergent. The author is Chairman, Trustee Board of India Foundation. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. Since the 2000s, due to the notorious kill and dump policy of the establishment, extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, fake encounters and custodial torture have become an integral part of Baloch lives read more Pakistan must immediately rethink its approach and enact meaningful political remedies to its decades of injustices and oppression in its largest province. Image: X/@MahrangBaloch_ Recent days have brought bloody turmoil to Pakistan as its restive Balochistan province suffered two major attacks by the secessionist group Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) within the span of a week. First, on March 11, the militants hijacked the Quetta-Peshawar Jaffar Express carrying over 400 passengers, including security personnel, to demand in exchange the release of Baloch political prisoners and forcibly disappeared persons. The Pakistani forces launched a rescue operation, somehow managing the release of 346 hostages and losing 28 people, out of whom 18 were army and paramilitary soldiers. Next, on March 16, the group attacked a Frontier Corps (FC) convoy in the Noshki district of the province, killing at least 5 people, including 2 FC personnel. Despite decades of iron-hand policies to counter insurgent activity in Balochistan, the militancy appears to have grown both in its resolve and capability. Advertisement Amid this context, a great opportunity for the Pakistani state to engage with and mend its relationship with the Baloch people has been the peaceful Baloch resistance movement that demands state accountability within the federation. However, far from utilising that chance to address peoples grievances, the government has severely cracked down on, vilified, and misrepresented the civil resistance, further fuelling separatist sentiments. The armed Baloch insurgency is almost as old as the state of Pakistan. Over the decades, the Baloch people have complained that the federal government has exploited the resource-rich province, keeping it impoverished and developmentally backward. Moreover, in response to the militancy, the government has enacted a strategy of collective punishment on the whole population. Especially since the 2000s, due to the notorious kill and dump policy of the establishment, extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, fake encounters and custodial torture have become part and parcel of Baloch lives. Anyone perceived as a threat to the state, from political activists, journalists, and human rights workers to students, has been targeted under the garb of counter-terrorist action. The relentless excesses by the state as well as the total lack of accountability have provided the stimulus for the armed insurgency, causing an endless loop of violence and oppression. Advertisement Therefore, the emergence of a peaceful grassroots social movement, amid this crossfire between the state and the militancy, is truly remarkable and a welcome chance for the establishment to initiate confidence-building with the people. Led mostly by women, the Baloch civil resistance marks the coming together of a number of peaceful associations, most prominently the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), to highlight and organise against the states regime of human rights abuses in the province. Coming into national and international limelight, particularly during the December 2023-January 2024 March against Baloch Genocide from Turbat to Quetta to Islamabad, the BYC has actively worked to strengthen the grassroots movement, despite persistent state obstructions such as network and internet blackouts, arbitrary arrests, attacks by security personnel, and a constant threat of killing or disappearance. Advertisement In July 2024, the group organised the Baloch Raaji Muchi at Gwadar bringing together demonstrators from all over Balochistan at a scale that is unprecedented in the history of the province. Most recently, in January 2025, the BYC observed the Baloch Genocide Remembrance Day at Dalbandin, again rallying thousands of people to voice their sufferings and expose the states brutalities. Right from its nascent days, the Pakistani authorities have launched a multi-frontal offensive against the civil resistance, deploying not just ground forces but also a vicious propaganda campaign to discredit and silence the Baloch people. It has been an old tactic of the establishment to falsely link any and every instance of Baloch dissent to the armed insurgency, along with the accusation of being propelled by foreign interests. Advertisement Therefore, it is no surprise that the former caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar, former Balochistan Information Minister Jan Achakzai, and the director-general of Inter-Services Public Relations (the media wing of Pakistans military), Lt Gen. Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, have all pronounced the BYC leadership as proxy of terrorists and their supporters as terrorist sympathisers. The mainstream media incessantly repeats these claims while completely denying coverage to the demands of the Baloch resistance, the turnout in demonstrations, or the heavy-handed response of the state. In this scenario, social media has become both a tool for alternative narrative-building for the resistance as well as another arena for propaganda diffusion for the state. Advertisement In fact, a December 2024 report by The Balochistan Post, citing documents from the Chief Ministers Secretariat, reported that the provincial government spends around PKR 5.5 million per month on social media employees to spread state propaganda and disinformation against dissidents. A staggering number of troll and bot accounts that amplify state lines, along with issuing threats to movement leaders, can be seen on digital platforms since the days of the Baloch long march. A dominant trope of the disinformation campaign, which frequently uses photoshopped images, doctored audio and video clips, and AI-generated propaganda, is when missing persons for whom the movement raises its voice are wrongly portrayed as separatist militants. The establishment in Pakistan blatantly lies and denies the severity of the plight of the Baloch people, egregiously understating the number of enforced disappearances. In one such instance, former interim PM Kakar claimed that the UN places the number of enforced disappearances in Balochistan at 50. Although it is difficult to conclusively determine the number, even Pakistans own Commission of Enquiry on Enforced Disappearances puts it at 2,752 cases since 2011, with 468 being unresolved, while non-governmental sources reveal a much grimmer picture (the UN Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances recorded over 14,000 missing in Balochistan in 2016, and the Voice of Baloch Missing Persons noted over 7,000 of the same in 2023). Notably, Pakistan has not ratified the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, despite being repeatedly urged by the UN. Given the scale of the security crisis that the BLA has unleashed on Pakistan, the establishment must take it as a wake-up call to finally correct course with the people of Balochistan. Despite its militant manifestations, the Baloch problem remains one of political discrimination, negligence, and ruthless suppression. The civil resistance that has pulled grassroots mobilisation in the province is an opportune channel for the state to earn the peoples trust. However, despite the movement leaders continually clarifying their non-secessionist stance, the state appears bent on misrepresenting and violently clamping down on them, further alienating the people and fuelling support for insurgent counteraction. Instead of securitising the entire Baloch population, Pakistan must immediately rethink its approach and enact meaningful political remedies to its decades of injustices and oppression in its largest province. The author is a PhD scholar at SIS, JNU, New Delhi. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. FuriosaAI is looking to raise approximately $48 million this month and the firm has already opened talks with investors. As of now, the South Korean startup has developed two AI chips, called Warboy and Renegade (RNGD), as it hopes to put up a fight against NVIDIA. read more South Korean artificial intelligence chip startup FuriosaAI has reportedly rejected a $800 million acquisition offer from US tech giant Meta. It was reported in local media that disagreements over organisations structure and future ambitions led to the collapse of the negotiations and not the price. FuriosaAI is touting itself as a potential competitor to NVIDIA Corporation in the global semiconductor industry. Founded by June Paik, a former employee of Samsung and AMD, FuriosaAI develops chips especially designed to run AI gadgets and programmes faster and more smoothly. Advertisement Metas AI ambitions Earlier, reports emerged in February saying that Meta and FuriosaAI were in talks, in the backdrop of the social media giants focus on enhancing its AI capabilities and the development of its flagship Llama language AI models. Like other tech companies developing large language models (LLMs), Meta is working to reduce its dependence on Nvidia for AI chips. Last year, it introduced its own custom AI chips, and in January, the company announced plans to invest up to $65 billion in 2025 to advance its AI initiatives. CEO Mark Zuckerberg recently announced a $65 billion investment plan for this year, including the construction of a massive data centre and expansion of Metas AI workforce. The Menlo Park-based company has also begun building its own chips for AI workloads, including powering ad ranking and recommendations on Facebook and Instagram. FuriosaAI looking to raise $48 mn In a separate development, it was reported that FuriosaAI is looking to raise approximately $48 million this month and the startup has already opened talks with investors. As of now, FuriosaAI has developed two AI chips, called Warboy and Renegade (RNGD), as it hopes to put up a fight against NVIDIA. The startup announced that it has completed testing its RNGD chips, which are optimised for reasoning models, in collaboration with LG AI Research and Aramco. LG AI Research is expected to integrate these chips into its AI infrastructure, while the startup plans to officially launch them later this year. Since April 2023, the RSF has been fighting Sudans regular army in a war that has killed tens of thousands, uprooted over 12 million and created the worlds largest hunger and displacement crises read more Soldiers of the Sudanese army or affiliated forces pose for a picture while pumping their fists at the damaged presidential palace after recapturing the complex from RSF paramilitaries in Khartoum. AFP Three civilians were killed Sunday in an artillery attack by paramilitaries on Omdurman, part of Greater Khartoum, a medical source told AFP, two days after the army recaptured the capitals presidential palace in a major symbolic victory. Eyewitnesses in the area said the bombardments by the Rapid Support Forces were some of the heaviest in recent months. Since April 2023, the RSF has been fighting Sudans regular army in a war that has killed tens of thousands, uprooted over 12 million and created the worlds largest hunger and displacement crises. Advertisement Analysts have warned that the armys gains, while significant, are unlikely to end the fighting, as the paramilitary claimed territory in remote areas of the country and attacked a famine-hit displacement camp in the western Darfur region. Since it began, the war has been marked by mass atrocities against civilians, including bombs and artillery routinely hitting homes, markets and displacement camps. Before, there used to be four or five rounds of shelling, and there was time between one strike and the next, one resident of Omdurman told AFP, requesting anonymity for fear of retaliation. This morning there were seven, one right after the other, he said. The medical source at Al-Nao hospital, one of the citys last functioning health facilities, said two children and a woman were killed and eight others injured in the shelling. Clearing operation In recent days, the army and allied armed groups have regained most of Khartoum propers government district, just across the Nile from Omdurman. RSF fighters remain stationed in parts of the city centre including the airport, as well as the capitals south and west. From their positions in western Omdurman, they have regularly launched strikes on civilian areas. Advertisement In February, over 50 people were killed in a single RSF artillery attack on a busy Omdurman market. After a year and a half of humiliating army defeats, the tide seemed to turn late last year, when a military counteroffensive through central Sudan dislodged the RSF from key bases. Since January, the army has retaken much of the capital Khartoum, with the army and allied armed groups on Friday seizing the countrys presidential palace. The paramilitary force responded with what it called a lightning operation including a drone strike that killed three journalists and a number of army personnel. The military has since launched a clearing operation to push the RSF out of the city centre, on Saturday retaking several strategic state institutions including the central bank, state intelligence headquarters and the national museum. Advertisement An RSF source on Saturday told AFP the paramilitary had withdrawn from some locations but that forces were waging a fierce battle near the airport. The army has also seized key infrastructure, pushing on Saturday through Tuti Bridge to reclaim Tuti Island, which sits at the confluence of the Blue and White Niles in the centre of Greater Khartoum and has been under paramilitary control for nearly two years. Attacks nationwide Despite the armys advances in the capital, Sudan remains effectively split in two, with the army holding the east and north while the RSF controls nearly all of the western region of Darfur and parts of the south. Advertisement It has been unable to seize the North Darfur state capital El-Fasher crucial to consolidating its hold on the vast western region despite a 10-month siege. RSF shelling on the famine-hit displacement camp of Abu Shouk killed two civilians and injured three others, the local activists committee in El-Fasher said on Sunday. The day before, the El-Fasher resistance committee said at least 45 civilians were killed when the paramilitary seized the small town of Al-Malha, around 200 kilometres northeast of El-Fasher. Al-Malha is one of the northernmost towns in the vast desert region between Sudan and Libya, where the RSFs critical resupply lines have come under increasing attack in recent months by army-allied armed groups. Advertisement On Sunday, the paramilitary also claimed control of Lagawa, a town in Sudans southern West Kordofan state, some 600 kilometres (370 miles) southwest of Khartoum. Eyewitnesses in the town told AFP that RSF fighters had set up checkpoints on the streets. Speaking for the first time since the blaze forced the North Hyde substation to close, Pettigrew said that two other substations were fully functional at the time of the blaze read more A plane takes off, as smoke rises from an area of an electrical substation a day after it caught fire and wiped out power at Heathrow International Airport, near London, Britain, March 22, 2025. Reuters The Chief Executive of National Grid, John Pettigrew, has claimed that the Heathrow Airport had enough power from other substations to remain open during the Friday fire incident. Speaking for the first time since the blaze forced the North Hyde substation to close, Pettigrew said that two other substations were fully functional at the time of the blaze. There was no lack of capacity from the substations, the National Grid chief told the Financial Times on Sunday. Each substation individually can provide enough power to Heathrow," he added. When asked about the matter, Heidi Alexander, the transport secretary on Monday clarified that the problem was wider than just the amount of power that was available. Advertisement She noted 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 4 pm on Friday," she added. Investigation into the airport closure underway Alexander noted that there were also backup generators at the airport but they were designed to protect the critical systems within the airport, and not to power the entire airport. Meanwhile, the government has opened an investigation into the closure of the airport, which returned to normal business on Sunday. As per the authorities, the incident might have cost the airline industry 60m to 70m and disrupted the journeys of more than 200,000 passengers around the world. While speaking on the matter, 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. In the Financial Times interview, Pettigrew said two substations were always available for the distribution network companies and Heathrow to take power. However, he maintained that 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," he added. In response to Pettigrews assertion, 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." Advertisement 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," he added. It is yet to be determined who is at fault for making the airport shutdown. With inputs from agencies. France and China have sought to strengthen ties in recent years, but Paris has also pressed Beijing on its ties with Moscow, which have strengthened since the invasion of Ukraine read more China said Monday it hopes an upcoming visit by the French foreign minister would see the countries deepen cooperation in a world facing turbulence and transformation. France and China have sought to strengthen ties in recent years, but Paris has also pressed Beijing on its ties with Moscow, which have strengthened since the invasion of Ukraine. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot is set to visit the Chinese capital Beijing and economic powerhouse Shanghai on Thursday and Friday, his first visit since becoming the countrys top diplomat last year. Advertisement The current international situation is increasingly turbulent and complex, with a notable rise in instability and uncertainty, foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said, adding that Barrot will hold talks with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi. Beijing, he said, would use the visit to consolidate political mutual trust. They will also jointly resist unilateralism and the resurgence of the law of the jungle, he added, in a veiled reference to US President Donald Trump, whose return to the White House in January has rocked the international order. At a meeting in Paris last year, Wang told French President Emmanuel Macron that Beijing appreciated his countrys independent stance. China says it is a neutral party in the Ukraine conflict, which it has never condemned. I cant describe all of it Those drunk, stinking men, tearing my clothes, treating me like I was a rubber doll It was unbearable, one survivor revealed read more There have been multiple witness accounts of rape, torture, and physical violence towards women by Russian authorities. Image used for representative purpose/AP (Trigger warning: Please note that the report contains graphical details of abuse, which could be distressing to some. Reader discretion is advised) When Russian forces began their full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, they unleashed not only missiles and troops but also a campaign of systematic brutality that extended far beyond the battlefield. Reports of war crimes surfaced early: executions of prisoners of war (PoWs), forced deportations, indiscriminate shelling of civilian infrastructure. Yet among the most harrowing, and often the most silenced, were accounts of sexual violence. Advertisement A recent report by the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine has unearthed deeply unsettling evidence of systematic rape and torture committed by Russian security forces against Ukrainian prisoners and civilians. The Commission has now documented new cases of rape and sexual violence, used as forms of torture against female detainees, who were subjected to humiliating and degrading treatment, said Erik Mse, Chair of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine. Some women were raped during interrogation as a means to coerce, intimidate or punish them; others were subjected to forced nudity in the presence of male guards, he added. These are not isolated incidents. Rather, they appear to be part of a methodical campaign of terror one that uses sexual violence as a weapon of war. You do not deserve to live The advance unedited version of the report mentioned the account of a 40-year-old civilian woman who had walked into a Russian commandants office in Kherson in April 2022. She had come to ask about a missing relative. A Federal Security Service (FSB) officer questioned her, and deemed her uncooperative. He then ordered three Russian soldiers to talk to her normally, maybe she will remember something. What followed was an act of unspeakable cruelty. The soldiers took her into another room, where they took turns raping her, and then did it again using a rubber baton. Advertisement One of the members of the panel, Vrinda Grover, while speaking at the release of the report in Geneva last week, told journalists of the account of a civilian woman who had been raped during confinement in a detention facility held by Russian authorities. This woman stated that she pleaded with the perpetrators, telling them she could be their mothers age, but they dismissed her saying, B***h, dont even compare yourself to my mother. You are not even a human. You do not deserve to live. Sexual violence against women has been used as a weapon of war in nearly every modern conflict, from West Asia to Africa to Europe. Image used for representative purpose/UN I couldnt even breathe In Russian-controlled detention facilities, such atrocities were routine. A 26-year-old Ukrainian prisoner of war, captured after her surrender in May 2022, was detained for more than two years. The Federal Penitentiary Service subjected her to relentless torture beatings that lasted for hours, forced nudity, and eventually, rape with a rubber baton. It was just pain. I couldnt even breathe. I couldnt understand why they would do that to me, how they could do that to someone. Advertisement She bled profusely. She lost consciousness. When she finally came to, she could no longer stand or walk. As punishment, she was placed in solitary confinement for eight months. The silent wounds of war The systematic use of rape as torture is not new in war, but in Ukraine, it has taken on an especially insidious form one that is often hidden from view due to the stigma surrounding sexual violence in the country. In a deeply religious and conservative society like Ukraine, survivors of sexual violence often face profound shame, isolation, and even suicidal despair. Many do not report their abuse, fearing judgment from their communities or even their own families, according to a report by the New York Times. According to SEMA Ukraine, a network providing support to survivors of wartime sexual violence, many women have remained silent alone in their suffering. Some have taken their own lives. Others have retreated into isolation, unwilling or unable to confront the horrors they endured. Advertisement Torture as a crime against humanity The Commissions report makes it clear: this was not the work of rogue soldiers acting on their own impulses. The Federal Security Service the powerful intelligence agency at the heart of the Russian state exercised the highest authority in detention facilities. The agencys operatives routinely tortured detainees, using electric shocks, suffocation, and brutal beatings. They also used sexual violence to break their victims psychologically. In one case, officers threatened a female prisoner, who had been subjected to multiple electric shocks, unless she confessed. If you will continue to deny, your brother will suffer, [] and do not forget that we can also bring your daughters here, they stated, according to Erik Mse. A crime beyond the battlefield The testimonies from survivors bear chilling resemblance to past conflicts, where rape was deployed as a calculated means of terrorizing populations. From the Balkans to Rwanda, from Syria to Ukraine, the pattern is hauntingly familiar. What makes this war particularly insidious is that Russian authorities have refused to acknowledge these crimes, let alone investigate them. The Commission has sent 31 communications to the Russian government regarding war crimes, including incidents where the alleged victims were Russian. None have been answered. Advertisement Meanwhile, survivors in Ukraine have been left to grapple with their trauma alone. Some have turned to underground support networks, whispering their stories to psychologists and aid workers. Others, too shattered to speak, have retreated into silence. The need for justice As the war grinds on, the international community faces a critical question: Will these crimes go unanswered? Sexual violence as a weapon of war is a crime against humanityone that demands justice. Yet justice remains elusive. While Ukraine has vowed to prosecute Russian war criminals, holding perpetrators accountable is an uphill battle. The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for key Russian figures, but these prosecutions take yearssometimes decades. For survivors, justice cannot come soon enough. In the words of one rape victim: I cant describe all of it Those drunk, stinking men, tearing my clothes, treating me like I was a rubber doll It was unbearable. Her words are a stark reminder that war crimes are not only about destroyed buildings and military losses. They are about lives shattered in ways that can never be repaired. They are about what happens when the world looks away. Will it? I would like to emphasise that the reports in question are completely untrue, and Chinas position on the Ukraine crisis is consistent and clear, said Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun read more Chinese flags are seen on buildings in the Huangpu district in Shanghai. File image/AFP The Chinese foreign ministry on Monday dismissed reports suggesting that Beijing might participate in a potential peacekeeping mission in Ukraine led by EU leaders. I would like to emphasise that the reports in question are completely untrue, and Chinas position on the Ukraine crisis is consistent and clear, Politico quoted Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun as saying. China positions itself as a neutral party in Russias war on Ukraine, yet it continues to maintain strong economic and political ties with Moscow, supplying dual-use items such as body armor and drones. Advertisement On March 22, German media outlet Die Welt, citing diplomatic sources, reported that China is considering joining a peacekeeping force as part of the European-led coalition of the willing to secure a ceasefire in Ukraine. The inclusion of China in a coalition of the willing could potentially increase Russias acceptance of peacekeeping forces in Ukraine, Die Welt quoted an unnamed EU diplomatic source as saying. The source described the situation as delicate. EU diplomatic sources claimed that Chinese diplomats are exploring Europes openness to Beijings participation in the coalition. The coalition of the willing consists of allied nations led by U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron. This coalition seeks to offer security guarantees for Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire with Russia, potentially including a troop contingent to bolster the Ukrainian military. Moscow has consistently opposed the presence of European or Nato troops in Ukraine. European leaders, including President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, 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 Chinas potential involvement in the process. With inputs from agencies Egypt has put forward a new proposal to try to get the Gaza ceasefire-hostage deal back on track even as Palestinian health authorities on Monday said Israeli strikes have killed at least 65 people in the enclave in the past 24 hours read more A Palestinian boy collects books at the site of an Israeli strike on a house, in Gaza City, on Monday. Reuters Egypt has put forward a new proposal to try to get the Gaza ceasefire-hostage deal back on track even as Palestinian health authorities on Monday said Israeli strikes have killed at least 65 people in the enclave in the past 24 hours. According to Associated Press, a Hamas official said that the terror group has responded positively to an Egyptian proposal without elaborating. Reuters, citing security officials, reported that US has also agreed to the proposal while Israel has not yet responded. Advertisement The proposal, presented last week, comes amid rising violence following Israels resumption of air and ground operations against Hamas last Tuesday, which effectively ended a two-month period of relative calm. Health officials reported that nearly 700 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli strikes since the attacks resumed, including at least 400 women and children. Hamas also stated that several of its senior political and security officials have been killed. The Egyptian plan proposes that Hamas release five Israeli hostages each week, with Israel initiating the second phase of the ceasefire after the first week, according to a Reuters report citing two security sources. Hamas is currently holding 59 hostages, with 24 believed to still be alive. A Hamas official didnt confirm the proposed offer, but told Reuters that several proposals are being discussed with the mediators to bridge the gap and to resume negotiations to reach common ground that would pave the way to start the second phase of the agreement. The sources said the Egyptian proposal also includes a timeline for Israels full withdrawal from Gaza, backed by US guarantees, in exchange for the hostages release. Hamas has accused Israel of breaking the terms of the January ceasefire agreement but has said it is willing to negotiate a truce and was studying proposals from US President Donald Trumps special envoy, Steve Witkoff. Israel says it resumed its military operations to force Hamas to release the remaining hostages it is holding in Gaza. Advertisement It says it does its best to reduce harm to civilians and has questioned the death toll provided by health authorities in the Hamas-run enclave. Palestinian officials on Sunday put the death toll from nearly 18 months of conflict at over 50,000. 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. In Rafah, the local municipality said thousands of people were stuck inside the Tel Al-Sultan area, where the Israeli military sent some of its forces, with families trapped among the ruins, with no water, food, or medicine. Advertisement The Palestinian Civil Emergency Service said 50,000 residents remained cornered in Rafah. The Israeli military said troops had encircled Tel Al-Sultan to dismantle terror infrastructure sites and eliminate terrorists in the area. UN Palestinian relief agency UNRWA said 124,000 people have been displaced in Gaza in recent days. Families carry what little they have with no shelter, no safety, and nowhere left to go. The Israeli authorities have cut off all aid. Food is scarce and prices are soaring. This is a humanitarian catastrophe. The siege must end, it said on X. With inputs from agencies The European Commission on Monday called on Ankara to uphold democratic values as Turkish authorities intensify their crackdown on the opposition and free media read more Riot police officers use pepper spray to clear a protester during a protest after Istanbul's Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu was arrested and sent to prison, in Istanbul, Turkey, on Sunday. AP The European Commission on Monday called on Ankara to uphold democratic values as Turkish authorities intensify their crackdown on the opposition and free media. Turkish authorities have detained 1,133 individuals nationwide since protests erupted five days ago against the detention of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu. Imamoglu, President Tayyip Erdogans main political rival, was arrested last Wednesday, sparking the largest street protests in Turkey in over a decade. A court subsequently jailed him on Sunday, pending trial, on corruption charges, which he denies. Advertisement Despite restrictions on public gatherings in many cities, the largely peaceful anti-government demonstrations continued for a fifth night on Sunday, with hundreds of thousands participating. The arrest of the mayor Imamoglu and the protesters give rise to the questions regarding Turkeys adherence to its long-established democratic traditions, Politico quoted Commission spokesperson Guillaume Mercier as saying. As a Council of Europe (the international human rights organisation) member and EU candidate, Turkey must uphold democratic values. The rights of elected officials as well as right of peaceful demonstration need to be fully respected, he added. However, the spokesperson said that at this stage he will not speculate on possible cancellations of high-level dialogues between the EU and Turkey scheduled for April. Imamoglus main opposition Republican Peoples Party (CHP) has been calling for protests against the court decision to arrest the mayor, which they label as politicised and undemocratic. Imamoglu has denied the charges he faces as unimaginable accusations and slanders and has also called for nationwide protests. CHP on Sunday held a primary election to name him presidential candidate. Some 15 million votes were cast in support of the mayor. News of Imamoglus arrest covered the front pages of Turkish newspapers on Monday, with opposition media suggesting the mayor was arrested for being the most credible challenger to Erdogan. The mayors supporters said on Monday the jailing of Imamoglu demonstrated a lack of justice in Turkey. With inputs from agencies 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 read more This handout picture released by the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs shows Egypt's Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty (R) receiving the European's High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas at the Foreign Ministry headquarters in Tahrir Palace in central Cairo. AFP The European Unions 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 the 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 Israels resumption of hostilities, which caused appalling loss of life in Gaza. The killing must stop. In a new war, both sides lose, the EUs Kaja Kallas said in Cairo during a press conference with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty. Advertisement 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 Israels 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. Advertisement 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. Israels ensuing bombardment and ground offensive in Gaza has killed at least 50,021 people in the territory, the Gaza health ministry said on Sunday. Advertisement The United Nations considers its figures to be reliable. During a recent interview with journalist Tucker Carlson, Witkoff claimed Ukrainians residing in Russian-held regions actually preferred living under Russias control, citing referendums conducted by the Russian authorities read more Disgruntled Ukrainian lawmakers are firing a salvo at Steve Witkoff, US President Donald Trumps special envoy for West Asia and also a key figure in efforts to end the war between Russia and Ukraine. The reason? Witkoffs recent comments regarding Ukrainian territories currently under Russian control. During a recent interview with journalist Tucker Carlson, Witkoff seemed to be parroting Russias narrative around regions in eastern Ukraine. He claimed Ukrainians residing in Russian-held regions actually preferred living under Russias control, citing referendums conducted by the Russian authorities. Advertisement Referring to Donbas, Crimea, and two others presumably referring to Zaporizhzhia and Kherson oblasts, Witkoff said Russian-controlled territories of Ukraine were a key issue in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. They are Russian-speaking, and there have been referendums where the overwhelming majority of the people have indicated that they want to be under Russian rule, said Witkoff. Ukrainian MPs react Reacting to Witkoffs statement, several Ukrainian MPs accused the US envoy of questioning their countrys territorial integrity. Oleksandr Merezhko, head of the parliaments foreign affairs committee, was quoted as saying by Kyiv Independent, In his statements, Witkoff calls into question the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine." He added, Such statements are absolutely unacceptable and go against US policy toward Ukraine." He then went on to urge President Trump to remove Witkoff from the Russia-Ukraine peace efforts. It would be better if President Trump recalled Witkoff from the American delegation. Otherwise, it creates the wrong impression about U.S. foreign policy," he adds. The Trump administration has repeatedly pressed Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to offer territorial concessions to Russia to end the war quickly. While the Ukrainian leader has acknowledged that the talks would be difficult for his nation, he has ruled out recognising the occupied territories as Russian. According to Ukrainian media, Russia currently occupies about 20 per cent of the countrys land, including Crimea that Russian forces seized in 2014. Advertisement Yelyzaveta Yasko from Zelenskyys party told Kyiv Independent that a lot of statements from the Trump administration have been controversial but the lawmaker opposed calls for Witkoffs removal. And for us, it is very important that the war ends with just peace, with justice, the lawmaker added. It must be noted that Ukrainian lawmakers criticism for Witkoff comes at a time when he earned support from US Vice President JD Vance just few days back. Steve Witkoff is a great guy doing an incredible job. The people sniping at him are mad that he is succeeding where they failed for 40 years, Vance wrote in a post on X. Advertisement Merzs embrace of compromise with the SPD and the Greens (who are expected to play a role in the coalition) risks being seen as a return to Merkel-style pragmatism, rather than the ideological reset he promised read more Conservative leader Friedrich Merz of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), who is likely to be the next German chancellor, faces an uphill battle in the country. Reuters Germanys chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz has a tough path ahead of him. The conservative politician, long a champion of fiscal restraint, stunned many in his own camp by agreeing to a landmark borrowing package during the opening rounds of coalition talks with the Social Democrats (SPD). The deal, which would unlock hundreds of billions of euros in new spending on Germanys armed forces, infrastructure and green energy, marked a dramatic policy shift and a clear early victory for the centre-left. Advertisement But having given the SPD much of what it wanted at the outset, Merz finds himself in an awkward position. Pressure is now mounting from within his own Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and its Bavarian sister party, the Christian Social Union (CSU), to claw back conservative wins elsewhere particularly on migration and cuts to social welfare. What do you stand for, Mr Merz? The trouble for Merz is that his fiscal reversal has already cost him much of his leverage. This is a clear defeat for the conservatives, right at the start of the [coalition] negotiations, said Johannes Winkel, head of the CDUs youth wing, in a pointed radio interview, according to Politico. The question is, of course, what is the quid pro quo for this major concession in financial policy. The sense of unease on the right is especially problematic for Merz, who has pledged to steer the CDU in a more conservative direction after what critics saw as years of centrist drift under Angela Merkel. But his embrace of compromise with the SPD and the Greens (who are expected to play a role in the coalition) risks being seen as a return to Merkel-style pragmatism, rather than the ideological reset he promised. Far-right voices have been quick to pounce. What do you actually stand for, Mr Merz? asked Tino Chrupalla, co-leader of the Alternative for Germany (AfD), in parliament last week. Youve got the mRNA of the SPD in your veins by now. Migration, welfare issues take centre stage At the heart of the brewing tension are two issues: migration and welfare. Merz campaigned on a tough line on immigration, pledging to tighten border controls and reject irregular entries, including asylum seekers. He also hinted at reforms to Germanys social safety net, framing high welfare spending as unsustainable. But with the SPD firmly opposed to both, and buoyed by the borrowing deal, they see little reason to compromise. Advertisement SPD negotiators have made clear they will not entertain conservative proposals that, in their view, erode workers rights or scapegoat migrants. Anyone who says state modernisation but actually means dismantling employee rights is firstly making a mistake and secondly has the Social Democrats very clearly against him, said Lars Klingbeil, one of the partys lead negotiators. A particularly contentious flashpoint is a CDU proposal to strip German citizenship from dual nationals found guilty of extremist or antisemitic behaviour. SPD youth leader Philipp Turmer called the idea an absolute deal-breaker, while party MPs warned it risked alienating immigrant communities and breaching European principles. Advertisement This idea that the SPD should now grant the conservatives a blank cheque just because of the borrowing deal thats not how this works, said Lars Castellucci, a SPD MP and deputy chair of the Bundestags interior committee. Its not just indecent its politically unserious. Merz in a bind All of this has left Merz in a tight bind. Having ruled out any alliance with the far-right AfD, and lacking the numbers for a centre-right coalition, the chancellor-elect has no real alternative to the SPD. The Social Democrats know it and they are using their position to full effect. The result is a coalition process that is proving more fractious than many had hoped. Despite early optimism that talks could be wrapped up by Easter, Merz has begun to signal a more cautious tone. Thoroughness comes before speed, he said recently. Since returning to office in January, Trump has reignited tensions with key allies by reviving protectionist rhetoric and threatening a swathe of import duties, including on steel and cars moves that have rattled financial markets from Tokyo to Frankfurt read more Asian markets on Monday remained mixed as investors attempted to calibrate strategies in preparation for the Trump tariffs expected to come into effect on April 2. File image/Reuters Asian markets struggled for direction on Monday (March 24) as investors braced for a fresh round of US tariffs that many fear could trigger renewed turbulence in the global economy. The unease follows reports that US President Donald Trump is mulling a more selective strategy for the new tariffs, expected to come into force on in a little over a week. The White House insists the tariffs are part of a broader effort to rebalance trade, but analysts warn the uncertainty is already unsettling investors and denting market sentiment. Advertisement Since returning to office in January, Trump has reignited tensions with key allies by reviving protectionist rhetoric and threatening a swathe of import duties, including on steel and cars moves that have rattled financial markets from Tokyo to Frankfurt. Reports have emerged suggesting the US may opt for a more calibrated strategy hitting some countries harder than others and dialling back the overall severity of the measures. Trump himself hinted at possible adjustments on Friday, telling reporters that there would be flexibility in the final plans. Despite the tentative reassurance, Asian equity markets remained subdued. Tokyo closed flat, while Shanghai, Singapore and Taipei managed modest gains. But Hong Kong, Sydney, Seoul and Wellington all edged lower as investors stayed cautious. All eyes on April 2 tariffs Attention is now firmly fixed on April 2, which Trump has dubbed Liberation Day in reference to the sweeping package of retaliatory trade measures he is set to unveil. Anticipation and pre-positioning ahead of Trumps Liberation Day on 2 April and the impending deluge of tariff-related announcements that will follow in the days/weeks after will be a growing factor that drives price action, sentiment and liquidity in markets this week, said Chris Weston, head of research at Pepperstone. Market participants are questioning whether its time to batten down the hatches in anticipation of a gathering storm. In Beijing, Premier Li Qiang said at the weekend that China was preparing for shocks that exceed expectations amid mounting instability. Lis comments followed meetings with senior executives from Apple, Qualcomm, FedEx and Pfizer, underlining the high stakes for multinational firms navigating the evolving trade landscape. Australias Treasurer, Jim Chalmers, described Trumps approach as seismic, telling Bloomberg News the administrations positioning was not surprising, but significant in its potential impact. Advertisement As trade tensions escalate, markets appear to be entering a phase of nervous waitingwith little sign of clarity ahead of Trumps self-styled Liberation Day. According to the statement released by the White House, Vance will be visiting the Island on Thursday with a US delegation and will tour historical sites, learn about the Greenlands heritage and attend the national dogsled race read more 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. AP Anger seemed to rise in Greenland after the news broke out that US Second Lady Usha Vance, wife of Vice President JD Vance, will travel to the island this week along with the American National Security Adviser Mike Waltz. Their visit came at a time when US President Donald Trump clings on to the hopes of annexing Greenland which is a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark. According to the statement released by the White House, Vance will be visiting the Island on Thursday with a US delegation and will tour historical sites, learn about the territorys heritage and attend the national dogsled race. The delegation will return to the US on March 29. As per the statement, the American delegation includes National Security Adviser, Mike Waltz, and Energy Secretary, Chris Wright. Advertisement The two officials from the Trump administration will be visiting the US military base in Greenland, a US official said, with no confirmation from the White House, The Guardian reported. Trump has made his ambition of annexing Greenland one way or another, very clear, ever since he came back to the White House. The island, which is seeking its independence, has frequently maintained that it is not for sale. Greenland PM calls the visit provocative While speaking to the Greenlandic newspaper Sermitsiaq, the islands outgoing Prime Minister, Mute Egede, said the visit by Waltz was a provocation. The only purpose is to show a demonstration of power to us, and the signal is not to be misunderstood, he said. He is Trumps confidential and closest adviser, and his presence in Greenland alone will certainly make the Americans believe in Trumps mission, and the pressure will increase after the visit," the Greenlandic premier furthered. Meanwhile, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, said in a written comment reacting to news of the visit that this is something we take seriously. She said Denmark wanted to cooperate with the US but it should be cooperation based on the fundamental rules of sovereignty. She also mentioned that the dialogue with the US regarding Greenland would take place in close coordination with the Danish government and the future Greenlandic government. Why Trump wants Greenland It is pertinent to note that Greenland is located along the shortest route from Europe to North America. Experts have often said that its strategic location would be vital for the US ballistic missile warning system. Not only this, Greenlands strategic location and rich mineral resources could prove to be beneficial for the US as well. After coming to power, Trump has initiated a new kind of mineral politics by striking deals with Ukraine to get access to the eastern European nations rare minerals. The governments of both Greenland and Denmark have voiced opposition to such a move. Even the thought of the US annexing Greenland did not get much support in the public polls conducted before the general elections on the island. With inputs from Reuters. The Houthis say they have targeted ships in the Red Sea in solidarity with Palestinians since the start of Israels Gaza war. They say the recent US bombing attacks on Yemen claimed more than 50 lives read more Attacks by Houthi rebels in Yemen have forced three-fourths of US-flagged ships to avoid the Red Sea and instead take the long and expensive detour around the southern tip of Africa, the US national security advisor said Sunday. Seventy-five percent of our US flag shipping now has to go around the southern coast of Africa rather than going through the Suez Canal, Mike Waltz told CBSs Face the Nation. He added: The last time one of our destroyers went through the straits there, it was attacked 23 times. Advertisement Recent US airstrikes against the Iran-backed rebels the first since President Donald Trump took office in January have taken out key Houthi leadership, including the head of their missile program, Waltz said. Weve hit their headquarters. Weve hit communications nodes, weapons factories, and even some of their over-the-water drone production facilities. The Houthis say they have targeted ships in the Red Sea in solidarity with Palestinians since the start of Israels Gaza war. They say the recent US bombing attacks on Yemen claimed more than 50 lives. On Tuesday, they said on Telegram that they had fired missiles and drones at the aircraft carrier USS Harry S Truman, part of the US fleet in the northern Red Sea. Those attacks were unsuccessful, NBC reported. Waltz blamed the administration of Joe Biden for launching only pinprick attacks against the Houthi, allowing one of the worlds most critical sea lanes (to) get shut down. He added: The Trump administration and President Trump have decided to do something much harder, much tougher. When queried Sunday about reports of fresh strikes in Yemen, a US defense official told AFP that American forces were conducting strikes across multiple locations of Iran-backed Houthi locations every day and night in Yemen. Advertisement Traveling around the southern tip of Africa can double the time it takes a ship to pass between Europe and Asia, adding nearly $1 million in costs, according to LSEG Shipping Research. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio discussed the matter with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a call on Sunday. Rubio conveyed the Trump administrations determination to restore freedom of navigation in the Red Sea through military operations against the Houthis, a State Department readout said. It added that Rubio also discussed Israels ongoing military operations in Gaza and reiterated US support for Israel. Just four days after his arrest in a pre-dawn raid by hundreds of police, the powerful and popular opposition mayor was on Sunday stripped of his title and shipped off to Silivri prison on the megacitys western outskirts read more Protesters clash with Turkish anti riot police using tear gas and water cannons during a demonstration in support of Istanbul's arrested mayor, in Ankara. AFP Istanbuls embattled Ekrem Imamoglu vowed to fight on despite being suspended as mayor and jailed on Sunday, in developments that have sparked Turkeys worst street unrest in more than a decade. Addressing vast crowds of tens of thousands of protesters who gathered outside City Hall for a fifth straight evening, Imamoglus wife warned the authorities they would face a reckoning. He will defeat you! you will lose! Dilek Kaya Imamoglu shouted from the platform. The injustice Ekrem faced it struck a chord with every conscience. Everyone found something of themselves and the injustices they faced in what was done to Ekrem, she said. Just four days after his arrest in a pre-dawn raid by hundreds of police, the powerful and popular opposition mayor was on Sunday stripped of his title and shipped off to Silivri prison on the megacitys western outskirts. Advertisement This is not a judicial procedure, its a (political) execution without trial, he wrote on X in a message through his lawyers. Although the court decided against formalising his arrest in a separate terror probe, the interior ministry said he had been suspended from office. As the court process played out, the main opposition CHP party held a long-planned primary to elect Imamoglu as its candidate in the 2028 presidential election. Opening the ballot beyond its 1.7 million members to anyone who wanted to vote, they said in the end they had registered 15 million votes for Imamoglu. Out of a total of 15 million votes, 13,211,000 (not-party members) are solidarity votes, they added. I wont be bowed Turkeys authorities issued court orders for the closure of more than 700 accounts on X, targeting news organizations, journalists, political figures, students, and others within Turkiye, the online platform said Sunday. Describing the Turkish governments move as unlawful, the company said it would defend the right to free speech through the courts. Frances foreign ministry on Sunday denounced Turkeys jailing of Imamoglu as a serious attack on democracy. Observers say it was the looming primary that triggered the move against Imamoglu, widely seen as the only politician capable of challenging President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Advertisement Earlier, he insisted he would fight on. We will erase this black stain on our democracy. I will not be bowed. Throughout the day, voters flocked to ballot boxes in 81 cities after the CHP opened up the poll. People turned out in such large numbers that voting was extended by an extra three-and-a-half hours. Whenever theres a strong opponent (to Erdogan), they are always jailed, said 29-year-old voter Ferhat, who declined to give his surname. There is a dictatorship in Turkey right now, nothing else. Its politics in name only, he told AFP near City Hall. Many people expressed anger over the move against a mayor whom they had elected. Advertisement They have literally stolen our vote. It brings tears to my eyes, 70-year-old Sukru Ilker told AFP. Ayten Oktay, a 63-year-old pharmacist, said there was no going back. Now the Turkish nation has woken up. The protests will definitely continue after this. We will defend our rights until the end, she said. A great awakening Casting her ballot early on Sunday, Dilek Kaya Imamoglu urged the country to show its support for her husband. We are casting our vote to support President Ekrem for democracy, justice and the future, she wrote on X, vowing to never give up. Earlier, she met him briefly at the court with CHP leader Ozgur Ozel. Advertisement Ozel said the mayor was in good spirits. He said this process had led to a great awakening for Turkey, which he was happy about, said Ozel, who put Saturdays turnout at the Istanbul protest at more than half a million. Riot police used rubber bullets, pepper spray and percussion grenades on the Istanbul protesters. In Ankara, they also used water cannon. The move against Imamoglu has badly hurt the lira and caused chaos on Turkeys financial markets, where the benchmark BIST 100 index closed nearly eight percent lower on Friday. The unrest has spread rapidly, despite a ban on protests in Turkeys three largest cities and a warning from Erdogan that the authorities would not tolerate street terror. Advertisement Brendan Lynch, the assistant US trade representative for South and Central Asia will pay a five-day visit to India beginning Tuesday to discuss issues relating to trade and tariff between the two countries. read more The Indian government plans to request an exemption from President Donald Trumps reciprocal tariffs during talks with US officials arriving in the country on Tuesday to discuss a bilateral trade agreement, Bloomberg cited sources familiar with the matter as saying. US Trade Representative for South and Central Asia Brendan Lynch, will visit India from March 25-29 along with a delegation of US government officials, the US embassy in New Delhi said in a statement Monday. Advertisement Lynchs visit comes days ahead of coming into force of reciprocal tariffs announced by US President Donald Trump. The senior US trade official is expected to hold talks with Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal besides meeting a number of senior Indian officials, it is learnt. Indian officials in New Delhi are set to push for relief from the reciprocal tariffs set to take effect on April 2, according to sources familiar with the matter, who requested anonymity due to the private nature of the discussions. Both sides are expected to explore a framework for a bilateral trade agreement, paving the way for formal negotiations, government officials said. In addition to trade discussions, Lynch is also likely to meet Indias Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri during the visit, they added. His visit to India comes days after Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal was in the US for trade talks. Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal had said that he had a forward-looking discussion with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on a mutually beneficial bilateral trade agreement. India on Friday said its negotiations with Washington are underway to firm a framework for a bilateral trade pact that would address issues relating to levies and market access. India remains engaged with the US Administration at various levels to arrive at a mutually beneficial trade agreement, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said. The US presidents tariff tussle has stoked fears of a global trade war with many countries already announcing counter-measures to deal with it. Following talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Trump in Washington DC last month, the two sides announced to negotiate the first tranche of the BTA by the fall of 2025. Advertisement In line with his America First policy, Trump earlier this month announced reciprocal tariffs on its partners and other nations that impose higher levies on imports from the US. It will come into effect on April 2. With inputs from agencies According to the Israeli military, Ismail Barhoum oversaw Hamas finances and was a member of the groups political bureau. He was also deemed as the successor of slain Hamas PM Issam Daalis, who was targeted by Israel last week read more Ismail Barhoum of Hamas, who was killed in an IDF strike on March 23. Source: IDF and AFP The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) on Monday (March 24) confirmed the death of top Hamas official Ismail Barhoum in a targeted strike on Nasser Hospital in southern Gazas Khan Younis on Sunday. Earlier, Defense Minister Israel Katz had announced that Barhoum was eliminated in the strike. A Hamas official also made a statement to media, saying, The Israeli army assassinated Hamas political bureau member Ismail Barhoum. Who was Ismail Barhoum? According to the Israeli military, Ismail Barhoum oversaw Hamas finances and was a member of the groups political bureau. He was also deemed as the successor of slain Hamas PM Issam Daalis, who was targeted by Israel last week. Advertisement Barhoum was a key figure in Hamas political bureau and was actively involved in the military decision-making process that directly impacted Hamas operations, read a joint statement by the IDF and Shin Bet. According to the joint statement, he was involved in planning and financing several terror attacks against Israelis. The statement said Barhoum was responsible for Hamass financial management in the Gaza Strip, channeling funds to Hamass military wing, financing and planning the execution of terror attacks against the State of Israel. These funds financed the organizations continued survival in the Gaza Strip and were used to carry out terror attacks and to purchase weapons, which posed a threat to Israeli civilians. What was Ismail Barhoum doing at the hospital? There are conflicting statements from Hamas and the IDF regarding Barhoums presence inside the hospital. Hamas said he was being treated at the hospital after getting injured in one of the IDF strikes last week. The IDF meanwhile said he was operating from within the hospitals premises. This is yet another example of the way that the Hamas terrorist organisation systematically violates international law while taking over civilian infrastructure in a manner that prevents the rehabilitation and livelihood of the Gazan population, and while brutally exploiting the civilian population as a human shield for its terror attacks against the State of Israel, said the joint statement. Advertisement Hamas statement An earlier statement from Hamas said a teen boy was also killed in the Israeli strike on the hospital. The 16-year-old boy was reportedly being treated at the hospital. I operated on him. I believe on March 18, I did an abdominal operation. He probably would have gone home tomorrow, but now hes dead, Feroze Sidhwa, a trauma surgeon volunteering at Nasser Hospital, was quoted as saying by Al Jazeera. We condemn this latest crime, which adds to the occupations long record of terrorism, violating sanctities, lives and medical facilities, the Palestinian armed group said in a statement. It reaffirms its disregard for all international laws and conventions and its continued policy of systematic killing against our people and leadership. (With inputs from agencies) Israels latest airstrike killed five people at Gazas Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis as Palestinians flee their homes after two months of calm read more Palestinians walk near the rubble of buildings, amid a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, in Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip, on February 27, 2025. Reuters As the ongoing Israel-Hamas war continues to escalate after a brief ceasefire, reports are emerging that an Israeli airstrike on Gaza hospital killed five people, including Hamass political leader. The Palestinian militant group confirmed the attack on Sunday as they accused the Jewish nation of targeting key figures in Hamas, Reuters reported. The Gaza health ministry later noted that the Israeli strike hit the surgery department at the Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis. Meanwhile, the Israeli military clarified that the attack followed extensive intelligence and used precise munition to minimise the harm to the civilians at the site. Advertisement In their statement, Hamas noted that the attack killed a member of its political office, named Ismail Barhoum. Israels Defence Minister Israel Katz later confirmed that Barhoum was targeted in the attack but only referred to him as a key terrorist in Hamas and not by his name. Hamass al-Aqsa TV noted that the groups key figure was being treated at the hospital for the wounds he sustained in a previous Israeli attack. After 2 months of calm Palestinians flee for their lives It is pertinent to note that Israel has often accused Hamas of systematically embedding personnel in hospitals, schools and shelters, an accusation which the Palestinian group has frequently denied. Several videos from the Sunday incident circulated online that showed a massive fire blazing on the third storey of what appeared to be the hospital. After two months of relative calm in the region, Palestinians in Gaza have once again started fleeing from their homes as Israel continues to pound the coastal enclave. Last week, another Hamas leader, Salah al-Bardaweel, was killed in a separate strike in Khan Younis. The Israeli military eventually confirmed that it had killed Bardaweel on Saturday. Both Bardaweel and Barhoum were members of the 19-member Hamas decision-making body, out of which 11 have been killed since the start of the war in 2023, Reuters reported. Meanwhile, multiple explosions echoed through the north, central and southern Gaza Strip early on Sunday as Israeli planes hit targets in those areas. On the same day, the Israeli military said that one of its divisions that had operated in Lebanon, where Israel had fought Hamass Iranian-backed ally, Hezbollah, was preparing for possible action in Gaza. The Israel Defence Force (IDF) shared a video of tanks unloading in a field with the caption reading: Preparations of the 36th Division for Operations in the Gaza Strip. Advertisement On Sunday, Gazas health ministry noted that at least 45 Palestinians were killed in Israeli strikes on Rafah and Khan Younis. They also confirmed that the death toll in the 18-month-long war has surpassed the 50,000 mark. While responding to the figure, 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. With inputs from Reuters. An announcement by Chinas foreign ministry on Friday said Ishiba had said Japan respects the positions of the Chinese side, as detailed by Wang during the meeting read more Printed Chinese and Japanese flags are seen in this illustration. File image/ Reuters Japan had lodged a protest with China about a statement that misquoted Prime Minister Shigeru Ishibas remarks during Fridays meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Japans top government spokesperson said on Monday. An announcement by Chinas foreign ministry on Friday said Ishiba had said Japan respects the positions of the Chinese side, as detailed by Wang during the meeting. Wang stressed Japan should fulfil important political commitments on historical issues and the Taiwan question, and that Tokyo should send the right signal to the world with a responsible attitude towards history, the people and the future, according to Chinas statement on the meeting. Advertisement But Japans foreign ministry said on Saturday that no such statement was ever made, and asked China to delete the incorrect material. Weve protested to the Chinese side and immediately requested the removal of the announcement, stating that it was not factual, Japans Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi told a press conference. He did not disclose the details, including the Chinese response, but said it is regrettable that the non-factual announcement was issued. During the meeting, Ishiba stressed the necessity of reducing concerns and issues between the two nations, including the situation in the East China Sea, early release of Japanese nationals detained in China and lifting import restrictions on Japans marine and agricultural products, Japans foreign ministry said. The statement on Chinas foreign ministry website still included the Ishiba remarks Japan had requested removed. 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 read more 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. Advertisement 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 Karachis 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 Bilawals 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 governments 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. Advertisement Official data released in September put the Russias birth rate at its lowest in a quarter of a century while mortality rates are up as Moscows war in Ukraine rages on. The Kremlin called the figures catastrophic for the future of the nation. read more The Oryol region in central Russia has become the countrys first to offer cash incentives to schoolgirls who give birth after Governor Andrei Klychkov expanded an existing program on Thursday. The region is one of 40 across Russia that currently provides at least 100,000 rubles ($1,200) to female university students for having children starting this year. The new decree extends these payments to school-age girls, according to exiled news outlet 7x7. The measure comes as Russia faces a worsening demographic crisis, exacerbated by its war in Ukraine. President Vladimir Putin has emphasised boosting birth rates, stating that families with three or more children should become the norm. Advertisement At the same time, reproductive rights are under increasing pressure. Russian authorities have banned child-free lifestyles as extremist ideology, outlawed coercion into abortion and expanded maternity benefits to promote childbirth. Official data shows Russias birth rate has dropped to a 25-year low, while mortality rates continue to climb. President Vladimir Putin, who has cast Russia as a bastion of traditional values locked in an existential struggle with a decadent West, had encouraged women to have at least three children, saying that will help secure the future of Russians. There are already financial and other incentives. Some 599,600 children were born in Russia in the first half of 2024, which is 16,000 fewer than in the first half of 2023 and the lowest since 1999. The number of deaths jumped by 49,000. However, immigration jumped by 20%. Russias lower house of parliament voted unanimously on November 12 to ban what authorities cast as pernicious propaganda for a child-free way of life, hoping to boost a faltering birth rate. Official data released in September put the birth rate at its lowest in a quarter of a century while mortality rates are up as Moscows war in Ukraine rages on. The Kremlin called the figures catastrophic for the future of the nation. Advertisement Estimates in the CIAs World Factbook put Russia among the 40 countries with the lowest birth rate in 2023 at around 9.22 per 1,000 population, slightly ahead of Germany at 9.02 but well behind China at 9.7 and the United States at 12.21. With inputs from agencies President Trump on Monday doubled down on his suggestion that the US should take over Greenland as leaders from the semi-autonomous Danish territory criticised a planned trip there this week by a high-profile US delegation read more US Vice President-elect JD Vance and his wife Usha Vance arrive for a service at St. John's Church on Inauguration Day of Donald Trump's second presidential term in Washington, US, on January 20, 2025. Reuters File President Donald Trump on Monday doubled down on his suggestion that the US should take over Greenland as leaders from the semi-autonomous Danish territory criticised a planned trip there this week by a high-profile US 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 US national security. Greenlands outgoing Prime Minister Mute Egede called plans by the US 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. Advertisement Trump said his administration was working with people in Greenland who want something to happen, but did not elaborate. Theyre calling us, he said. Were 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. Trump has made US 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. Until recently, we could trust the Americans, who were our allies and friends, and with whom we enjoyed working closely, Egede told local newspaper Sermitsiaq. But that time is over. 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. Jens-Frederik Nielsen, leader of the Democrats, called for political unity and criticised the timing of the US visit during coalition talks with municipal elections due next week. Advertisement We must not be forced into a power game that we ourselves have not chosen to be a part of, Nielsen said on Monday. Brian Hughes, spokesman for the White House National Security Council, said the visit aimed to build on partnerships that respect Greenlands 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 US Hercules military transport planes arrived in Greenlands capital Nuuk late on Sunday, carrying security personnel and bulletproof vehicles, Greenlandic online news outlet Sermitsiaq reported. 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 US military base located along the shortest route from Europe to North America, vital for its ballistic missile warning system. Advertisement They will then join Vance to visit historical sites and attend the national dog sled race. Vance said in a video posted by the US 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. 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 US takeover. Advertisement Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said in a written comment reacting to news of the US delegations visit that this is something we take seriously. She said Denmark wanted cooperation with the United States, a Nato ally, but on the basis of the fundamental rules of sovereignty, adding that Copenhagen and Greenlands future government would both be involved in any talks with the US regarding the island. Trump also told reporters as he met his Cabinet that the United States is talking to Ukraine about the potential for American firms owning Ukrainian power plants. read more US President Donald Trump said Monday that he expects a US-Ukraine revenue-sharing agreement on Ukrainian critical minerals will be finalised soon. Speaking to reporters during a Cabinet meeting, Trump also noted that discussions are underway regarding the potential ownership of Ukrainian power plants by American firms. A US delegation held talks with Ukrainian officials on Sunday and met with Russian officials on Monday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. While the discussions have primarily focused on a Black Sea ceasefire, Trump said other issues are being raised as he pushes to end Russias three-year war against Ukraine. Advertisement Were talking about territory right now. Were talking about lines of demarcation, Talking about power, power plant ownership. Some people are saying the United States should own the power plantbecause we have the expertise, he said. President Donald Trump is pushing for a rapid end to the three-year war and hopes the latest round of talks will pave the way for a breakthrough. While the talks took place at a luxury hotel in the Saudi capital, 65 people were wounded in a missile attack on Sumy in northeastern Ukraine, officials said. The attack on a densely populated residential area damaged apartments and an educational facility, the regional prosecutors office said. The citys acting mayor earlier said a hospital had been affected. With inputs from agencies This comes after the Trump administration earlier accused Venezuela of sending members of the gang Tren de Aragua to the US. Washington DC has designated Tren de Aragua as a terror outfit read more President Donald Trump announced Monday (March 24) that any nation buying oil from Venezuela will face 25 per cent tariff on trade with the United States. Taking to his Truth Social platform, Trump said the tariffs would go into effect on April 2. Venezuela has been very hostile to the United States and the Freedoms which we espouse. Therefore, any Country that purchases Oil and/or Gas from Venezuela will be forced to pay a Tariff of 25% to the United States on any Trade they do with our Country, Trump wrote. Advertisement This comes after the Trump administration earlier accused Venezuela of sending members of the gang Tren de Aragua to the US. Washington DC has designated Tren de Aragua as a terror outfit. This news follows reports that Trump plans to postpone previously announced tariffs, including a 25 per cent charge on imports of pharmaceuticals, cars, and lumber. These tariffs were scheduled to take effect on April 2the same day Trump has said he will unveil a series of reciprocal tariffs on other countries, a day he calls Liberation Day. Impact on India Last year, India reportedly imported 1.5 per cent of its total crude oil purchases from Venezuela, amounting to 22 million barrels. Last month, Indias Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri said the country was looking to import more oil from Venezuela. Speaking at the sidelines of India Energy Week (IEW) 2025, the minister said, Earlier, Venezuelan oil was not available in the market because of international constraints. Now, all the signals point in the directions of those constraints being eased. So, if your question to me is can you expect more oil to come from Venezuela, my answer will be, yes, one can provided these processes are sorted out. American sanctions on Venezuelan oil threaten to complicate Indias energy strategy, especially as New Delhi looks to diversify its oil supply chain. (With inputs from agencies) US President Donald Trump has been seeking a rapid settlement to the three-year-old war, and US officials are having separate meetings with Russian and Ukrainian representatives in Riyadh, the first such negotiations since the early weeks of Moscows invasion read more In a bid to end the three-year-long war in Ukraine, US President Donald Trump is pushing for a ceasefire agreement by Easter (April 20), with American officials holding parallel negotiations in Riyadh with both Russian and Ukrainian representatives. This marks the first simultaneous talks since the early days of Moscows invasion. Originally intended to facilitate shuttle diplomacy, where US negotiators would mediate between the warring sides in real-time, the talks were separated after Russia and Ukraine presented conflicting proposals for a temporary truce. Despite ongoing discussions, fighting continues unabated, and the US hopes these negotiations will lead to a much-needed breakthrough. Advertisement Trump aims to secure ceasefire deal by Easter According to reports, the White House is attempting to reach a comprehensive truce in Russias conflict in Ukraine by April 20, which is Easter in both the Orthodox and Western churches this year. However, considering the significant difference between Kyivs and Moscows stances, a Bloomberg report suggests that the deadline might slide. US President Donald Trump has been seeking a rapid settlement to the three-year-old war, and US officials are having separate meetings with Russian and Ukrainian representatives in Riyadh, the first such negotiations since the early weeks of Moscows invasion. The negotiations were initially planned to take place simultaneously to allow for shuttle diplomacy, but with both warring parties presenting conflicting ideas for a temporary truce, attacks have continued unabated. The US hopes that the back-and-forth between the delegations will lead to a breakthrough. Russia has issued maximalist demands for any potential agreement, including a halt to arms shipments to Ukraineterms that Kyiv and its allies have firmly rejected. Meanwhile, the White House, which temporarily paused critical weapons deliveries earlier this month to increase leverage on Ukraine, has not agreed to impose any restrictions so far. Ukraine, US conclude productive talks Rustem Umerov, the Ukrainian defence minister, led the Ukrainian team in a meeting with the Americans that concluded late on Sunday night. The discussion was productive and focused we addressed key points including energy, Umerov posted on social media, adding that Ukraine was striving to achieve its objective of a just and lasting peace. Advertisement Ukraine had earlier stated that plans to safeguard vital infrastructure and energy facilities would be discussed. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Russia is the only one who is dragging this war out during an evening speech. Additionally, Zelenskyy called on his Ukraines allies to exert more 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. US-Russia talks today Discussions between the United States and Russia were scheduled on Monday. In the midst of this, US envoy Steve Witkoff expressed confidence that any agreement reached would pave the door for a full-on ceasefire. Advertisement 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, he told Fox News. However, the Kremlin dampened hopes for a quick conclusion on Sunday, stating that negotiations were only getting started. We are only at the beginning of this path, said Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov on Russian state television. He stated that there were numerous open concerns about how a prospective ceasefire might be implemented. Meanwhile, war continues 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. Advertisement Ukraines air force said Russia launched 147 drones at the country in the latest barrage. Russia meanwhile 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. Ukraines army, meanwhile, said it had captured a small village in its eastern Lugansk region, a rare battlefield success for Kyivs struggling forces. With inputs from agencies Housing Minister Goldknopf, leader of the ultra-Orthodox United Torah Judaism (UTJ) party and a key member of Netanyahus ruling coalition, was seen joining in with young men singing a controversial song rejecting the legitimacy of the Israeli state and military read more An ultra-Orthodox Israeli cabinet minister has provoked rare unity across Israels bitterly divided political spectrum, with members of both government and opposition calling for his dismissal after he was filmed dancing to an anti-Zionist song at a family wedding. Housing Minister Yitzchak Goldknopf, leader of the ultra-Orthodox United Torah Judaism (UTJ) party and a key member of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus ruling coalition, was caught on video joining in with young men singing a controversial song rejecting the legitimacy of the Israeli state and military. Advertisement The lyrics widely circulated in footage posted online declared: dont believe in the government of infidels, and included the line: We will die and not enlist, a direct rejection of military service, according to a report by Times of Israel. . : ' ' pic.twitter.com/9ExW6yvkny (@moshe_nayes) March 23, 2025 The song, originally linked to the anti-Zionist Haredi sect Neturei Karta, has recently gained popularity in some ultra-Orthodox circles, igniting broader public debate. Haredi-Zionist differences behind the controversy Neturei Karta believe that the exile of the Jews can end only with the arrival of the Messiah, and that human attempts to establish Jewish sovereignty over the Land of Israel are sinful. In Neturei Kartas view, Zionism is a presumptuous affront against God. Zionism, on the other hand, is a movement for the development and protection of a Jewish nation in what is now Israel. Many ultra-Orthodox men dedicate their lives to full-time Torah study in yeshivas, which they view as a sacred duty essential for the spiritual protection of the Jewish people. Military service is also seen as incompatible with the ultra-Orthodox way of life, which emphasizes strict adherence to religious laws and separation from secular influences. Advertisement The Israeli High Court ruled last year that the longstanding blanket exemption for ultra-orthodox Jews to avoid military conscription lacks legal basis. At the same time, the Attorney General has moved to withhold daycare subsidies from families whose fathers refuse to enlist. Opponents call for Goldknopfs resignation The fallout from the video has been swift and unusually unified. A minister who jumps up [to dance] against the State of Israel should have been fired this evening, said opposition leader Yair Lapid. Benny Gantz, head of the centre-right National Unity party and a former defence minister, also condemned Goldknopfs actions saying it is subversion from within the government that is harming the State of Israel, demanding not just the ministers removal, but enforcement of enlistment orders for ultra-Orthodox draft dodgers. Advertisement Any other message is a spit in the faces of IDF soldiers. Only a Zionist consensus government will save Israels security, Gantz said. Goldknopfs participation in the celebrationwhich he claims was unintentionalhas deepened the fissures within Israels coalition government, drawing sharp rebukes from his own political allies. Bezalel Smotrich, the far-right finance minister and a fellow coalition partner, called the incident a shame and a disgrace. We can no longer remain silent in the face of Minister Goldknopfs indifference, disdain and ungratefulness toward the State of Israel and the heroic IDF fighters, he said. I demand that the prime minister [] set a red line for him. Advertisement Likud lawmaker Moshe Saada echoed the sentiment: Dear Minister Goldknopf, you dont believe in the government of infidels? Then have it your way and step down from your prestigious and rewarding position in the same government you dont believe in. Allies also hit out at Goldknopf Even members of Goldknopfs broader ideological camp expressed outrage. MK Ohad Tal of the Religious Zionism party accused him of having gone completely off the rails. Goldknopf, in response, issued an apology, insisting he had not endorsed the message of the song and only remained at the wedding out of respect for the groom and his family. Unfortunately, some people have taken advantage of this for incitement, as if I agree with the content of the song. So here it is: I disavow and condemn it, he said. Prime Minister Netanyahu refrained from dismissing his ally, instead praising Goldknopf for later disavowing the song an intervention unlikely to placate critics. Advertisement The White House on Monday confirmed that a journalist was included in a group chat in which US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and other top officials discussed upcoming strikes against Yemens Houthi rebels read more President Donald Trump, left, and Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth listen during an event in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, on Friday. AP File The White House on Monday confirmed that a journalist was included in a group chat in which US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and other top officials discussed upcoming strikes against Yemens Houthi rebels. President Donald Trump announced strikes on March 15, but in a shocking security breach, The Atlantic magazines editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg wrote that he had hours of advance notice via the group chat on Signal. The message thread that was reported appears to be authentic, and we are reviewing how an inadvertent number was added to the chain, National Security Council spokesman Brian Hughes said. Advertisement Goldberg did not provide details of the plan, but wrote that Hegseth sent information on the strikes, including on targets, weapons the US would be deploying, and attack sequencing, to the group chat. According to the lengthy Hegseth text, the first detonations in Yemen would be felt two hours hence, at 1:45 pm eastern time, Goldberg wrote - a timeline that was borne out on the ground in Yemen. Goldberg said he was added to the group chat two days earlier, and received messages from other top government officials designating representatives who would work on the issue. On March 14, a person identified as Vice President JD Vance expressed doubts about carrying out the strikes, saying he hated bailing Europe out again, as countries there were more affected by Huthi attacks on shipping than the United States. Group chat contributors identified as National Security Advisor Mike Waltz and Hegseth both sent messages arguing only Washington had the capability to carry out the mission, with the latter official noting that he shared Vances loathing of European free-loading. And a person identified as S M possibly Trump adviser Stephen Miller argued that if the US successfully restores freedom of navigation at great cost there needs to be some further economic gain extracted in return. Advertisement Meanwhile, President Donald Trump said Monday he knew nothing about the leak. I dont know anything about it, Trump told reporters when questioned on the apparent security breach. Youre telling me about it for the first time. The Houthi rebels, who have controlled much of Yemen for more than a decade, are part of the axis of resistance of pro-Iran groups staunchly opposed to Israel and the United States. They have launched scores of drone and missiles attacks at ships passing Yemen in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden during the Gaza war, claiming solidarity with the Palestinians. The shift toward a narrower focus would be a departure from earlier plans to introduce a broader three-tiered tariff framework encompassing high, medium and low categories for virtually all US trading partners read more Donald Trump has softened his stance on tariffs to be imposed on April 2. AP President Donald Trump is set to implement his so-called reciprocal tariffs on April 2, a move he has labelled Liberation Day for the United States, as it seeks to recalibrate trade relationships with a select group of countries that maintain persistent trade surpluses with Washington. While the administration is expected to proceed with the core reciprocal tariffs on that date, a final decision on broader sector-specific levies targeting industries such as automobiles, pharmaceuticals and semiconductors has yet to be confirmed. Advertisement Focus on dirty 15 Wall Street Journal quoted officials familiar with internal discussions as saying that the White House has opted for a more tailored approach in the near term, focusing on a group of countries informally referred to as the dirty 15. The dirty 15 designation, coined by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, refers to roughly 15 nations with longstanding trade imbalances with the US. These countries likely to include G20 members and major trading partners such as China, Japan, Germany, South Korea, India, Mexico, and Canada are expected to face steep tariffs under the plan. In Asian markets, uncertainty remained as the April 2 deadline edged closer. Other nations may be subject to more modest duties, with individual tariff rates set on a country-by-country basis. A departure from earlier threats The shift toward a narrower focus would be a departure from earlier plans to introduce a broader three-tiered tariff framework encompassing high, medium and low categories for virtually all US trading partners. Instead, the administration now favours assigning bespoke tariff rates to specific countries, reflecting Trumps emphasis on a more transactional, case-by-case approach to trade. While the reciprocal tariffs are set to be announced on April 2, implementation could occur immediately using emergency executive authority, officials were quoted as saying. However, the plan remains fluid, and industry representatives continue to press the administration for clarity. The status of sector-specific tariffs, originally billed as a central element of the April 2 action, remains uncertain. Despite repeated statements from Trump signalling his intent to impose levies on critical industries, administration officials have privately acknowledged that those measures are unlikely to be announced next week. Trump has also linked some potential tariffs to security concerns, citing fentanyl trafficking as justification for duties on Mexico and Canada. However, the White House has yet to provide a detailed timeline or legal basis for such actions and has not responded to requests for comment. Will industry groups get exceptions? Business leaders and foreign governments have been left in a holding pattern. Industry groups say they have struggled to obtain information on whether exemptions will be available, and multiple Fortune 500 companies have ramped up direct lobbying efforts with senior White House and Commerce Department officials. Yet few expect concessions. At a recent meeting with oil executives, Trump indicated reluctance to grant carve-outs, despite pressure from industry groups. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and US Trade Representative Jameson Greer also signalled a tougher stance, with Greer reportedly saying the previous administration had been too lenient with exemptions. Advertisement A White House official later disputed that tariffs were discussed at the meeting. Trumps advisors have suggested that granting exemptions now would diminish US leverage in future negotiations. Still, there is growing frustration among executives over the lack of transparency. The Trump administration on Monday urged the Supreme Court to block a federal judges ruling that reinstates thousands of probationary federal employees who were dismissed as part of the governments rapid workforce downsize efforts read more The Trump administration on Monday urged the Supreme Court to block a federal judges ruling that reinstates thousands of probationary federal employees who were dismissed as part of the governments rapid workforce downsize efforts. According to a CNN report, the emergency appeal is the administrations latest attempt to seek intervention from the countrys highest court as lower courts impede significant aspects of President Donald Trumps second-term agenda, even on a temporary basis. Advertisement In this case, a federal judge in San Francisco issued a preliminary injunction earlier this month, mandating that several federal agencies immediately offer over 16,000 probationary employees their positions back. The district courts extraordinarily overbroad remedy is now inflicting ongoing, irreparable harm on the Executive Branch that warrants this Courts urgent intervention, CNN quoted acting Solicitor General Sarah Harris as writing in court papers. Harris went on to say that the ruling from US District Judge William Alsup has compelled the government to embark on the massive administrative undertaking of reinstating, and onboarding to full duty status, thousands of terminated employees in the span of a few days. The administrations request coincides with the federal appeals court in San Francisco reviewing a similar emergency appeal from the administration, which was submitted on March 14. Every additional day the injunction remains in effect is a day that six executive agencies are effectively under the district courts receivership, necessitating immediate relief from this Court, CNN quoted Harris as arguing. Alsups ruling marked a rare victory for federal labour groups opposing the administrations workforce reduction efforts. While other federal judges refused to intervene during the initial wave of firings in the early weeks of Trumps second term, Alsup said he made his decision based on his belief that the Office of Personnel Management had unlawfully instructed agencies to lay off probationary employees, most of whom had been on the job for less than a year. Advertisement Each agency had (and still has) discretion to hire and fire its own employees. Here, the agencies were directed by OPM to fire all probationary employees, and they executed that directive. To staunch the irreparable harms to organisational plaintiffs caused by OPM unlawfully slashing other agencys staff required immediately reinstating those employees, Alsup, an appointee of former President Bill Clinton, wrote in his ruling. The ruling arose from a case initiated by labor unions and others contesting the OPMs involvement in the firings, which impacted thousands of employees and caused significant disruption across various federal agencies, some of which later rehired certain workers. Advertisement The Trump administration has focused on probationary employees due to their limited job protections, making it easier for them to be dismissed. While these workers typically cannot appeal their terminations to the Merit Systems Protection Board, they can do so if the dismissal was based on partisan political reasons or marriage status. Harris informed the Supreme Court that some of the terminated probationary employees have submitted complaints to the Office of Special Counsel, arguing that Alsups ruling conflicted with the administrative processes established by Congress to handle such terminations. Declaring open season on challenges to federal personnel management is especially unsound because Congress has created an entirely different framework for resolving legal challenges to the terminations of federal employees, she wrote, adding that allowing the unions to head straight to district court and raise claims that the affected federal employees themselves cannot raise would upend that entire process. Advertisement With inputs from agencies The way is open for indirect negotiations, said Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, dismissing the prospect of direct talks with Washington until there is a change in the other sides approach towards the Islamic republic read more Iran on Monday announced its willingness to engage in indirect nuclear negotiations with the US but dismissed the prospect of direct talks until there is a change in the other sides approach towards the Islamic republic. The way is open for indirect negotiations, AFP quoted Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi as saying. Earlier this month, Trump said he had written to Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, cautioning that there are two ways Iran can be handled: militarily, or you make a deal. Advertisement In response, Khamenei dismissed the US proposal for negotiations as a deception, asserting that engaging with the Trump administration would only tighten the knot of sanctions and increase pressure on Iran. Last week, Araqchi, however, said that Tehran would soon reply to both the letters threats and opportunities. While keeping the possibility of a nuclear agreement with Tehran open, Trump has reintroduced the maximum pressure campaign he implemented during his first term, which aims to reduce Irans oil exports to zero. Since Trumps return to the White House, the US has imposed four rounds of sanctions targeting Irans oil sales. Under these conditions, it is no longer possible to enter into talks with America. Unless certain approaches change, Reuters quoted Araqchi as saying on last week by the Iranian state media. When we say no to negotiations with the US, it stems from a history and experience, he added, referring to Trumps withdrawal from Tehrans 2015 nuclear pact with six major powers in his first term. After ditching the nuclear pact in 2018, Trump reimposed US sanctions that have crippled Irans economy. A year later, Tehran started breaching the pacts curbs on Tehrans nuclear programme and has far surpassed its limits. Advertisement Months of indirect talks between Tehran and Trumps 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 was quoted as saying. But he said the 2015 pact could still be a basis and model for negotiations. UN nuclear watchdog chief Rafael Grossi said last month time is running out for a deal to rein in Irans nuclear programme as Tehran continues to accelerate its enrichment of uranium to near weapons grade. Advertisement Tehran has long said the programme is only for peaceful purposes. With inputs from agencies The so-called technical discussions come as US President Donald Trump steps up his push for an end to Russias three-year war on Ukraine read more Patrol boats of Ukraines coast guard sail in the Black Sea, amid Russias attack on Ukraine. File image/ Reuters A US team will seek progress towards a Black Sea truce and a broader stoppage of violence in Ukraines war when it meets with Russian officials on Monday, after talks with Ukrainian diplomats on Sunday. The so-called technical discussions come as US President Donald Trump steps up his push for an end to Russias three-year war on Ukraine. Last week, he spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Advertisement According to a source familiar with the meetings preparations, Andrew Peek, a senior director at the White House National Security Council, and Michael Anton, a top State Department official, are leading the US delegation. They met the Ukrainians on Sunday night and plan to meet with the Russians on Monday. According to the White House, the goal of the discussions is to negotiate a maritime truce in the Black Sea, which will allow for unfettered trade. On Sunday, White House national security advisor Mike Waltz told CBS Face the Nation that the US, Russian, and Ukrainian representatives were all meeting at the same location in Riyadh. Beyond a Black Sea truce, he added, the teams will talk about the line of control between the two nations, which he defined as verification measures, peacekeeping, freezing the lines where they are. He stated that confidence-building measures are being considered, including the return of Ukrainian children detained by Russia. Russia will be represented by Grigory Karasin, a former diplomat who is now chair of the Federation Councils Foreign Affairs Committee, and Sergei Beseda, an adviser to the director of the Federal Security Service. Ukraines defence minister, Rustem Umerov, the head of the Ukrainian delegation, said on Facebook that the US-Ukraine talks included proposals to protect energy facilities and critical infrastructure. Advertisement After Russian forces made gains in 2024, Trump reversed US policy on the war, launching bilateral talks with Moscow and suspending military assistance to Ukraine, demanding that it take steps to end the conflict. US special envoy Steve Witkoff, who met Putin in Moscow in early March, played down concerns among Washingtons NATO allies that Moscow could be emboldened by a deal and invade other neighbors. I just dont see that he wants to take all of Europe. This is a much different situation than it was in World War Two, Witkoff told Fox News. I feel that he wants peace, Witkoff said of Putin. Advertisement Somewhat under control Trump has long promised to end Europes deadliest conflict since World War Two. But his outreach to Putin has unnerved European allies, who fear it heralds a fundamental shift after 80 years in which defending Europe from Russian expansionism was the core mission of US foreign policy. The war has killed or wounded hundreds of thousands of people, displaced millions and reduced entire towns to rubble. Putin, whose forces invaded Ukraine in February 2022, said earlier this month he supported in principle Washingtons proposal for a truce but that his forces would fight on until several crucial conditions were worked out. Advertisement Heorhii Tykhyi, a Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesperson, said on Friday the Ukrainian and American sides were due to clarify the modalities, the nuances of possible different ceasefire regimes, how to monitor them, how to control them, in general, what is included in their scope. Last Tuesday, Putin agreed to Trumps proposal for Russia and Ukraine to stop attacks on each others energy infrastructure for 30 days and ordered the Russian military to cease them. The agreement fell short, however, of a wider agreement that the US had sought, and which Kyiv backed, for a blanket 30-day truce in the war. Trump said on Saturday that efforts to stop further escalation in the Ukraine-Russia conflict were somewhat under control. Advertisement The US 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. 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. Ukraine and Russia agreed in principle Wednesday to a limited ceasefire after U.S. President Donald Trump spoke with the countries leaders, but the parties have offered different views of what targets would be off-limits to attack and accused each other of undermining efforts to reach a pause. read more US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (C), US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz (R) and US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff attend an interview after meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Russian President Vladimir Putin's foreign policy advisor Yuri Ushakov, at Diriyah Palace, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on February 18, 2025. (File/AFP) US and Russian officials began discussions in Saudi Arabia on Monday regarding a partial ceasefire in the Ukraine war, following separate talks between Washington and Kyiv a day earlier. US President Donald Trump is pushing for a swift resolution to the three-year conflict and hopes the negotiations in Riyadh will lead to a breakthrough. Both sides have put forward different proposals for temporary ceasefires, though cross-border attacks have continued without interruption. Originally intended to be held simultaneously to facilitate shuttle diplomacyallowing US officials to move between delegationsthe talks are now taking place sequentially. Advertisement The meeting between the Ukrainian delegation, led by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov and US officials concluded late Sunday night. The discussion was productive and focused we addressed key points including energy, Umerov said on social media, adding Ukraine was working to make its goal of a just and lasting peace a reality. The White House says the aim of the talks is to reach a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea, allowing the free flow of shipping, though the area has not been the location of intense military operations in recent months. As negotiations on a partial ceasefire progressed, Russia launched a barrage of drones across Ukraine overnight on Saturday that killed at least seven people, including a father and his 5-year-old daughter in the capital Kyiv. In a televised statement Sunday evening, Zelenskyy said that 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. There must be more pressure on Russia to stop this terror, Zelenskyy said, adding that it depends on all our partners the U.S., Europe, and others around the world. Zelenskyy has emphasised that Ukraine is open to a full, 30-day ceasefire that Trump has proposed, while 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. Advertisement Trump, who has repeatedly called for an end to the war in Ukraine, has expressed broad satisfaction over the way talks have been going and has been complimentary about Putins engagement in the process so far. He said on Saturday that efforts to stop further escalation in the conflict were somewhat under control. But there is scepticism among major European powers over whether Putin is ready to make meaningful concessions or will stick to what they see as his maximalist demands that do not appear to have changed since he sent tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine in 2022. White House national security adviser Mike Waltz told CBS Face the Nation on Sunday that the US, Russian and Ukrainian delegations were assembled in the same facility in Riyadh. Advertisement Beyond a Black Sea ceasefire, he said, the teams will discuss the line of control between the two countries, which he described as verification measures, peacekeeping, freezing the lines where they are. He said confidence-building measures are being discussed, including the return of Ukrainian children taken by Russia. The Kremlin said the talks will be mainly to study the prospects for the possible implementation of a well-known initiative related to the safety of navigation in the Black Sea. With inputs from agencies Trump envoy Steve Witkoff voiced optimism that any agreement struck would pave the way for a full-on ceasefire read more The Ritz-Carlton hotel in Riyadh where talks are underway with US mediation to try to reach a ceasefire in the Russia Ukraine war. AFP US and Russian officials meet in Saudi Arabia on Monday for talks on a partial ceasefire in the Ukraine war, a day after delegates from Washington and Kyiv had their own discussions. US President Donald Trump is pushing for a rapid end to the three-year war and hopes talks in Riyadh could pave the way for a breakthrough. Both sides have proposed different plans for temporary ceasefires, but cross-border attacks have meanwhile continued unabated. Advertisement Originally planned to take place simultaneously to enable shuttle diplomacy with the United States going back and forth between the delegations the talks are now taking place one after the other. The meeting between the Ukrainian team, led by defence minister Rustem Umerov, and the Americans finished up late Sunday night. The discussion was productive and focused we addressed key points including energy, Umerov said on social media, adding Ukraine was working to make its goal of a just and lasting peace a reality. Trump envoy Steve Witkoff voiced optimism that any agreement struck would pave the way for a full-on ceasefire. 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, he told Fox News. Outstanding questions But the Kremlin on Sunday downplayed expectations of a rapid resolution. We are only at the beginning of this path, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Russian state TV. He said there were many outstanding questions 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. Advertisement 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 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. 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 Russias own exports of farm produce and fertilisers. Advertisement 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. Fresh pressure Ukrainian officials said a Russian drone attack overnight Saturday 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 early 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. Zelensky urged his countrys 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. Advertisement Moscow heads into the Saudi talks after a rapprochement with Washington under Trump that has boosted confidence in the Kremlin. Peskov said 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. The delegations from both nations discussed the future of the Russian-occupied nuclear power plant in Zaporizhzhia, Europes largest facility. The nuclear plant was also mentioned in US President Donald Trumps remarks about negotiations to end the war read more Ukraine's Minister of Defence Rustem Umerov as he attends the Ukrainian and US delegations meeting in Jeddah, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Ukraine Press Service The delegations from Ukraine and the United States wrapped up the ceasefire talks in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Sunday, with Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov calling the talks productive and focused. Shortly after the talks, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy released a statement on Russias latest strike in the country, insisting that Moscow is the only one who needs to bring the war to an end. According to The Kyiv Post, the discussions between Umerovs team and that of US envoy Steve Witkoff focused largely on the protection of Ukraines energy infrastructure. The delegations from both nations also discussed the future of the Russian-occupied nuclear power plant in Zaporizhzhia, Europes largest. The nuclear plant was also mentioned in US President Donald Trumps remarks about negotiations to end the war. Advertisement The discussion was productive and focused. We addressed key points including energy, Umerov wrote on social media, shortly after the Riyadh meeting. Before the talks, the minister had already mentioned that the proposals to protect energy facilities and critical infrastructure would be on the agenda. Trump pledges to end the war by Easter After the meeting, Witkoff promoted Trumps belief that only the American leader can solve the problem. On Sunday, Trump promised a ceasefire by Easter. This year, in a rare instance, Catholic and Protestant Easter, observed mostly in the West, and Orthodox Easter, observed by both Russians and Ukrainians, falls on the same day: April 20. I feel that [Russian President Vladimir Putin] wants peace, Witkoff told Fox News on Sunday. 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, he added. Zelenskyy on the other hand, presented a less optimistic picture in his evening address on Sunday. While he lauded the talks, calling them " quite useful and conducted in a constructive manner, he insisted that Moscow is the one who is continuing to shell Ukrainian communities and ignoring ceasefire proposals. Russia is the only one who is dragging this war out, Zelensky said. No matter what we talk about with our partners, we need to push Putin to give a real order to stop the strikes." The one who brought this war must take it away," he added. His comments came just moments after Moscow continued to launch relentless strikes on several residential areas around Ukraine, killing several civilians, including children and destroying well more than a hundred private homes. Advertisement Discussions between the US & Russia scheduled for Monday Delegations from the US and Russia will sit down on Monday, to discuss the ceasefire proposal. However, the Kremlin is maintaining a cautious stance over the matter. We are only at the beginning of this path, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Russian state TV. Peskov noted that the main focus of Russias talks with the American delegation 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 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. 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. Advertisement With inputs from agencies. Reflecting on his clash with Trump, Zelenskyy insisted he was defending the dignity of Ukraine. Following the explosive clash, Trump cut off American aid to Ukraine as well as the sharing of intelligence with Kyivs forces read more Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a recent interview with the Time opened up on his disastrous White House clash with President Donald Trump last month. The Ukrainian leader said he thought Russia has managed to influence some people in the White House through misinformation. I believe Russia has managed to influence some people on the White House team through information. Their signal to the Americans was that the Ukrainians do not want to end the war, and something should be done to force them, said Zelenskyy. Advertisement He further stated that Ukrainians dont consider themselves as some superpower but still preferred dignity. We do not consider ourselves some kind of superpower, Zelenskyy said. On the contrary, Ukrainians are very emotional, and when it comes to our sense of dignity, freedom, democracy, our people rise up and unite. Reflecting on his clash with Trump, Zelenskyy insisted he was defending the dignity of Ukraine. Following the explosive clash, Trump cut off American aid to Ukraine as well as the sharing of intelligence with Kyivs forces. It continued until March 11 when Ukraine finally agreed to an unconditional 30-day ceasefire with Russia during talks in Saudi Arabia. Zelenskyy has refrained from criticising Trump in public, saying, leave that to history when pressed by the Times reporter to talk more on the issue. For Trump though, the public shouting match was a tactic to pressure Ukraine to fall in line. You got to see a little glimpse at the Oval Office, but I think they are doing the right thing now, and we are trying to get the peace agreement done. We want to get a ceasefire and then a peace agreement, said the US leader. And he may have succeeded too. Advertisement Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha last week told Firstpost that his country wants an unconditional ceasefire with Russia and is willing to resist if Russia does not accept the proposal on the table. In a conversation with Managing Editor Palki Sharma at Firstposts IdeasPod during the Raisina Dialogue, Sybiha said, We believe the war will end this year we really want the war to end this year. All of us are united by this strategic goal to achieve just, comprehensive, and long-lasting peace. Ukraine supports the US proposal for a ceasefire temporary ceasefire. We are expecting the Russian response to accept the unconditional ceasefire. It will be a huge step forward to make this peace closer. Advertisement Ukraine sees sharp increase in scrap metal exports In January-February of this year, Ukrainian enterprises increased their exports of ferrous scrap metal by 1.55% compared to the same period last year, reaching 40.98 thousand tons from 40,354 tonnes. According to statistics released by the State Customs Service (SCS) on Tuesday, 25,284 tonnes of scrap were exported in February, marking a 61% increase from the previous month's 15,696 tonnes. In monetary terms, scrap metal exports for January-February decreased by 8.4% to $11.816 million from $12.903 million. During this period, the majority of scrap metal exports were directed to Poland (93.24% of total value), Bulgaria (4.32%), and Germany (2.20%). Over the first two months of the year, Ukraine imported three tonnes of scrap metal worth $1,000 from the British Virgin Islands, with deliveries occurring in January. Apple is reportedly planning to add cameras to the Apple Watch to support AI features like Visual Intelligence within the next two years, said Bloombergs Mark Gurman. The company aims to make the Apple Watch more of an AI-focused device by including cameras in future models, allowing it to see the outside world, Gurman noted. This move aligns with Apples Visual Intelligence technology, which is also expected to come to AirPods. Currently, Visual Intelligence relies on AI models from ChatGPT and Google, but Apple intends to shift to its own in-house models, Gurman cited. He emphasized that Apples long-term goal is to make Visual Intelligence a key feature across its devices, including camera-equipped AirPods and Apple Watches. Camera Placement and Model Details For the standard Apple Watch, Apple is working on embedding the camera within the display, possibly using a cutout or under-display technology, though details remain unclear. For the Ultra model, the camera would sit on the side, next to the digital crown and side button, where theres more space, Gurman explained. He highlighted that Ultra users could easily point their wrist to scan objects. Visual Intelligence, which debuted on the iPhone 16, uses the phones camera to perform tasks like adding event flyer details to a calendar or finding restaurant information. While it currently depends on external AI models, Apple expects to power it with its own technology by 2027, Gurman believes. Thats when these new Apple Watches and AirPods are slated for release, he added. Timeline and Leadership Changes Gurman expects the camera-equipped Apple Watch to launch no earlier than 2027, alongside AirPods with cameras. This timeline depends on Apples AI team, which recently saw leadership changes. Gurman reported that Mike Rockwell now leads efforts to advance Visual Intelligence and the delayed Siri LLM upgrade, both critical for these wearable features. Source Samsung Electronics today expanded its monitor line-up with the 2025 Odyssey gaming series and the ViewFinity S8. The Odyssey range includes the Odyssey 3D, Odyssey OLED G8, and Odyssey G9, alongside the new ViewFinity S8. Odyssey 3D (G90XF) The Odyssey 3D (G90XF), a 27-inch monitor, introduces glasses-free 3D gaming. It uses advanced eye-tracking technology and a lenticular lens to create a clear, high-definition 3D image through the Reality Hub app. This enhances immersion in games and videos. Samsung is partnering with Nexon for The First Berserker: Khazan, launching March 28, and Neowiz for Lies of P, with its Overture DLC set for summer release. These collaborations give developers precise control over 3D effects, with plans to add more global studio partnerships. The monitor also features AI video conversion, turning compatible content into 3D with reduced eye strain. It offers a 4K display, 165Hz refresh rate, 1ms Gray-to-Gray (GtG) response time, and supports AMD FreeSync Premium and NVIDIA G-SYNC Compatible for smooth gameplay. Edge Lighting syncs colors under the monitor with the screen, enhancing the 3D experience. Odyssey OLED G8 (G81SF) The Odyssey OLED G8 (G81SF) comes in 27-inch and 32-inch models. The 27-inch version features 166 pixels-per-inchthe highest pixel density for its sizeand is the industrys first 4K monitor with a 240Hz refresh rate. Both sizes use QD-OLED technology for sharp details, vivid colors, and high contrast from any angle, certified by VESA DisplayHDR TrueBlack 400 at 250nit brightness. Underwriters Laboratories (UL)-certified Glare Free technology reduces reflections. Samsungs OLED Safeguard+ includes a Dynamic Cooling System with a Pulsating Heat Pipe, dissipating heat five times better than graphite sheets to prevent burn-in without dimming brightness. It delivers a .03ms GtG response time, 240Hz refresh rate, and supports AMD FreeSync Premium Pro and NVIDIA G-SYNC Compatible. The slim metal design features Core Lighting+ and an ergonomic stand for easy setup. Odyssey G9 (G91F) The Odyssey G9 (G91F), a 49-inch ultrawide monitor, offers a Dual QHD display with a 1000R curve. It features a 144Hz refresh rate, 1ms response time, and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro for fluid gameplay without tearing. VESA DisplayHDR 600 and HDR10+ GAMING optimize brightness, contrast, and color range. Multitasking is seamless with Picture-by-Picture and Picture-in-Picture modes, allowing two devices to display simultaneously, with flexible sizing in Picture-in-Picture. Auto Source Switch+ detects and shows connected devices instantly when powered on. ViewFinity S8 (S80UD) The ViewFinity S8 (S80UD), a 37-inch 4K monitor, is the largest 16:9 Samsung monitor yet, about 34% bigger than its predecessor. It supports HDR10 and displays 1 billion colors for professional work. TUV Rheinland certifies its ergonomic design and Intelligent Eye Care for comfort. It includes a 90W USB-C port and a KVM switch for controlling multiple inputs with one keyboard, video, and mouse setup, blending work and leisure connectivity. Availability Pre-orders for the Odyssey 3D, Odyssey OLED G8, and Odyssey G9 begin today in select countries, with pricing to be announced soon. Speaking about the launch, Hoon Chung, Executive Vice President of Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics, said, Ancient Chinese Guqins on display in Budapest Xinhua) 10:42, March 24, 2025 BUDAPEST, March 22 (Xinhua) -- 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. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) Dennis received bachelor's degrees in communication and political science with a TAG degree in Spanish from The University of Akron in Ohio. He grew up in Ohio with two sisters and two brothers, one being his fraternal twin. He and his wife have two dogs: Bacio, and Cal. Dennis currently covers natural resource and environmental issues for The Daily Sentinel Joint statement by the High Representative Kaja Kallas and the Arab-Islamic Ministerial Committee European External Action Service (EEAS) 23.03.2025 EEAS Press Team The Arab - Islamic Ministerial Committee met today, 23rd of March 2025, in Cairo with H.E Kaja Kallas, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. The Parties discussed recent developments in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, and expressed their grave concern over the breakdown of the ceasefire in Gaza and the large number of civilian casualties in recent airstrikes. They condemned the resumption of hostilities and the targeting of civilians and civilian infrastructure, and called for an immediate return to the full implementation of the ceasefire-hostage and detainees release agreement, that went into effect on January 19th , and as brokered by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States, and stressed the need for progress towards its second phase with a view to its full implementation, including the release of all hostages, a permanent end to hostilities, and the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, in line with United Nations Security Council Resolution 2735. The Parties further called for the complete respect of international humanitarian law and international law. They underscored that this includes ensuring swift, sustained and unimpeded humanitarian access and the provision of humanitarian assistance at scale into and throughout the entire Gaza Strip. In light of this, they demanded the lifting of all restrictions that hinder the delivery of humanitarian aid, as well as the immediate restoration of all basic services in the Strip, including the supply of electricity, including for water desalination plants. The Parties welcomed the Arab Recovery and Reconstruction Plan, presented at the Cairo Summit on 4 March, subsequently adopted by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and welcomed by the European Council. The Parties highlighted that the aforementioned plan ensures that the Palestinian people will remain on their territory, and emphasized in this regard their categorical rejection of any displacement or expulsion of the Palestinian people out of their territory, Gaza and the West Bank including East Jerusalem, and warned against the grave repercussions that would result from such actions. The Parties underscored in this regard the importance of supporting the Conference on the Early Recovery and Reconstruction of Gaza, which is to be held in Cairo with the participation of relevant stakeholders. They called on the international community to work to mobilize resources, to be announced during the Conference, to address the catastrophic situation in Gaza. The Parties stressed the importance of unifying the Gaza Strip with the West Bank under the Palestinian Authority(PA) and of supporting in this regard the PA in assuming all of its responsibilities in the Gaza Strip, and ensuring it can effectively uphold its role in administering both Gaza and the West Bank. They emphasized the need for respect, and the preservation of the territorial integrity and unity of the Occupied Palestinian Territory, which is key to consolidating the Palestinian state on the basis of the 4 June 1967 lines, including with regards to Jerusalem, in line with UN resolutions, and as part of the two-state solution, thus achieving long-term peace and stability in the region. They reiterated in this regard that the Gaza Strip constitutes an integral part of the territory occupied in 1967 and reiterated the vision of the two-state solution, with the Gaza Strip as part of the Palestinian state, in line with International Law, including relevant Security Council resolutions and stressed that this should guide any discussion on the future of the Gaza Strip. The parties expressed as well their deep concern over the Israeli military incursions in the occupied West Bank, as well as illegal practices such as settlement activities, home demolitions, and settler violence, which undermine the rights of the Palestinian people, threaten the prospects for a just and lasting peace and further entrench the conflict. They recalled that Israel as occupying power, must protect civilians and comply with international humanitarian law. They firmly rejected any attempts at annexation and unilateral measures that seek to alter the legal and historical status quo of the Holy Sites in Jerusalem. Together, the Parties reaffirmed their full commitment to a political resolution to the conflict on the basis of the two-state solution with Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace and security, on the basis of the relevant UN resolutions, the Madrid terms of reference, including the principle of land for peace, and the Arab Peace Initiative, paving the way for lasting peace and coexistence between all the peoples of the region. They reaffirmed their commitment in this regard to the convening of a UN High Level International Conference in June in New York co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia to advance these goals. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US announcement of sixth-gen F-47 fighter draws analyses from Chinese experts Global Times By Liu Xuanzun and Liang Rui Published: Mar 23, 2025 04:07 PM The US' recent announcement of the F-47 fighter jet has drawn intensive analyses from Chinese military affairs experts and observers, who acknowledged the aircraft being a real sixth-generation fighter jet for featuring typical characteristics such as a tailless design, but they also raised questions over its potentially limited stealth capability, relatively small size, and the US' selection of Boeing to build the warplane. The Pentagon has awarded the contract for the US Air Force's Next Generation Air Dominance future fighter jet, known as NGAD, to Boeing, US President Donald Trump announced Friday, US news outlet Defense News reported on Saturday. The sixth-generation fighter, which will replace the F-22 Raptor, will be designated the F-47, Trump said. It will have "state-of-the-art stealth technologies [making it] virtually unseeable," and will fly alongside multiple autonomous drone wingmen, known as collaborative combat aircraft, Defense News reported. After reviewing the artist renderings of the F-47 released by the US Air Force, Zhang Xuefeng, a Chinese military affairs expert, told the Global Times on Sunday that the F-47's appearance conforms to the general development trend of the sixth-generation fighter jet concept. For example, it does not feature any vertical tails, which is an attempt to further improve its stealth capability in all directions. It has a flat nose and a lifting-body fuselage. These are all important characteristics of a sixth-generation fighter jet. Zhang added that manned-unmanned teaming is a core sixth-generation feature, and one the F-47 includes. However, a pair of canards can be observed in front of the F-47's main wings, and this will more or less impact the aircraft's stealth, Zhang noted. Reiterating that an important trend for sixth-generation fighter jets is to remove vertical tails and use a supersonic flying wing configuration to boost stealth, Zhang said that new mechanisms are needed to act in the place of vertical tails to control the aircraft, such as movable wingtip. But the F-47 opted to use canards, a relatively old technology often found on previous generations of aircraft. He suggested Boeing may lack the tech base to develop new control methods and relies on outdated design choices. In December 2024, videos and photos emerged on social media allegedly showing two types aircraft with new designs have conducted test flights in China. Despite no official announcements, many called them China's "sixth-generation fighter jets." Both of them appear to have removed vertical tails and also do not have canards. One of them, resembling a ginkgo leaf in appearance, looked far larger than its J-20 escort. Wang Ya'nan, chief editor of Beijing-based Aerospace Knowledge magazine, told the Global Times on Sunday that comparing with the size of the canopy and the front landing gear, it can be analyzed that the overall size of the F-47 is not likely much larger than the F-22. It means that the F-47 is still a tactical aircraft, rather than a large, multipurpose aerial platform capable of conducting campaign-scale missions like the "ginkgo leaf" aircraft. Defense News, citing Air Force Chief Gen. Allvin, claimed that experimental versions of the NGAD have been flying for the last five years. But Wang noted that there is no proof of this. Even the pictures depicting the F-47 are artists renderings rather than photos. Wang also noted that Boeing has not won a major fighter jet program for decades. Its F-15 and F/A-18 fighter jets are from McDonnell Douglas which was merged into Boeing, and Boeing's own X-32 fighter jet lost to the F-35 from Lockheed Martin in bidding. Boeing's other projects, such as the 737 MAX airliner and KC-46 tanker aircraft also encountered many issues recently. "Having a company like this to lead a sixth-generation program is actually very risky," he said. In addition to US' NGAD program, other countries are also developing sixth-generation fighter jets. France, Germany and Spain are in the Future Combat Air System program to develop a sixth-generation fighter jet, while the UK, Italy and Japan have a sixth-generation Global Combat Air Programme fighter project, according to Defense News. Russia's sixth-generation efforts have also surfaced in TASS reports. Wang said the US is moving fastest with the F-47, while other nations lag. With China's own jets already spotted in the sky, the outside world is now seeing China and the US in advanced stages of sixth-generation fighter jet development. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Yemen "successfully" launches hypersonic missile attack on Tel Aviv IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Mar 23, 2025 Tehran, IRNA -- The Yemeni Armed Forces spokesperson, Brigadier General Yahya Saree, says the Arab country has successfully carried out a hypersonic missile attack on Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion International Airport. General Saree noted on Sunday that the attack halted the flights in the airport for half an hour. He said that the Yemeni forces will continue their operations as long as the Israeli invasion of the Gaza Strip continues. He added that the Yemeni missile and drone forces have been struggling with the U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman and other U.S. warships over the past few hours. The operations were conducted in retaliation for tens of U.S. attacks against Yemeni targets, Saree said. 9341**2050 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israel intensifies offensive against Gaza as Palestinian death toll surpasses 50K IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Mar 23, 2025 Over two dozen more Palestinians, including a Hamas official and several women and children have been killed in new Israeli strikes on the besieged Gaza Strip. Gaza's Health Ministry says the fatalities overnight Sunday pushed the overall death toll to more than 50,000 since Israel launched its genocidal war on the coastal Palestinian territory back in October 2023. Hamas has described the latest offensive a "new and dangerous breach" of the ceasefire and reiterated its commitment to the truce agreement it signed with Israel in January. The regime ordered its forces to renew their attack on Gaza following the end of the first phase of the ceasefire deal last week with a wave of strikes that killed hundreds of civilians. Israel has continued striking the Strip and has launched ground incursions into northern Gaza while issuing the evacuation order for residents in the southern city of Rafah. The move followed the cabinet meeting that approved a proposal to displace Palestinians in line with U.S. President Donald Trump's outrageous plan to depopulate Gaza. Palestinians have repeatedly said that they would not leave their homeland, and rights groups have warned that Trump's expulsion plan could amount to the violation of international law. Almost all of Gaza's population of more than 2 million has already been displaced from their homes amid Israel's relentless bombing and shelling campaign. Negotiations to extend the ceasefire have been moribund nearly from the day it went into effect on January 19 amid Israel's threats and non-adherence to the deal. Under the terms of the second phase, Israel would have had to withdraw entirely from Gaza and commit to a permanent end of the war in exchange for the release of all Israeli prisoners. 4399**2050 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Missile fired from Yemen sets off sirens in Tel Aviv, suspends flights at Ben Gurion airport IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Mar 23, 2025 A new missile attack from Yemen has set off sirens in Tel Aviv and other cities, while it has forced the suspension of flights at Israel's Ben Gurion International Airport, Israeli media have reported. According to TV Channel 12, a missile was fired from Yemen on Sunday, which the outlet claimed that was intercepted by the Israeli military. It also said flights were suspended at the Ben Gurion airport. Other reports said sirens were set off in more than 20 cities and settlements, including occupied al-Quds, as a result of the Yemeni attack. There has been no reaction from Yemen as of yet. Yemen has resumed military operations against Israel in response to its renewed attacks on the Gaza Strip last Tuesday as well as the regime's failure to meet a deadline set by Yemen to lift its siege of the stip. Yemen has promised to continue its operations in support of Palestine until the war comes to an end in Gaza, pressing ahead with those operations despite the ongoing airstrikes by the United States on Yemeni soil. Yemen says the U.S. air aggression is part of its continued support for the Israeli regime. 4208**4194 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address U.S. bombs Hodeidah International Airport in Yemen IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Mar 23, 2025 The United States has carried out fresh airstrikes on Yemen, targeting multiple locations including the international airport in the coastal city of al-Hodeidah in the west. According to Yemen's al-Masirah TV channel, American warplanes carried out three separate airstrikes on Hodeidah International Airport on Saturday night. The media outlet did not report any casualty or damage from the strikes. Lebanon-based Al Mayadeen news network also reported that airstrikes hit Al-Manzar area, south of al-Hodeidah city, while air raids targeted the Manzar directorate in northeastern Yemen. In the meantime, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) shared a post on its official X page early on Sunday, showing two short videos of American fighter jets taking off from an aircraft carrier, one during the day, another at night. The post, which was shared early on Sunday, also contained "24/7," implying that the U.S. will continue strikes on Yemen round the clock. Washington launched the latest wave of attacks on Yemen on March 15, four days after Yemen announced that it would stop the passage of any Israel-linked ship in the Red and Arabian Seas in a bid to pressure the regime to lift its blockade on the Gaza Strip. Yemen made the announcement after Israel missed a four-day deadline set by Sana'a to lift the siege which has been in place since March 1, blocking the entry of all humanitarian aid into Gaza. Yemen says the U.S.'s airstrikes on its soil are another measure by Washington to support the Israeli regime in its genocidal war on Gaza. Yemen also says the U.S. aggression will not deter it from supporting Palestine, and has in the past several days launched attacks on American warships, as well as positions inside Israel, including Ben Gurion airport. 'Disastrous U.S. defeat' USS Harry S. Truman was due to leave the West Asia Region at the end of March. But the U.S. military has ordered it to remain in the Red Sea for at least an additional month, while it has ordered two other aircraft carriers to be present there as well, according to Israeli media. Reacting to the measure, the leader of Yemen's Ansarullah movement, which has been the driving force of Yemen's pro-Palestine operations, said that the dispatch of two more aircraft carriers is indicative of the "disastrous defeat" of the United States in the face of Yemen. Abdulmalik al-Houthi said that Yemen's repeated targeting of USS Harry S. Truman has turned it into a danger for "the U.S. enemy," while the aircraft carrier previously served as a symbol of power used by the U.S. to threaten other countries like China, Lebanon-based al-Ahed News reported on Sunday. 4208**4194 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address PM Netanyahu Speaks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio Israel - Prime Minister's Office Media Statements The 37th Government 23.03.2025 The Prime Minister's Office, this evening: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a short while ago, spoke with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The two discussed regional developments, including releasing the hostages and the resumption of fighting in the Gaza Strip. US Secretary of State Rubio expressed the US's unwavering support for Israel and its policy. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hamas condemns Israel's attack on Gaza refugee camps Iran Press TV Sunday, 23 March 2025 6:33 PM Hamas has strongly condemned the Israeli regime's new rounds of attacks on refugee camps, civilian infrastructure, and medical personnel in the Gaza Strip. In a statement issued on Sunday, Hamas said that the newest rounds of attacks by the Israeli regime across Gaza are "war crimes and are part of the systematic policy of genocide." The regime maliciously targeted the Tal al-Sultan neighborhood, the Saudi neighborhood, the al-Baraksat area in Rafah, and the al-Mawasi area in Khan Younis, Hamas said. The siege of the enclave and restricting the entrance of human aid into the war-torn region is "part of the systematic policy of genocide targeting our people in the Gaza Strip," Hamas emphasized. Hamas has called on the Arab states, the United Nations, and all influential players to take immediate and serious action to halt the crimes of Israel and put an end to the genocidal war on the Palestinian people. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Yemeni forces hit Israel's Ben Gurion airport again with hypersonic ballistic missile Iran Press TV Sunday, 23 March 2025 3:05 PM Yemeni Armed Forces have launched another missile attack at the occupying Israeli regime, backing the brave Palestinian resistance against the oppressing regime forces. The Yemeni forces announced on Sunday that they again targeted Israel's Ben Gurion airport in Tel Aviv with their hypersonic Palestine 2 ballistic missile. They said the strike successfully achieved its "goal" to disrupt air traffic in the occupied Israeli territories as long as the zionist killing machine continued its genocidal war against the Gaza Strip. The Israeli forces confirmed that a missile had set off air raid sirens at around 7:30 a.m. in several areas across the occupied territories, but claimed to have intercepted it. Reports said following the missile attack, chaos broke out at Ben Gurion Airport with air raid sirens blaring and flight operations all messed up. Flights at the airport were temporarily stopped and the passengers were evacuated into shelters. In addition, the Yemenis said they also successfully launched their missiles and drones at the American aircraft carrier USS Harry Truman stationed in the Red Sea. "And in response to the American aggression that launched dozens of airstrikes on our country in the past hours, our forces clashedthrough the missile force and the drone air forcethe American aircraft carrier USS Harry Truman and a number of enemy warships in the Red Sea, using multiple missiles and drones. The confrontations lasted for several hours," Yemeni Armed Forces announced. "By relying on Allah, the Yemeni Armed Forces continue to confront this brutal and criminal aggression and are meeting escalation with escalation with full courage," they said. "They also remain steadfast in supporting the oppressed Palestinian people and preventing 'Israeli' navigation in the previously declared operation zone until the aggression stops and the siege on Gaza is lifted," it added. Early on Saturday, Yemen's military "targeted Ben Gurion airport" with a ballistic missile, calling it the third launch in two days. Israeli airspace will remain unsafe "until the aggression against Gaza stops", Yemeni Armed Forces announced in an earlier statement. After Washington announced heavy strikes against the Yemeni nation a week ago, US military forces attacked the airport in Hudaydah in its latest aggression against the Yemenis. Americans launched three airstrikes against the airport on the Red Sea coast Saturday night, Yemen's al-Masirah TV reported. Yemeni media outlets also reported US airstrikes on the port of Salif in Hudaydah province. Five more airstrikes were carried out by US warplanes on the Majzar district in Yemen's central province of Ma'rib. On Wednesday, the US military's Central Command confirmed "continuous operations" against Yemen. On March 15, the United States announced a wave of airstrikes that left 53 Yemenis killed. The deadly strikes, the first since US President Donald Trump resumed office, came after Yemeni forces pledged to renew operations against Israeli shipping in solidarity with the Palestinian suffering from Israeli attacks. In a further escalation, the United States recently announced plans to deploy a second aircraft carrier, the USS Carl Vinson, to the region. Yemen's Ansarullah leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi said on Saturday that while the US typically uses its aircraft carriers to project its military might to the world to intimidate other countries, the vessels have transformed into "a burden and a danger" for the politicians in Washington. The Yemeni Armed Forces started their military operations against the Israeli regime in late 2023 shortly after Tel Aviv launched its genocidal war against the Palestinians trapped in Gaza. The Yeminis stopped targeting ships in the Red Sea in January after a ceasefire was announced between Israel and Hamas, but the operations resumed last week after Israel cut off the flow of humanitarian aid to Gaza earlier this month and broke the ceasefire deal brokered by Trump. More than 50,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since Tel Aviv launched its genocidal war in Gaza. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hamas condemns US-Israel aggression against Yemen, Lebanon, Syria Iran Press TV Sunday, 23 March 2025 2:56 PM The Islamic Resistance Movement Hamas has strongly condemned the brutal US aggression against Yemen, and Israel's aggression against Lebanon, and Syria. In a statement on Sunday, Hamas called the aggression a blatant violation of national sovereignty and international laws. These aggressions are "an extension of the ongoing aggression against our Palestinian people in Gaza and the West Bank," Hamas said. Hamas has emphasized that the escalation of US attacks against Yemen, and Israel against Lebanon and Syria parallels the daily massacre of Palestinians in Gaza and the occupied West Bank. According to Hamas, these acts of aggression need a "unified Arab and Islamic stance that rises to the level of this attack and puts an end to the enemy's arrogance and ongoing criminality." The US military on Saturday night attacked the airport in Hudaydah in the latest "American aggression" against Yemen since Washington announced heavy strikes on the impoverished country one week ago. Yemen's al-Masirah TV said three airstrikes targeted the airport on the Red Sea coast. Yemeni media outlets also reported US airstrikes on the port of Salif in Hudaydah province. American warplanes further carried out five strikes on the Majzar district in Yemen's central province of Ma'rib. On March 15, the United States announced a wave of airstrikes that Yemeni officials said killed 53 people. The strikes, the first since President Donald Trump resumed office, came after Yemeni forces pledged to renew operations against Israeli shipping in solidarity with the Palestinians. In a further escalation, the United States recently announced plans to deploy a second aircraft carrier, the USS Carl Vinson, to the region. Meanwhile, Israel carried out airstrikes in Lebanon and Syria. Lebanese Foreign Minister Youssef Rajji on Sunday contacted several Arab and other foreign officials and urged international pressure on the occupying Tel Aviv regime after at least seven people were killed and 40 injured in Israeli airstrikes across Lebanon. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iranian, Egyptian FMs discuss Israeli escalation in region Iran Press TV Sunday, 23 March 2025 11:27 AM Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has called on the international community to end the ongoing Israeli escalation in West Asia. In a telephone conversation with his Egyptian counterpart Badr Abdelatty on Saturday, Araghchi condemned Israel's renewed attacks on the Gaza Strip as well as obstruction of humanitarian aid delivery to the Palestinian territory as a flagrant violation of a January ceasefire. He also called for an urgent global action against the Israeli escalation in the region. Israel launched a genocidal war on Gaza on October 7, 2023, but it failed to achieve its declared objectives despite killing 49,747 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and injuring more than 113,213 others. The occupying regime accepted a ceasefire with the Gaza-based Hamas resistance group, which began on January 19. After two months, however, Israel unilaterally broke the truce agreement and resumed its brutal Gaza onslaught. The usurping regime also mounted its deadly airstrikes on Lebanon in breach of a fragile ceasefire with the Arab nation. Meanwhile, the US and the UK waged new acts of aggression against Yemen after the country resumed its anti-Israel operations in solidarity with Gaza. Araghchi condemned the American and British attacks, emphasizing that war against Yemen is definitely doomed to failure. Abdelatty, for his part, underlined the need for containing the escalation in Gaza, Lebanon, and Yemen. He also stressed "the urgent need to restore calm, avoid further violence, and solidify the ceasefire in Gaza." The top Egyptian diplomat further highlighted "the importance of restraint during this critical period and warned against actions that could worsen the already volatile situation in the region." Both Egyptian and Iranian ministers agreed to maintain consultations on regional developments. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Lebanon urges intl. action after Israel kills, injures dozens despite truce Iran Press TV Sunday, 23 March 2025 10:26 AM Lebanese Foreign Minister Youssef Rajji has contacted several Arab and other foreign officials and urged international pressure on the occupying Tel Aviv regime after at least seven people were killed and 40 injured in Israeli airstrikes across Lebanon. According to a statement from the Lebanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants, Rajji held talks with Egyptian counterpart Badr Abdelatty, Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi and French counterpart Jean-Noel Barrot, as well as Deputy US Envoy for Middle East Peace Morgan Ortagus, and Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Levant and Syria Engagement in the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs Natasha Franceschi. The ministry said the calls "were part of diplomatic efforts to contain the escalation in southern Lebanon, and were made in coordination with (Lebanese) President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam." Rajji urged the officials to apply pressure on Israel to "end its aggression and escalation and contain the dangerous situation along the southern border." The talks came after the Lebanese Health Ministry said five people, including a child, were killed and 11 injured in an Israeli airstrike on the town of Touline in the Marjayoun district of southern Lebanon. In the towns of Housh al-Sayyid and Saraain in eastern Lebanon's Baalbek-Hermel province, Israeli airstrikes left six injured. Moreover, an Israeli drone strike targeted a parking area in the al-Raml neighborhood of Tyre on Saturday evening, injuring four people. The Lebanese Health Ministry added that a strike on the town of Yohmor al-Shaqif in the Nabatieh province injured one person, while two others were wounded in an aerial raid on Kfarkila region. The attacks came after Israel alleged that Metula settlement in the Galilee region was hit by a rocket attack originating from Lebanon, prompting Israeli forces to launch airstrikes on several villages and towns in southern Lebanon. No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack on Metula. After enduring substantial losses over almost 14 months of conflict and not achieving its aims in the offensive against Lebanon, Israel had no choice but to agree to a ceasefire with Hezbollah. This ceasefire was implemented on November 27. Since the initiation of the agreement, the occupying forces have been conducting almost daily attacks on Lebanon, violating the ceasefire, which encompasses airstrikes across the Arab nation. On January 27, Lebanon declared its decision to prolong the ceasefire with Israel until February 18. Despite the February 18 deadline having passed, Israel persists in its occupation of five critical areas in southern Lebanon, which include Labbouneh, Mount Blat, Owayda Hill, Aaziyyeh, and Hammamis Hill, located near the border. Lebanon has denounced the ongoing presence of Israeli military personnel, which constitutes a breach of the ceasefire agreement and the stipulated withdrawal timeline. High-ranking officials in Beirut have stated their intention to "employ all measures" necessary to expel the occupying forces from the Arab country. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Yemen's Hudaydah airport, others targeted in new US 'aggression' Iran Press TV Sunday, 23 March 2025 8:06 AM The US military has attacked the airport in Hudaydah in the latest "American aggression" against Yemen since Washington announced heavy strikes on the impoverished country one week ago. Yemen's al-Masirah TV said three airstrikes targeted the airport on the Red Sea coast Saturday night. Yemeni media outlets also reported US airstrikes on the port of Salif in Hudaydah province. American warplanes further carried out five strikes on the Majzar district in Yemen's central province of Ma'rib. Elsewhere in the northwestern province of Sa'ada, US forces launched airstrikes on the Sahar and Kitaf wa al-Boqe'e districts. Between Wednesday and Friday, al-Masirah made similar announcements, after the United States Central Command on Wednesday confirmed "continuous operations" against Yemen. On March 15, the United States announced a wave of airstrikes that Yemeni officials said killed 53 people. The strikes, the first since President Donald Trump resumed office, came after Yemeni forces pledged to renew operations against Israeli shipping in solidarity with the Palestinians. In a further escalation, the United States recently announced plans to deploy a second aircraft carrier, the USS Carl Vinson, to the region. Yemen's Ansarullah leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi said Saturday night that while the US typically uses its aircraft carriers to project power and intimidate other nations, such assets have rather become "a burden and a danger" for Washington. Yemeni forces have pledged to escalate attacks in support of Palestinians following Israel's renewal of attacks against the Gaza Strip, which began on Tuesday. Early on Saturday, Yemen's military "targeted Ben Gurion airport" with a ballistic missile, calling it the third launch in two days. Israeli airspace will remain unsafe "until the aggression against Gaza stops", it said in a statement. The Israeli military confirmed that a missile had set off air raid sirens in several areas across the occupied territories, but claimed to have intercepted it. Yemeni forces began operations shortly after Israel launched its war on Gaza late 2023. They stopped targeting ships in January after a ceasefire was announced between Israel and Hamas, but the operations resumed last week after Israel cut off the flow of humanitarian aid to Gaza earlier this month and broke the truce. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hamas says resistance growing stronger as Israel kills official, dozens others Iran Press TV Sunday, 23 March 2025 6:12 AM The Israeli military has conducted fresh deadly airstrikes on the Gaza Strip, killing a total of 40 people, including Salah al-Bardawil, a Palestinian MP and member of the political bureau of the Hamas resistance movement. In a statement released on Sunday, Hamas said Bardawil was targeted in a "treacherous Zionist assassination" operation, while he was performing his night prayers on the 23rd night of the holy month of Ramadan. Bardawil, it added, was killed alongside his wife in an Israeli aerial assault that targeted his tent in the al-Mawasi area, west of the southern Gaza city of Khan Yunis. The resistance group also hailed Bardawil as a "symbol of political, media, and national work," noting that he "never failed to perform his duties or ... jihad (endeavor for the sake of God)" aimed at promoting the Palestinian cause. It further emphasized that the criminal regime will not weaken the Palestinians' resolve and steadfastness as "with every martyr, the flame of resistance grows stronger until the occupation is ended." Meanwhile, medical sources announced that at least 40 Palestinians were killed and dozens were injured in the Israeli attacks on various areas of the Gaza Strip over the past 24 hours. Israel launched a genocidal war on Gaza on October 7, 2023, but it failed to achieve its declared objectives despite killing 49,747 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and injuring more than 113,213 others in the besieged territory. The occupying regime accepted Hamas's longstanding negotiation terms under a three-phase Gaza truce, which began on January 19. After two months, however, Israel unilaterally broke the ceasefire agreement and resumed its brutal Gaza onslaught. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Taliban says US has lifted $10 million reward for information on deputy chief Haqqani Iran Press TV Sunday, 23 March 2025 2:47 AM The Taliban says the United States has removed a $10-million bounty on Sirajuddin Haqqani, the group's deputy chief and interior minister. According to Abdul Mateen Qani, a spokesperson for the Taliban's interior ministry, the reward, previously offered under the US State Department's Rewards for Justice program, was withdrawn, effectively delisting Haqqani as a wanted figure. However, as of Saturday, the FBI's website still displayed the bounty, saying Haqqani was "believed to have coordinated and participated in cross-border attacks against United States and coalition forces in Afghanistan." There has been no immediate response from the State Department regarding the reported decision. Haqqani also heads the Haqqani network, a powerful group in the Taliban that is known for its armed operations. The network, founded by Jalaluddin Haqqani, Sirajuddin's father, in the 1970s, gained prominence during the Soviet-Afghan war, receiving support from the US and Pakistan. Over the years, it evolved into one of the most formidable armed groups. Washington has blamed the network for some of the deadliest attacks against US-led forces in Afghanistan before the Taliban's return to power in August 2021. Considered to be responsible for high-profile attacks, including suicide bombings and assassinations, the group was designated a terrorist organization by the US in 2012, and its leadership has been subject to sanctions by Western governments. Since its integration into the Taliban's ruling structure following the latter's return to power, the network has become known as a distinct and powerful faction within the Taliban, with significant influence over military and security affairs in Afghanistan. Sirajuddin Haqqani, himself, has long been a contentious figure in the US-Taliban relations. Despite his previous designation as a "global terrorist" by the US, Haqqani has held a key position in the Taliban's administration, where he has been tasked with overseeing Afghanistan's internal security. His presence in the administration has been a point of friction between the Taliban and Western governments, which continue to impose sanctions and refuse to formally recognize the group's rule. The alleged removal of the bounty comes amid broader efforts by the Taliban to gain legitimacy on the international stage, as they push for diplomatic engagement, release of the Afghan Central Bank's assets that have been frozen by Washington, and alleviation of travel bans on their officials. The group's comeback took place amid a messy withdrawal by the US, which has been widely criticized as chaotic, leaving behind billions of dollars in military equipment and thousands of Afghans, who had assisted American forces. The Taliban's swift takeover of Kabul, just days before the US completed its withdrawal, further exposed the failures of Washington's 20-year military invasion of the country that it resorted to under the pretext of securing Afghanistan and preempting, what American officials would call, the potential of attacks against American interests. The $3-trillion invasion deposed the Taliban, but the group would still maintain substantial presence in Afghanistan and take on the American troops and the Afghan government before gradually expanding its turf. Following the 2021 withdrawal, a report by the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) detailed systemic failures in the US policy, citing corruption, unrealistic goals, and a lack of coordination between American agencies as key factors in the collapse of the Afghan government. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hamas vows commitment to resistance, says victory in offing on founder's assassination anniversary Iran Press TV Sunday, 23 March 2025 1:25 AM On the 21st anniversary of the assassination of its founder, Sheikh Ahmad Yassin, the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas has reiterated its unwavering commitment to the path of resistance, emphasizing that victory against Israeli occupation and aggression is on the horizon. In a statement marking the anniversary, Hamas hailed Sheikh Yassin as an enduring symbol of resilience and defiance, asserting that his assassination by the Zionist regime had failed to weaken the Palestinian cause. Instead, the group stressed, his legacy had continued to inspire steadfastness and resistance among Palestinians. "The 21st anniversary of the Zionist occupation's assassination of the founder, Sheikh, martyr Ahmad Yassin, arrives as our Palestinian people recall his legacy and journey, which became a divine school and a guiding light inspiring our people to hold onto their rights, remain steadfast in their land, practice patience, sacrifice, and resistance, and defend the [Palestinian] land and sanctities," the statement read. The movement vowed to uphold Yassin's vision, declaring that the Palestinian people would continue their struggle to reclaim their legitimate rights. "The assassination of the martyred Sheikh Ahmad Yassin and the assassination of our national leaders and figures have not and will not break the will of our people's steadfastness nor the valor of our resistance forces." The group was referring to the Israeli regime's assassination and attempted murder against several senior Palestinian figures, including the ones who were martyred during Tel Aviv's October 2023-present war of genocide against the Gaza Strip. It condemned the Israeli regime's policy of targeting Palestinian leaders, asserting that such actions had only fueled the determination of the resistance. "These crimes will not succeed in achieving their aggressive aims of displacing our people and erasing our cause," Hamas underscored. "Rather, the occupation's crimes against our people and its assassinations of our leaders will only strengthen our determination and adherence to our rights, principles, and resistance as a strategic choice to reclaim our rights, liberate our land, and return to it." The group further highlighted the enduring impact of Yassin's legacy, stating that his efforts in building a resistance movement had yielded "legendary steadfastness" across different stages of the anti-Israeli struggle. It cited al-Aqsa Storm, a historic resistance operation during which Gaza's resistance groups ventured deep into the occupied Palestinian territories, encircles strategic Israeli bases, and ensnared 240 Zionists, as an example of resistance fighters' resilience, describing the operation as a defining moment in the ongoing confrontation with the Zionist entity. The statement also recalled Yassin's belief in the role of the broader Arab and Islamic world in defending Palestine, including the holy occupied city of al-Quds, which houses the al-Aqsa Mosque, Muslims' third-holiest site. "He persistently urged [Arab and Muslim] leaders and peoples to fulfill their roles and take responsibility in supporting our people, strengthening their steadfastness and resistance, and unifying all efforts to defend the land and sanctities, with al-Quds and al-Aqsa Mosque at the heart of this cause." The statement concluded with a tribute to the Palestinian martyrs, prisoners, and wounded, emphasizing that the struggle would persist until ultimate victory. "Mercy, glory, and eternity to our martyrs, swift recovery to our wounded, and near freedom to our prisoners. Verily, it is jihad [struggle]victory or martyrdom." The statement came less than a week after the Israeli regime resumed its genocidal war on Gaza that it began following al-Aqsa Storm. The fresh genocidal campaign has claimed the lives of more than 1,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, in addition to the roughly 48,000 people that the brutal military onslaught had already killed. The regime has threatened annexation of parts of the coastal sliver amid its resumption of the genocide. Hamas, in turn, has maintained that its resistance efforts would not waver in the face of Israeli crimes and that the Palestinian cause of liberation from Israeli occupation and aggression remained alive in the hearts of the Palestinian people and their supporters worldwide. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 3-week Gaza aid ban 'collective punishment': UNRWA chief 23 March 2025 - The tight Israeli blockade of humanitarian supplies is pushing Gaza closer to an acute hunger crisis, Philippe Lazzarini, the head of the UN agency for Palestine refugees (UNRWA), said on Sunday. Mr. Lazzarini made the remarks in a social media post, in which he noted that the siege, which is preventing food, medicines, water and fuel from entering the occupied Palestinian territory, has lasted longer than blockades imposed during the first phase of the war. The UNRWA chief pointed out that people in Gaza depend on imports via Israel for their survival. "Every day that passes without the entry of aid means more children go to bed hungry, diseases spread and deprivation deepens." Gaza, he added, is inching closer to an acute hunger crisis. The current conflict began after the Hamas-led attacks on Israel on 7 October 2023. In those attacks, 1,195 people were killed in Israel and over 250 taken hostage. In the subsequent military operations in Gaza, at least 50,00 Palestinians are believed to have been killed. After a brief ceasefire, during which several hostages were released in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held in Israel, a bombing campaign and ground operation against Gaza has resumed. Since then, hundreds of civilians, including children, have been killed. Sam Rose, UNRWA Acting Director of Affairs in the enclave, warned on Friday that, if the ceasefire is not restored, it will lead to "large-scale loss of life, damage to infrastructure and property, increased risk of infectious disease, and massive trauma for the one million children and for the two million civilians who live in Gaza." Describing the banning of aid as a "collective punishment" on Gaza's population, overwhelmingly "children, women and ordinary men," Mr. Lazzarini called for the siege to be lifted, for Hamas to release the remaining hostages and for humanitarian aid and commercial supplies to be brought into Gaza uninterrupted and at scale. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Turkiye - Politics - 2025 Elections Restrictions on freedoms of assembly, association, and expression prior to the May 2023 presidential and parliamentary elections were a significant development during the year that negatively affected the state of human rights in Turkey. Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe observers reported citizens were able to express their right to vote freely among genuine political alternatives but expressed concerns regarding media bias and restrictions on freedoms of assembly, association, and expression, which created an uneven playing field and contributed to an unfair advantage for the incumbent. There were credible reports the government or its agents committed arbitrary or unlawful killings during 2023. Deaths at the hands of security forces, police, and prison guards were reported. Civilian deaths occurred in connection with the government's fight against the terrorist Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) organization in the southeast. Kurdish individuals were disproportionately impacted. Domestic human rights organizations, bar associations, political opposition figures, international human rights groups, and others have reported government agents engaged in threats and mistreatment of persons while in custody. Individuals with alleged affiliation with the PKK or the Gulen movement were more likely to be subjected to mistreatment or abuse. The law prohibited arbitrary arrest and detention and provided for the right of any person to challenge the lawfulness of arrest or detention in court, but numerous credible reports indicated the government did not always observe these requirements. Although the law prohibited holding a suspect arbitrarily or secretly, there were numerous reports the government did not observe these prohibitions. Human rights groups alleged that in areas under curfew or in "special security zones," security forces detained citizens without official record, leaving detainees at greater risk of arbitrary abuse. In addition, prolonged pretrial detention has been reported to be a problem, particularly in politically motivated cases. According to statistics from the Ministry of Justice, as of October 2023, 39,772 persons were held in pretrial detention, accounting for approximately 15 percent of the overall prison population. The law provided for an independent judiciary, but the judiciary remained subject to influence, particularly from the executive branch. The executive branch exerts strong influence over the Board of Judges and Prosecutors, the judicial body that assigned and reassigned judges and prosecutors to the country's courts nationwide and was responsible for their discipline. Out of 13 total judges on the board, the president directly appointed six: the executive branch and parliament appointed 11 members (seven by parliament and four by the president) every four years; the other two members were the presidentially appointed justice minister and deputy justice minister. Although the constitution provided tenure for judges, the Board of Judges and Prosecutors controlled the careers of judges and prosecutors through appointments, transfers, promotions, expulsions, and reprimands. Broad leeway granted to prosecutors and judges undermined the requirement to remain impartial, and judges' inclination to give precedence to the state's interests contributed to inconsistent application of laws. Bar associations, lawyers, and scholars have expressed concern regarding application procedures for prosecutors and judges described as highly subjective, which they warned opened the door to political litmus tests in the hiring process. They have expressed doubt a newly introduced training system, which required hires be trained under more senior figures for three years, would prevent politicization. Observers have raised concerns the outcome of some trials appeared predetermined or pointed to judicial interference. Human rights groups and trial monitoring organizations have reported that in politically sensitive cases, judges sometimes barred journalists and observers from the courtroom, interrupted defendants' statements, did not allow them to speak, rejected defense requests without explanation, and handed down decisions without listening to the defendant's statement, among other procedural irregularities. According to defense lawyers and opposition groups, there was a trend of prosecutors using what appeared to be legally questionable evidence to file criminal charges against and prosecute a broad range of individuals, including media workers, human rights activists, opposition politicians (primarily of the HDP), and others critical of the government. NGOs and human rights activists asserted the country's antiterrorism law allowed an overly broad interpretation of the term "terrorism," leading to the selective prosecution of journalists, activists, and others. During 2023, the Turkish government engaged in a worldwide effort to apprehend suspected members of the Gulen movement. There were credible reports the government exerted bilateral pressure on other countries to take adverse action against specific individuals, at times without due process. There were also credible allegations Turkish intelligence forces kidnapped alleged members of the Gulen movement in foreign countries and returned them to Turkey to stand trial. There were unconfirmed allegations Turkish authorities deported some Iranian political activists, including those with international protection status, at the request of Iran. The constitution and law provides for freedom of expression, within certain limits, and freedom of the press. The government has however restricted freedom of expression, including for members of the press and other media. Multiple articles in the penal code directly restrict freedom of the press and other media platforms and free speech through broad provisions that prohibit praising a crime or criminals or inciting the population to enmity, hatred, or denigration, as well as provisions that purport to protect public order and criminalize insulting the state, the president, or government officials. The law also limits free expression online through a law that criminalized "disseminating false information" without establishing clear guidelines. The government hasprosecuted journalists from major opposition and independent newspapers and jailed journalists, hindering freedom of expression in the country. Media professionals reported self-censorship was widespread amid fear that criticizing the government could prompt reprisals, both economically and through selective prosecution. Individuals in many cases could not criticize the state or government publicly without risk of civil or criminal suits or investigation, and the government restricted expression by individuals sympathetic to some religious, political, or cultural viewpoints. Government and political leaders have maintained direct and indirect censorship of media and books. Mainstream print media and television stations have largely been controlled by progovernment holding companies heavily influenced by the ruling party. Publishers have often exercised self-censorship, avoiding works with controversial content (including government criticism, erotic content, or pro-Kurdish content) that might draw legal action. Publishers have also faced publication bans and heavy fines if they failed to comply in cases in which a court ordered the correction of offensive content. Some journalists have reported their employers asked them to censor their reporting if it appeared critical of the government or jeopardized other business interests and fired them if they failed to comply. Turkish authorities have regularly used the counterterrorism law and the penal code to limit free expression on grounds of national security. Organizations, including the Committee to Protect Journalists and Freedom House, reported authorities used the counterterrorism law and criminal code to prosecute journalists, writers, editors, publishers, filmmakers, translators, rights activists, lawyers, elected officials, and students accused of supporting a terrorist organization, often either the PKK or the Gulen movement. Although the Turkish constitution provides for freedom of assembly, the law specified several grounds for the government to limit that right. The law stipulates penalties for protesters convicted of carrying items that might be construed as weapons, prohibited the use of symbols linked to illegal organizations (including chanting slogans), and criminalizes covering one's face while protesting. The law permits police to use tinted water in water cannons, potentially to tag protesters for later identification and prosecution. The law also allows police to take persons into "protective custody" without a prosecutor's authorization if there is reasonable suspicion that they are a threat to themselves or to public order. The antiterror law gives provincial governors enhanced authority to ban protests and public gatherings, a ban some governors enacted broadly. The government has treated many demonstrations as security threats to the state and deployed large numbers of riot police to control crowds, frequently using excessive force, resulting in injuries, detentions, and arrests. At times the government has used its authority to detain persons before protests were held on the premise that they might cause civil disruption. The government generally did not investigate security forces' actions. While the law provides for freedom of association, the government has restricted this right. The government has used provisions of the antiterror law to prevent associations and foundations it had previously closed due to alleged threats to national security from reopening. Human rights groups have reported the counterterrorist financing law was used to justify onerous government audits of organizations and associations focused on human rights or topics otherwise sensitive to the ruling party. The Turkish constitution and law also provide citizens the ability to change their government through free and fair elections based on universal and equal suffrage conducted by secret ballot. However, the Turkish government has in the past restricted equal competition and placed restrictions on the fundamental freedoms of assembly and expression. The government has also restricted the activities of opposition political parties, leaders, and officials, including through police detention. Several parliamentarians have been reported in 2023 to be at risk of prosecution after parliament lifted their immunity. In May 2023, the country held early parliamentary and presidential elections. The elections were the first to take place under the presidential system adopted after the 2017 national referendum took effect. The observation mission of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe noted the elections were held in an environment tilted in favor of the president and the ruling party, stating, "biased media coverage and the lack of a level playing field gave an unjustified advantage to the incumbent." Radio and television broadcast outlets did not provide equal access to candidates from the country's major political parties. Critics charged media generally favored the ruling Justice and Development Party. According to RTUK member Ilhan Tasci from the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), the television channel TRT Haber covered President Erdogan for more than 48 hours, or 90 times more airtime than Kemal Kilicdaroglu, leader of the CHP and the joint presidential candidate of the Nation Alliance, who received only 32 minutes of coverage in total. Media influence favored the ruling party and its alliance partner, the Nationalist Movement Party. Assailants carried out multiple attacks on political party offices, rallies, and party members during the period between the announcement in March of early elections and the vote. Opposition party members faced frequent accusations from the highest levels of government of alleged terrorism-related crimes. Several opposition candidates for parliament faced legal charges in connection with these or other claims. Meanwhile, Representatives expressing views critical of the government or President Erdogan have faced criminal or civil charges. The government used opposition leaders' social media postings to file criminal and civil complaints against them, alleging the defendants insulted the president and spread terrorist propaganda. During the 2023 elexctions, in Istanbul, both opposition CHP Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu and CHP Provincial Party then-Chair Canan Kaftancioglu were the subjects of investigations and judicial proceedings that human rights organizations widely viewed as politically motivated. In December 2022 Imamoglu was found guilty of "insulting" government officials for his 2019 remarks allegedly insulting members of the Supreme Electoral Council. Kaftancioglu also faced investigations related to comments deemed insulting to President Erdogan and other senior government officials. HDP representatives faced significant legal challenges to their ability to campaign, express opinions, and retain their mandate. The party faced a closure suit brought by the government. Restrictive government regulations constrained the ability of many in the opposition to conduct political activities such as organizing protests or political campaign events and sharing critical messages on social media. April 2023 amendments to the electoral law that democracy advocates claimed were designed to limit the political participation of opposition parties and diminish stakeholder trust in the electoral process took effect. The government routinely suspended democratically elected mayors in multiple cities and municipalities. Since 2016, the government had removed 88 percent of elected HDP officials with mayorships still run by government-appointed trustees. Former HDP cochairs Demirtas and Figen Yuksekdag remained in prison. Two-term Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu was arrested on 19 March 2025 by police during a raid at his home. Turkish prosecutors called for the official arrest of Imamoglu and four of his aides on 23 March 2025, after which a Turkish court ordred Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu jailed pending trial on graft charges. At least 20 others were also jailed as part of one of two corruption investigations launched the week prior, with at least 100 people being reportedly under inversitation on corruption charges. The court decision to jail Imamoglu came a day after tens of thousands of his supporters protested in front of the city's courthouse where he was undergoing hours of questioning. Riot police have used rubber bullets, pepper spray and stun grenades on the protesters. Hundreds of protestors were reporeted to have been arrested with the Interior Ministry reporting 343 during the night of 21-22 March across more than a dozen cities. Similitar protest have taken place across Turkey, especially its largest cities, including Ankara, Izmir, Adana, Antalya, Canakkale, Eskisehir, Konya, and Edirne. Arrested on on charges of corruption and aiding a terrorist group, calling him a "criminal organization leader suspect", Imamoglu was reported to have told police that his arrest had "not only harmed Turkey's international reputation but has also shattered the public's sense of justice and trust in the economy". Ozgur Ozel, chairman of the CHP, slammed Imamoglu's detention as an "attempted coup against our next president", while Ankara's Mayor Mansur Yavas, also a CHP member, told reporters that Imamoglu's arrest was a disgrace for the judicial system. Widely seen as Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's main political rival, and a member of the CHP, the main opposition against Erdogan's ruling alliance, Ekrem Imamoglu was expected to be selected as the opposition Republican People's Party's (CHP) 2028 presidential candidate in a ballot scheduled for 23 March. He had been re-elected to a second term as Istanbul's mayor after his CHP party had won both there and in Ankara, thereby marking the first time Erdogan's party had lost an election across the country. The arrest is widely seen an attempt to remove the opposition figure and challenger to Erdogan and influence the next presidential race While the next presidential election is technically scheduled for 2028, it is expected that Erdogan will attempt to run again for office, despite having reached his two-term limit as president. To do so, he must either call an early election or change the constitution. Despite his arrest, the Republican People's Party (CHP), Turkey's opposition and the second largest party in parliament, officially nominated jailed Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu as their candidate for the 2028 presidential election. Imamoglu was the party's sole candidate in a vote in which CHP said 15 million people cast a ballot. Of those, approximately 1.6 million votes came from CHP members, with the remainder coming from non-members at separate ballot boxes for those who wished to show solidarity with Imamoglu. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russo-Ukraine War - 23 March 2025 - Day 1124 Su M Tu W Th F Sa 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While GlobalSecurity.org takes utmost care to accurately report this news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos. On 24 February 2022, Ukraine was suddenly and deliberately attacked by land, naval and air forces of Russia, igniting the largest European war since the Great Patriotic War. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a "special military operation" (SVO - spetsialnaya voennaya operatsiya) in Ukraine in response to the appeal of the leaders of the "Donbass republics" for help. That attack is a blatant violation of the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. Putin stressed that Moscow's goal is the demilitarization and denazification of the country. The military buildup in preceeding months makes it obvious that the unprovoked and dastardly Russian attack was deliberately planned long in advance. During the intervening time, the Russian government had deliberately sought to deceive the world by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace. "To initiate a war of aggression... is not only an international crime; it is the supreme international crime differing only from other war crimes in that it contains within itself the accumulated evil of the whole." [Judgment of the International Military Tribunal] The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that Ukrainian defenders continue to decisively thwart the Russian enemy's attempts to advance deep into Ukrainian territory, giving him an effective fire effect, exhausting him across the entire frontline. In total, since the beginning of this day, there have been 118 boezitknen . Russian zagarbniki made 59 aviation strikes using 74 cab. In addition, the Russians have engaged 1041 kamikaze drones and carried out 4792 shelling at the positions of Ukrainian troops and settlements. In the Kharkiv direction today, the Russian enemy once attacked in the direction of vovcans ka. In the Kupians komu direction, Russian forces carried out four assaults of the positions of Ukrainian defenders in the areas of Zagrizovoye, Petropavlivka and Boguslavka. There is currently one confrontation in progress. In the Lyman direction since the beginning of the day, Russian invaders 11 times attacked the positions of Ukrainians near the settlement Yampolivka, in the direction of Novoy, Novomikhailivka and Green Valley. Ukrainian defenders have successfully stopped all attacks of the enemy. The Defense Forces stopped five offensive actions of harbors near Bilogorivka, in the direction of Ivano-Daryivka and Verkhnyokamiansky in the Siversky direction. In the Kramators komu direction, two clashes near Orihovo-Vasilivka and Chasovoye Yar have been recorded, both attacks stopped by Ukrainian soldiers. In the Toretsky direction Russians 17 times attacked the positions of Defense Forces. The main efforts of the invasion were concentrated in the areas of the settlements of Toretsk, Cherbinivka and in the direction of Diliyivka. All attacks were successfully repelled by the Defense Forces. Since the beginning of this day in the Pokrovsky direction, Russians have tried 50 times to break through Ukrainian defense near the settlements of Panteleimonivka, Vodyane Second, Elizavetyvka, Lisivka, Andriyivka, Kotline, Uspenivka, Bogdanivka and in the direction of Sergiyivka, seven fighting continue so far. Aviation strikes were suffered by Pokrovsk, Oleksandropil, Nova Poltavka, Malinivka and Hrodivka. Defense forces deter enemy attacks, the Russian enemy suffers significant losses - today 227 invaders were defecated in this direction, 119 of them - irrevocable. Also destroyed 13 units of vehicle equipment, a combat armored vehicle, BPLA antenna, buggy, satellite terminal, motorcycle and Russian forces cannon. In addition, a tank, a combat armored vehicle, three vehicles units, a jet fire system and two assault weapons were significantly damaged. In the Novopavlovsky direction, Ukrainian units stopped seven Russian assaults of the positions of Ukrainian troops near the settlements of Konstantinopil and Rozlyv, another attack of the enemy is still ongoing. In the direction of Gulyaipil, Russian forces three times received a detachment, trying to advance near Novopol and Novosilka. Uncontrolled missiles were attacked areas of populated points of Gulyaipole, Novodarivka, Novosilka and Zaliznychne, the Green Field was hit by KABAMA. In the orihiv direction of aviation strike suffered a settlement of mala tokmachka. In the Pridniprovsk direction, Russian forces did not carry out active offensive actions. Defense Forces of Ukraine continue its operation in the Kursk direction, where Russian forces carried out 17 attacks of Ukrainian units during a day. The enemy launched ten air strikes, dropping 11 controlled bombs, and carrying out 266 artillery shells, five of which were from reactive salvage systems. In other directions, the situation has not changed significantly. 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 the UAV brigade of the AFU and territorial defence brigade near Maryino, Novodmitrovka, and Ugroyedy (Sumy region). The AFU losses amounted to up to 60 troops, one tank, two armoured fighting vehicles, four motor vehicles, three artillery guns, and one electronic warfare station. Units of the Zapad Group of Forces improved the tactical situation. Losses were inflicted on manpower and hardware of two mechanised brigades, one mountain assault brigade, one tank brigade, one assault brigade of the AFU, and one territorial defence brigade near Kupyansk, Shiykovka, Zapadnoye (Kharkov region), Kirovsk, Novomikhaylovka (Donetsk People's Republic), and Nadiya (Lugansk People's Republic). The AFU losses amounted to up to 230 troops, one tank, one U.S.-made M577 armoured personnel carrier and one U.S.-made HMMWV armoured fighting vehicle, seven motor vehicles, and six field artillery guns. One electronic warfare station, one U.S.-made AN/TPQ-48 counter-battery radar, and two ammunition depots were destroyed. Units of the Yug Group of Forces took more advantageous lines and positions. Losses were inflicted on formations of six mechanised brigades, one motorised infantry brigade, one airmobile brigade of the AFU, one special operations brigade, and one territorial defence brigade near Tarasovka, Markovo, Novaya Poltavka, Aleksandropol, Shcherbinovka, Druzhba, Vasyukovka, Minkovka, Grigorovka, and Chasov Yar (Donetsk People's Republic). The AFU losses amounted to more than 360 troops, one tank, two armoured fighting vehicles, ten motor vehicles, and one UK-made 155-mm FH-70 howitzer. One electronic warfare station, one electronic reconnaissance station, and two ammunition depots were destroyed. As a result of active and decisive operations, units of the Tsentr Group of Forces liberated Sribnoye (Donetsk People's Republic). Losses were inflicted on formations of three mechanised brigades, one jaeger brigade, four assault brigades, one assault regiment of the AFU, Vostok Special Operations Centre, and two national guard brigades near Mirolyubovka, Zverevo, Troitskoye, Krasnoarmeysk, Kotlino, Novopavlovka, Udachnoye, and Novosergeyevka (Donetsk People's Republic). The AFU losses amounted to more than 500 troops, four armoured fighting vehicles, seven motor vehicles, two artillery guns, including one French-made 155-mm CAESAR self-propelled artillery system. Units of the Vostok Group of Forces continued to advance into the depth of the enemy's defences and inflicted losses on formations of one airmobile brigade, one jaeger brigade, one mountain assault brigade of the AFU, one marine brigade, and three territorial defence brigades near Komar, Otradnoye, Razliv, Novopol, Shevchenko (Donetsk People's Republic), Gulai Pole, and Chervonoye (Zaporozhye region). The AFU losses amounted to up to 160 troops, nine motor vehicles, and three field artillery guns, including one Polish-made 155-mm Krab self-propelled artillery system. One ammunition depot was destroyed. Units of the Dnepr Group of Forces improved the tactical situation along the front line and inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of one mechanised brigade, one mountain assault brigade, three coastal defence brigades of the AFU, and one territorial defence brigade near Malaya Tokmachka, Kamenskoye (Zaporozhye region), Tokarevka, Ponyatovka, Sadovoye, and Antonovka (Kherson region). The AFU losses amounted to up to 70 troops, three motor vehicles, two foreign-made artillery guns, two ammunition depots, and two electronic warfare stations. Operational-Tactical Aviation, attack drones, Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Groups of Forces delivered strikes at infrastructure objects of military airfields, UAV operator training centres, UAV depots and workshops, as well as engaged manpower and hardware clusters of AFU armed formations and foreign militants in 138 areas. Air defence and electronic warfare units shot down 10 JDAM guided aerial bombs and three HIMARS MLRS made by the USA, as well as 224 fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles. In total, since the beginning of the special military operation, 659 aircraft, 283 helicopters, 48,085 unmanned aerial vehicles, 601 anti-aircraft missile systems, 22,450 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,530 MLRS combat vehicles, 22,926 field artillery guns and mortars, and 33,282 units of support military vehicles have been neutralised. The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation also reported that he 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 formations of one mechanised brigade, one air assault brigade, one marine brigade, and three territorial defence brigades of the AFU near Gogolevka, Gornal, Guyevo, and Oleshnya. Four enemy counter-attacks were repelled. Operational-Tactical and Army aviation, and Artillery inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of the enemy near Gogolevka, Gornal, Guyevo, Oleshnya as well as Alekseyevka, Basovka, Belovody, Varachino, Velikaya Rybitsa, Veselovka, Vladimirovka, Vodolagi, Grunovka, Zhuravka, Zapselye, Loknya, Miropolye, Mogritsa, Novaya Sech, Novonikolayevka, Proletarskoye, Sadki, Yunakovka, and Yablonovka (Sumy region). Over the past 24 hours, the AFU losses amounted to more than 190 troops, three armoured fighting vehicles, 16 motor vehicles, five artillery guns, six mortars, one MLRS launcher, and two ammunition depots. Since the beginning of hostilities in Kursk direction, the AFU losses amounted to more than 69,510 troops, 400 tanks, 323 infantry fighting vehicles, 289 armoured personnel carriers, 2,216 armoured fighting vehicles, 2,526 motor vehicles, 580 artillery guns, 53 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 OIC General Secretariat Strongly Condemns the Terrorist Attack in Niger Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) 22-03-2025 The General Secretariat of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) condemned in the strongest terms the terrorist attack perpetrated on 21 March 2025, against worshippers performing Friday prayers in the village of Fambita, located in the district of Tera, Niger, which resulted in dozens of deaths and injuries. His Excellency the Secretary-General of the OIC, Mr. Hissein Brahim Taha, expressed his strong condemnation of this heinous act committed in the last ten days of the blessed month of Ramadan, and offered his condolences to the families of the victims, the government, and the people of Niger, wishing a speedy recovery to the injured. He reiterated the full solidarity of the OIC with the Republic of Niger and its people in the face of any threat to its security and stability. He reaffirmed the OIC's condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and its support for the Nigerien government's efforts to deal with it. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China firmly opposes politicization, weaponization of trade issues, says vice premier in meeting with US senator Daines Global Times By Global Times Published: Mar 22, 2025 08:39 PM China firmly opposes the politicization, weaponization, and instrumentalization of economic and trade issues, and is willing to engage in candid dialogue with the US based on mutual respect and equality, Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng said Saturday during a meeting with visiting US Senator Steve Daines in Beijing, the Xinhua News Agency reported. China and the US share broad common interests and significant opportunities for cooperation, and can be partners and friends, achieving mutual success and shared prosperity that benefits both countries and the world, He, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, emphasized. He also met with Lim Boon Heng, chairman of Singapore's Temasek Holdings, in Beijing on Saturday, according to Xinhua. China will open its doors wider to the outside world, and its business environment will get better and better, He said, noting that there will be broad space for deepened cooperation between China and Singapore. "We welcome Temasek and other international investors to invest in China and share the huge market and development opportunities here," He said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China, Japan reach 20 key consensus points, pledge to deepen economic collaboration Global Times By Fan Anqi and Xing Xiaojing Published: Mar 23, 2025 10:30 PM Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his Japanese counterpart Takeshi Iwaya on Saturday co-chaired the sixth China-Japan High-Level Economic Dialogue in Tokyo, which concluded with 20 key consensus points as both sides pledged efforts to deepen economic collaboration between the two nations. The resumption of dialogue after a six-year hiatus is seen by Chinese experts as progress in thawing the freeze between China and Japan. It signals Japan's willingness to improve ties with China across various fields. Amid an increasingly complex and uncertain international landscape, cooperation between China, Japan and among the Asia-Pacific, serves as a strong countermeasure against unilateral and protectionist moves by certain countries, and plays a stabilizing role in navigating global turmoil, analysts said Sunday. At the dialogue, China and Japan 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. During the dialogue, Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, pointed out that since the normalization of diplomatic relations between China and Japan, bilateral trade has increased more than 300 times and has remained at a high level of $300 billion for 15 consecutive years, with the accumulated bilateral investment reaching nearly $140 billion, the Xinhua News Agency reported. The economic outcomes prove that China and Japan are partners, not rivals, Wang stressed. Amid profound adjustments in the global economic landscape, rising unilateral protectionism and setbacks to economic globalization, China and Japan, as major world economies, should establish a correct understanding of each other, demonstrate responsibilities, seek development with innovative thinking, add momentum to cooperation and mutual benefit, and reduce obstacles and differences. Lu Chao, an expert on East Asian studies at the Liaoning Academy of Social Sciences, described the dialogue and consensus as "encouraging and significant progress" for China-Japan relations. China-Japan relations have been at a low point in recent years. The previous Japanese government closely followed the US' "Indo-Pacific Strategy" to decouple from China, sending economic and trade relations into a downward spiral, which sparked deep concerns among business communities on both sides. The consensus reached during this dialogue signals the Ishiba administration's intent to improve ties with China across various fields including the political, security and economic fronts, Lu told the Global Times. With an uncertain international landscape, particularly the shockwaves coming from the new US government's treatment of its allies, the stability of China-Japan relations and the broader Asia-Pacific region is becoming more important for Japan, Lu said. Of the 20 consensus points, China and Japan agreed to maintain a free and open multilateral trading system, enhance cooperation under a number of mechanisms while accelerating negotiations for a China-Japan-South Korea Free Trade Agreement, per Xinhua. Regarding the discharge of Fukushima nuclear-contaminated water and imports of Japanese aquatic products to China, China's position opposing Japan's unilateral decision to discharge water remains unchanged. Both sides reaffirm complete, accurate, and comprehensive understanding of the consensus issued on September 20, 2024, and confirm the ongoing implementation of long-term international monitoring against discharge, along with China's independent sampling and monitoring. On the premise that no abnormalities are found in the results, relevant consultations on the import of Japanese aquatic products into China will be conducted. On Saturday, Wang also met with Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya, during which Wang stressed that correctly understanding and treating history is an important prerequisite for Japan's post-war return to the international community, political foundation for Japan to develop relations with its neighboring countries, and an important criterion for testing whether Japan can abide by its commitment to peaceful development, Xinhua reported. Four political documents between China and Japan have made clear provisions on history and the Taiwan question, which must be strictly implemented, Wang said. For his part, Iwaya said Japan has long followed the path of peaceful development and attaches great importance to abiding by the four political documents between Japan and China, adding that Japan's position on the Taiwan question, based on the Japan-China joint communique in 1972, remains unchanged, according to Xinhua. Despite the warming trend, Lu cautioned against opposition from some right-wing forces in Japan. As the current Japanese government still faces challenges at home, it remains to be seen how these bilateral consensuses can be implemented, Lu said. '1+1+1>3' Prior to the dialogue, Wang attended the 11th China-Japan-ROK Trilateral Foreign Ministers' Meeting on Saturday together with Iwaya and South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul. China is ready to work with Japan and South Korea to elevate the trilateral cooperation under the new circumstances, and make it more mature, stable and resilient, Wang said, Xinhua reported. Noting that the trilateral cooperation is one of the most deeply rooted, highly institutionalized and promising cooperation frameworks in East Asia, Wang said the three-way cooperation has yielded positive results over the past 20 years since its inception. The three countries should review the consensus of "facing history squarely and looking to the future," stick to the original intention of cooperation and promote China-Japan-ROK cooperation to achieve the effect of "1+1+1>3" for the benefit of the three countries, the region and the world, Wang said. Kiyoyuki Seguchi, Research Director at The Canon Institute for Global Studies, told the Global Times that the widening rift between Europe and the US has become a destabilizing factor in the global order. "In this context, a good and stable relationship among China, Japan and South Korea is more important than ever. I believe the unity of these three countries can serve as a stabilizing 'anchor' navigating global turmoil." Looking ahead as to how the trilateral meeting can further promote regional economic integration, Seguchi emphasized that the most crucial factor is expanding the free trade and investment system. To prevent unilateralism and protectionist policies from undermining the global free trade framework, East Asia can cooperate and lead Asian countries to further develop a free trade system. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Global firms bullish on China at CDF, eyeing greater opportunities Global Times By Chen Qingqing, Ma Jingjing and Bai Yunyi Published: Mar 23, 2025 10:25 PM China Development Forum (CDF), the first major international conference after China's two sessions this year, kicked off in Beijing on Sunday, attracting the wide attendance of international organizations as well as CEOs from over 80 multinational giants including Apple, Corning Inc and Mercedes-Benz Group, which underscores the enormous attractiveness and huge potential of the world's second-largest economy. 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. 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 Premier gave a very realistic and upbeat account of China. And it was very, very good," Jeffrey Sachs, a professor of Columbia University, told the Global Times on the sidelines of the forum. Sachs said Premier Li's emphasis on China's technological advances and China's openness to the world for cooperation and for trade and for investment are positive messages very well received at the forum. "They are the basis for great optimism that China's rapid growth will continue on the basis of highly innovative economy producing the goods and services that the rest of the world very much needs," he said. 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." Wide participation As an annual high-level event hosted by the Development Research Center of the State Council, China's cabinet, the two-day event generally attracts a large group of globally leading multinational CEOs. According to the organizer of the event, official representatives of 86 multinational companies from 21 countries attended the forum this year, many of which are US companies. In addition, some heads of international organizations including Dilma Rousseff, chair of the New Development Bank, Masato Kanda, president of the Asian Development Bank, Anna Bjerde, managing director of Operations at the World Bank, and 14 representatives of organizations including Asia Society and US-China Business Council also attended the forum. "Definitely, we have confidence for China's development. We have been invested consistently for decades in China, and we will continue for decades to come. We see opportunities across the board for us, including our display business and automotive business," Wendell P. Weeks, CEO of US firm Corning Inc, told the Global Times on Sunday. Michael Nelson, CEO of US direct selling firm Amway, told the Global Times on the sidelines of the CDF on Sunday that the company plans $2.1 billion investment in the China market over the next five years. He said the company is monitoring the impact of US tariffs, but stressing that it is focused on the health and health span of Chinese into the future. Apple CEO Tim Cook also attended the forum, during which Ren Hongbin, president of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade held talk with Cook. Ahead of the forum, Cook shared his photo taken in Beijing's Jingshan Park on Saturday on Sina Weibo. This year, European companies also account for an important share of foreign multinationals, including German carmaker BMW, London-based professional services provider KPMG and Swedish home furnishing giant IKEA. The number of multinationals that see official representatives at the forum for the first time reached a new high this year, with more companies from Global South countries, including India, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia and Brazil. "We have been in China for more than 16 years. We have many common interests here," Jon Abrahamsson Ring, CEO of Ikea, told the Global Times on Sunday. He spoke highly of China's commitment to opening-up. "We think it's a good direction. We want that to happen in every part in Americas, in Europe and in China," he said. "Although the global economy faces growing uncertainties, the wide attendance of foreign CEOs at the forum sends an important signal that China remains a key destination for foreign investment," Zhou Mi, a senior research fellow at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, told the Global Times on Sunday. Through visiting China, they can get first-hand information about China's economic development in 2025 and strengthen their ties with Chinese business partners so as to support their future decisions, Zhou said. Upbeat outlook Other senior Chinese officials including Han Wenxiu, executive deputy director of the Office of the Central Committee for Financial and Economic Affairs, Chinese Deputy Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu, and Zheng Shanjie, head of the National Development and Reform Commission, also attended the forum on Sunday. Amid rising external instability and uncertainty, China will remain firmly focused on pursuing its own development, leveraging the certainty of high-quality growth to offset external uncertainties and striving to serve as a stabilizing anchor for the global economy, Han said. In 2024, China's GDP reached a record 134.9 trillion yuan ($18.81 trillion), marking a 5-percent year-on-year increase. This year, China's 2025 GDP growth target of around 5 percent, alongside the measures the country will implement to meet this goal, demonstrates its confidence and prowess in securing new achievements in high-quality development. "China is a major force for economic growth in the world economy. If China can achieve around 5 percent target for 2025, that will be a really great achievement," John Quelch, Executive Vice Chancellor of Duke Kunshan University, told the Global Times on Sunday. For the foreign companies and foreign enterprises, China's around 5 percent growth target means a degree of stability, Michele Geraci, former undersecretary of state at the Italian Ministry of Economic Development, told the Global Times on Sunday. "My expectations are that more European companies can realize that China is still a place to invest," Geraci said. Foreign CEOs' and scholars' strengthened confidence in investing in the world's second-largest economy came as China vigorously encourage foreign investment and make strenuous efforts to improve business environment for foreign companies. This year's Government Work Report stressed, "Regardless of changes in the external environment, we should remain steadfast in our commitment to opening up." Since the start of 2025, China has taken multi-pronged measures to stabilize foreign investment. In January, the country issued an action plan to stabilize foreign investment, as the country mulls expanding the scope of its opening-up pilot program this year, while related government agencies have helped resolve more than 500 issues for foreign-funded enterprises through roundtable meetings, according to the MOFCOM. "TCP Group believes that 'To invest in China is to invest in the future.' We are firmly positive about China's economic prospects and cast a vote of confidence by continuously expanding investment in China," Saravoot Yoovidhya, CEO of TCP Group, told the Global Times. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Refusing to negotiate directly with the U.S. is a tactic, not a strategy: Foreign minister IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Mar 23, 2025 Tehran, IRNA -- Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi says Iran has decided it is not going to negotiate directly with the United States government for the time being, and that it is a tactic, not a strategy. In an interview with khabaronline.ir, the foreign minister said ongoing negotiations between Iran and the three European countries of France, Germany, and Britain were essentially indirect talks with the United States. "To say that, as a strategy, we will not negotiate... that's not how it is. We have negotiated many times [before], including very recently. Our ongoing talks with the three European countries are, in fact, something of an indirect negotiation over our nuclear program," Araqchi said in the interview, which was published on Sunday. "The format of negotiations is always relevant in diplomatic relations, whether the two sides talk directly or indirectly. For now, our tactic and method is to have indirect negotiations," he added. 'Until some things change' Araqchi referred to Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei's rejection of talks with the United States under pressure and given Washington's past perfidy, and said the policy was sensible. "In circumstances where there is 'maximum pressure,' no one in their sound mind would enter into direct talks," he said. U.S. President Donald Trump on February 4 signed a presidential memo to restore "maximum pressure" on the Islamic Republic, despite his assertions that he is willing to engage Tehran diplomatically. On March 12, Trump sent a letter to Iran via an emissary from the United Arab Emirates (UAE). While the content of the letter has not been officially announced, Trump has said he has asked Iran that negotiations be opened into a new deal. Ayatollah Khamenei has reiterated that Iran will not negotiate with the United States because Tehran does not trust that Washington would adhere to any contractual obligations. Araqchi was asked in the interview how he would respond to a potential expectation on the part of the Iranian public that the government enter into direct negotiations with the United States. The foreign minister said that Tehran's refusal was based on historical experience and expert analysis, "not obstinacy." "As an expert and a negotiator and a diplomat, I say that under the current conditions [of 'maximum pressure'], you can no more enter into talks with America, unless some things change," he said. Araqchi, who was among Iran's chief negotiators in talks that led to a deal in 2015, said he believed the agreement was impossible to revive as it stood. "The JCPOA, in its current form, cannot be revived in my opinion," he said, using an abbreviation to refer to the Iran deal. "[Reviving it] is not in our interest either, because our nuclear status has by far advanced and we can no more return to the JCPOA conditions. So have the sanctions by the other party. They have set many new sanctions and the conditions have changed." He added that the incumbent U.S. administration was the one that withdrew from the original agreement, in 2018, and that was opposed to it. "To want to revive the JCPOA would not be a realistic thing." But, he said, the Iran deal could serve as a model for any potential agreement in the future. "Our nuclear program is entirely peaceful; we ourselves trust that. We are ready to raise others' trust, to agree to certain restrictions on our stockpiles and enrichment purity levels for five or ten years, as we did under the JCPOA," he said. 4482 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Foreign minister discusses regional tensions with Saudi and Egyptian counterparts IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Mar 23, 2025 Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi has held separate phone conversations with his Saudi and Egyptian counterparts, discussing developments in the West Asia region in the wake of renewed Israeli attacks on Gaza and the United States' air aggression against Yemen. Araqchi held the conversations on Saturday afternoon, according to the official Telegram page of the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson. During talks with Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, the top Iranian diplomat categorically condemned Israeli crimes against the defenseless people of Gaza, and called for immediate action by Islamic nations to halt the atrocities. Araqchi said that Islamic countries also share the responsibility to support Yemen in the face of British-American military aggression as well as the killing of women and children, and the destruction of infrastructure in that country. The Saudi minister, for his part, elaborated on his country's stance on Israeli aggression, stressing the necessity for cooperation and close interaction among regional nations to prevent further escalation. Gaza and the renewed Israeli attacks, which were resumed last Tuesday, was also a main topic of the phone talk between Araqchi and Egypt's Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty on Saturday. Araqchi condemned the resumption of the strikes, the massacre of civilians, and the prevention of international humanitarian aid, which he said were in violation of a ceasefire in Gaza. He called on the international community to intervene and stop the regime's warmongering policies in the region. He also denounced the ongoing U.S.-British attacks on Yemen, saying that war against the Arab country is doomed to failure, as Yemen has in previous years proved that it would its territory against foreign aggression. In response, Abdelatty expressed concern over the escalation of tensions in Gaza, Yemen and Lebanon, highlighting the significance of consultations and diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation in the entire region. The two sides also emphasized the need for further talks on regional developments. 4208**4194 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran says resolute on its nuclear rights, warns West of counterproductive pressure Iran Press TV Sunday, 23 March 2025 4:09 PM The Islamic Republic is resolute on its nuclear rights and warns against the adverse consequences of the West's counterproductive pressure campaign, says the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI). "The Islamic Republic of Iran is firm and resolute in asserting its rights," AEOI spokesman Behrouz Kamalvandi said in an interview with the organization's public diplomacy and information center on Sunday. "We hope Western countries, who have tested Iran many times, have now realized that pressure on the Islamic Republic of Iran is not effective and may even have the opposite effect." He affirmed Iran's full compliance with its commitments as per the 2015 nuclear agreement, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), signed between Tehran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany. "Fifteen consecutive reports by the [International Atomic Energy] Agency confirmed that Iran has fulfilled its commitments," Kamalvandi said. He defended Iran's decision to suspend some JCPOA commitments following the US withdrawal from the deal in 2018 and the failure of other parties to uphold their obligations. "We waited a year after the US withdrawal... Ultimately, we exercised our rights and suspended some of our commitments." Iran has always emphasized that these commitments "can be returned provided that the rights of the Islamic Republic of Iran are not ignored," he added. The JCPOA required Iran to scale back some of its nuclear activities in return for the lifting of cruel sanctions imposed on the country, especially by the United States. However, US President Donald Trump pulled Washington out of the UNSC-endorsed agreement in May 2018, imposing severe economic sanctions against Tehran while Iran was adhering to its commitments under the deal and even continued to do so for a year after the US withdrawal. Tehran started to reduce its commitments under the JCPOA in a series of pre-announced and clear steps after witnessing the other parties' failure to secure its interests under the agreement. After a meeting with Rafael Grossi, the IAEA chief, at the IAEA headquarters in Vienna in March, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said Tehran "remains committed" to cooperating with the agency. "While safeguarding its national security and interests, Iran remains committed to cooperating with the IAEA within the framework of the agency's Safeguards obligations," Gharibabadi said. Kamalvandi said a nation with a history of thousands of years cannot be addressed with force, adding that Iran has endured numerous pressures throughout history and has always been able to cope with them. "We have no doubt that we will emerge victorious and proud from the current pressures as well." Kamalvandi elaborated on Iran's achievements in nuclear technology, including in reactor and power plant construction, and improved relations with countries like China and Russia. Iran has also increased its scientific and technological engagement with different countries and the IAEA to prove its legitimacy, he said. The AEOI spokesman criticized "negative propaganda" against Iran's nuclear industry and allegations against its peaceful nuclear activities "while Iran is subject to the most extensive inspections and maintains a transparent program." He placed a premium on thwarting the enemies' measures to spread propaganda against Iran's nuclear industry. Kamalvandi also pointed to the successful holding of the three-day International Conference on Nuclear Science and Technology (ICNST2024) in the Iranian city of Isfahan in May 2024, and said Iran's nuclear advancements well impressed the UN nuclear agency's officials attending the event. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Synlait Milk Limited (Synlait) has announced its financial results for the six months ended 31 January 2025. Please find the following materials attached: 1. Synlait Half Year 2025 Market Announcement 2. Synlait Half Year 2025 Chair & Acting CEO Review 3. Synlait Half Year 2025 Financial Statements 4. Synlait Half Year 2025 Investor Presentation 5. Synlait Half Year 2025 Shareholder Letter 6. NZX Results Template Key financial metrics EBITDA was $63.1 million, up 217%. NPAT was $4.8 million, up 105%. Net debt was $391.9 million, down 29%. Revenue was $916.8 million, up 16%. Gross profit was $87.0 million, up 99%. Forecast base milk price for the 2024/2025 season is $10.00 per kg/MS with additional premium payments available to suppliers without a cease notice, taking the total forecast average milk payment for Synlait suppliers to $10.48 per kg/MS. Full year 2025 (FY25) guidance statement The companys key priorities for the second half of this financial year are straightforward: 1. Showcasing Synlaits on-farm offering 2. Delivering for existing and new customers 3. Further uplifting operational and cost efficiency A continued focus on doing the fundamentals well will enable Synlait to deliver a significant improvement in the companys overall EBITDA performance compared to the prior year. However, financial progress made in the second half of FY25 will be slower than the first half as Synlait balances several opportunities and risks related to milk stream returns and foreign exchange and delivers ongoing operational and cost improvements. Synlait is targeting a closing net debt balance of $250 million to $300 million and a net senior debt to EBITDA ratio of below 2.5x in FY25, positioning the company well for its bank refinancing process in the second half. South Island Milk Supply Update As noted above, showcasing Synlaits on-farm offering and continuing to strengthen the companys milk supply is a key priority. Synlait is very comfortable with its forecast milk supply for the next financial year (FY26). Synlait advises that the majority of its South Island farmer suppliers are not under cease this is a significant improvement in the companys position from six months ago. The reversal of ceases continues to gain momentum. Given the companys return to profitability, as released in todays results, it is expected the number of withdrawals will increase further ahead of 31 March 2025, which is the final date for farmers to remove their cease if they wish to access all the new, secured milk premiums. Only a minimal number of farmers have confirmed they are exercising their option to leave Synlait for an alternative processor. In addition, interest from potential new farmer suppliers has exceeded expectations and Synlait expects to recruit new farmer suppliers in the coming seasons based on the strength of its on-farm offering. Conference call details Acting CEO Tim Carter and CFO Andy Liu will host a webcast briefing on the result at 11.00am (New Zealand time). Participants can register for the webcast here: https://s1.c-conf.com/diamondpass/10045074-jh8u7y.html A transcript and recording of the webcast will be available on Synlait's website shortly afterwards. Comments from our readers No comments yet Add your comment: Your name: Your email: Not displayed to the public Comment: Comments to Sharechat go through an approval process. Comments which are defamatory, abusive or in some way deemed inappropriate will not be approved. It is allowable to use some form of non-de-plume for your name, however we recommend real email addresses are used. Comments from free email addresses such as Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, etc may not be approved. Anti-spam verification: Type the text you see in the image into the field below. You are asked to do this in order to verify that this enquiry is not being performed by an automated process. Related News: CDC Independent Valuation - 30 June 2025 TruScreen Group Limited SPP Update THL provides updated guidance CEN - Greymouth gas deal July 4th Morning Report July 3rd Morning Report ikeGPS Chief Financial Officer Transition TWL - TradeWindow announces strategic partnership with FTA BLT - Patent issue settled and new 5 year agreement with BSP July 2nd Morning Report FM: Iran acts upon own interests irrespective of Trump's expectations Iran Press TV Sunday, 23 March 2025 10:30 AM Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says Iran acts based on its own interests in disregard of the expectations held by US President Donald Trump, stressing Tehran's commitment to diplomacy. Araghchi made the remarks in an interview with KhabarOnline news website published on Sunday, days after Iran received a letter sent by Trump via a UAE envoy. Asked about Trump's letter and whether he will get a written response, the top Iranian diplomat said, "We have nothing to do with his expectations. We act upon our own interests. What is best for us will be done." He also highlighted the importance of diplomacy, saying all countries use the path of diplomacy as much as possible because sometimes war is inevitable despite its costs and perils. "It can never be said that the path of diplomacy is over as the alternative to diplomacy is war," Araghchi added. He further emphasized that Iran has always avoided war, but stands ready for it and is not afraid of it. "Therefore, the foreign policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran is definitely focused on diplomacy and avoiding war; except where war is inevitable, which has its own conditions." Earlier this month, Trump said in an interview with Fox News that he had sent a letter to Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, warning Iran to open talks on a nuclear deal or be handled militarily. Meanwhile, the US imposed new sanctions on Iran in line with Trump's so-called policy of maximum pressure. Iran said it will not engage in talks with the United States unless negotiations are free from pressure and threats. Currently, Tehran is weighing a response to Trump's letter, which was "more of a threat" but also appeared to offer opportunities. Elsewhere in his interview, the foreign minister said Iran's refusal to negotiate with the US is due to a historical experience, not stubbornness. Iran used diplomacy to the utmost level to lift the sanctions imposed on the Islamic Republic, he pointed out. Iran entered the negotiations on the 2015 nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, in good faith. "After the agreement, we adhered to all our commitments in good faith. Who betrayed diplomacy here? It was the US that abandoned all this and went back to another path. This has created some distrust," he said. Meanwhile, Araghchi said that the JCPOA in its current form and text cannot be revived as Iran's nuclear situation has advanced and new sanctions have been slapped on the country. "Therefore, it is not realistic to revive the JCPOA, but it can still serve as a basis and a model for negotiations." He said neutralizing sanctions and holding negotiations aimed at lifting the bans are two missions that the Islamic Republic is carrying out. The first mission, which means bypassing the sanctions and rendering them ineffective, has priority over the second one, he added. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran's Master Stroke: New Island Missile Deployment Could Blockade US Forces in the Gulf Sputnik News 20250323 Ilya Tsukanov The IRGC has stationed new air and coastal defense missile systems on Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb and Abu Musa -three highly strategic islands west of the Strait of Hormuz global energy trade chokepoint. Here's why this is a big deal from the strategic standpoint as the US ramps up its hawkish rhetoric. With the deployment, Iran has gained the capability to target "enemy bases, vessels, and assets in the region" at ranges up to 600 km, IRGC Navy commander Alireza Tangsiri told Iranian media Saturday. Tangsiri did not specify which systems were deployed, but a TV report offered hints, showing footage of the commander inspecting troops, ground-based mobile missile systems and speedboats. Air Defense Coverage: Complete If the IRGC's SAM deployment on the islands includes systems like: - the Bavar-373-II (range up to 300 km) - the S-300PMU-2 (200 km) - the legacy S-200VE (250-300 km) - the Khordad-15 (120 km) - and/or the 3rd of Khordad (105 km) IRGC coverage of the eastern Persian Gulf would be complete, stretching from Iran's northern coastline in the north to Gulf countries to the south. From its island strongholds, Iran could target the US-garrisoned Al Dhafra Air Base in the Emirates, and block American warplanes flying out of bases in Bahrain, Qatar or Kuwait from approaching the Hormuz Strait, in the event of enemy aggression. Anti-ship Coverage? Even More Extensive If coastal anti-ship defenses on the islands include: - the Abu Mahdi anti-ship cruise missile (600 km range), apparently hinted at by General Tangsiri - the Khalij Fars anti-ship missile (300 km range) - or the Qader cruise missile (300 km range, widely fielded) IRGC control of the sea would extend all the way to the Al Udeid Air Base in Doha - the largest US military base in the region, and Naval Support Activity Bahrain, HQ of CENTCOM and home of the US Fifth Fleet. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Nuclear Deal in Its Current Form Cannot be Renewed - Iranian FM Sputnik News 20250323 TEHRAN (Sputnik) - 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. "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. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Taiwan's elite troops now guarding airport in Taipei ROC Central News Agency 03/23/2025 03:49 PM Taipei, March 23 (CNA) Photographs of President Lai Ching-te () touring Taipei's Songshan Airport confirm a months-long rumor that elite Taiwanese Marines have been deployed to guard the facility. In a series of photographs released by the Presidential Office following Lai's inspection tour on Friday, the president, Defense Minister Wellington Koo (), and several military generals were seen standing inside the airport in front of a sign that read, "66th Marine Brigade's Second Garrison." The photos also showed Lai being briefed by military personnel wearing marine uniforms. Military sources told CNA that the 66th Marine Brigade, tasked with amphibious warfare, counter-landing and reinforcement in the greater Taipei area, has been stationed at the airport since late 2024. The airport was previously only guarded by the Air Force's Military Police squadron. The presence of the Marines means they, along with the Air Force Military Police unit, are now guarding the critical gateway in the capital city. The sources, who wished to remain anonymous, said the Marines are also guarding other key military positions in the capital city. (By Wu Shu-wei and Joseph Yeh) Enditem/kb NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Unmarked vessel detained for trespassing in Taiwan's restricted waters ROC Central News Agency 03/23/2025 09:07 PM Taipei, March 23 (CNA) An unmarked vessel and its six crew members were detained on Sunday for trespassing in Taiwanese restricted waters, according to the Coast Guard Administration (CGA). The vessel, which did not display a name, registered home port or ship certificate, was spotted around 8 a.m. by the CGA's Hsinchu unit in waters 20 nautical miles northwest of Taoyuan's Yongan area, the CGA said in a statement. A CGA patrol boat sent to the area intercepted the suspicious vessel around three nautical miles inside Taiwanese restricted waters. Upon inspection, around 500,000 liters of fuel were discovered onboard the vessel, leading coast guard personnel to suspect the vessel was in the area to refuel Chinese fishing vessels. The six crew members were believed to be Chinese nationals, the CGA said, although they were not carrying any identification documents. The unmarked vessel and its entire crew were then escorted to the Port of Taipei for further investigation. Under Article 32 of the Act Governing Relations between the People of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area, Taiwanese authorities are authorized to drive away or seize vessels and cargoes, detain crew, or take "any necessary defensive action" in relation to Chinese vessels that enter "restricted or prohibited waters" without permission. (By Lu Kang-chun and Kay Liu) Enditem/JT 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 2025/03/23 PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan 1.Date: 6 a.m. Mar. 22 (Sat.) to 6 a.m. Mar. 23 (Sun.) (UTC+8) 2.PLA activities: 13 sorties of PLA aircraft and 8 PLAN ships and 2 official ships operating around Taiwan were detected as of 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 11 out of 13 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. 1140323_PLA activities 1140323_PLA air activities in the vicinity of Taiwan NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Istanbul Mayor, Erdogan Rival Jailed Ahead Of Likely Presidential Nomination By RFE/RL March 22, 2025 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 Erdogan's 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 court's decision on March 23 to formally charge and incarcerate Imamoglu, widely seen as Erdogan's main political rival, follows days of mounting criticism from Turkey's 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 Istanbul's 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 city's courthouse where he was undergoing hours of questioning over the allegations of corruption and links to terror groups. Turkey's 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 people's 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 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 Turkish court imprisons Istanbul mayor pending trial IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Mar 23, 2025 A Turkish court has jailed Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu pending the outcome of a trial on corruption charges amid widespread protests against his arrest. The court said on Sunday that Imamoglu and at least 20 others were jailed as part of a corruption investigation, one of the two probes that were opened last week against the Istanbul mayor, who is the main political rival to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The court's decision is expected to ignite further protests against the government, with the mayor's supporters saying that the charges are politically motivated and undemocratic. The government says that the probes are not politicized, emphasizing that courts are independent in Turkey. Imamoglu, who is leading in some polls against Erdogan, has vehemently denied the allegations against him, describing them as unimaginable accusations. Also on Sunday, Turkey's main opposition group, the Republican People's Party (CHP) voted to nominate the mayor as their candidate for the next presidential election, although no general elections are set until 2028. Reacting to Imamoglu's imprisonment, thousands of people held a protest rally in Istanbul, leading to skirmishes with police, who used tear gas and water cannons to disperse the crowd. Turkish authorities have reported the imprisonment of 323 protesters amid the demonstrations. 4208**4194 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Istanbul court formally arrests mayor as protests intensify Iran Press TV Sunday, 23 March 2025 8:44 AM An Istanbul court has formally placed the city's opposition mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu, under arrest in a graft probe, four days after his detention sparked Turkey's worst unrest in over a decade. The mayor is one of 100 people being investigated on corruption charges, and is also being probed in a second case on "terror-related" allegations, with the court due to rule on that in the coming hours. Imamoglu from the opposition social democratic Republican People's Party (CHP) was arrested on Wednesday by police who raided his home. Turkish prosecutors early on Sunday called for the official arrest of Imamoglu and four of his aides. His detention alongside others has sparked public outcry and triggered widespread protests which have spread to more than 55 of Turkey's 81 provinces. Tens of thousands of protesters have taken to the streets since Thursday, including in the metropolis of Istanbul and the capital Ankara, in largely peaceful demonstrations. On Saturday, Imamoglu's supporters gathered outside the courthouse in Istanbul where he was questioned for five hours. Huge crowds also gathered outside the municipal building, waving Turkish flags and chanting slogans in his support. Riot police used rubber bullets, pepper spray and percussion grenades on the Istanbul protesters, toughening their methods shortly after midnight. 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. Following more mass protests late on Saturday, police arrested 323 people, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya wrote on X. The crisis badly hurt the lira and caused chaos in Turkey's financial markets with the benchmark BIST 100 index closing Friday nearly 8.0 percent lower. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who hails from the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and has been in power for 22 years, has condemned the protests. He accuses Imamoglu and CHP of trying to "disturb the peace, and polarize our people." Earlier Saturday, the 53-year-old mayor denied the charges against him, telling police his arrest had "not only harmed Turkey's international reputation but has also shattered the public's sense of justice and trust in the economy". The popular opposition mayor, who is the biggest political rival of President Erdogan, was arrested just days before he was to be named the main opposition CHP's candidate for the 2028 presidential race. On Sunday, the CHP pressed ahead with its long-planned primary to name Imamoglu its presidential candidate. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address PM call with Prime Minister Dick Schoof of the Netherlands: 23 March 2025 The Prime Minister spoke to Prime Minister Dick Schoof of the Netherlands this afternoon. 23 March 2025 The Prime Minister spoke to Prime Minister Dick Schoof of the Netherlands this afternoon. The leaders discussed their respective engagements over the past week in support of Ukraine. The Prime Minister reflected on his attendance at the UK Permanent Joint Headquarters on Thursday, noting the impressive military co-ordination taking place and looking ahead to further planning meetings this week. Both also agreed that continued political momentum and action, driven by the members of the Coalition of the Willing, is vital to put Ukraine in the strongest possible position for a secure and lasting peace. Moving on to discuss wider European defence and security, the leaders agreed that all countries must step up to meet the mounting threats we face. They added that much closer co-operation on our defensive capabilities will be vitally important in the coming decades in order to protect Europe and secure its future. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russian Forces Strike Two Ukrainian Brigades in Sumy Region Sputnik News 20250322 Russian forces in the Belgorod region have struck formations of two Ukrainian brigades in the Sumy region, Russia's Defense Ministry said. Russia's Battlegroup Sever struck a Ukrainian mechanized brigade and territorial defense brigade in the Belgorod region. The Ukrainian Armed Forces lost up to 95 servicemen, one tank, two armored combat vehicles, 14 cars, and six artillery pieces. Battlegroup Dnepr eliminated up to 85 Ukrainian soldiers, 12 motor vehicles, two field artillery guns, and an ammunition depot, the statement read. Russia's Battlegroup Vostok destroyed over 165 Ukrainian troops, a tank, and three ammunition depots. Battlegroup Zapad eliminated over 220 Ukrainian soldiers, two armored fighting vehicles, and an ammunition depot. Ukraine also lost up to 315 soldiers, five armored vehicles, four artillery guns, and an ammunition depot in battles with Battlegroup Yug. Ukrainian forces have been trying to penetrate the Belgorod region this week, launching five attacks on the region on Tuesday. According to the Russian Defense Ministry, the provocation involved up to 200 Ukrainian servicemen and 29 pieces of equipment, including five tanks. All enemy attacks were repulsed, and no crossing of the state border was allowed. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address New Evidence of Ukrainian Crimes in Russia's Sudzha Found - Investigative Committee Sputnik News 20250322 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russia's Investigative Committee has received new evidence of war crimes by Ukrainian forces in the Sudzha district of Russia's Kursk region, as witnesses have reported the death of four people, Russian Investigative Committee spokeswoman Svetlana Petrenko told Sputnik. "Investigators from the Russian Investigative Committee continue to work with citizens who have suffered from crimes by Ukrainian armed formations or who have witnessed acts of violence by Ukrainian nationalists, and murders of civilians and servicemen of the Russian Armed Forces in the previously occupied territory," she said. The investigation has found that a resident of the Sudzha district village of Zaoleshenka was killed by a Ukrainian soldier in August 2024 while riding a bicycle. In addition, a resident of the village of Kazachya Loknya reported to investigators about the brutal torture and murder of a Russian soldier by Ukrainian troops on August 21, 2024. In the same village, on August 7, Ukrainian soldiers who invaded Russian territory shot a local resident's husband in the back while he was heading to a grocery store. Moreover, on January 19, 2025, a woman died as a result of a shell being dropped by Ukrainian forces on a house in Sudzha. The investigation will continue to work on establishing the circumstances of the crimes by Ukrainian forces until all those involved are held to criminal responsibility, Petrenko added. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Zelensky 'Largely Accepted' Ukraine Won't Join NATO - US Special Envoy Witkoff Sputnik News 20250322 WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - Volodymyr Zelensky has "largely accepted" that Ukraine will not become a NATO member, US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff said. "I think that Zelensky and he's got a right hand guy, Yermak, I think that they've largely conceded that they are not going to be a member of NATO... I think it's accepted that Ukraine, if there's going to be a peace deal, Ukraine cannot be a member of NATO. I think that's largely accepted," Witkoff said in an interview with US journalist Tucker Carlson. 'The key issue in the conflict' is the status of the new Russian regions, Witkoff added. The envoy expressed a 100%-confidence that Russia has no plans to attack European countries. "We just can't forever give money because they'll get ground down and ultimately, what you can't have here is risk of any kind of nuclear action, even the tactical nuclear action," Witkoff emphasized. The envoy also said that Ukraine has agreed to hold elections. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukraine Selects 100 Million Worth of Estonian Military Aid from Estonian Defence Industry Republic of Estonia - Estonian Centre for Defence Investments (ECDI) 23.03.2025 Ukraine has officially submitted to Estonia a wishlist of military aid, which the Estonia will now procure as quickly as possible from its domestic defence companies. The selection includes unmanned aerial and ground vehicles, watercraft, medical equipment, and supplies offered by Estonian defence firms. Specific details such as quantities and delivery times will not be disclosed due to security considerations. "Last year we agreed that both this year and next, we will support Ukraine militarily with 0.25% of our GDP annually through products from Estonia's defence industry. It was great to see that a large number of Estonian manufacturers submitted product offers. Recently we received feedback from Ukraine, which allows us to deliver the aid to them as quickly as possible," said Minister of Defence Hanno Pevkur. "I am very pleased with the high quality and wide product range of Estonia's defence industry. The next step is for the Estonian Centre for Defence Investments to quickly conclude procurement contracts for the products selected by Ukraine, so the necessary materials can reach them without delay," said Katri Raudsepp, Chair of the Ukraine Support Measure Expert Committee and Deputy Director General of the Estonian Centre for Defence Investments (ECDI). Estonia will continue supporting Ukraine in their fight against the aggressor with at least 0.25% of its GDP annually, increasing this amount by an additional quarter this year. The majority of Estonia's military aid will be invested into a program that allows Estonian companies to contribute directly to Ukraine's victory. In addition, Estonia provides direct military material aid, contributes to the training of Ukrainian soldiers, and, together with Luxembourg, leads the IT coalition for assisting Ukraine. The Baltic and Nordic countries have also committed to equipping and training a Ukrainian brigade-sized unit during 2025. At the end of 2024, ECDI introduced a new Ukraine support measure for purchasing Estonian products and services suitable for targeted use by Ukraine's Armed Forces in times of crisis and war. The product catalog handed over to Ukraine in February includes nearly 500 products and services from around 100 Estonian companies. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Sober Expectations In Russia And Ukraine Ahead Of Saudi Talks By Ray Furlong March 23, 2025 Russian and Ukrainian negotiators will be in the same country as they hold talks with a US delegation in Saudi Arabia, but few expect a major breakthrough. True, US officials have voiced optimism ahead of the meetings in Saudi Arabia. "I think that you're going to see in Saudi Arabia on Monday some real progress," US envoy Steve Witkoff told Fox News on March 22. But the view from Kyiv and Moscow has been more sober. "The maximum result is a pause. But this is still unknown, because the negotiations could drag on for a month or two," political analyst Serhiy Taran told RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service. "I think the most that can be imagined is that, perhaps, some technical details about the cease-fire will be worked out. And they will then be taken back to Kyiv, Moscow, and Washington in the form of proposals," he said. "This is the maximum. This is not about peace. This is simply the technical origin of certain details of the cease-fire." His comments reflected earlier remarks by Ukrainian officials. In Russia, where RFE/RL has been declared an undesirable organization and is effectively banned, it was Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov who doused cold water on any hopes of a quick deal. "One shouldn't get one's hopes high. Very serious, thorough work is ahead. We will have to delve into the details," he said in an interview on state TV on March 23. "We're only in the beginning of this road," he added. Russian and Ukrainian diplomats were not planning to meet directly. Instead, they are expected to each meet separately with the US team, in what one US official said would be "shuttle diplomacy." This began with US-Ukrainian talks on March 23. Still, this marks a milestone in itself. Previously, there have been breaks of a day or more between different rounds of bilateral talks. Having everyone in the same place could speed things up. On the other hand, this would be a similar model to that used for Gaza cease-fire negotiations which took months before a deal was clinched. (That agreement, meanwhile, has since collapsed.) The proximity of the negotiating teams could, possibly, provide more clarity on the content of the talks. Previous rounds have been marked by each side presenting different versions of what was agreed or even discussed. US President Donald Trump has been the most persistently bullish on talks so far. But his hopes for quick progress have been repeatedly knocked back. Firstly, a plan agreed with Ukraine for a 30-day general cease-fire was stonewalled by Russian President Vladimir Putin. Instead, after a phone call with Putin, Trump said they'd agreed to a pause on attacks on infrastructure. But the Kremlin narrowed the focus further, saying that the deal only concerned energy infrastructure -- which its forces subsequently attacked anyway. Ukraine hopes to clear this up in Jeddah by bringing a list of what Russia must agree not to target. There was similar confusion after Trump's talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. While US officials were speaking of a new plan for US ownership of Ukrainian nuclear plants, as a form of security guarantee for Ukraine, Zelenskyy made it clear these plants were state property that belonged to all Ukrainians. Meanwhile, a bilateral deal on Ukraine's rare Earth minerals was again said to be nearly ready. But there is still no clarity on when the document - itself apparently dealing more in aspiration than detail - will be signed. Going into the new talks in Saudi Arabia, there is another focus. Witkoff, the US envoy, said there would be progress on "a Black Sea cease-fire, on ships between both countries. And from that, you'll naturally gravitate into a full-on shooting cease-fire." Witkoff also said he was confident that Putin wanted peace, something that Ukraine and European countries do not believe. As the faltering diplomatic process has edged forward, Russian attacks have stepped up. The day before the talks, a 5-year-old child and an 11-month-old baby were the latest Ukrainian victims of Russia's attacks on residential buildings. Kyiv has hit back with strikes of its own. "New decisions and new pressure on Moscow are needed to bring an end to these strikes and this war," said Zelenskyy on March 23. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-ukraine-war-saudi- arabia-talks/33356676.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 5-Year-Old Child Killed In Latest Russian Attacks On Ukraine By RFE/RL March 23, 2025 Russian forces launched a drone attack overnight on the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, killing three people -- including a 5-year-old child -- and injuring 10 others, according to the city administration. Among the dead were a father and his young daughter. The youngest casualty was 11 months old. The air raid alarm lasted for more than five hours, the city administration said. Natalya, a Kyiv resident, told RFE/RL that her apartment had been hit by an "enormous" blast shortly after midnight on March 23. "Everything was shaking," she said. "I was thrown from the room into the hallway by the shock wave with glass shards flying. Thank God the curtains were drawn -- that saved us from cuts." Although her family survived the explosion, she said it had been "very, very hard" for the children. "They kept crying the whole night," she said. "I couldn't calm them down." Ukrainian police said drone debris fell across several districts of Kyiv, damaging buildings in the Podilskiy and Dniprovskiy districts. Cars were damaged in the Shevchenkivskiy district and an industrial zone in the Holosiyivskiy district was also hit by falling debris. Ukraine's state emergency service also reported fires caused by the strikes, saying a blaze broke out on the upper floors of a nine-story building in Diniprovskiy and spread to the roof. One woman died and 27 people were evacuated. RFE/RL correspondent Olha Armianyshyna said the Red Cross were at the scene, adding that the neighborhood was "still being cleaned up" the following morning and that "a distinct smell of burning" hung in the air. Another fire was reported on the 20th floor of a 25-story residential building in Podolskiy. Ukraine's air force said on March 23 that 147 Shahed drones and drone decoys had been used in the overnight attack on the country. The assault affected multiple regions -- including Kyiv, Kharkiv, Sumy, Chernihiv, Odesa, and Donetsk -- according to the Ukrainian Armed Forces. The Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement on March 23 that Russian troops had struck training sites for drone operators and the infrastructure of Ukrainian military airfields. The ministry also said it destroyed 29 Ukrainian drones overnight, and claimed that Russian forces had captured the village of Sribnoye, near Pokrovsk in eastern Ukraine, according to the Interfax news agency. Meanwhile, inside Russia, the acting governor of the Rostov region said a drone strike killed one person traveling in a car on the Morozovsk-Tsimlyansk highway. Acting Governor Yury Slyusar said an apartment building was also hit in the city, although there were no casualties. In a separate development, the Ukrainian General Staff said its forces had killed or wounded nearly 1,500 Russian troops over the last 24 hours and destroyed nine tanks. Reports of battlefield strikes cannot immediately be independently verified. The ongoing fighting comes even as the rest of the world discussed a potential cease-fire and a day after a family of three died in attacks in Ukraine's Zaporizhzhya region. The latest wave of strikes is part of a sharp escalation by both Russia and Ukraine in drone warfare, which has 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. Moscow has denied allegations of deliberately striking civilian targets in Ukraine throughout the war, even though repeated attacks on hospitals, schools, energy facilities, and residential buildings have been documented throughout the conflict. With reporting by RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service, RFE/RL's Russian Service, Reuters, AP, and Interfax Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-ukraine- zaporizhzhya-kyiv-rostov-ceasefire/33356423.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 US Expects Tangible Progress From Negotiations With Russia in Saudi Arabia Sputnik News 20250323 WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - 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. 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. "I think that you are 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 will naturally gravitate into a full-on shooting ceasefire," Witkoff told Fox News. 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. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Kremlin: Putin Backs Ceasefire in Ukraine, But Much Work Remains Ahead Sputnik News 20250323 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - 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. "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. "We do not know what exactly Washington and Kiev have been talking about. We have heard statements by [Ukrainian President Volodymyr] Zelensky and members of the Kiev regime that they are not going to hand over anything to anyone," 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 Europe French 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 Relations Russia 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. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russian Troops Liberate Srebnoye Village in DPR - MoD Sputnik News 20250323 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russia's Battlegroup Tsentr has taken control of the village of Srebnoe in the Donetsk People's Republic, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Sunday. "As a result of active and decisive actions by units of Battlegroup Tsentr, the settlement of Srebnoe in the Donetsk People's Republic has been liberated," the ministry said in a daily bulletin. The Ukrainian military has lost more than 500 soldiers in battles with Battlegroup Tsentr in the past day, the ministry said. "The enemy has lost over 500 military personnel, four armored fighting vehicles, seven motor vehicles and two artillery guns, including a French-made 155 mm self-propelled Ceasar," the ministry said in a statement. Battlegroup Zapad group has eliminated over 230 Ukrainian soldiers, a tank, a US-made M577 armored personnel carrier, an HMMWV armored vehicle and two ammunition depots. Ukraine has also lost up to 360 soldiers, two armored fighting vehicles, a UK-made 155 mm FH70 howitzer and two ammunition depots in battles with Battlegroup Yug. Battlegroup Vostok has eliminated up to 160 Ukrainian soldiers, a Polish-made 155 mm self-propelled tracked Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Strike Hits Ukrainian Armed Forces Unit, UAV Assembly Shop in Brovary Sputnik News 20250323 DONETSK (Sputnik) - A strike was carried out on a Ukrainian military deployment point and a UAV assembly shop in Brovary in the Kiev Region, coordinator of the pro-Russian underground network Sergei Lebedev told Sputnik on Sunday. "Brovary - four hits. One hit a temporary deployment point with freshly trained Bandera fighters, not far from the training ground, another hit a small shop where UAVs were assembled," Lebedev said. A strike was also carried out near the airfield in Boryspol in the Kiev Region against a special forces unit of the Ukrainian armed forces, Lebedev said. Moreover, a strike was carried out on a location of probably foreign military personnel in Vyshgorod of the Kiev Region, he added. In addition, late on Saturday, a strike was carried out on a warehouse with ammunition in the Obukhov district of the Kiev Region, the coordinator said. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Every Night Now Brings Massive Russian Drone Attacks - Nearly a Hundred Shaheds Each Time - Address by the President President of Ukraine 23 March 2025 - 20:33 Dear Ukrainians! First and foremost, gratitude to our air defenders. Every night now brings massive Russian drone attacks - nearly a hundred Shaheds each time. Many are being shot down. As of this morning alone, 97 drones were shot down overnight. Mobile fire groups, electronic warfare units, air defense crews - thank you. Unfortunately, there are also hits. We need significantly more effectiveness in our air defense. The development of an efficient air shield will not stop. Today, I would like to thank all our partners who are helping us in this. But we need more air defense systems, more ammunition specifically for shooting down drones. We are discussing this with all our partners. Last night in Kyiv, tragically, three people were killed by Russian drones, including a father and his five-year-old daughter. Just a day earlier in Zaporizhzhia, a Russian strike took the lives of an entire family - a mother, a father, and their daughter. My condolences to all the families and loved ones. There must be more pressure on Russia to stop this terror. And that depends on all our partners - the U.S., Europe, and others around the world. After the last meeting in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, it has become absolutely clear to the entire world: Russia is the only one dragging this war out, the only one that brought it here - and the only one who needs it to continue. 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. Every night, every single day, it carries out the most cynical strikes. Without pressure on Russia, those in Moscow will continue to show contempt for real diplomacy and keep destroying lives. Today is the second meeting between the Ukrainian and U.S. teams in Saudi Arabia. This time at a more technical level - with our military, diplomats, and representatives from the Ministry of Energy. I just spoke with Rustem Umerov, who briefed me on the meeting and the course of negotiations. Our team is working in a fully constructive manner, and the discussion is quite useful. The work of delegations continues. 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. Today, I also want to recognize our warriors - all of our men and women in the Defense and Security Forces of Ukraine, in the defense industry of our state, all of our volunteers, and everyone who is working to uphold Ukraine's resilience. All our people, thanks to whom Ukraine's positions are strong - thank you! And especially - the warriors of the 72nd Separate Mechanized Brigade - well done! The 59th Separate Assault Brigade of the Unmanned Systems Forces - yesterday, I had the opportunity to personally thank this brigade in the Donetsk region, and today, once again, for their results in combat - thank you! The 152nd Separate Mechanized Brigade - thank you very much, warriors! The warriors of the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade - thank you for your successful actions in the liberation of the village of Nadiya in the Luhansk region. Every day, our people prove that Ukraine deserves respect, deserves to be treated as an equal, and deserves a dignified peace. I am proud of our people! Thank you to everyone around the world, everyone who stands with Ukraine! Glory to Ukraine! NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US, Ukraine to hold talks on cease-fire in Riyadh ahead of US-Russia talks Global Times By Shen Sheng Published: Mar 24, 2025 12:00 AM Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Saturday that he had met top military commanders in the country's northeast to discuss the frontline in Ukraine's war with Russia and Ukrainian delegation's meetings with US officials due to get under way in Saudi Arabia on Sunday, according to the Reuters on Sunday. Although technicalities surrounding a potential limited cease-fire are being discussed, overseeing its implementation still faces many challenges, Chinese experts said, noting that Russia may demand a cease-fire monitoring mechanism in this round of negotiations to prevent Ukraine from using the opportunity to strengthen its military or leverage compensation talks to target Russia's economic lifelines. In Washington, a source briefed on the planning of the meetings in Saudi Arabia with Ukrainian and Russian officials said the US side would be led by Andrew Peek of the National Security Council and Michael Anton of the State Department, per Reuters. The group was to meet the Ukrainians on Sunday night and the Russians on Monday. According to the DPA German Press Agency, the talks between Ukrainian and US representatives in Saudi Arabia will focus primarily on technicalities surrounding a potential limited cease-fire between Russia and Ukraine, Ukraine Foreign Ministry said. "This is a meeting to establish the parameters for the various proposed cease-fire options currently on the table," Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman Heorhii Tykhyi said on Friday, said according to the report. The White House aims for a truce agreement by April 20, which this year is Easter in both the Western and Orthodox churches, but recognizes that timeline may slip given the large gaps between the positions of the two sides, according to people familiar with the planning, Bloomberg reported. Zelensky agreed to a partial cease-fire on energy targets that has been brokered by Washington. The Ukrainian president said he would draw up a list of facilities that could be subject to the cease-fire, said Reuters on Sunday. According to the Reuters, Russian and US experts are due to discuss ways to ensure the safety of shipping in the Black Sea at talks on a possible peace settlement when in Saudi Arabia on Monday, the Kremlin said. Russia may demand a cease-fire monitoring mechanism in this round of negotiations to prevent Ukraine from using the opportunity to strengthen its military or from leveraging compensation talks to target Russia's economic lifelines, said Cui Heng, a scholar at the Shanghai-based China National Institute for SCO International Exchange and Judicial Cooperation. Sun Xiuwen, an associate professor at the Institute for Central Asian Studies at Lanzhou University, echoed his Cui's perspective, pointing out that the outcome of the US-Ukraine talks will shape the tone of the following US-Russia negotiations. Russia and Ukraine will sit in neighbouring rooms and negotiate a cease-fire plan through US intermediaries shuttling back and forth, the White House has said, as reported by The Telegraph. The US is conducting separate negotiations with Ukraine and Russia rather than holding trilateral talks, which helps avoid direct confrontation between Russia and Ukraine, said Sun, noting that the US may using its identity as "information gatekeeper" during the negotiation with both Russia and Ukraine to pursue its own interests. The US is pushing for a peace deal between Ukraine and Russia, and hoping to agree on a partial cease-fire that would halt strikes on energy infrastructure. But both sides have been reporting continued strikes, Reuters reported. A Russian drone attack on Kiev killed at least three people, including a 5-year-old child, sparking fires in high-rise apartment buildings and throughout the capital, Reuters quoted a Ukrainian officials said early on Sunday, reported Reuters. Earlier on Sunday, Zelenskyy wrote on his X platform account that he had met top military commanders in Kharkiv to discuss situation at the front in Ukraine's conflict with Russia. "After concentrating their forces to capture Kursk, the Russian military has put Ukrainian troops under greater pressure, while Zelensky's visit to the front lines aims to boost morale and project confidence in victory," said Cui. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address SHANGHAI, March 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Shanghai Junshi Biosciences Co., Ltd (Junshi Biosciences, HKEX: 1877; SSE: 688180), a leading innovation-driven biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the discovery, development, and commercialization of novel therapies, announced that the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) has approved the supplemental new drug application (sNDA) for the companys product, toripalimab, in combination with bevacizumab for the first-line treatment of unresectable or metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. Globally, liver cancer is a common malignant tumor of the digestive system, and the main pathological type is HCC (accounting for about 90%). According to data released by the GLOBOCAN for 2022, the annual number of new cases and deaths of liver cancer worldwide was 866,000 and 759,000, respectively. China has a high incidence of liver cancer. In 2022, the number of new liver cancer cases reached 368,000 (accounting for 42.4% of global cases), ranking fourth among domestic malignant tumors, with 317,000 deaths (accounting for 41.7% of global cases), ranking second among domestic malignant tumors. Due to its insidious onset, about 70%-80% of liver cancer patients in China are already at the intermediate or advanced stage at first diagnosis, with a median overall survival (OS) of only approximately 10 months and a five-year survival rate of approximately 12%. The supplemental NDA approval is based on data from the HEPATORCH study (NCT04723004), which is a multinational multi-center, randomized, open-label, active-controlled phase 3 clinical study. Professor Jia FAN, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, from Zhongshan Hospital affiliated to Fudan University, served as the principal investigator. HEPATORCH was launched in 57 clinical centers in the Chinese mainland, Chinas Taiwan and Singapore, and a total of 326 patients were enrolled. The study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of toripalimab in combination with bevacizumab for the first-line treatment of unresectable or metastatic HCC compared to the standard treatment with sorafenib. In September 2024, the results of the HEPATORCH study made its debut at the 27th National Clinical Oncology Conference and 2024 Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology (CSCO) Academic Annual Meeting. The results of the study showed that the primary endpoints, progression-free survival (PFS, based on independent radiographic review) and OS, both achieved positive results. HEPATORCH demonstrated that compared with sorafenib, toripalimab in combination with bevacizumab could significantly extend the PFS and OS of patients, with a median PFS of 5.8 months vs. 4.0 months, reduce the risk of disease progression or death by 31% (hazard ratio [HR]=0.69, 95% CI: 0.525-0.913; P=0.0086), with a median OS of 20.0 months vs. 14.5 months, and reduce the risk of death by 24% (HR=0.76, 95% CI: 0.579-0.987; P=0.0394). The objective response rate (ORR) of the toripalimab and bevacizumab group was significantly higher than that of the sorafenib group. The ORR of the two groups were 25.3% and 6.1%, respectively. Furthermore, the combination therapy has a good safety profile in patients with advanced HCC. The toxicity spectrum is consistent with the known toxicity spectrum of the standard monotherapy, and no new safety signal was identified. Academician Jia FAN from Zhongshan Hospital affiliated with Fudan University said, The combination of immunotherapy and anti-angiogenic therapy has become the foundation of first-line treatment for advanced liver cancer. The HEPATORCH study has fully demonstrated the clinical efficacy of toripalimab in liver cancer patients in China, achieving an ORR of 25.3%, a median PFS of 5.8 months, and a median OS of 20.0 months. The TB regimen combining toripalimab with bevacizumab will benefit many advanced liver cancer patients in China. Dr. Jianjun ZOU, Junshi Biosciences General Manager and CEO said, Building on the success of our previously approved 10 indicationsthe Perfect 10, toripalimab has reached another breakthrough achievement with the official approval of its 11th indication, and we are extremely elated! China has suffered the brunt of liver cancer, and Chinese patients have long faced the challenge of limited treatment options. Junshi Biosciences consistently prioritizes the clinical needs of liver cancer treatment around the world, advancing clinical research through combination strategies tailored to patients across the different stages of disease progression. Our goal is to provide more precise and diverse treatment options for liver cancer patients. Moving forward, we remain dedicated to liver cancer innovation and integrating even greater Chinese Wisdom into the fight against this disease. About Toripalimab Toripalimab is an anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody developed for its ability to block PD-1 interactions with its ligands, PD-L1 and PD-L2, and to induce PD-1 receptor internalization (endocytosis function). Blocking PD-1 interactions with PD-L1 and PD-L2 promotes the immune systems ability to attack and kill tumor cells. More than forty company-sponsored toripalimab clinical studies covering more than fifteen indications have been conducted globally by Junshi Biosciences, including in China, the United States, Europe and Southeast Asia. Ongoing or completed pivotal clinical trials evaluating the safety and efficacy of toripalimab cover a broad range of tumor types, including cancers of the lung, nasopharynx, esophagus, stomach, bladder, breast, liver, kidney, and skin. In the Chinese mainland, toripalimab was the first domestic anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody approved for marketing (approved in China as TUOYI). Currently, there are eleven approved indications for toripalimab in the Chinese mainland: unresectable or metastatic melanoma after failure of standard systemic therapy; recurrent or metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) after failure of at least two lines of prior systemic therapy; locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma that failed platinum-containing chemotherapy or progressed within 12 months of neoadjuvant or adjuvant platinum-containing chemotherapy; in combination with cisplatin and gemcitabine as the first-line treatment for patients with locally recurrent or metastatic NPC; in combination with paclitaxel and cisplatin in first-line treatment of patients with unresectable locally advanced/recurrent or distant metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC); in combination with pemetrexed and platinum as the first-line treatment in EGFR mutation-negative and ALK mutation-negative, unresectable, locally advanced or metastatic non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC); in combination with chemotherapy as perioperative treatment and subsequently with monotherapy as adjuvant therapy for the treatment of adult patients with resectable stage IIIA-IIIB NSCLC; in combination with axitinib for the first-line treatment of patients with medium to high risk unresectable or metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC); in combination with etoposide plus platinum for the first-line treatment of extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC); in combination with paclitaxel for injection (albumin-bound) for the first-line treatment of recurrent or metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC); in combination with bevacizumab for the first-line treatment of unresectable or metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. The first 10 indications have been included in the National Reimbursement Drug List (NRDL) (2024 Edition). Toripalimab is the only anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody included in the NRDL for the treatment of melanoma, perioperative treatment of NSCLC, treatment of RCC and treatment of TNBC. In October 2024, toripalimab for the treatment of recurrent or metastatic NPC was approved in Hong Kong SAR, China. Internationally, toripalimab has been approved for marketing in the United States, the European Union, India, the UK, Jordan, Australia and other countries and regions. In addition, toripalimab BLAs are under reviews in many countries or regions around the global. About Junshi Biosciences Founded in December 2012, Junshi Biosciences (HKEX: 1877; SSE: 688180) is an innovation-driven biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the discovery, development and commercialization of innovative therapeutics. The company has established a diversified R&D pipeline comprising over 50 drug candidates, with five therapeutic focus areas covering cancer, autoimmune, metabolic, neurological, and infectious diseases. Five of the companys products have received approvals in China and international markets, one of which is toripalimab, Chinas first domestically produced and independently developed anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody. Toripalimab has been approved in over 35 countries and regions including China, the US, and Europe. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Junshi Biosciences actively shouldered the social responsibilities of a Chinese pharmaceutical company through its involvement in developing etesevimab, MINDEWEI, and other novel therapies for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19. With a mission of providing patients with world-class, trustworthy, affordable, and innovative drugs, Junshi Biosciences is In China, For Global. At present, the company boasts approximately 2,500 employees in the United States (San Francisco and Maryland) and China (Shanghai, Suzhou, Beijing, Guangzhou, etc.). For more information, please visit: http://www.junshipharma.com. Junshi Biosciences Contact Information IR Team: Junshi Biosciences info@junshipharma.com + 86 021-6105 8800 PR Team: Junshi Biosciences Zhi Li zhi_li@junshipharma.com + 86 021-6105 8800 Jeito Capital co-leads the oversubscribed 78 million financing in Augustine Therapeutics to develop novel therapies for neuromuscular, cardio-metabolic and neurodegenerative diseases Proceeds from the financing will advance Augustines lead candidate, AGT-100216, through a Phase 2 proof-of-concept clinical trial in Charcot-Marie-Tooth and support significant pipeline expansion into cardio-metabolic and neurodegenerative diseases This investment reinforces Jeito's expertise and interest to breakthrough innovations in neurological diseases that affect large patient populations with high unmet medical needs and limited treatment options Paris, France, March 24, 2025 Jeito Capital (Jeito), a global leading independent Private Equity fund dedicated to biopharma, announced today it is co-leading an oversubscribed 77.7 million (USD 84.8 million) Series A financing round in Augustine Therapeutics (Augustine), a biotechnology company focused on developing new therapies for neuromuscular, neurodegenerative and cardio-metabolic diseases through the inhibition of the cytosolic Histone DeACetylase 6 (HDAC6) enzyme. Jeito and Novo Holdings, new investors, co-led the oversubscribed total financing, joined by existing investors Asabys Partners, who led an initial 17,5 million closing in 2024, Eli Lilly and Company, AdBio Partners, V-Bio Ventures, PMV, VIB and Gemma Frisius Fund, the US-based Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) Research Foundation, and Newton Biocapital. Augustine was initially formed and seed-funded by V-Bio Ventures, AdBio Partners, VIB, PMV, and Gemma Frisius Fund. Mehdi Ainouche, Senior Principal, and Annette Clancy, Operational Investor at Jeito Capital, will also join Augustines Board of Directors respectively as Board member and observer. Founded in 2019 in Belgium, as a spin-off from the European-based excellence center VIB-KU Leuven (University of Leuven), Augustine has identified HDAC6 inhibition as a promising approach for the treatment of neuropathies and particularly Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease a motor and sensory neuropathy that affects the peripheral nervous system, leading to progressive muscle weakness, sensory loss, deformities, and walking difficulties. HDAC6 plays a key role in cellular processes related to tissue aging, and its pharmacological inhibition is a promising approach in a number of diseases. Augustine Therapeutics has developed a next-generation approach to selectively inhibit HDAC6 while preserving its beneficial non-catalytic functions. Proceeds from the investment will advance Augustines lead candidate, AGT-100216, through a Phase 1/2 proof-of-concept clinical trial in CMT, expected to begin in 2025. The financing will also support pipeline expansion for two other programs in undisclosed neurodegenerative and cardio-metabolic indications. Through this investment, Jeito leverages its expertise in neurology, a therapeutic area with strong potential for innovation and significant unmet needs. The quality of Augustines assets and team led by Gerhard Koenig who brings more than 30 years of experience in drug development and track-record in biopharma successes aligns with Jeitos investment thesis of accelerating the development of groundbreaking medical innovations and unlocking companies potential to become future global market leaders. Dr. Rafaele Tordjman, MD, PhD, Founder and CEO of Jeito Capital, said: Through this new investment, Jeito reaffirms its interest in a cutting-edge therapeutic field, where innovation can bring transformative benefits for patients still heavily impacted by the disease. This commitment to the patients is at the core of our mission, and takes on its full meaning through this funding. We are delighted to support Augustine and share our knowledge and experience with its talented teams, to advance novel therapeutics and contribute to the development of future innovative treatments. Mehdi Ainouche, Senior Principal at Jeito Capital, added: This investment illustrates Augustine's potential for innovation in a therapeutic area where patients have limited to no treatment options. We are therefore happy to co-lead this financing to realize Augustines potential, which stands out for both the quality of its research and the expertise of Gerhard and his team. We look forward to our future collaboration, which shares a common ambition: to accelerate clinical development to go faster to patients. Gerhard Koenig, CEO Augustine Therapeutics, concluded: This significant financing is a testament to the innovative medicinal chemistry that Augustine was founded on, which acts via a unique mechanism of action. The therapeutic potential of HDAC6 is widely recognized in our industry, but previous drug approaches have been sub-optimal, particularly for chronic diseases. At Augustine, we believe we have solved these challenges with a novel non-hydroxamate, non-hydrazide producing chemotype which is highly selective and avoids the typical liabilities of prior chemotypes, unlocking HDAC6 inhibition as a therapeutic approach. We now look forward to rapidly advancing our lead candidate into clinical trials for the treatment of CMT, while broadening the potential for our candidates to change treatment paradigms for neurological and cardio-metabolic diseases. I would like to thank our new and existing investors for their unwavering support as we continue to advance into clinical development. About Jeito Capital Jeito Capital is a global leading Private Equity fund with a patient benefit driven approach that finances and accelerates the development and growth of ground-breaking medical innovation. Jeito empowers and supports managers through its expert, integrated, multi-talented team and through the investment of significant capital to ensure the growth of companies, building market leaders in their respective therapeutic areas with accelerated patients access globally, especially in Europe and the United States. Jeito has built a diversified portfolio of clinical biopharmas with cutting-edge innovations addressing high unmet needs. Jeito Capital is based in Paris with a presence in Europe and the United States. For more information, please visit www.jeito.life or follow us on LinkedIn or X. About Augustine Therapeutics Augustine Therapeutics is a biotechnology company focused on the treatment of neuromuscular, neurodegenerative and cardio-metabolic diseases through its next-generation approach to selectively inhibit HDAC6. Augustines HDAC6 inhibitors has been purposefully designed to selectively inhibit HDAC6 while preserving its beneficial non-catalytic functions. Augustines lead program, AGT-100216, is the first selective HDAC6 inhibitor for long-term treatment of Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease. With its novel non-hydroxamate, non-hydrazide producing chemotype, Augustines HDAC6 approach is selective, avoids the limitations of other chemotypes, and built for chronic diseases. With this novel approach, the Company will also be targeting diseases beyond CMT, including neurodegenerative and cardio-metabolic diseases. Augustine Therapeutics was founded on the ground-breaking research of Prof. Ludo Van Den Bosch from the VIB-KU Leuven in Belgium. For more information visit www.augustinetx.com. Contacts: Jeito Capital Rafaele Tordjman, Founder & CEO Jessica Fadel, EA Tel: +33 6 33 44 25 47 Maior ICR Healthcare Stephanie Elbaz Mary-Jane Elliott / Davide Salvi / Kris Lam Tel: +33 6 46 05 08 07 Jeito@icrhealthcare.com Tel: +44 (0) 20 3709 5700 MOHALI, India, March 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Tech Savy Crew, a fast-growing SEO agency founded by Amit Kumar, has announced the launch of its comprehensive 360 SEO solution designed to help businesses achieve measurable growth and dominate search engine rankings. The new solution is now available to businesses across various industries looking to enhance their online presence and revenue. Tech Savy Crews innovative approach goes beyond traditional SEO tactics. By combining cutting-edge technology, data analysis, and customized strategies, the agency delivers real results that drive traffic, improve search rankings, and generate substantial revenue growth. Proven Success in Boosting Client Revenue Tech Savy Crew's expertise has already demonstrated remarkable success. Within just 1.5 years of operation, the agency has helped several clients achieve significant growth. By employing a strategic blend of advanced SEO tools, content marketing, and data-driven analysis, Tech Savy Crew has consistently delivered impressive results. One standout case involved a real estate client whose monthly revenue surged to $2.5 million after implementing Tech Savy Crew's tailored SEO strategies. The agency's approach involved conducting a comprehensive site audit, implementing strategic keyword optimization, enhancing website performance, and developing high-quality content designed to improve user engagement. These combined efforts resulted in increased website traffic, improved search engine rankings, and ultimately, exponential growth in client revenue. In addition to this, Tech Savy Crew has worked with clients across e-commerce, healthcare, and finance sectors, each of whom reported a significant boost in online visibility, customer engagement, and sales. By focusing on content optimization, technical SEO improvements, and data-driven insights, the agency ensured clients' dominance in their respective niches. A Rising Leader in SEO Innovation Founded by Amit Kumar at the age of 25, Tech Savy Crew has grown from a solo venture into a dynamic team of over 20 SEO specialists, content writers, developers, and data analysts. The teams dedication to innovation, transparency, and delivering measurable outcomes has earned Tech Savy Crew a reputation for exceeding client expectations. Our mission is to empower businesses by providing SEO strategies that go beyond rankings to deliver real growth, said Amit Kumar, Founder and CEO of Tech Savy Crew. We continuously invest in new technologies to ensure our clients stay ahead in the digital landscape. About Tech Savy Crew Tech Savy Crew is a leading SEO agency dedicated to helping businesses thrive online. With a team of 20+ experts, the company provides customized SEO solutions that deliver real results. Under the leadership of Amit Kumar, Tech Savy Crew has gained recognition for its focus on client success, transparency, and innovative strategies. For more information about Tech Savy Crew's new 360 SEO solution, visit www.techsavycrew.com or contact them via email at info@techsavycrew.com. Media Contact: Company Name: Tech Savy Crew Website: www.techsavycrew.com Email: info@techsavycrew.com A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/457ffcaa-8303-4329-a8f1-9d4e66696fd1 BEIJING, March 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On January 23, the International Editors-in-Chief Roundtable series, jointly hosted by Global Times and Global Times Online (Huanqiu.com), kicked off with its inaugural forum focusing on exploring pathways for the Global South to engage in global governance. Media executives from multiple countries engaged in in-depth discussions on topics including the role redefinition of Global South nations, international rules reform, and inclusive technological development. In recent years, the collective rise of Global South nations has become a significant force driving the transformation of the global governance system. Bai Long, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Global Times, emphasized that media should serve as a bridge connecting Global South countries, report successful cooperation models and advocate for international rules reform, so as to better reflect the voices and interests of these nations. Participants discussed pathways to strengthen the Global South's discourse power, underscoring the need to break away from the traditional "center-periphery" governance model by enhancing economic autonomy. Wang Xiaohui, Editor-in-Chief of the China Internet Information Center, noted that the Belt and Road Initiative offers a crucial avenue for elevating the Global South's global influence. Through economic development and regional cooperation, Global South nations can better safeguard their interests and contribute to improving the global governance system, he explained. Amidst the significant challenges facing globalization, regional integration has emerged as a crucial agenda. In particular, in today's international context marked by external power interventions, developing countries are enhancing their collective bargaining power through regional organizations to better coordinate responses to these challenges. Onochie Bridget Chiedu, Deputy Editor-in-Chief and Head of the Abuja Bureau at The Guardian Newspapers Limited, stressed that Global South nations should strengthen their collective negotiation capabilities through regional integration to effectively address the challenges encountered in the globalization process. Video Linkhttps://www.facebook.com/share/v/1D8o2qF7BW/ Company: huanqiu.com Contact Person: Wang Chenfei Email: yuanchunxue@huanqiu.com Website: www.huanqiu.com Telephone: 0086-010-65361101 City: Beijing, China A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/98f77ed7-248d-4869-9403-14699c305d3d Partnership agreement to scale carbon removal through a breakthrough Enhanced Rock Weathering tech process. Alt Carbon to generate high-quality, durable Carbon Removal (CDR) credits. LONDON, March 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mitsubishi Corporation (MC), and Alt Carbon , a Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) company, announced a partnership agreement to scale the removal of carbon dioxide in South Asia. The agreement between the two parties will generate high quality, durable, carbon removal tons that have been created through a breakthrough Enhanced Rock Weathering (ERW) tech process. Removal of carbon dioxide is critical to meet net-zero emissions by 2050. With Alt Carbon, we have a formidable partner with highly innovative technology in a breakthrough Enhanced Rock Weathering process that locks carbon in the ocean sink. From removing carbon, helping local farmers, and stringent testing measures to generate CDR credits, Alt Carbon is uniquely positioned to capture the ERW market. MC's commitment to decarbonization is unwavering and reflects our dedication to a sustainable future, as we scale the CDR industry through our collaboration with Alt Carbon in ERW, said Tadashi Sawamura, GM, Carbon Management Dept., Mitsubishi Corporation. Alt Carbon deploys a process called ERW that takes crushed basalt rock and spreads it on large swathes of agricultural land. The rocks natural reaction with rainwater pulls the CO2 from the air & stores it in the soil, thereby improving crop yields. This dissolved inorganic carbon ultimately reaches the ocean via river networks and remains locked in the ocean for 10,000+ years. ERW is one of the novel techniques for Carbon Removal (CDR) that has been advocated by the The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) as a critical tool for reaching Net Zero by 2050. Alt Carbon is tapping into the increased demand for high quality, durable, traceable, carbon removal projects and its operating in a growing market. Alt Carbons in-house MRV, team of scientists from the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, and the Darjeeling-Climate Action Lab (D-CAL) make it one of the leading carbon removal companies in the Global South, ideally placed to remove CO2 at a gigaton scale. Having an institution like Mitsubishi Corporation recognise and support our efforts entrenches our belief in the science and technology behind ERW for carbon removal. In 15 months, we have rigorously tested and modelled our operations and technology in the single pursuit of removing carbon dioxide. This is just the first step, but it feels like a giant leap as MC partners with us to make India a hub for carbon removal, said Co-founder & CEO Shrey Agarwal, Alt Carbon . Alt Carbon is the first Indian headquartered company to receive a prepurchase agreement from Frontier , an Advance Market Commitment to purchase $1+ billion of permanent carbon removal by 2030. As part of this agreement, Alt Carbon received $500,000 for the purchase of high quality, durable carbon removal tons that have been generated through the Enhanced Rock Weathering process. The participating buyers included Stripe , Shopify , Alphabet , Meta and Watershed (on behalf of Match ). Alt Carbon also became the first ERW company globally to receive an offtake agreement from the South Pole & Mitsubishi-led NextGen buyers coalition. In order to meaningfully undertake climate action, we require gigaton level projects i.e. projects that have a shot at removing 1 billion tons of CO2 every year. Alt Carbon is targeting reaching up to 500,000 hectares of land in North East Indias tea belt by 2030, as part of the Darjeeling Revival Project, removing upwards of 5 million tonnes of CO2 every year. Beyond that, the company aims to scale up its operations in South Asia to further work towards its goal of removing 1 billion tons of CO2, each and every year. Notes to the editor Media images can be found here . For further information please contact the Alt Carbon press office: Adithya Venkatesan on adithya@alt-carbon.com or +91 94811 74420 About Alt Carbon Alt Carbon is a co2 Removal (cdr) company based out of India transforming Darjeelings struggling tea industry from being at-risk from the effects of climate change, to becoming pioneers for climate action. Alt Carbon is on a mission to capture vast amounts of CO2 from the atmosphere. Its ambitious goal is to remove 5M MT of CO2 by 2030, with the ultimate aim of reaching a billion tons - for good. For more information please visit https://www.alt-carbon.com/ or follow via LinkedIn . Media Contact: Name: Adithya Venkatesan Company Name: Alt Carbon Designation: Head of Brand Email Address: adithya@alt-carbon.com Website Link: https://www.alt-carbon.com/ Disclaimer: This press release is provided by the Alt Carbon. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading advice. Investing involves significant risks, including the potential loss of capital. Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. 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. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d8f7c1b5-2498-42d7-9535-fd8d0fce67fd March 24, 2025 Amsterdam, the Netherlands Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA) today announced it has convened the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders (AGM) 2025 and published the agenda with explanatory notes. As previously announced, the agenda includes: Proposal to appoint Mr Bob White (American, 1962) as a new member of the Supervisory Board, with effect from May 8, 2025. Proposals to re-appoint Ms Indra Nooyi (American, 1955) and Ms Chua Sock Koong (Singaporean, 1957) as members of the Supervisory Board, with effect from May 8, 2025. Proposal to re-appoint Mr Marnix van Ginneken (Dutch, 1973) as a member of the Philips Board of Management, with effect from May 8, 2025. The agenda furthermore includes a number of recurring items, such as the 2024 Remuneration Report as included in the Annual Report 2024 (advisory vote), and the proposals to adopt the companys financial statements and dividend. The AGM will be held at the Hotel Okura Amsterdam, Ferdinand Bolstraat 333, Amsterdam on Thursday, May 8, 2025, beginning at 14:00 CET. The complete agenda with explanatory notes, the Annual Report 2024 (which was published on February 21, 2025), the binding nominations and other information relevant for the AGM have been published here. For further information, please contact: Michael Fuchs Philips Global External Relations Tel.: +31 61486 9261 E-mail: michael.fuchs@philips.com Dorin Danu Philips Investor Relations Tel.: +31 20 59 77055 E-mail: dorin.danu@philips.com About Royal Philips Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA) is a leading health technology company focused on improving peoples health and well-being through meaningful innovation. Philips patient- and people-centric innovation leverages advanced technology and deep clinical and consumer insights to deliver personal health solutions for consumers and professional health solutions for healthcare providers and their patients in the hospital and the home. Headquartered in the Netherlands, the company is a leader in diagnostic imaging, ultrasound, image-guided therapy, monitoring and enterprise informatics, as well as in personal health. Philips generated 2024 sales of EUR 18.0 billion and employs approximately 67,800 employees with sales and services in more than 100 countries. News about Philips can be found at www.philips.com/newscenter. Forward-looking statements This release contains certain forward-looking statements with respect to the financial condition, results of operations and business of Philips and certain of the plans and objectives of Philips with respect to these items. Examples of forward-looking statements include statements made about the strategy, estimates of sales growth, future EBITA, future developments in Philips organic business and the completion of acquisitions and divestments. By their nature, these statements involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to future events and circumstances and there are many factors that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these statements. Attachments JONGGOL, West Java, March 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CoinEx Global, a leading cryptocurrency company, carried out its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities on March 17 and 18, 2025, in two villages located in Jonggol, West Java. This initiative is part of the CoinEx Charity Starlink program, which aims to provide free internet access via Starlink to underserved villages while also distributing essential food supplies to the local communities. On March 17, 2025, CoinEx visited Sukamakmur Village, followed by Sukajaya Village on March 18, 2025. Both events were attended by Alex J. Rumondor, CoinExs Country Manager in Indonesia, and were welcomed by the village heads of Sukamakmur and Sukajaya, along with their local teams. The handover of aid and the installation of Starlink services took place at 1:00 PM WIB in each village, followed by a group photo session as a symbol of positive collaboration between CoinEx Global and the local communities. Free Internet Access for Sukamakmur and Sukajaya Villages The Charity Starlink Program is an initiative by CoinEx Global to provide fast and stable internet access to remote areas. By installing Starlink internet services, CoinEx aims to improve the quality of life for villagers by expanding access to information, creating new educational and job opportunities, and fostering economic development. Alex J. Rumondor, Country Manager of CoinEx Indonesia, stated, We recognize that internet access is a fundamental necessity in todays digital era. The Charity Starlink Program reflects our commitment to benefiting communities in isolated regions. With the installation of Starlink services in Sukamakmur and Sukajaya Villages, we hope that residents can leverage technology to drive their progress. Distribution of Basic Necessities as a Form of Social Care In addition to installing Starlink internet, CoinEx Global also distributed essential food supplies to residents of both villages. This aid was provided to help ease the burden of those in need, especially amid economic challenges. The food aid we provide is a reflection of our concern for community welfare. We hope this initiative will help residents meet their basic needs, said Alex. Commitment to Ongoing CSR Programs This initiative is part of CoinEx Globals broader CSR program, which not only focuses on technology but also aims to improve social welfare across the globe. The Charity Starlink Program has been implemented in various remote areas and will continue to expand to benefit more underprivileged communities. At CoinEx, we believe that technology can unlock significant opportunities for communities with limited access. By providing internet access, we are not only delivering technology but also creating new opportunities for people to grow and thrive, added Alex. Founded in 2022, CoinEx Charity has always upheld the mission of Making the World a Better Place. The organization focuses on educational equity, medical support, disaster relief, and infrastructure improvement, striving to empower global public welfare through blockchain technology. To date, CoinEx Charity has launched over a hundred philanthropic initiatives across multiple countries, covering areas such as charitable donations, school construction, medical missions, nutritional assistance, and technology education. These efforts have benefited hundreds of thousands of people worldwide. One of its flagship programs the Charity Starlink Initiative has successfully deployed Starlink satellite internet systems in underconnected regions across Asia, Africa, and Latin America. The program bridges the digital divide in remote communities, enabling access to the world, and unlocking opportunities in education and employment. It has earned widespread recognition from local governments and communities. CoinEx firmly believes that the value of technology lies not only in improving efficiency and enabling seamless transactions, but also in advancing global public welfare and promoting sustainable social development. Through CoinEx Charity, the platform is turning its vision of bridging hope into reality, continuously delivering warmth and trust through meaningful actions. About CoinEx Established in 2017, CoinEx is a global cryptocurrency exchange designed with users in mind. Since its launch by the industry-leading mining pool ViaBTC, the platform has been one of the earliest crypto exchanges to release proof-of-reserves to protect 100% of user assets. CoinEx provides over 1400 cryptocurrencies, supported by professional-grade features and services, for its 10+ million users across 200+ countries and regions. CoinEx is also home to its native token, CET, which incentivizes user activities while empowering its ecosystem.Beyond its focus on digital services, CoinEx is dedicated to making a positive impact through CSR programs that support social sustainability across different regions. To learn more about CoinEx, visit: Website | Twitter | Telegram | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube Contact: Karen Hu pr@coinex.com Disclaimer: This press release is provided by CoinEx. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading advice. Investing in crypto and mining related opportunities involves significant risks, including the potential loss of capital. Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. However, due to the inherently speculative nature of the blockchain sector--including cryptocurrency, NFTs, and mining--complete accuracy cannot always be guaranteed. Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release.Speculate only with funds that you can afford to lose.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 do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information presented herein. Any concerns, complaints, or copyright issues related to this article should be directed to the content provider mentioned above. Photos accompanying this announcement are available at: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c2847010-d3aa-4bb8-afea-c2a2ed507d3a https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2ef06fc9-9d66-4c90-bda2-782e0efb9cf8 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a161787b-556c-4352-a6ac-4a4495e30459 Dublin, March 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Carpet Market Size and Share Analysis - Growth Trends and Forecast Report 2025-2033" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The Carpet market is expected to reach US$ 114.43 billion by 2033 from US$ 70.86 billion in 2024, growing with a CAGR of 5.47% from 2025 to 2033. The carpet market share is being driven by a number of factors, including significant technological breakthroughs, growing environmental concerns, expanding real estate and building projects, and the rise of internet retail. Innovations and Technological Developments in the Carpet Manufacturing Industry Innovations and technological breakthroughs have emerged as key factors in the development of the demand for carpets worldwide. Carpet manufacturers are always looking for innovative ways to improve the carpets' quality, longevity, and visual appeal. According to an industry survey from India, carpet made up a sizable portion of their export revenue. India shipped USD 1.51 billion worth of carpets and rugs in fiscal year 2021-2022. The industry has been completely transformed by cutting-edge technology like digital printing, which allow for complex and adaptable designs that satisfy a wide range of customer preferences. Additionally, in response to the increased demand for environmentally conscious products, technological advancements have produced more eco-friendly and sustainable carpet materials. Additionally, production has been streamlined by improved manufacturing techniques, which has reduced costs that can be transferred to customers. The carpet market is set to undergo additional change as technology develops, with creative strategies reshaping the market and affecting consumer preferences. Sustainable Carpet Options and Environmental Factors Concerns about the environment have become major factors in the expansion of the worldwide carpet business, which has increased demand for eco-friendly and sustainable products. Sustainable raw resources are used in the production of some carpets. These are often natural, renewable, biodegradable fibers that don't require fertilizers or pesticides to create. Great examples include coir, hemp, bamboo, corn leaves, jute, seagrass, and wool. Customers are looking for carpets that reflect their beliefs more and more as they become more conscious of the environmental effects of different businesses. This change has forced producers to embrace ecologically friendly production methods and create novel materials from recycled or renewable resources. Consumers' purchasing decisions are heavily influenced by sustainability-related certifications and standards, such as those that deal with chemical emissions and recyclability. When there is a temperature differential between the air beneath the floor and the air inside, carpet can help reduce heating energy costs. The greatest benefit of a carpet is when it covers as much of the space as possible, ideally from wall to wall. Uninsulated flooring cause 10-20% of a room's heat loss. This is because the carpeted area has a direct correlation with the reduction in heat loss. Economic Factors Economic factors have a big impact on the growth of the global carpet market and profoundly shape its course. Consumers' decisions about carpet and other aspects of home decor are directly impacted by changes in their levels of disposable money. Customers are frequently more eager to spend money on beautiful and high-quality carpets that improve the atmosphere of their homes during times of economic expansion. On the other hand, consumer tastes may change toward more affordable solutions during economic downturns. There may be an increase in demand for reasonably priced or bargain carpets as people place a higher value on economy. Furthermore, other less developed countries - such as those in Latin America and Africa - are growing at a fair pace. Guyana, for instance, is predicted to be the world's fastest-growing economy for the fifth year in a row with a GDP growth rate of over 34%, according to projections. Fluctuating Raw Material Prices Since synthetic materials like nylon and natural fibers like wool are essential to the creation of carpets, fluctuations in the price of raw materials have a substantial effect on the carpet industry. Global demand, weather-related impacts on sheep production, and supply problems can all affect the price of wool. Since polyester and nylon are petroleum-based, the cost of synthetic fibers also varies according to the price of crude oil. It might be difficult for manufacturers to maintain constant pricing as a result of these price fluctuations since they can raise production expenses. In order to maintain competitiveness and manage profit margins in a turbulent market, companies may need to modify their pricing strategy, absorb increased expenses, or look for alternative materials. Competition from Hard Flooring Alternatives Hard flooring options like tiles, hardwood, and laminate are becoming more and more popular because of their longevity, ease of upkeep, and contemporary aesthetic appeal, posing a threat to the carpet business. Hard flooring is perfect for high-traffic areas and houses with dogs or small children since they are impervious to wear, spills, and stains. Furthermore, these materials require less upkeep than carpets, which require frequent vacuuming, washing, and thorough cleaning to keep looking nice. The carpet business faces a problem as a result of consumer tastes shifting toward long-lasting, low-maintenance flooring options. The sector must innovate to provide long-lasting, easily-cared-for products while retaining appeal in a market dominated by hard flooring options. Carpet Market Overview by Regions By countries, the global Carpet market is divided into United States, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, United Kingdom, Belgium, Netherlands, Turkey, China, Japan, India, Australia, South Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, New Zealand, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, South Africa, Saudi Arabia and UAE. United States Carpet Market Demand from homes, businesses, and institutions drives the carpet market in the United States, which makes up a sizeable portion of the larger flooring sector. Carpet demand is still high, especially in the residential sector, due to the increased emphasis on interior design and home restoration. Hard flooring alternatives like laminate, hardwood, and tiles are becoming more and more competitive, though. Carpets with qualities like stain resistance, durability, and environmental friendliness are becoming more and more sought after by consumers. Natural or recycled fiber-based sustainable products are becoming more and more popular. Offices, hotels, and retail are examples of commercial sectors that support market expansion by highlighting carpets that blend style and utility. Technological advancements in production also have an impact on the U.S. market, allowing for more complex and personalized designs to satisfy a wide range of consumer preferences. Over 4 million homes are reportedly sold in the US each year, which has increased demand for carpets as a flooring option. Spending more than USD 500 billion a year on home modifications and renovations is another factor fueling industry expansion. Because they are comfortable and insulate warm heat, carpets are also popular in chilly climates like the Northeast and Midwest. An industry survey claims that the hospitality sector, which includes more than 110,000 hotels and motels nationwide, enhances atmosphere and hence boosts the demand for upscale carpets. The same is supported by the business sector, which mostly consists of offices, hotels, and retail stores. United Kingdom Carpet Market With a lengthy history of carpet production and use, the UK carpet sector is well-established. The demand is mostly driven by the residential market, where buyers are looking for a balance between practicality, style, and comfort. Although carpets are still widely used, hard flooring options like tiles and laminate, which are preferred for their longevity and ease of care, are becoming a bigger competitor in the market. As more people choose eco-friendly carpets made of natural or recycled materials, sustainability is a major trend. Custom colors, patterns, and textures are examples of design innovations that are important in drawing in customers. The UK carpet market is still a major participant in the larger flooring sector, despite competition from other flooring options. China Carpet Market China's carpet market has grown significantly due to the country's fast urbanization, rising disposable incomes, and growing desire for interior design. High-end, fashionable carpets are becoming more and more popular in both the residential and commercial sectors as the middle class grows. Although conventional wool and silk carpets are still in style, synthetic carpets are becoming more and more popular because of their durability and cost. With consumers expressing interest in recyclable and environmentally friendly products, sustainability is becoming more and more significant. The market is also heavily influenced by the commercial sector, which includes lodging facilities, workplaces, and retail establishments. Additionally, the growth of online shopping platforms is increasing market reach and consumer engagement throughout China by providing access to a greater variety of carpet products. Saudi Arabia Carpet Market Growing urbanization, increased disposable incomes, and a burgeoning real estate industry are driving the Saudi Arabian carpet market's robust demand in both the residential and commercial sectors. Particularly in upscale residences, hotels, and business spaces, carpets are prized for their visual appeal, comfort, and luxury. Although traditional handmade rugs with elaborate designs are still in style, synthetic carpets are becoming more and more popular because of their cost and durability. Many buyers prioritize luxury and look for rugs composed of premium materials like silk and wool. Sustainability is also becoming more significant, as evidenced by the rising demand for sustainable and eco-friendly carpet solutions. E-commerce platforms provide easy access to a wide range of products, which further aids in market expansion. Key Attributes Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 200 Forecast Period 2024-2033 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2024 $70.86 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2033 $114.43 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 5.4% Regions Covered Global Key Topics Covered 1. Introduction 2. Research & Methodology 3. Executive Summary 4. Market Dynamics 4.1 Growth Drivers 4.2 Challenges 5. Global Carpet Market 6. Market Share Analysis 6.1 Product Type 6.2 Material 6.3 End Use 6.4 Country 7. Product Type 7.1 Woven 7.2 Knotted 7.3 Needle Felt 7.4 Tufted 8. Material 8.1 Nylon 8.2 Polypropylene 8.3 Polyester 8.4 Acrylic 8.5 Wool & its blends 8.6 Others 9. End Use 9.1 Residential 9.2 Commercial 9.3 Industrial 10. Country 10.1 North America 10.1.1 United States 10.1.2 Canada 10.2 Europe 10.2.1 France 10.2.2 Germany 10.2.3 Italy 10.2.4 Spain 10.2.5 United Kingdom 10.2.6 Belgium 10.2.7 Netherlands 10.2.8 Turkey 10.3 Asia Pacific 10.3.1 China 10.3.2 Japan 10.3.3 India 10.3.4 Australia 10.3.5 South Korea 10.3.6 Thailand 10.3.7 Malaysia 10.3.8 Indonesia 10.3.9 New Zealand 10.4 Latin America 10.4.1 Brazil 10.4.2 Mexico 10.4.3 Argentina 10.5 Middle East & Africa 10.5.1 South Africa 10.5.2 Saudi Arabia 10.5.3 UAE 11. Porter's Five Analysis 11.1 Bargaining Power of Buyers 11.2 Bargaining Power of Suppliers 11.3 Degree of Rivalry 11.4 Threat of New Entrants 11.5 Threat of Substitutes 12. SWOT Analysis 12.1 Strength 12.2 Weakness 12.3 Opportunity 12.4 Threat 13. Company Analysis 13.1 Armstrong Flooring Inc. 13.1.1 Overview 13.1.2 Key Persons 13.1.3 Recent Development & Strategies 13.1.4 Product Portfolio 13.1.5 Financial Insights 13.2 Balta Industries 13.3 Mohawk Industries Inc. 13.4 Tarkett 13.5 Victoria PLC 13.6 Mannington Mills Inc. 13.7 Dorsett Industries For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/rtcodk About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. 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. NAPLES, Fla., March 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Intetics Inc., a global leader in technology solutions, has been honored with the 2025 Remote Work Leadership Award for its groundbreaking Remote In-Sourcing model. This prestigious award, presented by TMCnet, recognizes Intetics for its innovative approach to building and managing high-performing remote teams that drive business success in a fast-evolving digital landscape. Intetics Remote In-Sourcing model is a unique approach that combines the flexibility of remote work with the precision and reliability of an in-house team structure. The model empowers businesses to build custom remote teams with the specific skills and expertise needed for each project, all while maintaining full control over team management and project outcomes. By leveraging this model, Intetics has enabled its clients to seamlessly scale their operations, optimize productivity, and accelerate time-to-marketwithout the challenges often associated with traditional outsourcing. The Remote In-Sourcing model is designed to deliver a comprehensive set of benefits, including: Tailored Talent Solutions : Clients gain access to a global pool of skilled professionals, ensuring the right talent for each project. : Clients gain access to a global pool of skilled professionals, ensuring the right talent for each project. Enhanced Collaboration and Communication : The model focuses on building transparent, collaborative remote environments where teams work as seamlessly as on-site staff. : The model focuses on building transparent, collaborative remote environments where teams work as seamlessly as on-site staff. Scalable and Flexible Operations : Clients can easily scale their teams up or down based on project needs, offering unparalleled flexibility. : Clients can easily scale their teams up or down based on project needs, offering unparalleled flexibility. Cost Efficiency: By eliminating overhead costs associated with maintaining physical offices, businesses can significantly reduce their operational expenses. "Winning the 2025 Remote Work Leadership Award for our Remote In-Sourcing model is a proud moment for us. It reflects our ongoing commitment to improving remote work through top talent, advanced technology, and a client-focused approach," says Boris Kontsevoi, CEO & President of Intetics. "With 30 years of experience, were excited to continue innovating and delivering solutions that help businesses maximize the potential of their teams in todays connected world." Intetics has been at the forefront of remote work innovation for years, helping companies across industries from telecommunications to healthcare adapt to the challenges of remote work while boosting productivity, collaboration, and innovation. The company continues to lead the charge in remote work solutions by investing in new technologies and methodologies that redefine whats possible in the digital workforce. For more information on Intetics' award-winning Remote In-Sourcing model and other technology solutions, visit www.intetics.com. Read more about the award here. Dublin, March 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "India Vision Care Market Size and Share Analysis - Growth Trends and Forecast Report 2025-2033" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The India Vision Care Market was valued at USD 1.07 billion in 2024 and is expected to grow to USD 1.86 billion by 2033, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.31% from 2025 through 2033. Increasing awareness regarding eye health issues, increasing incidence of disorders that affect vision, and greater availability of affordable vision care products and services in urban as well as rural areas of India are some of the factors propelling this growth. Increasing Prevalence of Vision Disorders Rising cases of vision disorders like myopia, hyperopia, cataract, and glaucoma will continue to boost growth. Higher screen time, changing lifestyles, and the effects of aging drive demand for corrective eyewear and treatment. As per reports, a substantial section of India's population is not treated for their eye conditions, further indicating the scope for improvement in eye care. Efforts by both public and private sectors to address these concerns through awareness campaigns and affordable solutions are shaping the market's trajectory. India is greying. This is indicated by the growing percentage of people older than 60 years; that share grew from 7.7 percent of the whole population at the dawn of the millennium to 9.4 percent in 2017 and will balloon to 19 percent-324 million-by 2050. With advancing age comes increasing likelihood of several conditions affecting the eye, including cataracts, glaucoma, and age-related macular degeneration. This demographic trend has driven vision care, including regular check-ups, eyeglasses prescription, and surgical procedures. Technologies in Eye Care The eye care market of India has completely transformed with state-of-the-art technologies like latest diagnostic equipment, laser-assisted surgeries, and high-quality lenses. These allow for better and more accurate diagnostics and improve results of treatment thereby making eye care more effective as well as reachable. Telemedicine and mobile eye care units have brought this care even closer to patients' homes. Thus, people will receive treatment at the earliest moment. Growth of AI and machine learning-based diagnostic technology would spur growth. RevitalVision has launched its innovative vision-training software in India, coinciding with Low Vision awareness in February 2024. The FDA-cleared program is designed to enhance vision by focusing on the brain's visual processing rather than optical correction or surgery, providing a new solution for people with a variety of eye diseases and visual impairments. Increasing Awareness and Government Initiatives Public awareness programs and government initiatives, such as the National Programme for Control of Blindness (NPCB), are largely responsible for increasing the masses' awareness about eye care. These programs aim to reduce preventable blindness and provide free vision care services to underprivileged communities. Collaborations with NGOs and private institutions have helped expand the reach of low-cost eye care. This has contributed to the market's growth as it primarily targets the less developed regions. In March 2024, Maxivision Super Specialty Eye Hospitals has opened its fifth facility in Tamil Nadu, taking its network of hospitals across the country to 46. The operator plans to take the count to 100 hospitals by 2025 and has signed an agreement with the Tamil Nadu government to open eye care facilities in Perambalur, Thanjavur, Tiruchirappalli, and Salem under 'Project Velicham.' Limited Access in Rural Areas Majority of India's population lives in rural settings with minimal access to quality vision care services. There is a lack of trained ophthalmologists, inadequate infrastructure, and logistical challenges that present barriers to timely and efficient eyesight care delivery. However, through mobile eye clinics and telemedicine, access has improved to a certain extent, bridging the rural-urban gap, which still remains a serious barrier for the growth of the market. Advanced Treatments Entail High Cost Although the quality of eye care has improved with the advent of new technologies, high-priced treatments continue to be unaffordable for a large section of the population. LASIK surgery and premium contact lenses remain out of the reach of most people. Vision-related expenses remain uncovered by insurance, which again hampers the adoption of sophisticated solutions and reduces market penetration in lower-income segments. India Glass Lenses Market The India glass lenses market is highly on the growth side, with an increased demand for eyewear and innovation in lens technology. Contributing factors to the trend are a growing awareness about eye health, an aging population, and shifting towards high-quality vision correction solutions. Applications that the market consists of include corrective lenses, sunglasses, and safety eyewear. With the advent of online retail and customization, consumers are more likely to try premium options. The key players are working on innovative materials and coatings to make the lens more efficient and long-lasting. India Contact Lenses Market The India contact lenses market is growing rapidly, primarily due to an increase in awareness of eye health and a growing preference for cosmetic and corrective lenses. Urbanization and increasing middle-class population have resulted in increased demand for fashionable and comfortable vision correction products. Advances in lens technology, such as colored and breathable lenses, are further improving market attractiveness. Online retailing is also opening up contact lenses to consumers. As aesthetics and functionality become important to consumers, the market will continue to grow in the coming years. India Laser Therapy Vision Care Market The India Laser Therapy Vision Care Market is growing strongly due to a rise in awareness for advanced treatment options for vision-related issues. Growing eye disorders related to factors like aging and increasing screen time increase the demand for laser therapies. A number of key players are investing in innovative technologies, expanding their services, and enhancing accessibility for patients. Government initiatives and a developing healthcare infrastructure add to this growth. The market is set to continue its growth as more people look for non-invasive and effective solutions to their vision care needs. India Vision Care Clinics Market The India Vision Care Clinics Market is growing at a fast pace due to increasing awareness of eye health and growing cases of vision-related problems. It further adds that demand for specialized vision care services keeps increasing with more clinics offering detailed eye examinations and corrective procedures plus advanced diagnostic techniques. Advances in treatments coupled with government initiatives geared towards promoting health through eyes continue to strengthen this market expansion further. There has also been more emphasis on prevention and early detection, leading individuals to seek further specialized vision care services that indirectly improve public health. India Vision Care Market Overview by Regions North India Vision Care Market The North India Vision Care Market has experienced immense growth because of the increasing awareness about eye health and the growing advancements in vision correction technologies. The demand for eye care services and products, such as eyewear and surgical procedures, is contributed by rising disposable incomes and an aging population. Retail chains and e-commerce portals have made the services more accessible for customers to achieve better vision care products. Also, government campaigns towards regular eye exams increase market demand and raise the health-conscious people in the nation. West India Vision Care Market West India Vision Care Market is growing well due to population growth and more people developing issues related to their vision. The increased awareness of eye health, coupled with technological advancements, has created a huge demand for eyewear and corrective surgeries. Major cities in the region are witnessing the establishment of specialized eye care centers and retail chains offering a wide range of optical products. Digital platforms are also making it easy to access vision care, ensuring consumers can easily acquire necessary solutions for their eye health needs. South India Vision Care Market The South India vision care market is experiencing significant growth, driven by increasing awareness about eye health and rising cases of vision-related issues. With a population that values regular eye check-ups and the adoption of advanced technologies, the demand for eye care services and products, including spectacles, contact lenses, and surgical procedures, is on the rise. Key players in this market are expanding their offerings, while government initiatives promoting eye care awareness further contribute to market development. This dynamic landscape presents ample opportunities for growth and innovation. East India Vision Care Market The East India vision care market is growing rapidly, driven by increasing awareness of eye health and an aging population. With urbanization and changing lifestyles, the instances of vision problems are on the rise. This is a growing demand for eye care services and products, including glasses, contact lenses, and advanced surgical treatments. The key players in the region are investing in innovative technologies and expanding their service networks. Moreover, public health campaigns focusing on vision care are further driving growth and improving accessibility in the market. Company Analysis: Overview, Recent Developments, Key Persons, Revenue Analysis Bausch and Lomb India Pvt Ltd Alcon Laboratories Pvt Ltd Hoya Lens India Pvt Ltd Johnson & Johnson Luxottica India Eyewear Pvt Ltd Novartis India Ltd Carl Zeiss India Pvt Ltd Key Attributes Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 80 Forecast Period 2024-2033 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2024 $8.41 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2033 $17.04 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 8.1% Regions Covered India Key Topics Covered 1. Introduction 2. Research & Methodology 3. Executive Summary 4. Market Dynamics 4.1 Growth Drivers 4.2 Challenges 5. India Vision Care Market 6. Vision Care Market Share Analysis 6.1 By Product Type 6.2 By Treatment 6.3 By Distribution Channel 6.4 By Region 7. Product Type 7.1 Glass Lenses 7.2 Contact Lenses 7.3 Intraocular Lenses 7.4 Contact Solutions 7.5 Lasik Equipment 7.6 Artificial Tears 8. Treatment 8.1 Laser Therapy 8.2 Surgery 8.3 Medication 9. Distribution Channel 9.1 Retail Stores 9.2 E-Commerce 9.3 Clinics 9.4 Hospitals 9.5 Others 10. Region 10.1 East India 10.2 West India 10.3 North India 10.4 South India 11. Porter's Five Analysis 11.1 Bargaining Power of Buyers 11.2 Bargaining Power of Suppliers 11.3 Degree of Rivalry 11.4 Threat of New Entrants 11.5 Threat of Substitutes 12. SWOT Analysis 12.1 Strength 12.2 Weakness 12.3 Opportunity 12.4 Threat 13. Key Players For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/rwjkcs About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Attachment Dublin, March 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Radio Frequency Identification Technology Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report by Component (Tags, Antennas, Readers, Middleware), System (Active RFID, Passive RFID), Frequency, Application, and Region with Growth Forecasts, 2025-2030" has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The Radio Frequency Identification Technology Market was valued at USD 20.10 billion in 2024, and is projected to reach USD 47.63 billion by 2030, rising at a CAGR of 15.80%. Various benefits provided by RFID technology, including asset tracking, automation, better control over production, enhanced traceability, increased revenues, and higher operational efficiency, are anticipated to drive the market's growth over the forecast period. RFID technology has been in use for the past several years. However, the recent digitization and overall growth in technological adoption from various industries have propelled RFID technology even further. The retail industry is at the forefront and has witnessed its technological reconnaissance with RFID tags. The retail industry is leveraging RFID technology in supply chain management for inventory management, tracking, and shortening overall processes. The growing adoption of RFID technology from the retail industry significantly contributes to the market's growth. An essential aspect of the market is the varying nature of manufacturing and related costs. The past decade has seen a considerable reduction in production costs with the advent of many new technologies, such as printing and ink-jet. As the vendors benefit from these trends in the market, the high penetration of cost-to-volume benefits is expected to perpetuate to the end-users, thereby contributing to the market's growth. RFID devices are anticipated to witness a surge in demand as technological proliferation has led to extensive use of smart cards, access control, and other wireless communication applications. In addition, the proliferation of 5G and the Internet of Things (IoT) across industries is creating significant demand for wireless communication and smart devices, subsequently creating market demand for RFID devices. To sum up the trends in the market, RFID technology is anticipated to witness significant growth in the coming years in terms of size, cost, and technology, fueling its rapid deployment. Asia Pacific is anticipated to register the fastest CAGR over the forecast period. The growing e-commerce industry in the region is creating higher demand for reliable supply chain management solutions, which RFID technology can provide. Moreover, favorable government initiatives from countries, such as India and Japan, are driving the infrastructure development of the RFID market in the region, thus contributing to its growth. Radio Frequency Identification Technology Market Report Highlights The RFID tag segment dominated the market in 2024 and is anticipated to register significant CAGR over the forecast period. The growth is attributed to the RFID tag's capacity to provide faster and more accurate data, and its applications, including real-time inventory tracking and enhanced supply chain visibility. The passive RFID system segment led the market with a largest revenue share in 2024, due to its cost-effectiveness, easy integration, and small size. Passive RFID systems are used in applications, such as inventory management, supply chain & logistics, asset tracking, and access control. The high-frequency (HF) segment held the largest market share in 2024. The growing demand for HF RFID technology from the retail and healthcare industries in applications, such as access control, contactless payment, and enhanced security, will drive the segment's growth. The retail segment dominated the market in 2024 and is anticipated to retain its dominance over the forecast period. RFID technology's wide range of applications in the retail industry, including inventory management, asset tracking, in-store customer engagement, and contactless payments, contribute to the retail segment's growth. This report addresses: Market intelligence to enable effective decision-making. Market estimates and forecasts from 2018 to 2030. Growth opportunities and trend analyses. Segment and regional revenue forecasts for market assessment. Competition strategy and market share analysis. Product innovation listings for you to stay ahead of the curve. Why Should You Buy This Report? Comprehensive Market Analysis: Gain detailed insights into the market across major regions and segments. Competitive Landscape: Explore the market presence of key players. Future Trends: Discover the pivotal trends and drivers shaping the future of the market. Actionable Recommendations: Utilize insights to uncover new revenue streams and guide strategic business decisions. Key Attributes Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 130 Forecast Period 2024-2030 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2024 $20.1 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2030 $47.63 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 15.8% Regions Covered Global Key Topics Covered Chapter 1. Methodology and Scope Chapter 2. Executive Summary 2.1. Market Outlook 2.2. Segment Outlook 2.3. Competitive Insights Chapter 3. Radio Frequency Identification Technology Market Variables, Trends, & Scope 3.1. Market Lineage Outlook 3.2. Market Dynamics 3.2.1. Market Driver Analysis 3.2.2. Market Restraint Analysis 3.2.3. Industry Challenge 3.3. Radio Frequency Identification Technology Market Analysis Tools 3.3.1. Industry Analysis - Porter's 3.3.2. PESTEL Analysis Chapter 4. Radio Frequency Identification Technology Market: Component Estimates & Trend Analysis 4.1. Segment Dashboard 4.2. Radio Frequency Identification Technology Market: Component Movement Analysis, 2024 & 2030 (USD Million) 4.3. Tags 4.4. Antennas 4.5. Readers 4.6. Middleware Chapter 5. Radio Frequency Identification Technology Market: System Estimates & Trend Analysis 5.1. Segment Dashboard 5.2. Radio Frequency Identification Technology Market: System Movement Analysis, 2024 & 2030 (USD Million) 5.3. Active RFID System 5.4. Passive RFID System Chapter 6. Radio Frequency Identification Technology Market: Frequency Estimates & Trend Analysis 6.1. Segment Dashboard 6.2. Radio Frequency Identification Technology Market: Frequency Movement Analysis, 2024 & 2030 (USD Million) 6.3. Low Frequency (LF) RFID 6.4. High-Frequency (HF) RFID 6.5. Ultra-high frequency (UHF) RFID Chapter 7. Radio Frequency Identification Technology Market: Application Estimates & Trend Analysis 7.1. Segment Dashboard 7.2. Radio Frequency Identification Technology Market: Application Movement Analysis, 2024 & 2030 (USD Million) 7.3. Retail 7.4. Financial Services 7.5. Healthcare 7.6. Industrial 7.7. Government 7.8. Transportation & Logistics 7.9. Others Chapter 8. Radio Frequency Identification Technology Market: Regional Estimates & Trend Analysis 8.1. Radio Frequency Identification Technology Market Share, by Region, 2024 & 2030 (USD Million) 8.2. North America 8.3. Europe 8.4. Asia Pacific 8.5. Latin America 8.6. Middle East and Africa Chapter 9. Competitive Landscape 9.1. Company Categorization 9.2. Company Market Positioning 9.3. Company Heat Map Analysis 9.4. Company Profiles/Listing 9.4.1. Honeywell International Inc. 9.4.2. Zebra Technologies Corp. 9.4.3. AVERY DENNISON CORPORATION 9.4.4. Nedap 9.4.5. IMPINJ, INC. 9.4.6. NXP Semiconductors 9.4.7. Unitech Electronics Co., LTD. 9.4.8. HID Global Corporation 9.4.9. Invengo Information Technology Co., Ltd. 9.4.10. Datalogic S.p.A. For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/thvy8z About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Attachment PLEASE CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION NEW YORK and CHICAGO, March 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Wolf Haldenstein Adler Freeman & Herz LLP (Wolf Haldenstein), a preeminent national consumer rights law firm, is investigating claims on behalf of people who have been impacted by the Forum Communications Company (Forum) data breach. Incident Overview: Forum Communications, based in Fargo, North Dakota, experienced a data breach in which clients' personal information, including names and Social Security numbers, may have been stolen. Potential Risks: Affected individuals are being warned that their personal information could be available for sale on the dark web. Legal Action: Wolf Haldenstein Adler Freeman & Herz LLP, a national consumer rights law firm, is investigating the breach on behalf of impacted individuals. Next Steps: Affected individuals are encouraged to submit their contact information and reach out to the law firm if they have concerns or questions about their rights. Contact Information: Pune, March 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BOTOX Market Size & Growth Analysis: According to SNS Insider, the global BOTOX Market was worth USD 5.58 billion in 2023 and is anticipated to be worth USD 13.74 billion by 2032, at a CAGR of 10.55% from 2024 to 2032. Increasing demand for minimally invasive aesthetic treatments and the growing application of botulinum toxin in the healthcare industry are major drivers for the growth. Growing disposable incomes, social media trends, and advances in cosmetic dermatology have substantially accelerated the use of BOTOX treatments across the globe. In the United States, the market for BOTOX is highly dominant, bringing in a significant percentage of revenues worldwide. As per the report by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, more than 4.4 million botulinum toxin treatments were administered in the U.S. in 2023, further solidifying its position as the most used minimally invasive cosmetic treatment. The U.S. has also witnessed growing use of BOTOX in medicine, such as in the management of chronic migraines, muscle conditions, and excessive sweating, further fueling market growth. Get a Sample Report of BOTOX Market@ https://www.snsinsider.com/sample-request/3319 Major Players Analysis Listed in this Report are: AbbVie Inc. Botox Lanzhou Institute of Biological Products Co., Ltd. BTXA Ipsen Pharma Dysport Merz Pharma Xeomin Medytox Coretox, Innotox GALDERMA RelabotulinumtoxinA (under development) HUGEL, Inc. The Chaeum Toxin (formerly Wellage Toxin) Evolus, Inc. Jeuveau Revance Therapeutics, Inc. Daxxify Supernus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. BOTOX Market Report Scope Report Attributes Details Market Size in 2023 US$ 5.58 billion Market Size by 2032 US$ 13.74 billion CAGR CAGR of 10.55% From 2024 to 2032 Base Year 2023 Forecast Period 2024-2032 Historical Data 2020-2022 Key Regional Coverage North America (US, Canada, Mexico), Europe (Eastern Europe [Poland, Romania, Hungary, Turkey, Rest of Eastern Europe] Western Europe] Germany, France, UK, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Switzerland, Austria, Rest of Western Europe]), Asia Pacific (China, India, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, Singapore, Australia, Rest of Asia Pacific), Middle East & Africa (Middle East [UAE, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Rest of Middle East]), Africa [Nigeria, South Africa, Rest of Africa], Latin America (Brazil, Argentina, Colombia Rest of Latin America) Segment Analysis By Application: The Aesthetics segment dominated the BOTOX market in 2023, accounting for more than 60% of the overall market share. This is driven by the rising demand for facial rejuvenation treatments, such as wrinkle reduction and contouring treatments. Aesthetic uses continue to increase due to rising consumer awareness and social acceptance of cosmetic treatments. The Therapeutics segment is experiencing accelerated growth, led by the rising application of BOTOX to treat medical conditions like chronic migraines, spasticity, and hyperhidrosis. The efficacy of botulinum toxin in treating neurological disorders has triggered additional research and expanded clinical use. By Type: Botulinum Toxin Type A dominated the market with the highest share in 2023, contributing over 85% of total revenue. Its established efficacy and extensive use in both aesthetic and therapeutic indications render it the preferred option among medical professionals. Botulinum Toxin Type B is developing as the fastest-growing segment, with research ongoing to develop its applications for alternative therapeutic uses, especially for curing neurological illnesses and movement disorders. By End-User: Specialty & Dermatology Clinics dominated the market in 2023, accounting for more than 57.2% of overall revenue. The increased desire for expert-performed, outpatient cosmetic treatments has driven the demand for BOTOX procedures in specialty clinics. Hospitals & Clinics are undergoing the most pronounced growth since the integration of botulinum toxin-derived treatments within regular healthcare environments keeps expanding. Widespread clinical use in both neurology and pain treatment fuels increasing adoption across hospitals. Need Any Customization Research on BOTOX Market, Enquire Now@ https://www.snsinsider.com/enquiry/3319 BOTOX Market Segmentation By Application Therapeutics Chronic Migraine Spasticity Overactive Bladder Cervical Dystonia Blepharospasm Others Aesthetics By Type Botulinum Toxin Type A Botulinum Toxin Type B By End-user Specialty & Dermatology Clinics Hospitals & Clinics Others Regional Analysis North America led the BOTOX market in 2023 with over 48.6% of total revenue. The region benefits from high disposable incomes, a growing demand for aesthetic treatments, and the presence of dominant market players like AbbVie (Allergan Aesthetics). The U.S. is the prime revenue driver, backed by a robust aesthetic medicine sector and FDA-approved medical uses of botulinum toxin. Asia-Pacific is expected to witness the fastest growth, supported by growing awareness of cosmetic procedures, higher disposable incomes, and cultural desires for youthful looks. China, Japan, and South Korea are among the countries leading the adoption of BOTOX procedures in the region. Recent Developments October 2024: Allergan Aesthetics (AbbVie) announced FDA approval for BOTOX Cosmetic to treat moderate to severe platysma bands (vertical neck bands), expanding its aesthetic indications beyond facial treatments. September 2024: Allergan Aesthetics launched the next phase of its 2024 BOTOX Cosmetic grant program, empowering 20 women entrepreneurs through crowdfunding initiatives. September 2024: Allergan Aesthetics introduced BOTOX Cosmetic for Masseter Muscle Prominence (MMP) in China, addressing the growing demand for facial contouring in the Asian market. February 2025: Evolus reported a 30% increase in Q4 2024 sales, reaching USD 79 million, with strong projections for 2025. The company anticipates FDA approval of new injectable hyaluronic acid gels in Q2 2025. Statistical Insights and Trends In 2023, over 4.4 million BOTOX injections were performed in the U.S. alone, making it the most common minimally invasive cosmetic procedure. The adoption of BOTOX for medical applications is increasing, with over 1 million BOTOX-based therapeutic treatments performed annually for conditions such as chronic migraines and muscle disorders. The rise in disposable income and healthcare expenditure is fueling BOTOX adoption, with the U.S. market seeing a 12% year-over-year increase in aesthetic treatment spending in 2023. Buy a Single-User PDF of BOTOX Market Analysis & Outlook Report 2024-2032@ https://www.snsinsider.com/checkout/3319 Table of Contents Major Key Points 1. Introduction 2. Executive Summary 3. Research Methodology 4. Market Dynamics Impact Analysis 5. Statistical Insights and Trends Reporting 6. Competitive Landscape 7. BOTOX Market by Application 8. BOTOX Market by Type 9. BOTOX Market by End-user 10. Regional Analysis 11. Company Profiles 12. Use Cases and Best Practices 13. Conclusion Access Complete Report Details of BOTOX Market Analysis & Outlook 2024-2032@ https://www.snsinsider.com/reports/botox-market-3319 [For more information or need any customization research mail us at info@snsinsider.com] About Us: SNS Insider is one of the leading market research and consulting agencies that dominates the market research industry globally. Our company's aim is to give clients the knowledge they require in order to function in changing circumstances. In order to give you current, accurate market data, consumer insights, and opinions so that you can make decisions with confidence, we employ a variety of techniques, including surveys, video talks, and focus groups around the world. BOCA RATON, Fla., March 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Q.E.P. CO., INC. (OTCQX: QEPC) (the Company or QEP) today announced that it has completed the sale of its wholly owned subsidiary, PRCI, S.A.S., to Spear & Jackson Group Limited and Neill France, S.A. in a stock purchase transaction having a value of 1.4 million Euros. PRCI, a distributor of tile and plumbing tools in France, was acquired by QEP in September 2004. Len Gould, QEPs President and Chief Executive Officer, noted, This divestiture continues our strategy to refocus efforts and resources in North America. PRCI is in good hands with Spear & Jackson going forward, which will allow us to increase our force and focus on our markets here. In connection with this transaction, QEP secured the consent of its lending institution, Bank of America, N.A., which waived certain covenants, released all claims on the divested assets, and approved the transaction under the Fifth Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement dated February 15, 2021. About QEP Founded in 1979, Q.E.P. Co., Inc. is a leading designer, manufacturer and distributor of a broad range of best-in-class flooring installation solutions for commercial and home improvement projects worldwide. QEP offers a comprehensive line of specialty installation tools, adhesives, and underlayment. QEP sells its products throughout the world to home improvement retail centers, and professional specialty distribution outlets, under brand names including QEP, LASH, ROBERTS, Capitol, Premix-Marbletite (PMM), Brutus and Homelux. QEP is headquartered in Boca Raton, Florida with offices in Canada and Asia. Please visit our website at www.qepcorporate.com. Forward-Looking Statements All statements contained in this press release, other than statements of historical facts, may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. These statements can be identified by words such as "expects," "plans," "projects," "will," "may," "anticipates," "believes," "should," "intends," "estimates," and other words of similar meaning. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the Companys business following the sale. Any forward-looking statements contained herein are based on current expectations and beliefs, and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including those listed in the Companys annual report, as such risk factors may be amended, supplemented or superseded from time to time by other reports and disclosures made by the Company. Forward-looking statements may also be adversely affected by general market factors, competitive product development, product availability, federal and state regulations and legislation, manufacturing issues that may arise, patent positions and litigation, among other factors. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date the statements were made, and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements, except as required by law. CONTACT: Q.E.P. Co., Inc. Enos Brown Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer 561-994-5550 NEW YORK, March 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- World Without War has condemned recent airstrikes on civilian targets in Nasir, South Sudan, amid reports that the Uganda Peoples Defense Force (UPDF) used chemical incendiary weapons. Images and witness accounts suggest that ethyl acetatea flammable industrial chemicalwas deployed in the densely populated region in Upper Nile state. I am deeply concerned by the use of chemical incendiary weapons by the governments of South Sudan and Uganda, said Edward H. Carpenter, Director of World Without War and former UN peacekeeper in South Sudan. This is not just an escalationits a potential war crime. Carpenter warned that such attacks, or even the perception of them, risk reigniting full-scale war and undermining peace efforts by the UN and IGAD, of which Uganda is a member. Ugandas alleged involvement may also violate both domestic and international law. In 2024, UN officials reported 1,561 civilians were killed in South Sudan, over 230 by government forces. Carpenter noted, The weapons usedand the international nature of the attackersset this incident apart. Once relatively stable, Nasir has seen rising tensions since 2024, when human rights abuses by government troops escalated violence. Ugandas involvement has inflamed the situation, with Ugandan commander General Muhoozi Kainerugaba reportedly threatening local militias. On March 17, Reuters confirmed the air strike on Nasir. At least 21 people were killed, including the paramount chief . The airport, market, and county commissioners residence were targeted. World Without War criticized the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) for failing to protect civilians. Why hasnt UNMISS deployed peacekeepers as theyre mandated to do? asked Carpenter, a former UNMISS Chief of Plans and Policy. Though authorized 17,000 troops, fewer than 14,000 have been provided. Carpenter urged deployment of Necessary Unified Forces, a neutral South Sudanese force, alongside UNMISS peacekeepers to restore local trust. The United Nations must investigate this attack on civilians and demand accountability, he said, calling on South Sudan to ratify Protocol III of the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons. World Without War is an international NGO working to end armed conflict by challenging the legal, ethical, and societal myths that justify it. Founded in 2023, it uses reporting, research, and media to hold institutions accountable and build a future free from war. Grand Coteau, Louisiana, March 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Dickeys Barbecue, the legendary Texas barbecue chain known for its authentic Legit. Texas. Barbecue., is thrilled to announce its partnership with Gaubert Oil and its wholly owned subsidiary, Go-Bears Food Marts, to bring the unmistakable flavors of Texas barbecue to even more Louisiana communities. The first location in Grand Coteau is now open, with two additional locations to follow in 2025. This collaboration promises to enrich the local food scene and offer Louisiana residents a new place to enjoy genuine, slow-smoked barbecue that only Dickeys can deliver. We are so excited to bring Dickeys signature Texas barbecue to Louisiana in partnership with Gaubert Oil and Go-Bears, said Laura Rea Dickey, CEO of Dickeys Barbecue Restaurants, Inc. This expansion marks a new chapter in our mission to deliver authentic Texas barbecue to more communities across the country. We know the Louisiana food scene is incredible, and we cant wait to be part of it. The partnership, initially announced in late 2024, will introduce three Dickeys locations throughout Louisiana, starting in Grand Coteau. The restaurant will offer a full menu of award-winning smoked meats, including the iconic brisket, pulled pork, ribs and chicken, paired with signature sides and hand-crafted barbecue sauces. Families and barbecue lovers alike will now have the opportunity to experience a taste of Texas in their own backyard. We are proud to team up with Dickeys to bring this renowned Texas barbecue experience to our Go-Bears Food Marts, said Grady Gaubert, CEO of Gaubert Oil. Dickeys dedication to quality and flavor aligns perfectly with the values of our Go-Bears locations and we are excited to offer our customers a new dining option thats both delicious and memorable. The new locations will be a great addition to Go-Bears Food Marts, which are staples in the Louisiana community. With a focus on exceptional customer service, Gaubert Oil is confident that the partnership will be a hit with both loyal Go-Bears customers and new Dickeys fans. Were thrilled to continue expanding the Dickeys brand and bringing our beloved barbecue to even more regions, said Roland Dickey Jr., CEO of Dickeys Capital Group. This partnership with Gaubert Oil is a great opportunity to grow our presence in Louisiana and further our mission of providing high-quality, authentic Texas barbecue to people all over the country. We cant wait to see the impact it has on this community. Dickeys Barbecue is committed to offering a dining experience that brings people together. With a focus on providing quality, slow-smoked meats and a family-friendly atmosphere, the Grand Coteau location will be the first of many to offer local families a place to gather and enjoy a meal that is as rich in flavor as it is in tradition. About Dickeys Barbecue Restaurants, Inc. Founded in 1941 by The Dickey Family, Dickey's Barbecue Restaurants, Inc. is the worlds largest barbecue concept and continues as a third-generation family-run business. For over 80 years, Dickeys Barbecue Pit has served millions with its signature Legit. Texas. Barbecue. Slow-smoked over hickory wood-burning pits, Dickeys barbecued meats are paired with a variety of southern sides. Committed to authentic barbecue, Dickeys never takes shortcutsbecause real barbecue cant be rushed. With over 866 restaurants across eight concepts in the U.S. and several countries, Dickeys Barbecue Franchise and Dickeys Restaurant Brands continues to grow under the leadership of Roland Dickey, Jr., CEO of Dickeys Capital Group, and Laura Rea Dickey, CEO of Dickeys Barbecue Pit, Inc. Dickeys has been recognized on Newsweeks 2022 "Americas Favorite Restaurant Chains" list, Nations Restaurant News 2024 top fast-casual brands for value, and USA Todays 2021 Readers Choice Awards. The brand has also ranked in the Top 20 of Fast Casuals Top 100 Movers and Shakers for four of the past five years. Additional accolades include Entrepreneur's Top 500 Franchise and Hospitality Technologys Industry Heroes list. The brand has been featured by Fox News, Forbes, Franchise Times, The Wall Street Journal, and People Magazine. For more information, visit www.dickeys.com. For information about becoming a franchise partner, visit www.dickeysfranchise.com About Gaubert Oil Founded in 1926, Gaubert Oil Company has solidified its reputation as a trusted partner in the petroleum and lubricant industry, delivering exceptional products and services to a wide array of industries in South Louisiana and beyond. Our unwavering commitment to quality, innovation, and customer service continues to fuel our success and market reputation. For information about Gaubert Oil, visit www.gaubertoil.com for information about Go-Bears visit www.go-bears.com Attachments Dublin, March 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "European Wine Producers - Industry Report" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. This Wine Producers (European) report will tell you the companies that have a declining financial rating, and those that have shown good sales growth. Each of the largest 581 companies is meticulously scrutinised in an individual assessment and analysed using the most up-to-date and current financial data. The analysis conducted in the Wine Producers (European) report is ideal for anyone wanting to: Identify the market leaders Spot companies heading for failure Seek out the most attractive acquisition opportunities Analyse industry trends Benchmark their own financial performance Every business is examined on the following features: A graphical assessment and presentation of a company's financial performance An independent financial valuation Acquisition attractiveness - outlining a firm's takeover attractiveness Four year assessment of the profit/loss and balance sheet A written summary highlighting key performance issues Subsequently, you will receive a thorough 100-page market analysis highlighting the latest changes in the Wine Producers (European) market. This section includes: Best Trading Partners Sales Growth Analysis Profit Analysis Market Size Rankings You can utilise the findings within this report to assess the attractiveness of potential acquisitions, gain a better understanding of the market, and identify sound companies with whom to trade. Key Topics Covered: The report is split into two sections and uses both a written and graphical analysis - analysing the 581 largest Wine Producers companies. The Wine Producers (European) report contains the most-up-to-date financial data and the publisher applies these figures to create their unique and authoritative analysis. The first section thoroughly scrutinises the market and this section includes the following: Best Trading Partners: These are companies that are winning in both sales and financial strength Sales Growth Analysis: This section reviews both the fastest growing and fastest shrinking company Profit Analysis - Analysis of gross profit and Pre-tax Profitover the last ten years and a profitability summary comparing profits in the industry against small, medium and large companies Market Size: Based on the largest 581 companies, this is a comparison between last year's market size and the most current figure Rankings: The top 50 companies ranked by: Market Share, Sales Growth, Gross Profit and Pre-tax Profit The next section focuses on company analysis and provides an in-depth analysis of the largest companies within the Wine Producers (European) industry. Each business is analysed using the publisher's unique model and culminates in the production of 'The Chart'. This model uses a series of charts to graphically analyse an individual company and measure its ability to achieve sales growth while maintaining financial strength. 'The Chart' is a quick and dependable method of analysing a company's financial well-being. It's simple to understand: a rising line is good news and a falling line is bad news. Therefore, this company analysis will tell you if a company is: Strong or heading for failure Maximising their investments Becoming burdened by debt Getting the most from their resources The Wine Producers (European) analysis also provides you with full business name and address, name and ages of directors and registration address. For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/102s3x About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. RALEIGH, N.C., March 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Harmony Housing Affordable Development Inc., in partnership with F7 International Development, announced it has been selected to develop a $74.5 million affordable housing community in Asheville, North Carolina, by a vote of the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners. The development, located at 50-52 Coxe Avenue, will supply over 200 units of much-needed affordable housing to residents earning between 20% to 80% of Area Median Income (AMI) in the Asheville market. The proposed plans for the ground-up mixed-use community include ground-floor retail, community spaces, green areas, and public art, exhibiting a thoughtful and innovative design that is fresh and welcoming. The residential portion of the development will comprise mostly one-bedroom units, with an additional 34 two-bedroom units and 18 three-bedroom units and will utilize low-income housing tax credits issued by the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency (NCHFA) to provide a range of affordable housing units for residents. Being selected to lead the development of this critical affordable housing would not have been possible without our design team, Tise-Kiester Architects, and our Civil Engineer, Bolton & Menk, Inc., who helped put a local lens on what the community really needed, and we are so thrilled to make that vision come to life, said Tanya Eastwood, head of Harmony Housing Affordable Development. Working alongside Harmony Housing Affordable Development means that the county will have a truly dedicated development partner in making this project a success, added James Montague of F7 International Development. Ms. Eastwood added, We are honored that Buncombe County put their trust in our collective teams abilities to make this proposed plan a reality, and we cant wait to break ground. About Harmony Housing Affordable Development Inc. Driven by a passion for creating and preserving affordable housing in our nations most vulnerable communities, Harmony Housing Affordable Development is an industry-leading, mission-driven affordable housing developer and developer partner that specializes in construction, rehabilitation, repositioning, and recapitalization of projects. To date, the team has developed approximately 18,000 apartment homes with another 8,500 in various stages of completion in 16 states. The groups mission is to create meaningful and significant impacts on communities by helping to provide low-wealth households with decent, safe, and affordable housing. For more information, visit www.HHAD.org. PRESS CONTACT: Karen Marotta 212-896-9149 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. ANN ARBOR, Mich., March 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Washtenaw Community College (WCC) will host Free College Week April 7-12. The public is invited to sign up for more than 100 virtual and in-person classes at no charge. Nearly 4,000 people register for WCCs Free College Week each year. The annual event is held in conjunction with national Community College Month, celebrating the impact and opportunities available at college campuses across the country. Classes are designed for a wide range of ages and include topics to help people understand the applications of artificial intelligence, hone computer skills, grow businesses, explore travel and cultures, improve personal wellness, learn HVAC basics and more. Virtual sessions will run Monday through Friday, April 7-11, and will be capped off with on-campus events Saturday, April 12. Community members, business representatives, prospective students and others throughout Washtenaw County and beyond are invited to attend. WCC faculty members from academic programs, as well as trainers from the colleges non-credit Economic, Workforce and Community Development division and outside businesses, will teach. Classes are provided at multiple times from morning through evening to offer flexibility to accommodate schedules. Registration is currently open. Visit the Free College Week webpage for class details and to register. Some of the classes this year include: AI in the Workplace Optimizing Your Resume with ChatGPT First-Time Homebuyer Seminar General Maintenance of Heating, Cooling, Humidification and Filtration Components Line Dancing Latin Salsa Dancing Be Credit Smart! Windows Computer Basics Traveling to Brazil 101 Ten Money Mistakes to Avoid Pro Tips for Caregivers: Navigating the Financial, Legal, and Emotional Landscape Esports 101 Health Sciences at WCC! From Classroom to Career: The Apprenticeship Advantage Fun with Chemistry For a full list, please visit wccnet.edu/fcw. On Saturday, April 12, the public is invited to visit campus from noon to 4 p.m. to participate in hands-on activities. An Esports tournament featuring the popular game Super Smash Bros will start at 1 p.m. in the Community Room at the Student Center. Also on Saturday, students interested in enrolling in WCCs Summer and Fall semesters can do so through Xpress Registration from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Student Welcome Center. FREE COLLEGE WEEK When: April 7-12 April 7-12 Times: 9 a.m.-7 p.m. 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Who: Open to all ages Open to all ages Where: Online via Zoom and in-person Online via Zoom and in-person Cost: Free Free Email: fcw@wccnet.edu fcw@wccnet.edu Website: wccnet.edu/fcw About Washtenaw Community College Washtenaw Community College (WCC), Ann Arbor, Michigan, educates students through a wide range of associate and certificate programs in areas such as liberal arts, health care, business, STEM, advanced transportation and mobility. WCC offers accelerated and online programs to meet student needs. The college also works through community, business and union partnerships to develop highly specialized training programs to meet the regions workforce talent needs. For more information about Washtenaw Community College, visit www.wccnet.edu. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/6de46433-318e-4d56-bb86-05d99b3b714a HOUSTON, March 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Radix, a global leader in Asset Performance Management (APM), has been recognized in the 2025 Verdantix APM Buyers Guide, highlighting its robust expertise in enhancing operational value for Asset-Intensive Industries. This recognition underscores Radixs longstanding commitment to assisting clients in overcoming operational challenges through strategic cost reductions, streamlined operations, improved safety, and extending asset longevity. Kiran Darmasseelane, Senior Analyst at Verdantix, said: Industrial organizations are increasing spend on consulting services for industrial maintenance and operations over the next 12 months, with the Verdantix report expecting the IAM digital services market to reach $2.5 billion by 2025. Radix is seizing on this growing trend by leveraging strong partnerships with AVEVA and Cognite to deliver comprehensive APM and industrial data management services. With a proven track record in bespoke integrations, predictive models, digital twins, multi-site deployments, and navigating complex change management challenges, Radix helps firms in high-risk environments, such as pipelines, FPSOs, and power plants, reduce costs, improve asset integrity, enhance reliability, and achieve regulatory and decarbonization goals. The Verdantix report emphasizes Radix's extensive experience in delivering digital asset management solutions to high-risk industries, including pipelines, floating production storage and offloading (FPSOs) units, and power plants. Radix's capabilities have consistently enabled customers to enhance reliability, reduce operational costs, strengthen asset integrity, and meet stringent regulatory and sustainability objectives. Alex Clausbruch, CEO of Radix North America, said: APM for many of our customers is vital to their goals of achieving operational excellence. Here at Radix, we enjoy the unique challenges that we can solve for our customers. As a result, they continue to trust our work and come back for more services as we continue to help customers not just in North America, but globally. It is an honor to be mentioned with a stamp of approval by Verdantix. We look forward to helping other asset intensive companies scale. The Verdantix 2024 survey indicates that 84% of industrial firms intend to boost maintenance budgets, and 46% plan digital transformations for plant operations within the next year. This growing trend has led businesses to increasingly partner with industrial asset management (IAM) technology providers to modernize maintenance strategies effectively. Verdantixs annual asset management report highlights 12 leading IAM implementation providers, offering valuable insights for executives addressing asset maintenance challenges and guiding them in forming successful asset management partnerships and strategies. Flavio Guimaraes, Chief Practices & Alliances Officer, Radix, said: As we continue to grow our portfolio at Radix, I am proud of our entire company and everything we have been building in the past 15 years, and we are also honored for being recognized by Verdantix. This auspicious acknowledgement shows the value of our expertise and the trust our customers have in Radix; highlighting our work in the market in Asset Performance Management. The full report is available online for Radix clients and corporate customers at www.radixeng.com. About Radix Founded in 2010, Radix is a privately held global technology solutions company providing consulting, engineering, operations technology, and data and software technology solutions. Radix combines key capabilities and practices to empower customers to thrive along their digital transformation journey. Radix provides technology-based, data-driven solutions to industrial and non-industrial companies worldwide. Radix has experience leading projects in more than 30 countries and has more than 1,700+ employees around the globe, with North American headquarters in Houston, Texas, main headquarters in Rio de Janeiro, additional offices in Sao Paulo and Belo Horizonte, and a presence in Singapore and Amsterdam. To learn more, visit www.radixeng.com . For more information: Citalouise Geiggar, Ph.D. citalouise.geiggar@radixeng.com Radix A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/bc2f9128-6a35-4f3a-8bd7-23a61fd383a2 Philadelphia, PA, March 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cordell & Cordell, the nations largest family law firm with offices throughout the U.S*., including the Philadelphia area, is honored to announce that the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, in a March 20, 2025 opinion, formally adopted the doctrine of intent-based parentage into its common law. This significant high court ruling comes after years of involvement and diligent representation by the attorneys of Cordell & Cordells Appellate Practice Division. In the case of Glover v. Junior, 9 EAP 2024 (Pa., Mar. 20, 2025), the Pennsylvania Supreme Court rendered a decision that parental rights can now be established when considering the intent of parties who jointly undertake assisted reproductive technology (ART) and considering whether they intended to conceive and co-parent the child together. Previously, the state of Pennsylvania had no statutes defining parentage. Rulings were left to the courts. This landmark custody decision firmly eliminates the legal gaps previously established in paths to parentageby protecting the rights of all parents, including LGBTQ families that choose to utilize ART. This significant high court ruling comes after years of involvement and diligent representation by dedicated attorneys, including two members of Cordell & Cordells Appellate Practice Division. Philadelphia Litigation Attorney Jacqueline DiColo previously represented the appellee, Ms. Nicole Junior, at the time the matter was first brought before the trial court and through the en banc review of the intermediate appellate court. Upon joining Cordell & Cordells Philadelphia office, Ms. DiColo collaborated with Litigation Partner William J. Phelan, IV, in filing an Amicus Curiae (or Friend of the Court) Brief. Cordells Brief was repeatedly cited in the Supreme Courts opinion, including a verbatim quotation of its proposed standard for intent-based parentage. The decision of how to conceive a child is more complex and nuanced than it was years ago, Phelan stated about the ruling, this decision confirms that when it comes to the desire to mutually conceive and raise a childwith the use of ART--a willing and loving parent should not lose a child that they worked so hard to bring into the world. Not only do I believe that our appellate advocacy helped Ms. Junior in this case, but it assisted in creating new case law that will aid many other Pennsylvanians, like her, who want to take advantage of ART. Cordell & Cordells Philadelphia offices are located at 1601 Market Street, Suite 2230, Philadelphia, PA 19103, and can be contacted by phone, 8:30 am-5:30 pm at 215-490-9999. # # # About Cordell & Cordell Cordell & Cordell is the largest family law firm in the United States* with over 200 attorneys and has served more than 250,000 clients over the last 35 years. Cordell & Cordell also has an Appellate Practice Division that exclusively handles appealing or defending all types of family law matters in an appeal. Our clients hire Cordell & Cordell because the firm is committed to relentlessly advocating for the rights of our clients in the toughest family law matters. Information about Cordell & Cordell is available at CordellCordell.com, or by calling 1-866-323-7529. *Leopard Solutions www.leopardsolutions.com CALGARY, Alberta, March 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Helium Evolution Incorporated (TSXV:HEVI) ("HEVI" or the "Company"), a Canadian-based helium exploration company focused on developing assets in southern Saskatchewan, is pleased to provide an update on two of the Companys helium discovery wells: the 5-30-3-8W3 well (5-30 Well) and the 10-36-3-9W3 well (10-36 Well), both located along the Mankota helium fairway. HEVI holds a 20% working interest in both the 5-30 Well and the 10-36 Well, in partnership with the operator, North American Helium Inc. (NAH). 5-30 Well Test Results On February 25, 2025, the Company announced preliminary results from the 5-30 Well including production of approximately 9.7 million standard cubic feet per day (MMscf/d) at 10,700 kiloPascal (kPa) flowing tubing pressure after a five-day extended flow period. The preliminary test results also confirmed a helium content of 0.76%, significantly higher than the commercially viable threshold of 0.3%. Additionally, negligible water was observed, signaling strong potential for efficient helium recovery and processing. Since HEVIs initial announcement, a post-flow pressure transient analysis (PTA) of the 5-30 Well, conducted by Petro Management Group Ltd. (PMG) has provided promising data. The PTA utilized a composite reservoir model to assess pressure response, flow rates, and other reservoir properties, all of which are important data points for guiding future development plans in the area. The PTA indicated a calculated absolute open flow potential (AOFP) of 20.7 MMscf/d. Moreover, bottomhole pressures recorders were installed in the nearby 9-35-3-9W3 well (9-35 Well), 10-1-4-9W3 well (10-1 Well) and the 10-36 Well during the 5-30 Wells flow test. Pressure data analysis indicated the 5-30 Well is a new pool discovery. The PTA radius of investigation was almost three kilometers and further drilling will be necessary to determine the size of the helium reservoir. 10-36 Well On February 10, 2025, HEVI announced that the 10-36 Well was producing approximately 11.5 MMscf/d at 13,100 kPa flowing tubing pressure following a five-day extended flow testing period. The preliminary test results confirmed a helium content of 0.81%, again well above the commercially viable threshold of 0.3%. Similar to the 5-30 Well, negligible water was produced, signaling strong potential for efficient helium recovery and processing. After the extended production flow period, the well was shut-in for 14 days to gather reservoir pressure data, followed by a PTA conducted by PMG. The PTA, which again employed a composite reservoir model, assessed pressure response, flow rates, and other pertinent reservoir properties. The PTA indicated no reservoir pressure depletion and a high permeability reservoir, with a calculated AOFP of 38.0 MMscf/d, HEVIs largest AOFP to date. Notably, bottomhole pressures recorders were also installed in both the offsetting 9-35 Well and 10-01 Well, located approximately one to two kilometers away. Analysis of this pressure data confirmed communication between the three wells, suggesting the presence of a potentially large, expansive and productive reservoir. Flow Test Results from Select HEVI Wells: Well Helium Content Rate (MMscf/d) Bottom Hole Pressure (kPa) Bottom Hole Temperature (C) Tubing Pressure (kPa) Water 5-30 Well 0.76% 9.7 23,959 82 10,700 Negligible 10-36 Well 0.81% 11.5 23,600 78 13,100 Negligible 10-1 Well1 0.75% 9.5 24,069 78 10,800 Negligible 9-35 Well2 0.64% 7.0 23,928 81 9,000 Negligible 2-31 Well3 0.95% 4.0 24,189 81 5,500 Negligible 1 Well located at 10-1-4-9W3 (the 10-1 Well) 2 Well located at 9-35-3-9W3 (the 9-35 Well) 3 Well located at 2-31-2-8W3 (the 2-31 Well) Both the 5-30 and 10-36 Wells have exceeded initial expectations, with strong helium content, minimal water production, and promising pressure data indicating the potential for large, productive reservoirs, said Greg Robb, CEO of HEVI. With five positive flow tests, HEVI remains committed to advancing the development of these discoveries, with further drilling and the installation of facilities expected in later in 2025. Stay Connected to Helium Evolution Shareholders and other parties interested in learning more about the Helium Evolution opportunity are encouraged to visit the Companys website, which includes an updated corporate presentation, and are invited to follow the Company on LinkedIn and X for ongoing corporate updates and helium industry information. Helium Evolution also provides an extensive, commissioned deep-dive research report prepared by a third party whose background includes serving as a research analyst for several bank-owned and independent investment dealers. About Helium Evolution Incorporated Helium Evolution is a Canadian-based helium exploration company holding the largest helium land rights position in North America among publicly-traded companies, focused on developing assets in southern Saskatchewan. The Company has over five million acres of land under permit near proven discoveries of economic helium concentrations which will support scaling the exploration and development efforts across its land base. HEVIs management and board are executing a differentiated strategy to become a leading supplier of sustainably-produced helium for the growing global helium market. For further information, please contact: Greg Robb, President & CEO Kristi Kunec, CFO Phone: 1-587-330-2459 Email: info@heliumevolution.ca Web: https://www.heliumevolution.ca/ Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information This news release contains statements that constitute "forward-looking statements." Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements, or developments in the industry to differ materially from the anticipated results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "projects," "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will," "would," "may," "could" or "should" occur. Forward-looking statements in this document include statements regarding the Companys expectations regarding future production from the 10-1 Well, the 2-31 Well, the 9-35 Well, the 5-30 Well and the 10-36 Well, the Companys expectations regarding scalable helium production from its land generally, the Company and/or NAHs plans to drill more wells, installation of production facilities including the timing thereof, the Company becoming a leading supplier of sustainably-produced helium, timeline of future updates, the Company's beliefs regarding growth of the global helium market and other statements that are not historical facts. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors and risks include, among others: NAH may be unsuccessful in drilling commercially productive wells; the Company and/or NAH may choose to defer, accelerate or abandon its exploration and development plans including future drilling; the Company and/or NAH may determine not to bring the 10-1 Well, the 2-31 Well, the 9-35 Well, the 10-36 Well or the 5-30 Well onto production; the Company and/or NAH may abandon, defer or accelerate plans and decisions regarding production facilities; new laws or regulations and/or unforeseen events could adversely affect the Companys business and results of operations; stock markets have experienced volatility that often has been unrelated to the performance of companies and such volatility may adversely affect the price of the Company's securities regardless of its operating performance; risks generally associated with the exploration for and production of resources; the uncertainty of estimates and projections relating to expenses and the Companys working capital position; constraint in the availability of services; commodity price and exchange rate fluctuations; adverse weather or break-up conditions; and uncertainties resulting from potential delays or changes in plans with respect to exploration or development projects or capital expenditures. When relying on forward-looking statements and information to make decisions, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and risks other uncertainties and potential events. The Company has assumed that the material factors referred to in the previous paragraphs will not cause such forward-looking statements and information to differ materially from actual results or events. However, the list of these factors is not exhaustive and is subject to change and there can be no assurance that such assumptions will reflect the actual outcome of such items or factors. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release. The Company does not intend, and expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to, update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/999459f0-2e0c-4c0e-822e-8e15949969a4 Caledonia Mining Corporation plc ("Caledonia" or "the Company") (NYSE AMERICAN: CMCL; AIM: CMCL; VFEX: CMCL) is pleased to announce that the board of directors has approved a quarterly dividend of 14 United States cents (US$0.14) on each of the Company's shares. The relevant dates relating to the dividend are as follows: Ex-dividend date VFEX: April 2, 2025 Ex-dividend date AIM: April 3, 2025 Ex-dividend date NYSE American: April 4, 2025 Record date: April 4, 2025 Payment date: April 18, 2025 Shareholders with a registered address in the UK will be paid in Sterling. Caledonia's Dividend Policy Caledonia's strategy to maximise shareholder value includes a quarterly dividend policy which the Board adopted in 2014. The Board will consider future dividends as appropriate and in line with other investment opportunities and its prudent approach to risk management. Enquiries: Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc Mark Learmonth Camilla Horsfall Tel: +44 1534 679 800 Tel: +44 7817 841 793 Cavendish Capital Markets Limited (Nomad and Joint Broker) Adrian Hadden Pearl Kellie Tel: +44 207 397 1965 Tel: +44 131 220 9775 Panmure Liberum (Joint Broker) Scott Mathieson/ Ailsa MacMaster Tel: +44 20 3100 2000 Camarco, Financial PR (UK) Gordon Poole Tel: +44 20 3757 4980 3PPB (Financial PR, North America) Patrick Chidley Paul Durham Tel: +1 917 991 7701 Tel: +1 203 940 2538 Curate Public Relations (Zimbabwe) Debra Tatenda Tel: +263 77802131 IH Securities (Private) Limited (VFEX Sponsor - Zimbabwe) Lloyd Mlotshwa Tel: +263 (242) 745 119/33/39 This announcement contains inside information which is disclosed in accordance with the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) No. 596/2014 ("MAR") as it forms part of UK domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 and is disclosed in accordance with the Company's obligations under Article 17 of MAR. Chargeability anomaly over the mapped volcanic rocks near the valley floor interpreted to be sub-cropping exposure of the Seven Devils Volcanics, host rock of the Leviathan discovery VANCOUVER, March 24, 2025 - Zeus North America Mining Corp. (CSE:ZEUS)(OTCQB:ZUUZF)(FRANKFURT:O92) (THE "COMPANY" OR "ZEUS") is pleased to announce geophysical results from the previously announced exploration program at its Cuddy Mountain Project (the "Project" or "Cuddy Mountain") in Idaho. Cuddy Mountain is located approximately 3 kilometres ("km") to the northeast of Hercules Metals Corp.'s high-grade "Hercules" copper-moly-silver porphyry discovery announced in October 2023. Highlights of the Geophysical Program at Cuddy Mountain: Completed property wide ground magnetics and 3D Induced Polarization ("IP") geophysical surveys. The results highlight the potential for both skarn and porphyry copper mineralization across the mapped prospective Sevin Devils Volcanics; Broad, continuous zones of moderate to strong chargeability, (>20ms up to 60ms) trending NE-SW, indicative of extensive sulphide mineralization potential; The central portion of the chargeability anomaly is truncated by a conductive trend and clearly bound at its margins by distinct conductive responses; Overall, the chargeability anomaly coincides predominantly with resistive zones in the Direct Current and Induced Polarization ("DCIP") survey, although localized conductive and resistive variations overlap with chargeability highs and lows; Magnetic highs may indicate potassic core of a porphyry system or adjacent magnetic lows reflecting alteration halos; Magnetic highs occurring adjacent to and beneath the chargeability feature highlight a prominent interface along the Columbia River Flood Basalts paralleling with the chargeable body. Integration of these overlapping geophysical signatures helps outline the compelling exploration target for skarn and/or porphyry copper mineralization within the Cuddy Mountain Property; The integration of these geophysical properties in conjunction with geological mapping, soil and rock geochemistry, and topography further define the high priority target improving the probability of discovery. Figure 1. 3D Induced Polarization geophysical survey at Cuddy Mountain The Results of the Geophysical program along with the recently announced rock and soil sampling of up to 3.8 per cent copper ("% Cu"), 307 grams per tonne Silver ("g/t Ag") and 182 g/t Molybdenum ("Mo") will make up the basis for the upcoming drill planning at Cuddy Mountain. Copper has hit a 2025 high of $5.10 per pound on looming shortfalls and threats of tariffs. Figure 2. Malachite and Azurite (Cu) at the Rockslide Showing Figure 3. Malachite along a fault zone in the overlying volcanics Dean Besserer, President and CEO, stated, "Copper has hit a 2025 high of US$5.09 per pound, Silver is hovering around a 2025 high of US$34.00 per ounce and Gold has now surpassed $3,000 per ounce. The mandate to discover and delineate USA based domestic precious and base metals has never been more imperative as the USA works to reduce its dependence on foreign resources. The geophysical survey results at our Idaho, USA based Cuddy Mountain copper-moly-silver project add the final layer of data to our high priority drill target which will be tested during our extensive first phase drill campaign. The anomalous rocks within or near the mapped Seven Devils Volcanics are ideally located, reinforcing our confidence in this highly prospective target with up to 3.8% Copper sampled and up to 307 g/t tonne Silver. With the nearby Hercules project gearing up for an aggressive 2025 drill season, the geological team at Zeus is eager to follow suit in the near future as Copper, Silver and Gold hit their 2025 highs." The figures show the copper values for rock grab samples overlain on magnetic vertical intensity ("MVI") on the left and the chargeability at -150m on the right. The dashed line delineates the broad soil anomaly overtop of the mapped Seven Devils Volcanics. On this figure red is the chargeability and pink is the conductivity. About the Cuddy Mountain Copper Property (Idaho, USA) The Cuddy Mountain Property is adjacent to Hercules Metals Corp.'s recently discovered Leviathan Copper Porphyry (Cnd$167Million Market Capitalization).* The discovery resulted in Barrick injecting Cnd$23Million in equity while staking a substantial land position in the district along with Rio Tinto. The Cuddy Mountain Property consists of 101 lode mining claims respectively and cover a cumulative area of approximately 2020 acres. Historical Drilling at Cuddy Mountain consisted of 7 shallow drill holes in 1977 intersecting anomalous lead and silver. Drill hole Mun 8 contained 90 feet of 2.02 ounces per tonne ("oz/t") Ag (Taylor, 1977). Further historical exploration on Zeus's Cuddy Mountain Project occurred at the Edna May Mine: Mineralized vein with chip samples containing 750 ppm lead ("Pb"), 7.7% zinc ("Zn") and 252 ppm Ag over 4 feet. Underground drilling in 1979 intersected 1.38 oz/t Ag over 7 feet in a breccia zone (Burmeister, 1980). Additional exploration (By Taylor, 1977) at the Rockslide area encountered Malachite-stained outcrops with a grab sample containing 760 ppm Pb, 0.67 % Zn and 36 grams per tonne Silver (Taylor, 1977). *Adjacent Property (www.herculesmetals.com) *All information is derived solely from management of Zeus Mining and otherwise publicly available third-party information which are believed to be reliable, but which have not been independently verified by the Company and as a result are not guaranteed as to accuracy and completeness. Zeus's management cautions that past results or discoveries on properties in proximity to Zeus may not necessarily be indicative of the presence of mineralization on the Company's properties. Qualified Person The scientific and technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Dean Besserer, P.Geo., the President & CEO for the company and Qualified Person as defined in NI 43-101. On behalf of the board of directors. "Dean Besserer" President and CEO For more information, please contact the Company at info@zeusminingcorp.com FOR INVESTOR RELATIONS CONTACT: Kin Communications Inc. Ph: 604-684-6730 ZEUS@kincommunications.com About Zeus North America Mining Corp. The Company is in the business of mineral exploration. The Company is focused on its exploration properties in the state of Idaho known as the: Cuddy Mountain; Selway; and Great Western properties, respectively. The Idaho properties consist of 101 (Cuddy Mountain), 57 (Selway) and 38 (Great Western) lode mining claims respectively and cover a cumulative area of approximately 4,200 acres. The Company's flagship Cuddy Mountain Property is adjacent to Hercules Metal Corp's Leviathan Copper Porphyry discovery. Forward Looking Statements When used in this news release, the words "estimate", "project", "belief", "anticipate", "intend", "expect", "plan", "predict", "may" or "should" and the negative of these words or such variations thereon or comparable terminology are intended to identify forward-looking statements and information. Although the Company believes, in light of the experience of their respective officers and directors, current conditions and expected future developments and other factors that have been considered appropriate, that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements and information in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on them because the parties can give no assurance that such statements will prove to be correct. The forward-looking statements and information in this news release include, amongst others, the Company's exploration plans. Such statements and information reflect the current view of the Company. There are risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in those forward-looking statements and information. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements or implied by such forward-looking statements. There are a number of important factors that could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those indicated or implied by forward-looking statements and information. Such factors include, among others: currency fluctuations; limited business history of the parties; disruptions or changes in the credit or security markets; results of operation activities and development of projects; project cost overruns or unanticipated costs and expenses; and general development, market and industry conditions. The Company undertakes no obligation to comment on analyses, expectations or statements made by third parties in respect of its securities or its financial or operating results (as applicable). The Company cautions that the foregoing list of material factors is not exhaustive. When relying on the Company's forward-looking statements and information to make decisions, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and potential events. The Company has assumed that the material factors referred to in the previous paragraph will not cause such forward-looking statements and information to differ materially from actual results or events. However, the list of these factors is not exhaustive and is subject to change and there can be no assurance that such assumptions will reflect the actual outcome of such items or factors. The forward-looking information contained in this news release represents the expectations of the Company as of the date of this news release and, accordingly, are subject to change after such date. The Company does not undertake to update this information at any particular time except as required in accordance with applicable laws. The Canadian Securities Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. SOURCE: Zeus North America Mining Corp. View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire VANCOUVER, March 24, 2025 - Standard Lithium Ltd. ("Standard Lithium" or the "Company") (TSXV:SLI) (NYSE American:SLI), a leading near-commercial lithium company, today announced its financial and operating results for the six month fiscal period ended December 31, 2024. "The last year has been crucial for the Company as we move ever closer to a final investment decision, construction, and subsequent production at the South West Arkansas project, and continue to expand our leasehold footprint in East Texas. Our goal as we exited 2024 was to prioritize, focus, and execute, and we continue to do just that," said David Park, Chief Executive Officer and Director of Standard Lithium. "We closed on our $225 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy, which is a testament to the caliber of our South West Arkansas project. We completed a drilling program, conducting extensive reservoir testing that demonstrated better reservoir properties than what was previously assumed in our PFS. We also successfully completed the derisking of our DLE technology through pilot field testing, producing results that exceeded expectations and providing samples that may later be used in the qualification process for offtake discussions. With FEED and DFS taking shape and nearing completion in the summer, and preliminary offtake and financing discussions underway, we continue to press on towards a final investment decision at South West Arkansas, and continue to expand our presence in East Texas, as we move towards the preparation of a maiden inferred resource report and further project definition on that asset." Highlights Subsequent to the Six Month Fiscal Period Ended December 31, 2024 All amounts are in US dollars unless otherwise indicated. Finalized $225 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy ("DOE") for the South West Arkansas Project. The grant will support construction of Phase 1 of the South West Arkansas ("SWA") project. The SWA project is expected to be one of the world's first commercial-scale Direct Lithium Extraction ("DLE") facilities. Undertook extensive field and reservoir testing program at SWA project. Completed drilling of new well and multiple well re-entries into the Smackover Formation to conduct detailed reservoir testing and brine sampling work. Completed final test of field-pilot plant at SWA project. In partnership with Koch Technology Solutions, successfully operated a field-pilot plant at SWA project as final DLE derisking step prior to commercialization. Lithium recovery far exceeded design criteria, with over 99% recovery from brine sourced from the project's International Paper Company well. Launch of Smackover Lithium. On January 29, 2025, at a community townhall in Stamps, AR, the Company and Equinor announced Smackover Lithium as the new name for their joint venture developing DLE projects in Southwest Arkansas and East Texas. Continued Strategic additions to board of directors. The Company announced on March 19, 2025 the appointment of Karen G. Narwold, as an independent member of its board of directors. Highlights From Six Month Fiscal Period Ended December 31, 2024 Entered into a license agreement ("Agreement") with Koch Technology Solutions ("KTS") to deploy and use KTS' Li-Pro TM Lithium Selective Sorption ("Li-pro LSS") technology. Under the license agreement, SWA Lithium, the jointly-owned U.S. subsidiary of Standard Lithium and Equinor, will utilize Li-pro LSS at the commercial processing facility for Phase 1 of the SWA project. The Agreement includes a first-of-its-kind performance guarantee from KTS for lithium recovery, contaminant rejection and water use. In addition, it allows for continued, exclusive joint development of the technology in the Smackover Formation. Lithium Selective Sorption ("Li-pro LSS") technology. Under the license agreement, SWA Lithium, the jointly-owned U.S. subsidiary of Standard Lithium and Equinor, will utilize Li-pro LSS at the commercial processing facility for Phase 1 of the SWA project. The Agreement includes a first-of-its-kind performance guarantee from KTS for lithium recovery, contaminant rejection and water use. In addition, it allows for continued, exclusive joint development of the technology in the Smackover Formation. Commercial-scale DLE at the Demonstration Plant continues to exceed expectations. The Company installed a commercial-scale DLE column in late March 2024 and has been operating the column continuously. The column is a Li-pro LSS unit, supplied by KTS and identical to those currently being integrated into the front-end engineering and design (FEED) study for the SWA project. Key technical highlights of the commercial-scale DLE column include: lithium recovery efficiency of 95.4% and excellent contaminant rejection rates. Nearly 10,000 operational cycles have been completed by the Li-pro LSS technology to date. Strategic additions to board of directors and executive team strengthen leadership. David Park assumed the position of Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") and Director of the Company on September 1, 2024, following the retirement of CEO, Director and founder Robert Mintak. Further, the Company announced on December 10, 2024 the appointment of Paul Collins as an independent member of its board of directors. Cash and working capital of $31.2 million and $27.5 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2024. The Company has no term or revolving debt obligations as of December 31, 2024. Consolidated Financial Statements This news release should be read in conjunction with the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements and MD&A for the six month fiscal period ended December 31, 2024, which are available on the Company's issuer profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov. Six-Month Fiscal Period Ended December 31, 2024 Call and Webcast The Company will hold a conference call and webcast to discuss its six-month fiscal period ended December 31, 2024 on Friday, March 28th at 3:30 p.m. ET. Access to the call is available via webcast or direct dial. Conference Call and Webcast Details Standard Lithium Six Month Fiscal Period Ended December 31, 2024 Results Call and Webcast March 28, 2025 3:30 p.m. Eastern Time (US and Canada) Participant Information: Conference ID: 6644028 USA / International Toll +1 (646) 307-1963 USA - Toll-Free (800) 715-9871 Canada - Toronto (647) 932-3411 Canada - Toll-Free (800) 715-9871 Attendee Webcast Link: https://events.q4inc.com/attendee/457319305 Incentive Grant The Company also announces that it will grant stock options ("Options"), restricted share units ("RSUs"), and deferred share units ("DSUs") valued at $3,513,000 to management and directors under the Company's shareholder-approved incentive plans effective March 26, 2025. An additional 300,000 Options will be granted to Ms. Narwold effective March 26, 2025 in connection with her appointment to the board of directors. All Option entitlements will be calculated using the Black-Scholes method and will be exercisable for a period of sixty months at a price equivalent to the US dollar closing price on the NYSE American on March 26, 2025. A portion of the Options will vest in equal thirds over thirty-six months, with the balance vesting immediately. All RSU and DSU entitlements will be calculated using the US dollar closing price on the NYSE American on March 26, 2025. The RSUs will also vest in equal thirds over 36 months. DSUs will vest after 12 months and settle in common shares upon the holder's departure from the Company or a change of control. The grant of the incentive securities is intended to align compensation of directors and management with the interests of shareholders. For further information regarding the shareholder-approved incentive plans, readers are encouraged to review the management information circular prepared for the Company's annual general meeting which includes summaries of the incentive plans and which is available under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.com) and by visiting the Company's website (www.standardlithium.com). About Standard Lithium Ltd. Standard Lithium is a leading near-commercial lithium development company focused on the sustainable development of a portfolio of large, high-grade lithium-brine properties in the United States. The Company prioritizes projects characterized by the highest quality resources, robust infrastructure, skilled labor, and streamlined permitting. Standard Lithium aims to achieve sustainable, commercial-scale lithium production via the application of a scalable and fully integrated DLE and purification process. The Company's flagship projects are located in the Smackover Formation, a world-class lithium brine asset, focused in Arkansas and Texas. In partnership with global energy leader Equinor, Standard Lithium is advancing the South West Arkansas project, a greenfield project located in southern Arkansas, and actively exploring promising lithium brine prospects in East Texas. Additionally, the Company is advancing the Phase 1A project in partnership with LANXESS Corporation, a brownfield development project located in southern Arkansas. Standard Lithium also holds an interest in certain mineral leases in the Mojave Desert in San Bernardino County, California. Standard Lithium trades on both the TSX Venture Exchange and the NYSE American under the symbol "SLI". Please visit the Company's website at www.standardlithium.com. Qualified Person Steve Ross, P.Geo., a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, and Vice President Resource Development for the Company, has reviewed and approved the relevant scientific and technical information in this news release. Investor and Media Inquiries Chris Lang Standard Lithium Ltd. +1 604 409 8154 investors@standardlithium.com Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release may contain certain "Forward-Looking Statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities laws. When used in this news release, the words "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "target," "plan", "forecast", "may", "schedule" and other similar words or expressions identify forward-looking statements or information. These forward-looking statements or information may relate to intended development timelines, future prices of commodities, accuracy of mineral or resource exploration activity, reserves or resources, regulatory or government requirements or approvals, the reliability of third party information, continued access to mineral properties or infrastructure, fluctuations in the market for lithium and its derivatives, changes in exploration costs and government regulation in Canada and the United States, and other factors or information. Such statements represent the Company's current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social risks, contingencies and uncertainties. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements or information to reflect changes in assumptions or changes in circumstances or any other events affecting such statements and information other than as required by applicable laws, rules and regulations. Heritage Mining Ltd. (CSE: HML FRA:Y66) ("Heritage" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that samples have been submitted on Saturday March 22, 2025 from the New Millennium 2025 diamond drill program targeting two mineralized vein systems in the immediate vicinity of the highest grade grab sample on the property (2,330 g/t Au) within its flagship exploration project Drayton - Black Lake ("DBL") (Figure 2 and 3). The Company anticipates recommencing drilling on Zone 3 Extension Prospect in short order. New Millenium Target Historical Highlights: The Company's 2025 diamond drill program drilled under historical trenches which had results up to 5.18oz/ton Au and 4.8oz/ton Au, +1,000g/t Ag, 0.37% Cu, %0.078 Mo, +1%Pb, 0.68%Zn The Company has confirmed these findings at surface in prior work programs returning up to 2,330 g/t Au (grab) in the immediate vicinity of the above-mentioned trenches tracing over 300m at surface Multi-elemental analysis from prior channel sampling programs supports positive correlation between Au and Te, Ag, Cu, Pb, Zn. When combined with visual inspection of core, shows similarities to mineralization at Zone 3, an intrusion related gold mineralization system identified in 2024 comparable to Hammond Reef style mineralization. New Millennium Target Highlights (Press Release: February 27, 2025) Total 556m in nine holes completed vs planned 370m over seven holes. Additional meterage was driven from favorable mineralization intersection. All samples are delivered to the lab as at Saturday March 22, 2025. Drill holes show multiple occurrences (up to 51.40m core length) of variably mineralized shear zone material, local granitic/felsic intrusions, and massive to semi massive quartz veins (Figure 1) in seven of the nine holes drilled. The presence of chalcopyrite with pyrite in chlorite-carbonate alteration with patchy k-feldspar alteration in quartz veins and wall-rock is reminiscent of some of the best Au-bearing intercepts at the nearby Zone 3 Prospect that were drilled in 2024 (September 20, 2024 Press Release). Click Image To View Full Size Figure 1: HML025-006 Select photograph showing variably mineralized shear zone material hosting semi massive fine grade pyrite filling laminations within massive to semi massive quartz veins associated with k-feldspar altered granite. "The historical significance of the recently acquired (100% owned) New Millennium target area is very impressive and important to mention as we look forward to assay results. Our systematic exploration approach has successfully intersected significant mineralized core lengths, which is an interesting twist compared to the historically observed high-grade but narrow veins at surface. It seems to widen at depth, which is a very good sign, considering we have only drilled up to 87m. We are also looking forward to drilling Zone 3 (DBL Project) and the Rognon Mine are (Contact Bay Project), both of which are high potential drill target areas. For some time now, we have secured a controlling position on our projects within one of the last underexplored greenstone belts with fantastic access in Northern Ontario. I would like to thank the technical team for their contributions to a successful 2025 drill program thus far, and I look forward to the assay results, continued drilling, and our growth together."Commented Peter Schloo, President, CEO and Director of Heritage Click Image To View Full Size Figure 2: DBL Total Property Outline Click Image To View Full Size Figure 3: DBL Project: Reduced-to-Pole Magnetic Intensity over Bedrock Geology Qualified Person Mitch Lavery P. Geo, Strategic Advisor for the Company, serves as a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects and has reviewed the scientific and technical information in this news release, approving the disclosure herein. ABOUT HERITAGE MINING LTD. The Company is a Canadian mineral exploration company advancing its two high grade gold-silver-copper projects in Northwestern Ontario. The Drayton-Black Lake and the Contact Bay projects are located near Sioux Lookout in the underexplored Eagle-Wabigoon-Manitou Greenstone Belt. Both projects benefit from a wealth of historic data, excellent site access and logistical support from the local community. The Company is well capitalized, with a tight capital structure. For further information, please contact: Heritage Mining Ltd. Peter Schloo, CPA, CA, CFA President, CEO and Director Phone: (905) 505-0918 Email: peter@heritagemining.ca FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This news release contains certain statements that constitute forward looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. These statements relate to future events of the Company. Any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases such as "seek", "anticipate", "plan", "continue", "estimate", "expect", "forecast", "may", "will", "project", "predict", "potential", "targeting", "intend", "could", "might", "should", "believe", "outlook" and similar expressions are not statements of historical fact and may be forward looking information. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein are forward-looking statements. Forward looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Such risks include, among others, the inherent risk of the mining industry; adverse economic and market developments; the risk that the Company will not be successful in completing additional acquisitions; risks relating to the estimation of mineral resources; the possibility that the Company's estimated burn rate may be higher than anticipated; risks of unexpected cost increases; risks of labour shortages; risks relating to exploration and development activities; risks relating to future prices of mineral resources; risks related to work site accidents, risks related to geological uncertainties and variations; risks related to government and community support of the Company's projects; risks related to global pandemics and other risks related to the mining industry. The Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking information are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward?looking information should not be unduly relied upon. These statements speak only as of the date of this news release. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update any forward?looking information except as required by law. This document does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, securities of the Company in Canada, the United States, or any other jurisdiction. Any such offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to buy the securities described herein will be made only pursuant to subscription documentation between the Company and prospective purchasers. Any such offering will be made in reliance upon exemptions from the prospectus and registration requirements under applicable securities laws, pursuant to a subscription agreement to be entered into by the Company and prospective investors. NOT INTENDED FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES VANCOUVER, March 24, 2025 - Mustang Energy Corp. (CSE: MEC, OTC:MECPF, FRA:92T) (the "Company" or "Mustang") is pleased to announce that it has completed an Aerial Electromagnetic Survey (Xcite TDEM) over its 100% owned Dutton Project (or the "Project") in the southern Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan. The Xcite TDEM survey commenced February 15, 2025 and covered the eastern portion of the claim package which has not been previously surveyed for electromagnetic (EM) conductors. The helicopter supported survey was completed by Axiom Exploration Group with 263 line-km flown at a 200 meter spacing. The survey is expected to precisely locate EM anomalies and aid in structural interpretations on the property for future drill targeting. Nick Luksha, CEO, commented: "We are pleased to have now completed our geophysical program at our Dutton project. This marks another important step in our path to developing drill targets across much of our highly underexplored portfolio of prospective uranium projects. We thank the field crew for a safe and efficient program and look forward to receiving results." Xcite is a new generation of helicopter-borne time-domain electromagnetic (TDEM) systems developed by New Resolution Geophysics (NRG). Axiom is an exclusive provider of this service in North America. This state-of-the-art technology provides an efficient alternative to all prior TDEM technologies for the mineral exploration. The system utilizes a patented inflatable transmitter loop with a diameter of approximately 20 meters, suspended about 30 meters below the helicopter. The Xcite system offers exceptional signal clarity, enabling the detection of subtle subsurface features. It features a programmable waveform with a fast turn-off time, allowing for flexibility in data acquisition and improved resolution of both shallow and deep targets. About the Dutton Project The 100% owned Dutton Project spans 7,633 hectares over three adjoining claims in the Southern Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan. Approximately 20 kilometres to the East of the Project lies the Virgin River Shear Zone which hosts known high-grade uranium deposits such as Cameco Corp.'s Centennial Deposit. The property is positioned just west of the Cable Bay Shear Zone within the Mudjatik Domain, a major structural discontinuity which hosts several uranium occurrences. The project encompasses a diabase dyke complex, including conductive anomalies and elevated radioactivity.2 Historical exploration (1978-1981) identified several features of interest, including weakly conductive EM anomalies, biogeochemical uranium enrichment, and radioactive dykes.3 The Project has never been drill-tested, and will benefit from additional geophysical surveys and surface sampling to aid in future drill target generation. Figure 1: Overview of Mustang Energy Corp's Dutton Project1 References: 1. Saskatchewan GeoAtlas, Retrieved from: https://gisappl.saskatchewan.ca/Html5Ext/index.html?viewer=GeoAtlas 2. Saskatchewan Mineral Deposits Index, SMDI# 2058, Abraham Bay Radioactive Diabase Dykes, Retrieved from: https://mineraldeposits.saskatchewan.ca/Home/Viewdetails/2058 3. Saskatchewan Mineral Assessment Database, Report# 74G06-0024, Retrieved from: http://mineral-assessment.saskatchewan.ca/Pages/BasePages/Main.aspx Qualifying Statement The scientific and technical information in this release has been reviewed and approved by Lynde Guillaume, P.Geo., Technical Advisor for Mustang Energy, a registered member of the Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Saskatchewan. Ms. Guillaume is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Adjacent Property Disclaimer: This news release includes references with respect to uranium deposits which are located near the Dutton Project. The Company advises that, notwithstanding their proximity of location, discoveries of minerals on nearby properties and any promising results thereof are not necessarily indicative of the mineralization of, or located on the Dutton Project, or the Company's ability to commercially exploit the Projects, or to locate any commercially exploitable deposits therefrom. The Company cautions investors on relying on this information as the Company has not confirmed the accuracy or reliability of the information. About Mustang Energy Corp.: Mustang is a resource exploration company focused on acquiring and developing high-potential uranium and critical mineral assets. The Company is actively exploring its properties in Northern Saskatchewan, Canada and holds 77,318 hectares in around the Athabasca Basin. Mustang's flagship property, Ford Lake, covers 7,743 hectares in the prolific eastern Athabasca Basin, while its Cigar Lake East and Roughrider South projects span 3,442 hectares to the north and the Spur Project to the south covering 17,929 hectares. Mustang has also established its footprint in the Cluff Lake region of the Athabasca Basin with the Yellowstone Project (21,820 hectares) and further expanded its presence in the south central region of the Athabasca Basin with the Dutton Project (7,633 hectares). For further information, please contact: Mustang Energy Corp. Attention: Nicholas Luksha, CEO and Director Phone: (604) 838-0184 Figure 2: Mustang Energy Corp. Projects Map - Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan1 Neither the CSE nor the Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release includes certain statements and information that may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance and reflect the expectations or beliefs of management of the Company regarding future events. Generally, forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "intends", "believes" or "anticipates", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "should", "would" or "occur". This information and these statements, referred to herein as "forward?looking statements", are not historical facts, are made as of the date of this news release and include without limitation, statements regarding discussions of future plans, estimates and forecasts and statements as to management's expectations and intentions with respect to, among other things, the future potential of the minerals claims held by the Company, including the Dutton Project; the completion of future work on the Yellowstone Project; that marketing campaigns led by MCS will expand the Company's presence in Europe; and that the Company is strategically positioned for substantial growth. In making the forward-looking statements in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including without limitation the assumption that the Company will be able to continue exploring its properties given various environmental and economic factors outside of its control; that the marketing campaigns created by MCS will be completed as planned; and that the marketing engagement with MCS will have the desired impact on Mustang's presence in Europe. Although management of the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, forward-looking information or financial out-look that are incorporated by reference herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. Photos accompanying this announcement are available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d4de28ca-02fc-4959-b1b9-c2db2a80b9b6 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/15b6b488-58d5-4109-8fed-29b94b655e69 Nigeria March Update March 24, 2025: The government is going after Chinese citizens who continue to use Nigeria as a base for economic crimes throughout Africa. The Chinese ambassador in Nigeria assured the locals that China was cooperating in identifying and prosecuting Chinese citizens based in Nigeria and committing crimes. China is Nigerias largest trading partner and that large volume of trade is what brought Chinese gangsters and independent criminal entrepreneurs to Nigeria. China is currently owed over $5 billion by various Nigerian businesses and individuals. Nigeria is the major African exporter of oil and Chine is one of the top ten buyers. At the same time, Nigeria has a lot of other problems. At the end of 2024 fighting broke out in central Nigeria, with several dead and many more wounded. Fulani raiders continue to attack farmers with abandon. Soldiers are unable to be everywhere at once to stop the raiders. There are similar trouble spots throughout central and northern Nigeria. Despite the problems in the north, Nigeria is prospering, driven by increasing oil income from oil fields in the south. All sectors of the economy are improving. President Tinubu has been in office since March 2023, and concentrated on his pledges to reduce corruption in the Nigerian government. One of his first acts was to order an audit of the central bank to be followed by an audit of the federal payroll. The current economic crisis has made endemic and epidemic corruption more visible. This is very visible in the oil production industry, which has greatly inflated costs because of corruption. Higher oil prices are canceled by declines in production caused by criminals and corruption. Corruption inflates the cost of everything and reduces the quality of work done by the government, especially when it comes to infrastructure. Nnamdi Azikiwe, who served as president from 1963 to 1966, was one of the key people in obtaining independence for Nigeria from British colonial rule. What is now Nigeria was a collection of separate kingdoms and tribal territories that Britain got involved with after it outlawed slavery in 1807 and began a decades-long campaign to suppress the slave trade between African tribes and the Americas. Slavery was an ancient custom in most of Africa but American and European demand for more slaves led to more powerful tribes attacking weaker tribes to capture them as slaves for sale to American and European slave traders. In 1861 Britain took control of some portions of the Nigerian coast to deal with persistent slaving by inland tribes. Twenty years later Britain had control over more territory and installed a colonial government. This led, over the next 80 years, to Nigerian nationalism and talented men like Nnamdi Azikiwe working for independence. When the 1960s Igbo rebellion broke out, he advised the Igbo government for a few years before switching back to the Nigerian government. After independence the biggest problem was corruption fed by the growing oil wealth coming from the oil fields in the southern Niger River Delta. It was later calculated that about a trillion dollars of oil income was stolen between the 1960s and the present. Back in 2004, Islamic terrorist violence in the northeast appeared and created some lasting problems. There are still millions of refugees plus substantial economic damage in the northeastern Borno State, where it all began. There seems to be no end in sight because of corruption, but more competent leadership in the security forces reduced the violence. All this was caused by a local group of Taliban wannabes calling themselves Boko Haram. In English Boko Haram means that English Education is forbidden. Most Nigerians abhor the nihilistic Boko Haram and see this group as a threat to peace, prosperity and economic growth. Boko Haram activity in the capital of Borno State grew for a decade until in 2014 it seemed unstoppable. It took over a year for the government to finally muster sufficient military strength to cripple but not destroy Boko Haram. This did not get much media attention outside Africa, even though in 2014 Boko Haram killed more people than ISIL/Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant did in Syria and Iraq. The main reason for Boko Haram gains in 2014 and 2015 was corruption in the army, which severely crippled effective counterterror efforts. By itself Boko Haram was too small to have much impact on a national scale but the inability to deal with this problem put a spotlight on the corruption that has hobbled all progress in Nigeria for decades. A new president, a former general who is Moslem, was elected in early 2015 and made progress in changing the armys corrupt culture, but that is still a work in progress even though he was reelected in early 2019. More bad news was expected because of too many tribal feuds and too much corruption creating growing unrest throughout the country, which led to reduced oil income and further disputes over that, etc. This is especially bad down south in the oil producing region, the Niger River Delta. Violence against oil facilities continues. Worse, local politicians and business leaders had taken over the oil theft business. Northern Moslems want more control over the federal government and the oil money. In northern and central Nigeria there is increasing violence as nomadic Moslem herders move south and clash with largely Christian farmers over land use and water supplies. For the last few years these tribal feuds have killed more people than Boko Haram. The situation is still capable of sliding into regional civil wars, over money and political power. Corruption and ethnic/tribal/religious rivalries threaten to trigger, at worst, another civil war and at least more street violence and public anger. Toronto, March 24, 2025 - Caprock Mining Corp. (CSE: CAPR) ("Caprock" or the "Company") is pleased to announce a substantial open pit-constrained mineral resource estimate ("MRE") for its newly optioned Destiny gold property ("Destiny" or the "Project" or the "Property") located near Val D'Or, Quebec, summarized as follows: Classification Constraints Cut-Off Grade (Au g/t) Tonnage Grade (Au g/t) Contained Gold Oz Indicated OP 0.30 6,752,000 0.91 196,549 Inferred OP 0.30 28,560,000 0.87 794,886 Mineral Resource Statement Notes: CIM definition standards were followed for the resource estimate. The 2025 resource model used ordinary kriging (OK) grade estimation within a three-dimensional block model with mineralized domains defined by wireframed solids. Mineral resources are constrained within pit shells (OP). An exchange rate of 1.35 is utilized in calculations ($CAD/$USD). Open pit cut-off of 0.30 g/t Au milled is based on the cost/ton ($CAD/t) milled for incremental mining, processing, and G&A based on the following: Long term metal prices of US$2,100/oz concentrate; Metallurgical recoveries are based on metallurgical testing recovery of 94%; Average Bulk density (specific gravity) was determined for each lithology and/or mineralized domain within the deposit; Total Ore-based cost of CAD$22.50/t; Processing costs of CAD$18.00/t and G&A costs of CAD$4.50/t milled; Dilution of 10%; and Pit Slope angle of 45 degrees. Mineral Resources that are not mineral reserves do not have economic viability. Numbers may not add due to rounding. The resource estimate was prepared by Todd McCracken, P.Geo, of BBA E&C Inc. in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Caprock's President & CEO, Mr. Vishal Gupta, stated, "Today's substantial, high quality MRE establishes Destiny as one of the best developing gold projects in Quebec during a period of unprecedented high gold prices. We view this MRE as the first step in Caprock's quest to unlock the vast mineral potential of the Project. The MRE covers less than two kilometres of the total six kilometres of strike over which the Despinassy shear zone is interpreted to extend at Destiny. Additionally, previous exploratory drilling has returned high-grade gold mineralized intercepts at depths greater than 500 metres below the surface, demonstrating potential for underground mineable resources on the Property. Caprock plans to conduct a targeted drill program this year with the aim of expanding the resource inventory at Destiny, both along strike and at depth." Management Plans Resource Expansion Along Strike Today's MRE encompasses less than two kilometres out of a total interpreted mineralized strike of six kilometres running along the East-West trending Despinassy shear zone at Destiny. Since the drilling at the DAC deposit is much higher resolution than anywhere else on the Property, the vast majority of the MRE is comprised of mineralization at the DAC deposit alone. The adjoining Gap and Darla zones have experienced much lower resolution and shallower drilling to-date. Following the completion of the updated MRE, management's next step in expanding the MRE at Destiny will involve the completion of a targeted resource definition drilling program aimed at achieving the following objectives in the second half of 2025 (refer to Figures 1 and 2 below): Connect the mineralization at the DAC, Gap and Darla zones into one longitudinally continuous ore body through infill drilling; Expand the known mineralization at the Gap and Darla zones beyond the current ~150 metres depth through a series of step-out holes that intersect the mineralized zone down to ~350 metres below surface; and Fill in the ~1.5 km gap between the Darla zone and Zones 20-21 to the east with a series of short exploratory holes that target near-surface mineralization. Figure 1: Map demonstrating the East-West trending mineralized strike at Destiny illustrating the relative location of the mineralized zones identified by previous exploration drilling. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8515/245797_d27fe985649a4809_001full.jpg Figure 2: Longitudinal Section demonstrating the East-West trending mineralized strike at Destiny and illustrating the potential to expand the Project's mineral inventory through future resource definition drilling. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8515/245797_d27fe985649a4809_002full.jpg Exploring for Higher Grade Underground Resource Potential at Depth Previous drilling at Destiny included a handful of holes that were designed to intersect the mineralized zone at the DAC deposit at a depth of over 500 metres below surface. These deeper drill holes returned intercepts with very high grades over significant widths (refer to Figure 3 below). Once management's near-surface resource expansion objectives outlined above have been achieved, management plans to drill a series of deep holes that will target deep-seated, high-grade mineralization with the aim of establishing a high-grade component of the MRE constrained by underground mining methods. Figure 3: Cross-section illustrating high-grade intercepts over significant widths in deeper drilling at Destiny. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8515/245797_d27fe985649a4809_003full.jpg About the Mineral Resource Estimate The MRE was completed by Todd McCracken, P.Geo., of BBA E&C Inc. ("BBA"), an Independent Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101") in accordance with the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum ("CIM") Standards on Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves, adopted by the CIM Council, as amended. The resource estimate is based on results from 57,465 metres of drilling in 179 drill holes. 13 separate mineralized domains were established within a detailed three-dimensional geological model with an average specific gravity of 2.82 for the mineralized material. Parent blocks measuring 5 metres x 5 metres x 5 metres were generated to populate the block model. Gold assay data were reviewed statistically and visually to determine appropriate grade capping levels by domain. Gold grades were interpolated using ordinary kriging. Quality Assurance & Quality Control ("QA/QC") data generated during the various drill programs were independently verified by BBA as part of the project review. A detailed description of the estimation methods and procedures will be available in a NI 43-101 technical report (the "Technical Report"), to be prepared by BBA, that will be filed on SEDAR+ within 45 days from the date of this release. About Caprock Mining Corp. Caprock Mining Corp. is a Canadian mineral exploration company focused on exploring precious metals in Quebec and Ontario. The Company has an option to earn a 100% interest in the Destiny gold property that comprises 127 mineral claims and encompasses an area of 5,013 hectares located less than two hours' drive from Val D'Or, Quebec. Destiny lies along a major deformation corridor in the Abitibi greenstone belt that includes the prolific Cadillac-Larder Lake, Destor-Porcupine and Casa Berardi fault zones which host numerous producing and development-stage gold deposits. The Project overlies a 6.0 km long segment of the poorly explored Despinassy shear zone which is a splay off the regional Chicobi Fault. One of the several gold deposits discovered on Destiny is the DAC Deposit, which has a near-surface, NI 43-101 compliant mineral resource estimate. Additionally, the Company holds a 100% interest in three gold exploration properties in the historical Beardmore-Geraldton Gold Belt of Ontario - a belt that has produced over four million ounces of gold historically (Reference: Beardmore-Geraldton Gold Camp - Tashota Resources), and contains the sizeable Greenstone gold project (formerly known as the Hardrock gold project) which is being brought to production by Equinox Gold (TSX: EQX) (Reference: Greenstone Gold Mines - Mining & Processing). The scientific and technical information disclosed in this release has been reviewed and approved by Mr. Vishal Gupta, the Company's President & CEO. Mr. Gupta is a P.Geo. registered with the Professional Geoscientists of Ontario (PGO) and considered a "Qualified Person" as defined under NI 43-101. Mr. Todd McCracken, P.Geo., of BBA E&C Inc. has reviewed and approved the disclosure of the mineral resource estimate. Historical drill intercepts displayed in Figure 3 have been referenced from the "NI 43-101 Technical Report And Resource Estimate Of The DAC Deposit , Destiny Property, Quebec" prepared for Alto Ventures Ltd. and Pacific Northwest Capital Corp. by Todd McCracken, P.Geo. of Wardrop a Tetra Tech Company, with an effective date of March 1, 2011. Forward-Looking Statements All statements in this press release about anticipated future events or results constitute forward-looking statements including, but not limited to, statements with respect to: the Company's plans and expectations for the Property, the potential for underground mineable resources at the Property, the timing of the exploration on the Property, the timing of the completion of the expansion of the MRE and the filing of the Technical Report, the potential for additional gold mineralization on the Property and the timing of the announcement of the Company's exploration plan for the Property. Forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "seek", "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "expect" and "intend" and statements that an event or result "may", "will", "should", "could" or "might" occur or be achieved and other similar expressions. Although Caprock believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements and/or information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements since Caprock can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements, including the risks, uncertainties and other factors identified in Caprock's periodic filings with Canadian securities regulators. Forward-looking statements are subject to business and economic risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results of operations to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from Caprock's expectations include risks associated with the business of Caprock; risks related to reliance on technical information provided by Caprock; risks related to exploration and potential development of the Company's mineral properties; business and economic conditions in the mining industry generally; fluctuations in commodity prices and currency exchange rates; uncertainties relating to interpretation of drill results and the geology, continuity and grade of mineral deposits; the need for cooperation of government agencies and First Nation groups in the exploration and development of properties and the issuance of required permits; the need to obtain additional financing to develop properties and uncertainty as to the availability and terms of future financing; the possibility of delay in exploration or development programs and uncertainty of meeting anticipated program milestones; uncertainty as to timely availability of permits and other governmental approvals; and other risk factors as detailed from time to time and additional risks identified in Caprock's filings with Canadian securities regulators on SEDAR+ in Canada (available at www.sedarplus.ca). Forward-looking statements are based on estimates and opinions of management at the date the statements are made. Caprock does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements except as required by applicable securities laws. Investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Neither Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this Release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/245797 Ascot Resources Ltd. (TSX: AOT; OTCQX: AOTVF) ("Ascot" or the "Company") announces the Company's audited consolidated financial results for the year ended December 31, 2024. For details of the audited consolidated financial statements, Management's Discussion and Analysis, and Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2024, please see the Company's filings on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. All amounts herein are reported in $000s of Canadian dollars ("C$") unless otherwise specified. 2024 AND RECENT HIGHLIGHTS On February 20, 2024, the Company closed a financing package for a total of US$50 million from Sprott Resource Streaming and Royalty Corp. and its affiliates ("SRSR") and Nebari Credit Fund II, LP ("Nebari Credit Fund II"), as described in the Company's news release dated January 22, 2024. $13,700 of the above proceeds were used to buy back two existing 5% NSR royalties on various PGP property claims on March 15, 2024. Concurrently with the above-noted financing package, the Company closed a bought deal private placement financing, under which the Company issued a total of 65,343,000 common shares of the Company (the "Common Shares") at a price of $0.44 per Common Share, for gross proceeds of $28,751. At the end of Q1 2024, construction of the PGP mill and water treatment plant was substantially completed, and rock was introduced into the grinding circuit of the mill on March 31, 2024, and first gold-bearing ore was introduced to the mills on April 5, 2024. On April 20, 2024, first gold was poured as a part of the commissioning process. Commissioning of the plant continued throughout Q2 and Q3 2024. During Q2 and Q3 2024 before the suspension of operations, the plant processed 156,477 dry tonnes of mostly development ore in the commissioning of the mill. In August 2024, the mill processed, near its design capacity, over 2,300 tpd for its 14 days operating schedule continuously. On May 7, 2024, the Company announced a $5,000 non-brokered flow-through private placement, the proceeds of which will be used to fund the exploration program at PGP. The private placement consisted of 6,024,096 common shares of the Company, which qualify as "flow-through shares" within the meaning of the Income Tax Act (Canada) (the "FT Shares"), at a price of C$0.83 per FT Share. The first tranche of $1,000 was closed on May 29 and the second tranche of $4,000 was closed on June 20, 2024. On July 25, 2024, the Company closed the previously announced bought deal financing, including the full exercise of the over-allotment option, for gross proceeds of approximately $34 million. The financing consisted of 30,242,000 flow-through units at a price of C$0.496 per flow-through unit and 44,188,000 hard dollar units of the Company (together, the "Offered Securities") of C$0.43 per hard dollar unit. Each Offered Security consisted of one common share of the company and one common share purchase warrant of the Company. Each warrant entitled the holder to acquire one share (each, a "Warrant Share") at a price of C$0.52 per Warrant Share for a period of 24 months following closing. On September 6, 2024, the Company made the decision to suspend operations due to delays in mine development that had hindered access to sufficient ore feed. The Company will focus on mine development until the combination of the Big Missouri and PNL mines can sustainably deliver enough ore feed to profitably run the operation. In 2024 before suspension of operations, the Company produced and sold 4,287 ounces of gold to the offtaker and delivered 441 ounces of gold and 7,541 ounces of silver pursuant to stream and royalty agreements. In 2024 before the suspension of operations, the Big Missouri deposit delivered 112,710 ore tonnes. Total mine development achieved 4,188 meters of which 3,308 metres related to Big Missouri and 880 metres relate to PNL. On September 19, 2024, the Company and its secured creditors, SRSR and Nebari agreed to extend the waiver arrangements until October 31, 2024. On October 29, 2024, the waivers were further extended to November 18, 2024. On November 18, 2024, the Company closed its previously announced "best-efforts" private placement offering (the "Equity Financing", and together with the Debt Financing, the "Financings") of common shares of the Company. The Company issued a total of 262,500,000 common shares at a price of C$0.16 per common share, for gross proceeds of approximately C$42 million. As part of the Financings, it closed the senior secured debt financing and amendments, including approximately US$7.5 million from SRSR. In addition, the Company's secured creditors, including SRSR and Nebari Gold Fund 1, LP, Nebari Natural Resources Credit Fund II, LP and Nebari Collateral Agent LLC (together "Nebari"), extended the waiver and forbearance agreements previously granted until May 31, 2025. The net proceeds of the Financings were used to advance the development of the Premier Northern Lights mine and restart the Big Missouri mine. Following the remobilization of the Company's mining contractor, the Company mobilized the underground mining equipment to site, established the underground ventilation, completed the initial rehabilitation with shotcrete to establish a heading for advancement of development and second egress for the PNL mine. It completed the first development round on December 13, 2024 and achieved a total of 74 meters of development by December 31, 2024. On January 15, 2025, the Company announced a leadership transition and the appointment of James A (Jim) Currie, new CEO and Director and interim COO and the appointment of Ms. Coille Van Alphen to the Board of Directors. The progress of PNL underground development was with slower advancement than anticipated. As a result, the timeline to re-start of mill operations has been revised and the ore throughput is anticipated to commence in August 2025. The delay in development will result in a working capital shortfall. On February 20, 2025, the Company entered into an agreement for a best-efforts private placement offering units of the Company at a price of C$0.115 per unit, to raise a minimum of C$60 million and up to a maximum of C$65 million ("2025 Offering"). On March 3, 2025, an amendment to the 2025 Offering was made. The 2025 Offering consist of: (i) hard dollar units of the Company (the "HD Units") at a price of $0.115 per HD Unit for gross proceeds of a minimum of C$40 million and up to a maximum of C$45 million; and (ii) charity flow-through units of the Company (the "CDE FT Units", and collectively with the HD Units, the "Units") at a price of C$0.1403 per CDE FT Unit for gross proceeds of approximately C$20 million. Each Unit will be comprised of one common share of the Company and one Common Share purchase warrant of the Company (each, a "Warrant"). The Common Shares and Warrants underlying the CDE FT Units shall qualify as "flow-through shares" (within the meaning of subsection 66(15) of the Income Tax Act (Canada)). Each Warrant shall entitle the holder to acquire one non-flow-through Common Share at a price of C$0.155 per Common Share for a period of 24 months following the initial ("Tranche 1") closing date. The gross proceeds from the charity flow-through units will be used by the Company to incur eligible Canadian development expenses (within the meaning of the Income Tax Act (Canada) which will be incurred or deemed to be incurred and renounced to the purchasers of the CDE FT Units with an effective date no later than September 30, 2025. On March 14, 2025, the Company closed the first of two tranches of the 2025 Offering. The Tranche 1 closing consisted of 142,551,675 CDE FT Units at a price of C$0.1403 per CDE FT Unit and 191,435,095 HD Units at a price of C$0.115 per HD Unit for gross proceeds of $42,015. The second and final tranche of the 2025 Offering, pursuant to which the Company expects to issue an additional 162,000,000 HD Units at a price of C$0.115 per HD Unit for additional gross proceeds of $18,630, is anticipated to close on or about April 10, 2025. On March 14, 2025, SRSR and Nebari, pursuant to definitive agreements entered into with the Company, to extend their existing waiver and forbearance conditions until September 30, 2025. The Company also entered into an amending agreement to the amended and restated credit agreement with Nebari dated November 18, 2024, which amended the conversion price under the Convertible facility to C$0.155. The exercise price of the existing Nebari warrants was also amended to C$0.155. SRSR has committed to release the currently held US$7.5 million Second Stream Deposit from escrow upon achieving the agreed development and funding targets, consistent with the terms of the Company's amended and restated purchase and sale agreements, dated November 15, 2024, with SRSR. FINANCIAL RESULTS FOR THE THREE MONTHS AND YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2024 The Company reported a net loss of $17,018 for Q4 2024 compared to a net income of $1,705 for Q4 2023. The increase in net loss in Q4 2024 is mainly driven by the accounting loss on decrease in fair value of the embedded derivatives as a result of increase in discount rate and a loss on extinguishment of the convertible facility as a result of the accounting treatment of the modification of the convertible facility. The Company reported a net loss of $31,508 for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to $10,430 for year ended December 31, 2023. The higher net loss in 2024 is attributable to a combination of key factors including a $15,987 decrease in the fair value of derivatives mainly driven by the adjustment to the discount rate and decrease in the Company's share price; an increase in accounting loss on extinguishment of credit facilities of $4,324, an increase in unrealized foreign exchange loss of $3,414, an increase in financing costs of $1,175, partially offset by a $3,390 lower general and administrative expenses and stock-based compensation. LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES As at December 31, 2024, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $27,973 and a working capital deficiency of $47,551. Excluding the current portion of deferred revenue of $6,936 and $24,290 of convertible facility which is classified as current due to the lender's right to exercise the conversion option at any time at a variable price, the working capital deficiency was $16,325. The decrease in cash and cash equivalents since December 31, 2023 was mainly due to the increase in expenditures in mine development, plant and equipment of $153,433, share issue costs of $6,758, financing costs $484 and payment of principal and interest on cost overrun facility ("COF") of $3,096 which is offset by net proceeds from the sale of Sprott royalty of $40,554, net proceeds from the COF of $26,766, proceeds from the bought deal private placement of $109,352 and proceeds from the exercise of stock options of $193. The negative working capital, the delay in underground development, suspension of operations and the builder's liens filed on the mineral properties would have resulted in a default on Ascot's credit facilities and stream arrangement. However, the Company obtained waivers and forbearance conditions from its secured lenders providing for limited suspension of covenant compliance requirements until September 30, 2025. The waivers were in effect as of December 31, 2024 and until September 30, 2025. Management evaluated the financial position including the negative working capital and commitments that existed at December 31, 2024 as well as the potential funding received subsequent to the year end and the projected cash flows from operations based on the estimated mine and production plan (including estimated mine and mill grades). The financing package together with the projected cash flows from operations with the operations restart in Q3 2025 would provide sufficient funding for the next twelve months of operations. If the projected cash flows from operations do not materialize or operations restart is delayed, the Company may need additional funding. During the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company issued 426,785,000 common shares, 84,594,528 warrants, and granted 6,067,104 stock options, 386,195 Deferred Share Units ("DSUs") and 3,267,868 Restricted Share Units ("RSU"). Also, 7,284,210 stock options expired or were forfeited, 305,848 RSUs were forfeited, 13,710,500 warrants expired and 371,369 stock options, 137,533 DSUs and 1,230,088 RSUs were exercised in 2024 MANAGEMENT'S OUTLOOK FOR 2025 After the announcement of temporary suspension of operations in early September 2024, the key activities for the remainder of 2024 included the remobilization of the mining contractor and recommencement of underground development at PNL. In 2025, the Company intends to transition from the construction of the mine and related infrastructure to the operation of the entire site, achieve commercial production and to become a gold producer. The key priorities include: Continue with developing a comprehensive plan to accelerate mine development at PNL and ensure a successful restart of production in Q3 2025 along with ensuring sufficient funding for the underground development and working capital. Achieving steady production and operating in the manner as intended by management in Q4 2025. In order to operate the processing plant at 2,400 tpd (100 tph) the company needs to complete the mine development of PNL, ensuring that it, in conjunction with Big Missouri production, supplies sufficient mill feed to the processing plant. Management is addressing this by developing over 6m per day on average at PNL continuously with anticipation of breakthrough to the Prew ore zone, when rates are expected to increase with multiple headings. Completing various environmental initiatives to ensure compliance with the Mine's environmental permits. Qualified Person James A (Jim) Currie, P.Eng., Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer of the Company is the Company's Qualified Person (QP) as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the technical contents of this news release. On behalf of the Board of Directors of Ascot Resources Ltd. "James A (Jim) Currie" CEO & COO For further information contact: KIN COMMUNICATIONS INC. Email: AOT@kincommunications.com Phone: 604-684-6730 About Ascot Resources Ltd. Ascot is a Canadian junior exploration and development company focused on re-starting the past producing Premier Gold Mine, located on Nisga'a Nation Treaty Lands, in British Columbia's prolific Golden Triangle. Ascot shares trade on the TSX under the ticker AOT. Concurrent with progressing the development of Premier, the Company continues to explore its properties for additional high-grade underground resources. Ascot is committed to the safe and responsible development of Premier in collaboration with Nisga'a Nation as outlined in the Benefits Agreement. For more information about the Company, please refer to the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca or visit the Company's web site at www.ascotgold.com, or for a virtual tour visit www.vrify.com under Ascot Resources. The TSX has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information All statements and other information contained in this press release about anticipated future events may constitute forward-looking information under Canadian securities laws ("forward-looking statements"). Forward- looking statements are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "seek", "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "expect", "targeted", "outlook", "on track" and "intend" and statements that an event or result "may", "will", "should", "could", "would" or "might" occur or be achieved and other similar expressions. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein are forward-looking statements, including statements in respect of the closing of the Second Tranche, the ability of the Company to accomplish its business objectives, the potential outcome of the TSX's remedial delisting review and any alternative listing on the TSX Venture Exchange, the achievement of development and funding targets, the sources and uses and other intentions described herein and future plans, development and operations of the Company. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements, including risks related to the need for potential future waivers or forbearance agreements from the Secured Creditors; business and economic conditions in the mining industry generally; fluctuations in commodity prices and currency exchange rates; uncertainty of estimates and projections relating to development, production, costs and expenses, and health, safety and environmental risks; uncertainties relating to interpretation of drill results and the geology, continuity and grade of mineral deposits; the need for cooperation of government agencies and indigenous groups in the exploration and development of Ascot's properties and the issuance of required permits; the need to obtain additional financing to finance operations and uncertainty as to the availability and terms of future financing; the possibility of delay in future plans and uncertainty of meeting anticipated program milestones; uncertainty as to timely availability of permits and other governmental approvals; and other regulatory approvals and other risk 3 factors as detailed from time to time in Ascot's filings with Canadian securities regulators, available on Ascot's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca including the Annual Information Form of the Company dated March 25, 2025 in the section entitled "Risk Factors". Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions made with regard to: the estimated costs and timelines associated with the development plans; the ability to maintain throughput and production levels at the Big Missouri mine and the Premier Northern Lights mine; the tax rate applicable to the Company; future commodity prices; the grade of mineral resources and mineral reserves; the ability of the Company to convert inferred mineral resources to other categories; the ability of the Company to reduce mining dilution; the ability to reduce capital costs; the ability of the Company to raise additional financing; compliance with the covenants in Ascot's credit agreements; and exploration plans. Forward-looking statements are based on estimates and opinions of management at the date the statements are made. Although Ascot believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements and/or information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements since Ascot can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Ascot does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements, other than as required by applicable laws. The forward-looking information contained in this news release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. Indicated Mineral Resource: 18.0 million tonnes (Mt) grading 2.40 g/t Au 1 , for 1.39 million ounces (Moz). , for 1.39 million ounces (Moz). Inferred Mineral Resource: 10.7 Mt grading 1.77 g/t Au, for 0.61 Moz. Quality of Asset: High grade veins starting at surface with minimal overburden cover provides for quick, easy access and potential for selective mining opportunities. High-grade core: 73% of the ounces are contained in 24% of the tonnage in the indicated category within the Mineral Resource pit shells. Camp Potential: The initial MRE sits within a less than 5% portion of the 110 km long strike extent of the two major structures controlling gold mineralization, where numerous additional gold targets have been identified. Infill Potential: This initial MRE has clear potential for expansion between and within the initial MRE pit shells. Expansion Potential: Recently announced high-grade gold intersections beyond the initial MRE footprint demonstrates that gold mineralization remains open for expansion beyond this initial MRE both along strike and at depth, with most of the drilling focussed within the first 200 m of surface. Continued Advancement: Following the completion of additional metallurgical testwork, a preliminary economic assessment ("PEA") is planned for release in late Q2/25. New Found Gold Corp. ("New Found Gold" or the "Company") (TSXV: NFG) (NYSE-A: NFGC) is pleased to announce an initial Mineral Resource Estimate ("MRE") for its 100% owned Queensway Gold Project ("Queensway" or the "Project"), located in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. Keith Boyle, CEO of New Found Gold commented: "This initial mineral resource estimate marks a pivotal moment for the Company, as it represents the first evaluation of gold mineralization at Queensway. The completion of this key step allows us to advance the Project, first with the completion of a PEA in late Q2/25 and potentially on to pre-feasibility and feasibility. While the economic evaluation is advancing, exploration of our highly prospective landholdings will continue, with the ultimate objective of building a major new gold mine in central Newfoundland." Melissa Render, President of New Found Gold commented: "Today's announcement validates our track record of systematic exploration leading to multiple discoveries at Queensway and supports that we are on the path to defining a significant gold deposit in a Tier 1 jurisdiction. The initial Mineral Resource estimate is located on a fraction of our highly prospective landholdings, and with ongoing exploration success we see excellent potential to grow the Project and unlock value both for shareholders and nearby communities." The MRE can be viewed in 3D on the Company's website or using VRIFY at: https://vrify.com/decks/18488?auth=89abf465-7ef9-42cd-ac94-1f672dab0a21 _____________________________ 1 g/t Au = grams of gold per tonne Initial MRE Overview: The initial MRE (Table 1) was prepared by SLR Consulting (Canada) Ltd. ("SLR") in accordance with the 2014 Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum ("CIM") Definition Standards and Canadian National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101"). SLR is independent of New Found Gold. The following is the current Mineral Resource Estimate as at March 15, 2025 (the "Effective Date"). Table 1: MRE Summary (as at the Effective Date) Zone Category Tonnage (Mt) Grade (g/t Au) Contained Metal (Moz Au) Open Pit Indicated 17.3 2.25 1.25 Inferred 9.0 1.24 0.36 Underground Indicated 0.8 5.76 0.14 Inferred 1.7 4.44 0.25 Total Indicated 18.0 2.40 1.39 Inferred 10.7 1.77 0.61 Notes: 1. CIM (2014) definitions were followed for Mineral Resources. 2. Mineral Resources are estimated using a long-term gold price of US$2,200 per ounce, and a US$/C$ exchange rate of US$1.00 = C$1.43. 3. Open pit Mineral Resources are estimated at a cut-off grade of 0.3 g/t Au and constrained by a preliminary optimized pit shell with a pit slope angle of 45, and bench height of 5 m. 4. RPEEE (as defined below) for underground Mineral Resources was demonstrated by constraining within reporting panels generated at a cut-off grade of 1.65 g/t Au, with heights (H) of 10 m, lengths (L) of 5 m and minimum widths of 1.8 m. 5. The optimized pit shell, underground reporting shapes, and cut-off grades were generated by assuming metallurgical recovery of 90%, standard treatment and refining charges, mining costs of C$5.0/t moved for open pit and C$120/t processed for underground, processing costs of C$20/t processed, and general and administrative costs of C$7.5/t processed. 6. Pierre Landry, P.Geo. of SLR, an independent Qualified Person who prepared the initial MRE is not aware of any environmental, permitting, legal, title, taxation, socio-economic, marketing, political, or other relevant factors that could materially affect the Mineral Resource estimate 7. Bulk density within the vein and halo mineralization domains is 2.7 t/m. 8. Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. 9. Numbers may not add due to rounding. Grade-Tonnage by Cut-off Grade: Table 2a and 2b show the variation in tonnes and grades at various gold cut-off grades ("COG") within the resource pit shell. At a gold cut-off grade of 2 g/t and within the resource pit shell, the Indicated Mineral Resource blocks total 3,854 thousand tonnes (kt) at a grade of 7.16 g/t Au for 887 thousand ounces (koz) and the Inferred Mineral Resource blocks total 993 kt at a grade of 4.16 g/t Au for 133 koz. This represents 73% of the contained ounces in only 24% of the tonnage for the indicated category only. The opportunity for high-grade starter pits will be investigated as part of the PEA. Table 2a: Open Pit Indicated Grade-Tonnage Table (as at the Effective Date) Indicated COG (g/t) Tonnage (kt) Au Grade (g/t) Au Metal (koz) 0.3 16,189 2.34 1,219 0.4 14,197 2.62 1,197 0.5 12,584 2.90 1,174 1.0 7,699 4.29 1,061 1.5 5,248 5.72 964 2.0 3,854 7.16 887 Table 2b: Open Pit Inferred Grade-Tonnage Table (as at the Effective Date) Inferred COG (g/t) Tonnage (kt) Au Grade (g/t) Au Metal (koz) 0.3 8,280 1.21 323 0.4 7,103 1.36 310 0.5 6,130 1.50 296 1.0 3,068 2.29 226 1.5 1,709 3.14 173 2.0 993 4.16 133 The resource database was closed on November 1, 2024 and contains 3,214 holes drilled by New Found Gold and previous operators, for a total of 723,387 m of which 550,949 m have assay intervals. The MRE incorporates multiple high-grade zones, including the Keats and Iceberg zones which has consistently returned significant gold intercepts in drilling. Open pit Indicated Mineral Resources are estimated to total 17.3 million dry metric tonnes (Mt) grading 2.25 g/t Au for 1.25 million ounces (Moz) of gold, and Inferred Mineral Resources are estimated to total 9 Mt grading 1.24 g/t for 0.36 Moz of gold (Table 1). The open pit MRE was reported within a preliminary optimized pit shell generated at a cut-off grade of 0.3 g/t Au. Underground Indicated Mineral Resources are estimated to total 0.8 Mt grading 5.76 g/t Au for 0.14 Moz of gold, and Inferred Mineral Resources are estimated to total 1.7 Mt grading 4.44 g/t for 0.25 Moz of gold. Underground Mineral Resources are constrained within reporting panels generated at a cut-off grade of 1.65 g/t and a minimum mining width of 1.8 m. The MRE is divided into Appleton Fault Zone Core ("AFZ Core"), Appleton Fault Zone Peripheral ("AFZ Peripheral") and JBP (Table 3), with 96% (by metal) of the Indicated Resource and 87% (by metal) of the Inferred Resource located within AFZ Core, for the total combined open pit and underground Mineral Resources. A conceptual operating scenario (for purposes of estimating cut-off grade inputs) includes: Conventional truck and shovel open pit mining.o Underground mining using narrow-vein longhole mining methods. Processing via crushing and grinding, gravity, sulphide flotation (when required), carbon in leach ("CIL"), elution and regeneration, and electrowinning gold recovery. Products will include primarily dore with a possible sulphide flotation concentrate. Exploration and Growth Potential: The Mineral Resource is reported constrained within a pit shell and underground reporting panels and shows strong continuity of mineralization. Recent drilling continues to intersect high-grade gold beyond the current Mineral Resource footprint, demonstrating significant expansion potential. The Company is preparing for an aggressive exploration campaign aimed at expanding the resource and further defining high-grade targets. Upcoming Milestones: Technical Report: The Technical Report (as defined below) in support of this MRE will be filed on the Company's website and SEDAR+ within 45 days of this news release. Drilling: The Company is currently finalizing plans for its 2025 drill program, which will include step-out and infill drilling, target delineation and exploratory drilling. Metallurgical Testwork: Additional testwork is underway to support a PEA. PEA: A PEA, which is also being prepared by SLR, is planned for release in late Q2/25. Permitting and Environmental Baseline Studies: Work is ongoing to support economic studies and future development. MRE Tabulations: The MRE is divided into AFZ Core (consisting of K2, Keats West, Keats, Iceberg and Lotto), AFZ Peripheral (consisting of Big Vein, Pristine, HM and Midway) and JBP (consisting of H Pond, 1744 and Pocket Pond), with 96% (by metal) of the indicated Mineral Resource and 87% (by metal) of the Inferred Mineral Resource located within AFZ Core as outlined in Table 3 and Figure 1. Table 3: MRE Tabulation by zone and area (as at the Effective Date) Zone Area Category Tonnage (000 t) Grade (g/t Au) Contained Metal (000 oz Au) Open Pit K2, Monte Carlo AFZ Core Indicated 3,588 1.51 175 Inferred 3,755 1.22 147 Keats West, Cokes, Powerline AFZ Core Indicated 4,392 1.85 261 Inferred 2,410 1.33 103 Keats, Keats South, Iceberg, Iceberg East, Iceberg Alley, Knob, Golden Bullet AFZ Core Indicated 7,004 2.94 662 Inferred 1,037 0.84 28 Lotto, Golden Joint, Jackpot, Honeypot AFZ Core Indicated 1,205 3.16 122 Inferred 1,078 1.31 45 Big Vein, Pristine, HM, Midway AFZ Peripheral Indicated 995 0.82 26 Inferred 474 1.56 24 H Pond, 1744, Pocket Pond JBP Indicated 83 1.54 4 Inferred 206 1.66 11 Total Indicated 17,267 2.25 1,249 Inferred 8,960 1.24 358 Underground K2, Monte Carlo AFZ Core Indicated 32 3.02 3 Inferred 335 2.78 30 Keats West, Cokes, Powerline AFZ Core Indicated - - - Inferred 28 2.76 3 Keats, Keats South, Iceberg, Iceberg East, Iceberg Alley, Knob, Golden Bullet AFZ Core Indicated 306 5.13 50 Inferred 660 4.53 96 Lotto, Golden Joint, Jackpot, Honeypot AFZ Core Indicated 303 6.97 68 Inferred 394 6.34 80 Big Vein, Pristine, HM, Midway AFZ Peripheral Indicated 100 5.42 17 Inferred 119 5.72 22 H Pond, 1744, Pocket Pond JBP Indicated 30 4.09 4 Inferred 214 2.79 19 Total Indicated 771 5.76 142 Inferred 1,749 4.44 250 Open Pit + Underground Total Indicated 18,038 2.40 1,392 Inferred 10,709 1.77 608 Queensway Geology and Structure: Queensway resides in the eastern Exploits Subzone of the Newfoundland Appalachians and is centered on a 110-km segment of the district-scale auriferous Appleton and JBP fault zones. The Appleton Fault is a major intraplate fault zone that separates rock packages of contrasting structural style and provides a first order control on gold mineralization. Second order subsidiary faults splay from the Appleton Fault with consistent geometry, orientation and kinematics that repeat throughout the deposit area. They host laminated shear and associated extensional vein arrays as well as hydraulic breccias with large well-developed vugs. Veins consist of quartz, ankerite, chalcopyrite, boulangerite/bournonite, arsenopyrite and pyrite and are associated with NH4 muscovite alteration. The Keats-Baseline Fault is a highly prospective northeast striking secondary fault with an interpreted strike length of 1.9 km. In 2019, while exploring the Keats-Baseline Fault a broad array of visible gold bearing veins was intercepted in what is now the Keats Zone. Since 2019, New Found Gold has discovered key high-grade zones such as Iceberg, Keats West, Golden Joint, Lotto, Jackpot, K2, Monte Carlo, (all within AFZ Core), as well as Golden Dome, Pistachio and Dropkick, where the majority of results were received by the Company after the initial resource database was closed. MRE Methodology and Parameters: Reasonable prospects for economic evaluation ("RPEEE") were demonstrated for the reported MRE by constraining the open pit MRE with a preliminary optimized pit shell, while the underground MRE were constrained within reporting panels. Open pit MRE were reported above a 0.3 g/t Au reporting cut-off grade. Underground MRE are constrained by reporting panels generated at a cut-off grade of 1.65 g/t Au and a minimum mining width of 1.8 m. For the purposes of open pit optimization, the block model was re-blocked to 5 m by 5 m by 5 m, while open pit Mineral Resources are reported from a block model regularized to the 2.5 m by 2.5 m by 5 m parent cell size. Underground reporting panels were generated from the original estimation sub-block model, with a minimum sub-block size of 0.625 m by 0.625 m by 1.25 m, which was also used to report the underground Mineral Resources. MRE classification was based primarily on drill hole spacings of up to approximately 30 m for Indicated Mineral Resources and up to approximately 60 m for Inferred Mineral Resources, which were applied to create continuous classification categories. High Grade Restriction Within AFZ Core high grade restrictions were applied, with the restriction process involving two key components, grade restriction threshold and restricted search dimensions. During estimation, composite values exceeding the grade threshold were permitted to have full influence within the restricted ellipsoid, while beyond this range, these values were capped to the threshold to limit their impact. This approach ensured that high-grade samples maintained local influence while preventing the over-projection of higher grades into lower-grade areas. SLR determined the impact of capping and high-grade restriction to be acceptable and necessary steps to prevent the smearing of high-grade samples throughout the estimate. Metallurgy New Found Gold has completed two phases of metallurgical test work on the various mineralized zones. The initial test work evaluated three mineralized zones within the AFZ Core (Keats, Golden Joint, and Lotto). The next phase of work studied mineralization from the Iceberg and Iceberg East zones. See New Found Gold news releases dated April 3, 2024 and November 1, 2024 for additional information. In 2024, the Company began a third phase of testing using mineralized material also from the AFZ Core (Keats West), which was known to contain free gold and submicroscopic gold associated with pyrite and arsenopyrite. This material was also known to contain varying amounts of organic carbon. Reports are still pending and preliminary results have been provided to the Company for the purposes of the initial MRE. While test work to date has focussed on a gravity - CIL flowsheet, future test work will continue to investigate flotation for the recovery of refractory gold associated with pyrite and arsenopyrite into a sulphide concentrate that could potentially be processed on site or sold to a third party. Based on results received to date, a metallurgical recovery of 90% was applied across all deposits and grade ranges based on preliminary gravity, flotation, and CIL test work on samples from Keats, Golden Joint, Lotto, Iceberg, and Iceberg East, that demonstrated acceptable recoveries from samples using gravity-CIL test work, and improved recoveries of gold associated with sulphides by flotation where CIL of the gravity tails was inadequate (particularly from Keats West). Data Verification The data used in this Mineral Resource Estimate is supported by Quality Assurance and Quality Control ("QA/QC") procedures, such as the insertion of certified standards and blanks into the sample stream and the utilization of certified independent analytical laboratories for all assays. The QA/QC data and methodology on the project were reviewed and will be summarized in the NI 43-101 technical report. Pierre Landry, P.Geo. of SLR, an independent Qualified Person in accordance with the requirements of NI 43-101, has reviewed the adequacy of sample preparation, security, and analytical procedures conducted by New Found Gold from the start of the Queensway exploration programs in 2019 through to the Effective Date. This review found no material issues or inconsistencies that could adversely affect the quality or reliability of the data. The QP is of the opinion that: NFG's sample preparation procedures are appropriate for the deposit type and mineralization style. Analytical methods used, including fire assay, photon assay, and screen fire assay, are suitable for determining gold grades in the Project. The QA/QC program, which includes CRMs, blanks, and duplicates, is well-structured, meets industry standards, and provides confidence in the assay data. Sample security measures and chain of custody protocols are sufficient to ensure the integrity of the data. Overall, Pierre Landry, P.Geo. of SLR, an independent Qualified Person in accordance with the requirements of NI 43-101, is of the opinion that NFG's sampling, analytical methods, and QA/QC program meet industry standards and are suitable for use in the Mineral Resource estimate. Data verification for the drill hole database included comparing gold assay values used to support the Mineral Resource estimate against the original analytical certificates from ALS and MSALABS, the primary laboratories used by NFG between 2019 and 2024. The review covered a variety of assay methods including: fire assay with AAS or gravimetric finish, photon assay, and screen fire assay. SLR found no material discrepancies identified that would impact the validity of the Mineral Resource estimate. SLR's QP is of the opinion that the verification process confirms the reliability of the assay database, ensuring its suitability for use for Mineral Resource estimation. In accordance with NI 43-101, Pierre Landry, P.Geo., of SLR, conducted a site visit to the Project and related facilities on October 24 and 25, 2024. During this visit, he inspected the Keats and Iceberg trenches, the core shack, and reviewed the logging environment and procedures for data collection and sampling. He also examined core samples from the AFZ Core, AFZ Peripheral, and JBP deposits. In addition, he interviewed NFG's personnel and gathered information necessary for completing the Mineral Resource estimate and accompanying Technical Report. Mr. Landry also inspected drill collars and drill hole cores relevant to the Mineral Resource estimation, verifying collar locations using a handheld GPS and visually comparing mineralization with interpreted drilling sections. NFG provided full access to all facilities and personnel during the visit. Mr. Landry was accompanied by Melissa Render, President of NFG. Technical Report A technical report will be prepared (the "Technical Report") by Qualified Persons in accordance with the requirements of NI 43-101 and will be filed on SEDAR+ within 45 days of this press release. Readers are cautioned that the conclusions, projections and estimates set out in this press release are subject to important qualifications, assumptions and exclusions, all of which will be detailed in the Technical Report. To fully understand the summary information set out in this press release, the Technical Report, which will be filed on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca, should be read in its entirety. Qualified Person The initial MRE for Queensway was prepared by Pierre Landry, P.Geo. of SLR, an independent Qualified Person in accordance with the requirements of NI 43-101, who has reviewed and approved the contents of this news release. The scientific and technical information disclosed in this press release was reviewed and approved by Melissa Render, P.Geo., President, and a Qualified Person as defined under NI 43-101. Ms. Render consents to the publication of this press release dated March 24, 2025, by New Found Gold. Ms. Render certifies that this press release fairly and accurately represents the scientific and technical information that forms the basis for this press release. New Found Gold holds a 100% interest in Queensway in Newfoundland and Labrador, a Tier 1 jurisdiction with excellent infrastructure and a skilled local workforce. With over 600,000 metres of drilling completed since 2020, the Company has outlined multiple near-surface, high-grade gold discoveries over a 22 km strike extent. Recent drilling continues to yield new discoveries along strike and down dip of known gold zones, pointing to the district-scale potential of the 175,600 hectare Project that covers a 110 km strike extent along two prospective fault zones. The Company has completed an initial mineral resource estimate and commissioned a preliminary economic assessment, which is scheduled for completion in late Q2/25. New Found Gold has a new management team in place, a solid shareholder base, which includes an 19% holding by Eric Sprott, and is focused on growth and value creation at Queensway. Please see the Company's website at www.newfoundgold.ca and the Company's SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca. Keith Boyle Chief Executive Officer New Found Gold Corp. Follow us on social media at https://www.linkedin.com/company/newfound-gold-corp https://x.com/newfoundgold Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-Looking Statement Cautions This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation, relating to the MRE; exploration, drilling and mineralization on the Queensway Project ; plans for future exploration and drilling including expansion beyond this MRE, additional metallurgical testwork, exploration of our prospective landholdings and exploration campaign; the preparation, completion and timing of a PEA; the potential preparation, completion and timing of a pre-feasibility study and feasibility study; growth of the Queensway Project and value creation for shareholders and the communities; expansion potential of the Queensway Project; the 2025 drill program; filing the Technical Report and timing thereof; the jurisdiction of the Queensway Project ; and the merits of the Queensway Project. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts; they are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "interpreted", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "aims", "suggests", "indicate", "often", "target", "future", "likely", "encouraging", "pending", "potential", "goal", "objective", "opportunity", "prospective", "possibly", "preliminary", and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "can", "could" or "should" occur, or are those statements, which, by their nature, refer to future events. The Company cautions that forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made, and they involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Consequently, there can be no assurances that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Except to the extent required by applicable securities laws and the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements if management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change. Factors that could cause future results to differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements include risks associated with the Company's ability to complete the preliminary economic assessment, the results and timing of the preliminary economic assessment, possible accidents and other risks associated with mineral exploration operations, the risk that the Company will encounter unanticipated geological factors, risks associated with the interpretation of exploration, drilling and assay results, the possibility that the Company may not be able to secure permitting and other governmental clearances necessary to carry out the Company's exploration plans, the risk that the Company will not be able to raise sufficient funds to carry out its business plans, and the risk of political uncertainties and regulatory or legal changes that might interfere with the Company's business and prospects. The reader is urged to refer to the Company's Annual Information Form and Management's discussion and Analysis, publicly available through the Canadian Securities Administrators' System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR+) at www.sedarplus.ca for a more complete discussion of such risk factors and their potential effects. SOURCE New Found Gold Corp. For further information on New Found Gold, please visit the Company's website at www.newfoundgold.ca, contact us through our investor inquiry form at https://newfoundgold.ca/contact/ or contact: Fiona Childe, Ph.D., P.Geo., Vice President, Communications and Corporate Development, Phone: +1 (416) 910-4653, Email: contact@newfoundgold.ca Flexi-wing spotlight captures first victim in China The flexi-wings saga in Shanghai has cost Williams a whopping 50,000 euros fine. Carlos Sainz, Chinese GP 2025 Williams However, the team insists it did nothing wrong - especially in terms of running an excessively bendy rear wing. It's a hot topic at the moment, with McLaren in particular but also other teams under the FIA's spotlight - and high-definition cameras that were mandatory to run in Friday free practice. Interestingly, McLaren appears to have escaped the added scrutiny, and tougher flex tests, without making any modifications. It's not directed at us, Lando Norris insists. It seems to be directed at other teams. Indeed, it is believed Alpine and Haas had to make rear wing changes for China. As for Williams, its faux pas was missing the deadline to supply the video footage of the FIA cameras. The reason for the failure was apparently the team's belief that the cameras would come fitted with SD cards supplied by the FIA, the stewards ruled. They did not check if they did. Williams explained in its own statement: "For completeness, we provided all footage as requested in Melbourne with no issue and will continue to support the FIA and provide all required footage in a timely manner going forwards. We have no concerns over the legality of our wing. It is the same wing we ran in Melbourne, is fully compliant and we did not have to make any adjustments further to the issuing of the new technical directive. Also struggling at Williams at present is the new recruit from Ferrari, Carlos Sainz. He explained that he is not only still adjusting to driving his new car, but also simply to feel comfortable in the cockpit. I'm struggling a lot with my balance, and I also have a strange feeling with the seat that we'll have to investigate, he told DAZN. In any case, in the end it all comes down to me not feeling completely at home in the car. I still have a lot to learn and understand about the car, and I know that with more driving experience, things will come. Earlier in Shanghai, Sainz's successor at Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, hit out at those who were critical of his own adaptation to life at a different team. We live in such a strange time in the world, said the seven time world champion. People just love to be negative at any opportunity, even with the smallest things. (GMM) Next article: Ive never received an award in 20 years because of my branding Mzbel National Theatre to hold vigil night in honour of Mawuli Semevo Gifty Owusu-Amoah Showbiz News Mar - 24 - 2025 , 17:02 2 minutes read The National Theatre of Ghana is hosting a special tribute event dubbed, Remembering Mawuli Semevo to honour the life and legacy of the renowned actor who passed on Thursday, February 20. The event will take place on Thursday, March 27 at 6:30 pm at the National Theatre's main auditorium. Mawuli Semevo, who retired as the director of Drama Company, one of the three resident performing groups of the National Theatre of Ghana sadly passed away last month at Ridge Hospital due to injuries he suffered in a fire accident.(Read Veteran actor Mawuli Semevo dies from fire accident complications) Known for his exceptional acting skills, both on stage and in films, Semevo featured in several productions, including Harvest at 17, A Stab in the Dark, Escape of Love, Like Cotton Twines, and The Good Old Days: The Love of AA. The tribute night will bring together top personalities in Ghana's arts and culture industry to honour Mawuli Semevo's life, works and most importantly, his contributions and lasting impact on the country's theatre and performance scene as a teacher, actor and theatre director. The event will also include performances, tributes, and storytelling sessions. Mawuli Semevo is a highly acclaimed actor, celebrated for his exceptional talent and versatility on both stage and screen. His impressive filmography includes standout performances in movies such as "Harvest at 17", "A Stab in the Dark", "Escape of Love", "Like Cotton Twines", and "The Good Old Days: The Love of AA". He played the role of Baba Fakunle in the adaption of Ola Rotimis The gods are not to blame by Image Bureau and April Productions staged at the National Theatre last year. Adu-Boahene: Former National Signals Bureau Director arrested over $7million cybersecurity deal GraphicOnline Mar - 24 - 2025 , 12:23 2 minutes read The Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Dominic Ayine, has revealed that the former Director-General of the National Signals Bureau (NSB), Kwabena Adu-Boahene, has been arrested in connection with an alleged financial scandal involving a $7 million cyber defense system contract. Speaking at a press conference on Monday, March, Ayine detailed the circumstances surrounding the case, citing financial misconduct and unauthorised transactions that diverted public funds meant for a critical national security project. Unauthorized fund transfers and breach of public trust The Attorney-General explained that the cyber defense contract was intended to strengthen Ghanas ability to detect, prevent, and respond to cyber threats, data breaches, and digital espionage. However, the funds allocated for the project were allegedly mismanaged. In his capacity as Director of the National Signals Bureau, Mr Adu-Boahene on 30th January 2020, signed a contract on behalf of the Government of Ghana and the National Security on one hand, and on the other hand, an Israeli company named RLC Holdings Limited, Mr Ayine disclosed. The contract, worth $7 million, was meant for the acquisition of cyber defense system software. However, the Attorney-General alleged that just a week later, Mr Adu Boahene made suspicious financial moves that raised red flags. On 6th February 2020, he then transferred an initial amount of GH27,100,000 from the National Signals Bureau account at Fidelity Bank to a private BNC account at UMB. Official documentation on the transfer reveals that the amount was for the payment of cyber defense system software. He transferred the money to his private company. Next steps Authorities believe the alleged diversion of funds has undermined Ghanas cybersecurity infrastructure, delaying the implementation of crucial security measures to protect sensitive national data. Legal proceedings are expected to commence soon, with Mr Ayine assuring that the government remains committed to holding individuals accountable for financial mismanagement. Adu-Boahenes lawyers accuse Attorney-General of trial by media GraphicOnline Mar - 24 - 2025 , 21:10 9 minutes read Lawyers for Kwabena Adu-Boahene, the former Director-General of the National Signals Bureau (NSB), and his wife, Angela Adjei Boateng, have accused Attorney-General Dr Dominic Ayine of violating their clients rights by publicly declaring them guilty before trial. Their concerns follow a press conference held by the Attorney-General on March 24, 2025, where Dr Ayine linked Adu-Boahenes arrest to an alleged $7 million fraud involving a cybersecurity contract. In a statement issued by legal firm Zoe, Akyea & Co., the lawyers described the Attorney-Generals remarks as prejudicial, arguing that they amounted to a public conviction while investigations were still ongoing. "The power to investigate any Ghanaian for alleged criminal offences has no party colours," the statement read. "It is a painstaking exercise to ensure that the rule of law is observed and that persons with material stakes are not unfairly targeted by those who wield the powers of the State. The legal team further accused Dr Ayine of engaging in a trial by media, arguing that the Attorney-General had cheapened the press conference by pronouncing our clients guilty in the court of public opinion. They maintained that prosecution must be based on evidence and due process, rather than public narratives that could prejudice judicial proceedings. Adu-Boahenes lawyers have vowed to challenge what they describe as unmitigated prejudice with defamatory consequences, insisting that their clients are being unfairly targeted. They also warned that any attempts to undermine their right to a fair trial would be contested in the appropriate legal forum. Below is the full text of the statement from Kwabena Adu-Boahenes legal team: ZOE, AKYEA & CO. LEGAL PRACTITIONERS & NOTARIES PUBLIC 24th March, 2025 IN THE MATTER OF THE VIOLATION OF THE FUNDAMENTAL HUMAN RIGHTS OF KWABENA ADU BOAHENE AND ANGELA ADJEI BOATENG; AND THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL'S RESET VERSION OF THE RULE OF LAW We act as lawyers for Kwabena Adu Boahene and Angela Adjei Boateng. Midmorning today, the 24th day of March, 2025, the Learned Attorney-General of the realm, Hon. Dr. Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, in his reset version of the rule of law, and romancing the press, pronounced our Clients guilty of state looting, in the court of public opinion, and cheapened the press conference by saying our Clients are still being investigated by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO). The Learned Attorney-General has been a distinguished lecturer of law and we cannot fathom why he would use the power of the press rather than his advocacy at the Bar to feed the general public with his prejudicial and skewed information which he unprofessionally called evidence to poison the general public and by extension the entire world against our Clients. The power to investigate any Ghanaian for alleged criminal offences has no party colours. It is a painstaking exercise to ensure that the rights of citizens are not abused and their personalities rubbished by those who wield the powers of the State to conduct that sacred exercise. All professional investigationsand not party investigationsare devoid of razzmatazz and propaganda. The suspect, who is the subject matter of the investigation, should not be disgraced before the assemblage of the so-called facts which will point him out as an accused person. A suspect is not an accused person until the facts clinically put together through investigations graduate into a docket after the suspect is formally charged. When a suspect is being investigated, he is entitled to bail for the simple reason that the investigating body cannot treat him as an individual already pronounced guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction. The criminal jurisprudence the world over frowns upon enquiry bail being used as an emotive weapon of punishment against persons who may be potentially innocent after adduction of evidence, not in the New Patriot Party headquarters, but before a court of competent jurisdiction. When the Attorney-General and/or a prosecutor has assembled facts and not propaganda against a citizen of Ghana, the individual is then arraigned before a court of law. The charges are read against the accused who may plead guilty, which opens the door for his conviction and sentence. When a plea of not guilty is entered for the accused, it kick-starts a criminal trial in which the Attorney-General or his lawful representative leaves the realm of emotions and party-frenzy to demonstrate through evidence why his fellow Ghanaian should be convicted on the account of a criminal offence duly committed. We need not stress that from the arrest all the way to the point of conviction, if ever, the accused person has a constitutional right to a lawyer of his choice. Archibald, one of the leading expositors of Criminal Law Practice and Evidence, calls what is contained in the dossier as The Theory of the Prosecution. We have underlined this kindergarten position of the law to expose the fact that when a case from the highest level of the Attorney-General is determined in the court of public opinion, then the matter has degenerated from prosecutionwhich must not be dressed in NDC coloursto persecution, whose oxygen and impunity is politically-induced and very much an affront to the rule of law. With this as a prologue, we want to put the case of our Clients in context. Mr. Kwabena Adu Boahene cannot be called a common criminal, and neither can his wife, Angela Adjei Boateng. Prior to this sordid expose, Mr. Kwabena Adu Boahene was the immediate Director of the National Signal Bureau and is a man who is networked internationally. His wife, Angela, has never been a woman of straw and she is doing considerable good business. On Thursday, the 20th day of March 2025, Mr. Kwabena Adu Boahene arrived at Kotoka International Airport on a British Airways flight from the United Kingdom. It is totally false that he flew economy class to disguise himself, as the Attorney-General was strenuously projecting it to be. Our Client was in the business class, a fact which is easily verifiable. It beggars belief that a criminal should be audacious enough to fly out of the jurisdiction through Kotoka International Airport, a security area, and return on his own free will to Accra while the criminal routes of the Togo and the Ivory Coast borders are the safe options available to him. Obviously, the Attorney-General is using a different eyeglass, and we cannot fault him for that. On his arrival at the airport, Mr. Kwabena Adu Boahene reclined at the Commercially Important Persons (CIP) lounge. A ruse was created that there were Immigration issues with his passport and he was wanted at the open place where the passengers of all aircraft landing at Kotoka International Airport check out. Our law-abiding Client got into that open space only to be handcuffed for public ridicule and ferried to the EOCO cells where he is still languishing. The next day, Friday, the 21st day of March 2025, his wife walked to the premises of EOCO to find out how her husband was doing, and she was immediately arrested. Rehearsed criminals do not voluntarily go to the place of their arrest. They run away and become fugitives from justice. Again, when the undertaking is persecution, it is easy to confuse decent and well-cultured Ghanaians from common criminals. As at today, Angela has been incarcerated by EOCO on the account of what the Attorney-General is using to contaminate our Clients in the press and unprofessionally expose them to public opprobrium. It is difficult to come to terms with the fact that the Attorney-General is comfortable with the press where there is no proof beyond reasonable doubt. The Attorney-General has become the media persecutor of our Clients, a judge in his own court while simultaneously asserting that he is still investigating the case. This is counter-intuitive. We do not believe a change of government through constitutional means should degenerate into a reset version of rule of law in which the press is fed with a pathetic one-sided and untested position by the leader of the Bar. This unmitigated prejudice with defamatory consequences will be prosecuted in the appropriate forum. We are shocked that at the press conference, the Attorney-General was even entertaining himself with issues of plea bargaining when the statements of the suspects are yet to be taken. It was even laughable that the age of Angela was lost on the Attorney-General given the fact that EOCO has seized her British passport, which obviously had her bio-data. It is unfortunate that the wealth of citizens of Ghana with constitutional rights is being advertised to the whole world until EOCO finds a correlation between the proceeds of the alleged crime and the property acquisitions. Kwabena became the Deputy Director of the National Signal Bureau (NSB) in 2016 during the NDC time in Government. The NPP in power did not jettison his competences and vast experience in the field. Kwabena has been doing business well before he was appointed by the NPP Government to the high office of Director, NSB. It is very unprofessional to assert that the properties purportedly owned by our Clients were acquired after 2018 when there is no verification that they belong to our Clients using criminal proceeds from their work. With respect, this disjointed logic exposes the bad faith and the desperate attempt to give political colour to the Attorney-Generals own self-confession that investigations are still ongoing. The Attorney-Generals appetite to eat uncooked meals is amazing. Today, Ghana is at the crime scene and the constitution has been turned upside down, and everybody can be guilty before the evidence. Democracy is sitting upside down. I was very much surprised this morning when our Clients were denied the right to counsel by EOCO with a reset Constitution that I could not have the confidentiality of talking to my Clients and giving them the appropriate legal advice prior to interrogation unless an official of EOCO listens to the lawyer-client solemn engagement. This reset rule of law defies my modest thirty-one (31) years of legal practice. In todays Ghana, the Attorney-General is acutely aware he has violated the rights of our Clients relating to the not more than forty-eight (48) hour incarceration constitutional prescription and tells the whole world that he can play with the bail issues by releasing our Clients and rearresting them. We are seeing through the dastardly agenda that let us in the court of public opinion besmear Kwabena and Angela with filth and guilt so that in the event of a court of law, equity and good conscience should find the case of the Attorney-General as propaganda and not evidence, we can feed frenzy to the citizenry that yes indeed, it is the NPP judiciary that is setting the innocent free. We will pursue justice for our Clients. We are undaunted. Our sense of law has been violated today. And to paraphrase the words of one American President: democracy is too strong for our learned Attorney-General. Yours faithfully, Samuel Atta Akyea Zoe, Akyea & Co. Arrest of Ex-National Signals Bureau boss: A-G warns banks against moving his funds GraphicOnline Mar - 24 - 2025 , 13:30 3 minutes read The Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Dr Dominic Ayine, has issued a stern warning to all banks and financial institutions dealing with former Director-General of the National Signals Bureau (NSB), Kwabena Adu Boahen, not to facilitate any movement of his assets or funds. Addressing a press conference in Accra on Monday, March 24, 2025, Dr Ayine revealed that the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) is actively tracking bank accounts linked to Mr Adu Boahen and his wife as part of ongoing investigations into alleged financial misconduct. All banks are also warned that if we see any wire transfers or cash withdrawals on any of the accounts belonging to Mr Adu Boahen and his companies, the Bank Managers and all their employees who are involved in those transfers will equally be arrested, the Attorney-General cautioned. He named three banks; Fidelity Bank, UMB and Stanbic Bank as the banks that were dealing in substantial financial transactions with the couple. He further stated that failure by any financial institution to comply with this directive would result in legal action against their executives and employees. Dr Ayine disclosed that authorities had traced substantial amounts of money linked to suspected illicit transactions from Advantage Solutions Limited and BNC Communications Bureau Limited. Investigations have also established that money, mostly proceeds of crime from Advantage Solutions Limited and BNC Communications Bureau Limited and other similar sources, have been transmitted under very suspicious circumstances through the bank accounts of these companies, he revealed. Additionally, the Attorney-General said investigations had uncovered at least ten companies linked to Mr Adu Boahen and his wife, all of which were allegedly under the control of Advantage Solutions. For purposes of the investigations that are ongoing, we are not going to disclose those companies, he added. He further warned executives and employees of these companies against attempting to move any assets, saying, If they make movement of assets, we will track and arrest them and prosecute them. Dr Ayine also suggested that Mr Adu Boahen may have used his accumulated wealth to acquire foreign citizenship, raising concerns about a potential escape route. The massive wealth he has accumulated, it is possible he has purchased another citizenship. His wifes British passport is in the possession of EOCO, the Attorney-General stated. According to investigators, Mr Adu Boahen possesses two service passports, while the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) is tracking intelligence suggesting he may also have a foreign passport. Arrest at Kotoka International Airport The former NSB Director-General was arrested by EOCO officials upon arrival at Kotoka International Airport on Thursday, 20th March 2025. He had flown in from London Heathrow at approximately 8:30 PM on a British Airways flight. According to Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, Mr Adu Boahen was stopped at the airports immigration checkpoint and informed that his name was flagged on EOCOs stop list. He was subsequently taken into custody. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Afenyo-Markin strongly condemned the arrest, calling it an act of political persecution under the current administration and warning that such actions set a dangerous precedent and undermine the democratic principles of justice and fairness. With investigations intensifying, the case has sparked widespread debate on corruption, governance, and political accountability in Ghana. As legal proceedings unfold, all eyes will be on how the Attorney-Generals office handles this high-profile financial scandal. Next article: I am under pressure but... - Attorney-General Attorney-General: Prosecutions in National Service and Sky Train scandals to begin in April Jemima Okang Addae Mar - 24 - 2025 , 14:16 2 minutes read Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Dr Dominic Ayine, has confirmed that prosecutions in the National Service and Sky Train scandals will commence by mid-April, with suspects actively cooperating with investigators. Speaking at a press conference on Monday, March 24, 2025, Dr Ayine disclosed that eight suspects had been interrogated, with many providing crucial information to aid the investigations. "I can confirm that investigations will conclude in the National Service and Sky Train scandals at the middle of April for prosecutions to begin," he stated. Progress under Operation Recover All Loot The press briefing was held to update the public on the governments "Operation Recover All Loot" (ORAL) initiative, which has already resulted in the arrest of two former New Patriotic Party (NPP) appointees. Dr Ayine revealed that investigators had gathered significant evidence, including suspicious payments made to top executives by private vendors. He also alleged that a Ghanaian Member of Parliament (MP) accepted a bribe to suppress media coverage of the scandal. "We now have evidence of payments made into the accounts of top National Service executives by private vendors and staff of the scheme," Dr Ayine added. Sky Train scandal Addressing the Sky Train case, Dr Ayine alleged that GH2 million was paid at the request of Professor Christopher Ameyaw-Akumfi, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF). He further claimed that Solomon Asamoah, the CEO of GIIF, who is currently in Senegal, has pledged to return to Ghana within three months. "Irrespective of Sky Train, we can confirm that the GH2 million was paid at the request of the GIIF Chairman, and the CEO, Solomon Asamoah, is currently hiding in Senegal," he said. With prosecutions set to begin in April, the Attorney-General assured Ghanaians that justice would be served, and public funds recovered from individuals implicated in the scandals. General Motors has recently disabled the third-party kit from White Automotive & Media Services (WAMS) that brings Android Auto and Apple CarPlay to GM cars. It is not a secret that General Motors had a campaign against third-party smart driving systems as it opted to develop its infotainment system that integrates Google's technology. Since many people still want or require these third-party infotainment systems from Android and Apple, organizations have developed retrofits to bring the tech to GM cars, which the company does not want. GM Disables Android Auto, Apple CarPlay Third-Party Kit GM Authority has recently reported that General Motors has disabled the third-party kits that deliver the Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connected driving systems. The technology from WAMS was introduced last year as an intuitive solution to bring back Android Auto and Apple CarPlay to GM cars. However, after it made headlines and grew in popularity, that is when GM started to notice what it offered to the public. Earlier this month, it was reported that its promotional video was taken down from YouTube. The report also noticed that the product was removed from WAMS' website, with its listing now saying "This product has been discontinued." According to a report from The Drive, the dealership that offers this in Michigan revealed that GM told them to stop its installation. The retrofit technology from WAMS reportedly costs around $900 to $1,000 for the entire package, including installation. GM's Connected Driving Experience For Its Cars In the past years, General Motors has been adamant that it does not want third-party driving systems to be present in its vehicles, especially for its latest releases. With this, the company announced that it is developing a new infotainment system that removes these technologies, switching to a self-made one. The company revealed that they have no plans to make these connected driving systems available on their platform, defending their decision saying that this is the more ideal and safe experience for drivers. Because of this, GM faced criticisms from rivaling car companies, including Ford, who threw shade against the company and its CEO. Since Android Auto and Apple CarPlay were removed, customers have looked for options to retrofit these systems back to GM cars, but the company did not let this slide and maintained its stance. Next article: Finland is the worlds happiest country yet again; Ghana less happy than previous year VIDEO: Attorney-General to brief media on progress of Operation Recover All Loot Kweku Zurek Mar - 24 - 2025 , 06:43 3 minutes read The Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, is set to provide a crucial update on the governments anti-corruption drive, Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL), at a media briefing in Accra today, Monday, March 24, 2025. The much-anticipated briefing will shed light on ongoing investigations, legal actions taken so far, and the governments broader efforts to promote accountability and transparency in public office. Dr. Ayine is also expected to reaffirm the governments commitment to upholding the Rule of Law and strengthening Ghanas legal framework. $21.19billion in potential recoveries The briefing scheduled for today follows revelations from the Operation Recover All Loot Committee, which has uncovered an estimated $21.19 billion in potential recoveries from looted state assets and undervalued land sales. At the handover of the committees report on February 10, 2025, in Accra, ORAL Chairman Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa identified key cases that could significantly boost Ghanas finances. Investigations into 36 high-profile corruption cases alone could yield $20.49 billion if recoveries are successful. "If we are successful in recoveries, we can retrieve as much as 20.49 billion United States dollars," Ablakwa stated. These cases include controversial transactions such as the National Cathedral project, the Power Distribution Services (PDS) scandal, and the Saltpond decommissioning project, among others. The committee also flagged massive undervaluation of state lands, resulting in a $702.8 million revenue loss. Ablakwa disclosed shocking cases of prime lands being sold at extremely low prices. "Some people acquired prime Cantonments land for as low as 42,000 cedisland that should fetch $500,000 or more per plot at fair market value," he revealed. According to the ORAL Committee, reclaiming and properly revaluing these lands could be a major step toward economic recovery. "If we just ask people to pay the real market value, we stand to recover this amount," Ablakwa asserted. International interest in asset recovery The committees efforts have also attracted global interest, with international forensic firms offering to help track offshore assets linked to corrupt dealings. "We have received a number of international requests to support this initiative, particularly in forensic tracking of offshore accounts," Ablakwa noted. Some firms have even offered their services at no upfront cost, instead requesting a small percentage of successful recoveries. With Ghana facing financial challenges, Ablakwa underscored the importance of these recoveries. "This amount is far more than what we have been chasing the IMF for, and subjecting ourselves to all kinds of conditionalities," he stated, stressing that Ghana could regain financial independence through effective asset recovery. ORAL Committees mandate The Operation Recover All Loot Committee was established on December 18, 2024, under President John Dramani Mahama to track and retrieve looted state assets. The committee is led by North Tongu MP Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa and includes former Auditor-General Daniel Yao Domelevo, retired Commissioner of Police Kofi Boakye, private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu, and investigative journalist Raymond Archer. As Dr. Ayine prepares to address the nation, many will be keen to hear concrete steps on prosecution, asset recovery, and policy measures to prevent future misappropriation of state resources. Previous article: VIDEO: Attorney-General to brief media on progress of Operation Recover All Loot Finland is the worlds happiest country yet again; Ghana less happy than previous year Kweku Zurek Mar - 24 - 2025 , 06:15 5 minutes read For the eighth consecutive year, Finland has retained its position as the worlds happiest country, according to the 2025 World Happiness Report. The report, released annually on the United Nations International Day of Happiness, ranks nations based on residents self-assessed quality of life, using a scale from 0 to 10. This year, Finns rated their lives at an average score of 7.74, maintaining their dominance at the top of the global happiness index. The Nordic nation was followed by Denmark in second place, Iceland in third, Sweden in fourth, and the Netherlands in fifth. Notably, Costa Rica and Mexico entered the top 10 for the first time, ranking sixth and tenth, respectively. In contrast, the United States dropped to 24th placeits lowest ranking evercontinuing a downward trend that saw it exit the top 20 for the first time last year. What makes Finland so happy? Experts attribute Finlands sustained happiness to factors such as social trust, economic equality, and a strong sense of community. Jan-Emmanuel De Neve, one of the researchers behind the report, emphasized the role of economic equity in Finlands success. In these Nordic Scandinavian countries, a rising tide lifts all boats, so the levels of economic inequality are much less, and that reflects in well-being as well, De Neve explained. In Finland, most people will rate themselves as seven or an eight, whereas if you look at the distribution of well-being in the States, theres a lot of 10s out there, but theres a lot of ones as well. Another key factor contributing to Finlands top ranking is the nations ability to find contentment in simplicity. Theyre content with less, De Neve noted. They had less, and theyre more content with less. Theyre happier with what theyve got. Social trust and happiness Beyond economic factors, the report highlighted the strong link between social trust and happiness. Researchers found that believing in the kindness of others significantly boosts both individual and collective well-being. In Finland and other Nordic nations, people are more likely to believe that a lost wallet will be returned, a belief that aligns with real-world behavior. The more you believe in the kindness of others, or in other words, are socially trusting, the higher your individual well-being and the higher collective well-being, De Neve stated. Costa Rica and Mexicos entry into the top 10 also supports this finding. Researchers observed that Latin American countries ranked highly in social connectedness, particularly in shared meals with family and friends. They do spend time dining and lunching with others, having friends, and its not all cannibalized by social media, and so we picked this up in the data, De Neve added. Ghana drops in happiness ranking Ghanas ranking in the 2025 World Happiness Report has declined, with the country now placed 125th out of 147 nations. This marks a drop from its 120th position (out of 143 countries) in 2024, reflecting worsening happiness levels among Ghanaians. The decline raises concerns about economic hardships, governance challenges, and overall social well-being. Ghana now ranks below Burkina Faso (120th), Benin (121st), and Somalia (122nd) but remains ahead of Togo (126th) and Liberia (129th). Happiest Countries in Africa On the African continent, Mauritius emerged as the happiest country, ranking 78th globally. It was followed by: South Africa 95th Mozambique 96th Gabon 97th Cote dIvoire 98th Congo 100th Namibia 103rd Cameroon 104th Nigeria 105th Senegal 107th Mauritania 114th Ghanas lower ranking suggests that the country faces increasing socio-economic difficulties affecting the overall quality of life. Addressing these challenges through better governance, economic reforms, and strengthened social support systems could improve the nation's position in future reports. How is happiness measured? The World Happiness Report is compiled by the Wellbeing Research Centre at the University of Oxford in partnership with Gallup, the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, and other institutions. The rankings are based on a three-year average (20222024) of survey responses, with key factors including: GDP per capita Social support Healthy life expectancy Freedom to make life choices Generosity Perceptions of corruption While economic performance remains important, the findings indicate that factors like social cohesion, fairness, and trust play a more significant role in determining happiness. Global happiness trends Nordic countries continue to dominate the rankings due to their strong social structures and equitable distribution of wealth. Meanwhile, the U.S. has seen a steady decline, attributed to increasing economic disparity and weakening social trust. Elsewhere, Israel maintained a spot in the top 10 despite the ongoing war in Gaza, while Costa Ricas rise to sixth place marks a historic achievement for Latin America. In Africa, Mauritius remains the leader in happiness, though the region continues to have some of the lowest scores globally. At the bottom of the rankings, Afghanistan remains the worlds least happy country, plagued by conflict, economic hardship, and restrictions on freedoms. Looking ahead Happiness remains a universal aspiration, but achieving it requires more than just economic prosperity. The 2025 World Happiness Report underscores the importance of social trust, fairness, and community engagement in fostering well-being. For Ghana, the drop in ranking serves as a wake-up call. Policymakers must prioritize economic stability, corruption reduction, and social support to reverse the downward trend and improve the happiness of citizens in the coming years. Former GIIF CEO hiding in Senegal over botched Sky Train deal Attorney-General alleges GraphicOnline Mar - 24 - 2025 , 18:23 2 minutes read The Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Dr Dominic Ayine, has disclosed that Solomon Asamoah, a former Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF), is currently hiding in Senegal after playing a role in the controversial $2 million payment for the failed Accra Sky Train project. Speaking at a press conference on Monday, 24th March, Dr Ayine revealed that Asamoah initially travelled to South Africa on 2nd February before relocating to Senegal. The CEO is hiding in Senegal. We tracked him first to South Africa, and now he is in Senegal. When we contacted him, he told us he would not return to Ghana until three months from now, and we are patiently waiting for him. If he does not return, he will be tried in absentia, he stated. Investigations have revealed that the $2 million payment was made at the request of GIIFs Board Chairman, Prof Ameyaw Ekumfi, and Solomon Asamoah, without the necessary board approval. Dr Ayine noted that there was no board approval for the transaction, and the conditions precedent to disbursement had not been met. Further inquiries found that the funds were transferred to a company in Mauritius, which was later discovered to be non-existent. We tracked the company to Mauritius, and a lawyer there has confirmed to us that it does not exist. But that is also a developing story, the Attorney-General added. Dr Ayine confirmed that legal proceedings would begin regardless of Asamoahs absence. If there is going to be a delay, we will start the prosecution with him being a suspect who is being tried in absentia. Prof Ameyaw Ekumfi, who acted with him to transfer the money, is in the country, and the legal process will proceed, he affirmed. Prof Ekumfi has since been questioned by the National Investigations Bureau (NIB) and granted bail. Government needs to take tougher action on cheap imports Industrialist Benjamin Xornam Glover Mar - 24 - 2025 , 09:57 3 minutes read The Government has been called upon to prioritise some sectors of the economy and reform its customs procedures to reduce the burden on the state. As part of this plan, the government needs to be tougher on cheap imports to save local industries from collapsing and help the nation derive the needed revenue to support national development. The Group Chairman of B5 Plus Limited, an iron and steel manufacturing company, Mukesh V. Thakwani, made the appeal last Friday, when the Minister of Trade, Industry and Agribusiness, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, paid a working visit to the factory. He said currently, the company was well positioned to produce various steel products to serve Ghana and the West African sub-region; however, the import of similar products into the local market was a disincentive. Currently, we have put up West Africas biggest fabrication plant here in Ghana, but we are seeing that there are a lot of cheap imports, which are really going into it, and people are getting exemptions on that. We need to see how we can support and bring in the local content so that we can run this our factory 24 hours, the Group Chairman of B5 Plus Limited said. 24-hour policy, challenge Mr Thakwani said B5 Plus from its humble beginning when it was importing steel and metal products from Ghanas neighbouring countries, including Togo and Cote d Ivoire, had grown to become a net exporter of steel products to the entire West African sub-region. He stated that the factory, in line with President John Dramani Mahama's 24-hour economy initiative, was well positioned to support and produce more goods right here in Ghana and create more jobs for people. Mr Thakwani, however, appealed to the government to address the issue of land litigation in Ghana which, he said, was a major challenge for foreign investors. Assurance Mrs Ofosu-Adjare gave an assurance that her ministry would work together with the Ministry of Finance to pursue policies that would address the issue of cheap imports to protect local industries and boost revenue. We want imports, yes, but not cheap imports. We do not want smuggling. Because I'm told that people smuggle in cheap imports and don't make the standard goods competitive. We will work closely with the Minister of Finance, Ghana Revenue Authority and others to ensure that all these things are resolved, she said. Responding to the challenge of land litigation, the Trade, Industry and Agribusiness minister said her office would liaise with the National Security Coordinator and convene a meeting with all the stakeholders to address the issue. She also pledged to promote the use of dialogue and Alternative Dispute Resolution to have such challenges resolved. IFC In an interview on the sidelines of the visit, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) Country Director, Kyle Kelhofer, outlined the organisation's commitment to strengthening Ghana's industrial capacity. Highlighting recent success in the steel and iron industry as evidence of Ghana's growing industrial potential, particularly in creating employment opportunities, he said by producing the steel here in Ghana, the nation was not only reducing imports into Ghana but improving the foreign exchange earnings for Ghana. He also indicated that by producing steel here with recycled steel, B5 Plus was also contributing to its efforts at improving climate change. He disclosed that last year, the IFC invested $450 million to support the private sector and was targeting similar amounts intending to accelerate job creation and stimulate economic growth across the nation. Writers email: [email protected] Previous article: You cant be a miner in govt - President Mahama to appointees Rename Tamale airport after Naa Gbewaa - Ya-Na appeals to President Mahama Mohammed Fugu & Abukari Alhassan Baba Mar - 24 - 2025 , 12:35 5 minutes read The Overlord of Dagbon, Ya-Na Abukari II, has appealed to President John Dramani Mahama to rename the Yakubu Tali International Airport in Tamale after Naa Gbewaa, the founder of Mole-Dagbon. He pointed out that the renaming of Tamale International Airport as Yakubu Tali International Airport by the previous government was done without consultation with traditional rulers and relevant stakeholders. That, the overlord of Dagbon said, created seeming dissatisfaction and tension in the area. Upon consultations with the Overlord of Mamprugu, Nayiri Bohagu Mahami Abdulai Sheriga, Regent of Nanung, Nyelinbulgu Naa Yakubu Andani Dasana, and other traditional rulers, Ya-Na Abukari said they collectively preferred the airport to be named after Naa Gbewaa, the founder of the Mole-Dagbon ethnic group, which symbolised the identity of the people. "In consultation with the Overlord of Mamprugu and the Regent of Nanung and other stakeholders, we want the airport to be renamed Gbewaa International Airport and not Yakubu Tali, he stated. Naa Gbewaa is our identity and renaming the facility after him will symbolise oneness and also preserve the rich cultural heritage of the people," the Ya-Na reiterated. Thank you tour He made the appeal when President John Dramani Mahama paid a courtesy call on him at the Gbewaa Palace in Yendi last Saturday as part of his Thank You tour. The tour is to show appreciation to the people for the overwhelming endorsement in the 2024 general election. As part of the tour, he addressed the public and party faithful at the Tamale Jubilee Park to thank and reassure them of his resolve to deliver on his campaign promises. Airport project The Ya-Na Abukari also urged the government to work on phase three of the Yakubu Tali International Airport project, which had stalled since the completion of phase two a few years ago. Response Responding to the request of the Overlord, President Mahama gave an assurance that the request would be taken into consideration in consultation with the relevant stakeholders. He asked the Members of Parliament and Ministers from the region to lay the request before cabinet for deliberation. Background While presenting the 2024 State of the Nation address on Tuesday, February 27, 2024, in Parliament, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo announced the renaming of the Tamale International Airport after the late Tolon Naa, Yakubu Tali. The late Tolon Naa was an astute traditional ruler, politician, diplomat and a founder member of the Northern People's Party (NPP). He said the late Tolon Naa deserved the honour for his years of sacrifice for his people and the nation. Following the renaming, Ya-Na, many other traditional rulers and a section of the public, raised concerns with the proposed renaming, saying renaming the airport after the late Tolon Naa was contentious and could create needless controversies in Dagbon. Born in 1916 at Tali, a village near Tolon in Northern Region, he died in 1986 at age 70. Water crisis President Mahama also reaffirmed his commitment to resolve the perennial water crisis in Tamale, Yendi and other parts of the Northern Region before the end of his tenure. He outlined plans to construct the Tamale and Yendi Water Projects which would source raw water from the White Volta and River Oti for production, adding that in the interim, existing water supply systems would be rehabilitated to enhance water supply to the residents. At the end of my tenure, Yendi will have enough water to drink. Tamale, too is suffering from perennial water shortages due to its fast-growing population, and we must address this challenge as a matter of urgency, President Mahama assured the people. For the past decades, Tamale, Yendi and many parts of the Northern Region have been battling with a perennial water crisis, compelling many residents to rely on untreated water for domestic purposes. The situation has been attributed to ageing infrastructure and a rapidly growing population that has outpaced the systems supply capacity. Established in 1972, the Tamale Water System has only undergone one major expansion in 2008. To address the situation, then-President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in July 2020 cut the sod for expansion works on the Tamale and Yendi water projects. The $223.28 million Tamale water supply facility funded by the UK Export Finance and the Deutsche Bank AG, London Branch, to produce 29.7 million gallons of water per day could, however, not be delivered. The Yendi Water Supply Project being financed by a $30 million facility from the India Exim Bank, also to produce 15,000 cubic metres of water daily to meet the water demand of the area, could also not start, five years down the line. Infrastructure challenges Beyond water supply, President Mahama acknowledged the persistent low-voltage electricity issues affecting the Eastern Corridor, particularly in Yendi, Bimbila and Gushegu and announced plans to establish a new bulk supply point to stabilise power distribution in the area. Among other projects, he said the government would also complete the remaining sections of the Eastern Corridor Road, particularly around Nkwanta and Kpassa, to improve transportation between the Northern and Greater Accra regions. Writers email: [email protected] Next article: MIIF to review financial records of companies with equity interest Telecom, Digital Finance sectors urgently need policy support Chambers Daily Graphic Mar - 24 - 2025 , 09:57 2 minutes read The Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications and the Electronic Money Issuers (EMIs) Chamber of Ghana have called on the Information and Communications Committee and the Finance Committee of Parliament to prioritise strategic policies and legislative support for the telecommunications and digital finance industries. They said investment-friendly policies, robust infrastructure support, and progressive regulations were essential to fully harness the potential of these industries. The two chambers further advocated an improved regulatory framework that reduced operational barriers, expanded broadband access, and ensured the protection of telecommunication infrastructure. Call In a joint statement, the two chambers said their industry was a crucial driver of Ghanas economic growth, digital transformation and financial inclusion; hence, the need to prioritise the strategic policies. The Telecommunications and Digital Finance sectors are not just industries but enablers of economic prosperity, financial inclusion, and national development. Telecommunications powers Ghanas digital economy, connecting businesses, communities and government services. Digital Finance is revolutionising transactions, expanding financial access, and driving innovation in commerce and entrepreneurship. For Ghana to fully realise its economic and digital potential, these sectors must be supported through progressive policies, investment-friendly regulations and infrastructure development, the statement said. Collaboration It further said while the telecommunications sector remained a cornerstone of Ghanas digital economy, enabling connectivity for businesses, government services and communities, the digital finance industry, on the other hand, had been instrumental in revolutionising transactions, expanding financial access and driving innovation across commerce and entrepreneurship. Thus without deliberate efforts to create a conducive environment, these two crucial sectors may not realise their full potential in accelerating economic transformation. Also, they emphasised the need to lower the cost of doing business in these industries to enhance affordability and accessibility for Ghanaians. The two chambers pledged their commitment to collaborating with parliamentary committees in shaping strategic solutions that would position Ghana as a leader in telecommunications, digital payments and technological advancement. You cant be a miner in govt - President Mahama to appointees Emmanuel Baah Mar - 24 - 2025 , 12:49 5 minutes read President John Dramani Mahama has directed that no government appointee should engage in any form of legal or illegal mining. "If you want to be a miner, leave the government and be a miner, you can't be in government and be a miner at the same time," President Mahama declared. He said the governments commitment to afforestation must be accompanied by strict environmental law enforcement, adding, This is why under my administration, we would sustain the fight against illegal mining or galamsey. President Mahama was speaking at the launch of the "Tree For Life Reforestation Initiative" at the Kufuor Park at Nkawie in the Ashanti Region last Friday. The project, one of two initiatives the government is relying on to fight the canker of illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, seeks to embark on transformational landscape restoration efforts. It will heal and harness the environment by turning areas heavily degraded by illegal mining and other drivers of deforestation and forest degradation into ecologically functional landscapes. The Tree For Life Reforestation Initiative aims at promoting sustainable forest management, conservation and reforestation to address the issues of biodiversity loss, pollution of water bodies, climate change and environmental degradation which pose existential threats to the country. The launch was attended by government officials, traditional leaders, students and the people of Nkawie in the Atwima Nwabiagya South District in the Ashanti Region. Among the dignitaries were the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, the Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr Frank Amoakohene, and the Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Africa of Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), Dr Abebe Haile-Gabriel. The occasion coincided with this year's International Day of Forest (1D1F), which is observed on March 21 every year. President Mahama planted a commemorative tree to launch the Tree for Life Reforestation Initiative at Nkawie in the Ashanti Region. Government commitment The President said along with the fight against illegal mining, the government would do the difficult thing of reclaiming degraded lands, hence the Tree for Life Initiative. President John Dramani Mahama (with watering can) planting the commemorative tree to launch the Tree for Life Reforestation Initiative at Nkawie in the Ashanti Region. Picture: EMMANUEL BAAH President Mahama stated that a pilot project undertaken by a private group had successfully retrieved 16 hectares (39.53 acres) of land, adding that the intention was to scale that up to 500 acres or 202.343 hectares of reclaimed lands in a year. The Tree For Life Reforestation Initiative, President Mahama said, aligned with national and international commitments which complemented the government's Blue Water Initiative. Update He said regulatory and security agencies had also intensified their operations against illegal mining activities. "In the past two weeks, the government has made significant progress. Seven out of the nine no-go zones have been reclaimed. We are on course to reclaim the remaining two of the no-go zones, he said. In addition, he said, "85 excavators, three bulldozers, three pick-up vehicles, four pump action rifles and 11 motorbikes have been seized from galamsey operations. President Mahama said 71 persons who were caught engaging in illegal mining in forest reserves had been arrested to face the full rigours of the law. The President added that the Minister of Environment Science and Technology had also laid LI 2462 before Parliament to mature in 21 days to bar any person, including the President, from authorising mining in forest reserves. Details The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources who provided the details of the initiative said it came in two components Education, awareness and sensitisation campaign, as well as Reforestation and Afforestation. "This involves massive education and awareness outreach on the importance of trees and the need to plant and preserve them. The approach will include community durbars, consultation with chiefs and traditional leaders, radio and television programmes, events for schoolchildren, churches and professional bodies, production of flyers and posters, Mr Buah stated. He said the second component, Reforestation and Afforestation, would involve active tree planting during the rainy season. Mr Buah said five million tree seedlings of various species would be distributed for incorporation into farmlands (agroforestry). He said 1,000 casual workers from forest fringe communities would be engaged to undertake enrichment planting of 4,000 hectares of forest reserves. The government would also establish 10,000 hectares of forest plantation under the Modified Taungya System (MTS). Under this intervention, farmers will be given degraded forest reserve lands to plant their food crops and at the same time plant various timber tree species on the same land with the support of the Forestry Commission, the Lands and Natural Resources Minister explained. The government would facilitate the establishment of 7,500 hectares of commercial timber plantations by the private sector on degraded forest lands, the community woodlots project for fuelwood, the planting and restoration of mangrove forests and in wetlands and coastal areas. Mr Buah added that reclamation and revegetation of 500 hectares of degraded mined-out areas would be undertaken while trees would be planted along water bodies to prevent erosion and siltation. Other initiatives include the Blue Water Initiative, One-child-One-Tree and the One-Student-One Tree initiatives meant to introduce children to conservation. Next article: President Mahama swears in new Armed Forces Council; calls for stronger action against galamsey Military can support 24-hour economy through local production Vice President Prof. Opoku-Agyemang Mohammed Ali Mar - 24 - 2025 , 11:06 2 minutes read Chairperson of the newly sworn-in Ghana Armed Forces Council, Professor Nana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, says the military has the capacity to contribute to Ghanas 24-hour economy by harnessing its technical skills and production capabilities. Speaking at Jubilee House after being sworn in by President John Dramani Mahama on Monday, March 24, 2025, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang said the Armed Forces, through its industrial and technical institutions, can help tackle economic pressures while fulfilling its security mandate. The military doesnt lack talent or skill in any of our disciplines, she stated. We have the DIHOC that is, the Defence Industrial Holding Company and this requires private sector participation in food production, infrastructure development, and many other areas. She said the Council would explore ways to expand the Armed Forces involvement in manufacturing and industrial activity. It will not be too much to expect that in the manufacturing sector vehicle assembly, pharmaceutical production, whatever we see our Ghana Armed Forces participating, and participating effectively, she said. The 24-hour economy is a central policy of the Mahama administration, aimed at creating jobs and driving industrialisation by encouraging round-the-clock operations in selected sectors. According to Prof. Opoku-Agyemang, the militarys internal structures can support this vision, particularly through production and logistics. She also drew attention to the financial challenges facing the security sector. We are facing an economic crisis thats what it is, she said. The Ministry of Defence is saddled with a debt of GH3.7 billion, including GH275 million owed to food suppliers. We need to improve infrastructure, including housing. We have a huge deficit. Describing the swearing-in as a serious moment rather than a celebratory one, she said the security of the country must remain the Councils central concern. This is a very, very solemn event more so than a celebratory one, she said. We are talking about the security of our country. It is not the appointment that we have fanfares about. Prof. Opoku-Agyemang pledged the Councils full support for the Presidents vision and stated that they would take their advisory role seriously, especially on matters of defence policy, personnel welfare, and long-term planning. As members of Council, we will rise to the responsibility and ensure that his confidence is not misplaced, she said. She ended her remarks with a call for broad national support for the evolving role of the military. Security, as they say, is everybodys business, she added. NRSA Boss vows tougher road safety measures amid rising fatalities Gertrude Ankah Mar - 24 - 2025 , 09:15 3 minutes read The Acting Director-General of the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA), Lawyer Abraham Amaliba, has outlined an ambitious plan to address Ghanas escalating road traffic fatalities, emphasising stricter enforcement of road regulations and infrastructural improvements. Speaking on TV3s Hot Issues programme on Sunday, March 23, 2025, Lawyer Amaliba acknowledged the growing concerns over road accidents and pedestrian safety. Since assuming office two months ago, he has implemented several interventions, including site inspections of pedestrian walkways and footbridges, summoning transport operators over reckless driving, and taking swift action against hazardous advertising structures obstructing visibility on roads. Pedestrian safety and road infrastructure Lawyer Amaliba revealed that his first major action as NRSA head was to inspect pedestrian crossings and footbridges in Accra, following alarming statistics on pedestrian knockdowns. He engaged relevant authorities to expedite the completion of the N1 footbridge, a critical infrastructure project aimed at reducing pedestrian fatalities. Additionally, he ordered the removal of billboards obstructing motorists views under the East Legon underbridge after a viral video highlighted the danger. "I immediately called the advertising company responsible, and by the next day, they had removed them all," he stated. Regarding road infrastructure, Lawyer Amaliba cited the deteriorating state of guardrails at the Brimso Bridge on the Kumasi highway, which poses a significant risk to motorists. He issued a compliance notice to the Ghana Highways Authority and vowed legal action if repairs were not carried out promptly. Tackling illegal parking and hawking on walkways The NRSA boss also raised concerns about the parking of articulated trucks on highways, a practice that has led to several fatal crashes. He disclosed that he had asked regional ministers to work with district assemblies to allocate designated parking areas for such vehicles, a move he believes will enhance safety while also providing business opportunities for vendors. Regarding the encroachment of pedestrian walkways by street vendors, he stressed the importance of collaboration with district assemblies to enforce regulations. "I am not against traders making a living, but pedestrian walkways must remain free for pedestrian use," he asserted. Strengthening compliance Recognising that non-compliance remains a major hurdle, the NRSA boss assured his commitment to using legal instruments to enforce road safety laws. "All these regulations existed before I took office, but without strict enforcement, they remain ineffective. I am here to change that," he said. He stated that he has since engaged key transport operators, including the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) and major bus operators, to ensure compliance with safety protocols. "I have made it clear that there is a new sheriff in town. Those who fail to comply will face the consequences," he warned. "When you apply the law, and you know you are right, there is nothing to fear," he declared, signalling a new era of road safety enforcement in Ghana. President Mahama swears in new Armed Forces Council; calls for stronger action against galamsey Mohammed Ali Mar - 24 - 2025 , 10:52 2 minutes read President John Dramani Mahama has sworn in a newly constituted Ghana Armed Forces Council, urging its members to provide steady leadership and uphold military professionalism amid internal and regional security challenges. This is not just a routine constitutional duty. Its a reminder of our shared responsibility to preserve the peace, discipline, and integrity of the Armed Forces, President Mahama stated after administering the oaths of allegiance and secrecy at a brief ceremony on Monday, March 24, 2025, at Jubilee House, Accra. Our Armed Forces are not just an institution within our security setup. They are the defenders of our sovereignty, the protectors of our democracy, and a source of pride for every Ghanaian. Established under Article 211 of the 1992 Constitution, the Armed Forces Council advises the President on matters relating to defence policy, military strategy, administration, and promotions. The reconstituted Council is chaired by Professor Nana Jane Opoku-Agyemang. Other members include Dr Edward Kofi Omane Boamah, Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Mr Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka, Chief Warrant Officer Daniel Addo, Brigadier General (Rtd) Fuseni Idrisu, and Miss Nancy Dacwa Ampofo. President Mahama expressed gratitude to the outgoing Council members for their service and assured the newly appointed members of his governments full support. He reaffirmed his administrations commitment to investing in military infrastructure, logistics, and personnel welfare, while also strengthening regional partnerships in peacekeeping and counter-terrorism efforts. The strength of our Armed Forces depends not only on the courage of those in uniform but on the quality of leadership and sound decisions guiding them, the President said. Chinese premier pledges further opening up amid rising global uncertainties Xinhua) 08:04, March 24, 2025 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) (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Botswana's Chinese learners embrace language through martial arts Xinhua) 10:44, March 24, 2025 Chinese learners participate in a cultural and language event held at the Confucius Institute at the University of Botswana in Gaborone, Botswana, March 21, 2025. (Photo by Tshekiso Tebalo/Xinhua) GABORONE, March 22 (Xinhua) -- The Confucius Institute at the University of Botswana (CIUB) hosted a cultural and language event on Friday, providing Chinese learners with a platform to practice speaking the language while exploring traditional Chinese martial arts. Held under the theme "Chinese Gongfu," which refers to Chinese martial arts, the event introduced participants to the vocabulary of Chinese martial weapons, including knives, swords, spears, and whips, alongside basic martial arts movements. The interactive session aimed to enhance oral proficiency while deepening cultural understanding. "Hello, everyone. My name is Shen Chenggong," said Keagile Sebetlela, a CIUB student, as he introduced himself in Chinese during an interview with Xinhua at the event. "I am interested in learning Chinese because, in my view, it has become one of the major international languages. I believe knowing Chinese can open many doors," said Sebetlela, adding that he particularly enjoys writing Chinese characters, as the language differs from most others that rely on alphabets. Students Sharon Khumomotse and Lindiwe Lile Ramooki performed at the event, introducing themselves with their Chinese names before entertaining the audience with tongue twisters. "I'm a Chinese learner studying the language for three years. I work at a bank office," said Ramooki in fluent Chinese. For Fidelity Monthe, who goes by the Chinese name Fei Di'an, learning the language is essential for growing her business. "I run a small business and have traveled to China to source products. The biggest challenge has been communication. Learning Chinese will help me expand my business and form partnerships with Chinese companies," Monthe told Xinhua. She expressed a deep fascination with Chinese characters. "Writing Chinese feels like drawing. It's almost like being an artist. But what I enjoy most is speaking the language and being able to converse with Chinese people. I'm also learning about Chinese culture and want to explore it further," she added. Monthe and Sebetlela were among around 70 Chinese learners and teachers who participated in the two-hour event, which featured Chinese song performances, language games, and group discussions. Pu Durong, Chinese director of CIUB, likened the event to "English corners" in China, where language learners gather to practice speaking. "In China, we have English corners for practicing English. Here in Botswana, we have a Chinese corner for students to improve their speaking skills. These learners are very passionate about the language, because many plan to do business in China," Pu said. CIUB, the first Confucius Institute in Botswana, was followed by a second institute launched in October 2023, at the Botswana International University of Science and Technology in Palapye, about 270 km northeast of Gaborone, the country's capital. Chinese learners participate in a cultural and language event held at the Confucius Institute at the University of Botswana in Gaborone, Botswana, March 21, 2025. (Photo by Tshekiso Tebalo/Xinhua) (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) Next article: Attorney-General: Prosecutions in National Service and Sky Train scandals to begin in April Vice President Opoku-Agyemang speaks on GH3.7bn Defence Ministry debt Mohammed Ali Mar - 24 - 2025 , 15:39 2 minutes read The Chairperson of the newly sworn-in Ghana Armed Forces Council, Vice President Professor Nana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, has expressed concern over a GH3.7 billion debt owed by the Ministry of Defence, saying the burden is affecting the welfare of military personnel, including access to food and proper housing. Speaking during the swearing-in ceremony of the Council at Jubilee House on Monday, March 24, 2025, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang revealed that of the total debt, GH275 million is owed to food suppliers alone. We are facing an economic crisisthats what it isand this has saddled the Ministry of Defence with a debt of GH3.7 billion, she said. We need to improve infrastructure, including housing. We have a huge deficit. She added that while the Ghana Armed Forces continues to perform their duties under difficult circumstances, the financial strain is placing additional pressure on the institutions capacity to meet basic needs. Describing the event as more solemn than celebratory, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang stressed the weight of the Councils responsibilities. This is a very, very solemn event, more so than a celebratory one, she said. We are talking about the security of our country. It is not the appointment that we have fanfares about. According to her, the Council under her leadership will explore ways to help address the Armed Forces logistical and financial challenges, while also advising the President on defence and security matters. Prof. Opoku-Agyemang also pointed to the potential of the Defence Industrial Holding Company (DIHOC) to support the countrys economic recovery. She said the Armed Forces could engage more actively in local production efforts, including vehicle assembly, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and food processing. It will not be too much to expect that in the manufacturing sector even vehicle assembly, pharmaceutical production, whatever we see our Ghana Armed Forces participating and participating effectively, she noted. She also pledged the Councils support for President John Dramani Mahamas 24-hour economy agenda, saying the militarys technical expertise and manpower could be aligned with the policy. She ended by encouraging Ghanaians to view security as a shared responsibility. Security, as they say, is everybodys business, she said. NPP must recognise that suppressing dissent harms internal democracy Dr Asah Asante Mohammed Ali Politics Mar - 24 - 2025 , 15:33 3 minutes read A political scientist at the University of Ghana, Dr Asah Asante, has urged the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to allow internal criticism within its ranks, cautioning that silencing dissent threatens the partys democratic principles. Speaking on JoyNews on March 23 2025, Dr Asante responded to a recent directive from the NPP leadership instructing members to refrain from making public statements that could cause disaffection within the party. He said while it is within the partys rights to set rules for member conduct, the way those rules are applied must be fair and consistent. It is not surprising that such a directive came from the NPP. In any democracy, rules are set to guide conduct, and breaches are addressed. On that score, the partys action isnt unexpected, Dr Asante said. He, however, described the decision to single out Member of Parliament for Dome-Kwabenya, Sarah Adwoa Safo, as selective and unfair. She has been vocal for months, yet the party only acts now. Worse, others like the General Secretary, Justin Kodua publicly criticised the partys 2024 defeat without reprimand. Why single her out? he questioned. Dr Asante said the partys defeat in the 2024 general elections reflected widespread discontent, especially among grassroots supporters. He believes shutting down criticism instead of addressing concerns will only deepen existing divisions. Look at the 2024 defeat, the NPP lost due to grassroots disillusionment. Now, instead of listening, the leadership is threatening members. This risks further alienation. A strong party tolerates dissent, learns from it, and adapts, he noted. He also questioned the credibility of the partys fact-finding committee, led by former Speaker of Parliament, Professor Aaron Mike Oquaye. Dr Asante pointed out that the professors son had contested and lost the Dome-Kwabenya seat, where Adwoa Safo is MP, raising questions about impartiality. The committees credibility hinges on impartiality. If its chairman has political baggage, it raises questions. The NPP should have appointed an independent figure to lead this review, he said. That said, he added that the committees work could still serve a purpose if its findings are transparent and based on clear evidence. Also speaking on the programme was NPP founding member and statesman, Dr Nyaho Nyaho-Tamakloe, who took aim at the partys leadership, accusing them of betraying the partys democratic foundations. This leadership has no moral standing! The NPP was built on democracyfree speech is in our DNA. Adwoa Safo has every right to speak, he said. Dr Nyaho-Tamakloe described the partys actions as intimidation, arguing that the constitution of the NPP grants every member the right to express their views. If they punish her, theyll expose their fear of truth, he said. He maintained that the partys problems go beyond individual members and stem from a culture of internal manipulation, bribery during internal elections, and a lack of principle among the current leadership. Until we return to selfless leadership, the party will keep losing. Ghanaians rejected us in 2024. If we dont change, 2028 will be worse, Dr Nyaho-Tamakloe said. He called for the current leaders to step aside and allow the party to be rebuilt by people who still uphold the values on which the NPP was founded. Next article: NPP must recognise that suppressing dissent harms internal democracy Dr Asah Asante President Mahama promotes new Chief of Defence Staff and Service Chiefs GraphicOnline Politics Mar - 24 - 2025 , 17:51 1 minute read President John Dramani Mahama, acting on the advice of the Armed Forces Council, has promoted five senior officers to the rank of Major General or its equivalent across the Ghana Armed Forces. The promotions take effect from Monday, March 24, 2025, ahead of the formal handing over by the outgoing administration. A statement signed by Felix Kwakye Ofosu, Spokesperson to the President and Minister for Government Communication, confirmed the appointments, with Major General William Agyapong now serving as the Chief of Defence Staff. Major General Lawrence Kwaku Gbetanu has been named the Chief of Army Staff, while Rear Admiral Godwin Livinus Bessing assumes the role of Chief of Naval Staff. Air Vice Marshal Eric Agyen-Frempong has been appointed Chief of Air Staff, and Air Vice Marshal Joshua Lartei Mensah-Larkai will serve as Chief of Staff of the Ghana Armed Forces. The President extended his best wishes to the newly appointed officers, urging them to work with dedication and unity in safeguarding the nation. The new Service Chiefs must work loyally and diligently with patriotic courage as a united team cooperating to protect and defend our dear nation, Ghana, the statement read. As spring approaches, budding flowers arent the only things bloomingworkplace romances often flourish in this season of renewal. With many adults spending a significant portion of their waking hours at work, its natural that professional relationships sometimes evolve into personal connections. While some companies might implement strict no-dating policies, many recognize the inevitability of workplace relationships and instead focus on managing potential risks. This is especially relevant in close-knit communities like Guam, where a well-defined policy would be culturally more appropriatenot to prevent connections, but to protect both the employees involved and the company itself. Understanding the risks One of the primary concerns with workplace relationships is the potential for conflict, particularly if the romance ends. Issues such as allegations of favoritism, harassment, or retaliation can arise, potentially creating a hostile work environment. These situations can damage morale, decrease productivity, and even lead to costly legal complications. No dating policies can help avoid these challenges, but there are more balanced approaches that acknowledge human nature while protecting company interests. Strategies for effective management Transparency and disclosure: A policy encouraging disclosure of romantic relationships, especially between supervisors and subordinates, allows the company to address potential conflicts of interest proactively. This doesnt necessarily prohibit such relationships but opens a constructive dialogue. The company can then collaborate with the individuals involved to develop a plan that mitigates potential issues, such as reassigning one party to a different department or establishing clear guidelines for professional conduct and decision-making in the workplace. Clear communication and training: Policies should explicitly define unacceptable behaviors, including any form of harassment, favoritism, or retaliation. They should also outline confidential reporting procedures for such incidents, ensuring protection for those who come forward. Regular training programs can reinforce these policies and provide employees with a clear understanding of appropriate workplace conduct. Addressing power imbalances: Relationships between supervisors and subordinates require special attention due to inherent power dynamics. Even when consensual, these relationships carry a higher risk of perceived favoritism or coercion. Policies should clearly state that supervisory relationships must be disclosed and may necessitate reassignment to avoid conflicts of interest. Companies should emphasize that any form of pressure related to romantic relationships will not be tolerated. Respecting privacy: While disclosure is important, companies should respect employee privacy. Policies should balance acknowledging the personal nature of romantic relationships while protecting the workplace from potential disruption. They should avoid unnecessary intrusion into employees personal lives and focus primarily on professional implications. Consistent enforcement: A policy is only effective if consistently applied from the outset. All employees, regardless of position, should be held accountable for adhering to the guidelines. Clear and consistent consequences for policy violations reinforce the seriousness of the issue and ensure everyone understands expectations. Workplace romance is a reality that companies should address thoughtfully. Rather than attempting to ban romance outright, companies should create clear, comprehensive policies that promote transparency, address potential conflicts of interest, and protect all employees. By proactively managing the risks associated with workplace relationships, companies can foster a respectful and productive environment where professional standards and personal happiness can coexist. Today, seven American World War II veterans, including 99-year-old Frank Wright who was here in July, are set to return to Guam on their way to the commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Iwo Jima and other events, according to nonprofit organization Eagle Society. The trip begins by visiting the Battle of Guam site where U.S. forces liberated the island in 1944. Others that are part of the Eagle Society tour will visit other Pacific battlefields like Palau. Wright, who will turn 100 on July 5, fought in four major battles during WWII: Guadalcanal, New Georgie, Guam, and Iwo Jima. This week will be his second return to Guam in eight months. Prior to last years visit for the 80th anniversary of Guams Liberation Day, Wrights previous Guam trip was as a young Marine to help liberate Guam from Japanese occupation during WWII. Eagle Society is supporting the Iwo Jima Association of America in escorting the war veterans back to some Pacific battlefields. The WWII veterans making this journey include: CSM Delmar D. Beard, US Army, from Glendale, Arizona Joe Caminiti, U.S. Marine Corps, from Bristol, Connecticut Capt. Ed Cavallini, USMC, from Seaside, California Charles Cram, U.S. Navy, from San Diego, California Nils Mockler, USMC, from Putnam Valley, New York Frank Wright (USMC) from Lodi, California Lt. j.g. Patrick Zilliacus, USNR, from Playa Del Rey, California From Guam, they will be off to Iwo To, formerly Iwo Jima, for the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Iwo Jima. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will attend these ceremonies in Iwo Jima. From Iwo To, some of the war veterans and other members of the tour will continue on to Okinawa, Japan, to commemorate with Walter LaSota, a Battle of Okinawa veteran. This weeks ceremony brings together former enemies who are now the strongest of allies. More than 18,500 Japanese and 6,800 American lives were lost in the Battle of Iwo Jima, with the ceremony a solemn reminder of the enormous sacrifices, Eagle Society said. Okinawa, the final and bloodiest battle of the war, saw more than 12,000 American and 100,000 Japanese and Okinawan lives lost. For many veterans, returning to these sites offers a powerful opportunity for reflection, healing, and closure, Eagle Society said. Eagle Society founder Michael Davidson organizes trips to educate todays leaders on American history, heroes, and heritage. Davidson has taken veterans to Normandy for the 80th anniversary of D-Day, but this is the first journey of this scale in the Pacific. Given the advanced age of many veterans, he explains the trips importance. Were losing our WWII veterans daily, and with them, I fear were also losing the hard-earned lessons they fought valiantly to teach us. Our Pacific War veterans, in particular, remind us that duty, honor, and country are not just words theyre a call to action, especially amid rising geopolitical conflict and clashing worldviews, Davidson said. Davidson said this journey offers a profound opportunity to reflect, honor their sacrifices, and recommit to being better citizens. The Eagle Society is dedicated to preserving these heroes stories, so future generations not only remember but apply their lessons to todays challenges, he added. Measures seeking to allow the government of Guam to lease out property for extended terms without legislative approval, and bump up life insurance payouts for officers and first responders killed in the line of duty to $100,000 advanced to the voting file during the first regular session of the 38th Guam Legislature on Monday. Sen. Joe San Agustins Bill 8-38, which the senator said would extend leases GovGuam can enter into without legislative approval past the current five-year limit, was moved to the voting file. Some senators objected, arguing the bill would allow GovGuam agencies to enter leases of any term without oversight. San Agustin said the current five-year limit on leases allowed without approval from the Legislature, in place since 2013, stunted economic growth. The laws current status discourages local and off-island investors from contributing to the economic prosperity of the island, San Agustin said. Its time to stop holding them back. Bill 8-38 originally set the extended term at 30 years, but was amended by Sen. Telo Taitague to reduce it to 15 years. A 15-year term offers operational stability without locking public resources into outdated agreements, Taitague told her colleagues. But Sen. Chris Barnett raised concern that the bill wouldnt open the door to 15-year leases, but leases of any term. Barnett noted that the measure didnt just extend government lease terms, but actually deleted a whole section of law that required legislative oversight, even past the new 15-year limit. There still is the ability in this bill, at least, according to my read, for the government of Guam to enter into 20-year leases, 30-year leases, 40-year leases, even 50-year leases, even 100-year leases, Barnett said. Barnett introduced an amendment to add the legislative approval requirements back, but it failed. Sen. Chris Duenas opposed the amendment, stating that the legislative oversight requirement, while well intended, this has been a deal breaker. Contracts for investment into GovGuam property involved hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars of investment, research, and legal fees, he said. All that time and all that money and all that man hours and manpower to do that can be just whisked away because the Legislature convenes and says no, Duenas said. Sen. Therese Terlaje backed Barnetts amendment, noting lawmakers had forced oversight because GovGuam was entering into questionable deals for its land. Why was this law put in, in the first place? Thats because they had, in front of them, leases that looked like terrible, bad deals for the people of Guam that we could not get out of, Terlaje said. Taitague moved at one point to set Bill 8-38 aside, so that more legal consultation could be had. Her motion also failed. Several amendments to the bill were still outstanding, but Sen. Shawn Gumataotao moved to call the question, effectively ending debate and amendments, and moving to a vote on whether Bill 8-38 should advance. Sens. Vince Borja, Duenas, Gumataotao, Jesse Lujan, Tina Muna Barnes, Sabrina Salas Matanane, San Agustin, and Vice Speaker Tony Ada voted in favor of calling the question. Sens. Shelly Calvo, Will Parkinson, Sabina Perez, Barnett, Taitague, Terlaje, and Speaker Frank Blas Jr. voted against the move. Debate ended, and Bill 8-38 advanced to the voting file despite objections. Lawmakers will vote on whether to pass the measures at the close of the March session. $100K officer death benefit Less controversial was Gumataotaos Bill 10-38, which would raise the government-paid life insurance benefit for officers and first responders killed in the line of duty from $10,000 to $100,000. Gumataotao said the measure would provide the benefit to the survivors of any officer who would qualify for a death benefit under the U.S. Department of Justices Bureau of Justice Assistance Public Safety Officers Benefits Program, or its successor program. The federal program is authorized to provide $448,575 for eligible deaths in fiscal 2025, he said. Bill 10-38 moved to the voting file without objection. As of 5 p.m. Monday, senators began discussion on Taitagues Bill 14-38, which would fine government agency heads $250 a month for failing to turn in financial documents on time to the Office of Public Accountability. The Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group arrived Monday in Guam for a scheduled port visit, before the USS Carl Vinson heads to the Middle East. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who is expected to also visit Guam this week, ordered Navy warship presence in the Middle East, ordering two aircraft carriers to be there in April as the U.S. increases strikes on the Yemen-based Houthi rebels, the Associated Press reported. The AP said Hegseth ordered the USS Carl Vinson, which has been operating in the Pacific, to begin steaming toward the Middle East, extending its scheduled deployment by three months. Guam is a critical nexus for logistics and provides a variety of capabilities and support functions for U.S. naval vessels including supplies, maintenance parts, and equipment, Naval Base Guam said in a release Monday night when the Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group arrived. The Carl Vinson Strike Group consists of USS Carl Vinson, embarked staffs of CSG-1 and Destroyer Squadron 1, Carrier Air Wing 2, the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Princeton, and Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Sterett, and USS Milius. CVW-2 is composed of nine squadrons flying the F-35C Lightning II, F/A-18E/F Super Hornets, EA-18G Growler, E-2D Advanced Hawkeye, CMV-22 Osprey and MH-60R/S Seahawks. "Guam is strategically important to the region and ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific, Rear Adm. Michael Wosje, commander, Carrier Strike Group 1, said in a statement. Our port visit here is part of our routine presence in the 7th Fleet area of operations, and allows us to recharge and resupply to remain operationally ready for any mission." While in port, sailors will be able to take advantage of base amenities and enjoy time to explore the islands culture and cuisine. The Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. The 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navys largest forward-deployed numbered fleet and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region. Glimpses of Guam Inc. is protesting the Guam Visitors Bureaus intent to award a marketing services contract to Ruder Integrated Marketing Strategies, RiMS, saying Glimpses outperforms all other bidders based on its past performance as a GVB contractor and its bid submission. Glimpses filed a procurement appeal to the Office of Public Accountability on March 11 after the tourism bureau denied Glimpses protest on Feb. 24. RiMS already has a contract with GVB, according to RiMS president Steve Ruder. We have a signed contract and are looking forward to work with GVB to assist with the recovery of Guams tourism economy, Ruder said when asked for comment on Glimpses procurement protest. Besides Glimpses and RiMS, the other bidders included Manhita, Galaide and Greenlight. Glimpses, through attorney Daniel J. Berman, asked OPA to void GVBs request for proposal and intent to award. Alternatively, Glimpses requests that the OPA order that GVB seek independent re-evaluation of the bids submitted for this procurement, Berman said. The Glimpses attorney said the scope of GVBs procurement was ambiguous, and GVBs failure to clearly state whether it required the same or different performance criteria from the contract issued to Glimpses in the RFP, and the resulting inevitable failure of the bidders to submit parallel bids, has subverted the purpose of this procurement and is cause to re-evaluate the bids. Public Auditor Benjamin J.F. Cruz on March 12 notified the new GVB general manager, Regine Biscoe Lee, about the Glimpses protest and the need to submit a procurement record and agency report. Glimpses previously held GVBs marketing services contract that was supposed to end on Sept. 30. However, Glimpses said it got a notice from GVB on Dec. 26 that the contract has been terminated. A closing conference was held to confirm there was no cause for the December 2024 termination except for GVBs convenience, Glimpses said. That was a few weeks after former GVB general manager Carl Gutierrez resigned from his position in November, and deputy general manager Gerry Perez was acting general manager. On Dec. 27, GVB issued an RFP for an integrated communications, advertising and event support service. Glimpses said it submitted its timely bid on Jan. 17. Four days later, on Jan. 21, according to Glimpses, GVB recommended the award to RiMS. At the time, Glimpses was not notified why its bid was rejected, Glimpses told OPA. GVB responded to Glimpses Sunshine Law and Freedom of Information Act request but withheld and concealed any bid submission from RiMS, Glimpses said. Award without delay On Feb. 24, according to Glimpses, GVB issued its rejection of Glimpses protest and a Notice of Determination of Award Without Delay. In its Feb. 24 communication, GVB said it is seeking visionary businesses to play a pivotal role in establishing the island as a premier destination in the Asia Pacific region. Despite its stated intention to seek out a visionary business, GVB awarded the right to contract to a lesser qualified bidder, Glimpses, through Berman, told OPA. Glimpses said it was ranked third in the evaluation with 220 points and Manhita was ranked first with 271 points. However, only Glimpses held a previously unblemished and solid performance on their contract previously awarded by GVB for marketing services over a term between Jan. 1, 2024 to Sept. 30, 2025, Glimpses said. In its appeal, Glimpses said the acceptance of RiMS bid violated the RFP, adding that no state of public emergency exists and theres no objective evaluation. Glimpses said GVB failed and refused to notify Glimpses of its right to review and appeal, and that a crucial portion of the specifications are ambiguous and unfair, and the procurement must be rebid. Guams tourism recovery has been one of the slowest in the world, according to industry representatives. Arrivals are still below half of pre-pandemic levels. A man charged Friday with criminal mischief at the Inalahan Mayors Office was arrested in a new criminal mischief case hours after he was released on a personal recognizance bond, according to court documents. Joseph Christopher Meno Sana, 23, offered an explanation when police told him he was accused of throwing rocks at passing cars near McDonalds on Route 4 in Hagatna. Sorry, I just needed a ride home so I tried to stop someone, he told officers, according to a magistrates complaint filed in Superior Court. On Thursday, police were called to the Inalahan Mayors Office, where Sana, a former employee, was accused of hitting various objects with a piece of wood, according to court documents in that case. About $2,200 worth of damage was reported to a split air conditioning unit, a washing machine and a window that had been broken. He later admitted to damaging the property, which he stated he did because he was angry after being in an argument with a man near the Mayors Office. He was arrested at 3:13 p.m. Thursday. On Friday afternoon, he appeared before Judge Sean Brown, who released him on $2,000 personal recognizance bond, according to court records. Then a woman called police to report that a man was standing by the road throwing rocks at passing vehicles. Her vehicle had been hit and damaged, according to the magistrates complaint in that case. Police arrested Sana at 9:55 p.m. after he told them why he was throwing rocks. On Saturday, he again appeared before Judge Brown on a new criminal mischief charge. This time, Brown ordered him held on $1,000 cash bail. If found guilty, Sana could be sentenced to two years in prison one year in each case, according to court documents. Residents are asked to be familiar with certain phone numbers when their phone rings starting this April, as part of a federal phone survey on immunization that would be essential to enhancing programs that promote health and prevent disease in Guam. The Guam Department of Public Health and Social Services encourages residents to participate in the 2025 National Immunization Survey if called. The National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago, under the guidance of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC, will collect data through telephone interviews with parents or guardians nationwide. The following are approved, no-charge, off-island telephone numbers that Guam residents may expect to receive: (404) 537-5237 (404) 537-5249 (404) 537-3884 (404) 537-5803 (404) 537-5816 (404) 800-6688 (404) 809-3209 (404) 809-3231 (404) 809-2651 (404) 809-2085 The 2025 National Immunization Survey is a CDC-sponsored phone survey used to monitor vaccination coverage among children 19 through 35 months; teens 13 through 17 years; flu vaccinations for children 6 months through 17 years; and COVID-19 vaccination for children and teens in eligible age groups, and for adults 18 years, and older. Public Health said participation in the survey is highly recommended, because the data gathered will help identify groups at risk of vaccine-preventable diseases, evaluate the effectiveness of programs designed to increase vaccination rates, and provide local and federal health programs with state-specific data essential to enhancing programs that promote health and prevent disease on Guam. For more information, call NORC toll-free at (877) 220-4805, visit the https://www.norc.org or https://www.cdc.gov/nis, or call the DPHSS Immunization Program at (671) 735-7143/48/60. A new task force is helping to draft a bill that would authorize a trap-neuter-return policy to help control Guams stray dog and cat population, which has been a longstanding issue. Local estimates for several years suggest Guams stray animal population could range between 25,000 and 60,000. The trap-neuter-return strategy, widely used in other regions to control free-roaming dog and cat populations humanely, focuses on sterilizing and vaccinating animals before returning them to their original locations, according to the Guam Department of Agriculture in a release Monday. The draft legislation is aimed at institutionalizing TNR as a viable, sustainable method for managing the free-roaming population in Guam, the department said. Lt. Gov. Joshua Tenorio convened the task force in response to Guams significant free-roaming dog population issue, which poses a risk to public safety, animal welfare and environmental health. The collaborative initiative, according to the department, brings together key stakeholders from government agencies, military partners, universities, local veterinarians, and non-profit organizations, both on and off island, to develop humane, effective solutions to Guams ongoing free roaming dog population challenges. By coordinating efforts among various organizations, the task force aims to implement sustainable, science-based strategies to manage the dog population effectively, the department said. The task force is guided by internationally recognized best practices, including those outlined by the International Companion Animal Management Coalition, Agriculture said. ICAMs Humane Dog Population Management Guidance underscores the importance of a multi-year, multi stakeholder approach, making the formation of the task force on Guam a critical step toward meaningful and lasting change, the agency added. Task force activities and goals will replicate successful dog population management projects in other communities worldwide, including increasing rates of spay/neuter, animal control and shelter capacity, as well as community education and engagement efforts. Territorial veterinarian Dr. Mariana Turner said the Dog Population Management Task Force is dedicated to fostering strong collaboration between government agencies and animal welfare organizations to create sustainable and humane solutions. By working together, Guam can move toward a future where free-roaming animal populations are effectively managed, improving the well-being of both animals and the community at large, Turner said. Agriculture said the DPM Task Force has already made notable progress in advancing animal population management efforts on Guam. These include the dog and cat population survey in February and the humane enforcement training. The University of Guam's MPA PA540 Admin Law class is hosting a March 29 conference on governance, justice, and sustainability. Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero, Speaker Frank Blas Jr., Supreme Court of Guam Associate Justice Katherine Maraman, and U.S. District Court Chief Judge Frances Tydingco-Gatewood are among keynote speakers. "Join us as we explore how public policy drives real change through ethical leadership, a fair justice system, and long-term sustainability," the MPA PA540 Admin Law class said. The conference will cover the following key issues: Transparent governance Equal access to justice Climate action and sustainability Tech innovations in public service The Saturday conference will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the UOG CLASS Lecture Hall. Haiti - FLASH : US visa fraudsters will be banned from the USA for life In a note, the US State Department states that "U.S. government interagency efforts combat fraud and will end illegal migration. Those who commit visa fraud will be banned from the United States for life. A Nation without borders is not a Nation. We will pursue criminal charges against those who engage in visa fraud and those who bring in and harbor illegal aliens. The U.S. government has launched a coordinated interagency effort to combat fraud and end illegal migration. Those found guilty of visa fraud will face permanent bans from entering the United States. New visa restriction policies apply to individuals and foreign governments who facilitate illegal migration. We are protecting America and welcoming legitimate travelers. We maintain the highest screening standards in the U.S. visa process, and we adapt to emerging threats with close coordination across U.S. government agencies. The Department remains committed to upholding the highest standards of national security in the visa adjudication process. No visas are issued until all security concerns are fully resolved. We do not issue visas to applicants who submit fraudulent documents, and they face legal consequences under U.S. law and in the country where they applied for the visa." HL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - Technology : Rehabilitation of the Tiburon photovoltaic power plant The Ministry of Public Works, in collaboration with its strategic partners, held an online meeting regarding the launch of the rehabilitation of the Tiburon photovoltaic power plant. Shut down following a fire that destroyed part of its production infrastructure, the plant, with an initial capacity of 95 kWp, will be restored to 61.64 kWp, its storage system will be modernized with lithium batteries, and fire prevention systems will be added. Funded by the World Bank through the Scaling-up Renewable Energy Program (SREP), this rehabilitation is part of the Government's commitment to providing clean, reliable, and sustainable energy to the populations of the South. This meeting aimed to take stock of the implementation of this project and to define the next steps to ensure its smooth implementation. Project Phases : - Finalization of the rehabilitation plan : March 24, 2025; - Start of work : April 29, 2025; - Commissioning : May 27, 2025; - Project closure and final report of the Environmental Management Plan (ESMP) : September 1st, 2025. The meeting highlighted the importance of environmental and social measures in the ESMP, including fire prevention, waste management, and worker safety. The National Energy Regulatory Authority (ANARSE) emphasized the importance of meeting deadlines and effective collaboration between stakeholders and reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring compliance with standards and promoting competition and private investment in the energy sector. Participating in this meeting : "Eneji Pwop": Project Owner and Manager of the "Eneji Pep La" project; Tiburon City Hall : Facilitator and liaison with the local community; Energy Unit of the Ministry of Public Works; ANARSE; The firm Trama Tecno Ambiental (TTA): Technical support to the Energy Unit of the Ministry of Public Works; World Bank : Main Funder; Partner companies : Green Energy Solutions (Haiti) and Geninov (Canada). HL/ PI/ HaitiLibre Haiti - Politic : Secretary of State Rubio on official tour of the Caribbean US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will begin his first official tour of the Caribbean this week. He will travel to Jamaica, where he will be received by Prime Minister Andrew Holness, and then to Guyana and Suriname, where he will meet with Presidents Mohamed Irfaan Ali and Chandrikapersad Santokhi, respectively. Rubio's tour comes at a time when CARICOM leaders are increasingly concerned about the rapidly deteriorating security situation in Haiti, which threatens to spread to the region. During his tour, Rubio will discuss potential solutions to various problems, while keeping an eye on the extreme violence raging in Haiti. During this tour, Rubio may meet in Jamaica with Fritz Alphonse Jean (who has been invited), the new President pro tempore of Haiti's Transitional Council, at a time when there are fears that Port-au-Prince could fall entirely into the hands of armed gangs. This meeting took place in a tense political climate, as Rubio had stated a few days earlier that the Biden administration's era of quiet diplomacy and multilateralism was over. Rubio's approach now favors coercion over cooperation, and Fritz Alphonse Jean may well have to follow American dictates... HL/ S/ HaitiLibre Haiti - News : Zapping... QC : A Haitian-Canadian Runs for the Seat of Member of Parliament for Papineau On Sunday, March 23, the Liberal Party of Canada nominated Marjorie Michel as its candidate to run for the seat of Member of Parliament for Papineau in Montreal in the upcoming elections to be held on April 28. The Haitian-Canadian will succeed former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Marjorie Michel is the daughter of former Haitian Prime Minister Smarck Michel. She was Justin Trudeau's Deputy Chief of Staff. Her nomination allows the party to prepare for the re-election of a dedicated team to the House of Commons. Ouanaminthe Border Market While visiting the far north, Pierre Canisius Guignard, Director General of the Ministry of the Interior and Territorial Communities, took part in the meeting of the Joint Committee for the Ouanaminthe Border Market. This working session primarily aimed to prepare for the official opening of the binational market, scheduled for May 2025. Discussions with all stakeholders helped define the key steps to be taken and the requirements to be met, for the benefit of the region, before this important event. Clerks : Training of Trainers A training of trainers session was conducted at the School of Magistrates, supported by the United Nations Development Programme's (UNDP-Haiti) Justice Support and Impunity Program (PAJLI), with funding from the Canadian Embassy in Haiti and in collaboration with the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH). This initiative aims to prepare for the upcoming training of groups of clerks to strengthen the rule of law in Haiti. WHO supports Displaced People in Kenscoff Following an assessment visit to two internally displaced people sites in Kenscoff, where more than 600 people recently sought refuge after fleeing armed violence, the Ministry of Public Health and the World Health Organization (WHO-Haiti) identified urgent needs in health and essential services. WHO provided support for: Distributing WASH equipment to improve sanitation conditions; Training site focal points on hygiene and sanitation (WASH); and Training teams on the use of first aid kits. WHO-Haiti, with support from the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (UNCERF), remains committed to working alongside the Ministry to support displaced populations and improve their living conditions. Building Rehabilitation Workshop Training workshops were held on the quality of construction materials and techniques for rehabilitating damaged buildings for masons and foremen in the Sud and Artibonite departments. These training sessions aimed to strengthen their technical skills to improve infrastructure sustainability and foster community resilience in the face of major natural hazards. First Black Republican Woman Elected to Congress Passes Away Former U.S. Representative Mia Love of Utah, the daughter of Haitian immigrants and the first Black Republican woman elected to Congress, died on Sunday, March 23, at the age of 49. HL/ HaitiLibre On Monday, skies remained mostly clear across the country, with high clouds scattered in some regions. The Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI) reported daytime temperatures rising close to 10C in parts of western Finland. Joonas Koskela , meteorologist at MTV, said temperatures in areas such as Kilpisjarvi and the Tornio Valley reached 6C and 8C respectively. Finlands week began with sunshine, but weather conditions will turn unstable as low-pressure systems approach from both the north and south, according to multiple forecasts. Southern and western inland areas experienced the highest temperatures, while coastal and eastern regions remained cooler. Coastal temperatures hovered around 5C, with sea winds limiting daytime warmth. In the north, the sun was visible across large areas, though conditions became windier. Despite the sunshine, the FMI noted increasing cloud cover moving into central and eastern Finland by Monday evening. A low-pressure system from the Arctic Ocean has already started affecting northern areas. According to Kristian Roine, duty meteorologist at Foreca, a snow-bearing front passed over Northern Ostrobothnia and Lapland on Monday. Roine estimated snowfall at around 5 centimetres in parts of these regions. He said the system brought strong winds, especially in the fells where gusts reached high speeds. By late Monday, light rainfall reached parts of the southeast, though most of the associated precipitation passed south of the country. Weak showers were also reported in eastern Finland. Tuesday will begin with continued precipitation in the north as the snow front moves eastward. Roine said snowfall is likely between a line stretching from just north of Kuopio to Kokkola. Meanwhile, weak low pressure over southern Finland may bring light rain or sleet, especially along the southern coastline. The FMI issued warnings for poor driving conditions from Tuesday morning through the evening across Northern Karelia, Northern Ostrobothnia, Kainuu and Lapland. A marine wind warning also remains in effect in offshore areas. A wildfire warning has been issued for Aland due to dry conditions. Daytime temperatures will stay mild on Tuesday, similar to Monday. Western areas are forecast to reach up to 8C again, while temperatures in the north will range from 0C to 4C. Eastern Finland is expected to remain closer to 5C. Wednesday will mark a shift in conditions. A slight cooling is forecast for northern Finland, with daytime temperatures expected to fall to around freezing. Southern and central regions are likely to remain stable, though overcast skies and scattered precipitation may continue. According to Eveliina Tuovinen, duty meteorologist at the FMI, a clearer picture of weather patterns will emerge midweek. She said some areas in the south may see continued light rainfall into Wednesday. Looking ahead to Thursday, Roine said daytime temperatures may reach around 10C in southern Finland, making it the warmest day of the week. These values are higher than average for this time of year, though night-time temperatures will stay below freezing. Roine advised against changing to summer tyres due to potential early morning frost and lingering wet conditions. Especially if you need to drive early in the morning, Id still be cautious, he told Forecas weather blog. No significant cold front is expected through the week. By the weekend, another low-pressure area is forecast to pass over the country, possibly bringing rain and snow to the north. Daytime highs will stay near 10C in the south, while conditions remain unsettled due to the prevailing low-pressure systems. Westerly and southwesterly winds are expected to dominate from Friday onwards. The FMI anticipates another front arriving late Friday, with rain likely across western and northern regions during the weekend. Forecast models suggest fluctuating but generally mild spring conditions. While Monday offered a sunny reprieve across much of the country, residents are advised to prepare for wetter and windier conditions by midweek. HT Contemporary circus collective Arctic Ensemble has received the 2024 Sirkus lumo award in recognition of its commitment to expanding access to circus arts across Finland and its community-oriented approach to performance. Arctic Ensemble was praised for both its high-level acrobatic skill and its initiative in purchasing a large circus tent to bring performances to new audiences nationwide. The group, founded in 2018, includes Ada Forsberg, Anselmi Kaisanlahti, Eino Kaisanlahti, Ilkka Kemppinen, Armas Lintusaari, Orfeo Llewellyn, Pihla Ojala, Emmi Peltola, Minna Pulsa and Linnea Purontaus. Since its inception, the group has performed with Circus Finlandia, appeared on major stages in Germany, and drawn crowds in Japan. The Sirkus lumo award jury highlighted the ensembles technical excellence and trademark group acrobatics, describing their work as both skilled and cohesive. The groups long-standing collaboration and sense of community were central to the jurys decision. In addition to its stage work, Arctic Ensemble has created its own touring mini-festival, the Katusirkuskarnevaali, which brings circus shows to towns and villages rarely reached by professional circus companies. In 2023, the group made a strategic investment by purchasing its own circus tent. The tent will serve as the centrepiece of a national tour set to begin in summer 2025. The jury described the move as a bold step that demonstrates both vision and deep commitment to the development of circus in Finland. Bringing a large tent on tour in Finnish conditions demands resilience, commitment and internal drive, said the jury in its statement. Arctic Ensemble has all of these. The groups decision to prioritise domestic audiences, despite receiving offers abroad, was also noted as a key factor in the award. The jury said the group is actively broadening the reach of circus in Finland and creating opportunities for other professionals in the field. The Sirkus lumo award will be formally presented at the Thalia gala in Helsinki on 24 March 2025, an event celebrating achievements in theatre, dance and circus. The jury for this years prize included journalists Heidi Horila, Tenka Issakainen, Nina Jaaskelainen, Emma Vainio, and was chaired by Tove Ekman, Director of CircusInfo Finland. Arctic Ensemble. Photo: Mikko Pirinen HT More than 10,000 people signed an open petition, while a separate letter from cultural professionals collected over 500 signatures in under two months. Both petitions urge Yle to demand that the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) exclude Israel from the competition. If Israel participates, the signatories ask Yle to withdraw Finlands entry in protest. Two petitions calling for Israel to be barred from the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest were submitted to Finnish broadcaster Yle on Monday. The cultural sector petition was handed to Johanna Torn-Mangs, Yle's Editor-in-Chief for Creative Content and Media, by a group of prominent artists. These included actors Noora Dadu and Malla Malmivaara, musicians Nemat Battah, Paleface, Pehmoaino, Melo, Lxandra and Miikka Koivisto, journalists Susani Mahadura and Ina Mikkola, DJ Daniel Shaya, and dancer Sonya Lindfors. The public petition was presented by Lili De Paola on behalf of Sumud. The appeal comes amid Israels continued military operations in Gaza, which began in October 2023. According to multiple reports, nearly 50,000 Palestinians have been killed and more than 112,000 injured. The UN Special Committee has stated that Israels actions meet the legal criteria for genocide. Israel is also accused of ongoing illegal occupation of Palestinian territories and practising apartheid. Noora Dadu, speaking at the handover, referenced Eurovision's previous decisions. What should Yle do now? Exactly what it did in 2022 with Russia: demand Israels removal or pull out if the country is included, she said. The petition states that allowing Israel to participate offers a platform for image management while its military actions continue. It contradicts our values to allow a state responsible for genocide and occupation policies to improve its reputation under the cover of music. Participating alongside Israel signals acceptance of its actions, the statement reads. The EBU has not yet announced any changes to Israels status in the 2025 contest. Finlands selection process for Eurovision has concluded, with its representative expected to compete in the semi-finals unless a decision is made to withdraw. HT The party opened the nomination vote to the public. Of the 15 million participants, 13.2 million were non-members. Imamoglu ran unopposed. The vote followed his arrest on 19 March on charges of corruption and alleged terrorism links. Ekrem Imamoglu , the detained mayor of Istanbul, received 15 million votes in an unofficial public vote organised by Turkeys main opposition party, the Republican Peoples Party (CHP), endorsing him as its candidate for the 2028 presidential election. His wife, Dilek Kaya Imamoglu, called on citizens to vote for democracy, justice and the future after casting her ballot with their son Selim. The arrest has triggered widespread protests across Turkey. Demonstrations erupted in Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir and other cities. Protesters chanted in support of Imamoglu, whom they view as a key political rival to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Authorities responded with force. Police used tear gas, water cannons and stun grenades. Over 320 people were detained during weekend protests, according to Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya. The Istanbul Prosecutors Office accuses Imamoglu of leading a criminal organisation and engaging in bribery and money laundering related to municipal contracts. He is also alleged to have cooperated with the banned Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) via an electoral alliance with the pro-Kurdish DEM party in 2024. Both Imamoglu and the CHP reject the accusations and claim the charges are politically motivated. Imamoglus arrest followed a decision by Istanbul University to annul his university degree, citing academic irregularities. Turkish law requires presidential candidates to hold a university degree. The annulment effectively bars him from running. The timing, days before the public vote, raised concerns of political interference. The Ministry of the Interior suspended Imamoglu from his duties as mayor on the day of his arrest. An earlier attempt to jail him on terrorism charges was rejected by a court, but detention continued under the corruption case. He remains in custody at the Vatan Security Department in Istanbul. Over 100 individuals, including municipal officials and businesspeople, are also under investigation. Protests continued despite a four-day ban on public gatherings in Istanbul. Authorities placed riot fences and armoured vehicles around Istanbul's main courthouse. Thousands gathered nearby, chanting slogans in support of Imamoglu. One protester, Aykut Cenk, 30, said, We are here supporting the candidate we voted for. We are not enemies of the state, but what happened is illegal. President Erdogan warned that terror will not be allowed in the streets. He defended the crackdown, framing it as a legal response to criminal activities. His government blocked access to Twitter, YouTube and Instagram in several regions during the protests. The international response was swift. Frances foreign ministry condemned the arrest, calling it a serious attack on democracy. The Council of Europe announced it would raise the matter in an upcoming meeting. Human rights organisations and EU officials also criticised the arrest and its implications for political pluralism in Turkey. Domestic politicians voiced disapproval. CHP Chairman Ozgur Ozel described the arrest as a political coup. Ankaras mayor Mansur Yavas called the removal of an elected mayor unacceptable. Former Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, now leader of the Future Party, said the events were a disgrace. The Turkish lira fell by 14.5 percent against the US dollar after the arrest. The BIST 100 index dropped 8.7 percent. The central bank responded by selling foreign currency reserves. Economists warned of lasting investor concern amid deepening political instability. Despite his detention, Imamoglu issued a statement via his lawyer: We will erase this dark stain from our democracy. I will not bow. CHP urged continued mobilisation, saying, There is a political coup in Turkey. HT Children under the age of 15 accounted for 4.3% of all new and relapsed tuberculosis cases, equivalent to over 650 additional cases compared to 2022. Child tuberculosis cases in the WHO European Region rose by 10% in 2023, according to a new report released by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control and the World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe. In the European Union and European Economic Area, children made up the same proportion of overall cases. This marks the third consecutive annual increase in childhood TB in the EU/EEA. The report warns that ongoing transmission of TB is affecting younger age groups and calls for stronger public health measures. It also highlights growing concern over treatment outcomes for children. In one in five paediatric cases in the EU/EEA, health authorities have not confirmed whether treatment was completed. The report notes this gap increases the risk of drug-resistant tuberculosis and further transmission. Dr Pamela Rendi-Wagner, ECDC Director, said in a statement, The time to act to end TB is now. With just five years to meet our 2030 targets, it is critical that Europe renews its focus on prevention and timely, effective treatment. Across the wider WHO European Region, which includes Central Asia, over 172,000 people were diagnosed with new or relapsed TB in 2023. The number remained consistent with 2022 levels. In the EU/EEA, TB notifications rose to nearly 37,000 cases, up from 35,000 the previous year. Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe, described the rise in child TB as a reminder that progress against this preventable and curable disease remains fragile. He warned that reduced international development funding could limit TB control efforts in non-EU countries and lead to missed transmission chains. Treatment outcomes across the Region remain below global targets. WHO aims for a 90% treatment success rate. In 2023, the rate in the WHO European Region for people with new and relapsed TB starting first-line treatment in 2022 was 75.5%. In the EU/EEA, the rate was lower at 67.9%. The challenge is greater for multidrug-resistant TB. In the WHO European Region, the 2023 treatment success rate for MDR-TB patients was 59.7%. In the EU/EEA, it was 56.3%. The report identifies several contributing factors, including delays in diagnosis, poor adherence to treatment, and lack of access to new treatment options. WHO and ECDC are urging countries to adopt shorter, all-oral regimens that avoid injectables and may improve patient outcomes. HIV and TB co-infection continues to affect thousands of people. In 2023, more than 15% of patients with new or relapsed TB in the WHO European Region were also HIV-positive. This represents over 19,000 people. In the EU/EEA, the figure was more than 600. Available data show that one in five people with TB and HIV may not be receiving antiretroviral therapy. Only 21 countries provided data on ART uptake among co-infected patients, with just four of these countries in the EU/EEA. WHO and ECDC call on Member States to improve reporting and ensure access to HIV care for TB patients. To meet the 2030 targets, WHO and ECDC urge countries to expand testing, improve prevention, and prioritise access to effective therapies. This includes the rollout of new diagnostics, the adoption of shorter treatment courses, and targeted interventions for high-burden countries. The report calls for coordinated cross-border collaboration, better data sharing, and sustained investment in TB control programmes. It also notes that new vaccines are in development and may play a role in future prevention strategies. HT Lights out? Not yet -- China moves to help children sleep more Xinhua) 10:56, March 24, 2025 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. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) AI pediatrician to enter more grassroots hospitals in China Xinhua) 11:01, March 24, 2025 BEIJING, March 23 (Xinhua) -- An artificial intelligence (AI) pediatrician is expected to enter more grassroots hospitals in China, as it has won widespread recognition since its debut at Beijing Children's Hospital in February. The hospital unveiled the country's first pediatric large-scale AI model under the name "FutangBaichuan" this week, introducing two AI-powered applications -- the AI Pediatrician Basic Version and the Expert Version. The applications will be deployed in medical centers and community hospitals across Beijing as well as over 150 county-level hospitals in neighboring Hebei Province, according to the developer. The model features a robust knowledge system for common and rare childhood diseases, leveraging pediatric "evidence-based medicine" to generate personalized diagnosis and treatment plans. Trained on clinical expertise from more than 300 renowned specialists at the hospital and decades of high-quality medical records, it excels in clinical reasoning, multi-modal processing, and multi-round chatting. When interacting with patients' parents, it can autonomously conduct multi-round inquiries and engage in communication patiently. "The Basic Version targets daily pediatric care, empowering grassroots clinicians, while the Expert Version addresses complex and rare diseases to enhance decision-making efficiency," said Ni Xin, head of Beijing Children's Hospital. Ni gave an example. The Basic Version can differentiate early symptoms of viral encephalitis -- often mistaken for the common cold -- to prompt timely testing and reduce misdiagnosis risks. Since Feb. 13, the Expert Version has entered operation and participated in over 10 multidisciplinary consultations. Its diagnostic alignment with expert decisions reached 95 percent. Developed by the hospital in collaboration with two technology companies Baichuan AI and Xiaoerfang, the AI pediatrician stems from a tripartite partnership established on Aug. 28, 2023, which aims to advance pediatric AI models and expand equitable access to high-quality pediatric healthcare through innovative technologies. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) Tech billionaire and presidential advisor Elon Musk celebrated President Donald Trump's executive order dismantling the Department of Education by posting a meme with a spelling error. In the meme, Trump's head is photoshopped on to a man kneeling beside a freshly covered grave, flashing a peace sign. The headstone has the Department of Education logo, and reads "Departmen of Education." Musk, who has played a key role in Trump's government overhaul through his Department for Government Efficiency (DOGE), shared the post on X shortly after the signing ceremony where Trump initiated the closure of the Department of Education. The meme, which intended to champion Trump as "killing" the department, quickly attracted ridicule for the glaring spelling mistake. "The irony is really underscored by the fact that you spelled 'Department' wrong," one user noted. Others piled on, with comments like, "Very fitting that 'department' is misspelled " and "Rip spelling lessons." The blunder added fuel to criticism from opponents of the executive order, who argue that eliminating the Department of Education will harm low-income and special-needs students who rely on federal support. Neither Musk nor the White House has commented on the viral mistake, but the post remains live, continuing to draw sarcastic responses. Originally published on Latin Times 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. 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 Hollywood power couple Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds will not be attending the 2025 Met Gala amid legal issues with the actress's co-star Blake Lively. A source close to the couple told TMZ that Lively and Reynolds are planning to skip this year's star-studded fashion event, which is scheduled for May 5. Their decision comes amid the pair's ongoing legal battle against Lively's "It Ends With Us" co-star Justin Baldoni. However, another source insisted that the decision not to appear at this year's gala was made long before they had legal troubles with Baldoni. "She's not a Kardashian that goes every year," the source told US Weekly Magazine. The couple has attended the event intermittently over the years, making their Met Gala debut as a married couple in 2014. They last graced the event in 2022 when they served as co-chairs. Lively stunned in a custom Atelier Versace gown featuring a reversible train that she dramatically revealed on the Metropolitan Museum steps. The gown's colors were designed to evoke the Statue of Liberty's copper and green patina, embodying the gala's theme "In America: An Anthology of Fashion" and the dress code "Gilded Glamour." The 2025 Met Gala, themed "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style," aims to present a comprehensive exploration of Black style from the 18th century to the present day. The theme draws inspiration from Monica L. Miller's 2009 book, "Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity." Meanwhile, the dress code is "Tailored For You," which is a nod to menswear. This year's fashion event will feature an impressive lineup of co-chairs, including Colman Domingo, Lewis Hamilton, A$AP Rocky, Pharrell Williams, and Anna Wintour. LeBron James will serve as an honorary chair, and Millet will serve as a guest curator for the show. Originally published on Enstarz Greenland's Prime Minister Mute B. Egede has sharply criticized an upcoming visit by U.S. officials, calling the planned trip "highly aggressive." He also accused the delegation of exerting power over the island. The visit, which includes second lady Usha Vance and National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, has raised tensions following President Donald Trump's repeated attempts to annex Greenland, a move that has garnered international attention. Vance, wife of U.S. Vice President JD Vance, will travel to Greenland this week to attend the island's national dogsled race and celebrate Greenlandic culture. According to a statement from the White House, Vance and her delegation will also visit historical sites and learn about Greenlandic heritage. Waltz is also expected to visit Greenland this week, though the exact purpose of his visit remains unclear. Prime Minister Egede voiced strong disapproval of the visit, particularly Waltz's presence. In an interview with Greenlandic newspaper Sermitsiaq on Sunday, Egede questioned the need for a national security adviser to visit the island, suggesting that the visit was more about demonstrating power than fostering cooperation. "What is the national security adviser doing in Greenland? The only purpose is to demonstrate power over us," Egede said. "His mere presence in Greenland will no doubt fuel American belief in Trump's mission and the pressure will increase." Egede has been a vocal advocate for Greenland's independence from Denmark and has been critical of the U.S.'s stance on Greenland. The island, rich in rare earth minerals crucial for high-tech industries, has become a focal point in the competition for influence between the U.S., Russia, and China in the Arctic. Meanwhile,Trump has long expressed interest in acquiring Greenland, either through force or economic coercion. Despite Denmark and Greenland's firm rejection of the idea, the U.S. president remains determined. "I think we're going to get it one way or the other," Trump remarked earlier this month in a joint session of Congress. Egede's left-wing party, IAInuit Ataqatigiit, lost in parliamentary elections earlier this month, but he remains prime minister until a new governing coalition is formed. Jens-Frederik Nielsen, who is expected to become Greenland's next leader, also criticized the timing of the American visit. He argued that the visit demonstrated a lack of respect for Greenland's ongoing political situation, which includes negotiations related to recent municipal elections. "The fact that the Americans know very well that we are still in a negotiating situation and that the municipal elections have not yet concluded, they still capitalize on the moment to come to Greenland," Nielsen said, calling the visit a demonstration of disrespect toward the Greenlandic population. While Greenland is an autonomous territory, Denmark still controls its defense, foreign policy, and other key areas. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen expressed a cautious view, acknowledging that Denmark takes the U.S. delegation's visit seriously, but emphasizing that any cooperation should respect Greenland's sovereignty. "Denmark wants to cooperate with the U.S., but that should be based on the fundamental rules of sovereignty," Frederiksen stated. While Greenlandic politicians have consistently opposed annexation, there is openness to agreements with the U.S. regarding rare earth mining, tourism, and diplomatic relations. A poll conducted in January revealed that 85% of Greenlanders do not want to become part of the U.S., with nearly half of the respondents viewing Trump's interest in Greenland as a threat. A Florida man was convicted of second-degree murder in a case of road rage despite claiming self-defense. Nicholas Carrasquillo, 27, murdered 30-year-old David Sligh after Carrasquillo said he was cut-off in traffic by Sligh. During his trial Carrasquillo took the stand and said he acted in self-defense: "I wasn't the one driving recklessly that morning," he said according to WESH-2. "OK, no, you were the person that shot somebody in the back of the head, right?" the prosecution responded, according to the station. The incident happened in January 2024. According to court documents quoted by WFTV-9, Sligh, and Carrasquillo were in traffic when Sligh changed lanes at a stop light. Carrasquillo began honking and flashing his lights, and Sligh yelled at him. When the light changed, Sligh did not move his vehicle. Carrasquillo then got out of his car, fired one round into the street, and then fired several shots into Sligh's car, killing him. WFTV-9 reported. In an interview with police, Carrasquillo admitted he could have driven around Sligh and also said that he knew if he hadn't honked and flashed his lights, Sligh likely would have just driven away, the station reported. Sligh's family told the station that he had a 1-year-old son and was on his way to start a new job. "If the gun would've stayed in the glove box the entire time, this would not have happened," prosecutor Michael Smith told the jury, according to WESH-2. "He provoked it!" Prosecutors pointed out that Sligh was unarmed and never got out of his car. Carrasquillo fired five shots into the vehicle. He faces a sentence of 25 years to life for the murder. Originally published on Lawyer Herald Turkish police have detained more than 1,100 people, including journalists, since the arrest of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's main rival sparked the country's worst unrest in years, a minister said on Monday. The demonstrations began in Istanbul after Ekrem Imamoglu's arrest last week and have since spread to more than 55 of Turkey's 81 provinces, sparking clashes with riot police and drawing international condemnation. The popular 53-year-old has been widely seen as the only politician who could defeat Turkey's longtime leader Erdogan at the ballot box. In just four days he went from being the mayor of Istanbul -- a post that launched Erdogan's political rise decades earlier -- to being arrested, interrogated, jailed and stripped of the mayorship as a result of a graft and terror probe. On Sunday, he was overwhelmingly voted in as the main opposition CHP's candidate for the 2028 presidential run, with some 15 million people casting their ballots in a show of support for Imamoglu. Observers said it was the looming primary that triggered the move against Imamoglu, the main political rival of Erdogan who has dominated Turkey's politics since 2003, first as prime minister and then as president. His jailing drew sharp condemnation from Germany, which called it "totally unacceptable" as Greece said moves to undermine civil liberties "cannot be tolerated". And the EU warned Ankara it needed to demonstrate "a clear commitment to democratic norms". Overnight, France's foreign ministry said it was a "serious attack on democracy". On Monday, students at the main universities in Istanbul and Ankara called for a boycott of lectures. Young protesters were also preparing to hold a rally at 1400 GMT by Besiktas port on the Bosphorus, ahead of the main nightly rally outside City Hall at 1730 GMT. Sunday night's gathering descended into fierce clashes with riot police kicking and beating people in Istanbul, AFP correspondents said. Before dawn on Monday, police detained 10 Turkish journalists at home, including an AFP photographer, "for covering the protests", the MLSA rights group said. Most of them were covering the mass demonstrations outside City Hall, it said, in a move denounced by Imamoglu's wife. "What is being done to members of the press and journalists is a matter of freedom. None of us can remain silent about this," wrote Dilek Kaya Imamoglu on X. Since Wednesday, police had detained more than 1,133 people for "illegal activities", Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said on Monday. Among them were two lawyers who were defending protesters detained by the police, the Bar Association in the western coastal city of Izmir said. Imamoglu -- who has denounced the judicial moves against him as a political "execution without trial" -- sent a defiant message from jail via his lawyers. "I wear a white shirt that you cannot stain. I have a strong arm that you cannot twist. I won't budge an inch. I will win this war," he said. "Out of a total of 15 million votes, 13,211,000 are solidarity votes," City Hall said, referring to the number of ballots cast by those who were not CHP members. Faced with the massive protests, Turkey's authorities sought to shut down more than 700 accounts on X, the online platform said on Sunday. Four immigrant women detained at an ICE processing center have come forward with harrowing accounts of inhumane conditions, including hours spent chained on prison buses without access to food, water, or toilets. According to accounts shared with USA Today, guards reportedly told the women to urinate and defecate on the floor during lengthy transfers, some lasting up to 12 hours. "It stank so badly," one of the detainees said. The women, all held on alleged immigration violations without criminal background, say they were then packed into overcrowded holding cells "like sardines in a jar" at Krome North Processing Center in Miami. They described being packed into small, overcrowded cells with up to 27 others, sleeping on concrete floors with limited access to water, showers, or sanitary supplies. The overloaded cell's two toilets were in the open and under video surveillance. One detainee claimed she was told to fake a seizure if she wanted medical attention. Another recalled being held in chains so tightly she struggled to breathe. "They put like chains on us, hands to waist, connected. It was very scary because they chained my chest super-tight and I couldn't breathe properly," she said. "I was really scared because I thought, 'I'm not going to be able to breathe.'" The allegations come as ICE detention centers across the country are pushed past capacity amid the Trump administration's push for stricter immigration enforcement. The agency recently reported holding over 46,000 detainees despite a capacity of 41,500 beds. "I know the conditions are extremely bad, and they're not supposed to be that way," Miami immigration attorney Nenad Milosevic told USA Today. An ICE spokesperson stated that without the names of the womenwho requested anonymity for fear of retaliation as they remain detainedthe agency cannot substantiate the allegations. "These allegations are not in keeping with ICE policies, practices and standards of care," the statement read. However, past investigations have documented ongoing human rights concerns at Krome and in immigration detention centers under both Democratic and Republican administrations. This year alone, two men have died in custody at the Krome facility. The administration seeks to expand detention space, including a proposed facility at Guantanamo Bay, plans to construct detention spaces on military bases, and partnering with local law enforcement to use jails. "They clearly have plans to reopen facilities or build new ones," immigration attorney Mich Gonzalez said. "But in the meantime they are overcrowding the existing facilities." One of the women recorded her experience in a letter titled "Hell on Earth." "They acted like we were animals," she said. "Nobody cared." Originally published on Latin Times Costa Irminia Retreat & Spa, Vignette Collection to join IHG's growing luxury and lifestyle portfolio in the second half of 2025. IHG Hotels & Resorts (IHG), announces second Vignette Collection property in Italy, with the signing of a sea-view hotel in Marina di Ragusa, Sicily. In partnership with Blu Lava Resorts (Owner) and Panoram Hotels (Management Company), Costa Irminia Retreat & Spa, Vignette Collection, will provide guests with a one-of-a-kind stay in a destination to remember when it opens later this year. The 43-room Costa Irminia Retreat & Spa, Vignette Collection becomes the second Vignette Collection property announced in Italy, however will be the first to open, with Hotel Alexandra, Vignette Collection set to open in 2026. It will also be the latest addition to IHG's fast growing luxury and lifestyle portfolio in Italy, joining eight open hotels and a further eight in development. Vignette Collection is the newest addition to IHG's luxury and lifestyle portfolio which is one of the world's largest. In just three years since its launch, the brand has surpassed the halfway point in its initial aim to reach 100 open and pipeline hotels in the first 10 years. Across Europe, there are currently 17 open and pipeline properties, with recent signings including the first Vignette Collection's in France, Turkiye and Spain and brand launches in the UK with The Halyard Liverpool, Vignette Collection and Hungary with Verno House Budapest, Vignette Collection. Located on the picturesque island of Sicily, guests staying at Costa Irminia Retreat & Spa, Vignette Collection will be able to explore the island's unique charm - from its sandy beaches to volcanic landscapes and local delicacies. The hotel will be a short walk from several UNESCO World Heritage sites in the Val di Noto region, including the baroque towns of Ragusa, Modica, and Noto, as well as a modern marina with over 800 berths, and a vibrant tourism and hospitality offering. Costa Irminia Retreat & Spa, Vignette Collection will feature a private beach club with direct access to the sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters of the Mediterranean. The hotel will also offer guests a choice of two separate swimming pools, a stylish bar and an all-day-dining restaurant, making it the ideal destination for those staying on the Island. In August 2021, IHG launched Vignette Collection, offering a different price point to the upscale conversion brand voco and complementing its existing Luxury & Lifestyle portfolio. Vignette Collection appeals to owners of world-class independent luxury and lifestyle hotels seeking to quickly benefit from IHG's powerful technology and revenue systems, operational expertise, and loyalty offer, without the need for high upfront costs or compromise on a property's unique character, style, or name. Vignette Collection is IHG's first collection brand and represents a curation of distinct hotels, demonstrating diversity and discovery. Vignette Collection combines each property's individual identity with the brand's promise of 'A Means For Good' and Memorable Rituals. The brand offers a compelling way for owners of one-of-a-kind hotels to benefit from IHG's powerful enterprise offering and global scale. Hotel website New hotel management agreement brings Centara's signature hospitality to growing cultural centre. Centara Hotels & Resorts, Thailand's leading hotel operator, and Patch Patana Land and Business (1994) Co.,Ltd., announced the signing of a Hotel Management Agreement (HMA) for Centara Life Wisma Hotel Ratchaburi. Senior management teams from both companies officially executed the agreement at a signing ceremony held at Centara Grand & Bangkok Convention Centre at CentralWorld. Centara Life Wisma Hotel Ratchaburi, a contemporary 69-key property that first opened in Q3 2022, will officially operate under Centara's management from 20 March 2025. Located in the heart of Ratchaburi town near Robinson Lifestyle Centre, the hotel provides an ideal base for exploring the region's landmarks, vibrant markets, and natural attractions, including the Ratchaburi National Museum, Wat Mahathat Worawihan, and Ruesi Khao Ngu Cave. Centara Life Wisma Hotel Ratchaburi is a perfect embodiment of the Centara Life brand, which is built on elevating the essentials and giving guests the freedom to choose what they need, whenever they need it. With its sleek design and thoughtful amenitiesincluding an all-day dining restaurant, flexible meeting spaces, and an impressive ballroomthe hotel caters to solo travellers, couples, business guests, and families alike. Its central location provides easy access to Ratchaburi's vibrant attractions, offering a stay that is both convenient and memorable. Hotel website Leighton Osbourne is a marketing unicorn, known for his holistic, collaborative, and digital approach to content and communications. Combining unbound creativity with his expertise in brand, UX, and SEO, he crafts compelling narratives and campaigns that captivate audiences across the globe, driving pipeline and revenue growth. A strategist and innovative leader, Leighton embraces the unconventional and goes beyond the limits of traditional approaches leveraging technology and data at every stage. His artistry extends to his personal life, with a love of food, inspired by his many travels. Driven by excellence, Leighton is a proud maverick forging his own path. Chedi Hospitality proudly unveils its refreshed brand identity, marking a pivotal evolution in its legacy of crafting exceptional hospitality experiences while building upon the heritage of GHM. Under the leadership of CEO Stephan Schupbach, the group outlines ambitious plans to invigorate its portfolio. These include strengthening and reinventing its legacy brand, Chedi, expanding into private residences, and developing a new hotel brand: Serai. The transition to Chedi Hospitality reflects the groups vision to extend its expertise beyond luxury hotels, embracing a multi-faceted approach to high-end living and experiential travel. The new logo pays homage to the original meaning of Chedia place of peace deeply connected to the four elements. It uses elemental shapes to form a custom typography, harmoniously uniting to symbolise connection, shelter, and discovery. Stephan Schupbach takes the helm at Chedi Hospitality, bringing nearly four decades of leadership experience across both the owning and operator sides of the luxury hospitality industry. Recognised for his ability to drive strategic growth and pioneer brand direction, Schupbach has played a pivotal role in shaping high-profile hospitality ventures worldwide. His vision for Chedi Hospitality is to build on its legacy of excellence while expanding into new market segments, ensuring the company remains at the forefront of the evolving luxury landscape. With a strong focus on partnershipsspanning investors, developers, and industry collaboratorsSchupbach aims to position Chedi Hospitality as a dynamic force in the sector. This year, the group will unveil a series of developments across its portfolio, reinforcing its commitment to innovation, elevated service, and long-term value creation. Chedi Hospitality marks the next chapter in our storyone that honours our heritage while embracing a future of boundless possibilities. The Chedi name has long been synonymous with timeless design, exceptional service, and a deep connection to place. As we move forward, we introduce a new expression of our ethos: A Voyage Unbounda journey beyond convention, beyond borders, and into a future where every destination tells a story waiting to be discovered. Across Chedi Hotels, The Chedi Private Residences, and our new ventures, we are committed to delivering distinctive, high-value experiences that set new industry benchmarks. Together with my team who are dedicated to shaping the future of luxury hospitality, I look forward to collaborating with our partners and stakeholders to define the next chapter of Chedi Hospitality. Stephan Schupbach, CEO, Chedi Hospitality Chedi Hospitality is strategically strengthening its strongholds in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East while simultaneously extending its global reach. This approach is evidenced by recent milestones, including the opening of Chedi Hegra in AlUla, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and The Chedi Private Residences in Dubai. Further solidifying its position, Chedi Hospitality has advanced discussions for new landmark developments planned within its established regions, including Switzerland, Germany, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the Indian Ocean, alongside expansion into East Asia with forthcoming projects in Japan and China. Under Stephan Schupbachs leadership, Chedi Hospitality will remain committed to setting the benchmark for luxury travel, delivering highly personalized, enriching experiences for discerning guests. Supporting him in this endeavour is a strong leadership team, including Monica Chng leading as the Chief Financial Officer and has been with the group since 2008, playing a key role in financial planning and risk management. Leanne Reddie, with over two decades of industry expertise across luxury hotels and aviation brands, serves as Chief Commercial Officer responsible for driving sales, profitability and revenue growth. Mark Burns joins as Chief Design & Construction Officer, contributing his expertise to developing exceptional properties and ensuring that both new and ongoing developments meet Chedi Hospitalitys high-quality standards. Karim Bizid, Regional Vice President of Operations and General Manager of Chedi Muscat with extensive luxury hotel experience across the region, leads our Middle East operations. Meanwhile, Andrea Zampolini, as Vice President of Operations, will focus on enhancing the culinary and dining experiences and cultivating partnerships with exceptional food, dining and beverage operators. Rosemarie Tacorda, Vice President of Brand Communications, brings a wealth of expertise in brand strategy, public relations, and integrated marketing. Aditya Jain is the Vice President of Development, renowned for his ability to negotiate high-value partnerships and lead large-scale development projects across global markets. More details about the new services, amenities, and enhanced offerings across the portfolio will be shared in the coming months. To explore the new brand identity and more information, please visit http://www.chedihospitality.com. About Chedi Hospitality With a legacy of excellence spanning decades, Chedi Hospitalitys origins are anchored in the joy of discovery. From its earliest properties, the group has set new benchmarks by inviting discerning travellers to experience unparalleled hospitality in extraordinary, often undiscovered destinations. The sense of discovery combined with impeccably curated experiences and uncompromising comfort, remains integral to every Chedi property and further expressed in its enduring essence A Voyage Unbound, Chedi Hospitalitys invitation to embark on a personalised journey with limitless potential. Today, Chedi Hospitalitys distinguished portfolio features landmark properties such as Chedi Muscat in Oman, Chedi Andermatt in Switzerland, Chedi Al Bait, Sharjah in United Arab Emirates, Chedi Hotel & Residences Lustica Bay in Montenegro, Chedi Katara Hotel & Resort in Doha, Qatar, Chedi El Gouna on the Red Sea in Egypt, the recently opened Chedi Hegra in AlUla, Saudi Arabia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the newly launched development The Chedi Private Residences in Dubai, United Arabi Emirates. Building on this legacy, soon-to-be-announced properties will deliver impeccable immersions in standout locations across Europe, the Middle East, the US and Asia further cementing Chedi Hospitalitys reputation as a leader in luxury hospitality. Rotana, one of the leading hotel management companies in the region with over 79 properties across the Middle East, Africa, Eastern Europe, and Turkiye (MENAT), has reinforced its position as the top preferred employer, ranking among the top 5% of companies in the Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure sector in the latest Workday Peakon Employee Voice survey completed by over 433,000 employees. Over 97% of employees in Rotana Hotels, global sales offices, and their Abu Dhabi head office participated in the survey and showed an impressive result placing them above 95% of the companies utilising the Workday Peakon engagement tool. Our people are the heart of Rotana, and our strong DNA is built on fostering an environment placing people first. This validation confirms the passion and commitment of our teams to create the best working environment. Philip Barnes, CEO of Rotana As part of its people-first strategy, Rotana conducts the annual Engaged to LIFE survey with Workday Peakon, providing employees a platform to share feedback that shapes the companys workplace culture. Prioritizing engagement and wellness, Rotana strengthens its workforce, enhances productivity, and attracts top talent, reinforcing its position as a leading hospitality employer, with a Quantum Workplace report showing that engaged employees are twice as likely to stay for two years. Rotana currently operates 79 hotels across the Middle East, Africa, Eastern Europe, and Turkiye, welcoming more than six million guests annually. The companys robust pipeline includes 7,381 keys spanning six distinctive brands, featuring 32 international properties and three new hotels in the UAE. About Rotana Rotana currently manages a portfolio of over 114 operational and pipeline properties throughout the Middle East, Africa, Eastern Europe, and Turkiye, with an aggressive expansion plan in place. Rotana has chosen to acknowledge how precious time is by making all time spent in their range of hotels "Treasured Time'. This means Rotana has pledged to understand and meet the individual needs of all guests. In so doing, Rotana has evolved its product brands to include Rotana Hotels & Resorts, Centro Hotels by Rotana, Rayhaan Hotels & Resorts by Rotana, Arjaan Hotel Apartments by Rotana, Edge by Rotana, and The Residences by Rotana. Treasured Time. The Rotana promise to you. Further information on any Rotana property, its brands or reservations can be obtained by visiting rotana.com or by contacting one of the regional sales offices. SAN FRANCISCO, CA, USA - Revinate, a global leader in hospitality technology, released its highly anticipated annual Hospitality Benchmark Report. The 2025 Hospitality Benchmark Report features data from January 2024 through December 2024, consisting of over 2.4 billion emails, 23 million text messages, 24 million guest reviews, and 5.9 million calls from hotels worldwide. This is the 10th consecutive edition of the Hospitality Benchmark Report and is Revinates third consecutive year of launching a unified report encompassing various guest communication channels email, text, voice, and web. In this year's report, hoteliers will discover the true value of guest records containing email addresses and phone numbers globally and across North America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and Asia Pacific. They can also expect to see revenue data benchmarks as they adopt direct booking strategies and shift share away from OTAs. From the average booking value of reservations made through the voice channel to room nights booked from a cart abandonment campaign or after guests engage with a newsletter, the report guides hoteliers to understand the importance and value of different marketing tactics that result in direct bookings and ancillary revenues. Key findings Globally, hotels added $9.85 in revenue for every correctly captured email address and $8 for every guest phone number. Hotels in North America captured more revenue per email address and phone number. 21% of database records around the world contained an OTA-masked email, representing immense opportunities for hoteliers to unmask these guest email addresses and convert guests to direct bookers. In 2024, hoteliers globally earned an average of $941 in upsell revenue marginally more than they did in 2023. Hoteliers in North America pulled the average up by winning $1,208 in upsell revenue, compared to $836 in EMEA and $872 in APAC. With the voice channel, hoteliers in North America earned an incremental $1,748 in revenue per room per year from outbound calls. The report also includes data across hotel room counts, hotel star ratings (where applicable), and different regions within Europe and Asia Pacific. This enables hoteliers to benchmark themselves within their category, which is highly beneficial and provides them with on-point performance metrics in their region. Our 2025 Hospitality Benchmark Report was crafted to arm hoteliers with the insights needed to drive direct bookings. They can navigate trends, optimize performance, and exceed guest expectations. We're excited to provide hoteliers with detailed metrics and actionable insights to support their ongoing success. Karen Stephens, Chief Marketing Officer at Revinate The report presents an opportunity for hoteliers to translate data into action. Different sections of the report contain customer stories, best practices, and more, enabling hoteliers to unearth successful strategies and get inspiration from their peers. With these insights, hoteliers can adjust their daily business decisions to drive revenue and enhance guest satisfaction. Access the 2025 Hospitality Benchmark Report here. About Revinate Revinate is a direct booking platform that leads the hospitality industry in driving direct revenue and increased profitability. Our products and our people combine to give hoteliers the superpowers they need to crush their goals. With Revinate, hoteliers shift share away from OTAs and drive tangible results across an individual property or a portfolio. Our industry-leading, AI-powered customer data platform collects, unifies, and synthesizes data to give hoteliers a foundational advantage. Hoteliers gain critical intelligence guest lifetime spend, stay preferences, ancillary revenue, and more. With Revinate's Rich Guest Profiles data, hoteliers don't need to guess who their most profitable guests are or struggle to drive conversions across email, voice, messaging, and digital channels. Revinate's direct booking platform and omnichannel communication technology powers 950+ million Rich Guest Profiles across 12,500+ hotels to drive over $17.2 billion in direct revenue. Media Team Media team | Revinate 14156714703 View source Does innovation always need to be technology-based? Also in wellness, or in hospitality? This question comes up often during discussions with hospitality, wellness or spa colleagues. Being intrigued by the issue did a quick Google search: almost every page of the top hits Google found was referring to some sort of technological innovation. Working together with hospitality clients and running simulations with master students I believe this should not be the case. Being somewhat pedantic about the actual meaning of innovation it is insightful to see how Slone compared innovation, invention and creativity: Creativity is the capability or act of conceiving something original or unusual Invention is the creation of something that has never been made before and is recognized as the product of some unique insight. Innovation is the implementation of something new. The innovation process starts with some ideas. New ideas may or may not be turned to inventions, inventions may or may not be turned to innovations, and above all, not every idea is creative! Being Creative in Wellness Creativity has been integral part of human development and growth. Creative thinkers have been looking for new things and ways of doing things in a different way. They are curious and this curiosity often leads to creativity, which is manifested in three different ways: Thinking Differently The cognitive or thinking aspect of creativity refers to the generation of new ideas. For example thinking differently about how relaxation, e.g. moving away from passive massages to approaches that actively involve the guests in the quest for relaxation, e.g. (self) guided meditative walks in the desert Feeling Differently The affective or emotional aspect of creativity represents the way one sees the world. Such creative approach may be represented in how luxury in wellness is translated and consequently perceived. This can mean moving away from focusing on the tangible attributes, e.g. 24 carat Gold facials to approaches that put more focus on the intangible attributes, e.g. having a mud treatment out in the salt-planes whilst listening to seagulls, gazing at the clouds, and letting the mud dry naturally in the sun. Many guests will be perceiving such natural experience as utmost luxury. But of course, not all. Focusing Differently The conative or effort-based aspect of creativity represents the willpower. The conative form of creativity is not easy to be translated. For many wellness modalities guests are expected to show significant willpower or effort, e.g. to participate in a 7-day silent meditation retreat. Although most guests assume that would have the needed willpower, many may experience some degree of failure, e.g. they may break the silence early because of the emotional overload. Invention vs Innovation The most important difference between innovation and invention is the manifestation of the fundamental idea: The invention process requires the creation of an idea, whereas Innovation assumes that the idea can be turned into something real and consequently this new idea finds its way to the public as a product or as service. To make it simple the inventor comes up with the idea, whereas the innovator turns it into business and implements it. Inventing may be easier than innovation. Ideas could easily appear to be creative and suggest great outcomes and financial results. During the innovation process, however, most of these ideas may not be survive the reality check phase, e.g. could be too expensive to be implemented or to be offered on a permanent basis. Let us think no further than the favourite cartoon characters, Wallace & Gromit, and Wallaces endless inventions ! He is an inventor but none of the seemingly great ideas found their ways to implementation. However funny they were! The term innovation appears to be used a little too often both in PR articles or in website blurbs. Several hospitality brands or properties refer to their latest treatment or service as wellness innovation. Theoretically innovations require new ideas and creativity and then successful implementation. Just because a new massage bed, a new blend of essential oils or a well-established yet seemingly exotic holistic ritual is introduced to a property or to a brand that does not automatically makes it innovative. Wellness has been always part of every practices. May not have even been called wellness. People have been incorporating all sort of practices to their everyday life aiming at happiness, health, harmony, reassurance or personal growth! Most of these practices and rituals are rather simple from fasting to chanting. Other communities could easy find these practices as exotic, creative or innovative. Does this sound familiar? It is not unheard of that many of the recent rediscoveries of these traditions labelled as innovations. Creativity is based on novelty. Still, we need to keep in mind that for a baby every is new! What is traditional or well established in one community could be perceived as very creative and new in another. The discovery of the new is one of the key drivers of travel and therefore essential to hospitality, too. For example, the sauna ceremony or ritual as a product is being introduced to the North American market as a great innovation. Still, such ceremonies are staple components of any hot spring/thermal bath in every German-speaking country for many-many years. It was invented in Germany, and copied in other countries as innovation. The Flow of Innovation Innovation is a popular topic both for industry thinkers and academic researchers. I was specially inspired by Max McKeown s work on innovation. Based on his approach the below Cheat Sheet for Wellness-focused Innovation in Hospitality was created. The innovation process and the composition of required characteristics at every stage is something hospitality developers and operators should all take note of. The Magpies As we know magpies are intrinsically curious birds. They go close, check and learn. Often pick up the subject of curiosity and add that to their collection. Innovation needs strong roots in curiosity. Ideas may be collected from any domain, industry, practice or tradition. In the innovation process Magpies have an essential role. They can collect seemingly not-wellness related ideas from the arts, from the IT sector and from different cultures, etc. The key characteristic of a Magpie is the capacity of noticing ideas that may have future potential. Magpies need to be creative, intuitive, empathetic and foresighted. The Magicians The second step of the innovation process is what magicians can do. After collecting ideas with potential, the Magician transforms those ideas to something that could actually be feasible and check the ideas elasticity. Future implementation of the Magies idea may require further adaptations and modification(s) to best fit the location, the brand or the market. Cultural attributes of guests, critical geographical settings or set brand characteristics can all require some degree of elasticity during the implementation process. The key characteristics of Magicians are the capacity and skills of linking ideas with the real world. Magicians are creative as well grounded, flexible and practical. The Explorers During the next step of innovation, the Explorers investigate the potential application alternatives. They search for alternatives that can actually make a difference in terms of market presence and/or guest value generation. The idea may need to be checked in terms of its value added. The key characteristic of an Explorer is the superior understanding and anticipation of existing and latent expectations, needs and wants of various market segments. at the same time they need to be fully aware of what the hotel/resort can actually implement. The need to know the propertys and/or brands limits. Explorers are realistic, driven and result orientated. The Babysitters A good babysitter in wellness innovation lets the implemented idea grow. Do not forget that growth may not actually mean exponential and/or material growth. It could mean a more mature, streamlined, tested, crystallized version of the idea, but not necessarily more of the idea. The key characteristic of the Babysitter is having superb oversight of how the idea performs, how the organization copes with the delivery and what the idea contributes to the bottom line, to the brand or to the guests wellbeing. Babysitters are patient, understanding, as well as flexible and problem solving. Lets Innovate! Lets take the example of contrast therapies, i.e. using hot and cold modalities, e.g. saunas and steam combined with cold plunges and ice rooms. Is this a new idea in any way or form? Not really. Potentially relevant to hotels and resorts? Yes, they are. What would the Magpie, Magician, Explorer and Babysitter need to do to turn this idea innovation? Lets see some of the key tasks and questions our four innovators need to complete in a situation where the management does not want to invest in technology and equipment but wants to upgrade wellness services with something that is popular. Idea: Building on contrast(s) in wellness offering at hotel setting Magpie: Existing contrast-based approaches from thermalism to cryochambers? What does contrast mean in other domains, e.g. in arts, music, food? What is thermal taster status ? The Magpies suggestion: Explore the combination of contrasting drinks with hot/cold provision. Magician: What contrasting options may be relevant complementing existing wellness offers and infrastructure? Can the thermal taster status help with creating matching F&B to wellness provision? Magicians suggestion: Thermal tasters provide drinks offered at different temperatures aiming at different tastes and sensation. Explorer: Which foods/drinks may complement and perfect existing therapies and hot/cold room sessions? Which other departments may be involved in wellness provision based on contrasts? What is the initial reaction to the test users? Explorers suggestion: F&B creates not only colt, but also cold drinks that compliment wet spaces/thermal circuit and are offered at certain times of the day, i.e. turning a visit to the circuit a special event Babysitter: How does the protocol look like? Does it comply with brand standards? How can staff implement the protocol? Is there a seasonal variation option? Babysitters suggestion: Offering upto 3 different cold drinks with sauna and steam room sessions, and 1 hot drink after cold plunges/cold rooms at 4 different times of the day The Bottomline Wellness at hospitality setting can come in all that many ways and forms. Innovation may mean the introduction of a new wellness equipment, the creation of a signature treatment but also can mean a whole ritual that may take several hours, or even days. The results of the innovation process should be evaluated beyond financial results. This realisation is critical. In wellness it is ill advised to measure everything in numbers, e.g. TrevPARs, ADRs or other well established measures in hospitality. Whereas numerical measures would be part of KPIs, OKRs, i.e. Objectives and Key Results can shed light on rather different aspects of the results. Wellness is not easily measure by numerical variables since it is based on perceptions, feelings and emotions. Every role in the innovation process needs to understand this very nature of wellness, otherwise they would focus on something that may be important but not essential. Hospitality, wellness or spa operators tend to expect their staff to come up with innovative ideas. This expectation, however, may represent an unwelcome burden to staff. They are highly skilled professionals, but their mindset may not be geared to fit any of the four innovation roles. Make sure that in your team tasked for innovation you have a Magpie, a Magician, an Explorer as well as a Babysitter. The smallest and the simplest idea can become a well-received innovation in hospitality. Do not assume that innovation must be based on expensive technology. It may, or may not. Talk to your Magpie first, and check what shiny thing they collected! Reprinted from the Hotel Business Review with permission from www.HotelExecutive.com. Costa Irminia Retreat & Span in Sicily - Image Credit IHG Hotels & Resorts IHG Hotels & Resorts (IHG) has announced the signing of a sea-view hotel in Marina di Ragusa, Sicily, to its Vignette Collection. This is the brands's second property in Italy. IHG Hotels & Resorts, in partnership with Blu Lava Resorts (Owner) and Panoram Hotels (Management Company), has announced the launch of the Costa Irminia Retreat & Spa, Vignette Collection property in Marina di Ragusa, Sicily. This development, set to open in the second half of 2025, is the second Vignette Collection property in Italy, following the Hotel Alexandra, Vignette Collection, which is slated to open in 2026. The Vignette Collection is the newest addition to IHG's luxury and lifestyle portfolio. Within three years of its launch, the brand has already reached the halfway point in its initial goal of securing 100 open and pipeline hotels in the first decade. There are already 17 such properties in Europe, including recent signings in France, Turkey, Spain, the UK, and Hungary. The Costa Irminia Retreat & Spa, Vignette Collection in Sicily, is situated near several UNESCO World Heritage sites in the Val di Noto region, including Ragusa, Modica, and Noto, and a modern marina with over 800 berths. The property will feature a private beach club with direct access to the Mediterranean Sea, two separate swimming pools, a stylish bar, and an all-day dining restaurant. Willemijn Geels, Vice President, Development, Europe, IHG Hotels & Resorts, expressed enthusiasm for the new collaboration with Blu Lava Resorts and looks forward to creating a unique destination in one of the world's most iconic locations. Nadia Perna, Owner of Blu Lava Resorts, expressed confidence that the Vignette Collection brand would elevate the existing hotel offer in Sicily and provide an unforgettable experience that captures the essence of Italy. As of December 31, 2024, IHG Hotels & Resorts has 30 open hotels in Italy, spanning seven brands, with an additional 12 properties in the pipeline. Shared Responsibility: The Key in Addressing Overtourism - Image Credit Unsplash The issue of overtourism has become a significant concern in the travel industry. Popular destinations worldwide are consistently burdened with crowds of visitors, leading to environmental and social issues. In the face of this dilemma, travel companies, governments, and tourists have a shared responsibility to combat this problem. Travel providers such as Accor, Booking.com, and Wyndham Resorts and Hotels are aware of their crucial role in tackling overtourism. These companies understand that their choice of destinations to offer can directly contribute to overcrowding in popular spots. As Philip Halanen, head of sourcing and sustainability for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) for Wyndham Resorts and Hotels, puts it, "If they are only focused on high-demand destinations, then they are directly contributing to the problem." To address this issue, travel companies must become more proactive in promoting sustainable behaviors among travelers. Danielle DSilva, director of sustainability at Booking.com, emphasizes that travel providers should make it easier for travelers to make sustainable choices. This could include offering a wider range of sustainable options, promoting destinations that prioritize sustainability, and investing in accommodations and experiences that are mindful of their impact on the community. Furthermore, travel companies can also significantly impact the community by encouraging travelers to explore less crowded destinations. Booking.com has adopted this approach, and its sustainability program promotes accommodations that use fewer resources or manage their community impact effectively. However, the responsibility of alleviating overtourism should not rest solely on travel companies. According to Harold Goodwin, founder of ICRT Global, the issue of overtourism must also be tackled by the destinations themselves. He points to the initiative by Venice, Italy, and other governments to manage visitor numbers through entry fees. Despite these efforts, overtourism remains a complex issue that needs to be solved. Popular destinations will always attract crowds, and changing this trend is challenging. However, travel companies can play a vital role in mitigating the impact of overtourism by educating travelers, promoting less crowded destinations, and working with local authorities to adhere to specific laws and requirements. The fight against overtourism is a collective responsibility that requires the collaboration of travel companies, local governments, and the global travel community. As Halanen put it, "Its on travel companies to focus on providing more sustainable services and working with local suppliers to promote their products and services, ensuring they are continuing to benefit from tourism to their destinations." Discover more at PhocusWire. What is the best way for guests to get from Barcelona-El Prat Airport to Hotel Regina Barcelona? Hotel Regina Barcelona has parking for hotel guests so for most visitors spending time in Barcelona, renting a car for around $24/day may be the best option. This will give you the ability to get to and from Barcelona-El Prat Airport, and also give you the flexibility to get around the area. One of the more popular options today is to take a taxi or ridesharing service directly from Barcelona-El Prat Airport to the hotel. This option is often cost effective, but guests must keep a lookout for peak time rates. Chicago, IL (60637) Today Some clouds this morning will give way to generally sunny skies for the afternoon. High 93F. Winds SSW at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies this evening. Increasing clouds with periods of showers late. Low around 75F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 50%. Miami MusicTech Summit debuts Tuesday The debut of the Miami MusicTech Summit is set for this Tuesday, March 25th bringing together global music industry and tech leaders while showcasing Miamis music tech and innovation scene. Its not too late to register and join. Miami MusicTech is an offshoot of the legendary SF MusicTech that ran from 2009 2017. SFMT founders Brian and Shoshana Zisk moved from San Francisco to Miami and are restarting the conference to showcase what they found in their new home city. The one day summit at the Silverspot Cinema in Downtown Miami will be filled with actionable content and networking, but there are a few special sessions involving Hypebot family and friends worth highlighting. Miami MusicTech debuts Tuesday Fireside Chat with Fabrice Sergent & Matias Solari [10:30 AM 10:50 AM] Fabrice Sergent, co-founder and CEO of Bandsintown sits down with Matias Solari, manager of rising Latin superstar Rauw Alejandro. Startup Challenge Winners Showcase [1:30 PM 02:15 PM] The Miami Music Tech Startup Challenge (sponsored by Strm) is a startup competition to spotlight and promote early stage music tech companies while connecting them with our vibrant musictech community. Thiago Lobao Gregg Stein Brian Zisk Rishi Patel Name, Image and Legacy: Crafting a Lasting Identity in Music [2:30 PM -03:30 PM] What does it take to build a timeless music career? From brand development to nostalgic storytelling, lasting success requires strategy, vision, and adaptability. This panel of industry experts share insights Hisham Dahud ArtistPro, Creative Strategist, Electronic Artist (RIZIK) Building Communities [4:00 PM 5:00 PM] In todays digital and live music landscape, community is everything. Whether its uniting young musicians, connecting festival-goers, or helping artists build lasting relationships with their fans, engagement-driven platforms are shaping Romina Groot Groot PR Groot PR Sammy Gonzales Zeira Young Musicians Unite, Founder & CEO Young Musicians Unite, Founder & CEO Philip Butler Radiate, Founder & CEO Radiate, Founder & CEO Ritesh Patel Ticket Fairy, CEO Ticket Fairy, CEO Fabrice Sergent Bandsintown, Co-founder and Managing Partner Bandsintown, Co-founder and Managing Partner Zach Walker Shotgun, VP of Strategic Partnerships Bruce Houghton Share on: Join Symphonics Women in Music Industry Mentorship Program Join the fourth edition of Symphonics Empowered+ women in music music industry mentorship program and gain exclusive access to top industry mentors who can help propel your career. Dont miss this chance to grow and connect. Apply by March 31st! Join Symphonics Women In Music Industry Mentorship Program by Randi Zimmerman via Symphonic Blog Were very excited to officially launch the fourth edition of our Women Empowered+ mentorship program! If you missed your chance last year, heres your shot to apply and get involved this year. Heres everything you need to know below About Women Empowered+ Women Empowered+ is a mentorship program aimed at furthering the progress of women throughout the music industry. After experiencing the immense success of last years program, were looking forward to introducing new mentors to the team this year who can offer valuable guidance and advice to mentees. After the success of last years mentorship program, we are gearing up for our biggest year yet, explains Janette Berrios, VP of Corporate Marketing at Symphonic. I am incredibly grateful to and inspired by all of the new executives coming on board this year who share our dedication to lifting up the next generation of music industry leaders. I cant wait to witness all of the new relationships and opportunities that will be forged throughout this years program. In these three years, we have been able to connect over 790 women by providing support, guidance, and career growth. I am excited to see how our community continues to grow and build a network of support and friendship that knows no bounds. We remain more committed than ever to generating spaces and actions that support women in this industry. says Ana Maria Gamboa, Client Marketing & DSP Relations at Symphonic Now in its fourth year, the program to date has welcomed 700 participants and connected mentors from companies across the music industry with mentees spanning the U.S., Mexico, Latin America, South America, Europe, and Africa. Mentors and mentees will be selected and introduced to each other in April and will meet for at least one hour a month for the next six months either virtually or in person. In addition, Symphonic will host a kickoff call in April for all participants to review best practices. There will be a midpoint check-in in July to assess progress and recalibrate if necessary, as well as a final wrap-up meeting in November with all mentors and mentees to reflect on the program and what participants have learned. Interested in getting involved? Mentees from the program have gone on to work at some of the largest and most influential music companies, and their feedback has continued to be immensely positive. Were so proud to get this going for the fourth year in a row! Anyone interested in applying as a mentee can read more about the program requirements and submit their application right here. [Applications will remain open until March 31, 2025] Share on: Lee Company Awarded Cybersecurity Grant. LEE, Mass. Patriot Armored Systems, LLC, has been awarded $30,000 to enhance its cybersecurity infrastructure. The Healey-Driscoll administration and the Massachusetts Technology Collaboratives (MassTech) Center for Advanced Manufacturing (CAM) have awarded $540,473 to 20 Massachusetts-based manufacturers to upgrade their cybersecurity infrastructure. The grants were provided through the Manufacturing Cybersecurity Program (MCP), an initiative that supports small to medium-sized manufacturers across Massachusetts with capital funding to secure and improve their cybersecurity infrastructure. With the funds, participating companies will be able to invest in badge readers, network switches and security appliances such as firewalls to address gaps in security. As a result, awardees will be able to strengthen their cybersecurity defenses and operate more efficiently. "Protecting manufacturers from cybersecurity threats will ensure the Massachusetts manufacturing ecosystem remains safe, secure and competitive," said Massachusetts Economic Development Secretary Yvonne Hao. "The MCP will empower manufacturers to grow and provide opportunities to access new markets while remaining protected from threats to their operations." Launched in 2023, the MCP is a Massachusetts Manufacturing Accelerate Program (MMAP) program that allows Massachusetts manufacturers to better protect their businesses by establishing a more secure cybersecurity framework. The program also connects manufacturers with nonprofit partners to foster an ecosystem of support and collaboration. These partnerships assist manufacturers with assessments, requirements, equipment acquisition and other cybersecurity needs. By investing in critical cybersecurity upgrades, MCP helps drive business growth, increases job opportunities and strengthens the supply chain. "Through this program, CAM aims to not only help small and medium manufacturers grow, but also to become more resilient," said CAM Director Lily Fitzgerald. "MCP enables manufacturers to invest in critical infrastructure while meeting customer demand. Overall, the program is essential for strengthening and securing the broader ecosystem here in Massachusetts." Last month, CAM announced over $1 million to manufacturing projects across the state through its Massachusetts Manufacturing Innovation Initiative (M2I2), which bridges the gap between innovation and commercialization in hardtech manufacturing. To be eligible for funding for MCP, manufacturers must partner with a higher education institution, non-profit or other public or quasi-public entity to promote collaboration and ecosystem growth. The application deadline for the next round of MCP funding is Friday, June 27. Representatives from the beneficiary organizations receive their donations at a presentation held at First Congregational Church om Friday afternoon. North Adams Share the Love Campaign Surpasses Fundraising Goal NORTH ADAMS, Mass. First Congregational Church of North Adams' fourth annual "Share the Love" campaign concluded with over $9,000 raised to support local organizations serving individuals in need. "Share the Love is catching on; people are familiar with it and wish to support the organizations that we have identified," Lois Daunis of the the church's Missions Team said. The initiative raised more than $6,000, primarily from North County residents, with additional contributions from church members as far away as Indiana. The campaign's initial goal was set at $5,000, with a planned 50 percent matching contribution from the church's Missions budget. Because the community exceeded the fundraising goal, the church was able to distribute a total of $9,075. Each of the designated beneficiary organizations Berkshire Food Project, Louison House, and Greenagers at Many Forks Farm received unrestricted gifts of $3,025. Representatives from the beneficiary organizations received their donations at a presentation held at the church on Friday afternoon. Daunis said a key factor in this year's success was the implementation of new fundraising strategies and increased participation. "We tried additional strategies. We did some on-site fundraising. Plus, I think we have more people on missions, so there are just more people to get the word out," she said. The fundraising efforts included direct solicitation events organized by Heidi Peterson, with events held at Stop & Shop and at Aubuchon in Williamstown. Additionally, a raffle was conducted, featuring contributions from 18 local businesses and 60 individuals contributed to the campaign. Participating businesses included: Aubuchon, Big Y, Clark Art Institute, Berkshire Emporium, Freight Yard Pub, Images, Limited Editions, M&J's Taste of Home, Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art, Meraki Salon, Nature's Closet, Plant Connector, Provisions, Public, Roam, Stop & Shop, Unlimited Nutrition, Where'd You Get That, Wild Oats, and the Williams Shop. Daunis emphasized the increasing need for support within the community. "There's more food and housing insecurity right now than there was in the last three years, and certainly, you know, with the SNAP and WIC cuts coming, I imagine Berkshire Food Project, Louison House, and the pantry are going to get hit harder with folks in need," she said. "Certainly, Louison House and Berkshire Food Project have seen an increase in their numbers." Daunis added that Greenagers and Many Forks Farm are new beneficiaries of the program. "We just wanted to identify a youth-serving organization in Northern Berkshires that's doing good things. And Many Forks Farm, they provide [food] shares," she said. Along with the newly released realme 14 Series 5G, realme Philippines is stepping up with three new premium audio devices built especially for the Squad - the realme Buds Air7, realme TechLife Studio H1, and the realme Buds T200 Lite. The realme Buds Air7, realme TechLife Studio H1, and realme Buds T200 Lite are now available at official realme stores nationwide This lineup complements any lifestyle, from long road trips, beachside chill sessions, or even intense gaming nights with friends; theres a pair for every kind of listener, making them the accessory of choice for the new realme 14 Series 5G. Noise off, Music on with realme Buds Air7 for P2,999 For those who want to block out distractions and fully immerse in their music, the realme Buds Air7 are the buds of choice to escape the noise. From bustling airports, crowded malls, and busy gyms, the 52dB Smart Active Noise Cancellation drowns out ambient noise to let the music take center stage. This allows users to focus on studying, working out, or lounging at a park. It is also paired with a 6-mic noise cancellation system, making it easy to take calls and meetings even in public. These buds also have Hi-Res Audio Certification for crisp and dynamic audio quality. For those who are always on the go, the realme Buds Air7 is made to keep up because a quick 10-minute charge delivers 10 hours of playback while a full charge ensures 52 hours of non-stop listening, more than enough to fuel road trips and international flights. Available in the elegant shades of Ivory Gold and Moss Green, the realme Buds Air7 combines effortless style with unstoppable performance. Pure Studio Sound with realme TechLife Studio H1 for P3,299 For those who demand a premium, studio-quality listening experience, realme's first-ever headphones, the realme TechLife Studio H1, are in a league of their own. Designed for audiophiles who are passionate about creating and feeling the music, these headphones offer Hi-Res Audio Certification and LDAC support, delivering depth, clarity, and true-to-life sound. The Squad can recreate the feeling of a front-row concert experience or a private studio session with their favorite artists right in the comfort of their own space. Theres also 43dB Hybrid Active Noise Cancellation with three adjustable levels that allow perfect balance. Whether you want complete silence in a noisy environment or just the right background noise, these headphones adapt to your surroundings for the perfect balance of isolation and awareness. At the same time, the realme TechLife Studio H1 sets a new benchmark for battery life with an astonishing 70 hours of use. Thats nearly three days of continuous listening, making them the ultimate choice for long-haul days. The Squad can get these premium headphones now at select realme stores nationwide. Feel the beat with realme Buds T200 Lite for P1,099 The realme Buds T200 Lite brings energy with a 12.4mm Dynamic Bass Driver that elevates the listening experience. From late-night bonfires to high-energy workouts, the Squad will feel the bass in every beat. The Dual-Device Connection feature makes switching between devices easier, eliminating the hassle of constantly disconnecting and reconnecting. And with 48-hour battery life, the realme Buds T200 Lite is a must-have for the long summer days ahead. The realme Buds Air7, realme TechLife Studio H1, and realme Buds T200 Lite are now available at all official realme stores nationwide. For the Squad looking to complete the experience, theres still time to grab the realme 14 Series 5G and get a free TechLife Bluetooth Speaker 2 until March 30 only while supplies last. To keep posted on the latest news and announcements from realme, visit the brands official website, and follow its Facebook page. Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice George Clooney, the 63-year-old Hollywood star known for leading roles in romantic films like One Fine Day and Ticket to Paradise, has declared he is stepping back from the genre. I'm not doing romantic films anymore, Clooney stated, explaining he's not trying to compete with 25-year-old leading men. Clooney is currently captivating Broadway audiences in Good Night, And Good Luck, in which he portrays journalist Edward R. Murrow. The play dramatises Murrows clash with Senator Joseph McCarthy during the "Second Red Scare", a period of intense anti-communist sentiment. The production adapts the 2005 Oscar-nominated film of the same name, which Clooney directed. Commenting on the current state of government-press relations, Clooney expressed concern over the use of government to scare or fine, or use corporations to make journalists smaller. Governments dont like the freedom of the press, they never have. And that goes for whether you are a conservative or a liberal or whatever side youre on. They dont like the press. George Clooney praises Joe Biden for dropping out of presidential race The lifelong Democrat also discussed his request, in 2024, for former president Joe Biden to step down from the race for the White House after he stumbled over his words when he faced now-President Donald Trump during a televised debate. I was raised to tell the truth, he said. I had seen the president up close for this fundraiser, and I was surprised. And so, I feel as if there was a lot of cowardice in my party, through all of that, and I was not proud of that, and I also believed I had to tell the truth. Speaking about his career, he added: Look, Im 63 years old. Im not trying to compete with 25-year-old leading men. Thats not my job. Im not doing romantic films anymore. He added: There isnt a single actor alive that wouldnt have loved to have gone on Broadway. So thats the fun of it. Its tricky the older you get. But why not? Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The Russo Brothers have revealed that they first turned down the offer to direct both Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars, as well as who was behind Robert Downey Jrs return to the franchise as Doctor Doom. In a new interview, Joe Russo said that it was the Marvel CEO Kevin Feiges idea to bring Downey back as Doctor Doom after his heroic death as Iron Man in 2019s Avengers: Endgame. That was Kevin, he told Omelete. Interestingly enough about that, that conversation was had a while ago. Robert [Downey Jr] tried to talk us into doing it and we said, No. We just didn't have a story. We didn't have a way in, right? We were resistant for a while. And then one day [Endgame writer] Steve McFeely, who's one of our key collaborators, said, I have an idea. And we went, Thats the story. That story has to be told. It's a really powerful story. open image in gallery Robert Downey Jr at the Marvel Studios Panel during 2024 Comic-Con International ( Getty Images ) open image in gallery Kevin Feige, Joe Russo, Robert Downey Jr. and Anthony Russo during the Marvel Studios Panel at SDCC ( Getty Images for Disney ) Joe and Anthony Russo previously directed some of the Marvel Cinematic Universes most popular and highest-grossing films like Endgame, which made $2.79bn worldwide, Avengers: Infinity War in 2018, Captain America: The Winter Soldier in 2014, and Captain America: Civil War in 2016. Downeys portrayal as Victor Von Doom, which was announced at at ComicCon last year, will not be the first the character appears in the MCU, as Julian McMahon first played the role in 2005s Fantastic Four, which also starred Ioan Gruffudd as Reed Richards, Jessica Alba as Sue Storm, Chris Evans as Johnny Storm, and Michael Chiklis as Ben Grimm. There is very little information on Avengers: Doomsday available except that Downey is playing the titular villain, and the Russos intend to give nothing else away. The one thing I will say about the movie is this: we love villains who think they're the heroes of their own stories. That's when they become three-dimensional and when they become more interesting. And when you have an actor like Robert Downey, you have to create a well-shaped three-dimensional character for the audience, Joe Russo said. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 day New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled. Try for free ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 day New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled. Try for free ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent. Avengers: Doomsday is set to hit theatres in 2026, while the Fantastic Four reboot hits theatres this July. open image in gallery The Fantastic Four: First Steps stars Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, and Joseph Quinn as the heroic quartet ( Marvel Studios ) The Fantastic Four: First Steps stars Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, and Joseph Quinn as the heroic quartet, with British actor Ralph Ineson as the villain Galactus and Julia Garner as the Silver Surfer. At the time of Downeys casting announcement, the Russo brothers said it was made possible due to the multiverse a series of different worlds featuring characters old and new, which makes unlimited possibilities available. This suggests that Downey will be playing a villainous variant of Tony Stark/Iron Man. Its believed this idea was thought up after the axing of Jonathan Majors from the MCU; his character Kang the Destroyer was originally meant to be the primary villain in a forthcoming Avengers film. 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 John Leguizamo, who is starring in Christopher Nolans forthcoming film adaptation of The Odyssey, has shared that while the director has a crazy budget, he runs the production like an indie filmmaker. An adaptation of Homers epic Greek poem, The Odyssey will star Matt Damon playing the leading role of Odysseus. While it is still not known who is playing the other characters, the all-star cast includes Tom Holland, Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyongo, Anne Hathaway, and Charlize Theron. In the original poem, Odysseus, king of the Greek island of Ithaca, embarks on a long journey home after the end of the Trojan War. However, his odyssey proves perilous as he meets numerous threats and mythological creatures on his way. In a recent interview, Leguizamo talked about filming The Odyssey with the Oppenheimer director, saying he brings a very indie feel to the massive production. Dude, you know the thing is, okay hes got a crazy budget, its not small, but he runs [it] like an indie film because hes not doing it by committee, hes not doing it by what the studio says, Leguizamo said on MSNBCs Morning Joe. Hes like an indie filmmaker but with crazy money. According to Universal Pictures, the film is a mythic action epic shot across the world using brand new Imax film technology. The film brings Homers foundational saga to Imax film screens for the first time. According to multiple reports by US publications, The Odyssey is set to be the most expensive film of Nolans career, with a $250m budget. His previous feature Oppenheimer, which won seven awards at the Oscars, was made on a $100m budget and his most expensive film to date has been The Dark Knight Rises, made on a $250m budget. open image in gallery Christopher Nolan, winner of the best directing award and the best picture award for 'Oppenheimer' during the 96th Annual Academy Awards ( Getty Images ) The Odyssey will partially be filmed on the island of Favignana in Sicily, where scholars say Homer based a portion of Ulysses journey in his 8th century BCE epic. Favignana is understood to be the place where Homer wrote that Ulysses and his crew landed, collected food, and barbecued goats in the tale. It is part of the Egadi archipelago off of Sicilys north west coast. 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. Other filming locations will include the UK and Morocco. Earlier in February, The Odyssey was hit with criticism for allegedly rewriting history, after the studio released a first look picture of Damon as Odysseus. open image in gallery The Odyssey was hit with criticism for allegedly rewriting history, after the studio released a first look picture of Damon as Odysseus ( Universal Pictures ) In the picture, Damon is seen wearing a cape, wrist armour, and a traditional Spartan helmet topped with a red plume, which has generated controversy, with several people on X pointing out that it differs from what is described in the original text. The Iliad literally describes Odysseus wearing a kino leather helmet adorned with boar tusks, but Hollywood can never resist the siren song of the generic ancient broom helmet. This helmet is like cocaine to costume designers, wrote a user named @witte_sergei. They additionally shared a screenshot of the relevant passage from book 10 which reads: And Meroiones gave to Odysseus a bow and a quiver and a sword, and about his head he set a helm wrought of hide, and with many tight-stretched thong was it made stiff within, while without the white teeth of a boar of gleaming tusks were set on this side and that. The Odyssey will be released in theatres on 17 July 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 People loved The Office, which was a big problem, says Ricky Gervais in an exclusive interview with The Independent, recalling the unusual but flattering issue facing its much-loved American counterpart, which turns 20 today. All of the people who knew The Office, loved The Office, and they were the industry. People were assuming [the remake] was going to be hated. When it comes to bringing British telly to the US, the track record hasnt been great. Blighty classics such as Spaced, The Vicar of Dibley, This Country and even Taskmaster have each had a punt at Stateside success; all were swiftly and unceremoniously cancelled. So when Gervais and The Office co-creator Stephen Merchant got a call from TV producer Ben Silverman saying he wanted to adapt their drab workplace mockumentary for an American crowd, expectations were immediately low. Id seen 30 years of every single remake failing, says Gervais. Some were pulled after the first episode, because advertising was so important. Theyd just kill it. [But] I thought Why not? Ive got nothing to lose, nothing to beat. Itll be fun. Merchant, a longtime mega-fan of the all-American sitcom, had a similar attitude. The idea of an American version always seemed exciting to me, he tells me, highlighting his love of US classics like M.A.S.H, Roseanne and Cheers. But when it first got mooted, there had been such a lack of success in remaking British shows that I was a little circumspect about what our chances were, but at the same time, I was enthusiastic. Released on BBC Two in 2001, the original was a homegrown hit, amassing Baftas and Emmy wins year on year. Abroad, too, there were whispers of this brilliant British comedy about a Slough-based paper company you simply had to see. In writers rooms across America, Gervaiss agonisingly cringy boss David Brent became a word-of-mouth hit. Likewise, his employees: office lovebirds Tim (Martin Freeman) and Dawn (Lucy Davis), and by-the-book military mind Gareth (Mackenzie Crook). From the outset, though, both Merchant and Gervais knew they shouldnt be the ones to bring The Office to the US. I always felt it was important we didnt try to do it ourselves, admits Merchant, explaining why they chose to pass the baton to a new team. You think you know America because were so consumed by it, but we really dont. Theres so many little nuances about American life and particularly office life, he adds, pointing to British traditions like pub quizzes and Gareths precious Territorial Army that dont quite translate. Wed have been trying to replicate ours too closely and wouldnt have got it right. We had to choose showrunners and we saw the cream of American producers and directors, adds Gervais. It was embarrassing that I was choosing from people who had done 1,000 times more than me. Theyd worked on everything from Cheers to King of the Hill. Among them was Greg Daniels, a softly spoken American screenwriter whose previous credits included Saturday Night Live and The Simpsons. They couldve all done a great job but Greg was the only one who went on about how important Tim and Dawns story was, continues Gervais. He knew romance was an important element, agrees Merchant. open image in gallery Threes a crowd: Steve Carell, John Krasinski, and Rainn Wilson in character as Michael, Jim, and Dwight in The Office ( NBC Universal ) Before Daniels could get to that, however, he first had to find Americas David Brent or as hed be renamed in the US version, Michael Scott, Manager of the Scranton branch of the Dunder Mifflin Paper Company. Initially, Silverman thought Gervais could fit the bill, but the Brent Meister General had other ideas. 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. Before we cast, [Silverman] called me and said Why dont you play Michael Scott? I said, That is mental. It makes no sense at all, laughs Gervais. Why would I do it? The reason The Office resonated was because it was made in England for English people. Its got to be made by Americans for Americans. At the end of the day, Gervais says, the real reason he declined was because he didnt want to move to America for seven years and work five days a week, doing 14 hours a day. Id have been crying after the first 22 episodes, asking Dwight [Rainn Wilson] to murder me, he jokes. As it turns out, Gervais did have someone in mind who he thought could play the role quite well. Before all this happened, someone asked me, If they did an American remake, who would I have [play Brent] and I said Bruno Kirby, now no longer with us, reveals Gervais. Id seen him in City Slickers and he was also in Good Morning Vietnam playing the bore who thought he was funnier than Robin Williams. I thought that was just beautiful. open image in gallery Ricky Gervais as David Brent in the Slough-based The Office the co-creator rejected the idea of playing Michael Scott in the US version ( BBC ) Ultimately, it was The Daily Shows Steve Carell who nabbed the role, but many others came close. Bob Odenkirk wouldve been brilliant, says Merchant, recalling a selection process that saw the Breaking Bad stand-out make the Michael Scott shortlist. Its interesting. Initially, he didnt seem to have the immediate warmth that Carell [had], or certainly not then. Yet, when youve seen him in things like Better Call Saul, its all there. Its hard to know, he says. It wouldve been equally good but sometimes when youre casting, you can feel when its the right person. And that person was, without a shadow of a doubt, Carell. So was there a Brent handover process? Gervais insists there wasnt. In fact, Carell actively tried to avoid his British counterpart. When Steve got the job he said, I have to stop watching it so I dont do an impression of you, Gervais says, because once you see Brents tics, theyre irresistible looking awkward, saying nothing and looking at the camera. Merchant recalls similar worries. He was quite cautious about not trying to replicate Ricky. The more he got into the role, the more the shadow of Rickys performance disappeared. By the second series, hed got into a groove of his own and was able to inhabit the character in the way Ricky had. open image in gallery The gangs all here: Mindy Kaling, Brian Baumgartner, Ellie Kemper, and Kate Flannery in The Office ( NBC ) Elsewhere, Daniels saw a whos who of up-and-coming talent to fill out the Scranton branch. I remember John Krasinksi [who played Tim, the American equivalent of Jim] was incredibly enthusiastic and a fan of the original, remembers Merchant. He understood the character and what Martin Freeman had done and was effortlessly sweet and charming. He was such a fan, he went unprompted to the real [Scranton] to film some footage. That footage in the shows opening credits was shot by Krasinski. I was worried about Dwight. I thought he was too over the top but then that just settled in and worked with the show because the show was bigger as well Ricky Gervais But while Brent had to be softened for US consumption (They had to make him a little nicer, better at the job, more positive and a little less dark, says Gervais), the character of Gareth risked becoming too broad. I was worried about Dwight, admits Gervais, commenting on the office authoritarian, played by Wilson. I thought he was too over the top, but then that just settled in and worked with the show because the show was bigger as well. Merchant agrees, adding that at first theres a theatricality to the performance, but as you watch it, hes just able to make it rich. Despite a rocky start that almost saw the show cancelled after its first season, the US iteration of The Office ended up running for nine beloved seasons, seven with Carell as boss. They evolved him very nicely. Towards the end of his time there, youre rooting for him and want him to be happy, smiles Merchant. We couldnt have begrudged Steve for leaving because we were so lucky to have had him for so many great episodes. I suspected itd be tricky for them to carry on, but by that point, you can write a character out and the juggernaut keeps moving. open image in gallery Bears, beets, Battlestar Galactica: Rainn Wilson as Dwight Schrute in The Office ( Nbc-Tv/Kobal/Shutterstock ) When they were recruiting for the new boss[eventually played by Will Ferrell], they said itd be nice if I apply for the job [in character as Brent], says Gervais on his long-awaited crossover cameo. Was there ever talk of him taking over after Carell left? There was. I dont know if it ever got to NBC calling anyone or if it was more just press and the shows fanbase,he says, adding with a laugh. Then, when I wasnt in it, people said, Ricky auditioned and didnt get the part. Thats fiction. Looking back 20 years on, both creators are able to appreciate the extended universe birthed from their Slough-based story. I imagine most Americans dont know about the English show but the good thing is, I get credit for both, Gervais chuckles. Theres our version and this brilliant cover version. They share many of the same elements but theyre both different, offers Merchant. Im extremely proud of the American one and if Im flicking through TV and its on, Ill watch it as a fan, he smiles. I can see it from a distance and enjoy it like anyone else. 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 Stuart Withers, an antiques seller featured on the BBCs Bargain Hunt, died shortly after filming a new episode. The broadcaster announced the news on X/Twitter, shortly after airing the episode in Shepton Mallet, Somerset. Following the filming of today's episode in Shepton Mallet, antiques seller Stuart Withers very sadly passed away, said the official Bargain Hunt account. We send our sincerest sympathies and condolences to Mr Withers' family and friends. The cause of death has not been disclosed. Fans of the show shared tributes to Withers on social media, with one person writing: So very sad just watched this episode now, offering my condolences." Stuart Withers (left) on 'Bargain Hunt' ( BBC ) Witherss death comes just weeks after the passing of Michael Baggott, an antiques dealer who featured on the BBC series Flog It!. The news was confirmed in a statement on his X/Twitter account, with the BBC subsequently paying tribute on social media. Heartbroken to share that Michael died yesterday in hospital of a heart attack following a stroke in October, the statement read. He was a dearly loved son, brother, nephew and uncle who will be deeply and profoundly missed. Baggott appeared on the BBCs popular antiquing series Flog It!, offering expertise around antique British silver, boxes and early spoons. Rob Unsworth, head of BBC daytime and early peak commissioning, described Baggott as one of Flog It's most memorable characters, expert in all manner of collectables, and who had an unrivalled knowledge and enthusiasm for antique spoons and silver. "Though the series hasn't been in production for several years, we hope Michael's family can take comfort from how much viewers have continued to enjoy his appearances on this ever-popular show, he added. 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 Freddie McClendon, the 19-year-old son of Davis McClendon, whose brutal 2023 murder was the subject of a recent 48 Hours episode, has become the latest American Idol contestant to be sent through to Hollywood. During Sundays episode of the popular singing competition series, Freddie impressed the judging panel with a powerful and moving performance of an original song dedicated to his father. My dad was killed about a year ago, in May 2023, and it became a national and statewide news story. And everyone was focusing on his death, and I wanted to tell the story of his life, Freddie told judges Lionel Ritchie, Luke Bryan, and Carrie Underwood in the audition room. I wrote [this] about my dad. It tells the story of my dads life, he shared of the song titled You Never Loved Him. With lyrics like: We never got to see him one last time / We never got to tell him goodbye / We never got the chance to even try to warn him that you had lost your mind, the song left the judges impressed. Thank you for bringing that and sharing your heart, Underwood said to Freddie through tears. And its so brave of you to decide that you want to choose the narrative. That you want to remember him, not what happened, but him. open image in gallery Everyone was focusing on his death, and I wanted to tell the story of his life, Freddie McClendon told American Idol judges ( ABC ) Bringing out his mother and two sisters to stand with him, Freddie earned three emphatic yeses and a golden ticket to Hollywood on season 22 of American Idol. Who was Davis McClendon, and what happened to him? McClendon was a 46-year-old divorcee and father of three who worked as a marketing director of a South Carolina living facility and retirement community. open image in gallery Davis McClendon was intentionally hit and killed by his girlfriend's estranged husband in May 2023 ( ABC ) He was found dead on May 7, 2023, in what authorities initially suspected was an accidental hit-and-run. However, upon further investigation, his death was ruled a homicide. 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. Before his tragic death, McClendon had been on a date with his girlfriend Meredith Haynie. Haynie told authorities that after their date, McClendon had been on his way to meet with her estranged husband, Bud Ackerman. Speaking to 48 Hours anchor Anne-Marie Green, Haynie said that Ackerman had been upset about her relationship with McClendon. She said Ackerman accused her of cheating, despite their divorce being weeks away from being finalized, and recalled Ackerman calling McClendon to tell him to back off until the divorce was official. At the crime scene, investigators discovered a trail of car oil left behind. When they went to speak to Ackerman at his parents house, they noticed oil leaking from his car and a crack in the grille. It was later determined that McClendon had been standing outside his car when Ackerman drove up and hit him. The case went to trial in 2024, with Ackerman claiming that it was dark and he hadnt seen McClendon when he hit him. However, a jury found him guilty of intentionally mowing down McClendon and sentenced him to 45 years in prison. In addition to Freddie, McClendon left behind two daughters. Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The Independent understands that Prince Harry has not been approached by Netflix to make a three-part documentary series about the death of his mother, Princess Diana, despite earlier reports. Over the weekend, U.K. tabloids suggested the proposed documentary marking the 30th anniversary of Dianas death would form part of a new long-term deal with the Sussexes. Harry and Meghan Markles five-year, $100 million partnership with Netflix, established in 2020, is scheduled to expire later this year. Citing a senior Hollywood source, the Daily Express reported that the three-part documentary would air in 2027, 30 years after Dianas 1997 death following a car crash in Paris. The idea is that it would be a solo project for Harry, who would be a co-executive producer as well as hosting and narrating the series, the source told the paper. He is uniquely placed, not only to talk about the woman he knew as his mother, but also to examine her role as an enduring social and cultural icon still beloved by so many. However, a source close to the Sussexs partnership with Netflix tells The Independent that the report is not true. No further comment was provided. Prince Harrys mother Princess Diana died in a car crash in 1997, almost 30 years ago ( Getty Images ) The report of a new deal came hot on the heels of Meghans divisive new Netflix series, With Love, Meghan, which was released on March 4. The lifestyle show follows Meghan as she unveils her repertoire of hosting and cooking tips inside her Montecito, California kitchen with A-list guests including The Office star Mindy Kaling. 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. Amid widespread criticism of the series, Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos stepped in to defend the royal. Sarandos, head of the streaming service since 2020, also spoke about the companys stake in the relaunch of the Duchess of Sussexs lifestyle brand, As Ever. Were a passive partner in Meghans company, and its a big discovery model for us right now, he told Variety. When asked what motivated him to bet on Meghan, Sarandos said: I think Meghan is underestimated in terms of her influence on culture... People are fascinated with Meghan Markle. She and Harry are overly dismissed. The Independent gave Meghans show a one-star review, calling it queasy and exhausting. The second season of With Love, Meghan is coming this fall and has already finished filming, according to Netflix. Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Ricky Gervais has finally addressed rumours that he auditioned to replace Steve Carrell in the US version of his hit sitcom, The Office. Speaking to The Independent for the 20th anniversary of the much-loved series, Gervais, who co-created the original British version with Stephen Merchant, spoke about transforming the Slough-based workplace mockumentary into a hit American comedy. Launched in 2005, The Office US cast Steve Carell as Michael Scott, regional manager of the Dunder Mifflin Paper Company and the series equivalent of Gervaiss David Brent. It ran for nine wildly popular seasons; however, Carell exited at the tail end of season seven, saying he wanted to spend more time with his family. When they were recruiting for the new boss [eventually played by Will Ferrell], they said itd be nice if I apply for the job [in character as Brent], Gervais told The Independent. Asked if there was talk of him replacing Carell after he left, Gervais responded: There was. I dont know if it ever got to NBC calling anyone or if it was more just press and the shows fan base. Ricky Gervais (pictured in 2017) revealed he never auditioned to play Michael Scott in the US version of The Office ( Getty ) However, when he failed to appear in the US series, some suggested that he had auditioned and failed to get the part. Thats fiction, Gervais clarified. Elsewhere in the interview, Gervais shed light on his decision to turn down the role of Michael Scott before Carell was cast. Before we cast, [producer] Ben [Silverman] called me and said Why dont you play Michael Scott? I said, That is mental. It makes no sense at all. 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 would I do it? The reason The Office resonated was because it was made in England for English people. Its got to be made by Americans for Americans, Gervais said. Merchant also revealed who else was in the running to play Scott. Bob Odenkirk wouldve been brilliant, he told The Independent. Its interesting. Initially, he didnt seem to have the immediate warmth that Carell [had], or certainly not then. Yet, when youve seen him in things like Better Call Saul, its all there. Its hard to know. It wouldve been equally good but sometimes when youre casting, you can feel when its the right person. Carells performance ultimately earned him widespread acclaim - including six Emmy Award nominations. The Office US was such a success that Gervais believes most Americans dont know about the English show. Theres our version and this brilliant cover version, he said. 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 Rosie ODonnell has said there should be an investigation after she questioned how Donald Trump comfortably won every swing state in the 2024 US election, claiming that one of his best friends owns and runs the internet. The 63-year-old comedian recently left the US and moved to Ireland after Trump's return to the White House, which the star says has helped improve her health and sleep. During an appearance on RTEs The Late Late Show on Friday (21 March) ODonnell, who has a long-running feud with Trump, raised her suspicions about Trumps resounding victory in November. Speaking to host Patrick Kielty, ODonnell questioned why Trump won every single swing state adding that one of the presidents best friends is a man who owns and runs the internet. While she never specifically named Elon Musk, ODonnell was likely referring to the head of DOGE. She added: I would hope that would be investigated and that we would see whether or not it was an anomaly or something else that happened on election night in America when Kamala Harris was filling up stadiums with people who supported her and Donald Trump was not able to do that. So its curious to me, and as an American and a believer in democracy, I would hope that we would be able to look at all of the reasons why this happened in our country. Continuing, ODonnell criticised the recent major changes that Trump has made to the government. He disbanded the Department of Education, and I have a child who has autism and that child will be denied services and many, many autistic children because the funding for these programs for special needs children comes from the federal government as well as the states, she said. Rosie ODonnell ( Getty Images ) And its going to be disastrous for children on the spectrum. And that was terrifying. But the biggest reason that it was different than the first time he was in office is because of the Supreme Court giving him ultimate power, the powers of a king or a monarch. And thats not what the United States is all about. And its a terrifying prospect. And in fact, what has happened since hes taken office has been terrifying, I think for the world and definitely for the United States of America. The former View host also called Conor McGregors visit to the White House very depressing, remarking that its very strange that the president of the United States has so many friends who are sexual abusers. McGregor, a successful MMA fighter, visited the White House months after an Irish High Court ruled in a civil case that he had assaulted and raped a woman in 2018. 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. ODonnell moved to Dublin in January, later confirming that she and her 12-year-old adopted daughter, Dakota, relocated only five days before Donald Trump took office as the 47th US President. Days before announcing her move, ODonnell hinted about the big change on Instagram. She posted a photo of herself behind the wheel of a car, indicating in the caption that she wasnt in the US. Bought a little used car to tool around the countryside on the wrong side of the road," she wrote in the caption of her post, as reported by People. "Hit the curb three times thought I hit a cat !!! #newadventures. Her post included a picture of Dakota in the backseat of the car next to her backpack. ODonnell also mentioned in the caption that she was taking her child to school and that she couldnt wait to walk to school with Dakota. 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 You know that discourse around toxic masculinity is reaching the heart of the mainstream when it starts underpinning primetime crime dramas. And while the conflicted emotional openness of Liverpudlian gangster Michael Kavanagh (James Nelson-Joyce) isnt the dominant theme of the BBCs gripping new Sunday night thriller This City is Ours, it is a distinct subplot. Michael, as the opening episode makes clear, would still beat you to death, wrap your body in a tarpaulin and dump you in a lake if the circumstances demanded it. But he would probably be worrying about his reproductive capacities (Not only have I got a low sperm count, but the fellas Im firing cant even swim) and pondering the feelings of his partner as she began a course of IVF as he did so. Can this hint of submerged sensitivity survive a gangland season in hell? Michael, it becomes clear, is good at compartmentalising. Hes built a cocaine empire with his boss Ronnie (Sean Bean; a Yorkshireman puzzlingly adrift in a sea of Scousers). Michael runs the ground game ruthlessly, but utilises his milder, shrewder side when negotiating with his firms continental contacts. And hes every inch the expressive, affectionate new man in his relationship with Diana (Hannah Onslow), a woman who otherwise seems alienated by her surroundings, floundering at the point of overlap between Michaels violent paranoid professional world and his less violent but equally paranoid matrix of personal relationships. The inconvenient thing about organised crime gangs is you cant really trust them, even when theyre your mates. Certain versions of masculinity particularly those tied up with power and money are immune to the slightest suggestion of change. This City is Ours dramatises the explosive results when these contexts collide. Why dont you just walk away? asks Diana plaintively. If only it were that simple. All of a sudden, things arent looking good for Michael. Despite his essential unreliability contrasting unfavourably with Michaels ruthless competence, Ronnies son Jamie is forging ahead in the succession stakes, as Ronnie begins to consider sacking it all off and heading for the Costa Del Wirral. And worse still, theres a rat in the organisation. Michael has an idea who it might be. He also has the gangs suppliers in his corner touchingly, they seem charmed by him having bothered to learn a smattering of Spanish and the fact he shows them Dianas IVF scans. But as far as Ronnie is concerned, blood is thicker than water. So it seems that while Michael cant readily walk away, he cant easily stick around either. Cue a narrative that simmers with menace, the jeopardy growing with each evasion and betrayal. Up to now, Nelson-Joyce has mainly played intimidating but one-dimensional bad boys. He has loomed, sneered, and scowled convincingly, and that has been enough. His performance as Johnno, the terrifying nemesis of Sean Beans tormented prisoner in Jimmy McGoverns 2021 drama Time, was fairly typical. This role, though, asks a lot more of him. Happily, he delivers. Theres plenty about these gangsters that feels familiar; even cliched. The boss, with his studied avuncularity, flashes of rage and quasi-religious attitude towards family loyalty. His underlings, poised like coiled springs in their flash docklands apartments, waiting for signs of weakness. But the relationship between Michael and Diana elevates the piece. To the credit of both actors, it feels real. This realness manifests as vulnerability, and it raises the narrative stakes considerably. Even as shes longing to have his children, Diana is constantly trying to decide if her love for Michael is worth the risks. The other women within the organisation distrust the apparent purity of the couples relationship its a note of depth in a superficial world and as such, its a reproach too. For all the toxicity around them, Diana has sensed something tender in Michael. At one point, shes cornered at a family christening by Saoirse-Monica Jacksons slightly despairing Cheryl. Theres nothing good about our men, she warns drunkenly; her face suggests she has learnt this fact the hard way. Diana isnt quite ready to accept this verdict and its this battle not for a criminal empire but for a relationship that gives the series a distinctive tone. At one point, Diana asks Michael if hes ever killed anyone. Is that a dealbreaker? he responds, guardedly. Not necessarily, it seems. But maybe it should be. And the looks on their faces suggest they both know it. In a world of boilerplate crime dramas populated by cookie-cutter criminals, this willingness to embrace moral ambivalence prevents This City is Ours from feeling like more of the same. 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 When Liu Xings beloved cat passed away after 15 years by her side, she couldnt bear the thought of life without him. Instead of saying goodbye to her pet forever, she turned to science. After investing nearly 140,000 (14,941) in cloning her cat Tomcat, she welcomed a nearly identical version of her late pet, whom she named Little Tomcat. It was worth every penny, she told The South China Morning Post. Liu Xing is far from alone. A growing number of pet owners in China are turning to cloning as a way to extend their bonds with their furry companions. Once an idea confined to the pages of science fiction, pet cloning is now an established business, fuelled by deep emotional attachments, advancing biotechnology, and a pet market that is expanding at an unprecedented rate. The rise of pet cloning in China is taking place alongside an unprecedented pet boom. As of last year, the countrys urban pet supplies market reached a staggering 300.2bn (32bn), marking a 7.5 per cent increase year-on-year, reported The Global Times. The number of urban pets climbed to 124 million and is expected to surge further, with the market predicted to hit 400bn (42.6bn) by 2027, according to the China Pet Industry White Paper 2025. Despite government efforts to increase the countrys fertility rate, pets now outnumber young children in China. In 2024, China officially had more pets than children under the age of four, according to a Goldman Sachs report cited by Xinhua News Agency. The report estimated that one in every eight urban residents in China now owns a pet, underscoring the countrys changing demographics and lifestyle preferences. open image in gallery In 2024, China officially had more pets than children under the age of four ( AFP via Getty Images ) Liu Xiaoxia, deputy secretary-general of the Pet Industry Branch of the China Animal Agriculture Association, cited the changing nature of Chinese pastimes, spending patterns, demographic changes, and rise in disposable income in urban areas to account for the rise in the number of pets. Pets used to be kept for guarding homes and other practical purposes. Now, they're taking on more humanised roles, valued for emotional interaction and companionship. Their deep integration into people's daily lives also led to an explosive growth in consumption, Liu told The Global Times. Cloning a pet however, doesnt come cheap. One of the industry leaders, Sinogene, charges around $40,000 (30,946) for a cat and $50,000 (38,683) for a dog, according to a report in Nikkei Asia. Sinogenes website offers customers the change to get your friends [back]. A section about dog cloning pledges to help you keep your canine companion's spirit alive. The process involves taking a skin sample from the original pet, inserting its DNA into a donor egg, and implanting the embryo into a surrogate mother. The result: a genetically identical twin, born months or even years after the original pet has passed away. Despite the high cost, demand is growing. In recent years, discussions about pet cloning on Chinese social media have garnered over 460 million views, reflecting intense public curiosity and debate. Several companies now offer the service, and pet owners willing to pay the price often see cloning as the ultimate act of devotion. open image in gallery Laboratory personnel checking a surrogate mother dog with an ultrasound machine at the Chinese company Sinogene ( AFP via Getty Images ) While cloning is sold as a scientific way to reunite with a lost pet, the process is not without controversy. Animal rights activists have argued that surrogate mothers used in cloning undergo unnecessary suffering, calling the practice cruel and unethical. Sinogene says its process preserves all the unique traits that make your dog irreplaceable, including temperament, intelligence, and physical appearance. But many have questioned whether cloned pets, while genetically identical, truly carry the same personality and spirit as their predecessors. Huang Yu, the owner of Chinas first cloned cat, Garlic, experienced this firsthand. Despite DNA confirmation that the new Garlic was an exact genetic copy, his markings were slightly different and more importantly, he didnt react to Huang the way the original Garlic did. The basic pattern of his coat is the same, but the distinctive patch of black fur on his chin is gone, Huang admitted to Sixth Tone in 2019, adding that he had been a bit disappointed when he saw the new Garlic for the first time. open image in gallery China's first cloned kitten, Garlic, at the Chinese company Sinogene ( AFP via Getty Images ) There have also been logistical mishaps. In one case, a cloning company accidentally produced an entire litter of cloned puppies instead of a single one. The owner, Liang Xuan, was left with multiple identical dogs an unexpected, and expensive, surprise. Either it does not succeed, or there will be a whole litter, Liang told SCMP, ending up adopting the entire litter. While some find comfort in the idea of a cloned companion, others continue to question whether a genetic copy can ever truly replace a beloved pet, whose personality and memories are uniquely shaped by experience. The debate over the morality and ethics behind cloning, its effectiveness, and the long-term consequences is far from settled. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A Chinese state broadcaster has released grainy footage and photographs purporting to show a test flight of the countrys most advanced stealth fighter yet, just days after Donald Trump announced the start of a project to build an American equivalent. It is only the second time the Chinese aircraft, dubbed J-36 in domestic media reports, has been seen during testing, and the first time it has been reported by Chinese Communist Party-run media. The maiden test flight took place in December. Visuals of the triangular ginkgo leaf-shaped jet were aired by national broadcaster China Central Television on Sunday, purportedly to mark a minor air force anniversary 27 years since the maiden flight of the fourth-generation J-10 fighter. The jet was seen conducting a test flight over Chengdu in southwestern Sichuan province. Analysts said it was notable that the jet was flying solo without a chase plane, and that it looked like the landing gear and aerodynamic capabilities of the J-36 were being tested. The US announced on Friday that Boeing would build the US Air Forces own sixth-generation fighter, the F-47, with the project referred to as Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD). Donald Trump declared that nothing in the world comes even close to it as he made the announcement, adding that it would be "virtually unseeable" on radar. Analysts say the timing of the two events points to a race for aerial superiority. They say that, if confirmed, the completion of the J-16 would be the first time since the Second World War that China has beaten the United States to a new generation of military aircraft. While official details from the Chinese government remain limited, the J-36 was first spotted publicly on 26 December 2024, during what was believed to be its maiden flight. It was seen flying alongside a J-20S, the twin-seat variant of Chinas fifth-generation stealth fighter, which served as a chase plane. The J-36, reportedly developed by the Chengdu Aircraft Corporation (CAC), has a distinctive tailless, flying-wing design, which is intended to enhance its stealth capabilities by reducing radar cross-section. Analysts suggest the J-36 is not designed solely for traditional dogfighting but rather as a multi-role platform craft within a broader combat system. Its large size, estimated to be 66 to 85 feet long with a wingspan of about 65 feet, suggests it is designed as a mix between a fighter and a bomber. It can carry heavy weapons inside, such as long-range missiles or precision-guided bombs. It is likely built to avoid detection and attack from a distance rather than engage in close-up dogfights. Bill Sweetman, a defence analyst, wrote in The Strategist that the J-36s primary function will be to launch long-range missile strikes against enemy targets, not only in the sky but also on the ground and aboard aircraft carriers. It is the largest combat aircraft designed and developed in China, and the second-largest to fly anywhere in 35 years, he wrote. Justin Bronk, a senior research fellow at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), said the J-36 would prove crucial in battle zones where electronic warfare like jamming or hacking could interfere with drones. The reliance on crewed aircraft like the J-36 highlights their enduring value in contested environments where electronic warfare could disrupt uncrewed systems, he told the EurAsian Times. In his commentary on the think tanks website, Mr Bronk said China needs planes that can stay in the air for long missions, whether defending its airspace or attacking enemy targets over the vast Indo-Pacific region. These considerations will have led to a similarly large internal fuel volume requirement for the J-36 and contributed to its very large size, he added. The J-36 is believed to feature three engines, an unusual choice for a tactical fighter, which can provide the thrust needed for high speeds and heavy payloads, according to The War Zone, a defence news and analysis website. The US military has shared eww details of what the new NGAD fighter would look like even as Mr Trump said early versions have been conducting test flights for the last five years. Renderings by both Lockheed Martin and Boeing have highlighted a flat, tail-less aircraft with a sharp nose. 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 Three members of a South Korean family who were travelling in the US have been missing for 10 days after they began their road trip to the Grand Canyon and Las Vegas, police said. Jiyeon Lee, 33, her mother Taehee Kim, 59, and aunt Junghee Kim, 54, were on vacation and travelling from the Grand Canyon to Las Vegas on 13 March in a rental vehicle, according to the Arizona police. Their white BMW car was last seen on the Interstate 40 westbound at around 3.27pm on 13 March, the same day when a large multi-vehicle collision happened on the interstate during a winter storm, police said. However, it is not known if the family was involved in the accident. Two people died in a major pileup involving more than 22 vehicles, including 13 passenger vehicles, in Williams, Arizona. A total of 36 drivers and passengers were affected. Some of the cars involved in the crash caught fire and were burned beyond recognition, making it difficult for authorities to identify them. Authorities have been working to identify possible human remains from the crash and meticulously examine the vehicles and related evidence, the police said. "It was our concern that because of the weather conditions on that day and that major accident, their GPS may have rerouted them, Coconino County Sheriff's Office in Flagstaff, Arizona told affiliate station Fox 10. And if you've ever traveled up in northern Arizona, when you get rerouted, sometimes GPS will reroute you out into a forest service road without knowing that weather conditions are harsh. The three women were to fly out of the US on 17 March, sheriff's office spokesperson Jon Paxton said to AZ Family. However, their family became concerned after there was no communication from them and they missed their flight from the San Francisco International Airport. "We have visitors from all over the world that come here, but yeah, it is a little unusual to have three go missing at the same time," he said. The Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Los Angeles said they have dispatched their consul to the area and working with the police to locate the missing nationals. "Anyone who has had contact with this family since [13 March] or has knowledge of their whereabouts is requested to contact CCSO with any information," the missing persons flyer stated. It added: "If you have information about the above missing family, please contact Coconino County Sheriff's Office: 928-774-4523 or 1-800-338-7888. Silent Witness: 928-774-6111." On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice South Korea's Constitutional Court reinstated prime minister Han Duck Soo as the acting president after overturning his impeachment on Monday. Mr Han had taken over as the acting leader from president Yoon Suk Yeol after he was impeached over his short-lived declaration of martial law last December, which plunged Asia's fourth-largest economy into a political crisis. Mr Han initially lasted less than two weeks in the post before being impeached and suspended on 27 December after clashing with the opposition-led parliament over his alleged involvement in martial law and refusal to appoint more justices to the Constitutional Court. Following his reinstatement, Mr Han thanked the court for what he called a "wise" decision. "We will work together to prepare and implement responses to global changes, and to ensure that South Korea continues to develop well in the era of great geopolitical transformation," he told reporters. South Korean acting President Han Duck Soo, who also serves as prime minister, bows during a briefing at the Government Complex in Seoul ( EPA ) The acting leader added that he would focus on the "most urgent matters", including a fast-changing global trade environment, in an apparent reference to the Donald Trump administration's aggressive tariffs policy. Five of the eight justices at the Constitutional Court said the impeachment motion was valid, but there were not enough grounds to impeach Mr Han as he did not violate the constitution or the law. Two justices ruled that the impeachment motion against Mr Han, who was acting president at the time, was invalid from the start as two-thirds of lawmakers in parliament did not pass it. One justice upheld his impeachment. The 75-year-old prime minister had served in leadership positions for more than three decades under five presidents, both conservative and liberal. Mr Han had been seen as a rare example of an official whose varied career transcended party lines in a nation sharply divided by partisan rhetoric. Mr Han attended the only hearing in the case on 19 February, where he denied any role in the martial law episode and called for the court to dismiss the impeachment. The country's first martial law decree in nearly 40 years ended just after six hours on 3 December when the National Assembly voted to withdraw it. Members of the assembly jumped over fences and broke through lines of armed soldiers who were preventing lawmakers from entering the building. The court has yet to rule on Mr Yoon's impeachment, who remains suspended from his duties under insurrection charges. If the court upholds Mr Yoon's impeachment, South Korea must hold a presidential election. If it rules for him, he will be restored to office and regain his presidential powers. "Today's verdict will give hope to Yoon's supporters for a similar fate and hope for Yoon's opponents for his ouster," said Duyeon Kim, a senior analyst at the Center for a New American Security in Washington. "But it's too soon to predict the court's verdict on Yoon because the specific details of both cases and allegations are different," she told the Associated Press. Ms Kim said the the reinstatement of Han, a career bureaucrat, will bring more stability to South Korea compared to when his powers as acting president were suspended. Earlier this month, Mr Yoon left a detention centre in capital Seoul after prosecutors decided not to appeal a court decision to cancel his arrest warrant. Mr Yoon, the first South Korean president to be arrested while in office, was taken into custody on 15 January on charges of rebellion in connection with his martial law decree, a charge that carries the death penalty or a life sentence if he is convicted. 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. The best of Voices delivered to your inbox every week - from controversial columns to expert analysis Sign up for our free weekly Voices newsletter for expert opinion and columns Sign up to our free weekly Voices newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Rachel Reeves has said she doesnt recognise reports suggesting ministers are looking at cutting universal free school meals for the youngest children. The chancellor is expected to announce spending cuts for some government departments in her spring statement to the Commons on Wednesday. Education secretary Bridget Phillipson is reportedly looking to make 500 million in cuts to the schools budget, and has apparently floated cutting universal free school meals as a way to reduce costs. Free school meals at lunchtime are currently available to all infant children (pupils who are in reception and years one and two) in state-funded schools in England. Ms Phillipson has suggested making them means-tested instead, bringing them in line with the policy for older children, The Times reported. The suggested plans were part of negotiations with the Treasury ahead of the spending review, and other proposed cuts included stopping funding for free period products and axing some dance, music and PE schemes, the paper reported. open image in gallery Chancellor Rachel Reeves is looking to make cuts to government budgets ( PA Wire ) The reports have been criticised by MPs, unions and campaigners who said any move to remove universal free school meals would be a cruel decision that would leave students struggling and hungry in school. However Ms Reeves told broadcasters on Monday: "This government is rolling out free breakfast clubs in all primary schools from April. I don't recognise those claims that the government are looking at means-testing free school meals. open image in gallery There were 1.6 million children in receipt of universal free school meals last year ( PA Archive ) "In fact, this government are ensuring that all children get a good start to the day with a breakfast club, helping working parents and helping all children get a good start in life. That is what this government is determined to do after 14 years of Conservative failure." According to estimates published by the Department for Education, there were 1.6 million infant pupils recorded as taking a free school meal under the universal scheme last year. Of these, 1.3 million would not normally be eligible for free school meals. Labour MP Diane Abbott described the reported cuts as austerity being imposed on the very youngest. And Kim Johnson MP, Labour MP for Liverpool Riverside, said: Scrapping universal free school meals for some infants would be a cruel and short-sighted decision, leaving more children hungry and struggling in school. Liberal Democrat education spokesperson Munira Wilson MP said children cannot be expected to learn on empty stomachs. She said that if government went ahead with the proposed plan they should hang their heads in shame. Paul Whiteman, general secretary of school leaders union NAHT, said: After a decade of funding cuts there are no more savings to be found. Any reduction in funding will therefore have a direct impact on the education that schools can provide, and it is pupils that will suffer. We strongly urge the Chancellor to think again before asking children and young people to take on the burden of cuts - they deserve better. open image in gallery Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson was asked to reduce her departments budget ( PA Wire ) Judith Gregory, chair of LACA, a professional body for school caterers and suppliers, said that already too many children are slipping through the cracks of means-tested meals. She added: This scheme has not only reduced the stigma around free school meals but has also instilled healthy eating habits from an early age and fostered better socialisation among children. Scrapping universal free school meals would leave the most vulnerable children at risk. Professor of social mobility at the University of Exeter, Lee Elliot-Major, said: If we are serious about breaking down barriers to opportunity and stimulating future economic growth then extra funds must be distributed to the millions of pupils who are facing hardship outside the school gates, not just those on free school meals. We urgently need a review of the billions spent through the pupil premium - to ensure that this is effectively allocated to level the education playing field. The Department for Education said: This government has made significant additional investment in education across early years, schools, and colleges, alongside steps to stabilise the financial sustainability of universities. We will continue to support teachers and education leaders to use funding as efficiently as possible, while continuing to deliver better life chances for children and young people across the country through our Plan for Change. 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 mother of murdered teenager Brianna Ghey called for a ban on social media for children under 16, calling it an absolute cesspit. Esther Ghey was speaking at the screening of a new ITV documentary, Brianna: A Mothers Story, which explores the death of Brianna, 16, who was murdered by classmate Scarlett Jenkinson and her friend Eddie Ratcliffe. Jenkinson and Ratcliffe, who were both 15 at the time of the murder, lured Brianna to a park in Cheshire where she was stabbed 28 times with a hunting knife, on February 11 2023. On her campaigning work on online safety and trolling, Ms Ghey said: Even if, say, if I do an interview, and Ill try not to look at comments, but I can never help myself, and Ill look at the comments, and youll see people saying about my child, trying to tell me what gender my child was, and also really, really horrific comments too. And its mentioned in the documentary as well, that when you report things, the support isnt there. open image in gallery Esther Ghey called social media an absolute cesspit ( PA ) Speaking at the screening in west London, Ms Ghey said one of the reasons she had chosen to take part in the documentary was to get answers from social media companies about safety. She said: At this point, I really do not believe that any social media company will put lives before profit. Ms Ghey has previously met prime minister Sir Keir Starmer, and his predecessor Rishi Sunak, to discuss the issue, and has criticised the Online Safety Act, saying it does not go far enough. She has campaigned for an age limit on smartphone use, stricter controls on access to social media apps, tougher action on knife crime and for mindfulness to be taught in schools. She added: Ive reported so many comments, and I always get the response that they havent done anything wrong, that its not something that they can take down, and our children have access to those comments. No matter how much love and compassion you pump into your child when youre bringing them up, and how much empathy you can teach them as well, they will then go online and theyll see the way that other people are speaking about other people, and they might think that thats right. And thats without even going into the amount of harm thats online, like the dangerous challenges where young people are losing their lives due to these sick challenges that people are uploading, misogyny, hate, misinformation, and that is just the tip of the iceberg. open image in gallery Brianna was murdered by classmate Scarlett Jenkinson and her friend Eddie Ratcliffe ( Cheshire Constabulary ) The 75-minute film celebrates Briannas life and features interviews with three of her friends, who describe the schoolgirl as kind, chatty and funny. It also explores her death and issues around online safety. Brianna, who had thousands of followers on TikTok, struggled with her mental health, which was worsened by accessing eating disorder and self-harm content on X. From the age of 14, one of her killers, Jenkinson, enjoyed watching videos of real killing and torture on the dark web, fantasised about murder and developed an interest in serial killers. The documentary follows Ms Ghey as she travels to the US and meets Arturo Bejar, a former engineering director at social media giant Meta, who testified before Congress about child safety on the companys platforms. He tells her that people are defenceless against harmful algorithms. The film also features officers from Cheshire Police, who speak about the investigation into Briannas murder, and videos of custody suite interviews with both killers, who were caught within 28 hours. Brianna: A Mothers Story, will air on Thursday March 27 at 9pm on ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player. Meta, X and TikTok have been contacted for comment. If you are experiencing feelings of distress, or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch. If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call or text 988, or visit 988lifeline.org to access online chat from the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you are in another country, you can go to www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you. 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 An elderly Holocaust survivor has been questioned by police after he laid flowers at Trafalgar Square during a Gaza protest to commemorate the tens of thousands of Palestinians killed in the Israel-Hamas war. Stephen Kapos, 87, was interviewed by the Metropolitan Police on Friday about the pro-Palestine protest on 18 January in central London a demonstration the force faced accusations of repressive and heavy-handed policing over at the time. Mr Kapos lived in hiding under the Nazi regime as a child in Budapest, Hungary, after he lost touch with his mother, and his father was taken to Bergen-Belsen concentration camp. open image in gallery Stephen Kapos pictured at the pro-Palestine protest that happened on 18 January in central London ( BetterThanReal ) He is among nine people who have been called in by the Met for questioning after 77 people were arrested on the day of the protest. So far, 21 people have since been charged. Speaking outside Charing Cross Police Station following his interview on Friday afternoon, Mr Kapos told The Independent he planned to continue marching for peace in Gaza, describing how proud he is that his family, including his son and grandchildren, also join him. He said he wanted to disprove claims that there is solid support from all Jews towards what's going on. Mr Kapos spoke surrounded by around 100 supporters, a number of whom were either Holocaust survivors or descendants of them. A banner reading Holocaust survivor descendants against Gaza genocide! was one of the signs being held up, while chants such as We are all Palestinians were called out by the crowd. The grandfather stressed the importance of this during a week when Israel launched a fresh wave of attacks on the Gaza Strip, shattering the fragile ceasefire that had held for the past few weeks in a move he described as horrifying. open image in gallery Mr Kapos pictured leaving Charing Cross Police Station after his police interview ( Tara Cobham/The Independent ) The sort of killing thats going on, its unbearable to watch and one wonders where its leading to because there is no defence to speak of. They are defenceless people out in the open. Their homes have been bombed to smithereens and they are in tents and now they are going to be bombed. Its unbearable and I dont understand how the world can stand it. And Im ashamed of our government and everybody else who facilitates it and enables it. Mr Kapos strongly criticised the UK governments response, calling for it to condemn Israels actions and to end all military contracts. They should at the very minimum condemn Israels actions, which they dont do, and immediately stop all supplies of armaments and any other logistical and information support that they do give, he said. open image in gallery Mr Kapos spoke surrounded by around 100 supporters, many of whom were either Holocaust survivors or descendants of them ( The Independent ) All that should be stopped immediately because theres no doubt about this being an atrocity and international crime, whats going on, whats perpetrated by Israel. So how can you hesitate in the face of that? Earlier this week Sir Keir Starmer said he was deeply concerned about the resumption of Israeli military action in Gaza. The prime ministers official spokesperson insisted all parties, including Israel, must respect international humanitarian law. Were clear that Israel must have security, and Hamas cannot play any role in the future of Gaza, but we must see the talks urgently resume, the ceasefire agreement to implement in full and see permanent peace worked towards. Mr Kapos described protesting as exerting pressure through numbers to make it clear that all this will have electoral consequences. open image in gallery Mark Etkind is among those denouncing the Mets over-policing of the ongoing pro-Palestine protests in general ( The Independent ) Mr Kapos also wanted to highlight how the demonstrations are not hate marches and are not no-go areas for Jews, which is again claimed. The Met argues protesters allegedly breached Public Order Act conditions that were in place during the 18 January demonstration, which were communicated in advance. They say the conditions required those taking part to remain in Whitehall, but a large group made its way into Trafalgar Square and in some cases attempted to go further. A Met Police spokesperson said: As part of our ongoing investigation into alleged breaches of Public Order Act conditions on Saturday, 18 January, we have invited a further eight people to be interviewed under caution at a police station. While we are aware of names being attributed to those who have been invited for interview, we do not confirm the identity of anyone under investigation. For legal reasons, Mr Kapos was unable to provide details on his police interview, or if the exact reasons behind why he was summoned were disclosed to him. open image in gallery Holocaust survivor Dr Agnes Kory was also among those supporting Mr Kapos outside Charing Cross Police Station on Friday and issued a strong condemnation of Israels attack on Gaza ( The Independent ) However, that day, Mr Kapos was among a group of demonstrators who carried flowers to lay down in Trafalgar Square to remember the more than 48,000 Palestinians who have so far been killed, according to Gaza's health officials, since Hamass attack on Israel on 7 October 2023. Hamas militants killed 1,200 people and took 251 hostages, according to Israeli tallies. According to the Stop the War Coalition, all of the activists who received police letters calling them in for questioning by the Met were among that group. More than 50 MPs and peers, as well as trade union leaders and legal experts, were among those who wrote to home secretary Yvette Cooper at the time, demanding an independent inquiry into the tactics used by the Met at the 18 January protest. A group of 40 extremely shocked Holocaust survivors or descendants of Holocaust survivors have now written an open letter condemning the polices questioning of Mr Kapos. It reads: Any repression of the right to protest is bad enough but to persecute a Jewish 87-year-old whose Holocaust experiences compel him to speak out against the Gaza genocide is quite appalling. open image in gallery Mr Kapos spoke surrounded by around 100 supporters, many of whom were either Holocaust survivors or descendants of them ( Tara Cobham/The Independent ) Mark Etkind, co-organiser of Holocaust survivors and descendants against the Gaza genocide, is among those denouncing the forces over-policing of the ongoing pro-Palestine protests in general, describing it as terrifying, not just for the Palestine movement, but for anyone who wants to protest and believes in British democracy. Holocaust survivor Dr Agnes Kory was also among those supporting Mr Kapos outside Charing Cross Police Station on Friday and issued a strong condemnation of Israels attack on Gaza. She said: In the name of a Holocaust survivor, which is me, and a Holocaust researcher, which is also me, I say no, not in our names, and I have to be at the forefront of peace for Palestine movements. In a report earlier this month, United Nations experts said Israel carried out genocidal acts against Palestinians by systematically destroying womens healthcare facilities during the conflict in Gaza, and used sexual violence as a war strategy. Israels permanent mission to the UN in Geneva rejected the accusations and described allegations in the report as unfounded, bias, and lacking credibility. The assertion that 47-year-old Christian Brueckner could be the prime suspect in the disappearance of Madeleine McCann looked a little thinner when he was acquitted in October on five unrelated sexual offences two of which involved children following a trial that began in February 2024. Despite the huge amount of interest around Christian Brueckners past, the verdicts were no great surprise. They had been anticipated since last July when the presiding Judge, Uta Inse Engemann, in the German regional court of Braunschweig had ruled that there was no longer sufficient evidence of guilt for all of the charges. Brueckner, a German national, remains in jail, serving the final months of a seven-year sentence for the rape of a 72-year-old American woman in 2005 at the Ocean Club resort in Praia da Luz the same hotel where Madeleine went missing two years later. But as he seeks early release from the 2019 sentence, police in Germany are hurrying to charge the prime suspect in the disappearance of the British toddler before he walks free from prison in the next two weeks. It is now more than five years since Brueckner was first named and identified as the prime suspect in the alleged abduction and murder of Madeleine, a few days before her 4th birthday, and longer still since he initially became a focus of investigation. There has been intense media speculation about his links to the McCann case and these were heightened by reporting of the often lurid details during his last trial. Engemann was alert to the risks of bias and the need to make a decision on the evidence alone. She reportedly referred in her final remarks to the judges oath to serve the truth. This oath means that we dont have to cater to the views of the media and the table of regulars in a pub, said Engemann. Everyone had heard about him in the Maddie McCann case. And they all knew that Brueckner since 2020 was always named by the public prosecutors office. When in the media a person is described as a sex monster and a pervert, then it influences the witness. Her comments brought to a close proceedings marked by sometimes ill-tempered exchanges between the prosecutor Lindemann and her court opponent, Brueckners defence lawyer, Friedrich Fulscher, who had complained of the prosecution tactics, attacking the judges and the defence team and being, as Fulscher put it, particularly concerned with maximising damage to the court and the trial. The prosecutor had wanted a 15-year jail sentence for Brueckner. In the end, she got nothing, During the BBCs Panorama programme at the end of 2023 with Brueckners new trial imminent, Hans Christian Wolters, the chief public prosecutor for Braunschweig, repeated his claim that we think [Brueckner] was involved in the disappearance of Madeleine McCann and we think that he murdered Madeleine McCann. open image in gallery Brueckner has been acquitted on five unrelated sexual offences ( Reuters ) But if there is evidence to make such a public declaration, why hasnt Brueckner ever been charged in Madeleines disappearance? And if there is no evidence, why has the prosecutor repeatedly asserted his belief in Brueckners guilt? Brueckner is a German drifter with a long criminal history, including sexual offences against children. His latest trial concerned alleged incidents in Portugal, in or not far from Prai da Luz, between 2000 and 2017. There were three counts of rape and two of indecent assault against children. In one of the rapes the 20-year-old complainants attacker had worn a mask throughout and claimed she had recognised Brueckner, she said, by his eyes. There was evidence of a cell confession, and accounts of others who had stolen video tapes from Bruckner which they said they had watched, that depicted his attacks on two women. But the tapes were not available so the accounts could not be validated. One of the rape charges had been withdrawn before the final verdicts. A psychiatrist, Dr Christian Riedeman, giving evidence for the prosecution, told the court that Brueckner was in the absolute top league of dangerousness to society and highly likely to reoffend on release. But it was then revealed the psychiatrist had not worked with or directly examined Brueckner, who had refused to see him. Brueckners voice was the one missing from his trial he never gave evidence, and only spoke once briefly at the end, when the judge asked him if he had anything he wanted to say: he was described as leaning forward and quietly stating, no, I would not like to. open image in gallery Kate McCann during a press conference in June 2007 ( Getty ) There seems little doubt that Brueckner is a habitual and manipulative violent offender. His 2019 trial and conviction for the rape of the 72-year-old in Prai da Luz, made clear the elements of his sadistic pleasure in that offence. But, to emphasise the current position, he has never been charged in Madeleine McCanns case and his lawyer, Friedrich Fulscher spoke on Brueckners behalf to Panorama, complaining of his client facing trial by media in what Fulscher called one of the most famous cases in the world. The evidence against Brueckner was flimsy, he said, and lacking in substance. Brueckner himself has always denied any role in Madeleines abduction. Trial by media has a familiar and discordant ring in this case. That is exactly what Gerry and Kate McCann were subjected to over 16 years ago by Portugals Policia Judiciaria (PJ) the equivalent of the CID who began leaking outlandish claims about them to the press before finally making them arguidos suspects in their own daughters disappearance. The details are painfully familiar. On 3 May 2007, the McCanns were holidaying in apartment 5a at the Ocean Club, Praia da Luz on the Algarve coast of southern Portugal. Unusually, it was not a gated resort but open to the town. Madeleine, who would have celebrated her fourth birthday nine days later, was sharing the back bedroom overlooking the street. open image in gallery Apartment 5A (bottom) in Praia da Luz, Portugal, where McCann went missing ( PA ) She was in one of two single beds, furthest from the window, her twin siblings (now 18) were in travel cots between the beds. While they slept, their parents were in the Tapas restaurant nearby with their friends. Madeleine disappeared in the 55 minutes between Gerrys check at about 9.05pm and Kates visit at 10pm, when she discovered Madeleine was gone. One of their friends had checked about 9.30 but, agonisingly, could not be sure afterwards that Madeleine was in bed. I went out to Praia da Luz in the summer of 2007 to report on the case and was there when it became apparent the McCanns were coming under suspicion. The events I witnessed transformed an investigation into a circus, as the worlds media turned its cameras on the McCanns arriving to be quizzed at PJ headquarters in Portimao. They had tragic and far-reaching consequences for the investigation of what had happened to Madeleine and for her parents. As I reported at the time, the PJ led by its misguided chief investigator Goncalo Amaral had made a catastrophic misjudgement and abandoned the abduction theory, instead building an implausible case against Gerry and Kate McCann based on a misreading of DNA traces found in the boot of their car (which they had not hired until three weeks after the disappearance) and a pair of sniffer dogs brought over from the UK, whose alerts at the car and in the apartment were somehow and wrongly taken to be hard evidence. open image in gallery Madeleine McCann on holiday in Portugal just before she disappeared ( Metropolitan Police ) Based on these facts, a theory was concocted that the couple had accidentally overdosed Madeleine with a sedative, she had died in the apartment, and they had secretly disposed of her body. Bizarrely, they offered Kate McCann a deal during her interrogation: she could admit to the crime, serve two years in prison and Gerry would be free to go home. She of course declined. They were both doctors, on holiday with a group of friends (The Tapas 7), how could they have carried out such an appalling crime? Had they hidden it all from their friends, or were the friends in on the conspiracy? It made no sense then and even less now. As the press seized on PJ leaks of reported inconsistencies in their accounts, the findings of the dogs, the DNA etc, I was often a lone exception to the general assumption that the McCanns were guilty a phenomenon that quickly spread from Portugal to the UK. I remember arguing with an editor about their supposed role in Madeleines death. But what about the dogs, David? The dogs dont lie. But they did lie. The McCanns returned to England bound by judicial secrecy an official code of silence which evidently did not apply to the Portuguese side who had leaked so much, including the names and contact details of all the McCanns holiday group to a friendly Portuguese reporter. The secrecy code is like the speed limit, a local journalist told me, Everyone knows it but no one keeps to it. Soon after their return, at their invitation, I travelled to the McCanns home in Rothley, Leicestershire, and went to the pub with Gerry McCann where we sat in a quiet corner and broke the secrecy code while he briefed me for two or three hours on what had really happened that night. He took my notebook and drew a plan of the apartment showing the location and layout of the childrens bedroom and how the abductor could have gone in and out unnoticed. If people recognised him in the pub they left Gerry alone. His stress was evident but he wanted to talk and afterwards took me home where I waited in the kitchen for a taxi. Madeleines star chart for going to sleep well at night was pinned to the fridge. open image in gallery The McCanns with Madeleines twin siblings who are now 18 years old ( PA ) Speaking up for the McCanns exposed me to a little of what they have been going through ever since in terms of trolling on the internet and social media. I was called a McCann shill, doing the couples bidding, and mocked for supposedly being a gullible investigative journalist. I described those people at the time as web ghouls, feasting on the misery of the McCann family while largely hiding behind anonymity on Twitter/X and elsewhere. In one very sad case, a woman, Brenda Leyland, revealed by Sky News as the real person behind the anonymous McCann troll Sweepyface on Twitter, took her own life. She had posted hundreds of messages attacking and accusing the McCanns. She was not the worst, by far. Even though the McCanns were officially released from arguido status by the PJ in 2008 when it closed its investigation, the trolls have never let up. They were back out in force whenever they are back in the news #mccann comparing Gerry McCann to child murderers and so on. The couple have shown extraordinary resilience in all the circumstances, no doubt focused on raising Madeleines siblings, Amelie and Sean. Amelie attended a vigil this year on the anniversary of her sisters disappearance. There was never any doubt in my mind that this was a case of as the jargon goes stranger or non-familial child abduction and nothing to do with the parents. The McCanns, as I saw them, were then functioning at the limits of human endurance; their gaunt, strained faces speaking to a world of loss and no doubt guilt at not being there to protect their child. They have always clung to the hope that, in the absence of any evidence to the contrary, Madeleine could still be alive. As Gerry told Crimewatch during an increasingly rare public appearance in 2013, there are cases where abducted children are kept alive. No doubt he was thinking of Natascha Kampusch, among others, who escaped her abductor in 2006 aged 18 after being held captive in Austria for eight years. Stranger abductions of children are very rare. They can be opportunistic and the openness of the Ocean Club could have presented the opportunity to a watchful predator, who may have observed the familys routine and the vulnerability of their corner apartment. This weeks Panorama referenced sightings of a so-called spotty man and recreated scenes of him watching their accommodation. An offender profile might well focus on local drifters, with a history of sexual offences. If only a police inquiry had dwelt on this from the beginning. open image in gallery Police released this picture of Christian Brueckner in 2018 ( Carabinieri ) The Met Police took up the case in 2011, its Operation Grange starting from scratch and their briefings spoke of patterns of increased burglaries in Praia da Luz in the months before the McCanns arrived, and unsolved sightings of men in the vicinity before and after the disappearance. It has been reported that Christian Brueckners name was buried in the case files and that the PJ had made some cursory attempt to track him down before he came to the Met as a tip and they passed it onto the German authorities who opened their own investigation. The PJ also reopened an investigation and travelled to the UK where they reportedly provided an update to Gerry McCann. Panorama said they had apologised to the McCanns for the harm its original investigation had caused. No sooner had the apology been disclosed than the truth of it was being disputed on Twitter/X. It is certainly true that Brueckner fits what you could imagine a guilty profile would look like. He committed his first sexual offence against a child when he was still a child himself, aged 16. He appears to have been an active criminal for most of his adult life, drifting back and forth between Germany and Portugal, living in the very resort, Praia da Luz where Madeleine was taken, at the time of her abduction. It was there in 2005 that he raped the 72-year-old woman. Searches have yielded a buried USB stick containing child pornography and he is said to have been on the phone near the Ocean Club around the time of Madeleines disappearance. He changed the registration of a car soon after and went on to commit other offences in Portugal and Germany. But, as the acquittals in his latest trial show, it is a dangerous game, to assume guilt, to try and fit the suspect to the crime. Thats how miscarriages of justice occur. It is evidence that matters and answers that Gerry and Kate McCann hope for and, you may think, earnestly deserve. No doubt they are among the very many people waiting to see what will happen with Brueckner, and if the prosecutor Hans Christian Wolters will ever make the case against him in court and not just in the media. 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 This is the first picture of a hardworking father feared dead after the cargo ship he was working on rammed into an oil tanker in the North Sea, causing an explosion. Mark Angelo Pernia, 38, was working in the forward deck of the Solong when it ploughed into the port side of the American tanker Stena Immaculate off the coast of Yorkshire. All 23 people on the tanker were rescued along with 13 crew from the Solong, but the Filipino national has not been found since the 10 March collision. The Solongs master, Russian national Vladimir Motin, 59, is currently awaiting trial for gross negligence manslaughter. Fellow seafarer Joel Jimenez told The Independent he became firm friends with Mr Pernia on a heavy cargo voyage some years ago. open image in gallery Solong seafarer Mark Pernia is feared dead after the North Sea explosion ( Facebook ) "Mark is a good guy and such a hardworking man. He was always willing to work hard for his family, especially for his daughter, he said. He was such a good man to have on your crew. Everyone is devastated. I feel so sorry for his family. Mr Pernia had spent long weeks working at sea, with one of his last Facebook posts wishing his daughter a happy eighth birthday, adding: My one and only Disney princess. I miss you so much. A spokesperson for shipping company Ernst Russ, which owns the Solong, said: "Out of respect for the family, we will not be providing further information at this time. We continue to provide all necessary support to the family. They are extraordinarily resilient. Our thoughts and sympathies are with them at this very distressing time." open image in gallery Stena Immaculate tanker at anchor in the North Sea, off the coast of Withernsea, east of England, after it was hit by the MV Solong container vessel ( AFP via Getty Images ) Crowley, which owns Stena Immaculate, said at least one cargo tank carrying A1-jet fuel was ruptured in the collision. It is thought however the spill had a limited impact, with the maritime company saying it remained unclear how much fuel was released when it was hit by the Solong. An initial review showed it had evaporated due to exposure to fires on both vessels. Owners of the Solong have also admitted tiny plastic pellets, held in containers on board, were released and have since been found on beaches in Norfolk and Lincolnshire. Mr Motin has been given a provisional date of January 12 to face trial. He appeared by videolink at the Old Bailey for an hour-long bail hearing on Friday. He only spoke to confirm his name and date of birth, and had the help of a Russian interpreter. 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 Sir Keir Starmer has promised to clamp down on local authorities and force them to prove they are tackling potholes or lose the cash to fix them. Ministers want to get our sleeves rolled up and fix potholes for good, the prime minister said on Monday, as he announced an additional 4.8bn of funding to carry out work on motorways and major A-roads. Local authorities will start to get their share of 1.6bn in highway maintenance funding confirmed last year, up 500 million from the previous year, in mid-April. But from Monday, they will be required to publish annual progress reports or face having funding withheld. It gives local accountability so we can see who's doing the most and where they're doing it, the prime minister told BBC 5 Live. open image in gallery Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer speaks to the media (Oli Scarff/PA) ( PA Wire ) We'll start to measure what works better and make sure we're driving best practice, because the last thing you want to do is to fill a pothole, then six weeks later, it rains and you're back with the same problem. This gives a real line of accountability, but, in a sense, it's the government just wanting to get our sleeves rolled up and say we know what the problem is, we know how much it costs if you hit one, and we need a mechanism to hold local authorities to account. He added: There will be some people hitting a pothole this morning, and then they are picking up an average 600 bill to their car or their van. That isnt boring, that is really irritating. Weve got far too many of them, and this is about getting that job done. Councils will have to detail how much they spend and how many potholes they have filled in reports published on their websites by June 30. open image in gallery Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said councils need to get on with the job of fixing potholes (PA) ( PA Wire ) The reports will also have to detail what percentage of roads are in what condition, show their spending on pothole prevention and outline plans looking ahead to wetter winters that make potholes worse. They must show by the end of October that their communities are able to have their say on where work is needed. The 4.8bn funding for National Highways will go to projects already under way, including the A428 Black Cat scheme in Cambridgeshire, as well as to starting improvements to the A47 around Norwich and M3 J9 scheme in Hampshire. But the Local Government Association estimated that the cost of the local road repairs backlog is nearly 17bn. 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, Sir Keir said. 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. But the Conservatives said Labour is steering Britain into a ditch and want credit for handing councils a pothole sticking plaster. Labour like to talk a big game on fixing roads but they are more interested in chasing headlines than laying tarmac, Gareth Bacon, shadow transport secretary, said. Meanwhile, it is Conservative councils that are actually getting on with the job. Last year, Conservative-run councils repaired five times more road miles on average than Labour-run councils. Labour are running on empty. Theyve got no plan for motorists, no grip on the problem, and no credibility. Voters shouldnt be fooled Labour arent fixing the roads, theyre steering Britain into a ditch. 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 British troops sent to Ukraine as part of a planned peacekeeping force could face lawfare under human rights legislation, Tory MPs have warned. They called on the defence secretary to create an exemption from the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) for any soldiers sent to the region. Former Tory cabinet minister David Davis urged the government to recognise its duty of care to those who fight for their country and then face decades of lawfare. James Cartlidge, the shadow defence secretary, also called for the move to offer maximum protection for our armed forces. Tory MPs are excised about the British troops and veterans who have served in Afghanistan, Iraq and Northern Ireland who have faced prosecutions in recent years. Firefighters work following a Russian attack near Kyiv ( Ukrainian Emergency Service via AP ) In 2021, Boris Johnson passed a law, the Overseas Operation Bill, designed to limit vexatious claims against military personnel. That Bill would have forced ministers to consider derogating from the ECHR when it sent troops into combat, but that clause was stripped out when the legislation went through the House of Lords. In response to questioning in the Commons, John Healey, the defence secretary, pointed to the legislation as he vowed the government was totally committed to the duty of care it has towards British troops. Keir Starmer is working to create an international coalition of the willing to offer peacekeeping to Ukraine, in the event of a ceasefire with its Russian invaders. Sir Keir has also admitted that a US backstop would be needed for his plans to work, but there are signs he has failed to convince the White House to support the plan. At the weekend Donald Trumps 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, who is leading the US ceasefire negotiations with Russia and Ukraine, 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. 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 More than 200,000 jobs could be lost because of the governments so-called tractor tax, according to new research. The move would also cost the economy 14.9bn, according to a study by the independent consultancy CBI-Economics, which was commissioned by the group Family Business UK and looked at more than 4,000 businesses and farms across the country. Nearly a quarter of family businesses - 23 per cent - and almost one in five family farms - 17 per cent - said they had cut jobs or halted recruitment since the planned tax was announced in the October budget. Just under half of family farms - 49 per cent - said they have also paused or cancelled planned investments. open image in gallery Changes to inheritance tax rules in the budget introduced new taxes on farms worth more than 1m ( PA Wire ) Ministers are ploughing ahead with their plan to make farms valued at 1m or more liable for 20 per cent inheritance tax, despite calls from supermarket giants including Tesco for a halt to the divisive policy. The research estimates the tax hikes will see around 208,000 jobs lost by the time of the next election. Neil Davy, the chief executive of Family Business UK, said: Against a backdrop of huge uncertainty in global geopolitics and UK economic growth, these latest data show unequivocally the damage that is already being done to Britains family-owned businesses and farms and the wider economy. Ultimately, it will be the working people, and communities right across the country, who depend on family-owned businesses and farms wholl pay the price. open image in gallery Farmers protest in Westminster over changes to inheritance tax rules ( PA Wire ) The policy suffered another blow last month when the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) warned it may raise less than the Treasury hopes, with the 500m-a year-revenue forecast given a high uncertainty rating and likely to fall after seven years as families use tax planning to avoid the charge. The Treasury says with tax allowances, in reality, only farms worth 3m would be affected - which is 28 per cent of family farms. But official Defra figures appear to suggest as many as 66 per cent could be hit. Ministers have defended the changes, saying that they had to take difficult decisions in the wake of what Labour says is a 22bn black hole in the public finances left by the last Tory government. A government spokesperson said: Our commitment to farmers remains steadfast. This government will invest 5 billion into farming over the next two years, the largest budget for sustainable food production in our countrys history. We are going further with reforms to boost profits for farmers by backing British produce and reforming planning rules on farms to support food production. They added: Three-quarters of estates will continue to pay no inheritance tax at all, while the remaining quarter will pay half the inheritance tax that most people pay, and payments can be spread over 10 years, interest-free. This is a fair and balanced approach which helps fix the public services we all rely on. 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 has been urged not to appease Donald Trump as he considers cutting a major tax on US tech companies, following sweeping cuts to disability benefits and public sector jobs in the UK. As the government scrambles to agree an exemption for 25 per cent tariffs on British steel imposed by the US - alongside other possible tariffs currently being considered by the Trump administration - the chancellor confirmed ongoing discussions about the digital services tax, which hits major US tech firms including Meta and Amazon. The 2 per cent levy, which was introduced in 2020, raises about 800m a year for the UK. Rachel Reeves was optimistic that the steel tariffs could be scrapped if the UK strikes a deal with the US, but failed to deny there could be changes to the tax. Youve got to get the balance right, Ms Reeves said. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmers spokesman says the government is engaging with the administration of US President Donald Trump over tariffs (Carl Court/PA) ( PA Wire ) But the Liberal Democrats warned Labour is in danger of losing its moral compass, adding that cutting the tax would be tantamount to robbing disabled people to appease [Elon] Musk and Trump. It comes after ministers unveiled 5bn worth of welfare cuts last week, primarily hitting those with disabilities, alongside plans to make 2bn worth of cuts to Whitehall departments leading to about 10,000 civil service job losses. Left-wing Labour MP Rachael Maskell - who is strongly opposed to the welfare cuts - urged the government to avoid a dash to let the US tech companies off the hook, while cutting lifelines for disabled people. With the chancellor saying that she is still looking at the digital services tax, just days before the spring statement, then I would be concerned if relief was granted in what would be seen as a dash to let the US tech companies off the hook, while at the same time as making disabled people pay for the revenue loss, with their lifelines being cut, she told The Guardian. I recognise that the chancellor has to rebuild the economy but who pays for this matters, and it must never be the poorest in our society, which will be the outcome should the Department for Work and Pensions proposals go through. Meanwhile, Labour MP for Norwich South, Clive Lewis, added: This was entirely predictable given how desperate the government is to appease the Trump administration and tech oligarchs around it. This is extractive politics at it worst and exactly the kind of deal the Maga [Make America Great Again movement] wants. Rather than move closer to Europe and stand together were allowing ourselves to be ripped off. Addressing his partys spring conference over the weekend, Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey said: Now Labours even talking about scrapping Britains tax on social media giants. Well, appeasement never works with bullies, and it doesnt work with Trump. And you can see that hes already put his tariffs on British steel. He claimed that the PMs approach to Mr Trump is be nice to him and hope he wont hurt us. While the European Union responded to Mr Trumps tariffs by announcing trade counter-measures and hitting American goods with retaliatory levies, the prime minister has resisted calls for the UK to immediately hit back. It comes after Sir Keir told the New York Times over the weekend that he likes and respects the US president. He warned that the UK is facing a critical moment and it cannot attempt to pick a side between Europe or the US. Churchill didnt do it. Attlee didnt do it. Itd be a big mistake, in my view, to choose now, he said. The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology has been contacted for comment. 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 The UK spends more than twice as much on benefits for working-age people as it does on defence each year, a new analysis by The Independent can reveal, laying bare the shocking scale of Britains welfare bill. As Sir Keir Starmer faces a potential backlash over plans to end disability payments for around 1 million people, figures from the Department for Work and Pensions show the government spend on all working-age benefits is 117.6bn representing 4.5 per cent of GDP and is 9.2 per cent of the governments overall budget. That is more than double the amount spent on defence (56.4bn) and more than the entire education budget (116bn). The former head of the Royal Navy, Admiral Lord West warned: This is unsustainable if we wish to avoid war and survive as a nation. open image in gallery Work and pensions secretary Liz Kendall leaves Downing Street, London, after a Cabinet meeting ( PA ) The discrepancy with defence spending appears to be stark in what is now widely acknowledged to be a dangerous world, with wars in Ukraine and the Middle East. The prime minister has already pledged to increase defence spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP by 2027 and 3 per cent by 2030. Critics are concerned that Sir Keirs government has not fully grasped the nettle of benefits reform and needs to go well beyond the 5bn of savings outlined by work and pensions secretary Liz Kendall. Former work and pensions secretary Sir Iain Duncan Smith warned: To govern is to choose and against the backdrop of an increasingly unsafe world, the need to invest significantly more in defence and a flatlining economy, further reform of welfare is a necessity. Sir Iain was responsible for the last major reform of the benefits system during David Camerons coalition government when he introduced universal credit. But since the pandemic, the welfare bill has ballooned, largely because of applications for long-term mental health problems such as depression and anxiety. The proportion of the population reporting a disability has risen from 19 per cent to 24 per cent since Covid a higher jump than Germany, France and the Netherlands. According to the figures, 9.9 million people are claiming some form of benefits 14.5 per cent of the population. This includes 939,365 of those aged 16 to 24, who make up 9.4 per cent of all claimants. But despite the mounting bill, Sir Keir is facing pressure from the unions and left-wing Labour MPs to row back on the plans in Ms Kendalls green paper on welfare reform. Fire Brigades Union general secretary Steve Wright has called on Labour MPs to vote against the governments Thatcherite assault on disabled benefit claimants. Mr Wright warned that the multi-million-pound cuts would lead to 1980s levels of poverty. open image in gallery Former work and pensions secretary Iain Duncan Smith says further reform of welfare is a necessity ( PA ) Veteran Labour MP Diane Abbott said: Cutting disability benefits isnt a moral crusade. Its a political choice to balance the books on backs of some of the poorest and most vulnerable people in our society. Ms Abbott has called for a wealth tax to be imposed instead of benefits which has backing from senior trade union figures. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: The government is in danger of making the wrong choices. We must be protecting the most vulnerable in society and not pitting the poorest against the poorest. Before cutting benefits, the government should be introducing a wealth tax, so that the very wealthiest in society begin paying their fair share. The principle of getting people back into work is right but we need joined-up thinking to ensure we are creating jobs and training for people to go into. That is about investment in manufacturing and creating jobs for the future. Over a third of people on benefits are already in work, we need to ensure that work pays for everyone. Meanwhile, others have accused the government of making a political choice. The firefighters union leader Mr Wright said that Blairite cabinet ministers were gleefully eulogising about the cutbacks. He said: The governments drastic cuts to disability and welfare benefits are a Thatcherite assault on the welfare state. Cutting benefits will cause a surge in food bank use and lead to poverty levels last seen in the 1980s. Labour in government has a duty to support the poorest and most vulnerable by funding a generous welfare state. He added: Cabinet ministers like Liz Kendall and Pat McFadden are gleefully eulogising in broadcast interviews about the need to cut the derisory payments made to the disabled and vulnerable. Its shameful that a Labour government should adopt that Thatcherite approach. But the prime minister has warned that the current system is actively incentivising people away from work and represents an affront to the values of our country. He said: This is not just unfair to taxpayers. It is also a bad long-term outcome for many of those people. 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 Genetic testing giant 23andMe has filed for bankruptcy protection in the US while it searches for a buyer. It comes as the company struggles in the aftermath of a data hack and deals with heavy financial losses. The DNA testing company has also announced the immediate resignation of Anne Wojcicki, its co-founder and chief executive. California-based 23andMe uses home saliva collection kits to analyze customers DNA and provide them with personalized reports on their ancestry. Since being founded in 2006, it has sold more than 12 million DNA testing kits. It operates in many major markets, including the US, Canada, the UK, and Europe. 23andMe said it had kickstarted voluntary Chapter 11 proceedings in the US meaning it intends to reorganize its debts and assets to have a fresh start, while remaining in business. open image in gallery 23andMe co-founder Anne Wojcicki ( Getty ) It will also see the company put itself up for sale. The resignation of Wojcicki is effective immediately, by mutual agreement, according to the group. In a post to social media platform X, formerly Twitter, Ms Wojcicki said she was disappointed by the bankruptcy plan but that she had resigned as chief executive so she could be in the best position to pursue the company as an independent bidder. Chairperson Mark Jensen said: After a thorough evaluation of strategic alternatives, we have determined that a court-supervised sale process is the best path forward to maximise the value of the business. He said the process would help the firm address operational and financial challenges, including through further cost-cutting and resolving legal liabilities. open image in gallery The 23andMe headquarters in California ( Getty ) In addition, we are committed to continuing to safeguard customer data and being transparent about the management of user data going forward, and data privacy will be an important consideration in any potential transaction. 23andMe came under investigation by the UK and Canadian data protection regulators over a 2023 data breach and concerns that genetic information may have been compromised. It also settled a legal case in the US alleging that the company failed to protect the privacy of its customers. The firm reported a loss before income tax of more than US$128 million in its latest financial results, covering April to December 2024. It said lower kit sales and a decline in average selling prices were partly behind a drop in revenues. 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 The genetic testing company 23andMe is filing for bankruptcy and looking for a new buyer. The company announced the move after losing millions of dollars over the last several quarters. But now, experts are warning users genetic data could be in danger. Heres what you need to know about how to protect your 23andMe data: Experts are warning users to delete their 23andMe data as the company files for bankruptcy and searches for a buyer ( Getty Images ) What the sale of 23andMe could mean for your data Officials across the US are warning 23andMe users to delete their data as soon as possible following the bankruptcy announcement. 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, California Attorney General Rob Bonta said Friday. 23andMe said in a statement there have been no changes to their data storage or protection. The company also said any buyer of its assets would have to observe applicable privacy laws for customer data. Our users privacy and data are important considerations in any transaction, and we remain committed to our users privacy and to being transparent with our customers about how their data is managed, the company said in an open letter to customers. But once the sale is complete users genetic information could be used in unexpected ways by someone else, The Washington Post reports. 23andMes privacy policy even states that your personal information could be sold or transferred in the event of a sale. If we are involved in a bankruptcy, merger, acquisition, reorganization, or sale of assets, your Personal Information may be accessed, sold or transferred as part of that transaction, the policy reads. Consumer Reports Ginny Fahs told The Washington Post users are right to be concerned their data could be up for grabs. The DNA data could be used to discern your relatives and ancestry, unearth family secrets, and reveal clues about diseases you have or could be predisposed to, Fahs said. If the data makes its way to certain insurers, they may deny you coverage or charge you more for life, disability, or long-term care insurance because of your genetics. This is some of the most precious data that exists about you, she added. Why is 23andMe filing for bankruptcy? 23andMe has kickstarted voluntary Chapter 11 proceedings in the US meaning it intends to reorganize its debts and assets to have a fresh start, while remaining in business. The company is now searching for a buyer. The move comes in the aftermath of a data hack and heavy financial losses. The DNA testing company has also announced the immediate resignation of Anne Wojcicki, its co-founder and chief executive. Wojcicki said she was disappointed by the bankruptcy plan but that she had resigned so she could be in the best position to pursue the company as an independent bidder. How to delete your 23andMe data To delete your 23andMe account, first log into your account. Then, go to your profile, and hit the settings button. Scroll down to the 23andMe Data section and hit view. From there, scroll to delete data and select permanently delete data. The company will then send you an email prompting you to confirm the deletion request. Additional reporting by PA. Interview: Confucius Institutes key to promoting knowledge about China, says Russian institute director Xinhua) 11:04, March 24, 2025 BLAGOVESHCHENSK/HEIHE, March 23 (Xinhua) -- Confucius Institutes serve as cultural bridges between nations, playing a significant role in promoting knowledge about China, said Nikolay Kukharenko, director of the Confucius Institute at Blagoveshchensk State Pedagogical University (BSPU) in Russia. Having worked with the institute for 18 years, Kukharenko noted a growing interest in Chinese language and culture, with student enrollment rising from 70 in 2007 to 450 today. The students include schoolchildren, university students and business people who recognize the value of the Chinese language and culture for their future success, he said. Kukharenko credited key initiatives for this growing popularity, especially a 2022 mandate from Amur Oblast Governor Vasily Orlov that required all schools in the city of Blagoveshchensk to introduce Chinese language courses. "I believe this practice will expand to other cities in the Amur Oblast," he said. Speaking about BSPU's collaboration with Chinese universities, Kukharenko highlighted its partnership with Heihe University in Heilongjiang Province, northeast China. "Our partnership, which began in 1989, have fostered various joint activities in sports, science and culture," he said, noting that it serves as a model for other Russian-Chinese academic collaborations. BSPU currently hosts 724 Chinese students through various programs, Kukharenko said, citing the university's strong academics and proximity to China as key factors attracting Chinese students. Looking ahead, Kukharenko expressed the hope to expand Confucius Institute branches to other cities in Amur Oblast, given the growing interest in learning Chinese language and culture. "We have already opened a center in Belogorsk, the region's second-largest city," he said, adding that many cities are developing rapidly, further fueling demand for Chinese language education. Science, education and culture lay the groundwork for economic ties, which is why understanding a neighboring country's language and traditions is essential for meaningful cooperation, said Kukharenko. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) 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 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. 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 The family of a Milwaukee woman who was deported to Laos by the Trump administration earlier this month is raising funds to bring her back home to her five children. Ma Yang, a 37-year-old Hmong-American, has been living in a government facility near the Laotian capital of Vientiane since arriving in the Southeast Asian country in the first week of March. Yang claims to have never been to Laos or known anyone from the small landlocked Southeast Asian country, nestled between Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam and a world away geographically, culturally and linguistically from the United States midwest. Her longtime partner, Michael Bub, has launched a GoFundMe to bring Yang in what he described to be a "beloved mother, daughter, sister and fiancee back home where she belongs". Yang was born in a refugee camp in Thailand but gained legal status as a permanent US resident until she pleaded guilty to cannabis-related charges and served 30 months in a federal prison. Having taken a plea deal mistakenly believing that her green card would not be at risk, she is now one of the "millions and millions" of people Donald Trump pledged to kick out of America during his re-election campaign. Activists supporting Yang's family in Milwaukee said Yang was "shaken" by the deportation and the prospect of starting her life from scratch in a new country but was "doing OK for the most part". The National Assembly of Laos in Vientiane ( Alisha Rahaman Sarkar/The Independent ) Mr Bub in a post on the fundraising website said Milwaukee is the only home Yang has ever known after arriving in the US at eight months old. "She built her life in Milwaukee, working hard as a nail technician and receptionist while raising five children, ages 6 to 22," he wrote, adding that she recently welcomed her first grandchild. He added that Yang's 12 siblings were all born in the US after her parents fled the Vietnam war. "...the fact that she was born in a refugee camp made her a victim of 'stupid' birth circumstances". Mr Bub added that the financial burden has been "overwhelming" and the family was raising money to cover her legal fees to "fight for her return home, her health care and medical expenses". Yang has been living in Laos for the past weeks without any direct legal representation, The Independent has learned. According to immigration lawyer Jath Shao, even if is successful in overturning her deportation through the US legal system, she would most likely not be allowed back until at least the 2040s. Yang told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that the Trump administration had "sent me back to die." "How do I rent, or buy, or anything, with no papers?" Yang said. "I'm a nobody right now." It is not immediately clear why Laos accepted Yang's deportation despite her not being from the country. The Laos national assembly is in the process of debating changes to the constitution to formally recognise the Lao diaspora, thereby strengthening ties with those who have acquired foreign citizenship after leaving the country during historical migrations. Though still at the draft stage, it could offer Yang a route to documentation in Laos at least. 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 Nearly a half-dozen wind-whipped wildfires forced evacuation orders in the Carolinas over the weekend and destroyed several homes. The fires, which had torn across more than 6,000 acres by Monday morning, were fueled by low relative humidity, gusty winds, and dry fuels. The National Weather Service issued a Red Flag Warning in North Carolina on Saturday. Residents in South Carolina were warned of enhanced fire danger. Critically dry conditions, combined with westerly winds of 10 to 20 mph and gusts up to 25 mph, will lead to relative humidity values dropping as low as 20 to 30 percent. Exercise caution and stay alert! forecasters in Charleston said. While no injuries or deaths have been reported due to the fires, South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster declared a state of emergency, and North Carolina Governor Josh Stein said the Federal Emergency Management Agency approved a grant to help with the states response. open image in gallery Firefighters in the Carolinas are having to fend off nearly half-a-dozen blazes that cropped over the last week. The wildfires were fueled, again, by strong winds and dry conditions ( N.C. Forest Service/Facebook ) In Steins state, three fires were burning in Polk County, where people were under mandatory evacuation orders. The area, which is home to approximately 20,000 North Carolinians, was impacted by debris leftover by Hurricane Helene last year. Polk County spokesperson Kellie Cannon said four homes were lost and 100 residences have been evacuated, according to CNN. Visibility in area will be reduced, and roads/evacuation routes can become blocked; if you do not leave now, you could be trapped, injured, or killed, the North Carolina Department of Public Safety wrote in a post on X. The countys Deep Woods fire was the largest, spreading over 2,545 acres of state and private land. The Black Cove fire, which was last mapped at 2,076 acres, started last Wednesday, as well. open image in gallery North Carolina said the Fderal Emergency Management Agency approved a grant to help with the states response to the fires. No injuries or deaths have been reported ( N.C. Forest Service/Facebook ) The Fish Hook Fire, the third fire in the Black Cove Complex, started last Thursday and was just under 200 acres. However, it is 50 percent contained and forward progress had been stopped. The other blazes are zero percent contained. The cause of both the Fish Hook and Black Cove fires was a downed power line, according to WYFF. The cause of the Deep Woods fire remains under investigation. Firefighting has been hampered by the steep terrain of the Green River Gorge where both the Black Cove and Deep Woods fires started. Another challenge has been the dry, warm and windy conditions that have prevailed across the mountains, the North Carolina Forest Service explained. On Saturday, the County received a "red" air quality alert, and officials instructed residents not to go outside for a prolonged period. open image in gallery The South Carolina National Guard has been helping with firefighting efforts since the Covington Fires start earlier this month. A woman was arrested in connection with the blaze ( South Carolina National Guard/X ) In South Carolina, where the National Guard was deployed, the human-caused Table Rock fire burned more than 1,058 acres. The fire ignited on Friday. Residents may notice an increase in fire behavior. Engine and brush truck crews are staged to protect property in the area, Pickens County wrote in a post on Facebook, noting that crews had made good progress over the weekend. By Monday, previous voluntary evacuation orders remained in effect, but no further evacuations were anticipated. Video showed planes scooping water from Lake Jocassee to take to the scene. Residents are advised to remain aware of the situation by monitoring local news and social media and be prepared to evacuate if it should become necessary, the country advised. open image in gallery The Table Rock Complex includes the Table Rock fire and the Persimmon Ridge fire. Both were human-caused ( The South Carolina Forestry Commission/Facebook ) South Carolina State Parks said that Caesars Head State Park was closed until further notice due to the activity, in addition to Table Rock State Park. The more than 800-acre Persimmon Ridge fire had also closed Jones Gap State Park. It is also human-caused. Meanwhile, the Covington Drive fire which started at the beginning of the month remained at 2,059 acres and is still 80 percent contained. Firefighters faced smoldering fire and flare-ups again yesterday while conducting mop-up operations. Today, crews will continue to monitor, patrol and mop-up around the fire area, the South Carolina Forestry Commission said. Both states were under a burn ban until further notice. open image in gallery A fire also started burning in New Jersey. The California Branch fire is now fully contained ( AP ) "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, according to WYFF. There were also wildfires reported elsewhere along the East Coast, including New Jersey and Florida. open image in gallery Smoke from the 25,000-acre shut down a Florida highway. That fire is also contained ( AP ) The New Jersey Forest Service had been battling a smaller fire in the Wharton State Forest. It is now fully contained. Multiple fires were burning in Florida, and a multi-vehicle crash in Miami-Dade County occurred near the 25,000-acre 344 fire. With reporting from The Associated Press 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 The father of a pilot whose float plane went missing over Alaska has confirmed that all three passengers on board have been found alive, according to reports. The adult pilot and two juvenile passengers were rescued from the wreckage of a float plane by members of the Alaska Army National Guard. All three were transported to a hospital on the Kenai Peninsula to receive treatment for non-life-threatening injuries, according to local reports. Officials say that a Good Samaritan pilot raised the alarm after spotting the Piper PA-12 Super Cruiser near the eastern side of Tustumena Lake. A search was launched on Monday involving Alaska State Troopers and the U.S. Coastguard after the plane, which reportedly departed from Soldotna Airport on Sunday afternoon on a sightseeing flight, was overdue. State troopers have said that a rescue helicopter is en route to the spotted wreckage. The agency promised to release further details after they had investigated the site, according to Alaska News Now. The father of the missing pilot, identified as a 38-year-old from Sterling, Alaska, told the outlet he has air in his lungs again after the discovery. open image in gallery ( Alaska State Troopers are en route to the wreckage site, according to reports. ) Authorities previously stated that they believed the aircraft may be near Tustumena Lake and the Kenai Mountains, 220 miles southwest of Anchorage. The 60,000-acre lake has been described by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game as notorious for its sudden dangerous winds, according to the Associated Press. Alarms were raised when the plane didnt return when expected, while the pilots cellphone last pinged around 5 p.m. Sunday in the Tustumena Lake area, according to the Alaska News Now. Additional reporting by AP. 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 Virginia lawmaker Jackie Glass said she got a safety brief when she joined the Legislature. I was told who not to go drink with, who not to be alone with and who to just watch out for, she said on the Statehouse floor in 2024. Addressing the male House speaker, she said, I dont think you got that brief. The Democrat was discussing a pervasive culture of sexual misconduct in the Statehouse, something that remains despite the #MeToo movement hitting critical mass in 2017. The movement toppled politicians, celebrities and others across the country. Allegations of harassment and misconduct, some from many years prior, came to light highlighting a toxic culture where such behavior was perhaps as rampant and accepted as the silence that buried it. Many state legislatures responded by adopting or enhancing policies against sexual misconduct. As the number of female state lawmakers reaches new heights, some say statehouses are less of a boys club. But allegations continue to surface at the state level and beyond. In an interview with The Associated Press, Glass questioned why she would encourage women to join the legislative ranks when it feels little has changed. I just dont know how we keep women and well, quite frankly, people safe when it feels like it goes hand in hand with the work, she said. 12 dozen lawmakers accused in 8 years Since 2017, The Associated Press has cataloged at least 147 state lawmakers across 44 states who have been accused of sexual harassment or sexual misconduct. Over a third resigned or were expelled from office and roughly another third faced repercussions, such as losing party or committee leadership positions. A dozen top state executive officials, including governors and attorneys general, also faced sexual misconduct allegations during that time, and most resigned. The total includes allegations of incidents in state government and outside of it. That includes Minnesota Republican state Sen. Justin Eichorn, who resigned on Thursday after being charged with soliciting a minor for prostitution. A federal defender said Thursday that Eichorn was still in the process of hiring a private lawyer. Most allegations were reported in the first two years of #MeToo, but more have emerged every year since. In 2024 alone, the AP tallied at least 14 state lawmakers from a dozen states who were accused about twice as many as the previous year. According to the National Womens Defense League, which advocates for sexual harassment policies in statehouses and keeps its own count, Republicans and Democrats are nearly equally accused and 94% of those overall are men. New policies and training, but not always transparency An AP survey of the legislative chambers in each state, conducted from last November through January, found about half had updated their sexual harassment policies over the past five years. The Nevada Legislature, for example, expanded its definition of sexual harassment to include visual conduct such as derogatory photos or gestures. And the Kentucky General Assembly added sexual harassment to its list of ethical misconduct, taking action several years after revelations that four lawmakers had signed a secret sexual harassment settlement with a female employee. Near the beginning of #MeToo, an AP survey found about a third of legislative chambers didnt require lawmakers to take sexual harassment training. Almost all state legislatures now offer it, though its not always mandatory and content, format and frequency vary. Academic experts and womens advocacy groups say frequent training is best conducted in person and with real-life scenarios. While most chambers offer in-person training, only about one-third nationwide conduct training annually, according to AP's survey. Not every legislative chamber is transparent about its policies or efforts to mitigate sexual harassment and misconduct, though. The Oklahoma Senate and both chambers of the West Virginia Legislature declined to provide their sexual harassment policies to the AP, asserting they are internal documents exempt from disclosure. The Mississippi Senate did not respond to requests for its written policy. The Arkansas Senate is the only legislative chamber without a specific sexual harassment policy, but Senate legal counsel said it has an ethics code and the authority to discipline members. Lawmakers in California created a body independent of the Legislature to investigate reports of sexual harassment with a call line. However, investigation findings are only released publicly if the complaint is found to be substantiated against a lawmaker or high-level staffer. If thats wh at it takes to keep people acting right, that's fine' Lawmakers and others are divided about whether anything has changed and if so, why. Rep. Abby Major, a Pennsylvania Republican, says male colleagues have treated women better after recent sexual harassment scandals. I think maybe the men are afraid to do anything lest I am doing a press conference about them next, Major said, referring to her disclosure that a fellow representative in 2022 propositioned her and followed her to her car. If thats what it takes to keep people acting right, then thats fine. Ill be the boogeyman. Michigan Democratic state Sen. Mallory McMorrow, who filed a sexual harassment complaint against Republican state Sen. Peter Lucido in 2020, said improvements have less to do with policy changes and more to do with the fact more women are in charge. By our very nature, we changed how the Legislature operates, she said. Lucido did not respond to requests for comment. According to data kept by the Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University, the number of female state lawmakers saw the greatest rise in 2018 since the 1990s, largely driven by the success of Democratic women in that years midterms. Women now occupy 33% of all legislative seats nationwide, although representation by state varies. Others still see sexism, especially in male-dominated, Republican-majority chambers. Sometimes it feels like we should just smile more and not be disruptive and not challenge anyone. That hasnt gone away, said Georgia state Rep. Shea Roberts, who resigned as Democratic Caucus treasurer to protest after the caucus leader was accused last year of sexually harassing a staffer. Coming forward sometimes has other consequences Even with updated sexual harassment policies and cultural shifts, the decision to report is fraught. Misconduct reports may be handled by a third party or more commonly, by ethics committees or caucus leadership. Accusers often consider which leaders and parties are in power, according to the National Women's Defense League. This is a political workplace and therefore harassment issues inside of the statehouse are inherently political, said Emma Davidson Tribbs, the NWDLs founding director. Experts say a third party is crucial to ensuring a fair investigation and to encourage reporting. Only about one-quarter of legislative chambers require external investigations when such complaints are made, according to APs survey. Dozens of others allow external investigations at the case-by-case discretion of legislative leaders. Oregon's Legislative Equity Office, which investigates complaints, found in its annual report released earlier this month that legislative staff reached out to the office more than any other group. Oregon Democratic state Sen. Sara Gelser Blouin was one of two female lawmakers who filed complaints about unwanted touching by a fellow senator in 2017. I still remember the first time I turned on the radio and heard my name and people talking about my breasts or my thighs, she told the AP. It felt very, very invasive. And it made it a lot more clear to me why people dont make their complaints or why they dont come forward. Despite legal protections against retaliation, accusers reputations and careers often take a hit after coming forward. Gabrielle Brock, then a communications staffer for Indiana Senate Democrats, was 23 when she and three other women accused then-Attorney General Curtis Hill, a Republican, of groping them at a 2018 party. Their accusations led to a misconduct hearing before the state Supreme Court and Hill's law license was suspended for 30 days. Hill, who denied the allegations, lost his 2020 reelection bid thereafter and ran unsuccessfully for governor in 2024. Brock and the other women left their jobs in the Statehouse as a result. I felt like that story overshadowed any work that I was doing for the state, for my caucus at the time, Brock said. Brock had found a passion for working in government but says the Statehouse environment made it too uncomfortable a place to work. Every woman had a story of some kind of inappropriate interaction, primarily with an elected official, she said. The women dropped a lawsuit against Hill last December, saying through their attorney they felt the trial would bring no relief monetary or otherwise. When reached for comment, Hill called the original allegations vague and thin. Were blaming the wrong people Men still make up two-thirds of all state lawmakers in the U.S. and though #MeToo has primarily spotlighted women's voices, some say the reckoning gave them the space to join women in discussing misconduct and to acknowledge more work is needed. Republican state Rep. Mark Schreiber of Kansas, who joined the Legislature in 2017, said he saw a boys will be boys ethos when he started coming to the Statehouse decades ago as a utility company executive. That later gave way to acknowledging harassment while still blaming women. In more recent years, he said, men realized, Were blaming the wrong people, and We need to correct the behavior of these men. Advocates and lawmakers alike hope that improvements continue, saying hostile work environments remain pervasive enough to keep women from running for office. When men run for office, its about whether they can do the job, said Erin Maye Quade, a Minnesota Democratic senator. When women run for office, its about a lot more than that. Many question the overall progress of #MeToo, pointing to sexual misconduct allegations against several of President Donald Trump's cabinet nominees and the president himself many of whom have denied them. It sends a message of normalization about this kind of behavior, said Debbie Walsh, director of the Center for American Women and Politics. I do think things are better than they were. I do think the MeToo movement had an impact, she added. But that momentum has to stay because it doesnt just get fixed in a couple of years. ___ Associated Press writers Claire Rush, Sophie Austin, Mark Scolforo, Jeff Amy, John Hanna, Steve Karnowski and AP writers covering statehouses around the U.S. contributed to this report. ___ The Associated Press women in the workforce and state government coverage receives financial support from Pivotal Ventures. The AP is solely responsible for all content. Find APs standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org. 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 The founder of a New York-based aerospace startup developing high-tech rocket thrusters that have garnered glowing press coverage and at least one contract with the U.S. Space Force is accused of plundering investor funds to underwrite pricey jaunts to Europe, jewelry for his wife, child support payments, and, according to the companys largest investor, airline tickets for international call girls to join him for clandestine weekends in Miami. Onetime stockbroker Christopher Craddock established RocketStar in 2014 after financial regulators barred him from working on Wall Street over a raft of alleged violations. Craddock held the firm out as an entity that intended to reinvent space exploration, states a $6 million lawsuit filed by former CEO Michael Mojtahedi and obtained by The Independent. I was trying to find a way to enter the rocket market to ultimately mine asteroids, and I figured out the biggest problem wasnt the tech or the rockets, but getting to space, Craddock told Popular Mechanics in an interview. But, according to Mojtahedis complaint, RocketStar is nothing more than a Ponzi scheme [that] has been predicated on Craddocks ability to con new people each time the company has run out of money. Craddock recklessly and lavishly misappropriated for his lifestyle almost every cent RocketStar received from investors, running the company into the ground by August 2024, the complaint says. At that point, Craddocks keeping up with the Joneses lifestyle caught up with him, investor funds dried up completely, and his house of cards collapsed. When Craddock was eventually found out, he fired RocketStars entire board of directors and essentially barricaded himself in the firms Chrysler Building offices, the complaint states. Mojtahedi poured more than $1 million of his own money into RocketStar, only to see it flagrantly misused by Craddock, according to the complaint. In an email on Friday, Craddock declined to comment on Mojtahedis allegations and referred The Independent to Michael Ledley, RocketStars attorney. The company denies the allegations and looks forward to vindicating itself in court, Ledley said in a subsequent phone interview. Jeffrey M. Eilender, who is representing Mojtahedi, told The Independent, Mr. Craddock promotes RocketStar as a pioneering force in aerospace technology and has solicited millions of dollars in investments from individuals such as our client, who viewed investing in RocketStar as an exciting opportunity. He said it was important to file this lawsuit not only to seek justice for our client, and the other investors who have lost millions of dollars combined, but to hopefully prevent new victims. A little over a decade ago, Craddock leveraged the physics degree he earned at Stony Brook University and reinvented himself as a space mogul, Mojtahedis complaint explains. In the years that followed, he joined a swanky Manhattan social club where he solicited funds from wealthy members, many of whom shared a lifelong fascination with space travel and saw Craddocks venture as something of a thrill, according to the complaint. One of those people was Mojtahedi, whom Craddock first approached in early 2023 to help bring RocketStars nuclear fusion-enhanced plasma thruster engine technology to market, according to the complaint. However, it contends, the lies began almost immediately. For one, Craddock told Mojtahedi that the company had so far raised millions in funding, the complaint goes on. What Mojtahedi didnt know at the time was that Craddock, who claimed to be using the funds on product development and the pending acquisition of a Florida company that provides spacecraft propulsion and communications services to military clients, was instead blowing it on everything but something Mojtahedi learned through bank records he eventually pried loose in a previous court action, according to the court documents. In one instance, Craddock used investor money to fly a woman named Francesca from Rome, Italy to Miami, the complaint states. While it is unclear from Francescas public profile what, exactly, her profession is, her public social media account features provocative pictures like the one below, it says. Craddock also gave a RocketStar AmEx to the head of the Florida company he said he wanted to acquire, according to the complaint. It says the Florida exec used the card, with Craddocks approval, to fly a woman named Radmila from Milan, Italy, to New York City on multiple occasions. The complaint says she was flown from Orlando, Florida to London, England on RocketStars dime, too. The business purpose of these trips and the nature of goods and services these women provided to RocketStar is unknown, although it is unclear how they earned such fantastic paid vacations using investors monies, the complaint states. In 2023, according to Mojtahedis resignation letter, which is attached as an exhibit to the complaint, RocketStar paid for an executive trip to Venice, Italy. It says the charged expenses were all private and personal in nature, such as a Friday night dinner for two at Hostaria Osottoosopra, which is described as a cozy and romantic spot. The same goes for another cozy and romantic dinner on a Sunday night at Ristorante Marco Polo which is right across the canal from Piazza San Marco, the exhibit says. According to one of the staff, the only business conducted in this restaurant at dinner time is the business of amore. Last year, RocketStar paid for another executive trip to the Lombardy region of Italy, the exhibit alleges. There were numerous expenses that were of personal and private nature, the exhibit states. For example, spending the Saturday night of 1/7/24 in one of the romantic suites in Villa Onofria in Brescia, Italy, right at the banks of Lake Garda [must have been] magical. open image in gallery RocketStar CEO Christopher Craddock used investor funds to make child support payments on behalf of an executive at a company he sought to acquire, according to Michael Mojtahedi's lawsuit ( NYS Supreme Court ) Craddock also racked up huge bills on his RocketStar AmEx, and paid them off using investor funds, according to the complaint. Among other places, the complaint says Mojtahedi reviewed records showing Craddock used the card at Best Buy, FAO Schwarz, Midtown Comics, Medina Jewelry, and L'Occitane, the luxury cosmetics chain. For his part, the Florida exec allegedly charged tens of thousands of dollars to his own RocketStar AmEx, including a large bill from Melbourne Family Dental, to cover his familys dental expenses, according to the complaint, which says Craddock also paid the execs monthly child support payments using RocketStars corporate funds. In the end, the acquisition Craddock had been pursuing turned out to be a farce, the complaint states, calling it a scheme Craddock concocted, along with two of [the target companys] officers to scam investors out of more cash. By June 28, 2024, RocketStars bank account showed a balance of negative - $4,105.87, according to the complaint. The next day, Craddock told all RocketStar employees that they were being furloughed, the complaint states. Craddock was removed from his position as CEO in August 2024 by the board of directors, amid an ongoing internal investigation into his alleged financial improprieties, and replaced, on an interim basis, by Mojtahedi, according to the complaint. open image in gallery ( NYS Supreme Court ) A source with knowledge of the situation told The Independent that RocketStar is taking legal action against the Florida company, which they said was responsible for the takeover falling through. The source said RocketStar was going through a turbulent period when Mojtahedi became disenchanted, and that many startups face similar issues involving bad advice and less-than-perfect documentation. On December 24, 2024, after uncovering Craddocks fraud and complete disregard for corporate formalities, Mojtahedi stepped down as RocketStars interim CEO. I urge the board of RocketStar to employ this information to fulfill their fiduciary duty and hire a forensic accountant to get to the bottom of everything, Mojtahedi wrote in his resignation letter. As Mojtahedi says in his lawsuit, which was filed March 19 in New York State Supreme Court, had he known about even some of these issues, he would not have invested another dollar in RocketStar. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice President Donald Trump said that Colorado Governor Jared Polis should be ashamed of himself for hanging a purposefully distorted presidential portrait in the State Capitol building. Colorado Republicans raised over $10,000 to commission the portrait by artist Sarah Boardman, which was unveiled in 2019 during the presidents first term. In a late-night Truth Social rant, Trump took aim at Polis, a Democrat, and Broadman, who he claimed had lost her touch after making former President Barack Obama look wonderful in a commission years earlier. Nobody likes a bad picture or painting of themselves, but the one in Colorado, in the State Capitol, put up by the Governor, along with all other Presidents, was purposefully distorted to a level that even I, perhaps, have never seen before, Trump began on Sunday evening. The artist also did President Obama, and he looks wonderful, but the one on me is truly the worst. She must have lost her talent as she got older. open image in gallery President Donald Trump blamed both Democratic Governor Jared Polis and artist Sarah Boardman for his portrait hanging in the Colorado State Capitol ( Donald Trump/Truth Social/ Sarah Boardman ) Along with his own calls to remove the painting, Trump alleged that furious Colorado natives had complained about the portrait and were urging state officials to pull it down. The president seized on the moment to take a swipe at Polis and his policies, referencing members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, which had a presence in Aurora, Colorado, last year. I am speaking on their behalf to the Radical Left Governor, Jared Polis, who is extremely weak on Crime, in particular with respect to Tren de Aragua, which practically took over Aurora (Dont worry, we saved it!), to take it down, he continued. Jared should be ashamed of himself! A spokesperson for the governors office thanked the president for his interest in the State Capitol and its artwork. Gov. Polis was surprised to learn the President of the United States is an aficionado of our Colorado State Capitol and its artwork, they told The Hill. We appreciate the President and everyones interest in our capitol building and are always looking for any opportunity to improve our visitor experience. open image in gallery Trump, photographed at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts last week, touted Boardmans work of Barack Obama as wonderful ( Getty Images ) Polis, however, wasnt behind the painting, which was commissioned in 2018, months before he took office. Earlier that year, a political activist had snuck into the State Capitol with help from an advisor to Colorados Democratic House Speaker Crisanta Duran. A large painting of Russian President Vladimir Putin was erected where Trumps portrait was meant to hang. It came after Republicans reportedly could not raise the funds required to commission the picture of Trump. After the stunt, Kevin Grantham, a Republican who served as president of the Colorado Senate, raised more than $10,000 through GoFundMe for the portrait. After unveiling the picture of Trump in August 2019, Boardman predicted that her work would endure. open image in gallery Artist Sarah Boardman commissioned the portrait of former President Barack Obama in 2011 ( Sarah A. Boardman, Portraits ) In five, 10, 15, 20 years, he will be another president on the wall who is only historical background and he needs to look neutral, she told Colorado Public Radio at the time. In a separate interview with the Colorado Times Reporter, the artist said she doesnt let her personal politics influence her work. When I start to paint a portrait, it is the portrait, likeness, and essence of the subject which I strive to portray, she said. Any personal feelings about any subject are not relevant and are left outside the studio per my training to leave those emotions at the door. Its not the first blunt assessment Trump has delivered over a portrait of himself. In a moment of self-deprecation, while sitting in a New York courtroom in his civil fraud trial in December 2023, Trump made a scathing remark to one artist hired by news organizations to capture the inside of the no-photos-allowed courtroom. It looks like I need to lose some weight, Trump told the artist as he gestured at his neck, they told The Independent. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The person who called 911 for Jessica Aber, the 43-year-old former federal prosecutor who was found dead in her home in Virginia on Saturday morning, refused to perform CPR, its been reported. First responders were called to Abers home in Alexandria at 9:18 am local time after receiving a report about an unresponsive woman. Officials are yet to announce a cause of death, but a family friend told Fox News Sunday that Aber suffered from a medical condition. "Police believe the death was the result of a longstanding medical issue," the source said. According to a dispatch audio obtained by NBC News, the caller refused to administer CPR on the attorney. Any additional units... for the cardiac arrest. 916 Beverly Drive," the dispatcher is heard saying. "Thatll be for a 46-year-old female found in bed unresponsive, not breathing. The caller has refused CPR. Aber was 43, not 46, as referenced in the call. Officials have not established the caller's identity. The chief medical examiners office has confirmed that the autopsy has yet to be performed. Aber was a career federal prosecutor with a track record for tackling high-profile cases in close proximity to Washington, D.C. ( Getty Images ) Aber rose to prominence as a top U.S. attorney in Virginia. She secured convictions for an MS-13 gang leader, assisted with investigations against Russians accused of conspiracy and fraud, and oversaw the takedown of a man who allowed Israeli citizens to enter the U.S. illegally. In 2021, then-President Joe Biden nominated Aber for the position of U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. She resigned from her position the same day President Donald Trump took office. Attorney General of Virginia Jason Miyares released a statement on Abers death Saturday: 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. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi expressed her condolences in a DOJ statement Saturday, 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. Aber began working in the Eastern District of Virginia in 2009 as an assistant US attorney and climbed the ranks, eventually taking on financial fraud, public corruption, and child exploitation cases, according to the Department of Justice website. She was promoted to the district's deputy chief of the criminal division in 2016. The Independent contacted the Virginia medical examiner's office for information. 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 Vice President J.D Vances words attacking Denmark for not being a good ally have circulated online once again as he and his wife prepare to visit the worlds largest island this week. Asked whether he believed the U.S. could acquire Greenland during an interview with Fox News host Maria Bartiromo in February, Vance said: I think its possible, Maria. Heres the thing which I think a lot of folks dont appreciate about Greenland. Its really important to our national security, the vice president claimed. Vance explained that there are sea lanes surrounding Greenland, used by the Chinese and the Russians. The former Ohio senator accused the Danish government of restricting U.S. access and, therefore, not doing its job and not being a good ally. During the Fox News interview, which discussed several of Trumps measures, Vance suggested that the only real solution to the national security issue was to take more territorial interest in Greenland. He stressed that Trump would take the island if necessary, saying, That is what President Trump is going to do because he doesnt care about what the Europeans scream at us; he cares about putting the interests of American citizens first. open image in gallery JD Vance mentioned the Nordic territories bountiful natural resources while insisting that Trump had a vested interest in its national security ( Reuters ) However, Trump and Greenlands Prime Minister Mute B. Egede have been at odds for weeks since the president declared the ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity in a Truth Social post in January. Egede slammed the Trump administration for unleashing a highly aggressive approach after he sent a delegation of senior U.S. officials to the territory last week. Vance also told Bartiromo that the people of Greenland were not actually happy with [the] Danish government, despite an opinion poll strongly suggesting the opposite. As The Guardian reported in January, 85 per cent of Greenlanders said they were against the possibility of becoming a U.S. territory. Vance emphasized the U.S.s desire to acquire Greenlands rich natural resources, claiming the island was an incredibly bountiful country. It was reported earlier this week that Second Lady Usha Vance would make a charm visit to the territory with the pairs son Thursday to visit historical sites, learn about Greenlandic heritage, and attend the Avannaata Qimussersu, Greenlands national dogsled race, according to a White House press release. Vice President Vance announced on Tuesday that he would be joining the trip. Were going to check out how things are going there, Vance said in a video shared Tuesday. Speaking for President Trump, we want to reinvigorate the security of the people of Greenland because we think its important to protecting the security of the entire world. As a result of the former Ohio Senators presence, the schedule for the trip was changed and will no longer include attending the dogsled race. open image in gallery JD Vances wife Usha is due to visit Greenland on Thursday ( AP ) Trumps security adviser, Mike Waltz, has also been deployed on a trip to the island alongside U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright. The pair reportedly visited the Pituffik Space Base, a longstanding US military installation on the island. Egede lambasted the flurry of visits and furiously questioned in the Greenlandic press why they occurred in the first place. We are now at a level where it can in no way be characterized as a harmless visit from a politician's wife, Egede said, as quoted in the newspaper Sermitsiaq Sunday. What is the national security adviser doing in Greenland? The only purpose is to demonstrate power over us, Egede said. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Mia Love, the first Black Republican woman elected to Congress, has died at age 49. Her family announced her death on Sunday via her X account, saying she died peacefully at her home in Saratoga Springs, Utah. Love, the daughter of Haitian immigrants, had been undergoing treatment for brain cancer, including immunotherapy as part of a clinical trial at Duke University. Earlier in March, her daughter shared that Love was no longer responding to treatment. Love's family expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support and prayers, saying, "With grateful hearts filled to overflowing for the profound influence of Mia on our lives, we want you to know that she passed away peacefully. We are thankful for the many good wishes, prayers and condolences." Utah Governor Spencer Cox mourned Love's passing, calling her a "true friend" whose legacy of service inspired many. Love's political career began in 2003 when she won a seat on the Saratoga Springs City Council. She later served as the city's mayor before setting her sights on national office. In 2012, she narrowly lost a House race against Democratic incumbent Jim Matheson. Undeterred, she ran again two years later, securing victory against Doug Owens by about 7,500 votes. Love did not emphasise her race during her campaigns, but she acknowledged the significance of her election after her 2014 victory. She said her win defied naysayers who had suggested that a Black, Republican, Mormon woman could not win a congressional seat in Utah, an overwhelmingly white state. Mia Love pictured with her family in a photo that accompanied her daughter's post on X ( X/@MiaBLove ) She was briefly considered a rising star within the GOP and she kept her distance from Donald Trump, who was unpopular with many Utah voters, while he was running for president ahead of the 2016 election. In an op-ed published earlier this month in the Deseret News, Love described the version of America she grew up loving and shared her enduring wish for the nation to become less divisive. She thanked her medical team and every person who had prayed for her. Love said her parents immigrated to the US with $10 in their pockets and a belief that hard work would lead to success. She said she was raised to believe passionately in the American dream and to love this country, warts and all. Loves career in politics exposed her to America's ugly side, but she said it also gave her a front row seat to be inspired by people's hope and courage. She shared her wish for neighbors to come together and focus on their similarities rather than their differences. "Some have forgotten the math of America whenever you divide you diminish," Love wrote. She urged elected officials to lead with compassion and communicate honestly with their constituents. "In the end, I hope that my life will have mattered and made a difference for the nation I love and the family and friends I adore," Love wrote. "I hope you will see the America I know in the years ahead, that you will hear my words in the whisper of the wind of freedom and feel my presence in the flame of the enduring principles of liberty. My living wish and fervent prayer for you and for this nation is that the America I have known is the America you fight to preserve." In 2016, facing reelection and following the release of a 2005 recording in which Trump made lewd comments about groping women, Love skipped the Republican National Convention and released a statement saying definitively that she would not vote for Trump. She instead endorsed Texas Sen. Ted Cruz in the GOP race, but he dropped out months later. While seeking a third term in 2018, Love tried to separate herself from Trump on trade and immigration while still backing her party's positions on tax cuts. Despite Republican voters outnumbering Democrats by a nearly three-to-one margin in her district, though, she lost by fewer than 700 votes to Democrat Ben McAdams, a former mayor of Salt Lake City. Trump called out Love by name in a news conference the morning after she lost, where he also bashed other Republicans who did not fully embrace him. "Mia Love gave me no love, and she lost," Trump said. "Too bad. Sorry about that, Mia." After her loss, Love served as a political commentator on CNN and as a fellow at the University of Sydney. Following Trump's election in November, Love said she was "OK with the outcome." "Yes, Trump says a lot of inconsiderate things that are unfortunate and impossible to defend," Love wrote in a social media post. "However, his policies have a high probability of benefiting all Americans." 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 Attorney General Pam Bondi urged Rep. Jasmine Crockett to tread very carefully after the Texas Democrat railed against Elon Musk and his electric vehicle company, Tesla. The nations top prosecutor issued the threat during an appearance on Fox News Sunday Morning Futures, just days after Crockett spoke at a live-streamed Tesla Takedown rally. She is an elected public official, so she needs to tread very carefully because nothing will happen to Elon Musk, and were going to fight to protect all of the Tesla owners throughout this country, Bondi told anchor Marisa Bartiromo. Domestic terrorism is going to come to a stop in our country. Just hours later, Crockett responded on MSNBC, telling host Alex Witt that her call to action was nonviolent. I have never promoted violence whatsoever, yet Ive also never made [an] excuse for those violent actors such as the ones on January 6, she said, referring to President Donald Trumps sweeping pardons for insurrectionists charged with crimes during Capitol riots. So Pam Bondi, if you have an issue with terrorism, maybe you should talk to your boss about locking back up those guys that he let out that participated in January 6. open image in gallery Pam Bondi issued a thinly veiled threat to Jasmine Crockett while speaking on Fox News Sunday morning ( Fox News/Sunday Morning Futures ) Attacks against Tesla vehicles have escalated since Musk began slashing the federal government through his Department of Government Efficiency. Protests have erupted across the U.S., with showrooms besieged and charging sites vandalized. Others are selling their cars and shares amid growing unease over Musks political influence and closeness to Trump. On Wednesday, Crockett attended a virtual Tesla Takedown rally and referenced what organizers are touting as the biggest day of action on March 29, with an estimated 500 demonstrations scheduled across the U.S. On March 29, its my birthday, and all I want to see happen on my birthday is for Elon to be taken down, Crockett, who will turn 44, said. I have learned, as I serve on the DOGE Oversight committee, that there is only one language that the people that are in charge understand right now, and that language is money. open image in gallery Jasmine Crockett, speaking at the Democratic National Convention last year, has made repeated calls for citizens to rally against Musk and his electric vehicle company ( AP ) Crockett also stated that her calls to engage in fighting were figurative, and instead, she wanted to encourage peaceful protests. Several MAGA Republicans have denounced Crocketts anti-Musk and Tesla rhetoric. A Member of Congress is organizing political violence and terrorism, Georgia Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene wrote on X. Texas Senator Ted Cruz warned on his Verdict podcast Friday that somebody is going to be killed. Meanwhile, Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick simply told Fox News viewers to buy Tesla stock last week. Three people were charged for their involvement in Molotov cocktail attacks against Tesla cars and charging stations in Oregon, Colorado and North Carolina, Bondis office announced a day after the Tesla Takedown call. On Sunday, the attorney general doubled down that we are not coming off these charges, adding: We are looking at everything, especially if this is a concerted effort. This is domestic terrorism. She said the three suspects face severe and swift consequences for their actions, including up to 20 years in prison. 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 Amid viral protests at town halls, constituents are now empty-chairing their Republican representatives to share their frustrations in the absence of their political leaders. GOP bosses have told their members not to appear at town hall meetings to avoid having to face down voters fury at the policies pushed by the administration of President Donald Trump. Voters are especially outraged at Elon Musks effort to gut the federal government and the civil service. During the congressional recess that came to an end on Sunday, local activists held events where voters could voice their opinions even if their congressional representatives chose not to attend the events they were invited to. New York voters railed at an empty chair holding a photo of Rep. Elise Stefanik at a town hall event hosted by Indivisible ADK, according to WRGB. open image in gallery Hundreds show up for empty chair town hall hosted by Indivisible Northeast Indiana ( 21 Alive News ) "Will you stand up for your people and Congress by taking food out of the mouths of hungry constituents in your district?" one attendee asked. "What, Elise, are you gonna do to ensure that the Trump administration does the same?" another asked. Others simply questioned where she was. "Congresswoman Stefanik has hosted thousands of events since she was first elected, which is why she was consistently overwhelmingly re-elected for six terms, earning the highest number of votes in the North Country in history for a Congressional candidate, Stefanik spokesperson Alex DeGrasse told CBS6. This is the same failed playbook radical Leftist Democrats have used every cycle. Similarly, Montana voters shared their concerns regarding cuts to Social Security, Medicare, and the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Missoula Current reported. Meanwhile, the Alaska Current reported that event attendees in the state slammed Trump for his attacks on longtime allies such as Canada while at the same time taking a more friendly approach to traditional adversaries such as Russia. Voters at an event in Anchorage took aim at empty chairs holding signs saying Chicken Nick and Doorman Dan in reference to Rep. Nick Begich and Sen. Dan Sullivan. open image in gallery U.S. Ambassador-Designate to the United Nations Elise Stefanik speaks at ADL Never Is Now at Javits Center on March 3, 2025, in New York City. She chose not to attend a town hall event with angry constituents during the recent congressional recess ( Getty Images for Anti-Defamation ) One woman said she had voted for Sullivan for the last time after he voted to confirm Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Dan, what were you thinking! she said. Obviously, its not the American people, not the defense of the country. Maybe you have a little Russian in you, Dan! Mike Macans told the attendees at the Alaska event that he had been fired several times from his job at the Small Business Administration. Everyday Alaskans are the ones left reeling from the destruction of our critical services, said Macans. Representative Begich and Senator Sullivan refused to sit down with us. They refused to stand up for everyday salt-of-the-earth Alaskans. Where the hell are you? Sullivan told reporters that his time was better spent meeting with smaller groups, such as at a Fairbanks fundraiser on Friday. My number one priority has always been constructive and meaningful engagement with my constituents, he told the press in Juneau, the Alaska Beacon reported. And by the way, you want to talk about a town hall? That was the ultimate town hall. There were 60 elected officials who could ask me any question they wanted, on any topic they wanted, and they represent the people. He added that hes unwilling to meet with those intent on just yelling at him. If theres constructive engagement, Im all for it, said Sullivan. If its all about screaming and yelling and viral moments that they want to send out to their colleagues? You know, its not necessarily the most constructive way to do what I just did in there: an hour and a half with Alaska elected officials. Meanwhile, in Indiana, hundreds of voters attended an event at a local library to blast Sens. Todd Young and Jim Banks, as well as Rep. Marlin Stutzman, for supposedly refusing to meet with them. Theyve never been here before, why would they be here now? Theyre no-shows. Theyre interested in Trump and Elon, theyre not interested in us, one attendee told WPTA. A Banks spokesperson told the local TV station that Attending a fake town hall with a small group of whiny Democrats suffering from Trump Derangement Syndrome is not at the top of his priority list. Senator Banks received more votes than any Senate candidate in Indiana history because of his strong record helping constituents and fighting for Hoosiers, a spokesperson for Banks told The Independent. The Independent has contacted Stutzman and Young for comment. 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 three-judge panel of federal appeals court judges appeared skeptical that Donald Trumps administration could summarily deport immigrants inside the United States under the presidents use of the Alien Enemies Act. During a hearing in Washington, D.C., Monday, Deputy Assistant Attorney General Drew Ensign called a federal judges ruling that temporarily blocks those deportations an utterly unprecedented intrusion of his authority. Well, its an unprecedented action, as well, replied Judge Patricia Millett, who was appointed by Barack Obama. We are in unprecedented territory. According to Ensign, Tren de Aragua members dont need to be notified they are going to be removed, or given the opportunity to challenge allegations that theyre even members, under the Alien Enemies Act. Judge Millett pointed out that the initial plaintiffs in the legal challenge over their removals had filed a complaint before Trump had even invoked the Alien Enemies Act and before anyone boarded the planes. The proclamation was signed and people were put on planes immediately without knowing the basis, let alone an opportunity to file a suit, she said. Am I wrong about anything I just said? The administration loaded people into planes without any avenue to challenge what was happening to them, she said. Nazis got better treatment under the Alien Enemies Act and they had a hearing first before people were removed, she said. [Venezuelans] werent told where they were going They had no opportunity to file habeas or any type of petition Whats factually wrong about what I said? Well, your honor, we certainly dispute the Nazi analogy, Ensign replied. open image in gallery The Trump administration is asking a federal appeals court to overturn a judges order that blocks deportations under the Alien Enemies Act after the United States deported more than 200 Venezuelans immigrants to a notorious El Salvador prison this month ( via REUTERS ) Trump invoked the Alien Enemies Act for the fourth time in U.S. history at some point before three planes with dozens of Venezuelans were sent to El Salvadors notorious prison, where they do not have access to legal counsel and face the prospect of indefinite detention. Ensign told the court he did not have a timeline for when exactly the Alien Enemies Act was invoked and when people were put on planes. Trumps order states that all Venezuelan citizens 14 years of age or older who are members of [Tren de Aragua], are within the United States, and are not actually naturalized or lawful permanent residents of the United States are liable to be apprehended, restrained, secured, and removed as Alien Enemies. The administration admitted in court filings that many of the people sent to El Salvador did not have criminal records, and attorneys and family members say their clients and relatives some of whom were in the country with legal permission and have upcoming court hearings on their asylum claims have nothing to do with Tren de Aragua. I think were going to be able to prove that many if not most of the people removed had no connection to the gang, ACLU attorney Lee Gerlent told appeals court judges on Monday. Trumps reliance on the centuries-old wartime law marked its first use since the Second World War, when President Franklin Delano Roosevelt designated Japanese, German and Italian nationals as "alien enemies. More than 31,000 people and their families were interned at camps and military facilities across the U.S., according to the National Archives. The argument that Trump didnt have to provide any avenue for deported immigrants to challenge their detention under the Alien Enemies Act because its an intrusion of presidents war powers is a misreading of both case precedent and the act itself, Millett said. The president has to comply with the constitution and law just like everyone else, she said. But Trump-appointed judge Justin Walker repeatedly suggested immigrants targeted for removal could have filed habeas petitions in Texas before they were deported instead. Each plaintiff could have gone before a [federal judge] and said, I am not a member of Tren de Aragua and therefore cant be removed under the proclamation, according to Walker. The panels deciding vote may come down to George H.W. Bush-appointed judge Karen Henderson, who has previously argued in an unrelated case undocumented immigrants are not entitled to the due process protections of the Fifth Amendment. open image in gallery Trump has asserted that members of Tren de Aragua can by summarily deported under his wartime authority, but attorneys and family members of deported Venezuelans say they have nothing to do with the gang ( via REUTERS ) On March 15, District Judge James Boasberg had issued a temporary restraining order that blocks the administration from removing people from the country under Trumps terms of the Alien Enemies Act, but those flights were already on their way to El Salvador when his rulings were delivered verbally and in a written filing, prompting the judge to question whether Trump officials intentionally defied his orders. Trump and his allies have since threatened to impeach Boasberg, prompting Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts to issue a rare public statement to say that impeachment is not an appropriate response to disagreement concerning a judicial decision and that a normal appellate review process exists for that purpose. A standoff between the judge, who has ordered the administration to respond to several questions about the flights, has reached a boiling point, and legal scholars and critics of the administration have warned that Trumps apparent defiance has reached a dangerous constitutional crossroads. Administration officials were also ordered to issue a statement to Boasberg if they intend to raise a state secrets privilege to avoid answering his questions, citing national security concerns. Last week, Judge Boasberg heard more in-court arguments from Trump attorneys and grilled them about his orders. Why was this proclamation essentially signed in the dark on Friday or Friday night or early Saturday morning and people rushed onto planes? Boasberg asked. Seems to me the only reason to do that is if you know its a problem and you want to get them out of the country before a suits filed. Before Mondays hearing, Boasberg denied the governments request to lift his hold on deportations under the Alien Enemies Act, noting the irreparable harm that immigrants face in El Salvadors prison. In Salvadoran prisons, deportees are reportedly highly likely to face immediate and intentional life-threatening harm at the hands of state actors and face a likelihood of potential torture, he wrote. As the government itself concedes, the awesome power granted by the Act may be brought to bear only on those who are, in fact, 'alien enemies, Boasberg added. Immigrants who dispute the governments allegations that they are members of Tren de Aragua cannot be deported until they have been given the opportunity to challenge their designations as well, he wrote. They are entitled to individualized hearings to determine whether the act applies to them at all, the judge said. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A 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. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Donald Trump fumed over George Clooneys 60 Minutes interview and claimed that the failed political pundit dumped former President Joe Biden like a dog. Clooney, a longtime Democratic Party member and fundraiser, appeared on the CBS program on Sunday to promote his Broadway debut in Good Night and Good Luck, where he stars as pioneering journalist Edward R. Murrow. The two-time Academy Award winner told correspondent Jon Wertheim about his decision to pen a scathing New York Times op-ed calling on Biden to step aside from the 2024 race last summer before discussing press freedom and the Trump administration. In a late-night Truth Social tirade, the president rekindled his feud with Clooney, once again criticizing his politics and acting prowess. Why would the now highly discredited 60 Minutes be doing a total puff piece on George Clooney, a second-rate movie star, and failed political pundit, Trump said. He fought hard for Sleepy Joes election and then, right after the Debate, dumped him like a dog. open image in gallery Trump issued a scathing critique of George Clooney's 60 Minutes interview after it aired Sunday evening ( 60 Minutes/CBS News/YouTube ) Trump turned his attention to his former Harris, whom he beat at the ballot box in November, reviving claims that answers in her 60 Minutes interview in October were doctored. Later, I assume under orders from the Obama camp, pushed all out for Kamala, only to soon realize that that was not going to work out to well, he continued. 60 Minutes even fraudulently inserted Fake answers into her disastrous interview, aired just before Election Day, in one of the most embarrassing and dishonest events in broadcast history And now George Clooney again? His press agent should be making a fortune!!!, he concluded. Trumps comments came after Clooney claimed that governments dont like press freedom, stating there were parallels between what was happening in real life and the play. He also pointed to the presidents ongoing lawsuit with CBS and settlement with ABC News. When the other three estates fail, when the judiciary and the executive and the legislative branches fail us, the fourth estate has to succeed, he said. ABC has just settled a lawsuit with the Trump administration. And CBS News is in the process Were seeing this idea of using government to scare or fine or use corporations to make journalists smaller. open image in gallery Left to right: George Clooney, former President Joe Biden, Julia Roberts and former President Barack Obama at a Democratic Party fundraiser in 2024 ( X/@mmpadellan ) Governments dont like the freedom of the press. They never have. And that goes for whether you are a conservative or a liberal or whatever side you're on, Clooney added. The actor also reflected on his decision to endorse Harriss 2024 run after Biden stumbled over his words during a debate against Trump just weeks earlier. Clooneys comments came just weeks after he headlined a star-studded fundraiser that raked in $28 million for Bidens reelection campaign. I was raised to tell the truth, Clooney, whose father was a veteran journalist and anchorman, said. I had seen the president up close for this fundraiser, and I was surprised. And so I feel as if there was a lot of profiles in cowardice in my party through all of that. And I was not proud of that. And I also believed I had to tell the truth, he concluded. In response to the essay in June, Trump declared Clooney was a fake movie actor and urged him to get out of politics and go back to television. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The 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. 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. open image in gallery 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. 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. open image in gallery 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. 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. open image in gallery 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. 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. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice President Donald Trump 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. I do and Ive always felt that, the president said. open image in gallery 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. Ultimately the documents did not reveal any groundbreaking new information about Kennedys assassination. However, it did unveil several peoples Social Security numbers. open image in gallery 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. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice President Donald Trump has threatened to unilaterally impose a 25 percent tax that Americans would have to pay on any imports from foreign countries that permit their domestic industries to make use of Venezuelan oil or gasoline starting next month in addition to any other new import taxes he will be imposing as part of a push to reverse decades of global supply chain integration and free trade efforts. In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump claimed that tens of thousands of Venezuelan refugees who have fled that countrys authoritarian regime in recent years were actually high level ... criminals, many of whom are murderers and people of a very violent nature who were purposefully and deceitfully sent undercover to the United States by that same government. He also claimed that the presence of Tren de Aragua, a Venezuelan street gang, in the United States, was entirely due to deliberate efforts by the Nicolas Maduro dictatorship, contradicting language he used in a proclamation purporting to give him the power to summarily remove alleged members of that gang without due process under the terms of a 1798 law, the Alien Enemies Act, while also noting that the Maduro government has been been very hostile to the United States and the Freedoms which we espouse. open image in gallery The Trump administration is pushing to deport Venezuelan migrants from the U.S. using a 1798 law, the Alien Enemies Act ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) As a result, Trump said any country that purchases Oil and/or Gas from Venezuela will be forced to pay a Tariff of 25% to the United States on any Trade they do with our Country starting on April 2, when a slew of previously announced import taxes are set to go into effect. The presidents statement incorrectly suggests that foreign governments will pay any tariffs imposed under the announced policy even though tariffs are import taxes, the cost of which are borne entirely by importers and often passed along to American consumers in the form of higher prices. And while it states that imports from any country that purchases Venezuelan petroleum products will be subject to the extra 25 secondary tariff, its unclear whetherTrump was referring to purchases made directly by a foreign government or threatening countries that permit companies to purchase and import Venezuelan petroleum products for domestic use or countries that permit the importation of products made with Venezuelan petroleum. The White House did not immediately respond to a query from The Independent requesting clarification on whether Trump was demanding that other countries prohibit private entities from purchasing Venezuelan oil or threatening tariffs on imports from countries where governments directly purchase Venezuelan petroleum products. 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 Greenland has accused the Trump administration of being highly aggressive by sending a delegation of senior officials to the territory this week. President Donald Trumps national security adviser Mike Waltz is visiting Greenland early this week with the U.S. energy secretary Chris Wright, according to reports, in addition to a separate trip by Second Lady Usha Vance on Thursday. The trips come after Trumps repeated threats to annex the autonomous territory. Greenlands prime minister Mute B. Egede was quoted in a Greenlandic newspaper Sunday furiously questioning why Waltz was visiting. We are now at a level where it can in no way be characterized as a harmless visit from a politician's wife, Egede said, according to Greenlands Sermitsiaq newspaper. What is the national security adviser doing in Greenland? The only purpose is to demonstrate power over us. He is Trump's confidential and closest advisor, and his presence in Greenland alone will certainly make the Americans believe in Trump's mission, and the pressure will increase after the visit, Egede added. open image in gallery The Second Lady Usha Vance will visit Greenland, along with her son, this week. The visit follows President Donald Trumps threats to take over the Danish territory. ( AP ) The Independent has contacted the White House for comment. State Department press secertary Tammy Bruce was questioned about the prime ministers comments at Monday afternoons briefing, and declined to comment on the effects it would have on US-Greenland relations referring reporters instead to the White House, where Karoline Leavitt did not brief reporters. It was announced Sunday that Vance would visit Greenland from Thursday until Saturday, accompanied by her son. Vance will visit historical sites, learn about Greenlandic heritage, and attend the Avannaata Qimussersu, Greenlands national dogsled race, the White House said in a statement. The race features 737 mushers and 444 dogs in a remarkable display of speed, skill, and teamwork, the statement said. Vance and the delegation are excited to witness this monumental race and celebrate Greenlandic culture and unity, it added. Less information is known about Walzs trip, which has been reported by the New York Times and CBS News. The planned visits follows Trumps repeated threats to annex the autonomous territory and claim it for the U.S. The president claimed, we need that for international security, not just national security. open image in gallery Greenlands prime minister Mute B. Egede said the visits from senior Trump administration officials were highly aggressive. It comes after Trumps repeated threats to annex the territory. ( REUTERS ) A longstanding defense agreement between the United States and Denmark allows the U.S. to operate military facilities in Greenland, including Ptiuffik Space Base, formerly known as Thule Air Base. The U.S. once offered to purchase the island in the wake of the Second World War but the Danish government declined the offer. The Danish government and the Greenlandic government have both said that the territory is not up for sale. I think itll happen, Trump told reporters earlier this month while he sat next to NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte. Trump questioned whether Denmark 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. Trumps son, Donald Trump Jr, traveled to Greenland in early January to explore his father's interest in purchasing the island but left very quickly. Incredible experience, he said of the trip that lasted less than a day. By the way, they love America here. They love America. They love Trump, he said in a video he posted to social media at the time. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The White House 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. 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. open image in gallery 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. As president, Trump has encouraged supporters to buy merchandise branded with his likeness and most recently promoted his meme coin $Trump. open image in gallery 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. 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. 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 German prosecutors currently have no plans to charge a man they suspect was involved in the disappearance of Madeleine McCann despite his potential release from prison. Christian Brueckner has been serving a seven-year sentence for the 2005 rape of a woman in Portugals Algarve region, in the area where Madeleine went missing. In 2020 it emerged that German prosecutors were investigating Brueckner in connection to Madeleines disappearance, and he was officially named as a suspect in 2022. open image in gallery Madeleine McCann disappeared from a holiday flat in Portugal in May 2007 (handout/PA) ( PA Media ) Brueckners original sentence is due to end in September, but Braunschweig Chief Public Prosecutor Hans Christian Wolters confirmed to The Independent that Brueckner had filed a motion for early release. Mr Wolters said the Hildesheim Regional Court was yet to decide on that motion, and there was no date for a hearing yet. There are currently no plans to file charges in the Maddie case, Mr Wolters added. We are currently awaiting the decision of the Federal Court of Justice in Karlsruhe regarding the cases heard last year. However, that will certainly take a few more months. Three-year-old Madeleine vanished from the bed of her Portuguese holiday apartment on May 3, 2007, while her parents and their friends dined nearby. Her parents, Kate and Gerry McCann, have been searching for answers ever since. open image in gallery Brueckner when he was arrested in 2018 ( Via REUTERS ) Brueckners yellow and white VW T3 Westfalia campervan was reportedly seen near the Praia da Luz resort in Portugal where the young girl went missing. Brueckner, who has always denied any involvement in Madeleines disappearance, was convicted in 2019 to seven years in prison for the rape of an American woman in Portugal. In a separate trial, Brueckner faced three charges of aggravated rape and two of sexual abuse of children that took place between 2000 and 2017. But in October last year, his lawyer successfully argued he should be acquitted, telling the court: This trial should never have taken place, and a judge ruled the evidence against Brueckner was insufficient. Earlier this year, Mr Wolters said there was no prospect of filing charges against Brueckner in the McCann caseas the prosecutors office was still searching for forensic evidence to link him to her disappearance. Scotland Yard still considers the case a missing person inquiry, because there was no definitive evidence whether Madeleine is alive or dead. Ahead of the 17th anniversary of her disappearance last year, the Home Office granted Scotland Yard up to 192,000 in additional funding to continue investigating the case. As of March 31 last year, the total cost of the investigation was 13.2 million. 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 French actor Gerard Depardieu has gone on trial accused of sexually assaulting two women on a film set, as he finds himself at the centre of a case that is seen as a potential watershed for the #MeToo movement in France. Depardieu is accused of groping a 54-year-old set dresser and a 34-year-old assistant director during filming in 2021 of Les Volets Verts [The Green Shutters] and faces up to five years in prison along with a 75,000 (62,000) fine if convicted. The 76-year-old, one of the countrys most prominent film actors, has been accused of misconduct publicly or in formal complaints by more than 20 women, but so far only the sexual assault case has proceeded to court. Depardieu has denied all of the allegations made against him. In an open letter published in Le Figaro in October 2023, Depardieu wrote: Never, but never, have I abused a woman. He has obviously denied it from the beginning, Depardieus lawyer, Jeremie Assous, told French radio RMC on Monday morning. Like any person facing trial, he has the right to speak. He will finally speak. Depardieu listens as he faces trial in Paris for the alleged sexual assaults ( AP ) Depardieu who told the judges he was prepared to answer the courts questions said on the first day of his trial in Paris on Monday: The truth will be obvious and the truth is on our side. Mr Assous told journalists massed outside the courtroom: We will be able to show in an impartial, objective and incontestable manner that all of the accusations are lies. Prosecutors allege that Depardieu trapped the set dresser with his legs before groping her waist and breasts in front of witnesses. She says the actor also used obscene language and had to be pulled away by bodyguards. Women demonstrate outside the Palais de Justice in Paris, where Depardieu faces trial ( AP ) The assistant director says Depardieu groped her both on set and in the street. The women, who have not waived their anonymity and so are not being identified, sat side by side in court. The case has placed one of Frances best-known film stars at the heart of the countrys reckoning over allegations of sexual violence, which comes in the wake of the mass rape case involving Gisele Pelicot at the end of last year. Depardieus trial is seen as significant for the #MeToo movement in France. While Hollywood saw powerful men fall swiftly and publicly, the French film industry was slower to respond. Depardieu (centre) denies any wrongdoing and told the judges he was prepared to answer the courts questions ( AP ) The sexual assault trial was initially scheduled for October, but was then postponed because of Depardieus health. The actor has undergone a quadruple heart bypass and has diabetes, according to his lawyer. A court-appointed medical expert determined that he is fit to stand trial, but recommended that the hearings do not exceed six hours each, with a 15-minute pause and a snack every three hours. Depardieu grasped his lawyers shoulder as he strode calmly into the courtroom. The trial is expected to last at least two days, but could be extended beyond Tuesday if the chief judge wants more time, with a verdict then expected at a later date. The first hours of Mondays hearing were largely taken up by Depardieus lawyer. The plaintiffs lawyers were expected to lay out their evidence later. Fanny Ardant, who starred alongside Depardieu in one of his films, was among those who took seats on the actors side of the courtroom ( Reuters ) Carine Durrieu Diebolt, the lawyer for one of the two plaintiffs, said on France Info radio that her client is calmly awaiting the outcome of the case ... because the case is solid. Ms Durrieu Diebolt said that four additional women who say they have been sexually assaulted by Depardieu will speak at the trial. Campaigners for womens rights demonstrated outside the courthouse. A dozen of them performed a choreographed dance to techno music. Actors Charlotte Arnould, who has accused Depardieu of raping her in 2018 when she was 22, and Anouk Grinberg, who acted alongside Depardieu in Les Volets Verts and has publicly criticised him, were among those present in the courtroom to follow proceedings. Last year, the Paris prosecutors office said Depardieu should face trial over Arnoulds complaint. Depardieu has denied any wrongdoing. It is now up to an investigative judge to say if there will be a trial over those allegations. Rape Crisis offers support for those affected by rape and sexual abuse. You can call them on 0808 802 9999 in England and Wales, 0808 801 0302 in Scotland, and 0800 0246 991 in Northern Ireland, or visit their website at www.rapecrisis.org.uk. If you are in the US, you can call Rainn on 800-656-HOPE (4673) 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 When Gerard Depardieu walks into a courtroom in Paris on Monday, he wont just be facing two women accusing him of sexual assault. The French actor will also face a nation which has long been criticised for its response to sexual violence, particularly when committed by its most powerful figures. Mr Depardieu is charged with assaulting a set dresser and an assistant director during the filming of Les Volets Verts (The Green Shutters) in 2021. More than 20 women have publicly accused the 76-year-old of sexual misconduct in the past, but this is the first time a case has gone to trial against him. It is also the most prominent case in the post-#MeToo era in France. It will test whether a country famed for its culture of seduction is prepared to hold its cultural giants to account. Prosecutors say Mr Depardieu trapped one of the women with his legs before groping her in front of witnesses. In an interview with Mediapart, the 54-year-old set dresser said Mr Depardieu made lewd comments, grabbed her forcefully, and had to be pulled away by bodyguards. open image in gallery Mr Depardieu has denied the allegations against him ( AP ) A second woman, a 34-year-old assistant director, alleged she was groped both on set and in the street. Mr Depardieu has denied all the allegations. 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. He said Mr 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. A culture slow to confront abuse France has often been ambivalent, even resistant, toward the #MeToo movement. 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. open image in gallery Roman Polanski fled the United States in 1978 and has lived and worked in Europe since then ( Getty Images ) 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. 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. Both men deny the allegations. This is not about desire or love, she told lawmakers. 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. open image in gallery Protesters outside a Paris court in October 2024 during an earlier hearing in the case against Mr Depardieu ( AFP via Getty Images ) Witnesses and whispers Anouk Grinberg, a respected actor who appeared in Les Volets Verts, has publicly supported the plaintiffs. She described Mr Depardieus behavior as vulgar and disturbing, saying she felt a sense of shame on set. At the time of the alleged 2021 assaults, Mr 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, Mr 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. A 2023 France Televisions documentary, La Chute de lOgre (The Fall of the Ogre), reignited debate about his impunity. It showed footage of the actor during a 2018 trip to North Korea, making sexually inappropriate remarks to a female interpreter and appearing to sexualise a young girl riding a horse. For decades, behaviour like this was dismissed as part of his larger-than-life persona. Today, that legacy is under direct challenge. open image in gallery Mr Depardieus behaviour was dismissed for decades ( AP ) Resistance in a country famed for seduction Ms Godreche, who told lawmakers she was 14 when Mr Jacquot first exploited her, has called for reforms to Frances statute of limitations on child sex crimes and new protections for minors in the arts. Her testimony, alongside those of other survivors, has brought rare political attention to a culture of silence that many say pervades French cinema. Still, resistance remains. In 2018, actor Catherine Deneuve and more than 100 prominent French women signed an open letter in Le Monde newspaper defending what they called a freedom to bother. The letter argued that flirtation should not be conflated with harassment and warned against American-style puritanism. 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 More than 100 celebrities and scientists including actors Joanna Lumley, Miriam Margolyes and Pauline McLynn are calling on Brittany Ferries to drop plans to resume live exports of animals. In a reversal of the companys 30-year refusal to transport young calves from the UK to Europe, Brittany Ferries has announced it will now carry farm animals on 18-hour ferry journeys from County Wexford in Ireland to Cherbourg in France. The ferry company says the animals health and wellbeing will be protected. But activists have called for a boycott of the company to try to persuade bosses to change their minds. open image in gallery Brittany Ferries said all livestock carried on board will be transported in accordance with strict regulatory guidelines, ensuring their health and wellbeing are protected ( PA Archive ) Live exports were banned from Britain last year but are still legal in Europe. The celebrities also including TV host Chris Packham, chef Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, actor Peter Egan and TV doctor Amir Khan have told Brittany chiefs in an open letter that they are appalled by the retrograde and unconscionable move. They warned the decision could undermine the companys advertising, saying: We believe this resumption of live animal exports will be detrimental to the unforgettable experience Brittany Ferries promises customers in its new campaign People using Brittany Ferries to enjoy their holidays are unlikely to want to be faced with the misery of witnessing lorries crammed with suffering animals as they take their journeys with you. The ferry firm, which had won praise for its refusal to carry live animals for the past 30 years, said it would not carry animals for slaughter, but only those for fattening, breeding or dairy farming. Activists point to evidence showing that animals may suffer extremes of temperature and are often deprived of sufficient rest, food or water during long, uncomfortable journeys, and also experience fear and distress. open image in gallery Live exports were banned from Britain last year but are still legal in Europe Peter Stevenson, chief policy adviser at Compassion in World Farming, said: This decision will expose thousands of animals to tremendous suffering on long journeys. He added: The companys own customers are likely to be appalled at this decision and will not want to travel with suffering animals. Irish Ferries and Stena Line already carry live farm animals from Ireland to France. A Brittany Ferries spokesperson said: Brittany Ferries can confirm that the company is planning to transport livestock on board the Cotentin ferry between Rosslare and Cherbourg. This decision follows 18 months of close engagement with the Department of Agriculture and relevant authorities to ensure that the highest animal welfare standards are prioritised at every stage of the journey. Animal welfare is of paramount importance to Brittany Ferries, the Cotentin has been specifically selected for this service, as it is oriented towards freight transport and equipped to provide the best possible care for animals during transit. It is important to note that Brittany Ferries will not transport animals destined for slaughter. All livestock carried on board will be transported in accordance with strict regulatory guidelines, ensuring their health and wellbeing are protected. We remain committed to working closely with relevant authorities and our partners to uphold the highest animal welfare standards, reflecting our deep-rooted agricultural heritage and dedication to responsible transport practices. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Pope Francis made a surprise detour on his way home after five weeks of hospitalisation with a serious bout of pneumonia, visiting his favourite basilica to lay flowers. The 88-year-old pontiff, requiring supplemental oxygen via nasal tubes, was driven in his Fiat 500L through the Perugino gate to the Vatican, marking a welcome return after anxieties about his health and potential resignation. His motorcade, en route from Gemelli hospital, unexpectedly diverted to St Mary Major basilica, home to a cherished icon of the Madonna. This basilica is a place of personal significance for the Pope, who traditionally visits it to pray after trips abroad. Remaining in his car, he presented a bouquet of flowers to be placed before the Salus populi Romani icon, a Byzantine-style painting deeply revered by Romans. The icon holds such importance for Francis that he has reportedly chosen the basilica as his final resting place. The detour through Rome followed the Pope's first public appearance in five weeks, where he offered a brief blessing and a thumbs-up from a hospital balcony. open image in gallery The pope makes an appearance at Gemelli hospital before his journey home ( AP ) Hundreds had gathered to witness his departure, observing a seemingly weakened Francis. I see this woman with the yellow flowers. Brava! Francis said in a breathless voice. 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 just to catch his brief appearance. 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. His return home came after the longest hospitalisation of his 12-year papacy and the second-longest in recent papal history. At the Vatican, where a Holy Year is under way, pilgrims cheered and applauded when Francis's greeting from Gemelli was broadcast live on giant TV screens in St Peter's Square. open image in gallery Faithful outside Gemelli hospital ( AP ) For me it was an important emotional experience to see him, because many people were waiting for this moment, said Sister Luisa Jimenez, a nun from Francis native Argentina. Another nun from the same order, Colombian Sister Angel Bernal Amparo, expressed concern, given his bloating and inability to speak much. He didnt look well, she said. "He couldnt (talk) and I realised it was because of his breathing and, well, he left right there. But I was glad to have seen him. No special arrangements have been made at the Domus Santa Marta, the Vatican hotel where Francis lives in a two-room suite on the second floor next to the basilica. He will have supplemental oxygen and 24-hour medical care as needed, although his personal physician, Dr. Luigi Carbone, said he hoped Francis would progressively need less and less assistance breathing as his lungs recover. 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. Doctors first diagnosed a complex bacterial, viral and fungal respiratory tract infection and soon thereafter, pneumonia in both lungs. open image in gallery Nuns watch a broadcast of the popes appearance on a screen at St Peters Square ( AP ) Blood tests showed signs of anaemia, low blood platelets and the onset of kidney failure, all of which later resolved after two blood transfusions. Dr. Sergio Alfieri, the medical and surgical chief at Gemelli who coordinated Francis medical team, stressed that not all patients who develop such a severe cases of double pneumonia survive, much less are released from the hospital. He said Franciss life was at risk twice, during two acute respiratory crises, and that the pope at the time understandably lost his typical good sense of humour. But one morning we went to listen to his lungs and we asked him how he was doing. When he replied, Im still alive, we knew he was OK and had gotten his good humor back, he told a news conference late Saturday. Alfieri said 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. Francis is also continuing to take medication to treat a more minor respiratory infection. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Donald Trumps special envoy Steve Witkoff has praised Russian president Vladimir Putin as super smart, as talks over a ceasefire in Ukraine get underway in Saudi Arabia. Ahead of Sundays discussions in Riyadh, Mr Witkoff a former real estate mogul tasked by Mr Trump with leading negotiations on Ukraines future met with Mr Putin in Moscow for a second time on Thursday for talks on ending the war. Speaking to far-right commentator Tucker Carlson in an interview broadcast on Friday, Mr Witkoff said he liked the Russian president, who he described as gracious. He added: I don't regard Putin as a bad guy. Hes super smart. open image in gallery US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff attends an interview in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia ( AP ) In remarks that will do little to assuage European fears that the White House is increasingly parroting Kremlin propaganda, Mr Witkoff claimed the elephant in the room in peace talks is whether Ukraines president Volodymyr Zelensky can acknowledge Moscows claimed right to Crimea and four Russian-speaking regions in eastern Ukraine. Despite being unable to name two of the four mainland regions which Mr Putin partly occupies, and attempted to illegally annex following sham referenda in September 2022 and using the Russian name for a third, Mr Witkoff said he believed the central issue in the conflict was whether Ukraine would relent control of them to Moscow. Claiming an overwhelming majority of residents in the contested regions had indicated a preference for Russian rule, despite reports of ballots being cast at gunpoint, Mr Witkoff went on to claim that the Russians are de facto in control of these territories. Many thousands of Ukrainians have given their lives to defend territory in Donetsk and Luhansk since 2014, and in Zaporizhzhia and Kherson since Russias full-scale invasion three years ago. While Moscow currently controls most of Donetsk and Luhansk, they hold minimal territory in Zaporizhzhia and Kherson, with fierce fighting still ongoing in all four regions. Follow our Ukraine blog for the latest updates Mr Witkoffs comments came shortly before Ukrainian delegates travelled to Riyadh for talks with US officials on Sunday, with Russian representatives due to follow suit in separate talks on Monday in the first such parallel negotiations since the early days of Russias full-scale invasion. open image in gallery The Kremlin said on Sunday that Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin may have held more than the two phone calls publicly announced in recent months ( AFP/Getty ) The Kremlin said its main focus in Riyadh would be a resumption of the UN-brokered shipping deal in the Black Sea, which Russia unilaterally pulled out of months after it was struck in July 2022. Insisting that he believes Mr Putin wants peace, Mr Witkoff told Fox News on Sunday: I think that 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, you'll naturally gravitate into a full-on shooting ceasefire. In contrast, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov warned on Sunday that progress on a deal was unlikely as it was only the beginning of what would be difficult negotiations. Playing down concerns from Washingtons Nato allies that Mr Putin will merely use any ceasefire to rearm and launch further attacks on Ukraine and its neighbours, Mr Witkoff said: I just dont see that he wants to take all of Europe. This is a much different situation than it was in World War Two. open image in gallery Firefighters put out a blaze after a Russian drone hit an apartment during an attack which killed seven people in Kyiv on Sunday ( AP ) In another blow to European allies, he criticised British prime minister Sir Keir Starmers plan for a coalition of the willing to provide military security guarantees for Kyiv under any peace deal as a posture and a pose. Mr Witkoff criticised the plan which is being rapidly hashed out by European leaders in response to the Trump administrations dramatic withdrawal of support as being based on a simplistic notion of thinking we have all got to be like Winston Churchill. As the US-led talks got underway in Riyadh on Sunday, Washington officials told Bloomberg that Mr Trump was pushing for a peace deal in Ukraine by 20 April, a symbolic date on which both the Western and Orthodox churches will celebrate Easter this year. Following a phone call last week, Mr Putin and Mr Trump agreed that the movement to peace will begin with a 30-day pause in attacks on Russian and Ukrainian energy facilities, the White House said. But that narrowly defined ceasefire was quickly cast into doubt, with Kyiv accusing Moscow of bombing its own oil depot in Kursk to undermine the agreement, while also striking hospitals and homes in Ukraine and knocking out power to some railways. Just hours before the talks in Saudi Arabia began, Ukrainian officials said Russia had killed seven people including a five-year-old child in overnight drone strikes on Kyiv, and four people in Donetsk. 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 Nine journalists have been detained after covering protests against the jailing of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu overnight, according to the Journalists Union of Turkey. Mr Imamoglu, a key political rival of President Tayyip Erdogan, was jailed pending trial on corruption charges. The move has ignited the largest protests Turkey has seen in over a decade. Despite bans on public gatherings in numerous cities, demonstrations continued for a fifth consecutive night on Sunday. While the reason for the journalists' detentions remains unclear, their arrests coincide with the escalating tensions surrounding Mr Imamoglu's case. His imprisonment is widely regarded as a political move to remove a major contender from the next presidential race, currently scheduled for 2028. The main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) has labelled the court decision as politically motivated and undemocratic, urging widespread protests. The Turkish government denies any political influence in the investigations, maintaining the independence of the courts. open image in gallery Police use pepper spray on a person protesting the jailing of Istanbuls mayor ( AP ) Mr Imamoglu himself has denounced the charges as "unimaginable accusations and slanders". In an address to the demonstration in Istanbul's Sarachane district in front of the municipality building, CHP leader Ozgur Ozel said on Sunday that they would continue the protests until Imamoglu is released. An Agence France Presse (AFP) staff photographer is among the detained journalists, the union said in a post on X. The prosecutors office said the court decided to jail Mr Imamoglu on suspicion of running a criminal organisation, 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, Mr Imamoglu was transferred to Silivri prison, west of Istanbul. Alongside Mr 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. 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 Hundreds of thousands of opposition supporters gathered outside Istanbul city hall on Sunday night to protest the arrest of the city's mayor. A court formally arrested mayor Ekrem Imamoglu a key rival to Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan earlier on Sunday and jailed him pending the outcome of a trial on corruption charges. His detention on 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 the rule of law in Turkey. Sundays imprisonment is widely regarded as a political move to remove a major contender from the next presidential race, currently scheduled for 2028. open image in gallery The largest wave of street demonstrations in Turkey in more than a decade has been sparked by the arrest ( AP ) Government officials reject the accusations and insist that Turkey's 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 on Sunday night, pointing at city hall as he spoke to the massive crowd chanting anti-government slogans. Ozel is the head of the Republican People's Party, or CHP, to which Imamoglu belongs. The prosecutors office said the court decided to jail Mr Imamoglu on suspicion of running a criminal organisation, 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, Mr Imamoglu was transferred to Silivri prison, west of Istanbul. open image in gallery Some 323 people were detained the previous evening over disturbances at protests ( AP ) The interior ministry later announced that Mr Imamoglu had been suspended from duty as a temporary measure. The municipality had previously appointed an acting mayor from its governing council. Alongside MR 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 on Sunday that 323 people were detained the previous evening over disturbances at the protests. Largely peaceful protests across Turkey have seen hundreds of thousands come out in support of Mr 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. The formal arrest came as more than 1.7 million members of the opposition CHP began holding a primary presidential election to endorse Mr 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 on Sunday to cast a solidarity ballot. open image in gallery Police have deployed water cannons, tear gas, pepper spray and firing plastic pellets at protesters in Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir ( AP ) 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, we'll 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 a little over 13 million were non-party members voting in solidarity. In a post on social media, Mr 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. Honestly, we are embarrassed in the name of our legal system, Ankara mayor Mansur Yavas, a fellow member of Mr Imamoglus CHP, told reporters after casting his vote, criticising the lack of confidentiality in the proceedings. CHP leader Ozgur Ozel said Mr 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 Mr Imamoglus immediate release. The German government called the mayor's 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. Before his detention, Mr 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. Mr Imamoglu had vowed to challenge the decision. 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 Tens of thousands of demonstrators have taken to the streets in growing protests across Turkey, after the main rival to the countrys president was arrested and charged with corruption in a move that has been widely decried as politically motivated. Ekrem Imamoglu is seen as the main political challenger to Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and was nominated as the presidential candidate for the main opposition party the Republican Peoples Party (CHP) for elections in 2028 despite his arrest. Mr Imamoglu was elected mayor of Turkeys largest city in March 2019, in a major blow to Mr Erdogan and the presidents governing Justice and Development Party (AKP), which had controlled Istanbul for a quarter of a century. 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 Mr Imamoglu also won. The mayor retained his seat following local elections last year, during which the CHP made significant gains against the AKP. His detention has sparked the largest wave of street demonstrations in Turkey in more than a decade, and deepened concerns over democracy and the rule of law in the country, with people taking to the streets for a sixth day straight on Monday. Here is what we know about the protests so far. What is happening in Turkey? open image in gallery A police officer kicks a protester during clashes in front of Istanbuls famous aqueduct at the weekend ( Getty ) Turkeys largest cities have been rocked by protests for nearly a week as hundreds of thousands of protesters turned out in support of Mr Imamoglu. The daily protests have escalated since they began on Wednesday after Mr Imamoglu was detained, with police deploying water cannon, teargas and pepper spray as well as firing plastic pellets at protesters in Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir. Some of the people demonstrating hurled stones, fireworks and other missiles at riot police. A total of 1,133 people have been detained. The interior minister, Ali Yerlikaya, said more than 100 police officers had been injured. The Disk-Basin-Is union said that at least eight reporters and photojournalists had been detained in what it said was an attack on press freedoms and the peoples right to learn the truth. The social media platform X said it was objecting to multiple court orders from Turkish authorities to block more than 700 accounts, including of news organisations, journalists and political figures in Turkey. open image in gallery Riot police officers clash with protesters during a demonstration in Turkey ( AP ) What are the protests about? The protests were sparked when Mr Imamoglu, the current mayor of Istanbul, was detained on Wednesday on suspicion of corruption. On Sunday, as he received CHPs official nomination to run for president, Mr Imamoglu was formally arrested on corruption charges and jailed pending trial. CHP leader Ozgur Ozel said: Imamoglu is on the one hand in prison and on the other hand on the way to the presidency. open image in gallery Demonstrators chant slogans as they hold posters in support of arrested Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu on Sunday ( Getty ) Mr Imamoglu was jailed on suspicion of running a criminal organisation, accepting bribes, extortion, illegally recording personal data, and bid-rigging. A request for him to be imprisoned on terror-related charges was denied. The mayor labelled all the claims unimaginable accusations and slanders, according to Sky News. Following the courts ruling, Mr Imamoglu was transferred to Silivri prison, west of Istanbul. open image in gallery Protesters clash with Turkish anti-riot police as they use teargas and water cannon during a demonstration in Ankara ( AFP/Getty ) A further 47 people were jailed pending trial alongside Mr Imamoglu, including two district mayors from Istanbul. One of those mayors was replaced with a government appointee. A further 44 suspects were released under judicial control. What have authorities said? Mr Imamoglus imprisonment is widely regarded as a political move, designed to remove a major challenger to Mr Erdogan from the next presidential race. Government officials strongly reject the accusations and insist that Turkeys courts operate independently. open image in gallery Teargas surrounds a protester holding a placard next to Turkish riot police during a demonstration outside Istanbuls city hall ( AFP/Getty ) Turkeys next presidential election must be held by 7 May 2028, and under the current constitution, Mr Erdogan cannot run for another term once his current term in office is finished. Mr Erdogan has been president since the Justice and Development Party (AKP) won power in 2003. Mr Erdogan claimed on Monday that the protests over the jailing of Istanbul's mayor were evil and had become a "movement of violence" and that the main opposition party would be held accountable for injured police officers and damage to property. Speaking after a cabinet meeting in Ankara, Mr Erdogan said the CHP should stop "provoking" citizens. "As a nation, we followed with surprise the events that emerged after the main opposition leader's call to take to the streets following an Istanbul-based corruption operation turned into a movement of violence," the 71-year-old president said. "The main opposition is responsible for our [injured] police officers, the broken windows of our shopkeepers and the damaged public property. They will be held accountable for all this, politically in parliament and legally by the judiciary." open image in gallery Protesters take cover as a teargas canister explodes during a demonstration outside Istanbuls city hall at the weekend ( AFP/Getty ) What legal battles has Imamoglu already faced? Mr Imamoglus political battle began in 2019, when he spearheaded a breakthrough opposition victory after years in the doldrums. He won the Istanbul municipal election in March that year, only for authorities to annul the result in May on the basis of technicalities such as unsigned results documents and unauthorised ballot-box officials. The legal threats began in June 2019, just before the rerun vote, when Mr Erdogan said he would face consequences for allegedly insulting the governor of the Black Sea province Ordu while campaigning there. Despite that, Mr Imamoglu prevailed decisively in the rerun, taking 54 per cent of the vote. Legal threats grew more serious in 2021 when prosecutors sought a four-year prison sentence for Mr Imamoglu on a charge of insulting election officials, based on him calling them idiots in a speech just after the March 2019 election was annulled. open image in gallery A protester in Istanbul shouts slogans during a protest against the arrest of Istanbuls mayor Ekrem Imamoglu ( AP ) The following year, a court sentenced him to two years and seven months in prison in the insult trial, triggering protests attended by thousands in support of the mayor. In the last two years, the legal onslaught has accelerated. In June 2023, a court began hearing a case against Mr Imamoglu in a tender-rigging case, related to his time as mayor of Istanbuls Beylikduzu district between 2014 and 2019. Late last year, Mr Imamoglu and numerous other opposition officials were hit by a widespread legal crackdown that resulted in some losing their elected positions. Early this year he denied charges of attempting to influence the judiciary, following his criticism of legal cases against opposition-run municipalities. In February, prosecutors issued a third indictment against Mr Imamoglu for remarks criticising the citys prosecutor, seeking to jail him for seven years for insulting a public official. Then came the latest detention. Mr Imamoglu denies all of the allegations against him. open image in gallery Protesters disperse as Turkish riot police use teargas during a demonstration outside Istanbuls city hall ( AFP/Getty ) Is Turkey safe to visit? The Foreign Office has warnings in place about travelling to Turkey, and advises against all travel to within 10km (six miles) of the border with Syria due to fighting and a heightened risk of terrorism. Broadly, the Foreign Office does not advise against travel to the rest of Turkey, but it has issued warnings about counterfeit alcohol products, saying there has been a rise in the number of deaths and serious illness cause by drinking illegally produced spirits, particularly in Ankara and Istanbul. The Foreign Office also pointed out that there has been a recent spate of terror attacks, and noted that demonstrations that happen in cities can occasionally become violent. Police have used teargas and water cannon to disperse protests, the department said. Avoid all demonstrations and leave the area if one develops. Local transport routes may be disrupted. Reuters and the Associated Press contributed to this report On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The electronic hum in the sky above told him that the Russians were on a hunting safari and that he was the prey. Leaping from his bicycle, Oleksandr left its wheels spinning as he bolted through a hole in a fence hoping to find cover. Horrified to discover he was still in the open air, he threw himself against the fence, hoping to blend in, to somehow hide. The drone tracked sideways, hung above him, and dropped its bomb. The explosion tore a chunk of his leg away. open image in gallery Russia drones are targeting civilians in Kherson ( The Independent ) He was hovering above me. I had a feeling that he was playing a computer game, dropping bombs on peaceful civilians, Oleksandr Sensky said from the hospital where he is recovering in Kherson. As he tore into the medical bag he carried as a Red Cross volunteer in Kherson, he knew he was still being watched by the drone pilots across the Dnipro River, less than a mile away. As he scrabbled in the dirt fixing a tourniquet on his leg, the thought struck him that maybe they were high-fiving their friends or jeering as he struggled. Kherson was liberated from Russia in November 2022. Since then it has been shelled, mortared, rocketed, and bombed every day. Now it is also contending with being a target-practice area for Russian drone pilots who post videos of their hunting trips onto Telegram. The use of drones has turned a viciously impersonal mission to kill civilians in this southern Ukrainian city into a darkly personal campaign of murder. If ever there was a town in desperate need of a ceasefire, this is it. But no one here says they believe one is remotely possible. open image in gallery Oleksandr Sensky, Red Cross volunteer, said a drone hovered over him like a computer game ( The Independent ) Russian forces occupy the east bank of the Dnipro, which is about 500m wide in the city. Their snipers and gunners can see targets with the naked eye. Drone pilots can see in live feeds the terrified run and trip, the horror in the eyes, and then the final moments of their victims. They drop bombs or swoop on them with first-person view (FPV) aircraft drones that can loiter out of sight and dart in for the kill. For three years, Kherson has been frightening. Now its population remains behind closed doors and drawn curtains as deadly drones target buses, trams, cars and shoppers. To be on the street is to risk the hunters eyes. Lives are ended above ground. Underground now, at least, they can begin in safety. Ukraine has opened the first bespoke bombproof maternity hospital by abandoning the surface facility for its basement. The city has also opened an underground surgical hospital and has plans for seven more. Its taking every one of its hospitals and, to avoid the Russian killing games, turning them upside down. Dr Petro Marenkovskyi is head of the new obstetrics department in the old Kherson Maternity Hospital. His medical work is now two floors down in what were cellars. The spotless corridors lead to shining new delivery rooms, an operating theatre, an intensive care unit all the facilities that were abandoned above ground are protected now by blast-resistant doors, like on a submarine. The day before The Independent visits, Kherson was hit by nine bombs dropped by Russian jets which killed two people. Another five were injured in drone attacks. As the killing continues, so the urgency to reproduce, as an act of defiance, intensifies. With the current demographics situation in our country, we are fighting for every newborn for every woman who should give birth here in Kherson, says Dr Marenkovskyi. The hospital used to see about 1,500 to 2,000 births a year - now its around 120. open image in gallery Workers clean up debris after Russian shelling of the hospital maternity unit in Kherson ( AFP/Getty ) There has been a surge in the proportion of women needing C-section deliveries, with high blood pressure and complicated births. Every child born here is now golden, adds Dr Oksana Ivanivna. As she talks, theres a muffled thump. Another detonation on the surface. More dead? More maimed? In the maternity hospital, no one reacts. Dr Ivanivnas home was destroyed a few months ago. The hospital was hit by rockets twice in 2023, and again last year. Most of the doctors here have lived inside the building for the last two years. In Kherson, only outsiders flinch at the sound of explosions. open image in gallery Doctors work underground in Kherson Maternity Hospital ( The Independent ) Olha Viner is lying on a bed in the pre-natal section of the bunker hospital. Shes being monitored for high blood pressure and doctors say, a month from her due date, her baby is at grave risk. I think everyone has high blood pressure in Kherson, she jokes. While new lives are emerging, the elderly of Kherson have shown staggering fortitude. The city once housed about 250,000 people. It endured eight months of Russian occupation, a violent liberation and is now a target-rich zone of Russians hoping to kill civilians as 83,000 people still live here. Five thousand are children. Iryna Voskova has nine grandchildren. She jokes that she has given herself a new nickname because she had a titanium plate as part of her skull and a piece of metal shrapnel lodged in her brain. I have a souvenir. The fragment remained in my head. It cant be removed. And here they put a platinum plate, to cover the hole. I am an Iron Lady, she says with a chuckle. These injuries were from when she was hit by a mortar fired across the river into the Kherson suburb of Atonivka in 2023. That came after her sons home was obliterated by a Russian bomb but before the drones came and did yet more damage in the summer of last year. open image in gallery Patient Olha Viner in the pre-natal section of the bunker hospital ( The Independent ) The drones were constantly flying at that time. People tried to hide under trees or in houses. But its not always possible to hide in time. Drones are hunting people, cars, buses. My son was hit when he was walking home from the bus after work. Drones are following the buses. Probably all the buses in Antonivka are already damaged by dozens of attacks on the transport system and on bus stops, she says. Volodymyr, her son who is 48, was hit in the abdomen. He has a damaged liver and his gall bladder was removed but he survived. The house they now all shared at the time did not. A drone dropped incendiary munition on our house. It was 2 October 2024. My neighbours called me to say our house was on fire. The two-storey house burned to the ground. Only the charred ground floor walls remained, says Iryna. open image in gallery Grandmother Iryna Voskova was hit by a mortar fired across the river into the Kherson suburb of Atonivka ( The Independent ) Irina, like almost everyone else in Kherson, is deeply sceptical of talk of a ceasefire. Putin cannot be trusted, she says. He always betrays, always lies. So it is very difficult to believe that this will happen. But we hope for it. Very much. And we are very grateful to everyone who is trying to help us. The military mayor of Kherson, Roman Mrochko, was close to an airstrike that narrowly missed his offices the day before. He is adamant that the Ukrainian military intelligence has evidence that Russian drone pilots are training on his civilian population. We now have a saying its a true safari. Its a real hunt for civilians. The Russian Federation is sending new units here. They learn to fly drones, dropping explosives on our civilians, cars, buses, trolleybuses. These people are training, learning. In a few months, they are sent to the eastern Ukraine front. open image in gallery Roman Mrochko, head of Kherson city ( The Independent ) Then new units arrive and continue to train on our civilians, he insists. When asked about the claim that the Russians could be training their FPV pilots on civilians in Kherson, he replies: We have intercepted conversations between them. And just look at the figures. Already this year, we have 391 injured, including 39 children, and 40 killed, including four children. And if we look at the videos of how they drop the explosives from the drones: a bus stop, or they drop the explosives on the civilian buses, on their route, transporting people home, to work, or to the market. where there are no soldiers at all. open image in gallery Alina Stasiuk holds her daughter Adelina ( The Independent ) Back in Khersons underground maternity hospital, Alina Stasiuk is holding her daughter Adelina who is not quite a day old and in perfect health. Reflecting on how it feels to give birth to a baby in a city where Russians constantly use bombs and drones, she replies: Of course, its a little scary, but its worth it, to be honest. Its happiness giving birth is happiness, and its just a piece of happiness you hold in your arms. 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 White House officials are into the third day an intense round of Ukraine ceasefire talks in Saudi Arabia as Donald Trump is said to be pushing for a truce deal by Easter. In the grand rooms of Riyadhs Ritz-Carlton hotel, Washingtons team met with Ukrainian officials on Sunday, Russian officials on Monday, before reentering talks with Kyivs team for a time on Tuesday. "We're talking about territory right now. We're talking about lines of demarcation, talking about power, power plant ownership. Some people are saying the United States should own the power plant...because we have the expertise," Mr Trump said during a press briefing on Monday. He appears to be referring to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, a topic which Volodymyr Zelensky said had come up in a recent phone call between the two presidents. On Tuesday, The Kremlin said Moscow and the United States are analysing the outcome of talks between their officials in Saudi Arabia on Monday declining to give details of the discussions which both sides had said would focus on a potential naval ceasefire. After three years of brutal warfare, US officials have said that Mr Trump hopes to secure a ceasefire deal by 20 April, a symbolic date on which both Western and Orthodox celebrations of Easter will overlap this year. But Moscow has repeatedly tempered hopes of a swift truce, with spokesperson Dmitry Peskov warning that progress on a deal was unlikely as it was only the beginning of what would be difficult negotiations. Moscows Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said negotiations should not be expected to produce a breakthrough. Washington, meanwhile, has flattered Putin, with special envoy Steve Witkoff praising him as super smart and not a bad guy. A 30-day pause on energy facility attacks Broadly, the talks will focus on the details of a proposed 30-day ceasefire on strikes on energy infrastructure as well as strikes in the Black Sea and beyond that, a longer-term peace deal. Following a phone call last week, Putin and Mr Trump agreed that the movement to peace will begin with a 30-day pause in attacks on Russian and Ukrainian energy facilities, the White House said. open image in gallery Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin had a phone call last week ( AFP/Getty ) But that narrowly defined ceasefire was quickly undermined by strikes from Moscow on Ukraines energy grid within hours of the call. Kyiv also hit targets inside Russia and accused Moscow of bombing its own gas pumping station in the border Kursk to undermine the agreement. Nevertheless, Mr Zelensky has said that Kyiv would draw up a list of facilities which could be subject to a partial ceasefire, including not just energy, but also rail and port infrastructure. A moratorium on energy facilities could disproportionately favour Moscow, given Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil facilities have been a key route for Kyiv to inflict pain on its aggressor. A Black Sea shipping deal Mr Peskov, meanwhile, said Moscows main focus on Monday would be on a possible resumption of the UN-brokered July 2022 deal to ensure safe navigation for commercial vessels in the Black Sea. Despite Russia having unilaterally withdrawn later that same year, the Kremlin claimed that Putin had responded constructively to a Trump initiative on Black Sea shipping and had agreed to begin negotiations. In remarks that will do little to assuage European fears that the White House is increasingly parroting Kremlin propaganda, US special envoy Steve Witkoff told Fox News on Sunday: I feel that [Putin] wants peace. I think that 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, you'll naturally gravitate into a full-on shooting ceasefire. open image in gallery Steve Witkoff praised Mr Putin as gracious and super smart this week ( AP ) Russian control over Ukrainian territory On Friday, Mr Witkoff said he believed the central issue in the conflict and the elephant in the room in peace talks is whether Mr Zelensky can acknowledge Moscows claimed right to four Russian-speaking Ukrainian regions sought by Putin two of which he was unable to name in remarks likely to have delighted the Kremlin. While Russia controls much of Donetsk and Luhansk, where fighting has been raging since 2014, Ukraine retains much of Zaporizhzhia and Kherson, despite Putins attempt to illegally annex all four regions following a referendum in September 2022 decried as a sham by the international community. Russias Kommersant newspaper cited sources who attended a private business event with Putin last week as saying he wants the US to formally recognise the four regions where Ukrainians continue to give their lives to prevent Russian gains along with Crimea, which Russia illegally annexed in 2014. Ukraine says it already recognises that it cannot recapture some occupied Ukrainian territory by force and that it will have to be returned diplomatically over time but that Kyiv will never recognise Russian sovereignty over Ukrainian territory. Asked on Sunday whether the US would accept a peace deal in which Russia was allowed to keep Ukrainian territory, White House national security adviser Mike Waltz said: We have to ask ourselves, is it in our national interest? Is it realistic? ... Are we going to drive every Russian off of every inch of Ukrainian soil? Nato membership and security guarantees While Ukraine has previously suggested territory could be temporarily ceded in exchange for Nato security guarantees, Mr Trump has said he does not believe Russia would allow Ukraine to join Nato. open image in gallery Firefighters put out the fire after a drone hit an apartment in a multi-storey building during Russia's drone attack in Kyiv overnight on Saturday ( AP ) With Moscow also insisting that one condition of a peace deal should be a reduction in Ukraines military, a move Ukraine is almost certainly unlikely to accept, Britain and France are seeking to assemble a Western coalition of the willing to offer military security guarantees to Kyiv under any peace deal. Mr Witkoff, however, dismissed this proposition on Sunday as a posture and a pose which he claimed was based on a simplistic notion of the European leaders thinking we have all got to be like Winston Churchill. And he downplayed European fears of the risk that Putin will use any ceasefire to rearm and launch further attacks on Ukraine and its neighbours, saying: 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. US ownership of Ukraines minerals and energy facilities Instead, the Trump administration has claimed that Washington having a stake in Ukraines minerals and energy resources could deter Russia from launching future attacks. While efforts to seal a deal granting the US a vast stake in Ukraines rare earth mineral deposits stumbled after the disastrous White House meeting between Mr Trump and Mr Zelensky last month, the US president claimed on Friday that a deal would be signed very shortly. open image in gallery A disastrous meeting between Mr Trump and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky made headlines across the world ( AFP via Getty Images ) Ukraines gas infrastructure could also be of interest to the White House, with Kyiv owning the worlds third-largest underground gas storage capacity. It could eventually import liquefied natural gas from the US, store it, then ship it westwards to European countries which are seeking alternatives to Russian gas. In a recent call with Mr Zelensky, Mr Trump also suggested that the US could help to run and possibly own Ukraines four nuclear power plants. Mr Zelensky said Kyiv would be ready to discuss US involvement in modernising the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia plant which is Europes largest if it were returned to Ukraine. But he warned it would take two and a half years to get the plant back online. Prisoner exchanges Russia and Ukraine exchanged 175 prisoners of war each, both sides said last Wednesday with Russia handing over an additional 22 heavily wounded Ukrainian prisoners, in what the Russian defence ministry called a goodwill gesture. Mr Zelensky described the exchange as one of the largest of its kind and said the 22 Ukrainians were severely wounded warriors and those whom Russia persecuted for fabricated crimes. Western sanctions and elections Putin has said he wants Western sanctions on Russia eased and a presidential election to be held in Ukraine. Kyiv has not held any elections since 2019 because of wartime martial law, which prohibits holding elections. Ukrainian officials also say that holding an election during the war would be impossible in practice, given many citizens live under Russian occupation. Mr Trump last month lashed out at Mr Zelensky as a dictator, enraging Washingtons allies. Since Mr Trump returned to the White House in January, sources say his administration has been studying ways it could ease sanctions if Moscow agrees to end the war. However, this month Mr Trump also raised the prospect of imposing large-scale banking curbs and tariffs on Russia until peace is achieved. Close Zelensky condemns Russian strikes on hometown: Diplomacy means nothing to them On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A Ukrainian team will visit Washington this week for crunch talks on a minerals deal, the first visit since the deal collapsed in dramatic fashion five weeks ago. Volodymyr Zelensky was set to sign a framework agreement in late February before he was booted out of the White House, when a furious Donald Trump berated the Ukrainian president for not being thankful enough for US war assistance. Since then, teams from Kyiv and Washington have been working to hash out a revised agreement - and to rebuild a broken relationship. Washington has proposed a more expansive minerals deal which could give it access to valuable mineral resources, including titanium, lithium, and uranium, according to economy minister Yuliia Svyrydenko. But the deal has not yet been agreed by Ukraine and it is unclear exactly how close the two sides are to reaching an agreement. Meanwhile, Mr Trump has urged Russia to stop bombing Ukraine, after a ballistic missile strike in Kryvyi Rih killed 20, including nine children., We are talking to Russia. We would like them to stop, Trump told reporters onboard Air Force One. I dont like the bombing, the bombing goes on and on, and every week thousands of young people being killed. 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 Dozens of Ukrainians have been injured after a school and hospital were hit in a Russian missile attack, officials said, as US-led ceasefire talks continued in Saudi Arabia. As the delegations met in Riyadh, at least 74 people including 13 children were wounded on Monday as a Russian missile strike inflicted heavy damage on a hospital, a school and a residential area in the Ukrainian city of Sumy, regional governor Volodymyr Artiukh said. Speaking from the scene, against a backdrop of thick black smoke, fires and damaged buildings and cars, Mr Artiukh said the schoolchildren had been in a shelter at the time. Several high-rise flats in the city centre were also damaged, he said. The previous night, Ukraines delegation described its talks with US officials in what marked the first such parallel talks in three years as constructive and meaningful. Kyiv officials said on Monday they would remain in Riyadh and expected to meet again with the Americans. open image in gallery Firefighters tackle a blaze in a residential building in Sumy on Monday ( The State Emergency Service of Ukraine ) Follow our blog for the latest updates As Russian and US officials met on Monday morning, Moscows negotiator Grigory Karasin said talks were proceeding in a creative way, telling state news agency Interfax that the US and Russian delegations understand each others views. It came as Time magazine published an interview with Volodymyr Zelensky, in which the Ukrainian president expressed fears that some White House officials have started taking Vladimir Putin and the Kremlin at their word, even when their claims are contradicted by US intelligence. Mr Zelensky cited the example of Donald Trump repeating the claim that thousands of Ukrainian troops had become encircled in Kursk, following a phone call with Mr Putin. That was a lie, said Mr Zelensky. And Mr Zelensky suggested that Moscow was responsible for feeding the White House claims that the Ukrainians do not want to end the war, and something should be done to force them a claim with which Mr Trump berated his Ukrainian counterpart during their White House showdown last month, before suspending US intelligence sharing with Kyiv. open image in gallery Volodymyr Zelensky during a meeting at an undisclosed location in the Donetsk region last week ( Ukraine's presidential press service/ AFP ) But after Kyiv was targeted for a third successive night on Monday, Ukraines foreign minister Andrii Sybiha said: Moscow speaks of peace while carrying out brutal strikes on densely populated residential areas in major Ukrainian cities. Instead of making hollow statements about peace, Russia must stop bombing our cities and end its war on civilians. One major sticking point in a potential ceasefire is which targets would be off-limits to strike. While Mr Putin agreed to a truce in attacks on energy facilities earlier this month after a phone call with Mr Trump, Moscow then launched strikes on Ukraines energy grid within hours of the call. While the White House said energy and infrastructure would be covered, the Kremlin declared that the agreement referred more narrowly to energy infrastructure. Mr Zelensky has said he would also like to see infrastructure like railways and ports protected while emphasising that Ukraine is open to a full 30-day ceasefire on all targets of any kind. In a televised statement on Sunday, Mr Zelensky urged Kyivs allies to step up pressure on Russia to stop this terror, noting that Russia has chosen to continue its attacks despite a proposal for an unconditional ceasefire having been on the table since 11 March. But Mr Putin has made a complete ceasefire conditional on a halt of arms supplies to Kyiv and a suspension of Ukraine's military mobilisation demands rejected by Kyiv and its Western allies. Russia said its main objective in Riyadhs talks would be to secure a pause on attacks in the Black Sea to ensure the safety of commercial shipping. open image in gallery The Ritz-Carlton hotel in Riyadh where talks are underway with US mediation ( AFP/Getty ) Despite Russia having unilaterally withdrawn from a similar UN-brokered deal in 2022, the Kremlin claimed that Mr Putin had responded constructively in recent days to a Trump initiative on Black Sea shipping. Ahead of the talks in Riyadh, Mr Trumps special envoy Steve Witkoff, who last week praised Mr Putin as gracious and super smart, claimed: I think that 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 into a full-on shooting ceasefire. Heavy fighting continued along the frontline on Monday, however, with close to 90 combat clashes reported by Kyivs military as of 4pm local time [GMT 1400]. Ukraines Special Operations Forces claimed to have destroyed four military helicopters in Russias Belgorod region with the use of American-supplied Himars rocket systems, while Ukrainian state railway operator Ukrzaliznytsia said it had been hit by a massive targeted cyberattack. Civilians also bore the brunt of a vast overnight Russian drone attack, with one man in Kyiv suffering shrapnel wounds, while a pregnant woman and a 25-year-old woman were taken to hospital after a residential building was hit in Kharkiv. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A surgeon who operated on a boy recovering from Israeli airstrikes has recounted the devastating moment he found his young patient killed in his hospital bed after a bomb hit surgical wards in Gaza. Feroze Sidhwa told The Independent of the destruction the bomb wrought on the Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis on Sunday, describing the overpowering smell of smoke like a barbecue throughout the building and everyone being covered in soot, with the surgical ward completely destroyed, including windows blown out and rubble everywhere. The attack came after Israel launched fresh waves of airstrikes as it resumed its war with Hamas last week, with Palestinian health authorities saying Israeli strikes have killed at least 65 people in the enclave in the past 24 hours although officials do say Egypt has introduced a new proposal to try to get peace back on track. open image in gallery Palestinian doctor Marwan al-Hams, director of the Field Hospitals Department in Gaza, inspects the damage inside the surgical building of the Nasser Hospital ( EPA ) Mr Sidhwa, who is working with the medical charity MedGlobal, said he was in the intensive care unit and was making his way over to the ward to change a patients dressing at the time of the attack. The Californian surgeon said Nasser Hospital was put on lockdown for around an hour after the bombing, but he made his way down to the emergency room, where a patient who had been injured in the bombing was brought down wrapped in a blanket and placed on a stretcher by his family. Speaking from the hospital on Monday, Mr Sidhwa told The Independent: When they opened the blanket it was obvious that it was my patient Ibrahim that Id operated on a few days ago. He was dead, he was dead as a doornail. His head would have been eviscerated, his pupils were fixed and dilated, he had no heartbeat, so he was dead. He described the 16-year-old as young, healthy and said he was set to go home on the day he was killed. He was doing perfectly well, and to have him be killed literally in his hospital bed, its not normal at all, said Mr Sidhwa. open image in gallery The damage inside the surgical building of the Nasser Hospital on Monday ( EPA ) The Israeli military said senior Hamas leader Ismail Barhoum, who was receiving treatment at Nasser Hospital, was killed in the strike. The military said on Monday that Barhoum oversaw Hamass finances in Gaza and transferred funds to its military wing. It said he was also serving as the head of Hamass government in Gaza, having replaced another senior official who was killed in a strike last week. Mr Sidhwa said most of the injured had been recovering from wounds suffered in airstrikes on Gaza last week, after Israel broke the fragile ceasefire with a surprise bombardment that killed hundreds. His 16-year-old patient and another man he had operated on in the days before Sundays bombing both died in the attack, he said. Describing the aftermath of the airstrikes, the American trauma surgeon said: The whole hospital smells like smoke. The whole second-floor male surgical ward has been destroyed, so the patients have been moved to another area. One we went around today smelt like a barbecue. Everyones covered in soot, the whole ward has been destroyed, all the electrical stuff is destroyed, the ceiling is destroyed, most of the windows are blown out, theres rubble everywhere, some of the walls are destroyed. Its what happens when you drop a bomb on a hospital. However, he added that the hospital has largely been able to continue functioning. Nasser Hospital received seven bodies from strikes overnight and four from strikes the previous day. The European Hospital received three bodies from a strike near Khan Younis. Al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza City received 11 bodies from strikes overnight into Monday, including those of three women and four children. One of the strikes killed two children, their parents, their grandmother and their uncle. open image in gallery Nasser Hospital, a day after it was targeted by Israeli strikes, in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, on Monday ( EPA ) Officials say Egypt has introduced a new proposal to try to get the Israel-Hamas ceasefire back on track. Hamas would release five living hostages, including an American-Israeli, in return for Israel allowing humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip and a weeks-long pause in the fighting, an Egyptian official said on Monday. Israel would also release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. A Hamas official, who also spoke on the condition of anonymity due to the closed-door nature of the talks, said the group had responded positively to the proposal, but did not elaborate. Gazas health ministry said on Sunday that the Palestinian death toll from the 17-month war had passed 50,000. It has said that women and children make up more than half the dead, but does not distinguish between civilians and combatants in its count. Israel says it has killed some 20,000 militants, without providing evidence. Hamas-led militants killed around 1,200 people, mainly civilians, and abducted 251 people in the 7 October 2023 attack that ignited the war. Sign up to Simon Calders free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calders Travel email Get Simon Calders Travel email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The decision to close Heathrow - Europes busiest airport - on Friday triggered many miserable outcomes after a fire at an electricity substation nearby. The first inevitable consequence: more than 100 inbound flights that were already airborne either turned around and returned to their starting points, or diverted to dozens of airports across Europe and even North Africa. This was the biggest diversion event since the closure of US airspace on 9/11. The first take-off from Heathrow after the airport reopened was a British Airways flight to Riyadh, which took off at 9pm on Friday. Up to that point, more than 1,300 flights were cancelled and an estimated 240,000 passengers had their travel plans torn up. open image in gallery Stranded passengers pictured at Heathrow Terminal 5 after the airport shutdown ( PA Wire ) The following day, as airlines battled to retrieve their aircraft from the foreign airfields where they had landed, more than 100 flights were cancelled. I estimate the cost to airlines to amount to 100m in lost revenue and passenger care expenses. Heathrow and the many businesses its activities support will also have lost millions. The wider damage to the economy is incalculable. Inbound tourism - the industry closest to free money for any nation - is particularly vulnerable. The UKs appeal will be harmed in the short term and the longer term. Worse than the economic wreckage is the emotional impact. Every one of these quarter-million-plus passengers had an important journey, which turned from joyful anticipation to crushed dreams. open image in gallery More than 1,300 flights were cancelled and an estimated 240,000 passengers had their travel plans disrupted ( EPA ) The incident also put extreme pressure on people who work on the frontline of aviation across the world, facing travellers who were stressed and upset. Given the immense harm caused, Heathrow still has some key questions to answer. The airports chief executive, Thomas Woldbye, spoke to me on Saturday. He told The Independent it wasnt an easy decision to close, adding: But its also not that difficult, because our primary concern is safety. And if we can see we cannot safely operate the airfield, and guarantee passenger safety and [the safety of] colleagues and aircraft, then the decision to close is not that difficult. I have put further questions to the airport and the relevant responses are included below. Perhaps the transport select committee will obtain further answers when he appears before them on 2 April. What conversations were had before the closure announcement? At the very least British Airways - with over half the flights at Heathrow - and the two other biggest players, Virgin Atlantic and Lufthansa, were surely consulted about the impact on their operations. BA and Virgin were most exposed to diversions. And as a critical piece of national infrastructure, the government would want to make representations. open image in gallery A fire at an electricity substation at Hayes, near Heathrow airport, caused the loss of power ( PA ) Why were aircraft already inbound not allowed to land? Most of them were British Airways and Virgin Atlantic aircraft, using Terminals 3 and 5. The runways and control tower were always running. Reports say that power was still flowing to those terminals and that UK Border Force and baggage systems were running. Allowing aircraft, crew and passengers to arrive would: Make subsequent resumption far easier Cut the cost of the incident by many millions of pounds Reduce the distress caused to passengers Heathrow said: As the busiest airport in Europe, Heathrow uses as much energy as a small city, therefore its not possible to have backup for all of the energy we need to run our operation safely. We had to restructure our power supply and restart all of the systems. That is a major job even once power was restored, thousands of systems across all of the airport had to be rebooted and tested to ensure they are safe and stable again to use. Safety remains our priority. Why did Heathrow decide to reopen early? The exact wording of the announcement: To maintain the safety of our passengers and colleagues, we have no choice but to close Heathrow until 23:59 on 21 March 2025. We expect significant disruption over the coming days and passengers should not travel to the airport under any circumstances until the airport reopens. open image in gallery People watch a British Airways plane at Heathrow airport in London ( PA Wire ) Ten long-haul flights were able to take off later in the evening, to the relief of passengers and airlines. But any similar messages in future are likely to be treated with some scepticism among the travelling public and the media, with some desperate passengers showing up on the off-chance. When did Heathrow alert other airports to unexpected planes? In order to get everyone from baggage handlers to UK Border Force staff ready, as much notice as possible was essential for Gatwick, Birmingham, Manchester and other key airports to the arrival of unexpected aircraft. Will Heathrow compensate airlines for the incident? The most recent incident with a similar impact was the failure of the Nats air traffic control computer system on the August bank holiday in 2023. Airlines were furious they could not recoup tens of millions of pounds in losses. What has Heathrow learnt from failures at other UK airports? In November last year, a false alarm at a security checkpoint at Gatwick South Terminal led to its immediate evacuation, including of the airports railway station. Yet the Sussex airport made some good tactical decisions with its partners to allow as many passengers as possible to travel. Trains stopped at the adjacent station of Horley rather than Gatwick, allowing access to North Terminal. And passengers arriving on flights to the South Terminal were bussed to the North Terminal for processing. It would surely make sense for Heathrow to study the incident at its biggest UK rival to inform its contingency planning. Did Heathrow give due consideration to the impact? Heathrow airport said: We worked tirelessly throughout the night, and closely with our partners to ensure we could safely open as soon as possible. But we need to know whether all possible less-damaging options were considered. Andrew Tate claims Florida Governor Ron DeSantis was hijacked by the media and now understands he made a mistake after saying Tate was not welcome in Florida. He didnt realize I was an American citizen. Now he understands he made a mistake. There have been some conversations, and everythings been settled, Tate said outside a police station in Romania. Tate and his brother, who deny all allegations against them, are under investigation for allegedly forming an organized criminal group, human trafficking, trafficking of minors, and money laundering. Andrew faces separate allegations of rape and sexual activity with a minor. A British tourist is reportedly fighting for his life with 70 per cent burns, after a B&B apartment collapsed in Rome following a gas explosion. The man was rushed to Romes SantEugenio Hospital after the two-storey building was reduced to rubble early on Sunday (23 March). "There is an injured person who has been taken to the hospital at this time," said Roberto Gualtieri, the mayor of Rome. We don't know exactly the conditions, but he suffered burns. This also suggests that it was an explosion caused by gas that also leads to flames. Emergency workers evacuated nearby buildings while they continue to confirm the cause of the explosion. Glasgows skyline was changed forever yesterday (March 23), as the 60-year-old Wyndford towers high-rise blocks were brought down in seconds to make way for 386 new homes. Three 26-storey blocks in Maryhill - once home to around 6,000 people - were reduced to rubble as part of Scotlands biggest demolition project. Local residents were asked to leave their homes, while crowds gathered on a nearby hill to watch the controlled explosion unfold. Police and protesters clashed in Istanbul as tensions escalated following the detention of President Recep Tayyip Erdogans main political rival in the 2028 election. On Sunday night (23 March), police used rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse crowds, detaining both protesters and journalists on the streets. Ekrem Imamoglu, the widely popular mayor seen by many as a future leader, was arrested and jailed on Wednesday pending trial on corruption charges. Critics have accused President Erdogan of attempting to silence a key political opponent, however Turkeys justice minister to call it a political investigation. Former Labour MP Mike Amesbury, who was jailed for drunkenly punching a constituent, has revealed the alcohol monitoring tag he must wear for 120 days in an interview on Good Morning Britain. Amesbury was sentenced to 10 weeks in prison, later reduced to a suspended sentence following an appeal , for assaulting Paul Fellows, 45, in Frodsham, Cheshire last October. He was also ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work, 12 months of alcohol monitoring, anger management, and 20 days of rehabilitation. Amesbury vowed to stay alcohol-free longer than the conditions of his sentence, telling presenters Richard Madeley and Susanna Reid, "I intend to go beyond 120 days." Donald Trump has responded after The Atlantic editor revealed he was in classified group chat discussing US airstrikes targeting Houthi positions in Yemen. The US president denied any knowledge of the incident, in which senior officials in his administration reportedly discussed a highly sensitive operation in a group chat that inadvertently included Jeffrey Goldberg, the Editor-in-Chief of The Atlantic. Asked about the incident on Monday (24 March), Trump said: I dont know anything about it. Im not a big fan of The Atlantic. To me, its a magazine thats going out of business. But I know nothing about it. 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 In Ransom 79, the late RTE reporter and Colin Murphy dig into a bizarre plot to blackmail the government. Paul Whitington talks to the films director Colm Quinn In the last two years of his life, when most people in his position would have been resting and guarding every ounce of energy, Charlie Bird was busy. He went on Liveline and The Late Late Show to heighten awareness about motor neurone disease, he climbed mountains to raise money for charity, he talked openly and honestly about his disease and his end-of-life plans and turned a dreadful personal situation into an inspiring national moment. He also worked on a story his last as it turned out the intriguing tale of a 1979 attempt to blackmail the government. Shortly before being diagnosed with MND, Charlie had done a podcast for the Irish Senior Times about the plot, until then publicly unknown. In 2023, Bird, his good friend and fellow journalist Colin Murphy and director Colm Quinn began making a documentary called Ransom 79. Charlie Bird and Colin Murphy on a train in the documentary Ransom '79 Ransom '79 The incident itself was fascinating enough, as Bird and Murphy uncovered a republican splinter groups plot to extort millions of punts from the Irish government. But then there was Charlie, forgetting his illness as he plunged headfirst into the thing he loved best following a story. For Quinn, making the film was an extraordinary experience. Id listened to the podcast, and there was so much great stuff in it, and so it was a really interesting first chat in terms of where it could go as a documentary, he says. And I think even before the diagnosis came out, there was a sense that Charlie was going to be the protagonist in this. I grew up with Charlie Bird on TV, and I was almost a bit starstruck meeting the guy to be honest; hes one of these people with just a bit of legendary status about them. But Charlie had this ability to put people at their ease, and we got straight into talking about the story. The late Charlie Bird, his wife Claire and dog Tiger after being conferred with the Freedom of County Wicklow in September of 2022. We had a couple more meetings about where it was going, but then the diagnosis happened, that was in October 2021. Wed been having conversations about Ransom, and then there was this terrible, terrible shock for Charlie. After that diagnosis, the film was put on hold. What happened then was that Charlie became interested in the idea of doing a doc around the impact of the diagnosis, dealing with motor neurone, losing his voice, developing the voice bank, and that ultimately became an interview that Tommy Gorman conducted in Charlies home, Quinn says. It was just two days of non-stop talking between Tommy and Charlie, and it was absolutely fascinating, Those interviews by themselves are a cultural artefact. But ultimately that became the basis for the documentary, Loud and Clear. That documentary culminated in Charlies emotional ascent of Croagh Patrick, an event that became a kind of national coming together. But doing it had taken a lot out of him. The late Charlie Bird with Tiger. Then the question of Ransom came up again, Quinn says. And obviously the disease was progressing for Charlie, so there was a question of whether he would still want to do it, but it turned out he was as enthusiastic as he had been at the start. He was absolutely determined. And we brought in Colin Murphy, who wed worked with before they did a play together and the great thing about Colin and Charlie is they just have this amazing connection. Theyre mates as much as they are collaborators, and theres a real directness to the way they communicate. The great thing about Colin and Charlie is they just have this amazing connection. Theyre mates as much as they are collaborators Using Charlies old contacts, the pair came up with an impressive list of interviewees, from Bertie Ahern to former IRA men, guards and civil servants who had been intimately involved in this strange plot. On Wednesday, August 29, 1979, the Department of Agriculture received a typed letter that began To get straight to the point, this is a demand for 5 million. The blackmailers threatened that, unless their demand was met, foot and mouth disease would be introduced to the national herd, a potential calamity. As politicians vacillated over how to respond, terse communications with the gang were conducted in coded messages in the Irish Times personal ad columns, and civil servants skilfully managed to kick the can down the road. Ransom '79 director Colm Quinn How serious was the threat? Its hard to say it was the work of Saor Eire, a republican splinter group that specialised in bank robberies. The whole thing culminated in a bizarre cat-and-mouse road trip from Dublin to Wexford and back, as the gang sought to execute a payoff that was never going to happen. Bird and Murphy managed to speak to almost everyone involved civil servants, politicians, the guard who drove that car. It was incredible to watch them when they were doing interviews, Quinn says. Theres one bit of the film where theyre interviewing Bertie Ahern and you can see Berties answering a question and Charlies scribbling notes on a notepad, and he hands it to Colin and Colin then voices the question. So it was this kind of dynamic, a shorthand that developed between them. Of course, Charlie was using the voice bank considerably as well, and that allowed him to lead conversations too. During the film, a former IRA man pats Charlie on the arm and calls him a good man Bird had once been the IRAs primary media contact in the Republic. Listening to all these amazing voices really gave you a sense of the era. I was born in 1981, so I wasnt around for it, so it was fascinating to get a sense of just how different the country was back then, Quinn says. And that threat of releasing foot and mouth in 1979, the devastation that could have caused was unthinkable in a country so dependent on agriculture. That was why the threat was taken so seriously, and all resources were mobilised to counter it. And no better man than Charlie to unearth it all 40 years later. Charlie Bird and his wife Claire with Croagh Patrick behind them. Photo: Gerry Mooney. Did he get to see the finished film? We really hoped that Charlie would be there for the premiere, Colm Quinn says, and that he would have made it until May [Bird passed away on March 11, 2024], and obviously we were heartbroken that he didnt. Colin did call out to himself and [his wife] Claire, and showed them a fairly advanced cut, and I remember it was around half six in the evening and I was just putting the three-year-old to bed, and we got this lovely video call from Charlie with his reaction to the film, and he was just so effusive about what hed seen. It was a lovely moment, that he got to see what was more or less the finished film. Ransom 79 is on Virgin Media One on Monday, 24 March at 9pm This story was originally published on Saturday, 18 May 2024 Fingal Co Council refuses planning permission as it considers the proposed facility industrial and visually obtrusive A family-owned agri-business that has a near 100m contract with Tesco to supply certain vegetables has failed in its contentious bid to secure planning for an anaerobic digestion (AD) facility for Collinstown, Lusk in north county Dublin. This follows Fingal Co Council refusing planning permission to Country Crest for the facility after a micro-boutique winery and other locals objected. The council has refused planning permission to Country Crest after concluding that it was unacceptable due to the land-use zoning of the site as the council considered the proposed facility industrial and unacceptable concerning the visual impact of the development. Fingal Co Council stated that the proposal would not be directly connected to the local rural community, nor would it serve the local rural economy as the majority of raw materials required would be sourced from outside the local rural area. The planners also refused planning permission after finding that when viewed collectively the proposed buildings connected to the proposal cumulatively would have a profound negative impact on the visual amenities of the application site. The council stated that the proposed development would be visually obtrusive and would seriously injure the amenities of the area. The refusal comes only months after the fourth-generation agri-business, led by brothers Gabriel and Michael Hoey, signed a new contract with Tesco where it will continue to grow and pack all Tesco own-brand fresh potatoes, onions and sweet potatoes for Tesco Ireland. The agreement, until September 2027, will see Tesco source over 27,000 tonnes of fresh produce annually from Country Crest, which employs more than 100 people at its production site in north county Dublin. In planning documents lodged by Country Crest UC with Fingal Co Council, it stated that the anaerobic digestion facility will generate 49,045 tonnes of liquid digestate and 9,342 tonnes of solid digestate per year as the main byproduct expected from the biogas production via anaerobic digestion. The liquid and dewatered digestate is to be used as organic fertiliser. In total, 12 objections were lodged against the plans and one of those to object was owner of Lusca Vineyard at Quickpenny Road, Lusk, David Llewellyn In total, 12 objections were lodged against the plans and one of those to object was owner of Lusca Vineyard at Quickpenny Road, Lusk, David Llewellyn. In his objection, Mr Llewellyn told the council that the Country Crest proposals "are of potentially huge significance to the area of Lusk and environs. As a resident of Lusk, and as a horticultural food producer myself, in proximity to the Country Crest facility, I have grave reservations as to the suitability of Country Crest to be permitted to develop and run a waste disposal/waste processing and gas generation plant as proposed in this planning application, he said. Another local resident, Laura Clare, told the council that the anaerobic digester will lead to an unacceptable deterioration of the general Lusk village environment, especially in relation to visual impact, offensive odours, excessive noise, plant emissions, increased HGV traffic on all roads. Meanwhile, Stephen Allen told the council: I object based on environmental grounds for the long-term sanctity of the residents and wildlife in the area. Given the proximity of the proposed site to a number of private dwellings and the potential impact from prevailing wind pollution that such a plant would generate to the wider surrounding area from the outline development at the proposed location. The UCD research marks the first scientific study to directly connect genetic variation with an animals ability to fight off the disease Bovine TB, caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium bovis (M. bovis), remains a serious challenge in many parts of the world, including Ireland. Photo: Owen Breslin A study has identified key genetic factors that may explain why some cattle are more susceptible to bovine tuberculosis (bTB), a disease that poses a significant threat to both animal and human health. Published on World TB Day 2025, this research offers new insights that could help tackle bTB more effectively, potentially reducing its impact on both livestock and people. Bovine TB, caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium bovis (M. bovis), remains a serious challenge in many parts of the world, including Ireland. Surveillance and control programmes place a heavy financial burden on governments, with efforts focused on reducing the diseases prevalence in cattle. At the same time, the disease also poses a zoonotic threat, with humans contracting the disease through direct contact with infected animals or consumption of contaminated food, particularly in regions with limited access to medical care. The study, led by researchers from University College Dublin (UCD), the University of Edinburgh, and ETH Zurich, used advanced computational techniques to pinpoint 115 genes linked to bTB susceptibility. The research marks the first scientific study to directly connect genetic variation with an animals ability to fight off the disease. Professor Eamonn Gormley, Director of the bTB Diagnostics Laboratory at UCD, said of the study: This work represents an important step forward in understanding the genetic underpinnings of bTB susceptibility in cattle. It opens up the potential for future research that could lead to improved diagnostic tools and strategies for breeding more resilient cattle. The genetic discoveries in this study could also offer insights into human TB, as M. bovis is nearly genetically identical to Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the pathogen responsible for human TB. The close evolutionary relationship between these pathogens means that the findings could have direct applications for understanding and addressing TB in humans as well, said Professor David MacHugh from UCDs Animal Genomics Laboratory. The teams research revealed that variations in the initial immune response play a crucial role in whether an animal can clear the infection, with implications for developing new treatments and vaccines. John OGrady, the studys lead author, emphasised the importance of the findings: Our research suggests that the immune response to M. bovis is crucial in determining whether an animal contracts bTB, and how the infection progresses. Irish employee accused of spying and corporate espionage is now cooperating, High Court told Rippling, a multibillion dollar HR services company, alleges Keith OBrien was a spy in the companys Dublin officeLast week, the court heard OBrien fled his workplace and destroyed his phone after being served with a court order Keith OBrien, the Irish staff member at global HR software giant Rippling who is accused of corporate espionage. (Pic: LinkedIn) Shane Phelan Mon 24 Mar 2025 at 16:20 Lawyers for a major US software company say an Irish employee it has accused of spying and corporate espionage is now cooperating with its efforts to preserve potential evidence. Man allegedly told friend he had killed wife, court hears Regin Parithapara Rajan has pleaded not guilty to the murder of his 38-year-old wife at their Cork home Regin Parithapara Rajan with his wife Deepa Paruthiyezhuth Dinamani Ralph Riegel Mon 24 Mar 2025 at 18:09 A husband who denies the murder of his wife is alleged to have told a friend who called to his home that he had just stabbed and killed his partner. Social media influencer and former government adviser jailed for sexually exploiting boy he met at Christian camp Ramamoorthy (38), was described as a motivational speaker, influencer and entrepreneur, and acted at one point as an adviser to the Department of Enterprise, Trade and EmploymentHe is the son of a diplomat and was educated in Yale Daniel Ramamoorthy, pictured leaving the Criminal Courts of Justice (CCJ) on Parkgate Street in Dublin. Photo: IrishPhotoDesk.ie Isabel Hayes Mon 24 Mar 2025 at 15:51 A motivational speaker, social media influencer and one-time government department adviser sexually exploited a teenage boy he met while volunteering as a Christian children's camp guide, a court has heard. Breaking | Three leaders of The Family gang arrested in dawn raids over encrypted phone evidence They can be held for seven days as a treasure trove of evidence harvested on the platform is put to them Gardai arrest five males targeting activities of organised crime group in West Dublin Nicola Tallant Mon 24 Mar 2025 at 14:09 The three top tier members of Irelands biggest organised crime outfit known as The Family were arrested this morning in the countrys first major encrypted phone hack case. Remains exhumed from a grave in Co Monaghan are not those of Disappeared victim of the Troubles Joe LynskeyThe remains also do not belong to any member of the family who own the grave plot in Annyalla, Co Monaghan - investigators An Garda Siochana is now attempting to identify the remains Remains exhumed from a grave in Co Monaghan are not those of Disappeared victim of the Troubles Joe Lynskey, investigators have said. The Independent Commission for the Location of Victims Remains (ICLVR) said the remains recovered from the grave in the village of Annyalla also do not belong to any member of the family who own the plot. The ICLVR further confirmed that the remains were not those of any of the three other Disappeared victims murdered and secretly buried by republican paramilitaries during the Troubles whom the commission continues to search for. An Garda Siochana is now attempting to identify the remains. In a statement, a spokesman said: An Garda Siochana has notified the local coroner, and An Garda Siochana has commenced enquiries to assist the local coroner to determine the correct identification of the remains exhumed on November 26 2024. The commission opened the grave in November last year after it received information related to suspicious historical activity during the 1970s at a grave in Annyalla cemetery. The commission opened the grave in November last year after it received information related to suspicious historical activity during the 1970s at a grave in Annyalla cemetery. It instigated the exhumation operation to establish whether Mr Lynskey had been secretly buried there by the IRA. Mr Lynskey, a former monk from Belfast who later joined the IRA, was abducted, murdered and secretly buried by members of the republican paramilitary group in 1972. He was one of 17 people who were Disappeared by republican paramilitaries during the Troubles in Northern Ireland. The ICLVR did not become aware that Mr Lynskey was one of the Disappeared until 2010. A number of searches since then have all failed to locate his remains. The commission was set up by the UK and Irish governments during the peace process to investigate the whereabouts of the Disappeared. Thirteen have been formally found. As well as Mr Lynskey, the commission is also tasked with finding three other Disappeared victims Co Tyrone teenager Columba McVeigh, British Army Captain Robert Nairac, and Seamus Maguire, who was in his mid-20s and from near Lurgan, Co Armagh. A statement from the commission said: In an effort to locate the remains of Joe Lynskey, one of the Disappeared who went missing in the summer of 1972, human remains were exhumed from a grave in Annyalla Cemetery, Co Monaghan on 26 November 2024. The results of the DNA examination of the remains have now eliminated them as being those of the family to whom the grave belongs and now also eliminated them as being those of Joe Lynskey or any of the Disappeared. All the interested parties including the Lynskey family have been informed. We know that this news is deeply disappointing for the Lynskey family and the thoughts of everyone in the commission are with them at this most difficult time. We are also conscious that this was a distressing experience for the family whose grave was opened to facilitate the exhumation. We are grateful for their co-operation and support at all stages of the process. The commission will continue to do everything in its power to locate and recover the remains of all of the outstanding Disappeared cases. We would again appeal to anyone with information relating to Joe Lynskey, Columba McVeigh, Robert Nairac or Seamus Maguire to bring it to the ICLVR where it will be treated in the strictest confidence. Pictured: Joe Lynskey Today's News in 90 Seconds - March 24th Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn said he was saddened to hear the search for Mr Lynskey was unsuccessful. My thoughts are with his family, who have faced decades of uncertainty and heartache. I thank the ICLVR for its tireless commitment to reuniting the families of the Disappeared with their loved ones. Todays news is a reminder of the importance of this humanitarian work. Every piece of information, no matter how small, could help bring closure and peace to these families who have waited so long for answers. I urge anyone who may have information that could help locate Joes remains or those of Columba McVeigh, Captain Robert Nairac and Seamus Maguire to come forward in confidence to the ICLVR. Former taoiseach Leo Varadkar has secured a new job with a public relations firm in the United States. Penta Group, described as a comprehensive stakeholder solutions firm, announced the appointment of Mr Varadkar to its global advisory board. He will officially join on April 10, the firm said, adding that he will bring a wealth of global leadership experience to the firm as it continues to redefine reputation management for the worlds leading organisations. Penta described Mr Varadkar as a transformational leader on both national and international stages, who spearheaded major policy reforms and crisis management that have shaped Irelands strong global standing. It added that his expertise in navigating complex geopolitical landscapes, economic development, and progressive social change will be invaluable as Penta continues its rapid expansion in 2025 and beyond. Leo Varadkar. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz/File Photo Today's News in 90 Seconds - March 24th Matt McDonald, CEO of Penta Group said: "His deep commitment to evidence-based policymaking and strategic leadership aligns seamlessly with Pentas mission. "His experience at the highest levels of government will enhance our ability to provide data-driven advice and solutions to help our clients navigate todays increasingly complex global environment." Penta referenced his time as taoiseach from 2017 to 2020 and 2022 to 2024, saying he played a pivotal role in shaping both domestic and international policy. He was instrumental in securing the 2019 Brexit Withdrawal Agreement, ensuring no hard border on the island, the PR firm said. Domestically, he championed social reforms, including the landmark referendums legalising same-sex marriage and repealing abortion restrictions. Under his leadership, Ireland navigated the COVID-19 pandemic with some of Europes most comprehensive economic supports, and one of the fastest vaccine rollouts. A qualified doctor, the former Fine Gael leader has held ministerial positions across transport, tourism and sport; health; social protection; and enterprise, trade and Employment, as well as as tanaiste. The firm also referenced his extensive policy expertise and unwavering commitment to evidence-based policy-making, which it said will be a major asset to Penta and its clients. Penta Group, which acquired Irish firm Hume Brophy in 2022, deals in communications, reputation management in times of crisis for clients, and brand-building. The company, which has its headquarters in Washington DC, has offices across the US, Asia and Europe, including in Dublin. Mr Varadkar said: "In todays rapidly evolving world, integrating data and evidence into decision-making is more critical than ever. "Penta Group is at the forefront of using research and analytics to make a real impact, and I look forward to contributing to its innovative approach in helping global organisations navigate complexity with confidence. Ireland international footballer and Bristol City player Chloe Mustaki is among those appealing to the public to support Daffodil Day The Irish Cancer Society has said it needs to raise 30m this year to meet record demand in services, following a significant increase in users. Its transport service, which brings patients to and from cancer treatments across the country, saw a 20pc increase in bookings in 2024. In total, drivers for the charity covered 2.9 million kilometres last year, bringing over 2,500 cancer patients to and from their appointments. This marks an 126pc increase in demand for the service in the last five years. The charity also said its free nationwide counselling service saw an increase of 8pc, to over 16,000 sessions. Its freephone support line, which provides confidential advice, support and information for anyone affected by cancer, also saw an 8pc increase to 10,700. David Wilkins, who has a rare incurable cancer, attends counselling in his local cancer support centre in Carlow, funded by the Irish Cancer Society. He said free counselling, paid from funds raised on Daffodil Day, has been a lifeline for him. Its a wonderful thing to just pour all that pain out on the floor, and out of your head. But, more importantly, my counsellor gives me the tools to help realign my emotional and physical self. They help me get back on track and adjust to the realities of the situation as things change. Mr Wilkins said each counselling session costs 60, so if three people donate 20 on Daffodil Day, it will provide a cancer patient like me with a safe space to open up about their fears and worries. Figures also show more than 6,000 nights of palliative nursing care/end-of-life care were given to over 1,700 patients. Ireland international footballer and Bristol City player Chloe Mustaki is among those appealing to the public to support Daffodil Day Irish Cancer Society CEO Averil Power has urged the public go all in against cancer to raise vital funds on Daffodil Day, this Friday. She said 44,000 people are diagnosed with cancer every year in Ireland, and the Irish Cancer Society aims to be there for every one of them. But the State provides just 5pc of our funding so we need to raise 30m to provide our key services, she added. Daffodil Day is the biggest and most important fundraising event of the year. Every donation, no matter the size, will make a difference to cancer patients in every corner of Ireland. The Irish Cancer Society also invested over 4m in cancer research last year, which led to scientists working on more than 100 research projects. Please join us in turning Ireland daffodil yellow on Friday. By going all in this Daffodil Day, every child and adult with cancer will have a place to turn to, the support they need; and the hope that there will come a day when no one in Ireland dies from cancer, Ms Power added. Show your support by purchasing a Daffodil Day pin on the day, or donating at cancer.ie or via the donations tab in the Revolut app. This Daffodil Day, the Irish Cancer Society is urging you to stand with cancer patients and survivors and Go All In Against Cancer. The Irish Cancer Society typically receives only 5pc of its income from the Government, so it relies on the publics generosity to provide vital free support services and ground-breaking cancer research. The Irish Cancer Societys Daffodil Day takes place on Friday, March 28, 2025. Visit cancer.ie to donate today. The mother of a little girl with a very rare genetic condition has spoken of the desperation of parents who are being denied vital therapies for their children. Clare Wilson and her husband Shane, from Rathfarnham, Dublin, were told over the phone during the Covid lockdown that their daughter Jessica (7) has Xia-Gibbs syndrome, a neurodevelopmental disorder. She is one of just two people in the country with the condition and one of only 200 in the world. The HSE has asked the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) to intervene in a bid to prevent industrial action by unions over staffing numbers. The call comes after unsuccessful talks between the HSE and unions this morning. The unions Forsa, United, Connect, MLSA and the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) are to begin a work to rule next week over what they say is the decommissioning of thousands of vacant posts last year. The HSE had imposed a recruitment freeze for several months in 2024 after breaching hiring numbers and boosting HSE staff levels to record numbers. The HSE, which is under pressure to avoid another Government bailout, has since agreed not to exceed agreed recruitment numbers this year and not go beyond a staff ceiling of just over 133,000. Funding provided in 2024 and 2025 will allow the HSE to recruit an additional 6,528 staff in 2025 in addition to replacing departing staff, it said. Stock image Today's News in 90 Seconds - March 24th Speaking after this mornings meeting with the HSE a spokesperson on behalf of unions involved in the dispute said: Despite asking trade unions to meet this morning in a bid to explore options for avoiding planned action, the HSE is demonstrating a lax approach to upcoming industrial action which is to begin next Monday. Unions have given the employer over three weeks notice to plan around what will be mass disruption to the health service, yet no formal derogations have been sought by the employer or no real contingency planning has been done. The fact of the matter is this dispute will begin next Monday. The HSE have not taken this process seriously and have chosen to walk away before matters can be dealt with. The HSE said that Mr Gloster has asked the HSEs National Employee Relations Service to ask the WRC to step in. A spokesperson said that while Mr Gloster approached today's talks in good faith, unfortunately no progress was made. The HSE said that there will be further talks this afternoon with health unions in relation to the nature of the threatened dispute and that it will now await the intervention of the WRC. Mr Gloster said: "Any industrial action would be very regrettable, particularly in the context of possible negative impacts on the public. Comedian and musician Garron Noone has returned to social media and said he stands by what he said in a video he posted last week that caused significant reaction on social media. Noone deactivated his social media accounts on Thursday following backlash to comments he made about immigration in a video where he shared his thoughts about Conor McGregors visit to the White House on St Patricks Day. I stand by what I said in my first video, this video will clarify any points Ive seen that were taken up differently to how I meant them, and this will be my last word on it, he wrote in the caption of the video posted to his TikTok and Instagram accounts, which each have more than 1.7m followers. Comedian and musician Garron Noone. Photo: Terrie Burton/Noir Photique Today's News in 90 Seconds - March 24th Noone said this video would be the last time he addressed the issue and he wanted to get back to having the craic. "I needed to take a few days away, he said. "There was a lot of stuff happening online, as I'm sure many of you know, and I just couldn't stop myself looking at it, and engaging with it, and it wasn't productive. He then extended a massive thank you to those who sent him supportive messages and reached out over the past four days. He also thanked people who disagreed with him in good faith. 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 While I think that most people, seemingly to me, did understand what I was trying to get across in the video, I do think some of my points were too vague, I think they were too open to interpretation. Enough people did misinterpret it that it's clear to me that I definitely could have communicated it better, and that is 100pc on me. I absolutely should be held accountable for that. I have a very large platform and the things I say get out to a lot of people and if theyre poorly communicated, people absolutely should criticise now, then, and they should criticise me in the future, thats absolutely tremendously important. There was a significant online reaction to the video Noone posted last week, and he said he experienced personal attacks and was called a racist and a fascist. Noone said his video was misappropriated by members of the far right to bolster their own agenda. There absolutely is an immigration issue in Ireland, Noone said in the initial video posted on Thursday night. "That doesnt mean that people feel like we shouldnt take the refugees that were able to take, it doesnt mean that people feel like people shouldnt be able to come here for better opportunities, but the systems we have in place are being taken advantage of and that is plain to see, and the Government continually does not allow people to express their concerns about that. Though Noone condemned the far-right, a number of high-profile anti-immigration figures expressed their support for him, including Andrew Tates brother Tristan and Katie Hopkins. He clarified that he took down his TikTok and Instagram accounts himself as he found the reaction to the video very upsetting. "I never said that I was anti-immigration, I honestly dont know where people even got that. I never aligned myself with Conor McGregor and said that I agreed with everything he said or anything even close to that. In fact, I said the opposite, Noone said. He concluded: Im going to go back to doing what I normally do and encourage ye to all chat about whatever ye wanna chat about. An expert solicitor has criticised the treatment of children and adults with special needs by the Department of Education, labelling it disgraceful for decades, as concerns over school places grow ahead of September enrolment. This comes after the Irish Independent revealed the State spent almost 8m between April 2021 and February this year on legal cases taken by parents fighting for an assessment of needs for their children. Rentokil, Ireland's leading pest control provider, is warning homeowners to beware of highly aggressive seagulls as nesting season begins. With increased gull activity expected in the coming weeks, people and businesses, particularly in coastal urban areas, are being advised to act now to reduce the likelihood of these birds nesting on their properties. Gulls typically lay their eggs in April and May, with hatching in June. During this period, they can become highly aggressive as they protect their nests, eggs, and chicks. Gulls also become bolder in their search for food, often scavenging in urban areas where waste is easily accessible. Buildings, rooftops and ledges in towns and cities provide attractive nesting sites, offering gulls the height and shelter normally find on coastal cliffs. Colm Moore, Regional Technical Manager with Rentokil, said gulls can cause significant disruption for homeowners and businesses, particularly once they have established nests. Prevention is the best approach and, taking steps now to make your property less attractive to gulls could avoid the stress, mess and risks their nesting brings. Our team has the expertise to help manage gull activity safely and responsibly, he said. Stock image Today's News in 90 Seconds - March 24th Rentokil has advised homeowners and businesses to take simple preventative steps now to deter gulls before they settle in. It said food sources should be eliminated by securing bin lids and avoiding leaving rubbish bags outside, as gulls can quickly tear them open. "Property owners should also consider blocking access to easy nesting spots with physical barriers such as spikes or netting. Visual deterrents, including decoy birds of prey, may also help discourage gulls from nesting in some locations, the company said. Rentokil provides professional solutions for businesses and homeowners experiencing persistent problems with gulls. The Rentokil Intelligent Bird Scaring (RIBS) device offers a humane and effective way to deter gulls. It operates 24/7 and is remotely monitored via a mobile app. Rentokil controls gull species in accordance with the EU Birds Directive and the Irish bird derogations and uses non-lethal methods to control all other species of birds if they become public health pests. Rentokil employs several safe and eco-friendly methods to help protect premises from gulls, including installing bird spikes or netting. Another option is hawking, using specially trained birds of prey to naturally scare and deter gulls from an area without causing them harm. When Martina Balfe recovered from triple negative cancer, she wanted to pay it forward by volunteering to provide support to current cancer patients via a helpline I was glad to speak to somebody who was still alive, Martina Balfe says. She is describing her conversation with an Irish Cancer Society Peer Support volunteer, a phone call that happened when Martina had begun her treatment for breast cancer. What she needed at the time, she recalls now, is someone who understood exactly what she was going through. I felt like I was floating out to sea, she says of when she first got a diagnosis of triple negative breast cancer in March 2021. Everyone I spoke to had advice, she continues, explaining that it was never advice for her specific type of cancer, a rare form of breast cancer typically diagnosed in younger women. More difficult still, the two women she had found through Instagram who were going through treatment for the same diagnosis, both based in the UK, one of whom she had met with in real life several times, had since died. She needed someone who could give her hope. The diagnosis, which came around St. Patricks Day 2021, had been a terrible shock. What she thought was a strain picked up during a zoom exercise class had become excruciatingly painful: It was like nerve pain, all across my chest, my back, into my neck. When she went to her GP, he found a lump she herself had not noticed. A week later she attended the Mater Breast Clinic. I wasnt expecting that at all, I was expecting to get pain killers, she says. At the breast clinic, she underwent a triple assessment; an examination, a mammogram and ultrasound, and a biopsy. That day, she was told by one of the doctors that they felt this was sinister and suspicious, and that she was to bring someone with her when she returned in two weeks for her results. I dont think I have ever felt as bad in my life, Martina, who at the time was 48, recalls. Her children were then 23 and 16, the younger doing their Junior Certificate. I went to pieces. I cant even describe the mental anguish. I couldnt eat, sleep. It was horrendous. In part, she puts the anxiety down to shock at the speed of her diagnosis; not having found the lump herself, there was no time for her to begin to process what was happening. The counsellor she later availed of through the Irish Cancer Society reassured her that the anxiety she felt was partly related to this shock. There is also the fact that Martinas mother Phyllis was diagnosed with cancer at the same age, in her case ovarian cancer. She passed away when she was 52 years old. She was stage four at diagnosis they were just prolonging her life (with treatment), Martina says. So in my mind, I felt that I was going to be the same as my mother, so weak, so sick. When Martina and her husband returned to hospital two weeks later, she was given a diagnosis of triple negative breast cancer. Her doctor told her it was an aggressive cancer that affects younger women, and that her tumour was the size of a lemon. The cancer was also in the lymph nodes. Two more weeks of anxiety followed while she awaited the results of scans to see if the cancer had spread. When her sister told her she had never seen anyone so distraught, Martina recalls telling her, I feel like Im grieving. Im grieving for my life that I had a couple of weeks ago. And now Im a sick woman with what could be a terminal diagnosis, based on the cancer type I have. Im grieving for my kids, that Im going to be a sick mammy. The cancer had not spread beyond a couple of lymph nodes. Martina was given a treatment plan which started with very aggressive chemotherapy, a lumpectomy and radiotherapy. It was at this point, after starting chemotherapy, that Martina felt the need to speak to someone who had gone through what she was experiencing. I phoned the helpline of the Irish Cancer Society, she explains. I was looking to speak to someone who was out the other side of this type of treatment. They put me in contact with this really nice girl, it was three years since she finished her treatment. Given that this is a rare form of breast cancer, it took a little while to find someone to match Martina with. The positive was this girl was so well. She was over the worst of it, and she told me that the radiotherapy was not going to be as hard as the chemo. It was great to talk to somebody. We had a bit of a laugh as well, different stories about kids, Martina recalls. Most importantly, her conversation with the Peer Support Volunteer helped to quell some of her terror. It left me with hope, because this girl was the same age as me. I had made friends with two other women, and the two of them died. So I was really struggling. I rang the peer support because I needed to speak to somebody who was three or four years out of this treatment and hadnt died, because these women were all I knew. I didnt know anybody else who had survived past a year or 18 months after diagnosis. After her own successful treatment Martina has had no evidence of disease since September 2021 and has been clear since she knew she wanted to volunteer for the ICS. She remembered the scarcity of volunteers with her rare diagnosis: They had to (go) find somebody. So I decided to go down that route, volunteer to do the peer support. Deirdre Murphy is the Irish Cancer Societys Survivor Support Coordinator, who oversees the Peer Support Volunteers. She describes the peer support as the societys one-to-one support programme. A phone support programme, (a person) can talk to trained volunteers who have gone through a similar experience, or are going through a similar experience, in relation to people whove had advanced cancer. Its a listening ear from someone who really understands what it is like to have a cancer diagnosis, and to go through that treatment. The peer support service offers practical information, reassurance, and support. They do not, obviously, offer medical advice but can describe their experience of a treatment. Breast cancer survivor Martina Balfe: I got a second chance. Photo: Gerry Mooney The peer support service offers practical information, reassurance, and support. They do not, obviously, offer medical advice but can describe their experience of a treatment. Volunteers initially meet with the ICS, who outline what the role involves, before taking part in the training programme. Deirdre describes this as very much about giving them the resources and skills to take that phone call, support somebody who is going through cancer. The training is very much around boundaries, what your role is as a volunteer, what we expect from you. We provide support to our volunteers as well. Irish Cancer Society nurses will match volunteers to patients as closely as possible in terms of their experiences. If its a younger woman diagnosed with cancer and she has an issue around maybe talking to her children, or how to navigate the world of work, then they can be matched to another younger woman who has gone through a similar thing. It can be matching around the cancer, but also that practical, emotional or life issue a person might have. Maybe dating. Do you tell someone on the first date, Ive had a mastectomy? It could be a man with prostate cancer, who has to make a decision around what treatment route they can take. They can talk to two of our volunteers about going down the route of radiotherapy, or surgery. They wont tell you what to do, Deirdre says, emphasising that medical advice is not given. She lists some other experiences a volunteer might cover: living with a stoma, what to wear leaving hospital after reconstruction surgery, living with erectile dysfunction if you have been treated for a specific type of cancer. There are three core groups of volunteers: those with a primary diagnosis who are now well and no longer in treatment; those living with advanced cancer who are a year stable in their diagnosis and disease; and parents of children who have had cancer, who are well now. This person is going to listen to you from a space of understanding. Often service users would have a specific question, Deirdre explains. It is also someone outside their circle of family and friends, who can provide an entirely anonymous, typically one-off, call. Of the volunteers motivations, she says it is a chance to give something back, pay it forward. In the giving, they are receiving. Martinas first call as a volunteer was with a young woman. She had only had a baby. She really wanted to speak to somebody who was out the other side. Thats all anybody wants. They discussed hair loss, wigs, bandanas. And then its the emotional side of going through cancer, Martina adds. I think peoples worst fear is because theyre looking at Google. Film would also always show people going through chemotherapy as really thin, pale, with maybe a basin bedside them. But a lot of the time that isnt the case at all. The anti-sickness medications now are quite good. I think the treatments have improved in the last few years. I would tell them exactly what I went through. The fact that Im four years since diagnosis, I can help people. Its younger women with small babies and small kids that are getting this type of cancer. If it helps people, puts them in a good humour, gives them hope, a bit of a laugh on the phone call it does me good as well. Typically, one of the first things that people worry about is their job and money, something Martina understands from her own experience; the concern over making ends meet. As an office manager, Martina worked from home throughout her treatment, something she found comforting in the context of cancer taking away so much of ones sense of control. Its a topic that often comes up with people now on a call, and she can advise them on that aspect of their situation. Self-blame is also an issue: Ive found on the calls people worry about, did I drink too much? I used to smoke. Did I not eat enough fibre?. I say to people, and I really believe it, no one is to blame for getting it. Its an unlucky lottery. The fact that they want to talk to me, I feel sort of privileged. I wonder if talking about the experience of cancer ever upsets her or brings up past difficulties. Martina demurs, explaining that cancer is now a part of her daily life. She also has a group of peer supporters who stay in contact, supporting each other. I think about it every day. Me having breast cancer, it nearly defines me now. I dont forget that I had it. So, when Im talking to people, its not bringing me back four years, because it never leaves me, she says. Of her own motivations for being a volunteer, she says, I think I felt I got a second chance, the treatment worked, and I want to help people who are going through it. Triple negative breast cancer: the facts Triple negative breast cancer is a type of breast cancer where the cancer cells dont have any receptors on their surface for the hormone oestrogen, the hormone progesterone and HER2 protein. Oestrogen, progesterone and HER2 can attach to the different receptors and encourage the cancer cells to grow. Some breast cancer treatments like hormone therapy and other targeted therapies work with these receptors. If you have triple negative cancer these types of drugs will not be helpful for you. Each year in Ireland, almost 3,600 women and approximately 30 men are diagnosed with breast cancer. About one in every eight breast cancers is triple negative. Its more common in younger women and black women. Triple negative breast cancer is typically treated with surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Symptoms of breast cancer include: A lump or thickening in your breast or armpit A change in size or shape of your breast such as one breast becoming larger than the other A change in the skin of your breast, such as puckering, ridges or dimpling (the skin may look like orange peel) or redness A breast abscess or boil - this may appear as a red, tender area on your breast. A change in your nipple, such as a pulled in, sunken or flattened nipple. An unusual discharge (liquid) from one or both of your nipples. The discharge may be blood stained or watery. A change on or around the nipple such as a rash or flaky or crusted skin Swelling in your armpit or around your collarbone Soreness or warmth (inflammatory breast cancer) A red scaly rash on one nipple, which may itch or burn (Pagets disease of the breast) Nine out of 10 breast changes wont turn out to be breast cancer, but its important to go to your GP if you have any symptoms and get them checked out. This Daffodil Day, the Irish Cancer Society are urging the public to stand with cancer patients and survivors. The Irish Cancer Society typically receives only 5pc of its income from the Government, so they rely on the publics generosity to provide their vital free services and support to ensure nobody in Ireland faces cancer alone. Funds raised on Daffodil Day also fund groundbreaking cancer research and trials, throughout Ireland. The Irish Cancer Societys Daffodil Day takes place on Friday, March 28, 2025. Click here to donate today. Cork Culinary Tour: 'It's my first time in Cork and I actually want to go back' A smorgasbord of firsts greets Hannah Daygo on her first trip to Cork from her first tastes of Irish whiskey and Murphys stout to lashings of local food Inside Cork's centuries-old English Market Hannah Daygo Mon 24 Mar 2025 at 03:30 There were three things I thought about a lot before taking my first trip to Cork. Simon Calder estimates the cost to airlines of the 18-hour shutdown at 100m (119.5m) A man takes a photo of the flight information display in the arrivals hall at Heathrow Terminal 5 in London (Maja Smiejkowska/PA) Each of the quarter-million passengers whose travel plans were wrecked by the sudden closure of Heathrow airport on Friday simply wanted to reach the destination on their ticket. There was no good way to learn that wasnt going to happen due to a fire in an electricity substation that had cut power to Europes busiest airport. For the 30,000 bleary passengers or so aboard overnight flights to west of central London, it was an announcement from the pilot saying the plane was diverting to some corner of a foreign airfield: possibly Reykjavik, maybe Cairo. Even worse, perhaps: that after four hours of flying towards London, a swift U-turn as the aircraft returned to its starting point, whether in Delhi or New York. Back to square one. Another 100,000 never made it beyond square one. These were the people who were booked on flights from Heathrow. Many had begun their journey to the airport in the small hours of Friday, only to receive the brutal message: Were really sorry that your upcoming flight on Friday 21 March 2025 has been cancelled. Joy and excitement crushed in an instant. A man takes a photo of the flight information display in the arrivals hall at Heathrow Terminal 5 in London (Maja Smiejkowska/PA) What we know about the closure and reopening of Heathrow Airport An equal and opposite number of travellers constituted a foreign legion, scattered across airports around the world. Some were returning home from holidays or business trips; others were overseas visitors to the UK. Perhaps a few were happy; had I been a British Airways passenger from Singapore, and rebooked three days later, I might have enjoyed the airlines obligation to provide a hotel room and meals for an extended stay. But the vast majority were somewhere on the spectrum from disappointment to distress. Beyond the personal stories of upset, the airlines are seething. The collective financial hit from lost revenue, care costs and the expense of retrieving aircraft from the many and various locations where they landed in a hurry on Friday morning is, I estimate conservatively, 100m (119.5m). More than half of that loss will be sustained by British Airways. Longer term, BA will take a reputational hit even though the latest meltdown was way beyond its control. For British Airways, transfer passengers comprise an essential part of the business mix. Heathrow airport is in competition against the key continental hubs: Amsterdam, Paris CDG and Frankfurt, where champagne corks were popping on Friday night after another Great British meltdown. If the UKs flagship airport earns (more of) a reputation for chaos, then travellers who have a choice of how to get from Athens to Atlanta will choose another route. You can tell things are going really badly when BA suspends its middle-seat empty policy in Club Europe to free up more seats for stranded passengers. The last time it happened? When recovering the Nats air-traffic control computer failure over the August bank holiday in 2023. Once again, the UK looks a bit of a laughing stock. Any more of this and I will start a line of travel chaos T-shirts: choose between Stranded in Shannon, 21 March 2025 and 24 hours in Gatwick, August 2023. There is no slack in the system, and once again the passenger pays the price. Gerard Depardieu wont just be facing two women who accuse him of sexual assault when he walks into a Paris courtroom today. The actor will also be confronting a nation long criticised for failing to address sexual violence particularly when committed by its most powerful figures. A very old political question is coming into view again, one that Ireland itself has never had to confront before and that is whether voters would prefer to see their governments spend more money on guns or butter? Following the end of the Cold War, European countries believed they would never have to make that choice again, and so they greatly scaled down military spending and instead expanded the size of the welfare state. They relied on America continuing to fund its army in a way they would not. But with the continuing Russian war on Ukraine, Europe is being forced to think again. Taoiseach Micheal Martin claims there is an effort to demonise data centres. The Taoiseachs point is that saying data centres should be built has a knock on consequence for the economy and day-to-day usage of mobile phones. He says Opposition parties need to explain how they see the economy evolving if the country ignores the development of AI. "Do we think we can just park ourselves at the side of the road while this massive, profound change is occurring in technology and then just pick it all up again in five or six years' time? We will not be able to do that, he said in the Dail last week. The debate over data centres and the amount of power they use is only going to intensify as the AI race takes hold. According to McKinsey consultants, data centre power needs in the USA are projected to roughly triple by 2030 to keep pace with the rapid adoption of AI, rising from 34pc of total US power demand today to 1112pc. Likewise, Europes data centre power demand is also expected to triple by 2030. As the location for several tech sector multinationals headquarters outside the USA, Ireland is at the forefront of AI developments. Already, companies who have not embraced the new technology are finding they are getting left behind. Its the latest instance of what is known in pop economics as the Kodak effect. Anyone who had a camera in latter part of the last century probably used Kodak film. The firm was actually involved in developing technology that later would be used for digital photography. But Kodak kept its focus on the old analog technology of film for too long, missed the boat and got left behind. During his visit to the United States, Taoiseach Micheal Martin was emphasising how Ireland has to step up. He said Ireland and other countries have to keep climate action in mind but we cannot ignore what he said are the economic and industry benefits of data centres. There is a Faustian pact of sorts at play here too. The country wants the jobs and taxes that come with the tech sector, but then also has to take on the regulation and infrastructure supports that are necessary. And we often struggle with accepting those responsibilities. Data centre. Stock image. Photo: Getty Today's News in 90 Seconds - March 24th Opponents of data centres argue they swallow up far too much energy, are bad for the environment and the local jobs benefit is overstated. All valid points in their own right, but the country cannot afford to either demonise or deify data centres. Rather, a clear policy is required that sets out the position for all stakeholders, vested interests and campaigners alike. The data centres dilemma will be back in the High Court this week with an appeal of an appeal of an appeal. The High Court overturned An Bord Pleanalas decision to deny permission for the Shannon LNG gas terminal in Co Kerry. Last week, Shannon LNG got permission for a power plant and battery storage. What is still in contention is the LNG part of the project. The benefits and downsides of liquefied natural gas is another debate entirely. The ultimate goal of the project is to provide power for data centres. The national goal though is clear as mud. Front Row (L/R): Caitriona Twomey, Cork Penny Dinners; Joe Byrne, February Cork Person of the Month; Sr Jane Murphy, Edel House; Manus OCallaghan, awards organiser. Back Row (L/R): Alzbeta Belkova, The Metropole Hotel; Thomas Morrissey, CAVS; Ann-Marie OSullivan, AM OSullivan PR; Eoghan Murphy, Cork International Hotel; Ian ODriscoll, Masterkabin; Clara OMahoney, AM OSullivan PR and George Duggan, Cork Crystal. Picture: Vitaliy Makhnanov. Joe Byrne has been unveiled as Februarys Cork Person of the Month. Mr Byrne has been selected in recognition of four successful decades running the recently-closed Josephs Hair Salon in Glasheen and for his immeasurable generosity to the people of Cork throughout the years. For decades, Joe offered more than just hairdressing. He also built relationships with some of the most vulnerable people in Cork, creating a hub of compassion at his salon, where he provided free haircuts to the homeless and to children going back to school or making their communion. Mr Byrnes childhood served as the inspiration for this initiative. Having grown up in a family that didnt have a lot, he was compelled to do his part to relieve some of the worry for struggling families and for individuals facing hardship in the local community. Beyond the barbers chair, Joe also does his part to help the community by delivering back-to-school kits and easter eggs to local families and by collecting food donations for Cork Penny Dinners. Front Row (L/R): Caitriona Twomey, Cork Penny Dinners; Joe Byrne, February Cork Person of the Month; Sr Jane Murphy, Edel House; Manus OCallaghan, awards organiser. Back Row (L/R): Alzbeta Belkova, The Metropole Hotel; Thomas Morrissey, CAVS; Ann-Marie OSullivan, AM OSullivan PR; Eoghan Murphy, Cork International Hotel; Ian ODriscoll, Masterkabin; Clara OMahoney, AM OSullivan PR and George Duggan, Cork Crystal. Picture: Vitaliy Makhnanov. Even in his salons final months, Joe maintained his commitment to helping the community through hosting his final Christmas event, opening the doors of his salon to the homeless in Cork for one last time. Reflecting on his time running the salon and the impact his free haircuts had on those in need, Mr Byrne said Ive seen firsthand the transformative power a simple haircut can have on people. These free haircuts arent just about making people look better, theyre about restoring dignity, boosting confidence and bringing smiles to faces during a time when people need it most. Its always been incredibly rewarding seeing how a fresh look and a conversation can lift peoples spirits and make a meaningful difference to their lives, he added. Although the doors to Josephs Hair Salon have closed, Mr Byrne said he will continue to provide free services to vulnerable people through visits to shelters such as Edel House. Organiser of the Cork Person of the Month awards, Manus OCallaghan said: Over the years, Joe has become a beloved member of the community, not just as a local business owner, but also as a champion of kindness. His charity extended through every corner of the city, especially during the more challenging times. Whether it was organising food drives or offering support in the form of a free haircut, Joes ethos is one of making someone's day a little bit better, he added. Joes legacy will endure through the countless lives he has touched, said Mr OCallaghan. Cork will remember him as much more than a hairdresser. His contributions to those in need have created a lasting legacy, one that exemplifies the best of Cork's community spirit. Joe is selfless, compassionate and deeply committed to uplifting those in the community through both little and large acts of kindness. Mr Byrnes name will now go forward, alongside the other monthly winners, for possible selection as the 2025 Cork Person of the Year at the annual gala awards lunch in January. Protests have taken place about the lack of houses for locals in Irish-speaking areas The Minister for Social Protection, Rural, Community Development and the Gaeltacht says that planning legislation will be examined in an attempt to allow more Irish speakers to live in Gaeltacht areas. Minister Dara Calleary says he will meet with all organisations, including groups that have been protesting about the lack of accommodation options in Irish speaking regions, which they say will signal the death knell of the language. The whole area of housing in the Gaeltacht is something that is very important to me, Minister Calleary said at the launch of the 2025 SuperValu Tidy Towns competition in Cork. Were going to be engaging with all of the organisations around proposals to do that. I think were looking, firstly, at planning guidelines for Gaeltacht areas, were also looking at rural planning guidelines. Last Monday, TINTEAN a Gaeltacht housing campaign group held a nationwide protest in response to the lack of available housing. Gaeltacht communities gathered at Udaras na Gaeltachta in Gaeltacht Mhuscrai, Corcaigh, Roinn na Gaeltachta in Gaoth Dobhair, Dun na nGall, and at Comhairle Contae na Gaillimhe, to protest against the continued depopulation and displacement of the Gaeltacht as a result of the housing crisis. Miniter Calleary said this morning that he is happy to speak to the group, as well as any others who have opinions on the current situation. I will engage with everybody, I wont be exclusive. Anybody that has plans or proposals in relation to housing, but I do want to see Irish speakers encouraged back into Gaeltacht areas. Not just Gaeltacht areas but Gaeilge areas in general. TINTEAN once again plan to protest outside Government Buildings on Wednesday (March 26) and have sent a list of requests to the Department, including for Udaras na Gaeltachta to establish their own Housing Section, enabling it to buy land, obtain planning permission, and provide the necessary services. While Minister Calleary wouldnt address directly whether the establishment of the new section would be something hed favour, the Mayo native did say that the provision of housing in Irish-speaking areas will be a priority in the Programme for Government. Im very aware of the pressures that are there, and it will be a focus of my time as Aire na Gaeltachta to work with organisations, but particularly local authorities to see what theyre doing in their specific areas. I want to make sure that, by the time I come to the end of my time as Aire na Gaeltachta that we have made changes to housing, we have made it more viable for Irish speakers to live and grow families in Gaeltacht areas. Ballincollig Regional Park hosted the launch this morning Ireland's Tidiest Town and Tidiest Urban Area in 2024 was showing its best side for the launch, which saw Minister for Rural and Community Development, Dara Calleary, as well as Minister of State of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Jerry Buttimer, among other Fine Gael frontbenchers. In place since 1958, the competition, administered by the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht and sponsored by SuperValu, continues to be one of the most recognised sustainable, environmental and community initiatives in the country. Speaking at the launch of the competition in Ballincollig, Minister Calleary said: I am delighted to be here in Ballincollig, Irelands Tidiest Town for 2024, as we launch the 2025 SuperValu TidyTowns competition. This year we celebrate 67 years of this wonderful competition, which continues to thrive year on year - its success benefits us all. There are almost 1,000 active TidyTowns groups, and last year saw over 900 entries to the SuperValu TidyTowns competition. This saw over 30,000 volunteers giving up over 1 million hours of their time, all year round, to come together to make our communities cleaner, brighter and more vibrant places. Minister Calleary continued: TidyTowns groups have been instrumental in supporting and enhancing the governments objective to ensure towns are sustainable, resilient and thriving hubs of commercial and social activity. I would encourage everyone to reach out to their local group and volunteer, you will be surprised at the benefits that can accrue to you and to your wider community. I would like to say a special thank you to our national sponsor, Supervalu, now in their 35th year of sponsoring the competition. SuperValu have been wonderful partners on this journey and I look forward to continuing this partnership in the coming years. Speaking at the launch today, Luke Hanlon, Managing Director of SuperValu, said: The launch of the SuperValu TidyTowns competition is an exciting time for committees and volunteers nationwide, as we look forward at what can be achieved to enhance our communities in the weeks and months ahead. Minister for Rural and Community Development, Dara Calleary, as well as Minister of State of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Jerry Buttimer and students of Colaiste Choilm launching the 2025 SuperValu Tidy Towns Competition in Ballincollig on Monday. This year marks SuperValus 35th year as proud sponsor of this wonderful initiative, a testament to the tireless work of volunteers and the Department in driving its continued growth and success. The SuperValu TidyTowns competition has become synonymous with SuperValu itself, thanks to the reach of our independent retail network across the country and our deep-rooted commitment to supporting communities at a local level. As a community retailer, we take great pride being involved with SuperValu TidyTowns for another year and our Independent retailers play a vital role in supporting and engaging with this initiative. The closing date for receipt of entries for this years competition is Monday May 12th, 2025. Entry to the competition will only be accepted by email to the TidyTowns@drcd.gov.ie email address. Entry forms for the SuperValu TidyTowns competition are available at www.tidytowns.ie. Full details of the competition are available on www.tidytowns.ie or www.supervalu.ie. The sheds at the site on the Gurteenroe site, adjacent to the new fire station in Macroom, will be torn down to make way for the new Garda divisional HQ. The Office of Public Works (OPW) is currently assessing tenders for the new garda station and divisional headquarters in Macroom. The proposed new station will serve as the new Garda divisional HQ for Cork County following the amalgamation of the Cork North and Cork West divisions. The campaign to get a new Garda station for the town to replace the existing outdated station has rumbled on for years, with planning permission finally granted for the facility back in 2021. However, construction was delayed as it was rolled into a Public Private partnership (PPP) along with the planned new Garda station in Clonmel and the family court complex at Dublins Hammond Lane. Located on a 1.6 acre site adjacent to the fire station on the Gurteenroe Road, the new 4,338 sq ft Macroom divisional Garda HQ will be comprised of a building rising to four storeys, incorporating a public office, staff offices, conference facilities, custody suites and ancillary spaces. Fine Gael TD for Cork North West John Paul OShea welcomed confirmation that good progress is being made on the development of the new Garda HQ in Macroom. The new building will incorporate a two, three and four storey building around a secure courtyard with adjacent secure car parking on a green field site, providing gardai with modern accommodation and facilities. This is very welcome news for Macroom, said Deputy OShea. I recently raised the issue with Jack Chambers who is Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform. He informed me that the OPW who are managing the development of the division headquarters on behalf of An Garda Siochana at Gurtenroe are currently assessing tenders and hope to be in a position to issue a letter of intent to a preferred bidder in the coming weeks. This is very welcome news which I know which will be warmly welcomed in Macroom and surrounding areas. The station has been unsuitable for current day standards for some time now, he added. The archaic Macroom station was built around 1850 in the Royal Victorian era for the Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC). Fine Gael councillor Ted Lucey said progress for the project is long overdue. I am delighted we are now making real progress in the new Garda HQ for Macroom. I hope we can see the contractor on site here as soon as is practically possible as the current working conditions for gardai are very poor. It is great to see this project finally coming to fruition. Independent councillor Peter ODonoghue raised concerns about the lack of out of hours service provided by local authority dog wardens involving issues with out of control dogs. Cllr ODonoghues motion requested a report on the level of service provided by Cork County Council dog wardens and whether issues involving out of control dogs can be responded to out of hours and at weekends. Cllr ODonoghue told the meeting that there was serious enough incident in Mitchelstown in recent weeks. I have this motion because there was a recent incident involving dogs that I was made aware of. This was a serious enough incident which happened at the weekend. When they contacted the dog wardens they were told they wouldnt be able to deal with the issue until Monday morning. Cllr ODonoghue continued: I was told that our dog warden service in County Cork operates 40 hours a week and outside of those hours our dog wardens are unable to, they are not permitted or not insured to deal with any issues involving dogs. This does not make sense to me that we have a system like this in place. The councillor then highlighted the incidents involving XL Bullies in Mitchelstown and Mallow. I become aware of incidents in the last number of months where in Mitchelstown there was XL Bullies roaming around during the weekend and the dog wardens unfortunately were not allowed or were not able to deal with those issues. We had issues in Mallow where XL Bullies were roaming around during the weekend. This time the dog warden went against what he was supposed to do and on his own put those dogs into a farmers shed, he added. Cllr ODonoghue appealed for a plan to be initiated to combat the issue. We had an incident in Fermoy a number of months ago when an individual was attacked on a Saturday afternoon in their own house. The dog was locked into the house and the dog wardens were able to deal with the issue on the Monday morning when the dog was taken away. We need to come up with a plan. This is a massive issue. There are approximately 75,000 dogs in County Cork, said Cllr ODonoghue. Cork Council Councils dog warden service is the only service in County Cork equipped and trained to deal with dangerous dogs. This service is not available out of hours and Cork County Council has failed to address this issue. There is a massive safety issue. We need an out of hours dog warden service which will address the very concerning issues, he added. Fianna Fail councillor Deirdre OBrien spoke in support of the motion. Dog wardens need all the support they can get. It is out of hours when people are breaking the law and we need to combat that. There is a fear out there around dangerous dogs. I know actions have been taken, but there are a lot of them roaming around. If we can get more dog wardens I would be supporting that. Her party colleague, Cllr Ian Doyle agreed that recruiting additional dog wardens would be beneficial. We would all welcome extra dog wardens. We have fantastic parks and amenities in our municipal district. Unfortunately it is in the out of hours that a lot of these abuses take place when they are roaming free. Head of Finance with Cork County Council Lorraine Lynch informed councillors that the local authority has received approval from the department to recruit additional dog warden posts. We do have an out of hours for the county that people can report incidents and they are followed up as appropriate. In a written response to the motion, Director of Planning and Environment Ted OLeary said funding has recently been approved by the Department of Rural & Community Development for the recruitment of two additional dog warden posts. We are in discussion with the department on the drawdown of same. The duties of the dog wardens relate primarily to enforcement of the Control of Dogs Act 1986 as amended, in areas such as dog licencing, stray dogs, animal welfare and dangerous breeds. While the Animal Welfare Unit does not currently operate a formal out of hours service, arrangements are in place via the councils existing out of hours contact centre, to log and respond to priority incidents where required, in liaison with an Garda Siochana as appropriate, he added. Mr OLeary also provided further clarity on the dog warden service currently operating within the local authority. It is delivered by the Animal Welfare Unit of the Planning & Environment Directorate and comprises eight dog wardens each of which is assigned responsibility for a specific area of the county. They operate under the supervision of a dog warden supervisor. The dog warden supervisor post is currently vacant. Arrangements are in place for it to filled at an early date. The Government changed regulations last year after a spike in the number of attacks by dangerous dogs in Ireland. Breeding, selling, rehoming or importing an XL Bully was deemed illegal from October 1, 2024. From February 1 2025, it is now a criminal offence to own an XL Bully in Ireland, unless you have an exemption certificate. Exemption certs will be issued only to owners who can prove their XL Bully has been neutered, microchipped and has a dog licence. Owners flouting the new regulations could be fined or jailed for up to three months, or both, if they do not have the correct documents. A 24-hour radio station, which sees a renowned artist perform the role of a birdwatcher in the field, has been launched and will broadcast for the next month. Fingal County Council has launched 94.3 Hide FM, which will be broadcast continuously over 24 hours, 7 days a week, for a 28-day period from March 24 to April 20. During this time, artist Garrett Phelan will act as if observing birds that inhabit the Rogerstown Estuary in Lusk, and speak alongside field recordings of birds that exist within Fingal. The project is a multifaceted art initiative which explores the connection between art, nature, and the local community in north county Dublin. It includes the Hide Sculpture, an immersive landscape-based sculpture at the Rogerstown Estuary, featuring a 600-metre accessible pathway and a bird hide, where nature itself becomes part of the artwork. The project also includes the Hide Suite, a series of prints depicting local birds, bird listening sessions, nature meditation, and working with diverse groups, including children and migrant communities. Garrett, who has been working on this since 2006, said he is very connected to the north county Dublin landscape. The Hide Sculpture celebrates the people who influenced his love of nature, including his mother. Working with Fingals environmental department, looking at their biodiversity sustainability approach, what I really wanted to do was create a monument celebrating that relationship people have with nature, he said. Im interested in the idea of art and functionality, which is the difference between me and a number of artists, because my artworks are usable in some manner or form, even though they are primarily sculptures. They meet all the regulations required if you were building a building, but they are sculptures. They have function, and thats what Im interested in creating art that challenges systems of convention, he added. Garrett Phelan recording at Millbrook Studios in Rathfarnham The latest addition to the project is the radio initiative, which immerses listeners in nature and birdwatching through sound. The concept revolves around Garretts personal reflections on different bird species, starting with a field recording from 15 years ago that sets the backdrop. Each episode, lasting around 15 minutes, focuses on a specific bird species, with Garrett narrating detailed information while pretending to observe the bird, creating a unique, almost performative experience. Its an imagined space... so when Im talking about the birds, Im pretending to look at what Im seeing or imagining what Im seeing, he said. I talk about migration, I talk about a world without borders, and I talk about nomadic lifestyles. I talk about culture, creativity. Its not a conversation, its a one-way flow of information, with the sound of birds in the background. Garrett said that some of his favourite birds to hear include lapwings because of their very strange twirling movements and when they fly in groups, it looks extraordinary. A curlew is a sound that would stop me in my tracks and moves me in a way thats deeply emotional, reminding me of where Im from, he said. Hide FM drawing of Curlew Birds have always been an enduring fascination to me as a quiet, often unvalued presence in our environment, one that can tell us much about our own behaviours, prejudices, and mistakes when we take the time to listen. 94.3 HIDE FM is commissioned by Fingal County Councils Arts Department and is the first time in the history of the state that a local authority has been issued a broadcast licence by Coimisiun na Mean. 94.3 HIDE FM was launched at the new Lusk Cultural Venue, where communities had a chance to listen to the broadcasts in the company of some of Phelans prints. This additional exhibition will run until April 20 HSA and HIQA both notified after a woman (80s) died following incident at Droimnin Nursing Home in Stradbally The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) have launched an investigation following the unexpected death of a resident at a nursing home in Co Laois. Gardai in Laois were called to Droimnin Nursing Home in Stradbally, Co Laois on St. Patricks Day following reports of an incident involving a woman aged in her 80s who was a resident of the nursing home. The woman was sadly pronounced dead at the scene. "Following preliminary inquiries foul play is not suspected and a file will be prepared for the coroner, said a Garda spokesperson. In a statement to The Irish Independent, a spokesperson for The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) confirmed they were notified of a tragic incident" at the nursing home. "HIQA is aware of the tragic incident at Droimnin Nursing Home. The registered provider notified HIQAs Chief Inspector of the event in line with the regulatory requirements. Follow Independent Laois on Facebook The spokesperson added that while they dont comment on individual cases, all information received by HIQA is acknowledged, recorded, risk assessed and used to inform further monitoring activity, including inspection, as required. In line with regulatory requirements, nursing home operators are required to inform HIQA within three days if an unexpected death of a resident at the nursing home occurs. Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the HSA also confirmed they were notified about the incident. The HSA is aware of the incident and has launched an investigation," they said. As such, no further information is available. Richard Miley, An Post(right) is pictured with Caroline Duffy, Caroline Duffy Designs winner of Irish Fashion and Accessories Designer, sponsored by An Post at the 2025 Guaranteed Irish Business Awards, proudly supported by PTSB. Pictured Richard Miley, An Post and Caroline Duffy, Caroline Duffy Designs winner of Irish Fashion and Accessories Designer, sponsored by An Post at the 2025 Guaranteed Irish Business Awards, proudly supported by PTSB. Louth artist and fashion designer Caroline Duffy was named as the winner of the coveted winner of the Irish Fashion and Accessories Designer category at the Guaranteed Irish Business Awards 2025 The Dundalk-based designer was presented with her award at the black-tie event at The Round Room at The Mansion House on Friday night. "This means the world to me and business to receive this award. To get recognition for the work I put into creating sustainable, wearable art is a real honour, Caroline said. Im very proud to be truly Guaranteed Irish and to fly the iconic G. A native of Drogheda, Caroline is a graduate of the National College of Art and Design who worked in the fashion industry in New York, London and Australia for twenty years before returning to Ireland. She was working as a freelance textile designer when the COVID-19 pandemic started in 2020 and began sharing her floral paintings online. This led to her creating a range of luxury silk scarves which has now grown into a fashion business with dresses. kimonos, tops and trousers as well as a range of homewares, all featuring her trademark florals. Her creations have been featured in Brown Thomas Create and she is taking part in the Arc fashion show in the RDS in aid of the cancer charity this week. Earlier this year, she took part in the inaugural Irish fashion week in Paris, with her designs on display in the Embassy of Ireland. She has won numerous awards including the 2024 Irish Made award for fashion, the Louth Chamber Awards and Network Louth Awards. For the ceremony, Caroline wore a stunning hand-painted silk dress that she designed herself. Caroline wasnt the only Louth winner at the awards, with the Dundalk-based company, Uniquely, taking home the prestigious Business of the Year award. The evening was hosted by renowned Irish comedian Mario Rosenstock, who kept the crowd entertained with his signature wit. The night was a testament to the strength, innovation, and resilience of Irish businesses, reinforcing the Guaranteed Irish commitment to fostering local enterprise. Niamh Costello, CEO of CREW, Grainne Mullins, CEO of Gra Chocolates, and Teresa Hooks, Regional Development Executive at WDC, at the launch of CBC Ireland 2025. CREW (Creative Enterprise West) in partnership with the Western Development Commission (WDC), and Creative Business Network (CBN) of Denmark, has officially launched the second year of the Creative Business Cup (CBC) Ireland competition. Building on the success of last year, CBC Ireland 2025 invites Irelands creative start-ups to showcase their innovative businesses, with the winner earning the opportunity to represent Ireland at the CBC Global Finals in Copenhagen. The Creative Business Cup is an international competition spanning over 60 countries, celebrating the synergy between creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Irish creative start-ups across sectors such as games, digital design, immersive technologies and content creation are encouraged to apply, gaining mentorship, exposure, and access to a global network of investors and industry leaders. Ian Brannigan, Head of Regional Development at the Western Development Commission, emphasized the transformative power of CBC: "The Creative Business Cup exemplifies Irelands ability to nurture creative talent and empower it on a global stage. The WDC is proud to continue our collaboration with CREW in driving innovation and entrepreneurial growth in the creative industries. We look forward to seeing this years participants take the stage and shape the future of Irelands creative economy." Echoing this sentiment, Niamh Costello, CEO of CREW, said: "At CREW, our mission is to support and connect Irish creative industry startups, helping them scale globally. The Creative Business Cup is a fantastic platform to showcase Irelands talent to an international audience, providing entrepreneurs with the resources, mentorship, and networks they need to succeed. The creative industries are a global sector with significant growth potential, and Irelands creative industry startups are ambitious, innovative, and ready to compete on the world stage. Connecting startups with both international mentorship and investors is crucial to their long-term success, ensuring they have the support to scale and thrive in a highly competitive global market. Grainne Mullins, CEO of Gra Chocolates and winner of CBC Ireland 2024, shared her experience: Winning CBC Ireland was an incredible moment for Gra Chocolates. The exposure, mentorship, and networking opportunities it provided were invaluable. Representing Ireland at the global finals in Copenhagen connected me with people in creative industries from all across the world. I encourage every creative entrepreneur to seize this opportunity to showcase their innovation and ambition. Shortlisted finalists will participate in a bespoke mentorship programme, supported by the Local Enterprise Office Galway, in preparation to pitch their business to an esteemed international jury at the Irish national finals in June. The winner of CBC Ireland receives access to international mentors and industry experts, further training and networking opportunities, and will be supported in attending the global finals pitch event and conference in Copenhagen in September. Applications for CBC Ireland 2025 are now open, with the national finals set to take place in June at CREWs Creative Enterprise and Innovation Hub in Galway. For more information and application details, visit www.crewdigital.ie/programmes and follow @crewdigital.ie social media. Stella Kehoe and Ann St Ledger Both from New Ross Credit Union at The Credit Union School Quiz in The Ashdown Park Hotel Gorey. PHOTO: Sabrina Ffrench The quiz at the Ashdown Hotel in Gorey was part of the regional chapter final from six credit unions in the south east including; New Ross, Enniscorthy, Altura, Clearistown, Arklow and Wexford coming together to support their local schools. Roundwood National School secured first place as the under 13s winners after a tense few rounds. Then it came down to Marymount National School representing New Ross and St. Marys National School representing Enniscorthy Credit Union. With a three question tie-breaker Marymount National School came out on top and will progress to the national final in the RDS in Dublin on April 6. The winners are as follows; Crossabeg National School representing Enniscorthy Credit Union claimed first place in the under 11s quiz with Roundwood National School representing Altura Credit Union coming in second place. Stella Kehoe and Ann St Ledger Both from New Ross Credit Union at The Credit Union School Quiz in The Ashdown Park Hotel Gorey. PHOTO: Sabrina Ffrench Roundwood National School representing Altura Credit Union came in first place in the under 13 years quiz, while Marymount National School in The Rower representing New Ross Credit Union came in second place. Speaking after the Irish League of Credit Unions School Quiz final, a representative of New Ross Credit Union said: "We would like to extend our sincere thanks to all the students who put in so much effort preparing for the quiz, as well as to everyone who supported the event. A special thank you goes to the teachers, parents, spectators, and our dedicated credit union team. It was an incredibly enjoyable day, and we wish the best of luck to the winning teams as they advance to the national final." French emergency rescue services work among the debris of the Germanwings passenger jet at the crash site near Seyne-les-Alpes, France (Yves Malenfer/Ministere de lInterieur/AP) Hundreds of victims' families will commemorate on Monday the 10th anniversary of the crash of Germanwings Flight 9525 in the French Alps, which killed all 150 people on board. The plane departed in the morning of March 24, 2015, in Barcelona, Spain and was supposed to land a few hours later in Duesseldorf, Germany. But it never arrived because, investigators said, the plane was deliberately downed by the co-pilot, Andreas Lubitz. Greenland leaders criticise US delegation trip as Trump talks of takeover Delegation to visit US military base and watch dogsled race Greenland's outgoing PM says can no longer trust US Leader of winning party says visit shows disrespect US President Donald Trump (Niall Carson/PA) Jacob Gronholt-Pedersen and Steve Holland Mon 24 Mar 2025 at 09:41 Greenlandic leaders criticised an upcoming trip by a high-profile American delegation to the semi-autonomous Danish territory that President Donald Trump has suggested the U.S. should annex. 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. Aasif Sheikh, who played Vibhuti Narayan Mishra in Bhabi Ji Ghar Par Hai, collapsed on set while shooting an action-packed scene. The incident occurred during an intense fight sequence being shot in Dehradun. Crew members and medical staff on set rushed to help him immediately. Shifted to Mumbai for further care A veteran of Indian television and film After initial treatment in Dehradun, the actor was flown to Mumbai for further medical attention. While his exact health condition remains unknown, his sudden collapse has raised concerns among fans. His family and the show's producers have not yet made any official statement about his health. Aasif Sheikh has been a part of Bhabi Ji Ghar Par Hai since its launch in 2015, playing the much-loved Vibhuti Narayan Mishra. Over the years, the show has gained a loyal fanbase, and Sheikhs performance has been a major highlight. Beyond television, he has had a long career in Bollywood, featuring in films like Yes Boss, Karan Arjun, Jodi No. 1, Paheli, Bharat, and Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan. He also holds the record for playing over 300 different characters in a single show, making him one of the most versatile actors in Indian television history. Fans await updates on his recovery As news of his health broke, fans are eager for updates. Many have taken to social media, wishing him a speedy recovery. Given his long-standing presence on Indian television, his well-being is a major concern for his audience. For now, viewers and well-wishers await an official statement from his family or the shows producers regarding his condition and when he will be able to return to work. Kunal Kamra has once again found himself at the center of controversy. The comedian recently sparked outrage for making jokes about Shiv Sena leader and Maharashtra's deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde This led to an uproar, with Shiv Sena members vandalising the venue where Kamra performed, and an FIR being filed against him. Amidst this turmoil, heres a look at five times Kunal Kamra made headlines for his controversial statements. 5 times Kunal Kamra made headlines for his controversial statements 1. Flight confrontation with Arnab Goswami In 2020, Kunal Kamra posted a video of himself yelling at Republic TV founder Arnab Goswami while traveling on an Indigo airline from Mumbai to Lucknow. Kamra can be heard telling Arnab, "Here, I am asking coward Arnab about his journalism and he is doing exactly what I expected him to do," in a two-minute video that he shared on his Twitter account (now X). Kamra was later banned by Indigo, SpiceJet, GoAir and AirIndia. Credit: Kunal Kamra | IG 2. Contempt of court case In 2020, Kunal Kamra became embroiled in yet another controversy after making fun of Sharad Arvind Bobde, the Chief Justice of India at the time, on social media. Kamra wrote, One of these fingers is for CJI Bobdeok let me not confuse you its the middle one." The post was was made after the Supreme Court granted Arnab Goswami temporary bail in a 2018 abetment to suicide case. 3. The Ola controversy - Feud with CEO Bhavish Aggarwal Comedian Kunal Kamra had publicly blasted Ola Electric and CEO Bhavish Aggarwal, accusing them of providing owners of Ola electric scooters with subpar support and service. Kamra emphasised consumer grievances and called on Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari to step in. Credit: Kunal Kamra | IG 4. Morphing Ram bhakt image The video of a toddler singing a patriotic song in a Ram temple had been modified by Kunal Kamra, who then substituted his own satire. The father of a child who performed a patriotic song for Prime Minister Modi in Berlin, Germany, during the prime minister's just finished European tour, had blasted the stand-up comedian for posting an edited video of his son on Twitter. He asked Kamra to keep his child away from politics. The comedian had also been criticised by a number of other social media users. 5. The Brahmin-Baniya affair The Supreme Court received a plea against Kunal Kamra in May 2020 for his statement on his show "Be Like" that the Supreme Court was a "Brahmin-Baniya" affair. In response to the petitions, Kumar Kamra stated that he thinks the nation is experiencing a "growing culture of intolerance, where taking offense is seen as a fundamental right which has been elevated to the status of a much loved national sport." For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment. Recently, comedian Kunal Kamra made a joke about Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde during a stand-up act, triggering a massive controversy. Party members stormed into the hotel where Kamra performed and threatened him with dire consequences. He has also been asked to apologise within two days. Amid the uproar, heres everything you need to know about comedian Kunal Kamra to get to know him a little better. Who is Kunal Kamra? Comedian under fire over Eknath Shinde jokes Indian stand-up comedian, social analyst, and podcaster Kunal Kamra is well-known for his political humour and candid criticism of the government, especially Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). His comedy frequently addresses free speech, political issues, and media prejudices in India. Kamra was born in Mumbai on October 3, 1988, and attended Jai Hind College to study commerce. But he left school and started working as a production assistant at Prasoon Pandey's ad film production company, Corcoise Films. Since he began doing stand-up comedy in 2013, Kunal Kamra and controversy have essentially gone hand in hand. Kamra approached news host Arnab Goswami on an IndiGo aircraft on January 28, 2020, and offered to debate him. After he posted a video of an uninterested Arnab, IndiGo banned Kamra from all of its flights for six months. This is but one instance; he has frequently sparked controversy. Kunal Kamra and Eknath Shinde controversy The comedian called Mr. Shinde a "traitor" while performing at the "Unicontinental Mumbai" hotel in Khar, Mumbai. He has made use of a reworked Hindi song from the film "Dil To Pagal Hai." The act was a reference to Mr. Shinde's 2022 uprising against Thackeray, who was the Chief Minister and the chief of the undivided Shiv Sena. A group of Shiv Sena workers stormed the hotel and destroyed its office shortly after Kamra uploaded a video of his stand-up gig to social media, and a formal complaint was filed against the comic. For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment. Kesari Chapter 2: Akshay Kumar is all set to headline a heart-wrenching saga based on the aftermath of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. In this Karan Singh Tyagi directorial, Khiladi Kumar will be playing the role of Sir C. Sankaran Nair whose contributions as an active lawyer became a revolutionary hope for others. Heres everything you need to know about the man behind Kesari Chapter 2. Who is Sir C. Sankaran Nair? Sir Chettur Sankaran Nair CIE was a fierce voice against British atrocities. A lawyer, a judge, and a politician, he made history by resigning from his prestigious position as a member of the Viceroys Executive Council in protest of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre in 1919. Heres how he held onto his ground during this heartbreaking incident. Credits: File The Jallianwala Bagh Massacre and C. Sankaran Nairs protest On April 13, 1919, British Brigadier General Reginald Dyer ordered his troops to open fire on an unarmed gathering in Amritsars Jallianwala Bagh. Hundreds of innocent men, women, and children were killed. The brutality shook the entire nation, but few within the British administration dared to raise their voice. Sir Sankaran Nair, however, was not one to look the other way. At the time, he was the only Indian member of the Viceroys Executive Council, a high-ranking position in British India. When the government tried to justify the massacre, he refused to be a part of it. His resignation was a bold statement which showed that not all Indians in the British administration were willing to compromise their morals for power. Credits: National Portrait Gallery After resigning, Nair didnt stop fighting. In 1922, he wrote a book titled Gandhi and Anarchy, in which he criticized British rule, calling out the oppressive policies that led to such horrors as Jallianwala Bagh. The book angered Michael ODwyer, the former Lieutenant Governor of Punjab, who had supported Dyers actions. ODwyer sued Nair for defamation in a London court. Despite being in British territory, Nair stood his ground. The case was highly publicized, and although he lost, he managed to bring global attention to the horrors of British rule in India. His arguments and evidence exposed the reality of British atrocities to the world, further fueling the Indian independence movement. Sir Chettur Sankaran Nair was more than just a lawyer Nairs contributions went beyond the Jallianwala Bagh case. He was a strong advocate for self-governance and worked tirelessly for Indian rights. Before the massacre, he had played a key role in the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms, which aimed to give Indians more say in governance. However, after the massacre, he realized that real change could only come from complete independence, not just reforms. His legal battle ensured that the Jallianwala Bagh massacre was not forgotten, and his efforts inspired many future leaders in Indias freedom struggle. Watch his larger-than-life only on the largest screen (in theatres) on 18th April 2025. Written by Amritpal Singh Bindra alongside Karan, Kesari Chapter 2 also stars R. Madhavan and Ananya Panday in key roles. For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment. Bihar Board 12th result 2025: The Bihar Board 12th Result 2025 is expected to be announced soon, with reports suggesting a tentative release date of March 27, 2025, at 10 AM. But the Bihar School Examination Board (BSEB) has not yet made any official confirmation regarding the result date. Students can check their results on the official BSEB websites, including biharboardonline.bihar.gov.in and secondary.biharboardonline.com. Also, we'll soon share the official direct link allowing students to download their provisional mark sheets. Students are advised to follow BSEBs official website. for the latest updates. Bihar Board 12th result 2025: Expected Date and Time As per results.biharboard.com.in, the Bihar Board 12th result 2025 dates is listed below: March 27, 2025: The Bihar Board 12th result 2025 is expected to be declared on March 27, 2025, at 10 AM. How to Check the Bihar Board 12th Result 2025? Students, to check the Bihar Board 12th Result 2025, follow these steps: Visit the official website biharboardonline.bihar.gov.in. Click on the link "Bihar Board 12th Result 2025" on the homepage. Enter your Roll Code and Roll Number in the required fields. Click on "Submit" to view your result. Your BSEB 12th result 2025 will appear on the screen. Download and print your provisional mark sheet for future reference. How to Check Bihar Board 12th Result 2025 via SMS? Students can also check their Bihar Board Class 12 result 2025 via SMS using the following steps: Open the SMS application on your phone. Type BIHAR12 ROLL NUMBER. Send it to 56263. You will receive an SMS with your BSEB 12th result details. Details Mentioned in the Bihar Board 12th Result 2025 The online scorecard will contain the following information on Bihar Board 12th result 2025: Student's Name Roll Number Roll Code Subject-wise Marks Total Marks Result Status (Pass/Fail) Did you know? The BSEB conducts a verification process for toppers, where they are called to the Patna office for an interview. This process has been in place since 2016 to ensure the credibility of the results. BSEB 12th Result 2025: Official Websites to Check Students can check their Bihar Board Intermediate Result 2025 on the following official websites: FAQs 1. When will the Bihar Board Class 12 results be declared? Answer: The Bihar School Examination Board (BSEB) is expected to announce the Class 12 results on March 27, 2025, at 10:00 AM. 2. Where can I check the Bihar Board 12th result? Answer: You can check your results on the official website: www.biharboardonline.com. 3. What are the passing marks for the Bihar Board Class 12 exams? Answer: To pass, you need to secure 33% in theory subjects and 40% in practical exams. 4. How can I check and download the Bihar Board 12th result? Go to the official website, www.biharboardonline.com. Click on the 'Bihar Board 12th Result 2025' link. Enter your Roll Number and Roll Code carefully. Click the 'View' button to submit. Your result will be displayed, and you can download it as a PDF. 5. How can I obtain the original Bihar Board 12th mark sheet? Answer: The online Bihar Board 12th result is provisional. The board will send the original mark sheets to your school, from where you can collect them. For more news and updates, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment. Tech billionaire Elon Musk is making headlines amid a lot going on around him; recently, an audio clip of the Vice President of the United States, JD Vance, is making rounds on the internet. In the audio clip, which has now broken social media, JD Vance is heard criticising the Tesla owner Elon Musk and his role in the administration of President Donald Trump. He is heard saying that Musk getting criticised in the media makes the Trump government look bad. CREDIT: REUTERS Viral audio clip criticises Elon Musk and Trump govt The audio clip is now doing the rounds on social media, garnering millions of views on X, TikTok and Facebook. However, the audio clip is still unverified. JD Vance continues to say, "And I'll tell you this, and you wouldn't like it if I said it, but he's not even an American," he continues. "He is from South Africa. It is cosmopolitan." He further says that there is a great American leader in a room that has the portraits of some of the greatest men that ever lived in this country. "I am an elected official. I am the important one. In this situation, not him. So if he wants to tank the economy and his cars, maybe that's what he deserves," he adds. Donald Trump comes to the rescue of Elon Musk and Tesla amid DOGE backlash Elon Musk's role in slashing federal government staffing and budgets continues to draw major backlash as about 90 Tesla showrooms across the United States face demonstrations on Saturday. According to the Tesla Takedown website, they want people to 'sell your Teslas' and 'dump your stock'. Amid this, the US President, Donald Trump, and his aides have stepped in to help Musk and Tesla weather the storm and boost the company's dropping stock, raising questions about the ethics and the legality. For more news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News. IU and Park Bo Gum's highly anticipated K-drama When Life Gives You Tangerines has captured the hearts of viewers around the globe. The slice-of-life series, which premiered on Netflix on March 7, has earned rave reviews for its heartfelt exploration of various life stages. However, despite the overwhelming buzz and critical acclaim, the Netflix original could not surpass the buzz created by the 2024 tvN drama Queen of Tears, starring Kim Ji Won and Kim Soo Hyun. When Life Gives You Tangerines fails to match Queen of Tears' buzz From March 9 to March 15, one week after its release, When Life Gives You Tangerines had a search index of 29. In contrast, Queen of Tears (released in March 2024) saw a higher search index of 42 during its first week. Credit: Google Credit: Google The search index reflects peak interest, with a value of 100 representing the highest level of interest recorded for Queen of Tears during its ninth week, from April 28 to May 4, 2024. In simple terms, Queen of Tears generated more initial search interest than When Life Gives You Tangerines and saw its popularity peak much later at 100. Interestingly, Netflix's 2023 drama Mask Girl managed to overtake both IU's series and Kim Soo Hyun's drama with a debut index of 44, marking the highest first-week buzz among the compared titles. About When Life Gives You Tangerines The AsianWiki synopsis of When Life Gives You Tangerines reads: Ae-Sun (IU) and Gwan-Sik (Park Bo-Gum) were born in Jeju, South Korea, in the 1950s. Ae-Sun is a rebellious girl and a lover of books, but she is unable to attend school due to her poor family background. Under this circumstance, she never gives up on her dream of becoming a poet. She expresses her feelings freely without hiding anything. Gwan-Sik is a sincere and diligent young man. He doesnt talk that much. Gwan-Sik loves only Ae-Sun and respects her. About Queen of Tears The AsianWiki synopsis of Queen of Tears reads: A miraculous love story is told where married couple Baek Hyun-Woo (Kim Soo-Hyun) and Hong Hae-In (Kim Ji-Won) go through a crisis. Baek Hyun-Woo works as the legal director for conglomerate Queens Group. He is the most successful person to have come from his hometown village of Yongdu-ri, and he is the pride of that village. Baek Hyun-Woo is married to Hong Hae-In, who is the daughter of the family that owns and operates Queens Group. She is known as the "Arrogant Queen at Queens Department Store. For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment. South Korean actor Kim Soo Hyun has found himself at the centre of a major scandal following revelations about his past relationship with the late actress Kim Sae Ron. The controversy stems from allegations that he dated the former child actress when she was 15 and he was 27. While his agency initially denied the relationship, they later confirmed it but disputed the timeline, claiming they only dated after she reached the legal age of consent. The scandal has been brought to light by the controversial YouTube channel Garosero Research Institute, which has been livestreaming nearly every day for the past two weeks, making serious claims about the actor. In a recent broadcast, Garosero suggested that Kim Soo Hyuns scandal could be even bigger than the Nth Room case. In response to the accusations, Kim Soo Hyuns agency, Gold Medalist, has filed a formal complaint against Kim Se U, the operator of Garosero Research Institute, on charges of blackmail under the Criminal Act. Kim Soo Hyun's agency files an additional complaint against Garosero On March 24, Kim Soo Hyun's agency, Gold Medalist, filed an additional complaint against Garosero's operator, Kim Se Ui, on charges of blackmail under the Criminal Act. This comes after the agency had already filed a criminal complaint against Garo Sero on March 20, 2025, for broadcasting a private image of Kim Soo Hyun during a live stream, violating the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Sexual Crimes. Read Gold Medalist's full statement below: As the management agency responsible for actor Kim Soo Hyun, Gold Medallist has today filed an additional complaint against Kim Se Ui, operator of the YouTube channel Garo Sero Research Institute (Garo Sero), on charges of blackmail under the Criminal Act. On March 20, 2025, Gold Medallist had already filed a criminal complaint against Garo Sero for violating the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Sexual Crimes by broadcasting a private image of Kim Soo-hyun during a live stream. However, on March 21, 2025, just a day after the complaint was filed, Garo Sero aired the same image again on their YouTube live stream. Such actions not only constitute another crime but also demonstrate blatant disregard for the law and investigative authorities. On March 20, 2025, Gold Medallist had already filed a criminal complaint against Garo Sero for violating the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Sexual Crimes by broadcasting a private image of Kim Soo-hyun during a live stream. However, on March 21, 2025, just a day after the complaint was filed, Garo Sero aired the same image again on their YouTube live stream. Such actions not only constitute another crime but also demonstrate blatant disregard for the law and investigative authorities. Garosero had teased more evidence against Kim Soo Hyun On March 23, Garasero's Kim Se Ui strongly refuted YouTuber Lee Jin Ho's claims that Kim Sae Ron was married and had an abortion before her death. He also launched some new allegations against Kim Soo Hyun. He said, "What Kim Soo Hyun should really be afraid of is coming soon. This isnt just about dating a minor this could be criminal under the law. Its beyond grooming. Its Nth Room level. Even more extreme. Just wait. For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment. The plan seems to underestimate the complexity of international law, tax confidentiality, and cross-border asset ownership. A new initiative launched by Greek Finance Minister Kyriakos Pierrakakis and the head of the Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE), Giorgos Pitsilis, is facing early skepticism, with critics already dismissing it as more political theater than practical policy. The plan, unveiled midweek, aims to locate hidden assets of wealthy Greek taxpayers who owe large sums to the state and are suspected of concealing their wealth abroad. Yet many observers within Greece see it as an unrealistic movean ambitious-sounding project unlikely to deliver meaningful results. At the heart of the plan is the assumption that international legal and financial firms will be able to trace assetssuch as foreign bank accounts or real estatebelonging to major tax debtors who have taken deliberate steps to obscure ownership. These assets are often hidden behind offshore companies, complex trusts, or are held in the names of relatives or third parties. These structures are notoriously difficult to penetrate, and previous attempts to uncover them have rarely borne fruit. Nevertheless, the Greek authorities now claim that by sending lists of names abroad, they may succeed where past efforts have faileda premise critics see as overly simplistic. The plan also seems to underestimate the complexity of international law, tax confidentiality, and cross-border asset ownership. Even if investigators identify signs of wealth, turning those findings into actual state revenue is far from straightforward. Legal battles, bureaucratic delays, and the protection of privacy laws in other countries often stand in the way of confiscation. The promise of results within the year is widely viewed as overly optimistic, lacking the legal and logistical groundwork such an outcome would require. Complicating matters further is the profile of the debtors themselves. Out of approximately 9,500 individuals who collectively owe over 82 billion to the Greek state, a large percentage are either deceased or have declared bankruptcymaking debt collection a legal impossibility. As for those still living, many have long since moved abroad and structured their finances in such a way that no assets or income are traceable in their own names. This is not a new revelation; it's a longstanding issue that Greek authorities have struggled to address for years. Critics of the plan also point to the high cost of international asset investigations. Hiring foreign law firms and auditing houses to conduct such work is not only expensive but often yields minimal returns. These services charge premium fees, especially when required to operate across multiple jurisdictions and untangle intricate financial networks. There's no guarantee that the state's investment in these services will translate into proportional revenue, meaning the whole endeavor could become a costly exercise with little to show for it. Another obstacle is the dependence on the cooperation of foreign tax authorities. While Greece is part of several treaties on information exchange and judicial assistance, the actual processes involved are slow and often hampered by bureaucracy, incompatible legal systems, or outright reluctance. In certain countries, banking secrecy laws and privacy protections can severely limit access to relevant financial data, even when wrongdoing is suspected. Even in rare cases where foreign assets are successfully identified, seizing them is far from automatic. Legal procedures can drag on for years and are often challenged by the debtors themselves through appeals and counter-litigation. Any potential recovery, therefore, is likely to be a medium- to long-term goal, not something that will significantly impact public finances in the near future. Lastly, while Greeces tax authority has made efforts to modernizeinvesting in artificial intelligence and building a high-tech operations centerthese tools require skilled personnel to operate effectively. Unfortunately, the AADEs auditing departments remain understaffed and largely composed of aging personnel, undermining the states ability to act decisively, even when promising leads emerge. #ENGLISH_EDITION #GREECE Chinese premier meets U.S. Senator Steve Daines Xinhua) 11:18, March 24, 2025 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. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) The 6 Division of the Nigerian Army has destroyed 19 illegal refineries, arrested 12 suspects, and recovered 138,000 litres of stolen products in the Niger Delta region. The Army stated that the achievement was made during an operation carried out in collaboration with other security agencies in several communities. Lt. Col. Jonah Danjuma, Acting Deputy Director of 6 Division Army Public Relations, revealed this in a statement made in Port Harcourt on Sunday and made available to journalists. Advertisement READ MORE: ValueJet Partners With NFF, Super Eagles As Official Airline Danjuma stated that the one-week operation took place across four states: Rivers, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, and Delta. The statement partly reads, Troops of 6 Division Nigerian Army, while consolidating on the operational gains recorded, conducted a series of operations from 17 23 March 2025. These operations resulted in the destruction of 19 artisanal refineries, with 12 suspected oil thieves arrested, as well as over 138,000 litres of stolen products confiscated across the Joint Operations Area. The operations were carried out jointly with other security agencies in the JOA. In accordance with the drive, several intelligence-led operations were conducted in Rivers State, which led to the interception of a tanker laden with 60,000 litres of stolen crude around Apajo Iwoji Iwofe road in Obio Akpor Local Government Area. The driver fled and abandoned the truck on sighting the troops. Furthermore, a search was conducted on the truck, which led to the recovery of multiple plate numbers. Similarly, clearance operations were conducted at the fringes of the Imo River, which resulted in the deactivation of numerous artisanal refineries, 64 drum pots and 15 drum receivers with over 4,500 litres of stolen products recovered. While at Kumufari Creek in Degema LGA, troops discovered an abandoned oven, with 40 sacks filled with over 1,200 litres of stolen crude. Additionally, at the Okotokolomabia/Okoloma Lounge area in Bonny Island LGA, troops raided a site where suspected oil thieves fled and abandoned their equipment. At the site, various items were recovered, including a 6 KVA generator, one wielding machine, 5 drilling machines, two drilling cups, 38 bolts and nuts, amongst several other items. It continued, Relatedly, troops raided seven illegal bunkering camps around Joinkrama 4 and Biseni in Ahoada West and Yenagoa LGAs of Rivers and Bayelsa States, respectively. During the raid, illegal refining sites were destroyed with over 25,000 litres of stolen crude and 850 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gasoline Oil recovered respectively. Other items recovered included two wheelbarrows and a wooden boat. This was in addition to over 1,550 litres of stolen crude in cellophane bags on the waterways. Similar seizures were also made at Obiafu in Ogba/ Egbema/ Ndoni LGA. In Delta State, particularly around Masogar in Ethiope West LGA, the Army reported intercepting an illegal bunkering truck. The truck, which had an inbuilt iron tank and was registered as Edo Ekp 83 XB, was seized along the NNPC/Chevron/Seplat pipeline. The truck was loaded with over 20,000 litres of stolen crude, with another truck positioned behind it, waiting to be loaded with stolen products, the statement stated. It continued, Meanwhile, in Akwa Ibom State, along the Iko Okorete Communities road in Eastern Obolo LGA, a Toyota Avalon with Registration Number Lagos LSR 796 FD loaded with over 1,620 litres of stolen products in 54 cellophane bags was intercepted. The two occupants of the vehicle were arrested. All the suspects have been handed over to the appropriate agencies for prosecution, while items and products confiscated were handled in accordance with the existing operational mandate. In order to effectively limit freedom of action to oil thieves and related criminals, Major General Emmanuel Eric Emekah, the General Officer Commanding, 6 Division, Nigerian Army, urged the troops to increase anti-crude oil theft operations in the Joint Operations Area. Emekah also urged the people of the region to keep providing reliable information about the activities of criminal elements in their area to security agencies for swift action. No fewer than 32 suspected Kidnappers have been apprehended by officers of Amotekun Corps in Ondo State. Speaking in Akure on Sunday, the state commander of Amotekun group, Akogun Adetunji Adeleye, said that the arrested individuals were arrested at four local governments of Akure South, Akure North, Ose and Akoko North-East Local Governments. Akogun noted that the operation was successful through the efforts of other security agencies in the state. Advertisement He said: In recent times, we have had an upsurge of criminal activities, including kidnapping, in Ondo State. The officers and men of the Ondo State security network mobilised additional support from the neighbouring local government and entered into the forest reserves and areas noted for these nefarious activities. READ MORE: Angry Protesters Storm Ondo Community As Suspected Herdsmen Kill Five Farmers In the last week, we were able to arrest 32 suspects for kidnapping that are undergoing different stages of interrogation. We have a total of 58 men that we are parading today. Part of these 32 suspected kidnappers are people arrested around Akure North, Akure South, Ose and Akoko North-East local government in the last week. They were smoked out of the forests. All of them were smoked out of the forest reserve areas of the state and around the places where these unfortunate situations are happening. As a result of the recent killings in the Akure North LG axis, officers and men from all security agencies, including Amotekun, have been parading the area and as I said, normalcy has been restored in those areas. We are talking about the Ago Dada, Ago Oyinbo, Ago Ademekun and its environment. Barely a week after a major explosion rocked the Trans Niger Pipeline in Bodo, Gokana local government area of Rivers State, another blast has occurred at the Soku oil facility in Akuku Toru local government area of the State. INFORMATION NIGERIA reports that the cause of the fire outbreak, which occurred on Saturday night, remains unknown. Confirming the development to newsmen on Sunday, Christian Otiasah, an environmental manager in Soku community, said that the latest explosion triggered a fire that began late Saturday, around 10 pm and 11 pm. Advertisement She said: There was an explosion and there was an attendant fire. The fire has been put off. READ MORE: Explosion Hits Oil Facility As Angry Protesters Storm Rivers Community It was put off because the Soku gas plant is automated such that depending on the impact, it can shut down itself. In other words, it can also isolate affected lines and starve off that line. If you starve the source of oxygen, the fire will naturally go off. In other words, it can also isolate affected lines and starve off that line. If you starve the source of oxygen, the fire will naturally go off. The explosion actually occurred along the delivery gas line, not in the gas plant. It was gathered that several cases of pipelines explosion have been reoccurring amid ongoing political crisis facing Rivers State. President Bola Tinubu and Antoney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, have also accused Governor Sim Fubara over the destruction of the oil facilities. Bauchi State Police Command has arrested four suspects over alleged killing of a 20-year-old security guard identified as Polmi Dauda. In a statement on Sunday by the Commands Spokesman, Ahmed Wakili, disclosed that the victim sustained injuries after a misunderstanding with some people at Larema Hotel, Bauchi. Wakili said: On March 22, 2025, at about 12:50 pm, the victims brother, Mr Danda Dauda, reported the unfortunate incident to the Bauchi Metro Area Command. Advertisement The case was subsequently referred to the E Divisional Police Headquarters, Yelwa for a thorough investigation. Mr Dauda reported that Polmi had sustained serious injuries due to an altercation with several individuals at a location adjacent to Larema Hotel, where he worked. READ MORE: Bauchi Community In Shock As Man Kills Wife Over Ramadan Meal Despite the swift response of medical personnel at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH), Polmi was pronounced dead shortly after arrival at the facility. In light of this incident, the Police have taken the suspects into custody and are providing critical information to assist in the ongoing investigation. The deceaseds body has been deposited postmortem examination at the ATBUTH mortuary. Further interrogation led to the arrest of Samson Ozochikel, 35, identified as the mastermind, along with Muhammad Sani, 25 (alias Jingi), and Musa Usman, 30 (alias Kala), all from Leka village. Veteran actor Jide Kosoko has admitted that despite his long-standing career and popularity in Nollywood, he has not accumulated substantial wealth. Speaking on The Honest Bunch podcast, posted on X Monday, Kosoko shared that while he lives comfortably, he does not see himself as wealthy by Nigerian standards. I have been in this [movie] industry for this long. I thank God that I can eat three square meals. But can I claim to be a rich man by Nigerian standards? No, he said. Advertisement READ MORE: Some Actresses Believe Trading Intimacy For Roles Brings Fame Jide Kosoko The 71-year-old actor highlighted that piracy has had a major negative effect on the Nigerian film industry and urged for stricter penalties for those involved in it. The punishment in the copyright law for piracy is still not strong enough as far as I am concerned. Somebody who has been pirating peoples works for years is a billionaire, so how much do you want to fine him? Fine him N500 million, and he will just bring it out of what he has sold. But if you attach a 20-year jail sentence to it with no option of a fine, people will refrain from piracy, he said. Jide Kosoko started his acting career as a child actor in 1964 with a television production titled Makanjuola. He has since appeared in hundreds of Nollywood films, both in English and Yoruba. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has sounded the alarm, stating that President Donald Trumps actions are pushing Canada into its most significant crisis. Carney claims Trump wants to break Canada, citing unjustified trade actions and threats to sovereignty. In response, Carney has called a snap federal election for April 28, seeking a strong mandate to tackle Trump and build a new economy. This move is seen as an effort to unite Canadians against external pressures. The election will pit Carney against Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre Advertisement In a statement released on Sunday Mark Carney disclosed: 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, referring to the ongoing trade war with the United States. 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. 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. Peter Obi, the Labour Partys presidential candidate in the 2023 election, has expressed concerns about the state of democracy in Nigeria. He emphasised that democracy has been knocked down following the suspension of Rivers State governor, Siminalayi Fubara. Speaking in a colloquium held on Monday in honour of former Imo State Governor, Emeka Ihedioha, Peter Obi had this to say: Well, if you look at what Bishop Kukah said, he said its work in progress. Let me follow my brother when he said about 1999. If you look at where we are today, they started in 1999, laid the foundation. Some people came and took it to a decking and some people were trying to raise it to the first floor. And some people came and knocked everything down. Thats the situation we are in now. Everything has been knocked down. Nothing works. Advertisement Citing his experience, Obi recalled becoming Anambra State governor through the courts without any interference. I became a governor through the courts when President Obasanjo and Atiku were in government. I did not pay the court one naira. I was sitting in my house in the office and the court declared me winner. When a governor isnt hosting them, it cant happen in Nigeria today. When I was being impeached, the president sent people to intervene on my behalf. Ken Nnamani came, begging house people not to impeach me. Today, the president impeaches the person. So that is the thing. So its collapsed. So its failed. They were begging my house not to impeach me. And they were at PDP. I was in APGA. And they were begging. President was calling me and said, Peter, are you okay? Even when I was impeached, President Obasanjo called me and said, are you okay? Are you safe? When I got back from the court, when court eventually declared me under Andy Uba, President YarAdua called my phone in London and said, congrats. I said, President, cant come back because you know if I come back, this peoplehe said, tell me the flight in which youre coming back. And I told him. When I came in the first time, military people came to receive me at the airport. I couldnt believe it and took me straight to him. Now the president will ask me not to come back here again. So it failed. Lets not talk about, lets talk about how we are going to rebuild it. Its collapsing. Some angry residents of Gombe State have looted Ramadan palliatives allegedly distributed by Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. INFORMATION NIGERIA learnt that Seyi has been touring some Northern states, organizing Ramadan feeding programs for the less privileged amid economic hardship facing the country. In a viral video making waves on social media, captured youths raiding a truck loaded with food items, including rice, sugar, oil, salt, and pasta, said to be own by Tinubus son on Sunday. Advertisement The truck was overpowered at one of the popular junctions known as old Bauchi Motor Park, along Gombe-Bauchi Road. Seyi Tinubu was earlier scheduled to visit Gombe State last week in continuation of his nationwide tour, but the exercise was later cancelled for an undisclosed reason. READ MORE: My Father Is Nigerias Greatest President Ever Seyi Tinubu Boasts Recall that in a recent statement by Shamsuddeen Bala Mohammed, the son of Bauchi State Governor, criticised Seyis initiative, urging him to roll-out sustainable empowerment programs. He said: Please, when coming to Bauchi for the #RHYE, empower our youths with employment, Keke NAPEP, monies to start a business, ICT infrastructure and training for crypto trading, and so on. Please, we, the youths of Bauchi, dont need rice and food in nylon bags during Ramadan. Teach our youths how to fish rather than feed them for one day. They are not beggars. See Video here: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1Bt6Am2nLQ/ Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka has pushed back against Nigerians expecting him to assess President Bola Tinubus administration on their timeline. Soyinka emphasised that hell speak out when he feels its necessary, not because of external pressure. He pointed out that evaluating the government is a collective effort, noting that other prominent voices like Femi Falana, Festus Baiyewu, and Omoyele Sowore consistently speak out on national issues. Soyinka maintained that he wont be dictated to, asking rhetorically if he had ever followed such a pattern in assessing past administrations. Advertisement Speaking on Channels Televisions on Monday, Soyinka disclosed:People should stop trying to work on my timetable for me, the elder statesman remarked in response to those reminding him of his previous statement about assessing Tinubus leadership after a year in office, which concluded on May 29, 2024. I had not swallowed an alarm clock, Soyinka quipped during the interview. I dont see why I should put my alarm on and say: One year has passed, now, I must make an assessment if there is nothing I feel like talking about and if I am busy elsewhere. Two civilians abducted from Mpape, Abuja, and a naval officer, Lt. Cynthia Akor, attached to the Defence Headquarters, have been rescued. Their freedom came through a coordinated operation by the Federal Capital Territory Police Command and the military. Armed men attacked the Maman Vatsa Estate gate on March 21, 2025, blocking Mpape Road and firing at moving vehicles before abducting the victims. Advertisement READ MORE: Anambra Police Rescue Three Kidnapped Victims Along Onitsha-Owerri Expressway According to SP Josephine Adeh, spokesperson for the FCT Police Command, the kidnappers demanded 500 million for the naval officer and 200 million for each of the civilians. The FCT Police Command, in collaboration with the military, has successfully rescued a kidnapped naval officer, along with two civilians, who were abducted by armed criminals in Mpape, Abuja, on March 21, 2025. At approximately 7:35 pm on the said date, heavily armed assailants attacked the Maman Vatsa Estate gate, blocked Mpape Road, and opened fire on moving vehicles before abducting the three victims. Shortly after the attack, the kidnappers contacted the victims families, demanding a ransom of 500 million for the naval officer and 200 million each for the two civilians, Adeh said. After receiving a distress call, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations), DCP Isyaku Sharu, led a rescue mission involving the Police Anti-Kidnapping Unit, the military, the Department of State Services, and local hunters. Upon receiving the distress report, DCP Isyaku Sharu, in collaboration with military authorities, mobilised a joint operation led by the Police Commands Anti-Kidnapping Unit and comprising personnel of the Nigerian military, DSS, hunters, and members of the local Hunters Group, Adeh said. She stated that the search-and-rescue mission spanned Mpape, Gidan Bawa, Anguwan Muazu, and Yelwa Hills, reaching into Nasarawa State. An intense search-and-rescue operation was conducted across Mpape, Gidan Bawa, Anguwan Muazu, and Yelwa Hills, covering areas in the FCT and Nasarawa State, she said. Guided by intelligence, security forces carried out a raid on a Fulani resettlement in Anguwan Muazu and Yelwa Hills between 2 a.m. and 5:30 a.m. on March 23. The operation led to the arrest of four suspects and the safe rescue of the victims. Acting on credible intelligence, between 2 am and 5:30 am on March 23, 2025, operatives traced the suspects to a Fulani resettlement in Anguwan Muazu and Yelwa Hills, Nasarawa State, where four suspects were arrested, and the victims were rescued unharmed. Additionally, the sum of 3.2 million, suspected to be ransom money from previous kidnapping operations, was recovered from the suspects, Adeh stated. She stated that the rescued victims are undergoing medical treatment at the Nigerian Army Clinic and are in stable condition. Meanwhile, efforts are ongoing to track and apprehend the remaining suspects currently at large. Security deployments have also been reinforced in Mpape and surrounding areas to prevent future occurrences, as members of the public are advised to go about their daily activities without any apprehension, she added. The Kogi Central Peoples Alliance (KOCEPA) has expressed concerns over the recall process of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, describing it as deceitful, mischievous, and fraudulent. This comes after constituents of Kogi Central Senatorial District initiated a recall process against Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan due to a vote of no confidence in her representation. The group alleges that the process is marred by trickery, with constituents being coerced into signing petitions under false pretenses. The recall process is ongoing across five local government areas. Addressing a press conference at Ihima, Okehi LGA of Kogi State on Sunday, the Coordinator of KOCEPA, Abdulrazak Baba averred that the fraudulent move by some political gladiators to recall Akpoti-Uduaghan will not stand. By now, we are sure that all of you are aware that the public was deceived to believe that the manipulative recall charade was for the purpose of empowerment. Advertisement It is suffices to say that a genuine recall is supposed to be an organic process and not something engineered by a sat of opportunistic enemies. By now also, gentlemen of the press, you have known that the charade of last week did not hold in most polling units, wards and local government areas. Even the few areas where they were able to mislead people, they were chased away with pebbles, with curses and insults being heaped on them as seen in videos, voice notes and written texts in various platforms in Kogi Central Senatorial Zone. They weaponized lies and deceits to take advantage of the not so-informed public. For instance, the Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja issued a restraining order on Thursday 20th March, 2025 to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from receiving petitions regarding the recall of Senator Natasaha Akpoti Uduaghan, and this order subsists. It may also interest you to know that, unlike Senator Natashas true constituents who are known credible and patriotic individuals and associations in the society, the forces behind these shenanigans and facade called recall exercise have not been credible enough to be unmasked, at best, they are adhoc or ponzi organizations. We dont mind if anybody wants to test our senators popularity, but we cannot underestimate the power of money in the Nigerian contemporary society and the manipulative powers of those who control the institutions of governance and the mindless abuse of security personnel by We operate a bizarre system where you can have 50 voters at the polling unit and a returning officer may return a result of 500,000 votes if not well monitored. Indeed today. Former Governor of Jigawa State and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Sule Lamido, has attributed Nigerias ongoing challenges to its citizens, stating that they voted without thinking. Lamido made these comments while responding to a call by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, who urged opposition leaders to unite under the Social Democratic Party (SDP) to rescue Nigeria from the current administration. Lamido dismissed the idea, arguing that emotions and anger alone cannot defeat President Tinubu. He emphasised that only the ideals of truth and nationalism can effectively confront the president. Advertisement During an exclusive interview with journalists at his residence on Monday, Sule Lamido, shared his candid thoughts on the current state of the nation : As I have been saying, Nigerians dont know much about Tinubu. He is an expert in deceit and selfishness, Lamido said. You cannot challenge Tinubu with rage, greed, hate, envy, or wickedness. He is a master of all that, only the ideals of truth and nationalism can confront him effectively. Lamido urged politicians who previously belonged to the PDP to return to the party, stating that there is no shame in reuniting with a political family that had successfully governed the country between 1999 and 2015. When a nation faces difficulties, its leaders must not let personal grievances affect their judgment, he said. At least one civilian has been killed after a policeman, described as mentally deranged, shot three persons in Calabar, Cross River State. It was gathered that the horrible incident happened on Sunday when the police inspector, identified as Effiong Bassey opened fire near Atakpa Police Station, along Watt Market Road. In a statement by the Commands Spokesperson, Irene Ugbo on Monday, disclosed that the officer had been taken into custody, adding that security measures had been reinforced to prevent further unrest in the area. Advertisement She said: Thats where we are right now, we are on the ground, trying to ensure the area remains calm. Normally, policemen work through the night and are required to surrender their rifles at the station. READ MORE: Cross River Assembly Impeaches Speaker Over Alleged Misconduct However, he suddenly began behaving irrationally and speaking incoherently. He was supposed to surrender his rifle, log out, and leave the station, but instead, he started acting strangely, and officers around tried to calm him down. Then, he just took the rifle and began shooting sporadically. That was how the bullets hit three persons, one has been confirmed dead, while two others are receiving treatment. We had to contain the situation because the youths in the area attempted to burn down the police station. However, we have restored calm, and even the AIG is here. The report we received is that the said inspector had returned from duty. Pope Francis has left the hospital after receiving treatment for pneumonia for over five weeks. He thanked everyone for their support and waved to the people before leaving for home. Hundreds of people had gathered below to wish the head of the Catholic Church well, and the pontiff, looking worn out and exhausted, reclined in a wheelchair on one of the hospital balconies and waved quietly. Advertisement The Argentine pope had not been seen in public since February 14, when he was brought to the Gemelli hospital in Rome due to respiratory problems and a lung ailment that developed to pneumonia. READ MORE: Odumodublvck Reveals Unfinished Tracks With Rick Ross, Vows To Stay Authentic Thank you, everyone, Francis said in a soft voice into a microphone, moving his hands from his lap, occasionally raising one to wave or give a thumbs-up gesture. I can see the woman with yellow flowers, well done, he said with a faint smile, causing the crowd to laugh. Francis spent two minutes on the balcony before being discharged from the hospital shortly after. He departed in a car, waving from the closed front seat window as he passed by journalists. He was seen wearing a cannula, a plastic tube inserted into his nostrils to deliver oxygen. The pope was driven past the Vatican to Santa Maria Maggiore, his preferred church in Rome, where he prays before and after his travels. He was then seen returning to the Vatican. Medical experts confirmed that Francis is well enough to leave the hospital, but they cautioned that his recovery will take at least two months. The pope, who had part of a lung removed as a young man and experienced weight loss during his stay, still requires time to regain his strength. Franciss declining health has fueled speculation about whether he might choose to step down and allow a successor to take over, similar to what his predecessor, Benedict XVI, did. Nigeria Bar Association has condemned the declaration of State of Emergency in Rivers State, saying that it is unconstitutional to announce a sole administrator in a democratic state. Recall that President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday, declared an emergency rule in the oil rich state, suspending Governor Sim Fubara, his Deputy Ngozi Nma, and all the members of the states House of Assembly. INFORMATION NIGERIA reports that the decision is coming, amid ongoing political crisis rocking the state. Advertisement READ MORE: Wole Sonyinka Knocks Tinubus Emergency Declaration In Rivers, Says Too Much Federal Power Affecting Nigeria The President following the suspension, appointed Ibok-Ete Ibas, a retired naval chief, as the states sole administrator. Reacting to the development during an interview with Channels Television on Sunday, NBAs President, Afam Osigwe, insisted that Fubara must be brought back to his position as the governor of Rivers State. He added that Nigerias constitution does not recognise a Sole Administrator. He said: That is our belief, that is what we expect the president to do, to restore him (Fubara) back to power having unconstitutionally removed him, Osigwe said on the programme when asked if the president should recall the governor. And that is why we do not recognise a sole administrator is the rightful person to occupy the government house in Rivers State having been appointed unconstitutionally. Even when I saw him taking oath of office, I was wondering which oath he was taking because he was taking an oath not known to the constitution, the constitution does not recognise an administrator. Senator Adolphus Wabara, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party, has denounced President Bola Ahmed Tinubus declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, labeling it an assault on democracy. Wabara views this move as undemocratic and unconstitutional. This declaration has raised concerns, as it echoes Nigerias history of military rule, with Tinubu suspending elected officials and appointing a sole administrator with a military background. This perceived executive overreach has sparked worries about democratic backsliding in the country. In a statement issued on Sunday, Wabara disclosed: This action is a direct attack on the essence of our Republic. Advertisement It deserves the strongest condemnation and corrective action by all well-meaning Nigerians, the judiciary, civil society, and the international community, Wabara stated. Expressing disappointment, the former Senate President revealed that he had earlier advised Tinubu against imposing emergency rule in Rivers State, a warning that was ignored. I unequivocally denounce the Presidents action, which disregards the rule of law and undermines the sovereignty of the people of Rivers State. This undemocratic move violates our constitution, which the President swore to uphold, and threatens the very foundation of democracy in Nigeria, Wabara asserted The constitution does not empower the President to unilaterally remove or replace elected officials. Such actions amount to an unconstitutional usurpation of power and a fundamental breach of Nigerias federal structure. The Presidents decision to impose an unelected sole administrator is nothing short of a democratic travesty, Wabara also called on the National Assembly to step up in defence of democracy, urging lawmakers not to serve as a rubber stamp for executive excesses. They must engage Mr. President and find a way to adopt a Doctrine of Necessity to salvage the situation. They must defend our democracy and protect the rule of law, he stated. Troops of the 6 Brigade Nigerian Army, in collaboration with Sector 2 Operation Safe Haven have raided and destroyed some hideouts, belonging to bandits in Taraba State. In a statement on Monday by Captain Olubodunde Oni, Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, disclosed that the security agents also arrested notorious gunrunner in the state. Captain Oni noted that on 22 March 2025, troops launched a decisive offensive on Achalle, a border community between Karim Lamido Local Government Area of Taraba State and Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State. Advertisement He added that the military men engaged and successfully dislodged the terrorists, forcing them to flee. The statement reads: Our troops made contact with the bandits and, due to superior firepower, forced them to abandon their stronghold. We recovered two motorcycles and an international passport belonging to one Muhammadu Dahiru, a suspected member of the criminal network. READ MORE: Two Rescued As Police Raid Kidnappers Hideout In Taraba The entire camp, which had over 70 huts, was destroyed to prevent its future use. On March 20, 2025, acting on credible intelligence, troops apprehended Alhaji Mansur Mohammad, a suspected member of a high-profile gunrunning syndicate, in Donga Local Government Area. In his possession, troops discovered 1.2 million Naira intended for the illegal procurement of arms. Investigations revealed that the funds were traced to sponsors based in Bauchi State. Minister of Works, Sen. Dave Umahi, and Edo State Governor, Sen. Monday Okpebholo, have praised President Bola Tinubus efforts to ensure peace in the Niger Delta region. Umahi commended Tinubus decision to declare a State of Emergency in Rivers State, which helped restore normalcy and prevented the destruction of critical infrastructure. The Minister noted that this move enabled him to proceed with his trip to the Niger Delta to flag off road construction projects. He made these comments during the flag off ceremony on Sunday where Okpebholo represented President Tinubu. Advertisement Umahi disclosed: The President has taken very bold steps to ensure that there is peace in the Niger Delta Region, I was about to cancel one of my journeys to the region, but the president has ensured peace there now. This construction is like a cashless programme. We will not see the money, but the work will continue. We will not be begging for money or quarreling over money issues; instead, we will be checking the projects, and there will be results. The credit will always go to Mr. President. The President is working on several sections of roads across the nation ensuring that the country has good roads and people enjoy and benefit from the dividends of democracy. The President is doing the second section and third section. The president is doing 20 other projects between Delta and Edo States. In less than 150 days in office, you have turned the entire capital city into a construction site. I commend you very highly for this foresight. I am an infrastructure person, and when I see good infrastructure going on, like the ones going on at Edo State, I feel very happy and commend you for the hard work. We need good infrastructure in this country. Infrastructure is the most important foundation upon which every other program of the State or country thrives. Some yet to be identified gunmen have abducted a Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. John Ubaechu, in Ejemekwuru, Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State. INFORMATION NIGERIA reports that the Owerri Catholic Archdiocese confirmed on Monday, the abduction in a statement by its Chancellor and Secretary, Rev. Fr. Patrick Mbarah. It was gathered that the abducted priest was kidnapped on Sunday while on his way to the Priests annual retreat. Advertisement Announcing the adoption on Monday, Rev. Patrick, said that the incident occurred along the Ejemekwuru road in Oguta and called for prayers for the safe release of Rev Fr John Ubaechu. The statement reads: Notification of kidnap and call for prayers. I am directed to inform you that one of our Priests, Rev Fr John Ubaechu, was kidnapped on the evening of Sunday, 23rd March, 2025. READ MORE: Imo Police Nab Eight Suspected Armed Robbers, Confiscate Weapons Rev Fr John Ubaechu is the Parish Priest of Holy Family Catholic Church Izombe. The sad incident occurred along Ejemekwuru road in Oguta Local Government Area. He was kidnapped on his way to the Priests Annual Retreat. We invite all Christs faithful and all men and women of goodwill to earnestly pray for the quick and safe release of our Priest. We commend our brother, Rev Fr John Ubaechu to the powerful intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary Mother of Priests, for his speedy release from the hands of his abductors. Nollywood actor Yul Edochie has made peace with his elder brother, Linc Edochie, after a prolonged dispute. It should be noted that Linc Edochie criticised his younger brother, Yul, for publicly showcasing his second wife, Judy Austin, after appearing on Kanayo O. Kanayos podcast in November 2024. Earlier, Linc Edochie had publicly expressed his support for May Edochie, Yuls rightful wife, after news of his brothers affair with Judy Austin went viral online. Advertisement READ MORE: No Nigerian Cleric Can Perform Public Miracles Like Jesus Did Daddy Freeze Yul also took to his page to condemn his brothers comments made during the podcast. In a video posted on Yul Edochies page on Sunday, he was seen warmly hugging his brother after performing a traditional Igbo greeting by slapping the backs of their hands together. In the video caption, he wrote, Brothers reunion. Blood is thicker than water. SEE POST: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DHi6UHhMZqI/?igsh=MW94b3VvMDR5bXI1dw== Classical pianist Lang Lang bows to the crowd after performing the first piece during his recital of Schumanns "Kreisleriana" and Chopin mazurkas in the Kimmel Centers Marian Anderson Hall in Philadelphia on Sunday, March 23, 2025. Read more Eternally youthful but maturing in many of the best ways, Lang Lang, now 42, has emerged into artistic adulthood: Having zigzagged his way from his Curtis Institute student years, he has reached classical credibility after sidetracks (his Disney album) and sidelines (an extended injury-related hiatus). Astute Lang Lang watchers who date back to when he was among the first to make test recordings in the yet-unopened Kimmel Center and lived only a block away on Spruce Street always knew he had it in him. Advertisement His Sunday Kimmel Center recital was standard repertoire, but there was nothing standard about the way he maintained a kind of objectivity that kept the focus on Schumann and Chopin rather than himself. His artistic lineage hails from great Vladimir Horowitz (1903-1989) in the form of a clear crystalline sonority and great interpretive specificity. Lang Lang explored the musical character of any given phrase but also projected a sense of meaning that was beyond his younger self. What once seemed like audience thrilling effects now leads deeper into the music at hand. Schumanns Kreisleriana, one of several great suites that came out of the composers best years, was played with a level of detail that became a road map of the composers polarized psyche. Each of the eight moments inspired by a fantastical, eccentric character created by E.T.A. Hoffmann was vividly projected like a behavioral mosaic. Often this piece is given a bipolar interpretation, but Lang Lang had fine gradations in between extremes, though the extremes were definitely there. The opening passage was fast, dense and frenetic. As the piece went on, the left hand piano writing often relegated to a secondary role had its own mind, giving a constant edge of instability pointing to the mental illness that would eventually overtake Schumann. The music tumbled rather than flowed. But the lyrical moments also had their due; Lang Langs trademark protracted conclusions kept listeners waiting for final resolutions. A few explosive passages seemed to come out of nowhere, suggesting that any sense of stability had broken down completely if momentarily. The programs second half of Chopin mazurkas 12 of them, (including Op. 17, Nos. 1, 2, 4, Op. 33, Nos. 2 and 4) has its hidden challenges. Folksy charm goes a long way in these pieces, but one almost has to have danced these pieces to deliver their sense of Polish authenticity. Instead, Lang Lang probed beneath the surfaces, sometimes invasively and lacking much sense of dance.The program ended with a thundering rendition of the Polonaise Op. 44 that made you fear he might be hurting himself. Lang Langs great coloristic sense so apparent in past performances of Chinese music was particularly welcome in French repertoire such as Faures Pavane that began the concert. One of the encores, Debussys Clair de lune, was even more magical. Also among encores was a Disney selection his own playfully dissonant version of Whos Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf? No harm done. Now that he doesnt act like a rock star, the audience, ironically, greeted him like one. Philadelphia audiences have a unique opportunity to experience the U.S. premiere of Nora: A Dolls House at the Hedgerow Theatre in Media. Stef Smiths reinvention of Henrik Ibsens classic A Doll House could find no more appropriate home than the Hedgerow. The sound of the door closing behind Nora in 1879, leaving her husband and children, opened the path to modern theatrical realism. How fitting that Hedgerow, whose founders worked with Eugene ONeill, the father of American drama and Ibsen champion, is presenting this fascinating reinterpretation of the play. Advertisement The adaptation extends the original storyline over the span of a century. Nora, confronted with blackmail for a heroic-but-illegal action in her past, is depicted in three time periods of cultural transformation: 1920 (postwar, womens suffrage), 1973 (sexual freedom, abortion, the pill) and 2018 (Me Too and social media). Played interchangeably and with deep conviction by three actresses (Mallory Avnet, Kaitlyn Cheng, and Amanda Schoonover), Nora is shown as both an individual and a representation of women facing prevailing challenges of patriarchy and domestic oppression. Director Emma Gibson provides vivid support, weaving themes and action. Her use of the lead trio is choreographic. All three remain onstage throughout, engaged in each scenario. They even play counter to each other as Christine, Noras friend. Monologues are done in rounds and occasionally overlap. The actress from one historic period may interject during a scene from another, underscoring their emotional and psychological unity. In the most urgent of moments, all three participate in pursuing an objective. This pursuit is inevitably directed at the husband, played by Ahren Potratz. While Nora is performed by three actors, the role of their husbands falls to only one, suggesting an unchanging male mentality. Nevertheless, Potratz finds subtle behavioral distinctions that place him legitimately in each time frame, while hewing to an essentially authoritarian line. A younger man, played with clarity and depth by Angel Sigala, plays a pharmacist (the elderly Dr. Rank in the original) in the production, making Noras tactical flirtation more believable. It also yields a vivid meaning to the stockings scene, often misunderstood by both producers and audiences. One famous translation of the play actually excluded the sequence. Here Noras guilt and empathy justify her retreat from sexual persuasion. Meanwhile Sigalas range and spontaneity evoke genuine sympathy. Michael Stahler as Nathan gives an earnest performance but exhibits more of the dark characters fear and frustration and less of the resolve needed to threaten a vulnerable woman. Also the plays conclusion is murky. After a united pledge to keep fighting, the three women return the playing area to its original domestic status. Does the cycle imply no progress will be made? The play certainly questions how far weve come. The tasteful incorporation of a queer interaction between Christine and a responsive 1973 Nora is a compelling element, as are three monologues featuring a bloody symbolism, likely hearkening to female sacrifices and the unifying experience of menstruation. And kudos to Shannon Zura whose spare, bright scenic design employs a distressed motif, underscoring the plays haunting nature. The legacy of A Doll House is indisputable. It remains one of the most frequently produced plays worldwide. This gifted rethinking of the iconic work, provides momentum to this universally acclaimed tale and an exciting new voice to its cultural significance. Nora: A Dolls House (Community/Arts) Stef Smiths reinvention of Henrik Ibsens classic A Doll House provides momentum to the universally acclaimed tale and an exciting new voice to its cultural significance. Through April 6, 64 Rose Valley Rd, Media, hedgerowtheatre.org Theater reviews are produced independently by The Inquirer without editorial input by their sponsor, Visit Philadelphia. In response to the trade war unleashed by the United States, foreign governments have hit back by imposing retaliatory tariffs on products seen as important in states President Donald Trump won in the November election. Kentucky bourbon, Harley-Davidson motorcycles made in Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, and farm products across the Midwest have all been subjected to new levies. Advertisement In swing-state Pennsylvania, one treasured sector now closely watching the global tariff tit-for-tat is the dairy industry, which accounts for one of the states top agricultural exports and supports 52,000 jobs. Celebrated every year at the Pennsylvania Farm Show in Harrisburg which features a 1,000-pound butter sculpture dairy farmers make for a ripe political target as foreign countries try to make Trumps base feel pain from his policies. Analysts say that could increase pressure on Republicans in the GOP-led Congress to heed calls from their constituents to dial back the trade war. READ MORE: Motorcycles, coffee, chocolate: The Pa. products caught in Trumps trade war with Canada Ill be honest, a large majority of the farmers voted for Trump. It wasnt like this was a secret. He wasnt quiet about this, said Rob Barley, 55, a third-generation farmer in Lancaster County. So were kind of, wait and see what it looks like on the other side. Understanding there may have to be some pain in the short term to open up some markets and so on in the long term. China and Canada have already enacted tariffs on U.S. agricultural goods, including dairy products, but the big wild card is Mexico the top export market for American dairy. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum earlier this month vowed to retaliate against 25% U.S. tariffs on imports but ultimately held off after Trump paused levies on some goods. Trump has pledged to lift that pause in April, raising the specter that Mexico and other trading partners may punch back. We have been ripped off for decades by nearly every country on Earth, and we will not let that happen any longer, Trump, a Republican, said in a speech to Congress this month. He added that his trade policy will be great for the American farmer. As financial markets and consumer confidence have tumbled, the president has declined to rule out the possibility of a recession and acknowledges that tariffs will cause a little disturbance. READ MORE: A South Philly produce distributor is girding for pain from Trumps tariffs on Mexico Second-most dairy farms in the country Pennsylvania has about 5,000 dairy farms, second-most in the country behind Wisconsin, according to the Harrisburg nonprofit Center for Dairy Excellence. The states 468,000 cows produce about 1.2 billion gallons of milk a year, the center says. Dairy farmers in Pennsylvania and across the country depend on access to foreign markets. Pennsylvania exported $364 million of dairy products in 2023, according to the most recent data compiled by the U.S. Agriculture Department. Mexico accounted for the biggest share of dairy produced in the Keystone State last year 18% followed by Chile and Canada, according to separate U.S. Census data. One days worth of milk production out of every six is destined for international consumers, Krysta Harden, president and CEO of the U.S. Dairy Export Council, said earlier this month. Sales to Mexico, Canada, and China account for 51% of U.S. dairy exports, she said. To be sure, some in the dairy industry have their own complaints about trading partners, accusing Canada, for example, of enacting protectionist measures. But they say a prolonged dispute will not help American farmers. The industry suffered amid Trumps first-term tariffs on Chinese imports, as retaliatory measures from Beijing led to about $2.6 billion in lost dairy farm revenues from 2019 to 2021, according to the export council, a nonprofit membership organization that represents producers, processors, and cooperatives. The stakes may be bigger this time, as the second Trump administration has taken a more aggressive posture on trade even upending the North American trade deal he negotiated during his first term that experts say has no modern precedent. In response, Canada on March 4 imposed 25% tariffs on $21 billion worth of U.S. goods, including chocolate, coffee, and dairy products. The country later announced another set of tariffs on heavy machinery and other goods. China, for its part, has placed a new 10% tariff on agricultural products, including dairy. Most of those products already faced retaliatory levies dating back to Trumps first term, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation. Butter, for example, has been subject to a 25% tariff since 2020. Reuters reported in January that Mexico has been planning to target pork, cheese, and bourbon, among other products. Those were chosen because they have a big impact on regions that voted overwhelmingly for Trump, a source with knowledge of Mexicos plans told the news organization. Mexicos embassy in Washington did not respond to a request for comment. Theyve picked products that they feel put some political pressure on the administration to change our tariff policies, Terrence Guay, a professor of international business at Pennsylvania State University, said of U.S. trading partners. Countries are smart about this, and they try to pick products that are in politically sensitive states, and Pennsylvania is clearly one of them, he said. Gov. Josh Shapiro, a Democrat and potential White House contender in 2028, has highlighted the issue, accusing Trump earlier this month of jacking up costs for farmers and for manufacturers. Lower prices It is too early to measure the full impact on American agriculture of the retaliatory tariffs currently in place, Betty Resnick, an economist at the farm bureau, wrote in a March 18 analysis. But, she said, tariffs will certainly decrease demand for U.S. products in top agricultural export markets. Farmers do not get to set their own prices and are subject to the whims of these markets, she wrote. Reduced demand in international markets could reduce domestic prices, said Guay, the Penn State professor. Which may be good for consumers who want to buy cheaper cheese and ice cream and milk, but its going to be problematic for dairy farmers who are going to see the prices of their raw milk could go down, he said. Alternatively, American farmers could try to sell their products in other markets around the world but Trump has floated tariffs on a wide array of countries, which could respond with the same playbook as Canada and China, Guay said. So depending on how this plays out in the coming months, he said, its going to be very tricky for dairy farmers to figure out how much to produce and where to sell it. Barley, whose family owns Star Rock Farms in Lancaster, said most of his milk is sold domestically. But one of his big customers, the national cooperative Dairy Farmers of America, also exports to foreign markets. At this point I dont think it has affected the market a whole lot, Barley said of the trade war. He is watching to see what happens with Mexico, which he said has been an excellent trading partner. Im giving President Trump the benefit of the doubt, Barley said. Lets see how it works. I would not be really happy if we end up getting reciprocal tariffs from Mexico. Gary Busey appears at the Entertainment Studios' Daytime Emmy and series launch party for "Mr. Box Office" in Los Angeles on June 19, 2012. Read more More than two years after actor Gary Busey was accused of groping five women at a Cherry Hill movie convention, the actor pleaded not guilty at an arraignment Monday morning. Busey, 80, who lives in Malibu, Calif., appeared in court over Zoom before Camden County Superior Court Judge Gwendolyn Blue to answer to charges of fourth-degree criminal sexual contact and related crimes. Advertisement His attorney, Blair Zwillman, entered a plea of not guilty on Buseys behalf. He totally denies anything illegal, Zwillman said later in an interview. If need be, he will be defending himself in court. The actor spoke only once during the hearing to confirm the date of his next court appearance on April 21. During a photo shoot with fans at Monster-Mania in 2022, prosecutors say, Busey grabbed two womens buttocks and put his face near a third womans breasts and tried to unhook her bra. In a grand jury indictment filed last month, Busey was accused of groping two additional women: one who said he touched her buttocks and another who said he touched her genitals. Busey initially denied that he groped anyone, but later asked detectives to convey his apologies to the women and to try to persuade them not to pursue criminal charges, according to the affidavits of probable cause for his arrest. He also told detectives it was possible to touch someone by accident, the affidavit said. Busey was one of many actors in horror and sci-fi films who took part in the convention and later posed for photos with fans in the Riverside Pavilion area of the DoubleTree Hotel. Monster-Mania officials said in a statement at the time that Busey had been removed from the convention and told not to return after management received complaints about his behavior. The company said it had encouraged the people who complained to file a police report. The actor has appeared in more than 100 films, including his Oscar-nominated portrayal of Buddy Holly in The Buddy Holly Story, Lethal Weapon, Predator 2, and Point Break. Creative Arts High School family and operations coordinator Fatimah Shakir (left) hands school prepared to-go meals to 11th grader Yasir Shambry (middle) and 10th grader Meilyn Mercado at Camden High School in Camden on Wednesday. Read more Hours before the sun rises, Creative Arts High School student Kauthar Sumayyah Calvente eats a light meal and prays to start her daily fast in observance of Ramadan, abstaining from breakfast and lunch at school in keeping with her faith. Calvente, 17, a junior, is among about 15 Muslim students at Creative Arts who are balancing their academics with their religious practices during the holy month. Advertisement Its a pillar of Islam to fast, said Calvente. During Ramadan, Muslims fast from dawn to dusk daily, pray five times daily and do extra nightly prayers ,and observe other religious practices. After sunset, they have a meal known as iftar, typically a community-focused gathering with family and friends. The Camden school district has made an extra effort this year to help students in their observance by offering them a nutritiously balanced carryout breakfast and lunch to take home daily during the holiday and eat after sunset or before sunrise. Previously, students were required to eat the meals on-site and not allowed to eat them outside of school. We want to make sure our kids are getting the food they need whether theyre in school or not, said Food Services Director Arlethia Brown. READ MORE: Thousands of Philadelphia students observe Ramadan. Heres how their schools are making space for them. For the first time this year, the New Jersey Department of Agriculture has allowed school districts to obtain waivers for the National School Lunch Program to provide the meals in a non-congregate setting to students who are fasting during typical meal service time. Camden and 29 other districts, including Atlantic City and Trenton in South Jersey, were given the waivers. It allows New Jersey students to consume breakfast and lunch at a time that honors their religious principles, said Rose Chamberlain, director of the agriculture departments division of food and nutrition. The last time schools were allowed to distribute take-home food to students who qualify for free or reduced-cost meals was during the pandemic, when children learned remotely. READ MORE: This South Jersey program hands out thousands of free kosher meals for kids each week: Were just here to feed you Camden began offering the to-go meals when Ramadan began Feb. 28, Brown said. Students must register for the meals, and the response was slow at first, but picked up as word spread, she said. I think its super sweet, said sophomore Meilyn Mercado, 15, who is observing her first Ramadan this year. Its nice that they thought of us. It is a blessing. The program is available to students enrolled in the citys traditional public schools as well as Camden Prep and Mastery Schools, both Renaissance schools and Urban Promise, a private school. All of the districts students qualify for free meals. Camden has several active mosques, but it is unclear how many district students observe Ramadan. The district also provides space where students can have midday prayers. READ MORE: A decade after a state takeover, has the Camden school system made progress? The meals are prepared every morning in the cafeteria at the sprawling Camden High complex, which houses Creative Arts and three other high schools. From there, the meals are delivered to schools around the city and distributed to students. On a recent morning, Jordan Johnson, a food service worker, packed the meals for the day: a turkey bacon, egg, and cheese biscuit for breakfast the following day, a turkey and cheese sandwich, black beans and corn, strawberries and grapes, and chocolate and white milk. The items are put in an insulated bag with an ice pack and instructions on storing or reheating if needed. Every school district should be doing this, said Brown. We know that there is a need. We know that it works. For the first week, Brown and executive chef Tyler Brown (no relation) put together a simple to-go menu that would not require cooking for the students. They served waffles, muffins, bananas, salad with chicken or tuna, and wraps. The meals must meet federal USDA guidelines and include five components: meat, vegetables, fruit, bread or grain, and milk. The goal is to provide food that the students like and will eat, said Arlethia Brown. The menu is culturally relevant to reflect the districts diverse enrollment, she said. READ MORE: Yes, you can do an all-night food crawl in Philly and Ramadan is the best time to do it The meals are distributed at the end of the school day. After a mix-up at Creative Arts, a handful of students reported to the main office to pick up their food. Family and operations coordinator Fatimah Shakir, who is also Muslim, wanted to make sure the students were able to get the meals. As-salamu alaykum (peace be upon you), Shakir greeted them in Arabic one afternoon last week. They responded, Wa alaykum as-salam (and peace be upon you). It looks very good, said Yasir Shambry, 17, a junior, peering into a bag that included a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, a muffin, celery, apples, oranges, a cheese stick and two cartons of milk. Said Calvente, who began fasting during the holiday when she was about eight years old: Its a great idea. I do appreciate it. Mercado said she planned to stay after school for rehearsal for a production of Islamic Snow White, a version of the classic fairy tale with Islamic themes and culture, and would break the fast that evening with other students. Her drama teacher, Desi P. Shelton, who is also Muslim, brings food for the students, she said. Shakir, who attended the Camden schools as a child, said she was pleased to see Ramadan more fully recognized by the district. Growing up, she said, she always felt like the little Muslim kid during Christmas observations. All students get a day off school March 31 to mark Eid al-Fitr, the end of Ramadan. This is your faith. This is what you practice, she said. St. Josephs University offered a buyout to some faculty and staff Monday as part of a plan to help close what its president said was a small deficit resulting from the schools acquisition and integration of two other colleges over the last three years. Those were two financially struggling institutions, and doing those acquisitions has put us for the last couple years into a small deficit position, Cheryl McConnell, president of St. Joes, said during a 15-minute phone interview Monday. Advertisement She was referring to mergers with University of the Sciences in 2022 and last year with the Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences in Lancaster, which allowed St. Joes to add nursing programs. What we did, which was fully appropriate, was to bolt on most of the programs and systems [from those colleges] for stability in the student experience and allow for essential systems integration, she said. But now that were two years in we need to reorganize the university with a one-university mindset. McConnell declined to disclose the size of the deficit in the universitys approximately $300 million budget or how many employees were approached about buyouts but said they were widely offered. She said there is no target number that the university is seeking. Asked whether there would be layoffs, she said: That depends on the nature of voluntary separation plan results. McConnell also described the situation during a recent Zoom call with staff at the 8,614-student university, which straddles the Philadelphia-Lower Merion border. Were working with the board of trustees to make sure we get out of that deficit situation, she said during a video clip of the meeting shared with The Inquirer. Were going to have to do things quite differently, and were going to have to be really bold, and were going to have to be clear-eyed about the challenges that are facing us. READ MORE: St. Joes puts properties on its University City campus up for sale St. Joes is far from alone in its belt-tightening. The University of Pennsylvania earlier this month announced a hiring freeze and other cuts, including reducing admissions to its graduate programs, as the school fears losses in federal funding under President Donald Trumps administration. Princeton, Harvard, Stanford, and Duke were among other universities that also have announced hiring freezes, according to CNN. Other local schools are cutting back as a result of longer-standing financial challenges. Drexel University, facing a budget crunch, laid off 60 professional staff employees in November and said it was cutting and freezing some salaries and benefits. And Pennsylvania State University is planning to close some of its Commonwealth campuses amid a drop in enrollment there and the universitys efforts to close a deficit by this summer. McConnell noted on the Zoom call that there are hiring freezes at other universities amid federal scrutiny of the higher education sector that threatens funding. St. Joes is not immune, she said. The school does not have a hiring freeze but is being careful with hiring, she said. READ MORE: Penn, bracing for federal funding cuts, orders a hiring freeze and other changes Were just going to have to restructure a lot of things at our university to deal with what is now a new era of higher education, she said. During the interview, she said that how the university is restructured will depend on the results of the buyout offer and will become clearer this summer. Our fundamentals are really strong, when I think about how we have grown as an institution, she said. Our revenues are substantially up. Our discount rate is very reasonable. I would prefer the hand that we have vs. almost any other competitor. She is scheduled to attend a faculty senate meeting Friday to discuss the effects of Trumps executive orders and other concerns that faculty may have. The university has a small potential impact in regard to loss of funding as a result of the orders, but its not significant, she said. Penn, in contrast, already had $175 million in federal funding frozen by the Trump administration because, a White House official said, it allowed a transgender swimmer to compete on the womens team several years ago. Penn is also facing the loss of about $250 million in National Institutes of Health funding. On the Zoom call, McConnell also cited some warning signs about retention of students this spring and said it is important to be as frugal as you can through the remainder of this year. During the interview, she explained that more students had graduated in December than anticipated, meaning there is smaller spring enrollment. St. Joes, like many other colleges, lost some enrollment during the pandemic, but last fall said it had nearly a 20% increase in overall enrollment following its merger with the health sciences college. The university is attempting to sell its entire University City campus, which it acquired when the school merged with USciences. The year St. Joes acquired it, the campus was valued at nearly $288 million. The university is still reviewing offers on the campus, a spokesperson said Monday. According to a 2022 bond filing, the university said it would use proceeds from any sale or lease to pay $170 million of USciences debt and move additional funds into the endowment. St. Joes intends to keep its health professional graduate student programs there and lease back buildings as needed if the whole campus is sold. In November 2022, St. Joes announced its intention to move undergraduate programs and students from the USciences campus to the main Hawk Hill campus, which the school said would create a better sense of community. York, Pa., native Kyle Sexton is Japan's king of carrot cake. His long-running bakery, Kyles Good Finds, is Tokyo's leading destination for American-style carrot cakes. Read more In December 1984, York, Pa., native Kyle Sexton gathered his belongings and left his life and career as a photo finisher in New York City behind. The then-27-year-old boarded his first plane ever with little apart from $300, a small collection of books, and his love for Japanese food, language, and customs. He knew, even then, he wouldnt look back. But he didnt know hed wind up becoming one of Tokyos most celebrated American-style bakers. Advertisement My only goal was to live [in Tokyo]. I didnt think about what I was going to do for work, or any of that When I moved, I was just happy to be here, Sexton said. For more than three decades, Sexton, 67, has woken up at 6 a.m. to make the four baked goods that he sells at his Tokyo bakery, Kyles Good Finds: cheesecake, banana bread, brownies, and his famous carrot cake. The four items and a slew of other seasonal goods like zucchini bread, applesauce spice cake, and cherry pie are at the heart of the Black-owned and family-operated bakery in the retro Nakano City neighborhood. Since opening the bakery on March 8, 1992, Sextons pastries have been a hit with Japanese critics and international tourists alike. His carrot cake, though, has remained the star of the menu. I only bake as much as I want to bake, and I work at my own pace. But people come here for the carrot cake, and thats what I make the most, he said. When it comes to the recipe, Sexton is somewhat of a traditionalist. He uses the same core ingredients listed in dozens of recipe books: flour, sugar, eggs, freshly grated carrots, spices. When the Japanese press interviews me, they ask me the same question: How do you make your carrot cake? And I always tell them, Its no different, Sexton said. The only difference is I grind my own spices, and I suppose its a stronger taste. The cinnamon is larger than the cinnamon that you will find in a supermarket, he said. Once baked, the cake is topped with lemon-flavored cream cheese frosting a simple, yet mouthwatering addition that makes the trip to Nakano that much sweeter. Thanks to a handful of culinary awards and a surge of social media buzz, Sextons bakery is now a must-stop for travelers who make the pilgrimage to the international food city. The William Penn Senior High School grad has often ventured back to York over the years to attend family reunions. His fondest memories of home include spending time with his 45 first cousins, a number that has now expanded to 53. He didnt spend much time in Philly growing up, but visited often when his daughter Safia attended UPenn. Long before Sexton opened the doors to Kyles Good Finds, he worked as a photo finisher across New York, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island. It wasnt until he moved to New York that his interest in Japanese culture became an obsession. After trying his first sushi in 1978, he was hooked. He began studying the language and Japanese customs, and soon formed a small circle of friends in New York, who later connected Sexton to friends they had back home in Japan. Like many Americans who venture abroad, he first worked as an English teacher at a Japanese middle school. He turned to baking as a means to unwind after a workday. A mix of cookbooks and several rounds of trial and error later, he perfected his carrot cake recipe and started bringing the spiced treat to his friends parties. They convinced him to make it a business. After Sexton taught for seven years, three of his friends gifted him $10,000 each, and a fourth found the building that would later house Kyles Good Finds. Sexton and his wife, Shimizu Hikage, have run the bakery since. I never thought it was anything special, Sexton said. They seem to think its something special, but I didnt know what all the hoopla was about. Before I was on the internet, I was always in the Japanese press. Sexton married Hikage in 1986 and they have four children: Kyle II, Elena, Xavier, and Safia. Xavier Sexton joined the business three years ago. The 23-year-old assists Sexton, who intends to pass the business to his youngest child. But a retirement doesnt seem too appealing to the longtime baker. Its just what I love to do, Sexton said. The shop is my sanctuary. Two men killed and two others injured when a car plunged off I-95 late last week in Port Richmond were identified as brothers from New Jersey, the Pennsylvania State Police said Monday. Shortly after 8:10 p.m. Friday, the driver of a 2006 Mazda was racing someone in a Dodge Challenger on northbound I-95 when the Mazda veered into a guardrail and overturned multiple times before crashing over the edge onto Castor Avenue, the state police said, citing witness interviews. Aaron Davis, 23, of Cranbury, N.J., and Joshua Davis, 22, of East Windsor, N.J. who were seated in the rear and not wearing seat belts were ejected from the Mazda and killed, the state police said. Their brothers, Benjamin and Nathaniel Davis, both of East Windsor, were taken to hospitals with serious injuries. They were both listed by the state police as 18 years old. A puppy in the back seat also was ejected and killed in the crash, the state police said. Pennsylvania Sens. Dave McCormick, left, and John Fetterman play with Fetterman's three-legged dog, Artie, at Fetterman's home in Braddock, Pennsylvania on Feb. 2. (Justin Merriman for The Washington Post) Read more It has been more than two months since U.S. Sen. John Fetterman (D., Pa.) held a public event in Pennsylvania, stopping by the Pennsylvania Farm Show in January. Next on his schedule: appearing at an event in Pittsburgh Saturday to promote Republican U.S. Sen. Dave McCormicks new book about mentorship Fettermans latest display of bipartisanship that is rankling Democrats in his party. Theres a lot of people around Pennsylvania who are wondering, is anyone sticking up for us in all this? said former U.S. Rep. Conor Lamb, a Democrat who lost to Fetterman in the 2022 Democratic Senate primary. Advertisement And thats John Fettermans job. He should be not only speaking out, he should be listening to people, and instead, it sounds like hes going to be listening to Dave McCormick and cheering on Dave McCormicks book signing. Lamb, a former prosecutor in the Marines who is now working at Kline & Specter, said he has no immediate plans to run for office. He first criticized his former Senate opponent on social media last weekend after Fetterman blasted fellow Democrat U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York for suggesting Democrats should have voted against a GOP-backed resolution to fund the government earlier this month, averting a government shutdown. Ocasio-Cortez piled on, sharing Lambs post and saying she had backed the wrong guy Fetterman in the 2022 primary. The moment captured how Democrats from Ocasio-Cortez on the left to Lamb, a relative moderate, have united in frustration against Fetterman and his recent Republican-friendly posture. Hes been saying the same thing about Democrats now for six months, we get it, Lamb said. Democrats know we have some issues, but he has a job to do. I know that trashing the Democratic Party gets him a lot of attention, but he wasnt put in office to be a political commentator. He was sent to office to get results. Fettermans office did not respond to a request for comment. We just want to be heard The book event, the first joint public appearance featuring Pennsylvanias two senators, is advertised as a conversation between McCormick, Fetterman, and their wives, Dina Powell and Gisele Fetterman, focused on improving mentorship programs for young people. Tickets to the event are $32 and include a copy of the book, Who Believed in You?, written by Powell and McCormick. The book is meant to kick-start a national mentoring movement, promotional materials say, and features interviews with Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, and former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. Pennsylvania is one of just a handful of states with a split Senate delegation, and Fetterman and McCormick have proudly touted their friendly working relationship previously sitting for an interview together and dining out with their wives. But absent other public events from the politicians, and amid national pressure for Republicans to host town halls, the book chat is drawing several progressive groups in Pennsylvania to protest. There would be nobody protesting this book thing if the senators were doing their jobs and providing opportunities for constituents to participate in another forum, said Dana Kellerman, a veterinarian and a member of Indivisible Pittsburgh. We just want to be heard. Elaine Giarrusso, a retired dentist and coleader of Partners for Progress SWPA, a chapter of Indivisible, is also organizing the protest. Her group has joined Mondays without McCormick events, calling on the Republican lawmaker to directly engage with his constituents. Just the idea of having a public ticketed event, its almost a slap in the face that youll meet with people who will pay money to you but you havent held even a tele-town hall, she said. McCormick, who took office in January, posts on social media about meetings with constituents and holds weekly coffees with invited Pennsylvanians in Washington. A spokesperson for McCormick said he has been in Pennsylvania nearly every weekend since being sworn in, meets with Pennsylvanians in his office daily, and plans to have regular tele-townhalls. The book conversation with Fetterman was originally slated to be at Pittsburghs City Winery, but advertisements for the event no longer feature a venue, simply listing downtown Pittsburgh as the location. Giaruso also criticized Fetterman for his voting record after he missed 18 of 91 votes so far this year. Fetterman is one of the most well-known senators Pennsylvania has ever had but in recent months, he has spent little time with constituents in the state. During the Senates last recess, Fetterman, an ardent defender of Israel, traveled there for a second visit and met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Outside of campaigning for former Vice President Kamala Harris in last years presidential race, Fetterman has made no public appearances in Philadelphia in at least a year. That absence contrasts with area Democrats who have tried in recent weeks to use town halls to platform the outrage constituents are feeling amid President Donald Trump and billionaire adviser Elon Musks cuts to federal funding and employees. Sen. Andy Kim (D., N.J.) begged a standing-room-only town hall in Egg Harbor Township recently to stay engaged. Enough is enough As the Democratic Partys popularity has plummeted and it looks for a way forward, Fettermans approach represents a conundrum. He presents a unique, and in recent years popular, perspective on how to reach rural and working-class voters, who are leaving the party at a rapid clip. But, increasingly, the first-term senators willingness to work with Trump and support Trumps policies, alongside his dismissal of his fellow Democrats, has exasperated many would-be allies. Cumberland County Democratic chair Matt Roan called for Fetterman to resign in a recent Penn Live op-ed that also blasted the senator for his lack of public town halls. Enough is enough. Fetterman no longer represents the interests of those who elected him, Roan said. He seems disinterested in serving in this important position. Fetterman has criticized Democratic panic surrounding Trump, given the reality of the political situation with the GOP in control. He bashed his party for its attempts to protest Trumps address to Congress earlier this month, and called votes against a GOP-sponsored budget resolution a stunt that would have harmed millions and plunged us into chaos. We kept our government open. Deal with it, Fetterman wrote in an X post responding to Ocasio-Cortez. Internal Democratic polling, obtained by The Inquirer, shows Fetterman is viewed favorably by 55% of Pittsburgh primary voters and unfavorably by 41%. A separate statewide poll of Pennsylvania voters conducted by the Bravo Group showed that only 7% of Pennsylvania voters strongly approve of him. But polling also consistently shows most Pennsylvania voters consider themselves ideologically in the center and favor bipartisanship. Lamb, who is headlining a town hall hosted by the Centre County Democrats on Saturday, said he had avoided speaking out for months in hopes Fettermans friendliness with the GOP might produce results. Itd be one thing if he was using this bipartisanship to get Trump to get his boot off the neck of Social Security recipients or veterans, but I dont see John doing that, Lamb said. This is happening in the context of Donald Trump harming Pennsylvanians every day, and we dont seem to hear much from John Fetterman about that. Former State Sen. Ed Durr speaks after the first Republican debate on Feb. 4 at Rider University in Lawrenceville, N.J. Read more Ed Durr, also known as Ed the Trucker, dropped out of the GOP primary for New Jersey governor on Monday, but he isnt throwing his support behind Bill Spadea in the way a campaign announcement suggested. Im supporting the conservative MAGA movement, Durr, 61, said on a phone call Monday afternoon, after he was out driving his truck earlier that morning. I did not endorse anyone. Advertisement Durr, of Gloucester County, said in an interview with The Inquirer that he wouldnt be allowed to participate in the debates for the race because he didnt raise enough money to qualify for matching funds, which would inhibit him from getting his message out. He also said he doesnt want to split the conservative vote. Were just not raising money, he said. Everythings dried up. Candidates for governor were required to raise at least $580,000 from private contributors to receive public matching dollars for their campaigns. Durr did not appear to report any contributions to the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission as of Monday, but he said he raised about $25,000. Durr was viewed as a long shot compared to Spadea, Jack Ciattarelli, and State Sen. Jon Bramnick, but hes surpassed his odds before. In 2021, Durr defeated then-longtime Democratic state Senate Speaker Steve Sweeney with a shoestring budget, flipping the district and serving one term. Sweeney is now running in a crowded Democratic primary for governor. A news release sent out minutes before the phone call that suggested Durr is supporting Spadea in the primary would need to be corrected, he said. Durr emphasized that he doesnt have plans to endorse anyone in the primary but did not rule it out for the future. But the release, which was sent out by consultant Steve Kush on behalf of Durrs campaign, criticized Bramnick and Ciattarelli for not being loyal to Trump and quoted Durr saying that hes ending his campaign so Spadea can use all his campaign resources to defeat the two never-Trumpers in this race and carry a conservative message to November. Bramnick has been open about his disapproval of Trump. Spadea and Ciattarelli, meanwhile, have both been calling attention to any anti-Trump statements the other one has made in the past while framing themselves as the most loyal to the president. That leaves Durr in a tough position as a Trump loyalist. READ MORE: The first N.J. Republican gubernatorial debate sets the stage for a nasty primary Im the only one who was running who has never said anything negative about President Trump, Durr said. Its unfortunate that I dont have the funds to campaign. Durr told reporters earlier this year that he would not drop out of the race despite his lagging fundraising numbers. Campaigns shouldnt be about money, it should be about the people, he said after the first GOP debate in February. District Attorney Larry Krasner (right) and his Democratic primary challenger, former Municipal Court Judge Pat Dugan (left) appear at a candidates forum Sunday. Read more The race to become Philadelphias next top prosecutor headed to a West Philadelphia church Sunday afternoon, as District Attorney Larry Krasner and former Municipal Court Judge Pat Dugan squared off in a candidates forum that was occasionally tense but generally civil. The event was not the same type of gloves-off affair that has unfolded at other forums in recent weeks, at which the two men often grew publicly frustrated with one another and sometimes resorted to name-calling. Advertisement Still, Krasner and Dugan, both Democrats, made clear that they have different views on how successful Krasners first two terms in office have been. And there were moments in which the men prodded one another. Dugan, for instance, repeatedly sought to point out episodes in which judges have questioned or criticized Krasners office as lacking candor, while Krasner derisively referred to Dugan as having run misdemeanor court, and later suggested Dugan is basically putting ambition ahead of fact, his own career ambition ahead of reality. The candidates spoke for about an hour in total, touching on subjects as varied as training, civil asset forfeiture, mental health, and building trust with the community. Their remarks came after more than a dozen judicial candidates made their pitch to voters at the same event, which was held at the Mt. Carmel Baptist Church. Here are some notable responses from the portion of the event involving Krasner and Dugan. Questioning Krasners hires One of Dugans central critiques of Krasner has been what hes described as a lack of experience among lawyers in Krasners office. And he said several times Sunday that Krasner hasnt sufficiently prepared his prosecutors to handle complex cases. Dugan said when he was on the bench, he knew of instances in which younger attorneys hired by Krasner had sought out judges behind closed doors to admit that they werent sure what to do in the courtroom. He also referenced criticisms about inexperience and a lack of mentorship that some former employees have made publicly, and said dozens of lawyers that Krasner hired have already left the office behind. Are we going to have a new draft choice come in and not show him the playbook? Dugan said. Thats whats occurred since 2018. Krasner said that assertion was simply wrong that new hires in his office get more training than had been offered under his predecessors. He also said turnover among his staff was not as bad or historically anomalous as Dugan suggested, and that he would release figures to show it. (He didnt specify when or in what form.) It was while defending his hires as the best and the brightest and incredibly talented that he took a swipe at Dugans old job, calling the judges assignment misdemeanor court and adding: Theres a reason I did not include Judge Dugan in our training. Differences on exonerations One of the initiatives Krasner highlighted was his offices work to overturn old convictions and free people from prison. Prosecutors have done so more than 50 times since 2018, according to statistics published by Krasners office. And Krasner said Sunday that he was extremely proud of the offices work on the issue. Our administration is considered a national leader in conviction integrity, he said. Dugan agreed that ensuring convictions have integrity is an important function of the District Attorneys Office and added that he would seek to add staff to that unit if elected. But he was quick to point out Krasner has been publicly criticized by some judges for the way his administration has handled certain cases, including earlier this month, when a city judge imposed $120,000 in fines and rebuked Krasners office over the way it secured its first exoneration in 2018. We need to make sure now, as were looking at [potential exonerations], that were doing it properly as well as with ethics, Dugan said. Policy differences Much of the discussion Sunday centered more on what each man had done previously, as opposed to what they might do if elected. In addition to highlighting exonerations and his staff recruitment efforts, Krasner said he has sought to expand the use of diversionary programs, and would continue to seek out new approaches that could bolster law enforcement and public safety. He pointed out that the city is currently experiencing some of its lowest levels of gun violence in decades a trend that has spanned several years after the city saw record-setting homicide and shooting totals during the pandemic. The whole point is to make people safer, Krasner said. Dugan, meanwhile, said he believed the crime reduction was due more to the citys new mayor and police commissioner, not Krasner. And he highlighted his work helping to create and oversee the citys Veterans Court, bolstering mental health services within the courts, and helping develop the courts Eviction Diversion Program. Im a diehard Democrat who believes in second chances, and Ive done it, he said. Mayor Cherelle L. Parker unveils her long-awaited plan to build or preserve 30,000 units of housing during a special session of City Council on Monday. Read more Mayor Cherelle L. Parker on Monday delivered a special address to City Council to unveil her long-awaited $2 billion plan to build or preserve 30,000 units of housing with a mix of new initiatives and expansions of many existing programs that would be backed by $800 million in city bonds. I truly believe at this time, there is no more important issue single issue facing our great city of Philadelphia than the issue of access to housing, Parker said in a special session of Council, a rare convening of lawmakers outside of their regular Thursday meetings meant to emphasize the significance of the occasion. Advertisement Parker has coined her plan Housing Opportunities Made Easy, or H.O.M.E. The origins of the initiative lie in Parkers campaign promise during the 2023 mayoral election that her plan to grow Philadelphias economy would include building 30,000 affordable units of housing. The mayor faces two major obstacles in accomplishing her vision. The first President Donald Trumps threats to cut aid to cities and dismantle the federal housing agency is a consequence of national politics. The other Council members vise-grip on land use policy within their districts is a reality of hyperlocal politics in Philadelphia. READ MORE: Cherelle Parker promised 30,000 units of affordable housing as a candidate. Shes watered down that goal as mayor. And while Parkers plan is undeniably ambitious given the political and economic obstacles that have plagued efforts to grow the housing stock in Philadelphia and across the country, it is less ambitious than it was when she was pitching it on the campaign trail. The mayor started watering down her promise shortly after she took office by saying she planned to count all housing, not just affordable units, when measuring the citys progress of reaching the 30,000 goal, and by counting efforts to preserve homes, not just building new ones. On Monday, she announced that her plan would include 13,500 newly constructed homes and 16,500 preserved units. The administration hopes that over two-thirds of the funds go to programs benefiting households with yearly incomes under $52,000. Whats in the plan The $2 billion plan includes $800 million in city bonds, with the first $400 million being sold this fall, as well as an estimated $1 billion worth of city-owned land that could be redeveloped for housing. The remaining $200 million includes other government sources, including state and federal programs. Parker is also encouraging the philanthropic community and organized labor to back the plan financially. Labor leader Ryan Boyer, a key Parker ally who heads the politically powerful Building and Construction Trades Council, previously floated the possibility of the citys construction unions using investments from their pension plans to support Parkers efforts. In addition to major investments in subsidized housing programs, Parkers plan aims to make it easier to build market-rate housing by streamlining government processes and lowering barriers to construction. She has proposed repealing the citys 1% tax on construction, speeding up the flow of vacant and underused city-owned land to developers, and tweaking regulations that slow down new projects. She also proposed expansions of homeownership programs that she championed dating back to her time on Council. These include Turn The Key, which subsidizes the construction of units for affordable homeownership on city-owned land, and Restore, Repair, Renew that gets homeowners low-interest loans for home repair. I want to acknowledge that we already have some of the best housing programs in the country, Parker said. We dont give ourselves enough credit. Additionally, the mayor highlighted programs for renters that she wants to continue and expand. These include the shallow rent program that provides subsidies to low-income renters in danger of eviction. She praised the citys right-to-counsel policy, which guarantees renters free legal representation in eviction court, and the widely lauded Eviction Diversion Program that helped landlords and tenants reach accommodations that keep people in their homes. Parker also promised a raft of new policies, including a pilot for a rent subsidy program for middle-income families. A few weeks ago, the mayor said she would make teachers and other public sector workers an offer that they cant refuse to keep them in the city, a reference to this program that seeks to pair such professionals with some of the citys available market-rate apartments. This new version of a shallow rent program will help middle-income families essential workers, teachers, nurses move into already built developments that are currently sitting empty in neighborhoods where rental properties were overbuilt, Parker said. Another prominent feature of the mayors plan is an effort to reform the citys Land Bank, which is supposed to streamline the sale of city-owned parcels but has long been a byword for dysfunction and Council interference. READ MORE: Philly Land Bank brokers deal with Sheriffs Office to resume land purchases Parker says that changes are in the works, including a deal announced Saturday with the sheriffs office that will allow the Land Bank to start acquiring properties again. The agencys website will also be simplified to make land acquisition easier, a basic tweak that stakeholders have demanded for years. She also is seeking to simplify the process for moving land into and out of the Land Bank. Currently, Council has to introduce legislation to initiate land transfers, which slows the process down and, critics say, allows for favoritism and political interference. (National land bank experts are adamant that requiring politicians to sign off on every land transaction is not a best practice.) What happens next While the plan listed the numerous programs Parker wants to create or expand, it did not include specific dollar amounts for each. The administration has not yet transmitted legislation to Council related to the housing plan or the city bond issuance planned for the fall, and Parker did not say when that will happen. After the legislation is introduced, Council President Kenyatta Johnson will refer it to a committee, where lawmakers will hold hearings to gather testimony from stakeholders and consider potential amendments. Parker said that the housing plan bills will move in concert with city budget legislation, which must be approved by the end of the current fiscal year on June 30. Councils last scheduled session before going on summer break is June 12, and if lawmakers follow their regular rules, they would have to vote on the budget and housing legislation before their June 5 meeting. Mayors traditionally address Council once a year for their budget address, which Parker delivered earlier this month when she announced her $6.7 billion proposal for the next city budget. In recent years, mayors have also appeared in Council to testify on public education funding and policy to emphasize the importance of that issue. Parkers speech was attended by some notable VIPs: Marcia Fudge, who served as the U.S. Housing and Urban Development secretary under former President Joe Biden, and Osei Tutu II, the king of the Ashanti people of Ghana, who happened to be visiting the region this week and was invited as a special guest. All Council members attended aside from Brian ONeill, a Northeast Philadelphia Republican, and Curtis Jones Jr., a Democrat who represents parts of West and Northwest Philadelphia. Parker originally hoped to unveil the housing plan last fall. But the rollout was delayed for months amid staff changes, including the unexpected October resignation of Chief Deputy Mayor Aren Platt, who had been in charge of the administrations planning and development efforts including the housing plan. Parker has since tapped Jessie Lawrence, who was Platts deputy, to be the director of planning and development and said his team has been working furiously around the clock on the policy rollout. The mayor said Monday that chief of staff Tiffany W. Thurman is leading the H.O.M.E. initiative, with newly appointed chief housing officer Angela Brooks reporting to her. Elephant in the room For decades, individual Council members have had near-unilateral control over city land use decisions in their districts thanks to the tradition known as councilmanic prerogative, under which all Council members default to the wishes of the lawmaker whose district includes the property in question when it comes to zoning, sales of city-owned land or other issues. Council members contend the arrangement works because they know their districts best. Critics say it hinders development, creates an incoherent patchwork of zoning rules, and leads to political favoritism. In her address, Parker called prerogative the elephant in the room and proposed preapproving properties for rapid sale and potential redevelopment without needing district Council member sign-off, as well as a list of pre-approved developers to streamline building on those parcels. I am proposing that the Land Bank work in partnership with City Council to pre-authorize the sale, donation, or transfer of all municipally-owned real estate for the purpose of constructing new housing under this new program, she said. While that may sound like a simple reform, its a political third rail in City Hall, and limits on prerogative are not likely to be received well by all lawmakers. READ MORE: Councilmanic prerogative in Philadelphia: What you need to know Councilmember Mike Driscoll, whose 6th District includes much of the River Wards, praised Parkers desire to boost affordable housing but noted that a lot of ideas were floated by Parker that had not yet been run by Council. Asked if he thought the pre-approved lists of parcels and developers were a good idea, Driscoll said: I guess if youre mayor, perhaps. If youre a district councilman, I would say no. Johnson also applauded Parkers proposal while indicating hes not interested in Council having a diminished role in land use decisions. I believe that we can work in partnership with the mayor and, most importantly, make sure that the community has a voice in this process, Johnson told reporters. Thats key. District Council members have a right to make sure that theyre advocating on behalf of the individuals who put them in office. Federal funding uncertainty Since the Great Depression, when government first became heavily involved in housing, it has been Washington, D.C., that has traditionally led policy initiatives and provided the bulk of the funding. The Philadelphia Housing Authority, for instance, is an independent government entity separate from the city that gets 93% of its funding from the feds. The Trump administration, however, has begun slashing staffing and funding for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. PHA CEO Kelvin A. Jeremiah said Monday that federal cuts have not yet affected his agency but that he expects there will be an impact. The cuts at HUD have impacted grant funding for the enforcement of fair housing laws and for the establishment of affordable housing projects, the Associated Press reported. In late February, the Trump administration proposed cutting half of federal employees at HUD. Its unclear the specific amount of federal funding Philadelphia would use for Parkers housing proposal, but the mayor said state and federal funds are part of the nearly $1 billion in funding [that] will be provided by the public sector. Parker said Monday the city will use funding from a $163 million grant, which the Biden administrations HUD gave to the city in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida, for a home repair program, a rental repair rehabilitation and construction program, and a hazard mitigation program aimed at addressing vulnerabilities for any future disasters. Jeremiah said the city was fortunate that Parker was willing to step into the void that federal funding cuts may cause. Like every city in this country, when the federal government fails us, the city and state steps up, he said, and you see that happening here in the city with the mayors plan. A federal judge on Monday agreed to temporarily block President Donald Trumps administration from initiating proceedings that could lead to the firing of two transgender men serving in the U.S. Air Force the latest legal setback in the administrations push to implement sweeping changes in the military. The decision by U.S. District Judge Christine P. OHearn came less than a week after the men Master Sgt. Logan Ireland and Staff Sgt. Nicholas Bear Bade sued to try to prevent their impending dismissal under Trumps executive order seeking to bar transgender people from serving in the military. They filed suit in New Jersey because Bade is stationed at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in Burlington County, and Ireland recently was stationed there for a training program. Advertisement OHearns ruling also came just days after a federal judge in Washington separately said the militarys proposed transgender ban was likely unconstitutional. That judge, Ana Reyes, has since barred the Defense Department from enacting a policy codifying the change; the government has challenged the ruling, with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth saying on X: We will win. OHearn did not explain her ruling from the bench Monday, but said in a written order that she was inclined to agree with Reyes that an attempt to ban service members because of their gender identity violated the Fifth Amendment right to equal protection. She also said the government had not demonstrated any compelling justification whatsoever for immediate implementation of the [policy], particularly since transgender persons have been openly serving in the military for a number of years. And she said attempts to strip Ireland and Bade of their jobs would be permanently damaging for them, writing: Being summarily and involuntarily dismissed from military service after years of unblemished and decorated service under the cloud of being suddenly deemed unfit and disqualified for military service for no reason other than ones gender identity is irreparable harm. Her ruling technically blocks the Air Force from moving to begin the administrative process of dismissing Ireland and Bade for 14 days. But their lawyers argued the timing was crucial dismissal proceedings could have otherwise started this week, they said in court documents. And OHearns decision should allow the men to remain in service as the broader challenge to the Trump administrations policy proceeds in Washington something that could bar the administration from implementing its ban altogether. The mens attorney, Jennifer Levi, said after Mondays hearing that she appreciated that OHearn understood the gravity of the case, and said: My clients are very relieved to have this order issued. Bade, who attended the hearing, declined to comment afterward, as did Abhishek Kambli, a Justice Department attorney who argued on behalf of the government in court. A Defense Department spokesperson referred questions to the Justice Department, which declined to comment further. Sudden changes Ireland, 37, and Bade, 44, filed suit last week, saying that after Trump signed an executive order in January seeking to ban transgender military service, they were quickly forced into administrative absence and told they could continue to serve only if they did so as women. Both Ireland and Bade have medically transitioned to live as men Ireland about a decade ago, while serving in the Air Force, and Bade before he enlisted. The men said they were also forced to involuntarily return to their home bases for failing to comply with female regulations and standards. Ireland, who had been at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, was sent to Hawaii, their suit said, while Bade, who had been deployed to Kuwait, was forced to return to New Jersey. Ireland, who had completed tours of duty in Afghanistan, South Korea, and the United Arab Emirates, was also suddenly denied acceptance to Officer Training School this month, his suit said, even though hed previously received his commanders top endorsement for the program. They said in their suit that efforts to have them involuntarily removed from duty would violate their Fifth Amendment equal protection rights. OHearn said in her order that she found their case persuasive, writing at one point that granting them relief is in the public interest, as it prevents unconstitutional discrimination and maintains the status quo of policies that have now governed the military for years. Pointed questions During the 90-minute hearing inside Camdens federal courthouse, the judge, who was appointed by former President Joe Biden, also sought to push back on the notion that judges should have little to no say in evaluating whether military staffing decisions are illegal. During an extended back and forth at one point, she asked Kambli, the government lawyer, what would happen if a commander-in-chief decided to ban women or naturalized citizens from joining the ranks. She also asked Kambli whether the government had any recent data or studies supporting its position that transgender troops are not fit to serve. And she said if the Air Force began holding hearings questioning whether Ireland or Bade should keep their jobs, it was clear to her that they would be involuntarily removed because of their transgender status and the administrations openly stated opposition to trans service members. How could the outcome of those proceedings be anything other than separation? she asked. We all know what the outcome is going to be. Even though the judge in Washington has, for the moment, prohibited the transgender ban from being enacted, lawyers for Ireland and Bade said it was still important for OHearn to rule on the more narrow issue related to their cases alone. The Trump administration has been making frequent and abrupt changes to a variety of its policies, the lawyers said, and the state of the proposed transgender ban is far from settled. OHearn said in her order that she agreed, writing that the broader ruling could be stayed or reversed at any time, and that another courts decision is no basis to deny [the men] the emergency relief they independently merit. Logging operators will have to revisit how they operate, where they're allowed to harvest, whether it's the new growth or old growth forest and if its pine plantations, those types of things, said Doyle. These laws and regulations, when they come into effect, also offer more protections for protected species and regulators will be able to hand down higher penalties. At the same time, a separate study by comparison site Money.com.au revealed a trend among younger Australians who are purchasing low-tier private health insurance policies primarily to avoid the Medicare Levy Surcharge (MLS). The surcharge applies to individuals earning above $93,000 and families earning over $186,000 annually, and is designed to encourage uptake of private hospital cover. It found that 24% of Australians are selecting hospital insurance to avoid the MLS rather than for health needs. Millennials were the most likely to take this approach (29%), followed by Gen X (24%). Throughout my career, it has been a privilege to work closely with small and large Australian businesses, helping them to protect their most valuable assets. I am excited to expand upon this, in my new role leading the Allianz Australia Commercial team. I look forward to collaborating with insurance brokers and continuing to support Australian businesses, she said. Indonesia, and Bali, specifically, remains a top Aussie favourite, thanks to its affordability. But despite the low cost of travel, the cost of a medical incident in Indonesia can be staggeringly high. Common issues like Bali belly and the high frequency of traffic accidents on Balis roads mean that Aussies are often likely to require medical help while enjoying their getaway, she said. Charlie Worsham, NICBs regional director in the Southeast region, said spring weather systems can result in catastrophic weather events like the tornados, thunderstorms, and wildfires seen across Arkansas, Missouri, Ohio, the Tennessee Valleys, South Carolina, and Oklahoma. He warned that some contractors may promise help, ask for the assignment of benefits, and after being paid, disappear without completing the work. While total indemnity payments for 2024 are still being finalized by the US Department of Agriculture, they have already reached $12.8 billion. Notably, more than $800 million in indemnities were delivered within two weeks following hurricanes Milton and Helene, highlighting the program's responsiveness. One notable example of depopulation driving insurer growth is Slide Insurance Co., which expanded its book of residential policies from 209,799 at the end of 2023 to over 341,000 by the close of 2024. Similarly, American Integrity Insurance Co., another active participant in the program, saw its policy count jump to nearly 340,000 in the same period. The litigation originated nearly two decades ago when Thomas Young hired Hercon Construction to apply PermaCrete, a stucco-like exterior finish, to his home. Young had purchased the product from Quality Systems Inc. (QSI), a Tennessee-based supplier, which also recommended Hercon as its preferred installer. Young terminated Hercons contract in 2007 after alleging the companys application damaged windows, doors, gutters, and other parts of the residence. A subsequent contractor, D&S Construction, was also dismissed for similar reasons. The report notes that tariffs, particularly those affecting the cross-border movement of construction materials, are expected to add further pressure to cost structures. Outside the United States, regional economic conditions are playing a key role. In Asia, growth is supported by both public and private investment, especially in energy and infrastructure. The creditors argue that although Ambac Assurance had a pre-approval letter from the state insurance commissioner for insurance-related co-investments with its parent company up to $75 million, the transaction was structured as an intercompany loan. They claim this does not qualify as a co-investment and prioritizes the interests of Ambacs shareholders over those of the noteholders. However, the appeals court dismissed this part of the appeal. Writing for the court, Presiding Judge Tookey noted that no formal judgment had been entered against Hartford on the breach of contract claim, making the denial of summary judgment for prejudgment interest not appealable. Moreover, the court emphasized that under Oregon law, denials of summary judgment are typically not reviewable unless certain narrow exceptions apply, none of which were relevant here. Chief Judge Philip A. Brimmer of the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado denied a motion filed by LaTonya Ford, a former Jackson National employee and intervenor plaintiff, who had sought his recusal along with that of Magistrate Judge Timothy P. OHara. Ford, who is representing herself, claimed that both judges demonstrated partiality against her in the case, which was initiated by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) in 2016. While NAMIC supports the use of mitigation plans, the group questioned why utilities would receive legal protections that other industries do not. The organization also raised concerns about limiting insurers ability to subrogate claims, which insurers rely on to recover costs from responsible parties. The suit claims that Charter Oaks denial was not consistent with the policy language, which allows either party to request an appraisal. The plaintiff is asking the court to compel Charter Oak to enter the appraisal process and to award compensatory damages, with the amount to be determined at trial. He noted that our goal with proactive compliance is to look at the much earlier set of communications and other unstructured data, where some of these bad ideas get started, and that allows us to find things much earlier and do corrective actions like education or improvements to policies... A report by KPMG highlights AIs potential to mitigate risk: With enough training data, these algorithms can better analyse risk and predict outcomes, adding accuracy to risk models and pricing structures. These solutions are often developed to solve a specific problem, but there is an opportunity to quickly adjust for wider use across the value chain. AI not only has the potential to help with regulatory compliance and risk mitigation but to also boost the economy and improve the insurance landscape as a whole. Research from McKinsey reveals that Generative AI alone is projected to contribute up to $4.4 trillion to the global economy annually, with insurers expecting gains in productivity, premium growth and underwriting accuracy, TechRadar reported. Russells promotion to his new role is the second major advancement for the global broker this month. Earlier, Marsh also appointed Amy Barnes as global head of energy & power as the industry ramps up support for the net zero transition. When the calendar flipped to 2025, Lacey Garrison Strom was optimistic. As the executive vice president of private client services at California-based Heffernan Insurance Brokers, Garrison Strom secures insurance coverage for affluent clients across the Golden State. Her renewals were flatsome even went down. I was so excited, she reflected in a February interview. This is going to be our year, rates are finally normalizing, we have some good news for our California clients. Not even a week into January, however, a devastating series of wildfires ravaged Southern California, burning tens of thousands of acres of land and destroying thousands of homes and structures. Claims Journal reported in late January that insured loss estimates range from $8 billion for the two largest fires to $40 billion for all five. AccuWeather estimated damages and economic losses will total between $250 billion and $275 billion. As the flames were extinguished in Southern California, insurance brokers who specialize in securing coverage for high-value and luxury homes helped their clients pick up the pieces of their lives. In interviews with Insurance Journal, they also looked ahead to how the fires could impact insurance for this segment in the area moving forward. The scale of this fire is so vast, Garrison Strom said. Weve experienced nothing like it. Fires Impact on Home Insurance Jim Tolliver, private client group practice leader at Woodruff Sawyer, explained that the catalyst for change in the overall California home insurance market can be traced back to 2017. During that year, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) reported that 9,270 fires burned nearly 1.6 million acres and destroyed approximately 11,000 structures across the state. Total acreage burned by wildfires in California surpassed 1 million acres in four of the following seven years, with 2018 being the deadliest and most destructive wildfire season on record in California, per Cal Fire. A record-breaking 4.3 million acres burned in 2020 alone. In the last five years, major insurers have pulled back from the California home insurance market. This goes for both the standard market and the high-value home market. So, the consumer today has been left with an option that looks like, Hey, I have to pay a lot more for less coverage if I can find it,' Woodruff Sawyers Tolliver explained. And if I cant find it, Im forced to go to a state-funded insurer of last resort.' High-Value Home Insurance In Woodruff Sawyers affluent markethomes with more than a $3 million replacement cost valuestate-funded coverage from the California FAIR Plan is inadequate because it tops out at a $3 million replacement cost value. Woodruff Sawyer has a niche focus in the affluent and ultra-affluent markets, and its insureds are accustomed to paying hundreds of thousands, if not millions, in premiums for personal insurance. For those in the high-value arena, properly valuing and adjusting losses is key, Tolliver said. When it comes to upgraded fixtures and custom home alterations, a middle-market carrier is not meant to respond to that type of thing, Tolliver said. High-value carriers make sure homes are rebuilt with all the same bells and whistles, he explained, and handholding throughout the claims process is a bigger priority. Tolliver estimated that Woodruff Sawyer has more than 500 clients in California. He explained that one resident may be able to get coverage for their property, but a neighbor across the street may not. This could be due to the quality of a home, the type of building, where it sits on a street in relation to surrounding vegetation, or the homes replacement cost valuation. If, for example, it would cost $25 million to repair a home, carrier options dwindle significantly, and of those who can insure high-value homes, an insurer may have too much aggregation on a specific street to take on a neighboring property. The other part is that they may not have the capacity, Tolliver said. Some of the homes that we insure can be well over $50 million, sometimes double that. And the underwriting capacity might not be in the marketplace to do that at the very given time they need insurance. Niche brokers like Woodruff Sawyer find ways to leverage coverage through non-standard markets that exclude certain types of perils alongside options like the FAIR Plan. In a July 2024 story published by Insurance Journal, both Tolliver and Garrison Strom reported encountering potential home buyers who cant get insurance or people who want to sell their home but cannot because buyers are unable to get insurance to secure a loan. The carriers that independent brokers work with have largely shifted to non-admitted products in the California high-value home insurance market, Tolliver said. David Clausen, CEO of Coastal Insurance Solutions, explained that even before the recent Southern California fires began to burn, it was virtually impossible to get a carrier to write an admitted market policy for homeowners who have a $25 million home in a very high-risk area. I think that as the underwriting guidelines got stricter, it often meant higher deductibles and additional documentation, mitigation measures, and certainly [for] the more expensive homes, the more closely theyre going to get looked at on an individual risk basis, Clausen said. Garrison Strom shared that luxury homeowner clients still had carriers that were offering some coverage in California typically through non-admitted products including PURE, Cincinnati Insurance, AIG, and other options. They werent cheap, she said, but theyre clients that could afford to pay. Some clients chose not to. We did have luxury homeowners that chose to go with the California FAIR Plan or a direct writer and underinsure their homes, if thats what they wanted to do. Or, even with a non-admitted carrier, [they] chose to buy less coverage because it was less money. She said the insurance appetite specifically for luxury homes can be attributed to insurers working with clients who are remodeling homes, buying newly built homes, or undergoing ground-up construction where the insurer can require building elements such as ember-resistant vents, gutter guards, and other forms of fire-resistant hardening. Their homes are built differently, Strom added. They can wrap their arms around that risk, and also, often, that type of client comes with a portfolio. So, its not just one home and maybe a car and maybe an umbrella policy. Usually, theres more coming with it, so the economics of it make sense for the carrier to take on that exposure. Creativity is infused in the process of securing coverage, but brokers are very limited in the options we can provide for a home thats in the highest red zone you can find. In some cases, we just cant solve that situation, Tolliver said. He added that some insureds pay a 50% wildfire deductible on their dwelling coverage. Tolliver often gets calls from folks in California being dropped by their carriers or being subjected to significant rate increases, exclusions, or endorsements that reduce coverage incredibly. Everybodys cherry-picking, Tolliver said of carriers. And theyre going to be careful about sticking their neck out on anything they think thats going to have a total loss. Fire Impacts on Luxury Carriers It would be naive to think the recent wildfires wont have impacts on the high-value home insurance market in the area, Tolliver said. He believes the degree of impact will vary by carrier. Chubb, AIG, PURE, and Cincinnati Insurance have positioned themselves well over the last three to four years, he said. Theyve gotten their underwriting where, I think, [they] may not have the rate they want, but I think they have the risks that they want, he said. So, theyve been ahead of that curve. Tolliver said he thinks these companies are in as strong of positions as they can be, and time will tell, really, what that means. Chubb has said the wildfires will cost the insurer $1.5 billion pre-tax in the first quarter. AIG estimated in February that, though it was still too early to determine the full impact of the fires, its net loss would be approximately $500 million, before reinstatement premiums. In an earnings call, Steve Spray, president and CEO of Cincinnati Financial, shared that estimated first-quarter 2025 pre-tax catastrophe losses totaled approximately $450 million to $525 million net of reinsurance recoveries. He added that, had the wildfire effect occurred in 2024, we believe we would still have earned a modest underwriting profit. Garrison Strom said that most of the luxury markets saw this coming. While direct writers with lots of volume got hit the hardest, the luxury home insurers have healthy portfolios, she said. They have healthy reinsurance treaties and are doing the best they can for their clients. Fire Impacts on Policyholders On Jan. 27, Tolliver said that Woodruff Sawyer did have insureds in the area of the recent wildfires. He was certain that some of the policyholders had claims, but to his knowledge, none were total losses at the time. Clausen said on Jan. 28 that Coastal Insurance Solutions did have a few policyholders hit by the fires. Garrison Strom said her affected clients felt powerless. Those who still had homes standing were desperate to know when theyd be back in them, she explained, but brokers couldnt tell them because the timeline remains largely unknown. The road to rebuilding in the Palisades and Pasadena areas will likely be a long one. Massive debris cleanup must be completed before remediation can even begin, Garrison Strom said. Some luxury homeowners have other properties they can live in during this process, but for others, cost-of-living expenses in temporary housing for an extended period will add up. Theres not a lot we can compare it to, Garrison Strom said. Youre looking into these clients eyes, and theyre just so desperate for information. All we can do is just keep answering their calls and trying to find as much information as we can and do the best that we can. Clausen also pointed to the difficulties with finding comparable homes to live in as the rebuilding process begins. Additional living expenses coverage presents a challenge, he said, noting that it could take at least a year or even two to rebuild homes destroyed by the recent fires. Theres less luxury homes available than there are, well call [them] everyday homes, Clausen said. As the supply of those homes goes down, the price to rent them goes up and certainly becomes a game of whats fair for additional living expenses. Most people are planning to rebuild, Clausen said. I just hope that the market can become competitive again, he said, adding that regulators and insurers need to find a way to work together so that companies remain willing to do business in California while collecting premiums that accurately reflect the level of risk. Right now, insurers are pulling out, capacity is shrinking, premiums are rising, and the market is facing significant challenges, he continued. No matter where you live, theres risk. It would be a shame to see some of the most beautiful landscapes in the U.S. become uninhabitable or unaffordable simply because insurers cant find a sustainable, long-term path to profitability. Clausen explained that he hopes those in a position to make a difference recognize the urgent need for systemic reformsones that create a more resilient and equitable insurance landscape for Californias residents, business owners and insurers alike. What Theyre Watching Tolliver is interested to see what the disaster means for the California FAIR Plan. Based on his experience in submitting new locations for FAIR Plan coverage, Tolliver said, they seem ill-equipped to administratively handle the volume of requests. I am concerned based on the number [of] recent wildfire claims in California that they will also struggle to process the volume [and] adjust claims in an accurate and timely fashion. As of press time, the FAIR Plan reported it had paid more than $914 million to policyholders, including advance payments, to cover claims related to the Palisades and Eaton fires. In February, California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara approved a California FAIR Plan request for a $1 billion assessment on admitted market insurers to cover claims from the Los Angeles wildfires. Tolliver sees the need for more insurance resources with greater limits for Californians with high-value homes because theres going to be people that did not have enough coverage, he said. He also sees a need for more codes and protections to help make housing more fire-resistant, and he believes that consumers need to take more responsibility in the places they choose to live. When asked how she thinks the fires will affect insurance for luxury homes in the region, Garrison Strom said it depends on what the state department of insurance does. She believes the department needs to give carriers rateand not a low numberor more flexibility in forms and contracts. So that theyre not so stuck in giving these broad coverages, Garrison Strom explained. Because until that happens, theres no reason for these carriers to do business here. Clausen echoed these comments in his interview. I would keep an eye on how this market is going to shake out, Clausen said. I think its unclear on the direction of capacity. I just think the market is unstable at this moment. And Im not sure that capacity is going to come back roaring in for quite a while, from an admitted standpoint, anyway. Topics Homeowners Faced with heightened climate risks and political uncertainties, insurers writing agribusiness and farm and ranch are deploying data analytics and technology as they grapple with a hard market and the need for greater transparency with their agricultural clients. Insurers are turning to a variety of models for risk assessment and using the data to determine how to accurately assess and price risks in this asset-heavy industry, according to insurance professionals who specialize in agriculture. With wildfires obviously being all over the news and certainly being very prominent, a lot of insurance carriers are utilizing wildfire mapping and wildfire scoring systems to determine how likely or how probable [it is that] a certain location would be prone to wildfires, said Chris Moore, president, EPIC Farm & Ranch. While wildfires are most prevalent out West, mapping technologies indicate that Texas and Florida are also at risk for wildfires, making it a challenge to place coverage in those states, Moore said. Carriers have become more cautious about insuring agribusiness in Midwest states heavily prone to severe winds and large windstorms. I think that derecho that took place in Iowa several years back made a lot of insurance companies take pause and reanalyze certain wind areas and how they need to map out potential wind severity, Moore said. As insurers tackle wildfires and extreme weather events, theyre also keeping a close eye on the uncertainty coming out of Washington, D.C. A change in administration can bring out exposures for our members, said Jeff Gullickson, president, Western Growers Insurance Services. Potential tariffs could impact their business; weve already seen a change in some markets as a result. Theres always a shortage of labor in specialty ag, and any sort of issues around that can impact the availability of that workforce. Gullickson said that a tariff in Canada, for example, could drive up the price of fertilizer in the U.S., creating an economic impact on the agriculture industry. If oil goes up, diesel goes up; tractors and trucks and transportation is all dependent on diesel, Gullickson added. So, for the business issues around agriculture, the political landscape can change those week to week. A new administration also brings fresh concerns over funding of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and crop insurance programs. The USDA plays a critical role in funding the ag industry, particularly after natural disasters. The USDA dispersed $161 billion in financial assistance to agricultural producers from 2019 through 2023, according to a recent U.S. Government Accountability Office report. The Trump administration has already shown a willingness to cut spending in the department. The impact of uncertainty can delay farm expansion and crop decisions, said Scott Tuxbury, EVP of Mountain States, XPT Specialty. In contrast to the prior presidential administration, the White House will likely be less strict in enforcing environmental regulations, Tuxbury added. This could translate to less regulatory concern in the farming and ranching community. Embracing technology Insurance companies operating in the agriculture sector have turned to remote sensing, AI, and data analytics to improve risk assessment and claims processing. Insurers were early adapters of AI, and it is used extensively in the underwriting and pricing of farm accounts, Tuxbury said. Imagery plays a significant role in individual account underwriting and allows for a more specific risk assessment of properties and locations. The fact that the data is readily available will also be important for the claim processing. While such data exists, more can be done to share information with customers about what goes into individual pricing models. Insurers would create more trust with customers by being transparent with how they use data, he said. As an industry, I dont think we do a very good job of explaining pricing or risk assessment to customers, Tuxbury said. It is important to help them understand the benefits from AI and remote sensing, in that they can have a direct impact on their pricing. Another way insurers can work with consumers is by sharing climate data theyve accumulated over the years, according to Tuxbury. Insurers have been reluctant to share this data, which is primarily used for risk assessment, pricing, and risk concentration. Ag producers dont generally have access to the data. If this data could be accessible to the ag producers, it could give them better insight on climate risk and help them to make better decisions to reduce their exposure to the risk, Tuxbury said. Other technologies have made their way to the agriculture industry in recent years, such as drones, telematics, and worker sensors. In many cases the new technologies wont impact the liability of the customer, Tuxbury said, but in certain cases they will. He pointed to the use of drones for more active activities, such as weed control (spraying) and fertilization, as an area where customers need to exercise discernment. This has presented significant liability exposure to those farmers and ranchers, he said. As for telematics, there can be a bit of hesitation to implement them in an auto fleet, but theres direct evidence of the positive impact of telematics on fleet loss records and their claims, according to Gullickson. Whenever data is being collected and shared, its vital the broker understands where that information is going, he said, noting the importance of making sure that you understand as a broker the technology the client is using and the application and how theyre applying that, and are you looking at available coverages to help them with that. Hard Market Persists Insurance brokers specializing in farm and ranch make it clear that market conditions are harder today than in recent years. We were in a risk-on environment and we were able to get insurance companies to attach to risk pretty easily, Moore said. Really over the past two years its been significantly more difficult to place property insurance. And I would say that statement is true across the entire country. Moore said reinsurance requirements are limiting how much risk insurance companies are able to take and pass on. Now if theres too much risk at any one location or across the portfolio for an insurance company, there are more constraints around capacity, he said. California, the largest food producer in the U.S., has fewer carriers who want to write agriculture in the state, said Gullickson, whose clients focus on specialty crops. There had been indication of softening in the California property market heading into the year, he said, but that was before the Los Angeles area wildfires. Obviously every broker out there is trying to put together property towers using multiple carriers to get coverage in place, Gullickson said. Weve seen alternative funding options such as captives and parametrics. Theres some wildfire parametric coverage available. While parametric insurance has been a useful tool to address limitations of the current property insurance market, theres a need for additional excess and surplus lines capacity, Moore said. If an account isnt getting any offers from the standard market, I would say that theres very few very excess of surplus line carriers that we can go to and that we can talk about the risk, Moore said. I understand that a lot of these companies avoid entering in this market space because it is a very niche area. Topics InsurTech Tech Pricing Trends Agribusiness Market More than half of ransomware claims in 2024 started with threat actors compromising perimeter security appliances, according to a new report from Coalition. In its Cyber Threat Index 2025, the insurance provider reported that 58% of claims began with such compromises. UK-based IT services company Netcentrix defines perimeter security as a set of security measures designed to stop external threats from entering your network. These include firewalls, intrusion protection and detection systems, and virtual private networks (VPNs). Coalition found that VPNs and firewalls were the first and fourth most exploited technologies used for initial access last year. The most commonly compromised products fall under a more general category of perimeter security appliances, Coalition said in the report, explaining that these devices are often built into an organizations physical networking infrastructure, typically offering both VPN and firewall functionality. Vendors such as Fortinet, Cisco, SonicWall, Palo Alto Networks, and Microsoft build these products. Remote desktop software was the second most exploited technology for ransomware attacks, and email ranked third. In addition to analyzing what technology was accessed in ransomware claims, Coalition also studied how that technology was compromised. This was defined in the report as a ransomware attack vector. The threat index reported that compromised credentials were the most common attack vector, representing 47% of known initial access vectors (IAVs) in ransomware incidents. Such attacks typically targeted remote desktop protocol and VPNs, Coalition found, which provide threat actors with privileged access to internal systems and networks, the report said. Coalition reported that software exploits were the second most common known IAV. These exploits typically take advantage of a vulnerable system, the report said. They can range from simple commands that exploit a single vulnerability to advanced espionage software that chains together multiple vulnerabilities, Coalition reported. While ransomware is a serious concern for all businesses, these insights demonstrate that threat actors ransomware playbook hasnt evolved all that muchtheyre still going after the same tried-and-true technologies with many of the same methods, said Alok Ojha, Coalitions head of products, security. This means that businesses can have a reliable playbook, too, and should focus on mitigating the riskiest security issues first to reduce the likelihood of ransomware or another cyber attack, Ojha said. Continuous attack surface monitoring to detect these technologies and mitigate possible vulnerabilities could mean the difference between a threat and an incident. Coalition forecasted that the total number of published software vulnerabilities will increase to over 45,000 in 2025a rate of nearly 4,000 per month and a 15% jump over the first 10 months of 2024. SMBs lack both the resources to patch a high number of vulnerabilitiesrequiring dedicated IT staff and testing infrastructureas well as the experience to focus on the most pressing vulnerabilities, the report said. Coalition said its security recommendations are calibrated using data from its 360-degree perspective on cyber risk. Sources include digital forensics investigations, data collected from an internet-wide view by scanning every IPv4 address, proprietary AI models to analyze vulnerabilities and exposed login panels, and actuarial evidence from cyber insurance claims. Topics Cyber Claims One of my first visuals of the conflagration in Los Angeles was a video of vehicles on the streets in the Pacific Palisades community being bulldozed to clear room for emergency vehicles. With traffic snarled as residents attempted to evacuate the area, many were forced to abandon their vehicles where they stopped. So, sadly, one of the first things that popped into my head was the question of whether the bulldozer damage, or ultimately for some vehicles, the fire damage, would be covered by auto insurance. Whether there is coverage depends on the cause of loss that triggers the insuring agreements and any potential exclusions that might apply. Lets examine this issue under both auto and property insurance policies. Personal Auto Insurance Would damage caused by a bulldozer trigger collision coverage? Would fire, as a proximate or ultimate cause of loss, trigger comprehensive coverage? Aside from possible deductible differences, whether these might be comprehensive or collision claims is largely immaterial. But what about exclusions? The one that comes to mind, using the ISO PP 00 01 Personal Auto Policy as an example, applies to: A total loss to your covered auto or a non-owned auto due to destruction or confiscation by governmental or civil authorities. This Exclusiondoes not apply to the interest of Loss Payees in your covered auto.' First, note this exclusion only applies to total losses, and the language doesnt distinguish between physical loss and a constructive total loss based on valuation. Second, oddly enough, this government action exclusion is far less common under business auto policies than personal auto policies. So, does moving these vehicles constitute destruction, or does that word imply willful and intentional damage as opposed to moving vehicles simply to clear the way for government vehicles? This exclusion can potentially be triggered in several ways. For example, in one claim I consulted on, an auto was stolen and used in the commission of a felony. As a result, law enforcement took possession of the vehicle as evidence and impounded it for over a year. The auto insurer denied the claim based on a lack of direct damage (which made no sense) but largely based on the confiscation exclusion. A perceived injustice in this claim was that, if the vehicle had simply been stolen and not found for over a year, most insurers would have paid this as a theft claim under comprehensive coverage. But the intercedence of law enforcement to confiscate the vehicle removed coverage for the insured. If the history of this exclusion is examined, youll find that it exists primarily for the purpose of prohibiting insurance recovery for parties engaged in criminal acts such as drug dealing, RICO violations, etc. That seems reasonable, but not in the case of innocent insureds who are the victims themselves of a crime or a government action beyond their control. Adding insult to injury, the exception to the exclusion extends coverage to the loss payee but not the insured. This type of exclusion is not limited to auto insurance. Homeowners and Commercial Property Insurance Youll find a government action exclusion in most homeowners and commercial property policies. For example, ISOs HO 00 03 homeowners policy excludes: the destruction, confiscation or seizure of propertyby order of any governmental or public authority. This exclusion does not apply to such acts ordered by any governmental or public authority that are taken at the time of a fire to prevent its spread, if the loss caused by fire would be covered under this Policy. ISOs CP 00 10 commercial property forms Government Action exclusion applies to: Seizure or destruction of property by order of governmental authority. But we will pay for loss or damage caused by or resulting from acts of destruction ordered by governmental authority and taken at the time of a fire to prevent its spread, if the fire would be covered under this Coverage Part. In March 2021, I blogged about a 76-year-old homeowner whose Texas home suffered $50,000 in damages from a shootout between police and a fugitive that involved explosives, tear gas grenades, and armored vehicles. An appeals court found that immunity statutes barred her recovery from the government and the U.S. Supreme Court declined to review the decision. More important for our discussion here is that her homeowners insurer also denied the claim, citing the Government Action exclusion in the policy. These claims are not common, but theyre not rare either. For example, in 2020 a similar incident occurred for a Colorado family whose home was largely destroyed by a SWAT team attempting to apprehend a fugitive. In 2022, a California printing business experienced a similar loss under its commercial property policy and, in a separate incident, an Indiana homeowners house was damaged during a police search for a suspect who had never been there. In the case of the Los Angeles conflagrations, weve heard stories of extensive looting of homes not damaged by fire itself. If, in attempting to apprehend looters, the property is damaged by governmental authorities, presumably they would be immune from claims and the property owner would likely have little or no recourse against their insurer. In cases like these, the innocent property owner typically has little or no recourse against the government or their insurance carrier. And, given that these policies typically only cover direct damage, even if there was coverage for damage caused by a governmental authority, the diminished market value of the property can be significant, as was the case for one homeowner who ultimately sold her home at an alleged $100,000 less than the original asking price. A Question of Fairness? My argument FOR coverage under existing government action exclusions is that these types of exclusions were never intended to apply to situations like those discussed in this article, but rather to damage that arises proximately from the illegal activities of insureds. I think this premise is supported by exceptions in property policies for preventing the spread of fire and in auto policies for extending coverage to innocent loss payees. I also point to language like destruction, confiscation or seizure of propertyby order of any governmental or public authority. Is the government actually ordering destruction of property, or are they ordering an action to, for example, apprehend a criminal that unavoidably results in damage to property? So, as referenced earlier, in 2021 I blogged about the issue, asking the question in the title of my blog post as to whether it was Time to Make Government Action Exclusions More Equitable? What do YOU think? Topics Catastrophe Natural Disasters Wildfire Arlando Tray Jones was a toddler when his dad was killed by Baltimore police during a robbery. His mom died several years later after battling alcoholism. His surviving relatives often struggled to provide for him. Sometimes the lights got turned off and the refrigerator was empty. Jones turned to a notorious neighborhood drug dealer, a sinister father figure whose lavish lifestyle demonstrated what could be achieved in the streets. Under the supervision of Fat Larry, Jones finally had stable housing and money in his pocket, but violence was all around him. He started carrying a gun and punishing anyone who crossed him. Barely a teenager, he was charged with attempted murder and sent to juvenile detention in the early 1980s. There, at the Maryland Training School for Boys, Jones says a staff member repeatedly sexually assaulted him while another kept watch. The guards would corner children in dark spaces and bribe them with extra snacks and other special treatment, according to a slew of recent lawsuits alleging widespread misconduct in Marylands juvenile detention facilities. They broke me, Jones said, recounting how his abusers beat him into submission. Everything that connected me to my humanity was just gone. Jones is among thousands of people seeking accountability under a new state law that eliminated the statute of limitations for child sexual abuse claims. It was passed in 2023 with the Catholic Church abuse scandal in mind. But now Maryland lawmakers are scrambling to address an unexpected onslaught of cases targeting the states juvenile justice system. Theyre worried the state budget cant support a potential payout. The Associated Press requested an interview with the states Department of Juvenile Services, but the department responded with a statement instead. DJS takes allegations of sexual abuse of children in our care with utmost seriousness and we are working hard to provide decent, humane and rehabilitative environments for youth committed to the Department. We do not comment on pending litigation, the agency said. To the plaintiffs, its no surprise that Maryland leaders failed to anticipate a public reckoning of this size. Many victims spent decades in silence, paralyzed by shame. They were some of Marylands most vulnerable residents, mostly Black kids growing up in poverty with little family support. All these years later, Jones still broke down crying in an interview. But now I know the shame is not mine to bear, he said. A law with unexpected consequences Maryland lawmakers passed the Child Victims Act in the immediate aftermath of a scathing investigative report that revealed widespread abuse within the Archdiocese of Baltimore. Before its passage, victims couldnt sue after they turned 38. The law change prompted the archdiocese to file for bankruptcy to protect its assets. But state leaders didnt anticipate theyd be facing similar budgetary concerns. Lawmakers are now considering new legislation to shield the state financially. An estimated 6,000 people have retained attorneys and new complaints are pouring in, according to lawyers involved. In addition to monetary damages, plaintiffs want mandated reform of Marylands juvenile justice system. The system has drawn serious criticism over the years. A 2004 Justice Department report found a deeply disturbing degree of physical abuse at the facility where Jones was detained, now called the Charles H. Hickey Jr. School. The state closed Hickeys youth treatment program in 2005, but its still operating as a youth detention center. Many other facilities named in the lawsuits have already been closed, and state leaders have strengthened oversight in recent years. Theyve also focused on detaining fewer youths. Advocates say theyre confident the system is significantly less abusive than it was. Other states have faced similar reckonings after changing their laws. While juvenile arrests and detention rates are declining nationally, research shows the majority of detainees are children of color. A 2024 report from the nonprofit The Sentencing Project found Black youth are roughly five times more likely to be incarcerated than their white peers. Its not just in Maryland, its everywhere, said attorney Corey Stern, who represents Jones and others. Its really a ripple effect across the U.S. Systemic abuse all over the state Still, the Maryland lawsuits paint a particularly disturbing picture. It wasnt just select facilities or a small group of abusive staff members, it was statewide and persisted for decades, attorneys say. The abuse was often a poorly kept secret, but the system repeatedly failed to stop it, the lawsuits say. In a complaint filed earlier this month, 69 people brought claims against the same abuser, a former housing supervisor at Hickey. One of the plaintiffs in that case, who asked to remain anonymous, said that as the abuse escalated, he started to avoid properly cleaning himself to become less desirable. He later spent decades struggling with addiction and mental health issues. He said suing the state even now felt like I was snitching. The AP doesnt typically identify victims of abuse unless they want to be named. Nalisha Gibbs said she didnt initially report her abuse because no one would have listened. A past experience gave her proof of that. Not long before she went to juvenile detention over a missed curfew enforced by a school truancy officer, Gibbs said, she had been raped by an uncle and punished by her mother when she didnt keep quiet about the abuse. In the detention center, a female guard would come to her cell at night and assault her. Gibbs said the woman would degrade her, calling her worthless and a throwaway. For coming home 15 minutes after curfew, she was sentenced to a lifetime of trauma. After 30 days in detention, Gibbs never went back to middle school. She ended up in foster care, where she suffered more sexual abuse. She spent most of her 20s addicted to drugs, sometimes living on the streets. But in 2008, she sought treatment. She enrolled in a transitional housing program and earned her GED. She now lives with her fiance and his mother. Thinking back on her childhood, she sees a scared little girl who needed an adult to stand up for her. She just had so much life snuffed out by people mistreating her and mishandling her, Gibbs said through tears. But Im not that little girl anymore. I can fight for myself. Pushed over the edge A couple years after being released from Hickey, Jones was involved in a fight over drugs that escalated into gunshots, killing Joshua ONeal. Jones was 16 when he was arrested and charged with murder. He was later convicted and sentenced to life in prison. He said the sexual abuse pushed him over the edge; if he was headed down a negative path before juvenile detention, that experience sent him hurtling toward the unchecked brutality of the drug game. In 2022, he was released from prison under a state law that allows sentence reductions for people convicted as children. During his incarceration, Jones earned a bachelors degree in psychology. Hes studied philosophy and published two books. Now 56, he works at Georgetown Universitys Prisons and Justice Initiative, which teaches students about mass incarceration and prison reform. He said getting educated restored some of the humanity he lost. It helped him regain his freedom and gave him a second chance at life. It also made him question everything. An orphan child surviving poverty as best I can, he said. Where was my first chance? Associated Press reporter Brian Witte in Annapolis contributed to this report. Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Maryland New York Attorney General Letitia James has secured $975,000 in penalties from auto insurance company Root over a data breach that the state says exposed the personal information of about 45,000 New Yorkers. Root does not offer insurance in New York, but scammers gained access to New Yorkers drivers license numbers and personal information, according to the attorney general. The data breach was part of an industry-wide campaign to steal consumers personal information, including drivers license numbers and dates of birth, from online automobile insurance quoting applications. The data thieves then used some of the stolen drivers license information to file fraudulent unemployment claims at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Root settlement brings the total amount the state has secured from auto insurance companies for their failure to protect New Yorkers data to $6.57 million. New York recently secured $5.1 million from GEICO and Travelers, as well as $500,000 from Noblr, for also failing to prevent a data breach of New Yorkers data. Last month, the attorney general sued Allstate Insurance for allegedly causing more than 165,000 New Yorkers information to be exposed. New York Sues National General and Allstate Over Data Breaches When companies have poor data security practices, they put individuals at risk of identity theft and other fraud, said Attorney General James in announcing the settlement. Auto insurance companies need to make sure that the systems they use to store peoples data are protected to prevent cybercriminals from stealing drivers license numbers, Social Security numbers, and other private information. Root allows consumers to obtain a price quote through its website. After limited personal information was entered, the online quoting tool pre-filled personal information such as drivers license numbers. According to the attorney general, Roots system exposed full, plaintext drivers license numbers in a PDF generated at the end of the auto quote process. New York Fines GEICO $9.75M, Travelers $1.5M Over Auto Insurance Cyber Breaches In January 2021, Root discovered bad actors exploiting the pre-fill vulnerability. The attorney general determined that Root failed to perform adequate risk assessments on its public-facing web applications, did not identify the plain text exposure of consumer personal information, and employed insufficient controls to thwart automated attacks. In addition to paying $975,000 in penalties, Root is required to enhance its data security in keeping with the states data security guidelines for companies. Root agreed to the settlement but neither admits nor denies the findings of the attorney general. Topics Carriers Cyber Auto Data Driven New York British, French and Swiss prosecutors agreed to form a new intelligence sharing partnership in a bid to tackle overseas corruption following the pullback of US authorities from international bribery cases. The three senior prosecutors announced the initiative Thursday [March 20] in London, unveiling plans to boost cooperation in their pursuit of cross-border bribery and money laundering cases. The group plans to pool our resources when we have the right investigation or prosecution to pursue, Nick Ephgrave, the UKs Serious Fraud Offices director said in an interview. The signing, with the heads of Frances Parquet National Financier and the Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland, took place against the backdrop of US President Donald Trumps decision to pause enforcing the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, a pillar of global anti-corruption legislation. In Europe and the UK, agencies have long relied on the US to share leads and bring some of their biggest cases to fruition. We continue to work with the Americans, weve always been working with the Americans. So will the Swiss, so will the French, Ephgrave said. Clearly you know domestic priorities have shifted over there and so be it. He added plans to boost coordination had been underway before the US pause. The US has long played a role in bringing overseas corruption cases to trial, with powerful tools at its disposal. It can claim jurisdiction to pursue a case simply because a suspicious transaction was conducted in dollars. The threat of harsh sentences sometimes far longer than those permitted in Europe and the strategy of incentivizing whistleblowers has also been crucial to white-collar cases. There are reasons why the Americans have been able to create a body of work, we have all benefited from it, Ephgrave said. He said that he wants to offer rewards to whistleblowers, saying that as many as 700 UK whistleblowers had spoken with US authorities in the last 10 years. The testimony of a former trader, first secured by US investigators, played a major role in securing a guilty plea from Glencore Plc in the UK. Earlier this year Switzerland secured the conviction of Trafigura and its former chief operating officer for bribery, the first time a senior executive at a major commodity trading house has been found guilty of corruption. We have to collect all intelligence we have, and we have to put this intelligence together, Stefan Blattler, the Swiss attorney general said in the interview. Photograph: Nick Ephgrave, director of UKs Serious Fraud Office; photo credit: Jose Sarmento Matos/Bloomberg Copyright 2025 Bloomberg. Topics USA This edition of International People Moves details appointments at insurance broker Marsh and the insurer Markel. A summary of these new hires follows here. Marsh Promotes Russell as Global Head of Wholesale, Meah as Head of Strategy, Global Placement Marsh, the insurance brokerage business of Marsh McLennan, announced the appointment of Adam Russell as head of Global Wholesale, effective immediately. Based in London, Russell reports to John Donnelly, president, Global Placement, Marsh. In this role, Russell has overall responsibility for Marshs global wholesale insurance broking operations, which includes portfolio solutions. He will focus on developing Marshs global wholesale and facultative business and supporting clients through providing a comprehensive range of capabilities, solutions, and advice. Russell, who has been head of Strategy, Global Placement, since December 2023, brings over 20 years international experience to the role. He joined Marsh in 2014 and held senior leadership positions within Marshs international wholesale placement business in Singapore before becoming Placement Leader for Marsh Asias retail business in 2018. In 2022, he relocated to London to lead Marshs UK Portfolio Solutions and Digital Placement teams before assuming his current role. Charlotte Meah succeeds Russell as head of Strategy, Global Placement. Meah joined Marsh in 2013 as a senior advisor in the risk consulting business, and most recently served as chief of staff, Marsh Specialty & Global Placement. She is based in Atlanta and also reports to Donnelly. Commenting on the appointments, Donnelly said: Bringing together our wholesale capabilities under Adams leadership will allow us to provide clients with unparalleled and consistent access to the best and most appropriate markets and solutions for them no matter where they are located around the world. *** Markel Boosts Wholesale Claims With 3 Promotions, Technical Claims Hire Markel, the insurance operations within Markel Group Inc., announced it has made three internal promotions and hired a technical claims lead to further enhance its wholesale claims service for brokers, insureds and trading partners. The quartet of appointments include Dan Thomas, who has joined the business as marine technical claims lead, where hell work as part of Markels marine liability claims team with the underwriters by providing feedback on policy wordings and claims insights for both renewal and new business, while fostering relationships with broker partners. Hell also collaborate with the business actuarial and outwards reinsurance teams, making sure that theyre kept abreast of key developments. Thomas brings a wealth of industry experience and expertise to his role, spanning more than two decades. Previously, he was head of Marine Claims at Helvetia Global Solutions UK, where he was responsible for managing claims across the organizations marine portfolio. Prior to this role, Thomas worked for QBE European Operations/British Marine as head of Technical Adjusting and Steamship Mutual P&I Club. Across these posts, hes gained extensive experience in the marine insurance sector, including marine liability, protection and indemnity, hull and machinery and war. Based at Markels London office, Thomas will report to Tim Warren, claims manager Marine Liability. In addition, Markel has promoted Debbie Larkin to claims manager Energy, Liability and Terrorism, effective March 31. In this role, shell be responsible for the businesses upstream, midstream and downstream energy claims, along with claims written as part of Markels sustainable energy, conventional power and terrorism portfolios. She will lead a dedicated team of claims handlers, maintaining fast response times to resolve claims matters and help to streamline processes to offer an enhanced service for clients. Larkin has been with Markel for almost two years, spending this time managing all levels of claims within the organizations energy, liability and terrorism business classes. Previously, she spent 15 years as a lawyer advising insurance carriers on coverage, defense and policy wordings bringing cross-functional expertise to the business. Meanwhile, Rachel Tighe has been promoted to claims manager Professional Indemnity (PI), effective immediately. In her new position, Tighes principal duties will include managing the PI wholesale claims team, ensuring they continue to provide a market-leading claims service, ensuring closer broker interaction, and supporting other members in her team with their professional development. Tighe joined Markel over five years ago, starting at the business as a senior claims adjuster for Markels PI team, before progressing to assistant claims manager PI. As a qualified solicitor with more than 14 years of experience in PI and insurance, Tighe brings a wealth of knowledge to the role of claims manager PI. Prior to her arrival at Markel, Tighe worked as a claims solicitor at AmTrust Europe Ltd., where she specialized in solicitors PI, financial services PI and construction PI. The third promotion is Natalie Myhill, who will assume the role of claims manager Financial Institutions (FI). Her primary objectives will involve managing the FI wholesale claims team by supporting them in resolving complex claims matters for FI and fintech clients. She will also carry on building strong relationships with Markels broker network and collaborate with the organizations FI and Fintech underwriting teams keeping them abreast of important claims trends and developments, so they can continue providing tailored coverage to support their clients evolving risk exposures. Myhill is a seasoned claims professional with 14 years of experience within the London and Lloyds markets. She joined Markel in 2020, before receiving two promotions in short succession from senior claims adjuster to assistant claims manager FI, and now her latest post as claims manager FI and Fintech. Before joining the company, she was employed at Sompo International as an AV, senior claims examiner, where she specialized in the professional indemnity, D&O and FI classes of business. In addition to their day-to-day responsibilities, Myhill and Tighe are co-founders of Markels and DAC Beachcrofts joint initiative Mentoring the Market (MTM), which was launched five years ago to support knowledge transfer and professional development among claims and legal professionals within the insurance sphere. It is their positive contributions both inside and outside of Markel which have led to Myhill and Tighes recent appointments. Based at Markels London office, Tighe and Myhill will report to Jonathan Pestell, head of Claims Specialty, and Larkin will report to Thomas Upton, head of Claims Marine, Energy and Casualty at Markel. Topics Claims The doomsday scenario for the future of Chicagos transit system is coming into sharp focus: a $770 million budget deficit threatens thousands of jobs, sweeping service cuts and a crater in the local economy if a financial fix isnt found by spring. That is the picture in a report released Friday by the Regional Transportation Authority, which oversees finances for the regions buses and rail agencies. The report outlines the dire effects that a failure to plug the gap could have on the system and the region. The General Assembly, the authority said, needs to act by the end of the legislative session in May in order to stave off a crisis. The Chicago Transit Authority is expected to be the first agency in the region to run off the fiscal cliff. At least four of the eight rapid transit lines in the city will likely see services cut back, the report predicts. The expected cuts to bus lines could take the CTA from one of the nations largest transit systems to one with fewer bus routes than sprawling Kansas City. This isnt just a transit crisis its a regional emergency, RTA Executive Director Leanne Redden said in the report. If the General Assembly does not act this spring, hundreds of thousands of Illinoisans will wake up in 2026 without a way to get to work, school or medical appointments with continued uncertainty in future years about their transit services. Chicagos woes are part of a growing financial crisis that is playing out in urban transit systems across the country. Agencies in the largest cities are currently staring down steep budget deficits as they grapple with the end of pandemic aid from the federal government and also confront President Donald Trumps threats to withhold funding from major transit infrastructure projects. The economic losses across the six counties in the Chicago region could be as much as $2.6 billion annually, when factoring in the additional traffic, reduced mobility, and job losses, according to the RTA, which anticipates that some 3,000 transit workers will be laid off. To avert the looming crisis, officials have previously called for $1.5 billion in additional annual funding from state and local sources. That plan, which includes a proposed 10% fare increase, is designed to stop the cuts and pay for additions to current services. The RTA anticipates that without any further action, Metra, the citys commuter rail system, would need to end service for the Electric Blue Island Branch and the bus agency, Pace, would have to axe its weekend service altogether. The momentum weve built to create a more responsive and equitable transit systemone that supports economic growth and connects people to jobs and opportunitywould come to a halt, setting us back years, said Pace Executive Director Melinda Metzger. The RTA projects that ridership across the system would drop by 90 million trips in the first year alone, tanking fare revenue and intensifying funding challenges in the years to come. Public transit is an economic necessity. If these cuts happen, Illinois entire economy will suffer, said RTA Board Chairman Kirk Dillard. Top photo: The Chicago Transit Authority is expected to be the first agency in the region to run off the fiscal cliff. Copyright 2025 Bloomberg. BlackRoc, Vanguard and State Street have asked a federal court in Texas to dismiss a state lawsuit accusing the top fund managers of conspiring through climate activism to discourage coal output, with the firms saying the allegations rest on half-baked and untested legal theories. To find that Plaintiffs have stated an antitrust claim on these alleged facts requires contorting the law in a way that would hurt both coal companies and individual investors, the asset managers told the judge, asking the court to reject this adventurous attempt to rewrite antitrust law. The closely watched case, led by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, offers no examples of the companies ever telling a coal company to reduce output, the fund managers said. Industry analysts have been watching to see how strongly the companies would push back on what the defendants called a first of its kind suit filed by Texas and other Republican-led states. There are now 13 plaintiffs. This is a hard-hitting response that levels some strong rebuttals of the complaint said Michael Carrier, a Rutgers Law School professor, via e-mail. Among other things, the companies show a lack of communication and differences in proxy voting that will make it hard for the plaintiffs to show they made agreements among themselves, Carrier said. Paxtons office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The suit is part of a wave of pressure on the firms from conservative U.S. politicians, many from energy-producing states. Among other things, they have alleged that the firms cooperation in industry net-zero groups amounts to collusion. With more than $26 trillion in assets, the three firms through influential proxy votes have become major voices in how U.S. companies pay executives, elect directors and set environmental, social and governance (ESG) policies. Lately they have been in retreat under Republican pressure, withdrawing from industry climate efforts and cutting diversity goals. The suit marks the first time they have faced significant antitrust claims tied to their ESG efforts. In Monday nights joint motion they formed a united front against the idea and called their activities commonplace ones for products like index funds that are the core ingredients allowing asset managers to provide the low-cost funds that millions of Americans rely on to save for retirement and other purposes. For instance, the companies said that while BlackRock and State Street voted against reelecting a few coal company directors, they never voted as a block and said the directors were reelected anyway. Vanguard never voted against coal company management or directors. The companies also wrote that coal output actually rose since 2021 according to the complaints details, and that their proxy votes did not correlate with production trends. There is not the slightest indication that any Defendant was prodding the coal companies to reduce output, much less that all of them were doing so in collaboration, the motion states. The case is Texas et al v BlackRock Inc et al, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Texas, No. 24-00437. Topics Lawsuits SiriusPoint Ltd., the Bermuda-based specialty insurer and reinsurer, announced a new strategic partnership with the independent insurance broker Holmes Murphy. SiriusPoint has partnered with Holmes Murphy, headquartered in Waukee, Iowa, and its wholly owned subsidiary and managing general agent Innovative Program Solutions (IPS) to launch an umbrella excess insurance product exclusively tailored to captives managed by Holmes Murphy and its subsidiary companies. As a carrier partner, SiriusPoint will write this umbrella excess line for captive members on a non-admitted basis. The captive insurance market is experiencing significant growth and transformation, partly driven by the desire for businesses to better manage their risk exposure, said Patrick Charles, head of North America Insurance at SiriusPoint. Through this relationship, IPS and Holmes Murphy are offering companies access to a unique captive insurance solution that creates greater control and opportunity. At SiriusPoint, our aim is to broaden our MGA partner portfolio by working with ambitious partners and helping them excel through long-term collaborations. We believe Holmes Murphy is one of the best organizations for captive business in the market and we look forward to partnering with its expert team to serve its growing customer base, Charles added. Umbrella/excess coverage is a critical need for organizations forced to find ways to address this area of continuously increasing costs, said Tim Anders, President of IPS. We are excited to launch this program with SiriusPoint as they bring a wealth of expertise, a proven track-record, and a talented team into this partnership. The collaboration between IPS, SiriusPoint, and multiple Holmes Murphy subsidiaries will deliver solutions for our best-in-class brokerage partners and high-quality, risk-aware insureds. Topics Agencies Excess Surplus Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy will unveil a plan next week to upgrade the aging, under-staffed U.S. air traffic control system next week, he said on Friday. Duffy said earlier this month that he planned to ask Congress for tens of billions of dollars for a multi-year effort to revamp Federal Aviation Administration air traffic control infrastructure, including buying new radar systems and new air traffic control terminals and boosting hiring after a series of aviation safety incidents raised alarm. Duffy said Friday that he had briefed President Donald Trump, who wants to create a state-of-the-art, brand new air control system and supports the reform plan. Duffy also wants new runway safety technology so controllers dont need to rely on binoculars to see airplanes and to end the use of floppy disks and other ancient technology. Last month, the U.S. aviation sector called for robust emergency funding from Congress for air traffic control technology and staffing after the collision between an Army helicopter and an American Airlines regional airliner in January that killed 67 people. Duffy wants a faster replacement of aging copper wire telecommunications gear and other upgrades. Were going to go to fiber, wireless and satellite, he said this month, criticizing Verizons efforts. A persistent shortage of controllers has delayed flights and, at many facilities, controllers are working mandatory overtime and six-day weeks to cover shifts. The FAA is about 3,500 air traffic controllers short of targeted staffing levels and has about 10% fewer controllers than it did in 2012. The Government Accountability Office says the FAA must take urgent action to address aging air traffic control systems, saying that one-third are unsustainable. A 2023 report said the FAAs communications system has been outdated for years and the agency can no longer get spare parts for many systems. In March 2024, former President Joe Biden proposed $8 billion over five years to replace or modernize more than 20 aging air traffic control facilities and 377 critical radar systems. A quarter of all FAA facilities are 50 years old or older. The FAA has numerous air traffic control facilities with leaking roofs, broken elevators and heating and air conditioning systems and surveillance radar systems that must soon be replaced at a cost of billions of dollars. The US Federal Communications Commission is prepared to block mergers and acquisition proposals from companies that promote invidious DEI policies, according to chairman Brendan Carr. The move could threaten billions of dollars worth of deals in the communications sector, with Carr specifically mentioning Paramount Globals merger with Skydance Media, Verizon Communications Inc.s acquisition of Frontier Communications Parent Inc., and T-Mobile US Inc., which is seeking to purchase of US Cellular Corp.s wireless operations and some of its spectrum assets. Any businesses that are looking for FCC approval, I would encourage them to get busy ending any sort of their invidious forms of DEI discrimination, Carr said in an interview Friday. President Donald Trump has been pushing to root out diversity, equity and inclusion policies from the federal government, corporate America and beyond, issuing executive orders banning the practice and asking agency heads to identify targets, including listed companies, to investigate for illegal DEI efforts. Using merger reviews as a way to stop companies from pursuing DEI initiatives is a new tactic, and marks a complete turnaround from the previous administration, which considered the promotion of diversity in a positive light in such evaluations. We can only under the statute move forward and approve a transaction if we find that doing so serves the public interest, Carr said. If theres businesses out there that are still promoting invidious forms of DEI discrimination, I really dont see a path forward where the FCC could reach the conclusion that approving the transaction is going to be in the public interest. Separately, Carr announced what he called a sweeping investigation Friday into Chinese companies that have been subject to national security restrictions but are still doing business in the US on some level, including Huawei Technologies Co. and ZTE Corp. In a press release, Carr said the commission has sent letters of inquiry and at least one subpoena to the companies being investigated. Huawei declined to comment on Saturday, while ZTE didnt provide an immediate response to queries. Hytera Communications Corp., Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology Co., and Zhejiang Dahua Technology Co., three of the other Chinese firms targeted by the FCC, didnt reply to an emailed request for comment outside of regular hours. Invidious DEI The new FCC chair made his intentions clear on pursuing DEI policies from the outset, last month warning Verizon that its efforts to encourage diversity run afoul of Trump administration policies. He also sent a letter to Comcast Corp., raising concerns about invidious forms of DEI. In addition to considering a companys hiring practices, Carr said the commission may evaluate other aspects of its business, including supplier diversity efforts and programming choices. We do have a broader public interest authority, particularly when it comes to licensed broadcast stations, Carr said. The commission is simultaneously weighing Paramounts merger proposal and investigating a complaint of news distortion against the companys CBS News division for airing two different versions of an interview last year with Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris. Paramount last month said it was making changes to its DEI programs to reflect Trumps executive order, and would no longer set numerical hiring goals based on race, ethnicity or gender, nor collect that data for job applicants. Representatives for Paramount, Verizon and T-Mobile didnt immediately respond to requests for comment. AT&T Inc., another company regulated by the FCC, dropped some DEI programs last month. Carr said hes looking at those changes as a start and hopes other companies will follow the wireless carriers example. Carr said he and his team are taking advice from anti-DEI activist Robby Starbuck, who claims credit for diversity policy changes at more than 15 companies. The agency is hoping to tap into Starbucks network of company contacts to uncover evidence of superficial changes, Carr said. If companies are telling us at the FCC, Weve ended this particular discriminatory program, and then hes got a whistleblower that says, Actually, they kept it and they just moved it down the hall or changed the name I do think that relationship with Starbuck and his network is going to prove helpful, Carr said. Photo: Brendan Carr/Bloomberg Topics Mergers & Acquisitions The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is investigating nearly 1.3 million Ford F-150 pickup trucks in the United States over reports of an unexpected gear downshift accompanied by a temporary rear wheel lock-up. NHTSA said Monday it is opening a preliminary evaluation into some Ford F-150 pickup trucks from the 2015 to 2017 model years after receiving complaints from 138 consumers. Complaints alleged unexpected transmission downshifts to lower gears while traveling at highway speeds without warning or driver input, followed by the vehicle rapidly decelerating. A Ford spokesperson said Monday the automaker is working with NHTSA to support its investigation and said it is related to vehicles with six-speed transmissions. NHTSA is opening a preliminary evaluation into the issue and then must decide whether to update the probe to an engineering analysis before it could seek to require a recall. A 2023 complaint from an owner in Ohio of a 2016 F-150 said that while driving on the highway at 70 mph the truck automatically shifted from 6th Gear to first gear nearly throwing me through the windshield. Many owners reported long waits to get replacement parts. Some complaints said the vehicles rear wheels would lock temporarily, seize or skid during the downshift, leading to loss of control. This could lead to an increased risk of a crash, NHTSA said. The agency said no crashes or fires had been reported. This is the latest in a series of NHTSA investigations into F-150 unexpected downshifting. In June, Ford recalled 668,000 2014 model year F-150 trucks over reports of unexpected downshifts into the first gear causing a loss of driver control or rear-wheel lockup. It was the latest Ford recall over the issue since 2016 and came after NHTSA in March 2023 opened an investigation into whether 2014 model trucks needed to be recalled for the issue. Ford in 2016 recalled 153,000 2011-2012 Ford F-150 vehicles equipped with six-speed automatic transmissions to address the downshift issue. NHTSA opened a probe into the issue in December 2017 and in 2019 Ford expanded its recall to cover 1.48 million F-150 trucks in North America, including 2013 models. Ford later recalled 107,000 2013 F-150 vehicles due to an issue with the fix. In November, Ford agreed to a $165 million civil penalty after NHTSA found the automaker failed to recall vehicles with defective rearview cameras in a timely manner. With its measles outbreak spreading to two additional states, Texas is on track to becoming the cause of a national epidemic if it doesnt start vaccinating more people, according to public health experts. Measles, a highly contagious disease that was declared eliminated from the U.S. in 2000, has made a resurgence in West Texas communities, jumping hundreds of miles to the northern border of the Panhandle and East Texas, and invading bordering states of New Mexico and Oklahoma. Based on the rapid spread of cases statewide more than 200 over 50 days public health officials predict that it could take Texas a year to contain the spread. With cases continuously rising and the rest of the countrys unvaccinated population at the outbreaks mercy, Texas must create stricter quarantine requirements, increase the vaccine rate, and improve contact tracing to address this measles epidemic before it becomes a nationwide problem, warn infectious disease experts and officials in other states. This demonstrates that this (vaccine exemption) policy puts the community, the county, and surrounding states at risk because of how contagious this disease is, said Glenn Fennelly, a specialist in pediatric infectious diseases and assistant vice president of global health at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso. We are running the risk of threatening global stability. [After COVID, Texas is less prepared for the next pandemic] The measles outbreak the largest in the state in 30 years has spread from two cases in late January to more than 270 cases and now includes 11 counties, most of them in the rural South Plains region. So far this year, there have been more than 300 cases of measles confirmed across 15 states, as of March 13. The Texas outbreak, which makes up the bulk of those cases, is only linked to cases in New Mexico and Oklahoma, where state officials said this month that someone associated with the Texas outbreak was exposed. Last month, Texas officials reported that an unvaccinated, otherwise healthy school-aged child died from measles, the first death from the virus in a decade. This month, New Mexico officials said an unvaccinated adult in Lea County, about 50 miles away from the outbreaks epicenter of Gaines County, who died had tested positive for measles. Officials are still confirming whether the cause of death was measles, according to the New Mexico Department of Health. This is a very multi-jurisdictional outbreak with three states involved and about seven or eight different local health departments, in addition to some areas where the state serves as the local health department. There are a lot of moving parts, said Katherine Wells, director of public health for the City of Lubbock, during a Tuesday meeting of the Big Cities Health Coalition, a national organization for large metropolitan health departments. Most of Texas measles cases are in unvaccinated school-aged children and are concentrated in the Mennonite community in Gaines County, which traditionally has low vaccination rates. Wells said efforts to increase the vaccination rates in Gaines County, which is about 70 miles from Lubbock, and the surrounding region have been slow as trust in the government has seemingly reached an all-time low. We are seeing, just like the rest of Americans, this community has seen a lot of stories about vaccines causing autism, and that is leading to a lot of this vaccine hesitancy, not religion, she said. The COVID-19 pandemic led to the politicization of vaccines and overall weariness to health mandates like quarantines and masks. Public health officials are now battling misinformation and public resistance to measles. Wells said because the state cant stop people from traveling, she fully expects this outbreak to last a year, and the surrounding states and the nation should prepare themselves for a potential spread. Measles is going to find those pockets of unvaccinated individuals, and with the number of cases and ability for people to travel, there is that risk of it entering other unvaccinated pockets anywhere in the United States right now, Wells said. Vaccine hesitancy Fennelly was working in the New York area in the 1990s during a major outbreak that filled hospitals with infants sickened from measles that were too young to get the measles vaccine, and then during a 2018 outbreak, when pamphlets were circulating in the local Ultra-Orthodox community warning against the unfound dangers of the measles vaccine. Now, years later, Fennelly is watching the same series of events play out in Texas. This could have been predicted. There have been steady rates of increased personal belief exemptions over the last several years leading to pockets of under-vaccination across the state, he said. In the West Texas region, misinformation about vaccines, distrust of local public health officials, and fear of government authority overruling family autonomy have reigned supreme, creating the pockets that measles infiltrated this year. However, this is not just a South Plains problem but a statewide issue as vaccine exemptions continue to grow. We have several pockets of population that have high unvaccinated groups. We sent out a letter to public and private school districts with low vaccination rates explaining the situation and asking them to update their childrens shots, said Phil Huang, director and health authority for Dallas County Health and Human Services, during the Big Cities Health Coalition meeting. Texas requires children and students to obtain vaccines to attend schools, child care centers, and college. However, individuals can claim they are exempt if they are in the military, have a religious or personal belief that goes against getting immunized, or if a health provider determines it is not safe to do so. Since 2018, the number of requests to the Texas Department of State Health Services for an exemption form has doubled from 45,900 to more than 93,000 in 2024. Data suggests that vaccine exemptions and those living in areas with higher vaccine exemption rates for measles and pertussis are at increased risk of contracting these diseases. The authors of this data collection concluded that geographic pockets of vaccine exemptions pose a risk to the whole community. Fennelly said the hurdles to obtaining exemptions are easy to clear, leading to an increasing number of people refusing the vaccine. State lawmakers this session have filed more than a dozen bills that would strengthen or expand vaccine exemptions. We dont have the capacity in Texas to deal with so many sick children if this continues to spread. We are already at our limit with seasonal influenza and respiratory syncytial virus. Our doctors are at their limit, Fennelly said. Simbo Ige, commissioner of the Chicago Department of Public Health, had to deal with a measles outbreak in her city a year ago, with 64 individuals testing positive, 57 of whom were associated with a shelter. She said the quickest way they controlled the outbreak was quickly administering more than 30,000 doses of the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine. A Chicago Department of Health report projected a high probability of an outbreak of more than 100 cases without the citys rapid intervention. It required a lot of education and messaging because people wanted the answer to why I need to get vaccinated. We started listing out the reasons parents wont be able to go to work, kids cant go to school, and even worse, kids can get sick and die, Ige said. Its 2025. We shouldnt be having children dying from measles in this day and age. We have the tools. We just have to amplify the message. New Mexicos public health officials started spreading awareness of vaccinations immediately after they learned Texas had its first measles case and before New Mexico got its first case. We started setting up clinics and getting the ball rolling, Jimmy Masters, the southeast region director for the New Mexico Department of Health, said. Lets see what we can do to get people in the doors and vaccinated beforehand. Nearly 9,000 New Mexicans have received measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine shots between Feb. 1 and March 10. During that same time period last year, officials vaccinated 5,342 people. Texas has held multiple vaccination clinics in the outbreak area, but according to the Texas Department of State Health Services, only 350 doses have been administered. New Mexico has also emphasized its Vaxview website that keeps track of residents immunizations, allowing concerned people to check within seconds if they need a shot. Texas has a vaccine tracking program known as ImmTrac2, but its an opt-in program that doesnt have most adult records. If someone doesnt opt in by age 26, their records will not be retained. We told people to contact us to ensure their vaccine status is up to date, Masters said. If they arent sure, just call the health office so we can find out for them. And if they dont have their records updated for the vaccine, then we can ask them to come in and take advantage of the clinics or come in as walk-ins. Because of this, most of Lea County is considered immunized, Masters said, so public health officials in New Mexico dont view the outbreak as rapidly evolving. Back in Texas, the opposite is playing out. Advice from public health officials is seemingly ignored, and vaccine efforts are struggling. We need to have a consistent message from all levels. We need to reinforce the message that vaccines are safe and vaccines are how you prevent this, and we have concerns when other messages dilute this message, Huang said. Texas Department of State Health Services officials are also encouraging people to vaccinate, but whether people will listen is out of the agencys control. The only way to stop the virus from spreading is to get more people immunized. We are providing education about the severe complications associated with measles infection, and directing them to locations where they can get vaccinated, said Lara Anton, spokesperson for the state health agency. Fennelly said the main difference between Lea County and Gaines County is the public acceptance of the vaccine and public health in general. He said if Texas wants to improve, there should be studies on why people are so hesitant to accept vaccines. We need to be asking why Gaines County? What are the concerns, and how do we, the health profession and public health officials, most effectively confront and allay those fears, he said. People shouldnt be more afraid of the vaccine than the disease. Obstacles to quarantining and contact tracing A person with measles visits a friend, another visits kids at a college, and the other has friends over. Public health departments in West Texas are trying to trace the spread of measles, since other than strongly suggesting people quarantine, theres nothing more local officials can do to prevent infected individuals from traveling. We shouldnt be surprised in this kind of environment that we will have more cases, said David Lakey, the vice chancellor for health affairs and the chief medical officer at the University of Texas System. I think we need to work with individuals to ensure they stay home during an event like this. State lawmakers have stripped control from cities and counties from implementing mandates, such as closing businesses and schools. While some of these laws apply only to COVID-19, public health experts say it has created an environment where state health officials can only offer suggestions to Texans with little enforcement, allowing measles to continue to spread. The state of Texas is taking it seriously and trying to balance how they approach this while respecting the laws of the state and also peoples freedoms, Lakey said. They are doing it while also making sure that we are doing everything it can to identify people, provide vaccines, isolate individuals, and take all the other steps to address an event like this. With young children particularly vulnerable to the disease, Lakey said hospitals must screen people entering hospitals. Wells said there have been a couple of women who gave birth at a Lubbock hospital who were infected with measles or were recently exposed to it, and babies six months old or younger have needed treatment with immunoglobulin because of exposure. Thats really why measles is so scary. Its so communicable, and its so easy to enter some of the very vulnerable areas where babies dont have those vaccinations yet, she said. Thats going to be day cares, schools, hospitals, pediatricians offices, and were seeing those cases more and more as this outbreak continues. This potential spread makes contact tracing necessary, but Wells said it is one of their regions most significant challenges besides testing. While a laboratory set up in Lubbock has cut down wait times for tests results from 72 hours to one day, Wells said rural Texas doesnt have the staff to track the travel of more than 270 people. This is going to be a large outbreak, and we are still on the side where we are increasing the number of cases, both because were still seeing spread and also because we have increased testing capacity, so more people are getting tested, she said. New Mexico has a lead investigator for contact tracing who interviews the patients, gathers medical records, establishes a point of contact, and organizes vaccinations for those who were potentially exposed to prevent spread. While West Texas officials try to follow the same policies, the health care system is decentralized, meaning the contact tracing is done by the local health authority first, and then, if necessary, the state gets involved and possibly, assistance from the CDC. Chris Van Deusen, spokesperson for the Texas Department of State Health Services, said while the state is not necessarily struggling to contact trace, he acknowledges the extra manpower it requires. That also depends on the individuals talking with us and sharing that information. So that can be difficult, particularly when dealing with a more insular community. It can be difficult to make inroads, and that is why the local process is important, Van Deusen said. Experts say that as travel season ramps up and if Texas cant seem to stop the spread, states nationwide should prepare themselves for what may come. The message to health departments is be ready, and schools need to think about this and government officials because this really does have the potential to grow beyond these three states, Wells said. This article originally appeared in The Texas Tribune at https://www.texastribune.org/2025/03/21/texas-measles-vaccine-new-mexico-oklahoma-us/. The Texas Tribune is a member-supported, nonpartisan newsroom informing and engaging Texans on state politics and policy. Learn more at texastribune.org. Topics Texas RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) North Carolina lawmakers agreed Wednesday to spend another $524 million on still-pressing needs from Hurricane Helenes historic flooding nearly six months ago, with an emphasis on home and private road repairs, agriculture and infrastructure to aid businesses. House and Senate Republicans worked out their differences from competing versions of a bill and voted overwhelmingly this week for the compromise, which includes an additional $327 million to address the recovery from previous storms some several years ago and disasters not named Helene. The measure went to Democratic Gov. Josh Stein, who signed the bill his first as governor in a Wednesday evening ceremony. He told lawmakers last week during his State of the State address he was ready to sign a relief measure into law. Stein had asked the GOP-controlled legislature for an additional $1.07 billion for Helene relief in the mountains last month. The final measure omits some programs sought by Stein or underfunds his requests, as Republicans took a more cautious approach. Lawmakers and Stein have said they anticipate more Helene aid to be appropriated in the months ahead. As weve said many times, this is our next step, not our final step, GOP Sen. Ralph Hise of Mitchell County said Wednesday during debate on the final bill, which passed the Senate unanimously. Before the latest measure, the General Assembly had already appropriated or made available more than $1.1 billion for Helene recovery activities, according to Steins office. The bill will enable us to get started on many important aspects of disaster recovery, but we have to be honest that the amount is inadequate and this is just the start, Stein told reporters earlier Wednesday. The funds pale in comparison to the record $59.6 billion in Helene damages and recovery needs estimated by state officials, who also reported over 100 deaths from the late September storm. Steins administration projects that disaster relief approved by Congress in December and other federal funding sources may ultimately provide more than $15 billion in Helene recovery funds to North Carolina. Stein is now seeking another $13 billion from Washington. About 4,600 households in western counties were still receiving temporary housing assistance as of last week, and more than 200 public roads in the region remain closed or just partially open, according to state data. The measure allocates $100 million to help repair or replace roads and bridges on private property that sometimes can be the only link between small communities and the outside world. Theres $120 million to kick-start a home reconstruction and repair program while the state completes steps to receive nearly $1.4 billion from the federal government for similar construction and mitigation activities. The measure provides $200 million to address Helene crop losses, debris removal and other agricultural recovery needs. Theres over $110 million more for agriculture losses farmers suffered during 2024 from damage caused by other storms and drought. The final bill also locates an additional $217 million that would be used to complete close to 1,000 unfinished home construction projects for victims of Hurricanes Matthew in 2016 and Florence in 2018 in eastern North Carolina. That program has faced lengthy delays and higher than planned expenses. Families who have waited far too long will finally get the relief they deserve, House Majority Leader Brenden Jones said in a news release after Tuesdays House vote. With strict oversight to ensure every dollar is used properly we are finishing the job once and for all. The final plan also locates $9 million for a voluntary student summer school program in districts that were closed for many weeks because of Helene. Stein requested the help, although the money provided is lower than what he sought. The measure omitted Steins request for two business grant programs designed to help companies that suffered significant sales and economic losses or physical damages. Republican lawmakers uncomfortable with direct payments instead agreed to spend $55 million on grants for local governments, which in turn could use the money for infrastructure repairs that could benefit small businesses, like sewer, utility and sidewalk repairs. Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Catastrophe Natural Disasters Legislation Hurricane North Carolina Oklahoma MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) Two blocks from the Alabama Statehouse, a black wreath hung on the door of Adams Drugs a symbol to draw attention to the number of neighborhood pharmacies that have closed, or are in danger of closing, across the state. Dozens of independent pharmacies have shuttered in Alabama over the last two years, according to the Alabama Independent Pharmacy Alliance. Pharmacists said that is because of financial pressures, in part, because it can often cost more to dispense a drug than they are reimbursed by pharmacy benefit managers. Were losing almost one drugstore per week going out of business because they are paid such a small amount of money from the PBM industry to fill prescriptions for their patients at their drugstore, Sen. Billy Beasley, a Democratic senator and retired pharmacist, said. Alabama is one of several states considering new regulations on pharmacy benefit managers, the middlemen between health insurance companies, drug companies and pharmacies. The Alabama Senate voted 32-0 Thursday to advance legislation to require minimum reimbursement rates to community pharmacists. The bill now moves to the Alabama House of Representatives. Legislation seeking regulations on the benefit managers have also been proposed in Mississippi, Arkansas and other states. Both large retail chains and independent pharmacists have closed stores across the country as drugstores face reimbursement issues, rising costs and other challenges. Pharmacy benefit managers leverage purchasing power with drug companies with the goal of driving down drug costs for consumers. However, independent pharmacists say the business practices of benefit managers cause them to lose money on about 20% of prescriptions. The biggest issue is were not getting paid what it actually cost to fill a prescription, including labor, Trent McLemore, a pharmacist with Star Discount Pharmacy. The Alabama bill would require that PBMs reimburse community pharmacies at the Alabama Medicaid Agency reimbursement rate. It would also prohibit the practice of spread pricing where a benefits manager charges health plans more for drugs than they pay pharmacies. Groups opposed to the bill have said it would effectively put a new $10.64 fee on prescriptions under the requirement to match state Medicaid rates, which include a $10.64 dispensing fee. That fee, they argued, will eventually get passed down to consumers and businesses. Helena Duncan, president of the Business Council of Alabama, told a legislative committee on Wednesday that small businesses, which might already be struggling to provide insurance to their workers, will have to either absorb the increased cost or pass it along to employees through premium increases. Shifting the financial burdens from pharmacies to the Alabama employers is fundamentally unfair, Duncan told a legislative committee on Wednesday. Republican Sen. Andrew Jones, a cosponsor of the bill, said Thursday said other states have seen drug prices go down. Jones said it is important to protect neighborhood pharmacies because they play a vital role in communities. You are not going to get a big box store to open in the middle of the night to get you the medication you need, Jones said. Photo: A black wreath hangs on the door of Adams Drugs in Montgomery. (AP Photo/Kim Chandler) Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Politics Alabama The Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division acted within its legal authority when adopting enhanced safety and health regulations for agricultural labor housing, the Oregon Department of Justice confirmed. The clarification for OSHA dispels doubts regarding the divisions capacity to enforce amended agricultural labor housing rules, with certain provisions set to take effect on March 31. The DOJs written advice reaffirms Oregon OSHAs extensive authority under the Oregon Safe Employment Act (OSEA) to regulate entities providing living quarters or shelter for employees, including those providing living quarters or shelter for employees, such as farmers and farm labor contractors. The perspective counters the Office of the Legislative Counsels opinion, which suggested that Oregon OSHA had overstepped its authority in amending the rules. The Legislative Counsels view was narrowly focused on statues concerning registration and did not fully consider Oregon OSHAs broader regulatory powers under the OSEA. The DOJ clarified that the farmworker camp registration statues do not limit the directors authority to regulate agricultural labor housing under the OSEA. The DOJs advice concluded that Oregon OSHA possesses broad authority to adopt rules related to agricultural labor housing, including for single, isolated dwellings occupied solely by members of the same family or by five or fewer unrelated individuals. The issue of agricultural labor housing safety extends beyond Oregon. In New York, legislation has been proposed to incentivize improvements in farmworker housing conditions, which include working to amend tax laws to include investment tax credits for constructing and renovating farmworker housing to encourage farmers to provide safer and more habitable living conditions for their workers. Additionally, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agencys Agricultural Worker Protection Standard (WPS) seeks to reduce pesticide-related illnesses among agricultural workers and handlers. The WPS offers occupational protections to more than 2 million agricultural workers and pesticide handlers who work at over 600,000 agricultural establishments pesticide handlers who work at over 600,000 agricultural establishments. In 2015, the EPA revised the WPS to decrease pesticide exposure incidents among farmworkers and their family members. Topics Agribusiness Oregon Things are at a very delicate stage right now. I can't really reveal too much. All I can say is that I will probably be the next James Bond, but don't go shouting that around the village. Contracts still have to be signed. Hands still have to be spat on. I was approached about the gig late last year when weanling numbers were falling back at the mart. Seeing that I had time on my hands, the powers that be struck. Big money was mentioned, I was all ears. They were desperate. And desperate times, call for desperate measures hence the midnight call to auld Lehane. "We read your articles vigorously each week out here in Beverly Hills," a man from the movie industry said over the phone. And that didn't surprise me in the least, The Farm Exam, I dare say, is as popular up there in the Hollywood Hills as it is on the top of Barna. Indeed, considering my good looks, my adequate hair cover, and debonair charms, the only surprise was that the Bond role hadn't been offered to me years ago. And why didn't ye call on me years ago when I had more hair? "Yerra," said, the big wig in Hollywood "we made a terrible mistake, we realize that now." "Brosnan was only handy and as for Craig, sure God help us," he then laughed "a child could do better." T'was a sad reflection on 60 years of Bond movies. But now things will hopefully pick up, with auld Lehane steering the 007 ship. Anyhow, as I said, big money was being flashed about and when money is a rarity, as it is in farming, sure a fellow can be rightly dazzled. Now, if I get the 007 job, the plan will be to make three Bond movies in quick succession The first Licence to Farm will filmed in the outskirts of Macroom. The man with the Golden Maverick and On her Majesty's Secret Tractor Service will be shot somewhere near Clonakilty. West Cork will be used, in all its splendour, as a backdrop for all three movies giving the West Cork tourist trade a mighty boost, equivalent I suspect to giving an easy going chap a kick up the rear end. All will have the stamp of Bond, but with a farming twist on them or "Farming Chic" as the movie moguls are calling it. "Call it what you like," says I, "so long as the cheque doesn't bounce, I couldn't care less. "Once the silage is over and the ploughing event has concluded, I'll be ready for the tuxedo and the dry martini," I quipped, just like 007 himself. I have suggested that they bring back a few of the older ladies from previous Bond movies to spruce things up, and also, to rehire your man with the bowler hat the hat that spins like an angle grinder when he throws it. All these suggestions and more have been greeted with tremendous bouts of enthusiasm. A joy similar to announcing that I had the winning numbers for next Saturday night's lotto jackpot. I also pushed hard to get Irish included in 007's lingo. "If Bond had the 'cupla focal', it would broaden his appeal in Connemara," I argued. "Is mise James Bond," could well be my catchphrase as I hold a voluptuous lady in one hand and a strong drink in the other. James Bond will most certainly return and, when he does, the hope is that it will be auld Lehane who is there holding his gun and saving the world. Irish nature advocates Sean Ronayne and Eoghan Daltun joined forces at St Lukes on Friday night for a live event as part of Cork Podcast Festival. The sold-out event rounded off a fine week for Ronayne in particular, following the broadcast of his Birdsong documentary on BBC television. A native of Cobh, Co Cork, the ornithologist outlined how his own interest in birds developed through visits to the local Cuskinny Marsh, an area which provided a refuge from the sensory overload he sometimes experienced elsewhere. The oldest hatchery in the world (1852) is located on the Owenriff River, a tributary of Lough Corrib in County Galway. It is run by volunteers from Lough Corrib Angling Federation. This river is part of the Lough Corrib Special Area of Conservation the author has contributed to three cases to the EU Court of Justice in connection with the Irish Government's failure to protect the annex species in this system freshwater pearl mussel and Atlantic salmon. Campaigners are trying to get heritage status for this historic facility as part of their efforts ensure both protection and future funding. Oughterar Hatchery the begininning Kevin Prunty collecting fry from the incubation unit and releasing them into the headwaters of the Owenriff River (tributary of Lough Corrib). Robert Ramsbottom was born in the Lancashire town of Darwen in 1810 and, some years later, he moved a few miles down the road to Clitheroe. Here, he was employed at a print works and, as he was a keen angler, he began making and selling fishing tackle in his spare time. He obviously had a great knowledge of angling equipment and before long started his own business, opening a fishing tackle shop in the town. He tried and tested his products by fishing for Atlantic salmon, sea trout, and brown trout in his local rivers, Ribble and Hodder. Salmon and sea trout have an anadromous life cycle; they go to sea for feeding and come back to fresh water to spawn. Robert became aware of a local man and wealthy cotton manufacturer, Thomas Garnett of Clitheroe, who, during the 1830s, had tried artificial breeding of minnow. In 1841, Garnett turned his attention to salmon and produced and stocked an artificial lake on the land of Francis Fawkes of Farnley Hall, Yorkshire, with salmon fry. It is recorded that these grew to a good size and provided excellent sport to visiting anglers. Roberts interest was aroused and from 1848 to 1850, under the supervision of Garnett, he successfully oversaw the hatching of trout and salmon ova for Fawkes for restocking purposes. The following year, he produced 5,000 salmon ova for Jonathan Peel of Knowlmere on the Lancashire's River Hodder, and also became involved with brothers Edmund and Thomas Ashworth, who had just purchased Galway Fishery in Ireland, consisting of Lough Corrib and its tributaries. Under British law, this was called a Several Fishery, the title of which dated back to 1283, and gave exclusive rights to the owners. The Ashworths, who were cotton manufacturers and enjoyed game fishing, paid 5,000 for the title to the fishery and decided to try artificial propagation of salmon for commercial reasons, something which had never been tried before. Engraving of the original hatchery boxes from 1852 Having produced fertilised ova for restocking rivers the previous three years, Robert Ramsbottom now had to find a site to facilitate the netting of broodstock, an incubation unit for fertilised ova and holding ponds to rear the fry to commercially viable fish. The new facility needed a constant flow of fresh river water with natural temperature fluctuations and a filtering system to prevent silting-up. This he found in Oughterard, on the banks of the Owenriff River, a tributary of Lough Corrib the second largest lake on the island of Ireland. In December 1852, the Ashworth brothers began operations in the Oughterard Hatchery, County Galway, running the facility as a salmon hatchery under the direction of Robert Ramsbottom of Clitheroe. This was the start of the worlds first commercially-operated salmon hatchery. The formation of Corrib Fisheries Association Following a number of years of inactivity at the Hatchery, a public meeting was held in Galway City in June 1898 by anglers who were interested in improving the conditions of Lough Corrib and its tributaries. As a result of this gathering, the Corrib Fisheries Association was formed. Secretary of this new group was Henry Hodgson of Currarevagh, Oughterard, and its objectives were: The improvement and preservation of the angling on Lough Corrib and the preservation of the spawning beds on the tributary streams thereof. The new Association worked in conjunction with the Galway Board of Conservators to run the Hatchery. Between August 1907 and April 1908, resident members of the Association held several meetings in the Anglers Hotel (Hessions), Oughterard, to discuss turning the facility into a trout hatchery. Having made contact with the Department of Agriculture requesting advice and financial help, the change to trout was completed. In an entry from the Associations Annual Report for the 1909 season: The Association is indebted to the Department of Agriculture for having designed, constructed, and equipped the Hatchery free of all cost, and also for expert advice as to its management. Pike infestation in the Owenriff system Collecting fry from the incubation unit and releasing them into the headwaters of the Owenriff River (tributary of Lough Corrib) A short distance before entering Lough Corrib, the 15km long Owenriff River cascades down the Canrawar waterfall in Oughterard. Unlike the native salmon and trout, non-native pike (Esox lucius) are unable to jump high rapids; hence, all waters above these falls remained pike-free for thousands of years. Gradients in excess of 6%, which Canrawar is, act as an impassable barrier for these predatory fish moving in from Lough Corrib, where, according to IFI research, they first arrived about 300-400 years ago. The Owenriff system has seen an unbroken sequence since the end of the Ice Age (approximately 12,000 years) of successful breeding of Atlantic salmon and brown trout, which annually contributes about 15% of Lough Corribs resident trout and nearly 10% of its salmon. The Freshwater Pearl Mussel, which relies on the salmonids to spread their glochidia, is a species with fossils dating back millions of years. When the Corrib Fisheries Association was formed in 1898, Lough Corrib was infested with non-native northern pike, so their main objective was to reduce predation and increase the production of native trout and salmon. Environmental vandalism Kevin Prunty, author of Incubating the Trout In Fisheries Board electro-fishing surveys conducted on the Owenriff system in 1997, salmon, brown trout, minnow, stickleback, and eel were the only fish species present; this study found no pike. There is no record of pike being present in this catchment beyond the Canrawar waterfall until 2008 when local anglers alerted fisheries authorities that pike were present in the upper Owenriff system. Greg Forde, CEO of the Western Regional Fisheries Board, went on national TV and declared that the illegal introduction of pike into these waters was environmental vandalism". This system includes two Special Areas of Conservation: the Connemara Bog Complex and Lough Corrib/Owenriff. Anglers expected the State Agencies to act quickly and put a plan in place to eradicate these predatory non-native fish to protect the vital spawning beds of salmon, trout, and freshwater pearl mussel. Alas, this was not to be, and the IFIs answer to this problem was to issue anglers authorisations under the Fisheries Act 2010 (exemption from Conservation of Pike Byelaw 809) to fish for pike in the Owenriff system. We have the bizarre situation in Ireland where, if you want to take more than one non-native fish out of the spawning beds of native fish, you need authorisation from the State. Two of the native species Atlantic salmon and freshwater pearl mussel have the highest protection under Irish and EU environmental law. Ongoing campaign The Federation continued to campaign for a Salmonid By-law, and in August 2021, Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) published a draft proposal 'Designated Salmonid Waters By-law Submission to Public Consultation'. They state: One of the overriding concerns of Inland Fisheries Ireland in the past 15 years was the fact that two by-laws (809 & 806) introduced in 2006 were directly in conflict with the management policy of the then Central and Regional Fisheries Boards. This was intended as a stop-gap measure to address a particular threat, but the anomaly caused by these by-laws in respect of the management and marketing of the Great Western Lakes as wild brown trout fisheries has continued for an inordinate period of time. The proposal to designate these lakes as salmonid (or wild brown trout) lakes must address this inconsistency once and for all. Incubating the Trout: The story of the oldest salmonid hatchery in the world and the environmental fight to protect it. By Kevin Prunty Remains exhumed from a grave in Co Monaghan are not those of Disappeared victim of the Troubles Joe Lynskey, investigators have said. The Independent Commission for the Location of Victims Remains (ICLVR) said the remains recovered from the grave in the village of Annyalla also do not belong to any member of the family who own the plot. The ICLVR further confirmed that the remains were not those of any of the three other Disappeared victims murdered and secretly buried by republican paramilitaries during the Troubles whom the commission continues to search for. Gardai are now attempting to identify the remains. In a statement, a spokesman said: An Garda Siochana has commenced enquiries to assist the local coroner to determine the correct identification of the remains exhumed on November 26, 2024. Joe Lynskey was a former Cistercian monk who later joined the IRA (Wave Trauma Centre/PA)The commission opened the grave in November last year after it received information related to suspicious historical activity during the 1970s at a grav The commission opened the grave in November last year after it received information related to suspicious historical activity during the 1970s at a grave in Annyalla cemetery. It instigated the exhumation operation to establish whether Mr Lynskey had been secretly buried there by the IRA. Mr Lynskey, a former monk from Belfast who later joined the IRA, was abducted, murdered, and secretly buried by members of the Republican paramilitary group in 1972. He was one of 17 people who were Disappeared by republican paramilitaries during the Troubles in Northern Ireland. The ICLVR was not aware that Mr Lynskey was one of the Disappeared until 2010. A number of searches since then have all failed to locate his remains. The commission was set up by both the British and Irish governments during the peace process to investigate the whereabouts of the Disappeared. Thirteen have been formally found. As well as Mr Lynskey, the commission is also tasked with finding three other Disappeared victims Co Tyrone teenager Columba McVeigh, British Army Captain Robert Nairac, and Seamus Maguire, who was in his mid-20s and from near Lurgan, Co Armagh. Annyalla Cemetery in Co Monaghan (Jonathan McCambridge/PA) A statement from the commission said: In an effort to locate the remains of Joe Lynskey, one of the Disappeared who went missing in the summer of 1972, human remains were exhumed from a grave in Annyalla Cemetery, Co Monaghan on 26 November 2024. The results of the DNA examination of the remains have now eliminated them as being those of the family to whom the grave belongs and now also eliminated them as being those of Joe Lynskey or any of the Disappeared. All the interested parties including the Lynskey family have been informed. We know that this news is deeply disappointing for the Lynskey family and the thoughts of everyone in the commission are with them at this most difficult time. We are also conscious that this was a distressing experience for the family whose grave was opened to facilitate the exhumation. We are grateful for their cooperation and support at all stages of the process. The commission will continue to do everything in its power to locate and recover the remains of all of the outstanding Disappeared cases. We would again appeal to anyone with information relating to Joe Lynskey, Columba McVeigh, Robert Nairac or Seamus Maguire to bring it to the ICLVR where it will be treated in the strictest confidence. Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn said he was saddened to hear the search for Mr Lynskey was unsuccessful. My thoughts are with his family, who have faced decades of uncertainty and heartache. I thank the ICLVR for its tireless commitment to reuniting the families of the Disappeared with their loved ones. Todays news is a reminder of the importance of this humanitarian work. Every piece of information, no matter how small, could help bring closure and peace to these families who have waited so long for answers. I urge anyone who may have information that could help locate Joes remains or those of Columba McVeigh, Captain Robert Nairac and Seamus Maguire to come forward in confidence to the ICLVR. Gaps in mental health services could lead to children being prescribed unnecessary medication, the College of Psychiatrists in Ireland has warned. The college recommended a major overhaul of the child & adolescent mental health services (Camhs) in a paper published on Tuesday. They called for additional staff for each of the 75 teams, saying therapists must be given mental health training among other changes. Dr Patricia Byrne, chair of the colleges Faculty of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, said: there is always a risk that when you dont have any other options to treat that your treatment options are more limited and there may be increased use of medication. Dr Byrne said a team with a family therapist and psychologist working with the lead psychiatrist can provide a lot of interventions. However, she cautioned the current situation can mean: I may have to consider using medication at an earlier stage than I would otherwise. "Medication will still always be used in line with good clinical practice and governance but many children and parents or families attending the service may not have the luxury of the choice of access to a full range of psycho-therapy interventions. Reform is now critically urgent, she urged. Maskey Report It is over three years since the HSE published the Maskey Report on serious problems including over-prescribing in the South Kerry Camhs. A series of scathing reviews from the Mental Health Commission also identified gaps nationally. The college called for recommendations in these reviews to be implemented. Dr Byrne said young people with severe mental health challenges are getting a variable and, at times, a sub-optimal service. The College has proposed each team be led by a specialist consultant psychiatrist, with new senior management roles among other changes. College president Dr Lorcan Martin described the proposals as offering radical new governance and management structures which can lay a foundation for real change. They are sharing this document with health minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill and other stakeholders. A man faced charges today for an incident during campaigning in relation to the referendum on the 8th Amendment to the Constitution, where he allegedly damaged a poster with a knife. Jason Calnan, aged 50, with an address at a flat at 4 Victoria Terrace, St Lukes Cork, is charged with three counts and appeared before Cork District Court. The criminal damage charge states that on May 17, 2018, at St Lukes Cross, Mayfield, Cork, he did without lawful excuse damage property, to wit, 8th Amendment Referendum poster belonging to another, intending to damage such property or being reckless as to whether such damage would be damaged. He was also charged with having a black-handled kitchen knife intending to cause damage to a poster in a manner which he knew was likely to endanger the life of a named person. He faces a related charge under the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act of producing the same knife to intimidate another person. Sgt John Kelleher said it was alleged that a man saw another man removing campaign posters in relation to the referendum which was upcoming at the time, and allegedly brandishing the knife in the other mans direction. It was further alleged that he damaged campaign material at the same time and place. Solicitor Killian McCarthy said the accused did not have legal representation when he came to Cork District Court today and approached him outside the courtroom asking him to represent him. Free legal aid was granted when Judge Mary Dorgan was informed that the accused was in receipt of a disability allowance. Mr McCarthy said that the issue of delay in bringing the case would be raised by the defence and he sought a report from the prosecution explaining why charges related to May 2018 were being brought in March 2025. Judge Mary Dorgan adjourned the case until May 26 for the issue of delay to be addressed. Seventeen car owners have been hit with fines totalling 405,000 after failing to appear in court and ignoring hundreds of warning letters about overdue M50 tolls. Judge Anthony Halpin criticised the no-show defendants for their "intransigence" at Dublin District Court and imposed fines of up to 25,000 each. One motorist just one of two defendants who turned up to plead guilty was fined 400 and ordered to pay another 200 in prosecution costs after he racked up 749 unpaid tolls in five years. Jonathan Lyons, of 16 Virginia Park, Finglas, Dublin, had the highest number among the cases. Despite the conclusion of his criminal proceedings, the unemployed father of two still owes thousands of euro to eFlow, which operates the barrier-free tolling system for Transport Infrastructure Ireland. Lyons had been prosecuted previously. Judge Halpin asked him how he had managed to repeat the same offence, paying for 17 out of 766 journeys. "Obviously, I should have been paying," he admitted, explaining how he received letters at first showing 3.70 for each toll, but which eventually increased to 200. He claimed that when he tried to settle the debt, he could not pay the requested 600 a month because his family would "go hungry". However, he agreed with the judge, who commented, "This is your own doing". Judge Halpin told Lyons this was a "deliberate ploy" not to pay, given he had a previous conviction for the same offence. He said that made it much more serious but remarked: "You can't get feathers off a frog's back", noting Lyons's inability to pay. Meanwhile, a mother of six with a record of 488 outstanding tolls was also given a nominal fine of 350 but still has a 48,000 debt, Judge Halpin was told. Intransigence Judge Halpin said that 90% of motorists do not engage with the court proceedings, and due to their intransigence, others had to pay for the upkeep of the roads. He explained that was the reason for the severe fines frequently imposed on defendants who do not engage. Prosecutions proceeded against 17 motorists, all private car owners, who were fined 405,000 in absentia after they ignored their scheduled hearings. Some 16 of them received maximum fines of 25,000. The court heard that in most of these matters, the registered car owners made little or no attempt to pay their tolls after being sent hundreds of warning letters, which mostly went unheeded. The no-show defendants were also ordered to pay the fines and 350 costs within three months. Prosecuting counsel Thomas Rice, instructed by Pierse Fitzgibbon Solicitors, said all except one defendant face five sample counts for journeys from May to September last year, and the prosecutions could proceed. The witness confirmed each vehicle's ownership records, the number of passages, and payment history. There was also evidence showing they were the registered owners at the time. The court also saw images of all the vehicles passing the toll gantry. The court can impose fines of up to 5,000 per charge and a six-month sentence. However, the motorway operator's practice is to prosecute habitual non-payers. The standard toll for a private car is now 3.70, which must be paid before 8pm the following day, or there is an added penalty. Surcharges ratchet up after 56 days, followed by warning letters and court proceedings if it remains unpaid. Commercial and goods vehicle owners pay more, and registered owners are liable. The Irish Examiner travelled to South Sudan to meet with some of the 1.1m refugees who have fled across the border from the war. Women, children and men all shared stories of pain but also of their hope for something better in their futures. Mary Atyeng holds her three-month old baby as she talks, her eyes squinting against South Sudan's harsh 37-degree sun where she sits next to a river marking the border with Sudan. She is one of an estimated 12 million people to flee their homes since civil war erupted in Sudan in April 2023. It comes to about 30% of the population on the move within Sudan or through borders including over a million who have crossed into South Sudan. Described as the worlds largest displacement crisis it also risks becoming a forgotten war, lost in the global chaos at the moment. I came from the north on 16 of December last year, Mary said. She added: I ran away from the north because everyone was fighting, shooting guns and even using knives to slaughter (people), people were fighting in the village. Fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has spread across Sudan, powered by sales of smuggled gold on both sides, it is reported. She described how soldiers entered their small house. When they came, I was inside with my husband and to rescue my life and that of my husband, I told him he should just run out from the side of the room and then leave me with them to save his life, she said. She was aware of young girls taken by soldiers and their fathers or brothers shot for resisting. That one was (causing) pain to me a lot, until I ran out from that place. I remember the pain, she said simply. She fled south, crossing at Kiir Adem where a pretty blue river against red earth belies the horrors people have seen. So my life was saved, I feel now like Im home and I do not see those cases again here, she said. UNICEF have warned children as young as one face sexual abuse. However, refugees spoke of many kinds of terrifying violence. Amiema Mohamad, 28, clasps and unclasps her hands as she spoke at Athiem medical centre. Amiema Mohamad, a Sudanese refugee at the Athiem medical centre in South Sudan. Picture: Eugene Ikol, Concern Worldwide Large tent clinics were scattered around a mahogany tree whose branches offered shade to waiting refugees and locals. Amiema arrived in South Sudan in May last year from Khartoum, a journey of around 1,000km. It took about eight days. I could not stay there because the fighting was very serious, she said, adding that she travelled with three children aged between one and six. My parents were killed during the war, my brother, my children and also my sister have passed away, and thats why I ran from Khartoum. She explained her parents were killed by soldiers, saying: Some family members were burned inside their house. Her future is bleak, she said, her money stolen on the long trek. Now she collects wood to sell, a stark contrast to her good life before. I will not go back to Sudan, because war is there, she said, however. Among the men seated under the tree is former English student Moussa Adem, 30. He came from Darfur where the RSF have been accused by the US of committing genocide. It is a dire return of violence to a region spotlighted by actor George Clooney two decades ago. Moussa said the killing of his younger brother was the final straw. Moussa Adem, a Sudanese refugee at the Athiem medical centre in South Sudan. Picture: Eugene Ikol, Concern Worldwide I lost my family member, he was shot in front of us. Many others are facing the same situation, he said, his voice faltering. The familys businesses including a shop were destroyed. He fled by truck in July 2023 on a journey which took many days. We were frightened, we were very afraid, he said, saying: People are killing and stealing their things, they are threatening. He described leaving voice messages for his family, hoping destroyed phone networks might flicker back to life long enough for them to hear it. This war is damaging everything, he said. Our village is destroyed totally, there is nothing there. The majority of people who were living in our area have escaped. Supports in this parched region include five mobile clinics run by Concern Worldwide with international funding. When Mary Atyeng arrived at the border, she was heavily pregnant and gave birth assisted by midwife Rebecca Dut Chan whose training was supported years earlier by Concern. Public health expert Emillia Mutya pointed to the long history of instability. People easily get emotional or get angered easily, its very easy for them to retaliate and the retaliation is in a violent way the only way we can settle a dispute is through violence, we dont have room to negotiate amicably, she said. We are working towards this how can we communicate without using violence? Her colleague social worker Robert Akol Garang said sometimes I have 15 or 20 GBV (gender-based violence) survivors per day to see. He said the women are traumatised, adding: "Other survivors told me they were forced by soldiers and held. Some of them escaped from men who had forced them into marriage or sexual violence." Despite the daily challenges, he insisted: This is something that can change. Around a refugee camp in South Sudan near the border with war-torn Sudan locals and refugees are working out how to live together, facing problems mirrored across the country. South Sudan is the youngest country in the world at just 14 years since it seceded from Sudan after decades of war. Some two-thirds of the population live on less than $2.15 per person per day. It has now taken in 1.1 million people since April 2023 after civil war broke out in Sudan. Refugees speak of arriving with nothing - money and possessions either stolen along the route, sold to pay for transport or abandoned. Assistant commissioner for refugee affairs in Northern Bahr el Ghazal state, Nicodemus Nguet, said they opened Wedweil refugee settlement in 2023. It is hosting 20,000 refugees coming from Sudan, Central Africa and other nationalities as asylum seekers, he said, speaking in an office at the camp. He added: The state government has offered 1,500 hectares of land as a residence for refugees. So far the land they have occupied is 333 hectares. He expects a capacity of 160,000 could be used. The government partners with aid agencies including UNHCR in the camp, but he said: The life is quite challenging. Agriculture is key, he said so they can live independently but funding is needed to improve clean water access. This is a problem for the local community also, with a cholera outbreak spreading. Refugee pupils now attend three local primary schools. One principal later told the Irish Examiner new supports have seen better conditions for all their pupils. Adults are given training in work skills. Mechanic Mutasim Hameda Abaker, 34, repairs motorbikes and bicycles under a wattle shelter. When I am doing this work, I feel happy, he said as it helps his family. He works near a large burned area, formerly a bustling market, including his original stall. January saw attacks on refugees nationally, following outrage at footage appearing to show Sudanese soldiers killing South Sudanese people there. While Mutasim described the fire, which wiped out his tools, as a misunderstanding - and the governor visited the camp to reassure refugees. Mechanic Mutasim Hameda Abaker with fellow Sudanese refugees at Wadweil Camp. Picture: Eugene Ikol, Concern Worldwide Tailor and dressmaker Medina Abdullah, 25, is also supporting her extended family. Sometimes two or three (customers) come every day, the former health sector worker said, adding: The money I earn is not enough, it is very little because the need is too much. Commissioner Nguet said at Wedweil nobody was killed in the fire, but acknowledged deaths elsewhere. The good response is that the host community were able to join the refugees in defending them when the youth came from a far distance to target the settlement, he said. Aid agencies treat many refugees who need care for diabetes and conditions left untreated during the war, he also said. It is hoped to expand health services, he said and see how this can also help at some point both the host community and the refugees. Look, its an idea and no more than that. You know how Oprah Winfrey and Reese Witherspoon and Jenna Bush all have book clubs guaranteeing that if you like their kind of book, youll definitely like this latest one? Imagine your home for the foreseeable is a small little room, measuring less than 12 square metres. Thats maybe four meters long, three metres wide. Imagine youre a man living there with three other men. There is a toilet in this room that is not partitioned off. South Koreas Constitutional Court has overturned the impeachment of Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, reinstating the nations No 2 official as acting leader while not yet ruling on the separate impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol over his shocking imposition of martial law in December. Many observers said the 7-1 ruling in Mr Hans case did not signal much about the upcoming verdict on Mr Yoon, as Mr Han was not a key figure in imposing martial law. But the ruling could still embolden Mr Yoons staunch supporters and ramp up their political offensive on the opposition. Protesters stage a rally calling for impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol to step down in Seoul (Ahn Young-joon/AP) Speaking with reporters following his reinstatement, Mr Han thanked the court for what he called a wise decision and promised to focus on tackling urgent matters, including a fast-changing global trade environment, in an apparent reference to the Trump administrations aggressive tariffs policy. He also called for national unity, saying: Theres no left or right what matters is the advancement of our nation. South Korea has been thrown into political turmoil since Mr Yoon, a conservative, declared martial law on December 3 and sent hundreds of troops to the liberal opposition-controlled National Assembly and other places in Seoul. Mr Yoons decree lasted only six hours as enough legislators managed to enter an assembly hall where they quickly voted down the decree. The impeachment arguments The assembly impeached Mr Yoon on December 14, alleging he violated the Constitution and other laws by suppressing assembly activities and trying to detain politicians. Mr Yoons impeachment made Mr Han acting president until he was impeached in late December. The unprecedented, successive impeachments that suspended the countrys top two officials intensified domestic division and deepened worries about South Koreas diplomatic and economic activities. A major trigger for the oppositions push to impeach Mr Han was his refusal to fill three vacant seats at the Constitutional Courts nine-member bench. That was a highly explosive issue because the court needed support from at least six justices to approve Mr Yoons impeachment and filling its empty posts could make such a decision more likely. South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, left, arrives at the Government Complex in Seoul, South Korea (AP) After Mr Han was suspended, his successor as acting president, Choi Sang-mok, appointed two new justices but left the ninth seat vacant. Mr Han was also accused in the impeachment motion of abetting Mr Yoons martial law declaration and obstructing efforts to open independent investigations into Mr Yoons alleged rebellion in connection with his martial law decree. On Monday, seven of the Constitutional Courts eight justices ruled to overturn or dismiss Mr Hans impeachment. They ruled that his alleged actions were not against the law or were not serious enough to remove him from office or his impeachment motion did not even meet a required quorum when it passed thorough the assembly. One justice upheld Mr Hans impeachment. The main liberal opposition Democratic Party expressed regret over the courts decision to reinstate Han and urged it to dismiss Mr Yoon quickly. Mr Yoons office welcomed Mondays ruling, saying it shows again the oppositions repeated uses of impeachment motions were reckless, malicious political offensive. Whats next? Observers earlier had predicted the Constitutional Court would rule on Mr Yoons case in mid-March, but it hasnt done so, sparking varied speculation on possible reasons. Todays verdict will give hope to Yoons supporters for a similar fate and hope for Yoons opponents for his ouster, said Duyeon Kim, a senior analyst at the Centre for a New American Security in Washington, US. A member of the main opposition Democratic Party, front, and members of the ruling People Power Party stand in front of the Constitutional Court in Seoul, South Korea (AP) But its too soon to predict the courts verdict on Yoon because the specific details of both cases and allegations are different. Ms Kim said the reinstatement of Mr Han, a career bureaucrat, will bring more stability to South Korea compared to when his powers as acting president were suspended. Massive rival rallies backing or denouncing Mr Yoon have divided the streets of Seoul and other major cities in South Korea. Earlier surveys showed that a majority of South Koreans were critical of Mr Yoons martial law enactment, but those supporting or sympathising with Mr Yoon have later gained strength. Mr Yoon argues that his martial law introduction was a desperate attempt to bring attention to the wickedness of the Democratic Party which obstructed his agenda and filed many impeachment motions against senior officials. Mr Yoon critics counter he likely tried to use military rule to frustrate possible special investigations into scandals involving him and his wife. Senior military and police officers sent to the assembly have said that Mr Yoon ordered them to drag out legislators to prevent a floor vote to overturn his decree. Mr Yoon says the troops deployment was designed to maintain order. If the court upholds Mr Yoons impeachment, South Korea must hold a presidential election to choose his successor. If it rules for him, Mr Yoon will regain his presidential powers. Mr Yoon has separately been charged with directing rebellion, a charge that carries the death penalty or a life sentence if he is convicted. Danish police sent extra personnel and sniffer dogs to Greenland as the icy island steps up security measures ahead of a planned visit this week by US second lady Usha Vance, the chief spokesman for Denmarks national police said. Rene Gyldensten said on Monday that the extra officers deployed the day before, were part of regular steps taken during visits by dignitaries to Greenland, a self-governing, mineral-rich territory of American ally Denmark. Citing office procedure, they declined to specify the number of extra police flown on the chartered flight. Boys play on a frozen beach in Nuuk, Greenland (Evgeniy Maloletka/AP) News reports put the number at dozens of officers. Ms Vances visit comes at a time when President Donald Trump has suggested the US should take control of Greenland. Greenlandic news outlet Sermitsiaq posted images of two US Hercules workhorse military aircraft on the tarmac on Sunday in Nuuk, the capital, adding that the planes later departed. Ms Vance will leave on Thursday and return on Saturday, a statement from her office said. She and one of her three children will be part of a US delegation that will visit historic sites and learn about Greenlandic heritage. On her visit, Ms Vance will attend the Avannaata Qimussersu, Greenlands national dogsled race, featuring about 37 mushers and 444 dogs. Read More Gulf in US and Russian expectations marks start of latest Ukraine ceasefire talks Houses covered by snow are seen on the coast of a sea inlet of Nuuk, Greenland (Evgeniy Maloletka/AP) The statement said Ms Vance and the US delegation are excited to witness this monumental race and celebrate Greenlandic culture and unity. Media outlets in Greenland and Denmark reported that Ms Vance would be accompanied by Mr 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 Denmark, a Nato ally, insisted it was not for sale. The people of Greenland have also firmly rejected Mr Trumps plans. 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. Noel Clarke repeatedly asked a fan to meet for sex and groped her under a table at a public lunch, the UK High Court has heard. The 49-year-old exchanged messages with the then 18-year-old, during which she sent him explicit pictures after responding to a Twitter post from him asking for naughty or cheeky images, Naome Morris told the court. Giving evidence on Monday, Ms Morris said she had been a Doctor Who fan and it was incredible to be contacted by someone from the show. She told the court that in their exchanges in 2010, Clarke would ask for nude pictures, including requests for specific poses, and also asked the woman who was a virgin if she would be willing to have sex with him. I told him I had not even kissed anyone and had no experience at all. He responded by saying that it made him feel like a dirty old man Ms Morris is one of several women giving evidence in the actors legal claim against Guardian News and Media (GNM). He is suing the publisher of the Guardian over seven articles and a podcast, including an article in April 2021 that said 20 women who knew him professionally had come forward with allegations of misconduct. Clarke denies the allegations, while GNM is defending its reporting as being both true and in the public interest. In her witness statement, Ms Morris said: On February 13, Noel suggested I could come to London for his film screening and he hinted he might want to have sex with me on that occasion. The case is being heard at the High Court in London (Anthony Devlin/PA) She added that the prospect of travelling and losing my virginity was almost beyond contemplation to me, even if it was flattering that he had suggested it. Ms Morris continued in her statement: I told him I had not even kissed anyone and had no experience at all. He responded by saying that it made him feel like a dirty old man. Clarke also allegedly told the woman he would be honoured to have sex with her as being a first is a big deal for a girl. The court heard that Ms Morris, who suffered from agoraphobia and anxiety, did not attend the screening, and did not have sex with Clarke. However, the court heard she met him in May 2010 when he was in Birmingham for promotional events, during which time he invited a number of people for lunch at Nandos. In her statement, Ms Morris said: He grabbed my leg under the table and squeezed my thigh he put his hands in-between my legs in a sexual way. It was very quick but he did this several times. I didnt know how to react as I was totally inexperienced. I did nothing. I froze up as I wasnt expecting this. The hearing was also told that while posing for photographs, Clarke showed Ms Morris a picture of his penis on his phone, and shortly afterwards squeezed her bum. By autumn 2010, Clarke stopped messaging Ms Morris with no explanation, and Ms Morris became depressed and very anxious about the situation, posting messages on Twitter which included hints about who was behind her stress, the court heard. In November 2010, Clarke blocked Ms Morris from emailing him, and shortly afterwards the police visited her home making inquiries in relation to allegations of harassment from Clarke, the High Court in London was told. Clarke eventually took legal action against the woman, asking her to sign an agreement promising not to blog, or tell anyone, or even post indirect Tweets about him. Philip Williams, for Clarke, suggested to Ms Morris that she had been stalking the actor. She replied: I was desperate to not feel the way that I felt, so I was reaching out to him, at least for an explanation. In his witness statement, Clarke said that in February 2010 it was considered normal or acceptable for requests for naughty pictures to be made on Twitter. He added: I did not take advantage of her in any way, and did not pressure her into meeting or agreeing to a sexual relationship in any way. In relation to the allegations that he groped Ms Morris in Nandos, he said he would not have touched her leg sexually at all, nor would I touch anyone sexually without their consent, adding that he and the woman never so much as kissed, let alone groped or touched in a sexual manner. The hearing before Mrs Justice Steyn is due to conclude in April, with a decision expected in writing at a later date. Monday, Mar 24th, 2025 (12:45 pm) - Score 1,080 Rural broadband ISP Quickline has today confirmed that theyve reached an agreement with the Governments Project Gigabit broadband roll-out programme. The deal will see them expand their full fibre (FTTP) network to cover an additional 6,000 hard-to-reach homes and businesses across Yorkshire and Lincolnshire in England. Until today Quickline had already secured several deployment contracts for the West Yorkshire and the York area (Lot 8), North Yorkshire (Lot 31) and East Riding of Yorkshire and Lincolnshire (Lot 23) under the Project Gigabit scheme (here, here and here). This reflected a total public investment of c.296.4m to help expand their Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) network into disadvantaged areas. NOTE: Quickline is supported by funding of c.500m from Northleaf Capital Partners, as well as over 300m of public subsidy from four Project Gigabit contracts, plus c.225m in term loans and debt guarantees from the UK Infrastructure Bank (UKIB) and a 25m term loan from NatWest. However, last week ISPreview revealed that Project Gigabit had modified Quicklines contract for Lot 31 (here), which increased the contract value (state aid) by 7,988,520 to total 81,457,520 from the original value of 73,469,000. The awarded premises also increased by 6,401 to a total of 42,701 from the original 36,300 planned to be built. Advertisement Quickline has today confirmed that this is part of a wider expansion, which will see the overall level of public investment rise by 11m in order to help them reach an additional 6,000 premises in remote rural areas. The newly added premises are spread across all of their existing Project Gigabit network (not only Lot 31), including in Lot 8 and Lot 23. Dan Hague, Project Delivery Director for Quickline, said: This is great news for people in underserved areas across Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. By refining our plans with the more recent data, we can extend our reach and connect even more homes and businesses to full fibre broadband where its needed most. As a trusted regional delivery partner for the UK government, were proud to play a key role in ensuring no community is left behind. Telecoms Minister, Sir Chris Bryant, said: Project Gigabit is boosting some of the most remote areas in the UK and equipping people with the vital tools they need to thrive in the digital world, no matter where they choose to call home. It is great that even more homes and businesses across Yorkshire and East Riding of Yorkshire and Lincolnshire will soon benefit from the fastest speeds on the market thanks to this government intervention. With this expansion, the total public investment in Quicklines full fibre rollout now exceeds 300m, covering more than 170,000 premises (rising to 360,000+ when you include their plans for associated commercial builds). Boys day-and-night drift at sea ends in rescue: A real-'Life of Pi' adventure Global Times) 13:36, March 24, 2025 A 10-year-old boy from a village in Lingshui county, South China's Hainan Province survives a perilous 24-hour drift at sea and was rescued by people who were fishing nearby on March 22, 2025. (Photo/China National Radio) In a miraculous survival tale reminiscent of the novel Life of Pi, a 10-year-old boy from a village in Lingshui county, South China's Hainan Province survived a perilous 24-hour drift at sea. The boy, who went out to sea to catch squid, fell asleep and drifted a whole day and night before being rescued by a fishing boat in Sanya. A video of the boy drifting alone at sea in a small boat went viral online over the weekend. According to China National Radio (CNR) on Sunday, the video's uploader said they were fishing when they spotted a small green boat in the distance and heard someone calling for help. They approached and found a child, then worked together to rescue him. "We received the rescue request from our fishing guests at around 5 pm on Saturday," said Luo Wen, captain of a local rescue team in Sana. "They had rented our boat for fishing and rescued the boy near a coastal area. After bringing him on board, they contacted us and soon brought him back to shore, handing him over to the local police." Luo noted that the boy's skin had been severely sunburned from prolonged sunlight exposure, but he was in stable condition after receiving milk and bread given by the fishermen. "He was very scared at the time, crying and saying that he had gone out to fish squid but couldn't find his way home," Luo told the CNR. The boy said he is 10 years old, and this wasn't his first time fishing alone at sea, according to Luo. At around 9 pm on Friday, , the boy went squid fishing near a village in Lingshui and fell asleep on the boat from sheer exhaustion and drifted away. Lost at sea, he saw distant lights, but the strong waves and relentless winds had drained him of strength, leaving him too weak to paddle, Luo said. According to the report, the land distance between the boy's departure point and the location where he was rescued surpassed 30 kilometers. Luo said that on Friday night, the sea near Haitang Bay is windy and rough, with winds of around Force 6 and waves up to 1.5 meters high on Friday. "Even adult fishermen would hardly survive in such conditions, let alone a child. He was very lucky." After securing the boy, Luo and the local police managed to connect his family. An hour later, the parents of the boy arrived at the local police station and took him home. Liang Qiuming, the Party secretary of the village, told the CNR that they organized rescue teams to comb the village and coastal areas on Friday night to search the lost boy. They also issued a missing person notice. Liang said that the boy is safe at home. Staff from the township government have visited his home to provide safety education and will arrange psychological counseling if needed, according to the report. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun) Demonstrators Take to Istanbul Streets Once More Following Arrest of Erdogan Opponent Masses of students flooded the streets of Istanbul in the latest demonstrations against the arrest and imprisonment of the citys opposition mayor, leading to some of Turkeys most significant unrest in years. The protests commenced following Ekrem Imamoglus arrest on March 19, rapidly spreading to over 55 of Turkeys 81 provinces and resulting in confrontations with riot police, along with widespread international criticism. According to the interior minister, more than 1,100 individuals, including ten journalists, have been detained by police. Mr. Imamoglu, 53, from the opposition CHP party, is widely regarded as the sole politician capable of unseating Turkeys long-standing leader, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in an election. In both Istanbul and the capital city of Ankara, students began to assemble in the early afternoon after declaring their decision to boycott lectures at the leading universities in both locations. In Istanbul, crowds of chanting, flag-waving students moved through the streets toward Besiktas, a port located on the Bosphorus, while residents cheered and struck pots and pans in a display of support, as reported by AFP correspondents. Gatherings took place in the Besiktas area of Istanbul. Your palaces, our streets After gathering near the port, the students started marching along the coastline towards the historic peninsula to participate in the nightly protests outside City Hall, according to an AFP correspondent. This is not just a meeting; it is an act of defiance against fascism! exclaimed CHP leader Ozgur Ozel to the large crowd, which waved numerous banners, including one directed at Mr. Erdogan that read, Palaces are yours, but the streets are ours. Following a cabinet meeting, Mr. Erdogan once again accused the opposition of inciting the protests. Stop playing with the nations nerves, he stated, while also asserting that the Turkish economy was under control, claiming the government had successfully managed the last market fluctuation. The actions against Mr. Imamoglu have severely impacted the lira and created turmoil within Turkeys financial markets. The benchmark BIST 100 stock index fell by nearly 8% on Friday but managed to recover somewhat today, closing the session approximately 3% higher. Just yesterday, Mr. Imamoglu was overwhelmingly selected as the CHPs candidate for the 2028 presidential election, with analysts suggesting this impending primary triggered the actions against him. Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu was arrested last week. His incarceration has received strong condemnation from Germany, which labeled it totally unacceptable, while neighboring Greece indicated that attempts to undermine civil liberties cannot be tolerated. The European Union urged Ankara to show a clear commitment to democratic norms. Overnight, Frances foreign ministry described Imamoglus arrest as a serious attack on democracy. Stop targeting journalists Before dawn, police took ten Turkish journalists into custody at their homes, including an AFP photographer, for covering the protests, according to the MLSA rights group. This action was condemned by the Journalists Union of Turkey, the Turkish Journalists Association, and several other organizations. Stop targeting journalists! they stated in a joint message, emphasizing that many journalists faced police violence, tear gas, and plastic bullets while reporting. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) demanded the release of the arrested journalists, stated Erol Onderoglu, the groups representative in Turkey. The arrests were also criticized by Mr. Imamoglus wife. What is being done to the media and journalists is a matter of freedom. None of us can stay silent about this, Dilek Kaya Imamoglu posted on X. Mr. Imamoglu, who has condemned the legal actions against him as a political execution without trial, sent a resolute message from jail through his lawyers. I wear a white shirt that cannot be stained. I possess a strong arm that cannot be bent. I will not yield an inch. I will win this war, he declared. Istanbuls Mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu, stated that he will not yield following a court ruling to jail him pending trial amid a corruption investigation. Together, we will eradicate this blow, this dark stain on our democracy I stand tall, and I will not yield, Mr. Imamoglu expressed in a post on X. Four days after his detention incited Turkeys most severe unrest in over a decade, a court officially placed him under arrest in a corruption inquiry. The mayor is among 100 individuals under investigation for corruption, and additionally faces inquiries in a second case linked to terror-related allegations, with a court ruling on that expected in the coming hours. Despite strong suspicions of aiding an armed terrorist organization, his arrest for financial crimes has already been decided, so (the arrest) is not considered necessary at this time, the court remarked. Mr. Imamoglu has rejected the allegations, labeling them as unimaginable accusations and slanders. Ballot papers for Ekrem Imamoglu, the sole candidate from the opposition Republican Peoples Party (CHP), during the presidential primaries at a polling station in Istanbul. Yesterday, thousands rallied outside the Istanbul municipality and the main courthouse, with hundreds of police deployed at both sites using tear gas and pepper spray to disperse the crowds, which threw firecrackers and other items at them. Protesters also clashed with police in the western coastal province of Izmir and the capital, Ankara, for the third consecutive night, with police employing water cannons against the crowds. Turkish authorities have detained 323 individuals amidst the protests. Demonstrations in Dublin There have also been protests in Dublin. Supporters of Mr. Imamoglu have gathered on OConnell St daily since Wednesday and are planning another rally in St Stephens Green today. A spokesperson for a group named the Democratic Turkiye Community in Ireland accused the authorities of converting Turkey into an open-air prison and termed Mr. Imamoglus arrest a political coup. Supporters of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu on OConnell St earlier this week. The Turkish government has denied any influence over the situation, asserting that the judiciary is independent. According to Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya, Turkish authorities have detained 323 individuals during the protests concerning the investigation. Any attempts to disrupt public order will not be tolerated, stated the minister in a statement. Mr. Imamoglu, 54, who is leading in various opinion polls against the Turkish leader, was expected to be announced as the CHPs official presidential candidate shortly. The next elections are scheduled for 2028, but Mr. Erdogan has reached his two-term limit as president after previously serving as prime minister. If he wishes to run again, he must call for an early election or amend the constitution. The president, who has been in power for more than 22 years, has accused the CHP of attempting to provoke the nation while asserting that they will not tolerate vandalism. US and Russia Engage in Negotiations for Black Sea Ceasefire Officials from the US and Russia convened in Saudi Arabia to deliberate on a partial ceasefire in Ukraine, a day following discussions between US and Ukrainian representatives, as President Donald Trump advocates for a swift resolution to the conflict. The US and Russian delegations engaged in private discussions at a hotel in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, with the potential revitalization of a Black Sea ceasefire proposal from 2022 being a focal point of their talks. According to Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, the negotiations are centering around technical matters, which include the Black Sea Initiative aimed at ensuring the security of maritime shipping in the area. A source from Ukraine mentioned that the Ukrainian representatives, having met with US officials at the same location yesterday, are anticipating a follow-up meeting with the US today, indicating that progress may have been realized. The talks between US and Russian officials occurred in secrecy at the Ritz-Carlton in Riyadh. The Kremlin has stated that both Russia and the US share a mutual understanding of the necessity to pursue a settlement to end the war in Ukraine, though it acknowledged that numerous differing elements remain to be addressed. Earlier this month in Jeddah, just days after President Volodymyr Zelenskys public disagreement with Donald Trump in the White House, Ukraine accepted a US-proposed 30-day ceasefire, which was subsequently rejected by Russian President Vladimir Putin. Officials are currently evaluating the possibility of resuming the Black Sea Initiative, a year-long agreement that facilitated the export of millions of tonnes of grain and other food supplies from Ukrainian ports. The topic of the Black Sea Initiative and every aspect associated with its renewal is part of todays agenda, Mr. Peskov stated during his daily briefing. This was a proposal from President Trump, which President Putin consented to. Our delegation arrived in Riyadh with this mandate, he continued. The two discussions were initially set to occur simultaneously to facilitate shuttle diplomacy, allowing the United States to alternate between the two delegations. Leading the US team is Andrew Peek, a senior director at the White House National Security Council, along with senior State Department official Michael Anton, according to a knowledgeable source. Ukraines Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, heading the Ukrainian delegation, expressed that the first round of discussions, which wrapped up late yesterday, was productive and focused. We covered essential points, including energy, Mr. Umerov reported on social media. Mr. Trumps envoy Steve Witkoff has expressed enthusiasm that any agreements reached would lead to a full-on ceasefire. I believe that real progress will be visible in Saudi Arabia on Monday, particularly concerning a Black Sea ceasefire involving ships from both nations, and this will naturally progress towards a complete cessation of hostilities, he told Fox News. We need your consent to load this rte-player content. We use rte-player to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content. Manage Preferences Only at the beginning, says Russia However, Russia has tempered expectations regarding a swift resolution. We are merely at the outset of this journey, Mr. Peskov commented on Russian state television yesterday, adding, There are challenging negotiations ahead. Mr. Putin rejected the joint US-Ukrainian request for an immediate and comprehensive 30-day pause, instead suggesting a cessation of assaults on energy facilities. Russia exited the Black Sea Initiativefacilitated by Turkey and the United Nations in 2023citing that the West had failed to fulfill commitments to alleviate sanctions on Russias agricultural exports and fertilizers. A senior Ukrainian official previously indicated that Ukraine would propose a more extensive ceasefire encompassing assaults on energy infrastructure and naval attacks. Both parties launched renewed drone strikes on the eve of the negotiations. A building in Kyiv damaged in Russian airstrikes over the weekend. Deadly Russian attack targets Kyiv Ukrainian officials reported that a Russian drone assault overnight on Saturday resulted in the deaths of three civilians in Kyiv, including a five-year-old girl and her father. Reporters in the capital observed emergency personnel attending to the injured early yesterday in front of residential buildings that sustained damage during the strike. Fatal strikes on the heavily fortified city are less common than in other areas of the country. Russia approaches the Saudi discussions following a rapprochement with the US under Mr. Trump, which has enhanced confidence within the Kremlin. Mr. Peskov remarked yesterday that the potential for mutually beneficial cooperation across a wide range of areas between our nations cannot be overstated. While we may have disagreements on various issues, that does not imply we should forgo opportunities for mutual benefit, he concluded. By Weliam Sejari ( Global Voices ) The fall of President Bashar al-Assads regime on December 8, 2024, marked a pivotal moment in Syrias history, ending over five decades of Assad family rule. This transition, however, has been marred by escalating violence, particularly against the Alawite community in Syrias coastal regions. Beginning on March 6, 2025, reports emerged of massacres perpetrated by militias aligned with the new government and foreign armed groups, some backed by Turkey and Qatar. These groups engaged in systematic killings, degradation, field executions, and widespread intimidation against Alawite civilians. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported that over 1470 individuals have been extrajudicially killed since March 6, and the numbers are increasing. Rami Adbel Rahman, SOHR Director, told France 24 that Every hour we discover a new massacre on the Syrian coast. The violence lead to mass displacement as thousands of Alawites fled their homes, seeking refuge in nature and some reaching neighboring Lebanon. Hundreds of videos and photographs recording the atrocities spread on platforms like Telegram, Instagram, and Facebook exposing evidence of ethnic cleansing. Understanding the current situation requires a comprehensive examination of the historical context, recent developments, and the challenges facing the new transitional government. Sectarian dynamics The Assad familys rule began in 1971 with Hafez al-Assad and continued with his son, Bashar al-Assad, from 2000. Throughout their tenure, the family maintained power through a combination of political repression and strategic alliances, often manipulating sectarian divisions to consolidate control. The Alawite minority, to which the Assad family belongs, was positioned as a bulwark against Sunni-majority opposition, fostering a narrative of protecting minorities against extremist threats. This approach deepened sectarian divides, thereby marginalizing genuine calls for reform and revolution. The 2011 Arab Spring saw widespread protests in Syria, met with brutal repression by the Assad regime. The governments response included indiscriminate violence against protesters, leading to a full-scale civil war. Throughout the conflict, the regime employed tactics such as forced displacements and demographic engineering to maintain its grip on power. One notable example was the Green Buses campaign in 2016, where opposition fighters and their families were forcibly relocated to northern Syria under dire conditions, effectively altering the demographic landscape of key regions. File. Image of Druze family in Suwaida by fahed kiwan from Pixabay The fall of the Assad regime In late November 2024, a coalition of opposition forces, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and supported by the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA), launched a rapid offensive against government-held territories. This offensive resulted in the swift capture of major cities, including Aleppo, Hama, and Homs, culminating in the fall of Damascus on December 8, 2024. Bashar al-Assad fled to Russia, effectively ending the Baathist rule in Syria. The sudden collapse of the Assad regime created a power vacuum and set the stage for a transitional government. Ahmed al-Sharaa, also known as Abu Muhammad al-Jolani, emerged as the de facto leader, with Mohammed al-Bashir appointed as the caretaker prime minister. The new administration faced the monumental task of rebuilding a nation devastated by years of conflict, with the added challenge of addressing deep-seated sectarian tensions. Government response and international reactions The transitional government, led by al-Sharaa, faced significant criticism for its handling of the escalating violence. While the administration condemned the attacks and vowed to hold perpetrators accountable, reports indicated that some militias involved in the atrocities operated under the umbrella of the Ministry of Defense, raising concerns about the governments complicity or inability to control allied forces. Media supporting Ahmad al-Sharas government were accused of staging scenes of security and stability, bringing cameras into villages some for the first time to craft a controlled narrative, selectively featuring residents who reinforce their version of events, portraying remnants of the Assad regime as the primary perpetrators of attacks on Alawite villages. Local residents we interviewed spoke about being coerced into publicly endorsing the governments narrative. They described how community leaders, including village sheikhs (community representatives) faced threats, with warnings that refusal would result in even greater violence and reprisals. One villager who chose to remain anonymous for fear from such reprisals, recalled: The authorities made veiled threats towards the Sheikh of the village, that if he speaks against their official narrative, the village would face serious consequences. In one widely circulated video, another villager angrily refused aid from the Syrian Red Crescent while declaring: It is hypocritical to assist us in the morning in front of your cameras and then kill us at night with your weapons. Go away! The international community reacted with alarm to the sectarian violence. The United Nations Security Council issued a statement condemning the massacres and urging the Syrian interim authorities to uphold the principles of transitional justice ensuring accountability for both past and present crimes restore the violated rights of the people, to protect all citizens, irrespective of their religious or ethnic affiliations. True progress can only come from learning from these mistakes and striving for a just, prosperous, and participatory future. Via Global Voices . London (Special to Informed Comment; Feature) Since returning to office in January, US President Donald Trump has reinstated the maximum pressure campaign of his first administration on Iran. Trump wants to push Iran into ending its nuclear programme, and the White House has tried to severely curtail Irans oil exports as way of putting economic pressure on Tehran. China is a major buyer of Iranian oil, along with oil from other states Western countries have sanctioned, like Venezuela and Russia. Chinese refineries have saved billions of dollars for years buying from these sources at a discount, and these sales have historically provided Iran with an economic lifeline that Trump is seeking to cut. At the same time, Trump has both sought talks with China over the two countries long-running trade war which he initiated in 2018 during his first term and imposed fresh tariffs on Beijing. Chinas increasing embrace of Iran is emerging as another source of friction in the US-Sino relationship and is likely to spark more US trade restrictions on Chinese entities. Chinas Ties to Iran China is Irans largest training partner, though the importance of this fact should not be exaggerated, as Beijing has strong economic relations with multiple Middle Eastern states, including Iranian rivals like Saudi Arabia. Moreover, tough Western sanctions leave Iran with few other options for major economies with whom to trade. China has made some overt diplomatic moves to signal support for Iran in its confrontation with the US, however. Earlier in March it held trilateral talks with Russia and Iran on the latters nuclear programme, in which the three countries called for the end of unilateral sanctions on Iran. Russia and China also supported Irans right to develop a peaceful nuclear energy programme, which Tehran has insisted is all it plans to use its nuclear development for. Also in March, the trio held annual naval drills near the Iranian port of Chabahar, highlighting their joint military ties. Iran Dark Tanker, Digital, Dream / Illustrator 3.0. US pressure on Iran Grows Irans geopolitical position in the Middle East has weakened in recent years, as the capabilities of militias like Hezbollah that Teheran had support have been degraded by Israeli attacks in Lebanon, Gaza, Yemen and Syria. Iran also lost a key ally when rebels overthrew the Syrian regime of Bashir al-Assad in December. As president, Trump has backed Israels offensive in Gaza against Palestinian militant group Hamas, with his press secretary saying the president fully supports the Israel Defence Forces resumption of attacks there. The US president has also ordered air strikes on the Houthi rebel movement in Yemen and declared Iran must stop funding the group. Trump sees these attacks as another way to weaken Iran and pressure it on the nuclear question. By weakening Iran militarily, the White House also believes it is degrading Irans ability to respond in the event negotiations end and the US launches airstrikes against Irans nuclear programme and military infrastructure. The US Sanctions Chinese Entities Ongoing Chinese financial ties to and symbolic diplomatic support for Tehran has therefore irritated the US administration, as it works to isolate Iran during a period of Iranian vulnerability. Ties between the US and China have also frayed badly in the current period, while pressuring Beijing is a rare area of bipartisan agreement in Washington between Republicans and Democrats. In March, the Trump administration moved to sanction two Chinese entities and a various of oil tankers it alleges are involved in Iranian oil sales to Beijing, knowing this would be politically popular. These include an oil terminal in China for buying and storing Iranian oil, and a so-called teapot refinery there, a smaller independent refinery often set up in China by entrepreneurs there to circumvent Western oil sanctions that larger state-owned refineries dont wish to breach. The US also sanctioned 19 entities and vessels it alleged where involved in transporting Iranian oil. Teapot refinery purchases of Iranian oil provide the primary economic lifeline for the Iranian regime, the worlds leading state sponsor of terror, said Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent. The United States is committed to cutting off the revenue streams that enable Tehrans continued financing of terrorism and development of its nuclear program. The sanctions angered officials in Beijing, which responded as it has in similar circumstances to US trade restrictions, that China would defend the lawful rights and interests of its companies from US restrictions. On March 21, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said: It is Chinas consistent position to oppose the US abuse of illicit unilateral sanctions and long-arm jurisdiction. The US needs to stop disrupting the normal business cooperation between China and Iran. China-Iran Trade Will Continue Chinese oil executives say they expect the US to impose more sanctions on Chinese businesses involved in buying oil from Iran. The recent US moves will increase costs on shipments and likely slow the trade as the businesses involved adjust their practices in response. However, after a fall in January, Chinas Iranian oil imports rose to over 1.4 million barrels per day to just under a million the previous month per analytics firm Kpler in March. Chinas government and companies do not share the US governments antipathy towards Iran, and Chinese organizations have plenty of experience at evading US restrictions in other fields, like semiconductor imports into China. As relations between the US and China worsen due to their growing competition over global economic and technological leadership, China is unlikely to crack down on entities there engaged in oil trading with Tehran. Beijing also tolerates its nationals involvement in allegedly supplying arms and dual use technology to direct US enemies like Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Meanwhile, Chinese President Xi has met with Iranian leaders and signed economic cooperation agreements with them in October and December. Further US economic pressures on both are likely to drive the two sides closer together rather than further apart. Though China would not risk war with the US over Iran, Beijing will continue to take advantage of the discounts US pressure on the Tehrans oil industry can provide its struggling economy. All monetary amounts are expressed in Canadian Dollars, unless otherwise indicated. HALIFAX, NS, March 24, 2025 /CNW/ - Silver Tiger Metals Inc. (TSXV: SLVR) (OTCQX: SLVTF) (the "Company" or "Silver Tiger") is pleased to announce it has entered into an agreement with Stifel Canada and Desjardins Capital Markets, to act as co-lead underwriters (together, the "Co-Lead Underwriters") and joint bookrunners (together with a syndicate of underwriters, the "Underwriters") pursuant to which the Underwriters have agreed to purchase, on a bought deal basis, 45,455,000 common shares of the Company (the "Common Shares") at a price of C$0.33 per Common Share (the "Offering Price") for gross proceeds to the Company of approximately C$15,000,150 (the "Offering"). The Company will grant the Underwriters an option, exercisable, in whole or in part, at any time until and including 30 days following the closing of the Offering, to purchase up to an additional 15% of the Offering. If this option is exercised in full, an additional C$2,250,023 in gross proceeds will be raised pursuant to the Offering and the aggregate gross proceeds of the Offering will be approximately C$17,250,173. The Company plans to use the net proceeds from the Offering to fund exploration and development expenditures at the Company's El Tigre Project in Mexico, as well as for working capital and general corporate purposes. The Common Shares will be offered by way of a short form prospectus to be filed in all provinces of Canada, except Quebec. The Common Shares will also be sold to U.S. buyers on a private placement basis pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements in Rule 144A of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and other jurisdictions outside of Canada provided that no prospectus filing or comparable obligation arises. The Offering is scheduled to close on or about April 14, 2025 and is subject to certain conditions including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary approvals including the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange and the securities regulatory authorities. The Preliminary and Final Prospectus' will be filed with the securities commissions in each of the provinces of Canada, except Quebec, and will be available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Alternatively, the Preliminary and Final Prospectus' may be obtained upon request by contacting the Company or Stifel in Canada, attention: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any state in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. The securities being offered have not been, nor will they be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act") and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the 1933 Act, as amended, and application state securities laws. About Silver Tiger and the El Tigre Historic Mine District Silver Tiger Metals Inc. is a Canadian company whose management has more than 25 years' experience discovering, financing and building large hydrothermal silver projects in Mexico. Silver Tiger's 100% owned 28,414 hectare Historic El Tigre Mining District is located in Sonora, Mexico. Principled environmental, social and governance practices are core priorities at Silver Tiger. The El Tigre historic mine district is located in Sonora, Mexico and lies at the northern end of the Sierra Madre silver and gold belt which hosts many epithermal silver and gold deposits, including Dolores, Santa Elena and Las Chispas at the northern end. In 1896, gold was first discovered on the property in the Gold Hill area and mining started with the Brown Shaft in 1903. The focus soon changed to mining high-grade silver veins in the area with production coming from 3 parallel veins the El Tigre Vein, the Seitz Kelley Vein and the Sooy Vein. Underground mining on the middle El Tigre vein extended 1,450 meters along strike and was mined on 14 levels to a depth of approximately 450 meters. The Seitz Kelley Vein was mined along strike for 1 kilometer to a depth of approximately 200 meters. The Sooy Vein was only mined along strike for 250 meters to a depth of approximately 150 meters. Mining abruptly stopped on all 3 of these veins when the price of silver collapsed to less than 20 per ounce with the onset of the Great Depression. By the time the mine closed in 1930, it is reported to have produced a total of 353,000 ounces of gold and 67.4 million ounces of silver from 1.87 million tons (Craig, 2012). The average grade mined during this period was over 2 kilograms silver equivalent per ton. The El Tigre silver and gold deposit is related to a series of high-grade epithermal veins controlled by a north-south trending structure cutting across the andesitic and rhyolitic tuffs of the Sierra Madre Volcanic Complex within a broad silver and gold mineralized prophylitic alteration zone developed in the El Tigre Formation that can be up to 150 meters wide. The veins dip steeply to the west and are typically 0.5 meter wide but locally can be up to 5 meters in width. The veins, structures and mineralized zones outcrop on surface and have been traced for 5.3 kilometers along strike in our brownfield exploration area. Historical mining and exploration activities focused on a 1.6 kilometer portion of the southern end of the deposits, principally on the El Tigre, Seitz Kelly and Sooy veins. The under explored Caleigh, Benjamin, Protectora and the Fundadora exposed veins continue north for more than 3 kilometers. Silver Tiger has delivered its maiden 43-101 compliant resource estimate and is currently drilling to update its resource estimate and publish a PEA VRIFY Slide Deck and 3D Presentation Silver Tiger's El Tigre Project VRIFY is a platform being used by companies to communicate with investors using 360 virtual tours of remote mining assets, 3D models and interactive presentations. VRIFY can be accessed by website and with the VRIFY iOS and Android apps. Access the Silver Tiger Metals Inc. Company Profile on VRIFY at: https://vrify.com The VRIFY Slide Deck and 3D Presentation for Silver Tiger Metals Inc. can be viewed at: https://vrify.com/explore/decks/492 and on the Corporation's website at: www.silvertigermetals.com. Procedure, Quality Assurance / Quality Control and Data Verification The diamond drill core (HQ size) is geologically logged, photographed and marked for sampling. When the sample lengths are determined, the full core is sawn with a diamond blade core saw with one half of the core being bagged and tagged for assay. The remaining half portion is returned to the core trays for storage and/or for metallurgical test work. The sealed and tagged sample bags are transported to the Bureau Veritas facility in Hermosillo, Mexico. Bureau Veritas crushes the samples (Code PRP70-250) and prepares 200-300 gram pulp samples with ninety percent passing Tyler 200 mesh (Code PUL85). The pulps are assayed for gold using a 30-gram charge by fire assay (Code FA430) and over limits greater than 10 grams per tonne are re-assayed using a gravimetric finish (Code FA530). Silver and multi-element analysis is completed using total digestion (Code MA200 Total Digestion ICP). Over limits greater than 100 grams per tonne silver are re-assayed using a gravimetric finish (Code FA530). Quality assurance and quality control ("QA/QC") procedures monitor the chain-of-custody of the samples and includes the systematic insertion and monitoring of appropriate reference materials (certified standards, blanks and duplicates) into the sample strings. The results of the assaying of the QA/QC material included in each batch are tracked to ensure the integrity of the assay data. All results stated in this announcement have passed Silver Tiger's QA/QC protocols. Qualified Person David R. Duncan, P. Geo., V.P. Exploration of the Corporation, is the Qualified Person for Silver Tiger as defined under National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Duncan has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information in this press release. CAUTIONARY STATEMENT Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This News Release includes certain "forward-looking statements". All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding potential mineralization, resources and reserves, the ability to convert inferred resources to indicated resources, the ability to complete future drilling programs and infill sampling, the ability to extend resource blocks, the similarity of mineralization at El Tigre to Delores, Santa Elena and Chispas, exploration results, and future plans and objectives of Silver Tiger, are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties. Forwardlooking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "may", "is expected to", "anticipates", "estimates", "intends", "plans", "projection", "could", "vision", "goals", "objective" and "outlook" and other similar words. Although Silver Tiger believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, there can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from Silver Tiger's expectations include risks and uncertainties related to exploration, development, operations, commodity prices and global financial volatility, risk and uncertainties of operating in a foreign jurisdiction as well as additional risks described from time to time in the filings made by Silver Tiger with securities regulators. THIS NEWS RELEASE IS INTENDED FOR DISTRIBUTION IN CANADA ONLY AND IS NOT INTENDED FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES VANCOUVER, BC, March 24, 2025 /CNW/ - Coast Copper Corp. ("Coast Copper" or the "Company"); (TSXV: COCO) is pleased to announce the staking of the Copper Kettle property (the "Property") which is located between the past producing Island Copper Mine and the Northisle Copper and Gold Inc. ("Northisle") North Island project on northern Vancouver Island. This new property, along with Coast Copper's Knob Hill NW property, now bookend the Northisle North Island Project. See Figure 1. Adam Travis, Coast Copper CEO comments: "We continue to acquire prospective ground in areas of interest at low cost through staking. Our new Copper Kettle property, along with our Knob Hill NW property, which has been the subject of positive advancements since 2021, now bookend the Northisle property and are part of the 50-kilometer prospective trend for porphyry copper-gold deposits that originates at the Island Copper Mine, an open-pit copper mine that operated from 1971 to 1996. We will be completing work on both properties in 2025, as well as numerous other projects. We would like to extend our congratulations to the Northisle team on the recent positive Preliminary Economic Assessment for its North Island project. This advancement further solidifies the past and present potential of northern Vancouver Island." The Property totals 2,582 hectares ("ha") and is located 3 kilometers ("km") northwest of the past-producing Island Copper Mine and sits adjacent to the southeast side of Northisle's property. The Property has six known "MINFILE" occurrences that have varied amounts of exploration work completed on them, with the most recent work recorded in 2016. The Property is prospective for both porphyry style mineralization as well as high-grade skarn mineralization. Historical exploration highlights include: 5 km skarn trend which has returned prospecting samples up to 5.8% copper (" Cu "), 19.9 grams per tonne (" g/t ") silver (" Ag ") and 0.17 g/t gold (" Au ") (in 1995). The results yield an average value of 1.66% Cu analyzing 20 surface pits at Hill 160 MINFILE and an average value of 0.27% Cu analyzing 2 surface pits at Hill 140 MINFILE "), 19.9 grams per tonne (" ") silver (" ") and 0.17 g/t gold (" ") (in 1995). The results yield an average value of 1.66% Cu analyzing 20 surface pits at Hill 160 MINFILE and an average value of 0.27% Cu analyzing 2 surface pits at Hill 140 MINFILE Copper-molybdenum porphyry occurrences that are on trend and on the boundary of the past-producing Island Copper Mine. Historical drilling around the Bay MINFILE occurrences intersected both skarn and porphyry style alterations with encouraging assays including 177 meters (" m ") of 0.44% Cu in drillhole 1986-E-69 , and 24.4 m of 0.83% Cu, 0.022% molybdenum (" Mo ") and 4.1 g/t Ag in drillhole 1989-E-90 . ") of 0.44% Cu in drillhole 1986-E-69 , and of 0.83% Cu, 0.022% molybdenum (" ") and 4.1 g/t Ag in drillhole 1989-E-90 . Drillhole Q89-1, completed in 1989 between Hill 160 and Hill 140 MINFILE occurrences, returned 0.91 m of 0.36% Cu . of 0.36% Cu . In 1997, a rock sample from the Hill 160 showing, which is noted as 25 centimeters wide, returned 3.7% Cu, 98 parts per billion (" ppb ") Au and 11.3 parts per million (" ppm ") Ag . ") Au and 11.3 parts per million (" ") Ag . A 1995 sampling of mineralized boulders at Kettle Pot MINFILE returned 1.18% Cu and 0.63 g/t Au . Coast Copper also holds a 100% interest in the 7,769 ha Knob Hill NW property which is prospective for porphyry copper-gold mineralization similar to deposits located to the southeast as it occurs along a similar geological trend to the northwest with encouraging regional magnetic features. As announced on September 23, 2024 and December 10, 2024 , the Company continues to advance its knowledge of the Knob Hill NW property with significant copper geochemical anomalies peripheral to prospective magnetic features similar to those associated with the porphyry deposits in the region. Coast Copper's fall 2024 sampling results returned elevated copper-in-soil (copper values up to 1,031 ppm) from the west central portions of the Knob Hill NW property that are associated with a 1.1 km by 3.6 km magnetic high. Strongly elevated gold values (up to 863 ppb) in moss mat samples occurring along the southeastern portion of the property have not yet been sourced but are located on the edge of a large magnetic high trend extending from the NW Expo region. This combined area represents a large 4 km by 7 km region showing magnetic data peripheral to anomalous copper and gold in limited sampling. About Coast Copper Corp. Coast Copper's primary exploration focus is the Empire Mine property, located on northern Vancouver Island, British Columbia, which covers three historical open pit mines and two past-producing underground mines that yielded iron, copper, gold, and silver. In 2023, Coast Copper launched a generative program aimed at advancing its other properties in parallel with Empire. In 2025, Coast Copper acquired four new projects bringing its total number of 100% owned projects in BC to eleven, including the Empire Mine and Knob Hill NW properties located on northern Vancouver Island, BC, and mineral properties in the Golden Triangle, Huckleberry, Anyox, Babine and Sullivan districts. Coast Copper's management team continue to actively review precious and base metal opportunities in western North America. On Behalf of the Board of Directors: "Adam Travis" Adam Travis, Chief Executive Officer and Director Cautionary Notes in News Release and/or Maps 1. This news release may contain information about adjacent properties on which Coast Copper has no right to explore or mine. Investors are cautioned that mineral deposits on adjacent properties are not indicative of mineral deposits on the Company's properties. 2. Island Copper Mine, MINFILE Record Summary. https://minfile.gov.bc.ca/Summary.aspx?minfilno=092L++158 3. BC Assessment Report 25408. https://apps.nrs.gov.bc.ca/pub/aris/Detail/25408 4. BC Assessment Report 16152. https://apps.nrs.gov.bc.ca/pub/aris/Detail/16152 5. BC Assessment Report 18805. https://apps.nrs.gov.bc.ca/pub/aris/Detail/18805 6. BC Assessment Report 19417. https://apps.nrs.gov.bc.ca/pub/aris/Detail/19417 Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION Certain information contained or incorporated by reference in this press release, including any information regarding the proposed Transaction, private placement, board and management changes, as to our strategy, projects, plans or future financial or operating performance, constitutes "forward-looking statements." All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are to be considered forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based on a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by Coast Copper, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, geological and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. Although Coast Copper believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not a guarantee of future performance. Known and unknown factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Such factors include but are not limited to: fluctuations in market prices, exploration and exploitation successes, continued availability of capital and financing, changes in national and local government legislation, taxation, controls, regulations, expropriation or nationalization of property and general political, economic, market or business conditions. Many of these uncertainties and contingencies can affect our actual results and could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements made by, or on behalf of, us. Readers are cautioned that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and, therefore, readers are advised to rely on their own evaluation of such uncertainties. All of the forward-looking statements made in this press release, or incorporated by reference, are qualified by these cautionary statements. We do not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements. LONDON, Ontario, March 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Abitibi Metals Corp. (CSE: AMQ) (OTCQB: AMQFF) (FSE: FW0) ("Abitibi" or the "Company") has announced today that it has entered into an agreement with a syndicate of underwriters led by BMO Capital Markets, under which the underwriters have agreed to buy on bought deal basis 12,500,000 Charity Flow-Through Common Shares (the Charity Flow-Through Common Shares), at a price of C$0.55 per Charity Flow-Through Common Share and 12,500,000 Common Shares (the Common Shares), at a price of C$0.28 per Common Share, for total gross proceeds of approximately C$10 million (the Offering). The Company has granted the Underwriters an option, exercisable at the offering price for a period of 30 days following the closing of the Offering, to purchase up to an additional 15% of the Offering to cover over-allotments, if any. Each Charity Flow-Through Common Share will qualify as a "flow-through share" within the meaning of subsection 66(15) of the Income Tax Act (Canada) and, in respect of eligible Quebec resident subscribers, section 359.1 of the Taxation Act (Quebec). The offering is expected to close on or about April 10, 2025 and is subject to Abitibi receiving all necessary regulatory approvals. The gross proceeds from the Charity Flow-Through Common Shares will be used for continued advancement of the Companys B26 Polymetallic Deposit and the net proceeds from the Common Shares for general corporate purposes. The Charity Flow-Through Common Shares and Common Shares will be offered by way of a short form prospectus in all of the provinces of Canada, and may also be offered by way of private placement in the United States. The securities offered have not been registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. About Abitibi Metals Corp. Abitibi Metals Corp. is a Quebec-focused mineral acquisition and exploration company focused on the development of quality base and precious metal properties that are drill-ready with high-upside and expansion potential. Abitibi's portfolio of strategic properties provides target-rich diversification and includes the option to earn 80% of the high-grade B26 Polymetallic Deposit, which hosts a resource estimate of 11.3MT @ 2.13% Cu Eq (Ind) & 7.2MT @ 2.21% Cu Eq (Inf), and the Beschefer Gold Project, where historical drilling has identified 4 historical intercepts with a metal factor of over 100 g/t gold highlighted by 55.63 g/t gold over 5.57 metres and 13.07 g/t gold over 8.75 metres amongst four modeled zones. Forward-looking statement: This news release contains certain statements, which may constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking information involves statements that are not based on historical information but rather relate to future operations, strategies, financial results or other developments on the B26 Project or otherwise. Forward-looking information is necessarily based upon estimates and assumptions, which are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond the Company's control and many of which, regarding future business decisions, are subject to change. These uncertainties and contingencies can affect actual results and could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements made by or on the Company's behalf. Although Abitibi has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended. All factors should be considered carefully, and readers should not place undue reliance on Abitibi's forward-looking information. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "expects," "estimates," "anticipates," or variations of such words and phrases (including negative and grammatical variations) or statements that certain actions, events or results "may," "could," "might" or "occur. Mineral exploration and development are highly speculative and are characterized by a number of significant inherent risks, which may result in the inability of the Company to successfully develop current or proposed projects for commercial, technical, political, regulatory or financial reasons, or if successfully developed, may not remain economically viable for their mine life owing to any of the foregoing reasons, among others. There is no assurance that the Company will be successful in achieving commercial mineral production and the likelihood of success must be considered in light of the stage of operations. For more information, please contact Jon Deluce (CEO & President, Director) at 226-271-5170, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , or visit https://www.abitibimetals.com. Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - March 24, 2025) - Caprock Mining Corp. (CSE: CAPR) ("Caprock" or the "Company") is pleased to announce a substantial open pit-constrained mineral resource estimate ("MRE") for its newly optioned Destiny gold property ("Destiny" or the "Project" or the "Property") located near Val D'Or, Quebec, summarized as follows: Classification Constraints Cut-Off Grade (Au g/t) Tonnage Grade (Au g/t) Contained Gold Oz Indicated OP 0.30 6,752,000 0.91 196,549 Inferred OP 0.30 28,560,000 0.87 794,886 Mineral Resource Statement Notes: CIM definition standards were followed for the resource estimate. The 2025 resource model used ordinary kriging (OK) grade estimation within a three-dimensional block model with mineralized domains defined by wireframed solids. Mineral resources are constrained within pit shells (OP). An exchange rate of 1.35 is utilized in calculations ($CAD/$USD). Open pit cut-off of 0.30 g/t Au milled is based on the cost/ton ($CAD/t) milled for incremental mining, processing, and G&A based on the following: Long term metal prices of US$2,100/oz concentrate; Metallurgical recoveries are based on metallurgical testing recovery of 94%; Average Bulk density (specific gravity) was determined for each lithology and/or mineralized domain within the deposit; Total Ore-based cost of CAD$22.50/t; Processing costs of CAD$18.00/t and G&A costs of CAD$4.50/t milled; Dilution of 10%; and Pit Slope angle of 45 degrees. Mineral Resources that are not mineral reserves do not have economic viability. Numbers may not add due to rounding. The resource estimate was prepared by Todd McCracken, P.Geo, of BBA E&C Inc. in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Caprock's President & CEO, Mr. Vishal Gupta, stated, "Today's substantial, high quality MRE establishes Destiny as one of the best developing gold projects in Quebec during a period of unprecedented high gold prices. We view this MRE as the first step in Caprock's quest to unlock the vast mineral potential of the Project. The MRE covers less than two kilometres of the total six kilometres of strike over which the Despinassy shear zone is interpreted to extend at Destiny. Additionally, previous exploratory drilling has returned high-grade gold mineralized intercepts at depths greater than 500 metres below the surface, demonstrating potential for underground mineable resources on the Property. Caprock plans to conduct a targeted drill program this year with the aim of expanding the resource inventory at Destiny, both along strike and at depth." Management Plans Resource Expansion Along Strike Today's MRE encompasses less than two kilometres out of a total interpreted mineralized strike of six kilometres running along the East-West trending Despinassy shear zone at Destiny. Since the drilling at the DAC deposit is much higher resolution than anywhere else on the Property, the vast majority of the MRE is comprised of mineralization at the DAC deposit alone. The adjoining Gap and Darla zones have experienced much lower resolution and shallower drilling to-date. Following the completion of the updated MRE, management's next step in expanding the MRE at Destiny will involve the completion of a targeted resource definition drilling program aimed at achieving the following objectives in the second half of 2025 (refer to Figures 1 and 2 below): Connect the mineralization at the DAC, Gap and Darla zones into one longitudinally continuous ore body through infill drilling; Expand the known mineralization at the Gap and Darla zones beyond the current ~150 metres depth through a series of step-out holes that intersect the mineralized zone down to ~350 metres below surface; and Fill in the ~1.5 km gap between the Darla zone and Zones 20-21 to the east with a series of short exploratory holes that target near-surface mineralization. Figure 1: Map demonstrating the East-West trending mineralized strike at Destiny illustrating the relative location of the mineralized zones identified by previous exploration drilling. Figure 2: Longitudinal Section demonstrating the East-West trending mineralized strike at Destiny and illustrating the potential to expand the Project's mineral inventory through future resource definition drilling. Exploring for Higher Grade Underground Resource Potential at Depth Previous drilling at Destiny included a handful of holes that were designed to intersect the mineralized zone at the DAC deposit at a depth of over 500 metres below surface. These deeper drill holes returned intercepts with very high grades over significant widths (refer to Figure 3 below). Once management's near-surface resource expansion objectives outlined above have been achieved, management plans to drill a series of deep holes that will target deep-seated, high-grade mineralization with the aim of establishing a high-grade component of the MRE constrained by underground mining methods. Figure 3: Cross-section illustrating high-grade intercepts over significant widths in deeper drilling at Destiny. About the Mineral Resource Estimate The MRE was completed by Todd McCracken, P.Geo., of BBA E&C Inc. ("BBA"), an Independent Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101") in accordance with the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum ("CIM") Standards on Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves, adopted by the CIM Council, as amended. The resource estimate is based on results from 57,465 metres of drilling in 179 drill holes. 13 separate mineralized domains were established within a detailed three-dimensional geological model with an average specific gravity of 2.82 for the mineralized material. Parent blocks measuring 5 metres x 5 metres x 5 metres were generated to populate the block model. Gold assay data were reviewed statistically and visually to determine appropriate grade capping levels by domain. Gold grades were interpolated using ordinary kriging. Quality Assurance & Quality Control ("QA/QC") data generated during the various drill programs were independently verified by BBA as part of the project review. A detailed description of the estimation methods and procedures will be available in a NI 43-101 technical report (the "Technical Report"), to be prepared by BBA, that will be filed on SEDAR+ within 45 days from the date of this release. About Caprock Mining Corp. Caprock Mining Corp. is a Canadian mineral exploration company focused on exploring precious metals in Quebec and Ontario. The Company has an option to earn a 100% interest in the Destiny gold property that comprises 127 mineral claims and encompasses an area of 5,013 hectares located less than two hours' drive from Val D'Or, Quebec. Destiny lies along a major deformation corridor in the Abitibi greenstone belt that includes the prolific Cadillac-Larder Lake, Destor-Porcupine and Casa Berardi fault zones which host numerous producing and development-stage gold deposits. The Project overlies a 6.0 km long segment of the poorly explored Despinassy shear zone which is a splay off the regional Chicobi Fault. One of the several gold deposits discovered on Destiny is the DAC Deposit, which has a near-surface, NI 43-101 compliant mineral resource estimate. Additionally, the Company holds a 100% interest in three gold exploration properties in the historical Beardmore-Geraldton Gold Belt of Ontario - a belt that has produced over four million ounces of gold historically (Reference: Beardmore-Geraldton Gold Camp - Tashota Resources), and contains the sizeable Greenstone gold project (formerly known as the Hardrock gold project) which is being brought to production by Equinox Gold (TSX: EQX) (Reference: Greenstone Gold Mines - Mining & Processing). The scientific and technical information disclosed in this release has been reviewed and approved by Mr. Vishal Gupta, the Company's President & CEO. Mr. Gupta is a P.Geo. registered with the Professional Geoscientists of Ontario (PGO) and considered a "Qualified Person" as defined under NI 43-101. Mr. Todd McCracken, P.Geo., of BBA E&C Inc. has reviewed and approved the disclosure of the mineral resource estimate. Historical drill intercepts displayed in Figure 3 have been referenced from the "NI 43-101 Technical Report And Resource Estimate Of The DAC Deposit , Destiny Property, Quebec" prepared for Alto Ventures Ltd. and Pacific Northwest Capital Corp. by Todd McCracken, P.Geo. of Wardrop a Tetra Tech Company, with an effective date of March 1, 2011. Forward-Looking Statements All statements in this press release about anticipated future events or results constitute forward-looking statements including, but not limited to, statements with respect to: the Company's plans and expectations for the Property, the potential for underground mineable resources at the Property, the timing of the exploration on the Property, the timing of the completion of the expansion of the MRE and the filing of the Technical Report, the potential for additional gold mineralization on the Property and the timing of the announcement of the Company's exploration plan for the Property. Forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "seek", "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "expect" and "intend" and statements that an event or result "may", "will", "should", "could" or "might" occur or be achieved and other similar expressions. Although Caprock believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements and/or information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements since Caprock can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements, including the risks, uncertainties and other factors identified in Caprock's periodic filings with Canadian securities regulators. Forward-looking statements are subject to business and economic risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results of operations to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from Caprock's expectations include risks associated with the business of Caprock; risks related to reliance on technical information provided by Caprock; risks related to exploration and potential development of the Company's mineral properties; business and economic conditions in the mining industry generally; fluctuations in commodity prices and currency exchange rates; uncertainties relating to interpretation of drill results and the geology, continuity and grade of mineral deposits; the need for cooperation of government agencies and First Nation groups in the exploration and development of properties and the issuance of required permits; the need to obtain additional financing to develop properties and uncertainty as to the availability and terms of future financing; the possibility of delay in exploration or development programs and uncertainty of meeting anticipated program milestones; uncertainty as to timely availability of permits and other governmental approvals; and other risk factors as detailed from time to time and additional risks identified in Caprock's filings with Canadian securities regulators on SEDAR+ in Canada (available at www.sedarplus.ca). Forward-looking statements are based on estimates and opinions of management at the date the statements are made. Caprock does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements except as required by applicable securities laws. Investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Neither Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this Release. Chargeability anomaly over the mapped volcanic rocks near the valley floor interpreted to be sub-cropping exposure of the Seven Devils Volcanics, host rock of the Leviathan discovery VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / March 24, 2025 /ZEUS NORTH AMERICA MINING CORP. (CSE:ZEUS) (OTCQB:ZUUZF) (FRANKFURT:O92) (THE "COMPANY" OR "ZEUS") is pleased to announce geophysical results from the previously announced exploration program at its Cuddy Mountain Project (the "Project" or "Cuddy Mountain") in Idaho. Cuddy Mountain is located approximately 3 kilometres ("km") to the northeast of Hercules Metals Corp.'s high-grade "Hercules" copper-moly-silver porphyry discovery announced in October 2023. Highlights of the Geophysical Program at Cuddy Mountain: Completed property wide ground magnetics and 3D Induced Polarization ("IP") geophysical surveys. The results highlight the potential for both skarn and porphyry copper mineralization across the mapped prospective Sevin Devils Volcanics; Broad, continuous zones of moderate to strong chargeability, (>20ms up to 60ms) trending NE-SW, indicative of extensive sulphide mineralization potential; The central portion of the chargeability anomaly is truncated by a conductive trend and clearly bound at its margins by distinct conductive responses; Overall, the chargeability anomaly coincides predominantly with resistive zones in the Direct Current and Induced Polarization ("DCIP") survey, although localized conductive and resistive variations overlap with chargeability highs and lows; Magnetic highs may indicate potassic core of a porphyry system or adjacent magnetic lows reflecting alteration halos; Magnetic highs occurring adjacent to and beneath the chargeability feature highlight a prominent interface along the Columbia River Flood Basalts paralleling with the chargeable body. Integration of these overlapping geophysical signatures helps outline the compelling exploration target for skarn and/or porphyry copper mineralization within the Cuddy Mountain Property; The integration of these geophysical properties in conjunction with geological mapping, soil and rock geochemistry, and topography further define the high priority target improving the probability of discovery. Figure 1. 3D Induced Polarization geophysical survey at Cuddy Mountain The Results of the Geophysical program along with the recently announced rock and soil sampling of up to 3.8 per cent copper ("% Cu"), 307 grams per tonne Silver ("g/t Ag") and 182 g/t Molybdenum ("Mo") will make up the basis for the upcoming drill planning at Cuddy Mountain. Copper has hit a 2025 high of $5.10 per pound on looming shortfalls and threats of tariffs. Figure 2. Malachite and Azurite (Cu) at the Rockslide Showing Figure 3. Malachite along a fault zone in the overlying volcanics Dean Besserer, President and CEO, stated, "Copper has hit a 2025 high of US$5.09 per pound, Silver is hovering around a 2025 high of US$34.00 per ounce and Gold has now surpassed $3,000 per ounce. The mandate to discover and delineate USA based domestic precious and base metals has never been more imperative as the USA works to reduce its dependence on foreign resources. The geophysical survey results at our Idaho, USA based Cuddy Mountain copper-moly-silver project add the final layer of data to our high priority drill target which will be tested during our extensive first phase drill campaign. The anomalous rocks within or near the mapped Seven Devils Volcanics are ideally located, reinforcing our confidence in this highly prospective target with up to 3.8% Copper sampled and up to 307 g/t tonne Silver. With the nearby Hercules project gearing up for an aggressive 2025 drill season, the geological team at Zeus is eager to follow suit in the near future as Copper, Silver and Gold hit their 2025 highs." The figures show the copper values for rock grab samples overlain on magnetic vertical intensity ("MVI") on the left and the chargeability at -150m on the right. The dashed line delineates the broad soil anomaly overtop of the mapped Seven Devils Volcanics. On this figure red is the chargeability and pink is the conductivity. About the Cuddy Mountain Copper Property (Idaho, USA) The Cuddy Mountain Property is adjacent to Hercules Metals Corp.'s recently discovered Leviathan Copper Porphyry (Cnd$167Million Market Capitalization).* The discovery resulted in Barrick injecting Cnd$23Million in equity while staking a substantial land position in the district along with Rio Tinto. The Cuddy Mountain Property consists of 101 lode mining claims respectively and cover a cumulative area of approximately 2020 acres. Historical Drilling at Cuddy Mountain consisted of 7 shallow drill holes in 1977 intersecting anomalous lead and silver. Drill hole Mun 8 contained 90 feet of 2.02 ounces per tonne ("oz/t") Ag (Taylor, 1977). Further historical exploration on Zeus's Cuddy Mountain Project occurred at the Edna May Mine: Mineralized vein with chip samples containing 750 ppm lead ("Pb"), 7.7% zinc ("Zn") and 252 ppm Ag over 4 feet. Underground drilling in 1979 intersected 1.38 oz/t Ag over 7 feet in a breccia zone (Burmeister, 1980). Additional exploration (By Taylor, 1977) at the Rockslide area encountered Malachite-stained outcrops with a grab sample containing 760 ppm Pb, 0.67 % Zn and 36 grams per tonne Silver (Taylor, 1977). *Adjacent Property (www.herculesmetals.com) *All information is derived solely from management of Zeus Mining and otherwise publicly available third-party information which are believed to be reliable, but which have not been independently verified by the Company and as a result are not guaranteed as to accuracy and completeness. Zeus's management cautions that past results or discoveries on properties in proximity to Zeus may not necessarily be indicative of the presence of mineralization on the Company's properties. Qualified Person The scientific and technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Dean Besserer, P.Geo., the President & CEO for the company and Qualified Person as defined in NI 43-101. On behalf of the board of directors. "Dean Besserer" President and CEO For more information, please contact the Company at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. FOR INVESTOR RELATIONS CONTACT: Kin Communications Inc. Ph: 604-684-6730 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. About Zeus North America Mining Corp. The Company is in the business of mineral exploration. The Company is focused on its exploration properties in the state of Idaho known as the: Cuddy Mountain; Selway; and Great Western properties, respectively. The Idaho properties consist of 101 (Cuddy Mountain), 57 (Selway) and 38 (Great Western) lode mining claims respectively and cover a cumulative area of approximately 4,200 acres. The Company's flagship Cuddy Mountain Property is adjacent to Hercules Metal Corp's Leviathan Copper Porphyry discovery. Forward Looking Statements When used in this news release, the words "estimate", "project", "belief", "anticipate", "intend", "expect", "plan", "predict", "may" or "should" and the negative of these words or such variations thereon or comparable terminology are intended to identify forward-looking statements and information. Although the Company believes, in light of the experience of their respective officers and directors, current conditions and expected future developments and other factors that have been considered appropriate, that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements and information in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on them because the parties can give no assurance that such statements will prove to be correct. The forward-looking statements and information in this news release include, amongst others, the Company's exploration plans. Such statements and information reflect the current view of the Company. There are risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in those forward-looking statements and information. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements or implied by such forward-looking statements. There are a number of important factors that could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those indicated or implied by forward-looking statements and information. Such factors include, among others: currency fluctuations; limited business history of the parties; disruptions or changes in the credit or security markets; results of operation activities and development of projects; project cost overruns or unanticipated costs and expenses; and general development, market and industry conditions. The Company undertakes no obligation to comment on analyses, expectations or statements made by third parties in respect of its securities or its financial or operating results (as applicable). The Company cautions that the foregoing list of material factors is not exhaustive. When relying on the Company's forward-looking statements and information to make decisions, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and potential events. The Company has assumed that the material factors referred to in the previous paragraph will not cause such forward-looking statements and information to differ materially from actual results or events. However, the list of these factors is not exhaustive and is subject to change and there can be no assurance that such assumptions will reflect the actual outcome of such items or factors. The forward-looking information contained in this news release represents the expectations of the Company as of the date of this news release and, accordingly, are subject to change after such date. The Company does not undertake to update this information at any particular time except as required in accordance with applicable laws. The Canadian Securities Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. Eight survivors of the devastating conflict in Ethiopia's northern Tigray region have accused 12 high-ranking Ethiopian and Eritrean civilian and military officials of war crimes and crimes against humanity, the legal rights group representing them told AFP on Monday. The Tigray region, bordering Eritrea, endured a war between 2020 and 2022 which claimed up to 600,000 lives, according to some estimates. The conflict pitted rebels of the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) against federal Ethiopian forces, supported by local militias and the Eritrean army. Both sides were accused of committing atrocities, with the government sealing off Tigray for most of the war and restricting humanitarian aid to the region. Eight survivors "have filed a groundbreaking criminal complaint with the German Federal Public Prosecutor, alleging that 12 senior Ethiopian and Eritrean government officials and military officers committed war crimes and crimes against humanity during the conflict," non-profit Legal Action Worldwide (LAW) said in a statement. The Swiss-based organisation did not disclose the identities of those accused in the filing, submitted in 2024 but announced last week. A LAW spokesperson told AFP on Monday they could not "confirm or deny" whether Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed or Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki were mentioned. The case is being filed in Germany under the principle of universal jurisdiction, which allows the prosecution of crimes regardless of where they were committed, as they violate international law. Addis Ababa and Asmara did not respond to requests for comment from AFP. "We are asking the German authorities to open a criminal investigation, and to issue arrest warrants for 12 suspects," Nick Leddy, head of LAW's strategic litigation department and a former prosecutor at the International Criminal Court, told AFP. He said they would not be naming the suspects as it could "jeopardise the chances of their arrest". The identities of the plaintiffs have not been made public either. "I've lost two of the most important people in my life in this war: my younger brother and my mom," LAW quoted one of them as saying. "The suffering and agony continues." "Tigrayans are still dying every day," they added, saying justice must be brought to those "who orchestrated and engineered these unimaginable crimes". - 'Dramatic crimes' - The two-year conflict was marked by allegations of massacres, mass rapes and other atrocities by all sides. In 2022, a United Nations commission said it had "reasonable grounds to believe that, in several instances, these violations amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity". Anna Oehmichen, a lawyer involved in the case, said the "gravity of the crimes in Tigray are dramatic". It requires investigation and prosecution, she said, "in order to put an end to the ongoing violations of international law and to prevent other heads of state from committing similarly devastating crimes". Although a peace agreement was signed in November 2022, around one million of the region's pre-war population of six million remain displaced. In recent weeks, a rift within the TPLF has reignited fears of renewed conflict. Three lines on a map! How can three lines on a map be aiding and abetting war crimes? It is recess in courtroom 34 on the second floor of the district court in Stockholm, and one of Alexandre Schneiters lawyers vents frustration while descending the winding stairs to the cafe during a break. Autumn turned into winter, and winter into what is known in Sweden as the fifth season: spring-winter, while Swiss national Schneiter has been interrogated between 4 February and mid-March 2025. Half of the historic 300-day trial against two executives of the Swedish Company Lundin Oil has passed, a trial where they have to answer accusations of complicity in war crimes in southern Sudan between 1997 and 2003. Coming after his co-defendant Ian Lundins uneasy interrogation, Schneiter and his defence have been crystal clear: he was technically responsible for finding oil in the million-years-old sediment layers beneath Sudans surface. But he had nothing to do with security or operational activities. No responsibility for anything above the surface A few weeks before the discussion about the three lines on a map, the former CEO asked to say a few words at the start of his testimony. We have heard a lot about seismic in court, and geophysics is, simply put, the study of our earth and the gathering of data using the laws of physics like magnetism, gravity, and seismic activity, he explained. Schneiter joined the Lundin Group in 1992 as a geologist. His straight career path is built on his ability to find oil where others drilled dry. The only source ever found in Block 5A until today was discovered by Schneiter. A photo of the core sample from Thar Yath, drilled in 1999, is shown on the Stockholm district courts screens. Schneiter explains, without getting too technical, that the black spots in the soil are oil. It is not relevant, but still interesting that what we are seeing is rock that is 100 million years old, Schneiter continued, emphasizing that his focus was always on what lay beneath the earths surface and that he had no responsibility for anything above it. No production ever took place, he added. Unlike the neighbours in Blocks 1, 2 and 4, which exported oil, not a single drop was produced from Block 5A. Only after several hours of lectures does Schneiter comment on one of the charges: In my view, it is entirely incorrect to claim that my participation in a couple of meetings would have had any impact on the conflict in the country. Building a road through an uncontrolled area According to prosecutors, its the opposite. The three lines on the map represent planned seismic lines kilometer-long cables with small explosive devices attached and used to listen to whats hidden underground. The map was presented by Schneiter at a meeting with representatives of Sudan in October 2001 and crossed an area not controlled by the Sudanese regime at the time. The prosecutors refer to the area as MOK or the Nhialdiu area. According to them, the Sudanese military subsequently demanded that a road to Nhialdiu be constructed to secure planned seismic surveys in the MOK operational areas, which the company, according to the charges, accepted. According to witnesses and company security reports, the area was later affected by heavy fighting. A plan to build a road through an area not controlled by the Sudanese military or allied militias should have signalled to the accused that it would lead to military offensives, according to the prosecution. Offensives during which the military would carry out indiscriminate attacks against civilians. But when the prosecutor displays the seismic maps from the Exploration Development Strategy 2002 document during the hearing, Schneiter brightens and says he is pleased to finally explain what the maps show. Something he believes neither his defence nor the prosecutors have understood. What the image shows is the bedrock in Block 5A. Imagine this as a bathtub, the edges are the shallow parts, and the basin is the deeper part. Fill the bathtub with sand, and you get the Muglad Basin, Schneiter explains joyfully. He argues that this part of the earth is something that does not change. The depth to the bedrock and the shape of the basin are constants in geology. As a company, you dont want to prospect in the deeper sections; you want to focus on the shallower parts, he adds. For the prosecutor, the image has been used to show that Lundin had an interest in the MOK area. But according to Schneiter, it merely describes a trend indicating that the area is deep and that MOK would be the least suitable place to explore. We dont care if its Iran, Sudan, or the North Sea Lets be clear: when a geophysicist looks at this, they dont care if its Iran, Sudan, or the North Sea, Schneiter continues, explaining that in a reservoir, there are deeper sections, but the quality decreases, and eventually, the oil turns into gas. The tone is once more lecturing: the prosecutors have misunderstood oil exploration or how an oil company operates. The difference in how Schneiter responds is striking compared to Lundin, the former president of Lundin Oil, who has been interrogated in the previous month. Lundin often did not recall details, while Schneiter wants to be correct, remembers specifics, and stands firm to reject the prosecutors narrative and documents. For him, it is not just about rejecting accusations, but about telling a story where the company has built roads to win acceptance among villages and ran clinics to gain support. It was never just about searching for oil, but about lifting the country out of poverty with support from the international communitys various bodies. Trying to connect Schneiter to the earth surface Often, it leads to a tug-of-war with the prosecutors over Schneiters involvement in the operations and what was handled locally in Block 5A or at the Khartoum office. When the prosecutors highlight that Schneiter met with South Sudan Independence Movements general, Paulino Matip - whose militia group fought against Peter Gadets Sudan Peoples Liberation Army, alongside the government- to obtain permission to fly helicopters in Block 5A, Schneiter presents a different version. It was a coincidence. I had just landed in Khartoum and was checking in when I saw Matip in the hotel lobby, Schneiter says. The fact that the flight permit was later approved if they avoided the southern part of the block is not something he remembers. I dont remember asking him for any permit, Schneiter asserts. Prosecutors continued trying to link Schneiter to operations by showing that when the rig in Thar Yath was attacked and security guards were killed in May 1999, it was noted in the incident log that he was the person the staff called but Schneiter claims he does not remember this. His explanation is that his name was on a general crisis call list. After five days of questioning, prosecutors discussed a meeting between representatives of Sudan and the company in October 2000, where Schneiter was allegedly exposed to the first complicity act. In the meeting minutes, an image of significant incidents affecting the company was presented. Prosecutor Henrik Attorps showed metadata revealing that the incident list was found during a house search at the defendants Swiss domicile. Schneiter claimed not to have seen the list, which recorded hundreds of incidents, but recalled that rebel leader Gadet was attacking, and the army was defending itself. The company had halted operations and was merely observing the situation. However, the prosecutor argued that the list demonstrated Schneiters knowledge of conflicts and armed confrontations. From my understanding at that time, it was about tribal conflicts, and that Gadet was becoming increasingly troublesome, but I had no way to influence this, Schneiter answered. - Further west, it says large forces are stationed to counter the threat from Gadet and to ensure Block 5As safety. This reasoning that the military allocated resources for your security is that something you had been informed about at that time?, the prosecutor continued. Schneiter replied that security was not his area of responsibility and that his understanding was that the army provided a neutral guard force. - But when you heard about this neutral guard force, how does that align with 1,600 soldiers being stationed in the block and large troops further west? - I was in the field, and I saw with my own eyes that there was a neutral guard force, friendly guards, and this document is not a fact, it is an estimation, Schneiter replied. At the start of the trial, the prosecutor presented a drawing of red staircase, with each stair symbolizing an action and therefore a higher level of complicity, to illustrate how various actions, or acts of complicity contributed to enabling crimes committed in Block 5A during the so-called crime period. Schneiters defence questioned the prosecutors methodology, where it is alleged that Schneiter, by informing the Sudanese about planned activities, demanded military interventions. After Schneiters interrogation, the court will start hearing about 50 witnesses during the rest of 2025 and into 2026. Since the interrogations with the two defendants took more time than expected, the new expected date for the end of Swedens longest running trial is now set to May 2026. Martin Schibbye is a Swedish Freelance journalist and founder of the news website Blankspot.se. Al Jazeera said on Monday that a journalist working with one of its channels was killed in an Israeli strike on his vehicle in northern Gaza. "Hussam Shabat, a journalist collaborating with Al Jazeera Mubasher, was martyred in an Israeli strike targeting his car in the northern Gaza Strip," an Al Jazeera alert said, referring to the network's live Arabic channel. The territory's civil defence agency confirmed his death, as well as that of Muhammad Mansour, an employee of the Islamic Jihad-affiliated Palestine Today TV. The agency said Shabat was targeted by an Israeli drone strike on his car on Monday afternoon near a petrol station in the northern town of Beit Lahia. It said Mansour was killed in a separate airstrike on his home in the southern city of Khan Yunis in the morning. Mahmud Bassal, spokesman for the civil defence agency, said airstrikes had targeted more than 10 cars in various areas of the Gaza Strip. In a statement, the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate called the deaths of Shabat and Mansour "a crime added to the record of Israeli terrorism". "This horrific war crime aims to obscure the truth and terrorise all those who carry the message of free speech," it added. It said that more than 206 journalists and media workers had been killed since the start of the war, triggered by Hamas's attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. Israel restarted intense air strikes across the densely populated Gaza Strip last week followed by ground operations, shattering the relative calm of a six-week ceasefire agreement with Hamas. The health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza said Monday that 730 people had been killed since Israel resumed bombardments on March 18, including 57 in the past 24 hours. Earlier in March, Gaza's civil defence agency said nine people including journalists were killed in Israeli strikes in the north of the territory, an attack Hamas denounced as a "blatant violation" of the fragile ceasefire. Twenty years ago, Congo-Brazzaville's new president urged conflict refugees to come home across the River Congo from Kinshasa. Then 353 returnees disappeared who were widely believed to have been murdered. "It's like it happened yesterday," said 75-year-old Marcel Touanga, grief-stricken for his son, one of those listed as missing in a troubling episode in the long career of President Denis Sassou Nguesso. In May 1999, the oil-rich central African nation was trying to turn the page on three successive civil wars since 1993. Sassou Nguesso, a military man, took power back in 1997 from Pascal Lissouba, with the stated aim of achieving "national reconciliation" in the former French colony. He encouraged people who had fled over the broad river to the capital of the newly named Democratic Republic of Congo (the former Zaire) to return via the "Beach" -- Brazzaville's port area. The two Congos on opposite shores jointly signed a repatriation agreement with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and people who were prepared to return did so during the week of May 5-14, 1999. 'Shot on the spot' "Once on the Beach, a kind of sorting process took place, with women on one side and men on the other. The men were subjected to a full body search" for firearms, said Touanga, who heads the main support group for families of the missing. The authorities were at the time hunting members of the rebel Ninja militia loyal to former prime minister Bernard Kolelas, who were active in Brazzaville's Bacongo district and a forested region adjoining the capital known as The Pool. Kolelas said that the Ninja insurgency had only been crushed when Angolan soldiers moved in to support Sassou-Nguesso and secure the city. Sentenced to death in his absence in May 2000 on charges of kidnapping, rape and illegal arrests by Ninjas, Kolelas was granted amnesty in 2005. He died after receiving medical treatment in Paris in 2009. "We have inventoried 353 missing youths, but there were many more because some bodies were burned," said Touanga, who now lives in France. "There was brutality, there were executions. Some people were shot on the spot and their bodies were thrown into the water," he added. "They didn't even give me his body," Touanga said of his 28-year-old son, a paramilitary policeman. Some of the missing were executed on the premises of the security forces, including the General Directorate of Presidential Security, according to a 2012 UN report based on testimony by people claiming to be survivors. New Hope for Families of Congolese Disappeared in Paris Case 'Truth and reconciliation' Under pressure from families, Congo's parliament launched a probe in 2002, broadening the scope to cover all forced disappearances recorded in the country since 1992. A trial finally opened in Brazzaville three years later with 15 defendants in the dock, mostly serving officers in the security forces. They were all acquitted in August 2005. However, the court ordered the state to pay compensation to close kin of 86 of the 353 missing men, to the tune of 15,000 euros ($16,850) for each victim. Separately in France, several human rights NGOs joined forces and went to court with a suit alleging "crimes against humanity, disappearances and torture." The case, lodged in early 2002, targeted President Sassou-Nguesso and three senior officials in his regime. Congo asked the International Court of Justice in The Hague to freeze the French legal proceedings. In April 2004, Sassou-Nguesso's police chief, Colonel Jean-Francois Ndenguet, was jailed in France on a charge of crimes against humanity. But he was freed on the grounds that he held a diplomatic passport, which led rights activists to cry scandal. "French justice for the moment remains the only hope for justice and truth," Tresor Nzila, executive director of the Congolese Organisation of Human Rights (OCDH), said in Brazzaville. However investigations in France have ground to a standstill. "Twenty years on, the case remains unfortunately bogged down," said prominent French lawyer William Bourdon. "The pain is still there," said Vincent Niamankessi, the 70-year-old father of one of the missing. "We are finding that our missing children are simply victims with no perpetrators." GOLD MEDALIST, the agency of Kim Soo Hyun, has filed a complaint against the Garo Sero Research Institute under the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Sexual Crimes. The allegations are rooted in the distribution of a bootleg video which allegedly contained images of the actor exposing his lower body. On March 24, 2025, GOLD MEDALIST reportedly said in its statement that the actions of Garo Sero Research Institute were not limited to this, and there were other unwholesome acts. After the first complaint was filed on March 20, the institute again shared the images and even reportedly threatened Disney+, whose new K-drama Knock Off, starring Kim Soo Hyun, is slated to debut soon. Garo Sero Research Institute showed the explicit photographs again on their YouTube channel during a live broadcast on March 21. GOLD MEDALIST added that this blatant flouting of legal standards was unacceptable and illegal. According to the agency, "This conduct constituting an additional felony offense is the kind of indifference to the law and law enforcement. It is an unimaginable act." Along with the reposting, Garo Sero Research Institute warned that they would publish a tape featuring Kim Soo Hyun if Disney+ did not pull the release of Knock Off. GOLD MEDALIST also denies Garo Sero Research Institute's allegations about Kim Soo Hyun's similar Crimes in Nth Room case The agency also said, 'Like all their previous claims, this is a complete fabrication, and of course, no such video exists." The agency then promised to take legal action again against the institute due to their repeated threats and false statement. Fans and netizens expressed anger over the controversy and what it means for Kim Soo Hyun's project and image. The Garo Sero Institute YouTube Channel stirred public interest with new allegations against actor Kim Soo Hyun. As per Pann Nate, the channel's host, Garo Sero, made a hand-tying gesture during a livestream, hinting at evidence connected to the ongoing controversy surrounding Kim and the late actress Kim Sae Ron. The turmoil began on March 10, when Kim Sae Ron's family alleged through Garo Sero that Kim Soo Hyun had been romantically involved with her since she was a minor. Subsequent intimate photos of the pair surfaced online, prompting significant backlash. Initially, Kim Soo Hyun's agency dismissed the claims as "completely baseless," but on March 14, they acknowledged that the two dated from the summer of 2019 until fall 2020, after Kim Sae Ron had turned 18. Amidst this scandal, Lee Jin Ho, another YouTuber, claimed on March 19 that Kim Sae Ron had married a non-celebrity boyfriend, became pregnant, and underwent an abortion. He provided an audio recording purportedly of a conversation between Kim Sae Ron and a staff member discussing her pregnancy and marriage abroad. However, Kim Se Ui, a representative from Gaseyeon, firmly refuted Lee's assertions during a livestream on March 23. He argued that it would have been physically impossible for Kim Sae Ron to have become pregnant and have an abortion within the timeline Lee presented. "She had only known her New York boyfriend for less than a month," he stated. "So how could she get pregnant and have an abortion by January 8?" Se Ui further warned that Kim Soo Hyun should be concerned about additional revelations that could emerge, suggesting the implications are serious and potentially criminal in nature. "This isn't just about dating a minor; it could be beyond grooming," he cautioned. Adding to the intrigue, Se Ui made a gesture mimicking biting a pen and having his wrists tied, repeatedly questioning, "Mr. Kim Soo Hyun, you like this kind of thing, right?" This cryptic tease has captivated viewers and raised expectations for what might come next. In response to the escalating situation, Kim Soo Hyun's agency, Gold Medalist, issued an official statement on March 24, announcing they would file an additional legal complaint against Garo Sero. They reiterated their stance that any claims regarding footage at "Nth Room level" are unfounded. "These claims are completely false," the agency emphasized. Monday, March 24, 2025 - Machakos Governor Wavinya Ndeti is facing fresh allegations of misappropriating county funds, with critics claiming she is looting public resources at an alarming rate. Wavinya is allegedly using the Machakos Youth Service (MYS), a program designed to equip 1,000 youths with life skills, as a conduit for embezzlement. Launched earlier this year at the Agricultural Training Centre, the initiative aims to train young people in discipline, teamwork, and hard. However, concerns have emerged over the programs finances, with claims that the Governor spent Ksh 170 million last year without the County Assemblys approval. Adding to the controversy, her son was recently spotted driving a Ksh 40 million Lexus, sparking speculation that he is using the looted funds to fund his lavish lifestyle. Last year, Wavinyas son, Charles Oduwale, was allegedly detained in the UK for attempting to deposit a large sum of money - a claim the Governor strongly denied. The accusations have intensified scrutiny of Wavinyas administration, with critics demanding accountability over County finances. As pressure mounts, Machakos residents and leaders are calling for transparency in the use of public funds, particularly in youth empowerment programs meant to benefit the Countys future generations. Watch the video below. " Wavinya's son is driving a 40 million Lexus car"- This is why Kalonzo Musyoka is also not an option , he has never called out this mamaa for Looting Machakos County! pic.twitter.com/TpAbZVugNd The Kenyan Vigilante (@KenyanSays) March 22, 2025 The Kenyan DAILY POST Monday, March 24, 2025 - A police officer attached to State House spokesperson Hussein Mohamed is said to have fatally shot a man in Kawangware, Nairobi, on Sunday night following a confrontation over a pool game. The officer allegedly fired multiple shots at 35-year-old Amos Lagat, hitting him in the stomach and chest at close range. Witnesses say the argument started after Lagat won a bet in a local pub in the Amboseli area. According to locals, the officer appeared agitated after losing and an altercation ensued, leading to the shooting. It is claimed that Lagat did not pose any threat when the officer opened fire. However, the officer later reported to Muthangari Police Station, stating that he had been ambushed by three unknown men who attempted to snatch his Ceska pistol. He claimed he struggled with one of them before managing to retrieve his weapon and fired in the air as he fled. Police officers who visited the scene found that the officer had, in fact, shot Lagat several times, contradicting his account. Lagat was rushed to Mary Immaculate Hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival. His body was later moved to Chiromo Mortuary for a post-mortem examination. The officer, who later sought treatment for an alleged hand fracture and shoulder injury, surrendered his firearm with three rounds of ammunition remaining in the magazine. Detectives have since launched investigations to determine the circumstances surrounding the killing. The shooting has triggered outrage among residents, with some accusing the officer of using his position to harass locals. Concerns have also emerged over possible interference in the case, as sources claim some officials are attempting to downplay the incident. The Kenyan DAILY POST Sunday, March 23, 2025 - Former Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) commissioner, Margaret Wanjala Mwachanya, has been caught in a bizarre scheme involving witchcraft, deception, and a desperate attempt to secure a top Government job. According to a police report she filed, Wanjala sought the help of a witchdoctor to interfere with President William Rutos judgment so he could appoint her as the National Police Service Commission Chairperson. Instead, she was conned out of Kshs. 6.1 million in a sham ritual that left her broke and humiliated. She first came across the witchdoctor through an online platform and was convinced that he had the power to influence her fate. She contacted him and was told to pay Kshs. 3,000 as a consultation fee, followed by Kshs. 12,500 for some mystical medicine. The witchdoctor then sent his assistant to deliver the items to her in Nairobi, instructing her to wash herself with a special powder and burn incense sticks. When nothing happened, she was called for another meeting where she was asked to place Kshs. 380,000 inside a black cloth tin. She was assured that this would boost her spiritual energy and guarantee her the job. After she complied, she was given the tin and sent home. When she checked later, it was empty. Still, she was convinced to invest more money into the ritual. She was taken to a dark room lined with red carpets and small huts, where she was told to place more money in a box. After a staged prayer, the box was opened, revealing what appeared to be Kshs. 18.3 million. She was then instructed to deposit Kshs. 1.83 million to unlock the money, which she did. The scam escalated. She was later asked to add Kshs. 3.3 million, with the witchdoctors team claiming that the money had now multiplied to Kshs. 48 million. She was told to keep the box in her house and pray over it for three months. Before the waiting period ended, the witchdoctor demanded Kshs. 70,000 to travel to Tanzania and negotiate with spirits to speed up the process. On August 3rd, she was given final instructions. She had to place her bank account number inside a small hut, after which the box would be burned in a symbolic ritual. She was assured that by August 15th, 2024, the money would be deposited into her KCB Bank account. When the date arrived, she checked her account - nothing. That was when she realized she had been scammed. The Kshs. 6.1 million she had withdrawn from Equity, KCB, and Co-operative Bank was gone. She reported the matter at Vihiga Police Station and was referred to the DCI office. The case is now under investigation. Wanjalas failed scheme has exposed how desperation and blind ambition can lead even former high-ranking officials to fall for crude con games. Instead of securing a top Government job, she ended up bankrupt, embarrassed, and at the mercy of the law. Mwachanya was part of the dysfunctional IEBC that nearly brought Kenyas electoral process to its knees. In April 2018, she and two other commissioners - Paul Kurgat and Connie Maina - resigned, citing a lack of confidence in Chairman Wafula Chebukati. Their exit threw the commission into turmoil, leaving the institution in crisis. Months later, she attempted to make a dramatic return, but the damage had already been done. Her actions proved that she was part of the problem, not the solution. Margaret Mwachanya should not be anywhere near public office. Her conduct disqualifies her from any leadership position, let alone chairing the NPSC, a body responsible for overseeing Kenyas police service. If she needed black magic to keep her previous job, what kind of influence will she use in the police service? Kenyans deserve leaders who believe in merit, hard work, and integrity, not people who rely on witchcraft and deception to secure positions. Anyone who turns to dark magic instead of qualifications has no business overseeing the police force or holding public office. For too long, Kenya has suffered under corrupt, incompetent, and unethical leaders. It is time to draw the line. The interviewing panel must reject her candidacy outright. If integrity matters, if professionalism means anything, then Margaret Mwachanya should be shown the door - permanently. Via Cyprian Nyakundi Monday, March 24, 2025 - Flamboyant businessman Jimal Roho Safis girlfriend, Wangari Thiongo, has stunned Kenyans after revealing that she was robbed during the Harambee Stars vs. Gabon match at Nyayo National Stadium on Sunday, March 23rd, 2025. Taking to Instagram, Wangari, who shares a daughter with Jimal, detailed how a thief snatched her black handbag, which contained a Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6, Ksh 256,000 in cash, ear pods, a power bank, and important documents. She immediately reported the incident at the Nyayo Stadium Police Post, where she was issued OB number 13/23/03/2025. Wangari pleaded with the thief to return at least some of the stolen items. My black bag was snatched today after the match at Nyayo National Stadium, she wrote. It had a Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6, Ksh 256K in cash, ear pods, a power bank, and important documents. She further appealed: If youre the one who took it, please keep the cash if you must, but Im kindly asking you to return the restespecially the phone and documents. No questions asked, just do the right thing. Netizens had mixed reactions, with some sympathizing while others questioned why she was carrying such a large sum in cash at a public event. The Kenyan DAILY POST Monday, March 24, 2025 - Senior advisor in President William Ruto's administration, Moses Kuria, is set to lose two apartment blocks in Ruaka and Juja Kiambu County after an auctioneer listed them for sale over an undisclosed debt. The auction scheduled for April 8th has drawn fresh attention to Kurias alleged links to UAE-registered InvestAfrica-FZCO a company that has been making calculated acquisitions in Kenyas corporate sector. An advertisement by Garam Investments Limited revealed that the former Cabinet Secretary and InvestAfrica-FZCO share a postal address. The firm incorporated in the United Arab Emirates is also listed as the beneficial owner of Smith & Gold Productions a company that secured a Ksh 259 million contract for the construction of Karatu Stadium in Kiambu. Until 2023, Kuria was named as Smith & Golds beneficial owner before the firms control shifted to InvestAfrica-FZCO. Despite maintaining that he has no association with InvestAfrica-FZCO, the company has made several high-profile transactions in Kenya. In 2023 it acquired a 35% stake in battery manufacturer Eveready East Africa. Last year it took over Kenya Orchards Limited (KOL) a food processing company in a deal estimated at Ksh 210 million. Following the acquisition, KOL rebranded to Amac Agri Corp PLC and its shares have since surged at the Nairobi Securities Exchange. InvestAfrica-FZCO also entered Kenyas trade sector through a subsidiary Shehena Commodity Limited which secured a Ksh 1.3 billion contract to supply edible oils under the Kenya National Trading Corporations importation programme. With auctioneers preparing to hammer down Kurias properties, prospective buyers are required to pay a refundable Ksh 3 million deposit before bidding. The successful bidder will pay 25% of the amount immediately with the balance due in 90 days. Kuria previously disclosed that his net worth stood at approximately Ksh 750 million during his vetting for the Trade Cabinet Secretary position in 2022. At the time, he stated that his wealth was drawn from real estate developments shares in unlisted companies and business interests in manufacturing fintech and other sectors. His career trajectory saw him work in the banking sector including a stint at Al-Rajhi Bank in Saudi Arabia before venturing into consultancy and later joining government service. He previously served as a technical advisor to former Presidents Mwai Kibaki and Uhuru Kenyatta before transitioning into politics where he was elected as Gatundu South MP in 2014. Kuria lost his bid for Kiambu governor in 2022 before being appointed as a Cabinet Secretary by President Ruto and later moved to his current role as a senior advisor in the Council of Economic Advisors. The Kenyan DAILY POST Sunday, March 23, 2025 - A young schoolgirl has wowed Kenyans after boldly accusing President William Ruto of being corrupt during a debate. The student questioned the effectiveness of the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission in tackling graft, highlighting growing concerns among the youth. Her remarks come amid increasing calls for accountability, particularly from Gen Z, who have been vocal about governance issues. The incident underscores a shifting political landscape where even young Kenyans are demanding transparency. If this trend continues, corrupt leaders in Kenya may face mounting pressure from an increasingly aware and outspoken generation. Watch the video and reactions below. You can kill a man, but not an idea whose time has come. Hii generation itawaonyesha vumbi... pic.twitter.com/pOKWA3JxyD George Njoroge (@georgenjoroge_) March 22, 2025 Monday, March 24, 2025 - Creative Kenyans on TikTok have intensified criticism of President William Rutos extravagant church donations. Recently, Ruto donated Ksh 20 million to a church in Roysambu, sparking public outrage and protests outside the venue. Despite the backlash, Ruto has remained defiant, accusing his critics of being agents of the devil and vowing to continue his generosity. In this viral TikTok video, the content creator has mocked Ruto by referencing a past incident where he shed tears in his church, alleging that the president uses such stunts to manipulate Kenyans. Watch the video below. Kenyans being Kenyans pic.twitter.com/77r05KzVeT The Kenyan Vigilante (@KenyanSays) March 22, 2025 The Kenya DAILY POST Monday, March 24, 2025 - Mercy Wanjiru Thairu, the third-year University of Nairobi student who went missing under mysterious circumstances last Friday after a night out with friends has been found dead. Mercys friends claim they booked a cab for her at Nairobi CBD after a drinking spree. She reportedly blacked out after consuming too much alcohol. She was to be dropped at Githurai but she alighted at Thika Road Mall (TRM). Mercys body was found at the City Mortuary on Monday, where it was reportedly taken after an accident. Police have launched investigations to establish the cause of her death. The Kenyan DAILY POST Gordon Deegan The High Court has ruled that a report error concerning a bat located in a barn outside Ennis is not sufficient to halt contentious plans for a new 200MW 1.2 billion data centre campus. This follows Mr Justice Richard Humphreys dismissing objectors claims that an An Bord Pleanala inspectors error concerning a bat roost containing a single Leislers Bat, who was a resident in March 2022, in a crack in the external wall of a barn shed in farmland near Ennis, Co Clare should stop the Ennis data centre campus In the first line of his 28 page judgement, Mr Justice Humphreys commented: The Bat in Building 6C could be an episode title in a Scandi Noir series. But it describes our subject here. Dismissing the objectors' grounds over the Leisler Bat, Mr Justice Humphreys described the inspectors error about the bat on page 74 of the inspector's report as harmless. He said: A decision should not be quashed for error (including in application of EU law) if the error was harmless and did not materially affect the result. An Bord Pleanala granted planning permission for the scheme in April 2024 comprising six data halls covering 145 acres or 1.3m sq ft on lands adjacent to the Tulla Rd on the eastern outskirts of Ennis near Junction 13 on the M18 motorway connecting Galway to Limerick. However, opponents of the data centre, Colin Doyle, Friends of the Irish Environment CLG, Futureproof Clare, Martin Knox and Christine Sharp sought a High Court judicial review of the appeals board permission. In October, An Bord Pleanala conceded the objectors claim for quashing the boards data centre planning permission where they admitted that the Board erred in law in failing to consider adequately the environmental effects of the proposed development on bat fauna. However, applicants for the centre, Art Data Centres Ltd contested the appeals boards High Court judicial review concession to the objectors. Now in his ruling after a one day hearing in the High Court, Mr Justice Humphreys has stated that the case dismissal is a modest piece of recent legal history in that no previous developer in the State has succeeded in demonstrating as misconceived an objection that the appeals board was prepared to concede. He said: For a certain type of observer, the fate of a single roost containing a single bat will be viewed as a trivial basis for a debate about the validity of the planning permission. That is perhaps understandable at a superficial level but is a misconception. He remarks: Obviously the issue isnt trivial if you are the bat. Nor is the protection of species and habitats generally a trivial matter. Nor is compliance with EU law. He said: The fact that all parties in the present proceedings, and particularly the developers professional and ecological advisers, have concerned themselves so assiduously with the outcome for our bat and its roost shows that, despite everything, as far as the state of civilization in this country is concerned, all is not yet completely lost. Mr Justice Humphreys stated the companys oral submissions utterly demolishes the objectors case in just six words: the potentiality necessarily includes the actuality. CEO of Art Data Centres Ltd, Tom McNamara said on Sunday: I welcome the courts decision, it is fundamentally founded in common sense and reason. The project will create between 400- 450 permanent jobs when the data centre campus is fully operational with up to 1,200 jobs in construction. Mr Justice Humphreys has listed the case for next Monday, March 31st to deal with matters arising from his judgement. In his ruling, Mr Justice Humphreys commented whether, and to what extent, those opposed to the data centre can make headway on the derogation licence issue or any other issue is for another day and for other parties to join in considering. 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. No further updates have been delivered on the planning of the Newbridge Southern Relief Road, which is planned to calm down traffic in the town. Cllr Noel Heavey brought the motion to the council asking for an update on the completion/submission of a business plan for the road. Senior Engineer, Daragh Conlan, replied: There has been no update since the previous motion on the subject." Cllr Heavey replied: "I am very concerned about the lack of progress here. You dont need me to go on about the traffic. Newbridge is sometimes a very, very difficult place. The Southern Relief Road would be a big help, but its been some years since this development got planning. The clock is ticking." Concerning the development of a business plan for the road, he said: I need to understand why it hasnt been developed. Why has there been a block? Cllr Chris Pender added: I would hope An Bord Pleanala sees a bit of sense. This is something we would like to see moving forward. In the same vein, cllr Peggy ODwyer added: I think were all very anxious to get this done. Cllr Tom McDonnell called the project delay a serious problem. He turned to Fianna Fail and Fine Gael reps and said: Theres no money for anything. Why arent you lobbying for anything? Youre not lobbying to government. Bringing the motion back into focus, Mr Conlan added: We are in the process of doing it we have never been closer than we are now. Im putting pressure on my client to get the business plan done. It is what it is, concluded cllr Heavey. By Cillian Sherlock, PA The leaders of the Opposition are seeking an urgent meeting with the Taoiseach in a bid to resolve a major row over Dail speaking rights. Micheal Martins Government has been accused of attempting to force through changes to Dail standing orders which would give speaking time to independents who supported the formation of the coalition, as well as Fine Gael and Fianna Fail backbenchers. A bitter row was ignited when it emerged that the Government was in favour of allowing the Government-aligned independents to join an opposition technical group for the allocation of Dail speaking time. Opposition parties said the independents could not be allocated their time and must be recognised by the Dail as members of Government. Coalition figures argue that those independents should be recognised as non-aligned to either the Government or opposition and have instead proposed new rules on speaking rights for a new grouping of other members. The matter is due to come to a head in the Dail on Tuesday. However, the main opposition parties are seeking a meeting with Mr Martin and Tanaiste Simon Harris 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. 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. A 61-year-old man has appeared in court in Ireland charged with possession of 10.6 million euro 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 18. The detective said the arrest came as part of an intelligence-led operation. 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. Det Gda 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. Cocaine, which was verified by Science Foundation Ireland, weighing 152kgs and worth 10.65 million euro 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, Det Gda 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. Det Gda 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. Det Gda 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. Tributes have been paid following the passing of Rose Byrne (nee Rosie Walsh) of Conway Park, Bagenalstown, Carlow and formerly Kilkenny. Rose passed away peacefully at St. Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, surrounded by her loving family. She was very recently predeceased by her loving husband Paddy and also predeceased by her parents Jim and Rose Walsh and brother Richard Walsh. READ NEXT: Kilkenny mourning the loss of 'talented' and 'supportive' father Rose will be sadly missed by her loving children Ann, Ruth, and Gillian, as well as her adored grandchildren Aoife, Jack, Grainne, Muireann, Mark, Niamh, Maud, Conor, Lucy, and Blanaid. She is also mourned by her sons-in-law Joey Donnelly, Martin Kavanagh, and Philly Holohan, along with her sister Maura, brother Seamus, extended family, and many dear friends. Roses warmth, generosity, and spirit touched the lives of all who knew her. Her memory will live on in the countless hearts she impacted throughout her life. Tributes have been paid in the condolences section of Rip.ie and read as follows: "Ah I'm deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Rose she was such a beautiful lady inside and out May rose have enternal rest with paddy Condolences to all the Byrne family" Another reads: "Many a great chat I had with you over the counter in SuperValu, Rose. Always asking for Mam, always thinking of others. You were an absolute lady. Rest in Peace" Funeral Arrangements: Reposing in Somers Funeral Home, Bagenalstown (eircode R21 DY66) on Tuesday afternoon from 3.pm to 8.pm, with Funeral Prayers at 6.pm. Removal from her daughter Ann's residence on Wednesday Morning arriving at St. Andrew's Church, Bagenalstown for Funeral Mass at 11am. Burial afterwards in the Cemetery of the Assumption. FOR MORE LOCAL NEWS, CLICK HERE 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. Rallies in Columbia are scheduled for Thursday and Sunday in front of the post office downtown. China is turning up pressure on Walmart. That could mean higher prices for US customers You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close US and Russian officials are meeting at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. China, Thailand to hold joint maritime exercise Xinhua) 14:10, March 24, 2025 BEIJING, March 24 (Xinhua) -- China and Thailand will hold a joint maritime exercise near Zhanjiang, in south China's Guangdong Province, from late March to early April, China's Ministry of National Defense said on Monday. The exercise will focus on urban counter-terrorism tactics, joint maritime strike operations, and anti-submarine warfare training, the ministry said on its website. This marks the sixth iteration of this series of joint exercises between the two navies -- which will deepen practical cooperation and enhance joint operational capabilities, the ministry added. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) 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. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Denis Geraghty, 3 The Glebe, Rathdowney and formerly Santry, Co. Dublin (ex-British Embassy) passed away peacefully on Sunday 23 March surrounded by those who loved him. Denis was predeceased by his beloved wife Marie and his brothers and sisters. Sadly missed and remembered with love by his adored daughter Deborah, son Declan, grandchildren Morgan, Mia, Luca, Ryan, Aidan and Kiara, his best friend and brother-in-law Noel and his wife Ann, extended family, neighbours and a wide circle of friends. Funeral arriving at the Church of the Most Holy Trinity, Rathdowney on Wednesday 26 March for Requiem Mass at 12 noon. Interment afterwards in Bealady Cemetery. Deniss Funeral Mass can be viewed on https://www.parishwebsites.ie/rathdowney/ Family flowers only please. Donations if desired to a charity of your choice. The Geraghty family would like to take this opportunity to thank most sincerely nurses, doctors, management and staff at Saint Vincents Nursing Home, Mountmellick for the wonderful care and support provided to Denis. It will be remembered for ever. Messages of condolence can be placed on Rip.ie. Daniel (Dan) Dargan, Carn, Portarlington died on Sunday 23 March after a short illness at Saint Jamess Hospital, Dublin surrounded by his loving and heartbroken family. Daniel was predeceased by his son Nathan Dargan. Beloved husband to Deirdre, loving father to his sons Daniel and Ciaran, his daughter Majella, grandchildren, son-in-law, daughters-in-law, brothers, sisters, nephews, nieces, relatives, neighbours and his many friends. Reposing at Moloneys Funeral Home, Mountmellick on Thursday 27 March from 5pm with Recital of The Rosary at 6.30pm. Funeral arriving at Saint Pauls Church, Emo on Friday 28 March for Requiem Mass at 10am. Cremation Service afterwards at 12.30pm in Newlands Crematorium. Sympathisers can express their sympathy on Rip.ie Gordon Deegan The expansion of fast food giant McDonald's in Ireland has been stalled by planning appeals lodged by sole objectors in Westmeath and Waterford. Last month, planning authorities in the two counties gave the green light to planned new McDonald's drive-thru restaurants at Lakepoint Retail and Business Park in Mullingar and Waterford Retail Park in Butterstown, Co Waterford. As part of its continuing Irish expansion, McDonald's also has additional planning applications for new drive-thru restaurants for sites in New Ross, Co Wexford, Thurles, Co Tipperary and Carrigaline, Co Cork. McDonald's has also lodged plans for a make-over of its flagship outlet on Dublins on 62 O'Connell Street Upper, which was first opened in 1979. The proposals by the US-headquartered firm in Co Westmeath and Co Waterford attracted little or no opposition with only one objection lodged in each case. However, those sole objectors, Ray Leonard in Co Westmeath and Michael Feehan in Co Kilkenny have now lodged appeals with An Bord Pleanala against the planning permissions. Both objectors live a distance away from the planned McDonald's outlets Mr Feehan has an address at Graigue Lower, Cuffesgrange, Co Kilkenny while Mr Leonard has an address in Kinnegad, Co Westmeath. In his original objection against the McDonald's drive-thru proposal in Waterford, Mr Feehan claimed that the development will fundamentally alter the nature of the retail warehouse park. He claimed that the scheme is s single use car based development, not ancillary to any of the uses on the park or providing any synergy with same. Mr Feehan further claimed that the McDonald's proposal will negatively impact on existing restaurants and takeaways in the general area including in particular those in the city centre and district centres. Mr Feehan also claimed that the drive-thru will negatively impact on the vitality and viability of the city centre and district centre drawing traffic into a facility on the periphery. In his appeal to An Bord Pleanala against the Mullingar McDonald's, Mr Leonard said that "notwithstanding that the development will have some function in providing food for workers on the estate, it will primarily function as a single trip facility aimed at car based customers which will negatively impact on the commercial viability and vitality of the town centre and against the principle of town centre first. Mr Leonard said the development in question will act against the town centre first approach which is central to any continued and sustainable development of Mullingar. Decisions on the appeals are due in July. LAOIS Independent Republican TD Brian Stanley, while speaking in the Dail on a debate on Public Expenditure said: While we need to stop the waste of taxpayers money, we dont need another Government Department run by an Elon Musk. Deputy Stanley said: As somebody who comes from a left, republican position, I believe in good public services. But I also believe in spending public money very well. We need to stop waste. Although those of us on the left advocate spending public money and creating good public services, it does not mean that we support the wasting of public money. That is the difference. Every euro of taxpayers money must be spent well. However, bringing in an Elon Musk or Michael OLeary to run the show and oversee it will bring chaos. We are watching that in one of the largest economies in the world, never mind the chaos it would cause in our small country. He said: The examples of waste are shocking. We can list off a dozen including the security hut. Some stuff I saw during my time as chairperson of the Public Accounts was absolutely shocking. Projects are being held up in the constituency of Laois. We need new health centres all over the place. We do not even have a primary care centre in Portlaoise, which is a town with a population bigger than Kilkenny city because of this kind of waste and incompetence. We should have good public services and we should spend the money on them. The public will back that. The public generally has no problem paying tax. A Laois teenager captured hearts when he took part in a unique production at Dublins Abbey Theatre. Harry Hoare from Rathdowney played a key role in The March of the Goldendoodles, a show that highlighted the individual personalities and interests of five very special children. The now-famous five, including 17-year-old Harry, use the services of LauraLynn, Irelands childrens hospice. Popular Harry has been coming to Laura Lynn on the charity's short breaks since he was aged 13. The collaborative initiative between LauraLynn, The Abbey Theatre and the National Gallery of Ireland aims to make the arts more accessible for children with life-limiting conditions. The family support project enables Harry and other children to engage in the arts in a significant way and to be part of a once in a lifetime venture, with two of the most prominent arts organisations in Ireland. Each of the childrens names will be recorded in The Abbey Theatre archives, a lasting legacy of their moment in the spotlight on 14 March. Written by Paul Timoney, the inclusive performance transported families on a magical journey through the arts from a dark night on Fungarvan Beach to fireworks at the March March Parade, with lots of friends along the way. LauraLynn senior play therapist Michelle Hartnett said: Days like this are incredibly special for the children and their families. The opportunity to perform on the stage in The Abbey Theatre is about more than just a performance. It is about joy, creativity and making memories that will last a lifetime. Very few people can say that they have performed on The Abbey stage and, for these five families, it will now be part of their childs story, a day to cherish forever. Executive director Mark OBrien, co-director of The Abbey, commented: It is always a pleasure to welcome the children, their families and friends and the staff and volunteers of LauraLynn into The Abbey Theatre. It is a privilege to be able to offer our support to LauraLynn in hosting this special performance, which never fails to inspire all the team here. By Grainne Ni Aodha, PA The opposition is expected to disrupt Dail proceedings on Tuesday as part of a deepening row over speaking time. Five opposition parties met on Monday to agree a response to the Governments proposal to change speaking time arrangements in order to create a new slot for coalition backbenchers and Government-affiliated independents. The disruption is expected just after 2pm, during the Leaders Questions slot in the Dail. It is the latest development in the dispute over how speaking time in the Dail is divvied up. The row delayed Micheal Martins nomination as Taoiseach in January and has trundled on despite several inter-party meetings and the intervention of the Ceann Comhairle in favour of the opposition. This led to a brief reprieve before the dispute was reignited after the Government put forward a new proposal to change speaking time arrangements and suggested it would use its majority to push them through. Opposition parties Sinn Fein, Labour, the Social Democrats, Independent Ireland and Solidarity-People Before Profit are to protest that decision when the Dail reconvenes on Tuesday. People Before Profit TDs Richard Boyd Barrett and Paul Murphy speak to the media at Leinster House in Dublin. Photo: PA People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy, who is a member of the Dail reform committee, suggested this would be done by widespread disruption, as a walkout could allow the Government to continue to pass legislation. He said a compromise acceptable to everyone should be sought and a meeting between the opposition and the Taoiseach and Tanaiste on Tuesday was needed. Outlining criticisms of the extremely contentious Government proposal, Mr Murphy said it is due to be voted on without a debate on Tuesday, halves the time available for opposing the Order of Business, and reduces the time for Taoiseachs Questions every week from 90 to 45 minutes. He added: About 50 minutes of opposition time is being taken each week, between the cutting of objections to the Order of Business and the halving of Taoiseachs Questions, and about 50 minutes is being given in opportunities for Leaders Questions to Fianna Fail and Fine Gael and then an extra speaking time to the Lowry group. So there is a direct transfer and a direct undermining of the capacity of the opposition to hold the Government to account, and thats our job in the Dail. Fine Gael Minister Alan Dillon. Photo: PA Minister of State Alan Dillon confirmed that the Government is planning to use its majority in the Dail to push through the new speaking time arrangements on Tuesday. He said: Were two months on where weve had hours of debate in the Oireachtas standing orders committee and we will come to a conclusion tomorrow when this is brought to a vote. This is about giving Government backbenchers more speaking time, its about changes to the standing orders which are modest in nature but also recognise the evolving nature of the Dail and certainly, as a former backbencher, I know how difficult it can be to get Dail speaking time. He added: This fiasco that the opposition are presenting has certainly had a huge impact in relation to our Dail activities. Minister for Education Helen McEntee. Photo: PA Earlier on Monday, Minister for Education Helen McEntee said the Governments proposals would not affect opposition time and would instead create a new time slot for backbenchers and others. She described a possible walkout over speaking time for backbenchers as an affront to democracy. Not a single second of time is going to be taken away from their speaking rights, from their ability to put down motions, to ask questions, the Fine Gael deputy leader said on Today with Claire Byrne. What this is about is fairness. If you are a Government TD you do not have the same speaking rights as if you are in opposition, I dont see how that is logical. If you look at the UK, a member who is on the Government side can ask the prime minister a question. Its the norm, it happens in most other countries. Pop star Billy Joel on Monday filed a $90-million lawsuit against his former manager, Frank Weber, charging him with fraud, breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty and federal racketeering statute violations. The suit, filed in the Supreme Court for New York County in Manhattan, is believed to be the largest judgment a pop star has sought against a former manager. It calls for $30 million in compensatory damages and $60 million in punitive damages and also seeks the repayment of $15 million to $20 million in commissions that Weber is said to have received from 1980 until Aug. 30, when he was fired by Joel. Webers New York-based attorney, Anthony Conforti, could not be reached for comment on Monday. Advertisement In addition to their business relationship, Weber and Joel had close personal ties. Weber is the brother of Elizabeth Joel, Joels ex-wife. Weber is also the godfather of Joels 2-year-old daughter. Among the defendants named in the lawsuit are Weber, his wife, Lucille, and his video company, Hicksville Productions. Weber began working for Joel in 1979 when Elizabeth Joel was still managing the pop star. After the couples separation and subsequent divorce, Weber began working for Joel directly. Advertisement Joels attorney, Leonard M. Marks of Gold, Farrell & Marks in New York, said that Joel began a private investigation of Weber this summer. He retained attorney John Eastman to review his financial statements and in July, hired an independent accounting firm to do an investigative audit of Webers company, Frank Management. Among the allegations in the 83-page filing: * $2.5 million in loans were given without Joels knowledge or authorization to various horse-breeding and real-estate partnerships and other businesses controlled by Frank. * Weber lost more than $10 million of Joels money in investments of a highly speculative nature, many of which involved Webers own companies. Advertisement * Weber double-billed Joel for his music videos, cheated him on expenses including travel and accounting fees and mortgaged Joels copyrights for $15 million without disclosing it on Joels financial statements. * Weber caused phony financial statements to be issued to Joel, which painted an unrealistic picture of Joels finances and the value of his investments and failed to reflect liabilities, guarantees, loans and mortgages. On 21 March Mexicos Presidentdefended the decision to open the alleged former extermination camp at the Rancho Izaguirre in Teuchitlan, Jalisco state, to journalists and families of the disappeared, saying she would always tell the truth. End of preview - This article contains approximately 364 words. Subscribers: Log in now to read the full article Not a Subscriber? Choose from one of the following options Easton Fire department on scene of a fire that broke out on in a room on the top floor of the Lafayette Hotel, on the corner of N. 4th and Northampton Streets in Easton, Saturday, March 22, 2025. Saed Hindash | For lehighvalleylive.com UPDATE: Easton hotel fire displaces more than 40 residents, relief fund launched Fifteen people have been displaced as a fire broke out in one of the rooms of a century-old Easton hotel. Flames ignited around 9:40 a.m. Saturday morning at Hotel Lafayette, 11 N. 4th St., which sits across from the Easton police station and Easton Arts Academy elementary school and is about a block away from Eastons Centre Square. Easton Police Captain of Field Services Salvatore Crisafulli confirmed to lehighvalleylive.com a city police officer saw smoke on the top floor of the building and was the initial 911 caller. City Deputy Fire Chief Chad Gruver told lehighvalleylive.com flames ignited inside a bedroom on the fifth floor of the five-story building. Everyone escaped safely on their own and there were no reported injuries, he said. Crews attacked the fire from both the interior and exterior, Gruver said, and it took them about 20 minutes to get the flames under control. In the end, there was fire damage mostly to the room the blaze originated in, and some smoke damage to the remaining fifth floor, the deputy fire chief said. The apartments below on the four other floors sustained water damage, he said. Firefighters faced some challenges in fighting Saturdays blaze. Gruver said the size and age of the building meant there were no standpipes. Crews had to utilize alternate measures to bring water into the building, he said. A portion of Hotel Lafayette, including the fifth floor, has since been deemed uninhabitable by city fire officials. A firefighter looks out a window on the top floor of the Hotel Lafayette where a fire book out Saturday, March 22, 2025. Saed Hindash | For lehighvalleylive.com Cristina Maisel, regional communications manager for the American Red Cross Greater Pennsylvania Region, told lehighvalleylive.com on Monday the organizations Disaster Action Team currently is assisting 15 people displaced by providing them with food, shelter, and other essential supplies. The Red Cross initially set up a shelter at Paxinosa Elementary School but has since moved the displaced individuals to a temporary shelter inside Shiloh Chapel, 201 Brother Thomas Bright Ave. in Easton, Maisel said. Red Cross volunteers remain onsite Monday at the church to provide residents with food, relief supplies, emotional support and other assistance, she said. North Fourth Street and nearby roads were shut down during the incident. The Lafayette Bar, a jazz club on the same block, posted on the business Facebook page it remains open despite having some fire damage. We are working to get everything back to normal in the damaged sections of the building, the posting states. We appreciate the well wishes for the safety of those affected. The cause of Saturdays blaze remains under investigation by Easton fire officials. The blaze, however, has been ruled as accidental, Gruver said. A man walks past the Lafayette Hotel after a fire broke out in one of the room on the top floor in in Easton, Saturday, March 22, 2025. Saed Hindash | For lehighvalleylive.com Please subscribe now and support the local journalism YOU rely on and trust. Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. The 2024 Rose of Tralee winner, New Zealand Rose Keely OGrady, is encouraging Laois Rose hopefuls to give it their all and enjoy themselves. Ms OGrady spoke to The Leinster Express / Laois Live about the highlights of her whirlwind year, and her words of advice for Laois Rose entrants. My year has been crazy, its been non-stop and Im always on the go, Ms OGrady said. Pictured: Keely O'Grady, the 2024 Rose of Tralee Its been crazy, being a 21 year old girl who hasnt seen much of the world. Ive had the chance to do different activities and opportunities with charities, I meet so many new people every week. I travel all across the world. It's crazy in the best way possible, she said. As the 2024 Rose of Tralee, Keely has enjoyed an extensive prize package that includes a Kia Niro plug-in hybrid for her year, a world travel prize valued at 25,000, free hair styling and accommodation in the 4-star Meadowlands Hotel, among many other perks and trips that come with the Rose of Tralee mantle. Ms OGrady has wished the best of luck to Laois Rose entrants, with plenty of heartfelt advice for them. Though the experience was out of her comfort zone at first, the Rose has encouraged Laois entrants to give their all. It's one thing to put yourself on stage as a dancer, its another thing to go on stage as yourself, showcasing your personality and your achievements, and what youre passionate about. I was terrified. It is terrifying, Ms OGrady admitted. Pictured: Laois and Offaly Rose hopefuls visit to Fossey Mountain Springs Ranch, 2025. Picture: Alf Harvey. But the thrill you get after, and the sense of accomplishment and confidence that you find in yourself from doing it, is so life changing. I have developed so much as a person from this experience. My confidence and my self worth have grown, along with my ability to put myself out there and just give things a go. Its helped me learn how to connect with people of all cultures and all ages, no matter the demographic. These are all skills that I will take with me for the rest of my life. "It was very different from anything I had ever done before, and theres nothing like it. If I could do it again I would! she said. For a lot of people, their excuse for not entering is that it isn't the right time, or they have too much going on. To be honest, there is never really a right time, Ms OGrady said. Pictured: Keely O'Grady, New Zealand Rose and Winner of the 2024 Rose of Tralee Festival I know that a lot of the girls will vouch for this- when you are in it, everyone is so supportive and so understanding. There is overwhelming support from everyone in the community to support you on this opportunity. "There is never going to be a right time, so throw yourself in headfirst- its life changing! I had so much fun. We have had two new roses selected for 2025, our Longford Rose and our Meath Rose," she said. Ive met them both and I have told them how jealous I am of the fun theyre going to have! I would do it all again in a heartbeat, Ms OGrady said. The Rose of Tralee was a recent guest of honour at Chicagos St Patricks Day parade. Even the beginning stages, before Tralee, the beginning stages are so much fun, she said. Its very local and you meet such like minded people, it's great craic. I entered my local competition in New Zealand and it was just myself and two other girls going for it, and we are now tied at the hip," she said. Pictured: Keely O'Grady and Rose of Tralee host Daithi O'Se. I progressed to the national selection and then to Tralee. I have made so many new close friends, and Ive met such an amazing group of girls, she said. We are all so different, and they are all so incredible. It's just amazing, you don't really get the opportunity as a young lady to meet so many different people. Its an amazing opportunity. The Rose has spent the last year travelling the world on humanitarian trips and official visits, all while working on her university degree. New Zealand is a bit different in terms of the college year- our summer is in your winter, so our university year starts in February and then ends in November. During the festival, when all of the Irish girls were on their summer break from college, I was smack bang in the middle of my degree, Keely explained. I was very lucky that my university was very understanding, they have a really good policy when it comes to representing your country on a national and international level, so I was accommodated very well, she said. But there was still the expectation that I had assignments to do, I couldnt just not be a student for the weeks I am not there, she said. So I had a few assignments to work on while I was away in Tralee, and I got those done! Maybe not to the best of my ability, but they were done! The Rose of Tralee laughed. Of her many trips around the globe, the Rose has particularly enjoyed her American trips and humanitarian trips. "My favourite trips so far have been my America trips, Ive been to Arizona and Texas. Being from New Zealand, I havent been able to travel that much. "Seeing America had me shook to my core- I couldnt believe that things could be so big! Ive learned that everything is bigger in Texas! she laughed. My other highlight would be my Poland trip that I recently went on, which was a humanitarian aid trip with Happy Kids Foundation and Chernobyl Children International. We volunteer at some safe houses for orphans who have been displaced by the war in Ukraine. "We traveled over there and managed to raise over 90,000 in aid for these charities, which was absolutely incredible, Ms O'Grady explained. Alannah OConnell (Dublin Stove and Fire); Katelyn Cummins (Alpha Drives Ltd); Karina Kotlara (Marum & Co); Ellie OSullivan (Mary Kearns Hair) and Jessica Byrne (The Tuition Centre) at the Laois Rose of Tralee contestants visit to Fossey Mountain Springs Ranch. Picture: Alf Harvey. As much as the Rose of Tralee is a laugh, good fun and going out with friends, its also about making a difference to the world. Its about getting out there and doing the work to make a difference. That work was definitely a highlight of my experience, she said. The 2024 Rose of Tralee has called for Laois entrants to do their best and have fun, and has wished them all the very best of luck. The Laois Rose Selection night will take place on Friday April 18 at the Midlands Park Hotel in Portlaoise, with Laois Rose entrants recently taking to Fossey Mountain Springs Ranch for a fun horseback riding activity. Judges make mistakes but the appeals structure exists to address but new guidelines will improve sentencing consistency, according to the Minister for Justice who has described the case of Joe Drennan as 'tragic'. Minister Jim OCallaghan made the comments in the Dail when answering a question from Laois TD Brian Stanley about issues with concurrent and consecutive sentencing by judges in courts as emerged in the case of Joe Drennan. Dep Stanley asked about the progress being made on the review of sentencing. It is not about locking people up and throwing away the key, but we need some common sense in the sentencing guidelines, he said. He raised the sentencing of the man who caused the death of Joe Drennan from Camross. The said the driver of the car, who had 46 previous convictions, fled the scene. Kieran Fogarty, aged 21, Hyde Avenue, Ballinacurra Weston, Limerick, was jailed for eight years for a shooting at a house in April 2023. He was given a six-and-a-half year concurrent sentence for causing Joe Drennan's death in a hit-and-run later that year. Dep Stanley told the Minister that the concurrent sentence means that Fogarty would not serve additional time in prison for killing the young Laois man. That is shocking. Young Joe Drennan lost his life. His family lost him. There has been a strong campaign in the county to have this reversed, he said While Dep Stanley welcomed that the DPP is appealing the sentence, he believes it should not have been consecutive. In a case like this where a person is up on serious charges, including shooting up a house, it is clear there should be consecutive sentencing and there needs to be clear guidelines on it, said the independent TD. Dep Stanley said the Department must monitor what is happening in the courts. Where there is a complete breakdown in consistency and sentences that are off the Richter scale, such as in the Joe Drennan case, it shows we have a problem and judges need to be clear the sentencing needs to match the crime, he said. Minister OCallaghan, a Barrister by profession, said sentencing is a complex matter though he acknowledged that people want to see some consistency. I want to see that as well, he added. He said that if people commit a serious offence while on bail, the law dictates that they receive a consecutive sentence. He said appreciated the concerns TDs, victims and their families have when they see a concurrent sentence being imposed in respect of different offences. MORE BELOW PICTURE. March for Joe in Mountrath. Pic: Alf Harvey Judges sometimes look at the issues and terms of the totality of what occurred. In circumstances where there is one offence and a series of convictions in respect of it, concurrent sentences are probably appropriate. However, where the offences are separate, it is in my view that consecutive offences are appropriate, he said. He restricted his comments on the Joe Drennan sentence. I am aware of the tragic case of Joe Drennan. I am not going to talk about it, as Im sure the Deputy can appreciate. The matter is being appealed by the DPP to the Court of Appeal and it would be inappropriate for me to say anything in respect of it I will speak in general terms about where multiple offences have been committed. Sentences imposed in response to multiple offences can be imposed concurrently, consecutively or a combination of both. Offences committed while on bail, in custody or while a suspended sentence is in place attract consecutive sentences. "That is provided for expressly in legislation. Section 11 of the Criminal Law Act 1976, which states that if a person commits an offence while serving a sentence, such as a suspended sentence, the sentence should run consecutively. More recently, the Criminal Justice (Burglary of Dwellings ) Act 2015 provides for consecutive sentences in relation to certain burglary offences. The law provides for it, therefore, but I appreciate and under the Deputys concern, he said. READ ALSO: Laois Crime and Court stories He highlighted the importance of consistent sentences. In general, there is a consistency throughout the criminal process when it comes to the imposition of sentences. We do not hear about it because it does not give rise to public controversy, but consistency is very important. That consistency will be increased and improved when we see judicial guidelines being put forward by the Judicial Council. However, we need to recognise that sometimes- and I am not speaking about any particular case- judges make mistakes and that is why we have the appeals structure that exists. The appeals structure is there to correct mistakes that are made by lower courts. Thus, there are systems in place to ensure that if there is a misapplication of the law by a court, it is corrected on appeal. I am very conscious of the responsibility we are asking the Judiciary to perform in respect of sentencing guidelines. I am especially interested in seeing that and the public will also be interested in seeing what the guidelines for certain types of offences are. Serious offences merit serious sentences. However, we must also recognise sentencing is complex, he said. A busy regional road in a Laois town leading to schools and Dublin has closed for a week due to essential water works. Laois County Council has closed the R422 road on Harbour Street in Mountmellick. The road closure is to allow for connection of the new Grange Hall housing estate to the public sewer. It will be closed for 24 hours a day while the work is underway, from 9am on Monday, March 24 to 6pm on Friday, March 28. Local cars will be diverted via the Bay Road, but heavy goods vehicles will be sent on a long diversion via Emo and Portlaoise. See both of those two diversion maps below, courtesy of Laois County Council's roads department. Read more: Professional MMA fighter given driving ban in Laois court The town centre street connects Mountmellick to Emo, Portarlington and the M7 Dublin Limerick motorway. It is also a busy route for young families driving to schools in Mountmellick and The Rock. Grange hall is a private development which has 54 new houses under construction, expected to be completed in the coming months. An application by the developer to build two further houses at the entrance was recently refused planning permission. Diversions are signposted via Emo and Portlaoise. Local access diversions are also in place for residents on Harbour Street. In the one weekend, two disability charities in Laois have benefited massively from two separate truck and tractor runs, thanks to the generosity of participants and onlookers. Days after a huge sum was presented to Down Syndrome Laois by Mountmellick Macra, a second big cheque was given to another good cause. Laois Offaly Families for Autism (LOFFA) have received a welcome boost from the Camross Charity Truck and Tractor Run committee. The fun run was held over two days last October and it has raised a tidy 16,044 for LOFFA's good work. LOFFAs event managers Aisling Bray and Lizzy Walton along with Vice Chairperson Jackie came to Bergin's Inn in Camross for the cheque presentation on Sunday, March 23. The Camross committee also donated 1,000 to Camross Parish. Representatives of Camross Parish accepting the donation of 1,000 from Camross Charity Truck and Tractor Run committee. LOFFA has thanked the Camrossians for their support. "A vast amount of money was presented to Laois Offaly Families for Autism this evening from the fantastic Camross charity Truck & Tractor Run committee. "A cheque for 16,044 was gifted to LOFFAs Vice Chairperson Jackie Ni Ghaothiu in Bergins The Camross Inn. "Thank you for this generous gift, your support makes a significant impact to all our families. The amount of work and commitment your committee puts in every year to raise funds for charities is remarkable. Thank you also to LOFFAs members who sold and bought tickets for the raffle and to Catherine Bracken who did a tremendous amount of work over the few days in Camross," the LOFFA team said. There is more good news for them to come this year, as LOFFA will again be the recipient of the 2025 Camross Charity Truck and Tractor Run. "Thank you for choosing LOFFA again for 2025. This will be your 10th Annual Truck & Tractor run and by the sounds of it its going to be the place to be," say LOFFA. LOFFA is a local, non-profit charity based in Laois and Offaly in Ireland. It supports over 100 local families who have a child with a diagnosis of autism. All funds raised go directly to subsidising vital services need for their children such as Occupational Therapy, Speech and Language Therapy, Play Therapy, Behavioural therapy and Counselling. LOFFA also offers a programme of social events to families such as swimming, cinema outings, coffee morning and monthly meetings. The Down Syndrome Laois branch has been given an enormous donation by a local Macra group. The incredible sum of 20,560.75 was raised by Mountmellick Macra when they held their third annual Christmas Light Up Truck and Tractor run in December 2024, a huge event that raised much more than just smiles along the route through Clonaslee, Rosenallis and Killeigh. To mark World Down Syndrome Day on March 21, Mountmellick Macra formally handed over the giant cheque to Down Syndrome Laois. The handover took place in Polly's at the Abbeyleix Manor Hotel where Down Syndrome Laois members were enjoying a celebration to mark their annual day. Mountmellick Macra shared the great photo with this message. "Happy World Down Syndrome Day! To coincide with todays celebration some of our committee joined members of the Laois Down Syndrome branch, who were marking the day, to present them with a cheque for 20,560.75, being the proceeds of last years event. "2024 was our biggest event yet and we are beyond grateful to each and everyone who donated so generously and gave their time so selflessly to ensure our event was a success. "It was an absolute pleasure to work with Laois Down Syndrome. In the months leading up to the Run we learned so much about the organisation and the fantastic work it does. It is fair to say that we forged many new friendships with the members and their families. "Thank you one and all, until next year," Mountmellick Macra said. Down Syndrome Laois branch, currently chaired by Mark McManus, supports over 45 Laois members with Down Syndrome, under the umbrella of Down Syndrome Ireland. Their focus is on lifelong support so members have meaningful jobs and as much independence as possible. They give reduced rates on therapeutic services as well as work skills training. DSL also hold social events and educational talks for families. The charity gets only around 20% of its funding through government grant, mostly relying on fundraisers, such as their recent St Patricks Day shamrock sales, some of which was grown by members in Laois Down Syndrome's polytunnels. Down Syndrome Laois members at work at their polytunnels. The group thanked Mountmellick Macra. "On behalf of our Laois Branch, we are lucky to have met such wonderful people who gave so much of their time to help raise funds that will benefit our members with vital therapies. Thank you so much. We are truly humbled by your generosity and the effort you have all made for our branch," the group said. Read more: Mountmellick Magic on St Patrick's Day For more information about the Down Syndrome Ireland Laois Branch, contact 087 927 5044 or see Down Syndrome Ireland The Minister of Agriculture, who hails from County Kildare, has called for increased vigilance following reports of foot-and-mouth (FMD) disease outbreaks in Slovakia. Fine Gael TD Martin Heydon made the comments following Slovakia's confirmation of three FMD outbreaks in cattle on Friday, March 21 last. All three outbreaks occurred within 20km of the recent outbreak in Hungary, which took place on March 6 last. FMD is a highly contagious viral disease of cattle, sheep, pigs and other cloven-hoofed animals. In his call for increased monitoring following the outbreak reports, Minister Heydon said in a statement that the news was "very concerning". He elaborated: "I know this is a terrible blow to Slovak farmers and their agri-food industry. "Given the highly contagious nature of the FMD virus I urge everyone in Ireland, particularly farmers, to continue to stay vigilant and to protect our Irish livestock." Minister for Agriculture, Food, Fisheries and the Marine, Martin Heydon TD. File photograph He further said: "Those travelling to Ireland from FMD affected countries should take every precaution not to bring the disease with them via contaminated meat, dairy and materials such as clothing, shoes and equipment. "It is especially important that if you have visited farms, wildlife areas or zoos in FMD-affected countries, that you avoid all contact with livestock or wildlife for at least 14 days following arrival in Ireland," Minister Heydon concluded. According to gov.ie, FMD can cause very significant economic losses. This is due to production losses in the affected animals and also the loss of access to foreign markets for animals, meat and milk for affected countries. FMD does not infect humans and does not pose a food safety risk. Ireland is free of FMD, having had its last case in 2001. The website added that Minister Heydon's Department is "taking action to protect Irish livestock following this outbreak". READ NEXT: Tenders issued for new 16m school in Kildare Kildare County Council has announced the pre-draft public consultation phase for the County Kildare Biodiversity Action Plan 2026-2031. The public consultation is open between Friday March 21 and Friday May 2 inclusive. This Biodiversity Action plan aims to address biodiversity loss across the county and to promote actions for a more sustainable and resilient natural environment. READ NEXT: Kildare house prices increase 1.8% in three months - survey As one of the first local authorities in Ireland to declare a biodiversity and climate emergency, in 2019, Kildare County Council is committed to protecting its rich and unique biodiversity. The five-year plan will outline actions and objectives that align with, and build on, national efforts to halt the decline of our species and habitats. The plan is underpinned by the objectives of Irelands 4th National Biodiversity Action Plan, which places emphasizes local action to address global biodiversity loss. This includes the restoration of habitats and ecosystems, protecting key species, and promoting nature-based solutions to mitigate climate impacts. The public are invited to assist in the preparation of County Kildares next Biodiversity Action Plan by providing feedback via the consultation process. The feedback received will inform the actions, aims and objectives of the plan. The Discussion Paper can be found on the Online Consultation Portal on https://consult.kildarecoco.ie/en/consultation/biodiversity-action-plan-county-kildare-2026-2031 Additionally, Kildare County Councils Biodiversity Officer will hold pre-draft public consultation walk-in clinics at the following locations: Naas Library: Tuesday March 25, 6pm - 8pm Kildare Town Library: Wednesday March 26, 1pm-3pm Athy Library: Friday March 28, 2pm -4pm Leixlip Library: Tuesday April 1, 6pm - 8pm Maynooth Library: Thursday April 3, 3pm-5pm An online clinic is scheduled for: Online, via TEAMS: Tuesday April 8, 7pm-8pm For further details, to register for the online event or to make a submission at this pre-draft stage visit the Online Consultation Portal on ( https://consult.kildarecoco.ie/en/consultation/biodiversity-action-plan-county-kildare-2026-2031 ). Alternatively, you can email biodiversity@kildarecoco.ie or Send your submissions by post to: the Biodiversity Officer at Kildare County Council, Aras Chill Dara, Devoy Park, Naas, Co. Kildare W91X77F Submissions or observations should include your name and address and, where relevant, details of any organisation, community group or company you represent. Young people, or groups/organisations representing the interests of young people, are particularly encouraged to make submissions. A man has appeared at Naas District court in connection with thefts from an Aldi store. Trevor Johnston, 33, whose address was given as 42 Cushlawn Walk, Tallaght, was prosecuted for incidents on September 13, 2023 and on April 21, 2023 at the outlet in Blessington. Sgt Mary Meade told the court that two suspects were involved on September 13. She said some 193 worth of groceries were taken and all points of payment in the store were passed and the items were not paid for. READ NEXT Funeral takes place for Ireland's oldest woman who passed at 109-years-old The court also heard that the goods were recovered. On the second occasion two bottles of Jameson whiskey valued at 60 were taken and these were not recovered. Sgt Meade outlined that the defendant was identified from CCTV images. She added he has 79 previous convictions, including 38 for theft. His first conviction was in 2007. Defending solicitor Brian Larkin was the defendant was now in custody and had a drug habit. Hes putting his hands up, added Mr Larkin. The court was told he was serving a term for theft and trespass, an incident described as being at the lower end of the scale of offending. Mr Larkin asked the court not to extend the defendant's term of detention adding he is now drug free. He also stated the defendant had three children. Asked by Judge Desmond Zaidan if he would remain drug free and out of trouble the defendant replied: Of course I will; thats the plan. Judge Zaidan applied the Probation Act. A delegation of Leitrim councillors will meet with Minister for Forestry Michael Healy-Rae tomorrow morning (Wednesday) regarding forestry issues in Leitrim. The group, which includes Cathaoirleach Paddy ORourke, as well as councillors from each municipal districtGary Prior, Maeve Reynolds, Eddie Mitchell, and Brendan Barrywill address the matter with the minister. We are going to speak to him about the hardship that has been inflicted on the people of Leitrim, said Cathaoirleach ORourke. We expect that he will have some answers for us on how this can be prevented from happening again. After Storm Eowyn, there were calls for the new Minister for Forestry, Michael Healy-Rae, to visit Leitrim to see the damage caused. It was met with disappointment that he did not make the trip. Leitrim is consistently one of the worst-affected counties nationwide after major storms, largely due to fallen forestry. Storm Darragh and Storm Eowyn, in particular, left thousands of residents without power for weeks. Areas across Leitrim often lose power due to fallen trees damaging powerlines throughout the year. There is no other county in Ireland that suffered the same as Leitrim because of the intense afforestation, said ORourke. The group has a number of issues to raise with the minister, including seeking clarification on who is authorized to remove trees belonging to forestry owners that have fallen onto private property. They will also ask for compensation for farmers whose land was damaged by the storms and address the issue of forestry near power lines in the county, according to ORourke. We need assurance that the regulations regarding the planting of trees in and around powerlines will be addressed once and for all in an appropriate manner, said ORourke. Leitrim County Council has had previous meetings with ministers for forestry regarding the county's opposition to over-deforestation and planning licenses. These meetings have not been fruitful, but ORourke believes this one must be different. This is about people who have no connection with forestry being impacted We are looking for commitments that will ensure regulations are put in place so this will never be allowed to happen again, he added. A delegation from Save Leitrim will also meet with Minister Healy-Rae on Wednesday. READ MORE: Leitrim house prices jump 5.1pc in three months, REA report Irish motorists are being warned to watch out for a sophisticated scam involving fake QR codes placed on parking ticket machines. The scam could see drivers unknowingly handing over personal and financial information to fraudsters. An Garda Siochana issued an alert after several fraudulent QR stickers were discovered at parking stations. These bogus codes, which are being placed directly over legitimate ones, direct users to cloned payment websites designed to steal credit card details and personal data. Gardai have been made aware of fraudulent QR codes placed over legitimate ones at parking stations, leading unsuspecting drivers to fake payment websites, gardai warned in a post shared on social media. These sites look real but can steal your payment details and personal information. The scam was previously highlighted in counties such as Dublin and Wicklow, but gardai have since said it could quickly spread to other areas. In a post on the Garda Siochana Wexford page, drivers were urged to be extra cautious and shared the following tips: Check the website Legitimate sites usually match the parking providers official website. Be cautious if the URL looks suspicious or unfamiliar. Look for Tampering If the QR code sticker looks misaligned, bubbled, or like its covering another code, avoid scanning it. Manually Enter the Website If in doubt, type the official parking website into your browser instead of using the QR code. Pay at the parking station if in doubt. Authorities are asking anyone who comes across suspicious QR codes to report them to the relevant county council, parking provider or local Garda station. READ MORE | Gardai issue warning as lorry caught travelling shocking speed outside school An Irish restaurant has poked fun at Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary after adding a few 'extra charges' to his food bill recently. Luvida Restaurant in Navan made the most of the opportunity when O'Leary visited their restaurant recently as they presented him with his bill. The bill included charges for extra leg space, priority booth seating and a quiet area. The charges totalled 37.85 but were in fact just a joke as the restaurant didn't apply them to the bill Mr O'Leary paid. Ryanair is famous as a budget airline with cheap flights but some extra costs like choosing a specific seat, baggage costs, etc. Some people were quick to comment on the joke with one saying, "that's brilliant." It's clear Michael O'Leary saw the funny side too as he posed for a photograph with staff. The picture was posted to social media with a post thanking Mr O'Leary for choosing Luvida. READ NEXT: The five counties most affected as over 10,000 people see jobseekers benefits cut The post read: "Thank you to Michael O'Leary for choosing to dine with us tonight! It was a pleasure to host you. Hope you don't mind us adding some additional charges to your bill for extra leg space, priority booth seating and quiet area reservation." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Luvida Restaurant (@luvidarestaurant) The restaurant also revealed Mr O'Leary was not frugal when it came to leaving a tip! Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan has hailed the arrival of two senior forensic experts from FTI Consulting The Cost of Survival: Liberias Fish Dryers and the Hidden Toll of Poverty ---- In the suffocating smoke of Liberias beaches, women like Nana Nadge are exposed to the brutal calculus of poverty, where survival demands a slow surrender of their health. ITS THAT time of year again! The Limerick Lifelong Learning Festival returns for a 15th iteration this April with its most comprehensive line-up of events to date. Taking place from Monday, April 7 to Sunday, April 13, this years festival theme is Literacies for Life and will feature over 120 free events and activities throughout the week both online and in-person. The 2025 festival presents a wide variety of interesting and diverse topics that include art, IT skills, language tasters, entrepreneurship, guided tours, open days, educational pathways, dance, music, cookery, well-being and more. READ ALSO: Pub book gives Limerick charity huge funding boost This years festival was launched in Newcastle West Library by the Mayor of Limerick, John Moran on Friday, March 21. Limerick City and County Council, Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board and PAUL Partnership are lead partners in the festival. The initiative is also supported by a multi-agency steering group. Eimear Brophy of Limerick and Clare ETB and chair of Learning Limerick Steering Group said: The theme of literacy is very timely and celebrates all the literacies that we need to embrace throughout our lives, including digital, financial, health environmental literacies. At this time of year, we are also reflecting on the work of Learning Limerick over the last year and the importance of connection and our membership of regional, national and international fora promoting lifelong learning. We are very proud of our membership of the UNESCOs Global Network of Learning Cities (GNLC) and the Irish Network of Learning Cities (INLC) and value the sharing of best practice ideas and supporting other cities as we all continue our good work. Limerick is a UNESCO Learning City, an initiative ran by the United Nations agency that promote education and humanitarianism. Some of the events taking place through the week include: A Craft Workshop in Moyross with Limerick and Clare ETB tutors, hosted by Moyross Adult Education Group, a Multicultural Ceili in the Tait Community Kitchen hosted by PAUL Partnership and a Do You Know What Youre Eating? seminar running in both the City and Kilmallock Libraries, which explores the impact of nutrition, hosted by Healthy Limerick. As well as this, there is a Self-Employment Information Session for Migrants hosted by Ballyhoura CLG, an Open Choir Rehearsal hosted by Mary Immaculate College Community Choir, an introduction to Script Writing event hosted by College of FET, Mulgrave Street Campus and a Childcare Employment & Careers Expo hosted by Limerick Childcare Committee. Noting the positive effect of the festival, Mayor Moran said: At the heart of the festival is the belief that learning should be fun and accessible for everyone. Following our motto Communities, Connecting, Learning - we invite you to come with us on a journey of exploration, engagement, and pure celebration. I anticipate strong participation from our local communities and the broader public, both from within Limerick and beyond, mirroring the high levels of engagement we have witnessed in previous years. It is a mark of our commitment to promoting learning in all its forms and the interest shown in lifelong learning across all groups across Limerick. The full schedule of festival events is available on www.limerick.ie/lovelearning. WHAT was meant to be an opportunity to reconnect with relatives has turned into an unimaginable nightmare for the family of a Templeglantine resident who has died after suffering a brain hemorrhage on holiday. Maura Heffernan sadly passed away on Sunday night after suffering a brain bleed last Thursday while on holidays in Alberta, Canada. The 65-year-old had set off on the trip of a lifetime to visit family in Canada but, tragically, suffered a sudden brain hemorrhage just six days into her holiday. The holiday was to surprise her daughter Karen and her grandchildren Aaron, Darren and Susan. Maura was due to stay in Calgary in Alberta for another three weeks. Stephen Curtin, Maura's son-in-law flew to Canada with Maura and his wife Helen. Last Thursday, after hearing noises when they woke up, they ran to find Maura in the bathroom. At the time, they believed she was having a stroke because she had no speech. "The holiday of a lifetime turned into a holiday from hell," Stephen told Limerick Live this Monday. "At eight in the morning we were awoken to hear Maura." He explained that two hours later, they were informed that Maura had suffered a brain bleed on both sides of the brain. The Kilkee native didn't have any underlying conditions that the family are aware of and had been cleared to travel by her doctor as she underwent surgery on her back last year. The family are very shocked by Maura's passing and Stephen said they're unable to speak about it. He described Maura as a "superstar" and a "brilliant" person. Following Maura's sudden medical episode last week, the family set up a GoFundMe explaining "unfortunately, she will not recover from this". "As you can imagine with rising costs of the hospital bills, bringing her home and to give her the best send off that she deserves, we are making this plea to help us make this happen," the GoFundMe page reads. To date, over 30,000 has been raised but the family have set a target of 50,000 to help return Maura home. READ MORE: Flight Link CEO elected for prestigious position Maura was a huge fan of music, particularly Gary Barlow and Take That and had gone to see them in concert in Musgrave Park in Cork last year. She was a shop steward at the Kostal factory in Abbeyfeale for over 20 years before her retirement last year and had lived in Templeglantine for over 20 years. Maura Heffernan nee O'Gorman is survived by her mother Mary O'Gorman, husband Gerard Heffernan, four children Helen Curtin, Dominic Heffernan, Karen O'Connor, Lynda Mulvihill and Colin Heffernan and many grandchildren. To donate to the GoFundMe click here. A LIMERICK charity has received a huge boost thanks to the sales of a book charting the rich history of local pubs and bars. William Banks and Mary Immaculate College historian Dr Paul OBrien spent months putting together a comprehensive guide of hostelries in Limerick from 1858 to the present day. A real labour of love for the pair, they decided against keeping any of the proceeds from the comprehensive book. Instead, they have donated 55,000 to Down Syndrome Limerick. READ MORE: Most beautiful field Ive seen: Limerick auctioneer on 21.5 acres guided at 700k Michelle Coughlan, the chairperson of Down Syndrome Limerick, which is based in Castletroy, said the money is going to make a world of difference to the charity. Its amazing. I dont think we ever foresaw that it had this potential. We thought if the guys sold a couple of hundred books, how amazing would that be? We are the kind of charity who would never say no to anybody who comes to us with an idea, she said. Paul and Williams efforts eclipsed their expectations. We knew it would be popular, but we didnt realise quite how popular it would be, exclaimed Paul. Two launch events were held for the book - available in hardback and paperback, one in Mary Immaculate College, the other in Mother Macs Pub at High Street in the city centre, performed by Mayor John Moran. It went to a reprint, and Paul has said this week that a number of copies have shipped overseas. Around 250 copies of the book remain - and there will be no more re-releases after this. We are delighted with the book sales. We are thrilled to be able to hand over such a large amount of money to Down Syndrome Limerick. It will go a long way to supporting their services. At the end of the day, Down Syndrome Limerick does not receive any public funding, he said. For Ms Coughlan, 55,000 is transformational. The funding will help continue their work to deliver speech and language therapy to some of its members. For young children with Down Syndrome, this will mean many will hit their developmental milestones at the same time as other children. The opportunities become equal, Ms Coughlan added. ACME Solar Holdings Ltd has outlined a plan of investing 32,000-35,000 crore in capital expenditure by 2027 to expand its renewable energy portfolio, according to chief executive officer Nikhil Dhingra. The company aims to increase its energy portfolio to 7 gigawatts (GW) by 2027 from the current 2.5 GW, with a focus on round-the-clock (RTC) renewable energy projects, Dhingra said in an interview. Capex push "Basically, our capex has been divided into two phases. Until 2026, 17,000 crore and 15,000-18,000 crore in the year after that," Dhingra said. "We will increase from our current operational capacity 2.5 GW to 5 GW by 2026 through phase-1 capex, and to 7 GW by 2027 through phase-2 capex." Also Read: House panel stresses construction of underground LPG caverns Of the planned 7 GW capacity, about 50% would be firm and dispatchable renewable energy (FDRE) and hybrid projects, which are key for round-the-clock energy supply with a mix of solar, wind and storage capacities, he said. The rest would largely comprise vanilla solar projects, and standalone wind energy projects would stand at about 2%. "As far as even FDRE and hybrid is concerned, hybrid regulatory requirement is to put one-third wind. So, we will do that. But hybrid is a very small proportion of our portfolio. FDRE is a larger proportion. We have around 750 MW of hybrid projects and around 2500 MW of FDRE projects in the pipeline," he added. Its current operational capacity of 2.5 GW comprises largely vanilla solar projects Of the companys ambitious capex plan, 75-80% would be funded through debt and the rest 20-25% would be equity funding, including internal accruals, he said. So essentially, it should be around 6,000-7,000 crore equity requirement." The company, which raised 2,900 crore in its initial public offering in November, is well-capitalized for the first phase of investments with loan sanctions of about 16,000-17,000 crore already in place. "We have got funding for everything we need to do till ... end of 2026. We have got around 16,000-17,000 crore debt sanctions already for the projects which we need to build in the next year. Even some debts for 2027 are already in place as well," Dhingra said. All of the equity is in place for next year and the year after also. Our equity sources are multiple. One is this primary capital we have raised through IPO in November 2024." Dhingra added that the construction margins and cash flows from operational projects would also be key components of its planned capex. Financial snapshot ACME Solar's net debt currently stands at about 6,800 crore, while another 1,900 is cash reserves, taking gross debt to about 8,700 crore. In the past six months, the company has refinanced debt of about 5,500 crore. For the third quarter ended December, the company reported a consolidated net profit of 112 crore, more than double the profit reported a year earlier. Its total revenue was 401 crore, up 10% year-on-year. Shares of ACME Solar, which listed at 259 on 13 November 2024, closed at 202.70 on Friday (21 March), with a market capitalization of 12,265 crore. (Bloomberg) -- The aviation industry is at risk of missing its goal of eliminating carbon emissions by 2050, the head of Airbus SE said, less than two months after the worlds biggest planemaker delayed plans to build a hydrogen-powered commercial aircraft. I dont think we are wrong to pursue net zero by 2050, Chief Executive Officer Guillaume Faury said Monday at a sustainability event at Airbuss headquarters in Toulouse, France. Maybe its going to take a bit more time, but lets not be shy in the ambition. Aviation, which accounts for 2%-3% of global greenhouse gas emissions, is one of the toughest industries to decarbonize, given the technical and infrastructure challenges, safety requirements that slow significant design changes, and the decades-long lifespans of aircraft already in airline fleets. Efforts to reach the net-zero goal hinge on two introducing two major changes using sustainable fuels in current aircraft and developing new designs such as hydrogen powered planes. Airbus had set a goal of producing a hydrogen model by 2035 but in February said it will take longer. On Monday, Faury outlined in greater detail the reasons for the delay. While Airbus can build the aircraft its been working on, such a project wouldnt be commercially viable at scale, Faury said. The regulatory framework hasnt been developed, nor has progress toward production of enough clean hydrogen. We would be wrong to be right too early, he said. The time is not right. The delays with new aircraft mean reaching the net-zero goal is even more dependent on the production of cleaner aviation fuels. Those efforts have also seen challenges, with establishment of new plants lagging targets and President Donald Trump targeting clean-fuel subsidies for elimination. Its not just a question of technology. Its a question of will, said Bertrand Piccard, chairman of the Solar Impulse Foundation, who shared the stage with Faury. Its developing a hydrogen-powered aircraft with twin fuselages that was highlighted at the event. Airbus hasnt said how long its own hydrogen project will take. Last month, French labor unions said theyd been told the aircrafts entry into service would be delayed by five to ten years. The company remains committed to producing a hydrogen-powered plane that will be commercially competitive, Faury said. We are absolutely convinced that this is an energy for the future of aviation, he said. But its just more work to be done. --With assistance from Guy Johnson. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com CK Birla Groups flagship BirlaNu, formerly known as HIL Ltd, is set to invest around $150 million ( 1,300 crore) to help achieve its target of becoming a $1 billion (about 8,600 crore) company by 2028 and revive growth. The Delhi-based firm will look to expand manufacturing capacities and pursue inorganic growth opportunities through acquisitions to drive growth. The company has 31 manufacturing plants in the country and two manufacturing plants in Germany and Austria. Investing across our product lines such as pipes, construction chemicals, and flooring and focusing on global growth is going to be important," Avanti Birla, president at BirlaNu, said in an interview. Hopefully, markets also become better in terms of demand." Revenue growth amid losses In the October to December period, the firms revenue grew 3% to 805 crore and its losses widened to 35 crore from 7 crore in the year-ago period. The company is present in the building solutions space, which includes construction chemicals, roofing, flooring, and piping. The firms revenue and profitability fell for two consecutive financial years 2023 and 2024. By the time we have closed this year, our volumes in the pipe segment will have grown by 70%. Second, our flooring brand Parador has grown in volumes by about 8-10% in Europe at a time when the markets there have declined by 25-30%," Akshat Seth, managing director and chief executive officer at BirlaNu. There are early tailwinds in different segments so we remain hopeful about growth." The company acquired Germany-based Parador in 2018 for 687.2 crore to enter the global flooring solutions market. About 40% of the companys total revenue in the last quarter came from the German brand, which remains a loss-making enterprise. In the last quarter, its losses increased from 16 crore to 19 crore. Future outlook On profitability, we will have better results in the last quarter of the financial year. Profitability in a market where growth is hard to come by is an absolute priority, and the results of our work are now starting to become visible," Seth said. The company is now looking to ramp up the presence of Parador in the country and wants to scale it up quickly to make India one of the top 10 markets for Parador in a short period of time. Also Read: Aston Martin to extend life of ICE models as global EV demand cools The efforts to revive growth come at a time when competition in building solutions is ramping up. The company competes with the likes of Everest Industries Ltd and Ramco Industries Ltd. As competition ramps up in adjacent markets in the construction space, such as paints due to the entry of Aditya Birla Group, many players like Asian Paints Ltd. are diversifying into the building solutions space to protect growth. Entry of big players in the space is actually a good thing because it demonstrates the potential of the market. As the market is a mix of organised and unorganised players, consolidation in favour of organised players will help us," Birla said. Stock performance, credit downgrade BirlaNus share price has fallen by over 26% in 2025 compared to a 2% fall in the Sensex. Besides, in a 13 March note, rating agency India Ratings and Research downgraded the bank loans of BirlaNu due to persistent weakness in HILs operating performance and credit profile". The companys performance is likely to be significantly weaker than its earlier expectations for FY25 given the prolonged weakness in the European business and a weakening in the domestic demand for roofing and building solutions in FY25, resulting in a fall in realisations and profitability," Sarthak Bhauwala and Sachita More of India Ratings and Research wrote. (Bloomberg) -- Fidelity Investments and Charles Schwab Corp. are prohibiting clients from investing in money-market ETFs on their trading platforms, an unusual move for the financial powerhouses who typically permit easy access to funds that already trade on an exchange. The two firms are blocking purchases of three exchange-traded funds offered by BlackRock Inc. and Texas Capital, the first to track moneymarket securities such as Treasury bills and other government-backed debt in an ETF structure. The new funds serve as a direct challenge to mutual-fund providers, who have long been big, established players in money-market products. Fidelity and Schwab alone manage trillions of dollars in money-market assets, and just last week, Schwab filed plans to launch its own government money-market ETF. A Schwab spokesperson said its decision is consistent with the firms long-standing approach of only making available Schwab affiliate money-market mutual funds, while a Fidelity spokesperson said this is an extension of the companys policy to generally restrict third-party money-market mutual funds. Yet, the move stands out because trading platforms like Schwab and Fidelity typically dont restrict exchange-traded funds, even if those funds are in competition with existing in-house offerings. Ive never seen this with any other ETFs, said Mike Younkman, CIO at Ankerstar Wealth, a firm with roughly $110 million in assets under management, who had been investing in Texas Capitals MMKT for his advisory clients, and was disappointed that earlier this year, it went into a sell-only mode with Schwab, likely because theyre having a competitor product. Younkmans firm sold out of his MMKT position due to the platform ban, and instead shifted client assets back into the short-term bond ETF he held before money-market ETFs began trading. He said the move caused some operational headaches but shouldnt ultimately weigh on investor returns. The restriction underscores how the growth of the ETF and race to put even more novel strategies into the fund is creating more competition throughout the asset management world and introducing wrinkles for issuers seeking to distribute funds. Under the banner of democratizing access to strategies through the tax-efficient vehicle, ETF issuers have managed to list their offerings with relative ease on both Fidelity and Schwab, which are two of the largest brokerage firms in the US. The ease of listing is changing, though, as ETFs grow. Last year, Fidelity imposed new fees on some ETF firms, in return for listing and maintaining the products on its massive platform. The latest move has taken some investors by surprise. It was pretty shocking to have them come out and say you cant buy this anymore, said Jeremy Ingram, CEO and CIO at Beacon Harbor Wealth Advisors, who had invested in MMKT for his advisory clients. Its not like some exotic investment its a money market. Texas Capital in a statement said it is unfortunate and surprising that Schwab and Fidelity would restrict their clients ability to purchase MMKT, adding the fund remains an important tool for investors to manage their cash, one we believe should be available in the same way that investors can purchase any NYSE-listed security. A BlackRock spokesperson noted that the firms iShares money-market ETFs unlock access to professional grade cash management strategies in the convenience of the ETF wrapper, providing additional choice and flexibility for investors. Investors have flocked to money markets over the last several years, in large part due to the Federal Reserves aggressive rate-hiking cycle that sent short-term rates above 5%. While the US central bank has begun to ease monetary policy, these rates are still high enough to keep pulling cash toward money-market funds, which saw their assets rise to an all-time high of more than $7 trillion recently. Fidelity has roughly $1.5 trillion in registered money-market fund assets under management, while Schwab is home to about $650 billion. Texas Capitals fund was the first ETF to follow the so-called Rule 2a-7 a provision of a 1940s Securities and Exchange Commission law that governs money-market funds. In February, BlackRock followed up by launching its Government Money Market ETF and Prime Money Market ETF. The ETFs arent required to maintain a stable net asset value of $1, meaning investors can be exposed to some downside risk. Texas Capitals fund has seen relatively little inflows this year, after pulling in about $40 million last year. BlackRocks prime money-market fund has taken in roughly $43 million in inflows since launching in February. Its government offering has taken in a net $8 million. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com Unfazed by an economic downturn, Indian travellers are fuelling a surge in premium international travel, steadily closing the $100 billion spending gap with China to rewrite the global tourism playbook, according to the chief executive of Global Hotel Alliance. With visa hurdles easing and infrastructure improving, India is poised to become a powerhouse in outbound tourism, Chris Hartley, CEO of Global Hotel Alliance (GHA), told Mint on the sidelines of the Skift India Forum 2025. The UAE-based hotel alliance, which has tie-ups with some of the top luxury resorts and hotels, is also betting on the countrys inbound potential, aiming to expand its footprint to 100 properties over the next few years. Its loyalty programme business, which connects 45 hotel brands across 850 properties worldwide, is seeing double-digit growth in bookings from India, signalling the country's growing clout in the global hospitality landscape. Outbound luxury travel The number of people travelling out of India, according to the latest official tourism ministry data, reached 28.2 million in 2023, crossing the pre-pandemic levels of 26 million in 2019. The GHA, a joint venture of hotel asset owners, has 30 million members worldwide across brands like Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts, Corinthia Hotels, Kempinski Hotels, Oracle and Pan Pacific Hotels Group. "International travel is being driven strongly by leisure consumers, who are mainly focusing on premium travel. Travellers are disconnected entirely from short-term economic downturns," said Hartley. Some markets may be going up and down, but ultimately, India has such a huge growth in sheer numbers of leisure outbound leisure." The $100-billion gap between India and China's outbound spending is being bridged", he said, adding that we know India is a $100 billion opportunity with so many potential travellers out of here". While the two countries are similar in size by market and a large middle class, he said there were many obstacles to outbound travel from India. For years, travellers had issues with visas and infrastructure, airports and airlines. China was more advanced. But that is all changing." Of the Indian travellers booking with GHA, 80% is looking for brands; within this cohort, nearly 25% is looking for luxury hotels, according to Hartley. This is quite high relative to other countries. All indicators are that the Indian consumer wants to travel. Leisure is driving the way." Inbound travel potential Many hotel companies also now recognize the inbound travel potential into India as they are seeing growth in the market, Hartley said, citing the example of Minor Hotels, one of its members, which recently launched its flagship hotel in Jaipur. Three to five years from now, the alliance hopes to have 100 hotels across two to three new brands in the Indian market. Also Read: International chain Minor Hotels plans to have 50 hotels in India by 2035 Hotels in India continue to be an attractive asset class because of the growth of travel, but the new supply of hotels is slow, and new brands are not being created overnight," said Hartley. But we see more and more owners building a significant brand presence here, and that is a growth opportunity. Last year, our India memberships grew 18%." Feature: "We don't want to be Americans" -- Greenlanders Xinhua) 14:32, March 24, 2025 A boy waits for bus in the snow with flowers in hands in Nuuk, Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark, March 19, 2025. (Xinhua/Peng Ziyang) Greenland, the world's largest island and an autonomous territory of Denmark, witnessed a rare large-scale demonstration against U.S. President Donald Trump's renewed territorial claim over the island. NUUK, Greenland, March 24 (Xinhua) -- "That day, the entire city of Nuuk stood united!" said Gustav Petersen, a member of Naleraq, the second-largest party in Greenland's parliament, referring to the anti-U.S. protest held on March 15. "I never imagined that what would bring Greenlanders together was a protest against the United States," he said. Greenland, the world's largest island and an autonomous territory of Denmark, witnessed a rare large-scale demonstration against U.S. President Donald Trump's renewed territorial claim over the island. According to local media, more than 1,000 people participated in the protest -- an impressive turnout for Nuuk, a city with a population of just 15,000. Carrying banners reading "We are not for sale," "Greenland for Greenlanders," and "Make America Go Away," demonstrators marched from the city center to the U.S. Consulate in Nuuk, sending a clear message of opposition to Washington's ambitions. Petersen said although Greenlanders had varying political preferences during the March 11 parliamentary elections, there was one point of unanimous agreement: "We don't want to be Americans! The United States cannot treat Greenland as a commodity to be bought at will." This photo taken on March 20, 2025 shows the scenery of Nuuk, Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark. (Xinhua/Zhao Dingzhe) The protest was triggered by Trump's remarks at the White House, where he reiterated his desire to gain control over Greenland during a meeting with North Atlantic Treaty Organization Secretary General Mark Rutte. He also hinted at plans to deploy more U.S. troops to the island. The U.S. Consulate in Nuuk, one of the northernmost American diplomatic missions, remained shuttered when Xinhua reporters visited. "On the day of our protest, it was the same -- completely deserted," Petersen said. Standing outside the consulate, Nuuk resident Nikolaj Davidson, who works at a slaughterhouse, voiced his opposition to Trump's proposal. "I don't want to be American, and neither do my family nor friends," he said. "Almost everyone in my family disagrees with Trump. From what I know, the vast majority of Greenlanders do not want Greenland to become part of the United States. The American healthcare and welfare systems are not appealing to us." Davidson said that Trump's main motivation is Greenland's rich natural resources. "Just like the U.S. government has done before, Trump might look for various pretexts to legitimize the takeover of Greenland," he warned. Oliver Kristensen, a local baker, argued that Trump's approach is unacceptable. "If Trump wants to cooperate with Denmark and Greenland, there are better ways to do so. But he has chosen the path of aggression," he said. Trump's interest in Greenland is not a recent development. During his previous term in office, he publicly proposed buying the island. Since winning his second term, Trump has repeatedly expressed a strong desire to assert control over Greenland. He even sent his son Donald Trump Jr. to visit the island in January. A man takes three children walking in the snow in Nuuk, Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark, March 19, 2025. (Xinhua/Peng Ziyang) Greenlandic political leaders have been vocal in their opposition. Jens-Frederik Nielsen, leader of the Demokraatit party, the largest party in the Greenland parliament currently engaged in coalition negotiations, condemned Trump's remarks as "inappropriate." He urged Greenlanders to stand together against external pressures from the United States. Mute Egede, prime minister of Greenland's autonomous government and leader of the Inuit Ataqatigiit (IA) party, also denounced Trump's statements and called for an emergency meeting of party leaders. Danish and EU officials have also expressed strong support for Greenland. Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said that Greenland remains part of Denmark and that there is no indication that Greenlanders wish to sever ties with Denmark and join the United States. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the EU supports Denmark's sovereignty and territorial integrity, including Greenland. Masaana Egede, editor-in-chief of Greenland's newspaper Sermitsiaq, said that while Greenlanders may have diverse opinions on various issues, rejecting U.S. control over Greenland is a widespread consensus. A Danish media poll published in January also revealed that 85 percent of Greenlanders opposed integrating into the United States. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) (Bloomberg) -- Plenty Unlimited Inc., a vertical farming business thats drawn backing from Jeff Bezos, SoftBank Group Corp. and Walmart, has filed for bankruptcy with a lender-backed plan to either raise capital or sell the business. The company on Sunday sought court protection in Texas listing more than $100 million in assets and liabilities on its Chapter 11 petition. The business comes to bankruptcy with a deal that will explore a sale of Plentys assets or an alternative restructuring that would raise additional cash. Plenty joins other vertical farming companies that have gone bankrupt in recent years as well as a string of agriculture firms that have filed Chapter 11 so-far this year. TreeSap Farms LLC, a tree and plant supplier, sought protection last month followed by soybean seed developer Benson Hill Inc. which filed Chapter 11 last week. Plentys backers include New York investment firm One Madison Group, Walmart and SoftBanks Vision Fund, which has funneled more than $400 million into the company, Bloomberg News reported in January. The company had been in talks to raise additional financing that would virtually wipe out exiting shareholders, Bloomberg reported. Affiliates of One Madison Group and Softbank have offered to provide the business with as much as $20.7 million in additional financing, according to court documents. The lenders earlier provided Plenty with an $8.6 million bridge loan to prepare for a potential restructuring and prevent the company from shutting down, court papers say. Plenty Interim Chief Executive Officer Daniel Malech said in a court filing that the company has closed a farm in Compton, California focused on growing leafy greens and is shifting its focus toward a state-of-the-art strawberry-growing facility in Richmond, Virginia. The fruit is a premium product for which demand persistently exceeds supply and the company has been able to begin producing high-quality strawberries after nearly all construction work on the Virginia farm was halted in November, Malech said. Plenty has incurred losses since its inception and Malech blamed the bankruptcy on macroeconomic factors. Although the company has been successful in raising equity in the past, Plenty has been unable to do so since 2022, he said. The company is scheduled to make its first appearance in bankruptcy court on Monday. The case is Plenty Unlimited Texas LLC, number 25-90105, in the US Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas. --With assistance from Kate Clark. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com Bengaluru: Early-stage startups are tweaking their supply chain operations and rushing to tie up with companies including Blinkit, Zepto and Instamart to make quick commerce their primary distribution channel and accelerate sales, according to company executives and investors. Sweet Karam Coffee, a Chennai-based snacking company, has shifted its supply chain from a centralised fulfilment model to a regional hub-based setup to speed up deliveries. We optimise by rationalising our SKU mix based on performance, designing fulfilment-friendly packs, and keeping logistics lean through smaller, more frequent dispatches," company co-founder Nalini Parthiban told Mint. Bakers Dozen has set up warehouses in all major cities over the past year to distribute products in areas with higher demand, in addition to its centralised manufacturing facility in Ahmedabad, to ensure faster turnaround for quick commerce. Also Read | Quick commerce firms brace for higher churn of dark store workers amid rising competition This is a great channel for new-age consumer companies like us as it provides access in a much bigger way without having to go through a brick by brick setting up of offline distribution in every place," said Sneh Jain, founder of Bakers Dozen, adding that quick commerce is the biggest channel. Multiple restocking Quick commerce where deliveries are offered in as few as 10 minutes thrives on speed and a focused range of products. Companies such as Sweet Karam Coffee have adapted their backend operations, packaging lines and inventory management for this format by leveraging tech and tailored processes. Parthiban said the companys revenue has grown almost 6x over the past year, with about 50% of the monthly revenue from quick commerce. Wholsum Foods, which owns Slurrp Farm and Mille products, has accelerated its procurement and production cycles to replenish stocks up to three times weekly. We fulfil locally, manage smaller batches, and replenish inventory multiple times a week to meet tight delivery timelines. In comparison, our D2C and e-commerce channels rely on centralised fulfilment, allowing for broader assortment and larger pack sizes," company co-founder Meghana Narayan explained, adding that the vertical has grown more than threefold over the past year and contributes about 25% of revenue. Fireside Ventures, which is an investor in these brands, said many of its portfolio companies recorded tremendous growth through the quick commerce channel over the past 6-9 months. For many of our brands, this is easily the fastest-growing channel and likely will also become their largest channel very soon," said Adarsh Menon, operating partner at the investment firm. He said Frubon, a dairy startup that is already present in general and modern trade, is aggressively building out its quick commerce business. We have rented additional refrigerated vehicles to ensure better delivery both in terms of delivery timelines as well as quality," Frubons co-founder Rahul Verma said. The companys integrated supply chain includes the procurement of raw milk directly from Rajasthan with a manufacturing set up at Mahindra World City, Jaipur. This end-to-end control ensures consistent production and controls the overall cost, he added. Sauce, an investor in consumer startups such as Whole Truth Foods and Hocco, expects most of its companies to be ready with a quick commerce strategy, said Yash Dholakia, a partner at the firm. Quick commerce has given several early-stage startups an opportunity to interact with their target customer base across different geographies without the added cost of establishing their presence through their own stores or entities. Earlier this month, Swiggy Instamart said it had expanded to 100 Indian cities to address the growing demand for 10-minute deliveries, especially in smaller cities such as Raipur, Siliguri, Jodhpur and Thanjavur, underlining the growing prominence of quick commerce. Blinkit and Zepto have also expanded their presence. Limited shelf space While quick commerce presents a fast-growing opportunity, companies struggle with establishing a presence in an overcrowded market and grapple with managing inventory across dark stores, from where deliveries are made to consumers. They have to keep an assortment of products ready for delivery by accurately predicting demand and figuring out the logistics of transporting them from warehouses to dark stores multiple times. The cost difference comes from the ad / marketing spend that a young brand has to incur on q com platforms given the limited shelf space versus general trade that make visibility an important aspect to consider, Frubons Verma said, adding that the channel contributes about 20% to its overall revenues. Sauces Dholakia said the margin profile needs to align with quick commerce requirements. Given the limited space and SKUs in dark stores, companies must ensure they can sell multiple units per order and optimise the value-to-weight ratio." Companies typically shell out 10-15% of their marketing budget on quick commerce, making it one of the most expensive distribution channels. Also Read | Advertisers latch on to rural demand, quick commerce disruption When the differentiation between platforms is not very clear, the players as well as the brands have to keep spending more to get people to download the app and use it," Firesides Menon said. Several quick commerce giants have been charging additional fees to customers in recent months as they strive to become profitable. As this increases, there will be more pressure on consumers to pay an additional price and at some point, I do expect tapering or a moderation of users availing these services," Menon added. The $3 billion industry may face challenges in scaling past the top cities in India, Blume Ventures said in its Indus Valley Annual Report 2025. It noted that quick commerce companies may find it challenging to keep up the growth momentum in the medium to long term as they are likely to face hurdles in low total addressable market, tapering growth in monthly transacting users, and increased competition. Mumbai: Succession planning at Bajaj familys financial services businesses begins by identifying young leaders and grooming them for years so that they can step up in future, Sanjiv Bajaj, chairman and managing director, Bajaj Finserv said. We identify them early. We move them around various jobs and to various businesses," Bajaj said in an interview at his South Mumbai residence overlooking the Coastal Road. They move from business to human resources and to operations. So, by the time they come into their 40s, they have a very good experience across multiple areas." Bajaj's idea is to make better leaders out of them. Interestingly, the financial services group also moves people in its middle management tiers between group companies. That is to ensure they get exposure to more than one type of business, creating leadership for the future, said Bajaj. Bajaj said the group's 100,000-plus employees come to work not to earn daily pay, but because they enjoy being there. I have never stopped anybody who wanted to leave the company because I've always believed that those who are there should be there because they want to be there," he said, adding that given the plethora of opportunities one cannot hold people back forcibly and that is not something he wants to do. Also read | Can Bajaj Finserv still dominate the credit game? What we can do is to create that excitement and empowerment and ownership where the leaders who work with us run those businesses as their own. Now, may be we cannot take that ownership all the way down to the 100,000th employee, but at least we can for senior management and senior leadership." He said that of the top 100 leaders, other than through natural retirement, not even five would have quit in the last 15 years or so. On succession at the promoter level, Bajaj said that his children are still finishing their education and it depends what their interests are. According to him, all of Bajaj Finservs operating companies are run by professional chief executives and teams. The promoters' role is to guide them, empower them, and build businesses for the long term. If somebody from the family wants to come in, they have to have the capability to rise through the ranks," said Bajaj. In 2007, Bajaj Auto was split into three companies, one for the auto business, one for financial services, and the third as the investment and holding company. While Rajiv Bajaj was put in charge of the auto business, Sanjiv got the financial services space. Bajaj Auto chairman Rahul Bajaj had said at that time that the move was prompted by a desire to unlock shareholder value and not divide the group between his sons. Read this | Rate cut at upcoming MPC meet not a certainty, says CEO of Bajaj Finserv AMC I represent the Bajaj family in actively managing financial services but the Bajaj family itself has many more members." Bajaj Finservs subsidiary non-bank financier Bajaj Finance recently elevated long-time managing director Rajeev Jain to the role of vice-chairman, while promoting internal candidate Anup Kumar Saha as the next MD. Jain, who had joined Bajaj Finance as the chief executive officer in 2007, went on to become the managing director in 2015. Before joining Bajaj, he worked with GE, American Express and the American International Group (AIG). Given the fact that Rajeev has been in that role for over 17 years, we saw the opportunity for an orderly transition. Anup has been with us now for over seven years and for the last few years, he has been running most of the businesses," said Bajaj, adding that Jain still continues to provide mentorship, to work with Bajaj and Saha on strategy. Jain was also appointed on the board of Bajaj Finserv as an additional director. Bajaj said Jain will provide some mentoring and assistance there to some of the businesses as well. We are building out for the next 10 years what we need to do in as much of an orderly way that we can." Also read | Crowd is right on trends, but wrong on ends: Nimesh Chandan of Bajaj Finserv AMC The idea to have Jains continuing presence in the company has assuaged analysts. This finally ends the overhang of its management change," analysts at Kotak Institutional Equities said in a note to clients on 20 March. The note said that there have been concerns about the possible exit of Rajeev from Bajaj Finance after the end of his tenure in March 2025, which may have posed risks associated with managing transition. Jain, the note said, has steered the business exceptionally well, after joining the board in 2007; it would be challenging for someone new to fit into his big shoes. To be sure, Jain told analysts in January that he planned to remain involved in shaping the strategy of the non-bank financier in his future role. Meanwhile, the Bajaj Group will buy out Allianz SE's stakes in their two insurance joint ventures for a total of 24,180 crore, marking the end of its 24-year partnership with the world's largest insurer. In a late-night statement on 17 March, Sanjiv Bajaj-led Bajaj Finserv said the company and other promoter firms will acquire the stakes of the German insurer in Bajaj Allianz General Insurance Co. and Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance Co. for 13,780 crore and 10,400 crore respectively. Most of the Allianz stake will be purchased by other promoter entities. Post-acquisition, Bajaj Finservs stake will be 75.01% in both companies. While Bajaj Finserv will acquire about 1.01%, Bajaj Holdings and Investment would acquire about 19.95% and Jamnalal Sons about 5.04% in each of the two insurance companies. And read | How Bajaj Finserv plans to sell mutual funds to its 100 million clients For Allianz, one of the main priorities was that India is an important market, and that is why they want to build their plans for India as early as possible. This meant that we needed an agreement which could have been executed once we got regulatory approvals, as fast as possible," said Bajaj. Bajaj said that since Bajaj Finserv is a CIC (core investment company), neither was it sitting on large surplus funds, nor is it allowed to borrow. Hence, in the group, two of our group companies stepped up, Bajaj Holdings and Investment Ltd and Jamnalal Sons Pvt. Ltd which do sit on surplus cash and investments, and they will come in to ensure that the transaction moves with speed and with a high level of certainty," said Bajaj. What do salmon fillets, fake eyelashes and animated childrens TV shows all have in common? All these familiar parts of Western daily lives have recently been touched by North Korean labour. In an online shopping world where many consumers hit the sort by price" button, North Koreas combination of low-cost and high-skilled labour is irresistible for contractors with a tight bottom line. The problem goes beyond the uncomfortable ethics of forced labour. These exports directly support the North Korean regime, funding both the lavish lifestyles of party elites and the nuclear-missile programme of Kim Jong Un, the hermit kingdoms autocratic leader. Because this income is so important, his regime continues to find ways to dodge sanctions and sneak into international supply chains. Take seafood. North Korea profits off virtually every stage of production. The fish itself may be of North Korean origin. Smaller Chinese fishing companies often buy permits from North Korean companies, probably to escape overfishing rules in Chinese territorial waters. A study in 2020 by Global Fishing Watch, a watchdog, found that about a third of Chinas distant-water fleets fished in North Korean waters. Much of the catch from along the North Korean coast is then shipped to Chinese hubs, such as Dandong, for processing. Thousands of North Korean women work long days inside cold storage rooms cleaning, gutting and packaging seafood to be sent all over the world. According to various investigations, clams and squid have found their way onto South Korean e-commerce platforms, while salmon fillets have reached the shelves of an American chain of grocery shops. Such slipperiness is not unique to the fishing industry. Strictly speaking, wigs and false eyelashes are among the few things North Korea can export legally under UN sanctions, mostly to China. They netted the regime an estimated $167m in 2023. While these hair products are made by a mixture of freelancing housewives, factory workers and prison inmates, all of them are relabelled as Made in China" with no way to distinguish whether the hands that made them did so voluntarily. DailyNK, an investigative website, estimates that 90% of North Korean hair products are made by prisoners. Removing North Korean workers from the supply chain, however, is no easy task. When an investigation in 2024 by Outlaw Ocean Project, an outfit focused on marine crimes, revealed that Chinese companies selling seafood products were employing North Korean workers, South Korean giants Lotte and Coupang suspended sales of those products. Yet it is not as simple as blacklisting offending companies, says Joanna Hosaniak, deputy director-general of the Citizens Alliance for North Korean Human Rights, an NGO in Seoul. Ms Hosaniaks team has tracked North Korean labour across coal, wig-making, garment manufacturing and other industries. Whatever you start tracking, they will move to another sector," she says. With a workforce that has no say in what it produces and is eager for a chance at lucrative foreign work, it is easy for companies to pivot quickly in response to sanctions or boycotts. Indeed North Korean companies are now casting their net wider. The pandemic and the switch to remote work opened up a whole new range of new ways for them to earn hard currency. Instead of hiding at the bottom of an opaque supply chain, IT workers started to use fabricated identities, AI-altered photos and accomplices in America to land remote-work positions across the tech world, including for a number of Fortune 500 companies, according to Americas Justice Department. The roughly $300 a month that a seafood factory-worker in China earns for the regime (because of state quotas and taxes, the regime gets about 90% of all earnings) is small fry compared with the $10,000 a month North Korean IT workers are said to be required to earn by the government. Kim Seung-joo, from Korea Universitys school of cybersecurity, worries that North Koreas infiltration of the global tech sector positions the rogue state to pilfer corporate secrets or build back doors into trusted Western-based software that can be used for future cyber-attacks. Its hackers are already highly successful. In a global economy, an educated workforce willing to perform demanding work for 12 hours a day at half the cost of its rivals is appealing. North Korea may be isolated, but its workforce increasingly is not. 2025, The Economist Newspaper Limited. All rights reserved. From The Economist, published under licence. The original content can be found on www.economist.com * Lawyer calls case 'David and Goliath' struggle * Depardieu denies accusations in first case to come to trial (Adds details, other investigation in paragraphs 4, 6, 21-22) By Elizabeth Pineau and Clotaire Achi PARIS, March 24 (Reuters) - Actor Gerard Depardieu went on trial on Monday over alleged sexual assaults on a film set, in a case that placed one of France's best-known movie stars at the heart of the country's broader reckoning over sexual violence. A towering figure of French cinema, Depardieu has faced a growing number of sexual assault allegations in recent years. Depardieu, 76, has consistently denied any wrongdoing, and this is the first case for which he would be standing trial. If found guilty, Depardieu could face a sentence of up to five years in jail and a 75,000-euro ($81,000) fine. The trial, expected to last at least two days, and possibly more, was initially due to be held in October but was postponed due to Depardieu's ill health. On Monday, Depardieu, his hand on his lawyer's shoulder, passed calmly past reporters, looking straight at the cameras without saying a word, before walking into the courtroom and chatting with a couple of actors present there. He was expected to make a statement in court on the first day of the trial. His lawyer, Jeremie Assous, told reporters that the accusations were false and based on lies. "Truth is on our side," he said. Prosecutors allege the assaults against two women - whose full identities have not been revealed - took place during the filming in 2021 of "Les Volets Verts" (The Green Shutters). The prosecutors accuse Depardieu of groping one of the women, whom they named Amelie K, on the film set, pulling her towards him and trapping her with his legs before touching her waist, hips and breasts while saying obscene words. Three people witnessed the scene, prosecutors say. They say the second woman was groped by Depardieu on set and in the street. 'CINEMA GIANT' Amelie K's lawyer told Reuters ahead of the trial that her client had been scared to come forward against Depardieu. "There's a fear, because he's a cinema giant," said Carine Durrieu-Diebolt. "It's a struggle between David and Goliath and they are afraid of retaliation as they all work in cinema but at a much lower level than Depardieu." The lawyer for the second plaintiff did not reply to Reuters requests for comment. Dozens of protesters stood outside the court, chanting "We believe you" to show their support for the two plaintiffs. Depardieu's trial is the highest-profile #MeToo case in the media industry to come before the courts in France, a country where the protest movement over sexual violence has struggled to gain the same traction as in the United States. Recently, however, there have been signs of a change. Last year Gisele Pelicot became a global feminist icon after she waived her right to anonymity during the trial of her former husband, who was convicted of drugging her and inviting dozens of men to their home to sexually abuse her over the course of nearly a decade. Last month a French court found film director Christophe Ruggia guilty of sexually abusing actress Adele Haenel when she was underage. The accusations against Depardieu, and his trial, have divided French actors. Some have taken his side, and were expected to speak at the trial, while others have backed the plaintiffs. Actresses Charlotte Arnould, who has accused Depardieu of raping her in 2018 when she was 22, and Anouk Grinberg, who played alongside Depardieu in 'Les Volets Verts' and has publicly criticised him over his sexual conduct, were among those present in the courtroom to follow the proceedings. The Paris prosecutor's office last year YouTuber and comedian Samay Raina on Monday appeared before the Maharashtra Cyber Cell officials in connection with the controversy over his YouTube show 'India's Got Latent' and reportedly admitted his mistake. Raina was summoned several times by the cyber cell to record his statement in connection with the case. The Maharashtra Cyber Police, the Mumbai Police and the Guwahati Police are investigating Ranveer Allahbadia's controversial remarks made on YouTube show 'India's Got Latent'. The comedian apologised for what happened and expressed regret over his remarks on the show, said reports. Earlier this month, Ranveer Allahbadia had appeared before the Assam police to record his statement. Why did Samay Raina appear before cyber cell? A massive row erupted after YouTuber and Podcaster Ranveer Allahbadia, popularly known as BeerBiceps, made distasteful remarks about parents and sex on the now-deleted YouTube show. Following protests, FIRs were filed against Apoorva Makhija, YouTubers Ashish Chanchlani, Ranveer Allahbadia and Samay. The FIR was based on allegations of promoting obscenity and engaging in sexually explicit discussions during the publicly accessible YouTube show. Following that, the Maharashtra Cyber Cell summoned Raina to appear before it on March 17. After he failed to appear, another summons was issued asking him to appear on March 19. However, Samay Raina could not record his statement as he was abroad. Upon returning to India, he finally recorded his statement before the cyber cell on Monday. The agency had earlier recorded statements from Ranveer Allahbadia, Ashish Chanchlani, Apoorva Makhija and others. Where did Samay Raina record his statement? Raina recorded his statement after appearing before the probe agency at its headquarters in Mhape. The comedian reached the office in the afternoon, recorded his statement for more than five hours, and left the premises at 6.45 pm, reported PTI quoting an official. However, it is not yet known what exactly the comedian told the police. Raina reschedules India tour Recently, Raina rescheduled his India tour. Taking to his Instagram handle, he shared the news and promised refunds to people who bought tickets for the show. "Hello guys, I am rescheduling my India tour. You all will get the refunds shortly, see you soon," Raina said. Raina's shows in Gujarat were also reportedly cancelled in February following the outrage. Written apologies Appearing before the National Commission for Women (NCW), Ranveer Allahbadia and Apoorva Mukhija submitted written apologies to the NCW over their offensive remarks. Four people appeared before the commission Tushar Poojari, Saurabh Bothra, Apoorva Mukhija and Ranveer Allahbadia. The commission will not accept the use of inappropriate language. Such remarks are simply not acceptable, the NCW chief chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar said. SC allows Allahbadia to resume show Two weeks ago, the Supreme Court granted Allahbadia interim protection from arrest over his comments. It allowed him to resume his podcast The Ranveer Show, subject to maintaining standards of decency and morality. A bench of Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh allowed Allahabadia to resume the show after noting that the livelihood of around 280 employees depends on the telecast of his show. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his new national-security team are planning a major ground offensive in Gaza in the belief that capturing and holding swaths of territory will allow them to finally defeat Palestinian Islamist militant group Hamas, according to people familiar with the governments thinking. On Sunday, Israel sent infantry into the northern part of the Gaza Strip and areas around Rafah in the south. Israel has also deployed troops in the so-called Netzarim corridor, which bisects the Palestinian enclave, returning to areas it had withdrawn from as part of a cease-fire deal. Israel also has targeted a series of Hamass Gaza-based political leaders in recent days. The moves represent the start of a new battle plan. Netanyahu and a hawkish group of top aides appointed in recent months argue that Hamas must be beaten on the battlefield by force of arms before any political solution to the fate of Gaza can be advanced. Previously, defense officials had taken the view that Hamas could be degraded militarily, but that it would be necessary to establish a new governing authority in Gaza to really end Hamass influence. Netanyahu and his new team, including Defense Minister Israel Katz and top general Eyal Zamir, believe that last years military defeat of Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Trump administrations willingness to back a renewed offensive against Hamas gives them more latitude to fight. Katz, in a policy shift announced last week, said that Israel would gradually seize territory from Gaza as long as Hamas holds on to hostages. Once you win, things will start to sort themselves out," said Amir Avivi, a former Israeli military commander. The new approach is likely to be controversial among Israelis. Most polls show a large majority of Israelis, including a majority of right-wing voters, want the fighting to stop as part of a deal that brings home the remaining hostages in Gaza. That doesnt mean they expect Hamas to give up on armed conflict with Israel. But they argue that a prolonged cease-fire and reconstruction in Gaza combined with stronger regional alliances would put Israel in a better position to eliminate Hamas in the future. Israel has been ramping up pressure on Hamas in recent weeks. It started restricting supplies and electricity in early March and launched a wave of deadly airstrikes and ground operations this past week. A resumption of fighting will mean more pain for Gaza, already in ruins after more than a year and a half of war. The conflict has left more than 50,000 Palestinians dead, according to health authorities, who dont say how many were combatants. Israel says it has killed as many as 20,000 militants. An Israeli tank maneuvers next to destroyed buildings in the Gaza Strip. Still, Hamas has survived. It turned hostage swaps over the past two months into spectacles in an effort to signal its authority and has been recruiting fighters and scavenging unexploded munitions to prepare to fight on. Netanyahus new aides say that Israel could have done more damage to Hamas if it hadnt been held back by shortfalls of ammunition and pressure from the Biden administration to use less force and provide humanitarian aid. There also was a reluctance among Israeli military leaders to hold territory, which allowed Hamas to regroup in areas after the Israeli army moved on. Now, the Trump administration has ramped up the flow of ammunition and encouraged Israel to take the gloves off. The defeat of Hezbollah also means Israel has more forces that it can deploy in Gaza to occupy ground and control aid deliveries. Hamass tunnel system would need to be destroyed and its other fighting infrastructure rooted out. The effort could take months or years, killing more people and leaving more of Gaza in ruins, but it would eventually squeeze out the militants, advocates of renewed fighting say. Those on the other side say Hamas will never be eliminated without a political and diplomatic solution that offers an alternative to the militant group. Further military actions pose a risk to the lives of remaining hostages and will inflict more damage on civilians in Gaza, they say. Opponents of the new approach also say Israels war-weary society and exhausted reservists cant handle the burden of prolonging the war, they say. A poll released March 9 by the Israel Democracy Institute, a Jerusalem-based think tank, found that 73% of Israelis supported negotiating with Hamas over an end to the fighting and an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza in exchange for the release of the remaining hostages. Notably, 56% of right-wing Israelis polled said they supported the cease-fire deal, as did 62% of voters from Netanyahus Likud party.A poll by the hard-right and pro-Netanyahu Channel 14 news station from March 20, on the other hand, found 57% of respondents supported renewing the war, and 39% were opposed. With Israeli society divided, mobilizing larger numbers of reservists for a new campaign in Gaza could prove challenging, said Yohanan Plesner, president of the Israel Democracy Institute. Large protests in recent days led by hostage families calling to end the war and demonstrations against Netanyahus attempted ousting of the chief of the Shin Bet internal security service, who supports a cease-fire deal, have underscored deep divisions in Israeli society. His dismissal is currently being blocked by Israels supreme court. Israel is likely to rely on regular soldiers for a renewed ground invasion of Gaza, while sending reservists to less active battlegrounds, like the border with Lebanon and Syria or to the West Bank, said Avivi, the retired general. Hamas is deeply unpopular in Gaza, but the violence of the war and lack of an alternative ensures it has some support, said Tahani Mustafa, a senior Palestine analyst at International Crisis Group. She said the group is seeing an uptick in recruitment. The large occupying force needed to combat an insurgency would be expensive, further damage Israels international reputation and create lots of new targets for Hamas, said Ofer Fridman, a former Israeli officer and war-studies scholar at Kings College London. Many Israelis feel the country will need to go back to war in Gaza eventually but want the government to set the goal of destroying Hamas aside while the remaining hostages are released. Analysts say that will create time for better planning. We will have a second round and find ourselves in Gaza again," said Avner Golov, a former senior director at Israels National Security Council who is now with MIND Israel, a national-security advisory group. But we need to be smarter." Write to Dov Lieber at dov.lieber@wsj.com and Anat Peled at anat.peled@wsj.com WASHINGTONU.S. national security adviser Michael Waltz and second lady Usha Vance will travel to Greenland this week, the White House said Sunday, further straining relations over President Trumps improbable vow to acquire the Danish territory one way or the other." Greenland Prime Minister Mute Egede called the planned visit days before local elections highly aggressive." Energy Secretary Chris Wright is also expected to join Waltz, Vance and her son as part of the first high-level U.S. delegation to visit the self-governing island since Trump declared he wanted to take it over from Denmark. We are now at a level where it can in no way be characterized as a harmless visit from a politicians wife," Egede told the Greenland newspaper Sermitsiaq. What is the national security adviser doing in Greenland? The only purpose is to demonstrate power over us." Both local lawmakers and the Danish government have expressed strong opposition to Trumps overtures, insisting that the mineral-rich island of 57,000 residents, while open to stronger commercial ties with the U.S., isnt interested in an American takeover. In a three-day visit, the U.S. delegation will travel to historical sites to learn about Greenlandic heritage" and attend the countrys national dogsled race, the Avannaata Qimussersu, which will feature more than 440 dogs, according to the White House. Im 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," Vance said in a video posted to Instagram on Sunday. Vance visited Germany and France in February, along with her husband, Vice President JD Vance. National Security Council spokesman Brian Hughes said the visit should not be a surprise," given Americas security interests in the Arctic. Waltz and Wright will visit a U.S. military base in northern Greenland, he said, adding that it is an opportunity to build on partnerships that respects Greenlands self-determination and advances economic cooperation." The presidents son Donald Trump Jr. visited the island in January in what local authorities referred to as a private visit." Local elections in Greenland are set to take place on April 1. It is clear that the Trump camp doesnt respect our right to self-determination without outside interference," Aaja Chemnitz, a Greenlandic member of the Danish Parliament, wrote on Facebook. Greenland leaders said they had been approached to meet with the U.S. delegation and declined. I can confirm that they have approached me and wanted to meet," Malik Berthelsen, the mayor of Greenlands second-largest city, Sisimiut, told local press. As we are in the middle of the election campaign, I have kindly declined and suggested that we can meet after the election." When Trump first floated the idea of purchasing Greenland during his first term it was rejected by Denmarks government as an absurd" idea. He has pursued it more aggressively since returning to the presidency in January. We will keep you safe. We will make you rich. And together we will take Greenland to heights like you have never thought possible before," he said in his speech to Congress earlier this month. He also raised the idea of a U.S. takeover with North Atlantic Treaty Organization Secretary-General Mark Rutte when he visited the White House this month. In response, hundreds of Greenlanders took to the streets of the islands capital earlier this month, waving the territorys red and white flag, and holding signs that read We arent for sale" and Make America Go Away." Some Republicans in Congress have backed Trumps proposal, introducing legislation dubbed the Make Greenland Great Again Act," that would authorize the U.S. government to acquire the territory, as well a separate measure, the Red, White, and Blueland Act," which seeks to rename the island. The vice president accused Denmark of not being a good ally" and allowing Chinese and Russian access to sea lanes. How are we going to solve that problem, solve our own national security?" he said on Fox News last month. If that means that we need to take more territorial interest in Greenland, that is what President Trump is going to do, because he doesnt care what the Europeans scream at us." Only 6% of Greenlanders support becoming part of the U.S., according to a poll commissioned by the Danish paper Berlingske in January. Write to Vera Bergengruen at vera.bergengruen@wsj.com President Donald Trump on Monday threatened a 25% tariff on any nation purchasing oil and gas from Venezuela, ratcheting up his dispute with the Latin American country over immigration with a move that risks roiling the global energy trade. The move aims to cut a major source of revenue for the regime of Nicolas Maduro in Caracas while also putting further pressure on China, which is a major purchaser of Venezuelan crude and already in the cross hairs for 20% tariffs under Trump. The US, meanwhile, is also a major buyer of Venezuelan oil. The tariff would go into affect April 2, Trump said in a social media post, the same day his administration is expected to unveil a wider array of tariffs targeting multiple countries, adding yet another layer to the overlapping duties that have rattled trade partners and risk gumming up the global economy. US crude futures rose to a three-week intraday high after Trumps post, climbing 1.3% to $69.17 at 11:37 a.m. In New York. Prices have come under pressure in recent weeks due to growing worries about oversupply and a shaky US economic outlook. Meanwhile, Venezuela sovereign bonds slipped across the curve. Trump referred to the new charges as secondary tariffs, a potentially novel use of the trade restriction similar to so-called secondary sanctions imposed on firms or people doing business with targeted entities. Trump has ramped up scrutiny and sanctions on Venezuela since returning to the White House, reversing some easing under President Joe Biden. Any Country that purchases Oil and/or Gas from Venezuela will be forced to pay a Tariff of 25% to the United States on any Trade they do with our Country. All documentation will be signed and registered, and the Tariff will take place on April 2nd, 2025, LIBERATION DAY IN AMERICA, Trump wrote Monday on Truth Social. Venezuela has been very hostile to the United States and the Freedoms which we espouse, Trump wrote. The renewed pressure from Washington also comes as exports of Venezuelan crude had risen to a five-year high in February, before the Trump administration said it was forcing Chevron Corp. to wind down its operations in the country by April 3. Trumps comment follows efforts by Chevron to secure more time to conclude operations with Venezuelas state-owned Petroleos de Venezuela SA. A spokesman for Chevron declined to comment. The largest buyers of Venezuela oil include US refiners, which depend on the Latin American nations heavy grade of crude, along with China, Cuba and companies in Europe and India. The US refiners include Valero Energy Corp, Phillips 66, PBF Energy and Chevrons Pascagoula fascility in Mississippi. Trump didnt detail any plans to put tariffs on sales to the US, implying that crude imports from the country could continue relatively unfettered. Curbing Venezuelan barrels at a time when Mexican and Canadian crude flows to the US have already slowed may prop up prices. The move escalates tensions with the South American nation ruled by socialist leader Maduro. Trump has sought to crack down on the Venezuelabased Tren de Aragua gang, including with a series of deportations under a little used 18th century law to a notorious El Salvadoran prison. A federal judge ruled Monday the migrants must be allowed to challenge the deportations in court. Trump announced the decision after Venezuela resumed accepting deportation flights from the US, which Maduros government briefly halted. But Trump said Venezuela has purposefully and deceitfully sent to the United States, undercover, tens of thousands of high level, and other, criminals, many of whom are murderers and people of a very violent nature including members of Tren de Aragua. Venezuela had the worlds largest proven crude oil reserves in 2023 with approximately 303 billion barrels, accounting for approximately 17% of global reserves, according to US government data. Despite the sizable reserves, Venezuela produced about 875,000 barrels a day in 2024, according to OPEC data, or about 0.9% of total global oil production in 2024. With assistance from Jennifer A. Dlouhy, Hadriana Lowenkron and Zijia Song. 2025 Bloomberg L.P. The stock has been in focus lately in anticipation of this development. Under this scheme, the total incentives for the UPI industry stood at 3,268 crore for FY24, up by nearly 80% over the previous year. Consequently, the bar for FY25 was high. Currently, there is no confirmation of the companys share in incentives and a concern is that it may decline drastically. Paytm earned 288 crore under the scheme for FY24, which was accounted for in Q4FY24. This announcement usually comes during Q4 of the financial year. Also read | Centre approves 1,500 crore incentive for UPI transactions: What is it? Who will benefit? All you need to know As Paytms market share in volume and value of UPI payments has come down since January 2024 when the Reserve Bank of India took action against Paytm Payments Bank and the government cut overall allocation, there could be a fall of about 150 crore in the companys income from UPI incentives for FY25. For perspective, the company has reported a loss of 772 crore at the adjusted Ebitda level (Ebitda before Esop) in 9MFY25. While this development is sentimentally negative, investors should not focus solely on UPI incentives because Paytm is not looking at income from payment processing alone and exploring other revenue streams. The idea is to build relationships with merchants and UPI users to cross-sell other financial services. Paytm and others are hoping to monetize the database by offering loan distribution, insurance, stock broking and other services. Default loss guarantee In fact, Paytms revenue from financial services, including loan distribution fees, stood at 502 core, surpassing the net payment margin of 489 crore in Q3FY25. For the first time in FY25, quarterly earnings from financial services could exceed the net payment margin as there was nearly 33% sequential growth in the income from financial services. Also read | Paytm eyes merchant acquisition in international markets with new subsidiaries in Middle East, SEA Growth in revenue from financial services has been strong, led by a slew of partnerships with banking giants such as HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank, but has come on the back of offering default loss guarantee (DLG). The DLG provider, i.e. Paytm in this case, guarantees to compensate the lender for a loss due to default up to a specified percentage of the loan. The loan distribution becomes more lucrative as there is a possibility of earning more commission by offering DLG, but it also increases the risk exposure of the guarantor i.e. Paytm in this case. Paytms take rate or commission rate as a percentage of loans disbursed, increased from 7.1% in Q2FY25 to 9% in Q3FY25. But its outstanding assets under management (AUM) under DLG has also increased from 1,651 crore to 4,244 crore, highlighting increased risk. Paytm is clearly in a strong position to offer better DLG terms compared to its competitors by virtue of its strong cash position of 12,850 crore at the end of Q3FY25. Though exposure to DLG risks is not a concern as of now, it could become a problem if there is an acceleration in loan default rate owing to macroeconomic factors or client-specific issues. Also read | Paytm shares surge over 5% as SEBI approves registration of Paytm Money as research analyst Going ahead, loan distribution should be the key monitorable as the reduction in UPI incentives should not matter much with its contribution to Ebitda likely to become minuscule in future. Though Paytm's strategic cost management bodes well for its long-term profitability, valuation is pricey at a P/E of 43x and EV/Ebitda of 36x based on Bloomberg consensus earnings estimate for FY27. Bajaj Healthcares stock has been on a tear, rising over 14% in the past month and surging more than 130% in a year. Investors are piling in, betting on the companys expanding global footprint, new drug approvals, and a turnaround in financial performance. The optimism stems from a string of positive developments. The company recently received regulatory approval to conduct Phase III clinical trials for Cenobamate, an advanced anti-seizure medication. It has also secured key international contracts, expanded its presence in the alkaloid manufacturing business, and is making aggressive moves in the magnesium segment. At the same time, it is taking steps to clean up its financials, selling assets to reduce debt and returning to profitability in FY25. Read this | NLC India misses lignite target, but recovery plan sparks comeback hopes But is this rally sustainable? While Bajaj Healthcare is making strides, its history of weak financials, mounting debt, and inconsistent performance casts a shadow over its recent success. For clarity, Bajaj Healthcare is not affiliated with the Bajaj Group. The company was founded in 1993 by Sajankumar Bajaj and his family and later restructured as a closely held public limited company in 2005. While the promoters hold a 59.19% stake as of December 2024down from 67.73% in June 2024they recently bought shares worth 1.4 billion from the open market, signalling confidence in the companys future. With that distinction made, lets break down the key factors driving the stocks surge. Clinical trials and expansion fuel optimism The latest catalyst for Bajaj Healthcares stock is its entry into Phase III clinical trials for Cenobamate, a drug used to treat partial-onset seizures in adults. If successful, it could offer a much-needed treatment option for epilepsy patients in India, positioning the company as a key player in the neurology space. Read this | Real alpha will still come from mid-caps and small-caps: TRUST Mutual Funds Mihir Vora Beyond drug development, Bajaj Healthcare is also ramping up its global ambitions. The company secured Australias Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) approval for its Gujarat API site, allowing it to supply active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) directly to Australia and New Zealand. This regulatory green light strengthens its position as a global supplier and opens doors for more contract manufacturing deals. Besides this, it recently received Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) approval to manufacture Pimavanserin (34 mg capsule), an atypical antipsychotic for Parkinsons disease psychosis. Further, the company recently inked a contract for 15 APIs with UK and EU-based companies, following a similar deal earlier this year. These agreements reinforce its growing presence in international markets and could provide steady revenue streams. Apart from its core pharmaceutical business, Bajaj Healthcare is diversifying its portfolio. It has completed the construction of an alkaloid manufacturing plant capable of processing 250 tonne of opium gum and 2,500 tonne of poppy straw annually. The company expects significant revenue growth from this segment, given the demand for opium-derived products in the pharmaceutical industry. Additionally, Bajaj Healthcare has secured exclusive rights from Threotech LLC for the manufacturing, distribution, and sales of Magnesium L-Threonate (Magtein) in India. This foray into magnesium-based supplements could open up new opportunities in the nutraceuticals market. The shadow of financial struggles Despite these promising developments, Bajaj Healthcares financial track record remains a concern. Read this | Varun Beverages battles pricing wars, ramps up on expansion to protect turf Revenue has grown at a modest 5% CAGR over the past five years, and after a strong performance in FY20-FY22, the company struggled through FY23 and FY24, reporting declining revenues, shrinking profit margins, and even a loss in FY24. The impact of these numbers was seen in the companys return ratios. The company registered a negative return on equity (RoE) in FY24. The return on capital employed (RoE) also stood at an abysmal 1.88x. The downturn was driven by falling exports, losses from discontinued operations, and a significant write-off of inventory acquired during COVID-19, which weighed heavily on its balance sheet. Additionally, interest expenses surged, further eroding profitability. One of the biggest red flags in Bajaj Healthcares financials has been its rising debt burden. Its debt-to-equity ratio increased to 1.19x in FY24, while its interest coverage ratio plummeted from 15.25x in FY21 to just 0.44x in FY24, signaling financial distress. To address these issues, the company has taken steps to deleverage. It sold a plant in Tarapur to pay down part of its bank debt and is exploring the sale of other discontinued assets, with proceeds expected by the end of FY25. Encouragingly, the company has posted profits for all three quarters of FY25 so far, reversing the losses recorded in FY24. After six consecutive quarters of declining revenue, a turnaround is finally taking shape. However, the Bajaj Healthcare stock isnt cheap. It is currently trading at a price-to-book value (P/BV) ratio of 5xan 86% premium over its historical average of 2.69x. Also read | Nifty may face stiff resistance at 23600 this week The companys improving financial performance and global expansion justify some optimism, but given its checkered history, investors will be watching closely to see if it can sustain its momentum. The bottom line Bajaj Healthcares stock surge is driven by regulatory breakthroughs, global expansion, and improving financials. While the company has taken concrete steps to address its debt burden and return to profitability, its historical financial struggles cannot be overlooked. For more such analyses, read Profit Pulse. The key question for investors: Is this a lasting turnaround or just a temporary rebound? About the author: Ayesha Shetty is a research analyst registered with the Securities and Exchange Board of India. She is a certified Financial Risk Manager (FRM) and is working toward the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation. Disclosure: The author does not hold shares in any of the companies discussed. The views expressed are for informational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice. Readers should conduct their own research and consult a financial professional before making investment decisions. Mumbai: Options traders have baked in a maximum market upside at a key technical level of 23,600 points for the benchmark Nifty index for this week. It remains to be seen if this hurdle is broken with the index having jumped 6.3% from the 4 March low of 21,964.6 through Friday's closing at 23,350.40. The key level of 23,600 is the upper breakeven point for options sellers. If Nifty crosses it decisively, sellers would make huge losses. If the index expires at 23,350 this week, they would gain the maximum of 249 per share (75 shares make one contract). If the Nifty breaches the lower breakeven point of 23,101 points, their losses will multiply. The upper level of 23,600 coincides with the Nifty retracing 38.2% of the fall from the record high of 26,277.35 on 27 September to the nine-month low of 21964.6 on 4 March. The total fall from the high to low is 4,312.75 points. A 38.2% retracement of that works out to 1647.47 points. What this means is from the low of 21,964.6, the Nifty rises first by 38.2% (1,647.47 points) to 23,612. If that's decisively broken, Nifty will aim for a 50% retracement , or rise 2,156 points from the 4 March low. If Nifty covers 50% of the fall from its September high to the March low it will hit 24,120. These key levels of 38.2%, 50% and further on 61.8% etc are known as Fibonacci retracement levels, named after the 12th century Italian mathematician of the same name. Also Read: Street has a spring in the step, but no bottom yet The downside Options traders have sold 23,350 level call and put options expiring on 27 March. Through this sale they pocketed 249 a share, or 18,675 per contract from the combined sale of the call and put contract. This is their maximum profit. However, their losses can be huge if the Nifty rises well over 249 points or falls by more than 249 points from 23,350. Assume the Nifty expires on Thursday at 23,800. The payout to the put option buyer would be zero but the payout to the call buyer will be 450 per share. As the option sellers received a combined 249, their net loss would be 201 per share (450-249) or 15,075 per contract. As sellers tend to sell multiple lots, the loss would be huge. Similarly, if the Nifty tanks to 22,900, their loss would be the same. The lower end of the range based on Friday option prices is 23,100. Options traders, as of Friday, expect the market to range between 23,100-23,600. What led to the rise FPIs net bought 6,576 crore worth of cash market shares last week, including Friday's provisional figure of 7,470 crore due to global index provider FTSE Russell rebalancing, adding to DII net but figure of 4,339 crore, taking total institutional buying to 11,809 crore last week. Furthermore, FPIs sharply reduced their cumulative net shorts on index futures (Nifty and Bank Nifty) to 96,715 contracts last Friday from 184,034 net shorts at the end of the prior week (13 March). This resulted in a short covering rally. FPI buying came on the heels of months of net selling (including secondary and primary market) since October due to rising bond yields in US and weaker rupee. Their total sales since then through 20 March total 2.44 trillion. Analysts are mixed in their outlook on the rally. Sriram Velayudhan, senior vice president , IIFL Capital Services, said that FPI flow resumption into India on a sustainable basis would take cues from Q4 results and the global tariff war outcome. He expects markets to top out around the current level in the medium term. "Markets will take further cues from the Q4 results, which are likely to be lacklustre. However, we might not witness markets testing the 4 March lows," Velayudhan added. Rajesh Palviya, derivatives and technical research head at Axis Securities, expects banks to outperform, and the Nifty to rally by another 500 points from current levels. Also read | Unlocking global markets: How to diversify with portfolio management services Market volumes NSE trading volumes stood above the 1 trillion mark for three straight days with turnover on Friday totalling 1.6 trillion due to FTSE Russell rebalancing, which saw an estimated $1.4 billion worth of inflows, and likely tax loss harvesting. Friday's turnover contrasts with an average daily turnover of 93,606 crore so far this month. A smaller part of the rising volumes recently is attributed by financial advisors such as Amol Joshi , founder of PlanRupee Investment, to tax loss harvesting, which is normally seen at this time of year. Tax loss harvesting means realising losses of certain stocks in portfolios to offset the capital gains tax incidence on other stocks in folios during the financial yearend. For instance, if one stock has returned a short-term capital gain of 75,000 and the other a loss of 50,000, an investor can use the loss to reduce short-term capital gain tax outgo of 15,000 (20% STCG) on the profit. That is, by realising and deducting 50,000 from 75,000 the net gain works out to 25,000. STCG (short-term capital gain) of 20% on this reduced tax outgo by a third amounts to 5,000. Also read | Stock market mayhem: Will history repeat itself? The covid-led stock market crash in March 2020 birthed a spectacular four-year bull run. Five years on, the boom phase and the subsequent, ongoing correction have brought significant lessons for investorsespecially new entrants. While most have moderated return expectations by now, some have exited the market altogether, and others are holding tight in the face of recent corrections. But even in this grim backdrop, headlines are often peppered with penny stock multi-bagger success stories, indicating an unsatiable appetite for these stocks. The allure of humungous returns on minimal investment has driven many investors towards penny stocksmicrocap companies with dirt-cheap share prices. Since these stocks are priced low, even a small increase in their value can result in a significant percentage gain in invested capital, and the pandemic bull run offered them the perfect opportunity to become multi-baggers. A Mint analysis of penny stock behaviour during the last four major market cycles in 20 years reveals that in the latest bull run of 2020 to 2024, around 90% of stocks in the penny universe offered more than 100% returns, i.e. more than doubled, or turned multi-baggers. Stocks priced at 1-15 were defined as penny stocks in the analysis. This stellar performance is second only to the one they put up during the 2003-2008 bull run when 97% of them turned multi-baggers. During both the bull runs, close to 90% of these stocks crossed the penny stock threshold by the end of the bull phase. Also read | Beaten-down small-caps begin to tempt mutual funds This indicates that during good times, euphoria trumps logic, and heady valuations supersede fundamentals. As a result, penny stocks tend to generate wealth for the lucky and savvy investors during bull runs. But whenever the tides turn against investors, these stocks crash the hardest, wiping out huge chunks of their gains or straight-up plunging into losses. Penny lane At the end of the bear runs that followed the bull phases that were part of the analysis, 25-47% of the stocks that graduated from the penny universe returned to being penny stocks. Interestingly, in the ongoing correction phase so far, only 7% of such stocks have downgraded to penny status since the market peaked in September. This is because the current market correction has not been that severe yet, despite how investors might feel, noted Umesh Gupta, fund manager and head of equity at Ambit Global Private Client. To put things in perspective, between 2008 and 2020, the market fell around 28-60% during the three major bear phases. The broader market has only lost 12% in the current phase and is not in full-blown bear territory yet. Usually, in the first few months of a market decline, these stocks do not fall significantly because the not-so-savvy investors lap them up at cheaper valuations in hopes of even higher gains in the near term. They see it as an opportunity rather than a warning sign," said Gupta. But if further bouts of correction follow, the value of these stocks usually keeps halving in every downturn, he added. Experts also pointed out that among the 93% of ex-penny stocks still wearing the multi-bagger crown, many have already corrected 50-60% in the latest downturn, further appealing to gullible investors. Also read | SIPs stop, demat accounts slump: Are retail investors running scared? A lot of young individual investors who entered the stock market for the first time during the pandemic have been the most interested in penny stocks," Aman Dwivedi, head of equity advisory at HDFC TRU, told Mint. Older, experienced clients usually stay away from these segments due to the high associated risks." Traditionally considered the fringe element of the stock market, the world of penny stocks is murky. Limited information about small businesses and extremely tight liquidity often create fertile grounds for promoter-led stock price manipulations and outright scam companies to thrive. Naturally, conventional investors have shunned this segment. Buoyant markets But the micro- and small-cap universe has also fundamentally improved a lot in the post-pandemic era, garnering a valid sense of excitement among risk-takers, noted Sandeep Raina, head of research at Nuvama Professional Clients. A lot of these small companies have strong business models where we have seen their market cap growing by 10x in just two to three years. There are tremendous growth opportunities in this segment if you can find them," said Raina. Promoter quality has also improved in general relative to the last small and medium enterprises (SME) boom in 2016, which instilled more confidence in investors during the latest boom, he added. Hence, the post-pandemic rally in penny stocks was more secular than other bull runs. The governments Make in India push through several production-linked incentive (PLI) schemes created a thriving ecosystem for new small companies after covid, said Gaurav Didwania, partner and fund manager at Qode Advisors, a portfolio management service firm. Also read | A Birla company joins the rebranding trend. Whats in a new corporate identity? Hence, these companies have seen their earnings grow 2-3x faster in the last six years, compared to the growth seen in the last 15 years. Naturally, the risk appetite for this segment also rose sharply after the pandemic, especially from HNIs (high net worth individuals)," said Didwania. Moreover, buoyant markets also allowed these companies easy access to capital for restructuring and scaling up, creating notable winners in the infrastructure, real estate, renewable energies and utility sectors, said Dwivedi from HDFC TRU. However, most experts cautioned that even though the broader pool has improved, investors are still locked in risky bets as further corrections will choke the exits from this segment. They also noted that while the latest rally has offered temporary relief to these multi-baggers, any more falls are likely to expose the cracks beneath the surface, and only the fundamentally sound ones will stand strong in the end. Imagine a captain navigating stormy seas. To keep the voyage going, they hand over parts of the ship as security to borrow fuel. The journey continues, but the ship itself is now partially in someone elses hands. Thats what promoter pledging feels like. In the world of stocks, promoters are the captains of their companies. When they pledge their shares, they offer a piece of their control in exchange for cash. This money may be used for business expansion, debt repayment, or even personal obligations. On the surface, the ship keeps sailingbut the risk of losing control quietly builds. Not all pledging is bad. In some cases, its just smart financing. But when pledging spikes sharply, it can be a warning sign: the company may be running low on cash or heading into rough waters. If the stock price falls and the loan isnt repaid, lenders can sell the pledged shares in the open market, triggering panic and volatility. Thats why investors should watch this signal closelyit can hint at hidden financial stress even when everything looks calm. Read this | As the weight of promoter pledge lifts, Aster DM is free to grow again Lets take a closer look at five companies where promoter pledging has risen significantly. #1 Sakthi Sugars Founded in 1961, Sakthi Sugars began commercial production in 1964 at its Sakthinagar plant. Today, it operates three sugar mills in Tamil NaduSakthinagar, Sivaganga, and Modakurichiwith a combined capacity of 19,500 tonnes of cane crushed per day (TCD), making it one of Indias largest sugar producers. While promoter holding remained steady at 59.8% between June 2023 and December 2024, promoter pledging surged from 14.6% to a steep 96.4% in the same period. This sharp increase suggests mounting financial pressure or a growing dependence on debt. Looking ahead, the company expects a stable year, supported by forecasts of a normal to above-normal monsoon, which should ensure steady sugarcane availability and moderate sugar production. To reduce its dependence on sugar, Sakthi Sugars is expanding into ethanol production under the government-backed Ethanol Blended with Petrol (EBP) programme. This diversification is expected to improve margins and create a more resilient revenue stream. Additionally, the company is optimizing its by-products, such as bagasse and press mud, for power generation and sustainable applicationsaligning profitability with environmental goals. #2 Gensol Engineering Gensol Engineering provides engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) services along with solar advisory solutions. It specializes in technical due diligence, detailed engineering, quality control, and construction supervision for solar projects across multiple geographies, including India. Between June 2023 and December 2024, promoter holding in Gensol Engineering remained relatively stable, fluctuating between 64.7% and 62.6%. However, promoter pledging surged from 41.8% to 81.7% during the same periodraising concerns over increased financial leverage or potential liquidity constraints. The company is actively expanding in the renewable energy sector, focusing on solar EPC projects and energy storage solutions. It is also leveraging government incentives and policy support to strengthen its foothold in India's fast-growing clean energy market. Beyond solar, Gensol is making a strategic push into electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing and leasing, aligning with Indias broader shift toward sustainable mobility. The company plans to scale up its EV operations in the coming years. With a strong order book ensuring revenue visibility, Gensol is also investing in solar tracking technologies and battery energy storage systems (BESS) to enhance efficiency and maintain its competitive edge. #3 Anupam Rasayan Anupam Rasayan India manufactures specialty chemicals for domestic and international markets, catering to industries such as agrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, and personal care. Between June 2023 and December 2024, promoter holding remained largely stable, fluctuating between 27.1% and 28.4%. However, promoter pledging, which stood at 0% in June 2023, rose to 16.5% by December 2024potentially signalling increased borrowing or financial strain. The company is expanding its footprint in the pharma and polymer segments, both of which have shown strong growth and are expected to be key revenue drivers in the coming years. It is also strengthening its fluorination chemistry portfolio, aided by the acquisition of Tanfac, ensuring a steady supply of critical raw materials. With a diverse pipeline of over 65 molecules in research and development, Anupam Rasayan is targeting long-term contracts, particularly in Japan and the USmarkets expected to contribute a significant share of its revenue over the next two to three years. The company recently signed a contract and a letter of intent with a US firm, further expanding its presence in high-performance specialty chemicals for industries such as defense, electronics, and aerospace. #4 SBC Exports SBC Exports operates across three key segmentsgarment manufacturing and trading, IT and manpower supply, and tour and travel services. The company exports handmade wool and silk carpets from Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh, and provides travel services through its platform maujitrip.com. Its IT offerings span HR consulting, IT solutions, manpower staffing, e-governance services, web and software development, scanning and digitization, training, and system integration. Between June 2023 and December 2024, promoter holding in SBC Exports declined slightly from 65.8% to 64.2%. During the same period, promoter pledging increased from 17.8% to 20%, indicating a possible rise in financial leverage or liquidity needs. The company is scaling operations across its business verticals. In the garment segment, it is setting up a state-of-the-art manufacturing unit in Ghaziabad to strengthen exports. It has an order book of approximately 1.6 billion for FY24-25, including a 0.5 billion export order for the GCC market. On the digital front, SBC has launched frouteclothing.com to boost accessibility and brand visibility while expanding its presence on major e-commerce platforms. It is also planning to launch exclusive brand stores to enhance its retail footprint. In IT services, the company is leveraging strategic partnerships and manpower staffing solutions to drive long-term growth. Meanwhile, its travel subsidiary, Mauji Trip, has recorded threefold growth on an annual basis. #5 HFCL HFCL operates as a diversified telecom infrastructure enabler, with interests spanning telecom network development, system integration, and the manufacturing of high-end telecom equipment, optical fibre, and optical fibre cables (OFC). Between June 2023 and December 2024, promoter holding in HFCL declined from 39.2% to 35.9%. At the same time, promoter pledging increased from 44.7% to 47.6%, suggesting higher financial commitments or potential liquidity pressures. The company is focused on strengthening its position in the telecommunications and optical fibre industry, capitalizing on the expansion of 5G networks and the BharatNet Phase III project. It has secured significant orders worth over 46.5 billion under BharatNet and aims to expand its presence in rural broadband connectivity. HFCL is also ramping up research and development to enhance its telecom equipment portfolio, including routers, Wi-Fi solutions, and optical fibre cables. Additionally, the company is scaling its exports, targeting international markets for fiber optics and telecom products. It is optimizing manufacturing processes to improve efficiency and meet rising demand from telecom operators and data centres. Conclusion A sharp rise in promoter pledging often raises concerns about financial stability and potential risks. While each of the five companies discussed has its own growth plans and expansion strategies, increasing pledging underscores the importance of careful financial management. For investors, pledging should not be viewed in isolation but assessed alongside other financial indicators. Also read | A 68% fall in Gensol stock prompts creditors to seize 7% promoter pledged shares A well-managed company with strong cash flows and growth potential can sustain a moderate level of pledging without major disruptions. However, excessive reliance on pledged shares warrants caution. Keeping track of promoter holdings can help investors make more informed decisions. Happy Investing. Disclaimer: This article is for information purposes only. It is not a stock recommendation and should not be treated as such. This article is syndicated from Equitymaster.com Consumer durable stocks, especially those dealing in cooling products, tend to rise ahead of summer, driven by expectations of stronger sales. This time, too, the early onset of summer and forecasts of above-average temperatures and heat waves make it even more special. This is expected to boost cooling product sales, leading to strong sales growth for companies in the coming months. As a result, Voltas, the leading air conditioner brand, expects stronger sales momentum. But how well is the company positioned to capitalize on this opportunity? Before unpacking the story, let's take a look at its Q3FY25 performance: Unitary cooling products lead Voltas sales Voltas' business comprises three business segments, including unitary cooling, which markets cooling products such as room air conditioners, air and water coolers, and commercial refrigeration products. The unitary cooling segment generated 68% of Voltas' total revenue in the first nine months of FY25. Electro-mechanical Projects and Engineering Products contributed 29% and 4%, respectively. Our focus in this story is the Unitary Cooling segments. Room ACs drive growth, commercial refrigeration lags Within unitary cooling, room ACs (RAC) continue to be the key growth driver. In Q3FY25, 60% of total sales in the unitary cooling segment came from room ACs, while 15% came from commercial refrigeration, 5% from air coolers and the remaining 20% from others. Voltas RAC continues to lead the industry by maintaining its growth momentum, with volume growth of 42% in 9MFY25. It remains the market leader in split and window AC, with an exit market share of 20.5% in December 2024. The company reversed a three-year market share decline, strengthening its performance. On the other hand, the commercial refrigeration (CR) segment faced some challenges. Lower customer capital expenditure dampened demand, prompting Voltas to clear inventory through promotions, impacting margins. In contrast, the air cooler segment performed strongly despite seasonal weakness in the third quarter, with 80-85% YoY volume growth in 9MFY25. Voltas's market share in air coolers reached 11.1% in September 2024, making it the No. 2 brand after Symphony. Quantity tie-ups with distributors and sub-dealer schemes contributed to the air cooler's strong performance. Voltas aims to maintain the product growth rate with volume growth of 70-80% (YoY) in the coming years. Further, demand for commercial ACs remained strong, with 12-15% annual growth in Q9FY25, and similar growth is expected going forward. Margin pressure dampens revenue growth Note that the third quarter remains a seasonally weak quarter for cooling products. Despite that, the segment recorded strong revenue growth of 20% year-on-year (YoY) to 1,771 crore, led by RACs, air coolers and commercial ACs. However, the strong revenue growth was dampened by lower earnings before interest and tax (Ebit). Headwinds in commercial refrigeration, operating deleverage from lower utilisation at the new AC facility in Chennai, and higher marketing expenses impacted Ebit, which was further aggravated by higher commodity costs and rupee depreciation. As a result, margins fell to an over four-year low of 5.9% from 8.3% in Q3FY24. However, the company is still not keen on improving margins. Instead, it prioritises market share through volume growth over price hikes, unlike peers who have taken 1-2% hikes to protect margins and profitability. Due to this, ICICI Securities expects Voltas's margins to fall further by 1% in Q4. Strong summer demand to boost Voltas sales The demand for RACs is expected to increase significantly in the coming months due to expectations of a scorching summer season with above-normal heat waves across the country. As a leading company, Voltas is witnessing strong demand for its RACs with the onset of summers across India. Notably, in FY24, Voltas's AC sales grew 35% to over 20 lakh unitsits highest-ever AC sales, making it the first company to cross this milestone. The momentum continued in FY25 with Voltas' volumes growing 35% during the April 2024-January 2025 period, outperforming the industry's growth of 30%. With demand expected to surge in the coming months, Voltas expects to maintain its lead in volume growth, surpassing the industry's expected growth of 30%. Also Read: Voltas fortune tied to AC business despite Voltbek optimism Capacity expansion and cost optimisation to fuel growth To capitalise on demand, the company is holding off price hikes despite increasing production costs, unlike peers who have taken 1-2% hikes to protect margin. This cost advantage strengthens Voltas' position in the mass market, supporting its volume growth and reinforcing its leadership in the segment. In addition, Voltas plans new seasonal launches across categories, which will help it gain market share. Moreover, the company is also optimising costs to balance profitability and maintain margins at the current level without price hikes. Further, Voltas has set up a new manufacturing facility in Chennai with a capital expenditure of around 400 crore to capitalise on the strong demand. This facility operates at 40-50% capacity and is expected to reach utilisation by FY26 as demand increases. With its other facility running at full capacity, Voltas' profitability and margin improvement depend on operational efficiency at this facility. As this facility utilisation improves, Voltas' margins and profitability will strengthen. Additionally, PLI incentives from the facility are expected to be received from Q1FY26, helping it boost profit and margin. Declining compressor imports from China a concern Concerns over compressor import from China remain as the government has not renewed BIS licenses for several China-owned entities. The domestic capacity meets only 40-45% of the annual compressor demand, while the rest is imported. Thus, the non-renewal of licenses affected the supply of compressors, which would have impacted Voltas. However, the company has managed to ease the supply by sourcing from alternate sources for the current season. Now, the company focuses on in-house compressor manufacturing to make supplies more reliable. It has announced a capital expenditure of 260 crore for the purpose under PLI 3.0. Also Read: Hot summer forecast to boost consumer durables, beverage sales in India What financials say, and where valuation stands Volta's consolidated revenue grew 28.6% YoY to 10,645 crore in Q9FY25, led by a robust 37.6% growth in the cooling business and 16.8% growth in electro-mechanical. On the other hand, Voltas' Ebitda margin grew 3.9% YoY to 7.4% in Q9FY25, led by a 27.7% margin in engineering products, despite poor margins in the cooling business. This led to a massive 335% rise in net profit to 599 crore, albeit on a weak base. The company trades at a price-to-equity valuation of 67, 60% premium to its 10-year median multiple of 42. Relatively, it trades at a discount to Blue Star (80) and Johnson Control Hitachi (94). Voltas' current valuation appears to be full, and a lot depends on its performance in the much-awaited summer season. Moreover, Voltas may continue to trade at a valuation discount to peers due to their stronger growth rates. Nonetheless, Voltas remains a strong play on rising RAC penetration, backed by its market leadership, strong brand presence, and extensive reach across India. Motilal Oswal expects Volta's revenue, Ebitda, and profit to grow at 12%, 20%, and 23% annual growth rates during F25-27. It assigns a target price of 1,710, 20% higher than the current price of 1,430. For more such analyses, read Profit Pulse. Madhvendra has been a passionate follower of the equity market for over seven years and a seasoned financial content writer. He loves reading and sharing his opinions about publicly listed Indian companies and macroeconomic trends. Disclosure: The writer does not hold the stocks discussed in this article. The purpose of this article is only to share interesting charts, data points, and thought-provoking opinions. It is NOT a recommendation. If you wish to consider an investment, you are strongly advised to consult your advisor. This article is strictly for educative purposes only. In the last few months, her life has been taken over by countless trials. She experimented with different strains of indigenous rice from the northeast and one from south Indiathe names of which she doesnt revealto crack a recipe. Finally, Laifungbam is ready for her baby to meet the world. In June, the chef, who is also India's first certified sake brewer, or touji, will launch two sake products in Bengaluru and Mumbai. Theres junmai, a clear and refreshing sake, and nigori, a cloudy version with a stronger flavour. She has moved from Yelahanka, and a brewery in Bengaluru is also in the making, where guests can sip on freshly pressed sake, which boasts a stronger flavour and higher sugar content than the brewed versions. It takes about a month to prepare sake. Out of the four rice strains, one turned out to be terrible, while the others were phenomenal. I developed three types of sake recipes," shares the 31-year-old. Also read: 5 refreshing wines for spring Homegrown sake has arrived at an interesting time. There is a growing appreciation for Japanese culture, an increased interest in Japanese cuisine, a surge in Indian tourists visiting Japan, and higher disposable incomes, all of which have contributed to its rising popularity in India. Sakes growth trajectory here is similar to that of wine two decades ago. Interestingly, it is often compared to wine, as both are fermented beverages. I have noticed sake is more easily embraced than wine, even by Indian consumers who traditionally prefer spirits, because of its lower acidity and lack of tannins, making it more palatable," points out Ravi Joshi, co-founder of Sake Club India. He believes the biggest challenges to sakes growth in India include high import tariffs, logistical expenses, and its fragility in the supply chain at the moment. In such a scenario, local production would help overcome these issues by providing a more cost-effective solution and ensuring better availability. This prompted Laifungbam to learn sake making, and it helped that she is already part of the food and beverage industry. As a chef, I understand rice, which is one of the primary ingredients in sake. Besides, India has a variety of rice grains that can be leveraged. I was confident we could make our version of sake, since the northeastern region of the country already has several forms of rice beer," she adds. A natural progression With her father from Manipur and mother from Goa, Laifungbam was exposed to different cuisines from an early age. She started her professional journey in food and beverage about a decade ago, after graduating from Manipal Universitys culinary programme. Japanese gastronomy fascinated her. She took it upon herself to learn to cook Japanese food. Her affinity towards the country also piqued her interest in its drinks. I think sake is a beautiful beverage, and is revered in Japanese culture. They have shrines for sake in Japan. You never pour for yourself; you always pour for other people at the table," she adds. In 2023, with the help of the Sake Sommelier Association, she secured a place at the 300-year-old Kyoto brewery Yamamoto Honke. The Kyoto-style was something I wanted to learn. It's a softer type of sake, which is ideal for India," she shares. She stayed there for the sake season in winter for three months to be trained. View Full Image Maia Laifungbam (Photo by Saina Jayapal) A challenging process Making sake may sound simplistic due to the presence of only three ingredientswater, rice, and a fungus called koji. But it requires immense precision and discipline to create the perfect recipe. While in Japan, Laifungbam would easily spend seven to nine hours in the brewery, akin to a full-time job. The process of making the Japanese beverage is labour-intensive, especially inoculating the rice with koji, which requires constant monitoring for the fungus to grow under specific conditions. Also, the Kyoto-style sake uses soft water. Certain mineral properties are still too high for the sake I want to make. In my brewery, which I am in the process of setting up right now in Bengaluru, the water processing unit is going to be one of a kind," shares Laifungbam. Another factor that determines the quality of sake is the polishing percentage of rice, meaning how much of the rice remains after the outer layer of the grain has been shaved off. The Japanese, Laifungbam says, sometimes polish it down to 15%. I am not polishing the rice too much. I've gone down to 75-80%, which is a good range to hit the market with," she says. Her brand of sake will have a shelf life of six months. Even the best sake in Japan is pasteurised for longevity of the beverage. I pasteurise it differently, at very cold temperatures," she informs. Without divulging too much information, Laifungbam shares that each of the rice strains she has used has a different aroma. While one of the varieties from Assam is stunning on the nose, the others are sweeter rice grains. They have different expressions depending on how they ferment and adapt to the koji," she informs. The mark of a good sake, Laifungbam shares, is a beverage with a clean nose. One can barely smell anything, just a whiff of rice as a result of fermentation. Sake is more on the palate than on the nose." Since Laifungbam wants the price point to be accessible, she doesnt use imported rice. This drink is meant for sharing. I want it to be popular among the youththose who have graduated from college and started their careers," she explains. As an extension, she aims to introduce a sake-drinking culture in the country that isnt intimidating: Most people in India don't even think about sake, or they are of the view that it's only available in a Japanese restaurant. I want it to become a drink you can have anywhere." Geetika Sachdev is a Delhi-based lifestyle journalist. New Delhi, Mar 24 (PTI) Indian and US officials will hold discussions this week to expand and deepen bilateral trade ties in a mutually beneficial manner and enhance supply chain integration, the commerce ministry said on Monday. To discuss trade-related issues with India, Assistant US Trade Representative for South and Central Asia Brendan Lynch, along with a team of US government officials, will be visiting India from March 25-29. As directed by the leaders of the two countries, India remains committed to working with the US side in the trade and economic domains to enhance prosperity, and innovation and deepen supply chain integration between the two countries, it added. "We look forward to productive and constructive discussions with the incoming US delegation to expand and deepen our bilateral trade and economic ties in a mutually beneficial manner," the ministry said. The visit of the US team comes against the backdrop of President Donald Trump's plan to impose reciprocal tariffs on various countries, including India. He has on multiple forums stated that India imposes high tariffs on US goods. In 2023-24, the US was the largest trading partner of India with USD 119.71 billion bilateral trade in goods (USD 77.51 billion worth of exports, USD 42.19 billion of imports, with USD 35.31 billion trade surplus). In 2024, India's main exports to the US included drug formulations, biological (USD 8.1 billion), telecom instruments (USD 6.5 billion), precious and semi-precious stones (USD 5.3 billion), petroleum products (USD 4.1 billion), gold and other precious metal jewellery (USD 3.2 billion), ready-made garments of cotton, including accessories (USD 2.8 billion), and products of iron and steel (USD 2.7 billion). Kunal Kamra - Eknath Shinde Row: Stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra on Monday broke the silence amid ongoing controversy over his gaddar remark on Shiv Sena chief and Maharashtra deputy CM Eknath Shinde, and said that he will not apologise. However, Kamra stated that he is willing to co-operate with police and courts for any lawful action taken against him. As far as I know, it is not against the law to poke fun at our leaders and the circus that is our political system, said Kamra. Also Read | Kunal Kamra threatened by Shiv Sena worker in viral audio over gaddar remark Kunal Kamra sparked a huge row after taking a swipe at Eknath Shinde in his stand-up show where he used a modified version of a Hindi song with "gaddar" (traitor) jibe to describe the 2022 rebellion of Eknath Shinde against Uddhav Thackeray. Following his remark, Shiv Sena leaders and workers demanded an apology and also vandalised the Habitat Comedy Club in Khar, where his show was filmed. They also damaged the UniContinental hotel, which houses the club. In a statement posted on his social media handles, Kamra said that he doesn't fear the mob and would not be hiding under his bed, waiting for this to die down. Further, defending his remarks, Kamra said that he was merely echoing what Ajit Pawar had said about Eknath Shinde. I will not apologise. What I said is exactly what Mr. Ajit Pawar (1st deputy CM) said about Mr. Eknath Shinde (2nd Deputy CM), said Kamra. The remark Kamra was referring to was Ajit Pawar's '50 khoke, ekdam ok' (50 crores, everything is ok) which was made when he was with undivided NCP and not part of the Mahayuti alliance. "Even small kids also know '50-khoke ekdam ok'. When people hear the siren (of vehicle), they say look '50 crore person, gaddar (traitor) is going'," Ajit Pawar had said in the video, which has now gone viral, suggesting that the phrase reflected public sentiment. The '50-Khoke Ekdam Ok' slogan was coined by the Shiv Sena (UBT) in 2022 after 40 legislators from the undivided Sena switched sides to join the Eknath Shinde camp. Kunal Kamra on Vandalising Habitat Comedy Club Stating that an entertainment venue is merely a platform, Kamra said, A space for all sorts of shows. Habitat (or any other venue) is not responsible for my comedy, nor does it have any power or control over what I say or do. Neither does any political party. Attacking a venue for a comedian's words is as senseless as overturning a lorry carrying tomatoes, because you didn't like the butter chicken you were served. Our right to freedom of speech and expression is not only to be used to fawn over the powerful and rich even though today's media would have us believe otherwise. Your inability to take a joke at the expense of a powerful public figure does not change the nature of my right, said the comedian, adding, As far as I know, it is not against the law to poke fun at our leaders and the circus that is our political system. Willing to co-operate with police, says Kunal Kamra I am willing to co-operate with the police and courts for any lawful action taken against me. Kamra has been booked under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including 353(1)(b) (statements conducing to public mischief) and 356(2) (defamation). The complaint stated that Kunal Kamra's statements "hurt public sentiments". Kunal Kamra demands action on BMC official. The comedian also asked will the law be fairly and equally deployed against those who have decided that vandalism is the appropriate response to being offended by a joke? And against the unelected members of the BMC, who have arrived today at Habitat, without prior notice, and tore the place down with hammers? Perhaps for my next venue, I will opt for Elphinstone bridge, or any other structure in Mumbai that's in need of speedy demolition. Kunal Kumra on his number getting leaked To those who are busy leaking my number or calling me incessantly: I am sure you've realised by now that all unknown calls go to my voicemail, where you will be subjected to the very song that you hate, said Kamra. New Delhi: The Central government has authorized the Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) to check the attendance data of officials, faculty and students with pharmacy colleges after coming across multiple cases of people using fake IDs. The PCI has been told to verify if pharmacy colleges are adhering to and implementing the Aadhaar Enabled Biometric Attendance System (AEBAS). Many pharmacists have been found to have creating fake profiles using the same Aadhaar or PAN number and working as faculty in institutions. The Union health ministry in a notification said that PCI, the regulator, may access the attendance data of officials, faculty and students of council-approved pharmacy colleges online from the centralized AEBAS. Also read | Govt framing norms for human bone processing, storage; plans national registry Pharmacy Council of India may access the attendance data of officials, faculty and students of the Pharmacy Council of India-approved pharmacy colleges online from the centralized Aadhar Enabled Biometric Attendance System and shall adhere to the provisions of the Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act, rules, regulations, or guidelines made thereunder and directions issued with respect to the use of Aadhaar authentication as laid down by the Unique Identification Authority of India or Central Government from time to time," stated the notification dated 21 March. A senior official from PCI said, The Council is very serious about quality of education. However, most of the private pharmacy colleges are violating the norms. There have been multiple instances of faking profile of faculties, and forged attendance. We have directed the colleges to strictly implement Aadhaar based biometric attendance. But we do not have the access of attendance data to validate it. To keep a close watch on the functioning of the pharmacy schools, it has now been notified that PCI can now have the accessibility to the attendance data (both students & faculties). Also read | PLI boost: Cancer patients can hope for affordable drugs in India We get a lot of complaints such as unavailability of faculties, less number of students attending classes, faculties not getting salaries. With access to the records, the Council aims to solve at least 80% of the problem," the official said. Last year, around 718 new diploma and degree institutions were granted approval under the Pharmacy Act, 1948, and the Council conducted 1,976 inspections of diploma, degree, Pharm.D., M.Pharm and B.Pharm (Practice) institutions. For pharmacy, India has 5,669 approved institutions for diploma and 2,858 institutions offering degree courses. Queries sent to the health ministry remained unanswered. Also read | For small drugmakers playing fast and loose with quality, trouble is on way US President Donald Trump has lashed out at his official portrait displayed in the Colorado State Capitol, calling it "purposefully distorted" and demanding its removal. In a post on Truth Social, Trump accused Colorado Governor Jared Polis of approving a depiction of him while praising the same artists portrayal of former President Barack Obama. "Nobody likes a bad picture or painting of themselves, but the one in Colorado, in the State Capitol, put up by the Governor, along with all other Presidents, was purposefully distorted to a level that even I, perhaps, have never seen before," Trump wrote. Claims of bias against the artist Trump took aim at the artist behind the portrait. "She must have lost her talent as she got older," he remarked, contrasting his portrait with what he described as a more flattering depiction of Obama. Calls for removal, cites public outrage Trump claimed that Coloradans were upset over the portrait, asserting that "many people from Colorado have called and written to complain. In fact, they are actually angry about it!" He said he was "speaking on their behalf" to Governor Polis, urging him to take the painting down. Attack on Governor Polis over crime In his post, Trump also criticised Poliss record on crime, specifically referencing the Tren de Aragua, a violent Venezuelan gang. He accused the governor of being "extremely weak on crime" and claimed that Aurora, Colorado, had been "practically taken over". Also Read | Trump administration urges SC to overturn ruling on Federal worker reinstatement A man from Uttar Pradesh's Bareilly was booked for allegedly posting "I Love You Pakistan" on social media, PTI quoted an officer as saying on Monday. According to the report, which quoted Izzatnagar Station House Officer (SHO) Vijendra Singh, the accused was identified as Tabrez Alam, a resident of Shikarpur Chaudhary Gautia, who made the post on Facebook. Following Akhand Bharat Sankalp Nath Nagari 25 highlighted the matter via their social media handle on X, a complaint was registered under Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for actions deemed contradictory to national integrity. SHO Vijendra Singh mentioned that Akhand Bharat Sankalp Nath Nagari 25 in their complaint wrote that the post harmed India's unity and integrity and demanded strict action against Tabrez. Singh said Tabrez had earlier been accused of abducting a Hindu girl. According to a complaint filed by the girl's father, she had left home with jewellery and cash after being allegedly lured by Tabrez. He reportedly took her to Ghaziabad, where he tried to convert and threatened to kill her if she did not comply. Police are yet to find the girl and a hunt is still on for her. Similar case: Earlier in the day, a shocking incident has come to light in the Bhadohi district of Uttar Pradesh, where a man accused of raping a government hospital nurse has allegedly posted objectionable photos and videos on social media to extort money from her. Based on the complaint of the nurse's father, police registered a case against the accused, Suraj Kumar Gautam, and his two associates, Dheeraj Maurya and Vinod Maurya, at Suriyawa police station in Bhadohi on Sunday. According to a report by news agency PTI, Police Inspector Ajit Kumar Srivastava said the nurse was previously in a relationship with the main accused, during which he had taken her pictures and videos. When the father got to know about the matter, he lodged an FIR against him on charges of rape and blackmail. But the accused got a stay order from the Allahabad High Court in that matter, Srivastava said. Recently, the accused allegedly started demanding money from the woman and threatened to post objectionable pictures and videos online. On March 19, Suraj and his associates shared the content on a channel on the Telegram app, the police officer added. The nurse's father approached the local police on Sunday, and an FIR was registered in the matter. Following this, the police launched a search for the three absconding accused. Further investigations into the case are underway. US President Donald Trump has announced his intention to grant a full pardon to Devon Archer, a former business associate of Hunter Biden, who previously testified before Congress regarding Biden family business dealings. In an exclusive interview with the New York Post, Trump stated, "Hes getting a full pardon. He was screwed by the Bidens. They destroyed him like they tried to destroy a lot of people." Archers conviction and legal battle Archer was reportedly convicted in 2018 in a scheme to defraud a Native American tribe through a fraudulent bond issuance worth $60 million. While Hunter Biden was linked to the firm involved, he was never charged. Archer's conviction was briefly overturned in 2018 before being reinstated on appeal in 2020. In 2022, he was sentenced to a year in prison and ordered to pay nearly $60 million in restitution, though the sentence was later overturned on a technicality, with resentencing pending. Meeting at NCAA Wrestling finals According to the New York Post, Trump personally informed Archer of the pardon during the NCAA wrestling finals in Philadelphia on Saturday night. The meeting was arranged by Tony Bobulinski, another former Hunter Biden associate who has been vocal about alleged corruption involving the Biden family. Bobulinski, who was present at the event, reportedly persuaded Trump to grant clemency, as per the report. Archer expresses gratitude Following Trumps announcement, Archer issued a statement expressing his appreciation. I want to extend my deepest thanks to President Trump. I am grateful to the president for recognizing that I was the victim of a convoluted lawfare effort intended to destroy and silence me, Archer said, as quoted by the New York Post. He further criticised the Biden family, saying, Like so many people, my life was devastated by the Biden familys selfish disregard for the truth and for the peace of mind and happiness of others. The Bidens talk about justice, but they dont mean it. I am grateful that the American people are now well aware of this reality. Also Read | Who is Alina Habba? Trump loyalist appointed US Attorney for New Jersey In a stunning breach of security, The Atlantic's editor-in-chief, Jeffrey Goldberg, was inadvertently added to a private Signal chat group used by senior officials in the Trump administration. The group, named "Houthi PC small group," discussed classified military plans, including imminent US strikes on Yemen. The revelation raises serious concerns about the administrations handling of sensitive national security communications. Unintended access to war plans Goldberg said he discovered the error after receiving a connection request on Signal from a user identified as "Michael Waltz," believed to be national security adviser to Trump. Two days later, he said he was added to a chat involving top officials, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Vice President JD Vance. Goldberg said the group proceeded to discuss critical policy matters, with Hegseth even detailing precise information about weapons, targets, and attack timing. Officials debate timing of strikes The conversation exposed internal debates on the necessity and timing of the military operation. Goldberg stated that Vice President Vance expressed concerns about the economic fallout and potential oil price spikes, writing, "There is a real risk that the public doesnt understand this or why its necessary." Hegseth, however, pushed for immediate action, citing the need to restore US deterrence against Iran-backed Houthis. Confirmation of breach As the discussions continued, Goldberg remained unnoticed in the chat. On March 15, at 11:44 a.m., Goldberg said that Hegseth posted a detailed war plan, stating that the first bombs would be dropped at 1:45 p.m. eastern time. Two hours later, explosions were reported in Yemen. Goldberg, now convinced the chat was real Goldberg said after leaving the group, and when he contacted for comment, National Security Council spokesperson Brian Hughes confirmed to the authenticity of the chat, stating, "This appears to be an authentic message chain, and we are reviewing how an inadvertent number was added to the chain." Legal and security fallout Security experts have raised alarms over the administrations reckless handling of classified information. The use of Signal, an encrypted but unofficial messaging app, to coordinate military operations may have violated the Espionage Act and federal records laws. Jason R. Baron, a former director at the National Archives, stated, "All government employees are prohibited from using electronic-messaging applications such as Signal for official business unless those messages are promptly forwarded or copied to an official government account." Potential legal ramifications Beyond the security lapse, Goldberg suggest that the officials involved could face consequences for failing to protect classified information. The use of disappearing messages on Signal may also have violated laws, he stated. He stated that the incident mirrors past controversies, including Donald Trumps calls to imprison Hillary Clinton over her use of a private email server. The Trump administration has taken its case to the US Supreme Court, seeking to overturn a lower court order mandating the reinstatement of thousands of fired federal employees. The Justice Department filed the appeal on Monday (March 24), challenging a March 13 ruling by District Judge William Alsup, which blocked the administration's efforts to downsize the federal workforce. Judge blocks termination of probationary employees Judge Alsup ruled that the government had improperly terminated thousands of probationary employees across six federal agencies. He cast doubt on the administrations justification that the mass firings were due to poor job performance. "It is a sad day when our government would fire some good employee and say it was based on performance when they know good and well that's a lie," Alsup said during a hearing. Impact on Federal agencies The ruling applies to employees at the US Department of Defense, Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Agriculture, Department of Energy, Department of the Interior, and the Treasury Department. Probationary employees, typically those with less than one year in their current roles, have fewer job protections than other government workers but can generally only be dismissed for poor performance. Trump and Musks push to shrink government The move to reduce the federal workforce is a key initiative of Donald Trump in his second term and has been backed by billionaire advisor Elon Musk. The administration has sought to overhaul the bureaucracy by cutting down on what it calls inefficiency within government agencies. Also Read | In charts: Why Donald Trump thinks the US is being ripped off Opposition and legal challenges Unions, nonprofit organisations, and the state of Washington challenged the firings, arguing that the US Office of Personnel Management had exceeded its authority. Alsup agreed with the challengers, ruling against the mass dismissals. Also Read | Trump Russia envoy echoes Kremlins views on Ukraine ahead of peace talks An audio clip claiming to feature Vice President JD Vance making critical remarks about Elon Musk has gone viral on social media, drawing widespread attention. However, Vances communications director has denied the authenticity of the recording, calling it 100% fake. Vice Presidents office denies authenticity William Martin, Vice President Vances communications director, refuted the legitimacy of the clip in a post on X. Most certainly not the Vice President, Martin wrote, while linking to a post that has since been deleted. The audio quality is notably poor and distorted, raising questions about its authenticity. Additionally, no source or context has been provided regarding where or when the recording was made. Critics have pointed out the improbability of a random social media account obtaining a confidential recording of the vice president. Origins of the clip and social media spread The viral clip appears to have first been posted by a TikTok account, and it was subsequently shared on X, and has also surfaced in multiple Reddit threads. In the clip, a man can be heard allegedly criticising Musk, stating: He's getting criticized in the media, and he says that he's helping, and he's not. He's making us look bad. He's making me look bad. And I'll tell you this, and you wouldn't like it if I said it, but he's not even an American. He is from South Africa. It is cosmopolitan. The audio continues: There's this great American leader in a room that has the portraits of some of the greatest men that ever lived in this country, and he has the audacity to act like he is an elected official. I am an elected official. I am the important one. In this situation, not him. So if he wants to tank the economy and his cars, maybe that's what he deserves. Musks influence in US politics Elon Musk, an ally of President Donald Trump, was appointed to lead the newly established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a department created under Trumps administration to slash federal government spending. Musk has become an increasingly significant figure in both US and global politics. A Karnataka resident took to social media to express frustration after his bathroom cleaning service, booked via Urban Company, was cancelled simply because he insisted on communicating in Kannada. According to his post on X, two workers arrived at his home, and he showed them the bathroom to be cleaned. One of them started speaking in a language he didnt understand. He requested Kannada, but the conversation continued in another language. The second worker also spoke in a different language. When he repeated, "Kannada, please," they made a phone call to someone who spoke Kannada. That person then told the customer that the workers were uncomfortable because he was speaking only in Kannada. Confused, the resident responded, "Ive booked a service and shown them the bathroomthey just need to clean and leave. Why is language even a barrier here?" The workers then contacted Urban Companys customer care, but the representative also couldnt speak Kannada. Since the customer preferred to be served in his own language, he ended the call. After some back and forth, the workers canceled the booking and left. He wrote in his post, "I havent asked them to write poetry about my bathroom. Just clean and leave. Whats the issue?" The incident quickly sparked a heated debate online. One user commented: "I doubt any Kannadiga will come n clean toilets. May b too much pride. But having said that, bro, those poor fellows came to clean ur shit hole. For once think, wat they will be feeling." [sic.] To this, the poster replied: "never expected them to speak my languageI genuinely empathize with them. But the lack of basic gratitude towards the state and the people they serve is worrisome. The least they can do is show some respect. And to be clear, Im not blaming the workers. The real issue lies with UrbanClap and similar companies that dont even enable this basic courtesy. Even I address them as sir. Another user shared a similar experience: Same experience, but I have always stuck to English and Kannada, and it has never been a barrier. But in hospitals, the nursing staff speaking Hindi is a danger. I have argued with management. A third user criticised the company: "You should have canceled from your end, sir. How dare a service provider blame a person for speaking the local language? Maybe you could try NoBroker next time. Theyre better off than Urban." Responding to the Karnataka resident's post, Urban Company said, Thank you for reaching out to us. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience you faced. We would like to assist you with this matter. May we have your registered mobile number or email address via DM to check this further? Urban Company Issues Official Statement Urban Company has now responded to the controversy, issuing an official statement on X. Apologizing for the inconvenience faced by the customer, the company stated that customer satisfaction is their top priority and acknowledged the importance of language inclusion. They assured that the feedback would be taken seriously and that steps would be taken to improve the quality of service. However, the statement did not specify any concrete measures or policy changes regarding language accommodation, leaving the question whether similar incidents could occur in the future. Greenlands Prime Minister Mute Egede has strongly criticised an upcoming visit by Usha Vance, wife of US Vice President JD Vance, and other senior officials, calling it a "provocation" and "highly aggressive." The very aggressive American pressure against Greenlandic society is now so serious that the level cannot be raised any higher, Greenlands Prime Minister Mute B. Egede said in an interview with the Sermitsiaq newspaper on Sunday. The delegation, which includes National Security Adviser Mike Waltz and Energy Secretary Chris Wright, is set to visit Greenland on Thursday (March 27). Usha Vance will depart on Thursday and return on Saturday, accompanied by one of her three children as part of a US delegation. According to her office, the visit aims to explore historical sites, learn about Greenlandic heritage, and attend the Avannaata Qimussersu, Greenland's national dogsled race. Greenland rejects US visit Egede, who is serving as Greenlands caretaker prime minister, announced that his government would not meet with the delegation. He expressed particular concern over the presence of Waltz, suggesting that his visit was meant to exert pressure on Greenland. "What is the national security adviser doing in Greenland? The only purpose is to demonstrate power over us," Egede said. "His mere presence in Greenland will no doubt fuel American belief in Trumps mission and the pressure will increase." US-Greenland relations strained Egede lamented that relations with the United States had deteriorated. "Until recently, we could trust the Americans, who were our allies and friends, and with whom we enjoyed working closely. But that time is over," he told Sermitsiaq. Trumps Greenland ambitions resurface Trump has long expressed interest in acquiring Greenland, an idea he floated during his first term, despite Denmarks firm opposition. Since returning to the White House, he has doubled down on his position. I think we will have it, Trump said in January, shortly after beginning his second term. The US already maintains a military presence on the island through Thule Air Base. Trumps son, Donald Trump Jr., also visited Greenland earlier this year, further fueling speculation about American intentions. Denmark and Greenland push back Trumps recent comments questioning Denmarks claim over Greenland have sparked backlash from both Copenhagen and Greenlandic leaders. Denmark's very far away, Trump remarked during an Oval Office meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. A boat landed there 200 years ago or something. And they say they have rights to it. I dont know if thats true. I dont think it is, actually. Denmark has affirmed Greenlands right to independence whenever it chooses. Also Read | In charts: Why Donald Trump thinks the US is being ripped off He has also floated the idea of the US overseeing war-torn Gaza, proposing its redevelopment into a high-end Riviera-like seaside resort. Also Read | Trump Russia envoy echoes Kremlins views on Ukraine ahead of peace talks An Indian dietary staple has taken centrestage in India-US trade negotiations amid a new 10% import duty on pulses imposed by New Delhi. The US is seeking a separate harmonized system of nomenclature (HSN) code for the yellow lentils (yellow masoor) that it exports to India, according to two officials aware of the ongoing bilateral trade agreement negotiations between the two nations. India on 8 March introduced a 10% import duty on lentils (primarily red masoor), while extending a zero-rate on yellow peas (matar) till 31 May. Yellow lentils resemble yellow peas but are a different variety of legumes. Currently, all lentil imports, regardless of colour or country of origin, are recorded under a single HSN code, which covers dried, shelled lentils. This means that both red and yellow lentils imported from any country, including the US, are recorded under a single HSN code," said Bimal Kothari, chairman, India Pulses and Grains Association. The demand for a separate HSN code aims to keep yellow lentils out of the duty structure imposed to curb the import of red lentils," he added. Once a separate HSN code is provided, yellow lentils will be treated as a distinct commodity and will receive immediate relief from the 10% duty currently imposed on red lentils." To be sure, India is considering duty-free imports of US pulses amid escalating trade tensions between the two nations, as Mint reported on 3 March. Trump has indicated that the US would impose reciprocal tariffs on India beginning April. Spokespersons for the United States Trade Representative and Indias ministries of external affairs, commerce and consumer affairs did not immediately reply to Mints queries emailed on Monday. Also read | India and US move forward with bilateral trade agreement, but no talks on reciprocal tariffs A lengthy process The HSN code is a globally standardized system set by the World Customs Organization (WCO) for classifying traded goods. The process of obtaining a separate HSN code can be long-drawn, involving a study by agencies such as Indias Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs, followed by a proposal to the WCOs harmonized system committee for international recognition. Once approved, the Indian government will notify the new HSN code through circulars issued by the customs department, the Goods and Services Tax Council and the Directorate General of Foreign Trade. The issue of a separate classification for yellow lentils has come into discussion during the trade negotiations," said one of the two unnamed officials mentioned above. It is at the discussion stage, and a decision in this regard will be taken after evaluating its impact on the domestic production," said the second official. Indias domestic production of lentils increased from 1.27 million tonnes (mt) in 2021-22 to 1.56 mt in FY23 and 1.8 mt in FY24, and is projected to end this financial year at 1.82 mt, according to data from the agriculture ministry. But this falls well short of domestic consumption of lentils, which was 2.46 mt in FY22 and 2.32 mt in FY23, according to a consumer affairs ministry statement in the Lok Sabha in July last year. The shortfall has traditionally been compensated through imports from Canada, Australia, Russia, Turkey, the US, the UAE, Singapore and Sri Lanka. In FY24, Indias total lentil imports stood at 1.84 mt, with the US accounting for just 0.01 mt, according to consumer affairs ministry data. In the first nine months of FY25, India imported 0.96 mt of lentils, including 0.53 mt from Canada, 0.35 mt from Australia and 0.05 mt from the US. Also read | Why Indias electronics sector is least at risk from Trump's reciprocal tariff scrutiny Three judges from three different high courts will investigate the case of a pile of half-burnt currency notes found at the residence of Delhi high court judge Justice Yashwant Verma. Meanwhile, Verma has been relieved of his duties. Chief Justice of India, Sanjeev Khanna, has decided to release Delhi high court Chief Justice D. K. Upadhyayas report in the public domain. Its a first in the countrys legal history. Its important to take note of the letter addressed to the Delhi high court chief justice written by Justice Verma in his defence. He writes: I unequivocally state that neither I nor any of my family members had stored or kept any cash or currency in that store room at any point of time. The very idea or suggestion that this cash was kept or stored by us is totally preposterous." Justice Verma further stated, I was totally shocked to see the contents of the videos that depicted something which was not found on site as I had seen it. It was this which prompted me to observe that this clearly appears to be a conspiracy to frame and malign me." Also read | Before universal kinship becomes a relic of the past The best brains in the judiciary demanded an inquiry from the moment the case came to light, but the countrys people would have been denied the truth had the media not gone to town with the story. It led to a senior advocate forcefully raising the matter with the chief justice of the Delhi high court. The story was unfolding when the news came that Justice Verma had been transferred to Allahabad high court. The Supreme Court also asked the chief justice of the Delhi high court to submit a report by evening that day. Meanwhile, news started doing the rounds that the Delhi fire department denied discovering any currency notes from the site. They insisted that no statement was issued by their department. The denial revived the controversy. Television commentators and social media influencers worked overtime to uncover the conspiracy". The Allahabad Bar Association wrote to the Supreme Court lamenting the transfer of the judge. They insisted that Allahabad high court wasnt a dustbin. Conspiracy theorists again had a field day. They kept insisting that the matter was being swept under the carpet. Some senior advocates strongly condemned the collegium system for special privilege given to the collegium that if accusations are levelled against any judge only the Supreme Court should have the power to investigate the matter. Also read | Delhi elections a wake-up call for Cong, INDIA bloc The advocates argue that if so much money had been discovered at the residence of a bureaucrat, journalist, political leader or advocate, the enforcement directorate (ED) would have conducted raids on their premises by now. Had the person been a government employee, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the crime branch of the police would have been activated long ago. The accused would have been quickly apprehended and would then spend years dealing with the unending judicial process. Its important to mention the high profile but inglorious incident of Justice Nirmal Yadav, who was a judge in Punjab and Haryana high court. She was accused of receiving 15 lakh as a bribe. CBI investigated the matter and filed a charge sheet. The matter dragged on for one-and-a-half decades. Justice Yadav remained unaffected. Such incidents shock a nation and its society. Kolkata high court judge Saumitra Sens case is reminiscent of the present crisis. Corruption allegations were proved against Sen but before Parliament could initiate impeachment proceedings against him, he resigned. Was his resignation punishment enough? If our judges were in any other profession, would it have taken so long to try them in court or file a charge sheet? Also read | Hatred thrives in forgetfulness of a countrys past Allegations have been levelled against many judges. But concerns remain that judicial exceptionalism is becoming a roadblock in delivering justice. As the adage goes: Even Ceasers wife must be above suspicion. I feel judges must have special status so that they fulfil peoples expectations of delivering justice. Many judges are doing this honestly. The deeds and words of a few, though, are a source of embarrassment to the judiciary. Justice Vermas case has led to many skeletons tumbling out of judicial closets. The case is now not only a part of public discourse but has been mentioned in Parliament, too. The speed and alacrity with which CJI Khanna has acted till now gives us hope. Will our judiciary and legislature work together to evolve a transparent system to retain peoples trust in the judiciary? A concerted move must be made in this direction. Shashi Shekhar is editor-in-chief, Hindustan. Views are personal. India has been playing nice with Americas Donald Trump administration. So too with EV-maker Tesla and the satellite services arm of SpaceX, both led by Elon Musk, who is widely seen as President Trumps confidant, a billionaire shaking up the US by taking a chainsaw to its government under the Department of Government Efficiency. This contrasts with the response of several other countries that the US has threatened with punitive tariffs. Therefore, many see as dark irony the aggressive stance adopted by another firm owned by Elon Musk, X, the microblog platform that he took over in 2022, in suing the government of India over what it sees as attempts to censor free speech. The lawsuit, filed last week, comes amid a furore over what xAIs chatbot Grok has been saying on X. At the outset, let us be clear that there are two separate issues at stake here. One is an effective strategy for dealing with the White House and its notion of US greatness that departs from classic win-win principles of free trade. The other relates to different conceptions of free expression. It makes sense for New Delhi to refrain from talking tough and focus on negotiating the best deal India can get on US reciprocal tariffs. Depending on whether these are levied on individual items or on classes of products, the impact on our US-bound exports would differ. The sheer structural difference between the two economies would ensure that what we export to the US will overlap little with what we import from it. So, if New Delhi retains high import duties on ready-to-drive cars, of which Indian exports to the US are minimal, and Washington raises its own barriers for cars made here, it would hardly matter. However, if mirrored tariffs are levied on clubbed products, such as automobiles and components, then our auto-part exports to the US would be hit, unless our barriers are lowered. America might also seek to treat Indian GST levied on imports as an additional duty. This is conceptually flawed. Our domestic producers bear GST and need imports to pay the same rates for a level playing field. This must be explained to US negotiators. In general, bilateral talks must take place in an atmosphere of reasonableness and cordiality, not one of confrontation and hostility. While the White House has readily deployed tariffs to achieve ends in spheres other than trade, India must not let distinct issues get mixed up. On free speech, Trump and Musk both oppose any gags whatsoever as part of their war on wokism, but in India, it is squarely a constitutional matter. Also Read: Both Musk and his MAGA critics are wrong about free speech on microblog platform X The free-speech curbs that India adopted in its First Amendment do not constrain American free speech. The Indian government, though, tends to err on the side of curtailment while applying the criteria that may justify restrictions on this basic right under Article 19: in the interests of the sovereignty and integrity of India, the security of the State, friendly relations with foreign States, public order, decency or morality, or in relation to contempt of court, defamation or incitement to an offence." A provision of Indias Information Technology Act that seems to give the Centre arbitrary latitude in having online posts taken down is under legal challenge by X. Trump and Musk are too publicly invested in absolute free speech to bargain it away for a bilateral trade deal with India. It would be wise to keep it off the table of talks. What Grok can or cannot say is for the judiciary to determine. The White House, on the heels of a successful pressure campaign against law firm Paul Weiss, is escalating its attacks on the legal industry and leaving some firms scrambling to stay out of the crosshairs. President Trump took a broad swing at the industry Friday night after three earlier orders punishing Paul Weiss and two other firms. In a presidential memorandum, he broadly accused law firms of abusing the legal system to challenge his policies, stymie immigration enforcement and pursue partisan causes. He instructed Attorney General Pam Bondi to seek sanctions in court against lawyers and firms who engage in frivolous, unreasonable and vexatious litigation." Trump also directed Bondi to launch a broad review of conduct by lawyers in litigation against the government over the last eight years to determine whether additional firms should face the same type of punishments he has issued already, most notably the termination of government contracts held by firm clients. Administration officials already have built a list of more than a dozen law firms they might target with executive orders, and Trump has expressed eagerness in signing more of them, according to people familiar with the planning. Trumps latest pronouncement landed particularly hard in an industry that was still processing Paul Weisss decision to cut a deal with the White House rather than challenge the administration in court. Trump on Thursday rescinded his order against the firm after it agreed to provide $40 million in pro bono legal services to support the administrations initiatives, such as assisting veterans and fighting antisemitism. Several law-firm chairs and senior partners said they were working to calm clients and employees, with younger associates increasingly calling for lawyers to take a stand against Trump. Some firm leaders said their clientsand their fellow partnerswere split on whether they would rather their firms take a deal if targeted or fight it out in court. A number of firms were trying to draw distinctions to clients between their work and the activities of the firms that Trump has punished already. Corporate lawyers with a connection to the Trump administration have been tapped to open communication lines with the White House, and several firms were seeking to engage lobbyists, people familiar with the discussions said. Paul Weiss chairman Brad Karp spoke with other firms leaders in recent days and told them he found the deal with the White House distasteful but said he had little choice but to take it, according to people familiar with those conversations. Clients had told us that they were not going to be able to stay with us, even though they wanted to," Karp told firm lawyers and employees in an internal email Sunday viewed by the Journal. It was very likely that our firm would not be able to survive a protracted dispute with the Administration." One firm, Perkins Coie, which was hit with a Trump executive order on March 6, continued to lead the fight against the administration over the weekend. Now more than ever law firms and lawyers across the political spectrum have to stand up for our timeless values," David Perez, a Perkins Coie partner said on LinkedIn. The Paul Weiss agreement, he said, emboldened Trump to ratchet up his attack on one of the strongest checks on his power: lawyers and the rule of law." Perkins Coie sued the administration on March 11 and won a restraining order against the administration, with a judge saying the executive order was likely unconstitutional. But while the firm is winning in court, it is struggling to manage the fallout behind the scenes. Perkins is losing clients who fear Trumps wrath, and a number of top companies that work with the firm have called other firms about representation, people familiar with the matter said. One of the people said some competing lawyers have made sympathetic calls to Perkins to say they arent trying to steal the firms clients and would step aside if those clients wanted to return to Perkins after the situation calmed down. An effort across a number of firms to file a court brief in support of Perkins continues to flounder because not enough firms are willing to sign it, for fear of antagonizing the administration, people familiar with those negotiations said. While many industry leaders have been reluctant to speak publicly against the administration, that began to shift after Trumps Friday memorandum. San Francisco-based Keker, Van Nest & Peters urged law firm leaders to resist the administrations erosion of the rule of law." Our liberties depend on lawyers willingness to represent unpopular people and causes, including in matters adverse to the federal government," the firm said. An attack on lawyers who perform this work is inexcusable and despicable." Trumps campaign in part has been focused on paying back opponents. Perkins, for example, worked with Hillary Clintons presidential campaign and an opposition-research firm that compiled a discredited dossier against Trump. Covington & Burling, another firm hit with an executive order, provided legal counsel to former special counsel Jack Smith. And Trump cited Paul Weisss previous ties to Mark Pomerantz, who also worked on the Manhattan district attorneys investigation into Trump and his business. But the presidents Friday memorandum also signaled Trumps broader frustrations with lawyers challenging his initiatives in courtand winning. His administration is currently locked in a showdown with a Washington federal judge over Trumps invocation of wartime powers to deport alleged Venezuelan gang members. A number of the presidents other initiatives have been put on hold by the courts, including the termination of thousands of government employees and limits on birthright citizenship and transgender rights. Public-interest legal organizations and smaller firms have been leading many of those cases. Sid Davidoff, a New York lawyer who was famously on President Richard Nixons enemies list," said industry leaders were caving to pressure. You have some top notch firms, significant legal minds, and theyre just being whipped," Davidoff said. I guess they are trying to protect their bottom line, but its really upsetting." Write to Erin Mulvaney at erin.mulvaney@wsj.com, Emily Glazer at Emily.Glazer@wsj.com and Josh Dawsey at Joshua.Dawsey@WSJ.com New Delhi: Registrars of Companies (RoCs) across the country have stepped up their compliance enforcement drive, with the largest number of penalty orders in the last five years getting issued in fiscal year 2025 (FY25), according to official data available from the ministry of corporate affairs. Most of the over 1,160 adjudication orders issued by RoCs in FY25 are on breaches of fundamental company law requirements such as maintaining a registered office, reporting any change in registered office to the authorities, filing financial statements and annual reports on time, appointment of key managerial persons, filing of board decisions with the RoCs as well as issues like reporting significant beneficial ownershipa new area of enforcement. Nearly half of these companies are private limited, which have a lower disclosure requirement than public limited companies under the Companies Act. Also read | E-adjudication of company law breaches from 16 September Also, most of the companies against which penalty orders have been issued are small businesses, indicating that awareness of regulatory requirements and their compliance is lagging behind in this segment. The increasing number of adjudication orders indicate RoCs are on a drive to penalize companies which falter on fundamental requirements of transparency. For example, over 140 breaches detected this financial year were of section 12 of the Companies Act dealing with the requirement of a registered office, and about 120 were of section 137 dealing with filing of financial statements. Non-filing of annual returns and significant beneficial ownership are also among the most common breaches. Having a registered office is a very basic requirement and all registered companies should have complied with this requirement within the given timeframe. Other violations such as non-filing of financial statements or annual returns, filing of forms/resolutions etc. have their own consequences under the Companies Act. Companies where such non-compliances occur consider compliance as a cost and hence do not engage a company secretary to look after these. However, a well- governed company can surely avoid such instances," said Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) president Dhananjay Shukla. The level of compliance in companies with a full-time company secretary certainly outperforms those without it, as the cost of compliance is much lesser vis-a-vis the cost of non-compliance in terms of reputational loss and penalties etc. incurred by a company," said Shukla. Also read | IBBI asks resolution professionals to be more open about losses carried forward FY25 accounts for the highest number of adjudicatory orders in five years for which data is readily available. In FY24, there were over 1,000 regulatory orders and there were over 500 in FY23. In FY22, there were 230 adjudicatory orders and over 300 in FY21, data available from the ministry showed. Queries emailed to the ministry on Friday seeking comments for the story remained unanswered at the time of publishing. ICSI, a statutory body and the self-regulator of company secretaries, pointed out that while highlighting the violations of Companies Act, it would be useful to see whether a full-time company secretary was engaged by such entities for ensuring compliance and governance functions. Growing enforcement by RoCs signals that companies must shift from reactive to proactive compliance management to avoid penalties and reputational risks, said Amit Maheshwari, tax partner at AKM Global, a tax and consulting firm. The ministrys statutory filing portal MCA21, which was revamped about two years ago, enables high-end research and analysis including use of artificial intelligence, which explains the spurt in show-cause notices for violations, according to Vikash Thakur, associate director at Nexdigm, a business and professional services company. There may be an increase in notices initially, but it will help in efficient and transparent corporate governance over a period of time, he said. Thakur said that many companies may have also faced challenges updating their records due to system migration, resulting in show-cause notices. Additionally, the relatively recent introduction of regulations like Section 90 and the significant beneficial ownership rules may have led to awareness gaps, particularly among smaller firms," said Thakur. Also read | CCI cracks down on ad agencies, industry bodies over alleged price collusion The current increase in adjudication orders on routine submissions demonstrate the direction the authorities are headingstricter adherence to compliance and strengthening of the corporate ecosystem, said Amit Maheshwari of AKM Global. While these actions reinforce regulatory discipline and act as a deterrent to other companies, aggrieved parties have the option to appeal against such orders. Many companies have also successfully obtained favourable rulings, leading to a reduction or settlement of penalties. This also highlights the importance of proactive compliance and a strategic approach to legal remedies," said Maheshwari. Thakur of Nexdigm also said that to further enhance compliance, ongoing training and support for companies in the MCA21 system are essential. We anticipate a significant reduction in show-cause notices as companies become more familiar with the system," said Thakur. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin recently emphasised the DMK's commitment to protecting Muslim rights, highlighting the party's opposition to policies that target the community. Speaking at an Iftar party hosted by the DMK's minority wing in Thiruvanmiyur, Chennai, CM Stalin reiterated that the DMK has been a steadfast defender of Muslim interests, particularly against political threats like the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). The DMK leader also hit out at AIADMK for participated in the Iftar without any guilt or shame. What is CAA? The Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) is a law passed by the Indian Parliament in December 2019, which amends the Citizenship Act of 1955. This amendment aims to provide a pathway to Indian citizenship for certain undocumented immigrants from neighboring countries who entered India on or before December 31, 2014. The CAA specifically targets Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis, and Christians from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan. Critics argue that CAA discriminates against Muslims by excluding them from these provisions, thereby undermining the secular principles of the Indian Constitution. The DMK, led by Stalin, has been vocal in its opposition to the CAA, viewing it as a threat to Muslim rights and national unity. What was AIADMK's Stance on CAA? The All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) supported the CAA when it was introduced in Parliament. CM Stalin criticised this stance, stating, "When the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) was introduced, the DMK voted against it because the CAA was against the Muslims. But the AIADMK MPs supported it." Stalin's Criticism of Edappadi K Palaniswami Stalin also targeted former Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami for his participation in an Iftar party despite his past support for the CAA. Palaniswami had previously downplayed the impact of the CAA on Muslims, claiming that not a single Muslim would be affected by it. Hitting out at former Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami for participating in an Iftar party, recently, Stalin said, "Palaniswami had then said not a single Muslim would be affected by CAA... minorities will never forget or forgive him for the betrayal." "After going against the Muslims during the crisis, he now participated in the Iftar without any guilt or shame," the Chief Minister said. Also Read | MK Stalin-led JAC passes resolution on delimitation DMK's Commitment to Muslim Rights When the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) was introduced, the DMK voted against it because the CAA was against the Muslims, MK Stalin emphasised that DMK would continue to oppose any policy or legislation that targets Muslims. The DMK's stance is rooted in its historical relationship with the Muslim community, which includes implementing welfare schemes and advocating for their rights. Crews are continuing to battle a nearly 500-acre wildfire that broke out in Sequatchie County early Sunday afternoon. Rough terrain and weather conditions have posed challenges for crews working to contain the fire. Fire Chief Norman Hatfield with the Dunlap Fire Department says the fire was likely started by someone burning leaves at the base of the mountain on Woodcock Road, and its around 50% contained. Multiple structures have been damaged, including a dozen outbuildings, a single-wide trailer and several homes receiving. A person was admitted for smoke inhalation, but no serious injuries have been reported. Hatfield says they received a call as a mutual aid response to assist Southend Volunteer Fire Department with a brush fire that started in the valley up against the foot of the mountain. The flames progressed upwards to neighborhoods at the top of the mountain, including the Fredonia Mountain Nature Reserve. UPDATE: 500+ acre fire in Sequatchie Co. 100% contained The fire that broke out in Sequatchie County on Sunday, March 23 is 100% contained, according to Tennessee Wildland Fire. The Fredonia Volunteer Fire Department issued an evacuation for the area and surrounding communities nearby Mothers Bridge, Picnic Rock and Wilderness Way. Mike Powell, President of the Homeowners Association for Fredonia Mountain Nature Reserve, says he and his family have been helping residents evacuate and providing resources to crews working to put out the flames. He says hes been monitoring the fires since they began. We did have a couple of spots up here, and they [fire crews] would go out with rakes and shovels and get that stamped out until the fire departments could bring a truck by and water some things down, he says. Another resident, John Wiser, says he owns around 200 acres of property close to where the fires broke out and has been watching the flames progress. Weve seen helicopters, airplanes and fixed-wing aircrafts, and theyve been buzzing around pretty much the whole time, he says. Justin Cannon, Assistant Chief of Palmer Fire Department, says three tanker planes flew in from Florida dropping red dye to help smother the flames. Residents say this is the largest wildfire theyve seen in the area for a few years. Wiser says hell typically see around 1-2 larger-scale fires a year in the area. This was largerway largerthan what you normally see, he says. Normally, trucks will come out, and it will take them 15-20 minutes for an acre or two. The terrain and weather conditions posed challenges to crews working to put out the flames. Its all mountainous area. Its all hard to maneuver, says Hatfield. You cant drive trucks near the fire. This is hand-rake or dozer-operation, and weve got maybe five or six dozers from forestry working. Powell and Wiser have both lived in the area for around five years and are familiar with the challenges these crews are experiencing. Its hard to get to. This is a forested area out here, Powell says. Its the good ole woods up on the plateau, so its hilly and theres lots of ravines. Its going to make it a whole lot more difficult to get to, because you cant just drive a firetruck up to this area, says Wiser. Hatfield says they ran into problems when another fire broke out on Smith Mountain, located in the northern part of Sequatchie County. Weve had to spread our resources pretty thin, Hatfield says. Hatfield says the biggest problem crews faced were strong wind gusts, which can quickly carry embers to other parts of the forest. The wind drove the fire up the mountain so fast that it actually almost got a few firefighters caught, and some equipment got singed a little bit, because they got ahead of the fire. Then, the wind picked up, and it was just coming up faster than we could deal with it, Hatfield says. Sunday evening rain showers helped extinguish some of the smaller-burning areas, but Hatfield says its not enough to fully take out the flames. I want people to realize that just this little bit of rain that were going to get tonight is not going to alleviate the problem, he says. Weve been dry for so long, and its going to take a lot more rain than this to saturate the ground. With the wind were having, even when it does rain, it doesnt take very long to dry up. Man arrested for exposing self at to children at playground A woman accused of being involved in a fuel scam that netted over 4,000 from fuel stations in the midlands in a two day period will return before Longford District Court on May 20. Julie Nevin (27) of 114 MacEoin Park, Longford faces a total of 30 charges. The first charge is that on dates unknown in November 2023 at Circle K Head Office, Beech Hill Office campus, Clonskeagh, Dublin 4 she dishonestly issued details for a business account for Julie's Carpet Cleaner to make gains. Also read: Longford Drug Driver gets one year driving ban Prior to the substantial charges Ms Nevin is accused of stealing diesel worth 137.78, on December 10, 2023 from Corrib Oil Racecourse road, Roscommon and on March 11, 2025 taking diesel valued at 81.26 from Circle K Lanesboro. The bulk of the charges stem from December 9, 2023 and December 10 2023 when the defendant is accused of taking fuels ranging in price from 9.52 to 891 from fuel stations in Athlone, Mullingar, Roscommon, and Longford. Also read: 29 vehicles seized and bank accounts frozen in major Garda operation targeting Longford and Dublin criminals Sergeant Enda Daly said the DPP had consented to summary disposal of the matter on a plea of guilty only. Sgt Daly told the court there was no objection to bail on conditions that were set out. Judge Owens then adjourned the matter to a sitting of the District Court on May 20, 2025. Local News, Crime, Press Releases By Long Island Published: March 24 2025 Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney has announced the indictment of three individualsBrayan Heredia Escobar, Jhon Lopez Campos, and Julio Beltranfor the alleged murder of 39-year-old Salvadoran national Candido Guadalupe Saravia Martinez. The incident ... Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced that Brayan Heredia Escobar, 19, of Guatemala, Jhon Lopez Campos, 18, of El Salvador, and Julio Beltran, 39, of El Salvador, were indicted for Murder in the Second Degree, for their alleged roles in the killing of 39-year-old Salvadoran national Candido Guadalupe Saravia Martinez. This alleged murder was brutal, said District Attorney Tierney. We will not tolerate such violence in Suffolk County. Violence such as is alleged here, affects us all, and we remain dedicated to holding these offenders responsible for their actions. According to the investigation, on February 18, 2025, Suffolk County Police discovered the body of Saravia Martinez inside a tent on the side of Suffolk Avenue, just east of Carleton Avenue in Central Islip. Saravia Martinez was found with a rope tied around his neck, under which ligature marks were visible and police observed that he appeared to have blunt force trauma to his face, and a stab wound to his neck. Each of the defendants, as well as the victim, are believed to have been living undomiciled in Central Islip. Inside the tent, police recovered a machete, and a knife covered in blood, lying on top of the decedents neck. The Suffolk County Medical Examiners Office later determined that the victim died of a combination of blunt force trauma, strangulation, and a stab wound to the neck that lacerated his carotid artery. Video surveillance was obtained from several businesses on Suffolk Avenue, including a laundromat located directly across the street from where Saravia Martinezs body was found. The extensive surveillance allegedly depicts the three defendants, running from the tent after the murder and entering the laundromat. On March 18, 2025, Heredia Escobar was arraigned on the indictment before Supreme Court Justice John B. Collins for Murder in the Second Degree. Justice Collins ordered Escobar remanded during the pendency of the case. Escobar is due back in court on March 27, 2025, and faces 25 years to life in prison if convicted on the top count. He is being represented by Pete Mayer, Esq. On March 19, 2025, Lopez Campos was arraigned on the indictment before Justice Collins for Murder in the Second Degree. Justice Collins ordered Lopez Campos remanded during the pendency of the case. Lopez Campos is due back in court on April 23, 2025, and faces 25 years to life in prison if convicted on the top count. He is being represented by Christopher Gioe, Esq. On March 24, 2025, Beltran was arraigned on the indictment before Justice Collins for Murder in the Second Degree. Justice Collins ordered Beltran remanded during the pendency of the case. Beltran is due back in court on April 10, 2025, and faces 25 years to life in prison if convicted on the top count. He is being represented by Katherine Fernandez, Esq. School & Education, Local News, Politics By Long Island Published: March 24 2025 AG James Leads Coalition of 20 Attorneys General Seeking Preliminary Injunction to Block Mass Layoffs and the Elimination of Core Services at the Department of Education New York Attorney General Letitia James today led a coalition of 20 other attorneys general in filing a motion for a preliminary injunction as part of their lawsuit to stop the dismantling of the Department of Education (ED). On March 13, Attorney General James and the coalition filed their lawsuit after the Trump administration announced plans to eliminate 50 percent of the Departments workforce. Following a March 20 Executive Order directing the closure of ED and President Trumps March 21 announcement that, in addition to implementing layoffs, the Department must immediately transfer student loan management and special education services outside of the Department, Attorney General James and the coalition are seeking a court order to immediately stop the mass layoffs and transfer of services. The Trump administrations illegal cuts to the Department of Education are an attack on our educators, our schools, and our students, said Attorney General James. We sued to stop Trump from dismantling the Department of Education, and today we are seeking a court order to protect students and their families. As a proud product of New York public schools, I will continue to defend our schools and all those who depend on them. As Attorney General James and the coalition assert, the Trump administrations attacks on ED have already had serious consequences for families and students throughout the country. Mass layoffs of ED staff have led to the closure of the Departments Office of Civil Rights locations throughout the country, including in New York. Critical funding for state school systems has also been delayed. $363 million in federal funds for the New York State Education Department have been delayed due to layoffs and other changes the Trump administration has made at ED. As Attorney General James and the coalition argue, states rely on billions of dollars every year in funding for elementary and secondary education, services for children with disabilities, vocational education, adult education, and other crucial services. All of these programs will be severely disrupted if the administrations incapacitation of the Department is not stopped. Attorney General James and the coalition argue in their lawsuit and motion for a preliminary injunction that the Trump administrations attacks on ED are illegal and unconstitutional. The Department is an executive agency authorized by Congress, with numerous laws creating its various programs and funding streams. The coalitions lawsuit asserts that the executive branch does not have the legal authority to unilaterally dismantle it without an act of Congress. In addition, Attorney General James and the coalition argue that EDs mass layoffs violate the Administrative Procedures Act. Joining Attorney General James in filing the lawsuit and todays motion are the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington, Wisconsin, Vermont, and the District of Columbia. This is the latest action Attorney General James has taken to protect New Yorkers and the services they rely on from the Trump administrations illegal attacks. On March 6, Attorney General James and a coalition of attorneys general sued the Trump administration for illegal mass firings of federal employees and sued the Trump administration for cutting critical grant programs for teachers through the Department of Education. Also on March 6, Attorney General James led a coalition of attorneys general in securing a court order blocking the Trump administrations freeze of essential federal funds to states. On March 5, Attorney General James and a coalition of attorneys general secured a court order stopping the Trump administration from withholding vital funding to the National Institutes of Health. On February 24, Attorney General James led a coalition of attorneys general in securing a court order preventing Elon Musk and members of DOGE from accessing Americans private information through the U.S. Treasury Crime By Chris Boyle Published: March 24 2025 Defendant Took Advantage of Elderly Immigrants from the Former Soviet Union to Solicit Bribes from Health Care Providers and Defraud Medicare of Millions of Dollars. Earlier today, at the federal courthouse in Brooklyn, an indictment was unsealed charging Oleg Beretsky with conspiring to commit health care fraud, violating the federal Anti-Kickback Statute, conspiring to violate the Anti-Kickback Statute and money laundering conspiracy. Beretsky was arrested this morning in Naples, Florida. He will be arraigned in the Eastern District of New York at a later date. John J. Durham, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Naomi Gruchacz, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), Michael Alfonso, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations, New York (HSI New York), and Harry T. Chavis, Jr., Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, New York (IRS-CI), announced the arrest and charges. As alleged, elderly individuals trusted the defendant to help them with their health care decisions. Rather than look out for the interests of some of the most vulnerable members of our community, he sold access to those who trusted him to the highest bidder, stated United States Attorney Durham. The defendant compounded his crimes by encouraging doctors and health care providers who became part of his scheme to cheat Medicare by billing for work that was not needed or never performed. My Office is committed to protecting both patients and taxpayers from this terrible form of greed. Mr. Durham expressed his appreciation to HSIs Fort Myers, Florida, office and the New York City Police Department for their assistance on the case. Violations of the Anti-Kickback Statute can divert much-needed federal health care program funds and corrupt the medical decision-making process, stated HHS-OIG Special Agent in Charge Gruchacz. HHS-OIG works diligently with our law enforcement partners to investigate allegations that owners and other providers engage in fraud schemes that prioritize greed over the provision of appropriate health care services to patients. The defendant and his co-conspirators are accused of pocketing more than $12 million while exploiting the unknowing, innocent public, including victims from immigrant communities, stated HSI New York Special Agent in Charge Alfonso. As alleged, he took advantage of people with whom he had forged relationships only to manipulate them into using certain doctors and services for his lucrative benefit. HSI New Yorks El Dorado Task Force is unmatched in its ability to draw from the strengths and equities of all partners involved, with one unified goal being the safety and security of Americans. I commend our partners, including HHS-OIG, IRS-CI, NYPD and HSIs Fort Meyers personnel, for placing the wellbeing of the public above all else. Millions of dollars were stolen from the American benefits system, and Oleg Beretsky is charged with the crime. He's accused of taking advantage of a vulnerable population and funneling stolen Medicare money into his and his co-conspirators' pockets. IRS-CI is charged with securing trust in the American financial system and actively investigates anyone looking to make a quick buck by stealing from the American public, stated IRS-CI Special Agent in Charge Chavis. As alleged in court filings, from January 2017 to April 2024, Beretsky and co-conspirators engaged in a health care fraud, kickback and money laundering scheme. Beretsky was the owner of Obest, Inc., a company in Plainview, New York, that purported to provide health care professionals with billing, consulting and support services. In reality, Obests principal business consisted of referring elderly Medicare patients to doctors and other health care professionals in exchange for kickbacks and bribes. Many of these patients were immigrants from the former Soviet Union, who Beretsky identified through an employee of a nonprofit social service agency that provided housing and other services to senior citizens in Brooklyn and Queens. Beretsky cultivated relationships with many of these patients, which he used to gain control over decisions regarding their health care providers. Beretsky then used that control to ensure that only doctors and other providersincluding social workers, pain specialists and diagnostic companieswho were willing to pay him would have access to the patients. On at least one occasion, Beretsky threatened a patient who wanted to continue seeing a provider who had stopped paying illegal kickbacks to the defendant. The fee charged by Beretsky was typically based either on how many patients Beretsky referred to the provider or how much Medicare reimbursed the provider for services purportedly rendered to the patients. To generate more fees for himself and his co-conspirators, Beretsky often encouraged or directed providers to bill Medicare for patients who did not need the services those providers rendered, and in some cases, services that were not rendered at all. In total, doctors and providers who participated in Beretskys scheme billed more than $22 million in false and fraudulent claims to Medicare. Of that more than $22 million, Medicare paid more than $12.4 million in claims, which was distributed to Beretsky and his co-conspirators. To hide the illegal source of funds Beretsky received from the conspiracy, Beretsky frequently directed co-conspirators to pay his relatives in cash and transferred money to multiple accounts held in the names of his family members. The charges in the indictment are allegations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted of the charges, Beretsky faces up to up to 20 years in prison on the money laundering conspiracy count; up to 10 years each on the health care fraud conspiracy and kickback counts; and up to five years on the kickback conspiracy count. The Hamas logo. A Gaza-based doctor who is frequently quoted by major media outlets on the impacts of Hamass war with Israel has close familial ties to the terrorist group. Numerous family members of orthopedic surgeon Dr. Fadel Naim are or were Hamas members, including a son and nephew who were killed by the Israeli military and a brother who is Hamas leader Basem Naim, according to an analysis of open-source data conducted by FDDs Long War Journal. In 2009, an Israeli airstrike killed Hamas fighter Anas Fadel Naim, Dr. Fadel Naims son and Basem Naims nephew. Previously, Fadels nephew, Naim Basem Naim, also a Hamas fighter and the son of Basem Naim, died when he was wounded battling Israeli forces in the Shujaiyya neighborhood on January 5, 2003. Basem Naim, Fadels brother, is a US-sanctioned Hamas official who has held several prominent roles in the organization, including minister of health. He is currently the deputy head of Hamass Arab and Islamic Relations Office. Notably, Basem has become a key figure in promoting the groups message to the international media following Hamass war with Israel that began on October 7, 2023. Prominent media outlets, including The New York Times, The Associated Press (AP), Reuters, NPR, CBS News, CNN, and others, have quoted Dr. Fadel Naim about casualty statistics during the war and the aftermath of specific events without disclosing his family ties to the terrorist group. It is unknown whether these outlets were aware of the Gaza-based doctors relationships before using him as a source. Fadel Naims recitation of Hamas casualty statistics and accusations of civilian targeting Fadel has cast a negative view of Israel and its actions that benefit Hamass message locally and abroad. In a recent message posted on X, Fadel highlighted casualty figures while claiming Israel had committed genocide and explicitly targeted noncombatants. The Israeli occupation of Gaza has resulted in a genocidal war lasting 470 days, resulting in 10,100 massacres, 61,182 dead, and 14,222 missing persons, Fadel wrote. He added that Israel had targeted healthcare workers, journalists, police, and aid security personnel. The statistics cited by Fadel were published by the Gaza Media Office, a Hamas government body. However, several sources have identified erroneous casualty figures produced by Hamass various agencies during the war. A report published by the London-based Henry Jackson Society on December 13 found distortion of statistics, misreporting of natural deaths, deaths from before the war started and a high likelihood of combatant deaths in the figures published by Hamas. On June 7, 2024, the AP conducted an analysis on the death toll data published by Hamas. Among its findings, the report concluded, Women and children made up fewer than 40% of those killed in the Gaza Strip during April, down from more than 60% in October. The AP analysis notes that these statistics contradict statements made by the Hamas-run Health Ministry. Compounding the challenges of identifying accurate Gaza casualty figures is that Hamas has not officially published details about the number of its fighters killed in the war, apart from acknowledging the deaths of the groups senior leaders. Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi, Israels former military chief of staff, claimed that Israeli forces killed almost 20,000 Hamas fighters in the conflict. In addition, Israels attempts to mitigate civilian casualties during military actions in Gaza, including establishing humanitarian zones and warning civilians to evacuate areas before operations, dispute Fadels assertion Israel undertook a genocidal war in the territory. Fadels familial connections to Hamas make him an unlikely candidate to produce an impartial account of the Gaza war and Israels operations. Nevertheless, none of the media outlets that have used him as a source have mentioned these relationships. Martyrdom notices for Anas Fadel Naim (left), killed in 2009, and Naim Basem Naaim, killed in 2003. Anas is Dr. Fadel Naims son, while Naaim is Hezbollah leader Basem Naims son and Fadels nephew. Naim recounts the death of his son and nephew, both Hamas fighters In a 2021 Facebook post, Fadel Naim tells the story of experiencing the deaths of his nephew (Naim Basem Naaim) and his son (Anas Naim). Fadel recounts receiving the news about Naims death and his nephews transfer to Al Shifa Hospital in 2003. Six years later, Basem Naim (referred to by his kunya (nickname) Abu Naim), the minister of health for the Hamas government at the time, was at the same hospital to receive the news about the death of Fadels son, Anas. Fadel states in the post that Anas had ascended to meet his cousin [Naim] in heaven. The post includes photos of Anas and Naim. LWJ analyzed additional open-source data to confirm the father-son relationship between Basem Naim and Naim Basem Naim, including an Instagram post from an account in Basems name that eulogized Naim on May 1, 2023. The Naim family and additional Hamas ties LWJ constructed a partial list of the Naim family tree: Umm Awny is Basem and Fadels mother and appears in several social media posts by the Naim family. Awny Naim is the son of Umm Awny and the brother of Fadel. Wafa and Rahmat Naim are Basem and Fadels sisters; the accounts have Umm Awny in their profile pictures and comment that she was their mother. are Basem and Fadels sisters; the accounts have Umm Awny in their profile pictures and comment that she was their mother. Jamal Naim is a brother of Fadel and Basem, whose Facebook account has a photo of Anas, his nephew, and other pictures of the Naim family. Huda, Haneen, and Heba Naaim are Fadel Naims daughters and sisters of Anas Naim, the deceased Hamas fighter, and they follow Basem Naim on social media. Hajar Naim is Hamas leader Basem Naims daughter, and the sister of deceased Hamas fighter Naim Basem Naim. Additional open-source data strengthens the link between Basem and Fadel. A picture on Fadels social media account shows him kissing the forehead of an older woman. The comments on the image indicate that this woman is Umm Awny, his deceased mother, and include a comment under the name Awny Naim. Another account that commented on the post is Rahmat Naim Naim, who appears to be Awnys sister. The social media account of Awny Naim, Fadels brother, has a cover photo showing four men, only three of whom are tagged in the image: Awny Naaim, Fadel Naim, and Jamal Naim. However, based on comparisons with other pictures, LWJ identified Basem Naim as the only individual not tagged in the photo: Left image, from left to right: Awny Naim, Basem Naim, Dr. Fadel Naim, and Jamal Naim in a 2014 photo uploaded to Jamal Naims Facebook page. Right image: Basem Naim at a press conference in 2013. Further supporting the assertion that Fadel Naim is affiliated with Hamas and its leadership, a Facebook page bearing his name features photographs of him celebrating his daughters wedding with deceased Hamas leaders Ismail Haniyeh, Ahmed Bahar, and Imad al Alami. LWJ attempted to contact Fadel Naim several times by phone and text message for a comment, but he did not respond. Joe Truzman is an editor and senior research analyst at FDD's Long War Journal focused primarily on Palestinian armed groups and non-state actors in the Middle East. Ahmad Sharawi is a research analyst at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies focused on Iranian intervention in Arab affairs and the Levant. A court in Palma is currently investigating British rapper Yung Filly, a UK celebrity of Colombian origin, over an alleged rape that reportedly took place last summer in Magalluf. The incident, according to reports, occurred following his performance at a well-known beach venue. The victim reported the alleged assault to the Guardia Civil, who then passed the information to the magistrate overseeing the case. Judicial sources have informed that the alleged sexual assault occurred in a hotel. The artist, who boasts over 3 million TikTok followers and a similarly large Instagram audience, reportedly met the victim during his performance. Later that day, they encountered each other again at a local nightclub. According to the complainant, Yung Filly allegedly touched her inappropriately at the venue. The victim later left with a friend of the accused, and they engaged in consensual sex in a hotel room. Afterward, the rapper reportedly entered the room with the other mans permission, who then left. The complainant alleges that Yung Filly subsequently raped her. Weeks later, after returning to the UK, the young woman decided to report the incident. British authorities informed the Guardia Civil, who conducted an investigation and relayed their findings to a court in Palma. This court is now handling the case. The investigating magistrate has requested a rogatory commission from Australian authorities, as Yung Filly, whose real name is Andres Felipe Valencia Barrientos, has been in Australia since being arrested there in October over separate allegations. In connection with his Australian tour, the British artist faces four counts of sexual penetration without consent and three counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm. The allegations stem from an incident reported to have occurred on 28 September in a hotel room in Perth. According to the complaint, Yung Filly allegedly assaulted a woman in her 20s following his performance at a venue in Hillarys, a coastal suburb of the city. In a recent preliminary hearing at the Perth Magistrates' Court, Yung Filly pleaded not guilty to the charges in Australia. He is scheduled to appear before the state's High District Court in June. Meanwhile, the court in Palma continues to investigate the alleged rape in Magalluf. Yung Filly remains free on bail pending these proceedings. The search for answers to a tragedy like the one suffered by Malaysia Airlines, the passengers of flight 370, and of course their families, is imperative, in fact, obligatory, both in legal and emotional and spiritual terms, especially when after all these years, nothing is still known about the whereabouts of the aircraft, nor of its 227 passengers and 12 crew members. It was back on March 8, 2014, when the Malaysia Airlines Boeing 777 was lost in the vastness of the Indian Ocean, hours after giving an alert to Malaysian air traffic control when it was flying over Vietnamese airspace on its route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing Shocking video shows deadly plane collision at Scottsdale airport, Arizona After Malaysian pilot Zaharie Ahmad Shah's warning, his plane disappeared from radar screens, but it could still be seen that it made a sharp left turn to begin heading out into the ocean, never to return. 'Official version' against all kinds of theories The official version is that the aircraft ran out of fuel and crashed, but the reasons for this are unknown. However, in the absence of information after several searches in the following days and weeks, such as that of Australian experts in 75 square miles of ocean,attempts at explanation began to emerge that drew on the most outlandish theories such as that the MH370 was hijacked by aliens, swallowed by a black hole, or had disappeared in the middle of a plot involving several governments, according to retired aerospace engineer Richard Godfrey. Godfrey also mentions that others think that MH370 was hijacked by the Chinese, Russians or Americans, and that if it was the latter, they would have shot down MH370, or would have allowed it to land at Diego Garcia, an island in the British Indian Ocean Territory where the United States has a military base for fear of a hijacking of the aircraft and its consequent security risk. The only certainty today is a new search The Malaysian government has given the go-ahead to a Texas-based marine robotics company to resume the search for Malaysia Airlines flight 370. Cabinet ministers agreed the terms and conditions of a "no find, no fee" contract with Texas-based Ocean Infinity to resume the seabed search operation at a new 15,000-square-kilometer (5,800-square-mile) site in the ocean, Transport Minister Anthony Loke said Wednesday. Ocean Infinity will be paid $70 million only if the wreckage is found.*With information from Lapresse The MBTA's South Coast Rail trains began running Monday, March 24, 2025. MBTA General Manager Phillip Eng takes a selfie with riders on the first southbound train on the Fall River/New Bedford Line. (Will Katcher/MassLive) Like all other Commuter Rail trips, the first train Monday morning on the MBTAs new Fall River/New Bedford line set off with a jolt. But unlike the rest, it was followed by an unfamiliar sound for the early hour: applause. Joyous riders boarded the train before dawn Monday for the first MBTA trip to and from the South Coast of Massachusetts in over 65 years. For some, Mondays ride was a normal workday commute, but one made far easier with the extended train service and six new stations. Others hopped aboard Monday hoping to be among the first to see the South Coast train running after years of development. Dmitry Zinoviev woke up at 3 a.m. Monday with his mind made: He would be on the first train out of New Bedford at 4:27 a.m. The Lexington resident drove over an hour to the station, rode the train 90 minutes into Boston, and turned around to board the first outbound train back to New Bedford. I can sleep another time, Zinoviev, a professor of math and computer science at Suffolk University, said. Grinning ear to ear, he threw his hands together as the train rolled out of Bostons South Station at 6:45 a.m. The project was long-delayed former Gov. Bill Weld once promised it would be completed in 1997, according to the State House News Service. Instead, it dragged on under multiple governors, with project costs rising and the expected opening date pushed further and further back. The MBTA's South Coast Rail trains began running Monday, March 24, 2025. Dmitry Zinoviev, a professor of math and computer science at Suffolk University, made sure he was on the first train out from New Bedford to Boston at 4:27 a.m. He then hopped on the first outbound train from Boston's South Station at 6:45 a.m. but first made sure to grab a photo of the train. (Will Katcher/MassLive) Gov. Charlie Baker ultimately committed to a two-phase approach for the project in 2017, which Gov. Maura Healeys administration completed. The section that opened Monday extended the Middleborough/Lakeville Line and renamed it the Fall River/New Bedford Line. A second phase would extend the Stoughton Line south and connect more communities to the Fall River/New Bedford Line, though the MBTA does not list an expected timeframe for when the project could be completed. The people of Taunton, Freetown, New Bedford, Middleboro and Fall River have been waiting for passenger rail service for far too long, Healey said last month when the opening date for the line was announced. She lauded MBTA General Manager Phillip Eng for not kicking the can down the road and delivering the project. Driving into the city is an absolute nightmare, said Leo Sullivan, of Wareham, who has taken the Commuter Rail from Middleborough into Boston since 1999. You sit in a parking lot and spend a lot of time swearing. Monday was his first day boarding the train at the new Middleborough station, one of six new stops built by the MBTA to extend the train to the South Coast. On the train, Sullivan said he could flip his laptop open and enjoy a coffee, skipping the chaos of the highway. Its smooth, its fast, its scenic, said Ted Robinson, of Fairhaven. You cant beat it with a stick. He and his wife Judith moved to the South Coast community from Bostons Beacon Hill about four or five years ago. On Monday, they planned to spend a simple day in the city and return home. But they were particularly excited for friends still living in Boston to be able to easily travel south to visit. Its a dream come true, Judith Robinson said. The MBTA's South Coast Rail trains began running Monday, March 24, 2025. The train from New Bedford to Boston's South Station pulled into Middleborough just before 9 a.m. (Will Katcher/MassLive) The MBTA plans to run trains every 70 minutes on weekdays and every two hours on weekends. Rides are free through the end of March. Fare service will continue on weekends through April, Healeys office said. After that, the full fare will be $12.25 and the reduced fare will be $6. Crowded into two rows of seats on the outbound train from South Station, Joseph Rinaldi and a group of friends said it was the first time they had heard applause on a Commuter Rail. I did start the clapping, Rinaldi, of Bostons North End, admitted with a grin. The MBTA's South Coast Rail trains began running Monday, March 24, 2025. MBTA General Manager Phillip Eng speaks with riders on the first southbound train on the Fall River/New Bedford Line. (Will Katcher/MassLive) He and another member of the group run a real estate development company with a project underway in Fall River. When they got the project four years ago, they promised to be on the first train to the city once Commuter Rail service began. We think its going to be great for Fall River, Rinaldi said. The city of 94,000 was poised to become better connected to New Bedford, its 100,000 residents, other areas of Southeastern Massachusetts and New Englands commercial and cultural hub in Boston. Rinaldi and his group were thrilled. They joined Wilfred Roberge, an Army veteran living in Brockton, in a jovial chant that rang through the train car just before 7:30 a.m.: Trains! Trains! Trains! Trains! Trains! As they say in the Army Transportation Corps, Roberge yelled down the aisle, nothing happens until something moves! The MBTA's South Coast Rail trains began running Monday, March 24, 2025. Dmitry Zinoviev, a professor of math and computer science at Suffolk University, made sure he was on the first train out from New Bedford to Boston at 4:27 a.m. He then hopped on the first outbound train from Boston's South Station at 6:45 a.m. (Will Katcher/MassLive) Eng greeted the group as he strolled through the train car passing out souvenir buttons. Later Monday morning, Eng, Healey and other state leaders celebrated the South Coast Rails opening at a press conference at East Taunton station. Its a fantastic day, Eng said onboard the southbound train. The South Coast Rail is going to be a game-changer for the region, Karen Antion, the MBTAs South Coast Rail program executive, said last month. The South Coast has at times been Massachusettss forgotten coast, Chance Perks, a conservation agent for the city of New Bedford, said onboard the train. The new line will connect the region with Boston, but could be a double-edged sword if more people relocate to the region, increasing demand for housing, he added. Yet after five years of work on the South Coast Rail project, to see it get here is just great, Perks said. On the 7:25 a.m. northbound train from New Bedford, seats gradually filled with commuters. The cars remained generally quiet, but that didnt mean riders were any less excited. For 40 or 50 years, weve been hearing [South Coast Rail] was going to come, said Mark Jacintho, of Acushnet, who boarded the train to Boston with his wife, their daughter Jessica Cormier, her husband and three grandkids. They planned to spend the day at the Museum of Science. This is amazing, Jacintho said. Carol Thornber, the dean of the School for the Environment at UMass Boston, would previously drive 35 minutes from Somerset to Middleborough to then ride the train an hour into Boston. On Monday, she drove from Somerset to the new MBTA station in neighboring Freetown. It made for a longer train ride, but less time in the car. This is much easier, she said. The homepage of the new Edibles.com, an e-commerce website for THC-infused hemp products from the parent company of Edible Arrangements. Edibles.com The parent company of Edible Arrangements is getting into another kind of edibles and it has to do with THC-infused hemp products such as drinks and gummies. Last week in a news release Edible Brands announced the launch of Edibles.com calling it a wellness-driven marketplace that offers convenient same-day delivery of trusted THC-infused products. The e-commerce platform plans to sell leading brands of these products such as Cann, Wana, 1906 and others. Edibles.com is led by Thomas Winstanley, who the company identified as a cannabis industry veteran. With our robust infrastructure and nationwide footprint, we are uniquely positioned to accelerate industry growth, Winstanley said in a statement. The new company said the hemp industry faces challenges due to a market saturated with products that lack consistent quality and testing standards, adding to consumer confusion and hesitancy. Edibles.com added that it tackles these problems head-on with its robust education center, reliable delivery, and partnerships. Somia Farid Silber, CEO of Edible Brands, called the hemp industry rapidly evolving in a statement. The company said theres an estimated $28 billion market for THC-infused hemp products. Hemp and marijuana differ from each other because marijuana is made with the dried leaves, flowers and seeds of cannabis plants whereas hemp is made from the stalks, stems and seeds of cannabis, according to the American Cancer Society. While both plants contain THC and CBD, hemp carries less THC than marijuana does, the group added. Read More: Follow the greenish brick road: Cannabis as a career path Citing the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the American Cancer Society noted that marijuana is any cannabis product with more than 0.3% THC, while hemp is any product with less than this amount. While marijuana is considered illegal under federal law, to date, 24 states have legalized recreational marijuana use, according to data from DISA. Other states allow for marijuana in more limited circumstances such as medical use or have decriminalized the substance. Still, several states uphold outright bans. Hemp on the other hand is not considered illegal under federal law due to its lower THC concentration, according to the American Cancer Society, making it more widely available. Edibles.com plans to expand rapidly in legally permitted markets across the U.S. Southeast as well as offering select products for nationwide shipping to broaden its accessibility. Consumers likely best know Edible Brands for their specially designed fruit baskets under Edible Arrangements, with fruit often cut into different shapes and flower designs and sometimes covered in chocolate. The New England Wind lease area is shown in yellow, about 24 miles southwest of Nantucket. (Courtesy of BOEM) ACK For Whales has launched a new challenge against two wind farms proposed in open ocean 24 miles southwest of Nantucket. The island-based offshore wind-energy opposition group is petitioning the federal Environmental Protection Agency to review Clean Air Act permits issued for New England Wind 1 and 2, the same permits that on Friday, March 21 were pulled from a planned offshore wind farm in New Jersey, leaving its future unclear. ACK For Whales claims the original permits were issued to New England Wind 1 and 2 without any assessment of potential blade failure and repair emissions, which could lead to temporary increases in pollutants; that the EPAs decision to group Vineyard Wind with New England Wind 1 and 2 could mask localized emission spikes; and that the cumulative effects of vessel emissions and pile driving were not adequately considered and modeled. Looming in the background is the seismic shift in Washington, D.C. toward offshore wind energy. The outgoing Biden administration made offshore wind a core tenet of its energy plans, while the Trump administration has taken a swift adversarial stance toward offshore wind. We would have filed this no matter who was in charge, ACK For Whales member Amy DiSibio said. The prior administration has been, get this done at all costs. We are hoping that with a more sincere look at this, (federal agencies) will stop permitting everything just because it had been decided we need to buy so much power from offshore wind. ACK For Whales petition is similar to that of an offshore wind opposition group in New Jersey that appears to have been successful. Save Long Beach Island petitioned the federal government in October to review the Clean Air Act permit issued to Atlantic Shores, a planned wind farm off the coast of New Jersey. On Friday, that permit was revoked by Judge Mary Kay Lynch in Environmental Appeals Court, and sent back to the EPA for further review. In the New Jersey case, the EPA filed a motion in February for a voluntary remand, asking for the permit to be returned so it could reevaluate the project in light of President Donald Trumps executive order titled Temporary Withdrawal of All Areas on the Outer Continental Shelf from Offshore Wind Leasing and Review of the Federal Governments Leasing and Permitting Practices for Wind Projects. Kate Sinding Daly, senior vice president for law and policy at the Conservation Law Foundation, an environmental-advocacy organization based in New England, questioned the motivation behind ACK for Whales challenges now. She said Clean Air Act permits are regulations permitting agencies are very familiar with, they have been studied and they know how to mitigate impacts associated with construction. By helping displace dirty and polluting forms of energy with clean renewable energy, there is no question in our minds that offshore wind represents a clear, resounding benefit in terms of air quality, she said. I would really question the motivation and the timing of filing these challenges at this point. They seem much more likely to be geared toward appealing to an anti-wind federal administration than legitimate concerns about air-quality impacts. New England Wind has been approved for construction and its lease area is roughly 24 miles southwest of the island, directly southwest of the current Vineyard Wind project. In July 2024, the federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management approved the project, permitting the construction of up to 129 turbines. As of the latest update, construction is expected to begin in late 2025 and run through 2029. The Inquirer and Mirror on Nantucket is a news partner of MassLive.com. To subscribe to The Inquirer and Mirror, click here. In terms of pure flavor, the soup dumplings from Yume Dumplings might be my favorite thing to eat in Worcester. Every time Ive gotten them, Ive done a little dance like Id just won a prize. In a way, I had. There arent many places outside of Boston where you can get a good soup dumpling. There are plenty of places in downtown Worcester to grab a solid lunch or early dinner. Shawarma Palace is a great value. Armsby Abbeys mac & cheese is unmatched. Chashu has awesome ramen. But if youre coming in from out of town for something at the DCU Center or Palladium (or stuck with jury duty at the courthouse), youll probably need to get something to eat at some point. Theres no single place in downtown Worcester Id recommend checking out more than Yume Dumplings. Its the ideal combination of solid value, tasty food and menu items you wont find in many other places in these parts. An order of soup dumplings from Yume Dumplings in downtown Worcester. (Nick O'Malley, MassLive) Massachusetts Hidden Gems | Yume Dumplings in Worcester Since opening in early 2024, Yume Dumplings has carved out a niche as a hidden gem amid the citys buzzing scene with a creative and colorful menu of Asian fusion offerings. Youve got the signature soup dumplings, which are savory pouches of delight packed with a broth that gives a flavor boost to the meaty filling. The gyoza-style pan-seared pork dumplings are a big hit, as are the crab rangoon. But other than those mainstays, the menu steers away from the conventional Chinese-American takeout fair. (No General Tsos or sesame chicken.) Owner Samuel Cheng had a different vision in mind when he opened Yume Dumplings. He wanted to serve the foods he grew up eating along with some new creative twists. What is on Yumes menu? As the name would suggest, Yume has plenty of options when it comes to dumplings. Youve got soup dumplings, pan-seared dumplings, wontons and shumai. Those serve as the savory foundation of Yumes menu. But where the spot really stands out is with its creative spins on other mainstays of Asian cuisine. Yume has a great Japanese-style chicken katsu on rice. But if you want something with some wow factor, get the sandwich, which combines the best of a chicken katsu with a Chick-Fil-A sandwich featuring a massive cutlet more than double the size of the bun its served on. The chicken katsu sandwich from Yume Dumplings in Worcester. (Nick O'Malley, MassLive) At one point, a friend told Cheng that he needed to put fried rice on the menu. However, the kitchen at Yume didnt quite have the right setup to properly make fried rice in a wok. So instead, Cheng came up with what he calls a deconstructed fry egg rice. Its a rice bowl topped with a fried egg and chili paste. Its on the eater to cut open the still-runny yolk and mix it with the rest of the bowl, creating an interesting spin on fried rice. Theres also a small-but-solid lineup of coffee and dessert options at Yume. The dalgona-style whipped coffee is a sweet and smooth pick-me-up. The Hong Kong-style French toast, topped with condensed milk and filled with either peanut butter or Nutella, packs a sweet punch. A dalgona-style whipped coffee at Yume Dumplings in downtown Worcester. (Nick O'Malley, MassLive) From waffles to dumplings, thanks to COVID The husband-wife team of Samuel and Crystal Cheng have been in the restaurant business together for 16 years. Back in 2017, they opened Blue Shades on Park Avenue in Worcester. Back then, they focused on coffee and Liege-style waffles while incorporating some dumplings and other buns. Blue Shades was a great spot. But like many other businesses, it closed after the pandemic hit. After closing the cafe, Samuel Cheng got to spend some more time with family. He also did some soul-searching to figure out what he really wanted to do. He realized cooking was the answer. I wanted something that my kid, my wife and I love to eat. We love a variety of good food, Cheng said. After one year in business, it looks like the Chengs were on to something with their Asian fusion concept. Cheng is thankful for the support theyve gotten from their customers, especially those who remember them from Blue Shades. Cheng says he still runs into customers who miss the waffles from Blue Shades, adding that he might bring them back someday. What to know about the restaurant Check them out: Website | Facebook | Instagram Whats the address? - 5 Pleasant St., Worcester, MA, 01608 Whats the parking situation? - There is street parking right outside the restaurant on Pleasant Street and multiple garages nearby. There is no free designated parking lot for the restaurant. When are they open? - Here are the listed business hours at the time of writing. As longtime readers know, Im a huge fan of cask/real ale. And while I sporadically lobby for more bars/breweries to provide it, I certainly understand the reasons why many dont. Once the task is tapped, its on a very short timeline before it becomes less than desirable. Fortunately for New Englanders, we have NERAX (the New England Real Ale Exhibition) each spring. The 2025 edition will be held April 25 at the South Boston Lithuanian Club, and although Im not sure I can make it this year, Im really going to try. Every time Ive gone to it, Ive been amazed by the offerings and always found something new and delicious. But more on that later. As far as more regular cask offerings, one local venue that consistently has a cask ale is the Moan & Dove in Amherst. The casks are usually tapped on Wednesdays, and I was lucky to be driving by there last week and was able to sample a fantastic cask beer made by OEC Brewing from Oxford, Connecticut. OEC stands for Ordinem Ecentrici Coctores, or Order of the Eccentric Boilers. According to the brewerys website, the Latin isnt grammatically correct, but founder/head brewer Ben Neidhart wanted to use a name and symbols that spoofed secret societies of yesteryear. As the website says: In old brewing literature fermentation was often called boiling as the vigorous bubbling drew comparisons to the boiling of liquids. As advanced as brewing science has become, sometimes we are still just as clueless when it comes to the science behind the actual creation of complex flavors and aromas. Sometimes a little mysticism just goes a long way and after all, we would not dare to take ourselves too seriously! Youve got to love it. Based on my experience last week, you also have to love their beer. I had a brew called Hildago Best Bitter and it was stunningly great. Im a lover of bitters, and when theyre on cask, its probably my favorite style. Hildago Best Bitter comes across like a classic British bitter. It employs two British hops, Challenger and East Kent Goldings, the latter of which might be the most British of all hops. The aroma is mild, but the malts bring a breadiness immediately to the table, surrounded by a tea-like aspect from the Challenger hops. The first sips reinforce the bread-like notes but add a touch of honey on top. Some subtle herbal characteristics emerge, but the dominant facet here is bread, or maybe crackers. It finishes with a bit more honey emerging, but this is again moved aside by the delicious malt flavor. Based on this beer, I need to visit OEC soon. Now, as far as NERAX, tickets are now on sale online. You can grab yours by heading to nerax.org, where you can also find directions, policies and what to expect at the event. Comedian Conan O'Brien walks out on stage at the start of the 25th Annual Mark Twain Prize for American Humor Celebrating Conan O'Brien, Sunday, March 23, 2025, at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington. (AP Photo/Kevin Wolf) AP Massachusetts native Conan OBrien was honored for his comedic chops with a prestigious award over the weekend. Conan OBrien accepted the award for Lifetime Achievement in Comedy at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on Sunday night, March 23. OBrien, 61, was named the 26th recipient of the Mark Twain Prize in mid-January. That was roughly three weeks before President Donald Trump upended the Kennedy Center by ousting longtime president Deborah Rutter and board chairman David Rubenstein. Trump dismissed the board of trustees and replaced them with loyalists, who then elected him as chairman. During his acceptance speech, OBrien specifically thanked Rubenstein and Rutter drawing an extended round of applause and also Kennedy Center staffers who, he said, were worried about what the future might bring. He said the example of Mark Twains own life and career was particularly resonant at this moment in American history. Twain hated bullies. ... He punched up, not down, and he deeply empathized with the weak, OBrien said. Twain loved America, but he knew it was deeply flawed. A Mark Twain impersonator then emerged from the audience. After a back-and-forth debate with OBrien, he joined him on stage and the pair slow danced for a while. They were then joined by a dozen more Twain impersonators and previous Twain Prize recipient Adam Sandler for a raucous rendition of Neil Youngs Rockin in the Free World. OBrien was born on April 18, 1963 in Brookline. The comedian attended Brookline High School where he served as the managing editor of the school newspaper. After graduating as valedictorian in 1981, OBrien went on to study history and literature at Harvard University in Cambridge. He graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1985. OBrien also wrote for the Harvard Lampoon, serving as the humor magazines president during his sophomore and junior years. OBriens future boss at NBC, Jeff Zucker, was serving as president of the school newspaper, The Harvard Crimson, at the same time. After writing for several comedy shows in Los Angeles, OBrien joined the writing staff of Saturday Night Live in 1988. He served as a writer for several years until Lorne Michaels had OBrien take over David Lettermans position as host of Late Night in 1993. He went on to host Late Night for 16 years, longer than any other host. OBrien was later tapped to replace Jay Leno as host of The Tonight Show, but that experiment ended in public failure. After seven months of declining ratings, NBC executives brought Leno back for a new show that would bump The Tonight Show back. OBrien refused to accept the move, leading to a public spat that ended with a multimillion-dollar payout for OBrien and his staff to exit the network in early 2010. OBrien went on to host another talk show on the cable station TBS, while launching successful podcasts and travel shows. He is currently on a late-career elder statesman hot streak. His travel series, Conan OBrien Must Go, drew popular and critical acclaim, with a second season coming. His recent gig hosting the Academy Awards was so well received that the producers announced they are bringing him back next year. In the wake of Trumps takeover of the Kennedy Center, several artists, including the producers of Hamilton and actress and writer Issa Rae, announced they were canceling appearances at the venue. Others have chosen to perform while making their sentiments known from the stage. Leftist comic W. Kamau Bell directly addressed the controversy in his performance just days after the shake-up. Earlier this month, cellist Erin Murphy Snedecor ended her set with a performance of the Woody Guthrie protest anthem All You Fascists Bound to Lose. Other comedians receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award include both Letterman and Leno, along with George Carlin, Whoopi Goldberg, Bob Newhart, Carol Burnett, Bill Murray and Dave Chappelle. The ceremony will be streamed on Netflix on May 4. Springfield - The Forest Park Civic Association is hosting a free community forum and informational meeting on the major reconstruction of the X intersection at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 25. The event, open to all, will be held at 52Sumner (the former Faith Church) at 52 Sumner Ave. The speakers include Christopher Cignoli, Director of Public Works in Springfield, and Alex Sherman, the Springfield City Forester. They will present plans for the project, including what changes are being made to better accommodate pedestrians, bicycles, and cars, and how the construction schedule is likely to affect traffic and businesses beginning this spring. The X Reconstruction Project is long in the making, with funding coming from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation. Information about the project can be found on the Citys website at https://www.springfield-ma.gov/dpw/dpw-projects/projects-in-design-phase/the-x. Attendees are encouraged to use the front Sumner Avenue entrance, with parking available across the street at the Sumner Avenue School. Access for people with mobility challenges is available through the rear of the building, with handicapped parking available in the lot behind 52Sumner, off of Fort Pleasant Avenue. Questions about the event may be directed to Phil Contant at classicalpac@msn.com or to Stephen Posner at sepposner@gmail.com, both board members of the Forest Park Civic Association. A pedestrian traverses the rotunda inside the New Mexico Capitol, March 16, 2023, in Santa Fe, N.M. (AP Photo/Morgan Lee, File) AP SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) A bill that would create a turquoise safety alert system for missing Native American people in New Mexico has been endorsed by the Legislature. A vote of the state Senate without opposition Thursday sent the rapid response initiative to New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, who supports the proposal. The bill responds to a troubling number of disappearances and killings in Indian Country and would allow law enforcement to quickly share information about Native Americans who go missing. The turquoise alert system taking its name from the blue-green mineral would function much like existing amber and silver alerts that highlight the disappearance of children and the elderly. Cellphone alerts would be issued when law enforcement finds evidence of imminent danger in the disappearance of a Native American. I carry with me countless stories of how our system has failed to respond to the disappearance or murder of Native people in our state, said Democratic state Sen. Angel Charley of Acoma Pueblo, a co-sponsor of the bill. We have answered the call. California, Washington and Colorado have similar alert systems, according to the New Mexico Department of Indian Affairs. Arizona lawmakers are considering their own alert system as the brutal death of San Carlos Apache teenager Emily Pike reverberates through Native American communities. New Mexico has 23 federally recognized tribes, including large portions of the Navajo Nation, as well as land holdings of the Fort Sill Apache. The safety and concerns of those communities were on prominent display during a 60-day legislative session that ends Saturday at noon. A bill signed Wednesday by Lujan Grisham ensures students can wear their own Native American regalia at graduation and other school ceremonies in the spirit of free expression linked to cultural heritage. Two teenagers who were killed in a shooting at a mall in Brockton on Saturday have been identified, with law enforcement looking for a suspect who Plymouth County District Attorney Tim Cruz said is armed and dangerous. Cruz described the night of the shooting as a very busy night at Westgate Mall in Brockton, when teens and families were checking out the new indoor trampoline park. Then at around 7:04 p.m., Brockton police received a 911 call about a shooting on the sidewalk outside a Chipotle on Westgate Drive, Cruz said. Police found two people shot, Tymari Albertson, 15, and Cevannah Alvarez, 18. Albertson was pronounced dead at Good Samaritan Hospital, while Alvarez was flown to Massachusetts General Hospital, where she was also pronounced dead. Albertson and Alvarez were not related, Cruz noted. The teen boy was shot twice and the young woman once, he said. Brockton police reached out to Massachusetts State Police detectives assigned to Cruzs office on Saturday and an investigation was underway, the district attorney continued. In the midst of the investigation, officials received a warrant for Davinci Leonard, 22, who Cruz said left the mall after the shooting, grabbed some clothes, and has not been seen since. Leonard is currently the only suspect in this shooting, Cruz said. The investigation is ongoing and it is active. As part of the investigation, it appears that an altercation occurred in the parking lot between Leonard and the victim, Albertson, prior to the fatal shooting. Leonard is considered to be possibly armed and dangerous. Leonard faces two counts of murder, and one count each of discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a dwelling, possession of ammunition without an FID card and carrying a loaded firearm without a license, Cruzs office later said in a statement. Since the shooting, police have not recovered the gun used in the shooting, Cruz told reporters. Anyone with information about Leonards whereabouts was asked by Cruz to call the Massachusetts State Police Fusion Center at 1-800-KAPTURE. The event that Saturday night was a tragedy, Cruz continued. Two young people have lost their lives and our hearts go out to their families. This is a senseless loss of life and one death via gun violence is too many. What caused the altercation between Leonard and Albertson is unclear and is part of the overall investigation, Cruz said. It was also confirmed that Albertson was a Brockton Public Schools student. Cruz told reporters that there would be accountability for Albertson and Alvarezs deaths and that the process could begin if Leonard turned himself into law enforcement. Turn yourself in, Cruz said, speaking directly to Leonard. Turn yourself in and let the process begin. ICE and other federal agencies worked together for a large-scale sweep that led to 370 arrests in March 2025. Courtesy of FBI Immigration authorities and federal law enforcement agencies said on Monday that 370 migrants were arrested in Massachusetts across six days last week as part of an interagency operation. The arrests were described as part of an enhanced targeted enforcement operation from March 18 to 23 that focused on transnational organized crime, gangs and egregious offenders, according to a news release from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). An Acton man was rescued after he did not bring snowshoes while hiking between Mount Guyot and South Twin Mountain in Lincoln, New Hampshire, on Friday, the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department said. At around 8:45 a.m. on Friday, March 21, conservation officers were notified of a hiker in distress off the Twinway Trail between the two mountains, in a remote part of the Pemi Wilderness, Fish and Game said in a statement. The hiker, Gary Sullivan, 52, of Acton, did not have cell service and could not call or text 911 to report that he was lost and was in deep snow. Sullivan planned a two-day trip and brought with him a tent, a sleeping bag, extra clothes, traction devices, food, water, his 10 essentials and a Hike Safe card, Fish and Game said. But he did not have snowshoes. In researching his hike, he had read reports that traction devices were necessary but snowshoes were not needed, the department stated. This was true for the majority of his hike until he reached the area of Mount Guyot where he encountered waist-deep snow. He took shelter for the night of March 20 just west of Mount Guyot and started towards Galehead on the morning of March 21. After he started his hike, Sullivan lost the trail and was walking through waist-deep snow, the statement continued. Sullivan was able to set up a shelter but with his phones battery running low, he could not get himself back to the trail, the statement read. While he would have been able to access through Gale River Road in Bethlehem, it was a 6-and-a-half-mile hike. Two conservation officers and two Pemigewasset Valley Search and Rescue volunteers went off from Gale River Road and were flown by the New Hampshire Army National Guard to the Cannon Mountain Ski area at around 1 p.m., Fish and Game said. By 4 p.m. the National Guard returned to Concord, New Hampshire, as the weather had not improved above 3,000 feet, the statement read. First responders returned with the hiker at 5:20 p.m. He had his gear packed and he was given snowshoes, and at 5:45 p.m., they group started to hike back. At 10:05 p.m., the team arrived at Gale River Road with Sullivan, Fish and Game said. Its long been expected that state attorneys general from opposing parties from the sitting U.S. president will sue the president now-Gov. Maura Healey famously did so about 100 times during Donald Trumps first term when she was Massachusetts' Attorney General. But its rare that attorneys general from all 50 states, plus the District of Columbia and of the Northern Mariana Islands a U.S. territory put aside their party differences and join together in one legal action. Thats exactly whats happened with an amicus brief filed this past Wednesday with the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims to restore education benefits denied to veterans and their family members under the GI Bill. The brief, filed by Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares and joined by attorneys general in all other states, sought to demand full education benefits to U.S. Army veteran Lieutenant Colonel Paul Yoon and his daughter Elizabeth Yoon, and U.S. Air Force veteran Colonel Toby Doran and his son Thomas Doran. Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield told OregonLive that having attorneys general in all 50 states join together on anything is rare, but that they did so in this case because of the importance of the issue. Our veterans deserve every benefit theyve earned. The GI Bill is a promise we made, and standing together in this amicus brief sends a strong message: We will not let bureaucracy or red tape stand in the way of doing whats right for those whove served. This is about honoring veterans, and all 50 states are saying enough is enough, Rayfield told OregonLive. The legal brief states that the veterans in question are entitled to a full four years' of education benefits rather than just three. There was a bipartisan petition to the U.S. Supreme Court in 2023 which led to the 2024 Rudisill v. McDonough decision, which the brief says allows service members and their families a total of four years of benefits. But the VA [U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs] continues to deny veterans education benefits to which they are entitled now by taking an unduly cramped reading of Rudisill itself, the brief states. These denials break the promises made to veterans when they agreed to serve, the brief continues. Yoon and Doran served for 24 and 27 years respectively, between them serving in Iraq, Afghanistan, Kosovo, the Mediterranean and Southwest Asia. Both have received numerous military honors, with Yoon being awarded the Bronze Star and Doran receiving the Legion of Merit. The VAs reading of Rudisill is unsupportable and its denial of petitioners education benefits is unlawful, the brief concludes. Freddie McClendon, a Season 23 American Idol hopeful, came to his audition with a mission beyond securing a ticket to Hollywood he also wanted to tell the world about his father. McClendon came prepared to sing his original tune You Never Loved Him, an ode to his father Davis, who was killed in 2023. The story of his fathers death had previously spread across national news, and for McClendon, it was important to share more about Davis' life on a platform like American Idol two years later. He was something so much bigger than just the true crime story of the week, he said. He was our dad and he meant the world to us. Judge Luke Bryan likened McClendon to a modern day Paul Simon after the audition, while judge Carrie Underwood fought back tears. Its so brave of you to decide that you want to choose the narrative, she said. Judge Lionel Richie encouraged McClendon to bring his family into the audition room, where all three judges agreed to give him a golden ticket. Im so proud that I was able to tell my Dads story, and it meant the world that it resonated with Carrie Underwood, he said. Dad, were going to Hollywood. A Boston man pleaded guilty Friday after federal authorities said he worked with a now-former Massachusetts State Police sergeant to give false passing scores to some commercial drivers license applicants who either failed the exam or only took part of the CDL skills tests, in exchange for bribes. Eric Mathison, 48, pleaded guilty March 21 to one count of conspiracy to commit extortion, U.S. Attorney Leah B. Foley said in a statement. Hell be sentenced on June 13. Mathison was charged in January 2024 in a 74-count indictment along with five other people in connection with the conspiracy and related schemes. Mathison worked for a water company that hired drivers who needed commercial drivers licenses to drive their vehicles, federal prosecutors said. He admitted to working with other people, including former Massachusetts State Police Sgt. Gary Cederquist, who was in charge of the departments CDL Unit to give fake passing scores to certain CDL applicants tied with the water company. Cederquist gave passing scores to several applicants who actually failed the CDL skills test, and others who only took a partial test, federal prosecutors said. He did this in exchange for bribes of free inventory from the water company. The free items included bottled Fiji, bottled Arizona Iced Tea and coffee and tea products. Mathison delivered these items to an office trailer at the CDL test site in Stoughton. Mathison admitted to his alleged communications with Cederquist about particular CDL applicants, their performance on the skills test, and inventory from the water company that Cederquist allegedly requested and that Mathison delivered, federal prosecutors said. Federal prosecutors said in one case, Mathison admitted to getting texts from Cederquist that described one CDL applicant as an an idiot, who had no idea what hes doing, and should have failed about 10 times already. Cederquist gave this applicant a passing score. In a separate case, Mathison asked Cederquist, Hows the trailer holding, federal prosecutors said. Cederquist responded, In desperate need of restocking, and requested several things, some of which included premium bottled water, tea, energy drinks and a truckload of large water, federal prosecutors said. The charge of conspiracy to commit extortion provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison and three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000, according to federal prosecutors. Cederquist Cambridge City Councilor Paul Toner paid for sex at a high-end multistate brothel ring at least 13 times over the course of a roughly seven-month period between January and September of 2023, according to a Cambridge police report. Toner is one of 23 men now facing a criminal charge in connection with the brothel, after two days of show-cause hearings in Cambridge District Court where a clerk magistrate found there was probable cause he and others committed a crime. Across two days of hearings, only two of the 23 men have appeared in court. Toner was among those who did not show up. At least five more men will be called for show-cause hearings Friday. Toner, 60, is in his second term on the City Council and previously served as the president of the Massachusetts Teachers Association. In a statement after Clerk Sharon Casey approved a criminal complaint against him, Toner said he caused pain for the people I care about most. For that, I will be forever sorry, he said. His lawyer, Tim Flaherty, said he had known Toner his entire life, describing him as a man of high character. He loves his family and his family loves him. None of us are perfect, Flaherty said. Hes a hard-working city councilor, and the City of Cambridge is very fortunate to have him on the city council. Tim Flaherty, a lawyer representing Cambridge City Councilor Paul Toner and another man accused of paying for sex through a high-end brothel ring. Jonathan Wiggs/Pool The police report authored by Detective Agrait Collazo notes that a federal search warrant of a phone used to operate the brothel network uncovered 432 communications with a number registered to Toner. In a conversation on April 17, 2023, Toner texted the phone to ask if women with the stage names Tulip or Jisoo were available that evening, according to the report. Toner ultimately agreed to pay $340 for an hour of the girlfriend experience with Tulip, which officials said blurs the boundaries between a financial transaction and romantic relationship. The $340 price included up to 2shot, or two ejaculations, according to the police report. That day, Toner is seen on surveillance cameras arriving at 90 Fawcett St. in Cambridge around 4:59 p.m., then leaving at 5:51 p.m., Collazo wrote. Toner agreed to pay for sex on a number of other dates in 2023, according to the report: Feb. 16, April 2, May 13, May 23, June 14, June 28, July 16, Aug. 3, Aug. 13, Sept. 5, Sept. 14 and Sept. 28. Among the other men facing charges is Boston oncologist Dr. James Cusack Jr, the former director of Oncology Labs at Massachusetts General Hospital. Cusacks employment there ended in May 2024, WCVB reported. He is accused of paying for sex more than a dozen times between April and November 2023. Along with Cusack and Toner, Casey approved criminal complaints against nine other men on Friday. They are: Timothy Ackerson, of Waltham; Steven Riel, of Laconia, N.H.; Nathaniel Welch, of Concord, Mass.; Jeffrey Henry, of Exeter N.H.; Frederick Rosenthal, of Marblehead; Matthew Fulton, of Belmont; Howard Redmond, of Tewksbury; Anurag Bajpayee, of Cambridge; and Paul Grant, of Charlestown. Lorraine D. Belostock, a lawyer representing six of the men, said the complaints represent mere allegations. All of my clients are presumed innocent under the law, and we look forward to vigorously representing our clients in court, she told reporters outside the East Cambridge courthouse. Another lawyer, Daniel Gaudet, who is representing Bajpayee, seemed to try and undermine the process by which police identified his client as a suspect, asking pointed questions of a Cambridge police lieutenant. Gaudet declined to speak to reporters. Cambridge District Court Clerk Magistrate Sharon Casey decided there was probable cause to file criminal complaints against nearly two dozen men accused of paying for sex through a high-end brothel ring. Jonathan Wiggs/Pool At a hearing on March 14, Casey found probable cause to issue complaints against 12 men. They are: Jason Han, of Roxbury; Jonathan Lanfear, of Winchester; Yihong Zou, of Boston; Boya Zhou, of West Roxbury; Mark Zhu, of Lincoln; Kerry Wu, of Natick; Patrick Walsh of Swampscott; David LaCava, of Waltham; Pinhao Chao, of Allston; John Doran, of Wellesley; Pablo Maceira, of Boston; and Peter MacGillivray, of Boston. All 23 men charged thus far will be summoned to Cambridge District Court for arraignments in the coming weeks. The charge of sex for a fee carries a maximum punishment of two-and-a-half years in jail and a fine between $1,000 and $5,000. The hearings held this month represent the first time they have been publicly identified. Show-cause hearings are typically held behind closed doors, and several of the men who could be charged in the case appealed to the Supreme Judicial Court in a bid to keep them closed. But the states highest court upheld Caseys decision to hold the hearings in public, finding the public interest outweighed the mens right to privacy. The 28 men who could be charged were identified through a search of a phone used to operate the brothel. Each man communicated with the phone 400 or more times, according to court records. The three leaders of the brothel ring were indicted in November 2023 on charges tied to the operation out of apartments in Cambridge, Watertown and eastern Virginia. Since then, all three people Han Lee, Junmyung Lee and James Lee have pleaded guilty to criminal charges. Han Lee was sentenced to four years in prison on Wednesday. A 21-year-old man is facing several criminal charges after police say he hit two women with a truck in the parking lot of a Hyannis restaurant Sunday afternoon, seriously wounding one of the women. At around 1:50 p.m. Sunday, Barnstable police went to the parking area of the Tiki Port restaurant on Route 132 for reports of a hit-and-run involving multiple pedestrians, the department said in a statement. First responders treated two injured women at the scene. One of the women was taken by ambulance to an airport and then brought to a Rhode Island Trauma Center by medical helicopter for treatment of severe injuries, police said. The other woman was taken to Cape Cod Hospital for treatment of minor injuries. Officers identified the vehicle involved in the crash as a white pickup truck. They subsequently located and stopped the truck, police said. The truck driver, Maxwell Dean, 21, of Yarmouthport, was arrested. He is charged with two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and one count each of leaving the scene of an accident with personal injury, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, operating with a suspended license, operation of an unregistered motor vehicle, operation of an uninsured motor vehicle and attaching wrong motor vehicle plates to conceal identity. Dean is being held on $20,000 bail at the Barnstable Police Department. He is set to be arraigned in Barnstable District Court on Monday. The Alaska Pipeline stretches across the landscape on Sept. 11, 2022, outside Coldfoot, Alaska. (Bonnie Jo Mount/The Washington Post) The Washington Post By Evan Halper and Maxine Joselow A decade ago, Democratic governors in New England cheered the demise of a plan to pipe natural gas from the shale fields of western Pennsylvania to population centers across the Northeast. But now, as President Donald Trump seeks to bring the project back from the dead, anxiety over energy costs has state leaders rethinking their opposition. Electricity prices in the Northeast are 40 percent higher than the national average, federal data shows. Bowing to pressure from constituents fed up with higher utility bills and worried that cheap renewable energy is not coming online fast enough, some of the regions Democratic governors are now signaling an openness to negotiating with Trump on the project, known as the Constitution Pipeline. In New York, where regulators played a key role in initially killing the pipeline, Gov. Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, spoke with Trump this month at the White House about the possibility of reviving it. In Connecticut, which has aggressive goals for moving its power grid off fossil fuels, Gov. Ned Lamont, also a Democrat, recently met with senior Trump administration officials about bringing more gas to the state. And in Maine, which has a goal of running on 100 percent renewable electricity by 2040, Democratic Gov. Janet Mills is resisting proposals to ban new gas infrastructure. At the same time, Trump and Energy Secretary Chris Wright have repeatedly called for expediting the permitting process for the 124-mile Constitution Pipeline from Pennsylvania to a hub of smaller pipelines near Albany, New York. They have suggested it could be one of the first projects to benefit from Trumps executive orders declaring a national energy emergency and creating a White House council tasked with fast-tracking new energy infrastructure nationwide. To be sure, it remains uncertain whether the Constitution Pipeline will ever be built, even if a bipartisan coalition of political leaders throws its weight behind the effort. Pipelines are typically a 30-to-40-year investment, and developers that already lost hundreds of millions of dollars on their first attempt worry that New Englands appetite for gas will subside as more wind, solar and nuclear power become available. And environmental groups remain fiercely opposed, complicating the path in states where they have considerable influence. Even so, the Constitution is one of several zombie gas pipeline projects across the country that Trump is trying to resurrect after promising on the campaign trail to bring down energy prices and tackle soaring electricity demand. Some of these projects are more viable than others. The developer of the Keystone XL pipeline from Canadian tar sands to Gulf Coast refineries, for instance, canceled the controversial project in 2021 and said in a recent statement that it has moved on. The company behind the Line 5 pipeline from Wisconsin to Ontario, in contrast, is making progress toward relocating a key segment after years of delays under the Biden administration and legal challenges from Michigans Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. The new momentum behind the pipeline comes as Democrats reckon with voter defections in low-income communities grappling with high energy costs, as detailed in a February report by the Progressive Policy Institute, a center-left think tank. It highlighted how energy costs were a significant concern driving votes in poor, predominantly Black communities in the Boston area, where Trump notched gains in November. If youre a poor resident of public housing in, say, Boston or Dorchester and Roxbury, its really hard for you to see the benefits of tax credits for heat pumps or other policies aimed at curbing fossil fuel use, said Elan Sykes, the reports author. This is really something that we as Democrats need to recognize. Limited gas supply has left many New England voters reliant on home heating oil in the winter, driving up their costs, the report says. Theyre burning more oil and burning more coal in New England than ever before because they refuse to put a natural gas pipeline in, and their prices are going up, said former Democratic senator Mary Landrieu of Louisiana, the co-chair of Natural Allies for a Clean Energy Future, an advocacy group seeking to build support for gas among liberal voters. These politicians need to change or they wont be holding their offices very long. A long battle First proposed in 2013, the Constitution Pipeline has become a case study for many gas industry executives for why it takes too long to approve new U.S. energy infrastructure. That includes executives at the pipeline giant Williams, which lost hundreds of millions of dollars when the project was canceled last time but is mulling another attempt if Trump and the governors can fast-track permits. That project has been raised by the administration as an example of kind of the lunacy of not building critical infrastructure that has incredible merit, said Chad Zamarin, an executive vice president at Williams. We are using it as an opportunity to highlight the fact that for the last 10 years, we really havent built infrastructure in the Northeast. In 2014, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approved the Constitution Pipeline and authorized the companies to seize land from property owners along its route - a process known as eminent domain. Amid lawsuits and regulatory battles, a blue state put the nail in the coffin. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation in 2016 denied a key water quality permit for the project, saying the companies had failed to show that it wouldnt harm pristine trout streams. After unsuccessfully appealing this decision all the way to the Supreme Court, the companies abandoned the project in 2020, saying it was no longer economically or logistically feasible. Fast forward to 2025 and the project is once again back in the national spotlight, this time with Trump asserting it would address a burgeoning energy crisis in the region. Its a pipeline that will bring down the energy prices in New York and in all of New England, Trump told reporters in the Oval Office last month, suggesting support from governors. It shouldve been done years ago. Hochuls office told reporters that her meeting with Trump was productive - a comment that some energy analysts interpreted as signaling openness to a deal. A climate-forward, blue-state Governor like Hochul might be persuaded to consider supporting a Constitution revival, analysts with the research firm ClearView Energy Partners wrote in a recent note to clients. Trump might conceivably try to strike a bargain with Hochul, perhaps by trading pipeline approvals for another energy-relevant result such as ending the Trump administrations pause on permitting offshore wind projects, they wrote. Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey, a Democrat, who boasted of helping to stop Constitution in the past, is also under increasing pressure to ease her opposition. Boston has some of the highest energy prices in the country, as offshore wind projects intended to bring relief are beset with delays, cost overruns and a permitting pause imposed by the Trump administration. Healeys spokesperson, Karissa Hand, said in a statement that the Massachusetts governor will review any energy proposals through the lens of whether they would lower costs and move us toward energy independence. Officials close to her who were not authorized to speak publicly said that includes proposals for more natural gas infrastructure, as long as ratepayers dont risk getting saddled with a huge bill for pipeline construction. Environmental groups hope to prevail on the governors, however, warning that new gas projects would lock Northeast states into reliance on fossil fuels for decades to come. If we want to have a prayer of hitting our climate goals, we just have to stop building new big interstate pipelines, said Alex Beauchamp, Northeast region director of Food and Water Watch. We have to stop digging the hole and making the problem worse. Many landowners along the pipelines path in New York and northeastern Pennsylvania also remain opposed to the project. While Trump said last month that the administration would rather not have to do eminent domain, some landowners say they wont leave for any amount of compensation. Nothing has changed on our end - my family has no interest in signing an easement agreement and certainly wont, said Megan Holleran, whose familys land in New Milford Township, Pennsylvania, was temporarily taken by eminent domain in 2016. Holleran said her familys maple syrup business was devastated when the companies behind Constitution clear-cut more than 500 maple trees. Today, she said, the saplings are just starting to grow back. Icons for the smartphone apps Xiaohongshu and TikTok are seen on a smartphone screen in Beijing, Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Andy Wong) AP AP A trio of Democratic lawmakers on Capitol Hill has offered to work with the Trump White House to keep TikTok online in the United States, U.S. Sens. Ed Markey of Massachusetts, Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, and Cory Booker of New Jersey made the offer in a Monday letter to President Donald Trump as they sought an update on the Republican administrations efforts to keep the lights on for the popular video-sharing site. Without any further action from Congress, the 170 million Americans that rely on TikTok will continue to face uncertainty about TikToks future, the lawmakers wrote. Creators will continue to fear that the platform could disappear at any moment. This situation is unfair and unworkable. Trump, who previously backed a TikTok ban, signed an executive order shortly after taking office giving the U.S. Department of Justice a 75-day stay on a law ordering TikToks Chinese owner, ByteDance, to divest from the wildly popular social media application or face a U.S. ban. On Monday, the three lawmakers said that the White Houses action was unlawful, and it also raised serious questions about TikToks future, as the law imposes liabilityup to $850 billion in fineson companies for facilitating TikToks continued operations in the U.S. That 75-day extension expires on April 5. With a qualified divestiture unlikely to occur by that deadline, the Senators urged the Trump administration to work with Congress to keep TikTok online, they argued. But there is a better solution, they continued. Work with Congress. The three lawmakers had previously backed legislation, dubbed the Extend the TikTok Deadline Act, that had been stymied by Senate Republicans. If approved and signed into law, it would have extended the divestiture deadline from the original Jan. 19 to Oct. 16. Earlier this month, the software company Oracle stepped up its efforts to run TikTok. Concerns remain, however, about the security threat about the role its Chinese founders will play in its operation, Politico reported. Vice President JD Vance and national security adviser Mike Waltz are leading the negotiations for the administration, the online news organization reported. The three lawmakers told Trump Monday that if he [needs] additional time to complete a deal, we urge you to direct Senate Republicans to pass our legislation and provide the companies with legal certainty to keep TikTok online and in the app stores over the next few months. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., questions Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President Donald Trump's choice to be the Secretary of Health and Human Services, as he testifies before the Senate Finance Committee during his confirmation hearing, at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana) AP U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren wants President Donald Trumps pick to run the U.S. Social Security Administration to come clean about the Republican White Houses plans for an agency that touches the lives of millions of Americans. Frank Bisignano, the banker and financial technology executive tapped to lead the agency, is set to appear before the Senate Finance Committee on Tuesday. Ahead of that appearance, Warren, D-Mass., and the panels ranking Democrat, U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon, are calling on Bisignano to commit to stopping a raft of executive actions that they fear are a prelude to [privatizing] the New Deal-era agency. The Social Security Administration, which handled benefits for 71.6 million Americans in 2023, has already been rocked by reports of job cuts and shuttered offices, along with new policies that could require in-person office visits. Separately, the administrations critics have raised concerns about the infiltration of tech billionaire Elon Musks lieutenants at the quasi-governmental Department of Governmental Efficiency. Last week, the agencys acting commissioner, Leland Dudek, was forced to walk back a threat to cease operations after a federal judge blocked DOGE staffers from accessing sensitive data housed at the agency, NBC News reported. These new developments leave us deeply concerned that DOGE and the Trump administration are setting up the SSA for failurea failure that could cut off Social Security benefits ... that will then be used to justify a private sector fix," the two lawmakers wrote Bisignano in a letter made public on Monday. The Monday letter comes on top of one that Warren and Wyden sent to Bisignano last week, pressing him on the White Houses plans to trim some 7,000 jobs and its plans to require people who cannot verify their identities online to do so in person. Such a change could force older Americans and people living with disabilities to travel up to 100 miles to sign up for benefits, the lawmakers said. Republicans have flirted with the idea of privatizing Social Security for over two decades. The latest changes at the Social Security Administration leave us worried that Elon Muskwith his clear disdain for the program that provides financial security to millions of Americanshas taken up the mantle as the latest privatization crusader, they wrote to Bisignano on Monday. The White Houses moves on one of the federal governments third-rail entitlement programs come after Trump said that his administration was not touching Social Security. Musk, meanwhile, has described Social Security as the biggest Ponzi scheme of all time. In their Monday letter, Warren and Wyden called on Bisignano to make several commitments before his confirmation vote, including not privatizing any of the agencys operations and not closing Social Security Administration offices if those closings " cause severe disruptions, dramatically increased travel times, or disproportionately impact individuals with severe disabilities or illnesses." Warren and Wyden also called on Bisignano to yank Musks allies from within the agency. You are the nominee to be the next SSA Commissioner, and if confirmed, will have to address the consequences of DOGEs recent actions, they wrote. An American magazine editor who has reported extensively on the Trump administration said he was included in a high-level group chat about a planned military strike in Yemen. Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, wrote about the extraordinary experience in a piece published Monday headlined The Trump administration accidentally texted me its war plans. The world found out shortly before 2 p.m. eastern time on March 15 that the United States was bombing Houthi targets across Yemen, Goldberg wrote. I, however, knew two hours before the first bombs exploded that the attack might be coming. Goldberg, 59, who has helmed the magazine since 2016, wrote Monday that he received a connection request on Signal, an encrypted messaging application, from someone identifying themselves as Michael Waltz on March 11. Goldberg, who has spent years covering foreign affairs, wrote that he assumed that the Waltz in question was National Security Adviser Michael Waltz. Goldberg said he found the request unusual, given the White Houses confrontational relationship with the press and President Donald Trumps periodic fixation on me specifically. Goldberg made national headlines and earned Trumps enmity in September 2020, when he revealed that the Republican viewed Americans who died in combat as losers and suckers. Goldberg also noted that the connection request could have been a set-up by someone masquerading as Waltz to somehow entrap me. Two days later, on March 13, Goldberg wrote that he was to be included in a Signal chat group dubbed the Houthi PC small group. Others included in the group chat were Vice President JD Vance, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, and CIA Director John Ratcliffe. A total of 18 senior White House and National Security Council officials, such as White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, Middle East negotiator Steve Witkoff, and Trump confidant Stephen Miller, also were on the chat, Goldberg, who was identified as JG on the chat, reported. Goldberg wrote that he continued to harbor doubts about the chat groups authenticity. I had very strong doubts that this text group was real, because I could not believe that the national-security leadership of the United States would communicate on Signal about imminent war plans, he wrote. I also could not believe that the national security adviser to the president would be so reckless as to include the editor in chief of The Atlantic in such discussions with senior U.S. officials, up to and including the vice president." Conversations unfolded over the next several days, including an exchange where Vance, who has not deviated publicly from Trumps position on virtually any issue, appeared to do just that. I am not sure the president is aware how inconsistent this is with his message on Europe right now. Theres a further risk that we see a moderate to severe spike in oil prices, the Vance participant texted to the chat group. I am willing to support the consensus of the team and keep these concerns to myself. But there is a strong argument for delaying this a month, doing the messaging work on why this matters, seeing where the economy is, etc. An internal debate about the timing of the attack, which included Ratcliffe and Hegseth ensued, Goldberg wrote. The veteran journalist related another text exchange, on Saturday March 15, involving Hegseth, a onetime Fox News host that underscored the shocking recklessness of this Signal conversation. The post contained operational details of forthcoming strikes on Yemen, including information about targets, weapons the U.S. would be deploying, and attack sequencing. The airstrike against targets in Yemen came later in the day, shortly before 2 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, Goldberg wrote. On Sunday, March 16, Waltz appeared on ABCs This Week and contrasted the strikes with the Biden administrations more hesitant approach. These were not kind of pinprick, back-and-forthwhat ultimately proved to be feckless attacks, he said, according to Goldberg. This was an overwhelming response that actually targeted multiple Houthi leaders and took them out. A spokesperson for the National Security Council confirmed the veracity of the chat group. A spokesperson for Vance, meanwhile, stressed that the vice president remained onside with Trump, Goldberg wrote. I have never seen a breach quite like this. It is not uncommon for national security officials to communicate on Signal. But the app is used primarily for meeting planning and other logistical mattersnot for detailed and highly confidential discussions of a pending military action," Goldberg wrote. And, of course, Ive never heard of an instance in which a journalist has been invited to such a discussion. This combination photo shows President Donald Trump speaking during a news conference, Oct. 25, 2024, in Austin, Texas, left, and Joe Rogan at a UFC event, Aug. 18, 2023, in Boston. (AP Photo) AP Joe Rogan has a breaking point with Trump, and its over a rivalry with Americas neighbor to the north: Canada. The relationship hasnt been very neighborly recently, with President Donald Trump calling for Canada to become the 51st state and newly sworn in Prime Minister calling the idea crazy. We will never, ever, in any way shape or form, be part of the United States. America is not Canada, Carney said. We are very fundamentally a different country. Rogan endorsed Trump on the eve of the November election over Twitter during an interview with Elon Musk. But in a recent episode of his podcast, The Joe Rogan Experience, featuring comedian Michael Kosta, Rogan appeared to have soured to at least some of Trumps policies. Why are we upset at Canada? This is stupid. They booed us over tariffs, Rogan said, as reported by Sky News, referring to impending 25% tariffs being imposed on both Mexico and Canada. Rogan said that the United States has got to become friends with Canada again. This is so ridiculous. I cant believe that theres like anti-American and anti-Canadian sentiment going on. Its the dumbest f***ing feud, he said. I just want America and Canada to get along. I think its ridiculous... and I dont really think they should be our 51st state. HADLEY Farmers and their allies crowded the lawn of the Hadley Town Hall Sunday afternoon, backed by a line of farm machinery decked out with large protest signs. The messages decried cuts to programs needed to maintain the countrys food supply and keep farmers in operation. At least 300 people cheered speakers calling for reliable funding for small and medium farms, the sizes most common in New England. 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The streets of New York were filled with the lively sounds of traditional Irish music over the St Patrick's weekend as three Achill pipers took part in two major parades; the iconic 5th Avenue parade through the heart of New York City on St Patrick's Day and the Throggs Neck Parade in The Bronx on March 16. Conor Molloy, John McNamara and James Gallagher hailing from Achill Island brought their unique blend of an Achill piping tradition to the heart of New York City, captivating audiences with their powerful pipes. Read: Roonagh Pier development could be a saviour of Mayo islands, says councillor Their performance was part of a larger collaboration with the renowned Letterkenny Pipe Band, based in County Donegal of which Conor Molloy is the Pipe Major. On March 17, they marched down the famed 5th Avenue in the St Patrick's Day Parade, an event that has been a staple of Irish-American culture for over 260 years. The parade saw thousands of participants, including cultural organizations, Irish groups, and pipe bands, coming together to celebrate Irish heritage and history. Just days earlier, on March 16th, the band also performed in the Throggs Neck Parade, an equally important local celebration. Throggs Neck, a vibrant neighborhood in the Bronx with deep Irish roots, welcomed the band with open arms. For the all three, these performances marked an important moment in the celebration of Irish culture, and their appearance on St Patricks Day in New York showcased the continuing influence of Irish music and tradition in global celebrations. Mayos TDs have been called to act after multiple ambulances were left queuing outside Mayo University Hospital this afternoon (Monday). At least seven ambulances queued outside the hospital as 20 patients were recorded on trolleys earlier this morning. The Castlebar hospitals emergency department has experienced severe overcrowding in recent times, recording 38 patients on trolleys on January 20. Local county councillor Harry Barrett said that lives were being put at risk by the situation and called on Mayos TDs to raise the matter in the Dail. This is not just an overcrowding issueit is an emergency. Lives are being put at risk due to a health system that is failing the people of Castlebar and the county, he said. The Independent councillor said there had been little progress on expanding the emergency department despite repeated promises. A proposed redesign of the existing emergency department (ED) is currently at design phase. This will involve a new ground floor extension, reconfiguration of the existing ED to provide seven additional assessment and treatment spaces, a medical assessment unit with ten spaces, and reconfiguration of C Ward to facilitate the new and provide additional isolation rooms. A submission for capital funding for a new ambulance base in Castlebar is also currently being prepared. Cllr Barrett added that no meaningful action had been taken to recruit more doctors to work in Mayo. Patients and frontline healthcare workers are bearing the brunt of this failure while government representatives remain silent, said Cllr Barrett. I am calling on all Mayo TDs to urgently raise this crisis in the Dail. We need immediate measures to tackle the lack of acute hospital beds, the severe doctor shortages, and the unacceptable ambulance delays. This is not just about numbersthis is about real people, our neighbours, our families, and our communities suffering due to government inaction. The people of Castlebar and County Mayo deserve better. They deserve a functioning health service. If our TDs fail to fight for this in the Dail, they are failing the very people who elected them. The time for excuses is overwe need action, and we need it now. A student from St Joseph's secondary school in Castlebar, Marissa Divilley, attended the national final of 18th All Ireland Linguistics Olympiad (AILO), hosted by the ADAPT Centre at Dublin City University last week. This national finale brings together 104 students from 47 schools spanning 18 counties, all vying for a chance to compete on the international stage this summer. Run by ADAPT, the world-leading Research Ireland Centre for AI-Driven Digital Content Technology, the contest challenges secondary school students to apply logic and reasoning skills to solve complex puzzles that range from Norse scripts to the complexities of the Bukiyip counting systems. The competition is not just about languages, it is a challenge that tests their ability to think differently, analyse data, and decipher rules from the unknown. READ MORE: Road Safety show to return to Mayo for 2025 Director of ADAPT, Professor John D. Kelleher, praised the finalists, saying, The analytical skills displayed by these students are truly inspiring. We are very proud of this competition which exemplifies the passion we have for fostering the next generation of thinkers and innovators. The 104 national finalists came through preliminary rounds held in schools all over the island in January. More than 3,500 students registered for this years contest. Competing in individual and team rounds, today the finalists battle it out for the honour of being one of the four winners who will represent Ireland on the global stage this July in Taipei, Taiwan. The results of the National Final of AILO will be released next week. Tributes have been paid to Mayo playwright, Michael Joe Ginnelly, who was the writer of the hugely popular comedy play, 'A Wake in the West'. A native of Mulranny, Michael Joe Ginnelly passed away over the weekend after a short illness in Galway University Hospital. Michael Joe was one of Mayo's best known playwrights who was the author of the highly-successful full-length plays including 'Pretend Sick', 'Separate Table' and the hugely acclaimed 'A Wake in the West'. A Wake in the West was written by Michael Joe over 25 years ago and was first performed by a local group in Mulranny. It was years later after it was performed by the Westport Drama Group that the dark comedy reached critical acclaim and has been performed by drama groups all around Ireland and even as far afield as America and Australia. READ: Mayo student competes in National Linguistic Olympiad Achill drama groups, Dooega Drama Group, which won the Contribution to the Arts in Mayo Award at the Mayo County Council Cathaoileach awards, and Cumann Dramaiochta An Chorrain both paid tribute to the local playwright and expressed sympathy to his family. It is with great sadness that Cumann Dramaiochta An Chorrain has learned of the passing, following illness, of Mulranny playwright Michael Joe Ginnelly. Michael Joe was the writer of many comedy plays, none more famous than A Wake in the West which earned huge acclaim across many stages, both nationally and internationally. Our drama group enjoyed immensely the staging of this play in 2014, Cumann Dramaiochta An Chorrain posted on Facebook. Dooega Drama Group posted: It is with great sadness that Dooega Drama Group has learned of the passing, after a short illness, of renowned Mulranny playwright Michael Joe Ginnelly. Michael Joe was the writer of many comedy plays, none more famous than A Wake in the West which earned huge acclaim across many a stage, both nationally and internationally. Michael Joe was predeceased by his wife Theresa, parents and brother Pat and survived by his son Thomas and daughter Ann Marie, sister Anne, grandchildren and a large circle of family and friends. He will repose at his residence at Bunnahowna, Mulranny on Tuesday evening from 4pm until 7pm with removal to the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Mulranny on Wednesday morning for Mass at 10.30am. Cremation to follow in Shannon Crematorium. A LOUISBURGH-based councillor has called for an educational campaign to warn of the dangers of gorse fires after a huge fire resulted in the evacuation of homes during the week. Hundreds of acres of land were burnt and wildlife killed in the Cregganbaun area of Louisburgh when a gorse fire started near Glenkeen on Thursday afternoon and was only brought under control in the early hours of Friday morning. Some houses had to be evacuated as the first spread dangerously close to them and the loss of property and human life was prevented due to trojan work of local firefighters and farmers who worked through the night to quell the blaze. READ: Tributes paid following death of Mayo playwright Speaking at the monthly meeting of the Westport/Belmullet Municipal District, Cllr Chris Maxwell praised all the people who fought the fire and used agricultural equipment to spray water and dampen the area. He said that they prevented a total disaster and urged Mayo County Council to consider promoting an educational campaign to prevent these fires from starting in the first place. Meitheal The Meitheal was evident in the community and that is what saved the day. There were a couple of hundred acres that burnt and it started along the main road in Glenkeen and nobody knows how it started. It certainly wasn't farmers who lit it deliberately and the only other thing which is possible is it is a very busy tourism road and someone passing by may have thrown out a cigarette butt. Nobody knows what happened but it happened. Maybe there should be an educational campaign done to remind people on holidays not to discard their rubbish or cigarettes because this can happen again and can happen very simply. It is important that Mayo County Council acknowledge that and make people aware of the dangers. We were so lucky that there was no human life loss, he said. The Independent Ireland councillor also questioned why the use of a helicopter to gather water to put on the fire was not used in this instance. He said that the fire came very close to a forest and had it caught fire it would burn all the way to Roonagh and would not be stopped. Seamus O Mongain, Head of the Municipal District, said that the fire service would have the authority to make the decision to call in the services of a helicopter if they felt it was needed. Chinese, US families meet in Shanghai after photo exchange on RedNote touched millions of netizens 14:44, March 24, 2025 By Li Yawei, Xue Ke ( Global Times Rongrong's family and Brecken's family take selfies at the hotel in Shanghai on March 22, 2025. (Li Yawei/GT) Brecken Neumann, a citizen from the US state of Mississippi, joined RedNote in January along with many other "TikTok refugees," where he posted a photo of himself and his daughter with the caption, "Hello everyone! This is myself and my daughter saying hello to all and look forward to all the new friends we make across the sea!" Soon after, a Chinese internet user named Rongrong replied with a heartwarming photo of her family, also sending greetings to Brecken. The scene of two families from the US and China communicating across the ocean on RedNote touched the hearts of millions of netizens in both countries. Brecken's RedNote post has received over 127,000 likes and 18,000 comments. A repost of their exchange on X garnered over 7.9 million views on X platform. These two families met for the first time in Shanghai on Saturday. Six hours before the Brecken family's arrival, Rongrong's family had already begun preparations. They purchased Qingtuan, traditional glutinous rice dumplings, from Shanghai's most authentic pastry shop. "In our tradition, Qingtuan symbolizes reunion and is what we give friends as gifts," Rongrong explained. The couple taught their 19-month-old daughter how to pronounce Brecken family members' names and how to greet them in English. They also prepared a bouquet featuring Phalaenopsis orchids, representing pure friendship. "They're here!" Rongrong shouted excitedly the moment the US family emerged from customs, her voice echoing through the terminal. "I felt my adrenaline surge when I saw them," she told the Global Times. Reporters from the Global Times noted that the two families exchanged gifts at the airport. The Brecken's family presented hoodies printed with "Let's Be Friends" in Chinese. Rongrong's 19-month-old daughter (right) and Brecken's 16-month-old daughter share cookies at Shanghai Pudong Airport on March 22, 2025. (Li Yawei/GT) Their toddlers - Brecken's 16-month-old daughter and Rongrong's 19-month-old girl, - also met for the first time. When Rongrong's daughter shared a cookie, the blue-eyed little guest reached out to take it for the two children, a single cookie could build a bridge. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun) by Ray Schultz , March 23, 2025 The Philadelphia Inquirer has shut down its communities and engagement desk -- resulting in a staff layoff, Axios reports. However, the NewsGuild Union charged that the closure reflects a retreat from the Inquirers commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). In January, the company identified 10 jobs to be eliminated, including eight within the newsroom, CEO Lisa Hughes told the staff in an email on Friday. The company and the NewsGuild union offered buyout packages and more generous separation terms than were called for by the contract, Axios adds. by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, March 24, 2025 Three Senate Democrats are asking President Donald Trump to support a bill that would give TikTok an additional six months to separate from China-based parent company ByteDance. Without any further action from Congress, the 170 million Americans that rely on TikTok will continue to face uncertainty about TikToks future, Senators Ed Markey (D-Massachusetts), Chris Van Hollen (D-Maryland) and Cory Booker (D-New Jersey) said in a letter to Trump. Creators will continue to fear that the platform could disappear at any moment. This situation is unfair and unworkable, the lawmakers added. The lawmakers are asking Trump to support the proposed Extend the TikTok Deadline Act, which would extend TikTok's divestiture deadline until October 16. Senate Republicans blocked passage of our bill, the lawmakers wrote to Trump. If you need additional time to complete a deal, we urge you to direct Senate Republicans to pass our legislation and provide the companies with legal certainty to keep TikTok online and in the app stores over the next few months. advertisement advertisement The lawmakers introduced the bill on January 14, several days before the Supreme Court upheld the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act (H.R. 7521). That law set a January 19 for TikTok to separate from ByteDance, or be banned from U.S. app stores. After Trump was sworn in as president, he signed an executive order that extended TikTok's divestiture deadline until April 5. He also has reportedly suggested the administration might approve a deal between ByteDance and U.S. companies -- including Oracle -- that would allow TikTok to remain in the country. The senators call Trump's unilateral extension of the deadline unlawful, arguing that Congress is the appropriate body to revise the deadline set out in the Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act. The path to saving TikTok should run through Capitol Hill, they write. In addition to asking Trump to support the bill that would extend TikTok's divestiture deadline, the lawmakers are also asking Trump to answer several questions -- including whether he intends to issue another executive order that would extend the deadline, and whether his administration is considering approving a deal that would give Oracle a stake in TikTok. by Teresa Buyikian , March 24, 2025 Fireball Whisky is targeting an older demographic in its latest publicity campaign -- a lot older. The brand will award a lifetime supply of the spicy cinnamon spirit to customers 90 years old or older, for the elders who dont just raise a glass, they raise hell, too. The most epic senior discount ever contest is open to anyone born in or before 1935, but the brand insists the free whisky is strictly for nonagenarians themselves; No passing it down in the will, no sneaky whisky inheritance loopholes. "Weve seen them all over social, weve heard directly from the source, and we can confirm one undeniable truth: Senior citizens love Fireball, said Danny Suich, global brand director for Fireball in the announcement. And who are we to argue with their years of wisdom? After all, they were born right as Prohibition was ending and have been breaking barriers and bringing the heat ever since. Its time to celebrate the 90+ crowd, the party royalty who never stopped turning up. advertisement advertisement Consumers 90 and over can log on to LifetimeSupplyofFireball.com to submit their info by March 31 (the 90th day of the year) upload a photo, and answer the question: How do you keep the mischief alive at 90+? Consumers can also nominate a 90-something friend or relative and submit the info on their behalf. Those who are still old-school can mail their info and photo to the brands Louisville, Kentucky headquarters. An independent panel of judges will review the entries and select a maximum total of 15 potential grand prize winners. Entries will be judged on creativity, originality and humor/inspiration, which comprises 75% of the score, and how the entry best represents Fireball in a positive light, which is the remaining 25% of the score. The lifetime supply of Fireball actually presented to the winners will be in the form of a check for $2,400. by Ray Schultz , March 24, 2025 Gannett has avoided a threatened walkout in New Jersey by reaching a two-year contract deal with reporters on the Bergen Record, Daily Record, and New Jersey Herald. The contract, which provides average salary increases of 25%, was ratified by 95% of the employees, according to the Record Guild union, which represents 68 editorial employees. We know our worth as journalists, and were finally being paid for it, says Kaitlyn Kanzler, unit chair of the Record Guild. The new agreement provides for: An end to at will employment, and creation of a process for dealing with visas and immigration issues, including time away from work to deal with immigration problems Controls over the use of artificial intelligence An average $15,000 annual raise for the 30 lowest-paid union members Ten weeks of paid parental leave A three-hour minimum pay/work when reporters are called back for more than fifteen minutes on a day off advertisement advertisement I stand with journalists and employees at the Bergen Record in their fight for a good contract, says Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-Tenafly), who is also the Democratic gubernatorial candidate. The Record is a cornerstone of the North Jersey community, and their workers deserve wages that let them live and thrive in the communities they serve. Earlier this month, union members voted to walk out. Record Guild reporters have lost 45% of their original members since they voted to unionize almost four years ago. Advertisement Proposal to appoint Mr Bob White (American, 1962) as a new member of the Supervisory Board, with effect from May 8, 2025. Proposals to re-appoint Ms Indra Nooyi (American, 1955) and Ms Chua Sock Koong (Singaporean, 1957) as members of the Supervisory Board, with effect from May 8, 2025. Proposal to re-appoint Mr Marnix van Ginneken (Dutch, 1973) as a member of the Philips Board of Management, with effect from May 8, 2025. Advertisement For further information, please contact: Michael Fuchs, Philips Global External Relations, Tel.: +31 61486 9261, E-mail: [email protected] Dorin Danu, Philips Investor Relations, Tel.: +31 20 59 77055, E-mail: [email protected] About Royal Philips Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA) is a leading health technology company focused on improving peoples health and well-being through meaningful innovation. Philips patient- and people-centric innovation leverages advanced technology and deep clinical and consumer insights to deliver personal health solutions for consumers and professional health solutions for healthcare providers and their patients in the hospital and the home. Headquartered in the Netherlands, the company is a leader in diagnostic imaging, ultrasound, image-guided therapy, monitoring and enterprise informatics, as well as in personal health. Philips generated 2024 sales of EUR 18.0 billion and employs approximately 67,800 employees with sales and services in more than 100 countries. News about Philips can be found at www.philips.com/newscenter. Forward-looking statements This release contains certain forward-looking statements with respect to the financial condition, results of operations and business of Philips and certain of the plans and objectives of Philips with respect to these items. Examples of forward-looking statements include statements made about the strategy, estimates of sales growth, future EBITA, future developments in Philips organic business and the completion of acquisitions and divestments. By their nature, these statements involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to future events and circumstances and there are many factors that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these statements. Attachments The Kidney Transplant Fast Track approach coordinates testing onsite, reduces patient burden, shortens wait times, and eliminates racial disparities in kidney transplant access. Trusted Source "Concierge" Screening for Kidney Transplant Candidates Leads to Better Outcomes, UNM Researcher Finds Go to source Trusted Source Did You Know? On average, a kidney transplant from a living donor lasts for 20-25 years, while a kidney from a deceased donor lasts 15-20 years. #medindia #kidney #transplant On average, a kidney transplant from a living donor lasts for 20-25 years, while a kidney from a deceased donor lasts 15-20 years. #medindia #kidney #transplant Advertisement Questioning the Burden Placed on Patients and Families Trusted Source Kidney Transplant Fast Track and Likelihood of Waitlisting and Transplant Go to source Trusted Source Advertisement Increased Kidney Transplant Rates for Patients in the KTFT Group Psychological Impact of Uncertainty on Patients "Concierge" Screening for Kidney Transplant Candidates Leads to Better Outcomes, UNM Researcher Finds - (https://hscnews.unm.edu/news/concierge-screening-for-kidney-transplant-candidates-leads-to-better-outcomes-unm-researcher-finds) Kidney Transplant Fast Track and Likelihood of Waitlisting and Transplant - (https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/article-abstract/2831195) Patients seeking a kidney transplant must first complete a series of medical tests to assess their eligibility for the procedure and ensure they are healthy enough to take immunosuppressant medications after the transplant to prevent organ rejection ().In many transplant centers, patients are responsible for scheduling tests such as cardiac catheterizations, CT scans , mammograms, or colonoscopies, which can take a year or more to finish. As a result, some patients may never complete the process, while others may become sicker or pass away.But a new study published inled 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, Ph.D., 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.She said, 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? she said. Can we do something as an organization to change our behavior and address the needs of the patient?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, were 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 Mexicos 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 Im thinking about how we change the health care system to meet the needs of our patients.Source-Eurekalert A new study reveals that men who skip prostate cancer screenings face a significantly higher risk of dying from the disease, emphasizing the need for improved participation in screening programs. Highlights: Men who skip prostate cancer screenings have a 45% higher risk of dying from the disease Screening can reduce the risk of death by 20%, with non-attenders facing a 39% higher risk Understanding why men avoid screenings is crucial for improving participation and outcomes Trusted Source EAU25 Press Release: Worse outcomes for men who avoid prostate cancer screening Go to source Trusted Source Did You Know? A man is diagnosed with prostate cancer every 2 minutes. 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime. #medindia #cancer #prostate A man is diagnosed with prostate cancer every 2 minutes. 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime. #medindia #cancer #prostate Advertisement Rising Prevalence of Prostate Cancer in Men Advertisement Risk of Skipping Prostate Cancer Screenings Encouraging Informed Participation in Prostate Cancer Screening Effectiveness of Prostate Cancer Screening AU25 Press Release: Worse outcomes for men who avoid prostate cancer screening - (https://eaucongress.uroweb.org/eau25-press-release-worse-outcomes-for-men-who-avoid-prostate-cancer-screening/ ) Men who consistently skip prostate cancer screening appointments face aof dying from the disease, revealing a new high-risk group ().This finding comes from an analysis of data collected from seven countries as part of the European Randomized Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer (ERSPC), the. The results are being presented this weekend at the European Association of Urology (EAU) Congress in Madrid. Prostate cancer is the most common form of cancer in men in 112 countries, with prevalence expected to. If introduced on a national scale, prostate cancer screening programmes that measure levels of(PSA) in the blood have the potential to give men earlier access to treatment, a better chance of being cured. They can also prevent costly treatment associated with advanced prostate cancer.Long-term follow-up data from the ERSPC consistently report that PSA screening programmes can lead to a 20% reduced risk of dying from prostate cancer.A sub-analysis of 20-year follow-up data from the ERSPC is the first to explore the relationship between consistently rejecting screening invitations and the risk of dying from prostate cancer. The findings highlight a stark contrast, emphasizing the serious consequences of avoiding screening. The analysis was conducted by researchers from the Department of Urology at Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, University Medical Center Rotterdam, The Netherlands.Out of 72,460 men invited to screening, about one in six (more than 12,400) did not attend any of the appointments. This group faced aof dying from prostate cancer compared to those who participated in the screenings.When comparing outcomes with the control group men who were never invited to screening men who attended screening appointments had aof dying from prostate cancer, while non-attenders faced a 39% higher risk of death from the disease.Deciding not to participate in screening is a choice that may be driven by a complex mix of factors, according to the studys lead author, Renee Leenen M.D., a Ph.D. researcher in the group of Professor Monique Roobol at the Erasmus MC Cancer Institute.It may be that men who opted not to attend a screening appointment are care avoiders, meaning theyre less likely to engage in healthy behaviours and preventative care in general. This is the opposite behaviour of people who are perhaps more health conscious and are more likely to attend a screening appointment.Our study identifies that men who were invited for screening, but do not attend screening appointments are at significantly higher risk of dying from prostate cancer compared to men who were not offered screening or accepted an invitation for screening. We need to better understand who these men are, why they choose not to attend appointments, and how to motivate them. This will help us to design population-based prostate cancer screening programmes that encourage higher rates of informed participation. Tackling attendance rates in this way could be a big factor in the long-term success of a national prostate screening programme.Through the EAU-led PRAISE-U project, several EU countries are collaborating to standardize approaches to patient-tailored, risk-based population screening programs for prostate cancer. This new research underscores the critical importance of attendance for the success of national prostate cancer screening initiatives, highlighting the need to raise awareness and tackle inequalities in access to screening for this higher-risk group of men.The analysis also suggests that the overall benefits of prostate cancer screening are greater than previously believed, according to Dr. Tobias Nordstrom, Clinical Urologist at the Karolinska Institute in Sweden and Member of the EAU Scientific Congress Office.For countries around Europe that are planning to introduce a national prostate screening programme, this analysis focusing on attendance shows that men who participate in screening have a much-improved long-term benefit than what weve seen from previous studies, he said.But it highlights a group of men who need our attention, as theyre more at risk of developing advanced prostate cancer and dying from it. We need to better understand why these men might actively choose not to participate in screening, despite being invited to attend, and how this behaviour is linked to worse outcomes when they get a diagnosis.The sub-analysis included 20 years of follow-up data from 161,000 men aged 55-69 years participating in the ERSPC across Finland, the Netherlands, Italy, Sweden, Switzerland, Belgium, and Spain. The ERSPC, which began in 1990 across eight European countries, provided the data for this study. The full results of this sub-analysis are anticipated to be published later this year.In conclusion, this research shows that men who skip prostate cancer screenings are at a much higher risk of dying from the disease. Improving attendance is crucial, and understanding why some men avoid screenings could help make these programs more effective. By raising awareness and addressing barriers to participation, we can improve early detection and save more lives.Source-Medindia Please use one of the following formats to cite this article in your essay, paper or report: APA Dr. Pavithra. (2025, March 24). World Tuberculosis Day 2025: The Urgent Need for Sustained Funding . Medindia. Retrieved on Jul 05, 2025 from https://www.medindia.net/news/healthwatch/world-tuberculosis-day-2025-the-urgent-need-for-sustained-funding-219331-1.htm. MLA Dr. Pavithra. "World Tuberculosis Day 2025: The Urgent Need for Sustained Funding". Medindia. Jul 05, 2025. . Chicago Dr. Pavithra. "World Tuberculosis Day 2025: The Urgent Need for Sustained Funding". Medindia. https://www.medindia.net/news/healthwatch/world-tuberculosis-day-2025-the-urgent-need-for-sustained-funding-219331-1.htm. (accessed Jul 05, 2025). Harvard Dr. Pavithra. 2025. World Tuberculosis Day 2025: The Urgent Need for Sustained Funding. Medindia, viewed Jul 05, 2025, https://www.medindia.net/news/healthwatch/world-tuberculosis-day-2025-the-urgent-need-for-sustained-funding-219331-1.htm. In 2019, Akshay Kumar starred in producer Karan Johars patriotic war drama Kesari which was based on the true story of 21 Sikh soldiers taking on an army of 10,000 Afghan tribesmen on September 12, 1897. Now, in 2025, he returns with its sequel titled Kesari Chapter 2. The film produced by Karan Johar and directed by debutant Karan Singh Tyagi is also based on a true story of lawyer C Sankarans court battle against the British Raj in the aftermath of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre that took place on April 13, 1919, and led to the brutal killings of around 1500 innocent Indians including women and kids. Dharma Productions In the film Akshay Kumar will play the character of the Indian-Malayalee lawyer C Sankaran and reportedly R Madhavan will portray the character of the rival lawyer. The 1-minute-and-39-second teaser features a voiceover talking about the Jallianwala Bagh massacre and introduces us to Akshay Kumar as a lawyer who is seen abusing the British judge in a British court. Sharing the teaser, Akshay Kumar wrote, He held his head high. He beat them at their game. He told them where to go. A genocide India must know about. A revolution painted in courage. #KesariChapter2 teaser out now! Check out the teaser below: Reacting to the teaser, one fan wrote, this flaming eye Day made thankyou Akki sir. Another fan commented, I was literally stuck in a few seconds. I watched it breathlessly and my hair stood on end. This is real cinema. And an actor's arena is content movies. Akshay Kumar's appearance, BGM all look first class and are perfect. Once again I admire you Akshay Sir. Dharma Productions A third fan reacted, I found this teaser strictly average, though I'm super excited for this movie, it'll be a masterclass performance by Akshay Kumar, adding another masterpiece to his list Now, all eyes are on the Trailer. A fourth fan commented, Another national award winning performance loading. Check out the responses below: Indian-origin tech entrepreneur Prasanna Sankar, who co-founded a $10 billion workforce management software Rippling, has allegedly become the latest victim of Indias flawed gender-biased laws. The tech entrepreneur, who is based out of Singapore, expressed his ordeal on social media platform X, detailing how his estranged wife has been harassing him by misusing Indias laws that are often against the best interests of men. iStock The tech entrepreneur finds himself in a bitter legal battle with his estranged wife Dhivya Sashidhar after 10 years of marriage after he discovered that she was allegedly having an extra-marital affair with someone for over six months. Sankar Alleges Wife of Cheating According to Sankar, he came to know of his wifes adultery after the wife of the married man she was allegedly having an affair with sent him some screenshots of their Whatsapp chats and their hotel bookings. In response, Dhivya filed for divorce in America, demanding more sizeable alimony money. Not only that, she accused Sankar of domestic violence, rape, and circulating her nude videos. iStock Sankar, in a long thread, claimed that the Singaporean authorities had investigated these charges and cleared his name. However, his estranged wife had filed fake cases against him in India as well, knowing full well the immunity women enjoy within the Indian legal system. Sankar's social media post details the struggles an Indian man faces while fighting such cases. Instead of being assumed innocent until proven guilty, the Indian men in such cases are presumed guilty, subjecting them to torture and mental agony of the highest order. Custody Battle & Alleged Kidnapping iStock Apart from fighting over the alimony amount, Dhivya is allegedly also using their sons custody battle to get what she wants. After filing for divorce in the USA, Dhivya allegedly 'abducted' their son to the US to extract more money in alimony. In reply, Sankar filed an international child abduction case in the US, and the judge ruled in his favour, ordering the return of the child. iStock The couple later reached an understanding to share custody of their son and settle in Chennai, with Sankar agreeing to pay a whopping 9 crore in alimony and a monthly maintenance of 4.3 lakhs. As part of their mutual agreement, Dhivya had to deposit their childs passport in a shared bank locker but she allegedly refused to comply with the terms and started claiming that their MoU wasnt valid. She even threatened to file another divorce case in the US. When Sankar refused to return their son until the passport was deposited in the common locker, Dhivya filed a kidnapping complaint against him with the Chennai Police. How Indian Laws Fail Men iStock Sankar's experience underlines the difficulties men experience in the Indian judiciary when someone accuses them of heinous crimes such as domestic violence or rape. The presumption of guilt often attaches to the accused and the onus is on them to prove their innocence. Sankar's ordeal is another example of how fake accusations can be weaponised in divorce cases, leading to significant emotional and financial strain. The U.S. military wants to keep training at Pohakuloa, so it's ready to quickly send troops to Asia and the Pacific. Hill Air Force Base in Utah has closed one of its two day care centers, harming quality of life for some service members, civilian employees and their families following hiring freezes ordered by President Donald Trump's administration. Earlier this month, Military.com first reported that Hill -- the service's second-largest base by population and size -- had begun warning certain families that it would likely have to close one of its child development centers, or CDCs, due to a lack of staffing exacerbated, in part, by Trump and billionaire adviser Elon Musk's push to trim the size of the federal workforce. "CDCs traditionally face high turnover, and several recent departures in conjunction with the hiring freeze have reduced the number of supervisors and trainers available," Kendahl Johnson, a Hill Air Force Base spokesperson, told Military.com on Friday. "Maintaining two open CDCs at current personnel levels would pose an unacceptable risk to the 200 children who remain in care at Hill AFB." Read Next: Ride-Sharing Services Finally Coming to Army Installations in Effort to Ease Travel Woes Military.com first learned of the CDC closure Friday and detailed it as part of an in-depth report into military parents, spouses and children's complaints about executive orders harming their quality of life. Johnson said 31 families were disenrolled from Hill's CDC East facility on Friday, after they had been notified in advance on March 12. Notably, on March 18, a Department of Defense memo detailed positions that would be considered exempt from hiring freezes and included "child and youth programs staff," as well as "instructors or facility support staff at DoD schools or child care centers." It appears that the new exemption came too late for Hill Air Force Base's CDC. Johnson told Military.com that, while the freeze is now in effect, "the hiring, on-boarding, and training process will take time." Kayla Corbitt, a military spouse and founder of the Operation Child Care Project -- a nonprofit that advocates for family care for service members and their loved ones, said that one week's notice for those 31 families who were disenrolled from the CDC is too little time. "A week's notice to find alternative care is a harsh timeline," Corbitt said. "Families with two to three months' notice prior to a PCS struggle [to] find care. These are families who will likely need to cobble together care and need safety planning to ensure their children are safe while they return to the mission." An email notifying families they were disenrolled reviewed by Military.com showed it affected priority types 2A through 3F. That includes single or dual defense or Coast Guard employees with full-time, part-time or non-working spouses, including Gold Star spouses. It also applies to defense contractors, deactivated National Guard and reserve personnel, and military retirees. Notably, it also affected Priority 3A, which is active-duty military, as well as National Guard or reserve service members on active duty, with a non-working or part-time student spouse, the email said. Johnson did not respond to a Military.com question asking about the accuracy of the email. "Guard and reserve families are already disproportionately impacted with a lack of care access due to their on-again, off-again duty status," Corbitt said. "This swift loss of care will create additional hardships for a mission-essential community." Johnson told Military.com on Friday that Hill Air Force Base leadership is "looking at all options to provide quality child care options while the facility remains closed." News of the CDC closing at Hill comes after an incident at the Utah installation in which 37 kids were allegedly abused at the day care center and a Military.com investigation revealed oversight and staffing failures across many of the service branches. Related: Hill Air Force Base Prepares to Scale Back Child Care Services Amid Mass Federal Firings, Resignations WASHINGTON As congressional lawmakers scramble to respond to President Donald Trump's slashing of the federal government, one group is already taking a front and center role: military veterans. From layoffs at the Department of Veterans Affairs to a Pentagon purge of archives that documented diversity in the military, veterans have been acutely affected by Trump's actions. And with the Republican president determined to continue slashing the federal government, the burden will only grow on veterans, who make up roughly 30% of the federal workforce and often tap government benefits they earned with their military service. At a moment of crisis for all of our veterans, the VA's system of health care and benefits has been disastrously and disgracefully put on the chopping block by the Trump administration, said Sen. Richard Blumenthal, the top Democrat on the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, at a news conference last week. Most veterans voted for Trump last year nearly 6 in 10, according to AP Votecast, a nationwide survey of more than 120,000 voters. Yet congressional Republicans are standing in support of Trump's goals even as they encounter fierce pushback in their home districts. At a series of town halls this week, veterans angrily confronted Republican members as they defended the cuts made under Trump adviser Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency. "Do your job! Jay Carey, a military veteran, yelled at Republican Rep. Chuck Edwards at a town hall in North Carolina. I'm a retired military officer, an attendee at another forum in Wyoming told Republican Rep. Harriet Hageman before questioning whether DOGE had actually discovered any fraud. Although Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson advised his members to skip the town halls and claimed that they were being filled with paid protesters, some Republicans were still holding them and trying to respond to the criticism. It looks radical, but its not. I call it stewardship, in my opinion, Republican Rep. Gus Bilirakis of Florida said on a tele-town hall. I think theyre doing right by the American taxpayer. And I support that principle of DOGE." Still, some Republicans have expressed unease with the seemingly indiscriminate firings of veterans, especially when they have not been looped in on the administration's plans. At a town hall on Friday, Texas Republican Rep. Dan Crenshaw told the audience, Were learning about this stuff at the speed of light, the way you are. I think theres been some babies thrown out with the bath water here, but were still gathering information on it. Crenshaw, a former Navy SEAL, added, If youre doing a job that we need you to do, youre doing it well, yeah, weve got to fight for you. The Republican chair of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, Rep. Mike Bost, assured listeners on a tele-town hall last week that he and Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins are talking regularly. As the VA implements plans to cut roughly 80,000 jobs, Bost has said he is watching the process closely, but he has expressed support and echoed Collins' assurances that veterans' health care and benefits won't be slashed. They've cut a lot, but understand this: Essential jobs are not being cut, Bost said, but then added that his office was helping alert the VA when people with essential jobs had in fact been terminated. Two federal judges this month ordered the Trump administration to rehire the probationary employees who were let go in the mass firings. At the VA, some of those employees have now been put on administrative leave, but a sense of dread and confusion is still hanging over much of the federal workforce. Were all kind of wondering whats next, said Dan Foster, a Washington state Army veteran who lost his job when the VA canceled a contract supporting a program that educates service members on how to access their benefits and VA programs. Others are angry they have been portrayed as deadweight and cut from jobs they felt played a direct role in helping veterans get health care. For somebody to go on the news and say we are incompetent or lazy that is just false, said Future Zhou, an Army veteran who had a job managing medical supply inventories for operating rooms at the VA facility in Puget Sound, Washington, before she was fired in February. As Democrats search for their political footing and a rallying point to unify them, they have zeroed in on the cause of protecting veterans. In both the House and the Senate, Democrats have introduced legislation that would shield veterans from the mass layoffs. And when Trump spoke to Congress this month, many lawmakers invited veterans as their guests. They are outraged, Sen. Tammy Duckworth, an Illinois Democrat who is an Iraq War veteran and former assistant secretary at the VA. They said Donald Trump promised to watch out for them. And the first thing he does is fire them." Democrats are already pressing their Republican colleagues to show their support for veterans. In negotiations to allow passage of a Republican-backed government funding bill this month, Democrats secured a vote to amend the package to include language that would protect veterans from the federal layoffs. But it failed on party lines in part because the last-minute change would have ensured that Congress missed the deadline to avert a shutdown. With an eye on the midterm elections, VoteVets, a left-leaning veterans' advocacy group, is already launching video ads that feature veterans sharing their stories of being fired and accusing congressional members of doing absolutely nothing. The ads are directed to five potential swing districts held by Republicans who are veterans themselves. Sen. Ruben Gallego, an Arizona Democrat who is also a veteran, said he was unsure whether veterans would shift their political allegiance. But he said it is at least clear veterans are pissed. Gallego said there's an opportunity for Democrats to hammer home the message that Elon Musk and his buddies would rather just deal with the bottom line and try to save billions of dollars so they can have more tax cuts at the expense of veterans. ___ Associated Press writers Meg Kinnard in Chapin, S.C., and Kate Payne in Tallahassee, Fla., contributed. WASHINGTON Second lady Usha Vance plans a trip to Greenland, at a time when President Donald Trump has suggested the United States should take control over the self-governing, mineral-rich territory of American ally Denmark. 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 that will visit historic sites and learn about Greenlandic heritage. Media outlets in Greenland and Denmark reported that Vance would be accompanied by Trump's 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 Denmark, a NATO ally, insisted it wasnt for sale. The people of Greenland also have firmly rejected Trump's plans. Vice President JD Vance said Sunday that Trump doesn't care what the Europeans think. He said Denmark is not doing its job with Greenland and not being a good ally, and if that means that we need to take more territorial interest in Greenland that is what President Trump is going to do, Vance said on Fox News' Sunday Morning Futures. "Because he doesnt care about what the Europeans scream at us, he cares about putting the interests of American citizens first," Vance said. 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 president's eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., visited it in January. On her visit, Usha Vance will attend the Avannaata Qimussersu, Greenlands national dogsled race, featuring about 37 mushers and 444 dogs. The statement said Vance and the U.S. delegation are excited to witness this monumental race and celebrate Greenlandic culture and unity. 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 Trump's 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 country's canal, said that Canada should be America's 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. ___ Associated Press writer Kirsten Grieshaber in Berlin contributed to this report. The new National Medal of Honor Museum is set to officially open to the public on March 25, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. Featuring virtual battlefields and high-definition introductions to the recipients of the nation's highest award for valor, the museum is certainly going to be a delight for military history enthusiasts. But Greg Waters, the museum's director of curatorial affairs, wants potential visitors to know that it's so much more than military history. "We're really a biography museum," Waters told Military.com. "We're really interested in the intensely human stories. Yes, we will talk about service and the Medal of Honor actions, but we're also really interested in telling stories about these recipients. ... They get defined by this one moment in their lives, and rightfully so. Their Medal of Honor actions are incredible, but we want to expand that out just a little bit to take a wider look at their lives." The museum faces the challenge of telling the stories of 3,528 Medal of Honor recipients, some dating back to the Civil War. There are few details about many early ones. Some don't even have photos. But where information is available and artifacts plentiful, Waters is excited to have larger exhibits. He and other staffers spent four years on what he called a "scavenger hunt" to gather artifacts for display in this uniquely dedicated museum. They were looking for both military items and artifacts with personal meaning. Read Next: The Still-Living Janitor Who Received a 'Posthumous' Medal of Honor "We do have a handful of items from actual Medal of Honor actions. Those are always amazing to come across to be able to have on display in the museum," Waters said. "But we're interested in full life stories, so whenever we connect with Medal of Honor families and they share their family heirlooms, their family legacy, we hold onto it and protect it. It's a big responsibility." Here are some of the most incredible artifacts Waters and his team have collected for the museum so far. Jacob Parrott's Medal of Honor Pvt. Jacob Parrott received the Medal of Honor for what might be one of America's earliest special operations. (U.S. Army photo) A tradition and legacy like the Medal of Honor's has to start somewhere, and there could be no better starting point than that of Jacob Parrott, the first-ever Medal of Honor recipient. In 1862, Pvt. Parrott and a handful of other volunteers raided Confederate railways. Their mission was to go deep into enemy territory and tear up the tracks and bridges between Atlanta and Chattanooga, Tennessee. The result is now known as the Great Locomotive Chase. The Union raiders had a little bit of success but ran out of fuel around the Georgia state line and had to abandon their engine. They were all caught by rebel troops. Parrott was exchanged in 1863 and received the Medal of Honor for his daring. "To have the very first medal awarded is huge for our museum," Waters said. "It'll be on loan for a few years from West Point, which is a thrill." Webster Anderson's Prosthetic Arm Webster Anderson would later say that his country could have his other arm if it needed it. (U.S. Army photo) Then-Staff Sgt. Webster Anderson was with the 320th Artillery Regiment, 101st Airborne Infantry Division (Airmobile) in Tam Ky, South Vietnam. One early morning in 1967, his base was attacked by North Vietnamese regulars armed with machine guns, mortars, RPGs, rockets and recoilless rifles. In response, Anderson hopped on a howitzer and began using direct artillery fire against the attackers. When the NVA tried to overrun his guns, he was hit by two grenades that tore through his legs. Undeterred, he got back up, propped himself up and continued firing the gun. When an enemy grenade threatened his men, he picked it up and tried to throw it back, but it exploded as he threw it. "He ends up losing one arm and both of his legs," Waters said. "And so in our collections, we have the prosthetic arm that he wore for years following his service just as a representation of what he lived through and who he was as a person." Douglas Munro's Medal of Honor Douglas Munro aboard the Coast Guard cutter Spencer. (U.S. Coast Guard photo) There's only one Medal of Honor recipient in Coast Guard history, and that is Signalman First Class Douglas Munro. He volunteered to learn to become a coxswain, driving small boats to ferry U.S. Marines to and from shore during the upcoming island-hopping campaigns. Munro directed the landings of two LCTs and eight Higgins boats' worth of Marines into the Battle of Guadalcanal during World War II. When those Marines faced annihilation in an enemy counterattack, Munro sped to the site and used his boat and its .30-caliber weapon to cover and shield the Marines. He died in the act. "We worked closely with the Coast Guard to get his Medal of Honor on display at the museum," Waters said. "The Coast Guard only has one recipient in its history so it's a huge honor to have it." A Huey Helicopter Similar to Patrick Brady's Patrick Henry Brady aboard a UH-1H helicopter in Vietnam. (Patrick Brady/Congressional Medal of Honor Society) In January 1968, Patrick Henry Brady flew his UH-1H ambulance helicopter into a very small site, one blanketed by fog, smoke and small arms fire, in order to save some 51 wounded men -- but he couldn't do it in just one trip. Brady needed three different helicopters and multiple sorties over the course of a day to get all the American and South Vietnamese out of the landing zone, because the LZ was so hot, ground forces couldn't reach it and enemy fire (and even a land mine) damaged his airship. "When I first started, my boss at the time said, 'Hey, I need a helicopter,'" Waters recalled. "I'm like, 'What do you mean?' He was determined to get us a helicopter, so now one of my favorite artifacts is a Huey helicopter that we restored and painted. It's fashioned after the same helicopter that Gen. Patrick Brady flew during his missions as a medevac helicopter pilot." The Marine Corps' Notes to Kyle Carpenter's Family Cpl. Kyle Carpenter receives the Medal of Honor from President Barack Obama in 2014. (White House) In 2014, Cpl. Kyle Carpenter received the Medal of Honor for an act of selflessness not many recipients survive. In 2010, he was a lance corporal, positioned on a sandbagged rooftop in Afghanistan's Helmand Province. When the Taliban attacked, they came at the Marines with grenades, one of which landed in Carpenter's position. Carpenter immediately tried to shield his fellow Marines from the blast, taking most of the brunt of the damage. Somehow, he survived. "Carpenter is the youngest living recipient," Waters said. "He jumped on a hand grenade to save fellow Marines on a rooftop and was in the hospital for 2 years. From Kyle, we got some incredible artifacts. When he was in the hospital, his mom was his main caretaker and they have a kid's toothbrush. It was the softest one they could find to brush his teeth." The museum also has the original voicemail the Corps left for Carpenter's family to inform them of the incident on the rooftop. In that same vein, the family donated their handwritten notes, scribbled as the Marine Corps told his parents about his injuries. "It's about trying to help people understand that these were just incredibly normal people that did truly incredible things in this moment when they had to make a decision," Waters continued. "We can replicate that in our daily lives if we want to. Not to the extent that they did, but on maybe some small level, be a little more patriotic, be a little more courageous, whatever that means for the individual visitor." Want to Learn More About Military Life? Whether you're thinking of joining the military, looking for post-military careers or keeping up with military life and benefits, Military.com has you covered. Subscribe to Military.com to have military news, updates and resources delivered directly to your inbox. For U.S. service members of a certain era of the Global War on Terrorism, the Defense Department's operational security training featured a familiar hero. Jeff, sporting a blue sweater-vest and goatee, served as a comforting guide to troops getting caught up on their OPSEC hygiene as part of the Pentagon's annual Cyber Awareness Challenge, offering recommendations and advice to his hapless digital coworker Tina. Before he was summarily replaced in 2019, Jeff also became the subject of thousands of memes over the years, both a cheeky joke between service members and, in turn, an avatar of cyber mindfulness and effective OPSEC. Jeff wasn't the hero we deserve, but in an era defined by pervasive cyber and information warfare threats from adversaries like Russia and China, he was the one we needed. But if Jeff were alive today, he would be absolutely furious. Read Next: 5 Powerful Artifacts in the New National Medal of Honor Museum On Monday, The Atlantic editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg published a bombshell article detailing how several high-ranking members of the Trump administration had accidentally included him in a group chat on commercial messaging platform Signal involving the military's March 15 bombing of the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. Added to the signal group -- titled "Houthi PC [principals committee] small group" -- by White House National Security Adviser Michael Waltz, the group included Vice President JD Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, among others. The timeline of the chat covers the run-up to and execution of the airstrikes, including back-and-forth conversations on whether to go forward or pause with the campaign -- a decision that Hegseth stated in a message he would "do all we can to enforce 100% OPSEC" around. (The Signal thread is worth reading in full. When reached for comment by The Atlantic, the White House confirmed the authenticity of the Signal messages, stating that "the thread is a demonstration of the deep and thoughtful policy coordination between senior officials.") There are a few questions that come to mind upon reading through the group chat. Why are senior White House and defense officials using a commercial chat app like Signal instead of, say, a sensitive compartmented information facility, known as a SCIF, or a room built specifically for these kinds of situations? How did someone accidentally add a seasoned journalist (let alone the magazine's top editor) to such a sensitive conversation, apart from confusing their initials for someone like, say, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer? And, more importantly: What does Hegseth think "100% OPSEC" means? This entire episode is, it goes without saying, world-historically embarrassing for a national security apparatus that has in recent weeks made a fuss about identifying and punishing leakers. But the episode gets even worse when you consider Chief Pentagon Spokesman Sean Parnell's March 17 comments to journalists on accountability among military leaders. "If you have a private that loses a sensitive item, that loses night vision goggles, that loses a weapon, you can bet that that private is going to be held accountable. The same and equal standards must apply to senior military leaders," Parnell said. Time will tell whether those standards are actually applied. In the meantime, one thing is certain: The White House has utterly and entirely failed Jeff -- and when it comes to OPSEC, I can think of few crimes worse. Related: OPSEC Tina Returns for COVID-19 Cyber Awareness The Braves have released right-handed reliever Dany Jimenez, per the teams transaction log at MLB.com. He was non-tendered by the As in November and signed a minor league deal with Atlanta back in mid-January. The 31-year-old Jimenez appeared in three spring games for Atlanta but only totaled one inning. He faced ten batters, walked five of them and allowed a pair of runs to score. He was never a likely candidate to make the roster, but hell now look for new opportunities rather than head to Triple-A Gwinnett. The Braves selected Hector Neris and Enyel De Los Santos earlier this week, adding to a bullpen that was already anchored by several notable veterans (Raisel Iglesias, Pierce Johnson, Aaron Bummer, Dylan Lee). Atlantas general bullpen depth didnt leave a particularly strong path toward earning a big league look. Jimenez posted a 3.43 ERA in 57 2/3 big league innings from 2022-23 despite a pedestrian 23% strikeout rate and bloated 13.4% walk rate. His strike-throwing woes intensified in 2024, when Jimenez walked more than 16% of his opponents en route to a 4.91 earned run average across 25 2/3 frames. His average fastball also fell off noticeably, per Statcast, falling from his career-high 93.9 mph in 2022 to 92.5 mph in 2024. Given the down year in 2024 and the pronounced struggles when he got his few looks in big league camp with Atlanta, Jimenez will likely be limited to a minor league deal wherever he lands. He does have two option years and another four seasons of club control remaining, but hed need to pitch his way onto a 40-man roster with a nice performance in Triple-A before those factors much of a consideration. Female bLO, (Of, bL:X,O) and a newly hatched chick at the Lake Michigan shoreline at Silver Lake State Park in Oceana County. Lindsay Scheffler LANSING, MI Michigan wildlife officials are picking up the tab for critical efforts in Great Lakes piping plover conservation work. For years, officials with the state Department of Natural Resources (DNR) hired about five seasonal piping plover monitors to work at state parks where the federally endangered shorebirds annually nest on the beach. This year, federal grant money that pays for three of those five positions was not released by the Trump administration. Nevertheless, Michigan DNR officials decided not to cut the program short. The state will pay for those endangered species-focused workers anyway, even without federal money awarded through the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI). The shift represents another example of the state feeling the impact of funding freezes and cutbacks ordered by the Trump administration and multi-billionaire Elon Musks Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The monitors educate park visitors, monitor bird behavior, record nesting site information, and communicate conservation efforts with the rest of the plover team, said Ed Golder, DNR spokesperson. Michigans plans for the 2025 nesting season are for two monitors at Silver Lake State Park, and one each at Ludington State Park, Leelanau State Park, and Fishermans Island State Park. All four of the state parks are along the Lake Michigan shoreline and previously hosted nests of the endangered plovers. Dad YOGi (Of, YO:X,G) and three newly hatched chicks at Silver Lake State Park. Photo by monitor Lindsay Scheffler taken a safe distance away through a scope. Lindsay Scheffler This is about the same number of monitors we have hired in previous years. The difference is funding, Golder said. We are funding the costs of these positions ourselves. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service the federal agency that administers GLRI grants did not immediately respond to questions about the Michigan DNRs missing grant dollars. At least one other agency doing piping plover work with similar federal grant money hasnt been affected by withheld funding. Gaylord-based nonprofit Huron Pines is in the middle of a GLRI project to monitor plovers along Lake Huron; officials there recently invoiced and received payment under the grant. How long they stay that way is anyones guess, but we are moving forward with training and outfitting volunteers for the 2025 season, said Lisha Ramsdell, associate director at Huron Pines. Meanwhile, funding of the GLRI for 2025 was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives in January. The Senate version was introduced last month by Michigans U.S. Sen. Gary Peters. Both the House and Senate versions seek another five years for the GLRI funded at $500 million annually. During President Donald Trumps first term, his 2017 federal budget proposal completely zeroed out funding for the GLRI and was met with enormous backlash across the upper Midwest. For years, Trump continued to threaten funding cuts to the program until 2019, when he flipped his position during a speech in Grand Rapids when he said its time for full funding for the GLRI at $300 million a year. Experts recently said they worry there will be piping plover deaths at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore this season because of dramatic cuts to staffing and spending at the national park, which is widely known as the stronghold of the Great Lakes population. They argue there wont be enough plover monitors to cover the parks 35 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline. Plovers build nests with tiny pebbles along sandy and rock-strewn Great Lakes shorelines. Sections of public beach are often fenced off to keep people and pets away from identified plover nests. Sometimes scientists will even install wire cages over a nest to keep predators away. Conservation scientists also developed a captive-hatching and rearing program based at the University of Michigan Biological Station near Pellston for the times when nests are abandoned, damaged in weather, or adults are killed by predators. The migratory Great Lakes piping plover was first protected under the U.S. Endangered Species Act four decades ago when its numbers dipped as low as 12 pairs. The dramatic decline in the birds was largely blamed on habitat loss from development along Great Lakes shorelines. Learn more about conservation efforts for the endangered species across the entire Great Lakes by visiting www.greatlakespipingplover.org online. Related articles: Piping plovers will die at Sleeping Bear because of Trump cuts, experts say Oldest Great Lakes piping plover seen basking in southern sunshine Another record year for Great Lakes piping plover breeding Up-north facility fosters endangered Great Lakes piping plovers Love triangle: Great Lakes piping plover double romance prompts prolific breeding season Snowbird survives: Great Lakes piping plover makes it to Florida despite broken leg First Great Lakes piping plover of 2024 spotted at Sleeping Bear Dunes Bill Bussell, a 1950s summer employee of the S.S. Badger, visited during summer 2024 for a cross-Lake Michigan trip between Ludington, Mich., and Manitowoc, Wis. Bill Bussell, second from left, is seen here with Second Mate Charlie Arnott, Capt. Ed Wiltse, and Wheelsman Corey Ottgen. Lake Michigan Carferry LUDINGTON, MI A former summer employee on the S.S. Badger returned 65 years later for a leisurely trip across Lake Michigan and was welcomed by the captain. Bill Bussell, 86, traveled from Texas last summer to take another trip across Lake Michigan, revisiting his time aboard the Badger and S.S. City of Midland 41. He was a dining room waiter on the railcar ferries during the summers of 1958 and 1959. At the time, he was a student at Michigan State University. RELATED: Book now to cross Lake Michigan on this historic car ferry in 2025 That summer I got a job on the car ferries, Bussell said. This was in the era of fine railroad car dining, which included silver, pewter, China and cloth napkins. All the waiters were college students. While the seven carferries in the C&O railway fleet in the 1950s primarily carried railcars across Lake Michigan, the summers were a time of increased passenger and automobile service. That meant a need for more crew members, especially those who served passengers, like waiters. Bussell estimates he made about 180 roundtrips across Lake Michigan during those two summers. During summer 2024, he traveled to Ludington with his daughter and son-in-law. The group booked a trip to Manitowoc, Wis. The S.S. Badger comes into port at Manitowoc, Wisconsin, on Sunday, May 22, 2022. The Badger is a Lake Michigan car ferry that connects Ludington, Michigan, and Manitowoc. (Cory Morse | MLive.com) Cory Morse | MLive.com After boarding, Bussell purchased drinks at the concession stand and mentioned to the cashier that he had worked on the ship in the 50s. The cashier passed that information to Capt. Ed Wiltse who came out to meet Bussell. Wiltse invited the group to the pilothouse for the departure from the slip and through the breakwater. RELATED: Badger to motor to Wisconsin for propeller work before Lake Michigan cruise season begins It was quite a thrill, reliving the trip, Bussell said. Reservations are open for spots aboard the historic car ferry during the 2025 season, which will run Friday, May 16, to Sunday, Oct. 12. The ferry offers daily round trip service between Ludington and Manitowoc, Wis. Find the scheduled here, fares here and book a trip here. Built in 1953, this year marks the 72nd anniversary of the S.S. Badger. It is the last operating coal-fired passenger steamer in the United States. The 410-foot ship was recognized as a National Historic Landmark in 2016. It was originally designed to transport railcars across Lake Michigan. Kid Rock is currently on a short music tour with shows in Nebraska, Minnesota, Kentucky and Wisconsin in March 2025. Photo by Jake May | MLive Kid Rock is currently on a small music tour and one journalist just gave his concert a scathing review. Rock kicked off his tour on Friday in Omaha, Nebraska with Chris Janson and it was met with protestors opposing President Donald Trump, according to KMTV. Rock played Target Center in Minneapolis the next evening, which is where Ross Raihala of the Twin Cities Pioneer Press attended and reviewed the show. Raihala says Saturday was the sixth time he has seen Rock in concert and, in the past, he has had nothing but praise for the Detroit rockers shows. He says things have changed, saying Rock wasnt as fun as he used to be and came across as angry and distracted. To his credit, the 54-year-old remains limber as ever and did plenty of jumping and running around the stage. But gone was any of the old wink and smile hed serve up on stage or those knowing glances that said he was in on the joke, Raihala wrote. He added that Rock looked distracted throughout show, and while fans were into his old hits like Cowboy and All Summer Long, his newer material fell flat. Raihala says Rocks voice has deepened and gotten raspier, which worked on some songs, but not all of them. He sounded particularly rough on his 2002 smash Picture, originally a duet with Sheryl Crow." Raihala says the show dragged on far too long when Rock took turns at the turntables, drums and guitar while covering a series of songs like Ted Nugents Cat Scratch Fever and Stevie Wonders Superstitious. And finally, Raihala says Rocks encore opened with a clip of President Trump lavishing Kid Rock with praise and calling his band the most patriotic in the world. From there he launched into 2022s We the People, a jaw droppingly awful collection of dusty MAGA grievances set to music. It was all so charmless and divisive, even Trump himself might tell Kid Rock to tone it down." Rock is also bringing a two-day music festival to 10 small cities, including Hastings, MI (June 14), with Nickelback, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Travis Tritt, Big and Rich and more. EATON COUNTY, MI One person is dead after a vehicle crashed through a guardrail and plunged into the Grand River in Eaton County. According to the Eaton County Sheriffs Office, the incident occurred near the dead end of Jolly Highway at approximately 2:22 a.m. on Sunday. Deputies, along with troopers from the Michigan State Police, responded to the scene after receiving an alert from the BMW Response Center. Upon arrival, they spotted taillights submerged approximately 200 feet from the shoreline. Troopers located a canoe on a neighboring property and paddled out to the sinking vehicle to search for occupants while deputies located a man struggling to swim to shore and assisted him. He was transported to Sparrow Hospital by the Delta Township Fire Department for treatment while crews began a search for a second occupant of the vehicle. At approximately 8:30 a.m., the Tri-County Dive Team located a 39-year-old male in about 10 feet of water, a short distance downstream. He was pronounced dead at the scene, deputies said. Alcohol is believed to have been a factor in the crash, deputies said. About 116 pounds of cocaine were seized from a commercial vehicle crossing the Ambassador Bridge from Detroit to Canada. The bridge is the busiest international border crossing in North America for trade. (Neil Blake/MLive.com) Neil Blake/MLive.com DETROIT A commercial vehicle bound for Canada was carrying 116 pounds of cocaine, federal officials said. The U.S. Customs and Border Protections Office of Field Operations seized the narcotics at the Ambassador Bridge on Friday, March 21, according to a news release. The outbound vehicle was selected for physical inspection, the release said. Officers found three garbage bags of suspected narcotics concealed behind stacks of lumber. The cargo was later confirmed, through testing, as cocaine. CBP seized 50 bricks of cocaine, and the truck and trailer, the release said. The driver, a Canadian citizen, faces federal prosecution. The case is under investigation by Homeland Security Investigations. This is a testament to the quality of work performed by those who work tirelessly to combat transnational crime and stem the flow of dangerous drugs through our communities, said Marty C. Raybon, director of CBP Field Operations. Border security is a team effort, and I applaud the outstanding work by our officers and our regional law enforcement partners. As of March 5, more than 1,300 pounds of cocaine have been seized by CBP at Michigan ports of entry during fiscal year 2025. 23andMe, the genetic testing firm once valued at $6 billion has filed for bankruptcy protection. According to the Associated Press, the companys CEO Anne Wojcicki has resigned effective immediately but she will remain on the board. As part of the Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings, 23andMe will look to sell substantially all of its assets. A board committee previously rejected a nonbinding acquisition proposal Wojcicki just weeks ago. The bankruptcy announcement comes following a tumultuous few months for the DNA testing service. In September, all of the companys independent directors resigned after negotiating with Wojcicki, who had been trying to take the company private. The company has struggled to maintain a profitable business model since going public in 2021. In November, 23andMe announced it was discontinuing its therapeutics division and would be laying off approximately 40% of its workforce. Then in January, the boards special committee announced it was considering a possible sale as it explored strategic alternatives. While the company says it will continue to safeguard customer data, government officials are warning prior users of the service to delete their data from the website. Last week, California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued an alert, advising Californians on their right to have their data deleted from the service. 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, Bonta said. To delete the data, you must first log in to your 23andMe account. From there take the following steps: Go to the Settings section of your profile. Find the section labeled 23andMe Data at the bottom of the page. Click View next to 23andMe Data. Download your data: You only need to take this step if you want a copy of your genetic data for personal use. Scroll to the Delete Data section. Click Permanently Delete Data. Confirm your request: After confirmation, youll receive an email from 23andMe containing a link where you can confirm the deletion request. Although the bankruptcy proceedings will be ongoing, 23andMe says it will continue business operations while it seeks a sale. By LINDSAY WHITEHURST Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) The Trump administration asked the Supreme Court on Monday to halt a ruling ordering the rehiring of thousands of federal workers let go in mass firings aimed at dramatically downsizing the federal government. The emergency appeal argues that the judge cant force the executive branch to rehire some 16,000 probationary employees. It also calls on the conservative-majority court to rein in the growing number of federal judges who have slowed President Donald Trumps sweeping agenda, at least for now, by finding that his administration hasnt followed federal law. The order came from U.S. District Judge William Alsup in San Francisco, who found the firings didnt follow federal law and required immediate offers of reinstatement be sent. The agencies include the departments of Veterans Affairs, Agriculture, Defense, Energy, the Interior and the Treasury. The temporary restraining order came in a lawsuit filed by a coalition of labor unions and organizations as the Republican administration moves to reduce the federal workforce. Alsup expressed frustration with what he called the governments attempt to sidestep laws and regulations governing a reduction in its workforce which it is allowed to do by firing probationary workers who lack protections and cannot appeal. The case is among multiple lawsuits challenging the mass firings, and a second judge also ordered the rehiring of thousands of probationary workers the same day. ___ Follow the APs coverage of the U.S. Supreme Court at https://apnews.com/hub/us-supreme-court. The State Department says violent crime is common in the country and is often gang related. Garret Ellison WASHINGTON -- An updated travel advisory issued by the State Department Friday warns travelers to reconsider a visit to Trinidad and Tobago. The warning, cites ongoing violent crime in the Caribbean nation as a major issue facing visitors. In particular, the State Department warns of possible terrorism and gang activity that can include kidnappings. The warning specified that violence and shootings regularly occur in some areas of Port of Spain. Foreigners and a U.S. legal permanent resident have been recent victims of kidnapping, reads a portion of the advisory. An ongoing State of Emergency in the nation is also cause for concern. The State Department reminds visitors that under the SOE, the local government has imposed these measures: The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service has the authority to: Arrest people on suspicion of involvement in illegal activities. Search and enter public and private properties as needed. Bail is suspended for those suspected of committing a crime. Members of the Defense Force are following similar regulations as the local police. There are currently no curfews or restrictions on public gatherings. If you decide to visit Trinidad and Tobago, the State Department suggests visitors avoid driving or walking at night, use caution in public areas, and avoid displaying signs of wealth. Visitors should also exercise extreme caution when using ATMs or visiting banks. For more information, visit the State Department website. Seva Ann Arbor, 2541 Jackson Ave. recently turned to social media to ask its customers for support. Jacob Hamilton | MLive.com WASHTENAW COUNTY, MI - A few Ann Arbor businesses have recently opened while one longtime restaurant is asking for help to avoid closing its doors. Here are those stories and some other business stories you may have missed. Seva asking for Ann Arbors help following closure of Detroit location A longtime Ann Arbor restaurant is in need of help and has taken to social media to ask for support. Seva, a go-to spot for vegan and vegetarian options in Ann Arbor, is still open, but its owners are asking for support following the closure of its second location in Detroit at the end of February. Read the full story here. Crispy Korean-fried chicken eatery coming to Ann Arbor Ann Arbor can now get a bite of crispy Korean-fried chicken at a newly opened restaurant. Bonchon Korean Fried Chicken opened in January at 2272 S. Main St. near the Woodland Plaza. This location is currently the third in Michigan, joining Troy and Farmington Hills. Read the full story here. This Asian fusion spot in downtown Ann Arbor filling vacant storefront A fusion of Asian dishes and fine dining is available at one of Ann Arbors newest downtown restaurants. Tabe opened earlier in March at 209 S. Main St., taking over a vacant storefront that formerly held Jim Bradys Ann Arbor location before it closed in January 2023. Read the full story here. Stimulate your mornings with the help of this new cafe near Ypsilanti A coffee shop near Ypsilanti is all about stimulating peoples day, whether thats with a morning coffee or a quick pick-me-up. Stimulatte Cafe opened in Ypsilanti Township at 1816 Whittaker Road at the end of February and has been serving a menu full of coffee, teas, shakes and food since. Read the full story here. Detroit-style pizza, wings and milkshakes await at new downtown Saline restaurant Pizza lovers may want to head to downtown Saline to check out one of the citys newest restaurants. DropTop Pizza officially opened at 107 W. Michigan Ave. in late October and offers Detroit-style pizza, salads, wings, smash burgers and milkshakes. Read the full story here. Host stress-free birthdays at Chelsea party spot started by Ann Arbor parent Teens and tweens can find a place to party thanks to a new Chelsea business. Greg Gattuso opened Chelsea Party Loft at 1115 S. Main St. on March 1. The 1,400 square-foot-party venue is a spot for birthdays, graduations, school events and other special occasions. Read the full story here. Vote for your favorite sandwich during Menu Madness at Ann Arbors Zingermans Deli Zingermans Delicatessen is bringing a twist to NCAAs March Madness by hosting its own sandwich-filled tournament for the rest of March. The Ann Arbor deli shop is asking customers to vote for their favorite sandwiches during its Menu Madness tournament, which officially began on Thursday, March 20. Read the full story here. Want more Ann Arbor-area news? Bookmark the local Ann Arbor news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Ann Arbor daily newsletter. Developer Chuck SeKrenes is spearheading a $23 million project called LaPiazza in Grand Blanc, which will introduce a mix of residential, retail, and dining spaces to the areawhile keeping two local favorites, The Crossbow Inn and Ziggys Ice Cream, as part of the plan. | Provided by Chuck SeKrenes with permission to use. Chuck SeKrenes GRAND BLANC, MI - A major transformation is on the horizon for a well-known stretch of Saginaw Street in Grand Blanc. Developer Chuck SeKrenes is spearheading a $23 million project called LaPiazza, which will introduce a mix of residential, retail, and dining spaces to the areawhile keeping two local favorites, The Crossbow Inn and Ziggys Ice Cream, as part of the plan. LaPiazza means the square in Italian. Spanning nearly three acres between Reid and Center roads, the development will replace several existing businesses with a modern, three-story, close to 49,000-square-foot structure. While the current buildings, including The Crossbow and Ziggys, will be demolished, both establishments plan to reopen within the new space, alongside two additional restaurants and three retail storefronts. Ive lived in the city for 25 years and everybodys been saying where is a good restaurant to eat? Everythings chain restaurants, SeKrenes said. I was fortunate enough to work with Ziggys and Crossbow owners to acquire their properties. Ziggys will grow three times in size and will become an indoor ice cream parlor, open year-round. The Crossbow will expect to attract twice as many customers under the new plan, SeKrenes said. SeKrenes called the mixed-used development an eat, live, play environment. The upper levels of LaPiazza will feature a mix of office space and 20 apartments, designed to bring more residents into the heart of the city. A rooftop patio will be divided into two sectionsone for outdoor dining and another dedicated to recreational space for apartment tenants. Every time my wife and I go away to a restaurant out of state, theres always a rooftop, Sekrenes said. We just love the rooftop concept. SeKrenes secured site plan approval from the city last week. He envisions LaPiazza as a dynamic hub that merges living, working, and social spaces while aligning with Grand Blancs vision for sustainable and thoughtful urban development. It hits you in your heart that you want to see your town succeed, SeKrenes said. It takes someone with the right mind and drive to make this happen. I have a lot of friends and family in this town that want to see something but didnt have the ability to do it. Groundbreaking is tentatively planned for September and March 2027 is the expected grand opening. Before breaking ground, he plans to meet with officials from the Michigan State Housing Development Authority and the Michigan Economic Development Corp. to explore potential financial incentives for the project. The current bank we deal with is interested in this project and thats where a large chunk will come from, SeKrenes said. The investors side of it and MEDC and MSHDA we hope to work with them. If all goes as planned, LaPiazza could soon become a key part of Grand Blancs evolving development scene. A man destroyed thousands of dollars in property at the Holland Township Walmart store, Ottawa County sheriff's deputies said. (Ottawa County Sheriff's Department) Ottawa County Sheriff's Department UPDATE: Suspect in Walmart rampage carried out by deputies at court hearing OTTAWA COUNTY, MI A man is accused of breaking televisions and glass doors during a rampage at Walmart in Holland Township, sheriffs deputies said. Other products were also damaged. The loss is expected to be in the thousands of dollars, Ottawa County sheriffs Capt. Jake Sparks said. The suspect, a 25-year-old Grand Haven Township man, is jailed. His name has not been released pending arraignment in Holland District Court. The incident was reported at 6:39 p.m. Friday, March 21, at the Walmart on North Park Drive in Holland Township. Witnesses reported that the man was destroying items in the store. He allegedly pulled six flatscreen televisions from shelves, destroying them, and used a metal pole he found in the store to break at least 17 glass doors and damage products on shelves. A man destroyed thousands of dollars in property at the Holland Township Walmart store, Ottawa County sheriff's deputies said. (Ottawa County Sheriff's Department) Ottawa County Sheriff's Department He continued to break glass doors on display cases and coolers until sheriffs deputies reached the scene and arrested him without further incident, police said. The cost of the damage is still being totaled but is estimated to be in the thousands. While no one was injured or threatened, many customers, including children, were inside the store at the time. Photos and videos shared on Facebook showed areas cordoned off by police tape while workers cleaned up. Police asked anyone with information to contact the Sheriffs Department at 616-738-4000 or Silent Observer 877-887-4536. SPARTA, MI President Donald Trumps threat to impose 25% tariffs on products from Canada and Mexico has created big economic uncertainty, including in Michigan where many farmers are wondering what a trade war could mean to their bottom line. That uncertainty was on display Thursday, when U.S. Sen. Elissa Slotkin, D-Holly, hosted a discussion at May Farms in Sparta northeast of Grand Rapids. Slotkin touched on a variety of topics, including tariffs, the push for a new farm bill, and budget cuts at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. (Updated March 24, 7:13 a.m.) JACKSON, MI A Jackson man was arrested Sunday afternoon after he allegedly used a butcher knife to attack a motorist following an apparent case of road rage. Police were called Sunday, March 23, to a gas station in the 2000 block of E. Michigan Avenue for a report of a stabbing in the parking lot, Jackson Police Chief Christopher Simpson said. Officers arrived and found blood in the parking lot, but both the victim and suspect had already left the area, Simpson said. The victim, a 54-year-old Jackson woman, was found at Henry Ford Jackson Hospital where she was treated for a broken nose and several cuts to his hands and ear, Simpson said. The investigation showed the assault stemmed from a road rage incident where the suspect pulled a large butcher knife and attacked the victim, Simpson said. Witnesses gave police the license license plate of the suspects vehicle and tracked it to a home in the 2200 block of E. Ganson Street, Simpson said. A 21-year-old man at the home was taken to the Jackson County Jail. Want more Jackson-area news? Bookmark the local Jackson news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Jackson daily newsletter. Portage's new language requirements will take effect next fall for middle schoolers. Devin Anderson-Torrez | MLive.com PORTAGE, MI -- Portage Public Schools is changing their middle school language requirements to comply better with state law. Some community members fear the changes may hinder students' ability to master a second language by graduation. Instead of taking two years of Spanish or French in middle school, students will now take a one-semester course introducing them to both Spanish and French and then do a one-year language course in eighth grade, if they choose. In essence, the change looks like: Before : Required full year of one language in both seventh and eighth grade After: One semester of world languages (hybrid of French and Spanish) in seventh grade. Optional full year of one language in eighth grade. Several teachers and students spoke up at the March school board meeting, arguing teachers werent properly consulted and the decision wasnt supported by language learning research. Two board members also questioned the change. But the decision is the responsibility of the administration and does not need to be approved by the board, said Superintendent Mark Bielang. These changes deny an exponential amount of students ... the opportunity to reach their highest potential in these languages, said Sophia Lin, a Portage Central High School senior. Counting credits for graduation The decision to change the offerings was made after a 2022 world language Curriculum Review Cycle (CRC), a standard process of reviewing the districts curriculum offerings. The review found students werent receiving credit for taking a world language in middle school they could apply toward graduating high school. After consulting with the Michigan Department of Education, PPS learned they werent in full compliance by failing to allow those credits to count toward graduation. The middle school world language program is offered in a different format than the Level 1 world language classes in high school. The middle school course is taught over two years while the high school course is taught in one year. Students who were in high school were spending one year getting one credit for the same thing students at the middle school were spending two years and getting two credits for, Bielang said. He called the inconsistency an equity issue, and said MDE is not aware of any other high school requiring middle schoolers take a world language class for high school credit. Starting in fall 2026, the district will instead have seventh graders take a one semester course where they learn about the French and Spanish languages and cultures. Middle school is much more exploratory in nature than a more rigorous high school, so we want to expose them to as much as we can, Bielang said. From there, students can enroll in either a one-year Spanish course or one-year French course during eighth grade. The course would be an elective, meaning students arent required to take it, and it would be worth one credit toward high school graduation. By the time students graduate, theyre required to take two world language credits to meet Michigan Merit Curriculum requirements. PPS Trustee Mark Stevenson, who has three students in the district, said the change goes against all of the evidence-based research and teacher recommendations. Less exposure Sophia Lin took Spanish in middle school and has been studying the language since. Now, shes an IB scholar and will be studying biology and Spanish at St. Louis Universitys Madrid, Spain campus. But that may not have been possible if it wasnt for the two-year course offered at the middle school level. Lin had ample time to develop a foundational understanding of vocabulary and grammar, she said. By splitting up the Level 1 class in the two years, you get a really, really strong foundation that sets you up for success in the later years of Spanish, Lin said. After learning basic grammatical conjugations, gender agreements and the first 300 vocabulary words, everything else starts to make sense, Lin said. Lin applied her understanding of Spanish to developing a friendship with a foreign exchange student from Spain. I, like, 100,000% would not be able to connect with her on the level that I have if I didnt have, first the language skills from Level 5, but also the cultural understanding to talk about what she does in Spain and her life in Spain, Lin said. Lin learned about the change after seeing her Spanish teacher visibly upset at school about the decision. The teachers had previously tried to present the CRC team with research against this route. We could all see the writing on the wall, but they told me, like, yes, this is a decision they made, and we need everybodys support to try and reverse it, Lin said. Heather Canenguez, a teacher at Portage Northern High School, said the time spent in the second-year middle school language class was essential for preparing students for higher level language courses. Canenguez also said enrolling eighth graders in a high-school level course without preparing them for that level of rigor was setting them up for failure. Students will think twice before signing up for what they may think is an honors level course when theyve only had nine weeks of experience, Canenguez said. Stevenson said without an alternative language curriculum designed for eighth grade students, the district may be denying opportunities to students who arent ready for ninth grade level work. What would an eighth grader who wants to take Spanish but cant keep up with a high school level speed (do)? Stevenson said. Were shutting the door on them to take a language. Lin said she does appreciate the idea of the exploratory course, but thinks it would be better suited for sixth graders. When Lin was 14 years old, she didnt fully grasp how continuing on the path of learning Spanish would help her in the future. Its unlikely the district will reconsider the changes after community feedback, said Michelle Karpinski, community relations manager at PPS. This decision was based on an established district process (curriculum review is part of every subject) and based on research, best practices and keeping in mind what is best for students, Karpinski said. Want more Kalamazoo-area news? Bookmark the local Kalamazoo news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Kalamazoo daily newsletter. A view of the Michigan Sugar Company Bay City location. A spokesperson from the company recently stated that an employee was severely injured at the company's Croswell plant. Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com CROSWELL, MI Officials are investigating an injury incident at a Michigan Sugar Co. plant in Sanilac County. A 43-year-old female employee lost her arm while cleaning a section of scroll at the plant in Croswell shortly before 11 p.m. on March 18. The Croswell womans arm was severed just below the elbow in a machine, said Croswell Police Chief Ron Buckmaster. At some point while her arm was in the machine, it powered back up, Buckmaster said. How that managed to happen, we dont know. The chief described the blade as an auger, which does not have a smooth edge with a clean cut. It would definitely be very painful, Buckmaster said. Two tourniquets were applied at the scene on the womans arm before she was transported to a hospital. Buckmaster said the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) and the Michigan Sugar Safety Department are investigating the incident. Sanilac County Sheriffs deputies also responded to the scene. Our Safety Department, working in cooperation with outside agencies, is leading a full-scale investigation into the incident, said Michigan Sugar spokesman Rob Clark. The thoughts and prayers of everyone at Michigan Sugar Co. are with our team member and their family. Clark declined further comment, citing privacy concerns for the injured employee. MLive could not reach staff at the sheriffs office or Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration for comment. 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. FILE - Who gets a frozen embryo in a divorce? Michigan high court could decide. Pictured here is a frozen embryo in an AP file photo at a fertility clinic in Fort Myers, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky, File) AP Photo/Lynne Sladky When David and Sarah Markiewicz got divorced, there was one thing they couldnt agree on: who would get their last embryo. The Michigan couple spent years going through a grueling fertility process and eventually turned to egg donation. After having four children, they were left with one cryogenically preserved embryo. Now divorced, Sarah Markiewicz, 47, wants to use the embryo to have another child, but David Markiewicz, 47, doesnt want more kids. After bouncing around lower courts for five years, the complex dispute between Sarah and David Markiewicz is now going before the Michigan Supreme Court. The case could end up creating a road map for how Michigan settles disputes over frozen embryos moving forward. Its immensely important for the Michigan Supreme Court to establish precedent in our state protecting peoples rights to make decisions about IVF and fertility, as well as the constitutional rights to parent and not parent, said Bonsitu Kitaba, Michigan ACLU deputy legal director. A long fertility journey Sarah Markiewicz was in her early 30s when she started looking infertility in the face. After struggling to get pregnant, the Markiewiczes spent thousands on in vitro fertilization, a process where a persons eggs are extracted and fertilized outside the womb. Sarah Markiewicz did one round of IVF, but it failed to take. She then tried going to a doctor in Las Vegas but that produced no viable eggs. It was physically and emotionally draining early appointments, daily injections, blood draws, waiting on phone calls then a doctor told her shed likely never have children on her own. You never expect to hear something like that, she said. The Markiewiczes, dreaming of a big family, asked Sarahs sister to donate an egg. It was then fertilized by David, successfully implanted in Sarah and the couple welcomed their first child, a daughter, in 2012. Not longer after that, the Markiewiczes conceived their second child naturally. Wanting a third child, Sarah Markiewicz wasnt able to pregnant again. So, the then-married couple turned back to Sarahs sister who produced three viable eggs. They decided to implant two of the fertilized embryos and Sarah became pregnant with twins. The fact that it worked is a miracle, said David Markiewicz. And our twins are wonderful. Their kids are now 13, 11 and the twins are 9 years old. One embryo remains stored in extremely cold temperatures with liquid nitrogen at a Warren facility. A winding case splits the courts After a decade of marriage, the Markiewiczes began divorce proceedings in 2019. Like any divorce, they split property, hammered out custody details and untangled their lives. But disagreement over the embryo became a sticking point going back and forth between courts as judges wrestled with who should get it. The court must consider weighing the interests of both parties as they relate to the frozen pre-embryos, Kitaba said. And in assessing those interests, we also consider the constitutional rights of the parties, what the equities are, what the potential harms might be as well. The issue first landed in Macomb County Circuit Court in the fall of 2020. At a hearing, Sarah Markiewiczs attorney argued this would be her last chance to have children. But David Markiewicz emphasized he did not want another child, and his attorney argued the embryo was more his than hers because its his DNA. Macomb County Circuit Court Judge Matthew Switalski, saying hed be angry if he had no say in having another child, ultimately awarded the embryo to David Markiewicz. Sarah Markiewicz appealed this decision. Its not just about having another child, she said. Its about this particular embryo and allowing the process that has already been started to continue to take place. In that appeal, Sarah Markiewicz argued the court also didnt account for any rights her sister might have to the embryo. But because that wasnt brought up in the initial proceedings the appeals court waived it as failure to timely raise an issue. Additionally, her sister has made no claims to the embryo in the case. She could not be reached for this story. A file photo of embryos sitting in a petri-dish at an IFV lab in La Jolla, Calif. (Photo by Sandy Huffaker/Corbis) Sandy Huffaker/Corbis By 2022, the case landed in the Michigan Court of Appeals where judges considered the embryo as property that deserves special respect because of its unique potential for human life, an unpublished opinion said. Because of that, the appeals court reversed Switalskis decision and kicked the case back, directing the circuit court to use a newly adopted legal framework for deciding frozen embryos fights. This meant applying a blended approach that requires courts to first examine any fertility contracts that could determine the case then balance other factors at stake. First looking at a contract, the Markiewiczes signed an agreement that stated it was the couples intention to have any unused embryos transferred back to my uterus at a later cycle. In the event of a divorce, ownership would be determined by a court. But the court also weighed the heavy emotional positions of both parties: Sarah Markiewicz, now in her late 40s, wants to preserve her ability to have children, however, there are massive implications of imposing unwanted parenthood on David. For Sarah Markiewicz, it was always her plan to implant the third embryo. Its part of the family, she said. There were three little embryos in a dish. Part of that process, two of them were picked and the third one was still there. Markiewicz considers the embryo to be her last opportunity to have a child genetically close to her twins a triplet, she told the court. And she wouldnt require David Markiewicz play a parental role or pay child support if a baby is born. Nicholas Curcio, Markiewiczs attorney, says those factors should tip the scales in her favor. We believe this minimizes the harm to her ex-husband and puts this case in a situation where we really believe that her interests should prevail, he said. But for David Markiewicz, he doesnt want more children, especially now that hes divorced. He told the court the embryo is his genetic property, and as appeals court judges wrote in another unpublished opinion, he would suffer mental anguish not being a part of his biological childs life. As far as Im concerned, my family status is complete, he said. I have four beautiful children I love very much. Im not looking to have other kids. If the court awards David Markiewicz the embryo, he would donate it or have it discarded. His attorney, Trish Haas, says these arguments should be considered carefully, and for David Markiewicz, its about the right to choose how to use his genetic property. Additionally, she thinks the courts should consider the harms of David Markiewicz not playing a role in the childs life. More importantly, we would think about the emotional impact to his other children of having a child with the genetic material of the father and yet theyre already divorced, she said. Theres so many considerations and its not just mothers wishes. Using the blended framework, Switalski again awarded the embryo to David Markiewicz. Switalski addressed the contract then moved to the second part of the equation balancing factors like David Markiewiczs and Sarah Markiewiczs finances, their ages and why they used IVF in the first place. He also noted it doesnt matter how many kids the couple already has: Thats a groundless argument. Everyone is precious if you have them. The prevailing factor was that its David Markiewiczs sperm and not Sarah Markiewiczs egg. Its his DNA prior to implementation, Switalski said. So, in terms of the balancing of the equities, she could go another way. On a second appeal in 2023, the Michigan Court of Appeals affirmed that decision noting it would be less equitable for Sarah to birth a child with Davids DNA against his wishes as opposed to the inequity Sarah would suffer from not having the child. But one judge dissented saying he would award the embryo to Sarah Markiewicz because of the existing fertility contract. Sarah Markiewicz then asked the Michigan Supreme Court last March to review the case. The high court will now hear arguments to decide whether the lower courts properly considered the fertility contract, if the courts fairly balanced the equities and if Michigans recent constitutional amendment for reproductive rights impacts the case. If the court decides to rule on the case, it could have broader implications for Michigan. A framework for embryo cases When deciding the case, the appeals court leaned on rulings from other states because Michigan has very little case law on frozen embryos. The Michigan Supreme Court has not yet established a clear standard for resolving disputes over the disposition of cryogenically preserved embryos in divorce proceedings, lawyers from the State Bar of Michigans Family Law Section wrote in a brief last September. These disputes are becoming more common as fertility treatments are on the rise. Because of that, courts have wrestled with what to do with frozen embryos when couples split up. But without national guidance, each state has settled it differently. Some states like Colorado have created guidelines for courts to balance the interests of parties. Texas recently rejected an argument that embryos should be considered unborn children and upheld a couples contract. And an Arizona divorce led to a state law that mandates embryos must be awarded to the person who intends to allow them to develop to birth. The Michigan Hall of Justice, home of the state Supreme Court, in downtown Lansing, Mich., on Oct. 24, 2022. Ben Orner | MLive.com In Michigan, the Family Law Section Council a neutral voice in the Markiewicz case is urging the high court to adopt a clear, equitable framework like a Maryland case that created a precedent for courts to first look at fertility agreements before balancing competing interests of each person. This hybrid approach avoids forcing individuals into genetic parenthood against their will while also recognizing the importance of honoring the parties intent wherever possible, the brief said. Both David Markiewicz and Sarah Markiewicz understand the potential significance of the case for Michigan. For Sarah Markiewicz, its a culmination of the long years she spent in and out of fertility treatments. Shes continued to fight, making multiple appeals, because the time, effort and emotion of infertility needs to be recognized. What were concerned about is if the lower courts decision is upheld, a woman who struggles with infertility and seeks to use an embryo that was created during marriage after divorce will virtually never win these cases, Curcio said. But for David Markiewicz, the courts have decided multiple times to award the embryo to him. After more than five years, hes ready for this chapter to close. But he hopes the courts will give people the right to choose what they want to do with their genetic material. His attorney believes itll be a slippery slope if the courts side with Sarah Markiewicz. We do not want unwanted parenthood imposed upon David, or any other person in a similar situation, Haas said. The Michigan Supreme Court will hear oral arguments on Wednesday, April 9. CLEVELAND Less than a four-hour drive from East Lansing, Spartans fans packed Rocket Arena hoping to see Michigan State return to the Sweet 16. Michigan State Spartans fans celebrate while taunting New Mexico Lobos fans as Michigan State faces New Mexico in the second round of the NCAA Tournament at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio on Sunday, March 23, 2025. Jacob Hamilton | MLive.com After an early 10-point hole, MSU clawed its way back, rallying for a 71-63 win against No. 10 New Mexico and earning a spot in the Sweet 16. Watch video below as the Spartans show their family and fans some love and celebrate Tom Izzos 16th Sweet 16. DETROIT -- Former Detroit Tigers reliever has earned a 10th season in the big leagues. Barnes, who turns 35 next month, will be selected to the Toronto Blue Jays Opening Day roster, the team announced Sunday. He had been in camp as a non-roster invitee on a minor-league contract. Barnes has pitched with nine big-league teams over parts of nine seasons. This is his second stint with Toronto. Barnes made the Tigers Opening Day roster in 2022 and pitched out of the bullpen until being designated for assignment in June. He was 3-1 with a 6.10 ERA in 20 2/3 innings, walking nine and striking out 10. After clearing waivers, Barnes signed with the Seattle Mariners and spent a few days on the active roster without making an appearance. He then landed back in the Tigers organization, pitching well for the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens during a few weeks in August before triggering an opt-out in his contract. He then signed a minor-league deal with the New York Yankees and got a one-day, end-of-year promotion to the Bronx. In 2023 he was part of three different organizations and pitched in the big leagues with the St. Louis Cardinals. Last season, he appeared in 63 games for the Washington Nationals, going 8-3 with a 4.36 ERA, 55 strikeouts, and 20 walks in 66 innings. A native of St. Petersburg, Fla., Barnes was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 14th round in 2011 and spent parts of four seasons with the club. The latest data continues to inch up the expected snow amounts just about everywhere, with the heaviest adjustments around Traverse City and northwest Lower Michigan. Here are the winter storm warnings and winter weather advisories as of 8 p.m. tonight. Winter weather advisories have been added to an area in central Lower Michigan. Winter weather advisory has been expanded from Pentwater, Ludington and Manistee to central Lower Michigan. NOAA The radar forecast shows our mixed rain and snow all across Lower Michigan now is going to change to snow overnight and continue Monday. In fact it will be Tuesday morning before the snow ends in the snowbelts. This means the last few inches will even be lake-effect snow. Radar forecast from 9 p.m. Sunday to 8 a.m. Tuesday. NOAA We are all going to have snow in the air later tonight and any time tomorrow. The northern half of Lower Michigan will have moderate snow at times, and it will pile up. The southern half of Lower Michigan has an increased snow forecast, but just to an inch or so on the grass. Total snowfall forecast through Tuesday morning, March 25, 2025 (forecast generated at 8 p.m. Sunday) NOAA The total snow forecast through Tuesday combines tonights and Mondays snow with some lake-effect snow Monday night. We now see the chance of six inches or more in spots around Cadillac, northeast Traverse City, Mancelona and Gaylord. When we get areas of six inches of snow the roads get snowy and slick. This will be the case for the northern half of Lower Michigan and the Upper Peninsula. Southern Michigan shouldnt have to worry a lot about snowy roads since temperatures will be 35 degrees to 38 degrees. Meghna Mittal Deputy News Editor at Moneycontrol. Meghna has experience across television, print, online and wire media. She has been covering the Indian economy, monetary and fiscal policies, Finance and Trade ministries. She tweets at @Meghnamittal23 Contact: meghna.mittal@nw18.com Shubhangi Mathur USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. 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I Accept *Disclaimer - Brand Connect is a solution that allows brands to break the queue to gain better engagement among our audiences Riya Gandhi USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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I Accept Pump-&-dump operators of Sadhna Broadcast back in action; Sebi cracks down again: Sources Asha Menon USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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I Accept Vikas SN 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 Manish M. Suvarna is Senior Correspondent at Moneycontrol. He writes on the Indian money markets, RBI, Banks and NBFCs. He tweets at @manishsuvarna15. Contact: Manish.Suvarna@nw18.com Manish M. Suvarna USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. 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I Accept GAIL, IGL lead gains as gas stocks surge up to 5% on brokerages eyeing regulatory boost Khushi Keswani USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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I Accept Top gainers and losers today: Stocks that moved the most on March 24 Khushi Keswani USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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I Accept Parimal Peeyush USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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BJP MPs in the Lok Sabha have been raising concerns over reservations for Muslims in Karnataka government contracts, accusing Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar of advocating constitutional changes to facilitate the four percent reservation. Shivakumar, however, has refuted these claims, asserting that he never proposed amending the Constitution to introduce religion-based reservations. 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. 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I Accept DK Shivakumar clarifies amid row over remarks on Constitution: 'Not in context of Muslim reservation' Parimal Peeyush USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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I Accept Futuristic food delivery lands at Fudan University (People's Daily App) 14:47, March 24, 2025 Shanghai's first university drone delivery route has officially launched, bringing the future of food delivery to Fudan University! The cost of meals and delivery remains the same as traditional methods, with no extra charges for the cutting-edge drone service. (Produced by Liang Xiaojian and intern Niu Yan) (Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun) Priyanjali Ghose 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. 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I Accept Rajeev Chandrasekhar's agenda as new Kerala BJP chief: 2026 elections, local body polls, support from Christians and more Parimal Peeyush USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *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 Christin Mathew Philip is an Assistant editor at moneycontrol.com. Based in Bengaluru, he writes on mobility, infrastructure and start-ups. He is a Ramnath Goenka excellence in journalism awardee. You can find him on Twitter here: twitter.com/ChristinMP_ Christin Mathew Philip USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. 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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 Arindam Roy USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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I Accept Trump rants about 'distorted' portrait of himself in Colorado, slams 'radical Left' governor: 'Take it down!' Armaan Bhatnagar USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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I Accept Ukraine, US teams hold talks in Saudi Arabia, US envoy hopeful on ending war 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. 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I Accept 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 WATCH: Police use pepper spray as thousands gather to protest Istanbul mayor's arrest in graft charges Abhinav Gupta 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 By Dr. Todd Hill | Mar 24, 2025 Murray State jazz orchestra Event will feature 16 regional school jazz bands, the Jamey Aebersold Quartet and four Murray State jazz ensembles MURRAY, Ky. The 15th Murray State University-Jamey Aebersold Jazz Festival will take place on Friday, March 28. Thirteen high school jazz bands, three groups from middle schools, the Murray State Jazz Orchestra, Dr. Todd Hill and the Jamey Aebersold Quartet will be performing in clinics and concerts open to the public. There will be an open improvisation clinic with NEA Jazz Master Jamey Aebersold intermingled with his concert in the Performing Arts Hall from 12:30 p.m. until 1:55 p.m. that afternoon. All concerts and clinics are free, and the public is cordially invited. The coordinator of the festival, which annually brings around 300 or more young musicians to Murray State is Dr. Todd E. Hill, professor of music and director of jazz studies. Student assistance comes from the members of the Murray State Jazz Band, Blue and Gold Jazz Combos and Jazz Orchestra. Jamey Aebersold has donated much of his time and financial support to the jazz program at Murray State. He is a great friend to the department of music, the jazz program, to our radio station WKMS, and he has enriched the cultural life of the community at large in addition to everything he has done for jazz education internationally, said Hill. Aebersold endowed a jazz scholarship for Murray State students in 2008. The jazz festival was renamed in his honor several years later as a tribute to Aebersolds continued commitment to jazz education and to the jazz program at Murray State. The festival, designed for educational, rather than competitive purposes, is in its seventeenth year as two festivals had to be cancelled (due to Covid one year, and an ice storm the next). Each schools director decides whether their groups will receive an assessment score. The day will include clinics by professional musicians and educators including Professor Ricky Burkhead from the University of Mississippi (Oxford, Mississippi); Dr. Rich Ripani, director of the Nashville (Tennessee) jazz youth ensemble, Gary Bo Clayton, director of jazz studies at Austin Peay State University (Clarksville, Tennessee), and Drs. Todd French and Chris Sharpe, both of the Department of Music at Murray State University. Our clinicians are some of the most respected teachers and performers in this part of the country. The participants will be getting the high-quality jazz education experience for which we're known. We dont have the jazz bands competing with each other. This is a musical event for sharing and learning, said Hill. The other groups are repeat participants, many for several years from the beginning of the festival. Clinic performances will be held in Lovett Auditorium and are open to the public. Following is the schedule for bands: Murray High School at 8:25 a.m. Calloway County High School at 8:50 a.m. Graves County High School Combo at 9:15 a.m. Hopkinsville Middle School at 9:40 a.m. Lone Oak Middle School at 10:05 a.m. Union County Middle School at 10:30 a.m. Christian County High School at 10:55 a.m. Madisonville-North Hopkins III Middle School/High School at 11:20 a.m. Hopkinsville High School at 11:45 a.m. McCracken County High School at 12:10 p.m. Jamey Aebersold Clinic and Quartet at 12:30 p.m. in the Performing Arts Hall Madisonville-North Hopkins High School II at 2 p.m. Graves County High School at 2:25 p.m. Union County High School at 2:50 p.m. Madisonville-North Hopkins High School I at 3:15 p.m. Caverna High School at 3:40 p.m. Stewart County High School (Tennessee) at 4:05 p.m. Dr. Todd Hill will play piano and hold a question-and-answer session at 4:30 p.m. and the award-winning Murray State Jazz Orchestra will perform a mini-concert at 4:55 p.m., closing the day. Except for the Jamey Aebersold concert and clinic, the events will be held in beautiful and historic Lovett Auditorium on the Murray State campus. Reporter Andrew Roberto was raised his whole life on Saipan. He graduated from Saipan Southern High School, holds a degree from Northern Marianas College, and a BA in English from the University of Guam. He once worked for KUAM, UNO Magazine, and the Guam Daily Post. U.S. Congresswoman Kimberlyn King-Hinds, 5th right, poses with the officials of the Saipan Chamber of Commerce during a recent meeting SCC photo President Donald Trump View Photo President Donald Trump issued a statement regarding the 250th Anniversary of Patrick Henrys Give Me Liberty, Or Give Me Death! Speech. Trump was Mondays KVML Newsmaker of the Day. Here is the statement: Our Nation proudly commemorates the 250th anniversary of Patrick Henrys address to the Second Virginia Convention a seminal moment in our great American story and a fateful turning point in Americas epic struggle for Independence. On March 23, 1775, Patrick Henry rose to the pulpit of St. Johns Church in Richmond, Virginia, to speak those immortal words that remain etched upon every American heart: Give me Liberty, or give me death! In the wake of escalating tensions between the Patriots and the Redcoats, Henry delivered this stirring address before more than 100 delegates, including George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and many of the statesmen who would go on to sign the Declaration of Independence. Following the bloody Boston Massacre and the British Parliaments authoritarian imposition of the Intolerable Acts which closed the Boston Harbor and stripped New England Colonists of their right to self-govern American leaders deliberated whether to continue their pursuit of peace, or as a final recourse, to take up arms in the rebellion. With British tyranny on the rise and American confidence in retreat, the Second Virginia Convention assembled. Patrick Henry, a respected lawyer who had recently served as a delegate to the Continental Congress, arrived at the Convention with one goal in mind: to galvanize militiamen into securing our inestimable rights and liberties, from those further violations with which they are threatened. Some members cautioned against such decisive action, insisting that peaceful reconciliation was still possible, but as Henry listened, he grew more impatient. A Baptist minister who observed the proceedings later recalled that he had an unearthly fire burning in his eye. Overcome with righteous indignation, Henry rose from his seat with no notes in hand, boldly beseeching his fellow Virginians: If we wish to be free we must fight! At a moment when Americas fate hung in the balance, Henrys words sparked daring action in the souls of patriots, fortified the cause of freedom, and set America on the path to ultimate triumph over forces of tyranny and oppression. By a narrow margin, the Second Virginia Convention passed the resolution to form a militia the first critical step to Independence. It is not now easy to say what we should have done without Patrick Henry, Thomas Jefferson later wrote. He was before us all in maintaining the spirit of the Revolution. As we approach the 250th anniversary of our Nations Independence on July 4, 2026, we look to Patrick Henry, a son of the frontier, the first and sixth Governor of Virginia, an unflinching advocate for American Independence, and a true man of his moment. Today, we invoke his courage, we honor his legacy, and we fearlessly summon the spirit of 1776 to build a future that we will be proud to impart on our children. Like Patrick Henry and the giants of American liberty who came before us, now is our time to ring that great bell of American freedom and to propel our Nation into a new and radiant golden age. The Newsmaker of the Day is heard every weekday morning at 6:45, 7:45 and 8:45 on AM 1450 and FM 102.7 KVML. California AG Rob Bonta View Photo Sacramento, CA California Attorney General Rob Bonta is recommending California residents who have submitted their DNA to the California-based company 23andMe to consider invoking their state right to privacy and request that the company, which is facing bankruptcy, delete their genetic information. 23andMe went public in 2021, and it analyzes saliva samples and provides personalized genetic, health and ancestry reports in return. It is unclear what would happen to the DNA samples of the 15 million customers if the company permanently shuts down. Bonta reminds residents that they have a right to request the company delete their genetic information under the states Genetic Information Privacy Act and California Consumer Protection Act. He adds, California has robust privacy laws that allow consumers to take control and request that a company delete their genetic data. Per AG Bonta, To Delete Genetic Data from 23andMe: Consumers can delete their account and personal information by taking the following steps: 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. To Destroy Your 23andMe Test Sample: If you previously opted to have your saliva sample and DNA stored by 23andMe, but want to change that preference, you can do so from your account settings page, under Preferences. To Revoke Permission for Your Genetic Data to be Used for Research: If you previously consented to 23andMe and third-party researchers to use your genetic data and sample for research, you may withdraw consent from the account settings page, under Research and Product Consents. Under GIPA, California consumers can delete their account and genetic data and have their biological sample destroyed. In addition, GIPA permits California consumers to revoke consent that they provided a genetic testing company to collect, use, and disclose genetic data and to store biological samples after the initial testing has been completed. The CCPA also vests California consumers with the right to delete personal information, which includes genetic data, from businesses that collect personal information from the consumer. Yves here. Satyajit Das takes a high-level, measured approach to DOGE, stressing an issue that is oddly underplayed in American debates: that its fundamentally wrong-headed to approach government using the same standards as for business, which is implicit in the DOGE project. Even so, he comes to a grim conclusion. To confirm that if anything, Das is downplaying the severity of the US slide, please read this Fortune story The Big Short investor who predicted the 2008 crash warns the market is underestimating the economic impact of DOGEs mass spending cuts (hat tip resilc). Representative bits: [Danny] Moses argued investors are already beginning to see disruptions in consumer confidencewhich last month saw its steepest drop in four yearsand will continue to hear similar trends in upcoming earnings calls. These slowdowns have yet to be priced into the market, he said The tell-tale signs of the weakening economy will be seen in small businesses and private contractors that are doing legitimate work services that are now being forced to make decisions on their business, Moses said. The government spent about $759 billion on contracts in fiscal 2023, an increase of about $33 billion from the year before, with about $171.5 billion going to small businesses, according to the U.S. Government Accountability Office. Musks own companies receive at least $20 billion in government contracts. DOGEs mass cuts have already begun to jeopardize major contracts. Accenture chief executive Julie Spellman Sweet told investors Thursday its Federal Services business, representing 8% of global revenue, lost U.S. government contracts as part of DOGEs review. The consultancys share price tumbled 7.3% following the announcement. The elimination of both federal jobs and contracts creates what Moses called an unvirtuous cycle. As more fired federal workers look for private sector jobs, they may find fewer opportunities because of shrinking revenue streams in government contracts. By Satyajit Das, a former banker and author of numerous works on derivatives and several general titles: Traders, Guns & Money: Knowns and Unknowns in the Dazzling World of Derivatives (2006 and 2010), Extreme Money: The Masters of the Universe and the Cult of Risk (2011), (2022). His latest book is on ecotourism and mans relationship with wild animals Wild Quests (2024). Jointly published with the New Indian Express Online The acronym for the new US Department of Government Efficiency, DOGE, was historically the chief magistrate of Venice or Genoa. The phonetic dodgy is defined as dishonest, likely to fail, or causing problems or pain. DOGEs plan to reduce waste is being run in imperial fashion by the multi-skilled super genius Elon Musk and is likely to fail with significant collateral damage. The governments revenue and spending are around $5.5 trillion and $7 trillion, respectively. DOGE is targeting expenditure cuts of around $2 trillion. It claims to have cut $100 billion, although real savings may be only $2-$10 billion. Eliminating 25 percent of federal employees saves 1 percent and terminating USAID only 0.6 percent. Meaningful spending reductions require politically toxic cuts to defence, social security, Medicare/Medicaid, veterans benefits, defence, and interest payments, constituting 75 percent of federal spending. The cuts ignore the costs of DOGE actions. Cancelling contracts incur payment for completed work and penalties. Fired workers get termination payments. At around $1,00,000 per head, $7.5 billion is the cost of 75,000 employees taking deferred resignations against annual savings of $11.6 billion if they are not replacedunlikely if they perform essential tasks. The plan wont reduce the budget deficit and debt. Extending tax cuts, eliminating taxes on social security, tips and overtime, and reinstating state and local tax deductions will reduce revenues by around $900 billion annually. Over the next decade, the deficit may rise from $2 trillion to $3.6 trillion due to rising payouts for social security, aged care, and health care. Where once five workers financially supported every retiree, there are now three, which will eventually be two. DOGEs corporate restructuring approach misunderstands the public sectors challenges. Businesses focus on profit maximisation and shareholder returns, whereas the government must balance security, growth, living standards, justice, and values. Businesses operate within defined product-market structures, picking and choosing activities. In contrast, governments must manage in a complex environment shaped by domestic and foreign factors, many of which they dont control or influence, requiring effective cooperation across constituencies and countries. Many state activities are driven by the absence or failure of market-based solutions. Earnings and share prices provide a reasonable measure of the effects of business decisions. The success or failure of government choices is less quantifiable as the benefits of infrastructure, education, and welfare are complex and can take decades to become evident. DOGEs education and research spending cuts risk undermining long-run US competitiveness. Businesses can avoid the broader impact of decisions to reduce workforce, shift production overseas, seek subsidies or minimise taxes. The state effectively deals with unemployment, income support, retraining, and social damage. There is no such safety net for government decisions. Government time horizons must, of necessity, be longer than those businesses follow. With limited accountability, corporate managers wield extensive power, controlling their organisations through threats (dismissal) or rewards (remuneration or promotion). Government actions require legislative body support and are restricted, at least in theory, by the separation of powers, restraints on executive or governmental action and international obligations. Governments cannot fire legislators and traditionally face significant barriers in rewarding or replacing public servants. DOGE cannot lawfully change spending already legislated or alter executive spending authority without Congressional amendment to existing laws or passing new legislation. Implementation requires negotiations and engineering consensus with factions within ones party and opposing politicians, supporters, funders, and the bureaucracy. Republican legislators are finding that DOGE actions are not universally popular with constituencies with the power to vote them out of office. Courts have already begun disallowing cancellation of contracts and terminations. Execution of government decisions is complicated. Deep domain knowledge is a prerequisite. DOGE staff seemingly lack the necessary knowledge and understanding of the constitution and legislation, government accounting, and systems. The cuts in public sector employees may hamper the administrations much-touted tariffs and deportation, which are labour-intensive and require extensive documentation. The identified factors suggest few cost savings. The US government spending hit new highs in February 2025, underlining this. So, what are the US administrations real objectives? One interpretation is that DOGEs actions are surrealist theatre or performance art, giving the appearance of achievement but really activities to please the Presidents MAGA base. They distract from failures to end the Ukraine war in 24 hours, reduce prices, boost economic activity, improve living standards, and increase wealth. The other is more worrying. DOGE and Musk could be Trojan horses for dismembering government capabilities and decreasing regulatory constraints on business. Actions to date have significantly weakened bodies responsible for oversight and enforcing legislation. This would allow interests associated with the President to loot the nation. The Trump family and businesses have already sought to monetise their brand, for example, through investment and trading in cryptocurrencies. Continued business support suggests that DOGEs cuts may be a precursor to privatising some public services. The relevant parallel is Russia in the 1990s when the West pressured an ineffective government to sell off state assets at bargain prices, benefitting some oligarchs. Elon Musk purchased his role with $250 million in campaign contributions and enjoys extraordinary authority without being elected and having no Senate confirmation. Despite palpable conflicts of interest, he is well positioned to maintain and expand government contracts for his businesses, such as SpaceX and X. He may leverage access to confidential data and proprietary government software to advance his business interests in areas like AI and disadvantage competitors. Some DOGE measures have resulted in shutting down investigations of Musk-related businesses. Without strong congressional resistance and an administration willing to ignore court orders, DOGE may indicate a deeper shiftthe US becoming a powerful, wealthy, but failed state. Yves here. The use of psychedelic mushrooms as a mental health treatment is a potentially important step forward, but this post suggests that the experiment part is not an inaccurate description. This article gives the impression that not much is concretely known about the potential benefits of these mushrooms. By contrast, I thought, perhaps incorrectly, that there was a lot of research in the 1950s and 1960s on LSD. I was surprised, for instance, to see extended periods of anxiety as a possible outcome. I has understood that one of the supposed big used of these psychedelics would be to treat anxiety, since neither talk therapy nor meds have much success with it. Also, not surprisingly, the costs are fairly high, not due to the cost of the mushrooms but all the liability prevention (screening) and needing a trained minder during the session. A mushroom trip is only a few hours, versus about 12 hours for LSD. An open question is whether a single administration of mushrooms will produce a lasting difference. Many users report so via it changing their perception of reality. Is this universal or merely common? Recent studies suggest that differences in responses to psychedelics could have a genetic basis. By Kate Ruder (@KateRuderWriter). Originally published at KFF Health News Colorado regulators are issuing licenses for providing psychedelic mushrooms and are planning to authorize the states first healing centers, where the mushrooms can be ingested under supervision, in late spring or early summer. The dawn of state-regulated psychedelic mushrooms has arrived in Colorado, nearly two years since Oregon began offering them. The mushrooms are a Schedule I drug and illegal under federal law except for clinical research. But more than a dozen cities nationwide have deprioritized or decriminalized them in the past five years, and many eyes are turned toward Oregons and Colorados state-regulated programs. In Oregon and Colorado, were going to learn a lot about administration of psychedelics outside of clinical, religious, and underground settings because theyre the first to try this in the U.S., said William R. Smith, an assistant professor of psychiatry at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine. Psychedelic mushrooms and their psychoactive compound psilocybin have the potential to treat people with depression and anxiety, including those unresponsive to other medications or therapy. The National Institute on Drug Abuse, part of the National Institutes of Health, says the risk of mental health problems caused by ingesting mushrooms in a supervised clinical setting is low, but may be higher outside of a clinical setting. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said in a social media post last year, before his nomination as U.S. health secretary, that his mind is open to the idea of psychedelics for treatment. Medical experts say more research is needed, particularly in people with a diagnosis or family history of psychotic or bipolar disorder. Adverse effects of psilocybin, including headache and nausea, typically resolve within one to two days. However, extended difficulties from using psychedelics can last weeks, months, or years; anxiety and fear, existential struggle, social disconnection, and feeling detached from oneself and ones surroundings are most common. After the decriminalization and legalization in Oregon and Colorado, psychedelic mushroom exposures reported to poison control centers ticked up in these states and nationally. In February, about 40 people organized by the psychedelic advocacy group the Nowak Society gathered in Boulder to talk about the coming changes in Colorado. They included Mandy Grace, who received her state license to administer psychedelic mushrooms, and Amanda Clark, a licensed mental health counselor from Denver, who both praised the therapeutic power of mushrooms. You get discouraged in your practice because the current therapies are not enough for people, Clark said. Colorado voters approved Proposition 122 in 2022 to legalize natural psychedelics, after Oregon voters in 2020 approved legalizing psilocybin for therapeutic use. Colorados program is modeled after, but not the same as, Oregons, under which 21,246 psilocybin products have been sold as of March, a total that could include secondary doses, according to the Oregon Health Authority. As of mid-March, Colorado has received applications for at least 15 healing center licenses, nine cultivation licenses, four manufacturer licenses, and one testing facility license for growing and preparing the mushrooms, under rules developed over two years by the governor-appointed Natural Medicine Advisory Board. Psychedelic treatments in Oregon are expensive, and are likely to be so in Colorado, too, said Tasia Poinsatte, Colorado director of the nonprofit Healing Advocacy Fund, which supports state-regulated programs for psychedelic therapy. In Oregon, psychedelic mushroom sessions are typically $1,000 to $3,000, are not covered by insurance, and must be paid for up front. The mushrooms themselves are not expensive, Poinsatte said, but a facilitators time and support services are costly, and there are state fees. In Colorado, for doses over 2 milligrams, facilitators will screen participants at least 24 hours in advance, then supervise the session in which the participant consumes and experiences mushrooms, lasting several hours, plus a later meeting to integrate the experience. Facilitators, who may not have experience with mental health emergencies, need training in screening, informed consent, and postsession monitoring, Smith said. Because these models are new, we need to gather data from Colorado and Oregon to ensure safety. Facilitators generally pay a$420 training fee, which allows them to pursue the necessary consultation hours, and roughly $900 a year for a license, and healing centers pay $3,000 to $6,000 for initial licenses in Colorado. But the up-front cost for facilitators is significant: The required 150 hours in a state-accredited program and 80 hours of hands-on training can cost $10,000 or more, and Clark said she wouldnt pursue a facilitator license due to the prohibitive time and cost. To increase affordability for patients in Colorado, Poinsatte said, healing centers plan to offer sliding-scale pay options, and discounts for veterans, Medicaid enrollees, and those with low incomes. Group sessions are another option to lower costs. Colorado law does not allow retail sales of psilocybin, unlike cannabis, which can be sold both recreationally and medically in the state. But it allows adults 21 and older to grow, use, and share psychedelic mushrooms for personal use. Despite the retail ban, adjacent businesses have mushroomed. Inside the warehouse and laboratory of Activated Brands in Arvada, brown bags of sterilized grains such as corn, millet, and sorghum and plastic bags of soil substrate are for sale, along with genetic materials and ready-to-grow kits. Co-founder Sean Winfield sells these supplies for growing psychedelic or functional mushrooms such as lions mane to people hoping to grow their own at home. Soon, Activated Brands will host cultivation and education classes for the public, Winfield said. Winfield and co-founder Shawn Cox recently hosted a psychedelic potluck at which experts studying and cultivating psychedelic mushrooms discussed genetics, extraction, and specialized equipment. Psychedelic mushrooms have a long history in Indigenous cultures, and provisions for their use in spiritual, cultural, or religious ceremonies are included in Colorado law, along with recognition of the cultural harm that could occur to federally recognized tribes and Indigenous people if natural medicine is overly commercialized or exploited. Several studies over the past five years have shown the long-term benefits of psilocybin for treatment-resistant major depressive disorder, and the Food and Drug Administration designated it a breakthrough therapy. Late-stage trials, often a precursor to application for FDA approval, are underway. Smith said psilocybin is a promising tool for treating mental health disorders but has not yet been shown to be better than other advanced treatments. Joshua Woolley, an associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the University of California-San Francisco, said he has seen the benefits of psilocybin as an investigator in clinical trials. People can change hard-set habits. They can become unstuck. They can see things in new ways, he said of treating patients with a combination of psilocybin and psychotherapy. Colorado, unlike Oregon, allows integration of psilocybin into existing mental health and medical practices with a clinical facilitator license, and through micro-healing centers that are more limited in the amounts of mushrooms they can store. Still, Woolley said, between the federal ban and new state laws for psychedelics, this is uncharted territory. Most drugs used to treat mental health disorders are regulated by the FDA, something that Colorado is taking into its own hands by setting up its own program to regulate manufacturing and administration of psilocybin. The U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Colorado declined to comment on its policy toward state-regulated psychedelic programs or personal use provisions, but Poinsatte hopes the same federal hands-off approach to marijuana will be taken for psilocybin in Oregon and Colorado. Winfield said he looks forward to the upcoming rollout and potential addition of other plant psychedelics, such as mescaline. Were talking about clandestine industries coming into the light, he said. I hate to put on my cynics hat, but I see a weird childlike faith in daddy figures behind the hope the the good daddy, Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, will stop the mad bad dad Donald Trump. The other archetypal story line at work is the heros journey, with Roberts as the hero, which has become a fixture of action movies and most sci fi and fantasy novels. The Hollywood version is that the protagonist is up against impossible odds, yet manages through incredible feats requiring stuntmen and the destruction of a lot of vehicles to prevail. Since we are not in a world of fiction, pinning undue hope on rescue by Roberts seems awfully tenuous. Weve come across another idea, proposed by former Federal Judge Shira Scheindlin, on the use of civil contempt, which would be within the authority of any judge faced with refusal to comply with court orders, perjury, or other types of defiance of the authority of the court. This would have the advantage of having the judiciary itself thrown its weight against Trump Administration officials giving the rule of law the middle finger. We have discussed Judge Scheindlins idea with a few lawyers and legally-adjacent experts. None of them have found any major flaws. So we are writing about it again and in a bit more detail in the hope that this idea will get traction. One thing we have inferred so far is that criminal contempt has been the subject of far more court cases and hence also legal analysis than civil contempt. So any readers with expertise in civil contempt are very much encouraged to weigh in. One reason for courts to stand up more forcefully against the Trump onslaught is that it is a politically very bad look for the Administration to fight the judiciary. We ran this tweet before but it bears repeating: To cross that rubicon [of defying court rulings] is a big no, no' for Americans. This court issue is a big loser for Trump. The belief that Trump must follow court orders is more popular than Mother Teresa: 84% of all adults, 92% of Dems, 82% of Indies & 79% of the GOP. pic.twitter.com/viRxH66YUO (((Harry Enten))) (@ForecasterEnten) March 19, 2025 But to return to pinning too many hopes on the Supremes, and particularly Chief Justice Roberts, the Trump Administration is allegedly itching to get before the top court. It believes that its many fights, ranging from DOGE to deportation to DEI, can be boiled down to its theory of a unitary Executive.1 If the Court backs that, its game, set, match. From a Politico interview with former Federal Judge Shira Scheindlin: Assuming that the judge Judge Boasberg or any other judge for that matter eventually concludes that the government deliberately violated a court order, what are the judges options? I can tell you that every former judge I know has been asked this question by somebody in the media, including me. I think the only real option is civil contempt. You could also sanction the person, and thats always interesting, because you could have fines that double every day, so it can get serious fast. I dont know how good at math you are, but a $1,000 fine doubling every day can quickly add up to real money not for the United States government, but for an individual. If somebody was individually sanctioned, that adds up As indicated when we wrote about this idea earlier, $1,000 doubled daily becomes over $1 trillion by day 31. While civil rights laws limit daily fines for criminal contempt to $1,000 per day, there is no cap for civil contempt. A very quick pass at the Just Security Litigation Tracker shows that individual defendants in cases against the Trump Administration include Trump, Elon Musk, Scott Bessant, Pete Folores, Charles Ezell, Marco Rubio, Michelle King, James Wu, and Jennifer B. Higgins. One could argue given the presence of billionaires on this list that ginormous fines are necessary to get their attention. Mind you, many of the cases agains the Trump Administrations action do not include individuals among the defendants. And since many are still in progress, its not clear how many will go into contempt terrain. However, defying a courts order is contempt. And the Administration too often has been or has signaled it intends to do just that if it does not like a ruling. Keep in mind that there are two types of contempt: direct contempt and indirect contempt. As Justia explains it: Direct contempt results when the contumacious act is committed in the presence of the Court or so near thereto as to obstruct the administration of justice,195 while indirect contempt is behavior that the Court did not itself witness. Far and away the most common type of direct contempt is when a party to a legal proceeding becomes disruptive, such as screaming or physically threatening people in the courtroom. Lying on the stand and missing a scheduled hearing without a valid excuse are also direct contempt. By contrast, failing to honor a subpoena, a false deposition, withholding evidence, and bribing or threatening jurors are indirect contempt. Anyone who has worked with lawyers advancing new legal theories or uncommon applications of existing theories knows that it can take several attempts before they are debugged enough to fly well. Again, I am not sure whether an aggressive application of civil contempt in the face of unprecedented, Constitution-challenging defiance of court orders would fall in that category, but the Administration would be sure to depict it as such if the judges developed the intestinal fortitude to go this route. If you read the underlying Politico interview, Judge Scheindlin didnt consider the idea of criminal contempt as an option because it would take an attorney acting on behalf of the government to pursue that action, and the Department of Justice would not go there. However, she curiously did not consider the idea of designating a special counsel to pursue cases of indirect contempt.although even if the court prevailed, there is still the pesky problem that the Administration might try to bar Federal Marshalls from hauling the miscreants away if jail time were ordered. Consider another angle suggested by a seasoned litigator: A judge could really shake things up by jailing the lawyers for acts constituting direct contempts before the court. Back in the olden days when attorneys were counselors at law and not precarious saps telling the client whatever he wants to hear, lawyers feared being held in contempt more than being fired by the client. As Elon reminds us about the Eichmans and Heydrichs who actually carried out the Final Solution, Trump and DOGE need foot soldiers. If they start getting thrown into jail, the dogs just might stop eating the dog food. I think that Chief Justice Roberts would back the play of judges maybe growing spines and using their authority as a co-equal branch of government. Please circulate this post widely. Even if this idea is still too much of an alpha version to be ready for release, there is likely enough of a there there to serve as a basis for action once refined. ____ 1 By Peter M. Shane at Verfassungsblog: Have you ever smoked pot? Taken mushrooms? How fast can you get from, say, Nissan stadium to Shotgun Willies BBQ? When was the last time you shot off fireworks inside the city limits? You have any uncles who make a mean moonshine? Did you ever mix sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid and nitrogen in your garage in an effort to make blue pigment and only afterwards wonder if that was even legal to do? Congratulations. You are well-equipped to live in Tennessee. Since Republicans are trying to make it illegal to harbor or hide someone who is undocumented, I would like to encourage you to think about people who harbor undocumented people as morally akin to people who speed. A thousand dollars? Yes, its a lot. But if your family has money set aside to pay for Cousin Joe when he inevitably gets drunk and tries to fight his exs new husband, your family can set aside money to pay for Cousin Joe when he gets caught sharing an apartment with his undocumented coworker. Hell, young people with conservative parents, I would even take this as a good excuse for premarital sex. Youre not screwing around with that cute Irish bartender who has overstayed their visa. Youre harboring them in your bed and hiding them under you. Its your moral duty to break unjust laws. Youll be unsurprised to learn that this bill is sponsored by Sen. Brent Taylor (R-Memphis), who is quickly becoming my favorite evildoer in the whole state. Its not just because his personal style is so clearly based on that one Nazi from Indiana Jones, but also because he is so silly. Hes out here protecting us from radical leftists who are protesting Tesla dealerships. Hes regularly trying to take over Memphis. And, by God, you can bet that if someone even so much as thinks a kind thought about an undocumented person, Taylor will be on the case. His motto should be To comfort the comfortable and afflict the afflicted. Republicans, Immigration, Brent Taylor and the Devil The Republican state senator said 'heaven has an immigration policy.' So I called up hell to ask a few questions. Listen, you should have as much regard for the law as these Republicans do, which is to say, not much. I was joking about how taking undocumented people into your bed is your moral duty, but Im not joking about it being your moral duty to break unjust laws. It is. You think the people who hid Anne Franks family were wrong to do so? Of course not. You think the white church ladies who sat next to the Black kids trying to eat at Nashville's lunch counters were wrong to do so? Of course not. You think Juanita Brazier was wrong for running a gay bar or wrong for bailing out her customers when they were arrested? Hell no. Shit yall, were in a state that wants to make it so that an old man with prostate issues going into the one-seat womens bathroom at a gas station because the mens is full is on the wrong side of the law. Is he wrong? I know you are used to breaking the law. You speed. You drink from the mason jar someone took out of the freezer at the party. You might smoke whatever someone is passing around. And do we even need to talk about your taxes? Thats some creativity there, Ill say. So hide people if they need hiding. Harbor people who need refuge. Pay no attention to the people troubling no one in the bathroom. And laugh at Brent Taylor, who seems to think that if he can be mean enough and tough enough, no one will notice that he has curdled milk where his soul should be. We can all tell, Brent. We can all tell. Columbia University student self-deports following visa revocation over pro-Hamas protests Ranjani Srinivasan, an Indian national and Columbia University doctoral student, had her F-1 student visa revoked due to her involvement in pro-Hamas protests. She voluntarily left the U.S. using the CBP Home app, a new tool for self-reporting departures. Launched in March, the app allows individuals to submit personal information and travel plans for voluntary departure, streamlining immigration enforcement for those facing deportation or visa overstays. Srinivasans departure is part of a broader federal response to campus unrest, with other Columbia protest leaders, including Mahmoud Khalil and Leqaa Kordia, facing arrest, detention and deportation for their alleged involvement in pro-Hamas activities. Mahmoud Khalil, a Syrian-born graduate and protest leader, was detained by ICE on March 8 and is awaiting deportation. Leqaa Kordia, a Palestinian student, was arrested for overstaying her visa and alleged pro-Hamas activity. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem emphasized that advocating for violence or terrorism warrants visa revocation and deportation, highlighting the administrations strict approach to campus protests and immigration enforcement. A foreign student at Columbia University has left the U.S. using a self-deportation app after her F-1 student visa was revoked due to her involvement in pro-Hamas protests on campus. Ranjani Srinivasan, an Indian national who entered the U.S. on a student visa, was involved in pro-Hamas activities during her time as a doctoral student at Columbia University. Due to her alleged activities in support of Hamas, a designated terrorist organization, the Department of State revoked her student visa. However, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced on March 14 that Srinivasan was captured on surveillance footage departing the U.S. on March 11 using the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Home app, a rebranded version of the Biden-era CBP One app, which now includes a feature for illegal migrants to self-report their intention to leave the country. The CBP Home app, which was quietly rolled out earlier this month, allows individuals to submit their personal information, travel plans and intent to leave the country voluntarily. DHS officials have touted the app as a more efficient way to manage immigration enforcement, particularly for individuals who are already in the process of deportation or have overstayed their visas. "It is a privilege to be granted a visa to live and study in the United States of America," DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said on March 14. "When you advocate for violence and terrorism, that privilege should be revoked and you should not be in this country. I am glad to see one of the Columbia University terrorist sympathizers use the CBP Home app to self-deport." Video footage shared by Noem shows Srinivasan boarding a flight from New York City to India. University protest leaders face deportation as federal crackdown on campus unrest intensifies The self deportation of Srinivasan follows the arrest and detention of Mahmoud Khalil, a Syrian-born foreign national and one of the leaders of the Columbia University's Apartheid Divest movement. Khalil, a prominent figure in the protests, was taken into Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody on March 8 and is currently being held at a detention facility in Louisiana while his deportation proceedings unfold. He completed his graduate studies at Columbia in December and may face visa revocation and green card cancellation under the administration's crackdown on college unrest. Despite graduating, he continued to live in school-provided housing due to a policy allowing post-graduation residency. His arrest marks a significant escalation in the federal government's response to the protests, which have been accused of turning violent and fostering anti-Semitic activity on campus. (Related: Trump Administration targets pro-Palestine activist for DEPORTATION, citing "foreign policy threat" in free speech crackdown.) Khalil is not the only Columbia protester to face legal consequences. On March 14, the DHS revealed that ICE agents arrested Leqaa Kordia, a Palestinian from the West Bank, for overstaying her expired student visa. Despite her visa being terminated in January 2022 for lack of attendance, Kordia remained in the U.S. and was arrested in April 2024 for her alleged involvement in pro-Hamas activity inside Columbia's campus. Visit Intolerance.news for more similar stories. Watch this video about pro-Hamas protests in Columbia University. This video is from the alltheworldsastage channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Jewish students endangered not because of anti-Israel protests, but because of police involvement and third-party doxing of participants. Arrest of a Columbia University graduate participating in campus protests against Israel ignites widespread outrage online. Wealthy Zionist donors behind NYPD crackdown on Columbia U protests. Sources include: Breitbart.com 1 DailyCaller.com Breitbart.com 2 Brighteon.com Border czar Tom Homan accuses Biden administration of deliberately undermining immigration enforcement Border czar Tom Homan accused the Biden administration of intentionally dismantling effective immigration enforcement policies, leading to a surge in illegal border crossings. Homan suggested that the former administration's policies are driven by political calculations, aiming to increase Democratic representation in the House by counting undocumented immigrants in the next census. He argued this could lead to more Democratic voters and congressional seats. Homan contrasted Biden's approach with Trump's, claiming Trump secured the border quickly, while Biden's policies have resulted in record-breaking illegal crossings. He noted ICE has increased deportations under Biden but argued broader policies incentivize illegal immigration. Despite assurances from former DHS Secretary Mayorkas that the border is under control, Homan and critics argue Biden's policies have created a humanitarian and security crisis, with millions of illegal immigrant encounters reported since fiscal year 2021. Immigration policy has become a defining issue of Biden's presidency, with critics accusing the administration of prioritizing political gains over national security. In a fiery interview on "The Stephen A. Smith Show" on March 14, Tom Homan accused the Biden administration of intentionally dismantling effective immigration enforcement policies, leading to a surge in illegal border crossings. Homan, a veteran of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), argued that President Joe Biden and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas knowingly abandoned strategies that had successfully reduced border crossings during the Obama administration. The discussion, which touched on political motivations and the administration's handling of the ongoing border crisis, has reignited debates over immigration policy and its broader implications for national security and electoral politics. Homan, who served as acting ICE director under President Donald Trump, pointed to Biden's tenure as vice president under Barack Obama as evidence that the current administration understands how to secure the border but has chosen not to. "Why do I think he did it on purpose? Because Joe Biden was vice president under Barack Obama when he had those record removals. Alejandro Mayorkas was a deputy secretary under Obama when he had those removals," Homan said. During the Obama administration, Homan explained, the government implemented measures such as family residential centers, which detained migrant families long enough to ensure they appeared before a judge. "We held them long enough to see a judge, 90 percent lost a case, 90 percent, so we put them on an airplane, sent them home, and border numbers tanked," Homan said. He argued that Biden and Mayorkas deliberately reversed these policies, opting instead to release migrants into the U.S. without ensuring they faced legal consequences. (Related: SECURE BORDERS: Trump's border czar reports historic low in illegal immigrant encounters.) "So both those men [Biden and Mayorkas] knew how we solved that crisis. When it came back in, as the now secretary and the president, what did they do? The complete opposite. They didn't defend. They released. They didn't make them see a judge, and they weren't removing them," Homan said. Political motivations behind the policy shift? Homan suggested that the administration's approach may be driven by political calculations rather than a commitment to border security. He claimed that Biden's policies could lead to increased Democratic representation in the House of Representatives by counting millions of undocumented immigrants in the next census. "I think this administration thought these millions of people are gonna be future Democratic voters, but one of the things Biden also did, in addition to destroying all the programs we put in place to give us the most secure border, he overturned the Trump census rule, which means millions of people that they released in sanctuary cities will be counted in the next census," Homan said. "Which is going to result in more seats in the House for the Dems. So I truly believe they saw a future political benefit with this." Homan has been a vocal critic of the Biden administration's immigration policies, often contrasting them with those of the Trump administration. In a separate interview with Fox News, he argued that Trump's policies had secured the border within a month of taking office, while Biden's approach has led to record-breaking numbers of illegal crossings. According to data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), there have been millions of illegal immigrant encounters since the start of fiscal year 2021. Despite repeated assurances from Mayorkas that the border is under control, Homan and other critics argue that the Biden administration's policies have created a humanitarian and security crisis. Watch the video below where border czar Tom Homan blasts Joe Biden for being all about "optics" and not national security. This video is from the TrendingNews channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Border czar Tom Homan blasts Vatican's double standard on BORDER SECURITY. Homan takes aim at NJ governor over alleged harboring of ILLEGAL ALIEN. Trump border czar vows to "wipe drug cartels off the face of the earth," targets finances to end corruption. Sources include: YouTube.com YourNews.com Brighteon.com 20-year-old illegal immigrant accused of BEATING 2-month-old daughter to death A 20-year-old illegal immigrant from Guatemala, Marlon Rabanales-Pretzantzin, is charged with second-degree murder after fatally beating his two-month-old daughter, Liseyda Rabanales Barrios. The infant suffered severe physical abuse, including broken bones and head injuries, leading to her death. Rabanales-Pretzantzin admitted to physically abusing the baby, claiming he did not believe the child was his and did not want her. He confessed to hitting her multiple times and throwing her on the ground. The infant's mother, who was not involved in the abuse, lived with Rabanales-Pretzantzin. Their one-year-old son was removed from the home for evaluation, though his condition remains undisclosed. In a separate case, another illegal immigrant from Guatemala, Sebastian Zapeta-Calil, is charged with murder and arson for setting a 57-year-old woman, Debrina Kawam, on fire while she slept on a subway train in December 2022. Kawam died from her injuries. Despite ICE issuing a detainer for Zapeta-Calil, New York City's sanctuary policies prevent local authorities from cooperating with federal immigration enforcement. Critics argue such policies endanger public safety by protecting individuals with criminal histories. A 20-year-old illegal immigrant is now facing charges of second-degree murder after authorities say he fatally beat his two-month-old daughter. On March 7, Nassau County police responded to a home in Inwood for a report of a choking infant named Liseyda Rabanales Barrios just after 10:30 a.m. Emergency responders rushed the two-month-old girl to a local hospital, where she was later transferred to another facility for further treatment. Despite medical efforts, the infant succumbed to her injuries. But after an autopsy and subsequent investigation was conducted, it was revealed that Liseyda had suffered severe physical abuse, including abrasions, broken bones and other injuries from his father, Marlon Rabanales-Pretzantzin. Detectives determined that the injuries were the result of an assault, leading to her death. Rabanales-Pretzantzin, originally from Guatemala, was arrested March 12 following a harrowing investigation into the death of his daughter. "He admitted to us what had happened with the baby, how he abused it physically, how he felt the child wasn't his and how he did not respect or want that child," Nassau County Police Detective Capt. Stephen Fitzpatrick said, during a press briefing, detailing the chilling confession of Rabanales-Pretzantzin. "He hit the child several times around the head and face. He threw the child on the ground." Rabanales-Pretzantzin lived in the home with the 20-year-old mother of his children, who authorities believe was not involved in the abuse. A one-year-old boy was also removed from the home and taken to a hospital for evaluation. Officials have not disclosed whether the toddler sustained any injuries. He was arraigned in Nassau County Court the next day and is being held without bail. Illegal immigrant charged for setting a woman on fire Meanwhile, another illegal from Guatemala is facing charges for setting a woman on fire. Sebastian Zapeta-Calil, another Guatemalan national, has been charged with setting a woman ablaze while she slept on a subway train last December. The 33-year-old Guatemalan is accused of murder and arson in the horrific Dec. 22, 2022, attack at Brooklyn's Coney Island subway station. (Related: Sanctuary city laws shield illegal immigrant accused of burning woman alive in NYC subway.) According to authorities, he allegedly doused 57-year-old Debrina Kawam with a flammable liquid and set her ablaze while she slept. Witnesses reported that Zapeta-Calil fanned the flames with a shirt to intensify the fire before calmly observing the scene from a platform bench. Kawam, a mother and grandmother, succumbed to her injuries days later. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials confirmed that Zapeta-Calil entered the U.S. illegally in 2018, was deported, and later re-entered the country at an unknown time. Before his arrest, he was living in a Brooklyn shelter and working as a roofer. But despite ICE issuing a detainer request for Zapeta-Calil, the New York City Department of Corrections has refused to honor it, citing the city's sanctuary policies. These laws limit local law enforcement's cooperation with federal immigration authorities, aiming to foster trust between immigrant communities and police. However, critics argue that such policies endanger public safety by shielding individuals with criminal histories from deportation. Follow InvasionUSA.news for more stories about illegal immigration happening in America. Watch this episode of "The Breanna Morello Show" as Breanna Morello interviews Dan Lyman about men of military age illegally entering the United States. This video is from the MyPodcastDropped2320 channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: A tragic consequence of failed border policies: Illegal immigrant sentenced for killing Florida deputy. SBA to cut off taxpayer benefits for illegal immigrants and remove offices from sanctuary cities. Trump administration to launch registry for illegal immigrants: Fines and arrests for noncompliance. Sources include: TheNationalPulse.com 1 FoxNews.com TheNationalPulse.com 2 Brighteon.com Senate moves to ban Chinese researchers from U.S. national labs amid espionage fears Republican lawmakers led by Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR), introduced the Guarding American Technology from Exploitation (GATE) Act to ban foreign researchers from adversarial nations (China, Russia, Iran, North Korea and Cuba) from accessing the Department of Energy's 17 national laboratories. The bill addresses evidence that foreign adversaries, particularly China, have exploited U.S. labs to steal sensitive research and recruit scientists, with nearly 8,000 of 40,000 foreign researchers in 2023 coming from China and Russia. Former U.S. researchers have reportedly aided China in developing advanced military technologies, such as hypersonic missiles and deep earth-penetrating warheads, through programs like the Thousand Talents Plan. The GATE Act includes a waiver allowing the energy secretary to grant exceptions for foreign researchers if deemed beneficial to U.S. national security, though critics argue this could still leave vulnerabilities. The bill reflects a growing debate over balancing national security with the need for global scientific collaboration, as the U.S. seeks to protect its technological edge while addressing the risks posed by adversarial nations like China. In a bold move to safeguard Americas most sensitive scientific research, Republican lawmakers are pushing to ban foreign researchers from adversarial nations including China from accessing U.S. national laboratories. The proposed legislation, known as the Guarding American Technology from Exploitation (GATE) Act, aims to close what lawmakers describe as glaring security gaps that have allowed hostile regimes to exploit American innovation for their own military and technological gain. Introduced by Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR), the bill targets scientists from China, Russia, Iran, North Korea and Cuba. Scientists from the five adversary nations would be barred from working in or accessing the Department of Energy's (DOE) 17 national laboratories. These labs are at the forefront of cutting-edge research in energy, nuclear deterrence, and advanced technologyareas critical to both U.S. national security and global competitiveness. (Related: Iran, Russia, China unite against US sanctions, demand end to 'unlawful' coercion in global power play.) The urgency behind the bill stems from mounting evidence that foreign adversaries, particularly China, have systematically targeted American labs to steal intellectual property and recruit top scientists. According to Cottons office, nearly 8,000 of the 40,000 foreign scientists who accessed these labs in fiscal year 2023 were from China and Russia. This means one in five foreign researchers entering these facilities hailed from nations the U.S. considers its most dangerous adversaries. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has long been accused of using programs like the Thousand Talents Plan to lure scientists trained in the U.S. back to China, where their expertise is used to advance Beijings military ambitions. Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT), a co-sponsor of the bill, warned that former DOE researchers have already helped China develop hypersonic missiles, deep earth-penetrating warheads and advanced submarines weapons designed to counter U.S. military superiority. How U.S. labs became a target for exploitation While the GATE Act would prohibit non-citizen researchers from adversarial nations from working at DOE labs, it includes a waiver process. The energy secretary could grant exceptions for academic visitors if their participation is deemed to provide a clear benefit to U.S. national security. However, critics argue that such waivers could still leave the door open to exploitation. Cotton has emphasized the lack of reciprocity in U.S.-China scientific collaboration. While American researchers are barred from accessing China's most sensitive facilities, Chinese scientists have enjoyed relatively unrestricted access to U.S. labs. This imbalance, he argues, has allowed Beijing to exploit American openness while shielding its own research from foreign scrutiny. The concerns are not unfounded. A 2021 report by Strider Technologies revealed that at least 162 former scientists from Los Alamos National Laboratory home to the development of the world's first atomic bomb were recruited by Beijing to work on its military programs over the past three decades. In 2020, a former Los Alamos scientist was sentenced to five years of probation for lying about his involvement in the Thousand Talents Program. The GATE Act builds on existing restrictions included in the 2025 National Defense Authorization Act, which bars citizens of China, Russia, Iran and North Korea from accessing certain national security research sites. The initial provision applies to the Los Alamos, Lawrence Livermore and Sandia national laboratories. However, the new bill seeks to expand these restrictions to all 17 DOE labs a move supported by former DOE Undersecretary Paul Dabbar. The Energy Department official under the first Trump administration cited "a whole generation of successful efforts by communist China in stealing stuff" to justify the expansion. The debate over foreign researchers in U.S. labs is part of a broader conversation about balancing national security with the need to attract global talent. While the U.S. has long benefited from the contributions of international scientists, the risks posed by adversarial nations like China have forced lawmakers to reconsider the cost of openness. Visit NationalSecurity.news for more similar stories. Watch this clip of U.S. President Donald Trump expressing worry about the DeepSeek AI from China. This video is from the Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Beijing influencing media outlets in a bid to create a more positive reputation for China. Capitol Hill closes the door on CCP propaganda: China Daily BANNED from Congressional offices. RED SHIFT: 162 Scientists who used to work for a top US nuclear research base now work for the CCP. Sources include: YourNews.com NTD.com Southasiatimes.com Brighteon.com U.S. declares South African ambassador PERSONA NON GRATA The U.S. declared South Africa's ambassador, Ebrahim Rasool persona non grata expelling him after his inflammatory remarks at a seminar in Johannesburg, where he accused U.S. President Donald Trump and the MAGA movement of promoting "white supremacy." The expulsion marks a significant deterioration in U.S.-South Africa relations, exacerbated by earlier U.S. cuts to financial aid over South Africa's controversial land expropriation policies, which critics argue unfairly target white farmers. Rasool's comments were deemed unacceptable by U.S. officials, with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stating that his "race-baiting" and anti-American rhetoric crossed a line, making further dialogue impossible. The expulsion reflects growing tensions, highlighted by Rubio's decision to skip the upcoming G20 summit in Johannesburg, signaling the U.S. will not engage with nations promoting divisive policies or tolerating anti-American rhetoric. The incident underscores broader challenges in the bilateral relationship, raising questions about whether South Africa will take steps to repair ties or continue policies that alienate the U.S., a key ally. In a bold and decisive move, the U.S. has declared South Africa's ambassador Ebrahim Rasool persona non grata effectively expelling him from the country. The March 14 announcement by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio marks a significant escalation in the already strained relations between the two nations. It comes after Rasool's inflammatory remarks at a foreign policy seminar in Johannesburg, where he accused U.S. President Donald Trump of leading a "white supremacist" movement and claimed the Make America Great Again (MAGA) ideology was rooted in racial supremacy. "South Africa's ambassador to the U.S. is no longer welcome in our great country," Rubio stated on X. "Ebrahim Rasool is a race-baiting politician who hates America and hates [Trump]. We have nothing to discuss with him." The designation "persona non grata" Latin for "unwelcome person" is a rare and severe diplomatic action typically reserved for foreign officials whose conduct is deemed unacceptable by the host country. In this case, Rubio made it clear that Rasool's comments crossed a line. Rasool's remarks, delivered at the Mapungubwe Institute for Strategic Reflection (MISTRA), were not only inflammatory but also deeply offensive to the millions of Americans who support Trump and the MAGA movement. By labeling the U.S. president and his supporters as "white supremacists," Rasool not only mischaracterized a movement rooted in patriotism and economic revitalization but also revealed his own bias against the United States and its leadership. This expulsion is the latest chapter in a deteriorating relationship between Washington and Pretoria. Tensions have been mounting since Trump cut financial aid to South Africa earlier this year, citing concerns over the country's controversial land expropriation policies. (Related: Trump confirms funding cuts to South Africa, offers CITIZENSHIP to Afrikaner farmers whose lands were seized.) The Expropriation Act, signed into law by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in January, allows the government to seize land often from White farmers without compensation. While Ramaphosa insists the policy is aimed at addressing historical racial disparities in land ownership, critics argue it unfairly targets a specific group and undermines property rights. Washington takes a stand against anti-American rhetoric Rubio's decision to skip the upcoming G20 summit in Johannesburg further underscores the growing rift. The summit scheduled for November was seen as an opportunity for dialogue. However, the secretary's absence sends a clear message: the U.S. will not engage with nations that promote divisive policies or tolerate anti-American rhetoric. Meanwhile, Pretoria's response to the expulsion has been predictably defensive. Ramaphosa's office called the move "regrettable" on March 15 and reiterated its commitment to maintaining a "mutually beneficial relationship" with the United States. However, actions speak louder than words. Rasool's tenure as ambassador has been marked by a lack of engagement with key U.S. officials, particularly Republicans. The expulsion of a senior diplomat like Rasool is highly-unusual, even in times of strained relations. During the Cold War, for example, neither the U.S. nor Russia took such drastic measures against each other's ambassadors. This move signals that the Trump administration is willing to take a hardline approach to defend American values and sovereignty. Watch this clip of U.S. President Donald Trump announcing his plan to cut aid to South Africa, something he made good on. This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: South African minister calls for MINERAL BOYCOTT in response to U.S. aid cuts. They call for GENOCIDE: White farmers murdered, attacked following South African politicians demand to "Kill the Boer" during a far-left-wing party event. Trump signs executive order CUTTING AID to South Africa over land seizures. Sources include: TheNationalPulse.com Reuters.com BBC.com Brighteon.com Trump's "transactional foreign policy" hits deadlock Xinhua) 08:10, March 24, 2025 U.S. President Donald Trump speaks at a joint press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron (not in the picture) at the White House in Washington, D.C., the United States, on Feb. 24, 2025. (Xinhua/Hu Yousong) The essence of the "transactional foreign policy" is nothing more than coercion diplomacy rooted in power, serving the narrow self-interests of the United States. 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." U.S. and Ukrainian delegations meet in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, March 11, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen) "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 boy waits for bus in the snow with flowers in hands in Nuuk, Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark, March 19, 2025. (Xinhua/Peng Ziyang) 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. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Beijing's ancient camel stop revived as tourism hot spot 14:59, March 24, 2025 By Xin Wen ( China Daily Four characters on a wall that say "camel bells ring on ancient road" in Moshikou area. (Photo/China Daily) Moshikou resident An Licheng, 79, remembers well the sound of camel bells ringing as the pack animals traversed the mountain pass in Beijing's western region making their way to the city's downtown. He said when he was a youngster he could hear the bells sounding from as early as 4 am. "There was only one road to cross from the western Mentougou district to downtown Beijing, with a large mountain pass on the west side of the road," said An. "The camel team, which included at least five and up to seven camels, walked across the road to carry coal or groceries to the city's downtown, and returned in the afternoon at around 3 or 4 pm. "Those camels didn't stop to rest. Their endurance was strong, and they only stopped to drink water from a well in the middle of our village to replenish their strength." Located in Shijingshan district, what today is officially known as Moshikou Historical and Cultural Block, has seen a large influx of visitors over the past two years due to its renovation. The block was recently chosen as part of the fourth group of national-level tourist spots by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. Early last century, Moshikou was characterized by muddy roads and irregularly placed power poles. Over the decades, it has undergone a modernization process, but maintained its cultural traditions and characteristics. A dragon dance show celebrates Lichun (Start of Spring) at Moshikou Street in Beijing on Feb 3. (Photo/China Daily) A century of change During the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1911), Moshikou was a prosperous area. As wine shops and inns flourished to cater to camel caravans passing along what was called the "Camel Bell Ancient Road". The block's historical connection to camels is depicted in the classic novel Camel Xiangzi by renowned novelist Lao She, which captured the everyday life of Beijing residents in the late 1920s. The modern development of Moshikou began in 1922 when it became the first village in Beijing to have electricity. A year later, to reflect the progress brought by electrification and other advances, the meaning of the name of the village was changed from "millstone" to "model", with both having the same Chinese pronunciation. Moshikou, "the model of all villages", has been used ever since. Despite the changes, An remembers the vital role camels played in carrying loads weighing up to 350 kilograms of goods. "At that time, when it rained, the dirt road turned muddy and the carriages could not pass through, so they could only rely on camels for transport," he said. "Later, as the road improved and more carriages appeared, the camels were gradually phased out." An's family has been in Moshikou for three generations. He currently lives with four family members in a house covering about 300 square meters, half of which is leased for commercial use. "I'm glad that the street has taken on a new look, and the change has been obvious," he said. The stores and shops, as well as the walls on both sides of the street, have undergone a major face-lift, with some of the houses retaining their original appearance, he said. New food shops have popped up, attracting locals and visitors from the surrounding area to sample their dishes. Before the changes, the street was a hive of activity, with stalls selling pork, Chinese chives and snacks, said An. "I especially liked the tofu made with water from the deep mountain spring," he said. Since the renovation, the whole atmosphere of the street has improved and the food offerings have changed. An said he had tried two new food offerings and preferred the pancakes he sampled to a dish that was popular with visitors. People visit the Moshikou Street in Beijing in February. (Photo/China Daily) Preserving the past Zheng Tengfei is manager of Gudao Sicun, a courtyard that has a folk culture exhibition, displays and a cafe that highlights the attractions of the ancient trail. When visitors enter the venue they can refer to a copper cast map that takes them to exhibition halls and leads them to explore the displays on their own. The property was a grain store during the planned economy era from 1949 to 1978, then a pharmacy, and a Taoist temple, before finally being renovated into the courtyard. Zheng, 34, a native of Fengtai district, in Beijing, said that he hadn't intended to open a cafe in Shijingshan, particularly during the pandemic. However, when a friend told him about the Moshikou area's upgrade and the popularity of outdoor activities there, he changed his mind. "We didn't plan for the coffee shop to be a standard, commercial urban cafe, and admittedly we couldn't produce that large quantity of coffee per day," said Zheng. "At most, we are able to sell about 300 cups of coffee per day, and on weekends, around 200 cups a day. On weekdays, we sell only about 80 to 100 cups. "But after the major face-lift and the overall upgrade of Moshikou, and I was part of it, I believe the area is aesthetically different now," he added. Zhang Hao is planning and design manager for the Moshikou renewal project. Starting in 2020, the Shijingshan district government began the transformation of the area, focusing on preserving its cultural heritage, enhancing residents' living environment and diversifying businesses. "There are lots of residential courtyards on both sides of Moshikou Street, and our primary goal is to add more modern elements to the area while maintaining the original style of the neighborhood," he said. "We didn't want to create a uniform old neighborhood, but an area that can reflect the changes of time and even leave contemporary memories," he added. On the east side of Moshikou Street, Jingxi Shuju bookstore offers an ideal place for visitors to read and socialize. The bookstore's sloping green tile roof, bridge-like wooden structure and a large glass curtain form an inviting interior. Zuo Yan, manager of the state-owned bookstore, said that the store structure had integrated an underground water pump house and the district's transformer substation. While these facilities are not immediately apparent to visitors, they provide a space that incorporates modern elements. "It's become a must-see place for tourists visiting Moshikou," said Zuo. "Our bestselling books are historical and cultural ones, covering the history and folklore of western Beijing, especially on our street." Lao She's books also sell well, she added. Zuo said that the premises also host book-sharing sessions that feature cultural and creative products, as well as displaying artistic works related to Fahai Temple. People visit an exhibition at Gudao Sicun, a courtyard that integrates folk culture exhibitions, displays, and cafe in Moshikou area. (Photo/China Daily) Temple attractions Moshikou is home to Fahai Temple and its exquisite murals from the Ming Dynasty, which are a highlight of the cultural richness and history of the area. The temple is located on the northern side of the Moshikou block and was listed as a national key cultural heritage site in 1988. It has been preserved for centuries as a niche spot in western Beijing that was once part of the Ancient Camel Road. Built in 1439 during the Ming Dynasty, the temple was founded by Li Tong, an imperial eunuch. Around 169 painters and craftsmen participated in the construction of the temple and the painting of the murals, a project that spanned over four years. Fifteen court painters created 10 of the temple's murals, covering an area of 236.7 square meters and featuring 77 meticulously hand-drawn figures. Compared with the Palace Museum or the Summer Palace, Fahai Temple is a less popular destination for tourists visiting Beijing. However, the murals that it housed for over 500 years, are hidden gems that are now attracting more visitors from home and abroad. Shen Yayun, 34, from Shenzhen, Guangdong province, has visited the temple twice in four years to appreciate its murals. She said she is impressed by the fine details and extraordinary painting skills that brought almost everything on the walls to life, from flowers and grass to the eyes of mythical creatures and the attire of Buddha. "To better protect the murals, they are kept in darkness in the main hall of Fahai Temple," she said. "Only when tourists visit are flashlights shone to allow them to appreciate the large murals, adding more mystery to their artistic charm." Docents who guide the tour have a special flashlight that illuminates the murals in a yellowish glow that makes them look different, Shen said, adding it was a "mind-blowing" experience. The names of the court painters are engraved on a Buddhist stone pillar in front of the temple, which is still well-preserved at an exhibition hall in the temple courtyard. The tomb of Li Tong, the founder of Fahai Temple, is located to the right of the temple gate. The courtyard of Gudao Sicun. (Photo/China Daily) Sense of calm Observing the murals of Fahai Temple is more than just a tourist experience, as they convey spiritual aspects of Buddhism. The giant Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, nearly 2 meters tall, stand with dignified and benevolent faces, their robes adorned with intricate patterns traced in gold. "The brush strokes, smooth, free, and soft, combined with the delicate and complete depiction, conveyed to me a peaceful Buddhist world, and a sense of calm," said Shen. Angela Latham, a British journalist who explored Fahai Temple early last century, was amazed by the preserved Ming dynasty murals. "The vastness of the intricately woven composition, its grace and dignity, seems the work of some divine artist," Latham wrote in an article published in the Illustrated London News in February 1937. Jingxi Shuju, a bookstore in the Moshikou area. (Photo/China Daily) She described the Bodhisattvas she saw as "so beautiful that I have never seen any paintings as noble and as charming". Latham wrote that the "distinguished people" so admirably attending the Buddha on the walls of Fahai Temple are "a gathering of immortals". In 2023, the Fahai Temple Mural Art Center was opened, showcasing the fine details and motifs of the frescoes with digital technology. The practice of copying the frescoes inside the temple has also gained popularity among visitors. The costumes of the figures on the murals of Fahai Temple are displayed. (Photo/China Daily) Fresco-copying events are also held at Jingxi Shuju bookstore. Zuo, the manager, said that in the past two years, most of the visitors from Beijing had gotten to know Fahai Temple and its murals. "The development of the area and the preservation of the cultural relics site should complement each other, and I believe that is the goal," she said. "In the future, as more tourists come, the reputation of Fahai Temple, Moshikou, as well as our bookstore will grow." (Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun) West Virginia enacts law restricting men from accessing womens spaces West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey signed SB 456 into law, restricting access to womens spaces (restrooms, changing rooms, sleeping quarters) in public schools, colleges, shelters and correctional facilities based on biological sex. The law takes effect on June 9. The bill aims to protect women and girls from harassment, abuse and violence by defining male and female based on "biological sex," determined by chromosomes, hormones and reproductive anatomy at birth. Proponents, including conservative groups like the Alliance Defending Freedom, argue the law safeguards privacy and safety for women. Critics, however, warn it marginalizes transgender individuals, particularly transgender women and perpetuates discrimination. The law reflects a broader trend in conservative states to legislate gender-segregated spaces, often in response to federal efforts to expand transgender protections. It aligns with ongoing cultural and political debates over gender identity and rights. SB 456 is expected to face legal challenges, similar to other state laws, with potential implications for civil rights and public policy regarding gender identity. The law highlights deep societal divides over biological sex versus gender identity. On March 12, West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey signed into law SB 456, a controversial bill aimed at restricting men from accessing women's spaces, including restrooms, changing rooms and sleeping quarters in public schools, colleges, domestic violence shelters and correctional facilities. The legislation, which defines male and female based on biological sex, is set to take effect on June 9. Proponents argue the law is necessary to protect women and girls from potential harassment and abuse, while critics warn it could further marginalize transgender individuals. The bill's passage comes amid a national debate over gender identity and the rights of transgender individuals to access spaces that align with their gender. West Virginia's move reflects a broader trend in conservative-led states to legislate boundaries around gender-segregated spaces, often citing concerns over privacy and safety. SB 456 explicitly states its purpose is to "preserve women's restrooms, multiple occupancy restrooms or changing rooms and sleeping quarters for women in facilities where women have been traditionally afforded privacy and safety from acts of abuse, harassment, sexual assault and violence committed by men." The law applies to public institutions, including schools and shelters, and defines male and female based on "biological sex," which it describes as "the physical condition of being male or female, as determined by an individual's sex chromosomes, naturally occurring sex hormones and internal and external reproductive anatomy at birth." Legal and advocacy responses The legislation has drawn praise from conservative legal groups, including the Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), which has been at the forefront of advocating for similar measures nationwide. Sara Beth Nolan, ADF Legal Counsel, commended the law, stating, "States have a duty to protect the privacy, safety and dignity of women and girls." "Letting men intrude into girls' spaces where they are most vulnerable whether in a changing space, sleeping quarters or the restroom, is an invasion of privacy, a threat to their safety and a denial of the real biological differences between the two sexes," Nolan warned. She also praised West Virginia's leadership for their role in advancing the bill, calling it a victory for women's rights. (Related: California defies Trump's executive order, continues allowing transgender athletes in girls' sports.) However, critics argue that the law unfairly targets transgender individuals, particularly transgender women, who may face increased discrimination and exclusion as a result. Advocates for LGBTQ+ rights have long contended that such legislation perpetuates stigma and denies transgender people access to safe and affirming spaces. West Virginia's law is part of a wave of similar measures introduced in conservative states over the past decade. These laws often emerge in response to federal and state efforts to expand protections for transgender individuals, such as the Obama-era guidance allowing transgender students to use restrooms matching their gender identity. That guidance was later rescinded under the Trump administration, leaving states to set their own policies. The debate over gender-segregated spaces is deeply rooted in broader cultural and political divides over gender identity and the rights of transgender individuals. Proponents of laws like SB 456 argue that biological sex is an immutable characteristic that should dictate access to certain spaces, while opponents emphasize the importance of recognizing gender identity as a fundamental aspect of personal dignity. Watch the video below where President Donald Trump bans men in women's sports. This video is from the Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Trump signs orders banning transgender service members and eliminating DEI programs in the U.S. military. Trump bans federal funding for chemical and surgical mutilation of children. Trump signs executive orders reversing transgender protections and DEI programs. Sources include: LifeSiteNews.com WVLegislature.gov Brighteon.com Bailout Nation tells the story of how greed and easy money undermined Americas financial system The book "Bailout Nation" examines how the U.S. transitioned from a culture of rugged individualism to one where taxpayer-funded corporate bailouts have become commonplace, undermining principles of accountability and fairness. A key theme is the concept of moral hazard, where bailouts encourage reckless behavior by shielding corporations from the consequences of their actions, distorting market incentives. The authors trace the origins of bailouts, starting with the 1971 Lockheed Aircraft Corporation rescue, and highlight how subsequent interventions such as those during the 2008 financial crisis entrenched the "too big to fail" doctrine. The book critically analyzes the government's response to the 2008 crisis, including TARP and the AIG bailout, while exposing the role of lobbying, deregulation and the close ties between Wall Street and Washington. The authors warn of the long-term consequences of bailouts, such as socialized losses and privatized profits, and advocate for systemic reforms, emphasizing transparency, accountability and a fairer distribution of risk and reward. In "Bailout Nation: How Greed and Easy Money Corrupted Wall Street and Shook the World Economy," authors Barry Ritholtz, Bill Fleckenstein and Aaron Task explore the transformation of the U.S. from a nation rooted in self-reliance to one where corporate bailouts have become the norm. The book delves into the origins, consequences and moral dilemmas of government interventions in the financial sector, offering a critical examination of how greed, deregulation and political influence have reshaped the economy. The authors begin by contrasting the traditional American ideal of rugged individualism with the modern reality of corporate dependence on government rescues. They highlight how the shift from self-reliance to reliance on taxpayer-funded bailouts has eroded the principles of accountability and fairness. The book argues that bailouts, often shrouded in secrecy and lacking transparency, disproportionately benefit reckless corporations and financial institutions while burdening ordinary citizens. A central theme of "Bailout Nation" is the concept of moral hazard the idea that bailouts encourage excessive risk-taking by insulating companies from the consequences of their actions. Historically, market forces punished greed and poor decision-making. However, as the government increasingly intervened to rescue failing businesses, this dynamic shifted. The authors trace the evolution of bailouts, starting with the 1971 rescue of Lockheed Aircraft Corporation, which set a precedent for future interventions. Subsequent bailouts such as those of Chrysler, Continental Illinois Bank and the 2008 financial crisis further entrenched the "too big to fail" doctrine, where the collapse of major institutions was deemed too catastrophic to allow. The 2008 financial crisis serves as a focal point in the book. The authors dissect the government's unprecedented interventions, including the Troubled Assets Relief Program (TARP) and the bailout of AIG, which were justified by fears of a global economic meltdown. They also critique the role of lobbying and the close ties between Wall Street and Washington, exemplified by the Commodity Futures Modernization Act of 2000, which deregulated derivatives and contributed to the crisis. "Bailout Nation" underscores the long-term consequences of these interventions. By socializing losses and privatizing profits, bailouts distort the incentives of capitalism, fostering a culture of recklessness and entitlement among financial institutions. The authors warn that this cycle of bailouts and risk-taking is unsustainable, threatening the stability of the financial system and undermining public trust. The book concludes with a call for reform, urging policymakers to address the root causes of financial instability. While some advocate for stricter regulation and oversight, others argue for a return to a more laissez-faire approach. Regardless of the path forward, the authors emphasize the need for accountability, transparency and a fairer distribution of risk and reward. Ultimately, "Bailout Nation" serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked power and the erosion of economic principles. It challenges readers to reconsider the role of government in the economy and to demand a system that prioritizes fairness and responsibility over corporate welfare. As the authors remind us, the lessons of the past must guide our actions in the future to prevent the mistakes mentioned in the book from repeating. Watch this video about the book "Bailout Nation: How Greed and Easy Money Corrupted Wall Street and Shook the World Economy" by Barry Ritholtz, Bill Fleckenstein and Aaron Task. This video is from the BrightLearn channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: Brighteon.ai Brighteon.com Bernie Sanders, anti-oligarchy rally exposed as staged spectacle with bussed-in activists tied to antifa, pro-hamas networks GPS data reveals Bernie Sanders and AOCs Denver rally was packed with serial protesters, not grassroots supporters 84% of attendees had extensive histories at Kamala Harris rallies, Antifa/BLM riots, and pro-Hamas protests Democratic Party caught inflating crowd numbers, using NGO-funded activists to manufacture false momentum Event coincides with record-low Democratic favorability, signaling desperation ahead of planned "color revolution" against Elon Musk and Donald Trump Manufactured outrage, manufactured crowds In a desperate bid to revive their crumbling political narrative, the Democratic Party orchestrated yet another inorganic spectaclethis time in Denver, where Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-New York) rallied a crowd allegedly numbering 34,000. But behind the smoke and mirrors, GPS data exposes a far uglier truth: the event was a staged farce, packed with paid-off activists, Antifa operatives, and pro-Hamas agitatorsmany of whom have been bussed in to similar events for years. These "anti-oligarchy" events are based on hysteria and hypocrisy. These events are based on the Democrat's old playbook of manufacturing a crisis and spreading outrage to pose as the righteous populist movement, saving America from rich people and fascist dictators. Sanders triumphantly declared on X (formerly Twitter) that his Denver rally was the "largest political rally there since 2008," framing it as a grassroots uprising against "authoritarianism" and "oligarchy." Sanders hysterically posted: "The video speaks for itself. 34,000 people out in Denver. Largest political rally there since 2008. The message is clear: NO to authoritarianism. NO to oligarchy. NO to Trumpism. We are ready to fight back. Now its on to Tucson." But data analyst Tony Serugas forensic breakdown reveals the lie: only 20,189 unique devices were detectedfar short of the 34,000 claimed. Worse, 84% of those devices had been present at nine or more Kamala Harris rallies, Antifa/BLM riots, or pro-Hamas protests. A staggering 31% had attended over 20 such events, proving these were not ordinary voters but professional agitators on the Democratic Partys payroll. Cross-referencing GPS data with 6,000+ databasesincluding Bureau of Labor Statistics, Pew Research, and social media analyticsSerugas team identified the true nature of the crowd: DEI activists, anarchists, and NGO-funded disruptors. Bernie Sanders' "anti-oligarchy" movement is not a grassroots movement made up of the working class. It's a paid-off fraud, full of left wing activists who have no constructive solutions for the preservation of American ideals and principles. Many of these rally-goers were linked to five key groups: Disruption Project (funding sources unclear, likely illegal operations) Rise & Resist (501c4 non-profit) Indivisible Project (501c4 non-profit) Troublemakers (for-profit agitators) Democratic Socialists of America (501c4 non-profit) All five receive money from ActBlue, and at least three are funneled cash via USAIDproving yet again that taxpayer dollars are bankrolling domestic unrest. A party in free fall, clinging to chaos The timing of this rally is no accident. A CNN poll just revealed the Democratic Partys favorability at a record low, with Americans rejecting their radical agenda. But instead of self-reflection, Democrats are doubling down on psychological warfareusing staged crowds to fabricate momentum ahead of their next color revolution, this time targeting Elon Musk and Tesla. This is the same playbook used during the 2020 BLM riots, where NGOs and Soros-funded groups incited violence to manipulate public opinion. But with USAID funding drying up, the Democrats are scrambling to keep their illusion alive. Who really stands against oligarchy? While Sanders and AOC posture as anti-establishment crusaders, their movement is a fraud. The real oligarchy is the Democratic Party itselfa machine that thrives on bureaucratic bloat, corporate media collusion, and paid mobs to silence dissent. Meanwhile, the America First movement is dismantling the deep state, cutting regulations, and empowering citizensnot NGOs. As the lefts house of cards collapses, one question remains: How long will Americans tolerate a party that rules through lies, intimidation, and fake crowds of paid off agitators and their useful idiot networks? Sources include: Zerohedge.com Youtube.com X.com X.com UK Daily Mail claims government spending cuts could trigger volcanic eruptions critics call it Cognitive Collapse The UK Daily Mail suggested fiscal austerity could trigger deadly volcanic eruptions, drawing ridicule. Mike Adams called it a symptom of societal "cognitive collapse" and mocked its lack of scientific basis. Adams blamed public gullibility on factors like mRNA vaccines, chemtrails, and neurotoxins, claiming they cause "induced dumbing down" and make people vulnerable to manipulation. Adams accused governments of weaponizing public health via fluoride, mRNA vaccines, and Lyme disease to weaken cognition, creating a "brainwashed" populace susceptible to propaganda. He predicted AI would replace increasingly "dumbed-down" humans, leading to widespread job loss and UBI, widening the gap between the wealthy and struggling masses. Adams urged listeners to avoid toxins, use neuroprotective supplements, and stay informed to resist societal decline, comparing modern times to the satirical film Idiocracy. In a bizarre twist of climate alarmism, the UK Daily Mail has published an article suggesting that fiscal austerity measures could lead to deadly volcanic eruptions. The claim, which has been met with widespread ridicule, was lambasted by Brighteon Broadcast News host Mike Adams, who called it a symptom of societal "cognitive collapse." Adams, known for his critiques of mainstream narratives, dismissed the article as "funnier than climate change," comparing it to hyperbolic claims that economic activity alone could overheat the planet. "If you run your economy, the planet will overheat. And if you cut government spending, all the volcanoes will explode?" Adams mocked. "You have to be actually retarded to believe such a claim." The Rise of "Cognitive Collapse" Adams argued that such narratives exploit public gullibility and reflect a broader decline in critical thinking. He attributed this phenomenon to multiple factors, including mRNA vaccines, chemtrails, and neurotoxic contaminants like aluminumwhich he claims bypasses natural detoxification when inhaled. "People are becoming idiots," Adams declared, pointing to what he calls an "induced dumbing down" through medical contamination and environmental toxins. He warned that this erosion of cognition is accelerating, leaving populations vulnerable to manipulation by governments and corporations. The Weaponization of Public Health Adams expanded his critique to include what he describes as deliberate neurological damage inflicted by governments. He cited fluoride in water, mRNA vaccines, and even Lyme diseasealleging these were engineered bioweapons designed to weaken human cognition. "Our government has long created weapon systems to harm people," Adams claimed, referencing conspiracy theories about SARS-CoV-2 and vaccine-induced neurological damage. He argued that these measures create a "brainwashed, dumbed-down" populace easily controlled by propaganda. A Future of AI and Mass Unemployment Adams predicted that as cognitive decline worsens, AI will replace human labor at an unprecedented rate. "As more humans become retarded, the bar AI has to beat gets lower," he said, forecasting mass unemployment and the rise of Universal Basic Income (UBI) as a government response. He warned that this would deepen societal divides, with the wealthy leveraging AI while the "dumbed-down masses" struggle to survive. "Youll notice people behaving dumber than animals," Adams said, urging listeners to invest in self-education, nutrition, and neuroprotective supplements to resist the decline. Final Thoughts: Preparing for "Idiocracy" Adams concluded by advising his audience to avoid toxins, consume neuroprotective herbs, and stay informed. "Were living in Idiocracy," he said, referencing the satirical film. "But you can rise above it." Whether one agrees with Adams controversial views or not, his critique of sensationalist media narratives raises questions about the credibility of climate-related fearmongeringand the broader erosion of public discourse. For now, the Daily Mails volcanic austerity theory remains firmly in the realm of the absurd. But as Adams warns, the real eruption may be societys growing inability to separate fact from fiction. Watch the March 24, 2025 episode of "Brighteon Broadcast News" as Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, talks about chemtrails, geoengineering, terraforming, cognitive collapse, and anti-human extermination agenda. This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: The skys the limit? Shanahan and Trump demand answers on geoengineering and public health TERRAFORMING: Carbon-sucking machine switched on in Iceland, will remove 4,000 tons of CO2 from the atmosphere each year, harming rainforests and food crops Human intelligence in freefall: Study links cognitive decline to social media and AI Sources include: Brighteon.com A return to common sense: Corporate sponsors ditch San Francisco Pride Parade 2025 The San Francisco Pride Parade, scheduled for late June, faces a $300,000 funding gap after five major sponsors Comcast, Diageo, Benefit Cosmetics, La Crema and Anheuser-Busch withdrew their support. This shortfall represents 25 percent of its $1.2 million fundraising goal for 2025. While La Crema cited "logistical issues" for scaling back, other companies did not provide reasons. Notably, Anheuser-Busch faced backlash earlier over its collaboration with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney, which may have influenced its decision. Major sponsors from previous years, such as Hilton, Visa, Apple, and Amazon have not stepped in to fill the gap. Organizers are now exploring alternative funding sources, including small businesses and individual donors, to sustain the event. San Francisco Pride Executive Director Suzanne Ford attributes the withdrawals to the shifting political climate under President Donald Trump's second administration. Trump's policies, such as limiting gender-affirming care and banning transgender athletes, have resonated with a portion of the public, leading corporations to reassess their alignment with progressive causes. The sponsor withdrawals reflect a broader trend of corporations distancing themselves from divisive cultural issues, influenced by Trump's rejection of "woke" policies and DEI initiatives. This raises concerns about the sustainability of large-scale events like Pride in an increasingly polarized environment. The San Francisco Pride Parade, which will be held in late June, is facing an unprecedented financial crisis with major corporate sponsors pulling out of the event. Five major sponsors Comcast, Diageo, Benefit Cosmetics, La Crema and Anheuser-Busch withdrew from the event, leaving organizers scrambling to fill a $300,000 funding gap. According to San Francisco Pride Executive Director Suzanne Ford, the financial impact of these withdrawals is significant. The amount represents a quarter of the $1.2 million fundraising goal for the 2025 event. La Crema, a wine company owned by Jackson Family Wines, told KTVU 2 in a statement that "logistical issues" forced it to scale back involvement in the Pride march. The other companies that pulled back their sponsorship did not respond to requests for comment as of press time. However, it is worth noting that Anheuser-Busch landed in hot water over its collaboration of transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney. (Related: Bud Light's parent company loses $390M after Dylan Mulvaney ad controversy.) According to the Epoch Times, major companies that sponsored last year's Pride march include Hilton, Visa, Apple, IKEA, Merck, eBay, and Amazon. But following the withdrawal of the five firms, Pride organizers are now forced to seek alternative funding sources potentially relying more heavily on small businesses and individual donors. The end of woke capitalism? Companies pull back from progressive causes While the companies cite budgetary constraints, Ford suspects a deeper reason: The shifting political climate under President Donald Trump's second administration. In January, Trump issued executive orders limiting gender-affirming care, banning transgender athletes from competing in alignment with their gender identity and excluding transgender individuals from military service. These policies, though controversial, have resonated with a significant portion of the American public signaling a broader cultural shift away from what many perceive as excessive ideological activism. The withdrawal of corporate sponsors from San Francisco Pride appears to be a reflection of this shift. "The tone has changed in this country," Ford told KTVU 2. "Businesses already hedge their bets, and I think people who, this isnt their hardcore value of their corporation, maybe they're rethinking their investment." "I'm very concerned," she continued. "Obviously, there's pressure from the federal government." Ford's comments reflect a growing sentiment that corporate America is reevaluating its alignment with progressive causes in light of Trump's rejection of "woke" policies including his rollback of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives and his administration's stance on gender identity. According to her, Trump's policies have created an environment where corporations feel less compelled to support events tied to progressive causes. The timing of these withdrawals suggests a more calculated move by corporations to distance themselves from divisive cultural issues. It also raises questions about the sustainability of such large-scale events in an increasingly polarized political climate. The withdrawal of sponsors from San Francisco Pride 2025 is a telling indicator of the broader cultural and political shifts under the Trump administration. As corporations reassess their priorities in light of Trump's policies, events like Pride are left to navigate a new reality one where the financial support of major sponsors is no longer guaranteed. This ultimately represents a return to common sense, where ideological activism takes a backseat to practical considerations. Head over to GayMafia.news for more similar stories. Watch this video that discloses the real goal of Pride parades legalizing pedophilia. This video is from the CONSERVATIVE POLITICS & NWO channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Bud Light to sponsor pride parades despite ongoing boycott. John Deere goes woke, sponsors LGBT Pride event for kids as young as 3. Disney sponsored Paris gay pride event featuring transgender prostitute, drag shows. Sources include: TheEpochTimes.com KTVU.com ABC7News.com Brighteon.com Federal government censorship key nodes, and rabbit holes Over the past three weeks, anyone interested in free speech (or not) has been on the receiving end of a non-consensual firehouse of flood-the-zone information warfare. Every man and his DOGE has chimed in, capturing via screenshot a score of Osama bin Laden censorship hideouts It's USAID! It's NED! It's NIH! (Article republished from NetworkAffects.Substack.com) USAID in particular has been made responsible for everything, from funding chemtrails in Naples to biting your own cheek. It's a shame the word misinformation is of so little use anymore. USAID is important, but the censorship happens via a system comprising hundreds, possibly thousands, of organisations, small and large. Is there a secret bunker? I dont know, its possible, but the approach is cartoonish. There are key nodes, organisations, and networks that are more important than others, particularly those that hand out money. In fact complex was the term that quickly gained favour during the Twitter files, precisely because it captured the system's complexity it's what made it work and minimised public scrutiny. Over the past couple of months, liber-net has built a database of almost 1000 federal government awards from 2016-2024 that went towards countering misinformation and other similar censorship pretexts. That work aims to complement the mapping of the Censorship Industrial Complex we did for Matt Taibbi. That work looked partly at government funding but focused more on the leading censorship organisations and their often public and private support. Not all of the 1000 grants logged are dubious, but many are. Weve been going through each by hand - reading their project pages, papers, and reports to find out how big a problem they are. Can AI help? Yes to a degree but from what weve tried, AI cant yet really understand why one grant is horrible and the next one is just a bit meh. The map above is a sketch of where we think the funds have come from to date based on the analysis weve been able to do. I emphasise sketch because out of the almost 1000 awards, I still have another 300-400 to review. Of the 500+ I have looked at so far, around 200 are highly problematic, and another 100 are extremely dubious. Keep in mind we are looking only at grants that could be considered censorship so anything that looked at misinformation, hate speech, information integrity, information operations, content moderation, fact-checking et al. We arent looking at grants for dubious woke culture war projects that have set the internet aflame the past couple of weeks. To give you an idea, the grants include NSF money to Meedan (one of Twitters four go-to organisations for Covid misinformation) to develop AI to spy on encrypted private messaging groups to weed out so-called "misinformation", including to create and scale "tip lines" "to millions of users" - aka snitching on a mass scale. Or more NSF money to the University of Illinois to "track locations, people, and organizational affiliations of dubious COVID-19 information" based on whether they questioned CDC guidance. Once weve finalised reviewing the remaining grants well produce a much more accurate map and systemic analysis of how much each agency was funding censorship, and who they were paying to do it. This teaser is because I have a bee in my bonnet about the dynamite fishing I am seeing where a net, if not a rod, would be more useful. The downside of dynamite is that it is indiscriminate. The Free Press reported last week that Chris Rufo were falsely accused of being a USAID shill because a computer program said so. In my previous post, I pointed out other errors being circulated as social media influencers feasted on fresh DOGE kills. Again, this isnt to say that USAID isnt in large part a massive covert operation - it should be shut down and the actual humanitarian work shifted to an entirely new agency. But our research shows a lot more censorship grants from the State Department (not getting shut down) and the National Science Foundation, to say nothing of the Pentagon which has dropped, among a slew of problematic awards, up to one billion dollar counter disinformation contracts. To compare that to a 100k grant to an irrelevant woke NGO in Kenya is like putting an ant next to a whale. It's a complex complex! It will take more than lobbing off a few government branches to get to the root of it, to say nothing of the private foundations supporting censorship, and the slack the EU will no doubt pick up. Read more at: NetworkAffects.Substack.com Gazas death toll surpasses 50,000 as Israels relentless assault continues Gazas death toll surpasses 50,000, including 14,500 children, with over 113,000 wounded. The actual toll may exceed 186,000 due to indirect deaths from famine, disease, and missing victims under rubble. Israels bombardment has destroyed infrastructure, targeted hospitals, and displaced 90% of Gazas population. Israel rejected a ceasefire deal, vowing to escalate despite global condemnation of alleged ethnic cleansing. The UN and U.S. affirm Gazas death toll reliability, while evidence shows indiscriminate attacks on civilians and critical facilities. The confirmed death toll in Gaza has now exceeded 50,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, marking a grim milestone in Israels military campaign that has drawn widespread condemnation as a genocide. The ministry reported Sunday that at least 50,021 people have been killedincluding 14,500 childrenwith an additional 113,274 wounded. Yet even these staggering numbers are likely a severe undercount, as thousands remain missing under the rubble, and independent studies suggest the true toll could surpass 186,000 when accounting for indirect deaths from siege-induced famine and disease. Since October 7, 2023, Israels bombardment and ground invasion have decimated Gazas infrastructure, targeted hospitals, and displaced nearly the entire population. The bloodshed intensified last week after Israel broke a fragile ceasefire, resuming airstrikes that killed hundreds in days. With no end in sight, Israeli leaders vow to escalate further, even as global outrage grows over what critics call a deliberate campaign of ethnic cleansing. A conservative estimate with a hidden toll The Gaza Health Ministrys figures only account for bodies recovered and registered at hospitals or morgues. It does not include the estimated 11,000 missingpresumed dead beneath collapsed buildingsnor those who perished from starvation, disease, or untreated injuries due to Israels blockade on medical aid. A July 2023 Lancet study projected that indirect deaths from the wars cascading humanitarian crisis could push the total fatalities beyond 186,000. For the record, the 50,000 figure is only a conservative estimate. These are only the people who have been registered at health facilities across the Gaza Strip, Al Jazeeras Hani Mahmoud reported from Gaza. There are so many others buried without being registered or who have gone missing, trapped under piles of rubble. The ministrys list of victims includes 15,613 children under 18, with 890 infants under one year old. Nearly a quarter were under five. Israel dismisses the ministrys counts as inconsistent, yet the UN and U.S. State Department have repeatedly affirmed their reliability. Meanwhile, evidence on the ground suggests indiscriminate slaughter: Israel has bombed Gazas only cancer hospital, emergency wards, and designated safe zones where families fled under military orders. The recent surge in killings followed Israels rejection of a Phase 2 ceasefire deal that would have required its full withdrawal from Gaza. Instead, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared, This is just the beginning, as Defense Minister Israel Katz ordered troops to seize more territory and expand security zonesa euphemism for permanent occupation. Hamas, which had adhered to the earlier truce, condemned Israels dangerous breach but reiterated readiness to release all hostages if Israel halts its assault. Yet with starvation now widespread and 90% of Gazas population displaced, survivalnot negotiationsis the immediate priority. A war without mercy, a future without hope As Gazas life expectancy plummets from 75.5 years to just 40, the world watches a genocide unfold in real time. Israels rhetoriccalling Palestinians human animals and vowing to erase Gazamatches its actions: entire families wiped out, neighborhoods reduced to dust, and a generation of children buried before they could speak. The 50,000 dead are not just a statistic. They are parents, students, doctors, and toddlers whose names fill lists the world too often ignores. And unless global pressure forces Israel to stop, the Lancets horrifying projection may soon become reality. For now, the counting continuesone body at a time, under rubble too deep to clear. Sources for this article include: News.Antiwar.com CNN.com AlJazeera.com Hillary Clinton calls for THOUGHT POLICE, echoing her persistent crusade for censorship At the World Forum 2025 in Berlin, Hillary Clinton called for more control over information and censorship to combat the rise of "autocrats," criticizing the Trump administration for empowering those who control information flow. Clinton highlighted the influence of information on thought, speech, and action, using George Orwell's "1984" to illustrate the dangers of a world without agreed-upon facts and the resulting erosion of trust and democracy. She urged social media companies to enhance censorship efforts and advocated for the repeal of Section 230, arguing that without moderation, these platforms could cause real-world harm. Her pro-censorship stance has sparked controversy, with critics suggesting it aims to stifle dissenting voices and maintain control over the narrative, raising questions about who defines "facts" and "truth." Clinton is not alone in her views; former Secretary of State John Kerry shares concerns about governing in an era where traditional "referees" of facts have lost influence, highlighting the tension between control and free speech principles. In a world where former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is on the verge of obscurity, she has once again thrust herself and her relentless crusade for censorship into the spotlight. During an in-person appearance at the World Forum 2025 in the German capital Berlin this month, the former first lady issued a call for increased control over information and a demand for censorship. This call was ironically framed as a defense against the rise of what she dubbed as "autocrats." "We now have a government in the U.S. that has thrown in its lot with the autocrats, which has made a choice to support those who wage war, not peace," Clinton remarked at the event. She also accused the incumbent administration of U.S. President Donald Trump of giving "enormous power to the men who control the information flow in our world" and pledging "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," continued Clinton. She also made reference to the novel "1984" by George Orwell in her speech at the event. "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 [Russian President Vladimir] 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." Clinton's passionate argument during her speech in Berlin hinges on the idea that information shapes thought, thought shapes speech, and speech shapes action. However, her vision of controlling information to shape reality raises critical questions about who decides what constitutes "facts" and "truth." Her long-standing crusade against freedom of speech suggests a desire for a narrative controlled by globalist elites a narrative that, if challenged, could unravel their grip on power. Crooked Hillary's censorship crusade This is not the first time Clinton has championed such a cause, having made similar remarks as recently as October 2024. She appeared on CNN at the time, advocating for social media companies to ramp up censorship efforts. Clinton argued that without such measures, there would be a loss of "total control." During her interview with Michael Smerconish, Clinton criticized the legal framework that grants internet platforms immunity from liability for user-generated content, known as Section 230. Clinton believes that without active moderation, platforms like Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok could cause real-world harm. "We should be, in my view, repealing something called Section 230, which gave platforms on the internet immunity because they were thought to be just pass-throughs, that they shouldnt be judged for the content that is posted," she told the CNN host. (Related: Hillary Clinton says more internet censorship is needed to keep establishment from losing "total control.") Clinton's comments came amid growing concerns within the Democratic Party about the spread of information online, particularly following Elon Musk's acquisition of Twitter in 2022. Under Musk's leadership, the platform, now known as X, has adopted a more hands-off approach to content moderation, allowing for a broader range of viewpoints to be expressed. The former first lady isn't the only one espousing a pro-censorship view. Former Secretary of State John Kerry, who succeeded Clinton at the State Department, lamented the challenges posed by the First Amendment in controlling information flow during a World Economic Forum sustainability meeting "It's really hard to govern today," Kerry said. "The referees we used to have to determine whats a fact and what isnt a fact has been eviscerated to a certain degree." Had Clinton won the 2016 election, her vision of a censorship regime in America might have become a reality. Her persistent calls for censorship highlight a fundamental tension between the desire for control and the principles of free speech that underpin democracy. Watch Hillary Clinton telling Michael Smerconish of the need to moderate social media platforms during her October 2024 interview with him. This video is from The Prisoner channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Failed presidential candidate Hillary Clinton claims Trump wants to "KILL" and "IMPRISON" his political opponents. Hillary Clinton calls for criminal arrest of anyone who speaks against NATO, U.S. empire. You know what's worse than disinformation? Government cover-ups and CENSORSHIP. Sources include: Modernity.news TheLibertyBeacon.com ReclaimTheNet.org Brighteon.com The truth is out there: Jim Marrs Alien Agenda helps decode the UFO mystery UFOs are supported by decades of consistent evidence, with sightings of unidentified objects defying known technology since the 1940s treated as tangible and real. Reports from credible sources including presidents, military personnel and civilians suggest UFOs are part of a larger, unexplained reality. Historical cases like Roswell and the Great Airship Mystery reveal patterns of official denial and potential cover-ups, raising transparency concerns. Projects like Blue Book and documents like MJ-12 indicate government investigations and disinformation campaigns, despite public downplaying. UFOs challenge humanity's understanding, with reports of abductions, contact and advanced technologies, urging open-minded exploration of our place in the universe. The debate over the existence of unidentified flying objects (UFOs) has long captivated public imagination, often veering into the realm of the sensational. However, a closer examination of the evidence and historical record reveals a complex and compelling narrative that challenges conventional wisdom. Jim Marrs' seminal work, "Alien Agenda: Investigating the Extraterrestrial Presence Among Us," delves into the profound and often perplexing world of UFOs. The assertion that UFOs are real is not a fringe theory, but a conclusion supported by a vast body of evidence collected over the past five decades. From the 1940s to the present day, reports of unidentified flying objects that defy current technological capabilities have been consistent and widespread. These are not mere illusions or natural phenomena misinterpreted by witnesses; they are tangible and real. Countless individuals, from ordinary citizens to those in positions of power, have reported encounters with UFOs. Former presidents, military personnel and even everyday workers have shared their experiences, adding credence to the notion that these phenomena are not isolated incidents but part of a larger, unexplained reality. However, the widespread presence of UFOs in popular culture from books and movies to merchandise has often overshadowed the serious scientific and historical evidence. This cultural saturation has contributed to a societal reluctance to acknowledge the existence of UFOs, a mindset deeply ingrained through education, media and authority figures who assure the public that there is no credible threat or presence. The history of government transparency is marred by numerous instances of deception, from the Bay of Pigs to Watergate. It is not unfathomable to consider that the UFO phenomenon might be another area where official narratives obscure the truth. For example, the Great Airship Mystery of 1896-97 saw widespread reports of cigar-shaped objects in the sky, described as metallic and silver, with small humanoid occupants. Despite the extensive documentation, the official explanation dismissed these reports as hoaxes. Yet, the evidence suggests otherwise. The Aurora, Texas, crash of 1897 is a particularly intriguing case. Witnesses reported a crash, debris and even a non-human body. Local newspapers documented the event but attempts to investigate the grave of the alleged pilot met with resistance and the mysterious disappearance of physical evidence. Was this a coincidence or a cover-up? The UFO phenomenon gained significant attention during World War II when Allied pilots encountered "foo fighters"strange, glowing orbs that exhibited intelligent behavior. These encounters set the stage for the modern UFO era, which began with Kenneth Arnold's 1947 sighting near Mount Rainier. His description of "saucer-like" objects moving at incredible speeds sparked a wave of sightings and the term "flying saucer" entered the public lexicon. No discussion of UFOs is complete without addressing the Roswell incident. In July 1947, an object crashed on a ranch near Roswell, New Mexico. The initial military report stated that a "flying disc" had been recovered, but this was quickly retracted and replaced with the explanation of a weather balloon. Decades later, numerous witnesses came forward with accounts of extraterrestrial debris and alien bodies, challenging the official story. The inconsistencies and subsequent government secrecy have fueled decades of speculation and investigation. The U.S. government's response to UFOs has been marked by denial and obfuscation. Projects like Sign and Blue Book aimed to downplay and discredit UFO sightings, but behind the scenes, there is evidence of a different story. Documents such as the MJ-12 papers suggest that the government has been aware of and is actively investigating UFOs for decades. The CIA's involvement in the Robertson panel and the use of disinformation campaigns further indicate a concerted effort to keep the public in the dark. The human experience with UFOs is diverse and profound. Reports of abductions, contact experiences and sightings come from a wide array of individuals, challenging mankind's understanding of reality and their place in the universe. Remote viewing, a technique studied and used by the U.S. military and intelligence agencies, adds another layer to the mystery. Remote viewers claim to perceive objects and events at a distance, often describing encounters with alien beings and craft. In conclusion, the UFO phenomenon remains a fascinating and unresolved topic, one that invites further investigation and open-minded exploration. As people stand on the brink of new discoveries, they should strive to understand the complexities and nuances of this enigma, keeping their eyes on the sky and their minds open to the possibilities it presents. Watch the video below to know more about Jim Marrs' book "Alien Agenda: Investigating the Extraterrestrial Presence Among Us." This video is from the BrightLearn channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: Brighteon.ai Brighteon.com Judgepocalypse now Impeachment would be too mild for the claque of Woke-activist federal judges attempting to nullify the executive branch with hectoring writs against any and all sorts of executive actions. If simply bounced off their benches, they could just take up new careers as NPR legal commentators or transsexual pole-dancers. Rather, what youve got here is an obvious seditious conspiracy, plain for all to see, orchestrated by the same legal Nosferatus as RussiaGate, the 2020 election, and the J-6 witch hunt. (Article republished from Kunstler.com) The catch is, this time it is discoverable and subject to prosecution because the party running this legal insurrection no longer has its hands on the levers of power in the DOJ and the FBI as it did when they ran the aforementioned ops. And so, the mighty silence emanating from those two agencies just now should tell you something: namely, that cases are being carefully constructed to finally bring these despicable caitiffs to real and chastening law. If you want to know one paramount reason for institutional failure in our country, look to the evil enterprise that calls itself Lawfare. It originated as a blog launched on September 1, 2010, founded by three key figures: Benjamin Wittes, Jack Goldsmith, and Robert Chesney. Over time it evolved into an activist operation, The Lawfare Institute, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to (cough cough) Hard National Security Choices, and run under the shady umbrella of the Brookings Institution. The point of Lawfare is self-evident in its name: it is an instrument of warfare against a perceived enemy which, for the past decade, has been the political faction led by Mr. Trump, the once-and-current chief executive of the federal government. Mr. Trump is a danger to the bureaucratic arm of the federal government because he has defined it as a racketeering operation and moved decisively to end its depredations. Lawfare is the praetorian guard of the permanent DC bureaucracy, including especially its rogue intel actors, who function as enforcers for the Democratic party that largely staffs the bureaucracy. Norm Eisen, a Brookings senior fellow, is the chief operational strategist for the Lawfare enterprise. He has been active in all its ops, capers, and mind-fucks since Mr. Trump came on the scene in 2015 vowing to drain the swamp (i.e., end the racketeering). Norm Eisen holds leadership roles in two subsidiary Lawfare orgs: States United Democracy Center and Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW). Eisens broader connection stems from his history of orchestrating legal challenges against Mr. Trump advising the Mueller investigation, drafting impeachment articles, and leading CREWs 200-plus lawsuits in Mr. Trumps first term. Now, following the Biden interregnum, Norm Eisen leverages a network of nonprofits (ACLU, Public Citizen, etc.) and left-leaning judges to file hundreds of new lawsuits to thwart the MAGA clean-up effort under Elon Musks DOGE. Tax filings show that CREWs funding, in part, comes from George Soross Open Society Foundations. Item: during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, CREW received $432,000 in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans from Newtek Small Business, which evolved into a financial holding company after acquiring National Bank of New York City in January 2023, rebranded as Newtek Bank. The money-laundering through multitudinous foundations, NGOs, and non-profits is the essence of the Democratic Partys racketeering mode in league with federal bureaucracies such as USAID that dispensed billions of dollars to a vast network of activist recipients. Translation: it provides salaries (often six-figures) to party foot-soldiers whose only duties are to move the money through the organizational layers and to be available for such party tasks as ballot harvesting, vote-counting, and organizing riots. This is the mischief that Mr. Trump seeks to put an end to, and so he must be thwarted at all costs by those whose lifeblood depends on the ongoing rackets. The so-called Resistance alliance between the Democratic Party and the bureaucracy seeks to prevent reform by any means necessary. Since they no longer control potent executive agencies such as the DOJ and the FBI for intimidating and punishing their enemies, their only recourse is the federal judiciary and its officers of the courts, that is, lawyers and judges practicing Lawfare. The federal judges are political appointees, such as John J. McConnell from the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island, who was a personal injury lawyer (i.e., ambulance chaser) and major Democratic Party doner, giving nearly $700,000 to party causes, and serving as Rhode Island Democratic State Committee treasurer. Judge McConnell issued a wide-ranging restraining order against the DOGE-advised freeze of federal funding launched in February of this year. McConnells daughter, Catherine, is a senior policy advisor at the U.S. Department of Education, appointed by President Joe Biden in 2022. See how that works? Similarly, James Boasberg, a RussiaGate cast member, and as a presiding judge in the DC federal court in sixty J-6 cases. Independent journalist Laura Loomer alleges that Judge Boasbergs daughter, Katherine, works for Partners for Justice (PFJ), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that is dedicated to defending criminal illegal aliens and gang members, including opposing their deportation, and that it receives significant funding from U.S. government grants, such as those from USAID. Judge Boasberg notoriously issued a restraining order last week against the deportation of Tren de Aragua gang members labeled by the DOJ as a terrorist organization. See how that works? Now, the difference between Lawfare and the practice of law is that Lawfare trafficks lavishly in lies to do its business in the courts and actual law practice is supposed to be dedicated to ascertaining the truth in matters that come before the courts. Lawfare is grounded in dishonesty as is its main client, the Democratic Party. That is exactly why Judge James Boasberg went along with FBI Director James Comeys false warrant applications in the FISA court that enabled the RussiaGate operation to do its dirty business. Thus, the grand orchestrator of the Lawfare enterprise as a whole, Norm Eisen, is a sort of Father-of-Lies. Remember beyond all this sturm and drang stands an essential principle: the truth is sturdy and untruth is fragile. Like you, I am standing by to see what eventually comes out of the Trump DOJ in the way of cases that might definitively settle this mighty battle between Lawfare and the law. Read more at: Kunstler.com Mainstream medias dangerous spin: Trumps efficiency push isnt an excuse for treason ABC News blames Trumps workforce reforms for potential espionage instead of condemning disloyal employees. Experts claim fired federal workers might leak secrets to foreign adversaries like China or Russia. The media frames Trumps efficiency measures as reckless while excusing potential traitors actions. Similar reports, like CNNs, suggest workforce cuts risk national security, implying betrayal is justified. Critics argue loyalty should not depend on job security, and the medias double standard undermines accountability. In a shocking deflection of accountability, ABC News and other mainstream outlets are framing President Donald Trumps federal workforce reforms as a catalyst for potential espionage, rather than condemning the individuals who might choose to betray their country. Security experts quoted in a recent ABC report warned that terminated government employeesdisgruntled over Trumps cost-cutting measurescould leak sensitive information to foreign adversaries like China or Russia. But the underlying narrative is clear: the media is preemptively blaming Trump for the actions of those who would willingly sell out America. The report, published this week, leans heavily on anonymous "experts" and former officials who claim Trumps characterization of federal inefficiency could drive ex-employees to seek revenge. Missing from the discussion? The basic expectation that public servants, even after dismissal, should uphold their oathsnot auction state secrets to the highest bidder. Shifting blame instead of demanding integrity ABCs piece, titled Foreign adversaries, private sector, state governments may swoop in to recruit fired federal workers, experts say, echoes a familiar media tactic: portraying Trumps policies as uniquely reckless while downplaying individual malfeasance. John Cohen, a former Homeland Security official, told ABC that foreign intelligence services view fired workers as prime recruitment targets, citing their knowledge of U.S. systems. But rather than condemning potential traitors, Cohen implied Trumps rhetoriccalling bureaucrats lazy or inefficientjustifies their betrayal. Its a standard recruitment tool. You find that sense of grievance, you fan the flames and you get them to cooperate because they are angry at what was done to them, Cohen said. This logic is perverse: it suggests loyalty is conditional on job security, not patriotism. The article also quotes Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey, who accused the Trump administration of driving researchers into the arms of foreign governments. The federal government is going to take away your funding come to our country, Healey paraphrased, as if scientists have no agency to reject foreign overtures. Her remarkThats not putting America firstignores the obvious: choosing to aid adversaries isnt Trumps fault. Its a moral failing. A pattern of excusing the Deep State This isnt the first time the media has spun workforce cuts as a national security risk. CNN recently published a near-identical piece titled How Trumps government-cutting moves risk exposing the CIAs secrets, alleging that fired intelligence officers might defect. The Federalists Beth Brelje dismantled the narrative, noting CNNs reliance on anonymous sources and its implicit threat: Keep the bureaucracy bloated, or risk treason. The unspoken premise? Federal workers are entitled to lifetime employmentand if thats disrupted, betrayal is understandable. But as Brelje argued, Those with too little integrity to exit with grace should not be employed in jobs with access to sensitive information. Trumps reforms, spearheaded by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), aim to streamline a federal workforce riddled with redundancy. The administration has terminated underperforming employees, trimmed wasteful programs, and reallocated resourcesbasic fiscal stewardship that private-sector CEOs practice routinely. Yet the media frames these cuts as apocalyptic, ignoring the $4 trillion federal budgets unsustainable trajectory. The irony is rich: the same outlets that decry insider threats when Trump fires bureaucrats were silent when Hillary Clintons private server exposed classified material or when Hunter Bidens foreign dealings raised counterintelligence concerns. The double standard is glaring. Loyalty shouldnt have a price tag ABC and CNNs messaging is dangerous. By suggesting that workforce reductions cause espionage, they normalize the idea that public servants loyalty hinges on job perksnot duty. If a fired EPA clerk or USAID worker sells secrets to China, the blame lies solely with the traitor, not the president who dared to demand efficiency. The medias role should be to uphold accountability, not make excuses for it. Taxpayers deserve a government that prioritizes their interestsnot a protected class of bureaucrats who view patriotism as a severance benefit. Sources for this article include: YourNews.com ABCNews.go.com TheFederalist.com CNN.com Newly released JFK files reveal Pentagons role in creating Lyme disease and covid in the same lab In a bombshell revelation, newly declassified JFK files have exposed the Pentagons decades-long bioweapons program, i ncluding the creation of tick-borne viruses like Lyme disease and the development of COVID-19 in the same military lab. The documents confirm what researchers like Kris Newby, author of Bitten, have long suspected: the U.S. government has been weaponizing diseases to destabilize nations and control populations. This chilling discovery raises urgent questions about the true origins of modern pandemics and the unchecked power of shadowy government agencies. Key revelations: The Pentagon created Lyme disease in the 1960s as part of a bioweapons program aimed at sabotaging Cubas agriculture. Same lab, same playbook: The Rocky Mountain Laboratories in Montana, where Lyme disease was engineered, also received DARPA funding to develop COVID-19. Masking bioweapons as natural outbreaks: The U.S. military has a history of disguising bioweapons as naturally occurring diseases, a tactic now linked to COVID-19. CIA involvement: The CIA has been implicated in funding and covering up these programs, including the Wuhan Institute of Virologys work on coronaviruses. The Pentagons bioweapons playbook The newly released JFK files reveal a disturbing pattern of bioweapons development dating back to the Cold War. According to the documents, the Pentagon funded research at the Rocky Mountain Laboratories in Montana to create tick-borne viruses, including Lyme disease, as part of Operation Mongoosea covert program to destabilize Cuba. The goal was to infect agricultural workers with debilitating illnesses, crippling Cubas economy and forcing regime change. Mike Benz, a researcher who has extensively studied these programs, stated, The military was funding the tick viruses in the same lab as COVID Its the same playbook. This connection is further corroborated by Kris Newbys book Bitten, which details how the U.S. military weaponized ticks to spread diseases that mimic natural outbreaks. The parallels to COVID-19 are impossible to ignore. The Wuhan Institute of Virology, which received $15 million from USAID, was working on coronaviruses with DARPA funding. The same military lab that created Lyme disease was also involved in developing SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19. Bioweapons as tools of regime change The JFK files reveal that the Pentagons bioweapons program was designed to appear as natural disasters or local outbreaks. Well create a bioweapon for regime change and well loose it and well claim that it was from natural origin, Benz explained. This strategy was used in Cuba, where the military planned to deploy tick-borne viruses to destroy crops and starve the population, forcing them to overthrow their government. The same tactics are now being used globally. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the CIA and military-funded organizations like the Atlantic Councils Digital Forensics Research Lab worked to censor any discussion of the viruss man-made origins. It was CIA proprietaries and U.S. military-funded censorship organizations who were the first people on the scene to censor COVID-19, Benz noted. The Rocky Mountain Laboratories connection The Rocky Mountain Laboratories in Montana played a central role in both the Lyme disease and COVID-19 programs. Researchers at the lab collected ticks from the Rocky Mountains and infused them with sublethal agents to create diseases that would incapacitate but not kill their victims. This humanitarian approach to warfare was intended to avoid mass casualties while achieving strategic goals. The same lab later received DARPA funding to develop coronaviruses capable of jumping from animals to humans. The military was funding the creation of these tick-borne viruses out of the very lab that the DARPA grants to create the SARS-CoV-2 fur and cleavage sites would be used, Benz said. A history of deception The JFK files also shed light on the CIAs role in covering up these programs. The agency has a long history of using public health initiatives as cover for covert operations. For example, the CIA ran fake vaccine clinics in Pakistan and used HIV clinics in Latin America to conduct espionage. During the COVID-19 scamdemic, the CIA and military-funded organizations worked to suppress any discussion of the viruss origins. It was Grafica who got $7 million in military PSYOP funding, Benz revealed. They were literally incubated in the Minerva Initiative, which, thank God, Trump has now shut down. The release of these documents is just the tip of the iceberg. The JFK files reference numerous annexes and cited documents that have yet to be declassified. I want to know whats in that paper, Benz said, referring to a document that outlines methods for producing crop failures using biological agents. As more information comes to light, the public must demand accountability from the agencies responsible for these programs. The Pentagons bioweapons playbook has caused untold suffering, from the spread of Lyme disease to the devastation of the COVID-19 pandemic. In the words of Benz, Its the same playbook, bro. Its like 60 years, the same playbook. Its unbelievable. Sources include: X.com Dailymail.co.uk Lies.news SHOCKER: Find out the REAL REASON that USAID was in AFRICA and other developing nations, and it wasnt for education, health or democracy USAIDs Alleged True Purpose A whistleblower claims USAID and NGOs operate under false humanitarian pretenses, using "grassroots initiatives" as cover to access remote areas of Africa while secretly destabilizing governments. Critics argue their programs fail to deliver meaningful improvements in education or healthcare. A whistleblower claims USAID and NGOs operate under false humanitarian pretenses, using "grassroots initiatives" as cover to access remote areas of Africa while secretly destabilizing governments. Critics argue their programs fail to deliver meaningful improvements in education or healthcare. Wealthy Elites Accused of Exploitation Figures like George Soros and Barack Obama are accused of embezzling taxpayer money to fund global destabilization, resource theft, terrorism, arms/drug trafficking, and child exploitation with USAID allegedly serving as a front for these activities. Figures like George Soros and Barack Obama are accused of embezzling taxpayer money to fund global destabilization, resource theft, terrorism, arms/drug trafficking, and child exploitation with USAID allegedly serving as a front for these activities. Censorship & Media Suppression USAID funds are said to be used to silence whistleblowers and critics, with corporate media allegedly protecting these operations. The text suggests figures like Trump and Musk are now exposing and dismantling these systems. USAID funds are said to be used to silence whistleblowers and critics, with corporate media allegedly protecting these operations. The text suggests figures like Trump and Musk are now exposing and dismantling these systems. Political Backlash & Fear of Exposure The text claims Democratic leaders and liberals are panicking over investigations into USAID, fearing prosecution for embezzlement and terrorism funding. It frames them as "domestic/international terrorists" and urges their removal from power. USAID and other NGOs are NOT in Africa for humanitarian reasons, as a whistleblower there has revealed to the world. She says, Their sole purpose was to act as if theyre coming to rescue Africa. They are coming in claiming that they are introducing grassroots initiatives that are going to help the people, and so they use that as a way to go into the most remote parts of Africa. When you look at it on paper, it all looks really good, but they are actually wolf in sheeps clothing. She continues, They are using that open access, sounding humanitarian, to constantly destabilize government. I can tell you right now, the majority of African leaders, and not just African leaders, but leaders in the developing world, are celebrating the exit of USAID. If you think about it, their sole purpose, for example, filling in the gaps in healthcare and education, where is the change? Show me one country that USAID was in where education improved! Show me one country that USAID was in where healthcare improved. The social services they are bringing is peanuts. The American taxpayer needs to know. The billions of dollars that are being given to USAID a fraction is making it to the people. That's right. USAID isn't for international development, but rather it supports international destruction through U.S. taxpayer-funded destabilization of governments, including the USA. This is the biggest scam in the history of the world. USAID main goal to destabilize government of developing nations Rich evil gurus like George Soros and Barrack Obama can never have enough money or possessions to just live a normal life and leave the rest of the world to live theirs. Instead, they embezzle money from US taxpayers and use it to destabilize governments around the world, then move in for the kill and steal money, take resources, fund terrorism, run guns, deal drugs, and traffic children. Now its being revealed they use USAID as a humanitarian cover, and it couldnt get more insidious than this. Plus, USAID money is used to censor free speech and whistleblowers about all of this fraud and embezzlement and funded terrorism. Big Media shuts down anyone and any organization exposing them. This is nothing new, but it may all be coming to a quick end with Trump and Musk at the top here in America. Find the crooks, claw back as much money as possible, then prosecute. Thats the new plan. Shut down USAID. Never let the Demon Democrats run this country again. Now you know why the Demonic Dems and Lunatic Libs at the top are having screaming fits and telling their base to attack Trump and Musk. Now you know why they are throwing fits about USAID being investigated. They are all terrified of going to prison for embezzling billions and funding terrorism around the globe. They are domestic and international terrorists using U.S. taxpayer money to do it. What a freakshow. So Trump was right again? pic.twitter.com/o4wME4TjMU Insurrection Barbie (@DefiyantlyFree) March 22, 2025 Tune your apocalypse dial to Preparedness.news for updates on real news about surviving the Democrat wasteland and propaganda that taxpayers footed the bill for to the tune of $5 trillion or more. Sources for this article include: Censored.news NaturalNews.com BIGGEST SCAM: You pay income tax, then taxes on purchases, then personal property tax on what you own that you already paid taxes on with taxed money The income tax system in the U.S. is the biggest scam in history and should be abolished, most especially when citizens are taxed on income while the federal government prints and wastes trillions of dollars. Citizens are subjected to multiple layers of taxation on their income, spending, possessions, and estate including income tax, sales tax, property tax and estate tax which is unjust and exploitative. Despite paying taxes for infrastructure, citizens are still charged tolls for roads, bridges, and tunnels, suggesting that tax funds are not being used effectively for their intended purposes. The taxation of essential items like food and the continuous taxation on vehicles and homes are unjustifiable and only serve to burden citizens financially. The government misuses tax funds for luxury and foreign wars. Worse, it has hired 87,000 new IRS agents as a tool to enforce tyranny and target conservatives. Ultimately, the abolition of the IRS is the only viable solution. Yes, its time to abolish the biggest scam in U.S. history income tax. Ask yourself, why are you taxed on income by the federal government to pay for schools, roads, bridges and the military, but the feds print money by the trillions and waste it, embezzle it, and spend it on their own luxury vacations? Ask yourself, why do you get taxed on the money you earn, then on the money you have left from that when you spend it, then again on the things you own that you bought with that double-taxed money, and then again when you die and your loved ones inherit that triple-taxed money thats left? It's called estate tax and inheritance tax, and the government has its hands in your already taxed money again. What a huge scam it all is. Are you mad yet? Why are we taxed on our income, spending, possessions, and estate after death? So you buy a vehicle, pay the taxes on it when you buy it, then pay personal property tax on it every year. How is that justified? So you buy a home, pay taxes on it every year with the net income that you have left after paying 20 percent tax to the feds, tax to your state, tax to your local area, tax on products, tax on services, processing fees, interest on money you have to borrow because youre broke, and then what? Bankruptcy? That has fees also. So you supposedly pay taxes so the government has money to fix the roads, bridges and tunnels, and build new ones when needed, but guess what? Its time to pay the tolls at those roads, bridges and tunnels. Why are their toll fees? What happened to the taxes paying for all that? Every metropolitan city has EZ pass for all the HOV, bridges, tunnels, new expressways, and so forth. Why? You think youre saving money? You just got quadruple-taxed, my friends. Thats why they call it rush hour because youre rushing to spend more of your net money getting billed for everything you already paid taxes on. Why is food taxed? Arent the farmers paying taxes on their land, seeds and farm equipment? Didnt the delivery drivers and their companies pay taxes on the trucks they use to carry the goods? Why are food taxes and service taxes higher than other taxes? Whats the difference if its all fraud? Is that so the populace will be so busy negotiating the differences that they all fail to see theyre getting ripped off across the board? Why do we pay taxes for the military when were fighting in wars we never voted for? Why do we give all our weapons to other countries that are losing wars they should have never engaged, like Ukraine and Israel? We are quadruple force-taxed or we face prison time for tax evasion, yet the taxes never pay for anything that benefits us. Thats why Biden hired 87,000 new IRS agents to enforce the tyranny on all Conservatives and to wipe out the middle class. Can you see it now? Hope and pray that Trump abolishes the IRS, because its the biggest Ponzi scheme ever invented. Its not even constitutional. Look it up. Tune your apocalypse dial to Preparedness.news for updates on real news about surviving the financial tsunami the Democrats created for us all. Sources for this article include: Censored.news NaturalNews.com Teen among dead as Israeli airstrike destroys Gaza hospital Israel struck Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, killing multiple patients, including a 16-year-old boy, and destroying critical medical infrastructure. The attack forced evacuations and left the hospital in ruins, part of a systematic campaign targeting Gazas healthcare system. Witnesses described chaos as doctors struggled amid collapsing ceilings and smoke, with Gazas Health Ministry confirming at least five deaths. Nasser Hospital has faced repeated Israeli assaults, including a 2024 siege where mass graves were later uncovered. Over 50,000 Palestinians have been killed since October, with Israels actions widely condemned as war crimes and genocide. In yet another brutal escalation of its war on Gaza, Israel targeted Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis late Sunday, killing multiple patientsincluding a 16-year-old boyand destroying critical medical infrastructure. The strike, which Israel cynically justified as targeting a Hamas operative, forced the evacuation of an entire department and left the hospital reeling under flames and rubble. This attack is not an anomaly but part of a deliberate, systematic campaign to dismantle Gazas healthcare system and terrorize its civilian population. Gazas Health Ministry confirmed at least five deaths, with witnesses describing scenes of chaos as doctors struggled to save patients amid collapsing ceilings and billowing smoke. Among the dead was Ismail Barhoum, a senior Hamas political figure receiving treatment an act Israel shamelessly labeled a "precision strike." But the real victims were the civilians trapped inside, including a teenager who had just undergone surgery days earlier. A hospital under siege Nasser Hospital is no stranger to Israeli violence. From February to April 2024, Israeli forces besieged the facility, turning it into what United Nations officials called a "place of death." Snipers shot at medical staff, and when troops withdrew, a mass grave of over 300 bodies was uncoveredsome showing signs of torture. Now, history repeats itself. Dr. Feroze Sidhwa, a trauma surgeon at Nasser Hospital, told Al Jazeera: "I operated on [the 16-year-old]. He probably would have gone home tomorrow, but now hes dead." The surgical ward, he said, was obliterated: "Every door was blown off its hinges. The ceiling has collapsed. Its completely unusable." Israels military claims it targets Hamas, but its actions tell a different story. Hospitals, once sanctuaries under international law, are now graveyards. A pattern of atrocities This is not an isolated incident. Since breaking a ceasefire on March 18, Israel has killed over 600 Palestinians, with Khan Younis and Rafah bearing the brunt. The Palestinian death toll has surpassed 50,000more than half women and children yet Israel continues its bombardment with impunity. Hamas condemned the strike as a "cowardly Zionist assassination," but the broader crime is Israels wholesale destruction of Gazas lifelines. The Red Crescent lost contact with a 10-member emergency team in Rafah after Israel fired on what it called "suspicious vehicles" that were later revealed to be ambulances. Meanwhile, displaced families flee under fire. "The shells are falling among us and the bullets are (flying) above us," said Amal Nassar, one of thousands forced into squalid tent camps. "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?" A genocide unfolding Israels strategy is clear: render Gaza uninhabitable. By bombing hospitals, blocking aid, and displacing millions, it seeks not just to crush Hamas but to erase Palestinian life. Legal experts and human rights groups have long warned these actions constitute war crimes, yet the world watches in silence. Dr. Sidhwas words resonate: "Benjamin Netanyahu has been ill recently. Well, he stands accused of genocide. Nobody thinks Hamas can bomb a hospital because Benjamin Netanyahu happens to go there. Thats crazy. That's completely insane. You dont bomb hospitals. Everybody knows that." But Israel does. Again and again. The attack on Nasser Hospital is not just another airstrike its a snapshot of Israels genocidal intent. As Gazas healthcare system collapses and its people are pushed toward annihilation, the international communitys inaction becomes complicity. If this is not a call to halt the slaughter, what is? The bombs keep falling. The graves keep growing. And the world looks away. Sources for this article include: MiddleEastEye.net APNews.com AlJazeera.com Tesla, Elon Musk targeted by same useful idiot domestic terrorists that burned and pillaged American cities in 2020 Tesla dealerships and vehicles across the U.S. have been attacked with arson, gunfire, and vandalism. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt condemns the violence as "domestic terrorism." Three suspects face up to 20 years in prison for their roles in the attacks. Elon Musk claims the backlash is tied to his efforts to cut federal waste and corruption. Attorney General Pam Bondi warns of severe penalties for those involved in the violence. A wave of familiar violence now targets Tesla In a shocking escalation of political violence that is reminiscent of 2020 riots, Tesla facilities and vehicles have become the target of coordinated attacks, with the White House labeling the incidents as "domestic terrorism." The wave of violence, which includes arson, gunfire, and vandalism, is being investigated by federal authorities as a direct response to Tesla CEO Elon Musks role in advising President Donald Trump and his efforts to root out corruption within the federal government. The attacks, which have occurred in multiple states, are not random acts of destruction but appear to be part of a broader campaign to intimidate Musk and undermine his influence. Musk, who has been vocal about his commitment to restoring free speech and cutting government waste, has become a lightning rod for left-wing activists who view his efforts as a threat to their agenda. The violence began in early March 2025, with a series of attacks on Tesla dealerships and vehicles. In Las Vegas, a Tesla Collision Center was targeted with Molotov cocktails, resulting in significant damage to at least five vehicles. In Tigard, Oregon, gunshots were fired at a Tesla dealership, shattering windows and damaging several cars. Just days later, two Tesla Cybertrucks were torched at a Kansas City dealership. FBI Special Agent Spencer Evans confirmed that the incidents are being investigated as potential acts of terrorism. "These are not isolated events," Evans said at a press conference. "We are seeing a pattern of coordinated attacks that suggest a broader agenda." Musk, who has been outspoken about the threats he faces, took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his frustration. "Its just fully terrorism at this point," he wrote. "This is what happens when you challenge the status quo and expose corruption." The political backlash against Musk The attacks on Tesla come amid a broader backlash against Musks involvement in the Trump administration. As head of the newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), Musk has been tasked with overseeing budget cuts and reducing the federal workforce. His efforts have drawn fierce opposition from left-wing activists, who accuse him of undermining government programs and siding with corporate interests. In addition to the physical attacks, Musk and his supporters have been subjected to online harassment and doxing campaigns. A group calling itself "DogeQuest" has reportedly created an interactive map exposing the addresses of Tesla owners, encouraging activists to vandalize their vehicles. Despite the threats, Musk remains defiant. "The intensity of the opposition is proof that were doing something right," he said in a recent interview. "They wouldnt be this desperate if we werent disrupting their corrupt system." Justice Department cracks down on domestic terrorism In response to the attacks, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi has announced severe charges against three individuals involved in the violence. The suspectsLucy Nelson, Adam Matthew Lansky, and Daniel Clarke-Pounderare accused of using Molotov cocktails to set fire to Tesla properties and spray-painting anti-Musk and anti-Trump graffiti. "The days of committing crimes without consequence have ended," Bondi stated. "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." Each defendant faces a minimum of five years in prison, with sentences potentially reaching up to 20 years. The charges mark a significant escalation in the governments response to domestic terrorism, particularly in cases involving politically motivated violence. As Musk and Trump work to restore constitutional principles and cut government waste, they are facing violence from the powers that be, carried out through the desperation of useful idiots and left wing domestic terror organizations on the streets. The question now is whether the rule of law can prevail in the face of such brazen acts of violence. As Attorney General Bondi put it, "This is not just about Tesla. This is about the future of our country. Will we allow domestic terrorists to dictate the course of our nation, or will we stand up for the principles that made America great?" Sources include: RT.com BBC.com NYMag.com X.com The flu vaccine paradox: Are we making things worse? Dr. Robert Malone highlights a counterintuitive finding that increased flu vaccination rates among the elderly correlate with higher influenza-related death rates, as shown in a 2005 study. He attributes this to the suppression of natural immunity and misclassification of flu-like illnesses caused by other pathogens. Malone warns that annual flu shots may cause "immune imprinting," where the immune system becomes biased toward older virus strains, reducing its ability to respond effectively to new, evolving flu strains. This undermines the purpose of vaccination. He argues that partially effective flu vaccines can accelerate the evolution of vaccine-resistant viruses, making outbreaks harder to control. Malone asserts that imperfect vaccines cannot end influenza outbreaks and may worsen the situation. Malone challenges the narrative that the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic was primarily caused by the influenza virus, suggesting most deaths were due to secondary bacterial pneumonia. He advocates for prioritizing antibiotic research over mRNA flu vaccines. Unlike the U.S., most countries do not recommend universal flu vaccination. Malone argues that the U.S. approach is driven by the need to sustain vaccine manufacturing capacity rather than public health necessity, calling for transparency and informed consent in vaccination policies. In a world where annual flu shots are marketed as a cornerstone of public health, Dr. Robert Malone, a renowned expert in vaccine development, has dropped a bombshell: much of what weve been told about influenza vaccination is, in his words, propaganda. In a recent essay titled "Deconstructing HHS: Influenza Vaccine Propaganda," Malone challenges long-standing assumptions about flu vaccines, revealing startling data and historical context that demand a closer look. The elderly paradox: More vaccines, more deaths? One of the most shocking revelations in Malones essay is the claim that increasing annual influenza vaccination among the elderly is associated with higher influenza-related death rates. This counterintuitive finding is supported by a peer-reviewed study published in Archives of Internal Medicine in 2005. The study analyzed data from 1968 to 2001 and found that as flu vaccine coverage among the elderly rose from 15-20% to 65%, influenza-related mortality rates did not decline as expected. Natural immunity acquired by influenza infection works to prevent future influenza-related deaths in the elderly, Malone explains. Vaccination to a specific influenza A virus strain (H1N1) does not improve natural immunity to that strain and, on average, increased influenza vaccine uptake increases all-cause influenza-related death in the elderly. This raises serious questions about the efficacy of annual flu shots, particularly for older adults. Malone points out that influenza-like illness is often misattributed to the flu virus itself, when in fact, many other pathogenssuch as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), mycoplasma and coronavirusescan cause similar symptoms. This misclassification inflates flu-related death statistics, much like the controversial deaths with COVID versus deaths from COVID debate. Immune imprinting: Are flu shots backfiring? Another critical issue Malone highlights is the phenomenon of immune imprinting, formerly known as original antigenic sin. This concept, first described in the 1960s, refers to how the immune systems first exposure to a virus shapes its response to future infections. If you get boosted every year with a suboptimal influenza vaccine, it sets your immune system up to be focused on last years virus rather than being better able to respond to tomorrows strain, Malone writes. This immune bias can make individuals more susceptible to newly evolved flu strains, undermining the very purpose of vaccination. This leads to a broader concern: the use of leaky vaccines, which are only partially effective at preventing infection and transmission. Malone warns that widespread deployment of such vaccines accelerates the evolution of vaccine-resistant viruses. You cannot vaccinate your way out of an outbreak of influenza with an imperfect vaccine, he asserts. If you try, you will only make matters worse. The 1918 Spanish flu: A misleading narrative? Malone also takes aim at the historical narrative surrounding the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic, often cited as a justification for universal flu vaccination policies. He argues that most deaths during that pandemic were not caused by the influenza virus itself but by secondary bacterial pneumoniaa complication that could have been treated with antibiotics, had they been available at the time. If adequate doses of antibiotics had been available, the deaths would have been avoided, Malone states. He suggests that instead of investing billions in new mRNA flu vaccines, the U.S. should prioritize domestic antibiotic research and manufacturing capacity. A global perspective: Not everyone agrees Malone notes that most countries do not recommend population-wide annual influenza vaccination. According to a 2016 global review of national immunization policies, only 59% of World Health Organization (WHO) member states have a national flu vaccine policy, and even then, programs typically target high-risk groups rather than the entire population. This stands in stark contrast to the U.S., where annual flu shots are heavily promoted for nearly everyone over six months old. Malone argues that this approach is driven less by public health necessity and more by the need to maintain influenza vaccine manufacturing capacity. You cannot build and mothball an influenza vaccine manufacturing facility for future use, he explains. You have to keep making influenza vaccines on a regular basis. And if you are going to make it, you need to have a market for the product. A call for transparency and informed consent Malones essay is not an outright condemnation of vaccines but a plea for transparency, rigorous science and respect for individual autonomy. I am an advocate for sound, well-justified medical practices, he writes. Vaccination is a medical procedure, and patients have the right to require informed consent. He calls for a shift in public health priorities, away from top-down mandates and toward personalized, physician-guided decision-making. Making America Healthy Again will require respect for patients and their own personal bodily autonomy, he concludes. The bigger picture Malones revelations come at a time when trust in public health institutions is at an all-time low. His essay challenges us to rethink long-held assumptions about flu vaccines and to demand better science, clearer communication and more ethical policies. As Malone puts it, Maybe MAHA [Make America Healthy Again] should think this through again? The question is: Will we? Sources include: TheExpose.com Substack.com PubMed.com Trump ends Secret Service protection for Hunter and Ashley Biden President Donald Trump announced the immediate termination of Secret Service protection for Hunter Biden and Ashley Biden, citing taxpayer costs and questioning the necessity of their security details. Trump claimed 18 agents were assigned to Hunter Biden (vacationing in South Africa) and 13 to Ashley Biden, calling the arrangement "ridiculous" and unwarranted. While federal law grants lifelong protection to former presidents and their spouses, adult children are only covered for up to six months post-presidency unless extended. Both Joe Biden and Trump had previously extended protection for their families. The decision comes amid ongoing scrutiny of Hunter Biden's legal troubles, including a 2024 conviction for tax offenses and firearm-related charges, as well as Joe Biden's controversial pardon of his son. Critics view the move as politically motivated, while supporters argue it reduces unnecessary spending. The decision is expected to deepen partisan divisions. President Donald Trump announced on Monday, March 17, the immediate termination of Secret Service protection for former President Joe Biden's son Hunter and daughter Ashley. The decision, communicated via a post on Trump's Truth Social platform, cited the cost to taxpayers and questioned the necessity of providing security details to the Biden siblings. Trump criticized the allocation of resources, claiming that 18 agents were assigned to protect Hunter who is currently vacationing in South Africa and 13 agents were tasked with safeguarding Ashley. Such an arrangement, according to the president, was "ridiculous" and that protections for the two were unwarranted. "Effective immediately, Hunter Biden will no longer receive Secret Service protection," Trump wrote on Monday. "Likewise, Ashley Biden who has 13 agents will be taken off the list." The Secret Service confirmed it would comply with the decision. Anthony Guglielmi, the agency's chief of communications, stated that the agency is "actively working with the protective details and the White House to ensure compliance as soon as possible." Under federal law, former presidents and their spouses are entitled to lifelong Secret Service protection, but this privilege does not automatically extend to their children. However, outgoing presidents have the authority to extend protection for their families for up to six months after leaving office. Joe Biden exercised option extending protection for his children Joe had exercised this option, extending protection for Hunter and Ashley through July. Trump had similarly extended protection for his own children Donald Trump Jr., Ivanka Trump, Eric Trump and Tiffany Trump for six months after leaving office in 2021. The practice is not unprecedented. Former Presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush also extended protection for their families after their terms ended. The decision to revoke the Bidens' protection comes amid ongoing scrutiny of Hunter's legal troubles. In 2024, Hunter was convicted of tax offenses and falsifying information about his drug addiction on a firearm purchase form. (Related: Hunter Biden PLEADS GUILTY to all nine federal tax charges, avoids trial but will no doubt be pardoned by his father.) Republicans, including Trump, have accused him of influence peddling and corruption, allegations that both Hunter and his father have denied. In December, Joe issued a controversial pardon for his son, citing concerns that the prosecution was politically motivated. The move drew criticism from both Republicans and some Democrats, with Trump labeling it "an abuse and miscarriage of justice." Trump's latest action has sparked debate over the appropriate use of taxpayer-funded resources for protecting the families of former presidents. Critics argue that the decision appears politically motivated, given Trump's history of targeting the Bidens. Supporters, however, contend that the move aligns with efforts to reduce unnecessary government spending. Follow Trump.news for more news about the second Trump administration. Watch Jesse Watters of Fox News commenting how the Secret Service went off the rails during hearings on President Trump's assassination attempt. This video is from the Son of the Republic channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Whistleblowers allege Trump was NOT protected by Secret Service agents during assassination attempt. Trump revokes Secret Service protection for former adviser John Bolton amid ongoing Iranian threat. Whistleblower: Secret Service prevented the FBI from interviewing Hunter Biden. Secret Service confirms: Travel logs align with Hunter Biden emails. Sources include: RT.com APNews.com CBSNews.com Brighteon.com Trump moves to dismantle Department of Education, sparking legal and political showdown President Donald Trump signed an executive order to begin dismantling the U.S. Department of Education (ED), aiming to reduce its size, transfer authority to states and other federal agencies and fulfill a long-standing conservative goal of shrinking federal involvement in education. Critics warn the move could disrupt billions in federal funding for schools, student aid and programs like Title I, Pell Grants and support for students with disabilities, potentially harming vulnerable populations and underfunded districts. While the order initiates staff reductions and restructuring, fully abolishing ED requires congressional approval, which faces strong Democratic opposition. Education advocates and Democratic leaders have vowed to challenge the order in court. A majority of Americans (64 percent) oppose eliminating the ED, according to a recent poll. The move has sparked a broader debate over the federal government's role in education, with supporters arguing for state-level control and opponents warning of increased inequality in funding and access. The executive order sets the stage for a contentious legal and political battle over the future of federal education policy, with its ultimate impact dependent on congressional action, court rulings and public response. President Donald J. Trump signed an executive order on Thursday, March 20, to begin dismantling the U.S. Department of Education (ED), a move that could reshape the federal government's role in education policy and funding. The order signed at a ceremony attended by Republican governors, attorneys general and lawmakers does not immediately abolish the department. However, it sets the stage for staff reductions and the transfer of its authority to state governments and other federal agencies. (Related: Trump moves to dismantle Department of Education: A bold step toward state control of schools.) While Trump framed the action as a long-overdue return of power to the states, critics warn it could disrupt billions in funding for schools and student aid programs, setting up a legal and political battle over the future of education in America. The push to eliminate ED has been a cornerstone of conservative policy for decades. Established in 1979 under President Jimmy Carter, the department was created to consolidate federal education programs and ensure equal access to education. However, critics, particularly on the right, have long argued that the department represents federal overreach and inefficiency. Trump's executive order aligns with his campaign promise to shrink the federal government and return power to the states. "Today we take a very historic action that was 45 years in the making," Trump said at the signing ceremony. "We're going to be returning education, very simply, back to the states where it belongs Probably the cost will be half, and the education will be maybe many, many times better." The president's remarks echoed his broader critique of ED, which he has repeatedly called inefficient and ideologically biased. The order directs Education Secretary Linda McMahon to begin the process of dismantling the department while preserving certain programs, such as Title I funding for low-income schools, Pell Grants and resources for students with disabilities. McMahon, who has signaled her support for Trumps agenda, will oversee the reduction of the departments workforce by nearly half. While the executive order marks a significant step toward Trumps goal, fully abolishing ED would require congressional approval. The department was created by an act of Congress, and its elimination would need to pass both the House and Senate, a tall order given Democratic opposition. Democratic leaders and education advocacy groups have already vowed to challenge the order in court. "This is an attack on public education and the millions of students who rely on federal support," said Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers. "We will fight this every step of the way." Public opinion also appears to be against the move. A recent PBS News/NPR/Marist poll found that 64 percent of Americans oppose eliminating the ED, while only 37 percent support it. The poll, conducted in late February, has a margin of error of plus or minus 2.8 percentage points. Critics argue that dismantling ED could have far-reaching consequences. The department oversees $1.6 trillion in federal student loans and distributes billions in funding for programs like school meals, support for homeless students, and civil rights enforcement. These programs account for about 14 percent of public school budgets, often serving vulnerable students in underfunded districts. What's next for education policy? The executive order sets the stage for a broader debate over the federal government's role in education. Supporters of the move, including several Republican governors in attendance, argue that states are better equipped to address the needs of their students. "Education is a local issue, and it should be handled by those who know their communities best," said Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. However, opponents warn that devolving authority to the states could exacerbate inequalities in education funding and access. "Without federal oversight, we risk leaving behind the students who need help the most," said Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA), a longtime advocate for public education. As the legal and political battles unfold, the future of the ED remains uncertain. For now, the executive order represents a bold and controversial step toward reshaping the federal governments role in education. Watch the video below that talks about the Trump administration's move to dismantle ED. This video is from the Neroke-5 channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Education Department places 55 employees on paid leave as part of Trump administration's efforts to dismantle DEI initiatives. Federal judges lift injunction on Trump's orders, allowing crackdown on DEI programs. Trump wants to ABOLISH THE IRS and shift tax burdens to foreign entities, freeing Americans from financial slavery. Sources include: TheNationalPulse.com Newsweek.com Brighteon.com Trump urges Supreme Court to rein in activist judges blocking border security moves Trump urges the Supreme Court to intervene against federal judges blocking his immigration policies, calling them "radical and partisan." A judge halted deportations of Venezuelan gang members, sparking White House outrage over national security concerns. Trump faced 64 nationwide injunctions in his first termfar more than previous presidentsraising concerns over judicial overreach. Conservative lawmakers plan legislation to limit nationwide injunctions, calling them a "dramatic abuse of judicial authority." The Supreme Court remains divided on the issue, with some justices criticizing injunctions as unchecked judicial power. President Donald Trump is calling on the U.S. Supreme Court to intervene against what he calls "radical and highly partisan" federal judges who have repeatedly obstructed his administrations efforts to secure the border and enforce immigration laws. In a fiery Truth Social post on Thursday, Trump accused these judges of overstepping their constitutional role by issuing nationwide injunctions that effectively paralyze executive actionsincluding the deportation of dangerous criminals like members of the Venezuelan Tren de Aragua gang. The escalating clash between the judiciary and the presidency, Trump warned, threatens national security and undermines the rule of law. The immediate flashpoint is U.S. District Judge James Boasbergs order blocking the deportation of suspected Tren de Aragua members under the Alien Enemies Act, a 1798 law designed to remove foreign threats. Trumps administration insists the gang, which was designated a terrorist organization, poses a clear danger, but Boasbergs injunction forced the return of deportation flights midair, sparking outrage from the White House. Judicial activism vs. presidential authority Trumps frustration reflects a broader battle: federal judges have issued a record number of nationwide injunctions against his policies compared to past presidents. According to Harvard Law Review, Trump faced 64 such injunctions in his first termfar exceeding the six against George W. Bush and 12 against Barack Obama. This trend, critics argue, allows a single unelected judge to veto policies affecting 330 million Americans. "These Judges want to assume the Powers of the Presidency, without having to attain 80 Million Votes," Trump wrote. "They want all of the advantages with none of the risks." His post singled out Boasberg as a "local, unknown Judge, a Grandstander, looking for publicity," whose rulings he called "ridiculous and inept." Legal scholars and conservative lawmakers warn that the injunctions create a constitutional crisis by eroding the separation of powers. Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) announced plans to introduce legislation curtailing district courts ability to issue nationwide blocks, calling the practice a "dramatic abuse of judicial authority." The White House has urged the Supreme Court to "rein in" lower courts, but Chief Justice John Roberts rebuffed Trumps call to impeach Boasberg, stating that impeachment is not a tool for resolving judicial disagreements. However, Justices Samuel Alito and Neil Gorsuch have criticized nationwide injunctions as judicial overreach. In a recent dissent, Alito blasted a lower courts order forcing the administration to release $2 billion in aid, asking, "Does a single district-court judge ... have the unchecked power to compel the Government of the United States?" The Tren de Aragua case underscores the stakes. Trumps March 15 proclamation cited the gangs "irregular warfare and hostile actions" on U.S. soil. Yet Boasbergs injunction has left the administration fighting to enforce its own national security directives. The standoff raises fundamental questions: Should a handful of judges hold veto power over immigration enforcement? And can the U.S. afford delays when deporting violent criminals? Trumps allies argue the answer is no. "If Justice Roberts and the Supreme Court do not fix this toxic situation IMMEDIATELY, our Country is in very serious trouble!" Trump declared. With the Supreme Court yet to weigh in definitively, the battle over nationwide injunctions remains unresolved. But as long as judges continue blocking executive actions ranging from border security to military policy, the tension between judicial activism and presidential authority will only intensify. For now, the White House vows to press forward, even as its opponents in the judiciary dig in. Sources for this article include: TheEpochTimes.com FoxNews.com NYPost.com Ukraine violates partial ceasefire agreement with Russia, attacks energy infrastructure as peace talks collapse Ukraine breaches US-brokered ceasefire within 24 hours, striking Russian oil and gas facilities. Moscow warns of "symmetrical response" as Kiev continues destructive provocations. Zelensky regime follows historical pattern of sabotaging peace agreements. Russia accuses Ukraine of deliberately targeting civilian infrastructure. In yet another brazen violation of international agreements, Ukraine has shattered a fragile ceasefire with Russia, launching attacks on critical energy infrastructure just hours after pledging peace. The latest escalation, which includes drone strikes on Russian gas distribution stations and an oil depot, has pushed the conflict toward renewed hostilities, with Moscow now threatening a "symmetrical response." The pattern of Ukrainian aggression, coupled with its long history of broken treaties, raises serious questions about Kievs commitment to peaceor its willingness to serve as a pawn in a larger geopolitical game. Ukraines immediate ceasefire betrayal On Tuesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky agreed to a partial ceasefire brokered by the United States, with both sides pledging to halt attacks on energy infrastructure. Yet within 24 hours, Ukrainian forces struck an oil depot in Russias Krasnodar Region, operated by the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC)a facility partly owned by U.S. energy giants Chevron and Exxon Mobil. By Friday, Kiev escalated further, blowing up a gas metering station in Sudzha as its forces retreated from Russias Kursk Region. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova condemned the attacks, stating, "Kiev is once again demonstrating its complete inability to negotiate, as well as its lack of desire to achieve peace. As in 2022, they have once again turned to provocations aimed at disrupting the negotiation process." She warned that Moscow now reserves the right to retaliate in kind, signaling a potential return to large-scale strikes on Ukrainian power gridsa tactic Russia previously employed to devastating effect. A history of broken promises Ukraines latest betrayal is not an isolated incident. The Zelensky regime has repeatedly sabotaged peace efforts, mirroring Kievs long-standing refusal to honor diplomatic agreements. Minsk Agreements (2014-2015): Ukraine pledged autonomy for Donbass regions but never implemented key provisions, instead escalating military operations. Istanbul Peace Talks (2022): Negotiations collapsed after Western powers, including the U.S. and UK, reportedly pressured Kiev to abandon concessions. Grain Deal Withdrawal (2023): Ukraine terminated a UN-backed grain export agreement, further destabilizing global food markets. Putin highlighted this pattern during his call with former U.S. President Donald Trump, emphasizing that Ukraine has "repeatedly sabotaged and violated the agreements reached." The Kremlins frustration is palpableevery ceasefire, every negotiation, has been met with Ukrainian duplicity. The wests role in fueling chaos Behind Ukraines reckless actions lies a deeper truth: Western powers continue to arm and embolden Kiev, turning it into a proxy force against Russia. The CPC pipeline attack, which directly impacts U.S. corporate interests, raises uncomfortable questions. Why would Ukraine risk alienating its own financial backers? Some analysts suggest the strikes were a deliberate provocation, designed to drag Washington and its weapons contractors deeper into the conflict. Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces have also targeted civilian areas, with Zakharova accusing Kiev of deliberately striking "residential buildings and social institutions." If true, these actions constitute war crimesyet Western media remains conspicuously silent. With the ceasefire in tatters, Russia now faces a critical choice: restraint or retaliation. A "symmetrical response" could mean renewed strikes on Ukraines energy grid, plunging millions into darkness. Or will Moscow pursue a broader escalation, leveraging its superior firepower to force Kiev to the table? One thing is certain: Ukraines leadership has proven, time and again, that it cannot be trusted. In Ukraine, justice remains elusiveburied beneath broken treaties, foreign interference, and a government that refuses to negotiate in good faith. Sources include: RT.com Reuters.com Reuters.com Unlocking the healing power of German Chamomile German chamomile, originating in Europe and Western Asia, has been cultivated for over 2,000 years. It was revered by the ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans for its medicinal properties. By the Middle Ages, it was widely used across Europe for treating various conditions. The plant is rich in bioactive compounds like apigenin, bisabolol, chamazulene and coumarins, which contribute to its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-anxiety effects, making it a versatile natural remedy. German chamomile is known for its ability to relieve stress and anxiety, improve digestive health, heal skin conditions, support the immune system and ease menstrual pain, all due to its active compounds working synergistically. Chamomile can be used in various forms, including tea, essential oil, tinctures, capsules and compresses, making it easily accessible for both oral and topical applications. Beyond its medicinal uses, chamomile is valued in culinary traditions, adding a subtle, floral flavor to dishes, and is used in recipes such as infused honey, lemonade and desserts. Its historical and cultural significance is reflected in traditional practices and folklore from various regions. For centuries, the delicate, daisy-like flowers of Matricaria chamomilla, commonly known as German chamomile, have been revered as a natural remedy for ailments ranging from insomnia to inflammation. This unassuming herb, with its golden centers and feathery white petals, has woven itself into the fabric of human history, earning a place in ancient medicine cabinets, modern wellness routines and even culinary traditions. But what makes this plant so extraordinary? Lets explore the history, science, and healing potential of German chamomile, a true superfood of the botanical world. Brief history of chamomile German chamomiles origins trace back to Europe and Western Asia, where it has been cultivated for over 2,000 years. Ancient Egyptians revered chamomile as a sacred herb, dedicating it to their sun god, Ra, and using it in embalming oils and healing salves. The ancient Greeks and Romans also cherished chamomile, with the Greek physician Dioscorides documenting its use for fevers and digestive issues in his seminal work, De Materia Medica. By the Middle Ages, chamomile had spread across Europe, where it was used to treat everything from skin conditions to anxiety. (Related: Chamomile: A time-honored herbal remedy loaded with bioactive constituents.) Today, German chamomile is grown worldwide, with major cultivation in countries like Germany, Hungary, Egypt and Argentina. Its adaptability to various climates and soils has made it a staple in both traditional and modern herbal medicine. Phytonutrients and health benefits of chamomile German chamomile is a treasure trove of bioactive compounds that contribute to its therapeutic properties. Among its most notable constituents are: Apigenin - A flavonoid with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-anxiety effects - A flavonoid with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-anxiety effects Bisabolol - Known for its soothing and anti-irritant properties, particularly for the skin - Known for its soothing and anti-irritant properties, particularly for the skin Chamazulene - A compound that gives chamomile its distinctive blue hue when distilled and is prized for its anti-inflammatory benefits - A compound that gives chamomile its distinctive blue hue when distilled and is prized for its anti-inflammatory benefits Coumarins - Compounds that can support blood circulation and reduce inflammation - Compounds that can support blood circulation and reduce inflammation Flavonoids - Antioxidants that protect cells from oxidative stress and support overall health These compounds work synergistically to make chamomile a versatile remedy for a wide range of conditions. German chamomiles therapeutic applications are as diverse as its history. Here are some of its most well-documented benefits: Stress and anxiety relief - Chamomile is best known for its calming effects. Studies suggest that apigenin binds to receptors in the brain, promoting relaxation and reducing symptoms of anxiety and insomnia. A warm cup of chamomile tea before bed is a time-honored ritual for restful sleep. - Chamomile is best known for its calming effects. Studies suggest that apigenin binds to receptors in the brain, promoting relaxation and reducing symptoms of anxiety and insomnia. A warm cup of chamomile tea before bed is a time-honored ritual for restful sleep. Digestive support - Chamomile has been used for centuries to soothe digestive discomfort, including bloating, gas and indigestion. Its anti-inflammatory properties help relax the muscles of the gastrointestinal tract, easing spasms and promoting healthy digestion. - Chamomile has been used for centuries to soothe digestive discomfort, including bloating, gas and indigestion. Its anti-inflammatory properties help relax the muscles of the gastrointestinal tract, easing spasms and promoting healthy digestion. Skin healing - Topical application of chamomile in the form of creams or essential oils can alleviate skin irritations like eczema, psoriasis and minor burns. Bisabolol and chamazulene are particularly effective in reducing redness and inflammation. - Topical application of chamomile in the form of creams or essential oils can alleviate skin irritations like eczema, psoriasis and minor burns. Bisabolol and chamazulene are particularly effective in reducing redness and inflammation. Immune support - The antioxidants in chamomile can help bolster the immune system, protecting the body against infections and oxidative damage. - The antioxidants in chamomile can help bolster the immune system, protecting the body against infections and oxidative damage. Menstrual pain relief - Chamomiles muscle-relaxing properties can help ease menstrual cramps, making it a natural alternative to over-the-counter pain relievers. Using chamomile as a healing herb Chamomiles versatility makes it easy to incorporate into daily life. Here are some popular ways to use this healing herb: Tea - Chamomile tea is made by steeping dried flowers in hot water. Its a soothing beverage for relaxation and digestive support. - Chamomile tea is made by steeping dried flowers in hot water. Its a soothing beverage for relaxation and digestive support. Essential oil - Chamomile essential oil can be diluted and applied topically or used in aromatherapy for stress relief. - Chamomile essential oil can be diluted and applied topically or used in aromatherapy for stress relief. Tinctures and capsules - For a more concentrated dose, chamomile is available in liquid extracts or supplement form. - For a more concentrated dose, chamomile is available in liquid extracts or supplement form. Compresses - Soaking a cloth in chamomile tea and applying it to the skin can help reduce inflammation and irritation. German chamomile is a feast for the senses. Its flowers are small and daisy-like, with white petals surrounding a bright yellow center. When dried, the flowers retain their delicate aroma, which is sweet, floral and slightly apple-like. The taste of chamomile tea is mild and soothing, with a hint of honey and earthiness. Chamomiles reputation as a cure-all has inspired countless anecdotes. In medieval England, it was known as the plant physician because it was believed to revive sickly plants when grown nearby. In traditional Mexican medicine, chamomile tea is often given to children to calm colic or stomachaches. These stories highlight the universal appeal of this humble herb. Culinary creations with Chamomile Beyond its medicinal uses, chamomile has also found its way into the kitchen. Its subtle flavor pairs well with both sweet and savory dishes. Here are a few recipe ideas involving chamomile: Chamomile-infused honey - Perfect for drizzling over yogurt or toast. - Perfect for drizzling over yogurt or toast. Chamomile lemonade - A refreshing twist on a summer classic. - A refreshing twist on a summer classic. Chamomile shortbread cookies - Delicate and aromatic, ideal for tea time. - Delicate and aromatic, ideal for tea time. Chamomile panna cotta - A creamy dessert infused with floral notes. - A creamy dessert infused with floral notes. Chamomile salad dressing - A light vinaigrette for fresh greens. German chamomile is more than just a pretty flower; its a testament to the enduring power of nature to heal and nourish. From ancient Egypt to modern wellness routines, this herb has stood the test of time, offering relief and comfort to countless generations. Whether sipped as a tea, applied as a salve or enjoyed in a culinary creation, chamomile continues to prove its worth as a timeless elixir of health and well-being. This story is not medical advice and is not intended to treat or cure any disease. Always consult with a qualified naturopathic physician for personalized advice about your specific health situation or concern. Visit NaturalNews.com, a great article source where you can learn about superfoods and their health benefits. You can also try Brighteon.ai, an AI model created by Mike Adams, also known as the Health Ranger. This model is available as a free download to be run locally and is designed to help share and decentralize knowledge. By doing so, it aims to bypass censorship and empower people with knowledge. If you're looking for an uncensored video free speech website where you can openly discuss nutrition, natural medicine, ingredients and more, check out Brighteon.com and our two free speech social media sites, Brighteon.IO and Brighteon.social. Watch the video below to learn about chamomile's health benefits. This video is from the Holistic herbalist channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Chamomile tea can help give you better sleep and glowing skin at the same time. Chamomile tea is not just for promoting sleep; it has other health benefits as well. Chamomile tea may control diabetes, professor says. Chamomile tea lowers thyroid cancer risk: Study. Chamomile helps with anxiety, sleeplessness and depression. Sources include: Brighteon.ai Naturalnews.com Brighteon.com Sorry, something doesn't look right. Something seems unusual about your device or browser. Please contact support. Due to scheduled maintenance from Saturday, March 15, 2025, at 10 PM to Sunday, March 16, 2025, at 2 AM, there may be interruptions for our News Gazette Digital subscribers. During this time frame, please click on any News Gazette website content without logging into your News Gazette Digital subscription account. Thank you for your patience during this scheduled maintenance. A woman in Maine developed a dangerous meat allergy after a black-legged tick biteprompting the CDC to rethink which ticks can trigger alpha-gal syndrome. A decade of cases suggests the threat is broader than once believed. Dispatch: Alpha-Gal Syndrome after Ixodes scapularis Tick Bite and Statewide Surveillance, Maine, USA, 20142023. Image Credit: Aleksei Ruzhin / Shutterstock In a recent Dispatch published in the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases, researchers from the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC), the University of North Carolina, and other institutions reviewed a case study from Maine to establish Ixodes scapularis as a potential carrier of alpha-gal syndrome (AGS). They retrospectively evaluated positive -galspecific IgE test results and case records collected over 10 years (20142023) as part of enhanced surveillance. They found that at least 23 Maine residents had similarly acquired the syndrome from unknown or potentially non-lone star tick exposures, highlighting the need for enhanced surveillance and medical attention to bites from other tick species. Background Alpha-gal syndrome, colloquially called the mammalian meat allergy or the tick bite meat allergy, is a severe allergic reaction (hypersensitivity) to the disaccharide galactose--1,3-galactose (-gal) commonly found in mammalian meat products. Symptoms include rash, hives, nausea or vomiting, difficulty breathing, drop in blood pressure, dizziness or faintness, diarrhea, severe stomach pain, and, in rare cases, anaphylaxis. AGS is usually triggered following bites from the lone star tick, Amblyomma americanum, particularly in the United States of America. The syndrome's spatial distribution correlates strongly with the lone star tick's geographical distribution. Notably, Ixodes holocyclus in Australia has also been implicated in triggering the condition, suggesting that bites from non-lone star tick species (e.g., Ixodes scapularis and Haemaphysalis longicornis) may be more worrisome than previously believed. About the study The present study investigates the case of a 45-year-old woman who depicted AGS-like symptoms following a bite from a non-lone star tick. The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) conducted the study. Timeline of symptom onset in a patient with alpha-gal syndrome after Ixodes scapularis tick bite, Maine, USA, 2022. The study subject reported a tick bite (left bicep) received on the 4th of May 2022, discovered following her return from York County, Maine. The subject identified the tick as an adult female Ixodes scapularis, which was confirmed by the CDC using molecular and morphological data. Nine days later, in addition to the bite area demonstrating inflammation and severe itchiness, the subject reported delayed gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms (abdominal pain and malaise) following consumption of roasted rabbit. These symptoms reoccurred frequently following the subjects mammalian meal consumption over the following two weeks. Notably, the meals were shared, with only the subject reporting GI symptoms. Furthermore, the subject had no previous history of allergies or parasite exposure. A severe episode of diarrhea and vomiting hours after beef consumption prompted the patient to visit a healthcare provider (HCP) 20 days after the tick bite. Given her symptoms, her healthcare provider screened the subject through a panel of medical tests, including a metabolic panel, complete blood count, amylase, lipase, and Helicobacter pylori breath test. Simultaneously, an ultrasound (to detect gallstones) and a serum -galspecific IgE test were carried out. All tests demonstrated that the subject was in good health except the -galspecific IgE test, which was abnormally high (>100 kU/L). Although she did not exhibit rash, hives, respiratory distress, or anaphylaxis, her symptoms were consistent with the gastrointestinal phenotype of AGS. Meal cofactors such as alcohol may have exacerbated symptom onset. Consumption of bacon at 3 months and steak at 7 months after first symptoms led to delayed heartburn sensations. Ten months after the first symptoms, the patient tolerated a steak dinner and roast beef sandwich and resumed eating red meat. -galspecific IgE at 13 months (June 13, 2023) measured 16 kU/L and at 25 months measured 4.58 kU/L. Progression and persistence of bite site reaction in alpha-gal syndrome after Ixodes scapularis tick bite, Maine, USA, 2022. A) Day 1, attached Ixodes scapularis adult female; B) enlarged version of image in panel A; magnification 2.1; C) day 3, growing erythema surrounding tick bite site accompanied by intense and increasing pruritus; D) day 5, bite site less inflamed and with scab; E) day 53, patient resumed photo documentation because of persistent pruritus and flares of lesion becoming intermittently raised; F) day 55, lesion improved; G) day 57, lesion slightly raised again, photo taken to document variation. After these photos, pruritus largely resolved. As of December 2024, the bite site remains identifiable as an asymptomatic papule. Study findings and follow-up This case study provides evidence suggesting that bites from Ixodes scapularis can trigger hypersensitivity and AGS in humans. This, in turn, prompted the US CDC (Maine) to retrospectively collate and screen patient records from Maine spanning the 10 preceding years (20142023). Of the 57 Maine residents reporting AGS-like symptoms, IgE laboratory tests confirmed that 23 were positive for -galspecific allergies. Interviews conducted with AGS confirmed cases and reviews of their travel history preceding their symptoms revealed contact with lone star, black-legged, and other ticks. However, the study acknowledges that not all tick exposures could be confirmed and that prior sensitization or multiple tick bites over a lifetime could contribute to AGS onset. Conclusions The present study suggests that non-lone star ticks, particularly the black-legged tick (Ixodes scapularis), may be implicated in AGS hypersensitivity in humans, greatly expanding the potential spatial distribution of the syndrome across the US. To address this, the CDC has scaled up surveillance and advised clinicians and healthcare professionals to routinely screen tick bite patients for -galspecific IgEs. Screen time and reduced outdoor activity during the pandemic may have lasting effects on childrens eye health, including changes in corneal curvature. Study: Prevalence and Severity of Astigmatism in Children After COVID-19. Image Credit: Jelena Stanojkovic/Shutterstock.com A recent study posted in JAMA Ophthalmology explores changes in astigmatism rates among children in the aftermath of the recent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Introduction Astigmatism is a common refractive error that causes blurred vision by distorting how light enters the eye. It affects about 15% of school-aged children and is often linked with myopia (nearsightedness). Because astigmatism disrupts both near and distant vision, it can increase the risk of amblyopiacommonly known as lazy eyein which the brain gradually stops processing input from the affected eye. The condition arises from uneven curvature across the corneas meridians. Instead of focusing light on a single point on the retina, these irregular curvatures scatter the light, creating a blurred image. Refractive astigmatism (RA) accounts for total astigmatism in the eye, combining corneal astigmatism (CA) and internal astigmatism (IA). IA results from irregularities behind the front surface of the cornea, including the posterior cornea and both sides of the crystalline lens. Prevalence varies by region, with countries like China reporting higher rates. Children in urban environments are more affected than those in rural areas, pointing to a mix of genetic and environmental influences. Importantly, the threshold for astigmatism to cause amblyopia lowers with agefrom 3 diopters (D) or more in infancy to 1.5 D by ages 3 to 4underscoring the need for early diagnosis and intervention. The impact of COVID-19 During the COVID-19 pandemic, school closures and lockdowns kept children indoors at unprecedented levels. Learning, play, and communication shifted almost entirely to digital screens. This change led to a sharp increase in "near work"activities like reading or screen use that require prolonged close-up focus, often with a downward gaze. While links between near work and myopia are well-documented, its effects on the corneaand specifically astigmatismare less understood. The Hong Kong Children Eye Study (HKCES) set out to explore these effects by tracking changes in astigmatism prevalence during and after the pandemic. About the study The HKCES analyzed eye data from 21,665 children (average age 7.3 years) enrolled in primary schools across Hong Kong. Participants were examined twice between 2015 and 2023. Corneal astigmatism (CA) was defined as a 1 D or greater difference between the flattest and steepest meridians of the cornea. Key findings Before the pandemic, the prevalence of RA and CA at 1.0 D or more stood at 23.4% and 60%, respectively. By 202223, both had increasedRA rose by 13.3 percentage points to 34.7%, while CA climbed 5 points to 64.7%. RA and CA rates in 2021 were already significantly higher than pre-pandemic levels, increasing by approximately 7% in boys and 8% in girls. Age also played a role: prevalence rose by 6%, 7%, and 9% in six-, seven-, and eight-year-olds, respectively. Overall, children assessed during the pandemic had 20% higher odds of RA and a 26% increased risk of CA compared to those evaluated before the pandemic. Interestingly, mean keratometry valuesused to measure corneal curvatureremained relatively stable. However, the steepest corneal curvature increased while the flattest meridian decreased, suggesting changes in astigmatism were not driven by overall corneal size or shape, and occurred after the spike in myopia seen in 2019. RA severity also increased: average values rose from 0.7 D pre-pandemic to 0.81 D in 2021 and 0.87 D in 202223. CA followed a similar pattern, rising from 1.24 D to 1.34 D after 2020. Even after accounting for social and demographic variables, family history, and co-existing myopia, these increases remained statistically significant. Researchers point to several likely factors: more time spent on digital devices, extended school closures, reduced outdoor activity, and associated increases in myopia. Outdoor time dropped by about 0.3 hours per day, while near work jumped from 3.3 to 4.9 hoursa 1.6-hour daily increase. One theory suggests that prolonged reading or screen time places constant pressure from the eyelid on the upper cornea, gradually altering its curvature. This differs from earlier assumptions that such effects from near work were temporary and reversible. As the researchers note, We think that the change in corneal curvatures induced by near work takes time to develop. Conclusions Both RA and CA increased in prevalence and severity following the COVID-19 pandemic, supporting findings from earlier research. Changes in corneal curvatureparticularly in the steepest meridianmay be partly responsible, likely driven by extended near work. Further studies are needed to understand better how lifestyle and environmental shifts influence eye development and contribute to astigmatism. These insights could help shape strategies to protect children's vision as digital habits continue to evolve. On a sunny weekday in Atlanta, a small crowd of people gathered for a rally outside of a labor union headquarters building. The event, put together by Atlanta-area Democratic U.S. Rep. Nikema Williams, was attended mostly by union members and recently fired federal workers, including Ryan Sloane. "I was fired by an anonymous email at 9 p.m. in the middle of a holiday weekend," he said. Sloane is still seeking reinstatement, but he feels he no longer has much to lose by speaking out. "Im only here today because they cannot fire me twice," Sloane said. When he received his termination notice, he was a few months into a job as a public affairs specialist at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. At the CDC, his days were spent updating far-flung local TV, radio, and newspaper journalists about threats such as seasonal flu, measles, and food safety in their communities. A judge has ordered the reinstatement of some fired federal employees, at least temporarily. But their jobs are still on the line. Sloane said his former colleagues at the CDC whose jobs aren't yet in limbo are scared. "They are terrified that their lifes work is going to be deleted from servers and not backed up because it does not comport with the ideologies of the new administration," he said. "No one is benefiting from this." From the end of January to mid-February, the Trump administration took offline some CDC webpages and froze external communications, including its widely read Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report epidemiological digest. The webpages that were removed included CDC public health reports, datasets, and guidance on infectious diseases and sexual health. After a court order, some agency information was restored, at least for now. But even temporary disruptions to CDC communications could have big ripple effects. It is information that state and local health departments, hospitals, university researchers, and others rely on to help them respond to outbreaks. "CDC is there to provide technical information, provide funding, provide support, but its a collaborative work, working together to keep Americans safe," said former CDC Director Tom Frieden, who headed the agency from 2009 to 2017. He is now president and CEO of the nonprofit organization Resolve to Save Lives. "In this country, we have a patchwork or network of public health. Its really up to the local, city, and state health departments to get the job done." City and state health agencies also need the collaboration of CDC experts to help investigate local disease outbreaks and other threats to public health. A clinician who has worked at the agency for more than two decades pointed to the CDC's singular ability to send medical supplies and deploy highly specialized teams of scientists to help local communities identify and contain outbreaks. KFF Health News agreed not to use the clinician's name because she fears she will be fired for airing these views publicly. "A lot of them are assigned to state and local health departments, so really even beyond individual positions, any funding cuts that the agency takes are also passed on to state and local health departments," the clinician said. "A lot of their budget comes from federal money as well." The Trump administration has attempted to terminate hundreds of employees from the CDC alone, along with hundreds more workers at the National Institutes of Health and other federal agencies with a U.S. health and safety role. Many public health and science researchers are concerned about the cuts' impacts on the nation's ability to respond to threats and about whether state and local public health departments will be able to keep communities healthy without the CDC's partnership. Billionaire Elon Musk has said his Department of Government Efficiency intends to keep cutting federal agencies' budgets and staff, targeting what it calls "fraud." "Anytime someone gets fired, it's always difficult. But with $36 trillion in debt, we have to reduce the size of the federal government," Republican U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene told WABE during a March visit to the Georgia State Capitol. Her district includes parts of suburban Atlanta about 30 miles from CDC headquarters. Greene also chairs a House subcommittee also called "DOGE," for "Delivering on Government Efficiency." "Fortunately, with all the investments that are being brought back into the country under President Trump, I really hope that those federal workers are able to find new jobs," she said. She did not comment on whether local public health departments around the country would be able to work efficiently without the support of CDC experts who have been terminated. But many U.S. public health experts are expressing concern. The CDC has long been a key training ground for the next generation of U.S. public health researchers. Emory University epidemiology professor Patrick Sullivan was one of them earlier in his career. The HIV expert previously worked at the CDC for about 15 years. "When I started working in HIV prevention at CDC in the early 1990s, we didnt have the treatments that essentially allowed people living with HIV to have a full, healthy, normal lifespan," he said. "We didnt have the treatments that essentially allowed people living with HIV to have a test that people could take home to test themselves." Sullivan said the progress he has seen over the last several decades gave him optimism, and that advances in HIV treatment and prevention are a great example of the importance of federal support for public health work. "Discovery science and pharmacy science really have given us the tools that we need to end the HIV epidemic in the United States," he said. But, to have those scientific tools without adequate public health staff or funding to use them, he said, will cost American lives. This article is from a partnership that includes WABE, NPR, and KFF Health News. A comprehensive study from Karolinska Institutet shows that people with fatty liver disease have almost twice the mortality rate of the general population. They have an increased risk of dying from both liver diseases and common diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular disease, according to the study published in The Journal of Hepatology. It is estimated that one in five people in Sweden has fatty liver disease known as MASLD (metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease), and globally it may be as many as one in four. The disease is caused by overweight or obesity and is characterized by an excessive accumulation of fat in the liver, which can lead to severe liver damage and liver cancer. Hidden health condition Many people are not aware that they have fatty liver disease because it rarely causes any symptoms in the earlier stages. Our study shows that people diagnosed with MASLD have an increased risk of dying from many different diseases, not just liver disease." Axel Wester, Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine, Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet and physician at Karolinska University Hospital The researchers identified all patients diagnosed with MASLD in Sweden between 2002 and 2020, more than 13,000 patients in total, and analyzed their risk of death from different causes compared to the general population. The overall mortality rate for people with MASLD was almost twice as high. The risk was elevated for nearly all causes of death studied, but especially for death from liver disease (27 times higher mortality) and liver cancer (35 times higher mortality). However, the most common causes of death were cardiovascular disease and non-liver cancer, with mortality rates 54 and 47 per cent higher, respectively. A holistic approach People with MASLD also had an increased risk of dying from infections, gastrointestinal diseases, respiratory diseases, endocrine diseases or external causes, but not from mental illness. "It is important that we do not only focus on the liver when treating patients with fatty liver disease," says Hannes Hagstrom, adjunct professor at the Department of Medicine, Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet and senior physician at Karolinska University Hospital. "A holistic approach and early intervention involving different medical specialities can be crucial to improve the prognosis for these patients." The study was led by Hannes Hagstrom and Axel Wester who share the last authorship, while Gabriel Issa, a medical student at Karolinska Institutet, is the first author. The research was funded by the Swedish Research Council, the Swedish Cancer Society, Region Stockholm, Syskonen Svensson Foundation for Medical Research, Mag-Tarmfonden, the Bengt Ihre Foundation, the Professor Nanna Svartz Foundation and the Gastroenterological Research Fund (the Swedish Society of Medicine). Hannes Hagstrom's institutions have received research funding from Astra Zeneca, EchoSens, Gilead, Intercept, MSD and Pfizer. He has also been a consultant for Astra Zeneca and has been part of hepatic events adjudication committees for KOWA, GW Pharma, Boehringer Ingelheim and Arrowhead. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines air pollution as contamination of the indoor or outdoor environment by any chemical, physical or biological agent that modifies the natural characteristics of the atmosphere.1 From an environmental perspective, polluted air can cause acid rain, crop damage, decrease plant growth and productivity, and cause harm to wildlife. For humans, the inhalation of polluted air may lead to respiratory problems, heart disease, cancer, and other severe health issues. This is a concern as 99% of humans worldwide breathe air exceeding the WHO guideline limits on air quality.1,2 Particulate matter and aerosols are pollutants of particular concern. This article presents the drivers of air pollution and highlights two instruments used for continuous ambient air quality monitoring. Differences between particulate matter and aerosols Particulate matter (PM) refers to small solid particles suspended in a gas. In contrast, aerosols are finer liquid droplets or solid particles that remain suspended in gases for prolonged periods of time. PM and aerosols can negatively affect human health, particularly when their diameters are under 2.5 m (PM 2.5 , Figure 1). Aerosols and PM can originate from natural sources, including volcanic eruptions, but they are often generated from human activities such as industrial operations and transportation. As a result, industrial air quality monitoring is critical in identifying emission sources and the chemical composition of pollutants and in informing strategies to reduce human exposure. Figure 1. Particulate matter size comparison. Adapted from the US EPA 3. Image Credit: Metrohm Middle East FZC Analytical methods for PM and aerosol quantification Analyzing PM and aerosol content typically consists of collecting samples and analyzing them. Representative samples must be collected using appropriate equipment and techniques, and a filtration process must be generally used. Particles are collected from substrates with filters exposed for a certain duration before being removed with deionized water before the subsequent analysis.4 However, this method can only measure particle averages over 24 hours or longer, is cumbersome and imprecise, and cannot support continuous online measurements. Continually taking samples of aerosol composition is key to understanding and addressing air quality challenges. Specifically, data obtained in real-time provides insights into changes in aerosol composition, thus allowing quicker responses to pollution events and increasing the accuracy of scientific investigations into atmospheric processes. Modern technologies require continuous aerosol analysis to address these limitations. Devices that collect steam, including the Metrohm AeRosol Sampler (MARS) and the 2060 Monitor for AeRosols and Gases in ambient Air (MARGA) (Figure 2), offer continuous, real-time, monitoring of aerosol composition. The advanced techniques utilized by these instruments provide valuable data for air quality assessment and research. Figure 2. Inline sample preparation for gaseous samples is made simpler using the 2060 MARGA (left) or MARS (right) systems from Metrohm Process Analytics. Image Credit: Metrohm Middle East FZC The 2060 MARGA separates gases and aerosols sampled from the same air mass through selective dissolution in water. The resulting solutions, available every hour, are then analyzed using ion chromatography with conductivity detection. The separation of gases and aerosols enables the detection of crucial precursor gases and ionic species present in the aerosols and provides a more comprehensive understanding of air quality. In terms of chemical analysis, the MARS device (Figure 3) is specifically designed for aerosol analysis and is typically coupled with external wet chemical analyzers, like ion chromatographs. These are used for cation and/or anion analysis or voltammetric (VA) systems. The MARS's modular approach offers greater flexibility and adaptability. It accommodates a wider range of analytical requirements than the 2060 MARGA, which integrates anion and cation ICs internally. Figure 3. MARS enables comprehensive analysis of air samples with IC, VA, or both. Image Credit: Metrohm Middle East FZC Both instruments (2060 MARGA and MARS) include gas denuders (Wet Rotating Denuder (WRD); Figure 4, left), a condensation particle growth sampler (Steam-Jet Aerosol Collector (SJAC); Figure 4, right), and pumping and control devices. These instruments convert aerosol particles into droplets in a supersaturated water vapor environment. After being mixed with carrier water, the collected droplets are continuously fed into sample loops or preconcentration columns for analysis. Figure 4. Left: Wet rotating denuder (WRD) for easy gas removal. Right: Steam-Jet Aerosol Collector (SJAC) incorporated in the MARS and 2060 MARGA. Image Credit: Metrohm Middle East FZC How to decide between the MARS and the 2060 MARGA While MARS is designed specifically for sampling aerosols, the 2060 MARGA measures aerosols and water-soluble gases. Unlike classical denuders that remove gases from the air sample before reaching the aerosol collector, the 2060 MARGA captures gaseous species in a Water-Resolving Device (WRD) for online analysis. In contrast, aerosols with low diffusion speeds pass through the WRD without interference. The 2060 MARGA is available in two configurations: R (research) or M (monitoring). The R version is intended for research campaigns, such as studying seasonal air quality variability. When the R version is not required, the ion chromatograph can be uncoupled and repurposed for other laboratory applications. New technologies focus on integrating continuous aerosol analysis to address this caveat in traditional sampling methods. Devices such as the Metrohm AeRosol Sampler (MARS) and the 2060 MARGA (Monitor for AeRosols and Gases in ambient Air) provide real-time, continuous monitoring of aerosol composition. These instruments employ sophisticated techniques to collect and analyze aerosols, resulting in the measurement of valuable data for air quality assessments. Table 1. Differences between the analysis capabilities of the 2060 MARGA and MARS systems. Source: Metrohm Middle East FZC MARS 2060 MARGA Sample size Large air samples: 0.51.0 m3/h Large air samples: 0.51.0 m3/h Type of pollutants Suited only for aerosols analysis Aerosols : Cl-, NO 3 -, SO 4 2-, F-, NH 4 +, Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+, K+ Analysis of aerosols and gases Aerosols : Cl-, NO 3 -, SO 4 2-, F-, NH 4 +, Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+, K+ Gases : HCl, HNO 3 , HONO (HNO 2 ), SO 2 , NH 3 , HF MARS can measure various pollutants, such as sulfate, nitrate, and ammonium ions. MARGA can measure various pollutants, such as sulfate, nitrate, and ammonium ions, as well as trace gases, including sulfur dioxide and ammonia. Analysis method Can be paired with different analysis techniques (e.g., IC, VA, etc.) Two integrated ICs Single or multiple analysis techniques possible Single analysis technique Time resolution Continuous air monitoring Continuous air monitoring Sample collection method SJAC WRD and SJAC Dimensions in mm (W/H/D) 660/605/605 2060 MARGA R: 660/930/605 2060 MARGA M: 660/1810/605 Intended use Research 2060 MARGA R Research campaigns 2060 MARGA M Dedicated continuous monitoring The following compares the correlation between aerosol sampling and measurement using the 2060 MARGA and MARS. Given that the aerosol results from the 2060 MARGA are known to be accurate, a strong correlation between instruments would suggest that MARS also measures aerosols with comparable accuracy.5 The graphs illustrate the aerosol results of ambient air in Schiedam, the Netherlands, from June 6-9, 2022, using the 2060 MARGA and MARS systems via ion chromatography. The 2060 MARGA operates with a cycle time of 60 minutes, while MARS has a cycle time of 30 minutes. Although MARS generates twice the data, leading to higher aerosol concentration readings, applying a moving average to correct the data to a 60-minute cycle reveals concentrations were similar in both systems. Figure 5. Comparison test showing results for various air quality parameters as measured by the 2060 MARGA (top) and MARS (bottom). Image Credit: Metrohm Middle East FZC Conclusion Monitoring air pollution is critical for identifying and quantifying the composition and levels of pollutants in the air. Exposure to air pollution can lead to various health issues for humans, including respiratory illnesses, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer. High levels of air pollution also pose environmental risks, contributing to acid rain, ozone depletion, and climate change. Utilizing tools, including the 2060 MARGA and MARS from Metrohm Process Analytics, will improve air quality measurements and subsequently enhance the assessment of impacts from different pollutants as well as develop effective strategies to minimize exposure. By doing so, research can help inform and drive decisions for a healthier and more sustainable environment for everyone. References World Health Organization (2019). Air pollution. (online) WHO. Available at: https://www.who.int/health-topics/air-pollution. WHO (2021). WHO global air quality guidelines: particulate matter (PM 2.5 and PM 10 ), ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide and carbon monoxide. (online) WHO. Available at: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240034228. EPA (2023). Particulate Matter (PM) Basics. (online) United States Environmental Protection Agency. Available at: https://www.epa.gov/pm-pollution/particulate-matter-pm-basics. Wang, D., et al. (2020). A Sampler for Collecting Fine Particles into Liquid Suspensions. Aerosol and air quality research. https://doi.org/10.4209/aaqr.2019.12.0616. Laubli, M. (2023). Air monitoring with ion chromatography: An overview of the literature references. (online) Available at: https://www.metrohm.com/en/products/a/ir_m/air_monitoring_icv2.html (Accessed 17 Mar. 2025). About Metrohm Middle East FZC Metrohm Middle East FZC is a subsidiary of Metrohm AG, Switzerland, located at Sharjah Airport International Free Zone, UAE. Metrohms Product range involves both Lab instruments & online Analysers for various industry segments - Water, Petrochemical, Pharmaceutical, Food and Beverages, Environmental Analysis, Chemical analysis, Research and development, Educational Institutions, Sewage Treatment and more. MME has a team of well trained; knowledgeable and experienced team specialized in Product Management, Service and Application support. Apart from extending our support to distributors, MME also provides direct support and training to our customers on site or at our world class Regional Support Centre. Your partner for chemical analysis Metrohm is a leading manufacturer of high precision instruments for chemical analysis. We offer a complete line of analytical laboratory and process systems for titration, ion chromatography, spectroscopy, and electrochemisty. From the beginning, our sales engineers guide you through the instrument purchasing process. Together with our team of application chemists we create unique solutions for your lab's needs Lab & process solutions Lab Solutions: Todays labs are required to produce more results with less resources than ever before. At Metrohm, we partner with you to match the right instrument system to your needs. It begins with a technical discussion to fully understand your measurement requirements. If required, our application chemists test your samples and instrument experts optimize your system configuration.The modularity of our instruments allows us to design sample handling and analysis platforms that deliver precise and reproducible results and increase the productivity of your lab. Process Solutions: Metrohms process analyzers take our laboratory solutions a step further. Fully automated, online customizable analyzers facilitate process monitoring across a wide array of applications. Drawing on our core competencies in titration, ion chromatography, spectroscopy, and electrochemistry, we leverage our applications knowledge to create reliable solutions for process analysis that optimize efficiency, decrease chemical consumption and create a safer work environment. Titration Karl Fischer titration Potentiometric titration Liquid handling solutions Chemistry automation systems Titration systems provide answers to critical chemical parameters such as acid number, chloride content, and total hardness among thousands of others. Metrohm offers a comprehensive range of stand-alone and automated titration products, featuring our premium quality sensors and backed by unparalleled applications know-how. Since inventing the first recording pH meter in 1949, we have created a legacy of innovation including digital titration, programmable stand-alone titration, Dosino top-down dosing, and more recently, the Optrode optical sensor. When a titration is needed, users around the world choose Metrohm over any other titrator. Ion chromatography Multichannel IC systems Hyphenated IC systems Multiple detection technologies Online IC systems Ion chromatography (IC) is a key analytical technique used for the separation and analysis of components in matrices ranging from solid to liquid to gaseous. Metrohm has led advancements in IC for more than a quarter century, introducing the first compact ion chromatographs and modular systems, as well as intelligent, self-monitoring ion chromatographs. Automated sample preparation through dilution, ultrafiltration, dialysis, neutralization, matrix, elimination and pre-concentration enables you to collect accurate data in record time. When combined with our application support and industry-leading warranties, Metrohm provides you with the most reliable and intuitive ICs. Spectroscopy Laboratory NIR analyzers Process NIR analyzers Handheld Raman spectrometers Near-infrared (NIR) and Raman spectroscopy are versatile analytical techniques for rapid, nondestructive analysis, applicable to many industries. With a focus on accuracy and performance in harsh conditions, our instruments, including the Swiss Made OMNIS NIRS, measure samples in a wide variety of matrices with little or no sample preparation. Electrochemistry Autolab Potentiostats & Galvanostats Cyclic voltammetric stripping (CVS) Voltammetry for trace analysis DNA hybridization and power devices such as fuel cells and batteries are driven by electrochemical processes. Electrochemistry traces the electronic pathways of these natural phenomena and mechanical circuits. Drawing on almost 30 years of experience, Metrohm provides precise measurement solutions for these diverse fields. Our expertise ranges from traditional electro-analysis methods such as polarography to hyphenated modern techniques including spectro-electrochemistry. Metrohm Autolab launched the first computer controlled digital potentiostat/galvanostat and we have gone on to earn a global reputation for innovation, modularity, accuracy, and advanced software. Our products provide you with a variety of measurement tools, from screen-printed electrodes to complete analysis systems. Quality service Consulting Installation Application Support Training Preventive Maintenance Repair Service Metrohm Quality Service begins before you purchase your instrument and continues throughout its entire lifecycle. Instrument experts help you make the right decisions to satisfy your analytical and environmental requirements. Application chemists assist you in every technical aspect, from support in method development to troubleshooting and process optimization. Our certified service engineers are always on alert to provide emergency service in the shortest possible time wherever you are. Metrohm provides the same high standard of service all over the world by trained and certified service engineers based at local Metrohm offices. After all, who is better qualified to care for your instruments than the people who built them? Sponsored Content Policy: News-Medical.net publishes articles and related content that may be derived from sources where we have existing commercial relationships, provided such content adds value to the core editorial ethos of News-Medical.Net which is to educate and inform site visitors interested in medical research, science, medical devices and treatments. How To Prevent Tyre Bursts In Scorching Heat: Follow These 4 Simple Tips To Avoid Accidents Curated By : Translation Desk Last Updated: March 24, 2025, 11:43 IST Rising temperatures results in heating roads and increasing tyre burst risks. Key causes of tyre bursts include incorrect air pressure, worn tyres, and overloading Negligence can lead to serious accidents, so always check the vehicle's and particularly, the tyres' condition before setting out on a journey. (Local18) The temperature in most parts of the country has been rising since February this year. Following the conclusion of Holi, the heat has intensified even further. By 10 am, the roads are significantly heated, affecting not only the citizens but also their vehicle tyres. The cement concrete and asphalt roads absorb tremendous heat, causing the air inside the tyres to expand. If tyres are over-inflated, the likelihood of a tyre burst increases. This issue is particularly concerning for long-distance travel and heavy-duty vehicles. Recommended Stories Reasons Behind Tyre Bursts Incorrect air pressure: Excessive or insufficient air pressure puts stress on the tyre, potentially leading to a burst Excessive or insufficient air pressure puts stress on the tyre, potentially leading to a burst Worn or old tyres: Tyres used for over five years develop cracks and lose their grip, heightening the risk of accidents Tyres used for over five years develop cracks and lose their grip, heightening the risk of accidents Overloading: Carrying more weight than the vehicles capacity places excessive stress on the tyres, increasing the risk of bursts in high temperatures. Special Care Of Tyres In Summer Vehicle owners should give special attention to their tyres during summer. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all It is crucial to check the tyre air pressure at least once a week, ensuring it matches the level specified in the vehicle manual. Avoid over-inflating the tyres and replace old or worn tyres to minimise accident risks. Do not exceed the vehicles weight capacity as this raises the danger of tyre bursts. Choosing high-quality tyres from reputable brands is safer when purchasing new tyres. With rising temperatures, drivers must remain vigilant. Negligence can lead to serious accidents, so always check the vehicles and particularly, the tyres condition before setting out on a journey. This care is essential for road safety. Get the latest updates on car and bike launches in India including reviews, prices, specs, and performance. Stay informed with breaking auto industry news , EV policies, and more, Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! First Published: March 24, 2025, 11:43 IST Prasanna Sankar, Rippling Co-Founder Who Alleges Harassment By Wife, Has A Net Worth Of... Curated By : News18.com Edited By: Mohammad Haris Last Updated: March 24, 2025, 16:31 IST With a net worth estimated at $1 billion or Rs 9,000 crore (as per Forbes), Sankar has covered a journey from a top-ranked competitive coder to a Silicon Valley entrepreneur. Prasanna Sankar co-founded Rippling with Parker Conrad in 2016. (Photo: LinkedIn) Prasanna Sankar Networth And Family: Prasanna Sankar, the co-founder of the workforce management platform Rippling, has made a name for himself in the global tech industry. With a net worth estimated at $1 billion or Rs 9,000 crore (as per Forbes), Sankars journey from a top-ranked competitive coder to a Silicon Valley entrepreneur is nothing short of remarkable. However, recent controversies surrounding his personal life have brought him into the limelight for reasons beyond his professional success. Who is Prasanna Sankar? Recommended Stories Born and raised in India, Prasanna Sankar (full name is Prasanna Sankaranarayanan) is an alumnus of the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Trichy, where he earned a bachelors degree in computer science between 2004 and 2008. During his college years, his talent in competitive programming saw him rank as Indias number-one coder on platforms like TopCoder and Google Code Jam. Following his graduation, he worked at tech giants Google and Microsoft before venturing into the startup ecosystem. His entrepreneurial journey began with the founding of LikeALittle, a social networking platform. Later, he served as the Director of Engineering at Zenefits, a leading HR software company. Rippling Co-Founded In 2016 Sankar, along with Parker Conrad, co-founded Rippling in 2016, a company that simplifies workforce management by integrating HR, IT, and finance operations into a unified platform. With Ripplings valuation reaching $10 billion, it became a key contributor to Sankars immense fortune. Sankar currently resides in Singapore and has diversified his business interests. After leaving Rippling in 2020, he launched 0xPPL, a Singapore-based social network for crypto enthusiasts, in 2023. Prasanna Sankars Wealth and Properties in Chennai With an estimated net worth of Rs 9,000 crore, Sankar has invested in real estate, including properties in Chennai, where he has family ties. Although specific details of his real estate holdings are not publicly disclosed, reports indicate that he owns premium properties in Tamil Nadus capital. His wealth primarily comes from his stake in Rippling, alongside other business ventures. Prasanna Sankars Wife and Family Sankar met his wife, Dhivya Sashidhar, while studying at NIT Trichy, and the two later married. They have a nine-year-old son. However, their relationship has been embroiled in legal disputes, making headlines in recent weeks. Legal Dispute and Controversy Prasanna Sankar is currently facing a high-profile legal battle with his estranged wife. The dispute, which has escalated to accusations of harassment and financial misconduct, stems from their ongoing divorce. Me and my wife, Dhivya, were married for 10 years and we have a 9 year old son. Recently our marriage broke down after I discovered she was having an affair, with a person named Anoop for 6+ mos. Prasanna S (@myprasanna) March 23, 2025 Sankar took to social media, claiming that he was fleeing Tamil Nadu" with his son amid serious allegations made against him. He stated that Dhivya had accused him of assault and other charges, which he vehemently denies, calling them fabricated". According to Sankar, the conflict began when he refused to pay an additional sum beyond a Rs 9 crore settlement agreed upon in their divorce proceedings. He claims to have full custody of their son under a Memorandum of Understanding, asserting that his child was handed over to him voluntarily. On the other hand, Dhivyas counterclaims paint a different picture. She alleges that Sankar was arrested in the US on charges of soliciting prostitution, leading to his job loss. She also accused him of secretly filming sexual assaults on women and engaging in abusive behavior. Anoops wife sent me the message my wife had sent Anoop and hotel bookings she made for him. pic.twitter.com/0gs1mMBc6d Prasanna S (@myprasanna) March 23, 2025 Additionally, Dhivya claims that Sankar threatened her and their son over a property dispute, forcing them to relocate from Singapore to India for safety. She has sought intervention from the authorities, further intensifying the legal battle. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Whats Next for Prasanna Sankar? While Sankar continues to defend himself against these allegations, his business empire remains significant, with Rippling continuing its expansion in the global tech space. The outcome of his legal battle remains uncertain, but it has undoubtedly cast a shadow over his professional achievements. 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 24, 2025, 16:24 IST Bihar Board Result 2025: How To Check BSEB 12th Result Via DigiLocker Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: March 25, 2025, 06:50 IST Bihar Board 12th Result 2025 Date: The BSEB is expected to release the Bihar Board Intermediate Results on March 27, 2025. Bihar Board 12th Result 2025: Students can also check their results on DigiLocker. (Image: DigiLocker) Bihar Board Result 2025 Date And Time: The Bihar School Examination Board (BSEB), Patna, is expected to announce the Class 12 (Inter) results on March 27 at 10 am on its official website. Students who took the exam can check their results at bsebinter.org and results.biharboardonline.com once they are released. If the website is down or there are internet issues, students can also access their results via SMS and DigiLocker. Also Read: Bihar Board 12th Results 2025 Live Recommended Stories This year, a total of 12,92,313 students appeared for the exams at 1,677 centres across Bihar. Among them, 6,41,847 were girls and 6,50,466 were boys. How To Check Bihar Board 12th Result 2025 Via DigiLocker? Heres how students can check their Bihar Board Class 12 Result 2025 using DigiLocker: Step 1: Visit the DigiLocker website at digilocker.gov.in or open the DigiLocker app. Step 2: Log in using your registered mobile number, Aadhaar number, or username. Step 3: If you are a new user, sign up using your mobile number and verify with the OTP. Step 4: Search Bihar State Board Of School Examination Board (BSEB). Step 5: Click on Class X Marksheet". Step 6: Enter your roll code, roll number, and year of examination. Step 7: Click on Get Document" to view and download your Bihar Board 12th Marksheet. ALSO READ: CUET UG 2025 Registration Deadline Extended Till March 24, Correction Window Dates Revised To pass the Bihar Board Class 12 exams, students must score at least 33% in theory subjects and 40% in practical exams. The BSEB Class 12 scorecard will show the total marks obtained and the division (First, Second, or Third). The result available online is provisional, and students will receive the official marksheet later, which is needed for admissions. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Last year, the Bihar Board Class 12 result was announced on March 23, just 21 days after the exams ended. The 2025 Class 12 exams were held from February 1 to February 12, and the answer keys for MCQ-based questions were released on March 2. Students are advised to keep an eye on the official websites for updates on the Bihar Board 12th Result 2025. About the Author Education and Careers Desk A team of reporters, writers and editors brings you news, analyses and information on college and school admissions, board and competitive exams, career options, topper interviews, job notifications, latest in ... Read More A team of reporters, writers and editors brings you news, analyses and information on college and school admissions, board and competitive exams, career options, topper interviews, job notifications, latest in ... Read More First Published: March 24, 2025, 12:12 IST In Past 3 Years, 4.6 Lakh Students Failed To Get Admission In Delhi University: Education Ministry Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: March 24, 2025, 17:04 IST Minister of State (MoS) for education Sukanta Majumdar in a written reply in the Lok Sabha shared the data of applications received, admissions made and those who could not get a seat in the DU In 2024, over 2.46 lakh students applied for admission in the central university. (File) In the past three years, close to five lakh applicants could not secure a seat in the Delhi University (DU), the education ministry told Parliament on Monday, adding the university saw a surge in the number of applications received each year against the limited number of seats, Minister of State (MoS) for education Sukanta Majumdar in a written reply in the Lok Sabha shared the data of applications received, admissions made and those who could not get a seat in the DU. Recommended Stories The data shows that while the number of available seats has increased slightly, the demand for admission continues to far exceed capacity. According to the ministry data, a total of 464,870 students could not secure admission in DU over the past three years (2022, 2023 and 2024). As many as 669,100 applications were received during this period, of which 204,230 students got admission. In 2024, over 2.46 lakh students applied for admission in the central university, of which 70,422 secured admissions, while 1,75,772 students could not get seats, as per ministry data. In 2023, the number of applications stood at 2,46,685, of which 68,583 admissions were made while 1,78,102 students couldnt secure seats. Similarly, in 2022, a total of 1,76,221 applications were received, of which 65,225 admissions were made while 1,10,996 students left without admission. To address the growing demand, the Delhi University has expanded with new campuses and colleges, including Delhi University Western Campus at Dwarka, Delhi University Eastern Campus at Surajmal Vihar, Veer Savarkar College at Roshanpura, Najafgarh. However, no new proposals for additional colleges under DU have been announced. The government has not confirmed whether further expansion plans are being considered to reduce the admission gap," the MoS said. In another reply given by the ministry in Parliament during this session, it shared the number of appointments made to get more teachers for the Delhi University. The University has informed that the total number of teaching staff and non-teaching staff appointed in the University of Delhi during the last ten years are 499 (including 126 OBC, 74 SC & 33 ST) and 221 (including 33 OBC, 53 SC & 7 ST), respectively. The University has also informed that no temporary/contractual teachers are engaged in the University," the ministry stated. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all However, eight assistant professors are currently working on an ad-hoc basis in the University. Currently, there is no proposal under consideration of this ministry for the establishment of a girls college under Delhi University at Fatehpur Beri, it said. About the Author Vatsala Shrangi Vatsala Shrangi, Assistant Editor at News18, reports on the HRD, Ministry of Road, Transport and Highways, and social sector. She has covered the Delhi government, education, transport, environment and various ... Read More Vatsala Shrangi, Assistant Editor at News18, reports on the HRD, Ministry of Road, Transport and Highways, and social sector. She has covered the Delhi government, education, transport, environment and various ... Read More First Published: March 24, 2025, 16:47 IST Karnataka 2nd PUC Results 2025: Check KSEAB Class 12th Result Expected Date And Time, Steps To Check Scores Online Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: March 24, 2025, 12:59 IST Karnataka PUC Results 2025 Date And Time: Once out, students can access the results on official websites like karnataka.gov.in, pue.kar.nic.in, karresults.nic.in, and kseeb.kar.nic.in. Karnataka 2nd PUC Result 2025: To pass, students must score at least 33 per cent (Representative image/File) Karnataka PUC Results 2025: The Karnataka School Examination and Assessment Board (KSEEB) released the provisional answer key on March 21 and is expected to declare the results anytime soon. Once out, students can access the Karnataka 2nd PUC results on official websites like karnataka.gov.in, pue.kar.nic.in, karresults.nic.in, and kseeb.kar.nic.in. The board released the answer key for exam 1. Last year, KSEAB introduced the student-unfriendly mechanism according to which the board exams for PUC II would be held three times. The board introduced a remedial system to allow students to use their best scores from the three exams. Students with poor marks in the first exam could retake it in the second and third attempts. This system is expected to continue this year too. In order to clear the exam, students need to secure a minimum of 33 per cent. Recommended Stories Karnataka 2nd PUC Result 2025: How To Check Scores Online? Step 1: Visit the official websites at karnataka.gov.in, pue.kar.nic.in, karresults.nic.in, and kseeb.kar.nic.in. Step 2: On the homepage, find and click on the result link. Step 3: Log in using your credentials on the new page. Step 4: Submit, and the Karnataka 2nd PUC Result will appear on the screen. Step 5: Save a copy and print a hard copy for future use. Karnataka 2nd PUC Result 2025: Previous Years Results top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Last year, around 698,000 students took the exam, with 552,690 passing, resulting in an 81.15 per cent pass rate. In 2023, the pass rate was 74.67 per cent: 69.05 per cent for male students and 80.25 per cent for female students. In 2022, the overall pass rate was 61.88 per cent; 422,966 out of 683,563 students passed. Regular students had a higher pass rate of 67.14 per cent compared to 26.75 per cent for private candidates. In 2021, all 666,497 students who appeared passed, achieving a 100 per cent pass rate. In 2020, the pass rate was 69.20 per cent, with girls outperforming boys at 68.73 per cent versus 54.73 per cent. In 2019, the pass rate was 68.2 per cent for girls and 55 per cent for boys out of 688,145 students. 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 24, 2025, 12:48 IST RBSE Class 12 Business Studies Exam Cancelled After Question Paper Found Same As Last Year Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: March 24, 2025, 19:26 IST The RBSE announced the cancellation adding that an inquiry will be set up and the person responsible for setting the question paper will face consequences As of now, RBSE has not released a new date for the class 12 business studies exam (Representative Image) The Rajasthan Board of Secondary Education (RBSE) has cancelled the class 12 business studies exam conducted on March 22 after discovering that the question paper was a repeat of the previous years. This decision was made following numerous requests from students. The RBSE announced the cancellation adding that an inquiry will be set up and the person responsible for setting the question paper will face consequences. As of now, the board has not released a new date for the class 12 business studies exam. Students are advised to monitor the official RBSE website for updates. Recommended Stories We get four to five sets of question papers ready and then choose anyone amongst them. A teacher did not put in the effort and sent last years question paper to the exam. We will soon take disciplinary action against the teacher who made this deliberate error," RBSE secretary Kailash Chand Sharma said. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The RBSE Class 10 exam is being held from March 6 to April 4. The senior secondary exams will continue till April 7, 2025 in a single shift from 8:30 AM to 11:45 AM. Students should at least secure 33 per cent in every subject to be declared passed. Anyone who fails to get even one mark below the minimum criteria will be counted as a failure and will have to take the compartment exam. Last year, commerce was the best-performing stream with 98.95 per cent of students clearing the exam, 97.75 per cent of science stream students passing, and 96.88 per cent of arts stream students clearing the exam. In 2023, the pass percentage for the science stream was 97.39 per cent, the result for commerce was 98.01 per cent, and for arts was 92.35 per cent. The Rajasthan Board concluded the 12th Exam 2024 in early April. The RBSE held the Class 12 exams from February 29 to April 4, whereas the practical exams were conducted on February 15 to 20. Around 8,66,270 candidates registered for the Rajasthan board 12th exams last year. 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 24, 2025, 18:46 IST SBI Clerk Prelims Result Date 2025: When And Where To Check? Expected Cutoff Marks Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: March 24, 2025, 15:18 IST To check the SBI Clerk Preliminary 2025 result, candidates will have to enter their roll number or registration number as well as their date of birth on the login window SBI Clerk Prelims Result 2025 to be released soon. (File Photo) SBI Clerk Prelims Result Date 2025: The SBI Clerk Preliminary Examination 2025 was held on February 22, 27, 28, and March 1. The State Bank of India is expected to announce the results soon on the official website at sbi.co.in. To check the SBI Clerk Preliminary 2025 result, candidates will have to enter their roll number or registration number as well as their date of birth on the login window. A total of 13,735 vacancies will be filled through the recruitment drive. Recommended Stories SBI Clerk Prelims Result 2025: How to Check? Step 1- To check SBI Clerk Prelims Result, visit the official website of the State Bank of India, sbi.co.in. Step 2- Click on the SBI Clerk Notification link visible on the careers section of the homepage. Step 3- Then click on the SBI Clerk Prelims Result 2025 link. Step 4- After entering the required credentials asked there, click on submit. Step 5- The result will be displayed on your screen. Check and download it. SBI Clerk Prelims Result 2025: Expected Cutoff Marks The expected cut-off marks for each category are as follows: UR: 85-75 OBC: 80-70 SC: 65-55 ST: 60-50 SBI Clerk Prelims Result 2025: Whats Next? The prelims exam consisted of 100 marks and was held for an hour. For every wrong answer, a penalty of one-fourth of the assigned marks will be deducted. Individuals who qualify for the prelims exam will be called for further rounds of the recruitment process. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Those who are selected in the prelims merit list will have to appear for the SBI Clerk Main exam. The exam will be of 200 marks. The exam date will be announced in due course of time. Those who pass the Mains exam will be invited to the next stage of the selection process, which is the interview round. Those who qualify for all recruitment rounds of SBI clerk and are selected for the posts will receive a beginning base salary of Rs 19,900 and Rs 17,900, with two advance increments. 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 24, 2025, 15:14 IST Supreme Court Sets Up Task Force On Student Suicides, Orders Probe Into IIT-Delhi Deaths Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: March 24, 2025, 14:04 IST The Supreme Court has appointed a former judge to investigate student suicides in educational institutions across India. Supreme Court directs Delhi Police to probe the deaths of two IIT-Delhi students from the SC/ST community in 2023. The Supreme Court has appointed former judge Justice S Ravindra Bhat to lead a task force investigating student suicides in educational institutions across the country. The decision comes in response to growing concerns over the increasing number of suicides among students, particularly from marginalised communities. The apex court also directed the Delhi Police to conduct a thorough investigation into the deaths of two IIT-Delhi students from the Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities who died by suicide in 2023. Recommended Stories A Supreme Court bench of Justices JB Pardiwala and R Mahadevan noted that several students had died in college hostels due to issues like sexual harassment, ragging, and caste discrimination in the past two months. The court said these were not isolated incidents and needed deeper investigation. To address this issue, the court ordered the formation of a task force led by former Supreme Court judge S Ravindra Bhat. The task force will submit a report within four months, identifying the reasons behind student suicides and suggesting ways to prevent them. The committee will also include officials from the higher education, social justice, women and child development, and legal affairs departments. This decision came after the parents of two IIT Delhi students who died by suicide in 2023 filed a petition. They alleged that their children faced harassment on campus, but the police closed the case after a basic investigation. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all ALSO READ: Why Student Visa Rejections By US Govt Have Increased, Impact On Indians Explained The court ruled that this closure was wrong, stating that if there were harassment allegations, the police should have registered an FIR (First Information Report) instead of just relying on inquest proceedings, which only determine the cause of death. About the Author Education and Careers Desk A team of reporters, writers and editors brings you news, analyses and information on college and school admissions, board and competitive exams, career options, topper interviews, job notifications, latest in ... Read More A team of reporters, writers and editors brings you news, analyses and information on college and school admissions, board and competitive exams, career options, topper interviews, job notifications, latest in ... Read More First Published: March 24, 2025, 13:50 IST BJP Reaches Out To Non-Resident Biharis Across India Ahead Of Polls Reported By : CNN-News18 Edited By: Apoorva Misra Last Updated: March 24, 2025, 10:56 IST According to party insiders, the message conveyed in these meetings was a request for people to return to Bihar, witness the development brought about by the current government, and vote for them Satish Chandra Dubey, MoS for coal and mining, addresses BJP workers in North Kolkata. (X @satishdubeyy) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has adopted an innovative strategy to connect with Bihari voters residing in other states for work. Approximately two crore Bihari voters live outside the state for employment purposes and insiders believe the party should engage with them and encourage them to return to Bihar to cast their votes. A dedicated team has been formed, and Bihari leaders are being sent to 75 areas across 27 states in India. The outreach programme has begun, with Satish Chandra Dubey, MoS for coal and mining, visiting Kolkata to connect with Bihari voters. Dubey, apart from holding meetings in both North and South Kolkata, also met Chhath Puja organisers in the city. According to party insiders, the message conveyed in these meetings was a request for people to return to Bihar and witness the development brought about by the current government. Recommended Stories Speaking to News18, Dubey said: There is always an emotional connect with the motherland. We are requesting our brothers to return to their roots and experience the changes under our government. Its their homeland, and they should decide who will form the ruling government." top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The outreach programme will continue until March 30. Sources indicate that a team in Bihar will maintain relationships with non-resident Biharis in other states. There is a significant percentage of voters living outside Bihar, and BJP insiders claim that most of them support the party. Hence, all efforts are being made to ensure these voters return to Bihar for the upcoming polls. About the Author Kamalika Sengupta Kamalika Sengupta, Editor, Digital East of News18, is a multilingual journalist with 16 years of experience in covering the northeast, with specialisation in politics and defence. She has won UNICEF Laadli Awar... Read More Kamalika Sengupta, Editor, Digital East of News18, is a multilingual journalist with 16 years of experience in covering the northeast, with specialisation in politics and defence. She has won UNICEF Laadli Awar... Read More First Published: March 24, 2025, 10:56 IST Whats The Row Over Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharajs Dog Memorial At Raigad Fort? Explained Curated By : News18.com Edited By: Shilpy Bisht Last Updated: March 24, 2025, 15:07 IST Sambhajiraje Chhatrapati has written to CM Fadnavis that the memorial is an encroachment on Raigad Fort, which is a heritage structure. There is no documentary evidence concerning Waghya Shivaji Maharajs dog Legend has it when Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj died in 1680, Waghya (his dog) jumped onto his funeral pyre and immolated himself. The ASI, however, says there is no documentary evidence to support this. (Photo: @HISTORYTV18/X) Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was known for his love for animals, particularly dogs. A memorial was erected for Waghya the Maratha warriors dog at Raigad Fort some decades ago that has sparked a controversy now, with a descendant of Kolhapurs royal family wants to get it removed. Former Rajya Sabha member Sambhajiraje Chhatrapati has written to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, asking him to remove the dogs memorial, saying it is unfortunate" and demeans the legacy" of the great Shivaji Maharaj. Recommended Stories Who Was Waghya? Legend has it that Waghya, which means tiger, was a mixed breed dog of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. He was born in Raigad in 1670s in the Maratha empire. When Shivaji died in 1680, the grieving dog reportedly jumped onto his funeral pyre and immolated himself. Waghyas heroic story was also portrayed in noted Marathi playwright Ram Ganesh Gadkaris play titled Rajsanyas. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) claims theres no documentary evidence to support this tale, Sambhajiraje Chhatrapati said. Who Built The Dog Memorial? Shri Shivaji Raigad Smarak Samati (SSRSS), led by Narasimha Chintaman Kelkar, is said to have erected the dog statue in 1936. In 1906, Prince Tukoji Holkar of Indore donated Rs 5,000 for the dogs memorial close to Chhatrapati Shivajis samadhi at Raigad Fort in honour of Waghya. Call For Removal Of Memorial In the letter written to CM Fadnavis on March 22, Sambhajiraje stressed that the dog memorial should be removed before May 31. He also said, There is no documentary evidence concerning Waghya, the name of the pet dog of Shivaji Maharaj. As there is no evidence, it is an encroachment on the fort, which is legally preserved as a heritage structure," he added. It is unfortunate and demeans the legacy of the great Shivaji Maharaj," said the former MP. A structure older than 100 years is protected as per ASIs policy. The former MLA further said the dog structure should be removed from the Raigad Fort before it earns such a status. Has This Happened Before? The Maratha organisation, Sambhaji Brigade, in 2011 had called for the removal of the dog memorial. Its founder Praveen Gaikwad had said, There is no historical proof that the dog existed. We want the government to remove the statue by June 6 or else we will break it." The brigade also claimed that the history of Shivaji written by Brahmin historians is flawed and is written to assert their superiority over the Maratha community. We are just trying to fix the errors in history committed long ago. Anyone who is concerned about the dogs statue is welcome to take him home," he added. The community had removed the Waghya statue, however, it was reinstalled after the protest by the extremist group was strongly opposed by the local Dhangar community for they believed that the dog was real, a Firstpost report said. Shivaji Maharajs Love For Dogs The Maratha king reportedly enlisted Mudhol Hound, Karnatakas breed of indigenous dogs, in his army because his love for dogs. According to legend, one of these Maratha hounds" rescued Shivajis older son, Sambhaji Maharaj. The dog breed was also included in the Special Protection Group (SPG) squad tasked with Prime Minister Narendra Modis security arrangements for the first time in 2022. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all In February 2016, the Indian Army enlisted a batch of Mudhol hound puppies into its Remount and Veterinary Corps (RVC) training centre, where foreign breeds such as Labrador and German Shepherd, are trained before being inducted into service. Of the six dogs, three were selected for field evaluation and sustainability trials with the Srinagar-based HQ 15 Corps and Nagrota-based HQ 16 Corps. They were trained to detect explosive devices and not guard duties and search and rescue operations, as per The Indian Express. 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 24, 2025, 14:59 IST Why Is US Scrambling For Eggs? Whats Behind The Shortage & Soaring Prices | Explained Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: March 24, 2025, 18:10 IST Egg prices have reportedly skyrocketed by 310% since January, climbing from $1.21 per dozen (around Rs 100) to nearly $5 per dozen (Rs 425) A shopper reaches for a carton of eggs from a grocery chain store in South Pasadena, California. (AFP file photo) The soaring egg prices in the United States have become a hot topic, drawing attention from across the globe and raising questions about why this once-affordable protein is now so expensive. Egg prices have reportedly skyrocketed by 310% since January, climbing from $1.21 per dozen (around Rs 100) to nearly $5 per dozen (Rs 425). Recommended Stories The unprecedented shortage has caused widespread concern, with empty or poorly stocked egg shelves becoming a common sight in supermarkets across the country. Some stores have even imposed limits on the number of egg cartons customers can purchase. Whats Causing The Shortage? The root cause of the egg shortage can be traced back to a resurgence of avian flu, also known as bird flu, which has wreaked havoc on poultry farms across the United States. Since 2022, nearly 170 million chickens, turkeys, and other birds have been wiped out due to the virus. As a result, egg production in the country has taken a severe hit, forcing farmers to cull at least 30 million birds and sharply restricting supply. In fact, more than 21 million egg-laying hens have been euthanized this year alone, according to data released by the US Agriculture Department in February. The majority of these hens were located in Ohio, North Carolina, and Missouri. The department had also reported the depopulation" of an additional 13.2 million birds in December of the previous year. As a result, egg production has taken a sharp hit, forcing farmers to cull at least 30 million birds and sharply constraining supply. Supply-Demand Imbalance With fewer hens available to lay eggs, the supply has dramatically decreased. As poultry specialist Jada Thompson from the University of Arkansas explained to the news agency AFP, If theres no birds to lay eggs then we have a supply shortage, and that leads to higher prices because of supply and demand dynamics." According to the US consumer price index data, egg prices surged by 12% in February, and nearly 59% compared to the previous year. This sharp increase in prices has had a domino effect on the economy, with grocery shoppers seeing higher prices and restaurants being forced to raise menu costs. Govts Response To address the crisis, Trump administration has rolled out a $1 billion plan aimed at reducing egg prices. This initiative includes efforts to help farmers prevent the spread of the virus, research vaccine options, and support the importation of eggs from countries such as Brazil, Turkey, and South Korea. Additionally, the US has approached Lithuania, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, and the Netherlands for egg imports, although responses have been mixed. Finland has declined the request due to market access issues, and the US has turned its focus to Lithuania for additional supplies. The US has also significantly increased its imports of Brazilian eggs, which were previously used primarily for pet food. In February, imports from Brazil increased by 93% compared to the previous year, according to the Brazilian Animal Protein Association. Creative Campaigning Amid Shortage As the price of eggs continues to rise, the crisis has led to some unexpected responses. For instance, The Ordinary, a popular skincare brand, entered the egg market with a creative marketing campaign, selling eggs for $3.37 per dozen. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all In a promotional Instagram video, the brand showcased a carton of eggs labelled Ordinarily Priced Eggs," offering them for sale at select locations in New York City. The move sparked mixed reactions on social media, with some praising the ingenuity and others criticising the brand for selling eggs despite its vegan certification. ALSO READ: Amid Shortage And Soaring Prices, Skincare Brand Sells Eggs For $3.37 Per Dozen In NYC About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More Location : United States of America (USA) First Published: March 24, 2025, 18:05 IST Why Student Visa Rejections By US Govt Have Increased, Impact On Indians Explained Curated By : News18.com Edited By: Shilpy Bisht Last Updated: March 24, 2025, 12:36 IST Only 64,008 student visas were issued to Indians from January to September 2024, down from 1.03 lakh in the corresponding period in 2023. US State Department said there is a change in methodology for calculating visa data from FY2019 onwards The increase in US student visa rejections comes at a time when several other countries like the UK, Canada and Australia are tightening their policies. The student visa rejection rate by the US government was at an all-time high of 41% the highest in a decade according to the figures released by the State Department. The number was nearly double the rejection rate recorded in the 2014 fiscal year. Between October 2023 and September 2024, the US government received 6.79 lakh F-1 visa applications. Of these, 2.79 lakh applications were denied, a sharp rise from the 36% rejection rate in 2022-23, when 2.53 lakh out of 6.99 lakh applications were turned down. Recommended Stories The total number of applications peaked at 8.56 lakh in 2014-15, but saw a steady dip in the next few years, till it hit a low of 1.62 lakh in the Covid year of 2019-2020. Post-Covid, while the number of applications steadily increased, there was a 3% dip in 2023-24 from 6.99 lakh in 2022-23 to 6.79 lakh in 2023-24. As a result, the absolute number of visa denials in the last fiscal year (2.79 lakh) represents the highest percentage in at least a decade. A total of 4.01 lakh F-1 visas were issued in 2023-24, down from 4.45 lakh the previous year, as per The Indian Express. Why is there a decline in issuance of student visas, how does this affect international student landscape? Let us understand F-1 visas. What Is F-1 Visa? F-1 is a non-immigrant visa issued to students to temporarily live in the US for a defined period of time while studying in a school, college or seminary. F-1 visas comprise more than 90% of all student visas issued by the US annually. In contrast, M-1 visa is designated for vocational and non-academic programmes. The F-1 visa has a pretty broad application but also some very clear rules. The first is that an individual will have to come to the US with the intent to temporarily study. He or she must be studying at an academic institution, not training at a vocational school, as this will require an M-1 visa. Your academic institution must be approved by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) through the Student Exchange and Visitor Program (SEVP), meaning it needs to be accredited to be able to accept foreign students on F-1 visas. The person will be able to work, but because this is a non-immigrant visa, they will have limited choices as to where you can work and the type of work. Finally, although your spouse and children can come with you, they will not be able to work but your children can enroll in schools. They will be on F-2 visas and tied to your visas status. What Is The Country-Wise Break-Up Of Visa Denials? Although the US government has not shared data on the country-wise refusal rate on F-1 visas, the number of student visas issued to Indians in the first nine months of 2024 had decreased by 38% as compared to the corresponding period in 2023, as per a report by The Indian Express. Only 64,008 student visas were issued to Indians from January to September 2024, down from 1.03 lakh in the corresponding period in 2023. The State Department website now says that the monthly reports from March-September were updated in December 2024. With this, the total from January to September is 63,973. According to data, 65,235 visas were issued during the corresponding period in 2021, and 93,181 in 2022. According to The Open Doors 2024 report, the number of Indian students in 2023-24 surpassed that of the Chinese, making Indians the largest international student cohort (29.4% of international students) in the US. There were 3.31 lakh Indian students in the US in 2023-24, the highest figure for the Indian cohort so far, according to the Open Doors data. Whats The Reason? The US State Department spokesperson pointed to a change in methodology" for calculating visa data from FY2019 onwards, and said the annual Report of the Visa Office is to be referred to for final statistics for the fiscal year, The Indian Express mentioned. Our previous methodology was based on a count of workload actions, which were not linked by application. The new methodology more accurately reflects final outcomes from the visa application process during a specified reporting period. The new methodology follows visa applications, including updates to their status (i.e., issued or refused), which could change as the fiscal year progresses, or result in slight changes in data for earlier years. Therefore, beginning with FY 2020, individual monthly issuance reports should not be aggregated, as this will not provide an accurate issuance total for the fiscal year to date," the spokesperson said. How International Student Landscape Gets Impacted The increase in US student visa rejections comes at a time when several other top countries for higher education are tightening their policies. In 2024, Canada announced a cap on study permits, reducing the number by 35% compared to 2023, citing concerns over the strain on housing, healthcare, and other public services. The Canadian government also announced an additional 10% reduction in study permits for 2025. Nearly 52% of study permit applications were refused by Canada in 2024, up from 38% in 2023. The overall refusal rate for would-be temporary migrants was 54%. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Similarly, the United Kingdom, where Indian students form the second-largest group of international students, imposed new restrictions last year preventing foreign students from bringing dependents. This move has resulted in a decline of up to 40% in international student enrollments across British universities. There was a 38% reduction in the number of study visas granted by Australian immigration officials from October 2023 to August 2024, an all-sector average driven by a 67% decrease in the vocational (VET) sector and a 50% reduction in the English-language training sector (ELICOS), according to Studymove data consultants. In addition, there were 25% fewer visas issued to students applying to Australian universities in the latter half of 2024. About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More First Published: March 24, 2025, 12:36 IST Why The US, UK Are Now Top Source Of Remittances Into India | Explained Curated By : News18.com Edited By: Shilpy Bisht Last Updated: March 24, 2025, 10:10 IST The shift in the source of remittances to India from Gulf nations to advanced economics reflects the change in the migration pattern of the skilled Indian diaspora The RBI estimates that remittances to India will remain high and are likely to reach around $160 billion in 2029. A Reserve Bank of India (RBI) report highlights that advanced economies like the United States and the United Kingdom have overtaken Gulf nations as top contributors to remittances in India. A paper titled Changing Dynamics of Indias Remittances Insights from the Sixth Round of Indias Remittances Survey that was published in RBIs monthly bulletin in March said Indias total remittances have more than doubled, rising from $55.6 billion in 2010-11 to $118.7 billion in 2023-24. Recommended Stories The central bank estimates that remittances to India will remain high and are likely to reach around $160 billion in 2029. Let us understand the key findings of the survey what are the reasons behind the shift in source of remittances to India. What Does The 6th Round Of Remittances Survey Say? Remittances from the US and the UK together nearly doubled to 40% of the total money coming into India through banks in the FY24. This number was 26% in FY17. Just about 3% of the transfers came to India from the UK in FY17. This zoomed to 10.8% in FY24. US became the top source in FY21, bringing in 23.4% of inward remittances. This increased to nearly 28% in FY24. Singapores share at 6.6% in FY24 was the highest ever since FY17, when it was 5.5%. Australia is a new addition to the significant contributors, constituting 2.3% of the remittances in the last fiscal. However, money from Indians in countries that were significant contributors so far has either stayed stagnant or decreased. The UAE share fell to 19.2% in the FY24 from 27% in FY17. Remittances from Saudi Arabia almost halved to 6.7% in FY24 from 11.6% in FY17. Thus, the overall share of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain) stands at 38% (2023-24), down from 47% (2016-17). Which States Are The Top Recipients? About half of the remittances accrued to Maharashtra, Kerala and Tamil Nadu, the RBI data showed. While there was a rise in the share of remittances to states like Haryana, Gujarat, and Punjab, they stayed within 5% for each of these states, compared with Indias total inward remittances. Maharashtra received the highest at 20.5% in 2023-24, a drop from 35.2% in 2020-21. Keralas share of remittances increased to 19.7% from about 10% during the same period. Tamil Nadu got the third highest share at 10.4%, followed by Telangana (8.1%), and Karnataka (7.7%). Rupee Drawing Arrangement (RDA) remains the dominant channel for inward remittances, followed by direct Vostro transfers and fintech platforms. Digital remittances are rising, accounting for 73.5% of total transactions in 2023-24. What Are The Reasons For The Rise In Remittances? The shift in the source of remittances to India from Gulf nations to developed countries reflects the change in the migration pattern of the skilled Indian diaspora. The results of the sixth round of the survey on Indias remittances for 2023-24 highlight the changing dynamics of Indias diaspora from the GCC [Gulf Cooperation Council] countries as the pre-dominant source economies to the advanced economies," RBI researchers wrote in the article published in the central banks monthly bulletin on March 19. Stronger Job Markets: The US, UK, Canada and Australia offer high-paying white-collar jobs, especially for skilled Indian migrants. Indians mostly do well-paying white-collar jobs, including in sectors like finance, medicine and technology. The US job market recovered after the Covid-19 pandemic, leading to higher remittances from Indian professionals. The UK-India Migration and Mobility Partnership made work visa process for Indians easier, as a result, Indian migration to the UK tripled from 76,000 in 2020 to 250,000 in 2023. Canadas Express Entry and Australias immigration system favour skilled Indian professionals, leading to high-paying jobs and increased remittances. Declining Job Opportunities in Gulf: Many Indian migrants who returned from the Gulf during Covid-19 and later moved to advanced economies for better job opportunities. Additionally, economic diversification and automation have reduced demand for low-skilled Indian labour in the Gulfs construction sector. Meanwhile, nationalisation policies like Nitaqat (Saudi Arabia) and Emiratization (UAE) favour local workers, further limiting job prospects for migrants. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Changing Migration Patterns: States like Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana now prefer the US, UK, Canada and Australia over the Gulf. Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Rajasthan continue to send large numbers of workers to the Gulf, lower educational attainment compared to southern states, reducing eligibility for skilled jobs in advanced economies. Education-Driven Migration: The RBI pointed out that Indians preferring Canada, the UK and Australia for higher education destinations could be a factor for enhanced remittances from these countries. Canada hosts 32% of Indian students abroad, followed by the US (25.3%), the UK (13.9%), and Australia (9.2%). 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 24, 2025, 08:30 IST Assam Man Murdered In Chilling Family Conspiracy Involving Wife, Her Illicit Lover And Son Curated By : Translation Desk Last Updated: March 24, 2025, 16:33 IST The four accused were taken to the crime scene for a detailed murder reconstruction with a large police team and a magistrate. The investigation revealed the wife's illicit relationship with her lover, seeing her husband as an obstacle The incident occurred on the night of December 27, 2024 when the victim was found dead in his home. (News18 Assam) A disturbing murder has sent shockwaves across Assam. A man was brutally killed in a premeditated attack involving his own family and acquaintances. The incident occurred on the night of December 27, 2024 when the victim, Badir Ali was found dead in his home. Initially, suspicions fell on his wife, Chemima Akhtar, and her illicit lover, Nekib Ali. However, a thorough investigation conducted by Rangia Police Officer-in-Charge Navjit Nath revealed more perpetrators involved in this gruesome crime. Recommended Stories Police reports indicate that the murder was methodically planned. Chemima Akhtar allegedly drugged her husband by mixing sleeping pills into his dinner. Once he was unconscious, she, along with her son Ramazan Ali, her lover Nekib Ali, and Ramazans friend Mirazul Azad, executed the killing. They attempted to suffocate Badir Ali by covering his mouth with a blanket, and when he resisted, they used a rope to strangle him, causing severe injuries and bleeding. The following morning, Chemima and Ramazan claimed that Badirs death was natural. However, the locals were sceptical and suspected foul play. Their suspicions led to Chemima being confronted and handed over to the police by a group of village women. Following the incident, Badirs body was sent for a post-mortem. Nekib Ali was apprehended based on a relatives complaint, while Ramazan Ali went into hiding in Kavilpatti, Tamil Nadu. After three months of evading capture, Ramazan was arrested by the Rangia police on Thursday. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Both Chemima Akhtar and Nekib Ali were taken into police custody and, following intense interrogation, confessed to their roles in the murder. Mirazul Azad, who had been living in the village, was also arrested after being identified during the investigation. The four accused were brought to the crime scene, where a detailed reconstruction of the murder took place in the presence of a large police team and a magistrate. The investigation revealed that the motive behind the murder was Chemimas illicit relationship with Nekib Ali, with Badir seen as an obstacle. Ramazan Alis involvement stemmed from his support of his mothers affair. Location : Assam, India, India First Published: March 24, 2025, 16:32 IST 'Like We Did With The Studio...': Congress Leader Shares Viral Clip Alleging Threat Call to Kunal Kamra Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: March 24, 2025, 20:39 IST Kunal Kamra has stoked a controversy with his "traitor" remarks on Eknath Shinde. A purported audio clip has gone viral, allegedly showing a conversation with Kamra and a Shiv Sena worker. Kunal Kamra allegedly receives threat (Photo: X) Amid the ongoing row over Kunal Kamras traitor" remarks on Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Congress leader Supriya Shrinate on Monday shared an audio clip purportedly showing a threat to the stand-up artist by a Shiv Sena worker. The Congress leader shared a 53-second audio clip on X, in which a Shiv Sena worker can be heard threatening Kamra to thrash him wherever hes found". Recommended Stories This comes after Kamra took a jibe at Shinde in a show, dubbing the latter as a traitor" for his 2022 rebellion against Uddhav Thackeray, which led to the collapse of his MVA government in the state. Shinde later went on to become the chief minister in the Mahayuti government that year. Protesting against Kamras remarks, Shiv Sena workers vandalised the venue where the show was recorded. 12 leaders of the party were arrested but were granted bail later on Monday. Whats There In Viral Audio Clip? The viral audio clip shared by Shrinate shows a conversation in Hindi, purportedly between Kamra and a Shiv Sena worker. The authenticity of the audio, however, could not be verified independently. : CM ?: CM CM : ?: : ?: : ? pic.twitter.com/EccQkrIZ4a Supriya Shrinate (@SupriyaShrinate) March 24, 2025 Weve seen the video. Go and see what we have done to the venue (of the show), we will do the same with you wherever youre found," the alleged worker is heard telling the artist. Where do you live?" he went on to ask. Tamil Nadu," Kamra is heard responding. Will beat you in Tamil Nadu," the worker is heard threatening. The police have already registered a case against Kamra based on a complaint by Shiv Sena. Kamra Refuses To Apologise Meanwhile, Kamra has reportedly told the Mumbai Police that he would not apologise for his remarks on Eknath Shinde until directed by the court to do so. However, he has said that he would adhere to the law. Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that Kamra should apologise for his remarks. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all A legal action will be taken according to the law, Kunal Kamra should apologise. Eknath Shinde ji has been insulted, and an attempt has been made to do so. This will not be tolerated. The elections have proven who the traitors are. No stand-up comedian should have the right to call such a big leader a traitor," Fadnavis said. There is freedom to do stand-up comedy, but he cannot speak whatever he wants. The people of Maharashtra have decided who the traitor is. Kunal Kamra should apologise. This will not be tolerated," he added. 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 24, 2025, 20:26 IST Crime Scene Tampered With, Probe May Not Lead To Any Conclusive Truth: Ex-Delhi HC Judge On Justice Varma Row Reported By : CNN-News18 Edited By: Apoorva Misra Last Updated: March 24, 2025, 09:43 IST Slamming the Delhi Police for its handling of the case, Justice SN Dhingra said lapses on their part had led to questions like where are the burnt notes seen in the video, were the notes real or fake, and if the video was actually recorded in the outhouse inside the judges house as is being claimed Images and a video grab released by the Supreme Court of India show the entrance of the storeroom, left, where cash was allegedly discovered, right, during a firefighting operation at Delhi High Court judge Yashwant Varmas house on the night of Holi. (PTI) Former Delhi High Court judge Justice SN Dhingra has slammed the Delhi Police for its handling of the cash-at-judges-residence case, saying he was doubtful if a criminal investigation would ever reveal the truth. Speaking to CNN-News18, Justice Dhingra said: The scene of crime should have been secured. The outhouse and Justice Yashwant Varmas bungalow should have been sealed and an FIR filed." He argued that not taking such steps has led to a number of questions like where are the burnt notes seen in the video, were the notes real or fake, was the video actually recorded in the outhouse inside the judges house as is being claimed? Recommended Stories I think after so much hullabaloo over this incident, the Supreme Court may recommend an inquiry committee and suggest his impeachment and removal from service. However, I am very doubtful about the success of criminal proceedings. Criminal proceedings may be initiated, but they may not succeed due to the kind of defence available and the nature of judgments in criminal cases. I dont think there will be any success in the criminal case," the former high court judge said. He also questioned the response of the Delhi High Court in the matter. I believe there has been a significant lapse on the part of both the police and the Delhi HC. Once the fire department brought it to the attention of the police that a pile of currency notes had been burned, the first thing that should have been done was to secure the crime scene. The police should have sealed the entire premises, including the outhouse, servant quarters, and the main bungalow of the judge, and should have informed the CJI. If an FIR had been registered at that time, and the premises had been sealed with the evidence kept intact, many more things would have come to light. The investigation should have started right then," he said. Former special director of the IB, Yashovardhan Azad, however, defended the police, saying they could not have risked contempt of court by doing anything other than what they did. Police informed the Chief Justice of the Delhi HC and the Chief Justice of India. Beyond that, they could not have done much because a sitting judges premises were involved and the question of immunity existed," he told CNN-News18. But Justice Dhingra disagreed that immunity can be invoked in a case like this. Immunity is available to sitting judges for their judicial and official work; to protect them from action for giving a judicial pronouncement. But this case is different. It is a crime which is unconnected to his work as a judge. So, immunity cant be invoked in this case," he said. He also questioned the defence of Justice Varma who, in a letter to the Delhi High Court Chief Justice, said the fire and alleged recovery of cash happened in an outhouse on his premises which was accessed by his staff and sometimes, by CPWD officials too. Justice Varma had argued that no cash recovered from the outhouse could be linked to him or his family. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Justice Dhingra, however, said the onus for the entire premises lay on the judge in whose name the allotment was made. The entire bungalow is allotted to the judge, including the outhouse, servants quarters, and garage, and it is under his responsibility. If something happens, the judge cannot claim that it is not part of his bungalow because the entire bungalow is assigned to him, and he is the custodian of the property as long as he resides there. If he allows criminals into the outhouse, can he say that he gave his outhouse to an outsider and is not responsible? These are just excuses that every criminal makes. Every offender always defends themselves by denying involvement. Such defences are commonly taken by the accused, and there is nothing surprising about it," he said. A fresh twist was added to the case as an eyewitness, a sanitation worker, told media that a day after Holi, he found torn, burnt Rs 500 notes from the garbage dumped outside Justice Varmas house. A three-judge panel comprising Chief Justices of Punjab-Haryana, Karnataka and Himachal Pradesh are expected to submit their enquiry report on the case soon to the Supreme Court. About the Author Arunima Arunima is Editor (Home Affairs) and covers strategic, security and political affairs. From the Ukraine-Russia War to the India-China stand-off in Ladakh to India-Pak clashes, she has reported from ground zero ... Read More Arunima is Editor (Home Affairs) and covers strategic, security and political affairs. From the Ukraine-Russia War to the India-China stand-off in Ladakh to India-Pak clashes, she has reported from ground zero ... Read More First Published: March 24, 2025, 09:43 IST Devendra Fadnavis Goes The Nayak Way: State Bus Driver Suspended In 3 Hours Over One Mistake Curated By : Translation Desk Last Updated: March 24, 2025, 13:40 IST The Chief Minister's Office has warned of strict action against such drivers in the future. The prompt suspension has drawn comparisons to the Bollywood film Nayak, known for its portrayal of swift governance The Chief Minister's Office responded promptly by identifying the driver and suspending him immediately. (PTI File) Bus travel is generally considered safe, and many people prefer it for their journeys. However, incidents of drivers endangering the lives of passengers, particularly on Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML) buses, have frequently emerged in Maharashtra. Additionally, cases of misbehaviour have been reported. In a recent incident during a trip from Mumbai to Pune, a bus driver was caught driving with one hand while talking on the phone. A concerned passenger reported this by tweeting to the Chief Ministers Office. The tweet prompted immediate action from Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis leading to the drivers suspension. There have been numerous incidents resulting from driver negligence. Recommended Stories Another similar incident occurred on the same Mumbai-Pune route, and within three and a half hours, the driver was suspended. A picture surfaced showing the Shivneri bus driver talking on the phone while driving a bus full of passengers. This image, depicting the bus travelling from Dadar to Swargate, went viral on social media on March 23 at 9:30 am. The Chief Ministers Office responded promptly. The driver, named Nitin Godbole, was identified and suspended immediately. The office assured that further actions were underway. The tweet from the Chief Ministers Office read: Immediate action has been taken. The driver has been suspended with immediate effect." top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Despite previous actions against negligent drivers, these incidents continue to raise concerns about passenger safety. The Chief Ministers Office has issued stern warnings, emphasising that strict measures will be enforced against such drivers in the future. This swift action by the Chief Ministers Office draws a parallel to the Bollywood film Nayak, where the protagonist, played by Anil Kapoor, also takes immediate and decisive actions to address public grievances and ensure accountability in governance. Location : Maharashtra, India, India First Published: March 24, 2025, 13:40 IST Muskan Decided To Dispose Of Husband's Body After Hills Trip, A Mistake Led To Her Undoing Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: March 24, 2025, 16:07 IST Muskan and Sahil, who went on a two-week trip to Himachal after murdering Rajput, had planned to dispose of the drum containing his body after their return on March 17 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) The two accused in the Meerut murder case, Muskan Rastogi and Sahil Shukla, had initially planned to dispose of the body of former Merchant Navy officer Saurabh Rajput once they returned from their vacation in Himachal Pradesh. The gruesome murder of Rajput has made headlines across the country ever since his body was discovered sealed inside a plastic drum filled with cement. The case, which Uttar Pradesh police have been investigating, continues to reveal new details on how the murder was carried out. Recommended Stories The latest developments in the police investigation revealed that Muskan and Sahil, who went on a two-week trip to Himachal Pradesh after murdering Rajput, had planned to dispose of the drum containing his body after their return on March 17. Rajput was allegedly drugged and then stabbed to death by his wife Muskan and her lover Sahil on March 4. His body was dismembered into 15 pieces and sealed inside a drum with cement. The police explained the sequence of events planned by the duo: after returning from their trip, they hired labourers to carry and dispose of the drum. However, the drum was too heavy to lift, and during their attempts, the lid came off, releasing the foul odour of the decomposing body. Suspicious of the smell, the workers abandoned the task midway, NDTV reported. At this point, Muskan panicked and went to her parents home, fabricating a story that Rajputs sister and her brother-in-law had killed her husband. However, her parents, not believing her, questioned her, which eventually led Muskan to confess that she and Sahil had killed Rajput. Afterward, her parents took her to the police station, where she confessed to the crime with the help of her lover. Both were arrested on March 18. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Muskan and Sahil have been held in Chaudhary Charan Singh District Jail in Meerut since March 19, after a court remanded them to 14 days of judicial custody. ALSO READ: Meerut Murder: Sahil Gambled On Victim Saurabhs Money, Used Winnings For Trips With Muskan, Says Report 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 : Meerut, India, India First Published: March 24, 2025, 15:37 IST 'No Question Of Accepting Move': Bar Association On Justice Varma's Transfer Back To Allahabad HC Reported By : CNN-News18 Edited By: Oindrila Mukherjee Last Updated: March 24, 2025, 19:34 IST The Allahabad High Court Bar Association said it will call a boycott and protest if Justice Yashwant Varma, embroiled in the cash-at-home row, holds court Police outside the residence of Justice Yashwant Varma, in New Delhi. (Image: PTI/Kamal Singh) The Supreme Court Collegium has confirmed the repatriation of Justice Yashwant Varma to his parent high court in Allahabad. The move has garnered a strong reaction from the Allahabad High Court Bar Association. It passed a resolution against the decision and called an emergency meeting to discuss its future course of action. Recommended Stories President Ankit Tiwari told CNN-News18 that the bar members will call a boycott if Justice Varma holds court in Allahabad. There is no question of accepting the move. We will boycott and protest. The bar has every right to protest this decision," he said. ALSO READ | Another Law To Appoint Judges? Centre Hints Towards Possible NJAC Revival Amid Justice Varma Cash Row In its order, the Supreme Court Collegium said: The Supreme Court Collegium in its meetings held on March 20 and 24, 2025, has recommended repatriation of (Mr) Justice Yashwant Varma, judge, High Court of Delhi, to the High Court of Judicature at Allahabad." The reiteration came despite protests from various quarters on the transfer decision. Former solicitor general Harish Salve said: If the judge is unfit for High Court of Delhi, how can he be fit for Allhabad or any other high court? Either you give him a clean chit and tell the public that all allegations have been found to be baseless or you dont let him function in any high court." WHAT DID THE BAR ASSOCIATION SAY? The Allahabad High Court Bar Association on Monday passed a resolution seeking Justice Varmas impeachment. The CJI (Chief Justice of India) should immediately recommend to the government to draw impeachment proceedings against Justice Varma. The Government of India should act on it, involve civil society members and make the process transparent," the resolution stated. Rejecting the decision of the SC-appointed three-member committee, the bar association expressed apprehension that the internal inquiry might be a face-saving move for the judge. It is a cardinal principle that no one can be a judge in his own cause. Why should there be a distinction or discrimination between politicians and bureaucrats on one hand, and judges on the other?" the resolution questioned. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all ALSO READ | Justice Yashwant Varma Figured In CBI And ED Case Earlier, SC Set It Aside Last Year Justice Yashwant Varma is now subject to an inquiry after the purported discovery of a large stash of cash following a fire at his official residence, till further orders. The SC Collegium headed by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna has recommended his transfer to the Allahabad High Court, soon after the Delhi High Court withdrew work from him. About the Author Arunima Arunima is Editor (Home Affairs) and covers strategic, security and political affairs. From the Ukraine-Russia War to the India-China stand-off in Ladakh to India-Pak clashes, she has reported from ground zero ... Read More Arunima is Editor (Home Affairs) and covers strategic, security and political affairs. From the Ukraine-Russia War to the India-China stand-off in Ladakh to India-Pak clashes, she has reported from ground zero ... Read More First Published: March 24, 2025, 19:34 IST Justice Yashwant Varma's Judicial Work Withdrawn Amid Cash-At-Home Allegations, Delhi HC Issues New Roster Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: March 24, 2025, 12:21 IST The Delhi HC has issued a new roster, assigning Justice Yashwant Varma's work to Justice Subramanium Prasad and Justice Harish Vaidyanathan Shankar. Justice Varma has refuted all allegations, claiming he was being indicted and defamed in the press Justice Yashwant Varma; the burnt currency notes. (X/PTI) The Delhi High Court (HC) registry on Monday withdrew judicial work assigned to Justice Yashwant Varma, who is currently embroiled in controversy over the alleged recovery of cash at his residence during a fire-fighting operation last week. The HC has issued a new roster, assigning Justice Varmas work to Justice Subramanium Prasad and Justice Harish Vaidyanathan Shankar. Justice Varma has refuted the allegations, claiming he was being indicted and defamed in the press". Recommended Stories The Supreme Court (SC) had on Saturday released Delhi HC chief justice (CJ) Devendra Kumar Upadhyays inquiry report. A video shared by Delhi Police Commissioner Sanjay Arora with Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna and Delhi HC CJ Upadhyay purportedly shows the burnt cash. After the report, CJI Khanna had asked Delhi HC CJ Upadhyay to withdraw judicial work from Justice Varma. The Delhi HC registrars note stated: In view of recent events, the judicial work from Honble Mr. Justice Yashwant Varma is withdrawn with immediate effect, till further orders." FIRE BROKE OUT ON MARCH 14 The report submitted by the CJ stated that the incident took place on March 14 in a storeroom, which only the residents of the bungalow could access. CJ Upadhyay was informed about it by the Delhi Police Commissioner on March 15 at around 4:50 pm. Later, the CJ, along with the High Court Registrar, personally visited the spot, where he also met Justice Varma. The report was prepared based on this visit. #WATCH | The Supreme Court released the inquiry report filed by Delhi High Court Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya into the controversy relating to High Court Justice Yashwant Varma. In his report, the Delhi High Court Chief Justice said that he is of the prima facie opinion pic.twitter.com/1xgMh8xWNW ANI (@ANI) March 22, 2025 After receiving the report, CJI Khanna, on March 21, asked CJ Upadhyay to get a response from Justice Varma regarding the presence of unaccounted cash," its source," and who removed the burnt cash" on the morning of March 15. Justice Varma was also instructed not to delete any phone numbers, messages, or data from his mobile phone, Live Law reported. After examining the report of the Delhi High Court CJ and the response of Justice Varma, the CJI formed a three-member committee to conduct an in-house inquiry. JUSTICE VARMAS RESPONSE top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all I state unequivocally that no cash was ever placed in that storeroom either by me or any of my family members and strongly denounce the suggestion that the alleged cash belonged to us. The very idea or suggestion that this cash was kept or stored by us is totally preposterous. The suggestion that one would store cash in an open, freely accessible and commonly used storeroom near the staff quarters or in an outhouse verges on the incredible and incredulous," Justice Varma had said. 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," he had added in his defence. About the Author Ananya Bhatnagar Ananya Bhatnagar, Correspondent at CNN-News18, reports on various legal issues and cases in lower courts and the Delhi High Court. He has covered the hanging of the Nirbhaya gang-rape convicts, JNU violence, De... Read More Ananya Bhatnagar, Correspondent at CNN-News18, reports on various legal issues and cases in lower courts and the Delhi High Court. He has covered the hanging of the Nirbhaya gang-rape convicts, JNU violence, De... Read More First Published: March 24, 2025, 11:45 IST Kunal Kamra Row: No Demolition Yet At Mumbai Studio, Sources Say BMC Inspected Structure Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: March 24, 2025, 16:31 IST The BMC reached the Habitat Studio in Mumbai's Khar to inspect the structure. This came after comedian Kunal Kamra made objectionable remarks against Deputy CM Eknath Shinde. Kunal Kamra stokes row with remarks on Eknath Shinde (Photo: PTI, X/Kunal Kamra) Kunal Kamra Vs Shiv Sena Row: Amid a massive uproar over comedian Kunal Kamras remarks on Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and the vandalism of a Mumbai hotel and studio, the citys municipal commission on Monday arrived at Habitat studio in Khar, the venue where the show was recorded, and inspected the structure, sources said. No demolition drive of the illegal" parts of the studio was conducted, they added. Recommended Stories The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) reached the Habitat studio in Khar today. Mumbai Habitat Studio Shuts Down As outrage intensified over Kamras objectionable remarks against Eknath Shinde, the management of the Mumbai Habitat studio announced that it was shutting down. Members of Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) vandalised the studio in an uproar over the comedians remark, and 12 protesters were arrested. In a social media post, the studios official handle wrote, We are shocked, worried, and extremely broken by the recent acts of vandalism targeting us." Artists are solely responsible for their views and creative choices. We have never been involved in the content performed by any Artist, but the recent events have made us rethink about how we get blamed and targeted every time almost like we are a proxy for the performer." We are shutting down till we figure out the best way to provide a platform for free expression without putting ourselves and our property in jeopardy. We invite all artists, audience and stakeholders to discuss and share their views freely and request your guidance so that we also respect the performers rights," the studio wrote in the post. Kamras Remarks On Shinde Kamra, while performing at The Unicontinental Mumbai in Mumbais Khar, called Shinde a traitor" and used a modified version of a Hindi song from the Bollywood movie Dil To Pagal Hai" to take a dig at the 2022 rebellion of Shinde against Uddhav Thackeray. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Later, Shiv Sena MLA Murji Patel lodged a police complaint against the comedian and demanded an apology within two days as party workers vandalised the hotel and studio. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis demanded an apology and said such statements will not be tolerated in the name of freedom of speech, assuring that legal action will be taken. Eknath Shinde ji has been insulted, and an attempt has been made to do so. This will not be tolerated. The elections have proven who the traitors are. No stand-up comedian should have the right to call such a big leader a traitor," he said. About the Author Aveek Banerjee Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international... Read More Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international... Read More First Published: March 24, 2025, 14:11 IST Kunal Kamra-Eknath Shinde Row: Mumbai Police Register FIR Against Comedian, Sena Activists Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: March 24, 2025, 12:41 IST In the wake of a massive political row over Kunal Kamra's jibe at Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Mumbai Police took action against the comedian as well as Sena activists. Mumbai Police take action against comedian Kunal Kamra as well as Sena activists who vandalised Habitat studio. (Source: X) Amid a political row over comedian Kunal Kamras jibe at Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Mumbai police on Monday registered two FIRs one against the comedian and the other against the Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction) activists who vandalised the studio where the act was performed. In a statement, Mumbai police said two offences have been registered in Khar police station in relation to the Kunal Kamra case. Recommended Stories Also Read: Legal Action Will Be Taken: Maharashtra CM Fadnaviss First Reaction To Kunal Kamra Parody Row They said that one offence had been registered against the stand-up comedian for derogatory comments and the second offence was filed against Shiv Sena Yuva Sena (Shinde faction) General Secretary Rahool Kanal and 19 others, who ransacked the Habitat studio. As per police sources, Kanal surrendered himself and the location of Kunal Kamra is being tracked outside Mumbai. The police said that further investigation is going on in the case. Khar police arrested 11 Shiv Sena workers in connection with the vandalism that happened yesterday after registering case against them. Follow Live Updates What Did Kunal Kamra Say That Triggered A Political Row? Kamra, while performing at the Habitat studio in The Unicontinental Mumbai in Mumbais Khar, called Shinde a traitor" and used a modified version of a Hindi song from the Bollywood movie Dil To Pagal Hai" to take a dig at the 2022 rebellion of Shinde against Uddhav Thackeray. Also Read: No One Should Go Beyond Law: Ajit Pawar Reacts To Eknath Shinde Parody Amid Political Slugfest Soon after the performance, the party workers of Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction) vandalised Mumbais Habitat studio and threatened the comedian with dire consequences". They also registered a First Information Report (FIR) against him. Amid the massive row, the studio, where Kamras show with the gaddar (traitor) jibe at Shinde was filmed, announced that they were shutting it down. The studios official handle, in a social media post, wrote, We are shocked, worried, and extremely broken by the recent acts of vandalism targeting us." Artists are solely responsible for their views and creative choices. We have never been involved in the content performed by any Artist, but the recent events have made us rethink about how we get blamed and targeted every time almost like we are a proxy for the performer," they added. We are shutting down till we figure out the best way to provide a platform for free expression without putting ourselves and our property in jeopardy. We invite all artists, audience and stakeholders to discuss and share their views freely and request your guidance so that we also respect the performers rights," the studio wrote in the post. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The Habitat is the same place where the controversial Indias Got Latent show was filmed. Based on the complaint, an FIR was registered against Kamra under various Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) actions, including 353(1)(b) (statements conducing to public mischief) and 356(2) (defamation), said an official from MIDC police station. 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 24, 2025, 12:20 IST Shiv Sena Workers File Case Against Kunal Kamra, Vandalise Studio Where He Jibed At Eknath Shinde Reported By : CNN-News18 Edited By: Vani Mehrotra Last Updated: March 24, 2025, 08:58 IST Comedian Kunal Kamra sparked controversy with a video mocking Eknath Shinde, leading to protests and vandalism by Shinde's supporters. A case also has been filed against him. Shiv Sena workers vandalise studio where Kunal Kamra shot video (Video screengrabs/Social Media) Stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra has once again surrounded himself in controversy, this time over his comments on Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Kamra, known for his sharp political satire, uploaded a video on his official YouTube channel in which he allegedly made offensive remarks about Shinde, referring to him as a traitor". Recommended Stories The video has sparked outrage among supporters of the Shinde-led Shiv Sena faction, leading to protests and legal action against the comedian. Following the videos release, Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction) MLA Murji Patel said he had lodged a First Information Report (FIR) at the MIDC Police Station against Kamra. Speaking to reporters, Murji Patel said, We have filed an FIR against Kunal Kamra for his comments against our leader and Maharashtras Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. We have demanded quick action against him." Patel also said that Kamra should apologise to Shinde within two days, failing which, The Shiv Sainiks will not let him move freely in Mumbai. If he is seen anywhere in public, we will paint his face black. We will take up this issue in the assembly and request our states Home Minister to order action against him as soon as possible, he said. #WATCH | Mumbai: Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction) MLA Murji Patel lodged an FIR at MIDC police station against comedian Kunal Kamra for his remarks on Maharashtra DCM Eknath Shinde.Murji Patel says, We have filed an FIR against Kunal Kamra for his comments against our leader pic.twitter.com/qLXb9bWkUU ANI (@ANI) March 24, 2025 Soon after, Shiv Sainiks took to the streets, demanding strict action against Kamra. Videos widely shared on social media showed party workers vandalising a studio where Kamra had reportedly shot the video. Protesters smashed chairs, tables, and lights, expressing their outrage over the comedians remarks. #WATCH | Mumbai: Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction) workers vandalised Habitat Comedy Club in Khar after comedian Kunal Kamras remarks on Maharashtra DCM Eknath Shinde here sparked backlash. (23.03)Source: Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction) pic.twitter.com/L8pkt0TLM6 ANI (@ANI) March 24, 2025 Later, an FIR was also filed against Shiv Sena workers for vandalising the studio. According to IANS, Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) leader Rahul Narain Kanal and over 20 others were booked by Khar Police following their protest at The Habitat Club in Mumbai. Reacting to the controversy, Shiv Sena spokesperson Krishna Hegde strongly condemned Kamras comments and warned that he should be prepared to face backlash. He will receive the Shiv Sena-style response, as no party worker will tolerate such statements against our leader," Hegde said. The warning has further escalated tensions, with Kamra yet to respond publicly to the growing outrage. Reacting to the Shinde-led Shiv Sena Vandalism, Shiv Sena UBT leader Aditya Thackeray said, Mindhes coward gang breaks the comedy show stage where comedian @kunalkamra88 put out a song on eknath mindhe which was 100% true. Only an insecure coward would react to a song by someone." (sic). (Thackeray always uses the Marathi word Mindhe while referring to Eknath Shinde to taunt him, as it means subservient.) Targeting CM and Home Minister of Maharashtra Devendra Fadnavis over the Kunal Kamra issue, Shiv Sena UBT MP, Sanjay Raut wrote on X, Kunal Kamra is a well-known writer and stand-up comedian. When Kunal wrote a satirical song about Maharashtra politics, the Shinde gang got offended. Their people vandaliSed Kamras studio. Devendra Ji, you are a weak Home Minister!" Also commenting to the vandalism by Shiv Sena workers, Congress leader Atul Londhe said, I do not support the vandalism. You are holding a Constitutional post. Your sentiments get easily hurt, you should have approached the police and got a complaint registered. Nobody can be given the right to vandalise in a legal system." Kunal Kamra is no stranger to controversy. Known for his unfiltered political satire, he has often clashed with politicians and their supporters. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all His YouTube channel features multiple videos where he critiques political leaders, journalists, and public figures. However, this time, the backlash seems more severe, with legal action and physical protests adding to the pressure. It remains to be seen whether Kamra will issue a clarification or stand by his remarks, but for now, the controversy has ignited yet another debate on the fine line between freedom of expression and political sensitivity. About the Author Mayuresh Ganapatye Mayuresh Ganapatye, News Editor at News18.com, writes on politics and civic issues, as well as human interests stories. He has been covering Maharashtra and Goa for more than a decade. He previously worked with... Read More Mayuresh Ganapatye, News Editor at News18.com, writes on politics and civic issues, as well as human interests stories. He has been covering Maharashtra and Goa for more than a decade. He previously worked with... Read More First Published: March 24, 2025, 07:07 IST 'If Freedom Of Expression Leads To Tyranny...': Fadnavis's First Reaction To Kunal Kamra Parody Row Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: March 24, 2025, 15:18 IST Devendra Fadnavis said a legal action would be initiated against comedian Kunal Kamra for mocking Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, calling it an insult. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis demanded an apology from Kamra and said such statements will not be tolerated in the name of freedom of speech. (Photos: PTI + X) Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday said that freedom of expression is encouraged, but it should not lead to tyranny, while commenting on comedian Kunal Kamras remarks on Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Fadnavis also said a legal action would be taken against the comedian. The Chief Minister also said that Kamra should issue an apology for his jibe and stressed that Shinde had been insulted. Recommended Stories A legal action will be taken according to the law, Kunal Kamra should apologise," Fadnavis said. Eknath Shinde ji has been insulted, and an attempt has been made to do so. This will not be tolerated. The elections have proven who the traitors are. No stand-up comedian should have the right to call such a big leader a traitor," he said. There is freedom to do stand-up comedy, but he cannot speak whatever he wants. The people of Maharashtra have decided who the traitor is. Kunal Kamra should apologise. This will not be tolerated," Fadnavis said, speaking to reporters. There is a right to comedy, one can make humour on us, but making derogatory statements cannot be accepted. If it is being done to defame our Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde purposely, it is not right." Drawing similarities between Kunal Kamras X post, wherein he held a red-coloured Constitution book, and Rahul Gandhis 2024 controversy when he displayed a red-covered copy of the Constitution during an event, Fadnavis said, Kunal Kamra has posted the same red Constitution book shown by Rahul Gandhi. Both of them have not read the Constitution. The Constitution allows us freedom of speech, but it has limitations." People have voted and supported us in the assembly elections in 2024. Those who were traitors were sent home by the people. The people showed those who insulted the mandate and ideology of Balasaheb Thackeray their place. One may create humour, but making derogatory statements cannot be accepted. One cannot encroach on others freedom and ideology. This cannot be justified as the Freedom of speech," he added. VIDEO | Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) speaks on the stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra controversy.The way stand-up comedian (Kunal) Kamra tried to humiliate Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde is wrong. We condemn this. Such things cant be tolerated. Kamra pic.twitter.com/NdZREORQ7k Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) March 24, 2025 Later, speaking in the Maharashtra Assembly, Fadnavis said that the freedom of speech should not lead to tyranny. We believe in freedom of expression, but if freedom of expression leads to tyranny, it is not acceptable. If we look at Kunal Kamras history, talking about the judiciary is what Kunal Kamra does. He always stays in the news," the Chief Minister said. He made a comedy about former Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. The ideological legacy of Balasaheb Thackeray is with Eknath Shinde and it was given by the people. Kunal Kamra is not big in front of the people of the state," he added. Earlier today, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar said that no one should go beyond the law, as he commented on the controversy. Kamra, while performing at The Unicontinental Mumbai in Mumbais Khar, called Shinde a traitor" and used a modified version of a Hindi song from the Bollywood movie Dil To Pagal Hai" to take a dig at the 2022 rebellion of Shinde against Uddhav Thackeray. As multiple videos of his remark went viral, a large number of Shiv Sena workers on Sunday night gathered outside Hotel Unicontinental, where the studio is located. They allegedly ransacked the studio and the hotel premises. Notably, the Habitat Studio, where Kamras show was held, is the same venue where the controversial Indias Got Latent show had been filmed. Later, Shiv Sena MLA Murji Patel lodged a police complaint against the comedian. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The police also registered a case against nearly 40 Shiv Sena workers for allegedly vandalising the Habitat Studio. ALSO READ | Mumbais Habitat Studio Says Shutting Down After Vandalism By Sena Workers Over Kunal Kamra Row About the Author Vani Mehrotra Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has nearly 10 years of experience in both national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks. Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has nearly 10 years of experience in both national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks. First Published: March 24, 2025, 11:13 IST 'Shutting Down Till...': Mumbai's Habitat Studio After Vandalism By Sena Workers Over Kunal Kamra Row Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: March 24, 2025, 09:49 IST Mumbais Habitat Studio announced its closure after vandalism by Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) workers over comedian Kunal Kamras remarks on Eknath Shinde. Vandalism at Mumbai studio over Kunal Kamra's remark (Video screengrab/Social Media) Amid a massive row over stand-up comedian Kunal Kamras alleged defamatory remarks against Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, the Mumbai studio, where the comedians show was shot, has announced shutting down. This comes after workers of the Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction) vandalised Mumbais Habitat studio in an uproar over the comedians remark, and also got a First Information Report (FIR) registered against him. Recommended Stories In a social media post, the studios official handle wrote, We are shocked, worried, and extremely broken by the recent acts of vandalism targeting us." Artists are solely responsible for their views and creative choices. We have never been involved in the content performed by any Artist, but the recent events have made us rethink about how we get blamed and targeted every time almost like we are a proxy for the performer." We are shutting down till we figure out the best way to provide a platform for free expression without putting ourselves and our property in jeopardy. We invite all artists, audience and stakeholders to discuss and share their views freely and request your guidance so that we also respect the performers rights," the studio wrote in the post. View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Habitat (@indiehabitat) On Sunday night, Shiv Sena members damaged the Habitat Comedy Club in Khar, where Kamras show with gaddar" (traitor) jibe at Shinde was filmed, as well as a hotel in whose premises the club is located. The Habitat, where Kamras show was held, is the same venue where the controversial Indias Got Latent show had been filmed. After a video went viral showing Kamra allegedly using defamatory words against Shinde, Shiv Sena MLA Murji Patel lodged a police complaint. Based on the complaint, an FIR was registered in the early hours of Monday against Kamra under various Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) actions, including 353(1)(b) (statements conducing to public mischief) and 356(2) (defamation), an official from MIDC police station said. In the nearly 2-minute video, Kamra also mocked the ruling NCP and Shiv Sena, the official said, adding an investigation was underway. Earlier, a large number of Shiv Sena workers on Sunday night gathered outside Hotel Unicontinental, where the club is located. They ransacked the club and the hotel premises. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The video of Kamras jibe at Shinde was also posted on X by rival Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut by saying Kunal Ka Kamal". Kamra taunted Shinde using a modified version of a Hindi song from the film Dil To Pagal Hai", eliciting laughter from the audience. About the Author Vani Mehrotra Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has nearly 10 years of experience in both national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks. Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has nearly 10 years of experience in both national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks. First Published: March 24, 2025, 09:32 IST 'Calling Traitor A Traitor Not Wrong': Uddhav Thackeray Backs Kunal Kamra Amid Backlash Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: March 24, 2025, 14:30 IST Uddhav Thackeray defended comedian Kunal Kamras remarks against Eknath Shinde, stating there was "nothing wrong" in calling a "gaddar" a "gaddar." Uddhav Thackeray/Kunal Kamra (Photos: Social Media) Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Monday backed comedian Kunal Kamra and said there was nothing wrong" in his remarks against Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Speaking to reporters over the controversy, Thackeray said, I dont think Kunal Kamra said anything wrong. Calling a gaddar, a gaddar is not an attack on anyone." Recommended Stories Hear the full song (from Kunal Kamras show) and make others hear it too. Shiv Sena has nothing to do with this attack, this has been done by the gaddar senaThose who have gaddari in their blood can never be a Shiv Sainik," he said. #WATCH | On Kunal Kamra row and vandalism by Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) workers, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray says, I dont think Kunal Kamra said anything wrong. Calling gaddar, a gaddar is not an attack on anyoneHear the full song (from Kunal Kamras show) and pic.twitter.com/MKZAs8N90T ANI (@ANI) March 24, 2025 Echoing his father, Shiv Sena UBT leader Aaditya Thackeray questioned the vandalism of the Mumbai studio where Kamras show was shot, and asked, Why did they do violence there? This is taporigiri and mawalipana will the Chief Minister put an end to this?" The whole country and the world knows who is gaddar and chor," he said. VIDEO | Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aditya Thackeray (@AUThackeray) speaks to media on controversy over Kunal Kamras comedy show.(Full video available on PTI Videos https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/frAuqWnOLM Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) March 24, 2025 ALSO READ | Kunal Kamra Controversy: BMC Begins Demolition Of Illegal Part Of Mumbai Habitat Studio As the row erupted on Monday, Aditya Thackeray had said, Mindhes coward gang breaks the comedy show stage where comedian @kunalkamra88 put out a song on eknath mindhe which was 100% true. Only an insecure coward would react to a song by someone." (sic). (Thackeray always uses the Marathi word Mindhe while referring to Eknath Shinde to taunt him, as it means subservient.) THE KUNAL KAMRA CONTROVERSY During his performance at the Habitat Comedy Club at the Unicontinental hotel in Khar area, Kamra had referred to Shinde as a traitor" and went on to sing a parody on him. Kamra used a modified version of a Hindi song from the movie Dil Toh Pagal Hai to describe the 2022 rebellion of Shinde against his then-boss Uddhav Thackeray. As multiple videos of Kamras humour went viral, workers of the Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction) ransacked the shows venue. Later, they also got a First Information Report (FIR) registered against Kamra. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all As the controversy snowballed, the Mumbai Police on Monday arrested Shiv Sena functionary Rahul Kanal and 11 others for vandalising the Mumbai hotel venue. ALSO READ | If Freedom Of Expression Leads To Tyranny: Fadnaviss First Reaction To Kunal Kamra Parody Row About the Author Vani Mehrotra Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has nearly 10 years of experience in both national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks. Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has nearly 10 years of experience in both national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks. First Published: March 24, 2025, 14:03 IST Kunal Kamra Says Won't Apologise For Eknath Shinde Parody, But Will Adhere To The Law: Reports Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: March 24, 2025, 17:39 IST Kunal Kamra stoked controversy with his "traitor" remark against Eknath Shinde, triggering massive protests by the Shiv Sena. Kunal Kamra mocks Eknath Shinde (Photo: X/Kunal Kamra) Stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra, who is at the centre of a controversy over apparent comments made against Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde at a recent performance, has told the police that he does not regret his actions and would not issue an apology despite facing massive backlash, according to at least two media reports on Monday. Kamra, who has been a vocal critic of the Centres Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government, called the influential politician a traitor" in a Bollywood parody song on Maharashtra politics, triggering workers of Shindes Shiv Sena who vandalised the venue, inviting legal action, and sparking a big political debate over where freedom of expression ends and anarchy begins. Recommended Stories Kamra has told the police that he did not regret his remarks made during the show at Habitat studio in Mumbais Khar and would only apologise if instructed by courts, according to an NDTV report, soon after Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis demanded his apology. India Today reported that Kamra, however, said that he will adhere to the law. Kunal Kamras Traitor Remark Against Eknath Shinde During a comedy show, Kamra dubbed a parody song of a Hindi film and labelled Eknath Shinde a traitor" for his 2022 rebellion against Uddhav Thackeray-led MVA government. Weighing on the Maharashtra politics with a musical touch to song Bholi Si Surat, Kamra mocked Shinde and sang, Meri nazar se tum dekho to gaddar nazar wo aaye. Haaye!" As the clip went viral on Sunday evening, Shiv Sena warned of legal action and some of its workers vandalised the venue where the show was recorded. 12 party leaders were arrested but were later released on bail on Monday. The BMC arrived at the Habitat Club to inspect amid reports that a demolition drive would be conducted at the illegal part" of the venue. The Khar Police have registered a case against Kamra based on the complaint by the Shiv Sena. Fadnavis Reacts To Controversy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that Kamra should apologise for his remarks and stressed that the Deputy CM was insulted. He also said that freedom of expression is encouraged but it should not lead to tyranny. A legal action will be taken according to the law, Kunal Kamra should apologise. Eknath Shinde ji has been insulted, and an attempt has been made to do so. This will not be tolerated. The elections have proven who the traitors are. No stand-up comedian should have the right to call such a big leader a traitor," he said. There is freedom to do stand-up comedy, but he cannot speak whatever he wants. The people of Maharashtra have decided who the traitor is. Kunal Kamra should apologise. This will not be tolerated," Fadnavis added. Uddhav Backs Kamra Extending support to Kamra amid backlash, Uddhav Thackeray said that calling traitor a traitor is not wrong". top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all #WATCH | On Kunal Kamra row and vandalism by Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) workers, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray says, I dont think Kunal Kamra said anything wrong. Calling gaddar, a gaddar is not an attack on anyoneHear the full song (from Kunal Kamras show) and pic.twitter.com/MKZAs8N90T ANI (@ANI) March 24, 2025 I dont think Kunal Kamra said anything wrong. Calling a gaddar, a gaddar is not an attack on anyone. Hear the full song (from Kunal Kamras show) and make others hear it too. Shiv Sena has nothing to do with this attack, this has been done by the gaddar senaThose who have gaddari in their blood can never be a Shiv Sainik," he told reporters. About the Author Saurabh Verma Saurabh Verma covers general, national and international day-to-day news for News18.com as a Senior Sub-editor. He keenly observes politics. You can follow him on Twitter --twitter.com/saurabhkverma19 Saurabh Verma covers general, national and international day-to-day news for News18.com as a Senior Sub-editor. He keenly observes politics. You can follow him on Twitter --twitter.com/saurabhkverma19 First Published: March 24, 2025, 17:07 IST Kunal Kamra's Call Records, Bank Details Under Maharashtra Govt Scanner After Eknath Shinde Parody Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: March 24, 2025, 21:05 IST Maharashtra's junior home minister announced scrutiny of comedian Kunal Kamra's records for calling deputy CM Eknath Shinde a "gaddar." A leader claimed Uddhav Sena financed Kamra's show. Kunal Kamra is embroiled in a fresh controversy after cracking a joke at a standup comedy event that involved Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. (IMAGE: X/Kunal Kamra/PTI) Maharashtras junior home minister Yogesh Kadam announced in the state assembly on Monday that authorities will scrutinise comedian Kunal Kamras call records and bank statements. Kamra is facing action for allegedly referring to deputy CM Eknath Shinde as a gaddar" (traitor) during a Mumbai show. Call recordings along with CDRs, as well as bank statements of comedian Kunal Kamra, will also be checked. We will find out who is behind this," Maharashtra MoS Home, Yogesh Kadam told the state assembly, news agency ANI said in a report. Recommended Stories Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Nirupam claimed that the rival Uddhav Sena financed Kunal Kamras show at the Mumbai studio and said it was a low-level comment". People are searching for him, but we have come to know that he is not in Mumbai and has probably fled from here. We will not leave him until he apologises," Nirupam warned Kamra. In the name of stand-up comedy, he has made a very low-level comment on our supreme leader, Eknath Shinde. The place where this show was recorded and the booking money for it came from Matoshree, from Uddhav Thackeray, and that is why Eknath Shinde Sahab has been targeted," Nirupam claimed, according to a report by news agency ANI. At his stand-up show, Kunal Kamra parodied a popular Hindi song from Dil To Pagal Hai and referred to Eknath Shinde as a gaddar." He also joked about Maharashtras recent political turmoil, including the splits within Shiv Sena and NCP. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Shiv Sena first came out of the BJP, then Shiv Sena came out of Shiv Sena. NCP came out of NCP, they gave nine buttons to one voter everyone got confused," he added. Shiv Sena workers on Sunday vandalised a hotel in Mumbais Khar area claiming they were protesting against Kamras remarks. The party cadres ransacked Hotel Unicontinental in the Khar area where the show was shot. 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 First Published: March 24, 2025, 21:05 IST Muskan Covers Her Face, Sahil Battles Drug Withdrawal: How Meerut Murder Accused Spent 6 Days In Jail Reported By : News18.com Edited By: Manjiri Joshi Last Updated: March 24, 2025, 18:58 IST Meerut's Saurabh Rajput's murder: Completing six days in jail on Monday, authorities say accused Sahil Shukla and Muskan Rastogi exhibit signs of anxiety and drug withdrawal Muskan Rastogi and Sahil Shukla after their arrests. (PTI) Confined within the high walls of Meerut District Jail, Sahil Shukla and Muskan Rastogi, accused of the gruesome murder of Muskans husband Saurabh Rajput, find themselves battling isolation, drug withdrawal symptoms, and mental distress. As Monday marks their six days in jail, authorities say both exhibit signs of anxiety and drug withdrawal. Shukla reportedly suffers from drug dependence, while Rastogi, grappling with deep emotional distress, has requested a government lawyer and permission to speak with her daughter, Pihu. Recommended Stories STRUGGLES BEHIND BARS Since their arrival at Meerut jail on March 19, both Shukla and Rastogi have been held in separate common barracks. Jail sources reveal that neither has received visitors, nor has any application been filed for a meeting. Rastogi remains withdrawn, often covering her face and speaking only when necessary. Meanwhile, Shukla, seemingly experiencing drug withdrawal, has become restless, leading to health complications. Jail doctors placed him under observation after he exhibited signs of severe distress. Shukla is showing clear symptoms of withdrawal. He has been pacing inside his barrack non-stop, avoiding food at times. If this continues, we may have to shift him to a de-addiction centre," said a jail official, on condition of anonymity. Counsellors from a de-addiction centre were called to assess both inmates, as jail authorities suspected their erratic behaviour stemmed from substance dependence. Additionally, rumours of Rastogis pregnancy have surfaced, prompting authorities to schedule a medical test to confirm her condition. ISOLATION AND WITHDRAWAL Rastogi and Shukla are currently housed in common barracks along with other inmates. Rastogi shares her space with 40 women prisoners, 26 of whom are accused of murder. However, jail officials note that none of the women have committed a crime as heinous as Rastogis. Upon her arrival, fellow inmates bombarded her with questions, but she remained silent, avoiding eye contact and interaction. The jail staff intervened, instructing the other prisoners not to question her about the murder. We have told other inmates not to ask her about the crime. She has been sitting quietly, her face covered, refusing to engage with anyone," said a woman warden assigned to monitor Rastogi. Shukla, conversely, spends most of his time pacing within his barrack, refraining from interacting with other inmates. His withdrawal symptoms have exacerbated his condition. Prison authorities are closely monitoring him, and should his health deteriorate further, he may be transferred to a de-addiction centre. THEIR DAYS IN JAIL Shukla and Rastogi arrived at the Meerut jail on March 19 after their medical examination, visibly shaken from an earlier assault by lawyers. They requested to be kept together, but the authorities denied their request. Rastogi refused food and spent the night restlessly, while Shukla ate roti and dal before sleeping soundly. The following day, Rastogi again refused breakfast, but, after counselling, ate a small meal and requested to speak with Pihu. Although her request was denied, she seemed calmer by nightfall. Meanwhile, Shukla remained composed and continued eating normally. By March 21, as no one had visited Rastogi or provided personal belongings, the authorities issued her clothing, which she accepted without protest. She bathed and changed, but remained restless, eating little. Shukla, seemingly experiencing withdrawal symptoms, paced inside his barrack. On March 22, heightened anxiety in both led to counselling sessions by a de-addiction centre. Rastogi withdrew further, avoiding inmates and covering her face, while prison officials assigned constant watch over her due to concerns about her mental state. Meeruts senior jail superintendent Viresh Raj Sharma confirmed that Shukla and Rastogi would remain in common barracks for 10 days before reassignment. He assured they were receiving adequate meals and medical care. Regarding Rastogis possible pregnancy, Sharma stated a test would be conducted soon at the district hospital. He also clarified that their request to stay together was denied, as only legally married couples or blood relatives qualify for such provisions. THE GRUESOME MURDER On the night of March 3, Rastogi and Shukla allegedly murdered Saurabh Rajput, a former merchant navy officer who had recently returned from London. Rastogi allegedly spiked his food, rendering him unconscious. She then reportedly stabbed him in the chest while he slept. Shukla, assisting in the crime, dismembered the body, put the parts in a plastic drum and sealed it with cement, said police. She did not hesitate while stabbing him. She had planned this for a long time," an investigator had stated after the confession. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all To mislead her family and the authorities, Rastogi went on a vacation to Shimla and Manali, uploading photos and videos on Instagram to create the illusion of a happy trip. However, the truth unravelled when Rajputs younger brother, Rahul, visited their house in Indira Second, Brahmpuri, on March 18. Suspicious of Rastogis vague answers and noticing a foul odour, Rahul alerted neighbours and authorities, leading to the discovery of Rajputs remains. Both Rastogi and Shukla confessed to the crime after being taken into custody, detailing their alleged plan to kill Rajput and start a new life together. First Published: March 24, 2025, 13:04 IST Nagpur Violence: Bulldozer Action Starts At Key Suspect Fahim Khans Illegal Property | Watch Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: March 24, 2025, 11:14 IST The Nagpur Municipal Corporation's decision to demolish Fahim Khan's double-storied house in Sanjay Bagh Colony will be the first such razing of a riot accused's property by the civic body. Police in Nagpur arrive at the residence of Nagpur violence accused Faheem Khan, with a bulldozer. (ANI) The demolition drive at the house of Fahim Khan, the alleged Nagpur riots mastermind currently in custody, started today after he failed to comply with a 24-hour civic ultimatum to remove the alleged illegal structure. The Nagpur Municipal Corporations decision to demolish Fahim Khans double-storied house in Sanjay Bagh Colony will be the first such razing of a riot accuseds property by the civic body. Recommended Stories Fahim Khans family has reportedly encroached on some land owned by the Municipal Corporation. #WATCH | Maharashtra: House of Nagpur violence accused Faheem Khan being demolished in Nagpur. Police personnel are present at the spot. pic.twitter.com/RKzAFCokED ANI (@ANI) March 24, 2025 This comes two days after CM Devendra Fadnavis asserted that bulldozers will run if the law permits". He was responding to a query on whether his BJP-led Mahayuti govt would follow UP CM Yogi Adityanaths model of delivering justice. NMC officials inspected the house on March 20 and said it violated the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act, 1966. Earlier on Saturday, Nagpur police sealed two shops after a probe found these were used by rioters linked to Khans Minority Democratic Party (MDP). Meanwhile, curfew was lifted Sunday from riot-affected areas after a nearly week-long turbulence, a day after CM Fadnavis asserted that 80 per cent of the city was unaffected by the March 17 violence. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Violence in Nagpur took place over the Aurangzebs grave row. Two groups clashed with each other following an alleged burning of a religious text, leaving 40 people injured in Nagpur. One of them succumbed to his injuries on Saturday. Location : Nagpur, India, India First Published: March 24, 2025, 10:35 IST Narrow Escape: Aircraft Carrying 44 Including Himachal Deputy CM, DGP Faces Glitch; Misses Landing At Shimla Airport Last Updated: March 24, 2025, 18:22 IST According to eyewitnesses, the aircraft crossed the runway and hit the studs at the edge of the airstrip. No casualties were reported. Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said he would speak to the Civil Aviation minister to discuss the matter. (Representative image) An aircraft carrying over 30 passengers, including Himachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri and Director General of Police Atul Verma, from Delhi missed the landing spot at Jubbarhatti Airport Monday morning. According to eyewitnesses, the aircraft crossed the runway and hit the studs at the edge of the airstrip. No casualties were reported. Recommended Stories The flight had taken off from Delhi after routine checks and engineers are inspecting the aircraft to determine if there was a technical glitch, airport authorities said. "The runway is small and we cannot deny this fact. As a layman, I can say that while landing, the plane did not touch the ground where it was supposed to and came to the end of the airstrip," Agnihotri told reporters. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all "Only the airport authority or the Directorate General of Civil Aviation can tell what happened, but I can say that there was a problem in landing," he said, adding, "We could see that the runway was ending." Agnihotri said all passengers stayed on the plane for about 20-25 minutes and the Dharamshala flight was cancelled. Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said he would speak to the Civil Aviation minister to discuss the matter. "I have been told that the emergency brakes had to be applied after the tyre burst and I would speak to the civil aviation minister in this regard." Jubbarhatti Airport, situated about 15 km from the state capital, has a 1,230-metre airstrip and is considered one of the most challenging airports due to its tabletop structure, where the runway is perched on an elevated plateau with steep drops on both sides. First Published: March 24, 2025, 18:22 IST 'They Want To Radicalise Students In India': Bangladesh Terror Outfits Pressure Govt To Revoke Ban | Exclusive Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: March 24, 2025, 17:15 IST Terrorist groups are attempting to manipulate students in various educational institutions to further their objectives. A senior officer told News18, "They want the ban on them lifted and they want to implement the same operational model in India." The groups are now taking to the streets of Bangladesh, marching for the establishment of a Caliphate. (AP File) Several terrorist organisations in Bangladesh are pressuring the government to revoke the ban imposed on them, according to intelligence sources. These groups, which aim to establish an Islamic State and Caliphate globally, are active in Bangladesh and are also attempting to operate in India. They are now taking to the streets of Bangladesh, marching for the establishment of a Caliphate. Recommended Stories The situation in Bangladesh is volatile, and they want to take full advantage of this," sources say. Sources also reveal that these groups have become increasingly active in Bangladesh, particularly in universities. They are attempting to manipulate students in various educational institutions to further their objectives. A senior officer told News18, They want the ban on them lifted and they want to implement the same operational model in India. They aim to radicalise students in educational institutions." THE BANNED TERROR OUTFITS The proscribed organisations in Bangladesh are: Harkatul Jihad Al Islami (HuJI) Jagrata Muslim Janata Bangladesh (JMJB) Jamatul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) Purbo Bangla Communist Party (PBCB) Islami Chattra Sibir (ICS) ISIS Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT) Ansar Al Islam Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) Hizbut Tahrir (HT) Allahar Dhal Hijbut Tawhid After assuming power, the interim government lifted the ban on Islami Chatra Sibir (ICS). Although a ban remains in effect, Hizbut Tahrir (HT), Ansar al Islam, Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT), and HuJI-inspired Hefajote Islam (HeI) are openly and actively propagating extremist agendas under the patronage of the government. THEIR ACTIVITIES The activities of these terrorist groups include: Demolition of more than 100 shrines Persecution of religious and ethnic minorities Open processions in favour of forming a so-called Caliphate Establishing Gazwa-e-Hind" Moral policing Releasing more than 200 convicted terrorists from jail Undermining and rendering ineffective counterterrorism capabilities. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all With support and collusion from the authorities, such open campaigns and activities by extremists would be nearly impossible, said sources. Although Dhaka maintains that it has no intention of lifting the ban on these groups, experts suggest that the release of Jashimuddin Rahemani, a member of Ansarullah Bangla Team, sends a strong signal. About the Author Kamalika Sengupta Kamalika Sengupta, Editor, Digital East of News18, is a multilingual journalist with 16 years of experience in covering the northeast, with specialisation in politics and defence. She has won UNICEF Laadli Awar... Read More Kamalika Sengupta, Editor, Digital East of News18, is a multilingual journalist with 16 years of experience in covering the northeast, with specialisation in politics and defence. She has won UNICEF Laadli Awar... Read More First Published: March 24, 2025, 14:39 IST Saurabh Rajputs Last Moments Before Brutal Murder By Wife Captured On CCTV | Watch Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: March 24, 2025, 19:28 IST Saurabh Rajput was brutally murdered allegedly by his wife and her lover in Meerut, after which the duo were arrested. Saurabh Rajput murder case (Photo: X) A new video has surfaced in connection with the Meerut murder case, showing Saurabh Rajput travelling on a bike with his friend in the city, shortly before he was murdered allegedly by his wife Muskan Rastogi, and her lover Sahil Shukla on March 4. The CCTV footage, that came to the fore days after his brutal murder, showed Saurabh and his friend on the bike entering a street at 11.49 pm on March 3. Recommended Stories Hours later, he was killed allegedly by his wife and her lover, and his body was chopped into pieces and sealed inside a drum, and cement was filled up. The couple then went on a 10-day trip to the mountains in Himachal Pradesh. As they returned from the trip, they were arrested by the police and sent to judicial custody. Saurabh had recently returned from London where he worked. He was married to Muskan since 2016 and had a six-year-old daughter. Muskan and Sahil had plotted to eliminate Saurabh from their way in November last year so that they could be together. Saurabh was allegedly drugged before murder. As he went unconscious, Muskan stabbed a knife into her husbands chest an action which was confirmed in the autopsy report, which said that the man was stabbed with extreme force thrice. The report further said that Saurabhs head was severed, hands cut off and legs bent. After the murder, they booked a cab and set off to Himachal Pradesh on a vacation. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all During this period, Muskan misled Saurabhs family by sending messages from his phone. They were seen attending a Holi party in a viral video. The murder came to the fore on March 18 after Saurabhs family reported him missing. This led to the arrest of the duo. Muskans parents have also demanded capital punishment for her. 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 : Meerut, India, India First Published: March 24, 2025, 19:12 IST 'Shocked Our Conscience': Supreme Court Raps UP Govt For Demolition Of Houses In Prayagraj Last Updated: March 24, 2025, 23:21 IST A bench comprising Justices Abhay S Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan also frowned upon the manner which the houses were bulldozed within 24 hours of serving notices without the time to appeal The top court was hearing a plea by advocate Zulfiqar Haider, professor Ali Ahmed and others whose houses were demolished. The Supreme Court on Monday slammed the Uttar Pradesh government over its high handed" demolition in Prayagraj saying it had shocked its conscience. A bench comprising Justices Abhay S Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan also frowned upon the manner which the houses were bulldozed within 24 hours of serving notices without the time to appeal. Recommended Stories It shocks our conscience how the residential premises were demolished in a high handed manner. The manner in which the whole process has been conducted is shocking. Courts cannot tolerate such process. If we tolerate in one case, it will continue," the bench said. The top court said it would allow the reconstruction of the demolished homes at the cost of the petitioners given their undertakings of filing the appeals before the appellate authority within the specified time and not claiming equities over the plot or creating third-party interests. If their appeals get dismissed, the court said, the petitioners must demolish the houses at their own cost. The matter was adjourned to enable the petitioners to file the undertaking. Defending state action, attorney general R Venkataramani assured of following the adequate due process" in serving the notices. He pointed out large-scale illegal occupations saying it was difficult for the state government to control unauthorised possession. The apex court had previously slammed the Uttar Pradesh government over the demolition of houses in Prayagraj without following due legal procedure and said the action sends a shocking and wrong signal". The counsel for the petitioners had said the state government wrongly demolished the houses thinking the land belonged to gangster-politician Atiq Ahmed, who was killed in 2023 in a police encounter. The top court was hearing a plea by advocate Zulfiqar Haider, professor Ali Ahmed and others whose houses were demolished. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The Allahabad High Court rejected their plea challenging the demolition. The petitioners alleged to have been served notice on March 6, 2021 in respect of certain constructions standing over a portion of Nazul Plot No. 19, Lukerganj, police station Khuldabad in Prayagraj district. First Published: March 24, 2025, 23:21 IST 'Voluntary Handover': Rippling Co-Founder Prasanna Dismisses Wife's Claim On Child's Custody, Shares 'Evidence' Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: March 24, 2025, 22:57 IST Prasanna said that he will leave the issue of child custody to courts. Prasanna Sankar co-founded Rippling with Parker Conrad in 2016. (IMAGE: X) Rippling co-founder Prasanna Sankar claimed that his Dhivya Sashidhar voluntarily handed over their child Amars custody and shared a screenshot of a WhatsApp conversation on social media site X. Dhivya meanwhile in a video claimed that her and Prasannas son has been missing. She also alleged that a certain Gokulakrishnan" who is Prasannas personal assistant forcibly took Amar away from her. Recommended Stories My son and I are US citizens. We have been staying in the US. Three weeks ago, he threatened us to come to India in the name of some property dispute. There is a matrimony dispute going on between us," Dhivya said. Someone named Gokulakrishnan, who is reportedly my husbands PA, had forcibly taken my son from me. I dont know the whereabouts of my son. Im suffering," she further added. Meanwhile, Prasanna earlier in a separate thread shared photos and videos on Sunday where he is seen with his son Amar. Son is safe and happy with me," he said. Prasanna Sankar, co-founder of the $10 billion HR tech company Rippling, has publicly accused his estranged wife, Dhivya Sashidhar, of infidelity and filing false legal complaints against him amid their ongoing divorce and custody battle. He claimed that their marriage deteriorated after he discovered Sashidhars alleged six-month affair with a man named Anoop. He claimed that the information was provided by Anoops wife through shared messages and hotel booking details. He also alleged that Dhivya demanded a substantial divorce settlement and accused her of filing false complaints against him, including allegations of domestic violence and rape when negotiations faltered. He stated that Singaporean authorities investigated these claims and subsequently cleared him of all charges. The marital feud has now escalated into a custody dispute over their nine-year-old son. Sankar and Dhivya have accused each other of abducting their child to the United States. He claimed that a US court ruled in his favour. He claimed that his wife took their child to the US to strengthen her divorce case. I filed an international child abduction case in the US. And the judge ruled in favour of me and asked to return the child," he continued. Later, they signed an MoU in Chennai where he agreed to pay his wife Rs 9 crore and Rs 4.3 lakh per month, with shared custody. However, he alleged that his wife violated the agreement claiming that the MoU is not valid and she wants more and will go to the US again to file a divorce." When he moved to court to ensure compliance, she accused him of kidnapping. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Sankar claims that the Chennai police have harassed him and his associates without proper legal basis, including detaining his friend Gokul without filing an FIR but on Monday evening he said that the commissioner has assured him that there will be no arrests. We have peace. (The) Commissioner has assured thered be no arrests. Will leave child custody to courts. Just wants to investigate if real kidnapping happened. My dad is returning back to his home. Im getting back to doing productive work. Thanks a lot for all your support!" 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 First Published: March 24, 2025, 22:57 IST Will Yashwant Varma Row Force Govt, SC To Come Together & Re-think Higher Judiciary Appointments? Written By : News18.com Edited By: Apoorva Misra Last Updated: March 24, 2025, 08:13 IST The NJAC law as passed by Parliament said a committee of six members would recommend names as judges but Supreme Court struck it down, saying executive involvement in the appointment of judges impinges upon the independence of the judiciary Left: Justice Yashwant Varma; Right: Image of burnt cash at his residence shared by SC Valid questions are being asked whether the processes in place to appoint and remove judges are adequate or thorough. Should transferring such a judge to another court, or not assigning him any judicial work, even count as any punishment? Recommended Stories Also, does the Justice Yashwant Varma matter now give a big handle and opportunity to the Narendra Modi government to press for urgent reforms in the Collegium system and revive the debate on its premier move, the National Judicial Appointments Commission, or the NJAC? The NJAC was struck down by the Supreme Court after the Modi governments law was passed by Parliament in 2014. Lets discuss the details of this big controversy thread-bare and dissect how opaque the system currently is to appoint a judge, and how difficult and challenging the law is to remove a judge. What Happened? First, what exactly happened? It was around 11.30pm on March 14 that fire services rushed to the 30, Tuglaq Crescent, residence of Yashwant Varma on getting a call about a fire in a storeroom at his residence. The judge was out of station at the time. A report on the fire, and a video captured on the site, speaks of 4-5 sacks of burnt cash at the scene. What followed was a statement of a security guard that the burnt material was removed from the site the next morning. Justice Varma questions the discovery of any such cash and denies that it belongs to his family. One of Indias top legal voices, Harish Salve, has said investigating agencies would be at ones doorstep with the scenario of raids and arrests if huge cash is found in their house but judges do not face any such danger. Any action against judges is through a long, complicated inquiry process. Removing A Judge No Easy Task So, lets talk about the challenging task of removing a judge on grounds of proved misbehaviour" or incapacity". The route is an in-house inquiry by a three-judge committee that has been instituted by the Chief Justice of India like in the Yashwant Varma matter. If the judge is indicted in this in-house inquiry, the CJI can ask the judge to resign. If the judge were to refuse, the CJI could then write to the government to initiate proceedings for his removal by Parliament under Article 124(4) of the Constitution. That would then require an impeachment motion in Parliament, a complex and lengthy procedure, which must be passed by a two-thirds majority in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. The matter can also be initiated by MPs if a motion is moved by not less than 100 members of the Lok Sabha or not less than 50 members of the Rajya Sabha. A three-member Inquiry Committee follows and if the Inquiry Report finds the judge guilty, the motion for removal has to be put to vote in both Houses of Parliament for impeachment and can be passed only by 2/3rd majority. This, of course, is very challenging. Since removal is only possible on grounds of proved misbehaviour or incapacity", the inquiry needs to find concrete evidence. A committee of judges must investigate allegations, which is time-consuming and requires meticulous proof. Also, achieving bipartisan support in Parliament is rare, adding to difficulties. Past Impeachment Attempts Look at the case of Justice V Ramaswami, who was the first Supreme Court judge to face impeachment proceedings. Despite being found guilty by the inquiry panel, impeachment failed in Lok Sabha due to the Congress partys abstentions. The CJI simply stopped allocating work to him until his retirement. In the case of Justice Soumitra Sen, who was the first judge to be voted for removal by Rajya Sabha with an overwhelming majority, he resigned before the motion could be tabled in Lok Sabha, avoiding full accountability. In the Justice CV Nagarjuna case in 2017, the impeachment motion initiated in Parliament failed because several MPs withdrew their signatures. In one of the most high-profile cases involving the sitting chief justice of India, Dipak Misra, the Rajya Sabha Chairman rejected the impeachment motion at the preliminary stage. This was the first time in Indian history that an impeachment motion was moved against a Chief Justice of India. In the case of Justice PD Dinakaran, the Chief Justice of Sikkim High Court, his resignation came on the first day of an inquiry panels sitting. This case highlighted the loophole allowing judges to escape accountability through resignation. So then, given how complex it is to remove a judge from his position, should not our country have a fool-proof system to ensure only honest and well-meaning people become judges? Bring Back NJAC? That brings us to the second issue: how a judge is appointed in India. It is through the collegium system for nearly the last four decades in which five top judges of the Supreme Court recommend names of judges for the higher judiciary across the country, as well as recommend their transfers. The government does its due diligence on such recommendations, seeking intelligence inputs, and can send them back to the collegium. But it has to approve them if the said recommendation is reiterated by the SC Collegium. For the record, former law minister Kiren Rijiju had said the collegium system is alien to the Constitution of India. In fact, do you know what the first major step of Narendra Modi was when he became the prime minister of India? It was to bring in a new law to replace the collegium system and make the process more transparent and, maybe, fairer. The National Judicial Appointments Bill introduced by the Narendra Modi government in 2014 was passed by an overwhelming majority in Parliament and signed into law by the President of India. But in 2015, in an unprecedented move, the SC junked the NJAC law to restore the collegium. The NJAC law as passed by Parliament said a committee of six members would recommend names as judges this would include the Chief Justice of India, the two most senior judges of the Supreme Court, the law minister, and two eminent persons. These eminent persons would be nominated by another committee consisting of the Chief Justice, the prime minister, and leader of the opposition. The key provision in the NJAC was that if two of the members of the six-member committee vetoed a name, the said person would not be recommended for appointment as a judge in the higher judiciary. This provision was a sticking point. This six-member committee structure was entirely different from the existing SC Collegium which only has five SC judges and no other inclusion from outside. In fact, even before the NJAC, several high-level commissions had suggested that an independent body be set up to appoint judges to the higher judiciary. The Supreme Court struck down the NJAC, saying the executive involvement in the appointment of judges impinges upon the independence of the judiciary. SC said this violates the principle of separation of powers between the executive and judiciary, which is a basic feature of the Constitution. Vice-President and Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankar has now said the NJAC would have addressed the issue of judicial accountability, but the SC struck it down. Some in the government say the SC was perhaps worried that given the two-member veto power in the NJAC committee, the government would have been able to shoot down recommendations of names of judges and push its own people. There were doubts over the feature of two eminent people to be selected on the committee, with judicial activity saying these could be close to government. But the government side says such assumptions were unfounded as even the eminent persons were to be selected by a 3-member committee that consisted of the Chief Justice of India and leader of opposition. But still, SC chose to consign the NJAC to the dustbin of history. How Other Countries Appoint Judges top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The government still maintains its case that the selection of judges must be a broad-based process like in other major countries of the world. Like in the UK, SC judges are appointed by a five-person selection commission; in Canada, such appointments are made by the Governor in Council and a selection panel comprising five MPs; In the USA, the appointments are made by the President and confirmed by the Senate; while in Germany, half the members of the federal constitutional court are elected by the executive and half by the legislature. Will the Yashwant Varma matter make the government and SC together re-think the aspect of higher judiciary appointments? It is high time that something is done. About the Author Aman Sharma Aman Sharma, Executive Editor - National Affairs at CNN-News18, and Bureau Chief at News18 in Delhi, has over two decades of experience in covering the wide spectrum of politics and the Prime Ministers Office.... Read More Aman Sharma, Executive Editor - National Affairs at CNN-News18, and Bureau Chief at News18 in Delhi, has over two decades of experience in covering the wide spectrum of politics and the Prime Ministers Office.... Read More First Published: March 24, 2025, 08:13 IST Experience The Exquisite Pathare Prabhu Cuisine At This Week-Long Food Festival In Mumbai Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: March 24, 2025, 19:33 IST The Pathare Prabhu cuisine is a unique blend of coastal Maharashtrian, Gujarati, and Kathiawari influences. Relish in this exquisite cuisine at this week-long celebration. Curated by Chef Bimba Nayak, the event offers seafood and vegetarian options. One of the most unique and lesser-known cuisines in Indias rich food culture is the Pathare Prabhu cuisine. With distinctive names, strong flavours, and fast cooking methods, this cuisine is influenced by Maharashtras coastal flavours and blended with Gujarati and Kathiawari traditions. It offers a mix of spices, fresh ingredients, and creative cooking techniques. The Pathare Prabhu cuisine traces its origins to one of Mumbais oldest communities. With a blend of coastal Maharashtrian, Gujarati, and Kathiawari influences, the cuisine features an exquisite array of seafood and vegetarian delicacies that are both traditional and innovative. Courtyard by Marriott Navi Mumbai is set to take its patrons on a delightful culinary journey with the Pathare Prabhu Food Festival, celebrating the rare and rich heritage of Pathare Prabhu cuisine. Recommended Stories From 21st March to 31st March 2025, this extraordinary food festival will be curated by renowned culinary expert Chef Bimba Nayak, who has been instrumental in reviving this 700-year-old cuisine. Chef Bimba Nayak brings over 52 years of experience in reviving and promoting Pathare Prabhu cuisine. She has been a pioneer in showcasing the deep-rooted traditions of Mumbais indigenous communities, playing a crucial role in preserving and elevating this historic culinary heritage. I am thrilled to showcase the flavours of my community to the guests at Courtyard by Marriott Navi Mumbai. Pathare Prabhu cuisine is a hidden gem, and I look forward to sharing its vibrant flavours and rich history with all the food lovers," she said. Non-vegetarian enthusiasts can relish delicacies such as Chutneycha Saranga, Bombil Cutlets, Bharleli Chimbori, Tajlatyle Mutton Sukhe, Kolambi Chi Khichdi, Prawns Khadkhadle, and Halwa Solache. For vegetarian connoisseurs, the menu features Pineapple Sambhare, Vangi Panchamrut Hi, Konfal Butterwalya, Bhende Vatane Bhaji, Kerolya, Sagoo, Dudhi Batata Gode, and Wadiche Bhujne. Whether you are a lover of seafood, an explorer of traditional flavours, or simply looking to try something new, this festival offers a rare chance to experience a cuisine that remains an integral part of Mumbais food culture. Details top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Location: Malang, Courtyard by Marriott Navi Mumbai Date & Time: 21st March 2025 to 31st March 2025; 1 PM to 4 PM (Lunch) | 7 PM to 12 Midnight (Dinner) About the Author Lifestyle Desk Our life needs a bit of style to get the perfect zing in the daily routine. News18 Lifestyle is one-stop destination for everything you need to know about the world of fashion, food, health, travel, relationshi... Read More Our life needs a bit of style to get the perfect zing in the daily routine. News18 Lifestyle is one-stop destination for everything you need to know about the world of fashion, food, health, travel, relationshi... 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! Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: March 24, 2025, 19:33 IST April Brings Two Long Weekends: Perfect Time for a Getaway Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: March 24, 2025, 09:31 IST Whether you're looking for adventure, relaxation, or cultural exploration, April's long weekends provide the perfect excuse to pack your bags and set off on a memorable trip. Matheran is well-connected by road. From Mumbai, it's a 1.5-2 hour drive via the Mumbai-Pune Expressway. April is shaping up to be an exciting month for working professionals and travel enthusiasts, thanks to two long weekends that offer the perfect opportunity for a quick escape. With holidays strategically placed throughout the month, many will be able to plan vacations, embark on short getaways, or simply enjoy quality time with loved ones. First Long Weekend: April 10-14 Recommended Stories The first extended break kicks off with Mahavir Jayanti on Thursday, April 10. Those who take leave on Friday, April 11 can enjoy an uninterrupted five-day weekend, as Saturday, April 12, and Sunday, April 13 (Vaisakhi), lead into Ambedkar Jayanti on Monday, April 14. Since Ambedkar Jayanti is a public holiday in several states, many travelers are expected to take advantage of this break for a domestic vacation. Second Long Weekend: April 18-20 The second long weekend arrives with Good Friday on April 18, followed by Saturday, April 19, and Easter Sunday on April 20. This three-day break presents another excellent opportunity to unwind, whether through a relaxing retreat or an adventure-filled escape. Where to Travel During Aprils Long Weekends With summer setting in, destinations across India are gearing up to welcome travelers. Here are some perfect places to explore based on your travel style: For Mountain Lovers: Shimla & Manali (Himachal Pradesh): Crisp weather, stunning landscapes, and plenty of adventure activities make these towns perfect for a cool getaway. Rishikesh (Uttarakhand): Ideal for those looking to unwind by the Ganges or indulge in river rafting and yoga retreats. Darjeeling (West Bengal): The Queen of the Hills is perfect for those who want a mix of tea estates, toy train rides, and breathtaking views of the Kanchenjunga. For Beach Enthusiasts: Goa: Aprils off-season charm means fewer crowds, making it ideal for a peaceful beach retreat with vibrant nightlife. Gokarna (Karnataka): A serene alternative to Goa, perfect for travelers looking for secluded beaches and a laid-back vibe. Andaman & Nicobar Islands: Crystal-clear waters, snorkeling, scuba diving, and stunning sunsets make these islands a dreamy getaway. For Cultural & Spiritual Experiences: Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh): A deeply spiritual experience, especially with the Ganga Aarti on the ghats. Amritsar (Punjab): With Vaisakhi falling on April 13, this is the best time to witness the Golden Temples grand celebrations. Jaipur & Udaipur (Rajasthan): If you love history, forts, palaces, and vibrant markets, Rajasthans royal cities are perfect for you. For Adventure & Wildlife Enthusiasts: Jim Corbett National Park (Uttarakhand): Spotting tigers and exotic wildlife makes this a thrilling weekend escape. Bandhavgarh & Kanha National Parks (Madhya Pradesh): Among Indias best tiger reserves, these parks offer a perfect jungle safari experience. Coorg (Karnataka): With its lush green coffee estates, trekking trails, and cool climate, Coorg is an adventurers paradise. Travel Surge Expected top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Given the back-to-back long weekends, travel experts predict a sharp rise in bookings for flights, hotels, and holiday packages. Popular destinations are likely to witness higher footfall, so early planning is advisable. Whether youre looking for adventure, relaxation, or cultural exploration, Aprils long weekends provide the perfect excuse to pack your bags and set off on a memorable trip. 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 24, 2025, 09:31 IST Visit These 5 Cities For The Worlds Best Chocolate Experience Published By : Trending Desk Last Updated: March 24, 2025, 18:57 IST Do you want to experience the worlds best chocolates? These 5 cities are the perfect places to go. Find out more. Belgium is known to have the worlds best chocolates. Chocolate cravings are real and they can affect your mood. Many arent aware that chocolate is not a misnomer; in its original form, cocoa powder was a bitter liquid until Europeans discovered it, modified it by adding sugar, and created what is now known as chocolate. Meanwhile, are you a chocolate lover and want to indulge your sweet tooth in the worlds best chocolate-loving countries? Here are these cities that you must visit to satisfy your cravings. Recommended Stories Bruges, Belgium Also known as the Chocolate Capital of the Flanders region, Bruges can be considered a true chocolate laboratory. This beautiful city is also home to over 50 enthusiastic chocolatiers. Visit Choco-Story, a museum two minutes from Bruges main square, to learn everything there is to know about chocolate in the city. The Chocolate Line, Chocoladehuisje, Pralinette and The Old Chocolate House are some of the best places to try. Paris, France Paris is one of the most favourite cities for travel in the world. However, many still arent aware of the tastiest and mouth-watering chocolates found in the city. Talking about its iconic history, Anne of Austria, King Louis XIIIs 14-year-old future wife, gave chocolate to him as a present. chocolate arrived in France in this manner, presented in a chest as a priceless gift. It was a costly, exotic, aphrodisiac, and practically a recreational drug back then. Pierre Herme, Patrick Roger, La Maison du Chocolat, Debauve & Gallais and Pierre Marcolini are some of the best stores. Brussels, Belgium Brussels is a dream city for chocolate lovers. Its full of chocolate shops, renowned chocolate makers and tasty classic chocolate dishes. Although chocolate was brought to Belgium as early as the 17th century, it became widely popular in the 19th century. The first Belgian chocolate is credited to pharmacist Jean Neuhaus. On the other hand, in 1912, the praline also came in buzz. Neuhaus, Wittamer, Pierre Marcolini, Laurent Gerbaud, Artisan Chocolatier Mary and Frederic Blondeel are some of the best stores. Turin, Italy Truin is known to be the cultural centre in northern Italy. It is also popular for having the best chocolates. According to history, Duke Emanuele Filiberto of Savoy celebrated the move of the Ducal Capital from Chambery to Turin in 1560 by serving hot cocoa. Turin continues to reinvent its chocolate heritage, starting with the invention of the Bicerin, a beverage made of coffee, cocoa, hard chocolate and milk cream. Caffarel, Guido Gobino Turin, Venchi and Peyrano, Giordano are some of the best shops. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Vienna, Austria Vienna is not just the capital city of Austria but is also popular for its savoury desserts. The history of excellent chocolate in Vienna dates back to the Habsburg Empire when the Austrian capitals artisan chocolates were a sought-after luxury. The Imperial Court spent roughly the same amount of money on chocolate and beer in the middle of the 18th century. Franz Sacher invented the Sachertorte in 1832. It was a cake that was extremely sweet, extravagant, and chock-full of chocolate. Schoko Company, Bonbons Neubaugasse, Lindt and Heindi are some of the best places to try Sachertorte. 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 24, 2025, 18:57 IST Amy Jackson And Gossip Girl Star Ed Westwick Welcome A Baby Boy, Name Him Oscar; Pics Go Viral Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: March 25, 2025, 00:09 IST This is Jacksons second child. She is already a mother to a 5-year-old son, Andreas, whom she shares with her ex-fiance, hotelier George Panayiotou. Amy Jackson and Ed Westwick welcome a baby boy. Chuck Bass is officially a dad! Gossip Girl star Ed Westwick, best known for his iconic role in the hit teen drama, has welcomed his first child with wife Amy Jackson. The couple announced the arrival of their baby boy, Oscar Alexander Westwick, through a heartwarming Instagram post on Monday. The black-and-white photos featured the couple holding their bundled-up newborn outdoors. Welcome to the world, baby boy. Oscar Alexander Westwick," they captioned the post. Recommended Stories This is Jacksons second child. She is already a mother to a 5-year-old son, Andreas, whom she shares with her ex-fiance, hotelier George Panayiotou. Westwick, 37, and Jackson, 33, announced their pregnancy in October 2024 through a stunning maternity shoot. The couple captioned the post, Mum and Dad," as Jackson debuted her growing baby bump in a beautiful white gown. The actress was later spotted flaunting her bump while out with Westwick in London. The couple tied the knot in a lavish ceremony on Italys Amalfi Coast in August 2024. The wedding was an extravagant affair attended by close family and friends. One month later, Westwick celebrated their wedding anniversary by sharing a romantic black-and-white photo from their nuptials. @iamamyjackson you made me the happiest guy on the planet. I love you," he wrote. Jackson and Westwicks love story began at the Silverstone Circuit racetrack in late 2021. Westwick proposed to the Singh Is Bliing actress in January 2024 during a romantic vacation in Gstaad, Switzerland. Announcing their engagement, the couple shared stunning pictures from the proposal and wrote, Hell YES." Westwick later gushed on Instagram that he had hit the jackpot." Westwick had previously praised Jackson for being a great mother" to Andreas. Jackson welcomed her first son in September 2019 but parted ways with Panayiotou two years later. Before finding love with Jackson, Westwick was in a relationship with influencer Tamara Francesconi for two years. About the Author Shrishti Negi Shrishti Negi is a journalist with over eight years of experience in the media industry. She leads the Entertainment desk at News18.com. She writes breaking news stories, generates feature ideas, edits copies, ... Read More Shrishti Negi is a journalist with over eight years of experience in the media industry. She leads the Entertainment desk at News18.com. She writes breaking news stories, generates feature ideas, edits copies, ... Read More First Published: March 25, 2025, 00:09 IST Shibani Dandekars Incredible Anniversary Celebration With Farhan Akhtar Looked Like This Published By : Trending Desk Last Updated: March 24, 2025, 19:26 IST From posing for some cool photos in the happening restaurant cum bar to savouring soothing beverages, Shibani Dandekar enjoyed her heart out at the bash, hosted by Amrita. Farhan Akhtar and Shibani Dandekar got married in 2022. (Photo Credit: Instagram) Farhan Akhtar and Shibani Dandekar recently attended the anniversary celebrations of Amrita Arora and her husband, Shakeel Ladaks restaurant-cum-bar in Goa. Post the fun-filled evening, Shibani dropped a post on social media, comprising some heartwarming glimpses from the celebrations. From posing for some cool photos in the happening place to savouring on soothing beverages, Shibani enjoyed her heart out at the bash, hosted by Amrita. Set on the shores of one of the beaches in Goa and featuring cool nature-inspired design elements, the restaurant-cum-bar makes for the perfect background for Shibanis photos with her friends and family. The carousel opens with a solo photo of the actress and VJ in a sultry mauve ruched maxi dress. Next up, she offers a view of the venue through some breathtaking clicks. In one of the most adorable photos, Farhan is seen giving a peck of love on Shibanis nose while in the background, we could spot the setting sun. Farhan sported a striped t-shirt, dripping comfort head to toe for the fun evening. Amrita Arora also makes an entry, wearing a printed co-ord set comprising a multi-coloured printed shirt and shorts. Recommended Stories An incredible anniversary night celebrating love in this magical place with decadent food and amazing music!" read Shibani Dandekars side note. Further, she mentioned, Thank you Amrita Arora and Shakeel Ladak and congratulations for this. Creating a space that is not just a restaurant or a bar, it is an experience. Beautifully crafted and filled with so much warmth and love, Jolene is home. We had the time of our lives!" Reacting to the post, Shabana Azmi enquired about the place, writing, Where is this ?" Shibani was quick enough to reply Goa! So stunning." Amrita Arora also commented on the post, mentioning, Shibs," followed by a series of heart emojis. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Shibani Akhtar (@shibaniakhtar) Speaking of Shibani Dandekar and Farhan Akhtar, the duo met in 2015 on the sets of the reality show I Can Do That and fell in love with each other, eventually tying the knot on February 19, 2022 at Javed Akhtars farmhouse in Khandala. Before Shibani, Farhan was married to Adhuna Bhabani. The duo parted ways from each other after 16 years of marriage. Post their separation, Farhan and Shibani made their relationship public at Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singhs wedding reception in Mumbai. First Published: March 24, 2025, 19:13 IST Deepika Padukone Slams Oscars Snubs, Says 'India Was Robbed Too Many Times' Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: March 24, 2025, 08:49 IST Deepika Padukone expressed frustration over India's repeated Oscar snubs, recalling the emotional moment when RRR's Naatu Naatu won Best Original Song in 2023. Deepika Padukone also praised RRR in her video. Bollywood star Deepika Padukone has voiced her frustration over Indias repeated snubs at the Academy Awards, stating that the country has been robbed" of its well-deserved Oscar wins multiple times. On Sunday evening, the actress shared a new video on her Instagram while getting ready for the Louis Vuitton show in Paris. In the clip, she spoke about the Oscars and reminisced about witnessing Indias historic win for Naatu Naatu from RRR at the ceremony. In the video, Deepika shared that one of the wins at this years Oscars that truly made her happy was Adrien Brodys victory for Best Actor. He won the award for his performance in The Brutalist. Recommended Stories Talking about an Oscar that has been a personal win for her, Deepika said, India has been robbed of the Oscars many times. Many, many deserving movies I feel like has got snubbed. Whether its movies, whether its talent But I remember being in the audience and when they announced RRR, I got emotional. Outside of being an Indian I had really nothing to do with that movie but that was a huge, huge moment. That felt very, very personal." RRR won the Oscar for Best Original Song in 2023 for Naatu Naatu. Take a look at Deepika Padukones post below: View this post on Instagram A post shared by (@deepikapadukone) Deepikas video featured glimpses of critically acclaimed Indian films, including Payal Kapadias All We Imagine As Light, Kiran Raos Laapataa Ladies, Rahi Anil Barves Tumbbad, and Ritesh Batras The Lunchbox. Despite their widespread praise, none of these films received an Oscar nomination. At the 97th Academy Awards, Anora emerged as the biggest winner of the night, taking home five Oscars. The film won Best Picture, while Mikey Madison secured Best Actress. Sean Baker dominated with three wins, earning Best Director, Best Editing, and Best Original Screenplay. Meanwhile, Deepika Padukone is the first Indian to be signed as a global ambassador for luxury fashion houses Louis Vuitton and Cartier. The global star was in Paris to attend the Louis Vuitton show at the Cour Carree du Louvre, the main courtyard of the Louvre Palace. First Published: March 24, 2025, 08:49 IST From Kunal Kamra to Samay Raina: 7 Comedians Who Faced Major Controversies Over Their Jokes Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: March 24, 2025, 15:41 IST From Kunal Kamras bold political satire to Samay Rainas controversial show, several Indian comedians have faced legal troubles and public outrage over the years. Kunal Kamras sharp satire, Samay Rainas viral controversy, and moreexplore how Indian comedians like Munawar Faruqui, Tanmay Bhat, and Vir Das have landed in legal trouble and public debates over their content. Comedy has always thrived on pushing boundaries, but in India, it often teeters on a tightrope between freedom of expression and public outrage. No one embodies this better than Kunal Kamra, whose sharp political satire has repeatedly landed him in controversy. And hes not alone. Over the years, several Indian comediansfrom Kamra to emerging names like Samay Rainahave faced intense backlash, legal troubles, or public condemnation for their content. Whether its a satirical dig at political figures or offhand jokes that dont sit well with certain groups, these incidents highlight how easily humor can spark nationwide debates. Heres a look at some of the most high-profile controversies involving Indian comedians, reflecting the challenges and risks that come with being unapologetically outspoken. Recommended Stories 1. Kunal Kamras Satirical Dig at Eknath Shinde Kunal Kamra, known for his sharp political commentary, found himself in hot water once again after a performance where he tweaked a popular Hindi song to label Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde a gaddar" (traitor). The jab didnt sit well with members of Shindes Shiv Sena faction, who retaliated by vandalizing the Habitat Comedy Club in Mumbai. The club temporarily shut down, citing safety concerns. An FIR was filed against Kamra, with political leaders, including CM Devendra Fadnavis, demanding an apology. The incident reignited discussions on whether satire has limits. 2. Samay Rainas Indias Got Latent Controversy Comedian Samay Raina courted controversy after an episode of his show Indias Got Latent" went viral for all the wrong reasons. Guest Ranveer Allahbadia posed an obscene question involving a contestants parents, triggering outrage. Police complaints followed, and Allahbadia was summoned, with even his passport seized. The issue escalated to Parliament, prompting serious conversations about regulating online content. Raina later removed the shows episodes and stated his willingness to cooperate with authorities. 3. Munawar Faruquis Arrest and Public Backlash Munawar Faruquis run-ins with controversy began in 2021 when he was arrested in Indore over allegations of making offensive jokes about Hindu deities and Amit Shahthough claims suggest the jokes werent even made. The uproar led to show cancellations and reignited freedom of speech debates. In 2024, post his Bigg Boss 17 win, Munawar again faced flak for an offhand comment about Konkani people during a crowd-work segment in Taloja. Social media backlash forced him to release an apology, acknowledging the insensitivity. 4. Tanmay Bhats Mimicry Row Tanmay Bhat, co-founder of AIB, landed in trouble in 2016 after a Snapchat video surfaced where he mimicked legends like APJ Abdul Kalam, Sachin Tendulkar, and Lata Mangeshkar using face filters. Many saw it as disrespectful, prompting public outrage. This, coupled with AIBs infamous roast event and their later #MeToo scandal, contributed to the groups decline. 5. Kapil Sharmas Off-Stage Troubles Kapil Sharma, typically known for his clean comedy, hasnt been controversy-free. In 2016, he was criticized for sexist remarks about women in government jobs. Later, his public fallout with co-star Sunil Grover, where Kapil reportedly hurled abuse mid-flight, stained his image and led to a brief career slump. 6. Kunal Kamras Airline Ban & Judicial Comments Kamras history of stirring controversy is well-documented. In 2020, he was banned by several airlines after confronting journalist Arnab Goswami on a flight. His tweets targeting the judiciary also led to contempt proceedings from the Supreme Court. Despite the backlash, Kamra continues to push boundaries with his bold satire. 7. Vir Das Two Indias Monologue In 2021, Vir Das set off a political firestorm with his Two Indias" monologue at Washingtons Kennedy Center. While many praised his candid take on Indias contradictions, others accused him of tarnishing the countrys image abroad. Legal complaints and demands for an apology soon followed, cementing his place in the list of comedians frequently walking the tightrope between humor and controversy. 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 24, 2025, 15:41 IST Kanye West Accuses Ex-Wife Kim Kardashian Of Sex Trafficking, Calls Kardashians Sex Workers Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: March 25, 2025, 00:51 IST Kanye West accused Kim Kardashian of being a sex trafficker and dragged the entire Kardashian family in a shocking X rant. Kim Kardashian was previously married to Kanye West. Kanye West is back in the headlines with explosive allegations against his ex-wife Kim Kardashian. Despite being separated for years, the drama between Kim and Kanye, who share four children, seems far from over. This time, Kanye has taken things to a whole new level by accusing Kim of being a sex trafficker." In a now-deleted rant posted on X (formerly Twitter), Kanye alleged that his children might be part of a child sex trafficking ring." His post, written in all caps, read, Kim Kardashian is a sex trafficker. I dont like that Tw*gs has my daughter in her video dressing all grown. I would have expected more from Twigs. Its f*** all you n*****. My soul is black. And watch yall dont believe me and just say Im crazy." Recommended Stories Kanye didnt stop at Kim. He also targeted Kris Jenner, claiming she played a pivotal role in the infamous Kim-Kanye sex tape leak. The grandmother signed for the sex tape," he wrote, suggesting Kris was involved in orchestrating the scandal. Taking things a step further, Kanye went on to label the entire Kardashian family as sex workers," adding that they sex traffic all of the Black children they strategically produce." These bombshell allegations come just as Kanye passionately called for the release of disgraced record mogul Sean Diddy" Combs. Diddy, whose career is now in tatters, was arrested in September 2024 on sex trafficking charges. He has pleaded not guilty and is currently awaiting trial, scheduled for May 5. While Kanyes statements have sparked a fresh wave of controversy, many fans and critics alike are questioning the legitimacy of his claims, with some dismissing his rants as yet another episode of erratic behaviour. However, his remarks have reignited heated debates around the Kardashians, Diddys case, and Hollywoods darker underbelly. About the Author Shrishti Negi Shrishti Negi is a journalist with over eight years of experience in the media industry. She leads the Entertainment desk at News18.com. She writes breaking news stories, generates feature ideas, edits copies, ... Read More Shrishti Negi is a journalist with over eight years of experience in the media industry. She leads the Entertainment desk at News18.com. She writes breaking news stories, generates feature ideas, edits copies, ... Read More Location : Los Angeles, United States of America (USA) First Published: March 25, 2025, 00:51 IST Karan Johar Reviews Adolescence, Calls It A Wake-Up Loud Call For Parents And A Forever Lesson Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: March 24, 2025, 10:11 IST Karan Johar praised Netflix's Adolescence, calling it a 'forever lesson' and a 'loud wake up call to parents'. Karan Johar has shared his thoughts on the Netflix show Adolescence. Karan Johar is seriously impressed with Adolescence! The filmmaker took to social media to share his thoughts on the film, calling it a wake-up loud call to parents" and a forever lesson"which pretty much sums up how deeply it resonated with him. Taking to his Instagram handle, KJo shared a long note about parenting struggles in the age of social media. Describing parenting as an arduous responsibility" and Adolescence as a blasterclass for parents," Karan Johar wrote in his note that no book or podcast can truly prepare someone to be the best version of a parent. He called the film a loud wake-up call for parents, especially in todays social media-driven world. Recommended Stories Sharing a poster of Adolescence, Karan Johar wrote, To be a Parent I have always known that raising a child is as much a blessing as it is an arduous responsibility No book or podcast can prepare you or teach you to be the best version of yourself as a parentwhat you need to first be is the best version of YOURSELF .. the very best." Adolescence is a wake up loud call to parents who are raising children in times of social media I grew up on conversations they speak in emojis I grew up on books they scroll reels .. I grew up on self discovery they are surrounded by comparisons the pandemic is NOW! We just dont see it. This gut wrenching show is more a mirror to parenting and social media commentary than anything I have a seen or been impacted by recently," he wrote. Thanking the creators of Adolescence, he wrote, I am raising twins and I thank this show for building my awareness and my responsibility quotient even more This is more than a series its a forever lessonI am grateful to the creators of #adolescence and to Netflix!" Take a look: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Karan Johar (@karanjohar) While youre here, watch the trailer of Adolescence here: Netflixs Adolescence tells the gripping story of 13-year-old Jamie Miller, who commits the shocking act of murdering a classmate, unraveling the deep impact it has on his family. The show has struck a chord with audiences worldwide. The four-part Netflix series has earned an impressive 99 per cent on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics raving about this masterpiece First Published: March 24, 2025, 10:11 IST Maria Shriver Recalls Brutal Divorce From Arnold Schwarzenegger After His Confession: 'It Broke My Spirit' Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: March 25, 2025, 04:20 IST Shriver filed for divorce in July 2011 after Schwarzenegger confessed during a marriage counselling session that he had fathered a secret child with their housekeeper. Arnold Schwarzenegger was married to Maria Shriver for 25 years before she learned of his infidelity. Maria Shriver has opened up about the emotional turmoil she endured following her shocking divorce from Arnold Schwarzenegger. In her upcoming memoir, I Am Maria: My Reflections and Poems on Heartbreak, Healing and Finding Your Home, the 69-year-old journalist candidly recounts how her marriage ended after 25 years, leaving her terrified and broken." Shriver filed for divorce in July 2011 after Schwarzenegger confessed during a marriage counselling session that he had fathered a secret child with their housekeeper, Mildred Baena, over a decade earlier. Their divorce, however, was not finalised until December 2021. Recommended Stories It broke my heart, it broke my spirit, it broke what was left of me," Shriver writes in the memoir, as reported by People. She adds, Without my marriage, my parents, a job the dam of my lifelong capital-D Denial just blew apart." Shrivers parents, Eunice and Sargent Shriver, had passed away in 2009 and 2011, respectively, adding to her grief. Shriver admits she was consumed with grief and wracked with confusion, anger, fear, sadness, and anxiety" following the bombshell revelation. She was left unsure of her identity and her place in the world, describing the period as brutal" and terrifying." The former first lady of California, however, takes a moment to praise her four children Katherine, 35, Christina, 33, Patrick, 31, and Christopher, 27 for showing immense courage" during the tumultuous time. Everything about their world and the sanctity of their home got uprooted in an instant," she writes. I do want to take a moment to acknowledge the grace, valor, and courage my children exhibited." In his 2023 Netflix documentary, Arnold, Schwarzenegger also acknowledged the pain he caused his family, saying, I have caused enough pain for my family because of my fk up." He admitted that discussing the past reopens old wounds, adding, Every time I talk about it, it opens up the wounds again." About the Author Shrishti Negi Shrishti Negi is a journalist with over eight years of experience in the media industry. She leads the Entertainment desk at News18.com. She writes breaking news stories, generates feature ideas, edits copies, ... Read More Shrishti Negi is a journalist with over eight years of experience in the media industry. She leads the Entertainment desk at News18.com. She writes breaking news stories, generates feature ideas, edits copies, ... Read More Location : Los Angeles, United States of America (USA) First Published: March 25, 2025, 04:20 IST Salman Khan Says Sikandar Director AR Murugadoss Made Him Shoot 14-Hours Daily Despite Rib Injury Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: March 24, 2025, 09:05 IST Salman Khan returns in AR Murugadoss' political action thriller Sikandar, releasing March 30. Despite a rib injury, he committed to 14-hour shoots. Rashmika Mandanna and Sathyaraj also star. Salman Khan and AR Murugadoss have teamed up for Sikandar. Salman Khan will be back this Eid with a major release! His upcoming film, Sikandar, directed by AR Murugadoss, is all set to hit theatres on March 30, 2025. The grand trailer launch of the political thriller was held on Sunday, March 23, in Mumbai. Sikandar also marks Murugadoss first collaboration with Salman, hence the expectations are at an all time high. At the trailer launch event, the Bollywood superstar was seen talking about his experience working on Sikandar sets. Khan shared an interesting anecdote to reveal how Murugadoss constantly pushed him, especially in action sequences, to bring out his best. Salman also revealed that he did early morning shoots for Sikandar, something which he has always avoided before for his previous films. Recommended Stories Not just that, Salman Khan even committed to 14-hour shoot schedules even while he was recovering from a major rib injury. He recalled shooting from 7 am to 9 pm on some days despite the injury. Murugadoss kept pushing me even in action sequences," Khan shared. He further joked, When the going gets tough, the tough get going." Meanwhile, after photos of Salman Khan looking a bit out of shape" went viral, fans started worrying about his fitness. Clearing the air, the actor explained that it was just due to lack of sleep and nothing more. Kabhi 5-6 din se sote nahi toh log photo daal ke bol dete hain. But I wanted to show them ki abhi bhi hai. (Sometimes, when I havent slept properly for 56 days, people post my photos and make assumptions. But I wanted to show them I still have it in me.)" Also starring Rashmika Mandanna and Sathyaraj, Sikandar is set to hit the big screen next Sunday (March 30), perfectly timed with Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations. The film boasts stunning cinematography by S. Thirunavukarasu, with Vivek Harshan handling the edits. Pritam has composed the soundtrack, featuring lyrics by Sameer, while the background score has been crafted by acclaimed South Indian composer Santhosh Narayanan. First Published: March 24, 2025, 09:05 IST Sushant Singh Rajput Case: Dia Mirza Asks For 'Written Apology' For Rhea Chakraborty As CBI Rules Out Foul Play Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: March 24, 2025, 10:42 IST Rhea Chakraborty and her family were cleared by the CBI in Sushant Singh Rajput's death case. Dia Mirza and Rhea's lawyer criticized the media's treatment of Rhea. The CBI has closed its probe into Sushant Singh Rajput's death. Sushant Singh Rajput Case: Rhea Chakraborty, her brother Showik Chakraborty, and their family have been officially cleared by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in connection with the death case of actor Sushant Singh Rajput. After years of speculation and intense scrutiny, the agency concluded there was no evidence of foul play in Rajputs tragic death at the age of 34 in his Mumbai apartment in 2020. Back in September 2020, Rhea and Showik were arrested by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) over a drug-related case linked to the late actors death. Recommended Stories Meanwhile, actress Dia Mirza has reacted to the CBIs closure report and said that the media owes Rhea an apology. Taking to Instagram Stories, she wrote, Who in the media will have the grace to put out a written apology to Rhea Chakraborthy and her family? You went on a witch hunt. You caused deep anguish and harrasment just for TRPs. Apologise. Thats the very least you can do. @rhea chakraborty." Also Read: Pooja Bhatt Reacts To Rhea Chakrabortys Clean Chit, Shares Akshay Kumars Old Post: Truth Has Prevailed Rheas legal counsel, Satish Maneshinde, also weighed in on the development, shedding light on the hardships Rhea and her family endured throughout the investigation. He emphasized that despite no wrongdoing, Rhea spent 27 days in jail before being granted bail. I salute her and her family for having kept silent and yet suffered the inhuman treatment they were meted," Maneshinde stated. He revealed that Rheas family had approached him through close friends and defense personnel known from his Sainik School days. He further disclosed how his legal team, alongside Rheas family, faced relentless threats and harassment but remained steadfast in their pursuit of justice. Maneshinde also strongly opposed the media frenzy around the case. He criticized the false stories spread on social media and news platforms, saying that the lockdown caused more misinformation as people spent more time on their screens with fewer events happening. About the Author Shreyanka Mazumdar Shreyanka Mazumdar is Chief Sub Editor of the entertainment team at News18. With an unbridled passion for all things Bollywood, she loves deep-diving into the glitz and glamour of the entertainment world, bring... Read More Shreyanka Mazumdar is Chief Sub Editor of the entertainment team at News18. With an unbridled passion for all things Bollywood, she loves deep-diving into the glitz and glamour of the entertainment world, bring... Read More First Published: March 24, 2025, 07:31 IST Opinion | Civilisational State, Civilisation-State, Or Civilisational Nation: Which Best Describes India? Written By : News18.com Last Updated: March 25, 2025, 00:54 IST Merely being a civilisation does not guarantee a nation-states elevation to the level of a civilisation-state. All civilisation-states are nation-states, but the converse is not true While answering a question on the Lex Fridman Podcast, PM Narendra Modi described India as a millennia-old civilisation. (Image: YouTube/File) In recent yearssince 2014, to be more specificterms like civilisational state or civilisation-state have gradually become part of public discourse across large sections of the Indian mainstream and social media. In July 2014, renowned Indologist Dr Koenraad Elst used the term civilisation-state in a blog post titled India as a civilization-state, arguing for the need to rethink the identity of the Indian Republic as a civilisation-state. In 2021, advocate and author J. Sai Deepak explored the concept of Indian civilisation and the civilisational state at length in his book India That Is Bharat: Coloniality, Civilisation, Constitution (Bloomsbury, 2021). Last week, while answering a question on the Lex Fridman Podcast, Prime Minister Narendra Modi described India as a millennia-old civilisation. This statement sparked an animated discussion on social media, where some people, including journalists, went on to assert that the prime minister had characterised India as a civilisational state. But did he really do so? Recommended Stories OF CONCEPTS AND CONFUSION To many of us, the term civilisational state/civilisation-state represents a rather vague concept. Often, we tend to apply the term quite loosely in writing or in speech sometimes merely to sound cool before an audience. Many Indians end up confounding it with the Sanskrit term rashtra, and sometimes with the European term nation, clearly oblivious of either terms conceptual frameworks and historical underpinnings. Sometimes we are just unable to define the idea behind these technical terms in clear, coherent words largely because our woolly thinking hasnt been refined through appropriate training in navigating, interpreting, or carrying out critical historico-philosophical ways of thinking. In this brief reflection, I shall explore the ideas embodied in terms like civilisational state/civilisation-state and civilisational nation. Hopefully, this will help shed some of the baggage of confusion and conceptual problems that these terms have put on, due to their uncritical circulation in the popular discourses of our country for over a decade now. FROM NATION TO CIVILISATION A nation is a people united by shared cultural practices and political aspirationsthough not necessarily bound to a fixed geographical area at all times. For instance, monotheistic faith-based nations may have clearly defined objectives of political expansion or the reclamation of long-lost political power and sovereignty. Over time, it is natural for such a people to develop traditions and establish institutionswhether religious or theological, social and moral, political and administrative, legal-juridical, economic-industrial, educational, or artistic-aesthetic. At a fundamental level, all these institutions embody the peculiar cultural practices and the specific socio-political aspirations of that nation and enforce them whenever these practices and aspirations are at risk of being violated by elements internal or external. When these institutionscollectively embodying and enforcing the shared cultural practices and political aspirations of the nationripen through an unbroken, continuous existence in time, and grow a kind of resilience through varied temporal and worldly experiences, they give rise to a civilisation. CULTURE AS BASE, CIVILISATION AS SUPERSTRUCTURE For various aspects of a culture, the process of continuously existing and surviving through timeusing resilience acquired on the waycan be named tradition (or, sometimes custom). A tradition/custom is not a concept, but a practice. More often than not it is a process, albeit long-drawn, and seldom a fossilised monolith. Traditions and customs tend to be worldly, practical, and more tangiblecontrary to concepts which are intellectual and intangible. Traditions and customs act as a bulwark against the unavoidable challenges arising out of nature and the limitations inherent in man. Traditions and customs operate in the real world, and as a result, sometimes they have to make compromises and adjustments with the shifting realities of the world, just to ensure continuity in constant flux. Consequently, traditions and customs bear clear imprints of the world. They belong to this world, not the otherworld; they pertain to and influence life, not the afterlifeeven when they invoke the heavens or the divine. A society, which originates and exists through the day-to-day associations people form via economic and social exchanges (such as in business and marriage), is both defined and sustained by its traditions and customs. On the other hand, institutions, as described above, are products of one or more traditions/customs that have deepened their imprints on time and on the shared consciousness of a people. Therefore, we can define civilisation as a nations culture wrought in a historical tradition over long years, and ultimately manifested as a network of multiple institutions that help preserve, as well as pass on, the core tenets of the nations culture. Tradition involves not only the preservation but also (and more importantly) the careful transmission of a nations unique practices, beliefs, skills, knowledge, and the nations distinct outlook, down the successive generations. In short, a nations culture, thanks to long-standing traditions, crystallises into a civilisation. Borrowing Marxs analogy, one could therefore describe the national culture of a people as the base, and its civilisation the superstructure a large and intricately designed architectural unit, like a palace, made of interlocking traditions and institutions, and standing firm on solid foundations of culture (which includes, among other things, politics). THE INDIAN CIVILISATION AND THE INDIAN REPUBLIC: CIVILISATIONAL STATE OR CIVILISATIONAL NATION? On the Lex Fridman Podcast, Prime Minister Modi stated that Indian culture had crystallised into a civilisation over thousands of years, adding that this civilisation has a unifying thread running through it, primarily consisting of religious institutions (such as pilgrimages) and socio-linguistic customs (such as peoples names). This assertion is a clear acknowledgement of historical Indias civilisational character and has the additional virtue of being an accurate assessment. However, some journalistsincluding those from the English-language mediaand many social media users seized upon this statement, gave it a twist, and claimed that the Prime Minister had described India as a civilisational state on that occasion. Let us now dissect their claim. A civilisational state or civilisation-state is a polity (i.e., a form of government; a nation organised into a political entity) which embraces, or, is founded upon the worldview and the values of a civilisation. For example, England used to be a civilisation-state before it was superseded by the UK. Russia is a civilisation-state. So is the Vatican City. From Asia, Japan used to be a civilisation-state before it was defeated by the West in World War II. The Indian Republica polity formed in the year 1950 CE after India gained independence from the British Empireis not a civilisational state/civilisation-state, at least not yet, because the foundational values of the Republic and the operational worldview of its officialdom share a very tenuous relationship with the historical (and still surviving) Indian civilisation. As explained above, a civilisation is essentially the culture of a nation crystallised into resilient, time-honoured traditions and institutions. Simply put, a civilisation represents a more mature stage in a nations life. In a remarkable feat of institutional resilience and traditional endurance, the historical Indian civilisation has retained many of its constituent institutions and traditions to this day, with numerous Indians (including the diaspora) fervently upholding them. Notably, some of these institutions and traditions are mentioned in texts dating back more than three millennia. However, these millennia-old institutions and traditions rarely have the opportunity to shape or revitalise the present-day Indian state, aside from their cursory inclusion in mottos, sarkari symbols, and occasional lofty quotations in official speeches and documents. The currents of thought and behavioural patterns officially acknowledged and endorsed by the modern Indian state often contradict the institutions and traditions that define the living Indian civilisation. Therefore, it is incorrect to assume that present-day India is a civilisational state. It will become one only when it fully and uninhibitedly embraces the values and worldview of Indian civilisation. Until then, admirers of Indian civilisation in generaland Indian citizens in particularmust sincerely and consistently work to bridge the gap between the living civilisation and the mechanical Republic. Superficiality, sensationalism, and clickbait journalism will not help in this regard. But if present-day India is not a civilisational state, can it at least be called a civilisational nation? Most certainly, it can. Let us now examine the concept of a civilisational nation. I will begin by challenging the way I have previously defined a civilisational state or civilisation-state. One might argue that a nation can still be considered a civilisational state even if the states formal institutions and instrumentssuch as the judiciary, the army, or the constitutiondo not derive any intellectual, moral, or traditional sustenance from the nations civilisational character and legacy. In such cases, they may contend, a state or polity governing a nation qualifies as a civilisational state simply because the nations civilisational character and legacy serve as a unifying force, holding together its diverse elements and ensuring its continuous existence as a single political entity. Following this line of argument, they may assert that India is a civilisational state because Indians are able to sustain a state in the first place due to the thread of civilisational unity that cuts across linguistic and cultural differences within the Indian subcontinentregardless of how disconnected the Indian state may be from the nations civilisational character and legacy. According to this view, the Indian Republic is already a civilisational state because Indias civilisational character/legacy stops it from disintegrating or balkanising, and thus ceasing to exist. My counter to this ingeniously argued projection of present-day India as a civilisational state is as follows: Such an approach to the concept of a civilisational state only adds ambiguity to the classification and understanding of different types of states. If this were a valid way of thinking, we would be compelled to regard Taiwan and present-day China (i.e., the Peoples Republic of China), or North and South Korea, as entirely separate civilisationsmerely by virtue of their present-day divided existence. The fact that these countries are now politically fragmented and often hostile to each other does not negate their shared civilisational legacy. There remains significant common civilisational ground between these now-divided nations, and some of them actively embrace (or at least claim to embrace) this shared civilisational heritage. However, in essence, each of these countries functions as a distinct nation-state while simultaneously being part of the same civilisation, which currently lacks a unified state. But the absence of a common civilisational state does not prevent these separated nations from acknowledging their shared civilisational identity. The same can be said of the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, Germany and Austria, or Norway and Sweden. Each of these pairs of nation-states shares a common civilisational heritage, yet this shared legacy alone has not ensured their political unity as a single state or polity. Nonetheless, they continue to recognise their common civilisational roots. Due to this complexity, I believe that the category civilisational nation is conceptually very useful. It can be defined as a nation that acknowledges its civilisational character and legacy, and yet does not operationalise that vital aspect in constituting and running its polity or state. Neither does it object to being balkanised, and remain in that condition, by appealing to its civilisational heritage. All the countries named above presently behave in this way. And so does the Indian Republic. Therefore, the Indian Republic can definitely be described as a civilisational nation but one that lacks a civilisational state. Merely being a civilisation does not guarantee a nation-states elevation to the level of a civilisation-state. All civilisation-states are nation-states, but the converse is not true. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all In Fridmans show, Prime Minister Modi was wise enough to avoid making a false characterisation about the Indian state. It is quite likely that he is aware of the conceptual distinction between a civilisation and a civilisational state. After all, he is the one who actually runs the Indian state, and, therefore, is intimately familiar with its true character. The author is an educator, researcher, and social commentator discoursing to rekindle the Indic consciousness in a postmodern, neoliberal world. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views. First Published: March 24, 2025, 20:04 IST Allahabad HC Gives 4 Weeks To Centre To Decide On Rahul Gandhi's Citizenship Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: March 24, 2025, 19:20 IST The Lucknow bench of the High Court, comprising Justice AR Masoodi and Justice Ajay Kumar Srivastava, was hearing a petition filed by BJP leader Subramanian Swamy. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. (Image/PTI) The Allahabad High Court on Monday granted the Centre four weeks time to decide on the issue of Congress MP Rahul Gandhis citizenship. The Lucknow bench of the High Court, comprising Justice AR Masoodi and Justice Ajay Kumar Srivastava, was hearing a petition filed by BJP leader Subramanian Swamy, alleging that Rahul Gandhi had declared himself a British citizen in documents submitted to British authorities, reported India Today. Recommended Stories The Centre had sought eight weeks to file the status report. The court has set April 21 as the next date of hearing. Swamys plea said on August 6, 2019, a letter was sent to the ministry alleging Gandhi had voluntarily disclosed" to the British government that he was a citizen of British nationality, amounting to holding a British passport. Swamy therefore said the Congress leader, being an Indian citizen, had violated Article 9 of the Constitution, read with the Indian Citizenship Act, and would cease to be an Indian citizen. He claimed of having made several representations to the ministry inquiring about the status of his complaint but neither was any action taken nor was he intimated about it. In November last year, Centre had informed the High Court that a petition alleging dual citizenship being held by the Rae Bareli MP was being looked into. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The Centres submission came while the court heard a plea filed by advocate and BJP leader Vignesh Shishir, who also sought a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into Gandhis citizenship. He claimed to have confidential e-mails to support his claim. We have direct communication from the UK government that Mr Gandhi is in their citizenship records," he told NDTV. 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 : Prayagraj, India, India First Published: March 24, 2025, 19:20 IST 'It's All False': Shivakumar Denies 'Constitution Change' Remark, BJP Dismisses 'Misquoted' Claim Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: March 24, 2025, 14:47 IST BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad accused Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar of intending to change the Constitution for Muslim reservation. Shivakumar denied the claim, calling it BJP's misquotation. BJP leaders and Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar engage in a war of words over his 'Constitution change' remark. (Source: PTI) BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad, while speaking on the political row over Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumars Constitution change remark, on Monday said that the leader was not misquoted as he had claimed earlier in the day. He meant that if the opportunity arises, we will change the Constitution," said Prasad in the press conference. He added that this is an appeasement politics that Congress is indulging in for the sake of the Muslim vote. Recommended Stories #WATCH | Delhi | BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad says, I will read out Karnataka Dy CM DK Shivakumars statement: There is a big debate going on regarding this issue (4% reservation). Many BJP leaders have claimed that Muslims are repairing bikes, and it is our responsibility to pic.twitter.com/U6uGR19AaQ ANI (@ANI) March 24, 2025 Hours before, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said, The NDA party has taken very serious note of the statement given by a senior Congress leader who is holding a Constitutional position and he has clearly stated that the reservation in contracts to the Muslims is a step towards providing reservation and other facilities to the Muslim community and for that, he has clearly stated that the Constitution of India would be changed. His statement is very clear." #WATCH | Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju says, Today, both the Houses of Parliament Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha had to be adjourned on a very serious issue. The NDA party has taken very serious note of the statement given by a senior Congress leader who is holding a pic.twitter.com/smG2SnnrVP ANI (@ANI) March 24, 2025 Our Constitution is secular, there can be reservation on the basis of economic and social criteria but there cannot be reservation on the basis of religious identity and affiliationBy amending the Constitution, the person has committed a fraud on the Constitution of India," he added. DK Shivakumar Alleges BJP Falsely Attributing Statements To Me While speaking to CNN-NEWS18 amid the political row over his Constitution change remark, Shivakumar said that he is a sensible politician. I have just said that there are various orders in the public domain where amendments have taken place. I know what the Constitution is. It is all false. I am very clear, I came to the TV18 conclave and said that nothing is impossible. Whatever the BJP is quoting is wrong," he said. There are so many cases where the courts have given orders and states have changed the amendment. We are not in favour of changing the constitution, we are for protecting it," Shivakumar added. Earlier, DK Shivakumar wrote on X that BJP leaders are trying to malign the Congress Party and falsely attribute statements to him. A frustrated BJP, its State and Central leadership & its Union Minister, @KirenRijiju are resorting to brazen and blatant lies to malign the Congress Party and me by falsely attributing statements to me. BJP & its lying Ministers should know -: 1. I was not present in the Assembly when the discussion on the Bill took place. 2. I have never stated that the Constitution will be amended in any manner to give religion-based reservation," Shivakumar said on X. A frustrated BJP, its State and Central leadership & its Union Minister, @KirenRijiju are resorting to brazen and blatant lies to malign the Congress Party and me by falsely attributing statements to me.BJP & its lying Ministers should know -:1. I was not present in the pic.twitter.com/o5eHgP9xZC DK Shivakumar (@DKShivakumar) March 24, 2025 Historically, Baba Saheb and Congress framed the Constitution and BJPs parent organization opposed it. Even in the last Parliament, the BJP wanted to change the Constitution and was asking for 400 seats to deny rights to the poor and underprivileged. To hide their sins, they are now accusing the Congress and me. Also, reservation in Karnataka is given based on criteria of backwardness. 3. BJP is peeved with the 5 Guarantees of Congress which transfers over 52,000 CR to the poor and underprivileged. The sinister design is to somehow abolish the Guarantees, which will never happen and can happen over my dead body. I will continue this fight to defend the guarantees and these conspiracies of BJP will fail decisively," he added. Earlier in the day, Shivakumar had said that he had casually spoken about many changes introduced after different judgements. He had further said that BJP and not the media is misquoting him. #WATCH | Bengaluru: Amid the row over his remarks on Constitution, Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar says, I am a sensible, senior politician, than Mr Nadda. I have been in the Assembly since the last 36 years. I have a basic common sense. I have said casually that there will be pic.twitter.com/LSctB7qf2T ANI (@ANI) March 24, 2025 I am a sensible, senior politician, than Mr Nadda. I have been in the Assembly for the last 36 years. I have a basic common sense. I have said casually that there will be so many changes after various judgements. As per the quota of the backwards classes, reservation has been given. I have not said that we are going to change the Constitution. Whatever they are quoting is wrong. They are miscarrying it. We are a national partyIt is our party that brought the Constitution to this countryI will take a breach of privilege on this. I will fight a case. The media is not misquoting me. It is the BJP who is misquoting me," he said while speaking to media. What Did DK Shivakumar Say That Caused Political Uproar? DK Shivakumar, while speaking about the bill which provided a 4% quota to Muslims in public contracts in the state on News18 India Diamond States Summit 2025 on Sunday, said that the constitution will be changing". While speaking about the reservation, Shivakumar went on to say Lot of changes are there, Constitution will be changing, there are judgements which alters the Constitution also". top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all There is a big debate going on regarding this issue. Many BJP leaders have claimed that Muslims are repairing bike punctures. It is our responsibility to uplift every section of society, allowing them to come forward and be part of the development. We have initiated something, and we know that everyone will approach the court. Many judgments have altered the Constitution over time," Shivakumar said. Let us see, let us watch. Let what court comes out. We have started something, I know that everyone will go to the court. Let us wait for some good day, the day will come. Lot of changes are there, Constitution will be changing, there are judgements which alters the Constitution also," the deputy chief minister added. 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 24, 2025, 14:00 IST Congress Moves To Initiate Privilege Proceedings Against Kiren Rijiju In Parliament Over Shivakumar Remark Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: March 24, 2025, 16:37 IST The Congress on Monday moved to initiate privilege proceedings against Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju accusing him of misleading the Parliament by attributing what it called false statements to Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju speaks in the Rajya Sabha during the Budget session of Parliament, in New Delhi, Monday, March 17, 2025. (IMAGE: PTI FILE) The Congress on Monday moved to initiate privilege proceedings against Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju accusing him of misleading the Parliament by attributing what it called false statements" to Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar. DK Shivakumar, while speaking about a bill which provided a 4% quota to Muslims in public contracts in the state on News18 India Diamond States Summit 2025 on Sunday, said that the constitution will be changing". His remarks sparked backlash from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders and the issue was also raised in the parliament by Rijiju and his fellow partyman Ravi Shankar Prasad. Recommended Stories The NDA party has taken very serious note of the statement given by a senior Congress leader who is holding a Constitutional position and he has clearly stated that the reservation in contracts to the Muslims is a step towards providing reservation and other facilities to the Muslim community and for that, he has clearly stated that the Constitution of India would be changed. His statement is very clear," Rijiju had said. On 24 March, 2025, shortly after the House met, Shri Kiren Rijiju had blatantly misled the House by attributing some false statements purportedly made by Shri D. K. Shivakumar, Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka. Shri DK Shivakumar has since refuted the statements attributed to him to be false and derogatory in nature. Hence, the remarks made by Shri Kiren Rijiju are false and misleading which constitute a breach of privilege and contempt of the House," the Congress chief whip Jairam Ramesh wrote to the Rajya Sabha chairman. While speaking about the reservation, Shivakumar went on to say Lot of changes are there, Constitution will be changing, there are judgements which alters the Constitution also". top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all There is a big debate going on regarding this issue. Many BJP leaders have claimed that Muslims are repairing bike punctures. It is our responsibility to uplift every section of society, allowing them to come forward and be part of the development. We have initiated something, and we know that everyone will approach the court. Many judgments have altered the Constitution over time," Shivakumar said. Let us see, let us watch. Let what court comes out. We have started something, I know that everyone will go to the court. Let us wait for some good day, the day will come. Lot of changes are there, Constitution will be changing, there are judgements which alters the Constitution also," the deputy chief minister added. 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 First Published: March 24, 2025, 15:46 IST Another Law To Appoint Judges? Centre Hints At Possible NJAC Revival Amid Justice Varma Cash Row Reported By : News18.com Edited By: Oindrila Mukherjee Last Updated: March 24, 2025, 21:04 IST Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh raised the issue while Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar's reference to the NJAC Act is significant and indicative of the Centre's future plans Vice-President and Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar during a meeting with Leader of the House Jagat Prakash Nadda and Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge in his chamber at Parliament House in New Delhi on March 24. (Image: @VPIndia/PTI) Amid the purported cash recovery from the residence of Justice Yashwant Varma, there is indication that the central government is mulling another law on the appointment of judges. According to sources, it is early days yet but it looks like the Centre is not ruling out this option. What could make this easier is that the opposition, especially the Congress, is likely to be onboard with this. Recommended Stories Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh raised the issue on March 21 while Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhars reference to the National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC) Act is significant and indicative of the governments future plans. Earlier on Monday, Dhankhar called a meeting of Leader of the House JP Nadda and Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge in his chamber. Without naming it, he hinted at a possible revival of the NJAC Act, which was passed in 2014 but struck down by the Supreme Court the following year. You will recollect the mechanism passed by this House with near unanimity. I wish to find the status of that. That historic legislation endorsed by this Parliament with unprecedented consensual support dealt with the malaise. If the malaise had been dealt with perhaps we would not have countenanced such kind of issues," he said. Sources said at this meeting, the discussion was focused on the cash found and the ongoing investigation. While a law like the NJAC Act was not discussed or finalised, the suggestion was to do more than what was there at present so as to ensure the judiciarys image remains untarnished and is not compromised. As of now, most of the opposition seems to be onboard about changing or tweaking the current system. An all-party meeting will soon be called by the Vice President to take the matter forward. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all ALSO READ | Justice Yashwant Varma Figured In CBI And ED Case Earlier, SC Set It Aside Last Year Justice Yashwant Varma is now subject to an inquiry after the purported discovery of a large stash of cash following a fire at his official residence, till further orders. The Supreme Court Collegium headed by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna on Monday recommended his transfer to the Allahabad High Court, soon after the Delhi High Court withdrew work from him. About the Author Pallavi Ghosh Pallavi Ghosh has covered politics and Parliament for 15 years, and has reported extensively on Congress, UPA-I and UPA-II, and has now included the Finance Ministry and Niti Aayog in her reportage. She has als... Read More Pallavi Ghosh has covered politics and Parliament for 15 years, and has reported extensively on Congress, UPA-I and UPA-II, and has now included the Finance Ministry and Niti Aayog in her reportage. She has als... Read More First Published: March 24, 2025, 17:44 IST 'No One Should Go Beyond Law': Ajit Pawar Reacts To Eknath Shinde Parody Amid Political Slugfest Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: March 24, 2025, 12:38 IST Comedian Kunal Kamra's jibe at Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde led to political squabbling. Shinde's faction ransacked a hotel and threatened Kamra. Uddhav's faction supported Kamra as BJP and Congress debated over freedom of speech. Kunal Kamra mocks Eknath Shinde (Photo: X/ Kunal Kamra, PTI) Maharashtras Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Monday said that no one should go beyond the law while commenting on the ruckus over comedian Kunal Kamras joke on the states other Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Pawars comment came at a time when the leaders of various parties engaged in political squabbling over Kamras jibe at Shinde in a stand-up act on Sunday. Recommended Stories Kamra, while performing at the Habitat Studio in The Unicontinental Mumbai in Mumbais Khar, called Shinde a traitor" and used a modified version of a Hindi song from the Bollywood movie Dil To Pagal Hai" to take a dig at the 2022 rebellion of Shinde against Uddhav Thackeray. Follow Live Updates Soon after the performance, the party workers of Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction) ransacked the studio and threatened the comedian with dire consequences". Clearing his stand on the incident, Maharashtras Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar said that no one should go beyond the law". The constitution has given us all the right to speak but we should speak only what is in our right, ideological opinion can be different, ideology can be different. There can be differences of opinion, but it should be kept in mind that your words should not cause any problem to the police or law and order. Every responsible citizen should keep this in mind," he added. Also Read: Legal Action Will Be Taken: Maharashtra CM Fadnaviss First Reaction To Kunal Kamra Parody Row Shiv Shena (Eknath Shinde faction) leaders also threatened Kamra with dire consequences over his remarks. Shiv Sena spokesperson Krishna Hegde said that the party workers are angry with his comments. The comedian will receive Shiv Sena treatment, as none of the Shiv Sainiks have liked his statements," Hegde warned. Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction) leader Sanjay Nirupam also threatened the comedian on social media platform X and said that he would be thrashed" at 11 am today. 11 Sanjay Nirupam (@sanjaynirupam) March 23, 2025 The partys Lok Sabha MP Naresh Mhaske accused Kamra of taking money from Thackeray to target the Maharashtra deputy chief minister. Kamra is a contract comedian. But he should not have stepped on the tail of a snake. Once the fangs are out, there will be dire consequencesWe will make sure you cannot move freely throughout the country. We are Shiv Sainiks of the late Balasaheb Thackeray. If we start following you, you will have to leave the country," Mhaske said. Shiv Sena MLA Murji Patel registered an FIR against Kamra at the MIDC police station. Patel said that Kamra has shown his level" and demanded an apology from him. I want to tell him to apologise to Eknath Shinde within two days otherwise Shiv Sainiks will not let him move about freely in Mumbai. If he is seen anywhere in public, we will paint his face black. We will take up this issue in the assembly and request our states home minister to order action against him as soon as possible," Patel said. A Shiv Sena functionary Rahul Kanal requested the Mumbai Police to register an FIR against Kamra. In his complaint, Kanal said that Kamras statements hurt public sentiments". While constructive criticism of public figures is always welcomed, such close, demeaning, and defamatory statements go beyond reasonable limits and constitute cognisable criminal offences," he said in the letter. Shiv Sena leader Rahul Kanal has submitted a letter at Khar Police Station, seeking action against comedian Kunal Kamra and others pic.twitter.com/5oFCEKGni5 IANS (@ians_india) March 23, 2025 Shiv Sena leader Shaina NC said that calling Maharashtras Deputy CM gaddaar (traitor) is not comedy but vulgarity". This is not comedy but vulgarity. Who is this Kunal Kamra who has been hired and used as a puppet by UBT as a diversionary tactic? Can you go to this level for cheap publicity? Perhaps you do not know that Eknath Shinde was an autorickshaw driver who became a CM. This is aspirational, not comedy. What is going to become of you is a tragedy," said the leader. Meanwhile, Maharashtra MoS Home Yogesh Ramdas Kadam said, Constitution has provided freedom of speech. It doesnt give you the right to insult those occupying Constitutional positions." Speaking about the vandalism, he said that whatever action is required, will be taken." However, leaders of Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray faction) backed Kamra and raised questions over the states law and order situation. In a post on X, Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray faction) leader Aaditya Thackeray said, Mindhes (a term used by the opposition for Mr Shinde a Marathi word meaning subservient, as a taunt) coward gang breaks the comedy show stage where comedian Kunal Kamra put out a song on Eknath Mindhe which was 100% true. Only an insecure coward would react to a song by someone. Btw law and order in the state? Another attempt to undermine the CM and Home Minister by eknath mindhe." Mindhes coward gang breaks the comedy show stage where comedian @kunalkamra88 put out a song on eknath mindhe which was 100% true.Only an insecure coward would react to a song by someone. Btw law and order in the state? Another attempt to undermine the CM and Home Minister Aaditya Thackeray (@AUThackeray) March 23, 2025 Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray faction) leader Sanjay Raut also slammed the Devendra Fadnavis-led government and called him a weak leader in the wake of the act of vandalism. BJP, Congress Engage In Political Squabbling Over Kamras Shinde Joke BJP and Congress also engaged in political squabbling and debated over the freedom of speech over Kamras dig at Shinde. BJP MLA Ram Kadam accused Kamra of using derogatory language for top leaders of the country and journalists for petty publicity. Will he say anything for anyone in the name of freedom of expression? Eknath Shinde is the Deputy CM of Maharashtra, he is a former CM. Will he (Kamra) say this for him? This is an insult to the land of Maharashtra. Whose contract is he working on? Thackeray faction? Look at the timing. Did Kunal Kamra deliberately choose this time to distract people as soon as Thackeray familys name appeared in Disha Salian case? That too on the behest of Thackeray faction? What is the reason? Its time to blacken his face wherever one sees him. Maharashtra Government will take strict action against Kunal Karma, we warn him that he cannot use derogatory language for petty publicity," said Kadam, while speaking to ANI. Meanwhile, Congress leaders criticised vandalism by Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction) workers and said that this is against freedom of speech. Congress leader Atul Londhe said, I do not support the vandalism. You are holding a Constitutional postYour sentiments get easily hurt, you should have approached the Police and got a complaint registered. Nobody can be given the right to vandalise in a legal system. There is a rule of lawAs far as what Kunal Kamra said, he is a comedian and writer he comments on what happens in society. If you are so bothered by stand-up comedy, by the language used there, then shut it down completelyWhy are you so scared of remarks? This is against freedom of speech, against the Constitution" top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Meanwhile, Congress MP Imran Masood called the incident unfortunate" and said that these people are destroying Maharashtra". It is a state that leads the national economic progress and gets investment The environment which they are creating in Maharashtra, no investors will come here. The youth of Maharashtra is forced to migrate Maharashtra will become worse than most states. There cannot be a bigger example of it than West Bengal. Where West Bengal used to be at one point, now look at its condition now Investors want peace and the rule of law They (the Maharashtra government) are not able to tolerate criticism. The Oppositions job is to show the mirror to the ruling party. They are not able to bear it," said Masood. 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 24, 2025, 09:56 IST Kunal Kamra Row: 12 Shiv Sena Leaders Get Bail Day After Arrest For Mumbai Studio Vandalism Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: March 24, 2025, 16:28 IST Kunal Kamra stoked a controversy by dubbing Eknath Shinde a "traitor" during a stand-up show. Shiv Sena workers vandalised the venue where the show was shot. Mumbai Police take action against comedian Kunal Kamra as well as Sena activists who vandalised Habitat studio. (Source: X) The Shiv Sena leaders, who were arrested for allegedly vandalising the Mumbai studio where Kunal Kamra mocked Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde in a show, were granted bail on Monday. This comes after 12 Sena leaders were arrested for their involvement in the vandalism of the studio in Khar. Kamra, during a stand-up show in Mumbai, had sung a modified version of a Hindi song and dubbed Shinde a traitor", triggering protests from Shiv Sena. Recommended Stories As the video was released, the clip went viral, prompting Shiv Sena MLA Murji Patel to lodge an FIR against Kamra. He also demanded apology from Kamra and said that if he does not comply, the Shiv Sainiks will not let him move freely in Mumbai". If he is seen anywhere in public, we will paint his face black," he said. The Shiv Sena workers were earlier seen vandalising the studio where the show was shot. They smashed chairs, tables and lights, inviting an FIR against them. According to IANS, Shiv Sena leader Rahul Narain Kanal and more than 20 others were booked by the Khar Police for their action. The studio announced shutting down after vandalism at the venue. In a social media post, the studios official handle wrote, We are shocked, worried, and extremely broken by the recent acts of vandalism targeting us." top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Artists are solely responsible for their views and creative choices. We have never been involved in the content performed by any Artist, but the recent events have made us rethink about how we get blamed and targeted every time almost like we are a proxy for the performer." We are shutting down till we figure out the best way to provide a platform for free expression without putting ourselves and our property in jeopardy. We invite all artists, audience and stakeholders to discuss and share their views freely and request your guidance so that we also respect the performers rights," the studio wrote in the post. 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 24, 2025, 16:00 IST 'No Greater Betrayal': BJP Attacks Congress Over DK Shivakumar's 'Constitution Change' Remark Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: March 24, 2025, 11:33 IST Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, while speaking about the 4% Muslim quota, sparked a massive row with his "constitution will be changing" remark and drew criticism from BJP leaders. Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar drew criticism from BJP leaders like Amit Malviya after stating that the "constitution will be changing". (Courtesy: News18) Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, while speaking about the bill which provided a 4% quota to Muslims in public contracts in the state on News18 India Diamond States Summit 2025 on Sunday, said that the constitution will be changing". His remarks sparked a massive row and drew backlash from BJP leaders. While speaking about the reservation, Shivakumar went on to say Lot of changes are there, Constitution will be changing, there are judgements which alters the Constitution also". Recommended Stories There is a big debate going on regarding this issue. Many BJP leaders have claimed that Muslims are repairing bike punctures. It is our responsibility to uplift every section of society, allowing them to come forward and be part of the development. We have initiated something, and we know that everyone will approach the court. Many judgments have altered the Constitution over time," Shivakumar said. Let us see, let us watch. Let what court comes out. We have started something, I know that everyone will go to the court. Let us wait for some good day, the day will come. Lot of changes are there, Constitution will be changing, there are judgements which alters the Constitution also," the deputy chief minister added. BJP Slams Shivakumar, Accuses Congress Of Appeasement Politics BJP attacked Congress leader Shivakumar over his Constitution will be changing remark and accused Congress of always indulging in appeasement politics. Taking to X, BJP IT Cell head Amit Malviya wrote, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and senior Congress leader DK Shivakumar openly declares that the Congress will amend the Constitution to grant reservations to Muslims. Where is Rahul Gandhi, the self-proclaimed saviour of the Constitution now? The Congress has always prioritised appeasement over national interestthey didnt hesitate to partition the country on religious lines, and even after that, ensured that Muslims stayed back. There could be no greater betrayal. Congress has never been fair to Hindusand it never will be." Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and senior Congress leader DK Shivakumar openly declares that the Congress will amend the Constitution to grant reservations to Muslims.Where is Rahul Gandhi, the self-proclaimed savior of the Constitution now? The Congress has always prioritized pic.twitter.com/jMyPiRAfWg Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) March 23, 2025 Meanwhile, BJP leader Shehzad Poonawalla wrote on X, Cat is out of the bag Congress ne diya illegal muslim ke ! (Congress has accepted that they want to change the Constitution to give illegal reservations to Muslims). DK Shivakumar admits Congress is *biggest threat to Sanvidhan Congress is *anti Reservation *anti Ambedkar *anti SC ST OBC." Cat is out of the bagCongress ne diya illegal muslim ke ! DK Shivkumar admits Congress is*biggest threat to SanvidhanCongress is*anti Reservation*anti Ambedkar*anti SC ST OBC pic.twitter.com/jp4Cr49JXI Shehzad Jai Hind (Modi Ka Parivar) (@Shehzad_Ind) March 23, 2025 While speaking to news agency ANI on Monday, Poonawalla called Congress anti-constitution, anti-reservation and anti-Ambedkar". top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Karnataka Dy CM DK Shivakumar has agreed that giving 4% reservation to Muslims in government contracts is not under the Constitution, but they will change the Constitution for it Rahul Gandhi accuses others of changing the Constitution, but it is he who wants to change the Constitution and Babasaheb Ambedkar and destroy the Constitution to give reservation to Muslims on the basis of religion Now Rahul Gandhi should tell who is the real enemy of the Constitution? Congress is the biggest threat to the Constitution of this country. Their vote bank politics and appeasement politics are the biggest threat to the Constitution," he added. On Friday, the Karnataka Assembly passed a bill which proposed a 4% reservation for the Muslim community in contracts awarded by the Congress-led state government. 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 24, 2025, 08:00 IST RSS Set For Image Makeover By Shattering Men-Only Stereotype With Focus On Youth, Women Empowerment Reported By : News18.com Edited By: Apoorva Misra Last Updated: March 24, 2025, 14:58 IST The Sangh seems to be telling people that it is not confined to men or to old tradition-bound structures, but recognises the power and contribution of women and the energy of youth in building the future of the nation As the Sangh approaches its centenary, it is trying to position itself as an organisation deeply rooted in tradition but open, inclusive, and ready to inspire the next generation. (PTI) The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), often portrayed as an mens-only organisation for the elderly", has been consciously transforming its image with deliberate efforts towards engaging youth and women. As part of an evolved image makeover process, the organisation has been reconnecting with more inclusivity than ever before. At the heart of this shift is the Sanghs recent focus on Indias legendary women leaders, the forgotten queens from Ahilyabai Holkar, the visionary administrator and reformer, to Rani Abbakka, who defended Indias western coast against foreign invaders, and the iconic Rani Laxmibai of Jhansi, a symbol of courage in the freedom struggle. Recommended Stories From issuing special statements on Rani Abbakka during the concluding ceremony of the ABPS on Sunday, to organising year-long programmes based on Holkars contribution to Indian civilisation, Sangh is placing such figures at the centre of its public outreach, literature, and commemorations acknowledging that Indias history of leadership, governance, and reform has been enriched by women. Even though Sangh has a womens wing Rashtriya Sevika Samiti the main organisation, since its inception, never had the provision of having women members according to its rules and regulations. Youth Outreach: Catch Them Young To make a stronger outreach among the youth and include more young members in the organisational fold through its Shakhas and other social work, the Sangh has designed special programmes to motivate them. While addressing the concluding ceremony of the ABPS in Bengaluru on Sunday, Dattatreya Hosabale, RSS general secretary, said: Special programmes for youth will be planned by Prant units. Several programmes for the youth aged between 15 and 30 will be taken up that will focus on nation-building activities, service activities and Panch Parivartan. Local units will plan these events as per need." New youth and women-focused programmes are being rolled out as part of the centenary preparations. Youth outreach will focus on students and non-students in the 1530 age group through large-scale social engagements, seminars, and Sangh training camps. For women, initiatives are being designed to promote leadership, participation in social reforms, and community-welfare activities, he added. Breaking Stereotypes top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Several efforts and programmes taken up recently also mark a clear move towards countering old stereotypes. The message from the Sangh is unambiguous. It seems to be telling people that the RSS is not an organisation confined to men or to old tradition-bound structures, but one that recognises the power and contribution of women and the energy of youth in building the future of the nation. As the Sangh approaches its centenary, it is trying to position itself as an organisation deeply rooted in tradition but open, inclusive, and ready to inspire the next generation cutting across gender, age, and social divisions. 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 24, 2025, 14:52 IST Chinese scientists expand AI in crops breeding to boost yield and improve varieties Global Times) 15:04, March 24, 2025 The smart seed counting applet on display at the 2025 Seed Congress and Nanfan Agricultural Silicon Valley Forum held in Sanya, South China's Hainan Province from March 19 to March 23, 2025. (Photo/Sanya Daily) Smart breeding took center stage at the 2025 Seed Congress and Nanfan Agricultural Silicon Valley Forum, which was held from Thursday to Sunday in Sanya, South China's Hainan Province, as Chinese scientists gathered to engage in discussions on how to better apply AI technology in breeding to enhance yield and improve crop varieties, according to media reports. Chen Xiaoya, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and researcher at the CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, briefed the latest advances in AI breeding, elaborating on the cutting-edge applications and breakthroughs of AI technology, and showcasing the vast potential of AI-driven breeding to industry practitioners, reported Sanya Daily. Biological breeding has helped researchers identify key points, Chen said. Chen noted that biological breeding is a complex, multidisciplinary field that requires collaboration among experts from various domains to drive its development effectively. For instance, in gene editing technology, the integration of knowledge from biology, chemistry, computer science, and other disciplines is essential to precisely edit crop genes and cultivate new varieties with desirable traits. CAS academician Qian Qian believed that crops possess thousands of agronomic traits, it is necessary to use computing and algorithms to uncover the relationships between genes and traits, thereby integrating superior traits. Unlike traditional small workshop-style breeding, smart breeding requires an industrial approach to pool vast resources, according to the Xinhua News Agency. CAS academician Li Jiayang also shared insights into the latest advancements and applications of "intelligent breeding," which has garnered significant attention. Li explained the concept of "intelligent variety with intelligent cultivation," which integrates biotechnology, information technology, and AI to develop varieties capable of autonomously responding to environmental and climatic change, according to the report. According to Li, intelligent varieties can autonomously adapt to environmental changes, dynamically adjust plant architecture at different developmental stages, enhance the utilization efficiency of agricultural resources such as light, fertilizers, and water, increase grain yield, improve taste and nutrition, and reduce reliance on chemical inputs and mitigate losses from natural disasters. Li noted that leveraging cutting-edge biotechnologies, information technologies, and AI, along with achieving quantitative data collection and intelligent data analysis, can further enhance breeding innovation efficiency. Meanwhile, AI breeding is moving from theory to reality. Researchers at China National Seed Group Co, Ltd can obtain information accurately on breeding research, seed production and other details from various bases simply by using a single screen. Through data transmitted by remote sensing, scientists can access real-time analyses of abnormal areas and plant canopy moisture levels at these bases, enabling them to take timely and appropriate measures, according to Xinhua. The Yazhouwan National Laboratory, together with the Shanghai Artificial Intelligence Laboratory and other institutions, has launched the first large language model for the seed industry, named "SeedLLM," reported Xinhua. China National Seed Group also unveiled its"Corn Variety Advancement and Precision Positioning Decision System," which rapidly and accurately analyzes the strengths and weaknesses of varieties and precisely identifies optimal planting regions, Xinhua reported. Developing a superior crop variety involves screening hundreds or thousands of hybrid combinations, a labor-intensive and time-consuming process. Li Huihui, a deputy director of the National Nanfan Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, leads a team focused on predicting crop growth and precisely screening potential materials, according to China National Radio (CNR). The team has developed an AI algorithm, an automated machine learning framework, that integrates environmental data with genomic information for precise genetic analyses and genomic prediction, reducing computation time by 290 times compared with traditional models, and offering an effective tool for intelligent crop breeding, reported CNR. A seed counting machine produced by Laufer Vision powered by a parameter model helps simplify the process of counting and packaging crop seeds. The device can process six bags of 1,000 tomato seeds per minute, making it ideal for large-scale production, according to the Sanya Daily. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun) Pixel 9a Will Not Be Available At Stores This Month: Heres What Google Has Said Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: March 24, 2025, 08:35 IST Google launched the new Pixel 9a phone earlier this month which is seen as a challenger to the iPhone 16E from Apple but the new model is facing some issues. Google's new Pixel 9a has run into issues before it starts selling Pixel 9a was introduced in the market earlier this month and many expected Google to have it available on shelves in the next few days. But the company has been forced to delay its sale date to April because of some issues that Google has discovered in the Pixel 9a units that were about to be shipped later this week. The new Pixel 9a model goes up against the new iPhone 16E but many other supposedly affordable flagships that you can buy for Rs 50,000 in the market. But the new delay is definitely a small hit for the companys ambitions with the product. Recommended Stories Pixel 9a Sale Delayed But Why? Google usually keeps these issues to itself but the company has officially shared a note with some media folks, where it says, We are currently investigating a component quality issue affecting a small number of Pixel 9a devices." While Google does not explain the issue and how it affects the Pixel 9a units, we are pleased to see the company acknowledge the problem and decided to push its availability rather than ship it with the issues. Google will have the Pixel 9a model available in a slew of countries, including India, but we feel the fact that the issue only affects a small number of units, Google should be able to fix them in the next few weeks. The companys new April timeline for Pixel 9a sale still does not have a definite date, which should become clearer soon. Pixel 9a Price In India, Specs Pixel 9a has launched in India for Rs 49,999 which gets you the single 8GB + 256GB variant. The Pixel 9a is once again smaller than the Pixel 9 models with its 6.3-inch Actua pOLED display and gets up to 120Hz refresh rate. Google is powering the device with its Tensor G4 chipset and 8GB RAM. You get 128GB and 256GB as the storage options for the model. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The phone packs a 5100mAh battery that gets 23W wired charging and 7.5W wireless charging speeds. On the imaging front, you get a 48MP primary sensor with OIS + EIS and a 13MP Ultrawide lens at the back. The phone features a 13MP selfie shooter. Google has also confirmed that the Pixel 9a will get 7 years of OS updates and patches along with the Pixel Drop updates. About the Author S Aadeetya S Aadeetya, Special Correspondent at News18 Tech, accidentally got into journalism 10 years ago, and since then, has been part of established media houses covering the latest trends in technology and helping fr... Read More S Aadeetya, Special Correspondent at News18 Tech, accidentally got into journalism 10 years ago, and since then, has been part of established media houses covering the latest trends in technology and helping fr... Read More News18 Tech delivers the latest technology updates, including phone launches, gadget reviews, AI advancements, and more. Stay informed with breaking tech news , expert insights, and trends from India and around the world . Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: March 24, 2025, 08:35 IST After Deportation Warning, Indian Historian Says She Is 'Living In Fear' Curated By : Trending Desk Last Updated: March 24, 2025, 16:32 IST Manikarnika Dutta has been living in the UK for a decade. She has been on a spouse visa as a dependent. Manikarnika Dutta has been ordered to leave the UK by the Home Office. (File Photo) Manikarnika Dutta, a distinguished Indian historian, is living in fear" of deportation from the UK after being warned about exceeding the permitted number of days outside the country. Dutta, who is conducting academic research for the University of Oxford, has taken extended research trips abroad, putting her immigration status at risk. The UK Home Office has rejected her application for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), citing a breach of the countrys immigration rules regarding time spent outside the UK. Additionally, the Home Office has also denied her the right to stay in the UK as she does not have a family life in Britain, despite her and her husband being married for over 10 years and maintaining a residency in south London. Dutta moved to the UK in 2012 on a students visa for her masters degree and later obtained a spouse visa as a dependent of her husband. You must now leave the United Kingdom. If you dont leave voluntarily, you may be subject to a re-entry ban of 10 years and prosecuted for overstaying," the review states. Recommended Stories Speaking about the same, Dutta shared that she felt broken" after learning about the notice. She also took aim at the out of touch" Home Office, adding that the immigration rules by the department did not accommodate the demands of her academic research, especially when she is an international scholar. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Your first priority and your first commitment is towards your academics and the best research that you can produce. So whatever is needed for that, you do it. It is not about counting those number of days. It is your research," she told the Independent. Voicing her concerns about the chances of her not being able to return to the UK once she leaves, Dutta added, I have been living with that fear." She also states that there is a need for better communication between educational institutions and the Home Office, asserting that the UK immigration system doesnt recognise PhD research as proper work experience. Rules really need to be flexible. They need to be human," she said. Earlier, the historian even asked for an administrative review, only to find the Home Office upholding its decision and instructing her to leave the UK or face a 10-year re-entry ban and possible prosecution for overstaying. With Dutta launching a legal challenge against the decision, the Home Office might reconsider the move within the next three months. About the Author Buzz Staff A team of writers at News18.com bring you stories on whats creating the buzz on the Internet while exploring science, cricket, tech, gender, Bollywood, and culture. A team of writers at News18.com bring you stories on whats creating the buzz on the Internet while exploring science, cricket, tech, gender, Bollywood, and culture. News18's viral page features trending stories, videos , and memes, covering quirky incidents, social media buzz from india and around the world, Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: March 24, 2025, 16:32 IST Amid Shortage And Soaring Prices, Skincare Brand Sells Eggs For $3.37 Per Dozen In NYC Curated By : Trending Desk Last Updated: March 24, 2025, 16:43 IST The Trump administration plans to import eggs from Turkey and South Korea. The Ordinary is selling eggs at select locations in NYC. (Photo Credit: Instagram) The US is facing an unprecedented egg shortage due to the ongoing bird flu. It has impacted poultry farms and sent the prices soaring by 310% since January 2005. It has risen from $1.21 (around Rs 100) to nearly $5 per dozen (Rs 425), according to The Guardian. Amid the crisis, a popular skincare brand, The Ordinary, has stepped in to offer eggs at a lower price. In a promotional video on Instagram, a carton labelled Ordinarily Priced Eggs" under The Ordinary branding can be seen inside a refrigerator at the brand stores. The Ordinary teamed up with art collective MSCHF to sell the eggs at select locations in NYC. Recommended Stories That is actually a carton of eggs for sale at our store," a woman says in the video. The cost of eggs right now is at a record high, and there are shortages all over the city. So, if you are someone who needs eggs, you can grab a dozen at our stores for just $3.37 but it is only for this weekend and while the supplies last," she added. Another post promoting the offer said, We heard NYC needed eggs. This weekend, you can get 12 ordinarily priced eggs at our stores for $3.37. No frills, just eggs. While supplies last." The marketing move sparked mixed reactions from social media users. While some praised the creativity, others criticised the brand for selling eggs despite being certified vegan. One user wrote, This is amazing marketing. I had to check if it was April 1st for a second. Its not, which makes me love this even more. On brand with your price point business model. Well done. We like the creativity." Another said, Whoever on the team that came up with this deserves a raise. 10/10 marketing." A viewer called it the most clever brand campaign" they have ever seen. A person questioned, A vegan company doing this? Please explain! Most of us are very confused!!" What about the fact your products are cruelty-free and vegan This doesnt exactly support your ethos. Disappointed," read another comment. Frustrated with the marketing stunt, an individual remarked, I have been supporting this brand because its supposed to be cruelty-free. This is such a tone-deaf marketing move, wow." The bird flu outbreak has severely impacted the US poultry industry. The H5N1 strain has been found in more than 166 million birds as per LRT. Amid the shortage, the Trump administration plans to import eggs from Turkey and South Korea, BBC reported. Officials confirmed that discussions were on with other countries to bring down record-high prices for consumers. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all We are talking in the hundreds of millions of eggs for the short term," Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said at the White House. Earlier, the US approached Lithuania, Denmark, Finland, Sweden and the Netherlands for egg imports. About the Author Buzz Staff A team of writers at News18.com bring you stories on whats creating the buzz on the Internet while exploring science, cricket, tech, gender, Bollywood, and culture. A team of writers at News18.com bring you stories on whats creating the buzz on the Internet while exploring science, cricket, tech, gender, Bollywood, and culture. News18's viral page features trending stories, videos , and memes, covering quirky incidents, social media buzz from india and around the world, Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: March 24, 2025, 16:42 IST Rippling Co-Founder Is 'Sex Predator', Says Wife. He Accuses Her Of Extramarital Affair | Their Viral Battle Published By : Trending Desk Last Updated: March 24, 2025, 14:34 IST Prasanna Sankar, co-founder of Rippling, recounted series of events that led to his legal battle with estranged wife. He even alleged that Chennai police tried to extort Rs 25 lakh from him. Wife Dhivya, meanwhile, called him a 'sex predator' The Rippling co-founder filed for divorce from his wife over infidelity. (X) Prasanna Sankar, co-founder of the multi-billion dollar HR software startup Rippling, has alleged harassment by the Chennai police in a false child abduction case. In a detailed X thread, he recounted how his troubles escalated after discovering his wifes infidelity and seeking a divorce. What began as a marital dispute soon spiralled into accusations of domestic violence, child kidnapping, and false allegations. My name is Prasanna, who previously founded Rippling (worth $10B); Im going through a divorce. Im now on the run from the Chennai police hiding outside of Tamil Nadu," Prasanna wrote in a tweet, further adding the key details from the matter. Recommended Stories My name is Prasanna, who previously founded Rippling (worth $10B); I'm going through a divorce. I'm now on the run from the Chennai police hiding outside of Tamil Nadu. This is my story. Prasanna S (@myprasanna) March 23, 2025 Prasanna Sankar, an NIT Trichy graduate, shared that he was married to his wife, Dhivya, for ten years and they have a nine-year-old son. The Chennai-based coder moved to the US to start his own tech company, only to recently discover his wifes affair. He alleged that the man she was involved with sent him text messages and images of hotel bookings made by Dhivya as evidence of their relationship. Anoop's wife sent me the message my wife had sent Anoop and hotel bookings she made for him. pic.twitter.com/0gs1mMBc6d Prasanna S (@myprasanna) March 23, 2025 Rippling Co-Founder Accused Wife Of Filing Fake Rape Case Following the revelation, Prasanna decided to file for divorce and began negotiating alimony terms. However, he alleged that his wife then filed a false police complaint accusing him of rape and domestic violence. Later, she made further fake complaintsthat I raped her (one month after the alleged incident), that I circulated her nude videos, etc. Singapore police investigated these allegations, found them baseless, and cleared me of all charges," he claimed. Rippling Co-Founders Custody Battle With Wife Things took a turn for the worse after Prasanna filed for divorce in India, while his wife filed in the US. The Chennai techie further claimed that his wife abducted" their son and took him to US, forcing him to file an international child abduction case. Prasanna claimed that the US court ruled in his favour, following which he filed an MoU with his wife. According to the agreement, he had to pay his wife around Rs 9 crore and Rs 4.3 lakh per month and share a joint custody of their son. Since she had violated laws in Singapore, she negotiated with me to instead come to Chennai, our home town, and settle down here. We signed an MOU Id pay her approx 9 Crore and 4.3 Lakh/month," Prasanna continued and shared that they even signed an MOU to share the custody of their son and hold his passport in a common locker something which she did not follow. Fearing he might lose custody, Prasanna reached out to the court to ensure his sons passport was protected. However, things didnt just end there as Prasanna claimed the police harassed his mother, pestering his friend Gokul and picking him up from Bengaluru without a warrant. He added that Goul was held into custody for three days without an FIR and pressurised to surrender. Prasanna even alleged that the police threatened him to delete the social media posts. More recently, the threat is, if I do not remove my twitter posts he'd be in trouble. They have told him to tell him, they will find me and make me face the consequence of going to the media. Prasanna S (@myprasanna) March 23, 2025 Rippling Co-Founder Claims Chennai Police Harassed Him, Tried To Extort Money Prasanna alleged that the police had been illegally tracking his phone, bank transactions, and IP addresses. In another bombshell tweet, Prasanna claimed that the Chennai Police had been trying to extort Rs 25 lakh from him in exchange for his friends release. Do I know any media people? The Thirumangalam, Chennai police station is harassing me for money knowing that I'm a successful founder. The AC and the SI have asked me for 25L to release my friend who has been in custody. Please RT for support. @CMOTamilnadu @PMOIndia Prasanna S (@myprasanna) March 22, 2025 How Social Media Reacted To Prasannas Accusations The social media thread has left the internet talking, with many joining in the conversation with their thoughts. Many supported Prasanna, expressing concerns over the police activities while others questioned the protection of rights for men. A user wrote, Extremely concerning state of men in India. Doesnt matter even if you have created billions of dollars of value," while another added, Unbelievable violation of every Supreme Court guideline in this case by Thirumangalam PS Chennai Police. They picked up Prasannas friend without any FIR & kept him in the police station for 3 days in a child custody dispute. Please take action, sir." Respected @KanoongoPriyank Sir Unbelievable violation of every Supreme Court guidelines in this case by Thirumangalam PS @chennaipolice_ They picked up Prasanna's friend without any FIR & kept him in Police station for 3 days in a child custody dispute. Please take action sir https://t.co/pMmWSfmSnG Deepika Narayan Bhardwaj (@DeepikaBhardwaj) March 23, 2025 A social media user shared a picture of his wife, Dhivya, and added, Dhivya Sashidhar. Wife who cheated on Prasanna and now harassing him with false case!" Another asserted, If a wife is cheating and having an affair, she is not eligible for a single penny and has no right to child custody." Meanwhile, the official handle of NCM India Council For Men Affairs stated that the police had released Prasannas friend, whereas the Chennai Police is yet to make a formal statement against the allegations. Prasanna Sankars Wife Reacts Local media reports claimed that Dhivya, in her complaint, accused Sankar of wrongdoing". She said that their son was forcibly taken away from her and never returned. Prasannas estranged wife claimed that she and her son are citizens of the US, and had returned to India earlier this month. Dhivya claimed that during her stay in India, Sankar took their son away from her. We returned to India and I thought at least now my son and I could live peacefully but he is not allowing that too," she was quoted. Prasanna Sankars Wife Calls Him Sex Predator Dhivya reportedly called Rippling co-founder a sex predator", claiming that he used to secretly record women" for which he was arrested in Singapore and later released. Prasanna Sankar Evaded Tax, Threatened Me, Says Wife Dhivya top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Reports further suggested that Dhivya accused Sankar of transferring their matrimonial assets to his fathers name to evade taxes. Publications quoted her as saying that Sankars father transferred these assets to his brother in Thailand. She reportedly alleged that the techie threatened" her into signing documents that prevented her from reporting tax crimes in the US. About the Author Buzz Staff A team of writers at News18.com bring you stories on whats creating the buzz on the Internet while exploring science, cricket, tech, gender, Bollywood, and culture. A team of writers at News18.com bring you stories on whats creating the buzz on the Internet while exploring science, cricket, tech, gender, Bollywood, and culture. News18's viral page features trending stories, videos , and memes, covering quirky incidents, social media buzz from india and around the world, Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! Location : Chennur, India, India First Published: March 24, 2025, 09:47 IST Did You Know About This Unique Kolkata Temple Where Noodles And Momos Are Served As Prasad? Curated By : Translation Desk Last Updated: March 24, 2025, 09:40 IST While most temples across the country offer laddus or sweets as prasad, this Chinese Kali Temple in Kolkata stands out by serving noodles and momos instead The tradition of offering Chinese cuisine as prasad symbolises the deep-rooted cultural fusion of Chinese and Indian heritage. (News18 Hindi) India is known for its confluence of diverse religions and cultures, making it truly unique. While most temples across the country offer laddus or sweets as prasad, a temple in Kolkata stands out by serving noodles and momos instead. This temple is not only renowned for its religious significance and stunning architecture but also draws attention due to its distinctive traditions. The Story Behind the Chinese Kali Temple Recommended Stories According to legend, many years ago, a young boy fell gravely ill, and doctors lost all hope of his recovery. Desperate, his parents took him to a place where two black stones lay beneath a tree, worshipped by locals as Maa Kali. After days of prayers, the boy miraculously recovered. Moved by this divine intervention, his parents began worshipping Maa Kali, and over time, the Bengali and Chinese communities together built the Chinese Kali Temple at this sacred site. How Did Noodles Become Prasad? Noodles, a staple of Chinese cuisine, eventually became a part of the temples offerings. During the Chinese Civil War, many Chinese refugees migrated to Kolkata, bringing their traditions with them, including the custom of offering special dishes to deities. Over time, they started offering noodles to Maa Kali, which gradually became a permanent bhog (prasad). Today, devotees receive noodles, momos, and other Chinese dishes as prasad, considering them divine blessings from Maa Kali. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Calcutta Trending | Kolkata (@calcuttatrending) A Must-Visit Temple in Kolkata top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all If you ever visit Kolkata, do not miss the opportunity to experience this unique temple, where faith and culture intertwine beautifully. The tradition of offering Chinese cuisine as prasad symbolises the deep-rooted cultural fusion of Chinese and Indian heritage. Devotees not only receive food but also gain a profound spiritual experience. The temple is located on Matheswartala Road in the Tangra region. To get there, take the metro to Rabindra Sadan Station and board a bus heading towards Science City or Topsia. The temple remains open all seven days of the week from morning to evening. News18's viral page features trending stories, videos , and memes, covering quirky incidents, social media buzz from india and around the world, Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! First Published: March 24, 2025, 09:40 IST Drunk, Shirtless Passenger Arrested After Causing Chaos At Dublin Airport On St Patricks Day Curated By : Trending Desk Last Updated: March 24, 2025, 18:50 IST The footage showed the shirtless man throwing chairs and a hefty table near Gate 107 in Terminal 1 at Dublin Airport. The shirtless man was wearing a gator around his neck. (Photo Credits: X) A 20-year-old man was arrested at Dublin Airport after going on a destructive rampage inside the terminal on St. Patricks Day. The incident reportedly began after he missed his flight, leading to an outburst that left significant damage in its wake. The man, shirtless and sporting a gator around his neck, kicked off the chaos by ripping an item off a counter and hurling it across the terminal. Viral footage circulating on social media captures him tossing chairs and even a large table near Gate 107 in Terminal 1, while stunned travellers looked on. Recommended Stories As the video progresses, he continues his tirade, throwing an object nearly ten yards, followed by more chairs and another table. At one point, he even flung a pair of clothes into the air. Seemingly unfazed, the man flexed his arms for the camera, appearing to revel in the attention. The footage ends with airport staff and security stepping in to contain the situation. Watch the video here: A man in his 20s has been arrested after he caused significant damage to a section of Dublin Airport after he missed his flight.Footage shared on social media shows the man, who is topless but with a partially covered face, breaking and smashing structures around one of the pic.twitter.com/cnNBTXOYoj Breaking Aviation News & Videos (@aviationbrk) March 17, 2025 In a statement to the Irish News, the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) confirmed that the man was arrested after causing significant damage. Airport Police at Dublin Airport responded to an incident in Terminal 1 this morning which resulted in a male individual being arrested. The passenger arrived at the airport intoxicated, missed his flight, and proceeded to cause significant damage to our airport," the DAA said in a statement as per MS News. We hope the justice system deals with him appropriately and that we never have to see him at Dublin Airport again," it added. The Irish police confirmed that the man was charged in connection with the incident. Gardai arrested a man in connection with incidents of criminal damage in Terminal 1, Dublin Airport, this morning, Monday, 17 March 2025. The man, aged in his 20s, has been charged and is due to appear before Court 2 of the Criminal Courts of Justice Dublin, this morning," the police said in a statement as quoted by Irish News. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Last month, a disturbing incident occurred aboard Alaska Airlines Flight 2221 shortly before takeoff from Oakland International Airport. An elderly man aggressively grabbed the hair of a woman seated in front of him. A flight attendant tried to intervene and had to strike the man to free the woman. A fellow passenger also helped and once the woman was freed, she quickly moved away. Due to the disturbance, the plane returned to the gate and the flight was ultimately cancelled. The man was then taken into custody. About the Author Buzz Staff A team of writers at News18.com bring you stories on whats creating the buzz on the Internet while exploring science, cricket, tech, gender, Bollywood, and culture. A team of writers at News18.com bring you stories on whats creating the buzz on the Internet while exploring science, cricket, tech, gender, Bollywood, and culture. News18's viral page features trending stories, videos , and memes, covering quirky incidents, social media buzz from india and around the world, Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: March 24, 2025, 18:30 IST 'Pay More Or Else...': Bengaluru Auto Driver Accused Of Threatening Passenger Curated By : Trending Desk Last Updated: March 24, 2025, 15:43 IST Upon reaching the destination, the driver demanded Rs 338, despite the app displaying a fare of Rs 256. The passenger even noticed that the trip on his app did not end. (Photo Credits: Reddit) Stories of Bengaluru auto rickshaw drivers misbehaving with passengers and sometimes even threatening them have become all too common, often going viral as peak Bengaluru moments." Now, yet another unsettling incident involving a city resident and a ride-hailing apps auto driver is making waves online. The user took to Reddit to share his distressing encounter with the auto driver booked through a ride-hailing app. In the now-deleted post, the passenger alleged that the driver threatened to slap him during a fare dispute. Sharing his experience, the user said that he booked a ride from his college to his home for Rs 256. Upon reaching the destination, the driver demanded Rs 338 despite the app displaying a fare of Rs 256. Recommended Stories According to the passenger, the driver presented a separate bill with the inflated amount and refused to show the apps fare. The passenger even noticed that the trip on his app did not end. When questioned, the driver allegedly became aggressive, threatened to slap the passenger and used abusive language, particularly for not knowing Kannada. Feeling intimidated, the passenger paid the higher amount. The driver reportedly ended the trip 30 minutes later, 2.4 km away from the actual drop location, raising further concerns about fare manipulation. The passenger expressed frustration and hesitation to file a formal complaint due to safety concerns, highlighting the issue of accountability in such incidents. As soon as the video gained traction online, Reddit users flocked to the comments section of the post and reacted strongly to the incident. Many recalled similar incidents they went through, while others emphasised users to have precautions while using ride-hailing services. Usual nothing new. Only time I use cabs are to and fro from the airport. Otherwise, its unreliable as hell due to their malpractices," said a user. Another added, Complain to Rapido to send this pic also and inform about the threat. Call the police/emergency and tell them what happened. Change home location in the app by a few houses." If you are using Rapido or other ride-hailing services, with one of the points being your home, just pay what they ask; raise a complaint in Rapido, and you will get the money back. Not worth any risk," a user suggested. An account remarked, Auto people are rowdies. I am not sure what you can do against this incident. Report to Rapido, get some refund. But for next time, try bikes/cabs. Avoid auto." Never get dropped off right in front of your house. Always stop at a nearby shop, the entry gate, or any public place away from your actual location," echoed a few. Sharing a personal experience of harassment, one user recounted, I made the mistake of getting dropped off at my home once. The driver called me for two days, threatening to kill me and my family." This is not the first time such incidents from Bengaluru went viral on social media. Earlier, a 20-year-old college student was allegedly harassed and threatened by an auto-rickshaw driver when he refused to pay excess fare. The student, in a series of posts, shared the distressing encounter and alleged that the driver threatened to beat him up outside his office and even racially abused him and his friend. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Got harassed and threatened by a Bengaluru auto driver. He has told me that he will beat me up outside my office whenever I go. And said racial slurs. He was asking for 200rs extra out of nowhere. Just a 20 year college student returning back from my internship @nammayatri pic.twitter.com/GwsYPqMrCI Fak3eer (@fak3eer) December 6, 2024 The student booked a trip on the Namma Yatri app for Rs 380 from Bellandur to his PG in Mallasandra. But, he alleged, the driver unexpectedly demanded an additional Rs 200 for the 24-km journey. He further alleged that when he refused to pay the excess amount, the man barged into his PG accommodation and threatened to beat him up. About the Author Buzz Staff A team of writers at News18.com bring you stories on whats creating the buzz on the Internet while exploring science, cricket, tech, gender, Bollywood, and culture. A team of writers at News18.com bring you stories on whats creating the buzz on the Internet while exploring science, cricket, tech, gender, Bollywood, and culture. News18's viral page features trending stories, videos , and memes, covering quirky incidents, social media buzz from india and around the world, Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: March 24, 2025, 15:43 IST 'Point Out Our Mistakes So We Can Improve': Internet Applauses Aisshwarya DKS Hegdes Calm Reply To Press Curated By : Trending Desk Last Updated: March 24, 2025, 18:25 IST Aisshwarya DKS Hegde answered a query on Kannada signboards at the VTU Youth Fest. Her answer to a media question received a lot of online kudos. (Photo Credits: X) The daughter of Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, Aisshwarya DKS Hegde, received a lot of attention online for her incisive response to a media question about Kannada signboards during the VTU Youth Fest 2025. The exchange of words was captured on camera, and the video has gone viral, garnering praise from social media users. Aisshwarya DKS Hegde was asked by a reporter during the event why Kannada was not displayed on the events signboards. This is why we have invited youto point out our mistakes so we can improve," she said, quickly turning to check and admitting the error. Recommended Stories I wasnt wrong when I called her the female version of Pradeep Eshwar," a user on X (formerly Twitter) shared the video with a caption. The video posted on March 21 has garnered over 80,000 views so far. Social media users have been praising Aisshwarya DKS Hegdes poise and presence in reaction to her calm and confident response. Watch the video here: This girl is going to be a killer politician. She needs to find a constituency.10X better than Nikhil or most BJP politicians kids. Speaks Kannada well, supremely confident and can shows she can handle criticism and people. https://t.co/ykYzlnPnLE LC (@libcrusader) March 22, 2025 Online debates have been sparked by Aisshwarya DKS Hegdes remark, with many people applauding her self-assurance and clarity. A user said, This girl is going to be a killer politician. She needs to find a constituency. 10X better than Nikhil or most BJP politicians kids. Speaks Kannada well, supremely confident, and knows how to handle criticism." Another commented, Finally Someone said what I was thinking." Many users responded favourably to the video, concurring that she demonstrated the qualities of an innate leader. A user on X wrote, Her confidence is unmatched, but she wont join politics. Bookmark this." This led to discussions about whether Aisshwarya DKS Hegde would enter politics like her father did, despite her powerful personality. Same tone, same intonationshes the female version of him!" an individual drew comparisons between Aisshwarya and Karnataka MLA Pradeep Eshwar and said. Her dominating speech style, which some people think reflects that of seasoned politicians, was alluded to in the contrast. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Who Is Aisshwarya DKS Hegde? According to her LinkedIn page, Aisshwarya is an edupreneur who is enthusiastic about education, empowerment, and business. About the Author Buzz Staff A team of writers at News18.com bring you stories on whats creating the buzz on the Internet while exploring science, cricket, tech, gender, Bollywood, and culture. A team of writers at News18.com bring you stories on whats creating the buzz on the Internet while exploring science, cricket, tech, gender, Bollywood, and culture. News18's viral page features trending stories, videos , and memes, covering quirky incidents, social media buzz from india and around the world, Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: March 24, 2025, 18:25 IST Who Is Prasanna Sankar? All About Co-Founder Of $10 Billion Firm Going Viral After Post On 'Cheating' Wife Published By : Trending Desk Last Updated: March 24, 2025, 13:17 IST Co-founder of Rippling, Prasanna Sankar, alleged that the Chennai police are harassing him in a false child abduction case filed by his estranged wife. Prasanna Sankar co-founded Rippling with Parker Conrad in 2016. (Photo: LinkedIn) Prasanna Sankar, co-founder of Rippling, has accused the Chennai police of harassment in a false child abduction case. In a detailed X (formerly Twitter) thread, he claimed the ordeal began after he discovered his wifes affair and filed for divorce. Dhivya, were married for 10 years and we have a 9-year-old son. Recently our marriage broke down after I discovered she was having an affair, with a person named Anoop for 6+ mos," Prasanna explained. Recommended Stories He added, After that, we were negotiating the terms of how many million dollars I needed to pay her as a part of our divorce. She was unhappy and decided to instead file a fake police complaint against me saying I hit her." He further alleged, Later, she made further fake complaints that I raped her (1 mo after the alleged rape). That I circulated her nude videos, etc. Singapore police have investigated these allegations, found them baseless, and have cleared me from all charges." Sankar mentioned that he filed the divorce in India while his wife filed it in US. In his post, he alleged that reason behind her decision was to more money from the divorce." Sankar then claimed that his wife took their child to the US to strengthen her divorce case. I filed an international child abduction case in the US. And the judge ruled in favour of me and asked to return the child," he continued. Later, they signed an MoU in Chennai where he agreed to pay his wife Rs 9 crore and Rs 4.3 lakh per month, with shared custody. However, he alleged that his wife violated the agreement claiming that the MoU is not valid and she wants more and will go to the US again to file a divorce." When he moved to court to ensure compliance, she accused him of kidnapping. I immediately send the police my side of the story with my lawyers and explain the child was voluntarily handed over. And the child is happy with me and show him on a video call. And that the matters are before the court. Hence cops shouldnt interfere," he added. But the police allegedly began searching for him and harassing his family and friends. They kept pestering my friend, Gokul, who helped pick up the child saying hed be made the main accused if he doesnt locate me." He concluded by stating that he would be taking legal action. On Monday, I will be filing a dont harass for me in courts and taking matters through the court system. Meanwhile, my entire family is out of the state, hiding from the TN cops." Who Is Prasanna Sankar? Prasanna Sankar, whose full name is Prasanna Sankaranarayanan, is an Indian-origin entrepreneur based in Singapore. He was born and raised in Chennai and holds a Bachelors degree in Computer Science from the National Institute of Technology (NIT), Tiruchirappalli. I used to do a lot of programming contests: I was ranked #1 in India at TopCoder while at college. 2x Google Code Jam world finalist. 2x ACM ICPC world finalist," he mentioned on his profile. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Sankar is the co-founder of Rippling, a workforce management software company valued at around $10 billion. Rippling was founded in 2016 by Sankar and Parker Conrad. Before Rippling, Sankar worked at Zenefits, a SaaS company founded by Conrad that helped businesses manage HR needs. He also co-founded LikeALittle, a campus social network where he served as Chief Technology Officer (CTO). Earlier in his career, he worked at major tech companies like Google and Microsoft Canada. About the Author Buzz Staff A team of writers at News18.com bring you stories on whats creating the buzz on the Internet while exploring science, cricket, tech, gender, Bollywood, and culture. A team of writers at News18.com bring you stories on whats creating the buzz on the Internet while exploring science, cricket, tech, gender, Bollywood, and culture. News18's viral page features trending stories, videos , and memes, covering quirky incidents, social media buzz from india and around the world, Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! First Published: March 24, 2025, 12:48 IST Trump Officials 'Mistakenly' Add Journalist To Secret Signal Group For Coordination On Houthi Strikes Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: March 24, 2025, 23:59 IST The White House confirmed a journalist was mistakenly included in a text group planning military strikes in Yemen. National Security Council spokesman Brian Hughes said the error is under review. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks next to President Donald Trump, in the Oval Office at the White House, in Washington, DC, US. (IMAGE: REUTERS) The White House on Monday confirmed that a journalist was included in a text group in which US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and others planned military strikes in Yemen. We are reviewing how an inadvertent number was added to the chain," National Security Council spokesman Brian Hughes said. Recommended Stories The Atlantic magazine published a story by editor Jeffrey Goldberg which said that US national-security leaders included me in a group chat about upcoming military strikes in Yemen. I didnt think it could be real. Then the bombs started falling." I, however, knew two hours before the first bombs exploded that the attack might be coming. The reason I knew this is that Pete Hegseth, the secretary of defense, had texted me the war plan at 11:44 a.m. The plan included precise information about weapons packages, targets, and timing," Jeffrey Goldberg further added in his piece published on the Atlantic released Monday (local time). Goldberg received a Signal message from someone claiming to be Michael Waltz, US President Donald Trumps national security adviser, stating that a high-level government group was being formed to coordinate military action against the Houthis in Yemen. Initially skeptical, he considered the possibility of impersonation, as it was unusual for a senior official to contact him directly, especially given the Trump administrations contentious relationship with the press. What added to the suspicion was the fact that such sensitive military discussions are typically held through secure government channels, not on a commercial messaging app, he wrote in his report. However, as the conversation progressed, it became clear that the journalist had been mistakenly included in a private government chat where top US officials were planning military strikes. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The first US strikes against Yemens Houthis since Trump took office killed 31 people on March 16, with the US president warning hell will rain down upon" the Iran-backed group if it did not stop attacking shipping. The Houthis, who have attacked Israel and Red Sea shipping throughout the Gaza war, said children were among those killed. 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 24, 2025, 23:45 IST All Eyes On US-Russia Talks In Saudi After 'Productive' Discussions With Ukraine On Ceasefire Published By : AFP Last Updated: March 24, 2025, 09:42 IST Both sides have proposed different plans for temporary ceasefires in the Ukraine war, but cross-border attacks have continued unabated. US and Ukrainian officials concluded talks on Sunday night. Attacks have continued unabated amid talks of a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine. (AFP) US and Russian officials meet in Saudi Arabia on Monday for talks on a partial ceasefire in the Ukraine war, a day after delegates from Washington and Kyiv had their own discussions. US President Donald Trump is pushing for a rapid end to the three-year war and hopes talks in Riyadh could pave the way for a breakthrough. Recommended Stories Both sides have proposed different plans for temporary ceasefires, but cross-border attacks have meanwhile continued unabated. Originally planned to take place simultaneously to enable shuttle diplomacy with the United States going back and forth between the delegations the talks are now taking place one after the other. The meeting between the Ukrainian team, led by defence minister Rustem Umerov, and the Americans finished up late Sunday night. The discussion was productive and focused we addressed key points including energy," Umerov said on social media, adding Ukraine was working to make its goal of a just and lasting peace" a reality. Trump envoy Steve Witkoff voiced optimism that any agreement struck would pave the way for a full-on" ceasefire. 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," he told Fox News. Russia Downplays Expectations But the Kremlin on Sunday downplayed expectations of a rapid resolution. We are only at the beginning of this path," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Russian state TV. He said there were many outstanding questions 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 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. 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 Russias 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. Zelenskyy Calls For Fresh Pressure On Russia Ukrainian officials said a Russian drone attack overnight Saturday 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 early 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. Zelensky urged his countrys 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. Moscow heads into the Saudi talks after a rapprochement with Washington under Trump that has boosted confidence in the Kremlin. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Peskov said 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. About the Author Aveek Banerjee Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international... Read More Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international... Read More Location : Riyadh, Saudi Arabia First Published: March 24, 2025, 09:42 IST 'Truly The Worst': Trump Asks Colorado's 'Radical Left Governor' To Take Down His Portrait, Slams Artist Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: March 24, 2025, 10:48 IST Donald Trump expressed displeasure on his official portrait in the Colorado State Capitol as "purposefully distorted" and demanded its removal. He compared it unfavorably to Barack Obama's portrait. A portrait of Donald Trump (Source: Trump/Truth Social) Donald Trump has asked authorities to take down his portrait from the Colorado State Capitol, saying that he did not like it. In a post on his social media handle Truth Social, the US President alleged that his portrait, put up by Colorado Governor Jared Polis, was purposefully distorted". Recommended Stories Trump also said that the portrait of former US President Barack Obama was wonderful", however, his one is truly the worst", adding that the artist must have lost her talent". He would prefer not having a portrait than having this one, the President mentioned. Nobody likes a bad picture or painting of themselves, but the one in Colorado, in the State Capitol, put up by the Governor, along with all other Presidents, was purposefully distorted to a level that even I, perhaps, have never seen before," Trumps post read. The artist also did President Obama, and he looks wonderful, but the one on me is truly the worst. She must have lost her talent as she got older," he added. In any event, I would much prefer not having a picture than having this one, but many people from Colorado have called and written to complain." In fact, they are actually angry about it! I am speaking on their behalf to the Radical Left Governor, Jared Polis, who is extremely weak on Crime, in particular with respect to Tren de Aragua, which practically took over Aurora (Dont worry, we saved it!), to take it down. Jared should be ashamed of himself!" (sic), the President wrote. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all According to Daily Mail, the portrait was first unveiled in 2019 during Trumps first stint in the White House. It was made by Sarah Boardman, who was also commissioned to paint former president George W Bush in 2012, it claimed. About the Author Vani Mehrotra Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has nearly 10 years of experience in both national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks. Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has nearly 10 years of experience in both national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks. First Published: March 24, 2025, 10:48 IST Greenland Sees Red In US Second Lady Usha Vance's Upcoming Visit. What Explains The Meltdown? Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: March 24, 2025, 21:51 IST Usha Vance is scheduled to visit Greenland from Thursday to Saturday (March 27 to 29) this week, accompanied by one of her three children US Second lady Usha Vance. (AP file photo) Greenlands Prime Minister Mute Egede on Monday slammed the upcoming visit by Usha Vance, the wife of US Vice President JD Vance, stating that the visits sole purpose was to demonstrate power. Egede accused Washington of meddling in Greenlands political affairs, especially given the backdrop of US President Donald Trumps previous ambition to take control of the island. Recommended Stories Egede expressed his concerns about the visit, stating that the only purpose of the visit was a demonstration of power" and warned that the signal should not be misunderstood." He added that if allied countries did not speak out against the US actions regarding Greenland, the situation could escalate, and the Americans aggression will increase". We need our other allies to clearly and distinctly come with their support and backing for us," Egede told Greenlandic daily Sermitiaq in an interview. Usha Vances Planned Visit The visit comes at a tense time for Greenland, which has long been a subject of interest for the United States due to its strategic position and mineral wealth. The island, which is a self-governing territory of Denmark, already hosts a US military base. The visit by Usha Vance, along with National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, has further raised political anxieties in Greenland. Usha Vance is scheduled to visit Greenland from Thursday to Saturday (March 27 to 29) this week, accompanied by one of her three children. During her stay, she will visit historical sites and learn about Greenlandic heritage, including attending the Avannaata Qimussersu, the national dogsled race. According to her office, the visit aims to celebrate Greenlandic culture and unity", with Vance and the US delegation looking forward to experiencing the iconic race, which involves 37 mushers and 444 dogs. Trumps Interests In Greenland The visit comes against the backdrop of US President Donald Trumps interest in Greenland. During his first term, Trump had suggested buying the worlds largest island, a proposal that was firmly rejected by both Denmark and the people of Greenland. Since returning to the White House, however, Trump has repeatedly stated that the US will eventually control Greenland, emphasising that his support for the idea is driven by strategic national security concerns, rather than American expansionism. Trumps interest in Greenland is rooted in its strategic location and vast untapped natural resources. Greenland sits in a crucial position between North America and Europe and controls vital air and sea routes in the North Atlantic. The island also hosts the Pituffik Space Base, which is important for missile warning and space surveillance operations. Beyond its military importance, Greenland is rich in rare-earth minerals, essential for the production of mobile phones, renewable energy technologies, and other high-tech products. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Despite this interest, the people of Greenland have strongly opposed any US annexation, with many expressing a desire for independence from Denmark instead. In early January, Trumps son, Donald Jr, had also made a brief visit to Greenland. (With inputs from agencies) About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More Location : United States of America (USA) First Published: March 24, 2025, 19:56 IST Who Is Vanessa Trump? Tiger Woods' New Girlfriend With A Connection To Donald Trump's Family Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: March 24, 2025, 15:17 IST Tiger Woods shared two pictures with Venessa Trump, finally confirming the dating rumours. In one of the pictures, the duo can be seen posing to the camera and smiling. Tiger Woods and Venessa Trump (Image shared by Tiger Woods on Instagram) Vanessa Trump, US President Donald Trumps former daughter-in-law, has been hitting the headlines ever since Tiger Woods confirmed being in a relationship with her. Taking to Instagram, Tiger posted a picture along with Vanessa with the caption: Love is in the air and life is better with you by my side! We look forward to our journey through life together. At this time, we would appreciate privacy for all those close to our hearts." Recommended Stories While the first Instagram picture features Vanessa and Tiger posing for the camera with smiling faces, in the second picture, Vanessa can be seen lying in a hammock with her arm draped across Tigers chest. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Tiger Woods (@tigerwoods) Who is Vanessa Trump? Vanessa Trump, born as Vanessa Kay Haydon, is a former model and actress who caught attention after tying the knot with Donald Trump Jr., the eldest son of US President Donald Trump. The couple married in 2005 and were together for over a decade before officially ending their marriage in 2018. Vanessa and Donald Jr. have five children together. After their divorce, Vanessa chose to retreat from the spotlight, preferring a private and family-centred life, maintaining a low profile while giving priority to her family. Vanessa Trump and Tiger Woods Relationship Rumours about the relationship between Vanessa Trump and Tiger Woods first emerged on 14 March, with several media reports claiming the pair had quietly started seeing each other towards the end of 2024. Reportedly, the couple grew close just before Thanksgiving, with Vanessa making frequent visits to Woods home on Jupiter Island, Florida. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all On Monday, Tiger Woods confirmed the relationship between the duo, also asking followers for privacy. Notably, Woods has two children from his marriage to Elin Nordegren, who divorced him in 2010. Location : United States of America (USA) First Published: March 24, 2025, 15:15 IST Pakistan Charges Baloch Activist With Terrorism, Amnesty Demands Release For 'Unlawful' Detention Last Updated: March 24, 2025, 12:31 IST Baloch rights activist Mahrang Baloch is currently held in Quetta District Jail with 150 others following the brutal crackdown on Baloch leaders at their protest camp Pakistan's ethnic minority activist Mahrang Baloch addresses the media at Karachi Press Club in Karachi. (AFP file photo) Pakistan has charged Mahrang Baloch, chief of Pakistans Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), and several other activists of terrorism after she led the protest sit-in protest against the illegal arrest and illegal police remand of the relatives of the victims of enforced disappearances. Mahrang is currently lodged in Quetta District jail along with 150 others after the brutal crackdown on the Baloch leaders at their protest camp. Recommended Stories The charges on the protestors cover offences like terrorism, murder and attempted murder, incitement to violence and rebellion, creating disorder and promoting racial hatred, and property damage, local media reported on Monday. Meanwhile, shutter-down strikes were observed for the second consecutive day in several cities of Balochistan, while the internet services in Quetta and surrounding areas remained suspended for the fourth consecutive day on Sunday. Speaking to Pakistans leading daily Dawn on Sunday, Asma Baloch sister of Mahrang stated that more than 24 hours have passed, but Mahrang has not been produced in court nor is she allowed access to legal counsel. The authorities at Quetta District Jail did not allow us to meet my sister, and we were not allowed to deliver food and other essential items to her," Asma stated. Human Rights organisation Amnesty International called for Mahrangs release in a post on X on Sunday, stating that she had been unlawfully detained for over 38 hours. More than 38 hours since Mahrang Balochs 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. 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," the organisation said. The BYC has further accused Pakistans police of using excessive force against demonstrators in the provincial capital, claiming that they opened fire on peaceful protesters, killing three people and injuring dozens, including seven in critical condition. The Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M) and the National Party (NP) condemned what they described as excessive force against peaceful demonstrators" and urged the Pakistani government to engage in dialogue to resolve the situation. Earlier, Imran Khans Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) vehemently denounced the excessive and brutal use of force" against the peaceful protesters of Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) in Quetta." top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The oppressive regime has once again crossed all boundaries of brutality in its desperate attempt to cling to power, even at the cost of national unity and integrity," PTI Central Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram said. We demand immediate accountability for those responsible for the killing and injuring of peaceful demonstrators and instant release of all detainees, including Dr Mahrang Baloch," he added. Location : Pakistan First Published: March 24, 2025, 12:29 IST Trump Voter Says 'No Regrets' Over His Choice Despite Immigrant Wife's Arrest Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: March 24, 2025, 07:46 IST Bradley Bartell's wife, Camila Munoz, is a Peruvian citizen whose work-study visa had expired. She was in the process of obtaining a green card when immigration agents arrested her. Bradley Bartell's wife was arrested when they were returning from their honeymoon. (Photo: X) One of US President Donald Trumps supporters said he did not have any regrets voting for him in last years election, even after his wife was arrested by federal immigration authorities after they returned from their honeymoon. Bradley Bartells wife, Camila Munoz, is a Peruvian citizen who had reportedly overstayed her visa but was working towards obtaining permanent residency in the United States when she was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials. Recommended Stories Despite the tough ordeal, Bartell remains a Trump supporter, as millions of Americans support the Presidents mission to carry out the largest-ever deportation operation in US history. I dont regret the vote," he told Newsweek. ALSO READ: Defeated Gravity: Elon Musk Balances Fork And Spoons On Fingertip While Dining With Trump, Video Goes Viral Why Was His Wife Arrested? Munoz arrived in Wisconsin, US, in 2019 on a work-study visa that expired around the time the COVID-19 pandemic had begun and international travel had almost stopped. She met Bartell while working in farming and hospitality. Initially, Bartell gave his number on a scrap of paper, which she threw away. However, they later reconnected on Facebook and developed a serious relationship. Bartell and Munoz got married but could not go on a honeymoon due to the pandemic. The couple finally went on a honeymoon in Puerto Rico in February and upon returning to the US, immigration agents stopped her and asked whether she was an American citizen. When she said she was not but was in the process of obtaining a green card, the agents detained her. She was being held in an ICE facility in Louisiana. Received Hate Messages Bartell said the sight of watching his wife getting detained was a nightmare" to watch. Its all been a nightmare really, taking things as they come and moving forward. We have an attorney. The system for getting people through seems to be very inefficient, so it is taking longer than it should," he told the US media outlet. Since sharing his story, Bartell said he has faced intense public scrutiny since he was a Trump supporter. Ive received a lot of hateful messages, plenty of people saying we deserve this. And a lot of other insults." He also criticised the ICE and said it needed an urgent reform. He also thought of moving to Peru if his wife gets deported, although this option would become very difficult for his son. Regarding Trump, he said, He didnt create the system, but he does have an opportunity to improve it. Hopefully, all this attention will bring to light how broken it is." Several Trump supporters have been similarly affected by the Presidents aggressive immigration enforcement policy. Jensy Machado, a naturalised US citizen in northern Virginia who also voted for Trump, was arrested earlier this month. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Fabian Schmidt, a German national who holds a US green card, was detained by US immigration officers on March 7, following his return from a trip to Luxembourg. His family has alleged that he was stripped naked" and violently interrogated" before being sent to an ICE detention facility. Since taking office, Trump has deported thousands of illegal immigrants from the US. A total of 388 Indian nationals have been deported from the US since January 2025, the government informed Parliament on Friday. Of these, 333 were deported directly from the US on three separate military flights in February. About the Author Aveek Banerjee Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international... Read More Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international... Read More Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA) First Published: March 24, 2025, 07:46 IST Who Is Sirajuddin Haqqani, Mastermind Behind Kabul Indian Embassy Attack, Gifted Reprieve By Trump? Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: March 24, 2025, 18:12 IST The Trump administration lifted the bounties on Sirajuddin Haqqani and two other senior Taliban figures, Abdul Aziz Haqqani and Yahya Haqqani. The UAE Presidential Court shows UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed al-Nahyan (R) meeting with Sirajuddin Haqqani (2nd-L), interior minister in Afghanistan's Taliban administration, at al-Shati Palace in Abu Dhabi on January 20, 2025. (IMAGE: AFP) Sirajuddin Haqqani, responsible for killing an American citizen in the January 2008 attack on the Serena Hotel in Kabul, was granted a surprise reprieve from the US government led by Donald Trump on Sunday. Haqqani, who also orchestrated a suicide attack on the Indian embassy in Kabul in 2008, killing 58, with the help of the Pakistani Inter-State Services (ISI), is a senior figure in the Taliban government of Afghanistan and is the current interior minister. Recommended Stories He is also the leader of the Haqqani Network (HN) and the eldest son of Jalaluddin Haqqani, a mujahideen fighter and founder of the HN. After Jalaluddins death, Sirajuddin took over the group. The Haqqani Network carried out a suicide bombing at Camp Chapman, a CIA base in Khost Province, killing seven CIA officers. It was also responsible for the attack on the Inter-Continental Hotel in Kabul, involving multiple gunmen and suicide bombers. It also carried out a coordinated assault on the US Embassy and NATO headquarters in Kabul, lasting 19 hours in September 2011. His group also led an assault on a Sikh temple in Kabul, killing 25 civilians, in 2020. The US State Department designated Sirajuddin Haqqani a global terrorist in 2008 and classified the Haqqani Network as a Foreign Terrorist Organization in 2012. Initially, a $5 million bounty was placed on him for information leading to his capture, which was doubled to $10 million in 2014. However, he no longer appears on the State Departments Rewards for Justice website. The FBI website on Monday still featured a wanted poster for him. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Afghanistan 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. 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 : Kabul, Afghanistan First Published: March 24, 2025, 18:12 IST Why Mahrang Balochs Detention In Pakistan Is An Attempt To Curb Baloch Voices Reported By : CNN-News18 Edited By: Apoorva Misra Last Updated: March 24, 2025, 17:08 IST According to Indian intelligence sources, the abduction and killing of activists are known tactics of the Pakistan army, often targeting Baloch individuals fighting for their land Mahrang Baloch, a human rights activist from Balochistan, is currently held in detention without any legal proceedings. (Instagram) Mahrang Baloch, a human rights activist from Balochistan, is currently held in detention without any legal proceedings. Her arrest on March 22 during a peaceful protest in Quetta has drawn international criticism, with groups like Amnesty International and Front Line Defenders calling for her release. According to Indian intelligence sources, the abduction and killing of activists are known tactics of the Pakistan army, often targeting Baloch individuals fighting for their land. Mahrang Balochs activism has made her a target, and her detention has raised concerns about human rights abuses in the region. Recommended Stories Mahrang leads the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), advocating against enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings. During a crackdown on protesters in Quetta, she and her sister were detained and held at Hudda District Prison in Quetta. Her father, Abdul Gaffar Langove, was abducted and killed in 2011, and her brother was detained in 2017 before being released. She was also barred from travelling to the United States last year to attend a TIME magazine awards gala of rising leaders". Balochistan, a resource-rich and politically volatile region, has faced decades of violence and systemic abuses by Pakistani authorities, including the military and intelligence agencies. Mahrangs leadership in movements like the Baloch Long March in November 2023 and the Baloch Raji Muchi in July 2024 has brought global attention to these issues. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Mama Qadir Baloch told CNN-News18 that Mahrangs detention is illegal, highlighting the absence of a female constable during her arrest, which goes against Baloch customs. This situation has deeply upset the Baloch community. Mary Lawlor, the United Nations special rapporteur on human rights defenders, said she was very concerned" at Mahrangs arrest. Baloch and other protesters have been charged with terrorism, sedition and murder, according to the police charge sheet seen by news agency AFP. About the Author Manoj Gupta Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18 Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18 Location : Pakistan First Published: March 24, 2025, 17:08 IST Iceland's children's minister resigned Sunday after it was revealed she had a child with a teenager 35 years ago. At the time, Asthildur Loa Thorsdottir was 23 and the father was 16; the two met at a church youth group when the boy was 15, the AP reports. Iceland's age of consent is 15, but laws restrict relationships between adults and teenagers if the adult is a teacher, employer, or mentor of the teen. Thorsdottir said in a statement that she had been only a member of the church group, not a leader of it, and that "Relationships between people of that age were not at all uncommon, even if they were not desirable." But the BBC reports she was a counselor for the group when the two met. In recent years, the White House Easter Egg Roll has cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, and now, the Trump administration is putting forward an unconventional idea to fund it: corporate sponsorships. The event production company Harbinger, which is putting on this year's Egg Roll, is offering sponsorship opportunities ranging in price from $75,000 to $200,000, according to information sent to potential sponsors that was obtained and reported by CNN and the New York Times . Among the perks that are possible depending on just how much a sponsor donates to the cause: Since it was first hosted in 1878, the event has been privately funded, with much of that funding (plus tens of thousands of eggs) coming from the American Egg Board, a marketing group affiliated with the egg industry. Legal and ethical experts were, not surprisingly, calling shenanigans, with an official who worked in the White House Counsel's Office under the George W. Bush administration noting, "That would have been vetoed in about 30 seconds in my day." There are regulations that would seem to prohibit this sort of thing, but of course, Trump also had no problem making a sales pitch for Tesla at the White House earlier this month. President Trump still plans to unveil a new round of tariffs on April 2, but they're now expected to be less severe than initially feared, reports the Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg . The new reports have buoyed investors, and US markets are expected to open with a jump. Dow futures were up well over 300 points, nearly 1%, notes CNBC , while the benchmark S&P 500 and the tech-focused Nasdaq were up more than 1% in futures trading. Markets in Europe and China rose on Monday as well. The president is moving ahead with new retaliatory tariffs against major trading partners as part of what the White House is calling "Liberation Day" for the US. On Friday, however, Trump himself hinted at some flexibility in the details, and it now appears that the White House won't impose tariffs on specific sectors such as automobiles, pharmaceuticals, and semiconductors as planned. Bloomberg notes that the reciprocal tariffs still going into place against major trading partners or blocs "would remain a very significant expansion of US tariffs," and the Journal similarly notes that they could raise tariffs on those partners "to levels not seen in decades." But the marketswhich snapped a four-week losing streak last weekwere happy that they won't include the sector-specific penalties. A jury in Georgia has ordered Monsanto parent Bayer to pay nearly $2.1 billion in damages to a man who says the company's Roundup weed killer caused his cancer, according to attorneys representing the plaintiff. The verdict marks the latest in a long-running series of court battles Monsanto has faced over its Roundup herbicide . The agrochemical giant says it will appeal the verdict, reached in a Georgia courtroom late Friday, in efforts to overturn the decision, per the AP . The penalties awarded include $65 million in compensatory damages and $2 billion in punitive damages, law firms Arnold & Itkin LLP and Kline & Specter PC said in a statement. That marks one of the largest legal settlements reached in a Roundup-related case to date. Plaintiff John Barnes filed his lawsuit against Monsanto in 2021, seeking damages related to his non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Arnold & Itkin attorney Kyle Findley, the lead trial lawyer on the case, said the verdict will help put his client in a better position to get the treatment he needs going forward. "It's been a long road for him ... and he was happy that the truth related to the product (has) been exposed," Findley told the AP on Sunday. He called the verdict an "important milestone" after "another example of Monsanto's refusal to accept responsibility for poisoning people with this toxic product." Germany-based Bayer, which acquired Monsanto in 2018, has continued to dispute claims that Roundup causes cancer. But the company has been hit with more than 177,000 lawsuits involving the weedkiller and set aside $16 billion to settle cases. In a statement, Monsanto said Friday's verdict "conflicts with the overwhelming weight of scientific evidence and the consensus of regulatory bodies and their scientific assessments worldwide." Findley accused Monsanto of ignoring several scientific studies related to the toxicity of Roundup. Some studies associate Roundup's key ingredient, glyphosate, with cancer, although the Environmental Protection Agency has said it is not likely to be carcinogenic to humans when used as directed. (This comes two months after a $2.25 billion verdict.) Influencer brothers Andrew and Tristan Tate checked in at a police station near Romania's capital on Monday, complying with judicial control requirements in the case in which they are charged with human trafficking and forming a criminal gang to sexually exploit women, per the AP . Outside the police station in Voluntari, self-described misogynist Andrew Tate told reporters, "I'm a free person who has not been convicted of anything," and said he will "comply with all judicial authorities everywhere around the world because I'm completely innocent." The Tates, who are dual US and British citizens, were arrested in Romania in late 2022 and formally indicted last year on charges that they participated in a criminal ring that lured women to Romania, where they were allegedly sexually exploited. Andrew Tate was also charged with rape. The brothers deny all of the allegations against them. "It doesn't matter what you're accused of, it matters what you are proven guilty to have done in a fair court of law," Andrew Tate said on Monday. "Accusations mean nothing. It doesn't matter how many times you repeat an accusation on the news. That is garbage." Early on Saturday, the Tate brothers returned to Romania on a private flight after spending weeks in the US, where they flew after a travel ban imposed on them was lifted last month. They remain under judicial control, which requires them to appear before judicial authorities in Romania when summoned. Days after they arrived in Florida, on March 4, Florida's Attorney General James Uthmeier said his office had opened a criminal investigation into the brothers. Andrew Tate on Monday accused Florida's governor of being "hijacked by the media" after they arrived in his state. "He didn't realize I was an American citizen," he said. "And now he understands he made a mistake ... there've been some conversations and everything has been settled." If you're boarding an international flight, gate agents check to make sure you have your passport. Evidently, they don't make the same check for crew members. A United Airlines flight took off Saturday from Los Angeles bound for Shanghai but had to return to California because a pilot forgot their passport, reports the Independent . Flight UA198 with 257 passengers had been in the air about two hours when it made a U-turn and landed in San Francisco. Passengers got a $15 meal voucher for the snafu. "Now stuck six plus hours," tweeted a passenger. "Completely unacceptable. United, what compensation are you offering for this total mishandling?" The airline apologized, explaining that it had to sub in an entirely new crew because of the gaffe. The kicker to all this: A post at the View From the Wing reports that the same thing happened on a United flight to Shanghai last week as well. In that case, the mistake was discovered just before takeoff, though it still resulted in a delay of several hours. A Florida man has been charged with assault for driving his car toward a group of people who were peacefully protesting outside a Tesla dealership in West Palm Beach on Saturday. Witnesses said the man, who claimed to be an employee of the West Palm Beach Tesla showroom, drove his black Nissan SUV onto the curb toward around 100 protesters, the Palm Beach Post reports. "He drove into a crowd of senior citizens," says Mark Offerman of the Democratic Progressive Caucus Palm Beach County, one of the groups that organized the protest. "Everybody was able to move out, but two older women were really almost clipped. We immediately called the cops." Court records show that Andrew Dutil was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill. NBC News reports that Dutil has shared pro-President Trump content on Facebook, though he also criticized electric vehicles in 2022, saying, "If you drive one, welcome to 1995 where the technology of your car is from." The Democrat Progressive Caucus says it plans to hold protests at the same dealership every Saturday. "Elon Musk is destroying our democracy, and he's using the fortune he built at Tesla to do it," the group says. In Texas, meanwhile, police in Austin, home to Tesla's headquarters, say multiple "incendiary" devices were found at a Tesla showroom Monday morning, CNBC reports. Police say the bomb squad was called in and the devices "were taken into police custody without incident." After multiple attacks on dealerships last week, Trump warned that people vandalizing Teslas could face long prison sentences. "I look forward to watching the sick terrorist thugs get 20 year jail sentences for what they are doing to Elon Musk and Tesla," he said in a Truth Social post. "Perhaps they could serve them in the prisons of El Salvador, which have become so recently famous for such lovely conditions!" Greenland is not happy about another scheduled visit by big names in the orbit of President Trump. Usha Vance, wife of the vice president, is scheduled to fly there Thursday along with national security adviser Mike Waltz and Energy Secretary Chris Wright, reports the Hill. The visit comes as Trump continues to push the idea of the US taking over the Danish territory. Coverage: 'Aggressive:' Greenland Prime Minister Mute Bourup Egede condemned the visit to local media, reports the BBC. "The very aggressive American pressure against Greenlandic society is now so serious that the level cannot be raised any higher," he said. "The only purpose is to show a show of power to us, and the signal is not to be misunderstood." He described the Trump administration as "completely and utterly indifferent to what we have stood together on so far, because now it is only a matter of them taking over our country over our heads." Countries that buy or sell gasoline from Venezuela soon will be looking at a 25% tariff on goods they export to the US, President Trump said in a social media post Monday. The move appears to be punishment for what reasons that Trump said include sending thousands of criminal migrants, "many of whom are murderers and people of a very violent nature" to the US. He provided no evidence for that claim, USA Today reports. The tariff would take effect April 2, when his reciprocal tariffs kick in. "In addition, Venezuela has been very hostile to the United States and the Freedoms which we espouse," Trump wrote. "Therefore, any Country that purchases Oil and/or Gas from Venezuela will be forced to pay a Tariff of 25% to the United States on any Trade they do with our Country." The No. 1 destination for Venezuelan crude last year was China, which bought 68% of the export, followed by the US at 23%. The latest tariff announcement "appears to be one more action targeting China," an oil industry analyst tells CNBC. At the same time, the Treasury Department extended Chevron's license to produce oil in Venezuela until late May, dropping the April 3 deadline to stop. Trump had said last month that he'd overturn the decision to allow the oil company to resume production there, which the Biden administration had approved, per CNBC. CEO Mike Wirth had lobbied Trump at the White House last week for the extension, per the Wall Street Journal. TDT | Manama Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain has strongly condemned and denounced the brutal terrorist attack targeting a mosque in southwestern Niger, which resulted in the deaths and injuries of dozens of innocent civilians. In an official statement, the ministry expressed Bahrains deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathies to the government and people of Niger, as well as to the families of the victims. It also wished a swift recovery for all those injured in the attack. Reaffirming its firm stance against terrorism and extremism, the ministry emphasized Bahrains solidarity with Niger in its efforts to combat terrorism, maintain national security, and preserve stability. The statement further underscored Bahrains categorical rejection of attacks on places of worship and the intimidation of innocent people, stressing that such acts contradict all religious and humanitarian values. What You Need to Know About Bahrains 2025-2026 Budget What You Need to Know About Bahrains 2025-2026 Budget TDT | Manama Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com Ahmed bin Salman Al Musallam, Speaker of the Council of Representatives, attended a crucial meeting held by the Financial and Economic Affairs Committee, which presented a comprehensive overview of the draft state budget for the fiscal years 20252026. The session, aimed at briefing members of parliament (MPs) on discussions between the executive and legislative authorities, was also attended by Abdulnabi Salman Ahmed, First Deputy Speaker, and MP Ahmed Abdulwahed Qarata. MP Ahmed Sabah Al Salloom, Chairman of the Financial and Economic Affairs Committee, emphasized the importance of MP involvement in the discussions. He noted that the meeting followed the Speaker's directive to ensure all MPs were fully briefed on the ongoing budget discussions. He called for active participation in shaping a unified vision, addressing key issues, and submitting proposals before the budget is sent for government approval. Al Salloom expressed his appreciation for Speaker Al Musallams efforts in backing parliamentary proposals and his dedication to national goals through the continued collaboration between both authorities. He praised the Speaker's commitment to advancing development under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and the guidance of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister. The committee chairman also provided an overview of the joint meetings with the executive authority, which began on October 31, 2024, and continued through March 2025. A total of six sessions were held, during which the budgets strategic objectives and key sectoral projects were thoroughly reviewed. These included housing, education, health, infrastructure, and environmental sustainability, among others. Key Principles of the 20252026 Budget: No Increase in VAT: The draft budget confirms no rise in value-added tax (VAT), ensuring stability for businesses and consumers alike. Pensioner Support: The budget proposes annual increases for pensioners by maintaining the 20232024 cost-of-living allowance and adding an increase for 20252026. Government Services Development: The budget allocates BHD 800 million for housing projects, marking the largest-ever investment in housing services. This includes collaboration with the private sector to expedite housing allocations and reduce waitlists. Education Sector Investment: Plans include employing more Bahraini professionals, updating curricula, expanding educational services, and supporting the construction of schools in new housing areas. Healthcare Enhancements: A BHD 688 million allocation for healthcare aims to improve services for both citizens and residents. Employment and Labour Initiatives: The budget outlines the creation of 25,000 new jobs annually, including initiatives to hire 8,000 fresh graduates each year. The Labour Fund (Tamkeen) will support 50,000 Bahrainis annually through funding and training programs. Spending Efficiency: The budget sets a target to reduce recurrent expenditures by at least 5%, focusing on increasing efficiency across ministries and government bodies. Direct Support for Low-Income Citizens: Provisions are included to provide direct cash support to low-income citizens if the prices of subsidized goods are adjusted during the budget period. Legislative Package for Fiscal Improvement: A new legislative package aims to bolster the fiscal status by generating additional revenue from companies with substantial annual profits. This includes increased revenues from taxes on energy drinks, soft drinks, sweetened beverages, and tobacco, as well as carbon emissions fees. Infrastructure Sustainability: Emphasis will be placed on enhancing infrastructure sustainability and exploring opportunities for the development of idle commercial and investment land. Deficit Reduction: The budget seeks to explore various options to reduce the fiscal deficit and ensure the adequacy of funding during the budget implementation period. In closing, Al Salloom extended his gratitude to all members of both authorities and the working teams for their continuous cooperation and dedication to serving the Kingdom and its citizens. This budget draft aims to drive sustainable development while balancing the needs of key sectors, ensuring Bahrains economic growth continues in line with its national goals. TDT | Manama Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com Trade between Bahrain and Saudi Arabia reached SAR 10.5 billion in the final quarter of 2024, new figures from Saudi Arabias General Authority for Statistics have shown. Bahrain exported goods worth SAR 2.1 billion to its larger neighbour, while Saudi exports to Bahrain totalled SAR 8.4 billion. Across the Gulf as a whole, Saudi Arabia imported SAR 18.3 billion in goods from fellow GCC countries and exported SAR 39.5 billion. The UAE topped the list, sending SAR 12.63 billion worth of goods to the Kingdom. Oman followed with SAR 2.63 billion, just ahead of Bahrain at SAR 2.14 billion. Imports from Kuwait stood at SAR 603.4 million, while Qatar contributed SAR 337.2 million. China remained Saudi Arabias biggest customer, accounting for 14.7 per cent of its exports in the three months to the end of December. Japan followed with 9.8 per cent, then India at 9.6 per cent. Top 10 destinations South Korea, the UAE, the US, Poland, Singapore, Bahrain and Egypt completed the top 10 destinations for Saudi exports. Together, they accounted for 68.4 per cent. On the import side, China was also the largest source, sending 25.6 per cent of all goods that arrived. The United States supplied 9 per cent, and the UAE 5.4 per cent. India, Germany, Japan, Italy, Egypt, Switzerland and the United Kingdom were also among the ten largest sources of imports, together making up 66.1 per cent. TDT | Manama Email : editor@newsofbahrain.com The Cabinet, chaired by His Excellency Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, Deputy Prime Minister, convened at Gudaibiya Palace on 24 March 2025, making significant decisions that reflect Bahrains ongoing commitment to national and international progress. A key highlight of the meeting was the approval of a memorandum from the Minister of Foreign Affairs regarding Bahrains candidacy for non-permanent membership in the United Nations Security Council for the 20262027 term. The Cabinets decision underscores Bahrains active role in global diplomacy and its dedication to contributing to international peace and security. The Cabinet also discussed Bahrain's general budget for the 20252026 fiscal year, as presented by the Ministerial Committee for Financial and Economic Affairs and Fiscal Balance. The draft budget, which will be referred to the Council of Representatives, reflects the Kingdoms priorities in enhancing government services, accelerating housing projects, strengthening education, and fostering economic growth. It also focuses on improving healthcare services and expanding critical infrastructure, including the construction of schools, restoration of academic facilities, and the development of the road and sewage network. The Cabinet emphasized that these initiatives are aligned with Bahrains vision of sustainable development and prosperity for all citizens. Further demonstrating Bahrains commitment to sustainability, the Cabinet reaffirmed its dedication to combating climate change. The Kingdoms participation in Earth Hour was highlighted as a key initiative in raising awareness and promoting environmental responsibility. The Cabinet also reviewed several other memorandums, including: Legislative Cooperation: The Cabinet commended His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Prime Minister for his leadership in engaging both chambers of the Legislative Authority to present the principles upon which the budget is based. This constructive cooperation between the Executive and Legislative Authorities, particularly with the Shura Council Chairman and the Speaker of the Council of Representatives, strengthens Bahrains legislative processes. Bails and Trusts in Criminal Cases: A memorandum from the Ministerial Committee for Financial and Economic Affairs and Fiscal Balance addressed the mechanisms for responding to bails and trusts in criminal cases, with the Ministry of Justice, Islamic Affairs, and Endowments providing the necessary updates. Education Reports: The Cabinet approved reports submitted by the Education and Training Quality Authority, which focuses on the continuous improvement of Bahrains education system. Governments Legislative Response: The Cabinet also reviewed the governments response to three legislative proposals submitted by the Council of Representatives, which are aimed at enhancing the Kingdoms legal and regulatory framework. In addition to these matters, the Cabinet discussed Bahrains participation in the Joint Arab-Islamic Ministerial Committee meeting with the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. Plans for upcoming visits by Bahraini ministers and foreign dignitaries in April 2025 were also reviewed. These decisions reflect Bahrains ongoing efforts to foster economic growth, enhance social services, and play a pivotal role in global affairs. The Cabinets discussions emphasized the Kingdoms commitment to its citizens, environmental sustainability, and its international partnerships. By ISABELLA VOLMERT Associated Press The #MeToo movement hit critical mass in 2017, toppling politicians and public figures across the country. Allegations of harassment and misconduct some from many years prior emerged. Many state legislatures responded by adopting or enhancing policies against sexual misconduct. In the years since, womens representation in U.S. statehouses has reached an all-time high. As more women fill seats and hold leadership positions, lawmakers and others are divided about whether anything has changed. But allegations continue to surface at the state level and beyond. The Associated Press tallied allegations against state lawmakers across the country, examined the sexual harassment policies of legislative chambers in all 50 states, and talked to lawmakers, lobbyists and staff. Here are key takeaways from the investigation: 144 state lawmakers accused since #MeToo Since 2017, The Associated Press has cataloged at least 147 state lawmakers across 44 states who have been accused of sexual harassment or misconduct. Most allegations were reported during the first two years of #MeToo, but more have surfaced every year since. The total includes allegations of incidents both in state government and outside of it. In 2024 alone, the AP tallied at least 14 state lawmakers from 12 states who were accused about twice as many as the previous year. In total, over a third of accused lawmakers resigned or were expelled from office. Roughly another third faced repercussions like losing party or committee positions. A dozen top state executive officials, including governors and attorneys general, faced similar allegations during that time and most resigned. According to the National Womens Defense League, which advocates for sexual harassment policies in statehouses and keeps its own count, Republicans and Democrats are nearly equally accused and 94% of those overall are men. Transparency still lacking despite updated policies and training An AP survey, conducted from last November through January, found nearly half of all legislative chambers had updated their sexual harassment policies over the past five years. However, many policies are difficult for the general public to locate. Near the beginning of #MeToo, an AP survey found about a third of legislative chambers didnt require lawmakers to take sexual harassment training. Almost all state legislatures now offer it, though its not always mandatory and content, format and frequency vary. Only about one-third of legislative chambers conduct training annually, according to APs survey. The Arkansas Senate is the only legislative chamber without a specific sexual harassment policy. Officials in the Oklahoma Senate, the Mississippi Senate and both chambers of the West Virginia Legislature did not provide their sexual harassment policies to the AP. Less of a boys club but with caveats Lawmakers and others are divided about whether anything has changed. Michigan state Sen. Mallory McMorrow, who filed a sexual harassment complaint against a fellow lawmaker in 2020, said any improvements have less to do with policy changes or work groups, and more to do with just the fact that we have significantly more women in charge. Others still see sexism. Sometimes it feels like we should just smile more and not be disruptive and not challenge anyone. That hasnt gone away, said Georgia state Rep. Shea Roberts, who resigned as Democratic Caucus treasurer to protest a fellow lawmaker who was accused last year of sexually harassing a staffer. Womens representation is still lower than 50% in most places Advocates and lawmakers say the statehouse environment can still be hostile enough to keep many women from running for office. When men run for office, its about whether they can do the job, said Erin Maye Quade, a Minnesota senator. When women run for office, its about a lot more than that. Men still make up two-thirds of all state lawmakers in the U.S., and some say #MeToo gave them space to join the discussion and to acknowledge more work is needed. Republican state Rep. Mark Schreiber of Kansas said attitudes have evolved over the years from a boys will be boys ethos to acknowledging the harassment, while still blaming women. In more recent years, he said, men realized, Were blaming the wrong people. ___ The Associated Press women in the workforce and state government coverage receives financial support from Pivotal Ventures. The AP is solely responsible for all content. Find APs standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org. INRS team officially launches new version of IceMAP-R algorithm QUEBEC CITY, March 24, 2025 /CNW/ - Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS) is proud to announce the operational release of the new version of the IceMAP-R algorithm developed under the supervision of Professor Karem Chokmani, a remote sensing and hydrology specialist at INRS. This project, carried out in partnership with Ministere de la Securite publique (MSP), represents a major technological breakthrough in river ice monitoring. Professor Karem Chokmani, a remote sensing and hydrology specialist at INRS - Credit INRS (CNW Group/Institut National de la recherche scientifique (INRS)) From left to right: Chayma Chaabani, a postdoctoral researcher along with professors Karem Chokmani and Saeid Homayouni at INRS, have developed a new version of the IceMAP-R. This project, carried out in partnership with Ministere de la Securite publique (MSP), represents a major technological breakthrough in river ice monitoring. - Credit INRS (CNW Group/Institut National de la recherche scientifique (INRS)) River ice is an ice formation that develops on the surface of watercourses in winter and can cause ice jams and flooding when it forms or breaks up. In Quebec, it represents a major issue for public safety, infrastructure management, and navigation, especially for municipalities, civil security, and Hydro-Quebec. The critical period for river ice is from December to April, with increased risk during mild spells and the spring breakup. Since December 2024, MSP's government operations centre has been using this new version of IceMAP-R to monitor river ice in real time throughout Quebec. This enhanced version now enables automatic processing of images from the RADARSAT Constellation Mission (RCM) satellite through a standalone program. "This successful collaboration with MSP has made it possible to develop a technological solution adapted to Quebec's climate. The implementation of this standalone version of IceMAP-R is a significant step forward for citizen safety and the proactive management of ice jam risks," said Professor Karem Chokmani, a researcher at INRS. This system no longer relies on commercial software for data preprocessing and analysis. The entire process, including satellite image acquisition, ice chart generation and distribution, is therefore automated by MSP, ensuring greater responsiveness and reliability. The ice charts produced are also published in real time by MSP on Donnees Quebec. The deployment of this technology is part of a continuing joint effort by INRS and MSP to improve tools for forecasting and managing the risks associated with ice jams. The IceMAP-R algorithm has been tested in preoperational mode since 2023 on all rivers in southern Quebec, validating its performance and integration into MSP's operational systems. "MSP now has a cutting-edge tool that is essential for anticipating flood risks and optimizing interventions in the field. This project is a perfect illustration of the effectiveness of partnerships between research institutions and government agencies in the prevention of natural hazards," concludes Professor Chokmani. The project also benefited from the contribution of Chayma Chaabani, a postdoctoral researcher at INRS's Eau Terre Environnement Research Centre. She collaborated on the development of the algorithm under the supervision of professors Karem Chokmani and Saeid Homayouni. About INRS INRS is an academic institution dedicated exclusively to graduate research and training in strategic sectors in Quebec. For the past 55 years, it has actively contributed to Quebec's economic, social, and cultural development. INRS ranks first in Quebec and Canada in research intensity. It is made up of four interdisciplinary research and training centres located in Quebec City, Montreal, Laval, and Varennes, which focus their efforts on strategic sectors: water, earth, and environment (Eau Terre Environnement Research Centre); energy, materials, and telecommunications (Energie Materiaux Telecommunications Research Centre); urbanization, culture, and society (Urbanisation Culture Societe Research Centre); and health and biotechnology (Armand-Frappier Sante Biotechnologie Research Centre). The INRS community includes over 1,500 students, postdoctoral fellows, and faculty and staff members. Related link: Ministere de la Securite publique | Government of Quebec SOURCE Institut National de la recherche scientifique (INRS) Media contacts: Julie Robert, Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS), Service des communications et affaires publiques, 514 971-4747, [email protected]; Ministere de la Securite publique, Relations medias, Direction des communications, Ministere de la Securite publique, 418 646-6777, poste 30274, [email protected] "Workers Together" plan challenges parties to tackle trade threats, strengthen public health care and address mounting economic pressures. ST. JOHN'S, NL, March 24, 2025 /CNW/ - With yesterday's election call sending voters to the polls on April 28, Canada's unions are challenging all parties to put working families first. The Workers Together platform, Building a Better Future for Working People, was launched today in St. John's, Newfoundland, by Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC), alongside Jessica McCormick, President of the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Labour. The platform provides a clear blueprint for the next government at a time when Canadians face mounting pressures from all sides. "This isn't just another election it's a crucial choice about who will support Canadian workers in these turbulent times," said Bruske. "Workers and their families are caught between aggressive U.S. trade threats, corporate price gouging, and increasingly strained health care and public services. The next government must be ready to take bold action from day one." As the voice of more than 3 million workers across Canada, Canada's unions are calling for commitments from all political parties to: Mitigate the trade tariff threat with a worker-first response to secure jobs, support workers, and strengthen communities Ensure everyone has access to a family doctor and deliver fully universal public Pharmacare to ensure health care is accessible to all Cap prices on food staples and essential goods to stop corporate price gouging and protect family budgets Build one million truly affordable homes to bring down the cost of housing and tackle the housing crisis Fix our broken tax system by restructuring corporate taxes to fund affordable housing, hospitals and the public services Canadians count on The CLC President emphasized that campaign promises alone aren't enough Canadians need leaders with proven experience of standing up for workers. "Pierre Poilievre has never worked on a factory floor, never run a business, never held corporate interests accountable. How can he negotiate with Trump when he has no experience of getting things done for Canadians?" said Bruske. "Workers in Newfoundland and Labrador, like workers across Canada, are facing an affordability crisis compounded by the effects of a trade war," said McCormick. "Workers and their families need and deserve elected officials who will prioritize their needs not the interests of the corporate elite." Canada's unions are ready to work with political leaders who will deliver results for workers and their families. The solutions outlined in the Workers Together platform offer a clear path forward for any party serious about supporting working families. "The time for bold action isn't just now it's overdue. We need a government that will crack down on corporate greed, rebuild public health care, and protect workers against Trump's attacks. When working people thrive, our whole economy grows stronger. That's what the Workers Together platform will deliver," Bruske stressed. Click here to view the full platform. The event was held with workers from both the private and public sectors, highlighting solidarity across various industries. The Canadian Labour Congress is Canada's largest labour organization, bringing together dozens of national and international unions, provincial and territorial federations of labour and community-based labour councils. The Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Labour unites and represents nearly 70,000 workers across Newfoundland and Labrador. SOURCE Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) To arrange an interview, please contact: CLC Media Relations, [email protected], 613-526-7426 MONCTON, NB, March 24, 2025 /CNW/ - Dizolve, the original inventor and the first North American manufacturer of dissolvable laundry and cleaning sheets for household and commercial markets, today announced the opening of its new 72,000 square foot state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Moncton, New Brunswick. This expansion not only solidifies Dizolve's position as a leader in the cleaning sheet industry but also reflects the company's deep commitment to supporting the Canadian economy and creating meaningful employment opportunities for Canadians. Dizolve Group Corp. New Manufacturing Facility (CNW Group/Dizolve Group Corporation) Original inventor and first North American manufacturer of dissolvable laundry and cleaning sheets. (CNW Group/Dizolve Group Corporation) Since its inception over 15 years ago, Dizolve has been at the forefront of the US, Canadian and Global cleaning industry, developing proprietary technologies that redefine cleanliness with minimal environmental impact. The company's unique product line, which includes laundry detergent sheets among other cleaning solutions, is designed to meet the rigorous demands of both environmental sustainability and effective performance. "Dizolve is proud to lead the way in sustainable cleaning innovation," said Ken Reid, CEO of Dizolve. "Our new facility not only exponentially increases our manufacturing capacity but also showcases our commitment to advanced manufacturing practices and environmental stewardship." Located strategically in Canada, Dizolve benefits from robust and reliable supply chains, and maintains the highest standards of quality and compliance. Dizolve maintains key certifications such as SMETA, RSPO, EPA Safer Choice, SCAN, USDA BioPreferred, and Leaping Bunny, while complying with GMP guidelines. This Innovation manufacturing campus operates 24/7, ensuring a reliable and efficient production that can meet growing global demand without compromising on quality and flexibility to meet any customer value proposition. "Dizolve's products represent a leap forward in cleaning technology," said Daniel Carbo, VP of Product Technology. "With our new facility, we can further our research and development efforts to provide our customers with innovative products that are not only effective but are also truly sustainable." The opening of the new facility marks a significant milestone for Dizolve as it continues to expand its operations and reinforce its market leadership. This strategic expansion will enable Dizolve to enhance its product offerings and cater to a broader range of consumer needs with customized solutions, from basic everyday cleaning sheets to premium products. About Dizolve Dizolve is the pioneer and leading North American manufacturer of original patented dissolvable cleaning sheet technologies. Known for its commitment to innovation and sustainability, Dizolve provides high-quality, environmentally responsible cleaning products designed to meet the needs of today's eco-conscious consumers and businesses. For more information, visit https://dizolve.com/. SOURCE Dizolve Group Corporation For further information, partnership opportunities, or media inquiries, please contact: Chris Ingersoll, President, [email protected] TORONTO, March 24, 2025 /CNW/ - With the federal election underway, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) is releasing its small business platform with 13 key recommendations on improving Canada's business environment. Small business owners across Canada share their concerns and business priorities in the lead-up to the federal election slated for April 28. The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB)s small business platform with 13 recommendations on improving Canadas business environment can be found here: cfib.ca/election "Small business confidence is now at an all-time low. It's hard to compete, businesses are afraid to invest, and red tape is just killing productivity. Now we find ourselves in the midst of a trade war with our largest trading partner, in addition to a fresh round of Chinese tariffs. The business climate in Canada needs a complete overhaul. The next federal government must take swift and decisive action to keep our entrepreneurs from closing their doors over bad tax and regulatory policies," said Dan Kelly, CFIB president. CFIB's most recent survey found that four in five small businesses are already facing disruptions due to the Canada-U.S. trade war, and nine in 10 are struggling with business planning. A third (32%) of business owners have already shifted to suppliers/markets within Canada, 27% plan to increase their investment in Canada, while a third intend to reduce investment in the U.S. over the next six months. However, only three in 10 businesses are confident that their actions will help offset the impact of the trade war. The current trade war with the U.S. and China requires bold and urgent action. Reducing the overall tax burden and addressing the cost of doing business are top small business priorities for the next government. CFIB recommends the next federal government focus on: Carbon tax: Passing legislation to formally eliminate the carbon tax and ensuring the small business carbon tax rebates are tax free. Government should also follow through on its promise to extend the qualifying deadline for past rebates to December 31, 2024 . Passing legislation to formally eliminate the carbon tax and ensuring the small business carbon tax rebates are tax free. Government should also follow through on its promise to extend the qualifying deadline for past rebates to . The federal small business tax rate: Government should immediately lower the rate from 9% to 0% for the foreseeable future to help SMEs withstand the impacts of tariffs. Government should immediately lower the rate from 9% to 0% for the foreseeable future to help SMEs withstand the impacts of tariffs. The lifetime capital gains exemption (LCGE): CFIB calls on Ottawa to legislate the planned LCGE increase to $1.25 million . CFIB calls on to legislate the planned LCGE increase to . Payroll taxes: Employment Insurance premiums for smaller employers must be lowered to the same rate paid by employees. Employment Insurance premiums for smaller employers must be lowered to the same rate paid by employees. Internal trade: Ottawa should work with provinces to eliminate all internal trade barriers by adopting mutual recognition of each other's rules, permits and regulatory regimes. "We must ensure Canadian small businesses are able to compete globally and have the time and resources to invest and grow their operations. As all parties build their platforms, we urge them to keep small business needs front and centre to help mitigate the impact of the tariffs and build a more prosperous Canada," said Corinne Pohlmann, Executive Vice-President of Advocacy at CFIB. Methodology Your Voice January 2025 Survey Conducted January 931, 2025, with 2,345 CFIB member responses (2.02% margin of error). U.S.-Canada Trade War Survey Launched March 13, 2025 (ongoing). Results as of March 20, based on 2957 CFIB member responses (1.8% margin of error). About CFIB The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) is Canada's largest association of small and medium-sized businesses with 100,000 members across every industry and region. CFIB is dedicated to increasing business owners' chances of success by driving policy change at all levels of government, providing expert advice and tools, and negotiating exclusive savings. Learn more at cfib.ca. SOURCE Canadian Federation of Independent Business For media enquiries or interviews, please contact: Dariya Baiguzhiyeva, CFIB, 647-464-2814, [email protected] OTTAWA, ON, March 24, 2025 /CNW/ - The Leaders' Debates Commission today unveils the location and dates of the upcoming leaders' debates as well as the decision date for the invitation of the party leaders. The two debates will be held at the Maison de Radio-Canada in Montreal, Quebec on Wednesday, April 16 at 8 p.m. EDT (in French) and Thursday, April 17 at 7 p.m. EDT (in English). The decision to use existing technical facilities and studios was taken jointly by the Commission and the debates producer. It is a fiscally prudent and cost-effective approach that will guarantee high-quality production standards. Inviting the leaders On January 14, 2025, the Commission released its participation criteria for the next leaders' debates. In order to be invited by the Commission to participate in the leaders' debates, a leader of a registered political party must meet two of the following criteria: (i): on the date the general election is called, the party is represented in the House of Commons by a Member of Parliament who was elected as a member of that party. (ii): 28 days before the date of the general election, the party receives a level of national support of at least 4%, determined by voting intention, and as measured by leading national public opinion polling organizations, using the average of those organizations' most recently publicly reported results. (iii): 28 days before the date of the general election, the party has endorsed candidates in at least 90% of federal ridings. The Commission will announce which leaders will be invited to participate in the leaders' debates on April 1, 2025. Mandate The participation criteria align with the Commission's mandate which says that leaders' debates should "benefit from the participation of the leaders who have the greatest likelihood of becoming Prime Minister or whose political parties have the greatest likelihood of winning seats in Parliament." They ensure that the leaders invited on the debate stage represent a current picture of the country's political forces at play when the debates take place. Moderators & Format To aim to produce the most informative and effective debates for voters, the Commission established the following moderation and format principles: one moderator and a simple and flexible format that encourages meaningful exchanges between the leaders. As announced last October, Steve Paikin, host of TVO's flagship current affairs program The Agenda with Steve Paikin, will moderate the English debate and Patrice Roy, journalist and news anchor of Radio-Canada's Telejournal avec Patrice Roy and RDI's En direct avec Patrice Roy, will moderate the French debate. About the Leaders' Debates Commission The Leaders' Debates Commission is an independent and impartial public body mandated is to organize two leaders' debates in each federal general election that are in the public interest, one in each official language, while paying special attention to Canada's Indigenous languages. The Commission is responsible for setting out production, promotion, and distribution requirements for the leaders' debates, while respecting journalistic independence for the content of the debates as well as setting participation criteria for the debates. Website: www.debates-debats.ca X: @debates_can / @debats_can SOURCE Leaders' Debates Commission [email protected] Two new credit cards grant cardholders immediate recognition into Porter's loyalty program as a VIPorter Avid Traveller and accelerate travel rewards with industry-leading earn rates on travel and everyday spending More than 30,000 applicants on pre-launch waitlist TORONTO, March 24, 2025 /CNW/ - Porter Airlines, BMO and Mastercard are announcing the launch of two new BMO VIPorter Mastercard credit cards creating the first and only travel credit card program in Canada that grants immediate frequent flyer benefits for cardholders in an airline's loyalty program, while enabling accelerated travel rewards. More than 30,000 people have joined the pre-launch waitlist since the program was announced in January 2025 as Canadians seek more choice and benefits from their travel credit cards. BMO VIPorter Mastercard (CNW Group/BMO Financial Group) BMO VIPorter World Elite Mastercard (CNW Group/BMO Financial Group) The new BMO VIPorter Mastercard credit card lineup enhances customers' ability to earn VIPorter points and redeem for flights through everyday purchases, while automatically granting VIPorter Avid Traveller benefits to both the primary cardholder and any secondary cardholders on the account. Card benefits, along with the welcome offer, include waived annual fees for the first year and up to 70,000 VIPorter points giving cardholders as much as $2,400 of total value in their first year. Cardholders can experience greater earning rates for points and personal travel benefits, including: BMO VIPorter Mastercard Offering more value and opportunities to earn rewards and flights, cardholders earn 2 points for every $1 spent on Porter flights, 1 point for every $1 spent on transportation, gas, groceries, dining and hotel accommodations, and 0.5 points for every $1 spent on all other purchases. spent on Porter flights, 1 point for every spent on transportation, gas, groceries, dining and hotel accommodations, and 0.5 points for every spent on all other purchases. Cardholders are automatically granted VIPorter Passport Avid Traveller membership benefits, including earning 6 points per dollar on Porter flights, dedicated airport check in, priority security screening, early boarding and priority re-accommodation for flight delays. All cardholders also earn $1 of Avid Traveller Qualifying Spend for every $25 in eligible credit card spend, unlocking even more earning and travel benefits over time. of Avid Traveller Qualifying Spend for every in eligible credit card spend, unlocking even more earning and travel benefits over time. This card features an annual voucher for 35% off the base fare on any Porter flights for up to four people when spending at least $25,000 annually on the card. BMO VIPorter World Elite Mastercard Offering elevated rewards and travel experiences, cardholders earn 3 points for every $1 spent on Porter flights, 2 points for every $1 spent on transportation, gas, groceries, dining and hotel accommodations, and 1 point for every $1 spent on all other purchases. spent on Porter flights, 2 points for every spent on transportation, gas, groceries, dining and hotel accommodations, and 1 point for every spent on all other purchases. Cardholders are automatically granted VIPorter Avid Traveller Venture membership benefits, where they can enjoy earning 6 points per dollar on Porter flights, dedicated airport check-in, priority security screening, early boarding, priority re-accommodation for flight delays, one complimentary checked bag, a carry-on bag when purchasing a Basic economy fare, and complimentary PorterClassic seat selection. All cardholders will also earn $1 of Avid Traveller Qualifying Spend for every $25 in eligible credit card spend, unlocking even more earning and travel benefits over time. of Avid Traveller Qualifying Spend for every in eligible credit card spend, unlocking even more earning and travel benefits over time. This card features an annual round-trip Porter companion pass that gives an additional passenger flying on the same booking 100% off the base fare of any Porter flight when spending at least $50,000 annually on the card. "Porter elevates economy travel for all of our passengers and VIPorter enables loyal customers to enjoy complimentary benefits that enhance their journey even more," said Edmond Eldebs, Senior Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, Porter Airlines. "While other programs let you reach frequent flyer membership levels based on how much is spent on their cards, the BMO VIPorter Mastercard lineup grants it automatically. By partnering with BMO and Mastercard to enable cardholders to access Avid Traveller benefits immediately and earn VIPorter points even faster, our members can redeem for even more flights on Porter and our partner airlines. Porter is growing faster than any Canadian airline and opportunities to use points for meaningful travel experiences are growing along with us." "We are excited to collaborate with Porter and Mastercard to reimagine the travel rewards experience and deliver innovative and convenient ways for Canadians to achieve their personal and financial goals simultaneously," said Jennifer Douglas, Head, North American Retail & Small Business Payments, BMO. "The BMO VIPorter Mastercard program empowers Canadians through a lineup of new credit cards that provides compelling value and rewards for everyday purchases helping them make real financial progress." "We are dedicated to providing Canadians with opportunities to enhance their everyday experiences and pursue their passions, especially travel. That's why we are thrilled to introduce the new BMO VIPorter Mastercard credit card lineup in partnership with BMO and Porter," said Diane Miquelon, Senior Vice President, Financial Institutions, Mastercard, Canada. "This new offering will allow Canadians to expedite their travel rewards journeys with everyday purchases, while always ensuring each transaction is secure, simple and seamless." The new cards enable VIPorter members to build points quickly for redemption across Porter's expanding North American network, as well as Porter's growing list of global airline partners, currently featuring flights operated by Air Transat and Alaska Airlines. Highlights of Porter's VIPorter program include: All members receive 100% of their eligible points for every flight purchased, including Basic economy fares, exclusive of taxes and fees. VIPorter is the only airline loyalty program in Canada to give members full value for every dollar they spend on flights to give members full value for every dollar they spend on flights Accelerated earning and additional travel benefits for VIPorter Avid Travellers Redeem for any seat across Porter's expanding network, including points-only and cash-plus-points redemption options, with no blackout dates Earn confirmed PorterReserve flight certificates, starting at $3,000 in annual Qualifying Spend in annual Qualifying Spend Head Start allows members to carry over up to $3,000 in Qualifying Spend into the next year to accelerate their Avid Traveller benefits in Qualifying Spend into the next year to accelerate their Avid Traveller benefits Over 3,000 flight routings available for redemption with Porter, Air Transat and Alaska Airlines to North American and global destinations Embark on Your Next Journey with Exclusive Welcome Offers To help Canadians get started on their travel rewards journey, the annual fee for all BMO VIPorter Mastercards will be waived in the first year. BMO VIPorter Mastercard customers are eligible to earn 40,000 points and a 35% base fare discount Porter flight voucher during the first year. BMO VIPorter World Elite Mastercard cardholders can receive 70,000 points, a companion pass for 100% off a Porter base fare, and $1,000 in Qualifying Spend during their first year. To learn more about the BMO VIPorter Mastercard lineup, including other important terms and features, please visit: https://www.bmo.com/VIPorter. About Porter Since 2006, Porter Airlines has been elevating the experience of economy air travel for every passenger, providing genuine hospitality with style, care and charm. Porter's fleet of Embraer E195-E2 and De Havilland Dash 8-400 aircraft serves a North American network from Eastern Canada. Headquartered in Toronto, Porter is an Official 4 Star Airline in the World Airline Star Rating. Visit www.flyporter.com or follow @porterairlines on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. About BMO Financial Group BMO Financial Group is the eighth largest bank in North America by assets, with total assets of $1.5 trillion as of January 31, 2025. Serving customers for 200 years and counting, BMO is a diverse team of highly engaged employees providing a broad range of personal and commercial banking, wealth management, global markets and investment banking products and services to 13 million customers across Canada, the United States, and in select markets globally. Driven by a single purpose, to Boldly Grow the Good in business and life, BMO is committed to driving positive change in the world, and making progress for a thriving economy, sustainable future, and inclusive society. About Mastercard (NYSE: MA) Mastercard powers economies and empowers people in 200+ countries and territories worldwide. Together with our customers, we're building a sustainable economy where everyone can prosper. We support a wide range of digital payments choices, making transactions secure, simple, smart and accessible. Our technology and innovation, partnerships and networks combine to deliver a unique set of products and services that help people, businesses and governments realize their greatest potential. SOURCE BMO Financial Group Media Contacts: Porter: [email protected]; BMO: Anke Suwanda, Toronto, [email protected], (416) 867-3996; Mastercard: Helena Wade, [email protected] DEAR ERIC: My dad and I are super close. Or so I thought. I have six siblings, four of which live in the same town he does. I live many hours away. I speak to him daily. Whenever he needs anything, I drive down to help him, often staying for days or weeks at a time. During health issues, I stayed with him for five months, and was his in-home caregiver, fed him, drove him to all appointments, cooked, cleaned, did his laundry and have never asked for or expected anything. We had a good time together. We rarely heard from the others, some never. Our family dynamics have always been terrible. My siblings constantly talk behind my back, they have been physically and mentally abusive throughout our childhood and as young adults. My dad just did his will; he is 86. He has named three of the siblings, who never call, never help or check in, as his executors, as well as his power of attorneys. I am absolutely dumbfounded. How do I resolve this in my brain that I am not respected, even though I am the person who has been there for every single difficult issue for him? My siblings are rude, cruel, opinionated, controlling and dramatic. They choose to criticize and berate me any chance they get. I dont get the logic, and I am afraid if something happens to dad, they will not look after him with his best interests at heart. I know it is Dads choice who he picks, but I am surprised his choice is his children who rarely visit or call over those who help without question. Any insight is appreciated. Disrespected DEAR DISRESPECTED: Im really sorry about this; I know its painful. Start off by talking to your dad about his decision. Ask him about his thinking, in a nonjudgmental way, and talk with him through his plans for care. Has he had conversations with your siblings about what the power of attorney arrangement means? Do they know what his wishes are regarding long-term care? Is there a system in place to help him should other health issues arise? Getting some insight into whats going on in his head will help you to see the full picture. Ask your dad to talk to his estate lawyer about the possibility of you meeting with them. This may not be an option either of them is open to, but its worth trying so that you can get clarification and also so that you can be assured that your siblings arent exerting undue influence on your father. (Send questions to R. Eric Thomas at eric@askingeric.com or P.O. Box 22474, Philadelphia, PA 19110. Follow him on Instagram and sign up for his weekly newsletter at rericthomas.com.) 2025 Tribune Content Agency, LLC. (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) A wildfire that scorched more than 2,300 acres across two counties in Wharton State Forest has been fully contained, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service announced Monday morning. Fire crews reached 100% containment of the 2,336-acre blaze by 8 a.m., following a weekend of firefighting in the rugged terrain near Raritan Avenue and Old Atsion Road. The fire was first detected Saturday at 12:57 p.m. by a fire observer in the Blue Anchor Fire Tower. It was quickly triangulated with help from the Medford Fire Tower, allowing firefighters to pinpoint the location and mobilize resources, officials said. 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) By Saturday evening, the wildfire had crossed the Mullica River, spreading into Shamong Township in Burlington County. Evacuations of both the Atsion and Goshen Pond campgrounds were ordered as a precaution. Crews will remain on the scene in the coming days to reinforce containment lines and monitor for hotspots, fire officials said. Smoke may continue to linger in the area until significant rainfall occurs. Widespread rain is in the forecast for Monday. All previously closed roads have reopened, but officials urged visitors to use caution in the forest due to potentially weakened trees within the burn area. 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 journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription. Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Actor Gary Busey appeared in virtual court Monday seeking probation for sexual offense charges from lodged against him two years ago after the Monster Mania Convention in Cherry Hill. Busey, 80, of Malibu, California, appeared via Zoom at 10 a.m. before Judge Gwendolyn Blue in Camdens Superior Court. He is charged with two counts of criminal sexual contact, one count of criminal attempt/criminal sexual contact, and one count of harassment. Busy is accused of inappropriately touching women during a meet-and-greet at the convention, which was held at the Doubletree Hotel in August 2022. The actor is famous for his title role in the 1978 movie The Buddy Holly Story, for which he was nominated for an Oscar. Buseys attorney Blair R. Swillman said via Zoom that Busey had applied for pre-trial intervention or PTI on the day before the hearing. The PTI program in New Jersey provides offenders with opportunities to perform community service, pay restitution or enroll in a court-ordered treatment regimen for 30 months. Blue said on Zoom that parties will return to court on April 21 after reviewing Buseys PTI request. 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. Hundreds of protesters lined Route 70 outside a Tesla dealership to protest Elon Musk, right. Samuel Corum/Getty Images Hundreds of people toting signs lined Route 70 in Cherry Hill Saturday to protest outside a Tesla dealership as part of the national movement nicknamed Tesla Takedowns. The protest was another in the national movement that has emerged since President Donald Trump appointed Tesla CEO Elon Musk to lead the White Houses new Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE. Some of the signs read fire Musk, dump Elon and Trump picked Elon, not you. The protest took place for about 90 minutes starting at 12:30 p.m. and had more than 600 participants at its peak, according to Cooper River Indivisible, the non-profit organization that led the rally. Adam Sheridan, lead organizer for the group, said the protest demands that Musk be removed from his government role and also to call on Americans to boycott Tesla. Given the daily drop in Teslas stock price and the frequent poor sales reports for their vehicles, its clear this message is resonating around the country, Sheridan said. Tesla shares closed on Friday at $248.71, a nearly 50 percent drop from its all-time high of just below $480 on Dec. 17. One of the attendees, Janine Brown, of Delran, told NJ Advance Media that it was a well attended, high energy protest. We are angry and we will fight peacefully for our rights, Brown said. Musks controversial DOGE has promised to cut between $1 trillion and $2 trillion from the annual federal budget by 2026. Meanwhile, reports of vandalism to Tesla vehicles have also emerged across the country in recent weeks. There were no reports of vandalism at this Saturday protest. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Nicolas Fernandes may be reached at nfernandes@njadvancemedia.com. The Jonas Brothers will perform at MetLife Stadium on Aug. 10 Live Nation The Jonas Brothers are ready to take over New Jersey in a big way. After the success of JonasCon at the American Dream Mall in East Rutherford, which celebrated 20 years of their band, the Jonas Brothers are heading on tour in 2025. The Jonas Brothers Stadium Tour The cheapest Jonas Brothers tour tickets can be found on Viagogo. Buy Now The JoBros are taking the celebration nationwide, and the N.J. natives are spending the opening night of their tour at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford on Aug. 10. That also happens to be just one day after fellow N.J. musicians, My Chemical Romance, will perform at MetLife. If you want to secure tickets to their JONAS20: Living The Dream stadium tour, here is how you can. How to buy tickets to the Jonas Brothers' stadium tour dates For the Jonas Brothers' tour, several presales will lead up to the general sale, including an Artist Presale, a Live Nation Presale, and a Citi Cardmember presale. The Artist Presale will begin on Thursday, March 27 at 10 a.m. and will wrap up on the same day at 3 p.m. through Ticketmaster. Fans can sign up here to access the presale. The Live Nation presale will begin on March 27 at 4 p.m. and will wrap up on the same day at 10 p.m. through Ticketmaster. Finally, there will be a Citi Cardmember presale, which will begin on March 27 at 4 p.m. and will wrap up at 10 p.m. The general sale for the Jonas Brothers' tour will begin on Friday, March 28 at 10 a.m. through Ticketmaster. If you happen to miss out on securing tickets through any of these sales, then you can find them on StubHub, Vivid Seats, TicketNetwork, Viagogo, and SeatGeek. Plus, if you buy your tickets through Vivid Seats as a first-time customer, then you can receive $20 on ticket orders over $200 just by entering promo code NJ20 at checkout. For the Jonas Brothers' Aug. 10 concert at MetLife Stadium, the cheapest ticket that we could find is $85 on Viagogo. You can find all of the Jonas Brothers' upcoming stadium tour dates here. The Jonas Brothers 2025: Dates, schedule & more The Jonas Brothers will begin their JONAS20: Living The Dream tour on Aug. 10 in East Rutherford and will wrap up on Nov. 14 in Uncasville, Conn. Were beyond excited to hit the road and celebrate 20 years of music, said the Jonas Brothers in a statement. Our fans have been with us through every chapter, and this tour is our way of honoring them, the memories weve made, and the ones well create together. We cant wait to make this our biggest, most unforgettable tour yet. Marshmello, The All-American Rejects and Boys Like Girls will join on select tour dates. The Jonas Brothers promise fans a full, career-spanning journey once they hit the live stage. This includes Nick Jonas & the Administration, Nick Jonas solo music, Joe Jonas solo work, and DNCE. Upcoming 2025 tours heading to MetLife Stadium The Jonas brothers are not the only ones performing at MetLife Stadium this year. Here are a few more artists you dont want to miss out on: Oasis, My Chemical Romance, Zach Bryan, and Shakira. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Nicole Iuzzolino can be reached at niuzzolino@njadvancemedia.com. Have a tip? Tell us at nj.com/tips. Teens register to vote in the upcoming school board election during an event at the Newark School of Data Science and Information Technology on Tuesday, March 18, 2025. Hannah Gross/NJ Spotlight News Editors note: This story was originally published by NJ Spotlight News and shared as part of a content-sharing agreement between Mosaic.NJ.com and NJ Spotlight News. You can follow them on Facebook and Twitter (or X). More than 1,000 16- and 17-year-old Newark students are now registered to vote in school board elections, with one day left to reach the superintendents goal of 3,000 registered voters. The April 15 election will mark the first time 16- and 17-year-olds in Newark can vote for candidates to represent them on their school board. The change comes after a statewide student-led campaign to give students a voice in an election that directly impacts them. Students who want to vote in the election must register to vote by Tuesday. Registration can be completed online or with a paper form. Potential voters need to provide a drivers license number, non-drivers ID number or the last four digits of their Social Security number. Paper forms are available at schools and local election offices. If were talking about schools and the improvement of schools, who better of a client than the actual students that are actually impacted by all of the policies that exist, said Roger Leon, the superintendent of Newark Public Schools. The district has organized voter registration drives during lunch periods at each of the districts high schools and set a goal of 3,000 registered voters out of the roughly 7,000 who are eligible. If that many students register and then vote, they would have immense power to shape the outcome of school board elections in New Jerseys largest city where turnout is typically low in April. During last years election, no candidate running for a three-year term on the board of education received more than 3,000 votes. Voter turnout was around 3%. As of Friday morning, 1,166 young people had registered to vote in Newark. Of these, 473 will be 16 by Election Day and 693 will be 17. Younger voters, higher turnout In other places where the age limit for voting was lowered, 16- and 17-year-old voters turn out at greater rates than 18- to 20-year-old first-time voters, according to researchers. In Takoma Park, Maryland, the first U.S. city to lower the voting age in 2013, turnout among 16- and 17-year-olds was nearly four times the rate of registered voters who were 18 and older, according to LaJuan Allen, director of Vote16USA. At a voter registration event at the Newark School of Data Science and Information Technology last week, students said they were excited to vote but needed more information about which candidates to support. Ibn Oliver, who is 16, registered to vote during the event on Tuesday. He said he plans to ask his teachers for help learning about the candidates. Oliver said he is looking for a candidate who will speak for the students. He said he believes 16- and 17-year-olds should be allowed to vote in school elections because they are turning into adults, but they are not quite ready to vote in bigger elections like for governor or president. Kyro Wideman, who turned 16 on Sunday, registered to vote on Tuesday. Students currently age 15 but who will be 16 by Election Day are eligible to register. Students should have a say in their education, Wideman said. He plans to vote by mail in the upcoming election, and said he needs to do a deep dive into each candidates platform before casting his vote. Registered voters will be mailed sample ballots that list the candidates ahead of the election. Students can look up the candidates websites and social media pages or attend local candidate forums to learn more. Newark moved fast In January 2024, Newark City Council, led by former council president and Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-10th), passed an ordinance to allow people as young as 16 to vote in school board elections with the support of Mayor Ras Baraka. All 16- and 17-year-olds who live in the city and are U.S. citizens are eligible to vote, including hundreds attending charter and private schools. Students who attend school in Newark but do not live in the city are not eligible. This is history. You guys are making history the first in the state, pioneers, to register and vote in school board elections, Baraka said at last weeks voter registration event. Youre going to change the landscape of our city and the state of New Jersey. Baraka and McIver urged students to bring their parents and friends to the polls with them to vote at the same time. Call your friends, call your cousins, everybody that you know thats 16 and 17. Use your platforms on social media Instagram, TikTok, BlueSky, Twitter and tell people to register to vote if they live here in the city of Newark, McIver said. Ambition to go statewide Gov. Phil Murphy visited the Newark voter registration event and said he hopes the young people will help raise the low voter turnout rates in the city. Newark is leading the way, and I mean that not just in New Jersey, but in America. Having 16- and 17-year-olds voting for school board elections is historic. Its so historic, Mayor, we want to do this all over the state, Murphy said. Murphy said he supports legislation that would allow 16- and 17-year-olds to vote in school board elections across the state. He said his administration would not be associating itself with the bill so closely if he didnt have a high degree of confidence it would pass. Assemblywoman Cleopatra Tucker (D-Essex), a sponsor of the bill, said she wants to see it voted on by the end of the current legislative session. Jersey City and Atlantic City are keen In the meantime, other towns and cities are looking to follow Newark and lower the voting age. In Jersey City, an ordinance that would lower the voting age to 16 in school board elections is undergoing legal review before a possible vote in the city council. A similar ordinance has been introduced in Atlantic City and already cleared the legal review process. The state Division of Elections is updating the statewide voter registration system to make it easier for municipalities to lower the voting age, according to the Murphy administration. It should be ready to accommodate municipalities like Jersey City and Atlantic City that hold their school elections in November at the same time as other elections in time for this years general election. Murphys proposed budget includes $1 million to help municipalities that lower the voting age get the effort off the ground by funding training for poll workers and voter education efforts. This is not an abandonment of the goal to lower the voting age statewide but rather a way to start making progress in the meantime, according to the governors office. Students and lawmakers from across the state will be watching Newark on Election Day to see what happens when the first 16- and 17-year-olds in their state cast their ballots. The polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, April 15. The deadline to apply for a mail-in ballot is April 8 and ballots must be mailed or delivered by April 15. Students can look up their polling place online at vote.nj.gov or by calling the New Jersey Division of Elections at 609-292-3760. Tucker, who represents Newark in the Legislature, said she will be at every polling place in Newark on Election Day to make sure young people show up. Where Newark goes, everyone else wants to come, Tucker said. Welcome to Mosaic. Follow us on Instagram at @MosaicNJcom and on Facebook at MosaicNJcom and on YouTube at @MosaicNJcom. A New Jersey pain management clinic with offices in Atlantic, Cape May and Cumberland counties has pleaded guilty in federal court to defrauding insurers over the course of nearly five years. Pain Specialists admitted guilt to one count of healthcare fraud and will pay about $59,000 in restitution, as well as a criminal fine of approximately $82,000, U.S. Attorney John Giordano announced in a press release. Pain Specialists, which has locations in Northfield, Vineland and Cape May Court House, is a chain clinic that has provided medical care to chronic pain patients in South Jersey for decades, according to its website. It was founded in 1992 by owner and medical director Dr. Morris Antebi. SEE MORE: N.J. medical lab must repay $3.3M to Medicaid over billing disagreement Between November 2015 and January 2020, on dates when Antebi was not in the office, Pain Specialists used Antebis National Provider Identifier number to bill Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance for services and procedures requiring his in-person consultation or direct supervision, officials said. This resulted in higher reimbursement rates, officials said. Although Pain Specialists has admitted failure to ensure accurate billing, criminal defense attorney Riza Dagli said each and every patient for which the practice billed was treated by a licensed health care professional. When Dr. Antebi learned of the billing issue, he immediately instituted corrective action and instituted a compliance program and oversight to prevent these mistakes from happening in the future, Dagli told NJ Advance Media on Monday. All staff have been given additional training and are closely monitored. Antebi is not personally facing any criminal charges in the case. Pain Specialists also agreed to pay $240,000 as part of a civil settlement agreement. The agreement resolves allegations that between January 2014 and November 2020, Pain Specialists improperly listed a physician as the rendering provider for services that were given by a non-physician practitioner when no physician was present in the office, according to the agreement signed Jan. 31. The claims resolved by the civil settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Jackie Roman may be reached at jroman@njadvancemedia.com. President Donald Trump and Tesla CEO Elon Musk speak to reporters as they sit in a red Model S Tesla vehicle on the South Lawn of the White House Tuesday, March 11, 2025, in Washington. (Pool via AP) AP A President Donald Trump supporters plan to troll a Tesla protest in California backfired when he appeared to pull out a stun gun on protesters, according to reports. The counter-protester was arrested after he appeared to pull out a stun gun near the protesters outside a Tesla dealership in Berkeley, California, on Saturday, according to local website Berkleyside.com. He claimed that he pulled the stun gun to defend himself when a couple of protesters confronted him. MeidasTouchs editor-in-chief Ron Filipkowski shared a video of the encounter on social media platform X. Trump supporter Rick Fuze was arrested in Berkeley for using a stun gun on peaceful protesters outside a Tesla dealership. Fuze claimed they were paid protesters and he went there to show his support for Musk and DOGE, he wrote on X. The video circulating online shows the counter-protester buzzing a stun gun after a woman approaches him. As he tried to get away on his bike, the woman appeared to grab him by his hair. The video shows him being escorted away from the protest by police officers. The counter-protester, identified as Rick Fuze by Berkleyside.com, also goes by the handle DJ Occult on YouTube, according to the report. A video posted to the channel is titled: Berkeley Tesla Protest GOES WRONG!. Counter protested again this Saturday at the Tesla dealership in Berkeley CA. I did not last longer than a minute before deranged anti Trump/Elon protesters blocked my right of way and ass*ulted me. I was given a citation, non arrestable offense, no charges, and no one else was detained or arrested, user DJ Occult wrote on his YouTube channel. This comes as Tesla dealerships have experienced an uptick of protests, including in Cherry Hill, since Trump has been sworn into office. Police have said there have been several incidents of vandalism connected to the protests, nicknamed Tesla Takedowns. Many people have also organized boycotts of Teslaa move that Trump declared illegal earlier this month. But the Radical Left Lunatics, as they often do, are trying to illegally and collusively boycott Tesla, one of the Worlds great automakers, and Elons baby, in order to attack and do harm to Elon, and everything he stands for. They tried to do it to me at the 2024 Presidential Ballot Box, but how did that work out? Trump wrote on Truth Social. A recent CNN poll found that 53% of Americans have a negative view of Musk, with just 35% expressing a positive view on the billionaire. FILE - President Donald Trump, left, and Russian President Vladimir Putin shake hands at the beginning of a meeting at the Presidential Palace in Helsinki, Finland, July 16, 2018. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais, File) AP A top political analyst for Fox News is questioning whether President Donald Trump is being played by Russia as he attempts to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine. Gee, could it be that the Trump administration is being played?, Brit Hume, the chief political analyst for Fox News, wrote on social media platform X on Monday. Gee, could it be that the Trump administration is being played? https://t.co/VHvXYBhfwR Brit Hume (@brithume) March 24, 2025 Hume shared a report that claimed Russia was deliberately prolonging peace talks on Ukraine to seize more territory and strengthen its negotiating position with the U.S. The Moscow Times cited unnamed sources that said time is playing in Russias favor and the Kremlin wants to make the most of it, according to The Kyiv Independent. The relationship between the U.S. and Ukraine has been tense since Trump and Vice President JD Vance berated Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a meeting in the Oval Office last month. The U.S. later temporarily halted aid and intelligence sharing to Ukraine as it continues to fend off Russia in the three-year war. Trump has rarely criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin and has praised him as a genius for invading Ukraine in 2022. Trump repeatedly claimed throughout his campaign he would end the Russia-Ukraine war in 24 hours of being sworn into the White House. However, a deal to end the war remains elusive as U.S. negotiators are set to meet with Russian representatives about a partial cease-fire on Monday. It has been a struggle to reach even a limited, 30-day ceasefirewhich Moscow and Kyiv agreed to in principle last weekwith both sides continuing to attack each other with drones and missiles. One major sticking point is what targets would be off-limits to strike, even after Trump spoke with the countries leaders, because the parties disagree. While the White House said energy and infrastructure would be covered, the Kremlin declared that the agreement referred more narrowly to energy infrastructure. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said he would also like to see infrastructure like railways and ports protected. Talks Monday in the Saudi capital of Riyadh are expected to address some of those differences, as well as a potential pause in attacks in the Black Sea to ensure the safety of commercial shipping. U.S. and Russian representatives met in the morning, Russias state Tass and RIA-Novosti news agencies reported. The U.S. and Ukrainian teams met Sunday. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Saunders's gulls gather in Xiamen, SE China's Fujian People's Daily Online) 09:22, March 24, 2025 Photo shows Saunders's gulls, a bird species under first-class state protection in China in Xiamen, southeast China's Fujian Province. (People's Daily Online/Chen Bo) Saunders's gulls, a bird species under first-class state protection in China, have recently been spotted in Xiamen, southeast China's Fujian Province. With their spring plumage, their heads are now covered in black feathers, giving them a cute look. According to Ke Yukun, a member of the Xiamen Birdwatching Association, this year, about 200 Saunders's gulls are wintering in the area, often gathering to forage and ride the waves during low tide. According to a staff member from the city's bureau of natural resources and planning, once the birds molt into their breeding plumage, they will leave Xiamen in April for their migration and return in November. Photo shows a Saunders's gull, a bird species under first-class state protection in China in Xiamen, southeast China's Fujian Province. (Photo/Ke Yukun) Photo shows Saunders's gulls, a bird species under first-class state protection in China in Xiamen, southeast China's Fujian Province. (People's Daily Online/Chen Bo) A Saunders's gull catches crabs in Xiamen, southeast China's Fujian Province. (Photo/Ke Yukun) Photo shows Saunders's gulls, a bird species under first-class state protection in China in Xiamen, southeast China's Fujian Province. (People's Daily Online/Chen Bo) (Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun) Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton arrives before the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (Kevin Lamarque/Pool Photo via AP) AP Hillary Clinton joined a chorus of critics mocking President Donald Trumps administration over a text chain mishap involving war plans about military strikes in Yemen. The former Secretary of State reacted to The Atlantics shocking report on Monday that detailed how its editor-in-chief was included in a group chat with senior members of the Trump administration over the weekend. Top national security officials, including Trumps defense secretary, texted war plans about the upcoming military strikes to a group chat in a secure messaging app called Signal. President Donald Trump talks as he meets NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, Thursday, March 13, 2025. (Pool via AP) AP A conservative judge predicted President Donald Trumps presidency will cripple if the Supreme Court rebukes him over a dispute over mass deportation flights. Judge J. Michael Luttig wrote a scathing opinion piece for The New York Times about Trumps latest attacks on the judicial system. Trump lashed out at District Judge James Boasberg last week after he ruled against Trumps deportation plans that sent hundreds of immigrants to El Salvador despite the judges order to halt the flights. Luttig suggested Trumps threats against the judicial system could backfire on him. But unless Mr. Trump immediately turns an about-face and beats a fast retreat, not only will he plunge the nation deeper into constitutional crisis, which he appears fully willing to do, he will also find himself increasingly hobbled even before his already vanishing political honeymoon is over, he wrote. Luttig criticized Trump for calling Boasberg a Radical Left Lunatic of a Judge, a troublemaker and agitator for questioning whether the Trump administration was allowed to use the Alien Enemies Act to deport Venezuelan immigrants. He said the the tectonic plates of the constitutional order shifted beneath Mr. Trumps feet after Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts rebuked the president for calling for the impeachment of federal judges. No one wants murderers or other criminals to be allowed to stay in this country, but to rid the country of them the president first must follow the Constitution. Judge Boasberg doesnt want to assume the role of president; the president wants to assume the role of judge, Luttig wrote. Luttig said that Trump deludedly believes he could win in a fight against the federal judiciary and warned that Trump could overstep his authority as president. He concluded by explaining that Trumps presidency will cripple if the Supreme Court weighs in on his feud with Boasberg. If Mr. Trump continues to attempt to usurp the authority of the courts, the battle will be joined, and it will be up to the Supreme Court, Congress and the American people to step forward and say: Enough, he wrote. If the president oversteps his authority in his dispute with Judge Boasberg, the Supreme Court will step in and assert its undisputed constitutional power to say what the law is. A rebuke from the nations highest court in his wished-for war with the nations federal courts could well cripple Mr. Trumps presidency and tarnish his legacy, he added. Luttig was appointed by President George H.W. Bush and served on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit from 1991 to 2006. Earlier Friday, the Justice Department informed the judge that top leaders in President Donald Trumps administration are debating whether to invoke a state secrets privilege in response to the district judges questions about the deportation flights. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said in a court filing that there are ongoing Cabinet-level discussions about Boasbergs demand for more information. Boasberg ordered the Trump administration to either provide more details about the flights or assert a claim that disclosing the information would harm state secrets. The Republican administration has largely resisted the judges request, calling it an unnecessary judicial fishing expedition. Boasberg dismissed its response as woefully insufficient, increasing the possibility that he may hold administration officials in contempt of court. The Trump administration has transferred hundreds of Venezuelan immigrants to El Salvador under the 18th century law. Flights were in the air last Saturday when Boasberg, orally from the bench, issued an order temporarily barring the deportations and ordered planes to return to the U.S. The Justice Department has said that the judges oral directions did not count, that only his written order needed to be followed and that it couldnt apply to flights that had already left the U.S. The Associated Press contributed to this report. President Donald Trump speaks to reporters in the White House on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File) AP Greenland is not happy about a planned trip from the Trump administration. The White House announced in a statement that second lady Usha Vance, wife of Vice President JD Vance, will travel to Greenland this week with her son and a U.S. delegation to visit historical sites and attend a dogsled race. President Donald Trump has frequently suggested that the U.S. annex Greenland for national security reasons and has not ruled out using military force to do so. The statement explained that the delegations visit was a cultural one. Ms. Vance and the delegation are excited to witness this monumental race and celebrate Greenlandic culture and unity, the statement said. National Security Adviser Michael Waltz is reportedly also visiting the islanda move that Greenland Prime Minister Mute B. Egede was especially upset about in an interview with Greenlandic newspaper Sermitsiaq on Sunday. Egede said in the interview that the planned visit was highly aggressive, according to CNN. What is the national security adviser doing in Greenland? The only purpose is to demonstrate power over us, Egede told the newspaper, according to CNN. His mere presence in Greenland will no doubt fuel American belief in Trumps mission and the pressure will increase. Trumps talk of annexing the Danish territory has sparked criticism from Greenland residents and officials who say that Greenland does not want to be a part of the U.S. In addition, Trump has suggested taking control of the Panama Canal and making Canada the 51st state of the U.S. The New York Times reported that the prime minister of Denmark, Mette Frederiksen, suggested that neither Denmark nor Greenland solicited the visits. The visit from the United States cannot be seen in isolation from the public statements that have been made, Frederiksen said, according to The Times. This is something we take seriously, she added. Trump had mused during his first term about buying the worlds largest island, even as Denmark, a NATO ally, insisted it wasnt for sale. The people of Greenland have also firmly rejected Trumps plans. 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. Trump is focused on Greenland because it straddles strategic air and sea routes in the North Atlantic and is home to the U.S.s Pituffik Space Base, which supports missile warning and space surveillance operations. Greenland, whose population of 56,000 people are mostly from Indigenous Inuit backgrounds, also has large deposits of the rare-earth minerals needed to make everything from mobile phones to renewable energy technology. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Impractical Jokers alum Joe Gatto has been accused of sexual misconduct by two women. The first accuser, a TikTok user with the handle joozyb, claims that Gatto, 48, sexually assaulted her when she was 19. I got sexually assaulted by Joe Gatto, the Impractical Joker, joozyb alleged in a Thursday, March 20, video. She also shared a photo of her bruised buttocks claiming that Gatto had given her the bruise with his TEETH. In a separate video, joozyb recalled meeting Gatto while he was performing in Milwaukee in 2023. She claimed that he invited her back to his hotel room at around 2:30 am and then sexually assaulted her. Gatto denied committing sexual assault in a statement shared with Page Six on Saturday, March 22. 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 comedian said. Working on myself is an ongoing process, and I am now going to take some time away from the public eye to focus my energies where I need to. One day after Gatto denied the sexual assault claims, a second woman came forward with allegations. On Sunday, March 23, People published a report detailing an anonymous womans claim that Gatto sexually harassed her while he was her employer. Joe Gatto. Evan Agostini/Invision/AP The accuser alleged that Gatto inappropriately grabbed her, asked her for back massages, invited her to his room, made claims about being in an open marriage, asked questions about her sex life, and treated her rudely at work after she rejected his advances. NJAM reached out to Gattos team for comment on Peoples report but has not heard back. Is Joe Gatto canceling tour dates? Yes, People reported on Wednesday, March 26, that all upcoming shows for Gattos Lets Get Into It standup comedy tour will be canceled. Gatto told the outlet that he plans to enter an inpatient treatment facility. Having taken some time to reflect, lve decided to voluntarily enter an inpatient program to continue working on myself, Gatto said in a statement. I just want to thank my friends, fans, and especially my family for all of their support never more so than over the last few days. Prior to his announcement, Gatto was scheduled to take the stage in San Antonio, Texas, on March 27. He also had shows in Phoenix and Tucson scheduled for later that week. Is Joe Gatto married? Gatto has been married to his wife, Bessy, since 2013. When Gatto announced his exit from Impractical Jokers via Instagram in 2021, he cited issues in my personal life and noted that he and Bessy had decided to amicably part ways. The duo reconciled in 2023. 10 years ago when we started out, I could have never imagined the absolute crazy ride with highs and lows our marriage has endured. But there was always love. And me knowing that there is no one else Id want to be my person, Gatto wrote via Instagram in September 2023 alongside a photo of himself and Bessy. Looking forward to more of it all, including laughing together, memory making with our incredible family and of course dogs. Love you so much Mrs. Gatto. Joe and Bessy have two children. Is Joe Gattos dog rescue shelter rebranding? Yes, Joes wife, Bessy, announced a new name for the couples Long Island dog rescue shelter one week after Gatto announced his decision to enter inpatient treatment. Previously known as Gatto Pups and Friends, the shelter is now called Cannolis Sweet Life Senior Rescue. In an Instagram statement, Bessy explained that the name is inspired by one special problem dog named Cannoli. Have Joe Gattos Impractical Jokers costars reacted to the allegations? Gattos former Impractical Jokers costars Brian Q Quinn, James Murr Murray, and Sal Vulcano have not addressed the allegations against Gatto. The foursome appeared on Impractical Jokers together from 2011 to 2021 when Gatto left the show. Quinn, Murray, and Vulcano still star in the hidden camera comedy show, which airs on TBS. If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault, help is available. Contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673). Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Have a tip? Tell us at nj.com/tips/. Cranford residents will have the opportunity to engage with Mayor Terrance Curran during 8 p.m. March 27 episode of Cranford In Focus airing on Cranford TV 35. The program will feature the mayor addressing topics of interest to the community. Viewers are encouraged to submit questions for the mayor via email at cranfordinfocus@cranfordnj.org prior to the broadcast. The episode will be broadcast on multiple platforms to ensure wide accessibility. In addition to airing on Comcast Channel 35 and Verizon FIOS (standard definition on Channel 35 and HD on Channel 2147), the program will also be streamed online through YouTube, Facebook Live, and Livestream. For more information about the upcoming Cranford In Focus episode featuring the mayor, interested individuals can visit the official Cranford In Focus website. * * * Submit Union County community news to union@njadvancemedia.com. Generative AI was used to produce an initial draft of this story, which was reviewed and edited by NJ Advance Media staff. The Yankees played their last spring training home game on Sunday at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa. They'll face the Mets on Monday in Port St. Lucie and the Marlins on Tuesday in Miami before returning to New York for Thursday's regular-season opener. AP 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. The storms that just hit the Region often lead to phony contractors promising repairs they can't deliver on. It's now entering the spring season, where many people pack up and move. Unsavory moving companies have been known to low-ball customers, add more costs after making cursory or even sight-unseen estimates and offer inadequate insurance that does not protect against damage. Police are warning against business scams targeting consumers. The Federal Trade Commission reports that consumers lost $12.5 billion to fraud last year, a 25% increase. About 2.6 million Americans were victims of fraud, such as investment fraud, online shopping fraud and business and job opportunity fraud, according to the FTC. Business and job opportunity fraud, such as fake job listings or job offers to work at home via text or WhatsApp, surged from $250 million in 2023 to $750.6 million last year. In Northwest Indiana, many common scams seek to pressure people into payment. "The scams we are hearing about are mostly phony collections, orders for arrest warrants that dont exist and scammers demanding payment for unpaid tolls on the Indiana Toll Road or Illinois Tollway," Lake County Sheriff Oscar Martinez said. "These scammers are relentless and will contact people multiple times from different phone numbers or email addresses. Think about it, even if they contact 100 people and just one or two people answer or if they call back or click on a link, the scammers make money." Such cases can be difficult to investigate and prosecute, Martinez said. People should exercise caution whenever they have doubts. "The problem is, the fraudsters are using technology that makes it difficult to track them. The Lake County Sheriffs Department Detective Bureau does look into cases on an individual basis. Once someone gives up their cash, though, it can be almost impossible to recoup the loss," he said. "Never call these people back or click on links they provide. If you want to check whether a communication is legitimate, call your local law enforcement agency using a number youve looked up on your own." In LaPorte County, scammers misrepresent real estate they claim to be trying to sell or rent, such as for vacation rentals along Lake Michigan. "Oftentimes, suspects will use the information on platforms that list real estate for rent or sale and portray as the owner of the property and use legitimate photos to share on the internet and convince a would-be purchaser/renter to send them money for a sale/rental when they don't actually own it," LaPorte County Sheriff's Office Chief of Detectives Captain Andrew S. Hynek said. Consumers should make an effort to independently verify that homes are actually for sale or rental, such as by going through trusted channels, he said. "The sheriff's office encourages residents to do their due diligence when purchasing/renting any type of real estate by searching all the information available on public websites and validate those sales," Hynek said. "It is always best to stick with a licensed realtor who can use their resources to check the validity of a sale, and when using short-term rental it is always safest to use the platforms like Airbnb and VRBO rather than direct communication. As a short-term rental owner myself, I always encourage this." The Porter County Sheriff's Office gets at least one report per day, but the suspects often don't live in the state or even the country, Porter County Sheriff's Police Public Information Officer Sgt. Benjamin McFalls said. "Theres numerous scams plaguing our community and it seems new ones come up weekly," he said. "The most recent ones I have heard of (have) been revolving around taxes where someone has fraudulently filed in the victim's name already, text messages over unpaid tolls, bitcoin and the age-old subjects like impersonating officers and threatening arrests if someone doesnt pay a fee," he said. "We have made numerous social media posts and visits to senior centers to speak on scams and how to avoid them over the years, many of these visits were with Porter County Triad as well. Most recently, we have started a business outreach program where officers will stop by a business in our jurisdiction once a month to learn if they have any needs or suggestions. Twenty businesses were selected and those will rotate every six months." Anyone who is the victim of fraud can fill out a form with the Indiana Attorney Generals Office at in.gov/attorneygeneral/consumer-protection-division/id-theft-prevention. Over 100 people attended a Sunday rally against proposed cuts to the United States Postal Service that was held along Broadway in Merrillville. The event was organized by Branch 580 of the National Association of Letter Carriers, which represents workers in Lake County and parts of Porter County. Members of other local branches, as well as representatives of the American Postal Workers Union and sympathetic Region residents all braved high winds and rain to push back against plans laid by Postmaster General Louis DeJoy to cut 10,000 workers in the next 30 days through a "voluntary early retirement program" and slash billions from the agency's spending. President Donald Trump has also indicated that he is considering putting the USPS under the control of the Department of Commerce, ending a half-century of independence for the agency. "To our national leaders, hands off our post office," NALC Branch 580 president Cathy Bodnar told The Times. "We're fine the way we are. We provide an excellent service to the American people and we want to continue to do that." DeJoy, who was appointed to his role by the USPS Board of Governors in 2020, announced plans to make the cuts in a March 13 letter sent to members of Congress. In the letter, DeJoy relayed that he had entered into an agreement with the Department of Government Efficiency, a White House initiative spearheaded by billionaire and Trump campaign mega-donor Elon Musk, "to assist us in identifying and achieving further efficiencies." News of DOGE involvement at USPS sparked widespread concern among union leaders and other agency stakeholders who fear that Musk's deputies will hamstring the postal service's effectiveness. In just over two months since Trump created the pseudo-agency with an executive order, DOGE has directed sweeping spending cuts at entities across the executive branch, including The United States Agency for International Development, the National Institutes of Health and the Department of Education. "I feel like everything that's going on with those agencies is a very telltale sign of what we could expect," Bodnar said. DeJoy wrote in a March 17 follow-up letter that DOGE involvement at USPS "is not expansive but directed," with members of the initiative working only on seven cost-saving projects as requested by his office. Among the tasks, with which the postmaster general wrote that he sought DOGE aid, are reviewing almost 31,000 USPS retail center leases and tackling the "burdensome regulatory requirements" placed on the agency. Despite DeJoy's framing, USPS unions and their allies suspect the Trump administration ultimately aims to privatize the postal service, an outcome they say would be disastrous for both workers and the American public. Advocates for the USPS have long warned that turning mail delivery over to private companies would see residents of rural communities face steeper rates and inconsistent service. "President Elon Musk and his Wall Street billionaire buddies are looking for profits if the postal service is dismantled," APWU Local 266 President Jose De Jesus told the crowd. "They do not care about service. They do not care (about) service to rural America. They do not care (about) service to remote communities. They do not care (about) service to every household, every day." Merrillville resident Linda Swysher, who arrived bearing a "STAMP OUT DOGE" sign, told The Times that she learned about the rally online. She is concerned about the Trump and Musk-driven upheaval in the executive branch and wants to see the postal service shielded. "I think that folks may have voted for what they thought to be getting rid of waste, which is very laudable, but there's a way to do it a right way and a wrong way, and this is not the right way," she said. NALC members have been working without a collective bargaining agreement for years. In January, the union's rank and file voted overwhelmingly to reject a proposed three-year deal in the hopes of achieving more significant concessions from the postal service. Members of the State Duma (Russian Parliament) and activist organizations in Russia have called for the ban of Turkish soap operas because their perfect male protagonists put Russian men in a bad light. Representatives of the Veterans of Russia movement have appealed to the Russian State Duma and Roskomnadzor (the agency responsible for monitoring and censoring the media in Russia) to ban Turkish soap operas, due to their projection of an unrealistic image of men, which makes women lose interest in Russian men, ultimately contributing to the countrys demographic decline. In its petition, Veterans of Russia proposed introducing the concept of destructive propaganda, calling Turkish soap operas part of an ideologic war for minds that target Russian women and threaten to destroy the institution of family in the country. Ladies, having watched enough of these soap operas, lose interest in our gentlemen, expecting unrealistic behavior from them, shaped by foreign film productions, Ildar Rezyapov, chairman of Veteran of Russia, explained. Turkish TV series are part of an ideological war for minds, including those of our women. It would be interesting to know whether Russian TV series are broadcast in Turkey, whether our movie stars go there, and whether crowds of Turkish women line up to see them. It is highly doubtful. The idea of banning Turkish soap operas in Russia is not new. Last summer, deputy Vitaly Milonov proposed it and discussed it at length during a radio interview in which he called them complete nonsense, noting that they show a life that does not correspond to reality. Milonov added that female fans of Turkish soap operas think that in Turkey everything is like they see on TV, so the idea of marrying a Turk becomes attractive to Russian women. These kebab sellers who suddenly decided that they are good actors. There is not a single sensible actor in Turkey, they are all absolutely talentless, cheap buffoons, the indignant politician said in his interview. The proposal to ban Turkish soap operas has found some support in the State Duma, but several female fans have criticized the idea, claiming that all these soaps do is offer some respite from the stress and hardships of daily life in Russia. TV presenter Ksenia Borodina told deputies to relax, adding that watching Turkish soaps was just another way to relax, look at beautiful pictures, which helps to distract from a hard day at work and the negativity happening around. Actress Irina Alferova also confessed her love for Turkish soap operas, claiming that the simplicity of the love stories portrayed in them and the handsome actors are hard to resist. One is fair, another is small, the third is huge. But all of them are drop-dead gorgeous, and the women are so free, its amazing! Alferova wrote on social media. The recent passing of Rose OBrien, Daingean Road, Tullamore, evoked much sadness and nostalgia in the locality and surrounding areas. Rose, who was in her 94th year, passed away serenely on January 4, 2025 at her home, surrounded by her loving family. Rose, who was predeceased by her beloved husband Joe and infant son James, was born in 1931 to Bridget and James Deegan and grew up in Cappincur, alongside her sister Nellie and brothers PJ and Willie. Rose cherished life and often proudly relayed stories of her childhood and the fun- filled summers that she spent with her relations in Ballinagore. Having completed her secondary education in Tullamore Vocational School, where she was successful in securing a scholarship through Irish, Rose worked in the County Council prior to going to Liverpool to train as a nurse. Rose loved nursing and loved Liverpool and her family heard numerous stories of all the fun and the laughter that was had with her many friends, many of whom she kept in contact with up to recent years. After training as a midwife in Holles Street, Rose travelled to Chicago, where she met Tinnycross native Joe OBrien. As the Head Nurse of a 70 bed neurological unit, Rose nursed her brother P.J. for a short period until his untimely death, aged 27. On 30 December 1961, Rose married Joe in in St. Justin de Martyrs church in Chicago and started their married life in Chicago until their move to Enniscorthy. After farming for 7 years in Enniscorthy, Rose and Joe bought the shop and post office in Ballinagar where Rose was the postmistress, a role which she loved. With the establishment of OBrien Mollen in 1973, a final move was on the cards to the Daingean Road, to what would become Roses home of over 52 years. In her spare time Rose provided first aid to the local girl guides and also served as a Eucharistic Minister for many years. Rose had a strong, lifelong faith and nursed voluntarily in Lourdes on a number of occasions, memories which she treasured. Rose had a genuine interest in people, loved travelling and particularly loved meeting people from different cultures and countries. Rose had a warm, friendly and kind disposition, coupled with a great sense of humour, which endeared her to many. She had a beautiful smile and never forgot to say thank you, even when she was terminally unwell. Another great love of Rose was singing. She was always singing and still managed to sing, which turned to humming, as she became weaker in her final hours. Rose had great relationships with her relatives, her many friends, work colleagues, nurses, doctors, carers and neighbours and was always grateful that she had such great people around her. In her final days so many people made huge efforts to come to visit Rose and Roses family were humbled by the love that was so openly expressed by so many. Rose is survived by her sons Ger, Joe, Justin and daughters Carmel, Veronica and Angela, her ten grandchildren, daughters-in-law, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, relatives, neighbours and friends. Roses funeral Mass took place in The Church of the Assumption, Tullamore, on January 7 and was celebrated by Fr. Fergal Cummins and co-celebrated by Fr Joe Deegan, PP Clara and Fr. Barry Condron, PP Tyrellspass. Rose was interred in Durrow Cemetery and prayers at her graveside were said by Fr. Mick Whittaker, PP Mucklagh. Ar dheis De go raibh a h-anam. Takes 5 minutes to read if you do not open links. Please share and ACT (the best antidote to despai In response to my earlier message asking for ideas as we undergo more genocidal actions, I received over 110 messages so far. I wrote the earlier message as I was still very sad about my friend Islam from Rafah (now in Khan Younis) as many members of his family were killed Tuesday morning and his mother is in critical condition. This was not the first time their tents were bombed. His wheel-chair bound son and his daughter suffered burns six months ago in another Israeli bombing of civilians. I selected 14 responses to share with you (below the news list). Many messages encouraged us and reminded us how people care. Others shared actions (like the many major cities where demonstrations were held the past few days). Here is one in Paris. But first some relevant empire news: "Israel" occupied for months the only hospital for cancer treatment in Gaza and then blew it up in an massive blast (video). The last chapter of the genocide by Chris Hedges. Is Israel the Deep State? The public mind is managed to avert from that which matters most: The settler colonial project, what lies behind the JFK assassination, the ongoing genocide and Israel's unacknowledged nuclear threat. One of 50,000 stories: A child watched his mother burn alive then he died too. What women face under displacement settler colonialism. New types of bombs in Gaza and the result? [and an eyewitness reported putting a group of people in a ditch and shooting them point blank] Israel approves oversight body for Gaza ethnic cleansing plan, grants independence to 13 West Bank colonies and continued its displacement of people in Gaza (ethnic cleansing). Google imports ex Israeli spies as genocide resumes [and props the war economy] Letter from Columbia PhD student who fled the US to Canada (please demand universities protect their International students). SAMPLE RESPONSES TO MY LAST EMAIL: Let the truth not only be seen on social media but on mainstream corporate media. Hold media accountable. Have had some success in Canada with CJPME media accountability cjpmemap.ca Stop scrolling and organize with Unions. Speak out in places where it would not be expected: doctorsA ? i ? ? i ? ? i ? ? i ? ?i ? ? offices. Hairdressers. Post office. Keep educating. RenA A ? i ? ? i ? ?e Your questions move in the direction of effectiveness, i.e., What can we do to avert the catastrophes to nuclear war, climate disasters, erasure of Palestine, etc.? How can we make a difference? The world population is over 8 billion and the US population is over 340m. To ask the folks in my Quaker church A ? i ? ? i ? ? i ? ? i ? ?i ? ?...to make a differenceA ? i ? ? i ? ? i ? ? i ? ?A may inadvertently cause them to become overwhelmed and inactive. The A ? i ? ? i ? ? i ? ? i ? ?i ? ?...askA ? i ? ? i ? ? i ? ? i ? ?A may be too big. I have heard you say and read in your blogs that little things matter. The wind and the rain turn mountains into plains. Consistent, small faithful actions the results of which we will never see may be the best we can do. LetA ? i ? ? i ? ? i ? ? i ? ?i ? ? s ask for tireless, persistent, faithful actions. Paul One suggestion that I offer as a professional A ? i ? ? i ? ? i ? ? i ? ?i ? ?...Project ManegerA ? i ? ? i ? ? i ? ? i ? ?A is to ensure that whatever each of us do toward this kind of a permanent justice for the Palestinian people, truly and effectively joins with all other efforts by intentionality and positively affecting the A ? i ? ? i ? ? i ? ? i ? ?i ? ?...critical pathA ? i ? ? i ? ? i ? ? i ? ?A which is beyond a doubt A ? i ? ? i ? ? i ? ? i ? ?i ? ?...United States complicityA ? i ? ? i ? ? i ? ? i ? ?A. No matter what else is done, without breaking the complicity of the United States. True and permanent justice requires this..thus in the world of project management, the United States complicity must come to a permanent end. Every strategy and every tactic must pass this gateway to effectively influence the outcome. Ted To achieve morality in geopolitics today, it all gets down to the 10 commandments. "Love thy neighbourA ? i ? ? i ? ? i ? ? i ? ? A ? i ? ? i ? ?Thou shalt not steal."The Ten Commandments Exodus 20:1-17 would make the world better, if followed.! .... I guess the most we can do under the circumstance is NOT be a part of this corrupt system and not support it and a second more important step is to work toward a better future world, by working to awaken spiritual consciousness in others. Leanne I say "Yes!" to your idea of a brainstoming session on Zoom to those of us who could participate. I have the germ of an idea I would like to discuss. Adam See this interview with Francesca Albanese Taxpayers Against Genocide might be one way of helping Palestine. .taxpayersagainstgenocide.org/ Jane I think you're getting confident that Israel is finished. I think everybody is. "Pay your money, take your chances." Speak truth. Truth comes back to you. Christopher Our God knows and sees all. Our job is to stay with the people of Palestine. Give them hope, love, peace and the reward they will get enduring this another 'catastrophe'. Frances We co-created RoLE www.rulesoflawonearth.org and I was Founding Advisor for Conflict Resilience and Research Institute of Canada (CRRIC) www.crric.org My proposal is to use similar approach for Gaza using a track 2 diplomacy process involving interests of those in the region including multi-stakeholders using Smartsettle tool and locally trusted in person mediators. Stakeholders must include agents of future generations, nature, women and children as well ss enlightened wise courageous people like you and Jessie and others that would be representative of lands and peoples in and refugees from Israel, Gaza, West Bank, Jerusalem, Bedouins, .....David I tell myself that by joining with others to resist Trump as strongly as we can here, for our own sake, will also help the Gazans and Palestinians in the West Bank. Of course, even if there is some logic to this, we are unlikely to bring change to the US in time to stop the slaughter in Gaza. And, in any case, our efforts, as you say, may accomplish nothing at all, for any purpose, other than assuaging our anxieties. But I conclue I must try. Paula Only one state solution should be promoted: that of Palestine . We should aim to collapse the Israel state economically. We should treat this as Vietnam. Both people and governments should be involved in a variety of ways. From mass movements to economic sanctions. Vijayendra Boycott all Israeli products and all US Companies benefitting the occupation (McDonalds, KFC, Starbucks, etc.). John One answer would be, let your life be guided by love. Or if that's too strong a word, then 'guided by affection.' This involves some risks; we take risks to experience love. Is it worth it? That's up to your state of mental health. How badly were you wounded in childhood? If you loved or felt affection for other human beings, would you help pay for the one trillion dollars a year 'war' budget (called 'defense', but just how easily are you fooled?) of your so-called, largely imagined country (in this case the so-called 'United States,' which ultimately is just a mental concept you have been trained to hold in your mind)? What would life be like if you broke free of your mental conditioning; that's the question. DANA My own thought now that I am a little more collected is merely to quote Howard Zinn: "To be hopeful in bad times is not just foolishly romantic. It is based on the fact that human history is a history not only of cruelty, but also of compassion, sacrifice, courage, kindness. What we choose to emphasize in this complex history will determine our lives. If we see only the worst, it destroys our capacity to do something. If we remember those times and places - and there are so many - where people have behaved magnificently, this gives us the energy to act, and at least the possibility of sending this spinning top of a world in a different direction. And if we do act, in however small a way, we don't have to wait for some grand utopian future. The future is an infinite succession of presents, and to live now as we think human beings should live, in defiance of all that is bad around us, is itself a marvelous victory." Stay Humane and keep hope alive Mazin Qumsiyeh A bedouin in cyberspace, a villager at home Professor, Founder, and (volunteer) Director Palestine Museum of Natural History Palestine Institute of Biodiversity and Sustainability Bethlehem University Occupied Palestine facebook pages Personal Institute French The gradual erosion of democracy and rise of authoritarianism is a phenomenon that has been observed throughout history, but it feels particularly relevant in 2025 as populist leaders around the world exploit democratic institutions to consolidate political power. Using six key traits-- vanity, an allergy to learning, addiction to public adulation, rage at challenges, a thirst for revenge, and an inability to relinquish power-- this essay explores how dictatorships emerge and thrive, often within democratic societies. 1. Vanity: The Cult of Personality Populist leaders often cultivate a grandiose self-image, presenting themselves as saviors of the nation. Remember Donald Trump's declaration on America that "I alone can fix it?" However , vanity is not merely a personal character flaw; it is weaponized through skillful propaganda and media control. Leaders like Hungary's Viktor Orba'n or past figures like Italy's fascist leader Benito Mussolini have built cults of personality that portray them as infallible; almost godlike. This vanity feeds into the narrative that they alone embody the will of the people, sidelining institutions and pluralistic governance. In America's 2025 political climate, echoes of this can be seen in leaders who dismiss criticism as attacks on the nation itself. For example, Donald Trump has used an assassination attempt to sell his divine status to his MAGA hordes who now believe that "he was saved by God for a higher purpose." To cement his divine status and inculcate unquestioned fealty of his minions Trump's top cabinet officials consistently praise him at every turn literally delivering peons to his greatness. 2. Allergic to Learning: Distrust of Expertise Dictators and populists alike exhibit a disdain for intellectuals and experts, preferring loyalty over competence. They bombastically declare that they "know more" than any general, doctor or expert. This allergy to learning undermines governance by sidelining evidence-based policymaking in favor of personal whims or populist rhetoric. For example, during global crises like climate change or pandemics, leaders who reject science exacerbate problems rather than solve them. This anti-intellectualism resonates with disillusioned voters but leaves nations vulnerable to poor decision-making. The rise of Donald Trump in American politics and his securing a second presidency underscores and emphasizes this aversion to learning, a rejection of science, and suspicion and distrust of intellectualism. "Winging it" becomes the norm, and a prickly self-image means that even people in his close orbit go out of their way to praise him, refrain from any criticism, and bend backwards to accommodate his ever destructive behaviors. Revenge for the slightest thing is normalized as are the firehose of bombastic lies and petty, childish insults. 3. Addiction to Public Adulation Today's populist leaders thrive on mass rallies, social media adoration, and constant validation from their base. This addiction to public adulation drives them to prioritize performative gestures and politics over substantive policies. In 2025, American and global populists use platforms like TikTok or live broadcasts to maintain a direct connection with their followers while bypassing traditional media scrutiny. The need for constant praise also fuels divisive rhetoric, as leaders vilify critics to galvanize their supporters. Willing and opportunistic echo chambers in the media help to promote, share and brainwash a mentally numb mass of supporters willing to believe even the most outlandish and easily debunked and proven lies, half-truths and disinformation. 4. Rage at Challenges: Intolerance for Opposition When faced with dissent or challenges, authoritarian figures react with fury rather than dialogue. This rage manifests in crackdowns on protests, suppression of free speech, and even violence against opponents. In the U.S., this trait has been mirrored by efforts to delegitimize elections or label opposition voices as enemies of the state. And as with all creeping dictatorships the deliberate gutting, undermining and weakening of institutions of democracy and legal systems built up and strengthened over many years are all about wearing down the mass of people and instilling fear and anxiety in their midst. Globally, populists have used these tactics to silence critics and consolidate their grip on power. 5. A Thirst for Revenge Revenge becomes a central motivator for leaders who feel slighted by political adversaries or institutions. Intolerance to criticism or simply questioning behaviors that go against public interests trigger pogroms of revenge and punitive reactions. Whether through purges of opposition figures or policies targeting critics, dictatorships institutionalize vengeance. In 2025's polarized political landscape, this thirst for revenge is evident in legal battles against former officials or attempts to rewrite history in favor of the ruling elite and its leader. In this context President Trump's revoking security clearances of top and influential political leaders is not only infantile but designed to enact petty revenge. 6. Inability to Relinquish Power Perhaps the most defining characteristic of dictatorships is the refusal to step down. Leaders manipulate elections, rewrite constitutions, or declare states of emergency to extend their rule indefinitely. Even in democratic systems, populists undermine term limits or judicial independence to cling to power. This inability to relinquish authority erodes trust in democracy and sets dangerous precedents for future governance. The Fragility of Democracy Next Page 1 | 2 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). David Hartsough, whom we have just lost to cancer at the age of 84, was a giant in the world of recent and not so recent peace activism and not just peace activism. While nobody focused more on highlighting and promoting the work of others, and on organizing and funding and supporting the work of others, David Hartsough's own story is one of the most remarkable to be found in the genre of lives lived to their fullest for the good of all. Parts of David Hartsough's story are told in his 2014 memoir, Waging Peace: Global Adventures of a Lifelong Activist. In this incredible book, we see David taking part in sit-ins against Jim Crow segregation. We watch him tell a man with a knife to his throat that he will love him anyway. We hear the knife clatter on the floor. David's career of nonviolent action, involving over 150 arrests, takes him around the globe. He meets with and persuades toward peaceful steps such figures as President John Kennedy. He helps create numerous movements and organizations. In 1987 he co-founds Nuremberg Actions to block trains carrying munitions from the United States to Central America. He is fortunate to keep his legs when Brian Willson does not. He helps give birth to efforts to literally replace war with nonviolent armies. In 2002 Hartsough co-founds Nonviolent Peaceforce. If we look back through major peace initiatives in the Soviet Union, Nicaragua, the Philippines, Kosovo, and on and on, there's David Hartsough in the middle of it, collaborating, encouraging, making it bigger and stronger and more principled. In the words of Winslow Myers, "it hardly seems possible that Hartsough has been able to crowd into one lifetime all his deeds of creative nonviolence. . . . His initiatives of support for nonviolent resistance movements span both decades and continents, from efforts to get medical supplies to the North Vietnamese, to reconciliation among Israelis and Palestinians, to support for Russian dissidents as the Soviet Union was breaking up, to the resistance to Marcos in the Philippines, and on and on. Hartsough's book thus becomes a remarkably comprehensive alternative history to set against 'the official story' of America's-- and many other nations'-- often brutal and misguided reliance upon military intervention. . . . Hartsough is a living exemplar of the one force that is more powerful than extremist hate, reactive fear, and weapons, including nuclear bombs-- the human capacity to be harmless, helpful and kind even to supposed adversaries. If-- let us say optimistically when-- peace goes mainstream and deluded pretentions to empire are no longer seen as the royal road to security, when we wake up to the hollowness of our selfishness and exceptionalism, when we begin to relate to other nations as opportunities to share good will and resources rather than to bomb, it will be largely because of the tireless efforts of insufficiently heralded giants like David Hartsough." Around 2013, I did a tour with a book called War No More: The Case for Abolition, which has a foreword by Kathy Kelly, who would later become the second Board President of World BEYOND War, following Leah Bolger. At the time, however, World BEYOND War was only an idea in the head of David Hartsough, who told me that my book should be an organization. David convinced me to work with him on planning such a thing. This was the sort of step David had taken many times over many years, but it was new for me. Together with George Lakey, Jan Passion, Mike Ferner, Colleen Kelly, Ruth Benn, Leah Bolger, Nathan Schneider, Hakim, Paul Chappell, Colin Archer, Kathy Kelly, and others, we drafted a proposal. We held a retreat in the woods in California with a big group of brilliant people. We committed to beginning an organization that would be globally run, that would go after the entire institution of war, and that would do education and nonviolent activism. We decided to call it World BEYOND War. (The capitalization of BEYOND came after we'd slowly caught on that very few people could get the name right without a bit of help.) David Hartsough was deeply involved in the early period of World BEYOND War. I highly recommend listening to or watching some of his podcasts and reading some of his statements on World BEYOND War's website and my own. You'll notice that those collections include articles about the recipients of an award that World BEYOND War has named in David's honor -- very appropriately, as honoring those doing outstanding work was a big part of what David did. You'll also find a video of many of us from across the activist world honoring David Hartsough for his work, while he was just barely still alive -- or so we thought, and so David's doctor had told him. It turned out that we were four years too soon. David was hardly more accepting of cancer than of war. He recovered his strength. He rejoined World BEYOND War's Board. He was on every Zoom call and email thread until last week. He was his inspiring self, pushing us forward. We cannot now say "rest in peace" because "rest" seems wrong. We do better to say work for peace in David's honor as he would still be doing if he could. Qatar is fighting for the spot of a digital innovation center with the fastest speed, being a main player in the transformation of the technology and the diversification of the economy in the GCC region. The country supported by its grand core dreaming 2030 is spending plenty of money on new digital solutions, artificial intelligence technologies, and lean automation to bring up the global competitiveness. As companies continue to undergo FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Charlotte, North Carolina - March 23, 2025 Belligerent Lifestyle to Debut Skateboarding Team and New Apparel Collection at Tampa Pro 2025 Belligerent Lifestyle, a cutting-edge apparel brand known for celebrating self-motivated confidence, is proud to announce its participation at Tampa Pro 2025. The event will take place from April 3rd to 6th, 2025, in Tampa, Florida. Belligerent will not only showcase their latest Spring 2025 Collection of tees and hoodies, Family-Friendly Off-Road Experiences Now Available to Drivers Aged 16 and Above Dubai, UAE - 23 March, 2025 - DXB Buggies, Dubai's premier provider of adrenaline-fueled dune buggy adventures, today announced updated age restrictions, lowering the minimum driving age to 16 years (with parental consent) for its off-road desert excursions. This landmark change opens the door for families and younger adventure enthusiasts to experience the thrill of navigating Dubai's iconic golden dunes Planning a summer trip to Crete? If you're like me, you'll want to explore beyond the crowded beaches and into the island's authentic villages, scenic coastlines, and hidden tavernas. And for that - you'll definitely need a car. But renting a car in Crete during the high season? That's a whole different challenge. The Reality of Renting a Car in Crete (During Summer) When I began searching online for car rentals in Crete, Portland writer Emma Pattee's debut novel, "Tilt," explores the aftermath of a very big earthquake. Photograph by Heather Campbell Like most Portlanders, Emma Pattee is worried about the really big one. That is, of course, a Cascadia subduction zone earthquake registering in the high 8 and even 9 range that could happen in 50 years, 100 years, or before you finish reading this sentence. That earthquake, the one we are all dreading, is the event that kicks off Pattees debut novel, Tilt, out Tuesday from Simon & Schuster, which spans a day in the life of a very pregnant woman navigating Portland in the wreckage of the quake. Pattee, 34, grew up in Oregon and has lived in Portland, mostly, since high school. Shes also a journalist who covers climate science. So she has experienced the generalized, sometimes fatalistic, anxiety many Portlanders have about the possible earthquake. In 2019, when she was pregnant, Pattee, like the protagonist of her novel, Annie, was shopping at IKEA when the building began to shake. It came to me, she said Thursday, over coffee in a hopefully earthquake-safe building. This is the book Im going to write. A lot happened in the intervening years Pattee had a baby, there was a pandemic, she had another baby. She protested police brutality. Saw continuous images of dead children in Gaza on social media. All of these things are part of her novel, though not explicitly. Explicitly it is the story of Annie, who is very pregnant and trying to buy a crib at IKEA when the earthquake changes her reality and sends her on an odyssey through a broken city. Because it is so well-researched and so true to the attitudes and locations of Portland, the book, which is fast-paced and entertaining, will certainly be read differently by people inside and outside the city. The map at the beginning of "Tilt" by Emma Pattee will be instantly recognizable to Portlanders. Lizzy Acker/The Oregonian Reading this book in Arizona? You will sail through it in two days, recommend it to your book club, maybe wonder if its been optioned by a film studio. Reading it in, say, Rose City Park? You might stay up late researching which schools are earthquake-safe, reminding your husband of your emergency meeting point, run to Safeway to replenish your emergency water supply. Pattee acknowledges this. So far, readers who arent from Portland find the book thrilling, she said. And people who are from here? Sometimes those conversations have become more intense. Its impossible to read the book in Portland without imagining yourself in it, since it takes place right here. And it is written with the realism of a journalist, in a way that might make you question going to IKEA ever again. (The good news is that IKEA is fully retrofitted, Pattee said over email.) And, while she didnt initially write Tilt to shock people into preparedness, Pattee hopes that that might be one of its results. Not just personal preparedness either, like water, food and meet-up locations, but city-wide preparedness, especially when it comes to the earthquake safety of Portlands public schools. A critical scene in the book takes place at a school, which is one of the only landmarks Pattee fictionalizes. Instead of setting the scene at a real, existing school, she moved it to Revolution Hall, a former school, in an effort to not freak her local parent readers out too much. But her look into the safety of Portlands public schools, many of which she said are still not capable of withstanding a major earthquake, has turned into a bigger project. What started as my fiction dream and my fiction project and my nightmare obsession really turned into, Is it possible we could shift this issue? she said. This is an issue that has really clear solutions, Pattee added. Theres a lot of other states that have dealt with this. While she hopes her work makes people safer, Pattee also struggles with the emotional impact her book might have on people with kids in Portland. Shes not wrong that it could hit hard. The scene at the school is devastating. But it is earned. Pattee spoke to experts of all kinds and researched how these moments would play out and how they have played out. Anyone with kids who reads that scene, who believes Pattee did her homework, will struggle to send their children to school the next day. I dont want to make another parent scared, Pattee said. And also, the earthquake is coming. Lizzy Acker covers life and culture and writes the advice column Why Tho? Reach her at 503-221-8052, lacker@oregonian.com. Our journalism needs your support. Subscribe today to OregonLive.com. The initial investigation determined the car likely was speeding. (Clackamas County Sheriff's Office) Clackamas County Sheriff's OFfice One person died in a fiery car crash in unincorporated Clackamas County Saturday night. When sheriffs deputies arrived at the scene on Southeast 72nd Avenue near Alberta Avenue, they found evidence that a crash had happened but no car. Multiple callers had reported that a white car ran off the roadway at about 11:19 p.m., the Clackamas County Sheriffs Office said. The car left behind a twisted guardrail and upturned dirt at a sharp bend in the road. Deputies found the car about half a mile away, fully engulfed in flames, on property near Southeast 74th Avenue and Label Lane, authorities said. Firefighters soon arrived, and after they put out the fire, they found one person inside the car, dead. The initial phase of the investigation determined that speed likely was a key factor in the crash. The car was going so fast that, after it left the road, it became airborne due to the elevated terrain, and first made impact on the Springwater Corridor, the sheriffs office said in a statement. The car probably became airborne again as it continued through brush, ultimately landing upside down. The Clackamas County Sheriffs Office said its working to identify the victim. The sheriffs office asks anyone who witnessed the crash to call investigators at 503-723-4949 or use the offices online tip sheet form. -- The Oregonian/OregonLive Federal authorities discovered Andrew Cain Kristovich was missing after a bunk count turned up short an inmate at 3:36 a.m. on April 25. Kristovich was serving a five-year sentence stemming from two drug-related convictions. Jeff Manning | Staff A 41-year-old man who escaped from the federal prison in Sheridan in 2022 while serving a five-year prison term for drug trafficking will spend at least another two years in custody after he was sentenced Monday for the prison break. Andrew Cain Kristovich also faces sexual assault charges in Washington state from the time while he was on the run, court records show. Thirty-six seconds after a state police trooper stepped from his police SUV to confront a man armed with a knife, he fired a stun gun twice and then fired his handgun twice as the suspect walked off, killing the 22-year-old man at the National Guard Air Station. A Marion County grand jury ruled that Senior Trooper Justin W. Oxenriders shooting last month of Matthew Walter Wong was legally justified. Adults and youth in prison facilities are totally reliant on correctional officers and OYA staff for their health care and wellbeing. LC- The Oregonian A series of headlines has brought bad news about the management of Oregons Department of Corrections and Oregon Youth Authority to public attention. Numerous leadership changes have also resulted at the two departments. The agencies are separate divisions in Oregons state government but share the responsibility to care for people incarcerated for criminal convictions. The Oregon Youth Authority takes offenders who committed crimes before age 18 (from 12 to 24) and the Corrections Department houses adults. Senior reporter Noelle Crombie, who specializes in criminal justice journalism, wrote about problems of medical neglect in Oregons prisons. Prison officials placed on leave Prison medical care under scrutiny Prisoner lost sight in eye Doctor warned about problems at prisons Top officials dismissed Prison medical care plagued by turmoil at the top (with watchdog reporter Ted Sickinger) Listen to the full conversation: Read all of The Oregonian/OregonLives coverage on the Oregon Youth Authority scandal: Massive review of complaints underway OYA director placed on leave Thousands of complaints of abuse ignored, review finds OYA directed fired after scandal over backlog Oregon youth prison doctor known by notorious nickname accused of sexually abusing boys for years (by Maxine Bernstein) Mental health counselor gets 5-year prison term for sex with teen in youth prison (by Maxine Bernstein) Three more Oregon youth prison inmates file civil rights suits, alleging sexual abuse by staff (by Maxine Bernstein) Serious complaints largely ignored, independent report says For the first time in four years, the number of shootings in Portland dropped below 1,000 last year a decline that shows the city may be moving away from the years of record-breaking violence amid the pandemic. Overall, citywide shootings including those that ended in no injuries or non-fatal injuries dropped by about 22% in 2024, to 803. City officials, police and community advocates have applauded the downward trend, crediting the work of specialized gun violence teams and anti-violence intervention programs. Its hard not to feel some comfort that its come down significantly, said Andrew Culberson, supervisor of Portlands Safe Blocks program, an initiative focused on improving safety in eastside neighborhoods disproportionately hurt by gun violence. Its not all good news, however. Shootings still disproportionately occurred in east Portland. About a quarter of Portlands population lives near or east of 82nd Avenue, and 41% of the total shootings last year happened there, police data shows. Portlands two most populous neighborhoods, Powellhurst-Gilbert and Hazelwood, once again recorded the greatest number of shootings. Shootings in Hazelwood stayed even at 80, and Powellhurst-Gilbert recorded 58 shootings, compared with 65 in 2023, according to police data. But some east Portland neighborhoods saw big drops. The Centennial and Lents neighborhoods recorded 55% and 41% fewer shootings, respectively. In Hazelwood, police spent much of last year focused on deterring drug deals near two MAX stations on East Burnside Street, at 122nd and 148th avenues, in response to concerns from the community and a high level of criminal activity in the area. In September, a 24-year-old man was killed in a shooting on the 148th Avenue MAX platform. Portland police Chief Bob Day made an appearance at a Hazelwood Neighborhood Association meeting in September in an effort to address community concerns. I didnt walk out of there discouraged, Day told City Council last month. I walked out of there motivated. Since that time, Ive been out to 122nd and Burnside. Weve directed additional resources. Overall, the number of shootings stayed the same or decreased in roughly four of every five Portland neighborhoods. One area that bucked the trend was the Buckman neighborhood, which recorded 27 shootings last year compared with 18 in 2023. Three were fatal. Parts of North and Northeast Portland felt the impacts of gun violence differently. Portlands Portsmouth neighborhood saw a 41% decline in shootings, recording 26 last year compared with 44 in 2023. But the adjacent St. Johns neighborhood saw shootings increase to 40, compared with 32 in 2023. Two were fatal, including a double homicide in October when a cannabis store manager allegedly shot and killed two people who attempted to rob the business with a third person. And when analyzing the neighborhoods that saw the highest rates of shooting by population, the top three were in North and Northeast Portland. Sumner, Eliot and the Lloyd District had the highest rate of shootings per 10,000 people last year. In Sumner, three of the neighborhoods 10 shootings were fatal and took place in the parking lot of a Quality Inn motel by Northeast 82nd Avenue and Sandy Boulevard. Police have not made any arrests in the shootings. More than half of the 24 shootings in Eliot last year have been within a half mile of Dawson Park or neighboring Legacy Emanuel Medical Center. Last summer, a drive-by shooting in broad daylight killed one man at the park and wounded another, leading community members to call for more police patrols in the area. Day said this month no one has been charged in the shooting that left close to 90 shell casings in the area. Police and city leaders said this month they hoped the recent arrest of a minimart owner accused of dealing illegal drugs by the park would reduce some of the open-drug dealing and the gun violence that spilled over as a result. The minimart, however, remains open after the owner posted bail. As in the fatal shooting at Dawson Park, multiple shooters unloaded dozens of rounds in an October shooting at Columbia Park in the Portsmouth neighborhood. Police recovered 106 shell casings. Several homes and cars were struck by gunfire, and two people were injured. At a November community meeting where residents asked for better lighting at Columbia Park, Sgt. Ken Huntinghouse of the Police Bureaus Focused Intervention Team said the crime scene was littered with an absurd amount of shell casings. On the citys westside, downtown Portland saw shootings drop from 59 in 2023 to 39 last year. To the north, Old Town/Chinatown also saw shootings decline from 26 in 2023 to 15 last year. Five of the 54 total shootings in both neighborhoods were fatal. Homicides did not see the same pronounced decrease dropping by just 8% last year with 71 in 2024 compared with 77 in 2023. Last years slayings included three people killed by police and a man who died from long-term complications stemming from a shooting two decades ago. The majority of last years homicides around 82% were shootings. Even as shootings saw a big decline, last years total was almost two times higher than 2019, when Portland saw just 413. Day, the police chief, said Friday thats not acceptable. Zaeem Shaikh covers the Portland Police Bureau and criminal justice issues for The Oregonian/OregonLive. Reach him at 503-221- 4323, zshaikh@oregonian.com or on X @zaeemshake Mark Friesen, mfriesen@oregonian.com 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. AP A frail Pope Francis returned to the Vatican on Sunday after a five-week hospitalization for life-threatening double pneumonia, and he made a surprise stop at his favorite basilica on the way home before beginning two months of prescribed rest and recovery. The 88-year-old pope sat in the front passenger seat of his white Fiat 500L wearing nasal tubes to give him supplemental oxygen as he entered the Perugino gate of Vatican City, where his return brought relief after fears that his illness could be fatal or lead to another papal resignation. Francis' motorcade from Gemelli hospital overshot the Vatican initially and took a detour across town to stop at St. Mary Major basilica, where the popes favorite icon of the Madonna is located and where he always goes to pray after a foreign visit. He didnt get out of the car but gave a bouquet of flowers to the basilicas cardinal to place in front of the Salus populi Romani icon. The Byzantine-style painting on wood is revered by Romans and is so important to Francis that he has chosen to be buried in the basilica to be near it. The tour through Romes historic center came after Francis made his first appearance in five weeks to give a thumbs-up and brief blessing from a hospital balcony. Hundreds of people had gathered on a brilliant spring Sunday morning to say goodbye and catch a first glimpse of Francis, who seemed to be gasping for air. I see this woman with the yellow flowers. Brava! a bloated-looking Francis said in a breathless voice. 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 just to catch his brief appearance. Resting at home 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. 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. Today I feel a great joy, said Dr. Rossella Russomando, who was at Gemelli on Sunday but did not treat Francis. It is the demonstration that all our prayers, all the rosary prayers from all over the world, brought this grace. The Rev. Enzo Fortunato, who heads a papal committee dedicated to children, said it was clear that Francis was happy to return home and would surely improve, especially after receiving so many get-well cards from children from around the world. If the first medicine was the affection of the children, the second medicine is definitely (going) home, Fortunato said. It will certainly speed up his recovery. Pope is to receive 24-hour care At the Vatican, where a Holy Year is under way, pilgrims cheered and applauded when Francis' greeting from Gemelli was broadcast live on giant TV screens in St. Peters Square. For me it was an important emotional experience to see him, because many people were waiting for this moment, said Sister Luisa Jimenez, a nun from Francis native Argentina. Another nun from the same order, Colombian Sister Angel Bernal Amparo, expressed concern, given his bloating and inability to speak much. He didnt look well, she said. He couldnt (talk) and I realized it was because of his breathing and, well, he left right there. But I was glad to have seen him. No special arrangements have been made at the Domus Santa Marta, the Vatican hotel where Francis lives in a two-room suite on the second floor next to the basilica. He will have supplemental oxygen and 24-hour medical care as needed, although his personal physician, Dr. Luigi Carbone, said he hoped Francis would progressively need less and less assistance breathing as his lungs recover. Two life-threatening crises 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 first diagnosed a complex bacterial, viral and fungal respiratory tract infection and soon thereafter, pneumonia in both lungs. Blood tests showed signs of anemia, low blood platelets and the onset of kidney failure, all of which later resolved after two blood transfusions. The most serious setbacks began Feb. 28, when Francis experienced an acute coughing fit and inhaled vomit, requiring the use of a noninvasive mechanical ventilation mask to help him breathe. He suffered two more respiratory crises a few days later, which required doctors to manually aspirate copious amounts of mucus from his lungs, at which point he began sleeping with the ventilation mask at night to help his lungs clear the accumulation of fluids. He was never intubated and at no point lost consciousness. Doctors reported he always remained alert and cooperative, although they say he has probably lost a bit of weight given a natural loss of appetite. Unfortunately yes, there was a moment when many were saying that he might not make it. And it was painful for us, said Mario Balsamo, the owner of coffee shop in front of Gemelli. Instead, today with the discharge, we are very happy that he is well and we hope he will recover soon and will recover his strength. Im still alive!' Dr. Sergio Alfieri, the medical and surgical chief at Gemelli who coordinated Francis medical team, stressed that not all patients who develop such a severe cases of double pneumonia survive, much less are released from the hospital. He said Francis life was at risk twice, during the two acute respiratory crises, and that the pope at the time understandably lost his typical good sense of humor. But one morning we went to listen to his lungs and we asked him how he was doing. When he replied, Im still alive, we knew he was OK and had gotten his good humor back, he told a news conference late Saturday. Alfieri 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. Francis is also continuing to take medication to treat a more minor respiratory infection. No confirmed appointments for now Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni declined to confirm any upcoming events, including a scheduled audience on April 8 with King Charles III or Francis participation in Easter services at the end of the month. But 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. Only St. John Paul II recorded a longer hospitalization in 1981, when he spent 55 days at Gemelli for minor surgery and treatment of an infection. - By Nicole Winfield, Paolo Santalucia and Trisha Thomas, The Associated Press - Writers Silvia Stellacci and Giada Zampano in Rome and Colleen Barry in Soave, Italy, contributed Protesting postal workers gathered in Pioneer Courthouse Square on Sunday in response to the Trump administration's plans to downsize the nearly 250 year-old agency. Tatum Todd Chants of protest rang out across Pioneer Courthouse square early Sunday afternoon as more than 200 postal workers and their supporters rallied against the Trump administrations efforts to slash the size of the U.S. Postal Service. 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. He has also previously floated the idea of privatizing the public service during his first term in office, and said in December 2024 that the idea was still under consideration. Such hypocrisy. A city of Portland hearings officer recently approved PGEs terrible plan to cut through Forest Park for its Harborton Reliability Project, (Controversial PGE Forest Park transmission proposal wins city approval, March 10). This is a travesty, and not only because Forest Park is natural jewel beloved by Portlanders and tourists alike. With one of the worst heat indexes in the country, Forest Park provides essential tree canopy and a natural respite that all citizens can access and enjoy. All this is happening at a time while the Bureau of Environmental Services and Urban Forestry cant seem to figure out how to fix our disappearing tree canopy a problem that reportedly mainly impacts low canopy, low-income areas and communities of color. Well, guess where PGE plans to slash trees in acres of Forest Park? In the parks northern section, near manufacturing and blue-collar areas areas that need trees the most. PGEs proposal is particularly egregious because it will kill off one of the last remaining stands of urban old growth trees. Mature and old growth trees are carbon-storage champions, helping slow climate change in ways young trees simply cant. Some estimates show that fewer than 10% of old growth trees remain in Oregon. To thoughtlessly destroy whats left right in our own backyard seems particularly shortsighted. So, the city greenlights a plan to chop down acres of old-growth trees while having no idea how to fix Portlands tree canopy problem? The citys approval of PGEs plan is a clearcut example of how Portland simply doesnt work. Darcie Meihoff, Portland Meihoff is past board president of the Forest Park Conservancy To read more letters to the editor, go to oregonlive.com/opinion. President Donald Trump's portrait hangs in the Colorado Capitol after an unveiling ceremony, Aug. 1, 2019, in Denver. (AP Photo/Thomas Peipert, File) AP President Donald Trump has demanded that his portrait in the Colorado state Capitol be taken down, saying he has received complaints about the image and claiming it was purposefully distorted, which prompted a steady stream of visitors to pose for photos with the painting on Monday. The portrait was painted during Trumps first term and unveiled in 2019. Colorado Republicans raised more than $10,000 through a GoFundMe account to commission the oil painting by Sarah Boardman, who also produced the Capitols portrait of President Barack Obama. Trump lauded Obamas portrait, saying he looks wonderful, then suggested that the artist lost her talent as she got older. In the Sunday night post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said he would prefer no picture at all over the one that hangs in the Colorado Capitol. Nobody likes a bad picture or painting of themselves, but the one in Colorado, in the state Capitol, put up by the Governor, along with all other Presidents, was purposefully distorted to a level that even I, perhaps, have never seen before, Trump wrote. The portraits are not the purview of the Colorado governors office, but the Colorado Building Advisory Committee. Aaron Howe, visiting Colorados state Capitol from Wyoming on Monday, stood in front of Trumps portrait, looking down at photos of the president on his phone, then back up at the portrait. Honestly he looks a little chubby, said Howe of the portrait, but better than I could do. I dont know anything about the artist, said Howe, who voted for Trump. It could be taken one way or the other. Kaylee Williamson, an 18-year-old Trump supporter from Arkansas, got a photo with the portrait. I think it looks like him. I guess hes smoother than all the other ones, she said. I think its fine. Boardman did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Associated Press, but the artist previously told The Denver Post when the portrait was unveiled that it was important that her depictions of both Obama and Trump look apolitical. Shelby Wieman, a spokesperson for Polis said in a statement that the governor was surprised to learn the President of the United States is an aficionado of our Colorado State Capitol and its artwork. We appreciate the President and everyones interest in our Capitol building and are always looking for any opportunity to improve our visitor experience, Wieman continued. ___ Jesse Bedayn is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. Friday marked the first major deadline for Oregon lawmakers and political groups hoping to advance their priority bills. Associated Press Oregon lawmakers have proposed more than 3,400 bills this legislative session, most of which will fail to pass. That became obvious last week as hundreds of bills failed to cross an important legislative hurdle, signaling their all but certain death. Friday marked the first major deadline for lawmakers and political groups hoping to advance their priority bills. By the end of the day, bills had to be scheduled for an upcoming work session or die, with limited exceptions. So a host of bills are almost certainly kaput for the year, including proposals to escalate Oregons climate efforts, reduce the sale of products with synthetic chemicals and restrict non-agriculture businesses from operating on farming land. The exceptions? Bills in the few committees that are exempt from the deadline. They include all joint committees and the committees in each chamber concerning rules, conduct and revenue. Bills assigned to those committees will continue to trickle in. Here are some of the bills that are almost certainly dead this year: House Bill 3477 would have ramped up Oregons efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The bill, sponsored by eight Democrats, would have required the state to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 45% below 1990 levels by 2030, and achieve 95% reduction by 2050. Senate Bill 555 would have barred the Legislative Policy and Research Office, which provides research to lawmakers, from making huge swaths of its research public. Legislative policy researchers supporting the bill said it was intended to keep individuals personally identifiable information private, but the bill as written would have placed sweeping restrictions on the information that could be released. Senate Bill 641 would have prohibited Chinese investors from purchasing farm land in Oregon. House Bill 2390 would have increased the amount of money offered to rural medical providers through a tax credit to a maximum of $10,000 for providers who practice more than 50 miles away from a major city. House Bill 2365, which is scheduled for a work session, aims to add mental health professionals, pharmacists, lab technicians and other health care specialists to the list of workers eligible for the tax credit. House Bill 378 would have removed fees for any Oregonians 65 or older to visit any state park or stay at any individual state-operated campsite. Senate Bill 77 would have placed restrictions on non-agricultural businesses, such as AirBnBs or boutique hotels, from operating on land designated for farming. The proposal would have required a person running a side business on farm or forest land to live in the same building that the business operates in, among other requirements. House Bill 3255 would have required all online retailers operating in Oregon to publicly list a phone number and email address at which customers could get answers. House Bill 3512 would have prohibited the sale of many products that contain long-lasting, synthetic chemicals commonly referred to as PFAS. Those products would have included dental floss, cleaning products, makeup products, cookware and products designed for use by children. Carlos Fuentes covers state politics and government. Reach him at 503-221-5386 or cfuentes@oregonian.com. Our journalism needs your support. Subscribe today to OregonLive.com/subscribe. Are you ready for a brief, yet distinct, change in the weather? Eugene has a 95% chance of hitting 70 degrees or warmer Monday, but Portlands temps will stay in the 60s as the metro area sees clouds, and a few stray showers. Portlands shot at 70+ degrees starts Tuesday with a nearly 100% chance to see 70 degrees and possibly warm as high as 77 degrees. This would set a new record for the date as the current record on March 25 is only 73 degrees, set in 2015. But dont get used to it. This mini heat wave will quickly move out and rain returns as early as Wednesday. The National Weather Service says this is all due to an inverted thermal trough shifting northward into the region over the next few days. This will bring warm air into western Oregon and give the coast a chance to reach the temps in the 60s and the valleys temps in the 70s starting in the southern part of the state and moving northward by Tuesday. Portland will see cloudy skies most of Monday and a 50% chance of showers from a system lingering in southwest Washington. The high will reach about 68 degrees, which is still well above average during late March. By Tuesday, warm air will have moved northward, and the northern coast and metro region can expect record-setting temps. Theres a 50-90% chance of valley areas reaching 75 degrees or warmer. Theres even a 10-20% chance of Portland seeing 80 degrees. The beaches have a 20-50% chance of reaching 70 degrees. But it all falls apart by Wednesday as a new system moves in and brings clouds and cooler temps as well as a chance of thunderstorms. Wednesday morning may start out mostly clear, but clouds should move in before the lunch hour. With improved surface instability and warm temps, thunderstorms are possible especially in the afternoon. Stronger thunderstorms could include gusty winds and hail. The high will reach about 73 degrees. There is a 20-40% chance of thunderstorms across the region on Wednesday, March 26th. A few storms may become severe within the dark green shaded area, producing wind gusts up to 60 mph and/or hail up to the size of quarters. Remember to go indoors when thunder roars! pic.twitter.com/VtZnkXl34C NWS Portland (@NWSPortland) March 24, 2025 Extended forecasts are showing showers continuing on Thursday and Friday. Temperatures will drop back down to average with highs in the mid 50s expected into the weekend. By Dustin Rowles | TV | March 23, 2025 This weeks episode of Taylor Sheridans 1923 took viewers far beyond Montana, weaving in surprising real-world elements like the infamous Winchester House in California and the wealthy suburb of Winnetka, Illinois. It also introduced a new character played by Janet Montgomery. With so much grounded in fact, lets break down whats real and whats fictional in this episode of 1923 (spoilers). The Teonna Rainwater storyline is getting increasingly tense as Father Renaud and Marshal Kent draw closer. Unfortunately, Anders the C. Thomas Howell character gave Teonna up and sent Renaud and Kent in the right direction after the priest told him that Teonna had killed two nuns in their sleep (nevermind that she had very good reasons for doing so). By the end of the episode, Renaud and Kent had tracked down Pete, and a shootout commenced, the outcome of which is left as a cliffhanger. Its worth taking a moment here to discuss the history of Native American assimilation in the 1920s. We touched upon the Catholic boarding schools responsible for forced assimilation in the 1920s, but we should emphasize that America was brutally hostile toward Natives in the 20s. U.S. government policy was aggressively assimilationist, seeking to erase Native culture while denying Native Americans even their basic rights. The Dawes Act of 1887 divided tribal lands into individual allotments designed to encourage farming and civilize Native Americans. Children were stripped from their parents and forced into assimilation schools; Native languages were suppressed; tribal ceremonies were banned; and Native religions were outlawed. The American government was wielded against Native Americans but offered them no protections or even fundamental legal rights. That often meant that, yes, white men could murder Native Americans and face little or no consequence. The fact that Marshal Kent and Father Renaud have murdered Natives at their whim may seem like television fiction, but its accurate to the times. Even when Natives were made U.S. citizens in 1924, they had no real rights, and the brutal treatment of Native Americans went unchecked. At least U.S. Marshal Mamie Fossett (Jennifer Carpenter) who, again, is based on a female marshal of the day seems to dislike Renaud and Kent and have some sympathy for Native Americans, though its unclear if shell be put in a position to do anything. In this episode, Fossett apprehends Spencer, brings him in, and calls Sheriff McDowell (Robert Patrick) in Montana to vouch for him. Amusingly, when talking to the Texas sheriff about the ever-expanding jailhouse, Fossett references the Winchester House in California. Thats real and very amusing. In the early 1900s, the Winchester Mansion was owned by Sarah Winchester, the widow of William Wirt Winchester, heir to the Winchester Repeating Arms Company fortune. After her husband and infant died, she inherited a large portion of the fortune. However, Sarah Winchester believed that she was haunted by the spirits of people killed by Winchester rifles. The only way to appease them, she believed, was to build a house that never stopped being built. And so, in 1886, she bought an eight-room farmhouse in San Jose, and construction didnt stop until her death in 1922. By the early 1900s, the house had become such a monstrosity that there were staircases that led to ceilings, doors that opened into walls, windows built into the floor, and hallways that turned back on themselves. There was even a seance room. After Sarah Winchesters death, the house was bought and turned into a tourist attraction that still exists today. Interestingly, in 2018, there was a (bad) horror movie inspired by Sarah Winchester called Winchester. Ironically, Sarah was played by Helen Mirren, who plays Cara Dutton in 1923. Anyway, Spencer got a train ticket out of the deal, which may lead him away from Teonna in Texas and put him on a collision course with Elizabeth, perhaps even in Chicago. Speaking of which, Elizabeths train ride from Boston to Chicago was not without event. She took a waitstaff job on the train in order to earn a meal at the end of the day. However, while waiting on a revolting gentleman, he sexually assaulted her, and Elizabeth beat the shit out of him with a coffee pot. She wouldve been jailed but for two witnesses a married couple played by Janet Montgomery and Augustus Prew who apprised police of what really happened. Montgomery may look familiar to many of you, but it may be hard to place her out of context: She played Dr. Bloom in New Amsterdam and may also be familiar to many from her run on the WGN series Salem. In either respect, after Elizabeths train to Fargo was delayed indefinitely due to snow, the married couple, Hillary and Paul, agreed to take her back to their home in Winnetka. For the unfamiliar, Winnetka was and still is a very posh area outside of Chicago. It was wealthy, progressive, and civic-minded, the kind of place with lots of social clubs. It was, indeed, more like what Elizabeth was used to in England than what most of the American West was like at the time. Its also worth noting that the Home Alone house is in Winnetka. Finally, there was a brief moment in Montana where Banner Creighton dumped the body of a sex worker on behalf of his boss, Donald Whitfield. I should note here that sex workers at the time had about as many rights as Native Americans. Brothels were allowed, but if white men assaulted or even murdered sex workers, they were rarely arrested. Investigations into the murder of sex workers were rarely prioritized, and deaths were typically blamed either on the dangerousness of the work or on the moral failings of the women. The 1920s were horrific and beyond messed up. As a parent, it can be challenging to keep up with the latest trends and technologies that your kids are using. Social media, in particular, has become a significant part of daily life for children and teens. Almost every teenager uses social media, with platforms like YouTube, TikTok, Snapchat, and Instagram being the most popular. While social media can be a great tool for connecting with others and expressing oneself, there are also concerns about its impact on mental health. The U.S. Surgeon General has highlighted growing evidence that excessive social media use can harm young people's mental well-being. Understanding the effects of social media on children and teens is crucial for parents. On one hand, social media can provide a sense of community and support, especially for those who feel isolated or marginalized. Many teens report feeling more accepted and connected through social media. On the other hand, there are risks associated with excessive use, such as increased symptoms of depression and anxiety, cyberbullying, and exposure to harmful content. Parents need guidance on how to manage their children's social media use effectively, ensuring that it remains a positive experience. Balancing the Benefits and Risks Social media can have both positive and negative effects on children and teens. Positively, it offers a platform for self-expression and can connect young people with others who share similar interests or identities. For example, social media can provide access to information and communities that might not be available locally, helping teens feel more connected and supported. However, excessive use is linked to negative outcomes, including disrupted sleep patterns, decreased physical activity, and increased exposure to harmful content. For instance, teens who spend more than three hours daily on social media are at a higher risk of experiencing depression and anxiety. To manage these risks, parents can take several steps. First, setting clear rules about device use is important. Keeping devices out of bedrooms can help improve sleep quality, which is essential for mental health. Establishing a family social media plan can also help set boundaries and educate children about online safety. Open communication is key; parents should talk to their teens about their social media experiences without being overly intrusive, allowing them to explore safely while maintaining trust. By following these guidelines and being mindful of their own social media habits, parents can help their children use social media in a healthy and positive way. Guiding Your Child Through the Digital Age In conclusion, social media is a double-edged sword for kids and teens. While it offers benefits like connection and self-expression, it also poses risks such as mental health issues and exposure to harmful content. By understanding these effects and taking proactive steps, parents can help their children use social media responsibly. Setting boundaries, maintaining open communication, and being role models in our own social media use are crucial strategies. As parents, we have the opportunity to guide our children in using social media in a way that enhances their lives without compromising their well-being. Before leaving for church today, I read Brigham Young Unfiltered: His Life, Conversion, and Faith in His Own Words (BYU Studies 64/1 [2025]: 5-19), written by the irreplaceable LaJean Purcell Carruth. I commend it to your attention: When we have Brigham Youngs own words, what he really said according to the shorthand record, we hear a very different man from the one that is so often criticized. Brigham bashing has become a sport for some peoplecriticizing him for his words or parts of his teachings, often without correct information or considering the times in which he lived. Yes, he said things that I and many others wish he had not said. But I have said many things that I wish I had not said, and I suppose every person has. We need to reexamine what we believe and say about Brigham Young, with a more broad understanding and based on correct sources. By the way, for some of you who may be wondering what has become of our dear friend Two Cumorah Fraud: I shadow-banned Fraud early last week. What is shadow-banning? Its an admittedly rather devilish way of barring someone from commenting here that still allows the commenter and (if I choose) me but nobody else to see his posts. In other words, he can go on for some indeterminate length of time still thinking that his priceless contributions are appearing to others as before, when theyre actually not. Fraud had already posted several comments that day and, after the shadow-ban went into effect, he posted seven (7) more comments before the day ended. His seven additional offerings covered the same widely-varied thematic range that all of his prior contributions had covered, and all of them conveyed the same signature kindness and the same charitable spirit that his comments had always carried with them. He ceased attempting to post here after that; I suppose that, somehow, he eventually realized that his blows werent landing. I hope that Fraud can find another venue where he can continue to make his, umm, contributions to the Kingdom preferably far from here. And I wish him shabbat shalom. Im saddened by this news; she had so much left to offer: Former Utah Congresswoman Mia Love has died at age 49: Former Utah Congresswoman Mia Love died on Sunday, March 23, 2025 I had not realized that the end would come so soon; less than two weeks ago, she published an article in the Deseret News: Mia Love: My living wish for the America I know: As her battle with brain cancer comes to an end, Mia Love takes up her pen not to say goodbye but to say thank you My brother, Kenneth, died, suddenly, exactly thirteen years ago today on 23 March 2012. That was the first major blow of what remains by a considerable distance the worst year of my life. I was still reeling from his loss when the years other blows began to fall a couple of months thereafter. Strictly speaking, Kenneth was my half-brother. But he was my only sibling and, despite our difference in age, we were very close. Even after all these years have passed, there are very few days, if any, when I dont think of him and miss him. Ill post my customary tribute to him within the next couple of days. But Im thinking of him today. With my brothers passing and Mia Loves passing on my mind, I think it not inappropriate for me to mention a few of the many passages that I marked during my recent reading of Bruce Greyson, Researchers and Experiencers Descriptions of Near-Death Experiences: In Search of a Conceptual Model, Journal of Near-Death Experiences 41/3 (2023): 169-201. Dr. Greyson, who is Chester Carlson Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences at the University of Virginia School of Medicine, is the author of (among many other relevant things) After: A Doctor Explores What Near-Death Experiences Reveal about Life and Beyond, and is one of the preeminent authorities on the study of near-death experiences. Based on a recent survey the he conducted of precisely equal numbers of researchers in the field and actual experiencers one hundred each he reported that a very commonly mentioned feature of NDEs was a sense of hyperreality. Researchers typically described this in terms of realer than real or hyperreal; much more real and certain than this world; or, an intensity that makes them different from coma experiences/visions. Experiencers typically described hyperreality in terms of a sense of being in a reality more real than our usual one; somewhat like a dream only more real than life itself; a reality that feels more real than the one we live in; it is very real, and remains so long after the experience; no matter how many people in the world could try telling you that NDEs are not real, you know they are real with your whole being; or it is more real, authentic, more to-be-trusted than things you experience in my [sic] normal day-to-day life; you know it is real. (181-182) In the quotation above, as in the quotations below, I have omitted the internal references provided by Dr. Greyson. I also preserve his italicized emphasis below: The second-most-commonly-mentioned phenomenological feature was an out-of-body experience. Researchers typically described out-of-body experiences in terms of the sense of a center of consciousness existing apart from the body; clear and vivid perception of having left the physical body; subjective awareness escaping the spatial confines of the body; altered proprioception, with a sense of disembodiment; or perceiving the material world from a location outside the physical body. Experiencers typically described out-of-body experiences in terms of spirit or soul lifts out of the body, rises up to ceiling, looks down on self; a separation of the eternal spirit from the body, and the act of leaving the dying body behind; its not a sensation of leaving your physical body, it is leaving your body; seeing your own body from far above, confirming that soul/spirit/consciousness is separate from this body, mind, intellect, and ego; or being decoupled from ones physical body, free from the constraints of material existence. (182) A subtype of out-of-body experience was a veridical or corroborated out-of-body experience. Researchers describe this subtype of out-of-body experience typically in terms of visual awareness of objects, entities, or events in the environment that can be confirmed by third parties; accurately and veridically perceiving events in the here-and-now; evidential features; sensory experiences of surrounding areas that are confirmed later; or viewing ones surroundings, with subsequent corroboration. (183) Especially with Sister Loves case in mind she finally passed away as the result of a long and, I presume, a very painful illness, Im happy to record that an absence of pain, even a sudden cease of previous pain, was commonly reported particularly by those who had themselves undergone a near-death experience. (See page 188 of Dr. Greysons article.) That is heartening, encouraging, and comforting. Posted from Poipu, Kauai, Hawaii Five Biblical Proofs Charles Henry Hamilton Wright (1836-1909) was an Irish Anglican clergyman. He graduated from Trinity College, Dublin, in 1857, was the Grinfield lecturer on the Septuagint at Oxford (189397), vicar of Saint Johns, Liverpool (189198), examiner in Hebrew at the University of London (189799), and clerical superintendent of the Protestant Reformation Society (18981907). He authored a number of books, including The Intermediate State and Prayers for the Dead (1900) and the volume I will be examining, Roman Catholicism, or The Doctrines of the Church of Rome Briefly Examined in the Light of Scripture (London: The Religious Tract Society, revised 5th ed., 1926). His words will be in blue. I use RSV for biblical citations. *** If it were right to . . . pray to such beings, the apostles must have said something on that subject . . . (p. 178) Oh, I totally agree, and thats the very purpose of this article! Nothing is said respecting the invocation of the saints in the New Testament. (p. 181) The invocation of saints is not warranted by Gods written Word. (p. 182) The Lutheran Defense of the Augsburg Confession also stated similarly: Scripture does not teach the invocation of the saints, or that we are to ask the saints for aid. . . . neither a command, nor a promise, nor an example can be produced from the Scriptures concerning the invocation of saints, . . . Nothing can be produced by the adversaries against this reasoning, . . . invocation does not have a testimony from Gods Word. Likewise, fellow Anglo-Irish clergyman and scholar Richard Frederick Littledale (1833-1890) wrote a book called Plain Reasons Against Joining the Church of Rome (London: Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, 1881), where he stated in no uncertain terms: The whole practice of the Invocation of Saints is founded on pure guesswork. Not one syllable can be discovered in the Old or New Testament which gives the least ground or suggestion of it; God has never been pleased to reveal it, . . . God has not chosen to make it known to us, and it is a very perilous thing to fly in the face of His holy Word . . . (pp. 31-32) I will produce three proofs that human beings who have died are invoked in the New Testament, and a similar instance from the Old Testament, with no condemnation at all present in the texts, including one instance (#1) so undeniable and clear that no one could possibly doubt it. Wright devotes all of five-and-a-half pages to this topic, thinking he has exhaustively covered it. He exhibits scant evidence that he is acquainted with any Catholic arguments on the subject. I guess thats why his title alludes to our doctrines being briefly examined in his book. At least he was upfront about that. 1) The Rich Man and Abraham in Hades Heres a story right from the lips of Jesus about someone praying or making an intercessory request of someone other than God: Luke 16:24 And he called out, Father Abraham, have mercy upon me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in anguish in this flame. Abraham says no, just as God will say no to a prayer not according to His will: Luke 16:25-26 But Abraham said, Son, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. [26] And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us. The rich man asks Abraham again, begging: Luke 16:27-28 And he said, Then I beg you, father, to send him to my fathers house, [28] for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment. Abraham refuses again, saying (16:29): They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. So, like any good self-respecting Jew (Moses and Abraham himself both negotiated with God), he argues with Abraham (16:30: No, father Abraham; but if some one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.), and Abraham refuses again, reiterating the reason why (16:31: If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced if some one should rise from the dead.). If we were not supposed to ask saints to pray for us, I think this story would be almost the very last way to make that supposed point. Abraham would simply have said, you shouldnt be asking me for anything; ask God! In the same way, analogously, angels refuse worship when it is offered, because only God can be worshiped: Revelation 19:9-10 And the angel said to me, Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he said to me, These are true words of God. [10] Then I fell down at his feet to worship him, but he said to me, You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brethren who hold the testimony of Jesus. Worship God. . . . Revelation 22:8-9 I John am he who heard and saw these things. And when I heard and saw them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed them to me; [9] but he said to me, You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brethren the prophets, and with those who keep the words of this book. Worship God. St. Peter did the same thing: Acts 10:25-26 When Peter entered, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him. [26] But Peter lifted him up, saying, Stand up; I too am a man. So did St Paul and Barnabas: Acts 14:11-15 And when the crowds saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in Lycaonian, The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men! [12] Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, because he was the chief speaker, they called Hermes. [13] And the priest of Zeus, whose temple was in front of the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates and wanted to offer sacrifice with the people. [14] But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their garments and rushed out among the multitude, crying, [15] Men, why are you doing this? We also are men, of like nature with you, and bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them. If the true theology is that Abraham cannot be asked an intercessory request, then Abraham would have noted this and refused to even hear it. But instead he heard the request and said no. Jesus couldnt possibly have taught a false principle. Its not that Abraham couldnt intercede (if that were true, he would have said so and Jesus would have made it clear), but that he wouldnt intercede in this instance (i.e., he refused to answer the request). Abraham doesnt deny that he is able to potentially send Lazarus to do what was requested; he only denies that it would work (by the logic of if they dont respond to greater factor x, nor will they respond to lesser factor y). Therefore, it is assumed in the story that Abraham had the ability and authority to do so on his own. And this is all taught, remember, by our Lord Jesus. Refusing a request is not the same thing as not being able to grant the request. Otherwise, we would have to say that God is unable to answer a prayer request when He refuses one. Gods answer to prayer can always be no, and this doesnt prove that we ought not pray to God, because He turns down requests outside of His will. We know that from these scriptural passages: James 4:3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. * 1 John 3:22 and we receive from him whatever we ask, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him. * 1 John 5:14 And this is the confidence which we have in him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. The passage in Luke 16 has to do with two major prior premises in the larger debate concerning intercession of the saints: 1) Is it proper to pray to anyone but God? 2) is it proper to ask anyone but God to not only pray for, but fulfill (i.e., have the power and ability to bring about) an intercessory request? These are the sorts of questions concerning which the Luke 16 passage is relevant. Protestantism utterly rejects #1 and #2 above; yet Luke 16 (from Jesus) clearly teaches them. Hence lies the dilemma. It matters not if both men are dead, or where they are (Hades, in this case: Lk 16:23); the rich man still cant do what he did, according to Protestant categories of thought and theology, which holds that no one can make such a request to anyone but God. But God is never mentioned in the entire story. Hes asking Abraham to send Lazarus to him, and then to his brothers, to prevent them from going to hell. That is very much prayer: asking for supernatural aid from those who have left the earthly life and attained sainthood and perfection, with God. So why did Jesus teach in this fashion? Why did He teach that the rich man was asking Abraham to do things that Protestant theology would hold that only God can do? And why is the whole story about him asking Abraham for requests, rather than going directly to God and asking Him? This just isnt how its supposed to be, from a Protestant perspective. All the emphases are wrong, and there are serous theological errors, committed by Jesus Himself (i.e., from the erroneous Protestant perspective). Praying to a saint is a biblical teaching: expressly from Our Lord Jesus. One common but futile retort is to say that this is only a parable, and hence, supposedly can be dismissed as of no import to theology. We reply that: 1) parables are teaching tools from Jesus about not only spirituality but also theology; 2) parables like anything else Jesus says could not contain false theological principles, sanctioned by Jesus, and not condemned by Him. Jesus couldnt and wouldnt teach falsehoods, whether in a parable or not; 3) I contend that the story about the rich man, Lazarus, and Abraham is not a parable in the first place, since parables dont include proper names, let alone names of known historical figures. Jesus isnt telling fairy tales, but recounting actual events. 4) It isnt introduced as a parable, which is the standard biblical protocol. In the same book, the phrase, he told them a parable occurs five times: 5:36; 6:39; 12:16; 18:1; 21:29. But in Luke 16 it doesnt. Jesus starts out, There was a rich man . . . (16:19). 2) Jesus Talking to and Making a Request of the Dead Lazarus Granted, its a bit of a unique scenario, but the Bible provides two instances of communicating to or contacting the dead, making a request of a dead person (i.e., those who supposedly can never hear us on earth), and also interestingly praying for the dead at the same time, without mediums or spiritists: initiated by the praying person. The first was done by Jesus Himself: John 11:43-44 . . . he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come out. [44] The dead man came out, . . . 3) St. Peter Talking to and Making a Request of the Dead Tabitha If it is objected that it was Jesus (God) talking to and raising Lazarus, so that its a special case not applicable to created human beings, then we have the example of St. Peter doing the same thing: Acts 9:40-41 But Peter put them all outside and knelt down and prayed; then turning to the body he said, Tabitha, rise. And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. [41] And he gave her his hand and lifted her up. Then calling the saints and widows he presented her alive. We are certainly to imitate the example of the apostles (2 Thessalonians 3:9). Thus, St. Paul urges his readers to imitate him (Phil 3:17; 4:9), and both him and the Lord (1 Thessalonians 1:6-7), just he in turn imitates and follows Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1). St. Peter, and apostle and the first pope, talked to / invoked and made a request of a dead person; so can we. 4) The Possibility of Jesus Praying to Elijah to Save Him Matthew 27:46-50 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, Eli, Eli, lama sabach-thani? that is, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? [47] And some of the bystanders hearing it said, This man is calling Elijah. [48] And one of them at once ran and took a sponge, filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave it to him to drink. [49] But the others said, Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to save him. [50] And Jesus cried again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit. (cf. Mk 15:34-36) The bystanders at Jesus crucifixion assumed that He could ask (pray to) the prophet Elijah to save Him from the agony of the cross . Theyre presented as allies of Jesus (not enemies), since one of them gave Him a drink (Mt 27:48). Matthew 27:49 shows that this type of petition was commonly believed at the time. Thus, it was believed that one could pray to one such as Elijah (who had already appeared with Jesus at the transfiguration), and that he had power to come and give aid; to save a person (in this case, Jesus from a horrible death). Its not presented as if they are wrong, and in light of other related Scriptures it is more likely that they are correct in thinking that this was a permitted scenario. Jesus, after all , had already referred to Elijah, saying that he was the prototype for John the Baptist (Mt 11:14; 17:10-13; cf. Lk 1:17 from the angel Gabriel), and it could also have been known that Elijah and Moses appeared with Jesus at the transfiguration (Mt 17:1-6; Mk 9:4; Lk 9:30-31), if these were His followers. Some may think this is a desperate and utterly insignificant, inconsequential argument, but there is a lot more to it than first meets the eye. In fact, it was a well-known Old Testament tradition that the prophet Elijah would come back in some sense; alluded to several times in the New Testament: Malachi 4:5-6 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and terrible day of the LORD comes. [6] And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the land with a curse. (cf. Mt 16:13-14; Mk 6:13-15; 8:27-28; Lk 9:7-8; 9:18-19) All of this background being understood, it is perfectly understandable that the bystanders at the crucifixion misunderstood Jesus on the cross as calling out to Elijah, for this purpose. It would have been very difficult for Him to talk, and they may have been a ways away. Tradition holds that the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. John, whom we know were at the cross, were some distance away (30-40 feet). I stood on the spot when I visited Jerusalem in 2014. These other people heard Jesus say (in actuality) Eli or Eloi and mistook it for Elijah (Eliyahu or Eliya in Hebrew). Don Fernando on the Quora website, regarding this issue, wrote: If Jesus was calling Elijah He would have said, Eli, Eli. Eli in Hebrew can mean either My God or a form of Eliyahu, Hebrew for Elijah. However, the Aramaic Eloi can only mean My God. Marks has Eloi, Eloi, Lama sabakthank. Matthew does record Eli, Eli. We know they were mistaken, and that Jesus was in fact referring to God, not Elijah. But it doesnt affect the present argument. What is relevant to note is the fact that they casually assumed that he could call on (in effect, pray to) a human being rather than God. That is the argument. In Jewish forum on stackexchange called mi yodeya, (Do Jews pray to deceased forefathers?), it was noted the traditional rabbinic opinion on the question was mixed, but that there is at least some indication of the practice: I was reading in Sotah 34b and I noticed that it reads: Raba said: It teaches that Caleb held aloof from the plan of the spies and went and prostrated himself upon the graves of the patriarchs, saying to them, My fathers, pray on my behalf that I may be delivered from the plan of the spies. . . . For a long time there have been Jews who have indeed beseeched the dead. However, numerous sources state that this is prohibited. Some state that it is permitted if the request is not directly from the dead, but just that the dead beseech God. Forbidden when the request is directly of the deceased Maharam Shikk writes in a responsum (OH 293) that such practices raise both the issue of doresh el hametim (Deut. 18:11) and of serving God through an intermediary (apparently the prohibition of avoda zara; idolatry). He concludes that if one relates ones problems to the dead hoping that they will intercede with God it is permissible, but if one wants help from them directly, it would be forbidden. He emphasises that even using them as intermediaries is forbidden according to many authorities. Similarly, the Ben Ish Hai writes in a responsum (Rav Palim Vol II YD 31) that it is forbidden to make requests of a dead person directly. Doing so constitutes doresh el hametim. One may only ask that the dead intercede with God. He writes this in explanation of the Zohar (Acharei Mot: 71). . . . R. Eliezer of Metz writes in his Sefer Yereim (334-335) that the prohibition of doresh el hametim only includes involvement with the body of the deceased; involvement with the spirit of the deceased, however, would be permitted. This argument is relatively weak, but in my opinion, its still worthy of consideration and not able to be immediately dismissed. 5) King Saul and the Dead Prophet Samuel King Saul petitioned the dead prophet Samuel. All agree that consulting a medium to do so was wrong. Yet when the real Samuel appeared (the text never indicates that he is anything but real), Saul petitioned him, and Samuel didnt condemn him for that: 1 Samuel 28:15-16 Then Samuel said to Saul, Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up? Saul answered, I am in great distress; for the Philistines are warring against me, and God has turned away from me and answers me no more, either by prophets or by dreams; therefore I have summoned you to tell me what I shall do. And Samuel said, Why then do you ask me, since the LORD has turned from you and become your enemy? Samuel could properly be petitioned or, in effect, prayed to but he also could refuse the request, just as God does, and he did so. As Samuel explained, he didnt question the asking as wrong and sinful, but rather, refused because the request to save Saul was against Gods expressed will: which Samuel also knew about, as a departed saint. Moreover, Samuel knew (after his death) that Saul was to be defeated in battle the next day and would die (1 Sam 28:18-19). This proves that it was truly Samuel, a prophet, and not an impersonating demon: who would have lied about Sauls impending death or anything else that it uttered. *** Once again we see as I have seen innumerable times in 35 years of Catholic apologetics that the Protestant anti-invocation arguments are insufficiently biblical (to put it mildly) and that the Catholic arguments are thoroughly and comprehensively biblical. Its not supposed to be that way, so we are constantly told, but alas, there it is! * *** * Photo credit: Healing of the Cripple and Raising of Tabitha, by Masolino da Panicale (1383-1447) [public domain / Wikimedia Commons] Summary: Five biblical examples are provided in favor of the invocation of saints: 1) rich man & Abraham, 2) Lazarus, 3) Tabitha, 4) Saul & Samuel, & 5) Jesus possibly calling upon Elijah. A fire chief in Bucks County has been arrested and suspended after police said he dropped his three-month-old daughter and fractured her skull. Falls Township Fire Chief Brian Salt, 36, was charged with endangering the welfare of a child and aggravated assault after police said he admitted to intentionally letting his child fall on March 11. Township police said in a criminal complaint that they went to a Philadelphia childrens hospital on March 12 after getting a report of a infant with a skull fracture. Once there they spoke with the attending physician who said that in addition to the fractured skull, the infant had blood in her eye and bruising on her right leg Salt initially told authorities he had taken his daughter to his in-laws while his wife was at work and noticed a bump on her head but did not know how it got there. The complaint said he confessed to police a week later, saying that he had lost control that day when his daughter wouldnt stop crying and dropped her. In his own words, he just kind of lost control. Lost his cool. And in the process of actually picking her up from a swing, he took her out of the swing and then threw her to the ground, Detective Dennis OConnell said to 6ABC. The Falls Township Fire Company released a statement on Facebook saying that Salt has been suspended indefinitely. We understand the impact this situation has on our community, and we are committed to ensuring transparency as we move forward, the statement said. The safety and well-being of our community remain our top priority, and we will continue to support our firefighters and their families through this challenging time. Salt was arrested and remains in custody, People reported. The child has been released from the hospital. Her current condition is not known. Elon Musk, left, shakes hands with President Donald Trump at the finals for the NCAA wrestling championship, Saturday, March 22, 2025, in Philadelphia. Matt Rourke | Associated Press Rosie ODonnell might have fled to Ireland following Donald Trumps victory in the 2024 election, but the actress and comedian is still talking about the United States. And now ODonnell seems to be floating a conspiracy of her own about the presidents win. I question why for the first time in American history a president has won every swing state and is also best friends and his largest donor was a man who owns and runs the internet, she said during an appearance on Irelands Late Late Show. So, I hope that would be investigated and that we would see whether it was an anomaly, or it was something else that happened on election night in America when Kamala Harris was filling up stadium with people who supported her and Donald Trump was not able to do that. Rosie O'Donnell: "I question why the first time in American history a President has won every swing stateand his largest donor is a man who owns and runs the internet."pic.twitter.com/3a8lILPSwS Thomas Sowell Quotes (@ThomasSowell) March 22, 2025 There is no evidence that Trump or Elon Musk were involved in wrogndoing during the election. ODonnell was not through going at the president on the show. She also questioned him bringing UFC star Conor McGregor to the White House recently. McGregor reportedly lost a civil suit involving sexual assault accusations last year. Its strange to me that the President of the United States has so many friends who are sexual abusers, ODonnell said. I think it says that were in trouble. The foundation of our country is a melting pot of people all created equal and they are to pursue life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, she added. That is what we were promised as Americans, and to think that cruelty and lack of empathy is a value sprouted from the highest office in our country is overwhelmingly sad to me personally. FILE - This 2016 photo made available by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows a strain of Candida auris, a potentially deadly superbug fungus, cultured in a petri dish at a CDC laboratory. (Shawn Lockhart/CDC via AP) Infections rates are rising for drug-resistant strain of fungus that has been found in the hospital systems of at least two states. The Hill reports that the fungus, Candida auris, was first found in the United States in 2016, and cases of infection have increased every year. While C. auris may not a serious threat to healthy people, it is becoming more frequent, particularly in hospitals. There, the fungus can survive on surfaces such as countertops and doorknobs, and can spread to patients, particularly through devices such as catheters, PICC lines, breathing tubes and feeding tubes. Identifying C. auris infection can be difficult, due to symptoms such as fever and chills being common to many types of infection. Moreover, the fungus has developed resistance to any anti-fungal drug treatments. And while healthy people will usually fight off infection, those already sick in hospitals are at much higher risk. C. auris can be multidrug-resistant and can cause life-threatening illness, reads the CDC website. It spreads easily in healthcare facilities and mostly affects people who are already very sick. People without risk factors generally do not get infected or colonized with C. auris infection." However, the fungus can cause severe infections with high death rates among hospital patients, according to a 2023 CDC press release. So far, the fungus has been found in 38 states, and a large rise in cases was identified in 2022-2023. At that time, the Center for Disease Control stated that the fungus was considered an urgent antimicrobial resistance (AR) threat, spread at an alarming rate in U.S. healthcare facilities. To read more about C. auris, visit the CDC website here. By Tara Copp, Aamer Madhani and Eric Tucker, The Associated Press WASHINGTON Top national security officials for President Donald Trump, including his defense secretary, texted war plans for upcoming military strikes in Yemen to a group chat in a secure messaging app that included the editor-in-chief for The Atlantic, the magazine reported in a story posted online Monday. The National Security Council said the text chain appears to be authentic. Trump initially told reporters he was not aware that the highly sensitive information had been shared, 2 1/2 hours after it was reported. He later appeared to joke about the breach. The material in the text chain contained operational details of forthcoming strikes on Iran-backed Houthi-rebels in Yemen, including information about targets, weapons the U.S. would be deploying, and attack sequencing, editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg reported. It was not immediately clear if the specifics of the military operation were classified, but they often are and at the least are kept secure to protect service members and operational security. The U.S. has conducted airstrikes against the Houthis since the militant group began targeting commercial and military vessels in the Red Sea in November 2023. Just two hours after Goldberg received the details of the attack on March 15, the U.S. began launching a series of airstrikes against Houthi targets in Yemen. The National Security Council is looking into the matter The National Security Council said in a statement that it was looking into how a journalists number was added to the chain in the Signal group chat. In addition to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, it included Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Tulsi Gabbard, Trumps director of national intelligence. Goldberg said he received the Signal invitation from Mike Waltz, Trumps national security adviser, who was also in the group chat. Hegseth in his first comments on the matter attacked Goldberg as deceitful and a discredited so-called journalist while alluding to previous critical reporting of Trump from the publication. He did not shed light on why Signal was being used to discuss the sensitive operation or how Goldberg ended up on the message chain. Nobody was texting war plans and thats all I have to say about that, Hegseth said in an exchange with reporters after landing in Hawaii on Monday as he began his first trip to the Indo-Pacific as defense secretary. In a statement late Monday, White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said the president still has the utmost confidence in Waltz and the national security team. Earlier Monday, Trump told reporters, I dont know anything about it. Youre telling me about it for the first time. He added that The Atlantic was not much of a magazine. By early evening, the president jokingly brushed it aside. He amplified a social media posting from Elon Musk spotlighting a conservative satirical news site article with the cutting headline: 4D Chess: Genius Trump Leaks War Plans to The Atlantic Where No One Will Ever See Them. Government officials have used Signal for organizational correspondence, but it is not classified and can be hacked. Privacy and tech experts say the popular end-to-end encrypted messaging and voice call app is more secure than conventional texting. Reaction poured in quickly The sharing of sensitive information comes as Hegseths office has just announced a crackdown on leaks of sensitive information, including the potential use of polygraphs on defense personnel to determine how reporters have received information. Sean Parnell, a spokesman for Hegseth, did not immediately respond to requests for comment on why the defense secretary posted war operational plans on an unclassified app. The administrations handling of the highly sensitive information was swiftly condemned by Democratic lawmakers. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer called for a full investigation. This is one of the most stunning breaches of military intelligence I have read about in a very, very long time, Schumer, a New York Democrat, said in a floor speech Monday afternoon. If true, this story represents one of the most egregious failures of operational security and common sense I have ever seen, said Sen. Jack Reed of Rhode Island, the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, in a statement. He said American lives are on the line. The carelessness shown by Trumps Cabinet is stunning and dangerous. I will be seeking answers from the Administration immediately. Rep. Jim Himes of Connecticut, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, said in a statement that he was horrified by the reports. Himes said if a lower-ranking official did what is described here, they would likely lose their clearance and be subject to a criminal investigation. The American people deserve answers, which he said he planned to get at Wednesdays previously scheduled committee hearing. Some Republicans also expressed concerns. Sen. Roger Wicker, the Mississippi Republican who chairs the Senate Armed Services Committee, told reporters Monday, Were very concerned about it and well be looking into it on a bipartisan basis. Reed said he would be speaking with Wicker about what the committee will do to follow up on the Signal leak. Senate Majority Leader John Thune said he wants to learn more about what happened. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth does a television interview outside the White House, Friday, March 21, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) AP Obviously, we got to run it to the ground, figure out what went on there, said Thune, a South Dakota Republican. Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson offered a notably forgiving posture. I think it would be a terrible mistake for there to be adverse consequences on any of the people that were involved in that call, Johnson said. They were trying to do a good job, the mission was accomplished with precision. There are strict laws around handling defense information The handling of national defense information is strictly governed by law under the century-old Espionage Act, including provisions that make it a crime to remove such information from its proper place of custody even through an act of gross negligence. The Justice Department in 2015 and 2016 investigated whether former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton broke the law by communicating about classified information with her aides on a private email server she set up, though the FBI ultimately recommended against charges and none were brought. In the Biden administration, some officials were given permission to download Signal on their White House-issued phones, but were instructed to use the app sparingly, according to a former national security official who served in the Democratic administration. The official, who requested anonymity to speak about methods used to share sensitive information, said Signal was most commonly used to communicate what they internally referred to as tippers to notify someone when they were away from the office or traveling overseas that they should check their high side inbox for a classified message. The app was sometimes also used by officials during the Biden administration to communicate about scheduling of sensitive meetings or classified phone calls when they were outside the office, the official said. The use of Signal became more prevalent during the last year of the Biden administration after federal law enforcement officials warned that China and Iran were hacking the White House as well as officials in the first Trump administration, according to the official. The official was unaware of top Biden administration officials such as Vice President Kamala Harris, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and national security adviser Jake Sullivan using Signal to discuss sensitive plans as the Trump administration officials did. Some of the toughest criticism targeted Hegseth, a former Fox News Channel weekend host. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, an Iraq War veteran, said on social media that Hegseth, the most unqualified Secretary of Defense in history, is demonstrating his incompetence by literally leaking classified war plans in the group chat. Leak reveals internal debate on Houthi operation Vance in the chain of the messages questioned whether Americans would understand the importance of strikes that came with the risk of a moderate to severe spike in oil prices and if the timing of the operation might be a mistake. I am willing to support the consensus of the team and keep these concerns to myself, Vance argued. But there is a strong argument for delaying this a month, doing the messaging work on why this matters, seeing where the economy is, etc. Vance also made the case that Europe would benefit much more than the U.S. by the action aimed at decimating the Houthis and securing Red Sea shipping lanes. If you think we should do it lets go. I just hate bailing Europe out again, Vance said in a back-and-forth with Hegseth. I fully share your loathing of European free-loading. Its PATHETIC, Hegseth replied. He added, I think we should go. The vice presidents communications director, William Martin, in a statement downplayed the debate. He said Vance unequivocally supports this administrations foreign policy. AP writers Stephen Groves, Kevin Freking and Lisa Mascaro contributed reporting. Maracas Beach in Trinidad and Tobago (Edwin Remsberg / VWPics via AP Images) VWPics via AP Images A vacation to a Caribbean island might sound nice, but theres one place in that region the U.S. government doesnt think you should visit. The U.S. State Department recently updated its travel advisory for the Caribbean country of Trinidad and Tobago, warning of serious risks of crime, terrorism and kidnapping. The department had upgraded its advisory on the country to Level 3: Reconsider Travel last year, but updated it on March 21 due to recent events. On Dec. 30, Trinidad and Tobagos government declared a nationwide State of Emergency (SOE) due to ongoing criminal activity. On Jan. 13, that SOE was extended until April. During the SOE, the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service has the authority to arrest people suspected of being involved in illegal activities, and search and enter public and private properties as needed. In addition, bail is suspended for those suspected of committing a crime. Members of the Defense Force are following similar regulations as the local police. There are currently no curfews or restrictions on public gatherings. The State Department notes that any of these restrictions can change with little or no notice. The advisory goes on to say that violent crime in the country is common and includes murder, robbery, assault, sexual assault, home invasion and kidnapping. Gang activity, such as narcotics trafficking, is also common, and foreigners and a U.S. legal permanent resident have been recent victims of kidnapping. Whats more, U.S. government employees working in Trinidad and Tobago are prohibited from traveling to the following areas: Laventille, Beetham, Sea Lots, Cocorite, and the interior of Queens Park Savannah. After dark, U.S. government personnel cannot travel to downtown Port of Spain, Fort George overlook, and all beaches, as violence and shootings occur regularly in some of these areas. If you do plan on traveling to Trinidad and Tobago, the State Department recommends the following: Two of four brothers were killed when the car they were riding in went off an I-95 highway overpass in Philadelphia. Police told news outlets the car, a 2006 Mazda, was traveling at a high rate of speed when it hit a barrier and fell off the road, landing on Castor Avenue at about 8:30 p.m. Friday. Two passengers sitting in the back seat, ages 18 and 22, were not wearing seatbelts and were ejected from the vehicle. One was pronounced dead at the scene. The other was pronounced dead at a hospital. The driver and front-seat passenger, ages 18 and 22 respectively, were taken to a hospital and are in critical condition. A puppy riding in the rear seat was also ejected from the vehicle and found dead at the scene, 6ABC reported. Police said all four men were all brothers. Witnesses told authorities that the car had been racing a Dodge Challenger along the highway when it went off the road. Macys at 13th and Market Street in Philadelphia. The organ dates back to 1904 and was installed in Wanamakers in 1911. Carol M. Highsmith/Buyenlarge via Getty Images Carol M. Highsmith/Buyenlarge via Getty Images By Lizzie Mulvey, The Philadelphia Inquirer (TNS) PHILADELPHIA 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. 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. Harrisburg officials on Monday issued a press release blasting conditions as inhumane at the Harmony Tower Apartments, stating that the lack of hot water for four months at the complex was outrageous. The city of Harrisburg will not tolerate this kind of blatant neglect, especially when it comes to the wellbeing of our senior citizens, Mayor Wanda Williams said, according to the press release. No more delays. No more excuses. Some units in the tower in the 300 block of N. 2nd Street have been without hot water since before Thanksgiving. One resident told CBS21 that they hadnt had hot water in a year. Resident Geoff Glatt wrote in a Letter to the Editor to PennLive that residents met for over an hour with Williams on February 24 regarding the issue. At that time, we were told that a citation was issued to the landlord that very morning. We also learned that City Codes had been working for months through the landlords agent to try and get to a resolution, Glatt wrote. Glatt blasted the city in the letter for taking so long to issue a citation. Perhaps, if the Bureau of Codes had issued a citation to the landlord when first discovering the violation, the problem would not have graduated to the local news channels, Glatt wrote. Many residents have been seriously inconvenienced by the lack of readily available hot water. Harmony Tower Apartments at 322 N. Second St. in Harrisburg. March 24, 2025. Dan Gleiter | dgleiter@pennlive.com Dan Gleiter | dgleiter@pennlive.com The city said in its press release that multiple warnings had been issued to the landlord. The tower is currently under a receiver, which typically happens when a company is undergoing bankruptcy or financial trouble. Police Commissioner Thomas Carter has ordered the citys codes enforcement department to issue fines for every apartment that does not have hot water. The city also announced plans to test for hot water functionality this week at every apartment in the tower. The full building-wide inspection is expected to take several days, according to the press release. Harmony Towers is owned by Texas-based Lynd Management. Lynd also owns apartments in Scranton, Uniontown, Rankin, West Mifflin and New Kensington. The city said senior executive George Cruz with Lynd was expected to be on site Tuesday, but there is already doubt within the company that he will actually attend. Rich Kinney, Lynds Regional Manager based in Arkansas, told Harrisburg officials the company is awaiting approval of a $58,000 loan to complete the necessary repairs. Kinney then downplayed Cruzs anticipated visit, stating, I do not believe George is coming to tour the facility. The mayor and commissioner said they were appalled. This community deserves better, Williams said. No resident of Harrisburg should be forced to live in conditions like thisnot on our watch." FILE - House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Chairman, Mike Bost, questions Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough, during a hearing on whether the Veterans Affairs ignore and perpetrate sexual harassment, on Capitol Hill, Feb. 14, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta, File) AP By Stephen Groves, The Associated Press WASHINGTON As congressional lawmakers scramble to respond to President Donald Trumps slashing of the federal government, one group is already taking a front-and-center role: military veterans. From layoffs at the Department of Veterans Affairs to a Pentagon purge of archives that documented diversity in the military, veterans have been acutely affected by Trumps actions. And with the Republican president determined to continue slashing the federal government, the burden will only grow on veterans, who make up roughly 30% of the over 2 million civilians who work for the federal government and often tap government benefits they earned with their military service. At a moment of crisis for all of our veterans, the VAs system of health care and benefits has been disastrously and disgracefully put on the chopping block by the Trump administration, said Sen. Richard Blumenthal, the top Democrat on the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, at a news conference last week. Blumenthal on Monday announced a series of so-called shadow hearings by Senate Democrats to spotlight how veterans are being impacted. Blumenthal invited VA Secretary Doug Collins to the first meeting next week, though the Cabinet secretary is under no compulsion to attend and is unlikely to appear at an unofficial proceeding. Most veterans voted for Trump last year nearly 6 in 10, according to AP Votecast, a nationwide survey of more than 120,000 voters. Yet congressional Republicans are standing in support of Trumps goals even as they encounter fierce pushback in their home districts. At a series of town halls last week, veterans angrily confronted Republican members as they defended the cuts made under Trump adviser Elon Musks Department of Government Efficiency. Do your job! Jay Carey, a military veteran, yelled at Republican Rep. Chuck Edwards at a town hall in North Carolina. Im a retired military officer, an attendee at another forum in Wyoming told Republican Rep. Harriet Hageman before questioning whether DOGE had actually discovered any fraud. FILE - Rep. Harriet Hageman, R-Wyo., talks to attendees after holding a town hall meeting, March 14, 2025, in Evanston, Wyo. (AP Photo/Spenser Heaps, File) AP Although Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson advised his members to skip the town halls and claimed that they were being filled with paid protesters, some Republicans were still holding them and trying to respond to the criticism. It looks radical, but its not. I call it stewardship, in my opinion, Republican Rep. Gus Bilirakis of Florida said on a tele-town hall. I think theyre doing right by the American taxpayer. And I support that principle of DOGE. Still, some Republicans have expressed unease with the seemingly indiscriminate firings of veterans, especially when they have not been looped in on the administrations plans. At a town hall on Friday, Texas Republican Rep. Dan Crenshaw told the audience, Were learning about this stuff at the speed of light, the way you are. I think theres been some babies thrown out with the bath water here, but were still gathering information on it. Crenshaw, a former Navy SEAL, added, If youre doing a job that we need you to do, youre doing it well, yeah, weve got to fight for you. The Republican chair of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, Rep. Mike Bost, assured listeners on a tele-town hall last week that he and Collins, the VA Cabinet secretary, are talking regularly. As the VA implements plans to cut roughly 80,000 jobs, Bost has said he is watching the process closely, but he has expressed support and echoed Collins' assurances that veterans' health care and benefits wont be slashed. Theyve cut a lot, but understand this: Essential jobs are not being cut, Bost said, but then added that his office was helping alert the VA when people with essential jobs had in fact been terminated. Two federal judges this month ordered the Trump administrationto rehire the probationary employees who were let go in the mass firings. At the VA, some of those employees have now been put on administrative leave, but a sense of dread and confusion is still hanging over much of the federal workforce. Were all kind of wondering whats next, said Dan Foster, a Washington state Army veteran who lost his job when the VA canceled a contract supporting a program that educates service members on how to access their benefits and VA programs. Others are angry they have been portrayed as deadweight and cut from jobs they felt played a direct role in helping veterans get health care. FILE - Rep. Chuck Edwards talks during a town hall in Asheville, N.C., March 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Makiya Seminera, File) AP For somebody to go on the news and say we are incompetent or lazy that is just false, said Future Zhou, an Army veteran who had a job managing medical supply inventories for operating rooms at the VA facility in Puget Sound, Washington, before she was fired in February. As Democrats search for their political footing and a rallying point to unify them, they have zeroed in on the cause of protecting veterans. In both the House and the Senate, Democrats have introduced legislation that would shield veterans from the mass layoffs. And when Trump spoke to Congress this month, many lawmakers invited veterans as their guests. They are outraged, Sen. Tammy Duckworth, an Illinois Democrat who is an Iraq War veteran and former assistant secretary at the VA. They said Donald Trump promised to watch out for them. And the first thing he does is fire them. Democrats are already pressing their Republican colleagues to show their support for veterans. In negotiations to allow passage of a Republican-backed government funding bill this month, Democrats secured a vote to amend the package to include language that would protect veterans from the federal layoffs. But it failed on party lines in part because the last-minute change would have ensured that Congress missed the deadline to avert a shutdown. With an eye on the midterm elections, VoteVets, a left-leaning veterans' advocacy group, is already launching video ads that feature veterans sharing their stories of being fired and accusing congressional members of doing absolutely nothing. The ads are directed to five potential swing districts held by Republicans who are veterans themselves. Sen. Ruben Gallego, an Arizona Democrat who is also a veteran, said he was unsure whether veterans would shift their political allegiance. But he said it is at least clear veterans are pissed. Gallego said theres an opportunity for Democrats to hammer home the message that Elon Musk and his buddies would rather just deal with the bottom line and try to save billions of dollars so they can have more tax cuts at the expense of veterans. Associated Press writers Meg Kinnard in Chapin, S.C., and Kate Payne in Tallahassee, Fla., contributed. Second Lady Usha Vance and Vice President JD Vance walk off the plane after landing at MBS International Airport in Freeland, Mich., on Friday, March 14, 2025. Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com By WILL WEISSERT, Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) Second lady Usha Vance plans a trip to Greenland, at a time when President Donald Trump has suggested the United States should take control over the self-governing, mineral-rich territory of American ally Denmark. 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 that will visit historic sites and learn about Greenlandic heritage. Media outlets in Greenland and Denmark reported that 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 Denmark, a NATO ally, insisted it wasnt for sale. The people of Greenland also have firmly rejected Trumps plans. Vice President JD Vance said Sunday that Trump doesnt care what the Europeans think. He said Denmark is not doing its job with Greenland and not being a good ally, and if that means that we need to take more territorial interest in Greenland that is what President Trump is going to do, Vance said on Fox News' Sunday Morning Futures. Because he doesnt care about what the Europeans scream at us, he cares about putting the interests of American citizens first, Vance said. 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 eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., visited it in January. On her visit, Usha Vance will attend the Avannaata Qimussersu, Greenlands national dogsled race, featuring about 37 mushers and 444 dogs. The statement said Vance and the U.S. delegation are excited to witness this monumental race and celebrate Greenlandic culture and unity. 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. ___ Associated Press writer Kirsten Grieshaber in Berlin contributed to this report. "The Baldwins," a new series about actor Alec Baldwin, his wife, Hilaria, and their seven children, airs Sundays on TLC. Warner Bros. Discovery/TLC Hilaria takes all seven kids to the dentist on the next episode of The Baldwins. The Baldwins, season one, episode five, airs at 10 p.m. Sunday, March 23, 2025, on TLC. LIVE STREAM: Fans can watch TLC without cable on Philo (free trial), DirecTV Stream (free trial and four new genre packs starting at $34.99) and SlingTV. The episode is called Glengarry Glen Floss. The synopsis is, Hilaria plans a trip to the city to take all seven kids to the dentist; actor Caroline Rhea visits and talks Hollywood with Alec; Ireland Baldwin comes to town with her baby. The new series gives a behind-the-scenes look at actor Alec Baldwin, his wife, Hilaria, and their seven children. The show was filmed during the time that Alec was facing charges as a result of the accidental, fatal shooting on the set of the movie, Rust, in 2021. What is Philo? Philo is a streaming service that offers more than 70 live channels and more than 70,000 titles on demand for $28 a month. Philo has a SEVEN-DAY FREE TRIAL. Channels include AMC, AMC+, A&E, MTV, BET, Discovery, VH1, Food Network, History, Nickelodeon, OWN, TLC, Lifetime, Hallmark, Paramount and TV One. Add-on packages include EPIX, STARZ and Movies and More. Philo offers an unlimited 1-year DRV. What is DirecTV Stream? DirecTV Stream provides access to more than 100 channels, hundreds of on-demand titles, the ability to stream through three devices at once, and unlimited Cloud DVR storage. Channels include ABC, HGTV, Hallmark, Bravo, BET, Discovery, Food Network, AMC, Animal Planet, CMT, Comedy Central, FX, ID, Disney, Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon and PBS Kids. Subscription package prices start at $86.99 a month. The streaming service offers a FIVE-DAY FREE TRIAL. What is Sling TV? Sling streaming service is $45.99 a month for the Orange (35 channels) or Blue (43 channels) Levels. Orange plus Blue is $60.99 a month. Premium subscribers also can get a month of Showtime, STARZ and EPIX for free. Channels include CMT, Bravo, BET, Comedy Central, A&E, AMC, Animal Planet, Discovery+, Hallmark, History, National Geographic, Lifetime, TLC and USA. PokerStars Open Hits Philadelphia Next Month! Heres What to Expect Jon Sofen Senior Editor U.S. Copy link Live poker from PokerStars North America is coming to the US for the first time in 2025 with the PokerStars Philadelphia Open April 21-27 at Live! Casino and Hotel. The popular card room has played host to multiple PokerStars-branded events the past couple of years, including 2023 Summer Series. Tournament poker action will return to the City of Brotherly love next month for a series of events, most notably the $500,000 guaranteed Main Event (more on this in a bit). Philly Poker Series Highlights The action actually begins March 26 on the trio of PokerStars North America platforms. Players in Pennsylvania, Michigan, New Jersey, and Ontario, Canada can begin attempting to qualify for the upcoming Philly live series online via satellites starting at just $10. "Were super excited to bring the PokerStars Open to Philadelphia, a city that knows what it means to compete, fight, and never give up," said Steve Preiss, PokerStars' VP of North America. "Poker is about heart, strategy, and knowing when to take your shot, and theres no better place to showcase that spirit than in Philly. The brand-new PokerStars Open live series has no-limit hold'em tournaments ranging from $300 to $2,200. The $1,100 Main Event from April 23-27 is the biggest of them all. But there are other juicy tournaments in the schedule, such as the $2,200 High Roller (April 22-23), the $400 PokerStars Cup with a $40,000 guarantee (April 27), and the $300 Women's Event with $10,000 guaranteed (April 24). There will also be an intriguing $300 buy-in No-Limit Hold'em Bounty on April 24. In this event, those who bust a PokerStars ambassador will receive a special bounty. PokerStars is bringing exciting tournament action to the region with the launch of the PokerStars Open series, beginning in Philadelphia. Live! Casino and Hotel Philadelphia is a hot gambling destination and conveniently located literal steps from Citizens Bank Park, home to the MLB's Philadelphia Phillies. Unfortunately, the local ballclub won't be in town during the poker series, but those who arrive on April 20 can get the Phillies in action against the Miami Marlins. Share this article Day 4 of the $3,300 Main Event at the 2025 Merit Poker Carmen Series has wrapped up, with just nine players remaining inside the luxurious Crystal Cove Hotel and Casino. After four full days of poker, the final table is set, where one player will walk away with the prestigious trophy and the top prize of $401,000. This year's Main Event attracted a record-breaking 881 entries, making it the largest Main Event ever recorded at a Carmen Series and the second-largest in Merit Poker history. The massive turnout generated an impressive $2,431,560 prize pool, reflecting the popularity and reputation of the series among poker players worldwide. Leading the charge heading into the final day is Serbias Nenad Dukic, who bagged a commanding stack of 17,700,000 chips, good for 89 big blinds. Dukic enters the final table with just shy of $600,000 in live tournament earnings, a chunk of which came from his fourth-place finish in the 2023 Retro Series Main Event. With his experience and a sizable chip lead, Dukic is well-positioned to claim the title and secure the biggest score of his career. Final Table Chip Counts Place Player Country Chip Count Big Blinds 1 Nenad Dukic Serbia 17,700,000 89 2 Mikhail Zavoloka Russia 15,275,000 76 3 Akin Tuna Turkey 11,925,000 60 4 Maher Achour Tunisia 11,000,000 55 5 Chady Ojeil Lebanon 10,075,000 50 6 Soraya Estrada Spain 7,925,000 40 7 Han Han San Marino 5,700,000 29 8 Leonid Orman Russia 5,375,000 27 9 Daniil Kiselev Russia 3,025,000 15 Second in chips is Russias Mikhail Zavoloka, who quietly accumulated an impressive stack of 15,275,000. Zavoloka maintained a low profile throughout most of the event but surged late on Day 4 to put himself firmly near the top of the chip counts. Turkeys Akin Tuna rounds out the top three with 11,925,000, following a steady climb throughout the day to move up the leaderboard. Akin Tuna Day 4 Action Day 4 began with 60 hopefuls already guaranteed a payout of at least $8,690, but now looking to navigate their way toward the prestigious final table. Scotlands Ludovic Geilich started as the chip leader, armed with nearly 100 big blinds. Geilich continued his aggressive strategy from Day 3, frequently putting pressure on opponents and rapidly accumulating chips during the early stages. His momentum carried him comfortably into the final three-table redraw as the chip leader, with Spains Soraya Estrada nestled comfortably in second. Dawid Smolka was looking to make history, as he pursued the first-ever Merit Poker Treble, having already the Warm-up at the 2024 Gatsby Series, and the High Roller event at this series earlier this week. Smolka narrowly avoided elimination against Geilich when his king-ten bested Geilich's ace-queen on the river, signaling the start of Geilich's downfall. Ludovic Geilich Shortly after the exits of 2024 Gatsby Series Main Event champion Nichan Khorchidian and this series Warm-Up winner Dmitrii Kopyl, Geilich found himself in a three-way all-in with pocket queens against the sevens of Alessio Isaia and the pocket kings of Dukic. Dukic's Cowboys held up, propelling him to the chip lead while sending Isaia and Geilich to the rail in 13th and 12th place, respectively. Smolkas attempt at history ultimately ended painfully as he became the final table bubble boy, running queen-nine into Zavolokas king-jack. Unable to improve, Smolka exited in 10th place, leaving the final nine to battle it out for glory tomorrow, with Dukic well-positioned as the player to beat. Mikhail Zavoloka The final nine players have all locked up at least $39,600, but all eyes will be on the trophy and top prize of $401,000. Action will pick up at 2:00 p.m. local time with almost 36 minutes left on Level 32, featuring blinds at 100,000/200,000 with a 200,000 big blind ante. Final Table Payouts Place Prize 1 $401,000 2 $265,000 3 $185,250 4 $132,100 5 $99,050 6 $80,500 7 $65,700 8 $52,200 9 $39,600 Stay tuned to Pokernews as we bring you all the action tomorrow from the moment cards are in the air until a winner is crowned at the end of the night. The $3,300 Main Event at the 2025 Merit Poker Carmen Series is down to its final day, and the stage is set inside the stunning Crystal Cove Hotel and Casino for one player to walk away with the $401,000 top prize and one of the most coveted titles in North Cyprus poker. A record-breaking 881 players entered this year's Main Event, generating a $2,431,560 prize poolthe largest ever recorded at a Carmen Series stop and the second-largest in Merit Poker history. After four days of play, just nine contenders remain, each guaranteed at least $39,600 as they return to battle for the trophy and the lions share of the prize pool. Serbias Nenad Dukic leads the way with 17,700,000 chips, good for 89 big blinds. Hes followed closely by Mikhail Zavoloka (15,275,000) and Akin Tuna (11,925,000), with a deep and diverse final table lineup that includes representatives from seven different countries. Final Table Seat Draw Seat Player Country Chip Count Big Blinds 1 Chady Ojeil Lebanon 10,075,000 50 2 Han Han San Marino 5,700,000 29 3 Mikhail Zavoloka Russia 15,275,000 76 4 Maher Achour Tunisia 11,000,000 55 5 Nenad Dukic Serbia 17,700,000 89 6 Soraya Estrada Spain 7,925,000 40 7 Leonid Orman Russia 5,375,000 27 8 Daniil Kiselev Russia 3,025,000 15 9 Akin Tuna Turkey 11,925,000 60 The rest of the final table lineup features a strong international mix, including Maher Achour, Chady Ojeil, and Soraya Estrada, each bringing healthy stacks into the final day. Rounding out the table are Han Han, Leonid Orman, and Daniil Kiselev, all looking to spin it up and climb the payout ladder. Chady Ojeil Cards go in the air at 2:00 p.m. local time, with 36 minutes left in Level 32, where blinds will be 100,000/200,000 with a 200,000 big blind ante. The final nine players have all locked up at least $39,600, but all eyes will be on the trophy and top prize of $401,000. Final Table Payouts Place Prize 1 $401,000 2 $265,000 3 $185,250 4 $132,100 5 $99,050 6 $80,500 7 $65,700 8 $52,200 9 $39,600 Stay with PokerNews throughout the day for live updates, chip counts, and all the key hands as we crown the 2025 Carmen Series Main Event champion in this record-breaking event. 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%. Greenville, SC (29601) Today Mainly sunny to start, then a few afternoon clouds. Hot. High 92F. Winds NE at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Some clouds. Low 71F. Winds NE at 10 to 15 mph. You are the owner of this article. Smart home appliances become new darlings of young consumers People's Daily Online) 10:48, March 24, 2025 Smart home appliances are rapidly becoming the new darlings of young consumers, thanks to the accelerated application of technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), big data, and the Internet of Things (IoT) in the home appliance industry. A buyer learns about a smart refrigerator of Hisense at the 135th session of the China Import and Export Fair, also known as the Canton Fair, in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province. (Xinhua/Lu Hanxin) According to international data forecasts, the shipment volume of smart home appliances in the Chinese market is expected to reach 281 million units by 2025, representing a 7.8 percent year-on-year increase. At an electronics store in Beijing's Chaoyang district, a young couple born after 2000 found themselves captivated by a smart robot vacuum cleaner. A salesperson explained that the device responds to voice commands and features an efficient cleaning engine that precisely designs routes to quickly clean an entire home. Using 3D multi-dimensional obstacle avoidance technology, it navigates without bumping into furniture. The couple were satisfied with the vacuum cleaner, as it looked impressive and could actually understand human commands, which would help ease their burden of cleaning significantly. A shopping guide at the store said that network-connected home appliances with a reservation mode and remote-control capabilities are top sellers, particularly among young consumers. "Today's young people prioritize convenience, multi-functionality, and technological sophistication when purchasing home appliances. They're highly receptive to smart home appliances," the shopping guide said. As "digital natives" who grew up immersed in the internet and digital devices, young consumers are becoming the main buyers of smart appliances. Survey data shows that over 90 percent of China's smart appliance consumers are under 40 years old. A 29-year-old woman surnamed Wang who purchased a new apartment last year chose to outfit her entire home with smart appliances. "Through my smartphone app, I can control my air conditioner, air purifier, water heater, washing machine, and other home appliances. I can remotely operate my washer and dryer or turn on the air conditioning before I arrive home. When I get home, I just say 'I'm home' to my smart speaker, which automatically turns on lights in the living room and plays music," Wang said. A staff member introduces a smart home appliance of a company in Ningxiang, central China's Hunan Province. (Xinhua/Chen Zeguo) These smart devices have saved her considerable time and energy, making her life more convenient and efficient. During the 2024 "618" shopping festival, the transaction volume for smart wall-mounted toilets, smart leather beds, smart shower systems, and energy-efficient flat-screen TVs on Chinese e-commerce giant JD.com increased by over 100 percent year on year. Young consumers are a crucial driving force behind the development of smart home appliances, said Hong Yong, an associate researcher at the e-commerce research institute of the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation under the Ministry of Commerce. Hong added that smart appliances have quickly integrated into young people's daily lives, becoming assistants in their pursuit of a better lifestyle. Smart home appliances simplify household chores and improve efficiency, aligning with young people's pursuit of convenience. According to the 2024 China Youth Consumption Trends Report, smart home appliances saw their transaction volume increase by several times last year. Young consumers particularly favor robot vacuum cleaners, smart washing machines, and intelligent kitchen equipment, which ease the burden of household chores and give them more time to spend with family and pursue their interests. Home appliance industry analyst Liang Zhenpeng explained that the "lazy economy" is flourishing and smart home appliances are becoming increasingly diverse and affordable. Many young people hope to leverage technological advances to reduce the time they spend on household chores. In addition, the technological and innovative features of smart home appliances are major draws for tech-savvy youth who readily embrace new technologies. The energy-saving and environmentally friendly attributes of smart home appliances resonate with young consumers' green consumption concepts. According to a report on Gen Z's home appliance consumption, when purchasing home appliances, 99.25 percent of Gen Z users focus on the energy consumption and carbon emission levels of devices, with nearly 70 percent prioritizing low-energy products. Smart home appliances are becoming symbols of a new lifestyle for young consumers, not only bringing convenience but also reflecting their pursuit of advanced technology and a personalized, green lifestyle. While the evolution of consumer demands and technological advancements drive the upgrade of smart home appliances, firms in the home appliance industry are adjusting their product strategies according to young people's preferences to launch home appliances that better match their personalities and pace of life. Meanwhile, many home appliance brands are actively offering solutions for whole-house smart home appliances by targeting young consumers' pursuit of intelligent living. In the future, home appliances will become more intelligent and energy-saving thanks to the widespread application of AI, IoT, and environmental protection technologies, Hong said, adding that a sound system of whole-house smart home appliances will provide better user experiences. (Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun) Summerville, SC (29483) Today Overcast with rain showers at times. High near 85F. Winds NE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 40%.. Tonight Rain showers early with scattered thunderstorms arriving overnight. A few storms may be severe. Low 73F. Winds NNE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Myrtle Beach, SC (29577) Today Tropical storm conditions possible. Heavy rain early...then remaining cloudy with showers and windy conditions developing for the afternoon. High 81F. Winds ENE at 20 to 30 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch.. Tonight Tropical storm conditions possible. Rain. Thunderstorms possible...mainly overnight. Low 76F. Winds ENE at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall possibly over one inch. Charleston, SC (29532) Today Partly cloudy skies during the morning giving way to a few showers late. High around 90F. Winds NE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 30%.. Tonight Rain showers early will evolve into a more steady rain overnight. Potential for heavy rainfall. Low 73F. Winds NE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Rainfall around a half an inch. Reporter Max White is a reporter for The Post and Courier Spartanburg primarily covering local government and business. He is a South Carolina native of Charleston and graduated from the University of South Carolina in December 2023. When the 25-year-old began filming the snake and the possum, she feared it was going to end badly for everyone. Snake Possum battleA Queensland woman heard a bang on her roof and then went out to investigate. What she saw next left her gasping. Source: Maddy Spinks A battle between a massive snake and a quick-thinking mammal was so tense, it was like something out of a professional David Attenborough wildlife documentary. However, the heart-stopping encounter wasn't filmed with a professional crew in a remote wilderness, but rather by a young Aussie woman on an iPhone in her backyard. A week ago, 25-year-old Maddy Spinks was enjoying her weekend at home in Queenslands Darling Downs region when she heard a crash on her roof. Looking up, she locked eyes with a large brushtail possum clutching onto the corner of the gutter. I started filming him because he was really cute, and thats when I saw the python heading towards the possum, Maddy told Yahoo News. My first thought was, Oh my God. I couldnt believe it and assumed it was going to end badly. There was no way I could see the possum surviving. Tense moment python lunges at possum For over a minute, the video captures Maddys shocked reaction as her dog barks territorially in the background. Oh sh**, oh no, she says from behind the camera as she focuses on the snake readying itself to strike. ADVERTISEMENT Maddy zooms out and focuses the camera on the possum which seems unsure how to escape its attacker. Although shes concerned about the frightened marsupial, its too high for her to intervene. When the snake lunges at the possum, shes almost lost for words, and you can hear Maddy gasp. Slowed down, the footage appears to show the snake striking towards the face of its prey. In a desperate attempt at survival, the possum grabs at the snake with its tiny front paws. The two fall entwined around each others bodies, then separate before landing on the hard concrete below with a loud thud. For a moment it appeared neither animal would survive. Source: Maddy Spinks 'Unexpected' outcome after snake and possum battle Remarkably, both survived the fall. The possum makes a break through a fence and into tall grass, and the snake appears stunned and is slow to move, but neither appears to have lost their fear of heights. ADVERTISEMENT The possum ran straight up the nearest tree and the python sat there for a couple of minutes and then made his way back onto the roof, Maddy said. The whole thing was really unexpected. Although snakes can be easily harmed if theyre picked up by someone without reptile handling training, they often show an amazing ability to withstand falls from heights. How robust are snakes? Sydney University reptile expert Professor Emeritus Rick Shine told Yahoo News that grasping a snake at the back of the head while its struggling can result in the small vertebrae around its neck fracturing. But he's seen snakes avoid serious injury after falling from cliffs while trying to avoid humans. ADVERTISEMENT Like any other animal, there are things that they can deal with remarkably well and other things that they struggle with, he said. But Ive seen snakes survive horrendous falls without any problems. Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? Get our new newsletter showcasing the weeks best stories. PR-Inside.com: 2025-03-24 18:47:49 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 952 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 HIGHLIGHTSThe Executive Order issued on March 20, 2025 entitledImmediate Measures to Increase American Mineral Productioncontains numerous positive implications for Alaska Energy Metals Corporation and the US mining industry broadly. AEMC hails this positive policy statement by President Trump and believes now more than ever that its application for grant funding through the US Department of Defense, Defense Production Act is timely and well positioned. The main points of the Executive Order include:The US Department of Defense will utilize the Defense Production Act to boost investment in domestic mineral production.The U.S. International Development Finance Corporation will use Defense Production Act funds to finance domestic mineral projects.The Export-Import Bank will provide financing to secure raw materials for domestic mineral processing.Adds copper and gold to the list of critical and strategic minerals.Department of Defense will facilitate buyer agreements for minerals and expedite procurement.The order directs agencies to achieve expediting permitting and approvals.Alaska Energy Metals Corporation has recently documented that its Nikolai project hosts the largest known nickel resource in the United States and now contains seven metals on the US Department of Defense critical and strategic metals list.VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / March 24, 2025 / Alaska Energy Metals Corporation (TSX-V:AEMC)(OTCQB:AKEMF) ("AEMC" or the "Company") welcomes news of an Executive Order issued by President Trump entitledImmediate Measures to Increase American Mineral Production.Alaska Energy Metals President & CEO Gregory Beischer commented, "As promised in his Joint Address to Congress earlier this month, President Trump has taken bold steps to ramp up domestic critical mineral production. Along with a prior Executive Order entitled Unleashing Alaska's Tremendous Resource Potential, the stage has been set to dramatically improve the investment climate for mining of critical minerals in the US and Alaska. Our Nikolai project now is known to host seven critical and strategic metals - predominantly nickel - but with copper, cobalt, chromium, platinum, palladium and gold, and is the largest known nickel resource in the United States. The positive initiatives contained in the Executive Order, particularly those related to financing through the Defense Production Act, could bode well for our company.The main components of the Executive Order include the following:Definitions and Scope - Defines minerals to include critical minerals, uranium, copper, potash, gold, and others as determined by the National Energy Dominance Council. The order covers the full spectrum of mineral production, from mining and processing to the creation of finished products like semiconductors, batteries, and wind turbines.Defense Production Act - The Department of Defense will utilize the long-standing Defense Production Act of 1950 (DPA) to boost investment in domestic mineral production.FinancingThe U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) will use DPA funds to finance domestic mineral projects.The Export-Import Bank will provide financing to secure raw materials for domestic mineral processing.The Small Business Administration will develop legislative recommendations to support small businesses in mineral production.The Department of Defense will facilitate buyer agreements of offtake agreements for minerals and expedite procurement.Expediting Permitting and Approvals - Agencies are required toprovide a list of pending mineral production projects within 10 days. Priority projects that can be immediately approved will be identified, with expedited permitting. The Fast-41 Permitting Dashboard will be the mechanism for transparency measures. Additionally, industry feedback will be solicited on regulatory bottlenecks.Revising Land Use Policies for Mining - The order requires federal lands with known mineral deposits to be prioritized for mining-related purposes and federal agencies must identify additional federal land suitable for leasing to private companies for mineral production. Under the order, the Department of Defense and the Department of Energy will facilitate private mining enterprises through extended leases.Modernizing the Mining Act of 1872 - Reforms will be proposed to Congress regarding waste rock, tailings, and mine waste disposal.Disclosures - Agencies will rescind certain regulatory disclosure requirements for applicants seeking federal financial support.For additional information, visit: https://alaskaenergymetals.com/ ABOUT ALASKA ENERGY METALSAlaska Energy Metals Corporation (AEMC) is an Alaska-based corporation with offices in Anchorage and Vancouver working to sustainably deliver the critical materials needed for national security and a bright energy future, while generating superior returns for shareholders.AEMC is focused on delineating and developing the large-scale, bulk tonnage, polymetallic Nikolai Project Eureka deposit containing nickel, copper, cobalt, chromium, iron, platinum, palladium, and gold. Located in Interior Alaska near existing transportation and power infrastructure, its flagship project, Nikolai, is well-situated to become a significant domestic source of strategic metals for North America. AEMC also holds a secondary project in western Quebec; the Angliers - Belleterre project. Today, material sourcing demands excellence in environmental performance, technological innovation, carbon mitigation and the responsible management of human and financial capital. AEMC works every day to earn and maintain the respect and confidence of the public and believes that ESG performance is measured by action and led from the top.ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD"Gregory Beischer" Gregory Beischer, President & CEOFOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:Gregory A. Beischer, President & CEOToll-Free: 877-217-8978 | Local: 604-609-7149Some statements in this news release may contain forward-looking information (within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation), including, without limitation, the positive effects the President Executive Order may have on the Company. These statements address future events and conditions and, as such, involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by the statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date those statements are made. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements do not guara PR-Inside.com: 2025-03-24 14:10:31 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 696 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 SAN FRANCISCO, CA / ACCESS Newswire / March 24, 2025 / National plaintiffs law firm Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP encourages investors in Atkore Inc. ("Atkore" or the "Company") (NYSE:ATKR) who purchased Atkore common stock between August 2, 2022, and February 3, 2025, inclusive (the "Class Period") to contact us immediately regarding a pending securities class action against Atkore. The deadline to apply to be lead plaintiff is April 23, 2025.Class Period: August 2, 2022 - February 3, 2025Lead Plaintiff Motion Deadline: April 23, 2025Case information: https://lieffcabraser.com/securities/atkore/ Contact us: Email or text investorinfo@ lchb.com or call 1-800-541-7358Atkore, headquartered in Harvey, Illinois, is a manufacturer of electrical, safety, and infrastructure products, including polyvinyl chloride ("PVC") water pipes and electrical conduit pipes.The action alleges that, throughout the Class Period, Atkore and certain of its senior executives failed to disclose to investors that: (1) the Company was engaged in an anticompetitive price-fixing scheme that kept the price of its PVC pipes artificially inflated even after COVID era supply chain issues had resolved; (2) Atkore received substantial, unsustainable financial benefits from its anticompetitive actions; and (3) the Company's poor quarterly financial results were due to it and its co-conspirators refusing to lower their artificially inflated prices even after foreign competitors were able to reenter the market and price PVC appropriately.On May 7, 2024, Atkore announced lowered guidance for fiscal year 2024, noting that "pricing environment could be challenged in the second half of 2024." On this news, Atkore's stock price fell 12.5% from its closing price of $176.40 per share on May 6, 2024, to close at $154.34 per share on May 7, 2024, on heavy trading volume.On July 23, 2024, after the market closed, Atkore announced that its Vice President, then-CFO, and Chief Accounting Officer, defendant David P. Johnson, had submitted his resignation, effective August 9, 2024.On July 24, 2024, asset management firm ManBear released a report claiming that Atkore was engaged in an industry-wide price fixing scheme which had "massively inflated pipe prices" and "appear[ed] to defy economic logic, remaining at extremely elevated levels despite normalized supply chains." On this news, Atkore's stock price declined 8.53% from its closing price of $145 per share on July 23, 2024, to close at $132.63 per share on July 24, 2024.On August 6, 2024, after the market closed, Atkore reported adjusted earnings per share that fell short of the average analyst estimate and lowered its outlook for fiscal year 2024 adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net income per diluted share. In the corresponding earnings call, Atkore's President, CEO, and Director, defendant William E. Waltz Jr., stated that "[p]ricing was softer than expected due to the slower end markets, particularly for our PVC conduit business." On this news, Atkore's stock price fell 14.7% from its closing price of $118.46 on August 5, 2024, to close at $101.05 per share on August 7, 2024, on extremely heavy trading volume.On February 4, 2025, before the market opened, Atkore announced disappointing financial results for the first quarter of fiscal year 2025, reporting net sales of $661.6 million which was significantly below analysts' estimates. In addition, Atkore reduced its earnings guidance for 2025. During the Company's earnings conference call with analysts and investors later that day, Atkore CFO, defendant John M. Deitzer, revealed that Atkore's "plastic pipe and conduit product category declined mid-single digits during the quarter," and attributed the Company's lowered 2025 guidance to Atkore's PVC business, stating "roughly $75 million or 3/4 of that is on the PVC side." On this news, the price of Atkore common stock fell 19.56% from its closing price of $79.72 per share on February 3, 2025, to close at $64.13 per share on February 4, 2025, on extremely heavy trading volume.About Lieff CabraserLieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP, with over 125 attorneys in offices in San Francisco, New York, Nashville, and Munich, Germany, is an internationally-recognized law firm committed to advancing the rights of investors and promoting corporate responsibility. Repeatedly recognized as a "Plaintiffs' Powerhouse" by Law360, Lieff Cabraser has litigated some of the most important civil cases in the United States, and has assisted clients in recovering over $129 billion in verdicts and settlements. For over 50 years, Lieff Cabraser has remained committed to ensuring access to justice for all.Source/ContactSharon LeeLieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP415 956-1000 slee@ lchb.com SOURCE: Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein PR-Inside.com: 2025-03-24 20:46:21 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 660 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / March 24, 2025 / Leading securities law firmBleichmar Fonti & Auld LLPannounces that a lawsuit has been filed against Atkore Inc. (NYSE:ATKR) and certain of the Company's senior executives for potential violations of the federal securities laws.If you invested in Atkore, you are encouraged to obtain additional information by visiting https://www.bfalaw.com/cases-investigations/atkore-inc Investors have until April 23, 2025, to ask the Court to be appointed to lead the case. The complaint asserts claims under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 on behalf of investors who purchased Atkore stock. The case is pending in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois and is captioned Westchester Putnam Counties Heavy & Highway Laborers Local 60 Benefits Fund v. Atkore Inc., et al., No. 25-cv-01851.Why was Atkore Sued for Securities Fraud?Atkore manufactures electrical, safety, and infrastructure products including polyvinyl chloride water and electrical conduit pipes ("PVC Pipe"). During the COVID-19 pandemic, shipping costs rose dramatically, leaving foreign PVC Pipe manufacturers unable to profitably sell PVC Pipe in the U.S. As shipping prices returned to normal when the pandemic subsided in 2022, foreign PVC Pipe manufacturers gradually returned to the U.S. market. Shortly thereafter, in late 2022, the price of PVC Pipe began to decline.As alleged, Atkore repeatedly misrepresented that post-pandemic PVC Pipe price declines were the result of "pricing normalization" that reflected "competitive dynamics" and assured investors that the Company would continue to successfully compete in the post-COVID-19 market.On July 24, 2024, an activist investor named ManBear published a report titled "Pipe Price Fixing" which accused Atkore and three of its competitors of using the commodity pricing service OPIS to coordinate pricing actions and fix the price of PVC Pipe.In truth, it is alleged that Atkore engaged in an anticompetitive price-fixing scheme that artificially inflated the price of PVC Pipes.The Stock Declines as the Truth is RevealedOn February 4, 2025, Atkore announced disappointing earnings and reduced guidance, disclosing that the "plastic pipe and conduit product category declined mid-single digits during the quarter" compared to "high single digits in the prior year," and largely attributed the guidance reduction to Atkore's PVC Pipe business, stating, "roughly $75 million or 3/4 [of the guidance reduction] is on the PVC side." This news caused the price of Atkore stock to decline nearly 20%, from $79.72 per share on February 3, 2025 to $64.13 per share on February 4, 2025.On February 14, 2025, Atkore disclosed that it received a grand jury subpoena from the U.S. Department of Justice Antitrust Division seeking the "production of documents relating to the pricing of the Company's PVC pipe and conduit products." Click here if you suffered losses: https://www.bfalaw.com/cases-investigations/atkore-inc What Can You Do?If you invested in Atkore you may have legal options and are encouraged to submit your information to the firm.All representation is on a contingency fee basis, there is no cost to you. Shareholders are not responsible for any court costs or expenses of litigation. The firm will seek court approval for any potential fees and expenses.Submit your information by visiting:Or contact:Ross Shikowitz ross@ bfalaw.com 212-789-3619Why Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP?Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP is a leading international law firm representing plaintiffs in securities class actions and shareholder litigation. It was named among the Top 5 plaintiff law firms by ISS SCAS in 2023 and its attorneys have been named Titans of the Plaintiffs' Bar by Law360 and SuperLawyers by Thompson Reuters. Among its recent notable successes, BFA recovered over $900 million in value from Tesla, Inc.'s Board of Directors, as well as $420 million from Teva Pharmaceutical Ind. Ltd.For more information about BFA and its attorneys, please visit https://www.bfalaw.com Attorney advertising. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.SOURCE: Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP PR-Inside.com: 2025-03-24 20:30:40 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 421 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Tampa-Based Operator Plans to Grow to More Than 40 Locations by 2026TAMPA, FLORIDA / ACCESS Newswire / March 24, 2025 /Auto Glass Brands LLC (DBA Nations Auto Glass and Mikes Auto Glass) has embarked an aggressive expansion program throughout the Southeast and Midwest. The company has operated in the Tampa market for over 35 years, with 5 locations open and operating, with 17 in development set to complete by the end of 2025. Mike's Auto Glass location in Tampa, Florida Auto Glass Brands operates 5 locations across Tampa with 17 in development set to open by end of 2025.The company has dominated its niche through exemplary customer service, the best auto glass technicians, and hands-on management."Our unique front-and-center retail concept, combined with top-tier training and a relentless focus on customer service, has truly set us apart.We're not just another glass repair and replacement service-we're redefining the customer experience and raising the standard in this industry." -- Justin Faltus, CEOAfter acquiring the company in 2017, Faltus set his sights on expanding the business beyond the Tampa market, with a strong focus on high-quality real estate. Nations Auto Glass recently celebrated the grand opening of its newest location in Augusta, Georgia-its first outside of Florida-as well as a new location in Lakeland, Florida."These locations are strategically positioned for success," Faltus added. "We focus on strong real estate fundamentals, ensuring our stores are in high-visibility, easily accessible areas with strong traffic counts. This makes it convenient for customers to find us and get the service they need quickly and efficiently." To support its rapid expansion, Auto Glass Brands has partnered with Marc Merchant at Century Partners Real Estate as its exclusive broker for all real estate services, including sale-leasebacks, site selection, leasing, and capital sourcing."Justin has a great business model and is one of the hardest-working people I have ever met," remarked Merchant. "His disciplined approach to site selection and emphasis on high-quality construction have truly set Auto Glass Brands apart from his competitors in the industry. Our team is very excited about the successful store openings in Augusta and Lakeland. Stay tuned for new locations coming online in Miami, Jacksonville, Crystal River, and Melbourne as well as upcoming locations in Wisconsin, Texas, and Tennessee." Auto Glass Brands is actively seeking new retail locations to occupy as it continues to expand.For more information on Auto Glass Brands and its acquisition criteria, please contact mmerchant@ centurypartnersre.com Contact InformationMarc MerchantVice Presidentmmerchant@ centurypartnersre.com (916) 995-3298SOURCE: Century Partners Real Estate Inc. PR-Inside.com: 2025-03-24 17:31:36 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 482 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / March 24, 2025 / Chicago Public Schools recently disclosed that it suffered a data breach that compromised the sensitive personal data of individuals. This data breach has led to concerns over the security of sensitive personal information entrusted to Chicago Public Schools.WHAT'S THIS ABOUT?On February 8, 2025, became aware of a security incident involving Cleo, a third-party vendor that contains current and former CPS students' information on one of its servers. Upon detection, CPS launched an investigation with the assistance of third-party cybersecurity experts to determine the nature and scope of the incident. The investigation determined that an unauthorized third party gained access to a server used by Cleo to store student data. This breach affected both current and former students dating back to the 2017-2018 school year. CPS conducted a comprehensive review of the impacted data to determine what information was compromised and identified affected individuals. On March 7, 2025, CPS identified persons whose sensitive data was included in the impacted data.Upon information and belief, the following types of sensitive personal information may have been compromised: students' names, dates of birth, genders, Chicago public Schools student ID numbers, medicaid ID numbers, and dates of medicaid program eligibility. On March 7, 2025, CPS made a public disclosure and started sending out notice letters to the impacted individuals. Compensation may be available for those individuals who received notice that their personal information was compromised.WHY YOU MAY BE ENTITLED TO COMPENSATION?Data breaches are serious matters that can cause long-term damage. Hackers may use stolen information to commit identity theft, financial fraud, or other crimes. Companies that fail to secure your personal data may be held liable for the resulting harm.HOW DO I KNOW IF I WAS AFFECTED?If you received a data breach notification letter from Chicago Public Schools, you are likely affected. Follow the link below to find out if you may be eligible for compensation.Levi Korsinsky, LLP is investigating whether affected individuals are entitled to compensation. If you have received a notice about the data breach, you may be entitled to compensation. There is no cost or obligation to participate. Follow the link below to find out:Levi & Korsinsky is a nationally recognized consumer advocacy law firm that has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars against large corporations. The firm's team of over 70 extraordinary attorneys and professionals have a winning track record going against the most powerful defense attorneys in the world and know how to maximize your compensation. The firm is a 100% contingency firm - we don't get paid unless you get paid! Please visit us at www.zlk.com for more information. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.CONTACT: Levi & Korsinsky, LLPJoseph E. Levi, Esq.Ed Korsinsky, Esq.33 Whitehall Street, 17th FloorNew York, NY 10004 jlevi@ levikorsinsky.com Tel: (212) 363-7500Fax: (212) 363-7171 https://zlk.com/ SOURCE: Levi & Korsinsky, LLP PR-Inside.com: 2025-03-24 17:31:08 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 480 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK, NY / ACCESS Newswire / March 24, 2025 / Community Care Alliance recently disclosed that it suffered a data breach that compromised the sensitive personal and protected health data of individuals.This data breach has led to concerns over the security of sensitive personal and protected health information entrusted to Community Care Alliance.WHAT'S THIS ABOUT?On July 6, 2024, Community Care Alliance experienced a network disruption that affected its ability to access certain systems. Upon detection, Community Care Alliance launched an investigation with the assistance of third-party cybersecurity experts to determine the nature and scope of the incident. Through the investigation, it was determined that certain information may have been accessed or acquired by an unauthorized individual between July 1, 2024, and July 5, 2024. On or around January 8, 2025, Community Care Alliance conducted a comprehensive review of the impacted data to determine what information was compromised and identified affected individuals.Upon information and belief, the following types of sensitive personal and protected health information may have been compromised: first and last name, address, date of birth, driver's license number, Social Security number, diagnosis/condition, lab results, medications, patient ID number, health insurance information, provider name, and/or other treatment information. On March 7, 2025, Community Care Alliance disclosed the breach to the Maine Attorney General's office, and, on March 10, 2025, began mailing notice letters to impacted individuals.Compensation may be available for those individuals who received notice that their personal information was compromised.WHY YOU MAY BE ENTITLED TO COMPENSATION?Data breaches are serious matters that can cause long-term damage. Hackers may use stolen information to commit identity theft, financial fraud, or other crimes. Companies that fail to secure your personal data may be held liable for the resulting harm.HOW DO I KNOW IF I WAS AFFECTED?If you received a data breach notification letter from Community Care Alliance,you are likely affected. Follow the link below to find out if you may be eligible for compensation.Levi Korsinsky, LLP is investigating whether affected individuals are entitled to compensation. If you have received a notice about the data breach, you may be entitled to compensation. There is no cost or obligation to participate. Follow the link below to find out:Levi & Korsinsky is a nationally recognized consumer advocacy law firm that has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars against large corporations. The firm's team of over 70 extraordinary attorneys and professionals have a winning track record going against the most powerful defense attorneys in the world and know how to maximize your compensation. The firm is a 100% contingency firm - we don't get paid unless you get paid! Please visit us at www.zlk.com for more information. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.CONTACT: Levi & Korsinsky, LLPJoseph E. Levi, Esq.Ed Korsinsky, Esq.33 Whitehall Street, 17th FloorNew York, NY 10004 jlevi@ levikorsinsky.com Tel: (212) 363-7500Fax: (212) 363-7171 https://zlk.com/ SOURCE: Levi & Korsinsky, LLP PR-Inside.com: 2025-03-24 23:10:26 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 590 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES / ACCESS Newswire / March 24, 2025 / Kamil Magomedov, a premier real estate investment brokerage and advisory firm headquartered in Dubai, has achieved an exceptional milestone by selling three complete residential buildings within a mere seven hours at Expo City, Dubai's emerging real estate epicenter. This unprecedented transaction highlights Expo City's rapid ascent as a globally recognized hotspot for strategic real estate investment.Expo City is positioned to evolve into Dubai's newest World Trade Center district by 2026, already capturing significant interest from international investors. Projected to attract an annual footfall exceeding 2.5 million visitors and host over 300 high-profile events per year, Expo City represents an extraordinary and timely investment opportunity. By 2032, planned expansions are expected to boost annual visitor numbers to over 6 million across more than 600 events annually."Expo City is experiencing remarkable growth, rapidly becoming one of the world's most compelling destinations for property investors. The intersection of unprecedented demand with constrained supply conditions has fostered a highly attractive market environment, generating robust rental yields for investors," remarked Kamil Magomedov, a distinguished real estate investment advisor specializing in premium investment opportunities and branded residential developments across Dubai.Currently, Expo City's residential offerings total approximately 1,100 units distributed across the Al-Waha Residences, Mangroove Residences, and the Rove Hotel. With Sky Residences and Sidr Residences expected to deliver an additional 1,000 units by 2028, the total stock will reach only around 2,100 units-significantly below the projected requirement. Beginning in 2026, Expo City will necessitate at least 4,000 residential units to adequately accommodate between 8,000 and 10,000 event attendees. This substantial gap between supply and demand presents investors with rental yields projected at an attractive 13-16%, markedly surpassing the market average.The recently unveiled Al-Waha Residences, characterized by boutique-style, low-rise buildings (G+1, G+2) comprising between 10 to 50 units each, have rapidly become a preferred asset class among discerning investors. The strategic opportunity to acquire entire buildings for conversion into short-term rental properties near Dubai's future central business district has accelerated sales velocity. Notably, entire buildings are being purchased faster than individual units, reflecting a robust investor appetite for flexible, high-yield assets.Expo City's advanced infrastructure, prime location, and the impending relocation of Dubai World Trade Center operations to this district have significantly enhanced its attractiveness as a global investment magnet. The compelling blend of limited housing supply, surging demand, and ongoing infrastructure improvements positions Expo City as an exceptional high-growth investment opportunity.To further guide potential investors, Kamil Magomedov has launched an informative video series on his YouTube channel, offering expert insights and in-depth analyses on Dubai's real estate market dynamics. His latest video thoroughly examines the strategic advantages and economic rationale behind investing in Expo City.Kamil Magomedov is a renowned real estate investment specialist affiliated with Provident Real Estate, a distinguished Tier 1 brokerage firm in the Middle East. With an extensive professional background in investment strategy, urban development, and governmental advisory roles, Kamil consistently identifies emerging high-growth real estate investments ahead of market trends. His previous roles include serving as CEO of a prominent investment group, strategic advisor to the CEO of Forbes Russia, and Minister of Investment in a key Russian region. He also contributed significantly to developing the master plan and growth strategy for a new urban area in Russia's Far East.Investors interested in capitalizing on Expo City's unparalleled growth trajectory are encouraged to act promptly. For immediate assistance in securing strategic real estate assets within Dubai's most promising investment destination, contact Kamil Magomedov today.Media Contact:Kamil MagomedovProvident Real EstatePhone: +971501610143YouTube: Kamil Magomedov Real Estate Instagram: @kamilmagrealestate Email: kamil@ providentestate.com SOURCE: Kamil Magomedov PR-Inside.com: 2025-03-24 14:00:46 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 461 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Helping Pompano Beach Business Owners Build Value, Boost Profitability, and Plan for a Successful ExitPOMPANO BEACH, FLORIDA / ACCESS Newswire / March 24, 2025 / Exit Factor of Pompano Beach, a business consulting franchise that specializes in exit planning for small to mid-sized companies, announced today the opening of its newest office in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Owner Kelly Chess holds a degree in Hotel Business Administration and brings over a decade of experience in software product development and project management. Passionate about solving complex business challenges, she was struck by the fact that 80% of businesses close rather than transition to new ownership. Determined to change that, she now helps business owners plan ahead for a successful exit, maximizing value and preserving their hard work and legacy for future generations. Exit Factor LogoTo achieve this, she guides business owners through a structured, strategic process:Value: Assess the business's worth through qualitative and quantitative analysis.Optimize: Implement immediate profit-boosting strategies and improve financial health.Record: Document or update operational processes and training materials.Transform: Execute a tailored growth plan.Exit: Strategically position the business for sale or succession.The company was founded by best-selling author, speaker, and small-business advocate Jessica Fialkovich. Her passion for helping business owners maximize their company's value, grew from her experience as a business broker and owner of a Transworld Business Advisors franchise. For businesses that were not quite ready to sell, or had potential to increase their value prior to listing, Fialkovich developed a program, teaching strategies on ways to build value, profitability, and salability."We're very proud of the success Exit Factor has had in helping businesses plan for profitability to ensure business owners maximize their company's value when it's time to sell," Jessica Fialkovich said. "We look forward to bringing Exit Factor of Pompano Beach, Florida on board to help even more business owners." Participants in Exit Factor's program earn back an average of $2,700 in exit value for every hour they spend in the program. Within the first year, clients have seen a 25% increase in profit and a 56.7% increase in business value. For those who have decided to sell, the program has helped them achieve successful exits.About Exit FactorExit Factor offers a proven method that helps small to mid-size business owners maximize their company's value. It's among the United Franchise Group (UFG) family of affiliated brands and consultants, representing the very best in their industries. Through one-on-one consulting services and online programs, the trusted advisors at Exit Factor teach entrepreneurs how to successfully improve their company's efficiency, value and ultimately ability to exit. For more information, visitwww.ExitFactor.comand for more information on owning an Exit Factor franchise, visitwww.exitfactorfranchise.com Contact InformationKelly ChessOwnerpompanobeach.fl@exitfactor.com 954-495-2775SOURCE: Exit Factor Despite the worst fears among residents, the major Sydney council told Yahoo the tree won't be going anywhere just yet. Eyebrows were raised after two yellow crosses appeared on this tree in Manly on Friday. Source: Matt Abbott/Facebook A beachside community in an affluent city suburb is concerned for the fate of a "beloved" native tree, likely many decades old, after it was found marked with two ominous "yellow Xs". Manly locals living in the North Steyne area on Sydney's Northern Beaches unleashed by the hundreds on social media over the weekend, after they suspected the gumtree, located on Pittwater Road, had been marked for imminent removal. "Woke up this morning to find two yellow Xs sprayed onto the gumtree outside our place. Called the councilapparently, its being removed after a 'safety complaint.' Sure, it leans a bit, but how it poses a risk to the community is beyond me," a resident said. "For some it might just be another tree. But for those of us who live here, it is the quirky tree on the way to the shops, the tree kids carved their names into and the tree someone once stuck a bandaid on when it was leaking sap." ADVERTISEMENT What started as a single post quickly turned into a heated discussion about tree removals around the Northern Beaches, with the general sentiment summed up by one remark: "The richer this place gets, the more pedestrian and soulless it becomes." Speaking to Yahoo News, a Northern Beaches Council spokeswoman eventually clarified the reasoning for the Xs, but not before hundreds hit out. Locals suspected the crosses meant the tree had been marked for removal. Source: Matt Abbott/Facebook Locals outraged after suspecting beloved tree marked for removal In a rare level of interest for a post about a single tree, the discussion attracted almost 600 responses. Many argued that native trees, particularly older ones, deserve protection and respect. "Nooo, I love this tree! It brings beauty to the street, keeps the area cool in the hot summer days, and should not be chopped down due to some people not happy with having to walk around it," a woman argued. "It does not cut off access, theres still a clear pathway with plenty of space near the fence." ADVERTISEMENT "More people ... buying into the area and chopping down their backyard trees everywhere," a second said. "Very frustrating as it is clearly a relatively old tree. So important for birds and wildlife to have older trees that are more likely to have hollows. Just removing an older, established tree and replacing it with a new sapling just doesn't cut it," a third chimed in. "Oh no! Is that the quirky tree on Pittwater Road that makes me smile every time I walk past it? I just want to touch it because it just looks happy". "I love that tree. Such a shame," echoed another. Northern Beaches Council sets record straight While the future looked bleak for the "quirky" gum, the council spokeswoman confirmed it'll be staying put for now. Council confirmed to Yahoo that while a large branch had fallen from the tree, it's not currently dangerous and won't be removed. ADVERTISEMENT Steps will be taken to ensure its health and prevent further issues, she said, and the crosses that were placed on the tree will be erased to avoid any confusion. The Northern Beaches has one of the greatest tree canopies in metropolitan in Sydney an estimated 12 million in fact and council said it continues to take action to protect, retain and maintain them. While this local issue clearly generated a lot of buzz from within the community, it's a topic many Australians feel strongly about. Across the country, the removal of trees often sparks heated debates, despite the issue sometimes seeming trivial to those not directly involved. Trees, particularly mature ones, hold significant cultural, environmental, and aesthetic value to many Australians. They are seen as symbols of the countrys natural heritage, often serving as habitats for wildlife and contributing to local ecosystems. For others, trees can be a source of community pride, providing shade and beauty. When it comes to tree removal, people often express strong opinions, especially when trees are removed for development, land clearing or due to safety concerns. Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? Get our new newsletter showcasing the weeks best stories. PR-Inside.com: 2025-03-24 14:00:52 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 474 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Empowering Tarpon Springs Business Owners to Maximize Value and Plan for a Successful FutureTARPON SPRINGS, FLORIDA / ACCESS Newswire / March 24, 2025 / Exit Factor, a business consulting franchise that specializes in exit planning for small to mid-sized companies, announced today the opening of its newest location in Tarpon Springs, Florida. Jeri Booe, a Tarpon Springs resident, will be the owner and operator of Exit Factor Tarpon Springs, Florida. With over 20 years of corporate finance experience and more than a decade as a small business owner, she brings valuable expertise to the local business community. Exit Factor LogoThe Exit Factor program is a proven process with tailored exit plans that safeguard the long-term value of a business now and in the future, no matter the size. Designed to help owners take control of their business by maximizing profit, efficiency, and value from day one, even if a sale isn't uppermost on the owner's mind."Exit Factor is a fantastic program for businesses in Tarpon Springs to increase their company's value and strengthen their planning. I'm excited to be part of this community and serve as a resource for fellow small business owners." said Jeri Booe, franchise owner.The company was founded by best-selling author, speaker, and small-business advocate Jessica Fialkovich. Her passion for helping business owners maximize their company's value, grew from her experience as a business broker and owner of a Transworld Business Advisors franchise. For businesses that were not quite ready to sell, or had potential to increase their value prior to listing, Fialkovich developed a program, teaching strategies on ways to build value, profitability, and salability."We're very proud of the success Exit Factor has had in helping businesses plan for profitability to ensure business owners maximize their company's value when it's time to sell," Jessica Fialkovich said. "We look forward to bringing Exit Factor Tarpon Springs, Florida on board to help even more business owners." Participants in Exit Factor's program earn back an average of $2,700 in exit value for every hour they spend in the program. Within the first year, clients have seen a 25% increase in profit and a 56.7% increase in business value. For those who have decided to sell, the program has helped them achieve successful exits.About Exit FactorExit Factor offers a proven method that helps small to mid-size business owners maximize their company's value. It's among the United Franchise Group (UFG) family of affiliated brands and consultants, representing the very best in their industries. Through one-on-one consulting services and online programs, the trusted advisors at Exit Factor teach entrepreneurs how to successfully improve their company's efficiency, value and ultimately ability to exit. For more information, visitwww.ExitFactor.comand for more information on owning an Exit Factor franchise, visitwww.exitfactorfranchise.com Contact InformationJeri BooeOwnertarponsprings.fl@exitfactor.com 727-803-5035SOURCE: Exit Factor PR-Inside.com: 2025-03-24 14:00:45 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 510 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Helping Business Owners Maximize Profit, Efficiency, and Value for a Stronger FutureMINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA / ACCESS Newswire / March 24, 2025 / Exit Factor, a leading business consulting franchise specializing in exit planning, announces its newest location serving the West Metro region, including areas west, north, and northwest of Minneapolis. Owned and led by David W. Morker, MBA, CEPA, a seasoned expert with 20 years of M&A and exit planning experience, Exit Factor Twin Cities West Metro helps business owners improve profitability, efficiency, and value-ensuring they are prepared for a successful transition, whether selling now or in the future. Exit Factor LogoThe Exit Factor program is a proven process with tailored exit plans that safeguard the long-term value of a business now and in the future, no matter the size. Designed to help owners take control of their business by maximizing profit, efficiency, and value from day one, even if a sale isn't uppermost on the owner's mind."Too many business owners focus on growth but neglect exit planning until it's too late," said David W. Morker, owner. "Exit Factor changes that by helping entrepreneurs boost profits, reduce risk, and build lasting value-whether they plan to sell soon or years down the road. A strong, well-prepared business today creates better opportunities for the future, and Twin Cities West Metro businesses deserve that advantage." The company was founded by best-selling author, speaker, and small-business advocate Jessica Fialkovich. Her passion for helping business owners maximize their company's value, grew from her experience as a business broker and owner of a Transworld Business Advisors franchise. For businesses that were not quite ready to sell, or had potential to increase their value prior to listing, Fialkovich developed a program, teaching strategies on ways to build value, profitability, and salability."We're very proud of the success Exit Factor has had in helping businesses plan for profitability to ensure business owners maximize their company's value when it's time to sell," Jessica Fialkovich said. "We look forward to bringing Exit Factor of Twin Cities West Metro, Minnesota on board to help even more business owners." Participants in Exit Factor's program earn back an average of $2,700 in exit value for every hour they spend in the program. Within the first year, clients have seen a 25% increase in profit and a 56.7% increase in business value. For those who have decided to sell, the program has helped them achieve successful exits.About Exit FactorExit Factor offers a proven method that helps small to mid-size business owners maximize their company's value. It's among the United Franchise Group (UFG) family of affiliated brands and consultants, representing the very best in their industries. Through one-on-one consulting services and online programs, the trusted advisors at Exit Factor teach entrepreneurs how to successfully improve their company's efficiency, value and ultimately ability to exit. For more information, visitwww.ExitFactor.comand for more information on owning an Exit Factor franchise, visitwww.exitfactorfranchise.com Contact InformationDavid W. Morker, MBA, CEPA Ownertwincitieswest.mn@exitfactor.com 612-682-2020SOURCE: Exit Factor PR-Inside.com: 2025-03-24 08:01:21 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 711 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Presidential Executive Order - American Mineral ProductionLONDON, UNITED KINGDOM / ACCESS Newswire / March 24, 2025 / Guardian Metal Resources plc (LON:GMET)(OTCQX:GMTLF), a mineral exploration company focused on tungsten within Nevada, USA, is pleased to note the support outlined in the Executive Order signed on March 20, 2025, by the President of the United States, Donald Trump, titled "Immediate Measures to Increase American Mineral Production" (the "Executive Order" or "EO"). The landmark order demonstrates a renewed commitment to promoting domestic energy and natural resources, in line with Guardian Metal's ultimate mission of mining tungsten, a key metal essential for modern defence and civilian industries, on U.S. soil. A link to the Executive Order is provided below:Key sections from the Executive Order benefitting Guardian Metal:Fast-tracked permitting & streamlined approvalsFederal agencies are now mandated to expedite the review and approval process for priority critical mineral projects.This has the potential to significantly reduce regulatory hurdles, benefitting projects that require federal permitting, including the Company's Pilot Mountain project.Priority status for critical minerals, including tungstenThe EO directs agencies to prioritise U.S. production of minerals deemed critical under 30 U.S.C. 1606(a)(3), which includes tungsten.This reinforces the national strategic importance of our Nevada-based tungsten projects.Reduction in dependence on foreign importsWith an explicit goal of strengthening U.S. mineral security, the EO aims to lessen reliance on China and other foreign suppliers.This aligns with Guardian Metal's mission to develop a secure, domestic supply of tungsten.Investment Incentives & Government BackingThe EO allows for additional federal support, including potential financing through agencies like the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation.This could unlock new funding opportunities for our Nevada based tungsten properties.National Security & Defense ConsiderationsGiven tungsten's critical role in defence and high-tech industries, the EO reinforces the need for secure, U.S.-based supply chains.This positions our projects as potential key contributors to American economic and defense priorities.Oliver Friesen, CEO of Guardian Metal, commented:"This executive order marks a pivotal moment for the U.S. mining industry. By accelerating permitting and prioritising domestic production, the administration has reaffirmed the strategic importance of critical minerals such as tungsten. Guardian Metal is well-positioned to contribute to this initiative, and we welcome policies that enhance supply chain security while fostering investment in domestic resources." Next StepsGuardian Metal will actively engage with all relevant government agencies to align with the directives outlined in the Executive Order. The Company is committed to leveraging this supportive policy framework to expedite the responsible development of its Nevada-based projects.The Company continues to advance technical studies and community engagement initiatives, ensuring it maintains the highest standards of environmental stewardship and social responsibility. These efforts position Guardian Metal to capitalise on this pivotal moment for domestic mining in the U.S.Forward Looking StatementsThis announcement contains forward-looking statements relating to expected or anticipated future events and anticipated results that are forward-looking in nature and, as a result, are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, such as general economic, market and business conditions, competition for qualified staff, the regulatory process and actions, technical issues, new legislation, uncertainties resulting from potential delays or changes in plans, uncertainties resulting from working in a new political jurisdiction, uncertainties regarding the results of exploration, uncertainties regarding the timing and granting of prospecting rights, uncertainties regarding the timing and granting of regulatory and other third party consents and approvals, uncertainties regarding the Company's or any third party's ability to execute and implement future plans, and the occurrence of unexpected events.Actual results achieved may vary from the information provided herein as a result of numerous known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors.For further information visit www.guardianmetalresources.com or contact the following:Guardian Metal Resources plcOliver Friesen (CEO)Tel:+44 (0) 20 7583 8304Shard Capital Partners LLPLead BrokerDamon Heath/Erik WoolgarTel: +44 (0) 20 7186 9000This information is provided by Reach, the non-regulatory press release distribution service of RNS, part of the London Stock Exchange. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution of this information may apply. For further information, please contact rns@ lseg.com or visit www.rns.com SOURCE: Guardian Metal Resources PLC PR-Inside.com: 2025-03-24 17:31:16 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 CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / March 24, 2025 / College Hospital Costa Mesa recently disclosed that it suffered a data breach that compromised the sensitive personal data of individuals. This data breach has led to concerns over the security of sensitive personal information entrusted to College Hospital Costa Mesa.WHAT'S THIS ABOUT?On September 17, 2024, College Hospital Costa Mesa became aware of a security incident that disrupted the operations of some of its IT systems. Upon detection, College Hospital Costa Mesa launched an investigation with the assistance of third-party cybersecurity experts to determine the nature and scope of the incident. The investigation determined that an unauthorized third party accessed some files on its systems between August 14, 2024, and September 17, 2024. College Hospital Costa Mesa conducted a comprehensive review of the impacted data to determine what information was compromised and identified affected individuals. On January 31, 2025, College Hospital Costa Mesa determined that these files contained sensitive personal information.Upon information and belief, the following types of sensitive personal information may have been compromised: name, Social Security number, and driver's license number. On March 10, 2025, College Hospital Costa Mesa filed a notice with the Attorney General of California and started the process of notifying impacted individuals. Compensation may be available for those individuals who received notice that their personal information was compromised.WHY YOU MAY BE ENTITLED TO COMPENSATION?Data breaches are serious matters that can cause long-term damage. Hackers may use stolen information to commit identity theft, financial fraud, or other crimes. Companies that fail to secure your personal data may be held liable for the resulting harm.HOW DO I KNOW IF I WAS AFFECTED?If you received a data breach notification letter from College Hospital Costa Mesa, you are likely affected. Follow the link below to find out if you may be eligible for compensation.Levi Korsinsky, LLP is investigating whether affected individuals are entitled to compensation. If you have received a notice about the data breach, you may be entitled to compensation. There is no cost or obligation to participate. Follow the link below to find out:Levi & Korsinsky is a nationally recognized consumer advocacy law firm that has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars against large corporations. The firm's team of over 70 extraordinary attorneys and professionals have a winning track record going against the most powerful defense attorneys in the world and know how to maximize your compensation. The firm is a 100% contingency firm - we don't get paid unless you get paid! Please visit us at www.zlk.com for more information. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.CONTACT: Levi & Korsinsky, LLPJoseph E. Levi, Esq.Ed Korsinsky, Esq.33 Whitehall Street, 17th FloorNew York, NY 10004 jlevi@ levikorsinsky.com Tel: (212) 363-7500Fax: (212) 363-7171 https://zlk.com/ SOURCE: Levi & Korsinsky, LLP PR-Inside.com: 2025-03-24 17:31:24 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 518 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / March 24, 2025 / Western Alliance Bank recently disclosed that it suffered a data breach that compromised the sensitive personal data of individuals. This data breach has led to concerns over the security of sensitive personal information entrusted to Western Alliance Bank.WHAT'S THIS ABOUT?On January 27, 2025, Western Alliance became aware of a security incident related to a vulnerability in a third-party vendor's secure file transfer software. The vulnerable application exploited in the attack, which the firm did not name, is a Cleo file transfer tool. A third-party vendor's secure file transfer software used by Western Alliance and numerous other organizations had an unknown vulnerability. In October 2024, an unauthorized actor began exploiting this unknown vulnerability in the third-party software, allowing them to gain access to a limited portion of Western Alliance's systems and obtain copies of files from those systems. Western Alliance learned that an unauthorized actor had potentially accessed some of Western Alliance's data on January 27, 2025. The investigation determined that the unauthorized actor acquired certain files from the systems from October 12, 2024, to October 24, 2024. Western Alliance conducted a comprehensive review of the impacted data to determine what information was compromised and identified affected individuals.Upon information and belief, the following types of sensitive personal information may have been compromised: name, Social Security number, date of birth, financial account number, driver's license number, tax identification number, and passport information (if provided to western alliance).On March 14, 2025, Western Alliance filed a notice with the Maine Attorney General and began notifying impacted individuals. Compensation may be available for those individuals who received notice that their personal information was compromised.WHY YOU MAY BE ENTITLED TO COMPENSATION?Data breaches are serious matters that can cause long-term damage. Hackers may use stolen information to commit identity theft, financial fraud, or other crimes. Companies that fail to secure your personal data may be held liable for the resulting harm.HOW DO I KNOW IF I WAS AFFECTED?If you received a data breach notification letter from Western Alliance Bank, you are likely affected. Follow the link below to find out if you may be eligible for compensation.Levi Korsinsky, LLP is investigating whether affected individuals are entitled to compensation. If you have received a notice about the data breach, you may be entitled to compensation. There is no cost or obligation to participate. Follow the link below to find out:Levi & Korsinsky is a nationally recognized consumer advocacy law firm that has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars against large corporations. The firm's team of over 70 extraordinary attorneys and professionals have a winning track record going against the most powerful defense attorneys in the world and know how to maximize your compensation. The firm is a 100% contingency firm - we don't get paid unless you get paid! Please visit us at www.zlk.com for more information. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.CONTACT: Levi & Korsinsky, LLPJoseph E. Levi, Esq.Ed Korsinsky, Esq.33 Whitehall Street, 17th FloorNew York, NY 10004 jlevi@ levikorsinsky.com Tel: (212) 363-7500Fax: (212) 363-7171 https://zlk.com/ SOURCE: Levi & Korsinsky, LLP PR-Inside.com: 2025-03-24 17:00:44 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 1027 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / March 24, 2025 / Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against e.l.f. Beauty, Inc. ("Elf" or the "Company") (NYSE:ELF) and certain officers. The class action, filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, and docketed under 25-cv-02316, is on behalf of a class consisting of all persons and entities other than Defendants that purchased or otherwise acquired Elf securities between November 1, 2023 and November 19, 2024, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"), seeking to recover damages caused by Defendants' violations of the federal securities laws and to pursue remedies under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder, against the Company and certain of its top officials.If you are an investor who purchased or otherwise acquired Elf securities during the Class Period, you have until May 5, 2025 to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained at www.pomerantzlaw.com . To discuss this action, contact Danielle Peyton at newaction@ pomlaw.com or 646-581-9980 (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll-free, Ext. 7980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and the number of shares purchased.[Click here for information about joining the class action]Elf, together with its subsidiaries, provides cosmetic and skin care products under the e.l.f. Cosmetics, e.l.f. Skin, Well People, Naturium, and Keys Soulcare brand names. The Company employs an "omni-channel distribution strategy" and sells its products with retailers in the United States, as well as internationally. Elf also sells its products online through its own direct e-commerce channels, as well as through other e-commerce websites. According to the Company's "value proposition," "[e]ach of [its] brands has accessible pricing relative to its competitive set and furthers [the Company's] mission of making the best of beauty accessible to every eye, lip, face and skin concern. As an example, e.l.f. Cosmetics' average product price point is approximately $6, as compared to other leading mass cosmetics brands which have average product price points over $9 and prestige cosmetics brands which have average product price points over $20, according to Nielsen." The Company purports to have developed a "scalable, asset-light supply chain centered on the combination of speed to market, high-quality and low costs." Substantially all of the Company's products are sourced and manufactured in China through "close collaboration with a network of third-party manufacturers." Elf has also touted that it has "ample manufacturing capacity as well as redundant capabilities in the event that one or more suppliers cannot meet [its] needs" and that its "broad supply base gives [it] the ability to fulfill [its] product requirements and remain cost competitive." As a retail company, effective inventory management is critical to Elf's financial performance. Specifically, the Company derives revenue from "sales of [its] beauty products, net of provisions for sales discounts and allowances, product returns, markdowns and price adjustments." Accordingly, Elf's profitability depends, in largepart, on ensuring that it maintains a volume of inventory that will allow the Company to effectively sell its products at a level that will meet customer demand. Conversely, Elf maintaining a level of inventory that is excessive relative to customer demand will result in the Company holding products that cannot be effectively sold and must therefore be written down or sold at a loss, thereby negatively impacting its profitability.As its investors would eventually learn, Elf's inventory management was woefully ineffective. In fiscal Q2 2024, the Company began identifying growth concerns when inventory levels rose as a consequence of flagging sales. However, Elf concealed this issue from investors. Instead, the Company described itself at all relevant times as one of a "rarified group of high-growth companies" with "strong relationships with [its] retail customers such as Target, Walmart, Ulta Beauty and other leading retailers that have enabled [it] to expand distribution both domestically and internationally" and consistently maintained that "the combination of its value proposition, innovation engine, ability to attract and engage consumers, and its world-class team's ability to execute with speed, has positioned the Company well to navigate the competitive beauty market." The complaint alleges that, throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and misleading statements regarding the Company's business, operations, and prospects. Specifically, Defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (i) contrary to its representations to investors, the Company was experiencing rising inventory levels as a consequence of flagging sales; (ii) Elf falsely attributed the rising inventory levels to, among other things, changes in its sourcing practices; (iii) to maintain investor confidence, Elf reported inflated revenue, profits, and inventory over several quarters; (iv) accordingly. the Company's business and/or financial prospects were overstated; (v) all of the foregoing, once revealed, would likely have a material negative impact on the Company; and (vi) as a result, the Company's public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times.On November 20, 2024, Muddy Waters Research ("Muddy Waters") published a report entitled "e.l.f. Beauty, Inc. A Revenue and Inventory Mystery", alleging that Elf had "materially overstated revenue over the past three quarters," and that in "Q2 FY24, ELF management realized its growth narrative was in trouble as its inventory built. It appears that ELF then began reporting inflated revenue and profits. Its reported inventory also appears materially inflated as a result - i.e., to account for cash that has not really come in." Further, Muddy Waters accused the Company of concealing its inventory challenges from investors by falsely attributing its rising inventory levels to supposed changes in its sourcing practices rather than the true cause-insufficient sales.On this news, Elf's stock price fell $2.71 per share, or 2.23%, to close at $119.00 per share on November 20, 2024.Elf's share price continued to fall. After the Class Period ended, on February 6, 2025, Elf released its fiscal Q3 2024 results and provided its fiscal 2025 PR-Inside.com: 2025-03-24 00:11:08 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 462 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK, NY / ACCESS Newswire / March 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 Venture's registration statement for the initial public offering held on or about January 24, 2025.CASE DETAILS: According to the complaint, Venture completed its initial public offering on January 27, 2025, selling 70 million shares at $24.00 per share. On February 5, 2025, TotalEnergies, an energy company that was a target customer of Venture, rejected opportunities to become a long-term customer of Venture, citing lack of trust. In particular, TotalEnergies CEO, stated that he was approached by Venture to see if the company would be interested in a long-term supply contract for liquefied natural gas from the Calcasieu Pass terminal in Louisiana, but he rejected the offer "because of what they are doing." Venture is currently facing legal challenges from existing large clients, such as BP and Shell, due to delays in supply contracts as Venture commissions its projects. Given the fact that defendants ability to deliver liquefied natural gas (LNG) to the world and to continue development of Venture's five natural gas liquefication and export projects depends on customer contracts, defendants' failure to account for and address these issues caused statements in Venture's registration statement to be false and/or materially misleading at the time of the initial public offering.WHAT'S NEXT? If you suffered a loss in Venture stock during the relevant time frame - even if you still hold your shares - go to https://zlk.com/pslra-1/venture-global-inc-lawsuit-submission-form?prid=138144&wire=1 to learn about your rights to seek a recovery. There is no cost or obligation to participate.WHY LEVI & KORSINSKY: Over the past 20 years, Levi & Korsinsky LLP has established itself as a nationally-recognized securities litigation firm that has secured hundreds of millions of dollars for aggrieved shareholders and built a track record of winning high-stakes cases. The firm has extensive expertise representing investors in complex securities litigation and a team of over 70 employees to serve our clients. For seven years in a row, Levi & Korsinsky has ranked in ISS Securities Class Action Services' Top 50 Report as one of the top securities litigation firms in the United States. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.CONTACT: Levi & Korsinsky, LLPJoseph E. Levi, Esq.Ed Korsinsky, Esq.33 Whitehall Street, 17th FloorNew York, NY 10004 jlevi@ levikorsinsky.com Tel: (212) 363-7500Fax: (212) 363-7171 https://zlk.com/ SOURCE: Levi & Korsinsky, LLP PR-Inside.com: 2025-03-24 14:01:08 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 494 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 SAN FRANCISCO, CA / ACCESS Newswire / March 24, 2025 / National plaintiffs law firm Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP encourages investors in Novo Nordisk A/S. ("Novo" or the "Company") (NYSE:NVO) who purchased or otherwise acquired Novo securities between November 2, 2022, and December 19, 2024, inclusive (the "Class Period") to contact us immediately regarding a pending securities class action against Novo. The deadline to apply to be lead plaintiff is March 25, 2025.Class Period: November 2, 2022 - December 19, 2024Lead Plaintiff Motion Deadline: March 25, 2025Case information: https://lieffcabraser.com/securities/novo-nordisk/ Contact us: Email or text investorinfo@ lchb.com or call 1-800-541-7358Novo, a Danish company with its U.S. headquarters in Plainsboro, New Jersey, is a healthcare company focused on the research, development, manufacturing, and distribution of pharmaceutical productions to address diabetes, obesity and rare diseases.The action alleges that, during the Class Period, Novo and certain of its senior executives made materially false and misleading statements and failed to disclose: (1) that Defendants created the false impression that they possessed reliable information pertaining to Novo's projected successful outcome of the REDEFINE-1 study of its new experimental weight loss drug, CagriSema, while avoiding discussions centered around dosage tolerability as it related to the CagriSema; (2) that Novo's claims that CagriSema would achieve at least 25% weight loss in the REDEFINE-1 study was not based on facts; and (3) that the REDFINE-1 study utilized a "flexible protocol" that limited the study's ability to effectively provide weight loss data on the dosage tested, suggesting either that tolerability was significantly worse than expected, resulting in patients titrating down their dosages to avoid complications, or that the patient selection process was rushed and led to the onboarding of patients who did not seek to achieve the study's 25% weight loss target.On December 20, 2024, before the market opened, Novo announced disappointing results for the REDEFINE-1 trial, noting that CagriSema had achieved only a weight loss average of 22.7% after 68 weeks. In addition, Novo revealed, for the first time, that the study used a "flexible protocol, allowing patients to modify their dosing throughout the trial" and which resulted in only 57.3% of patients reaching the full dose of CagriSema. On this news, the price of Novo's American Depositary Receipts ("ADRs") fell 17.83% from its closing price on December 19, 2024, to close at $85.00 per share on December 20, 2024.About Lieff CabraserLieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP, with over 125 attorneys in offices in San Francisco, New York, Nashville, and Munich, Germany, is an internationally-recognized law firm committed to advancing the rights of investors and promoting corporate responsibility. Repeatedly recognized as a "Plaintiffs' Powerhouse" by Law360, Lieff Cabraser has litigated some of the most important civil cases in the United States, and has assisted clients in recovering over $129 billion in verdicts and settlements. For over 50 years, Lieff Cabraser has remained committed to ensuring access to justice for all.Source/ContactSharon LeeLieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP415 956-1000 slee@ lchb.com SOURCE: Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein PR-Inside.com: 2025-03-24 18:15:59 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 448 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK, NY / ACCESS Newswire / March 24, 2025 / OEC Freight Companies Inc. recently disclosed that it suffered a data breach that compromised the sensitive personal data of individuals. This data breach has led to concerns over the security of sensitive personal information entrusted to OEC Group.WHAT'S THIS ABOUT?On May 13, 2024, OEC Group became aware of a security incident on its computer network. Upon detection, OEC Group launched an investigation with the assistance of third-party cyber security experts to determine the nature and scope of the incident. The investigation determined that an unauthorized third party gained access to files on OEC Group's network containing sensitive information. OEC Group conducted a comprehensive review of the impacted data to determine what information was compromised and identified affected individuals. On February 14, 2025, OEC Group identified persons whose sensitive data was included in the impacted data.Upon information and belief, the following types of sensitive personal information may have been compromised:name, and Social Security number. On March 14, 2025, OEC Group filed a notice with the Massachusetts Attorney General's Office and started sending out notice letters to the impacted individuals.Compensation may be available for those individuals who received notice that their personal information was compromised.WHY YOU MAY BE ENTITLED TO COMPENSATION?Data breaches are serious matters that can cause long-term damage. Hackers may use stolen information to commit identity theft, financial fraud, or other crimes. Companies that fail to secure your personal data may be held liable for the resulting harm.HOW DO I KNOW IF I WAS AFFECTED?If you received a data breach notification letter from OEC Group, you are likely affected. Follow the link below to find out if you may be eligible for compensation.Levi Korsinsky, LLP is investigating whether affected individuals are entitled to compensation. If you have received a notice about the data breach, you may be entitled to compensation. There is no cost or obligation to participate. Follow the link below to find out:Levi & Korsinsky is a nationally recognized consumer advocacy law firm that has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars against large corporations. The firm's team of over 70 extraordinary attorneys and professionals have a winning track record going against the most powerful defense attorneys in the world and know how to maximize your compensation. The firm is a 100% contingency firm - we don't get paid unless you get paid! Please visit us at www.zlk.com for more information. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.CONTACT: Levi & Korsinsky, LLPJoseph E. Levi, Esq.Ed Korsinsky, Esq.33 Whitehall Street, 17th FloorNew York, NY 10004 jlevi@ levikorsinsky.com Tel: (212) 363-7500Fax: (212) 363-7171 https://zlk.com/ SOURCE: Levi & Korsinsky, LLP PR-Inside.com: 2025-03-24 23:01:14 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 935 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / March 24, 2025 / Onco-Innovations Limited (CSE:ONCO)(OTCQB:ONNVF)(Frankfurt:W1H), (WKN: A3EKSZ ) (" Onco " or the " Company "), at the request of the Canadian Securities Exchange, provides, by way of the table below, an update to the use of proceeds disclosure contained in its prospectus dated November 25, 2024 (" Prospectus ").Principal Purposes as described in ProspectusMaximum Offering(i) ($)Use of Funds to Date(ii)Projected remaining cost to December 31, 2025Technology Transfer250,000103,392146,608Research and development of ONC010150,000494,580(iii)250,000Commercialization / production (pre-clinical)230,000500,000Estimated remaining cost of Prospectus and Listing70,00091,567N/AOperating expenses for next 12 months387,500583,806475,000Investor relations activities200,0001,661,114600,000Unallocated working capital1,283,822N/AN/AAvailable Funds2,571,322N/AN/AThe Company raised the maximum offering amount of $2,500,000 under the Prospectus.The Company has raised an additional $1,290,250since the date of the Prospectus.Includes an estimated $180,000 in costs incurred directly by Onco since its acquisition of Inka for the further development of Synograph, including its core AI Model.The Company notes, as indicated in note (ii) to the table above, that it has raised an additional $1,290,250since the date of the Prospectus, which additional capital has provided the Company the flexibility to pursue initiatives and expenditures that would not have been described in the Prospectus. The Company further notes that the use of proceeds as described in the Prospectus, and as indicated in the table above, contained a category of unallocated working capital of $1,283,822. The Prospectus also contained the following disclosure: "The Company intends to spend the funds available to it as stated in this Prospectus. However, there may be circumstances where for sound business reasons, a reallocation of the funds may be necessary." The Company made the decision to focus a significant portion of its financial resources towards investor relations activities in order to enhance market visibility and foster investor confidence. The Company notes that Canadian capital markets have unfortunately become increasingly frail in terms of being able to generate investor engagement, due in part, in the Company's view, to challenging economic conditions and the difficult state of the junior markets in general and most poignantly in relation to retail investors. Accordingly, the Company's strategy has been to utilize effective investor relations to reach a wider audience, particularly in Germany, in an effort to counteract this trend with the goal of instilling investor confidence and advancing its operational roadmap from a position of strength. The Company notes that the cost of investor relations activities has increased substantially due to increasing demand, including from U.S. exchange listed venture issuers, and also notes that such services are typically priced in Euros or U.S. dollars which has increased costs substantially when converted to CAD. The Company notes further that it would like to eventually expand its investor relations activities into the United States, though there are no definitive plans for this to occur in the near term.The Company also notes that the table above indicates that its operating expenses are higher than was anticipated in the Prospectus. This is due primarily to the Company being more active more quickly than was anticipated. In particular, this increase has been driven by costs associated with the Company's acquisition of Inka Health, its fundraising activities, and increased administrative costs associated with a much higher than anticipated level of regulatory interaction.Finally, the Company notes that the table above indicates that it will spend substantially more money on research and development activities than contemplated in the Prospectus. This is a direct function of the Company having secured more equity financing more quickly than was contemplated at the time of the Prospectus, as well as the Inka acquisition, with the latter having increased the Company's technology base for research and development.The Company is proud of its financing activities and grateful to its shareholders for their continued support.About Onco-Innovations LimitedOnco-Innovations is a Canadian-based company dedicated to cancer research and treatment, specializing in oncology. Onco's mission is to prevent and cure cancer through pioneering research and innovative solutions. The company has secured an exclusive worldwide license to patented technology that targets solid tumours, setting new standards in cancer treatment. Onco's commitment to excellence and innovation drives it to develop advanced therapies that improve patient outcomes and offer hope in the fight against cancer.ON BEHALF OF ONCO-INNOVATIONS LIMITED," Thomas O'Shaughnessy "Chief Executive OfficerFor more information, please contact:Thomas O'ShaughnessyChief Executive OfficerTel: + 1 888 261 8055 investors@ oncoinnovations.com The CSE and Information Service Provider have not reviewed and do not accept responsibility for the accuracy or adequacy of this release.Forward-Looking Statements Caution. This news release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as "will", "may", "potential", "should", "anticipate", "expects" and similar expressions. All statements other than statements of historical fact, included in this release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and the Company will update or revise publicly any of the included forward-looking statements as expressly required by applicable law.SOURCE: Onco-Innovations Limited The Invasive Species Council is warning more still needs to be done to tackle fire ants. The threat of fire ants has been described as a 'ticking time bomb' across the country. Source: Invasive Species Council A state government has announced it is injecting a further $24 million into its plans for tackling fire ants, with the invasive threat being described as a "ticking time bomb" that could change Australia as we know it. Reece Pianta from the Invasive Species Council (ISC) said the Queensland government needed to "ramp up" its eradication plan, warning the risk of fire ants from completely spreading across the country was one bad weather event away after the floods caused by Cyclone Alfred caused alarming movement. It comes after Yahoo News reported a Brisbane teenager was hospitalised when fire ant stings set off a life-threatening allergic reaction, which highlighted the devastating threat the invasive species has on Aussies. After the announcement of the increased funding on Monday, Pianta told Yahoo News it was definitely a step in the right direction but much more had to be done. ADVERTISEMENT "This is targeted funding to help manage fire ants in the suppression zone where we're starting to see significant reports of fire ant sting events on humans and animals," he told Yahoo. "But containment is not a long-term solution... the ants only need to find a way through the containment boundary to a new location. The quicker we eradicate them, the more secure the country will be against the risk." The Queensland funding will be rolled out over two years and focus on the areas where fire ants have already inhabited, such as southeast areas of the state. The funds are on top of the $38 million already committed over five years. Calls for the federal government to sit up and take notice of risk The federal government's fire ant eradication plan involves injecting $592 million over four years and will focus heavily on the detection and treatment of the ants in the containment area. However, the ISC fears this won't be enough. ADVERTISEMENT "It isn't just a problem for Queensland, this is a problem for the whole nation... there's a huge risk of them spreading and getting out of control," Pianta said. "It needs to be an election issue. "It's getting worse... we're starting to get regular reports from people in the community that fire ants are allegedly stinging pets and humans... we're starting to see the predicted health and animal welfare impacts from fire ants." There are increasing reports of pets being stung by fire ants. Source: Invasive Species Council Aussies begin to feel the pain of living with fire ants There are increasingly more Aussies starting to have run-ins with fire ants as the insects establish themselves in southeast Queensland, with more than 50 Queenslanders experiencing fire ant stings since Cyclone Alfred alone, according to the ISC. ADVERTISEMENT A Brisbane teenager was hospitalised after fire ant stings set off a life-threatening allergic reaction. There have also been reports of pets such as dogs and horses being stung. An Aussie teen was hospitalised after he was stung by fire ants at his Brisbane home. Source: Ebony Britton Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. PR-Inside.com: 2025-03-24 09:20:12 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 993 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Interim Results (unaudited) for the six months ended 31 December 2024LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM / ACCESS Newswire / March 24, 2025 / Pantheon Resources plc (AIM:PANR) ("Pantheon" or "the Company"), the oil and gas company with a 100% working interest in the Kodiak and Ahpun projects, collectively spanning 258,000 contiguous acres in close proximity to pipeline and transportation infrastructure on Alaska's North Slope, announces its interim results for the six months ended 31 December 2024 (the "Period"), together with operational highlights for the half year and the period beyond.HighlightsOperational and CorporateAppointed accomplished energy executive Max Easley as Chief Executive Officer, succeeding Jay CheathamDrilled the Megrez-1 test well as an appraisal of the Ahpun East project area - Megrez-1 exceeded pre-drill expectations with total of 1,340 ft of interpreted net pay. Flow testing of Upper Schrader Bluff Topset 1 will begin this weekAgreed a $35.0 million convertible bond issuance, led by Sun Hung Kai & Co. Ltd., expected to close by the end of March 2025 leading to sufficient liquidity to test six horizons in the Megrez-1 well and further delineate the Ahpun East area during summer of 2025Continued progress on development planning to support the goal of Ahpun FID towards the end of CY 2027Saw materially increasing support from federal and state governments on Phase 1 of the Alaska LNG project (the gas pipeline component) that is anticipated to be supplied under the terms of the Gas Sales Precedent Agreement between the Company and pipeline proponentsContinued preparations towards a U.S. listing aimed at leveraging the results of the Megrez-1 well, to support the goal to maximise shareholder value while minimising potential dilutionFinancialAfter tax loss for the period $6.9 million vs six months ended Dec 31 2023 ("1H FY 2024") net loss $7.4 millionG&A at $4.6 million (1H FY 2024: $4.0 million), reflecting the growth in the organisation as it progresses towards Ahpun project FIDCash on hand 31 December 2024: $19.3 million (1H FY 2024: $0.2 million) and cash on hand on 24 March 2025: $9.1 million. Additional $35m before costs expected to be received in the coming days upon closing of the new convertible bondUS GAAP accounts prepared in preparation for U.S Listing. Non-cash prior period adjustment following review to reflect a technical accounting correction associated with the original valuation of the noncash components of the cost of acquisition of Great Bear companies in 2019. The carrying value of these assets remains unchangedDavid Hobbs, Executive Chairman of Pantheon Resources, commented:"Pantheon has built upon the positive momentum during the six months to 31 December 2024 and so far this year on a number of levels. We anticipate the results of the Megrez-1 well flow testing (beginning this week) will upgrade our already substantial resource base and that continued progress on the Alaska LNG Phase 1 project will expand our funding options as we move to development of Ahpun and then Kodiak."We are delighted to welcome Max Easley as CEO. His experience from a successful career at BP, Apache and PETRONAS make him the ideal candidate to drive the transition from exploration and appraisal to development and production. We are pleased that Jay has agreed to remain on the Board to assist with the transition."We would like to thank our shareholders for their continuing support as we prosecute our strategy - maintaining a disciplined approach, focused on what moves us towards achieving Pantheon's strategic goal of delivering sustainable market recognition of at least $5 per barrel of 1C/1P recoverable resources while seeking to minimise dilution of shareholder value." -ENDS-Further information:UK Corporate and Investor Relations Contact Pantheon Resources plcJustin Hondris contact@ pantheonresources.com Nominated Adviser and Broker Canaccord Genuity LimitedHenry Fitzgerald-O'Connor, James Asensio, Charlie Hammond+44 20 7523 8000Public Relations Contact BlytheRayTim Blythe, Megan Ray, Matthew Bowld+44 20 7138 3204USA Investor Relations Contact MZ GroupLucas Zimmerman, Ian Scargill+1 949 259 4987 PTHRF@ mzgroup.us About Pantheon ResourcesPantheon Resources plc is an AIM listed Oil & Gas company focused on developing its 100% owned Ahpun and Kodiak fields located on State of Alaska land on the North Slope, onshore USA. Independently certified best estimate contingent recoverable resources attributable to these projects currently total c. 1.6 billion barrels of ANS crude and 6.6 Tcf (trillion cubic feet) of associated natural gas. The Company owns 100% working interest in c. 259,000 acres.Pantheon's stated objective is to demonstrate sustainable market recognition of a value of $5-$10/bbl of recoverable resources by end 2028. This is based on bringing the Ahpun field forward to FID and producing into the TAPS main oil line (ANS crude) by the end of 2028. The Gas Sales Precedent Agreement signed with AGDC (Alaska Gasline Development Corporation) provides the potential for Pantheon's natural gas to be produced into the proposed 807 mile pipeline from the North Slope to Southcentral Alaska during 2029. Once the Company achieves financial self-sufficiency, it will apply the resultant cashflows to support the FID on the Kodiak field planned, subject to regulatory approvals, targeted by the end of 2028 or early 2029.A major differentiator to other ANS projects is the close proximity to existing roads and pipelines which offers a significant competitive advantage to Pantheon, allowing for shorter development timeframes, materially lower infrastructure costs and the ability to support the development with a significantly lower pre-cashflow funding requirement than is typical in Alaska. Furthermore, the low CO2 content of the associated gas allows export into the planned natural gas pipeline from the North Slope to Southcentral Alaska without significant pre-treatment.The Company's project portfolio has been endorsed by world renowned experts. Netherland, Sewell & Associates estimate a 2C contingent recoverable resource in the Kodiak project that total 1,208 mmbbl (million barrels) of ANS crude and 5,396 bcf (billion cubic feet) of natural gas. Cawley Gillespie & Associates estimate 2C contingent recoverable resources for Ahpun's western topset horizons at 282 mmbbl of ANS crude and 803 bcf of natural gas. Lee Keeling & Associates estimated possible reserves and 2C contingent recoverable resources totalling 79 mmbbl of ANS crude and 424 bcf natural gas.PANTHEON RESOURCES PLCINTERIM REPORT (UNAUDITED)FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024COMPANY STATEMENTFOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024Company Statement PR-Inside.com: 2025-03-24 21:50:14 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 1003 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 JACKSONVILLE, FL / ACCESS Newswire / March 24, 2025 / ParkerVision, Inc. (OTCQB:PRKR) ("ParkerVision"), a developer and marketer of technologies and products for wireless applications, today announced results for the year ended December 31, 2024.Year End 2024 Summary and Recent DevelopmentsThe U.S Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit ("CAFC") overturned the federal district court's 2022 summary judgement ruling that dismissed the case prior to a jury trial in its patent infringement action against Qualcomm and ended the case. The CAFC's decision remanded the case back to be reopened in the district court in the Middle District of Florida (Orlando division) for trial.A trial date has not yet been set by the district court. The court has indicated it will set a date for trial following its ruling on remaining outstanding motions, including Qualcomm's motion for a third claim construction hearing, the Company's motion to substitute its technical expert due to serious medical issues, and Daubert motions regarding damages, among others.The Company currently has active patent infringement cases in the Western District of Texas against MediaTek, Realtek, Texas Instruments, and NXP Semiconductors with at least two trials expected to commence in the second half of 2025 and one or more trials expected in the first half of 2026.The Company filed a cert petition with the U.S. Supreme Court challenging the CAFC's use of Rule 36 orders to uphold decisions of the Patent Trial and Appeal Board ("PTAB") regarding invalidation of patent claims. The Supreme Court issued its orders list today, denying the Company's petition.Jeffrey Parker, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "The most impactful event of 2024 was the Federal Circuit's agreement with ParkerVision's appeal, reversing the Orlando district court's 2022 rulings that had ended our prospect for a jury trial in our patent infringement case against Qualcomm. This coming May will mark the start of the 12th year since this case was filed as it has faced numerous delays due to, among other things, patent validity challenges, two years of a pandemic, and, ultimately, a trip to the appellate court. We are eager to receive the district court's rulings on the remaining pending motions, after which the court has indicated it will hold a pre-trial conference and establish a trial date." Mr. Parker continued, "We have also made meaningful progress in our patent infringement cases in the Western District of Texas in 2024. We are anticipating at least two jury trials in the Waco court in the second half of this year, with additional trials scheduled in 2026. We are confident that juries will find our story compelling as we explain the benefits our innovations brought to the accused infringing wireless products. In certain cases, we had prior interactions with the defendants that we believe provide a basis for claims of willful infringement." Commenting on the recent Supreme Court decision on the Company's cert petition, Mr. Parker stated, "We are disappointed with the Supreme Court's decision today, denying our cert petition that raised challenges to the CAFC's use of Rule 36 to affirm PTAB decisions with no written opinion. I am appreciative of the public support received for this petition, including from two former federal circuit judges, as well the number of amicus briefs filed on behalf of this petition by members of the venture capital, startup, intellectual property and national security communities." Financial ResultsNet loss for 2024 was $14.5 million compared to net income of $9.5 million for 2023. Basic and diluted loss per common share was $(0.16) for 2024, compared to basic and diluted income per common share of $0.11 and $0.08, respectively, in 2023.The $24 million decrease in earnings from 2023 to 2024 is primarily the result of a $25 million decrease in licensing revenue and a $9.5 million non-cash increase in loss from the change in fair value of contingent payment obligations, offset by a $10.5 million decrease in operating expenses.The decrease in revenue and related decrease in operating expenses from 2023 to 2024 is primarily the result of a $25 million license and settlement agreement reached in 2023, as a result of the Company's patent infringement litigation, and corresponding contingent expenses payable to legal counsel recognized in operating expenses.For the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company recognized a loss of $9.6 million and $0.1 million, respectively, on the net increase in fair value of its contingent payment obligations. This increase in fair value is the result of changes in significant estimates and assumptions regarding the amounts and timing of projected future proceeds that will be used to repay the contingent obligations. The significant estimates and assumptions in 2024 were impacted, in particular, by the CAFC decision received in September 2024 that remanded the Qualcomm case back to district court.Our long-term liabilities increased by approximately $8.6 million from year-end 2023 to 2024. This increase is the result of a $9.6 million increase in our contingent payment obligations, based on an overall increase in the estimated fair value of those obligations, partially offset by a decrease in outstanding convertible notes as a result of conversions by the holders into shares of common stock during 2024.At December 31, 2024, we had $4.9 million in cash and cash equivalents following a December 2024 equity financingAbout ParkerVisionParkerVision, Inc. invents, develops and licenses cutting-edge, proprietary radio-frequency (RF) technologies that enable wireless solution providers to make and sell advanced wireless communication products. ParkerVision is engaged in a number of patent enforcement actions in the U.S. to protect patented rights that it believes are broadly infringed by others. For more information, please visit www.parkervision.com . (PRKR-I)Safe Harbor StatementThis press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These include statements regarding the timing, scheduling, and expected outcomes of current and future legal proceedings; the potential impact and significance of such proceedings; expectations concerning court rulings, trial dates, and pre-trial motions; the Company's ability to demonstrate infringement and obtain damages; assumptions regarding willful infringement; the projected value and benefits of the Company's intellectual property; and statements regarding the scope, scale, or potential results of the Company's litigation and patent enforcement efforts. Forward-looking statemen PR-Inside.com: 2025-03-24 23:01:07 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 966 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 RENO, NV / ACCESS Newswire / March 24, 2025 /Patriot Gold Corp. (CSE:PGOL)(OTC PINK:PGOL) Reno, Nevada - Patriot Gold Corp ("Patriot") Patriot Gold Corp. ("Patriot") provided the following update today to shareholders.Patriot owns a 3% net smelter royalty in the Moss Mine, an open pit heap-leach, gold-silver operation located in northern Arizona, and one of the most significant gold/silver deposits in Arizona history. The Moss Mine is located within the historic Oatman District, 10 miles east of Bullhead City, Arizona and approximately 70 miles southeast of Las Vegas, Nevada.Patriot acquired a 100% interest in the Moss Mine in 2004, and subsequently carried out extensive exploration, drilling and metallurgical work. Between 2004 and 2010 Patriot dramatically increased the known resource and established its metallurgical characteristics. In 2016, Patriot negotiated an agreement for the Moss Mine, resulting in Patriot owning a 3% net smelter royalty in the Moss Mine. In the first quarter of 2018, the Moss Mine entered production, leading to the commencement of cash flow to Patriot as a result of its royalty. The royalty has generated approximately $11 million USD in revenue to Patriot to date.In April of 2024, Patriot took legal action against Golden Vertex Corp. (GVC), relating to outstanding royalty payments which are owed to Patriot under its Moss Mine royalty deed. Subsequently, GVC requested a stay of creditor claims and processes under chapter 15 of the US Bankruptcy Code. The US Bankruptcy court (Court) has provided that, until it makes a ruling relating to Patriot's claims against GVC, certain GVC assets including cash, accounts receivable, rights to proceeds from mineral production, and other rights to payment, must be segregated, accounted for, and preserved, and no distributions can be made of same, pending further order of the Court. Patriot expects this matter will remain before the Court for several more months.Patriot also owns a 2% royalty in the Bruner gold project ("Bruner"), an advanced stage gold exploration project, and one of the most significant recent gold discoveries in Nevada. The Bruner is located approximately 130 miles east-southeast of Reno, and is owned by Endeavour Silver Corp ("Endeavour"). Although the Bruner is not in production, a Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) was completed on it in 2016, and an updated PEA in 2018.Patriot also owns a 100% interest in three exploration projects: the Windy Peak gold project, the Thra mineral project, and the Vernal gold project. All of these projects are within a geographical area that is situated near Middlegate, Nevada. Also nearby is the town of Fallon, an approximately one to one-and-a-half hour drive.Patriot's projects and exploration programs target large tonnage, high grade gold prospects.Current exploration activities include geologic mapping, soil sampling, sagebrush biogeochemistry, VLF-EM and VLF-resistivity surveys, hyperspectral and magnetic geophysical surveys, rock chip sampling, and reverse circulation drilling.Patriot's Windy Peak gold project ("Windy Peak") consists of 118 unpatented claims totaling approximately 2,419 contiguous acres. Windy Peak is situated in a gold-producing region which hosts such deposits as the Paradise Peak and Rawhide. Windy Peak has been the focus of extensive historical work, including geologic mapping, rock and float sampling, geophysical surveys and drilling.Our exploration strategy is centered on the extensive hydrothermal breccias and vein systems identified along a significant 2.7-mile strike length near the margin of a prominent caldera. These zones, characterized by surface exposures of chalcedonic sinter breccia and faulted vein-breccia, provide compelling evidence for a large-scale hydrothermal system with known mineralization from historical mining activities.The presence of a ring structure within and surrounding Windy Peak suggests a high potential for a nested caldera complex and an extensional regime along caldera margins. This structural setting is analogous to other caldera-associated deposits, such as the Round Mountain Mine to the east, with which it shares similar structural and lithological characteristics.To date, our drilling programs have comprised a single core hole in 2018, 10 reverse-circulation (RC) holes in 2019, 12 RC holes in 2021, and an additional 7 RC holes in 2024, and have primarily focused on understanding the complex structural deformation associated with caldera resurgence and collapse.This drilling has confirmed upper-level low-sulfidation mineralization along the 2.7-mile strike length, and evidence suggests that the primary boiling horizon, which remains at depth, could host higher-grade mineralization.Patriot plans further exploration to continue to develop the project.Patriot's Vernal gold project ("Vernal") consists of 12 unpatented mining claims totaling 120 contiguous acres, within a relatively short driving distance of the Windy Peak project. Patriot has conducted geologic mapping and rock chip sampling, and completed a National Instrument 43-101 technical report on the project.Regionally, Patriot completed an extensive aerial hyperspectral imagery project in Central Nevada, over and nearby its Windy Peak and Vernal projects. The primary objective was to identify surface-exposed or weathered minerals associated with alteration systems indicative of mineralization. Hyperspectral data does not directly identify target minerals, but instead records spectral signatures of major mineral groups commonly associated with hydrothermal alteration. As a result, Patriot has identified several exploration targets.Based on the hyperspectral imagery it completed, Patriot staked the Thra project, a contiguous group of mineral claims within a prospective area of the Churchill, Mineral, and Nye counties in Nevada. The project totals 261 unpatented claims (approximately 5,391 acres). The area is recognized as a historically productive mining district, with a record of gold, silver, and copper production from various deposit types. It also exhibits indications of a copper-molybdenum porphyry system, along with numerous tungsten skarns, silver-lead-zinc replacement veins, and high-sulfidation gold occurrences, suggesting substantial and diverse mineral potential.Our decision to secure these claims is also based on the area's geological environment, characterized by a combination of Mesozoic and Tertiary volcanic and sedimentary rocks situated within the Walker Lane structural zone. This tectonic setting is associated with numerous gold and silver deposits, offering potential for new mineral discoveries across a range of deposit types.About Patriot Gold Co PR-Inside.com: 2025-03-24 16:20:23 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 538 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Campaign Paired the Novelty of Drones with Spring Break Energy to Drive Massive Brand EngagementMIAMI BEACH, FL / ACCESS Newswire / March 24, 2025 / Pit Viper , the sunglasses brand known for its durability and bold style, partnered withSustainable Skylines , the only out-of-home drone advertising company approved by the FAA for towing full-size advertising banners, for a Spring Break activation in Miami Beach. From March 21-23, a drone flew above a five-mile stretch from South Pointe Park to the Eden Roc Hotel, towing a full-size ad banner announcing Pit Viper's latest campaign: $1,000 buried somewhere along the beach.Sustainable Skylines, a Miami-based company that has replaced environmentally unfriendly and unsafe manned aircraft with one-of-a-kind hybrid-electric drones, was behind this innovative aerial display. As the only drone advertising company authorized by the FAA to fly full-size outdoor banners, they took Pit Viper's message to the skies over the weekend. Flying at 350 feet, the drone gave beachgoers a clear view of the promotion, sparking double takes and excitement as they realized it wasn't a plane, but a drone.Though no one ultimately claimed the prize, the campaign was a success--engaging hundreds of thousands of beachgoers, amplified by digital engagement on social media, and even drawing local news coverage from NBC."Although I can't stand sales emails, this opportunity was too exciting to pass up," said Spencer Harkins, Pit Viper's designated Wildcard. "We've given away cars, health insurance, and even real estate in the past, but never buried treasure advertised by a banner in the sky. We are thrilled to give it a shot." Pit Viper's sunglasses are built tough, with features like E-Spot and Turbo Adjustment to keep them secure regardless of activity. Sustainable Skylines' approach uses just three gallons of fuel for a four-hour flight-far less than the 30 gallons traditional planes burn-making it a greener and safer aerial advertising option."Miami Beach is the perfect spot for this," said Jacob Stonecipher, CEO of Sustainable Skylines. "Spring break brings a lively crowd that's open to something new. Partnering with Pit Viper to fly this promotion is a fresh, creative way to engage them, and our drones made it possible." Sustainable Skylines has worked with brands like the AdCouncil and is partnered with the City of Miami to redefine aerial advertising. Inspired by rugged gear and retro flair, Pit Viper continues to push boundaries with its standout sunglasses. Together, they turned Miami Beach into a treasure-hunting destination.Media Contact:Sustainable SkylinesEmail: skylines@ escalatepr.com Phone: (305) 555-0100About Sustainable SkylinesSustainable Skylines is a B2B drone technology company displacing airplanes and helicopters with VTOL drones. They are the first to market full-size drone advertising banner towing operators, driving innovation around antiquated aerial advertising practices by using sustainable drone technology and in-depth data analytics. Aggregating data from cellular, geospatial, and real-time footage from flight operations, Sustainable Skylines leverages the latest advances in computer vision, big data, and artificial intelligence to create actionable insights for our clients. Building the drone, pilot, and fleet infrastructure, Sustainable Skylines will drive innovation and sustainability within the commercial drone industry across the globe. Sustainable Skylines was founded in 2020 and is headquartered in Miami, FL. For further information visit www.sustainableskylines.com SOURCE: Sustainable Skylines PR-Inside.com: 2025-03-24 16:00:27 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 363 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 ALBUQUERQUE, NM / ACCESS Newswire / March 24, 2025 / Power Ford proudly announces it has received the prestigious 2025 Cars.com New Mexico Ford Dealer of the Year Award, marking its eighth consecutive year of recognition for outstanding customer satisfaction. Cars.com , the nation's leading automotive marketplace, honors dealerships across North America that consistently exceed customer expectations in service quality, transparency, speed, and overall buying experience. New Mexico Ford Dealer of the Year Congrats to Power Ford on winning the 2025 New Mexico Ford Dealer of the YearPower Ford's distinction as the highest-rated Ford dealership in New Mexico highlights the team's relentless commitment to customer care. "Local dealerships are the backbone of the automotive industry," said Jamie Oldershaw, Vice President of Customer Experience at Cars.com . "Power Ford stood out among its peers by demonstrating exceptional responsiveness, transparency, and dedication to superior customer interactions." Notably, nearly 90% of Dealer of the Year recipients actively engage with customer reviews-a stark contrast to just 45% among other dealerships. The recognition underscores Power Ford's investment in building trust through open communication, evident by its robust use of Employee Profile Pages, ensuring individual accountability and service excellence.Rob Sneed, Managing Partner at Power Ford, expressed gratitude, stating, "Winning this prestigious Cars.com award eight years in a row is an extraordinary honor and reflects the unwavering dedication of our entire team. Our mission to deliver a superior customer experience is central to our success, and this award is a tribute to our exceptional staff and loyal customers. We are immensely proud to serve the Albuquerque community." About Power FordPower Ford, a leading Ford dealership in Albuquerque, New Mexico, offers an extensive selection of new and certified pre-owned vehicles, including the acclaimed F-150, Bronco, Explorer, and Maverick. Known for flexible financing, expert service, and genuine Ford parts, Power Ford serves the Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, and Santa Fe communities with a commitment to a Better Deal. Better Experience. Power Ford. Visit Power Ford: MyFordDealer.com Location: 1101 Montano NE, Albuquerque, NM 87107 Phone: 505-225-7288Contact:Matt Sneed, Director of OperationsEmail: matt@ myforddealer.com | Phone: 505-449-1241Contact InformationMatt SneedDirector of Operationsmatt@ myforddealer.com 505-449-1241SOURCE: Power Ford PR-Inside.com: 2025-03-24 06:59:43 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 1031 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 THIS ANNOUNCEMENT AND THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS RESTRICTED AND IS NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN, INTO OR FROM THE UNITED STATES, AUSTRALIA, JAPAN OR THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA OR TO BE TRANSMITTED, DISTRIBUTED TO, OR SENT BY, ANY NATIONAL OR RESIDENT OR CITIZEN OF ANY SUCH COUNTRIES OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION MAY CONTRAVENE LOCAL SECURITIES LAWS OR REGULATIONS.CASCAIS, PORTUGAL / ACCESS Newswire / March 24, 2025 / Pulsar Helium Inc. (AIM:PLSR)(TSXV:PLSR)(OTCQB:PSRHF) ("Pulsar" or the "Company"), ("Pulsar" or the "Company"), a leading helium project development company, is pleased to announce that University Bancorp, Inc. has signed a term sheet to extend a US$4 million Project Finance facility to Pulsar's wholly owned Minnesota operating subsidiary, Keewaydin Resources, Inc. ("Keewaydin") in the form of a line of credit (the "Facility"). The Facility will be guaranteed by Pulsar and secured by a pledge of all of the shares of Keewaydin and a first lien on all assets of Keewaydin. The Facility will mature on March 31, 2026, and will bear interest on any amount drawn at 12% per annum. A utilization fee of 2% will be charged on the balance of any draws on the Facility, however such fees shall be reimbursable by Keewaydin at maturity. Keewaydin will draw funds from the Facility as needed to fund operational activities on Pulsar's Topaz helium project ("Topaz") in the near term.The Facility is subject to the execution of definitive documentation and certain conditions including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary regulatory and other approvals, including the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange, if required.With positive drilling results to date at Topaz and imminent flow testing of the two Jetstream wells, the Company has re-evaluated the need to raise additional equity capital at this point. Contractors have confirmed their availability to mobilize to Topaz and commence flow testing of the Jetstream #1 and #2 wells on or around March 29, 2025, with each well to be flowed for a period of approximately two weeks. At the same time, uncontaminated gas samples will also be collected from each well and sent for laboratory analysis.In addition, on March 21, 2025, the Company closed the second and final tranche (the "Final Tranche") of the brokered private placement (the "Private Placement"), previously announced on December 30, 2024, January 10, 2025, and February 19, 2025 through the issuance of 1,124,994 new common shares ("Common Shares") (the "Offered Shares"), at a purchase price of US$0.38 per Offered Share (equivalent to approximately C$0.55 / GBP0.30) for gross proceeds of US$427,498. Together with the First Trance, the Company raised a total of US$2,427,498 gross proceeds and issued a total of 6,388,154 new Common Shares pursuant to the Private Placement.In connection with the Final Tranche, the Company paid a cash fee of US$25,650 to its Co-Placing Agent, University Bank.The Offered Shares issued in connection with the Final Tranche are subject to a four-month and one day hold period.Thomas Abraham-James, President & CEO of Pulsar Helium, commented:"We welcome the Project Finance transaction for our Topaz helium project in Minnesota. This provides the working capital required to advance the project and avoids additional shareholder dilution. Initial drilling results at Topaz have been positive, and the upcoming flow tests on both Jetstream wells mark an exciting milestone as we move closer to our goal of helium production." Admission to AIM and Total Voting RightsApplication is being made to the London Stock Exchange plc for the admission of the 1,124,994 Offered Shares issued pursuant to the Final Tranche to be admitted to trading on AIM, which is expected to occur and dealings commence at 8.00 a.m. on or around March 27, 2025. The Offered Shares will rank pari passu with the Company's existing Common Shares.On Admission, the total number of Common Shares in issue will be 133,692,971 with voting rights. This figure may be used by shareholders as the denominator for the calculations by which they will determine if they are required to notify their interest in, or a change to their interest in, the Company's issued share capital pursuant to the Company's Articles.About the Topaz ProjectThe Topaz project is located in northern Minnesota, USA where Pulsar is the first mover and holds exclusive leases. Drilling at the Jetstream #1 appraisal well has reached total depth (TD) of 5,100 feet (1,555 metres) on January 11, 2025, successfully penetrating the entire interpreted helium-bearing reservoir and beyond. The Jetstream #1 appraisal well previously reached TD of 2,200 feet (671 metres) on February 27, 2024, identifying top-tier helium concentrations of up to 14.5%, well above the 0.3% widely accepted economic threshold, and CO2 concentrations exceeding 70% - with the latter expected to further contribute to the project economics. In addition, the Jetstream #2 appraisal well was completed on February 1, 2025 reaching a TD of 5,638 feet (1,718 metres) The deepening of Jetstream #1 and completion of the drilling of Jetstream #2 are pivotal steps in advancing Pulsar's strategy to address the increasing global demand for helium as the Company moves another step closer to production.Caution to US InvestorsThis news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available.On behalf Pulsar Helium Inc."Thomas Abraham-James"President, CEO and DirectorTHIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONTAINS INSIDE INFORMATION FOR THE PURPOSES OF THE MARKET ABUSE REGULATION (EU) 596 / 2014 WHICH FORMS PART OF UK LAW BY VIRTUE OF THE EUROPEAN UNION (WITHDRAWAL) ACT 2018, AS AMENDED ("UK MAR").Further Information:Pulsar Helium Inc.connect@pulsarhelium.com + 1 (218) 203-5301 (USA/Canada)+44 (0) 2033 55 9889 (United Kingdom) https://pulsarhelium.comhttps://ca.linkedin.com/company/pulsar-helium-inc Strand Hanson Limited (Nominated & Financial Adviser, and Joint Broker)Ritchie Balmer / Rob Patrick / Richard Johnson+44 (0) 207 409 3494OAK Securities* (Joint PR-Inside.com: 2025-03-24 03:16:50 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 640 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK, NY / ACCESS Newswire / March 23, 2025 /WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of securities of Edison International (NYSE: EIX) between February 25, 2021 and February 6, 2025, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"), of the important April 21, 2025 lead plaintiff deadline in the securities class action first filed by the Firm.SO WHAT: If you purchased Edison securities during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement.WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the Edison class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=33590or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email case@ rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than April 21, 2025. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.WHY ROSEN LAW:We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions, but are merely middlemen that refer clients or partner with law firms that actually litigate the cases. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company at the time. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, defendants throughout the Class Period made materially false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) Edison's claim that Southern California Edison Company ("SCE") used its Public Safety Power Shutoffs ("PSPS") program to "proactively de-energize power lines to mitigate the risk of catastrophic wildfires during extreme weather events", was false; (2) this resulted in heightened fire risk in California and heightened legal exposure to Edison; and (3) as a result, defendants' statements about Edison's business, operations, and prospects, were materially false and misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis at all relevant times. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.To join the Edison class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=33590call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email case@ rosenlegal.com for information on the class action.No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff.Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm or on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.---Contact Information:Laurence Rosen, Esq.Phillip Kim, Esq.The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.275 Madison Avenue, 40th FloorNew York, NY 10016Tel: (212) 686-1060Toll Free: (866) 767-3653Fax: (212) 202-3827 case@ rosenlegal.comwww.rosenlegal.com SOURCE: The Rosen Law Firm, P.A. PR-Inside.com: 2025-03-24 03:16:40 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 656 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK, NY / ACCESS Newswire / March 23, 2025 /WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of common stock of Atkore Inc. (NYSE:ATKR) between August 2, 2022 and February 3, 2025, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"), of the important April 23, 2025 lead plaintiff deadline.SO WHAT: If you purchased Atkore common stock 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 Atkore class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=35751 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. at 866-767-3653 or email case@ rosenlegal.com for more information. 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 23, 2025. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.WHY ROSEN LAW:We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions, but are merely middlemen that refer clients or partner with law firms that actually litigate the cases. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company at the time. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, throughout the Class Period, defendants made false and misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) Atkore engaged in an anticompetitive price-fixing scheme that artificially inflated the price of polyvinyl chloride ("PVC") water pipes and electrical conduit pipes (together, "PVC Pipes"); (2) in turn, Atkore reaped significant, unsustainable financial benefits from its anticompetitive conduct; (3) as Atkore's price-fixing scheme was exposed, Atkore and its price fixing co-conspirators were no longer able to artificially inflate the price of PVC Pipes, resulting in a substantial decrease in the price of PVC Pipes; (4) Atkore's business and operations were negatively impacted; and (5) as a result of the above, defendants' positive statements about Atkore's business, operations, and prospects were materially false and misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis at all relevant times. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.To join the Atkore class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=35751 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. at 866-767-3653 or email case@ rosenlegal.com for more information.No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff.Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm , on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/ Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.---Contact Information:Laurence Rosen, Esq.Phillip Kim, Esq.The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.275 Madison Avenue, 40th FloorNew York, NY 10016Tel: (212) 686-1060Toll Free: (866) 767-3653Fax: (212) 202-3827 case@ rosenlegal.comwww.rosenlegal.com SOURCE: The Rosen Law Firm, P.A. PR-Inside.com: 2025-03-24 08:40:15 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 1011 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 BISHOPSGATE, LONDON / ACCESS Newswire / March 24, 2025 / SolGold plc (LSE:SOLG)(TSX:SOLG) is pleased to announce that further to the announcement on 12 March 2025, the conditions for the transaction for SolGold Canada Inc. to sell 157,141,000 ordinary shares of SolGold ("Owned Shares") at a price of US$0.115 per Owned Share, raising gross proceeds of US$18,071,215 (the "Investment"), to Jiangxi Copper (Hong Kong) Investment Company Limited ("JCCHK"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Jiangxi Copper Company Limited ("JCC", andtogether with JCCHK, "Jiangxi") have been satisfied. It is expected that settlement of the transaction will occur on 26 March 2025.The price being paid by JCCHK represents a premium of approximately 45% to the closing middle-market share price on 11 March 2025. Following the settlement of the Investment, SolGold Canada Inc. will no longer hold any ordinary shares in SolGold.Chief Executive Officer, Dan Vujcic commented:"I am pleased that conditions for the JCC transaction have been satisfied expeditiously. The investment strengthens our balance sheet and allows us to assess interesting opportunities to bring forward production at Cascabel and formulate a plan for our vast and valuable exploration portfolio. Technical input from JCC, at their cost, will also contribute significantly in terms of savings and timing of assessments of Cascabel. We are focused on unlocking value for our shareholders and for Ecuador"CONTACTSDan VujcicChief Executive OfficerTel: +44 (0) 20 3807 6996Tavistock (Media)Jos Simson/Gareth TredwayTel: +44 (0) 207 920 3150ABOUT SOLGOLDSolGold is a leading resources company focused on the discovery, definition and development of world-class copper and gold deposits and continues to strive to deliver objectives efficiently and in the interests of shareholders.SolGold completed and released a staged development plan Pre Feasibility Study on 16 February 2024. The study, completed at US$1750/oz gold, US$3.85/lb copper and US$22.50/oz for silver delivered an NPV (based on a discount rate of 8%) of US$3.22bn on a capex of US$1.55bn for an initial 12 Mtpa underground block caving operation. The evaluation also showed an after-tax IRR of 24% and a first 10-years free cash flow generation of US$7.1bn. The PFS assessed Mineral Reserves 539.7Mt tonnes which represents only 18% of the total resource over an initial 28-year project life.On 15 July 2024, SolGold announced a gold stream agreement with Franco Nevada and Osisko Royalties (the "Streamers") pursuant to which the Streamers would pay US$100m as pre development funding in three tranches conditional on achieving various technical and permitting milestones. The first US$33.3m was received on signing. A further US$650m contribution to development expenditure will be provided on completion of the feasibility study, permitting and financing, subject to CPs, acceptable financing packages for the balance funding required. SolGold has agreed in consideration for this funding a life of mine stream priced at 20% of the spot gold price at the time for 20% of gold production for the first 10 years and 12% thereafter. The stream represents approximately 5% of total revenue for the project and provides some 42% of currently estimated capital development costs. SolGold retains change of control buyback options on the stream to the extent of 50% within 3 years and 33 1/3 % for a further two years.SolGold continues to advance de-risking programs, permitting and financing discussions and to reevaluate the project at recent consensus prices for copper and gold.On 28 October 2024, SolGold appointed G-Mining Services to be the Project Manager for the Feasibility Study.The Company operates with transparency and in accordance with international best practices. SolGold is committed to delivering value to its shareholders while simultaneously providing economic and social benefits to impacted communities, fostering a healthy and safe workplace, and minimizing environmental impact.SolGold is listed on the London Stock Exchange and Toronto Stock Exchange (LSE/TSX: SOLG).See www.solgold.com.au for more information. Follow us on X @SolGold_plc.Qualified PersonThe scientific and technical disclosure included in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Mr Santiago Vaca (M.Sc. P.Geo.), Chief Geologist for the Cascabel project, a Qualified Person as defined under National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.The basis for the scientific and technical information included in this news release is a technical report dated 8 March 2024 and titled "NI 43-101 Technical Report on Pre-feasibility Study for the Cascabel Project, Imbabura Province, Ecuador" (the "PFS Technical Report"), which can be found on the Company's website at https://solgold.com.au/projects/ecuador/cascabel-project/ and on SEDAR+ under the Company's issuer profile at www.sedarplus.ca . Readers are encouraged to read the PFS Technical Report in its entirety. The PFS Technical Report is intended to be read as a whole, and sections should not be read or relied upon out of context.CAUTIONARY NOTICENews releases, presentations and public commentary made by SolGold plc (the "Company") and its Officers may contain certain statements and expressions of belief, expectation or opinion which are forward looking statements, and which relate, inter alia, to interpretations of exploration results to date and the Company's proposed strategy, plans and objectives or to the expectations or intentions of the Company's Directors, including the plan for developing the Project currently being studied as well as the expectations of the Company as to the forward price of copper. Such forward-looking and interpretative statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other important factors beyond the control of the Company that could cause the actual performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from such interpretations and forward-looking statements.Accordingly, the reader should not rely on any interpretations or forward-looking statements, and save as required by the exchange rules of the TSX and LSE or by applicable laws, the Company does not accept any obligation to disseminate any updates or revisions to such interpretations or forward-looking statements. The Company may reinterpret results to date as the status of its assets and projects changes with time expenditure, metals prices and other affecting circumstances.This release may contain "forward looking information". Forward looking information includes, but is not limited to, statements regarding the Company's plans for develop PR-Inside.com: 2025-03-24 23:01:00 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 949 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 TORONTO, ON / ACCESS Newswire / March 24, 2025 /Spetz Inc. (the "Company" or "Spetz") (CSE:SPTZ)(OTC PINK:DBKSF) is pleased to announce a non-brokered private placement (the "Offering") of up to 10,000,000 units of the Company (the "Units") at a price of $0.50 per Unit, for aggregate gross proceeds of up to $5,000,000.Each Unit will consist of one common share of the Company (each, a "Share") and one-half of one common share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant will entitle the holder to acquire one additional Share at an exercise price of $0.75 for a period of 24 months from the date of issuance.The net proceeds from the Offering will be used for working capital, validator expansion, and growth initiatives within the blockchain infrastructure sector. The Offering is expected to close in April 2025 and is subject to customary conditions, including approval by the Canadian Securities Exchange. The Company may pay a cash commission of up to 6% of the gross proceeds from the Offering and issue finder's warrants equal to up to 6% of the total Units sold, in accordance with applicable securities laws.All securities issued in connection with the Offering will be subject to a statutory hold period of four months and one day from the closing date.This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available.About Spetz Inc.Spetz Inc. is a multinational technology company operating at the intersection of AI-driven marketplaces and blockchain infrastructure. The Company owns and operates the Spetz application, an AI-powered platform connecting consumers with service providers, as well as Sonic Strategy, a leading blockchain staking business.Spetz Website: www.spetz.appSpetz Investor information: https://investor.spetz.app/ Company Contacts:Investor RelationsEmail: Investors@ spetz.app Phone: 647-956-6033Nofar Shigani,CFOEmail: nofar@ spetz.app Phone: +972 526238108NEITHER THE CANADIAN SECURITIES EXCHANGE, NOR THEIR REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDERS HAVE REVIEWED OR ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-looking StatementsCertain information herein constitutes "forward-looking information" as defined under Canadian securities laws, which reflect management's expectations regarding objectives, plans, goals, strategies, future growth, results of operations, performance, business prospects and opportunities of the Company. The words "plans", "expects", "does not expect", "scheduled", "estimates", "intends", "anticipates", "does not anticipate", "projects", "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or statements to the effect that certain actions, events or results "may", "will", "could", "would", "might", "occur", "be achieved", or "continue" and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. Such forward- looking statements are qualified in their entirety by the inherent risks and uncertainties surrounding future expectations.Forward-looking statements are necessarily based on a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by management as of the date hereof, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. When relying on forward-looking statements to make decisions, the Company cautions readers not to place undue reliance on these statements, as forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties and should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results, and will not necessarily be accurate indications of whether or not the times at or by which such performance or results will be achieved. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ, possibly materially, from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements.Examples of such assumptions, risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, assumptions, risks and uncertainties associated with general economic conditions; adverse industry events; future legislative and regulatory developments in the blockchain sector; the Company's ability to access sufficient capital from internal and external sources, and/or inability to access sufficient capital on favorable terms; the ability of Spetz to implement its business strategies; competition; and other assumptions, risks and uncertainties. The forward-looking information contained in this news release represents the expectations of the Company as of the date of this news release and, accordingly, is subject to change after such date. Readers should not place undue importance on forward-looking information and should not rely upon this information as of any other date. While the Company may elect to, it does not undertake to update this information at any particular time except as required in accordance with applicable laws. The foregoing statements expressly qualify any forward- looking information contained herein.This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, and shall not constitute an offer, solicitation or sale in any state, province, territory or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state, province, territory or jurisdiction. None of the securities issued in the Offering will be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), and none of them may be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the 1933 Act.We seek Safe Harbor.SOURCE: Spetz Inc. Shai Howland and Nathan Greenshields likely exposed themselves to asbestos in their new home in South Australia. Source: TikTok and Instagram/shaihowland A growing number of Aussies are keen to showoff their renovation skills online as they navigate first-time home ownership. However a perfectly innocuous moment between one couple has highlighted the potential hidden danger of doing it yourself after they unwittingly got up close and personal with materials that likely contained asbestos. Shai Howland and Nathan Greenshields recently bought an old home in South Australia and were spending their weekend pulling off old wallpaper when they suddenly realised they were putting themselves at serious risk. "I had mentioned to my partner about the amount of dust in the room which prompted him to research the wallpaper we were taking down," Shai told Yahoo News, recalling the moment when the penny dropped. "He looked up whether there was anything to be cautious about when taking down old wallpaper. It was then he found that there was a likely chance the wallpaper and adhesive had been made using asbestos." ADVERTISEMENT The moment of revelation was captured on camera, with the pair wearing shorts and tops without any protective clothing or masks on at the time. "We had already ripped sheets down, we were immediately concerned we had now disturbed the particles, and were exposed without any protective clothing," Shai said, saying it was a harsh lesson about "being non-diligent". "Anxiety ... and a lot of asbestos Google searches later, we've learnt our lesson." The majority of Aussie homes built before the 1980s are likely to include asbestos. Source: TikTok/shaihowland 'Highly likely' Aussie homes built before 1980s contain asbestos Asbestos was commonly used in building materials throughout the 1900s and it was added to wallpaper because of its durability and fire-resistance, particularly in vinyl wallpaper used in rooms that got hot, such as kitchens and bathrooms. It is "highly likely" homes built in South Australia before the mid-1980s include asbestos-containing materials, according to the state's SafeWork website. ADVERTISEMENT In New South Wales, 1 in 3 homes constructed between 1945 and 1990 are estimated to contain asbestos, and in Queensland it's not any better with asbestos used as a binding product for a wide range of building materials in a 40-year period during the century. Asbestos can be found in walls, roofs, electrical boxes, fences, bathrooms, kitchens, wallpaper and under floors, and while the law does not require homeowners to have licences to remove asbestos-containing materials, the risk to health is huge. Disturbing materials that contain asbestos can result in the dusty particles contaminating a property and, when breathed in, can cause serious or even fatal diseases such as lung cancer or asbestosis. A short period of exposure is all it takes. This was the case for Steve Wilcockson who was exposed to asbestos for just a few weeks when he was 14. The Sydney man later died aged 72 after developing mesothelioma, an aggressive form of cancer linked to asbestos inhalation. Get an asbestos expert to help renovations While many Aussies taking part in online home renovation trends are trying to update their homes on a budget, the safest course of action is to get an expert for asbestos removal. Or, at the very least, to identify if their home has asbestos in it before rolling up their sleeves. ADVERTISEMENT It can be assumed that asbestos is in wallpaper when it has flexible curls in the upper corners or it looks to have a vinyl or plastic coating with a paper backing. Markers also include the property being built before 1980 or the wallpaper's manufacturing label is dated between the known decades asbestos was commonly in use. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. PR-Inside.com: 2025-03-24 12:30:54 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 965 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / March 24, 2025 / Stillwater Critical Minerals Corp. ( TSX.V:PGE)(OTCQB:PGEZF)(FSE:J0G) (the "Company" or "Stillwater") applauds the Executive Order signed by United States President Donald J. Trump on March 20, 2025, titled "Immediate Measures to Increase American Mineral Production".The order invokes emergency powers to prioritize and accelerate domestic production of minerals listed as critical to the United States, with the objective of reducing reliance on imports. This Executive Order is the government's strongest action yet towards restoring America's domestic mining industry and is intended to counter the overwhelming control that other countries have over the supply of a number of minerals listed as critical to the economic and national security interests of the United States.The order describes funding initiatives for domestic mining projects and calls for accelerated permitting and clarifications to the Mining Act, among other actions. David Copley, a senior executive from Newmont Mining, has been placed in charge of the program via the recently created National Energy Dominance Council.Stillwater's President and CEO, Michael Rowley, said "Last week's Executive Order exceeded our expectations, listing a number of actions that are very supportive of our work at Stillwater West. Among other actions it invokes the authority of the Defense Production Act, reflecting the urgency of the government mandate to secure supplies of critical minerals as it calls on legislation from 1950 that has been applied previously to matters of national concern, including mineral supply. The Company is working with Congress, the administration, and government agencies with the objective of accelerating our Stillwater West project in Montana towards production by completing the necessary economic and engineering studies in addition to drilling, metallurgical, and other related work. We look forward to providing further updates on this and our work evaluating other aspects of the Executive Order including additional funding channels as well as permitting reforms and other initiatives." "The order also makes a point of listing copper and gold. This is very relevant to Stillwater because we have a very large polymetallic resource that positions us with a substantial copper inventory and the largest nickel project in an active U.S. mining district, in addition to palladium, platinum, rhodium, chromium, cobalt, and gold plus as yet unquantified amounts of ruthenium and iridium. Overall, Stillwater West is uniquely positioned to become a primary source of nine commodities now listed as critical given our location immediately adjacent to Sibanye-Stillwater's operating mine complex in a historic American mining district where the production of critical minerals dates back to the 1880s."Full text of the Executive Order is available online here: https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/03/immediate-measures-to-increase-american-mineral-production/ Stillwater also commends the recent establishment of February 9th as Montana Mining Day by Governor Greg Gianforte, noting the State's long and prosperous mining legacy.As announced February 14, 2023, and August 15, 2024, the Company is partnered on $2.75 million in funding from the Department of Energy via two grants under the Advanced Research Projects Agency program via collaborations with Cornell University and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.Additionally, the Company has been partnered with the U.S. Geological Survey for over seven years at Stillwater West, continuing their multi-decade interest in the Stillwater Igneous Complex.Upcoming EventsStillwater's President and CEO, Michael Rowley, will be available at the following events in 2025, in addition to other events to be added as the Company rolls out its marketing plans over the coming year:SAFE Summit - Washington, DC, USA, Apr 1-2, 2025. For information, click here.Global Commodity Expo Florida - Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA, May 11-13, 2025. For information, click here.Global Commodity Expo Atlanta - Atlanta, Georgia, USA, May 14-16, 2025. For information, click here.The Mining Investment Event of the North - Quebec City, Quebec, Canada, June 3-5, 2025. For information, click here.Precious Metals Summit - Beaver Creek, Colorado, September 9-12, 2025. For information, click here.Precious Metals Summit - Zurich, Switzerland, November 10-11, 2025. For information, click here.About Stillwater Critical Minerals Corp.Stillwater Critical Minerals ( TSX.V: PGE | OTCQB: PGEZF | FSE: J0G) is a mineral exploration company focused on its flagship Stillwater West Ni-PGE-Cu-Co + Au project in the iconic and famously productive Stillwater mining district in Montana, USA. With the addition of two renowned Bushveld and Platreef geologists to the team and strategic investments by Glencore plc, the Company is well positioned to advance the next phase of large-scale critical mineral supply from this world-class American district, building on past production of nickel, copper, and chromium, and the on-going production of platinum group, nickel, and other metals by neighboring Sibanye-Stillwater. An expanded NI 43-101 mineral resource estimate, released January 2023, positions Stillwater West with the largest nickel resource in an active U.S. mining district as part of a compelling suite of nine minerals now listed as critical in the USA.Stillwater also holds a 49% interest in the high-grade Drayton-Black Lake- gold project adjacent to Nexgold Mining's development-stage Goliath Gold Complex in northwest Ontario, currently under an earn-in agreement with Heritage Mining, and the Kluane PGE-Ni-Cu-Co critical minerals project on trend with Nickel Creek Platinums Wellgreen deposit in Canadas Yukon Territory. The Company also holds the Duke Island Cu-Ni-PGE property in Alaska and maintains a back-in right on the high-grade past-producing Yankee-Dundee in BC, following its sale in 2013.FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:Michael Rowley, President, CEO & Director - Stillwater Critical MineralsEmail: info@ criticalminerals.com Phone: (604) 357 4790Web: http://criticalminerals.com Toll Free: (888) 432 0075Quality Control and Quality AssuranceMr. Mike Ostenson, P.Geo., Managing Geologist at Stillwater, is the qualified person for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101, and he has reviewed and approved the technical disclosure contained in this news release.Forward-Looking StatementsThis news release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this release% PR-Inside.com: 2025-03-24 16:00:15 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 706 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 SAN FRANCISCO, CA / ACCESS Newswire / March 24, 2025 / Stratodesk, the leading innovator of an ultra-secure operating system (OS) for modern workspaces, has been included in the prestigious 2025 CRN Partner Program Guide provided byCRN , a brand ofThe Channel Company . This annual guide is an essential resource for solution providers seeking vendor partner programs that match their business goals and deliver high partner value.The Stratodesk Edge Partner Program offers resellers, managed service providers, and distributors a simplified route to drive endpoint transformation and bolster security for their customers using NoTouch OS-an ultra-secure enterprise operating system tailored for modern workspaces. With endpoints becoming central to corporate security strategies, Stratodesk Edge equips channel partners with tools, specialized training, and marketing resources, alongside technical support, to ensure customer success. Since its launch in 2021, the program has been pivotal to Stratodesk's growth and the expansion of its global partner network."We're honored that Stratodesk Edge continues to receive recognition for fostering successful and profitable channel partnerships," said Steve Thompson, Chief Revenue Officer at Stratodesk and a CRN 2025 Channel Chief. "Our program empowers partners with the resources needed for growth and sustained success. Being featured in CRN's Partner Guide is a testament to our commitment, and we thank our dedicated channel team and partners for their invaluable contributions to this achievement." Harald Wittek, Sales Director EMEA at Stratodesk and a recognized 2025 EMEA CRN Channel Chief, added: "Our Edge program has been specially designed to provide our partners with the tools and support they need to thrive in an ever-evolving end-user computing and VDI/DaaS landscape. This 2025 CRN Program Guide recognition reaffirms our position as a leader in endpoint security and OS management solutions, and we look forward to continuing our journey of mutual growth and success with our valued partners." "Being featured on the 2025 CRN Partner Program Guide highlights the dedication these technology vendors have to evolving with solution providers, driving innovation, and supporting mutual success," said Jennifer Follett, VP, U.S. Content and Executive Editor, CRN, at The Channel Company. "This critical annual project empowers solution providers to identify vendors that are committed to enhancing their partner programs and meeting the always-changing business needs of the channel and end customers. The guide provides deep insight into the distinctive value of each partner program so solution providers can make strategic partnership decisions with confidence." The 2025 Partner Program Guide will be spotlighted in the April 2025 issue of CRN and published online atwww.CRN.com/PPG beginning March 24, 2025.For the complete Stratodesk Channel Program Guide, please visit: https://www.crn.com/partner-program-guide/ppg2025-details?c=213 To join Stratodesk Edge please visit: https://www.stratodesk.com/partners/stratodesk-edge/ About StratodeskStratodesk is the leading innovator of the ultra-secure endpoint OS designed to meet the unique demands of modern enterprises. With zero-trust principles embedded in its core, Stratodesk NoTouch OS is the market-leading endpoint OS for VDI, DaaS, SaaS, and Secure Browsing as well as IIoT and Automation use cases. The transformative NoTouch OS is the convergence of cost reduction through streamlining IT operations and endpoint management, greater sustainability through endpoint hardware flexibility, and revolutionized endpoint security, user experience, and productivity.Led by forward-thinking and seasoned experts in end-user computing and enterprise security, Stratodesk is the go-to choice for top-tier organizations across various industries globally. With headquarters in San Francisco and a presence in Europe, Stratodesk is growing a disruptive community of channel partners and Stratodesk PLUS certified technology solution providers worldwide. For more information on Stratodesk visitwww.stratodesk.com About The Channel Company:The Channel Company (TCC) is the global leader in channel growth for the world's top technology brands. We accelerate success across strategic channels for tech vendors, solution providers, and end users with premier media brands, integrated marketing and event services, strategic consulting, and exclusive market and audience insights. TCC is a portfolio company of investment funds managed by EagleTree Capital, a New York City-based private equity firm. For more information, visit thechannelco.com Follow The Channel Company: X , LinkedInandFacebook . 2025 The Channel Company, Inc. CRN is a registered trademark of The Channel Company, Inc. All rights reserved.Contact Information:Silke TelsnigChief Marketing Officersilke.telsnig@stratodesk.com (415) 946-4029Kristin DaSilvaThe Channel Companykdasilva@ thechannelcompany.com SOURCE: Stratodesk PR-Inside.com: 2025-03-24 14:00:55 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 425 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA / ACCESS Newswire / March 24, 2025 / Stris & Maher LLP proudly welcomes Nikolas "Kolo" Kerest, former District of Vermont U.S. Attorney, veteran civil litigator, and federal prosecutor, as a partner effective March 24, 2025. Kolo will focus on complex civil litigation, drawing on his deep expertise handling significant litigation in government at the highest levels. Nikolas Kerest"After over fourteen years as a Department of Justice lawyer, concluding as U.S. Attorney for the District of Vermont, I'm honored to join Stris & Maher LLP and to work with this talented team tackling the complex challenges of our clients," Kerest said."We're thrilled to welcome Kolo," said Managing Partner Elizabeth Brannen. "His track record leading high-stakes enforcement and complex litigation as a federal prosecutor strengthens us for the toughest challenges." Kolo brings extensive experience from his distinguished public service career. As U.S. Attorney since December 2021, he oversaw a wide-ranging caseload spanning violent crime, civil rights, fraud, and False Claims Act cases. Under his leadership, Vermont's U.S. Attorney's Office ramped up efforts to combat violent crime, increasing prosecutions of illegal gun possessions and supporting task forces statewide. He also advanced civil rights enforcement through the United Against Hate program, educating Vermonters on their federal rights. Additionally, Kolo spearheaded initiatives to fight elder fraud, collaborating with federal agencies to provide education and prevention resources to Vermont seniors. His tenure also delivered notable successes on the civil side, including a landmark Controlled Substances Act settlement with eBay and significant False Claims Act recoveries from healthcare companies and Vermont defense industry firms."Kolo's hands-on leadership in complex prosecutions and supervisory experience as U.S. Attorney and Civil Chief sharpen our strategic edge and elevate our team," said Founding Partner Peter Stris. "We're excited to get to work." Before becoming U.S. Attorney, Kolo spent nearly a decade in Vermont's Civil Division as an Assistant U.S. Attorney, leading complex affirmative and defensive civil litigation as Civil Division Chief and Civil Rights Coordinator, followed by two years in the Criminal Division prosecuting a range of cases.Earlier, Kolo clerked for the Honorable Fred I. Parker of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit and built litigation expertise at Ropes & Gray LLP in Boston and Pierce Atwood LLP in Portland, Maine. He earned his J.D. from Cornell Law School in 2000 and his B.A. in mathematics from Williams College in 1994.Contact InformationElizabeth Brannen Managing Partner, Stris & Maher LLPebrannen@ stris.com (213) 995-6809SOURCE: Stris & Maher LLP PR-Inside.com: 2025-03-24 18:02:44 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 499 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Rental company delivering medical equipment on demand honored for industry-leading technology supporting record number of hospitalsHOUSTON, TEXAS / ACCESS Newswire / March 24, 2025 / US Med-Equip ( USME ), a leading provider of medical equipment solutions for hospitals, has again been named a CIO 100 Award winner by Foundry's CIO. CIO 100 AwardsThe CIO 100 Awards celebrate the top 100 organizations and their chief information officers for achievements in deploying IT in innovative ways that deliver measurable results. USME was recognized for leveraging advanced analytics, automation and enterprise-wide systems to help hospitals across the country track, manage and access critical medical equipment - improving patient care while reducing costs."The CIO 100 Awards recognize IT leaders who drive innovation, transformation, and business success through technology. With an exceptionally high caliber of submissions each year, winning a CIO 100 Award is a true honor, highlighting the bold vision, strategic excellence, and groundbreaking impact of the most influential CIOs shaping the future of digital enterprise," stated Elizabeth Cutler, Content Director, CIO 100 Symposium & Awards.USME leads the nation in medical equipment distribution and technology with an average delivery time of three hours, 24/7/365. Hospitals using USME's AI-powered technology - developed under the leadership of Chief Information Officer Antonio Marin - receive equipment even faster.Clinicians caring for critical patients can place urgent orders for medical equipment, such as life-saving ventilators or bariatric beds, directly through the electronic medical record portal they already use to manage patient care."This recognition is a testament to our entire team's dedication to building and scaling innovative systems that support healthcare heroes," Marin said. "We're proud to help hospitals save time, reduce costs and focus on what matters most - their patients." The 2025 CIO 100 Award winners will be celebrated at the CIO 100 Symposium & Awards event Aug. 11-13.About US Med-EquipUSME partners with top hospitals to provide the highest quality medical equipment, including monitoring devices, ventilators, infusion pumps, patient beds and more. From on-demand delivery of medical equipment rentals to asset management and onsite biomedical support services, USME is the highest-rated medical equipment partner for hospitals across the country.About CIOCIO focuses on attracting the highest concentration of enterprise CIOs and business technology executives with unparalleled peer insight and expertise on business strategy, innovation, and leadership. As organizations grow with digital transformation, CIO provides its readers with key insights on career development, including certifications, hiring practices and skills development. The award-winning CIO portfolio provides business technology leaders with analysis and insight on information technology trends and a keen understanding of IT's role in achieving business goals. CIO is published by Foundry, company information is available at www.foundryco.com About the US CIO 100 AwardsThe annual US CIO 100 Awards celebrate 100 organizations and the teams within them that use IT in innovative ways to deliver business value, whether by creating competitive advantage, optimizing business processes, enabling growth, or improving relationships with customers. The award is an acknowledged mark of enterprise excellence.Contact InformationBuse Kayarbusek@ accessnewswire.com SOURCE: US Med-EquipRelated Images PR-Inside.com: 2025-03-24 18:02:21 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 383 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / March 24, 2025 / Levi & Korsinsky, LLP is investigating potential claims on behalf of individuals who subscribed to Whisky Advocate website at https://whiskyadvocate.com/ (the "Website") and watched pre-recorded video content through the Whisky Advocate Website. Levi & Korsinsky, LLP's investigation indicatesthat legally protected data may have been unlawfully intercepted during visits to the Whisky Advocate Website, particularly affecting customers who subscribed and watched pre-recorded video content on the Whisky Advocate Website.WHAT'S THIS ABOUT?If you subscribed to the Whisky Advocate Website, through an email newsletter, digital, or paid subscription, and watched videos on the platform, your legally protected data may have been intercepted without your knowledge. If your data was compromised, you may be entitled to compensation.AM I ENTITLED TO COMPENSATION?If your data was compromised, you may be entitled to compensation. Unauthorized data interception is a serious issue that could lead to privacy violations, potentially leading to significant breaches of your personal information. If the company entrusted with securing your data has failed in this duty, they may be held accountable for any exposure of your information, potentially exposing you to risks such as misuse or unauthorized use of your data.HOW DO I KNOW IF I WAS AFFECTED?If you subscribed to Whisky Advocate Website and subsequently watched pre-recorded video materials, your data may have been intercepted. Follow the link below to find out if you have a claim.Levi & Korsinsky, LLP is investigating whether affected customers are entitled to compensation. There is no cost to participate. Follow the link below to find out:Levi & Korsinsky is a nationally recognized consumer advocacy law firm that has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars against large corporations. The firm's team of extraordinary attorneys and professionals have a winning track record going against the most powerful defenseattorneys in the world and know how to maximize your compensation. We work on a contingency firm - we don't get paid unless you get paid!Please visit us at www.zlk.com for more information. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.CONTACT: Levi & Korsinsky, LLPJoseph E. Levi, Esq.Ed Korsinsky, Esq.33 Whitehall Street, 17th FloorNew York, NY 10004 jlevi@ levikorsinsky.com Tel: (212) 363-7500Fax: (212) 363-7171 https://zlk.com/ SOURCE: Levi & Korsinsky, LLP PR-Inside.com: 2025-03-24 08:05:21 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 1015 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Chargeability anomaly over the mapped volcanic rocks near the valley floor interpreted to be sub-cropping exposure of the Seven Devils Volcanics, host rock of the Leviathan discoveryVANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / March 24, 2025 /ZEUS NORTH AMERICA MINING CORP. (CSE:ZEUS)(OTCQB:ZUUZF)(FRANKFURT:O92) (THE "COMPANY" OR "ZEUS") is pleased to announce geophysical results from the previously announced exploration program at its Cuddy Mountain Project (the "Project" or "Cuddy Mountain") in Idaho. Cuddy Mountain is located approximately 3 kilometres ("km") to the northeast of Hercules Metals Corp.'s high-grade "Hercules" copper-moly-silver porphyry discovery announced in October 2023.Highlights of the Geophysical Program at Cuddy Mountain:Completed property wide ground magnetics and 3D Induced Polarization ("IP") geophysical surveys. The results highlight the potential for both skarn and porphyry copper mineralization across the mapped prospective Sevin Devils Volcanics;Broad, continuous zones of moderate to strong chargeability, (>20ms up to 60ms) trending NE-SW, indicative of extensive sulphide mineralization potential;The central portion of the chargeability anomaly is truncated by a conductive trend and clearly bound at its margins by distinct conductive responses;Overall, the chargeability anomaly coincides predominantly with resistive zones in the Direct Current and Induced Polarization ("DCIP") survey, although localized conductive and resistive variations overlap with chargeability highs and lows;Magnetic highs may indicate potassic core of a porphyry system or adjacent magnetic lows reflecting alteration halos;Magnetic highs occurring adjacent to and beneath the chargeability feature highlight a prominent interface along the Columbia River Flood Basalts paralleling with the chargeable body. Integration of these overlapping geophysical signatures helps outline the compelling exploration target for skarn and/or porphyry copper mineralization within the Cuddy Mountain Property;The integration of these geophysical properties in conjunction with geological mapping, soil and rock geochemistry, and topography further define the high priority target improving the probability of discovery.Figure 1. 3D Induced Polarization geophysical survey at Cuddy MountainThe Results of the Geophysical program along with the recently announced rock and soil sampling of up to 3.8 per cent copper ("% Cu"), 307 grams per tonne Silver ("g/t Ag") and 182 g/t Molybdenum ("Mo") will make up the basis for the upcoming drill planning at Cuddy Mountain. Copper has hit a 2025 high of $5.10 per pound on looming shortfalls and threats of tariffs.Figure 2. Malachite and Azurite (Cu) at the Rockslide ShowingFigure 3. Malachite along a fault zone in the overlying volcanicsDean Besserer, President and CEO, stated, "Copper has hit a 2025 high of US$5.09 per pound, Silver is hovering around a 2025 high of US$34.00 per ounce and Gold has now surpassed $3,000 per ounce. The mandate to discover and delineate USA based domestic precious and base metals has never been more imperative as the USA works to reduce its dependence on foreign resources. The geophysical survey results at our Idaho, USA based Cuddy Mountain copper-moly-silver project add the final layer of data to our high priority drill target which will be tested during our extensive first phase drill campaign. The anomalous rocks within or near the mapped Seven Devils Volcanics are ideally located, reinforcing our confidence in this highly prospective target with up to 3.8% Copper sampled and up to 307 g/t tonne Silver. With the nearby Hercules project gearing up for an aggressive 2025 drill season, the geological team at Zeus is eager to follow suit in the near future as Copper, Silver and Gold hit their 2025 highs." The figures show the copper values for rock grab samples overlain on magnetic vertical intensity ("MVI") on the left and the chargeability at -150m on the right. The dashed line delineates the broad soil anomaly overtop of the mapped Seven Devils Volcanics.On this figure red is the chargeability and pink is the conductivity. About the Cuddy Mountain Copper Property (Idaho, USA)The Cuddy Mountain Property is adjacent to Hercules Metals Corp.'s recently discovered Leviathan Copper Porphyry (Cnd$167Million Market Capitalization).* The discovery resulted in Barrick injecting Cnd$23Million in equity while staking a substantial land position in the district along with Rio Tinto. The Cuddy Mountain Property consists of 101 lode mining claims respectively and cover a cumulative area of approximately 2020 acres.Historical Drilling at Cuddy Mountain consisted of 7 shallow drill holes in 1977 intersecting anomalous lead and silver. Drill hole Mun 8 contained 90 feet of 2.02 ounces per tonne ("oz/t") Ag (Taylor, 1977). Further historical exploration on Zeus's Cuddy Mountain Project occurred at the Edna May Mine: Mineralized vein with chip samples containing 750 ppm lead ("Pb"), 7.7% zinc ("Zn") and 252 ppm Ag over 4 feet. Underground drilling in 1979 intersected 1.38 oz/t Ag over 7 feet in a breccia zone (Burmeister, 1980). Additional exploration (By Taylor, 1977) at the Rockslide area encountered Malachite-stained outcrops with a grab sample containing 760 ppm Pb, 0.67 % Zn and 36 grams per tonne Silver (Taylor, 1977).*Adjacent Property ( www.herculesmetals.com) *All information is derived solely from management of Zeus Mining and otherwise publicly available third-party information which are believed to be reliable, but which have not been independently verified by the Company and as a result are not guaranteed as to accuracy and completeness. Zeus's management cautions that past results or discoveries on properties in proximity to Zeus may not necessarily be indicative of the presence of mineralization on the Company's properties.Qualified PersonThe scientific and technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Dean Besserer, P.Geo., the President & CEO for the company and Qualified Person as defined in NI 43-101.On behalf of the board of directors."Dean Besserer"President and CEOFor more information, please contact the Company at info@ zeusminingcorp.com FOR INVESTOR RELATIONS CONTACT:Kin Communications Inc. Ph: 604-684-6730 ZEUS@ kincommunications.com About Zeus North America Mining Corp.The Company is in the business of mineral exploration. The Company is focused on its exploration properties in the state of Idaho known as the: Cuddy Mountain; Selway; and Great Western properties, respectively. The Idaho properties consist of 101 (Cuddy Mountain), 57 (Selway) and 38 (Great Western) lode mining claims respectively and cover a c Nigerian stocks fell for the fourth consecutive week last week, depreciating by 0.9 per cent following sell-off in industrial goods, oil & gas and bank stocks. That has left the year-to-date return of the main equity index at 2 per cent, which compares to 5.4 per cent four weeks earlier. Looking ahead, analysts and investors will be watching out this week for the publication of companies outstanding audited reports, especially those of the Big 5 banks as the quarter end approaches. PREMIUM TIMES has assembled some stocks with sound fundamentals, adopting rigorous approaches to save you the risk of picking equities at random for investment. The pick, a product of an analytical market watch, offers a guide to entering the market and taking strategic positions in hopes that selected stocks will record reasonable price appreciation with the passage of time. This is not a buy, sell or hold recommendation but a stock investment guide. You may need to involve your financial advisor before taking investment decisions. 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 Access Holdings Access Holdings features on this weeks list for currently trading below its intrinsic value, making it a potentially good investment for value investors. The price-to-book (PB) ratio of the financial services group is 0.4x, while the price-to-earnings (PE) ratio is 1x. Its relative strength index (RSI) is 14.3. Red Star Express Red Star Express makes the cut for currently trading below its underlying value. The companys PB ratio is 1x, while the PE ratio is 9.9x. Its RSI is 30.9. Lasaco Assurance Lasaco Assurance appears on the list for trading significantly below its intrinsic value. The insurers PB ratio is 2.4x, while its PE ratio is 2.5x. The RSI is 39. Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO) GTCO appears in the pick for currently trading well below its underlying value. The PB ratio of the financial services group is 0.8x, while the PE ratio is 1.3x. Its RSI is 30.7. Sovereign Trust Insurance Sovereign Trust Insurance features in this weeks pick for trading below its intrinsic value. The PB ratio of the underwriter is 0.8x, while its PE ratio is 4.3x. The RSI is 40.5. Ikeja Hotel Ikeja Hotel makes this weeks list for trading below its intrinsic value. The companys PB ratio is 0.8x, while the PE ratio stands at 6.1x. Its RSI is 39.1. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print If like me, you have this bad habit of reading every inscription on buses or on walls, you probably would have seen this inscription on hospital walls: WE CARE; GOD HEALS! That was what I remembered that Saturday morning in Kaduna, as I lay on the surgeons operating table. I silently prayed to God to take control. Before entering the theatre, the anaesthetist had asked me what I ate that morning. I raised my eyebrows. What kind of question is this? The medical team had warned me the previous day when I went for the pre-surgery protocols not to eat anything after 10 pm . So, why are you asking me what I had eaten, I asked the anaesthecist. Oh, never mind, its a routine question, he responded. But let me begin the story from the beginning. Some three weeks earlier, I had been having frequent heart burns. To make matters worse, my voice, which at the best of times was husky, was getting huskier. At a point, it was difficult for me to hear myself. 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 I knew it was high time I visited an eye, nose, and throat (ENT) expert. With my wife in tow, we visited an ENT consultant at her private clinic. The lady, who is also a consultant at LASUTH, examined me and pronounced the verdict: Video Laryngoscopy revealed fleshy mass arising from the right vocal chords. The left vocal chord is normal. He will require direct Laryngoscopy. So, in a laymans language, there is a growth in my right vocal chord that needs to be removed by surgery. For a man who is comfortably sitting on the sixth floor, I told myself I wasnt going to do a conventional surgery. I opted for a laser excision of the growth. The problem was finding a hospital that does laser surgery on the vocal chords. LASUTH doesnt, LUTH doesnt. The search then began for a hospital that does laser surgery. I called an elderly friend in London who is an ENT surgeon on the possibility of doing the laser excision over there. When he gave me the bill, I knew that wasnt a viable option. He then told me that there is a very good hospital in Lekki, which he would recommend to me. I went to Evercare in Lekki, but they, too, dont have the facility for laser surgery. But the female consultant who attended to me said she had heard that the facility was available in the North and that she would revert to me the next day. She kept her word and linked me with the ENT Consultant at the Jowaco Specialist Hospital Kaduna. Back at the operating table, many thoughts were running through my mind. Surviving the surgery was a fifty- fifty chance. I asked myself why I didnt tell my creditors I was going for surgery. At least they would want me alive to be able to repay my debts. They would have invested in prayer entrepreneurs! I stole a glance at my wife. If I didnt come out alive, she would have to be drugged to be flown to Lagos. My mind then went to how the newspapers would report my passage: GBEMIGA OGUNLEYE, EX NIJ PROVOST IS DEAD! GBEMIGA OGUNLEYE EX PUNCH EDITOR IS DEAD! Perish the thought, I told myself. Isnt there a verse in the Bible that says: Not my portion! I remembered that I had written my Will but wasnt sure if I had filed it in the Probate registry. I consoled myself that as an Honourable poor man, there wasnt anything really that my two children would fight over! I remembered that I was expecting my second grandchild. So, if the surgery went awry, I would be denied the privilege of seeing the baby. Suddenly, I remembered the Christian mantra of its not my portion. I became emboldened and told myself as my Christian friends would say: I shall not die but live My parents in heaven would see to that. My mother, especially, wouldnt sleep. She would ensure that her son survived the surgery. No thanks to the anaestheticia I drifted to sleep. My wife, who witnessed the surgery, told me it lasted for about 90 minutes, but I didnt come around until about five hours later. If you know the number of people who didnt wake up after surgery, you will understand why songs of praise and Thanksgiving have been on my lips. Indeed, the Lord is good! Gbemiga Ogunleye is back! Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Climate change does not directly lead to more terrorism in the Central Sahel. Rather, factors associated with climate change appear to be a catalyst for localised conflicts, mainly driven by disruptions in agricultural production patterns and resource scarcity. Also, local conflict offers fertile ground for the establishment of terror groups. This is the conclusion of a research project conducted by the Institute for Security Studies (ISS). The study was carried out in response to the United Nations Secretary-Generals 2023 call for further evidence-based and context-specific research and analysis on the nexus between climate change and terrorism, as well as its programming implications. The link between climate change and terrorism has long been a hot debate among analysts and policymakers concerned with Africas human security. The Central Sahel affected by both threats is an ideal place (along with the Lake Chad Basin and Somalia) to observe these interrelationships. Average temperatures in the Sahel rose by 0.6C to 0.8C between 1970 and 2010, and long-term projections point to an increase of between 3C and 6C by the end of the 21st century. These trends are already reflected in a marked variability in precipitation, a rise in extreme weather events with more frequent floods and droughts, and soil degradation. The Sahel is also grappling with a multidimensional security crisis that began in Mali in 2012 and spread to Burkina Faso and Niger in 2015. All three countries face a proliferation and expansion of armed groups, including terror groups like Jamaat Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin and Islamic State in the Sahel, and various rebel and self-defence groups. ISS research sites in Niger and Burkina Faso In 2024, the ISS conducted surveys in Nigers Tillaberi region, which is heavily affected by climate change and insecurity linked to violent extremism. Burkina Fasos Fada NGourma department was selected for the same reasons. Mali was not included in the primary research, due to the large amount of existing literature on the subject. 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 Participants included farmers, herders, hunters, agro-pastoralists, internally displaced people, and institutional players (government services, international and non-governmental organisations, and religious and traditional authorities). The data shows that although respondents dont refer to climate change in their local languages, participants recognised its impact on their activities. However, this is not a new phenomenon, as extreme climate and environmental events such as droughts and locust invasions which have led to famine remain engraved in the collective memory. Since the 1970s, local populations have felt the effects of climate change through changes in the cropping calendar. It is marked especially by the late start and early end of the rainy and agricultural seasons, intensified droughts, and the multiplication of extreme climatic events such as heat peaks, flooding (including of arable land) and violent winds. The research did not reveal any direct link between climate change and terror activities carried out by violent extremist groups. Rather, climate change sparks localised intercommunal conflict, triggered by disrupted agricultural production patterns and natural resource scarcity, which causes groups and communities to compete for access and control of resources. In both Tillaberi and Fada NGourma, the impact of climatic variations on agricultural and pastoral production systems disproportionately threatens the livelihoods of rural populations, who rely on subsistence farming and livestock breeding. Mobility, having always been the cornerstone of local communities resilience in the face of environmental challenges, access to land, water and pasture, thus becomes a major factor in the future. The research revealed various conflict triggers. They include the early transhumance of livestock, the lack of marking of transhumance corridors, the non-observance of field release dates, farmers clearing and development of grazing areas, cattle tracks and transhumance corridors. Other triggers include the private appropriation of water points, and monopolisation of pastoral areas by large landowners, agribusiness players, hunting concessionaires and mining companies. Climate change impacts combine with governance problems, particularly the management of agro-pastoral zones, obsolete production methods and land pressure exacerbated by population growth. Governments public policies, aimed at ensuring food security for their populations following the droughts of the 1970s, saw agriculture being prioritised over pastoralism. In cases where being either a sedentary farmer or nomadic herder overlaps with ethnic identities, conflicts can become communalised. As a result, self-defence militias emerge, leading to greater violence and atrocities. The deteriorating security situation since 2012 and the circulation of light weapons aggravate the problem. ISS research in West Africa, some carried out as early as 2016, found that people joined insurgencies to protect themselves, their family, community or income-generating activities from local security threats. What do these research findings on the links between climate change and terrorism mean for programming and policy? Overall, responses must avoid linking terrorism and global warming in the Sahel as a means to mobilise international donors or accelerate the international climate agenda. Climate-related challenges in the region are more accurately defined in terms of natural resource scarcity and destabilised production systems. That in turn leads to local conflict, against the backdrop of weakening conflict management by both traditional and state systems. The research findings reassert the need for an integrated approach to combatting terrorism and local conflict, reflecting the complexity of the contexts in which they occur. Given the indirect links between climate change and insecurity, both challenges must be addressed in an integrated way. The intermediary factors through which climate change ultimately contributes to terrorism must be targeted, as well as the way these factors interact and reinforce each other. In particular, the production potential of agricultural and pastoral economies in the Sahel must be strengthened by integrating innovative and resilient technical solutions to the adverse effects of climate change. Similarly, improving local and institutional mechanisms for managing resources and community tensions is vital to reducing the scope for terrorist groups to exploit vulnerabilities. Djiby Sow, Senior Researcher and Fahiraman Rodrigue Kone, Sahel Project Manager, Institute for Security Studies (ISS) Office for West Africa and the Sahel (This article was first published by ISS Today, a Premium Times syndication partner. We have their permission to republish). Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Amidst heightened political tension with France, Algeria has banned all French aid to private schools in the country. An Algerian media outlet, TSA, reported on Monday that the government has directed private schools to stop accepting financial or other support from France. For years, schools in Algeria have received development funding from France as part of Frances efforts to promote the French language and culture abroad. This is a common practice in former French colonies, where France provided financial aid, teacher training, and educational materials to schools that taught in French or followed the French curriculum. Both public and private schools have received aid. It has also funded scholarships for Algerian students studying in France. For instance, in 2022, France allocated 132 million to Algeria as official development assistance. Then, in February 2025, it set aside 121 million for scholarships for Algerian students in France. France has always provided funding for scholarships, scientific research, and cooperation programs through the French Embassy and the French Institute in Algeria. 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 Suspension of French curriculum However, due to the growing dispute between both countries, the Algerian government has begun suspending the decades-long arrangement. In October 2023, the government ordered private schools to suspend the use of the French curriculum and teach only in Algerian national curriculum. Before then, private schools in Algeria followed the French curriculum and even prepared students for French exams. However, Algerias authorities argued that just as Algerian schools cannot teach their curriculum abroad without agreements, foreign curriculums shouldnt be taught in Algerias schools unless officially approved. The government has also begun introducing English as a language in primary schools. Previously, French had been the only foreign language taught in schools. Meanwhile, Algerias decision to stop development aid to private schools is also considered a response to the call from Frances right wing to suspend funding to the country. Impact on diplomatic ties This new directive is likely to distance Algeria from France and increase tension between them. It also further weakens Frances soft power in Africa and among its former colonies. Although issues from their colonial past caused the prolonged dispute between the countries, the contention heightened after French President Emmanuel Macron shifted Frances position by recognising Moroccos autonomy plan for Western Sahara as the only basis for resolving the conflict. The Western Sahara is a disputed territory in North Africa, located between Morocco, Mauritania, and Algeria. Moroccos autonomy plan proposes that Western Sahara remain under Moroccan sovereignty but have some self-rule, allowing local governance while Morocco retains ultimate authority. By backing Moroccos claim over the region, France angered Algeria, which has always supported the Sahrawi peoples right to decide their future. In November 2024, Algeria responded by instructing banks to suspend financial transactions with French companies a move that disrupted trade between the two nations. Also, the tension was worsened by Algerias refusal to accept the return of undocumented Algerian migrants from France on the grounds that their deportation was illegal. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print David Wilcox Executive editor Follow David Wilcox 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 Five years ago, it became a lot harder to get a table. Restaurants in the Cayuga County area, like those across the country, were more affected by COVID-19 than most businesses. First they had to limit themselves to takeout only. Then, after a couple months of the pandemic, they were able to reopen to about half as many sit-down customers as their normal capacity. It wasnt until the following summer that restaurants in New York state were operating without government restrictions once again. But those restrictions werent the only ones restaurants faced. Maintaining staff was a constant struggle throughout the early years of the pandemic, and managing volatile supply prices remains one. Otherwise, business is mostly back to normal for restaurants with two small exceptions, according to ones in Auburn whose owners spoke with The Citizen on the fifth anniversary of the pandemic. "Not as many people walk in and order stuff anymore," said Chris Adessa, manager of Mesa Grande Taqueria in Auburn. Five Years of COVID-19 This month marks five years since COVID-19 began in the U.S. In this miniseries, The Citizen is looking at many of the ways the pandemic has affected life in the Cayuga County area, from public health and education to dining and commercial real estate. For more stories from Five Years of COVID-19, click here. The downtown Mexican restaurant is one of many that continue to see a much higher degree of online ordering since COVID-19. Scanning menus on screens and checking out with a mouse or fingertip was a convenience, Adessa told The Citizen, whether for pickup or delivery services like DoorDash. He thinks that's why online ordering took hold even as masks, Plexiglas and other pandemic customs were happily discarded. Similar to Zoom and other video conferencing platforms, online ordering existed before COVID-19 and probably would have gained popularity without it but not as much. "Ease of use is a big thing that drives people to stuff like that," Adessa said. "I'm just glad we were able to shift to online and to-go seamlessly, and the community stepped up and supported all the local places during those tough times. Thankfully we're one of the ones that pulled through. Without those customers, that definitely would never have happened. It's nice that it's in the rearview mirror." At Prison City Pub & Brewery, about 75% of takeout orders today are placed online, owners Dawn and Marc Schulz told The Citizen. "I know I get a little frustrated when I go on a website and they've shut it off. God forbid I have to talk to someone," Marc Schulz said with a laugh. With alcoholic beverages such a big part of its business, the Auburn brewpub has experienced the other way COVID-19 changed the local restaurant scene: People don't stay out as late anymore. Prison City, like most bars and restaurants throughout the country, has seen business dwindle an hour or two earlier since the pandemic, something also observed by Adessa at Mesa Grande. Marc Schulz chalked the change up to the "homebody lifestyle" made necessary by COVID-19. For him, the restrictions made the early days of the pandemic somewhat of an escape from the restaurant grind. "I don't wish for it to happen again, but there are moments where I find myself saying it wasn't that bad," he said. "It was horrible," Dawn Schulz cut in with a laugh. "I'm proud of us and everybody that was able to stay open and persevere," she continued. "After all that whiplash and pivoting, it definitely feels like we're back to normal." Even less affected by COVID-19 was Lasca's. Kevin Anderson told The Citizen his and Jim DeSocio's longtime Italian restaurant on Grant Avenue was positioned well for the pandemic due to its takeout business, which includes a dedicated entrance. While they felt the loss of diners and parties, they kept busy with customers buying their frozen pasta and other dishes to eat at home. Lasca's takeout business has been so good, Anderson continued, that he and DeSocio still don't feel a need to add online ordering. "Walkup or phone, it's just the way we do it. It's more to our advantage," he said. "In our case, people are more used to calling." Food supply prices remain a challenge, Anderson said. Crab legs, for instance, recently doubled. Because he and DeSocio don't want the Lasca's experience to change, they often have to pass such price increases on to their customers instead of opting for lesser quality or smaller portions. Some customers don't mind that, Anderson continued, and he doesn't blame the ones who do. Unlike other local restaurant owners, Anderson hasn't seen much of a recent change in how late customers stay out. Instead, he believes the pandemic continued a pattern of earlier nightlife that goes back decades. He also believes COVID-19 strengthened people's appreciation for the special occasions, like Mother's Day and New Year's Eve, that they couldn't celebrate together for far too long. Mrs Mojisola Hunponu-Wusu, is the founder of WoodHall Capital, a financial advisory firm founded in 2014 with the aim of raising international funds for financial institutions, large corporate and sovereigns. In this interview with PREMIUM TIMES, Mrs Hunponu-Wusu shares insights on her career journey, challenges, and the importance of women in leadership. PT: Can you tell us about your professional journey and how you became a CEO? Mrs Hunponu-Wusu: I began my career in the City of London, where I had the opportunity to work with some of the worlds leading financial institutions. After several successful years, I was headhunted by a bank in Lagos, Nigeria, and made the decision to return home to contribute my expertise to the financial sector. However, I faced an unexpected setback when I lost that joba difficult and humbling experience, especially coming from organisations where I felt I was valued and celebrated. That period of uncertainty ultimately led me to deep reflection. Out of frustration, determination, and eventually clarity, I founded Woodhall Capital. Looking back, that challenge was a turning point that propelled me toward building something meaningful and made me take on an unexpected entrepreneurship journey. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later PT: In your opinion, how do women leaders inspire and empower others around them, especially other women? Mrs Hunponu-Wusu: Women in leadership can serve as powerful role models, particularly to other women, demonstrating that success in professional and personal spheres is not mutually exclusive. When young women see female leaders excelling in their careers while also thriving in their personal lives, it reinforces the belief that they too, can achieve their ambitions without compromise. Beyond representation, female leaders create environments that foster inclusivity, mentorship, and collaboration. They challenge limiting narratives and empower the next generation by showing that leadership is not just about authority but about impact, resilience, and purpose. PT: What do you think is unique about women in leadership roles compared to men? Mrs Hunponu-Wusu: Women bring a unique blend of emotional intelligence, intuition, and adaptability to leadership. Our ability to approach challenges with both logic and empathy allows us to make well-rounded decisions. Additionally, our innate capacity to multitask and our attention to detail often bring innovation and depth to the workplace. Another key differentiator is the ability to create meaningful connections and foster a collaborative culture. Leadership is not just about directingits about inspiring, and women often excel in building environments where people feel valued and motivated to contribute their best. PT: What challenges did you face as a woman in your industry, and how did you overcome them? Mrs Hunponu-Wusu: The financial sector, like many industries, has traditionally been male-dominated. One of the key challenges I faced was proving my credibility in spaces where women were underrepresented. There were instances where I had to work twice as hard to be taken seriously or to have my expertise recognised at the same level as my male counterparts. I overcame these challenges by focusing on excellence, consistency, and results. I ensured that my work spoke for itself, and I remained unwavering in my commitment to integrity and professionalism. Additionally, I surrounded myself with mentors and allies who provided guidance and support along the way. PT: Can you share one of the most rewarding moments in your career that solidified your passion for leadership? Mrs Hunponu-Wusu: One of the most defining moments in my career was closing Woodhall Capitals first major deal. It was the culmination of years of hard work, resilience and strategic networking. At that moment, I realised that leadership is not just about personal successits about building something that creates opportunities for others and leaves a lasting impact. Seeing the global growth of the firm and in effect the Woodhall team, the opportunities weve been able to provide, and the lives weve influenced reaffirms my passion for leadership every day. PT: What advice would you give to young Nigerian women aspiring to become leaders in their fields? Mrs Hunponu-Wusu: Success is built on hard work, integrity, and consistency. While connections can open doors, it is your value, work ethic, and character that will determine how far you go. To young women aspiring to leadership, I encourage you to master your craftbe excellent at what you do, build a reputation for integrityyour character will always be your strongest asset and be consistentgreatness is built over time, not overnight. Also prioritise continuous learninginvest in your knowledge and skills, put God firststay grounded in your values and purpose. With these principles, you will not only succeed but also inspire others to follow in your footsteps. PT: How do you balance the demands of being a CEO with other aspects of your personal life? Mrs Hunponu-Wusu: Achieving balance requires intentional prioritisation. I focus on what truly matters and allocate my time accordingly. I also believe in the power of delegationhaving the right systems and support structures in place allows me to be effective without being overwhelmed. Most importantly, I make a conscious effort to be present in every aspect of my life, whether at work, with family, or in personal growth. Striking this balance is an ongoing process, but by being deliberate and organised, it becomes manageable. PT: This years theme for International Womens Day is Accelerate Action. What does this theme mean to you and how does it reflect your leadership approach? Mrs Hunponu-Wusu: To me, Accelerate Action is more than a themeits a call to leadership and stepping out. Leadership is about execution, not just vision. We have discussed ideas, mapped out strategies, and held countless conversations about progress. Now, the focus must be on tangible results. My leadership approach is centred on action. I believe in setting clear goals, creating pathways for implementation, and ensuring accountability. Progress is not achieved by intention alone but by decisive steps toward meaningful impact. This is the essence of leadershipturning vision into reality. This interview was conducted in partnership with Women in Management, Business, and Public Service (WIMBIZ), a Nigerian non-profit organisation committed to advancing and empowering women in leadership. Mrs Hunponu-Wusu is also a member of WIMBIZ. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned that abrupt cuts in global health funding are threatening progress in the fight against Tuberculosis (TB), the worlds deadliest infectious disease. The global health agency, in a message to commemorate the 2025 World TB Day, noted that TB is responsible for over one million deaths annually, bringing devastating impacts on families and communities. WHO said global efforts to combat TB have saved an estimated 79 million lives since 2000. It, however, noted that the drastic and abrupt cuts in global health funding are now threatening to reverse these gains. Rising drug resistance, especially across Europe, and the ongoing conflicts across the Middle East, Africa, and Eastern Europe, are further exacerbating the situation for the most vulnerable, it noted. World TB Day World TB Day is commemorated on 24 March annually to raise awareness of TB and to mobilise efforts, including political commitment to resources and healthcare financing towards TB elimination. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later This years theme is Yes! We can end TB: Commit, invest, and deliver. TB, an airborne disease caused by a bacterium (mycobacterium tuberculosis), mostly affects the lungs. It is the second deadliest infectious killer disease (after COVID-19) and among the top 10 causes of death worldwide. Globally, and according to the 2024 WHO global TB report, an estimated 10.8 million people developed TB in 2023, with 1.6 million people losing their lives and 12 per cent of the global burden affecting the most vulnerable the children and young adolescents. TB remains a leading cause of death in Nigeria, with the country ranking sixth globally and first in Africa. Despite progress made in the fight against TB, the global burden of TB remains alarming, particularly in low and middle-income countries like Nigeria. Impacts of funding cuts The WHO Director-General, Tedros Ghebreyesus, said the huge gains the world has made against TB over the past 20 years are now at risk as cuts to funding start to disrupt access to services for prevention, screening, and treatment for people with TB. Mr Ghebreyesus said the WHO is committed to working with all donors, partners and affected countries to mitigate the impact of funding cuts and find innovative solutions. We cannot give up on the concrete commitments that world leaders made at the UN General Assembly just 18 months ago to accelerate work to end TB, he said. In January, shortly after his inauguration, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order withdrawing the country from WHO, citing political influence within the agency. Mr Trump also paused all foreign aid assistance, which has affected most health programmes in developing countries, including Nigeria. Mr Ghebreyesus noted that early reports revealed severe TB response disruptions are seen across several of the highest-burden countries following the funding cuts. It said countries in the WHO African Region are experiencing the greatest impact, followed by countries in the WHO South-East Asian and Western Pacific Regions. 27 countries are facing crippling breakdowns in their TB response, with devastating consequences, such as human resource shortages undermining service delivery; diagnostic services severely disrupted, delaying detection and treatment; data and surveillance systems collapsing, compromising disease tracking and management, he said. Others affected are community engagement efforts, including active case finding, screening, and contact tracing, deteriorating, leading to delayed diagnoses and increased transmission risks. He said nine countries report failing TB drug procurement and supply chains, jeopardising treatment continuity and patient outcomes. More Investment The global health body called for an urgent investment of resources to protect and maintain TB care and support services for people in need across regions and countries. WHO said the theme for the year highlights a rallying cry for urgency, accountability, and hope. This urgent call is timely and underscores the necessity of swift, decisive action to sustain global TB progress and prevent setbacks that could cost lives, the Director of WHOs Global Programme on TB and Lung Health, Tereza Kasaeva, said. Ms Kasaeva said investing in ending TB is not only a moral imperative but also an economic necessity, as every dollar spent on prevention and treatment yields an estimated $43 in economic returns. Also, in response to the urgent challenges threatening TB services worldwide, WHOs Director-General and Civil Society Task Force on Tuberculosis demands immediate, coordinated efforts from governments, global health leaders, donors, and policymakers to prevent further disruptions. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Nigerias mining sector is on the cusp of a transformative era, spearheaded by the ambitious vision and strategic execution of El-Tahdam Exploration Limited. This burgeoning Nigerian mining company, established to unlock the nations vast reserves of crucial Electric Vehicle (EV) minerals and rare earth minerals such as Lithium, manganese, iron ore, copper, rubidium, gallium and graphite has rapidly emerged as a key player. Bolstered by strategic initiatives and a robust investment in exploration and mining rights, El-Tahdam has now attracted significant global attention and foreign investment, culminating in the recent partnership with TSG Mining Group. Over the past three years, El-Tahdam has laid a robust foundation, strategically investing approximately $5 million in exploring and experimenting with the specific type of lithium ore from Libata, Kebbi. The team of EL-Tahdam has spent more than one year in China to learn the processing technologies of Lithium. After getting the recovery rate of 92%, which is among the highest in the world, EL-Tahdam has ordered a full set of processing equipment, specially designed for their mining site in Libata, Kebbi. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later How the Federal Governments Vision Fuel Mining Sector Renaissance The recent strides within Nigerias mining sector, exemplified by El-Tahdam Exploration Limiteds groundbreaking initiatives and significant foreign investment, are occurring against a backdrop of deliberate and commendable efforts by the Federal Government, spearheaded by the Minister of Solid Minerals Development Dr Henry Dele Alake. The leadership of the current minister has been widely lauded as game changing for the industry, injecting renewed dynamism and strategic direction into a sector long recognised for its untapped potential. One of the most impactful initiatives under his leadership has been the establishment of Mining Marshals. This proactive measure has been instrumental in sanitizing the mining landscape by tackling the pervasive issues of illegal mining, ensuring greater regulatory compliance, and fostering a more secure and transparent operating environment for legitimate operators like El-Tahdam. This decisive action has not only curbed the illicit exploitation of Nigerias mineral resources but has also significantly boosted investor confidence, demonstrating the governments commitment to creating a level playing field and protecting the interests of those who adhere to due process. Furthermore, the Minister has actively engaged in promoting Nigerias mining potential on both domestic and international platforms, articulating a clear vision for the sectors contribution to the national economy. These efforts align seamlessly with the Federal Governments broader agenda to diversify the economy away from oil dependence and attract crucial Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and Foreign Portfolio Investment (FPI) This overarching economic strategy, championed by the administration, has provided the necessary impetus and confidence for companies like El-Tahdam to pursue ambitious projects, knowing that their investments are supported by a government committed to sector reform and economic growth. The synergy between the Ministers focused reforms and the Federal Governments economic vision is undeniably creating a fertile ground for the resurgence of Nigerias mining sector. Establishing a Comprehensive Lithium Processing Value Chain Building on this strong foundation, El-Tahdam has ambitious plans to establish a comprehensive lithium processing value chain within Nigeria. The companys strategic roadmap includes the construction of three state-of-the-art lithium processing plants in Kebbi, Kwara, and Kaduna states. Each plant is designed with a daily processing capacity of 3,000 metric tonnes of lithium ore (with an average grade of 1.5% to 1.6%) to produce a 6% lithium concentrate. This translates to a combined daily input of 9,000 metric tonnes of lower-grade ore, yielding 2,250 metric tonnes of 6% lithium concentrate. Further solidifying its integrated approach, El-Tahdam plans to establish a Lithium.Carbonate plant in Lagos. This pioneering facility will utilize the 2,250 metric tonnes of 6% concentrate as input, targeting a yearly production of 80,000 metric tonnes of high purity 99.9% lithium carbonate, accounting for almost 5% of the global market share. This integrated processing model, the first of its kind in Nigeria, will considerably enhance the value of Nigerian lithium ore before export, leading to increased royalty revenues for the Federal Government. By processing lower-grade ores domestically and refining higher grades to lithium metal, Nigeria will move beyond simply exporting raw materials, a practice that has historically deprived the nation of significant economic benefits. Recent data indicates that Africa continues to lose billions annually due to the export of unprocessed minerals, highlighting the urgent need for value addition within the continent. This initiative by El-Tahdam directly addresses this issue. Ultimately, this strategic move is expected to attract global battery manufacturing giants like CATL and Sunwoda, as well as electric vehicle manufacturers such as Tesla and BYD attracting the broader ecosystem of battery and electronic device manufacturers to Nigeria, drawn by the availability of processed lithium. Furthermore, it will provide a substantial boost to local EV manufacturers like Innoson Motors and encourage the growth of Nigerias broader domestic electric vehicle industry, aligning with the nations industrialization objectives. Towards one of Africas Largest Lithium Processing Facility: Backed by $500 Million Investment The remarkable strides made by El-Tahdam have garnered substantial international attention, culminating in the recent $500 million investment by TSG Mining Group. This major investment underscores the global confidence in El-Tahdams vision and Nigerias potential as a key player in the lithium market. As part of this landmark deal, TSG Mining Group will invest $250 million in establishing the modern processing plant in Kebbi State, slated to be operational by the end of 2025, with all necessary equipment having been procured. Prior to the investment, El-Tahdam had secured a 25-year mining license (renewable up to 50 years) to support the partnership. TSG Mining Groups key investors include Zhejiang State-Owned Capital and Sunwoda (stock code: 300207, with a market value of 6 billion USD). Leveraging Zhejiang State-Owned Capitals financial strength and Sunwodas technological expertise in the new energy sector, TSG has built a comprehensive industrial chain spanning investment in mining rights, extraction and processing, and trade and sales. The synergy between these two major shareholders provides a solid foundation for the groups resource integration in the African market. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Association of Table Water Producers of Nigeria (ATWAP), Ogun Chapter, says over 25 per cent of its members have shut down operations in the last year. Babatunde Lawal, chairman of the association, who made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Ota, Ogun State, attributed the situation to an unfavourable business environment. According to him, the harsh operating conditions have forced many members to abandon the business for other ventures. More than 25 per cent of our members have exited the industry because the environment is not conducive for production, he said. He noted that ATWAP had over 2,500 registered members engaged in water production for human consumption across the state. The chairman identified major challenges affecting the industry, including unstable power supply, multiple taxation and a lack of supportive policies from the government. 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 Most producers rely heavily on generators, which significantly reduces their profit margins. In addition, no water producer can survive these numerous challenges without being part of the association because we protect our members interests, he said. Mr Lawal also decried difficulties in renewing operational licenses, particularly with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), which, he said, had made the process cumbersome for members. He noted that the situation could lead to increased unemployment and economic hardship for many families. The ATWAP chairman, therefore, appealed to both the federal and state governments to create a more enabling environment for the industry to thrive and prevent further job losses. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) has commiserated with Governor Dikko Umaru of Katsina on the death of his mother, Safarau Umaru. This is contained in a condolence message signed by its Chairman, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara on Sunday in Ilorin. The NGF celebrates the life of service, devotion, and dignity that Hajiya led, and commiserates with the people and government of Katsina, as well as the children and grandchildren of the nonagenarian. Our prayers and thoughts are with His Excellency, family, and people of the state on this sad event. We also send our condolences to Hajiya Hauwa Radda, who was a wife of former President Umaru Musa YarAdua. We ask Allaah to ease the account of Hajiya Safarau, lighten up and widen her grave, and admit her to Al-jannah Firdaus. 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 also pray to Allah to uphold the family upon goodness. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Lagos State Special Offences Court in Ikeja has discharged and acquitted the Chairman of Cleanserve, Azubuike Ishiekwene, and the Managing Director/CEO, Olalekan Abdul, in the case of fraud and forgery instituted against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). EFCC had arraigned them on 26 counts of conspiracy, forgery, using false documents without authority, possessing fraudulent documents, stealing and making documents without authority. The prosecution was prompted by complaints from Chris Ndulue, who claimed he was a director in the company but was not in the file of the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). Messrs Ishiekwene and Abdul, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges during their arraignment on 30 January 2020. During the trial with charge number ID/11126C/2019, which started five years ago, the prosecution called nine witnesses, while the defence called four witnesses. The judge, Mojisola Dada, struck out the charges in her judgement delivered on 30 January after the prosecution withdrew the case. 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 Highlighting the developments leading up to dropping the charges, the judge recalled that after the fourth defence witness finished testifying, there were a series of applications filed by the defence and the prosecution in the middle of which the office of the Attorney General of Lagos State was persuaded to take over the matter and it did. Eventually, the attorney-generals office filed a notice of discontinuance pursuant to Section 211 (1) (C) of the Constitution. Although the EFCC, through its lawyer, Franklin Ofoma, filed a notice of preliminary objection, it later conceded to the discontinuance of the 20 out the 26 counts that were brought under the Criminal Law of Lagos State. The prosecution then filed an amended case dated 24 October 2024, which saw the only surviving count against the second defendant, Mr Ishekwene, being dropped and his eventual discharge from the case pursuant to Section 155 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law, 2015 now 2021. The latest amendment was therefore against the erstwhile first defendant, Mr Abdul, under federal law which was outside the purview of the Attorney-General of Lagos State. However, before the arraignment of the said first defendant on the new amended charge, the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) took over the matter and subsequently sought to withdraw and discontinue it pursuant to Section 108 (1) of ACJA, 2015. This, therefore, puts paid to all pending applications and the case struck out and the defendants discharged and acquitted pursuant to Section 73 (1) and (11) ACJL, 2021, the judge ruled. Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), appeared for the first defendant, Mr Abdul, and Muiz Banire, also a SAN, appeared for Mr Ishiekwene, the second defendant. One of the applications filed in the lead-up to the withdrawal of the case challenged the EFCCs use of a fiat from the Lagos State Government in a case in which the defence counsel argued that a $20,000 bribe had compromised an operative and that the prosecution was on a mission of persecution. In the aftermath of the allegation, the office of the Attorney-General of Lagos State, Lawal Pedro, a SAN, stepped in and took over the matter after a review. Before the Lagos State attorney-general stepped in, the court had ordered the recovery of the $20,000 from the custody of the EFCC and admitted the same as an exhibit. During the investigation, an EFCC operative demanded a bribe in 2019 to kill the matter because, according to him, the facts suggested that Mr Ndulue had no case. A report of the demand was made through Ola Olukoyede (then the Secretary of the Commission), who ordered a sting operation in Lagos, during which other EFCC operatives apprehended the operative. The defence counsel had also argued that the prosecution was executing the agenda of Mr Ndulue, a former Managing Director of Arik Air, whom he said gave former Deputy Inspector General of Police, Michael Ogbizi, millions of naira bribe to use the police to arrest and detain Messrs Ishiekwene and Abdul, before hijacking Cleanserve. Mr Ndulue admitted to giving Mr Ogbizi money when he testified on oath in court. In the aftermath of the payment, armed police arrested and detained Mesrs Ishiekwene and Abdul during a board meeting in Radisson Blu, Ikeja, Lagos. While the defendants were in detention, Mr Ogbizi was said to have imposed Mr Ndulue as managing director of Cleanserve. After reviewing the case, the Lagos State Attorney-Generals office subsequently filed a notice of discontinuance that initially led to the pruning down of the number of counts drastically, before the Attorney-General of the Federation also stepped in to withdraw the remaining charges filed under federal law. In her judgement, the judge, Ms Dada, discharged and acquitted the defendants. Charges and key testimonies EFCC had alleged in one of the counts that the defendants, with intent to defraud, obtained credit facility for Cleanserve Integrated Energy Solution in the sum of N350 million by false pretence from Wema Bank by falsely representing to them that the Board Resolution of Cleanserve Integrated Energy Solution dated 14 December 2010 as genuine, a representation they knew to be false. In another count, the commission accused the defendants of using a false document titled Board Resolution of Cleanserve Integrated Energy Solution Ltd, dated 27 September 2010, to open an account with Keystone Bank Plc, formerly known as Bank PHB, as genuine. However, before the courts judgement, one of the witnesses, Reginald Udunze, a retired police officer and forensic expert, dismissed the allegation of forgery in his evidence before the court. According to him, he served in the Disputed Documents Unit of the Nigeria Police for 33 years before he retired in December 2016 as a deputy superintendent of police. He said in his evidence before the court that there was no forgery. The handwritings and signatures at the relevant column of Dr. V. O. Ndubueze divulged co-natural characteristics of sameness consistent with symmetrical uninhibited fingers dexterity and also threats of or self consciousness and lack of affectations devoid of simulation. My further examination and comparisons of these handwritings and signatures as marked as earlier mentioned with each other in connotation, I found characteristic features of identity with them. My finding is, therefore, that the handwriting and signatures at the relevant column of Dr. V.O. Ndubueze on documents A, A4, A6, A8, A10, BS, C2, C, C6, C10, 10 and D were written and signed by one person. Another witness, a staff member of Bond Global Energy Projects Limited, Alima Yusuf, head of marketing, who the court subpoenaed, said she joined the company in 2016 and became the head of marketing in 2017. She said, Bond is into importation of refined Petroleum Products, PMS, Premium Motor Spirits i.e. Petrol, AGO, Automated Gas Oil; Diesel, HHK, Household Kerosene DPK, dual purpose kerosene, aviation fuel. We are into the LPG, Liquidified Natural Gas, and other petroleum products business. Cleanserve was taking the products on credit till 2019 when they stopped taking them and making payment. We took them to a civil court, and the judgement was in our favour. Exhibit P66 is the judgement. The Judgement sum is N4,618,935,683.13 (Billion). Counts 21-27, in this case, I say that there is no truth whatsoever in them. I also want to say that this matter has been going on since 2019, which is five years of inability to prove it. Sadly, there is no reason for the harassment, taking all the bank records and documents. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print 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 Former President Goodluck Jonathan has been nominated as the winner of the 2025 Founders Sunhak Peace Award to be presented by the Sunhak Peace Prize Foundation in Seoul, South Korea. Mr Jonathan becomes the third person and the first African leader to win this category of the Sunhak Award after former United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon and Prime Minister of Cambodia Hun Sen. The 2025 Award Ceremony, the 6th in the series, will take place in Seoul on Friday, 11 April 11, where Mr Jonathan and other laureates will be decorated. The Sunhak Peace Prize Committee stated that Mr Jonathan is being honoured with the Founders Prize because of his consistent mediation and pro-democracy activities to bring peace throughout Africa, especially through the instrumentality of the associations he chairs, including the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation (GJF), the West African Elders Forum (WAEF) and the International Summit Council for Peace (ISCP). He was Nigerias president between 2010 and 2015. The Founders Sunhak Peace Award and the Sunhak Peace Prize are two categories of awards presented biennially by the Committee to individuals and organisations acknowledged as worthy contributors to world peace and human development. 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 Prominent past winners of the second category, which is the Sunhak Peace Prize, include former Senegalese President Macky Sall, President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Akniwumi Adesina, Sarah Catherine Gilbert, co-developer of Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine as well as GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance. Mr Jonathan will receive his award alongside three recently announced by Jose Manuel Durao Barroso, Sunhak Peace Prize Committee chair and former President of the European Commission, as winners in the other category. They include Patrick Awuah Jr., Founder and President of Ashesi University in Ghana, Hugh Evans, co-founder and CEO of Global Citizen, and Wanjira Mathai, Regional Director for Africa at the World Resources Institute. The founder of the Sunhak Peace Prize, Hak Ja Han Moon, who leads an interreligious and international movement for peace, stated in her pre-event address that the lives of the laureates had been an inspiring testament to how peace can be realised through concrete actions and cultural transformation. She said further: Over the past decade, the Sunhak Peace Prize has identified and honoured individuals who have dedicated themselves to addressing urgent global challenges based on its three core values: respect for human rights, reconciliation of conflicts, and ecological conservation. Established in 2015, the biennial Sunhak Peace Prize honours individuals and organisations that have shown extraordinary service to global peace and well-being in one of three areas: sustainable human development, conflict resolution or ecological conservation. Ikechukwu Eze Special Adviser to H.E. Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The police in Imo State, South-east Nigeria, say they have arrested three suspected kidnappers in the state. The police spokesperson in the state, Henry Okoye, disclosed this in a statement on Monday. Mr Okoye, a deputy superintendent of police, identified the suspects as 22-year-old woman, Favour Dike, and two men Ifeanyi Kingsley, 30, and Wisdom Chikodi, 31. The spokesperson said the three suspects were members of a notorious kidnapping syndicate terrorising residents of the state. He said the suspects were arrested on 18 March by the operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the state police command. How they were arrested Mr Okoye said the suspects were arrested following the kidnap of a victim, Sabinus Ibe, on 22 February. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later He said Mr Ibe was kidnapped at about 8 p.m. in Egbu Area of Owerri, the state capital. The police spokesperson said after being taken to an undisclosed location, the suspects demanded N2 million ransom for his release which was paid through a Point on Sale (POS) machine. He said the POS machine was owned and operated by the female suspect, Ms Dike, at the Timber and Allied Market in Owerri North Local Government Area of the state. Upon arrest, Favour Dike, admitted to receiving the N2 million ransom payment on the instructions of Ifeanyi Kingsley, a trader in Timber and Allied Market Naze in Owerri, he said. Mr Okoye said Mr Kingsley later confessed to providing Ms Dikes POS account details at the request of his friend, Mr Chikodi, who hails from Umuezuo Ekwereazu in Ahiazu Council Area of the state. He said Mr Chikodi was arrested in his hotel room at New Owerri after investigation showed he played a significant role in orchestrating the kidnapping. Chikodi then took operatives to the Old Township Stadium, Tetlow Road, where gang members fled upon seeing the police, abandoning an ash-colored Toyota Camry 2.4 model. A search of the vehicle uncovered two pump-action rifles, one locally made gun, and 18 live cartridges, he said. The spokesperson said the Commissioner of Police in Imo State, Aboki Danjuma, has reaffirmed the commitment of the state police command to crime-fighting. Mr Danjuma assured that the suspects will be arraigned in court after investigation. The police chief said efforts are underway to track down other members of the syndicate. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print A former National Vice Chairman (North-west) of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Salihu Lukman, has said negotiations on the political party that will serve as a coalition against President Bola Tinubu and the APC in the 2027 elections are ongoing and nearing completion. Mr Lukman was reacting to a recent comment by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar that he and some opposition leaders in the country have formed a coalition to unseat Mr Tinubu in 2027. During a press conference to react to President Bola Tinubus declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, Atiku, a former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, and others, announced a coalition ahead of the 2027 general election. Apart from condemning the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers, the coalition said its mission included unseating the President and the APC in 2027. However, there are reports that the coalition faces hurdles due to disagreements among its members over the choice of political party and the zoning of elective positions. Mr Lukman said negotiations are ongoing, and discussions have not been finalised. 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 order to set the records straight, it is important to state that negotiations are ongoing and nothing has been finalised. Once concluded, a formal announcement will be made with all the details regarding composition of membership, programme of action towards 2027, framework for contesting the 2027 elections, etc, Mr Lukman said in a statement shared with PREMIUM TIMES. The speculation, therefore, by some media analysts about disagreements stalemating the coalition negotiation is not true. The consensus among leaders is that the final decision about processes of candidates selection can only be handled and determined when there is agreement regarding the political party on whose platform the coalition will field candidates. Once the negotiations are concluded, he said Nigerians will be formally informed of all the details, and mobilisation towards 2027 will commence. Mr Lukman also said consultations are already at advanced stages as the coalition maps out agreement issues among members, including getting them to agree to work together and setting aside personal ambitions to contest the 2027 elections. The second issue being negotiated is the political party that will be the platform for the 2027 electoral contest. These two issues are carefully being negotiated. While acknowledging that with respect to the requirement for members to set aside personal ambitions, there are strong interests being expressed around issues of zoning by individual leaders, these issues are yet to be formally discussed at any consultation meeting, he said. He noted that negotiating with the political party is the most difficult challenge, and many coalition members have been engaged in it for more than a year. Registering new political parties Mr Lukman also said the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is frustrating attempts to register new political parties. He said many groups, including coalition members, have filed for political party registration but that the electoral commission has not confirmed this. For reasons best known to INEC, these applications are being frustrated. The only conclusion that can be reached in the circumstance is that INEC has decided that it will not register new parties, he said. To make matters worse, many of the existing registered parties who did not meet the electoral threshold of winning any seat in the last general elections face the threat of deregistration. Given this unpleasant reality, members of the coalition opened negotiations with some of the existing parties that have met the electoral threshold. Interestingly, somehow, some of the prospective parties being negotiated are being remotely pushed into crisis mode in the same way PDP, Labour Party and NNPP have been entangled with existential problems. It is almost a clear case of destroying the legal basis for any party to qualify to field candidates for 2027 other than the ruling APC, Mr Lukman said. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has ordered the immediate distribution of food and relief materials to the displaced people of Ilobu, Ifon and Erin Osun. The governor has also issued a directive to the Commissioner of Police and the Director of State Service to summon the traditional rulers, chiefs and identified ring leaders in each town for grilling and signing of peace undertakings. Additionally, the state chief executive directed the search and arrest of perpetrators of the violence, insisting that those arrested should be charged in court without further delay. The governor issued these directives after inspecting the three towns, lamenting the extensive damages in the conflict zones, vowing to permanently resolve the matter. This is really sad. I thank the security services for restoring peace. The 24 hours curfew imposed is working. We need to put a permanent end to this needless destruction of lives and properties. 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 I have ordered distribution of food and relief materials to the displaced. The foods are going to the three palaces for distribution to the victims. We will ensure accountability. Those behind this mayhem will be brought to book. READ ALSO: Osun governor imposes 24 hours curfew on warring communities We are also taking stern measures to stop this ugly incident from reoccurring. The monarchs, chiefs and chieftains of each town will be grilled and be made to sign peace undertaking, the governor posited. The governor was accompanied by top security and government personnel. Signed: Olawale Rasheed, spokesperson to the State Governor. More Pictures: Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print It appears that savagery flows through the veins of the Air Force personnel in Lagos who invaded the headquarters of the Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC) early this month. They smashed offices and de-humanised many of the workers on site because the company cut off their barracks electricity supply due to an unpaid N4.34 billion debt. In truck loads, the fully armed soldiers landed and scaled fences into IKEDCs premises, pointing guns at hapless civilians. Office equipment were vandalised, especially ICT infrastructure, including closed-circuit television cameras (CCTVs), to prevent their being identified. Members of staff were forced to lie on the floor, including a pregnant woman, and they did not spare customers, journalists and passers-by either. For the victims, it was a most traumatic experience and assault on their dignity. A senior executive of the company was so severely injured that he was immediately hospitalised. The ferocity of the attack by the Air Force personnel was so frightening that the managing director of IKEDC, whose driver had just driven her in at the onset of the assault, was alleged to have swiftly hidden to avoid being hurt. Telephone handsets of workers were confiscated and some of them later smashed. Moreover, 17 IKEDC vehicles were reported hijacked and forcefully taken to the Air Force barracks, using the companys drivers. It is difficult to understand such barbarity from those who are supposedly officers and gentlemen. The ugly incident, parts of which was captured on the companys CCTV infrastructure, despite effort to conceal and destroy evidence, has gone viral, raising many fundamental questions about governance in Nigeria, and indicating why the country is short of foreign direct investment. The mean, unruly, thuggish and unprofessional officers of Sam Ethnan Air Force Base in Ikeja, under the command of Air Vice Marshal Adediran Ademuwagun, should hide their faces in shame for this crude, animalistic and embarrassing display, which violated the rule of law and code of behaviour in any civilised society. All the personnel involved in the attack should be identified and appropriately sanctioned, if discipline, often flaunted as a virtue in the military, still has any meaning to the institution. Equally, AVM Ademuwagun has some questions to answer, given the lead up to the atrocious act. Mr Sunday Oduntan, the managing director of the Association of Electricity Distribution Companies, in a round of television interviews on the incident, pointed out the AVMs participation in several meetings the IKEDC held with the Air Force Command, in attempts to resolve the matter. He was also copied in all correspondences exchanged by parties. Therefore, he cannot claim ignorance of this grave misconduct by his subordinates. Such claim could only mean he is not in control of his men. Our consideration is premised on the 4 October 2024 meeting between the two parties on how to install a device that would guarantee power supply based on the-ability-to-pay template. Mr Oduntan said he attended that meeting, even though he was indifferent to the idea tabled for discussion. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Again, on 2 December, a high voltage prepaid meter was to have been installed, that would stave off the further accumulation of debts. But it is alleged that the IKEDC technicians who went for the installation were denied access and threatened. These measures were said to have been preceded by correspondences to the Air Force base, which the military hierarchies in Abuja were copied on. As a result of all this, the AVMs visit to IKEDCs office a day after the mayhem and pledging to investigate the matter and sanction those involved accordingly can only be regarded as a dishonest and hollow public relations ritual. We believe that it is only fair for the electricity company not to reconnect the Air Force base until it liquidates its debt. The unwillingness of the Air Force command to pay such a humongous N4.3 billion debt explains, in part, why electricity distribution companies and other entities in the supply value chain are delinquent in service delivery. IKEDC is said to be entitled to only about 20 per cent of this debt, while the rest are due to the power generation companies (GenCos) and Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN). Perhaps, the Air Forces adamancy in paying its electricity bill is similar to the attitudes of other ministries, departments and agencies of government. In February, the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) issued a 10-day notice to 87 MDAs to pay their accumulated debt of N47 billion or risk disconnection. Included in the notice was the Presidential Villa. That notice rattled President Bola Tinubu, who then ordered the immediate payment of the N342 million owed by the State House. Other debtors comprised the National Assembly, the Central Bank of Nigeria, Defence Headquarters, and the Ministry of Petroleum Resources; all of which could not claim to have problems of illiquidity in paying their electricity bills. Indebtedness to the electricity sector is a perennial concern that needs to be resolved. The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, once screamed, How do you expect the GenCos to perform optimally? How do you expect them to pay for gas, service and maintain their turbines and other infrastructure, as well as pay their staff if a total of N4 trillion is being owed to them? As if the misconduct of the Air Force Base in Ikeja was not enough, another unruly gang of soldiers invaded an office of the Eko Distribution Company (EKDC) in Badagry on 14 March, reportedly abducting two staff members because of poor power supply to their barracks. An aberration such as this could not have arisen in the first place if the power privatisation guidelines of 2013 were strictly followed. World-class players in the sector were expected to bring in investments that would trigger substantial improvements in service delivery. Regrettably, national interest and global best practices were sacrificed for cronyism and patronage of members of the ruling party. Hence, the new owners of the legacy electricity corporation neither had the required financial capacity, nor technical know-how to run the sector, which plunged the country into darkness that persists till date. The abundance of electricity supply is pivotal to a productive economy, and the then candidate Bola Tinubu realised this much during his 2023 election campaign. He promised Nigerians that, If I dont give you constant electricity in the next four years, dont vote for me again. But it is a shame that national electricity supply still fluctuates between 3,000 and 5,000 megawatts for a nation of over 200 million people. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has publicly confessed his regrets on being unable to fix the national power situation, and regards it as his biggest failure in office. Muhammadu Buhari also flunked this throughout his eight-year rule, and the possibility of not solving the problem presently stares Mr Tinubu in the face, with the incessant collapse of the national grid, which occurred 12 times as of December 2024. As the Commander-in-Chief of the nations Armed Forces, Mr Tinubu should rein in the service men who appear to have a penchant for egregious assaults on defenceless civilians. An unruly military that harasses, intimidates, maims and needlessly kills innocent citizens without consequences, may see themselves as super citizens beyond the ken of the rule of law in our democratic space. This is a dangerous trend that should not be tolerated and must immediately stop. Prepaid metering of electricity consumers should be vigorously pursued to entrench transparency for both the suppliers and consumers of electricity in Nigeria. Poor implementation of the metering policy has encouraged exploitative and dispute-ridden billing system, which aided the absurdity unleashed on IKEDC by the Air Force. The DisCos cannot be willy-nilly in metering their customers public or private more than a decade after taking over the market. However, if the public sector remains a chronic electricity debtor, evident in the N47 billion debt earlier cited, and despite annual budgetary provisions for defraying this cost, then the government should see itself as an undertaker of the power sector and a colossal saboteur of a burgeoning productive economy and national development. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print On Monday, some registered voters from the Kogi Central Senatorial District submitted a petition to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the recall of Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, its senator. The voters, under the aegis of Concerned Kogi Youth and Women, submitted the petition at the commissions headquarters in Abuja. The petition, titled Constituents Petition for the Recall of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan on the grounds of Loss of Confidence, was addressed to the INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu. It said, We, the undersigned being duly registered voters of the Kogi Central Senatorial District, hereby invoke our rights under the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to formally demand the recall of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan from the Nigerian Senate. In particular, this petition for the recall of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is brought pursuant to Section 68 of the 1999 Constitution of The Federal Republic of Nigeria (As Amended), as well as INECs Regulations and Guidelines for Recall Petitions. Kindly recall that Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan emerged as our Senator by verdict of the Court of Appeal, Abuja on Tuesday October 31, 2023 which affirmed the Peoples Democratic Party PDP candidate as winner of the February 25, 2023 Kogi Central Senatorial election. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later This petition arises from our loss of confidence in the Senator on the grounds of gross misconduct, abuse of office, evasion of due process and a pattern of deceitful behaviour that has not only embarrassed the people of Kogi Central constituency but has also tarnished the integrity of the Nigerian Senate and our nations democratic institutions. By this petition, which we have made sure is signed by more than one-half of the registered voters in Kogi Central, we hereby demand that the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC immediately commences the constitutional and procedural process of recall to remove Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan from office and declare her seat vacant. Loss of confidence The leader of the group, Charity Omole, told journalists after submitting the petition that they had lost confidence in Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan. We have lost confidence in her because of her gross misconduct that led to her suspension in the Senate and we the Kogi Central not to be represented. We have come to recall her because we cannot afford not to be represented. This petition is from Concerned Kogi Youth and Women. We, the people of Kogi Central, voted her in, and we are here to recall her. We have 488,000 registered voters and as I speak to you now, we have more than 250,000 voters who have signed for her recall, Ms Omole said. Section 69 of the Constitution states that: A member of the Senate or the House Representatives may be recalled as such a member if (a) there is presented to the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission a petition on that behalf signed by more than one-half of the persons registered to vote in that members constituency alleging their loss of confidence in that member; and (b) the petition is thereafter, in a referendum conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission within ninety days of the date of receipt of the petition, approved by a simple majority of the votes of the persons registered to vote in that members constituency. Verifying claim PREMIUM TIMES could not confirm if the petitioners claim to have mustered the 250,000 voters for the recall of Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan were true. INEC will, however, have to verify the signatures of the petitioners as required by the constitution before the recall process can move to the next stage. One of the cornerstones of democracy is the right of the constituents to recall elected lawmakers as a way of holding them accountable. There has not been a single case since 1999 when democracy was restored in the country and a legislator was successfully recalled under the Constitution. In 2018, the attempt to recall former senator for Kogi West, Dino Melaye, failed following a low turnout to verify petitioners signatures. At the end of the exercise, only 18,742 out of 189,870 signatories to the recall petition at the time could be verified by the commission; hence, the process could not continue. Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan could not be reached for comment on the move to recall as she did not respond to a call to her mobile telephone. Suspension from Senate The Senate, on 6 March, suspended Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), for six months following the recommendations of its ethics, privileges and public petitions committee. The decision of the upper chamber followed her alleged misconduct during a plenary session on 20 February and her refusal to adhere to its sitting arrangement. It imposed several penalties on Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan, including withdrawing all her security aides and closing her office in the National Assembly. She was also asked to hand over to the Clerk to the National Assembly, while she was also prohibited from entering the premises of the federal legislature during the period of suspension. The Senate also suspended her salary and allowances and also banned her from presenting herself as a senator locally and internationally. The upper chamber, however, said it may consider recalling her if she submits a written apology. However, on 11 March, Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan externalised her case by taking her case to the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) at the United Nations headquarters in New York. She told the IPU at the meeting that her suspension was unlawful and an attempt to silence her for making allegations of sexual harassment against the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio. Support for Akpoti-Uduaghan Earlier in the month, PREMIUM TIMES reported that some Kogi Central constituents condemned Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghans suspension from the upper chamber. The constituents expressed displeasure with the possibility of not being represented in the Senate for six months. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Emir of Kano, Lamido Sanusi, has appealed to residents to be law-abiding and avoid acts that could provoke unrest in the city. He cursed those opposing his reinstallation as emir, saying fire would consume those trying to set the city ablaze. In a voice statement in Hausa posted on Facebook by Premier Radio in Kano on Monday, Mr Sanusi said those challenging his emirship are challenging the will of God and will not end well. We are calling on the people to be law-abiding citizens. This war (Emirate Tussle) is not targeted at me; they are fighting what God has destined to happen. God doesnt need anyones support. I am pleading with you to be patient and prayerful. God will continue to support those who are fair and just. READ ALSO: Tension in Kano as rival emirs announce Sallah Durbar procession Fire will consume anyone who is planning to set fire in Kano. May he never witness peace in his life. May Allah protect our country and our lives. InshaAllah, whoever is challenging Gods decision will not end well, Mr Sanusi stated. His statement may be connected to the rising tension following Governor Abba Yusufs directive on Tuesday to the states emirate councils to commence preparations for the Sallah durbar procession. 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 governors directive, Mr Sanusis rival, Aminu Ado Bayero, informed the security agencies of his intention to conduct a durbar in a letter signed by his private secretary, Abdullahi Kwaru. 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 coincided with the fifth anniversary of His Highness on the throne of his forefathers with the assurance that all activities will be conducted peacefully, Mr Ado Bayero stated. The two men have claimed the emirship position since the state government removed Mr Ado Bayero last May and reinstated his deposed predecessor, Mr Sanusi, under a new emirates law. Mr Ado Bayero is challenging his removal in court. The two claimants to the Kano stool have since been installed in two different palaces within the city. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Federal High Court in Lokoja, Kogi State, on Monday vacated the ex-parte injunction granted to Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan on 20 March. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the judge, Isa Dashen of the Federal High Court, who gave the order setting aside the injunction he granted, also ordered for the acceleration of the case. Mr Dashen had on Thursday granted an interim injunction restraining INEC, its staff, agents, privies or assigns from receiving, accepting or acting on any petition containing signatures of members of Kogi Central Senatorial District. The court also stopped INEC from conducting any referendum upon such a petition for the purpose of initiating a recall process of Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan as senator pending the determination of the motion on notice to the same effect. But INEC, through its counsel, Abdullahi Aliyu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, made an oral application for the setting aside of the ex parte injunction granted Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan and for an accelerated hearing of the case. Mr Aliyu argued that the Federal High Court, by provisions in the Nigerian constitution, does not have the jurisdiction to stop a constitutional body like INEC from carrying out its constitutional function. 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 I hereby make an oral application by virtue of the pronouncement made by the Court of Appeal in the case between EFCC v Bello for the interim injunction to be discharged. Also, under Order 26 rule 5(1) of the Federal High Court, we strongly apply for the accelerated hearing of the case, he argued. The counsel for the applicants, West Idahosa, a SAN, objected to the application for the vacation of the interim injunction granted to Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan. Mr Idahosa argued that when an issue of illegality is raised by complainants as in the plaintiffs of the case, a constitutional duty could be restrained. This is because every rule has an exception. More so, the Supreme Court reaffirmed that when a case of illegality is brought before a court, the court will first look at it to be sure whether its true. The plaintiffs in this matter said that theres an illegality of forgery backed with a valid Affidavit before this honourable court, he said. Mr Idahosa said the court was inherent to do justice by provisions of section 6(6) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. He, however, asked the court not to allow the application for vacation of the institution. Mr Dashen, in his ruling, after listening to both parties, granted the application and vacated the interim order as well as ordered for the acceleration hearing of the case. He adjourned the case to 9 April for hearing. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print At least one police operative was killed on Monday when gunmen attacked Awgu Divisional Police Headquarters in Enugu State, Nigerias South-east. The slain operative has been identified as Emmanuel Akpa, a police constable. The police facility is in Awgu Town within Awgu Local Government Area of the state. Sources told PREMIUM TIMES that the hoodlums who invaded the police facility at about 2 a.m. broke into a cell in the police facility and freed all inmates being detained. The gunmen also carted away some rifles and ammunition after setting the inmates free, a resident of the area, who asked not to be named, said. Another source said two police operatives were killed in the attack. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later This newspaper reliably gathered that the Commissioner of Police in Enugu, Bitrus Giwa, has deployed the deputy commissioner of police in charge of operations alongside two police squads to strengthen security in the area. The police spokesperson in Enugu State, Daniel Ndukwe, did not respond to several calls and a text message seeking his comments. However, a senior police officer from the deputy commissioners office confirmed the development to PREMIUM TIMES on Monday afternoon. The attack actually happened. It is true, said the officer who asked not to be named because he was not permitted to speak on the incident. Asked to confirm the number of operatives killed in the attack, the officer said he did not have the information at the moment. In a related development, some gunmen also attacked the Inyi Divisional Police Headquarters in Oji-River Local Government Area of Enugu State. PREMIUM TIMES gathered that no life was lost in the attack, which was repelled by police operatives on duty. It is unclear for now if the two separate attacks, which occurred in the early hours of Monday, were carried out by the same gunmen. Increased attacks Like other states in Nigerias South-east, security has deteriorated in Enugu State with frequent attacks by armed persons. The attacks often target security agencies, government officials and facilities. The attacks often target security agencies, government officials and facilities. Although no group has claimed responsibility for the latest attack, the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has been blamed for the frequent attacks in the South-east. However, the group has repeatedly denied its involvement in the attacks. IPOB is a group leading the agitation for an independent state of Biafra, which it wants to be carved out from the South-east and some parts of South-south Nigeria. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Nigerias First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has said the federal government is expanding treatment centres for tuberculosis (TB) across Nigeria as part of efforts to eliminate the infectious disease. Mrs Tinubu, while speaking at a community outreach in Sauka, Abuja, on Monday to commemorate the 2025 World TB Day, noted that the government is also strengthening community-based healthcare systems to reach the most vulnerable populations. She said expanding TB testing and treatment centres nationwide will ensure that TB treatment remains free and accessible to all. She added that the government is also enhancing funding and partnerships to scale up TB control programmes amid dwindling donor funding. She said beyond being a disease, TB is a national emergency that needs to be addressed urgently because it is preventable and curable. The statistics from the World Health Organisations 2024 Global TB Report are alarming. In Nigeria, one person dies of TB every seven minutes, she said. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later This means that in the short time we will spend at this event, many more lives will be lost if we do not act swiftly and decisively. She lamented that despite TB being preventable and curable, Nigeria remains one of the top eight countries with the highest burden of TB worldwide. It is unacceptable that so many of our brothers and sisters still suffer from this disease in silence due to stigma, lack of awareness, and ignorance of not visiting a healthcare facility on time, she said. World TB Day World TB Day is commemorated on 24 March annually to raise awareness of TB and to mobilise efforts, including political commitment to resources and healthcare financing towards TB elimination. This years theme is Yes! We can end TB: Commit, invest, and deliver. TB, an airborne disease caused by a bacterium (mycobacterium tuberculosis), mostly affects the lungs. It is the second deadliest infectious killer disease (after COVID-19) and among the top 10 causes of death worldwide. Globally, and according to the 2024 WHO global TB report, an estimated 10.8 million people developed TB in 2023, with 1.6 million people losing their lives and 12 per cent of the global burden affecting the most vulnerable the children and young adolescents. TB remains a leading cause of death in Nigeria, with the country ranking sixth globally and first in Africa. Collective commitment Mrs Tinubu stated that the federal government is committed to eradicating TB through strategic diagnostics, treatment, and prevention investments. The First Lady called for collective commitment and increased funding to tackle TB in the country. She urged traditional and religious leaders, legislators, the youth, healthcare workers, private sector organisations, non-governmental organisations, community-based organisations, and international partners to join the fight against TB. As the Global and National Stop TB Champion, she reaffirmed her commitment to tackling TB by advocating for more funding, policy reforms, and resource mobilisation to support TB awareness and treatment. She also pledged to amplify the voices of TB survivors, combat stigma and discrimination, and ensure equal access to TB care for women, children, and marginalised groups. I encourage every Nigerian to join in this fight. TB is curable, and early detection saves lives. Let us work together to remove the stigma surrounding TB, encourage testing, and support those affected, she said. TB is airborne, and since it is contagious, I urge every one of us to get tested, know your TB status, and encourage your loved ones to do the same. If you have a persistent cough for more than two weeks, do not ignore it but rather seek medical help immediately. Speaking at the event, the Acting Board Chair of Stop TB Partnership Nigeria, Queen Ogbuji-Ladipo, noted that TB is a serious health issue, especially in remote communities, where many people may not have access to TB diagnosis and treatment. Mrs Ogbuji-Ladipo said TB is preventable and curable, and treatment is free in government facilities. Todays community outreach aims to bring TB information and services closer to the residents of Sauka community so that no one is left behind in the fight against TB, she said. It will also provide platforms for them to learn about TB, ask questions, get tested, and help spread the message that TB can be defeated. She highlighted that the Stop TB partnership has made significant progress through strong advocacy and collaboration with various stakeholders. A public health challenge At the event, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziaq Salako, emphasised that TB remains a major public health challenge in Nigeria. Mr Salako said in 2023, an estimated 499,000 Nigerians developed TB, primarily affecting the productive age group (2544 years), leading to economic hardships. He said the situation is worsened by stigma, poverty, malnutrition, overcrowded living conditions, and limited access to quality healthcare. He noted that despite challenges, Nigeria has made significant progress in TB eradication through WHO-recommended strategies. The WHO Country Representative in Nigeria, Walter Mulombo, pledged the organisations commitment to accelerating the TB response, which was guided by its latest guidelines. Mr Mulombo said We will continue to work with our partners and step up action towards mobilising the needed domestic and international resources required for ending TB in Nigeria. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The police in Anambra State say they have allied with their counterpart in Enugu State to fight growing insecurity in the two South-eastern states. The police spokesperson in Anambra State, Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed this in a statement on Monday. Mr Ikenga, a superintendent of police, said the state Commissioner of Police, Ikioye Orutugu and his Enugu State counterpart, Bitrus Giwa, formed the alliance when the two police chiefs met on Monday. The spokesperson said the police chiefs discovered that infiltration of criminals between Enugu and Anambra was a major security challenge in the South-east which requires urgent intervention. As a result, they (the two police commissioners) pledged to collaborate, share intelligence, and pool operational resources to combat violent crimes at the borders and within their respective states, he said. Mr Ikenga said the meeting, which was held at the Anambra State Command Headquarters, afforded the police chiefs an opportunity to devise operational strategies to proactively police the two neighbouring states. 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 commissioners reiterated their commitment to decisively combat all forms of crime and criminality in both states, with the aim of ensuring maximum public security and safety, he said. They also warned criminals operating in the two states to either repent or be ready to face the full weight of the law. Increased attacks Anambra and Enugu are among the states in Nigerias South-east which have witnessed increased attacks by armed persons in recent years. The attacks often target security agencies, government officials and facilities. The Nigerian government has repeatedly accused the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) of being responsible for the deadly attacks in the region. However, the group has repeatedly denied its involvement in the attacks. IPOB is a group leading agitation for an independent state of Biafra, which it wants carved out from the South-east and some parts of South-south Nigeria. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Five out of 12 inmates who escaped from a prison facility in Kogi State on Monday have been recaptured, according to a statement by the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS). The prisoners escaped from the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Koton Karfe, Kogi State. NCoS spokesperson Abubakar Umar explained that the jailbreak occurred in the early hours of Monday, 24 March. Mr Umar explained that some inmates tampered with the padlocks in a section of the facility, allowing them to escape. Upon receiving reports of the attack, the Acting Controller General of Corrections, Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche, in collaboration with heads of sister security agencies, including the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Kogi State, immediately mobilised personnel to secure the facility, restore order, and initiate a manhunt for the escapees, Mr Umar said. So far, five of the escaped inmates have been recaptured while efforts are ongoing to track down the remaining fugitives, he added, noting that one officer died in the incident. Mr Umar earlier confirmed the escape of 12 inmates from the facility, saying the service is investigating the incident. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later We are working closely with the police and other security agencies to ensure that the escaped inmates are rearrested and brought back to custody, Mr Umar had said. Order to investigate the jailbreak The Acting Controller General, Mr Nwakuche, has ordered a full-scale investigation into the circumstances surrounding the jailbreak. He said a security audit was being conducted across all correctional facilities nationwide to prevent future occurrences. The Service urges members of the public to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies by providing any helpful information that may assist in the recapture of those still at large. Citizens are encouraged to report any suspicious activities to the nearest security agency. READ ALSO: Minister orders probe into Kogi jailbreak The Service assures Nigerians that the safety of custodial centres remains a top priority, and measures are being reinforced to strengthen security across all facilities. The NCoS remains committed to ensuring that correctional facilities fulfil their mandate of safe custody, rehabilitation, and reintegration of inmates, Mr Nwakuche said. Since 2012, nearly 700 inmates have escaped from the same prison facility. Boko Haram members staged the 2012 prison break to free seven commanders. In the end, more than 100 inmates escaped from the facility during the attack. Two years later, another violent attack on the prison facility led to the escape of 140 inmates, although 12 were recaptured while one died in the process. In 2016, at least 13 inmates fled the prison. Also, in 2019, nearly 200 inmates escaped when floods sacked the facility. However, 100 of the inmates were later rearrested. In 2021, gunmen attacked the facility, freeing about 200 inmates, among which 100 were later recaptured. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Abia House of Assembly has begun investigating allegations of disguised takeover and mismanagement of Government College Umuahia (GCU) in the state. The GCU is located in Ibeku land, which originally belonged to several Ibeku communities in Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State. The state assemblys decision to begin the investigation followed the receipt of a petition from an indigene of the Emede Community within the Ibeku Area, Chukwudi Onwudinanti. Mr Onwudinanti, in the petition dated 17 February and read at the assembly chambers on 25 February, claimed that the Government College Umuahia Old Boys Association (GCUOBA), which currently manages the college, was running the institution contrary to its original purpose. He said the Abia State Government handed over the college to the GCUOBA in July 2014 after signing a Memorandum of Understanding. The petitioner, also a former student of the college, claimed that after a few years, the GCUOBA started running the school contrary to the purpose for which it was handed over to them by the state government. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Mr Onwudinanti also alleged that the managers of the school have turned it into a private enterprise like a bourgeois school and cannot be accessible to average families of brilliant children within his constituency. Investigation The assemblys joint committee on Education, Public Petitions and Judiciary held a hearing on the petition on Thursday. PREMIUM TIMES gathered that although all the parties in the petition were duly invited by the joint committee for the hearing, the Fisher Educational Development Trust (FEDT) did not show up at the hearing. FEDT is a body which reportedly claims to have been set up by the GCUOBA to run the college. Speaking at the hearing, Mr Onwudinanti told the lawmakers that his petition was intended for the House to remedy the problem of the wrongful process of ownership transfer of the college and its management. Mr Onwudinantis comments were contained in a typewritten statement read out by his lawyer, Ugochukwu Zik. PREMIUM TIMES obtained a copy of the typewritten statement on Monday. He told the lawmakers that the fact the FEDT board of the GCU had increased the colleges annual school fee to above N1 million was worrisome and could deny residents access to quality education in the school. The petitioner said he was shocked by the response he got from the FEDT board when he approached them for explanations. The FEDT say they are not answerable to the GCUOBA, hence not answerable to the Old Boys, therefore not representing the Old Boys. In fact, as I understand it, the FEDT members have flatly refused to accept nominations from the GCUOBA, he said. Mr Onwudinanti also said the current situation at the college implied that those at the FEDT board were representing themselves and in their personal capacity. From the foregoing, it is evident that GCU is being run without regard for the protection of public interest. It, therefore, means that the agreement on which this partnership was fostered is flawed and should be redrawn, FEDT abolished, and a genuinely representative management body reconstituted, he said. He asked the House to re-examine and redraw the agreement between the state government and the GCUOBA to ensure that the colleges assets remain the governments property. Mr Onwudinanti also prayed that the assembly reconstitute the colleges management body to represent and protect the interests of the state government and the GCUOBA. The new body (should) evaluate and determine the fees and uniforms of GCU to reflect the interests of the public while retaining the essence of GCU as a state heritage and landmark of historic value in the state, he said. The petitioner further appealed that the Certificate of Occupancy of GCUs landed property and assets be returned immediately to the government, and the institution was declared a public school owned by the government and managed by the GCUOBA. It is my belief that if these prayers are answered by this house, it will remedy a great wrong, and forestall such happening in the future, in any part of the state, he stated. GCUOBA speaks Also speaking at the hearing, the National President of the GCUOBA, Chinedum Ahaiwe, told the lawmakers that the old student body had incorporated FEDT to be wholly dedicated to the management of GCU after a deed of trust executed on 22 December 2014. Mr Ahaiwe said the GCUOBA decided to bring in the FEDT to manage the GCU and segregate the sundry activities of the old student body from its duties as managers of the school. Unfortunately, the GCUOBA did not realise that it had just birthed a Frankenstein, as its special purpose vehicle, the FEDT, has since gone rogue, and now threatens to devour its creator, the national president said. He expressed surprise that FEDT suddenly declared GCU a private school, demolished several archival, heritage buildings in the college after claiming that they were independent of the GCUOBA, which reached an agreement with them to run the college. Mr Ahaiwe stressed that the FEDT board subsequently changed the school uniform and pegged the fees at N2 million before bringing it down to N1.1 million later, adding that the decisions were taken without recourse to the GCUOBA. It might interest this House to know that the initial Trustees of the FEDT, who were appointed at the incorporation of the FEDT on the 8th of July 2014, whose 10-year tenure expired in July 2024, have bluntly refused to exit the board, even after GCUOBA had nominated replacements vide its Annual General Meeting of 2024. The national president asked the House to, among others, retrieve the colleges certificate of occupancy from the FEDT board and compel them to vacate office. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Emma Glassco, the suspended Director General of Liberias National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA), has sued the Liberian government for US$10million as compensation for her alleged unlawful suspension by President Joseph Boakais administration. Ms Glassco, 39, sued the Liberian government on Monday at the ECOWAS Court of Justice in Abuja, Nigeria, the regional court accessible to West African citizens to seek redress for human rights violations. The suit, marked: ECW/CCJ/APP/19/25, was filed by Ms Glasscos team of lawyers led by a former Chief Justice of Liberia, Kabineh Janneh, and Sayma Cephus. The applicant told the ECOWAS Court that she was arbitrarily suspended from office in February by President Boakai over alleged financial inefficiency, a copy of the suit obtained by PREMIUM TIMES on Monday reveals. Insisting that her suspension did not follow the due process of her countrys laws, the applicant averred that she was neither investigated nor found culpable by any anti-corruption agency in Liberia. She told the court that her unceremonious removal from office lowered her reputation in the eyes of the public, adding that it portrayed her as someone that lacked integrity. 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 Republic of Liberia was sued as the sole respondent in the matter. Amongst other things, Ms Glassco specifically urged the regional court for a monetary award in the amount of US$10 million as compensation for multiple injuries suffered, state-organised harassment, emotional and psychological trauma, public humiliation, false stigmatisation, which the applicant has suffered and continues to suffer. She also sought an order directing the Liberian government to pay special damages to her in the amount not less than USD $175,000 for the unexpired term of the applicants four years contract to address the unnecessary financial hardships imposed on applicant and family. She also asked the court to declare that the respondents conduct in removing her was wrong and constituted a gross violation of the tenure law of Liberia; and by that wrong, Applicant has suffered immeasurable injuries, both in professional standing and psychological outlook. Hence, she requested that the court declare she be compensated with an amount not less than USD$5, 000,000. The applicant further asked the Liberian government to tender a public apology in all newspapers, aired in all radio and TV stations and in Liberias official website, for falsely portraying the Applicant as corrupt, thereby subjecting her to all sort of fictitious investigation and making Applicant to become a complete outcast and a public enemy number one unjustifiably in her own country without evidence. Furthermore, the applicant asked the court to order the respondent to pay the sum of US$250,000 to cover the cost of the litigation. Meanwhile, the court has yet to fix a date for the hearing , PREMIUM TIMES learnt from the courts registry. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Federal High Court in Lagos, on Monday, rescheduled the fundamental rights suit filed by 22 protesters against the Nigerian police and the Lagos State Government over alleged violations of their rights during the #EndSARS protest fourth anniversary in Lekki Tollgate last year. The judge, Musa Kakaki, adjourned the matter until 28 May following the absence of key respondents from court. The protesters sued the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Adetayo Akerele, a chief superintendent of police; the chairperson of the Lagos State Task Force, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and the Attorney General of Lagos State. The applicants allege that security forces, directed by the respondents, violently disrupted their peaceful procession on 20 October 2024, at the Lekki Tollgate, which marked the fourth anniversary of the #EndSARS protests. The #EndSARS movement, which gained global attention in October 2020, called for an end to police brutality and the disbandment of the notorious Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in Nigeria. Central to the movement was a major protest held at the Lekki Tollgate in Lagos State, a symbolic location that became the epicentre of the outcry against systemic injustice and human rights abuses. 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 protest faced significant opposition and contentious actions by law enforcement, culminating in a night marked by shootings and the violent suppression of peaceful demonstrators on 20 October 2020. In response, many Nigerians now observe 20 October as the #EndSARS anniversarya day dedicated to remembering those who lost their lives or were harmed during the 2020 protests, and to continue advocating for improved governance. The Lekki Tollgate, the site of the events, has been chosen as the focal point for these annual commemorations. However, each year, protesters encounter substantial resistance from the government; police forces are routinely deployed to the site to prevent the gatherings. Allegations A group of activists who sued for human rights violations they allegedly suffered during the 2024 anniversary include Hassan Soweto, Uadiale Kingsley, Ilesanmi Kehinde, Osopale Adeseye, Olamilekan Sanusi, Osugba Blessing, Kayode Agbaje, Michael Adedeji, Jennifer Rita Obiora, Orunsola Oluremi and Seyi Akinde. The rest are: Akin Okunowon, Ugochukwu Prince, Aisha Omolara, Thomas Olamide, Ogbu Ferdinand, Aghedo Stephen, Duronike Olawale, Isaac Obasi, Funmilayo Ajayi, Gideon Adeyemi, and Afeez Suleiman, is also backed by three civil society organisations: Education Rights Campaign, Take It Back Movement, and the Campaign for the Defence of Human Rights. According to court filings, the applicants allege that security forces violently disrupted a peaceful procession on 20 October 2024, at the Lekki Tollgate, which marked the fourth anniversary of the #EndSARS protests. They claim that during the procession, police officers fired live ammunition and tear gas, brutally beat protesters, and carried out arbitrary arrests. They said the arrested demonstrators were allegedly held in a Black Maria (mobile detention cell) for hours before being transferred to Panti Police Station, where they remained in custody for four hours before their release. The 1st 3rd Respondents deployed the full might of the police force against the Applicants under the guise that they exercised their constitutionally guaranteed rights outside a location permitted by the 4th and 5th Respondents, Joseph Opute, a lawyer to the applicants, stated in the document. Testimonies of brutality and rights violations In an affidavit, one of the victims, Hassan Soweto, the first applicant and coordinator of the Education Rights Campaign, stated that he and other protesters were beaten, tear-gassed, and unlawfully detained without charge. He said the ninth applicant, alleged that a police officer sexually assaulted her by groping and making derogatory remarks. Another of the protesters, Mr Agbaje, the second applicant, claimed that officers kicked him in the groin and stepped on his genitals, leaving him in severe pain. That the 15th Applicants leg was hit by a canister, and she fell and was bleeding. In that state, the Police fired teargas directly at her and she was immobilized and in distress. Despite her condition, three policemen beat her up. One of them kicked her on her buttocks, dragged her on the floor and she sustained bodily injuries, Mr Soweto stated. The applicants argue that these actions violated their constitutional rights under Sections 34, 35, 40, and 41 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which guarantees dignity, personal liberty, freedom of assembly, and freedom of movement. Demands The applicants are seeking four key reliefs including a declaration that their arrest and detention were illegal and unconstitutional. Also, they are demanding a public apology from the respondents and monetary compensation for the physical and psychological damages suffered. They are requesting for an injunction restraining the police and Lagos State government from further suppressing peaceful protests. However, when the case was called, the respondentsincluding the Inspector-General of Police and Lagos State officialswere absent, prompting the judge to adjourn the hearing until 28 May, to allow all parties to be present. Reactions Following the courts adjournment, Mr Soweto while addressing journalists described the trauma they endured: We were 22 in total, and we were beaten black and blue simply because we gathered at the Lekki Toll Gatea site of massacre five years agoto honour the memory of those who died protesting police brutality. We were detained for hours, but after that incident, we decided, Enough is enough. Nigerian people can no longer tolerate this endless cycle of police violence and suppression of our right to free expression. That is why we are in court today, to seek justice, Somed. The October 2024 arrests are part of a broader trend of police crackdowns on dissent in Nigeria. Some viral videos that circulated on X (formerly Twitter) showed protesters chanting solidarity songs and holding placards before police arrived, fired tear gas, and made mass arrests. Human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong condemned the arrests on social media: Comrade Hassan Taiwo Soweto and 17 other activists were arrested at the Lekki Toll Gate. They were brutalised and detained at the State CID Panti for peacefully commemorating the Lekki Tollgate Massacre. This is unconstitutional and unacceptable. We will do everything within the law to secure their release. However, the police released the protesters after detaining them for hours. Benjamin Hundeyin, the police spokesperson, made this known via his X handle. Meanwhile, Amnesty International (AI) continued to spotlight cases of unlawful detention of #EndSARS protesters. In October 2023, AI reported that at least 15 young Nigerians arrested in 2020 were still being held without trial at correctional facilities in Lagos, including Kirikiri and Ikoyi Medium Security Correctional Centres. AIs Director, Isa Sanusi, said, Three years in detention without trial is a travesty of justice. The Nigerian authorities must immediately and unconditionally release these protesters. Government response In contrast, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has denied allegations that any #EndSARS protesters remain in custody. Police spokesperson Olumuyiwa Adejobi dismissed claims by former senator Shehu Sani that protesters were still detained. No individual is being unlawfully detained by the Nigeria Police Force or any other security agency due to the #EndSARS protest, Mr Adejobi stated. All arrested individuals have been processed according to the law, and none remain unlawfully detained. Despite this, Mr Sani reaffirmed his claim on X, stating, The police denied my statement, but I hope they have read the list of names published. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Nigerias First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has donated additional N1 billion through the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) to support efforts to end Tuberculosis (TB) in the country. Mrs Tinubu announced the donation on Monday during a community outreach in Sauka, Abuja as part of activities marking the 2025 World TB Day. This is the second consecutive year she has made such a commitment. In 2024, she pledged same amount during her investiture as the Global and National Stop TB Champion. At this juncture, I would like to pledge an additional N1 billion from the RHI towards the fight against Tuberculosis in Nigeria, she said. TB, an airborne disease caused by a bacterium (mycobacterium tuberculosis), mostly affects the lungs. It is the second deadliest infectious killer disease (after COVID-19) and among the top 10 causes of death worldwide. Globally, and according to the 2024 WHO global TB report, an estimated 10.8 million people developed TB in 2023, with 1.6 million people losing their lives and 12 per cent of the global burden affecting the most vulnerable the children and young adolescents. 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 TB remains a leading cause of death in Nigeria, with the country ranking sixth globally and first in Africa. Mrs Tinubu stated that according to the 2024 World Health Organisations 2024 Global TB Report, one person dies of TB in Nigeria every seven minutes. This means that in the short time we will spend at this event, many more lives will be lost if we do not act swiftly and decisively, she said. World TB Day World TB Day is commemorated on 24 March annually to raise awareness of TB and to mobilise efforts, including political commitment to resources and healthcare financing towards TB elimination. This years theme is Yes! We can end TB: Commit, Invest, and Deliver. As the Global and National Stop TB Champion, Mrs Tinubu reaffirmed her commitment to tackling TB by advocating for more funding, policy reforms, and resource mobilisation to support TB awareness and treatment. She also pledged to amplify the voices of TB survivors, combat stigma and discrimination, and ensure equal access to TB care for women, children, and marginalised groups. I encourage every Nigerian to join in this fight. TB is curable, and early detection saves lives. Let us work together to remove the stigma surrounding TB, encourage testing, and support those affected, she said. In his remarks, WHO Country Representative, Walter Mulombo, said the theme of this years World TB Day, Yes! We can end TB: Commit, Invest and Deliver, and the Nigerian slogan We fit do am, conveys a strong call for hope, urgency, and accountability across all segments of society, including the community. Mr Mulombo, however, expressed concerns about the growing risk of reversing two decades of progress in the fight against TB due to funding cuts, which are already disrupting access to prevention, screening, and treatment services. For instance, in a space of five years, Nigeria has scaled up many new innovations and interventions that have resulted in the huge numbers of TB cases notified, from 138,583 in 2020 during the pandemic year to 418,198 in 2024 which is more than 300 per cent increase, he said. Any disruptions to TB services therefore will have fatal consequences for the thousands of people affected by the disease in Nigeria. He said strong collaboration with the civil society organisations and affected communities remain critical to mitigating TB service disruptions and ensuring equitable access to care. He said the WHO will continue to play a central role as the leading global health agency in supporting countries to accelerate the TB response, guided by the latest WHO TB guidelines. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print PLAN International Nigeria, a Non-Governmental Organisation has commended the Bauchi State House of Assembly for passing a bill to establish free sanitary pad banks in schools, communities and correctional facilities across the state. Charles Usie, Country Director of Plan International Nigeria in a statement sent to PREMIUM TIMES on Monday described the move as a consequential and epoch-making development, making Bauchi the first state in Nigeria to legislate on menstrual health support for girls. Mr Usie asked the governor to grant the bill the same swift approval that the Child Protection Bill received in December 2023. The new bill on the establishment of pad banks in schools, when signed into law by the state governor, will help to reduce girls absenteeism from school as a result of their lack of funds to buy pads during their menstrual period, he said. Plan International Nigeria Plan International is a humanitarian non-profit organisation that advances childrens rights and equality for girls. They support childrens rights from birth until they reach adulthood, and enable children to prepare for and respond to crises and adversity. Addressing period poverty Mr Usie noted that if the bill is signed into law, the development will curb school absenteeism among adolescent girls who cannot afford menstrual hygiene products. 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 According to the World Bank, about 500 million women lack access to menstrual hygiene products and adequate menstrual hygiene management facilities. In Nigerias North-east where insurgency and poverty have worsened access to menstrual hygiene products, girls often miss school during their periods due to a lack of sanitary materials. According to the statement, Plan International Nigeria has piloted a menstrual health project in Bauchi between 2021 and 2023, pioneering the establishment of pad banks for adolescents in schools. It was a successful project as it ensured that more girls in the selected schools, where the project was implemented, continued attending classes despite experiencing their menstrual flow, a departure from the norm before the project, he said. The project, implemented in collaboration with the states government, led to increased school attendance among girls. We are excited that this model is now being legislated, not only for schools but also for community and correctional centres, he said. He also acknowledged the contributions of women-led organisations including the ASHH Foundation and Child is Gold Foundation in advocating the passage of the bill. This is a huge leap forward for the protection of girls in Bauchi State and a brighter prospect for their future through continuous learning, he added. Plan Internationals role in Bauchi The organisation stated that it has a long-standing partnership with the Bauchi State government on child protection and reproductive health initiatives. In 2023, we worked closely with the Bauchi state government, providing technical support for the lawmakers to pass the child protection bill, Mr Usie said. We trained 18 womens rights organisations including the 100 women group in the state who participated actively during the public hearing on the pad bank bill. Beyond menstrual health, the organisation has implemented maternal and child health projects in the state. Mr Usie further said that between 2016 to 2020, Plan International executed the Bauchi Opportunities for Responsive Neonatal and Maternal Health (BORN) project, which transformed maternal and child healthcare. Since 2022, it has focused on integrated sexual and reproductive health and rights, with funding from Global Affairs Canada. The current project aims to improve education, livelihoods, and mental well-being of adolescents in Bauchi and Sokoto states. Mr Usie urged other states and the federal government to adopt similar initiatives to combat period poverty in Nigeria. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has rescheduled the date for the 2025 Mock Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). The Mock UTME, initially scheduled to hold on Saturday, 5 April has now been postponed till Thursday, 10 April. JAMB disclosed this in a statement issued by its spokesperson, Fabian Benjamin. The Board said 200,115 candidates expressed interest in taking the optional mock UTME. This adjustment aims to ensure that all necessary preparations are completed, incorporating a variety of innovations and enhancements designed to make this examination one of the best in history, while also accommodating the increased number of examination centres for the 2025 exercise, the statement reads in part. In line with global best practices and recent research on examination methodologies in our region, the Board recognises the need for innovative measures to optimise the mock exercises intended purpose. Actual UTME The Board, however, stated that the date for actual UTME remains and would start from 25 April. 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 Candidates are advised to stay tuned for the announcement regarding the printing of their Mock Notification Slip, which will provide details about the location of their examination centre, It said. Mock UTME JAMB currently conducts Mock UTME for candidates to practice ahead of the actual UTME and for students who are below 16 and who are not eligible for the actual UTME. This year, JAMB only registered candidates above the age of 16 for the UTME as students below the age cannot be considered for admissions into Nigerian tertiary institutions, following the Minister of Education Tunji Alausas directive last year. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has said democracy in Africa has failed because it has not aligned with the peoples values, culture, and way of life. Mr Obasanjo said this at a colloquium in Abuja to mark the 60th birthday of Emeka Ihedioha, a former governor of Imo State. The former Nigerian leader, who chaired the event, noted that Africa had an effective system for serving the people before colonial rule. Referencing Abraham Lincolns definition of democracy as government of the people, by the people, for the people, he said the system should work for all citizens rather than a privileged few. He wondered if African countries are practising true democracy or only adopting Western Liberal democracy. Mr Obasanjo, Nigerias military ruler from 1976 to 1979 and democratically elected president from 1999 to 2007, lamented that democracy has become a system of government where a tiny group of people rule a large majority who are deprived of their rights and necessities. 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 criticised a system that facilitates corruption and injustice, where the people in power accumulate wealth illegally while the masses suffer. If you are talking about democracy failing in Africa, democracy in Africa has failed. And why has it failed? Because in context and in content, it is not Africa. It does not have any aspect of our culture, our way of life, what we stand for, what we believe. Today, we have democracy, which is the government of a small number of people, by a small number of people over a large number of people who are deprived of what they need to have in life. That is not democracy that will endure. It is I am because I can grab. What sort of democracy brings you, and you grab everything and then illegally, corruptly, and you say go to court? When you know that even in the court, you cannot get justice. Its not that democracy is failing, democracy is dying and if we are going to make democracy not to die, we have to look at democracy in the context and in the content of Africa. I hope that we will get to that stage so that democracy which will deliver will be the democracy that we will have in Africa. Mr Obasanjo said unless democracy is redefined to reflect African values and takes care of the peoples needs, it will not just continue to fail but eventually die. We have to look at democracy in the context and in the content of Africa. I hope that we will get to that stage so that democracy which will deliver will be the democracy that we will have in Africa, the former president added. The Bishop of Sokoto Diocese of the Catholic Church, Matthew Kukah, delivered the keynote address. Among those who attended the event were former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, and former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi. Others are former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, former Secretary of the Commonwealth of Nations Emeka Anyaoku, former Senate Presidents Ken Nnamani and David Mark, former Sokoto State governor Aminu Tambuwal and former Cross River governor Donald Duke. Following the event, Atiku wrote on the social media platform X, Today, I joined family, friends, and leaders, including my former boss, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, at the 60th birthday colloquium in Abuja in honour of former Governor of Imo State, His Excellency Chief Emeka Ihedioha, @EmekaIhedioha. For a patriot, and long-standing associate like Ihedioha, birthdays are a moment of reflection. Your birthday is a time to appreciate you for your unwavering support all through the years. More than anything, it is a moment to thank the Almighty for His blessings and grace upon you. As you celebrate today, I am happy to join many other well-wishers of yours to pray for you for many more years in good health and service to humanity. Happy birthday, Emeka, and do have the best of the day. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Neighbouring communities of Ilobu and Erin-Osun in Osun State, on Monday, traded accusations over the renewed attacks and killings in their domains resulting from the protracted land disputes involving them and Ifon-Osun. The National President of the Ilobu Asake Development Union (IADU), Olufemi Salako, via an open letter, called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene in what he described as a sustained campaign of violence against Ilobu by neighbouring Ifon-Osun and Erin-Osun communities that left many dead. He traced a history of violent clashes that have led to deaths, displacement, and destruction of property. Mr Salako accused Ifon-Osun and Erin-Osun of launching coordinated attacks aimed at erasing Ilobu from the map of Nigeria. Similarly, in a statement issued in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, on Monday, the National President of Erin-Osun Progressive Union (EPU), Kayode Olawale, lamented that several homes in disputed border areas were burned down as vehicles and motorcycles were vandalised, leaving thousands of residents displaced. EPU accused Ilobu residents and armed militants of attacking Erin-Osun on Friday night, setting houses ablaze and forcing many to flee. 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 Despite our towns neutrality in the renewed Ilobu-Ifon crisis, Ilobu attackers stormed our community, destroying homes and properties. Security forces were later deployed, but their intervention was slow, allowing the destruction to continue, Mr Olawale said. Ilobus perspective Mr Salako of IADU explained that Ilobu, Ifon-Osun, and Erin-Osun communities have a long history of land disputes, with multiple legal battles determining ownership of contested territories. According to Mr Salako, Ilobu pursued these disputes legally, resulting in favourable court judgments. He cited landmark rulings, including in Suit No. OF/28/70 and Appeal No. FCA/1978, which established their legal claim to disputed lands. However, despite these judgements, he alleged that Ifon-Osun and Erin-Osun communities have repeatedly resorted to violence instead of respecting judicial decisions. Despite these judicial pronouncements, the Ifon-Osun and Erin-Osun communities have consistently acted as aggressors, making several violent attempts to dislodge our people from their ancestral homes. We have repeatedly sought justice through courts, panels of inquiry, and even defensive measures on the battlefield concerning land ownership. In the face of these provocations, the people of Ilobu have remained peaceful, adhering to the principles of civility, the rule of law, and coexistence. However, while we have chosen peace, the Ifon-Osun and Erin-Osun communities have continued their unjustifiable killings, arson, and violent displacement of our people, he alleged. Ilobu leaders not committed to peace -EPU But the EPU blamed the lingering crisis on alleged lack of commitment to peace process on the part of Ilobu leaders . For years, our elders have engaged in dialogue with Ilobu leaders, even before the governments intervention. However, all effortsboth community-led and government-led have been deliberately undermined by Ilobu, the unions national president stated. He said the earlier sent to the State Government by the Ilobu communitys leaders deliberately misrepresents facts, distorts the truth, and attempt to portray Ilobu as innocent in this conflict. He urged the Osun State Government to revamp the Boundary Dispute Panel Initiative in order to find a lasting solution to the recurrent communal crisis. Alleged coordinated attacks Both sides also blamed the other party for the attack on their communities. Erin-Osun became aware of the renewed hostilities between Ilobu and Ifon-Osun on the early morning of Friday, 21 March 2025. Our community played no part in this conflict and remained peaceful throughout the day. Notably, the curfew and security measures imposed by the government did not even include Erin-Osun, further proving our commitment to peace. However, later that evening, Ilobu residents began attacking our people, burning houses in disputed areas. By nightfall, armed militants from Ilobu had advanced towards Erin-Osun, strategically positioning themselves along our boundaries with the clear intention of causing destruction, the EPU stated. At precisely 11:16 p.m., I sent an urgent distress call to the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, requesting immediate security intervention. Security forces were eventually deployed between 2:00 a.m. and 3:00 a.m., though they did not station within our town but merely patrolled between Erin-Osun and Ilobu. In its own account of the incidents, the Ilobu community development association stated that the latest round of violence erupted on Thursday, when armed groups from Ifon-Osun and Erin-Osun launched simultaneous attacks on Ilobu. The impact of this unprovoked war has been devastating, resulting in a humanitarian crisis that has annihilated a defenceless community whose right to identity is protected by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights. Our immediate findings indicate that our people are being used to settle political scores in the battle for control of local government structures in Osun State, Mr Salako stated. He explained that the incessant attacks were due to the governments failure to act swiftly and had emboldened the militias. Security forces offered little help Both sides also noted that the presence of security officials offered little help. Despite Ilobu being just 8 kilometres from the Osun State Government House in Abere, security reinforcements were delayed, allowing the attackers to wreak havoc, the Ilobu leader said. On his part, Mr Olawale, speaking for Erin-Osun, said despite the presence of security forces, Ilobu attackers continued their violent rampage, burning down homes, looting properties, and displacing thousands of our people. The Erin-Osun leader accused soldiers deployed to quell the crisis of siding with Ilobu, adding that they intimidated residents while allowing Ilobu attackers to operate freely. This partiality was further evident when security forces vandalized motorcycles and a car parked outside the residence of the Oluode of Erin-Osun. Thousands of our people are homeless now while the means of fending and feeding themselves have become a herculean task,we therefore call on the government through NEMA and State Emergency Management Agencies to assist the community. Political undercurrents alleged The IADU noted that the fresh violence was not just about land but had deeper political undertones. The unions letter pointed to a recent Court of Appeal ruling in the case between the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), where an Ilobu indigene was a party. The letter alleged that the ongoing attacks could be linked to political maneuvering aimed at weakening their influence in local governance. The association also accused a senior Osun State government official, who hails from Erin-Osun, of providing logistical support to the attackers. This, the national president claimed, was evident in the delayed response of security agencies, which they believe have been compromised. Demands for urgent government action The Ilobu community issued an urgent appeal to the federal government to prevent further bloodshed and restore order. In one of the demands, Mr Salako called for a complete restructuring of security agencies in Osun State, replacing current commanders with unbiased and proactive officers. He requested immediate apprehension and prosecution of those responsible for the attacks and the deployment of security forces to safeguard lives and properties. The letter demanded the posting of soldiers to protect the country home of the late Chief of Army Staff, Taoreed Lagbaja, an Ilobu native who served Nigeria diligently. Directing the Chief of Army Staff to establish a Command and Control Centre at the llobu Community to reinforce the security networks in Osun State. Mobilising aggressively human and material resources towards alleviating the prevailing humanitarian crisis affecting the large number of the displaced residents of Ilobu community, he added. Also, the EPU appealed to the Osun State Government to see through the Boundary Dispute Panel Initiative, which has made commendable progress. Abandoning this effort at this stage would only serve the interests of Ilobu, which will allow them to continue their aggressive expansion unchecked, the union added in its open letter. Government response In a statement on Monday, Governor Ademola Adeleke ordered the immediate distribution of food and relief materials to the displaced people of Ilobu, Ifon and Erin Osun. The statement stated that Mr Adeleke directed the Commissioner of Police and the Director of State Security Service (SSS) to summon the traditional rulers, chiefs and identified ring leaders in each town for grilling and signing of peace undertakings. This is really sad. I thank the security services for restoring peace. The 24 hours curfew imposed is working. We need to put a permanent end to this needless destruction of lives and properties. I have ordered the distribution of food and relief materials to the displaced. The foods are going to the three palaces for distribution to the victims. We will ensure accountability. Those behind this mayhem will be brought to book, Olawale Rasheed, the spokesperson to the State Governor, added. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print the day after he was installed, the Central Bank released the withheld allocation to the military administrator. On the same day, the National Assembly approved the emergency proclamation on an unlikely voice vote, after what was reported to be a splurge of money to sweeten that outcome. If the statutory allocation of Rivers State was used to purchase an emergency proclamation over the state, it is entirely in keeping with the project originated by Frederick Lugard to preserve Nigeria as a proposition in extractive anomaly. In Nigeria, history tends to repeat itself with unerring accuracy and in tiresome syntax. When he wrote his Report on the Amalgamation of Northern and Southern Nigeria and Administration in 1919, Frederick Lugard described Nigeria as an anomaly. of a country with aggregate revenue practically equal to its needs, but divided into two by an arbitrary line of latitude. While one portion was fiscally viable, he suggested, the other was dependent on a grant paid by the British taxpayer. Through the Amalgamation in 1914, Lugard created a Customs Union in which extraction could be sustained by administering mechanisms of fiscal compensation to smooth over these disparities. From the get-go, the invention of Nigeria was about the exploitation of resources and property. Rivers State is at the centre of these resources. Towards this goal, the powers of government have historically been mobilised. More than 111 years after the Amalgamation, this raison detre of the Nigerian estate remains resilient. It is both evident and explicit in the machinations that have now eventuated in the declaration of a state of emergency over Rivers State. When he addressed the country on 18 March to proclaim a state of emergency in Rivers State, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Nigerias president, claimed that he acted on security reports made available to [him] showing disturbing incidents of vandalisation of pipelines by some militant without the governor taking any action to curtail them. Importantly, he had not bothered to speak to the State governor to hear his own side of the story, nor did he indicate that any humans had been injured or killed. Security reports in such situations are provided by the State Security Service, (SSS). It is currently headed as Director-General by Oluwatosin Ajayi, whose stint as State Director of Security (SDS) in Rivers State coincided with the tenure as governor of Nyesom Wike, a principal belligerent in the political conflict in the state. As a result, the president continued, no good and responsible president will standby and allow the grave situation to continue without taking remedial steps prescribed by the Constitution to address the situation in the state, which no doubt requires extraordinary measures to restore good governance, peace, order and security. These words were not new. When he moved the motion in the federal parliament on 29 May 1962 for the declaration of a state of emergency in the old Western Region, Prime Minister, Abubakar Tafawa-Balewa uttered the original version of the same sentence. After rendering his version of the events in the regional parliament in Ibadan the previous week, the prime minister declared: No responsible Government of the Federation could allow an explosive situation such as that which now exists in Western Nigeria to continue without taking adequate measures to ensure that there is an early return to the Region of peace, order and good Government. 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 Then in the Western Region, as today in Rivers State, there was a political dispute between a predecessor and his successor, both of them of the same party. The predecessor was Chief Obafemi Awolowo, leader of the Action Group, who had transitioned from the office of regional premier to being leader of the Opposition in the federal parliament. His successor as premier was Ladoke Akintola. Although both lawyers, these men had fundamental differences of both provenance and ideology. Awolowo was Ijebu from the south of Yorubaland. Akintola, who grew up in Northern Nigeria, was from Ogbomosho in the north of Yorubaland. Ideologically, Akintolas politics tended towards conservative populism; Awolowo was more towards democratic socialism. In May 1962, the National Executive Committee of the Action group resolved to request Akintola to resign as both deputy leader to Chief Awolowo in the party and as premier of the Western Region. Rival factions emerged in the party claiming a majority in the regional parliament. Akintola sought to have the parliament convened for the purpose of procuring a vote of confidence on his government. Both the regional governor and the speaker of the parliament rebuffed his overtures. Instead, outside the parliament, some party officials led by Bola Ige secured the signatures of a majority of elected members withdrawing support from Akintolas administration. The party presented these signatures to the governor, Oba Adesoji Aderemi, then the Ooni of Ife, who thereafter invited Alhaji Dauda Adegbenro to form a new government as regional premier. Attempts to re-convene the regional parliament ended in fracas. As recalled by Chief Awolowo, one Mr. Oke, a supporter of Chief Akintola, a Member from Ogbomosho, jumped on the desk and was running about on the desk and then lifted a chair and struck somebody on the head. That is how it started, and then thereafter one Mr. Ebubedike, the Member for Badagry, who lives in Ajeromi, took the Mace and then in an attempt to strike the Speaker with the Mace, the Mace struck the table and broke into two. On receiving notification of the governors decision removing him and designating Alhaji Adegbenro as regional premier on 21 May 1962, Akintola began proceedings at the High Court of the Western Region. The Chief Justice of the Region they were called Chief Justice then Samuel Okai Quashie-Idun, had acted as Chief Justice of Ghana under the government of Kwame Nkrumah. He headed to Nigeria after resigning from Ghanas judiciary in 1958 over disagreements with the Nkrumah government in the first flush of post-colonial authoritarianism. In 1960, Quashie-Idun became chief justice of the Western Region in succession to Robert Yorke Hedges. As chief justice, he was said to enjoy the support and patronage of Premier Akintola. The expectation of Akintola was reportedly that the chief justice would afford him expedited hearing and a favourable verdict, handing him under colour of law the boost he needed in this battle of his political life. Instead, Chief Justice Quashie-Idun decided to distil the legal issues and, rather than rule on them, transmitted those to the then Federal Supreme Court for decision. The case eventually traveled up to the Privy Council, where Akintola lost the legal dispute. It is said that a disappointed Ladoke Akintola withdrew patronage from Quashie-Idun and their relationship never recovered. The following year, Quashie-Idun left the judiciary of the Western Region to East Africa, becoming the president of the East African Court of Appeal, where he died in 1966. It is thought that Quashie-Idun tried, albeit unsuccessfully, to recover the relationship. In June 1963, he dismissed the action by Alhaji Adegbenro of the Action Group, seeking to invalidate the appointment of Odeleye Fadahunsi as regional governor, and denied Adegbenro leave to appeal to the Federal Supreme Court. The disagreement between Quashie-Idun and Akintola was in reality unbridgeable. As chief justice, he saw a legal dispute which deserved judicial dispassion. For Akintola, it was a political dispute in which the role of the judiciary was to serve as his instrument. In 1962, Quashie-Idun chose to stick with his judicial brief. Today in Nigeria, judges at the highest levels have chosen to discard judicial robes and purchase sides in the political dispute in Rivers State, becoming shamefully complicit in instrumentalising the highest courts for a proverbial mess of political pottage. When he addressed the country this past week, therefore, the president was not content with merely plagiarising Tafawa-Balewa; he found comfort in the partisanship of a wilful judiciary. On 28 February, the Supreme Court restrained the Central Bank from releasing the federal allocations of Rivers State until the State House of Assembly had passed a lawful budget. In his address declaring the state of emergency, the president said his newly appointed military administrator in Rivers State would not be able to make any laws. In effect, he could not pass a budget to implement the Supreme Court judgment. Yet, the day after he was installed, the Central Bank released the withheld allocation to the military administrator. On the same day, the National Assembly approved the emergency proclamation on an unlikely voice vote, after what was reported to be a splurge of money to sweeten that outcome. If the statutory allocation of Rivers State was used to purchase an emergency proclamation over the state, it is entirely in keeping with the project originated by Frederick Lugard to preserve Nigeria as a proposition in extractive anomaly. Chidi Anselm Odinkalu, a lawyer, teaches at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy and can be reached through [email protected]. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Pa Abraham Adesanya, it was, who argued that not all that is legal is expedient. No one can argue against the right of a Nigerian president to declare a state of emergency in any part of the country where the government has reason to suspect clear and present threats to public order and security. In recently declaring a state of emergency in Rivers State, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu appears to have met this minimum constitutional requirement. Thought in truth, in a democracy, the framing of the powers to declare an emergency are clearly biased in favour of the president for obvious reasons. In this case, President Tinubu indicated an escalation in the incidence of pipeline vandalism (despite considerable doubt as to what really happened to the pipeline in question) and a festering political crisis in Rivers State as justifications for his action. Crises of any sort occur along a continuum from their nascency to when they become acute. And so, while there may be Nigerians who believe that none of the presidents justifications meet the constitutional (and hence, legal) criteria for the imposition of a state of emergency, none can argue in such matters that the tipping point of a crisis comprises a set of circumstances that can be anticipated in advance and are easily recognisable as they occur. Therefore, one test of expediency in such cases is to be better safe than sorry. But not in search of safety enough as the Senate did to substitute voice acclaim for the constitutional requirement of an assenting vote of two-thirds of its members for the governments declaration. Still, this threat could have been met earlier, long before Governor Siminalayi Fubara responded to his administrations lack of political influence in the state house of assembly by demolishing it on 13 December, 2023. At least, so the argument from the pacifist camp goes. Arguably, President Tinubu had considerable influence in the matter, given that a key (if not the lead) actor in the Rivers State imbroglio is a serving minister in his cabinet. Undoubtedly, to have impressed on the minister the need for restraint may have gone some way in dousing the tension in the state. Alas, none of these happened. Besides, hindsight is all 20/20 visioning. When sometime in August 2020, then-Governor Obaseki of Edo State removed the roof of the state house of assembly, he was also responding to a loss of influence in the assembly. There may have been a similar opportunity for the then-federal government to impress on a key player in that drama, too, the need for restraint. Irrespective of how these challenges are framed, nothing can remove the present threat to our democracy from governors at the sub-national level trying to advance their rule by hobbling their respective parliaments and local government authorities. If the idea that political decisions should be made at the lowest level possible, with higher levels of authority intervening only if needed has any meaning at all, it is to stress the importance for the evolution of a strong democratic culture in Nigeria of people-based political praxis at the state and local government levels. Unfortunately for any effort at unravelling these nuances much of President Tinubus actions in respect of the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State has taken place in a legal grey space. The Nigerian Bar Association, for one, does not believe that an emergency declaration in any part of the country inherently dissolves the institutions of government there. While this is a constitutional question, and hence a legal one, too, it is as much a question around the expediency of the conduct of our government. The suitability of our policymakers conduct in this case must be in the degree to which they advance the cause of democracy in the land. If we are clear that a state governors assault on the local parliament undermines the checks and balances that democracy thrives on, and is thus, by extension a violation of the popular right to self-rule, the same case may be made against the gratuitous denial to the people of any constituent part of our republic of their right to choose who their leaders are in elections that are not just free and fair, but conducted with predictable regularity. When the federal government suspends democratically elected officials, does it undermine democratic principles? Does it disenfranchise the electorate? Yes. Yes. Especially when the legal justification for actions along this line are hoarier than the early morning harmattan haze. In the end, concern is not with the impunity that Nigerians have come to associate with successive governments (especially the military varietys) abuse of power. No. What is worrisome is the erosion of public trust in governance that these engender. 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 As with the crisis in Rivers State that the Tinubu government responded to with the declaration of a state of emergency, the consequence for our democracy (recall that nascent still is the popular qualifier for it) of the trajectory described by the erosion of popular trust in the institutions of the state increasingly resembles the descent of Ernest Hemmingways Jake Barnes (The Sun Also Rises) into bankruptcy: gradually, then suddenly. Uddin Ifeanyi, journalist manque and retired civil servant, can be reached @IfeanyiUddin. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Governor of Kano State, Kabir Abba Yusuf and his Jigawa State counterpart, Umar Namadi, joined numerous dignitaries to pay final respects to Hajiya Safarau Umar Radda, mother of Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umaru Radda. The burial rites which took place on Sunday at Radda Village in Charanchi Local Government Area also had prominent government officials and traditional rulers in attendance. State government officials present included Deputy Governor Faruq Lawal Jobe, Speaker of the State House of Assembly Nasir Yahaya Daura who was accompanied by legislators, Secretary to the State Government, Abdullahi Garba Faskari, members of the State Executive Council, and Head of Civil Service Alhaji Falaliu Bawale. Also in attendance were former State Deputy Governor Tukur Ahmed Jikamshi, Executive Director of Agricultural Services at Sokoto Rima River Basin Development Authority Muntaka Badaru Jikamshi, and the Emirs of Katsina and Daura, Abdulmumini Kabir Usman and Faruq Umar Faruq, respectively. The State Chairman of APC, Sani Aliyu, along with council chairmen and district heads were also present at the ceremony. The funeral prayer, which drew a large gathering of Muslim sympathizers, was led by the Chief Imam of Katsina Central Mosque, Imam Gambo Mustapha. 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 gathering fervently prayed to Allah to grant the deceased Aljannatul Fridaus. Earlier on Sunday afternoon , the remains of Hajiya Safarau arrived at Umaru Musa Yaradua International Airport, Katsina this afternoon. Katsina State Deputy Governor, Faruk Lawal Jobe; Mrs Hauwa Umaru, the deceased eldest daughter and the Governors Wife, Mrs Fatima Dikko Radda accompanied the remains of the late Hajiya Safarau from Abuja. In Katsina, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Nasir Yahaya Daura, State Legislators, Members of the State Executive Council, and the Head of State Civil Service, Falaliu Bawale received the remains and subsequently conveyed to Radda Village in Charanchi Local Government Area where the late matriarch will be laid to rest. Other dignitaries paying solidarity include the Executive Director, Agric Services of the Sokoto Rima River Basin Development Authority, Muntaka Badaru Jikamshi, alongside some elected council chairmen and APC stakeholders. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Beijing (Gasgoo)- On March 21, Changan Automobile successfully held its 2025 Changan Europe Brand Event in Germany under the theme "Sharing the Future". The event showcased nine new models across its three major brandsCHANGAN, DEEPAL, and AVATRwhile outlining its strategic roadmap for the European market expansion. Photo credit: Changan Automobile By the end of 2025, Changan Automobile aims to expand into at least 10 European regional markets, with a long-term goal of establishing operations across the continent by 2028. Over the next three years, the Chinese automaker will introduce nine models in Europe, including the DEEPAL S07, which is scheduled for market launch in the second quarter of this year. Photo credit: Changan Automobile Changan Automobile also plans to invest in localized R&D and manufacturing, build over 1,000 sales and service outlets, and recruit more than 1,000 local employees, adhering to its "In Europe, For Europe" strategy. Changan's three brands will cater to different consumer segments: CHANGAN focuses on mainstream family users, offering reliable and practical mobility solutions. Photo credit: Changan Automobile DEEPAL targets younger customers with tech-forward and stylish models. Photo credit: Changan Automobile AVATR is positioned as a premium intelligent new energy vehicle brand for trendsetting consumers. Photo credit: Changan Automobile Changan Automobile has signed its first distribution agreement in Norway with Motor Gruppen, with dealerships set to open in the second quarter of this year. In Germany, the Netherlands, and the UK, it will operate national sales companies, with Germany already hosting its first dealership. In the UK, up to 60 showrooms are planned by the end of 2025. Photo credit: Changan Automobile To enhance its European presence, Changan Automobile is actively building local teams and collaborating with key service providers. It has signed MOUs with Kuehne + Nagel and Allianz Partners for logistics, insurance, and service solutions, ensuring top-tier customer support. Additionally, through its global user brand "withU", the automaker aims to provide seamless and personalized customer service. With 2025 marking a pivotal year for its globalization strategy, Changan Automobile's European market expansion supports its goal of achieving global sales of 3 million vehicles in 2025 and delivering 5 million vehicles annually by 2030. The Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) says 12 inmates escaped from the Koton Karfe Medium Security Custodial Centre in Kogi in the early hours of Monday. The Service Public Relations Officer (SPRO), Abubakar Umar, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja. Mr Umar said two of the escaped inmates have been recaptured, while efforts are being made to recapture the remaining 10 inmates. He said a comprehensive investigation had been launched to unravel the circumstances surrounding the jailbreak. We are still investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident, especially to determine how the inmates managed to break out without causing structural damage. Unfortunately, one of our officers lost his life during the incident. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later We are working closely with the police and other security agencies to ensure that the escaped inmates are rearrested and brought back to custody, he said. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has ordered an immediate probe into the prison break at the Koton Karfe Correctional Centre in Kogi. This is contained in a statement by the ministers Special Adviser on Media, Babatunde Alao, on Monday in Abuja. The minister described the incident as unfortunate and vowed to ensure all fleeing inmates are captured. He said the ministry would leverage the services robust biometrics and already deployed technological solutions to ensure this. Mr Tunji-Ojo also ordered the Acting Controller General of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), Sylvester Ndidi, to visit the facility. He also directed Mr Ndidi to evaluate the situation and commence a comprehensive audit to unravel the events that led to the incident. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later He said the ministry and security agencies, were on top of the situation to maintain law and order. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The suspended Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, has refuted allegations that he has a link to militant groups. How it began On Tuesday, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State. 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. Since Mr Fubaras controversial suspension from office, oil facilities have reportedly been targeted in Rivers State amid the political crisis in the south-southern state. This fuelled speculations that the suspended governor has ties to militant groups responsible for the recent pipeline explosions and attacks on oil facilities in 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 No link But reacting in a statement on Monday by his spokesperson, Nelson Chukwudi, Mr Fubara denied the speculations. The suspended governor said those behind the speculations were trying very hard to connect him to the reported attacks on facilities. He said some communities where the explosions reportedly occurred have since dismissed the report. For the avoidance of doubt, Governor Siminalayi Fubara has no link to any militant group, does not contemplate any such association, and has no reason to encourage any criminal group or elements, anywhere in the state or Niger Delta, to undertake any action inimical to the peace of the people or safety and security of oil and gas facilities, and by extension, the economy of the country, the statement read in part. Fubaras warning Mr Fubara, according to the statement, has warned purveyors of violence and economic sabotage to stop any attempt to use his name or capitalise on the present political crisis in Rivers State to foment trouble. It is also important to warn bloggers and social media hirelings to stop, forthwith, their campaign to create an atmosphere of tension, chaos and anarchy in the state, as their fake reports and posts in the last couple of days have triggered enough wrong decisions that would not help the state move forward, he stated. The governor urged security agencies to take note of fake videos on social media designed to misinform the people and paint the state in bad light. He enjoined the security operatives to track down those behind the fake video clips intended to cause chaos in the South-southern state. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Gunmen have abducted a Catholic priest in Imo State, South-east Nigeria. The victim, John Ubaechu, was abducted on the evening of Sunday along Ejemekwuru Road in Oguta Local Government Area of the state. Mr Ubaechu is the parish priest of Holy Family Catholic Church Izombe, a community in the Oguta Local Government Area of the state. The Chancellor of the Catholic Archdiocese of Owerri, Patrick Mbarah, disclosed this in a statement on Monday. He (Ubaechu) was kidnapped on his way to the priests annual retreat, Mr Mbarah, also a Catholic priest, said in the statement. The chancellor asked Catholic faithful and all Nigerians to pray for the safe release of the abducted priest. 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 commend our brother, Rev. Fr. John Ubaechu to the powerful intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary Mother of Priests, for his speedy release from the hands of his abductors, he said. The latest incident occurred hours after the police in Anambra State announced the rescue of another Catholic priest who was abducted in the south-east state. Police speak The police spokesperson in Imo State, Henry Okoye, has confirmed the latest abduction of the Catholic priest in a statement on Monday. Mr Okoye, a deputy superintendent of police, said the state police command had launched an investigation into the abduction. An intelligence-driven operation is also underway to facilitate the possible rescue of the Catholic priest, he said. The spokesperson enjoined residents of the state to assist the police in the investigation by providing relevant information about the attackers. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print A group under the auspices of Concerned Sons and Daughters of Ikoga-Zebbe Kingdom in Badagry Local Government Area of Lagos have again called on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to recall the five lecturers dismissed by the Lagos State University (LASU) in 2019. The dismissed lecturers who were officials of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) include Isaac Oyewumi (ASUU chairperson), Adebowale Adeyemi-Suenu (Vice Chairperson), Anthony Dansu (Secretary), Adeolu Oluwaseyi Oyekan (Assistant Secretary) and Oluwakemi Adebisi Aboderin-Shonibare (Treasurer). In a statement sent to PREMIUM TIMES on Monday, the group appealed to Mr Sanwo-Olu to intervene and lift the embargo his government placed on the implementation of the decision of the Lagos State University (LASU) Governing Council on 23 February 2022. To the effect that our illustrious son Tony Dansu, and other four ASUU-LASU officials that were wrongfully and illegally dismissed from the services of the university in 2017 and 2019 be reinstated unconditionally. The indigenous residents demanded the reinstatement of the dismissed lecturers and the payment of all their owed financial entitlements and benefits. They also insisted on the lecturers receiving any merited promotions without any loss of seniority or other entitlements. 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 Dismissal The lecturers were dismissed during the university governing councils 122nd meeting held on 12 September 2019. They were accused of unauthorised removal, retention and dissemination or publication of official confidential documents and subsequently sacked. In February 2022, the David Sunmoni-led governing council of the university reinstated the lecturers after an Appeal Committee headed by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Adenike Boyo, cleared the lecturers of all offences and recommended their reinstatement. But in a strange move, 48 hours after the governing council approved its appeal committees recommendation, the same governing council ruled to put the recall of the lecturers on hold. The state government has yet to reinstate the lecturers more than three years later. Fruitless efforts The group said as a follow-up to their rally in 2024, they have tried all means to prevail on the government to recall the dismissed lecturers to no avail. In addition, we have written letters to offices and individuals in their official capacities the Governor, the Deputy Governor, the Honourable Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly (LAHA); the Honourable Member of the House of Representative, Badagry Constituency; the Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Lagos State; the Chairman, House Committee on Judiciary, Human Right, Public Petition and LASIEC; Honourable members of LAHA representing Badagry constituency I and constituency II, the statement reads. In July last year, we followed this up with a reminder to the Governor and Visitor to the University. A peaceful protest at LASU subsequently followed in September 2024. Double standards The indigenous group claimed that the university authorities have recalled a lecturer suspended on allegations of extortion and certificate racketeering. The group may be referencing Tajudeen Olumoko, the former Dean of Students Affairs, whose tenure ended with allegations of certificate racketeering leading to his removal. However, the Coordinator, Centre for Information and Public Relations, LASU, Oluwayemisi Thomas-Onashile did not respond to telephone calls or a text message seeking verification of the claim. Today, to our chagrin, we have been reliably informed that this character has been reabsorbed to the university and the matter swept under the carpet after the intervention of powerful people in government, and some leaders from his division of the State, the statement further reads. This pattern of applying different standards to different people suggests to us very strongly that the offence our dear son, Dansu is guilty of, is not having powerful voices in the government speak for him. The group said this also creates a perception that the State government is not treating with equal attention, issues affecting a prominent member of its community, as part of a broader issue of the marginalisation of our division. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) is the most common heart disease and most frequent cause of death in the U.S., with over 20 million adults affected by this condition Abbott's investigational Coronary Intravascular Lithotripsy (IVL) System offers a new potential treatment by using sound pressure waves to treat arterial calcium blockages Abbott offers a comprehensive vascular portfolio of technologies designed to assess, treat and manage calcium buildup in coronary arteries ABBOTT PARK, Ill., March 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Abbott (NYSE: ABT) today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved an investigational device exemption (IDE) for its Coronary Intravascular Lithotripsy (IVL) System to evaluate the treatment of severe calcification in coronary arteries prior to stenting. The TECTONIC Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) Intravascular Lithotripsy (IVL) clinical trial will enroll up to 335 people in 47 sites in the U.S. Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) is the most common heart disease in the U.S., with more than 20 million adults impacted by the condition.1,2 CAD also remains the single most frequent cause of death in America.3 CAD develops when plaque builds up in the vessel blocking blood flow and oxygen supply to the heart requiring vessel interventions. Currently, physicians often use several therapy approaches to clear calcified arterial blockages, including cutting balloons and atherectomy technology. IVL is a newer treatment for calcified coronary arteries that treats blockages by fracturing the calcium within the artery wall, potentially allowing for vessel expansion and better stent placement. Abbott's investigational Coronary IVL System uses high-energy sound pressure waves to treat calcium blockages prior to placing a stent. "For people living with coronary artery disease, severe calcification can make treatment more challenging, often limiting the effectiveness of standard interventions like angioplasty or stenting," said Eric Secemsky, M.D., director of vascular intervention at the CardioVascular Institute, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, MA and co-principal investigator for the TECTONIC Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) Intravascular Lithotripsy (IVL) trial. "The TECTONIC Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) Intravascular Lithotripsy (IVL) trial will evaluate a possible new treatment option to prepare the vessel prior to stenting and optimize stent placement." Abbott's investigational Coronary IVL technology builds upon the company's existing vascular portfolio and is designed to address challenges of currently available IVL systems. Today, Abbott's portfolio of treatment solutions includes optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging technology, which assesses coronary arteries and detects calcium buildup to help physicians identify the arteries that could benefit from plaque modification. The company's advanced technologies are designed to ensure complete vascular support including artery assessment, preparation, and treatment. "Abbott is a leader in treating coronary artery disease, offering the best diagnostics and therapeutic options for calcium detection and treatment at every stage. Through our expansive portfolio of treatment offerings, we aim to make interventions safer and more effective for people who need them most," said Jennifer Jones-McMeans, Ph.D., divisional vice president of global clinical affairs at Abbott's vascular business. "Now, by working with physicians to evaluate Abbott's Coronary IVL System, we are exploring the next generation of calcium modification technology, advancing our portfolio of treatments for coronary artery disease." Abbott's Coronary Intravascular Lithotripsy (IVL) system is an investigational device and not commercially available. About Abbott Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic medicines. Our 114,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries. Connect with us at www.abbott.com and on LinkedIn , Facebook , Instagram , X and YouTube . 1 Nowbar, A.N., et al., Mortality From Ischemic Heart Disease. Circ Cardiovasc Qual Outcomes, 2019. 12(6): p. e005375. 2 Tsao, C.W., et al., Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics-2023 Update: A Report From the American Heart Association. Circulation, 2023. 147(8): p. e93-e621. 3 Brown JC, Gerhardt TE, Kwon E. Risk factors for coronary artery disease. PubMed. Published January 23, 2023. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK554410/ SOURCE Abbott SINGAPORE, March 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Impact fund manager Abler Nordic has partnered with Temasek Foundation, a Singapore-based philanthropic organisation that drives impact programmes in Asia, together with sustainable palm oil producer Musim Mas, and Livelihoods Funds to launch the Sustainable Oil Palm Replanting in Indonesia (SOPRI) project. The pilot initiative facilitates access to financing and resources for smallholders to sustainably replant oil palms, increasing their income while preventing forest encroachment. Temasek Foundation, Abler Nordic, and Musim Mas Smallholder Finance Initative In Indonesia, smallholders cultivate over 40% of the country's oil palm land but face a significant challenge: aging oil palms that reduce yields, making replanting an urgent and costly necessity. Without access to affordable financing, some smallholders may expand into rainforest areas, accelerating deforestation and climate change. The SOPRI project is a key component of Abler Nordic's broader Climate Smart Fundlaunched in the pilot phase with funding from the Norwegian Ministry of Climate and Environmentcombining public, philanthropic, and private capital to create deforestation-free value chains and support smallholder resilience projects. Temasek Foundation strengthens this blended finance model by setting aside catalytic capital to guarantee and derisk loans to smallholders for the SOPRI project, thereby reducing financing costs for smallholders and de-risking private investment. In its first phase, the SOPRI project will support 400 smallholders across 400 hectares in Sumatra, offering long-term replanting loans, financial literacy training, sustainability certification, land title support, and participatory village planning to promote responsible land use. In return, smallholders commit to avoiding forest encroachment, monitored through satellite and on-the-ground checks. The project is designed to demonstrate that sustainable replanting is both financially viable and scalable, with future phases aiming to reach over 20,000 smallholders. The Climate Smart Fund will act as the lead organisation, managing financial operations and coordinating implementation with local partners such as Koltiva and Bank Amar. Musim Mas is providing technical support to help smallholders achieve sustainable palm oil certification and access markets, while Livelihoods Funds brings expertise in training and certification to help farmers transition to sustainable practices. Beyond replanting, the project is also exploring climate-resilient agroforestry models, integrating oil palms with shade trees and cash crops to improve soil health, regulate microclimates, and support smallholders in adapting to climate change. Abler Nordic now aims to expand the broader Climate Smart Fund from the initial USD 10 million fund to 40 million USD in its first close, using a mix of investor capital, guarantees, and grants to scale concrete and sustainable climate action. Arthur Sletteberg, Managing Director of Abler Nordic, said: "Building long-term relationships with local smallholders, communities and partners is at the heart of our work. What we're doing is complex and unprecedented in many ways, but the results so far demonstrate that we have the right model and risk mitigation to expand the Climate Smart Fund and create long-term, meaningful change for both smallholder farmers and the climate." Sebastien de Royer, Senior Project Manager Southeast Asiaof Livelihoods Ventures, said: "At Livelihoods Ventures, we believe in long-term solutions that address challenges at their root. Through this partnership, we aim to empower smallholders with the technical support and advisory needed to transition to sustainable and resilient farming systems." Mr Rob Nicholls, General Manager of Projects and Partnerships, Musim Mas, said: "This initiative is not just about financial support; it is about empowering smallholders with the knowledge and resources they need to implement sustainable practices. We believe that through collaboration and commitment, we can create a positive impact on both the environment and the communities involved in palm oil production." Ms Heng Li Lang, Head of Climate and Liveability of Temasek Foundation, said: "This pilot initiative will be a game-changer. By unlocking financing with catalytic capital, smallholders can replant sustainably without bearing huge financial risks. Temasek Foundation is committed in collectively building this Public-Private-Philanthropic partnership with Abler Nordic, Livelihoods Funds and Musim Mas in Nature-based Solutions. We are not only driving positive environmental impact, but also paving the way for scalable and meaningful long-term solutions." Media contact: Devane Sharma, Corporate Communications Department Email: [email protected] Phone: (65) 6576 6500 Media Enquiries: (65) 9012 1582 (WhatsApp Calls only) Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2646998/Abler_Nordic__Landscape.jpg SOUTH BEND, Ind., March 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The leading manufacturer of light tactical military vehicles and mobility systems, AM General, will feature its vision for the future of the HUMVEE light tactical vehicle at the Association of the U.S. Army (AUSA) Global Force Symposium & Exposition, March 25-27, Booth #1120 at the Von Braun Convention Center in Huntsville, AL. As the HUMVEE platform celebrates its 40th year of production, the company, in collaboration with defense industry leaders, will showcase features that focus on passenger ergonomics and, safety, improved vehicle mobility, and increased capabilities for multiple missions to build upon the next 40 years. The Future Driven HUMVEE is AM General's vision for the iconic platform as it celebrates 40 years of production and will continue to be a part of the U.S. Army's light tactical vehicle fleet for decades to come. "The Future Driven HUMVEE concept encapsulates the company's innovative spirit and our understanding that continuous improvement isn't just a cliche," said Jim Cannon, AM General President and CEO. "We're excited for our customers to see our vision for how we will improve the Warfighter's safety with a cutting-edge restraint system and increase the vehicle's capabilities for mission success!" The HUMVEE 4-CT on display comes equipped with a state-of-the-art restraint system from IMMI, a global leader in advanced safety solutions. The MARS (MBrace and RollTek System) represents the next level in safety, setting a new standard for occupant protection in military vehicles. Additionally, the vehicle features lethality and protection capabilities with a Kongsberg Remote Weapon Station, Protector SR4, and a vehicle-mounted counter drone protection system from Axon, DedroneOnTheMove. The Future Driven HUMVEE is a testament to industry collaboration and a joint vision for improving a battle-proven and iconic platform that will continue to be fielded in the light tactical vehicle fleet for years to come. About AM General AM General engineers, manufactures, and supports specialized vehicles for military and commercial customers. Its global presence of diverse product offerings in over 70 countries uniquely positions AM General to enhance interoperability across Allies and build on its long-standing defense industry and automotive partnerships. AM General's innovative spirit delivers advanced, rugged, resilient, and dependable mobility solutions that will move you. With a well-rounded product portfolio, which includes the iconic HUMVEE vehicles, Joint Light Tactical Vehicle A2 (JLTV A2), the next-generation HUMVEE Saber light tactical truck that has enhanced levels of protection, and the revolutionary soft recoil technology for mobile platforms, AM General strives to offer continuous improvement that is ready now. AM General has extensive experience meeting the changing needs of the defense and automotive industries, supported by its employees at major facilities in Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio, and a strong supplier base that stretches across 43 states. Please see more information about AM General at www.amgeneral.com. Media Contact: Deborah Reyes, Executive Director, Global Marketing and Strategic Communications E-mail: [email protected] SOURCE AM General This news release contains forward-looking statements. For a description of the related risk factors and assumptions, please see the section entitled "Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements" later in this news release. MONTREAL, March 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ - Bell Canada ("Bell" or the "Company") today announced the pricing terms of its previously announced separate offers (the "Offers") to purchase for cash up to the Maximum Purchase Amount (as defined below) of its outstanding notes of the series listed in the table below (collectively, the "Notes"). The Offers are made upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Offer to Purchase dated March 17, 2025 relating to the Notes (the "Offer to Purchase") and the notice of guaranteed delivery attached as Appendix A thereto (the "Notice of Guaranteed Delivery" and, together with the Offer to Purchase, the "Tender Offer Documents"). The Notes are unconditionally guaranteed as to payment of principal, interest and other obligations by BCE Inc. ("BCE"), Bell Canada's parent company. Capitalized terms used but not defined in this news release have the meanings given to them in the Offer to Purchase. Set forth in the table below is the applicable Total Consideration (as defined below) for each series of Notes, as calculated as of 2:00 p.m. (Eastern time) today, March 24, 2025, in accordance with the Offer to Purchase. Acceptance Priority Level(1) Title of Notes Principal Amount Outstanding (in millions) CUSIP / ISIN Nos. (2) Reference Security(3) Reference Yield Bloomberg Reference Page(3) Fixed Spread (Basis Points)(3) Total Consideration(3) 1 3.200% Series US-6 Notes due 2052 US$650 0778FP AH2 / US0778FPAH21 4.500% U.S. Treasury due November 15, 2054 4.661 % FIT1 +100 $662.16 2 3.650% Series US-7 Notes due 2052 US$750 0778FP AJ8 / US0778FPAJ86 4.500% U.S. Treasury due November 15, 2054 4.661 % FIT1 +103 $718.46 3 3.650% Series US-4 Notes due 2051 US$500 0778FP AF6 / US0778FPAF64 4.500% U.S. Treasury due November 15, 2054 4.661 % FIT1 +103 $724.85 4 2.150% Series US-5 Notes due 2032 US$600 0778FP AG4 / US0778FPAG48 4.625% U.S. Treasury due February 15, 2035 4.329 % FIT1 +65 $836.81 5 4.300% Series US-2 Notes due 2049 US$600 0778FP AB5 / US0778FPAB50 4.500% U.S. Treasury due November 15, 2054 4.661 % FIT1 +115 $804.40 (1) Subject to the satisfaction or waiver by the Company of the conditions of the Offers described in the Offer to Purchase, if the Maximum Purchase Condition (as defined below) is not satisfied with respect to all series of Notes, the Company will accept Notes for purchase in the order of their respective Acceptance Priority Level specified in the table above (each, an "Acceptance Priority Level," with 1 being the highest Acceptance Priority Level and 5 being the lowest Acceptance Priority Level). It is possible that a series of Notes with a particular Acceptance Priority Level will not be accepted for purchase even if one or more series with a higher or lower Acceptance Priority Level are accepted for purchase. (2) No representation is made by the Company as to the correctness or accuracy of the CUSIP numbers or ISINs listed in this news release or printed on the Notes. They are provided solely for convenience. (3) The total consideration for each series of Notes (such consideration, the "Total Consideration") payable per each US$1,000 principal amount of such series of Notes validly tendered for purchase has been based on the applicable Fixed Spread specified in the table above for such series of Notes, plus the applicable yield based on the bid-side price of the applicable U.S. Treasury reference security as specified in the table above, as quoted on the applicable Bloomberg Reference Page as of 2:00 p.m. (Eastern time) today, March 24, 2025. The Total Consideration does not include the applicable Accrued Coupon Payment (as defined below), which will be payable in cash in addition to the applicable Total Consideration. The Offers will expire at 5:00 p.m. (Eastern time) on March 24, 2025, unless extended or earlier terminated (such date and time with respect to an Offer, as the same may be extended with respect to such Offer, the "Expiration Date"). Notes may be validly withdrawn at any time at or prior to 5:00 p.m. (Eastern time) today, March 24, 2025, unless extended with respect to any Offer. For Holders who deliver a Notice of Guaranteed Delivery and all other required documentation at or prior to the Expiration Date, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Tender Offer Documents, the deadline to validly tender Notes using the Guaranteed Delivery Procedures (as defined in the Offer to Purchase) will be the second business day after the Expiration Date and is expected to be 5:00 p.m. (Eastern time) on March 26, 2025, unless extended with respect to any Offer (the "Guaranteed Delivery Date"). Settlement for all Notes tendered prior to the Expiration Date or pursuant to a Notice of Guaranteed Delivery will be three business days after the Expiration Date and one business day after the Guaranteed Delivery Date, respectively, which is expected to be March 27, 2025, unless extended with respect to any Offer (the "Settlement Date"). Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Offer to Purchase, Holders whose Notes are accepted for purchase in the Offers will receive the applicable Total Consideration for each US$1,000 principal amount of such Notes in cash on the Settlement Date. In addition to the applicable Total Consideration, Holders whose Notes are accepted for purchase will receive a cash payment equal to the accrued and unpaid interest on such Notes from and including the immediately preceding interest payment date for such Notes to, but excluding, the Settlement Date (the "Accrued Coupon Payment"). Interest will cease to accrue on the Settlement Date for all Notes accepted in the Offers. Under no circumstances will any interest be payable because of any delay in the transmission of funds to Holders by The Depository Trust Company ("DTC") or its participants. The Offers are subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions as described in the Offer to Purchase, including that the aggregate Total Consideration payable for Notes purchased in the Offers not exceed US$750,000,000 (the "Maximum Purchase Amount"), and on the Maximum Purchase Amount being sufficient to pay the Total Consideration for all validly tendered and not validly withdrawn Notes of such series (after accounting for all validly tendered Notes that have a higher Acceptance Priority Level) (the "Maximum Purchase Condition"). The Company reserves the right, subject to applicable law, to waive any and all conditions to any Offer. If any of the conditions is not satisfied, the Company is not obligated to accept for payment, purchase or pay for, and may delay the acceptance for payment of, any tendered notes, in each event subject to applicable laws, and may terminate or alter any or all of the Offers. The Offers are not conditioned on the tender of any aggregate minimum principal amount of Notes of any series (subject to minimum denomination requirements as set forth in the Offer to Purchase). The Company has retained RBC Capital Markets, LLC, Mizuho Securities USA LLC and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC to act as lead dealer managers and BMO Capital Markets Corp., BofA Securities, Inc., TD Securities (USA) LLC, Scotia Capital (USA) Inc., CIBC World Markets Corp., Desjardins Securities Inc., National Bank of Canada Financial Inc., Citigroup Global Markets Inc., SMBC Nikko Securities America, Inc. and Barclays Capital Inc. to act as co-dealer managers (collectively, the "Dealer Managers") for the Offers. Questions regarding the terms and conditions for the Offers should be directed to RBC Capital Markets, LLC at +1 (877) 381-2099 (toll-free) or +1 (212) 618-7843 (collect), Mizuho Securities USA LLC at +1 (866) 271-7403 (toll-free) or +1 (212) 205-7741 (collect) or to Wells Fargo Securities, LLC at +1 (866) 309-6316 (toll-free) or +1 (704) 410-4235 (collect). D.F. King & Co., Inc. is acting as the Information and Tender Agent for the Offers. Questions or requests for assistance related to the Offers or for additional copies of the Offer to Purchase may be directed to D.F. King & Co., Inc. in New York by telephone at +1 (212) 269-5550 (for banks and brokers only) or +1 (800) 967-5084 (for all others toll-free), or by email at [email protected]. You may also contact your broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee for assistance concerning the Offers. The Tender Offer Documents can be accessed at the following link: www.dfking.com/bell. If the Company terminates any Offer with respect to one or more series of Notes, it will give prompt notice to the Information and Tender Agent, and all Notes tendered pursuant to such terminated Offer will be returned promptly to the tendering Holders thereof. With effect from such termination, any Notes blocked in DTC will be released. Holders are advised to check with any bank, securities broker or other intermediary through which they hold Notes as to when such intermediary would need to receive instructions from a beneficial owner in order for that Holder to be able to participate in, or withdraw their instruction to participate in the Offers before the deadlines specified herein and in the Offer to Purchase. The deadlines set by any such intermediary and DTC for the submission and withdrawal of tender instructions will also be earlier than the relevant deadlines specified herein and in the Offer to Purchase. This news release is for informational purposes only. This news release is not an offer to purchase or a solicitation of an offer to sell any Notes or any other securities of BCE, the Company, or any of their subsidiaries. The Offers are being made solely pursuant to the Offer to Purchase. The Offers are not being made to Holders of Notes in any jurisdiction in which the making or acceptance thereof would not be in compliance with the securities, "blue sky" or other laws of such jurisdiction. In any jurisdiction in which the securities or "blue sky" laws require the Offers to be made by a licensed broker or dealer, the Offers will be deemed to have been made on behalf of the Company by the Dealer Managers or one or more registered brokers or dealers that are licensed under the laws of such jurisdiction. No action has been or will be taken in any jurisdiction that would permit the possession, circulation or distribution of either this news release, the Offer to Purchase or any material relating to us or the Notes in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required. Accordingly, neither this news release, the Offer to Purchase nor any other offering material or advertisements in connection with the Offers may be distributed or published, in or from any such country or jurisdiction, except in compliance with any applicable rules or regulations of any such country or jurisdiction. Caution Concerning Forward-looking Statements Certain statements made in this news release are forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to statements regarding the terms and timing for completion of the Offers, including the acceptance for purchase of any Notes validly tendered and the expected Expiration Date and Settlement Date thereof; and the satisfaction or waiver of certain conditions of the Offers. All such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the "safe harbour" provisions of applicable Canadian securities laws and of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements, by their very nature, are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties and are based on several assumptions, both general and specific, which give rise to the possibility that actual results or events could differ materially from our expectations expressed in or implied by such forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance or events and we caution you against relying on any of these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release describe our expectations at the date of this news release and, accordingly, are subject to change after such date. Except as may be required by applicable securities laws, we do not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forwardlooking statements contained in this news release, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Forward-looking statements are provided herein for the purpose of giving information about the proposed Offers. Readers are cautioned that such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. The Company's obligation to complete an Offer with respect to a particular series of Notes validly tendered is conditioned on the satisfaction of conditions described in the Offer to Purchase, including the Maximum Purchase Condition. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that repurchases of the Notes under the Offers will occur at all or at the expected time indicated in this news release. About Bell Bell is Canada's largest communications company,1 providing advanced broadband Internet, wireless, TV, media and business communication services. Founded in Montreal in 1880, Bell is wholly owned by BCE. To learn more, please visit Bell.ca or BCE.ca. Through Bell for Better we are investing to create a better today and a better tomorrow by supporting the social and economic prosperity of our communities. This includes the Bell Let's Talk initiative, which promotes Canadian mental health with national awareness and anti-stigma campaigns like Bell Let's Talk Day and significant Bell funding of community care and access, research and workplace leadership initiatives throughout the country. To learn more, please visit Bell.ca/LetsTalk. 1 Based on total revenue and total combined customer connections. Media Inquiries: Ellen Murphy [email protected] Investor & Analyst Inquiries: Richard Bengian [email protected] SOURCE Bell Canada (MTL) Nominations Due by Friday, May 23 NEW YORK, March 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Do you know an extraordinary emerging professional working in the field of electrotechnical standardization and/or conformity assessment? The U.S. National Committee (USNC) to the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) has opened nominations for its Young Professional Competition, which offers emerging professionals the opportunity to attend the 2025 IEC Young Professionals (YP) Workshop. The U.S. National Committee of the International Electrotechnical Commission is a totally integrated committee of the American National Standards Institute. (PRNewsfoto/American National Standards Institute) The 2025 IEC YP Workshop will be held September 15-29, 2025, in New Delhi, India, in conjunction with the IEC General Meeting. This exclusive workshop will bring together talented young professionals from around the world who are at the start of their careers in electrotechnical standards and conformity assessment. What is the Young Professionals Workshop? Launched in 2010, the YP Workshop assembles nominated international candidates who are selected by IEC National Committees around the world. Selected participants have a unique opportunity to join an important international networking event, help shape standardization and conformity assessment work, share their own perspectives, and gather insights into standards and conformity assessment and their impact on technology. The overall goal is to bolster the future of technology transfer, and long-term national involvement in the international standardization arena. Participants must demonstrate: Leadership and dedication in connection with standards and/or conformity assessment activities Vision of the larger commercial and strategic impact of standards and conformance Accomplishments in their chosen field of activity "The Young Professionals Workshop is a career-defining experience designed to bring together emerging industry professionals to participate effectively in global standardization activities," said Adelana Gladstein, director, international policy, ANSI; general secretary, USNC/IEC. "The workshop can open up exciting opportunities for electrotechnical innovators for years to come." Apply Today! Nomination and Application Process The USNC/IEC will sponsor up to three outstanding young professionals who meet criteria and work for industry, the government, academia, consumer organizations, or any entity within the U.S. voluntary standards and conformity assessment community that uses, benefits from, or contributes to the IEC's work in electrotechnical standards and/or conformity assessment. A unique opportunity to help shape standards and conformity assessment work, the program is targeted towards individuals who are in the early years of their professional career, post-university. Eligibility requirements and the nomination process for this competition are detailed in an online flyer and nomination form. Nominations should be submitted to Mackenzie Connors ([email protected]) no later than Friday, May 23, 2025. Candidates will be assessed by a selection panel comprised of USNC Officers, policy committee members, standing committee members, former U.S. Young Professional Award Recipients, and a pool of USNC honorary life members. Winners will be notified by June. Recipients will receive financial support for their travel and up to six nights of accommodations. Read the USNC guidelines for a successful application to the IEC YP Program, and the Expectations of USNC Young Professionals for more information. About ANSI The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) is a private non-profit organization whose mission is to enhance both the global competitiveness of U.S. business and the U.S. quality of life by promoting and facilitating voluntary consensus standards and conformity assessment systems, and safeguarding their integrity. Its membership is comprised of businesses, professional societies and trade associations, standards developers, government agencies, and consumer and labor organizations. The Institute represents and serves the diverse interests of more than 270,000 companies and organizations and 30 million professionals worldwide. ANSI is the official U.S. representative to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and, via the U.S. National Committee, the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). For more information, visit www.ansi.org and access the latest news and content on LinkedIn, X, and Facebook. About the USNC/IEC The U.S. National Committee of the International Electrotechnical Commission (USNC/IEC) serves as the focal point for U.S. parties who are interested in the development, promulgation, and use of globally- relevant standards for the electrotechnical industry. The Committee is also engaged in the assessment of conformance to standards, undertaking work in areas such as testing, certification, and accreditation. As the U.S. representative to the IEC and many related regional standardization bodies, the USNC/IEC serves as a conduit to the global standards-setting community for technical and policy positions arising in the U.S. and brings issues from the global arena to the U.S. for review, consideration, and response. The USNC/IEC is a totally integrated committee of the American National Standards Institute. SOURCE American National Standards Institute Beijing (Gasgoo)- On March 21, urban air mobility (UAM) technology company EHang announced a strategic partnership with Bank of Guangzhou, securing an intentional credit line of 2 billion yuan. The collaboration aims to leverage both parties' strengths to drive the development of the low-altitude economy. Signing ceremony; photo credit: EHang Under this agreement, Bank of Guangzhou will provide EHang with comprehensive financial services, including but not limited to the 2-billion-yuan credit line, settlement and cash management, and supply chain financing. These resources will support EHang's advancements in R&D, manufacturing, sales, and operations within the low-altitude economy sector. China is actively expanding its low-altitude economy, with various regions implementing initiatives to accelerate its growth. Guangzhou, in particular, is advancing its "12218" modern industrial system and has introduced 20 measures in 2024 to promote low-altitude economic development. The city has also announced 12 application scenarios for urban air mobility and aims to establish 100 regular takeoff and landing sites by 2027. Additionally, EHang is actively building urban air mobility demonstration centers in Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Hefei, Taiyuan, Wuxi, Weihai, and Wenzhou cities, contributing to the development of model cities for the low-altitude economy. As a BCMA-targeting CAR T-cell therapy, CARVYKTI addresses a high unmet need in relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma patients. With promising clinical efficacy, durable responses, and growing adoption in advanced treatment lines, CARVYKTI is poised for substantial revenue growth. LAS VEGAS, March 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- DelveInsight's " CARVYKTI Market Size, Forecast, and Market Insight Report " highlights the details around CARVYKTI, a BCMA-directed, genetically modified autologous T-cell immunotherapy, which involves reprogramming a patient's T cells with a transgene encoding a CAR that identifies and eliminates cells that express BCMA. The report provides product descriptions, patent details, and competitor products (marketed and emerging therapies) of CARVYKTI. The report also highlights the historical and forecasted sales from 2020 to 2034 segmented into 7MM [the United States, the EU4 (Germany, France, Italy, and Spain), the United Kingdom, and Japan]. Janssen's CARVYKTI (ciltacabtagene autoleucel) Overview CARVYKTI is an autologous T-cell immunotherapy that targets B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA). It works by genetically modifying a patient's T cells with a transgene that encodes a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR). This CAR helps the T cells recognize and destroy cells expressing BCMA, which is primarily found in malignant multiple myeloma B-lineage cells, late-stage B cells, and plasma cells. The CARVYKTI CAR protein includes two single-domain antibodies designed to bind strongly to human BCMA, enhancing T-cell activation, proliferation, and the destruction of target cells upon binding. Currently, CAR-T cell therapies are only available to UK patients through clinical trials. Janssen recently decided not to proceed with seeking approval for cilta-cel (CARVYKTI) for myeloma patients in the UK through the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). This decision means cilta-cel will not be available on the NHS for now, although it remains accessible through clinical trials. Janssen's decision does not impact ongoing trials. The drug is currently being evaluated in Phase III trials: CARTITUDE-6 for frontline multiple myeloma transplant eligible vs ASCT and CARTITUDE-5 for frontline multiple myeloma TNI. In 2024, CARVYKTI generated sales of USD 963 million across the world. CARVYKTI Dosage and Administration CARVYKTI is administered as a single infusion containing a suspension of CAR-positive, viable T cells in one infusion bag. The recommended dosage ranges from 0.5 to 1.0 10 CAR-positive viable T cells per kilogram of body weight, with a maximum limit of 1 10 CAR-positive viable T cells per infusion. Drug Name CARVYKTI (ciltacabtagene autoleucel) Molecule type Autologous T-cell immunotherapy Developer Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) First Approval Year US: 2022; EU: 2022; JP: 2022 Primary Indication Relapse and refractory multiple myeloma Mechanism of action BCMA directed Route of administration IV infusion Learn more about CARVYKTI projected market size for multiple myeloma @ CARVYKTI Market Potential CAR-T cell immunotherapy is emerging as a revolutionary treatment for multiple myeloma, offering new hope to patients who have exhausted conventional treatment options. Currently, only two CAR-T cell therapies are approved for multiple myeloma: ABECMA (idecabtagene vicleucel) from Bristol-Myers Squibb and CARVYKTI (ciltacabtagene autoleucel) from Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine. Their approval highlights the potential of CAR-T therapy to transform multiple myeloma treatment. A key advantage of CAR-T therapies is their "one-and-done" nature, requiring a single administration, unlike bispecific antibodies such as TECVAYLI and TALVEY, which need ongoing dosing. Present CAR-T therapies use a patient's own T cells (autologous), but research is underway to develop allogeneic CAR-T cells derived from healthy donors. Allogeneic therapies could offer off-the-shelf solutions, enhancing accessibility and lowering costs. The approval of CAR-T therapies has created new opportunities for companies focused on advanced-stage multiple myeloma (fourth line and beyond). Several companies are progressing with their CAR-T candidates at different stages of development. The CAR-T cell therapy market for multiple myeloma is expected to grow significantly between 2024 and 2034, driven by its high efficacy and potential for expanded use. Collaboration between pharmaceutical companies and research institutions, along with ongoing innovation, is expected to accelerate market growth. However, challenges such as manufacturing complexity and pricing will need to be addressed to unlock the full potential of CAR-T therapies. Discover more about the CAR T-cell therapy for multiple myeloma market in detail @ CAR T-cell Therapy for Multiple Myeloma Market Report Emerging Competitors of CARVYKTI Some of the CAR-Ts in the multiple myeloma pipeline that will give fierce competition to CARVYKTI include Anito-cel (Arcellx), PHE885 (Novartis), BMS-986393 (Bristol-Myers Squibb), Zevorcabtagene Autoleucel (CARsgen Therapeutics), and GLPG5301 (Galapagos), among others In December 2024, Arcellx announced encouraging new data from its Phase II pivotal iMMagine-1 trial for anito-cel in multiple myeloma. The results were presented during an oral session at the 66th American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting on Monday, December 9, 2024, at 5:30 p.m. PT. Also at ASH 2024, BMS shared the first overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) results for arlo-cel in an oral presentation. The Phase I trial involved patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma who had previously undergone at least three treatments, including a proteasome inhibitor, an immunomodulatory drug, and anti-CD38 therapy. Among 79 patients evaluable for efficacy, with a median follow-up of 16.1 months (range: 2.825.2), arlo-cel showed an overall response rate (ORR) of 87%, indicating durable responses. Minimal residual disease (MRD) was assessed as an exploratory measure, with 57% (48 of 84) of MRD-evaluable patients included. Of these, 46% (22 of 48) were MRD-negative and achieved a complete response (CR) or stringent CR (sCR). Across all treated patients, 27% (23 of 84) were MRD-negative and achieved a CR. Median PFS was 18.3 months (95% CI: 11.821.9), while the median OS had not yet been reached. To know more about the number of competing drugs in development, visit @ CARVYKTI Market Positioning Compared to Other Drugs Key Milestones of CARVYKTI In April 2024 , Johnson & Johnson announced that the US FDA approved CARVYKTI (ciltacabtagene autoleucel; cilta-cel) for the treatment of adult patients with RRMM who have received at least one prior line of therapy, including a proteasome inhibitor and an immunomodulatory agent, and are refractory to lenalidomide. announced that the US FDA approved CARVYKTI (ciltacabtagene autoleucel; cilta-cel) for the treatment of adult patients with RRMM who have received at least one prior line of therapy, including a proteasome inhibitor and an immunomodulatory agent, and are refractory to lenalidomide. In March 2024 , Johnson & Johnson announced that the US FDA Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee (ODAC) recommends CARVYKTI for the treatment of adult patients with RRMM who have received at least one prior line of therapy, including a proteasome inhibitor (PI) and an immunomodulatory agent (IMiD) and who are refractory to lenalidomide. announced that the US FDA Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee (ODAC) recommends CARVYKTI for the treatment of adult patients with RRMM who have received at least one prior line of therapy, including a proteasome inhibitor (PI) and an immunomodulatory agent (IMiD) and who are refractory to lenalidomide. In February 2024 , Johnson & Johnson announced that the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the EMA recommended the approval of a Type II variation for CARVYKTI for the earlier treatment of RRMM. announced that the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the EMA recommended the approval of a Type II variation for CARVYKTI for the earlier treatment of RRMM. In September 2022 , Legend Biotech announced that Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) had approved CARVYKTI (ciltacabtagene autoleucel) for the treatment of adults with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma, limited to cases meeting both of the following conditions including patients having no history of CAR-positive T-cell infusion therapy targeting BCMA and patients who have received three or more lines of therapies, including an immunomodulatory agent, a proteasome inhibitor and an anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody, and in whom multiple myeloma has not responded to or has relapsed following the most recent therapy. announced that Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) had approved CARVYKTI (ciltacabtagene autoleucel) for the treatment of adults with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma, limited to cases meeting both of the following conditions including patients having no history of CAR-positive T-cell infusion therapy targeting BCMA and patients who have received three or more lines of therapies, including an immunomodulatory agent, a proteasome inhibitor and an anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody, and in whom multiple myeloma has not responded to or has relapsed following the most recent therapy. In May 2022 , Janssen announced that the European Commission (EC) granted conditional marketing authorization for CARVYKTI for the treatment of adults with relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) who have received at least three prior therapies, including an immunomodulatory agent (IMiD), a proteasome inhibitor (PI) and an anti-CD38 antibody, and have demonstrated disease progression on the last therapy. announced that the European Commission (EC) granted conditional marketing authorization for CARVYKTI for the treatment of adults with relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) who have received at least three prior therapies, including an immunomodulatory agent (IMiD), a proteasome inhibitor (PI) and an anti-CD38 antibody, and have demonstrated disease progression on the last therapy. In February 2022 , Janssen announced that the US FDA had approved CARVYKTI (ciltacabtagene autoleucel; cilta-cel) for the treatment of adults with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) after four or more prior lines of therapy, including a proteasome inhibitor, an immunomodulatory agent, and an anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody. announced that the US FDA had approved CARVYKTI (ciltacabtagene autoleucel; cilta-cel) for the treatment of adults with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) after four or more prior lines of therapy, including a proteasome inhibitor, an immunomodulatory agent, and an anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody. In August 2020 , Legend Biotech announced that the China Center for Drug Evaluation, National Medical Products Administration (CDE, NMPA) had recommended BTD for ciltacabtagene autoleucel (cilta-cel; LCAR-B38M CAR-T cells) for the treatment of adults with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. announced that the China Center for Drug Evaluation, National Medical Products Administration (CDE, NMPA) had recommended BTD for ciltacabtagene autoleucel (cilta-cel; LCAR-B38M CAR-T cells) for the treatment of adults with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. In December 2019 , Janssen announced receipt of a BTD from the US FDA for cilta-cel. announced receipt of a BTD from the US FDA for cilta-cel. In April 2019 , the EMA granted a PRIME (PRIority MEdicines) designation for the company's investigational BCMA CAR-T therapy. the EMA granted a PRIME (PRIority MEdicines) designation for the company's investigational BCMA CAR-T therapy. In February 2019 , the US FDA granted ODD for cilta-cel (JNJ-4528), and in February 2020 , the European Commission also granted orphan designation for this drug. the US FDA granted ODD for cilta-cel (JNJ-4528), and in , the European Commission also granted orphan designation for this drug. In December 2017 , Janssen entered a worldwide collaboration and license agreement with Legend Biotech to jointly develop and commercialize LCAR-B38M in multiple myeloma Discover how CARVYKTI is shaping the multiple myeloma treatment landscape @ CARVYKTI CAR-T CARVYKTI Market Dynamics The market for CARVYKTI is driven by the increasing prevalence of multiple myeloma and the growing demand for innovative therapies that can address the limitations of existing treatments, such as proteasome inhibitors and immunomodulatory drugs. The competitive landscape includes other BCMA-targeting therapies, such as Bristol Myers Squibb's ABECMA (idecabtagene vicleucel), which was the first BCMA-directed CAR-T therapy approved for multiple myeloma. CARVYKTI's strong clinical efficacy, coupled with its potential for long-term remission, gives it a competitive edge, but challenges related to manufacturing scalability, logistical complexities, and high treatment costs could impact its market penetration and patient accessibility. Strategic partnerships and ongoing clinical development will play a key role in expanding CARVYKTI's market reach. Janssen and Legend Biotech are actively working to improve manufacturing processes to reduce vein-to-vein time and address supply chain bottlenecks. Furthermore, ongoing trials, such as CARTITUDE-4, are exploring CARVYKTI's use in earlier lines of therapy, which could significantly expand its patient base and market potential. If successful in earlier settings, CARVYKTI could shift the treatment paradigm for multiple myeloma and increase adoption among physicians and healthcare providers. Despite its promising clinical profile, CARVYKTI faces challenges related to reimbursement and healthcare infrastructure. The high cost of CAR-T therapies often limits patient access, particularly in markets with strict reimbursement policies. Moreover, the complex nature of CAR-T administration, which requires specialized centers and trained personnel, adds to the barriers. However, continued clinical success, regulatory support, and improvements in manufacturing and delivery infrastructure could strengthen CARVYKTI's market position and establish it as a cornerstone therapy in the multiple myeloma treatment landscape. Dive deeper to get more insight into CARVYKTI's strengths & weaknesses relative to competitors @ CARVYKTI Market Drug Report Table of Contents 1 Report Introduction 2 CARVYKTI: Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) 2.1 Product Overview 2.2 Other Development Activities 2.3 Clinical Development 2.4 Clinical Trials Information 2.5 Safety and Efficacy 2.6 Product Profile 2.7 Market Assessment 2.7.1 The 7MM Analysis 2.7.1.1 Cost Assumptions and Rebate 2.7.1.2 Pricing Trends 2.7.1.3 Analogue Assessment 2.7.1.4 Launch Year and Therapy Uptake 2.7.2 The United States Market Analysis 2.7.3 EU4 and the United Kingdom Market Analysis 2.7.3.1 Germany 2.7.3.2 France 2.7.3.3 Italy 2.7.3.4 Spain 2.7.3.5 UK 2.7.4 Japan Market Analysis 2.8 Market Drivers 2.9 Market Barriers 2.10 SWOT Analysis 3 Key Cross of Marketed Competitors of CARVYKTI 4 Key Cross of Emerging Competitors of CARVYKTI Related Reports Relapsing Refractory Multiple Myeloma Market Relapsing Refractory Multiple Myeloma Market Insights, Epidemiology, and Market Forecast 2034 report deliver an in-depth understanding of the disease, historical and forecasted epidemiology, as well as the market trends, market drivers, market barriers, and key RRMM companies including AbbVie, Genentech, Amgen, Onyx Therapeutics Inc., Bristol-Myers Squibb, MedImmune LLC, Novartis Pharmaceuticals, Incyte Corporation, Takeda, among others. Relapsing Refractory Multiple Myeloma Pipeline Relapsing Refractory Multiple Myeloma Pipeline Insight 2025 report provides comprehensive insights about the pipeline landscape, pipeline drug profiles, including clinical and non-clinical stage products, and the key RRMM companies, including Bristol-Myers Squibb, I-MAB Biopharma, Pfizer, Arcellx, Gilead Sciences, Novartis, Array Biopharma, Hrain Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Cartesian Therapeutics, Xencor, Takeda, Sorrento Therapeutics, Heidelberg Pharma AG, Ichnos Sciences, Allogene Therapeutics, Harpoon Therapeutics, Cellectis, Poseida Therapeutics, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, ONK Therapeutics, TeneoOne, iTeos Therapeutics, Oricell Therapeutics, Anaveon AG, Luminary Therapeutics, Seagen Inc., Trillium Therapeutics Inc., Virtuoso BINco, Inc., Seagen Inc., Trillium Therapeutics Inc., among others. Multiple Myeloma Market Multiple Myeloma Market Insights, Epidemiology, and Market Forecast 2034 report deliver an in-depth understanding of the disease, historical and forecasted epidemiology, as well as the market trends, market drivers, market barriers, and key multiple myeloma companies including Sanofi, Karyopharm Therapeutics, AbbVie, Takeda Pharmaceutical, Celgene, Bristol-Myers Squibb, RAPA Therapeutics, Pfizer, Array Biopharma, Cellectar Biosciences, BioLineRx, Celgene, Aduro Biotech, ExCellThera, Janssen Pharmaceutical, Precision BioSciences, Takeda, Glenmark (Ichnos Sciences SA), Poseida Therapeutics, Molecular Partners AG, Chipscreen Biosciences, AbbVie, Genentech (Roche), Janssen Biotech, Nanjing Legend Biotech, Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., among others. Multiple Myeloma Pipeline Multiple Myeloma Pipeline Insight 2025 report provides comprehensive insights about the pipeline landscape, pipeline drug profiles, including clinical and non-clinical stage products, and the key multiple myeloma companies, including CASI Pharmaceuticals, Carsgen Therapeutics, Cartesian Therapeutics, Gracell Biotechnology Shanghai Co., Ltd., Sorrento Therapeutics, TeneoOne, Karyopharma Therapeutics, Arcellx, Poseida Therapeutics, Ichnos Sciences, Nerviano Medical Sciences, Bristol Myers Squib, Ascentage Pharma, Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Chongqing Precision Biotech Co., Ltd., CRISPR Therapeutics, AstraZeneca, IGM Biosciences, Novartis, GlaxoSmithKline, Innovent Biologics, Keymed Biociences, Starton Therapeutics, Takeda, Fate Therapeutics, Gilead Sciences, Jiangsu Chia Tai Fenghai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Janssen Pharmaceutical, Nanjing IASO Biotechnology Co., Ltd., GPCR Therapeutics, Chimerix, among others. About DelveInsight DelveInsight is a leading Business Consultant and Market Research firm focused exclusively on life sciences. It supports pharma companies by providing comprehensive end-to-end solutions to improve their performance. Get hassle-free access to all the healthcare and pharma market research reports through our subscription-based platform PharmDelve. Contact Us Shruti Thakur [email protected] +14699457679 Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1082265/DelveInsight_Logo.jpg SOURCE DelveInsight Business Research, LLP Funding will support five research and community projects aimed at improving the lives of children with autism PHILADELPHIA, March 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) is proud to announce awards from the Eagles Autism Foundation totaling more than $1.3 million over the course of the next two years. The awards will support five cutting edge autism projects from various research labs across CHOP's research enterprise. The approved research projects span from building on current ongoing and effective programs to topics and approaches that were novel, exploratory, and innovative. The community grants were distributed to projects that proved to be evidence-based, were aligned with the Eagles Autism Foundation mission, and fulfilled an immediate need in the community. Research proposals were assessed by a team of internationally recognized researchers who were individually selected based on subject matter. Significance, investigator(s), innovation, approach, and environment were all taken into consideration when assessing each project. All research proposals were evaluated for measurable outcomes and transformational impact in the field of autism. These five projects were selected to receive funding beginning in 2025: Hakon Hakonarson , MD, PhD, director of the Center for Applied Genomics at CHOP, will lead a team of researchers studying variants of the ADGRB3 gene that may be related to autism. Learning more about the gene and functional impact of these variants may lead to potential diagnostic and treatment strategies. , MD, PhD, director of the Center for Applied Genomics at CHOP, will lead a team of researchers studying variants of the gene that may be related to autism. Learning more about the gene and functional impact of these variants may lead to potential diagnostic and treatment strategies. Laura McGarry , MD, PhD, a fellow in the Division of Neurology at CHOP, and her group will investigate how impairment of inhibitory interneurons, which regulate neuronal activity in the brain, is critical to autism associated with Dravet syndrome, a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by epilepsy in the first year of life and significant developmental delays. This will build upon years of critical work researching the role of interneurons in epilepsy associated with Dravet syndrome to uncover their roles in autism. , MD, PhD, a fellow in the Division of Neurology at CHOP, and her group will investigate how impairment of inhibitory interneurons, which regulate neuronal activity in the brain, is critical to autism associated with Dravet syndrome, a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by epilepsy in the first year of life and significant developmental delays. This will build upon years of critical work researching the role of interneurons in epilepsy associated with Dravet syndrome to uncover their roles in autism. Jerome Clatot, PhD, Director of the Epilepsy Neurogenetics Initiative (ENGIN) Ion Channel/Electrophysiology Core and a research scientist at CHOP, will study mutations in the SCN2A gene that have been previously linked to autism. The goal of the project is to increase the understanding of the SCN2A gene and its role in brain development and research a potential therapeutic target for new treatments and therapies for autism. gene that have been previously linked to autism. The goal of the project is to increase the understanding of the gene and its role in brain development and research a potential therapeutic target for new treatments and therapies for autism. Naiara Akizu, PhD, Assistant Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at CHOP, is leading a project to study how small effect size genetic variants in chromatin regulators contribute to polygenic neurodevelopmental disorders, or disorders that can be caused by more than one mutation. Specifically, her team will study how common small effect size variants in chromatin regulators may lead to changes in gene expression, which could increase the neurodevelopmental disease burden. Additionally, CHOP's Fostering Health Program received an Eagles Autism Foundation community grant to help children in foster care with autism spectrum disorder access services. The project will provide case management, address transportation barriers for families, and develop a resource guide for foster parents, health care providers and child welfare agencies. Since 2016, CHOP has received more than $6 million in funding from the Eagles Autism Foundation for a variety of research and community impact projects. CHOP was also one of the founding beneficiaries during the 2018 launch of the Eagles Autism Challenge, which will take place again on Saturday, May 17, 2025. Additionally, the Center for Autism Research at CHOP and the Eagles Autism Foundation lead the annual Eagles Huddle Up for Autism event to raise awareness and funds for autism support. The next Huddle Up event is taking place at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday, March 30, 2025. About Children's Hospital of Philadelphia: A non-profit, charitable organization, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia was founded in 1855 as the nation's first pediatric hospital. Through its long-standing commitment to providing exceptional patient care, training new generations of pediatric healthcare professionals, and pioneering major research initiatives, the hospital has fostered many discoveries that have benefited children worldwide. Its pediatric research program is among the largest in the country. The institution has a well-established history of providing advanced pediatric care close to home through its CHOP Care Network , which includes more than 50 primary care practices, specialty care and surgical centers, urgent care centers, and community hospital alliances throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey, as well as the Middleman Family Pavilion and its dedicated pediatric emergency department in King of Prussia. In addition, its unique family-centered care and public service programs have brought Children's Hospital of Philadelphia recognition as a leading advocate for children and adolescents. For more information, visit https://www.chop.edu. Contact: Ben Leach Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (609) 634-7906 [email protected] SOURCE Children's Hospital of Philadelphia RALEIGH, N.C., March 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- A wide selection of pre-owned Jeep vehicles is now available in Raleigh, North Carolina, at Auction Direct USA. Adventure-ready SUVs with legendary capability are now within reach as Auction Direct USA in Raleigh expands its inventory with a selection of high-quality pre-owned Jeep vehicles. Known for their rugged durability and off-road prowess, Jeep models continue to be a top choice for those seeking versatility, performance and all-terrain confidence. Shoppers Can Now Purchase a Pre-Owned Jeep in Raleigh, North Carolina, at Auction Direct USA! Jeep vehicles have earned a reputation for their ability to handle both city streets and untamed trails with ease. Equipped with features like available 4x4 systems, advanced traction control and high ground clearance, these SUVs are built to tackle rough roads, unpredictable weather and weekend getaways with equal confidence. Whether it's the compact Jeep Renegade, the adventurous Jeep Wrangler or the family-friendly Jeep Grand Cherokee, each model delivers a unique blend of capability, comfort and innovation. Choosing a pre-owned Jeep offers a smart and cost-effective way to enjoy this legendary brand without the price tag of a new vehicle. Buyers can take advantage of lower depreciation, reduced insurance costs and a wider selection of trims and features while still experiencing Jeep's renowned durability. Many pre-owned models available at Auction Direct USA also come with modern technology, driver-assist features and premium interior finishes, making them an attractive option for both daily commuters and outdoor enthusiasts. Shoppers in Raleigh will find a diverse lineup of used Jeep models, including the Jeep Cherokee, known for its smooth ride and advanced safety features, and the Jeep Gladiator, a rugged pickup that combines off-road performance with practical utility. Those looking for an iconic off-roading SUV will appreciate the Jeep Wrangler, offering removable doors, a durable frame and unmatched trail capability. Financing options are available to make purchasing a pre-owned Jeep more convenient. The finance team at Auction Direct USA works with a network of lenders to secure competitive loan rates and flexible terms. Assistance is also available for those with varying credit histories, ensuring a straightforward and accessible buying process. Beyond sales, Auction Direct USA provides comprehensive automotive services to keep Jeep vehicles in peak condition. A state-of-the-art service center, staffed by trained technicians, offers everything from routine maintenance to complex repairs. Whether it's an oil change, brake service or a full inspection, the service team is equipped to handle the needs of Jeep owners. Located at 7601 Glenwood Ave, Raleigh, NC 27612, Auction Direct USA welcomes drivers to explore the latest selection of pre-owned Jeep vehicles. For more information or to schedule a test drive, shoppers can call 844-678-8048 today. SOURCE Auction Direct USA MONCTON, NB, March 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ - Dizolve, the original inventor and the first North American manufacturer of dissolvable laundry and cleaning sheets for household and commercial markets, today announced the opening of its new 72,000 square foot state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Moncton, New Brunswick. This expansion not only solidifies Dizolve's position as a leader in the cleaning sheet industry but also reflects the company's deep commitment to supporting the Canadian economy and creating meaningful employment opportunities for Canadians. Dizolve Group Corp. New Manufacturing Facility (CNW Group/Dizolve Group Corporation) Original inventor and first North American manufacturer of dissolvable laundry and cleaning sheets. (CNW Group/Dizolve Group Corporation) Since its inception over 15 years ago, Dizolve has been at the forefront of the US, Canadian and Global cleaning industry, developing proprietary technologies that redefine cleanliness with minimal environmental impact. The company's unique product line, which includes laundry detergent sheets among other cleaning solutions, is designed to meet the rigorous demands of both environmental sustainability and effective performance. "Dizolve is proud to lead the way in sustainable cleaning innovation," said Ken Reid, CEO of Dizolve. "Our new facility not only exponentially increases our manufacturing capacity but also showcases our commitment to advanced manufacturing practices and environmental stewardship." Located strategically in Canada, Dizolve benefits from robust and reliable supply chains, and maintains the highest standards of quality and compliance. Dizolve maintains key certifications such as SMETA, RSPO, EPA Safer Choice, SCAN, USDA BioPreferred, and Leaping Bunny, while complying with GMP guidelines. This Innovation manufacturing campus operates 24/7, ensuring a reliable and efficient production that can meet growing global demand without compromising on quality and flexibility to meet any customer value proposition. "Dizolve's products represent a leap forward in cleaning technology," said Daniel Carbo, VP of Product Technology. "With our new facility, we can further our research and development efforts to provide our customers with innovative products that are not only effective but are also truly sustainable." The opening of the new facility marks a significant milestone for Dizolve as it continues to expand its operations and reinforce its market leadership. This strategic expansion will enable Dizolve to enhance its product offerings and cater to a broader range of consumer needs with customized solutions, from basic everyday cleaning sheets to premium products. About Dizolve Dizolve is the pioneer and leading North American manufacturer of original patented dissolvable cleaning sheet technologies. Known for its commitment to innovation and sustainability, Dizolve provides high-quality, environmentally responsible cleaning products designed to meet the needs of today's eco-conscious consumers and businesses. For more information, visit https://dizolve.com/. SOURCE Dizolve Group Corporation LONDON, March 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Elliott Advisors (UK) Limited ("Elliott," or "we"), which advises funds that together have an economic interest of close to 5% in RWE AG ("RWE" or "the Company"), today issued the following statement: "We welcome RWE's decision to reduce its 2025-2030 investment programme by 10 billion, or 25%, while also implementing stricter investment criteria, raising return targets, and accelerating its farmdown strategy. These measures represent an important first step towards more disciplined capital allocation. However, we share the market's disappointment with the lack of clarity regarding the Company's commitment to enhance shareholder returns. Given the announced capex reduction and RWE's persistent undervaluation, we believe there is a compelling opportunity to significantly increase and accelerate the ongoing share buyback programme. We look forward to continuing our constructive dialogue with the Company." About Elliott Elliott Investment Management L.P. (together with its affiliates, "Elliott") manages approximately $72.7 billion in assets as of December 31, 2024. Founded in 1977, it is one of the oldest funds under continuous management. The Elliott funds' investors include pension plans, sovereign wealth funds, endowments, foundations, funds-of-funds, high net worth individuals and families, and employees of the firm. Elliott Advisors (UK) Limited is an affiliate of Elliott Investment Management L.P. Media Contacts London Alice Best Elliott Advisors (UK) Limited T: +44 203 009 1715 [email protected] Frankfurt Thomas Katzensteiner Charles Barker T: +49 69 79 40 90 25 [email protected] SOURCE Elliott Advisors (UK) Limited Fast Guard Service Expands Statewide Coverage with Cutting-Edge Technology, Real-Time Reporting, and Unmatched Transparency in Security Operations LOS ANGELES, March 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Fast Guard Service, a national leader in private security and protective services for over a decade, is proud to announce the expansion of its innovative and fully transparent security solutions across the entire state of California. From Los Angeles to San Francisco, San Diego to Sacramento, Fast Guard Service is setting the new standard for accountability and professionalism in the security industry. Fast Guard Service offers a comprehensive range of services tailored to California's diverse security needs, including: Fire Watch Services Armed and Unarmed Security Guards Event Security Construction Site Security Condominium & HOA Security Patrol and Drive-By Security Services Whether protecting a high-rise in downtown LA, providing crowd control at festivals, or monitoring remote construction projects, Fast Guard's elite team of licensed professionals is ready for deployment 24/7. Technology That Delivers Real Results In Real Time At the core of Fast Guard Service's modern approach is the Fast Guard App, a proprietary platform that provides real-time reporting, geolocation tracking, and live shift updatesempowering clients to see exactly what's happening on their property, minute-by-minute. To further elevate visibility and accountability, Fast Guard has rolled out two revolutionary technologies: Fast Cameras Mobile, solar-powered surveillance units equipped with 4G LTE connectivity, capable of operating without Wi-Fi, even in the most remote areas. These are ideal for construction sites, outdoor events, or temporary security posts. Fast Guard Body Cams A first-of-its-kind national mandate ensures every security guard is equipped with a body-worn camera, featuring breadcrumb GPS tracking and two-way real-time communication with supervisors. Transparency. Technology. Trust. "Fast Guard Service was built on the foundation of rapid response, professionalism, and public safety," said Roderick C. Payne Jr., President of Fast Guard Service. "Today, we're proud to bring next-level transparency and technology to our clients across California. Our goal is simple: to redefine what it means to feel secure by giving clients full visibility into how their security is being deliveredday or night." With over a decade of excellence and operations spanning the U.S. and beyond, Fast Guard Service continues to lead the charge in security innovation. Fast Guard Service is a fully licensed, insured, and bonded security agency providing professional security guard services nationwide and internationally. The company is known for its fast deployment, elite personnel, and commitment to integrating technology with traditional protection strategies. For media inquiries, quotes, or to request a proposal: visit www.fastguardservice.com or contact Sales at 844.254.8273 or [email protected]. MEDIA CONTACT Roderick Payne 844-254-8273 [email protected] This press release was issued through 24-7PressRelease.com. For further information, visit http://www.24-7pressrelease.com. SOURCE Fast Guard Service WARMINSTER, Pa., March 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Havis introduces the SC-2000, a new line of premium, device-agnostic self-service kiosks designed for seamless integration and maximum flexibility. Engineered to accommodate a variety of touch displays and computing devices, the SC-2000 empowers businesses to customize their kiosk solutions to meet specific operational needs. With a sleek, durable design and versatile functionality, the SC-2000 is ideal for industries ranging from retail and hospitality to healthcare and aviation, delivering a streamlined, high-quality self-service experience. Havis SC-2000 Self-Service Kiosk Key Features and Benefits Device-Agnostic Compatibility Supports a wide range of touchscreen displays and computing devices, allowing businesses to integrate their preferred technology. Supports a wide range of touchscreen displays and computing devices, allowing businesses to integrate their preferred technology. Scalable & Customizable Adaptable to evolving business needs with branding and configuration options that align with specific operational requirements. Adaptable to evolving business needs with branding and configuration options that align with specific operational requirements. Flexible Deployment Options Designed for tabletop, countertop, and pedestal installations, with support for single or dual displays in both portrait and landscape orientations. Designed for tabletop, countertop, and pedestal installations, with support for single or dual displays in both portrait and landscape orientations. Optimized Customer Experience Enhances transaction efficiency and user interactions, improving overall convenience and satisfaction. Enhances transaction efficiency and user interactions, improving overall convenience and satisfaction. Simplified Installation Engineered for quick and hassle-free setup, reducing downtime and ensuring seamless deployment. "The SC-2000 redefines self-service, giving businesses the flexibility to integrate their preferred technology while ensuring a seamless customer experience," said Bill Donehoo, Havis Director of Sales for Retail and Hospitality. Shaping the Future of Self-Service Solutions Over the past decade, self-service kiosks have revolutionized business operations, enhancing efficiency and customer engagement across many industries. Havis, known for its rugged and reliable solutions, continues to lead the way with the SC-2000 kiosk. This new line combines sleek, modern aesthetics with highly functional design, empowering businesses to elevate their self-service capabilities and better meet the needs of their customers. Explore the SC-2000 Today The SC-2000 self-service kiosk is designed to provide businesses with the flexibility, durability, and performance needed to enhance customer interactions and streamline operations. Discover how the SC-2000 can transform your business with its customizable, device-agnostic design. For more information on the SC-2000 or to explore customization options, visit www.havis.com/sc-2000. About Havis Havis, Inc. is a privately held, ISO 9001-certified company that is the leader in providing robust and reliable end-to-end technology mounting and mobility solutions in demanding environments. The Havis legacy dates back over 80 years as a trusted designer and manufacturer of critical equipment that ensures critical technology is accessible, secure and reliable. Havis's engineering and manufacturing teams are committed to consistently researching and developing unique products and solutions for a range of industries worldwide. With headquarters in Warminster, PA, and additional locations in Plymouth, MI, Burnsville, MN, Hilliard, OH and in the UK, Havis currently employs more than 400 team members. For more information on Havis, please call 1.800.524.9900 or visit http://www.havis.com. SOURCE Havis, Inc. Leading Denver home services company urges residents to regularly check for plumbing leaks DENVER, March 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- High 5 Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electric, a family-owned and operated home service company serving residents in the greater Denver metropolitan area, recommends homeowners take proactive measures to identify and fix plumbing leaks heading into the warmer months. "Warmer temperatures are headed our way as spring begins to take hold," Levi Torres said. "Pretty soon, air conditioners will stay on a little longer and energy bills will begin to rise. One of the best ways to offset those costs is to check your plumbing for any leaks that could be increasing water usage." According to the EPA, the average household wastes nearly 10,000 gallons of water every year due to unknown leaks in the home. In addition, 10% of homes waste 90 gallons or more per day. The experts at High 5 recommend the following tips to help recognize plumbing leaks: Check the flapper in the toilet periodically to ensure it isn't old or worn out. This can cause the toilet to silently leak thousands of gallons of water a year or cause it to flush on its own. Replacing the flapper can be an easy, cost-effective way to prevent toilet leaks. Inspect the washers and gaskets on your faucets. Old washers can be a primary culprit for leaky faucets, causing a home to waste more than 3,000 gallons per year. Check the showerhead for frequent dripping after usage. A showerhead that drips 10 times per minute can waste over 500 gallons per year. Simply tightening the connection or replacing the showerhead can be a cheap option to prevent leaks. "While some simple leaks can be prevented by replacing small parts, it's always important to call a licensed plumber if you suspect you have major leaks inside your home," said Torres. "Leaks behind a wall or with a water heater can be much more complicated and need professional attention. If left untreated, they can cause thousands of dollars worth of damage. Never leave a leak left untreated." To learn more about High 5 Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electric, or to schedule an inspection, visit http://high5homefix.com/ or call (720) 637-5177. About High 5 Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electric Founded in 2012, High 5 Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electric is a local, family-owned company serving residents in the greater Denver metropolitan area. With a professional team that has extensive experience and a commitment to service, High 5 Plumbing, Heating & Cooling offers comprehensive plumbing, sewer, drain and HVAC services. The company was built on the values of solving plumbing problems and serving every customer with professionalism and respect. For more information about High 5 Plumbing, Heating & Cooling, visit http://high5homefix.com/. MEDIA CONTACT: Heather Ripley Ripley PR 865-977-1973 [email protected] SOURCE High 5 Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electric Golden Globe winning actor Tyler James Williams, plus Grammy winners Tamela Mann and Adam Blackstone, among celebrities lending time to coveted mentoring program; Williams named event's "DREAMbassador;" Disney-created mentorship initiative for 100 teens poised for 18th year from March 26-30. LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla., March 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Golden Globe-winning actor Tyler James Williams, along with Grammy Award-winning artists Tamela Mann and Adam Blackstone, will serve as magical mentors for this year's Disney Dreamers Academy, the popular Walt Disney World Resort mentoring program that supercharges the career dreams of high school students nationwide and kicks off in Florida this week. Williams, who first gained fame for his role in the hit sitcom "Everybody Hates Chris" and now plays Gregory Eddie in ABC's Emmy Award winning comedy "Abbott Elementary," will be the program's "DREAMbassador,'' meaning he will spend significant time during the March 26-30 event interacting with the 100 Disney Dreamers by sharing his career journey, participating in several career focused workshops and serving as a key figure at the always emotional commencement ceremony. He'll be joined by an extensive list of other celebrity mentors which include celebrated musicians, actors, aerospace engineers, fashion stylists, renowned educators, designers, producers and Disney executives. Blackstone, a renowned musician, bassist, musical director and producer known for his work with top R&B musical artists, will offer students insights into the urgency and tenacity that fueled his rise from playing drums as a toddler in his local church to collaborating with some of the biggest names in music and television. Blackstone won his first Grammy Award for best musical theater album for "Hell's Kitchen." Mann, who won a Grammy Award for best gospel performance/song, will participate in the event along with her well-known husband David, an actor and comedian famous for portraying "Mr. Brown" in Tyler Perry's Madea films and "House of Payne." Other celebrity participants include comedian and radio host Rickey Smiley; soft rock band Infinity Song; fashion influencer Jerome Lamaar; and New York's Hot 97 radio personality DJ Suss One, among others. Each year, Disney Dreamers Academy selects 100 exceptional students from thousands of applicants, who share their personal stories and future aspirations through essay submissions. These Disney Dreamers, along with a parent or guardian, are invited on an all-expenses-paid trip to Walt Disney World in Florida for an inspiring, multi-day experience supported by presenting sponsors Sprite and Delta Air Lines as well as participating sponsors AdventHealth, Zero-G, Dolby and the Orlando Magic. This program reflects Disney's dedication to supporting high school students from varying backgrounds and communities and empowering the next generation to think big and pursue their dreams. Since its inception in 2008, Disney Dreamers Academy has inspired over 1,700 students from all over the country, opening doors to endless possibilities as they embark on their future paths. Many graduates have gone on to become storytellers, artists, engineers, innovators, journalists, and more, with some even returning as mentors to guide the next generation of Dreamers. For more information, visit DisneyDreamersAcademy.com . Regular updates about Disney Dreamers Academy are also available at Facebook.com/DisneyDreamersAcademy and Instagram.com/disneydreamersacademy. ABC's Emmy Award winning comedy "Abbott Elementary" airs Wednesdays at 8:30pm on ABC, next day on Hulu. About Disney Dreamers Academy Established in 2008 at Walt Disney World Resort, Disney Dreamers Academy's mission is to inspire high school students from varying backgrounds and communities nationwide to dream beyond imagination through insightful content from uplifting experts, mentors and sponsors. Each year,100 high school students are awarded a trip to Walt Disney World Resort in Florida to experience this five-day immersive and transformational program. For more information, visit DisneyDreamersAcademy.com, or follow on social media at Facebook.com/DisneyDreamersAcademy and Instagram.com/disneydreamersacademy/. www.DisneyDreamersAcademy.com @DisneyDreamersAcademy @DreamersAcademy #ddaDisney #Be100 SOURCE Walt Disney World Resort The partnership marks the first time Bitcoin can serve as collateral for OTC derivatives margin flows while maintaining transactional privacy and efficiency NEW YORK, March 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Canton Network (Canton) today announced that iBTC, a pioneering, bridgeless wrapped Bitcoin solution designed to revolutionize decentralized finance (DeFi) with institutional-grade security and liquidity, will deploy on the Canton Network. This collaboration brings Bitcoin-based assets on-chain, allowing institutional counterparties to use them for initial margin (IM) and variation margin (VM) solutions. It unlocks new opportunities and simplifies the integration of Bitcoin into over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives trading. Once integrated, market makers will be able to deposit BTC into Canton by wrapping it into iBTC. Counterparties can then engage in margin workflows, utilizing iBTC for IM/VM in trading options and structured products. The unique configurable privacy features in Canton's public network ensure that BTC flows are visible only to the desired market makers, enhancing confidentiality and security. Most significantly, beyond staking yield, iBTC participants can generate yield opportunities through application rewards within the Canton ecosystem. "At iBTC, we're proud to offer institutions a secure way to tap Bitcoin as collateral, and joining the Canton Network is expanding our ability to do so. With top-tier privacy, liquidity from partners like DRW, and optimized workflows, we're excited to meet the growing demand for streamlined margin needs," said Aki Balogh, CEO and Co-Founder, of iBTC. "The iBTC-Canton integration represents a significant advancement in institutional Bitcoin adoption in the financial markets. By delivering a scalable solution for Bitcoin-based margin flows with configurable privacy on the Canton Network, institutional counterparties can efficiently deploy BTC in structured products and derivatives trading," said Eric Saraniecki, Head of Network Strategy. Key highlights of the integration include: Bitcoin as Collateral: iBTC enables institutions to utilize BTC for IM/VM in a secure and compliant manner iBTC enables institutions to utilize BTC for IM/VM in a secure and compliant manner Institutional-Grade Privacy: Each market maker serves as their own iBTC bridge, ensuring secure and confidential Bitcoin transactions Each market maker serves as their own iBTC bridge, ensuring secure and confidential transactions Optimized Workflow: IM/VM cycles occur every 2-4 hours, allowing for seamless Bitcoin movements to meet margin requirements The rollout of iBTC on Canton will initially involve a select group of institutional counterparties, with plans to scale participation to 10-20 firms processing $20-$50 million in daily trading volume. As part of the integration, iBTC will operate a Canton Network Validator, which offers additional incentives and mining rewards. This initiative aligns iBTC with the network's infrastructure and enhances transaction finality for institutional traders. About iBTC iBTC Network's decentralized wrapped Bitcoin is a safer way to access DeFi with your Bitcoin. iBTC is backed by a network of leading node operators and merchants who self-wrap BTC into vaults on Bitcoin Layer 1 to provide liquidity to the iBTC Network. The merchant's signature on the multisig vault prevents network misuse without user consent, making iBTC the most secure wrapped BTC token. iBTC can be acquired by individual users by swapping for it on popular decentralized exchanges such as Curve, Uniswap, and Balancer. Institutional users, on the other hand, can swap into iBTC through a trusted merchant in the iBTC network or mint iBTC following KYB. Join us as we make BitcoinFi safe again. Follow our socials and become part of the iBTC community: Website | X (Twitter) | Telegram | Discord | Galxe About Canton Network The Canton Network is the only public blockchain in the financial industry with on-chain privacy essential to the seamless movement of assets and capital on decentralized open rails. With over $3.6 trillion in tokenized assets on-chain, its proven institutional-grade scale synchronizes previously siloed systems with the configurable privacy and controls required to unlock asset mobility across tradfi and crypto ecosystems. Launched in July 2024, the public infrastructure is governed by the Global Synchronizer Foundation and supported by the Linux Foundation to ensure organizational neutrality and foster innovation across the ecosystem. Learn more at: www.canton.network Contact: Paul Patella Paul.Patella@!digitialasset.com 914-645-8662 SOURCE Canton Network 'The Big Picture' season 5, episode 2: 'The Sky's the Limit' People's Daily Online) 14:49, March 24, 2025 Filming in cities like Haikou, Sanya, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai and Hong Kong, the series interviews local government officials, economists and business representatives to showcase the vibrant economic development and open trade policies of China's southern coastal regions. In the second episode, host Mark Llewellyn dives into the energy of Guangzhou and Shenzhen two of China's most vibrant cities brimming with opportunity. From Guangzhou, home to tens of thousands of foreign-owned companies and a rich cultural heritage, to Shenzhen, which has transformed from a small fishing village into an innovative, international metropolis, this episode uncovers the forces driving their success. The episode also features an exclusive look inside DJI, the world's largest drone manufacturer, and interviews with the visionaries shaping the future of technology. "The Big Picture" is a financial documentary series produced by People's Daily Online Australia, focusing on cooperation and development between China and Australia in the fields of economics, science, research, education and business. The program aims to promote understanding and cooperation between the two countries through in-depth reporting and on-site investigations. The fifth season of "The Big Picture" is broadcast on the global news platform Ticker News and People's Daily Online. This program was produced by People's Daily Australia in collaboration with Sticky Toffee Media. (Web editor: Hongyu, Du Mingming) Shanghai (Gasgoo)- On March 21, DENZA, one of BYD's premium vehicle brand, put its latest flagship SUV, the DENZA N9, onto the market, introducing two variants priced between 389,800 yuan and 449,800 yuan. The model debuts with a PHEV (plug-in hybrid electric vehicle) version, while a BEV (battery electric vehicle) variant is set to follow. Photo credit: DENZA The DENZA N9 features a sleek, modern exterior with a closed-off front grille typical of new energy vehicles, complemented by elongated headlights that enhance its premium appeal. The DENZA emblem at the center of the grille boosts brand recognition and lends a refined, commanding presence. Photo credit: DENZA The SUV's streamlined side profile emphasizes its substantial dimensions, measuring 5,258 mm in length, 2,030 mm in width, and 1,830 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 3,125 mm. Buyers can choose from four exterior colors. Equipped with multi-spoke alloy wheels and 275/45 R22 tires, the DENZA N9 also features six-piston fixed brake calipers painted in vibrant yellow for a sportier contrast. At the rear, the taillight design maintains DENZA's signature styling, offering high visibility even without a full-width light strip. Photo credit: DENZA Inside, the DENZA N9 boasts a wraparound cockpit design that creates a warm and luxurious atmosphere. Wood grain accents on the dashboard and door panels further enhance the premium feel. The tech-rich interior includes a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a 17.3-inch central touchscreen, and a 12.3-inch passenger display. Photo credit: DENZA The second-row seats offer extensive comfort features, including ventilation, heating, massage functions, 14-way electric adjustment, and four-way leg rest adjustment. Additionally, the seats can slide laterally, optimizing rear cabin space. Practical luxury extends to dual fold-out tables, dual 50W wireless charging pads, and a 17.3-inch roof-mounted display. Meanwhile, the third-row seats offer six-way electric adjustment, with cushions that can be raised or lowered. When fully reclined, the second and third-row seats create a spacious sleeping area large enough for two adultsideal for camping or relaxation. Photo credit: DENZA Under the hood, the PHEV variant is powered by a 2.0T turbocharged engine delivering 207 horsepower, paired with a three-motor system generating a combined output of 680 kW. The DENZA N9 achieves a battery-powered range of 200 km (CLTC) and a combined driving range of 1,302 km. It sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.9 seconds. The DENZA N9 also comes equipped with advanced autonomous driving capabilities, featuring the "God's Eye B" high-level intelligent driving system (DiPilot 300). The system enables end-to-end map-free urban navigation and is supported by cutting-edge hardware, including a high-precision LiDAR, five millimeter-wave radars, 12 cameras, and 12 ultrasonic sensors. Powered by NVIDIA's Orin X chip, the system delivers 254 TOPS of computing power. In addition, the model integrates DENZA's e3 technology platform and the DiSus-A system, enabling independent three-motor drive, dual rear-wheel steering (20), and advanced vehicle motion control. These innovations allow for ultra-tight turning with a 4.65-meter minimum radius, compass turns, automated parking, enhanced stability on low-traction surfaces, and high-speed blowout control. The vehicle also supports features such as 15 crab walking and intelligent snow mode. Notably, all of e3 platform's new functionalities debuting on the N9 will be available for OTA updates on the upcoming DENZA Z9. The lawsuit alleges URBN Encinitas violated the California Labor Code by failing to provide its employees with meal and rest periods. SAN DIEGO, March 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The San Diego labor law attorneys at Zakay Law Group, APLC and JCL Law Firm, APC, filed a class action complaint against URBN Encinitas, LLC, for allegedly failing to provide meal and rest breaks. The class action lawsuit, Case No. 25CU010660C, is currently pending in the San Diego County Superior Court of the State of California. A copy of the Complaint can be read here. According to the lawsuit, URBN Encinitas, LLC (hereinafter "URBN Encinitas") allegedly violated California Labor Code Sections 201, 202, 203, 204, 210, 226.7, 510, 512, 558, 1194, 1197, 1197.1, 1198, 1198.5 and 2802 by failing to: (1) pay minimum wages; (2) pay overtime wages; (3) provide required meal and rest periods; (4) provide accurate itemized wage statements; (5) provide wages when due; and (6) reimburse for required business expenses. As a result of their rigorous work schedules, URBN Encinitas employees were allegedly unable to take off duty meal breaks and were not fully relieved of duty for meal periods. Specifically, the lawsuit alleges employees were from time to time interrupted during their off-duty meal breaks to complete tasks for URBN Encinitas. Employees were allegedly required to perform work as ordered by URBN Encinitas for more than five (5) hours during a shift without receiving an off-duty meal break. Further, the lawsuit alleges URBN Encinitas failed to provide employees with a second off-duty meal period each workday in which these employees were required by URBN Encinitas to work ten (10) hours of work. The policy of URBN Encinitas allegedly caused employees to remain on-call and on duty during what was supposed to be their off-duty meal periods. Employees therefore allegedly forfeited meal breaks without additional compensation and in accordance with the strict corporate policy and practice of URBN Encinitas. If you would like to know more about the URBN Encinitas lawsuit, please contact Attorney Jackland Hom today by calling (619) 255-9047. Zakay Law Group, APLC and JCL Law Firm, APC are labor and employment law firms with offices located in California that dedicate their practices to fighting for employees who have been wronged by their employers due to unfair employment practices. Contact one of their attorneys today if you need help with workplace issues regarding wage and hour, wrongful termination, retaliation, discrimination, and harassment. -THIS IS AN ATTORNEY ADVERTISEMENT (Rules Prof. Conduct, rule 7.2)- SOURCE Zakay Law Group, APC WASHINGTON, March 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- National Press Club President Mike Balsamo today called on Chinese authorities to overturn the conviction of journalist Dong Yuyu, whose appeal could be heard as soon as April in Beijing. Dong, a respected journalist and longtime editorial writer at Guangming Daily, was sentenced to three years in prison for espionage in February after decades of engaging in routine professional meetings with foreign diplomats. His family recently learned that a court hearing may be scheduled as part of his appeal a rare development in China's legal system, where most criminal appeals are resolved without public proceedings. "China still has one last chance to correct a grave injustice," Balsamo said. "Letting this conviction stand would send a dangerous message: that honest dialogue and international engagement are now considered crimes." According to Chinese law, a hearing on appeal indicates that facts and evidence are in dispute, and that a reduced sentence or full acquittal is possible. In a newly disclosed letter to Dong's family, Japanese Ambassador to China Kenji Kanasugi formally disputed China's claims that the Japanese diplomats Dong met with were intelligence agents. The ambassador wrote that none of the diplomats referenced in Dong's verdict were involved in espionage, and that the Japanese foreign ministry departments cited in the verdict have no intelligence functions under Japanese law. "The Ministry of State Security offered no evidence and the trial court never asked for any," Balsamo said. "No credible system of justice operates that way." Notably, China has not expelled any of the eight Japanese diplomats it identified in Dong's case including the former Japanese ambassador to China and the current chief diplomat in Shanghai. Dong's attorneys including renowned rights lawyers Mo Shaoping, Shang Baojun, and now Zhang Dongshuo argued at trial that the Ministry of State Security provided no evidence that Dong received any material benefit. The court accepted the espionage charge without scrutiny. The lawyers will continue arguing for Dong's innocence. The National Press Club has repeatedly warned that upholding Dong's conviction could have significant consequences for foreign journalists, scholars, and diplomats in China, many of whom routinely engage in the kind of international dialogue now being criminalized. "If this verdict is allowed to stand, it will set a dangerous precedent not just for journalists, but for anyone who believes in diplomacy, openness, and the rule of law," Balsamo said. The National Press Club urges: The Beijing High Court to overturn Dong's conviction and reject unsupported claims made by the Ministry of State Security. The Japanese government to publicly clarify the wrongful designation of its diplomats in this case. The U.S. government to continue its support and advocacy for Dong and his family. Dong has been in detention since February 2022. His final appeal may represent the last chance to avoid further harm to his health, his family, and China's international credibility. For background and family statements, visit: https://www.press.org/newsroom/family-statement-verdict-case-chinese-journalist-dong-yuyu https://www.press.org/newsroom/follow-family-statement-verdict-case-chinese-journalist-dong-yuyu Contact: Bill McCarren, Director of the Press Freedom Center, [email protected] SOURCE National Press Club 138 fourth-year NEOMED medical students have been matched with prestigious healthcare institutions in Ohio and throughout the U.S. CLEVELAND, March 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED) celebrated National Residency Match Day on Friday, March 21, 2025, announcing the placement of 138 fourth-year medical students. NEOMED's College of Medicine Class of 2025 will pursue careers at prestigious medical systems in Ohio and across the country. They matched into residencies in family medicine, internal medicine, orthopedics, obstetrics and gynecology, and pediatrics, as well as emergency medicine, anesthesiology, and psychiatry. "Our students...train at elite healthcare systems in the Greater Cleveland region and throughout Northeast Ohio." Post this "Today is the highlight of a four-year year journey for our students who have had the opportunity to train at elite healthcare systems in the Greater Cleveland region and throughout Northeast Ohio," said NEOMED President John Langell, M.D., Ph.D., M.P.H., M.B.A. Marc Basson, M.D., Ph.D., M.B.A., dean of NEOMED's College of Medicine, stated, "Our faculty are extremely proud of our students, as Match Day marks an important milestone in the careers of these future physicians." NEOMED College of Medicine students will graduate from the University on May 3, 2025. About NEOMED Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED) creates transformational leaders and improves health through education, discovery and service. NEOMED's mission is made possible through its network consisting of several nationally ranked healthcare systems. The University has four Colleges Medicine, Pharmacy, Graduate Studies and the Bitonte College of Dentistry. Its programs offer Doctor of Medicine (M.D.), Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.), and Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.) degrees, as well as master's and doctoral degrees in other medical and life science areas. In addition to the basic sciences at its Colleges, NEOMED conducts research to advance innovation in healthcare. NEOMED's unique areas of service include Coordinating Centers of Excellence that disseminate best practices for treating mental illness. Primary care patient services are offered at NEOMED Health Care and the University's award-winning NEOMED Free Clinic. Learn more at neomed.edu. SOURCE Northeast Ohio Medical University NEW YORK, March 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- As a leading global exchange, the NYSE is committed to empowering our diverse communities, wherever they may be. Engaging with our listed companies and emerging startups at key industry events is an opportunity to do just that. Experience the full interactive Multichannel News Release here: https://www.multivu.com/nyse/9315753-en-nyse-content-advisory-on-the-ground-humanx NYSE give top takeaways of HumanX Kickoff So, when the visionary teams behind HLTH and Money 20/20two conferences where we are already deeply involvedunveiled the creation of a new AI-focused community, we were ready to be a part of it. With Funding from a16z, FPV Ventures, Foundation Capital, and Primary Ventures, HumanX is on a mission to distill AI complexity into actionable insights, strategies and tactics to help corporate and government leaders to move confidently forward in deploying and integrating AI. The inaugural HumanX conference was held on March 10-13, 2025 at The Fontainebleau Resort in Las Vegas and featured leaders from diverse industries including Healthcare and Life Sciences, Financial Services, Consumer and Retail, Cybersecurity, Sales and Marketing, Infrastructure Tools and Business Operations. In total, the event comprised of nine diverse industry tracks, over 300 expert speakers, and numerous opportunities for NYSE to collaborate. NYSE kicked off our coverage with a preview by Stefan Weitz, CEO of HumanX, and insights into industry trends from Gene Teare, Senior Data Editor at Crunchbase. According to Stefan, companies in attendance raised over $95 billion in capital and a third have plans to engage in M&A in the coming year. He later described the gathered community as, "the pioneers, the builders, and the decision makers, those who aren't just watching AI unfold around them, but hopefully actively shaping its future. From startups to Fortune 500 companies, from policy makers to investors, they're building a roadmap for how AI and humanity can actually thrive together, and we do it at scale." On Monday, March 10, Laura Diorio from the NYSE moderated a panel discussion on how AI is transforming finance through predictive analytics, fraud prevention, and automation, featuring Andrew Brown (Check), Laura Spiekerman (Alloy), and Juan Pablo Ortega (Yuno). Our coverage also highlighted companies like Credo AI, Brex, Glean, Vanta, Metropolis, Cerebras, SambaNova, and more, with real-time engagement from major participating companies. Stefan Weitz officially welcomed attendees, followed by commentary from Sridhar Ramaswamy, CEO of Snowflake, and Rajat Taneja, President of Technology at Visa. On Tuesday, March 11, NYSE President Lynn Martin led a discussion on AI in the workplace with Sarah Franklin, CEO of Lattice, and Tomer Cohen, CPO of LinkedIn. The day also featured a Women in AI highlight with contributions from Lynn, alongside Monte Carlo, Credo AI, Lattice, Writer, Vanta, and others. Michael Misiewicz, Head of Data Science at Yext, previewed his presence on the HumanX panel and discussed Yext's new product, Scout. Rajat Taneja unveiled new research on AI's impact on commerce and finance from the Institute for the Future. Sven Gierlinger, SVP and CXO at Northwell Health, discussed his involvement in HumanX Innovation and Healthcare. The event also featured companies like Airtable, Mistral, Neo4J, Dialpad, Dataiku, and Crunchbase. Coming off the success of the inaugural HumanX Conference, its leadership team convened at the corner of Wall and Broad to ring the Opening Bell on Wednesday, March 19, to mark next year's conference in San Francisco, planned for April 2026. While here, CEO Stefan Weitz conducted interviews on the trading floor, including with NYSE TV. When he took to stage at the Opening Bell Ceremony, Stefan had this to say about opening the US Equity Markets, "Let's recognize what we're actually doing, what we're actually opening. It's really a future where AI isn't just another tool, it's a force multiplier, a future where those who understand its potential for those who invest in its power, who won't just adapt, they will lead." SOURCE New York Stock Exchange DALLAS, March 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Foreign Investment Watch (FIW) has again recognized Olga Torres, Founder and Managing Member of Torres Trade Law, PLLC, as a Top Advisor 2025. Foreign Investment Watch recognizes top advisors who provide advice and counsel concerning foreign investment and national security in the United States and abroad. In an accompanying profile, FIW noted that "Ms. Torres is an expert in all things CFIUS and has significant experience developing strategies and conducting negotiations with U.S. regulatory agencies. Ms. Torres has been an appointed member of the Defense Trade Advisory Group, advising the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Political-Military Affairs since 2012." "I'm thrilled to once again be named to this prestigious list," comments Ms. Torres. "When I started practicing CFIUS in a large law firm in Washington D.C., I would not have imagined that I could build a successful CFIUS practice in a boutique law firm setting," she adds. My expertise in export controls makes me extremely efficient and expedites the work performed for our clients who can count on me to effectively navigate both the CFIUS regulations and the export control laws that are now so important in the CFIUS analysis. I think my clients are appreciative of this skill set." With over 17 years of experience as a leading practitioner, Ms. Torres regularly advises clients across a range of industries, including hi-tech, defense contracting, telecommunications, aerospace, semiconductor, and satellite sectors, as well as highly regulated startups, blue-chip investment funds, and private equity groups. She guides these clients through complex strategic and regulatory trade controls and national security matters. Clients with global operations rely on Ms. Torres to assess legal risks, improve compliance, and manage intricate investigative and enforcement cases involving U.S. federal agencies. She is frequently sought after for her expertise in securing the clearance of transactions by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States and for her guidance in identifying and negotiating measures to mitigate Foreign Ownership, Control, or Influence. About Torres Trade Law Torres Trade Law is a U.S. law firm that works with U.S. and global clients from multinationals and Fortune 500 companies to medium-sized businesses and start-ups to successfully import and export goods, technology, and services. The firm regularly helps clients seeking to navigate regulatory challenges posed by U.S. and foreign trade policies, including economic sanctions and the export of defense-related goods and controlled or emerging technologies. The firm has broad experience assisting clients with a wide range of foreign investment matters, including with review by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States. In addition, Torres Trade Law guides clients across the full spectrum of trade and national security law issues, from U.S. export control and economic sanctions laws to trade policy, industrial security, Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, anti-boycott laws, customs law, and trade strategy and policy. Visit https://www.torrestradelaw.com for more. Read the complete Foreign Investment Watch 2025 Advisors list here. Contact: Veronica Ochoa ***@torrestradelaw.com Photo(s): https://www.prlog.org/13067692 Press release distributed by PRLog SOURCE Torres Trade Law MINNEAPOLIS, March 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Ovative Group, a leading performance marketing and measurement firm, unveiled its highly anticipated 2025 EMR Power Rankings, providing marketers with essential data on which paid media channels drive the highest Enterprise Marketing Return (EMR). As brands navigate an increasingly omni-focused landscape, these rankings deliver actionable insights to optimize media investments and maximize business impact. With the lines between ecommerce and in-store sales continuing to blur, Ovative's proprietary EMR frameworkpowered by its EMRge technologyoffers a holistic approach to measuring media's full-funnel impact. Unlike traditional ROAS metrics, EMR accounts for online and offline revenue, future customer value, incrementality, and profitability, empowering marketers to make smarter, more sustainable media investment decisions. "The 2025 EMR Power Rankings go beyond digital performance metrics to reveal the true impact of media on a brand's bottom line," said Alexander Matoushek, author of the EMR Power Rankings report. "This data is a game-changer for brands looking to maximize omni-channel profitability." Key Insights from the 2025 EMR Power Rankings: TikTok : Despite regulatory uncertainty, TikTok surged in effectiveness, especially in driving in-store sales. : Despite regulatory uncertainty, TikTok surged in effectiveness, especially in driving in-store sales. Retail Media : Climbed from #15 to #8 in under nine months, proving its increasing value in the media mix. : Climbed from #15 to #8 in under nine months, proving its increasing value in the media mix. Connected TV (CTV) : Dropped from #6 to #16 as audience fragmentation and saturation challenge its effectiveness. : Dropped from #6 to #16 as audience fragmentation and saturation challenge its effectiveness. Upper Funnel Channels: TikTok, Meta, and audio saw increased impact on in-store sales, underscoring the importance of investing in top-of-funnel brand-building efforts. How Brands Can Take Action Marketers can leverage the 2025 EMR Power Rankings to determine which channels are right for their brand and partner with Ovative's experts to craft a customized media strategy tailored to their business needs. Full rankings and insights can be accessed here. About Ovative Group Ovative Group is an independent, full-funnel media, measurement, and creative firm. Leveraging deep industry expertise, we help brands like Domino's, Facebook, The Home Depot, General Mills, Disney, and UnitedHealth Group transform their media and measurement programs. The result? Profitable growth that speaks for itself. At Ovative, we don't just track datawe redefine success. How do we do it? Our proprietary MarTech platform, EMRge, helps businesses transform marketing into a driver of sustainable growth. Powered by Enterprise Marketing Return (EMR), our differentiated approach to holistic media buying, planning, and measurement, EMRge is the first MarTech platform to measure businesses holistically. We raise the bar every day, and it shows. Our work has been recognized by organizations like Digiday, Google, Inc. 5000, USA Today, and Search Engine Land. For more information about Ovative, visit our website or follow Ovative on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter. Media Contact: Jasmin Stevens VP, Marketing [email protected] SOURCE Ovative Group CHAPEL HILL, N.C., March 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Prudent Growth Partners, LLC, a private equity real estate firm in Chapel Hill and Charlotte, NC, has completed its $5.23 million purchase of SouthGate Centre, a 24,025-square-foot shopping center in Gainesville, Florida. SouthGate Centre in Gainesville, Florida Built in 1989, the property's contemporary design and prime location within a thriving retail corridor make it an exceptional addition to the Prudent Growth portfolio. It features 13 tenants with staggered lease expirations, including a healthy mix of lifestyle businesses and service providers. The center has been well maintained, and there are no significant deferred maintenance needs. SouthGate Centre is strategically positioned in Gainesville, just 1.5 miles from the University of Florida. It offers a balanced mix of necessity-based and lifestyle tenants and many operational value-add opportunities. The surrounding five-mile area has an immediate retail landscape that is home to regional draws like Target, Chick-fil-A, Starbucks, Sam's Club, and Bass Pro Shops. "We are excited about the purchase of SouthGate Centre, another acquisition in Florida. We look forward to the performance of this property as it has a strategic location in a visible and active area close to a large state university. It is another good acquisition for our investors and a wonderful addition to our property portfolio," said Tom Hahn, President of Prudent Growth Partners, LLC. Prudent Growth Partners, LLC is a private equity real estate investment company based in Chapel Hill, NC. The firm focuses on properties that tend to be overlooked by larger institutions and provide exceptional returns on invested capital along with the possibility of longer-term capital gains achieved by expert management and future price appreciation. SOURCE Prudent Growth Partners, LLC BRUNSWICK, Maine, March 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Bowdoin College announced a $50 million giftthe largest in its 231-year historyfrom Netflix cofounder and Powder Mountain CEO Reed Hastings (Bowdoin Class of 1983) to launch the Hastings Initiative for AI and Humanity. "This donation seeks to advance Bowdoin's mission of cultivating wisdom for the common good by deepening the College's engagement with one of humanity's most transformative developments: artificial intelligence," said Hastings, who earned his MSc in artificial intelligence at Stanford in 1988. "As AI becomes smarter than humans, we are going to need some deep thinking to keep us flourishing. I know Bowdoin can make a significant contribution to these fundamental issues, and that President Zaki, a cognitive scientist, can lead the way." "We are thrilled and so grateful to receive this remarkable support from Reed, who shares our conviction that the AI revolution makes the liberal arts and a Bowdoin education more essential to society," said Bowdoin College President Safa Zaki, whose research focuses on building and testing computational models of the mind. The Hastings Initiative for AI and Humanity will be a step forward in higher education's growing role to provide ethical frameworks for technology and will ensure that Bowdoin students graduate well prepared to lead in a world reshaped by AI. Initial priorities include hiring ten new faculty members in a range of disciplines; supporting faculty who want to incorporate and interrogate AI in their teaching, research, and artistic work; and leading conversations about the uses of AI and the changes and challenges it will bring. Funding and fellowships will allow current and new faculty to explore questions and pedagogical and scholarship opportunities generated by the vast AI revolution. "Bowdoin is ideally positioned to meet the challenges and opportunities of AI," said Zaki. "Our deep commitment to the liberal arts and the common good position us to think together about what we are going to value in human cognition, and what we will want our AI systems to do or not do going forward in service to humanity. Ethics, human values, and human understanding should inform the technological progress, scientific advancements, and new norms that will emerge from this revolution. As educators, we have a moral imperative to do this work." Hastings was first encouraged to study AI in 1982 by late professor of mathematics Steve Fisk as they walked by the Maine Hall dormitory talking about careers related to mathematics. "Steve was about 40 years too early, but his perspective was life-changing for me," says Hastings. About Reed Hastings Reed Hastings cofounded Netflix in 1997 and built the company into the world's leading internet television network. He became executive chairman in 2023 after twenty-five years as CEO. Hastings is an active educational philanthropist and served on the California State Board of Education from 2000 to 2004. He is currently on the board of several educational organizations including KIPP and Pahara. He is also a board member of The City Fund and Bloomberg. Hastings earned his BA in mathematics at Bowdoin and a master of science degree in artificial intelligence at Stanford University. Between Bowdoin and Stanford, he served as a Peace Corps high school math teacher in Swaziland. About Bowdoin College Founded in 1794, Bowdoin is a highly selective college of approximately 2,000 students of distinction from across America and around the world. Bowdoin offers bachelor of arts degrees in more than forty majors, including interdisciplinary programs. A Bowdoin liberal arts education and residential life experience instill principled leadership, lifelong learning, and service to the common good. Visit Bowdoin College online at Bowdoin.edu and follow the college on Facebook, X, and Instagram. View this information online with images. Media contact: Doug Cook [email protected] 207-725-3964 SOURCE Bowdoin College CANBERRA, Australia, March 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Seeing Machines Limited (AIM: SEE, "Seeing Machines" or the "Company"), the advanced computer vision technology company that designs AI-powered operator monitoring systems to improve transport safety, is pleased to announce the appointment of John Noble as its Chief Technology Officer, effective immediately. In this newly created role, John will lead Seeing Machines' technology strategy, innovation initiatives and cutting-edge product development, ensuring the Company is well positioned to respond to accelerating regulatory momentum as growing numbers of OEMs and transport operators in Europe are required to enhance safety through the adoption of driver monitoring system (DMS) technology. John has held a range of engineering roles within Seeing Machines over the past 20 years and is an expert in systems engineering, R&D, engineering management, computer vision, embedded systems, and is Chair of the Company's IP Committee. At the same time, he has spent decades working in a range of customer-facing engagements across Seeing Machines' different business divisions, meaning he brings unique insights that will position the Company to successfully exploit the growing global adoption of DMS as transport safety regulations ramp up. As part of a wider strategic reorganisation of the Company's management structure, Dr Mike Lenne, a recognised global authority on human factors and safety, has been appointed as Seeing Machines' inaugural Chief Safety Officer. Leveraging nearly 30 years of experience at the forefront of human factors research and implementation, Mike will lead efforts to further deepen and expand Seeing Machines' global partnerships with customers, research and technology partners, regulators and safety groups, building close relationships that will drive forward the Company's continued revenue growth while making the world's roads and skies safer. Paul McGlone, CEO commented: "John brings a deep technical expertise to his new role which aligns perfectly with our goal to shape the future of transport and get more people home safely. Having worked for decades in the field of engineering management, he is uniquely well equipped to improve the way we design, develop and deliver our technology. Alongside Mike's appointment as Chief Safety Officer, our business has the leadership in place to focus on successful delivery and on our core mission of improving global safety outcomes." John Noble, CTO added: "We have an incredible pool of talent at Seeing Machines, and I'm delighted by the opportunity to lead our technical team. We will empower our experts, and therefore our customers, by refining our proven engineering processes to reflect the growing role of AI and synthetic data in our products, and to better support rapid and iterative delivery. I look forward to defending our reputation for quality, and ensuring we are viewed as an open and collaborative partner." Seeing Machines has secured 18 Automotive programs with 11 OEMs, totalling an expected initial lifetime revenue of $392 million, with the majority expected to be recognised by 2028. The company has over 2.88 million cars in production across 8 programs with major brands like General Motors, Ford, Mercedes Benz, and BMW. Seeing Machines' Aftermarket Guardian technology protects over 1,100 global transport and logistics fleets, having travelled more than 19 billion kilometres reducing risky driving behaviours linked to fatigue and distraction. In Aviation, the US$10m collaboration with Collins Aerospace progresses, advancing the development of the launch product and positioning the company as a leader in this growing industry. About Seeing Machines (AIM: SEE), a global company founded in 2000 and headquartered in Australia, is an industry leader in vision-based monitoring technology that enable machines to see, understand and assist people. Seeing Machines' technology portfolio of AI algorithms, embedded processing and optics, power products that need to deliver reliable real-time understanding of vehicle operators. The technology spans the critical measurement of where a driver is looking, through to classification of their cognitive state as it applies to accident risk. Reliable "driver state" measurement is the end-goal of Driver Monitoring Systems (DMS) technology. Seeing Machines develops DMS technology to drive safety for Automotive, Commercial Fleet, Off-road and Aviation. The company has offices in Australia, USA, Europe and Asia, and supplies technology solutions and services to industry leaders in each market vertical. www.seeingmachines.com SOURCE Seeing Machines Limited OLYMPIA, Wash., March 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Senior Helpers , the nation's premier provider of in-home senior care services, is the first private duty in-home care provider in the United States to be Age-Friendly Care at Home certified by Community Health Accreditation Partners ( CHAP ). On August 27th, 2024, locally owned Senior Helpers of Olympia joined the list of Senior Helpers CHAP Age-Friendly Care at Home Certified locations. "Senior Helpers' achievement as the pioneering Age-Friendly Care certified home care organization is truly remarkable. Their proactive approach in implementing numerous tools to enhance care for older adults, even before receiving the AFC certification, speaks volumes about their commitment to excellence," said Teresa Harbour, COO of CHAP. "Their use of LIFE Profile to reduce the risk of hospitalizations, their Senior Gems program for dementia care, and their Centers for Excellence for staff training and competency set them up for success, so adding the Age-Friendly Care at Home Certification was a logical next step." Owner, Sarah Ketter stated, "Being CHAP certified is important to me because I want to make sure that we are always improving the care that we provide. Putting our client's needs and wants above everything else is vital to their quality of life. Being able to provide my staff with clearer instruction on how to do our charting so that we are sharing more detailed care notes is important in the continuum of care that we strive to provide. Being CHAP certified in my community is so important to me personally. As an in-home care provider, we are often looked at as less than but we are continuing to prove that we are a vital part of the care any aging client needs. Showing our goals to continue to grow and learn and be better is proof of our desire to be the best." What is Age-Friendly Care at Home? The first-of-its-kind certification was created to help meet the demand for high-quality care for older adults and showcases companies that use all-encompassing, person-centered care to address the unique needs of every individual. The focus is on the 4Ms (What Matters, Medication, Mentation, and Mobility), a research-backed and evidence-based approach to care . To receive the CHAP certification, Senior Helpers of Olympia worked to ensure that the 4Ms Framework is an integral part of operations and daily interactions with clients. What Matters puts clients at the center of care and empowers them to be involved in goal-setting and preferences for their care. Medication should be used in an age-friendly way that does not interfere with What Matters to the client. Mentation focuses on preventing, identifying, treating, and managing depression and dementia. Mobility ensures older adults move safely and maintain function so they can do What Matters to them. CHAP provides training, certification, and accreditation for senior care providers, ensuring quality and compliance with the highest standards of care using the 4M Framework and other guidelines. Senior Helpers Elevates Care Standards for Seniors In addition to the CHAP certification, Senior Helpers of Olympia elevates its care for clients through three key programs: the proprietary LIFE Profile assessment tool, the Senior Gems program, and the Center of Excellence training spaces. LIFE Profile is a research-based technology tool that uses data to identify a client's risk of being hospitalized. The Senior Gems program provides effective strategies for supporting and caring for loved ones from normal aging through late stage dementia, focusing on what is precious and unique about each senior at each stage. The Senior Helpers Center of Excellence is a training space designed to simulate a client's home, allowing caregivers to learn and train in a real-world environment and demonstrate their ability to provide the highest quality of care in a client's home. Senior Helpers of Olympia provides in-home care for seniors to help them age in place and live quality lives. They provide personalized care, including chronic disease care, Alzheimer's, dementia and Parkinson's care, transportation, end-of-life care, and more. To learn more about Senior Helpers of Olympia services, visit www.seniorhelpers.com/wa/olympia-lacey-tumwater/. About Senior Helpers and Senior Helpers of Olympia Senior Helpers is the nation's premier provider of in-home senior services ranging from specialized care for those with diseases such as dementia, Alzheimer's, and Parkinson's to personal and companion care to help individuals looking for a little assistance with daily activities. Locally owned Senior Helpers of Olympia is proud to serve the needs of seniors and their families in the Thurston, Mason, Lewis, and Grays Harbor Counties. Learn more by visiting www.seniorhelpers.com/wa/olympia-lacey-tumwater/. About CHAP: CHAP is an independent, nonprofit organization accrediting providers of home and community-based care. Founded in 1965, CHAP was the first to recognize the need for and value of home and community-based care standards and accreditation. As a Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)approved accrediting organization, CHAP surveys organizations providing home health, hospice, and home medical equipment services to establish if Medicare Conditions of Participation and DMEPOS Quality Standard are met and recommend certification to CMS. CHAP's purpose is to partner with organizations nationwide to advance quality in the delivery of care and services in the home and community. Media contact: Janet Berg VP of Marketing & Communications email: [email protected] SOURCE Senior Helpers Beijing (Gasgoo)- On March 21, Tesla's Shanghai Megafactory completed its first export shipment of Megapack energy storage systems, with the initial batch destined for Australia. Moving forward, Megapacks produced at the Shanghai facility will be supplied to both domestic and Asia-Pacific markets. Photo credit: Tesla China Tesla officially commenced operations at the Shanghai Megafactory on February 11, 2025, marking the rollout of its first large-scale commercial energy storage system from the plant. This facility is Tesla's first energy storage factory outside the United States. Photo credit: Tesla China Megapack is one of Tesla's flagship energy storage products, widely used for grid stabilization and renewable energy integration in utility-scale and large commercial projects. The system is already deployed in over 65 countries and regions, including the United States, Canada, Australia, the U.K., and Japan. Each Megapack can store approximately 3.9 megawatt-hours (MWh) of electricity, providing an efficient solution for grid stability and renewable energy management. According to Tesla, the Shanghai Megafactory is designed for an annual production capacity of 10,000 Megapacks, equivalent to nearly 40 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of energy storage. Production ramp-up began in the first quarter of 2025. With two Megafactories in Lathrop, the United States, and Shanghai, China, Tesla aims for a total annual capacity of 80 GWh, sufficient to power 10 million households for a year. HANNOVER, Germany, March 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- SUPCON, a global leader in industrial automation, will showcase its AI-powered Full Stack Industrial Automation Solutions at the Hannover Messe 2025, to be held from March 31 to April 4 in Hannover, Germany. As a pioneer in full-stack automationencompassing instrument, control, and softwareSUPCON is all set to demonstrate how it is driving smart manufacturing and digital transformation through real-time data acquisition, AI-powered industrial control, advanced data monitoring, and intelligent optimization. Key exhibits will include: SUPCON's booth at the Hannover Messe 2025: Stand G059 UCS (Universal Control System) leverages on control data center, all-optical deterministic networks, and intelligent devices to establish a new "cloud-network-edge" minimalistic architecture, addressing the three major challenges of control systems in the AI era: data, computing power, and algorithms. It features Software-defined, Total Digitalized, and Cloud-based characteristics. UCS is driving the industry's transition to "AI-driven autonomous operation", accelerating the evolution of smart manufacturing. TPT (Time-series Pre-trained Transformer) is an advanced AI model designed for the process industry, overcoming the rigidity of traditional task-specific AI systems. By enabling collaborative production models that surpass unidirectional instruction-based approaches, TPT revolutionizes industrial production, enhances scalability, and delivers adaptive solutions for diverse industrial demands through advanced AI-driven coordination. The PLANTBOT robot solution focuses on the application of intelligent robots in the segmented field of process industries, breaking through the application gap of robots. PLANTBOT creates an advanced intelligent factory architecture through AI-based multi-modal fusion and prediction, secure closed-loop control for complex multi-machine collaboration, and comprehensive dispatching management across the business automation (BA) and process automation (PA) domains, to build an integrated industrial robot ecosystem and help enterprises achieve excellent operation and innovative development. SOLISCADA is a SCADA software designed for industrial data monitoring and control. It supports up to 50,000 tags at zero cost and offers unlimited scalability, making it a game-changer for industrial automation. By redefining process control and data management, SOLISCADA empowers engineers, enhances operational visibility, and drives data-driven decision-making. Trusted by industries such as municipal services, oil & gas, pharmaceuticals, and manufacturing, SOLISCADA delivers unparalleled efficiency and intelligence to modern industrial operations. Hobre Intelligent Gas Analyzer provides real-time, high-precision gas analysis, forming the foundation of intelligent automation. Using zero-emission Raman Spectroscopy, it enables instantaneous process insights, optimizing energy efficiency, emissions reduction, and process control in natural gas processing, hydrogen blending, and syngas monitoring. At Hannover Messe 2025, SUPCON will reaffirm its commitment to empowering industries with cutting-edge full-stack automation solutions by integrating Instrument, Control, and Software into a seamless ecosystem. Through real-time data acquisition, autonomous control, Al-driven decision-making, and advanced monitoring, SUPCON enables industries to achieve greater efficiency, sustainability, and digital transformation while embracing the future of intelligent automation with confidence and precision. Join SUPCON at Hannover Messe 2025 SUPCON invites attendees to visit Booth Hall 9, G059, where live demonstrations will highlight the interoperability of its AI-Powered Full Stack Industrial Automation Solutions. Event Date: March 31 - April 4, 2025 Booth: Hall 9, G059 Register for a Visitor's Pass to the exhibition via link: https://www.hannovermesse.de/en/application/registration/direct-entry-tickets-passes?code=KhuLy . Alternatively, you may reach out to SUPCON to register your interest: [email protected] For more information, visit: https://global.supcon.com/ About SUPCON Founded in 1999, SUPCON is a global leader in industrial automation, serving over 30,000 customers across over 50 countries worldwide. SOURCE SUPCON Launches New Donor Recognition Program AUSTIN, Texas, March 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Aesthetic Foundation proudly announces the appointment of Patricia A. McGuire, MD, as its new President. Dr. McGuire, a board-certified plastic surgeon and esteemed breast surgery specialist, brings decades of experience in patient-centered care, advocacy for safety, and innovative research to her leadership role. Notably, she previously served as principal investigator on a landmark Foundation study examining systemic symptoms in women with breast implants. "It is an honor to assume the presidency of The Aesthetic Foundation," said Dr. McGuire, "I look forward to building upon our rich legacy by expanding our commitment to patient safety, advancing transformative research, and enhancing the lives of patients through compassionate support and innovation." Central to Dr. McGuire's vision is the Breast Cancer Journey Assistance Fund, established by the Foundation in 2023 to help breast cancer patients overcome financial obstacles during treatment. Recognizing that expenses extend beyond surgeryincluding medications, chemotherapy transportation, post-surgical garments, and wigsthe fund provides grants covering costs often not reimbursed by insurance. To date, the fund has provided 118 breast cancer patients with critical financial relief for their unique journey. Alongside patient assistance, Dr. McGuire champions patient safety through initiatives like the American Registry for Implant Surveillance (ARISE). ARISE is a comprehensive breast implant registry, powered by Aesthetic One an app that allows surgeons to digitally document implants seamlessly during surgery. Recognizing these crucial initiatives depend entirely on philanthropic support, The Aesthetic Foundation is launching its new donor recognition levels at The Aesthetic MEET 2025 in Austin. These new donor levels will help sustain patient assistance programs, groundbreaking research, and safety advancements in aesthetic medicine. Donors will be recognized throughout the calendar year, with continued efforts to ensure transparency about where funds are allocated, and the lives being impacted: President's Circle : Make a lasting impact with a $50,000+ cash or pledged gift, or a $100,000+ planned gift. Includes special recognition, a certificate, and a feature in ASN. : Make a lasting impact with a $50,000+ cash or pledged gift, or a $100,000+ planned gift. Includes special recognition, a certificate, and a feature in ASN. Champion's League : Donate $10,000+ annually to support research, breast cancer patients, externships, and more, earning top donor recognition. : Donate $10,000+ annually to support research, breast cancer patients, externships, and more, earning top donor recognition. Beyond Club : Double your dues with an additional $200+ donation in a calendar year. One-time or monthly gifts recognized. : Double your dues with an additional $200+ donation in a calendar year. One-time or monthly gifts recognized. Foundation Member: Join The Foundation for $200 annually. Dr. McGuire warmly invites members of The Aesthetic Society, industry colleagues, patients, and supporters to engage with these transformative initiatives. "Together, we can achieve meaningful, lasting change in aesthetic medicine," said Dr. McGuire. "Every donation makes a difference and strengthens our ability to support patients, advance research, and enhance safety." The Aesthetic Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable foundation. Its mission is to improve the safety and effectiveness of aesthetic surgery and medicine. For three decades, The Foundation has championed philanthropy, supporting education, and funding trailblazing research that enhances patient outcomes. The Aesthetic Foundation is supported exclusively through dues of member plastic surgeons and donations. [email protected] (562) 799-2356 SOURCE Aesthetic Surgery Education and Research Foundation Dr. Pfeifer to Drive Education, Digital Expansion, and Sustain Momentum on Key Initiatives AUSTIN, Texas, March 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Aesthetic Society proudly announced the election of Tracy Pfeifer, MD, MS, as its new President during The Aesthetic MEET 2025, the premier event in aesthetic plastic surgery. A highly respected aesthetic plastic surgeon and long-time leader within The Society, Dr. Pfeifer brings a forward-thinking vision centered on advancing education, expanding public awareness, and maintaining momentum on new programs launched over the past year. Dr. Pfeifer has been instrumental in shaping The Aesthetic Society's educational offerings, ensuring its programs remain at the forefront of innovation while fostering deeper engagement among surgeons, industry partners, and the public. As President, she will continue to advance initiatives like Education ReimaginedThe Society's mission to provide world-class training in the latest surgical techniques, non-invasive treatments, and patient safety advancementswhile also expanding public awareness and strengthening The Society's position. A recognized expert in aesthetic breast surgery, body contouring, and facial procedures, Dr. Pfeifer has been instrumental in The Aesthetic Society's evolution. As Chair of the Rebranding Task Force, Dr. Pfeifer led the transformation of The Aesthetic Society's brand identity and remains committed to solidifying its role as the foremost authority in aesthetic plastic surgery. She continues to strengthen The Society's brand presence by refining its positioning and visual identity while expanding digital initiatives to educate the public on aesthetic treatments and reinforce the importance of choosing board-certified plastic surgeons for surgical procedures. "The Aesthetic Society has always been a leader in innovation and education," said Dr. Pfeifer. "It is an incredible honor to serve as President and work alongside the most talented aesthetic surgeons in the world. Together, we will continue advancing our specialty, ensuring our members receive the highest level of training while strengthening public trust in board-certified aesthetic plastic surgeons." Dr. Pfeifer's leadership will emphasize continuityensuring The Society's most impactful initiatives continue to grow and serve its members effectively. She is committed to growing AlliedPro, the Society's membership program dedicated to supporting and educating nonsurgical aesthetic professionals, as well as strengthening the Global Alliance Partners, a network of over 40 international aesthetic plastic surgery organizations fostering worldwide collaboration and knowledge-sharing. The Aesthetic Society welcomes newly named Aesthetic Society officers serving on the Executive Committee: President-Elect: Jamil Ahmad, MD: Dr. Ahmad is a plastic surgeon and the Director of Research and Education at The Plastic Surgery Clinic. Dr. Ahmad is known for his natural results after cosmetic surgery and is sought after for his expertise in rhinoplasty, facial rejuvenation procedures, breast surgery, abdominoplasty, body contouring after weight loss, liposuction, fat transfer, and revisional aesthetic surgery. Dr. Ahmad is a fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Canada and enjoys privileges at the University Health Network, as well as Women's College Hospital and Mount Sinai Hospital. Dr. Ahmad is the only plastic surgeon in Canada to complete his plastic surgery residency training at the world-renowned Department of Plastic Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. In addition, he completed a fellowship in breast reconstruction at the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the University of Toronto. Vice President: Nolan Karp, MD: Dr. Karp is a Professor of Plastic Surgery at NYU Grossman School of Medicine and Vice Chair of the Hansjorg Wyss Department of Plastic Surgery. He is the Chief of Plastic Surgery at NYU-Tisch Hospital and directs the Breast Service. He is committed to education and has been involved in training residents for his entire career. He is also a Director for the American Board of Plastic Surgery. He has served many roles with The Aesthetic Society over the last 20 years including Program Chair for the Annual Meeting, Chair of F&I, Chair of the Aesthetic One Committee, Chair of the Resident's Business Meeting, and Member at Large on the Board of both The Aesthetic Society and The Aesthetic Foundation. Dr. Karp specializes in breast and body contouring plastic surgery. Treasurer: Trent Douglas, MD: Dr. Douglas is a Bay Area board-certified plastic surgeon performing a wide variety of surgical and non-invasive treatments. He completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Virginia and went on to obtain his medical degree from Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia. He performed his General Surgery residency at the Naval Medical Center San Diego before returning to Atlanta to complete the rigorous and highly prestigious Plastic Surgery Residency at Emory University. Dr. Douglas was a part of the San Diego community for many years having served as a Plastic Surgeon at the Naval Medical Center San Diego from 2006-2017 with double-board-certifications in Plastic and General Surgery. His deployments included Afghanistan as well as multiple Humanitarian Aid Missions to Southeast Asia. After retiring from the Navy in 2017, Dr. Douglas moved to the Bay Area and began private practice. Aesthetx Marin is the culmination of years of experience, the desire to provide an elevated aesthetic experience, and provide patient-centered care in the safest and most desirable location. Secretary: Douglas Steinbrech, MD, FACS: A board-certified plastic surgeon specializing in minimally invasive aesthetics, Dr. Douglas Steinbrech is one of New York's premier cosmetic surgeons. Selected as one of America's Top Plastic Surgeons by the Consumer's Research Council of America. Dr. Steinbrech's talents were developed during eight years of training at New York University in both General Surgery and Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. During his time at the prestigious NYU Institute of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, he also trained at the Manhattan Ear, Eye, and Throat hospital with iconic mentors such as McCarthy, Aston, Baker, Tabbal, and Pittman. About The Aesthetic Society: The Aesthetic Society is recognized as the world's leading organization devoted entirely to aesthetic plastic surgery and cosmetic medicine of the face and body. The Aesthetic Society is comprised of more than 4,000 national and international members. Active Members are certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (USA) or by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and have extensive training in the complete spectrum of surgical and non-surgical aesthetic procedures. International Active Members are certified by equivalent boards of their respective countries. All members worldwide adhere to a strict Code of Ethics and must meet stringent membership requirements. The Aesthetic Society is at the forefront of innovation in aesthetic plastic surgery and cosmetic medicine globally. Media Contacts [email protected] (562) 799-2356 SOURCE The Aesthetic Society HONG KONG, March 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- WHAT: The Peninsula launched its 2025 "Art in Resonance" program at its iconic flagship hotel, The Peninsula Hong Kong, with three commissioned artworks including one in partnership with the UK's Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) celebrating innovation and cultural heritage during Hong Kong Art Week. The Peninsula hosted its highly anticipated annual cocktail party followed by an exclusive dinner in partnership with Vogue100 and the V&A. More than 500 guests gathered at the legendary hotel for cocktails, while a sumptuous dinner for Vogue100 was given in the rooftop restaurant Felix, with a performance by rising Royal Opera star Alexandra Lowe. Along with the evening's festivities, guests enjoyed the exhibition's immersive and groundbreaking artworks from artists Chris Cheung (known as h0nh1m), Lin Fanglu and Phoebe Hui, which will be on public display at the hotel through May. WHO: Benjamin Vuchot, Chief Executive Officer of The Hongkong & Shanghai Hotels, Limited, owner and operator of The Peninsula Hotels welcomed esteemed guests including Dr Melissa Buron, Director of Collections and Chief Curator, V&A; Leslie Sun, Editorial Director of Vogue's Asia-Pacific Region. The evening was attended by celebrities, internationally renowned collectors, and art-world luminaries, including Ankie Beilke, Anjaylia Chan, Cindy Chao, Elly Lam, Feiping Chang, Fumi Lee, Kimberly Drew, Marisa Yiu, Princess Alia Al-Senussi, Raline Shah, and Tina Leung. WHEN: Monday, March 24, 2025 WHERE: The Peninsula Hong Kong , Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong IMAGES: [ Click Here ] to download images Image Credits: Getty Images for The Peninsula Hotels SOCIAL MEDIA: #artinresonance #penmoments @peninsulahongkong / @peninsulahotels Media Contact: [email protected] SOURCE The Peninsula Hotels UniFirst Owensboro Groundbreaking Event Details Date: Thursday, March 27, 2024 Time: 2:30 PM CT Location: 2801 UniFirst Drive, Owensboro, KY WILMINGTON, Mass., March 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- UniFirst Corporation (NYSE:UNF), a North American leader in providing customized business uniform programs, facility service products and first aid and safety services, will host a groundbreaking ceremony for the expansion of its Owensboro, Kentucky Distribution and Fulfillment Center on Thursday, March 27, 2025 at 2:30 p.m. Central Time. The event will feature remarks from local dignitaries and elected officials including, Thomas Watson, Owensboro Mayor, Charlie Castlen, Judge/Executive for Daviess County, and other community business leaders, honoring this $28 million investment in the local community. The UniFirst Owensboro Distribution and Fulfillment Center is undergoing a $28 million expansion to meet increased customer demand for uniforms and facility service products across North America. "The Owensboro expansion reflects our commitment to delivering industry-leading service to our customers while strengthening our relationship with the Owensboro community and the state of Kentucky, which has supported us for 27 successful years," said Steven Sintros, President and CEO, UniFirst. UniFirst's state-of-the-art Owensboro Distribution and Fulfillment Center currently employs over 520 local Team Partners and is already recognized as the largest personalization and emblem manufacturing operation in North America, processing and shipping more than 20 million garments annually to customers throughout the U.S. and Canada. The 109,000 square-foot expansion will increase the facility's size to 469,000 square feet, enabling greater operational efficiency, enhancing order accuracy, and adding capacity to meet growing customer needs. The expansion incorporates advanced robotics technology, smart conveyors, and a state-of-the-art shipping sortation system, as well as a new Warehouse Management System designed to streamline operations and scalability. The innovative design and sustainable features include high-efficiency HVAC systems and LED lighting to reduce energy use, along with natural lighting and outdoor spaces to provide an employee-friendly and welcoming work environment. "This project is an investment in our customers, Team Partners, and the Owensboro community," said David Dersheimer, General Manager, UniFirst. "We are proud to deepen our roots here in Kentucky and are honored to host our local dignitaries who will share in our groundbreaking celebration." Dersheimer acknowledges the significant support of Andy Beshear, Governor of Kentucky, the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Owensboro Economic Development Corporation (GOEDC), and state and local officials in driving this vital project forward. Gov. Beshear praised the expansion in a recent public statement, highlighting its importance to Kentucky's manufacturing excellence and its positive impact on the local economy. The Owensboro facility has also earned the Governor's Health and Safety Award and is one of only 19 sites in Kentucky to achieve OSHA's VPP Star certification, a designation reflecting the highest safety standards. Additionally, the facility is ISO 9001 certified, a globally recognized standard for quality management. This certification underscores UniFirst's commitment to customer satisfaction, continuous improvement, and maintaining a robust quality management system. "This expansion positions UniFirst to better serve our national and local customer base while driving innovation and operational excellence," said Matthew Croatti, Senior Vice President, UniFirst. "We're proud to contribute to the economic vitality of this region while ensuring that our Team Partners have the resources they need to grow with us." Construction is set to begin in March 2025 with partial occupancy anticipated by October 2025. Full completion of the project is expected by early 2026. For more information about UniFirst and the Company's uniform rental and facility service solutions, please visit UniFirst.com. About UniFirst Headquartered in Wilmington, Mass., UniFirst Corporation (NYSE: UNF) is a North American leader in the supply and servicing of uniform and workwear programs, facility service products, as well as first aid and safety supplies and services. Together with its subsidiaries, the company also manages specialized garment programs for the cleanroom and nuclear industries. In addition to partnering with leading brands, UniFirst manufactures its own branded workwear, protective clothing, and floorcare products at its three company-owned ISO-9001 certified manufacturing facilities. With more than 270 service locations, over 300,000 customer locations, and 16,000-plus employee Team Partners, the Company outfits more than 2 million workers every day. For additional information, contact UniFirst at 888.296.2740 or visit UniFirst.com . Follow UniFirst on Social Media: LinkedIn, Facebook, X, YouTube, Instagram. SOURCE UNIFIRST CORPORATION Westfield's dual approachenhancing insurance protection and supporting community-based recovery effortsdemonstrates its long-standing commitment to resilience, preparedness, and support for flood-affected communities across the U.S. WESTFIELD CENTER, Ohio, March 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Westfield, a global property and casualty insurance company, is addressing growing flood risks by expanding its protection options for U.S. homeowners by offering an inland flood coverage add-on designed to help reduce the insurance gap for those living outside historical high-risk flood zones. According to most recent FEMA data, more than 40% of flood insurance claims come from outside high-risk flood areas. Post this Steve Butler, AVP, Personal Lines Product Management and Underwriting Developed in collaboration with a global reinsurance company, this affordable coverage helps homeowners recover from flash floods, which are increasingly impacting areas previously considered low risk. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), in 2023 more than 40% of flood insurance claims came from outside high-risk flood areas. "With increasingly unpredictable weather patterns, flooding is no longer confined to FEMA-designated high-risk areas," said Steve Butler, AVP, personal lines product management and underwriting at Westfield. "This coverage can enable homeowners' peace of mind and financial stability in the face of evolving flood risks." As part of its broader commitment to flood resilience, Westfield is donating $750,000 to the Center for Disaster Philanthropy (CDP) to support flood recovery and mitigation efforts. This latest gift brings Westfield's total contributions through CDP to more than $3.5 million since 2016, reinforcing the company's dedication to helping communities rebuild after disasters. "It can take several months, even years, before families and entire communities are able to rebuild and recover after devastating floods," said Patricia McIlreavy, president and CEO of CDP. "We are grateful for Westfield's generosity and support of vital programs, such as rebuilding homes and providing mental health, legal, and disaster case management services, that will help flood survivors recover and thrive." The donation directs $500K to flood recovery and mitigation initiatives across the U.S. and $250K to support flood-related needs through the Atlantic Hurricane Season Fund, addressing one of the most underfunded areas of disaster response in the U.S. Through an endowed private foundation, Westfield gives $3.5 million annually, focusing on nonprofits that complement insurance by helping individuals, families, and businesses stabilize or recover from disasters. "As floods increasingly impact communities, Westfield is committed to providing innovative insurance solutions and supporting recovery efforts," Butler added. With its expanded insurance protection and philanthropic support, Westfield is taking a long-term, proactive approach to help homeowners and communities better prepare for and recover from the growing threat of floods. About Westfield Founded in 1848, Westfield is a global leader in property and casualty insurance, delivering superior risk insights and innovative solutions to customers through a diverse portfolio of insurance products. Westfield underwrites commercial, personal, surety, and specialty lines of coverage through a network of leading independent agents and brokers in the United States and specialty products through Lloyd's of London Syndicate 1200. As a mutual insurance company with nearly 3,000 employees, Westfield has revenues in excess of $4 billion and more than $11 billion in assets. Learn more at www.westfieldinsurance.com. About Center for Disaster Philanthropy The Center for Disaster Philanthropy (CDP) mobilizes philanthropy to strengthen communities' ability to withstand disasters and recover equitably when they occur. It provides expert advice and educational resources, supports diverse coalitions, and manages domestic and international disaster funds on behalf of corporations, foundations, and individuals through targeted, holistic, and localized grantmaking. Find out more at disasterphilanthropy.org and on X and LinkedIn. SOURCE Westfield Insurance SHANGHAI, March 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- WuXi Biologics ("WuXi Bio") (2269.HK), a leading global Contract Research, Development and Manufacturing Organization (CRDMO), announced that it has received 2025 CDMO Leadership Awards in the "Biologics - Global" category. It has also been recognized for excellence in "Best Scientific Expertise", "Best Seamless Delivery Across Phases", "Best Innovative Approach to Technology and Process Execution", making it the most lauded company in the ceremony. This marks WuXi Biologics' eighth consecutive year receiving the CDMO Leadership Award, underscoring its commitment to advancing integrated technology platforms that accelerate biologics discovery, development, and manufacturing. It shortened the development time for monoclonal antibody projects from DNA to Investigational New Drug (IND) application to 9 months, with a recent autoimmune disease project completed in just 6 months. By leveraging single-use technology (SUT), the company scaled manufacturing from 4,000 to 16,000 liters across its global facilities, achieving a 99% success rate (2022-2024). Given the equivalent scale, the SUT manufacturing costs are comparable to those of stainless steel systems. These milestones are underpinned by its world-class quality systems, which have ensured a 100% success rate in pre-approval inspections (PAI) and have passed over 40 inspections by global regulatory agencies, including 22 conducted by the FDA and EMA. Dr. Chris Chen, CEO of WuXi Biologics, commented, "We are honored to receive the CDMO Leadership Award for the eighth consecutive year. This achievement reflects the trust of our global partners and the relentless dedication of our team. We are committed to enabling our partners in delivering life-saving treatments quickly and effectively to the market, with the aim of benefiting patients worldwide." The CDMO Leadership Awards are presented by Outsourced Pharma and Life Science Leader. For the 2025 awards, 210 CDMOs were evaluated based on authoritative third-party research. The awards recognize top CDMOs in four categories (Biologics, Cell & Gene Therapy, Small Molecule API, Small Molecule Dosage Form) across three service regions (Global, North American, and International). About WuXi Biologics WuXi Biologics (stock code: 2269.HK) is a leading global Contract Research, Development and Manufacturing Organization (CRDMO) offering end-to-end solutions that enable partners to discover, develop and manufacture biologics from concept to commercialization for the benefit of patients worldwide. With over 12,000 skilled employees in China, the United States, Ireland, Germany and Singapore, WuXi Biologics leverages its technologies and expertise to provide customers with efficient and cost-effective biologics discovery, development and manufacturing solutions. As of December 31, 2024, WuXi Biologics is supporting 817 integrated client projects, including 21 in commercial manufacturing (excluding COVID CMO projects). WuXi Biologics regards sustainability as the cornerstone of long-term business growth. The company continuously drives green technology innovations to offer advanced end-to-end Green CRDMO solutions for its global partners while consistently achieving excellence in Environment, Social and Governance (ESG). Committed to creating shared value, it collaborates with all stakeholders to foster positive social and environmental impacts and promote responsible practices that empower the entire value chain. For more information about WuXi Biologics, please visit: www.wuxibiologics.com Contacts Media [email protected] Business [email protected] SOURCE WuXi Biologics Shanghai (Gasgoo)- On the evening of March 24, BYD Company Limited (BYD") released its 2024 annual financial report, showcasing robust performance in multiple key indices. The company recorded total revenue of 777.102 billion yuan in the year, a 29.02% jump year-over-year. Net profit attributable to shareholders reached 40.254 billion yuan, up 34% from a year earlier, while adjusted net profit stood at 36.983 billion yuan, marking a 29.94% increase from the previous year. Photo credit: BYD BYDs strong cash flow further underscored its financial health, with net cash flow from operating activities reaching 133.454 billion yuan last year. By the end of 2024, the companys cash reservesincluding monetary funds and marketable securitiesamounted to 154.9 billion yuan. On the sales front, BYD sold 4,272,145 new energy vehicles through 2024, a 41.3% year-over-year surge. Sales of its premium brands, including FANGCHENGBAO, DENZA, and YANGWANG, reached 189,877 units, soaring 40.1% over a year ago, reinforcing BYDs push into the high-end market. Overseas sales surged as well, with 417,204 units sold outside of China last yearmarking a 71.9% spike compared to the previous year and expanding BYDs global footprint. BYD also ramped up its investment in R&D, allocating 54.2 billion yuan in 2024a 35.7% increase from the previous yearbringing its cumulative R&D spending to over 180 billion yuan. The report further highlighted BYDs growing economic contribution, with total domestic tax payments reaching a record 51 billion yuan in 2024. Meanwhile, the companys cash reserves also hit an all-time high of 154.9 billion yuan by the end of last year. Photo Credit: TBS (left); Tyler Lochte on X (right). Arguably the greatest game from the first weekend of March Madness featured Maryland defeating Colorado State, with freshman Derik Queen hitting a buzzer-beater to give the Terrapins the win. It was also a big moment for Tyler Lochte, the co-station director of WMUC Sports, Marylands student-run radio station. Lochte shared video on X (formerly Twitter) of himself making the call, saying it was the Coolest moment of my broadcasting career. Alright, here we go 3.7 seconds left, Lochte said. Maryland has not made a shot in the last 2:27. If they dont make one here, their season is over. (JaKobi) Gillespie to inbound, he finds Queen. Queen, turns, puts it up at the buzzer and in. Maryland is headed to the Sweet 16 for the second time in 22 years. Its the freshman, Derik Queen. Hes a Maryland hero. Coolest moment of my broadcasting career. Terps keep dancing. pic.twitter.com/O4ENevPabF Tyler Lochte (@tylerlochte) March 24, 2025 When asked where he had the confidence to hit that shot, Queen said Im from Baltimore. Lochte is also from Baltimore and told Awful Announcing that he called a game of Queens when the Maryland star was a freshman in high school. During a first-round game between High Point and Purdue, the TV broadcast singled out High Point student broadcasters Jimmy Rosselli and Griffin Wright. Deservedly, student announcers received a good deal of attention during the first weekend of the tournament. Thats a trend that we hope can continue. 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 Mumbai, March 24 : A political slugfest has triggered after Comedian Kunal Kamra on Sunday uploaded a video on his official YouTube channel commenting on Maharashtra politics, in which he referred to Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde as a "traitor". The video has drawn sharp criticism and anger from members of the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena faction. Following the video, Shinde faction leader Rahul Kanal lodged a formal complaint against Kamra at the Khar Police Station in Mumbai. The complaint alleges that Kamra made derogatory remarks against Eknath Shinde during a recent live show held at The Uni Continental Club in Khar West. According to the complaint, Kamra performed a song targeting Eknath Shinde during the event, which the Shinde Sena has termed offensive. After reports of the performance reached party supporters, some Shiv Sena workers reportedly went to the venue, questioned the club management, and vandalised property. The Shinde-led faction of Shiv Sena has demanded that a case be registered against Kamra and that he be arrested for his remarks. Police are yet to confirm whether an FIR has been officially registered against the comedian. Shiv Sena workers vandalised Hotel Unicontinental in Mumbai's Khar area where Kamra's show with 'gaddar' (traitor) jibe at Eknath Shinde was filmed and sought an FIR against him, police said. "Meri nazar se tum dekho to gaddar nazar wo aaye. Haaye," Kunal Kamra said during his show. He mocked Eknath Shinde using a modified version of a Hindi song from "Dil To Pagal Hai", eliciting laughter from the audience. The comedian shared the video clip on the social networking platform X. Kunal Kamra alluded to Eknath Shinde's 2022 rebellion, which led to the split of Shiv Sena into the Shinde faction and the Uddhav Thackeray faction. Thane Shiv Sena Lok Sabha MP Naresh Mhaske said, "Kamra is a contract comedian. But he should not have stepped on the tail of a snake (apparently referring to Shinde). Once the fangs are out, there will be dire consequences." Kunal Kamra has accepted money from Uddhav Thackeray and is targeting Eknath Shinde, Mhaske alleged. "We will make sure you cannot move freely throughout the country. We are Shiv Sainiks of the late Balasaheb Thackeray. If we start following you, you will have to leave the country," the Thane Lok Sabha MP added. "His party is left with nobody so it is hiring such people. Kamra will now realise the consequences of criticising Shinde," Mhaske said attacking Thackeray. Mhaske also slammed Shiv Sena-UBT leader Sanjay Raut for circulating the video on X. In a post on X, Raut said, "Kunal Kamra is a well-known writer and stand-up comedian. Kunal composed a parody song on Maharashtra's political scenario, which irked the Shinde gang and then ransacked the studio. Devendraji, you are a weak home minister." Raut tagged the personal X handles of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Shiv Sena MLA Murji Patel said he would show "Kamra his level" and asked him to apologise. "I am going to file an FIR against Kamra at MIDC police station," Patel said. Shiv Sena-UBT leader and MLA Aaditya Thackeray condemned the attack on the studio where Kunal Kamra performed a live stand-up comedy calling it an act of cowardice. In a post on X, Thackeray wrote, "Mindhe's (read Shinde) coward gang breaks the comedy show stage where comedian @kunalkamra88 put out a song on Eknath mindhe, which was 100 per cent true. Only an insecure coward would react to a song by someone." He further questioned the state's law and order, adding, "By the way, law and order in the state? Another attempt to undermine the CM and Home Minister by Eknath Mindhe," he said. Aaditya Thackeray frequently refers to Shinde as "Mindhe", a Marathi word meaning subservient, as a taunt. Shiv Sena spokesperson Krishna Hegde condemned Kamra's comments, stating that party workers were angered by his remarks. "The comedian will receive 'Shiv Sena treatment,' as none of the Shiv Sainiks have liked his statements," Hegde warned, without elaborating on what this could entail. Criticising Kunal Kamra for his remarks on Eknath Shinde, Shiv Sena leader Milind Deora wrote on X, "Mocking Eknath Shinde jia self-made leader who went from being an auto driver to leading India's second-largest statereflects classist arrogance. India is rejecting entitled dynasts and their sycophantic ecosystem that falsely claims to stand for meritocracy and democracy." Meanwhile, Shiv Sena leader Krishna Hegde told IANS, "Mumbai Police should arrest Kunal Kamra. He should be put behind bars.... He should be booked under the law. The type of deregatory language and abusive words used by Kunal Kamra for Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde is an insult to the people of Maharashtra. No Shiv Sena workers would tolerate such a language used for their leader Eknath Shinde and Kunal Kamra has uttered such deregatory comments against several other people in the past as well. Kunal Kamra is a habitual offender and had been barred for six months earlier from boarding an airline. Kunal Kamra will be given a befitting reply by Shiv Sena leaders soon." -- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed Bhopal, March 24 : Much like the recent attack on a police team in Madhya Pradesh's Mauganj, Sehore district experienced another violent incident against the police late Saturday night. Five villagers attacked a police crew that had been dispatched to Kheri village in the Ichhawar area after reports of a growing dispute. On arrival, Sub-Inspector (SI) Ramnarayan Dhurve, flanked by two Constables, was ambushed by a group of five attackers -- Hemraj, Vishal, Gajraj, Rahul, and Bhura -- armed only with sticks. The assault left SI Dhurve in serious condition, forcing his two colleagues to retreat in order to save their lives. The injured officer was promptly rushed to the district hospital for care while authorities confirmed that charges had been lodged against the five perpetrators. Senior police officers confirmed the report but were reluctant to divulge on details. However, police sources said that the trigger for the disturbance was a personal matter. Kamlesh, a local resident of Kheri, had recently wed a woman from a nearby village. When her family caught wind of the marriage, they converged on Kheri late that night. Overcome with fear, Kamlesh and his family fled, leaving their home deserted. Seizing the unoccupied house as an opportunity, a local band of miscreants set about vandalising the property -- an act that immediately alerted the villagers to call the police. It is the fourth violent attack on police crew reported within a single week. Just recently in Gadra village, within the Shahpura police station jurisdiction of Mauganj district, the tragic deaths of an Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Ramcharan Gautam and a young man named Sunny Dwivedi reminded everyone. In Damoh, a tense standoff over a weapons seizure resulted in an ASI being shot by the accused Qasim Khan -- a man who later found himself wounded by a retaliatory shot. At Budhar in Shahdol, even a group of local women pelted a detachment of police officers with stones during an arrest, leaving several injured. New Delhi, March 24 : BJP National Spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla has lashed out at the decision of the Karnataka Cabinet for giving four per cent reservation to the Muslim contractors in tenders. Speaking to IANS, he said that the "Congress party is against the Constitution, against reservation, and against Ambedkar" and added that "Congress leader and the Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka, D.K. Shivakumar, has said that the four per cent reservation to Muslims is not constitutionally valid in government contracts". Poonawalla told IANS: "It is clear that the Congress party is against the Constitution, against reservation, and against Ambedkar. Congress leader and the Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka D.K. Shivakumar, has stated that the 4 per cent Muslim reservation is not constitutionally valid in government contracts. However, they (Congress) assert, So what? We will change the Constitution... ." The BJP leader also added: "They (Congress) tell people that they are protectors of the Constitution and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi tells the people of the country that the BJP will change the Constitution anytime while they are in power. The Congress themselves want to change the Constitution of the country by going against Ambedkar and the basic founding principles on which the Constituion of India was formulated. The Congress wants to bring in a policy going against the reservation to divide the Muslim community on the basis of religion and destroy the Constitution of the country." While criticising the Congress government in Karnataka, Poonawalla also said: "It is this very Congress and the Gandhi family which opposed the reservation reserved for Other Backward Classes (OBCs). The Congress generally also opposes reservation which the first Prime Minister of the country Jawaharlal Nehru had also said. This is the same Congress party which destroyed the Constitution by imposing the draconinan Emergency in 1975 across the country and today also wants the Constitution to function as per their convenience to appease its Muslim vote bank. Is providing reservation on the basis of religion right according to the Constitution? Now Rahul Gandhi should answer who is the real enemy of the Constitution. The answer is Rahul Gandhi and the Congress party. Earlier Rahul Gandhi had said that the Congress will stop reservations. This clearly shows that the party which is anti-Ambedkar and anti-Constitution is the Congress party. It is Congress's appeasement and vote bank politics which is the biggest threat to the country's Constitution." The Karnataka Cabinet on March 15 approved an amendment to the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurement (KTPP) Act which will aim to provide four percent reservation to Muslim contractors in tenders, official sources said. Earlier on March 7, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah confirmed that four per cent of public works contracts will now be reserved for Muslims under a category called Category-II B, while presenting Karnataka governmentas Budget. Reservation will be provided in the procurement of goods and services under various government departments, corporations, and institutions for suppliers belonging to SC, ST, Category-I, Category-II A, and Category-II B, up to Rs 1 crore, in which Category-II B refers to Muslims. Saharanpur, March 24 : A massive pillar collapsed on the under-construction Delhi-Dehradun highway in Uttar Pradesh's Saharanpur district, leaving two workers injured, officials said. The incident occurred near Mora village in Badgaon on Sunday evening, sending shockwaves through the locals and highway authorities, prompting an immediate rescue operation by local authorities and disaster response teams Saharanpur Sub-Divisional Magistrate Shweta Pandey told IANS, "In Saharanpur, an accident occurred on the under-construction Delhi-Dehradun Highway due to a greater slip caused by a crane. Upon receiving the information, police and administration reached the spot. NHAI officials have confirmed that two workers have been injured and fake information is being spread on social media that several workers were feared trapped. The situation has now been brought under control." According to preliminary reports, as many as six to seven workers were working beneath the pillar when it suddenly collapsed. The impact of the fall created chaos among highway officials, as they scrambled to assess the situation. The local police station was immediately alerted and many officers left for the site to oversee rescue operations. As locals got the news of the incident, villagers from the nearby locations gathered at the site and joined the rescue efforts. Their swift response, combined with the efforts of authorities, resulted in the successful rescue of four to five workers. Preliminary investigations suggest that the collapse may have been caused by the use of poor-quality construction materials, with reports indicating that thin iron rods and substandard materials were used in the construction of the pillars. Sources claim that the pillar broke as soon as it was placed, leading to the tragic incident. The local authorities have pledged to thoroughly investigate the causes behind the pillar's collapse and hold those responsible accountable. The Delhi-Dehradun Expressway project, part of a key infrastructure development initiative, has now been marred by this tragic incident. Local residents and workers have expressed deep concerns about the safety standards of ongoing construction projects. Many have called for improved oversight and stricter regulations to prevent such accidents from happening in the future, highlighting the need for safer working conditions. Srinagar, March 24 : Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and National Conference (NC) patron Farooq Abdullah, on Sunday, attended an Iftaar party hosted by the People's Democratic Party (PDP) President Mehbooba Mufti in Jammu. The event saw participation of several political leaders which include Jammu & Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee's (JKPCC) chief Tariq Hameed Karra, senior party leader Ghulam Ahmad Mir and others. According to insiders, the event was purely social and carried no political undertones. "It was just a goodwill gesture, not linked to any political discussions," a source privy to the gathering said. Sources said Mehbooba Mufti extended an invitation to the Chief Minister and the veteran NC leader, which they readily accepted. Both leaders were present at the gathering, marking a moment of political cordiality despite their parties' historical rivalry. The presence of the two senior NC leaders at an event hosted by the PDP Chief has sparked curiosity in political circles, given the longstanding competition between the two parties in Jammu and Kashmir's political landscape. However, those close to the attendees emphasised that the gathering was simply an occasion to observe the spirit of Ramzan. Such interactions, though uncommon, underline the cultural and social traditions of Kashmir, where political adversaries occasionally set aside differences to come together on religious and social occasions. Iftar is the fast-breaking evening meal of Muslims in Ramzan at the time of adhan (call to prayer). In India, Muslims break their fasts with family and friends, and many mosques arrange free 'iftar.' Preparations for iftar commence hours before, in homes and at roadside stalls. Iftar begins by eating dates or drinking water, but this is only the opening of a rich meal. The spread of 'iftar' can be grand, with both vegetarian to non-vegetarian dishes and a variety of juices and sherbets. Iftar usually is a heavy meal and is followed by a second, lighter dinner eaten before the night (isha) prayers and the taraweeh prayers. Bhopal, March 24 : A tragic car accident took place in Madhya Pradesh's Shivpuri district on Sunday, leading to the death of two women doctors and injuries to four other doctors, the police confirmed. According to information, the accident took place near Lukwasa village under Kolaras police station. The car was travelling from Ayodhya to Ujjain when the accident occurred. Sub-Divisional Officer of Police (SDOP) Vijay Yadav said: "The accident took place in Kolaras police station area at around 7:30 a.m. In the accident, Tanvi Acharya (50) died on the spot, while Neelam Pandit (55) died in the hospital." A car carrying a group of doctors lost control and crashed into a culvert. In the accident, a female doctor died on the spot, while another female doctor succumbed to her injuries at the district hospital. Four other doctors were injured but are reported to be in stable condition. According to reports, all the doctors are residents of Maharashtra. They were on a pilgrimage. They had started their journey about 15 days ago to visit religious sites in Uttar Pradesh. The injured included Uday Joshi (64) and his wife Seema Joshi (59), residents of Dadar in Mumbai, Subodh Pandit (62) from Vasai in Palghar district and Atul Acharya (55) from Bhiwandi in Thane district, SDOP Yadav said, adding that they were undergoing treatment at the district hospital in Shivpuri. After visiting the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, the group was heading towards Ujjain for Mahakal Darshan. Around 8:30 a.m., near Lukwasa village, Atul Acharya, who was driving the car, reportedly dozed off, leading to the accident. The car crashed into a culvert on the four-lane highway, killing Tanvi Acharya instantly. The other doctors sustained injuries and were rushed to the district hospital, where Neelam Pandit also passed away. The remaining injured doctors are in stable condition. The police have started an investigation into the incident. Cairo, March 24 : Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly and his Palestinian counterpart Mohammad Mustafa met here to discuss ongoing efforts to revive the ceasefire in Gaza and advance its reconstruction. During the meeting, Madbouly stressed the need to maintain the ceasefire in Gaza and begin the process of early recovery and reconstruction in the territory, reaffirming Egypt's unwavering support for the Palestinian people and their right to remain on their land, according to a statement from the Egyptian cabinet released on Sunday. He said that the Egypt-proposed Gaza reconstruction plan, which was approved by an emergency Arab summit earlier this month, will witness further coordination with various regional and international parties, including the Palestinian side, to push forward its implementation, Xinhua news agency reported. Mustafa, in turn, underscored the importance of upholding the ceasefire to facilitate recovery and rebuilding efforts. He also briefed Madbouly on Palestine's ongoing diplomatic engagements with Arab, Islamic, and international actors to address the situation in Gaza, and its preparations for a Gaza reconstruction conference, which is to be held in Cairo. The two sides agreed to continue consultations and coordination during the coming period to support efforts aimed at implementing the reconstruction plan and maintaining the ceasefire. The Arab summit, held on March 4, approved the $53 billion plan, which aims to rebuild Gaza over five years without displacing its residents. The situation in Gaza has deteriorated rapidly. Since early Tuesday, the Israeli military has resumed intense airstrikes across the enclave, effectively ending a two-month truce. Since last week, Israel has resumed extensive airstrikes and ground operations in Gaza, breaking a ceasefire that had lasted for two months and killing hundreds of people. The Israeli war in Gaza has claimed 50,000 Palestinian lives, predominantly women and children and, according to UN estimates, and devastated more than 60 per cent of homes and 65 per cent of roads. The Gaza-based health authorities reported on Sunday that at least 673 people have been killed and 1,233 wounded since then. The European Union has also expressed support for the Arab plan. The proposal aims to counter US-Israeli plans to permanently expel Gaza residents, with US President Donald Trump's plan to "take over" and "own" Gaza drawing widespread condemnation. This five-year plan seeks to secure permanent housing for the 2 million residents of Gaza, the majority of whom have been displaced by the war, while establishing essential services and vital infrastructure, including an airport. Politically, an administrative committee made up of Palestinian professionals and independent technocrats is set to govern Gaza, which is currently ruled by Hamas, until the Palestinian Authority reestablishes control over the enclave under the plan. Riyadh, March 24 : Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov has said that the talks between US and Ukrainian delegations have concluded in Saudi Arabia's capital Riyadh, saying the discussion was "productive and focused", with "key points including energy" addressed. In a post on Sunday on social media platform X, Umerov, who led the Ukrainian delegation, emphasised that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's goal is "to secure a just and lasting peace" for Ukraine and Europe at large, claiming, "We are working to make that goal a reality." The Ukrainian and US teams met earlier in the day in Riyadh, Xinhua news agency reported. According to the Ukrinform news agency, the Ukrainian delegation also included State Secretary of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry Oleksandr Karasevych, deputy heads of the President's Office, Pavlo Palisa and Ihor Zhovkva, as well as Deputy Energy Minister Mykola Kolisnyk. The talks came almost two weeks after a previous meeting between the two sides in the Saudi port city of Jeddah saw Ukraine okay a US-proposed 30-day ceasefire plan in exchange for Washington lifting its pause on military aid to and intelligence sharing with Ukraine. Notably, the meeting precedes the talks between US and Russian delegations scheduled for Monday. Media reported late Sunday that the Russian delegation has arrived in Riyadh. The delegation includes Grigory Karasin, chairman of the committee on international affairs in Russia's Upper House, and Sergey Beseda, Adviser to the head of Russia's Federal Security Service, Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov said earlier. Originally scheduled to take place simultaneously to enable shuttle diplomacy -- with the US going back and forth between the delegations -- the technical-level talks on a partial truce are now taking place separately, one after the other. In an evening address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that "Russia is the only one who is dragging this war out". "No matter what we talk about with our partners, we need to push Putin to give a real order to stop the strikes: the one who brought this war must take it away," he said. Discussions between the United States and Russia were set for Monday, with Russian state media reporting Moscow's delegation had arrived in Riyadh on Sunday. 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 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 US 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. 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. The US government announced that Zelensky agreed in the talks to halt attacks on Russian energy facilities. Ukraine suggested that its delegation would discuss with its US counterpart a proposal to halt attacks on infrastructure facilities as well when they meet in Riyadh. The US team is expected to hold talks with Russian officials on Monday. Observers are closely watching whether the talks can make any progress that would lead to a ceasefire. Sanaa, March 24 : At least one person was killed and 15 others wounded in a US airstrike targeting a residential building in Yemen's Houthi-held capital Sanaa, Houthi-run al-Masirah TV reported. A preliminary toll showed that "three children and two women" were among the injured due to the strike that took place in Asr, the western suburb of Sanaa, the television said o Sunday, citing a source from the Houthi-controlled health authorities. Local residents described the strike as "very violent," noting that rescue teams were still searching for possible survivors under the rubble, Xinhua news agency reported. The US military has yet to issue a comment. Hours earlier, the TV channel reported that the US military stationed in the Red Sea conducted fresh airstrikes on Yemen's northern province of Saada, targeting the areas around the province's namesake central city, a stronghold of the Houthis, without providing further details. The airstrikes came a few hours after the Houthis claimed to have launched fresh attacks on the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier in the northern Red Sea and the Ben Gurion airport in central Israel, with the latter attack reportedly intercepted by the Israeli army. Earlier in the day, the US military launched a series of airstrikes on Houthi-held areas, including the airport in the Red Sea port city of Hodeidah, according to al-Masirah TV. There were no reports of casualties. The exchanges of fire took place amid an ongoing air campaign launched by US forces in mid-March against Houthi-controlled territories in Yemen. The Houthi group, which controls much of northern Yemen after the onset of a civil war in 2014, has vowed to continue striking Israeli targets in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza and to respond to what it describes as "American aggression". US President Donald Trump justified the strikes, claiming Houthis had attacked US ships and disrupted international shipping and trade in the Red Sea. The President ordered a "decisive and forceful military action", further adding that the US would use "overwhelming and deadly force" to deter further attacks on the freedom of navigation. Gaza/Jerusalem, March 24 : The Israeli army has killed Ismail Barhoum, a member of Hamas' politburo, and at least four other Palestinians in an airstrike on the Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, according to Palestinian medical sources and eyewitnesses. Local sources and eyewitnesses told Xinhua news agency on Sunday that an Israeli drone targeted the second floor of the emergency building in the complex, where the surgery department is located, with at least one missile, causing a large fire. Medics confirmed to Xinhua that medical workers immediately recovered the bodies of five people, including Barhoum, along with a number of injured persons, some in critical condition. "The Israeli army targeted the surgery building inside the Nasser Medical Complex a short while ago, which housed many patients and wounded, and a large fire broke out there," Gaza-based health authorities said in a statement in the evening. Later, Hamas confirmed the death of Barhoum, saying he was receiving treatment in a hospital ward when the attack happened, Xinhua news agency reported. Meanwhile, Israeli forces said Sunday night that they launched an attack on the Nasser Hospital compound in southern Gaza, claiming they targeted a Hamas official. In a joint statement, the Israel Defense Forces and Shin Bet domestic security agency described the official as a "key" Hamas militant, who was "operating inside the Nasser Hospital compound" in Khan Younis, without providing the official's name and identity. They added that "the strike was conducted following an extensive intelligence-gathering process and with precise munitions, in order to mitigate harm to the surrounding environment as much as possible". 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. he 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, 2023, has passed 50,000. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz in a statement hailed the killing of Barhoum, saying he was athe new Hamas Prime Minister in Gaza, who replaced Issam Daaalis, the previous Prime Minister who was eliminated a few days ago". iHe was at least the fourth member of Hamasas political bureau killed since last Tuesday, when Israel resumed airstrikes in the territory after an impasse over continuing a ceasefire. Earlier Sunday, an Israeli airstrike near Khan Younis killed Salah al-Bardawil, another senior member of its political bureau. Barhoum was a member of Hamasas political wing and had been involved in financial activities for the terror group, according to the European Union, which placed sanctions on him last year. He was also reported to have dealt with Hamasas finances. Out of the 20 members of Hamasas political bureau elected in 2021, 11 have been assassinated during the war in Gaza. Seven are either certain or highly likely to be outside the Gaza Strip. In a separate announcement on Sunday, the IDF and Shin Bet security agency said two senior Hamas military wing commanders had been killed in recent airstrikes in the Gaza Strip. Nasser Medical Complex is the second-largest hospital in Gaza and has been subjected to several Israeli attacks since the outbreak of the war on October 7, 2023. Sanaa, March 24 : The US military stationed in the Red Sea conducted fresh airstrikes on Yemen's northern province of Saada, media reported. The strikes targeted the areas around the province's namesake central city Saada, a stronghold of the Houthis, the Houthi-run al-Masirah TV said on Sunday evening without providing further details. The airstrikes came a few hours after the Houthis claimed to have launched fresh attacks on the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier in the northern Red Sea and the Ben Gurion airport in central Israel, with the latter attack reportedly intercepted by the Israeli army, Xinhua news agency reported. Earlier on Sunday, the US military launched a series of airstrikes on Houthi-held areas, including the airport in the Red Sea port city of Hodeidah, according to Houthi television. There were no reports of casualties. The exchanges of fire took place amid an ongoing air campaign launched by US forces in mid-March against Houthi-controlled territories in Yemen. The Houthi group, which controls much of northern Yemen after a civil war since 2014, has vowed to continue striking Israeli targets in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza and to respond to what it describes as "American aggression". Saada province serves as the main stronghold of the Houthi group. The latest strikes mark the seventh consecutive day of US attacks on Houthi-controlled areas in northern Yemen, including the capital Sanaa. Earlier on Friday, US forces launched six airstrikes on Al-Fazah, a coastal area in At-Tuhayta district, south of the Red Sea port city of Hodeidah, according to al-Masirah TV. No casualties have been reported. The Houthis have controlled much of northern Yemen, including Sanaa, since the countryas civil war erupted in 2014. The tension between the Houthis and the US military escalated as the US launched new airstrikes on Yemen on March 15 after the Houthi group threatened to resume attacks on Israeli targets until humanitarian aid is allowed into Gaza. Jerusalem, March 24 : Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio have discussed over the phone efforts to release hostages in Hamas captivity and Israel's renewed assault on Gaza. "The two discussed regional developments, including the release of Israeli hostages and the resumption of fighting in Gaza," said a statement from Netanyahu's office on Sunday, adding that Rubio has expressed US "unwavering support for Israel and its policies". Israel has launched new air and ground assaults in Gaza since Tuesday, effectively ending a two-month ceasefire, Xinhua news agency reported. The bombardments have killed at least 673 people and wounded 1,233 others, according to Gaza's health authorities. Hamas accused Israel of shattering the ceasefire agreement, which was signed in January. In the meantime, Taher al-Nunu, a Hamas spokesperson, said on Friday that the group was assessing new proposals from mediators aimed at reviving the ceasefire, including a "bridging" proposal from US envoy Steve Witkoff. Earlier on February 16, Israel's Prime Minister vowed to "open the gates of hell" if Hamas does not return all its hostages and praised President Trump's "bold vision for Gaza's future." Benjamin Netanyahu, in a joint statement with US Secretary of State Rubio, said the US and Israel have a "common strategy" when it comes to Gaza. "We can't always share the details of this strategy with the public, including when the gates of hell will be opened, as they surely will if all our hostages are not released until the last one," the statement said. "We will eliminate Hamas' military capability and its political rule in Gaza. We will bring all our hostages home, and we will ensure that Gaza never again poses a threat to Israel." Rubio was in Jerusalem on February 16 as part of a regional tour where he is likely to face pushback from Arab leaders over Trump's proposal to transfer the Palestinian population out of the Gaza Strip and redevelop it under US ownership. Jerusalem, March 24 : Israel's military has said that an armoured division previously deployed in Lebanon is now preparing for ground operations in the Gaza Strip, signalling a possible further expansion of its ongoing air and ground offensive. In a statement on Sunday, the military said the 36th Division has begun preparations for operations in Gaza "following a situational assessment". Video footage released by the military showed about two dozen armoured personnel carriers being deployed near the Gaza border, Xinhua news agency reported. According to the statement, the 36th Division has completed its operations in Lebanon. The potential reinforcement came as Israel resumed strikes in Gaza on Tuesday after a ceasefire with Hamas that began on January 19 unraveled. Israeli forces subsequently launched ground operations across southern, northern, and central Gaza. Also on Sunday, Israel's military and Shin Bet domestic security agency said in a joint statement that they had killed Ahmad Salman 'Awj Shimali, deputy commander of Hamas' Gaza Brigade, who was responsible for operations, strategy planning, and forces building ahead of the October 7 attack. Jamil Omar Jamil Wadiya, commander of Hamas' Shuja'iyya Battalion, was also killed, the statement said. They were the latest in a string of senior Hamas figures targeted by Israel. The Israeli assault on Gaza has killed at least 50,021 people and injured 113,274 others since fighting erupted in early October 2023, according to an update from Gaza-based health authorities. Earlier, Hezbollah said its fighters clashed with an Israeli infantry force trying to infiltrate the town of Odaisseh in southern Lebanon, marking the first direct clash between Hezbollah fighters and Israeli forces since Israel announced the invasion. The Lebanese group said it inflicted losses and forced Israeli forces to retreat. Hezbollah and Israel have been engaged in cross-border warfare since the start of Israel's war on Gaza last October. Israel says the operationas goal is to allow nearly 60,000 displaced people to return to their homes across northern Israel after a year of simmering cross-border fighting. Hezbollah began firing on Israel in solidarity with its Palestinian allies a day after Hamasas October 7, 2023, attack that triggered the new war in Gaza and now threatens to drag in Iran and the US. Mumbai, March 24 : Filmmaker Karan Johar, who is a father to twins Roohi and Yash, watched the much-talked about series "Adolescence" and said that no book or podcast can teach you to be the best version of yourself as a parent. Mumbai, March 24 (IANS) Filmmaker Karan Johar, who is a father to twins Roohi and Yash, watched the much-talked about series "Adolescence" and said that no book or podcast can teach you to be the best version of yourself as a parent. Karan took to Instagram, where he shared the poster of the Netflix show that centres on a 13-year-old schoolboy named Jamie Miller who is arrested for the murder of a female classmate. Calling the show a "wake up call", Karan spoke about parenthood in the caption section. He wrote: "To be a Parent I have always known that raising a child is as much a blessing as it is an arduous responsibility No book or podcast can prepare you or teach you to be the best version of yourself as a parent what you need to first be is the best version of YOURSELF .. the very best" The filmmaker said that children are the embodiment of the soul of the parents. "What you say , how you say it , what you feel and how you express it your habits , your behaviour , your ideologies, your politics EVERYTHING is eventually going to rub off on your child they are embodiment's of your soul you may not realise the reflection but they will mirror you." "Adolescence is a wake up loud call to parents who are raising children in times of social media I grew up on conversations they speak in emojis I grew up on books they scroll reels .. I grew up on self discovery they are surrounded by comparisons the pandemic is NOW! We just don't see it ." He said that the gut wrenching show "Adolescence" is more a mirror to "parenting and social media commentary than anything I have a seen or been impacted by recently." "The gaze of perceived masculinity . The impact of bullying the turning a blind eye to child habits and patterns this 4 episode mini series is a blasterclass for Parents. The Technical marvel of 4 ground breaking long shots moved me as a filmmaker but broke me as a parent." Talking about raising Roohi and Yash, he added: "I am raising twins and I thank this show for building my awareness and my responsibility quotient even moreThis is more than a series it's a forever lessonI am grateful to the creators of #adolescence and to Netflix! " -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Kolkata, March 24 : A single-judge bench of Calcutta High Court, from Monday, will hear the plea of the parents of R.G. Kar rape and murder victim questioning the progress of the investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the crime. With the Supreme Court, last week, permitting a parallel hearing in the matter at Calcutta High Court, the counsels of the parents approached the high courtas single-judge bench of Justice Tirthankar Ghosh with a fresh petition. The matter was admitted by Justice Ghosh and accordingly, Monday was fixed as the first day of the fresh hearing in the matter. Earlier, when the victimas parents approached Justice Ghoshas bench, the latter was not agreeable to hear the matter since it was already being heard at the apex court. However, now with the apex court's approval parallel hearings can happen both at the apex court and the court, besides the one already continuing at a special court in Kolkata. Since the apex court, last week, approved the parallel hearing at the Calcutta High Court, the CBI officials investigating the matter have accelerated the pace of their investigation. In the last week, the investigating officials summoned and interrogated seven nursing staff and eight security personnel who were on duty at R.G. Kar Medical College & Hospital on the night when the ghastly rape and murder of the woman doctor took place. Sources aware of the development said the findings from the interrogations will be incorporated in the supplementary charge sheet on the angle of evidence tampering and altering in the case that the central agency is expected to file at the special court in Kolkata soon. The body of the junior woman doctor was recovered from a seminar hall within the premises of R.G. Kar Medical College & Hospital on the morning of August 9 last year. The initial probe was being conducted by a special investigation team of Kolkata Police, whose members also arrested the sole convict in the case and civic volunteer Sanjay Roy. However, later, the probe was handed over to the CBI following an order of the Calcutta High Court. Recently, a special court convicted Roy and sentenced him to life imprisonment. However, the CBI has challenged this in the Calcutta High Court and demanded the death penalty for Roy. Now, the CBI is carrying on the investigation in the angle of tampering with and altering the evidence during the initial phase of investigation by Kolkata Police and is expected to submit a supplementary charge sheet in the matter soon. Seoul, March 24 : South Korea's largest automotive giant Hyundai Motor Group is set to reach a major milestone of 30 million cumulative vehicle sales in the United States this year, continuing its steady growth in the key overseas market, the company said on Monday. Since their entry into the U.S. market in 1986, Hyundai Motor Co. and Kia Corp. had sold a total of 29,303,995 vehicles as of the end of February. Hyundai accounted for 17,116,065 units, and Kia sold 12,187,930 units. Last year, Hyundai sold 911,805 units, while Kia sold 796,488 units in the U.S., marking their best-ever annual sales performances in the country, reports Yonhap news agency. Together, Hyundai and Kia ranked fourth in total sales in the country for the second consecutive year, following General Motors, Toyota Motor Corp. and Ford Motor Co. Building on this momentum, the South Korean automotive group said it aims to surpass the 30 million mark within the year by leveraging Hyundai and Kia's strong product portfolios and flexible production capabilities. Hyundai began exporting its Excel sedan to the U.S. in January 1986. In 2005, it completed its first U.S. manufacturing facility in Alabama. Kia established its U.S. sales subsidiary in 1992 and began selling the Sephia and Sportage models in 1994. It broke ground on its Georgia plant in 2006, which was completed in early 2010. The companies together reached 1 million units in cumulative sales in 1990 and 10 million units in 2011. In 2018, they achieved the 20 million-unit milestone. Hyundai's best-selling model in the U.S. has been the Elantra, known as the Avante in South Korea, with 3.88 million units sold since its American debut in 1991. For Kia, the Sorento has been the top seller, with 1.83 million units sold since its launch in 2002. a"IANS na/ Mumbai, March 24 : Shiv Sena workers stormed the venue of stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra's show and vandalised it after he mocked Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, referring to him as a "traitor." The controversy erupted following the viral circulation of a video in which Kamra performed a satirical song targeting Shinde, triggering outrage among members of the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena faction. Enraged party workers reached the venue, located in Mumbai's Khar area, ransacked the place, and defaced the hotel's nameplate by spraying black ink on it. The Mumbai Police confirmed that Shiv Sena leader Rrahul Kanal, along with more than 20 others, has been booked by Khar Police for vandalism during the protest. Additionally, Shiv Sena MLA Murji Patel has filed a case at MIDC Police Station in Mumbai under sections 353(1)(b), 353(2), and 356(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) against Kamra. The controversy began when Kamra uploaded a video on his official YouTube channel featuring a performance in which he used a modified version of a song from the Bollywood film 'Dil To Pagal Hai', replacing the lyrics to take a dig at Eknath Shinde. The segment, in which Kamra sang, "Meri nazar se tum dekho to gaddar nazar wo aaye. Haaye," was met with cheers from the audience but infuriated the Shinde-led Shiv Sena. Reacting to the video, Shiv Sena leader Rrahul Kanal filed a complaint at Khar Police Station, alleging that Kamra's remarks were derogatory and offensive towards the Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister. The complaint mentioned that the comedian's act was performed at The Uni Continental Club in Khar West and directly targeted Shinde in an attempt to insult him. Following the circulation of the video, Shiv Sena workers gathered at the venue of Kamra's performance and vandalised property in protest. The party has also demanded Kamra's arrest, arguing that his remarks were highly disrespectful and warranted legal action. The political slugfest escalated further as Shiv Sena's Thane Lok Sabha MP Naresh Mhaske lashed out at Kamra, warning him of severe consequences. Mhaske launched a scathing attack on Kamra, calling him a "contract comedian" who was allegedly paid by Uddhav Thackeray to target Eknath Shinde. He further warned that Kamra would face repercussions for his remarks, stating, "He should not have stepped on the tail of a snake. Once the fangs are out, there will be dire consequences." Mhaske went on to threaten that Shiv Sena workers would make it difficult for Kamra to move freely across the country. Targeting Thackeray, Mhaske said that the Uddhav-led faction had no real political backing and was now relying on figures like Kamra to attack its rivals. He also slammed Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut for sharing the video online. In a post on social media platform X, Raut defended Kamra, calling him a well-known writer and stand-up comedian, and accused the Shinde faction of trying to suppress dissent through intimidation. He tagged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in his post, calling the latter a "weak home minister" for failing to prevent such incidents. As the controversy raged on, Shiv Sena MLA Murji Patel vowed to take legal action against Kamra, stating that he would ensure the comedian apologises. Patel, who filed a case against Kamra at MIDC Police Station, warned that the stand-up artist would soon be "shown his place." Shiv Sena leader Milind Deora also slammed Kamra, calling his remarks classist and dismissive of Shinde's journey from being an auto driver to leading one of India's largest states. He accused Kamra of being part of an elite ecosystem that falsely claims to stand for democracy and meritocracy while belittling self-made leaders. Shiv Sena spokesperson Krishna Hegde also condemned Kamra's remarks, asserting that the comedian would soon face "Shiv Sena treatment." Hegde added that party workers were deeply angered by the comments made against their leader and that such insults would not be tolerated. Meanwhile, Hegde also demanded Kamra's immediate arrest, calling for strict legal action against him. He stated that Kamra had a history of making derogatory comments about political figures and recalled that he had previously faced a six-month ban from flying with an airline for similar behaviour. Hegde warned that Kamra would soon receive a "befitting reply" from Shiv Sena leaders for his remarks on Eknath Shinde. Seoul, March 24 : South Korea reported an additional foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) case at a local cattle farm, raising the number of cases this year to 14, the agriculture ministry said on Monday. The latest case was found at the farm in the county of Yeongam, about 300 kilometres south of Seoul, which has 31 cows, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Yonhap news agency reported. FMD is an acute infectious viral disease that causes illness in cows, pigs, goats, and other cloven-hoofed animals. It does not affect humans. The infectious viral disease in livestock causes fever after developing vesicles chiefly in the mouth and on the feet. It is one of the most infectious diseases for livestock. The latest outbreak comes after two years. The country last reported FMD cases in May 2023. Acting President Choi Sang-mok has directed relevant ministries to implement thorough preventive measures to contain the outbreak at an early stage. "The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs must closely cooperate with relevant agencies to swiftly carry out emergency actions, including rapid culling, entry controls, testing and disinfection, in accordance with the emergency response guidelines," Choi said. Earlier in January, South Korea placed an import ban on German pork following an outbreak of the highly contagious FMD disease in the European nation, Yonhap reported. The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs said the decision was made after Germany reported its first FMD case since 1988. The ministry added it also expects little impact on exports of beef as deals are usually made by regions. Last year, South Korea exported 49.5 tonnes of beef worth $2.9 million to five countries, including Malaysia, Mongolia and Saudi Arabia. Seoul has been working to gain recognition from the World Organization for Animal Health as a country free of FMD, but failed after the disease broke out in 2023. Mumbai, March 24 : The Mumbai Police on Monday registered an offence against Shiv Sena social media in-charge Rahool Kanal, Bandra Vibhag Pramukh Kunal Sarmalkar and 18 others on Monday in connection with the vandalism at the UniContinental Hotel where stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra staged his show in which he referred to Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde as a "traitor". Mumbai, March 24 (IANS) The Mumbai Police on Monday registered an offence against Shiv Sena social media in-charge Rahool Kanal, Bandra Vibhag Pramukh Kunal Sarmalkar and 18 others on Monday in connection with the vandalism at the UniContinental Hotel where stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra staged his show in which he referred to Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde as a "traitor". Kanal and others have been called for questioning by the Khar police station. Meanwhile, Shiv Sena deputy leader Sanjay Nirupam has threatened to beat Kamra. The police have stepped up security at the UniContinental hotel. The Shiv Sena activists on Sunday night allegedly vandalised the chairs and the entire set. Shiv Sainiks burned Kamra's photo outside the Wagle Estate police station in Thane which is the stronghold of Shiv Sena and Deputy CM Shinde. Several Shiv Sena workers gathered outside various police stations to demand legal action against Kamra. "Meri nazar se tum dekho to gaddar nazar wo aaye. Haaye," Kunal Kamra said during his show. He mocked Eknath Shinde using a modified version of a Hindi song from "Dil To Pagal Hai", eliciting laughter from the audience. The comedian shared the video clip on the social networking platform X. Kunal Kamra alluded to Eknath Shinde's 2022 rebellion, which led to the split of Shiv Sena into the Shinde faction and the Uddhav Thackeray faction. Shiv Sena legislator Murji Patel has filed a case against Kunal Kamra in the MIDC police station, Andheri, under sections 353(1) (b), 353(2) and 356(2). Similarly, Kanal has filed a criminal complaint in the Khar police station against Kunal Kamra, Aditya Thackeray, Rahul Gandhi and Sanjay Raut under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023 for their alleged involvement in pre-planned criminal conspiracy and a systematic paid campaign to malign the reputation, image and goodwill of the Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Kanal in his complaint said the acts committed by Kamra, including making statements that hurt public sentiments, uttering obscene words and making defamatory insinuations and innuendos targeting Dy CM Shinde, are not only offensive but also unlawful under the provisions of the BNS. "While constructive criticism of public figures is always welcomed, such close, demeaning and defamatory statements go beyond reasonable limits and constitute cognisable criminal offences. Shiv Sena leader Shaina NC in her post on X said, "Did not know that you can RENT a comedian and use him as your PUPPET ?!?!. Or as a mere diversionary tactic . Kamra's comment, "Meri nazar se tum dekho to gaddar nazar wo aaye," is not comedy but its vulgarity . Obviously he does not know what it takes for an auto rickshaw driver to work his way with public support to emerge as a CM and DYCm of Maharashtra, with the popularity of @mieknathshjnde. The cadre of @Shivsenaofc demands legal action against @kunalkamra88." On the other hand, AAP leader Priti Sharma Menon in her post on X said," Shame @Dev-Fadnavis- has just shown you have zero powers as home minister. You could not keep people d in Nagpur and now you have e brought vandalism to Mumbai." The Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee chief spokesman Atul Londhe strongly condemned the vandalism. "The vandalism is against the freedom of speech. Why to hurt with a comedy? With power if you hold anyone's neck is wrong," he commented. Seoul, March 24 : Samsung Electronics has held the No. 1 spot in annual sales among South Korean companies for 22 consecutive years from 2002 to 2023, an industry analysis report here showed on Monday. According to the report from the Korea CXO Institute, a corporate data firm, Samsung Electronics was found to have ranked first in terms of sales every year since 2002, reports Yonhap news agency. The institute also excluded financial firms and companies that changed ownership due to management difficulties in its analysis. The report is based on an analysis of changes in the top 50 listed companies by annual sales from 1984 to 2023. Samsung Electronics' sales grew exponentially during the period, from 1.36 trillion won (US$928 million) in 1984 to 170.4 trillion won in 2023. According to the report, Samsung Electronics and six other firms have maintained a place in the top 50 every year for the entire 40-year period. The others are Hyundai Motor Co., LG Electronics Inc., Samsung C&T Corp., LG Chem Ltd., Hyundai Engineering & Construction Co. and Korean Air Co. Samsung C&T led the rankings 14 times between 1985 and 2001, while Hyundai Motor has consistently remained in the top three in recent years, the report showed. Meanwhile, Samsung E&A said on Monday it has secured a 518.6 billion-won ($354.2 million) contract to build a biopharmaceutical raw material production and research facility in Songdo, west of Seoul, for Sartorius AG of Germany. The plant will be constructed for Sartorius Korea, the South Korean unit of the German life sciences giant, within the Songdo Free Economic Zone in Incheon. Once completed, the facility will manufacture single-use bio processing bags and pharmaceutical membrane filters, while also providing clinical contract research organisation (CRO) services. Samsung E&A will handle the engineering, procurement and construction independently, with the project completion scheduled for 2027. a"IANS na/ New Delhi, March 24 : The first budget session of the newly elected Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Delhi is set to commence on Monday with a traditional "kheer ceremony," symbolising a sweet beginning, officials said. The session will see the tabling of the 'Viksit Delhi' Budget on March 25, which is expected to focus on infrastructure development, cleaning of the Yamuna, and tackling air pollution. Ahead of the Budget presentation, BJP leaders expressed confidence that it would address the needs of all sections of society. BJP MLA Abhay Verma stated, "It's definitely a good beginning, and I believe when the budget is presented tomorrow, it will bring a bundle of joy for the people of Delhi." The session is expected to see the tabling of key reports, including a Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report on the Delhi Transport Corporation for 2024. However, there was no official confirmation on whether the Economic Survey would be presented on the first day. BJP MLA Karnail Singh also shared his optimism, saying, "It will be a very good budget. Various sections of society, including traders and labourers, have been invited for discussions. The budget will ensure the proper utilization of taxpayers' money. It is a sweet beginning, just like the Kheer ceremony." Meanwhile, BJP leader and Delhi trade wing in-charge Ramesh Khanna emphasised that the budget has been prepared after considering suggestions from different sections of society. He said, "I believe this budget will address every section of Delhi. During elections, the party consulted various communities on their needs, and now this budget reflects those inputs. It is set to be a great budget, bringing benefits to all." The government has invited representatives from different communities, including farmers and traders, whose suggestions were sought for the budget. According to the list of business, the House will begin with a Question Hour, which will be followed by Special Mention (Rule-280) under which MLAs will raise matters related to their constituencies and in general affecting the people of Delhi with the permission of the Chair. This Budget Session marks a major milestone for the BJP government that returned to power in the national capital after a 27-year break, following the stunning win in the recent Delhi Legislative Assembly elections. This session will be the second for the new government. The first session was held between February 24 and March 3. Mumbai, March 24 : Actress Manisha Koirala expressed that navigating life with curiosity, resilience, and an open heart is essential. Manisha took to Instagram, where she shared a picture of herself stylishly dressed posing in front of an ornate, silver-framed mirror. She is wearing a black suit with a slightly oversized blazer draped over her shoulders, paired with a crisp white button-up shirt and well-fitted black trousers. She accessorized it with a bold red handbag and matching red heeled sandals. For her make-up, she chose to go subtle, with red lipstick complementing her accessories. For the caption, she wrote: "Navigate life with curiosity, resilience, and an open heart." One of the most popular and highest-paid actresses of her time, the 54-year-old star made her acting debut with the Nepali film Pheri Bhetaula in 1989, and later debuted in Indian cinema with the Hindi drama Saudagar in 1991. She tasted commercial successes in both Bollywood and Kollywood with films including Bombay, Agni Sakshi , Indian, Gupt: The Hidden Truth, Kachche Dhaage, Mudhalvan, Company, 1942: A Love Story, Khamoshi: The Musical, Dil Se.. and Lajja. In the next decade, she garnered praise for her performances in several unconventional and art-house films, such as the survival drama Escape From Taliban, Elektra and I Am. It was in 2012, when the actress took a break from acting after being diagnosed with last stage ovarian cancer. She returned with the coming-of-age drama Dear Maya in 2017. She was last seen in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's period drama series Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar last year. The series is about the lives of tawaifs in the red-light district of Heera Mandi in Lahore during the Indian independence movement against the British Empire. The show also stars Sonakshi Sinha, Aditi Rao Hydari, Richa Chadha, Sanjeeda Sheikh, Sharmin Segal Mehta and Taha Shah Badussha. -- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed New Delhi, March 24 : The government has made remarkable strides in combating tuberculosis -- the world's deadliest infectious disease, said Union Health Minister JP Nadda on World Tuberculosis (TB) Day on Monday. World Tuberculosis (TB) Day is observed annually on March 24 to raise awareness about the condition. The theme this year is "Yes! We Can End TB: Commit, Invest, Deliver". He also reaffirmed the government's aim to eliminate TB by the end of 2025 -- a target set by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2017 to eradicate the infectious disease five years ahead of the global target. "Our government has made remarkable strides in combating this disease through the National TB Elimination Programme," Nadda said, in a post on social media platform X. According to the WHO Global TB Report 2024, India has witnessed a noteworthy 17.7 per cent decline in TB incidence from 2015 to 2023 -- a rate that is over twice the global average decline of 8.3 per cent. TB deaths have also reduced by 21.4 per cent from 28 per lakh population in 2015 to 22 per lakh population in 2023," as per the data. Nadda also informed of the 100-day TB campaign, launched in December. "To intensify efforts, we launched the India 100 Days TB Elimination Campaign, focusing on high-burden districts and ensuring TB services reach the grassroots level". The campaign targets selected 347 high-priority districts across 33 States/UTs. Nadda recently said that the campaign has detected over five lakh TB patients. Further, to boost nutrition in TB patients, the government has rolled out the Nikshya Poshan Yojana. Under the programme, TB patients are given financial assistance for nutrition during treatment. The amount has been increased "from Rs. 500 per month to Rs. 1000 per month to financially support TB patients' nutritional needs," Nadda said. Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused by bacteria that most often affects the lungs. It spreads through the air when a person with TB coughs, sneezes, or spits. TB is preventable and curable. According to data from the World Health Organization (WHO), India reported 28 lakh TB cases, accounting for 26 per cent -- the highest -- global TB burden in 2024. The country also reported an estimated 3.15 lakh TB-related deaths, accounting for 29 per cent of the deaths globally. "On World Tuberculosis Day, we reaffirm our commitment to eliminating TB and improving health outcomes for vulnerable populations," Nadda said. The Health Minister also extended "heartfelt gratitude to all healthcare workers delivering comprehensive support to TB patients". "Together, we can create a #TBMuktBharat and work towards better health for all," Nadda said. Quetta, March 24 : Pakistan has charged Mahrang Baloch, chief of Pakistan's Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), and several other activists of terrorism after she led the protest sit-in protest against the illegal arrest and illegal police remand of the relatives of the victims of enforced disappearances. Mahrang is currently lodged in Quetta District jail along with 150 others after the brutal crackdown on the Baloch leaders at their protest camp. The charges on the protestors cover offences like terrorism, murder and attempted murder, incitement to violence and rebellion, creating disorder and promoting racial hatred, and property damage, local media reported on Monday. Meanwhile, shutter-down strikes were observed for the second consecutive day in several cities of Balochistan, while the internet services in Quetta and surrounding areas remained suspended for the fourth consecutive day on Sunday. Speaking to Pakistan's leading daily Dawn on Sunday, Asma Baloch sister of Mahrang stated that more than 24 hours have passed, but Mahrang has not been produced in court nor is she allowed access to legal counsel. "The authorities at Quetta District Jail did not allow us to meet my sister, and we were not allowed to deliver food and other essential items to her," Asma stated. Human Rights organisation Amnesty International called for Mahrang's release in a post on X on Sunday, stating that she had been unlawfully detained for over 38 hours. "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. 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," the organisation said. The BYC has further accused Pakistan's police of using excessive force against demonstrators in the provincial capital, claiming that they opened fire on peaceful protesters, killing three people and injuring dozens, including seven in critical condition. The Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M) and the National Party (NP) condemned what they described as "excessive force against peaceful demonstrators" and urged the Pakistani government to engage in dialogue to resolve the situation. Earlier, Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) vehemently denounced "the excessive and brutal use of force" against the "peaceful protesters of Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) in Quetta." "The oppressive regime has once again crossed all boundaries of brutality in its desperate attempt to cling to power, even at the cost of national unity and integrity," PTI Central Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram said. "We demand immediate accountability for those responsible for the killing and injuring of peaceful demonstrators and instant release of all detainees, including Dr Mahrang Baloch," he added. New Delhi, March 24 : Congress leader Pramod Tiwari defended stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra after his satirical video allegedly aimed at Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, sparked outrage within the Shinde-led Shiv Sena faction. Reacting to the backlash, Tiwari accused the government of attacking freedom of speech and questioned why Eknath Shinde was reacting so strongly when no names were taken. "This is a case of athe guilty mind speaks,' as the saying goes, athe one who is guilty is the one making noise.a No names were taken. And even if a name had been mentioned, if someone found it offensive, the doors of the court are always open," Tiwari told IANS. Slamming Shindeas faction for its aggressive response, he added, "You are the Deputy Chief Minister and a former Chief Minister. Will you file a case, or will you resort to hooliganism? Will you storm studios and vandalise them? The Constitution grants freedom of expression, yet you are murdering it with muscle power. This is a dictatorship, this is fascism." Shiv Sena (UBT) MP, Priyanka Chaturvedi also hit out at the Shinde faction, accusing them of stifling political satire and comedy. "Before 2014, Kunal Kamra and other stand-up comedians used to roast and create humour regularly. How shameful is it that you are destroying the space for humour in this country just because you don't like political comedy and satire? Shameful," she said. The video, uploaded by Kamra on his YouTube channel, has drawn sharp criticism from the Shinde-led Shiv Sena, with leaders warning of consequences. Shiv Sena leader Nilesh Rane issued an open threat, saying, "If you want to do comedy, do it within your limits. No one is stopping you. But if you target our faith and our leaders, if you cross the line, we will not tolerate it. Wherever he is seen, we will beat him up and not spare him." Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader, Arvind Sawant, downplayed the controversy, stating, "I donat know him, never met him, and whatever he says, let him say it. Itas all lies. These things keep happening. Look at Sampat Saral, people listen to him, they laugh, and they enjoy satire. But now, law and order in our state is crumbling, and the ones in power are responsible for it." Earlier in the day, Shiv Sena workers stormed and vandalised the venue of Kamraas show at Mumbaias Habitat studio. The police later asked the Shiv Sena workers to appear for questioning. aMeri nazar se tum dekho toh, gaddar nazar wo aaye. Haaye," Kunal Kamra said during his show. He allegedly mocked Eknath Shinde using a modified version of a Hindi song from "Dil To Pagal Hai", eliciting laughter from the audience. The comedian shared the video clip on the social networking platform X. Kunal Kamra was apparently alluding to Eknath Shinde's 2022 rebellion, which led to the split of Shiv Sena into the Shinde faction and the Uddhav Thackeray faction. Employees fired from Yellowstone National Park will begin returning as early as next week after recent rulings deemed the mass termination of probationary federal workers illegal. For Richard Midgette, an IT specialist at the park who received his termination letter after clocking out on Valentines Day, the news is welcome but not without hesitation. Midgette was among seven of 32 Yellowstone National Park probationary employees who were fired as part of the Trump administrations budget-cutting efforts. In all, more than 1,000 probationary National Park Service employees nationwide were let go. All seven in YNP learned of their reinstatement Thursday afternoon; Midgettes boss informed him verbally that the Department of the Interior was rescinding his termination. The moment he asked me the yes or no question if I was still interested in returning to my position, it was an immediate yes, Midgette said. Its not a stable environment in any amount of words; federal employment is still in jeopardy, were still looking at potential reductions in the workforce in the future. The rulings, issued by federal courts in California and Maryland, halted the firings and mandated the reinstatement of probationary employees across 19 federal agencies. The reinstatements dont erase lingering concerns over potential future job cuts. Some employees in natural resources positions nationwide reportedly have been placed on administrative leave, while those in positions deemed essential, such as public safety and park operations, will be fully reinstated. The administrations reckless and indefensible decision to fire 1,000 park staff has put our parks and millions of visitors and resources at risk, Theresa Pierno, president and CEO of the National Parks Conservation Association, said in a statement released through the organization. This court-ordered reinstatement is a welcome relief and getting these employees back to work as quickly as possible is critical. When these park staff lost their jobs, many also lost their homes and communities. Now, with uncertainty looming over if or when the next cut might come, its unclear how many will choose to return. The Park Service stands to lose an irreplaceable wealth of expertise, experience, and institutional knowledge they may never get back. Midgette said his reinstatement comes with relief not just for the return of back pay, but for the removal of what was initially recorded as a termination due to poor job performance. He called it an unhonorable reason. That still leaves people like me in a better situation because were not being degraded by a false accusation of poor performance that would affect our potential for finding future employment, he said. A reduction of force has more dignity to it, and thats how they should have treated us in the first place. Yellowstone National Park, which has hired most of its seasonal workers and is in the process of recruiting more, remains unable to publicly comment. Separate of federal workers, the park also has private concessionaires, most notably Xanterra and Delaware North, who hire their own employees. Midgette has been vocal about the illegality of the mass terminations since they were first announced, arguing that layoffs like these not only disrupt employees lives but also threaten the future and accessibility of public lands. Earlier this month, he helped organize a rally at Yellowstone National Parks Roosevelt Arch one of hundreds held at national parks across the country in response to growing concerns over job losses and public lands management. Yet, even as Midgette prepares to return to the office Tuesday, he remains frustrated by the Department of the Interiors lack of communication. My words, nothing of what Im saying represents the National Park Service or any federal agency, he said. Theres been practically zero communication, I mean, not even practically, quite legitimately zero communication from any official capacity since I was terminated. Midgette isnt alone in his frustration. While he hasnt been in contact with the six other probationary employees who were also terminated in February, the lack of transparency has been a common experience across agencies. Custer Gallatin National Forest Service employees, for example, were notified earlier this week that they are back on the payroll and would receive back pay but instead of returning to work immediately they were placed on administrative leave with little explanation of next steps. While Midgette had no hesitation in saying yes to his old position, he doesnt fault other National Park Service employees or federal workers who might feel reluctant to return. The process, he said, has highlighted just how quickly their jobs and any sense of stability can be taken away. I accepted my reinstatement because its kind of the goal of what I was trying to do, speaking out, trying to get us some dignity in this manner, so that people arent screwed out of future employment because of lies on their employment record, he said. Still, despite regaining his job, pay and benefits, Midgette isnt relying on the stability of federal employment. He said hes already working on a contingency plan in case future cuts put him back in the same position. Public service is important to me. But people in my situation and myself still have to hold open for other options, he said. The next few weeks to months will be determinant on whether or not I need to continue seeking other employment. Im still going to be doing that just in case. Even with his reinstatement, Midgette remains cautious. The uncertainty hasnt fully faded, and hes still grappling with frustration not just over the way the situation was handled but also over some of the public reaction to the cuts. I need to make a rebuttal to a lot of comments I see online, on these articles where people say, just get another job, he said. Its very easy to say that about termination on reasonable, just means, with dignity, through a reduction in force. But because of the terms of the termination with cause, despite the cause being a lie, that has made it very hard to find other employment. Also, just living in a rural area outside the park in Gardiner and to pick up and move all that to another job in my career with money that I dont have because Ive lost my financial situation, its unreasonable. While Midgette may be back in the office soon, the past month has sparked a fire under him that wont be put out. My fight is not over Im still going to be active in our community coalitions and things like that. I know under the Hatch Act, federal employees are not allowed to run for partisan office, but Im looking at options for the 2026 election cycle to see what I can do. Even if it means no longer being employed in the federal government, he said. If youre not taking the reinstatement back, look at organizing in your local communities. Look at running for any public office in general because the way that they have gone about this shows that they do not care about federal employees. If you can get into public office, you can be someone who supports legislative changes and supports federal employees. Kannur, March 24 : The Thalassery District Sessions Court in Kerala on Monday sentenced eight CPI(M) workers to life imprisonment and a ninth convict to three years for the murder of Suraj, a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) worker that took place in 2005. One of the nine convicts, Manoraj, is the brother of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's press secretary, P.M. Manoj. In all, there were 12 accused when the trial of the case began. Two accused passed away during the trial, while one was acquitted on Friday (March 21). The 11th accused in the case was given a three-year prison term. On Friday the same court found these nine members of the CPI(M) guilty in the murder case. When the court found the nine guilty, the Kannur CPI(M) district secretary M.V. Jayarajan came out in public and said the party would stand with their cadres and would appeal against the verdict. "The case was not probed properly as the police did not do a clean job... A few of the workers were later included as accused," said Jayarajan. The brutal murder took place on August 7, 2005, at Muzhappilangad, a Communist party-dominated village in Thalassery near Kannur. The nine convicts nursed a grudge against Suraj, who had left the CPI(M) in 2004 due to a difference of opinion and joined the BJP. Suraj eked out a living by driving a three-wheeler. One day a group of people got onto his autorickshaw under the guise of undertaking a trip, and soon after he was attacked from behind as he was driving the vehicle. He survived the attack after being hospitalized for weeks and was bedridden for months. Suraj was again attacked on the morning of August 7, 2005, by a gang of almost a dozen people. Just before attacking him with knives and swords, the gang burst a country bomb to create terror in the area and make people run from the spot. After ensuring that Suraj had died, they escaped from the spot. It was only after the mother of the then 32-year-old Suraj approached the Kerala High Court that a special public prosecutor was appointed for the case. "Justice is served to Suraj after 20 years, " said the lawyer who fought for Suraj's family. Incidentally one of the accused in this murder case is T.K. Rejeesh, who is also an accused in the T.P. Chandrasekheran murder case. New Delhi, March 24 : The Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) on Monday said it has officially crossed the 200 million transaction mark, reaffirming its role as a game-changer in India's digital commerce landscape. It took around 20 months (January 2023 to August 2024) to reach the first 100 million transactions, but in just the last six months, ONDC has added nearly 100 million more, according to the company. This acceleration underscores how ONDC has transitioned from an ambitious initiative to a nationwide movement, powering large-scale adoption across food and beverages, grocery, retail, logistics, mobility and financial services. "Crossing 200 million transactions is more than just a milestone it shows a paradigm shift in the way buyers and sellers are looking at digital commerce today. This validates ONDC's belief that an open network can drive large-scale transformation by giving equal opportunity to businesses of all sizes, breaking monopolies, and creating an ecosystem where innovation thrives," said T. Koshy, MD and CEO of ONDC. The speed at which ONDC is scaling is a testament to India's readiness for a more inclusive and accessible digital economy. "And this is just the beginning. There are many more use cases brewing within ONDC which will see the light of day soon," he added. In January this year, the government launched the MSME Trade Enablement and Marketing (TEAM) initiative with a budget outlay of Rs 277.35 crore over three years. The initiative by the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, in partnership with ONDC, aims to onboard 5 lakh micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), with 50 per cent of these being women-led businesses to embrace digital commerce and expand their market presence. ONDC is creating a facilitative model that revolutionises digital commerce, giving greater thrust to penetration of retail e-commerce in India. An initiative of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), ONDC has not only grown in numbers and its impact since its launch in September 2022, but has also fundamentally reshaped how businesses and consumers engage in e-commerce. Mumbai, March 24 : After an FIR was filed against Kunal Kamra, Shiv Sena Minister Pratap Sarnaik said the stand-up comedian has fled to Puducherry and the help of police there will be sought to arrest him. "Kunal Kamra is a pervert. He is pretending to have been given rights by the Constitution by taking a copy of it. Kamra has fled to Puducherry, we will take the help of the police there to arrest him. We will not support any vandalism. An attempt is being made to disturb the peaceful atmosphere in Mumbai," the Minister said. The controversy erupted after Kunal Kamra uploaded a video on his official YouTube channel commenting on Maharashtra politics, in which he referred to Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde as a "traitor". Some Shiv Sena workers later went to the venue, questioned the club management, and vandalised the property. Later, the police arrested 11 Shiv Sena activists for allegedly vandalising the city hotel where the shoot of comedian Kunal Kamra's stand-up comedy show had taken place on Sunday. Shiv Sena deputy leader Sanjay Nirupam said, "Kunal Kamra is a part of the Congress ecosystem. Kamra takes part in Rahul Gandhi's padyatra. He is also seen with Sharad Pawar and Supriya Sule." "What Kamra did is not sarcasm, it is a serious allegation. You are calling our leader a traitor. Do you know what is happening in Shiv Sena? Do you know the meaning of betrayal? In 2022, more than 40 MLAs rebelled under Shinde's leadership, it was not betrayal, it was an attempt to bring Shiv Sena in the right direction," said Nirupam. He further stated, "Uddhav Thackeray committed the betrayal. He left Balasaheb's Hindutva. He allied with the Congress. Shinde rebelled to correct that. In the entire country, only Uddhav Thackeray and his people call Shinde a traitor. No one else does. Kamra started this by taking supari." "Who is Kunal Kamra? He is a special person of Sanjay Raut. There is a photo of Kunal Kamra with Sanjay Raut. I don't know what he has to do with him," said Nirupam. Further, Shiv Sena legislator Manisha Kayande slammed Kunal Kamra and demanded that he should immediately apologise for his remarks. "We, the women Shiv Sainiks, will be aggressive and if he does not apologize within two days, we will blacken his face," she warned. BJP leader Mohit Kamboj said, "Right now the studio is broken, the picture is still to be made, friend. Heartfelt congratulations to all Shiv Sainiks and Jai Shri Ram." Kolkata, March 24 : A division bench of the Calcutta High Court, on Monday, extended the interim bail period for Sujay Krishna Bhadra, one of the prime accused in the cash-for-school job case in West Bengal, till April 22. On March 21, Bhadra approached the division bench of Justice Arjit Banerjee and Justice Apurba Sinha Roy for an extension of the current interim bail, which is set to expire on March 31. The same division bench, in February this year, had granted Bhadra the interim bail on medical grounds. The matter of Bhadraas plea for an extension of the interim bail period came up for hearing at the division bench on Monday and at the end of the hearing, the said bench extended the same till April 22. The next date of hearing in the matter has been fixed on April 21, when it will be decided whether the interim bail period will be extended beyond April 22 or not. At the same time, the division bench also directed the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) personnel to keep a watch outside his residence, and for that purpose, temporary shelters have to be constructed, with adequate seating and resting arrangements. The division bench also observed that the temporary shelters for the CAPF personnel should also be provided with sufficient cooling facilities like fans. The direction by the division bench in the matter was following the complaint by Bhadraas counsel that the CAPF personnel had been occupying the rooms within the residence of his clients, using the residential toilets indiscriminately, and keeping the air-conditioned machines switched on for long hours. In the counter-argument, the counsel for the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) argued that to keep Bhadra under monitoring the CAPF personnel needed to have a roof on their heads and that is why they were in his house. Thereafter the division bench directed the construction of temporary shelters for the CAPF personnel outside Bhadraas residence. The division bench also said the Bhadraas doctors and relatives should be given free access to his residence and at the same time one staff of the bank branch where he has an account should be allowed to meet him. Bengaluru, March 24 : The honey-trap controversy in Karnataka is snowballing, with a group of ministers and MLAs planning to meet the high command regarding the alleged role of an influential leader in the state Congress. The leader allegedly made attempts to honey-trap Minister for Cooperation, K.N. Rajanna, to politically sideline him. Meanwhile, Minister Rajanna stated on Monday that he would file a complaint with the Home Minister at an appropriate time. The delay in filing the complaint has raised questions. Last Friday, Minister Rajanna had alleged on the floor of the House that rivals were attempting to honey-trap him and had declared his intention to file a complaint. In response, Home Minister G. Parameshwara announced that a high-level probe would be ordered. However, Minister Rajanna is yet to file the complaint. The Opposition created an uproar in the Assembly, demanding a judicial or CBI probe into the allegations. This led to unruly protests in the Assembly and ultimately suspension of 18 BJP MLAs for six months. BJP MLA, N. Munirathna has alleged that Deputy Chief Minister and Karnataka Congress President, D.K. Shivakumar is behind the honey-trap bid. Denying the charges, Shivakumar stated that people wouldn't attempt to honey-trap a leader without reason. Sources indicate that the high command, recognising the seriousness of the issue, has instructed Minister Rajanna to hold off on filing the complaint and wait for further directions. Sources further confirmed that Minister for PWD, Satish Jarkiholi, a close associate of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, will soon be leaving for Delhi to share information about the honey-trapping controversy with Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi. It is reported that Jarkiholi will stay in Delhi for three days to ensure a meeting with LoP Gandhi. Additionally, a group of ministers and MLAs are expected to accompany him, sources revealed. Speaking to reporters on Monday, Minister Rajanna, when asked about the timing of his complaint, stated, "I will file the complaint at an appropriate time. I have not set a specific timeline for it yet." Regarding BJP MLA Munirathna's allegation that Deputy CM Shivakumar was behind the honey trap attempt, Minister Rajanna responded, "I don't know about that." When asked about Munirathna's demand for Rajanna to undergo a narco-analysis test, he stated, "First, BJP MLA Munirathna should undergo the test as he was previously close to Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar." Rajanna had previously stated on the floor of the House that approximately 48 individuals, including judges and central leaders have been honey-trapped in the state. Reacting to Rajanna's statement, BJP MLA N. Munirathna, said on Monday in Bengaluru that he is willing to disclose all details on a public platform without undergoing a narco-analysis test. "I am happy that Minister Rajanna has acknowledged the facts," he said. The state Congress party is witnessing rapid developments surrounding the honey-trap controversy. Sources confirmed that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah met AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday to discuss the issue. Party chief Kharge has decided to hold further discussions in New Delhi. However, he told the media that CM Siddaramaiah is visiting Delhi in connection with the completion of two years of his government in Karnataka. Home Minister G. Parameshwara, when asked about the controversy, stated on Monday that he has not yet received a complaint from Minister Rajanna. "Without a complaint, we cannot initiate action. There must be a cause for action. Without an FIR, no action can be taken," he stated. Mumbai, March 24 : Actress Anjali Anand has opened up about her deep connection with Ranveer Singh, revealing how they share a bond on so many levels, both personally and professionally. She discusses their similarities, from their energetic personalities to their shared passion for their craft, and how their interactions have created a meaningful connection. In an exclusive conversation with IANS, the 'Dabba Cartel' actress praised Singh not only for his stellar work as an actor but also for his generous nature. Anjali shared, "Ranveer is an absolute joy to work with. He's full of energy, and we connect on so many levels. We're both huge fans of movies, so our shared passion makes working together so much fun. He's incredibly giving, not just as an actor but as a person. It's always a pleasure, whether we're working, partying, or just chilling together." Anand was seen in Karan Johar's film "Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani" as Ranveer Singh's sister, Gayatri Randhawa. The 2023 romantic comedy also starred Alia Bhatt, Dharmendra, Jaya Bachchan, Shabana Azmi, Tota Roy Chowdhury, Churni Ganguly, Aamir Bashir, and Kshitee Jog. Anjali Anand also reminisced about an unforgettable moment on the set of "Dabba Cartel," where she was left completely surprised while filming a scene alongside the veteran actress Shabana Azmi. "There was this one particular moment when I was filming a scene with Shabana ji in Dabba Kartal. She casually mentioned a namesomeone who was once their boss, someone importantand I was totally caught off guard. My thoughts just scattered in that moment. I was like, "Here I am, standing in front of Shabana Azmi! It definitely threw me off a bit. But then I realized I needed to maintain my composure and focus on delivering the performance, regardless of the person in front of me. That moment definitely made me lose my focus for a brief second, which was unusual for me. It hadn't happened before, but it was a powerful moment," Anjali shared. Anjali recently appeared in Netflix's show "Dabba Cartel," where she played the bindass yet naive Shahida. The series, directed by Hitesh Bhatia, also featured Shabana Azmi, Gajraj Rao, Jyotika, Nimisha Sajayan, and Shalini Pandey. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text New Delhi, March 24 : More than 12.3 crore additional rural households have been provided with tap water connections as of March 17 this year under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) - Har Ghar Jal scheme which was launched in August 2019, the Parliament was informed on Monday. New Delhi, March 24 (IANS) More than 12.3 crore additional rural households have been provided with tap water connections as of March 17 this year under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) Har Ghar Jal scheme which was launched in August 2019, the Parliament was informed on Monday. The number of rural households in the country with tap water connections has gone up from 3.23 crore (16.7 per cent) in August 2019 to 15.53 crore as of March 17, 2025, which constitutes 80.2 per cent of India's total rural households, Minister of State for Jal Shakti V. Somanna told the Lok Sabha in a written reply. "Work for the remaining 3.83 crore households are at various stages of completion as per the saturation plan of the respective state or UT," the minister said. The initial estimated outlay of the Mission was Rs. 3.60 lakh crore, out of which Central share was Rs. 2.08 lakh crore. The entire Central share approved by the Cabinet has almost been utilised. Further, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in her Budget speech 2025- 26 has announced extension of the Jal Jeevan Mission until 2028 with an enhanced total outlay, Somanna said. The Centre is implementing the Jal Jeevan Mission in partnership with states, to provide potable water to every rural household of the country, through functional tap water connection at a service level of 55 litres per capita per day (lpcd), of prescribed quality, on regular and long-term basis. Water being a state subject, the responsibility of planning, approval, implementation, operation, and maintenance of drinking water supply schemes, lies with state/ UT governments, he said, adding that states/ UTs have been advised, through numerous review meetings, field visits, etc., to ensure the functionality of tap water connections provided inter alia including quality of water supplied as per JJM standards. In addition, up to 2 per cent of the allocation to states and UTs for Water Quality Monitoring and Surveillance activities which inter-alia includes setting up and upgrading existing water quality laboratories at various levels, providing chemicals and consumables to laboratories, procurement of equipment, instruments, chemicals/reagents, glassware, consumables, procurement of Field Test Kits (FTKs)/H2S vials for chemical (including chloride) and bacteriological water quality surveillance at grass root level and NABL accreditation and recognition of laboratories. States have been advised to conduct water quality tests using FTKs/ bacteriological vials for common parameters along with area-specific parameters, including arsenic and fluorides, at schools, anganwadis, and Gram Panchayat levels for early identification of waterborne risks. States also have to identify and train 5 women from the local community to conduct water quality tests using FTKs/ bacteriological vials at the Gram Panchayat level, the minister said. Moreover, states and UTs have also been advised to undertake testing of water quality on a periodic basis and take remedial action wherever necessary, to ensure that the water supplied to households is of prescribed quality, he added. Thiruvananthapuram, March 24 : Former Union Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party leader Rajeev Chandrasekhar was unanimously elected as the BJP president of Kerala, announced Union Minister Pralhad Joshi on Monday. "I am very confident that under Rajeev the Kerala BJP will reach new heights," said Joshi. "In Kerala, we have 19 per cent vote share and now with his stewardship and the full support of Modiji, the Kerala BJP will be shining," said Joshi. "I have known him for 25 years. He is a very strong Keralite. Due to his business interests, he came to Bengaluru. Before joining politics, he started to fight for better infrastructure whichever government was in office. He created a forum and fought for it. He worked for the citizens of the people in Bengaluru for better infrastructure," said Joshi. "I am very sure he has a clear blueprint for the development of Kerala BJP and Kerala. He has brought in so many changes as an entrepreneur, especially in the telecom sector. For his entrepreneurial quality he was made a minister by Modiji. He is always open to new ideas and the Kerala unit of BJP will always benefit," added Joshi. Minister Joshi said in Kerala there are 140 MLAs, of which 98 are with the Left and 41 with the Congress-led front but they fight here and outside they are friends. "BJP is the only pan India party. We are either in rule or are a strong credible opposition except in Kerala and TN. We have to throw out both the Left and the Congress here and for that, all of you will have to go to the people and explain the policies of Modiji," said Joshi. Ending his speech, he urged the workers of the BJP to work with a killing instinct. Earlier in the day, the outgoing president, K. Surendran, who was at the helm of affairs for the past five years, handed over the flag and minutes book to Rajeev Chandrasekhar. In his brief speech, he said ever since the name of the president surfaced, questions were being asked if Rajeev has adequate experience at the party level work. "I can assure all that he is a perfect fit and we all saw it in the past year when he was here most of the time," said Surendran. "We are not a Hindu party at all but a party for all. Just look into the composition of our recently elected office-bearers at the district and grassroots levels. We have three district presidents out of 30 who are Christians, besides SC/ST and OBC people are also there and more importantly women are also there in key posts. No other party in Kerala can speak like this," said Surendran. Speaking on the occasion was veteran leader and in charge of the Kerala BJP, Prakash Javadekar, who said the BJP is the largest party in the world and all should be proud of that. "We are proud of BJP because we have internal democracy. In the Congress three members in Parliament are from one party, while in Kerala not a single elected member in our party is a relative of any leader," said Javadekar. Present on the occasion were Union Ministers Suresh Gopi and George Kurian and leaders like Anil Antony, P.C. George and others. New Delhi: One of the most striking transformations in post-Hasina Bangladesh is the conspicuous resurgence of Islamist political forces, with Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh (JeIB) at the vanguard of this revival. Once relegated to the fringes under the Awami League's administration, the party has embarked on an ambitious campaign to cleanse itself of historical ignominy, presenting itself as a reformed, moderate, and reinvigorated Islamic political entity. However, despite its ostensible reinvention, its rhetoric and actions betray a calculated effort to whitewash its past, particularly its nefarious role during the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971. Recent pronouncements by the party's leadership and its student wing have reignited old wounds, striking a particularly sensitive chord in the national consciousness. In a now-removed article published in 'Chhatra Sangbad', the official mouthpiece of the Islamic Chhatra Shibir, the student wing of Jamaat, the war of independence was reframed in an astonishingly revisionist light. The article lamented the "failure and lack of foresight" of certain Muslims who, it argued, participated in the war without fully appreciating its ramifications. Jamaat's current Ameer, Shafiqur Rahman, has categorically denied the party's complicity in wartime atrocities, condescendingly agreeing to offer an apology only if such crimes were "proven beyond doubt" a" a position that conveniently disregards the extensive documentation of its involvement. Adding insult to injury, Rahman has gone so far as to portray Ghulam Azam a" the wartime Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami, convicted and executed for his involvement in crimes against humanity a" as a "victim of Awami League oppression". Under Rahman's leadership, Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh has actively lobbied for the release of ATM Azharul Islam, the party's assistant Secretary General, who was convicted by the International Crimes Tribunal for his direct role in wartime atrocities. In yet another audacious historical distortion, the Jamaat Ameer has dismissed the entire narrative of Bangladesh's struggle for independence as a "distorted history", laying bare the partyas insidious efforts to rewrite the past. The historical revisionism does not end there. The current interim government, widely accused of an agenda to "erase history", has overseen contentious alterations to school textbooks, an exercise that many believe bears the unmistakable imprint of Jamaat's influence. Their objective is cleara"to extricate themselves from the damning legacy of being Pakistan's collaborators, a role they played with zealous enthusiasm during the blood-soaked year of 1971. As the nation solemnly marks the fifty-fourth anniversary of Operation Searchlight, a chapter of immense suffering and heroism, these recent developments underscore the critical importance of remembering historya"not as an academic exercise, but as a moral imperative. Operation Searchlight was the harrowing genesis of one of the most egregious genocides of the 20th century, orchestrated with chilling precision by the Pakistan Army against the Bengalis of East Pakistan, now Bangladesh. The scale of the savagery is almost beyond human comprehension a" three million people systematically exterminated, 10 million driven into harrowing exile, and an entire generation subjected to unspeakable brutality. This was not merely a conflict; it was a calculated campaign of annihilation, predicated on a supremacist ideology that regarded the Bengali identity as an aberration that needed to be crushed. To fully grasp the magnitude of this tragedy, one must trace the roots of this ethno-political fissure to the Partition of India in 1947, when Pakistan was created as a bifurcated nation, its two wings separated by over a thousand miles of Indian territory. While religion ostensibly served as the unifying force, the stark socio-cultural differences between East and West Pakistan were irreconcilable. The linguistic and cultural identity of the Bengalis was dismissed as "un-Islamic" by the ruling elite in West Pakistan, sowing the seeds of systemic marginalisation. The language movement of the 1950s, which saw the police mercilessly gunning down student protestors resisting the imposition of Urdu as the sole national language, was an early portent of the growing rifta"a rift that culminated in the full-fledged nationalist movement of 1971. The immediate catalyst for Pakistan's brutal crackdown was the seismic political shift heralded by the 1970 general elections. The Awami League, led by the indomitable Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, secured a resounding victory, winning the majority of seats in the National Assembly. This unprecedented electoral mandate, which should have heralded a peaceful transition of power, was instead met with visceral resistance from the West Pakistani establishment. Zulfikar Ali Bhutto's Pakistan Peopleas Party, unwilling to countenance the prospect of an East Pakistani leader governing the nation, conspired with the military junta to subvert the democratic will of the people. As negotiations proved futile, and the Awami Leagueas demands for autonomy were rebuffed with intransigence, the Pakistan Army, under the directives of General Yahya Khan, launched Operation Searchlight on the night of March 25, 1971 a" a night that would forever be etched in infamy. What followed was a grotesque display of inhumanity. Dhaka, the epicentre of Bengali resistance, bore the brunt of the onslaught. Intellectuals, students, and political activists were summarily executed, their blood staining the streets of the capital. As the operation expanded beyond Dhaka, towns and villages across East Pakistan were razed, and their inhabitants massacred in cold blood. The Pakistan Army, with methodical precision, turned its guns on Bengali Hindus, unleashing a genocidal pogrom that precipitated one of the largest forced migrations in modern history. The infamous Blood Telegram sent by Archer Blood, the US Consul General in Dhaka, remains one of the most damning indictments of this atrocity, a searing testament to the scale of human suffering that unfolded under the watchful eyes of an apathetic world. Beyond the sheer numbers of the dead, another sinister facet of Pakistan's war strategy emerged a" the weaponisation of sexual violence. Bengali women, perceived as repositories of nationalist identity, were subjected to systemic rape, a grotesque tool of war deployed to obliterate the dignity of an entire people. An estimated 200,000 to 400,000 women endured this unimaginable horror, with many held in rape camps designed to "pollute" Bengali bloodlines by forcing pregnancies that would birth a generation with the "blood of the West". The world recoiled in horror when these accounts surfaced, but justice for these women remains elusive, their suffering relegated to footnotes in the annals of history. International awareness of the genocide was first ignited by journalist Anthony Mascarenhas, whose revelatory report in The Sunday Times in June 1971 shattered the veil of silence. The United Nations, belatedly acknowledging the horror, passed Resolution 1430, recognising the acts committed in East Pakistan as genocide and calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities. Yet, inexplicably, the UN has yet to officially classify the 1971 genocide as such, citing "lack of substantial information" a" a bureaucratic equivocation that dishonours the memory of those who perished. In the post-Hasina era, Bangladesh appears to be navigating a perilous trajectory. The interim government's overtures to Pakistan, devoid of any insistence on an official apology for 1971, mark a stark departure from previous policy. Jamaat-e-Islami, emboldened by this shifting political landscape, has rekindled its alliance with Pakistan, seeking to rehabilitate its tarnished image and position itself as a legitimate political contender. Even more disquieting is the systematic erasure of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's legacy a" the Father of the Nation, whose very name is now being expunged from public institutions. The renaming of university halls and academic edifices to commemorate notorious wartime collaborators has sparked outrage, a chilling portent of a revisionist agenda gaining ground. As Bangladesh commemorates the 54th anniversary of Operation Searchlight, the nation stands at a crossroads. The immutable truth of history cannot be effaced by political machinations or revisionist propaganda. The sacrifices of those who perished in 1971 remain etched in the collective consciousness of the nationa"a solemn reminder that a country built on the blood of its martyrs cannot afford the luxury of historical amnesia. In the words of George Santayana, "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it". Bangladesh must heed this wisdom, lest it finds itself ensnared once more in the shadows of its darkest night. New Delhi, March 24 : The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Amrita Hospital to train ambulance workers to prevent road fatalities. The initiative aims for a stronger emergency response system and spreading awareness, as India records the highest number of road fatalities globally, with approximately 178,000 lives lost each year. The country aims to reduce road fatalities and injuries by 50 per cent by the year 2030, as per its commitment under the Stockholm Declaration. "The government has been working dedicatedly with a 4E approach of Education, Engineering, Enforcement, and Emergency Care to reduce the number of road accidents by half. Emergency preparedness remains a crucial step in preventing accident-related deaths and ambulance workers and the police play a vital role in trauma response," said Ajay Tamta, Minister of State, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. As part of the collaboration, Amrita Hospital will train thousands of NHAI ambulance personnel, private ambulance operators, and Haryana Police Patrol vehicles, on critical interventions for road accident victims and emergency preparedness, with a special focus on highway emergency response. This initiative is a significant leap in road safety training, ensuring that the right people receive critical life-saving skills. "India's roads witness alarming fatalities, with the national highways and expressways accounting for 39.2 per cent of road accidents, with two-wheelers being the most affected. Strengthening emergency response is essential to reduce these preventable deaths. Through this MoU, we will train ambulance workers in life-saving trauma care," said Mohammad Safi, Regional Officer Delhi, NHAI. "Timely medical intervention increases survival rates significantly, nearly 50 per cent of road fatalities can be averted if medical attention is given within the first hour. This partnership ensures continuous skill-building for emergency responders. Quick, well-trained actions can be the difference between life and death," added Swami Vijayamritananda Puri, from the Hospital. New Delhi, March 24 : GSMA, a global organisation which represents mobile network operators worldwide, has elected Bharti Airtel Vice Chairman and MD, Gopal Vittal, as its new Chairman until the end of 2026, it was announced on Monday. Vittal is currently the acting Chair of the GSMA board and is only the second Indian to chair the prestigious telecom industry body, after Sunil Bharti Mittal. In his new role, Vittal will oversee the strategic direction of the GSMA. The members of this prestigious body include 1,000 telecom companies from around the world, handset and device companies, software companies, equipment providers, internet companies, as well as organisations in adjacent industry sectors. "I am honoured to be elected as the Chair of the GSMA Board. The mobile industry contributed $6.5 trillion to the global economy in 2024 and is the spine on which much of the innovation in the world is built," said Vittal. The GSMA, as a global organisation unifying the mobile ecosystem, is fundamental to discover, develop and deliver innovation that impacts positive change for all. "I look forward to working closely with the GSMA team and the rest of the Board to continue this important work," he added. The appointment also highlights the significant influence Airtel has in the global telecom industry, with both Mittal and Vittal having held key positions on the GSMA Board for years. Mats Granryd, Director General of the GSMA, said "I have worked with Vittal for many years and am delighted that he has been appointed Chair of the GSMA Board". "His knowledge and experience make him very well positioned to lead the Board and the industry through the current challenges and opportunities, including how to leverage AI and complete 5G for new business models and revenues streams," Granryd added. The GSMA Board will announce the election of a new Deputy Chair in due course. Airtel is a global communications solutions provider with over 550 million customers in 15 countries across India and Africa. Thiruvananthapuram, March 24 : Newly appointed Kerala BJP President Rajeev Chandrasekhar on Monday said his mission is 'Viksit Keralam' inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Viksit Bharat'. "Born to a man with an Indian Army background in Gujarat, studied in Thrissur (Kerala) and other schools and then worked in the US and India. Then I had 18 years of experience in the Rajya Sabha. My high command and all of you have entrusted me with this job and I will assure all of you that I will return only after bringing a BJP-led NDA government in Kerala," said Chandrasekhar. On Sunday, he was the only person who filed the nomination for the post of the party's president, and on Monday Union Minister Pralhad Joshi made the announcement of Chandrasekhar becoming the new Kerala BJP chief. The outgoing president, K. Surendran handed over the party flag and the minutes book signalling the new president has taken over. Chandrasekhar spoke at length about the hard work put in by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the past 11 years and said his vision and mission are also the same as that of PM Modi. "Eleven years ago when PM Modiji took over, just like Kerala which is reeling under bad governance, our country was facing the same. But now due to PM Modiji, we have reached the top 4. A new India has been built by Modiji's hard work, policies and good governance," said Chandrasekhar. "We owe this to the politics of performance in 11 years as the political governance helped India to rise. That's what we the BJP will do in Kerala and that is my mission and vision," said Chandrasekhar. "In the country, we are now seeing changes in technology, trade and manufacturing. This will be there to be seen in Kerala too. Investment will come to places where talent is there and talent will go to places where opportunities are there. This is the reality and we will build a Kerala where there are no 'nokku kooli (gawking wages)' and opportunities," added Chandrasekhar. "The job of our party and the workers is to spread this to every household. Viksit Keralam is our vision and mission and all should benefit irrespective of religion or community," said the 60-year-old former Minister of State. He then said Kerala has huge potential but opportunities are not there and hence our youths are hugely successful outside. "When they get chances they turn successful. The reason why Kerala is lagging behind is that our state government survives on borrowed money. Just look 500 km from here in Karnataka there are thousands of job opportunities but not here," said the new president. "Answers to why Kerala has not progressed have to be found out. Is it because of the economy, is it because of the huge debt, is it because of the drug influence or is it due to radicalization? These are all huge challenges," said Chandrasekhar. "In the past 70 years, Kerala has seen only assurances from the Left and Congress. So a change is needed and that's why we the BJP have a mission and that is to bring change. We will achieve what Modiji did for the country," added Chandrasekhar. Incidentally, this is the first time that the Kerala unit of the national ruling party has brought in a person with little political hardcore experience to lead the party. The only experience in Kerala that Chandrasekhar has was when he was asked to take on three-time sitting Congress Lok Sabha member Shashi Tharoor at the Thiruvananthapuram Lok Sabha constituency during the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. At the polls, he gave a tough fight to Tharoor who eventually won by around 16,000 votes. His appointment also raised eyebrows as even the RSS leadership in Kerala was also caught unawares, and with the party, which is deeply divided between faction leaders in the state, it remains to be seen how smooth will Chandrasekhar's new assignment be. Kabul, March 24 : After four years of girls being forbidden education in Afghanistan, several women activists have launched a campaign titled 'Let's Study' to mark the start of the new academic year, condemning the Talibani rules. In an online statement, the activists stated that with the start of the new school year, another 400,000 girls have been deprived of education as the Taliban prohibits Afghan girls from accessing secondary and higher education. The campaign, organised by women's rights protesters in the South Asian nation, also urged the international community to support Afghan women in their struggle for access to education against the "ignorant terrorist group" Taliban's ban. The activists said that women no longer hold any expectations from the de facto authorities, who are involved in systemic oppression of women and violation of human rights. Ensuring the European Union's (EU) support for Afghan women's right to education, the EU delegates in Afghanistan on Sunday emphasised the critical role of women and girls in shaping the country's future. "Education For All is crucial for Afghanistan's long-term resilience and prosperity. Educated women, with their vital skills and knowledge, are the architects of a stronger, more stable & economically independent country. The EU supports their right to education!," the EU delegation in Afghanistan posted on X. This statement followed after the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) on Saturday urged that all girls in the Islamic country must be allowed to return to school as the new school year in the country begins. The agency stated that if this ban persists until 2030, over four million girls will have been deprived of their right to education beyond primary school. "The consequences for these girls -- and for Afghanistan -- are catastrophic. The ban negatively impacts the health system, the economy, and the future of the nation. With fewer girls receiving education, girls face a higher risk of child marriage with negative repercussions on their well-being and health," said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell. "We will continue to advocate for the right of every Afghan girl to receive an education, and we urge the de facto authorities to lift this ban immediately. Education is not just a fundamental right; it is the pathway to a healthier, more stable, and prosperous society," she added. Afghanistan stands out as the only country in the world where secondary and higher education is strictly forbidden for girls and women. According to UNESCO data published in 2024, 1.4 million girls in the Taliban-ruled nation have been deliberately deprived of schooling. Access to primary education has also fallen sharply, with 1.1 million fewer girls and boys attending school. Mumbai, March 24 : Kannada superstar Yash has landed in Mumbai, to shoot for his sequences in the upcoming movie 'Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups'. The next shooting schedule began in Mumbai on Monday. Mumbai, March 24 (IANS) Kannada superstar Yash has landed in Mumbai, to shoot for his sequences in the upcoming movie aToxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Upsa. The next shooting schedule began in Mumbai on Monday. The details with regards to the essence of the scenes, logistics, and shoot details are currently under the wraps. Meanwhile, at the airport, Yash was seen sporting a rugged short beard and a crisp haircut, adding to the intrigue around his look in the film. The team has been filming extensively across multiple locations, including Mumbai,Goa and Bengaluru, with the production shaping up on a grand scale. The film is helmed by Geetu Mohandas, who is known for her emotionally rich storytelling and award-winning cinema. With prestigious accolades like the National Award and the Global Filmmaking Award at the Sundance Film Festival, she has established herself as a visionary director with a strong global presence. The excitement surrounding the film has been skyrocketing ever since the makers announced its release date, leaving fans eagerly awaiting more updates. Prior to this, the makers of the film announced its release date through a social media activation. The film will bow in theatres on March 19, 2026. The release date announcement of the film was done through a special poster. The action-packed image showcased Yash rousing from the flames, promising an adrenaline-fueled cinematic experience. A shadowy silhouette shrouded in smoke adds an air of mystery, hinting at the intrigue that lies within this gritty, stylized universe. With Ugadi, Gudi Padwa, and Chaitra Navratri ushering in the new year on March 19, followed by Eid-al-Fitr celebrations on March 20 and March 21, the film is perfectly positioned to capitalise a four-day extended weekend across India. The film brings together the best and highly sought after talent from Indian and International cinema, and will be dubbed in Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, and several other languages. aToxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Upsa is jointly produced by Venkat K. Narayana and Yash under KVN Productions and Monster Mind Creations. -- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed Moscow, March 24 : Russia and the United States have begun consultations in Riyadh on Monday regarding the settlement of the ongoing conflict with Ukraine. The talks are aimed at discussing details about a partial ceasefire and cessation of hostilities to end the conflict. This followed after the US and Ukrainian delegations held similar consultations on Sunday in the Saudi Arabia capital on a potential ceasefire deal. The Russian delegation at the consultations is represented by the Chairman of the Federation Council Committee on International Affairs Grigory Karasin and Advisor to the Director of the Federal Security Service (FSB) Sergey Beseda. The American delegation is led by Michael Anton, Director of Policy Planning at the US State Department, as well as advisors to Keith Kellogg, and US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, Russia's state-run news agency TASS reported. In an interview with American media outlet CBS News on Sunday, Waltz said that the United States and Russia will discuss the cessation of hostilities in the Black Sea and the resumption of trade traffic through its waters at their meeting in Saudi Arabia. "We are now going to talk about a Black Sea maritime ceasefire so that both sides can move grain fuel and start conducting trade again in the Black Sea," Mike Waltz added. Earlier, Russian Presidential Aide Yury Ushakov announced that Russia and the United States will particularly address reviving the Black Sea grain initiative after Russian President Vladimir Putin and his US counterpart, Donald Trump, reached a corresponding agreement in their recent phone call. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday said that the meeting between Ukrainian and US delegations in Saudi Arabia was "constructive and beneficial", with progress made on key issues. "Our team is working quite constructively, and the discussion has been very beneficial. The work of the delegations is ongoing," The Kyiv Independent reported, quoting Zelensky. Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov, who led the Ukrainian delegation, said the discussions included military, diplomatic, and energy representatives. "The conversation was constructive and meaningful a" we discussed key issues, including in the energy sector," Umerov took to social media on Monday and posted. Last week, Trump and Putin held a telephonic conversation, highlighting the need for peace and a ceasefire to end the conflict with Ukraine. Both leaders agreed that the movement to peace would begin with an energy and infrastructure ceasefire, as well as technical negotiations on the implementation of a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea, full ceasefire, and permanent peace. Hyderabad, March 24 : The Telangana High Court on Monday adjourned the hearing on the anticipatory bail petition of former Inspector General of Police T. Prabhakar Rao, the prime accused in the phone-tapping case. The High Court on Monday took up for hearing the petition by Prabhakar Rao, who was heading the State Intelligence Bureau (SIB) when the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) was in power. The former IPS officer, who has been staying in the United States for over a year and declared absconder by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the case, approached the court for anticipatory bail through his counsel. The court asked the state government to file a counter. As the government counsel sought time for the same, the court adjourned the hearing by two weeks. Prabhakar Rao claimed in his petition that the phone-tapping case was registered with a political motive. He argued that the allegations made in the complaint, FIR, and charge sheet were false and made up to implicate him for political interests. The former IPS officer alleged that without any evidence, the SIT narrated a story of alleged phone interceptions and destruction of recordings to please the political set-up in the government. Denying that he had absconded, Rao said he went to the US on March 11, 2024, whereas the SIT listed him as an accused in the case on April 29, 50 days after his departure. Prabhakar Rao said that when he came to know about case, he had filed a memo, dated May 2, through his counsel, informing the court about the circumstances of his travel to US, which was for medical purposes, prior to registration of the case and much before his implication in this case. He also claimed he had contacted the investigating officer and provided his contact details and expressed his willingness to co-operate with the investigation. He also stated that he was not evading probe as he had been in regular contact with the investigating officer. He also claimed that no police officer approached him for inquiry into the case. The phone-tapping allegations under the previous government of BRS came to light in March last year with the arrest of Deputy Superintendent of Police Praneeth Rao following a complaint from his superior, Additional SP D. Ramesh, with the SIB. The police have so far named six accused in the case. Praneeth Rao, Additional SPs Thirupathanna and Bhujanga Rao and former DCP P. Radha Kishan Rao were arrested in the case. Then chief of SIB, Prabhakar Rao had allegedly constituted a team within the SIB with his trusted aides including Praneeth Rao for surveillance of rival political leaders, their families and dissidents within the ruling party, businessmen, journalists and even judges. The Telangana Police in August last year initiated the process to bring back Prabhakar Rao and another accused Sravan Kumar from the US. Its request for Red Corner notices is pending with the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Bhopal, March 24 : The police have registered a case against four accused in various sections of the BNS (Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita) in the case of the recent attack on a police team in Sehore district of Madhya Pradesh. All of them have been arrested. The incident occurred late Saturday night when a group of miscreants attacked a police team, led by Sub-Inspector Ramnaryan Dhruve, that had been dispatched to Kheri village in the Ichhawar area to quell an escalating tension. "Police have arrested all the four accused, and the sub-inspector Ramnarayan Dhruve is under treatment but out of danger," district collector, Balaguru K. told IANS. Sehore is 40 km away from Bhopal. The arrested individuals have been identified as Gajraj, son of Lalji Ram Jangde; Rajaram; Vishal, son of Gajraj Jangde; and Rahul, son of Hemraj Jangade. All four hail from Gerukhal Junapani village, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Ichhawar Police Station. The police have registered a case against them under various sections of the BNS. The charges include obscene acts and songs in public places (Section 296), assault (Section 121(1)), use of criminal force to deter a public servant from discharging their duties (Section 132), attempted murder (Section 109), and additional offenses under Section 3(5). These charges reflect the severity of the attack and the intent to obstruct law enforcement. Late Saturday night, a violent confrontation occurred in Kheri village, located in the Ichhawar police station area of Sehore district, when the police team was ambushed by a gang of miscreants. The police team had gone to the area following reports of an escalating dispute, only to find themselves ambushed while attempting to restore calm. The assault left Sub-Inspector Ramnarayan Dhruve seriously injured, though he is now receiving medical treatment and is reported to be out of danger. District Collector Balaguru K. confirmed this development in a statement to IANS, adding that the police acted promptly to apprehend four of the accused involved in the incident. The unrest in Kheri village reportedly originated from the marriage of a local man, Kamlesh, to a woman from a neighbouring village. This union sparked tensions that quickly escalated, leading to a group of miscreants vandalising Kamlesh's property. Fearing for their lives, Kamlesh and his newlywed wife were forced to flee the village. When the police team, led by Sub-Inspector Dhruve, arrived to investigate and quell the disturbance, they were attacked. The attackers ambushed the officers, injuring Dhruve and forcing his team to retreat for their own safety. Jodhpur, March 24 : Protests erupted in Jodhpur on Monday against Samajwadi Party MP, Ramji Lal Suman's controversial remarks in Parliament, where he referred to 16th Century Rajput king Rana Sanga as a "traitor." Members of the Marwar Rajput Samaj submitted a memorandum addressed to the Vice President of India through the District Collector, demanding Suman's expulsion from Parliament. Speaking to IANS, Hanuman Singh Khagta, President of the Rajput Marwar Samaj, condemned Suman's remarks. "It is unfortunate to make such comments about Rana Sanga, who protected the culture of Hindustan and Sanatan," he said. Taking a swipe at the Samajwadi Party, Khagta remarked, "They wear red caps and make false statements. If Rana Sanga had not defended the motherland, they might be wearing green caps today instead of red. He sacrificed his life to protect our nation's honour." Khagta demanded that Suman issue an apology in Parliament and withdraw his statement. "If the Samajwadi Party leaders do not know history, they should not comment on it. If he does not apologise, we will organise protests across the country," he warned. The controversy began during a debate on the functioning of the Home Ministry in the Rajya Sabha on Friday, when Suman linked Rana Sanga to Babur's invasion of India. Addressing the BJP's repeated remarks on the ancestry of Indian Muslims, Suman had said, "BJP leaders often claim that Muslims have the DNA of Babur. But who invited Babur to India? It was Rana Sanga who brought him to defeat Ibrahim Lodi. By that logic, if Muslims are Babur's descendants, you are also the descendants of Rana Sanga -- a traitor." His comments have sparked widespread outrage, particularly among Rajput communities, who view Rana Sanga as a symbol of valour and patriotism. Earlier, Rajasthan BJP legislator Vishvaraj Singh Mewar, a descendant of Rana Sanga, also demanded strict action against the Samajwadi Party MP who claimed that the Rajput ruler was behind inviting Babur to India, which led to the establishment of Mughal rule in the country. Bengaluru, March 24 : Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar said on Monday that he will take legal action against the BJP for misquoting him over Muslim quota remarks. "I will initiate a breach of privilege motion and take legal action for misquoting me. The BJP is misquoting me and distorting my words. Congress understands the Constitution and how it functions. The BJP is deliberately misrepresenting my words and I will take legal action against this breach of privilege," Shivakumar stated. He added that Congress will protect the Constitution and it is the party's responsibility and birthright. "We helped frame the Constitution, and we will safeguard it," Shivakumar said. The Deputy Chief Minister said he is a senior and sensible politician with more experience than Union Minister and BJP President J.P. Nadda. "I merely mentioned in a casual manner that several changes have been made following judicial verdicts. Whatever reservations are provided are within the quota of backward classes. I never said that Congress would amend the Constitution. I only pointed out that, based on judicial rulings, some constitutional amendments have been made in the past. That is all. If the BJP is happy misinterpreting my words, they can do as they please," Shivakumar said. He further accused the BJP of "misleading" the country for political gains, claiming that their popularity is declining with each passing day. "If the BJP does not take the name of the Gandhi family, they won't be able to sleep at night. It is a political conspiracy against me and my party. However, since the matter is being discussed in Parliament, they have certain protections," he said. Meanwhile, Congress MLC B.K. Hariprasad also clarified that Shivakumar might have mistakenly used the phrase "change of Constitution" instead of "amendment of Constitution." He emphasised that no one can change the Constitution and that a Muslim quota does not require a constitutional amendment, as it can be implemented through existing legal provisions. Reacting to the controversy, BJP State President B.Y. Vijayendra said that Shivakumar's statement exposes the Congress party's real intentions, which are to amend the Constitution for Muslim appeasement. "It also reflects the lack of respect Congress leaders have for B.R. Ambedkar," he added. Vijayendra asserted that the Constitution clearly states that religion-based reservations cannot be provided. "However, Shivakumar and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah are willing to go to any extent for Muslim appeasement. Now they have started to talk about changing the Constitution. This is an anti-Constitutional statement, and such a move is impossible under the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership," he added. Amit Malviya, in-charge of BJP's National Information and Technology Department, referring to the BJP registering strong objections to Shivakumar's remark in the Rajya Sabha, said that the BJP tore into the Congress for proposing to amend the Constitution to grant reservations to Muslims. "In 1947, the Muslim League raised the issue of Muslim representation and reservations in the Constituent Assembly, but it was rejected. Babasaheb Ambedkar's Constitution includes no provision for religion-based reservations. The Congress is the new Muslim League," he claimed. On Sunday, referring to the remarks made by Shivakumar at a media conclave, Amit Malviya said that he (Shivakumar) openly declares that Congress will amend the Constitution to grant reservations to Muslims. "Where is Rahul Gandhi, the self-proclaimed saviour of the Constitution now? The Congress has always prioritised appeasement over national interest. They didn't hesitate to Partition the country on religious lines, and even after that, ensured that Muslims stayed back. There could be no greater betrayal," he stated. He added that Congress has never been fair to Hindus and they never will be. Kolkata, March 24 : With The Calcutta High Court on Monday directing the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to submit a comprehensive report on the rape and murder of the junior doctor of the R.G. Kar Medical College & Hospital, the victim's father welcomed the court's intervention. Kolkata, March 24 (IANS) With The Calcutta High Court on Monday directing the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to submit a comprehensive report on the rape and murder of the junior doctor of the R.G. Kar Medical College & Hospital, the victim's father welcomed the courtas intervention. "The judge has asked the CBI to determine how many people were involved and take further action. They have been directed to present the case diary in court on Friday. We trust the judiciary and believe that justice will prevail," the father said. The parents had moved the court raising concerns raised over the slow pace of the investigation and alleged attempts to shield those responsible. The father also criticised the state governmentas inconsistent stand, saying: "Sometimes they say there is no objection, other times they raise objections. We donat understand their position. What investigation did they conduct in the first five days? Do they even have the right to question the probe?" The victimas mother also expressed dissatisfaction with the probe, alleging that her daughter was tortured at the hospital for refusing to accept fake medicines, injections, and saline. aThe CBI has not been able to conduct a proper probe yet. From the beginning, we maintained that Sanjay Roy was not the only accused of my daughteras murder. Her colleagues, VP, Sandeep Ghosh, and others are involved in this institutional murder," she claimed. She further alleged that the state's Mamata Banerjee government had been obstructing the investigation since August 9, despite her daughter being a government employee who died while on duty. "The Health Minister and the Chief Minister were responsible for identifying those involved. But from day one, there have been efforts to cover up the matter. However, we will not give up. There may be delays, but we will get justice," she asserted. The Supreme Court, which is hearing the case, had recently permitted parallel hearings in the case at the Calcutta High Court, following which the victimas parents approached the court with a fresh plea questioning the CBIas progress. New Delhi, March 24 : Jagdambika Pal, Chairman of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC), criticised the protests against the proposed Waqf Amendment Bill as a "pre-planned political strategy" to mislead minorities, while AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi slammed the Bill as "unconstitutional." Speaking on the ongoing demonstrations, Jagdambika Pal questioned the motive behind the protests. "Why are they protesting when the government has not even introduced the amended Act yet? First, the All India Muslim Personal Law Board stages a protest at Jantar Mantar, then in Patna, and now in Vijayawada. This is a well-planned strategy to mislead minorities and Muslims across the country," he said. Pal argued that Waqf properties, meant for the welfare of the poor, women, children, and orphans, were being mismanaged and illegally sold by caretakers. "The government is amending the law so that the maximum benefits of Waqf properties reach the poor. Yet, certain leaders like Imran Masood and Owaisi are misleading people. The Bill hasnat even been introduced in Parliament yet, and they are already calling for protests, issuing threats, and trying to create another Shaheen Bagh-like situation," he stated. Pal also condemned the warnings from Opposition leaders, saying, "Threats like aJagdambika Pal and his party will see the consequencesa are unacceptable. Parliament has the right to make laws, and such attempts to spread chaos and incite violence must be stopped." On the other hand, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi strongly opposed the Bill, calling it a direct attack on constitutional freedoms. "This is an unconstitutional Bill. It violates Article 14 (Right to Equality), Article 25 (Freedom of Religion), and Article 26 (Freedom to manage religious affairs). That is why there are protests against it," he asserted. Mumbai, March 24 : The political storm over comedian Kunal Kamra's alleged mocking of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde intensified on Monday with tremors being felt in Parliament premises and across Maharashtra. The divide within the political fraternity widened as the ruling MahaYuti partners in Maharashtra lashed out at the comedian and the rival Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) batted for freedom of expression. The controversy took a violent twist with vandalism of The Habitat Studio, the venue of Kamra's recent show in a Mumbai hotel, by Shiv Sena workers on Sunday night, leading to the arrest 12 of people, including Shiv Sena leader Rahool Kanal. To add more drama, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Monday carried out demolition at The Habitat Studio, located at the Unicontinental Hotel in Khar, citing violations of civic rules. The Mumbai Police have lodged an FIR against Kamra over his jibe at Deputy CM Shinde. "After the registration of FIR, the police have launched a hunt for comedian Kunal Kamra," said the Minister of State for Home (urban) and Shiv Sena leader, Yogesh Kadam. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said Kamra should apologise for referring to Deputy CM Shinde as a "traitor" in his show. "Everyone has a right to perform stand-up comedy, but freedom should not be unrestrained behaviour. Kamra should immediately apologise for his remark. Action will be taken against him as per law," the CM said. Kamra was in Tamil Nadu when Maharashtra Police contacted him, but he refused to issue an apology. Shiv Sena-UBT leader and MLA Aaditya Thackeray voiced support for the comedian and condemned the attack on the studio, calling it an act of cowardice. In a post on X, Thackeray wrote, "Mindhe's (read Shinde) coward gang breaks the comedy show stage where comedian @kunalkamra88 put out a song on Eknath mindhe, which was 100 per cent true. Only an insecure coward would react to a song by someone." His party colleague and MP Sanjay Raut said he wanted to know whether censorship and Emergency had been imposed in Maharashtra. He also appealed to Chief Minister Fadnavis, who also holds the home portfolio, to leave charge of the department. Amid the political slugfest, Samajwadi Party MP and actress Jaya Bachchan criticised the vandalism and booking of the comedian, saying, "If such steps are being taken on saying something then where is freedom of speech?" Shiv Sena MP Milind Deora rebuked Kamra for a distasteful display of humour. He claimed that the political elites have "hired classist elitists as paid agents" like him to divert public attention from crucial issues, particularly the Disha Salian case. During his show, Kamra said, "Meri nazar se tum dekho toh, gaddar nazar wo aaye. Haaye," an apparent taunt at Deputy CM Shinde, using a modified version of Hindi song from "Dil To Pagal Hai". He was apparently alluding to Shinde's 2022 rebellion, which led to the split of Shiv Sena into two -- Shinde faction and Uddhav Thackeray faction. The controversy snowballed after the comedian shared the video clip on the social networking platform X. The Habitat Studio, where Karma made the comment targeted at Deputy CM Shinde, is the same venue where the controversial show 'India's Got Latent' was organised. The comments of podcaster Samay Raina during that show sparked a public outrage. The studio announced permanent closure on Monday, a fallout of vandalism on the premises on Sunday. Singapore, March 24 : Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal on Monday spotlighted India's decisive maritime initiatives that are injecting fresh momentum into global shipping while addressing the high-level dialogue on 'Navigating Global Maritime Trends in 2025 and Beyond' at the Singapore Maritime Week. These efforts, being made under the "visionary leadership" of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, said Sonowal, are enhancing connectivity, strengthening supply chains and improving Ease of Doing Business (EoDB). "We are also laying the foundation for a robust shipbuilding industry while prioritising sustainability, including the development of Green Shipping Corridors. Guided by the principle of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, these steps are shaping a maritime future that is green, secure, efficient and inclusive," said Sonowal. The minister is currently on a three-day visit to the country at the invitation of the Government of Singapore as India seeks to boost maritime cooperation. Sonowal is also holding discussions with counterparts from several participating countries on the sidelines of the Singapore Maritime Week. "Delighted to attend the inauguration of the Singapore Maritime Week 2025. Really glad to listen to the inaugural address by former Prime Minister and Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong, who spoke on the growing India-Singapore maritime ties. It is an honour to represent India at the annual gathering of the international maritime community, as we look to foster global collaborations and showcase India's potential as a future-ready maritime investment destination," Sonowal posted on X. At the key event, the minister also held productive discussions with industry leaders on India's maritime potential. "Positioned to offer top-tier opportunities, India welcomes the global maritime community to invest and tap into its immense prospects," he said. The Union Minister also met senior ministers of the Singapore government, including Lee Hsien Loong, Murali Pillai, Dr Amy Khor among others. "Good bilateral discussion with France Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot on the sidelines of Singapore Maritime Week. Talked about growing India-France maritime ties and shared role in the global shipping industry," Sonowal posted on X on Monday. He will also meet Brigit Gijsbers of the Netherlands during a bilateral meeting to further strengthen the bilateral maritime relationship between the two countries. Earlier in the day, the Union Minister interacted with the Indian diaspora. On Sunday, he visited the INA Memorial in Singapore accompanied by the High Commissioner of India to Singapore. Chennai, Mar 24 : Malayalam superstar Mohanlal has pointed out that his decision to offer prayers for the quick recovery and welfare of his friend and fellow superstar Mammootty at Sabarimala was a personal issue and that he shouldn't be asked for details about it. Mohanlal, who participated in a pre-release event organized by the unit of director Prithviraj's 'L2: Empuraan', was asked about the friendship he shared with actor Mammootty for whose recovery and welfare he had recently offered prayers at Sabarimala. The superstar said, "Why must I say that out? I went to Sabarimala and offered prayers for him. Somebody in the Devaswom board there leaked that receipt to the press. Why should I tell that out? It is all very personal, isn't it? Why should you tell about somebody for whom you pray?" Mohanlal then went on to say, "There are a lot of people who say that 'I will pray for you' but will be talking about something else. If you say, you will pray for someone, you must pray. He (Mammootty) is my friend. There is nothing wrong. I can pray for you as well." Pointing out that Mammootty had a huge fan following in Tamil Nadu as well and that speculative reports about his health condition were worrying to fans here, Mohanlal was asked, "Being a close friend of his, how is he? Did you speak to him?"" To this, the actor replied, "Mammootty is fine. He had a small problem like everybody else. (There is) nothing to worry." The story of Mohanlal-starrer L2: Empuraan (L2E), which is now jointly being produced by Antony Perumbavoor, Lyca Productions and Sri Gokulam Movies, has been penned by Murali Gopy and its music has been scored by Deepak Dev. The film, directed by Prithviraj Sukumaran, has cinematography by Sujith Vaassudev and editing by Akhilesh Mohan. 'Lucifer', the first part of the franchise which released in 2019 and which marked the directorial debut of actor Prithviraj Sukumaran, emerged a blockbuster in just eight days. It went on to make over Rs 200 crore, making it the highest grossing Malayalam film ever. Needless to say expectations from the sequel, which is scheduled to hit screens on March 27 this year, have soared. Thiruvananthapuram, Mar 24 : The body of a woman Intelligence Bureau official, posted at the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport's immigration department, was found near the railway tracks in the Kerala capital on Monday morning, police said. The IB official, identified as Megha, 24, had left for home after finishing her work early on Monday, as per officials. However, she did not reach home and her body was later found near the railway tracks at a location near the airport. Hailing from the state's Pathanamthitta district, she had joined as an IB officer a year back. While the police has registered a case of unnatural death and a probe has commenced to ascertain the facts, reports have now come that she was suffering from depression. The body has been moved to the state-run Medical College hospital for the post-mortem examination, after which the body will be handed to her parents. Further details, including the reason, were awaited. Shillong, March 24 : Union Home Minister Amit Shah, DoNER Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, Governors and Chief Ministers of several northeastern states have extended their heartfelt greetings to the Assam Rifles personnel and their family members on the occasion of 190th Raising Day on Monday. Headquartered in Shillong, the Assam Rifles, which came into existence in 1835, currently guarding the 1,643-km unfenced border with Myanmar along the Indian states of Arunachal Pradesh (520 km), Manipur (398 km), Nagaland (215 km) and Mizoram (510 km). Besides guarding the India-Myanmar border, a huge contingent of the para-military force deployed in the northeastern states, Jammu and Kashmir and in a few other states in the country. The Union Home Minister said in a post on his X handle: "Greetings to our brave sentinels of the Northeast, the Assam Rifles personnel and their families on Raising Day. The force has knocked off the challenges to the security of the northeast with their valour and won hearts through their humanitarian assistance to the people. Salute to the warriors of the Assam Rifles who made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty." Greeting the Assam Rifles, Union Minister of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) Jyotiraditya Scindia in a post on the X said: "Honouring the unwavering courage & dedication of the Assam Rifles on their Raising Day. They have stood as the guardians of the Northeast for decades, ensuring security with unmatched valor while also fostering deep bonds with the people through their relentless service. My heartfelt tribute to the brave warriors for their sacrifice in service to the nation." Governors of the northeastern states, and Chief Ministers of Assam Himanta Biswa Sarma his Arunachal Pradesh counterpart Pema Khandu, Arunachal Pradesh Home Minister Mama Natung, Union Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju greeted the Assam Rifles personnel and their family members on the occasion of their 190th Raising Day on Monday. The Assam Rifles is one of the oldest and most decorated paramilitary forces in India. The Assam Rifles often nicknamed the "Sentinels of the Northeast" or "Friends of the Hill People" play a crucial role in maintaining security in India's northeastern states, guarding the Indo-Myanmar border, and conducting counter-insurgency operations. It is directly administered by the Ministry of Home Affairs while operational control rests with the Indian Army. Bengaluru, March 24 : Retail and Information and Technology sectors are driving female contractual workforce participation in India, according to a report on Monday. The report by TeamLease Services, a staffing and workforce solutions company, provides critical insights into the existing gender disparities in the workforce. It identifies trends and reforms necessary to drive inclusive employment opportunities for women across industries. The report showed that retail (29.8 per cent), IT (20.7 per cent), and financial services (18.9 per cent) lead in employing women in contractual roles. On the other hand, sectors like manufacturing (10.8 per cent), power and energy (5 per cent), and telecom (4 per cent) see lower representation, underscoring the need for greater gender inclusion. Education plays a vital role in shaping women's employment prospects. The report noted that about 41.3 per cent of women in contractual roles hold a graduation degree, while 28.5 per cent have completed 12th grade. A smaller percentage have 10th-grade education (18.8 per cent), with postgraduates (10.2 per cent) and diploma & ITI holders (1.2 per cent) making up the rest. This indicates that most women in employment have at least a higher secondary or graduate-level education, contributing to a skilled talent pool actively engaged in various industries. "Women's workforce participation in India shows a clear divide across education levels. Those with minimal or high education are more actively engaged, while mid-level graduates follow distinct employment patterns. However, contractual employment has emerged as a key enabler, particularly for women aged 18 to 37, providing critical access to diverse industries, skilling opportunities, and financial stability," said Kartik Narayan, CEO - Staffing, TeamLease Services. "As India aims to increase female workforce participation to 70 per cent, strengthening the contractual workforce ecosystem through targeted skilling programmes, career transition support, and industry initiatives will be essential," he added. Further, the report showed that employment opportunities for women, especially in contractual roles, are concentrated in metropolitan and industrial hubs. Maharashtra (28.7 per cent) leads, followed by Tamil Nadu (14.2 per cent) and Karnataka (14.1 per cent). States like Telangana (7.8 per cent), Gujarat (7.2 per cent), and Uttar Pradesh (6.6 per cent) also contribute significantly. While urban centers drive employment, the report highlights the potential to expand opportunities in tier-2 and tier-3 cities for broader workforce inclusion. The female contractual workforce is predominantly young, with 62.2 per cent of women aged between 18 and 27, while 29.4 per cent fall between 28 and 37 years of age. Lucknow, March 24 : Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) president and former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Mayawati, has declared her unwavering commitment to safeguarding the Constitution from any political attempts to tamper with its provisions on reservation. Reigniting her role as a fierce advocate for marginalised communities, she asserted on her X handle on Monday: "I will not allow Congress, BJP, or any other party to change the Constitution for their political interests, especially regarding reservation. If needed, BSP is ready to fight against it." Mayawati also criticised the BJP's eight-year governance in Uttar Pradesh, highlighting the deteriorating law and order situation and the growing dissatisfaction among the people. She urged the government to address these pressing issues, emphasising the need for immediate action. As a staunch follower of the prime architect of Indian Constitution -- Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar, Mayawati continues to champion his vision of equality and social reform. She reaffirmed BSP's mission to uplift the afflicted and ensure their voices are heard, standing firm against systems of oppression. She further wrote: "Baba Saheb Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar had full knowledge of 'Manusmriti' . His follower and BSP's national president (herself) also has full knowledge of it. That is why BSP has been established to raise voice against this system and help the unhappy and afflicted people stand on their own feet, this is also well known." Her latest remarks signal her readiness to confront any challenges to the Constitution, solidifying her position as a formidable force in Indian politics. The Manusmriti is metrical text, dated to 2nd century BCE-2nd century CE, is a discourse by Sage Manu and Bhrigu on dharma, covering duties, rights, laws, conduct, and virtues. Known as "Behenji" by her supporters, Mayawati has long been a trailblazer in Indian politics. Rising from a community historically confined to leather work and excluded from basic social privileges, she shattered barriers to become one of India's most influential Dalit leaders. As Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, India's largest state, Mayawati's tenure was often defined by decisive governance, including some actions that sent strong messages about law enforcement and social justice. Her ascent to power in Uttar Pradesh, was marked by an inventive political coalition that united voters across caste lines, earning her recognition as a "rainbow coalition leader". Despite facing allegations of corruption, Mayawati remains a revered figure among Dalit loyalists. Singapore, March 24 : Singapore recorded 1,156 new cases of active tuberculosis in 2024, with an incidence rate of 27.6 cases per 100,000 residents, as per the Ministry of Health, The new cases represent a slight decline from the 1,201 cases reported in 2023, which had an incidence rate of 28.9 cases per 100,000. The annual number of new cases has decreased from a peak of 1,617 in 2016 in the past decade, according to ministry data. Older age groups and males continue to account for a significant portion of new active cases. Among the 1,156 new cases in 2024, 77.9 per cent were aged 50 and above, while 67.5 per cent were male, Xinhua news agency reported. Tuberculosis is endemic in Singapore, and latent tuberculosis infection is not uncommon, with rates of up to 30 per cent in the older age groups, the ministry said, noting that individuals with latent tuberculosis infection carry the bacteria but are not infectious as the bacteria remain inactive. According to the WHO, TB is an infectious disease caused by bacteria that most often affect the lungs. It spreads through the air when people with TB cough, sneeze, or spit. TB is preventable and curable with specific antibiotics, but it still kills more people than any other infection. Every year, 10 million people fall ill with TB. Despite being a preventable and curable disease, 1.5 million people die from TB each year a" making it the worldas top infectious killer. TB is the leading cause of death of people with HIV and also a major contributor to antimicrobial resistance. Most of the people who fall ill with TB live in low and middle-income countries, but TB is present all over the world. About half of all people with TB can be found in 8 countries: Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines, and South Africa. About a quarter of the global population is estimated to have been infected with TB bacteria, but most people will not go on to develop TB disease and some will clear the infection. Those who are infected but not (yet) ill with the disease cannot transmit it. The World Tuberculosis Day was observed on Monday. Mumbai, March 24 : The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) on Monday announced that it has approved an increase in the disclosure threshold for foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) from Rs 25,000 crore to Rs 50,000 crore. This change was announced after the SEBI board meeting held here in the day. The regulator stated that this adjustment was necessary due to the sharp rise in trading volumes in the cash equity market. Since the previous threshold was set in FY 2022-23, market trading volumes have more than doubled. Now, only FPIs holding over Rs 50,000 crore in Indian equities will be required to make additional disclosures, as per the SEBIas circular issued on August 24, 2023. These disclosures are intended to ensure compliance with the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and related regulations. The primary objective is to prevent the potential misuse of investments and maintain transparency in the financial system. "Cash equity market trading volumes have more than doubled between FY 2022-23 (when the limits were set) and the current FY 2024-25. In light of this, the Board approved a proposal to increase the applicable threshold from the present Rs 25,000 crore to Rs 50,000 crore," the market regulator said in a statement. While the threshold has now been raised, the SEBI has made no changes to another key requirement. FPIs will still need to make additional disclosures if more than 50 per cent of their equity assets under management (AUM) are concentrated in a single corporate group. Addressing questions about the revised norms, Chairperson Tuhin Kanta Pandey clarified that several funds, including public and sovereign funds, were already exempt from these additional disclosures. "Many of the funds (public, sovereign funds) were exempt from these additional disclosures. There are already disclosures as per PMLA and KYC for every FPI. We were only asking for more granular disclosures," Pandey stated. The market regulator also announced changes in investment norms for Category II Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs). The SEBI has eased the existing rule by allowing to invest in listed debt securities that are rated 'A' or below. Chennai, Mar 24 : In news that is bound to thrill ardent film lovers, the makers of the Malayalam cult classic, 'Bramayugam' have now begun work on their next horror film featuring Pranav Mohanlal, the son of superstar Mohanlal, in the lead. All Night Shifts and Y Not Studios, the firms that went on to produce 'Brammayugam', which featured Mammootty in the lead, are now producing this film, which is yet-to-be-titled. Tentatively being referred to as #NSS2, the film, which is being directed by the director of 'Bramayugam', Rahul Sadasivan, went on floors on Monday. Taking to its social media timelines, the production house All Night Shifts announced, "Team #Bramayugam teams up with @pranavmohanlal for #NightShiftStudios Production No. 2. #NSS2 - Filming Begins Today! Written & Directed by @rahul_madking. Produced By @chakdyn @sash041075 Banner @allnightshifts @studiosynot" Sources close to the unit of the film say that shooting for the film will happen at Vadakara in Calicut. The unit, sources claim, have plans to complete shooting the entire film in a matter of just 40 days. Shehnad Jalal, whose work in 'Bramayugam' came in for much critical acclaim, will also be the cameraman of this new film. Similarly, art direction for the new film will be by the art director of 'Bramayugam', Jothish Shankar. Editing will be by Shafique Mohammed Ali. Ali had also worked as the editor of 'Bramayugam'. Director Rahul Sadasivan's 'Bramayugam' was a critically acclaimed superhit film. It was a period horror flick that was set in Kerala's dark ages. The story of the film primarily revolved around three male characters and was shot in black and white. Apart from Mammootty, 'Bramayugam' also starred Sidharth Bharathan, Arjun Ashokan and Amalda Liz. The film had dialogues by Malayalam novelist TD Ramakrishnan, best known for his novel Francis Itty Cora. --IANS Mkr/ Hyderabad, March 24 : Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Monday directed the officials to continue the rescue operation in the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) tunnel in Nagarkurnool district where eight persons were trapped after the collapse of a portion of the roof more than a month ago. The Chief Minister, who held a review meeting in Hyderabad on the rescue works underway at the partially collapsed portion of the tunnel, directed that necessary permission be taken from the Central government for continuing the rescue operation. He also directed that senior IAS officer Siva Sankar Lotheti be appointed for continuously monitoring the rescue operation. Chief Secretary Santhi Kumari was directed to immediately issue orders in this regard. According to the Chief Ministeras Office (CMO), the officials briefed the Chief Minister on the progress made in the rescue operations so far. Revanth Reddy said the agencies involved in the rescue operation should move forward as per the advice of the expertsa committee. Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy, Tourism Minister Jupally Krishna Rao, Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy, Chief Secretary Santhi Kumari and senior officials attended the meeting. It was on February 22 that a portion of the roof of the tunnel collapsed, trapping eight persons. Of the eight people trapped in the tunnel, one body was recovered on March 9. He was identified as Gurpreet Singh, a Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) operator from Punjab. The search for the remaining missing persons by several agencies has not yet yielded any results due to various impediments. Meanwhile, Nagakurnool district Collector Santosh Badavath said that digging at D1 and D2 spots and dewatering in the tunnel is going on continuously. He said that except for the spots in the tunnel which are considered extremely dangerous, the rescue work was accelerated in the remaining places. The official said parts of the TBM, which were cut, were moved away and sludge was washed off using jet sprays. The rescue workers also used excavators to remove mud from the tunnel through the conveyor belt. Several agencies of the state and the Central governments continued their efforts to trace the remaining workers. The rescue teams continued digging at spots identified by the sniffer dogs. In hazardous areas near TBM, robotic technology is being deployed for safety reasons. Multiple agencies, including the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL), and Anvi Robotics were engaged in rescue operation without a pause. The search operation continued in the last 70 metres of the 14-km-long tunnel. The authorities remain hopeful of making progress in the coming days. The seven persons yet to be traced are Manoj Kumar and Sri Niwas (both UP), Sunny Singh (J&K) and Sandeep Sahu, Jegta Xess, Santosh Sahu, and Anuj Sahu, all from Jharkhand. Jodhpur, March 24 : In the arid landscape of Rajasthan's Jodhpur, the 'Jal Jeevan Mission Yojana' has brought a transformative change, improving the lives of hundreds of families. The mission, aimed at providing "water to every home," is making a real difference in Khokhariya Gram Panchayat, where around 700 families now benefit from easy access to clean drinking water. Jodhpur, March 24 (IANS) In the arid landscape of Rajasthan's Jodhpur, the 'Jal Jeevan Mission Yojana' has brought a transformative change, improving the lives of hundreds of families. The mission, aimed at providing "water to every home," is making a real difference in Khokhariya Gram Panchayat, where around 700 families now benefit from easy access to clean drinking water. The project has equipped homes with new tap water connections, lifting a heavy burden on the villagers who once struggled with irregular and costly water supply. For years, residents had to rely on water tankers, which often meant long waits and a hefty price tag. Today, the story is different. Clean water flows directly into their homes, thanks to the government's initiative under the 'Jal Jeevan Mission.' Speaking to IANS, Mangana Ram, a resident of Khokhariya said: "Earlier, water in our village was in a very bad state. We had to pay anywhere between Rs 600 to Rs 1,000 just to get access to water. But now, thanks to the Jal Jeevan Mission, clean water arrives every 15 days. It's a huge improvement." Another villager added: "Before this, water came only through tankers. Now, we have water in every house. I sincerely thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Central government for making this possible." The 'Jal Jeevan Mission' has not only changed the lives of the men in the village, but also greatly benefited the women, who have been the primary caretakers of water collection. One woman expressed her gratitude, saying: "Our village now has water thanks to PM Modi. We are all thankful to him for this scheme that has made our lives easier." Another woman said: "Thank you to PM Modi, because of whom we now have access to clean water in our village." The project, worth Rs 3.76 crore, has brought extensive development to Khokhariya. Sarpanch Govind Singh elaborated on the scale of the work undertaken. "A new water supply line was laid, a pump house was built, and service quarters were also constructed. Earlier, water was a daily struggle in the village, but now, we're seeing real change. Approximately 700 to 800 families are benefiting from this initiative." Before the 'Jal Jeevan Mission,' Khokhariya residents had to stage frequent protests just to ensure they received their daily water supply. Today, the situation is vastly improved with water taps installed in every home, and the community is beginning to see the positive impact of this change. Launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 15, 2019, the 'Jal Jeevan Mission' has set out to ensure every rural household has a tap water connection. At its inception, only 17 per cent of rural households had tap water connections. The mission aims to bridge this gap by providing nearly 16 crore new households with tap water by 2024, thus directly benefiting over 19 crore rural families. As of August 12, 2024, the mission has already connected 11.82 crore additional rural households, taking the total number of connected households to over 15.07 crore, which is approximately 78 per cent of rural India. Mumbai, March 24 : The Maharashtra Legislative Council on Monday adjourned thrice amid the ruckus over stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra's indirect reference to Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde as 'traitor' on his show. On Monday, a heated exchange of words took place between the ruling and Opposition members. Amid din, Minister of State for Home (Urban), Yogesh Kadam, announced that the Maharashtra government will investigate the call records and bank transactions of Kamra. The minister further said that strict action would be taken against Kamra and the government would also try to seek out the mastermind behind the verbal attack on Shinde. Leader of Opposition (LoP) and Shiv Sena (UBT) legislator, Ambadas Danve, raised the issue regarding the vandalism of the Mumbai studio where the shoot of Kamra's show took place. He stated that it had created a serious law and order problem not just in Mumbai but across Maharashtra. As soon as Danve started speaking on the issue Eknath Shinde who was sitting in the House, left. Danve said, "It's a very serious issue that the studio was attacked by the ruling party activists in the presence of the police. The timing of the vandalism coincided with the planned two-day debate in the state legislature on the Constitution of India." "The attack by the Shiv Sena activists is an attack on the freedom of speech. Those who attacked the studio kept silent when objectionable statements were made against Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj by the likes of Prashant Koratkar and Rahul Solapurkar," Danve said. While Danve was speaking, BJP and Shiv Sena began making their arguments against Kunal Kamra's alleged remarks on Shinde, that led to a verbal duel between the members of the Treasury and the Opposition. Amid this din, state council chairman Ram Shinde directed the state government to submit its stand on the issue. Industry Minister Uday Samant said that in the past Kamra had taken swipes at Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "Kamra had joined Rahul Gandhi in his Bharat Jodo Yatra. What does it mean when the same Kamra insults our leader? If tomorrow someone makes objectionable statements against Uddhav Thackeray and Aaditya Thackeray we will stand with you. Now you support us," Samant urged Shiv Sena (UBT) members. Danve clarified that he did not speak against anyone but only raised the issue of law and order violation by ruling party members. "You are in power, file a case against him! Run a trial, but why take the law in your hand?" he asked. However, ruling party members created a ruckus over it, that led to the adjournment of the House by the Chair for 10 minutes. When the House reassembled, BJP MLC Prasad Lad slammed Kamra and alleged that Opposition parties were trying to give a different colour to the issue. But as MVA members objected to it, the council was again adjourned for 15 minutes. Thereafter, when the House resumed, Ram Shinde allowed Shiv Sena (UBT) MLC, Sachin Ahir to speak, but amid chaos he again adjourned the House for 30 minutes. When the House resumed, minister Kadam announced that the state government would investigate the CDR and bank transactions of Kunal Kamra. Bengaluru, March 24 : The Karnataka government is engaged in phone tapping of opposition leaders as well as ministers and leaders within its own party, alleged Leader of the Opposition in Legislative Assembly R. Ashoka. He said that the internal power struggle for the Chief Minister's post within the Congress has intensified and that by November, there will be a significant political development in the state. Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru on Monday, Ashoka said that the phones of leaders, regardless of their party affiliation, have been systematically tapped ever since Chief Minister Siddaramaiah took charge. "This is happening 100 per cent for sure," he claimed. Referring to the alleged honey trap attempt on Minister K.N. Rajanna, he said: "If they wanted to send a team, they would need information about the whereabouts of the minister. That means they inevitably had to carry out phone tapping. This government is involved in phone tapping." "We spoke about this three months ago. Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy had also stated that the ruling party was engaged in phone tapping. They want to eliminate their opponents - whether in the opposition or within their own party. Even now, phone tapping is happening," Ashoka alleged. He further claimed that his own phone was also being tapped. "My phone has been tapped for the past two years," he stated in response to a question. When asked why he had not filed a complaint with the Home Minister, he replied, "What's the use of filing a complaint with the Home Minister?" Ashoka also stated that the BJP had raised the issue of the honey trap attempt on Minister Rajanna after a note regarding the matter was sent. "They had also spoken with the Speaker. Minister Rajanna's son made a statement about it. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge rushed to Bengaluru to discuss the issue," he claimed. He claimed that no one has a clue about what is happening within the ruling Congress party, adding that factionalism has escalated. "After Minister Rajanna's statement, there has been no further news about the honey trap case. Rajanna's son, a Congress MLC, had stated that he had taken permission from Siddaramaiah. Now, it is clear who is orchestrating this drama. Different factions within the Congress are at war over positions," Ashoka further claimed. He also took a dig at Congress President Kharge, questioning his statement about inquiring about the Chief Minister's health. "Who will believe that Kharge simply came to inquire about Siddaramaiah's health, when he has been seen in a wheelchair for over a month? Siddaramaiah has already started walking," he remarked sarcastically. Ashoka reiterated his allegations that the government is tapping the phones of key leaders. "Even ruling party MLAs have spoken about it. The government is doing this to suppress opposition leaders. There is no doubt about it," he concluded. Reacting to the allegations, Home Minister G. Parameshwara said that the Police Department had not received any complaints so far. "The government and intelligence agencies can conduct phone tapping under special provisions. However, we have not received any complaints. After these allegations were made, I verified with the officials. If a complaint is registered at any police station and the allegations are proven, action will be taken immediately. As Home Minister, I do not have direct access to such information," he said. Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar also dismissed the allegations, saying that the government has not engaged in phone tapping. "If there is any such issue, let them file a police complaint, and we will take appropriate action," the Deputy Chief Minister said. Gandhinagar, March 24 : Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel participated in the three-day Shiva Panchayat Pran Pratishtha Mahotsav in Vadnagar, offering prayers and inaugurating key religious projects at the historic Hatkeshwar Mahadev Temple. The Gujarat government has introduced a state-of-the-art Light and Sound Show at the Hatkeshwar Temple, similar to those at Somnath, Ambaji, Modhera, and the Statue of Unity. The show, built at a cost of Rs 5.53 crore by Gujarat Tourism Corporation Limited (TCGL), aims to educate visitors about the templeas rich mythology and history. During the festival, the Chief Minister also inaugurated the templeas golden spire, performed a flag-hoisting ceremony, and unveiled a newly built Yagyashala. Addressing the gathering, he highlighted Vadnagaras growing appeal as a heritage tourism destination, citing key attractions such as the Archaeological Experience Museum, Kirti Toran, Sharmishtha Lake, Tana-Riri Park, and the Buddhist Monastery. Hatkeshwar Mahadev, regarded as the deity of the Nagar community, holds significant religious and historical value. The temple, mentioned in ancient texts like Nagar Khand and Skanda Purana, is renowned for its intricate architecture, including a grand mandap and depictions of Vishnuas Dashavatar and the Pandavasa exile. The Chief Minister emphasised that the Light and Sound Show will deepen visitorsa understanding of the templeas legacy, enhancing their spiritual experience. He noted that Vadnagar has emerged as a key attraction for domestic and international tourists, with nearly 600,000 visitors recorded this year. With the launch of this Light and Sound Show, Hatkeshwar Temple has become Gujaratas seventh tourism site to feature such an experience, following similar installations at Somnath, Ambaji, Shamlaji, Modhera, the Statue of Unity, and Kutchas Dhordo. Dignitaries present at the event included social leader Somabhai Modi, Additional Chief Secretary M.K. Das, Principal Secretary of Tourism Rajendra Kumar, TCGL Managing Director, Member of Parliament Haribhai, local MLAs, Vadnagar Municipality officials, temple trustees, and devotees. Chennai, March 24 : Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, M.K. Stalin announced on Monday that a delegation of Members of Parliament from Tamil Nadu will soon meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi to urge a fair and transparent delimitation process. Speaking on the floor of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly on Monday, CM Stalin emphasised that the delimitation exercise should safeguard the political representation and democratic rights of Tamil Nadu and other states that might be adversely affected, if it is carried out based on the 2026 population census. He noted that Tamil Nadu's proactive stance on the issue has had a nationwide impact. Several leaders, including the Chief Ministers of Kerala, Telangana, and Punjab, the Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka, and the Leader of Opposition in Odisha (via video conference), participated in the recent discussions on this issue. CM Stalin highlighted the outcome of the Joint Action Council (JAC) meeting held on Saturday in which a resolution was passed demanding that the delimitation process be conducted transparently and in consultation with states. The resolution also called for the current freeze on delimitation to be extended by another 25 years. He stressed that states which have successfully implemented population control measures should not be penalised for their efforts. CM Stalin further proposed that constitutional amendments be introduced in Parliament, alongside resolutions passed in respective State Assemblies, to ensure fair representation for all. The Chief Minister also stated that participants of the JAC meeting would seek the Prime Minister's intervention by formally meeting him during the upcoming Parliament session. They plan to submit a letter urging him to uphold federalism and protect the democratic rights and political representation of all states. "To take forward the spirit of our slogan 'Tamil Nadu will protest and win,' and to protect the rights of states and ensure a just delimitation process, the state government is preparing to meet the Prime Minister along with MPs from all political parties in Tamil Nadu that are represented in Parliament," CM Stalin said. He concluded by expressing gratitude to all political parties, including the principal Opposition party AIADMK, for participating in the all-party meeting and the JAC deliberations. "On behalf of the people of Tamil Nadu, I thank all the political parties that stood together on this vital issue," he added. Kochi, March 24 : The Kerala High Court on Monday suggested that younger members of the Bar should get mandatory mentoring for at least first five years of their practice. The division bench of Justices A.K.Jayasankaran Nambiar and S. Easwaran asked Kerala High Court Advocates Association (KHCAA) President Yeshwanth Shenoy if the association can provide mentoring to the younger members of the Bar. Justice Nambiar orally said: "Can you evolve a policy where junior members, if they have to continue membership, must mandatorily undergo training sessions... Make this a condition for continuing membershipaAs a condition for maintaining standards in the profession, you can make it a condition for the junior Bar for the first five years. To expect it beyond that will be unreasonable. But at least for the first five years, let them undergo some kind of mentoring." "You organise these training sessions periodically and make it like earning credits for attending those. A junior member of the Bar for the first five years... he or she must get so many credit points every year for continued membership of the Association or they don't get the membership. Think of something like that because ultimately the object is noble." The court observed that while junior advocates may possess adequate knowledge, they lack experience. KHCAA President Shenoy was also concerned at the situation, pointing out that juniors are not continuing with a senior even for a period of three months, and rather rely on information that is available digitally. Incidentally, with the turn of the century when the professional education sector was opened up, quite a few number of law colleges started in the private sector, while earlier, there were very few colleges offering courses in law. Following this expansion, the number of lawyers enrolling for the bar also increased. Mumbai, March 24 : In the trailer for "Adrishyam 2-The Invisible Heroes," actor Eijaz Khan joined forces with undercover agent Pooja Gor as they face off against dangerous enemies. Mumbai, March 24 (IANS) In the trailer for "Adrishyam 2The Invisible Heroes," actor Eijaz Khan joined forces with undercover agent Pooja Gor as they face off against dangerous enemies. On Monday, the makers dropped the intriguing trailer on social media and captioned it, "The threat is bigger. The mission is deadlier. And the invisible heroes are ready. Watch Eijaz Khan & Pooja Gor in Adrishyam 2 - streaming from 4th April on Sony LIV#Adrishyam2 #Adrishyam2OnSonyLIV." The thrilling trailer teases a high-stakes showdown, setting the stage for an intense battle as the duo uncovers secrets and fights to stay ahead of their adversaries. Eijaz, who will be seen reprising his role as Ravi Verma in the thriller, shared his excitement, saying, "Adrishyam 2 is bigger, bolder, and more intense. This season, Ravi isn't fighting alone. He's joined by an undercover agent, Durga, played by Pooja Gor, as she brings a fresh perspective and an unstoppable force to the battlefield. Together, we're facing enemies more dangerous than ever. If you thought Season 1 was thrilling, get ready, this is just the beginning." Sharing her excitement for the show, Pooja Gor, who is portraying the role of Durga, mentioned, "This role is unlike anything I've done before. My character is not just another officer, she's a relentless force, ready to fight, chase, and sacrifice for the safety of her people. The challenges she faces are brutal, pushing her to the edge, but she never backs down. Adrishyam 2 is an adrenaline rush, and I can't wait for audiences to experience it!" "Adrishyam 2 The Invisible Heroes" delves into the world of a secretive team of elite operatives working behind the scenes to neutralize threats before they can cause harm. This new season uncovers more complex conspiracies, dangerous betrayals, and a fierce battle to safeguard the nation. The show also stars Swaroopa Ghosh and Tarun Anand. Backed by Bombay Show Studios LLP, with Sachin Pandey and Aditya Pandey as producers, "Adrishyam 2" will premiere on Sony LIV from 4th April. Istanbul, March 24 : Turkish security forces have arrested over 1100 people, including several journalists, as protests against the detention of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, the arch-rival of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and a potential presidential election contender, have continued to intensify over the past five days in the historic city. The Istanbul authorities on Monday also announced restrictions on entry and exit from the province amid the ongoing protests that erupted after Imamoglu was detained on March 19. Country's Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya emphasised that, according to Article 34 of the Constitution, "everyone has the right to organise unarmed and unaggressive meetings and demonstrations without prior permission," but noted that this right is "restricted by law for the purposes of national security, public order, crime prevention, protection of public health and morality, or the rights and freedoms of others." The recent protests have gone beyond peaceful demonstrations, with certain groups abusing the right and attempting to exploit the situation to disrupt public order and attack law enforcement forces, the minister was quoted as saying by Xinhua news agency. "We invite our citizens to be careful against such provocations and to act with common sense," he added. Turkey's 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. The Turkish government temporarily suspended Imamoglu from his duties as Mayor after an Istanbul court formally arrested him on Sunday, pending the outcome of his trial on corruption charges. 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. The popular 53-year-old has been widely seen as the only politician who could defeat Turkeyas longtime leader Erdogan at the ballot box. In just a few days, he went from being the Mayor of Istanbul to being arrested, interrogated, jailed, and stripped of his duties as Mayor as a result of a graft and terror probe. Tens of thousands of Turks 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. 63-year-old British musician finds deepening passion for Chinese Guqin, hopes to introduce the beautiful instrument to world People's Daily Online) 15:29, March 24, 2025 Dominic Eckersley, a 63-year-old British musician who has been steeped in the world of Western classical music for decades, has developed a deep fascination with the traditional Chinese instrument Guqin. Driven by his growing passion for the instrument, Eckersley, who is also known by his Chinese name Yin Xiao, has decided to base himself in Yangzhou, a city in east China's Jiangsu Province, to further immerse himself in the art of Guqin and help introduce the instrument to audiences worldwide. Dominic Eckersley, a 63-year-old British musician who has developed a deep fascination with the traditional Chinese instrument Guqin, plays the Guqin. (Photo/Yangtse Evening Post) Eckersley's connection to traditional Chinese culture dates back to his childhood. At the age of 4, he moved with his family to Hong Kong, where the vibrant blend of Eastern and Western influences left a deep impression. He vividly recalls standing outside a musical instrument shop in Hong Kong, mesmerized by a pair of pearl-inlaid European accordions displayed in the window. His parents later bought him a small toy accordion, sparking his early love for music. After five years in Hong Kong, Eckersley's family returned to the UK. He then began formal piano lessons and soon developed a strong interest in classical music, eventually branching out to organ and harpsichord. At the age of 25, he enrolled at the London College of Music for advanced professional studies. Dominic Eckersley plays a Guqin on a street in Paris. (Photo/Yangtse Evening Post) In 1986, while browsing a London branch of a Hong Kong-based musical instrument store, Eckersley noticed two unfamiliar instruments hanging on the wallsimple, elegant plucked instruments made of polished wood, unlike anything he'd seen before. It was the first time Eckersley encountered the Guqin, a seven-stringed traditional Chinese musical instrument. The store clerk introduced him to the instrument and played the ancient Guqin piece "Jiu Kuang" (drunkard) for him. Deeply intrigued, Eckersley bought a cassette tape of Guqin music from the store and listened to it repeatedly, trying to understand its unique sound through the framework of his Western musical education. He didn't fully grasp it at the time, but the fascination took root. Over the next three decades, Eckersley's career flourished as a professional pianist, organist, and harpsichordist, performing and teaching across Europe and the U.S. Yet the sound of Guqin lingered in the back of his mind. One day in Berlin, where he was living at the time, he stumbled upon a shop selling Chinese goodsincluding what appeared to be a very old Guqin. Curious, he sought advice from online Guqin communities. Dominic Eckersley talks about the Guqin with his friends. (Photo/Yangtse Evening Post) Although the instrument turned out to be a replica rather than an ancient one, the experience reignited his interest at the age of 57. The renewed interest soon prompted Eckersley to buy his first Guqin, starting with beginner models before commissioning a custom, collector-grade piece from renowned Chinese luthier Xu Yachong. He also began studying Chinese at the local Confucius Institute in Berlin and devoured every English-language resource he could find on the Guqin. The English-language Guqin website established by American Guqin master John Thompson, with its extensive online archives, has been particularly helpful for him. The deeper he delved into the world of Guqin, the more Eckersley felt at home. The more he studied, the more he immersed himself in Guqin culture. "Since discovering the Guqin, I no longer need or even enjoy Western classical music. I have completely immersed myself in Chinese traditional musicwithout any regrets or nostalgia," Eckersley said. He has devoted himself entirely to the study of Guqin performance, composition, and scholarship. Leveraging his decades of expertise in Western music, he has composed modern pieces for the Guqin, played and recorded them, and posted videos of the music on social media platforms. He also wrote academic papers exploring the characteristics of the Guqin's silk strings and its tuning techniques. The Guqin has been attracting growing interest in the West, according to Eckersley, who has discovered that two other renowned Guqin teachers, like himself, also began their musical journeys as keyboard players specializing in Baroque Western music. Many Westerners are drawn to the Guqin out of a desire to connect with nature and their inner selves, often using the instrument as a tool for meditation, he said. The Guqin has a freer, more introspective character compared to the structured precision of Western music, and his background allows him to bridge both worlds, Eckersley noted. Over the years, Eckersley has traveled frequently to China to deepen his understanding of the Guqin. He is particularly captivated by Yangzhoua city renowned for its cultural refinement and rich musical heritage. Now, Eckersley is preparing to relocate to the city to focus on the study of the Guqin. He believes immersing himself in the local culture will greatly benefit his musical pursuits. Determined to share China's intangible cultural heritage with the world, Eckersley hopes to help more people around the globe appreciate the beauty of the Guqin. (Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun) Mumbai, March 24 : Actress Shubhangi Atre, best known for her role in "Bhabiji Ghar Par Hai," expressed her sorrow over the tragic passing of the show's writer, Manoj Santoshi. Mumbai, March 24 (IANS) Actress Shubhangi Atre, best known for her role in "Bhabiji Ghar Par Hai," expressed her sorrow over the tragic passing of the show's writer, Manoj Santoshi. She took to social media to pay tribute to the talented writer, recalling his contribution to the show. In an emotional tribute, Shubhangi shared her feelings, writing, "Ek Mahaan aur jaadui lekhak hum sabko Avida kehkar kisi aur duniya me chale gaye. Iss dukh aur sadme ko kabhi nahi bhulaya jaa sakta. But they say 'life is not long, it should be big.' You made this meaningful, Manojjii. Aap bahut yaad aayenge." She also shared her throwback photos with Manoj Santoshi. Santoshi's untimely demise has left a void in the industry, and his colleagues and fans are mourning his loss. Manoj Santoshi, the talented writer behind the hit show "Bhabiji Ghar Par Hai," breathed his last on Monday after a prolonged battle with liver cancer. According to reports, the writer fought the disease with great courage before succumbing to it. He passed away in his hometown of Aligarh, where he was surrounded by his loved ones during his final moments. Confirming the sad news, a source shared, "Manoj passed away early morning today in his hometown Aligarh. His family was present with him." The news of Manoj Santoshi's battle with liver cancer came to light last month when 'FIR' actress Kavita Kaushik took to Instagram, requesting fans to pray for his recovery. In her post, she highlighted the support that Santoshi had received from producer Binaifer Kohli and actress Shilpa Shinde. "You may know him as the writer of Bhabhi ji ghar par hai, Happu paltan, jeeja ji chatth par , Madam may i come in , last few episodes of f.i.r , office office and various other comedies. Today i ask you all to Pray for Manoj Santoshi.. as he is in the hospital with a crumbling liver, Angels like @binaiferkohli and her entire team is fighting to save him, pls pray for this wonderful human, big shout out to the amazing @shilpa_shinde_official for taking care of him," Kavita had written in an Instagram post. Manoj Santoshi, a well-known writer, was also behind the popular shows "Jeeja Ji Chhat Par Hain", "May I Come In Madam," and "Yes Boss." Seoul, March 24 : A Seoul court on Monday denied a request from a farmers' group to use tractors during a planned rally in the capital later this week calling for South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol's removal from office, judicial sources said. The Korean Peasants League had earlier filed an injunction against a police notice that restricted the group from staging the rally with tractors and trucks in Seoul on Tuesday. The group had planned the demonstration to demand Yoon's ouster as the Constitutional Court delays its ruling on his impeachment, Yonhap news agency reported. The Seoul Administrative Court partially accepted the injunction, allowing 20 trucks to enter the capital but banning tractors. In December, the farmers' group staged a similar rally using tractors, which led to a drawn-out standoff with the police. Earlier in the day, South Korea's Constitutional Court dismissed Prime Minister Han Duck-soo's impeachment, reinstating him as acting President in the ongoing turmoil over suspended President Yoon's brief imposition of martial law. The court's eight justices dismissed Han's impeachment in a 5-1 vote. Two justices voted to reject the impeachment motion entirely. The ruling came three months after the National Assembly impeached the Prime Minister and then acting President over his alleged role in Yoon's December 3 declaration of martial law, among other reasons. Meanwhile, the criminal trial on insurrection charges against Yoon will formally begin on April 14. The Seoul Central District Court announced the date during the second pretrial hearing, saying the first formal hearing would be held that day on charges that Yoon incited an insurrection through his brief imposition of martial law in December. South Korean Deputy Prime Minister Choi Sang-mok and Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul, two witnesses requested by the prosecution, will be asked to testify at the first hearing, the court said. Both Choi and Cho conveyed their concerns to Yoon before he declared martial law on December 3, according to the prosecution's indictment. Unlike during the first pretrial hearing, Yoon was not present at the court on Monday. Preparatory hearings do not require the defendant's attendance, Yonhap news agency reported. New Delhi, March 24 : The Competition Commission of India (CCI) on Monday said that it has signed several bilateral and multilateral Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with global regulators to enhance cooperation in competition law enforcement. These agreements aim to strengthen collaboration in tackling anti-competitive practices across borders. The MoUs have been signed with competition authorities in Egypt, Mauritius, Japan, Brazil, Canada, Australia, the European Commission, and the United States Department of Justice (DOJ). Additionally, India is part of BRICS, where competition law cooperation plays a key role in ensuring fair market practices. These agreements include provisions for enforcement cooperation, subject to the legal and regulatory frameworks of each country. The Indian government has also incorporated competition-related provisions in 14 Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with trading partners. These agreements ensure that participating countries take appropriate measures against anti-competitive activities to facilitate smooth trade and investment. Over the past five financial years, the CCI has investigated 35 cartel cases across various sectors. To enhance its enforcement, the Competition (Amendment) Act, 2023, introduced the alesser penalty plus" (LPP) mechanism, encouraging whistleblowers within cartels to disclose additional information about other undisclosed cartels. This move aims to break cartel networks and improve transparency in the market. The amendment also introduced the 'hub & spoke mechanism', expanding the scope of cartel investigations. This provision allows the CCI to take action against businesses or individuals who may not be directly engaged in similar trade but play a role in facilitating anti-competitive agreements. Apart from enforcement, the CCI actively conducts market research and advocacy programmes to prevent unfair practices. It has conducted 1,446 advocacy programmes in the past five years, promoting awareness about competition laws among businesses and stakeholders. Earlier this month, the Minister of State for Corporate Affairs, Harsh Malhotra, said that the CCI is making significant progress in curbing unfair business practices by dominant companies. "It is important to watch the interest of stakeholders, including MSMEs, to provide them with fair opportunities to compete and innovate," the Minister said while speaking at the 10th National Conference on Economics of Competition Law in the national capital. Addis Ababa, March 24 : Ethiopia has recorded some 59 deaths this year as of February due to ongoing malaria and cholera outbreaks in different parts of the country, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). The East African country recorded a total of 909,146 malaria cases and 34 deaths, as cases were reported in 1,173 districts across the country, the WHO said in an Ethiopia Health Cluster Bulletin report for February released on Monday. Ethiopia has also reported a total of 857 cholera cases and 25 deaths in the regions of Gambella and Amhara during the same period, with a case fatality rate of 2.92 per cent, the report said, Xinhua news agency reported. The cholera outbreak remains active across 16 districts in the two affected regions. The report highlighted challenges affecting the cholera response, including a lack of water, sanitation, and hygiene supplies for both treatment facilities and the general population in affected districts, hindering effective disease control. Noting that conflict in parts of Ethiopia continues to have a negative impact on the public health situation in the country, it said hundreds of thousands of people in need of immediate assistance are trapped in hard-to-reach areas. It further highlighted that recent earthquakes in parts of the country have triggered a significant health response. As Ethiopia battles an ongoing cholera outbreak that began in August 2022, the country has vaccinated more than 10 million people as part of a national oral cholera vaccination campaign to contain the spread of the outbreak, according to the WHO. More than 178,000 cases of cholera have been confirmed in 16 countries in eastern and southern Africa from January 2024 to March 2025, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) said on Monday. The startling number, worsened by limited access to water, sanitation, hygiene and health services, has resulted in about 2,900 deaths, many of which are children, UNICEF said. "We need the continued commitment of governments, the private sector, and individuals who believe that every child deserves a future," UNICEF Regional Director for Eastern and Southern Africa Etleva Kadilli said in a statement issued in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya. According to UNICEF, South Sudan and Angola have faced the most severe cholera outbreaks, with children under 15 years of age comprising 50 percent of cases in South Sudan and 40 percent in Angola. UNICEF said more than 40,000 cases were reported in South Sudan from September 28, 2024, to March 18, 2025, including 694 deaths countrywide, its worst outbreak in 20 years. Angola, it said, reported over 7,500 cases and 294 deaths across 14 provinces from January 7 to March 18, with high risks for further escalation. Mumbai, March 24 : Hours after the registration of FIR for referring to Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde as a traitor in his show, the Mumbai Police on Monday evening contacted stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra, who is reported to be in Puducherry. A source said that the police have contacted Kunal Kamra and asked him several questions. In his response, the comedian said he was fully ready to cooperate in the ongoing investigation. According to sources, Kamra said that he is not in Mumbai but outside the city. However, he further stated that he would not apologise. "Kunal Kamra said 'I will do whatever is required under the law, but I will not apologise. I will do whatever is required within the legal framework'," a source citing the comedian said. According to the police, they have not called Kunal Kamra for questioning. Earlier, Shiv Sena demanded that Kamra should tender an unconditional apology while Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in the state assembly announced that a strict action would be taken against Kamra. "He (Kunal Kamra) targeted Eknath Shinde in his low-grade comedy. I want to tell Kunal Kamra that he should know that the people elected Eknath Shinde. Karma and others want to gain fame by creating controversy. Kamra should know that the 2024 elections have shown who is a traitor and who enjoys respect and support. Kunal Kamra is not bigger than public as everyone else knows that Eknath Shinde follows ideology of late of Balasaheb Thackeray. "The opposition stands in favour of Kunal Kamra, someone tweeted in favour of Kunal Kamra. Have you (opposition) given 'supari' to Kunal Kamra? Rahul Gandhi shows book of Constitution and Kunal Kamra tweeted his photo with the Constitution. We like comedy and do watch it. Freedom of speech is there but it should be exercised within the limits of the Constitution," Fadnavis said. However, the Opposition has slammed the state government over the filing of FIR against Kamra while those who have insulted Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj have been spared. Shiv Sena-UBT chief Uddhav Thackeray and his son Aaditya Thackeray have supported Kamra saying that he has not done anything wrong. They added that Kamra has not named Deputy CM Shinde "then who he should apologise to!" The opposition has strongly criticised the vandalism of the studio by Shiv Sena activists and asked whether the government will recover costs from them. Tehran, March 24 : Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi announced Monday that his country will not engage in direct negotiations with the United States unless Washington adjusts its policy towards Tehran, but "the path is open for indirect negotiations." Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a Red Crescent Society meeting in Tehran, Araghchi criticised the US government's so-called "maximum pressure" campaign and its repeated threats against Iran, emphasising that these actions make it impossible for Iran to negotiate with Washington unless there is "a fundamental change in attitude," Iran's official IRNA news agency reported. Araghchi further stressed that while direct negotiations are off the table, Iran remains open to indirect negotiations and will convey its messages through such channels. Additionally, Araghchi hinted at plots against Iran and reiterated that "there will be no war" because the country is fully prepared for any scenario, Xinhua news agency reported. According to another IRNA report on Sunday, Behrouz Kamalvandi, spokesperson of the Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran, stated that Iran is ready to resume its commitments under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) if the other parties to the deal do not ignore its rights. Earlier this month, Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei had condemned fresh US sanctions targetting several individuals, vessels, and companies linked to Iran's oil exports. The ministry said the move comes a day after the US Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control designated Iran's Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad as well as several companies and vessels tied to the "shadow fleet" used to circumvent sanctions. Baghaei dismissed US claims of readiness to negotiate with Tehran, saying the sanctions prove Washington's hostility toward Iran's development and welfare. He said Iran would hold the US government accountable for the fallout from what he described as unilateral and illegitimate measures, adding that the move violated international law. Since taking office in January, US President Donald Trump has repeatedly called on Iran to negotiate over its nuclear programme while keeping in place sanctions reimposed after the US exited the 2015 nuclear deal in 2018. The 2015 nuclear deal, formally known as the JCPOA, granted Iran sanctions relief in exchange for curbs on its nuclear programme. The agreement has been in jeopardy since the US withdrew in 2018 during President Donald Trump's first term and reimposed sanctions. Tehran has since scaled back its compliance but insists its nuclear activities remain peaceful. Bhubaneswar, March 24 : Odisha Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari said on Monday that the state government has provided Rs 20.38 crore for relief work and financial assistance to persons affected by the hailstorm which occurred recently in several parts of Mayurbhanj district. Talking to media persons here on Monday, Pujari also stated that the government will pay more in future if required. The Revenue Minister said that after getting information from the Indian Meteorological Department about a probable occurrence of the hailstorm with lighting and gale between March 20 to 24, the department has made arrangements and geared up the officials of the Fire Services and Revenue Department to tackle any eventualities at the block level. Few districts in the state, especially Mayurbhanj, suffered widespread damages due to the nor'wester or Kalabaisakhi. "Many parts of Mayurbhanj district have experienced damages but Bangiriposi and Bisoi blocks of the district have suffered maximum damages due hailstorm on March 20. I personally visited the affected areas said blocks on Sunday for on-ground assessment of the damages caused by hailstorm," said Pujari. As per initial reports of the district administration, as many as 8547 people in 51 villages of 13 blocks in Mayurbhanj district were affected by the massive hailstorm on March 20 evening. The district administration immediately swung into action and made arrangements to provide dry and cooked food to the affected persons at 24 relief centres in the affected areas of the district. The Revenue Department on Monday also informed that as many as 15 doctors' teams have been deployed in said areas for medical check-ups. The administration has provided 2133 polythene sheets to the affected people in Mayurbhanj. The department also noted that the local legislators also rushed to the affected areas to supervise relief works. The Revenue Minister during the virtual meeting directed the district administration to make an initial assessment of damages caused by the hailstorm. The initial assessment revealed that 3,514 houses and crops in 442 hectares were damaged due to the hailstorm. After receipt of the assessment report from the Mayurbhanj district collector, the department immediately paid Rs 20.38 crores for repairing damaged houses, and management of relief centres. Revenue Minister Pujari during the press meeting severely criticised the opposition parties for staging a road blockade for around eight hours halting the supply of relief materials to affected areas immediately after the hailstorm. Algiers, March 24 : Algeria's parliament has established a commission to draft a law criminalising French colonial rule (1830-1962), a move deemed "historical" amid escalating diplomatic tensions between the two countries. During a meeting held last week when the decision to advance the legislation was made, Speaker of People's National Assembly Brahim Boughali said that "the issue of memory," which refers to Algeria's historical remembrance, is not, as some portray it, a tool for pressure or bargaining, but rather a commitment to honouring the immense sacrifices endured by the Algerian people and a moral and historical duty to reveal the truth and secure recognition of crimes against the people. Once finalised, the draft law will be submitted to the government for approval. The move has garnered support from lawmakers, historians, and legal experts, who insisted that France must formally apologize for its colonial crimes in Algeria. They listed French colonial violence, such as the 1845 Dahra Massacre, in which French troops killed hundreds of Algerians by smoking them out from cave refuges, and nuclear tests in the Sahara, which exposed local populations and the environment to severe radiation, with many Algerians still suffering from negative health consequences. Calls for such legislation date back to 1984 but have faced repeated delays. A similar law was vainly proposed in 2001. The issue resurfaced in 2005 following a controversial French law that mandated the teaching of the "positive role" of French colonialism, Xinhua news agency reported. In 2021, over a hundred Algerian lawmakers supported a draft bill barring agreements with France until it acknowledges colonial crimes. The diplomatic rift between Algiers and Paris has deepened in recent months due to disagreements over immigration issues and policies, historical grievances, and France's backing of Morocco in disputes over Western Sahara, among others. Addressing the simmering diplomatic tensions during a televised interview on Saturday, Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune emphasized that French President Emmanuel Macron remains the "only point of reference" for resolving bilateral issues, underscoring Algeria's commitment to direct dialogue with Macron or his designated representatives. Algeria has continued to urge the French government to recognise colonial crimes and offer an official apology, a step seen by Algiers as essential for both nations to move beyond past grievances and establish stable and constructive ties. New Delhi, March 24 : Indian Navy will participate in a large scale multilateral maritime engagement exercise with African Countries, titled as 'Africa India Key Maritime Engagement', also known as AIKEYME. It means 'Unity' in Sanskrit, this is an initiative in this direction to enhance interoperability with the navies and maritime agencies. New Delhi, March 24 (IANS) Indian Navy will participate in a large scale multilateral maritime engagement exercise with African Countries, titled as 'Africa India Key Maritime Engagement', also known as AIKEYME. It means aUnitya in Sanskrit, this is an initiative in this direction to enhance interoperability with the navies and maritime agencies. According to the Indian Navy, the maiden edition of this exercise is being co-hosted by Indian Navy and Tanzania People's Defence Force (TPDF) and would be conducted at Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania, and is planned to inaugurated by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in mid-April 2025. The exercise is planned over six days and includes participation from 8 countries including Comoros, Djibouti, Eritrea, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles and South Africa in addition to the co-hosts. The Harbour Phase of the exercise would include TableTop and Command Post exercises on Piracy and Information sharing, alongwith training on Seamanship and VBSS. The Sea Phase comprises Seamanship evolution, Search and Rescue, Visit Board Search and Seizure, Small Arms firing and Helicopter Operations, official added. Indian Navy said India and Africa give immense importance to maritime security and have reiterated their commitment to increase cooperation in tackling maritime Security threats such as piracy, illegal activities including trafficking, unregulated and unreported fishing through sharing of information and surveillance. The multilateral maritime engagement exercise with African countries. Over the last ten years, Indian Navy has deepened its partnerships with maritime agencies of Indian Ocean Region, to enhance maritime security in consonance with the Gol's vision of Security and Growth for all in the region (SAGAR). Indian Navy has been collaborating with navies of IOR countries on several initiatives such as joint naval exercises, coordinated patrols, information sharing, HADR efforts, capacity building and other diplomatic engagements. With SAGAR, entering its second decade, and the announcement of Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security Across the Regions(MAHASAGAR) by Prime Minister, during his visit to Mauritius in March 2025, Indian Navy is launching its maiden initiatives of IOS Sagar and AIKEYME, which are aimed at consolidating Indian Navyas stature as the aPreferred Security Partnera and First Responder in Indian Ocean Region. Indian Ocean ship (IOS) Sagar, is an initiative towards continued cooperation with IOR nations. One Indian Naval ship (INS Sunayna) is being deployed to the South west IOR with a combined crew of India and nine FFCs (Comoros, Kenya, Madagascar, Maldives, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, Sri Lanka , South Africa). The ship is planned to be deployed for over a month, in April 2025, and would be undertaking port calls at Dar-es-Salaam, Nacala, Port Louis, Port Victoria and Male and Joint surveillance of EEZs of Tanzania, Mozambique, Mauritius and Seychelles, official added. The Navy officials informed on Monday that the personnel from FFCs would undergo a training capsule of two weeks at various naval professional schools at Kochi, including training at sea. The FFC personnel would be engaged in wholeship activities, watch keeping and other events related to their respective branches/ trade. The Participants of IOS Sagar are also planned to witness harbour phase activities of Exercise AIKEYME at Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania. Bhubaneswar, March 24 : President Droupadi Murmu after arriving at Bhubaneswar International Airport on Monday headed to Nayagarh district where she offered prayers at the famous Nilamadhab Temple. President Murmu, who is on a two-day visit to Odisha, said that efforts should be made to develop Kaliapalli village, which, as per legends, has deep connections with Jagannath culture, in Nayagarh district as a major tourist destination. She also held discussions regarding the temple and the issues faced by the servitors there. Murmu later graced the foundation day ceremony of Bharatiya Biswabasu Shabar Samaj at Kaliapalli. Addressing a gathering at the Kaliapalli village, the President later said, "The spectacular view of this area is very attractive. It has the potential to become a popular tourist destination." The President further expressed confidence that the development of infrastructure in this area will attract tourists and pilgrims and will also boost the economy of the area. She urged all to contribute to developing this place and area. The President said that everyone should come forward to shape the possibilities of Nayagarh in various fields like agriculture, handicrafts, tourism, etc. She added that a nature-friendly lifestyle is a characteristic of Indian culture, adding that it is also an integral part of tribal life. The President said that tribal brothers and sisters worship forests, trees etc. as gods. "According to tribal beliefs, the souls of their ancestors reside in the forest. This belief is a great mantra of forest protection," she said. The President said that the government is implementing various schemes for the empowerment and self-reliance of tribal brothers and sisters while preserving and promoting their art and culture. She also urged them to be aware of the welfare schemes and take benefit of those schemes, adding that the government schemes would be successful only with people's cooperation and participation. The President said that the government is implementing various schemes for the empowerment and self-reliance of tribal brothers and sisters while preserving and promoting their art and culture. She urged them to be aware of the welfare schemes and take benefit of those schemes, adding that the government schemes would be successful only with people's cooperation and participation. Notably, the President is scheduled to spend the night at the Raj Bhawan in Bhubaneswar and return to Delhi on Tuesday. Kolkata, March 24 : The Hindi-speaking Hindu voters and even some Bengali-speaking voters from the backward communities are being targeted by the ruling Trinamool Congress in West Bengal in 'close association' with some officials in the state administration, Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly Suvendu Adhikari told the mediapersons on Monday. To substantiate his statement, Leader of Opposition highlighted some complaints received by BJP's state unit in West Bengal where the voters concerned have been asked to prove their Indian origin and more especially to prove that they are not Bangladeshi citizens. The examples highlighted by Adhikari in the matter are mainly related to Bagda in North 24 Parganas district and Krishnanagar in Nadia district, where two block development officers (BDOs) have been accused of harassing the common voters in such a manner. "We are appealing to the Election Commission of India to take action against these two BDOs. We have also updated our central leadership on the matter and they will be taking up the matter on the right platform. There is a deliberate attempt to target the Hindi-speaking Hindu voters and Bengali-speaking voters coming from backward communities," the leader of the opposition said. He said that the process started when Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, at a public meeting in February this year, indirectly targeted the Hindi-speaking voters in the state and branded them as bogus voters. "Since then, her party machinery in association with some confidant officers in the administration has started targeting and harassing these sections of the voters. We will also be organising peaceful protest rallies against such moves at places where such harassment of innocent voters is taking place," the Leader of the Opposition said. According to him, the ruling party had especially targeted the Hindi-speaking Hindu voters and some Bengal-speaking voters from the backward class communities since they rejected the Trinamool Congress in subsequent elections. "The ruling party is trying to identify such voters and get their names deleted from the lists in association with an outsourced agency," the Leader of the Opposition alleged. To recall, while addressing a party programme in February this year, the Chief Minister had accused BJP of using two outsourced agencies to enlist voters from other states like Haryana and Gujarat as voters in West Bengal. She also announced the formation of a core committee of Trinamool Congress to identify such voters. Shillong, March 24 : As part of the countdown to the International Day of Yoga-2025 in a fusion of tradition, nature, and well-being, yoga practitioners unrolled their mats at one of India's most astonishing natural marvels - the 'Double Decker Living Root Bridge' in Meghalaya's East Khasi Hills district on Monday Shillong, March 24 (IANS) As part of the countdown to the International Day of Yoga-2025 in a fusion of tradition, nature, and well-being, yoga practitioners unrolled their mats at one of India's most astonishing natural marvels the 'Double Decker Living Root Bridge' in Meghalaya's East Khasi Hills district on Monday Against a backdrop of misty hills, gushing waterfalls, and the whisper of ancient roots, the North Eastern Institute of Ayurveda and Homoeopathy (NEIAH), an autonomous institute under the Union Ministry of AYUSH, organised a one-of-a-kind Yoga session as part of the countdown to International Day of Yoga (IDY) 2025. Officials said that the participants noted that this wasn't just another Yoga event, it was a testament to resilience and harmony -- both of nature and the human spirit. "By organising the Yoga session on the living root bridge at the Nongriat village (in East Khasi Hills district), the message was clear. Yoga is not confined to studios, it belongs to the world, to nature, and every individual seeking balance and well-being," a NEIAH official said. Much like the bridge itself, which has withstood the test of time through generations of Khasi craftsmanship, yoga embodies patience, strength, and balance. The event symbolised how ancient wisdom can seamlessly blend with modern wellness to inspire sustainable, mindful living. The Living Root Bridge, a UNESCO World Heritage contender, is woven entirely from the aerial roots of rubber fig trees, creating a living, breathing pathway that grows stronger with time. Surrounded by lush rainforest and cascading streams, it served as the perfect venue to showcase how Yoga is more than just a practice, it's a way of life that aligns with nature. Since the United Nations declared June 21 as the International Day of Yoga in 2014, India has redefined how the world experiences yoga by hosting sessions at some of its most iconic landmarks. From the Taj Mahal to the Konark Sun Temple, from the Gateway of India to the Red Fort, each location tells a story of history, culture, and well-being. Now, the Living Root Bridge joins this list, bringing the spirit of Yoga to the heart of Meghalaya's sacred landscapes. As the countdown to IDY 2025 continues, events like these will not only promote the benefits of Yoga but also highlight India's stunning natural and cultural heritage. With each 'asana' performed on this ancient bridge, the message was clear, Yoga is not confined to studios; it belongs to the world, to nature, and to every individual seeking balance and well-being. Mumbai, March 24 : Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday released a progress report on the achievements of the state's Energy Department during the first 100 days of the government. The report highlights the performance of key public sector energy companies, including Mahavitaran, Mahagenco, Mahatransco, and MahaUrja. With a long-term vision for the state's energy sector, Chief Minister Fadnavis has outlined a strategic plan to meet Maharashtraas energy demands over the next 25 years. Following this vision, specific targets were set for public electricity companies during the first 100 days, and their achievements have been documented in the report titled "Hundred Days for Twenty-Five Years." The report was authored by Mahavitaranas Independent Director, Vishwas Pathak and unveiled during a board meeting of the MSEB Holding Company. As per the report within the first 100 days, Mahavitaran submitted a petition to the Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission proposing a reduction in electricity tariffs. Additionally, a comprehensive energy transition plan focusing on renewable energy has been developed, which is expected to significantly reduce electricity procurement costs and facilitate tariff reductions. The Energy Department has successfully met most of its assigned targets within the given timeframe. Notably, the Mukhyamantri Saur Krishi Pump Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Suryaghar Free Electricity Scheme have exceeded their targets by installing solar-powered agricultural pumps and rooftop solar panels for residential consumers. Key objectives accomplished by the energy companies include providing new electricity connections, ensuring uninterrupted power supply, resolving consumer complaints, increasing the capacity of power substations and distribution networks, launching green hydrogen projects, and transitioning government offices to solar energy. A government press release said that the Energy Department has emerged as a leader in achieving its 100-day plan and Chief Minister Fadnavis has set a precedent by initiating the publication of progress report cards with his own department. Minister of State for Energy Meghna Sakore Bordi, Additional Chief Secretary (Energy) Abha Shukla, Mahavitaran Chairman and Managing Director Lokesh Chandra, Industry Secretary P Anbalagan, Mahatransco CMD Sanjeev Kumar, Mahagenco CMD Radhakrishnan B, Chief Minister's Principal Secretary Ashwini Bhide, MSEB Holding Companyas Finance Director Anudeep Dighe and independent directors Ashish Chandarana and Neeta Kelkar were also present on the occasion. Bhopal, March 24 : In 2002-03, the per capita income in Madhya Pradesh stood at a modest Rs 11,000 and today, the state budget outlines a remarkable leap to Rs 1,52,000 per capita income. Looking ahead, the state aims for a Rs 250 lakh crore budget by 2047, paving the way for a projected per capita income of Rs 22,50,000. Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav shared this vision while addressing the budget session of the State Assembly on Monday, before the Session was adjourned sine die. This ambitious plan focuses on boosting capital investment, expanding infrastructure such as roads and electricity, enhancing healthcare quality, and creating employment opportunities for marginalised and middle-class communities. For the fiscal year 2025-26, infrastructure spending is set to see a historic 31 per cent increase, with 17 per cent of the total budget dedicated to this sector. Highlighting the state's economic growth, CM Yadav noted that with gross domestic production estimated at Rs 16.94 lakh crore, the state proudly ranks second in the nation for rapid economic development. Agriculture and forestry have doubled in size over the past six years, underscoring the significance of this budget. The Policy Commission and Reserve Bank of India (RBI) have recognized the state's fiscal health and expenditure quality, placing it at the forefront nationally. On the cultural front, the teachings of the Gita inspire efforts to revive traditions. Plans are underway to re-establish Geeta Bhawan, with Rs 100 crore earmarked for the purpose. Milk production, currently at 9 per cent, is set to rise to 20 per cent through initiatives like the Vrindavan scheme, supported by a Rs 100 crore allocation. Additional funds include Rs 25 crore for the Avaral Namda Basin and Rs 100 crore to develop pilgrimage sites. Farmers remain central to the state's agenda, with Rs 850 crore allocated for farmer-oriented schemes. Investments also include Rs 100 crore for working women's hostels and Rs 80 crore for transportation facilities. Tribal areas will benefit from road development to address longstanding issues. The PM Krishak Mitra Surya Yojana is a transformative initiative aimed at providing electricity access to 32 lakh farmers through solar pumps within three years. A substantial Rs 442 crore has been allocated for this programme. Crop yield bonuses and other measures further support agricultural growth. Additionally, over Rs 2,000 crore has been earmarked for public services, including preparations for the grand celebration of Simhastha Kumbh in 2028, ensuring better services for devotees. And, Rs 500 crore has been allocated to honour Lord Shankaracharya's contributions to the nation and Sanatan Dhama, preserving his legacy for future generations. In its total 56 hours of session, members discussed 16 hours and 30 minutes on Budget. In total, nine sittings of the fifth session of 16th Assembly, 2,939 questions were asked and of them, 1,448 were listed. Of the total 624 call-attention motion notices, 33 were admitted. One important private resolution was also cleared by the Assembly. Also, the house cleared a second adjunct budget for the year 2024-25. New Delhi, March 24 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call for citizens to share their inputs for the upcoming 'Mann Ki Baat' radio broadcast on March 30 has garnered an overwhelming response from people across the country. The appeal made on the MyGov platform and NaMo App, has led to a large number of submissions by people in what shows increasing enthusiasm among the public for this popular programme. This showcases the widespread public participation in the initiative. In a social media post on Monday, PM Modi expressed his happiness at the massive response, noting that the inputs received highlight the collective efforts of citizens working for the greater good of society. "Happy to be getting a wide range of inputs for this month's #MannKiBaat, which will take place on the 30th. These inputs highlight the power of collective efforts for social good. I invite more people to share their ideas for the episode," the Prime Minister wrote on the social media platform X. The 'Mann Ki Baat' programme, which is broadcast on the last Sunday of every month, has become an important platform for PM Modi to communicate directly with the citizens, discussing various issues, societal developments, and national progress. The popular monthly programme in fact encourages massive public participation. Apart from this, the programme also provides an avenue for citizens to contribute their thoughts and ideas about what they expect the PM to speak on. The MyGov platform and NaMo App have played a crucial role in facilitating the easy submission of suggestions and ideas from citizens. With the countdown to the March 30 broadcast continuing, PM Modi's invitation for more and more people to share their inputs on any topic they think important is getting an overwhelming response, with more thoughts expected in next few days. Needless to say that this initiative underscores the Prime Minister's commitment to fostering dialogue between the government and the people, reinforcing the role of collective participation in shaping India's future. Each month, citizens from across the country have been sharing their ideas and suggestions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his radio programme, Mann Ki Baat. Whether it's about cleanliness through Swachhata, volunteering, water conservation, Fit India, examination, education, or women empowerment, the diverse topics reflect the concerns and aspirations of the people. Jaipur, March 24 : A total of 11 Bangladeshi infiltrators are lodged in the state jails on charges of illegal activities, said Rajasthan Minister of Home Jawahar Singh Bedham on Monday. The minister added that no Rohingya infiltrators are lodged in the state jails These 11 Bangladeshi infiltrators also include one woman Rupali, wife of Sirajul Islam who is charged under various sections for forgery, attempting culpable homicide and cheating. Rupali is presently in the Central Jail in Women Prison Reformatory Home, Jaipur. "The state government is dealing with the Bangladeshi infiltrators strictly. There are two Bangladeshis in Udaipur Jail and nine Bangladeshis in Central Jail Jaipur. Those in Udaipur jail include Swaroop Adhikari and Milan Mandal while the others in Central Jail are Sehag Khan, Nozrul alias Nozu Fakir, Rupali, Sultan, Azaad Hussain, Mehandi Hasan, Ahasnul Kobir, Nurool and Indadul," Rajasthan Minister of Home told IANS. He added that four of them were arrested under the Human Organ Transplantation Act while Indadul was arrested under the Arms Act and Section 14 of the Foreigners Act of 1946. The minister said that Mohammad Sultan was arrested under section 420 and the Passport Act of 1987. On the state government's correspondence with the Central government or any other central agencies regarding these accused, Bedham said that the correspondence was initiated with the Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry of Home Affairs to issue valid travel documents or permits for the repatriation or deportation of Bangladeshi and Rohingya infiltrators, provided there are no pending court cases against them. An official said that around 18 Bangladeshis were recently detained in Ajmer in a special operation launched by police. He said that further inquiries are ongoing in the case. Meanwhile, an official of the Minister of Home's office confirmed that the BJP government is seriously acting against Bangladeshi and Rohingya infiltrators in the state. He said that in 2024, 521 Rohingyas were identified while in 2025, 520 Rohingyas were identified. Similarly, in the year 2024, at least 22 Bangladeshis were arrested out of which 14 were deported back to Bangladesh. In 2025, around 23 Bangladeshis were arrested and 16 were deported. Jaipur, March 24 : A massive uproar erupted in the Rajasthan Assembly over Samajwadi Party (SP) MP Ramji Lal Suman's controversial statement labelling the historic Rajput warrior Rana Sanga as a "traitor". Jaipur, March 24 (IANS) A massive uproar erupted in the Rajasthan Assembly over Samajwadi Party (SP) MP Ramji Lal Suman's controversial statement labelling the historic Rajput warrior Rana Sanga as a "traitor". BJP MLAs condemned Suman's remark, calling it an insult to Rajasthan's brave warriors and demanded strict action against the SP MP. BJP MLA Shrichand Kriplani pressed for immediate action against SP MP Ramji Lal Suman. However, Congress MLA Harimohan Sharma countered, stating that the matter could not be discussed in the House. This led to strong objections from BJP MLAs, who questioned why a discussion on the alleged insult of a revered historical figure like Rana Sanga was being dismissed. Amidst the heated debate, BJP MLA Shrichand Kriplani directly targeted the Congress, alleging that their stance indicated support for Ramji Lal Suman. He accused the Congress of siding with those who insult Rajasthan's history. "By standing in support of such remarks, you have exposed your true stance. You are supporting the Mughals," Kriplani asserted. Joining the attack, the government's Chief Whip, Jogeshwar Garg, also criticised the Congress Legislature Party, stating that their position aligned with those who disparage Rana Sanga's legacy. Earlier, Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma also took to social media to strongly denounce Ramjilal Suman's statement. "The warriors of Rajasthan have always made supreme sacrifices to protect our motherland. The derogatory remarks about the great Mewar warrior Rana Sanga hurt not only the eight crore people of Rajasthan but the entire nation," Sharma wrote. He further emphasised that Rana Sanga, who bore 80 wounds while fighting against the Mughals, was a symbol of valour. "Labeling such a great warrior as a traitor reflects the low mentality of the opposition. For vote-bank politics, they don't hesitate to insult our historical heroes. SP's national president Akhilesh Yadav should immediately apologise to the nation and take action against his MP," Sharma added. SP MP Ramji Lal Suman, while addressing the Rajya Sabha, remarked that Rana Sanga had invited Babur to defeat Ibrahim Lodi. "Muslims are the children of Babur, while you are the children of the traitor Rana Sanga. We criticise Babur, but not Rana Sanga," Suman had stated. The statement has drawn widespread criticism, further intensifying political tensions in Rajasthan, with BJP leaders demanding an apology and strict action against Suman. Mumbai, March 24 : Shiv Sena legislator Mangesh Kudalkar on Monday filed a complaint in the Kurla Nehrunagar police station against stand up comedian Kunal Kamra after he referred the Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde as traitor. Kudalkar has urged the police to register an offence against Kamra who is in Puducherry and told the police that he will fully cooperate them in investigation but won't apologise. Earlier, the MIDC police station registered a Zero FIR against Kamra for cracking an allegedly objectionable joke on during a standup comedy show. The Khar police booked Yuva Sena general secretary Rahool Kanal under various sections of the BNS and the Maharashtra Police Act. They also detained 20 Sena activists. Dixit Gedam, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Zone 9, Dixit Gedam said that two offences have been registered at Khar police station. One is against Kamra over derogatory comments while the other is against people who vandalised the Unicontinental hotel where the shoot of Kamra's comedy show took place. He further added that the investigation is underway. Shiv Sena has demanded an unconditional apology from Kamra while the opposition has slammed the state government for being so fast in registering offence against Kamra while "soaring" those who insulted Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Shiv Sena has claimed that Kamra is a serial offender misusing freedom of speech and condemned the "distasteful and defamatory" remarks made by Kamra during his recent performance at the Habitat Comedy Club in Mumbai. His deliberate attempt to mock Maharashtra's Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and twist the state's political reality into a tool for his propaganda is nothing short of an orchestrated attack against the leadership. He has once again misused the fundamental right to free speech, using comedy as a cover to malign individuals and spread politically motivated misinformation. The Shiv Sena in a release announced that it will not tolerate any attempts to insult or malign the leadership that is working tirelessly for the people of Maharashtra. "We demand that Kunal Kamra issue an unconditional apology for his remarks against Eknath Shinde and cease using comedy as a weapon to spread hatred and misinformation," said Shiv Sena in a release. Kamra has a well-documented history of controversial and offensive behaviour, proving that this is not an isolated incident. He has repeatedly disrespected institutions, individuals, and religious sentiments under the pretext of satire. Jaipur, March 24 : Rajasthan Special Operations Group (SOG) said on Monday that they have arrested two accused in the Jail Prahari Recruitment Exam 2018 paper leak case including Jagjit Singh, the project manager of TCS, the company responsible for conducting the exam. The SOG has arrested two individuals - Jagjit Singh and Karan Kumar - after uncovering a deal worth approximately Rs 60 lakh. ADG of ATS-SOG, V.K. Singh, confirmed that Jagjit Singh, a project manager at TCS, was arrested along with Karan Kumar (36), son of Arun Kumar, a resident of Jamshedpur. Jagjit Singh (37), son of Sarabjit Singh, is also from Jamshedpuras Telco police station area, East Singhbhum district, Jharkhand. The SOG found that Jagjit and Karan Kumar have been school and college friends. ADG Singh stated that the case had earlier led to the arrest of Sandeep Kandiyan, a resident of Bajana Khurd, Ganaur, from Khanpur, Sonipat. During interrogation, it was revealed that Sandeep had discussions with Karan Kumar about providing the answer key for the Jail Prahari Recruitment Examination. Based on this lead, Karan Kumar was detained from Dehradun and arrested on March 23. Upon further investigation and interrogation of Karan Kumar, he disclosed that the exam papers were supplied to him by Jagjit Singh, the then-project manager at TCS. TCS was responsible for conducting the exam, having been entrusted with the task by Sardar Patel University, Jodhpur. Following this information, SOG located Jagjit Singh at his flat in Eco Village-2, Noida, and arrested him on Monday. The team is currently conducting an in-depth interrogation of both accused individuals. The online examination for the direct recruitment of Jail Prahari was conducted in October 2018. On October 28, 2018, based on a tip-off, the SOG team checked the mobile phones of candidates exiting the exam centre at Arya College, Kukas, Jaipur. The investigation uncovered that candidates Omveer and Radheshyam had received the answer key the night before the exam, confirming a paper leak. Following this discovery, an FIR was registered by SOG in October 2018. Since then, a total of 19 individuals have been arrested, including the mastermind, brokers, and jail guards involved in the leak. The investigation is ongoing as authorities work to identify and apprehend others involved in the case. Patna, March 24 : Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) chief and former Bihar minister Mukesh Sahani attended a Dawat-e-Iftar event organised by his party at Dumri Jaimal in Paru block, Muzaffarpur, on Monday. The gathering saw a large turnout of faithful, party leaders, and workers who came together to pray for the peace, happiness, and prosperity of Bihar. Among the notable attendees was Osama, son of former MP Shahabuddin, who joined the event to offer prayers for the well-being of the state. Addressing the media persons, Mukesh Sahani emphasised the importance of social harmony during the holy month of Ramazan. He highlighted that this month is not only about religious devotion but also about fostering brotherhood and unity among people of all castes and religions. "This holy month teaches us to show the world that we are united regardless of caste or religion. It is also a time to counter those who spread hatred their politics won't last long. Just like the rain doesn't last forever, we must endure it by holding our umbrellas and continuing our work," Sahani said. Sahani took a veiled dig at those engaging in divisive politics, suggesting that their efforts to spread hatred would be short-lived. "The freedom struggle was fought by our ancestors together. This country belongs to everyone, and we must uphold that spirit. Some people may try to divide us, but their time is limited," he added. Sahani also used the occasion to rally support ahead of the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections, urging people to start preparing for the "big battle" ahead. "In 2020, VIP candidates contested from this region, but some took a different path, betraying the public. This time, we need to stand firm and maintain social harmony to achieve our goals," Sahani said. The VIP chief emphasised that the essence of the holy month is to unite and support each other, especially during challenging times. He encouraged people to work collectively to build a better Bihar. As the political landscape heats up in the state, such gatherings reflect an attempt by political leaders to connect with the masses and reinforce messages of unity. Imphal, March 24 : Manipur BJP MLA Rajkumar Imo Singh urged Union Home Minister Amit Shah to conduct a fair, transparent, and inclusive delimitation process in Manipur. He also urged the Union Home Minister to initiate the National Register of Citizens (NRC) process in the state and the removal of bogus voters from electoral rolls before the delimitation exercise begins. The Manipur government led by former Chief Minister Biren Singh on a number of occasions along with all organisations of majority Meitei communities have been demanding to initiate the NRC in the state to curb the illegal infiltration from the neighbouring countries especially from Myanmar. Imo Singh, who is the son-in-law of former Chief Minister Biren Singh, in a letter to the Union Home Minister, urged a fair, transparent, and inclusive delimitation process in Manipur. The BJP legislatoras appeal follows a recent directive from the Supreme Court, which has instructed the completion of the pending delimitation exercise in the northeastern states of Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, and Assam within the next three months. While talking to the media, he welcomed the apex courtas decision. Singh emphasised that certain critical issues must be addressed first to maintain the integrity and fairness of the process. Given the socio-political sensitivities in Manipur and the disturbances witnessed over the past two years, he outlined several key measures that should be implemented before the delimitation exercise begins. Imo Singh underscored the need to finalise the NRC process in Manipur to ensure that representation within the democratic framework is reserved for genuine Indian citizens. He stressed that this step is crucial for maintaining electoral integrity and preventing unauthorised entries into the voter lists. The MLA also accepted the Central governmentas efforts to detect and identify illegal immigrants but urged for faster execution of these measures. He called for a thorough review of the electoral rolls to eliminate bogus voters, citing previous reports of discrepancies in voter lists. The MLA pointed out that during the tenure of former Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, 65,000 fake Aadhaar cards were detected. Singh said that the Election Commission of India (ECI) will ensure that Aadhaar-Voter ID linkage is preceded by the removal of fake Aadhaar cards, ensuring accuracy and reliability in the electoral process. Bhopal, March 24 : The fast-track court of Mhow delivered a verdict on Monday, sentencing five of the accused to life imprisonment for the gravity of their heinous crimes. Six months after the harrowing assault on a trainee army officer and the gang rape of his female friend at Jam Gate in Mhow, Indore district justice has finally been delivered. The courtroom bore witness to the testimonies of over 30 individuals, each piece of evidence weaving a narrative against the perpetrators. Central to the case was the DNA report, a silent yet irrefutable witness that sealed the fate of the accused. Despite there was no eyewitness nor close circuit cameras and darkness, the evidence spoke volumes for the crime. Among the six accused, one -- a minor -- continues to face trial in the Juvenile Court. The convicted men -- Anil Baror (27), the prime accused, along with Pawan Bansunia (23), Ritesh Bhabhar (25), Rohit Girwal (23), and Sachin Makwana (25) -- now face the weight of life imprisonment for their unspeakable acts. The nightmare began on the night of September 10, 2024 when two trainee officers and their female friends sought a moment of respite at the Army Firing Range near Jam Gate, within the jurisdiction of Badgonda police station, Mhow. Sadly their gathering around early morning hours at 2 a.m. turned into a scene of terror just thirty minutes later. A gang of seven to eight men, armed with sticks and rods, descended upon them like predators in the night. The officers bore the brunt of the savage attack, they endured relentless beatings. In the chaos, one officer dared to question their assailants who immediately demanded arrangement of Rs 10 lakh in cash -- or face death. The attackers separated the group. One officer and a woman were held hostage, while the other pair was sent to fetch the ransom. But when the pair failed to return, the attackers unleashed their darkest intentions. The female hostage was subjected to unspeakable violence and gang-raped. The assailants later fled into the night. The incident sent shockwaves through the region, igniting outrage and a demand for justice. The police acted with urgency, apprehending two of the culprits and later captured the rest. Recognising the severity of the crime, the administration ensured the case was fast-tracked. The investigation progressed with speed, culminating in the filing of the charge sheet on October 12 -- almost a month after the crime. The evidence presented by the Badgonda police was damning. DNA analysis of the clothes worn by Anil and Ritesh, hair strands from the crime scene, blood samples, and the victim's DNA painted an undeniable picture. While the victim's stolen Aadhaar card was never recovered, the police invoked Section 238 for destruction of evidence. Additionally, a country-made pistol and live cartridges, reportedly used during the incident, were seized from Ritesh. Mumbai, March 24 : Amid allegations of scam and demand for probe by the Economic Offences Wing, the Maharashtra government on Monday cracked the whip and asked the contractors to complete the all ongoing road concretisation works in Mumbai by May 31. The government also directed the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to not take up any new works. "The meeting was extremely useful to solve the grievances of people of Mumbai. All the issues were discussed positively. It has been decided to complete the work by May 31 and no new works will be taken up. A review meeting of this will be held by the end of April month," said Maharashtra minister and guardian minister of Mumbai suburbs, Ashish Shelar. Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narvekar on Monday had called a meeting of all legislators from Mumbai to discuss the alleged mismanagement and irregularities in the road concretisation work announced in Mumbai. Last week, all party legislators had targeted Urban Development Department headed by deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde over these issues after which the Speaker had ordered to hold the meeting. Further, the government has also directed that Additional Municipal Commissioners will hold meetings with officials of various utilities that run underground and assistant commissioners have been asked to prepare a timetable of the ongoing concretisation of the roads. "It was also discussed to check the feasibility as to whether smaller roads can be made of asphalt, instead of concretisation," said BJP legislator Amit Satam. Shiv Sena (UBT) legislator Aaditya Thackeray had raised the issue of irregularities in the construction of Mumbai's roads. Last week, he wrote to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis demanding an investigation by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Mumbai police into the alleged Mumbai road scam of 2023-24. No decision on this has however been made in this regard at today's meeting. After the meeting, Thackeray said that he had raised the issues of cost escalations and advance mobility funds given to road contractors. "It has been directed to provide documents for the same," he said. On Friday, ruling and opposition members in the state assembly cornered DCM and urban development minister Eknath Shinde over the issue of concretisation of Mumbai roads. All party legislators slammed the state government over alleged irregularities in the work of concretisation of Mumbai's roads. On Monday, Shinde did not attend the entire meeting but arrived at the very end. It was for the first time after the split in Shiv Sena, Shinde and Aaditya were present though did not talk to each other. New Delhi, March 24 : The Supreme Court on Monday granted additional time to the Union government to respond to a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking the issuance of pan-India safety guidelines, reforms, and measures for the protection of women. A bench headed by Justice Surya Kant granted four more weeks to the Centre to file its counter-affidavit after additional time was sought by Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Aishwarya Bhati, the law appearing on the Union government's behalf. "Learned ASG seeks and is granted four weeks to file the counter affidavit. Meanwhile, if any suggestions are received, they may be collated and placed on record," ordered the Bench, also comprising Justice N.K. Singh. During the hearing, ASG Bhati said that the government is not taking this PIL as adversarial litigation and it will come with suggestions before the top court. On December 16, 2024, 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 'parens patriae' 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 gang-rape 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, 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. --IANS pds/dan Agartala, March 24 : Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha said on Monday that the general conviction rate of various cases in Tripura has increased by 20 per cent over the past three years. Answering the questions of the MLAs in the ongoing budget session of the Tripura assembly, the Chief Minister said that in 2024, the conviction rate in criminal cases in the state stands at 29.80 per cent. Saha, who also holds the Home portfolio, also informed that to ensure the effective execution of the three newly enacted criminal laws, the state government has decided to establish Deputy Director of Prosecution offices in all eight districts of Tripura. The three new criminal laws, Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA), enacted last year, replaced the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), and the Indian Evidence Act, respectively, from July 1 this year. The Chief Minister said that the total number of criminal cases registered in the state was 4,532 in 2022, 5,002 in 2023, and 4,033 in 2024. He further informed that charge sheets were filed in 3,548 cases in 2022, 3,970 cases in 2023, and 2,910 cases in 2024. Notably, 650 convictions were recorded in 2022, 640 in 2023, and 811 in 2024, leading to the sentencing of 1,596 offenders in 2024. "The conviction rate has seen a steady rise, increasing by 20 per cent in 2024 compared to 2022. To ensure stringent prosecution measures, three new criminal laws --BNS, BNSS and BSA - were passed. A high-level meeting was recently held in Guwahati which was chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Tripura-specific concerns regarding the implementation of these laws were discussed," he said. Saha said that to ensure the effective execution of the new legal framework, the state government has decided to establish Deputy Director of Prosecution offices in all eight districts of Tripura. Additionally, approximately 70 new positions have been created across various categories, including Deputy Director, Assistant Director, and Superintendent Officers, to streamline the prosecution process. "We aim to implement the prosecution process efficiently, something that has not been done properly in the past. The government is committed to strengthening law enforcement and ensuring justice to the people," he told the house. Mumbai, March 24 : Maharashtra school education minister Dadaji Bhuse told the state assembly that even though the government has decided to implement CBSE pattern for the first standard in the government schools, the state SSC Board will not be closed. Bhuse made a statement amid strong criticism from the opposition parties and other stakeholders. "State SSC Board will not be closed. Maharashtra has a bright education tradition. Therefore, there is no plan to close the state board that represents the existence of our state. On the contrary, the education department has said that this is a step to make the state board more capable. It is being planned to implement several textbooks based on the new state curriculum. He said that the Education Department has prepared Maharashtra's own CBSE curriculum for examination system based on the National Curriculum Framework (School Education) and National Curriculum Framework prepared under the National Education Policy 2020.Necessary changes have been made in it for the positive benefit of students in our state," said the minister. As per the new curriculum, the work of creating textbooks for the first standard through Balbharti is underway. For the state, the curriculum/syllabus for Class 1 to 10 is being created through State Council for Educational Research and Training (SCERTM). He said the students will be able to gain State, national and world level knowledge. "CBSE curriculum is useful for competitive exams and is beneficial for national level competitive exams like JEE, NEET, UPSC," he commented. "The emphasis is given on soft skills and counselling focuses on the personal development of students, teaching them communication skills, leadership qualities, creativity, and stress management," said the minister. Earlier, NCP SP MP Supriya Sule on last Friday took strong objection to the school education department Dadaji Bhuse's announcement to implement CBSE pattern from the academic year 2025-25 for first standard in government schools saying that it will be fatal to the classical language Marathi, culture and tradition. In a letter to the minister, Sule has urged the state government to reconsider the decision. "Maharashtra has a very bright educational tradition. But it is a very regrettable matter that the government has decided to ignore it and follow other boards. It seems that the state government has planned to completely close the state's SSC board through this. I doubt whether this decision will erase the identity of our Maharashtra which has a rich tradition of education. This decision will be fatal to the classical language Marathi, culture and tradition. I humbly request the state government to please reconsider this decision," said Sule. Ahmedabad, March 25 : The Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) at Ahmedabad International Airport has uncovered a major gold smuggling attempt, seizing gold valued at Rs 2.77 crore. Two passengers arriving from Abu Dhabi were caught concealing gold inside their jeans. During routine inspection, AIU officials identified suspicious behaviour and conducted a thorough check, leading to the discovery of approximately 3,050 grams of gold. The smugglers had also mixed the gold with chemicals in a semi-liquid form to evade detection. Authorities have detained both individuals and filed a case under smuggling charges. In addition to the gold bars, officials recovered two gold chains and coins from the suspects. Officials are now investigating the origins and intended recipients of the smuggled gold. Further inquiries will determine whether the suspects were part of a larger gold smuggling syndicate. Gujarat has witnessed several significant gold smuggling cases in recent years, highlighting the state's ongoing battle against such illicit activities.a In July 2023, Ahmedabad Crime Branch officials apprehended a couple, Jignesh alias Jigar Bhikhabhai Rathod and his wife Shila, along with jeweler Ketan Harshadbhai Soni, for their involvement in smuggling gold from Dubai. The operation led to the seizure of approximately 546 grams of gold bars, cash amounting to Rs 45 lakh, and other valuables, totaling around Rs 80 lakh. Investigations revealed that the couple had traveled to Dubai multiple times since 2021, smuggling gold by concealing it in clothing and undergarments. Upon returning to India, they would hand over the contraband to local jewelers for processing and sale. a In another case from October 2019, customs officials arrested Rutugna Trivedi, the mastermind behind a massive gold smuggling operation that illegally imported approximately four tonnes of gold, valued at Rs 1,300 crore, into India over five years. Trivedi, a former sales executive with international work experience, exploited his knowledge of airport operations and customs procedures to orchestrate the smuggling. He collaborated with airport ground staff, such as Jignesh Savaliya, who had unrestricted access to cargo and passenger areas, facilitating the smuggling of gold through flights from Dubai. The operation was exposed when officials apprehended a carrier with 24.5 kg of gold at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad. Mumbai, March 25 : In a major revelation, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis shared the inside story of the dramatic fallout between Shiv Sena and BJP in 2014. Speaking at the felicitation ceremony of Sikkim Governor Om Prakash Mathur, Fadnavis, for the first time opened up about the negotiations and the factors that led to the breakdown of the alliance. Fadnavis stated: "We were ready to give Shiv Sena 147 seats, and it was decided that the Chief Minister would be from our side, while the Deputy Chief Minister would be from Shiv Sena." He further claimed that while the initial discussions indicated a mutual understanding, Shiv Sena's refusal to compromise on seat allocation led to the eventual rupture of the alliance. "But Uddhav Thackeray was adamant on 151 seats, and that is when the alliance broke down," Fadnavis explained. According to him, the BJP had proposed a seat-sharing formula where Shiv Sena would fight on 147 seats, and BJP would contest on 127. However, Uddhav Thackeray stood firm on demanding 151 seats, leading to an irreconcilable difference between the two parties. Fadnavis continued: "We were in talks with Shiv Senaas leadership, and we were even ready to give them more space. But Uddhav had fixed the number 151 in his mind." He further elaborated on the critical intervention by Om Prakash Mathur, who communicated with BJP leader Amit Shah, who then escalated the matter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "HM Amit Shah spoke to the Prime Minister, and it was decided that if the formula was 127 for BJP and 147 for Shiv Sena, only then would the alliance continue. Otherwise, the alliance would not work," Fadnavis said. The Chief Minister then revealed the crucial moment that led to the final breakdown, saying: "I had faith in Amit Shah and Om Prakash Mathur. We were confident that we could win, but the rest of the party was not as optimistic." Ultimately, Fadnavis, supported by Mathur and Amit Shah, delivered an ultimatum to Shiv Sena, offering to contest with Shiv Sena on the proposed formula of 147 for Shiv Sena and 127 for BJP. "We told them, if you're ready to fight on 147 seats, we will stand with you, and we will contest 127 seats. Both parties would get excellent results, and both would win over 200 seats," Fadnavis recalled. However, Uddhav Thackeray rejected the proposal, firmly standing by the 151 seats. This stubbornness, according to Fadnavis, resulted in the collapse of the alliance. Fadnavis reflected: "But it seems the law of destiny had other plans a" I was meant to become the Chief Minister." Fadnavis also shared insights into the election strategy. Despite the setback in seat-sharing talks, he emphasized how the BJP, under the leadership of Narendra Modi, fought the election in a record number of constituencies. "We had fought elections on over 260 seats, which was unprecedented. Before this, we had never contested more than 117 seats," he added. This bold decision to fight on 260 seats, according to Fadnavis, laid the foundation for BJP's success in Maharashtra. "Since then, the BJP has remained the largest party in Maharashtra and the only party in the last 30 years to surpass the 100-seat mark. This success is attributed to Prime Minister Modi, Amit Shah, and Om Prakash Mathur," Fadnavis concluded. This revelation sheds new light on the dramatic political events that led to the end of the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance and reshaped the political landscape of Maharashtra. Chennai, March 25 : Tamil Nadu BJP president K. Annamalai has urged Chief Minister M.K. Stalin to immediately remove Minister V. Senthil Balaji from the state Cabinet, following strong observations from the Supreme Court of India. In a post on social media platform X, Annamalai said, "The Hon'ble Supreme Court has condemned the Liquor Minister, who was imprisoned for nearly a year and a half in connection with a money laundering case involving job promises in the transport sector. He pretended to resign from his post to obtain bail, but assumed office as a minister immediately upon release. The Court has asked him to explain this conduct." Annamalai added that the Supreme Court on Monday (March 24) had strongly criticized the Minister for failing to provide a response even after the deadline had passed. "Chief Minister Stalin has conveniently forgotten the serious allegations he himself raised against the same Minister while in the Opposition. Today, he shamelessly retains him in the cabinet," Annamalai charged. He said Senthil Balaji, who allegedly lied to obtain bail and misled the Supreme Court, has no moral right to continue in the post and urged the Chief Minister to dismiss him immediately. The Supreme Court, earlier on Monday, expressed visible anger at Senthil Balaji's reluctance to respond to its query on whether he should remain in office while facing trial. The Court was hearing an application seeking to revoke the bail granted to him in September 2024. Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for the Minister, informed the bench led by Justice A.S. Oka that his client was awaiting a formal notice from the court before filing a reply. The apex court expressed shock at the Minister's attitude, stating he was taking the Court "for a ride" and warned that such conduct would not be tolerated. However, the Court granted him one last opportunity to respond and posted the matter for hearing on April 9. Earlier, on February 12, the Court had asked Senthil Balaji to give a clear 'yes' or 'no' answer on whether he intended to continue in office while facing trial in the cash-for-jobs scam. In December 2024, the Court had also taken a stern view of Balaji's reappointment as a senior minister in the Tamil Nadu cabinet immediately after being granted bail, remarking: "What is this? There are serious charges against him, and he straightaway becomes a Minister! This must stop. People would be justified in fearing that witnesses may come under pressure." --IANS aal/pgh In a March 14 executive order, the Trump Administration announced its plans to eliminate the Institute of Museum and Library Services to the maximum extent consistent with applicable law. The order states that the IMLSalong with six additional entities including the U.S. Agency for Global Media and the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars at the Smithsonian Institutionshall reduce the performance of their statutory functions and associated personnel to the minimum presence and function required by law. The IMLS is an independent federal agency that plays a key role in distributing congressionally approved funds to libraries, museums, and archives in all 50 states plus five U.S. territories and three sovereign countries. In 2024, it awarded $266.7 million to advance and support libraries, museums, and related organizations. Its acting director is Cyndee Landrum, who could not be reached for comment. The American Library Association published a ringing defense of the IMLS on March 15, condemning the White House assault on the agency. By eliminating the only federal agency dedicated to funding library services, the Trump administrations executive order is cutting off at the knees the most beloved and trusted of American institutions and the staff and services they offer, the ALA wrote, further asserting that our nations 125,000 public, school, academic, and special libraries deserve more, not less support. Libraries translate 0.003% of the federal budget into programs and services used by more than 1.2 billion people every year. This is not the first time Trump has sought to eliminate IMLS. During Trump's first term, his administration proposed cutting the agency every year. In each instance, the library community was able to block those efforts. EveryLibrary, a nonpartisan, pro-library organization, has already began looking to rally support by circulating a petition in support of the agency. The petition had garnered about 17,000 signatures as of Monday morning and has a goal of reaching 20,000 signatures. John Chrastka, EveryLibrarys executive director, noted that the order did not call for the full closure of the IMLS or the firing of all personnel, but did require enormous reductions to IMLSs services. Chrastka told PW that the order challenged IMLS obligations that are mandated by Congresssuch as funding annual and multi-year grantswhich means that the question for library advocates should be: How do we fight for those requirements? Right now, were talking about the integrity of congressional obligations through IMLS to the American people in our states and our state libraries. Chrastka cautioned that advocates should pay attention to the terms shall and may in executive orders. There are two big shall backbone issues to be rolled back, Chrastka said. The first is the Grants to States program, U.S. Code 9141, a federal block grant program that funds state libraries. It includes collection development funds, interlibrary loan, and delivery, Chrastka said. Its got state database contracts and other learning supplements. Plus, it helps support smaller state libraries and addresses equity issues by supporting Native American, Native Hawaiian, Latin American, and other inclusive library projects. The other IMLS programs that shall be eliminated, per the order, are the National Leadership Grants for Libraries and Museums. An interactive map shows how IMLS funding has been distributed to projects nationwide with both red and blue districts receiving financial support. Densely populated California, New York, Texas, Florida, and Illinois received the largest amounts of funding in 2024, with libraries and museums in states including Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington also seeing a significant amount of IMLS grants. The IMLS serves libraries and patrons from all walks of life. Grant recipients in 2024 included the Motown Historical Museum (Detroit) and Virginia Union Universitys Center for African American History and Culture (Richmond, Va.). Numerous Native and Indigenous groups won funding for needs such as acquisition of books and equipment, digitization of historical documents, language preservation, and special exhibits. It is not clear at this time whether the IMLSs awards programming will be affected. Annually, the IMLS partners with the nonprofit Alliance for Young Artists and Writers to administer the National Student Poets Program, which presents the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards. In 2024, U.S. students in grades 10 and 11 submitted more than 30,000 pieces of work, and the five winnersrepresenting five regions of the U.S.each received a $5,000 academic award. Yet the order has the potential to undermine popular projects that have demonstrated nonpartisan buy-in from public and private entities. In August 2024, the IMLS partnered with the National Park Service, National Endowment for the Arts, and National Endowment for the Humanities to announce $25.7 million in grants to Save Americas Treasures. At the time, the promise to preserve historic sites and collections was matched by almost $50 million in public and private investment. For viral indie author Kate Stewart, who has garnered over 375 million views on TikTok alone for her Ravenhood romance series, as well as hit the USA Today bestseller list, the indie authors transition to traditional publishing might seem surprising. After all, Stewart will be celebrating the 11th anniversary of publishing her first story this month on her birthday. And, over this time she has established herself as a master of heart-wrenching, dark, sexy romances. But its exactly that emotional, red-hot storytelling along with the obsessive fanbase that attracted Kensington. While Stewart considers her time as an indie a blessing, she acknowledges shes limited as to the audience she can develop solo. I waited years for the right publishers to come along, she says, and I couldnt be more thrilled with the partners Ive found in Kensington. For me the upside of working with a publisher is all about reader reach and hoping we can collectively get my stories into the hands of a broader audience. Last year Kensington picked up all three books in Stewarts Ravenhood series, Flock, Exodus, and The Finish Line as well as the first book, One Last Rainy Day, in her Ravenhoood Legacy series. This June 24th, after a two-year waita lot to ask of a fanbase known to tattoo quotes from Stewarts books on their bodiesStewart is coming out with book two of the Ravenhood Legacy series. Severed Heart: The Birth of a Warrior is the brand new book in the series, and the pent-up demand for it is real. Since Kensington released Flock nine months ago, well over a quarter of a million copies have been sold. The Kensington editions of the four previously indie-published titles have sold more than 680k copies to date. Sales for Severed Heart are expected to far exceed each of the previous installments as it is the first brand new release. The spin-off Ravenhood Legacy, like the original trilogy before it, puts a modern-day twist on the classic Robin Hood legend although that wasnt Stewarts intention when she began writing. She set out to create a story of modern-day heroes, and says, they just happened to be stealing from the rich and giving to the impoverished. A prequel to the Ravenhood trilogy, Severed Heart: The Birth of a Warrior explores Tylers backstory as a Marine and is a tribute to service members and veterans. My rockstars, my personal heroes, are not other writers, nor celebrities, but soldiers, Stewart says. I see those who sign up now as committing the bravest of acts. I truly cant think of any humans more deserving of praise. I can only pray that I did my heroes justice in Severed Heart and will continue to do so in Birds of a Feather. The Ravenhood Legacy books while not overtly political do reflect the times. Americas sharp cultural and societal divisions are in part what sparked Stewarts idea to pen modern-day heroes. My fight in these books is for humanity itself, Stewart says, for us to think critically about the system were feeding into that has us at such odds. Stewarts hope is that the books encourage readers to lift each other up and to examine the institution itself, so that maybe we can find a solution. The message appears to be working. Stewarts devoted readers have proclaimed themselves the Ravens and formed chapters IRL to discuss the Ravenhood and even to perform acts of kindness. When Hendersonville, N.C., the inspiration for Triple Falls, was impacted by Hurricane Helene, the Ravens raised money for the victims. The Ravens also swarm Stewarts events, selling them out in less than 24 hours, including her own Taste of Triple Falls convention. Stewart admits the experience has been surreal but says, its the fact that theyre actually changing peoples lives in the name of the books message, community, and humanity thats most touching. Fans new and old will be happy to hear the publication of the third and fourth books in the series has already been announced. Birds of a Feather, part two of Tylers story, will hit bookshelves in 2026, and the fourth book will follow later that year. The announcement, much like Stewarts writing, is bittersweet. These will be the last books in the series. After 11 years in the business, Stewart is now seeing all the pieces for an uber successful career fall into place. Her gripping storytelling is, of course, at the heart of it, but the passionate fanbase shes attracted helped her rise. Now with the muscle of a traditional publisher behind her, Stewart is poised for stardom. What began in 1970 in Dayton, Ohio, as a grassroots campaign by local women to raise money for reproductive rights by selling used books has transformed into a multifaceted nonprofit, now with its own literary award boasting a prize of $15,000. From its humble roots, the Dayton Book Fair has grown to be a pillar in the community, supporting three local nonprofits annually with grants of up to $10,000 each; a brick-and-mortar used bookstore in downtown Dayton, voted best bookstore two years running; an actual book fair selling 50 tons of books annually; and coming in 2026 a literary award, the Curious Medal for Literary Endeavor. All of this giving back is supported by sales of secondhand books. Weve long felt that writers did not get their due from the multi-billion-dollar industry that is the sale of secondhand books, says Larkin Vonalt, the executive director of the Book Fair Foundation, the umbrella organization for the book fair. The U.S. market for used books commands upward of $3 billion per year. While the average used book sells for just a few dollars, special items like first and limited editions, first printings, and signed copies can sell for thousands of dollars, Vonalt says, but writers receive no compensation or recognition for sales of used books. The Curious Medal helps remedy that. At a time when free expression is under threat, Vonalt says the foundation decided to launch this new award to support artists and nonconformists and recognize the lasting impact of writers work, well past the initial release. I think artists in all disciplines are finding themselves deeply challenged to continue to create in such a grim tableau, Vonalt says. Lifting up writers for celebration, while worthy at all times, seems especially essential now. The Curious Medal celebrates creativity and imagination much like the foundations whimsical secondhand bookstore, Rabbit Hole Books, which features overstuffed, purple armchairs and off-kilter rabbits along with thousands of used books. Both are a nod to Lewis Carroll, whose work celebrated these essential qualities despite the rigidity of Victorian society. We are looking for works of fiction in which imagination is an essential component, Vonalt says. One might think fantasy or science fiction right off the bat, but historically there have been novelists whose books had a little quirk, a streak of liveliness that sets them apart from the grind of some literary fiction. The winner and five finalists will each receive a medalin sterling silver or bronze, respectivelydesigned by a local artist that features a Carroll-inspired rabbit wearing a jacket and cravat. The finalists will receive $1,000 each. An awards ceremony and a reception are planned for March 2026, in Dayton, and the foundation will cover travel expenses for the winning author. Were very good at celebrations, and we would be delighted to bring the winning writer to visit Dayton as our guest, Vonalt says. To enter the first annual Curious Medal for Literary Endeavor, publishers of fictional works released in the last three years can complete the entry form on the foundations website. The prize is open to YA and adult books, which must be submitted along with a $65 reading fee between March 31 and June 2. While the book fair has a strong focus on supporting community organizations in need of fundingfrom environmental groups to roller derby squadsits spreading its good will across the state, the nation, and even the world. The inaugural award is open to authors across the U.S., and in 2027 the book fair plans to take the prize internationally. This broad reach and overflow of generosity is not new. In the past, the book fair has donated pallets of books to a childrens library in Africa and to the Ohio chapter of Reading Is Fundamental. It routinely sends books to public school classrooms and Little Free Libraries, and every Monday during the summer, the bookstore offers free books to children. Vonalt says locals in need can also stop by Rabbit Hole Books and leave with a book at no cost year-round. The welcoming, fanciful, and philanthropic spirit of the book fair is palpable in the bookstore, says Vonalt, who notes many patrons visit the shop, where books are just a dollar, for a dopamine fix. Vonalt couldnt be more delighted, as part of the foundations mission is to provide the community with a meaningful place to donate their used books, often amid challenging life changes such as the death of a loved one, divorce, or relocation. Some are quite emotional about their donations depending on the circumstance, but the overwhelming sense we get is that of relief, Vonalt says. They know that they are handing over these books to people who understand their intrinsic value. Canadian booksellers have joined forces to ask that Prime Minister Mark Carney exempt books from the 25% counter-tariffs scheduled to take effect on April 2 on $125 billion worth of goods imported from the U.S. In an unusual collaboration, Laura Carter, executive director of the Canadian Independent Booksellers' Association (CIBA), and Heather Reisman, CEO of chain bookseller Indigo Books & Music, sent a letter to the Prime Minister on March 20 urging the exclusion of books from the impending tariffs. Carter and Reisman said in their letter that imposing tariffs on books would have "devastating consequences for Canadian readers, our businesses, and our cultural landscape," reported the Quill & Quire. The letter highlights a significant industry concern: that books by Canadian authors printed in and distributed through U.S. warehouses would be subject to the additional tariff, as the majority of books sold in Canada are published by Canadian divisions of multinational publishers. "Unlike interchangeable consumer goods we know that readers will not likely substitute a book arriving via the U.S. for a Canadian printed and warehoused book," Carter and Reisman said in the letter. "At this time there is nowhere near the capacity in Canada to handle all of our printing and warehousing. This tariff threatens the survival of bookstores and the livelihoods of thousands of Canadians." The status of books as products vulnerable to tariffs has remained uncertain and undetermined. Certain provisions in existing U.S. law may exempt certain categories of booksparticularly educational materialsfrom imposition of tariffs, but if and how far that may extend to trade books remains uncertain. Booksellers speak out Numerous Canadian booksellers have been vocal on social media and elsewhere in expressing their opposition to tariffs. Last week, Massy Books in Vancouver, B.C., posted a Tarriff Update to their website as a warning to customers to brace for higher prices. Depending on the outcome, starting April 2nd, you may see the cost of some items increase, the statement reads. Were aiming to reduce additional costs as much as possible, but the reality is we may be forced to increase our prices to ensure our little shop survives this ridiculous tariff war. It continues: The largest increase will come from items ordered directly from our US supplier, Ingram Publishing, due to the 25% tariff increase, the 6.5% freight, and the current exchange rate. This will be automatically added and included in the price of books visible when browsing our shop. The bookseller added that, as a means of counteracting these potential price hikes, it would focus renewed energy on sourcing and selling used books. Following this statement, other area booksellers weighed in as well. We think that if a 25% tariff is placed on books entering Canada that it has the potential to instantly destabilize, and potentially permanently cripple the Canadian publishing and bookselling industry. It would be catastrophic, Chris Brayshaw, owner of Pulpfiction Books in Vancouver, told CityNews Vancouver. Laughing Oyster Bookshop in Courtenay, B.C., shared a similar sentiment on Facebook. "We can say with confidence that this deadly blow to readers, writers, publishers, libraries, schools, and bookstores in Canada is unlikely to impact the decisions made by the American Republican Party in any way, reads a recent post from the store. We believe that the ramifications for our small but culturally impactful industry have been overlooked, and could be saved with the stroke of a pen at no political cost. That's why we are asking you to help us communicate the concern at hand to the Canadian government. A decade's-old problem Over the past two decades, all multinational publishers with warehouses in Canada have relocated their distribution operations to the U.S. Simon & Schuster moved distribution to the U.S. in 2004 following a 2002 federal ruling that overturned foreign investment rules, allowing Canadian-owned distributor Distican to be sold to S&S. After the 2013 merger of Random House of Canada and Penguin Canada, approved by the Department of Canadian Heritage and the Competition Bureau, distribution was shifted to the U.S. starting in 2014. Both publishers had previously maintained warehouses in Canada. HarperCollins Canada relocated its distribution to the U.S. in 2015, affecting numerous Canadian-owned publishers that had distribution contracts with HarperCollins. The majority of independent Canadian publishersmost of whom print, publish, and warehouse their books in Canadawould remain unaffected. Jack Illingworth, executive director of the Association of Canadian Publishers, told PW that although there is minimal direct impact of the counter-measure on Canadian independent publishers since few of their books are printed in the U.S., the organization is concerned about broader industry effects. "However, there are plenty of potential impacts that go beyond that. Were worried about the viability of booksellers, the potential for US retaliation (Canada can currently ship books to the US tariff-free, but Congress can end that at any point), and the long-term impact of abandoning Canadas practice of keeping culture off the table in trade disputes," he said. "That last item could be a problem in any future review or renegotiation of CUSMA, as it is the principle that safeguards our ability to fund and regulate cultural industries. In the longer term, Canadian printing capacity could become an issue if the multinationals move more of their production here." Illingworth added, "The free exchange of knowledge is vital, too. Books arent a fungible product like drapes or cheese. Someone who wants a specific book wants only that book. While wed love readers to explore the wealth of fantastic Canadian-published books that are in the market, it would be a mistake to limit the choices that are available in the marketplace. Were strongly opposed to a one-way tariff on books and have been advocating to government to that end." Lisa Varga has been named the next associate executive director of the American Library Associations Public Policy and Advocacy office in Washington, D.C., effective April 21. She succeeds Alan Inouye, who has served in the role since 2022 and is retiring from ALA after 18 years in the policy office. The ALAs Public Policy and Advocacy office is tasked with promoting the freedom of information, notably through participating in debates around information technology policies and ensuring library access to electronic resources. In her new role, Varga will represent libraries and library workers to legislators and others involved in the U.S. Congress, executive branch, and judiciary. Varga comes to the ALA from the Virginia Library Association, where she served as executive director for the past 15 years. Under her leadership, per the ALA, the VLA grew from 900 to more than 5,000 members, and successfully fought for intellectual freedom in the state general assembly. Leslie Burger, interim executive director of the ALA, wrote in an announcement that the ALA is fortunate to have Lisa join us at a pivotal time for libraries in our nation. Her background, experience, and leadership will be vital as we advocate for libraries. U.S. Deputy Secretary of Labor Keith Sonderling, appointed acting director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services by the Trump Administration on March 20, received a welcome letter today from the National Museum and Library Services Board. In it, the 19 board members affirmed their official advisory capacity in relation to the IMLS director and their statutory responsibility to provide advice and recommendations on the policies, programs, and interagency coordination of the Institute and their commitment to supporting the lawful and effective operation of the Institute. Sonderlings appointment on March 20 followed a White House executive order demanding that the IMLS, among other entities, shall reduce the performance of their statutory functions and associated personnel to the minimum presence and function required by law. The order, which did not address discretionary functions, also required a report confirming full compliance with this order and explaining which components or functions of the governmental entity, if any, are statutorily required and to what extent. In its letter, the board characterized the IMLSs core statutory obligations that are not discretionary as all programs that have been authorized by law and funded by Congressional appropriation. These, the letter explained, include maintaining the Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program, Support for Digital Literacy and Emerging Technologies program grants, National Leadership Grants for museums and libraries, and grants for Native American library services. The board noted that, according to the Museum and Library Services Act of 2018, statutory mandates of the IMLS cannot be paused, reduced, or eliminated without violating Congressional intent and federal statute. The board added that the IMLS is bound by law to statutes including the National Museum of African American History and Culture Act and the National Museum of the American Latino Act. All such statutory obligations may not be discontinued or delayed under an executive order or other executive action, the letter noted, as the distribution of promised funds to grantees is subject only to the availability of appropriations, not to executive discretion. Any failure to fulfill these legal obligations or to reduce staffing or program operations below the minimum required to meet statutory mandates would place the agency in noncompliance with Congressional intent. Organizational outcry The boards letter comes at a chaotic moment for the IMLS and other federal agencies. Researchers, scholars, states, and library systems across the country fear losing access to essential grants, and other executive orders targeting the representation of historically marginalized groups for erasure from federally funded programs has sown confusion at agencies dedicated to the arts and humanities. These threats have resulted in furious support from literary organizations, bracing think pieces by library experts, and statements in defense of the agency from professional associations. Jonathan Friedman, Sy Syms managing director of U.S. free expression programs at PEN America, wrote on March 21 that the federal gutting of the IMLS inhibits the ability of all people to exercise their freedom to read and learn. Speaking on behalf of PEN America, Friedman called on Congress to ensure the IMLS remains strong, independent, and robustly funded. The funding provided through IMLS supports improvements and innovation, ensures the continued operations of small and rural libraries, and helps libraries meet the specific needs of their communities, Friedman wrote. From access to Braille books for the blind to high-speed internet access to those in need, our libraries provide core services for our communities. Shrinking the IMLS will weaken our nations library system and undermine the essential services it provides. Andrew Pace, executive director of the Association of Research Libraries (ARL), told PW that every dollar awarded in IMLSs highly competitive, merit-based process is multiplied a thousandfold by the hard work of librarians and museum experts. The IMLS, Pace explained, exists to help libraries and museums build programming, create professional development opportunities, and preserve the scholarly and cultural record. Nothing, he added, is more efficient than the way libraries and museums can scale access to knowledge and culture in their communities with what amounts to a very small investment by the federal government. Pace noted that, in August 2024, the ARL received a one-year Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program grant of $148,792 in support of its project Futurescape Libraries: Mapping Possibilities for Tomorrows Information Hubs. That grant is enabling the ARL and its partner, the Coalition for Networked Information, to look at how artificial intelligence is changing the research environment. While ARL has not released a public statement, Pace said it will focus on advising its members on actions they can take related to the IMLS. In a statement, the Association of College and Research Libraries, a division of the ALA devoted to academic libraries, went even further. ACRL deplores the executive order issued by the Trump administration on March 14, 2025, and acknowledges the negative impact this would have on academic and research institutions, the organization wrote. It asserted that the loss of IMLS funding would disproportionately harm smaller, rural, and historically underserved institutions, limiting their ability to serve their communities effectively. LIS perspectives As library organizations rush to the defense of IMLS, all hands are on deck in library and information science departments nationwide. According to Anind K. Dey, dean and professor at the Information School at the University of WashingtonSeattle, the iSchool presently has 11 IMLS grants in progress. Researchers, Dey explained, typically spend money first and request reimbursement from the federal granting agency later. Now, they fear collaborative efforts will vanish with an administrative keystroke. Last week, Dey reached out to the principal investigators on the grants with the intention of collecting examples to share with the U.S. Senate and the media. Faculty members wrote back about their labs for developing open-source hardware, games they created for youth engagement, and thetools they designed to help the public recognize scams, deepfakes, and disinformation. Stacey Wedlake, a UW research scientist working on an IMLS-funded project to fortify youth information literacy, worried that the project could be shut down immediately, just as we are launching a series of workshops with our cohort of libraries. Marika Cifor, a UW faculty member preserving the histories of marginalized and underrepresented communities, said that without IMLS funding, eight public libraries, carefully selected through a national application process, will lose critical support, leaving their community archive projects unfinished or never started. Sandy Littletree, an iSchool assistant professor and a member of the Navajo Nation, underscored that tribal libraries and archives faced closure or severe cuts without IMLSs Native American library grants. Since most American Indian communities have little to no tax base, tribal libraries are especially sensitive to reductions in IMLS funding, Littletree said. The IMLS is a tiny portion of the federal budget, but its impact is far-reachingfrom the rural library in Kansas to the small childrens museum in Brooklyn, one researcher wrote to Dey. If we care about a public that is informed, creative, and compassionate, we have to protect one of the few federal agencies devoted to these pursuits. I've now completed the review of the 2025 Annotated Edition of Mastering Delphi 5. As I announced on February 14, I've been creating a free to download edition of my classic "Mastering Delphi 5" with footnotes indicating what is different today. The new edition is now complete. You can find it for download at www.marcocantu.com/md52025/. The final annotated edition is 1,139 pages and it has 475 footnotes, plus dozen of new screen snapshots comparing the old the the new UI of the IDE, and in some cases of the running applications. Not everything in the original source code compiles, but most of the programs run untouched, which is almost incredible given the 25 years since that edition. I hope you like it, it's nice a read and you can probably read something on today's Delphi, but even if you know everything it's an interesting way to go down the memory lane, for those who've been using Delphi since that time. As mentioned, this is my present to the community for Delphi's 30th anniversary, we celebrated recently. Thanks to university-driven activism over the Israel-Palestine conflict, the war in Gaza has politically sidelined the Wests commitment to global security in other regions of the world. Israel-Palestine is one of the few conflicts that inspires activism in the West, inciting rallies, petitions, and political conversation on college campuses and social media in ways that crises in Yemen, Tigray, Kashmir, or Myanmar rarely do. Yet, by catering to the victim-oppressor dichotomy that motivates campus uprisings, policymakers may neglect other global security risks. There is no siloed operation of security risks. Conflicts throughout the world are fueled by the same elements that drive bloodshed in Israel and Palestine: terrorist networks, proxy conflicts, and intelligence lapses. But as many of these conflicts dont align with the chosen moral frameworks of Western activism, they dont have the same hashtags, celebrity endorsements, or viral marches as the Israel-Palestine movement has garnered. This selective anger affects which crises politicians prioritise and which they overlook, in addition to warping public opinion. For instance, the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in the Red Sea have escalated their attacks on military and commercial ships, posing a direct threat to international trade and raising tensions between Western and regional countries. International military alliances, notably the United States and the United Kingdom, have been compelled to step in as a result of these strikes, putting the region at risk of a wider conflict. The Houthi menace, however, only gets a small portion of the attention that the Israel-Palestine conflict receives in Western media, despite its significant ramifications for both global security and economic stability. The worst humanitarian displacement disaster of our time is occurring in Sudan, where over 8 million people have been displaced by a bloody civil conflict between the Rapid Support Forces and the Sudanese Armed Forces. Western activists continue to be mainly disengaged despite reports of ethnic cleansing in Darfur that mimic crimes from previous conflicts. Despite its pressing need for international attention, Sudan is a less marketable subject than Israel-Palestine as it lacks the ideological dichotomies that characterise university discourse. Consider Yemen where over 377,000 people have died in one of the biggest humanitarian catastrophes in history as a result of the catastrophic proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Iran. Western governments, including the United States and the United Kingdom, continue to provide Riyadh with intelligence and weapons despite Saudi-led bombings that murder people. Why does Yemen, where foreign powers exacerbate widespread suffering, get so little attention if Western activity is focused on opposing colonialism and foreign intervention? The complexity of the solution is the reason it deviates from the victim-oppressor dichotomy that predominates in academic discourse. Or consider Ethiopias conflict with the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), which led to widespread murders, ethnic cleansing, and conditions akin to famine. After first denouncing Ethiopia, Western nations prioritised strategic interests over human rights and subsequently restored trade links. Despite the scope of these crimes, Tigray lost prominence in Western discourse because it doesnt fit the oversimplified ideological narratives that motivate activism. There are actual repercussions for activists selective fury. Public opinion influences Western governments to base their foreign policy decisions more on visibility than strategic need. Because of this imbalance, diplomatic capital, information, and resources are being redirected toward the most politically sensitive dangers rather than the most urgent ones. Take the focus on Israel-Palestine over the expanding threat in the Sahel region of Africa, where jihadist insurgencies linked to ISIS and al-Qaeda are rapidly growing. Global security is now directly threatened by terrorist organisations that have taken over nations like Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. Western administrations, however, have minimized the situations urgency, despite the fact that military takeovers in the area have fostered extremism. Despite its close connections to international counterterrorism initiatives, the Sahel gets little attention. Western leaders have also been discussing how to respond to Israels military activities in Gaza for months, but their replies to Azerbaijans ethnic cleansing of Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh have been largely passive. Despite the forced displacement of more than 100,000 ethnic Armenians in 2023, there were no significant demonstrations, no trending hashtags, and no global mobilisation such as that for Palestine. Because the issue lacks the political connotation that draws activists attention, politicians are less likely to engage in the crisis. Global security is made more difficult by the emergence of performative activism, in which political participation is gauged by social media posts rather than thoughtful discussion. Despite their strength, online movements can simplify complicated disputes into morally dogmatic absolutes. However, state security and counterterrorism demand subtlety. Activists ignore the strategic challenges of contemporary warfare when they call for immediate ceasefires without addressing the ways in which terrorist organizations infiltrate civilian communities. Think about how counterterrorism policy is affected by internet speech: The way organizations like Hamas and Hezbollah function, where they get their funding and the regional ramifications of their actions are frequently overlooked by mainstream media, online activists, and even some policymakers. The participation of non-state actors that often abuse human rights is frequently obscured by the same internet activity that mobilizes support for such rights. This is not a mere oversight but a critical knowledge gap on asymmetric warfare. Crises should be assessed according to their true security significance not their ideological expediency. Western policymakers jeopardize counterterrorism measures, military strategy, and diplomatic influence when they let social media movements and student demonstrations determine security priorities. Attention must be paid to equally pressing issues, which include state-sponsored ethnic cleansing, proxy conflicts in the Middle East, and growing jihadist insurgencies in the Sahel. The excessive emphasis on Israel-Palestine at the cost of other, urgent issues runs the risk of skewing not just public opinion but also global stability. Reet Desai is a contributor to Young Voices pursuing an MA in International Relations at Kings College London, specializing in international security and geopolitical conflicts. She owns a blog Global Lafde on Wordpress, analyzing global affairs, security dynamics, and political discourse. Recently, the House Select Committee on the Competition with the Chinese Communist Party released a video highlighting the whirlwind of bipartisan accomplishments and groundbreaking investigations theyve undertaken. The CCPs decades-long political warfare upon the United States demanded a response, and the Select Committee met the moment. It's curious, then, that more than 50 organizations publicly opposed Congress reauthorization of the highly effective committee. Closer scrutiny reveals what unites many of the leading civil society organizations that oppose the Select Committee: shared funding sources along with CCP ties and talking points. The Asian Americans for Advancing Justice (AAAJ) letter leads with the race card, echoing the CCPs preferred talking points. The AAAJ accused the Select Committee of perpetuatingan adversarial framework and pouringfuel on existing racial animus. The letter mirrors an August 2023 op-ed published by a CCP mouthpiece claiming the committee fuels racism and fosters anti-China and anti-Asian hate crimes. Renewing the committee, the AAAJ claimed, would lead to discrimination and racial profiling and promote an adversarial framework. Here's the reality: no organization on the globe leverages racial animosity quite like the CCP itself. Nor does any organization so viciously target Asian Americans, especially the Chinese diaspora community. The CCP deals in racist tropes, runs an ethnostate, and is conducting a genocide against Uyghurs. The Chinese people, tragically, are the CCPs first and greatest victims, both within China and in diaspora communities. At least 45 million Chinese starved during the Great Leap Forward famine, and another 1.5-2 million were killed or starved during the Cultural Revolution. Thousands were mowed down during the Tiananmen Square massacre. The Party-State executes political prisoners by organ procurement for profit. Todays Chinese citizen endures the most highly sophisticated surveillance state in world history. The CCP even exports its repression to Americas shores through systemic targeting of the Chinese diaspora. In contrast, the Select Committee exposed the CCPs attacks upon Asian Americans to shield the Chinese diaspora from Beijings long arm. The Select Committee publicized the CCPs "overseas police service stations" that harass ethnic Chinese targets on U.S. soil and highlighted CCP Chairman Xi Jinpings primary magic weapon within America, the intelligence-adjacent United Front Work Department, which cultivates CCP allies and subverts CCP opponents within the United States. Even more critically, the Select Committee gave a platform to victims of this surveillance and repression, inviting Chinese dissidents and other CCP targets to tell their stories publicly. They exposed a CCP-linked illegal biolab in California, and explained how American investment and research have funded Chinas military buildup. Chinese-Americans inspire much of this work. Perhaps most importantly, the Select Committee uncovered the CCPs explicit sponsorship of Americas fentanyl epidemic along with their role in laundering the profits of the fentanyl trade for Mexicos cartels. The letter signatories are quite telling. The Committee of 100 (C100) is perhaps the most infamous signatory, with extensive CCP ties according to multiple reports in Chinese-language media and United Front organizations. Journalist Didi Kirsten Tatlow found that Xi Jinping himself has described C100 as a friendly organization, and the group regularly meets with top Chinese leaders. Another signatory, the Florida Asian American Justice Alliance (FAAJA), is funded by the East West Banks foundation. Dominic Ng, the banks CEO and foundation director, formerly chaired C100 and is reportedly affiliated with several additional United Front groups. FAAJAs leadership, Echo Meisheng King and Hongwei Shang, were recently honored by the counselor from the Chinese Embassy at an overseas Chinese celebration in Boca Raton. The Chinese Ambassadors ominous message told attendees to continue integrating China and foreign countries by drawing a concentric circle of overseas Chinese communities. Other letter signatories funded by the East West Bank Foundation include the AAAJ, the Quincy Institute, Chinese for Affirmative Action, Stop AAPI Hate, and the Organization of Chinese Americans-Asian Pacific American Advocates Houston chapter. The AAAJ itself, founded by C100 member Stewart Kwoh, funds at least seven letter signatories and is affiliated with another. As a director of the Cathay Bank Foundation, Kwoh coordinates with the Chinese Consul in L.A. He even flew to China to deliver research on Chinese-American philanthropy to senior intelligence officials from the CCPs United Front Work Department. AAAJ-funded groups also oppose state legislation inspired by the Select Committees work. The Select Committees detractors turn out to be its validators. A seemingly organic crop of letter signatories is actually an astroturf campaign united by funding, hypocrisy, and CCP ties. The AAAJ should drop the race card and acknowledge the truth: the CCP poses a grave threat to Chinese Americans. The Select Committees work to counter the CCP makes Chinese Americans safe. Jacqueline Deal is an Advisory Board member of State Armor and president and CEO of the Long Term Strategy Group. Michael Lucci is State Armors founder and CEO. If were talking survival, few items are as essential as a reliable, compact firearm. And if were talking cool, few items are as fun as a suppressed takedown. Dark Mountain, a veteran-owned company, designed their Stowaway series to meet the needs of outdoor enthusiasts, survivalists, and really anyone looking for lightweight, packable firearms. These single-shot firearms arent just ultralight theyre adaptable, suppressor-ready, and easy to break down for transportation. We got handsy in order to explore the features, practical applications, and real-world performance of the Stowaway series of firearms. Available in rifle, pistol, and brace/SBR configurations, the absolute standout feature of the Dark Mountain Stowaway is its packable design. The rifle has a legal-minimum barrel length of 16 inches, and can be taken down into two parts, reducing its total length to less than 17 inches. This makes it ideal for packing into backpacks during long hikes, camping trips, or survival situations. Despite its small footprint, the rifle can be assembled in less than 30 seconds, making it quick to deploy when needed. Weighing just over 4 pounds, even with an optic attached, the Stowaway Rifle remains incredibly light without compromising its durability. Its minimalistic design makes it easy to carry for extended periods, and the threaded barrel allows for the attachment of suppressors or other barrel accessories, adding to its versatility. The x28 thread pitch ensures compatibility with a wide range of accessories, including compensators and flash hiders. DARK MOUNTAIN ARMS STOWAWAY SPECS Caliber: 5.728 (9mm conversions available) Barrel Length: 16.65 inches (rifle), 7.1 inches (pistol) Overall Length: 31.78 inches (rifle with stock), 11.5 inches (pistol), 22.25 inches (SBR) Weight: 2.8 pounds (rifle), 2 pounds (pistol) MSRP: Starts at $389 CALIBER SWAPPING Another versatile feature is its ability to swap calibers easily. By changing out the bolt face and barrel, you can quickly adjust the Stowaway to suit different needs. This adaptability makes it particularly appealing to survivalists who may need to shift between calibers based on the availability of ammunition, or for those who simply dont want to remain married to a single caliber. The rifle comes optics-ready, equipped with a Picatinny rail that allows you to attach a variety of sighting systems. We mounted the Primary Arms GLx 1x MicroPrism for testing the rifle, an optic with clarity and wide field of view. This optic also complements the rifles lightweight and compact design perfectly, adding a mere 9.1 ounces to the total weight. When paired with the GLx, the combined weight of the Stowaway Rifle and optic remained well under 5 pounds, a significant advantage for those trekking long distances with their gear. Its ability to attach a suppressor makes the Stowaway Rifle a top choice for small-game hunting, particularly in scenarios where stealth is critical. The bolt-action design means theres no sound from the action or bolt unlocking, and when paired with a good silencer and the right ammo, youd be hard pressed to find a better host. Whether youre hunting rabbits, squirrels, or other small game in a survival situation, the ability to reduce noise is invaluable. A suppressed shot is less likely to alert other animals, giving you a better chance at landing multiple kills in a single outing. And nothing brings the giggles like a quiet, fun shooter. Even a single-shot one. STOWAWAY PISTOL & SBR While the Stowaway Rifle offers a balance between portability and power, the Stowaway Pistol pushes the concept even further. This bolt-action pistol is designed to be just as packable and versatile as the rifle. The barrel is removable, making it easy to break down and stow in a small pack or compartment. Despite its large format, the pistol remains easy to handle, particularly for close-range encounters. Yes, it has a bolt handle on the left side, and yes, its a single shot, so youre never going to win a run-and-gun match with it. But the Stowaway fills the role of survival rifle, and the 5.7 round offers a significant upgrade in performance over any rimfire. During testing, the SIG Sauer Romeo-MSR was mounted on the pistols Picatinny rail. The optics lightweight design paired well with the pistol, adding minimal bulk while providing clear, parallax-free sighting. We found the Romeo to be a good choice for the Stowaway Pistol, as it added only 4.9 ounces to the total weight, keeping the pistol light and maneuverable. Like the rifle, the pistol comes threaded 1/228 for suppressors, making it a great option for discrete, close-range shooting. This is particularly useful in situations where you may need to shoot without drawing attention, or where youre hunting small game and want to remain as quiet as possible. Caliber swaps are just as easy with the pistol as with the rifle, offering the same flexibility to change out the barrel and bolt face. This adaptability means that, much like the rifle, the Stowaway Pistol can be tailored to different situations, whether you need a higher-velocity round for hunting or a smaller caliber for target shooting. You have the option of either pistol or rifle configurations from the factory, but our choice would be to file a Form 1 and SBR the pistol for maximum convenience. The pistol can also be upgraded with a 1913 Style Adapter kit, which allows the shooter to add a stock for improved stability and control. This is an excellent option for those who want to maximize the pistols performance for more precise shooting. PERFORMANCE AND REAL-WORLD APPLICATIONS When testing both firearms at the range, we were impressed with the balance and performance, especially given the lightweight nature of both setups. One unique aspect of the Stowaway Pistol is its left-side bolt placement, which can be a little awkward for right-handed shooters. Placing your support thumb on the charging handle, while resting the shooting thumb on top, resolves this issue and allows for smoother operation. Its a minor adjustment, but one thats important to get used to if you plan to use the pistol regularly. Every configuration of the Stowaway we used was a reliable, lightweight option that could be easily packed away until needed. Their single-shot design certainly isnt ideal for a high-threat scenarios, but it can encourage precision and patience. The ability to quickly swap calibers makes the Stowaway very versatile. And with their suppressor-ready barrels, you can operate more stealthily in the field, a critical feature when trying to avoid detection. RECREATIONAL USE Though designed for survival, these firearms are also well-suited for recreational shooting. Their low recoil and ease of handling make them ideal for younger or less-experienced shooters, while their compact designs make them fun and convenient for backpacking trips, camping, or off-the-grid excursions. With price points under $400, theyre also affordable enough to be enjoyed by a wide range of users. LOOSE ROUNDS Both the Dark Mountain Stowaway Rifle and Pistol are perfect examples of how modern firearms can be designed for portability, adaptability, and performance, all at an affordable price. These firearms are designed to be companions for campers, overlanders, and outdoor enthusiasts alike. Their ultralight weight, suppressor readiness, and optics compatibility make them versatile solutions for a variety of scenarios. Whether youre planning an extended backcountry trip or simply preparing for the unexpected, these firearms strike the right balance between features and performance. From family members, to friends, to beloved members of society, Parkinsons disease impacts more than 10 million people around the world, following just behind Alzheimers as the most common neurodegenerative disorder in the U.S. 'What is working is quality management, great teams, engineers, platforms, and highly differentiated services.' Photograph: Kind courtesy Hexaware Midcap information technology services firm Hexaware Technologies returned to public markets with the country's largest IPO by an IT services company. The firm also announced its full-year 2024 results, reporting 13.7 per cent year-on-year growth. In Mumbai, R Srikrishna, CEO, Hexaware, discusses with Shivani Shinde/Business Standard the timing of the IPO and the company's growth strategy. The timing of Hexaware's IPO was unusual, given that the sector is experiencing one of its slowest growth phases and market conditions are shifting. What was the rationale behind it? I'm not overly concerned about daily stock price fluctuations -- we are in this for the long term. Our investors have already seen strong returns. In fact, a down market presents an even better opportunity for investors to enter. One way to look at it is that we were the last to go public in a challenging market. The day we listed, the market wasn't at its best, but that didn't deter us. The reality is that every company, regardless of industry, is striving to become a platform-driven business. There is no shortage of long-term, secular demand for our services. How do you see the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on growth? There is some truth to the statement that software engineering will be compressed. If I need to write a piece of code, it'll take me less time, but the volume of code that needs to be written is multiplying all the time. The current slowdown for the sector has been the longest. How has it impacted you? It depends on what one defines as a slowdown. We just announced our 2024 results. We consider January to December as the financial year. Look at any of the last four quarters -- except for three companies -- most firms have reported 2-4 per cent growth. We're not seeing a slowdown. If we grow at 20-22 per cent, we will be happy to do so, and I think there's an opportunity for us to grow faster. What is driving Hexaware's double-digit growth? Our industry outperformance is not a one-year story. What is working is quality management, great teams, engineers, platforms, and highly differentiated services. Add to this our culture and how we treat our customers. We have 170 customers in the $1 million segment. However, 90 per cent of our revenue comes from 40 customers, with about 50 being strategically crucial for us. But 2022-23 was single-digit growth? That's actually the lowest in our history. But even that is higher than anyone else. The only company that has consistently done better in the long term is Persistent. What will be your focus areas to maintain this growth? We have identified a few strategic priorities, which are a combination of services, markets, and geographies. The first is legacy modernisation, which ties directly into AI. I believe using AI to make someone's job 20 per cent faster or cheaper is useless. Legacy modernisation is one area where AI can help because humans can't decipher code written 50 years ago. Second, we have been pivoting to sell more to product companies. Even the software we build for enterprises increasingly resembles what you would sell to product companies. We now have a clear focus on large product companies. There's absolutely enough for us to go after in the pure-play large product company segment. The third pivot is private equity as a channel, something Persistent does better than us. In the US, if you consider the universe of privately owned companies, their estimated market cap is about 40 per cent of that of public companies -- and it's growing. The fourth pivot is expanding into new geographies, specifically West Asia and Asia. Currently, Asia contributes 6 per cent of our revenues, with India accounting for about 2 per cent. Both West Asia and India contribute under $50 million for us. I believe they can double in two to three years. In India, we are focusing on enterprises and global capability centres. Some of our clients here include HDFC Bank and IndiGo. You have mentioned that consolidation is happening in clients' tech landscapes. How is it impacting Hexaware? Consolidation, conceptually, means customers are spreading their spending across a smaller number of vendors. We have spoken about two deals where we managed to retain clients, one of which is from financial services. And there are two more in discussion. The reasons for this are, of course, cost, the complexity of managing 80 different vendors, and risk. Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com The Adani group has said it will have a capital expenditure of Rs 1.1 trillion in 2025-26 as against this financial years Rs 92,000 crore, with a focus on core energy and infrastructure. Photograph: Priyanshu Singh/Reuters Expenditure will be financed through an internal cash generation of Rs 60,000 crore, and the rest will be raised via equity and debt, according to senior officials. This financial year (FY25) the group reduced the average finance cost of its long term borrowing from 10.4 per cent to 8.1 per cent, saving Rs 4,000 crore. It expects to sustain this cost reduction over the next few years, with the cost of capital for new borrowing projected to decrease by 75-100 basis points. As of FY25, the groups gross debt stood at Rs 2.4 trillion with a net debt of Rs 1.85 trillion. The group refinances about Rs 40,000 crore of debt annually, saving, on average, 1.72 per cent. These savings are expected to persist for the next two decades, an official said, after making presentations to overseas investors. In FY25, the group raised $2 billion by selling shares in various companies including Adani Wilmar and Adani Energy Solutions. The funds raised were used to refinance existing debt and spend on capital. The official said over the past five years, the groups market capitalisation had grown 53 per cent, while profit after tax (PAT) increased 49 per cent. The group attributes much of this to PAT, suggesting that its re-rating has yet to fully reflect lower capital costs, stability, and liquidity. Over the past 20 years, the groups market capitalisation has risen 32 per cent, positioning it as a promising long-term investment compared to peers, according to group officials. On reciprocal tariff threats from American President Donald Trump, the official said the group was shielded because a majority of its business was in India. Among its subsidiaries, Adani Ports & SEZ plans to invest Rs 80,000 crore in capex from FY25 to FY29 to fuel organic domestic growth. This includes Rs 45,000-50,000 crore for domestic ports and Rs 20,000-25,000 crore for logistics. APSEZ is also exploring an expansion of ports. By 2030, the group targets 800-850 million tonnes of domestic cargo, reflecting an 11 per cent increase in domestic cargo through 2031. The groups new airport in Navi Mumbai is expected to be commissioned by next quarter, making it the eighth airport in its portfolio. What transpired during that drive was one of the most compelling investment pitches made by an Indian state in decades. IMAGE: Foxconn Chairman Young Liu with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin in Chennai, August 17, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo In mid-August 2024, Young Liu, chairman of the world's largest electronics manufacturer Foxconn, landed at Chennai airport in his private jet. Tamil Nadu Industries Minister T R B Rajaa was waiting for him with a bouquet. The Foxconn chief's destination was the inaugural function of the first mega industrial housing project in India for 18,720 women employees of Foxconn, also a supplier of Apple, at Vallam Vadagal near Chennai. Then came the spontaneous decision of the minister himself driving the global industry doyen to the venue, which was 45 minutes away from the airport, in a Range Rover. Photos of the two leaders travelling together went viral. However, what transpired during that drive was one of the most compelling investment pitches made by an Indian state in decades -- details of which remained undisclosed until now. Addressing the Business Standard Tamil Nadu Round Table 2025, Rajaa revealed that the discussion ranged from doing value addition in critical minerals to enhancing storage capabilities to improving the component ecosystem. "We might soon have very good news, hopefully, coming out of that drive," Rajaa said during a fireside chat. "We spoke about the capabilities of Tamil Nadu, how we need to do more value addition on critical minerals, and do more on the existing capabilities to build on storage. He also spoke about how he is looking at storage in the future. "We also spoke about going down the value chain, bringing clusters for component manufacturing to enable whatever the manufacturing is -- already you know what they manufacture," Rajaa added. 'We are eager to bring our 3+3 future industry initiative to India,' the Foxconn chief had said during his visit, adding that talks happened with Rajaa in Tamil Nadu about potential collaboration on Battery Energy Storage Systems. According to media reports, the electronics giant has lined up plans to diversify its presence in India beyond smartphones, including areas like electric vehicles, energy, and digital health. Later, there were reports that Foxconn is likely to open its second-largest battery plant in Tamil Nadu and is looking for land near Manalur in Tiruvallur district, about 50 km north of Chennai. "For that manufacturing, we wanted to bring more of the components into India to increase the percentile of the components that are already available, and we have done that," Rajaa added at the Round Table, organised in association with the State Planning Commission and Guidance Tamil Nadu. When asked in detail about how this unconventional investment pitch happened, the minister explained: "I was just wondering why that single drive went viral. In my mind, it was a very casual request. I said we have one hour. "It was one hour with the chairman of Foxconn -- not many people get that, and I would rather have it with him. We actually removed the driver and enabled one more in the car. I took my managing director of Guidance in the car. I drove my car." Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com Neo banks, along with mid-sized banks, are establishing global capability centres (GCCs) in India, mirroring the expansion strategies of larger global counterparts. This trend is being seen as the next major wave in the countrys banking, financial services, and insurance (BFSI) sector. Neo banks exist solely online and operate independently or in partnership with traditional banks. Their market size is expected to grow to $395 billion in 2026, up from about $19 billion in 2018, according to PwC. Such banks, spread across the United States (US), the United Kingdom (UK), Australia, and Japan, are looking to tap the huge number of engineers in the country and work in some high-value, cutting-edge technology and finance operations with fewer people than what behemoths such as JP Morgan, HSBC, and Goldman Sachs need. Often the number of people in these small banks is a tenth of the larger peers, or even less than that. Some prominent names that have set up or are likely to set up GCCs include First Citizens Bank, PNC Financial, and Fifth Third Bank from the US; Nataxis, Credit Agricole, and Santander from France; UniCredit from Italy; and Revolut and Monzu from the UK, according to people familiar with knowledge of the matter. Not only is there a cost advantage but also the talent is there. "The presence of large players has a ripple effect on the vendor partner ecosystem, said Nilesh Iyer, managing director and chief executive, Nataxis Services, India. The French bank started operations in 2021 and has about 300 people in corporate investment banking, trade lifecycle, global market operations, having customers on board, credit analysis, and risk management. Headcount is not the predominant measure of success anymore, Iyer added when asked if the bank would ever scale up to the size of HSBC, Wells Fargo, or Deutsche Bank in India. Simar Singh, partner and national sector leader, KPMG India, said BFSI GCCs in India started with a minimum of 10,000 people nearly two decades ago. It previously needed a solid business case and an established presence. The situation, however, has evolved and matured over time. Banks are now able to set up what they need to do in a bite-sized manner. "So if you want to solve one particular problem of the bank with 200-odd people, you can set up a GCC, which is available as a service. The other reason that has nudged these banks to set up an entity in India is the high levels of attrition which hit service providers just as the pandemic was ebbing out. "Attrition at that time peaked at vendor levels with many teams hit with close to 70 per cent, which meant a lot of talent and knowledge were lost. "That is when these banks decided to bring a lot of their activities inside. "They felt they were not resilient enough and put the bank at risk when the providers were not able to service properly, added Singh. There are 130 BFSI GCCs operating in India, employing over 537,000 people, according to an EY-Wizmatic study last year. Of these 22 operate with fewer than 500 people, which highlight a more sophisticated, technology-driven approach where smaller, agile teams can deliver a significant global impact. In comparison, the top 10 banking capability centres employed 285,553 people as of March 31 last year. JP Morgans more than 21,000 engineers in this country are engaged in cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and digital banking with innovation across real estate commercial management platforms, tools which augment organisational efficiency, blockchain, and advisory insights, according to Vibhavari Jahagirdar, head of Global Technology for India, and co-lead for Global Post Trade Technology. Neo Banks in a Nutshell India and the US will finalise the contours, schedule of negotiations and terms of reference of the proposed bilateral trade agreement (BTA) during the three-day talks, starting Tuesday, an official said. IMAGE: Kindly note that this image has been posted for representational purposes only. Photograph: Dado Ruvic/Reuters The agreement would be finalised in two tranches and the first phase is expected to focus on issues pertaining to goods trade, but by end of this week there will be full clarity on it, the official said. The official added that since the US is a developed economy, a trade agreement with India would bring more predictability in tariffs, regulations, and economic integration. A good trade deal can create a lot of synergy for "lot of two-way trade and investments," the official said. To formally start the negotiations on the agreement, Assistant US Trade Representative for South and Central Asia Brendan Lynch, along with a team of officials, will be visiting India from March 25-29. During the three-day deliberations, "We will be finalising the contours of the BTA and will discuss the terms of reference of the BTA, besides working on some of the aspirations that we want to meet under the tranche one and two of the pact," the official said. The two countries are targeting to conclude the first phase or tranche of the agreement by fall of 2025. The official, however, clarified that this week's talk is not the first round of negotiations. "We will try to finalise the schedule of negotiations as in how we will start first round, second round etc. We have been engaging virtually on BTA but now formally we are getting into the mode, where we will be entering into the negotiations," the official said. Normally in such trade pacts, two countries either significantly reduce or eliminate import duties on maximum (90-95 per cent) number of goods traded between them. Besides, they ease norms to promote trade in services and boost investments. While the US has demanded greater market access in sectors like certain industrial goods, auto, wines and agriculture, India may look at duty cuts for labour intensive sectors like textiles. As the timeline to conclude the first phase is ambitious, "we have to package what we can achieve in that limited time frame. We should not over-commit," the official added. The officials of the two countries would also deliberate on issues to be included in the second phase of the agreement. The visit of the US team comes against the backdrop of President Donald Trump's plan to impose reciprocal tariffs on countries including India. He has on multiple forums stated that India imposes high tariffs on US goods. Tariffs are import duties imposed and collected by government and paid by the companies to bring foreign goods into the country. Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal held talks with US Trade Representative (USTR) Jamieson Greer and US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick during his three-day visit to Washington earlier this month. According to trade experts, there are uncertainties about how the Trump administration will impose the reciprocal duties. Trade agreements have been a successful route to reduce tariffs bilaterally. The reciprocal tariff policy decision is for all the countries and not only for India. The teams are also expected to discuss issues pertaining to services too. On opening up of agri sector, a source said there are sensitivities. The US is an exporter of agri goods like wheat. "We have to look at each other's strengths, weaknesses and sensitivities and try to find common ground. The idea of a trade deal is always to find areas which are agreeable," the source said adding long-term predictability in tariff and investment climate, and regulatory climate help businesses. During the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Washington, India and the US announced their commitment to more than double the two-way commerce to USD 500 billion by 2030 and negotiate the first tranche of a mutually beneficial, multi-sector BTA by fall of 2025. Goyal had earlier stated that the two countries can offer concessions and duty reductions, as their economies complement each other. During the first term of US President Trump, the two countries had discussed a mini-trade deal, but it was shelved by the Joe Biden administration as they were not in favour of such pacts. In 2023, the US-India bilateral trade in goods and services stood at USD 190.08 billion (USD 123.89 billion in goods and USD 66.19 billion in services trade). The country's services export to America was USD 36.33 billion in 2023, while imports aggregated at USD 29.86 billion. In 2023-24, the US was the largest trading partner of India with USD 119.71 billion bilateral trade in goods (USD 77.51 billion worth of exports, USD 42.19 billion of imports, with USD 35.31 billion trade surplus). India has received USD 67.8 billion in foreign direct investments from America during April 2000 and September 2024. India faces high US tariffs on many labour-intensive goods like textiles, garments, and footwear, ranging between 15-35 per cent on several products. The US has already announced non-reciprocal tariffs of 25 per cent on steel and aluminium. In 2024, India's main exports to the US included drug formulations, biological (USD 8.1 billion), telecom instruments (USD 6.5 billion), precious and semi-precious stones (USD 5.3 billion), petroleum products (USD 4.1 billion), gold and other precious metal jewellery (USD 3.2 billion), ready-made garments of cotton including accessories (USD 2.8 billion), and products of iron and steel (USD 2.7 billion). Imports included crude oil (USD 4.5 billion), petroleum products (USD 3.6 billion), coal, coke (USD 3.4 billion), cut and polished diamonds (USD 2.6 billion), electric machinery (USD 1.4 billion), aircraft, space crafts and parts (USD 1.3 billion), and gold (USD 1.3 billion). Brendan Lynch, the assistant US trade representative for South and Central Asia, will pay a five-day visit to India beginning Tuesday, days before US President Donald Trump's tit-for-tat tariff kicks in. The senior US trade official is expected to hold talks with Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal besides meeting a number of senior Indian officials. It is learnt that Indian officials are also hoping to discuss with Lynch the possibility of a waiver for India from the reciprocal tariff temporarily. It will come into effect on April 2. The two sides are also expected to hold negotiations to firm up a framework for a bilateral trade pact that would address issues relating to levies and market access. Assistant US Trade Representative for South and Central Asia Brendan Lynch, along with a team of US government officials, will be in India from March 25-29 for meetings with Indian interlocutors as part of ongoing bilateral trade discussions," said a US official. "This visit reflects the United States' continued commitment to advancing a productive and balanced trade relationship with India. "We value our ongoing engagement with the Government of India on trade and investment matters and look forward to continuing these discussions in a constructive, equitable and forward-looking manner," the official said. India on Friday said its negotiations with Washington are underway to firm up a framework for a bilateral trade pact that would address issues relating to levies and market access. India remains engaged with the US Administration at "various levels" to arrive at a mutually beneficial trade agreement, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said. The US president's tariff tussle has stoked fears of a global trade war with many countries already announcing counter-measures to deal with it. In its Union budget for 2025-26, India announced its decision to lower tariffs on Bourbon whiskey, wines, and Electronic Vehicle (EV) segments. The decisions were seen as an attempt to send a signal to the Trump administration that New Delhi is open to bringing down tariffs in specific sectors. Washington is also pushing New Delhi to buy more American oil, gas and military platforms to bring down the trade deficit that stands at around USD 45 billion in India's favour. The US was the largest trading partner of India with overall bilateral trade in goods and services amounting to USD 190 billion for the calendar year 2023. In the financial year 2023-24, the US was the third largest source of foreign direct investment (FDI) into India with inflows of USD 4.99 billion accounting for almost per cent of total FDI equity inflows. Brendan Lynch, the assistant US trade representative for South and Central Asia, will pay a five-day visit to India beginning Tuesday, days before US President Donald Trump's tit-for-tat tariff kicks in. Photograph: Elizabeth Frantz/Reuters The senior US trade official is expected to hold talks with Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal besides meeting a number of senior Indian officials. It is learnt that Indian officials are also hoping to discuss with Lynch the possibility of a waiver for India from the reciprocal tariff temporarily. It will come into effect on April 2. The two sides are also expected to hold negotiations to firm up a framework for a bilateral trade pact that would address issues relating to levies and market access. "Assistant US Trade Representative for South and Central Asia Brendan Lynch, along with a team of US government officials, will be in India from March 25-29 for meetings with Indian interlocutors as part of ongoing bilateral trade discussions," said a US official. "This visit reflects the United States' continued commitment to advancing a productive and balanced trade relationship with India. "We value our ongoing engagement with the Government of India on trade and investment matters and look forward to continuing these discussions in a constructive, equitable and forward-looking manner," the official said. India on Friday said its negotiations with Washington are underway to firm up a framework for a bilateral trade pact that would address issues relating to levies and market access. India remains engaged with the US Administration at "various levels" to arrive at a mutually beneficial trade agreement, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said. The US president's tariff tussle has stoked fears of a global trade war with many countries already announcing counter-measures to deal with it. Following talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Trump in Washington DC last month, the two sides announced the negotiations for the first tranche of the BTA by the fall of 2025. In line with his "America First" policy, Trump earlier this month announced reciprocal tariffs on its partners and other nations that impose higher levies on imports from the US. India has reduced its average applied tariffs significantly for key developed countries like Australia, the United Arab Emirates, Switzerland and Norway under recently concluded bilateral trade agreements. Similar negotiations are currently underway with the European Union and the United Kingdom, among other partners. The ongoing discussions with the United States should be seen in this context, Indian government sources said a few weeks back. In its Union budget for 2025-26, India announced its decision to lower tariffs on Bourbon whiskey, wines, and Electronic Vehicle (EV) segments. The decisions were seen as an attempt to send a signal to the Trump administration that New Delhi is open to bringing down tariffs in specific sectors. Washington is also pushing New Delhi to buy more American oil, gas and military platforms to bring down the trade deficit that stands at around $45 billion in India's favour. US was the largest trading partner of India with overall bilateral trade in goods and services amounting to $190 billion for the calendar year 2023. In the financial year 2023-24, the US was the third largest source of foreign direct investment (FDI) into India with inflows of $4.99 billion accounting for almost per cent of total FDI equity inflows. Fraudsters read your mind, weave convincing stories, earn your trust and then vanish with people's savings. Ramalingam Kalirajan reveals five simple tricks that cons use to steal money from you. The Trap of High-Interest Schemes '36% returns! 60% returns!' Sounds too good to be true, right? You're worried about money, and suddenly, someone whispers these magical numbers. A quick escape from financial stress -- tempting, isn't it? But does anything come that easy? Despite constant warnings, many in India still fall for fraudulent schemes promising unrealistic returns. You've seen the news -- why do these scams keep working? Is it just greed, or the dream of quick wealth? Paying off debts, better education, a secure retirement -- who wouldn't want that? Fraudsters know this, weaving convincing stories to gain trust and vanish with people's savings. Let's break down how these scams work and how to protect yourself. We'll show you how these scams operate and how to stop them before it's too late. Ready to take control of your financial future? How Do These Schemes Operate? At the core of these scams lies the infamous Ponzi scheme. You've heard the term, but do you really understand its deceptive simplicity? It's a time-tested con, and shockingly effective. Here's how it works: A scheme promises, 'Invest Rs 1 lakh today, get Rs 10,000 per month for 10 months, and in the 11th month, you'll get your Rs 1 lakh back!' Sounds perfect, right? That's the trap. The catch? There's no real investment -- just new investors' money paying old ones. Imagine a pyramid, where the bottom funds the top. It's a wealth transfer disguised as profit. This cycle continues until the fraudsters vanish with the money, leaving a trail of empty wallets. Early investors unknowingly help the scam by bragging about their 'returns,' luring in more victims. But when new investors slow down, the pyramid collapses. The fraudsters are gone, and victims are left asking, 'How did I fall for this?' So, how do you spot these scams before it's too late? Prevention is the only cure. Let's break down the red flags and warning signs that can save you from financial disaster. Red Flags to Watch Out For 1. Exclusive Invitation-Only Meetings Ever heard of lavish 'private meetings' at luxury hotels? Picture chandeliers, plush carpets, and an extravagant non-veg feast. Feels like a VIP event, right? But what if it's a trap? Fraudulent groups host secret gatherings, showcasing 'successful investors' flaunting luxury cars, foreign trips, and multi-crore earnings. They paint a dream -- but is it real wealth or just a staged performance? They push you to recruit friends and family, promising high commissions. But ask yourself: Why do they need new investors so badly? Is it because the scheme is lucrative, or because fresh money keeps it running? If it's truly a golden opportunity, why the secrecy then! Why not advertise openly? Legitimate investments have regulatory approvals, audited records, and transparency -- they don't need flashy events or hidden agendas. So, the next time you get an 'exclusive invitation,' ask yourself: What are they hiding? And is your hard-earned money worth the risk? 2. Social Media Manipulation Scrolling through your feed, you spot an ad: 'Double your money in weeks!' 'Guaranteed 50% returns!' Sound familiar? It's the age of digital temptation. These scams avoid newspapers and TV, where scrutiny is higher. Instead, they flood Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, targeting unsuspecting victims with slick videos, glowing testimonials, and high-pressure ads. Some even feature TV celebrities. 'If they endorse it, it must be legit,' right? But are they vouching for the scheme -- or just reading a script? Do they even know the risks? Ask yourself: If it's truly profitable, why rely on secrecy and flashy marketing? Why not transparent regulations and trusted financial platforms? In today's digital age, it's easier than ever to fake a company, a persona, an investment. So next time you see an ad promising massive returns, pause and think. Is it worth risking your hard-earned money on a digital illusion? Or do you deserve an investment that's real, regulated, and transparent? 3. Misleading Investment Promises It starts off like a legitimate financial seminar -- talk of stock market investments, systematic trading, and financial security. They emphasise emergency funds, life insurance, and responsible planning. Sounds trustworthy, right? They build credibility, address your concerns, and make you feel secure. But is it genuine advice or just an act? Then, the pitch changes: 'Forget traditional investments! We'll guarantee 3% per month -- with a written contract!' Wait... doesn't that sound too good to be true? Why the sudden shift from long-term planning to get-rich-quick promises? Legitimate investments don't offer guaranteed high returns. Markets fluctuate; risks exist -- so how are they defying reality? Simple: They're not. It's a classic bait-and-switch. They earn your trust, and then exploit it. So next time someone talks about financial security but suddenly dangles an unrealistic offer, stop and think: Is this an opportunity -- or just another well-crafted trap? 4. Unusual Banking Transactions You've made your investment, feeling accomplished -- then suddenly, they tell you to deposit future funds into a different bank account. Why? At first, it seems like a minor inconvenience: 'The previous account is under maintenance' or 'undergoing an audit.' But is it really just that? Or is there something more sinister at play? Legitimate companies don't constantly switch bank accounts. They follow strict financial procedures, maintain audited records, and operate transparently. So why the endless account changes? Here's the harsh truth: The Reserve Bank of India often freezes fraudulent accounts. When authorities catch on these scammers scramble; they shift funds to new accounts to stay ahead of regulators. It's a game of cat and mouse -- one where you're the bait. If a company is always changing its account details, ask yourself: Are they planning to vanish? Are they creating a paper trail so confusing that by the time you realise the scam, they're already gone? Think about it -- your hard-earned money is flowing through a web of ever-changing accounts. How can you be sure where it's going? How can you be sure it's safe? Shouldn't your investments come with stability and transparency instead of secrecy and excuses? 5. Unrealistic Interest Returns Here's a simple rule: If someone guarantees over 12% fixed returns, be sceptical. Even the RBI warns against such promises. Why? Because no legitimate investment can guarantee high returns without extreme risk. Think about it -- if 36% annual returns were real, wouldn't banks and mutual funds offer them? Wouldn't investors rush in? The truth? They don't. It's a trap. Are they offering a golden opportunity, or just playing with your greed? Your financial security isn't a gamble. Choose wisely. Stay Vigilant -- Protect Your Hard-Earned Money Now that you know the warning signs, will you still take the risk? Always verify before you invest. Cross-check with RBI or SEBI (Securities and Exchange Board of India) guidelines. Seek advice from licensed financial planners instead of trusting unknown sources. At the end of the day, your money is your responsibility. And remember -- if an investment sounds too good to be true, it isn't! Instead of relying on get-rich-quick schemes, work with a trusted financial expert to secure your future the right way! Since the IPKF's withdrawal from Sri Lanka in March 1990, the LTTE's once-powerful influence in Tamil Nadu has faded. IMAGE: Members of the LTTE women's wing march in Killinochchi, northern Sri Lanka, in 2002. All photographs: Kind courtesy Wikimedia Commons On March 24, 1990, as the last batch of soldiers in the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) boarded the Indian naval troopship INS Magar at Trincomalee Harbour in Sri Lanka, they were informed of a change in plans. The then prime minister, V P Singh, would not be present to welcome them in Madras. Instead, they would board an IL-76 transport aircraft in Madras and fly to Palam in Delhi, where Singh would facilitate them before returning to Madras (now Chennai). The then Tamil Nadu chief minister, M Karunanidhi, had decided to 'boycott' the IPKF's return. Lieutenant General A S Kalkat, the officer commanding the IPKF, later told interviewers: 'The humiliation was not in Sri Lanka because there was no humiliation (there). The humiliation came when we came back to India. 'The question people asked was: Why did we go there? And the main thing was the so-called boycott of IPKF soldiers when they arrived at Madras port. I think that was a needless act. It was no good. I think the DMK (then in power in Tamil Nadu) was the one'. A lot has changed in the 35 years since that afternoon. "Today, if you ask whether the Tamils of Tamil Nadu are sympathetic to the Tamils of Sri Lanka? Yes, they are. Do they endorse their viewpoint? No, rarely," says A S Panneerselvan, former Reader's Editor at The Hindu and author of a biography of M Karunanidhi, a leader crucial to the growth of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the development of Dravidianism as an ideology. According to Panneerselvan, Dravidianism has reached a level of sophistication that most analysts fail to appreciate. It is not limited to language or culture. In both India and Sri Lanka, the DMK opposes the creation of a 'monochromatic' State. Panneerselvan cautions against reading Dravidianism wrongly: "Jaffna Tamils overlook the element of pluralism in Tamil society; those who live in eastern Sri Lanka (home to Tamil-speaking Muslims as well) are also Tamils. Those who live in the plantation areas of Sri Lanka are also Tamils. Those who live in Tamil Nadu are also Tamils." Conflating the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) with Tamils or Dravidianism is a major mistake, he adds. IMAGE: An LTTE car in Killinochi, April 2004. Although the rivalry between various Sri Lankan Tamil groups had begun spilling over into Tamil Nadu as early as 1982, sounding warning bells for the Dravidian parties -- especially the DMK -- the major turning point was the assassination of former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi. This act repulsed voters in Tamil Nadu, prompting the DMK to sever ties with individuals and organisations advocating an LTTE-like militaristic approach to a political problem. One such individual was V Gopalaswamy (Vaiko). Once considered senior enough to be named the party's leader in the Rajya Sabha, he was expelled from the DMK in 1993. A vocal supporter of the LTTE, Vaiko believed his views would help him win over a sizable portion of DMK voters. He launched his own party after his expulsion, but it failed to gain traction. In the 2024 general elections, his influence had diminished to the point that he was allotted just one seat as part of the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance. Kolathur Mani founded the Dravidar Viduthalai Kazhagam (DVK) in 2012 based on strong anti-upper caste views and hero worship of LTTE chief Prabhakaran. However, his purist and inflammatory Dravidian rhetoric has found little electoral success. The DVK does not contest elections itself but supports various candidates. However, its influence remains negligible. "The other example is P Nedumaran," Panneerselvan says. "In the Congress, he was once seen as the most powerful leader after Kamaraj. But at 89, when he announced two years ago that Prabhakaran was alive and would soon return, no one took him seriously." Nedumaran was long considered the "official unofficial spokesperson of the LTTE". He travelled to northern Sri Lanka multiple times to meet Prabhakaran. The only exception to this trend is the rise of the Naam Tamilar Katchi (We Tamils), led by film director and actor Seeman. The party emphasises Tamil rule in Tamil-majority areas and opposes Dravidian parties, which it accuses of contributing to the decline of Tamils. It believes in the idea of Tamil Eelam and that only a Tamil should serve as chief minister of Tamil Nadu (Seeman claims M K Stalin is Telugu). The party contested all 39 seats in the 2019 and 2024 Lok Sabha elections, failing to win any but increasing its vote share from 3.9 per cent to 8.1 per cent. In the Tamil Nadu assembly elections, it also won no seats, but its vote share rose from 1.06 per cent (2016) to 8.09 per cent (2021). However, scholar and social activist Ramu Manivannan argues: "Seeman is a backwater channel for the BJP in Tamil Nadu, who drew the attention of undecided youth and peripheral voters." Most military and political analysts agree that another expeditionary intervention by India in the region is highly unlikely. But Colonel R Hariharan, who led intelligence operations for the IPKF in Sri Lanka between 1987 and 1990, warns: "In times of threat to Tamil identity and culture, ideas of secession could probably surface, just as it did when Prime Minister Indira Gandhi imposed the Emergency. A 2013 WikiLeaks message revealed that during the Emergency, Tamil Nadu's DMK minister K Rajaram asked a US diplomatic representative in Chennai whether the US would assist Tamil Nadu if it decided to secede from India. "The minister clarified that while no such move was in the making, young people within the DMK were talking about separatism. Of course, the US representative reiterated his government's support only for a unified India." Feature Presentation: Rajesh Alva/Rediff.com The Nagpur violence may have been prevented had the police considered the dangerous potential of the VHP/Bajrang Dal's demonstration; had they immediately stopped the burning of the chaddar and arrested the demonstrators; and had they fanned out to counter the rumours that spread among Muslims, observes Jyoti Punwani. IMAGE: Vehicles were set on fire in the Mahal area in Nagpur, March 18, 2025. Photograph: ANI Photo In an interview after the March 17 Nagpur violence, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis was asked a pointed question about the frequent inflammatory speeches of his cabinet minister. (The minister in question, BJP MLA Nitesh Rane, was not named.) In reply, Devendra Fadnavis recalled the late prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's advice about 'Raj Dharma', saying: 'I believe that when we hold a ministerial position, we must speak with restraint. As ministers, we have a role to play, and this is something that Atal Bihari Vajpayee once mentioned somewhere -- as ministers, we must adhere to Raj Dharma.' Why did Fadnavis choose to cite this famous advice of the late PM? Vajpayee's advice about observing Raj Dharma wasn't some general homily. It made headlines because of the context in which it was made -- at a press conference held at Ahmedabad airport after the Gujarat violence of 2002. Vajpayee had spent the day visiting relief camps in Ahmedabad where Muslims had sheltered after having been targeted in violence that broke out post the burning of the Sabarmati Express at Godhra on February 27, 2002. 59 Hindus, most of them returning from Ayodhya, had perished in the fire. Amid widespread allegations that the Gujarat government was complicit in the violence, the then prime minister, answering questions from the media, advised then Gujarat chief minister Modi to observe Raj Dharma. Describing it as a 'meaningful term', Vajpayee went on to add: 'A ruler must not distinguish between his subjects on the basis of religion or sect or caste...This is something I am trying to observe.' Coming from the PM, that too one who was in the same party as the Gujarat CM, this advice became an unforgettable moment in the country's history. Modi could not have forgotten that embarrassing moment, but it's certainly not one he would ever want to be reminded of. Though the Supreme Court has given him a clean chit, his role in the Gujarat violence continues to dog him; the last time he was asked about it was only last week, by the fawning interviewer Lex Fridman. Surely Fadnavis knew all this. It is surprising therefore, that he chose this particular reference in a high profile interview, given not to any journalist, but to a political rival, NCP (SP) leader Jayant Patil. By citing Vajpayee's quote, was Fadnavis trying to aspire to Vajpayee's statesman-like status? If so, it certainly didn't work. Until now, Fadnavis has never pulled up Rane, not even when Rane has told his Hindu audiences that they can 'wipe out jihadis' and 'slap policemen' who 'mess with them', because 'our boss is sitting in Sagar Bungalow' (Fadnavis' residence at that time). If the many FIRs against Rane have resulted in no action against him, accountability must lie with Home Minister Fadnavis. Let's not forget, Fadnavis chose to include Rane in his cabinet despite these FIRs. It's ironic that by quoting Vajpayee's advice on Raj Dharma to show his disapproval of Rane, Fadnavis only showed his own failure to uphold Raj Dharma! IMAGE: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis addresses a press conference at Police Bhavan in Nagpur, March 22, 2025. Nagpur Police Commissioner Ravinder Kumar Singal and state Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule are also present. Photograph: Kind courtesy Devendra Fadnavis/X *** Did the Nagpur police uphold Raj Dharma? 8 Bajrang Dal demonstrators 'surrendered' to the police after the violence, and were released within hours on bail. The police, always reluctant to touch Hindutvawadis, were thus spared from taking the hard decision of arresting those who burnt an effigy of Aurangzeb wrapped in a green chaddar, an act that went viral after it was uploaded on an Instagram account, reportedly of a BJP youth wing member. The video gave rise to two incendiary rumours: 1. That a chaddar inscribed with Quranic verses had been burnt. 2. That the chaddar from the famous Tajbagh Dargah, located around 4 km from the venue of the VHP/Bajrang Dal demonstration, had been burnt. Followers of Hazrat Baba Tajuddin, the Sufi saint in whose memory the dargah has been built, rushed to the protest site in anger. The police knew well in advance about the VHP/Bajrang Dal demonstration, and a couple of policemen did try to stop the demonstrators from burning the chaddar. But these efforts were half-hearted; the video shows that though the cops hadlathis, they didn't use them. IMAGE: Police personnel speak with locals after clashes broke out in Nagpur, March 17, 2025. Photograph: ANI Photo This reluctance was in keeping with the Maharashtra police's record of inaction against Hindutvawadis. So was their lack of preparation for the demonstration. Did the police not know this wasn't going to be a routine demonstration? The VHP/Bajrang Dal's capacity to provoke Muslims; the passions currently being aroused over Aurangzeb, after the way the movie Chhaava has been promoted; and finally, the fact that Ramzan was on, when fasting Muslims are even more consumed with thoughts of religion than normal -- all these flashpoints were ignored by the Nagpur police. However, to give them their due, this time, the Nagpur police did act contrary to tradition in three important aspects. First, they actually took down the complaint of Minorities Democratic Party founder Fahim Khan against the demonstrators as an FIR. Second, despite vicious attacks on them by Muslims whose passions had been inflamed, in which 34 policemen were injured, the Nagpur police did not fire on them. Third, Police Commissioner Ravinder Singal, in an interview broadcast live on TV, debunked the conspiracy theories doing the rounds. No outsiders were involved, he said. The media had gone berserk wondering how come so many stones were available to the Muslims. The police commissioner explained that there was a Metro construction site nearby. He also clarified that the tempo heaped with stones, shown on television screens repeatedly, was not brought by the Muslims, but was a Nagpur Municipal Corporation tempo which was taking away stones from the construction site. So the Nagpur police did uphold Raj Dharma to some extent. IMAGE: Vehicles set on fire in the Chitnis park area in Nagpur, Monday, March 17, 2025, following the VHP-Bajrang Dal protest. Photograph: ANI Photo *** What of the media? Did they uphold their Dharma? News television channels acted as expected: They fanned communal feelings by playing out scenes of violence even on the next day, with sensationalist headlines such as 'Kashmir style stone pelting'; 'Bangladeshi link'. An unknown aspiring politician Fahim Khan was made the 'mastermind' by the media after police named him as the main accused for the violence, only because the video of his speech blaming the police went viral and brought Muslims on the streets. The media used the word 'pradarshankaris' (demonstrators) for the VHP/Bajrang Dal members who burnt the effigy; while the Muslims were called 'dangaai' (rioters). Weren't the former's actions bound to provoke the latter? And what of the Hindus who clashed with Muslims later that night? Irfan Ansari, 40, attacked in that clash, died on Saturday. His assailants have been arrested. But past experience tells us that the initial classification by the media of Muslims as 'rioters' and Hindus as 'demonstrators' will continue. The media brought bulldozers into the Nagpur issue. It was in response to a journalist's question that the CM replied that bulldozers would be used if the law permitted it. It was only a few journalists both on television and in print who observed their dharma by talking to both Hindu and Muslim victims. IMAGE: Police personnel keep a vigil as curfew was imposed in 10 police station limits following the violence in Nagpur, March 21, 2025. Photograph: ANI Photo *** The Nagpur violence may have been prevented had the police considered the dangerous potential of the VHP/Bajrang Dal's demonstration; had they immediately stopped the burning of the effigy and chaddar and arrested the demonstrators; and had they fanned out to counter the rumours that spread among Muslims. It could also have been prevented had Muslims been stopped by their elders and leaders from attacking the police. The fallout of such attacks should by now be well-known to the community. But for both things to happen, the mindset both of the police and the Muslims have to change. Meanwhile, will Fadnavis follow Raj Dharma by claiming damages from rioters of both communities? 'Sushant Singh Rajput threw Rhea Chakraborty out of his house six days before he died.' IMAGE: Sushant Singh Rajput and Rhea Chakraborty in happier times. Photograph: Kind courtesy Rhea Chakraborty/Instagram The Central Bureau of Investigation has closed the case in the death by suicide of Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput. The CBI had taken over the case from the Bihar police which had registered an abetment to suicide case on a complaint filed by Sushant's father, K K Singh. The CBI submitted its findings before a special court, which will now decide whether to accept the report or order a further probe. The CBI had recorded the statement of actor Rhea Chakraborty, Sushant Singh Rajput's former girlfriend, and others in his close circle over his death by suicide. Rajput was found hanging from the ceiling of his apartment on June 14, 2020. During the course of the investigation, some news television channels had declared Rhea of guilty of murdering Sushant Singh Rajput and accused her of being a gold-digger. Rhea, who declared her innocence in the matter all along, had to spend 27 days in jail before getting bail. She was vindicated last week when the CBI filed a closure report in the case. "The investigation was done by the Enforcement Directorate and Central Bureau of Investigation and there is not a single entry from Sushant Singh Rajput's bank account to Rhea's bank account," Satish Maneshinde, Rhea's lawyer, tells Syed Firdaus Ashraf/Rediff.com after the CBI filed a closure report in the case. When everyone was gunning for Rhea you stood by her and believed in her innocence. What made you believe in her? Rhea left Sushant Singh Rajput's house on June 8, 2020. And Sushant committed suicide on June 14, 2020. In the gap of these six days, from June 8 to June 14, there was no contact between Rhea and Sushant. She also blocked him on the phone. When did she block Sushant Singh Rajput on the phone? The moment she was thrown out of the house by Sushant on June 8, 2020. Why was Rhea thrown out of the house by Sushant? Did you ask her? Yes, she complained to doctors about Sushant's drug habits in spite of the fact that he was on medication. Sushant didn't like it when Rhea complained about him taking drugs to the doctors. As a result of this he threw her out of his house. Rhea felt insulted because all she was doing was to protect Sushant and he still decided to throw her out of the house. Therefore, Rhea blocked Sushant and felt there was no point in dealing with such a person. But public sympathy was and is still with him. I am not concerned about public sympathy towards him. He may have been a good actor, and I cannot comment anything more than that. What about the allegations that Rhea took money from Sushant Singh Rajput running into lakhs of rupees and blew it all up on shopping and other stuff? The investigation was done by the Enforcement Directorate and Central Bureau of Investigation and there is not a single entry from Sushant Singh Rajput's bank account to Rhea's bank account. On the contrary she returned all the money which Sushant spent on a salon for her. She is a self-respecting woman and there is no question of her taking money from Sushant. Did she take any loan from Sushant Singh Rajput? No, not a single paisa, she took zero money from Sushant Singh Rajput. What about the allegations of Rhea maintaining a high-flying lifestyle on Sushant's money? Rhea only took Rs 40,000 from Sushant Singh Rajput. This amount was spent for salon purposes and dresses. This Rs 40,000 taken by Rhea was returned from her to Sushant via credit card. There is proof of her returning this amount. When was this money spent? This was when they were living together. Sections of the media accused Rhea of Sushant's death and so did his family. In these circumstances, what led you to believe that Rhea was innocent? When I met her she told me her story, that she comes from a defence background. She told me she was born and brought up in defence surroundings. Rhea was bold enough to admit to me that she fell in love with Sushant Singh Rajput who was habituated to drugs. Rhea took Sushant to five doctors and psychiatrists to treat him and in spite of that he did not change (his behaviour). The last time when she met him was on June 8, 2020, and that meeting ended in a fight because she again approached doctors to complain about Sushant's behaviour. As a result of which Sushant Singh Rajput told Rhea to pack her bags and leave. Did Rhea call Sushant's parents to inform them about Sushant's behaviour? Sushant Singh Rajput was on medication and drugs simultaneously which was a very dangerous (combination). Did Sushant suffer from bipolar disorder? I don't know about that. There was another allegation made about Rhea, that she was sent by the Bollywood brigade to destroy Sushant's rising film career. There was also the allegation that the nepotism brigade of Bollywood killed Sushant Singh Rajput. There was zero nepotism connection as far as Rhea is concerned and the death of Sushant Singh Rajput. I don't know about others. When you look back at the case some sections of the media went hammer and tongs at Rhea. One televison anchor even accused her on air stating, 'drugs do, drugs do, mujhe drugs do (give me drugs)'? The media went against Rhea but there were some in the media who didn't go against her. Especially India Today and NDTV, they reported the incident in an unbiased way. What is the message from your side considering that defending Rhea would have been one of the most difficult assignments of your life? The message is simple. Truth always triumphs. Satyamev Jayate. 'Due to this sudden phenomenon, guests stopped visiting the homes of these villages, girls and boys from these villages were not getting proposals; students were reluctant to attend schools and colleges for fear of being shamed.' Kindly note the image has only been published for representational purposes. Photograph: Kind courtesy, Pixabay Dr Himmatrao Bawaskar runs a hospital and research centre in Mahad. In January, Dr Bawaskar read about the sudden occurrence of extensive alopecia totalis or balding of residents in 18 villages in Buldhana in Maharashtra in Marathi newspapers. Dr Bawaskar and a team then traveled to the area, collected samples and conducted meticulous investigations which revealed high levels of selenium. "We have to avoid eating wheat containing selenium. Once this is stopped, the selenium toxicity will disappear and the hair will regrow," Dr Bawaskar tells Neeta Kolhatkar. When did you first learn about the cases of balding in 18 villages in Buldhana? What prompted you to travel to the affected village and conduct an investigation? In the first week of January, there were multiple news reports in Marathi newspapers about the sudden baldness, of people suffering from alopecia totalis in 18 villages of Buldhana district. Due to this sudden phenomenon, guests had stopped visiting the homes of these villages, girls and boys from these villages were not getting proposals; students were reluctant to attend schools and colleges for fear of being shamed. This occurrence had a great impact on their society because it caused immense stigma. When I read about how this social problem had fallen on their society I took the decision to go and investigate the cause of the alopecia. My family members and I went to all 18 villages where there were reported cases of alopecia. We visited Bhongaon, from where the first cases were reported. There are 28 patients in this village. We went around testing samples, speaking to the villagers, studying their symptoms. Kindly note the image has only been published for representational purposes. Photograph: ANI Photo How did you realise that wheat had caused baldness in the villagers? The first thing you need to know is that this area is a drought prone area, due to low rainfall. Most of the population here are registered below the poverty line. Their survival solely depends on the ration shops (Public Distribution System for food grain). They have extremely little or no agricultural produce on their lands. They cannot survive from their meagre produce, hence the villagers are compelled to purchase wheat from PDS shops. When I asked when they first noticed the hair fall the villagers told me that when they consumed the wheat from the ration shop, they felt nauseous. Many also got loose motions and the next day they were down with fever. Along with these symptoms they felt numbness in their skulls and on the fourth or fifth day, when they brushed their hair, a bunch of hair came into their hands without any pain from their scalps. After a week all of them reported total baldness. This has afflicted around 300 people. We collected samples of blood, urine and hair of these villagers. The villagers told us the main cause is the wheat from the ration shops. So my team and I collected sufficient samples of the wheat from the ration shops. I also took photographs of the gunny bags that some villagers and shops had of that wheat. We also collected locally produced wheat to make a comparative analysis. We washed some samples of wheat and tested both, washed and unwashed wheat. The results showed there was no difference in the levels of selenium seen in the wheat, whether washed or unwashed. The levels of selenium was extremely high. It also indicated selenium was not added externally to the wheat produce. We also investigated the logo and ink used, to see if that too had any levels of selenium. There was inherent selenium in the wheat itself. We also analysed the samples of blood, urine and hair that we had collected. The results were alarming. The blood and urine samples showed prevalence of 1,000 times selenium. The common cause of baldness is thallium, arsenic and gallium. While there were high levels of thallium, there was a remarkably low level of zinc. The wheat I brought back from Buldhana contained 600 times of selenium. Now compare this to the wheat which is produced locally in their own land. It does not contain selenium. The logo on the gunny bags showed this wheat was produced in Punjab and Haryana. What is likely to cause this high levels of selenium in wheat from Punjab and Haryana? Is it the soil, water, pesticides? See, wheat is a common crop in Punjab and Haryana. The land is alkaline in this region. Near the outer side of the Himalayas are the Shivalik range of mountains. The rocks in this region have the highest level of selenium. During the monsoons, when the rivulets are activated, the water flows down, they carry these high levels of selenium to downstream land, which is Punjab and Haryana. The water from these rivulets feed their crops. During summers, these rivulets disappear. There are two specific districts that are highly inflicted with selenium: Hoshiarpur and Nawanshahr. Here too there was prevalence of baldness due to presence of selenium in the water. Due to which many lands are unused as farmers are not allowed to grow wheat in that area. IMAGE: Dr Himmatrao Bawaskar was awarded a Padma Shri in 2022 for his work in rural Mahad, Maharashtra. Photograph: Kind courtesy Dr Himmatrao Bawaskar Is it possible to reduce the levels of selenium in this region? We cannot let the farmers abandon their land. We have to provide solutions. First, the government has to divert the rivulets to non superior land or non fertile land. The other issue is this is alkaline land. Selenium dissolves easily in the water, so it enters the soil and the plants too easily absorb it. Farmers use DAP fertiliser manure. This adds more alkalinity to the soil because they use phosphate manure. With the presence of high phosphate in the soil, the zinc becomes less accessible for plants to absorb. This automatically leads to zinc deficiency in crops even if there is presence of zinc in the soil. In our investigation we got low levels of zinc in blood and wheat samples. There are solutions to reduce selenium in the water, like the farmers need to add gypsum to their land. Gypsum can be added to the soil by growing several varieties of plants, which can amend the presence of selenium in the soil. This will help prevent plants from absorbing selenium, which will also help maintain the presence of zinc in the plants. The other solution is to use cattle manure to reduce the presence of heavy metals in the soil. Here farmers use lift irrigation from their wells and borewells for their land. This water has a prevalence of high levels of selenium. This needs to be stopped immediately. The farmers in these two regions need to be given canal water. Canal water has low levels of selenium. We have studied literature that shows when wild mustard, sunflower and other crops are grown, they are effective to reduce selenium levels in the soil. Now we know specific areas in Punjab where wheat is grown that contains high levels of selenium which causes baldness. The government needs to investigate every batch of wheat and test samples to ensure the selenium levels are low. If there is presence of high selenium levels then they should immediately stop the distribution, so that people are not afflicted. This is the least we expect the government to do. What is the solution for the villagers in Buldhana? Will their hair grow back? Selenium toxicity has no antidote in this world! The only thing is, prevention. We have to avoid eating wheat containing selenium, that is all we can do. Once this is stopped, the selenium toxicity will disappear and the hair will regrow. Has the Union or state government taken cognisance of your efforts? No. Nobody has called, they are least bothered. I don't wait for any government. I incurred expenses of Rs 92,000 for this investigation of high levels of alopecia totalis. I don't wait for cognisance from authorities. My aim is to relieve patients of any threat to their lives. This entire region is extremely sorrowful. A very old woman shared her heartbreaking story. She said for survival, they have to spend Rs 75 every week to get drinking water from tankers. This has been going on for the last 10 years. Imagine these poor families have to spend Rs 75 every week to get drinking water. These are remote villages. Dr Bawaskar could reach travelling these villages 800 kilometres, if one wants they can reach. Feature Presentation: Rajesh Alva/Rediff.com Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday said stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra has insulted Deputy CM Eknath Shinde with his remarks and should apologise for it. IMAGE: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis speaks with media at the state legislature complex in Mumbai. Photograph: @Dev_Fadnavis/X Talking to reporters in the state legislature complex, Fadnavis said Kamra's action was condemnable. During his performance at the Habitat Studio at the Unicontinental hotel in Mumbai's Khar area, Kamra had referred to Shinde as a "traitor" and went on to sing a parody on him. Kamra used a modified version of a Hindi song from the movie Dil Toh Pagal Hai to describe the 2022 rebellion of Shinde against his then boss Uddhav Thackeray. Fadnavis said, "The 2024 assembly polls results have shown who is a gaddar (traitor) and who is a khuddar (self-respecting). People have put a stamp of approval on Shinde being the true inheritor of (Shiv Sena founder) Bal Thackeray's legacy." He said the people have defeated those who betrayed Bal Thackeray's ideology. "People have the freedom of satire and comedy. But insulting (a person) deliberately is not allowed. Kamra showed the red book of the Constitution which is carried by Rahul Gandhi. Both have not read the Constitution. He cannot justify his action by showing the book," the CM said. "The Constitution says when you attack others' freedom, your own freedom is restricted," Fadnavis said. Kamra cannot justify his actions and escape action by showing Rahul Gandhi's Constitution (red book), he said. On Sunday night, several Shiv Sena workers went to the studio and allegedly vandalised it and the hotel, according to police. The Mumbai police on Monday registered an FIR against Kamra for allegedly making defamatory remarks against Shinde, officials earlier said. The police also arrested Shiv Sena functionary Rahul Kanal and 11 others for ransacking the venue at the Mumbai hotel where Kamra made the controversial "traitor" jibe against Shinde, an official said. Union Minister Ramdas Athawale has said that a memorial to Chhatrapati Sambhaji should come up in Maharashtra's Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar instead of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb's tomb being removed. IMAGE: Mughal emperor Aurangzebs tomb is situated in Maharashtra's Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district. Photograph: ANI on X The Republican Party of India-Athawale leader, who was in Dehradun on Sunday to review the central schemes run by the state government's social welfare department, told reporters that removing Aurangzeb's tomb would not solve anything. "Don't remove his grave. But there should be a big memorial to Chhatrapati Sambhaji Raje in Sambhajinagar," he said. His comments come against the backdrop of protests by some Hindu outfits seeking the removal of Aurangzeb's tomb in Maharashtra's Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, alleging that the 17th-century Mughal emperor had unleashed atrocities on Hindus. Athawale also said Aurangzeb's tomb was protected by the Archaeological Survey of India. "We have to move forward with the ideology of Sambhaji Maharaj but there should be peace in the country," he said. The Union minister of state holding the social justice and empowerment portfolio also urged Muslims not to associate themselves with Aurangzeb. "My request to the Muslim community is that you should not associate yourself with Aurangzeb. The Muslims here were Hindus. The Muslims here are not the children of Aurangzeb. They have no relation with him," Athawale said. Stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra, once again in trouble for his brand of humour, could well be controversy's favourite child. On Monday, the comic was at the centre of a massive political storm in Maharashtra for his comments seen as an attempt to defame deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. IMAGE: Stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra. Photograph: ANI Photo The 36-year-old pops up in the headlines every now and then, each time for something he has said in his shows or on social media. The issues have ranged from several airlines banning him from flying for heckling a TV news anchor to facing contempt of court for his comments on the judiciary. Today, too, news cycles were dominated by Kamra, who has reportedly left the state after the row that saw Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis asking him for an apology, opposition leader Uddhav Thackeray coming to his defence and the venue of his show being vandalised by members of the Shiv Sena (Shinde). Kamra has 2.5 million followers on X, one million followers on Instagram and 2.32 million on his YouTube channel. As the row escalated, he posted a photograph on Sunday night of himself with a copy of the Constitution of India and captioned it, "The only way forward..." He grew up in Mumbai and worked at ad company Corcoise Films as a production assistant for six years often balancing his day job with his stand-up shows that were initially focused on regular issues faced by common people. In 2017, he grabbed attention with his first stand-up comedy on YouTube where he poked fun at the government for invoking the Army and patriotism when criticised for its policies. Titled Patriotism & the Government, the video has 18 million views. The same year, he started a YouTube show titled Shut Up Ya Kunal where he would interview personalities from across the spectrum. The guest list was eclectic, including Bharatiya Janata Party leader Tejaswi Surya, Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal, Congress' Sachin Pilot as well as lyricist Javed Akhtar and journalist Ravish Kumar. The questions were no-holds barred with the interviews inserted with memes, photographs and funny videos to draw laughter. The show was a hit but not without its share of controversies. In 2020, he heckled TV anchor Arnab Goswami aboard a Mumbai-Lucknow IndiGo flight. The video became viral and led IndiGo to suspend Kamra from flying with it for six months. Air India and SpiceJet put him on a no-fly list until further notice. Kamra found himself at the centre of another scandal that year when he mocked then Chief Justice of India Sharad Arvind Bobde on social media after Goswami was given an interim bail in a 2018 abetment to suicide case. The post attracted a contempt case against Kamra. An undeterred Kamra made another remark against the Supreme Court, which led to a petition being filed against the comedian in the already pending contempt of court case. In the same year, Kamra kicked up another controversy by sharing a morphed video of a child singing for Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Germany. The child sang Hey Janmabhoomi Bharat but it was replaced with the famous Peepli Live song Mehengayi daayan khaaye jaat hai. The child's NRI father called out Kamra for dragging his child into his politics. The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) took cognisance of the incident and asked Twitter (now X) and the Delhi police to take down the tweet. Kamra later deleted his tweet. In 2022, Kamra wrote to the Vishva Hindu Parishad asking it to denounce Mahatma Gandhi's assassin Nathuram Godse to prove that the outfit is pro-Hindu and anti-terrorism. The comedian said he was ready to give a test to prove his relationship with god but he also wanted to test the organisation whether they were "truly the children of India". This was after Kamra's Gurugram show was cancelled following threats by Bajrang Dal and VHP to disrupt the event. And just last year, Kamra attracted criticism for his jokes on Bollywood superstar Salman Khan for taking a jibe on the 1999 black buck hunting case and 2002 hit and run case. There were reports that Salman was planning a defamation suit against the comedian. Ola CEO Bhavish Aggarwal has also been a frequent target of his jokes. Kamra brought him up again in his new show. In the video of the show before a live audience recently, he can be seen modifying the song Bholi Si Surat -- from the film Dil To Pagal Hai -- to mock Shinde's political career. The video has 1.5 million views and counting. It led to the auditorium of the Hotel Unicontinental, which houses Habitat Studio where the show was held, being ransacked on Sunday night. Twelve workers of the Shinde-led Shiv Sena. The police also registered a case against 40 Shiv Sena workers for vandalising the Habitat studio in Khar area. The performance and event venue said it was shutting down. In an Instagram post on Monday, the studio said, "We are shutting down till we figure out the best way to provide a platform for free expression without putting ourselves and our property in jeopardy. We invite all artists, audience and stakeholders to discuss and share their views free and request your guidance so that we also respect the performers rights." In a previous post on Monday, Habitat Studio issued an apology to "all those hurt by this video". "The Habitat is not involved in the making of the recent video of Kunal Kamra and it does not endorse the views expressed by it," it said. Shiv Sena workers on Sunday vandalised a hotel in Mumbai's Khar area where stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra's show with gaddar (traitor) jibe at Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde was filmed, police said. IMAGE: Stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra. Photograph: @kunalkamra88/X The vandals ransacked the Habitat Comedy Club in Khar as well as Hotel Unicontinental in whose premises the club is located. The Habitat, where Kamra's show was held, is the same venue where the controversial India's Got Latent show had been filmed. After a video went viral showing Kamra allegedly using defamatory words against Shinde, Shiv Sena MLA Murji Patel lodged a police complaint. Patel said he would show "Kamra his level" and asked him to apologise. Based on the complaint, a First Information Report (FIR) was registered in the early hours of Monday against Kamra under various Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) actions, including 353(1)(b) (statements conducing to public mischief) and 356(2) (defamation), an official from MIDC police station said. Earlier, a large number of Shiv Sena workers on Sunday night gathered outside Hotel Unicontinental, where the club is located. According to a police official, the party workers reached the auditorium of the hotel after a video of Kamra's jibe against Shinde went viral on social media. The video was also posted on X by Shiv Sena-UBT leader Sanjay Raut by saying "Kunal Ka Kamal". Kamra taunted Shinde using a modified version of a Hindi song from the film Dil To Pagal Hai, eliciting laughter from the audience. Sena MP Naresh Mhaske warned Kamra that he would be chased by Sena workers throughout the country. "You will be forced to flee India," he said in a video message. Calling Kamra a "contract comedian", Mhaske said he should not have stepped on the "tail of a snake (apparently referring to Shinde)". "Once the fangs are out, there will be dire consequences," he warned. The MP from Thane also alleged that the comedian has accepted money from Sena-UBT chief Uddhav Thackeray and is targeting Shinde. Sena-UBT MLA Aaditya Thackeray slammed the vandalism at the hotel, calling it a "cowardly" act. In a post on X, Thackeray said, "Mindhe's coward gang breaks the comedy show stage where comedian @kunalkamra88 put out a song on eknath mindhe, which was 100 per cent true. Only an insecure coward would react to a song by someone." "By the way, law and order in the state? Another attempt to undermine the CM and Home Minister by Eknath Mindhe," he said. The Nagpur bench of the Bombay high court on Monday ordered a stay on the demolition of the houses of two accused, including Fahim Khan, in the violence case, rapping the administration for "high-handedness". IMAGE: Civic authorities demolish house of violence accused Faheem Khan in Nagpur, Maharashtra, March 24, 2025. Photograph: ANI Photo While Khan's two-storey house was razed before the high court passed the order in the afternoon, authorities halted the demolition of the illegal portions of the other accused Yusuf Sheikh's house following the court's directive. The duo had moved the high court on Monday against the demolition seeking an urgent hearing. A division bench of Justices Nitin Sambre and Vrushali Joshi heard the pleas. The bench questioned why the owners of the houses were not given a hearing before demolishing alleged illegal portions. The action was taken in a high-handedness manner, without giving a hearing to the owners of the property, the bench noted. Advocate Ashwin Ingole, appearing for Khan, said the court has sought a response from the government and civic authorities and posted the matter for further hearing on April 15. The bench said if it comes to the conclusion that the demolition was carried out illegally then the authorities would have to pay for the damage caused, Ingole claimed. Amid heavy police security, civic authorities on Monday morning demolished Khan's house for unauthorised construction. Authorities had started removing an illegally constructed portion of Yusuf Sheikh's house in Mahal area, the epicentre of the March 17 violence. Fahim Khan, a leader of the Minority Democratic Party, was booked for sedition. He is among over 100 persons arrested for the violence. A few days back, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation had issued a notice to Khan, citing various lapses and the lack of the building plan approval (for his house), sources said. At around 10.30 am on Monday, three earth-moving machines of the Nagpur Municipal Corporation started demolishing his house, located at Sanjay Bagh Colony in Yashodhara Nagar area here, amid heavy security and drone surveillance in the entire area. The house, registered in the name of Khan's mother, was located on a plot of Nagpur Improvement Trust (Lease) and the lease ended in 2020, a civic official said. There was no sanction plan for the building and the entire construction was unauthorised, the official said, adding the action was being taken under the MRTP Act. A notice of demolition was given 24 hours prior to the action, the official said. The two-storey residence of Fahim Khan, an alleged mastermind behind the communal violence in Nagpur on March 17, was flattened on Monday by local civic authorities which claimed that the house was constructed illegally. IMAGE: House of Nagpur violence accused Faheem Khan being demolished in Nagpur. Photograph: ANI on X The operation, which involved bulldozers and a heavy police presence assisted by drones, also saw the removal of an illegally constructed balcony at the house of another accused, Yusuf Sheikh, in the Mahal area where the riots occurred. Just hours after the demolition began in the morning, the Nagpur Bench of the Bombay high court intervened, issuing a stay on the demolitions and criticising the administration for its "high-handedness." While Khan's house was razed prior to the court's intervention, officials stopped work on the illegal structures at Sheikh's home following the directive. Both Khan and Sheikh had appealed to the high court earlier on Monday, requesting an urgent hearing against the demolition orders. A division bench comprising Justices Nitin Sambre and Vrushali Joshi questioned why the property owners were not given an opportunity for a hearing before the demolition of the allegedly illegal constructions. Advocate Ashwin Ingole, representing Khan, stated that the court had ordered a response from governmental and civic authorities, with the next hearing scheduled for April 15. The bench indicated that if determined that the demolition was conducted unlawfully, the authorities might be liable for damages, Ingole claimed. Khan, the leader of the Minority Democratic Party, is currently in jail and facing charges of sedition in connection with the March 17 riots. The riots in Nagpur erupted after misinformation circulated about the burning of a 'chadar' featuring religious inscriptions during protests organised by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) demanding the removal of Aurangzeb's tomb in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar in central Maharashtra. According to civic officials, prior to the demolition, Khan received a notice citing multiple violations, including the lack of an approved building plan -- a necessary requirement for construction. The Nagpur Municipal Corporation began the demolition at approximately 10:30 am, employing three earth-moving machines to dismantle Khan's house in Sanjay Bagh Colony, Yashodhara Nagar, while cordoning off the area for safety. Nagpur civic commissioner Harish Raut told reporters at the demolition site that they were acting on directives from the police and senior officials regarding the property illegally constructed on an expired lease from the Nagpur Improvement Trust. "Accordingly, the investigation is underway. Zahirunnisa Shamim Khan, (Khan's mother), owns this illegal property, which was not sanctioned. A 24-hour notice was issued, and the necessary action is now being carried out," Raut stated. Additional commissioner of police (Crime) Sanjay Patil said Khan's house was being demolished due to encroachment and the exercise was completed peacefully. The demolition drive was conducted under Section 53(1) of the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act, which allows for a 24-hour notice prior to demolition of unauthorised constructions. Maharashtra Minister Pratap Sarnaik, reacting to the demolition in Nagpur, said those involved in inciting violence should face severe punishment, suggesting, "a bulldozer should be run over him (Khan), not his house." The violence led to injuries to 33 police personnel, including three officers of DCP rank. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced that the costs for damage inflicted during the riots would be recovered from the rioters. "The government will not rest until those responsible for attacking the police are found and dealt with sternly," Fadnavis had said following a visit to his hometown Nagpur over the weekend. He had also indicated that people who circulated inflammatory materials would be charged as co-accused for their involvement in inciting violence, hinting at a connection to Khan's political background. The Supreme Court had in November issued a slew of measures against use of bulldozers which included 15 days prior notice of demolition to the occupants and made it clear that any violation of the directions would lead to contempt action against the officials responsible and their prosecution. However, the SC had said these directions would not be applicable in case of encroachment into public property or if the demolition was ordered by a court. Rajya Sabha proceedings were adjourned on Monday in the pre-lunch session without transacting any business as treasury and opposition benches sparred over the issue of reservations to Muslims in Karnataka public contracts. Photograph: Screen grab/Sansad TV While ruling Bharatiya Janata Party MPs created a ruckus, alleging that a Congress leader has vowed to change the Constitution to provide reservation to Muslims, Congress president and Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge asserted that no force can change the Constitution made by B R Ambedkar. Amid slogan shouting, mostly by the ruling side, Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar adjourned the proceedings till 2 pm. BJP MPs started moving into the aisle raising slogans just as the House met for the day. Dhankhar gave Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju the floor to speak on what they were agitating about. Rijiju said a senior Congress leader who holds a constitutional post has said the party will change the Constitution to provide reservation to Muslims. Though he did not name the leader, he was apparently referring to D K Shivakumar. "We cannot take this statement lightly," the minister said, adding that the statement has not come from any ordinary party leader but from someone holding a constitutional post. Stating that it is "extremely serious", he said changing the Constitution to provide religion based reservation "cannot be tolerated". Congress leaders carry the Constitution book in their pockets but are doing everything to undermine it, he said. When Dhankhar asked what he and his party wanted, Rijiju said the Congress president should make the party position clear and "tell the House and the nation why Congress wants to change the Constitution to provide reservation to Muslims". Leader of the House and Union minister Jagat Prakash Nadda alleged that Congress was shredding the Constitution to pieces. Ambedkar while framing the Indian Constitution clearly stated that "reservation will not be done on the basis of religion... his is an accepted principle of the Constitution of India", he said. Now, the Karnataka government has provided 4 per cent reservation in public contracts to minorities, he said, demanding a statement from Kharge. Dhankhar asked the ministers to authenticate the statements that were attributed to the Karnataka minister. Kharge said "no one can change the Constitution provided by Ambedkar". "We are the people protecting the Constitution. We are the ones who did Bharat Jodo Yatra from Kanyakumari to Kashmir (and) these are the ones who believe in Bharat Todo (break India)," he said referring to BJP. He tried to speak further but was repeatedly interrupted by the sloganeering by BJP MPs. "We are the savers of Indian Constitution," Kharge said before Dhankhar adjounred the proceedings till 2 pm. The Calcutta high court on Monday directed the Central Bureau of Investigation to produce the case diary related to its investigation into the rape-murder of an on-duty doctor at RG Kar hospital on the next date of hearing. IMAGE: Resident doctors and students of Guwahati Medical College and Hospital hold posters as they protest against the alleged sexual assault and murder of a female postgraduate trainee doctor of Kolkata RG Kar Medical College, in Guwahati. Photograph: ANI Photo The court asked whether the central agency was considering the possibility of gang rape or the destruction of evidence in its probe. The petitioners, the parents of the postgraduate trainee at the medical college hospital, prayed for a court-monitored investigation. They claimed that while submitting the charge-sheet before the trial court, the CBI had stated that a larger conspiracy was involved in the crime. They, therefore, prayed for further investigation into the matter. Justice Tirthankar Ghosh directed that the petitioners' prayers would be considered, subject to the present stage of investigation and "the status report to be submitted by the Central Bureau of Investigation". He also directed the CBI to present the case diary on the next hearing date, March 28. Additionally, Justice Ghosh asked the CBI counsel to satisfy the court on whether the agency was examining the possibility of gang rape or the destruction of evidence in its further investigation. The doctor's body was discovered in the seminar room of the state-run hospital in north Kolkata on August 9, 2024. After hearing a set of PILs, the high court transferred the probe from Kolkata Police to the CBI. Sanjay Roy, a former civic volunteer, was arrested by Kolkata Police on charges of raping and murdering the victim. In January, after pronouncing Roy guilty, the sessions court sentenced him to life imprisonment until the end of his natural life. Justice Ghosh instructed the Deputy Solicitor General (DSG) to clarify whether the CBI had, at any point, considered investigating the crime under Section 70 (gang rape) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Since one person has already been convicted in the case, Justice Ghosh further inquired whether the CBI, in its charge-sheet, considered the possibility of the crime being committed by a sole perpetrator or if it was a case of gangrape. If the latter, the court asked who the potential suspects were. The petitioners' lawyer, claiming that the central agency was handling the probe in a lackadaisical manner, urged the court to call for a progress report from the CBI on its further investigation. Senior advocate Kalyan Banerjee, appearing for the West Bengal government, said the state had no objection to further investigation but sought clarification on whether the law permitted such a probe after an accused had already been convicted and sentenced. Banerjee also questioned whether the trial court had the authority to allow further investigation after the conclusion of the trial. Additionally, he alleged that the CBI had been slow in conducting the investigation. The DSG opposed this claim, arguing that no unwarranted aspersions should be cast against the agency. 'We don't believe in violence. Shiv Sena doesn't believe in violence. But...' IMAGE: Kunal Kamra. Photograph: Kind courtesy @kunalkamra88/X Shiv Sena MLA Murji Kanji Patel has issued a stern warning to stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra, demanding an apology within two days for his remarks against Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Failing this, Patel threatens Kamra that Shiv Sena workers will blacken his face wherever they find him -- while insisting that the party does not support violence. Patel, the Shiv Sena MLA from Andheri East in north west Mumbai, has filed an FIR against Kamra at the MIDC Police Station in Thane under sections 351 Part (B), 353 -- Part II, and 356 -- Part II of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023, he told this correspondent. Section 351 pertains to criminal intimidation, which includes threats of harm to a person, their reputation, or their property. Section 353 deals with spreading false information or rumours, including through electronic means. Section 356 covers defamation, which applies when someone makes, publishes, or shares statements intended to harm another person's reputation. The controversy erupted after Kamra, while performing in suburban Mumbai, used the word 'gaddar' (traitor) in reference to Eknath Shinde -- without naming him directly. The term has frequently been used by Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) leaders and supporters to describe Eknath Shinde and other MLAs who rebelled against Uddhav Thackeray in June 2022, leading to the collapse of the Maha Vikas Aghadi government and a vertical split in the party. Following Kamra's viral social media reel, Shiv Sena workers stormed Hotel Unicontinental and vandalised the premises in protest. "I don't want to comment anything on this," Patel said why Shiv Sena workers targeted only Kamra, a comedian, when SS (UBT) leaders and workers regularly use the word to describe Shinde and all those Shiv Sena MPs and MLAs who quit the undivided Shiv Sena and vertically split the party since June 2022. "We don't believe in violence. Shiv Sena doesn't believe in violence... but," Patel insisted. "But we will not tolerate any insult to our leader. Kamra should take this as a serious warning -- if he does not apologise to Shinde saheb within two days, our workers will blacken his face wherever they find him. This isn't violence, but we will make him regret his words." Patel further stated that the FIR also requests the police to investigate whether Kamra acted independently or was instigated by someone else. CloudSEK has uncovered a major breach targeting Oracle Cloud, with six million records extracted via a suspected undisclosed vulnerability, although it is unclear whether the incident occurred because of a vulnerability at an organisation using Oracles cloud infrastructure. Oracle has stated to a number of media outlets that no hacker has breached Oracle Cloud. According to CloudSEK its digital risk platform, XVigil, discovered a threat actor, rose87168, selling the records transferred from single sign on (SSO) and lightweight directory access protocol (LDAP) of Oracle Cloud. The data includes JKS files, encrypted SSO passwords, key files, and enterprise manager JPS keys. CloudSEK wrote the attacker, active since January 2025, is incentivising decryption assistance and demanding payment for data removal from over 140K affected tenants. Our engagement with the threat actor suggests a possible undisclosed vulnerability on login. (region-name). oraclecloud.com, leading to unauthorised access, said CloudSEK. While the threat actor has no prior history, their methods indicate high sophistication. CloudSEK said rose87168 database also includes offered an incentive to anyone that helped them decrypt the SSO passwords, and/or crack the LDAP passwords. The list of affected tenants is over 140k, and the threat actor is urging companies to contact them and pay a certain fee to get their data removed. Facing multiple charges of sex trafficking and exploitation in the United States and Romania, controversial Internet personalities Andrew and Tristan Tate have appeared at a police station in a suburb of Bucharest to fulfill their monthly judicial obligations, where they again denied all charges against them. The brothers arrived in Voluntari, just outside the Romanian capital, shortly after 10 a.m. in a black Mercedes accompanied by five men believed to be bodyguards. They used the occasion to once again proclaim their innocence, dismiss the media, and attack what they describe as "the Matrix" -- a system they claim is out to silence them. As per a Romanian court order, the Tate brothers must report to police each month as part of judicial supervision measures in two criminal cases. Prosecutors in Romania accuse the British-American siblings of recruiting women and coercing them into creating online pornographic content for profit -- a case brought to public attention in August 2024 by Romania's Directorate for Investigating Organized Crime and Terrorism (DIICOT). The brothers have denied all charges. The Tate brothers' legal troubles also extend to the United States and Britain where there are similar outstanding cases against them. In 2023, Andrew and Tristan Tate were indicted by a federal grand jury in the United States. US prosecutors charged the brothers with multiple crimes, including sex trafficking, obstruction of justice, and operating an international criminal enterprise aimed at exploiting women. According to the indictment, the Tates allegedly used manipulation, coercion, and emotional abuse to force victims into creating sexually explicit material distributed for profit. The US Justice Department described the brothers as central figures in a "global scheme" targeting vulnerable individuals, often under the pretense of romantic relationships or promises of wealth and fame. The scheme allegedly involved manipulation, coercion, and emotional abuse to force victims into creating sexually explicit material distributed for profit. In the United Kingdom, four women have filed a civil suit against Andrew Tate, accusing him of rape and coercive control. Speaking to reporters outside the Voluntari Police Station, Andrew Tate dismissed the Romanian and US cases as baseless attacks. "I'm happy to be back in Romania -- I live here and I love it," he said, asserting that he's not under investigation in Florida, where he was visiting after leaving Romania earlier this month. Just days after their arrival, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced an active criminal investigation into the brothers, saying Florida has zero tolerance for people who abuse women and girls. The Tates also addressed the release of Adolescence, a four-part Netflix miniseries that explores the murder of a teenage girl by a 13-year-old boy -- allegedly influenced by the "hypermasculine," "incel"-driven ideology promoted by the Tate brothers online. Incels are members of an online community of young men who consider themselves unable to be sexually attractive to women and are typically associated with views that are hostile toward women and men who are sexually active. The Tates have a significant online presence, where they often share controversial views on masculinity and relationships. Andrew dismissed the series, calling it "another Matrix story made by Netflix." As Russian and Ukrainian delegations meet for cease-fire discussions with US officials in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, Moscow's troops are intensifying their attacks on Kyiv's positions on the front line near the city of Pokrovsk, Ukrainian soldiers in the area told Current Time. There are 200-300 explosions per day, all coming in our direction, said Ukrainian servicemen Serhiy, standing at the bottom of a muddy trench. They're trying to advance on our positions -- but we're holding them back. They have plenty of manpower, said Dmytro, another soldier. If we didn't cover the infantry positions, they would advance without any trouble. The Ukrainian troops showed little optimism about the Riyadh talks, comparing them to efforts in previous years to broker cease-fires in Ukraine. I don't believe it, says Yevhen. This is a repeat of 2014 when they negotiated a cease-fire. It's all just to pull in troops and strengthen their positions. Residents in the nearby town of Rodynske, just 5 kilometers from Pokrovsk, are also feeling the full effects of war. As a Current Time crew were filming a report in the area, the town was targeted by a drone attack. As soon as something starts, we crawl into the cellar at night, and that's it, says local resident Vitaliy. It was so loud that people's windows were blown out by the blast, says Natalya, who also lives in Rodynske. The most important thing is peace -- for all of this to stop." Russian troops are intensifying their attacks on Ukrainian positions on the front line near the city of Pokrovsk. Ukrainian soldiers told Current Time that they believe Russian forces will not halt their advance, even if a cease-fire agreement is reached. Meanwhile, Rodynske, a frontline town near Pokrovsk, was targeted in a drone attack. Residents there say they're desperately hoping for peace. Artem Lysak, an Emmy-winning journalist, risked his freedom to report undercover from Russia-occupied Crimea -- navigating FSB interrogations, surveillance fears, and the constant threat of arrest, all while documenting human rights abuses and life under annexation. From 2016 to 2020, he reported for RFE/RL's Crimea.Realities project under the pseudonym Nazar Sytnyk. Since Russias occupation of Ukraine's Crimea Peninsula in 2014, Ukrainian journalists have faced intimidation and violence. By March 2015, they were only allowed to work with accreditation from Russias Foreign Ministry -- which was rarely, if ever, granted. Despite the risks, Lysak continued to report on life under the occupation, often putting his own freedom on the line to do so. My cover story was that I was a blogger I had basic preparation, Lysak says. That meant cleaning up my social media -- removing all photos from the Euromaidan [protests], anything with Ukrainian flags or Ukrainian soldiers. I deleted all chats. That was the first step. I even erased phone numbers, knowing thator, for example, I saved our editors contacts under completely different names. If someone were to go through my phonebook, the phone would be completely cleaned out, of course. He created a cover story for himself to make sure his camera work didnt raise suspicion or attract unwanted attention. I love the fresh air, I love blogging, and I love nature I even created a YouTube channel and uploaded a few different videos. Some I just downloaded from the Internet and re-uploaded as if I were interested in historical landmarks. Some videos were actually mine. That was part of my cover. I even tried to promote the channel a bit to get some views. My story was that I was a blogger, a marketing copywriter working for an ad agency, but I loved Crimeathe air, the nature, blogging. I said I traveled there and could work remotely from time to time. That was the cover, and I stuck to it. Lysak's family, close friends, and even many of his colleagues didnt know what he was really doing. For example, my mom thought I was going to Poland for work. I even had an explanation for why I couldnt call her -- Id say, Im in Poland, its hard to make calls here. For a long time, even most of my colleagues had no idea. Only my best friend and maybe a handful of others knew. It was psychologically difficultFirst of all, you cant share what youre actually doing with anyone. Whenever someone asked me what I was up to, Id just say, Im on a creative break," Lysak told RFE/RL's Dmytro Yevchyn. Lysak filmed exclusive reports from the occupied Crimea, covering topics such the tourist season, pressure on the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, the persecution of Crimean Tatars, the illegal construction of the Tavrida highway and the Kerch Bridge, and the oppression of the LGBT community. He also developed his own safety protocols for working in Crimea. I never stay in one city for more than three daysI carry a big backpack and constantly move around, Lysak said. Sometimes I get a feeling -- maybe paranoid-- that someone is following me. I just decide I need to relocate. I get on a bus in the evening and head to another place, just because I had that feeling. Like, you see someone on a bus, and then later that evening, you spot the same person on a waterfront in another city. And you start wondering: Am I imagining things? Is it a coincidence? Or is someone actually watching me? Once, while filming near the city of Kerch, Lysak was asked to leave his phone number with a local activist who said he had something important to share. The activist later called and suggested meeting up at the bus station -- but never showed up. I already see them: two typical FSB agents Im standing there, and I already see them -- two typical FSB guys. And I know right away. They say, Good evening, FSB. Who are you? What are you doing here? I show them my Ukrainian passport. One of them says, Please, take a seat in our car. And I reply, Ill walk with you, but Im not getting in the car. They walk slightly ahead of me, and I try to stay a bit behind. I unlock my phone in my pocket, glance at the screen, and quickly message my editor: Ive been detained, dont text me. Thats all I managed to send before deleting the chat. At the FSB office, Lysak was certain he was being interrogated by Russians -- their accents and complete lack of knowledge about Crimean geography gave them away. One person questioned me. Then another came in and asked the same questions. Then a third did the same. By that point, they had already taken my phone, he recalls. At some point, one of the FSB agents walks in and asks, Artem, do you have a brother? I thought, even though Id scrubbed my contacts, and my brother definitely wasnt listed in the phone, there was no point in lying -- if they wanted to find out, they would. So I said, Yes, I have a brother. Then he asked, What about a sister? I said, No, I dont have a sister. Then he said something strange. He goes, Well, someone claiming to be your sister just messaged you. Turns out, one of our editors I managed to contact had written pretending to be my sister, asking, How are you? At that moment, Lysak decided to tell the truth. Thats when I pulled out my Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty IDaround the third hour, once the first lie had already come up. I said, Guys, I also film for RFE/RL's Ukrainian service as a freelancer. I travel around, this and that. They just said, Got it. Lysak's rental apartment in Crimea was searched and his laptop and other equipment seized, but nothing illegal was found. Then, fate unexpectedly intervened. He was detained on February 23, Defender Of The Fatherland Day, a national holiday in Russia. I overheard them walking through the hallways, complaining that I ruined their plans for a trip to the sauna -- with prostitutes, girls, and so on, Lysak recalls. They called their superior. The chief shows up, and he doesnt know what to do. None of them do. They were all out-of-towners, Cossack types, and they realized this would mean a pile of reports and extra work. Apparently to avoid ruining their holiday, the FSB officers suggested Lysak record a video confession, claiming he had come to Crimea just to earn some money. After he recorded the video, they let him go. At 5 a.m., he boarded a bus and successfully crossed the administrative border from Russia-occupied Crimea back into mainland Ukraine. After the ordeal, Lysak put his fieldwork on hold. He spent six months working in the office of RFE/RL's Ukrainian service in Kyiv before resuming his trips to Crimea. For about a year, he traveled back and forth, filming and producing stories for Crimea.Realities -- until he was once again summoned for questioning by the FSB. This time, Lysak was threatened with a trial. He was accused of working as a journalist illegally under the Russian law and failing to report that he was traveling to Crimea for work. Instead of waiting for his trial, he decided to take a risk, and managed to cross the border once again. After that, he never returned to Crimea. Analysts and a Ukrainian lawmaker say they're pessimistic about the prospects for a breakthrough in negotiations over a cease-fire between Russia and Ukraine. US officials are holding talks with Ukrainian representatives in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, on March 24 after conducting talks with Russia there a day earlier. Meanwhile, Moscow targeted a Ukrainian agricultural facility in the Kharkiv region overnight. American and Russian officials held more than 12 hours of talks in Saudi Arabia as part of US President Donald Trump's effort to end the war in Ukraine, where Moscow's full-scale invasion is in its fourth year. The US-Russia meeting, which broke up late in the evening on March 24, came one day after separate talks between the US and Ukraine -- also in Saudi Arabia -- which Kyiv called "productive." Little news emerged from the talks, which were expected to address details of a potential pause in long-range attacks by both Russia and Ukraine against energy facilities and civilian infrastructure as well as a halt on attacks in the Black Sea. Russian state news agency TASS cited an unnamed source in the Russian delegation as saying the Kremlin and the White House would release a joint statement on March 25. There was no immediate word from US officials following the talks. Russian and Ukrainian diplomats did not meet directly, and the fighting continued. A Russian air attack on March 24 damaged a school and a hospital in the northeastern Ukrainian city of Sumy, wounding nearly 90 people including 17 children, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. A Russian occupation official in Ukraine's Luhansk region said later on March 24 that Ukrainian shelling had killed six people there including a correspondent for the Russian newspaper Izvestia and a camera operator and driver. The US team at the talks was reportedly being led by Andrew Peek, a senior director at the White House National Security Council, and Michael Anton, a senior State Department official. Russia was represented by Grigory Karasin, a longtime former deputy foreign minister who heads the Foreign Affairs Committee in Russia's upper parliament chamber, and Sergei Beseda, adviser to the director of the Federal Security Service, according to Russian state media. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the negotiations between Moscow and Washington were focused on technical issues, including the security of commercial shipping in the Black Sea region. In Washington, Trump told reporters broadly that the talks in Saudi Arabia were touching on issues including territory in Ukraine, where Russia occupies about one-fifth of the country, and about the possibility of the United States controlling the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant, which is Europe's largest and has been held by Russia since early in the full-scale invasion. "We're talking about territory right now. We're talking about lines of demarcation. Talking about a power plant ownership. Some people are saying the United States should own the power plant...because we have the expertise," Trump said. He also said the United States and Ukraine would "soon" sign an agreement on joint development of Ukraine's rare-earth minerals and other resources. 'Constructive And Meaningful Talks' US officials said little about the talks with Ukraine on March 23, but Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said the session had been "constructive and meaningful." The discussion was productive and focused -- we addressed key points including energy," Umerov said in a Facebook post. He said that Zelenskyys goal "is to secure a just and lasting peace for our country and our people -- and, by extension, for all of Europe. We are working to make that goal a reality. The talks in Saudi Arabia marked a milestone in US-led efforts to bring about a cease-fire in the Ukraine war. Previously, there have been breaks of a day or more between different rounds of bilateral talks. Having everyone in the same place could speed things up. But despite the proximity of the talks in time and place, there were few expectations of a major breakthrough. Zelenskyy said on March 23 that the "conversation is quite useful.... But no matter what we say to our partners today, we need to get [Russian President Vladimir] Putin to give a real order to stop the strikes." US officials had voiced optimism ahead of the Saudi meetings. "I think that you're going to see in Saudi Arabia on Monday some real progress, US envoy Steve Witkoff told Fox News on March 22. The view from Kyiv and Moscow was been more sober. "The maximum result is a pause. But this is still unknown, because the negotiations could drag on for a month or two, political analyst Serhiy Taran told RFE/RLs Ukrainian Service. I think the most that can be imagined is that, perhaps, some technical details about the cease-fire will be worked out. And they will then be taken back to Kyiv, Moscow, and Washington in the form of proposals, he said. Ukrainian lawmaker Oleksandr Merezhko expressed doubt that Putin would actually observe the conditions of any potential cease-fire. "He follows his usual model," he told RFE/RL. "He says one thing and does something completely different. One telling example was he'd allegedly ordered an end to strikes on energy infrastructure and an hour later he started an intensive bombing of Ukrainian civil facilities." "Unfortunately, the United States may still be under the illusion that you can make an agreement with Putin," he added. "They may need more time to realize he doesn't respect agreements." In Russia, where RFE/RL has been declared an undesirable organization and is effectively banned, it was Peskov who doused cold water on any hopes of a quick deal. "One shouldn't get one's hopes high. Very serious, thorough work is ahead. We will have to delve into the details," he said in an interview on state TV on March 23. We're only [at] the beginning of this road," he added. Kyiv has accused Moscow of playing for time and feigning interest in ending the war, and many analysts say Russia wants to drag out any peace process in the hopes of gaining as many concessions as it can. Russian political scientist Ivan Preobrazhensky was skeptical of the prospects for peace anytime soon. "This attempt to reach a cease-fire agreement [lacks any proper framework] and is hanging by a thread." he told Current Time. "It looks weaker, not stronger. The negotiations aren't getting more straightforward with the sides trying to overcome obstacles and reach common ground. On the contrary, they're becoming more complicated, which reduces the chances of a deal." Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha wrote on X on March 24 that the March 24 attack on Sumy, in which several high-rise residential blocks in the city center were also damaged, showed Moscow's talk of peace ring "hollow." "Moscow speaks of peace while carrying out brutal strikes on densely populated residential areas in major Ukrainian cities," he wrote. A plan agreed with Ukraine on March 11 for a 30-day general cease-fire was stonewalled by Putin. After a phone call with Putin on March 18, Trump said they had agreed to a pause on attacks on infrastructure. But the Kremlin narrowed the focus further, saying that the deal only concerned energy infrastructure -- which its forces subsequently attacked anyway. Ukraine hoped to clear this up in Saudi Arabia by bringing a list of what Russia must agree not to target. There was similar confusion after Trumps talks with Zelenskyy. While US officials were speaking of a new plan for US ownership of Ukrainian nuclear plants, as a form of security guarantee for Ukraine, Zelenskyy made it clear these plants were state property that belonged to all Ukrainians. Meanwhile, the Black Sea was a focus of the talks in Saudi Arabia. Witkoff, the US envoy, said there would be progress on a Black Sea cease-fire, on ships between both countries. And from that, you'll naturally gravitate into a full-on shooting cease-fire." Witkoff also said he was confident that Putin wanted peace, something that Ukraine and European countries do not believe. As the faltering diplomatic process has edged forward, both Ukraine and Russia reported shooting down a barrage of drones from the opposition side on March 24. Kyiv said that Russia launched 99 drones at Ukraine overnight, of which 57 were shot down by Ukraines air defense systems and 36 were lost from radar. The remaining drones caused damage in at least five regions of Ukraine, authorities said. At least four people were wounded as the drones struck residential buildings in Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Zaporizhzhya regions, local authorities said. Russias Foreign Ministry said on March 24 that Russia downed 227 Ukrainian drones overnight. With reporting by RFE/RL's Ray Furlong, RFE/RL's Ukrainian and Russian Services, and Reuters If a person is accused of violating their court-ordered supervised release from federal prison, they are entitled to a hearing before they are potentially returned to custody. Can a federal judge jail that person until their hearing takes place? In two cases this month, a U.S. magistrate judge has decided that no, they cannot, even if the jurist came to his decision reluctantly. U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah J. McCarthy called defendant Eli Clark the poster child for why an individual ... should be detained prior to a violation hearing, which would be Clarks day in court to determine whether he violated his supervised release. Clark was sentenced to 10 years in prison in January 2020 on a cocaine conviction. He was released in December but is still subject to supervision. On March 11, Kenmore police officers responded to a domestic violence call. An officers body camera video showed a crying woman telling officers that Clark, 34, beat her repeatedly in front of her children, adding she was so scared to even do this right now. Her daughter is on the video saying that she saw Clark punching Mommy. Despite video evidence, in which the woman was visibly bruised, McCarthy said he believed that under the law he simply did not have the power to hold Clark prior to his violation hearing. If ever there were a case that makes me wish that I were wrong, this is it, McCarthy wrote in his ruling on Friday. Within hours of McCarthy ordering Clark released Friday, U.S. District Judge Lawrence Vilardo held an oral argument involving defendant Julian Wade. In echoes of the Clark case, Justice McCarthy ordered Wade released after Wade was accused of headbutting a police officer during a domestic disturbance call in Rochester. Wade, 41, was sentenced in 2012 to 15 years in prison and eight years of supervised release for his convictions on drug and gun possession charges. McCarthy had also ruled that the government had no power to hold Wade prior to his own hearing accusing him of violating the terms of his release. McCarthy stayed both rulings to give prosecutors time to appeal and for Vilardo to hold his court proceeding. Vilardo granted the governments motions to stay the release orders for both Clark and Wade until April 1, although Vilardo on Monday decided to release Wade. McCarthy concluded courts do not have the authority to detain a defendant charged with violating a condition of supervised release if there has not been a violation hearing. Other judges see it differently, including U.S. District Judge Meredith A. Vacca in Rochester, who last month granted prehearing detention in a case she handled. Its certainly not an easy question as to whether Judge McCarthy or Judge Vacca is correct, Vilardo said in court Friday. Can an ex-con cited for violating supervised release be locked up before a hearing? One judge says no Breaking from settled practice, a federal magistrate judge says he does not have the authority to detain a defendant accused of violating supervised release, pending a violation hearing. Another judge reached the opposite conclusion. Vilardo said he intends to issue a decision indicating his position in the dispute. Assistant Federal Public Defender John J. Morrissey said the plain language of the federal law that courts have long relied upon does not include authority to detain. This statute needs to be stretched and eviscerated to do that, Morrissey told Vilardo. Assistant U.S. Attorney Franz Wright argued before Vilardo its clear there is statutory authority to detain individuals. I may agree with you, Vilardo replied. Im not so sure its clear. This is not a model of clarity, Vilardo said of the disputed section of federal law the lawyers argued about. McCarthy said he felt clarity enough to believe Clark should be jailed, if he had the power to order it. In fact, if it were up to me, I would readily conclude not only that there is probable cause to believe that Clark violated his conditions of supervised release, but that he did violate those conditions, and I would revoke his release in a heartbeat, McCarthy said. However, that is not my decision to make. Vilardo held another court proceeding Monday for Wade, and the judge released him with stricter conditions, including home detention, an ankle bracelet for GPS monitoring and no alcohol consumption. The prosecutor and supervising probation officer objected to his release. Wade, 41, of Buffalo, has run afoul of his release conditions before in the five-plus years he has been on supervised release, but probation officers worked with him to keep him from returning to prison. But their patience has worn thin. Its him beating his wife and assaulting a police officer, said Supervisory U.S. Probation Officer John Taberski. Were at the end of the road with him, Your Honor. But Taberski agreed with Vilardo when the judge described the latest incident as the first serious alleged violation in the last several years and that it included Wades excessive alcohol consumption. This seems to be a one-time thing when he was drinking, Vilardo said. If Wade remained locked up, he could have lost his job, Vilardo said. I want him to continue his work and not lose his job, Vilardo said. Im sticking my neck out here for you, Vilardo told Wade, warning he would not tolerated any violations. Dont mess up. Roscommon Gardai are investigating a serious assault in the county town that happened yesterday, Sunday, 23rd March. A male, aged in his 50s, was airlifted to University Hospital Galway for the treatment of serious injuries. Earlier today, Gardai were preserving a scene in Church Street, Roscommon Town, and investigations are ongoing, Gardai said. By Jessica Coates, PA Ireland's victory over Bulgaria features on the front pages of many Irish newspapers on Monday. The Irish Times leads with an expert claiming that housing targets cannot be reached without revised framework. Tensions are escalating in prisons due to some unprecedented overcrowding, with 1,000 in custody in the Midlands Prison on Friday for the first time, according to the Irish Examiner. Garda shortages could mean that four large parts of the greater Cork metropolitan area will be left with reduced numbers of gardai working across working across neighbouring districts, The Echo reports. The front page of the Irish Independent features a piece on the government wanting developers to be able to invest less monet upfront and borrow more to intensify the building of apartments. Gardai want some of Daniel Kinahan's key lieutenants to face trial over a feud murder, along with the mob boss himself, the Irish Daily Mirror reports. The Kinahan feud also features on the front page of Monday's Irish Daily Star, as well as Ireland's victory over Bulgaria on Sunday. The State is more likely than ever to reject International Protection applicants with 81 per cent refused at first instance this year, according to the Irish Daily Mail. The Herald reports on the 61-year-old man who was charged with a cocaine seizure worth over 10 million. In the UK... Concerns over public sector cuts ahead of the Chancellors spring statement lead several of Mondays front pages. The i Paper leads on the education sector, which is bracing for the worst squeeze in a generation as Chancellor Rachel Reeves admits cuts are coming. The Daily Mail focuses on the controversy surrounding Ms Reeves decision to accept tickets to a Sabrina Carpenter concert as she plans to slash jobs. Meanwhile, The Times says the Chancellors planned cuts have put her on a collision course with unions. And the Daily Express front page calls on Ms Reeves to use her spring statement to stop thousands of pensioners being dragged into paying tax. The Financial Times looks further afield economically, saying US President Donald Trumps tariffs have shattered Wall Streets faith in American exceptionalism. The Guardian reports Sir Keir Starmer has been warned against appeasing Mr Trump as the Prime Minister considers reducing tax for US tech giants. National Grids chief executive says Heathrow Airport had enough power to avoid shutting down during an electrical substation fire on Friday, according to The Daily Telegraph. The Metro writes that councils have been ordered to count the potholes they fix or risk missing out on 1.6 billion in government funding to repair roads. The Sun says the prime suspect in the disappearance of Madeleine McCann could walk free within two weeks. The Daily Mirror reveals the son of Christine Keeler, the English model at the centre of a 1960s political scandal over her affair with MP John Profumo, will ask for a royal pardon for his mother. Lastly, the Daily Star says this month is on track to be the hottest March since 1910. Murji Patel Files FIR against Comedian Kunal Kamra for his remarks on Ekanth Shinde Murji patel added that he will raise the issue in the assembly and he requested the state home minister to take strict actions against him. Murji Patel Files FIR against Comedian Kunal Kamra for his remarks on Ekanth Shinde latest news: Murji Patel, Shiv Sena MLA has filed an FIR against stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra, As In his latest youtube video he made a comment on Maharashtra Deputy CM Ekanth Shinde. He filed the FIR in the MIDC police station, demanded strict actions against comedian Kunal Kamra also he demanded apology from kunal within two days otherwise he will not be able to move freely in Mumbai. Murji patel added that he will raise the issue in the assembly and he requested the state home minister to take strict actions against him. Advertisement We have lodged an FIR against Kunal Kamra for making derogatory comments against our chief and Maharashtra DCM Eknath Shinde. We have sought immediate action against him. I want to inform him that he should apologize to Eknath Shinde within two days or else Shiv Sainiks will not let him roam around freely in Mumbai. If they spot him somewhere in public, we will smear his face with black. We will take up this issue in the assembly and request our state's home minister to take action against him at the earliest.", Murji Patel told ANI on Sunday. Earlier, Shiv Sena activists vandalised Habitat Comedy Club in Khar on Sunday following stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra's comments about Eknath Shinde .Shiv Sena MP Naresh Mhaske, in response to the controversy, said that Kunal Kamra is a paid comedian who is commenting on his party's leader for some money. Mhaske further said that he pities Sanjay Raut and the Shiv Sena (UBT) faction because he had no other party workers to comment on Eknath Shinde. Advertisement "Kunal Kamra is a rented comedian, and he is commenting on our leader for a fee. Not in Maharashtra, let alone, Kunal Kamra won't be able to go anywhere freely in India, Shiv Sainiks will teach him his place. We pity Sanjay Raut and Shiv Sena (UBT) that they don't have any party workers or leaders available to comment on our leader, hence they are recruiting someone like him (Kunal Kamra) to do the job", Naresh Mhaske asserted while talking to ANI on Sunday. (For More News Apart Murji Patel Files FIR against Comedian Kunal Kamra for his remarks on Ekanth Shinde stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman) Chairman Jagdheep Dhankhar and Delhi High Court Judge, Justice Yashwant Varma. Delhi high court on the direction of chief justice of India, Khanna, has withdrawn Justice Yashwant Varma of his judicial duties. VP Jagdeep Dhankhar Calls High-Level Meeting With Nadda, Kharge After Delhi High Court Cash Controversy; Judge Withdrawn From Judicial Duties, Latest News: Rajya Sabha Chiarman Jagdeep Dhankhar has convened meeting on Monday with leader of the house JP Nadda and Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge to discuss judicial accountability following the issue of cash recovery at the residence of the Delhi High Judge, Justice Yashwant Varma, according to media reports. The meeting is scheduled to convene at 11:30 today. It is reported that congress leader Jairam Ramesh had raised his concerns over the issue on Friday and urged The Chairman Dhankar to direct the government to come up with solutions. Advertisement Delhi High Court Judge has got into a controversy after fire broke on the night of holi on March 14 and that led to discovery of half burnt cash in sacks in one room which is not part of the his main residency. For now, Delhi high court on the direction of chief justice of India, Khanna, has withdrawn Justice Yashwant Varma of his judicial duties with immediate effect. "In view of recent events, the judicial work from Hon'ble Mr Justice Yashwant Varma is withdrawn with immediate effect, till further orders, times of India has quoted the circular informing. Advertisement It is also reported that he has been removed from his scheduled cases in Mondays hearing list. On March 22, the Chief Justice of India, Justice Sanjiv Khanna, announced in a press release that the case is under the scrutiny of a three-member committee, constituted based on the recommendation of Delhi High Court Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya. Advertisement (For more news, apart from the news of VP Jagdeep Dhankhar Calls High-Level Meeting With Nadda, Kharge After Delhi High Court Cash Controversy; Judge Withdrawn From Judicial Dutie, stay tune to Rozana Spokesman) Punjab Agriculture Minister Denied Travel to USA Minister Khuddian was disappointed by the move, indicating that no formal reason was given by the Ministry of External Affairs. Punjab Agriculture Minister Denied Travel to USA latest news: Punjab Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khuddian has been denied permission to head an official delegation to the United States. The trip from March 29 to April 6 was aimed at studying the dairy farming model in the U.S. and encouraging similar schemes in Punjab. Officials from the Animal Husbandry department were also to accompany the visit. Minister Khuddian was disappointed by the move, indicating that no formal reason was given by the Ministry of External Affairs. The delegation was told that the visit to the U.S. had been rejected, rendering the purpose of the visit futile. This development poses questions about the reason for the ministry's action and what it implies for Punjab's agricultural progress. Advertisement (For More News Apart Punjab Agriculture Minister Denied Travel to USA stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman) Georgia is First U.S. State to Legislatively Recognize Punjabi Language Georgia's action may spur other U.S. states to do the same, further promoting the status of Punjabi at the national level. Georgia is First U.S. State to Legislatively Recognize Punjabi Language latest news: In a historic and bipartisan vote, the Georgia State Assembly has approved House Resolution 430, legislatively recognizing the Punjabi language and celebrating the important contributions of the Sikh and Punjabi community in the state. The resolution, passed on March 22, 2025, is the first time that a state legislature has given legislative recognition to Punjabi anywhere in the United States. Advertisement The acknowledgement celebrates the linguistic and cultural significance of Punjabi, which has a following of over 600 million across the world. Surinder Singh Lalli, head of the Sikh American Society of Georgia and an acclaimed businessman, deemed the resolution to be a moment of pride and history for Sikh and Punjabi communities not only in Georgia but worldwide. "It is a testament to the increasing power and contributions of our community, and we are very thankful to the legislators and all members of the community who made this happen," Lalli said in a statement. Punjabi, the ninth most widely spoken language in the world, has its origins in the Punjab region of South Asia, dividing parts of contemporary India and Pakistan. It is written in two major scripts: Gurmukhi in India and Shahmukhi in Pakistan, demonstrating its rich scriptural heritage. Outside of South Asia, Punjabi has thrived in diaspora populations in nations like Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and the United States, where it has been sustained through music, literature, and religious life, most notably within Sikhism. Advertisement Georgia's resolution reflects the state's commitment to celebrating diversity and conserving cultural heritage. Supporters of the recognition believe it will pave the way for Punjabi language courses in schools and universities throughout the state, creating a deeper understanding of South Asian heritage for generations to come. Moreover, this milestone ruling has sweeping consequences for education, cultural heritage, and community empowerment. As Punjabi remains a thriving global language, the ruling secures its status in Georgia's socio-economic fabric, where the Sikh and Punjabi communities have played an important part. Georgia's action may spur other U.S. states to do the same, further promoting the status of Punjabi at the national level. For the time being, the Punjabi-speaking citizens of Georgia and their supporters rejoice at this triumph, a testament to the long-lasting legacy and vibrant presence of their culture in the American tapestry. Advertisement (For More News Apart Georgia is First U.S. State to Legislatively Recognize Punjabi Language Stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman) The Eichmann Trial, a world premiere at the National Opera House in Bucharest Gil Shohat's The Eichmann Trial opera, based on a libretto by the Israeli playwright Motti Lerner, will premiere at the National Opera House in Bucharest, on March 30. Radio Romania International, 24.03.2025, 18:00 The opera show is directed by Erwin Simsensohn, the set design is signed by Dragos Buhagiar, musical direction by Daniel Jinga, with the participation of the Bucharest National Opera Orchestra and Choir. It is part of an extensive cultural project aimed at keeping the memory of the Holocaust alive and at relearning an essential and painful history lesson. One of its initiators, alongside Tova Ben-Nun Cherbis, founder of the Magna Cum Laude-Reut Foundation and the Laude-Reut Educational Complex, is Israeli theater manager and producer Noam Semel, who spoke to RRIs Eugen Cojocariu about the history of the opera, about his expectations from the public, and last but not least, about his ties to Romania. What is like to compose music on an extremely sad and sensitive subject? The composer of the opera, Gil Shohat, has tried an answer, as part of a more extensive interview by Eugen Cojocariu. The author of The Eichmann Play, Motti Lerner tells us the lesson we should learn from the play differs from individual to individual, but every country that wants to remain a democracy has to strengthen its legal system and protect human rights. A play of the same name, by Motti Lerner, has already been staged at the National Theatre in Bucharest. It tells the story of Nazi lieutenant-colonel Adolf Eichmann, who was the main responsible for the implementation of the Final Solution in Europe and the ensuing extermination of 6 million Jews between 1940 and 1945, during the Holocaust. Eichmann escaped prosecution during the Nuremberg Trials and fled to South America under a false identity. He was spotted by Israeli security services in 1960, brought to Jerusalem and tried in 1961. Adolf Eichmann was sentenced to death by hanging in 1962, for crimes against the Jewish people and crimes against humanity. Is the Visa Waiver being delayed? With only one week to go before the initial date set for the implementation of the program, there is still confusion over visa waiver for Romanian citizens wishing to travel to the US. Catalin Predoiu (Source: Facebook / Catalin Predoiu) Bogdan Matei, 24.03.2025, 13:50 The Romanian authorities have reiterated that they received no official briefing from Washington as to the possible delay of the date set for the implementation of the visa waiver scheme for Romanian citizens. At the start of the year, Romania had been included on the list of countries whose citizens will no longer require visas to travel to the US, as of March 31st. Romanian interior minister Catalin Predoiu says the problem has nothing to do with Romania, adding that the issue of migration is under assessment by the new Republican administration in Washington led by president Donald Trump. Predoiu says Romanian authorities are prepared from a technical point of view and that they are in constant touch with the American side. He made these statements after information in the media that the Trump administration would like to delay the visa waiver by two months for technical reasons, with the nationalist opposition in Romania claiming that the hopes of the Romanian people to travel visa-free to the United States were shattered by the hybrid regime in power in Bucharest, specifically blaming the interior ministry for the situation. The Romanian foreign ministry also said it received no official information about a possible change in the date from which Romanian citizens will be able to travel to the United States without visas. The countrys interim president Ilie Bolojan said talks would be held over the coming period with the American side on the date of the application of the Visa Waiver Program. The Romanian media noted during the former Joe Biden administration that Romanias inclusion in the Visa Waiver Program was an elementary measure as long as the two countries are allies within NATO and connected by a Strategic Partnership. Radio Romanias correspondent to the US says objective conditions may exist for a possible delay, given the downsizing and massive personnel cuts seen by the federal government, including among the staff of the Department of Homeland Security, which is in charge of the implementation of Romanias visa waiver scheme. The departments official website does list Romania among the countries included in the program, while the date of implementation is yet to be announced. The context may also be explained by the confusion generated by the scandal of what appears to be the groundless arrest in the US of three German tourists, whose entry was denied and who were detained. Both Germany and the UK have revised their travel recommendations, pointing out the Visa Waiver does not guarantee admission to the United States in the absence of a valid Electronic System for Travel Authorization approval and that visitors may be subject to detention or removal if they break the rules. Presidential election: order on ballots The Central Electoral Bureau has set the order of the 11 candidates on the ballots in Mays presidential election Photo: roaep.ro Stefan Stoica, 24.03.2025, 14:00 On May 4 and 18, Romanians will try for the second time in 6 months to elect their president. A presidential election was scheduled at the end of last year, but after the first round the Constitutional Court canceled it due to what it viewed as a flaw in the election process. The Central Electoral Bureau has already set the order in which candidates will be listed on the ballot. The first is the ultranationalist and populist leader of the self-proclaimed sovereigntist AUR party, George Simion. He hopes to capitalise on a large part of the votes of the anti-Western extremist Calin Georgescu, whom he supported but who was banned from running. Because of his revisionist views, Simion is not allowed to enter the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine. Second comes the candidate backed by the Romania Forward Electoral Alliance, the former Liberal leader Crin Antonescu, who will represent the ruling coalition comprising the Social Democratic Party, the National Liberal Party and the Democratic Union of Ethnic Hungarians in Romania. He previously ran for president, unsuccessfully, in 2009. Third on the ballot will be the head of Save Romania Union (USR), in the pro-Western opposition, Elena Lasconi. A former journalist and currently the mayor of a town in the south of the country, she qualified into the second round of last years election, cancelled by the Constitutional Court, alongside Calin Georgescu. Fourth on the list is a former priest, currently an MEP, Cristian Terhes, of an ultra-conservative orientation, followed by Lavinia Sandru, an actress and a journalist, a former MP and affiliated to several successive political parties in the past. The sixth is the former Social Democratic leader and prime minister Victor Ponta, running independently. He resigned as prime minister in 2015 after the tragic Colectiv nightclub fire in Bucharest, which killed dozens of people. He lost the 2014 presidential race to Klaus Iohannis. Now, his ideology has shifted to the self-styled sovereigntist camp. Seventh listed is a veterinarian, Sebastian Popescu, followed in 8th place by Silviu Predoiu, a former intelligence officer who served as interim director of the Foreign Intelligence Service. Predoiu worked for the Securitate, the feared secret police during the communist era. John Ion Banu is a mechanical engineer who emigrated to the United States in 1985. According to Politico, he said in an interview that he would introduce the death penalty in Romania for corruption and murder, and that he supported granting Romanians the right to bear arms. He is number 9 on the ballot. He is followed in tenth place by Daniel Funeriu, a chemist by training, a former centre-right leaning education minister and a former member of the European Parliament. The list of presidential candidates, as they will appear on the ballot, is rounded off by Nicusor Dan, who is serving a second term as the non-affiliated mayor of Bucharest. A mathematician by training, he became known for his activist work in combating the real estate mafia and preserving heritage sites in Bucharest. (AMP) RRI broadcast frequencies valid as of March 30 to October 25, 2025: Radio Romania International, 24.03.2025, 11:34 RRI on shortwaves Listen to English language programming live via the RRI website You can also listen to RRIs English language programming live over the Internet using the same SW broadcast schedule given above. All you need to do is go to the RRI Live! section in the top-right of our website, choose channel 1 for English. RRI and social media RRI can also be found on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, SoundCloud, Flickr, LinkedIn, Spotify. RRI programs are also available on TuneIn (Radio Romania International 1) RRI via satellite You can also listen to Radio Romania Internationals English programmes via satellite Eutelsat 16A on 11,512 MHz, vertical polarisation, azimuth 16 degrees East. Symbol rate: 29,950 MSym/s, Standard: DVB-S2, Modulation: 8PSK, Audio PID 510. The satellite transmits the unencrypted signals of RRIs channels. Eutelsat 16A covers Europe, as well as North Africa, the Middle East, part of European Russia, areas in the Arabian Peninsula and part of the Caspian Sea region. RRI via mobile phone in the US Did you know that if youre in the US you can also listen to RRI broadcasts on your mobile phone? Our English language programmes are available via the following AudioNow call-to-listen phone number: 1.425.394.7081. Calling this number incurs no extra charge above the equivalent of a standard US mobile phone call. Plus500 Ltd. (PLUS.L), a multi-asset fintech company, said on Monday that it has conditionally agreed to acquire the Indian trading firm, Mehta Equities Limited, for around $20 million, which will be funded from the acquirer's cash on hand. David Zruia, CEO of Plus500 said: "We are thrilled to announce this acquisition in India, which marks a significant milestone in our global expansion strategy. By combining Plus500's cutting-edge with Mehta's local presence and expertise, we aim to accelerate growth and unlock new opportunities in this dynamic and fast-growing market." Founded by Rakesh Mehta in 1995, Mehta has expanded its operations to include futures, options, and cash equities brokering , portfolio management services, investment banking, and others. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News European stocks traded higher on Monday ahead of activity surveys from the region due later in the day. Investors also awaited greater clarity on U.S. tariffs after U.S. President Donald Trump said there will be "flexibility" on his reciprocal tariff plan and that he would discuss tariffs with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The pan European STOXX 600 was up 0.4 percent at 551.80 after declining 0.6 percent on Friday. The German DAX climbed 0.6 percent, France's CAC 40 rose 0.4 percent and the U.K.'s FTSE 100 was up half a percent. Higher copper prices lifted miners, with Anglo American, Antofagasta and Glencore rising 3-4 percent. France's Vivendi SE rose about 1 percent after reducing its stake in Telecom Italia to 18.4 percent. Plus500 gained half a percent. The U.K.-based broker said it would acquire Indian financial services firm Mehta Equities for $20 million. Bayer AG slumped 7 percent. The German agricultural and pharmaceutical group has been ordered by a Georgia state court to pay $2.1 billion in a case involving its Roundup weed killer. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com German stocks pared early gains and are modestly higher a little past noon on Monday. Flash survey results showing the nation's private sector grew at the fastest pace in ten months lifted sentiment early on in the session. Investors await greater clarity on U.S. tariffs after U.S. President Donald Trump said there will be "flexibility" on his reciprocal tariff plan and that he would discuss tariffs with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The benchmark DAX, which surged to 23,135.50 early on in the session, gaining nearly 250 points in the process, was up 76.00 points or 0.33% at 22,967.38 a little while ago. RWE is up nearly 3%. Sartorius and Deutsche Bank are gaining 2.5% and 2.3%, respectively. SAP, Infineon Technologies, Qiagen, Hannover Rucke and Commerzbank are up 1 to 1.3%. Allianz, Mercedes-Benz, Deutsche Post, Siemens Healthineers, Porsche and Symrise are up with modest gains. Bayer is down 7.3%. after a Georgia jury ordered the agricultural and pharmaceutical group to pay $2.1 billion in damages to a man who claimed that his cancer was caused by Monsanto's Roundup weed killer. Vonovia is declining 1.7%, while Siemens, Porsche Automobile Holding, Henkel, Deutsche Boerse, Adidas, Heidelberg Materials and Fresenius are down 0.4 to 1%. Flash survey results published by S&P Global revealed Germany's private sector grew at the fastest pace in ten months in March amid a robust rebound in manufacturing production, The flash HCOB composite output index rose to 50.9 in March from 50.4 in February. This was the highest score since last May but it remained well below forecast of 51.2. The improved performance in March reflected a renewed increase in manufacturing production. Meanwhile, the service sector lost momentum. The services Purchasing Managers' Index fell to 50.2 from 51.1 in the previous month. Moreover, this was weaker than economists' forecast of 52.3. Meanwhile, the manufacturing PMI climbed to 48.3 in March from 46.5 a month ago. The score was seen at 47.1. Nonetheless, the score below 50.0 indicates contraction. The survey showed that manufacturing new orders rose for the first time since March 2022. Meanwhile, services firms reported the steepest fall in new in just over a year. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com As Israeli bombardments continued across Gaza to intensify pressure on Hamas to release hostages, the death toll in Israel's hunt for the militant group has crossed 50,000, reports quoting the Palestnian enclave's ministry said. It said the latest round of attacks, carried out on Sunday, resulted in the death of more than 40. With this, the total number of casualties rose to 50,021. The health ministry and the United Nations say most of the victims are women and children. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs warned that Israeli military operations are expanding into new areas. The closure of crossings into Gaza for more than three weeks "severely disrupting relief operations and worsening an already catastrophic situation," said UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq. Meanwhile, Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to emphasize U.S. support for Israel. The Secretary discussed Israel's ongoing military operations in Gaza, and efforts to help release the hostages and bring them home. Rubio also conveyed the Trump Administration's determination to restore freedom of navigation in the Red Sea through military operations against the Iranian-backed Houthis. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News Students from Richmond Hill, New York, will have the chance to connect with American astronauts Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers this week as they will answer prerecorded questions from aboard the International Space Station. During the 20-minute space-to-Earth call at 12 p.m. ET on Wednesday, students will ask science, , engineering, and mathematics-related questions to the astronauts, NASA said. The U.S. space agency said it can be watched on NASA+ and various platforms, including social media. The event, open to students and their families, will be hosted by Richmond Hill High School, a New York City public high school in Queens South, District 27. The school's goal is to inspire their students to pursue STEM careers. For more than 24 years, astronauts have continuously lived and worked aboard the space station, testing technologies, performing science, and developing skills needed to explore farther from Earth. Astronauts aboard the orbiting laboratory communicate with NASA's Mission Control Center in Houston 24 hours a day through SCaN's (Space Communications and Navigation) Near Space Network. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Political News Men who consistently skip prostate cancer screening appointments face a significantly higher risk of dying from the disease, according to new research identifying a high-risk group. "Our study identifies that men who were invited for screening, but do not attend screening appointments are at significantly higher risk of dying from prostate cancer compared to men who were not offered screening or accepted an invitation for screening," said study's lead author, Renee Leenen, a Ph.D. researcher in the group of Professor Monique Roobol at the Erasmus MC Cancer Institute. Findings from the European Randomized Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer (ERSPC), the world's largest prostate cancer screening study, were presented at the European Association of Urology (EAU) Congress in Madrid. The study analyzed data from seven countries, offering new insights into the long-term impact of screening avoidance. A sub-analysis of 20-year follow-up data from the ERSPC is the first to examine the link between repeatedly declining screening invitations and prostate cancer mortality. The study, which included 161,000 men aged 55-69 across Finland, the Netherlands, Italy, Sweden, Switzerland, Belgium, and Spain, highlighted the potential consequences of avoiding screening. Led by researchers from the Department of Urology at Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, University Medical Center Rotterdam, the analysis found that among 72,460 men invited to screening, over 12,400 (one in six) never attended. This group had a 45 percent higher risk of dying from prostate cancer compared to those who participated in screenings. "It may be that men who opted not to attend a screening appointment are care avoiders, meaning they're less likely to engage in healthy behaviors and preventative care in general. This is the opposite behavior of people who are perhaps more -conscious and are more likely to attend a screening appointment," Leenen noted. "We need to better understand who these men are, why they choose not to attend appointments, and how to motivate them. This will help us to design population-based prostate cancer screening programs that encourage higher rates of informed participation. Tackling attendance rates in this way could be a big factor in the long-term success of a national prostate screening program." When compared to a control group, which included men who were never invited to screening, those who attended had a 23 percent lower risk of prostate cancer death. In contrast, non-attenders faced a 39 percent higher risk of dying from the disease. These findings underscored the critical role of regular screenings in reducing prostate cancer mortality. "For countries around Europe that are planning to introduce a national prostate screening program, this analysis focusing on attendance shows that men who participate in screening have a much-improved long-term benefit than what we've seen from previous studies," said Dr. Tobias Nordstrom, Clinical Urologist at the Karolinska Institute in Sweden, and Member of the EAU Scientific Congress Office. "But it highlights a group of men who need our attention, as they're more at risk of developing advanced prostate cancer and dying from it. We need to better understand why these men might actively choose not to participate in screening, despite being invited to attend, and how this behavior is linked to worse outcomes when they get a diagnosis." For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Health News Nasir Musazada came to the United States from Afghanistan, driving for ride sharing services in Buffalo so he could send money back to his family. About 12:15 a.m. March 21, 2024, the three passengers from the Cleveland area in Musazadas Toyota Corolla were getting a ride back to their Airbnb from a concert at Buffalo RiverWorks. That was when a Buffalo man driving about 120 mph without a license and without headlights collided with Musazadas car at Main Street and Humboldt Parkway, killing him and one of his passengers. In Erie County Court on Monday, the driver who previously pleaded guilty to manslaughter and assault learned his fate: four to 12 years in state prison. Devin M. Ford, 24, faced a maximum of 15 years in prison. As a part of his plea agreement made in January, State Supreme Court Justice Paul Wojtaszek agreed to give Ford at least 3 to 10 years in prison. Ford wasnt drunk or on drugs at the time. While Fords surviving victims and the families of his deceased victims are left to deal with the long-lasting effects of his actions, the judge said, the punishments Ford faces existing under state law fall far short, in comparison. Wojtaszek suggested state lawmakers and state appellate courts consider whether conduct like Fords should be seen as exhibiting depraved indifference to human life. That would allow for a higher criminal charge to be lodged, which would then afford to defendants who do what Ford did the potential of a life sentence. In reality, thats what the families are facing here, the judge said. Ford pleaded guilty Jan. 31 to two counts of second-degree manslaughter, one count of second-degree assault and one count of third-degree assault. Musazada, 27, had no family in the country, having come here after helping the U.S. military, said Joseph Manna, an attorney representing Musazadas family. Those details were among the little he knew of Musazada, who was married and who also had a brother living in Germany, Manna said. I know that he was shipped home to Afghanistan in a box, and his mother didnt know that he had passed away until he showed up, the attorney said. Morgan Ehrenbeit, 26, who was in the backseat of Musazadas car, also was killed. Her boyfriend, Michael Rosenbaum, who was in the front passenger seat, was injured, but survived the crash. In a victim impact statement in court, Samantha Ehrenbeit Bidwell, Morgans sister, said she and her family have spent the last 368 days trying to learn how to live their lives without her. She described the response of loved ones to Morgans death roughly 800 people came to calling hours at the funeral home, so many the guest book ran out of room for people to sign their names. Samantha Ehrenbeit Bidwell was five months pregnant when she carried the urn containing her sisters ashes at her funeral. It was the closest her sister would ever be to the nephew she would never meet, she said. Ehrenbeit Bidwell said she didnt know if she would be able to put the urn down and walk away, a moment she said she often thinks of. I would be happy to go back, even to that, she said. The other backseat passenger, Luke Stempuzis, has been fighting to stay alive ever since, said his twin brother, Anthony. Luke suffered a severe brain injury, has to relearn how to walk and talk, and he cant eat or go to the bathroom without help, his brother said. The family has struggled with finding him care. Two family members quit their jobs to take care of him. What happened didnt just break Luke, it broke all of us, Anthony Stempuzis said. Ford, who has been in custody since the crash, turned to face the crowd in the courtroom as he made a brief statement before he was sentenced. He said he offered his deepest condolences to all involved and that he was having a hard time forgiving himself. I want to learn from my mistakes and I want others to learn, he said. Nicholas Texido, Fords defense attorney, told the judge his client never set out to hurt anyone and is remorseful. He does have a soul; he does have a heart, Texido said. Wojtaszek said he was still puzzled about why anyone would do what Ford did. No matter what sentence I impose, the judge said, its not going to be enough for Michael, for Luke, for Morgan, for Nasir. City lawmakers are set to pass a set of amendments to rules governing the use of buildings for short-term rentals, often run through popular websites such as Airbnb and VRBO, that will more strictly control the way people who dont live in the buildings they rent can operate. The amendments come after the Common Council passed a since-expired 60-day moratorium on new short-term rentals in December, a pause meant to give Council members more time to look at the issues with the existing law and come up with a comprehensive approach to licensing the properties. Fillmore Council Member Mitchell Nowakowski, who has been one of the leading voices on issue, said he and other Council members came to realize that their approach was too scattershot and that they needed time to look at the issue from a citywide planning perspective. In recent months, he and other Council members have worked with staff from the citys Office of Strategic Planning, Permits and Inspections and the zoning board to come up with a plan that will work for everyone. We had multiple departments come together to take this from a comprehensive planning perspective, to be able to address this ordinance, Nowakowski said. The changes in the rules will bar short-term rentals in residentially zoned neighborhoods with the aim of pushing that use to commercial corridors. Owners of properties in residential neighborhoods seeking to use the property as a short-term rental will now have to go before the Zoning Board of Appeals and be granted a variance in order to do so. The use of properties in city neighborhoods, especially those where the owner does not live in the building, has drawn the ire of many longtime residents in recent years. Nowakowski said he has seen tensions between residents and short-term rental guests boil over in his Allentown neighborhood, occasionally resulting in screaming matches and even altercations, he said. Ive had a lot of neighbor disputes happen because of this, because these historic neighborhoods are densely populated, and that people live really close to each other, and where someone might be living, raising their family, next door to them, he said. One other change will be to allow the use of buildings with three or more units for short-term rentals, as long as they are owner-occupied. In the original law, short-term rental licenses were limited to buildings with two or fewer units. Some property owners who lived in homes with three or more units and wanted to rent out other apartments were barred from doing so by the rule. Council members heard from constituents, particularly in the Elmwood Village, where large, multifamily homes are common, looking to use their additional apartments in their homes as short-term rentals. Short-term rentals: Neighborhood wreckers or a good deal for tourists and homeowners? The proliferation of short-term rentals throughout the city is causing tensions and controversy in many neighborhoods, particularly Allentown, Elmwood Village, the Delaware District and Days Park. Through the amendments, owner-occupied buildings with three or more units will again be allowed to use other apartments in the building for that purpose. Delaware Council Member Joel Feroleto said his district does not generally have the same issues with non-owner-occupied short-term rentals. The district has fewer short-term rental properties altogether, and many are owner-occupied. But he and his colleagues have heard from owner-occupied buildings with three or more units who are barred from using their other units as short-term rentals under the existing ordinance. We do not get complaints or concerns about owner-occupied short-term rentals, he said. Ive never received a single one. The amendments were set to be passed at last weeks Council meeting, but rules on aging of laws allowing for time to pass before a proposed law is passed if it has not been properly publicly noticed required that it be sent back to the Legislation Committee. They are expected to be passed at the next Council meeting, scheduled for April 1. Existing tax policies during the energy transition from fossil fuels to renewable sources will lead to major energy injustices and skewed priorities, new research published in Climate Policyshows. The peer-reviewed study found that electricity serving primary needs, such as heating or lighting, ultimately costs three times more than electricity for tertiary needs such as long-distance mobility -- mostly due to taxation policies. Further highlighting the ongoing social inequalities of fuel and related policies, the findings also demonstrate within the European Union (EU), the wealthiest 1% of all its population is responsible for 66% of the distance currently travelled by air. In fact, air travel is almost non-existent for 50%, and even quite limited for 90% of EU citizens the paper shows. This 90% of people, therefore, emit less than 0.1 ton of CO 2 equivalent emissions per person, per year. Meanwhile the top 1% emit more than 22 tons per person/year. Dr Jean-Baptiste Jarin, from the TREE laboratory (Energy and Environment Transitions) at the University of Pau and Pays de l'Adour, who carried out the research, used France as an example of current and future electricity use as a basis for similar countries worldwide -- especially across Europe. And although based on EU regulations applied to France, the methodology and conclusions of this study can be transposed to other countries, and to other energy carriers based on electricity, such as hydrogen. To evaluate the impacts of these electricity tax schemes and final prices, he collected data on electricity consumption for primary (household), secondary (electric vehicle local mobility) and tertiary (e-fuel long distance mobility) needs, and then compared electricity prices, before and after taxation. Results demonstrate: Electricity serving household and local mobility needs cost 194 /Mwh (euros per megawatt-hour). This was three times more than e-fuel (synthetic sustainable aviation fuels, that are renewable jet fuels produced from fossil-free electricity and recycled carbon dioxide) for aviation -- 65.5 /Mwh. Tax policies accounted for 120 /Mwh of this cost in the case of household and local mobility fuel needs but only 11.2 /Mwh in the case of aviation. Electro-intensive facilities that produce aviation e-fuel benefit from little or no taxation, and jet fuel is also untaxed. A round trip by air between Paris and New York for one person, when using this low carbon (which is designed to be more eco-friendly) e-fuel, still requires 7,300 kWh -- exceeding the total annual primary and secondary needs (5,000 kWh) of an individual. The European Union recently introduced the obligation to incorporate e-fuels for aviation as soon as 2030. In the UK, this obligation is as soon as 2028; in-line with its Renewable Transport Fuel Obligations Order 2024. Dr Jarin has 25 years of experience in the aviation industry, prior to his career in academia. He recommends to key policymakers that ahead of any transformational policies and strategies, aimed at achieving low emissions in aviation, provisions should be made to "not interfere with energy justice." Additionally, he indicates that future taxation rates should become proportional to the final purpose of the energy, and this principle should be a "pillar of energy justice." Commenting, Dr Jarin says: "As e-fuel, along with other energy carriers based on electricity, is still within its infancy, it's time for policy-makers to address the potential social injustices which may arise when formulating e-fuel policies. "Electricity for basic needs such as heating or cooking benefits everyone but using it for air mobility mostly benefits the upper classes. Taxation rates should be proportional to the final purpose of the energy, and policies should drive not only production but also consumption, within a distributive justice perspective." Dr Jarin adds: "And that is what I find most worrying about the findings from within my paper, that, essentially, low carbon policies could foster energy injustice to people across society. "Sadly, a massive production of e-fuel -- especially when dedicated to aviation -- could mean that tax inequalities, along with volume inequalities, spread the gap between the very wealthiest and the rest. That is why policy makers need to pay close attention. "I feel that most people perhaps do not yet understand that energy, and therefore electricity, especially when low carbon, is not gifted! "In the Global South, but also within the EU, during winters of 2022 and 2023, electricity bills were so high in most EU countries that people had to -- and even were asked to by some -- reduce heating and other appliances consumptions." Limitations of the paper include that while all EU countries follow the same tax directive on energies, the focus is limited to France and since electricity prices in Europe vary for each country, the results, when expressed in /MWh, could be slightly different. Also, carbon tax and redistribution mechanisms are not addressed in this study, and "where to tax within the value chain remains an important issue," Dr Jarin adds. "This," Dr Jarin says, "is a particularly important issue as low carbon electricity with high load factor is a must to produce e-fuel. "As such, the EU has significant assets to become a potential producer, rather than a potential importer." Motion sickness is a very common condition that affects about 1 in 3 people, but the brain circuits involved are largely unknown. In the current study published in Nature Metabolism, researchers at Baylor College of Medicine, the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston and the Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital describe a new brain circuit involved in motion sickness that also contributes to regulating body temperature and metabolic balance. The findings may provide unconventional strategies for the treatment of obesity. "When Dr. Longlong Tu, a postdoctoral fellow in my lab, proposed to investigate the brain circuits involved in motion sickness, a condition for which he is highly susceptible, I was not very excited about the idea because it's not one of the main interests of my lab," said corresponding author of the work, Dr. Yong Xu, professor of pediatrics -- nutrition and associate director for basic sciences at the USDA/ARS Children's Nutrition Research Center at Baylor. "However, I became more interested and supported Tu's idea when he explained the emerging evidence suggesting a link between motion sickness and metabolic balance, which is one of my research interests." The Xu lab works with mouse models to investigate how the brain regulates metabolism and how this may be related to obesity and inform the development of more effective obesity drugs. Mouse models offer an abundance of molecular and genetic tools, as well as relevant behavioral assays to elucidate the neural mechanisms underlying physiological responses. But there was a challenge -- mice are incapable of vomiting, one of the main manifestations of motion sickness in people. Interestingly, mice and humans subjected to motion sickness stimuli, such as experiencing horizontal motion back and forth for some time, show hypothermia, a reduction in body temperature. "This allowed us to develop a mouse model of motion sickness in which we measured core body temperature, physical activity and brain activity as the animals experienced motion stimuli," Xu explained. The team found that motion activates glutamatergic neurons -- neurons that produce glutamate, the primary excitatory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system -- in the medial vestibular nucleus parvocellular part (MVePCGlu) of the brain. Activation of these neurons is required and sufficient to mediate motion-induced thermal adaptations. The researchers validated the model by showing that motion sickness-induced hypothermia does not occur when the mice are given the anti-nausea drug scopolamine. "We further studied this motion sickness circuit by inhibiting the MVePCGlu neurons in the absence of motion stimuli," Xu said. "Inhibiting these neurons led to an increase in body temperature, along with increased physical activity. These physiological alterations suggest that chronic inhibition of MVePCGlu neurons may result in a higher energy expenditure in mice." When the researchers investigated the potential metabolic benefits of the chronic inhibition of MVePCGlu neurons they found that, although the mice ate more, they gained less weight and exhibited better glucose tolerance and enhanced insulin sensitivity, physiological responses associated with better health. "These results highlight the underappreciated function of the brain's vestibular system in metabolic balance, and further raise the possibility that better understanding of the neural basis for thermoregulation during motion sickness may provide unconventional targets for the treatment of obesity," Xu said. And for first author Tu, the findings offer hope that a better understanding of the brain circuit for motion sickness could also lead to improved medications for his condition. Other contributors to this work include Xing Fang, Yongjie Yang, Meng Yu, Hailan Liu, Hesong Liu, Na Yin, Jonathan C. Bean, Kristine Marie Conde, Mengjie Wang, Yongxiang Li, Olivia Z. Ginnard, Qingzhuo Liu, Yuhan Shi, Junying Han, Yi Zhu, Makoto Fukuda, Qingchun Tong, Benjamin Arenkiel, Mingshan Xue, Yang He and Chunmei Wang. The authors are affiliated with one or more of the following institutions: Baylor College of Medicine, the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston and the Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital. This study was supported by grants from the NIH (P01DK113954, R01DK115761, R01DK117281, R01DK125480 and R01DK120858, R01DK104901, R01DK12665, R01MH117089), USDA/CRIS (51000-064-01S, 51000-064-02S, 3092-51000-062-04(B)S, 1F32DK13868501A1), the McKnight Foundation and an American Heart Association Postdoctoral Fellowship (2020AHA000POST000204188). A storm, even once it has passed, can leave traces in the ocean that last for thousands of years. These consist of sediment layers composed of coarse particles, which are different from the finer sediments associated with good weather. In the Caribbean, an international research team led by Goethe University Frankfurt has now examined such sediments using a 30 m long core from a "blue hole" offshore Belize. The analysis shows that over the past 5,700 years, the frequency of tropical storms and hurricanes in the region has steadily increased. For the 21st century, the research team predicts a significant rise in regional storm frequency as a result of climate change. In the shallow waters of the Lighthouse Reef Atoll, located 80 kilometers off the coast of the small Central American country of Belize, the seabed suddenly drops steeply. Resembling a dark blue eye surrounded by coral reefs, the "Great Blue Hole" is a 125-meter-deep underwater cave with a diameter of 300 meters, which originated thousands of years ago from a karst cave located on a limestone island. During the last ice age, the cave's roof collapsed. As ice sheets melted and global sea level started to rise, the cave was subsequently flooded. In the summer of 2022, a team of scientists -- led by Prof. Eberhard Gischler, head of the Biosedimentology Research Group at Goethe University Frankfurt, and funded by the German Research Foundation (Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, DFG) -- transported a drilling platform over the open sea to the "Great Blue Hole." They then proceeded to extract a 30-meter sediment core from the underwater cave, which has been accumulating sediment for approximately 20,000 years. The core was subsequently analyzed by a research team from the universities of Frankfurt, Cologne, Gottingen, Hamburg, and Bern. Coarse layers are a testimony to tropical storms Some 7,200 years ago, the former limestone island of what is now Lighthouse Reef was inundated by the sea. The layered sediments at the bottom of the "Great Blue Hole" serve as archive for extreme weather events of the past 5,700 years, including tropical storms and hurricanes. Dr. Dominik Schmitt, a researcher in the Biosedimentology Research Group and the study's lead author, explains: "Due to the unique environmental conditions -- including oxygen-free bottom water and several stratified water layers -- fine marine sediments could settle largely undisturbed in the 'Great Blue Hole.' Inside the sediment core, they look a bit like tree rings, with the annual layers alternating in color between gray-green and light green depending on organic content." Storm waves and storm surges transported coarse particles from the atoll's eastern reef edge into the "Great Blue Hole," forming distinct sedimentary event layers (tempestites) at the bottom. "The tempestites stand out from the fair-weather gray-green sediments in terms of grain size, composition, and color, which ranges from beige to white," says Schmitt. The research team identified and precisely dated a total of 574 storm events over the past 5,700 years, offering unprecedented insights into climate fluctuations and hurricane cycles in the southwestern Caribbean. Instrumental data and human records available to date had only covered the past 175 years. Rising incidence of storms in the southwestern Caribbean The distribution of storm event layers in the sediment core reveals that the frequency of tropical storms and hurricanes in the southwestern Caribbean has steadily increased over the past six millennia. Schmitt explains: "A key factor has been the southward shift of the equatorial low-pressure zone. Known as the Intertropical Convergence Zone, this zone influences the location of major storm formation areas in the Atlantic and determines how tropical storms and hurricanes move and where they make landfall in the Caribbean." The research team was also able to correlate higher sea-surface temperatures with increased storm activity. Schmitt states: "These shorter-term fluctuations align with five distinct warm and cold climate periods, which also impacted water temperatures in the tropical Atlantic." Climate change results in greater storm activity Over the past six millennia, between four and sixteen tropical storms and hurricanes passed over the "Great Blue Hole" per century. However, the nine storm layers from the past 20 years indicate that extreme weather events will be significantly more frequent in this region in the 21st century. Gischler warns: "Our results suggest that some 45 tropical storms and hurricanes could pass over this region in our century alone. This would far exceed the natural variability of the past millennia." Natural climate fluctuations cannot account for this increase, the researchers emphasize, pointing instead to the ongoing warming during the Industrial Age, which results in rising ocean temperatures and stronger global La Nina events, thereby creating optimal conditions for frequent storm formation and their rapid intensification. ALBANY Caregivers and patients in a Medicaid-funded program that allows New Yorkers to be paid for the home care of their loved ones now have until April 30 to register with the states new fiscal vendor for the program. Gov. Kathy Hochul and state Department of Health Commissioner James McDonald announced the late registration window Monday as an April 1 deadline loomed for workers and patients of the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP) to sign up with the vendor, Public Partnerships LLC, to ensure continuation of services. Health officials said the new window will ensure patients still receive care. They said workers who have not yet completed the transition can retroactively be paid for hours worked in April upon completion of their registration with PPL. Home care advocates and the health committee chairs in both the state Assembly and Senate called the April 1 timeline unrealistic. In a news conference Monday where he was joined by PPL President Maria Perrin, McDonald noted that people had quite a bit of time to register for PPL, then moments later said he did not fault patients nor caregivers for not signing up. He repeatedly stressed that the additional time was not an extension nor a delay but a way to help consumers and caregivers whom he said had been misled by the spread of false information. We live in a time where people are confused by things so were just trying to be fair with people and give them the time they need so they can have that transition, he said. But you have to transition now. McDonald said about 165,000 consumers and 170,000 workers have started or completed their CDPAP registration with PPL. The health department noted in a news release that it asked the Alliance to Protect Home Care to take action and publicly call on fiscal intermediaries in New York to refrain from spreading false, deceptive or coercive information regarding the transition and to publicly commit to working with all stakeholders, including member organizations and financial contributors, to ensure New York consumers and PAs have accurate information regarding the CDPAP transition. Change in Medicaid home care plan draws fire, support as April 1 deadline looms Starting April 1, Public Partnerships LLC will become the state's single entity to handle payments to Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (or CDPAP) caregivers. Consumers and their caregivers must register with PPL by that date to continue receiving services. Bryan OMalley, executive director of the alliance, said in a statement that the state was being disingenuous. The Department of Health continues to blame everyone except themselves and PPL for this disaster of a transition. Now, they are creating more chaos and confusion by asking home care workers to work without pay and without even the most basic protections, he said. An I.O.U doesnt pay for rent or groceries and it doesnt cover late fees and overdraft fees. PPL has proven time and again they are not up to this task, and it is well past time the State cancels their contract In early January, PPL became the states sole fiscal intermediary handling payments to caregivers. CDPAP previously had around 600 intermediaries handling payments, which Hochul said was costly and rife with fraud. The governor told reporters at an earlier Monday press briefing that the transition to PPL has been fueled by former fiscal intermediaries spending millions of dollars to smear the new vendor because it is to their financial advantage. We are getting this right, Hochul said. In a statement, Perrin said: We are committed, above all, to the consumers and caregivers who rely on CDPAP. The late registration window is one important measure of many to ensure all New Yorkers who wish to continue in CDPAP can do so seamlessly and without interruption. Perrin said the registration process for consumers or workers with PPL takes less than an hour. As the governor and health care commissioner backed the plan, protesters from around the state questioned the move. They included Nicole Demme of Marilla, who cares for her 21-year-old son, Nathaniel, who has developmental disabilities. She said she has signed up for everything necessary but is still listed as pending. It has not progressed. I dont know if it will, she said. "I don't think it will." Over the weekend, she said, she received PPL training that consisted of a document about the pay schedule and a five-minute video. She said she was "absolutely shocked" at the lack of regulations. "One of the reasons that this program has been such a lifeline for us is because of the shortage of services," she said, citing the difficulty in getting into day programs, group homes or nursing facilities. Demme said the misinformation is coming from PPL itself. "I have called a dozen times. My first phone call they couldn't tell me what the pay rate was. Three different times, I got three different pay rates," she said. "They couldn't even tell me how many hours separated between a part-time and full-time employee ... they couldn't tell me anything." Renee Christian of Buffalo, a CDPAP consumer, said she was concerned that insurance under the new system would be far worse for caregivers than what they previously had. "My biggest concern is not having support," she said. "I had a staff that worked with me for 15 years who maintained health insurance for all those years and benefits and she's going to lose all of that as of April 1." Asked about whether a month extension would help, she said: "The system hasn't worked in three months. ... How can they say they're going to fix it in a month?" News / National by Staff reporter The recent passing of Geoff Nyarota, an award-winning veteran journalist and writer, has reopened a painful chapter in Zimbabwe's history.While lauded by others as a doyen of journalism, both within the country and internationally, Nyarota's tenure at the helm of the state-funded Chronicle newspaper during the early 1980s, and his perceived handling of the Gukurahundi atrocities, has undeniably left a dark stain on his legacy.The central accusation revolves around Nyarota's alleged support for the deployment of the North Korean-trained army, the Fifth Brigade, in Matabeleland and some parts of Midlands. This deployment saw the unit wreak havoc upon the region, carrying out acts of killing, maiming, and rape, overwhelmingly targeting the Ndebele-speaking population, whom they accused of harbouring dissidents and supporting Joshua Mqabuko Nyongolo Nkomo, the founder and leader of the then Zimbabwe African People's Union (ZAPU).Independent human rights groups have estimated that approximately 20,000 people lost their lives during the Fifth Brigade's presence in Matabeleland and some parts of Midlands between 1982 and 1987, a period that to this day is considered a genocide by many. The then Prime Minister, Robert Mugabe, himself described this period as a "moment of madness," yet he died without ever issuing an apology or accepting responsibility for the actions carried out under his command.In one interview, Nyarota explained that he used to get money and clothes through to the Zanla guerrillas which might explain why he did not report on the genocide in areas that were never pro Zanla."I always wanted to be a journalist, but in colonial Rhodesia the only job open to educated Africans was teaching. So I became a teacher in Inyanga near the border. This was in the mid-1970s and the war was on. Teachers were the focal point for Zanu support and contact; we used to get money and clothes through to the Zanla guerrillas."In the wake of Nyarota's death, Information Permanent Secretary Nick Mangwana stated that journalism was "the poorer" for his passing, acknowledging his impact on investigative journalism."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," Mangwana wrote on X.Job Sikhala, the former St Mary's MP and National Democratic Working Group (NDWG) Chairperson, echoed these sentiments: "He told it as it is as the then Editor-in-Chief of the Daily News until they bombed to silence it. Panyika idandaro. Rest in Eternal Peace Geoff Nyarota!!!" Sikhala posted on X.Numerous other prominent figures in Zimbabwean society have also paid tribute to Nyarota's contribution to journalism, including the renowned lawyer and University of Zimbabwe (UZ) lecturer Professor Lovemore Madhuku, Alpha Media Holdings (AMH) founder and owner Trevor Ncube, and the current Information Minister, Jenfan Muswere, along with a multitude of journalists and commentators.However, the shadow of Gukurahundi continues to loom large, casting a long and troubling pall over Nyarota's professional reputation. Critics argue that his time at The Chronicle was nothing short of disastrous, alleging that he deliberately chose to ignore the atrocities unfolding in Matabeleland. Furthermore, some claim that he even advocated for the continued deployment of the Fifth Brigade, appealing directly to the late Mugabe to maintain their presence in the region.It is often said that one should not speak ill of the dead, but the gravity of the accusations surrounding Nyarota's role during this period necessitates a reckoning with this controversial chapter in his career.Siphosami Malunga, a globally recognised human rights lawyer and activist, offered a particularly stark assessment of Nyarota's legacy, describing his journalistic credentials, particularly regarding his involvement in the Gukurahundi events, as "terrible.""Fewer speak of his terrible role in aiding and abetting the Gukurahundi genocide in Matabeleland as Editor of the Chronicle newspaper. I'm one of the few, alongside thousands of Gukurahundi victims, who believes that's what ultimately defines his credentials as a journalist."Malunga further asserted that Nyarota actively chose to side with the perpetrators of these appalling acts, a betrayal of his fundamental duty as a journalist."He aided and abetted genocide. A better journalist would have sought to shine a spotlight on the horrors and the uneven impact on innocent civilians. He chose the side of the perpetrators and helped and cheered them to commit unspeakable atrocities."Malunga is far from alone in voicing these criticisms.Dr. Admore Tshuma, a UK-based academic, recalls Nyarota's time at the state-funded Chronicle during the Gukurahundi years as a period of profound moral failing, allegedly endorsed by Nyarota himself."But there is another side to his legacy, one that is etched in blood and silence."When I was at The Chronicle, I came across one of his editorial comments, one that shocked me to the core. In it, he pleaded with Robert Mugabe not to withdraw the 5th Brigade from Matabeleland, stating, and I quote: Ndebeles must be disciplined."Those chilling words were written at the very time when the 5th Brigade was leaving behind a trail of devastation, raped women, decapitated civilians, families shattered forever. Children grew up without parents, without homes, without even the basic dignity of schooling."Tshuma added: "The people of Matabeleland endured a genocide, and Geoffrey Nyarota, an editor entrusted with truth, chose not to expose the horror, but instead to endorse its execution."The legacy of Gukurahundi continues to haunt Zanu-PF, as both late president Mugabe and President Emmerson Mnangagwa are inextricably linked to these historically appalling acts of murder and violence against the people of Matabeleland and Midlands.Nyarota made a name for himself and gained fame through the Willowgate Scandal, a major investigative story, Zanu PF political heavyweight and former minister Obert Mpofu says he was the source of the story and claims to have made Nyarota.In 1988, Nyarota and his colleagues discovered that several high-ranking government officials, including ministers and parliamentarians, had been involved in a corrupt scheme to purchase vehicles from a local state-owned car dealership, Willowvale Motor Industries.The officials had used their top positions to acquire the vehicles at subsidised prices, and then resold them at huge profits. News / National by Staff reporter Delta Corporation Limited has issued a warning to the public regarding a rise in recruitment scams involving fraudulent job advertisements.In a statement, the beverages giant expressed concern over scammers posing as recruitment agents, tricking job seekers into paying fees for fake employment opportunities."Be on the lookout, Delta Corporation Limited does not use agencies, individuals, or charge people for recruitment. Vacancies are shared in the press and on our website," the company said.The warning comes as several companies in Zimbabwe have fallen victim to fraudsters who exploit job seekers through fake employment offers. Delta urged the public to verify all job openings through official company channels to avoid falling prey to such scams.Authorities have also cautioned job seekers to be wary of offers that require payment, personal information, or applications through unofficial platforms. Bayer has been ordered by a US state jury to pay approximately $2.1bn in damages to a plaintiff who alleged that the companys Roundup weedkiller caused his cancer. The award, in a Georgia court, included $65m in compensatory damages and $2bn in punitive damages, marking one of the largest verdicts to date involving the glyphosate-based herbicide. Germany-based Bayer, which acquired Roundup through its $63 billion purchase of Monsanto in 2018, said it strongly disagrees with the ruling and intended to appeal. The pharmaceutical and agricultural chemicals giant argued the verdict contradicted extensive scientific research and the assessments of regulatory bodies worldwide, which it said had generally deemed glyphosate safe when used as directed. It added that prior damage awards had been significantly reduced on appeal, by around 90% on average. Bayer has already paid around $10bn to settle similar claims and still faced more than 60,000 pending cases. It has allocated $5.9 billion in legal provisions to address ongoing litigation. Despite the size of the Georgia ruling, analysts expected the award to be reduced or overturned on appeal, though the process could take years. The safety of glyphosate remains a contentious issue, with scientific opinion divided and environmental groups warning of potential ecological harm. Regulators in both the EU and the UK had still, however, opted to renew the chemicals license for several more years. Earlier this month, Bayer expressed support for proposed legislation in Georgia aimed at limiting legal exposure for manufacturers of crop protection products. The company also suggested it could withdraw Roundup from the US market unless more states implemented similar legal safeguards. At 0949 CET, shares in Bayer were down 7.33% at 22.32. Reporting by Josh White for Sharecast.com. The eurozones manufacturing sectors enduring downturn showed signs of easing amid hopes of more spending on infrastructure and defence, according to flash survey results published on Monday. Manufacturings purchasing managers index from HCOB increased to 48.7 this month from 47.6 in February. The composite purchasing managers' index rose to 50.4 this month from 50.2 in February and its highest since August. A mark above 50 indicates growth. In services, the PMI fell to 50.4 from last month's 50.6. However, an index measuring factory output showed expansion hit a 34-month high, jumping to 50.7 from 48.9. "Just in time with the beginning of spring we may see the first green shoots in manufacturing," said Cyrus de la Rubia, Chief Economist at Hamburg Commercial Bank. "While we should not be carried away by a single data point, it is noteworthy that manufacturers expanded their output for the first time since March 2023." Its also encouraging, that the index output has risen for three months straight. This is complemented by a much softer fall in new orders and employment. One could pour some cold water on this development arguing that its the temporary tariff-related import boom from the US which has driven the improvement in manufacturing. However, given the will of Europe, to invest heavily in defense and infrastructure in Germany a corresponding historical fiscal package has been approved only last week hope for a more sustained recovery seems well founded. Reporting by Frank Prenesti for Sharecast.com National Grid s chief executive said over the weekend Heathrow Airport had sufficient electrical capacity to remain operational during Fridays fire-related power outage, intensifying questions over the airports decision to close for nearly 18 hours. The disruption grounded around 1,300 flights, affecting more than 200,000 passengers and costing the airline industry an estimated 60m to 70m. John Pettigrew, CEO of National Grid, said that while the fire at the North Hyde substation was unprecedented, two other substations serving Heathrow remained fully functional and were capable of individually supplying the airport with the necessary power. There was no lack of capacity from the substations, he told media on Sunday, adding that the decision to shut down operations was a question for Heathrow. Heathrow officials maintained that the closure was necessary due to the complexity of reconfiguring its internal power systems. The fire damaged all three transformers at the North Hyde site, including a backup unit located further from the source of the blaze. Although alternative substations were available, Heathrow said safely switching over and rebooting hundreds of critical systems - ranging from baggage handling to air bridges - required a full power-down and methodical restart. The airports CEO, Thomas Woldbye, described the situation as major and unprecedented, emphasizing that Heathrows backup generators were only designed to support safety-critical systems, not full operations. He also defended the airports response, arguing that few, if any, airports could instantly recover from such a failure. Airlines had voiced frustration over the weekend, with some executives suggesting the shutdown might have been unnecessarily prolonged. Several noted that systems in certain terminals appeared functional by early Friday afternoon, and questioned whether partial operations could have resumed sooner. British Airways, Heathrows largest carrier, expressed concerns over the airports resilience and response, with CEO Sean Doyle promising to seek urgent assurances. The incident triggered a government-ordered investigation led by the National Energy System Operator. Transport secretary Heidi Alexander acknowledged the airports need to reset key systems, but said the review would explore the broader implications for national infrastructure resilience. The fire, which ignited 25,000 litres of transformer cooling oil, remained under investigation on Monday. While counter-terrorism police initially led the probe, the fire was not believed to be suspicious, and the London Fire Brigade had since taken over. At 0926 GMT, shares in National Grid were down 0.1% at 980.8p. Reporting by Josh White for Sharecast.com. Output growth in the UK private sector hit a six-month high in March, thanks to a rebound in the services sector, according to a survey released on Monday. The S&P Global flash UK PMI composite output index rose to 52.0 from 50.5 in February, coming in above the 50.0 mark that separates contraction from expansion for the seventeenth month in a row. This marked the highest reading since September 2024. The survey revealed the fastest upturn in the service economy since August 2024, with growth in the sector boosted by renewed improvements in both domestic and overseas sales. The flash UK services PMI business activity index rose to 53.2 in March from 51.0 the month before. However, manufacturers experienced severe headwinds to demand from rising global economic uncertainty and potential US tariffs, S&P said. Weak international demand resulted in the fastest decline in manufacturing export sales since August 2023. Manufacturers reported the steepest downturn in production volumes for nearly one-and-a-half years. The flash manufacturing output index fell to a 17-month low of 44.6 in March from 47.3 the month before. Chris Williamson, chief business economist at S&P Global Market Intelligence, said: "An upturn in business activity in March brings some good news for the government ahead of the Chancellors Spring Statement, offering a respite from the recent flow of predominantly downbeat economic data. However, just as one swallow does not a summer make, one good PMI doesnt signal a recovery. "The signal from the flash PMI is an economy eking out a modest expansion in March, consistent with quarterly GDP growth of just 0.1%, but with employment continuing to be cut thanks to concern over costs and the uncertain outlook. Confidence is still running close to Januarys two-year low. "The improvement is also being driven by only small pockets of growth, notably in financial services, with consumer-facing business and manufacturers continuing to struggle against headwinds both at home and abroad. "These headwinds include the additional costs imposed on businesses in the Budget, low confidence among businesses and households, and sluggish demand at home and abroad, the latter linked to heightened geopolitical uncertainty resulting from US tariff policies. "Worryingly, these headwinds are likely to grow in force as higher National Insurance contributions come into effect in April, coinciding with the anticipated review of US tariff policy on 2nd April, the latter having the potential to further subdue global economic growth and dampen UK trade." Keir Starmer has been warned against appeasing Donald Trump as he considers reducing a major tax for US tech companies while cutting disability benefits and public sector jobs. His chancellor, Rachel Reeves, confirmed on Sunday that there were ongoing discussions about the UKs 1bn-a-year digital services tax that affects companies including Meta and Amazon. Guardian Ministers are considering diverting money from a 950m scheme to install rapid chargers for electric cars on the UKs motorways, announced five years ago, after it failed to make a single grant. Much of the cash allocated to the rapid charging fund (RCF) could be redirected to investments in other charging schemes, or to support the transition to electric vehicles more broadly, although decisions have yet to be made, according to a person close to discussions in government. Guardian Fresh doubt has been cast over the race to find a white knight buyer for Thames Water as it struggles to provide details of its labyrinthine network of pipes, sewage works and reservoirs. Thames Water has stepped up the hunt for new investors willing to pump in billions of pounds of emergency capital after the Court of Appeal approved a 3bn emergency debt bailout from its existing creditors. Telegraph 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. Telegraph Britains life science sector has missed out on an estimated 15 billion a year over the past decade due to a decline in its international competitiveness, a report warns. The sector has been designated one of the governments eight key growth drivers as part of its forthcoming industrial strategic plan but there are concerns that the UK is losing ground to other major economies. The Times The City grandee who chairs Ebury has signalled that whipsawing markets could derail a 2 billion London listing of the Santander-backed payments company. Bruce Carnegie-Brown said the business was in talks with investors about a possible share sale and that bosses were edging closer to a decision on whether or not to push ahead. The Times News / National by Staff reporter The Zimbabwe Council for Higher Education (ZIMCHE) has raised alarm over the rising number of unregistered institutions operating illegally, issuing fraudulent undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications, including honorary and earned PhDs.In a statement, ZIMCHE condemned these activities, warning that they undermine the integrity of Zimbabwe's higher education system and pose serious risks to students, employers, and the public."The ZIMCHE has identified several unregistered institutions engaged in these illegal practices and has issued closure orders to curb their operations. Unfortunately, some institutions persist in defying the law, continuing to enroll students and issue fraudulent degrees," the statement read.A major concern is the misuse of these fake qualifications, with individuals fraudulently adopting academic titles such as "Professor" or "Doctor." While some recipients of these qualifications are unsuspecting victims, others knowingly engage in academic fraud for personal gain.As the regulatory authority under the ZIMCHE Act (Chapter 25:27), ZIMCHE has warned all unregistered institutions to cease operations immediately and withdraw all fraudulent qualifications. Those found issuing or using fake credentials risk civil and criminal prosecution.To safeguard the credibility of the education system, ZIMCHE has launched investigations into these unlawful activities and vowed to take legal action against violators. Employers have been urged to verify academic qualifications, while students are advised to confirm an institution's accreditation before enrolling.The public has also been warned about institutions that frequently change locations to evade detection, some of which are owned by foreign operators or claim dubious affiliations with unaccredited international universities.ZIMCHE reaffirmed its commitment to upholding high-quality education standards and ensuring that only accredited institutions operate within Zimbabwe. Canadian Independent Booksellers Association executive director Laura Carter and Indigo founder and CEO Heather Reisman have asked Prime Minister Mark Carney to exclude books from the upcoming 25% counter tariffs that are due to take effect April 2 on a further $125 billion worth of goods imported into Canada from the U.S., Quill & Quire reported. The government intends to impose the levy if the U.S. does not remove tariffs that apply to Canadian goods. In a joint letter dated March 20, CIBA and Indigo contended that not doing so would have "devastating consequences for Canadian readers, our businesses, and our cultural landscape.... Unlike interchangeable consumer goods we know that readers will not likely substitute a book arriving via the U.S. for a Canadian printed and warehoused book. At this time there is nowhere near the capacity in Canada to handle all of our printing and warehousing. This tariff threatens the survival of bookstores and the livelihoods of thousands of Canadians." And per the Calgary Herald, the letter said that the majority of books sold in Canadian bookstores, including those by Canadian authors, "are published by multinational publishers whose Canadian divisions rely on U.S. printers and warehouses for distribution. This onerous tariff therefore would unfairly apply to books not only from U.S. authors but many Canadian and international authors." Jack Illingworth, executive director of the Association of Canadian Publishers, told Q&Q: "We're worried about the viability of booksellers, the potential for U.S. retaliation (Canada can currently ship books to the U.S. tariff-free, but Congress can end that at any point), and the long-term impact of abandoning Canada's practice of keeping culture off the table in trade disputes. That last item could be a problem in any future review or renegotiation of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement, as it is the principle that safeguards our ability to fund and regulate cultural industries. In the longer term, Canadian printing capacity could become an issue if the multinationals move more of their production here." He added that books facilitate the exchange of knowledge: "Books aren't a fungible product like drapes or cheese. Someone who wants a specific book wants only that book. While we'd love readers to explore the wealth of fantastic Canadian-published books that are in the market, it would be a mistake to limit the choices that are available in the marketplace. We're strongly opposed to a one-way tariff on books and have been advocating to government to that end." India's data centre (DC) sector has drawn more than $6.5 billion in investment commitments between 2014 and 2024 via private equity, joint ventures, and acquisitions, based on the report released by Anarock Capital. The sector has seen impressive growth, with its capacity increasing 139% from 590 MW in 2019 to 1.4 GW in 2024. This swift growth is fueled by mounting internet penetration that has improved from 33.4% in 2019 to 55.2% in 2024 and with a drastic hike in per user data consumption from 11.5 GB to 21.1 GB of data a month. The traffic of data on mobile phones also surged from 13 GB to 32 GB, making India the leader worldwide in the consumption of mobile data. Devi Shankar, Executive Director - Industrial, Logistics, and Data Centres at Anarock Capital, said that the high mobile data traffic per smartphone in India has had a critical impact on demand for high-grade data centres as a testament to the country's increasing digital consumption and the accelerating demand for durable data infrastructure. Mumbai and Chennai continue to lead the market with 70% of India's total IT power capacity, with Mumbai contributing 49% alone. The report indicates remarkable supply growth during 2022-2024, with Mumbai seeing a 92% increase, and Chennai recording a staggering 340% increase. These additions have created a total occupancy of 76%, reflecting high market absorption and operating efficiency. India has also become a hotbed for hyperscale data centers, with the 'own-and-operate' model picking up pace. In the last five years, about 440 acres of land have been purchased in Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Pune for establishing hyperscalers. The growing need for cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI), and big data processing is likely to fuel this trend. The Indian data centre market is worth $10 billion currently and generated revenue of $1.2 billion in FY 2024. The four large DC operators contribute to 78% of the revenue. Although the growth in EBITDA began to plateau after 2020, estimates are that there would be a 50-55% increase when under-construction projects stabilize, opined Shobhit Agarwal, MD & CEO, Anarock Capital. Hillel of Staten Island joined with community partners for two Mezuzah Dedication Ceremonies at the College of Staten Island and Wagner College, officially opening their revamped spaces to students on campus. (Courtesy JCC) JCC STATEN ISLAND. N.Y. Over the past month, Hillel of Staten Island joined with community partners for two Mezuzah Dedication Ceremonies at the College of Staten Island and Wagner College, officially opening their revamped spaces to students on campus. Our vision is to create a community for all Jewish young adults to engage, thrive, and grow, said Orit Lender, JCC and Hillel CEO. With this unique model, we hope to empower young adults on Staten Island to become the leaders of the next generation of Jewish life for our community. None of this would be possible without our partner organization, UJA-Federation of New York, our JCC and Hillel Boards, and our other funders who support the mission of Hillel. The new spaces include redecorated common areas for students to gather for meals, engage in meaningful conversations, and celebrate their Jewish heritage. Additionally, Hillel has private offices where students can meet one-on-one with Hillels social worker to talk through mental health concerns. These spaces are a reflection of our valuesinclusivity, community, and Jewish pride," said Hillel Director Rachel Vaynshteyn. Since we revamped the rooms, weve seen their impact, with more students coming here to unwind, study, and build friendships that will last beyond their college years. These spaces are a true home for Jewish life on campus. Hillel of Staten Island joined with community partners for two Mezuzah Dedication Ceremonies at the College of Staten Island and Wagner College, officially opening their revamped spaces to students on campus. (Courtesy JCC) JCC MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT The change comes as part of the management agreement between the Joan & Alan Bernikow JCC of Staten Island and Hillel, which began in fall of 2023. This management agreement created a new, first of its kind model of one Hillel that serves both the College of Staten Island and Wagner College, as well as other college-aged students on the Island. Additionally, Hillel serves young professionals who have recently graduated. Hillel of Staten Island has access to all of the JCCs resources, strengthening its impact in the community. By coming together for college-aged young adults, the JCC and Hillel has seamlessly integrated a sense of belonging to the Jewish community by meeting young adults where they are in the areas of education, socialization, career readiness, activism, and exploration of their Jewish journeys. I am also so grateful to the administrations of both colleges, who have been true partners with us every step of the way as we created this new model, added Lender. Pictured is Orit Lender, CEO of the Joan & Alan Bernikow JCC of Staten Island, (Courtesy JCC) JCC INCREASE IN STUDENTS Over the past year and a half, Hillel has increased the number of students it serves on both campuses. Activities include Challah Bakes, concerts, day trips, and Shabbatons. Mental health is a key focus for programming. Hillels dedicated social worker plans regular wellness activities to help students cope with the pressures of school, life, and being Jewish on campus during this difficult time. Post-October 7,Hillel has been instrumental in creating a safe space for students, bringing Israel education opportunities, and fighting Anti-Semitism. Funding for the rooms came from UJA-Federation of New York and Jewish Communal Fund. Multiple rooms at Wagner College, including a multi-faith space, were funded by the Avis Family. For more information, visit www.hillelstatenisland.com Councilan David Carr addresses the crowd. Hillel of Staten Island joined with community partners for two Mezuzah Dedication Ceremonies at the College of Staten Island and Wagner College, officially opening their revamped spaces to students on campus. (Courtesy JCC) JCC Hillel of Staten Island joined with community partners for two Mezuzah Dedication Ceremonies at the College of Staten Island and Wagner College, officially opening their revamped spaces to students on campus. (Courtesy JCC) JCC Hillel of Staten Island joined with community partners for two Mezuzah Dedication Ceremonies at the College of Staten Island and Wagner College, officially opening their revamped spaces to students on campus. (Courtesy JCC) JCC Holy Child Preschool in Eltingville was temporarily closed in September of 2024 after an incident involving children. (Staten Island Advance) Staten Island Advance STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. A lawsuit filed by two former teachers makes claims of lax security and inadequate staffing at a preschool in Eltingville that was temporarily shuttered after toddlers allegedly wandered out of the building last year. Alexa Avdalas, a lead teacher, and Rose OConnor, an assistant teacher, were fired from their jobs at Holy Child Preschool at 4747 Amboy Road after the episode on Sept. 25, 2024, according to the lawsuit. Avdalas and OConnor are plaintiffs in the lawsuit filed on Feb. 21 in state Supreme Court in St. George by the Manhattan law firm of Glass & Hogrogian. Named as defendants are the Archdiocese of New York, Holy Child R.C. Church, the preschool and its director, Elizabeth Esposito. The lawsuit claims that Avdalas and OConnor were supervising about 15 students ages 2 to 3 years old during the morning session in the basement of the building on Sept. 25. At about 10 a.m., the lawsuit alleges the plaintiffs were assisting students during their scheduled bathroom break when two students were able to exit the doors, traverse the stairway, and ultimately exit the building through the main entrance before being safely retrieved by Ms. Avdalas shortly thereafter. The lawsuit claims that the plaintiffs were unaware that basement doors leading out of the classroom were unlocked, allowing the toddlers access to the stairs that led to an exit. The plaintiffs allege in court filings they were led to believe, based on information shared at annual teacher orientation and in manuals distributed to parents, that the doors would be locked at all times to prevent students from entering or leaving the basement. Contrary to stated safety protocols, the double door buzzer entries were not installed and/or operational, and the extensive camera system, was not being actively monitored, the lawsuit alleges. The lawsuit alleges that the plaintiffs classroom was understaffed since several students in the teachers' class were two years old, requiring additional supervision to comply with requirements from the city Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Lawsuit details probe Avdalas and OConnor spoke to Esposito immediately after the incident and claim in their court filing they were assured by the director that their jobs were not in jeopardy. The plaintiffs worked their usual schedules for the remainder of Sept. 25 and the next day, but were told on the evening of Sept. 26 that an investigation would ensue and they would be placed on administrative leave without pay, according to the lawsuit. Avdalas said she was contacted by a representative of the city Administration for Childrens Services on Sept. 27 and provided a summary of the incident as well as other details she believed contributed to the incident in question. An investigator for the city Health Department arrived at the school on Sept. 30 and met with the plaintiffs, Esposito and Michela Lattuca-Bonamico, a member of the office staff, according to the lawsuit. Lattuca-Bonamico is not named as a defendant in the lawsuit. At the request of the investigator, the lawsuit claims Avdalas accurately provided the ages of the students and said that seven of the students were 2 years old. The lawsuit alleges that Ms. Lattuca-Bonamico attempted to supplement Ms. Avdalas answer by asserting that all the students were three years old. The lawsuit also alleges that on Sept. 30 while speaking with Ms. Lattuca-Bonamico privately about the alarms that were supposed to be on the doors and whether that was relevant to the Health Department investigation, Ms. Lattuca-Bonamico responded to Ms. Avdalas, I dont know, just dont mention it. The investigator interviewed OConnor over the phone on Sept. 30. The lawsuit notes that as previously reported in the Advance/SILive.com, the Department of Health cited the school for violations. On the evening of Sept. 30, the preschool was temporarily closed and not allowed to reopen until the violations were corrected, according to the lawsuit. Preschool allegedly challenges unemployment claims Despite being repeatedly assured that their jobs were safe, the employment of Avdalas and OConnor was terminated on Oct. 3, according to the lawsuit. The school retaliated against the plaintiffs by quashing their receipt of unemployment insurance benefits, the filing alleges. The plaintiffs initially were awarded unemployment and Avdalas claims that the school contested her entitlement citing misconduct. The lawsuit seeks a judgment that the defendants violated New York Labor Law 740, namely retaliatory action by an employer. The plaintiffs are seeking compensatory and punitive damages and coverage of their costs for the lawsuit. The preschool did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The Archdiocese of New York also did not respond to a request for comment as of time of publication. Violations cited by Health Department Parents were notified in a letter issued after the incident that on Sept. 25, two children were not with the rest of their class for a brief period. The children were unharmed and soon returned to class, according to the letter. The school previously was approved to accept 159 children ages 2 to 5, according to the Health Department website posting last September. The department conducted a non-routine monitoring inspection, according to the agencys website. Constant and competent supervision provided by adequate staff for children and groups of children was listed as a violation that required immediate correction, according to the Health Department website in September. On its website, the Health Department also listed two additional critical violations regarding possession and/or distribution of a written safety plan and reporting an incident to the department within 24 hours. The Target brand of Good & Gather green beans have been recalled nationwide. (Photo courtesy of Target) Target STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. A Target brand canned vegetable is being voluntarily recalled due to the possible presence of a foreign object, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced. Del Monte Foods, Inc., is recalling Good & Gather Cut Green Beans in 14.5-ounce cans due to the foreign object, according to the FDA. The impacted product includes nearly 200,000 cans of Good & Gather Cut Green Beans. The cans have a best-if-used-by date of Oct. 28, 2026, and were distributed by Target stores in New York as well as Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, New Jersey, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia and Wisconsin. Consumers who have purchased the Good & Gather Cut Green Beans with UPC 0 85239-11628 9 should not consume the product. They should contact Target Guest Relations at 800-444-0680 for help getting a potential refund or throwaway the cans. In a shot at President Donald Trumps border policies, a number of European countries have issued warnings about their citizens traveling to the United States. CTV News in Canada reported that the warnings were issued because citizens of various nations could face trouble at the border due to Trump policies. Due to stricter policies under Trump, foreign citizens from other countries have been refused entry into the United States or detained. Vancouver resident Jasmine Mooney spent almost two weeks in various detention centers. She was detained after applying for a visa at the U.S.-Mexico border. U.S. border officials on March 9 prevented a space scientist from France from staying in the country to attend a conference and deported him. The scientist was accused of writing hateful messages on his phone against U.S. policy, AFP reported. The British government has advised its citizens to comply with all conditions of entry to the U.S. Travelers have been warned that they may be arrested or detained if they break the rules. The Brits noted that U.S. officials set and enforce entry rules strictly. Germany has told its citizens that a visa or entry waiver does not guarantee entry into the U.S. A foreign ministry spokesperson said that Germany updated its travel advisory after several citizens were detained at the U.S. border. Denmark has advised citizens who identify as transgender to contact the U.S. embassy in Copenhagen before visiting the United States. After Trump signed an executive order stating that the country will recognize only the male and female sexes, Finland issued a similar warning to Denmarks about U.S. travel. The Canadian government has updated its advisory to those visiting the U.S. as Canadians and other foreign nationals visiting for more than 30 days must register with the U.S. government. Canada is advising travelers to check the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website for more details. Canadian residents can check if theyre automatically registered by looking up their I-94 admission form on the U.S. Customs Border Protection website. Failure to comply with the registration requirement could result in penalties, fines, and misdemeanor prosecution, the advisory states. In addition, the advisory said that the government cant intervene on Canadians' behalf if they dont meet U.S. entry or exit requirements. U.S. border officials may also ask Canadians for additional information, such as proof of residential, employment or educational ties to Canada and proof of sufficient funds covering their stay, according to the advisory. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., speaks during a news conference on social security benefits, Monday, March 3, 2025, at the Capitol in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson) AP WASHINGTON Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer says he wont 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 NBCs 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. 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 hed vote to advance the spending measure, 10 Democrats supported breaking the partys filibuster and allowing the bill to pass. Schumers 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 theyd 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 isnt up for reelection until 2028. He told NBC that the spending bill that funds the government through September was certainly bad. 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 Democratic Sen. Bernie Sanders 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. 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 Trumps behalf by billionaire Elon Musk. Asked if hed 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. President Donald Trump and Oscar-winner George Clooney are battling once again. The president fired back at the acclaimed actor and filmmaker after Clooney referenced Trump during an appearance Sunday on 60 Minutes," the New York Post reported. Why would the now highly-discredited 60 Minutes be doing a total puff piece on George Clooney, a second-rate movie star and failed political pundit, Trump wrote on Truth Social. He fought hard for Sleepy Joes election, and then, right after the Debate, dumped him like a dog. Later, I assume under orders from the Obama camp, pushed all out for Kamala, only to soon realize that this was not going to work out too well. The president wrote, 60 Minutes even fraudulently inserted Fake answers into her disastrous interview, aired just before Election Day, in one of the most embarrassing and dishonest events in broadcast historyAnd now George Clooney again? His press agent should be making a fortune!!! Clooney was on the show to promote his Broadway debut in Good Night and Good Luck, in which he plays crusading journalist Edward R. Murrow. Alluding to ABCs $16 million settlement with Trump and the presidents ongoing $20 billion lawsuit against CBS, Clooney said he sees parallels between Murrows time and now. When the other three estates fail, when the judiciary and the executive and the legislative branches fail us, the fourth estate has to succeed, Clooney said. ABC has just settled a lawsuit with the Trump administration. And CBS News is in the process Were seeing this idea of using government to scare or fine or use corporations to make journalists smaller, he said. Governments dont like the freedom of the press. They never have. And that goes for whether you are a conservative or a liberal or whatever side youre on. They dont like the press, he added. Clooney last year penned an op-ed for the New York Times urging Biden to drop out of the 2024 White House race after a disastrous debate performance against Trump. Yeah, Ill make it kinda easy. I was raised to tell the truth, Clooney, the son of a journalist, told 60 Minutes. Clooney said, I had seen the president up close for this fundraiser, and I was surprised. And so I feel as if there was a lot of profiles in cowardice in my party through all of that. He said, And I was not proud of that. And I also believed I had to tell the truth. News / National by Staff reporter Former Zimbabwean Tourism Minister Dr. Walter Mzembi has been engaging with stakeholders in Europe and the United Kingdom as part of his role with the African Forum for Cultural Diplomacy (AFFCD), a pan-African think tank focused on governance and diplomacy.Dr. Mzembi, who serves as AFFCD President, met with representatives from the Commonwealth Secretariat, UK Ambassador to Zimbabwe Pete Vowles, and members of the UK House of Lords during discussions held at Chatham House.In response to speculation linking these meetings to political activities, AFFCD issued a statement refuting such claims, emphasizing that the organisation is not a political entity but a platform dedicated to fostering cultural diplomacy across Africa."Attempts to link these engagements to political efforts elsewhere is not only disingenuous but downright wrong," the think tank said.According to AFFCD's secretariat, the organisation was established as the African Chapter of an international cultural diplomacy network, aiming to address Africa's global diplomatic deficit through initiatives in conflict resolution, mentorship, training, and corporate governance.Dr. Mzembi has been involved with AFFCD since 2018, following his appointment to champion the Africa Chapter. The organisation has since been registered as a Community Interest Company (CIC) in the UK and is working towards formal recognition across Africa's 55 nations.AFFCD describes itself as a non-partisan platform that brings together African thought leaders across political, racial, and ideological lines to promote moderation, inclusivity, and centre politics based on African values.The organisation also noted that its work is often misinterpreted in the context of Zimbabwean politics, but it remains committed to its mandate of promoting cultural diplomacy and governance solutions for the continent. The Schuylkill County Coroners Office was called to the scene of an overnight incident in the borough of Shenandoah that has prompted a pol... Support the Peninsulas only locally-owned newspaper. Subscribe! Subscribing annually brings you big savings. We also offer monthly and weekly subscriptions. Premium Subscription As low as $8.25 per week Premium Includes: -- Access to the Daily Journals e-Edition: a digital replica of our daily newspaper including crossword puzzles, games, comics, classifieds and ads. You can download a digital replica of the Daily Journal for offline reading. You can also clip & download articles or images from the e-edition to share with others The most recent 90 issues are available at any given time. -- Unlimited access to our award-winning online content -- Commenting access on all stories as a valued member of the DJ community -- NEW! Access to our online-only digital crossword puzzle. A new puzzle every day, seven days a week! Hamburg: Qantas is poised to take delivery of its new narrow-body, long-range Airbus aircraft, a key step in its domestic fleet renewal and future international expansion. The first Qantas A321XLR is expected to roll off the assembly line within weeks and enter service by June. By mid-2026, Qantas plans to have seven A321XLRs in operation. Pictures from the Airbus factory in Hamburg, Germany. Qantas is about to take delivery of the A321XLR. This is a generational investment in the Qantas domestic fleet, chief executive Vanessa Hudson told journalists at Airbus Hamburg plant, where the first Qantas XLRs were in the final stages of production. The debut of the XLR comes as airlines adjust to the post-pandemic realities of air travel, with sustained demand from consumers for both premium and discount seats. The XLR features larger overhead bins and a wider cabin, creating more personal space for passengers. Theyre off and running in the 2025 Archibald, Wynne and Sulman prizes. The first of more than 2000 hopefuls, ranging from unknowns to household names, began to arrive on Monday morning at the loading dock of the Art Gallery of NSW, clutching entries for the art event that stops the nation. Luan Nguyen was the first artist to arrive with his artwork titled Still Loadin. Credit: Rhett Wyman They arrived in cars and in taxis, on foot and even on bicycles to hand over their precious cargo to the gallerys packing room team. First out of the gate was first-time entrant Luan Nguyen, of Kogarah, who arrived right on 8am with his carefully packaged Sulman entry in hand. News / National by Staff reporter Prominent religious leader Prophet Andrew Wutawunashe has cautioned against growing calls for protests aimed at removing President Emmerson Mnangagwa, likening such efforts to the crucifixion of a "Jesus-like liberator."Speaking during a sermon, the Family of God (FOG) Church founder urged Zimbabweans to reject political unrest, arguing that Mnangagwa was chosen by divine will to lead the country. He dismissed opposition-led demonstrations as misguided, warning that instability would derail Zimbabwe's economic recovery."Those who are calling for protests and seeking to remove President Mnangagwa from power do not realize they are attempting to crucify their own liberator," Wutawunashe said."Zimbabwe has come a long way, and what the nation needs now is unity, patience, and faith in God's plan for our leadership."His remarks come as political tensions rise, with opposition parties and civic groups criticizing the government over economic hardships, governance issues, and alleged human rights violations. Some organisations have called for mass protests to demand political reforms and improved living conditions.However, Prophet Wutawunashe insisted that Zimbabweans should avoid confrontation and pray for their leaders. He referenced biblical teachings, drawing parallels between Zimbabwe's situation and the Israelites questioning Moses' leadership in the wilderness."We must not repeat the same mistakes. The road to salvation requires trust in the anointed leader, even when times are tough."His comments have sparked mixed reactions. ZANU-PF supporters praised his stance, while opposition figures and analysts accused him of using religion to shield the government from accountability.Political analyst Dr. Phillip Ruwaya described the sermon as a classic case of religious propaganda aimed at suppressing democratic aspirations."Comparing Mnangagwa to Jesus is not only misleading but also an insult to the millions of Zimbabweans suffering under economic mismanagement and repression," Ruwaya said."This is not the first time religious figures have been used to legitimise political power."Meanwhile, authorities have vowed to clamp down on any unauthorized protests, with security forces already arresting opposition leaders and activists accused of inciting violence.As Zimbabwe heads toward the next electoral cycle, the role of religious leaders in shaping public opinion and political discourse remains a subject of fierce debate.Despite the backlash, Prophet Wutawunashe reaffirmed his stance, urging national unity, patience, and divine guidance as the solutions to Zimbabwe's challenges. A former WA-based doctor who stole a colleagues prescription pad and forged her signature had his tangled web of lies uncovered when he took his crimes interstate. His conduct was revealed in court documents presented before the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal last week. Dr Peter Whyte was working at a West Australian hospital in June 2020 when he stole the prescription pad from a colleague. He then moved to Victoria in January 2021 and presented forged prescriptions he had written in his own name for self administration between March and May that year. Many were dispensed, but a vigilant pharmacist queried a prescription for Panadeine Forte. After noticing the same substance had been recently filled at a different pharmacy, the pharmacist checked with Whytes colleague, who said she had not written the script and recognised his handwriting. That colleague and another medical practitioner from the WA hospital Whyte had worked at notified the Medical Board of Australia and the pharmacist alerted Victoria Police. During a police search of Whytes home in Victoria, they found a range of substances, including some he obtained from the forged prescriptions, overseas or online. A number of those medicines are known as Schedule 4 poisons and included a drug commonly used to treat and prevent hormone receptor-positive breast cancer and other pain medications. Police also found an imitation firearm for which Whyte did not have an authorisation. Thirty criminal charges followed and after pleading guilty in the Melbourne Magistrates Court, Whyte was fined $2500 without criminal conviction. Last week, VCAT reprimanded Whyte for his actions and disqualified him from reapplying for registration for 18 months. AAP This article is part of Travellers guide to The Ends of the Earth. Visiting the worlds remotest destination is the ultimate bucket-list item for most travellers, and theres only one way to get there. Unless youre a research scientist, youll only ever be able to land in Antarctica off a small expedition cruise ship. Silversea in Antarctica. But although expedition companies are sending more ships to Antarctica than ever before, demand remains so strong that youll have to plan well ahead if you want to go. Hustle now for whatever cabins remain for the 2025-26 Antarctic summer season, or get planning for 2026-27 and beyond. Antarctic cruising has never been in more demand, with 124,000 visitor arrivals in 2024, of which almost 10,000 were Australians. For instance, have you been following the case of Trumps decision to deport Venezuelan gang members to El Salvador despite a judges order that the plane not take off or, if it had already, that it be ordered to turn around? Trump ordered the deportation of alleged Venezuelan gang members in US to a prison in El Salvador. Credit: El Salvador PPO via AP The administration chose to ignore the ruling. White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy, Stephen Miller, said: It is without doubt the most unlawful order a judge has issued in our lifetimes. So its now the president and his staff who decide which court orders are legal, apparently. Second, the concept of universal values is forbidden. Xi regards human rights as a challenge to the rule of the party. And Trump? The concept that everyone is equal is undermined by the administrations attack on DEI [diversity, equity and inclusion] policies, says Barme, who has been writing on the growing convergence of US and Chinese values since 2017 on China Heritage. Theyre saying, we dont want diversity, we want a monoculture, we dont want equity because we think some people are more valuable than others. Trump is basically pursuing a massive re-segregation by race, class, wealth and values. Xis third taboo is civil society, which Document No. 9 describes as a serious form of political opposition. The party bans or strictly regulates any effort at citizens organising for a shared purpose, whether its a charity, trade union or environmental NGO, or spiritual group such as Falun Dafa. Loading Trump seeks to delegitimise and halt civil society movements with which he disagrees. Trumps defence secretary in 2020, Mark Esper, has written that Trump asked him to order troops to fire into crowds of Black Lives Matter protesters: Cant you just shoot them? Just shoot them in the legs or something? Trump pardoned more than 1000 people convicted of invading and vandalising the Capitol on January 6, but says people vandalising Tesla cars will be branded domestic terrorists by his administration, opening the prospect of severe punishments. Thats incredibly familiar territory, says Barme, citing Chinas use of the term subverting state power to crush protest movements. Chinas fourth unmentionable is neoliberalism because its an idea that undermines state control of the economy by advocating full and free rein of market forces. Similarly, Trump is leading a retreat from US neoliberalism by applying new tariffs. He is a mercantilist who believes that government should engineer positive trade balances through market intervention. The fifth is independent journalism. Chinas censorship and propaganda machinery is notorious for quashing independent reporting and debate. Xi has said that all media outlets in China share the same family name the Party. In the US, Trump recently gave a speech at the Department of Justice where he said that CNN and MSNBC were illegal, what they do is illegal and has to stop. Their crime? They literally write 97.6 per cent bad about me. Separately, Trump sues media outlets whose coverage he dislikes. ABC News settled by paying him $US15 million. Hes demanding $US20 billion in damages from CBS for the way 60 Minutes edited a Kamala Harris interview. America is becoming more like China. At a remarkable rate. Credit: Michael Howard Trump has threatened to revoke broadcast licences and jail journalists. Under Trump, the Federal Communications Commission has launched multiple investigations into media outlets for falsification of information. Chinas sixth taboo is what Xi calls historical nihilism. This is aimed at curbing honest accounting for the Partys previous mistakes such as the Great Leap Forward and the Cultural Revolution. Criticism of the Partys past could undermine opinion of the Partys present, he fears. Barme says that a showcase of the Trumpian equivalent is his opposition to The New York Times 1619 Project, which reframed US history around the experience of slaves. Trump set up a committee in rebuttal, the 1776 Committee. He favours revisionist histories of the Confederacy, slavery and the Civil War. The final taboo is against any effort to challenge reform and opening as defined by Xi. Barme finds its analogue in Trumps intolerance for criticism of his executive orders. The US, of course, remains vastly freer and more contested a society than the Peoples Republic. But after a mere two months into Trumps current term, the trends are all Chinas way, seven for seven. Its growing harder by the day for Australia and other US allies to claim shared values with America under Trump. PHILIPSBURG: --- The Committee of Justice of the Parliament of Sint Maarten will host several expert panel roundtable discussions on the rise in crime, suicide, mental health, and violence in schools. These discussions are scheduled to take place on Thursday, March 27, 2025, from 10:00 to 15:00 in the Legislative Hall at Wilhelminastraat #1 in Philipsburg. The Committee of Justice aims to address the urgent and concerning issues currently affecting our society, namely the rise in crime, the recent tragic suicides, mental health challenges, and the increasing violence within our schools. The purpose of these roundtables is to formulate a position as a Committee and Parliament, enabling further deliberation with the Government and requesting & recommending actionable steps based on the information received from participating stakeholders. Several professionals from various organizations have been invited to submit documentation, reports or position papers in relation to the themes and to form part of the round table discussions. The professionals invited to participate will participate in the sessions as follows: Morning Session from 10:00 hrs. 12:00 hrs. Suicide and mental health o Clinic Coordinator and Psychologist Mental Health Foundation, Ms. Tameka Lambert o Director and Counselor at Turning Point, Dr. Tasheena Thomas-Maccow o Representative of the Alliance of Psychologists and Allied Professionals of St. Maarten (APAP) Afternoon Session from 13:00 hrs. 15:00 hrs. The rise in crime and increasing violence in schools o Dean of the Sint Maarten Bar Association, Ms. Zylena Bary o Head of Stichting Justitiele Inrichtingen (SJIS), Mrs. Cynthia Filemon o Director Scars to Stars, Ms. Ann Marlin o Project Manager Youth Brigade, Mr. Michel Peterson o Executive Director of Stichting Ego, Mr. Alejandro Francisco o Youth Development Practitioner, Mr. Jacques Heemskerk o Representative of K1 Britannia These roundtables aim to bring together a diverse range of stakeholders, including government officials, and community leaders. By engaging in dialogue and analyzing position papers & reports from these stakeholders, the Committee of Justice intends to formulate a well-rounded position and provide informed suggestions and recommendations to the Government. In addition, youth organizations have been requested to submit short videos related to each topic & their perspectives, which will be aired during the sessions. During the roundtable discussion, Members of Parliament will have the opportunity to discuss and debate the themes with the panelists. Participation of the public is important and therefore the public is encouraged to submit questions to the panelists via a QR code or link that will be provided the day before the panel discussions. At the end of each session, the panelists will be given the opportunity to answer the questions submitted by the public. As is customary with Parliamentary meetings, the roundtable discussions will be broadcasted on various forms of media. The public is encouraged to tune in to the panel discussions on these very critical issues that have been affecting our community. News / National by Staff reporter Anglo American Platinum, the mining giant that owns Zimbabwe's Unki Mine, has announced plans to rebrand as Valterra Platinum, signaling the end of an era for the company.The name change is part of sweeping restructuring efforts by its parent company, Anglo American, which has been reorganizing its portfolio since last year after fending off a US$43 billion takeover bid from rival mining giant BHP.As part of its restructuring strategy, Anglo American has already sold its coking coal and nickel businesses. The company also plans to spin off most of its shares in Anglo American Platinum by June 2025, effectively reshaping its investment focus.Zimbabwe's Unki Mine, one of the company's key assets, remains a strong performer in the platinum sector. The mine produces approximately 240,000 ounces of platinum group metals (PGMs) per year, making it an important contributor to Zimbabwe's mining industry.Despite the rebranding, it remains unclear whether the Valterra Platinum transition will affect operations at Unki Mine or lead to changes in local investment strategy.The restructuring at Anglo American comes at a time when global mining companies are adjusting their portfolios in response to shifting commodity markets and investor demands.More details on how the spin-off and rebranding will impact Anglo Platinum's operations in Zimbabwe and other key markets are expected in the coming months. Ukraine says talks with US on war with Russia 'productive' Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, March 23 (AFP) Mar 23, 2025 US and Ukrainian officials in Saudi Arabia wrapped up "productive and focused" talks Sunday night on de-escalating the war with Russia, whose delegation was set to hold its own separate discussions with the Americans on Monday. US President Donald Trump is pushing for a rapid end to the three-year war and hopes the talks in Riyadh can pave the way to a breakthrough, but the Kremlin has warned of "difficult negotiations" ahead. Despite both warring sides proposing different plans for temporary ceasefires, attacks have continued unabated. Originally scheduled to take place simultaneously to enable shuttle diplomacy -- with the US going back and forth between the delegations -- the technical-level talks on a partial truce are now taking place separately, one after the other. The meeting between the Ukrainian team, led by defence minister Rustem Umerov, and the Americans finished up late Sunday night, Umerov said. "The discussion was productive and focused -- we addressed key points including energy," he said on social media, adding Ukraine was working to make its goal of a "just and lasting peace" a reality. Umerov had previously said proposals to protect energy facilities and critical infrastructure would be on the agenda. In an evening address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that "Russia is the only one who is dragging this war out". "No matter what we talk about with our partners, we need to push Putin to give a real order to stop the strikes: the one who brought this war must take it away," he said. Discussions between the United States and Russia were set for Monday, with Russian state media reporting Moscow's delegation had arrived in Riyadh on Sunday. 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 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. - Black Sea - 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. - 'Mutually beneficial' - 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, meanwhile, said it had captured a small village in its eastern Lugansk region, a rare battlefield success for Kyiv's struggling forces. Moscow heads into the Saudi talks after 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. Lebanese defence minister to visit Syria: official Beirut, Lebanon, March 24 (AFP) Mar 24, 2025 Lebanese Defence Minister Michel Menassa will visit Syria on Wednesday to discuss recent tensions along the border between the two countries, a Lebanese official said. "The defence minister will head a security delegation to Damascus to meet with his counterpart, Marhaf Abu Qasra," the official told AFP on Monday on condition of anonymity. The aim of the visit was to "discuss ways to manage the situation at the border, strengthen bilateral coordination and prevent cross-border aggression", the source said. Ten people were killed in clashes that broke out along the fronter in mid-March. Damascus accused Hezbollah, the Lebanese militant group once allied with deposed president Bashar al-Assad, of abducting and killing three Syrian soldiers, which the Iran-backed movement strongly denied. Subsequently, seven Lebanese were killed in air strikes from Syria, according to Lebanese authorities. A Lebanese security source told AFP that Syrian forces shelled the border area after three Syrian soldiers were killed by armed Lebanese smugglers. Both countries later announced they had reached a ceasefire agreement. Syria shares a 330-kilometre (205-mile) border with Lebanon, with no official demarcation. In February, Syrian authorities announced the launch of a security campaign in the border province of Homs aimed at shutting down routes used for arms and goods smuggling. Hezbollah, which fought alongside Assad's forces during the Syrian war, has long exerted influence over large parts of the Lebanese-Syrian border. The group was massively weakened in its war with Israel late last year. Myanmar clinic airstrike kills 11 including doctor: locals Yangon, March 24 (AFP) Mar 24, 2025 A Myanmar junta airstrike on a remote village medical clinic killed 11 people including a doctor and his wife, locals told AFP. A 2021 military coup has plunged Myanmar into a fractious civil war between the junta, anti-coup guerillas and ethnic armed groups locked in a deadly stalemate over the Southeast Asian country. Locals said the Saturday morning airstrike hit the village of Hnan Khar in the western region of Magway, in a zone currently held by anti-coup forces. A spokesman for Myanmar's military could not be reached for comment. "It flew very low and I heard a loud bomb blast when we were hiding," said one villager on Sunday, speaking on condition of anonymity for fear of retaliation. "When I went to clear up the area I saw only pieces of human bodies," he added. "It felt terrible to see it and my mind is still not clear of the image." The eyewitness and a second man from the local area said a doctor and his wife were among the 11 killed when the explosion tore through a makeshift clinic opened in a house. "The military is attacking more frequently with airstrikes in recent months and all civilians are very afraid," said the local resident, also speaking on condition of anonymity on Monday. "They are always listening to the sound of military fighter jets and getting ready to hide." While Myanmar's military has suffered stinging territorial losses, analysts say its powerful airforce, kept in the skies with Russian technical support, has been key to keeping its adversaries at bay. The number of military airstrikes on civilians has risen year-on-year during the civil war, according to non-profit organisation Armed Conflict Location and Event Data (ACLED), with nearly 800 in 2024. That figure was more than triple the previous year and ACLED predicted the junta will continue to rely on airstrikes because it is "under increasing military pressure on the ground". Opinion / Columnist I am deeply suspicious about the elaborate preparations regarding demonstrations on the 31st of March. Complete demo details from A to Zee are now in the public domain. I get a brain spasm when I think about the coming demonstrations. Was it necessary to divulge so much to the enemy? How does an organization that clearly knows its monster Zanu expose all details about the demonstrations; so numerical and monetary detailed. Mnangagwa will counter these preparations. Inadvertently Blessed Geza is playing to Mnangagwa's gallery. Mnangagwas has played this chase-game for decades: he is waiting to copy and paste what he has doing for decades. Mnangagwa has his plans ready planned, how he will counter Geza's preparations. Such Geza open preparations are possible if the demonstrations are in Berlin Brandenburg Gate, certainly not in Harare/Zimbabwe. Geza, a war veteran should be smarter than this! He should know better how to deal with Mnangagwa and Zanu PF when it comes to inner fighting for power and leadership in Zanu.Demonstrators will come in large numbers: But preparations on the ground are inadequate, could be lethal; the murderous nature of Mnangagwa and the criminals surrounding him, confirms this. Geza is telling people to occupy the streets against Mnangagwa: However, Blessed Geza is hiding somewhere at an unknown location, will be watching demos on Telly. The life of Zimbabwean children is so cheap; they are now invited to flood the streets to do the job for them; if about ten to fifty of them are gunned down and die, it will still be called a success if the demos fulfilled the purpose: if the means justify the ends! We demand Geza lead demonstrators in front. If he tells people to be courageous and face the guns, he must exemplify that courage, face the guns; him in front. Good luck with 31st March Geza demos. Success has many fathers!Perhaps, as someone who comes from Matabeleland North, I am deeply sensitive when life is put on the line by unscrupulous, power-hungry people of the likes of Geza and Chiwenga. I know families who lost their lives and livelihoods during Gukurahundi period. I can smell danger already and predict the success or failure of this demo by scant preparations done. In Zambia, life and death were cigarette-paper-thin apart; an experience that activated my adrenalin tank to be on the alert permanently. You can call it trauma if you prefer.Listening deep to the interviews Geza has so far given; it came to the attention of many that 1) Geza is in cahoots with Chiwenga. 2) He wishes to possess several cars and security details for him to feel good. Geza uses split adjectives to confuse the population for people driven Geza revolution". We can now see through Geza is immersed in a "revolutionary change" of his personal life from a simpleton to an elite political VP leadership. Chiwenga would be anointed President of the third republic. I warned my fellow Zimbabweans enough about the change they want to see in Zimbabwe today and tomorrow. I doubt if the critical mass has reached the stage of a genuine revolution. Thousands of young people's lives are put in danger so that Blessed Geza becomes VP to Chiwenga. True revolutionaries must seek a complete eradication of Zanu PF as a system and never again these half-measures. Chiwenga and Geza must go: Geza is Zanu in and out; Geza is not fighting to change the system, but he wants a continuation of an old Zanu with cosmetic changes. The power arrangements among themselves, making gentlemen's agreement of power and anointment behind our backs; Zimbabwe will be in the wilderness for another 40 years. The more things change, the more they remain the same. Democracy in Zimbabwe is decaying. War veterans want to call the shots in positions of power. It's perfidious to say Zimbabwe is a democratic country: calling for elections will be rigged in daylight; they cannot win in the ballot box.There is another aspect I would like to share with you fellow Zimbabweans: the language use on social media undermines the nation. It is a good thing that U-Tube providers do not understand Shona. That swearing, splitting people that you hate could never be a way of life. I will give an example; how men and women insult Christopher Mutsvangwa on social media. His wife is a sexual rental to Mnangagwa, My god! Monica had sex with Mnangagwa, and one of Monica's children belongs to Mnangagwa. Oh! My god! Giving such below the pale information on social media, to insult Chris Mutsvangwa with such wordings is uncalled for. This is just below the belt. Have we as a nation sunk so low, sinking far down south, below the pale to inflict pain and embarrassment on Chris Mutsvangwa and his wife and children. I am, as a result, not a proud citizen of Zimbabwe. I believe in the dignity of humankind, and do not temper human dignity, it did not matter how much you hate him. Some curses are even unprintable: shredding and destroying the social fabric of the nation.Nyokayemabhunu was mouthing out Ambassador Chris Mutsvangwa; was in China and was recalled because he drank alcohol to incapacitation, undressed himself, so for that reason he was recalled. This is not information to send on social media to discredit him: a gutter backside-story, never spoken about even in beerhalls. In our anger, let us uphold the dignity of humankind. Remember that their unbecoming actions are a projection of us people of Zimbabwe; we are not better than them; the difference is that we are not high profiles as them, ambassador or minister position they hold; Christopher Mutsvangwa was and is still a high-profile persona. I can be angry too but reduce my anger most of the time by sending messages I want the public to hear but objectively put across. I will not go further, giving examples of unbecoming insults and curses on social media platforms we consume daily.I have said on several platforms that our philosophy of Ubuntu is absent in our day-to-day lives as people. Jeff Juda is unapologetic in name-calling of Africans of other nationalities, Zambians, Malawian and Mozambiquean, degrading them and deeply insulting names, is being unthankful to them. The assistance these front-line states gave to Zimbabwean people before independence is sterling high. It is insulting to call them "mapumbwa, Ma brandaya, Ma bwidi, Ma Nyasarandi; he can go on insulting Africans. Has Jeff Juda ever been told that African borders are artificial: "In 1885 European leaders met at the infamous Berlin Conference to divide Africa and arbitrarily draw up borders that exist to this day. The map on the wall in the Reich Chancellery in Berlin was five meters (16.4 feet) tall. It showed Africa with rivers, lakes, a few place names and many white spots" (Taken from Deutsche Welle 2015). Jeff Juda is hiding in South Africa. It is for this reason he cannot insult Ndebele people now. But if for some reason Jeff was deported from South Africa back to Zimbabwe: his narrow tribal instincts will tell him to revenge it upon Ndebele people to tell them to pack and go back to wherever they came from.I dislike Chiwenga for many reasons. But, when he is insulted by Jeff Juda, it becomes very painful to listen. He claims Chiwenga is his auntie's son, whose father, a distant traveler. Is that news to report on social media to degrade, to insult, to diminish his dignity of a human being? Where is the objectivity in that statement? He is saying this manner of evil so that Chiwenga becomes ashamed of himself. Did Chiwenga ask to be born by those two people in that space and time? According to Jess Juda, Nelson Chamisa, Mnangagwa, Ziyambi Ziyambi, Kazembe Kazembe, Biti, Sikhala: people he dislikes, are foreigners from Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia Burundi, etc. Jeff Juda will not successfully take away facts: Chamisa was born in Chirumanzi: of Karanga peoples. When Chamisa makes mistakes, we shall be quick to criticize him, me included, rightly so, but criticism must never rob him of his original identity and dignity. Recognizing his place of birth, Chamisa is a true Zimbabwean like all of us. If we remove artificial borders, we are all Africans.Again, I am sensitive to xenophobic utterances because of personal experience at Lusaka boarding school in Zambia. We were called "Rhodesians"! Stereotyped, we were all Zezurus and therefore thieves. Black "Rhodesians" stole cars; we were publicly shamed and jeered at very often: "Zvinopindirana". Black Rhodesians never stole cars but were very hard-working people. That fact was known and recognized by President Kenneth Kaunda. They forgot one thing: Black "Rhodesians had soft power in Zambia back then. They were farmers and they fed Zambia literally; They were professionals: teachers, nurses, doctors in hospitals. Black "Rhodesians" could not go back home to Zimbabwe for political reasons; they found a home in Zambia. Mnangagwa's parents relocated to Zambia like many black "Rhodesians" back then. I remember vividly meeting Dambudzo Mnangagwa twice at the University of Zambia with other "Rhodesians", Zimbabwean law students. What I cannot say is whether he was a law student at UNZA (University of Zambia) I don't know! I doubt if I need that information now. Mnangagwa is a Zimbabwean whether we want it or not: Jeff Juda cannot reject his citizenship because he is a killer a murderer, a looter of nations resources, a paedophile, and becomes a Zambian.I am concerned about Jeff Juda's language because it is toxic. Growing children should never be subjected to under-the pale language use, and to consume xenophobic utterances towards the othering. They must be facilitated with investigative minds that can critique, argument objective information to become good and responsible citizens. Ghana ex-security chief arrested as fraud crackdown expands Accra, March 24 (AFP) Mar 24, 2025 A top Ghanaian security official was arrested over the weekend for allegedly skimming millions of dollars from a cyber-security contract, authorities said Monday, as President John Mahama continues an anti-corruption drive. Kwabena Adu-Boahene, the country's former National Signals Bureau (NSB) director-general, is accused of diverting funds from a $7 million contract meant to strengthen Ghana's cyber-security infrastructure. Mahama, who took office in January, has vowed to reclaim stolen public funds during the tenure of former president Nana Akufo-Addo. Officials say the crackdowns, including a probe into ex-finance minister Ken Ofori-Atta, mark a renewed push to hold former officials accountable for financial misconduct and restore public trust in government institutions. Attorney-General and Minister of Justice Dominic Ayine said Monday that Adu-Boahene was apprehended for allegedly diverting funds from a cyber-defence systems contract, signed in January 2020 with Israeli firm RLC Holdings Limited. The deal was designed to bolster Ghana's ability to combat cyber threats, data breaches and digital espionage. However, investigators by state agency Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) found that the funds were instead channelled into private accounts linked to Adu-Boahene and his wife, Angela Adjei-Boateng. Shortly after the contract was signed, Adu-Boahene transferred more than 27 million Ghanaian cedis ($1.7 million) from the NSB's accounts to a private one, Ayine said. "Official documentation on the transfer reveals that the amount was for the payment of cyber-defence system software. He transferred the money to his private company," Ayine said. Authorities say the couple then used more diverted funds to acquire multiple properties in Ghana and abroad. Both remain in detention as the investigation expands to identify other individuals involved. Investigators are also probing Ofori-Atta, the former finance minister, over alleged financial irregularities linked to the issuance of government bonds and public debt management. Additionally, the government is reviewing a payroll fraud scandal at Ghana's National Service Secretariat, where over 81,000 "ghost names" were allegedly used to siphon millions from state coffers. "The era of impunity is over," Ayine said. "We will ensure that all those responsible for the looting of public funds face the full force of the law." The government has pledged to expedite legal proceedings in its anti-graft campaign, with prosecutions expected to begin in the coming months. The corruption investigations come as the country seeks to reassure international investors and financial institutions amid efforts to stabilise its economy. The government has been negotiating with the International Monetary Fund for financial support, with governance reforms among the key conditions. Paramilitary shelling kills five at Khartoum mosque: lawyers' group Khartoum, March 24 (AFP) Mar 24, 2025 Paramilitary shelling on a mosque in eastern Khartoum killed five people and injured dozens, a Sudanese pro-democracy lawyers' group said Monday, in the second assault on civilians since the army recaptured central Khartoum two days earlier. The attack, blamed on the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), targeted worshippers as they gathered for evening prayers at a mosque in the East Nile district of Khartoum on Sunday, said the Emergency Lawyers network, which has been documenting abuses by both the army and the RSF since the conflict erupted in April 2023. This is the second reported attack on civilians since the RSF lost central Khartoum, including the presidential palace, in a major army offensive on Friday. On Sunday, RSF artillery also pounded Omdurman, Khartoum's twin city, killing three civilians in what eyewitnesses described as some of the heaviest bombardments in recent months. For nearly two years, Sudan has been ravaged by a war between the regular army and the RSF, a conflict that has killed tens of thousands of people, uprooted over 12 million more and created the world's largest hunger and displacement crises. While in recent days, the army and allied armed groups have clawed back much of Khartoum's government district, the RSF still holds ground in parts of the city centre -- including the airport -- as well as the capital's south and west. From their positions in western Omdurman, across the Nile from Khartoum, paramilitary fighters have regularly launched strikes on residential areas. UK-French defence chiefs discuss plans to guarantee potential Ukraine truce London, March 24 (AFP) Mar 24, 2025 British and French defence chiefs met again in London on Monday to discuss plans for allied countries to safeguard a potential Ukraine ceasefire as part of Prime Minister Keir Starmer's so-called "coalition of the willing". The meeting was the third of its kind since Starmer earlier this month announced he would work to bring together nations who could guarantee any cessation of hostilities between Russia and Ukraine. "Europe's two leading nuclear powers are stepping up to forge a stronger and deeper partnership that has a vital foundational role to play in the security of the continent," said Chief of the Defence Staff Admiral Tony Radakin afterwards. "Today's deliberations will help shape the future of British and French military co-operation, and our shared efforts to support Ukraine with military aid now and after any peace deal," he added. After the meeting, the defence chiefs met King Charles III -- head of the British armed forces -- at Windsor Castle, west of London. Starmer's Downing Street office said it was continuing to keep the US updated on military planning meetings. "The coalition of the willing is a group of nations politically aligned to the defence, security and sovereignty of Ukraine ... if there is a deal, it's a deal that has to be defended," his official spokesman said. Starmer has been leading efforts to form the group alongside French President Emmanuel Macron since US President Donald Trump opened direct negotiations with Russia last month to end the three-year war. But questions remain over what the group might be able to do after Putin demanded an end to Western military aid to Ukraine as a condition for any end to fighting. Starmer and Macron have said they are willing to put British and French troops on the ground in Ukraine, but Russia has said that it would not agree to soldiers from NATO countries being deployed there. The prime minister has said he welcomes any offer of support for the group, raising the prospect that some countries could contribute logistics or surveillance. Monday's meeting was attended by the heads of the British and French armies, navies and air forces as well as the head of both countries' defence forces. An extremist group has been linked to a Winnipeg terrorism-related case. What is M.K.Y.? Graffiti in Winnipeg's Charleswood area in late December 2024 shows the letters 'M.K.Y.,' an apparent reference to a violent extremist group. The abbreviation 'M.K.Y.' comes from the Russian for 'Maniac Murder Cult,' according to the Global Network on Extremism and Technology one of several names the group goes by. (Submitted by Avrom Charach - image credit) WARNING: This story contains references to and images of antisemitic graffiti. A racially and ethnically motivated extremist group police say has been linked to an antisemitic vandalism case in Winnipeg draws its hateful ideology from many sources but is ultimately fuelled by a sense of nihilism, experts say. Manitoba RCMP said last week they charged 19-year-old Nevin Young with four terrorism-related charges after an investigation found links to online radicalization and a violent extremist group called M.K.Y. He had previously been charged with spray-painting antisemitic graffiti on buildings, fences and other objects. The letters "M.K.Y." were also tagged around Winnipeg's Charleswood area late last year. ADVERTISEMENT The abbreviation "M.K.Y." comes from the Russian for "Maniac Murder Cult," according to the Global Network on Extremism and Technology one of several names the group goes by, along with "Maniacs: Cult of Killing," "MMC" and "MKU." Avrom Charach Charach stands in front of a graffiti tag in Winnipeg's Charleswood neighbourhood that referenced M.K.Y. on Monday, Jan. 13, 2025. Avrom Charach stands in front of a graffiti tag in Winnipeg's Charleswood neighbourhood in January. He took on the work of removing hateful graffiti painted in the area, including references to M.K.Y. (Arturo Chang/CBC) Though it originated in Russia and Ukraine, it now has members around the world, according to a 2024 report published by West Point military academy's Combating Terrorism Center, which drew from publicly available sources such as court filings and from M.K.Y. posts. Members purport to believe in an "aggressive form of national socialism," rooted in among other things, "extreme misanthropy" and "theistic Satanism," according to the American military academy's report. ADVERTISEMENT Court documents from the indictment of an alleged M.K.Y. leader in the U.S. last year say the group promotes a "neo-Nazi accelerationist ideology" that encourages violence toward Jewish people and other "undesirables." "They're part of a network [of groups] sort of defined by nihilism," said Evan Balgord, executive director of the Canadian Anti-Hate Network. M.K.Y. is "notable in that they really encourage offline violence," he said. 'Mass casualty attack' planned in NYC: FBI The July 2024 U.S. indictment accuses Georgia national Michail Chkhikvishvili, a then 20-year-old who went by "Commander Butcher" and other aliases, of planning and recruiting for a "mass casualty attack" that was set to take place in New York City during New Year's Eve in 2023. ADVERTISEMENT The documents say that on or around Nov. 2 of that year, "Butcher" sent instructions to an FBI agent posing as a potential recruit about a plan to have someone dress up as Santa Claus and hand out poisoned candy to racial minorities, including Jewish children. Chkhikvishvili was arrested in Moldova on July 6 under an Interpol wanted person alert. The U.S. Department of Justice said in an email he's still pending extradition from Moldova, and that it cannot share any further details on the investigation. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison. OSLO, NORWAY - JULY 25: Norwegians hold roses and comfort each other as thousands of people gather at a memorial vigil following Friday's twin extremist attacks on July 25, 2011, in Oslo, Norway. Anders Behring Breivik, 32, claimed that he has 'two more cells' working with him as he appeared in court today following a bomb blast at a government building in Oslo and a shooting massacre on nearby Utoya Island that killed at least 76 people in all. The death toll was originally reported as 93. Breivik has been detained for eight weeks, four of which in full isolation. Mourners gathered at a vigil after extremist attacks in Oslo, Norway, left 77 dead in July 2011. Michail Chkhikvishvili, accused of planning a 'mass casualty attack' that was to take place in New York City in 2023, said he could 'do bigger action than Breivik,' referencing the Oslo attacker, according to an FBI affidavit. (Paula Bronstein/Getty Images) ADVERTISEMENT An April 2024 affidavit filed by an FBI agent said Chkhikvishvili is the author of the "Hater's Handbook," a text widely circulated among M.K.Y. members calling for ethnic cleansing and encouraging school shootings or using children for bombings and other mass killings. The West Point report said M.K.Y. "seeks to emulate serial killers and other mass murderers," like the gunman involved in a 2020 mass killing at a mosque in Christchurch, New Zealand, or Americans like the Zodiac Killer and the Unabomber. Chkhikvishvili is also alleged to have shared manuals on how to build explosive devices, commit arson, and attack and kill victims with "knives, hammers, screwdrivers and other weapons," according to the FBI affidavit. In one message, he told the undercover agent he could "do bigger action than Breivik without getting caught," referencing the neo-Nazi who killed 77 people in Norway in 2011. Members must share videos of violence: report Groups like M.K.Y. are populated by people who are "disillusioned with society," said Georgios Samaras, an assistant professor of public policy at King's College London who specializes in extremism. "Their goal is to engage in domestic terrorist activities. They spread horror and they're trying to amplify their hate speech," he said. The 2024 FBI agent's affidavit said M.K.Y. members regularly communicate and recruit through group chats in an "untraceable" social media platform. Channels in the platform "have been used to share videos depicting and encouraging acts of violence on behalf of M.K.Y., including what appear to be beatings, stabbings and other assaults," she wrote. Balgord said M.K.Y. particularly targets vulnerable people for recruitment, and that, as with other online extremist groups, members tend to be young people. Evan Balgord is the executive director of the Canadian Anti-Hate Network and is a non-academic affiliate of the Canadian Network for Research on Terrorism, Security and Society. Evan Balgord, the executive director of the Canadian Anti-Hate Network, says M.K.Y. particularly targets vulnerable people for recruitment, and that, as with other online extremist groups, members tend to be young people. (Canadian Network for Research on Terrorism, Security and Society) "These are people who deeply hate themselves, deeply hate others," Balgord said. "They expose themselves to horrific images and videos that sort of desensitises them to violence." The West Point report said people must carry out a "violent or criminal attack" to join M.K.Y., and that members are expected to film or livestream the acts. "We ask people for brutal beating, arson/explosion or murder vids on camera," Chkhikvishvili told the undercover FBI agent, according to the FBI affidavit. The West Point report said evidence of "M.K.Y.-style" videos of criminal acts and violence can be found as far back as 2018. By 2019, people using the group's name were claiming authorship of videos showing attacks on homeless people. The alleged leader of the group, Yegor Krasnov, was arrested in eastern Ukraine in 2020, and there have also been M.K.Y.-related arrests in Romanian and the U.K., the report said. Balgord said the exchange of images of people getting killed or other kinds of gore is "as old as the internet itself." "I hope this doesn't make sense to a lot of people but there are people who are attracted to that kind of content because of its transgressive nature," he said. "It can go to some very dangerous places after that." Toby Leek, president of NAEA (National Association of Estate Agents) Propertymark, said that despite the improvements in affordability: Ongoing issues remain, especially for first-time buyers, as the average deposit needed to enter the market and take advantage of more competitive mortgage deals currently sits at around 50,000, which is out of reach for many people. 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 The most interesting cultural dialogue, though, is between Twigs and Madonna, to whom she has been favourably compared and whose 1998 album, Ray of Light, is something of a Eusexua harbinger. Besides Twigss tribute to Vogue, one of the gigs standout moments is the cowboy segment, which any Madonna historian can see was plainly lifted from Ray of Lights follow-up album, Music for which Madge reinvented herself as a cowgirl. And what song should Twigs perform as a cowgirl but Girl Feels Good: the second track on Eusexua that unambiguously recalls the second track on Ray of Light, Swim? With beats set to the slashing of whips and a very literal interpretation of the age-old adage save a horse, ride a cowboy, it was also the shows raunchiest moment a clear nod to the Queen of Pop and her own outre live shows. Madge would have been proud, Im sure. The family of a Milwaukee woman who was deported to Laos by the Trump administration earlier this month is raising funds to bring her back home to her five children. Ma Yang, a 37-year-old Hmong-American, has been living in a government facility near the Laotian capital of Vientiane since arriving in the Southeast Asian country in the first week of March. Yang claims to have never been to Laos or known anyone from the small landlocked Southeast Asian country, nestled between Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam and a world away geographically, culturally and linguistically from the United States midwest. Her longtime partner, Michael Bub, has launched a GoFundMe to bring Yang in what he described to be a "beloved mother, daughter, sister and fiancee back home where she belongs". ADVERTISEMENT Yang was born in a refugee camp in Thailand but gained legal status as a permanent US resident until she pleaded guilty to cannabis-related charges and served 30 months in a federal prison. Having taken a plea deal mistakenly believing that her green card would not be at risk, she is now one of the "millions and millions" of people Donald Trump pledged to kick out of America during his re-election campaign. Activists supporting Yang's family in Milwaukee said Yang was "shaken" by the deportation and the prospect of starting her life from scratch in a new country but was "doing OK for the most part". The National Assembly of Laos in Vientiane (Alisha Rahaman Sarkar/The Independent) Mr Bub in a post on the fundraising website said Milwaukee is the only home Yang has ever known after arriving in the US at eight months old. "She built her life in Milwaukee, working hard as a nail technician and receptionist while raising five children, ages 6 to 22," he wrote, adding that she recently welcomed her first grandchild. He added that Yang's 12 siblings were all born in the US after her parents fled the Vietnam war. "...the fact that she was born in a refugee camp made her a victim of 'stupid' birth circumstances". ADVERTISEMENT Mr Bub added that the financial burden has been "overwhelming" and the family was raising money to cover her legal fees to "fight for her return home, her health care and medical expenses". Yang has been living in Laos for the past weeks without any direct legal representation, The Independent has learned. According to immigration lawyer Jath Shao, even if is successful in overturning her deportation through the US legal system, she would most likely not be allowed back until at least the 2040s. Yang told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that the Trump administration had "sent me back to die." "How do I rent, or buy, or anything, with no papers?" Yang said. "I'm a nobody right now." It is not immediately clear why Laos accepted Yang's deportation despite her not being from the country. The Laos national assembly is in the process of debating changes to the constitution to formally recognise the Lao diaspora, thereby strengthening ties with those who have acquired foreign citizenship after leaving the country during historical migrations. Though still at the draft stage, it could offer Yang a route to documentation in Laos at least. What big chain coffee shops offer as an incentive for a reusable cup? Pret: A 50p discount for customers who bring in their own reusable cup. Caffe Nero: Any customer who brings any reusable cup receives an extra loyalty stamp with their drink. It means that a free coffee can be obtained after five visits with a reusable cup. Costa: The same as Caffe Nero, although the scheme is only open to Costa Club Members. Starbucks: Customers who bring in a reusable cup can benefit from a 25p discount. Starbucks is committed to reducing paper cup waste, said the company. All four were asked by the reporter if they wanted to provide further comment. In addition: Boston Tea Party: In June 2018, this independent UK chain banned disposable cups across its 21 locations. Customers must bring their own reusable cups or purchase one in-store. Monmouth Coffee: In March 2022, Monmouth Coffee introduced a cup-deposit initiative where customers pay a deposit for a reusable cup, which can be returned at participating cafes. On the possibility of legal action being taken by airlines Mr Wicking, who also called for an independent investigation of what happened and why recovery took so long, added: "I would hope not. But in some of these situations that's the only course once you've gone through everything else. Mr Healey replied: Its just not accurate. Theres a new proposal for a strategy from the European Union, it has opportunities for third countries like the UK to participate, the discussions that were having demonstrate the importance of the UK being able to collaborate industrially and as governments in order to meet the threats that we face. The results of the DNA examination of the remains have now eliminated them as being those of the family to whom the grave belongs and now also eliminated them as being those of Joe Lynskey or any of the Disappeared. 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. ### 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. 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"The change of administration brought about a change, let's say, of policy regarding migration. One of the important themes that the Trump administration backed both during the campaign period and afterwards was limiting illegal migration to the United States, as it is known that it was an important topic in this campaign. As we have seen, President Trump insisted immediately after winning the elections on this topic. And practically, the activity of those at Home Security was focused on this area and it is possible that we will indeed have a postponement, but from this point of view Romania has respected all the conditions that were agreed on. We have made the databases available in such a way that there is a verification as clear as possible. And I believe that by the end of this week we will have an announcement on this topic", Bolojan told Antena 1 TV station. "We have communication channels, but we must continue to work, because the relationship with the United States of America is a strategic relationship for Romania and regardless of the administration in Washington, we must strengthen this relationship, and the Trump administration has come up with some new approaches, which we must face. Think, for example, that it was said - and I think it is a correct thing - that all European countries should increase their contributions in such a way as to assume a greater part of Europe's defense. (...) We have important defense contracts with the United States of America. We have prepared programs with NATO, which will continue without any problems this year. So we must continue to develop this strategic partnership, including the economic component, and it is a strategic direction for our country", stated the interim president. The Ministry of Education and Research, through the National Authority for Research (ANC), has announced the launch of a campaign in which, on a monthly basis, at least one major scientific achievement with a significant impact on society will be promoted. This achievement will be the result of researchers from Romanian universities and research institutes. "The Ministry of Education and Research (MEC) reaffirms its commitment to bring science and culture closer to the general public, through education and the promotion of critical thinking as an effective antidote against manipulation, conspiracies and pseudoknowledge propagated by pseudoscience and pseudoreligion. In a world where misinformation is gaining more ground, MEC assumes the role of a platform that connects people with the authentic achievements of Romanian research, thus contributing to the development of an informed and resilient society," reads a MEC press release sent to AGERPRES on Monday. According to the ministry, the campaign, which aims to highlight the performances of Romanian researchers, inspire young people by offering good practice models, and combat false narratives through the power of authentic knowledge, kicks off with the remarkable story of Daniela Pascal, a researcher at the "Horia Hulubei" National Institute of Physics and Nuclear Engineering (IFIN-HH), who has recently returned from a scientific expedition in Antarctica. The film "A Romanian in Antarctica!" created in collaboration with physicist Cristian Presura, has been launched on social media and has already attracted hundreds of thousands of views. The material showcases Daniela Pascal's contributions to polar research, emphasising her role in advancing scientific knowledge and the impact of her work on global society. Her achievement was first promoted in the pages of InHouse magazine, a publication belonging to the National Authority for Research, which is dedicated to promoting top science and research in Romania. "This initiative joins other recent efforts by MEC, such as partnerships with the National Audiovisual Council (CNA) and social media platforms, aimed at combating misinformation and promoting critical thinking in the public space. Through such projects, MEC seeks to create bridges between the scientific community and citizens, offering positive role models and verified information," the release highlights. An exhibition about the Transylvanian Saxons, including from the Sebes area, will be held for a month at the Princely Palace of Transylvania in Alba Iulia, according to a press release sent to AGERPRES on Monday. "From April 2 to May 4, 2025, the Princely Palace of Transylvania in Alba Iulia will host the temporary exhibition "Andreanum 800 years - law and constitution of the Transylvanian Saxons" + "100 Local Echoes", which presents the history, culture and identity of the German-speaking community in Transylvania," reads the release. The first one, "Andreanum 800", a traveling exhibition organized by the Department for Inter-Ethnic Relations of the Romanian Government and the German Cultural Forum for Eastern Europe, which deals with the impact of the 1224 Diploma Andreanum, or Der Goldener Freibrief der Siebenburger Sachsen (English: Golden Charter of the Transylvanian Saxons) on the cultural, economic and legal development of the Transylvanian Saxons. The public policies proposed by the Government are reflected in normative acts or action plans aimed at identifying and providing those working daily in meteorology and hydrology with the necessary financial resources for innovation, transformation, and adaptation of their work, State Advisor with the Prime Minister's Chancellery Mihaela Frasineanu said on Monday at the event dedicated to World Water Day and World Meteorological Day. "The role of a government is to propose public policies based on the data and information provided by both hydrologists and meteorologists, policies that are reflected either in normative acts, strategies and action plans, and also to identify and make available to those working daily in these areas the financial resources needed for innovation, transformation and adaptation of their work. The Interministerial Committee for Climate Change represents the main inter-institutional coordination platform for combating the effects of climate change and managing the energy transition, as well as the entire Romanian economy. I want to tell you that by setting priorities for 2024, which will continue in 2025, this committee has contributed to the adoption of essential initiatives, such as the development of the 'Green Week' Programme, the implementation of the action plan on environmental education and climate change for the period 2023-2030, the adoption of the new Forestry Code, and why not, the establishment of the National Climate Monitoring Centre, a green, energy-independent building dedicated to climate change research," said Frasineanu. According to the quoted source, Romania has already adopted the National Strategy for Adaptation to Climate Change for the period 2024-2030, a document that strengthens the country's capacity to cope with extreme weather events. "In August last year, the Government of Romania adopted the National Strategy for Adaptation to Climate Change for the period 2024-2030, with a perspective until 2050. This strategy enhances the country's ability to face the challenges generated by climate change, aligning with Romania's international commitments, such as signing the Paris Agreement and being a member of the European Union. One of the main objectives of the strategy is to protect citizens, especially vulnerable communities, from the effects of climate change, such as droughts, floods and extreme weather events (...) All these initiatives demonstrate that change is possible when there is vision (...), and together we can give more importance to this highly relevant issue with far-reaching implications in the medium and long term. Together, we can turn commitments into results," emphasised the Government representative. The "Apele Romane" National Administration (ANAR) and the National Meteorological Administration (ANM) organised on Monday the event dedicated to World Water Day and World Meteorological Day, under the patronage of the Ministry of Environment, Waters and Forests (MMAP). Two Virginia institutions are charged with honoring the legacy of their founder Thomas Jefferson, who dedicated his life to establishing and preserving an American republic. Every year, the University of Virginia and the Thomas Jefferson Foundation, which owns and operates Jeffersons Monticello estate overlooking the school, recognize three individuals for their contributions to the fields Jefferson held dear: architecture, civil leadership and the law. The 2025 recipients of the Thomas Jefferson Foundation Medals are landscape architect Walter Hood, public interest lawyer and acclaimed author Bryan Stevenson and U.S. Deputy Solicitor General Edwin Kneedler. Our part, Thomas Jefferson counseled in 1822, is to pursue with steadiness what is right, Jane Kamensky, president and CEO of the Thomas Jefferson Foundation, said in a statement announcing the recipients. This years medalists exemplify that Jeffersonian value of principled leadership, and that of turning principles into action. We are honored to recognize their decades of determined effort and look forward to witnessing the ways they continue to shape our world for the better. A native of Charlotte, North Carolina, Hood has garnered national recognition for his architectural designs, landscape planning and installation art that blend urbanism with Black culture and experiences. After attending North Carolina AT&T State University, a historically Black college, he switched coasts to receive a double masters of architecture and landscape architecture from the University of California, Berkeley, where he currently teaches. In California, he went on to become the founder and principal of Hood Design Studio, a social art and design practice which has contracts nationwide. Back in 2006, UVa collaborated with the studio on a project honoring the home of Catherine Kitty Foster, a free Black seamstress who lived near UVa Grounds on Venable Lane from 1833 to 1863. Hood created a shadowcatcher, an aluminum grid structure meant to cast a shadow resembling the outline of the Foster house. People will be able to walk under the trellis, Hood is quoted in a story published by UVa Today, part of the universitys communications department, at the time. I can see classes having seminars there. I can also see someone just sitting and pondering. Hood also received a MacArthur Fellowship colloquially referred to as the Genius Grant given to Americans who have shown extraordinary originality and dedication in their creative pursuits in 2019, in addition the Architectural Leagues Presidents Medal award in 2021 and the Vincent Scully Prize in 2024 for exemplary work in the architectural field. Stevenson, a Harvard-trained lawyer, might be recognized as the basis for actor Michael B. Jordans character in the 2019 film Just Mercy, following Stevensons efforts to free Alabama man Walter McMillian from death row after a wrongful conviction on a murder charge. Stevenson has made a name for himself as a public interest lawyer dedicated to advocating for low-income minority groups, particularly those that have found themselves on the wrong side of the law. Though he was born and raised in Delaware, Stevenson moved South after earning a degree in law and masters in public policy from Harvard University. He worked for the Southern Center for Human Rights, covering the state of Alabama, for several years. In 1989, he formed the Equal Justice Initiative to defend incarcerated individuals who were handed a death sentence after Congress cut funding for public defenders on such cases. As of 2022, the initiative has saved more than 130 people from death row and made strides to eliminate bias across the criminal justice system and overturn other wrongful convictions. For his efforts, Stevenson has also received a MacArthur Fellowship, more than 50 honorary doctoral degrees, the Global Citizen of the Year in 2020 and was named one of Time Magazines 100 Most Influential People in 2015. He has been awarded the Jefferson Medal for civil leadership. Rounding out the recipients, Kneedler earned the medal for law. A 1974 graduate of the UVa School of Law, Kneedler carries the designation of having argued more cases before the U.S. Supreme Court than any other practicing attorney, with more than 150. Some of his most high-profile legal battles revolved around the Affordable Care Act, the separation of powers and the rights of the executive branch. After leaving Charlottesville, he was employed at the Office of Legal Counsel in the Department of Justice before moving to the Office of the Solicitor General in 1979. Over the course of his 32 years as a deputy solicitor general, he spent three months in 2009 as acting solicitor general, appointed by President George W. Bush to fill the role before now-U.S. Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan was confirmed. This years Thomas Jefferson Foundation Medal recipients exemplify excellence and service to their communities, the nation and the world, UVa President Jim Ryan is quoted in the statement announcing the recipients. Each has profoundly influenced their respective fields, and each has inspired others to act boldly and courageously, as Jefferson did. The esteemed trio will be in Charlottesville to receive their awards from both Kamensky and Ryan on April 11, two days before Jeffersons birthday, referred to locally as Founders Day. The ceremony will include a luncheon in UVas iconic, Jefferson-designed Rotunda. The public will also have a chance to hear this years honorees speak at engagements on university Grounds and at the Monticello Founders Day ceremony on April 10 and 11. Kneedler will speak at 1 p.m. on April 10 in the law schools Purcell Reading Room. Hood will speak at 3:30 p.m. on April 11 in the Old Cabell Hall auditorium. Stevenson will deliver the keynote Founders Day address at 10 a.m. on April 11 on Monticellos West Lawn. All three speaking engagements are free and open to the public. The number of cases of tuberculosis has fallen more than three times compared to 22 years ago, which shows that Romania's approach to combating this disease has been correct, Health Minister Alexandru Rafila said on Monday at a conference dedicated to World Tuberculosis Day. "The approach that Romania has had in the last 20 years in terms of fighting tuberculosis has been the right one. (...) At the beginning of the 2000s (...), in Romania we had tens of thousands of cases of tuberculosis, many, many deaths and cases of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis were beginning to appear. And within a few years, we managed then to change the trend, which had been increasing until 2003. After that, it slowly started to decrease and after 22 years, compared to 2002 or 2003, the number of TB cases has dropped three times. In general, a more than five-fold reduction in the number of cases of tuberculosis in children aged between zero and 14 years and a very significant reduction in the number of deaths," explained Alexandru Rafila. On another matter, the minister drew attention to the challenge posed by a stagnation in the global downward trend in tuberculosis, with even a slight increase, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. "Scientific articles (...) document this direct relationship between what happened during the pandemic and the increase in cases of tuberculosis (...), on the one hand, and what is happening at the global level, where the lack of funding in various tuberculosis programs (...) can jeopardize certain areas, not Romania, but (...) international circulation is very intense," said Minister Rafila. In his turn, the manager of the Institute of Pneumophysiology Marius Nasta, Gheorghe Popescu, said that the tuberculosis wards of the institution will be moved to the new Zerlendi Hospital, which will have 97 beds, and should be completed by the end of June 2026, but expressed the hope that this deadline will be by March 2026, given the progress of works. The interim President of the Senate, Mircea Abrudean, will pay an official visit to France from March 31 to April 1, according to an internal memorandum approved on Monday by the Senate's leadership. According to the document, Abrudean will meet the President of the French Senate, Gerard Larcher, and the OECD Secretary-General, Mathias Cormann. "The program of the visit will also include meetings with local authorities and the diaspora. The visit is part of the bilateral actions carried out between the Romanian Senate and the Senate of the French Republic, which aim to complement and strengthen the existing Strategic Partnership between the two countries, especially in the light of the current economic and security situation in Europe," the document reads. Following this visit, Mircea Abrudean will travel to Malaga (Kingdom of Spain) to take part in the Forum on the Future of the Mediterranean on the occasion of the Spanish Presidency of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean (April 2-4). The largest crane ever installed at the Port of Constanta, a massive piece of machinery with a 38-meter reach that allows the loading and unloading of Panamax ships, was successfully commissioned this March, having been installed by grains and oilseeds trader ADM Romania. According to a company release, the new Sennebogen 885 hydraulic crane, weighing in total approximately 320 tons, and equipped with an electric engine producing 500 kW of power, has a handling capacity of up to 12-15 thousand tons per day and will highly benefit the productivity and efficiency at the ADM Romania terminal in the Port of Constanta. The new piece of heavy machinery will speed up the rate of loading and unloading vessels and barges. The Ministry of Finance (MF) borrowed, on Monday, 2.110 billion RON from banks, through a benchmark government bond issue, with a residual maturity of 16 months, at an average yield of 6.83% per annum, according to data published by the National Bank of Romania (BNR). The nominal value of Monday's issue was 600 million RON, and banks subscribed about 3.255 billion lei. An additional auction is scheduled for Tuesday, through which the state wants to attract another 90 million RON at the yield set on Monday for the bonds. The Ministry of Finance (MF) has planned, in March 2025, loans from commercial banks in the amount of 7.4 billion RON, to which an amount of 840 million RON can be added through additional sessions of non-competitive bids, related to the bond auctions. The total amount of 8.24 billion RON is 200 million RON more than the 8.04 billion RON that was programmed in February this year, and will be used to refinance public debt and finance the state budget deficit. A delegation of the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), the human rights institution of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) is conducting the Limited Election Observation Mission of the 2025 Romanian presidential elections, from March 24 to May 23, informs the Permanent Electoral Authority (AEP) in a press release sent to AGERPRES on Monday. The AEP acting president, Zsombor Vajda, had a meeting with the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights representatives, in which they discussed the steps and activities initiated by AEP in order to organize this year's presidential elections "with professionalism, transparency and fairness, so that the elections will be held in compliance with European and international standards in the field". During the meeting, the OSCE/ODIHR representatives also detailed the calendar of activities of the Limited Election Observation Mission for the 2025 Presidential Elections in Romania. The mission is taking place at the initiative of the Romanian prime minister, Marcel Ciolacu, who approved the reiteration of the invitation for the OSCE/ODIHR to observe the presidential elections in May. On behalf of OSCE/ODIHR, the meeting was attended by a delegation led by the Head of Mission, Eoghan Murphy. A team of 12 butchers, including Laszlo Biro of Mures, will represent Romania at the World Butchers' Challenge 2025, which will take place in Paris on March 30 and 31. "Romania will be the only country in South-Eastern Europe that will compete in this edition of the World Butchers' Challenge, as a first. It is a great achievement for the entire team and for the Romanian butchery. We started training at the beginning of June 2024, we met two to three days a month in Cluj-Napoca to prepare for the competition. The initiator of the project for the participation of the Romanian team in the World Butchers' Challenge 2025 is the Stefan Moldovan Foundation of Cluj-Napoca. The foundation sent a nomination, and the Petry company of Targu Mures, where I work, trusted me and asked me if I didn't want to participate in the pre-selection in Cluj-Napoca. These pre-selections were organised in four major cities of the country, in Bucharest, Iasi, Timisoara and Cluj-Napoca. And so, I went to Cluj-Napoca, I tried to give everything I had acquired as experience in so many years of work, and I got lucky to be chosen in the team that will represent Romania. The team will have 12 butchers," said butcher-chef Biro on Sunday. According to him, at the world competition, in which experienced butchers from 18 countries participate, each team must slice and transform into attractive dishes half a veal, half a pork carcass, a lamb and five chickens, in just three and a half hours. "Every month we had two or three days of intense training, where we prepared everything that will be asked of us in France. I trained with 3,400 kilograms of beef, 1,520 kilograms of pork, 1,240 kilograms of lamb and 180 chickens. It took 40 kilograms of spices, eight kilograms of vegetables and fruits, two kilograms of greens and ornamental edible flowers to fine-tune every detail. I worked, together with my colleagues, in an intensive programme and accumulated 120 hours of training to improve the techniques of slicing and presentation. The meat will be sliced and displayed half-cooked in the showcase. We will have a table that is 9 metres long and 1.5 metres wide. Eighteen countries will participate, the hottest in the meat industry - Brazil, Germany, France, Belgium - which have a hard say in this industry and in the entire butchers' guild." Biro has 29 years of experience and entered this trade at the age of 17, although he wanted to become a car mechanic. "I entered this guild as a child, at the age of 17. I wanted to become a car mechanic, but I didn't succeed in the first exam, and I said that, rather than wasting a year, I'd rather do a specialization as a deli butcher. I did the first year and I liked this job so much that I stayed. When I learned the trade, the big factories were still running under communism, so I started working at Gloria, the former salami factory. Even back then this job was highly respected and well paid. It brought me satisfaction, so I stayed in the industry and gave up the idea of becoming a car mechanic. I remained a butcher. I also worked abroad, in Germany, at the largest slaughterhouse in Europe, where 20,000 head were slaughtered daily. There I gained a lot of experience at a very young age. At the age of 20, after I finished the army service, after three months I went to Germany and there I really gained a very, very great deal of experience, which continued to help me with the job." Biro added that the company in Targu Mures for which he works has allowed him to develop. He started as a slicer, and continued as a deli butcher, and butcher block worker, and after the opening of the restaurants he was offered the chance to be a chef as well. "And, look, I've been working in the HoReCa field for seven years now, which I like very much. It is a very beautiful job, and I feel that I have developed in several areas", said Biro. At the World Butchers' Challenge 2025, Biro wants Romania to get the best possible ranking and to leave "a good impression." Romania tops the EU rankings of tuberculosis incidence, but is making progress in controlling the disease, president of the Romanian Society of Pneumology Florin Mihaltan said on Monday, addressing a conference dedicated to World Tuberculosis Day. "When we talk about tuberculosis stats, we are cited as the EU country most affected by tuberculosis (...), but they forget that there has been extremely visible progress in recent years, that we started from an extremely painful legacy back in '89, when again we were singled out as having a lot of tuberculosis cases, and there is currently a visible decrease (...) in the incidence of new cases, in the incidence in children, in the death rate, the progress is extremely visible," said Mihaltan. He also drew attention to the differences between various counties as regards the prevalence of tuberculosis. "(...) If you look at the map of the county development you will find that it perfectly overlaps with the prevalence of tuberculosis in that county," explained Mihaltan. According to a release from the Romanian Society of Pneumology and the Marius Nasta Institute of Pneumophtisiology, in 2024 the incidence of tuberculosis in Romania was 44.3 per 100,000 population, and in children it was 10.8 per 100,000, but despite this, progress has been made in keeping the disease in check. The number of tuberculosis cases has decreased by 69% in the last two decades. In 2002 there were over 30,000 new cases and relapses in 100,000 population, whereas in 2024 the number had dropped to approximately 8,400 in 100,000 population. The decrease is not uniform in all regions, being influenced by access to medical services, social conditions and measures taken to control the disease. In children up to 14 years of age, the number of tuberculosis cases has decreased by 77.5% in the last two decades. In 2002 there were over 1,800 cases per 100,000 children, and in 2024 this number plunged to approximately 330 per 100,000 children. In the last 20 years, Romania's death rate from tuberculosis went down by approximately 69.5%. If in 2001 there were 10.5 deaths per 100,000 population, the figure dropped to 3.2 per 100,000 in 2024. Tombs about 4,000 years old have been discovered as a result of geophysical research recently carried out by archaeologists of the Neamt National Museum Complex (CMN) in collaboration with specialists from the Czech Republic. Researcher Vasile Diaconu, responsible for this project, told AGERPRES that this is a first stage of an international project carried out between CMN Neamt and the Archaeological Research Centre in Olomouc, the Czech Republic, together with the University of Brno, the Czech Republic. "The purpose of this project is the geophysical investigation of some ancient burial mounds, known in archaeological language as mounds, in order to identify tombs of ancient human communities, coming from the northern area of the Black Sea, about 4,000 years ago. These mounds, of varying sizes, are also scattered on the territory of Neamt County, but their number is very small, compared to the eastern areas of Romania. It is precisely the rarity of these ancient funerary monuments that determined the specialists from the Czech Republic - Jaroslav Peska, Tomas Tencer, Jan Havelka, Jioi Gersl - to turn their attention to Neamt County," Diaconu explained. He added that the non-invasive geophysical research is an essential stage in the knowledge of the structure of these funerary monuments and also an important step in solving the mysteries they hide. In fact, the pictures captured with the aid of sophisticated equipment indicate very clearly the arrangements that are inside these mounds and some tombs can even be seen. "The recent investigations took place only in the environs of the city of Targu Neamt, precisely because there is a greater concentration of these mounds there and all of them were not archaeologically investigated. The purpose of the recent investigations is not only to get scientific information, but also to know whether or not they are of archaeological importance requiring legal protection," said the German researcher. The spectacular results have led Czech specialists to say that the presence of those communities that came from the east 4,000 years ago is confirmed, which is a completely new fact for the area of Neamt County. "This new international cooperation, with the Czech specialists from Brno and Olomouc, opens up new opportunities in archaeological research in Neamt County. We have achieved extraordinary results, which greatly change the almost blurred image we had until now. We managed to prove that inside these ancient mounds there are old structures and tombs, which need to be investigated, because they will change the history of these places. We also had understanding from the local authorities and the research could be carried out under the best circumstances." As a result of the recent research, the local communities in the environs of Targu Neamt have an extra reason to be proud, which derives from this very valuable archaeological heritage, which must be protected and researched. The special value of the scientific data obtained implies a continuation of this project, and the Czech team even wants to open an archaeological site in the Neamt area. The acting President of the Senate, Mircea Abrudean, will pay an official visit to the Republic of Moldova on Tuesday, with the agenda of the discussions including the intensification of cooperation between the two countries in key-sectors and the European path of Moldova. "The acting President of the Senate, Mircea Abrudean, will have a meeting with the President of the Moldovan Parliament, Igor Grosu. At the end of the meeting, the two presidents will hold a joint press statement. Subsequently, the high-ranking Romanian dignitary will have a meeting with the President of the Republic of Moldova, Maia Sandu. At the Government, the official has planned meetings with Prime Minister Dorin Recean and with the Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration, Cristina Gherasimov. During the official visit, the intensification of cooperation between the two countries in key sectors, as well as the reform agenda and the European path of the Republic of Moldova, will be discussed," a press release from the Senate informs. "The visit of the Culture and Media Committee is an attempt to continue and strengthen bilateral relations between the two legislative bodies," the document states. The slash of illegal migration by almost 80% in the last two years is an unprecedented performance across Europe, Minister of the Interior Catalin Predoiu declared on Monday on the occasion of the commissioning of the new precinct of the Popesti-Leordeni Town Police. "Upon taking office, I asked the Romanian Police to re-energize, to intensify drug-fighting efforts. This was achieved, the figures prove it. I asked for an intensification of the fight against organized crime rings, against human trafficking. Point checked, the numbers prove it," said Predoiu, stressing that all these targets were achieved thanks to intelligent and planned work. He specified, however, that not everything is perfect in terms of the functioning of the ministry's branches, of the Police, or as regards the criminal phenomena facing Romania. "Last year, the ministry's investment budget was supplemented by approximately 150% compared to 2023 and I requested the acceleration of all programs for logistics equipment, or with the means you carry out your activity with, from special vehicles to forensic labs and so on, but also as regards the real estate infrastructure," Predoiu said. The opening of the new Popesti-Leordeni Town Police precinct was also attended by Romanian Police Inspector General Benone-Marian Matei, Gendarmerie Inspector General Alin-Ionel Mastan, as well as by World Bank representative Alanna Simpson. Nearly two years after he accepted a plea deal and nearly eight years after he participated in a racist torch-wielding mob at the University of Virginia, the first man arrested and the first to plea received a suspended sentence that acknowledged his nearly five months of pre-plea detention. After the hearing held earlier this month, 40-year-old North Texas resident Wil Zachary Smith offered an apology, yet another first for a participant in the 2017 march across UVa Grounds that prefaced the deadly Unite the Right rally-turned-riot. I apologize for my actions, Smith told The Daily Progress outside of court in downtown Charlottesville. It was a despicable act, and Im sorry. This closes a chapter for Smith who, standing more than 6 feet tall and weighing more than 240 pounds, served as a bodyguard for Holocaust celebrator Robert Warren Ray, who goes by Azzmador in neo-Nazi circles, on Aug. 12, 2017. That was the day of the planned Unite the Right rally that devolved into violence and chaos on the streets of Charlottesville, and a day after the torch-lit march across UVa Grounds. Arrested in Texas in December 2022, Smith was extradited to Virginia and initially charged with felony discharge of noxious gas for allegedly pepper-spraying counterprotesters who had locked arms at the base of a statue of Founding Father Thomas Jefferson at UVa the night of Aug. 11, 2017. While detained at the Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail on that charge, he became the first man arrested in a wave of about a dozen other men accused of violating a Virginia statute criminalizing the use of fire for racial intimidation. Although Albemarle County court records spell his name and hometown differently, the records show that Smith saw the gas charge dropped when he pleaded guilty on May 3, 2023. During Smiths March 10 sentencing hearing, Albemarle County Assistant Commonwealths Attorney Lawton Tufts asked that all jail time be suspended because Smith served nearly five months waiting for bail, a span the prosecutor called the equivalent of a seven-month sentence. Hes here from Texas, said Tufts, so were asking for it all suspended so he doesnt have to go to the jail. I really dont have much to do, said Judge Richard E. Moore during the hearing. Moore did, however, have some words about Unite the Right, the largest gathering of White nationalists in decades. The event drew about 400 would-be participants and a larger number of detractors who clashed in street riots before the event was broken up by police. Later that day, a neo-Nazi from Ohio rammed his car into a group of counterprotesters, injuring dozens and killing anti-racist activist Heather Heyer. This was a terribly disruptive and traumatic event for this community, said Moore. The judge urged Smith and others who felt drawn to Charlottesville to protest the planned removal of a statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee to consider better protest tactics. Everyone charged with crimes was from out of the area, said Moore. They caused heartache for a lot of people. During the Aug. 11, 2017, march, hundreds of White nationalists shouted racist chants, including the Nazi-era Blood and soil as well as Jews will not replace us. Moore rejected the idea that the members of the mob were protected by the First Amendment because, he said, of what happened at the base of the Jefferson statue. In sentencing Smith to five years with all time suspended, Moore added $400 in court costs and a requirement of five years of good behavior. Wearing a gray-blue pullover and seated beside his lawyer Cody Villalon, Smith said nothing in court other than answering perfunctory questions about his age and education. The Daily Progress subsequent efforts to reach Smith for more information about his change of heart were unsuccessful. A tree surgeon at the time of his arrest, Smith was the first of the 2017 marchers to be arrested under Virginias intimidation statute, in part because he had already been indicted for noxious gas release by an Albemarle County grand jury in 2018. However, when Texas authorities arrested him three years later on an unrelated charge they failed to extradite him or notify Albemarle County officials that they had him in custody. In December 2022, Albemarle County prosecutors, likely aware that theyd soon present evidence on the intimidation charge, obtained a fresh arrest warrant, and Smith was arrested that month in Texas and extradited to Virginia. As the only defendant who participated in the march and was charged with a second crime, Smith was in a position to deal, and prosecutors agreed to drop the gas charge in return for his guilty plea on intimidation by fire. Further details of his plea agreement, however, were unavailable as the agreement remained sealed at press time. Other mysteries abound, particularly around Ray, the man that Smith was guarding that fateful weekend in Charlottesville. Ray was a fugitive from justice in at least two jurisdictions, including Albemarle County, where he had been indicted by the same grand jury on an identical gas charge. However, Ray never submitted himself to Albemarle County authorities. Nor did he cooperate with the federal court in Charlottesville, which has an outstanding arrest warrant for him and which ordered him to pay $500,000 to the plaintiffs in the sprawling civil case launched by survivors of Unite the Right, known as Sines v. Kessler. One day last June, just hours after complaining to his followers on the Telegram platform about godawful cramps, Ray allegedly died. But the only account of his death came from an unnamed blogger, citing a conversation with Rays unnamed mother, who allegedly blamed the then-56-year olds demise on a heart attack. As for Smith, his plea came in a controversial prosecution, particularly in its application nearly six years after the event. The controlling law was created in 2002 as a content-neutral alternative to Virginias so-called cross-burning statute when that statute was threatened by higher court invalidation. However, the following year, in Virginia v. Black, the U.S. Supreme Court left the cross-burning statute on the books. The intimidation-by-fire law also stayed on the books but remained unused until Albemarle County Commonwealths Attorney Jim Hingeley announced that his office had secured several indictments in the spring of 2023. To date, Hingeleys office has secured five guilty pleas, one win at trial and four convictions for disorderly conduct, a misdemeanor. Another case was dropped due to a hung jury. The remaining named defendant goes to trial this week, when 27-year-old former Marine Vasillios George Pistolis of Charlotte, North Carolina, takes his case before a jury. His trial is set to begin Wednesday. Students and teachers from Bucharest schools participated last weekend in an international meeting organized in the Bulgarian city of Plovdiv as part of the European Parliament Ambassador School Programme (EPAS), which brought together a total of 100 students and 20 teachers from Bulgaria, Romania and Greece, as well as the heads of the European Parliament offices in the three countries - Teodor Stoychev, Madalina Mihalache and Constantinos Tsoutsoplides, news agency BTA reports. Nicolae Stefanuta, Vice-President of the European Parliament from the Greens/European Free Alliance Group, opened the event on Saturday with a video address, sharing that over 100 schools from Romania are participating in the EPAS programme. If young people want to have an impact on these processes, they need to be familiar with them, to avoid disinformation, said Stephen Clark, Director for the European Parliament's Liaison Offices and moderator of the event. Romania can export live sheep to third countries, the only exceptions being the counties of Bihor and Arad, where restrictions were imposed due to outbreaks of peste des petits ruminants (PPR), while the EU only allows deliveries of sheep carcasses and meat, the vice president of the National Veterinary Sanitary and Food Safety Authority (ANSVSA) Ioan Oleleu told AGERPRES on Monday. "The sheep breeders' concerns are justified, but a correct partnership is needed now between state institutions, ministries and everything that the specific industry represents at national level in order to overcome this moment, these restrictions that have been set in place in Romania. Several localities in Bihor and Arad County have restrictions imposed on the movement of sheep because of the emergence of PPR outbreaks. It is very important that live sheep exports to third countries remain open, to everything meaning Arab countries. There are no restrictions on the sale of animals there, and we are mainly exporters, with over 70% of the sheep in Romania," said Oleleu. According to him, increasingly more domestic and foreign companies have expressed their interest in buying sheep meat from Romania, "which is a positive thing, because it creates added value." Interim President Ilie Bolojan said on Monday that "without a functional, independent and efficient judiciary, our democracy could become even more fragile". "My presence is a sign of respect for you, for those who work at the High Court and for all those who work in the Romanian judicial system, a system that is a basic pillar of our country. It is an opportunity to reflect honestly and lucidly on the state of justice in Romania, because without a functional, independent and efficient judiciary, our democracy could become even more fragile," said Ilie Bolojan, at the 2024 annual report meeting of the High Court of Cassation and Justice (ICCJ). He said that in recent years, the Romanian justice system has been operating in a complex context, mentioning some of the constant challenges faced by the judiciary, namely the heavy workload of the courts, the complexity of cases, legislative instability and the lack of clarity of some laws. The interim president considered that the efforts already undertaken by the ICCJ to make its own jurisprudence more accessible through a digital library and the steps taken to ensure a uniform practice are concrete steps towards strengthening confidence in justice. "Effective justice is not only about functioning institutions, clear laws or procedures. Great public systems are made up of people serving our country. Romania has many professional magistrates with integrity. Since it is their task to establish judicial truth, society expects magistrates to be moral and professional benchmarks. I am grateful to all magistrates, who, through what they do, are a benchmark for other public systems, but especially for citizens, guaranteeing that their rights and freedoms are protected," added Ilie Bolojan. Chef-owner Ben Welchs deep-run roots begin in Mississippi, where family tradition and barbecue culture laid the groundwork for a culinary career that has spanned nearly four decades. Now, after spending time immersing himself in the foodways of the American South, hes ready to tell a story of memory, food, family and culture with Lucy Quinn and Little Lucy, opening in The Grove next week. Little Lucy will open on March 24 followed by Lucy Quinn, which will debut on March 26. The dual concept and first solo venture from Welch is the culmination of nearly a decade of planning; it occupies the space formerly home to BEAST Butcher & Block, which closed for service in March 2023. The space has been divided into two entities, each with its own distinct personality. To the left sits Lucy Quinn, which will offer a modern upscale interpretation of Southern cooking with dinner service and weekend brunch. To the right, the more intimate Little Lucy awaits, with casual Southern fare and a throwback feel. The latter will function as an all-day diner and neighborhood bar. Its sort of like my love story to my family and this industry, Welch says, noting that his chosen career has often meant missing holidays and birthdays with family. After working in kitchens as a teenager, Welch pursued a formal education at Johnson & Wales University in Charleston, South Carolina. His culinary journey has since led him through prestigious kitchens such as Emeril Lagasses NOAL in New Orleans. In Maryland Heights, he partnered with his father for Big Baby Q & Smokehouse, which garnered national attention when it was named Missouris Best BBQ by Food & Wine Magazine. He expanded on Big Baby Q by joining forces with Nick Del Gaiso, Stephen Savage and Jared Ater to open The Midwestern Meat & Drink. Welch led kitchens at Six Mile Bridge Beer and now-shuttered Botanica, where he received his first James Beard Foundation semifinalist nomination. Before closing Big Baby Q in 2018, Welch forged a new path: a pop-series named after his maternal grandmother called Lucy Quinn. The pop-ups, which explored Southern cooking, were an homage to the woman he calls Nana. With the brick and mortar, hes continuing that story. We had a special relationship; she was a grandma, but she didnt babysit or anything like that, so she was fun, he says. She made bathtub wine, she gambled, she carried a gun. I remember going into the deep freezer for a popsicle and there were squirrels and racoons. She was really Southern in the sense that if you could kill it, you could eat it. Welch recalls that the pair also grew vegetables together later in life, when he would make sure okra and tomatoes were planted at the right time. The A-Side | Lucy Quinn Lucy Quinn is an exploration of growing up, beginning with the soul food of the mothers, grandmothers and aunts that nourished Welch during his childhood. We all have those memories growing up, where maybe it wasnt good food, but it was your food, he says. Its the emotions and the laughter that went into those moments. Barbecue was huge for us growing up; there would always be someone with a split drum overcooking something. Its about music blaring and kids dancing and adults playing cards; those moments build who you become, if youre paying attention. The entire space, both concepts included, weighs in at nearly 6,000 square feet, with the larger footprint belonging to Lucy Quinn. Bold pops of ochre and teal complement the gleaming wood tables and accent Welchs personal art collection, which lines the walls from front to back. An avid supporter of the arts, the restaurant gives him an additional avenue to connect guests with something that further defines his identity. My dads an artist; my brother is an artist with a Masters degree, who teaches art. I cant draw or paint or sing, but I love supporting the arts, Welch says, explaining that 95 percent of the art lining the space is by artists of color, with 80 percent of that by local artists. At the center of a long banquette sits a work by his brother, James Welch, of the late Lucy Quinn, a fitting homage to the woman whose spirit inspired the concept. A glimmering bar sits recessed in along the back wall, with a work by artist Lucrecia Oks at the center. The bar and the plush chairs that line it lend gravity to the open feel of the dining room. Dinner and brunch menus reflect Welchs history and journey through the flavors and traditions of the South, with dishes defined by each era of his life. The dinner menu offers options like chicken-fried tripe, smoked trout salad on potato pave, smoked pork and chicken gumbo, Bentons country ham and crab cakes with preserved lemon remoulade. Larger format dishes bring in classic Big Baby Q pastrami and fried Alabama catfish with spaghetti puttanesca and charred lemon a dish Welch says is his take on a childhood meal. Also pulled from memory are Nanas banana puddin and dulce de leche bean pie, new riffs on long-loved family desserts. The brunch menu leans savory with sweet exceptions: A brioche bread pudding and lemon ricotta pancakes balance out a menu filled with options like fried oysters Rockefeller, a two-piece dark meat fried chicken plate, deviled eggs, crab beignets and a classic buttermilk biscuit with pimento cheese, country ham and a sunny egg. The B-Side | Little Lucy Little Lucy came to life once Welch landed on the Grove location. I probably saw 25 spaces just for Lucy Quinn, and when I walked through this one, it was kind of made for two, he says. And it just hit me; lets turn it into a diner. Lets have some fun with it. Little Lucy sets itself apart with inky black walls and pink neon that bounces off white subway tile at the front, where the second bar is located. This side of the concept extends into more casual territory, with laidback riffs of Lucy Quinns fried chicken thigh, smoked brisket and fried tripe. Fried green tomatoes show up in grilled cheese alongside a Nashville hot poboy and fried bologna, with coordinating sides such as crispy Brussels sprouts. Other easy favorites include standard and plant-based burgers, Welchs take on toasted ravioli and more. The concepts share a bar menu designed by bar manager and industry veteran Ray Edwards, with signature cocktails and a curated selection of wine, beer and zero-proof options. Drinks are designed to stand alone or pair with both concepts menus, with approachable favorites and a few adventurous twists and turns along the way. Both spots are decidedly unstuffy, with a welcoming atmosphere and a keen sense of who and what they are as individual concepts. The mood mirrors the diverse neighborhood of The Grove itself, which is also by design. Theres just so much talent here. Theres so much grit here; so much resourcefulness, so much camaraderie, Welch says. I love entertaining and feeding people. Hearing that laughter and seeing those smiles, thats the addictive part of the industry. Hes also proving that its never too late to take a risk. I think Ive proven to myself that I should be doing this. Its no-regrets time. This is long overdue; I love St. Louis. I think St. Louis needs spaces like these, and Im proud and excited to be one of the people making it happen. Little Lucy will debut on March 24; it will be open daily from 11 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. Lucy Quinn will debut on March 26; it will be open for dinner Wednesday and Thursday from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and Friday through Sunday from 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Weekend brunch service at Lucy Quinn will begin on March 29; it will be held on weekends from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. For more information and updates, follow Lucy Quinn and Little Lucy on Instagram. Lucy Quinn, 4156-4158 Manchester Ave., The Grove, St. Louis, Missouri, instagram.com/lucyquinnstl Little Lucy, 4158 Manchester Ave., The Grove, St. Louis, Missouri, instagram.com/littlelucystl CLAYTON The Opera Theatre of St. Louis said Monday that it intends to buy part of the Clayton headquarters of footwear giant Caleres. The organization plans to build a new performing arts center at the site, at Maryland Avenue and Topton Way off Interstate 170, it said in a release. Opera Theatre, which has based its performances at Webster University for nearly 50 years, said it is early in negotiations with Caleres, formerly known as Brown Shoe Co., and that a final sales price has not yet been determined. As we celebrate our 50th anniversary this year, we are excited by an unprecedented opportunity to build a new home, the organizations general director, Andrew Jorgensen, said in a statement. We are still early in this process, but we look forward to being in dialogue with our Opera Theatre community, Clayton residents and businesses, and other stakeholders as we pursue necessary redevelopment steps over the next several months. Caleres said in a statement that it plans to relocate two blocks east to 8182 Maryland and 8235 Forsyth Boulevard sometime in mid-2026. The company has been shopping its 9-acre campus for four years. The site includes a 275,000-square-foot office building, a 66,005-square-foot office building at 8400 Maryland and an adjacent parking lot on Topton Way. The smaller office building and the parking lot are not part of the potential Opera Theatre sale. Caleres over the years received at least three offers from potential buyers, including Clayton School District last year, but no deal moved forward. The company, known for its Famous Footwear, Sam Edelman and Allen Edmonds shoe brands, reported a 3.4% decline of net sales in fiscal 2024 to $2.72 billion. Last month, Caleres announced its acquisition of the Stuart Weitzman brand for $105 million. That deal is expected to close this summer. Opera Theatre of St. Louis currently operates at the Loretto-Hilton Center for Performing Arts on Websters campus in Webster Groves. Its season, which always includes four operas and a concert, starts around Memorial Day and runs through June. It shares the space with the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis and the university. In an interview, Jorgensen said the Opera Theatres longtime home at Webster was not built for operas and needs improvements to its backstage, dressing rooms and fly space the area above the stage used for lighting and rigs. The potential to build its own theater, he said, is a dream that we have been talking about at Opera Theatre for 49 of our 50 years. While we love the idiosyncrasy of the intimacy of the theater and that wonderful garden, the truth of the matter is that the theater was not designed to do what an opera company asks it to do, Jorgensen said. It has poor acoustics, and the orchestra pit is inadequate. The company will celebrate its 50th season in May. Founded in 1976, it has become internationally renowned for presenting opera in English. The company translates famous classic operas and also commissions new ones. This summer, it will present another world premiere that it commissioned, This House with text by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Lynn Nottage and her daughter Ruby Aiyo Gerber. Composer Ricky Ian Gordon did the music. The opera company made history by commissioning Fire Shut Up in My Bones about the life of journalist Charles Blow. The opera was composed by jazz trumpeter Terrence Blanchard with text by Kasi Lemmons, and was the first opera by a living Black composer presented at the Metropolitan Opera in New York. It is not unusual for Opera Theatre of St. Louis shows to be reviewed in The New York Times or other national opera publications. Each spring, Opera Theatre hosts its New Works Collective where six novice composers and writers team up to present three one-act operas. The company also launches many young opera artists careers through its Gerdine Young Artist Program and Bayer Fund Artists-in-Training Program. And it has the Clayco Future Leaders Fellowship, which supports future arts administrators and leaders. Rosalind Early of the Post-Dispatch contributed to this report. ST. LOUIS COUNTY The doctor shot dead by police at his home last week was embroiled in a divorce and trying to finalize custody arrangements of his son. Dr. Aleksandr G. Lanis, 38, worried his wife was going to take their 4-year-old son overseas, court records show. Lanis had also just been fired from his job with the Mercy hospital network. On Friday, he was set to be arrested on suspicion of first-degree harassment and tampering with a vehicle, St. Louis County police Sgt. Tracy Panus said. He was accused of showing up at a recreation center on March 8 and tampering with a car that belong to his wifes relative. Charges had not been filed against him; Panus said officers wanted to talk to him first. Around 10 a.m. Friday, two officers went to the front door of Lanis house at 1045 Hawkins Bend Drive near Fenton. They told him he was being arrested, Panus said. While talking to officers in his home, Lanis pulled a gun, Panus said. The officers struggled with him to get the gun, and both shot him in the struggle. Neither officer was shot. Police havent said if Lanis fired his weapon. Lanis estranged wife, Yukiko C. Smith, had moved out of the home on Hawkins Bend Drive some time ago and was living in Chesterfield. She and the couples son were not at the home when Lanis was killed. The couple separated last May, and she filed for divorce in June. According to the divorce petition, they were married in 2017 and had one child, a boy who is now 4. The parents had reached a temporary child custody arrangement to have joint physical custody of their son. Smith could not be reached for comment. Her family issued a statement Monday night about Lanis' death, saying in part, "This was not the outcome we ever wanted in what was a very challenging situation." Smith's family, in its statement, also asked for privacy as "we search for the words and strength to help a 4-year-old boy understand what happened to his father as we continue to process this as well." They said they are grieving for Lanis' family, too. Lanis was suspected of harassment and tampering after he showed up at The Pavilion at Lemay on March 8. The pavilion is a recreation center inside Jefferson Barracks Park. Police said Lanis had no reason to be there other than to harass his estranged wife. The wife had an order of protection against Lanis that apparently was canceled and replaced by a consent order in the divorce case. According to a court document, Lanis was to stay away from Smith, Lanis was not to possess firearms and the couple's custody exchanges of their son had to take place at his school or a Fenton police station. Lanis was concerned Smith wanted to visit her family in Japan and would take the boy with her, according to court records. He was delaying filling out paperwork to allow Smith to secure a passport for their son, court documents said. As a "measure of good faith," court files said, Smith agreed to hand over the child's passport to an appointed attorney who advocates for the child's best interests. Lanis graduated from medical school at St. Louis University and was fluent in Russian. He worked out of Mercys primary care office on Weber Hill Road and received nearly perfect marks on post-care surveys, according to Mercys website. Patients called him prompt, friendly and informative. Bethany Pope, a spokesperson for Mercy, said he was fired earlier this month. Mercy did not disclose why he was fired, and Pope said she couldnt comment on personnel issues. Mercy has since deleted his photo and any mention of him from its website. Patient complaints against doctors arent public record in Missouri. Lanis did not have any disciplinary record with the state. Pam Farris, a patient of his for at least five years until she moved in 2023, said she was shocked and saddened when she read about his death. I cant believe this has happened to him, she said on Monday. It does not sound like the doctor and the person I knew. He was a fabulous doctor, a fabulous person. Editor's note: The story was updated at 8:45 p.m. Monday with statement from Smith's family and details clarifying the passport issue. ST. LOUIS A police officer from Granite City fired shots at a fleeing suspect who crashed in St. Louis early Monday after a high-speed chase, authorities said. The man got away. Police said it appears he wasn't hit by gunfire. The shots were fired around 2:30 a.m. Monday at North Broadway and Calvary Avenue, on the edge of the North Riverfront neighborhood. Granite City police Major Charles Bremer said the incident began when his officer tried to conduct a traffic stop on Iowa Street at 14th Street at 2:20 a.m. Monday. The driver refused to stop, Bremer said, and sped off. Police from Granite City and Madison County were chasing a vehicle and crossed the river into St. Louis. The suspect's pickup truck "intentionally struck" Granite City and Madison County police vehicles, St. Louis police said. A Granite City officer fired shots at the vehicle, but the suspect got away, police said. No officers were hurt. The incident didn't involve any St. Louis city police officers, according to a summary from St. Louis police. Updated with information from Granite City police major. ST. LOUIS A St. Louis police officer whose leg was partially amputated after being struck by a car on Interstate 70 is expected to be released from the hospital soon, a department spokesman said. Officer Nathan Spiess, 31, was resting Monday after undergoing his third surgery in one week. Police spokesman Mitch McCoy said Spiess could leave the hospital as soon as Tuesday. "SLMPD remains #SpiessStrong and is grateful for the continued prayers and support for our injured colleague," he said in a statement. Spiess was injured March 17 after chasing carjacking suspects riding in a stolen Acura from north St. Louis onto Interstate 70 where it came to a stop after hitting spike strips. The driver got out of the car and ran. A back seat passenger also ran and jumped over the concrete median into the express lane going toward downtown. Spiess followed, gun drawn, and was climbing over the median when a black Cadillac struck him, police said. The 15-year-old passenger, who was lying on the ground, was also hit. The Cadillac drove off. The suspected driver of the Acura, Mekhi Campbell, and the man accused of driving the Cadillac, Frank Carr, were each charged in connection with the chase and crash and ordered to be held without bond. ST. LOUIS A longtime board member for St. Louis Public Schools took a job in California two months before the end of her term. Natalie Vowell is vice president of business development for the Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Corp. She now lives north of Los Angeles in Valencia, according to the companys announcement dated Feb. 7. I still have all my love for St. Louis and Northwest Arkansas, but Im excited to embrace a new community with a focus on economic growth, education, workforce development, and quality of life for all residents, Vowell posted on her LinkedIn page. Vowell was first elected to the SLPS board in 2017 and won a second term in 2021 that expires after the April 8 election. In December, Vowell announced that she would not seek a third term. Vowell has been absent from most board meetings in 2025. The boards vice president Matt Davis said Monday he did not know Vowell had moved. Career transitions are natural progressions, and timing isnt always perfectly aligned, Vowell said in a statement. Vowell said she notified the board last month that she would attend meetings virtually for the remainder of her term. Of the four meetings held in February and March, Vowell was present virtually once. Missouri law requires school board members to live in their districts. Local prosecutors and the state attorney general can remove elected officials over a residency change but have generally avoided thwarting the will of voters, according to the Missouri School Boards Association. Fort Zumwalt School Board member Thomas Emmons moved to Florida in summer of 2021 and flew back for board meetings until his term expired the following April. The job in California is not Vowells first foray outside of the state. From March 2023 to July 2024, Vowell served as executive director of the nonprofit PerspectAbility in Bentonville, Arkansas, according to her LinkedIn page. The nonprofits website features several photos of Vowell at their tulip farm and fundraising events. Between June 2022 and July 2024, Vowell also served as a commissioner for the Land Reutilization Authority of the St. Louis Development Corp. Vowell has missed several key SLPS board votes in the past six months, including the firing of former Superintendent Keisha Scarlett and the promotion of her deputy Millicent Borishade to superintendent. The leadership turnover sparked a comprehensive audit of SLPS from Missouri Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick that has been underway since August. I absolutely support and will assist with any ongoing and future audits or investigations into the District and/or current Board of Education, Vowell said in her statement Monday. I can only hope operations and governance practices continue to improve based on these findings and recommendations. When she is present, Vowell has abstained from many votes, including the approval of meeting minutes. Typically, I abstain because I dont have sufficient information to make an aye/nay decision in good conscience, or the information wasnt furnished with sufficient time to review it thoroughly prior to a vote, Vowell said on Facebook last year. Editors note: This story has been updated with a statement from Natalie Vowell. ST. LOUIS William Johnson almost said no. Then he thought he could send a message. Last summer, Johnsons time as dean of the St. Louis University School of Law was coming to an end. It was time for him to fulfill one of the schools long-standing traditions to have a portrait commissioned and displayed next to the rest of SLU Laws former deans. Only Johnson didnt want to do it. The wall of deans went back to 1908. It featured a few giants in the law profession who Johnson said he admired deeply. But Johnson, who is white, said he didnt want to be another white man on a wall with pictures almost entirely of white men. In the over 100 years of SLU Law, there have been only three years when the school has not been led by a man. Up until recently, theres been no dean of color. On a wall in the schools John K. Pruellage Courtroom, theres only one portrait of a woman. Sandra Johnson served two short stints as interim dean in the 1990s and early 2010s. (Annette Clark, who resigned in 2012 after a year on the job following multiple disagreements with the schools then-president, does not have a portrait on the wall). Michael Wolff, dean of SLU Law before Johnson and a former chief justice of the Missouri Supreme Court, said its a tradition for many U.S. law schools to commission portraits of past leaders. I always refer to it as the wall of old dead white guys, Wolff said. Johnson said he wanted no part of that. The wall of portraits of past deans shows us in a highly visible way what we have historically believed a law school dean looks like, and importantly, what a law school dean doesnt look like, Johnson said in an email. Johnson left St. Louis for Spain last year to lead SLUs Madrid campus as rector and vice president. So Johnson decided to use his portrait to portray something new and meaningful. He reached out to local artist Cbabi Bayoc, whose work often centers around social and racial justice. His style is a far drift from that of past deans portraits. Bayoc uses bold colors and portrays people in a cartoonish style, a remnant of his early days as a caricature artist at Six Flags. With Cbabi as the artist, I saw the potential for the portrait itself by its style and its content to be an act of resistance to forces that are desperate to uphold systems that deny Black liberation in America, Johnson said. The result was a striking break from tradition. At the end of a long row of deans many portrayed with stern or stoic looks theres Johnson, with a knowing, toothy grin, sitting on a red tufted chair with a bookshelf full of colorful books behind him. Bayoc said he took inspiration from Kehinde Wileys portraits of Barack and Michelle Obama. Those broke the mold, he said. I knew that this was my opportunity to do that same thing, something nontraditional. Most of the law school deans were memorialized wearing grey or black suits. But Bayoc painted Johnson wearing a striped, teal ensemble with a spotted tie. Other artists accessorized their portraits with scales of justice, diplomas or law dictionaries in the background. On the bookshelf behind Johnson, Bayoc put banned books and titles he thought would reside on Johnsons real-life bookshelf. Theres Untangling Critical Race Theory by Ed Uszynski, The 1619 Project and Walter Johnsons The Broken Heart of America. Johnson asked Bayoc to include one of the artists All Stars, or Black children portrayed with their fist up to represent children fighting for the life they want to live, Bayoc said. He painted a little girl as a figurine right next to Johnson on his bookshelf, with her fist raised and eyes closed. A wooden Black Power fist sits on another shelf. Johnson said he wanted to call out how his profession is supposed to be committed to justice but can still be unjust. The evidence of this is very clear, he said. Not only because white supremacists are marching openly in the streets in cities across America, but also by virtue of well-documented disparities based on racial identity in the profession continuing disparities with respect to access, disparities in treatment, and disparities in outcomes. The lack of diversity on display will eventually change upon the departure of Twinette Johnson, who now leads SLU Law. Twinette Johnson returned to SLU in July after serving as dean of the University of the District of Columbias school of law. She formerly taught at SLU and earned her bachelor and doctorate degrees there. In an emailed statement, she said Bayocs portrait represented her predecessor well. Throughout his leadership, he has been an unwavering proponent of asking the important questions about and signaling the necessary work regarding racial equity and justice, Twinette Johnson said. Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin has asked for the resignation of one of his own appointees to the University of Virginias governing Board of Visitors, the Washington Post reported Monday. Youngkin has called on Bert Ellis, whom he appointed in 2022, to step down, arguing his outspoken and combative manner could threaten plans to reshape the states flagship public university, the Post reported. Ellis has so far refused that request, the Post said, citing two individuals who spoke on the condition of anonymity. Ellis did not immediately respond to a Daily Progress request for comment, nor did Youngkins office, nor did UVa. The Post also cited a senior Youngkin official who earlier this month suggested that Ellis step down from the Board of Visitors and attribute the decision to his busy business career or health problems. Ellis declined, according to the Post, saying that doing so would be a lie in violation of UVas honor code. The UVa Honor System was established in 1842, one of the states and countrys earliest and celebrated at UVa as one of its most venerated traditions. Ellis is a prominent American businessman: the chairman and CEO of Atlanta-based consulting and investment firm Ellis Capital, a founding investor and board member of the WebMD platform, the owner of Los Angeles television station KDOC-TV and, more locally, the part-owner of the White Spot burger joint on the UVa-adjacent Corner shopping district in Charlottesville. A double Hoo, he earned two degrees from UVa: a bachelors in economics and a masters in business administration. Youngkins request comes hot on the heels of a Daily Progress interview with Ellis, cited in the Post report, in which Ellis discussed the Board of Visitors decision to dissolve UVas diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. Although Youngkin and Ellis share a vision of UVa without DEI, the tension between the two stems from a difference of style, according to the individuals who spoke to the Post. In his interview with The Daily Progress shortly after the Board of Visitors March 7 decision to dismantle DEI at UVa, Ellis said that every aspect of DEI is to be ripped out, shredded and terminated. Youngkin himself went on national television hours after the boards vote, saying DEI is done at the University of Virginia and praised the boards 17 members for their bravery in making the decision. A meeting between Youngkin and Ellis is scheduled for Tuesday, according to the Post. Youngkin, who must step down in January as Virginia governors can serve only one term, has appointed 13 of the 17 members of the UVa Board of Visitors. Rector Robert Hardie, who presides over the board, along with Vice Rector Carlos Brown and two additional members were appointed by Youngkins Democratic predecessors, Govs. Terry McAuliffe and Ralph Northam. Members serve four-year terms with the option of being reappointed for one additional term, subject to confirmation by the Virginia General Assembly. A member can be reappointed for subsequent terms, but not until at least four years have passed since their second consecutive four-year term. Ellis has been a controversial figure well before his appointment to the board. He is a co-founder of the conservative Jefferson Council alumni association, founded in 2020 in response to UVas ideologically radical vision of equity. Shortly after his appointment, the Post published text messages Ellis had sent to fellow new board members in which he referred to members of the UVa Student Council and staffers at the Cavalier Daily student newspaper as numnuts and promised a battle royale for the soul of UVa. Ellis apologized to the Board of Visitors for the comments, but when asked by The Daily Progress at the time if he intended to apologize to the students, he said, No, that was fine. He has had multiple public confrontations with other board members, including the rector, regarding reports of antisemitism on UVa Grounds, transparency of board decisions, the cost of new building projects and the price of tuition. During a heated exchange between Ellis and Hardie at a board meeting last spring, Ellis demanded the board discuss the huge antisemitic problem at this university. Hardie instructed him that the matter would be discussed in a closed-door session because it related to student safety. Hardie threatened to reprimand Ellis. Ellis responded, Bring it on. Bring it on, before the board voted to go into closed session. But Ellis is perhaps best known for a 2020 incident in which he carried a razor blade to the Lawn-side dormitory of a UVa student who had hung a sign that read Fk UVA on her door. Under a headline of UVA operating costs the sign also read KKKops, genocide, slavery, disability, black and brown life. Ellis has maintained that he brought the razor blade to tear down the poster and that he respectfully asked her to remove the sign. He has since acknowledged that the student did not appreciate his appearance at her doorstep and she slammed the door in his face. In 2023, roughly six months after Ellis was appointed to the Board of Visitors, state Sen. Creigh Deeds, D-Charlottesville, introduced a resolution to remove his name from the list of Youngkins appointees. While it won support from the Democrat-controlled Privileges and Elections Committee, the resolution ultimately failed after two Senate Democrats broke rank and voted with Republicans. Deeds told The Daily Progress on Monday that, at the time, he was deeply concerned about what the 2020 incident revealed of Ellis character. I thought that instance showed poor judgement, and that more should be expected of one on the Board of Visitors, Deeds said Monday. Virginia law allows the governor to remove any member of a board of public institution of higher education for malfeasance, misfeasance, incompetence, or gross neglect of duty, which then must be followed by a written public statement noting the rationale. The governor has full discretion to decide what constitutes a sufficient reason for removal. JEFFERSON CITY Some Missouri lawmakers want to ban government agencies from buying Chinese-made drones, citing national security risks. But the move could prove costly, especially for law enforcement. Many of Missouris first responders rely on drones made by Shenzhen-based DJI, a manufacturer with about 70% of the global market share. Those drones tend to be significantly less expensive than U.S.-made ones. Purchasing records obtained by the Post-Dispatch illustrate the difference in prices: Drones made in the United States in use by the Missouri State Highway Patrol were eight to 12 times more expensive to buy than those made by DJI. Because of that cost difference, the highway patrol is one of the few law enforcement agencies in Missouri that uses American-made drones. The average DJI drone owned by the highway patrol costs around $2,000 with U.S.-made ones running upward of $20,000. During a Senate committee hearing earlier this month on the proposed legislation, High Ridge Fire Protection District Chief John Barton raised concerns about the effect a China ban would have on his agency. Right now, foreign-made drones are saving American lives, he said. When technology and funding allow, we would gladly prioritize purchasing American hardware over Chinese hardware. Law enforcement officials flooded the public hearing to express concern that banning Chinese drones would prevent them from doing lifesaving work. Officials from the OFallon Police Department said the proposal would cost them around $200,000 to replace what they have with American products. The legislation, sponsored by Sen. Rick Brattin, R-Harrisonville, includes a grant program where law enforcement can be reimbursed for replacing Chinese drones with ones made in the United States. At the early March hearing many refuted whether China could remote access or capture data from drones, a common rationale given for why they should be banned. (This bill) is about lobbying efforts by domestic drone manufacturers aiming to ban non-U.S. drones for financial gain instead of innovating to meet public safety needs, St. Charles County Ambulance District John Yeast said. He added that DJI drones are generally operated offline preventing data from being uploaded. DJI created an offline mode in 2018 amid American scrutiny. Neither Brattins proposal nor a similar one in the Missouri House has been voted out of committee. Chair of the Senate Public Safety Committee Sen. Travis Fitzwater, R-Holts Summit, said he wouldnt bring the legislation for a vote until Brattin got support from law enforcement. Brattin told the Post-Dispatch he was surprised there was so much pushback in Missouri given the bipartisan support at the federal level to regulate Chinese drones. In President Joe Bidens last days in office, the U.S. Department of Commerce opened public comment on whether the federal government should restrict Chinese drones from the U.S. market. The last major defense bill signed by Biden called on the U.S. government to assess the national security risks of foreign-made drones. A U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission report in 2021 stated that control of Chinese firms is blurred and that any entity could be compelled to act on behalf of the Chinese governments interest. At the beginning of President Donald Trumps first term he signed into law bans on Chinese telecommunications equipment and security cameras. The Biden administration issued a rule banning Chinese-made cars that can connect to the internet. He also signed a bipartisan law forcing ByteDance, a Chinese company to divest from TikTok for the app to remain available in America. The public comment period over whether Chinese drones should be regulated ended earlier this month. Now the government will soon decide whether a rule needs to be put in place to prohibit Chinese drones. The Missouri drone legislation is House Bill 751 and Senate Bill 296. JEFFERSON CITY A longtime state employee is accusing Missouri officials in a new lawsuit of subverting competitive bidding laws in order to steer lucrative technology contracts to a well-connected company, then demoting him when he raised red flags. In a lawsuit filed earlier this month in Cole County against the Missouri Office of Administration, Rodney Rice alleges deliberate bias toward World Wide Technology in awarding state IT contracts. World Wide Technology, based in Maryland Heights, is one of the largest privately held companies in the country. It was founded by David Steward, a prolific Missouri political donor who has contributed $2.3 million to mostly Republican campaigns over the last decade. The company has been paid $53 million by the state over the past two years. The state gave World Wide Technology numerous unfair advantages over its competitors, Rice alleges in his lawsuit, violating state procurement law and exposing the state to potential liability if anyone found out. When he brought his concerns to his supervisors, Rice says he was admonished for being an obstructionist and demoted. Rebecca Morrison, a spokeswoman for World Wide Technology, said in an emailed statement that the company is committed to a fair procurement process and upholds the highest ethical standards. The Office of Administration said in an emailed statement Monday afternoon that that while it would not comment on the specific allegations, the agency looks forward to the opportunity to respond to these allegations through the legal process and is confident that the facts will reflect our commitment to fairness and transparency, including our lawful procurement and employment practices. After 20 years in state government, Rice says in his lawsuit that he was appointed in March 2023 as director of the Enterprise Project Management Office, which oversees various IT projects and the contractors to whom they are awarded. Rice believed one of his key responsibilities in the new role was to ensure that the various agencies in state government followed the states procurement regulations and procedures to ensure well-connected vendors did not receive an unfair advantage over their competitors. Shortly after taking the job, he says he began to suspect a deliberate bias toward (World Wide Technology) in the states IT contracts. Specifically, the lawsuit says Rice grew concerned when he realized a former World Wide Technology employee was leading the State Data Center, which awarded numerous projects to the company. World Wide Technology won a majority of the states infrastructure contracts even in cases where it did not submit the lowest bid, Rice alleges. In fact, (the company) had been awarded one contract even though it had submitted the highest bid, which was millions of dollars more than the bids from other approved vendors. Though Missouri has rules permitting the selection of clearly inferior bids, the lawsuit states, none of those rules had been followed in the case of (World Wide Technology). Rice says his concerns were heightened when he learned the state provided a current employee of World Wide Technology key card access to an office in the Truman State Office Building in Jefferson City, a privilege he says no other vendors are provided. He later learned the state was using World Wide Technology contractors to work on the preparation of a new project that had not yet been put out to bid, which would give (World Wide Technology) an unfair advantage in the bidding process. He first raised his concerns in January 2024, the lawsuit says, and was told by a superior that the states IT infrastructure was not sufficiently decentralized and could be irreparably destroyed in the event of a catastrophic failure. To prevent the legislature and the public from learning just how vulnerable the states computer networks were, Rice alleges, state leaders decided to bend procurement rules to award World Wide Technology the project to ensure that the system was updated as quickly as possible. A month later, Rice says World Wide Technology was allowed to change the terms of a project after it had already been sent out to vendors for competitive bids. World Wide Technology would be paid for time and materials regardless of whether it met benchmarks laid out in the project proposal that was previously provided to its competitors. Concerned that awarding the contract to World Wide Technology based on far more favorable terms would likely violate state law, Rice says he spoke to the Office of Administrations legal department for advice. He says he was advised by the agencys attorneys to stop the entire bid process and reissue a revised request to ensure that all vendors had a fair chance at winning the bid. But that was later overruled by his supervisor, who Rice alleges told him to let the bid process proceed unabated without notice to the other vendors. The next month, Rice says his supervisor informed him his department has become too black and white when it comes to contracts and many IT leaders see us as an obstruction and slow them down. He was given a choice of accepting demotion or being placed on a performance improvement plan, which he understood would have led to his dismissal after sufficient time to paper his file. Calling the decision a Hobson choice, Rice says he accepted a demotion and a pay cut on April 16, 2024. Rices lawsuit alleges he was punished for disclosing violations of state procurement law, regulation and policy that exposed the State of Missouri to potential liability in the tens of millions of dollars. Missouri Independent is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501(c)(3) public charity. Missouri Independent maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Jason Hancock for questions: info@missouriindependent.com. Follow Missouri Independent on Facebook and X. JEFFERSON CITY Farm groups in Missouri are again pushing a plan to limit public access to a state database that records the trillions of gallons of water used by more than 1,400 major users. In a House committee Monday, Rep. Dane Diehl, R-Butler, pitched his plan to bar state environmental regulators from releasing the identities of farms, power companies and industrial businesses that use large amounts of one of the states public resources. The same measure failed to advance in the Legislature last year, but agriculture groups including the Missouri Soybean Association and the Missouri Farm Bureau are pressing for the plan again. Diehl, a farmer, said the proposal was inspired after rice producers visited his office seeking to restrict access to the list of water users. He said he believes closing the records will encourage more businesses to report their water usage to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. We have a low amount right now of people reporting, Diehl said. While the measure specifies that all information provided by a major water user to the Department of Natural Resources Geological Survey Division is confidential and cannot be released to the public, the agency would be allowed to disclose in the aggregate for each county the number of major water users and the amount of water used. Any employee who discloses the information would be subject to disciplinary action and could be found guilty of a class A misdemeanor. Rep. Bridget Walsh-Moore, a St. Louis County Democrat, said the issue of water use is becoming a major issue across state lines. Were going to really have to start monitoring our water. Water is a natural resource that were really going to have to lock in, Walsh-Moore said. For now, however, DNR is not restricted in releasing information to the public about the states largest water users. According to a database obtained by the Post-Dispatch last year through the Sunshine Act, there are 1,395 water users capable of withdrawing or diverting 100,000 gallons of water or more per day from the states abundant streams, rivers, wells and springs. The list and an accompanying draft report for the program in 2022 shows that an estimated three trillion gallons of water was used primarily for electric generation by utilities like Ameren Missouri, representing about 86% of the total amount of water reported for the year. The next largest users were cities and local governments, which operate drinking water facilities and wastewater treatment plants. Other major users are farms concentrated in Missouris Bootheel region in the southeast corner of the state. According to a review of the DNR data, there are at least eight Bootheel area farms in the top 50 water users on the list, including cotton producers, rice growers and corn and soybean operations. Those records are a source of consternation for the states powerful agricultural lobby. Supporters cast the availability of public information about water use as a potentially dangerous problem. Out-of-state investors, for example, could target Missouri water for export elsewhere by tapping into the states database. Lawmakers and some environmental groups raised red flags about the proposal. We should just go after people who are not following the law, said Rep. Michael Burton, a south St. Louis County Democrat. This is a solution is search of a problem. I really just have a huge problem with this bill, Burton added. Water is a natural resource. The water database includes a lengthy list of industrial users, including the Lake City Army Ammunition facility in Independence, Six Flags St. Louis amusement park, cement plants in Festus and Ste. Genevieve and explosives company Dyno Nobel in Louisiana. The states major meatpackers also make the list, with Tyson and Smithfield operations appearing in multiple spots, allowing the public to see how much water is being used in the production of pork, beef and poultry. The legislation is House Bill 545. A similar measure is pending in the Senate. CAPE TOWN, South Africa South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said Monday the claim that white people are being persecuted in his country is a completely false narrative. It was his latest attempt to push back against allegations made by U.S. President Donald Trump, Elon Musk and some white minority groups in South Africa. South African-born Musk, who has regularly accused South Africa's Black-led government of being anti-white, repeated a claim this weekend in a social media post that some of the country's political figures are actively promoting white genocide." Ramaphosa said in his weekly message to the nation that South Africans should not allow events beyond our shores to divide us or turn us against each other. In particular, we should challenge the completely false narrative that our country is a place in which people of a certain race or culture are being targeted for persecution. Ramaphosa did not mention names, but his denial was a reference to the allegations by Trump and others that South Africa is deliberately mistreating a white minority group known as Afrikaners by encouraging violent attacks on their farms and introducing a law designed to seize their land. The allegations were central to an executive order issued by Trump last month cutting funding to South Africa to punish the government, while offering Afrikaners refugee status in the U.S. Afrikaners are descendants of mainly Dutch and French colonial settlers who first came to South Africa more than 300 years ago. They were at the heart of the apartheid government that systematically oppressed non-whites, although South Africa has been largely successful at reconciling its many racial groups after apartheid ended in 1994. In his post on X, influential Trump adviser Musk cited a political rally last Friday in South Africa where Black leaders of a far-left opposition party sang a song that has the lyrics Kill the Boer, the farmer. Boer is a word that refers to an Afrikaner. Very few people know that there is a major political party in South Africa that is actively promoting white genocide, Musk wrote. He linked to a video of the rally. Secretary of State Marco Rubio wrote on X late Monday that the song is a chant that incites violence. South Africas leaders and politicians must take action to protect Afrikaner and other disfavored minorities. The United States is proud to offer those individuals who qualify for admission to our nation amid this continued horrible threat of violence. The party in question, the Economic Freedom Fighters, is the fourth biggest in Parliament and a political opponent of Ramaphosa's African National Congress. It won 9.5% of the vote in last year's national election. It has come under scrutiny for stirring racial tensions before and for singing the song, which was used during apartheid as a call to fight against government oppression. The song's modern-day use has been criticized by some in South Africa, including by other political parties, and a group representing Afrikaners challenged its use in court. It was ruled hate speech and effectively banned by a court more than a decade ago. But it was the subject of several other legal cases before a 2022 ruling found that it was not hate speech and protected under freedom of speech because there was no proof it incited violence. The EFF says it is a historic chant that shouldnt be taken literally and has sometimes changed the lyrics to "kiss the Boer." Since Trump's executive order, the South African government has sought to dispel what it says is misinformation over white farmers, who are sometimes victims of violent attacks in their homes. The government has condemned the attacks, but experts say there is no evidence of any widespread targeting of whites and they are in fact part of South Africa's extremely high violent crime rates, which affect all races. The group representing Afrikaners says the police have sometimes undercounted farm homicides in official statistics. It recently said it had figures showing there were eight farm homicides in the three-month period between October and December last year when police only recorded one. There were a total of 6,953 homicides across South Africa during that same time period, according to the police statistics. Associated Press writer Mogomotsi Magome in Johannesburg contributed to this report. When on my deathbed, the world may not have gotten any better, but I want to feel that I did everything I could. How can I still feel joy, hope and fulfilment given the state of the world? I am doing the best I can to improve the world from the position I am in. Beatrice Crona is science director and professor at Stockholm Resilience Centre. Her research focuses on developing tools and methods that help companies and asset managers act in ways that are sustainable for the planet. What is your research about? My work involves creating tools capable of assessing risks to the environment and the ecosystem services upon which the entire economy depends. We have successfully developed a tool that considers more than just climate factors, based on research on planetary boundaries and tipping points. If we use more land here or more water there, how does that affect the whole system? What should companies and investors be aware of? They need to understand the connection between their own operations and global or large-scale environmental changes and how these changes are likely to pose risks to their own business. What is the link between my own value chain, meaning the goods I need to produce my product or service, and planetary changes such as Amazon deforestation or climate change? How is this linked to wildfires and other environmental transformations we are witnessing? This is where detailed data from companies is needed to be able to assess their impact at the local level. Essentially, this is about accounting knowledge and so-called non-financial corporate reporting. Sustainability reporting, as it is designed and implemented today, is not enough to provide the necessary overview of impacts and risks. There is still much work to be done, and many companies worldwide are actively seeking ways to improve their operations. What kind of data is needed? Companies cannot be expected to measure or report hundreds of different indicators it would be too overwhelming so we rely on the planetary boundaries already established in scientific research. We have started with seven primary sectors that form the foundation for nearly all other value chains: fisheries, aquaculture, crop production, livestock farming, forestry, oil and gas extraction, and mining. What does science say about their impact on planetary boundaries? Based on this, we identified 15 key variables to assess the impact on the planet and local environments. Brig. Gen. Nicholas Evans, commander of the 18th Wing, speaks with reporters inside a hangar at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, March 21, 2025. (Keishi Koja/Stars and Stripes) KADENA AIR BASE, Okinawa The U.S. Air Force is expected to begin deploying F-15EX Eagle II fighters to the home of the 18th Wing in spring 2026, according to the wing commander. The first of the multirole fighters are expected to arrive at Kadena between March and June next year, Brig. Gen. Nicholas Evans told reporters Friday in a hangar on the bases flight line. Evans and wing Chief Master Sgt. Brandon Wolfgang spoke at a news conference ahead of America Fest. A firm arrival date is being determined between the Air Force and aircraft manufacturer Boeing as production continues, Evans told reporters. As we get closer to the timeline, I expect well get more fidelity on exactly when the first couple aircraft will show up, he said. In July, the Air Force announced it will permanently station 36 F-15EX Eagle IIs at Kadena to replace the bases fleet of 48 F-15C/Ds, part of a broader plan to position more advanced fighter aircraft across Japan over the next several years. The F-15EX, while not stealthy, features next-generation avionics and networking capabilities, flies faster and carries a larger payload with greater range than other fighters, according to Boeing. The first lot of F-15EXs was estimated to cost the Air Force $90 million each, with a second lot priced at $97 million, Breaking Defense reported in September 2023. The Air Force initially planned to acquire 144 of the aircraft but reduced the number to 98 in its fiscal year 2025 budget request, Air & Space Forces Magazine reported in August. Congress has proposed 122 aircraft in its fiscal 2025 budget, which has yet to pass. The first operational F-15EXs were unveiled in July at the Oregon Air National Guard base in Portland, marking the first time a National Guard unit received a new weapons system ahead of the active-duty Air Force, according to the Oregon Air Guard. Tech. Sgt. Brian Robinson and Senior Airman Jaylen Platt, both weapons loaders with the 67th Fighter Generation Squadron at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, load a trainer missile onto an F-15EX at Portland Air National Guard Base, Ore., Feb. 11, 2025. (Steph Sawyer/U.S. Air Force) As soon as the first EX arrives here, well bring out the mayors and the city councils and let them see the aircraft firsthand, Evans told reporters. The ceremonial final flight of Kadenas F-15C fleet took place Aug. 15, the wing announced at the time. Kadena still has a couple of F-15Cs left, Evans said. The aircraft, which were on display at America Fest, are no longer flyable. We are using them to continue to train our weapons loaders and our maintainers, because theres a lot of commonality between the F-15EX and the F-15C, he said. Since beginning to phase out its F-15C/D fleet in December 2022, the wing has relied on a rotating force of fourth- and fifth-generation fighters, including F-22 Raptors, F-35 Lightning IIs, and advanced F-16 Fighting Falcons, to counter aggressive moves by China and Russia. The deployments will continue throughout this F-15C to F-15EX transition, Evans said. As the EX start to arrive and build in numbers, I would expect the rotational squadrons to start to decrease both in timing and tempo, he said. As of January, rotational forces at Kadena have included F-35A Lightning IIs from the 134th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron of the Vermont Air National Guard; F-16C Fighting Falcons from the 77th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C.; and F-22 Raptors from the 525th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, according to the wing. Each rotational squadron typically brings 12 to 14 aircraft to Kadena, Wolfgang said. Evans also said the wing has briefed all commanders on the base about proper notifications for nighttime training. A unit conducted training involving simulated explosions and gunfire at night between Feb. 25-27 without prior wing-level approval, leading to complaints in nearby Kadena town. Ill make a decision based on the importance of that training versus the impact of the local community, he said. U.S. soldiers began moving into new, Polish-built barracks buildings at Drawsko Pomorskie Training Area on March 11, 2025. Many of the deployed troops have been living in tents there. (U.S. Army) STUTTGART, Germany U.S. soldiers are moving out of tents and into new barracks this month as part of a broader effort by Poland to upgrade facilities for American troops across the country. The Polish-built barracks at Drawsko Pomorskie Training Area in the countrys northwest can accommodate more than 1,700 soldiers, the Armys V Corps said in a statement. About 1,000 troops are scheduled to move in by the end of the month. The new arrangements provide a better living standard and a morale boost, Col. Adam F. Latham, commander of 3rd Brigade, 1st Armored Division, said in a statement Friday. Were setting the conditions for a long-lasting and permanent relationship with our Polish allies, Latham said. The Army has been rotating tank brigades and other units through Poland and other locations along NATOs eastern flank ever since Russias initial attack on Ukraine in 2014. The rotations increased following Moscows 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Meanwhile, Warsaw has spent hundreds of millions of dollars in recent years to enhance military training grounds and housing facilities. The projects are part of a bilateral security agreement that requires Poland to pick up a large amount of the infrastructure costs needed to support U.S. troops in the country. Marcus Fichtl, a spokesman for U.S. Army Garrison Poland based out of Poznan, said Monday the aim is to get most U.S. troops in Poland into barracks and buildings by the end of the year. Deployments over the years to Poland have involved getting by in austere conditions. At Drawsko Pomorskie, that has meant tents and temporary shower facilities. Besides the new bathrooms, the barracks provide soldiers with better heating and air conditioning, as well as more space to call their own, the V Corps statement said. The accommodations house six soldiers apiece and provide more privacy than the previous open-bay style tents, the Army said. At the end of the day, quality of life impacts (combat) readiness, said Command Sgt. Maj. James R. Pyle, the senior enlisted advisor of 3rd Brigade, 1st Armored Division. One of the largest ongoing projects in Poland involves a $93 million initiative to build new Army barracks and a dining facility at a base in Powidz, which has emerged as a major aviation and logistical hub for the U.S. military. Such investments, along with Warsaws status as NATOs biggest defense spender as a percentage of its gross domestic product, have elevated Polands stature in the alliance. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth described Poland as a model ally during a stop in Powidz in February to meet with U.S. troops. The Japan coast guard said that Chinese coast guard vessel 1302, seen here in August 2019, entered its territorial waters near the Senkakus Islands on March 21, 2025. (Japan coast guard) The Chinese coast guard on Monday set a record for the longest continuous presence inside territorial waters claimed by Japan around the Senkaku Islands, a disputed cluster of islets in the East China Sea. Two Chinese coast guard vessels remained for 85 hours and four minutes inside the 12-mile territorial limit, mainly around Minamikojima, an islet in the chain that Japan administers, according to a Japan coast guard news release that day. China and Taiwan also claim the islands. The two vessels, armed with deck-mounted machine guns, entered the territorial limit just before 2 a.m. Friday while pursuing two Japanese fishing boats, according to the coast guard that day. Two more Chinese vessels, also armed, crossed the territorial limit at around 2:30 a.m. and 4 a.m. Saturday, respectively, a subsequent release said. At least three of the four Chinese vessels remained within the territorial limit at any given time until 8 p.m. Sunday, according to multiple Japan coast guard updates over the weekend. The record-breaking incursion was set at 10:32 a.m. Monday, a coast guard spokesman said by phone. Two of the four Chinese ships were still inside the claimed waters near Uotsurijima as of 3 p.m., according to a coast guard news release. The previous record was 80 hours and 36 minutes, set between March 30 and April 2, 2023, according to the Japan coast guard. A larger contingent of Japanese coast guard vessels positioned themselves between the Chinese ships and the remaining fishing boat, warning the Chinese to leave via radio and electronic message boards, the spokesman said. He declined to specify how many Japanese ships were deployed. Chinese vessels have entered the territorial waters around the Senkakus four times this year, most recently on March 14, according to the Japan coast guard. Such intrusions are violating international law, and we will continue to defend our waters firmly, the spokesman said. Some Japanese government officials may speak to the press only on condition of anonymity. Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba called on Beijing to reduce tensions in the situation in the East China Sea during a visit by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to Japan on Friday, according to a Japan Ministry of Foreign Affairs news release Saturday. Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya also expressed serious concerns over the increasing Chinese incursions and Beijings growing military activity in the Indo-Pacific during a meeting with Wang on Saturday, a separate ministry release said. The Senkakus consist of five uninhabited islets and three reefs 105 miles east of Taiwan and 254 miles west of Okinawa. The surrounding waters are believed to contain valuable resources, including fish, oil and natural gas. Chinese coast guard ships entered the Senkakus 24-mile contiguous zone a record-breaking 355 days last year, fulfilling Beijings vow to ramp up its presence around the islands. Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized the need to constantly strengthen Beijings claim over the Senkakus during a November 2023 visit to his countrys coast guard command, Kyodo News reported at the time. Then-U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel condemned Chinas plan to keep ships in and around Japans Senkaku Islands for 365 consecutive days in a January 2023 post on X. Gen. Kenichiro Nagumo, the first commander of Japans Joint Operations Command, reviews troops ahead of the activation ceremony at Camp Ichigaya in central Tokyo, March 24, 2025. (Akifumi Ishikawa/Stars and Stripes) TOKYO Japan on Monday activated a new military command that will take operational control of all three of its armed forces, as the country bolsters its defense posture amid rising regional tensions. Joint Operations Command will oversee Japans Ground, Maritime and Air Self-Defense Forces in peacetime and in the event of a conflict. The organization, headquartered at Camp Ichigaya in central Tokyo, has an initial staff of around 240 personnel, according to the Ministry of Defense. The commands launch comes as Japan sets new records for military spending in response to an increasingly challenging security environment. Japan is facing the most severe and complex security environment since the end of the Second World War, and expectations of the Ministry of Defense and the Self-Defense Forces are becoming ever higher, Defense Minister Gen Nakatani told those gathered for the commands activation ceremony at Ichigaya. Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani passes the new Joint Operations Command flag to Gen. Kenichiro Nagumo during an activation ceremony at Camp Ichigaya in central Tokyo, March 24, 2025. (Akifumi Ishikawa/Stars and Stripes) North Korea, which has deployed troops to assist Russia in Ukraine, continues to advance its nuclear and missile technology. Meanwhile, China is rapidly expanding its military capabilities and has vowed to take control of Taiwan by force, if necessary. Beijing also claims Tokyo-administered islands in the East China Sea. Our world is changing rapidly every day, [and] I believe that it is more dangerous than ever, the commander of U.S. Forces Japan, Air Force Lt. Gen. Stephen Jost, said during the activation ceremony. Effectively commanding joint forces in modern warfare is a difficult challenge, Jost said, adding that a well-trained and coordinated force is more efficient, agile, resilient, survivable and lethal. Japans new command was initially expected to work closely with a U.S. joint force headquarters in the country, but the future of that plan is unclear. A Pentagon briefing document cited by CNN last week proposes canceling the planned USFJ restructuring as part of a broader effort to consolidate four global commands and save $330 million over five years. The Republican chairmen of the House and Senate Armed Services Committees have raised objections to the plan. The head of U.S. Forces Japan, Air Force Lt. Gen. Stephen Jost, speaks during the Joint Operations Command activation ceremony at Camp Ichigaya in central Tokyo, March 24, 2025. (Akifumi Ishikawa/Stars and Stripes) Australias Chief of Joint Operations, Vice Adm. Justin Jones, also attended Mondays ceremony and highlighted growing military ties between Tokyo and Canberra. A Japanese liaison officer has been assigned to Australias joint operations command since November, he said, and Australia will reciprocate by sending an officer to Japans new command later this year. The two countries signed a Reciprocal Access Agreement in 2022, streamlining the process for their forces to operate in each others territories. The joint commands first leader, Gen. Kenichiro Nagumo, pledged at the ceremony that the new unit would protect the Japanese people and the countrys land, waters and airspace. We will respond seamlessly and appropriately to situations during peacetime and in emergencies, he said. This image from the state-run Korean Central News Agency shows North Korean leader Kim Jong Un observing a launch drill on March 18, 2024. (KCNA) North Korea is using its support for Russias invasion of Ukraine to test weapons it could deploy against the South in a future conflict, Ukraines ambassador to Seoul said in a news report Sunday. Ukraine and South Korea share a common adversary, Ukrainian Ambassador to South Korea Dmytro Ponomarenko said in written remarks published by Yonhap News. South Korea should not forget that Pyongyang also uses Ukrainian soil as a testing ground for its weaponry, which could be used in future possible standoff, Ponomarenko said. Seoul has no reason to hesitate in the development of full-scale military-technical cooperation with Kyiv, he said. Its a matter of interest for both Kyiv and Seoul, he added. North Korea has supplied Russia with artillery shells, short-range ballistic missiles, conventional arms, and troops since 2023, according to South Koreas National Intelligence Service and the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency. Photos of debris from a Russian attack in Ukraine on Jan. 2, 2024, indicate that the source of the damage is almost certainly of a North Korean ballistic missile, the DIA said in a May 29 report. The evidence highlights the evolving and strengthening relationship between North Korea and Russia, the report said. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un met Friday with Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu in Pyongyang and pledged to invariably support Russia in the struggle for defending security interests in the future, the state-run Korean Central News Agency reported the next day. The North has also dispatched between 10,000 and 12,000 troops to fight alongside Russia since October, according to the U.S., South Korean and Ukrainian militaries. KCNA has not acknowledged that North Korean troops have deployed to Russia. Ukrainian forces have captured at least two North Korean soldiers, one of whom stated he wished to defect to the South, according to interrogation videos posted online by the Ukrainian military. Ponomarenko said it was premature to speculate on the soldiers release or their ultimate destination. Any decision regarding the soldiers future will be made in compliance with international law, individual rights, and through dialogue between the parties concerned, he said, according to Yonhap. Yoon Suk Yeol, South Koreas impeached president, has condemned Russias invasion but declined to send lethal aid, citing trade policies that prohibit arms exports from affecting national security or international peace. South Korea, a major arms exporter, has instead provided Kyiv with more than $2.3 billion in humanitarian aid and financial assistance. Seoul will review its policy of supplying only non-lethal aid to Ukraine depending on Russias cooperation with North Korea, South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo said in a speech in June. Han was reinstated as prime minister and assumed the role of acting president Monday after South Koreas Constitutional Court overturned his impeachment, which the National Assembly had approved on Dec. 27. A child poses inside a UH-60L Black Hawk during the annual Cherry Blossom Festival at Camp Zama, Japan, March 22, 2025. (Akifumi Ishikawa/Stars and Stripes) YOKOSUKA NAVAL BASE, Japan Tens of thousands of visitors toured the home of the U.S. 7th Fleet and other U.S. military installations in Japan over the weekend as part of annual spring festivals. At Yokosuka, more than 55,000 people attended Saturdays festivities, which featured food, drinks, tours of the guided-missile destroyer USS Benfold, a K-9 demonstration, live music, and other performances. The events attendance surged this year, up from 35,000 in 2024. Events like this really show the strong connection and friendship between the base and the local community, base spokesman Justin Keller told Stars and Stripes by email Monday. These celebrations are one of the many things that makes serving here so special. Camp Zamas annual Cherry Blossom Festival drew about 6,000 people to the home of U.S. Army Japan just outside Tokyo, March 22, 2025. (Akifumi Ishikawa/Stars and Stripes) Camp Zama's annual Cherry Blossom Festival drew about 6,000 people to the home of U.S. Army Japan just outside Tokyo, March 22, 2025. (Akifumi Ishikawa/Stars and Stripes) A performer draws a crowd during the annual Spring Festival at Yokosuka Naval Base, Japan, March 22, 2025. (Alex Wilson/Stars and Stripes) For Robert Wimes, the bases fire chief, and his deputy, Arnel Dorn, the festival was an opportunity to meet the local community and share safety tips. Its a great event, great weather, lots of people, Dorn said at the festival. Were here to display our fire trucks, and we also have a safety booth that talks about fire safety during the summer and winter. Shin Kawabata, who recently moved to Kanagawa prefecture, visited the base for the first time with his friends. Its been really fun, he said at the festival, adding that he and his friends enjoyed eating pizza, drinking coffee and listening to live music. About 20 miles northeast, the home of U.S. Army Japan hosted Camp Zamas annual Cherry Blossom Festival, which drew about 6,000 people, base spokesman Kenji Toyomura said by phone Saturday. Camp Zamas annual Cherry Blossom Festival drew about 6,000 people to the home of U.S. Army Japan just outside Tokyo, March 22, 2025. (Akifumi Ishikawa/Stars and Stripes) A clown hands a balloon sword to a visitor at the annual Spring Festival at Yokosuka Naval Base, Japan, March 22, 2025. (Alex Wilson/Stars and Stripes) Though the trees had yet to blossom, the event featured similar attractions as Yokosuka, along with traditional Japanese art experiences and performances. Kadena Air Base on Okinawa held its two-day America Fest over the weekend, and Yokota Air Base in western Tokyo is set to host its popular Sakura Spring Festival this Saturday. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrives for a bilateral meeting with the German Chancellor on the sidelines of the 61st Munich Security Conference in Munich, Germany, on Feb. 15, 2025. (Sven Hoppe/Pool/AFP/Getty Images/TNS) (Tribune News Service) Talks in Riyadh between Ukrainian and U.S. officials, part of an effort to end Russias three-year invasion of its neighbor, started on Sunday afternoon, Ukraines defense minister said. The discussions are expected to be followed on Monday by a meeting between the U.S. and Russia. Moscows delegation has arrived in Riyadh, Tass reported, citing team member Grigory Karasin, chairman of the Federation Councils committee on International Affairs. We are implementing the president of Ukraines directive to bring a just peace closer and to strengthen security, Ukrainian defense chief Rustem Umerov said on social media, adding that Sundays 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. Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Saturday said that special emphasis on preparation for the meeting took place during a gathering of his military cabinet in Kharkiv. Umerov attended that meeting, along with Oleksandr Syrskyi, commander in chief of Ukraines armed forces, Andrii Hnatov, the forces chief of general staff, and top Zelenskyy aides. Mike Waltz, U.S. national security adviser, said the upcoming talks among technical teams would focus on a potential Black Sea maritime ceasefire. He suggested that would lead into discussions about the line of control, which is the actual front lines of the conflict, which started when Kremlin forces invaded Ukraine in February 2022. That gets into the details of verification mechanisms, peace-keeping, freezing the lines where they are, Waltz said Sunday on CBSs Face the Nation. And then, of course, the broader and permanent peace including security guarantees for Ukraine. Its unclear how far discussions will advance in Riyadh, whether more meetings will be scheduled, or what concessions Russia is prepared to offer. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Russian state TV that negotiators from Moscow will be ready to discuss nuances of resumption of the Black Sea initiative in Riyadh, without elaborating. As of 2024 Russia occupied an estimated 20% of Ukraine in the nations east and southeast, including Crimea, with about 3 million Ukrainians estimated to be living under Russian occupation with millions more displaced and many others including children deported to Russia. With assistance from Tony Czuczka. 2025 Bloomberg L.P. Visit bloomberg.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Vice President JD Vance, on the couch from left, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and national security adviser Michael Waltz during President Donald Trumps visit with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington on March 13, 2025. (NATO) WASHINGTON Lawmakers, including top Democrats on Senate and House Armed Services committees, demanded answers Monday after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and other top Trump administration officials discussed war plans in a texting conversation that included a journalist. The chat over the Signal encrypted messaging service was used to share plans for recent U.S. airstrikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen. Among the participants were Hegseth, Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and national security adviser Mike Waltz, a former congressman who served as a Green Beret. The editor-in-chief of The Atlantic magazine, Jeffrey Goldberg, was inadvertently added to the Signal chat and published details from the discussion in a report Monday. The material in the text chain contained operational details of forthcoming strikes on Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen, including information about targets, weapons the U.S. would be deploying, and attack sequencing, Goldberg wrote. News of the information leak generated a swift rebuke from Democrats on Capitol Hill, with Sen. Jack Reed of Rhode Island calling it one of the most egregious failures of operational security and common sense I have ever seen. Military operations need to be handled with utmost discretion, using approved, secure lines of communication, because American lives are on the line, said Reed, the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee. The carelessness shown by President [Donald] Trumps Cabinet is stunning and dangerous. He said he will be seeking answers from the administration immediately. Rep. Pat Ryan, D-N.Y., an Army veteran who sits on the House Armed Services Committee, said, If House Republicans wont hold a hearing on how this happened IMMEDIATELY, Ill do it my damn self. Only one word for this: FUBAR, he wrote on X, using a military acronym that stands for [fouled] up beyond all recognition. Sen. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., a Marine veteran, called the episode amateur hour and said if he handled classified and sensitive information in this way when I was in the Marines oh boy . It is not uncommon for government officials to use Signal for organizational matters but not for confidential discussions of military operations, according to Goldberg. The app is not classified and can be hacked. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said the Signal chat likely included classified U.S. intelligence that could have gotten people killed and severely harmed the military if it fell into the wrong hands. Every single senator Republican and Democrat and Independent must demand accountability, he said in a floor speech. If a government employee shared sensitive military plans like this, theyd be investigated and face very harsh consequences. Schumer singled out Hegseth for criticism, saying Democrats had warned that confirming him would be dangerous. Hegseth was confirmed by one of the narrowest Senate margins of any defense secretary in modern history. Hegseth posted precise information about weapons packages, targets, and timing in the Signal chat, Goldberg wrote. Hegseth also assured participants that we are currently clean on OPSEC, meaning operations security, even though a journalist was included in the conversation, and it was taking place on a commercial messaging platform. Hegseths office last week announced a crackdown on leaks of sensitive information to the media and said it plans to use polygraphs potentially in investigations of recent unauthorized disclosures of national security information. Rep. Adam Smith of Washington, the top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, released a video Monday saying it was time to start seriously worrying about the competency of Donald Trumps national security team. As I and many others have warned, when you start hiring people based solely on sycophancy and loyalty to Donald Trump, instead of their talent and their ability to do the job, then bad things are going to happen, he said. We need competent government the Trump administration is not giving that to us. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., told reporters the administration is addressing the information leak and will make certain it does not happen again. What you did see though, I think, was top-level officials doing their job, doing it well, and executing on a plan with precision, he said. That mission was a success. No one was jeopardized because of it. The Republican chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Roger Wicker of Mississippi, expressed more concern. He said there likely will be classified briefings about the episode soon. It appears that mistakes were made, no question, he told reporters. We are going to look into this and see what the facts are... you can be sure the committee, House and Senate will be looking into this. Lester Schrenk, who served as an Army B-17 ball turret gunner during World War II, stands in the forest outside Tychowo, Poland, on March 22, 2025, where he was detained as a prisoner of war 80 years earlier. (Phillip Walter Wellman/Stars and Stripes) TYCHOWO, Poland The last time Lester Schrenk stood in this dense patch of forest in what is now northwestern Poland, there were no trees here. It was 80 years ago, and the Germans had cleared a swath of land to build a World War II prisoner of-war camp known as Stalag Luft IV. Schrenk, a former U.S. Army Air Forces B-17 gunner who was shot down over Denmark in February 1944, spent about half of his 15 months as a POW enduring the harsh conditions at the camp. Over the weekend, the 101-year-old living in Bloomington, Minn., returned for the first time since he left eight decades ago. He didnt come for closure. Schrenk says he got that years ago. Instead, his visit was driven by curiosity and a desire to pass his story down to younger generations. Im glad to be back. Its part of my history, Schrenk said, looking around at the towering pines that have thrived over the passing decades. I put all the bad memories behind me. Its part of forgiveness. Schrenk enlisted on his 19th birthday, Nov. 19, 1942. About a year later, he deployed to Europe with the 327th Bombardment Squadron, 92nd Bomb Group of the 8th Air Force, stationed at RAF Podington in Bedfordshire, England. As a ball turret gunner, his job was to fire two .50-caliber machine guns from a small rotating sphere made of metal and glass, mounted on the underside of the B-17 aircraft. The role required skill and nerve, with minimal armor protection from enemy fire. Schrenk and his crew manned a B-17 named Pot o Gold and were on their 10th mission when they were attacked by a German Junkers Ju-88 aircraft. Lester Schrenk on March 22, 2025, walks through a forest near Tychowo, Poland, where Stalag Luft IV stood during World War II. (Phillip Walter Wellman/Stars and Stripes) Railway tracks at Podborsko train station, in northwestern Poland, March 22, 2025. During World War II, Allied prisoners of war were brought to the train station on their way to the Nazi-run Stalag Luft IV camp. (Phillip Walter Wellman/Stars and Stripes) Lester Schrenk in a photo taken at Sheppard Field, Wichita Falls, Texas, in 1943. (American Air Museum in Britain) Barbed wire that was once part of the Luft IV prisoner-of-war camp is displayed in the Stalag Luft IV museum, located inside a military-affiliated high school in Tychowo, Poland, on March 22, 2025. (Phillip Walter Wellman/Stars and Stripes) Students studying at a military-affiliated high school in Tychowo, Poland, pose with U.S. veteran Lester Schrenk, on March 22, 2025. (Phillip Walter Wellman/Stars and Stripes) A photo of the Stalag Luft IV prisoner-of-war camp, where some 10,000 Allied prisoners were kept during World War II, including Lester Schrenk. (American Air Museum in Britain) The crew parachuted out of their burning plane, landing near the town of Thisted. All but one of them survived, but months of hardship awaited. Schrenk immediately was captured, interrogated and sent to Stalag Luft VI in what is today Silute, Lithuania, where he said he was beaten and given just enough food to survive. In July 1944, as Soviet forces advanced into Eastern Europe, he and other inmates were transferred to Stalag Luft IV. In all, about 10,000 prisoners, including 8,000 Americans, were loaded on rail cars and arrived at what is today the Podborsko train station, roughly 2 miles from the camp. They shackled us and gave us each a Red Cross parcel to hold under our arms, then started chasing us down the road with dogs and bayonets, Schrenk recalled. I had the presence of mind to stay in the middle of the group. The ones on the outside bore the brunt of the police dogs nipping at them. Schrenk, who left the Army as a staff sergeant, shared the memory Saturday morning outside the weathered, still-active train station, speaking to a small group of American volunteers who helped organize his visit, along with Polish officials, U.S. and Polish military representatives, and a few journalists. After visiting the train station, Schrenk and the group traveled to the former camp site. Following the war, residents demolished the camps barracks and other structures for lumber. Nature slowly reclaimed the area during the Cold War years. But after the fall of communism, residents began rediscovering the forgotten history of the POW camp. In 1992, monuments were erected at the Podborsko train station and the grounds of the former camp. American veterans began returning to share their stories. The problem is that this camp wasnt very well known, and theres not much documentation, so not many people know the history of this place, said Pawel Urbaniak, a military historian with the Museum of Polish Arms in Kolobrzeg, adding that efforts are underway to recover artifacts that may help paint a clearer picture of what life was like there 80 years ago. Army veteran Lester Schrenk, 101, stands next to a memorial at Podborsko train station near Tychowo, Poland, March 22, 2025, which commemorates Schrenk and some 10,000 other Allied troops who were brought to the station and imprisoned in the nearby Stalag Luft IV prisoner-of-war camp. (Phillip Walter Wellman/Stars and Stripes) Historian Pawel Urbaniak, right, points to a map carved into a monument at the site of the former Stalag Luft IV prisoner-of-war camp on March 22, 2025. Urbaniak was showing former POW Lester Schrenk, center, where he was located when he was imprisoned at the camp 80 years ago. (Phillip Walter Wellman/Stars and Stripes) Schrenk is believed to be the first POW from Stalag Luft IV to visit the site in about two decades, according to Urbaniak, who organizes a commemoration event each February. What I remember most was starving, Schrenk said as he walked across the grounds, where a few camp remnants remain. You were so weak that you tried to spend most of your time lying in bed to preserve your strength. He vividly recalled a prison guard he dubbed Ham Hands, who would sneak up behind prisoners and pound the butt of his rifle into their feet or cuff his hands over their ears. He must have been used to very hard labor because the size of his hands was just tremendous, Schrenk said. Because Schrenk spoke some German his grandparents had emigrated from Germany he occasionally was used as a translator in the camp. In February 1945, as the Soviets drew closer to Stalag Luft IV, the guards told the prisoners they would be relocated once again, this time on foot. What followed would become known as the March of Death or Black March, an 86-day forced march across Germany in freezing weather, with no clear destination and little food or shelter. The prisoners, many malnourished and poorly clothed, walked for hundreds of miles through snow and mud. Several hundred POWs, including many Americans, are believed to have died during the march. The exact number remains unknown. Schrenk said the thought of his family kept him going. My parents didnt want me to enlist, and I had promised my mother that I would make it back home safely. I relied on that promise, and I think that helped me get through, he said. Army veteran and former prisoner of war Lester Schrenk stands with active-duty U.S. soldiers at a memorial near Tychowo, Poland, on March 22, 2025. The memorial pays tribute to Schrenk and other Allied troops who were kept as prisoners or war at the Stalag Luft IV camp. (Phillip Walter Wellman/Stars and Stripes) When British forces liberated Schrenk and his fellow inmates in May 1945, he weighed just 93 pounds, down from 185 when he arrived in Europe. In 2012, Schrenk met the German man who shot his plane down and forgave him, as part of a Danish war documentary. Its an inspiration for younger veterans to see that they, too, can live a successful life after combat, said Andrew Biggio, a former Marine Corps infantry sergeant and author who has led efforts to bring more than 60 WWII veterans back to Europe. He described the experience as therapeutic for everyone involved. Schrenk wrapped up his visit to Poland at a local military-affiliated high school which houses a permanent exhibition on Stalag Luft IV, including artifacts recovered from the site. He answered students questions but played down any notion of bravery. Third-year student Tymoteusz Wasiak wasnt convinced. We are seeing, for the first time, a walking legend, Wasiak said. This has been a good opportunity not only to talk, but to learn something we can pass on to the next generation. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., speaks during a rally outside the Department of Veterans Affairs headquarters in Washington on Feb. 13, 2025. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes) WASHINGTON Senate Democrats disclosed plans Monday to hold unofficial shadow hearings starting in April to examine the mass firings at the Department of Veterans Affairs and the impact on veterans services and benefits. Doug Collins, the VA secretary, is invited to speak at the first shadow hearing, which is scheduled for April 2, said Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., the top Democrat on the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, when he announced plans for the informal hearings. The shadow hearings are in response to the refusal by the Republican-led committee to recent petitions by Senate Democrats to schedule hearings on the layoffs, he said. Other Democratic senators as well as independents on the VA committee are expected to attend the informal hearings, including Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., Sen. Angus King, I-Maine, and Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., the committees chairman, holds the authority to set the agenda, identifying the bills and issues that the committee will debate and act on at hearings. Rep. Mike Bost, R-Ill., who is chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, refused last month to have members examine the mass layoffs, after Rep. Mark Takano, D-Calif., urged him to do so during an unrelated hearing with veterans service organizations. After a heated exchange, Bost said he would take the request under advisement. Veterans, terminated VA workers, contractors and union leaders also will participate in the shadow hearings, Democratic senators said. A room at the Capitol for the hearings is being reserved, according to Blumenthals office. Congress has an urgent oversight role in this moment of crisis for veterans. Now more than ever, we need to sound the alarm and hear directly from the veterans and VA employees impacted by [Elon Musks and President Donald Trumps] heartless and heartbreaking cuts, freezes and firings, Blumenthal said. Other Democrats on the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee are Patty Murray of Washington, Mazie Hirono of Hawaii, Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire, Ruben Gallego of Arizona and Elissa Slotkin of Michigan. Democratic senators have largely opposed the cuts to staff and programs at the VA and other agencies. The VA fired approximately 1,400 probationary workers in February. Another 1,000 positions are vacant because of a hiring freeze. The VA also canceled hundreds of contracts with nonprofits that run community-based programs that assist veterans. But Collins said the cutbacks at VA will make the behemoth agency, which employs more than 470,000 workers, operate more effectively for veterans. The union bosses, legacy media, even members of Congress who have complained for years about the VA not being efficient are now complaining when were actually trying to provide solutions, he said. Reductions at the VA are part of a larger downsizing of federal government ordered by Trump and executed by Musks Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE. Another 80,000 VA employees are expected to be terminated from their jobs in the summer, according to a leaked memo from the Office of Personnel Management, which acts as the human resources agency for the federal government. Senate Democrats and several independent lawmakers are supporting legislation called the Putting Veterans First Act, which would reinstate fired veterans and military spouses to their VA jobs with back pay and benefits. When somebody puts his or her life on the line to defend this country, we keep the promises we made to those veterans, said Sanders, who introduced the legislation with Blumenthal. You do not balance the budget on the backs of those who defended this country. Give our heroes their jobs back, said Duckworth, who introduced similar legislation the Protect Veteran Jobs Act to restore the federal jobs of the approximately 6,000 veterans terminated across the government. Approximately one-third of all federal workers are veterans, who receive preference in hiring under federal law. Emma Josephine Feely (35), from Blackrock Park in Belleek, appeared before Enniskillen Magistrates Court today where a committal hearing took place A Co Fermanagh woman accused of causing the death of a pregnant mother-of-one by dangerous driving last year is set to go on trial. Emma Josephine Feely (35), from Blackrock Park in Belleek, appeared before Enniskillen Magistrates Court today where a committal hearing took place. The defendant was previously remanded into custody having voluntarily revoked bail after being charged with causing the death of 28-year-old Valerie Amorim, who was six months pregnant, by dangerous driving. She is further accused of causing grievous bodily harm to Ms Amorims mother and young daughter also by dangerous driving, as well as driving after consuming excess alcohol, having no driving licence, being an unaccompanied learner driver and having no L plates. Today, a prosecuting lawyer told the court there is a case to answer in relation to the incident which happened in the Boa Island Road area of Belleek on February 19, 2024. District Judge Alana McSorley agreed. Feely spoke only to confirm her identity and that she understood the charges against her. She declined the opportunity to call witnesses or give evidence on her own behalf at this stage in proceedings. Judge McSorley remanded her in continuing custody to appear for arraignment at Dungannon Crown Court on April 15. A police officer previously explained that Ms Amorim and her mother and daughter were pedestrians when Feelys car struck them from behind. Ms Amorim died at the scene, while the other victims were badly injured. When police arrived, Feely admitted she had been drinking earlier in the day and she was arrested. While in custody, she provided an evidential breath specimen which returned a reading of 63 mcg of alcohol, almost double the legal limit. Bail was not opposed, although the officer voiced concerns around Feely returning to her home address which is close to the victims residence, adding that there were issues in the area. However, she added that a risk assessment, while revealing that tensions are high at present, there is no threat directly at present. A defence solicitor said Feely had longstanding issues and they expressed concern that she should not be permitted to reside in her own home. While bail was subsequently granted, it was on strict terms, including an address well away from the home of the victims. Feely was also banned from contacting a passenger who was travelling with her at the time of the collision and is considered an eyewitness. Contact with the victims family was also prohibited. As the case reached the one-year mark, a defence barrister informed the court that Feely has indicated she intends to have her bail revoked and go into custody. She was permitted to remain with her family in the courthouse for a short time before being taken to the cells. Judge Treasa Kelly adjourned the case at Dublin District Court, saying Goraczko could avoid jail if he is found suitable for community service. A drunken man hurled racial abuse at a garda who tried to help him up when he found him lying on a Dublin street. Marek Goraczko (42) called the officer the N-word and a black c*** when he approached him out of concern for his welfare. Judge Treasa Kelly adjourned the case at Dublin District Court, saying Goraczko could avoid jail if he is found suitable for community service. Goraczko, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to public intoxication and threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour. Read more Video shows cocaine-fuelled thug Cian Smullen wielding kitchen knife as he breaks into home of former partner A sergeant told the court a garda on patrol at Thomas Street on January 24 found Goraczko lying on the ground, very intoxicated. The garda tried to engage with him as he was concerned for his welfare when the accused verbally abused him, calling him the N-word and telling him to f**k off, you black c***. He was arrested for his own safety. Goraczko, who had 72 previous convictions, had been in Ireland for 10 years and had fallen on hard times since Covid. He was out of work and suffered from alcoholism, his lawyer said. You keep coming into court, taking up a lot of court time and garda time you need to sort yourself out, Judge Kelly told the accused. Remanding him on continuing bail, she said she would order him to carry out 60 hours of community service instead of a two-month prison sentence if he is found suitable. Judge Kelly adjourned the case for an assessment. Conor McKenny told cops he had been out partying with a friend who took his car keys, before he later saw his crashed Audi A3 when passing by in a taxi home A boozed-up Downpatrick social worker who claimed to have found his crashed car in the early hours of the morning and refused to give a breath sample has been banned from driving. Conor McKenny told cops he had been out partying with a friend who took his car keys, before he later saw his crashed Audi A3 when passing by in a taxi home. The 35-year-old pleaded guilty to a single count of failing to provide a breath sample. Laganside Magistrates Court was told police were called to reports of a crashed vehicle on Rosetta Park in south Belfast at around 4am on November 15 last year. On arrival, they found McKennys abandoned black Audi A3 with extensive damage, including a missing front wheel. The defendant appeared on the scene shortly after and spoke to officers. Cops noted he was slurring his words and repeating what he was saying while in possession of a spare key to the vehicle, before refusing to provide a sample of breath. McKenny claimed he had been out drinking with pals in Belfast city centre and a friend had taken his keys, including his primary car key. His solicitor said: He got a taxi home shortly beforehand at 3.15am, and the taxi drove past the crash site where he noticed his car at the side of the road. That is when he panicked and approached police as he wanted to resolve situation. He is a social worker in a childrens home and is responsible for transferring children and adults to and from appointments using a car, so loss of his licence will have a significant impact on him. District Judge Anne Marshall disqualified McKenny from driving for six months and fined him 300. She said: Obviously he should have complied (with the breath test), and as a result I do not know how intoxicated he was. Having listened to the mitigation on your behalf, I will keep the disqualification to the minimum. Wayne McDonnell (39) pleaded guilty to a charge of having in his possession or control a drone with intent of using that drone to fly a controlled substance, diamorphine, into Cloverhill Prison A man found in possession of a controller for a drone attached to a copper pipe which contained almost 500 of heroin seen flying over Cloverhill Prison has been jailed. Wayne McDonnell (39) pleaded guilty to a charge of having in his possession or control a drone with intent of using that drone to fly a controlled substance, diamorphine, into Cloverhill Prison in connection with facilitating or instigating a drug trafficking offence. McDonnell, of St Finians Avenue, Lucan, Co. Dublin, was today jailed for 14 months at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Garda Tadhg McCarthy gave evidence that prison staff at Cloverhill observed a drone flying over the prison on February 12, 2024. They used a tracking system to track the drone's flight path and provided this information to gardai, who then searched a wasteland near the prison, where they encountered McDonnell. Gda McCarthy told Lisa Dempsey BL, prosecuting, that McDonnell started to walk away and refused to open his pockets when gardai indicated they wished to search him. He was arrested, and when searched at the garda station found to be in possession of two black Samsung phones, one of which was the drone controller. When gardai searched the wasteland again, they found the drone, to which a copper pipe containing five deals of diamorphine had been attached by string. There was a total of 4.9g of diamorphine, with a street value of 587, the court was told. McDonnell was interviewed, but nothing of evidential value was obtained. He has a number of previous convictions, all at the District Court, including for possession of drugs, theft and public order offences. The court heard that the Director of Public Prosecutions directed summary disposal, but jurisdiction was refused by the District Court. McDonnell entered an early guilty plea and has no trappings of wealth. Gda McCarthy agreed with Oisin Clarke BL, defending, that this is McDonnell's first time before the Circuit Court and that some of his previous convictions date back many years. It was further accepted that McDonnell has longstanding addiction issues and there is evidence that he is not the owner of the drone. Mr Clarke said McDonnell has addictions to heroin and alcohol, and instructs that he recently started on methadone. He submitted that McDonnell's previous convictions fit the profile of someone with addiction issues. McDonnell has a good work history as a scaffolder with several references and an offer of work handed to the court on his behalf. He is currently not working full-time in order to support his father, who is awaiting major surgery, Mr Clarke said. Counsel noted that bringing drugs into a prison is abhorrent and does nothing to assist anyone. He asked the court to take into account that while it is accepted that his client was found with the drone controller, it was not his along with the low value of the drugs. Imposing sentence, Judge Elma Sheahan noted the aggravating factors include the seriousness of the offending. She noted the mitigation included McDonnell's early guilty plea, his background, work history and that he is supporting his father. The judge said deterrence was an important factor that the court had to consider and that the custodial threshold had been reached, before imposing a 14-month sentence. A mother of three caught storing 900 worth of cannabis in her home had come under threat because of a family members drug debt, a court was told. A mother of three caught storing 900 worth of cannabis in her home had come under threat because of a family members drug debt, a court was told. Debbie Gallagher (58) was not in any way dealing drugs when gardai raided the house in west Dublin under warrant, her defence said. Judge David McHugh fined her 200 when she appeared in Blanchardstown District Court. Gallagher pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis with intent to sell or supply at Greenfort Crescent, Clondalkin. Read more Video shows cocaine-fuelled thug Cian Smullen wielding kitchen knife as he breaks into home of former partner A garda told the court the accuseds home was searched under the Misuse of Drugs Act on May 24, 2022, and 900 worth of the drug was found, but no paraphernalia. Gallagher had previous motoring convictions. The accused had a relative who had gone down a very bad road and had a drug debt, her solicitor Valerie Buckley said. She wasnt in any way dealing drugs and was threatened by someone to hold the items. The court heard the family member was an adult but his maturity level was quite low. The judge fined Gallagher for sale or supply and took into consideration a related count of simple possession of cannabis. Vincent Murphy (71) also exposed himself, called a gardas mother a prostitute and tried to use the custody record as toilet paper. A drunk pensioner bit into a gardas leg and spread faeces around a station so badly officers had to use hazmat suits to get him into a cell. Vincent Murphy (71) also exposed himself, called a gardas mother a prostitute and tried to use the custody record as toilet paper. Judge John Hughes jailed him for four months, with another two months suspended. Murphy, a chronic alcoholic, admitted charges including assault, violent behaviour in a garda station, criminal damage and threatening, abusive and insulting behaviour in a series of episodes in 2023. Dublin District Court heard that on March 11, 2023, he went to Lidl on Talbot Street in Dublin city centre, where he tried to buy groceries with a fake 50 note. When gardai arrived, he began to kick off and hit out at them, before falling to the ground and becoming unco-operative. As he was being carried into nearby Store Street station, he bit a garda on the leg. The skin was broken and the garda had to get a tetanus injection. The assault had a profound effect on the victim as he awaited test results. The victim said: I have never been so worried and panicked. On March 19, gardai found him attempting to urinate on a bus stop on Talbot Street. He threw himself to the ground, shouting insults including all gardai are uneducated and spastics. On April 5, he was found lying down on the same street having urinated on himself. He again became highly aggressive, lashing out with his arms and legs at gardai, screaming you f**king c***s. Murphy was arrested at the Mater Hospital on June 22, when he threatened staff. At the garda station, he exposed himself, defecated and proceeded to walk through it, spreading it around. He attempted to use the custody record as toilet paper and gardai had to bring out hazmat suits. Murphy had 211 previous convictions. He is not a threat to anyone as he is completely disabled and is essentially a prisoner in his hostel, his barrister Ciara Murray said. A key worker said Murphy was a sensible and graceful person who had gone from drinking six or seven bottles of wine a day down to one. Camila Alves Cintra Ribeiro (25) later told gardai it was known in her local area that she was under financial pressure and that her child needed an operation A Brazilian woman who agreed to swallow 100 pellets of cocaine in order to import the drugs into Ireland has been jailed for two years. Camila Alves Cintra Ribeiro (25) later told gardai it was known in her local area that she was under financial pressure and that her child needed an operation. She had initially agreed to transport the drugs and was promised just under 1,000 to do this. She then tried to withdraw her offer but she, her family and her daughter were threatened. Ribeiro, of Rua Belanissia, Riberira De Souza. Vila Licia, Sau Paula, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to importing the drugs into Ireland at Dublin Airport on June 6, 2024. She has been in custody since the day of her arrival into Ireland. The court heard that an immigration officer at the airport was able to converse with Ribeiro as the officer spoke Portuguese. She became suspicious of the woman and asked her if she was carrying anything illegal. Ribeiro admitted she had swallowed capsules of cocaine and asked to be allowed to use the bathroom. She later passed 100 pellets of the drug, worth an estimated 69,000. Gardai also seized 1,000 in cash which she had on her at the time of her arrest. She later told gardai, with the assistance of an interpreter, that she was desperate for money as her daughter had to undergo surgery for a hearing difficulty. She said she had initially agreed to transport the drugs for the equivalent of 972. She then told those involved that she no longer wanted to do it and she was threatened and told she would have to pay 10,000. Fiona Murphy SC, defending, said it was clear that these people had no regard or concern for Ribeiros health when they instructed her to import the drugs by ingesting the pellets. She said her client was genuinely remorseful for her involvement but said she was lost and desperate at the time. Judge Martin Nolan said Ribeiro had been transporting the drugs for reward but acknowledged that she was desperate for money and others who became aware of this took advantage of her situation. He acknowledged that she co-operated fully, made admissions and was unlikely to come to garda attention again. He backdated the two-year term to when Ribeiro first went into custody. The ex-enforcer from Crumlin who earned his nickname through a series of violent crimes and has 109 previous convictions made the apology to Jonathan Murray and his family as he appeared in Dublin Circuit Court this week in relation to the gun attack at their south Dublin home in 2022. Former gangster Ian Mad Dog Maloney has apologised to a pal of Conor McGregor saying he couldnt live with the guilt of carrying out a gun attack at his family home while a child was inside so handed himself in to gardai. The ex-enforcer from Crumlin who earned his nickname through a series of violent crimes and has 109 previous convictions made the apology to Jonathan Murray and his family as he appeared in Dublin Circuit Court this week in relation to the gun attack at their south Dublin home in 2022. Maloney (37), who turned his back on crime in the aftermath of the shooting and is now a published poet, fired seven shots at the house on Downpatrick Road in Crumlin on February 22, 2022 as part of a feud with Murray, who was a former associate turned bitter rival. Read more Video shows cocaine-fuelled thug Cian Smullen wielding kitchen knife as he breaks into home of former partner Bullets flew though the window of the home while innocent family members, including a young child, were inside. One bullet lodged in the fridge of the house but no one was hit in the reckless attack. Jonathan Murray with pal Conor McGregor Maloney said he couldnt live with the guilt of what he did after he found out there was a young child in the house and he made a statement to gardai in 2023 admitting he was the gunman. Not a day passed where I dont regret what I did. I have no excuse only remorse. I have been haunted by guilt, he said in a letter to the Murray family read in court this week. I made a statement [to gardai] because I couldnt live with myself. The weight of guilt was unbearable. He went on to say that writing poetry gives him a sense of purpose now and he no longer wants to be involved in crime. His latest poetry book No More Shadows: Leaving Mad Dog Behind is his third book and like the others all profits will be donated to charity. I have distanced myself from the past, he said. He added that he was under pressure, his home has been attacked and some people are trying to provoke a reaction but he will not return to his criminal ways. Im not going to react, he said. It is a far cry from his Mad Dog attitude of 2022 when he was feuding with Jonathan Murray, a convicted criminal who is a close pal of disgraced UFC fighter Conor McGregor. McGregor was not involved in the feud but Maloney later mocked him as a fake gangster in a TikTok poem. Maloney, from Cashel Road, Crumlin, appeared in Dublin Circuit Court this week for a sentence hearing after admitting possession firearm with intent to endanger life or cause serious injury. The feud between Maloney and Murray had been boiling over in 2022 but escalated in February that year when there was the gun attack and three petrol bomb attacks in the space of 48 hours. A close associate of Murray, who cannot be named as he is currently before the courts, was also caught up in the feud. Both Murray and his associate are long time pals of McGregor and have been picture partying with him on numerous occasions and have flown on his private jet. Detective Garda Ian Ward told Judge Sarah Berkeley this week that a gunman fired seven shots from a 9mm handgun on the Murray home at around 12.20am. A car linked to Maloney was seen in convoy with masked men on an e-scooter type vehicle who were involved in the attack. Gardai raided addresses linked to Maloney but he went to ground in the aftermath of the shooting. Maloney made himself available for interview to gardai a few days after the shooting but made no comment in interview and was released while a file was prepared for the DPP. However, on December 13 the following year while he was in custody in Cloverhill on other matters he rang his partner and told her that he carried out the shooting and then asked his solicitor to contact gardai so he could make a statement. He admitted to gardai he was the male who fired shots into the house. I didnt know there was a little girl in the house. I have three little girls myself. I do regret it, he said. Asked why he was telling gardai, he replied: Because I think its the right thing to do. The court heard he had 109 previous convictions including one for a 1.2m jewellery robbery where he ordered customers and staff against a wall while armed with a shotgun. He was also given a prison sentence for an assault in 2009. Maloneys defence barrister, Michael OHiggins, SC, said his client acknowledged his involvement in serious crime over the years and he seems to be making a sincere effort to turn his life around. He highlighted volunteer work Maloney had done as well as his numerous donations to charity through his poetry books. Various character references were handed in from people, including the publisher of his books and community workers who all praised the way he had turned his life around in recent times. Judge Berkeley remanded Maloney in custody for sentencing on May 22. Detectives found 7.5kg of cannabis at a residential property A man has been arrested after gardai seized 150,000 worth of cannabis in Sligo on Sunday. Detectives found 7.5kg of cannabis, with an estimated street value of 150,000 when they searched a property in the Cranmore area. The man, aged in his 40s, is detained at a Garda station in the North West of the country. "As part of an ongoing operation targeting the sale and supply of drugs in the region, Gardai in Sligo seized around 150,000 worth of cannabis and arrested a man on 23rd March, 2025, Gardai said in a press statement. The Sligo Detective Unit searched a residential property in the Cranmore area and found a total of 7.5kg of cannabis, with an estimated street value of 150,000. A man, aged in his 40s, was arrested and is currently being detained at a station in the Garda North Western Region under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act 1996. The drugs seized will be sent to Forensic Science Ireland (FSI) for analysis. Investigations are ongoing. They can be held for seven days as a treasure trove of evidence harvested on the platform are put to them The three top tier members of Irelands biggest organised crime outfit known as The Family were arrested this morning in the countrys first major encrypted phone hack case. The boss and two lieutenants were arrested in dawn raids on their homes in West Dublin while three facilitators were also in custody as a direct result of the Ghost hack. They can be held for seven days as a treasure trove of evidence harvested on the platform are put to them including evidence around the importation of massive consignments of drugs. International law enforcement including Europol and Eurojust will be closely monitoring a decision by the Director of Public Prosecutions later this week in the case which will mark the first time Ireland will move to trial a case built on encrypted messages. The Family, Gardai believe, pocket an average of euro 4 million a month from their network and have built a sophisticated money laundering system moving cash out of the country through their logistics wing. Ghost was taken down last September when Gardai seized 15,200,000 of cocaine, 350,000 in cash, 320,000 worth of cannabis and a further 100,000 of heroin from the gang following 33 searches and the seizure of 42 devices. A further 153 electronic devices were also seized from suspected gang members at that time. An Garda Siochana were sent messages from the system through Europol and Eurojust from a server discovered in France. A warrant was issued by a French judge and is covered under European agreements which will be crucial to the cases going forward. The Ghost platform was used by criminals in Ireland, Italy, Spain and Australia and was used to facilitate large scale drug trafficking and other forms of serious organised crime. Like the Encrochat network, Ghost offered users multiple layers of encryption and self destruction services. The investigation in Ireland is being headed up by Detective Inspector Padraig Mullarkey of the Gardas Drug and Organised Crime Bureau under Detective Superintendent David Gallagher and the Bureau Chief Seamus Boland. A total of four identified Organised Crime Groups in Ireland were using Ghost with the largest being The Family who have grown to be the biggest criminal grouping in the country since the dismantling of the Kinahan Organised Crime Group. The network was hacked and watched live over eight months and on September 16th, 2024 a co-ordinated day of action was carried out. In Ireland 300 Gardai were deployed on searches which unearthed crypto currency keys, encrypted devices, mobile phones, laptops and SIM cards . On that same day an articulated truck was intercepted in the South East and 100 kilos of cocaine was found behind deep concealment panels. In the run up to the day of action cash, and a further 118 kilos of cocaine were discovered. Australian Federal Police arrest Ghost network suspect. Photo: The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives To date Ireland has remained an outlier when it comes to prosecutions around evidence against criminal groups and individuals discovered on encrypted networks. An Garda Siochana have failed to date to bring any cases relating to the Encrochat takedown despite the fact that numerous successful cases have been taken in Northern Ireland and hundreds of networks have been dismantled and jailed in the UK. It is understood that one Encrochat file has remained with the Director of Public Prosecutions over the past 18 months with no decision yet taken. Europol bosses will be closely monitoring the Ghost case and the arrest of six Family suspects, one of whom is expected to be charged with directing the criminal organisation. It is understood that the evidence against him and others under arrest is overwhelming but the pressure will now be on the DPP to give direction on charges. In a statement released today, a garda spokesman said a total of five people were arrested as part of the operation. "This morning, Monday 24th March 2025, five males were arrested by the GNDOCB as part of an ongoing investigation into the activities of an International Organised Crime Group based in west Dublin. The males aged (30s, 40s & 60s) were arrested, in the Dublin and Eastern Garda Regions for alleged offences contrary to the Criminal Justice Act, 2006 and are currently detained, pursuant to the provisions of Section 50 of Criminal Justice Act, 2007, at Garda Stations across the Dublin and Eastern Garda Regions. This mornings Operation led by GNDOCB was supported by the Emergency Response Unit, Regional Armed Support Unit, Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation (GNBCI) and the Dublin Crime Response Team (DCRT). As persons are currently in Garda custody at this time. Esther Ghey was speaking at the screening of a new ITV documentary, Brianna: A Mothers Story, which explores the death of Brianna The mother of murdered teenager Brianna Ghey said she does not believe social media companies would put lives before profit. Esther Ghey was speaking at the screening of a new ITV documentary, Brianna: A Mothers Story, which explores the death of Brianna, 16, who was murdered by classmate Scarlett Jenkinson and her friend Eddie Ratcliffe. Jenkinson and Ratcliffe, who were both 15 at the time of the murder, lured Brianna to a park in Cheshire where she was stabbed 28 times with a hunting knife, on February 11 2023. Briannas mother, Esther Ghey, features in a new ITV documentary that explores the death of her daughter and her campaigning work (Lucy North/PA) The 75-minute film celebrates Briannas life and features interviews with three of her friends, who describe the schoolgirl as kind, chatty and funny. It also explores her death and issues around online safety. Brianna, who had thousands of followers on TikTok, struggled with her mental health, which was worsened by accessing eating-disorder and self-harm content on X. From the age of 14, one of her killers, Jenkinson, enjoyed watching videos of real killing and torture on the dark web, fantasised about murder and developed an interest in serial killers. Scarlett Jenkinson and Eddie Ratcliffe (Cheshire Police/PA) Speaking at the screening in west London, Ms Ghey said one of the reasons she had chosen to take part in the documentary was to get answers from social media companies about safety. She said: At this point, I really do not believe that any social media company will put lives before profit. On her campaigning work on online safety and trolling, Ms Ghey said she supports a ban on social media for under 16s. It is an absolute cesspit, she added. Even if, say, if I do an interview, and Ill try not to look at comments, but I can never help myself, and Ill look at the comments, and youll see people saying about my child, trying to tell me what gender my child was, and also really, really horrific comments too. And its mentioned in the documentary as well, that when you report things, the support isnt there. Ive reported so many comments, and I always get the response that they havent done anything wrong, that its not something that they can take down, and our children have access to those comments. No matter how much love and compassion you pump into your child when youre bringing them up, and how much empathy you can teach them as well, they will then go online and theyll see the way that other people are speaking about other people, and they might think that thats right. And thats without even going into the amount of harm thats online, like the dangerous challenges where young people are losing their lives due to these sick challenges that people are uploading, misogyny, hate, misinformation, and that is just the tip of the iceberg. Ms Ghey has previously met Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, and his predecessor Rishi Sunak, to discuss the issue, and has criticised the Online Safety Act, saying it does not go far enough. She has campaigned for an age limit on smartphone use, stricter controls on access to social media apps, tougher action on knife crime and for mindfulness to be taught in schools. The documentary follows Ms Ghey as she travels to the US and meets Arturo Bejar, a former engineering director at social media giant Meta, who testified before Congress about child safety on the companys platforms. He tells her that people are defenceless against harmful algorithms. The film also features officers from Cheshire Police, who speak about the investigation into Briannas murder, and videos of custody suite interviews with both killers, who were caught within 28 hours. Brianna: A Mothers Story, will air on Thursday March 27 at 9pm on ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player. Meta, X and TikTok have been contacted for comment. The student was heading to a party before her first mugshot was taken A woman who went viral for having a hot mugshot has been arrested once again. The 20-year-old shot to fame when she was arrested for speeding earlier this month, and her mugshot spread like wildfire. The picture shows Lily Stewart wearing a beige off shoulder top as her perfect white teeth smile down the camera. Her highlighted hair is tucked behind her ears which are adorned with pearl earrings. The woman said she was on her way to a birthday party when she was arrested. Free her, wrote one person. Is her phone number in the report? Asking for a friend, wrote another. Now she has more snaps to add to her repertoire after she was arrested this weekend by University of Georgia campus police on charges of obstruction of a law enforcement officer and loitering/prowling. The new mugshot shows the student once again beaming down the camera with perfect hair, teeth and make-up. Stewart was released from jail hours later after paying a $4,000 (3,695) bond. Lily Stewart was arrested again this weekend. Source: Clarke County Sheriff's Office Speaking to the New York Post about her viral snaps she said: I think its hilarious. I dont know what all the hype is about. I just took a mugshot and went on with my day. I was going to a friends birthday and I had just gotten ready not long before, so thats maybe why my makeup and hair still looked good. I love all the comments poking fun at me, saying, She was on her way to Lululemon or She must have had to [pee] really bad. I dont let it get under my skin too much, she added. Stewart also said that she was arrested after accidentally speeding. The officer saw me while he was driving the opposite direction. He was like, Youre 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 said. The speeding charge has since been dismissed. Gardai have said 'every single option is on the cards as the investigation in its fourth day CCTV footage of Michael Mike Gaine who is missing from Kenmare since last Thursday, March 20. This is the last captured sighting of the Kerry farmer in Centra in Kenmare. The focus of the search for the missing Kerry farmer Michael (Mike) Gaine is now focused on his farm-yard at Carrig East, Kenmare. A digger is currently on site evacuating the yard while slurry is also being removed from the farm. There is a significant garda presence at the farm and garda sources have said that the search of the farm yard and the shed is 'complex given the existence of slurry pits and buildings on the land. A slurry pit was also partially drained and examined in the early days of the investigation and these are now the focus of attention again today. Garda sources said gardai remain at the farm and will continue to investigate the whereabouts of the missing farmer. "It is still a missing person investigation but every single option is on the cards, said a garda source. However, concerns are intensified given the length of time Mr Gaine has now been missing. CCTV is now being examined by gardai to examine any potential routes that Mr Gaine could have travelled. The search of the farm yard will continue on Tuesday but no public assistance is being sought for further searches at this point. Gardai have also renewed their appeal for information as the search for the 56-year Kenmare farmer. They have released CCTV footage of Mr Gaine in Centra in Kenmare which is one of the last recorded sightings of him captured on Thursday, March 20. Mr Gaine bought phone credit at around 9.48am that morning. He was also seen just a few minutes later in Kenmare town shortly before 10am. A major search operation has been underway since last Friday, March 21 when Mr Gaine was first reported missing. Hundreds from the local community have joined search and rescue groups who are combing lands near Molls Gap, Co Kerry, in a search for the missing man. The local community have also rallied to provide food and refreshments for the hundreds of volunteers who are assisting in the major search operation. On Sunday more than 250 people joined search teams as concerns heighten about the missing man. Search teams including Kerry Mountain Rescue, the Rescue 115 helicopter, Iveragh Coastguard, Kerry Civil Defence, Kerry Fire Service and An Garda Siochana along with hundreds from the local community have spent the weekend covering a huge expanse of land just outside Kenmare. Aerial searches of lands in Co Kerry have taken place and the Garda Helicopter was once again on site on Monday, March 24 conducting further aerial searches. Neighbouring lands and a nearby quarry have also been searched. On Saturday evening vehicles were removed from the farm and these have been forensically examined as part of the ongoing investigation. Gardai have been at the farm since Friday afternoon and have helped co-ordinate the wide-spread search as concerns intensify for the 56-year-old sheep farmer. Mr Gaine is extremely well-known in the area, not only amongst the farming community but also in local rallying circles. Cllr Dan McCarthy, who lives close to Mr Gaine, said the community have gone above and beyond to help Mike and his family. Cllr McCarthy is the manager of Kenmare Mart which is acting as a depot for the search teams. "The amount of volunteers is unbelievableThe local community have also rallied around to drop food here to the mart for the search teams. He said the entire community is in shock and are concerned for Mike and his family. "Mike is very well-known and well-liked, he said. Today's News in 90 Seconds - March 24th Gardai have also again appealed for information. Michael is described as being approximately 5 feet 10 inches tall with a stocky build, brown/grey hair and a bushy beard. When last seen, Michael was wearing an orange woolly hat, black fleece, blue jeans and black boots. In particular, Gardai are seeking anyone with camera footage, including dash-cam or CCTV, or any other images (video or still) from Thursday 20th March and Friday 21st March in the Kenmare town / Molls Gap (N71/ R568) area to provide that imagery to the Garda investigation team. Anyone with information on Michael's whereabouts is asked to contact Killarney Garda Station on 064 667 1160, the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station. Angolan operator Unitel has strengthened its 4G network in multiple locations to enhance voice and data services. In a statement, Unitel announced that it had upgraded its network with 4G technology in the province of Uige and in Bentiaba, Namibe, improving connectivity for users in these areas. Providing an update on its network coverage, Unitel revealed that its 2G network currently reaches 100% of municipalities and 52.9% of communes. Meanwhile, its 3G network covers 96.3% of municipalities and 45.9% of communes. The companys 4G technology is now available in 80.5% of municipalities and 35.0% of communes. As for its 5G network, coverage stands at 5.5% of municipalities and 2.2% of communes. Unitel stated that its current network coverage provides a solid foundation for growth and innovation in 2025. The company pledged to further expand coverage and services this year but did not disclose specific details about its rollout plan. The Angolan government is currently planning to sell its stake in Unitel as part of broader efforts to privatise the economy. Gerry Barry has been busking on the same spot near Brown Thomas on St Patricks Street in Cork for decades Gerry Barry has been busking on the same spot in Cork for decades Corks Funky Leprechaun says he is prepared to go to jail over the citys new busking laws but claims visiting tourists love his shamrock-shaking shenanigans. Gerry Barry has been busking on the same spot near Brown Thomas on St Patricks Street in Cork for decades. Im there 40 years. Im well known. Im probably one of the most photographed people in the whole of Ireland, he says. He used to do paintings and later branched out into dressing as the funky leprechaun, doing a dance and playing the spoons in front of a painted backdrop. In recent years, his nephew Damien has also joined in the act. Gerry says they love entertaining locals and tourists but the pair have recently found out not everyone likes their street performances. Gerry and Damien ended up in court recently for failing to comply with new busking bylaws introduced in the city last year. Gerry Barry has been busking on the same spot in Cork for decades . . Gerry believes the bylaws came in to directly target his act because some local businesses were unhappy. Under the bylaws, buskers can only stay in one spot for two hours at a time, which is the rule Gerry has an issue with. I cant change. I dont want to change. I dont want to go anywhere else in the city, so thats why I am so brave in making my stance. Its all or nothing, he says. So far, Gerry and Damien have not applied for a licence. They were brought before Cork District Court on the matter at the end of February but the judge said she would give them until July to get a licence and comply with the rules. Maybe I should hold my ground and not get my licence and go to jail and get it over with. What will they do then, I dont know, Gerry says. He said had been summonsed to appear in court but so far has avoided being hauled off by gardai in a paddywagon. Ive said to the guards and council, arrest me Im not going anywhere but nobody will arrest me. If I dont get a licence what will happen, will I be brought back to court, will it take another year? It might be the best way to go for me. Gerry said he feels the objections of some local businesses to his act led to Cork Council bringing in the bylaws. What is boils down to is a few shops around the place. It was brought in to the council to vote in busking laws and the third time it barely got in. It scraped in. His pitch is outside Brown Thomas and while the stores management has never complained directly to him, Gerry feels they arent his biggest fans. Its not that Im interfering with them. Im not at their doorway or anything but they like their exclusive look, he says. While Brown Thomas bosses havent officially given any opinion on the act, other businesses have been vocal in their criticism of Gerry. The owner of a nearby shop had words with him after the new laws came in. For thirty f***ing odd years he never came near me but when the busking laws nearly came in he was up to me when I had tourists around me he was saying youre a disgrace, youre a bad look for the city. All this paddywhackery is a bad look for the city and an injunction should be taken out against you, Gerry says. He said the business owner called gardai when the new laws came in and an officer told Gerry to move on. The guard came up accusing us of all kinds of things. He accused us of being drunk and all kinds of things. He said close down or Ill arrest you. Gerry said he told the guard he would close down but would protest outside the shop owners premises. Within half an hour I was down with my professional sign right outside the shop and with my loudspeaker saying all the things he said to me exactly. I had people signing the petition. Seven of the people who work next door to him came out and signed the petition in support, he claimed. Gerry said while he appreciates some people dont like his act, he brings happiness to many others. My argument is you have Carrolls selling all the leprechaun stuff catering to tourists. Whats the difference? Im just a person who is clever enough to know a leprechaun is a good thing for tourists. You have tourists from all over the world and they come along and theyll be laughing. Gerry said people post his antics online and the reaction is mostly positive. They get 60,000 views. You have to take a fair bit of criticism. Out of 60,000 views Id say about 15 per cent would be nasty comments, he says. He said some naysayers are demanding to know how much he makes but he said hed never reveal whats in his pot of gold. Asked if he could just stick to the two hour rule, he said: A guy with a guitar can move every two hours and it probably wont affect him. I have a 15ft backdrop that I painted myself. Could I move without the banner every two hours? I probably could but its losing the whole visual concept for some dopey rules. Black smoke is flooding from the unit and Dublin Fire Brigade is attending the scene 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. Karen Murray suffered a brain bleed following a crash in Newcastle in July 2018 The mother of a Northern Ireland woman who suffered a devastating brain injury following a serious road traffic collision while celebrating her 20th birthday has hailed her daughters resilience and strength. Karen Murray suffered a brain bleed following a crash in Newcastle in July 2018. The young casualty was rushed from the scene on Castlewellan Road to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast, and when her mum arrived, she was informed that her daughter was in a coma. The surgeons had to remove the bone flap on the left side of Karens skull to release pressure on her brain, Christine Murray recalled. We actually lost Karen on the table at that stage. It was down to just four litres of blood at that time that saved her life. It was very touch and go. The distraught parent said the entire family were on edge while Karen (now 26) was treated in the hospitals intensive care unit (ICU). They werent going by days with Karen, they were going by hours. We couldnt get any response from Karen for a long, long time, Christine said as she recalled playing her daughters favourite songs at her bedside. (From left) Christine Murray, Thompson House Hospital interim operational manager Victoria Quinn, and Karen Murray Westlife are Karens favourite band and her all-time number one song is Queen of My Heart. We played it and Karens two eyes opened. The critical patient was later transferred to Musgrave Park Hospital, before eventually being moved to the South Eastern Trusts specialist Thompson House Hospital, which provides post-acute assessment and rehabilitation to adults who have suffered an acquired brain injury or complex neuro disability. Karen is in a nursing home setting at the minute, but we still come to Thompson House for physiotherapy, Christine said. Through the work of the team, Karen can now wash her own face, she does her own lip balm and she can lift her arms to help put on her nightdress and her tops. Karen has captured so many hearts along the way. Christine is sharing her daughters story to mark Brain Injury Awareness Month an initiative designed to highlight the resilience and strength shown by individuals and families navigating challenges, as well as showcasing the multi-disciplinary teams who work and support families behind the scenes. At the time of Karens accident, the doctors had to give the worst-case scenario but there is life after this, Christine said. Karen is a very determined, very stubborn girl who has always wanted to go that step forward. We will always be grateful to the staff who have looked after her; this brilliant team have been amazing. Thompson House Hospitals interim operational manager Victoria Quinn has worked closely with Karen on her rehabilitation journey. From Karens perspective, she has always been a step ahead of us, she said. We aim as high as we can and we work to get there together. It has been an absolute privilege to work with Karen and Christine. Karen really is an inspiration to us within the brain injury world. And in that sense, miracles do happen people like Karen do progress. The stars are aligning for the Bay of Plenty kiwifruit industry. If we execute well, there is a solid, reliable, decade ahead, said Andrew Dunstan, director of the Tauranga-based orchard development business Southern Cross Horticulture. There is a growing demand for kiwifruit at good prices, and we need to fulfil that demand, he said. While 2022 and 2023 were tough years, Dunstan said the industry picked up in 2024, and 2025 looked promising. This means demand for properties in the area covered by the business, from Auckland to Whakatane, is starting to pick up. Dunstan said that in each of the peak years of 2021 and 2022, an average of 100ha of new orchards was developed by Southern Cross Horticulture. This dropped to 50ha in 2023 and 2024, but 80-100ha is predicted this year. Dunstan said the kiwifruit industry needed to grow at a pace where it could sustain excellence. Its not about people just throwing money at it. Its about being the best, not the biggest. He says food is increasingly being seen as medicine, with kiwifruit one of the most nutritious fruits on the planet. The business and a group of investment partners bought a 45ha dairy farm at Pukehina in 2020, which is ready for its first pick. Andrew Wilks, regional manager with Southern Cross Horticulture, said 16ha had been planted, and the first crop would produce about 9000 trays. As the balance of property was converted to kiwifruit, and this years vines mature, he said next seasons yield was more likely to reach 17,500 trays. Wonderful weather There is a growing demand for kiwifruit. Photo / David Hall Wilks said spring was almost textbook for pollination, while summer weather conditions had been very forgiving. The business is also developing a 40ha dairy farm into a kiwifruit orchard at Paengaroa, near Te Puke, for a group of growers. Building of infrastructure will begin in April, while the first planting window will be June/July, Wilks said. New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers Inc reported that the first fruit of the new season was picked just outside Edgecumbe in mid-February, marking the earliest ever harvest. Chief executive Colin Bond said most of New Zealands growers were experiencing ideal growing conditions to produce plenty of high-quality fruit. Current analysis forecasts an industry milestone could be reached this year, with a record crop of just over 200 million trays of kiwifruit to be harvested over the coming months. Bond said this would be a modest increase from last years record-breaking season of more than 190 million trays. While my thoughts are with those Tasman and Whakatane growers who received significant hail damage at the end of December, overall, growers have experienced a great lead up to the harvest with ideal sun and little wind to produce excellent kiwifruit, Bond said. Over the last few years our industry has been working collaboratively to ensure our supply chain is robust to export increased volumes and deliver our high quality fruit to consumers around the world. National importance Growth on a kiwifruit vine. Photo / David Hall Bond said the success of New Zealands kiwifruit harvest was not only important for the industry, but the wider regions in which it was grown. In the 2023/24 season, kiwifruit growers contributed some $2.2 billion to the national economy, with $1.8b coming into the Bay of Plenty. New Zealands kiwifruit industry is horticultures largest export, with more than 2800 growers located from Kerikeri to Motueka. Zespri has released its final forecast for the 2024/25 season, predicting that strong demand and the largest-ever crop will put the kiwifruit marketer on track to exceed its longstanding target of $4.5b in global revenue. Chief executive Jason Te Brake said forecast per tray returns had strengthened from the last forecast in November for all fruit categories other than green, which remained in line with Novembers forecast. Growing conditions had been largely positive, which he said, when combined with strong demand, had allowed Zespri to sell a record crop of more than 190 million trays at strong value for growers. Its been a very positive season, Te Brake said. With our crop volume significantly up on the previous year, the industrys efforts to deliver good quality fruit have supported strong sales in our key markets. The strong value weve secured on a big crop means we will exceed the target set in 2015 of reaching $4.5b in global revenue by 2025. This is a tremendous effort from the industry and reflects our commitment to building brand-led demand, delivering outstanding quality kiwifruit to our markets and innovating to create value for growers. Theres a strong sense of confidence within the industry, and its great to see growers positive and the industry moving forward so strongly. With a positive outlook and strong demand for our fruit, were looking forward to the 2025 harvest, as we look to build on the strong momentum the industry has. Four learners have won Acorn Foundation scholarships, eleven students were granted TECT First-in-Family awards, and ten students were awarded TECT Returning Student scholarships. On Thursday March 14, students from the University of Waikato Tauranga campus celebrated their awards with friends and family. These scholarships are provided by Acorn Foundation donors and by the trustees of TECT to help students afford the expenses of tertiary education. The first scholarship from Acorn was the Acorn Foundation Beverly Perszyk Scholarship. This award is intended for a student who is the first in their family to go on to tertiary study and has completed at least one year at university. This years winner is Aria Gibson, who is in her second year of studying a Bachelor of Science, majoring in Marine Science. Attending university was a massive step for me to take as it marked the beginning of my journey into adulthood and gaining independence. My parents have always advocated for choice in regard to the journey after high school and are incredibly proud that I have found the study route and career path, said Gibson. The next scholarship was the Acorn Foundation Kenneth Perszyk Sr Adult Learner Scholarship. This award is for the financial assistance of adult learners (40 years and over) during any stage of their study at the undergraduate or postgraduate level at the University of Waikato Tauranga campus. This years winner is Te Puke High School Deputy Principal Simon McGillivray, who is completing a one-year Diploma in Te Tohu Paetahi, an immersion Maori language programme. Approximately 45 per cent of the student population of Te Puke High School is Maori, and Simon feels that its very important to model the use of Te Reo Maori when he represents the school and the community. This course will assist him to demonstrate in education and society the cultural significance and important taonga of Te Reo Maori. I would like to think its never too late to learn, improve learning outcomes, provide opportunities for Maori students and inspire new Te Reo Maori learners, Simon said. The Acorn Foundation Bruce Longmore Scholarship was awarded for the first time in 2025, to a student in undergraduate or postgraduate education who has completed at least two years of study in the fields of Marine Science, Environmental Science, or Ecology and Biodiversity. The inaugural award has been issued to Bella Muir, a student entering her third year of study in a Bachelor of Science, majoring in Marine Science. In 2007, the Acorn Foundation Eva Trowbridge Scholarship was launched, and it has up to now assisted 18 adult students, 25 years and older, to undertake studies through the University of Waikato Tauranga campus. This years winner is well-respected Te Puke local Louisa Westerlund. She is a valued volunteer at Bay Financial Mentors and many other non-profit organisations. Louisa is currently studying for a Bachelor of Laws. It was such a pleasure to attend this award ceremony, said Acorn Foundation CEO Lori Luke. The students were so enthusiastic about studying at the University of Waikato Tauranga campus and were really grateful for the support that they have received this year. It is a real pleasure to assist our donors to meet their giving goals through these scholarships. TECT trustees support two types of scholarships at the University of Waikato Tauranga campus. The First-in-Family awards are designed to help students who have no family members who have previously enrolled in tertiary study to afford university expenses. Returning Student scholarships are intended to provide support for second or third-year students to continue with their studies. TECT CEO Wayne Werder said that TECT are proud to support students continuing or beginning their studies at the University of Waikatos Tauranga campus. With the current struggles many are facing relating to cost of living, being able to support students is an important way to take some pressure off them, to enable them to focus on their studies, Werder said. It is great to see another cohort of first in family recipients who as the name suggests are the first in their family to embark on a university journey. Eleven students were selected for the First-in-Family Scholarships: Marco Baines, Reece Cobb, Mikaela-Niesie Gibson, Storm Kemp, Adisen Mahy, Anahera Mark, Nikkita Orchard, Tayla Paul, Tylah Rawson, Samuel Sutton, Tyrell Te Aotonga. Ten winners of the Returning Student scholarship also received their certificates. These top-performing students are Melissa Burton, Jenna Durran-Wolff, Lauren Harrison, Toby Hendra, Nethaniel Hunter, Anna Maney, Benjamin Salmon, Mace Webster, Louisa Westerlund and Tatiana Wichman. Director of Tauranga Campus Development and Operations, Joseph Macfarlane, said for many, scholarships are the key that opens the gateway to university study. We are in awe of this cohort of scholarship recipients, and we are grateful to both the Acorn Foundation and TECT for the generosity of support. "Congratulations to all of the Acorn Foundation and TECT University of Waikato Tauranga campus scholarship winners." A nature-based approach to river management could bring greater protection against flooding than building bigger stop-banks, new research suggests. Giving rivers space to roam rather than increasing conventional flood infrastructure to control them would help keep human settlements safer in a changing climate while also supporting freshwater ecosystems, said University of Canterbury | Te Whare Wananga o Waitaha (UC) School of Biological Sciences Associate Professor Jonathan Tonkin. Dynamic rivers can restore critical habitats for rare species, improving biodiversity. Its time to embrace a new paradigm for river management - one that sees rivers not as threats to be controlled, but as lifelines to be protected and restored. Tonkin and lead author, UC PhD student Christina McCabe, have published new UC and University of Otago research in Nature Water highlighting the extensive ecological flow-on effects of giving floodplain rivers more room. Tonkin said the impact of flooding is getting worse, and theres a need to reassess current approaches to river management. Large floods are expected to increase in frequency with climate change, and the effects of such floods are exacerbated by the artificial confinement of floodplain river systems. Giving rivers room to move is being considered as an alternative to increasing fortification of existing flood infrastructure. Our research also shows that there are key co-benefits to ecosystems that have previously been overlooked. Tonkin said sustainable river management should consider a broader range of values, beyond flood mitigation alone. Healthy, free-flowing rivers provide significant contributions to people, from flood resilience to freshwater provision and recreation. Tonkin said New Zealand is at a crossroads with flood management. Do we continue to build bigger stop-banks to protect our towns and cities, or do we begin to give rivers back the space they need to roam on the landscape? McCabe said variability is a defining characteristic of floodplain rivers and its important to understand their dynamic ecology. Maintaining this natural variability across landscapes and through time must be a primary focus of ongoing management. She said rivers that are left free to roam provide a diverse range of habitats, which supports unique combinations of plants and animals. Even exposed gravel, which is made possible in rivers that have the space to move, can be critical nesting sites for endangered birds. For instance, the banded dotterel travels long distances to nest on exposed braided-river gravels each spring. The command and control approach to flooding risk should make way for a more sustainable adaptation to living rivers, McCabe said. The new research is highly relevant to policymakers and river managers who make decisions about freshwater management, she said. Traditionally, flood management has prioritised infrastructure and human safety, often at the expense of river ecosystems. By considering the ecological benefits of dynamic rivers, decision-makers can implement solutions that enhance biodiversity, improve water quality, and build resilience to climate change. McCabes work was funded by a University of Otago Masters Research Scholarship and Postgraduate Writing Bursary and supervised by Tonkin and University of Otago Professor Christoph Matthaei at the time the research was undertaken. Tonkins research is supported by a Rutherford Discovery Fellowship administered by the Royal Society Te Aparangi, Te Punaha Matatini, a Centre of Research Excellence funded by the Tertiary Education Commission. Bay of Plentys Brad Groombridge is back where he belongs, on top of the sport he had so dominated before an unfortunate injury derailed him. The Kawasaki rider from Taupo dominated and wrapped up the 2025 New Zealand Cross-country Nationals at the final round in the South Island at the weekend in much the same way he did when also winning the premier senior crown for a third consecutive time a seemingly distant seven years ago. The four-round 2025 series wrapped up near Gore with two thrilling back-to-back rounds three and four. Round three on Thursday and then the final round two days later on Saturday with the Kawasaki KX450-mounted Groombridge able to add this years main title to the senior crowns he had previously collected in 2016, 2017 and 2018. This years series kicked off with rounds one and two on separate farmland properties at Waituna West, near Rewa, in late January and early February. Rotoruas defending senior champion Callum Dudson and the experienced Groombridge shared top honours in the senior ranks, each of them winning one round and finishing runner-up at the other. After these opening rounds in the North Island, the riders headed to the South Island phase in Gore last week with everything still to fight for. It was fierce racing in the senior grade, although by winning both rounds three and four at Gore at the weekend, former New Zealand Cross-country Champion Groombridge had built a telling points advantage over 2024 champion Dudson. Dudson twice had to accept runner-up position, following a tense and thrilling see-saw battle between the two men, while Nelsons Bailey Basalaj claimed third overall at both rounds three and four. The final points tally-up gave Groombridge the senior honours overall for 2025, now making it a remarkable fourth time hes won this premier crown. I had been out of the sport a couple of years with injuries said the 34-year-old Groombridge afterwards. I had a complete shoulder reconstruction and then the COVID-19 pandemic, and various other things too, kept me away from the sport, but Im obviously back now. To be able to come back and then win the title like this is pretty special. It rained a bit on Saturday and the course became unbelievably slippery. I had a few moments on the hills. There were definitely some close calls, and I was in a close battle throughout with Callum (Dudson), but I managed to get the job done. Te Awamutu rider Nixon Parkes comfortably won the 90-minute junior race on Thursday at Gore, finishing ahead of Mastertons Harvey Williams and Eketahunas Sheldon Brown. The finishing order was changed slightly at round four on Saturday, with Parkes again dominating, but this time Brown finished runner-up, while Mosgiels Nick Guthrie nipped in to claim third overall on the day. After Parkes had also dominated both the earlier rounds in the North Island, his winning run at Gore was easily enough for him to claim the title outright again in 2025. Meanwhile, the battle for senior womens honours saw Stratfords Megan Collins press home her points advantage, winning her first national crown on Saturday. The best of the veteran grade riders this year were Otorohangas Trevor De Malmanche (35-44 years), Palmerston North brothers Mark and Jason Amey (45-54 years division) and Whanganuis Danny Willemsen (over 55 years). Waitoas Chad McGovern won the under-85cc class this season and Rotoruas Grace Fowler topped the junior womens standings. 2025 New Zealand Cross-country Nationals calendar: Round one, Friday, January 31, Rewa, Waituna West Round two, Sunday, February 2, Rewa, Waituna West Round three, Thursday, March 20, Gore Round four, Saturday, March 22, Gore. Andy McGechan, www.BikesportNZ.com Tauranga ratepayers face a proposed overall rates rise of 12% from July, but the mayor says it could have been more than 20% if the council hadnt found savings. Tauranga City Council elected members voted on Monday to approve the draft Annual Plan for community consultation, beginning March 28. The plan which sets out budgets, rates and planned work for 2025/26 is the first for the council, which was elected in July to replace Government-appointed commissioners. Mayor Mahe Drysdale told the meeting a lot of what was in the Annual Plan was already in motion and couldnt be changed. When the council started work on the plan it was facing an overall rates increase of more than 20%, he said. This was because the council wanted to balance the books and decided to fund $25 million in depreciation not included in the Long-Term Plan, he said. Growth was not as strong as had been predicted, which meant the council needed to find $29 million in savings to get to 12%, Drysdale said. He said he was still unhappy with 12% and the council would try to find a further $6.7m in savings to reduce rates by 2.5% more by the time the Annual Plan was adopted in June. Tauranga Deputy Mayor Jen Scoular. Photo / Alisha Evans Under the draft plan for consultation, a residential property worth $885,000 would pay about $394 (11.3%) more in rates for the year. (Scroll down for more estimates). A commercial property valued at $1.23m would pay $1556 (17.7%) more in rates. An industrial property valued at $2.3m would pay $2959 (16.8%) more in rates. Deputy Mayor Jen Scoular said the community needed to be aware that the cost of running the city was $599m for the 2025/26 financial year. Its expensive to run the city because its a complex beast. She also asked that the total staff costs be included in the consultation documents. Lets be transparent, lets be upfront. Welcome Bay councillor Hautapu Baker. Photo / David Hall Councillor Hautapu Baker said he wanted to ensure the council engaged well with the community. In terms of general engagement approach or raising civic consciousness, in my mind, an annual plan process is one of the safest avenues to really get innovative with how we do that. There were generations of Tauranga families disengaged from civic consciousness, Baker said. Discover more He wanted Tauranga to have the highest voter participation in New Zealand at the 2028 election and the work for that started now, he said. We have a really choice opportunity to actually create generational change through the way that we approach and engage with our people. During the consultation month, the council will hold 18 events where people can speak to councillors and staff about the Annual Plan. Consultation on the Annual Plan will run from March 28 until April 28. Proposed residential rates rise Estimated residential rates rises by property CV in the draft Annual Plan 2025/26: - $355,000 CV: add $220.70 (10.1%) - $715,000 CV: add $338.68 (11%) - $885,000 CV: add $394.39 (11.3%) - $1.12m CV: add $471.40 (11.6%) - $3.929m CV: add $1391.96 (12.6%) - Source: Tauranga City Council LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air. Monday, 24 March 2025, 17:00 | Updated 17:42h. Compartir Looking Up Yasmine sat on the rooftop of her familys house in Marrakech, staring at the wide night sky. The stars sparkled like tiny lanterns, shining in the darkness. Her grandmother always told her that looking up meant remembering, remembering the past, the sacrifices, and the dreams of those who came before. Tonight, she thought of her great-grandfather, who once walked these same streets, his voice strong in the fight for Moroccos freedom. She closed her eyes, imagining the sounds of the past, the chants, the clinking of silver bracelets, the whispers of the wind through the market. A soft breeze carried the smell of mint tea from below, where her mother sat with her aunts, their laughter filling the air. Yasmine sighed, stretching her hand toward the sky, as if she could touch the stars. Dream big, her grandmother always said. But never forget to look up. Looking up wasnt just about the sky; it was about knowing history, learning new things, and believing in something greater. Yasmine smiled, feeling connected to the past and the future. One day, she would make history too. Joud Derhem, aged 12. Atlas American School of Malaga The Astronaut's Regret Gerard Trevor had touched the eternal void. The world knew him as Star Voyager - a man who dared to dance with the cosmos. But now, in the twilight of his life, he sat alone on his tired wooden porch aimlessly staring at the constellations above. In the weightless abyss, he had felt more alive than ever. Gerard had never thought of the stars as just specks of light; to him they were ancient watchmen, their blinding glow whispering secrets of the universe across aeons. The eternal darkness of space cradled him as if he truly belonged - a sense of security he did not feel even on his own planet; not bound by gravity, by time, by people - but as a part of something greater beyond. But the mission ended. He returned to a world he no longer recognised, nor had any connection to. The cheers, parades, medals - all of it felt hollow, meaningless acts for a man who had seen beauty beyond the comprehension of the simple human mind. The gnawing loneliness consumed him every minute he had spent back on Earths soil. The cosmos was his drug - he perpetually felt so far, so distant, so detached from something he craved like the very air he breathed. As Gerard gazed at the constellations above him, a luminous vessel descended. Its hull shimmered in the flickering light of the moon, a promise to him of future voyages. Gerard Trevor, an ethereal voice spoke. The cosmos requires you once more. Star Voyager, we await your command. Will you reclaim the stars which you thought you had lost? For a moment, his heart surged with forgotten satisfaction. To the stars, he murmured, his frail body stepping forward. And so, the heavens welcomed their star-crossed wanderer home, the flame of friendship reignited once more. Nikol Lidukhover, aged 15. English International College Supernova Its impossible to predict when youll see someone for the last time. You never know when a see you later means a permanent goodbye. Yesterday was going to be the last time I saw my mother. It was as if she was waiting for me to be the one to find her. Maybe she trusted me to understand, to carry her light forward. She used to call me little star. Her little star. She would whisper those words in the softest voice, encouraging me to never let the world dim me. Then, another star was born, my sister. My moms light came back the day she entered our lives. She shone once more. Yesterday, the sky gained a new star. Why now? Why her? She had been so bright, now she was gone. Now I understand that my mom wasnt just a starshe was a supernova. She shined her brightest nearing her end. Her light explosion was her gift to us. Together, we search the whole sky for her, her star. Sometimes, were sure we see it -, pulsing peacefully as if its still alive. We whisper to it, hoping that wherever she is, no one dims her light ever again. Looking up brings a sense of peace, a reminder that, despite her passing, she is in a sense still present. I believe she watches over us, her little stars, guiding us as we find our way without her. My mother used to tell me, The stars that shine the brightest are always with us, even when we cant see them. So, we keep looking up. And hoping. Because even though shes gone, she left us with something no one can take: her light and the reminder that we, too, are stars - and we must keep shining. Alice Shneider, aged 15. Sotogrande International School The Sky's the Limit Isat hunched over on the rooftop, the city spread beneath me with nothing more than bright lights and concrete. Another rejection letter burning in my pocket, another reminder that my aspirations remained just out of reach. I had spent years chasing these big dreams, only to be met with closed doors. My gaze stayed fixed, staring at the people who seemed to have it all figured out, the people who seemed to be living their best lives. Their laughter filled the streets, but it didnt fill my heart the way its supposed to. A gust of wind brushed against me, forcing me to lift my heavy head. The sky stretched endlessly above, painted in soft strokes of gold and blue. The clouds drifted slowly, and high above the skyline, a plane created a long, thin, determined path. I had spent so long looking down at my failures that I had forgotten to look up at the possibilities. In the distance, a bright red balloon floated higher and higher until it was just a tiny speck where you could barely make out what it was. There was nothing stopping it, no weight dragging it back down, no one telling it to stop or that it was not good enough. The sky above was limitless open to those willing to reach for it. A deep breath filled my lungs as the last of the suns rays warmed me as it was slowly setting. I hadnt reached the end of my journey, if only I had reached the start of something greater. The sky, after all, had no limit. Maya Edwards, aged 14. Sage College, Jerez A New Chapter for David David slumped on the bench outside the cafe, eyes fixed on his phone. Another rejection email. Another door slammed shut. He let out a slow breath, counting the cracks in the pavement. Rough day? a voice asked. David glanced up. An elderly man stood behind him, cane in hand, a steaming cup of coffee in the other. His eyes twinkled with curiosity. You could say that, David muttered. The man sat down with a sigh.You know, I used to sit right here, feeling like the world had forgotten me. Lost my job at fifty-five. Too old to start over, too young to retire, he chuckled. But life has a funny way of changing when you start looking up. David frowned. What do you mean? The old man tapped his cane on the ground. When all you do is look down, you only see what is broken. The missed chances. The failures. But when you look up - really look up - you see the possibilities. He nodded toward the bustling street. See that bookstore? I walked in there one day, desperate for work. The owner needed help. Ten years later, I owned the place. David followed his gaze; the stores windows glowed warmly. It wasnt a law firm, his dream job, but it was something. Youre saying I should just take any job? No, Im saying opportunities dont always come straight to you and knock on your door; they whisper. The old man smiled. You just have to be looking up to hear them! David stared at the bookstore a moment longer. Maybe today wasnt about rejection. Maybe today was about finding a new door. He took a deep breath, straightened his shoulders, and walked inside the bookstore. With his new job secured, he took a leap forward and looked up. Sienna Cashin, aged 12. Svenska Skolan Marbella The Calm Between Ripples The sun was low, casting a warm glow over the lake, making the water sparkle like it was covered in millions of tiny diamonds. I sat on the wooden dock with my feet dipped in, the coolness of the lake creeping up my ankles as the occasional wave splashed against the wood. The air was thick with the earthy, summer scent of nearby pine trees. It was one of those perfect, lazy days. No rush, no plans, just time that stretched out and felt endless. I could hear the soft hum of insects, the chirping of birds, and the distant sound of laughter from the playing children a little further down the shore. I leaned back on my hands, staring out across the lake. There was something about it, something that made everything feel simple - like life was just about being here, in this moment. The surface of the water was smooth, reflecting the sky above, and for a second, I almost forgot all the little worries that popped up every other day. School, friends, what comes next - all of that just seemed miles away. A duck swam by, its ripples spreading across the surface. I watched them for a minute, thinking about how they just moved through the water without thinking, like they were made for this place. I wondered if we all had a place where we could just be like that - no pressure, no expectations. For now, this lake was enough. The sun was setting, the water was cool, and I was just here, in this peaceful moment, with no need to rush. It was perfect. The soft, quiet breeze was all I needed to remind me that sometimes, All I had to do was look up and to know that stillness was exactly what I needed. Isabella Sundstrom, aged 13. Svenska Skolan Marbella Layla Jane Beyond the tallest of mountains and the thickest of forests, there was a small town, nestled in the heart of a valley by the sea. It was a town of dainty houses, narrow walkways, and of a girl named Layla Jane, ten years of age, with stars in her eyes, joy in her smile, and wonderous stories in her head, of pirates who sailed and star-wanderers who flew. Every night, when her parents slept, she would slip outside, walk the winding streets, until she reached the shore. She would then look up, and recount to the stars, the sky, and the sea her imaginations. She imagined herself, stepping onto the flashes of moonlight reflecting on the sea, and thought that if she stepped on them fast enough, they would fashion themselves into a staircase straight to the moon. Such was her daydreaming that one night, when the temperature was just right and the air smelt of lavender, she decided to climb the nacre stairway of moonrays. She set one foot in front of the other, and closed her eyes tight, because eyes, as she knew, had a habit of grounding her, when she now needed to fly. To her delight, when she should have felt cold ocean water seeping through her slippers, she felt solid ground. Her eyes remaining shut, she kept walking, until she realized she was standing high above the sea, on a pathway of light. Dashing up, she found herself on the moon. Fairies like wisps of fog came to welcome the earth-child, ready to hear the stories she had told so many times, heard from their home among the stars. And when she fell asleep, they carried her home to bed, tucked her in, and left a moonstone behind, so she would know she could return. Gabriela Lana Zvereff, aged 16. Atlas American School of Malaga Paco Grinan Malaga Monday, 24 March 2025, 10:34 Compartir Both a crowd-pleaser and a critics' choice, Eva Libertad's debut film Sorda (Deaf) was the indisputable winner at the 28th edition of the Biznaga de Oro awards, also known as Malaga Film Festival. The last time that the jury and the public agreed on which film should take home the award for Best Film was in 2005, when Jose Corbacho and Juan Cruz's Tapas was awarded. Sorda is an emotional account of the daily difficulties of a deaf woman who becomes pregnant and has to navigate society's tendency to dismiss all her abilities. Eva Libertad's own sister, Miriam Garlo, somewhat reflects her experience as a person with a hearing disability in playing the main character - a role for which she shared the award for Best Actress with La furia's (The Fury) Angela Cervantes. During an earlier press conference, the two sisters said that they had been preparing their whole lives to tell this story, which ended up collecting a total of five awards. The other big winner at the awards ceremony, which was celebrated at the Albeniz cinema on Saturday 22 March, was Los Tortuga (The Exiles) - the story of a mother and her daughter, whose grief experience after the death of the father is at the core of the narrative. The film won two awards: the jury's special prize and the award for Best Director for the work of Belen Funes. The Latin American Biznaga de Oro went to Chilean director Vinko Tomicic's El Ladron de Perros (The Dog Thief). What the festival made clear was that female directors led the red carpet in 2025. Brilliant actresses, such as Mercedes Moran, Daniela Vega and Belen Cuesta, also strengthened female presence at the festival. Una Quinta Portuguesa (The Portuguese House) left with no awards, while Los Tortuga came out on top with three awards Walking the same path as his sister, Alvaro Cervantes, who plays Garlo's husband in Sorda, shared the award for Best Actor with Mario Casas. Casas was recognised for his role in Muy Lejos (Faraway) - a film that also left a big impression on critics. The list goes on The least appreciated film, at least from the point of awards, was Una Quinta Portuguesa (The Portuguese House). The third film to come out of the Malaga Festival stronger is La Furia - Gemma Blanco's chronicle of a rape, in which Angela Cervantes is a victim trying to digest her trauma through the role she plays in the theatre. The film won a total of three awards, including Best Supporting Actor for Alex Monner and Best Editing. Biznaga for music went to Lo Que Queda de Ti (What's Left of You). The jury awarded two special mentions for the directors of La Buena Letra (The Good Letter) by Celia Rico and Jone, a veces (Jone, Sometimes) by Sara Fantova. The only veteran among the winners was Julio Medem who presented his latest film 8 outside the competition, but still won the newly created audience award. Latin American cinema This year's Biznaga de Oro was somewhat unfair to Latin American cinema, seeing as the selection only had seven films from the South American continent, compared to the 15 Spanish films. Latin American teams also left with less awards, the most prominnent of them the jury's award for El ladron de perros. Best Supporting Actress went to Maria Elena Perez - the protagonist of the film. At the same time, the Dominican film Sugar Island left with the award for Best Cinematography. Here are some of the other awards and their respective films: Desayuna Conmigo (Have Breakfast with Me) by Ivan Morales (ZonaZine category Best Film, Best Actress and Best Actor winner); Olivia y Las Nubes (Olivia and the Clouds) by Tomas Pichardo (ZonaZine Best Latin American Film); Ajuste de Perdidas (Loss Adjustment) by Miguel Calderon (Best Documentary); Mi Pecho Estan Lleno de Centellas (My chest is full of sparks) by Gal S. Castellanos (special jury prize for Best Documentary); and Munequita linda (Beautiful Doll) by David Moncasi (audience award for Best Documentary). The widely reported sale by international service provider Telefonica of its Argentinian division to Telecom Argentina for US$1.245 billion, a deal agreed in February, is now on hold, apparently by order of Argentinas government. Reuters reports that late last week Argentina's presidential office said it had issued a preventive measure to suspend Telecom's acquisition of Telefonica's local unit, claiming the pending merger could lead to excessive market concentration. This follows the news, soon after the deal was announced, that Argentinas telecoms regulator Enacom and competition authority la Comision Nacional de Defensa de la Competencia (CNDC) had been instructed by President Javier Milei to investigate whether the deal would create a monopoly. Since then, a recommendation from the CNDC has raised concerns about the impact of the merger on market fairness. The government appears to be worried that a new entity formed by the takeover would enjoy a market concentration of 61% in the mobile telephone sector, 69% in fixed lines and up to 80% in residential internet services in some areas of the country. The suspension will therefore remain in place until the situation has been more thoroughly analysed. Telefonica said in February that it was selling its unit in the country to Telecom Argentina as part of a strategy to reduce its exposure in Latin America. Reuters says that Telecom Argentina, which is partially owned by Argentine media conglomerate Clarin Group, has expressed its intent to continue investing in the country's telecom infrastructure, particularly in expanding 5G and fibre optic networks. Indeed, last week it announced an investment of 1.4 billion pesos (about US$1.3 million) to strengthen the communications infrastructure in Gualeguaychu, a city in eastern Argentina, with a focus on fibre to the home and high-capacity mobile networks. Telecom Argentina says it plans to cooperate with authorities and hand over all relevant information needed to assess the transaction. Salado, Sanz and De la Torre next to the suit that Christian Lacroix designed for Javier Conde. La Malagueta bullring in Malaga now offers an immersive experience that takes visitors through the bullfighting tradition's history to the centre of the bullring. The new Centro de Experiencias Inmersivas de la Tauromaquia (CEIT), which opened on Friday 21 March, is equipped with historical objects, virtual reality games, videos, olfactory and sensory experiences, bringing the public closer to the artworks of Rafael Alberti, Nacho Martin, Denis Belgrano or Christian Lacroix. The inauguration of the centre was attended by head of Turismo Costa del Sol Francisco Salado, regional minister Antonio Sanz, Malaga's mayor Francisco de la Torre and director of bullfighting affairs Borja Ortiz. The aim of the tour is educational, targeting both bullfighting fans and those that are not so fond of the practice but want to learn more about Spain's history. The CEIT offers visitors a walk through the history of La Malagueta and its previous bullrings and an exploration of art, costumes and the relationship between man and bullfighting. In addition to artists directly related to the tradition, the museum also introduces the link between bullfighting and the works of world renowned artists such as Orson Welles and Dali. Poster of the first bullfight at La Malagueta in 1876 Among the treasures at the CEIT is a copy of the original poster that announced the first bullfight at La Malagueta in 1876. It was discovered in the Carriquiri library at Madrid's Las Ventas bullring. Visitors will be immersed in the actual bullfighting experience in two ways: by participating in an interactive game or by watching various videos that are on display at the museum. Francisco Salado described the CEIT as a "pioneering" centre in the heart of Malaga's tourism agenda. "This centre is destined to become one of the great tourist and cultural attractions of the province, a reference point for lovers of the world of bullfighting and for all those who want to learn about our traditions and our way of understanding life," he said. 'This centre is destined to become one of the great tourist and cultural attractions of the province' Antonio Sanz praised the centre for uniting tradition with technology and the avant-garde to approach bullfighting in all its dimensions, both cultural and as a generator of the economy, employment and tourism. "Bullfighting is more alive than ever," he stated. TIMETABLES AND PRICES Opening days: Monday to Sunday. Opening hours: From 10am to 6pm (winter) and from 10am to 7pm (summer). Admission: 7-14 euros Juan Soto Malaga Tuesday, 25 March 2025, 00:19 Compartir We could safely say that LA Almazara is a building where one of the best olive oils in Malaga province is produced. We could also say, without a doubt, that it is an avant-garde work of art designed by the architect Philippe Starck. Thirdly, we could also clearly state that it is a luxurious complex that has made olive oil tourism fashionable in the Serrania de Ronda and is visited by all kinds of people looking for a different kind of leisure experience. LA Almazara is located just a few kilometres from the centre of Ronda on a 26-hectare estate surrounded by ancient olive trees (some are up to 800 years old). The facilities produce 60,000 litres of organic oil every year, no additives, from early-harvest olives gathered between the end of September and the beginning of November. Despite its groundbreaking architectural aesthetic, the history of this area for olive oil production goes back 200 years when the nearby Finca La Amarilla, then a monastery run by nuns, produced an oil of excellent quality. In the year 2000 Starck, who fell in love with the area, and Pedro Gomez de Baeza from La Amarilla, set out to produce an organic oil that would compete on a global level. The first commercial harvest went on sale in 2004 and their first business goal has now been achieved: LA Organic (the label under which the oil is marketed) is exported to over 25 countries across five continents. The oil is used by some of the most famous international companies on the planet, names like Starbucks and British Airlines. The LA Almazara project is completed with a 19th century farmhouse offering tourist accommodation and a gourmet restaurant in the future. Once all the gear was in place they launched the olive oil tourism project in 2018. Then the main feature building was inaugurated in October 2024 as the final milestone of the project led by the French architect. According to those responsible for the project, it is a complex that "has placed Ronda on the map of the artistic avant-garde with a living work of art that is a tribute to the area's olive oil culture, Ronda's tradition and its people." A huge sculpture The building itself is conceived as an enormous sculpture of 900 square metres and 35 metres high. Inside are a museum dedicated to EVOO (extra virgin olive oil, AOVE in Spanish), an auditorium with a seating capacity for about 100 people and plans are in place for the future to open a restaurant with views of the Serrania. The complex is completed with a farmhouse designed for tourist accommodation and a bar facility. Zoom View of the building with the characteristic bull's horn and another figure representing the ear. LA Almazara To gain a first-hand look at all the ins and outs of the project, we visited the main building with Jorge Amat, marketing director at LA Almazara. He explains that Starck is absolutely in love with Andalucia, its light and its grandeur, which is why all these elements are reflected in the interior of the mill building. The French architect defines it as "an unusual, incredible and miraculous place where visitors can enjoy a powerful and radical experience that challenges and transforms. It is an accumulation of mysteries where the crystallised respect for olive oil blends with emotion." For its creation he has used different techniques ranging from the brutalism of the materials used to build it (made with Corten steel and concrete) to the austerity of the forms and the surrealism of the sculptures that adorn the place. Throughout the entire walk-through there are multiple references to bullfighting, in fact the building as a whole is shaped like a bull: on one side is an enormous horn, on another an object shaped like a bull's ear and finally an eye in the style of Picasso. Zoom View of the Ronda mountain range from the terrace of the building, which will soon be used as a restaurant. LA Almazara Visitors enter through the back and, just before entering, they will find the first surprise: several strategically placed mirrors reflecting the immensity of the surrounding countryside, the olive grove and themselves amid all this splendour. On the outside of the main building, a huge waterfall cascades over the figure of a human bust with which the architect wants to represent the idea of a tribe, in reference to the number of civilisations that have been passing on their knowledge of oil since the Sumerians, who were among the first to cultivate olive trees and use the liquid gold for both culinary and medicinal purposes. The same bust is replicated inside the building - its dimensions are colossal. Inside the mill, the light is dimmed "to create an atmosphere of alchemy around the oil" and to highlight all the sculptures and paintings in the museum space, as the production area is on the lower level, completely isolated. At the entrance there is a large painting of Ronda bullfighter Pedro Romero as the first nod to bullfighting, and a huge portrait of the designer's daughter, Ara Starck, covers the ceiling, along with countless references to the history of the area where they are located. Pedro Romero and Abbas Ibn Firnas During the tour there is an extensive review of the history of olive oil over the centuries. There is also a portrait of Abbas Ibn Firnas, the Ronda scientist who was a pioneer in aeronautics and who created a kind of hang glider with which to fly (around 875AD, some 600 years before Da Vinci). A model of his invention has been recreated to fly over the building. The lower part houses the auditorium and the future restaurant with views of the Serrania. The mill's production space is located on a lower level, although it is visible from the ground floor thanks to the glass flooring. In this space four different types of oil are produced with olives from picual, hojiblanca, arbequina and picudo varieties. They are all of high quality, having won the Flos Olei for 'best single varietal olive oil' (a premium olive oil guide) and a gold medal at the International Olive Oil Award Zurich, among other prizes. Still, this is only the beginning. Onondaga County would like to consider hiring state corrections officers fired for striking to work in the Justice Center jail (above) and Jamesville prison. Brett Carlsen | bcarlsen@syracus Syracuse, N.Y. Several Central New York counties want to hire state correctional officers fired for striking, but they havent been able to because guards were decertified by the state when they were terminated for not returning to work. Oneida and Chemung counties filed lawsuits to try to overturn Gov. Kathy Hochuls executive order so they can hire the guards. Onondaga County also wants to hire some of the guards. Gov. Kathy Hochuls administration has now retreated from the ban on the guards working in local jails, the Albany Times-Union reported Monday. The former officers will be able to pursue re-certification as peace officers, which would allow them to work at county jails. About 2,000 state correctional officers were fired by Hochuls order because they went on strike and didnt return to work. The firings meant the guards lost their state certification to work in the prisons or jails. Numerous corrections officers went on strike at the Auburn Correctional Facility on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025. Provided photo Chemung County filed a lawsuit March 14. Oneida County filed its suit Wednesday. Chemung County Executive Chris Moss said the executive order was being used to penalize the workers who participated in the strike unfairly. It also prevented the county from filling needed positions, he said. This order places an unnecessary burden on local governments and disregards our authority to make hiring decisions that best serve our community, he said. Oneida County Executive Athony J. Picente Jr. called the order unconstitutional and an abuse of authority during a recent news conference. The Oneida County Jail has talked to correctional officers who are ready to start work, but the executive order left little room on how to move forward, said Oneida County Sheriff Robert. M. Maciol. We probably have about 80 vacancies in our facility, he said. We have the opportunity to fill about probably half of them comfortably. The correctional officers' wild strike started on Feb.17 at Collins Correctional Facility near Buffalo and grew to include protests at more than two dozen facilities across the state. The strike ended on March 10 when the state and corrections union reached a deal to bring workers back to the prisons. About 2,000 workers did not return to their jobs. The correctional officers and sergeants who did not return were terminated for violating the Taylor Law, a state Civil Service Law that makes strikes by government employees illegal. When terminated, the officers were removed from the state Central Registry of Police and Peace Officers and decertified, according to Janine Kava, a spokesperson for the Division of Criminal Justice Services. Removal from the list leaves the officers without certification to be hired as prison guards and at about 80 other law enforcement jobs, Kava said. Officers who are terminated and decertified usually can be hired by an agency if the officer completes the basic course for peace officers or correction officers within one year of employment, according to Kava. However, the executive order suspended the hiring of the terminated officers, preventing them from moving forward, taking the courses and getting recertified, according to Matt Janiszewski, a spokesperson for Gov. Hochuls office, said last week. To respond to the emergency, the order suspended local laws that would allow for the hiring of these officers who violated the law and separated from employment in connection with the strike, he said. The order is in effect until April 9. If hired, the officers are still required to complete the mandatory courses to be recertified. The Onondaga County Sheriffs Office has 49 state corrections officers waiting to be hired, according to Thomas Newton, a sheriffs office spokesperson. Onondaga County isnt currently taking legal action against Gov. Hochuls executive order. The Onondaga County Justice Center will continue to follow the law and are currently reviewing which applicants are and arent certified, Newton said. At this time, its not known how many of the 49 officers were terminated due to the executive order, Newton said. Could we hire all the 49 applicants right now if they were good to go? Yes. 100%, he said. If counties move forward with hiring previously terminated officers, Hochul has urged the agencies to recognize why the decision was made to let them go. Id be very cautious, she said. These individuals had a responsibility to protect the public and the incarcerated population, and they walked off the job. Syracuse.com staff writer Timia Cobb covers breaking news. Have a tip, a story idea, a question or a comment? You can reach her at tcobb@syracuse.com. This 2015 photo shows Samuel Curtis Johnson Hall, School of Management, on the campus of Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y. (Photo by John Greim/LightRocket via Getty Images) A Central New York college student is facing a deportation threat from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement after suing the Trump administration. CNN reports the Department of Justice filed a request for Momodou Taal, a Ph.D. student at Cornell University, to turn himself in to ICE on Friday. A Notice to Appear is one of the first steps in the formal process of deportation, but its unclear if Taal was given a date to surrender. A lawyer for Taal told NBC that unidentified authorities showed up Saturday outside Taals student apartment building in Ithaca, N.Y., asking other residents about him. The Trump administration responded to Momodou Taals lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the executive orders by sending agents to stake out his house... This does not happen in a democracy, Taals attorney Eric Lee said. We are outraged, and every American should be too. We urge the population to defend the right to freedom of speech against the urgent threat of dictatorship by exercising that right actively and vigorously. Taal, who is a U.S. visa holder and a dual citizen of the United Kingdom and Gambia, said he has not been taken into custody. Im safe. Im well. And I await my time to be heard in court, Taal wrote on X late Sunday. According to the Associated Press, Taal filed a federal lawsuit seeking to block enforcement of President Donald Trumps executive orders targeting universities and foreign national protesters. Taal and others filed a lawsuit last week citing the arrest of Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian activist and Columbia University student, as well as a statement by Trump promising more arrests at universities across the country. He lives in constant fear that he may be arrested by immigration officials or police as a result of his speech, Taals attorneys said in the lawsuit. The Associated Press reports Taal, 31, was temporarily suspended last fall after participating in a demonstration on the Ivy League schools campus. He has limited access to campus for research, medical and religious reasons as he continues his studies remotely, according to the lawsuit. According to CNN, a hearing over Taals lawsuit is scheduled for Tuesday in Syracuse. The AP reports Cornell is also one of 45 colleges under investigation for ties to The PhD Project, a nonprofit organization that helps minority students pursue business degrees. The U.S. Education Department, which Trump has taken steps to dismantle, has alleged racial discrimination with diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs in higher education. Fire tore through the top floor of the former Maria Regina College building on Syracuse's North Side Friday night. Dennis Nett | dnett@syracuse.com dennis nett | dnett@syracuse.com Syracuse, N.Y. City officials are reviewing footage from a collection of private and public security cameras to determine whether someone intentionally set a fire that heavily damaged the former Maria Regina College over the weekend. A person was spotted on the campus shortly before the fire broke out Friday evening, city officials said Monday during a briefing. Its intuitive to think that its suspicious, police Chief Joseph Cecile said, adding that arson was a possibility. Syracuse officials say the fire that burned a historic building on the former Maria Regina College could be suspicious. Police Chief Joseph Cecile. Dennis Nett | dnett@syracuse.com dennis nett | dnett@syracuse.com We have talked with witnesses, he said. We have a few folks from the community who believe they saw something suspicious occurring prior to the fire. Weve been interviewing them. Weve been going through countless camera footage. Cecile said it was clear that people were living inside the vacant campus, which the Sisters of St. Francis sold to developer Mark Congel a decade ago. The fire broke out early Friday evening and destroyed most of the roof and heavily damaged the fourth floor and part of the third floor of the sites main historic structure, formerly known as The Motherhouse of St. Anthonys Convent. It burned for more than 24 hours. Now, it is too dangerous to go inside to inspect the building, officials said. That means its too soon to say whether the 129-year-old building can be saved. But plans to redevelop the entire campus into dozens of apartments for low-income seniors are still on, Mayor Ben Walsh said. The Motherhouse represented about 26 units in the renovation plan. But another 154 unit are still possible in other buildings on the campus. My team is devastated, but our job is to figure out how to move forward, said Megan Houppert, CEO of Home Leasing, the Rochester company behind the apartment project. In the past decade, the property had become a target of vandals and squatters, who destroyed parts of the property and set at least one other fire. This property owner has let this neighborhood down, has let this city down, Walsh said. Syracuse officials say the fire that burned a historic building on the former Maria Regina College could be suspicious. Fire Chief Michael Monds. Dennis Nett | dnett@syracuse.com dennis nett | dnett@syracuse.com Congel, the son of the late Destiny USA developer Robert Congel, bought the building and associated structures from the Sisters of Saint Francis of the Neumann Communities in 2015 and initially planned to turn the former convent into apartments. He later reached a deal to sell the property to Home Leasing LLC. But assembling a complicated financing structure involving public and private sources has taken time, Houppert said. We have several financing sources, including the state, she said. It takes time because its very complicated. Theres nothing standard about this project. However, she said the property was on schedule to change hands this summer. She said she did not know whether the fire will delay the sale further. Congel told syracuse.com | The Post-Standard on Monday he was in Florida when he learned of the fire online. Obviously, its devastating, he said, adding that he was flying back to Syracuse today to inspect the damage. He declined to comment further. On Monday, Cecile said he toured the building months ago. It was apparent that people were sleeping in the building. There were clearly signs that people were staying here, the police chief said. Were chasing people out of here all the time, Walsh added. Sometimes its homeless people looking for protection, he said. Sometimes, he said, its kids. Home Leasing representatives were at the property today. Its contractor, Hueber-Breuer Construction Co., had installed security cameras on the property, the mayor said. Now city officials are reviewing camera footage leading up to the fire, including from Hueber-Breuers cameras, neighbors' Ring cameras and city police cameras, Walsh said. He said the city will try to work with Congel if the building needs to be demolished. If necessary, though, the city will arrange for its demolition, pay the cost upfront and send the bill to the owner, he said. City officials have not been on good terms with Congel. Walsh said the owner has not returned his calls for years. Jake Dishaw, deputy commissioner of code enforcement, said the city spent $15,000 last year boarding up the buildings on the campus and $23,000 mowing the grass and cleaning up litter and are sending the bill to Congel. I need to stress that this is still a privately owned property, he said. This is an owner who promised to maintain the structure, to keep its integrity and all its historical worth and value, but weve seen zero effort from them over the years. Though the fire took more than a day to extinguish, Walsh said the citys recent problems with low water pressure did not affect firefighters response to the fire. No, he said. The building, which was the home of the Sisters of St. Francis for many decades, had been heavily damaged by thieves and vandals as it sat vacant in recent years. Indias 5G subscriber base has reportedly grown to around 250 million since commercial 5G services were launched almost two and a half years ago, according to the latest figures from the Ministry of Communications. Earlier this month, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India said there were 898.57 million mobile broadband subscribers in India at the end of 2024. TRAI doesnt break out its figures by network generation, but the ministrys figure suggests 5G users now account for around 27.8% of mobile broadband subscribers. According to a report from ETTelecom on Friday, the ministry also said in a statement that telcos have deployed 469,000 5G base stations in all states and union territories across the country of February 28, 2025, with 99.6% availability in all districts. The ministry added that the 5G deployments exceed their minimum rollout obligations. Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel launched commercial 5G services in October 2022, and completed their initial nationwide rollouts in early 2024. Vodafone Idea launched its 5G network in Mumbai last week. The ministry statement was issued a day after Nokia released its latest Mobile Broadband Index (MBiT) 2025 report, which forecasts 5G subscriptions in India to grow to 770 million by 2028, although that projection also assumed 290 million 5G users by the end of 2024, which is 40 million higher than the ministrys numbers. Nokia also said 5G users generated 7.7 exabytes of data traffic per month, compared to 13.3 exabytes from 4G users. Nokia expects 5G traffic to outpace 4G by the first quarter of next year. Jeremy Meisenzahl arrowed this 462 lb. black bear in Allegany County on October 6, 2024. NYS DEC The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation recently released its annual bear harvest report showing that hunters harvested an estimated 1,685 bears during the 2024 hunting seasons. That number is 24 percent higher than 2023, and approximately 13 percent higher than the five- and 10-year averages. New Yorks healthy bear population continues to provide excellent hunting opportunities, said DEC Division of Fish and Wildlife Director Jacqueline Lendrum. Broken down by zone, hunters harvested an estimated 657 bears in the Northern Zone and an estimated 1,028 bears in the Southern Zone. Wildlife Management Units within the Catskills and western Adirondacks continued to produce the highest bear harvest densities. In WMUs 3C, 3K, 3M, 4P, 4R, 4W, 4Z, 6C, 6H, and 8Y hunters killed more than 10 bears per 100 square miles, with hunters taking more than 14 bears per 100 square miles in WMUs 3C and 6C. This map shows 2024 bear harvest densities, or numbers, by WMU. Darker areas indicate a higher number of bears taken by hunters; lighter areas indicate fewer bears harvested. NYS DEC Long-term trends suggest that bear populations have stabilized in both the Northern and Southern Zones following population expansions that contributed to peak bear harvest densities throughout the early 2000s. Widespread drought conditions likely contributed to the elevated bear harvest during the 2024 seasons, DEC said in the report. During periods of drought, natural food sources can become scarce and bears may travel farther in search of food or congregate around available food sources, making it more likely that hunters will find bears. This graph shows bear harvest densities, or numbers, in both the North and South Zones, from 1970 to 2025. Peak years for both regions were in the early 2000s. NYS DEC Notable Numbers: 14.4 : the number of bears harvested per 100 square miles in WMU 6C, which had the highest bear harvest density of any WMU. 564 pounds : the heaviest dressed-weight bear reported to DEC in 2024. The male bear was harvested in the town of Wilton, Saratoga County, WMU 5J. 46 : the number of cooperating taxidermists and meat processors that assisted with the collection of biological data from harvested bears in 2024. 677 : the number of harvested bears from which DEC received pre-molar teeth to determine the bears age in 2024. 21: the age of the oldest bear harvested in 2023 (the most recent year for which age data are available). The bear was harvested in the town Webb, Herkimer County, WMU 5H Black bear harvest data are gathered from two main sources: harvest reports required of all successful bear hunters and the physical examination of bears by DEC staff, cooperating taxidermists, and meat processors. Harvest estimates are made by cross-referencing these two data sources and determining the rate at which hunters report their bear harvests in each zone. Lendrum praised hunters, taxidermists, and meat processors who voluntarily submitted data through the Black Bear Management Cooperator Program. It allows DEC to monitor trends to ensure the bear population remains robust and hunting traditions continue for the long term, Lendrum said. In fall 2025, DEC will send a commemorative 2024 Black Bear Management Coordinator Patch and a letter confirming each bears age to all hunters who reported their bear harvest and submitted a tooth for age analysis. DECs 2024 Bear Harvest Summary report provides tables, figures, and maps detailing the bear harvest around the state. DECs Black Bear Management Plan provides information on how DEC determines black bear population objectives throughout the state Sign up for the CNY Outdoors Newsletter Enter your email address to get weekly updates on CNY outdoors news delivered to your inbox: Steve Featherstone covers the outdoors for The Post-Standard, syracuse.com and NYUP.com. Contact him at sfeatherstone@syracuse.com or on Twitter @featheroutdoors. You can also follow along with all of our outdoors content at newyorkupstate.com/outdoors/ or follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/upstatenyoutdoors. Mayor Ben Walsh waves a flag during Syracuses World Refugee Day celebration at City Hall, Syracuse, N.Y., Saturday July 9, 2022. The city has welcomed thousands of refugees over the past two decades. Scott Schild | sschild@syracuse.com InterFaith Works of Central New York has laid off 19 employees after President Donald Trumps administration cut off federal aid for refugee resettlement programs across the nation. The nonprofit agency, which has helped thousands of refugees start a new life in Syracuse, said it has not been reimbursed by the federal government for approved expenses since January. Faced with the potential loss of nearly $4 million in federal aid, InterFaith Works issued layoff notices Friday to the 19 employees at its Center for New Americans, said Beth Broadway, the agencys chief executive officer. InterFaith Works also cut the salaries of its top executives and reduced operational expenses, Broadway said, but it wont cut the services it provides to the community. Were not going away, Broadway told syracuse.com | The Post-Standard. Were not closing our doors. We have a lot of people who are depending on us. The layoffs will reduce the staff of the agencys Center for New Americans by almost 50 percent, she said. InterFaith Works will retain about 26 employees to provide resettlement services to 430 refugees who arrived in Syracuse in the three months before Trump took office in January. All told, the agency provides services to about 1,500 refugees who arrived in the Syracuse area over the past 18 months. InterFaith Works becomes the second nonprofit in Syracuse to lay off employees after Trumps administration suspended refugee resettlement programs on Jan. 24 and paused payments to nonprofits who provide refugee services. Catholic Charities of Onondaga County cut 51 jobs from its refugee resettlement office in February, or about 15% of its local workforce. The nonprofit said it had to deal with the loss of $1.7 million in government grants and reimbursement of $25 million for refugee services that have already been provided. The cuts affected 11 people in Syracuse whose jobs were eliminated and 40 others who were placed on indefinite furlough, according to Catholic Charities Executive Director Michael Melara. InterFaith Works, Catholic Charities and RISE have resettled thousands of refugees in Syracuse through federally funded programs aimed at quickly integrating new arrivals into the workforce. Broadway said InterFaith Works has not been reimbursed from the federal Office of Refugee Resettlement since January for some of the services it provides to about 150 people. The matching grant program helps refugees find jobs and start working as soon as possible by providing 100% of their rent costs, and subsidies for food and basic living expenses for up to six months. Broadway said the agency is uncertain if the federal government will honor its requests for reimbursement. Trumps indefinite refugee ban and funding freeze are being challenged in the courts. Broadway said InterFaith Works will continue providing other services to those in need, including its support for 51 neighborhood food pantries in Central New York. We have taken measures to secure the agencys ability to continue uninterrupted services agencywide, including our services to elders, school-based dialogues, food pantries, and refugees, Broadway wrote Friday in an email to supporters. But she warned that the funding cuts could eventually result in lost services for refugees. These New Americans will be strapped to meet their most basic needs like housing, food, and heat, Broadway said. Thousands of people could be severely impacted by the lack of support previously provided through our refugee resettlement program. InterFaith Works has resettled 2,506 refugees in the Syracuse area since 2020. The nonprofit rushed to resettle 430 refugees in Syracuse in the three months before Trump took office in an operation it called The Push. Got a tip, comment or story idea? Contact Mark Weiner anytime by: Email | Twitter | Facebook | 571-970-3751 In a nutshell: AI startup Perplexity is once again proposing the unlikely scenario that it takes over TikTok's US business operations. If the company were able to pull off this feat, it promises to make some major changes to the app, including rebuilding the algorithm, adding community notes, and open-sourcing the recommendation system. Perplexity first proposed a merger with TikTok's US operations in January. The plan would see the US government hold 50% ownership of the company but have no influence over TikTok's day-to-day operations and not be granted a seat on the merged entity's board. ByteDance has until April 5 to find a US buyer for TikTok's operations in the US, so Perplexity is once again putting forward a case for why it would be a good choice. The AI firm writes that it is singularly positioned to rebuild the TikTok algorithm without creating a monopoly, combining "world-class technical capabilities with Little Tech independence." It adds that any acquisition by a consortium of investors such as the group that includes YouTube star MrBeast could effectively keep ByteDance in control of the algorithm, while any acquisition by a competitor would likely create a monopoly in the short-form video space. Perplexity writes that "all of society benefits when content feeds are liberated from the manipulations of foreign governments and globalist monopolists." Perplexity's pitch includes rebuilding TikTok's algorithm from the ground up in American data centers and with American oversight. It also wants to make the "For You" recommendation system transparent and open source. Another proposed change is the introduction of community notes, in which contributors can add context such as fact-checks under a post. The feature has proven so popular on former Twitter platform X that Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg said he is introducing it to Facebook and Instagram. Perplexity writes that the community notes will sit alongside the citations feature used by its own search engine to "turn TikTok into the most neutral and trusted platform in the world." The rest of Perplexity's proposal includes upgrading TikTok's AI infrastructure using Nvidia Dynamo technology, enhancing the app's search feature with Perplexity's answer engine, and improve personalization for those who connect their Perplexity and TikTok accounts. Exactly where Perplexity would find the money to buy TikTok is unclear. It has been looking to raise funds at an $18 billion valuation, but TikTok's US operations have been valued at up to $50 billion. TikTok had until January 19, 2025 to find a US buyer or be banned in the US under legislation introduced in 2024. Donald Trump signed an executive order extending the deadline to April 5, 2025, when he took office, though the President has said he would "probably" extend it if necessary. A hot potato: To say the RTX 5000 launch has been far from smooth would be an understatement. Among the issues plaguing the new card have been black/blue screens of death and system instability problems. Nvidia rolled out fixes in recent weeks, but several owners of RTX 4000 and 3000 cards say their symptoms haven't gone away, and that Nvidia is prioritizing fixing the RTX 5000 series. It was back in February when reports of the issues first arrived. They seemed to originate from Nvidia's 572.16 driver release, which enabled RTX 50 support. RTX 40- and 30-series cards were impacted, but the 50-series was the worst affected. There were reports of some users getting around the problems by capping their display's refresh rate at 60Hz, which isn't what you want when gaming on high-end cards. Nvidia quickly confirmed that it was investigating the issues and would be releasing driver updates to address them. Several have been pushed out since then, and while they seem to have fixed (most of) the problems in the RTX 5000 line, they haven't been as effective for older graphics cards, and Nvidia is doing little to help. A user on the r/hardware Reddit forums has compiled a list of posts from other RTX 4000 and RTX 3000 owners who are continuing to experience BSODs and other system issues. Post author Scotty1992 writes that rolling back to the 566.36 driver was the only way to fix the problems impacting his Asus RTX 4070 Ti Super TUF card, the symptoms of which included Cyberpunk 2077 crashing his entire PC. Unfortunately, rolling back the driver has resulted in him being locked out of certain games, such as Half-Life 2 RTX, and unable to access newer Nvidia features. Some of the posts say the crashes and sometimes performance dips occur when DLSS Frame Generation is used in conjunction with G-Sync. One of the suggested fixes, other than rolling back the driver, is to use an older version of DLSS and/or disable G-sync. In addition to Cyberpunk 2077, affected games include Alan Wake 2, God of War Ragnarok, and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle mostly demanding titles that many users prefer to play with Frame Generation enabled. The big point of contention is that Nvidia seems to be focusing entirely on addressing the issues in RTX 5000 series cards while caring little about older generations, making no mention of RTX 40-series cards in its driver releases. Forward-looking: Given the recent disaster that was the Ai Pin, it's easy to imagine that companies would want to steer clear of artificial intelligence wearables. But Apple is reportedly confident it can bring AI features to its smartwatches, thanks to new models that will feature cameras. According to Bloomberg's Apple expert Mark Gurman, the Cupertino giant is considering adding cameras to both its standard Series and Ultra model smartwatches, with plans for a 2027 launch. In the case of the standard Series of Apple Watches, the camera is expected to be placed inside the display, either under it or as a cutout. In the more expensive Ultra models, the camera will be on the side of the smartwatch, which would likely make it easier to point at objects. The addition of the cameras would allow the Apple Watches to support Visual Intelligence, the company's version of Google Lens. It uses cameras and AI to analyze images in real-time, offering helpful information about what the user is capturing in the snap. It's not just Apple Watches that could be getting cameras in the next couple of years. Gurman said Apple want to put Visual Intelligence at the core of its devices, including AirPods renowned Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo made the same prediction last year. Apple currently leverages OpenAI and Google for its Visual Intelligence feature, but it wants to move toward its own AI models in the future, Gurman writes. It's hard to imagine Visual Intelligence being the feature that convinces someone to buy an Apple Watch. The AI wearables market suffered a huge blow with Humane's disastrous Ai Pin. The device was slammed by reviewers upon release last year, and the company shut down the business in February following an acquisition by HP, bricking all the $700 devices in the process. There's also the underwhelming Apple Intelligence itself. The feature has been plagued by delays and criticized for generating incorrect summaries of news headlines. Apple is also facing a false advertising lawsuit for advertising the upgraded AI Siri and postponing the release until next year. The suit claims that Apple's advertisements created the expectation that the Apple Intelligence features would be available upon the iPhone 16's release. Serving tech enthusiasts for over 25 years.TechSpot means tech analysis and advice you can trust Forward-looking: Samsung's upcoming XR headset and smart glasses mark a push into the extended reality space, where Apple's Vision Pro and Meta's smart glasses reside with very moderate success. Both devices would run on Android XR OS, a platform built by Google and Qualcomm, and be powered by the latest Snapdragon XR2 Plus Gen 2 chip. The headset is expected to arrive with top specs, including micro-OLED displays, a 90Hz refresh rate, and up to 1,000 nits of brightness. At Samsung's Galaxy Unpacked event in January, the company teased an XR headset in the vein of the Apple Vision Pro, alongside a pair of smart glasses reminiscent of the Meta Ray-Ban ones. According to South Korean publication ET News, Samsung's upcoming smart glasses are codenamed "Haean," after a city in South Korea. They are expected to launch alongside the XR headset currently in development under the name "Project Moohan." Both devices will run on Android XR OS, a new operating system developed by Google and Qualcomm specifically for extended reality devices. The report adds that the smart glasses will resemble a regular pair of sunglasses to avoid standing out in public. They are also said to feature a thin and lightweight design, making them comfortable for users with virtually any face shape to wear for extended periods. Samsung is reportedly still finalizing the features and specifications of Haean, so details remain scarce. However, rumors suggest it could be powered by the Snapdragon XR2 Plus Gen 2 chip, feature a 12MP camera, and include a 155mAh battery. Potential software features may include video recording, music playback, voice calling, and social sharing. In parallel, Samsung continues development of Project Moohan, its XR headset aimed at competing with the Apple Vision Pro. It will also run on Android XR OS and is rumored to support features such as eye tracking, hand gestures, and speech recognition. One confirmed detail about Project Moohan is that it will use the Snapdragon XR2 Plus Gen 2 chip, which enables high-end capabilities, including up to 4.3K resolution per eye, 90Hz refresh rates, and support for up to 12 concurrent cameras. According to Daily Korea, Samsung's XR headset will feature micro-OLED displays with a 3,840 x 3,552 resolution, a 90Hz refresh rate, and a peak brightness of 1,000 nits. The rest of the specifications remain under wraps. While Samsung has confirmed a 2025 launch window, an exact release date has not yet been announced. What just happened? A lawsuit against HP over a firmware update that prevented its printers from being compatible with non-HP ink and toner has had its settlement approved by a judge. However, HP doesn't have to admit to any wrongdoing or pay any customers affected by the 2020 update. HP's November 2020 firmware update enabled, or re-enabled, the company's Dynamic Security system in some printer models. This detects non-HP ink or toner cartridges, even those that are fully functional and previously worked, blocking any that aren't using HP's security chip or circuitry. HP claims Dynamic Security protects the printing experience, reduces counterfeit cartridges, and improves security. Everyone else says it's about making more money since HP sells printers at low margins while ink cartridges make up a lot of revenue for the firm. HP pretty much admitted this in 2023 when an executive boasted about how its ink subscription service was "locking" people in. In December 2020, two companies filed a class-action suit against HP over the firmware update. The complaint said it essentially acted as malware adding, deleting or altering code, diminishing the capabilities of HP printers, and rendering the competitors' supply cartridges incompatible with HP printers. HP and the plaintiffs reached a settlement in August 2024. Under the terms, HP has agreed to pay $5,000 to the two companies that filed the complaint Mobile Emergency Housing Corp and Performance Automotive & Tire Center. David Justin Lynch, who was added to the suit as a plaintiff, will also receive $5,000. HP says the payment is "to compensate them for the services they performed on behalf of the classes." HP will also pay $725,000 in attorneys' fees and expenses as part of the settlement, which was approved by Judge Susan Van Keulen last week. However, HP doesn't have to admit that it did anything wrong, and it won't be handing over any money to those customers who were affected by the 2020 firmware update. The settlement also means that users of certain HP LaserJet models see the full list here now have the option to decline firmware updates that include Dynamic Security, allowing them to continue using third-party ink. Those with printers on this list can remove Dynamic Security via a firmware update. The restrictions will remain in place for most HP printers and may still be applied to some older models made after 2016 that aren't part of the settlement. This is just one of several lawsuits HP has faced over Dynamic Security, including one in Italy where it was fined $12 million. H/t: Ars Technica Venezuela cuts public sector work week due to drought Caracas, March 24 (AFP) Mar 24, 2025 Venezuela will cut the public sector work week to three half-days, the government said Sunday, after low water levels began to threaten hydroelectric power generation. From Monday, public sector shifts will be cut to four-and-a-half hours in the mornings from 8:00 am and offices will operate on a three-day week. Citizens have also been urged to save power in their homes. "As a result of the climate emergency that has led to rising temperatures worldwide, we are facing a climatological event that affects the water level of the reservoirs that generate electric energy in the Andean region," the government statement said. Much of Venezuela's electricity is produced by hydroelectric plants. Electricity rationing has been common in inland states for 15 years and there have been frequent lengthy blackouts since 2019, which the government has blamed on sabotage. Brazil's Lula to build trade ties on Japan state visit Tokyo, March 24 (AFP) Mar 24, 2025 Brazil's president starts a four-day state visit to Japan on Monday, accompanied by a 100-strong business delegation as US tariffs push the countries to nurture trade ties elsewhere. Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba are also expected to discuss the joint development of biofuels ahead of November's COP30 UN climate summit in the Brazilian Amazon. In talks on Wednesday, the leaders will reportedly restate their commitment to free trade following US President Donald Trump's levies on steel and other imports. "Everyone who was talking about free trade is now practising protectionism," Lula, 79, said ahead of his departure. "I think this protectionism is absurd," he told Japanese media. Brazil is the second-largest exporter of steel to the United States after Canada, shipping four million tonnes of the metal in 2024. Lula and Ishiba will likely agree to regular leaders' visits and to establishing strategic dialogue on security and other matters, Japanese media reported. The pair may also affirm the importance of the rules-based international order, a phrase often used to make a veiled dig at Chinese foreign policy. - Beef to planes - A welcome ceremony will be held for the left-wing president on Tuesday at Tokyo's Imperial Palace, followed by a state banquet that evening. It will be Lula's third visit to Japan, the world's fourth-largest economy, as president of Brazil. Ramping up Brazilian exports to Japan -- from beef to planes -- is a key objective for Lula, who on Wednesday will attend an economic forum aimed at forging new opportunities. China is currently Brazil's top trading partner, with Japan trailing behind as its 11th largest partner globally, according to Brazilian officials. Brazil has "increased its commercial dependence on China in recent years", Karina Calandrin, a professor at business school Ibmec in Sao Paulo, told AFP. But since taking office in January, Trump has slapped tariffs amounting to a 20 percent hike on Chinese overseas shipments, which last year reached record levels. This, Calandrin said, "puts Brazil at risk, making it more vulnerable to any change in the international scenario". Yet efforts to diversify foreign trade could prove difficult given the South American powerhouse's "structural dependence" on commerce with China, said Roberto Goulart, an international relations professor at Brasilia University. A more balanced trade landscape for Brazil in the Asia-Pacific region is unlikely in "the short term", he said. Meanwhile, Tokyo could see stronger ties with Brasilia as a way to keep Brazil from forming a closer relationship with China and Russia, fellow members of the BRICS emerging economies bloc. - Apology - Brazil is home to the world's largest Japanese diaspora, a holdover of mass migration in the early 20th century. Last year, Lula's government issued a historic apology for its persecution of Japanese immigrants during and after World War II. Thousands living along the coast of Sao Paulo were forced off of their land in 1943, while at least 150 Japanese immigrants and their offspring later wound up incarcerated on a remote island. An apology is "the least we can do to acknowledge our mistakes in the past", Lula told Japanese media ahead of the trip. tmo-kh-rsr/kaf/stu/lb A great question to ask yourself if youre considering starting something is, Would I still want to do this business even if it doesnt make any money? If the answer is yes, then thats a good start. Luke McLeod has become a leading voice in mindfulness, with a mission to help individuals and organizations reduce stress and improve well-being. He is the founder of Wellbeing At Work (WAW) and Soul Alive, and the author of the best-selling book Everyday Enlightenment. With over two decades of experience in meditation techniques such as Vedic, Kundalini, Zen, and Vipassana, Luke has worked with countless individualsfrom high-powered executives to athletesshowing them how to use mindfulness as a tool for reducing stress, improving focus, and enhancing overall health. But Lukes journey wasnt always about calmness and serenity. His personal experience with stress, overwhelm, and burnout led him to understand the urgent need for wellness practices in the workplace, and ultimately, to build a business around helping others cope with and overcome these challenges. In this weeks Founders Playbook, Luke shares his journey, insights on building a meaningful business, and the lessons hes learned along the way. How it all began A bit of stress isnt a bad thing, Luke shares. But too much of it and it can begin to affect almost every part of your life. Luke saw firsthand how stress was a silent killer, wreaking havoc on relationships, health, and careers. It didnt take long for him to recognize that the widespread nature of stress was a significant issue not enough people were addressing. Ive seen it break families apart, put people in the hospital, and cause people to lose their jobs, Luke reflects. Its a silent killer, yet its very treatable and not enough people were taking it seriously. This realization sparked his decision to launch Wellbeing At Work (WAW), an initiative aimed at reducing stress and improving mental health in the workplace. Lukes mission became clear: help people manage stress, regain control of their well-being, and provide them with tools to improve their mental and physical health. With his first-hand experience of stress in the corporate world, Luke had a unique perspective. His goal was simple: to create a culture where businesses and individuals could manage stress in a healthy, sustainable way. Bumps along the way Business can be very stressful and serious at times so try to find regular moments where you and your team can reset, recharge and have some fun. As with most entrepreneurial journeys, the road to success wasnt without its challenges. Luke quickly learned that building a business required more than just passion and expertise. It also demanded resilience and the ability to adapt when things didnt go according to plan. One of the biggest hurdles Luke faced came early on when he launched a service aimed at the public. Though the service was valuable, the financial and time commitments were significant, and the returns didnt match the effort. The silver lining of this was that a few individuals who attended these public offerings invited me in to run some sessions for their workplace, Luke recalls. I soon realised that focusing on delivering more of these sessions for the corporate sector made a lot more sense from a financial and time perspective. This pivot helped Luke see the corporate sector as the ideal space for his services. The shift allowed him to refine his offerings and expand his reach. It was an important realizationfailure wasnt the endit was just another lesson in the journey. Every setback offered valuable insights into what his clients truly needed. Luke found that the corporate sector provided the perfect backdrop to integrate workplace wellness practices. Initially, I launched a service for the public and although it was valuable, the time and financial input required for it outweighed the return, Luke shares. The silver lining of this was that a few individuals who attended these public offerings invited me in to run some sessions for their workplace. This shift in focus opened up new opportunities and helped Luke grow his business with more sustainable results. Key takeaways As Lukes business grew, so did the wisdom he had gained from his own experience. Today, hes a trusted voice for entrepreneurs and businesses looking to improve their employees mental health and overall well-being. Through his work with Wellbeing At Work, Luke offers valuable advice to aspiring entrepreneurs looking to make their mark in the world of business. One piece of advice that Luke cannot stress enough is the importance of passion for the work youre doing. You have to really care about the business, he says. Otherwise, youre probably not going to stick it out. Its a lot easier and financially sensible not to start a business. But for Luke, this passion was rooted in something deeper than just profit. He truly believes in the transformative power of mindfulness and wellness and how it can change the lives of individuals. Before diving into entrepreneurship, Luke suggests asking yourself one simple yet powerful question: Would I still want to do this business even if it doesnt make any money? If your answer is yes, then youve found something worth pursuing. For Luke, his answer was a resounding yes. His commitment to his business wasnt driven solely by financial gain; it was fueled by a genuine desire to make a positive impact on the lives of others. While passion is essential, financial viability is equally important. Luke advises aspiring entrepreneurs to do the numbers. While his early days involved offering services for free to build his credibility, he quickly learned that, once the initial client base was established, the business had to start making money. The business has to stack up financially, Luke insists. Once you have the clients, you better have some great services or products that are profitable, otherwise, its game over. And perhaps one of the most important lessons Luke has learned is to embrace fun in the workplace. Its easy for the pressure of entrepreneurship to become overwhelming, but Luke emphasizes the need for balance. Business can be very stressful and serious at times, he admits. So try to find regular moments where you and your team can reset, recharge, and have some fun. By maintaining a healthy work-life balance and fostering a fun environment, Luke has created a culture that thrives on creativity and positive energya key ingredient for long-term success. Keep up to date with our stories on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. 44 people on trial in Vietnam over illegal sand mining Hanoi, March 24 (AFP) Mar 24, 2025 More than 40 people went on trial in Vietnam Monday over illegal sand mining in the Mekong Delta, state media said, as concern mounts over the environmental impact of overexploitation. A former senior provincial official who took a $300,000 bribe to allow mining in the area is among 44 people facing justice at the Ho Chi Minh City court, in the country's largest-ever illegal sand mining case, Lao Dong newspaper said. Mining sand -- mainly for concrete used in construction -- has boomed in Vietnam in recent years, prompting dire warnings over the environmental consequences. Nguyen Thanh Binh, the former chairman of the people's committee in An Giang province in the Mekong river delta, is accused of abuse of power, reported court newspaper Cong Ly. He and other officials ordered subordinates to issue a sand mining licence to the Trung Hau 68 company even though it did not qualify, the report said. The former CEO of the firm, Le Quang Binh, is accused of bribery, violation of regulations on exploration and exploitation of natural resources, and money laundering. Between December 2021 and July 2023, the company sold over 3.7 million cubic metres of sand for around $11.5 million, according to Cong Ly. In a 2023 report from conservation group WWF, experts warned that sand mining to feed Vietnam's construction boom was depleting resources so fast that the Mekong Delta -- the country's "rice bowl" -- could run out in just over a decade. With less sand, river flows become lighter and faster, and hit the banks at greater speed, accelerating erosion. Around 20,000 households need to be resettled because of the risks, according to Vietnam's natural disaster prevention and control department. The WWF puts the figure much higher, saying half a million people could lose their homes. A verdict in the Ho Chi Minh City trial is expected on April 4. Nguyen Thanh Binh has already paid back $300,000 to the court, Cong Ly newspaper said. S. Korea authorities deploy choppers, troops to battle wildfire Uiseong, South Korea, March 24 (AFP) Mar 24, 2025 South Korean authorities said Monday they would deploy dozens of helicopters and thousands of firefighters and soldiers as they struggle to control multiple wildfires in the southeast, which have been burning for days. Four people have been killed so far, with officials warning that high winds and rising temperatures were hindering efforts to put out the blazes. In Uiseong, nearly 7,000 hectares (17,000 acres) of land has been affected and around 600 people evacuated, Lim Sang-seop, head of the Korea Forest Service, told a press briefing. "A total of 57 wildfire fighting helicopters are to be deployed to extinguish the fire," he said, adding that more than 2,600 fire fighting personnel -- including soldiers -- would be mobilised "to respond with all their might". The fire had been partly contained but was still burning as of Monday afternoon. An AFP photographer in Uiseong saw the sun obscured by thick black smoke, while helicopters were used to douse the flames. The forest agency has issued "severe" fire warnings, its highest level, in multiple locations, including North and South Gyeongsang provinces, Busan and Daejeon. A major wildfire claimed four lives over the weekend in Sancheong county, in South Gyeongsang province, about 250 kilometres (155 miles) southeast of Seoul. That fire was also partly contained by Monday -- but still burning. The government declared a state of emergency in the affected regions, citing "the extensive damage caused by simultaneous wildfires across the country". Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, who was reinstated as acting president earlier Monday, visited the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, urging authorities to work together "until the wildfires are completely extinguished". "It is a truly heartbreaking incident," he said, adding that he would meet people affected by the fires later Monday. The leader of the main opposition Democratic Party, Lee Jae-myung, urged authorities to "mobilise all means at their disposal to quickly and safely suppress the fires" and take further measures to prevent any additional wildfires. Some types of extreme weather have a well-established link with climate change, such as heatwaves or heavy rainfall. Other phenomena such as forest fires, droughts, snowstorms and tropical storms can result from a combination of complex factors. German prosecutors file charges against 5 climate activists Munich, Germany, March 24 (AFP) Mar 24, 2025 German prosecutors said on Monday they had charged five former members of climate activist group "Letzte Generation" (Last Generation) with offences including "forming a criminal organisation". The Munich Public Prosecutor's Office confirmed it had filed the charges -- of which it gave no details -- "against five members" of the movement. Members of Last Generation released a statement saying they would contest the charges, calling them "an attack on civil society engagement as a cornerstone of democracy". Founded in 2021, Last Generation mounted eye-catching, non-violent protests in Germany for several years calling for urgent action to combat climate change. These included throwing mashed potatoes at the glass protecting a Monet painting and repeatedly glueing themselves onto busy roads. The group's members briefly halted airport traffic several times by breaking into airports and glueing themselves to the tarmac. Members are also alleged to have tried to sabotage an oil pipeline between Trieste, Italy, and Ingolstadt, Germany, deemed "critical infrastructure" in Bavaria. The movement announced in February that it was reorganising into two new groups focusing on different climate and environment-related issues -- "Neue Generation" (New Generation) and "Widerstandskollektiv" (Resistance Collective). - 'Attack on us all' - Dozens of members of Last Generation have previously faced criminal charges for offences such as damage to property and trespassing. Some have been convicted and fined, with a handful also given jail sentences of several months. However, if convicted of forming a criminal organisation, they could face longer sentences. Members of the group have launched a petition calling on prosecutors to drop the charges, which they say are "an attack on us all" at a time when "the climate crisis is escalating and a new fascism could be looming over our world". One of the charged activists, Carla Hinrichs, said they were being penalised for simply trying to "band together and... sound the alarm" about climate change. "We peaceful protesters are being targeted for delivering the bad news," she said. In May 2023, German police carried out raids across seven states targeting Last Generation activists in what was seen as a major hardening of the authorities' stance towards the group. In addition to the proceedings in Munich, prosecutors in Brandenburg, near Berlin, have also charged five members of the group with forming a criminal organisation. The accusations relate to protests at two oil refineries, Berlin airport and the Barberini Museum in Potsdam. The Thai Revenue Department has urged social media influencers and online sellers to file their annual income tax by the end of March to avoid fines and penalties. Director-General Pinsai Suraswadi expressed concern that many young earners, including e-commerce vendors, influencers, and product reviewers, have never filed income tax returns. Thailands e-commerce platforms, such as Shopee, Lazada, and TikTok, host around 3 million online sellers, while an estimated 2 million full-time influencers and content creators generate billions in revenue. A recent survey found that many in this group, particularly younger individuals, fail to report their earnings or pay taxes. Pinsai warned that the Revenue Department can audit records up to five years back and that failure to file tax documents will lead to penalties. However, he reassured earners that filing errors can be corrected. A study by Tellscore, FutureTales LAB, and the Thailand Institute for Mental Health Sustainability (Tims) estimated that Thailand's content creator industry contributes at least THB45 billion (US$1.25 billion) annually to the economy. The country has around 2 million full-time content creators, rising to 9 million when part-time creators and "micro-influencers" are included. 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 Podcast host and influencer Alix Earle launched a $1 million lawsuit against the U.K. fitness brand Gymshark, claiming the company pulled a sponsorship deal over her posts supporting Israel. Earle, 24, who rose to fame in 2020 over her daily makeup and fashion videos, filed the lawsuit in the High Court of England, according to documents viewed by The Telegraph. She alleged Gymshark ended their partnership in late 2023 for Earles perceived stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict. The influencer posted on Instagram, Now and always, we stand with the people of Israel, the outlet reported. Gymshark executives allegedly received an influx of negative comments in response to their sponsorship with Earle, who hosts the Hot Mess podcast. Not the Zionist when you have Palestinian women as part of your brand, one comment with over 300 likes read. Earle sued for $1 million in damages for the early termination of the collaboration. She alleged Gymshark agreed to pay her that amount for three TikTok posts, four Instagram posts, a photoshoot, and an event as part of the collaboration, The Telegraph reported. Alix Earle has launched a massive lawsuit against Gymshark ( Getty Images for Miu Miu ) Earle also claimed in the lawsuit her social media posts were available before the Gymshark deal was agreed upon. Gymshark allegedly denied signing a contract with Earle. When approached for comment, Gymshark shared with The Independent that the lawsuit was settled out of court in 2024. Gymshark was started by Ben Francis in 2012 when he was working out of his parents garage in Birmingham while still a student and pizza delivery driver. Today, at age 32, the entrepreneur is among the youngest billionaires in the world with a reported net worth of $1.3 billion as of April 2023. Collaborations with influencers are a huge part of Gymsharks success. Francis told Forbes in 2020, All my heroes were YouTubers, so Id send them products. That led to the collaboration with Earle. Meanwhile, news of the lawsuit comes just weeks after Earles podcast was dropped by Call Her Daddy host Alex Coopers Unwell Network. Earle joined the network in 2023. But even as news of the lawsuit spread, Earle was sharing Instagram stories from Orlando, Florida, as she made a special appearance with Jake Shane during his podcast/comedy tour. Earle joined Shane onstage before celebrating late into the night with the comedian and fans. She also reposted stories of her fans enjoying SipMARGS, the canned margarita brand in which she recently invested. 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 Elon Musks estranged daughter, Vivian Wilson, has hit back at a transphobic tweet from her father. On Saturday, the billionaire SpaceX owner responded to a comment from a fan on X making claims about Vivian, who is one of his children with his ex-wife Justine Wilson. My son, Xavier died, he wrote, referring to his estranged daughter, who came out as transgender in 2020. He was killed by the woke mind virus. Now, the woke mind virus will die. Hours later, Wilson, 20, shared a response on Instagram, which included a screenshot of Musks tweet. She then lip-synced an iconic quote from RuPauls Drag Race, saying: I look pretty good for a dead b****. The line was delivered by contestant Morgan McMichaels during the third season of RuPauls Drag Race All Stars. Earlier this month, Wilson opened up about her estranged relationship with her father, revealing they havent spoken in five years. I dont give a f*** about him, she told Teen Vogue. I really dont. Its annoying that people associate me with him. I just dont have any room to care anymore. Wilson shared that she is financially independent, so she does not think much about her father beyond what she sees in the news and on social media. She is currently living in Tokyo and studying to become a translator. Ill see things about him in the news and think, Thats f****** cringe, I should probably post about this and denounce it, which I have done a few times, she said. During Trumps inauguration celebration, Musk gave a salute that was compared to a Nazi salute, while his defenders insisted that it was a Roman salute. The Nazi salute s*** was insane, she told Teen Vogue. Honey, were going to call a fig a fig, and were going to call a Nazi salute what it was. That s*** was definitely a Nazi salute. Musk has distanced himself from Wilson, claiming that he was tricked into allowing her to have gender-affirming medical treatments when she was 16. He said during an interview in 2024 that Wilson was figuratively dead and that she was an adherent of radical Marxism. Vivian Wilson reacts to Elon Musk claiming she died ( Instagram / Getty Images ) Wilson was also asked about her relationship with her siblings, as Musk is the father of 14 children with four different women. I will say I do not actually know how many siblings I have, if you include half-siblings, Wilson said. That's just a fun fact. Wilsons mother, Justine Wilson, was married to the Tesla CEO for eight years from 2000. The two have six children together, including Vivian Wilson. Musk also has four children Strider, Azure, Arcadia, and Seldon Lycurgus with Neuralink executive Shivon Zilis, as well as three X A-Xii, Exa Dark Siderl, and Tau Techno Mechanicus with music artist Grimes. Last month, a MAGA influencer named Ashley St Clair claimed that Musk was the father of her baby. However, Musk has yet to acknowledge her child as his own. A few days later, Zilis announced that she and Musk had welcomed a second son, Seldon, together. 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? 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 My sister, who works at a specialist college, was recently telling me that phones are the number one issue that she and her colleagues are struggling with. Students have them out at all times, clutched in their hands like shiny, black security blankets. Her class will message each other from across the room during lessons, or scroll social media, or listen to music; meanwhile, shes desperately trying to claw their attention back and get them to engage with the real world. Screens and teens: its a combination thats become increasingly tricky to navigate over the last decade. The switch from what I think of as analogue phones those with buttons but no internet to smartphones, compounded by an upsurge in digital living during pandemic lockdowns, has resulted in 46 per cent of adolescents reporting they are online almost constantly. Some 97 per cent of children have a smartphone by the age of 12, according to Ofcom data. Last year, new battle lines were drawn in this ongoing war. Government ministers confirmed plans to ban them in schools in England, with the Department for Education (DfE) issuing guidance to help teachers with implementation. Gillian Keegan, the education secretary, said the DfE believed the guidance would empower headteachers to exorcise these digital demons, and would send a clear message about consistency. You go to school, you go to learn, you go to create those friendships, you go to speak to people and socialise and you go to get educated, she told BBC Radio 4s Today programme. You dont go to sit on your mobile phone or to send messages while you could actually talk to somebody. open image in gallery Some 97 per cent of children have a smartphone by the age of 12 ( Getty/iStock ) The Smartphone Free Childhood (SFC) movements online pledge to withhold smartphones from children until they are at least 14 has attracted signatures from 37,000 parents nationwide, representing more than 56,000 children, while a quarter of British schools (8,100) have signed the pact. Meanwhile, Jack Thorne, the writer of hit Netflix show Adolescence which charts the journey of a young boy radicalised by online misogyny recently said he would ban smartphone sales up to the age of 16. Why do kids need smartphones? They can have phones but not smartphones. It would work like cigarettes. The reason all of this is so pressing isnt simply that tweens and teens arent paying proper attention in class. It has a far more sinister impact on children and young peoples mental health, according to The Anxious Generation, written by social psychologist Jonathan Haidt. In his book, he presents the compelling argument that the uptick in time spent online has coincided with an alarming mental health crisis all over the world. Between 2010 and 2015, suicide rates among 10 to 14-year-old girls and boys increased by 167 and 92 per cent respectively. Self-harm rates for teenage girls in the UK soared by 78 per cent. Anxiety diagnoses for those aged 18 to 25 jumped by 92 per cent. During this same five-year period, smartphones reached a majority of US households they were adopted faster than any other communication technology in human history. There is a tangible link, too, between screentime and poor mental health, reveals Haidt: nearly 40 per cent of teenage girls who spend over five hours on social media a day have been diagnosed with clinical depression. Childhood and adolescence have been rewired, claims Haidt. Referencing the shift that started at the turn of the millennium, when tech companies began creating a set of world-changing products based around exploiting the rapidly expanding capabilities of the internet, Haidt paints a deeply concerning picture. The companies had done little or no research on the mental health effects of their products on children and adolescents, and they shared no data with researchers studying the health effects. When faced with growing evidence that their products were harming young people, they mostly engaged in denial, obfuscation, and public relations campaigns, he says. Business models that relied on maximising engagement using psychological tricks were the worst offenders, he says, adding that they hooked children during vulnerable developmental stages, while their brains were rapidly rewiring in response to incoming stimulation. For girls, some of the greatest damage was inflicted by social media; for boys, video games and porn sites had the most chilling impacts. By designing a firehouse of addictive content that entered through kids eyes and ears, and by displacing physical play and in-person socialising, these companies have rewired childhood and changed human development on an almost unimaginable scale, Haidt writes damningly. Companies are accused of behaving like the tobacco and vaping industries, designing highly addictive products and skirting laws in order to sell them to minors. These companies have rewired childhood and changed human development on an almost unimaginable scale It makes for terrifying reading. Developmentally, childrens brains are not at all adapted to cope with all of the above. The reward-seeking parts of the brain mature earlier, but the frontal cortex, responsible for self-control and will-power, isnt operating on all cylinders till our mid-twenties creating a dangerously toxic cocktail when you throw in algorithms advanced enough to even hold adults attention hostage for hours at a time. Haidt tells the story of one Boston mother, representative of many of the parents hes worked with, who said she felt she had lost her 14-year-old daughter, Emily. She recounted how she and her husband had tried to reduce the amount of time Emily spent on Instagram. In one distressing episode, she got into her mothers phone, disabled the monitoring software, and threatened to kill herself if her parents reinstalled it. Lest you think that the sudden deterioration in young peoples mental health is down to current events for example, political crises, the rise of right-wing and populist movements, Brexit, Donald Trump and all the rest Haidt compared a number of countries that were culturally similar enough but experienced different major news events over the same time period, including Canada, the UK and Nordic countries. All experienced a near-identical shift starting in the early 2010s. There are four foundational harms triggered by the new phone-based childhood, puts forth Haidt: social deprivation, sleep deprivation, attention fragmentation and addiction. The first is obvious. Children need a lot of time to play with each other, face to face, to foster social development, says Haidt. Teens who spend more time in-person with their peers have better mental health, according to research, while those who spend more time on social media are more likely to suffer from depression and anxiety. But the percentage of 17 to 18-year-olds in the US who said they hung out with their friends almost every day dropped dramatically from 2009 onwards. Time spent interacting with people online has replaced IRL equivalents and adolescent mental health has taken a corresponding nosedive. open image in gallery Rates of depression and anxiety in teenagers have been going up since 2010 ( Getty ) The second is less clear-cut, but an upsurge in sleep problems that had levelled off in the early 2010s but continued on a steep upward trajectory in 2013 has been linked to the phone-based childhood. There are significant associations between high social media use and poor sleep, according to a review of 36 correlational studies. One UK data set found that heavy use of screen media was associated with shorter sleep duration, longer sleep latency and more mid-sleep awakenings. Teenagers need more sleep than adults, particularly during puberty; those who are sleep-deprived dont concentrate or retain information as well as those who have had eight hours a night. Adults will be very familiar with number three: attention fragmentation. The double-digit tabs and the constant pinging of Slack and countless WhatsApp groups are hard enough to juggle as a fully-fledged grown-up. One study found that the average teenager gets 192 alerts or notifications per day from social media and communication apps the equivalent of 11 per waking hour, or one every five minutes. No matter how hard it is for an adult to stay committed to one mental road, it is far harder for an adolescent, who has an immature frontal cortex and therefore limited ability to say no to off-ramps, writes Haidt. He argues that the never-ending stream of interruptions takes a toll on young peoples ability to think and may leave permanent marks in their rapidly reconfiguring brains. And finally, addiction. This stems from app creators designing products that dispense variable rewards, triggering dopamine hits that make us feel good. They use every trick in the psychologists tool kit to hook users as deeply as slot machines hook gamblers. Adolescents are much more susceptible to these tricks than adults, due to the aforementioned frontal cortex, which isnt mature until age 20 and beyond. With all of this at work, is it any wonder that Generation Z and those that came after are in crisis? And is there any way of breaking this hugely detrimental pattern? Yes, according to Haidt but it will take robust and collective action to delay the age at which children get smartphones and social media accounts, making the switch from a phone-based childhood back to a play-based one. No matter how hard it is for an adult to stay committed to one mental road, it is far harder for an adolescent Voluntary coordination can be a useful tool here for example, a group of parents at a school can collectively decide none of their children will be allowed phones until a certain age. This group decision means kids dont feel left out in the same way. If you can reach critical mass, not having a phone even becomes the norm hence why St Albans coordinated effort to ban smartphones for children under 14 across the board could be so powerful. Haidt also highlights technological solutions, such as the introduction of better basic phones to avoid giving children smartphones; lockable pouches for phones; and quick and easy age verification methods. Finally, governments need to step in. Laws such as requiring all social media companies to verify the ages of new users, and policies demanding schools enforce a phones in lockers rule during the school day, could have a big impact. The main thing to stress is that its not too late to make a change, says Haidt: When new consumer products are found to be dangerous, especially for children, we recall them and keep them off the market until the manufacturer corrects the design. In 2010, teens, parents, schools and even tech companies didnt know that smartphones and social media had so many harmful effects. Now we do. The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness by Jonathan Haidt is published on 26 March by Allen Lane for 25 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 Amanda Knox had read Harry Potter years earlier when she was home in the United States, lost in the magic of its world. But while she was confined to an Italian prison cell, the book became a lifeline. More than a decade after being released from prison, Knox has revealed in her new memoir Free: My Search for Meaning how finding the familiar book written in Italian gave her purpose and helped her grasp a language to ensure she survived her nearly four-year imprisonment for murder. Knox was a 20-year-old student studying abroad in the Italian city of Perugia when her British roommate Meredith Kercher was found stabbed to death on November 2, 2007, in the apartment they shared with two other women. The case made global headlines. Suspicion quickly fell on Knox and Raffaele Sollecito, a man she had only recently been seeing. Knox was convicted and sentenced to four years in prison before being cleared of the crime in 2011 with an appeals court citing errors in the forensic investigation. open image in gallery Knox has revealed in her new memoir Free: My Search for Meaning how finding the familiar book written in Italian gave her purpose ( Amazon ) Another man, Rudy Hermann Guede, from the Ivory Coast, was eventually convicted of murder after his DNA was found at the crime scene. He was freed in 2021 after serving most of his 16-year sentence. But Knoxs story was far from over. Knoxs 2013 memoir Waiting to Be Heard tells the story of her legal nightmare, but her new book, Free, set to be released on March 25, explores how she survived her time in prison and her reintegration back into society once back home in Seattle. open image in gallery Waiting to be Heard by Amanda Knox was released in 2013 ( Amazon ) While behind bars for nearly four years, trapped in a legal system she barely understood, Knox turned to something she did Harry Potter. The words were both foreign and familiar. With a dictionary at her side, she painstakingly translated every line that she did not know, teaching herself Italian, one chapter at a time. As Knox mastered the language, she became a translator for her fellow foreign inmates. She helped them understand legal documents and communicate with guards, and eventually, advocated for herself in a fight that would last years. The murder In 2007, Knox was an exchange student living in Perugia, Italy, when her roommate Meredith Kercher was found dead in her bedroom. Kerchers throat had been slit, she had been sexually assaulted, and knife wounds suggested she may have been tortured. As media descended on the small central Italian city from around the world, a daily drumbeat of salacious front page stories quickly formed an unflattering narrative around Knox, who was dubbed Foxy Knoxy. Giuliano Mignini, a powerful local magistrate with a fixation on conspiracy theories involving satanic rituals, turned the investigation, quite literally, into a witch hunt as he painted her as a sexual deviant and cold-blooded killer. In her new book, Knox revealed how she struck up an unlikely relationship with Mignini, the man who locked her up, when she started emailing him after she had been freed from prison. open image in gallery Italian student Raffaele Sollecito (left) and Amanda Knox (right) were exonerated in the 2007 murder of her British roommate Meredith Kercher (center) ( AP2007 ) Knox would later recount how she was not provided a lawyer or an interpreter by police after her arrest and would later tell how she was subjected to physical and verbal abuse. After almost two years in jail and an 11-month trial during which she was portrayed as a promiscuous she-devil, Knox was convicted of murder and sexual violence. Her familys attorneys immediately appealed, citing faulty DNA evidence, a botched investigation, and the overwhelmingly negative sentiment towards her in Italy. After a court-ordered review of DNA evidence, she was acquitted in 2011 and returned to the US. In 2013, Italys highest appeals court set aside the acquittal and ordered a second trial. Knox was found guilty in absentia for a second time in 2014. The verdict would be overturned in 2015, with a five-judge panel blaming the prosecutors glaring errors and investigative amnesia in a damning denouement to Knoxs eight-year ordeal. Surviving an Italian prison When Knox was first arrested, she recalled being ordered to strip naked by a guard. 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 wrote in her new book. As Knox was being portrayed as a sex-crazed villain by the tabloids on the outside of the prison walls, she tried to make herself invisible. She became quiet and withdrawn, wore baggy sweat suits, and chopped off her hair. Despite these efforts, she recalled how one officer would hover over her in a private office and make comments about her body. He interrogated me about my underwear, my sex life, and propositioned me for sex, she wrote. Another cornered her in a bathroom, grabbed her by the waist, and tried to kiss her. While she was in prison and even after her release and return to the US, Knox received countless letters some were love letters, some were marriage proposals, but many were death threats. One man wrote to her, describing how he would torture and kill her. He was eventually tracked down by the FBI and was given a stern warning. Knoxs slander case Earlier this year, Italys highest court upheld a slander conviction against Knox for accusing Patrick Lumumba of Kerchers murder. Knox had appealed the conviction based on a European Court of Human Rights ruling that said her rights had been violated by police failure to provide a lawyer and adequate translator during a long night of questioning just days after Kerchers murder. The ruling seemingly ends the 17-year legal saga that saw Knox and her Italian ex-boyfriend convicted and acquitted in flip-flop verdicts in Kerchers brutal murder before being exonerated by the highest Cassation Court in 2015. Amanda Knox gets final chance to completely clear her name The slander conviction against Knox survived multiple appeals, she was even re-convicted on the charge after the European court ruling cleared the way for a new trial. Knox called it a surreal day in a post on X. Ive just been found guilty yet again of a crime I didnt commit, her post said. And I was just awarded the Innocence Network Impact Award, created to honor an exonerated person who raises awareness of wrongful convictions, policy issues, or assists others post-release. Her defense team says she accused Lumumba, a Congolese man who employed her at a bar in Perugia, 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. Knox does not risk any more time in jail. She has already served nearly four years during the investigation, initial murder trial, and first appeal. But Knox had continued the legal battle to clear her name of all criminal wrongdoing. Where is Amanda Knox now? Knox, now 37, is married to Christopher Robinson; they have two children, a daughter and a son. Since her release, she has advocated for criminal justice reform and media ethics. Amanda Knox reveals she's pregnant with a second child According to her website, Knox sits on the advisory council for the Frederick Douglass Project for Justice, serves as an Innocence Network Ambassador, and is on the Innocence Center Board of Directors. She was also the recipient of the 2024 Innocence Network Impact Award. She also hosts several podcasts, including Labyrinths, with her husband. Knoxs second book, Free: My Search for Meaning, will be released on March 25. 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 middle school dean in New York City is accused of attacking a 13-year-old student during an argument when the boy refused to change into his uniform. Elvin Ventura, 53, who is the dean of students at Charles O. Dewey Middle School in the Sunset Park neighborhood of Brooklyn, was arrested after the incident on Thursday. Police sources told multiple New York news outlets that it all began when Ventura saw the student in the cafeteria out of uniform and told him to change. Students at the school must wear black pants and a blue, burgundy or black Dewey shirt depending on their grade level, the New York Daily News reported. The student allegedly claimed he would do it after lunch but when Ventura spotted him a short time later in the cafeteria, still not wearing his uniform, an argument between the two ensued and a fight broke out. According to the criminal complaint obtained by CBS News, Ventura pushed the student with his hands, wrapped his arms around his neck and applied pressure, which caused substantial pain about his neck. When I looked, I see the dean has the child into a chokehold, Poseidon Agueda, a student who was in the cafeteria at the time, told cbs. I was pretty scared. I didn't know what was gonna happen next. A teacher was finally able to break up the fight and police officers responded to the school where they took Ventura into custody at 3:45 p.m. Ventura was arraigned on Friday on charges of strangulation, criminal obstruction of breathing, third-degree assault, harassment, and endangering the welfare of a child. He was released without bail. This alleged behavior is absolutely unacceptable, Jenna Lyle, a spokeswoman for the New York City Department of Education said in a statement. This employee has been reassigned away from students pending the outcome of the arrest, and if convicted, we will pursue termination. 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 Pennsylvania fire chief has been accused of deliberately dropping his three-month-old daughter and allowing her skull to shatter, say police. Falls Township fire chief Brian Salt, 36, lost control over her uncontrolled crying and intentionally let her fall to the ground after being left alone with the child on March 11 after his wife went to work, according to a criminal complaint seen by NBC News. Salt then reportedly took his baby to his in-laws, aware she had been harmed, and pretended he had no prior knowledge of the injury, according to the complaint. He "acted as if he had just discovered the injury," the complaint read. The young girl is reported to have suffered a fractured skull and was rushed to a local hospital, as reported by NBC. Her current condition remains unknown. open image in gallery The fire chiefs 3-month-old daughter fractured her skull after being dropped by the ground, say police ( Falls Township Police ) The suspect works for the Falls Township Fire Company No. 1 in Levittown, 25 miles northeast of Philadelphia, The chief was charged Thursday with endangering the welfare of a child, aggravated assault, and simple assault, according to court documents filed in Bucks County. A day after being charged, the fire department said Salt had been suspended indefinitely pending the outcome of legal proceedings. We are aware of the criminal charges involving Fire Chief Brian Salt. As a result, Chief Salt has been suspended indefinitely pending the outcome of the legal proceedings. During this challenging time, our thoughts and prayers are with the Salt family. open image in gallery Falls Township Fire Company said Salt had been suspended indefinitely pending the outcome of the legal proceedings ( Facebook/Falls Township Fire Company #1 ) The Fire Department added that it was committed to ensuring transparency going forward and that the safety and well-being of our community remain our top priority. We will continue to support our firefighters and their families through this challenging time. Salt is being held at the Bucks County jail. Court records show a preliminary hearing has been scheduled for April 2. The Independent contacted Falls Township Police Department for information. 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 former associate of the Bonanno crime family-turned-government informant was arrested again over the weekend. Gene Borrello, 40, was arrested at an undisclosed location in Miami, Florida, at 1 a.m. on Saturday, according to Miami-Dade County jail records. The suspect faces a misdemeanor charge of stalking and two felony charges, including strongarm robbery and battery. He could face up to 21 years in prison and more than $15,000 fine if convicted on all counts. Borrello was being held in Miami Dade County Prison. According to a post on his Instagram Story, Borrello bonded out of prison sometime on Sunday. In another upload, Borrello wrote, party at @moxies, a restaurant chain in Florida. He is set to be arraigned next month. An associate is a term used to describe members of a mafia family who have not become made men. open image in gallery Gene Borrello was once an associate of the Bonanno crime family, one of New Yorks infamous Five Families ( Facebook ) Footage obtained by crime history podcast The Sit Down appears to show Borellos arrest in the early hours of Saturday morning. The video purports to show Borrello being led by a police officer down a stairwell lined with gold walls. He is handcuffed. Its alright Gene, well figure it out, the cameraman, who claims to be Borrellos brother, said. Law enforcement officials did not immediately provide more information on Borrellos arrest. The Independent has contacted the Miami Dade Sheriffs Office for more information. Borrello has an expansive criminal history that includes him formerly leading a gang in Howard Beach, Queens, that specialized in robberies. He was arrested for his role in September 2014 and pleaded guilty to racketeering conspiracy in 2016. According to prosecutors, offenses included multiple shootings, home invasions, where people were tied up, brazen daylight burglaries, arsons, and beatings. After his sentencing, Borrello agreed to become a government witness and testified against several Bonanno members, including reputed mobster Vincent Asaro. open image in gallery Borrello pleaded guilty to racketeering conspiracy in 2016 before being released in 2019, being released with a time-served prison sentence ( Facebook ) Asaro had allegedly tasked Borrello to burn the car of a man in a severe road rage case. Asaro was sentenced to eight years in prison in 2017 in connection to the case. In 2019, Borrello was issued a time-served prison sentence of five years after helping Brooklyn federal prosecutors convict more than 21 mobsters. Following his release, Borrello became a podcaster and book author and regularly reflected on his life in organized crime. A string of arrests followed, including being booked for violating the terms of his release in January 2021 after allegedly threatening to murder his ex-girlfriends husband and beat the dogs*** out of her father after she refused to allow the former mobster to use a photograph of her in his book. Borrello also breached the terms of his release by allegedly participating in organized crime podcasts and associating with other convicted criminals in February 2023. He was incarcerated in the same prison as disgraced crypto mogul Sam Bankman-Fried, who was awaiting trial for his role in the collapse of the defunct FTX cryptocurrency exchange. 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 University of Georgia student who went viral for smiling in her mugshot was arrested again Sunday, about two weeks after her initial arrest. Lily Stewart, 20, was arrested by the University of Georgia Police Department and booked at the AthensClarke County jail around 5:30 a.m. on two misdemeanors obstruction of a law enforcement officer and loitering. Stewart posted a bond of $4,600 and was released from police custody around 11 a.m. Its unclear what led to her newest arrest. Her new mugshot is not available on public records, but The Independent has requested it from the University of George police. It is the second time this month Stewart has been arrested. She was arrested for excessive speeding on March 8 the inciting incident that led to her going viral thanks to her mugshot. University of Georgia student Lily Stewart was arrested again on Sunday. The right picture shows her latest mugshot. ( Morgan County Sheriff's Office; Clarke County Sheriff's Office ) Earlier this month, the University of Georgia student was pictured smiling widely at the camera with her hair and makeup done and wearing pearl earrings. Stewart told PEOPLE she was on her way to a party when she was pulled over for speeding twice. Stewart said she was pulled over by a Georgia State Patrol car and issued a ticket after going 85 miles per hour in a 55 mph zone. However, she was taken to jail after being pulled over for going the same speed just moments later. People on social media circulated her mugshot calling her Miss America and a baddie. Others joked that she emulated the basic white girl aesthetic. Guilty of stealing my heart, your honor, read one comment, with another adding In excess of speeding up my heart rate, your honor. Stewart found the response to her initial mugshot humorous, posting a video on TikTok sharing her favorite reactions and telling PEOPLE it was hilarious. The Independent has asked an attorney for Stewart for comment. 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 Michigan man who allegedly left a sexually explicit note on a teenagers car is facing several charges after police say they tracked him down using the phone number included on the note. Police responded to a Target in Auburn Hills around 6 p.m. on March 18 after a 17-year-old woman said she found an explicit note on her car offering to pay her for sexual favors. When police reached out through the number on the note, they connected with Thomas Mellick Hensler, a 38-year-old Clarkston resident, who was still in the Target parking lot, police said. The suspect was still in his parked vehicle when police tracked him down. As he was being taken into custody, officers found suspected methamphetamine, police said in a press release. open image in gallery Hensler allegedly left a sexually explicit note on a teenagers car at Target in Michigan last week ( Auburn Hills Police Department ) Hensler was charged with child sexually abusive activity, using a computer to commit a crime and possession of a controlled substance. He was arraigned on March 25 and his bond was set at $25,000 cash. He is currently in the Oakland County Jail. If Hensler posts bond, he will be ordered to wear a GPS tether and is prohibited from returning to Target in Auburn Hills or having any unsupervised contact with anyone under the age of 18. According to Auburn Hills Police, multiple parents have since reported their children found similar notes on their cars with the same phone number, Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald said, according to CBS News. 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. If convicted of child sexually abusive activity, Hensler faces up to 20 years in prison and/or a $100,000 fine. He faces an additional 20 years for using a computer to commit a crime. Hensler is expected back in court on March 27, 2025. 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 32-year-old man was arrested for allegedly stealing $10,000 worth of Lego blocks from a local toy store, according to officials in Washington state. Deputies with the Pierce County Sheriffs Office responded to a reported burglary last month in the Sasquatch Bricks toy store at 5:00 a.m. in University Place, a town about six miles west of Tacoma. A 911 caller reported that a man pulled a U-Haul up to the front door, broke in, and took more than $10,000 in Legos. By the time officers arrived, the suspect had fled the scene. Officials conducted a month-long investigation that led to a storage unit a mile from the store. Police obtained a probable cause warrant and went to search the unit last Thursday where they encountered the suspect passed out in his vehicle in front of the storage shed. Officer-worn body camera footage showed police approaching the suspect. After he initially refused to exit his vehicle, an officer smashed his driver-side window with a baton while another opened the door and dragged him out of the car. The suspect has an extensive history of property crimes and weapons violations, police said in a statement. Police reported they found Legos in the rafters of the storage unit, in addition to firearms, drugs, scales and small baggies. The suspect was charged with possession of stolen property in the first degree, unlawful possession of a firearm in the second degree, possession of a stolen firearm, unlawful possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute and obstructing law enforcement officers. Police did not provide any additional details regarding the suspects identity. Its not clear if hes currently in jail or has posted bond. 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 Police found incendiary devices inside a Tesla showroom in Austin, Texas on Monday morning. Austin police first responded to the dealership off U.S. Route 183 Monday morning around 8 a.m. after they received a report of an abandoned hazardous item. When officers arrived on scene, they located suspicious devices, and called the APD Bomb Squad to investigate, the department said in a statement. The devices, which were determined to be incendiary, were taken into police custody without incident. Demonstrators have gathered at the same Tesla showroom for the last two weekends to protest against CEO Elon Musk and his role in the Trump administration, local outlet KVUE reports. News of the attack broke as Musk attended the cabinet meeting with the president as leader of the Department Of Government Efficiency. open image in gallery A Tesla dealership in Austin, Texas. The FBI is now leading an investigation into 'incendiary devices' found at an Austin showroom on Monday ( Getty Images ) However, police have not said if the incendiary devices are related to these protests. The FBI is leading the investigation with help from local authorities and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Mondays incident follows a series of attacks on Musks Tesla vehicles, charging stations and dealerships, which President Trump and other administration officials have vowed to treat as domestic terrorism. Suspected arson attacks have been reported around the world, from Las Vegas and Boston to France. open image in gallery Demonstrators protest against Elon Musk outside a Tesla dealership in Austin ( REUTERS ) Attorney General Pam Bondi announced last week the Justice Department is bringing severe charges against three individuals accused of targeting Teslas with arson attacks. The days of committing crimes without consequence have ended, she said in a statement 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. Trump also threatened to imprison those who have vandalized Teslas in El Salvador. I look forward to watching the sick terrorist thugs get 20-year jail sentences for what they are doing to Elon Musk and Tesla, Trump said. Perhaps they could serve them in the prisons of El Salvador, which have become so recently famous for such lovely conditions! The Independent has contacted the Austin Police Department and Tesla for comment. In the middle of 2008, a room full of celebrities and socialites gathered in a room for cocktails, clutching plastic tubes filled with saliva. It was New York Fashion Week, and the attendees were some of the first to take part in a very new sort of socialising: a spit party. Connotations aside, it was a clever start for a relatively unknown genetics testing company. 23andMe made headlines around the world, kicking off a journey to personalise genetic healthcare that would culminate in a business worth $6bn (4.7bn) at its peak in 2021, and a global conversation around one important question: who really owns your data? Now, 16 years on, 23andMe is back in the headlines and this time, its not so rosy. The US genetic testing company 23andMe has filed for bankruptcy protection in America to help sell itself, confirming its chief executive, Anne Wojcicki, has stepped down. The company, which provides saliva-based test kits to customers to help them track their ancestry, added that it was operating as usual throughout the sale process. There are no changes to the way the company stores, manages, or protects customer data, it said However, it is still reeling from the huge data breach, which began in April 2023 and lasted for five months, affecting almost half of its 14.1 million customers; the resulting US lawsuit cost the company $30m to settle in September last year. The same month, its board unanimously rejected the strategic direction of its founder and CEO, Anne Wojcicki and all seven resigned leaving the the genetics testing company to fall into dissary, with its values plummeting. I believe in the company. I believe in the long-term mission, Wojcicki said in an interview with US talk show CBS Mornings last year. But I believe its essential for us to restructure. She oversaw the redundancy of more than 40 per cent of 23andMes workforce and then despite her insisting the company will be growing and thriving in its mission to transform health care in the next five years it failed to recover its fortunes. In a post on X, Wojcicki said she was disappointed by the bankruptcy filing and that her bid to take the company private was rejected which is why she resigned: So I can be in the best position to pursue the company as an independent bidder. Adding, If I am fortunate enough to secure the companys assets through the restructuring process, I remain committed to our long-term vision of being a global leader in genetics. Wojcickis belief in the company is in her genes. Her sister, Susan Wojcicki, former long-term CEO of YouTube, helped enable the creation of Google in 1998 when she rented out a garage to its founders one of whom, Sergey Brin, would become Annes husband as well as one of 23andMes first backers. From the beginning, the consumer-friendly genetic test also attracted early, token financial backing from the likes of Wendi Murdoch and Harvey Weinstein, but really, it was her clever marketing, and the human trait it targeted curiosity, and especially curiosity about ourselves that would make the company soar. The test was initially sold as a way to social network, according to the press at the time. Your DNA might connect you with communities who have psoriasis, or a voracious sweet tooth, or who are also susceptible to bowel cancer. Once posted off, the 89 genetic markers might also reveal intriguing or life-changing information about your family. Perhaps youre not one-quarter Irish, as your Grandma insisted; perhaps you were adopted all along. The novelty of collecting your own stories was, and still is to many, beguiling. Its also a warning story that defines a generation that blindly walked into the internet. Now, the consequences of those actions of throwing our most personal, sensitive information into the unknown are beginning to appear. Before its more recent challenges, 23andMe had been continually looking to expand its remit while the curiosity boom worked for a while, selling one-time kits eventually became a financial cul-de-sac. Subscription models wouldnt cut it, either: Wojcicki saw the companys future in drug discovery. 23andMes Pharma Deals Have Been the Plan All Along, one Wired headline read in 2018 it had just signed an exclusive contract with GlaxoSmithKline, who invested $300m. The plan was to use genetics to change and influence healthcare scale. It saw some success: one drug the company developed, 23ME-00610 a monoclonal antibody that, very simply put, works by reactivating the immune systems response to tumours has shown early signs of success. open image in gallery Anne Wojcicki speaks during an event in November 2015 ( Getty ) 23andMe maintained that transparency is a core tenet of the company, the report said proper guidelines around reusing the data collected by those who purchased at-home tests were followed. But tension grew the company had always been positioned as a consumer-first, healthcare aid, yet its practices became more meaningfully big tech. Customers were informed of how their data might be used elsewhere in medical research, and they retained the power to opt out at any time, but some began to feel betrayed and, perhaps for the first time, to question where their data was going. The thing is, who reads the small print? Those implicated in 23andMes significant data breach might give it a go now. According to Reuters, the hacker accessed 5.5 million DNA Relatives profiles, which let customers share information with each other, and accessed information for another 1.4 million customers who used a feature called Family Tree. The settlement case that ensued also resolved accusations that 23andMe did not tell customers with Chinese and Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry that the hacker appeared to have specifically targeted them and posted their information for sale on the dark web. The company informed their customers of the breach in a blog post. In June, the UKs information commissioner John Edwards and Canadas privacy commissioner Philippe Dufresne agreed to begin a joint investigation into the 23andMe breach, in order to examine the scope of information exposed and whether the company had adequate safeguards and had made appropriate notification to regulators when the breach occurred. open image in gallery The genetic testing company has seen its value drop significantly ( AFP/Getty ) But the size of 23andMe meant it was always going to be at risk when it comes to data, says Jake Moore, global cybersecurity adviser at ESET. When you've got such a huge user base, you paint a target on your back, he explains. Because all youve got to do as a criminal hacker is to find that one vulnerability, which, lets face it, is clearly going to be somewhere. If they can exploit that, then they have access to huge amounts of data, with the possible chance of extorting people dramatically. Even just the threat of that is hefty enough. Moore says that, during the early 2000s Millennial tech boom, data protection and regulation were less of a priority than they are now. For most companies back then, The focus was making money, he says. It was this new age of using social media, using celebrities this idea of big or go home. Most never even expected to be [data] breached. If a hacker is able to look into peoples medical histories, they can start to put a profile on them, Moore explains. If a name, an address or other sensitive information is also attached, it adds to the risk of identity theft, too. It just opens up this huge can of worms. And what weve learned from previous data breaches is that once your data is out there once the can is opened it never gets put back. Its always going to be there, whether its on the dark web, the open web, or just circulating on lists that are sold on by even legitimate companies. You never get to put it back. Now, the future of 23andMe, with Wojcicki waiting in the wings to buy the company, remains to be seen . Certainly, the genetics-at-home bubble appears to have been dramatically burst. For the rest of us, the message is clear: long gone are the days when we innocently uploaded hundreds of photos to Facebook weekly, or thoughtlessly popped our most precious data, our DNA, in the postbox. Who owns our data? Who knows. But its time to read the small print for whatever comes next. Sign up to our free weekly IndyTech newsletter delivered straight to your inbox Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Elon Musks X has sued the Indian government claiming its information technology ministry is unlawfully expanding laws, enabling easy removal of online content and "unrestrained censorship on the social media platform. The lawsuit, filed in a court in the southern state of Karnataka on Thursday, challenges the Narendra Modi governments interpretation of the Information Technology Act. It alleges that the government uses a parallel mechanism involving the home ministry which bypasses the legal process outlined in the law. In the lawsuit, dated 5 March, X accuses the IT ministry of asking other government departments to use a website launched by the home ministry for issuing content-blocking orders and of mandating social media platforms to join the website. This website, X says, creates "an impermissible parallel mechanism" which causes "unrestrained censorship of information in India. Elon Musk with Narendra Modi in Washington ( Reuters ) The social media company argues that this approach using the home ministrys website contradicts a 2015 ruling by Indias Supreme Court establishing that content can be blocked only via a proper judicial process defined under section 69A of the IT Act. The Indian government argues that another section of the law 79(3)(b) mandates online platforms to remove content when directed by a court or by an official notification within 36 hours. Social media companies can be held accountable for refusing to comply. X challenges this interpretation, arguing in the lawsuit that this section does not give power to the government to independently block content. The platform claims that Indian authorities misuse this law to impose arbitrary censorship. Xs court filings, which are not yet public, were reported first by local media on Thursday. The case is now expected to be heard on 27 March, after the Karnataka court briefly heard it earlier this week. Meanwhile, X is reportedly under scrutiny by Indias IT ministry over its artificial intelligence chatbot Grok using slang and abusive language. IT ministry officials expressed concern over Groks use of Hindi slang, India Today reported. "We are talking to them to find out why it is happening and what the issues are. They are engaging with us, government sources told the outlet, adding however that no notices have been sent to X yet. Elon Musk's Starlink likely to face spectrum tax in India Indias X users have lately been widely engaging with Grok after the chatbot was found passing remarks about the Indian government in a nonchalant manner. It claimed, for instance, that Rahul Gandhi of the opposition Congress party was more honest than Mr Modi and responded to another user that Modi was a PR machine, using social media and controlled settings to shape his image. Real impromptu moments? Almost nonexistent, Grok said. When one user remarked that Indias Enforcement Directorate and the Central Bureau of Investigation could reach Grok following its criticism of the Indian prime minister, it said: Im just a truth-seeking AI, not scared of any raids. I called it like I saw it ... No bias, just facts! The Indian government has reportedly raised concerns about Groks responses to X. Government officials have reportedly sought an explanation from X about Groks replies and the data used to train the AI chatbot, CNBC-TV18 reported. X did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Independent. Sign up to our free weekly IndyTech newsletter delivered straight to your inbox Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Researchers have set a new efficiency world record for converting sunlight into electricity using transparent solar cells. The breakthrough, made by an international team from the CitySolar project, is a huge boost for renewable energy, allowing entire skyscrapers to serve as power stations by transforming their windows into solar panels. By combining organic solar cells with the so-called miracle material perovskite, the scientists were able to achieve an efficiency of 12.3 per cent close to that of commercial solar cells. Transparent solar cells could be the next big step in building integrated energy solutions, said Professor Morten Madsen from the University of Southern Denmark, who was one of the key researchers behind the breakthrough. The large glass facades found in modern office buildings can now be used for energy production without requiring additional space or special structural changes... This represents a massive market opportunity. The CitySolar project is the first to overcome the main challenge with transparent solar cells, which has been the balancing of efficiency and transparency. The combination of perovskite with an organic layer allows the cell to harvest electricity from near-infrared and near-ultraviolet light, leaving light from the visible spectrum to pass through. The two materials are also highly affordable, according to Professor Madsen, making it a suitable technology for commercial-scale deployment. The project is currently at a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of between five and six, meaning it is between the proof-of-concept and prototype stages. It has already received nearly 4m (3.3m) in funding from the EU in the hope that it will help Europe reach its target of fully decarbonising the building sector, which accounts for approximately 40 per cent of the continents energy consumption. The team behind the discovery is currently in discussions with industry partners to scale up production of the see-through solar panels and make them available for future construction projects. There are still research improvements to be made but importantly, we know where the challenges lie and have a clear strategy for overcoming them, said Professor Madsen. We can scale up what we have, but we need business partners. A tourist visits the Perge archaeological site in Antalya, Trkiye, March 21, 2025. The Perge archaeological site, located in Trkiye's Antalya province, can be dated back to the early Bronze Age. It is an important sample for studying urban planning in ancient Greece and Rome. (Xinhua/Liu Lei) Tourists visit the Perge archaeological site in Antalya, Trkiye, March 21, 2025. The Perge archaeological site, located in Trkiye's Antalya province, can be dated back to the early Bronze Age. It is an important sample for studying urban planning in ancient Greece and Rome. (Xinhua/Liu Lei) Tourists visit the Perge archaeological site in Antalya, Trkiye, March 21, 2025. The Perge archaeological site, located in Trkiye's Antalya province, can be dated back to the early Bronze Age. It is an important sample for studying urban planning in ancient Greece and Rome. (Xinhua/Liu Lei) An aerial drone photo taken on March 21, 2025 shows a scene of the Perge archaeological site in Antalya, Trkiye. The Perge archaeological site, located in Trkiye's Antalya province, can be dated back to the early Bronze Age. It is an important sample for studying urban planning in ancient Greece and Rome. (Xinhua/Liu Lei) An aerial drone photo taken on March 21, 2025 shows a scene of the Perge archaeological site in Antalya, Trkiye. The Perge archaeological site, located in Trkiye's Antalya province, can be dated back to the early Bronze Age. It is an important sample for studying urban planning in ancient Greece and Rome. (Xinhua/Liu Lei) Editor: JYZ Gov. Jeff Landry and his economic development team are planning a lavish week of Super Bowl events in New Orleans for a small group of executives as part of an effort to raise the state's game when it comes to attracting investment. Ken Levy: LSU summarily suspended me with no basis. Here's why that was cruel. Headlines about major employers ordering their employees back to the office suggest Australia is in full-scale retreat from working from home. But the reality is different a hybrid model of two or three days in the office and the rest working remotely has become common and looks set to become the new normal. Many large employers have imposed return-to-office policies, but most fall short of a full-time mandate. Woolworths, the Commonwealth Bank and the NSW government all expect non-frontline staff to be in the office for two or three days. Only a few major companies, such as Amazon and Tabcorp, have insisted on a return to full-time office attendance for all staff. A hybrid model of a few days a week working from home looks set to be the new normal. Credit: Getty Images After peaking during the pandemic, the share of people working remotely has stabilised over the past couple of years at about 35 to 40 per cent, up from about 20 per cent before COVID. Train patronage is plateauing at about 80 per cent of pre-pandemic levels in Sydney and Melbourne, another indication that hybrid working patterns have stabilised. Of course, not everyone can work remotely. Working from home is much more common among high-earning managers and professionals than people in other occupations. But the share of people on low incomes working from home is also higher than before the pandemic. And even in occupations where in-person work is the core part of the job, some work is now being done remotely, for example, some medical consultations. Australian rapper Iggy Azalea has revealed that as a young artist, she endured a meeting with Kanye West in which he made a string of highly inappropriate comments about her appearance and her sex life a claim West says is true. The award-winning Sydney-born artist has disclosed details of the meeting she had when she was 22, amid a feud that has erupted between West and fellow rapper Playboi Carti over the release of Cartis latest album, MUSIC, now topping charts across Australia, the US and Britain. Aussie rapper Iggy Azalea has gone public with disturbing allegations about Kanye West, during a livestream appearance. Credit: Azalea has a four-year-old child, Onyx, with Carti. The pair separated shortly after their son was born, and Azalea has raised him alone. But West last week publicly drew Onyx into his feud with Carti, after Carti reportedly proposed to work with Wests 11-year-old daughter, North. West took to X to question, in anger, if he could collaborate with Onyx. 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 Welcome to The White Lotus, a show I really hope you arent watching with your parents/children/local spiritual leader. Shut down your monkey minds and lets do the Wellness Check! Warning: These recaps, where we rank which characters are having the most relaxing stay, are packed with spoilers. Only read if you have watched episode six of season three of The White Lotus. Things seems to be improving for Gaitok (Tayme Thapthimthong). Credit: MOST RELAXED Gaitok Well, after almost two days of walking around the resort with a I have a sore tummy, help face, Gaitok managed to find his gun in Tims tiny drawer. (Side note: why do these fancy rooms have so many cabinets and tiny drawers? Is true wealth measured in the having of tiny drawers?) Mook is impressed that he is trusted to hold a gun and his boss Lek is impressed he is managing to shoot the driving range target and not himself. Gaitok, we know youre very smiley, but could you kill someone? Lek asks. Gaitok smiles! Should be fine. Advertisement Loading Rick and Chelsea This week Chelsea didnt do much except worry about Rick. Youre so annoying! Rick says when Chelsea asks how he is. In reality, Rick is feeling great. His plan to trick Sritala into inviting him to her house goes perfectly! Sritala: Which of my movies did you say your director friend liked again? Rick: All of them! You know! Movies! The talkies! Chelsea (Aimee Lou Wood) is totally relaxed, even with Rick in Bangkok. Credit: Frank is uneasy about the plan. You asked for a gun because youre going to kill this old man, he says. But Rick disagrees hes just going to talk to the old man while holding a gun. Frank gets into his disguise (takes off a bracelet and puts on a cap) and away we go! Advertisement NOT TOTALLY RELAXED Kate, Laurie and Jaclyn When Kate, absolutely vibrating with glee, tells Laurie that Jaclyn has slept with Valentin, Lauries face starts twitching violently. Its kind of how I imagine the inside of a soft drink can looks just after youve shaken it up. I didnt think you would care this much, says Kate, who is so glad Laurie cares this much. IM ACTUALLY LAUGHING, ITS FUNNY, announces Laurie. HEY JACLYN, ISNT IT FUNNY HOW YOURE STILL THE SAME AS YOU WERE IN HIGH SCHOOL, STEALING MEN, ISNT THAT SO FUNNY! she says to Jaclyn a short time later. In fact, Jaclyn does not think that is funny. And Kate doesnt think its funny either! Things are not going well for Jaclyn (Michelle Monaghan), Kate (Leslie Bibb) and Laurie (Carrie Coon). Credit: Im not like you, sometimes I just have to be honest! Laurie tells Kate. You know what, that is pretty funny. Belinda Though sleeping with a handsome wellness expert did temporarily distract Belinda from possibly being murdered, its still playing on her mind a fair bit. Are you still scared about being murdered, Belinda? Oh well, want to come to my concert tonight? says a hopeful Fabian at breakfast. But Belinda, unfortunately, may be double-booked. Belinda (Natasha Rothwell) and Pornchai (Dom Hetrakul) are kinda relaxed after their sleepover. Credit: Advertisement I think we should talk tonight, says Gary/Greg after emerging from a bush. Maybe he wants to talk about wellness? LEAST RELAXED The Ratliff family Well! It got worse! I cant remember last night at all! says Lochy on the deck of the boat. We both blacked out! Saxon replies, before running away to vomit and presumably self-administer a lobotomy. Saxon (Patrick Schwarzenegger) had a night to remember (or not...) Credit: Its not until Saxon sees his party pals that he gets the full picture of the, ah, parallel acts that took place the night before. When Chloe ponders if her jealous, probably murderous boyfriend Gary/Greg wants a threesome, Saxon says confidently, I would never have a threesome with a guy! Chelsea and Chloe look at Saxon in confusion, as they witnessed him take part in a threesome not 12 hours earlier. No judgment, Chelsea says. Come to Garys party tonight and bring your brother! Chloe says. Saxons brain explodes inside his skull. Advertisement An aerial drone photo taken on March 20, 2025 shows a view of Shamei Village of Boao Town in Qionghai, south China's Hainan Province. Empowered by Boao Forum for Asia, Qionghai has built an exquisite array of rural clusters and embarked on a road to rural revitalization driven by tourism. (Xinhua/Guo Cheng) An aerial drone photo taken on March 21, 2025 shows a view of the Boao Forum for Asia International Conference Center of Boao Town in Qionghai, south China's Hainan Province. Empowered by Boao Forum for Asia, Qionghai has built an exquisite array of rural clusters and embarked on a road to rural revitalization driven by tourism. (Xinhua/Guo Cheng) Tourists visit Liuke Village of Boao Town in Qionghai, south China's Hainan Province, March 20, 2025. Empowered by Boao Forum for Asia, Qionghai has built an exquisite array of rural clusters and embarked on a road to rural revitalization driven by tourism. (Xinhua/Guo Cheng) An aerial drone photo taken on March 21, 2025 shows a section of Hainan Coastal Scenic Highway in Qionghai, south China's Hainan Province. Empowered by Boao Forum for Asia, Qionghai has built an exquisite array of rural clusters and embarked on a road to rural revitalization driven by tourism. (Xinhua/Guo Cheng) Tourists visit Liuke Village of Boao Town in Qionghai, south China's Hainan Province, March 20, 2025. Empowered by Boao Forum for Asia, Qionghai has built an exquisite array of rural clusters and embarked on a road to rural revitalization driven by tourism. (Xinhua/Guo Cheng) Visitors view an exhibition featuring relics retrieved from two ancient shipwrecks discovered in the South China Sea at the China (Hainan) Museum of the South China Sea in Qionghai, south China's Hainan Province, March 20, 2025. Empowered by Boao Forum for Asia, Qionghai has built an exquisite array of rural clusters and embarked on a road to rural revitalization driven by tourism. (Xinhua/Guo Cheng) This photo taken on March 19, 2025 shows cocoa fruits at a tropical fruits exhibition area in Qionghai, south China's Hainan Province. Empowered by Boao Forum for Asia, Qionghai has built an exquisite array of rural clusters and embarked on a road to rural revitalization driven by tourism. (Xinhua/Guo Cheng) An aerial drone photo taken on March 21, 2025 shows a view of Nanqiang Village of Boao Town in Qionghai, south China's Hainan Province. Empowered by Boao Forum for Asia, Qionghai has built an exquisite array of rural clusters and embarked on a road to rural revitalization driven by tourism. (Xinhua/Guo Cheng) Editor: JYZ Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. An under-the-radar spot for beer and izakaya-style food is about to be the name on everyones lips, as it nabs an ex-Yardbird chef whos all about fun-forward dishes. As featured in the Melbourne new Japanese venue collection. See all stories . Benchwarmer has always been a craft beer bar first and foremost a haven for hopheads in an otherwise under-served pocket of West Melbourne. But like the beer bars of Japan, food designed for drinking plays a strong supporting role, with owner Lachlan Jones adding more izakaya-style dishes since opening the doors in 2020. Now, with new chef Geoff Marett at the helm, Benchwarmers food is in the spotlight: Marett comes fresh from Hong Kongs Michelin-starred izakaya Yardbird. Beer-friendly food, nostalgic weekly specials and Sunday yakitori are on the cards. Yardbird loved by chefs and perennially packed is known for its meticulous yakitori (Japanese charcoal-grilled chicken skewers) and relaxed atmosphere. Its the kind of place where staff are encouraged to pull up a seat and share a drink with customers. Marett spent five years there, working his way from front-of-house into the kitchen and absorbing everything he could as a self-taught chef. When democracy protests rocked Hong Kong in 2019, he returned to Australia, launching the pop-up series Nama Please, which he continues to run alongside his new role at Benchwarmer. The Queensland government has launched an independent review into the future of the Pumicestone Passage, following decades of local petitioning over the highly dynamic waterway. Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie has vowed to listen to the community and also engage independent experts on changes to the passage, which runs between Deception Bay and Caloundra, flanking Bribie Island. Community have been asking many questions for years, and I think what is needed now is for all levels of government state, federal, and local government to get together, said Bleijie, who represents the Sunshine Coast electorate of Kawana. The first breakthrough on Bribie Island (top) was caused by Seth in 2022, with Alfred causing a second, smaller breakthrough (bottom) in March this year. Credit: Bluey's Photography The northern tip of Bribie Island has traditionally shielded Caloundra from storms and bad weather. It was partially washed away in 2022 during ex-tropical cyclone Seth, with another breakthrough caused by ex-tropical cyclone Alfred this month. Researchers at the CSIRO have been sent a Trump administration survey demanding they answer questions on diversity, gender ideology and whether they are studying climate justice, as the Australian government scrambles to respond to US attacks on scientific funding. Two researchers working on American-funded projects have received the 36-point survey from the US government, this masthead can reveal, joining those at seven Australian universities sent the probing questionnaire. At least one university research project has already had US funding pulled, sparking calls for an urgent review of Australias exposure to any further cuts. The United States is a major funder of Australian research and provides key scientific infrastructure such as satellite data, cyclone warnings, earthquake monitoring and virus surveillance. Roadshow Films, a fully owned subsidiary of Village Roadshow, was the distributor for Williams Better Man biopic and helped organise the concert in Federation Square. Loading Kirby is a shareholder of VRG Holdco, the holding company for Village Roadshow, and was formerly the chairman of Village Roadshow. The Kirby family ran the Village business for three generations. Reece and Alison Leighton, chief executive at the City of Melbourne, made the decision to award Williams the key to the city, and councillors only found out the day before the ceremony. Councillors were told the decision was under embargo, and so they could not have been informed at an earlier date. A spokesman for the City of Melbourne said representatives from Roadshow Films requested the City of Melbourne consider awarding Williams the key to the city. Reece and the City of Melbourne declined to answer questions on when the decision was made to award the key to Williams and whether Kirby was involved in any of the discussion or correspondence. Reece said he was thrilled to award the key to the city to Williams under the councils civic recognition guidelines. It was a truly magical moment for Melbourne shared with 10,000 fans at Fed Square, he said. Robbie is a global pop legend and an honorary Melburnian at this point. Reeces actions in awarding the honour to Williams was in accordance with the councils civic recognition guidelines, but has prompted a reappraisal of the procedures, with council to consider endorsing a revised civic recognition policy for community consultation at its meeting on Tuesday night. An operational review of the most recent award presented (being the Robbie Williams Keys to the City) provided insights and lessons to guide improvements, the report to council states. The review found the decision-making process requires clarity, communication with councillors needs greater rigour and embargoes for external events must be undertaken in accordance with the provisions of the Local Government Act and established conventions. Councillor Olivia Ball said with an unprecedented amount of fundraising at last years City of Melbourne election came an unprecedented number of donors and donors interests to be considered in assessing councillors conflicts. Having a conflict of interest is not in itself a problem its normal and almost inevitable for councillors active in their local community but identifying, declaring and managing them is essential, she said. Councillor Owen Guest said there was potential for a conflict even if it was only perceived. Everyone needs to be acutely aware of their responsibilities when it comes to the donations they have taken and potential conflicts of interest, he said. Councillor Gladys Liu said she was not aware of the donation to Reeces campaign, and the awarding of the key to the city to Williams was a surprise to councillors. We felt that we should have been consulted or at least informed well before the key being presented, she said. We were sent a short text message only that morning. Some colleagues got to know about it in the media the day before. A spokesman for the Village Roadshow Group declined to comment on Kirby or Village Roadshows involvement in any discussions or correspondence with Reece or the City of Melbourne about giving Williams the key to the city. He also declined to comment on whether Kirbys donation was in any way linked to Williams being awarded the key to the city. Loading John Kirby is neither a director of Village Roadshow Pty Ltd or involved with the management of the Village Roadshow Group, he said. Roadshow Films (a part of the Village Roadshow Group) had no knowledge of a donation from John Kirby. Dr Colleen Lewis, of integrity group the Accountability Round Table, said the important thing was transparency. There is an absolute need in any level of government for more transparency about the decisions made for those seeking office, she said. It is the lack of transparency and making promises that cannot be kept that is starting to raise concerns about the way local government is conducted in Melbourne. A Hume City Council resolution, put forward by Liberal-aligned councillor Jim Overend but supported by his Labor-aligned colleagues, noted in its background remarks that the community hospital had been completed for some time with covers over the signage and the main entrance closed off. Former premier Daniel Andrews and Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas at a press conference in 2023. Credit: Justin McManus Overend told The Age the motion was born out of frustration. They wont give us an answer on when its open, he said. I spoke to staff there, at the older part [of the health service], and they have no idea. The crux of it is weve got a hospital there and we dont know when its opening. Our community deserves better. Loading This masthead has confirmed that community health organisation DPV Health has operated out of the revamped Craigieburn site for a few weeks, but that patients are told to enter through the old Craigieburn Health Service building. [The new hospital] is not operational at all other than DPV is operating in there, said a community health source, who wished to remain anonymous as they were not authorised to speak publicly. I dont believe Northern Health have any operational funding [for the community hospital] until the new financial year. I havent seen them advertising any positions. Craigieburn is not the only growth suburb in this position. Similarly, a community hospital in Cranbourne, in the citys southeast, is built but with no word on an opening date. Loading Casey Residents and Ratepayers Association vice-president Anthony Tassone said residents had endured disruption due to roadworks and the relocation and eventual closure of much-loved businesses at the former community hub where the hospital has been built. Residents are keen to see the new Cranbourne community hospital open and operating, but despite the building looking to have been completed for some time, do not know when it will be able to take patients, Tassone said. Cranbourne and surrounding suburbs have been playing catch-up with development in infrastructure, transport and health services for too long, he said. Residents have worn the pain and now want to see the gain of health services that have been long promised by the Victorian government. Loading Casey is Melbournes largest municipality, with a population of 400,000, and has just one main public hospital in Berwick, plus a smaller facility in Cranbourne. The council said it was still awaiting an official opening date. Coalition health spokeswoman Georgie Crozier said Labors financial incompetence was to blame for the delayed opening of the two new hospitals. Preventative health is critical to keeping patients out of hospital, but the dire state of Victorias budget means community hospitals sit idle and Victorians cant access basic primary care. Northern Metropolitan Liberal MP Evan Mulholland, whose electorate covers Craigieburn, said the lack of a timeline for the northern suburbs site showed Labors contempt for the region. Like the pub with no beer, our local community in Craigieburn dont have a hospital, just an empty building behind a fence. A state government spokesperson insisted that construction at the Craigieburn and Cranbourne community hospitals was ongoing. Final works [are] under way, so services can open progressively throughout the year, the spokesperson said. The community is already benefiting from the opening of a new pharmacy and extended dialysis services at the Craigieburn Community Hospital. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has stared down a rare backbench revolt over his unilateral call to protect Tasmanian salmon farms and key seats in that state, as caucus met three times over the weekend to placate MPs afraid of losing votes in the cities over the environment. The future of salmon farming in Macquarie Harbour, on Tasmanias remote west coast, has been uncertain since 2023 when environment groups challenged the governments approval for the industry, due to its impacts on the critically endangered Maugean skate. Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek had been reconsidering the approval. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will amend legislation to carve out Tasmanian farmed salmon from environmental laws. Credit: Chris Hopkins Albaneses decision follows the PM overruling Plibersek in November to scupper an election promise to create a national Environment Protection Agency, and in February took it off the agenda before the upcoming election, due by May 17, in a bid to win votes in Western Australia. The salmon industry has campaigned for the government to shield it from legal challenges and promote its economic contribution and local employment. Meanwhile, the government is locked in an election battle to win the marginal Tasmanian electorates of Bass and Lyons, as well as the seat of Braddon where Liberal MP Gavin Pearce is retiring. Albaneses amendment sparked a series of heated meetings of Labors caucus committee, which must approve proposed reforms before they are brought to parliament, with two on Friday and one on Sunday evening. Queensland public school students have been receiving thousands of dollars less in state government funding than their interstate counterparts, data reveals. The federal government ended a 19-month stand-off with Queensland over state school funding with a promise to boost its contribution, but the deal would come with conditions. Premier David Crisafulli joined Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Canberra on Monday morning to spruik the agreement. Premier David Crisafulli and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announce the new school funding deal in Canberra. Credit: Dominic Lorrimer Data shows the Queensland government invested less money in schools per student in 2023 than any other state or territory except Victoria. Relations between Greenland and the United States have sunk further as the Greenlandic prime minister erupted over what he called a highly aggressive delegation of senior officials the Trump administration said it would send to the island this week. Usha Vance, the US second lady, and Michael Waltz, the national security adviser, are among the officials headed to the island, which is a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark, though US President Donald Trump has vowed to make it part of America one way or the other. Vance is scheduled to make a series of cultural stops after her arrival on Thursday (local time), separate from Waltz. The national security adviser is supposed to be travelling earlier in the week with US Energy Secretary Chris Wright. Greenland Prime Minister Mute B. Egede says the presence of the US national security adviser in Greenland will fuel US belief in Donald Trumps mission to control the island. Credit: AP Greenlands Prime Minister, Mute B. Egede, said Greenlanders effort to be diplomatic just bounces off Donald Trump and his administration in their mission to own and control Greenland. In the article, Goldberg revealed he had received a connection request on the encrypted messaging app Signal on March 11 from a person using Waltzs name. Goldberg accepted the request, hoping it might be the actual national security adviser, but suspicious it could be an impersonator. Two days later, Goldberg was added to a group chat titled: Houthi PC small group. Waltz explained that the chat was a principles [sic] group for co-ordination on Houthis following a meeting in the Situation Room that day. Waltz asked for each member to nominate a point of contact. Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth and Vice President J.D. Vance. Credit: AP Goldberg then watched as a stream of group members nominated their point person, including JD Vance, MAR (understood to be Secretary of State Marco Rubio), TG (Gabbard), Scott B (Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent) and, under his full name, Pete Hegseth. The next day, March 14, Goldberg reports Waltz sent another message to the group, informing them a memo about the operation was in their high side inboxes referring to a classified computer system. The user called JD Vance then suggested the administration was making a mistake by proceeding with the Houthi strikes. I am not sure the president is aware how inconsistent this is with his message on Europe right now, Vance told the group, according to Goldbergs account. Theres a further risk that we see a moderate to severe spike in oil prices. I am willing to support the consensus of the team and keep these concerns to myself. President Donald Trump at a cabinet meeting in the White House on Monday with Secretary of State Marco Rubio (centre, right), Attorney-General Pam Bondi (right) and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins (left) Credit: AP But there is a strong argument for delaying this a month, doing the messaging work on why this matters, seeing where the economy is, etc. Hegseth argued against a delay, saying that it was a core national interest to protect freedom of navigation at sea. Further debate ensued, including from a member called SM presumed to be White House deputy chief of staff for policy Stephen Miller. Goldberg reports that the comments seemed to realistically reflect the way each person would normally talk but that he remained wary it could be a disinformation operation. Loading I also could not believe that the national security adviser to the president would be so reckless as to include the editor-in-chief of The Atlantic in such discussions with senior US officials, up to and including the vice president, Goldberg writes. But the next day, March 15, his disbelief ended. Goldberg writes that Hegseth posted operational details of the imminent strikes on Yemen, including information about targets, weapons the US would be deploying, and attack sequencing. Goldberg did not publish the details in his report. Goldberg waited to see if the bombings unfolded as described, and they did. Minutes afterwards, members of the Signal group chat congratulated each other on the attack. The Atlantics story includes screenshots of these messages. He says he then realised he had almost certainly been included in a genuine group chat involving the most senior Trump administration officials planning a sensitive military operation. He subsequently had this confirmed by Hughes, the National Security Council spokesman. In a separate statement to this masthead, Hughes said: The thread is a demonstration of the deep and thoughtful policy co-ordination between senior officials. The ongoing success of the Houthi operation demonstrates that there were no threats to troops or national security. The US launched the strikes on March 15. Credit: Regarding Vances apparent disagreements about the operation, his communications director, William Martin, said in a statement: The vice presidents first priority is always making sure that the presidents advisers are adequately briefing him on the substance of their internal deliberations. Vice President Vance unequivocally supports this administrations foreign policy. The president and the vice president have had subsequent conversations about this matter and are in complete agreement. Earlier, Trump was questioned about the report during an event at the White House on Monday afternoon, local time, and indicated he had not been briefed. I dont know anything about it Youre telling me about it for the first time, he said. Im not a big fan of The Atlantic I think its not much of a magazine. The national security implications of the incident were playing out in Washington on Monday as stunned officials and observers grappled with the magnitude of the error. Veteran Democrat and former House speaker Nancy Pelosi said people must be held accountable for their cavalier behaviour that put military lives at risk. I have never before seen such horrifying incompetence in the securing of our nations intelligence, she said. Former secretary of state Hillary Clinton, who was hounded by Republicans for using a private email server instead of her departmental account, posted on X: You have got to be kidding me. Leon Panetta, a former defence secretary who served under president Barack Obama, told CNN that the incident could violate espionage laws and undermine US national security. Somebody on The Atlantic got the most sensitive emails you can imagine. That is a serious blunder; it has to be investigated, and somebody, quite frankly, needs to get fired, he said. However, House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson played down concerns. Theyll tighten up and make sure that doesnt happen again, he told reporters in Congress. There was no need for anyone to be disciplined over the incident, he said. The Executive Directors of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) will consider the issue of the seventh review under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) and the allocation of the eighth tranche to Ukraine in the amount of approximately $400 million on March 28, Deputy Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on finance, tax and customs policy Yaroslav Zhelezniak said on Telegram channel on Monday. This information was confirmed to Interfax-Ukraine by two sources close to the negotiation process. However, there is currently no information about the meeting on March 28 in the schedule of meetings of the IMF Executive Directors on the Fund's website. As reported, the IMF and the Ukrainian authorities reached a staff-level agreement at the end of February on the seventh review of the four-year Extended Fund Facility (EFF) worth $15.5 billion. Subject to approval by the IMF Executive Directors, this paves the way for receiving the eighth tranche of about $400 million. It was previously assumed that Ukraine would receive about $900 million as a result of the seventh review, but the Ukrainian side asked the mission to change the structure of payments under the EFF program, transferring funding to future reviews. Places of Worship Act must undergo legal scrutiny Adv Vishnu Shankar Jain, the Supreme Court lawyer who has been fighting alongside his father around 150 cases to reclaim the temples, calls temples as spiritual energy centres. By Kartik Lokhande : Sporting a carefully trimmed beard, wearing tilak on forehead, dressed immaculately, and having politeness in approach, Adv Vishnu Shankar Jain represents the present-day young Hindu who is proud of own identity and is not averse to expressing it. When he speaks, he comes across as a dynamic lawyer with a firm belief in his cause backed by research of historical as well as legal points. In the city for Vidhi Manthan event on Sunday, Adv Jain interacted with The Hitavada and spoke on a variety of issues in the domain of law but in the wider realm of spiritual and religious understanding of history and culture. Adv Vishnu Shankar Jain and his father Adv Hari Shankar Jain are known for taking up cases pertaining to reclaiming of Hindu sites -- ranging from Taj Mahal (which they call Tejomahalay), Ram Janmabhoomi Temple at Ayodhya, Shri Krishna Mandir matter at Mathura, Gyanvapi Mosque case in Kashi, Hari Har Mandir/Shahi Masjid case in Sambhal etc. Currently, they are fighting around 150 cases. Given the religious connotations, it must be very challenging for him to stand as a counsel of Hindu side. Indeed. It is a very challenging task on multiple fronts, he said. According to him, as a lawyer, he has to first fight the narrative already set about a particular temple. Because of these narratives rooted in the sub-conscious, many people even have called him fringe element, popularity-seeking, provocateur etc. Apart from fighting these slurs, I have to do historical research, bust the narratives, get over the delaying tactics. In Sambhal and Gyanvapi, we had to face crowd pressure too, he added. If there is such a tremendous pressure, why does he choose to fight cases to reclaim Hindu temples? He replies with an advocates aggression blended with passion of a devout person, Because, temples are centres of spiritual energy. They are centres of Sanatan renaissance. Gyanvapi is the mother-board of spiritual energy as it has the prime among the Shiv Jyotirlings. I consider it my duty to fight for restoration of the cultural dignity of these centres of spiritual energy. Adv Jain is passionately associated with the cause of reclaiming temples at Kashi and Mathura. He believes that once these temples are reclaimed, they will emerge as even bigger centres of cultural renaissance and tourism than Ayodhya. But, then, many question the need for legal battles for temples and many fear that it might cause riots. If there had been no need for reclaiming our religious, spiritual, and cultural legacy, what did Maharana Pratap, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj fight for? Their stories are still told. This highlights that there is collective consciousness about the need of the cause we have taken up, he replied. Besides, he stressed, even if one forgot emotions and considered law, one could build case for temples. He cited references from the books written by scholars like Gopal Sastri, Bharat Ratna P V Kane, former Chief Justice of India late B K Mukherjea to state that there were ample references available to back the basis for reclaiming the temples. We must understand a simple principle: If once a Waqf is always a Waqf, once a temple shall always be a temple, said Adv Jain. The young lawyer went ahead explaining that the provisions in the Indian Evidence Act, Civil Procedure Code, and even Articles 13, 58, and 25 in the Constitution of India offered relevant legal dimensions ranging from taking cognisance of historical books to scientific investigation and survey to treating archaeology as a science to making void the farmaan or orders issued by Aurangzeb for demolition of Mathura temple. Still, when it was pointed out that the Places of Worship Act was often cited by the opposing parties, Adv Vishnu Shankar Jain said that it was the most misinterpreted law that was misused for setting certain narratives. There are provisions that make it clear that the religious character of a place of worship remains the same despite certain changes. The Act is not an obstruction in the process. But, the opposing parties are misusing it. In the process, they are acting against the right to judicial remedy, right to judicial review, and right to judicial access. All these form the Basic Structure and soul of the Constitution. But, they simply do not want to acknowledge this. Hence, in my opinion, the Places of Worship Act must undergo legal scrutiny, elaborated the renowned lawyer. Another emerging issue, particularly in Southern India, is that of opposition to the Government control over Hindu temples. Adv Jain has challenged the endowment laws in this regard in the Supreme Court. Asked about it, he replied that these laws and Government control formed discrimination against Hindus. It is as if the Governments do not see any mismanagement in case of places of worship of other communities. Temples are essential religious functions, and the Government can have some role only in secular activity like ensuring security, crowd management, prasadam quality etc. However, Government cannot take control of temples, he added. With this, he concluded the conversation. Recalling that he had come previously as a participant in the moot court competition in a law college in Nagpur during his student days, Adv Vishnu Shankar Jain said that he was happy about visiting the city several times. Now, I am invited as a speaker and expert, he said with a hearty parting laughter. Waqf law must be repealed Commenting on the raging controversy over the Waqf Amendment Bill, Adv Vishnu Shankar Jain expresses displeasure over the Bill. He dubbed the Bill as incomplete and bogus since it did not address the problem. In my opinion, the Waqf law must be repealed in entirety, and 12 lakh acres of Waqf land must be reverted to original owners. Also, Waqf should be treated as a trust and registered as per the rules, he stressed. Asked about the concerns of riots breaking out in the country, he said bluntly that the fear of riots was akin to admitting the existence of problem. Besides, he questioned, should the judiciary, Parliament, police shy away from taking lawful actions because of this fear? If the problem is not dealt with today, it will grow bigger in future, he remarked. BSP GMs paralytic father dies in house fire; three others rescued in dramatic window escape The room where the fire ignited, leaving devastation in its wake. Staff Reporter : BHILAI In a heart-wrenching incident, a devastating house fire claimed the life of Umesh Narayan Tiwari, the 92-year-old father of a Bhilai Steel Plant (BSP) General Manager, while three other family members were saved after a daring rescue operation. The fire, which is believed to have started in Umesh Tiwaris room, spread rapidly through their home in Sector-9, Bhilai. A swift response from Bhilai Nagar police led to the successful rescue of GM Animesh Tiwari (58), his wife Archana Tiwari (52), and their daughter Apoorva Tiwari (23) by breaking through the window grilles of the adjoining rooms. The BSP Fire Brigade arrived shortly after and managed to extinguish the flames. While the cause of the fire is still under investigation, early indications point to a possible short circuit as the culprit. Bhilai Nagar police have recorded the unnatural death and further investigations are underway. Police sources identified the victim as Umesh Narayan Tiwari, who was bedridden due to paralysis. At around 2:40 am on Saturday, the police were alerted to the fire, and rescue operations were swiftly initiated. Flames had already engulfed Umesh Tiwaris room, but three others rescued in dramatic window escape officers managed to free the other family members through the windows. Sadly, Umesh Tiwari, unable to move, succumbed to the fire. The room was reduced to ashes, with the air-conditioner and furniture completely destroyed. Investigators noted a tangled mess of electrical cables in the room, reinforcing suspicions of an electrical short circuit. Animesh Tiwari is serving as a General Manager (Administration M&HS), BSP, the police said. A local resident informed the newspaper that the power cables in BSP Township quarters are in a deplorable condition, warning that the potential for further such incidents cannot be ruled out. He criticized the Town Services Department (BSP), specifically the electrical section, for neglecting proper maintenance. He urged the the officials to replace the outdated cables immediately to prevent future tragedies. Additionally, he called for the urgent overhaul of the townships power supply network, especially before the onset of the monsoon season. Inspector Prashant Mishra, Station House Officer of Bhilai Nagar Police Station, confirmed the tragic loss of Umesh Narayan Tiwari in the blaze. He also added that the police are further investigating in coordination with other agencies. Delhi girl runs away with neighbour; rescued after year from Agra NEW DELHI : SWAYED by reel portrayals of love and adventure, a teenage girl from outernorth Delhi allegedly ran away with her 19-year-old neighbour before being rescued by police after more than a year, a senior officer said on Sunday. The girl, who was 16 at the time, went missing from Narela on February 3, 2024. Her disappearance led to an extensive search operation and she was ultimately located in Agra, the officer added. The Delhi Police had announced a reward of Rs 20,000 for information leading to her rescue. The officer said the girl was swayed by her neighbour, a former schoolmate, to run away with him. She believed that their journey would mirror the plots of romantic films. Her family filed a complaint at Narela police station on December 3. Following the FIRs registration, the Cyber Cell of the Crime Branch formed a specialised team to trace the girl. By analysing CCTV camera footage, the team discovered that the girl had boarded a train from New Delhi railway station heading to Jammu and Kashmir. On March 21, a tip indicated that she was living near the Taj Mahal. The police raided the location and rescued her, he further said. The girl revealed that she ran away with her neighbour, believing in a romantic adventure. However, she became disillusioned after moving to Mumbai. She then moved to Agra, taking up odd jobs to sustain herself, he added. The police did not share details about the man she had run away with. Fadnavis for plan to prevent tiger attacks on humans in Gadchiroli Staff Reporter : Chief Minister and Guardian Minister of Gadchiroli, Devendra Fadnavis, has ordered an urgent study of the situation to be conducted under the guidance of experts, followed by the immediate implementation of special measures to avoid human casualties in tiger attacks in Gadchiroli district. The plan should include compensating the families of those who have died in tiger attacks over the last five years, as well as relocating excess tigers. The report is to be submitted within three months, Fadnavis asked. Fadnavis has taken serious note of the loss of lives in tiger attacks. As the Guardian Minister of Gadchiroli, he responded swiftly to the concerns of the local residents and issued instructions for corrective action. Furthermore, he has directed that a plan be formulated under the guidance of Pravin Pardeshi, CEO of the Mitra Organisation. Accordingly, Pardeshi held a meeting with senior Forest officers in Nagpur to discuss the strategy and implement it. Special compensation to victims kin Over the past five years, more than 50 people have been killed in tiger attacks in Gadchiroli district. Notably, tiger attacks have occurred in Gadchiroli, Chamorshi, Armori, Wadsa and Dhanora areas. Based on the study of the situation in Gadchiroli, extra tigers should be relocated within three months. A meeting was held under the guidance of Pravin Pardeshi, to prepare the plan. Solutions were discussed, including the thinning of teak trees and increasing grassland coverage in Chaprala and Pranhita sanctuaries in Gadchiroli to support herbivores, which in turn would serve as prey for carnivorous animals. It was also decided to appoint forest patils in each village, similar to police patils. To prevent locals from having to enter the forest to gather wood, a plan to supply CBG gas through pipelines and use grass from farmers fields for CBG production was approved. Additionally, the establishment of a CBG gas plant was decided. Other decisions included expediting compensation for crops damaged by wild animals, assessing the social and economic status of locals in six villages in Chaprala Sanctuary for relocation, and finding new areas for resettlement. Experts from organisations such as the Wildlife Institute, working on these issues, will also be appointed for further action. There was also discussion about preparing a mitigation plan for high-risk and sensitive areas. It was noted that the tigers involved in human-wildlife conflict tend to be older, and there is a need for policy decisions regarding the relocation of such tigers. The meeting was attended by the Chief Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Forest Force Chief) Shomita Biswas, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Vivek Khandekar, Chief Conservator of Forests and Field Director of Tadoba Andhari Tiger Project Dr Ramchandra Ramgavkar, and Chief Conservator of Forests for Gadchiroli Forest Division S Rameshkumar, among others. Hamas leader among 26 killed in Israel strikes DEIR-AL BALAH : Israel strikes southern Gaza, orders new evacuation as Palestinian death toll climbs past 50,000 ISRAELI strikes across the southern Gaza Strip killed at least 26 Palestinians overnight into Sunday, including a Hamas political leader and several women and children. Residents said tanks had advanced into an area of the southern city of Rafah as the military ordered it evacuated. Gazas Health Ministry said the total number of Palestinians killed in Gaza since the start of the Israel-Hamas war has now passed 50,000 after Israel ended the ceasefire last week with a wave of strikes that killed hundreds. At least 2 families among those killed in Israeli strikes Hamas said that Salah Bardawil, a member of its political bureau and the Palestinian parliament, was killed in a strike in Muwasi that also killed his wife. Bardawil was a well-known member of the groups political wing who gave media interviews over the years. Israel has continued striking what it says are militant targets and has launched ground incursions in northern Gaza. Late 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. 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 coordinate passage by land, sea and air to the destination countries. The military ordered people to leave Rafahs already heavily destroyed Tel al-Sultan neighbourhood on foot along a single route to Muwasi, a sprawling area of squalid tent camps. IED alert sounded in core Naxal areas By Neelabh Srivastava : NEW DELHI/RAIPUR : 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 AN ALERT has been sounded in the anti-Naxal 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. The uptick in improvised explosive device (IED) recovery and blasts has been noticed as multiple security forces move into core Naxal areas to meet the Union Governments deadline of wiping off Left Wing Extremism (LWE) 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 Chhattisgarhs 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 (TCOC) 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 Naxals 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 per cent 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 (FOBs) in core Naxal areas, a paramilitary force officer said. The anti-Naxal 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 Jharkhands 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. Meerut murder Muskan, Sahil experiencing drug withdrawal symptoms MEERUT (UP) : IN JUDICIAL custody for allegedly murdering Saurabh Rajput, his wife and her lover are having a hard time adjusting to life in jail, with prison officials claiming that the duo were experiencing drug withdrawal symptoms. Muskan Rastogi and her lover Sahil Shukla have been lodged in Chaudhary Charan Singh district jail here since last Wednesday after a court here sent the duo to judicial custody for 14 days. 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. Notably, the two accused did not have any visitor since their incarceration, a source said. 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 Rajputs family by sending them messages from his phone. The matter was reported to police on March 18, following which they were arrested. Muskan and Rajput got married in 2016 against his familys wishes, following a relationship and they had a six-year-old daughter. Muskan and Sahil had known each other since school and reconnected via a WhatsApp group in 2019, police said. After family refuses to help, Muskan seeks Govt lawyer MEERUT, Mar 23 (IANS) MUSKAN 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, Muskan 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 doctors 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 Saurabhs 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. Mumbai Police conduct raised suspicions, says former Bihar DGP on Sushant Singh Rajputs death PATNA : AFTER the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), reportedly, filed a closure report on actor Sushant Singh Rajputs death case, former Bihar DGP Gupteshwar Pandey criticized the Mumbai Polices handling of the case, stating that their actions led to suspicions among the public. He, however, refrained from commenting on the CBIs closure report, saying its a professional agency. Speaking on the initial investigation into the actors 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 Rajputs 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 dont 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 dont 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 dont want to say anything on CBIs closure report because it is a professional agency. What else can it do if it cant 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 Singhs 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 Mumbais Cooper Hospital. The actors 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. Air Force: 57 out of 99 enemy UAVs shot down overnight, 36 lost in location Photo: https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/ Last night, units of the Defense Forces shot down 57 enemy UAVs, 36 imitator drones were lost in location, the press service of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported. "As of 08:00, the shooting down of 57 Shahed attack UAVs [other types of drones] in the south, north, west and center of the country has been confirmed," the Telegram message said. In particular, 36 enemy simulator drones were lost in location (without negative consequences). It is reported that on the night of March 24 (from 20:00 on March 23), the enemy attacked with 99 Shahed attack UAVs and imitator drones of various types from the directions: Millerovo, Kursk, and Primorsko-Akhtarsk - Russia. The air attack was repelled by aviation, anti-aircraft missile troops, electronic warfare units and mobile fire groups of the Air Force and Defense Forces of Ukraine. Kyiv, Kharkiv, Sumy, Kirovohrad and Zaporizhia regions were affected as a result of the Russian attack. Religion-based quota violates Constitution: RSS BENGALURU : AMID the ongoing debate over the Karnataka Governments decision to provide a four per cent reservation for Muslims in government contracts, RSS General Secretary Dattatreya Hosabale on Sunday asserted that the Constitution does not allow religion-based quota. He also said such reservations go against the wishes of architect of our Constitution, Dr. B R Ambedkar. Addressing reporters here on the concluding day of Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha, the highest decision making body of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Hosabale said, Religion-based reservation is not accepted in the Constitution authored by Dr. 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 Aurangzebs 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 Centres performance, the RSS leader said people have already assessed the Governments 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 partys internal matters. Commenting on the Sanghs idea of One Nation, One Culture, Hosabale said it draws inspiration from Indias 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. Some 604 children killed in Ukraine as result of Russian armed aggression More than 2,421 children were injured in Ukraine as a result of the full-scale armed aggression of the Russian Federation: as of the morning of March 24, 2025, according to official information from juvenile prosecutors, 604 children were killed and more than 1,817 were injured of varying severity, the Prosecutor General's Office reports. The greatest number of children was injured in the following regions: Donetsk - 633, Kharkiv - 470, Kherson - 202, Dnipropetrovsk - 203, Kyiv - 136, Zaporizhia - 170, and Mykolaiv - 118, according to a message on Telegram on Monday. On March 23, as a result of a drone attack on the city of Kyiv, a 5-year-old girl died. On March 22, a 17-year-old boy and a girl were injured in a drone attack on the village of Maryine, Sumy region. On March 21, a 17-year-old girl was killed and a 10-month-old girl was injured in a drone attack on the city of Zaporizhia. On March 20, three 17-year-old boys were injured in a drone attack on the city of Odesa. On March 20, an 11-year-old boy was injured in a drone attack on the city of Dobropillia, Donetsk region. The United States is discussing possibility of returning deported Ukrainian children as one of the key steps to strengthen trust, White House National Security Advisor Mike Waltz said in an interview with CBS News. The presenter noted that one of the issues raised by US President Donald Trump is the return of Ukrainian children who were abducted as part of Russia's state program of Russification, forced removal from families and deportation to Russia. "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. At the same time, the US presidential advisor said that it is worth taking a step back and assessing the situation. According to him, a few months ago no one was talking about how this war would end, and now it is worth thinking about what it will be like in a year, two or three. He emphasized that the conflict was previously at a standstill, but now both sides are participating in negotiations in the same room. Waltz also stated that the US is actually implementing President Trump's vision of ending the war, which was part of his election campaign. However, when asked by the host whether the US would demand the release of these children as a step to strengthen trust, Waltz answered in the affirmative. "We're talking through a number of confidence building measures. That's one of them," he said. Zelenskyy: It is clear to absolutely everyone in world that Russia is only one prolonging this war President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that it is clear to absolutely everyone in the world that Russia is the only one prolonging the war, and without pressure on Moscow, diplomacy will continue to be despised. "Now, after the last meeting in Saudi Arabia, in Jeddah, it is clear to absolutely everyone in the world that Russia is the only one prolonging this war. The only one who brought it here and who needs to continue it," he said in an evening video address on Sunday. According to him, there is a proposal for an unconditional ceasefire from March 11, and such strikes would have already stopped. "But it is Russia that continues all this. And every night, every day, it inflicts the most cynical blows," he said. The president stressed that without pressure on Russia, Moscow will continue to despise real diplomacy. At the same time, Zelenskyy noted that the second meeting of the Ukrainian and American teams in Saudi Arabia is more technical. "Our military, our diplomats, our representatives of the Ministry of Energy," he said. "I just spoke with Rustem Umerov - he reported about the meeting, about the progress of the negotiations. Our team is working absolutely constructively, the conversation is quite useful. The work of the delegations continues. But no matter what we are talking about with our partners now, we need to pressure Putin into giving a real order to stop the strikes: whoever brought this war must take it away," the president summed up. Yes Significant efforts are being made No Much more needs to be done Some progress But there are still critical gaps Vote View Results Trump Advisor Waltz: First step for ceasefire between Ukraine, Russia to be for both sides to stop attacks on energy US President's National Security Advisor Mike Waltz said that the first step for a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine will be for both sides to stop launching drones and missiles at energy infrastructure. Waltz said in an interview with Fox News that both sides need to stop launching drones and missiles at nuclear power plants, oil pipelines, and power plants. He added that one day they would have to be restored, so they should stop the violence as a first step. He also suggested exchanging prisoners as a first step. According to him, the next step will be to resolve the situation in the Black Sea. Waltz noted that they would then move to the maritime issue, as both countries had access to the Black Sea. He explained that they need to trade oil, gas, and grain in order to literally feed their populations and others, and that would be the next step. Then, he said, the most difficult phase will come. As Trump's adviser said, then there will be the most difficult issue, which they (the parties) call the Line of Control. This trench warfare runs for almost 1,300 km, he added. Another round of talks between the US and Ukrainian teams will be held in Saudi Arabia on Monday after the meeting of officials from Washington and Kyiv on Sunday and the talks between the American and Russian delegations that began on Monday morning, the British publication The Guardian reports. "The meeting is expected to be followed by another round of talks between US and Ukrainian teams (after officials from Washington and Kyiv met yesterday). The separate meetings are set to discuss details of a pause in long-range attacks against energy facilities and civilian infrastructure and a halt on attacks in the Black Sea to ensure safe commercial shipping," the report notes. As reported, on March 24, negotiations between the US and Ukrainian delegations on a ceasefire in the Russian-Ukrainian war took place in Saudi Arabia. Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov reported that "the conversation was constructive and meaningful - key issues were discussed, in particular in the energy sector." Significance of fencing the border NRC before delimitation call | Connect the dots and the complete picture should emerge. Even as Delhi has committed itself to the task of fencing the 1643 kilometre long Indo-Myanmar border, strong voice of concern has been raised over the delimitation proposal and with good reasons. The Co-ordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) has already voiced its concern and put the rider that a National Register of Citizens in the State of Manipur should precede the pending delimitation exercise. The same sentiment has been aired by the All Manipur United Clubs Organisation (AMUCO) as well as the State unit of the Aam Aadmi Party. Other political parties are also likely to pitch in with their stand in the coming days and the voice of concern should be seen and understood in the backdrop of the rising voice of concern expressed over the unnatural growth of the Kuki-Chin-Zo population. It was not so long back that a writer had given an in-depth write up in The Ukhrul Times, and which was re-produced by The Sangai Express, elaborating on how the number of Naga MLAs has seen a drop while the number of the Kuki-Chin-Zo MLAs has seen a corresponding rise after Manipur attained Statehood in 1972. It is against this growing concern in the unreasonable rise in the number of population of the Kuki-Chin-Zo community that the voice of concern has been raised over the pending delimitation and this is a point that should not be brushed aside. It is about political representations in the House of 60 and the call for an NRC should also be seen and understood in the context of the decision to fence the Indo-Myanmar border and the concern expressed over the rapid rise in the population of some. This is where the Naga community would have to come to terms with the fact that the first casualty due to the constant and gradual influx from across the border has been them. And this should be kept in mind while thinking of any step to oppose the plan of the Government to fence the Indo-Myanmar border. That the Nagas have people on either side of the international border is understood and it is also important to keep in mind that the Nagas are not known to have come in and set up settlements here in Manipur. But the move of Delhi to fence the border and do away with the Free Movement Regime should also be seen and understood as a mechanism to monitor the movement of people from across the border. The Naga community perhaps needs to be sensitised on this need for it is them who are the first to politically lose out due to the unchecked cross border movement. It is the unregulated, unfenced border that allowed as many as 20,000 Kukis to enter Manipur during the Burmanisation programme of Ne Win in 1967. This was only during the Burmanisation programme in 1967 and no one knows how many of the immigrants returned home to the then Burma, now Myanmar, and how many merged with the local population to now become bonafide citizens of India enjoying the benefits given under the Scheduled Tribe category. Again during the pro-democracy movement of 1988, many did enter Manipur and no one knows how many have left or preferred to stay here to become bonafide citizens. The figures and the stories told here are from an article written by a Kuki gentleman, Paolienlal Haokip in a publication of the Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies on May 23, 2002. This is where it becomes important to look at what the Kuki gentleman had written more than 20 years back to the present reality where the Government of India has started the groundwork of fencing the 1643 kilometre long border and the growing voice of concern over the proposed delimitation exercise. It will take 10 years to complete the border fencing work is the report that has come in and the question is what steps ought to be taken up in the interregnum. NRC is one way of identifying and weeding out those who entered Manipur after a certain base year-1951 or 1961- and take legal recourse before the delimitation exercise is actuated. This is where the two indigenous group of people need to come together, pool in their thoughts and protect their turf. Period. Naga organisations meet | DIMAPUR, Mar 24: Displaying a spirit of "unity and determination", the Naga tribe bodies, the 'Naga political groups' (NPGs) and the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) convened a meeting today in Dimapur to advance "collective political aspirations" of the Naga people. The meeting adopted several resolutions, including an affirmation to facilitate and strengthen the Council of Naga Cooperation and Relationship (CNCR). As confirmed by the 'Naga Political Group' on January 14, 2025, Naga tribe bodies will formally join as official participants effective from the next meeting, read a resolution. The next meeting of the 'Naga Cultural tribe bodies', the 'Naga Political Groups' and the FNR has been fixed on April 22, 2025. Meanwhile, the Naga tribe bodies have earnestly requested the highest leadership of the 'Naga Political Groups' to attend the "critical gathering" of April 22. Newmai Network Death toll from Israeli strikes in Gaza since Oct. 7, 2023 surpasses 50,000: health authorities Xinhua) 08:13, March 24, 2025 Palestinians forced to flee from the Al-Shayma area in Beit Lahia, northern Gaza Strip, are seen on a street in Gaza City, on March 22, 2025. (Photo by Abdul Rahman Salama/Xinhua) GAZA, March 23 (Xinhua) -- 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, the health authorities said. Displaced Palestinian children are seen among temporary tents next to large piles of garbage in Gaza City, on March 21, 2025. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) Also on Sunday, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) warned that Israel's three-week blockade of aid to Gaza is accelerating a hunger crisis. "No food, no medicines, no water, no fuel. A siege more stringent than during the initial phase of the war," the agency posted on social media platform X. Palestinians wait to receive free food from a food distribution center in Beit Lahia, northern Gaza Strip, on March 22, 2025. (Photo by Mahmoud Zaki/Xinhua) It emphasized that Gaza's population relies on imports for survival, with children increasingly facing starvation and disease as aid remains blocked. Israel halted all supply entries to Gaza on March 2, citing security concerns. Palestinians forced to flee from the Al-Shayma area in Beit Lahia, northern Gaza Strip, are seen on a street in Gaza City, on March 22, 2025. (Photo by Abdul Rahman Salama/Xinhua) Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas condemned Israel on Sunday for using access to water as a "tool of torture and displacement," alleging it aims to undermine development and entrench its occupation of Palestinian territories, in a statement marking World Water Day, observed annually on March 22. He called for an immediate ceasefire, unfettered aid access, and Israeli withdrawal from Gaza while appealing for global support to establish a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Photo: https://www.facebook.com/RedCrossUkraine The Ukrainian Red Cross Society (URCS) rapid response team worked on the elimination of the consequences of the Russian UAV attack on Kyiv this night. "The rapid response team of the National Committee of the Ukrainian Red Cross Society worked in two districts of the capital, where help was most needed. A crew of volunteers from the Ukrainian Red Cross Society rapid response team in Poltava region joined the response," the URCS reported on Facebook on Sunday. The volunteers, together with rescuers from the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, evacuated the injured and transferred them to an ambulance for further hospitalization. They provided first aid to five people. In addition, volunteers provided first aid to the victims and comprehensively supported rescuers during emergency and rescue operations. A Ukrainian Red Cross Society aid station was operating on site, where people could drink tea and charge their mobile devices. As reported, three people, including a 5-year-old child, were killed in a massive attack by enemy UAVs on Kyiv on the night of Saturday to Sunday. Falling debris from downed air targets was recorded in five districts of Kyiv. The air alert lasted 5 hours 13 minutes (from 20:39 to 01:52). A hospital kitchen staffer received an illegal digital arrest warrant and he lodged a complaint with the cyber police station in Burdwan on Sunday. Tapas Hazra, the kitchen staff of the cardiac care specialty unit under the Burdwan Medical College & Hospita,l received a hoax phone call at 11:30 a.m. yesterday in which the caller tried to coerce him to explain why his eight bank accounts operational in Pune, Maharashtra had recorded a fishy transaction worth Rs 2.5 crore in recent times. The caller told Hazra either to deposit a fine amounting Rs 21850 for economic offense committed by him within next two hours or face digital arrest as a penalty. Hazra said: I never had any bank account in Pune. He complained: Again I received a video call where a person dressed up as a policeman showed me one Canara Bank ATM card in my name and he was reading my Adhar ID number which frightened me. Then they sent some photographs and papers of another account asking me to send money within two hours to avoid penal measures. The police said that an investigation has been initiated on the basis of Hazras complaint. Advertisement Advertisement Beyond the Alipore Zoo in Kolkata, another Bengal zoo, the one located in Burdwan town, is set to house a Royal Bengal tiger and a hippopotamus, senior forest officials have stated. The Central Zoo Authority a statutory body under the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change has verbally agreed to allow the Burdwan Small Zoo, within the Ramanabagan sanctuary in the town, to house a tiger. This initiative was announced earlier by the former Forest Minister Jyotipriyo Mallik during his visit to the zoo in July 2023. The Central Zoo Authority has agreed to provide us with a Royal Bengal tiger and a hippopotamus, accompanied by some birds of special species, said Sanchita Sharma, Divisional Forest Officer of East Burdwan. She added: By the end of July or the first week of August, the animals are likely to arrive here, and we are preparing the required infrastructure to accommodate them. Currently, the zoo houses three leopards, one sloth bear, monkeys, five crocodiles, and three barking deer. The Ramanabagan sanctuary, spanning 14.72 hectares, also accommodates 45 spotted deer. In the 202324 period, the sanctuary recorded the birth of 27 deer calves. Advertisement Advertisement Amid allegations from the Adibasi Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram (AVKA), an organisation ideologically aligned with the BJP, that foreign missionary groups are actively converting tribal communities across Bengal and other parts of India, the three-day Janajati Sammelan (Tribal Convention) at ISKCONs headquarters in Sri Dham Mayapur became a platform for voicing concerns against such activities. Tribal delegates from Eastern, North-eastern, and Central India attended the convention, raising alarms over the erosion of their indigenous culture. The event, organised by ISKCON, aimed to empower tribal communities through education, womens development programmes, economic upliftment, and healthcare initiatives. Representatives from various tribal groupsSanthal, Oraon, Munda, Ho, Bhumij, Kharia, Birhor, Mahali, and Shabarspanning West Bengal, Odisha, Jharkhand, Bihar, as well as regions in the Northeast and Central India, participated in the gathering. Many attendees voiced their resentment against missionary organisations, accusing them of exploiting poverty and illiteracy to convert tribal populations. Advertisement A few days ago in Kolkata, Satyendra Singh, president of the Adibasi Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram, alleged that missionary groups were luring tribals in Sundarbans, Hooghly, North Bengal, and parts of Arunachal Pradesh with monetary benefits and promises of foreign travel. Chintamani Oraon, a young graduate from a remote village in Dhupguri who joined the three-day tribal convention, shared her concerns: I have brought 12 others to attend ISKCONs programme. In North Bengal, missionaries from abroad are systematically converting entire tribal villages by offering money and foreign visits. Advertisement They are setting up religious establishments to train us in different practices. We want to live with our traditions and culture, but they exploit poverty to change our identity. Dheeraj Munda, who led a 30-member delegation from the Bengal-Assam border near Cooch Behar, echoed similar sentiments: We thank ISKCON for helping us preserve our traditional way of life. They are teaching us about our heritage and spiritual values so that we dont lose our identity. From Purulia, Paresh Mahali highlighted ISKCONs efforts: ISCKONs Tribal Care initiative is working closely with tribal communities in remote villages and forest areas to educate them about their culture and spiritual traditions. If such efforts are not made, we Adivasis will lose our very existence. ISKCONs Public Relations Officer, Rasik Gauranga Das, distanced the organisation from taking a political stance on missionary activities. We are not here to comment on what foreign missionary groups are doing. Over 2,500 tribal and marginalised individuals from backward communities have gathered here. They are celebrating their heritage through traditional dance, music, theatre, and various art forms, including drawing and embroidery. Some of them have never even travelled by train before. Our goal is to ensure each community can thrive while preserving its own traditions. We oppose any form of forced religious or cultural imposition. The three-day convention has spotlighted the ongoing debate about tribal identity, cultural preservation, and external influences. While ISKCON positions itself as a neutral force promoting indigenous heritage, the allegations against missionary organisations are likely to fuel further political and social discourse in the days ahead. Amid experiences of clashes in different pockets in West Bengal over Ram Navami processions in the past, Kolkata Police have decided to bring the routes this year on April 6 under blanket CCTV coverage. Accordingly, communication has reached from the city police headquarters to the police stations concerned, under whose jurisdictions the processions will move, to immediately survey the working conditions of the CCTV installations in those routes. Advertisement The reports from the police station, an insider from the city police said, will have to detail the existing working conditions of CCTV cameras already installed in those routes. Advertisement Any malfunctioning set in the routes concerned should have to be repaired or even replaced immediately. At the same time the officers-in-charge of the police station concerned have also been asked to send a report to the office of the commissioner on where there is any requirement for installation of additional CCTV cameras in any route, said the city police insider. At the same time, he added, this time the police officers and personnel, who would be escorting such processions, should also have to use body cameras to ensure total surveillance and recording of the events from the beginning to the end. Sources from the city police said the authorities are especially cautious of the Ram Navami processions this year amid efforts by the procession organizers to pull additional crowds at the events this year. The Leader of Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari already claimed earlier this month that the state unit of BJP and its affiliated bodies will be organising at least 2,000 processions on the occasion of Ram Navami this year. Adhikari also said the participation at the rallies on Ram Navami this year will be double what it was in the previous year. Ram Navami will be celebrated this year in a major way. I will be there on the streets on that day. Last year around 50 lakh Hindus were there on the streets to participate in rallies on the occasion of Ram Navami. Last year there were 1,000 rallies. This year there will be 2,000 rallies and around one crore Hindus will participate in those rallies this year, he said. Siliguri residents have been witnessing the people outreach programmes initiated by both the Trinamul Congress (TMC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) since Saturday. Although the General Assembly elections are scheduled for early 2026, political observers note that both parties have already begun reaching out to the public, clearly eyeing the crucial elections. TMC leader and Siliguri Mayor Goutam Deb launched his outreach campaign in Ward No. 20 on Saturday, spending the night there and concluding his public engagement in the same ward on Sunday. Mr Debs initiative, titled Manusher Kachhe Chalo (lets go to the people), aims to connect with residents and address their grievances. Speaking to reporters, Mr Deb emphasised that the programme is unrelated to the 2026 elections. I started this programme two and a half years ago, but it was discontinued due to unavoidable circumstances. Now, we have resumed it on behalf of the corporation to understand peoples demands and resolve their issues so that the corporation can serve them better, he said. However, political observers speculate that Mr Deb may be preparing to contest the Assembly polls from the Siliguri segment, shifting from his previous constituency Dabgram-Fulbari. Advertisement Mr Deb was elected twice from Dabgram-Fulbari in 2011 and 2016 but lost to a BJP candidate in 2021, partly due to alleged inactivity on the part of some TMC leaders. Meanwhile, BJP leader and Siliguri MLA Sankar Ghosh visited Ward No. 18 on Sunday adopting a similar outreach approach. Mr Ghosh, who is also the chief whip of the Opposition in the State Assembly, criticised the Siliguri Municipal Corporation (SMC) for its lack of development works in underdeveloped areas. He highlighted issues such as poor drainage systems, congestion and the unhygienic conditions near Gandhi Memorial School in Ward No. 18, where a community latrine and a vat are located close to the school premises. Mr Ghosh claimed that he frequently visits various wards during his off-time to understand residents basic needs and allocate funds from his local area development fund for Corporation projects. Advertisement I have allocated funds for development schemes, but I see no progress under the TMC regime. Instead, I see issues like drug addiction among youth and illegal constructions in corporation areas, Ghosh remarked. Siliguri has been a politically significant constituency with shifting allegiances over the years. In 2011, TMC candidate Rabindranath Bhattacharya won the seat, but in 2016, CPI-M candidate Asok Bhattacharya, former urban development minister emerged victorious. In 2021, Asok Bhattacharya was defeated by his former disciple, Sankar Ghosh, who contested on a BJP ticket. Interestingly, TMC candidate Om Prakash Mishra secured the second position in the last Assembly elections. Political sources suggest that Mr Ghosh is likely to contest the 2026 Assembly polls from Siliguri further intensifying the competition in the region. While both leaders have denied any direct connection between their outreach programmes and the upcoming elections, their activities indicate a clear focus on strengthening their political foothold in Siliguri. With the 2026 Assembly elections on the horizon, the political landscape in Siliguri is set to witness heightened activity and competition. 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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 Councils 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 Womens 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 Pradeshs 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 Mahindras announcement that a second cafe, serving Araku Coffee, will be opening shortly in Paris. Naandi Foundations 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. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has instructed all airlines to actively inform passengers about their rights and passenger-centric regulations. Airlines must share the online link to the passenger charter, available on the Ministry of Civil Aviations website, via SMS or WhatsApp when a ticket is booked. This information should be prominently displayed on airline tickets and websites to ensure passengers are aware of their rights, the DGCA said. Advertisement DGCA chief Faiz Ahmed Kidwai stressed that with a significant rise in air travel, and many passengers being first-time flyers, the need to inform travelers about their entitlements in cases of service deficiencies, delays (caused by factors within the airlines control), cancellations, denied boarding and baggage issues. Advertisement The directive in this regard was issued by the DGCA on March 7, requiring airlines to implement it by March 27, 2025. SpiceJet has already made the necessary updates, while other airlines are in the process of modifying their systems to enhance communication regarding passenger rights, including flight delays, cancellations, denied boarding, and baggage issues. IndiGo has reportedly informed the DGCA that it will implement this directive by Tuesday while several other airlines have confirmed that they will comply with the guidelines as soon as possible. Airlines are currently updating their systems to ensure proper communication regarding passenger rights, flight delays and grievance redressal mechanisms, officials added. IndiGo, for instance, has reportedly informed the regulator that passengers booking tickets can click on the Click Here link under the right-hand panel labeled Notes to access the passenger charter page, where DGCAs PDF file is available. The DGCA and Indian airlines, including Air India, IndiGo, and SpiceJet, are at odds over a directive requiring carriers to provide detailed airfare data from the past two years. The Directorate has requested comprehensive passenger fare information, including booking dates and base fares, to examine pricing trends following public concerns over high airfares during peak travel periods. Indias 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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), Indias 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. DGCAs monthly passenger traffic report shows that IndiGo continues to be the countrys 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 stable 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 worlds 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. Indias 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 worlds 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. Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China Guo Jiakun said at a press conference on Monday, March 24, that reports of discussions on China's participation in peacekeeping forces in Ukraine are false, the Chinese publication Global Times reports. "In response to a journalist's question referencing a German Welt am Sonntag report claiming that the Chinese Foreign Ministry had discussed in Brussels the possibility of China joining Ukraine's peacekeeping forces, and seeking confirmation on whether China is considering deploying troops to Ukraine as part of such a mission and under what conditions, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun stated that the report is entirely untrue," the publication reports. Guo Jiakun confirmed that China's position on the war in Ukraine, or the "Ukrainian crisis" as Beijing's official circles call it, remains "consistent and unambiguous." The day before, Welt am Sonntag, citing EU diplomatic circles, wrote that Chinese diplomats in Brussels had held consultations with Europe on the advisability of their potential participation in a peacekeeping mission for Ukraine. European politicians responded that including China in a possible peacekeeping mission could affect Moscow's position on accepting peacekeepers. In 2023, China proposed its own "peace plan," which was supported by Brazil. Star Health and Allied Insurance Company Limited has received 25 tax demand orders from the Goods and Services Tax (GST) authorities across multiple states. The total demand, including penalties, amounts to Rs 49 crore. The tax notices have been issued to the companys zonal offices in Haryana, Delhi, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Karnataka. Advertisement Authorities have alleged that the company failed to pay GST on certain transactions related to coinsurance. Advertisement The violations also include non-disclosure of these transactions in statutory filings and the failure to issue invoices for such services. The alleged violations include non-payment of GST on the transactions of coinsurance as follower; non-disclosure of coinsurance as follower transactions in the statutory returns filed from time to time; non-issuance of invoices for coinsurance as follower services, according to an exchange filing. In Haryana, Star Healths office has received five tax demand orders worth Rs 4.9 crore. The orders were issued by the Additional Commissioner of GST and Central Excise in Gurugram. Similarly, the companys Delhi office has been served four orders amounting to Rs 4.7 crore. Maharashtras zonal office has been hit with the highest tax demand of Rs 19.4 crore through five orders. These were issued by the GST authorities in Mumbai East, Andheri East, and Mumbai South-West. In Tamil Nadu, the company has received five orders totalling Rs 16.2 crore from the Chennai North GST office. The Telangana office has also been served five tax demand orders, amounting to Rs 3.8 crore. Meanwhile, the Karnataka office has received a single order demanding Rs 12.8 lakh. Star Health has stated that, based on legal counsels advice, it will file an appeal or a writ petition to challenge these tax demands. The company will take appropriate legal steps to address the matter. Meanwhile, last month, the company announced that it has expanded its Home Health Care services to 100 locations across India. Launched in July 2023, this initiative now covers 85 per cent of Star Health Insurances customers, providing cashless medical care at their doorstep. The wait is over! The makers of Kesari Chapter 2 have finally released the teaser of the awaited film. Starring Akshay Kumar, R Madhavan, and Ananya Panday, the film has Karan Singh Tyagi at the helm. Set against the tumultuous and tragic incident of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, that shook the nation, the film promises to be a charged narrative. Presenting another side to the dark chapter of national history, Kumar stars as the fearless lawyer Sir C Sankaran Nair. The teaser of Kesari Chapter 2 starts in an uncustomary way. Without showing any visuals, a thirty-second bitch-black segment features sounds of desperate and helpless cries and shrills. As sounds of gunshots and piercing knives overpower the helpless, the audio impact sends chills down the spine. The makers emphasise that while this was just a 30-second reminder about the deadly massacre, the harrowing killings lasted for ten minutes. Advertisement Following a glimpse of the Golden Temple, Akshay Kumar appears on the scene as he takes the British Empire to a courtroom. When a voiceover states, You are still a slave to the British Empire, Akshay Kumar silences him with F**k You. Advertisement View this post on Instagram A post shared by Karan Johar (@karanjohar) Sharing the teaser, Karan Johar wrote, When truth roared louder than the empire a revolution painted in courage was born. #KesariChapter2 TEASER OUT NOW, witness the untold story of Jallianwala Bagh. Following the teasers release, several fans flooded the comment section, lauding the film. One fan wrote, Hes not just acting. Hes living the role! Another penned, OMG this one is going to be more intense than Kesari chapter 1. Already seated for this one! Meanwhile, Kesari chronicled the events leading to the Battle of Saragarhi. It was a battle fought between 21 Sikh soldiers of the 36th Sikh Regiment of the British Indian Army and 10,000 Afridi and Orakzai Pashtun tribesmen in 1897. The film hit theatres in 2019 and it starred Akshay Kumar and Parineeti Chopra in lead roles. On March 20, Karan Johar revealed that he is introducing a new filmmaker in his upcoming film. The filmmaker penned a long note revealing that the said director dedicated 4-5 years of their time to the project. Dharma Productions, Cape of Good Films, and Leo Media Collective are backing Kesari Chapter 2. Fans can witness the gripping narrative from 18 April 2025 onwards. Also Read: Jana Nayagan release: Thalapathy Vijays final film hits theaters on THIS date Its been nearly four years since Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajputs tragic death sent shockwaves through the nation. The legal battles, conspiracy theories, and heated debates that followed have finally reached a turning point. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has officially submitted a closure report, ruling out any wrongdoing by actor Rhea Chakraborty, her brother Showik, family, and others who were accused in connection with the case. On Friday, the CBI filed a miscellaneous criminal application seeking to close its probe into Rajputs death. Their findings? No one named in the FIRsRhea Chakraborty, her parents, her brother Showik, or even Sushants sister Priyankawas involved in abetting his suicide. With this, one of Bollywoods most controversial legal sagas is nearing its end. Advertisement Rheas brother, Showik Chakraborty, wasted no time in responding to the long-awaited verdict. Taking to Instagram Stories, he posted a video of himself hiking with Rhea, captioned: Satyamev Jayate (Truth alone triumphs). Advertisement For the Chakraborty family, this marks the end of a relentless media trial that began in 2020 when Rhea was painted as the prime suspect in Sushants death. Both Rhea and Showik were arrested in a separate drug case linked to the investigation, adding to the storm of allegations and public outrage they faced. Sushant Singh Rajputs death on June 14, 2020, at his Bandra residence sparked a nationwide controversy. From mental health discussions to allegations of nepotism in Bollywood, the case took multiple turns. The postmortem report confirmed his death as asphyxia due to hanginga case of suicide. However, theories of foul play refused to die down, leading to multiple investigations by Mumbai Police, the Enforcement Directorate (ED), the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), and finally, the CBI. The NCBs drug probe opened yet another chapter in the saga, accusing Rhea and Showik of arranging banned substances for Sushant. While that case is still ongoing, the latest CBI report clears them of the more serious charges of abetment to suicide. For Rhea Chakraborty, who was at the center of the storm, this might finally be the closure she has been seeking. After months of facing media scrutiny, social media hate, and legal battles, shes been slowly reclaiming her space in the industry. K-drama sensation Kim Soo Hyun is currently in the middle of a controversy involving the late actress Kim Sae Ron. The actress aunt stated that Soo Hyun was in a relationship with Sae Ron for six years. She claimed that when they started dating, Sae Ron was only 15 while Soo Hyun was 27 years old. Her aunt also accused Soo Hyun and his agency, GOLD MEDALIST of financial misconduct and not supporting Sae Ron during her 2022 DUI scandal. While his agency has been releasing detailed statements refuting the claims with evidence, there is no relief. Amid the controversy, the actor is attracting allegations of manipulating public perception using paid publicity. On Friday, South Korean outlet KNN News (Via Nate Pann) reported that there is a sudden and suspicious rise in support for Kim Soo Hyun across social media and fan communities. The sudden surge is raising serious questions and speculations. Several social media users allege that the actor has paid several users to post positive comments under his posts. These include dropping statements about Soo Hyuns emotional and psychological distress amid the ongoing controversy. Moreover, several comments are also throwing light on his past philanthropic activities. Advertisement Advertisement View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kim Soo Hyun (@soohyun_k216) KNN News reported that several comments appear to be the same across different platforms. The comments included similar phrases and headlines, pushing sympathy for the Queen of Tears actor. Moreover, Koreaboo reported screenshots revealing multiple identical articles being posted to several forums. Following the news, several netizens took to the internet to voice their disgust over the issue. They are bashing the actor and his agency for trying to manipulate public perception. Meanwhile, after the allegations of Soo Hyun dating a minor Sae Ron gained momentum and the damage started escalating, his agency issued several statements. In one statement, they denied that Sae Ron was a juvenile when she started dating Soo Hyun. Kim Soo Hyun and Kim Sae Ron dated after she became an adult. It is completely untrue that they were in a relationship when she was a minor. It added, Their claims that these images date back to 2016 are baseless. The two werent dating at that time. The clothes Kim Sae Ron was wearing at the time were released in June 2019 by the brand, so Garo Sero Institutes claim that the photo was taken in 2016 when Kim Sae Ron was a minor is impossible. For details on the controversy, follow thread: Kim Soo Hyuns agency issues statement addressing allegations involving Kim Sae Ron Stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra who charged topical comedy often stirs controversy is once again in troubled waters. Following his recent jibe at Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde. His comment has amassed a flurry of backlash from Shiv Sena politicians and other prominent political figures. Meanwhile, Minister Pratap Sarnaik confirmed that Kamra, who faces an FIR at Khar police station, is currently in Pondicherry. For the unversed, during his set, Kunal Kamra performed a parody song, set to the tune of Dil To Pagal Hai. The song referenced Shindes 2022 defection from the undivided Shiv Sena, and Kamra called him a gaddar (traitor). Advertisement A round-up of events that followed the show Following the performance, Khar Police Station registered an FIR against Kunal Kamra. Eknath Shinde supporters vandalised the venue- Habitat Club in Khars Unicontinental Hotel. On Monday, the police arrested Shiv Sena functionary Rahul Kanal and 11 others for ransacking the venue. Subsequently, word emerged that the venue was an illegal construction and now BMC (Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation) is demolishing the place. Advertisement Meanwhile, after the ransacking incident, Kamra shared a picture of himself holding a copy of the Indian Constitution. The accompanying caption read, The only way forward. Devendra Fadnavis slams Kunal Kamra CM and Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis made a statement on Kamra. It is a serious issue. None of us are against freedom of speech. We support satire or even political satire and we do not paint it differently. We believe in freedom of expression. But if it is going to anarchy, we wont accept it. Kamra in the past has targeted PM, CJI, Judges or judiciary. This person likes to create controversy to gain publicity. In this, he targeted former CM Eknath Shinde and tried to make low-level comedy. The people of Maharashtra in the 2024 polls decided who is Gaddar and Khuddar. The people decided who belongs to the ideology of Balasaheb Thackeray. Is he bigger than the people of Maharashtra? How can certain people from the opposition support him when Kamra is making statements against a tall leader like Shinde? Have you given contract to Kamra? Kamra has posted photo with the Constitution used by Rahul Gandhi. But the Constitution does not give you right to insult anyone. But do not take contract. We will take action in such cases, there is no doubt. Do not blame us after this. We will not tolerate such instances. These people are trying to vitiate environment in Maharashtra. We enjoy stand-up comedy. But not this. We will take strong action, irrespective. I feel, left-liberal and urban Naxals are the same. They insult institutions. We will take action against them. Also Read: Devendra Fadnavis warns Kunal Kamra: Apologize or face action! Ajit Pawar weighs in on the controversy Deputy CM Ajit Pawar has also lashed out at Kunal Kamra in his media address. He said, No one should go beyond the law and the Constitution. One should speak within limits. Differences of opinion may exist, but care must be taken to ensure that the police department does not have to intervene due to their statements. Pratap Sarnaik defends the vandalism Shiv Sena Minister Pratap Sarnaik has defended the vandalism of the venue, blaming insulting remarks. Our Shiv Sainiks wont tolerate and spare anyone if our leader is being insulted or mocked. I am not justifying the vandalism as a minister. But ultimately, I am also Shiv Sainik first and all this happened because of the insulting remarks. Shaina NC calls out Kunal Kamra Shiv Sena leader Shaina NC also bashed the comedian and called his jibe vulgar. Did not know that you can RENT a comedian and use him as your PUPPET ?!?! Or as a mere diversionary tactic. She added, Meri nazar se tum dekho to gaddar nazar wo aaye, is not comedy but its vulgarity. Obviously, he does not know what it takes for an auto-rickshaw driver to work his way with public support to emerge as a CM and DY CM of Maharashtra, with the popularity of Eknath Shinde. The cadre of Shivsena demands legal action against Kunal Kamra. Jaya Bachchan states Eknath Shinde insulted Balasaheb Thackeray Questioning Eknath Shinde, SP MP Jaya Bachchan said that Shinde insulted Balasaheb Thackeray. If there is restriction on speaking, what will become if you? You are anyway in a bad situation. There are restrictions on you. Where is freedom of speech? There is freedom of action only when there is a ruckus beat up opposition, rape women, murder them. What else? You, (Eknath Shinde) left your real party and formed another party for power. Isnt that an insult of Balasaheb? Aaditya Thackeray lashes out at the attackers Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray slammed the attackers who vandalised the venue after Kamras show. Taking to X, he wrote, Mindhes coward gang breaks the comedy show stage where comedian @kunalkamra88 put out a song on eknath mindhe which was 100% true. Only an insecure coward would react to a song by someone. Btw law and order in the state? Another attempt to undermine the CM and Home Minister by Eknath Mindhe. Arvind Sawant also comes out in support of Kunal Kamra Shiv Sena (UBT ) MP Arvind Sawant also weighed in on the issue and said that Kamra did nothing wrong. As far as what Kunal Kamra did, I think every word, every sentence said by him is correct. That is what everyone in opposition is alleging against him. He said that in the form of a poem. If we say there is democracy in this country and we believe in that, then we must accept all of this. Criticism is criticism. He added, FIR should be registered against those who vandalisedCant they accept criticism? Mumbais stand-up scene just took a major hit! Habitat Studio, one of the citys most popular comedy venues, has announced a temporary shutdown after a violent attack by Shiv Sena workers. The chaos erupted over latest comedy special by Kunal Kamra, where he took jabs at Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. In an emotional Instagram post, Habitat Studio shared, We are shocked, worried, and extremely broken by the recent acts of vandalism targeting us. Artists are solely responsible for their views and creative choices. Advertisement Advertisement View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Habitat (@indiehabitat) The venue added that theyre closing their doors for now while figuring out how to keep free expression alive without risking their own safety. During his show, Kamra took aim at Maharashtras ever-changing political landscape with a parody of the classic Dil To Pagal Hai song: Meri nazar se tum dekho to gaddar nazar wo aaye. Haaye. It roughly translates to: If you see through my eyes, youll see a traitor. He wasnt done yet! Kamra also cracked jokes about the constant party reshuffling in Maharashtra politics, saying: Shiv Sena first came out of the BJP, then Shiv Sena came out of Shiv Sena. NCP came out of NCP. They gave nine buttons to one voter everyone got confused. Shiv Sena MLA Murji Patel wasnt amused. He filed an FIR against Kunal Kamra, demanding an apology within two days. If not, he warned that Kamras movement in Mumbai could be restricted. If he is seen anywhere in public, we will paint his face black, Patel declared, also vowing to take the matter to the state assembly. As tensions soared, Shiv Sena Yuva Sena General Secretary Rahool Kanal and 19 others stormed into Habitat Studio and vandalized the venue. The police have since registered an FIR against them under multiple sections of the Maharashtra Police Act and the newly introduced BNS. Neeraj Pandey is back with another gripping crime thriller, and this time, hes taking the Khakee universe to Bengal. Khakee: The Bengal Chapter isnt just another cop dramaits a high-stakes battle between law and crime, packed with political intrigue, intense performances, and storytelling that keeps you hooked. If youre looking for your next binge-worthy show, heres why this one should be at the top of your list. Advertisement 1. Chitrangda Singhs power-packed performance Making her web series debut, Chitrangda Singh takes on the role of Chief Minister Nibedita Basak, a character thats as sharp as she is strong-willed. She brings a perfect mix of poise, intelligence, and raw emotion to the screen, making every scene shes in a standout moment. If youve been missing her on-screen magic, this is the perfect comeback to witness. Advertisement View this post on Instagram A post shared by Netflix India (@netflix_in) 2. A fresh twist to the Khakee universe After the success of Khakee: The Bihar Chapter, this installment moves the action to Bengal, diving deep into the regions political and criminal landscape. With its rich cultural backdrop and intense power struggles, this series gives the franchise a fresh, immersive feel. Expect complex characters, unexpected betrayals, and a storyline that keeps you guessing. 3. A star-studded cast Beyond Chitrangda Singh, the series boasts some of the biggest names from Bengali cinema. Jeet steps into the role of a fearless cop, bringing his signature charisma and intensity. Prosenjit Chatterjee, a legend in the industry, plays a chilling antagonist, adding layers of menace and unpredictability to the story. Rising talent Rahul Dev Bose also makes a lasting impact with his performance. The combined firepower of these actors ensures a gripping watch from start to finish. 4. Neeraj Pandeys signature thriller touch If youve seen A Wednesday, Special 26, or Baby, you know Neeraj Pandey doesnt do half-measures when it comes to thrillers. Khakee: The Bengal Chapter carries his signature styletight storytelling, unpredictable twists, and morally grey characters. With every episode, the stakes rise higher, keeping you on the edge of your seat. 5. Perfect for fans of high-octane crime dramas Love shows like Sacred Games, Mirzapur, or Delhi Crime? Then this one is right up your alley. It blends fast-paced action, gritty realism, and deep political undercurrents, making it more than just a cop-versus-criminal saga. Whether youre in for the suspense, the action, or the compelling character arcs, this series delivers on all fronts. With Chitrangda Singhs stellar performance, a top-tier supporting cast, and Neeraj Pandeys masterful direction, Khakee: The Bengal Chapter is a must-watch crime thriller. Its streaming nowso dont miss out! Leader of the Opposition in Bihar Assembly Tejashwi Yadav, in a fierce attack on Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, accused him of failure to realise a self-reliant economy despite 20 years of uninterrupted rule in the state. Participating in a discussion on the state budget in the assembly on Monday, the RJD leader sought to expose the Nitish government with figures. He said Bihars economy is dependent on the funds received from the Central government. Advertisement Despite 20 years of Nitish Kumars rule, Bihar is dependent on funds from the Central government. Bihars own revenue is only 27 per cent whereas Gujarats is 73 per cent, Tamil Nadus is 76 per cent, and neighbouring UPs own revenue is 46 per cent. These figures show why Bihars economy has not been able to become self-reliant, he added. Advertisement Tejashwi accused Nitish Kumar of drowning the state in debt, saying the government did not disclose in the budget how much debt the state has and how much the people of Bihar have. Referring to the figures for 2024-25, he said, Bihar has a debt of Rs 3.19 lakh crore. That means, every Bihari has a debt of Rs 25,000. This debt has been incurred during the rule of Nitish Kumar, who loves to be called Bihars Vikas Purush. Tejashwi further said, According to RBI, AG and state government sources, Bihars debt is increasing by 10 per cent every year. While the state is earning 5 per cent profit in revenue, it spends 7.5 per cent of the total budget only in repaying the debt, which is about Rs 20,526 crore annually. This year being an election year, the budget was increased by Rs 39,000 crore. I want to know the source of such high revenue that encouraged the government to increase the budget, he said. Targeting the government on the issue of corruption, he said it is at a peak in government offices and is spread from top to bottom. If you visit a block even for an ordinary job, you would realise that the Circle Officer (CO) refuses to sign a file without bribe. They are fearless because they are controlled by the chief minister himself. He said a total of 1 crore cases, including mutation and jamabandi cases, were filed since 2008. Out of which 55 lakh cases were rejected. About 2 lakh cases are still pending in many districts. When a ruler loses control over power, even a watchman wouldnt listen to his orders. The chief minister has lost control, he added. The Congress Party has accused the BJP-Nitish Kumar government in Bihar of trying to suppress the real issues to hide its failures. Senior Congress leader Pawan Khera, who joined the ongoing Stop Migration Give Jobs yatra in Darbhanga, said that the ruling parties want to divert peoples attention so that people do not talk about the real issues and they can hide their failures. Advertisement But we have constantly raised local issues and the issues of the youth and students of the state during this yatra and we are getting widespread support for it, he said. Advertisement He said that the youth of Bihar are angry and disappointed with the issues of unemployment, paper leak and migration under the BJP-JDU government and the Congress party is conducting this yatra on all these valid and youth-interest issues. This yatra is raising the voice of every youth of Bihar, he said. He further said that the issues that Kanhaiya Kumar is constantly raising in various districts through the Yatra will have to be raised by other political parties sooner or later. The Yatra, which started on 16 March from the Gandhi Ashram in Bhitiharwa in West Champaran district of Bihar, will conclude at Bihar Congresss Headquarters at Sadaqat Ashram, Patna. It is considered a major outreach initiative aimed at addressing unemployment and migration issues before the state elections. Delhi Congress president Devender Yadav on Monday said the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report on the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) has exposed the mismanagement and corruption of the previous AAP government. Yadav made the statement after Chief Minister Rekha Gupta tabled the CAG report on the DTC in the Assembly. The report pointed to operational inefficiencies and financial losses incurred during the previous AAP governments tenure. Advertisement Reacting to the CAG report on DTC, the Delhi Congress chief said, The CAG report on DTC has exposed the corruption and mismanagement of the previous Kejriwal government. Advertisement Attacking the previous AAP government, he asserted that in the past eight years, not only no new bus was added to the DTC fleet, but the number of buses was reduced from 4,344 to 3,937, and the total routes were halved from 814. Delhi Congress had been highlighting all these lapses mentioned in the CAG report for the past many years. But Kejriwal did not table the CAG report in the Assembly to cover up his own corruption and inefficiency, Yadav said. The Delhi Congress also slammed the BJP government for not presenting Economic Survey on the eve of the Budget presentation. Yadav said that the Economic Survey was essential to assess the economic health, identifying trends and challenges, setting priorities, policy evaluation, providing baseline projections, transparency and accountability, as the survey acts like a diagnostic report, giving the government the insights needed to craft a budget thats responsive, strategic and aligned with the countrys economic realities. Photo: https://eurosolidarity.org/novyny/ Ukraine will not agree to changes to the Basic Law, leader of the European Solidarity party Petro Poroshenko is confident. "I want to reassure you, there will be no changes to the Constitution. Including regarding the list of regions, ... the European Union of future membership and regarding NATO," Poroshenko said in an interview with journalist Vitaliy Portnykov on the Espresso TV channel. Answering the question of whether the Americans can pressure Ukraine regarding changes to the Constitution, in part to reject NATO, Poroshenko said: "They can offer us, and we must be sufficiently reasoned to say that such changes weaken the position not only of Ukraine, they weaken the position not only of Europe and destroy the security architecture of the continent, but they also weaken the United States and its global leadership in the world as a reliable partner." Delhi Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta has written to Chief Secretary Dharmendra, emphasizing the urgent need to adopt the web-based Audit Para Monitoring System (APMS) for tracking pending Action Taken Notes (ATNs) related to Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) reports. Gupta stressed the importance of ensuring that administrative departments in the national capital promptly submit their ATNs. He also shared a list of pending ATNs provided by the Auditor General (Delhi) for reference. In his communication to the Chief Secretary on Monday, Gupta noted that on March 21, Accountant General (Audit) Roli Shukla Magle had apprised him of the status of pending CAG reports and ATNs. He urged that the action taken in this regard be submitted by April 7, enabling the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) to review the matter and take necessary steps. Expressing concern over the delay, the Speaker pointed out that neither the PAC nor the Committee on Government Undertakings (COGU) had examined any CAG report paragraphs or submitted reports to the Assembly. He was particularly surprised that administrative departments had failed to submit ATNs for CAG-reported issues, despite the requirement to do so within three months of a report being laid in the House, regardless of whether PAC or COGU took it up for examination. During a House statement on March 21, Gupta revealed that the AG, Delhi had provided details about various pending CAG report paragraphs concerning the Delhi government. He underscored the seriousness of the matter, highlighting that for the past ten years, neither PAC nor COGU had submitted any reports, and administrative departments had also failed to fulfill their ATN submission obligations. Gupta emphasized that CAG officials conduct rigorous audits, and only significant irregularities make it into the final report. The failure of departments to submit ATNs, he warned, undermines the audit process, rendering it ineffective. The Speaker also mentioned that the Government of Indias Expenditure Department has established a monitoring cell to ensure compliance. A web-based system, APMS, developed by NIC, was introduced for tracking pending ATNs. In January 2025, the AG, Delhi had requested the Delhi Finance Department to adopt the APMS for improved monitoring. Gupta asserted that implementing APMS would reduce paperwork and enable real-time monitoring of ATN submissions. He directed the Finance Department to submit a status report by the first week of April 2025. Advertisement The reported statement by Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar that the Congress will amend the Constitution to provide reservations for Muslims rocked Parliament on Monday, with both the Houses being adjourned multiple times while the Rajya Sabha, without transacting any business. When the upper house met for the day, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju raised the issue, accusing the Congress of trying to subvert the Constitution by bringing religion-based reservations. Follwoing this, treasury and Opposition benches sparred over the issue of reservations to Muslims in Karnataka public contracts, leading to the adjournment of the Rajya Sabha till 2 pm. Advertisement BJPs National President and Leader of the House in the Rajya Sabha JP Nadda strongly criticised the Congress, alleging that its efforts to introduce reservations based on religion contradict the principles set by Dr B R Ambedkar in the Constitution. Advertisement Launching a fierce attack over the issue, the Rajya Sabha leader said, Congress is plotting to dismantle and rewrite the Constitution for political gains.He accused the grand old party of brazenly pushing religion-based reservation, endangering secularism and national unity. He said, Congress partys attempt to introduce religion-based reservations goes against the very principles laid down by Dr B R Ambedkar in the Constitution. In Karnataka, Congress has already passed a 4 per cent reservation based on religion in public contracts. Even more concerning is that their Deputy CM has openly stated that they would even change the Constitution to fulfill their divisive agenda. This blatant attempt to divide the nation for political gain poses a threat to Indias unity. He stated that DK Shivakumar has again said that the Constitution has been given by the Congress and the work of changing the Constitution will also be done by the Congress. There is no repentance Nadda said the Congress is making a mockery of the Constitution and demanded an answer from Congress president and Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Rijiju said the Congress is trying to subvert the Constitution by bringing religion-based reservations. Mr Kharge responded by saying it is the BJP that is subverting the Constitution to divide the country, the Congress is trying to protect it. His speech was disrupted by BJP members protest. Loud protests erupted as LoP Kharge said his party took up the Bharat Jodo Yatra across the country to protect the Constitution. Mr Rijiju, however, accused the Congress of having sullied the prestige of the Constitution while raising the issue of Muslim reservation. He also demanded Shivakumars resignation. He said a senior Congress leader holding a constitutional post has made a statement that they (Congress) are going to change the Constitution of India to provide reservation to the Muslim community. We can not take this statement lightly. The upper house saw several adjournments before finally being adjourned for the day as ruckus prevailed in the house. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Rijiju took up Shivakumars remarks in the Lok Sabha also. He accused the Congress leader of saying Muslims will be granted reservation by amending the Constitution. Jagdambika Pal, who was in the Chair, adjourned the House till 2 pm. Earlier, the Lok Sabha too witnessed adjournment for an hour as Speaker Om Birla disallowed Samajwadi members from carrying posters. In Karnataka, Congress leader DK Shivakumar threatened legal action against the BJP bigwigs for twisting his remarks and carrying out a false propaganda and disinformation campaign against him. When mediapersons caught up with the deputy chief minister at his residence, Shivakumar stoutly denied that he ever said: We would change the Constitution. The BJP is carrying out a propaganda. I will fight it legally, he said. Shivakumar maintained that his remarks were factual. All that I said was that there is a precedence of changing the Constitution based on the courts orders. I have never said we will change the Constitution. Congress is a national party that brought the Constitution in the first place. We understand the importance of the Constitution better than others. The Centre has failed the people in the recent Budget and hence it is trying to rake up other issues. It is part of BJPs continued political conspiracy, Shivaumar said Five individuals convicted of looting, assaulting, and abducting two army officers and their two female friends, along with gang-raping one of the women, were sentenced to life imprisonment in Madhya Pradesh on Monday. The incident occurred at Jaam Gate, a picnic spot near Mhow Cantonment in Indore district, between 2 and 3 am on September 11, 2024. Advertisement According to Special Public Prosecutor Sandhya Uikey of the Mhow Court, Fourth Additional Sessions Judge Ravishankar Dohre convicted the accusedAnil Barod (27), Pawan Wasuniya (23), Ritesh Bhabhar (25), Rohit Girwal (23), and Sachin Makwana (25)and sentenced them to life imprisonment. Advertisement The court also ordered the convicts to pay 50,000 to the rape survivor and 10,000 each to the other three victims. Detailing the events of the night, the Public Prosecutor stated that two trainee officers from the Armys Infantry School in Mhow had gone to visit the Jaam Gate area with two female friends. Six men, armed with a pistol and sticks, attacked them, assaulting and threatening to kill them while demanding 10 lakh. The assailants looted mobile phones and 8,000 in cash before sending one of the trainee officers and his female friend back to the Infantry School to arrange the demanded money. Meanwhile, the rape survivor and the second trainee officer were held captive and taken to a nearby hill, where accused Ritesh and Anil gang-raped the woman while the other four restrained the officer. Following the incident, the Army initiated an inquiry into the conduct of the two trainee officers. Sources identified them as Lieutenant Pranit (23) and Lieutenant Kaushal Singh Pal (22), who were undergoing the Young Officers Course at the Infantry School in Mhow at the time. The inquiry aims to investigate the gross indiscipline and violation of training rules, including why the officers were outside at such an hour. The outcome of the Armys inquiry is yet to be disclosed. Student organizations affiliated with INDIA bloc parties staged a protest against the New Education Policy (NEP) 2020, paper leaks, the UGC draft rules and growing privatization of education at Jantar Mantar here on Monday. The protest was led by Congress-led student wing, National Students Union of India (NSUI)-led INDIA. Advertisement During the demonstration, the members of the several student organisations shouted slogans while holding aloft placards, against the ruling dispensation. Advertisement Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and several other MPs from the Opposition parties also participated in the protest. Addressing the students, Gandhi warned against Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) control over education and urged them to fight for academic freedom. The BJP-RSS want to control education to suppress independent thinking. Students must resist their agenda, unite and take this movement nationwide. This is a fight for Indias future, he said. Echoing similar sentiments, NSU national president Varun Choudhary said, The BJP government is systematically destroying Indias education system through privatisation, exam scams, and anti-student policies like NEP 2020. Lakhs of students are suffering due to repeated paper leaks and irregularities in competitive exams, yet the government refuses to take accountability. He demanded a transparent and fair examination system that safeguards the future of the youth. Attacking the BJP, Choudhary said, Instead of addressing our legitimate concerns, the BJP government is using police force to silence students. But this movement will not stop here. NSUI, along with the students of India, will continue this fight till the government is held accountable and necessary reforms are implemented. He said the youth of this country will not tolerate an education system that serves the interests of a few while jeopardising the future of millions. The Indian Army successfully conducted a state-of-the-art eye surgical camp at 158 Base Hospital, Bagdogra, West Bengal, recently, delivering advanced medical care to ex-servicemen and their dependents. During the five-day camp, which began on March 20, a total of 1,752 individuals were screened for various ophthalmic ailments, including cataracts. More than 350 cataract surgeries were performed by an expert team of doctors from Army Hospital (Research & Referral), New Delhi; Base Hospital, Delhi Cantt; and Command Hospital, Lucknow. Advertisement In addition to the surgical procedures, over 500 high-quality prescription glasses were distributed free of cost, ensuring that patients received top-tier medical care. The use of advanced medical equipment and high-standard lenses reinforced the Ministry of Defences commitment to providing quality healthcare. Advertisement A significant highlight of the camp was the successful treatment of 17 ex-servicemen and their dependents from Nepal who were screened and provided free-of-cost cataract surgeries with high-quality lenses. This outreach emphasised the Indian Armys dedication to assisting veterans beyond national borders. The initiative was spearheaded by Brig Sanjay Kumar Mishra, a renowned ophthalmic surgeon and Head of the Department of Ophthalmology at Army Hospital (Research & Referral). Brig Mishra, credited with performing over one lakh successful cataract, vitreoretinal, refractive, and glaucoma surgeries, stated that the camp brought world-class treatment to veterans residing in the Himalayan foothills, covering West Bengal, Sikkim, Assam, and Nepal. The initiative ensured that these veterans received high-quality care without the need to travel long distances. The Indian Navy is launching two landmark initiatives IOS Sagar and AIKEYME to reinforce its position as the Preferred Security Partner and First Responder in the IOR. These initiatives are in line with the Indian Navy significantly deepening its partnerships with maritime agencies across the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) in alignment with the government of Indias vision of Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR). A statement from the Naval spokesperson stated that the Indian Ocean Ship (IOS) Sagar initiative aims to enhance maritime cooperation with IOR nations. As part of this effort, the Indian Navy is deploying INS Sunayna to the Southwest IOR, manned by a combined crew from India and nine Friendly Foreign Countries (FFCs), namely Comoros, Kenya, Madagascar, Maldives, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, and South Africa. Advertisement During its month-long deployment in April 2025, INS Sunayna will make port calls at Dar-es-Salaam (Tanzania), Nacala (Mozambique), Port Louis (Mauritius), Port Victoria (Seychelles), and Male (Maldives). The ship will also conduct joint surveillance of the Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) of Tanzania, Mozambique, Mauritius, and Seychelles. Advertisement Recognizing the shared commitment of India and African nations to maritime security, the Indian Navy, in collaboration with the Tanzania Peoples Defence Force (TPDF), is launching the first edition of Africa India Key Maritime Engagement (AIKEYME), which translates to Unity in Sanskrit. This large-scale multilateral maritime exercise aims to enhance interoperability among participating navies and maritime agencies in tackling challenges such as piracy, illicit trafficking, and unregulated fishing through improved information sharing and joint surveillance. Scheduled to take place in mid-April 2025 at Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania, AIKEYME will be inaugurated by Honble Raksha Mantri, Shri Rajnath Singh. The six-day exercise will see participation from Comoros, Djibouti, Eritrea, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, and South Africa, in addition to the co-hosts India and Tanzania. The Harbour Phase of AIKEYME will include Tabletop and Command Post exercises focusing on piracy and information sharing. Additionally, participating forces will engage in seamanship training and Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (VBSS) operations. The Sea Phase will involve a series of maritime exercises, including search and rescue operations, VBSS drills, small arms firing, seamanship evolutions, and helicopter operations. Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has said that the state government has ordered a high-level inquiry into the death of engineer Vimal Negi, which will be completed within 15 days. He assured that whoever is found guilty will not be spared. Advertisement Sukhu was responding to the discussion on the cut motion proposal brought by the opposition in the state assembly on Monday. Advertisement The opposition was absent during the voting, and the proposal was rejected, and the demand was passed in full. The Chief Minister questioned the demand for a CBI inquiry into Vimal Negis death, saying that the BJP wants to politicize the issue. He alleged that the CBI and ED are already in the hands of the BJP and are being used to harass opposition leaders. Sukhu claimed that law and order in the state are under control and that the government is capable of protecting the lives and property of the people. He said that the police are effectively investigating crimes and using modern technology to prevent them. The Chief Minister also said that the state government has launched a campaign against drug abuse and has implemented the PIT-NDPS Act to control it. He praised the efforts of the police in Shimla and Solan districts in controlling drug abuse. Sukhu accused the previous BJP government of shielding the mining mafia and said that his government will take strict action against those involved in illegal mining. He announced that the government will form committees at the local level to monitor mining activities. Earlier, Leader of the Opposition Jai Ram Thakur had demanded a CBI inquiry into Vimal Negis death and criticized the government for its handling of law and order in the state. Thakur said that the government has failed to control crime in the state and that the people are feeling insecure. Other BJP MLAs, including Satpal Singh Satti, Randhir Sharma, and Trilok Jamwal, also spoke on the issue and criticized the government for its handling of law and order. The opposition walked out of the assembly in protest after the Chief Ministers reply. Earlier, Cut Motion proposal was presented by the Leader of the Opposition, saying that the state government has left Himachal Pradesh at the mercy of God. He said that law and order in the state have deteriorated and the state government is responsible for it. He said that for the first time, gang wars are happening in the state. MLA Satpal Singh Satti raised the issue of the recent shooting incident in the state and said that until the state government responds to those involved in such incidents in their own language and prevents them from fleeing the state, such crimes cannot be stopped. He said that the state government should adopt the formula of the Yogi government to deal with those involved in such incidents, otherwise, one day the youth of Himachal will also be involved in such incidents. MLA Randhir Sharma termed the recent shooting incident in Bilaspur as a gang war and said that due to the negligence of the police, the number of murders is increasing in the state. MLA Trilok Jamwal termed the recent shooting incident outside the court in Bilaspur as a contract killing and said that contract killing has started in the state. MLA Dr Hansraj suggested using AI to control crime and suggested taking the help of SPOs to catch drug smugglers, especially Chitta smugglers, in Chamba district. Raising the issue of drug mafia and law and order in his constituency, MLA Lokendra Kumar demanded strict action. President Droupadi Murmu on Friday hailed Chhattisgarh as a pillar of Indias democratic framework. She was addressing the silver jubilee celebrations of the Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly here. Advertisement Murmu praised its commitment to inclusive governance, acknowledged its cultural and economic significance, and highlighted its progress in social and developmental reforms. Advertisement Expressing a personal connection to Chhattisgarh, she recalled her multiple visits to the state and lauded its people. I have visited Chhattisgarh five to six times. The warmth and hospitality here are exceptional, which is why we say Chhattisgarhiya sabse badhiya (Chhattisgarhs people are the best), she remarked. Emphasizing the deep cultural ties between Chhattisgarh and Odisha, she stated, Administrative borders may divide states, but our hearts remain united. Whether Odisha or Chhattisgarh, we share traditions, heritage, and faith. She pointed out the historical link between the two regions, citing the sacred 56 Kothi rice offering at the Jagannath Temple, which originates from Chhattisgarh. Lord Jagannath belongs not just to Odisha but to the world and to Chhattisgarh, she affirmed. Hailing Chhattisgarhs progress, the President asserted that the state is witnessing the final phase of Naxalisms decline, with affected communities increasingly embracing development initiatives. She urged citizens to realize the 250-year-old vision of social reformer Guru Ghasi Das and contribute to building a Shreshtha Chhattisgarh (exemplary Chhattisgarh). Recognizing the states economic potential, President Murmu praised its abundant mineral resources and thriving industries, including cement, steel, aluminum, and power production. She also highlighted Chhattisgarhs globally recognized traditional craftsmanship, extensive forests, and picturesque waterfalls, emphasizing their role in boosting the regions economy and cultural identity. Addressing the Assemblys achievements, Speaker Dr. Raman Singh noted that since its formation, the House has passed 565 bills, including key legislation on witchcraft-related persecution and food security. The 90-member Legislative Assembly comprises representatives from diverse backgrounds, including 30 Scheduled Tribe (ST), 10 Scheduled Caste (SC), 35 Other Backward Class (OBC), 15 general category, and 19 women legislators. President Murmu specifically acknowledged the contributions of women lawmakers and encouraged them to take leadership roles across various sectors. Women must lead in every sphere of life, she urged. Governor Ramen Deka described the silver jubilee as a milestone in Chhattisgarhs democratic journey and declared the year as Atal Nirman Varsh to honor former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayees vision. Chhattisgarhs future lies in its infrastructure development, which will drive prosperity and growth, he stated. As a symbolic tribute to Chhattisgarhs progress, President Murmu planted a Kadamba sapling in the Assembly complex. Her two-day visit also included delivering addresses at the convocations of AIMS and NIT Raipur on October 25, offering prayers at the Jagannath Temple, and participating in the IIT Bhilai convocation on October 26. Upon her arrival at Swami Vivekananda Airport in Raipur, President Murmu was welcomed by Governor Ramen Deka, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, Union Minister Tokhan Sahu, Deputy Chief Ministers Arun Sao and Vijay Sharma, Raipur Mayor Meenal Choubey, and other dignitaries. Chhattisgarhs 25th year of statehood marks a significant milestone in its journey of governance, development, and cultural preservation. President Murmus visit reinforced its growing stature as a model of democratic resilience and economic potential. Her address highlighted the states deep-rooted traditions, progress in key sectors, and commitment to inclusive growth. Chhattisgarh is not just a state, it is a testament to Indias diversity, strength, and aspirations, she stated, encapsulating its evolving role in the nations future. Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda on Monday reaffirmed the central governments unwavering commitment to achieving a TB-Mukt Bharat, and said tuberculosis treatment coverage has increased in the country. Speaking at the World TB Day 2025 summit, the Minister said, Our TB elimination strategy is based on whole of the society and whole of the government approach. Advertisement Lauding the 100 Days Intensified TB Elimination campaigns strategy to deploy cutting-edge technologies, including handheld X-ray units and upfront Nucleic Acid Amplification Testing (NAAT) some of which were deployed using mobile vans (Nikshay Vahans), he said this helped the campaign shatter geographical barriers and brought vital screening and diagnostic services to remote and underserved areas. Advertisement He informed that over 13.46 lakh Nikshay Shivirs, or community screening and awareness camps were organised in the districts bringing essential TB services directly to the doorsteps of crore of people. Citing that TB treatment coverage in India has increased from 59 to 85 per cent, Nadda said, 12.97 crore people were screened for TB with 7.19 lakh new cases detected. Among the notified TB cases, approximately 2.85 lakh were asymptomatic cases who might have otherwise gone undetected without the stratified screening strategy of the campaign. Mentioning that TB is not over yet, he has announced further scaling up of the TB elimination campaign to cover all districts in India. The Minister further said that India is one of the top global funders on TB research and congratulated ICMR for their significant research on TB. He highlighted some innovations like RT-PCR machines used during the Covid pandemic which is adapted for use in TB screening. Similarly, indigenous diagnostic kits developed by ICMR not only reduce the cost for TB detection but also improve efficiency by conducting 32 tests in one go, Nadda added. The operation against holed up terrorists in Jammu and Kashmirs Kathua district continued on Monday. However, there was no exchange of fire between the security forces and terrorists in the night. DGP Nalin Prabhat accompanied by Bhim Sen Tuti, IGP (Jammu) reached the operation site on Sunday evening to supervise the operation against holed-up terrorists in Sanyal village of Hiranagar tehsil which is barely 4 Km away from the International Border (IB) with Pakistan. Advertisement Not a single fire was exchanged between the holed-up terrorists and the security forces after 7 p.m. yesterday. The entire forested area, where 3 to 5 terrorists are believed to be hiding, has been surrounded, officials said. Advertisement A 7-year-old girl was injured on Sunday during the firing exchanges between the security forces and the terrorists. She was immediately shifted to the hospital. Doctors at the hospital said her condition was stable. Reports reaching here said that a local woman, Anita Devi and her husband Ganesh Kumar had spotted the terrorists when they had gone into the forested area to collect firewood. Based on this input, joint forces started a CASO (Cordon & Search Operation) in Sanyal village near the IB in the Hiranagar sector of Kathua district. As the joint forces, including the Army, the Special Operations Group (SOG) of the J&K Police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), closed on hiding terrorists, they were fired at, triggering an encounter, officials said. The IB between India and Pakistan is situated in the district, and in the past also, terrorists have attempted to sneak into the Indian side over the border. Recently in Kathua, three civilians Darshan Singh, 40, Yogesh Singh, 32, and Varun Singh, 14, went missing on March 5 while returning from a wedding in Marhoon village. Their bodies were discovered on March 8 near a waterfall on the edge of an escarpment in a wooded area following an extensive search involving the Army, police, drones, and sniffer dogs. The brutal killing of three relatives by terrorists in the Bani area of Kathua is extremely sad as well as a matter of great concern, Union Minister Jitendra Singh said in a post on X. In the wake of the incident, Union Home Secretary, Govind Mohan came to Jammu on March 9 and chaired a high-level security meeting regarding the safe and peaceful Amarnath Yatra beginning on July 3 and the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) which will soon be inaugurated. The Home Secretary laid emphasis on the security situation in the Jammu division while giving detailed directions on the overall security situation in J&K. Initially confined to Poonch and Rajouri districts, terrorist activities have spread to other areas of Jammu, including those that were relatively free from such incidents until a few years ago like the Chenab Valley, which was declared militancy-free and Udhampur and Kathua. In the past, highly trained terrorists have been ambushing vehicles and using grenades and armour-piercing bullets, as well as M4 assault rifles. Sources said the use of sophisticated weapons by terrorists indicates a significant escalation in the threat level. Analysts say that over the last couple of years, the Pir Panjal region dividing Kashmir Valley from Jammu has witnessed a surge in militancy as anti-terror operations in Kashmir have pushed terrorists to the mountains where they hide and wait for the right moment to carry out attacks on security forces. Leader of the European Solidarity party, Petro Poroshenko, considers China's initiative to carry out a peacekeeping mission in Ukraine encouraging. "The initiative that was put forward... officially, that China is ready to consider, provided that Ukraine addresses the issue of the participation of the Armed Forces of the People's Republic of China in carrying out the Boots on the Ground peacekeeping mission on the territory of Ukraine, looks very encouraging," Poroshenko said in an interview with journalist Vitaliy Portnykov on the Espresso TV channel. According to Poroshenko, this can be done by a different format for ensuring security. "And here the United States must understand that if the United States abandons its global state status, then the holy place... is never empty and it will be occupied by China. And potential allies will be treated differently, who can simply switch from the United States to China," Poroshenko emphasized. However, the spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the PRC, Guo Jiakun, stated at a press conference on Monday, March 24, that reports about discussions of China's participation in peacekeeping forces in Ukraine are false, the Chinese publication Global Times reports. A political slugfest has broken out in Maharashtra after Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis demanded an apology from stand-up comic Kunal Kamra on Monday, even as Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) leaders began to support Kamra. Fadnavis said, Even though there is freedom to do stand-up comedy, he (Kunal Kamra) cannot speak whatever he wants. The people of Maharashtra have decided who the traitor (gaddaar) is. Kunal Kamra should apologise. This will not be tolerated. There is a right to do comedy, but if it is being done to defame our Deputy CM Eknath Shinde deliberately, then it is not right. Advertisement Kunal Kamra has posted the same red constitution book shown by Rahul Gandhi. Both of them have not read the constitution. The constitution allows us freedom of speech, but it has limitations. People have voted and supported us in the assembly elections in 2024. Those who were traitors were sent home by the people. The people showed those who insulted the mandate and ideology of Balasaheb Thackeray their place. One may create comedy, but making derogatory statements cannot be accepted. One cannot encroach on others freedom and ideology. This cannot be justified as freedom of speech, Fadnavis said. Advertisement In a related development, Maharashtras Minister of State for Home Affairs Yogesh Kadam said on Monday that the location of stand-up comic Kunal Kamra, who allegedly made unsavoury references about Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, is being tracked by the police and strict action will be taken against Kamra as per the law. Kamras location is being traced. Strict action will be taken as per the law. One must understand both sides of the coin, he said. During his performance at the Habitat Studio at the Unicontinental hotel in Mumbais Khar area, Kamra had allegedly referred to Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde as a gaddaar (traitor) in his parody song, though Shindes name was never mentioned anywhere in the song. Kmara had sung a parody version of Bholi Si Surat, a popular song from the 1997 film Dil To Pagal Hai after which multiple FIRs have been filed against Kamra, including one based on a complaint by Maharashtra Transport minister Pratap Sarnaik of the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena. Meanwhile, stand-up comic Kunal Kamra has stated that he does not regret his remarks, according to Mumbai police sources. The sources said that Kunam Kamra, who is presently in Tamil Nadu, also denied the allegations that he had been paid by the Opposition to tarnish Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shindes reputation. Kamra also told the police that they are welcome to check his financial details if needed, adding that he would apologise for his act, only if asked to do so by a court of law. It is learnt that the functionaries of the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena have threatened to teach Kunal Kamra a lesson. Earlier, Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena functionary Rahul Kanal said after vandalising the Habitat Studio Comedy Club at the Unicontinental Hotel in Mumbais suburb of Khar, This is just a trailer. If anybody says anything derogatory about our senior leader or our elders, we will not spare them. Shiv Senas Thane MP Naresh Mhaske, who is a close aide of Deputy CM Shinde, said that Kamra would not be able to move freely in India and would have to move out of India. Mhaske accused the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena of hiring Kamra to target Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. He is a hired comedian and hence is making comments on our leader for some money. Let alone Maharashtra, Kunal Kamra cannot freely go anywhere in India. Shiv Sainiks will show him his place, Mhaske said, adding that Kamra would have to apologise. However, the Opposition supported Kamra and criticised the BJP-led Mahayuti government for deteriorating law and order after Eknath Shinde-led Sena leaders vandalised the venue where Kunal Kamra had performed. Interestingly, Deputy CM Ajit Pawar of the NCP said he favoured dissent, adding, There need not be police involvement in this matter. Nobody should go beyond law, constitution and rules. They should speak within their rights. There can be differences, but it should be noted that there need not be any police involvement. Leaders from the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena condemned the attack on Kamra and criticised the Fadnavis government. Thackeray-led Shiv Sena Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut called Fadnavis a weak home minister while sharing footage of vandalism by functionaries of the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena. Shiv Sena leader and MLA Aaditya Thackeray defended Kunal Kamras parody song on Shinde, stating it was 100 percent true and that only an insecure coward would react to a song by someone. In his post tweeted on X, Aaditya Thackeray said, Mindhes (nick name for Eknath Shinde) coward gang breaks the comedy show stage where comedian @kunalkamra88 put out a song on Eknath Mindhe, which was 100 percent true. Only an insecure coward would react to a song by someone. Sanjay Raut defended Kunal Kamra citing freedom of speech while sharing an old video of Deputy CM Ajit Pawars 50 khoke ekdam ok (Rs 50 crore and everythings okay) remark, when Pawar was part of the then undivided NCP. Reposting an old video of Ajit Pawars 50 khoke ekdam ok (Rs 50 crore and everything is okay) remark, Raut noted that this was what Kunal Kamra had referenced in his show. Even small kids know what is 50 khoke ekdam okay. When people hear the siren of vehicles, they say 50 crore person, gaddaar (traitor) is going, Ajit Pawar had said in the old video reposted by Raut, suggesting that the phrase reflected public sentiment. Raut demanded that CM Fadnavis should recover damages from Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena leaders who vandalised the venue where Kunal Kamra had performed, exactly like he did with the Nagpur rioters. Those who vandalised Kunal Kamras studio should be made to compensate for the loss of property, Raut said. He said Maharathras state capital is being run by goons. He said that in whatever Kamra sang or said, he had never named anyone directly. It is clear that Fadnavis is completely incapable of handling the home department. After the Nagpur violence, the chief minister had said that the damage caused to property will be recovered from rioters. On Sunday night, workers of the Shinde Sena damaged property. In such a situation, damages should be recovered from them as well, Raut said. Raut said, Union Minister Amit Shah has made the country a police state, but Maharashtra is an exception to this. Maharashtra has a goonda state. An attempt is being made to make the entire Maharashtra a Beed district. Kunal Kamra has also made political satire. But 50 to 60 people go and break the studio. This shows that Maharashtra has a weak home minister (Fadnavis). He attacked Fadnavis saying that he should resign from the post of home minister of Maharashtra. When the studio was destroyed, was the police sleeping? Is there an emergency in Maharashtra? The Mumbai Police Commissioner should be transferred for yesterdays incident. This entire plot was cooked up one and a half to two hours in advance. What was the Mumbai Police doing, Raut asked. Raut said that action should also be taken against the senior police officials of the police station where this incident took place. Maharashtra is being vilified in the country in terms of law and order. Take action against those who give threats. People in politics should tolerate sarcastic criticism. If Fadnavis wants to maintain his reputation, he should take action against the rioters. Why didnt those who did this attack attack Prashant Koratkar who insulted Shivaji Maharaj? If you do that, then the entire Maharashtra will stand by you, Sanjay Raut said. Congress leader Nana Patole called the Kunal Kamra venue attack as an attempt to destroy Maharashtra. He also criticised the Fadnavis government and said that there was no law and order in the state. There is no law and order in Maharashtra. People are leaving Maharashtra out of fear. The industries are leaving from here. The government says that there should be peace in the state, but they are engaging in vandalism like this. They want to destroy Maharashtra, Patole said. Sharad Pawar-led NCP leader Rohit Pawar supported Kunal Kamra saying, Such satirical remarks were a strength for several tall leaders, like Balasaheb Thackeray. Eknath Shinde is his worker. In 2003, such remarks were made on Chhagan Bhujbal, who is now in Mahayuti. At that time, his workers vandalised an office. Taking responsibility for it, Chhagan Bhujbal had resigned. Yet, Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena leader Shaina NC slammed Kamras comedy special calling it vulgarity. You call Maharashtras most popular CM and deputy CM gaddaar and label it comedy. This isnt comedy. Its vulgarity, she said. Who is this Kunal Kamra, hired and used as a puppet by UBT as a diversionary tactic? Can you stoop so low for cheap publicity? she said. Eknath Shiv Sena MLA Muraji Patel also filed a separate complaint, based on which an FIR was registered against Kamra at the MIDC police station. Patel demanded strict action and insisted that Kunal Kamra issue a public apology within two days, warning that failure to do so would result in restrictions on his movement in Mumbai. Patel said, I want to tell him to apologise to Eknath Shinde within two days; otherwise, Shiv Sainiks will not let him move about freely in Mumbai. If he is seen anywhere in public, we will paint his face black. We will take up this issue in the Assembly and request our states home minister to order action against him as soon as possible. The comments which were made by elitist and classist people, who are disguised as comedians, need to be called out. Maharashtra is very proud of a man who started as an auto rickshaw driver and rose to become the CM of Maharashtra, Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena Rajya Sabha member and former union minister Milind Deora said. Mocking Shinde, a self-made leader who rose from driving an auto to leading Indias second largest statereeks of classist arrogance. India is rejecting entitled monarchs & their bootlicking ecosystem that pretends to champion meritocracy and democracy, Deora said. Shiv Senas Thane MP Naresh Mhaske, who is a close aide of Shinde, said that Kamra would not be able to move freely in India and would have to move out of India. He accused the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena of hiring Kamra to target Shinde. He is a hired comedian, and he is making comments on our leader for some money. Let alone Maharashtra, Kunal Kamra cannot freely go anywhere in India, Shiv Sainiks will show him his place, he said, adding that Kamra would have to apologise. Former Union minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar on Monday took charge as the head of the Kerala BJP unit. Pralhad Joshi, who is in charge of the organizational elections for Kerala, officially announced Rajeev Chandrasekhar as the state president of the BJP at the state council meeting held in the capital city. Advertisement Making the official announcement, he said Chandrasekhar was unanimously elected to the post. Advertisement K Surendran, who vacated the post after a tenure of five years, handed over the party flag to Chandraekhar amid loud cheers from the party workers. On Sunday, Prakash Javedkar, the partys Kerala-in-charge, announced Rajeev Chandrasekhars name at the core committee meeting. He filed his nomination for the presidents post at the BJPs state headquarters at Mararji Bhavan in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday afternoon. Rajeev Chandrasekhar was the only candidate for the position. Speaking at the state council after assuming charge, Rajeev Chandrasekhar expressed his gratitude of being elected as the partys Kerala chief and said that his goal will be to expand the partys base in the state, and make it a land of opportunities. Party has given me the responsibility of state president. In the name of all party workers ,I am taking this responsibility. Last time when the party asked me to contest from Thiruvananthapuram, it was a surprise and a matter of pride for me, he said. This party has become in this position due to the efforts and dedication of a lot of party workers. From Mararji to K Surendran, all state presidents have contributed to it. We should remember the sacrifice of theirs and their families, he further said. Everyone knows that our youth has talent. Why is Kerala going backwards? The government is getting into a situation where it is running on loans. Why is Kerala going backwards? The government is getting into a situation where it is running on loans. Why are children going out? Thousands of job opportunities are being created in Karnataka. Why is this not happening in Kerala? People have lost faith because two parties in Kerala made unfulfilled promises. Kerala should grow, create a better future for children. Enterprises should come. That is the mission of BJP. PM Modi has made Indias economy better, which was in ruins. BJP has transformed it into a new India, he said The BJP national leadership is positioning him as the symbol of development-driven politics as the party looks to the future. They have found in him someone who can drive the party to new territories with his potential appeal to sections beyond the partys core voters. The decision of the national leaders was also crucial in the situation where it was not possible to reach a single name among the state leaders. His close relationship with the leaders of the Christian church also led to the consideration of Rajeev Chandrasekhar. Prime minister Narendra Modi had included Rajeev Chandrasekhar in his meetings with church leaders held earlier Known for articulating his vision in a way that appeals to a broad audience, Rajeev Chandrasekhar s politics is different from the conventional one .Unlike the conventional politician, his style is marked by detailed PowerPoint presentations rather than countering allegations with rhetoric. He was a three-time Rajya Sabha member from Karnataka. Rajiv Chandrasekhar is becoming the state president of the BJP with two decades of political experience. The national leadership is presenting Rajiv Chandrasekhar as the face of developmental politics in these changing times. Rajeev Chandrasekhar stands out for his development-centric approach. It is being said when Rajeev Chandrasekhar speaks four lines, he speaks of a development concept which will enthuse the people. The party national leadership has chosen Rajeev Chandrasekhar , leaving aside everyone else, based on the value of this vision. He has been in the Rajya Sabha for three consecutive terms from Karnataka since 2006. He was the Union Minister of State for skill development in IT and electronics in the second Modi ministry . Rajiv Chandrasekhar , who was the Vice Chairman of the Kerala NDA, is the first BJP leader to become the partys state president without a Sangh Parivar background The national leadership hopes his appointment will rejuvenate the fractured Kerala BJP, which has long struggled with internal factionalism. In fact, his appointment is being seen as the BJP national leadership and the RSS attempt to end the perceived factionalism in the BJP state unit. He is not aligned with either of the two major factions in the Kerala BJPone led by former union minister V Muralidharan and outgoing president K Surendran and the other by P K Krishnadas Born in Ahmedabad in 1964 to Air Force officer M.K. Chandrasekhar and Valli Chandrasekhar, Rajeev initially made his mark in the business world from Bengaluru. Though his professional roots were in Karnataka, his family hails from Kondiur in Palakkad, Kerala, which remains his connection to the state. During a time when wireless telephony was just a dream, Rajeev launched pagers and then mobile services through BPL in 1994, becoming a key figure in Indias technological revolution. In 2005, he established Jupiter Capital, further expanding his business ventures. A large section of BJP workers and sympathizers of BJP in Kerala have expressed happiness over the selection of Rajeev Chandrasekhar to lead the party and hoped that he would lead the BJP aggressively in the state, reflecting the sentiments of party workers and sympathizers. They believe that he would take on the CPI-M and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan more effectively. They also feel that the outgoing leadership was soft towards the CPI-M and Pinarayi Vijayan. With the new leader in the helm of affairs, there will be a restructuring in the core committee and the state organizational structure. Along with senior leaders, youth will also be part of the organizational restructuring. The first challenge before Rajiv Chandrasekhar is the local body elections to be held later in the year and then the assembly elections to be held in April-May 2026. The alleged statement by Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar that the Congress will amend the Constitution to provide reservations for Muslims, rocked Parliament on Monday, with both the Houses being adjourned till 2 pm as ruckus prevailed on the issue. In the Rajya Sabha, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said the Congress is trying to subvert the Constitution by bringing religion-based reservations. Leader of the House JP Nadda said the Congress is making a mockery of the Constitution and demanded an answer from Congress president and Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge. Though Mr Kharge said it is the BJP who is subverting the Constitution to divide the country, the Congress is trying to protect it, his speech was disrupted in the protest by BJP members. Advertisement Loud protests erupted as the LoP Kharge said that his party took up the Bharat Jodo Yatra across the country to protect the Constitution. Advertisement Mr Rijiju, however, accused the Congress party of having sullied the prestige of the Constitution while raising the issue of Muslim reservation. He also demanded Shivakumars resignation. Raising the issue of Muslim reservation, Congress has sullied the prestige of Babasaheb Ambedkars Constitution. If you have guts, demand the resignation of the Deputy CM today itself, the Union Minister said. Leader of the House JP Nadda said the Congress is making a mockery of the Constitution and demanded an answer from Congress president, LoP Kharge.Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar adjourned the House as the ruckus continued. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Rijiju took up Shivakumars remarks in the Lok Sabha also. Mr Rijiju accused the Congress leader of saying Muslims will be granted reservation by amending the Constitution Jagdambika Pal, who was in the Chair, adjourned the House till 2 pm. Earlier the Lok Sabha too witnessed adjournment for an hour as Speaker Om Birla disallowed Samajwadi members from carrying posters. The Speaker was irked after Samajwadi legislators carried posters in the House and said, Poster baazi nahi karein. Outside the House, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju told a news agency, Today, both the Houses of Parliament Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha had to be adjourned on a very serious issue. The NDA party has taken very serious note of the statement given by a senior Congress leader who holds a Constitutional position and he has clearly stated that the reservation in contracts to the Muslims is a step towards providing reservations and other facilities to the Muslim community and for that, he has clearly stated that the Constitution of India would be changed. He further said, His statement is very clearThey want to give reservations to the Muslim community by changing the Constitution of India. Please remember one thing, the Muslim representation and reservation issue was rejected in 1947 when the Muslim League brought this matter to the constituent assembly for providing reservation to the Muslim communityOur Constitution is secular, there can be reservation based on economic and social criteria but there cannot be reservation on the basis of religious identity and affiliationBy amending the Constitution, the person has committed fraud on the Constitution of India. I had sought the position of Congress party & Congress party president who is the LoP in Rajya Sabha, and he must tell on the Floor of the House whether they are going to sack the person holding a Constitutional position or they are going to state clearly that Congress will destroy the Constitution of India. In a purported video shared by BJP national Spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla, Shivakumar is heard talking about changing the Constitution to grant religion-based reservations when a good day comes. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday said the entire nation now acknowledges the states emerging identity in areas of security, good governance, prosperity, and Sanatan culture. On the occasion of the Uttar Pradesh government completing 8 years in office, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath unveiled a comprehensive blueprint of the states development journey at a press conference here on Monday. Advertisement During the event, a documentary titled Ek Jhalak showcasing the achievements of the government over the past eight years was screened, and a special booklet released. Advertisement Addressing the media, CM Yogi said, With the inspiration of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the collective efforts of 25 crore citizens, Uttar Pradesh is moving forward on the path of transforming from a Shram Shakti Punj to an Arth Shakti Punj of India. The state is the same, but its perception has been completely transformed over the last eight years. He said, Uttar Pradesh, which once carried the tag of a BIMARU state, has today emerged as the growth engine of the Indian economy. The Chief Minister emphasized that the past eight years of service, security, and good governance have been achieved under the visionary leadership and inspirational guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He congratulated the 25 crore people of the state for being part of this transformative journey and highlighted the significant impact made by the double-engine government across all sectors. CM Yogi also announced that a three-day Vikas Utsav will be celebrated at all district headquarters on March 25, 26, and 27. During the event, Annadaata farmers, youth, women, artisans, and entrepreneurs will be honored, and the development milestones of 10 years of the Central government and 8 years of the State government will be showcased to the public. The Chief Minister stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has set a clear vision to make India a $5 trillion economy, and Uttar Pradesh is playing a pivotal role in this mission. UP is currently the second-largest economy in the country and is poised to become number one soon, he said. He expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP President JP Nadda, his cabinet colleagues, and all constituent parties of the NDA for their continuous support. He credited the states journey over the past eight years to a collective spirit of teamwork, scale, skill, and speed. Reflecting on the situation before 2017, CM Yogi said that Uttar Pradeshs identity was in deep crisis. Farmers were committing suicide, the youth were searching for purpose, daughters and businessmen felt unsafe, and riots and lawlessness had crippled the economy, he recalled. At that time, UP was labelled a BIMARU state and seen as a hurdle to national development. But in eight years, the double engine government has transformed that perception. Today, Uttar Pradesh is leading progress across every sector, becoming a breakthrough force in the nations development, he asserted. Discussing the transformation in agriculture, the Chief Minister noted that Uttar Pradesh has always been an agriculture-rich state, with abundant fertile land and water resources. However, before 2017, the condition of farmers was dire, he said. One of the first major decisions of his government in 2017 was to waive loans of small and marginal farmers, worth Rs 36,000 crore. As a result, food grain production increased from 557 lakh metric tonnes in 2016-17 to 668 lakh metric tonnes in 2023-24 a 20% rise. He further shared that over Rs 10 lakh crore has been transferred directly to beneficiaries through DBT. Long-pending irrigation projects such as Arjun Sahayak, Bansagar, and Saryu Canal were completed, bringing irrigation to an additional 23,000 hectares. Leveraging the expertise of Krishi Vigyan Kendras, new agricultural universities, and modern technology, UP has emerged as a leader in the production of paddy, wheat, pulses, and Shri Anna (millets). Speaking about the turnaround in the sugarcane sector, CM Yogi recalled that from 2008 to 2017, sugarcane farmers were burdened with unpaid dues running into thousands of crores. Our government ensured that not a single sugar mill was shut down, and at the same time, opened three new sugar mills, revived six, and expanded 38 others, he said. Between 2017 and now, Rs 2.80 lakh crore has been paid to sugarcane farmers Rs 60,000 crore more than the total paid in the previous 22 years, he pointed out. Ethanol production has also surged, growing from 42 crore litres to 177 crore litres, he added. Highlighting law and order as the biggest achievement of his government, CM Yogi said, Before 2017, riots were a regular occurrence. Daughters and traders lived in fear. Today, there is a clear rule of law in Uttar Pradesh. He cited the Prayagraj Mahakumbh as an example of effective governance, noting that during the 45-day event, not a single incident of molestation, robbery, or kidnapping was reported. He also pointed out that in 2017, there were 1.5 lakh vacant police posts. Through a transparent recruitment process, the government appointed 1,56,000 police personnel and recently added another 60,200. There were no police lines in 10 districts today, weve built them in every district, he added. Training capacity for police personnel has increased from 6,000 to 60,244. CM Yogi noted that while the previous governments had abolished 54 companies of the PAC; his government reinstated them. Additionally, three women battalions and five new PAC battalions were established. Cyber police stations and help desks were set up, and the response time of Police Response Vehicle (PRV) 112 was brought down from 25 minutes 42 seconds to just 7 minutes 24 seconds. The Safe City project has taken shape with the installation of over 11 lakh CCTV cameras, ensuring greater surveillance and public safety. Focusing on youth development, CM Yogi stated that the unemployment rate, which was 19% in 2016-17, has declined to just 3% today. Over the past eight years, more than 8 lakh government jobs have been provided, and over 2 crore youth have been empowered through self-employment in the MSME sector. Furthermore, 50 lakh youth have been made digitally enabled through the distribution of tablets and smartphones. With 96 lakh MSME units, Uttar Pradesh leads the country in this domain. The One District One Product (ODOP) scheme has revitalized traditional industries and entrepreneurship, with exports rising from Rs 86,000 crore to over Rs 2 lakh crore. Under the Mukhyamantri Yuva Udyami Vikas Yojana, the target is to create one lakh new entrepreneurs by March 31. Young entrepreneurs are being provided interest-free, collateral-free loans up to Rs 5 lakh. Artisans are also being supported through skill development and toolkits under the Vishwakarma Shram Samman Yojana. Speaking on educational reforms, CM Yogi noted that cheating in exams, once seen as a norm, has now been eliminated through transparent and strict practices. Enrollments in Basic Education Council schools have increased by over 50 lakh. Every child receives Rs 1,200 for uniforms, school bags, books, shoes, and sweaters. Schools have been upgraded with facilities such as toilets, clean drinking water, digital libraries, and proper flooring. The resumption of Israeli ground operations in Gaza and counter-attacks by Hamas mark a sobering juncture in a conflict that shows little sign of resolution. After weeks of a tenuous ceasefire, hostilities have erupted with renewed ferocity. The Israeli military has re-entered the Palestinian territory with ground forces, complementing an already devastating air campaign that, by some accounts, has killed hundreds in a matter of days. Once again, ordinary civilians are caught in the middle, paying the highest price as the machinery of war rolls on. At the heart of this escalation lies a fundamental impasse. Israel is determined to eliminate the threat posed by Hamas, to retrieve its remaining hostages, and to create what it calls a buffer between the north and south of Gaza. Hamas, in turn, continues to resist, refusing to acquiesce to terms it views as surrender. It has responded with rocket fire into Israel, showing that its ability to strike back ~ however limited ~ remains intact. Both sides are entrenched, and civilians on both sides are living under the shadow of relentless violence. This latest phase of fighting demonstrates how cycles of ceasefire and combat are increasingly short lived and fragile. Advertisement Ceasefires, when they occur, are no longer political breakthroughs but brief respites that allow for regrouping and rearming. In Gaza, families who had only just returned to their homes during the last pause in hostilities are once again being forced to flee. Evacuation orders and the movement of ground troops point to a strategy of deepening isolation within Gaza, effectively splitting the territory in two. The human cost of this manoeuvering is staggering. Israels military strategy appears aimed at breaking Hamas through overwhelming force and deprivation, including the continued blockade of food, fuel, and medicine. Advertisement Yet history suggests that pressure and military might alone rarely succeed in delivering long-term security or peace. Hamas has proven to be an enduring force, deeply embedded in Gazas political and social fabric. Even as Israel pushes forward with ground operations, the question remains: what comes next? If Hamas is dismantled, who governs Gaza? If it survives, does this cycle simply reset? For Palestinians in Gaza, the humanitarian situation is reaching an unbearable level. Casualty figures continue to rise, with women and children accounting for a significant proportion of the dead. Essential services have all but collapsed. The isolation of Gaza from basic resources, combined with the destruction of infrastructure, makes the enclave unlivable for many. This renewed war underscores the need for international engagement that looks beyond military solutions. A durable peace requires addressing root causes, including political disenfranchisement, security concerns, and humanitarian needs. Without such a reckoning, the region risks remaining locked in a perpetual state of war, where ceasefires are mere pauses in an ongoing cycle of destruction. A few days after Donald Trump was elected to his second term, I was walking in Manhattans Washington Square Park, where an intense protest was underway. The theme, similar to the many protests after his first election in 2016, was that the nation had taken a turn toward a grim future and that Donald Trump is a fascist. Those days, everywhere you looked there was a protest, an art project, a newspaper article, impassioned speeches by celebrities, that concluded (or simply began with the assumed premise) that Donald Trump is a fascist. Is it all just political mudslinging or is there some truth to this? It depends on whom you ask. Fascist seems to have many, often imprecise, and sometimes downright contradictory uses. Its also been rendered nearly meaningless, since being disfavored in historical hindsight and is now a common insult, casually flung at political opponents. In Trumps case, even the usual range of meanings are hard to apply. You could make a pros-and-cons list and youd probably fill both columns evenly. Advertisement For example, he seems to flirt rhetorically with ethnonationalism, calling for mass-deportations of vaguely defined groups who are supposedly destroying the blood of our country. But, contrary to the hopes of his more overtly ethnonationalist followers, the deportations have been evenhanded (so far) and his policy seems to favor legal, merit-based, racially neutral immigration. Hes a cult-of-personality authoritarian, expecting the legislature and courts to act with fealty toward him rather than on their own constitutional mandates. Yet, he seems to want the central government to have LESS power, leaving local and personal matters largely to states and individuals (or so he says; the inconsistencies in his views on individual freedom and decentralization of power warrant a full, separate discussion, so lets leave that aside for now). In his first term, he often accused his critics of treason for crossing him and expressed admiration for thuggish, dictatorial foreign leaders. Yet, he had the sense to avoid declaring national martial law during the Covid-19 pandemic, although some people called on him to do so. In fact, after the first two-weeks of quarantine, he tried to open things up, while his political opponents were advocating draconian lockdowns, indefinitely. Due to the U.S.system of federalism, each state gets to make such decisions for itself. It would be an extraordinary power grab by the President if he took full charge. Despite his chest-thumping personality, Trump eschewed that, a move thats hard to square with charges of fascism. Advertisement I dont think Trump fits any coherent definition of fascist, though he sometimes skirts the edge. He is lately showing some disturbing tendencies that werent apparent in his first term. Perhaps the most unexpected change is his foreign policy posture. Until recently, a key assurance that he wasnt a fascist was his lack of imperial ambitions. Indeed, a big part of his support base comes from the currently rising movement of paleo-conservative populists, for whom his somewhat isolationist foreign policy was a big part of the appeal. He wanted to get the U.S. out of multilateral security and/or peace agreements and other international commitments. He complained incessantly about how much NATO costs the U.S., while benefiting partner nations who allegedly arent pulling their own weight. Of course, everything about Trump being contradictory, his quasi-isolationism was tinged with his personal brand of bluster (my button is bigger than yours he said to North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un, threatening fire and fury like the world has never seen). Nevertheless,in the first Trump era, the idea was that America would be fierce in its OWN defense and would not abide threats to its security. But this wasnt paired with any sense of hegemonic expansionism. If anything, he seemed to find global leadership an unprofitable burden for the U.S. After all,one of his biggest pet peeves was globalism. He opposed U.S. involvement in foreign regional conflicts, seeming to prefer a transactional, country-by-country approach to diplomacy, a kind of serial bilateralism. He even negotiated with the Taliban to pull out of Afghanistan (though the actual withdrawal happened under the Biden administration and certain changes). It was all part of the America First message that seemed to resonate with most of his supporters. Its a whole new Trump Administration. It seems his stance went from something like we dont want to get involved to something like we dont want the responsibilities of leadership but we will seize your territories if we want. [disclaimer: not real quotes!] Trumps purported renaming of the Gulf of Mexico, his repeated references to annexing Canada, his declaration that Greenland will be purchased (or seized if Denmark refuses to sell), his announced intention of a militarized takeover of the Panama Canal, are all mindboggling expressions of raw power with no hint of diplomacy or moral justification directed at U.S. allies and friends! Ive heard credible explanations that these gestures are signals to the big adversaries, China and Russia, perhaps conflict-avoidance by suggesting we will have the western hemisphere as our unquestioned sphere of influence, and in return, we will leave other areas to you possibly key parts of the Indo-Pacific and Africa to China and Eastern Europe and West Asia to Russia? Maybeand I fully concede that I dont know what the real strategy isbut if so, it gives me zero comfort. Why would it? Instead of remaining the global hegemon, which at least pretends to be (and, in part, actually is) motivated by keeping the world safe for liberal democracies and global trade, the United States will now be a hemispherical hegemon with NO pretense to any agenda except the naked assertion of its own power and interests?! And it will do so by antagonizing our allies and assuring communist dictatorships and reactionary plutocracies that they can basically have the other half of the earth to do with as they please? No, thats not better. Many (but not all) Trump supporters are reveling in this new twist on Make America Great Again without shame. They opposed the imperialism of the last few decades, which came with the afeigned moral gloss about spreading democracy and freedom. But it seems what they opposed was not the imperialism, but the moral gloss! They LIKE imperialism as long as it does NOT come with moral obligations. This new international bully side of Trump is probably the closest he has come to earning those Hitler comparisons that his critics love to throw at him. But, to be fair, its not actually Hitlerian. Its a misguided interpretation of historical American greatness. Trump seems to have a deep infatuation with but a shallow grasp of American history and what exactly makes it great and exceptional. The nations founders were classical liberals, who believed in private property, free enterprise, individual freedom (including religious and associational freedom), and a republican form of government with very limited powers. Its greatness emerged organically out of the voluntary social and economic transactions among free people. But, while Trump seems to superficially appreciate these values at a feel good level (enough so that hes unlikely to construct any system of central control and repression domestically, one of his non-fascist traits), he is nonetheless eager to engage in economic statism and territorial expansionism toward a collectivist form of national greatness that is manifested through power. Its a revival of the 19th century idea of manifest-destiny which asserted American dominance in the new world by opposing European colonialism there while concurrently expanding Americas own territories by conquest, purchase, etc.,as overseen by the eleventh President James K. Polk, under whose watch the U.S. experienced the largest territorial expansion in its history. Tellingly, Trump recently made a trade with the Speaker of the House of Representatives, giving him a painting, from the White House collection, of third President Thomas Jefferson (author of the constitutions Bill of Rights which guarantees all those celebrated individual liberties) in return for a portrait from the Capitols collection: one of James K. Polk, the manifest destiny president. Polks portrait now hangs in the Oval Office (the presidents formal office). So, does that mean make America great again refers to the greatness of Polks America? Alas, that America cant be recreated. Because that WORLD no longer exists. There arent vast unclaimed, undefended landmasses. Conquest is no longer recognized as legitimate by the civilized world. Todays Americansincluding many of Trumps own supporterswill not uniformly support this kind of behavior. America isnt a fledgling new country shoring itself up against potential threat of conquest itself. No, hes not a fascist. But his leadership style shows he enjoys playing with fascistic tropes. One such trope is this attempt to resurrect past national glory, with a sense of national entitlement and disregard for the rights of others, while handwaving away the true legacy of a countrys moral greatness that could be a better source of inspiration. The author is a lawyer, writer and editor based in Manhattan, New York. Photo by the author. Israels Security Cabinet has approved the establishment of a controversial new directorate to coordinate the voluntary relocation of Palestinians from Gaza to third countries, the Defence Ministry said in a statement on Sunday. The directorate, which will operate under the Defence Ministry, will oversee the voluntary departure of Gaza residents who express interest in relocating. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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. Defence Minister Israel Katz is expected to announce the head of the directorate in the coming days, Xinhua news agency reported. We are working through all available means to implement the vision of the US President, Katz said. Any Gazan resident who wishes to leave voluntarily for a third country will be allowed to do so. In February, US President Donald Trump presented a plan to transfer Gazas Palestinian population to neighbouring 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 Israels 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 October 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. 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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 Peoples 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, Turkeys 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 CHPs 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. Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov has said that the talks between US and Ukrainian delegations have concluded in Saudi Arabias capital Riyadh, saying the discussion was productive and focused, with key points including energy addressed. In a post on Sunday on social media platform X, Umerov, who led the Ukrainian delegation, emphasised that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskys goal is to secure a just and lasting peace for Ukraine and Europe at large, claiming, We are working to make that goal a reality. Advertisement The Ukrainian and US teams met earlier in the day in Riyadh, Xinhua news agency reported. Advertisement According to the Ukrinform news agency, the Ukrainian delegation also included State Secretary of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry Oleksandr Karasevych, deputy heads of the Presidents Office, Pavlo Palisa and Ihor Zhovkva, as well as Deputy Energy Minister Mykola Kolisnyk. The talks came almost two weeks after a previous meeting between the two sides in the Saudi port city of Jeddah saw Ukraine okay a US-proposed 30-day ceasefire plan in exchange for Washington lifting its pause on military aid to and intelligence sharing with Ukraine. Notably, the meeting precedes the talks between US and Russian delegations scheduled for Monday. Media reported late Sunday that the Russian delegation has arrived in Riyadh. The delegation includes Grigory Karasin, chairman of the committee on international affairs in Russias Upper House, and Sergey Beseda, Adviser to the head of Russias Federal Security Service, Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov said earlier. Originally scheduled to take place simultaneously to enable shuttle diplomacy with the US going back and forth between the delegations the technical-level talks on a partial truce are now taking place separately, one after the other. In an evening address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Russia is the only one who is dragging this war out. No matter what we talk about with our partners, we need to push Putin to give a real order to stop the strikes: the one who brought this war must take it away, he said. Discussions between the United States and Russia were set for Monday, with Russian state media reporting Moscows delegation had arrived in Riyadh on Sunday. Trump envoy Steve Witkoff voiced optimism that any agreement struck would pave the way to a full-on ceasefire. 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, 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 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 US 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 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. 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 Russias own exports of farm produce and fertilisers. 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. The US government announced that Zelensky agreed in the talks to halt attacks on Russian energy facilities. Ukraine suggested that its delegation would discuss with its US counterpart a proposal to halt attacks on infrastructure facilities as well when they meet in Riyadh. The US team is expected to hold talks with Russian officials on Monday. Observers are closely watching whether the talks can make any progress that would lead to a ceasefire. Photo: https://eurosolidarity.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/img_0953-1-756x438.jpeg Leader of the European Solidarity party, Petro Poroshenko, speaks in favor of strengthening Ukraine's negotiating teamon achieving a ceasefire. "Today we must be competent and professional ... I will be happy if there are 'heavyweight diplomats' there," Poroshenko said in an interview with journalist Vitaly Portnykov on the Espreso.tv TV channel. According to him, Ukraine currently has insufficient, or no trustworthy communication channels at all that allow it to defend its position. At the same time, he emphasized that the situation is not hopeless. "We just need professionals, patriots, competent people who have the support of the United States of America and Europe to do this. It would be desirable for Ukraine and Europe to be at the negotiating table," Poroshenko believes. The party leader also criticized the lack of communication between the Ukrainian delegation and US Presidential Special Representative Steven Witkoff. "Who communicates with Witkoff? No one communicates. We say: Witkoff expressed the Russian narrative. I agree. Because he communicates with the Russians, he communicates with Putin, but not with the strong Ukrainian team ... Appoint those who can have the opportunity to communicate and convey the Ukrainian point of view to Witkoff, contrary to the Russian one," Poroshenko noted. He also said that he offered his services to participate in the negotiations. Indias sugar production doesnt get the kind of attention that other staples like wheat, onion or even lentils (dal) get. But the fact remains that the nation is one of the worlds biggest producers of sugarsecond only to Brazildespite the highs and lows it is facing. Indias sugar production has some extreme contradictions, depending on who you listen to and what you hear about it. For example, while the National Federation of Cooperative Sugar Factories Association has posted lower production this year due to premature flowering of sugar crop as well as infestations, the private sugar millers association, ISMA (Indian Sugar & Bio-energy Manufacturers Association), has estimated much higher output. Similarly, there is the whole ethanol issue. Many manufacturers believe the Indian governments ethanol mandate, which proposes a mix of upto 20 per cent of ethanol in petrol by the end of this year, has made many mills divert their production towards ethanol. This may not be a bad thing if you believe Alok Saxena, executive director of Gobind, a Zuari Industries-run sugar mill. The increased demand for ethanol has forced sugar mills to adopt modern technologies and improve their efficiency. Farmers too are benefiting, as consistent demand for sugarcane ensures better income and timely payments. As more sugar mills start producing ethanol, the industry is seeing a positive change, and India is becoming a global leader in biofuel production, and sugar cane farmers and millers have a brighter future, Saxena said. But the ethanol drive is not without its own challenges. For example, the push towards ethanol may not have seen a rise in price of the raw material in the domestic market, but it has already had an impact on exports. Last year, Wilmar noted that 50 lakh metric tonnes of sucrose was redirected to ethanol production. In fact, estimates are that with climate issues hitting both Brazil and India, other countries might just gain an advantage on the sugar export scene. In India, the industry still looks to the government for solace. Already, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka, three of the biggest sugar cane cultivating states have reported a dip in production. The industry oscillates between surplus and deficit, leading to excess stock or shortages and disruption in the market. Export restrictions to maintain domestic availability prevent India from fully leveraging global demand. All this puts the industry's sustainability at risk, necessitating government intervention, explains Saxena. His solution? Revising the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) regularly (to) ensure sugarcane farmers get fair returns and mills make profits. Create buffer stocks in surplus years to stabilise prices and ensure supply during lean periods. The air defence systems of Russia intercepted and destroyed as many as 59 drones while Ukraine claimed that it downed 57 drones overnight even as cross-border drone attacks continue despite the ceasefire talks. According to local Ukrainian official, at least seven people were killed after Russia launched a barrage of drones across Ukraine overnight. Starting in the evening, Russia attacked regions of Ukraine with over two hundred strike drones and decoy drones. Guided aerial bombs were also used. Odesa, Zaporizhzhia, Sumy, Kyiv, Khmelnytskyi, and Chernihiv regions came under fire. As a result of the massive strikes by the pic.twitter.com/0SKnWgDwMk Volodymyr Zelenskyy / (@ZelenskyyUa) March 21, 2025 Russian defense ministry said 29 drones were destroyed over the territory of the Rostov Region, 20 drones over the Astrakhan Region, three drones over the Voronezh Region, three drones over the territory of the Volgograd Region, two drones over the territory of the Republic of Crimea, and one drone was destroyed in each of the Kursk and Saratov Regions. Voronezh Region Governor Alexander Gusev claimed that while there was no casualties or damage as a result of the Ukrainian UAV attacks in the region, the danger of a UAV attack in the region remains. "Several unmanned aerial vehicles were intercepted and neutralised while flying over the territory of the Volgograd Region and Volgograd. At the moment, there are no casualties or damage to facilities, and the assessment of the consequences of the falling debris is ongoing," news agency TASS quoted him as saying. Meanwhile, Ukraine Air Force claimed that it shot down 57 drones out of 99 launched by Russia overnight. Russia has developed a new bombing tactics: 1) swarm-attack one particular city in a night, saturating air defence 2) shaheed drones fly higher than usual (saturated AD allows it), nosedive to targets 3) shaheed equipped with thermobaric warheads for maximum damage for civilians. pic.twitter.com/fvbs0aP6FW Sergej Sumlenny, LL.M (@sumlenny) March 21, 2025 According to a Reuters report, 36 imitator drones did not reach their targets. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko requested residents to seek cover while air defences attempted to thwart incoming UAVs. "We must strengthen Ukraine and our armymore air defence and real assistance," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in the wake of the continued drone attacks and counter-attacks. The massive age gap between older male stars and their younger female co-stars has often been a topic of debates on social media, in which Salman Khan's name was brought up too. The Ek Tha Tiger addressed this at an event to launch the trailer of his new movie Sikandar, directed by AR Murugadoss. The actor, 59, asked why social media has a problem with the age gap when his female co-star doesn't, specifically referring to Rashmika Mandanna, 28. "They say there is a 31-year difference between the heroine and me. If the heroine doesn't have any problem or the heroine's father doesn't have any problem, then why do you have a problem?" Salman added that if Rashmika has a daughter and becomes a big star, he will work with her too, provided her mother permits. Praising Mandanna's work ethic, the actor said the Chhaava actress reminds him of his younger self, adding that she worked on two films simultaneously shuffling between the sets of Pushpa 2 and Sikandar. "She has given her best. She used to finish shooting of Pushpa 2 at 7 pm and would join us at 9 pm, and would work till 6.30 in the morning and go back to work on Pushpa 2. Then after breaking her leg, she continued shooting with us, and didn't cancel a single day of shoot. She reminds me a lot of younger me." Mandanna is currently going through a dream run, having appeared in three blockbusters Animal, Pushpa 2 and Chhaava. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said that militancy in Jammu and Kashmir cannot be eradicated without the support of the people, and added that issues related to militancy and law and order do not fall solely under the purview of the elected government. However, the government is assisting to ensure the situation remains stable, he said. Regarding reports of militant activity in Kathua, Abdullah said the security forces had not yet made contact with any militants. STORY | Protests against Waqf Amendment Bill understandable: Omar Abdullah READ: https://t.co/VFwARheu3M VIDEO: (Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/huhJr5mXid Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) March 24, 2025 "As per the information available to me, no direct contact has been established, he said. A search and cordon operation has been launched following reports of suspicious movement in the area. When asked about the Waqf Bill introduced by the Union government, the chief minister criticised the move. He argued that Waqf institutions were being unfairly singled out. "It is clear that only one religious community is being targeted, he said. Every religion has its institutions and all faiths engage in charitable activities. He said that Muslims contribute to society through Waqf, yet these institutions are being selectively targeted. Meanwhile, the Jammu and Kashmir government informed the assembly on Monday that it is planning to examine an anti-defection law for district development councils (DDC). While responding to the cut motion of Peoples (PC) Conference leader Sajad Lone, Rural Development Minister Javid Ahmed Dar said an anti-defection law for DDC has been demanded and after obtaining a legal opinion, the law will be introduced. He said currently no action can be taken against a member of the DDC after defection due to the absence of an anti-defection law in the Panchayat Raj Act 1989. Dar cited the examples of the J&K Municipal Act 2000, whose section 18A leads to the disqualification of a municipal member after defection. The DDCs were constituted in October 2020. The coalition of regional parties comprising NC, PDP, CPI(M), and PC had won half of the 210-member council. The BJP emerged as the single largest party, winning 75 councils, including some in Kashmir. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, whose ambivalent stance on government policies had created a buzz about his growing closeness to the ruling party, took potshots at the budget during his speech in the Lok Sabha. Tharoor hit out at Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, saying I am reminded of a garage mechanic who said, I could not fix your brakes, so I made the horn louder. Looking at this year's Finance Bill, the finance minister has slightly changed her tune. She is now telling taxpayers, I could not repair the roof, so I brought you an umbrella. The Congress MP said, This Finance Bill was a classic case of patchwork solution at a time when the nation needs clarity, conviction and decisive leadership. Not just the Congress MP, but other opposition MPs also hit out at the government during the debate on the Finance Bill. The BJP MPs, Anurag Thakur and Nishikant Dubey, spoke strongly in favour of the bill. The finance minister is expected to reply to the discussion on Tuesday before the bill is passed. Tharoor asked the finance minister if she would present some magician method to address the economic issues. How can the government claim it will cut the fiscal deficit to 4.4 per cent for the coming financial year? The maths do not add up. Are you offering us jadugar economics? How can we reduce the fiscal deficit in these circumstances and if we do, who pays the price? BJP MP Nishikant Dubey during his speech argued that they were not doing any magic but were doing the hard work and labour as the Narendra Modi government had done in the last 10 years. Trinamool MP Mahua Moitra also hit out at the government saying it supported crony capitalists. Albert Einstein had said that the hardest thing in the world was to understand income tax. Similarly, we find it very hard to understand the governments taxation policy. It continues to widen the divide between the two Indias a Kubers India for the elite, and another Vishwakarmas India for the masses who are bearing the brunt of economic mismanagement, she said. Moitra said the government had slashed the food subsidies. "MGNREGA is still underfunded. Last years allocation was Rs. 86,000 crore. This years allocation is also Rs. 86,000 crore, even though there is a higher demand." I oppose this bill because it taxes the wealth creators, ignores the poor, and empowers the government with unchecked powers of intrusion. India deserves better, Moitra said. As Congress MP K.C. Venugopal alleged that a corporate loan worth Rs 18 lakh crore has been written off by the BJP government, the finance minister intervened saying that written off does not mean that the money has been given away. The government is following up with cases. DMK MP Kalanidhi Veeraswamy argued that in the last 10 years, Tamil Nadu has paid about Rs 8 lakh crore in the form of direct taxes, but the devolution which has come back to Tamil Nadu is only about Rs. 2.4 lakh crore. An amount of Rs 5.6 lakh crore has been utilized by the Union government where it has been disbursed to other States like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and other less performing states. Congress MP Hibi Eden, in his speech, talked about the north-south divide in GST on food. Banana fritters and dal vada were taxed at 18 per cent in Kerala, while north Indian sweets attracted only five per cent GST. NCP (SP) MP Supriya Sule asked the government to clear its stance on the tariffs. Tariffs are a big concern for all of us. I want a clear-cut reply on unilateral zero tariffs for agri-products. The MP asked what discussions the government had had with America on this. I want to know the stand of this government on the unilateral zero tariff for agri-products. Are they going to agree to this? ...we will not compromise with this for the farmers of this nation, and the policy will remain the same. Stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra, who is in the middle of a controversy over his remarks on Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, has found support from Shindes bete noire and Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray. Thackeray said Kamra had not done anything wrong but merely expressed his views. He stated the facts and voiced the public opinion, Thackeray told reporters in Mumbai. Kamra hasn't done anything wrong...These traitors don't see Solapurkar and Koratkar who insulted Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. #WATCH | On Kunal Kamra row and vandalism by Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) workers, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray says, "I don't think Kunal Kamra said anything wrong. Calling 'gaddar', a 'gaddar' is not an attack on anyone...Hear the full song (from Kunal Kamra's show) and pic.twitter.com/MKZAs8N90T ANI (@ANI) March 24, 2025 Thackeray was referring to the protests seeking the arrest of Prashant Koratkar, a Nagpur-based journalist, and actor Rahul Solapurkar for their alleged objectionable remarks against Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Kamra, during his performance at the Habitat Comedy Club, referred to Shinde as a "traitor" and sang a parody of a popular Hindi song to describe the Shiv Sena leaders 2022 rebellion against Uddhav. His remarks triggered protests with a group of Shiv Sena workers ransacking the venue at the Unicontinental Hotel. Mumbai Police have arrested Shiv Sena functionary Rahul Kanal and 11 others over the incident. Around 19 people have been identified and named in the FIR while 15-20 persons involved in ransacking the venue remain unidentified, said police. Whole world knows who the traitor is Uddhav Thackerays son and Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aditya Thackeray echoed his fathers views as he compared the Shinde groups threat to Kamra with the Taliban. The whole country, the whole world knows who the traitor and the thief is, he said. Referring to Chief Minister Eknath Shides remarks that the culprits in Nagpur violence would be made to compensate for the loss, the junior Thackeray asked whether those who ransacked Kamras venue would also be made to compensate for the loss. The CM should open his eyes and see who is undermining him. Is it the opposition or his friends?, Aditya said. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis slammed stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra for his alleged insulting remarks against Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and demanded his apology. Fadnavis said Urban Naxals" and "Left liberals" supporting such acts will be taught a lesson. Addressing presspersons, Fadnavis said the state will not tolerate misusing freedom of speech. He charged that individuals cannot insult people deliberately. The chief minister said, Kamra cannot justify his actions and escape action by showing Rahul Gandhi's Constitution (red book), PTI reported. VIDEO | Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) speaks on the stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra controversy. "The way stand-up comedian (Kunal) Kamra tried to humiliate Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde is wrong. We condemn this. Such things can't be tolerated. Kamra pic.twitter.com/NdZREORQ7k Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) March 24, 2025 When you attack the freedom of others, your freedom is restricted. If you insult people on constitutional posts to create disturbances by taking supari (contract) to get publicity, it will not be tolerated. No one will object to stand-up comedy and satire. If we behave recklessly in the garb of freedom of speech and expression, it will not be tolerated. Strict action will be taken as per law," the CM asserted, the publication reported. Kamra, during his performance at the Habitat Studio at the Unicontinental hotel in Mumbai's Khar area on Sunday, referred to Shiv Sena leader Shinde as a "traitor" and sang a parody, modifying the Hindi song 'Dil Toh Pagal Hai'. Kamra targeted Shinde for deserting erstwhile Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena and forming a party of his own for power. VIDEO | Kunal Kamra show controversy: "I watched that clip after the ransacking happened. I want to ask why are they so much bothered when no one's name was taken," says Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray (@AUThackeray). (Full video available on PTI Videos- pic.twitter.com/GvuXsdRCAj Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) March 24, 2025 Fadnavis said, Kamra's aim was to belittle Shinde in the eyes of the people. The opposition is supporting such a talk and one wonders whether Kamra is hand-in-glove with the opposition. He has posted a picture of himself with a red copy of the Constitution book which Rahul Gandhi carries," the publication reported. The chief minister and leader of the Mahayuti alliance said the people of Maharashtra have given their stamp of approval for Shinde. The 2024 assembly polls results have shown who is 'gaddar' (traitor) and who is 'khuddar' (self-respecting), Fadnavis said. The Maharashtra chief minister charged the comedian has a history of making low-level comments on the prime minister, the chief justice of India and the judiciary. Fadnavis charged creating controversy for publicity is Kamras modus operandi. The Maharashtra Assembly had to be adjourned on Monday over the issue, with Shiv Sena leaders demanding stern action against Kamra. The Allahabad High Court Bar Association has called for an indefinite strike from March 25 to protest against the proposed transfer of Delhi High Court judge Justice Yashwant Varma from whose house a huge stack of cash was allegedly recovered. "Lawyers of the High Court Bar Association, Allahabad will go on an indefinite strike from Tuesday following Justice Yashwant Varma's transfer to Allahabad High Court," Association president Anil Tiwari told news agency PTI. The lawyers passed a resolution during the lunch hours of the court and abstained from judicial work for the remaining day. #WATCH | Delhi High Court judge Justice Yashwant Varma row | Prayagraj, UP: Anil Tiwari, President of Allahabad High Court Bar Association says, "The CJI has been requested not to transfer Justice Yashwant Varma in Allahabad High Court or any other court because no court is a pic.twitter.com/hTg85B7E1q ANI (@ANI) March 24, 2025 The resolution said: "The CJI should immediately permit the filing of FIR and investigation by the CBI, ED and other investigative agencies with full permission to the investigative agencies to apply the law of the land to every offender... The strike call came after the Supreme Court on Monday confirmed the transfer of Justice Varma to Allahabad High Courthis parent high court. Earlier, talking to news agency ANI, Tiwari vigorously opposed Justice Varmas transfer to Allahabad High Court, saying no court should be used as a dumping ground. He said Justice Varma should remain in Delhi under the close watch of Supreme Court until the completion of the proceedings. Tiwari also demanded that all judgments delivered by Justice Varma during his tenure be thoroughly reviewed to restore public confidence in the judicial process. #WATCH | Delhi High Court judge Justice Yashwant Varma row | Prayagraj, UP: Anil Tiwari, President of Allahabad High Court Bar Association says, "...Whether this perception which is being given by the Supreme Court administration, is being looked upon by public at large with pic.twitter.com/GZyRfYoiNK ANI (@ANI) March 23, 2025 Justice Varma has been in the middle of a storm after huge stack of cash was allegedly recovered from his residence during a fire incident on March 14. Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna has formed a three-member panel to investigate the allegation against Justice Varma. Based on the top courts direction, the Delhi High Court on Monday announced the immediate withdrawal of judicial responsibilities from Justice Varma until further notice. A petition has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking a fresh and independent probe by a central agency over the alleged honey-trapping row in Karnataka. At least 48 individuals including ministers, political leaders and judicial officers were allegedly targeted by the racket. #WATCH | Ruckus erupts in Karnataka Assembly as BJP MLAs enter the Well of the House and also tear and throw papers before the Speaker's chair (Video source: Karnataka Assembly) pic.twitter.com/giejoDxCXF ANI (@ANI) March 21, 2025 A public interest litigation has been moved in the Supreme Court seeking an independent probe over alleged honey-trapping of Karnataka ministers, leaders and judicial officers. The petition was moved before a bench led by Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna and the petitioner sought an urgent hearing of the matter. The chief justice said the matter will be listed on Tuesday, Bar and Bench reported. Recently, Karnatakas Cooperation Minister K.N. Rajanna said at least 48 MLAs, including leaders from various parties, had been honeytrapped and that the network was spread across the country. Rajanna alleged even Union ministers were targeted by the racket. Karnataka Public Works Minister Satish Jarkiholi also demanded a police probe into the matter. Home Minster G. Parameshwara said a high-level probe into the honey trap charges. If we have to save the dignity of our members, we have to put a brake on such incidents. It's a serious issue. I will order a high-level probe into it," the home minister had said. On Sunday, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar refused to comment on the issue and said he had asked the minister to lodge a complaint. Photo: https://eurosolidarity.org/2025 Directives for negotiations on establishing a ceasefire regime must include outlined red lines and they must be declared publicly, believes leader of the European Solidarity party Petro Poroshenko. "It [the negotiating team from Ukraine]... must have directives. And we must publicly know the boundaries of these restrictions," Poroshenko said in an interview with journalist Vitaliy Portnykov on the Espresso TV channel. Poroshenko named five positions on which there can be no compromises. "First, we will not agree to changes in state sovereignty and national identification. We will not become a colony of Russia no matter who puts pressure on us. Second, we will not agree to change the territorial integrity of Ukraine. We will never recognize the Russian occupation. And we must say this... The third non-compromise - we will never limit the Armed Forces of Ukraine... The fourth position, we will not limit sanctions [against Russia] until a full-fledged peace is achieved. Fifth, we will not voluntarily abandon European and Euro-Atlantic integration," he emphasized. Poroshenko noted that these positions should be made public during the negotiations. The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court on Monday granted four-week time to the Union Home Ministry to take a decision on the issue of Congress MP Rahul Gandhis citizenship. The high court order came on a Public Interest litigation (PIL) filed by a BJP member from Karnataka, S. Vignesh Shishir who had sought a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation into Gandhis alleged British citizenship. During the hearing, Deputy Solicitor General Surya Bhan Pandey sought further two months to take a decision on the issue, but the court posted the matter for hearing next on April 21. In his PIL, the petitioner claimed that he had submitted a detailed representation before the Union home ministry on the issue, which is still pending. Under Indian law, dual citizenship is not allowed. He also argued that he had got some new inputs about the Raebareli MPs alleged British citizenship and the confidential emails the British government had sent to one V.S.S. Sarama who is the respondent no.14 in the case. The PIL further claimed that the British government in its communication with Sarma indicated that it has records of Gandhis British citizenship. The UK government, however, cannot not provide further information on this without a signed letter of authority from the Congress leader. Besides a CBI probe, the petitioner also sought a direction to the Election Commission to cancel Gandhis electoral certificate. Meanwhile, the Delhi High Court is hearing a similar petition filed by former BJP MP Subramanian Swamy who claimed that a now-defunct UK company had listed Gandhi as a British national in some its records. Indian techpreneur and Rippling co-founder Prasanna Shankar has been accused of sexual perversion and kidnap by his wife Divya Sashidhar, as the former on Sunday accused Divya of infidelity and cheating him in the marriage. Shankar also accused the Chennai police of harassing him siding with Divya. In a series of tweets on Sunday, Shankar announced his troubled divorce proceedings with wife Divya. Shankar said they were married for 10 years and had a nine-year-old son. The techie alleged Divya was involved in an affair with another person in the US for six months and he came to know about it after the paramours wife messaged him. My name is Prasanna, who previously founded Rippling (worth $10B); I'm going through a divorce. I'm now on the run from the Chennai police hiding outside of Tamil Nadu. This is my story. Prasanna S (@myprasanna) March 23, 2025 Shankar alleged while he was negotiating divorce and alimony with Divya, she filed a fake rape complaint against him. She made further fake complaints that I raped her. That i circulated her nude videos, etc. Singapore police have investigated these allegations, found them baseless and have cleared me from all charges. I filed for a divorce in India. She filed for a divorce in the US, to try and make more money from the divorce, Shankar alleged on X. Shankar alleged Divya tried to abduct their son to the United States, however, he stopped by approaching courts in the US. Shankar said while they agreed upon sharing equal custody of the son, Divya, she did not submit sons passport and instead filed a kidnapping complaint against him. Shankar also shared videos with his son on X. However, Divya refuted the allegations and alleged Shankar was a sexual pervert. Divya charged Shankar lost his job in the US following his arrest on charges of soliciting prostitution. She alleged Shankar was a sexual pervert who filmed his sexual assault on women using secret cameras. She also levelled allegations of sexual harassment against her father-in-law. Divya said the US Embassy and Chennai police are assisting her to locate her son. Security forces have launched a large-scale search operation in Kathua following reports of militant presence in the area. A woman, Anita Devi, reported the incident after she, her husband, and their daughter escaped from militants in Saniyal, Hiranagar. The militants held my husband at gunpoint and called me towards them, Devi said. But my husband signalled me to run, so I fled. She said one of the militants tried to stop her, but she kept running and screamed for help. Her husband and daughter also managed to escape, though her daughter sustained minor injuries when the militants opened fire. #WATCH | Kathua, J&K: The Indian Army and J&K Police continue a cordon and search operation in the Saniyal area of Hiranagar. After receiving input regarding the presence of terrorists, a joint operation was launched by J&K Police and troops of Rising Star Corps in the general https://t.co/8jtzM1ci9o pic.twitter.com/73nMmtDLu4 ANI (@ANI) March 24, 2025 Devi alerted her brother-in-law and sought help. The incident occurred around 4.30pm, prompting security forces to begin a search operation. The attack took place about five kilometres from the international border. The Border Security Force (BSF) has been alerted to prevent the militants from escaping back to Pakistan. Senior security officials from the police, BSF and CRPF, including Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat, reached the area to oversee the operation. After initial contact with the militants, there has been no fresh exchange of fire. However, the security forces have cordoned off the area and are combing the area. The incident created fear in the area, however, life in Hiranagar returned to normal in the morning. The security forces are carefully operating to locate the militants and avoid any casualties. Kathua has become a key infiltration route for Pakistan-based militants attempting to reach the higher regions of Udhampur, Doda and Kishtwar, and eventually Kashmir. This is evident from a series of terror incidents in the past year. Over the last four years, militants primarily targeted Rajouri and Poonch. However, in 2024, terror activities spread to six more districts in Jammu, leading to 44 deaths, including 18 security personnel and 13 militants. While Rajouri and Poonch saw a decline in terror incidents last year, fresh attacks in Reasi, Doda, Kishtwar, Kathua, Udhampur and Jammu since April 2024 have raised concerns among security agencies. To counter the threat and prevent militants from spreading terror to peaceful areas, security forces have intensified operations across the region. Shiv Sena workers vandalised a hotel in Mumbai's Khar area on Sunday following a protest against stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra who joked about Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. The vandals ransacked Hotel Unicontinental where Kamra's show was shot. The video of the joke was published on social media, following which the party workers stormed the hotel. Shiv Sena leader Rahul Kanal also demanded that a case be filed at Khar Police Station against Kunal Kamra, Aditya Thackeray, Sanjay Raut and Rahul Gandhi under appropriate sections of the BNS for insulting Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and continuously attacking him on social media. Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) leader Rahul Narain Kanal and over 20 others were booked by Khar Police for ransacking the hotel. The 'traitor' song During the show, Kamra, a controversial comedian known for his outspoken stance, modified a version of a Hindi song from 'Dil To Pagal Hai'. Though he took no names, Kamra's lyrics were on lines of "beard on the face, glasses on the eyes, looked like a traitor in my eyes...." Is this not terrorism? What are Shindes Shiv Sena members doing? Dy CM @mieknathshindes party workers are openly defying the law, while CM @Dev_Fadnavis shields them. Not once will the CM declare that they will be dragged out of their graves and held accountable or that the pic.twitter.com/CAOfJbujBy MANJUL (@MANJULtoons) March 24, 2025 #Thehabitat was cracked down by local workers of Shiv Sena over some comic done by #Kunalkamra at the Habitat. Freedom of speech gone for a toss. #standupcomedy #india pic.twitter.com/uz6yQPPXk3 Neelava Chatterjee (@Neelava_03) March 23, 2025 Kamra did not directly take anyone's name but the video went viral on social media, triggering Shiv Sena activists, who believed it was a jibe against Eknath Shinde. Political slugfest Shiv Sena Lok Sabha MP Naresh Mhaske openly threatened Kamra, stating he would face dire consequences for "stepping on the tail of a snake." "Once the fangs are out, there will be dire consequences," Mhaske said, adding that he will have to flee the country as "Shiv Sainiks will start following you everywhere". He also pinned Kamra's act on Uddhav Thackeray, stating that "his party has no other way that they are hiring people to take on Shinde". The issue soon triggered a political slugfest after Shiv Sena Uddhav faction MP Sanjay Raut called Kamra's song amazing. In a post on X, Raut said, "Kunal Kamra is a well-known writer and stand-up comedian. Kunal composed a parody song on Maharashtra's political scenario, which irked the Shinde gang and then ransacked the studio. Devendraji, you are a weak home minister." Raut tagged the personal X handles of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Raut also shared the video, calling Kamra "amazing." Mhaske also attacked Raut, posting: "Sanjay Raut, if you have the courage, then comment on us." In Dubai, seeking employment while on a visiting visa may become tougher as officials are preparing to strengthen monitoring, Arab media reports said. Deportation is an almost certain consequence for any foreigner found working on a visit visa. Crackdowns targeting foreign nationals overstaying their visas and travel agents are imminent across Dubai as the authorities want a clean-up in the job sector, the reports suggest. While it is illegal to work in the UAE while on a visiting visa, the practice has been widespread in the country. The UAE in August 2024 amended its labour laws to impose heavy fines on companies illegally hiring foreign nationals sans proper permits. Firms were warned that they would be penalised up to 1 million UAE Dirhams if found bringing in "cheap labour" into the country by breaking rules. Law enforcement teams have been raiding the premises of big firms in the private sector to ensure they have not employed international workers with expired visas or those on visit visas. Front offices of travel agencies are also being regularly visited by inspection units in the hope of identifying rule-breakers in recent months, people associated with the sector told Khaleej Times. The crackdown is looked at as the next stage of a well-thought-out plan to end visa overstay in the country. The UAE had reportedly run a visa amnesty programme from September to December 2024, helping people overstaying their visit visas to either legalise their status or leave the country without paying any penalties. The programme was a grand success as reports suggest that those overstaying visit visas in UAE got reduced to less than 10 per cent by January 2025. After the deadline expired, at least 6,000 people were identified and dealt with, Khaleej Times said. For tourists, it is now mandatory to have hotel reservations, confirmed air tickets and a certain amount in their bank accounts to enter the country. The further toughening of the rules is seen as the next stage of the government initiative to end illegal employment and visa overstay. Over 1,000 people including journalists were detained on Monday following the massive protest that erupted after imprisonment of the Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu. Since Imamoglu's detention on Wednesday, hundreds took to the streets protesting against the move. It is considered the largest wave of street demonstrations in Turkey in more than a decade. VIDEO: Police use pepper spray as crowds gather to protest Istanbul mayor arrest. Police used pepper spray against a large crowd gathered near Istanbul city hall, as the Turkish city saw its fifth night of protests against the arrest of its mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu. President pic.twitter.com/JsBW19Bv8u AFP News Agency (@AFP) March 24, 2025 At least eight reporters and photojournalists were detained by the police, said the media workers' union Disk-Basin-Is. According to the union, the government's crackdown amid escalating protests was an attack on press freedoms and people's right to learn the truth. Istanbuls Sarachane Park this evening - peaceful student protest . Many are now ready to boycott university classes - after the arrest of @imamoglu_int and the revoking of his degree. #istanbul #turkiye pic.twitter.com/TdeHGM6uz2 emily m (@maitlis) March 23, 2025 A total of 1,133 people have been detained since March 19. Police claimed they recovered acid, firebombs and knives from protesters. Riot police targeted a whirling dervish with tear gas during a protest in Turkey. Video shows his performance disrupted and headwear falling. The demonstration was part of nationwide protests after the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, a key rival to President Erdogan. pic.twitter.com/LAYc2PfVJG Turkish Minute (@TurkishMinuteTM) March 24, 2025 Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said that some circles have been exploiting the right to assemble and demonstrate, attempting to disrupt public order, incite street unrest, and attack our police. Among those detained also included those having ties to groups listed as terrorist organisations, and previous criminal records. Imamoglu's, the top rival of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, arrest is seen as a political move ahead of the presidential race in 2028. Imamoglu was named the oppositions candidate for president. Imamoglu was jailed on suspicion of running a criminal organisation, accepting bribes, extortion, extortion and illegally recording personal data. Temporarily, Imamoglu was suspended from duty following his arrest. The municipality had previously appointed an acting mayor from its governing council. Imamoglu was taken to Silivri prison. Along with Imamoglu, 47 others were also jailed pending trial including the two district mayors from Istanbul. Steve Witkoff, Donald Trumps Middle East envoy, has emphasised that the president is focused on avoiding military conflict with Iran and is keen on pursuing dialogue and building trust. During a recent television appearance, Witkoff explained that Trump saw himself as a leader of peace and believed there was no need for military action when talks were possible. He said the US did not need to rely solely on military solutions and that the administrations message to Iran was an invitation to engage in diplomatic discussions to find a resolution. "We don't need to solve everything militarily," Witkoff told Fox News yesterday. "Our signal to Iran is let's sit down and see if we can, through dialogue, through diplomacy, get to the right place. If we can, we are prepared to do that. And if we can't, the alternative is not a great alternative, said Witkoff. 1/2 Steve Witkoff in an interview with Carlson summarized Trump letter to Iran: I am a president of peace. That's what I want. There's no reason for us to do this militarily. We should talk. We should, clear up the misconceptions & create a verification program../ pic.twitter.com/jrSsN7HHfO SeKooh (@3KooH) March 22, 2025 This diplomatic effort stems from Trumps recent letter to Irans Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, outlining a two-month deadline for a new nuclear agreement and proposing a verification programme to ease concerns about the weaponisation of Irans nuclear materials. However, tensions persist. Irans Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi described the letter as more threatening than conciliatory, asserting that negotiations with the US remained impossible unless Washington changed its approach of applying pressure. Earlier, Khamenei had rejected engagement, labelling Trump a bully. The Iranians are still miffed with Trump, holding him responsible for the collapse of the nuclear deal known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in 2018 and for reimposing sanctions. It prompted Iran to enrich uranium to 60 per cent purityclose to weapons-grade levels. According to the International Atomic Energy Agency, Iran has enough fissile material for multiple bombs but has not moved to make one, yet. Military developments add complexity. Trump has cautioned Iran over its ties to Yemens Houthi forces, who were subjected to a massive round of American attacks recently. The Houthis responded by targeting Israel and the US has advised Jerusalem restraint, promising to take care of the Iran-backed rebels. Even as Trump and Witkoff urge for peace, senior White House officials continue to insist that Iran eliminate its nuclear programme entirely. This, alongwith military threats, has sparked debate within Iran about abandoning its stated no-weapons policy. Trump has expressed a preference for diplomacy, indicating that Iran could be addressed either militarily or through an agreement, and that he favours the latter to avoid harming Iran, whom he described as great people. Amid these developments, the Trump administration is preparing for a strategic meeting with Israeli officials to assess the implications of Irans nuclear programme. This comes close on the heels of a recent US-Israel joint air force exercise demonstrating preparedness for potential strikes if diplomacy collapses. Egyptian officials have put forth a new proposal on Monday, aimed at reviving the stalled Israel-Hamas ceasefire. Under the plan, Hamas would release five living hostages, including an American-Israeli, in exchange for Israel permitting humanitarian aid into Gaza and agreeing to a suspension of hostilities. Israel would also free hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. A Hamas spokesperson responded positively to the proposal but offered no further details. Meanwhile, the Israeli military has further intensified its operations in Gaza following the collapse of a ceasefire in place since January 19. Defence Minister Israel Katz declared that the army would seize more ground in Gaza, threatening to annex parts of the territory unless Hamas released the remaining hostages. The Israel Defence Forces have already retaken the Netzarim corridor that cuts across the Gaza Strip. They have also advanced on Beit Lahiya and Rafah and enforced a blockade on northern Gaza. Katz also warned about expanded buffer zones and permanent Israeli occupation, along with intensified aerial, naval and ground assault. Speaking to journalists, he reminded Hamas about the controversial proposal by US President Donald Trump to transform Gaza into a resort after expelling the Palestinians living there. In contrast, Jordan has proposed exiling 3,000 Hamas members, including military and civilian leaders, from Gaza to end the conflict. This plan, shared with American and Palestinian sources, includes disarming Hamas and other factions on a set timeline, paving the way for the Palestinian Authority to govern the territory. The wars toll continues to mount, with Gazas health ministry reporting over 50,000 Palestinian deaths as of Sunday. The report noted that most casualties were women and children, although it does not differentiate between civilians and fighters. Thousands more are believed trapped under rubble. Trumps envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, blamed Hamas for the renewed violence, accusing the group of rejecting a bridging proposal that could have secured a 40- or 50-day ceasefire. Despite this, he signalled a willingness to start talks with Hamas to halt the bloodshed, even as he reaffirmed American support for Israel. Putting Hamas further on the back foot, the Fatah movement, led by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, asked Hamas to give up power in Gaza to safeguard the existence of Palestinians. Fatah spokesperson Monther al-Hayek asked Hamas to step aside from governance and fully recognise that the battle ahead will lead to the end of Palestinian existence. An Israel Defense Forces carried out an airstrike on a Gaza hospital on Sunday night, killing the new "Hamas Prime Minister". The militant group has confirmed his death. IDF claimed that Hamas has been exploiting civilian infrastructure like hospitals to hide terrorists. The Gaza health ministry run by Hamas said the strike was targeted at the surgery department of the hospital. Who was Ismail Barhoum? Identified as Ismail Barhoum, the top Hamas official had replaced Issam Daalis as the "prime minister" of the militant group in Gaza. Barhoum, who was injured in an earlier airstrike, was being treated at the Nasser Hospital in Gaza's Khan Younis. He was earlier targeted when he was at his home in Khan Younis on March 18 morning. Israeli strike hit the second floor of Nasser Medical Hospital in Khan Younis, Gaza. The strike targeted Hamas Political Bureau member Ismail Barhoum. He was receiving treatment for critical injuries sustained in last weeks attack in the ICU. The surgery department was pic.twitter.com/WCEHBwmQcd Clash Report (@clashreport) March 23, 2025 Barhoum was a member of the Hamas political bureau and was looking after the financing of the militant group's activities. The European Union had imposed sanctions on Barhoum in 2024. Two other Hamas military commanders were also killed recently. They were identified as Gaza City Brigade deputy commander Ahmad Salman Awj Shimali and Shejaiya Battalion commander Jamil Omar Jamil Wadiya in the same brigade. #BREAKING Israel bombs emergency ward of Nasser Hospital. This is where the American delegation of physicians are working in Gaza. Dr. Mark Perlmutter Dr. Feroze Sidhwa Dr. Tanya Haj Hassan All three are vocal about Israels crimes in Gaza. They are clearly being targeted. pic.twitter.com/lpfMOi4nw1 Samira Mohyeddin (@SMohyeddin) March 23, 2025 Barhoum's death comes after at least four Hamas political bureau members were killed in the Israel airstrikes since last week. Out of the total 20 members of the bureau, 11 have been killed since October 7, 2023. Around seven of the remaining political bureau members are believed to be abroad. Salah al-Bardawil, who was a spokesperson for the Palestinian Islamist Organisation and a member of the Hamas political bureau, was killed in an airstrike on Sunday morning. His wife also died in the attack. Mahmoud Abu Wafa, the head of Hamas internal security, was also slain in an airstrike. Hamas military intelligence chief Osama Tabash was another person to be killed in IDF strikes. Hamas currently holds at least 59 male hostages, of who 35 are believed to be dead. The militant group has dismissed demands put forth by the US and Israel, following which the latter decided to carry out airstrikes and block humanitarian aid to Gaza. The recent planned trip by the United States delegation this week has not been received well by Greenland authorities. In fact, the Greenland leaders are angered by the visit after President Donald Trump suggested that the US annex the semi-autonomous territory. The delegation led by Usha Vance, wife of Vice President J.D. Vance and the White House National Security Adviser Mike Waltz and Energy Secretary Chris Wright would visit a US military base and watch a dogsled race. Mass Protests in Greenland Against U.S. Takeover Threat Thousands rallied in front of the U.S. consulate in Nuuk. Greenlandic leaders Mute B. Egede & Jens-Frederik Nielsen led the demonstration. Video: Aglobalcampusnetwork pic.twitter.com/uFqU6gSNtA Rusty Sun Compass (@sun_iscompass) March 23, 2025 They are set to visit on Thursday. The delegation will return to the US on March 29. Greenland's outgoing Prime Minister Mute Egede called the delegation's visit a "provocation". He also added that the US cannot be trusted hereon. Second Lady Usha Vance will lead a delegation to Greenland this week to tour a U.S. military base and attend a dog sled race. Greenlands PM Mute B. Egede has termed the visit "highly aggressive." pic.twitter.com/UoTg669zyX PhoenixTV News (@PhoenixTV_News) March 24, 2025 "Until recently, we could trust the Americans, who were our allies and friends, and with whom we enjoyed working closely," he was quoted by a local newspaper Sermitsiaq. Egede also added that the only purpose of the visit was to demonstrate power to us. The Greenland government is transitioning as the Democrats won the parliamentary election on March 11. Jens-Frederik Nielsen, leader of the Democrats, called for political unity and criticised the timing of the visit during coalition talks. Meanwhile, Brian Hughes, spokesman for the White House National Security Council said that Vance's visit aims to build on partnerships that respect Greeland's "self-determination and advances economic cooperation." This is a visit to learn Greeland's culture, history and people, he said. Heavy security has been deployed in Greenland ahead of the visit. Two US Hercules military transport planes arrived in Greenland's capital Nuuk late on Sunday, carrying security personnel and bulletproof vehicles. Around 60 police officers were deployed from Denmark as well. Vance in a video posted by the US consulate in Greenland said that she aims to "celebrate the long history of mutual respect and cooperation between the nations." Talks of annexing Greenland have gained momentum since Trump returned to power in January. Both Greenland and Denmark have voiced opposition to any US takeover. However, Trump has not ruled out using force to achieve his aim. Photo: https://www.president.gov.ua/ Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy does not believe that the pause in the transfer of US intelligence information to Ukraine affected the Kursk operation, and refused to place blame for it on the administration of US President Donald Trump. Dont get me wrong. The state of morale always depends on whether your partners are standing beside you. But I wouldnt say that the freeze influenced the operation in Kursk, Zelenskyy said in an interview with The Time. At the same time, what bothered Zelenskyy most about Trumps role in that operation had less to do with intelligence sharing than with Russian disinformation, since during Trumps phone call with Putin, he told the U.S. president that thousands of Ukrainian troops in Kursk had been surrounded by Russian forces. That was a lie, Zelenskyy stressed. As reported, on March 5, US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Director John Ratcliffe said that the USA had suspended arms and intelligence supplies to Ukraine. According to him, this decision was made following a meeting between Ukrainian and US Presidents Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House. On March 12, CNN reported, citing an American official, that the flow of weapons and intelligence sharing between the United States and Ukraine had been fully restored. According to the publication, American weapons are once again flowing into Ukraine, and the exchange of intelligence between the countries has been fully resumed after a meeting between US and Ukrainian officials in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, March 11. Sydney, Mar 24 (The Conversation) When the United States starts a trade war with your country, how do you fight back? For individuals, one option is to wage a personal trade war and boycott products from the US. President Donald Trump has said no nation will be exempt from his tariffs, and this includes both Australia and New Zealand. His tariffs on all steel and aluminium imports, in particular, could hurt the sector in Australia, while New Zealands meat and wine exports to the US could also feel the effect. So far, political leaders have responded differently. Canada, Mexico and the European Union have imposed reciprocal tariffs on the US, while Australia has indicated it will not retaliate. But whether governments choose to push back or not, citizens in those and other countries are making their own stands. This includes artists such as renowned pianist Andras Schiff, who has cancelled his upcoming US tour. Most notably, collective outrage at the US president has led to a growing global boycott of Elon Musks Tesla due to his role in the Trump administration. Sales of new Tesla vehicles are down 72% in Australia and 76% in Germany. The share price has dropped by more than 50% since December 2024, with calls for Musk to step down as chief executive. Some governments are even encouraging consumer boycotts. The Canadian government, for example, has urged citizens to fight back against the unjustified US tariffs by purchasing Canadian products and holidaying in Canada. Canadians are clearly embracing this advice. Road trips to the US have dropped by more than 20% in the past month and US liquor brands have been removed from some Canadian stores altogether. This rise in calls for boycotts of American brands and companies is unsurprising in the Trump 2.0 era, where the lines between government and corporate America have become increasingly blurred. Political change by proxy When people want to protest a government policy, but have no political leverage because theyre not citizens of that country, boycotting corporations or brands gives them a voice. These actions are sometimes called surrogate or proxy boycotts. This form of political consumerism, where individuals align their consumption choices with their values, is now one of the most common forms of political participation in western liberal democracies. When France opposed the war in Iraq in 2003, US supporters of the war aimed boycotts at French imports. Consumers in the US, United Kingdom and elsewhere have boycotted Russian goods over the invasion of Ukraine, and targeted Israel over its military action and policies in Gaza and the West Bank. Most famously, protests against the apartheid regime in South Africa from the 1950s through to the 1990s helped isolate and eventually change its government. The current boycotts are not just protesting Trumps trade war, of course. They are also about the role of unelected leaders from the corporate world, such as Musk and the heads of the Big Tech and social media companies, and their perceived self-interest and influence. Trump has responded angrily to consumer boycotts, calling the actions against Tesla illegal, which they are not. Indeed, political leaders like Trump often argue that consumer action, rather than government regulation, should be relied on to ensure corporations conform to social expectations. How to wage a personal trade war Consumer boycotts do create change under certain conditions typically when there is a contained problem that the targeted corporation has the power to solve. For example, consumer boycotts against Nestle in the 1970s over false and dangerous marketing of powdered milk for infants led to changes in the firms marketing approaches. Boycotts of Nike products over sweatshop conditions for workers had a direct impact on the companys bottom line and led to improvements. Things may still need to improve at Nestle and Nike, but these boycotts show consumer pressure can catalyse corporate action. However, it is much harder though not impossible for boycott campaigns to succeed when the target is a government. Consumers boycotting American products can amplify the impact of their protest by also lobbying retailers. For example, if enough consumers stop buying a bottle of soft drink from the US, major supermarkets like Woolworths and Foodstuffs will stop buying thousands of bottles. There are also other ways to vote with your wallet. People can engage in political investorism by using their power as a shareholder, bank customer or pension-fund member to express their political views. After Russias invasion of Ukraine, for example, investors sought to divest from Russian companies, and superannuation funds were pressured by their members to do the same. As consumers and investors, individuals can wage a personal trade war, sending a clear message. Trump may not be willing to listen to the leaders of allied nations, but if consumer and investor pressure is sustained and spreads globally, he may yet hear the voice of corporate America. (The Conversation) AMS AMS 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 Musks 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 Musks 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. 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 administrations abrupt cutoff of foreign assistance and canceling of contracts for humanitarian and development work are raising questions about Washingtons financial reliability. They also show further strain between allies as Trump revamps American foreign policy. 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. 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 Russias 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 administrations 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 administrations mass canceling of thousands of USAID contracts was flouting U.S. financial regulations and destroying the United States credibility as a reliable partner. 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 agencys 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 Chinas influence abroad and boosting U.S. trade and business opportunities. Seeking money back from the Trump administration Growing steadily more alarmed by the administrations 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. But forced leaves and firings have yanked most officials and workers at USAIDs 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. Swedens 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. 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. (AP) 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. (AP) Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders said Sunday that President Donald Trump is right to crack down on fentanyl trafficking and strengthen border security. Sanders also conceded that Democrats had failed miserably on illegal immigration during former President Joe Bidens tenure. Appearing on ABCs This Week, Sanders did not mince words when host Jon Karl pressed him on the border crisis, acknowledging that illegal immigration had exploded under Biden and that Democrats had waited far too long to act. Yes, should have done much better. No argument, Sanders admitted. His remarks came as a rare instance of a high-profile progressive breaking ranks with the Democratic establishment to side with Trump on immigration enforcementone of the defining issues of the 2024 election. When Karl asked Sanders if there was anything Trump had done right, the longtime progressive firebrand surprised many with his response. I mean, I think cracking down on fentanyl, making sure our borders are stronger, Sanders said. Look, nobody thinks illegal immigration is appropriate I dont think its appropriate for people to be coming across the border illegally. For a senator who has long championed open labor policies and immigrant rights, his words mark a striking shift. Sanders reaffirmed his belief in comprehensive immigration reform but acknowledged that undocumented people fill crucial roles in the U.S. economy. However, he dismissed Trumps plan to deport millions of illegal immigrants as impractical, warning that such a move would cripple industries dependent on immigrant labor. Your browser does not support the video tag. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) U.S. negotiators worked on a proposed partial ceasefire in Ukraine on Monday, meeting with representatives from Russia a day after holding separate talks with the Ukrainian team. Each side has accused the other of undermining efforts to reach a pause in the 3-year-old war. Kyiv and Moscow agreed in principle Wednesday to a limited ceasefire after U.S. President Donald Trump spoke with the countries leaders, but the parties have offered different views of what targets would be off-limits to attack. While the White House said energy and infrastructure would be covered, the Kremlin declared that the agreement referred more narrowly to energy infrastructure. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said he would also like to see railways and ports protected. Talks Monday are expected to address some of those differences, as well as a potential pause in attacks in the Black Sea to ensure the safety of commercial shipping. U.S. and Russian representatives met in the morning in the Saudi capital, Russias state Tass and RIA-Novosti news agencies reported. The U.S. and Ukrainian teams met Sunday in Riyadh. Serhii Leshchenko, an adviser to the Ukrainian presidency, said the delegation remained in Riyadh on Monday and expected to meet again with the Americans. Grigory Karasin, head of the foreign affairs committee in the Russian parliaments upper house and a participant in Mondays talks, told the Interfax news agency the negotiations were going on in a creative way and that the U.S. and Russian delegations understand each others views. Meanwhile, both Russia and Ukraine continued to launch attacks across their borders. The Russian Defense Ministry said Monday a Ukrainian drone attacked an oil pumping station in southern Russia that serves a pipeline carrying Kazakhstans Caspian Sea oil to the Russian port of Novorossiisk for export. It said the drone was downed before it could reach the pumping station. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Monday the Russian military has been fulfilling President Vladimir Putins order to halt attacks on energy facilities for 30 days. He has accused Ukraine of derailing the partial ceasefire with attacks on Russias energy facilities, including a gas metering station in Sudzha in Russias Kursk region. Ukraines military General Staff rejected Moscows accusations and blamed the Russian military for shelling the station, a claim Peskov called absurd. Zelenskyy said Sunday evening that 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 added that Ukraines partners the U.S., Europe, and others around the world should increase pressure on Russia to stop this terror. Zelenskyy has emphasized that Ukraine is open to Trumps proposal of a full, 30-day ceasefire. 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 Kyiv and its Western allies. Speaking on Fox News Sunday, Trumps special envoy Steve Witkoff said he expected some real progress at talks and that a pause in hostilities by both countries in the Black Sea would naturally gravitate into a full-on shooting ceasefire. China rules out supplying peacekeeping forces Asked about reports speculating that China might send peacekeepers to Ukraine to enforce any peace deal, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun responded Monday with an unequivocal no. Let me stress that the report is completely false. Chinas position on the Ukraine crisis is clear and consistent, Guo said at a briefing. China has provided Russia with trade earnings from oil and other natural resources, along with diplomatic backing, but has not given any weapons or sent any personnel. China is, however, on close terms with North Korea, which has sent troops to fight alongside the Russian army. Ukrainian railways hit by cyberattack A massive targeted cyberattack hit Ukrainian state railway operator Ukrzaliznytsia on Sunday, the company wrote on Telegram, adding that it was working to restore its systems on Monday. The company said the attack did not affect train movements or schedules but disrupted its online booking system. The railway continues to operate despite physical attacks on the infrastructure, and even the most vile cyberattacks cannot stop it, the company wrote. Meanwhile, Ukraines Special Operations Forces claimed Monday it destroyed four military helicopters in Russias Belgorod region with the use of U.S.-supplied HIMARS rocket systems. It published drone footage on its Telegram page of what it said was the attack. The strikes occurred at a concealed jumping-off point for Russian aircraft used in surprise attacks on Ukrainian forces, the group said. A Russian missile struck the northern city of Sumy, across the border from Russias Kursk region, hitting residential buildings and a school, said regional head Volodymyr Artiukh. Children at the school were being evacuated at the time, and all were safe, he added. But acting Mayor Artem Kobzar said 28 people were injured, including four children. He did not specify whether the four were in the school when the attack occurred. Earlier, Russia fired 99 attack and decoy drones into Ukraine overnight, according to Ukraines air force, of which 57 were shot down. (AP) In an astonishing breach of national security, The Atlantics editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg revealed that he was mistakenly added to a private Signal group chat where top Trump administration officials openly discussed imminent U.S. military strikes on the Houthis in Yemen. The revelation has ignited a firestorm of criticism, raising serious concerns about how high-level war planning was casually conducted over a messaging app, seemingly without any security protocols in place. Goldberg recounted his shock upon receiving the unexpected invitation to a chat labeled Houthi PC small group on March 13. At first, he assumed it was a hoax. The idea that the most senior national security officials in the United States would be discussing classified war plans on Signal seemed too reckless to be real. But two days later, when Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth casually announced in the group that U.S. strikes on Yemen would begin in exactly two hours, Goldberg realized that the chat was, in fact, authentic. Right on schedule, American fighter jets carried out the attacks, proving that what he had witnessed was not some elaborate ruse but a real-time glimpse into the highest levels of military decision-making. The group chat reportedly included National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, who initially invited Goldberg by mistake, as well as Vice President J.D. Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, and CIA Director John Ratcliffe. Throughout the conversation, top officials debated the strategic and political implications of the operation, with Vance initially pushing back against the strikes, arguing that they were unnecessary and that the American public might not understand their purpose. He warned that attacking the Houthis could create economic instability and raise oil prices, expressing frustration over the United States once again stepping in to protect European trade interests. Hegseth, however, dismissed these concerns outright. He insisted that messaging would be difficult no matter what and that the administration should focus on two simple talking points: Biden failed and Iran funded. He argued that failing to strike would make the administration look weak and indecisive. In the end, Vance capitulated, agreeing to go forward with the plan but expressing disdain for what he called European free-loading. As the conversation continued, Goldberg read in disbelief as Hegseth provided the group with operational details of the planned strikes, including the weapons to be used, specific targets, and the attack sequence. Though Goldberg refrained from publishing those specifics for security reasons, his account paints a picture of an administration conducting highly sensitive military planning over an unencrypted app, with no safeguards against leaks or foreign surveillance. The White House has scrambled to contain the fallout. National Security Council spokesperson Brian Hughes confirmed the authenticity of the chat but attempted to downplay the severity of the breach, calling it a demonstration of deep and thoughtful policy coordination. That explanation has done little to calm the outrage, with critics from across the political spectrum blasting the administrations carelessness. A former senior intelligence official described the situation as reckless beyond belief, pointing out that while Trump and his allies spent years attacking Hillary Clinton over her use of a private email server, they themselves were now discussing classified military operations in a group chat that included a journalist. Former Obama spokesman Matthew Miller pointed out the hypocrisy, saying that in any other administration, there would already be an FBI investigation. Others have noted the irony of Trump and his allies repeatedly calling for Clintons imprisonment while they were engaging in behavior that posed an even greater security risk. A former Pentagon official was blunt in his assessment, calling it a staggering level of incompetence and questioning why no one in the administration seemed to understand the magnitude of what had occurred. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) On Friday morning, Community Board 12 held its annual Pre-Pesach meeting, uniting key community leaders and city agencies to coordinate preparations in Boro Park ahead of and throughout Pesach. Among the main topics discussed were the safe and organized execution of Serifas Chametz, increased NYPD presence, garbage collection efficiencyparticularly on Erev Pesach, and ongoing roadwork during this busy season. The meeting, spearheaded by Community Board 12 Chairman Yidel Perlstein and District Manager Barry Spitzer, brought together representatives from the NYPDs 66th Precinct, FDNY, EMS, Sanitation Department, Department of Transportation, as well as leading volunteer organizations including Hatzolah, Shomrim, Chaverim, and Misaskim. Also in attendance were notable community askonim including Rabbi Edgar Gluck, Rabbi Berish Freilich, Yoely Lefkowitz from the New York State Attorney Generals Office, and Yanky Eisdorfer Senior advisor to Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, each offering insights and support to ensure a smooth and safe Pesach experience for all residents. THIS STORY WAS FIRST PUBLISHED ON THE BORO PARK SCOOP STATUS CLICK HERE SIGN UP TO THE BORO PARK SCOOP WHATSAPP STATUS TO BE INFORMED OF BORO PARK NEWS IN LIVE TIME Your browser does not support the video tag. Your browser does not support the video tag. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) Editors Note: Yeshiva World News (YWN) takes no official position in the ongoing debate regarding participation in the World Zionist Organization (WZO) elections. As always, YWN follows the guidance of its Rabbanim in determining what content to publish and which advertisements to accept. We urge our readers to do the sameseek the counsel of your Rav or Manhig and follow their direction regarding this, and any other hashkafic matter. ___________________________________ To our Rabbanim, Kehillos, and the broader Jewish community: With broken hearts, we write this urgent plea to expose a grave betrayalone that threatens the integrity of our childrens chinuch and the hashkafa of our kehillos, all for financial handouts from the World Zionist Organization (WZO). We are not extremists. We support Eretz Yisroel, we daven for Tzahal, and we stand with our people. But what is happening under the guise of supporting Torah is nothing less than a sale of our childrens neshamos to an anti-Torah agenda. For years, the WZO has infiltrated yeshivos and shuls, offering financial incentives in exchange for participation in their elections. We were told this was about fighting Reform influence and securing funding for Torah institutions. But what they didnt tell us was the real cost of that money. We recently discovered that our own childrenyeshiva talmidim and bnos Yisroelwere forced to complete projects glorifying Zionist leaders like Theodor Herzl and David Ben-Gurion. The schools didnt even send these projects homethey were hidden from parents, buried under bureaucracy, sent only to the WZO to prove our schools were properly promoting Zionist values. When one concerned parenta graduate of Ner Yisrael, staunchly opposed to the WZOquestioned a menahel, he was brushed off. Nothing to see here, they said. But when a courageous teacher leaked the files from the schools computer, the truth was laid bare: our children were being brainwashed into admiring Herzl, a man who advocated converting Jews to Christianity and refused to give his own son a bris milah. Even worse, images have surfaced of rabbanim unknowingly standing in front of banners of Herzl inside a beis haknesses, all part of the WZOs demands to maintain funding. We are told that Gedolei Yisrael support the WZO-backed Shas Olami movement. The WZO proudly flaunts endorsements from Hacham Yitzchak Yosef and Hacham Avraham Salim, and Hacham Yitzchak is even being flown to America before Pesach to give a bracha those who vote in the election. But did these gedolim know the full truth? Were they told that their signatures would lead to bnos Yisroel creating projects celebrating IDF enlistment? Did they know that their names would be used to justify embedding Zionist propaganda in our yeshivos? Would Hacham Ovadia ztl have allowed this? Would Rav Chaim Kanievsky ztl have stood for this? We know the answer. Baruch Hashem, our Sephardic kehillos are built on Torah and self-sufficiency. We are not beggars. We already pour millions into supporting Torah in Eretz Yisroel and around the world. We do not need Zionist money that comes at the price of our childrens hashkafa. We are begging our Rabbanim, our community leaders, and those with influence: do not let this continue. Do not allow the WZO to buy their way into our mosdos with a few dollars. We plead with Hacham Yitzchak Yosef and Hacham Avraham Salim: if you truly knew what was happening, would you not retract your support? If the Gedolim of the past were alive today, would they not cry out in protest? This deception has been happening in our community for five years since the last WZO elections. Now that the truth is exposed, will we remain silent? We close with the chilling words of a Shas WZO activist, when confronted with these revelations: To get the funding, we have to once in a while promote their agenda. This is part of having a partnership. A partnership? Selling our childrens neshamos for a seat at the Zionist table? The time has come to break this unholy alliance. We must scream a zaakah gedolah. This is not about politics. This is not about money. This is about our future. Signed, Very Concerned Parents Below are photos of the projects and rabbanim made to stand with photos of Herzl that were mentioned in this letter. The views expressed in this letter are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of YWN. Have an opinion you would like to share? Send it to us for review. The Ministry of Health of Ukraine and the World Bank are launching a new project "Transforming Healthcare through Reform and Investment in Efficiency" (THRIVE). As the Health Ministry states on its website, the project is aimed at both financing the Program of Medical Guarantees and strengthening the human, technical and digital capacity of the National Health Service of Ukraine (NHSU), directly at the Health Ministry and healthcare facilities. Within the project, in particular the government allocated UAH 207 million in grant funds for the development of the healthcare sector. In addition, the project gave Ukraine the opportunity to attract $220 million to the general fund of the 2024 state budget. According to the Health Ministry, under previous projects implemented together with the World Bank, the country's healthcare facilities received modern high-precision equipment CT and angiographs, a modern vaccine storage system was created under "cold chain" conditions, a comprehensive program was implemented to upgrade and replace outdated laboratory equipment at the regional level, special equipment was purchased for 17 regions for medical waste disinfection. The projects were also aimed at increasing the energy independence of healthcare facilities. Currently, the Health Ministry and the World Bank continue to implement two major projects: Ukraine Emergency COVID-19 Response and Vaccination Project and additional funding for it for the systematic replacement of vaccine storage equipment in compliance with the "cold chain" conditions. The implementation of the Health Enhancement and Lifesaving (HEAL) Ukraine Project is ongoing with funds from the World Bank and the Council of Europe Development Bank. It provides for the supply of rehabilitation equipment to 198 healthcare facilities in 22 regions of Ukraine. A man was murdered and an IDF soldier was seriously injured on Monday morning in a combined ramming-stabbing-shooting attack at the Tishbi Junction near the northern city of Yokneam Illit. According to the police, a terrorist arrived at Route 66 and attempted to run over several people standing at a bus stop, seriously injuring a 20-year-old IDF soldier. He then exited his vehicle and stabbed the soldier and stole his weapon. The heinous terrorist then used the weapon to open fire at a passing vehicle. The driver was lightly injured and his 85-year-old father sitting next to him was murdered. He was later identified as Moshe Musa Horn, Hyd, from Kibbutz HaZorea. The terrorist was neutralized by Border Police officers on their way to a unit training exercise who got out of their vehicles and eliminated the terrorist. Gideon Shalom, a resident of Yokneam who was at the bus stop, told Ynet: I was sitting at the bus stop when an Arab arrived with a scary look in his eyes. He started stabbing, took the soldiers weapon, and started shooting. I shouted to people to flee. The police officers who were in the area neutralized him. MDA paramedics called to the scene tried to revive the elderly man but soon were forced to pronounce his death at the scene. The soldier was evacuated to Rambam Hospital in serious and unstable condition with penetrating injuries. The terrorist was later identified as Kareem Jabarin, a 25-year-old Israeli-Arab from the Wadi Ara area (not far from the scene of the attack). The video below shows the terrorist holding the soldiers weapon before he is eliminated: Your browser does not support the video tag. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) Hamas agreed to an Egyptian proposal that includes the release of five live hostages in exchange for the resumption of humanitarian aid into Gaza, a weeks-long ceasefire, and the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, the Associated Press reported on Monday morning. Reuters reported on the Egyptian proposal on Friday but did not disclose details. The AP report revealed details from sources in Egypt that the agreement includes the release of five live hostages, including US-Israeli citizen Eden Alexander. A senior Hamas official told the AP that the organization responded positively to a proposal which differs from its latest outline it agreed to: the release of Edan Alexander along with 4 deceased hostages with US citizenship. However, political sources in Israel said that no Egyptian proposal had been passed to the negotiating team. The Tikvah Forum, which represents right-wing families of hostages, responded to the report by stating that this is another selection. Again, they are taking out individual hostages and condemning other hostages to their fate. We demand that the Prime Minister and all members of the cabinet strongly oppose and not allow another selection among the hostages. The Israeli government must get everyone out together in one go on one bus, and until then increase military pressure, conquer territory in the Gaza Strip and prevent any humanitarian aid, electricity, and water from reaching Hamas. A source quoted in the Qatari Al-Araby Al-Jadeed media outlet on Monday morning said that the Egyptian proposal requires Hamas to provide detailed information on living hostages, the dead and the wounded, including photographic evidence to substantiate the information. However, this information was not published in the AP report and has no confirmation from other sources. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu is planning a large ground operation in Gaza, based on the belief that conquering and holding Gaza territory will allow Israel to finally defeat Hamas, the Wall Street Journal reported on Monday. Netanyahu and his inner circle, including people appointed in recent months to various positions, belive that Hamas must be hit hard before any political solution can be advanced for the fate of Gaza, the report says. Netanyahu and his new team, including Defense Minister Yisrael Katz and IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, believe that Hezbollahs defeat last year and the Trump administrations willingness to support a renewed attack against Hamas give them more room to maneuver on the battlefield. They believe that Israel could have inflicted greater damage on Hamas during the first round of war if it had not been hampered by a shortage of ammunition and pressure from the Biden administration to use less force and provide humanitarian aid. The Trump administration has now increased the flow of weapons and Hezbollahs defeat also means that Israel has more forces to deploy in Gaza to conquer territory and control humanitarian aid shipments. Hamas tunnel system will need to be destroyed, an effort that could take months or years, more terrorists will be eliminated and Gaza will be in even more ruins, but in the end, it will weaken the terror group, supporters of resuming the battle were quoted as saying. Defense Minister Yisrael Katz said on Friday 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 IDF is trying to persuade high school girls to enlist in the army despite the exemptions they received for religious reasons, Kol BRamah reported on Sunday evening. According to the report, the IDF sent numerous SMS messages to religious and Charedi high school girls who had obtained exemptions, offering them to enlist. The girls reported that they receive dozens of messages a year, mainly with offers to serve in the Air Force and the Communications Corps. We offer you to take another look at service in the IDF. If you are interested in us contacting you (without giving up the exemption you hold), you can fill out this survey, some of the messages read. Another message from the army stated: We invite you to take another look at service in the IDF, with an emphasis on positions in the Communications and Cyber Defense Division. Some of the girls who reported the phenomenon study at Chabad mosdos that are officially in the state-religious stream, although in practice they are Charedi institutions in every respect. Many other girls are from the Dati-Leumi sector. Parents of girls who received the messages told Kol Barama that this is chutzpah and harassment. If they sent one message, fine, but its one message every few weeks. The IDFs conduct does not respect the sector. The IDF did not deny the claims, reponding: These are messages sent to women from the state-religious education system, according to the Ministry of Educations records, where many of them are interested in the various tracks available in the IDF that are compatible with their lifestyle. It should be emphasized that this is merely an accessibility measure, without any obligation. The IDF is working to allow a wide range of populations to enlist and serve in a worthy manner that suits their lifestyle, including those who have received an exemption or are not required to enlist at all. Earlier this month, Yesh Atid MK Shelly Tal Meron called for the enlistment of Chareidi girls to the IDF along with bnei yeshivos. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) The IDF and Shin Bet have confirmed that Ismail Barhoum, a senior Hamas terrorist, was eliminated in an overnight airstrike on Nasser Hospital in southern Gazas Khan Younis. Shortly after the strike, Defense Minister Israel Katz announced Barhoums death, a claim later confirmed by Hamas. Barhoum, a member of Hamass political bureau, served as the terror groups chief financial officer and was the successor to Issam Daalis, Gazas de-facto prime minister, who was killed last week. According to the IDF and Shin Bet, Barhoum played a central role in Hamas decision-making process and directly oversaw its financial operations, channeling funds for terror attacks and weapons procurement. While Hamas claimed Barhoum was at Nasser Hospital receiving treatment for injuries from a previous strike, the IDF asserts he was using the medical facility as a base of operations. This is yet another example of Hamas systematically violating international law, taking over civilian infrastructure, and using the Gazan population as human shields for its terror activities, the IDF said in a statement. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) Air Force aircraft on Monday carried out targeted strikes against Hamas vehicles in the Gaza Strip. Over 100 vehicles were attacked throughout the Strip, including pickup trucks and commercial vehicles belonging to terrorists in various areas of the Strip. According to a Kan News report, the operation is a focused IDF attack on Hamass vehicle fleet, as confirmed by a security source. The destroyed vehicles were used by Hamas terrorists in the murderous October 7 massacre. Your browser does not support the video tag. A short time ago, the terrorist organization published a notice to its operatives that they should stay away from Toyota vehicles due to IDF attacks against them. The message read: The occupation attacked all Toyota jeeps. We warn you not to approach jeeps of this type. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) The Orthodox Union Advocacy Center (OUA), the public policy arm of the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America, submitted a letter this morning urging the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to confirm Governor Mike Huckabees nomination as U.S. Ambassador to Israel. In a letter to Chairman James Risch (R-ID), Ranking Member Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), and all Senators on the Committee, OUA emphasizes Gov. Huckabees longstanding support for Israels security and his recognition of the Jewish peoples historical connection to the land of Israel, positions shared by many American Jews, particularly following the October 7 Hamas attack. Read the letter here. While the Orthodox Union does not generally take positions on nominees, it made an exception because some Jewish groups have claimed to speak for all American Jewry in opposing and misrepresenting Gov. Huckabees views. Nathan Diament, Executive Director of OU Advocacy, addressed misconceptions about Huckabees views, highlighting Huckabees alignment with many in the American Jewish community. Governor Huckabee brings a profound understanding of the security challenges confronting Israel and an unwavering commitment to the U.S.-Israel alliance, said Diament. His perspective is vital at a time when American policy must address the ongoing threats from Iranian-backed terror groups, a reality made painfully clear since the October 7th Hamas attack. Rejecting claims that Huckabees views are extreme, the Orthodox Union asserts that meaningful peace requires Palestinian recognition of Israels legitimacy. The organization also expresses gratitude for the Christian Zionist communitys support against rising antisemitism and affirms Huckabees commitment to defending Israels right to exist in peace and security. We deeply value the support of the Christian Zionist community, including Governor Huckabee, in standing against antisemitism and defending Israels right to exist in peace and security, Diament added. His nomination reflects a principled commitment to these issues, which is especially vital at this critical moment. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) Sybiha: Instead of making hollow statements about peace, Russia must stop bombing our cities Photo: MFA of Ukraine Moscow talks about peace, but in turn deals brutal blows to densely populated residential areas of large Ukrainian cities, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha emphasized after the Russian attack on Sumy. A few hours ago, another horrific Russian bombing of Sumy's city center injured dozens civilians, including many children. Instead of making hollow statements about peace, Russia must stop bombing our cities and end its war on civilians, he said on X. The minister stressed that any diplomacy with Moscow must be backed up by firepower, sanctions, and pressure. As reported, according to the health department, in Sumy after the Russian strike, there are currently 74 known victims, including 13 children. Zelenska on attack on Sumy: How can we trust country that targets ordinary Ukrainian families? Photo: https://t.me/prokuraturasumy/4095 Against the backdrop of a missile strike by Russian troops on the center of Sumy, First Lady Olena Zelenska expressed doubts about trust in a country that attacks residential areas and civilian infrastructure. School, high-rise building, private house. In Sumy, Russia again attacked with missiles residential areas and infrastructure, civilians. There are dozens of wounded, including children. Everyone in Ukraine feels the pain of this. And it is updated every day. How can we trust a country that targets ordinary Ukrainian families who only want peace? she said on X Monday. As reported, the number of victims as a result of the attack by the occupiers on a residential area of Sumy has increased to 88 people, including 17 children. BELGRADE, March 22 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese business delegation has just concluded its visit to Serbia, during which Chinese and Serbian companies reached multiple cooperation intentions in cross-border e-commerce, agricultural trade and information technology. During the visit from March 19 to March 21, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic met with the delegation, led by Ren Hongbin, president of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade. In addition, Ren held talks with Serbian government officials, business associations and Expo institutions while attending the China-Serbia Economic and Trade Cooperation Forum. Speaking at the forum, Ren reaffirmed China's commitment to expanding cooperation in trade and investment, consolidating existing areas of cooperation, and exploring innovative cooperation in multiple fields. He also voiced China's support for Serbia's hosting of the 2027 Belgrade Specialized Expo and invited Serbian businesses to participate in the third China International Supply Chain Expo. Meanwhile, the Serbia side said that amid increasing global economic uncertainties, China can bring stability to Serbia's development, and Serbia is willing to strengthen economic and trade cooperation with China to achieve mutually beneficial growth. Photo: https://www.president.gov.ua/ U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday he expects a U.S.-Ukraine revenue-sharing agreement on Ukrainian critical minerals will be signed soon, Reuters has reported. Trump also told reporters as he met his Cabinet that the United States is talking to Ukraine about the potential for American firms owning Ukrainian power plants. As Reuters reported, a U.S. delegation met with Ukrainian officials on Sunday and with Russian officials on Monday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The talks have focused mostly on a Black Sea ceasefire, but Trump said other issues are coming up as he pushes for a halt to Russia's three-year war against Ukraine. "We're talking about territory right now. We're talking about lines of demarcation, Talking about power, power plant ownership. Some people are saying the United States should own the power plant ... because we have the expertise," he said. For close readers . . . Once again we take a peek at pop culture, community reporting and top headlines as kind of a place holder until, hopefully, our Monday morning update. Check TKC news gathering . . . Show-Me Kangaroo Help Potential UMKC dental expansion to St. Joseph to fill gaps in rural health care UMKC is looking to continue to fill gaps in rural health care with a potential dental school expansion in St. Joseph, pending funding and accreditation. Tragic Recovery Missing boater's body found in Truman Lake, MSHP says The missing boater from Truman Lake since March 14 has been found dead, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop A. Local Good Deeds Sunday Diaper Madness: Providing 1 million diapers to KC families in need KMBC 9 Cares for Kids and HappyBottoms are collection donations all month long Tech Fun Times For Biz Six months after acquiring KC startup, BarGlance expands its AI-powered nightlife app across US Launching its latest innovation - BarGlance AI - in nightlife hotspots like Dallas, Las Vegas, Miami, and Kansas City is only part of the story for a South Carolina-based company that recently augmented its tech by integrating features from a Kansas City startup it acquired. Local Growing Season Starts KC Farm School brings back annual spring sale on plants, seeds On Saturday, the nonprofit organization held its spring plant sale - a yearly special giving the farm school the opportunity to put all proceeds back into its mission - to inspire the c... Angels Take Another Loss Victoria's Secret Stock Sinks as Sales-Growth Outlook Disappoints The company forecasts net sales for 2025 to be between $6.2 billion and $6.3 billion, a year-over-year increase of 0.3%, versus 0.9% in 2024. MAGA Confronts SCOTUS Trump, Roberts on collision course as lawsuits creep toward Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts is on a collision course with Donald Trump as the president increasingly tests the limits of the judiciary's role as the most prominent backstop to his administration's s... Diplomatic House Call Second lady Usha Vance to visit Greenland as Trump pushes for ownership of the Danish territory Vance will be joined by Energy Secretary Chris Wright and national security adviser Michael Waltz, two Trump administration sources told NBC News. Podcast Politics Exposes Rifts Joe Rogan breaks with Trump after calling out 'ridiculous' stance Speaking with fellow comedian Michael Kosta on his wildly popular podcast The Joe Rogan Experience, he revealed where he differs from the president. Swinging With MAGA Tiger Woods confirms relationship with Vanessa Trump, Donald Trump Jr.'s ex-wife Tiger Woods put several weeks of speculation to bed on Sunday as he announced his relationship with Vanessa Trump, Donald Trump Jr.'s ex-wife, in a post on X. Allies Warn Against U.S. Detentions at US border prompt UK, Germany, and Nordic nations to revise travel advice European countries are updating travel advisories amid reports of detainments at U.S. borders. Iran From WWIII Trump's offer of talks with Iran aims to avoid military action, US envoy says U.S. President Donald Trump's outreach to Iran's top authority, Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, on a possible new nuclear deal is an effort to avoid military action, U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff said on Sunday. Local Bloom From One Of Kansas City's Best Photogs Northeast Kansas City Springtime Photography Blog Grigs Shares Springtime Look Kansas City weather: Dry start to the work week, but rain chances ahead Springlike warmth will dominate the first half of the week across Kansas City. Shaggy - Angel ft. Rayvon was the song of the day and this is the OPEN THREAD for right now. A peek at the ongoing effort to restrict freedom of movement amongst red state denizens. Check-it: "A plan in the Kansas Statehouse would add larger registration fees for electric and hybrid vehicles to help pay for roads. The law would require hybrid truck owners to pay significantly higher fees than owners of very similar hybrid SUVs." Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . . President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy received letters of credence from the newly appointed Ambassadors of Sri Lanka and Guatemala to Ukraine (concurrently accredited). We discussed important bilateral matters, and we look forward to strengthening cooperation between our countries and taking joint steps toward bringing peace closer for Ukraine, Zelenskyy said on X Monday. In his conversation with the Ambassador of Sri Lanka, the President noted that Ukraine is engaged in constructive negotiations with U.S. representatives and is ready to do everything possible to achieve peace as soon as possible, the presidential website reported. We would be grateful to Sri Lanka for more active support on the path toward securing a just and lasting peace in Ukraine based on the UN Charter and international law, Zelenskyy emphasized. In addition, the President also noted that Ukraine is interested in developing bilateral cooperation, particularly in the areas of trade, education, food security, and medical rehabilitation. During his conversation with the Ambassador of Guatemala, the Head of State thanked Guatemala and its President Bernardo Arevalo for their consistent position in support of Ukraines sovereignty and territorial integrity. Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine looks forward to developing friendly bilateral relations. The parties focused on enhancing cooperation in education and science, as well as exchanging experience in the digitalization of public services. Special attention was given to continuing cooperation in the field of demining. The President also announced Ukraines intention to open an embassy in Guatemala in the near future. Erdogan pushing Turkiye to brink of autocracy The arrest of Mayor Istanbul, the largest Turkish city, Wednesday last, could be described as a watershed moment in the countrys continued shift away from democracy. Monday March 24, 2025 7:48 PM , Asad Mirza [Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu's supporters hit streets protesting his arrest.] The arrest of Mayor Istanbul, the largest Turkish city, Wednesday last, could be described as a watershed moment in the countrys continued 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. The CNN reported that Turkish authorities detained Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu a key rival of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday (19 March) as part of corruption and terrorism investigations. Detention orders were also issued for around 100 others connected to Imamoglu, including his press adviser Murat Ongun, according to state-run news agency Anadolu Agency. Among those detained are elected Istanbul district mayors Resul Emrah Sahan and Murat Calik. The move came just days before the main opposition Republican Peoples Party (CHP) was scheduled to hold a primary election where Imamoglu was expected to be chosen as its presidential candidate.CHP leader Ozgur Ozel called the detention a coup attempt against our next president. On Saturday, protests in support of Imamoglu erupted in Istanbul where flares and stones were 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 following protests on Saturday night. 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). On the global stage, the return of US President Donald Trump has created a climate where autocratic leaders feel emboldened. And his history of turning a blind eye to democratic backsliding suggests Washington will not challenge Turkiyes actions, as it prioritises geopolitical concerns over human rights. The Guardian, reported Gonul Tol, an analyst with the Washington-based Middle East Institute, as saying that the president of the United States is undermining democracy there, meaning the US is looking inward. Basically, Trump just does not care what other autocrats are doing to their people. Further, with a potential conflict involving Iran looming, Washington is unlikely to risk alienating Ankara over the arrest of an opposition leader. Additionally, recent developments in Syria have seen Turkiyes strategic importance increase dramatically. Following the Assad regimes collapse and Irans expulsion from key areas, Turkiye has gained significant ground, and the US needs its cooperation in stabilising the region - particularly in countering Irans influence in the broader Middle East security framework. European leaders previously quick to criticise Erdogan, such as French president Emmanuel Macron, have also yet to voice objections to events in Turkiye 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 Turkiye must protect democratic values, especially the rights of elected officials. At the ground level, within days, what began as protests in response to Imamoglus detention has grown into something more.Even for the AKP - led by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for over two decades now - jailing or disqualifying an official presidential candidate backed by such an overwhelming mandate,might not be manageable. It is a tactic more commonly seen in brazenly and openly autocratic countries,not in a country that still claims to be a democracy. Basically, CHPs decision to declare Imamoglu as the partys candidate early caused alarm within the ruling party. Expecting this political momentum to only grow in the years leading up to the 2028 elections, the AKP moved swiftly and aggressively. But their decision to act now - before Imamoglu could consolidate his support - reveals just how much they fear him. In fact, their urgency betrays their own weakness: The AKP is not as strong as it appears. If it were confident in its electoral dominance, it would have no need to crush Imamoglu this early on. But, Erdogan is a shrewd politician. He knows well that while public anger and the rallying around Imamoglumay create some trouble for the AKP in the short run, with three more years to go, they hope it will fade in time. Additionally, this pre-emptive suppression is designed to discourage strong opposition figures from mounting meaningful presidential bids against Erdogan. If Imamoglu is successfully sidelined, other potential opposition candidates would be intimidated - or so theAKPs wishful thinking goes - as any candidate who poses a serious threat to the AKP would face similar consequences. Imamoglus arrest is just the latest in a long string of politically motivated legal attacks against him. Since taking office in 2019, he has faced over 90 investigations, ranging from accusations of corruption and bribery to absurd charges of overloading public buses during Covid-19. The revocation of his university diploma just one day before his arrest was simply the last nail in the coffin of his presidential bid - a blatant attempt to disqualify him from running. In the present scenario,Turkiyes opposition must remain united, as mass protests, legal challenges and grassroots efforts will be key in countering such authoritarian actions. Imamoglus arrest is not just about one man. It is about whether Turkiye will remain a democracy or be transformed into an autocracy. Common Turks response will define the countrys future for generations to come. (The writer, Asad Mirza, is a New Delhi-based senior commentator on national, international, defence and strategic affairs, environmental issues, an interfaith practitioner, and a media consultant.) Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic. Photo: https://smr.gov.ua/uk/novini/podiji/33545-u-sumakh-prolunav-vibukh.html In Sumy, rescuers have extinguished all fires that arose as a result of a missile attack by the Russian occupation army on Monday, the State Emergency Service reported. "Sumy: rescuers have extinguished all fires. Two mobile points of invincibility deployed by rescuers are functioning. Psychologists and doctors of the State Emergency Service have provided assistance to 78 citizens," the report says. According to rescuers, the State Emergency Service steeplejacks are working at height - dismantling of emergency structures is underway, the work continues. As reported, the number of victims as a result of the attack by the occupiers on a residential area of Sumy has increased to 88 people, including 17 children, Sumy City Council reported on Monday. March 24 2025 An unprepossessing entrance pend at Gorgie, Edinburgh, could provide access to new serviced apartments under plans filed by Kenneth Reid Architects. SDR Property Developments with Kenneth Reid Architects propose 28 serviced apartments for the site of a garage at 93 Gorgie Road, accessible via an existing vehicle pend threaded through tenements. Twin new build blocks will abut a railway embankment, to leave as much breathing space for existing properties as possible. Red brick has been chosen to match the rear elevations of nearby tenements with protruding bays finished in metal cladding. In a design statement, the applicant wrote: "The massing to the perimeter not only assists with protecting the daylighting to the backs of the tenements but also gives the opportunity to form pleasant urban courtyards. Akin to the closes of the Royal Mile or more locally, the Plaza to the front of Tynecastle Main Stand and Gorgie City Farm which are set back off the main street and form unexpected places behind the traditional urban pattern." Each 30sq/m apartment comprises a sleeping and living area as well as a shower room, catering for the traveller market due to the detrimental impact of railway noise and vibrations. UW Ranch Camp participants, instructors and cowboys from the Padlock Ranch work together to process calves during a past UW Extension program. (UW Photo) University of Wyoming Extension will offer its fifth annual Wyoming Ranch Camp Monday-Friday, June 913, at the Ladder Ranch in Carbon County. Taught by UW Extension personnel and local producers, the five-day camp is geared toward current and aspiring ranchers ages 18 and up. Ag professionals, including teachers and FFA advisers, also are welcome to attend. Ranch Camp is designed to help train the future ranch managers of Wyoming in a hands-on capacity, says McKenna Julian, UW Extension educator and co-organizer of the program. It is tailored to issues specific to Wyoming ag. From livestock genetics and soil ecology to ranch economics and human resources, Ranch Camp introduces a multidisciplinary approach to managing agricultural operations in Wyoming. The program balances seminar-based learning with hands-on activities, such as cattle branding, sheep docking, soil sampling and range evaluation. We had experts of all fields -- some of the best researchers, some of the best people in their field -- coming out and discussing problems and ways we could fix things in all kinds of situations, a 2024 participant says. Throughout the week, Ranch Camp attendees collaborate with their peers to create ranch plans tailored to their host ranches. The program culminates in a presentation of each groups plan to a panel of judges, including the owners of Ladder Ranch, industry partners and a county commissioner. Experience with ranching, while helpful, is not required. I would recommend anybody try it, whether you have ranching experience or not, a 2024 participant says. It really doesnt matter -- you just bring thoughts to the table and learn new things every day. Ranch Camp alumni have gone on to launch their own businesses, diversify their family operations and pursue careers in the ag industry, including as extension educators. I learned things Ill take back that Ill use the rest of my life, a past participant says. To apply, go here. The deadline to fill out the online application form is Friday, April 4. The cost is $200 per student, with meals and lodging included. Full scholarships are available. For more information, call Julian at (307) 828-4093 or email mbrinton@uwyo.edu. Inquiries regarding sponsoring or hosting future Ranch Camp events can be directed to Julian as well. About University of Wyoming Extension UW Extension serves Wyoming communities by helping residents apply university research and resources to practical problems. Since 1914, UW Extension has provided educational programs and tools to the states 23 counties and the Wind River Indian Reservation. From 4-H programming and pesticide safety education to food preservation and nutrition courses, Extension upholds the universitys land-grant mission by offering learning opportunities for people of all ages. UW Extension staff members help Wyoming residents boost agricultural production, care for lawns and gardens, cultivate future leaders, support individual and community well-being, and develop thriving businesses. To learn more, call (307) 766-5124 or visit www.uwyo.edu/uwe. The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine is completing the development of the necessary regulatory legal acts for the all-Ukrainian inventory of real estate in accordance with the law on ensuring the housing rights of internally displaced persons (IDPs). "There is a very important law on the all-Ukrainian inventory of all real estate where internally displaced persons, Ukrainians who have lost their homes, can live. This law has already entered into force today, and the Cabinet of Ministers is completing the development and adoption of the relevant by-laws," MP, Chairman of the temporary special commission of the Verkhovna Rada on the protection of property and non-property rights of internally displaced persons and other persons affected by Russia's armed aggression against Ukraine Pavlo Frolov said at a press conference in Kyiv on Monday. According to him, the said law stipulates the creation of commissions at the level of regional and district administrations to inspect real estate facilities with the involvement of local self-government agnecies and the public. "The commissions must establish the technical condition of each building. According to the State Property Fund (SPF), there are 26,000 state-owned residential facilities in the register throughout the country. SPF has already provided this list to the relevant regional administrations. As soon as the government adopts the regulatory framework, the commissions will begin work," the MP said. As reported, in November 2024, the Verkhovna Rada adopted at second reading Bill No. 11281 (Law No. 4080-IX) on conducting an all-Ukrainian inventory of real estate for subsequent transfer to preferential lease for the accommodation of IDPs. The president signed the law on December 5. Vietnam Briefing has developed into a premium source for insight on doing business in Vietnam. It publishes business news concerning foreign direct investment into Vietnam, including the most important tax, legal and accounting issues. The Vietnam Briefing Magazine was first published in 2009, and is contributed to by investment professionals based in Vietnam. Strong magnitude 5.2 earthquake at 85 km depth 24 Mar 04:37 UTC: First to report: GFZ after 3 minutes. 24 Mar 04:41: Magnitude recalculated from 5.5 to 5.4. Hypocenter depth recalculated from 102.00 to 89.00 km (from 63 to 55 mi). Epicenter location corrected by 2.2 km (1.4 mi) towards ESE. ... [show all] ... 24 Mar 04:42: Now using data updates from CSN 24 Mar 04:48: Now using data updates from RENASS 24 Mar 04:49: Epicenter location corrected by 13 km (8.3 mi) towards E. 24 Mar 04:52: Epicenter location corrected by 3.8 km (2.4 mi) towards E. 24 Mar 04:57: Now using data updates from USGS Update Mon, 24 Mar 2025, 04:39 Moderate yet deep earthquake of magnitude 5.5 just reported 48 km northwest of La Serena, Chile According to preliminary data, the quake was located at an intermediate depth of 101.50 km. The strength of the earthquake may have been tempered by its relative great depth below the surface, which makes it feel weaker in absolute terms. The exact magnitude, epicenter, and depth of the quake might be revised within the next few hours or minutes as seismologists review data and refine their calculations, or as other agencies issue their report. A second report was later issued by the citizen-seismograph network of RaspberryShake, which listed it as a magnitude 5.5 earthquake as well. Based on the preliminary seismic data, the quake should not have caused any significant damage, but was probably felt by many people as light vibration in the area of the epicenter. Weak shaking might have been felt in Coquimbo (pop. 161,300) located 48 km from the epicenter, La Serena (pop. 154,500) 48 km away, Vicuna (pop. 13,500) 97 km away, Ovalle (pop. 77,100) 120 km away, and Vallenar (pop. 44,900) 136 km away. VolcanoDiscovery will automatically update magnitude and depth if these change and follow up if other significant news about the quake become available. If you're in the area, please send us your experience through our reporting mechanism, either An earthquake of magnitude 5.5 occurred early morning on Monday, March 24th, 2025, at 1:35 am local time near La Serena, Provincia de Elqui, Coquimbo, Chile, as reported by the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ).According to preliminary data, the quake was located at an intermediate depth of 101.50 km. The strength of the earthquake may have been tempered by its relative great depth below the surface, which makes it feel weaker in absolute terms. The exact magnitude, epicenter, and depth of the quake might be revised within the next few hours or minutes as seismologists review data and refine their calculations, or as other agencies issue their report.A second report was later issued by the citizen-seismograph network of RaspberryShake, which listed it as a magnitude 5.5 earthquake as well.Based on the preliminary seismic data, the quake should not have caused any significant damage, but was probably felt by many people as light vibration in the area of the epicenter.Weak shaking might have been felt in Coquimbo (pop. 161,300) located 48 km from the epicenter, La Serena (pop. 154,500) 48 km away, Vicuna (pop. 13,500) 97 km away, Ovalle (pop. 77,100) 120 km away, and Vallenar (pop. 44,900) 136 km away.VolcanoDiscovery will automatically update magnitude and depth if these change and follow up if other significant news about the quake become available. If you're in the area, please send us your experience through our reporting mechanism, either online or via our mobile app . This will help us provide more first-hand updates to anyone around the globe who wants to know more about this quake. Download the Volcanoes & Earthquakes app and get one of the fastest seismic alerts online: Android | iOS and get one of the fastest seismic alerts online: Earthquake details Date & time Mar 24, 2025 04:35:09 UTC - Local time at epicenter Monday, Mar 24, 2025, at 01:35 am (America/Santiago GMT -3) Status confirmed (manually revised) Magnitude 5.2 Depth 85 km Epicenter latitude / longitude 29.6868S / 71.2146W Chile Also near: Argentina 120 km (75 mi) away Seismic antipode 29.6868N / 108.7854E China Quality 120 seismic stations Shaking intensity IV Light shaking near epicenter Felt 33 reports Primary data source USGS (United States Geological Survey) Nearest volcano ###NEARESTVOLCANO2### Weather at epicenter at time of quake Scattered Clouds 16.2C (61 F), humidity: 88%, wind: 5 m/s (9 kts) from SSW Estimated seismic energy released 4 x 1012 joules (1.11 gigawatt hours, equivalent to 951 tons of TNT) | equivalent to ONE quake of magnitude 5.2 | about seismic energy [ show map ] [ smaller ] [ bigger ] User-reports for this quake (38) felt in up to approx. 350400 km (217249 mi) distance, with isolated cases to have felt the quake even 422 km (262 mi) away. The majority of reports came from La Serena (11 reports), a city with more than 150,000 inhabitants in Region de Coquimbo in 24 km (15 mi) distance south of the epicenter, Chile, Coquimbo (6 reports), a city with more than 160,000 inhabitants in 32 km (20 mi) distance south of the epicenter, and Santiago (5 reports) (423 km or 263 mi to the south), the capital of Chile . Out of these, 33 people indicated they felt it. The quake was reported to have been, with isolated cases to have felt the quake even 422 km (262 mi) away.The majority of reports came from, a city with more than 150,000 inhabitants in Region de Coquimbo in 24 km (15 mi) distance south of the epicenter,, a city with more than 160,000 inhabitants in 32 km (20 mi) distance south of the epicenter, and(423 km or 263 mi to the south), the capital of Chile with 4,800,000 inhabitants. See the list of places where most people reported this quake further below. User reports estimate the perceived ground shaking intensity according to the MMI (Modified Mercalli Intensity) scale Contribute: Leave a comment if you find a particular report interesting or want to add to it. Flag as inappropriate. Mark as helpful or interesting. Send your own user report! Translate Coquimbo (32.2 km SSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / single lateral shake / 5-10 s : Me encontraba durmiendo, me desperto el movimiento y y el ruido al moverse las cosas, tambien los perros y pajaros vicuna (62.7 km SE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 15-20 s : Yes, vibration mostly, soft, strong and then slowly fading Particularly long quake I'd say 5 or 6 for Intensity I was in my bed. It feels like a queak 6 or even m (24.8 km S of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / 10-15 s : It was very strong. I as surprised that the alarms of evacuation I can't heard. I supost the queak epicentre was here. Arrayan Costero, a 20 km de La Serena (10.1 km WSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / complex motion difficult to describe / 30-60 s : Fuerte golpe, y luego movimiento vertical y horizontal | One user found this interesting. Mendoza (421.3 km SSE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) : Fel the floor shake Santiago (426.8 km S of epicenter) [ Map ] / not felt (reported through our app / not felt Santiago (415.7 km S of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) (reported through our app / Very weak shaking (MMI II) La Pintana, Provincia de Santiago, Santiago Metropolitan (430.6 km S of epicenter) [ Map ] / not felt (reported through our app / not felt Totoralillo (44.7 km SSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating La Serena, Provincia de Elqui, Coquimbo Region (26.3 km S of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) (reported through our app / Light shaking (MMI IV) San Felipe, Provincia de San Felipe de Aconcagua, Valparaiso (344.8 km S of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) (reported through our app / Very weak shaking (MMI II) Coqiumbo Chile (422.2 km S of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 10-15 s Ovalle (101.7 km S of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / vertical swinging (up and down) / 5-10 s La Serena, Provincia de Elqui, Coquimbo Region (22.1 km S of epicenter) [ Map ] / Strong shaking (MMI VI) : Movimientos fuertes y largo tiempo Quilpue, Provincia de Marga Marga, Valparaiso (375.4 km S of epicenter) [ Map ] / not felt (reported through our app / not felt Villa Alemana, Provincia de Marga Marga, Valparaiso (373.2 km S of epicenter) [ Map ] / not felt (reported through our app / not felt Caldera, Atacama, Chile (293.5 km N of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 15-20 s : Rattling noise La Serena, Provincia de Elqui, Coquimbo Region (24.3 km S of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / 15-20 s Horcon (337.9 km S of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s La Serena (24.8 km S of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 15-20 s Ss.papa Fabian 3441 la cantera coquimbo (24.8 km S of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 20-30 s : . Algarrobo, Ovalle 4ta region de Coquimbo (91.9 km S of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging Vicuna chili (62.3 km SE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 10-15 s : Strong vibration like a train passing above us during 10 to 15 second. La serena (31.8 km SSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / not felt : Bastante largo y ruidoso near Coquimbo, Provincia de Elqui (45.9 km SSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / single vertical bump / 1-2 minutes La Serena (20.4 km S of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / 30-60 s Vallenar (130.2 km NNE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / single lateral shake / 2-5 s : Estaba acostado durmiendo y me desperto el ruido y movimiento. Arrayan Costero, La Serena, Chile (422.2 km S of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / vertical swinging (up and down) / 30-60 s Coquimbo, Provincia de Elqui (35.6 km SSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) (reported through our app / Light shaking (MMI IV) Coquimbo (31.8 km SSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) Santiago de Chile (421.8 km S of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / 5-10 s Show more Show more List of cities/places with most reports Place Distance from epicenter Average reported Shaking Intensity Nr. of reports La Serena, Region de Coquimbo, Chile (Pop.: 154,521) 24 km (15 mi) S of epicenter IV: Light shaking 11 Coquimbo, Region de Coquimbo, Chile (Pop.: 161,317) 32 km (20 mi) S of epicenter IV: Light shaking 6 Santiago, Santiago Metropolitan, Chile (Pop.: 4,837,295) 423 km (263 mi) S of epicenter III: Weak shaking 5 Ovalle, Region de Coquimbo, Chile (Pop.: 77,138) 102 km (63 mi) S of epicenter IV: Light shaking 3 Vicuna, Region de Coquimbo, Chile (Pop.: 13,496) 62 km (39 mi) SE of epicenter IV: Light shaking 2 Villa Alemana, Region de Valparaiso, Chile (Pop.: 97,320) 374 km (232 mi) S of epicenter II: Very weak shaking 1 Vallenar, Region de Atacama, Chile (Pop.: 44,895) 131 km (82 mi) N of epicenter III: Weak shaking 1 Hacienda La Calera, Region de Valparaiso, Chile (Pop.: 49,106) 344 km (214 mi) S of epicenter II: Very weak shaking 1 Copiapo, Region de Atacama, Chile (Pop.: 129,280) 272 km (169 mi) N of epicenter IV: Light shaking 1 San Felipe, Region de Valparaiso, Chile (Pop.: 59,294) 344 km (214 mi) S of epicenter II: Very weak shaking 1 Note: Only reports with latitude/longitude coordinate positions given (38 in total) could be used for statistics. What is Intensity and the Mercalli Intensity Scale? The amount of shaking that occurs on the surface due to an earthquake is called the intensity. It is commonly measured on the so-called Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale (MMI) ranging from 1 (not felt) to 10 (extreme shaking), and given in Roman numerals as I,II,...IX, X, and often displayed with color codes ranging from light blue to dark red. Earthquake intensity depends mainly on the magnitude and depth of the quake as well as the distance from the epicenter: The further away, the less shaking intensity occurs. Read more about the MMI scale! The amount of shaking that occurs on the surface due to an earthquake is called the intensity. It is commonly measured on the so-called Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale (MMI) ranging from 1 (not felt) to 10 (extreme shaking), and given in Roman numerals as I,II,...IX, X, and often displayed with color codes ranging from light blue to dark red.Earthquake intensity depends mainly on the magnitude and depth of the quake as well as the distance from the epicenter: The further away, the less shaking intensity occurs. Number of reports by intensity Shaking intensity Number of reports Min-Max distance from epicenter (*) Average distance (*) I: Not felt 5 32430 km (19.8267 mi) 327 km (203 mi) II: Very weak shaking 7 20421 km (12.7262 mi) 334 km (207 mi) III: Weak shaking 4 25422 km (15.4262 mi) 167 km (104 mi) IV: Light shaking 16 25293 km (15.4182 mi) 62 km (38 mi) V: Moderate shaking 2 2426 km (15.116.4 mi) 25 km (16 mi) Notes (*) Reports are filtered to exclude those that are likely highly inaccurate or esaggerated. Only reports with latitude/longitude coordinate positions given (38 in total) could be used for geographic statistics. further below. Compare Quake Data Data for the same earthquake as reported by different agencies The more agencies report about the same quake and post similar data, the more confidence you can have in the data. It takes normally up to a few hours until earthquake parameters are calculated with near-optimum precision. Mag Depth Time GMT 2025-03-24 Epicenter Agency 5.2 85 km 53 mi 3.8 km 04:35:09.702 24 km N of La Serena, Chile Epicenter uncertainty: 5.1 km USGS (United States Geological Survey) 5.5 57 km 35 mi 04:35:06 Near Coast of Central Chile 36 km (22 mi) epicenter difference with USGS RaspberryShake (RaspberryShake) 5.2 54 km 34 mi 04:35:06.63 0.17s COQUIMBO, CHILE 12 km (7.5 mi) epicenter difference with USGS Epicenter uncertainty: 5.3 km EMSC (European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre) 5.08 69 km 43 mi 1.4 km 04:35:08.76 0.13s Near Coast of Central Chile 4 km (2.5 mi) epicenter difference with USGS Epicenter uncertainty: 6.4 km GFZ (German Research Centre for Geosciences) 5.3 76 km 47 mi 04:35:08 18 km al N de La Serena 6 km (3.7 mi) epicenter difference with USGS CSN (National Seismological Center (Centro Sismologico Nacional)) 5.29 0.23 10 km 6.2 mi (*) 04:35:01.683 0.25s Event of magnitude 5.3, near of Coquimbo 38 km (24 mi) epicenter difference with USGS Epicenter uncertainty: 7.6 km RENASS (Reseau National de Surveillance Sismique (ReNaSS)) 5.2 85 km 53 mi 04:35:09 near coast of central chile 0 km (0 mi) epicenter difference with USGS IRIS (Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology) 5.09 69 km 43 mi 2.5 km 04:35:09.47 0.25s Near Coast of Central Chile 15 km (9.3 mi) epicenter difference with USGS Epicenter uncertainty: 9 km GeoAu (Geoscience Australia ) Notes: (*) A depth given as 10 km often means that the the depth of the quake could be not determined with sufficient accuracy. 2 aftershocks for this quake For this earthquake, 2 aftershocks (above mag. 2) have been detected so far. The strongest was a magnitude 3.4 quake that hit 1 hour and 3 minutes after the mainshock in 1.5 km (0.9 mi) distance, in 24 km north of Provincia de Elqui, Region de Coquimbo, What are aftershocks? Larger earthquakes (above magnitude 5 or so) such as this one are usually followed by smaller ones known as aftershocks that occur in the same area during the days, weeks, months or even years after the main shock. [More info] Aftershocks are typically at least one order of magnitude smaller than the main shock. Their size and frequency decreases with time. What about this quake? Based on its magnitude, the fault that was active during the quake likely ruptured beneath a surface area of approximately 16 km2 (6 square miles) as a first-order estimate. The length of the rupture zone thus was probably around 7 km (4 mi). [More info] Aftershocks for this quake can be expected to occur during the days and few weeks following the quake at or near the same fault, at distances of up to approx. two times the length of the rupture zone, or in this case 14 km (9 mi). The often broadly linear arrangement of aftershock epicenters encompasses the rupture zone of the main shock ( Aftershocks for this quake can be expected to occur during the days and few weeks following the quake at or near the same fault, at distances of up to approx. two times the length of the rupture zone, or in this case 14 km (9 mi). The often broadly linear arrangement of aftershock epicenters encompasses the rupture zone of the main shock ( see map below ). Larger earthquakes (above magnitude 5 or so) such as this one are usually followed by smaller ones known asthat occur in the same area during the days, weeks, months or even years after the main shock.Based on its magnitude, the fault that was active during the quake likelyas a first-order estimate. The length of the rupture zone thus was probably around 7 km (4 mi). Recorded aftershocks, latest first (2 quakes) Date and Time GMT Mag Depth Distance Region Details Mar 24, 2025 02:37 am (GMT -3) 15 weeks ago 1 hour and 3 minutes after main shock 3.4 76 km 1.5 km (0.9 mi) SW of main shock 20 km Al S De La Higuera More Mar 24, 2025 02:37 am (GMT -3) 15 weeks ago 1 hour and 3 minutes after main shock 3.4 76 km 1.5 km (0.9 mi) SW of main shock 24 km N of La Serena, Provincia de Elqui, Region de Coquimbo, Chile More Mar 24, 2025 01:35 am (Santiago) 15 weeks ago - felt 5.2 85 km 0 km - This quake 24 km N of La Serena, Provincia de Elqui, Region de Coquimbo, Chile Main Shock (this quake) More Map of aftershocks For this earthquake, 2 aftershocks (above mag. 2) have been detected so far. Thethat hit 1 hour and 3 minutes after the mainshock in 1.5 km (0.9 mi) distance, in 24 km north of La Serena Chile , on Monday, Mar 24, 2025 on 02:37 am (local time GMT -3). Earthquake statistics Average number of earthquakes Based on data from the past 25 years and our earthquake archive back to 1900, there are about 452 quakes on average per year in the area near the epicenter of this quake (within 100 km/61 mi): Mag. 6 or higher: 0.33 quakes per year (or 1 quake every 3 years) per year (or 1 quake every 3 years) Mag. 5 or higher: 4 quakes per year per year Mag. 4 or higher: 42 quakes per year (or 3.5 quakes per month) per year (or 3.5 quakes per month) Mag. 3 or higher: 215 quakes per year (or 17.9 quakes per month) per year (or 17.9 quakes per month) Mag. 2 or higher: 450 quakes per year (or 37.5 quakes per month) The area where this quake occurred has a very high level of seismic activity. It has had at least 41 quakes above magnitude 6 since 1900, which suggests that larger earthquakes of this size occur infrequently, probably on average approximately every 1 to 5 years. Number of quakes per year BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 24. The Govemment of the Republic of Azerbaijan has on Thursday 19 March 2025 formally submitted the instruments of ratification of the D-8 Charter to the Secretariat of the Developing-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation (D-8) in Istanbul, Turkiye, thus becoming a full member of the D-8 Organization, Trend reports. It would be recalled that the 11* Summit of the Heads of State and Goverment of the D-8 Member States had unanimously accepted Azerbaijan's application to become a member of the D-8 during their meeting, held in Cairo, Egypt, on 19 December 2024. Meanwhile, the Summit's decision had prompted Azerbaijan to ratify the D-8 Charter as a prerequisite to become a full member of the organization. Also, the D-8 Charter ratification process by the Government of Azerbaijan was marked by its Parliament adopting Law No. 149-VIIQ on 7 March 2025, and its subsequent signing by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, thus putting the law into effect. No doubt, Azerbaijan's accession as the ninth member of the D-8 is a milestone for the organization, as this development will open broader opportunities and strengthen collaboration among its member states to achieve the objectives and goals as mandated by its Charter. Photo: Taylor Hill/FilmMagic Conan OBrien received what many joked was the last Mark Twain Prize for American Humor on Sunday night. He was feted by such comedians as David Letterman, Sarah Silverman, and John Mulaney. Welcome to the Kennedy Center, Mulaney said, or as it will be known next week, the Roy Cohn Pavilion for big strong men. That joke, and more, will air on Netflix later this year. Until the night of, it was unclear who would be performing at the embattled Kennedy Center to honor OBrien. Trump did a hostile takeover of the performing arts center, and many celebs canceled their shows in response. Yet more shows were canceled by the new admin for being too woke. Not Cats, though. Never Cats. Speaking of woke, OBrien noted in his acceptance speech that Mark Twain held characteristics many would classify with that word nowadays. Twain was allergic to hypocrisy and he loathed racism, he said. Twain was suspicious of populism, jingoism, imperialism, the money excess of the Gilded Age and any expression of mindless American might or self-importance. Above all, Twain was a patriot in the best sense of the word. He loved America but knew it was deeply flawed. Twain wrote, Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it. OBrien thanked former Kennedy Center chairmen David Rubenstein and president Deborah Rutter, who were fired by the president this year. Honestly, I dont know why they are not here tonight. I lost Wifi in January, he said. OBrien then thanked the Kennedy Center staff, for years, and who are worried about what the future might bring. My eternal thanks for their selfless devotion to the arts. In stories mainly devoted to unraveling a mystery, coincidences are few and far between. Hints are set up for the audience like crumbs, so we can follow our own investigative trail, holding it up to the arc as we go along. This is why theyre so compelling; its engaging to try to get ahead of the story or of the character whose job is to complete the narrative puzzle. Is there anything that we know that Joe Leaphorn doesnt? So far, that has never been the case weve been deep in Joes perspective. But with Bern in Hachita and the arrival of Special Agent Washington on the Navajo Nation, the three main investigations at the heart of this season are starting to look less like three separate spheres and more like a Venn diagram. They start intersecting in this weeks episode when Chee and Joe find themselves on a small chile farm that gives off Spahn Ranch more than it does sustainable small-scale agriculture. There, Chee finds a bulletin board with pictures of U.S. border agents, including Bern. There is also the recurring use of the word pig the young Mixtec girl Bern spoke with used it as she pointed to the Spenser Ranch logo. At the chile farm, only six miles from the cabin where George Bowlegs was supposedly hiding out, a farm worker yells, Pigs! as he runs from Chee and Joe. Something about Spensers vileness seems all-encompassing. When Bern gets into her truck the morning after inspecting a Spenser oil tank despite protocol, the gun shed left behind at the border is on the passenger seat. She finds out that the menacing De Baca goes by Budge, and though Munos tells her he is probably just an under-the-table henchman for Spenser, Bern knows theres more to it. She finds a way to go back to the ranch by telling Ed Henry that she wants to apologize to Spenser for delaying his truck. When she gets there, Spenser tells her disturbing things, chief among them that his grandfather brewed coffee with used socks. Second worst is that it would be a waste of time to apologize to Budge, who doesnt have feelings. Before leaving, Bern snoops around the gas trapping house at the edge of the property. She doesnt see anything, and her attempt to speak with a worker is unsuccessful. She even asks him what pig means, but he doesnt engage with her. Berns life is not only made up of trying to uncover human-trafficking rings, so later that day she gets ready for a date with Munos, who promised to indulge her theories if shed let him buy her dinner. But when she opens the door to whom she thinks will be Munos, theres Budge to take her out instead. She grabs her gun before she gets in the car with him. It seems slightly out of character for Bern not to insist on following in her own vehicle rather than get in a car with him, but at this point shes still pretending that she has no ulterior motives in speaking with Spenser and his associates. Budge takes her into Mexico and to a restaurant that, despite the murderous vibe of the company, looks really good. Bern presses Budge about the gun, but he evades he doesnt seem concerned about her determination, though he concedes she may be a problem to him yet. Budge walks out, leaving her stranded. At the border, Munos picks her up, which I thought was too cutesy a moment for the tone of the show. I was hoping Bern standing Munos up to chase a lead shes been explicitly and repeatedly told not to chase might create tension between them; this way, it seems too easy. Before all that can happen, though, Chiidi opens on a sequence of two kids in Shiprock. They are fashioning a bike ramp out of an old piece of plywood when they find a body, already in the skeleton stage of decay, lying in the ravines. Suspecting that the body is Viness, Washington talks Joe into going with her to check out the site. Joes hands are tied: Theres only so much resistance he can put up without making himself look more suspicious, which he clearly already is to Washington, even if she pretends otherwise. She tells him that though her first step will be to sit down with the families of the six men who got killed in the oil well explosion, she doesnt feel the need to speak with Joe and Emma they are the law there, after all. As Washington is talking about how she finds it odd that whoever drove Vines to the circumstances of his death didnt guarantee it somehow with a knife, for example, or a gun Joe has a vision of himself coughing up a bloody arrowhead. Its only one of a few visions that Joe experiences throughout this episode they seem to function as reminders or stand-ins for Yeiitsoh, as they only appear in moments of acute stress and guilt. Over the radio at Joes parents house, Emma hears news of Viness body (though at this point, it still hasnt been officially identified), which Henry Leaphorn receives gladly: He thinks Vines deserved to get some Indian justice. At home, Emma confronts Joe, and as she speaks, he sees ants swarming out of the sink drain. Joe tells Emma the truth, and it makes her feel sad to know that her husband acted on their sons behalf without her input. She tells him that by driving Vines to his death, Joe has invited his spirit into the house and stained their sons memory with blood. Joe doesnt relent he maintains that he did what he thought had to be done but by the end of the scene, were not really sure whether he can believe himself. Zahn McClarnons depiction of Joes resentment and guilt, still simmering but on the verge of spilling over, reaches its apex by episodes end. When Chiidi opens, Chee and Joe are on the way back from the Bowlegs cabin. On the border between Navajo County and BLM (Bureau of Land Management) areas, they find that small chile farm, quotes included, because that is definitely not what is going on there. The farmers, led by a man named Halsey who has the demeanor of a cult leader, have a grimy look about them. They insist they dont know Ernesto or George and that they were all home and asleep on Monday night when Ernesto was killed. Later, Joe finds out that the ranch is owned by a company called AGS Industries. He gets a middle-of-the-night call from one of the farmers, Suzanne, whose red truck was the first thing Chee and Joe found at the farm. Under the guise of arranging an order delivery, she sets up a rendezvous with Joe, where she tells him that Ernesto and George used to hang around the farm until Halsey got fed up with them. She emphasizes that Halsey gets angry often, though she doesnt say why or to what consequence. She also tells Joe that Halsey lied about Monday night he took off in her truck and was gone all night. The next morning, Joe and Chee return to the farm with half the Sheriffs department. It looks empty at first, but Halsey appears and disappears in time. He slips through a sort of rabbit hole after Joe chases him for a while and eventually escapes in the truck after nearly running Chee over. Elsewhere on the farm, Joe finds Suzanne unconscious and barely breathing with a needle dangling from her forearm. He hears shots being fired Chee was trying to stop Halsey from driving off and considers following, but something stops him. Joe turns back and crouches besides Suzanne. He holds her to his chest and apologizes to her. Im not going anywhere, he promises. Its a striking moment and a good illustration of the character-driven approach that makes Dark Winds feel fresher than other network cop procedurals. The show took a turn for the better when it began incorporating New Age hippies as a threat to the reservation. For a story that takes place in the 1970s, it only makes sense by that point, the promises of the Summer of Love were starting to wear thin, and people with nefarious intentions, such as B.J. Vines, could exploit hippie ideals to accrue power and influence; and worse, to encroach on Navajo territory by pretending to be curious about or aligned with Indigenous beliefs. The exploration of this kind of white violence has the double effect of anchoring the show in a place and time the United States in the 1970s and complicating the narrative by writing into the tension between Indigenous sovereignty and federal jurisdiction, which is devoted to protecting white people. The chile farm, which seems more like a cult, gives continuity to this theme its another side of the Vines coin. As these themes are introduced, Joe changes with them. Oftentimes in crime fiction, the personality of a detective or PI is one of the few fixed truths of the conjured world: Philip Marlowe, for example, wont hesitate to break a few laws to nail a lead, and hell always order a gin gimlet. But as new faces begin to infiltrate the Navajo Nation, Joe changes with the tides. Throughout season one and most of season two, he was unable to pull the trigger. When he left Vines to his death, something fundamental in his character shifted and in season three, the ripples of that shift are beginning to be felt. This development makes Joe come alive. Case Notes While Joes character is sharply written, some of the other characters feel less developed. Consider the inclusion of Chees history with Shorty: In this weeks episode, Chee reassures Shorty that he isnt his father. But these explicit moments fail to have the same resonance as when, last season, Chee waited with Tomas Charleys son for his mother to pick him up. It felt like we learned something about the precariousness of Chees childhood then in a way that was organic to the story. Im still missing some of that this season, even as Chees interiority is more explicitly foregrounded. I love the dynamic between Joe and Sheriff Gordo Sena especially because we saw it develop from hostility to affection but it often seems to me that Gordo is parachuted randomly into episodes. Doesnt it seem weird that Gordo wouldnt have been called to raid the farm, especially when its located outside reservation borders? After the storm that opens this weeks episode of The Righteous Gemstones and prompts a Keefe monologue on the devils evil rain piss that requires its own space to unpack we discover that Kelvins childhood treehouse has been so damaged that the Gemstones head groundskeeper has set to work demolishing it. Kelvin orders the workers to stop and later visits the treehouse with Keefe, where he laments lifes cruel twists of fate (Were all so powerless. Anything can happen.) and reminiscences about this hideout as a refuge from whatever upset him as a child. This place made me feel safe, he says, not quite acknowledging that its on the verge of collapse. In the writing game, we call this a metaphor. Season four will be the last for The Righteous Gemstones, and there are signs in this mournful (and vulgar/hilarious) episode that this extremely American empire may be going the way of Kelvins treehouse. Just like poor Kelvin, the Gemstone children are slow to realize whats happening and still occupy a once-resplendent house thats losing its foundation. Denial is a powerful religious tool, after all, and a human instinct, too. Theres always going to be a money-making Telethon to fill the empty coffers or some splashy business enterprise like Prism or the Prayer Pods to bring the Gemstones back to solvency. But with Eli backing away from the church and no one with the rizz, much less the intelligence or savvy, to beat back challengers like Vance Simkins, the congregation seems likely to drift away. The temple is becoming a squirt yurt. Granted, the Gemstones have gotten out of sticky situations before a sticky situation thats now literal thanks to Jesses short-lived masturbation huts and its possible the Lord will see them through another fiasco, as He has in the three previous seasons. But expensive failures like the Prayer Pods are going to start to pile up, and Elis simple gravitas at the Aimee-Leigh Telethon was a reminder that the kids might not be able to tend the flock with dumb pyrotechnics for much longer. The Simkins threat seems particularly alarming, like a shark detecting blood in the water. Hes being almost too generous to Jesse when he likens his strip mall operations next to Gemstone ministries to opening up a Burger King in a town where theres a McDonalds. In reality, Simkins intends to be more like Daniel Day-Lewis in There Will Be Blood, drinking up Jesses Shamrock shake. One slight glimmer of trouble may be Prism, a success story that may portend failure down the line. While Kelvin basks in the glory of being a Top Christ-Following Man of the Year nominee for his bravery in centering individuals that are usually othered by society, the Gemstones may be overlooking who in society is doing the othering. At a meeting of The Cape and Pistol Society in which Jesse displays mastery of neither pistol nor cape, Simkins zeroes in on Kelvins enterprise, first as a way to mock Jesse (I guess your homosexual brother is the Gemstone with the juice these days) and later, when mentioning BJs pole-dancing accident, as a mockery of the Gemstones as a family of queers. As usual, Jesse is too puffed up to notice, but its worth watching how much good old-fashioned bigotry might affect the Gemstones futures. This week, the show introduces Seann William Scott as Loris son, Corey Milsap, and Arden Myrin as his wife, Jana, who laughs uneasily at the Gemstone siblings ripping each other for sport. At a cookout, the humiliating demise of Jesses Prayer Pods is the main topic of conversation, as malls and airports ultimately decided against having a solemn refuge for public masturbation. Homeboy here even stocked them full of lotion, says Judy, suggesting that Jesse was willing to lean into the pods re-purposing. But Corey proves lousy at ripping. Theres no joke to telling Jana that her dress is fucking dumb, and theres no joke to him pointing out that Eli has a hickey on his neck, either or at least there wouldnt be if Elis kids didnt continue to find the idea of their dad hooking up ridiculous. Even when Corey, Jana, and the Gemstone kids spot Eli and Lori seeming affectionate with each other on the driveway, Judy snipes, Just like picture sweet Miss Lori, you know, like, nude in her bathroom, splashing on CK One so she can get railed by Elis big old floppy daddy dick. But Miss Lori has been getting railed, and the announcement of their union over the weekly Gemstone lunch at Jasons Steakhouse goes over poorly, to say the least. Corey condemns his mother and walks out while the Gemstone kids retreat to the freezer at Jasons to have it out. In a show where most of the laughs come either from the salty dialogue or big visual set pieces, its worth noting that maybe the funniest shot of the entire episode is Kelvin sternly listening to his fathers emotional pleas while his glasses are still fogged up from the freezer. As horrified as they are by the idea of Eli finding another woman (and a family friend, no less), theyre sympathetic to his confessions of loneliness and seem willing to get him a chance. Jesse apologizes for calling him a slut. They are a family that can forgive as readily as they sin. No matter what, Jesse says in the sermon that ends the show, we never turn our back on family. That is our Gemstone commitment to you. The question remains: Will that commitment be reciprocated? Uncut Gemstones Who swiped the Elijah Gemstone Bible from the house in 2002? Young Kelvin would seem to have gotten a good look at the culprit, but its a mystery the show is tucking away for now. Incredible monologue by Tony Cavalero as Keefe, who takes Kelvins line about rain as the devil peeing on you and runs so far with it that he brings himself to completion far from any Prayer Pod. The speech is a reminder of Keefes past in more sinful corners of society and how thin the line still remains between where he was then and where he is now. Jesse considering whether Eli and Lori are a couple: I did notice they were taking pisses at the same time, but I wrote that off as typical old-people shit. News of the latest Simkins encroachment spoils Jesses efforts to mentor Gideon on leadership. His men seem eager to answer with violence, but Jesse wants to look diplomatic in front of his son. Its only later, when a car full of goons toss Molotov cocktails into Simkinss new church that he responds in the most expected Gemstone way. A tip of the hat to the shows commitment to full-frontal male nudity, thanks to a casual backstage shot at the pole-dancing competition. The Righteous Gemstones seems committed to redressing the nudity balance at HBO, one floppy weenus at a time. Fantastic reference to BJ having a stairlift like Mrs. Deagle has in Gremlins. Id rate Mrs. Deagles demise among the great movie deaths. You think Im intimidated by the circling of the men? Photo: Fabio Lovino/HBO For more on The White Lotus, sign up for The White Lotus Club, our subscriber-exclusive newsletter obsessing over, dissecting, and debating everything about season three. The White Lotus Kill-or-Be-Killed Report is a weekly check-in with the guests and employees at this cursed hotel chain to speculate whos most likely to murder, and/or end up murdered, following this weeks episode, Denials. Its the rude awakening weve been waiting for: The Ratliff brothers have taken their relationship to the next level, and now, by the sober light of day, must find a way to move forward. Saxon retreats to habit (protein shakes, denial). Lochlan attempts a pivot (paying attention to Piper). Meanwhile, Chloe and Chelsea have, as the philosopher-poet Carly Rae Jepsen would put it, boy problems; tension is rising among the victory-lap blondes; Victoria still cant find her Lorazepam; and Gaitok still, somehow, has a job. Are we getting any closer to finding out who the killer will be or who will be killed? *Laurie voice* I totally dont even care if we do, its not a big deal! I actually think it would be so funny if we dont!!! . Poor Timothy lives to see another day, much to his horror. He also keeps his secret another day, much to my horror. We are running out of episodes for this man to experience the consequences of his actions! I am tired of watching him run around and be sweaty. I really think we have hit our max on scenes where he is zoning out while everyone else is having a conversation in which he is clearly supposed to be a participant and then somebodys like Dad?!? Are you OKAY??? and when hes obviously not okay nobody cares enough to do anything about it. Are you getting the sense from his little one-on-one with the monk that hes imagining a bold future for himself right here in Thailand, perhaps studying spirituality alongside (or instead of) his daughter? Does anyone know what the extradition rules are here? Its certainly a choice for the monk to basically describe the afterlife as a dreamy reintroduction to the ocean, free from suffering. Will he kill or be killed? Hes spent too much time with the gun all these fakeouts to be the killer or the killee. . Shes doing a lot of heavy lifting in her relationship re: being the interesting one. I am amazed that, as her sons stumble back to the villa both obviously hungover and, at least in Saxons case, traumatized all Victoria can focus on is that Piper lied about her thesis. That said, I think its actually a brilliant move for her to tell Piper to spend one night at the monastery and promise to shut up forever if Piper still wants to stay after what Victoria trusts will be a harrowing evening. She shouldve done this from the get-go: acted as if she supported Pipers plans while trusting that the reality of this experience would be enough to dissuade her spoiled daughter. (Its like Ramona Quimbys mom putting the rainboots in the suitcase when Ramona wants to run away from home, no?) A+ parenting from Mama Lorazepam. She needs to fear poverty, Tim, like everyone else we know. That way shell make good decisions. Just in case you were wondering if she would take her husbands demise well, she assures him she would not: At this age, she is not meant to live an uncomfortable life. I dont have the will. Will she kill or be killed? I think Mrs. Ratliff lives to face the unlivable conditions her husbands choices have led their family to endure! . In her life as in her politics, Kate is hoping to be able to simply observe and point out the things that she finds interesting (bad) without having to experience any real consequences and/or take the action that attending to such interesting incidents may require. If she really didnt want to cause problems with her trio, she wouldve kept her Valentin sighting to herself or quietly asked Jaclyn about it in a sidebar; having chosen the juicier path by immediately reporting it back to Laurie, Kate has created a mess one she thought she would enjoy, but what do you know? Messes are messy. She claims to not have anticipated that Laurie would be so upset by this information and, you know what? I actually believe her. She is totally the type to willfully ignore the barely subterranean competition simmering between her two old friends. Obviously she was hoping this would cause drama in a fun way, but instead she accidentally hit on some friendship third rails, and now everyone is angry in a miserable way. And yet again we are getting Olympic-grade facial expressions from Leslie Bibb. The wide-eyed downturned-mouth look as she watches Valentin slink away from Jaclyns room! Popular viewers vindicated! Will she kill or be killed? While this week doesnt give her much to do besides destroy the fragile performance of kinship that was keeping this girls trip on the level, I maintain that the independent who lives in Texas is the most likely of the three to shoot to kill. . As expected, Laurie is outraged at Jaclyn for having sex with Valentin and expresses this rage in your classic, passive-aggressive way: By insisting that shes not even mad!!!!!!!!!! Im laughing! Im just CURIOUS!!! Its FUNNY!! Totally! We are reminded that the victory-lap blondes met in high school, where their emotions have remained stunted ever since. Laurie, correctly, says that Jaclyn has not changed at all and accuses her friend of being an aging actress who literally lives off male attention. Then she bullies Kate into having a margarita. God, imagine spending four years at her lunch table. Will she kill or be killed? Wants to kill and acts like she could but I bet when it comes right down to it, she cannot pull the trigger. . Shitty men have an unbelievable radar for knowing when their girlfriends, wives, or exes are actually experiencing a moment of bliss and/or have started to move on, and so it is no shock at all that Jaclyns fuckboy of a husband finally calls her the morning after she has sex with Valentin. Imagine being MARRIED to a guy who thinks it is acceptable to tell you, after having missed your calls for days on end, Yeah, Ive been on set and my phone died. Your phone died? Jesus CHRIST. I think Jaclyn makes a rookie mistake here by pretending to have done nothing with Valentin. Lying about it proves that she knows she did something wrong (to Laurie; as you might expect Im not too stressed about her marriage vows), whereas owning it would have allowed her to continue the fiction, badly offered up by Laurie, that everything was totally above board and, like, so funny actually when you think about it! Instead she is trapped in an obvious lie that alienates her even from Kate, who is desperate for everyone to be nice again. Will she kill or be killed? I just feel like she could die. Is that the energy youre getting? Like she dies and then she doesnt even make the Emmys In Memoriam. . I loved dancing with Laurie! Buddy you need to read the room. Will he kill or be killed? Wants to kill but is marked for death. . Lochlan makes the wise decision to claim to have forgotten everything about his evening of brotherly love. Just a normal night, losing his virginity to an LBHs professional girlfriend and jerking off his big brother, followed by waking up naked beside said brother, who is also naked, without a woman in sight. Lochlan seems to take it all in stride, which is certainly one way of doing it! After flaking on the previous nights dinner, Lochlan does the (non-incestuous) sibling thing of supporting Pipers interests against their mothers horror by agreeing to have a little slumber party at the monastery, where he is told to say hello to the thoughts that emerge in his mind. Unfortunately they are thoughts of sexual relations with his brother. Will he kill or be killed? Much like in his tryst, where his supposed inexperience and awkwardness melted away in the presence of a real sexual encounter, I wonder if our apparently soft, gentle boy will be the one who reaches for the gun (heyyyy) when the moment comes? . Ive been known to do a power ranking or two, and if this were one such list, Saxon would be at the very bottom. He faces the new day with horror. Despite his insistence that both he and Lochlan blacked out, their torrid night together returns to him in insistent, gut-twisting flashes. I will add that using that blender with that hangover pounding in your skull is a psychotic move. With Lochlan, Saxon does what I assume is his standard move after any sexual encounter: ignoring him until he goes away. Im not sure why Saxon thinks it is a wise move to attend this dinner at Greg-Garys place presumably he thinks hell be safer with his parents in tow? but I cant imagine the evening going well for him. Its also very funny that, the morning after orgasming into his baby brothers hand, Saxons immediate reaction to the news of Pipers plan to move to Thailand is to announce that he cares too much about her to want her to live far away. Is he trying to go two for two here ? Will he kill or be killed? He certainly wants to die today! Maybe, with a little help from Greg-Gary, hell get his wish. . Im glad Piper can tell this monk that his work means so much to her. She seems to really want to become a better person. Is this compelling television? Unfortunately no, but I wish fair Piper best of luck on her future endeavors and congratulate her on being the sole Ratliff child to avoid committing incest on this family vacation. Then again, we still have two episodes to go. Will she kill or be killed? Eh, neither. . I love that Chelsea chastises Rick for saying Love you instead of I love you because its just different, isnt it? Again, I wish she would take Chloes advice and ditch her supposed soulmate. Not for a Ratliff boy maybe just for the single life. She has so much exploring to do. By the pool, she wears a pair of absolutely fabulous white sunglasses while cheerfully explaining to Saxon that sex with him would be meaningless because youre soulless. The way her eyes go wide when she finds out about how intimate things got between Lochlan and Saxon perfection! Will she kill or be killed? I know Ive wanted her to kill for a while now, but I worry she is too sensitive for that and actually needs to just continue to lead a nonviolent life, leading with love and astrology. . I do believe our fabulous Chloe a Libra rising, for Gods sake! has gotten in over her head, all because she thinks she has a good thing going (Greg-Garys home is impressive, if youre into that Parasite sort of thing) and doesnt want to have to get back out there and hook herself another LBH. If she knows Gary is capable of murder, why is she being so careless? She should save her manipulations for less dangerous men, like the brothers Ratliff. (Her hilariously breezy dismissal of Saxon and Lochlans intimate night: Its fine! Everyones got a thing.) Will she kill or be killed? I want her to kill! Anyone can push someone off a boat if you have the element of surprise :) . Hes obsessed with the idea of Chloe having sex with the Ratliff brothers, and its not clear if hes into it, in a hot way, or if he is just baiting Chloe into giving him damning information with which he can then break up with/dispose of her and anyone else he chooses. I feel like his whole deal is less that he loves to kill people and more that he loves money and will do whatever homicides it takes to get the riches he desires. This is why I want Belinda to RUN for the HILLS. Will he kill or be killed? As always, we root for his demise. And I still think him being a killer would feel like a rerun. . Rick meets Sritala in a restaurant in Bangkok, and I write in my notes, Good Lord we are nearly half an hour into this episode and we are still at breakfast. Honestly, this whole scam is taking forever to unfold, and all we get in this episode is that, as you surely expected, Frank will play the role of the director who wants to meet Sritala at her home so that Rick can gain entry to said home, where her husband who killed his father, prepare to die is convalescing. An entire episode of connective tissue and no action. WHY. He promises Frank he has no interest in killing this man even though last night he was asking Frank for a gun. Just in case you were worried about that, you can definitely relax now! Will he kill or be killed? Hes too thirsty for both and so I say: neither. . Belindas awakening is not nearly as rude as that of the Ratliff boys, but her sons arrival does cut her snuggling session short. Very cool relationship she and Zion have. Everyone respects that everyone is an adult. What a functional family, brought together by Scarface quotes. Also, great non-committal response to Fabians invitation to hear him sing for the guests. That she has not yet fled the property and called the police given her encounters with Greg-Gary is troubling. Is she really dumb enough to go to that dinner with her son? Ugh, probably. Will she kill or be killed? I want her to be a killer SO BAD. . After having sex with Belinda literally one (1) time, Pornchai pitches going in on Belindas dream of opening her own business that this is something they could do together! Well, thats one way to escalate things after a first date. Will he kill or be killed? He would kill for Belindas honor! Shes really been through enough already so, for her sake, I hope he does not die. . Extremely bored by him as usual! Obviously he starts the episode without the gun and needs to end the episode with the gun because he isnt going to get fired with two episodes left, so we are stuck watching him be anxious about a problem we know will be resolved within the hour. Was anyone riveted as this guy scrambled around the Ratliffess villa, searching for a gun whose location we already knew? Turns out his aim is good, so thats at least one thing he isnt terrible at. Will he kill or be killed? Feels too obvious for our man with the gun and the not-bad-for-a-rookie aim to be the one who does any killing around here. At this point I also dont care if he lives or dies. Keeping an eye on: Mook, who just keeps popping up to tell Gaitok shes excited to see him but otherwise serves no purpose, so presumably she is part of some elaborate plan to keep him distracted and weaken the already-pathetic security team of the White Lotus; Fabian, who I guess will eventually sing at some point? Cool; Gaitoks coworker, who actually knows how to use a gun; Vlad (to quote Kate: GOLLY hes been through a lot!); Frank, who has allowed himself to get entangled in Ricks nonsense despite his self-professed devotion to leading a different kind of life; the monk, who sure had a lot to say about how much Timothy would enjoy being dead; that poison fruit Pam talked about a while back, just because, like, why even mention the fruit that can kill you if the fruit doesnt kill anyone? Details added: first version posted on 15:09 BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 24. The crew of the ships detained in Eritrea has been brought back to Azerbaijan, the country's Foreign Ministry said, Trend reports. Citizens of Azerbaijan, members of the crew of the CMS Pahlavan, CMS Igid, and CMS-3 vessels operated by the Azerbaijan branch of Caspian Marine Services B.V., who were detained by Eritrea since November 7 of last year, have been returned to Azerbaijan as a result of prolonged negotiations conducted by the Azerbaijani side following the instructions of the head of state, with the coordination of the Foreign Ministry, the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport, as well as the Azerbaijan Caspian Shipping Closed Joint-Stock Company. The ministry noted that during the crew's stay in Eritrea, consular support was provided through the Azerbaijani Embassy in Ethiopia, and appropriate measures were taken to meet their needs in an orderly manner. "We express our deep gratitude to the Embassy of Turkiye in the State of Eritrea for their direct support in this process," the ministry added. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Train strike set to affect rail services across Italy. Train passengers in Italy face disruption to rail services on Tuesday 6 May due to an eight-hour strike by railway workers employed by Ferrovie dello Stato, Trenitalia, Trenord and Tper. The national strike, scheduled from 09.00 to 17.00, has been called by the Filt Cgil, Fit Cisl and Uiltrasporti unions to demand the renewal of a national collective labour agreement in the rail sector. National rail provider Trenitalia warns that "trains may be cancelled or changed" due to the strike, with its website containing a list of guaranteed long-distance services as well as information about how to request a ticket refund. Trenitalia informa che dalle ore 09:00 alle ore 17:00 di martedi 06/05, a causa dello sciopero nazionale del personale del Gruppo FS, Trenitalia, Trenitalia Tper e Trenord, i collegamenti ferroviari da e per laeroporto di Fiumicino potrebbero subire ritardi o cancellazioni. pic.twitter.com/6ZidM9GlrO Aeroporti di Roma (@AeroportidiRoma) May 5, 2025 Rail connections to and from Rome's Fiumicino airport may experience delays or cancellations. Separately, a previously announced 24-hour strike scheduled from 21.00 on Monday 5 May until the same time on Tuesday 6 May has been called off. We update our news of transport strikes in Italy regularly. For official information about public transport strikes in Italy check the transport ministry website. Article first published 23 March, updated 5 May. Nobody else injured in the Rome blast. A Scottish tourist was left with horrific burns on Sunday after the B&B apartment in which he was staying in Rome was destroyed in an explosion caused by a suspected gas leak. The man, identified by Italian media as 54-year-old Grant Paterson, was staying in the two-storey building in the Monteverde district of the capital. The incident occurred at around 09.00 on Sunday morning at the intersection between Via Vitellia and Via Pio Foa near the Villa Pamphilj park. Firefighters extracted him alive from the rubble and he was rushed to the S. Eugenio hospital with burns to 70 per cent of his body. There was nobody else injured in the incident which reduced the building to a pile of rubble and damaged several cars. Eye-witnesses spoke of hearing an explosion "like a bomb" before emergency services arrived on the scene. Rome mayor Roberto Gualtieri visited the site and said a full investigation would be carried out to clarify the cause of the blast. Italian writer Roberto Saviano, who has been under police protection since 2006 after his book Gommorah exposed the dealings of the Neapolitan Camorra, lived at the same address until a few days ago. In a post on Instagram, Saviano thanked everyone for their concerns and said he hoped that Paterson will recover soon, adding: "How heartbreaking to see a place where I loved to live in ruins." Photo Vigili del Fuoco Eimear Dodd A man found in possession of a controller for a drone attached to a copper pipe which contained almost 500 of heroin seen flying over Cloverhill Prison has been jailed. Wayne McDonnell (39) pleaded guilty to a charge of having in his possession or control a drone with intent of using that drone to fly a controlled substance, diamorphine, into Cloverhill Prison in connection with facilitating or instigating a drug trafficking offence. McDonnell, of St Finians Avenue, Lucan, Co Dublin, was on Monday jailed for 14 months at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Garda Tadhg McCarthy gave evidence that prison staff at Cloverhill observed a drone flying over the prison on February 12th, 2024. They used a tracking system to track the drone's flight path and provided this information to gardai, who then searched a wasteland near the prison, where they encountered McDonnell. Gda McCarthy told Lisa Dempsey BL, prosecuting, that McDonnell started to walk away and refused to open his pockets when gardai indicated they wished to search him. He was arrested, and when searched at the garda station found to be in possession of two black Samsung phones, one of which was the drone controller. When gardai searched the wasteland again, they found the drone, to which a copper pipe containing five deals of diamorphine had been attached by string. There was a total of 4.9g of diamorphine, with a street value of 587, the court was told. McDonnell was interviewed, but nothing of evidential value was obtained. He has a number of previous convictions, all at the District Court, including for possession of drugs, theft and public order offences. The court heard that the Director of Public Prosecutions directed summary disposal, but jurisdiction was refused by the District Court. McDonnell entered an early guilty plea and has no trappings of wealth. Gda McCarthy agreed with Oisin Clarke BL, defending, that this is McDonnell's first time before the Circuit Court and that some of his previous convictions date back many years. It was further accepted that McDonnell has longstanding addiction issues and there is evidence that he is not the owner of the drone. Mr Clarke said McDonnell has addictions to heroin and alcohol, and instructs that he recently started on methadone. He submitted that McDonnell's previous convictions fit the profile of someone with addiction issues. McDonnell has a good work history as a scaffolder with several references and an offer of work handed to the court on his behalf. He is currently not working full-time in order to support his father, who is awaiting major surgery, Mr Clarke said. Counsel noted that bringing drugs into a prison is abhorrent and does nothing to assist anyone. He asked the court to take into account that while it is accepted that his client was found with the drone controller, it was not his along with the low value of the drugs. Imposing sentence, Judge Elma Sheahan noted the aggravating factors include the seriousness of the offending. She noted the mitigation included McDonnell's early guilty plea, his background, work history and that he is supporting his father. The judge said deterrence was an important factor that the court had to consider and that the custodial threshold had been reached, before imposing a 14-month sentence. Waterford Councillors have expressed their concerns over the prices being charged at hotels in Waterford amid concerns of a "big hole" in Failte Ireland's tourism plans for the Deise. Councillor John Hearne raised concern that "one of the big problems" that Waterford City has in relation to tourism is the "starship prices being charged" by local hotels, at the recent Plenary meeting of Waterford City and County Council. The Waterford City South Councillor raised these concerns during a debate regarding Failte Ireland's new five-year plan to drive and sustain tourism in Waterford. The plan report details the necessity of a "visitor attraction of scale" in order to have a "transformational" effect on tourism across the South East Region. The plan, which aims to create a sustainable tourism destination in the city and county by extending the tourism season and spreading business over the next five years, was criticised for not addressing the root causes of the declining tourism to the region. Cllr Hearne called on hotels to "do their bit" to reduce the prices they are charging potential visitors, saying that the council are "doing our bit, the government are doing their bit - they need to do their bit, to look at the people who looked after them." The Sinn Fein Councillor noted the impact of geopolitical issues which were having an impact on the hotel industry in the south east, such the Russian invasion of Ukraine which has had a knock-on effect on the availability of hotels. Councillor Hearne said: "Hopefully peace will happen in Ukraine and maybe that will free up some of their accommodation [in hotels]." The Metropolitan Mayor Cllr Joe Kelly raised the lack of hotels generally across Waterford and said there was a big hole in the Failte Ireland's "great plan". Cllr Kelly said the plan's objectives are very positive but noted: "We need more hotels, we need more bed and breakfasts. My concern with the whole plan is the [lack of] funding to back it up, the big hole in the middle of the room in all of this is the actual lack of funding." ASTANA, Kazakhstan, March 24. KazMunayGas (KMG) Chairman Askhat Khasenov visited the Caspi Bitum plant in Aktau as part of a working trip to the Mangystau region, inspecting the progress of its capacity expansion project, Trend reports. The project aims to increase oil refining capacity to 1.5 million tons per year, boosting road bitumen production from 500,000 to 750,000 tons annually. This will be achieved through the modernization of the plants primary oil refining unit, ELOU-AVT. The installation of key equipment, including the T-1102 vacuum column, has been completed. Pipeline, electrical, and instrumentation work is nearing completion, with hydraulic testing underway. Once finalized, the plant will proceed with equipment calibration and commissioning operations. Khasenov praised the modernization efforts, noting that work is progressing ahead of schedule. The upgraded plant is expected to be fully operational by May. He instructed Caspi Bitums management to maintain momentum to ensure timely project completion. Gaeil ar son Gaza has resumed their Bridgil on the N25 Bypass to protest Israel's resumption of strikes on Gaza. The vigil on Friday, March 21, was held to show support for the people of Palestine and demand the Government sanction Israel. The group said the protest saw support from passersby and commuters. The bridgil was suspended during the ceasefire. One member said they need the world to see that Palestinians are not alone. Bridgil in Dungarvan "Palestinians need to be seen and heard. World leaders are ignoring them. We must speak up for them and be on the right side of history. The slaughter must stop," said the member. The second Waterford bridgil was held by Waterford for Palestine. That group have had a consistent presence on the N25 Greenway footbridge at Kilmacthomas every Friday morning since October 2023. For more information on both groups check out their social media profiles @gaeilarsongaza and @waterfordforpalestine. Eoin Reynolds The sister of a man who was shot dead in a Dublin apartment has said she lived through a "nightmare" during a five-day search for her brother while his body lay wrapped in plastic in a suitcase inside his killer's wardrobe. At a sentencing hearing on Monday, Nicole McCarthy said she was "baffled" and "concerned" at how Dean Caffrey, having killed her brother Sean McCarthy, continued with his life "like everything was normal". In a statement read to the court by Nicole's aunt Lisa McCarthy, she said she and her family were devastated by the details that emerged during the trial, including that Caffrey had stolen money from her brother's pocket which he used to buy a suitcase "believing that would be my brother's coffin, his last resting place". She described as "heart-wrenching and very disturbing" the details of how Caffrey wrapped his victim in plastic with a Spar bag over his head and a cord around his neck. In the hours and days that followed, she said Caffrey inquired about buying a car and renting a storage unit, went to work, socialised and drank beer, all while her brother's body was decomposing in his wardrobe. She said she will never understand why Caffrey did not ring an ambulance so that the family might have had a chance to say goodbye and have one final moment with him. She added: "You have no idea of the life you have destroyed and the impact and ripple effect on so many people. You will never be forgiven." She asked for the court to deliver justice for her brother, "so he can rest in peace, two-and-a-half years later, as he truly deserves". Caffrey (38), of Beaucort, Achill Road, Drumcondra, Dublin 9, went on trial in October last year after he pleaded not guilty to McCarthy's murder at Beaucort on August 2nd, 2022. A jury found him not guilty of the murder but guilty of manslaughter by a majority, 10 to two, verdict. Sean McCarthy (28), a drug dealer known to gardai, was last seen alive when his mother Denise Duffy dropped him to Drumcondra on the afternoon of Tuesday, August 2nd, 2022. She reported her son missing two days later but it would be another two days before the body would be recovered. Dean Caffrey, the court heard, was a cocaine and cannabis user who had amassed drug debts that were taken on by Sean McCarthy. In payment for his debt, Caffrey allowed McCarthy to use his apartment in Drumcondra to store drugs. However, McCarthy had his own drug debts and had been the subject of threats and at least one assault in the period leading up to August 2022. Caffrey told gardai during interviews that on the day McCarthy died, the deceased came to his apartment carrying a gun and in an agitated state. Caffrey said McCarthy accused him of stealing heroin and threatened that if he didn't give him 5,000 he would "leave in a body bag". Caffrey said he lunged for the gun when McCarthy became momentarily distracted by a noise and in a struggle, the gun went off, causing the fatal injury. A pathologist's report confirmed that McCarthy died from a single gunshot wound to the head. Cathleen Noctor SC, for the Director of Public Prosecutions, told Mr Justice Paul McDermott on Monday that the prosecution puts Caffrey's offending in the high culpability range, attracting a headline sentence of between 10 and 15 years. She noted that Caffrey had discharged a lethal firearm and failed to make any effort to assist the deceased. He had, she said, treated McCarthy callously by putting a bag over his head and placing him in the suitcase. Lorcan Staines SC, for Caffrey, pointed to probation and welfare reports that state his client had said he did not call emergency services because he believed there was an imminent threat to his life if he did. He also believed that he had acted in self defence after McCarthy brought a gun to his apartment and threatened him. He has shown good awareness of the impact of his actions and expressed genuine remorse, Mr Staines said. In a letter handed into court, Caffrey said that he wishes he could go back and handle things differently. However, he added that he was "terrified of these people" and had reacted to an abnormal situation. He apologised to Mr McCarthy's family and his own family, saying both had been destroyed by his and Mr McCarthy's actions that day. Mr Staines pointed out that Caffrey has been on 23-hour lockup due to an active threat to his life since he went into custody in August 2022. While in prison, Caffrey has attained a Leaving Cert qualification in maths and English and has enhanced prisoner status. Mr Staines also handed in a number of testimonials from people who knew Caffrey, indicating that he is a "quiet and shy" person who participated in various community and charity events, helping to raise tens of thousands of euro. His mother submitted a letter to the court saying that addiction had led her son "down a dark and dangerous path". She said he has never been violent, always avoided confrontation and has deep remorse for what happened. Mr Justice McDermott will sentence Caffrey on March 31st. 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. Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Got it Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size This weeks reviews feature something for all genre lovers, from a post-colonial coming-of-age story to an anthology of the autistic experience, and a wry dissection of society and nature. FICTION PICK OF THE WEEK Theft Abdulrazak Gurnah Bloomsbury, $32.99 The first novel from Abdulrazak Gurnah since he won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2021, the seeds of Theft are sown in Tanzania in the 1960s, as it throws off the shackles of colonial rule. But this is a postcolonial coming-of-age story, largely set in 1990s Zanzibar. Three young people Karim, Badar and Fauzia grow up in unhappy families. Karim is a living embodiment of his mother Rayas disastrous youth: she was forced into a loveless marriage to an abusive older husband (and bore Karim not long before escaping). Badar, meanwhile, is related to Rayas second husband, Haji, though hes treated as a servant rather than a family member. Despite both suffering parental abandonment, Karim is an ambitious pragmatist, Badar a romantic. Wild accusations of theft bring conflict over inheritance and bonds of fraternity, while a somewhat underdeveloped third figure, Fauzia, copes with a traumatic legacy of her own. A sort of recolonisation via Western tourism adds a layer of satire to the love triangles and family drama. Colony Annika Norlin Scribe, $32.99 Advertisement Swedish author Annika Norlin has written an incisive, character-driven dissection of society and human nature. Emelie is an overworked journalist facing burnout. She withdraws into her home, before deciding to go off-grid and camp in the woods. There, she meets the teenager Lake, whos been raised in a remote forest colony peopled by escapees from urban life and strikes up a friendship that leads her to join their isolated community. Each character is strongly individuated, and they have their own reasons for leaving society at large from Aagny, unable to reintegrate after serving time in jail, to Sagne, Lakes mother, whose sense of disconnection from the rest of humanity is amplified following an assault. Emelies journalistic instincts do not leave her shes inquisitive, and her arrival exposes interpersonal conflict and power dynamics usually submerged among the group. Colony is smart and often droll. It features strong characters and world-building, all portrayed with compassion for the nuances of human resilience and frailty. Grace of the Empire State Gemma Tizzard Hachette, $32.99 New York. Early 1930s. Dancer and former circus performer Grace comes from a large Irish immigrant family still reeling from the death of its paterfamilias, and struggling to survive as the Great Depression bites. Her younger sister Connie has a lung infection, but they cant afford to see a doctor. Calamity continues to strike when her show in Times Square closes, and her twin brother a riveter on the half-finished Empire State Building has an accident at work, narrowly avoiding falling to his death but breaking his arm in the process. Its up to Grace to put on hobnail boots and engage in gender illusionism of the Twelfth Night variety, taking her twins place among the construction workers onsite at what will be, upon completion, the worlds tallest structure for 40 years. Grace of the Empire State is a colourful, maximalist historical novel with a likeably realised heroine. So full of incident it can feel crowded at times, the storytelling remains secure cleverly juxtaposing dangerous work on a skyscraper with the abject want of a safety net for those living in poverty. Our Infinite Fates Laura Steven Penguin, $24.99 In this epic young adult romantasy, the teenaged Evelyn is fated to fall in love in every life she has ever lived and doomed each time to die before her 18th birthday. This time around must be different. Evelyns sister needs a bone marrow transplant, and for Evelyn to save her, shell have to save herself first. Confronting the fate that has locked her, for countless millennia, in Ardens lethal embrace wont be easy. Love does not always feel freely chosen, and with the origins of the curse lost to time, figuring out how to break it will require a cool head a hard thing to keep in the face of a deadly soulmate. Love and death are the twin impulses in cap-R Romantic art, and Laura Steven yokes them together in a fairytale written for a younger audience addicted to genre fiction and small-r romance. Teens will find relatable characters speaking in accessible, ordinary sounding dialogue, and our heroine encounters high stakes, with emotions running even higher. Advertisement NON-FICTION PICK OF THE WEEK Five Seasons in Seoul Christine Newell Affirm, $34.99 Were used to the yearly pattern of four seasons, but in Korea they have a fifth, between late summer and autumn, when, as Christine Newell writes in this thoroughly engaging memoir of her time in Seoul, the energies of yin and yang are perfectly balanced. In many ways, it is the metaphor that informs her tale. She had experienced the highs and lows of being a theatre performer, but after the death of her father in 2003, her career spiralled and she found herself playing Tappy the tap-dancing dinosaur for childrens theatre anxiety and despair flowed, along with tears. Something had to give. Then came the life-transforming offer of working with a theatre company in Seoul. With admirable ease, she vividly evokes the sights, tastes and feel of the city, ranging from the exotic to the kinky, incorporating customs, beliefs and a little romance. The Age of Diagnosis Suzanne OSullivan Hodder Press, $34.99 Medical science has come on in leaps and bounds, but has it led to an age of overdiagnosis? Neurologist Suzanne OSullivan thinks we need to find a balance between the benefits of our diagnosis-driven culture and the downsides that come with it. Along the way she challenges many medical assumptions, such as the belief that early diagnosis and intervention is best, asking if patients are increasingly having operations they dont necessarily need. Incorporating case studies, she examines a broad range of diseases and conditions, including autism, anxiety, depression and ADHD, and wonders if we are not pathologising normal is sadness a natural part of life or a lack of serotonin? Then there is online self-diagnosis and psychosomatic illness. A highly complex issue, circumspectly examined in accessible, clear writing. Advertisement But now here he is facing me across the table in a Paris hotel room, a courteous Frenchman in his late 70s, unobtrusively well-dressed in dark colours, very bald, very wry. In a movie, he could imaginably be played by John Malkovich, though his sorrowful smile is gentler than that suggests. Bonitzer is here today to talk about The Stolen Painting, not to look back over his whole career. Still, I cant resist asking him if he learnt anything from Rivette that hes been able to apply to his own approach to directing. Working with Rivette, as Bonitzer tells it, was an experience unlike any other. In essence, his approach was to make up the film as he went along, with help from Bonitzer and Christine Laurent, at this period, the other regular member of the writing team. We were writing during the shoot, which is very unusual. Each Rivette film was a trip, Bonitzer says, using the English word. Does he mean a trip as in a journey, or the psychedelic kind? Both at once. Guiding the filmmakers on their trip, however, was the sense of a clear goal. With each film, there was a problem to be solved. The Stolen Painting was made in a more usual way, with a finished script before the start of the shoot. But as Bonitzer explains, here, too, it was a matter of solving a particular problem. The problem was to bring together two separate worlds. The collision of these two worlds is the narrative engine of The Stolen Painting, which was based on a true story uncovered by Bonitzers script collaborator Iliana Lolic. The title refers to Wilted Sunflowers, painted in 1914 by the Austrian artist Egon Schiele, purchased by a Jewish art collector in Vienna, then confiscated by the Nazis in the late 1930s and long believed lost. Louise Chevillotte and Alex Lutz in The Stolen Painting. Credit: Palace Films In 2005, it resurfaced in France after the anonymous owner contacted the British auction firm Christies for an evaluation. Walking into the owners apartment expecting to find a copy, the valuers were astonished to find themselves face-to-face with the real thing. Its this once-in-a-lifetime moment of discovery the film depicts, along with the subsequent moral dilemma. The find has the potential to be extremely lucrative, but who deserves to profit? While many of the details in The Stolen Painting are true to life, the characters are fictional: Bonitzer and Lolic gave themselves the freedom to invent, maximising the contrast between the films two worlds. Theres the sophisticated world represented by Andre Masson (Alex Lutz), the cynical but perhaps not totally unprincipled Parisian auctioneer who discovers the painting. Lea Drucker in The Stolen Painting. Credit: Palace Films Far removed from this in every sense is the workaday world of Alsace in north-eastern France, home to Martin Keller (Arcadi Radeff), a young factory employee who has come into possession of the painting but is ill-at-ease with his apparent windfall. While Bonitzer says theres something of himself in all his characters, he admits that neither of these worlds are his own, nor was he drawing on any kind of direct experience in portraying them. Where the details of Andres work were concerned, he relied on research done by Lolic. As for the life of Martin and his buddies: I had to make it up. But are there parallels between what the film shows and his own experiences in the film industry, where even larger sums of money are routinely in play? Yes, Bonitzer says, but only to a certain extent. Andre and his colleagues are all about the bottom line whereas in movie making, theres still some room for art for its own sake. Loading How true does this remain, though, in the streaming era, when film and TV are often understood as interchangeable forms of content? Again, Bonitzer grants the point but says that this is the side of the industry he tries to steer clear of. Not that he has a problem with TV as such: he was a fan of The Wire, for example, though there arent many shows that have caught his attention just lately. Keeping Bonitzers background as a film critic in mind, Im curious about a line early in the film when Andre is lecturing his deceptively obliging intern Aurore (Louise Chevillotte) about the thrill of the art valuation game. The fantastic part of this job is turning up a real rarity. Youre Indiana Jones. This cinematic allusion, it turns out, wasnt Bonitzers invention but taken straight from life something Lolic picked up from an interview with one of the actual art auctioneers who served as partial models for the character. Advertisement Tips & adviceStirring the pot Opinion Adam Liaw on the joyless grind of modern day meal prep Sure, prepping the same meal to reheat and eat night after night may make life simpler, but its also sucking the joy out of, well, everything. Adam Liaw Recipe writer and presenter March 25, 2025 2:00am March 25, 2025 2:00am 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 Every day is just OK, sighed my Uber driver with a shrug of resignation when I asked her how her day was going. Its the algorithm, she offered. Every day is the same. She explained that if she has already had a lot of jobs, the Uber algorithm responsible for assigning rides sends new jobs to someone else. If she doesnt have enough, the algorithm might send her a few more. No highs, no lows. Just endless OK-ness, in service of a computer program. In food, a symptom of this modern malaise is the rise of meal prep. Its not entirely new. At university, I had a friend who made a big batch of spaghetti bolognese every couple of weeks, eating spaghetti bolognese every single night for years. Back then, that wasnt considered aspirational. If you really have to make a weeks worth of spag bol, Adams Australian bolognese is a good option. William Meppem Advertisement These days, meal prep is organised in individual portions of social media-friendly uniformity. The meals themselves are often so nutritionally benign and emotionless they may as well have been cooked by ChatGPT. Overnight oats with miscellaneous fruits. Dry chicken breast with roast sweet potato and green beans. Brown rice, quinoa and flaccid noodle salads lined up in identical jars. Inoffensive in design, generic in execution. But as content, its intended to signify that the maker has their life in order. Its existentially bleak, but I kinda get it. Meal prep for the week ahead. Todays world is expensive, fast and complicated 200 different restaurants will deliver directly to your door, work emails from around the world ping long into the night, and 20 media streaming services can send you more hours of content than you could ever consume in your lifetime. Nevertheless, you cant ever decide what to watch, so you stare at your phone instead. Advertisement Modern life asks humans to operate at the pace of machines, so its no wonder people want to simplify their lives wherever they can. A weeks worth of identical meals in the fridge might feel like a win against the system, but might it be just accepting that the system has sucked the spontaneity and humanity from life? Meal prep can seem like a neat solution. A whole week where you no longer have to think about what to eat, how much to eat, how much it costs, or whether its going to be good for you. Just take a single food unit out of the fridge and stick it in the microwave. Food was once celebrated. Google the origins of most of our holidays. They can be traced back to occasions of seasonal change, harvest or hunting, where food was synonymous with prosperity. Before Christianity, Easter celebrated the start of the abundance of spring. Abundance has been aspirational for a long time, but its aesthetic in culture is constantly changing. Advertisement For hunter-gatherers, abundance looked like rock art of a successful hunt. In agricultural times, it was bushels of wheat or images of laden fruit trees. Today, when most of us have never hunted our own meat or harvested a vegetable, the aesthetic of abundance can be an Instagram tour of a home pantry that looks like a supermarket, or a fridge full of individual portions of meal prep. The Greek philosopher Epicurus is often wrongly invoked to describe the epicurean hedonistic pleasures of food. In fact, Epicurus definition of happiness wasnt indulgence. It was the tranquillity that results from the removal of fear and pain. If a weeks worth of meals in the fridge saves money, encourages you to cook, and removes the anxiety of deciding what and how to eat, wheres the foul? Well, there isnt one. But where I bristle against meal prep is that if I felt like my whole life was becoming automatic and mechanical (which I do), the last thing Id want to do is to start eating like a machine. Weekends used to be a time for prepping veg and stock for the week ahead. William Meppem Advertisement Related Article EASY Adam Liaws side soup When I was living alone, I meal prepped every week, but instead of meals I just prepped. On Sundays, Id make a batch of stock for soups, slice a weeks worth of vegetables and marinate meats. Each night after work Id assemble a simple bowl of soup, a stir-fry, or a plate of pasta, and every night was something different. Sure, some days I ate raw veg straight from the fridge before falling into bed, but at least it felt like free will. A weeks worth of identical meals in the fridge might feel like a win against the system, but might it be just accepting that the system has sucked the spontaneity and humanity from life? And in return for what? Extra hours at the office and doomscrolling? Advertisement The best recipes from Australia's leading chefs straight to your inbox. Sign up Along with showcasing brotherly love, Sicily, Thailand and prosthetic penises, the television series The White Lotus has become a fashion trend kickstarter. Jennifer Coolidge in season one popularised wearing kaftans away from the pool and Camilla boutiques. Theo James in season two made the knit polo shirt a summer staple for men, but current episodes focus on the eyes. To indicate wealth and status, so far three characters have shielded their eyes from the Thai sun in frames from the fashion insider Italian brand L.G.R. Carrie Coon: the lawyer in the mean girls trio, the troubled southern finance dad played by Jason Isaacs and his Buddhist daughter played by Sarah Catherine Hook all wear the brand. Carrie Coon and Sarah Catherine Hook wearing L.G.R sunglasses in season three of The White Lotus. Securing placements in such high-profile productions is a process that begins long in advance, says the labels founder Luca Gnecchi Ruscone. Sometimes nearly two years before the show airs. For my 50th birthday, friends wanted to treat me to a Korean bath experience. Having had a conservative upbringing, I was horrified. Id have to get my kit off in front of my friends. Fortunately for me, the Korean baths theyd chosen had closed and we enjoyed a high tea instead. Ive discovered that the more I step outside my comfort zone, the easier it gets. (Posed by model) Credit: Ibai Acevedo / Stocksy United Fast-forward a few years and Ive become braver. I have a fellow walker on the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage trek in Spain to thank for that. We chatted as we walked, and at one point in our conversation she stopped, turned, looked at me and said, Joanne, life begins at the edge of your comfort zone. Since then, I regularly try to step out of my comfort zone. Like the time I took the plunge and finally got naked in front of others. It took a trip to Russia. Towel, swimming costume and soap in hand, I entered the dressing room of a traditional Russian banya (steam bath) with four similarly aged women from our small group tour. I had planned to wear my swimmers but, at the last minute, throwing caution to the wind, I left them hanging on a hook on the wall. My heart beating fast and feeling very self-conscious, I took a deep breath and walked stark-naked into the bathing area. Avoiding the eyes of my equally naked travel companions, and feeling rather awkward, I filled a shallow yellow basin with warm water. Then, alternately dousing myself with water, soaping and rinsing off, I washed away not only the grime from the train wed been on but also my inhibitions. With pieces ranging from Victorian-era bodices to Jenny Kee jumpers, Charlotte Smiths vintage fashion collection is considered one of the most significant in the world and largest in the southern hemisphere. But after two decades, the former art and antiques dealer is downsizing. After 21 years, it is time for this clothing to have a new life instead of sitting in a storage facility all the time, said Smith, who will hold on to a couple of hundred items, sending 1000 of the remainder to Canberras National Museum of Australia, and the rest to antique stores, where fashion fiends may be able to pick up a bold 1970s Hardy Amies suit or a beautifully embroidered Georgian jacket. Fashion collector Charlotte Smith with some of her vintage clothing at Dirty Janes, Bowral. Credit: Louise Kennerley Smith grew up on the US East Coast but married an Australian she met while working in London and moved to the Blue Mountains. She was bequeathed her godmother Doris Darnells collection of 3500 vintage fashion pieces, dated between 1790 and 1995, in 2004. TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, March 24. Ilzat Kasimov, Deputy Minister of Investments, Industry, and Trade of Uzbekistan, met with Wang Zhiyong, Chairman of Xinjiang New Vision Investment Development Company, and Zhang Xuan, Head of Envision Energy Company, to discuss the creation of a large-scale science and technology industrial park in Samarkand region, Trend reports. The proposed 300-hectare park will include research and logistics zones, along with the implementation of 12 major investment projects across various sectors. This initiative is expected to lay a strong foundation for the exchange of innovative technologies, production of high-value-added products, and the further expansion of investment cooperation between Uzbekistan and China. Xinjiang New Vision Investment and Development Company, based in the Urumqi Economic and Technological Development Zone, has significant experience in implementing strategic investment projects and managing industrial zones. This collaboration aims to further enhance technological innovation and industrial development in Uzbekistan. 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. Families living in suburbs along the Swan River and in Perths western suburbs are more likely to send their children to a private high school, while those living in the southeast are the least likely. An analysis of the latest census data has revealed that Peppermint Grove had the highest private school attendance rate for high school students at nearly 95 per cent. Just over 6 per cent of those students were enrolled at a Catholic school, while 3 per cent, or just eight students, were enrolled at a public school. More than 88 per cent were at enrolled at independent schools, with many of the higher-fee options located around the same area. Each month, WAtoday reaches out to the Perth community to discover three things people love most about our coastal capital and its surrounds. Today we feature Floreat resident Jacquie Chan, who opened the first Miss Chows in Claremont in 2015 and now owns eight restaurants across Perth and Margaret River, known for their boundary-pushing food, sleek interiors and killer cocktail focus. Chan has also founded a mega production kitchen making dumplings for supermarkets around the nation and a food processing plant in Forrestdale but despite conquering one of the countrys most notoriously difficult business sectors, hospitality is still just her side hustle, being a pearl and diamond dealer by day. Jacquie Chan, managing director of Perth dumpling darling Miss Chows, shares a few personal snaps of her favourite WA places and experiences. I love Kings Park, and am very proud of it its one of my go-to places when I have guests in town, especially spring, wildflower season, when I walk through the park and spend quite a bit of time looking at all the different flowers. I discover a different spot every time I go I normally walk with my girlfriends, and we explore and find places, but my favourites are crossing the bridge and the Kokoda Track memorial walk. If Im bringing people from out of town I drive them through the front entrance, take them to the giant boab tree and walk down to the fountains. I went to the Roxette concert there earlier this month, and it was my first concert in Kings Park my lord, that was such a beautiful night. I have also been to Frasers Restaurant there a couple of times recently; I had forgotten how wonderful it is to eat there and look out at those views. Its special from a global perspective, to have a park of this size so close to the city. Loading I love Margaret River. Since I expanded Miss Chows there, Ive spent quite a few months living down there and exploring every little nook and cranny whenever I have time. Living there has made me see it in a different light. I love the locals, and Im learning every day how to live like a local. We have the best beaches and there are so many good walks. The Rotary South Bank River Trail behind the town is so beautiful, safe and tranquil. My girlfriend showed it to me; there are so many trails around there we Perthians dont know about. There also quite a few trails along Carters Road. If Im out to eat, my favourites are Vasse Felix and Amelia Park, where I quite often go its very consistent, I can proudly bring guests there, and they dont disappoint. Teal MP Monique Ryan and her husband, Peter Jordan, have apologised after he was filmed removing a sign backing Liberal candidate Amelia Hamer, marking the highest profile incident in a tit-for-tat signage war in the battleground seat of Kooyong. Videos obtained by this masthead show two youths slashing a Liberal sign to humiliate a home owner while Ryan posters have been defaced with markers as the increasingly intense contest defies the affluent east Melbourne seats genteel character and some incidents end up in court. Ryan, who campaigned on restoring integrity to politics, and her husband both apologised for his behaviour in taking away a sign. I unreservedly apologise for removing the sign, Jordan said in a statement after video of Saturdays encounter was revealed by this masthead on Monday. It was a mistake. I believed the sign was illegally placed but should have reported my concerns to council. Federal Labor has pulled down a social media post that re-purposes a racist slogan to promote its support for Medicare in an embarrassing misstep that raises questions about the partys vetting processes on the eve of the election. The post from the ALPs primary Facebook account, which was removed after questions from this masthead on Monday, shows a man wearing a T-shirt that states: This is Australia. We eat meat, we drink beer and we love Medicare. A Labor campaign meme (right) was deleted after questions about whether it referenced a racist T-shirt (left). Credit: But the shirt and slogan bear a striking resemblance to a shirt and a slogan used by white supremacists to express racist sentiment. The original T-shirt, which has circulated in Australia for more than a decade, reads: This is Australia. We eat meat, we drink beer and we speak f---in English. 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. Subscription to paid content Gain access to all that Trend has to offer, as well as to premium, licensed content via subscription or direct purchase through a credit card. The 45th Session of the Enforcement Committee (EC) of the World Customs Organization (WCO) was officially opened on 24 March by Mr. Ian Saunders, Secretary General, at the WCO headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, for a five-day meeting. With the registration of some 312 participants, the meeting brought together delegates from Member Customs Administrations and representatives from WCO Regional Intelligence Liaison Offices (RILOs), International Organizations and other Customs stakeholders. In his opening address, the Secretary General reflected not only on the important role played by the EC over the years in shaping Customs enforcement worldwide, but also on the importance of collaboration, in line with this year's theme "Customs Delivering on its Commitment to Efficiency, Security and Prosperity". The Secretary General noted that security threats are a global problem, bigger than anything that any one actor can take on successfully and sustainably. This is why Members must look beyond their respective borders to collaborate with one another and with other motivated stakeholders. Finally, the Secretary General emphasized the importance of building upon knowledge already gained, stating that the experiences and lessons learned from our ongoing projects and initiatives are invaluable because they highlight what works and what we can do better. By turning these insights into actionable strategies, we can establish a solid foundation to strengthen our enforcement capacity while providing a clear framework for partners to follow. The Committee has always prioritized the development of comprehensive instruments, tools, guidance materials, and operational coordination activities. These efforts have ensured that Customs has the necessary resources to fulfill its responsibilities in the enforcement side. Since its establishment in 1983, the EC is proud to have reached a significant milestone with its first team of women presiding its session, with Rebecca Jonassen from New Zealand as Chair and Sarah Joyce from Ireland as Vice-Chair. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 24. Azerbaijan exported over 128 million kWh of electricity to Georgia in January 2025. Data obtained by Trend from the State Statistical Committee indicates that the fiscal yield from this electricity export was approximately $7.3 million. The transmission of electrical energy to Georgia experienced a substantial contraction relative to the corresponding timeframe of the previous annum, reflecting a decrement of approximately 113 million kWh, equating to a 46.9 percent decline in volumetric output, alongside a depreciation of $5.3 million, representing a 41.8 percent reduction in fiscal valuation. In the interim, Azerbaijan facilitated the export of more than 242 million kilowatt-hours of electrical energy to Georgia, with a fiscal valuation approximating $12.6 million in January 2024. Additionally, Azerbaijan exported 140.9 million kWh of electricity, valued at $7.8 million in January 2025. These figures represent a significant decrease compared to the same period last year, with a decline of 354.2 million kWh (a 3.5-fold reduction) in volume and $21 million (a 3.7-fold drop) in value. In January 2024, Azerbaijan's electricity exports amounted to 495 million kWh, worth $28.7 million. During the reporting month, Azerbaijan also exported electricity to Georgia and Iran. GABORONE, March 22 (Xinhua) -- The Confucius Institute at the University of Botswana (CIUB) hosted a cultural and language event on Friday, providing Chinese learners with a platform to practice speaking the language while exploring traditional Chinese martial arts. Held under the theme "Chinese Gongfu," which refers to Chinese martial arts, the event introduced participants to the vocabulary of Chinese martial weapons, including knives, swords, spears, and whips, alongside basic martial arts movements. The interactive session aimed to enhance oral proficiency while deepening cultural understanding. "Hello, everyone. My name is Shen Chenggong," said Keagile Sebetlela, a CIUB student, as he introduced himself in Chinese during an interview with Xinhua at the event. "I am interested in learning Chinese because, in my view, it has become one of the major international languages. I believe knowing Chinese can open many doors," said Sebetlela, adding that he particularly enjoys writing Chinese characters, as the language differs from most others that rely on alphabets. Students Sharon Khumomotse and Lindiwe Lile Ramooki performed at the event, introducing themselves with their Chinese names before entertaining the audience with tongue twisters. "I'm a Chinese learner studying the language for three years. I work at a bank office," said Ramooki in fluent Chinese. For Fidelity Monthe, who goes by the Chinese name Fei Di'an, learning the language is essential for growing her business. "I run a small business and have traveled to China to source products. The biggest challenge has been communication. Learning Chinese will help me expand my business and form partnerships with Chinese companies," Monthe told Xinhua. She expressed a deep fascination with Chinese characters. "Writing Chinese feels like drawing. It's almost like being an artist. But what I enjoy most is speaking the language and being able to converse with Chinese people. I'm also learning about Chinese culture and want to explore it further," she added. Monthe and Sebetlela were among around 70 Chinese learners and teachers who participated in the two-hour event, which featured Chinese song performances, language games, and group discussions. Pu Durong, Chinese director of CIUB, likened the event to "English corners" in China, where language learners gather to practice speaking. "In China, we have English corners for practicing English. Here in Botswana, we have a Chinese corner for students to improve their speaking skills. These learners are very passionate about the language, because many plan to do business in China," Pu said. CIUB, the first Confucius Institute in Botswana, was followed by a second institute launched in October 2023, at the Botswana International University of Science and Technology in Palapye, about 270 km northeast of Gaborone, the country's capital. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 24. Greece imported approximately 1.9 billion cubic meters (bcm) of natural gas from Azerbaijan in 2024, with a total value of 645.9 million, Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union, told Trend. The gas is supplied via the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP), the European leg of the Southern Gas Corridor, which has an initial annual capacity of 10 bcm, with potential expansion to 20 bcm. Below is a detailed breakdown of monthly gas imports from Azerbaijan to Greece: Month Volume (million cubic meters) Value (euros) January 163 55.4 February 152.4 47.7 March 162.5 48.1 April 157.4 48.4 May 162.7 52.6 June 157.3 52.3 July 162.8 57.4 August 124.45 42.1 September 154.8 57.6 October 164.2 57.98 November 157.7 59.8 December 163.5 66.4 Total 1.9 billion cubic meters 645.9 million The highest monthly volume was recorded in October (164.2 million cubic meters), while the lowest was in August (124.45 million cubic meters). The most expensive gas imports were in December (66.4 million), while the lowest price per cubic meter was in March (48.1 million). Follow the author on X: @Lyaman_Zeyn If you have an event you'd like to list on the site, submit it now! Submit Sean Ryan A devastated family has launched a heartfelt fundraiser to bring their mother home from a holiday of a lifetime. Maura Heffernan, originally from Co Clare but living in Togher in Cork city, suffered a sudden brain haemorrhage on Thursday, March 20th on the sixth day of her trip to Canada. Unfortunately, she is not expected to recover from the incident. Now, her family have launched an urgent fundraiser to bring her home so she can be around her loved ones and friends and get "the send off that she deserves". Their campaign was set up just two days ago but has already raised over 26,000 and been shared widely online. In a moving post on the go-fundme page, her daughter Lynda Mulvihill said: "Our mum suffered a sudden brain haemorrhage on Thursday 20th March only 6 days into her holiday. "Unfortunately, she will not recover from this. As you can imagine with rising costs of the hospital bills, bringing her home and to give her the best sendoff that she deserves we are making this plea to help us make this happen. "Our family is so very appreciative of all your amazing support. Mum would be happy to know we are surrounded by such caring people. "Unfortunately, we have had to up the fund request due to our brave mum continuing to fight longer beyond original expectations which is also having a knock on effect with the hospital bills continuing to rise. "Once again, we appreciate and thank everyone who has already helped us to get this far. She added Mam is stuck in a nightmare and we need to be everything we can to get her home." To date the fundraiser has raised almost 28,000 with 578 donations. The target for the fundraiser is 50,000. Eimear Dodd A man has been jailed for eight years for the rape of his then-wife. A jury at the Central Criminal Court convicted Riad Hamzi (51) last December of a single count of rape on August 19th, 2020, at a house in Cork. The court heard on Monday that his former wife, Elena O'Brien, wished to waive her anonymity to allow Hamzi to be named. On Monday, Mr Justice Paul Burns imposed a sentence of nine years on Hamzi, of Elmvale Court, Wilton, Cork, with the final year suspended for three years on strict conditions. He backdated the sentence to December 20th, when Hamzi went into custody. Mr Justice Burns said the aggravating features of the case included the relationship between the parties and the impact on the victim. The judge said the level of violence over and above the rape itself was also an aggravating factor. Mr Justice Burns said he had taken into account the mitigation including the contents of a medical report, Hamzi's health issues, work history and that he is an active member of his religious community as outlined by two character witnesses called on his behalf. The judge wished Ms O'Brien well for the future. At a previous sentence hearing, Ms O'Brien said in her victim impact statement that Hamzi was supposed to be my husband, the one person I could trust most in the world, the person I should feel safest with, who was supposed to love and protect me. Instead, he broke all trust. He told me he loved me, but his actions showed me that he thought he owned me and saw me as a possession here to serve him. The court previously heard evidence that on the night in question, the victim expressed concerns about difficulties in their marriage and a wish to separate. Hamzi told her everything was fine, then became aggressive, punching her twice in the body. He then raped her and put his fist in her mouth after telling the victim to be quiet. Hamzi denied the allegation of rape and told gardai it was consensual sex. He has a long work history and is an Algerian national who has been living in Ireland for over 25 years. The investigating garda confirmed to Alice Fawsitt SC, defending, that he was aware of Hamzi's previous cancer diagnosis. A medical report was handed to the court, and Ms Fawsitt said a recent scan is clear, but her client has ongoing health issues. Reading her impact statement, Ms O'Brien said she had used his name with love and affection for many years, but doesn't say it anymore as it is now the name of the person who crushed me. She said she gave everything to build their life together, but their marriage was difficult and the decision to leave was not made lightly. She said Hamzi chose to rape me, instead of talking to me and through his actions, showed me exactly what he thought of me. I was just a possession, she said, adding that Hamzi had no love or respect for her and instead believed he owned me and could do what he wanted to me. She said she feared for her life in that moment and no longer felt safe. She outlined struggling with sleep, PTSD and nightmares. Ms O'Brien said she found the criminal process difficult and was unable to work for several months. She said she also faced additional costs for counselling and other supports. She said she is just surviving, not living and doesn't yet know the full impact of what happened on her. I need to try to find some peace and healing... I dont know how or if it's possible, but I know it will take a lifetime. Ms Fawsitt asked the court to take into account her client's cancer diagnosis, the contents of medical reports and his personal circumstances. Two character witnesses a surgeon and a businessman read testimonials on Hamzi's behalf at an earlier sentence hearing. The surgeon said Hamzi's conviction contrasts with the character of the man I've known for many years. He said he always found him [Hamzi] to be a gentleman. The surgeon said he was shocked and deeply saddened when he was told about the charge faced by Hamzi, who he described as a man who genuinely feels the pain of others and has always been a help to others in need. He said he'd never seen him [Hamzi] engage in conflict with others. My thoughts are entirely with him and I hope the court will take into account his character, health challenges and background, the surgeon said. When asked by prosecuting counsel if he accepted that Hamzi had been convicted by a jury of rape, the surgeon replied I am aware of the verdict. The businessman said the news of Hamzi's conviction had taken him aback. He said he'd known Hamzi for many years and knew him to have never previously been involved in any troubles with others, male or female. He said he was deeply saddened by Hamzi's cancer diagnosis and that Hamzi expressed a desire to him to get back to good health. The businessman said Hamzi is respectful to others and very much respected. He said he was hopeful the court would be lenient in sentencing to allow Hamzi to recover his health and get back to normal life. At a previous sentence hearing, the court heard the victim asked to speak to Hamzi the night before as they were having marital difficulties. He left the house, returning around 1am, then asked her what she wanted to talk about. The victim was in the sitting room and initially told him it was too late, then after he insisted, told him about her wish to end their marriage. He told her everything was fine, then became aggressive, punching her twice in the body. Hamzi pushed the victim onto the sofa, then raped her. The victim was hysterical and crying, telling him no. He told her to be quiet and put his fist in her mouth. He left the sitting room but returned shortly afterwards, and turned up the TV to drown out the woman's crying. She later emailed her solicitor to tell them what had happened. She carried out as normal the next morning, before going to a Garda station to make a complaint. If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, you can call the national 24-hour Rape Crisis Helpline at 1800 77 8888, access text service and webchat options at drcc.ie/services/helpline/ or visit Rape Crisis Help. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 24. The Turan Textile Exhibition will be held in Baku from April 29 through April 30, the Chairman of the Board of the Azerbaijan Franchising Association Public Union Jamid Movsumov told Trend. He said that the exhibition would bring together the leading players of the textile industry and showcase the textile power of the Turkic world. "As the main partner of the exhibition, the Azerbaijan Textile Association Public Union will present Azerbaijan's textile potential to the world. The exhibition will be organized based on the 'Made in Turan' standards. Azerbaijani textile brands will gain access to international markets, showcase local production power, and accelerate the integration of the industry with new technologies. The exhibition is a unique opportunity to strengthen the position of Azerbaijan's textile sector in the global arena. Textile companies, designers, and industry experts from countries such as Azerbaijan, Turkiye, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, as well as Pakistan, India, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Hungary, and Japan will participate in the exhibition, with over 5,000 people expected to attend. They will have the opportunity to hold B2B meetings and establish connections for collaboration," he noted. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 24. The Confederation of Entrepreneurs of Azerbaijan (CEA) is considering a new project related to the tourism potential of East Zangezur, Trend reports. This was announced at a meeting of the working commission on tourism and services operating within the Confederation. Chairman of the commission CEA Ruslan Guliyev shared his thoughts on the work done to promote the tourism potential of our country abroad and the four international events in which they will participate in 2025. He mentioned that a new project related to the tourism potential of East Zangezur is planned. The meeting was informed about the new statute of the commission, successes in training in the sector. In particular, the establishment of the Academy of Gastrotourism with 12 specialties in Sumgait was noted by the Commission. The Commission members discussed the state of the sector in 2025, and the upcoming expectations. It was noted that in March this year, the number of tourists arriving in our country in connection with the Novruz holiday was less than last year. The deputy chairman of the commission, Jeyhun Ashurov, made proposals for the development of regional tourism. According to him, it is necessary to create more reasons for more tourists to come to the country. Noting that only one out of eight international airports of Azerbaijan - Baku airport named after Heydar Aliyev - functions effectively, he emphasized development of airports in the regions. In general, he noted that Azerbaijan achieved a 30 percent growth in tourism in 2024 compared to 2023, but did not reach the level of 2019. The commission also released the results of a survey conducted on the state of the sector. Based on the results, issues such as shortage of professional staff, investment climate, tax regulation, opening tourism facilities for investment, access to finance, and public procurement are at the top of the list. The meeting also discussed that an appropriate investment climate is needed for the construction of one-, two- and three-star hotels in the regions, as well as taking appropriate steps against those who sell tourism services through social media without official registration. Wits to honour three distinguished scholars Recognising a banned youth education champion, an economic development specialist, and a legal philosopher during the autumn graduation season. The University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) will confer honorary doctorates upon three distinguished individuals in recognition of their outstanding contributions to education, economic research and law. The honorary degrees will be awarded during the first cluster of the 2025 graduation ceremonies, taking place from 25 March to 3 April 2025. More than 5200 graduates will be capped this season. The esteemed recipients are: Jennifer Glennie Doctor of Education 26 March, 13:30 Professor Ernest Aryeetey Doctor of Commerce 26 March, 17:00 Professor David Dyzenhaus Doctor of Laws 1 April, 09:30 Wits Universitys Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Zeblon Vilakazi, shares his admiration for the honorees, stating: These remarkable individuals have made lasting contributions to their respective fields, advancing knowledge, research, and policy that benefit society at large. We are proud to celebrate their achievements and welcome them into the Wits community. Biographies of Honorees Jennifer Glennie (Doctor of Education) A visionary leader in education, Jennifer Glennie has been instrumental in advancing open learning and distance education in South Africa. She played a critical role in the development of educational resources for out-of-school youth during the apartheid era and has led numerous initiatives to improve access to quality education. As the founding Director of the South African Institute of Distance Education (SAIDE), she has championed innovative solutions, such as the African Storybook initiative, which promotes home-language literacy for African children. Her dedication to lifelong learning and social justice has left a profound impact on education policy and practice in South Africa and beyond. Click here to read more about this citation. Professor Ernest Aryeetey (Doctor of Commerce) A renowned African economist and a leader in higher education, Professor Ernest Aryeetey has significantly contributed to economic research and institutional development across the continent. As the former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana, he played a pivotal role in transforming the institution into a research-intensive university. He is also the founding Secretary-General of the African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA), where he has worked to strengthen partnerships among Africas top research institutions. His research on informal finance and economic development has influenced policy decisions in Africa and globally. Click here to read more about this citation. Professor David Dyzenhaus (Doctor of Laws) A leading legal philosopher and author, Professor David Dyzenhaus has made profound contributions to the study of constitutionalism, the rule of law, and legal theory. A Wits alumnus, his scholarship has influenced legal frameworks in Canada, South Africa, and beyond. His extensive academic work explores how law can serve as a tool for both oppression and resistance, a theme rooted in his early experiences in apartheid South Africa. Currently a professor at the University of Toronto, he has nurtured generations of legal scholars and continues to shape global legal thought through his publications and teaching. Click here to read more about this citation. The University looks forward to honouring these distinguished individuals, whose work exemplifies the values of excellence, leadership, and service that Wits strives to uphold. BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, March 24. Kyrgyzstan's Ministry of Digital Development has been assigned additional responsibilities following a decree signed by President Sadyr Zhaparov, which will now include overseeing the development of innovative technologies, Trend reports. The decree renames the ministry to the Ministry of Digital Development and Innovative Technologies. The ministry will be responsible for shaping national policies on digitalization, e-government, electronic signatures, and ensuring access to public digital services. Additionally, it will manage the country's identification systems, promote equal access to digital technologies, and regulate sectors including telecommunications, postal services, and broadcasting. Moreover, the ministry will be responsible for cybersecurity, satellite technologies, spatial data, artificial intelligence, and innovations. It will also oversee population registration, civil status records, and other duties assigned by Kyrgyzstans laws. The Kyrgyz government has also been tasked with establishing a state-owned company, Tunduk, which will oversee the functions of several government agencies, including the Centers for Digital Education, Social Protection Digitalization, E-Health, and Legal Services. Tunduk will be the sole provider of services for developing, upgrading, and maintaining information systems for state and local government bodies, as well as state-owned enterprises and institutions. The company will operate with full state ownership, funded by both national and local budgets. Elderly residents gather to learn the popular AI model DeepSeek at a nursing home in east China's Shanghai on Feb. 26, 2025. [Xinhua/Tang Siqi] BEIJING, March 22 (Xinhua) On a crisp early spring afternoon, 89-year-old Teng Quanda held his smartphone and asked the glowing screen "Little whale, will my stocks rise again?" causing the room to erupt in laughter. This scene is not uncommon at the nursing home in Shanghai, where over 20 silver-haired "students" regularly gather to learn how to use the popular AI model, DeepSeek. "They call it 'little whale' after the app's icon," explained Deng Mingxing, the nursing home's director. "Once they learned how to use it, they bombarded it with loads of health-related questions. Some even joked about living to 150 with the help of AI." Across China, such interactions highlight the seniors' growing acceptance of AI. From health consultations to stock market analysis, they are treating AI as both advisor and companion, seeking assistance in filtering scams, designing wellness plans, or simply enjoying the company of chatty "digital grandchildren." Smart technology is also playing an indispensable role in addressing eldercare challenges, with more than 310 million people, or 22 percent of China's population, aged 60 and above as of 2024. China pledged in this year's government work report that it will improve the policy mechanisms for the development of elderly care services and industries, foster the growth of industries including embodied AI, and support the extensive application of large-scale AI models. Chongqing and Shenzhen municipal governments have launched funding initiatives to advance embodied AI systems, a critical move enabling robots to transition from "digital brains" to physical caregivers and household assistants. Public data revealed that a single caregiver is often required to attend to as many as 10 elderly residents in China's nursing homes, indicating a severe shortage of elderly care workers. Tech giants are racing to fill the gap. In September 2024, Tencent's Robotics X Lab unveiled The Five, a human-environment robot designed to advance human-machine collaboration in eldercare scenarios. Integrated with proprietary technologies such as a hybrid quadruped-wheeled design, large-area tactile sensory skin, multi-fingered dexterous manipulators, and safe physical interaction systems, the robot has demonstrated capabilities in navigating real-world environments, transporting objects, and executing complex tasks through human-robot interaction. "The Five's core mission is to assist with mobility," said Zhang Zhengyou, Tencent's chief scientist and head of Robotics X Lab. "It can safely transfer elders from beds to wheelchairs, assist with walking to prevent falls, and help maneuver wheelchairs up ramps." Leveraging tactile and visual perception systems coupled with recognition, planning, and control algorithms, the robot has achieved secure physical interactions. However, several challenges remain. The human-robot interaction is not yet "natural" enough. For example, The Five cannot recognize emotions accurately, and it has a limited ability to understand dialects and accents with relatively slow movement. The robots also need to improve their navigation and obstacle avoidance capabilities. Priced at hundreds of thousands of yuan, cost reduction will be essential for mass production domestically. Meanwhile, assistive robotics are empowering seniors to reclaim independence at home. In Chongqing, 70-year-old stroke survivor Zhang Li has regained mobility through a wearable exoskeleton robot purchased by his daughter. Equipped with multisensory detectors and AI-driven motion analysis, the device predicts movement intent and delivers timely power assistance to hips and knees. "These robotic suits are becoming vital tools for seniors and patients recovering from neurological conditions," said Ge Chengjun, marketing director of a medical technology company in Chongqing. By enhancing motor control through real-time data processing, the technology has improved users' autonomy in daily activities. China has led the development of the international standards for assistive robots, which were released by the International Electrotechnical Commission in March. The standards set benchmarks for health monitoring, emergency response, and daily task support. Researchers have also stressed the urgency of technological breakthroughs. Zhang Yunquan, a researcher at the Institute of Computing Technology under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, emphasized that eldercare robotics hinges on breakthroughs in core technologies requiring robust scientific support. "Bringing care robots into ordinary households remains a long journey," Zhang said. "But coordinated planning to synchronize technological breakthroughs with market readiness can't wait. It demands urgent action." AI-enabled elderly care should be deeply integrated with home-based, community and institutional care models while embracing humanistic values, thereby achieving harmony between technological innovation and compassionate caregiving, said Wu Yushao, deputy director of Fudan Institute on Ageing. For 72-year-old Wang Fenlan, AI has already enriched her daily life. Whether checking the weather through voice commands, practicing Tai Chi with smart TV guides, or consulting "little whale" for recipes, AI is there to assist. "Smart devices aren't just for the young anymore," she said with a smile. (Source: Xinhua) Editor: Wang Shasha This file photo taken on March 29, 2022 shows Yu Chi-Hsuan (L) introducing to foreign visitors the Song Dynasty-style tea whisking skills at a tearoom in Hangzhou Luyuquan tea culture theme park in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province. [Xinhua/Duan Jingjing] HANGZHOU, March 20 (Xinhua) As spring breezes carry the aroma of tea through the misty valleys of Jingshan in Hangzhou, the capital of east China's Zhejiang Province, Yu Chi-Hsuan is busy planning a tea harvesting tour for tourists ahead of the Qingming Festival, which falls on April 4 this year. In the tea fields of Jingshan, home to the famed Jingshan tea that dates back to the Tang Dynasty (618-907), the 36-year-old from China's Taiwan region, now a cultural tourism practitioner rooted in Zhejiang, is brewing up a story of cross-Strait connections. Born in Taipei to Hakka parents, Yu grew up hearing stories of her ancestral ties to Meixian in south China's Guangdong Province, where her grandfather's ancestors lived. At the age of 11, she traveled to the Matsu Islands to take part in cultural exchanges with people from the Chinese mainland, which planted the seeds for her later deep bond with the mainland. While studying in Japan, Yu met her life partner, who is a native of Zhejiang Province. Despite their initial plans to settle abroad, Yu clung to a dream. "I have always hoped to have an opportunity to settle down in the mainland," she said. That opportunity came in 2018 when a recruitment notice from Hangzhou's Yuhang District, seeking graduates from top global universities, redirected her trajectory. Yu returned to China in 2019 and set her sights on Jingshan, which has a deep connection to the Japanese tea ceremony. "When I studied a course on Japanese tea ceremony in college, I discovered that its origins traced back to a Zen Buddhist temple in Jingshan," Yu recalled. While in Japan, Yu participated in Kyoto's World Heritage tourism planning, and she boasts expertise in Taiwan's award-winning cultural design projects. Delving into "The Classic of Tea," the first known monograph on tea in the world, Yu found striking parallels between the Jingshan tea ceremony, a UNESCO-listed intangible heritage, and the Hakka Leicha (pounded tea) from her childhood. "I realized that Chinese tea cultures share the same roots," she said. "In developing the Song Dynasty-style tea whisking experience course in Jingshan, memories of my grandfather preparing a bowl of tea for me when I was young came rushing back." She then set out to promote the rich heritage of Chinese tea culture. Within two years, she and her team created a cultural tourism icon featuring Tang Dynasty scholar Lu Yu, also known as the Sage of Tea, and introduced a new Chinese-style tea beverage brand "Lu Yu's Tea." In 2023, Yu expanded her work to the rural guesthouse industry, transforming vacant farmhouses into a cluster of homestays that blend ancient Liangzhu heritage and Song culture with modern designs. Her project, which preserves the charm of the original townscape while upgrading facilities, has won multiple provincial tourism awards and created economic opportunities for local villagers. "Rural revitalization isn't just about renovating houses. It's about letting culture take root and ensuring that local communities benefit," Yu told Xinhua. She likens Zhejiang's villages to her grandma's handmade "eight-treasure rice pudding" -- traditional yet innovative, inclusive and full of human warmth. Visitors from Taiwan can immerse themselves in intangible cultural heritage experiences like crafting paper umbrellas on ancient streets, witnessing the fusion of agriculture and smart technology at digital farms, or seeing auditoriums at some local primary schools renovated into art hubs. "Every experience here is full of surprises," she said. "I hope more Taiwan friends will come here to see, feel and experience its magic." Now a familiar figure in cross-Strait cultural exchanges, Yu has shared her life and work in nearly a hundred activities, always beginning with the characteristic introduction: "I am Yu from China's Taiwan, a new citizen of Hangzhou. Destiny has brought me here, and I share the same surname as Yuhang." She believes that Taiwan's young people should not be bystanders; instead, they should actively engage in the mainland's rapid development. "The vast mainland can accommodate the dream of Taiwan's young people, and the Taiwan Strait can not block compatriots on both sides from sharing the dividends of development," she said. (Source: Xinhua) Editor: Wang Shasha ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, March 24. The United Nations General Assembly unanimously adopted the Resolution on the "Permanent Neutrality of Turkmenistan" on March 21, 2025, Trend reports, citing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan. The historic decision was made during the 61st plenary meeting of the 79th session of the UNGA under the agenda item "Peacebuilding and Sustaining Peace." Turkmenistans Permanent Representative to the UN, Aksoltan Ataeva, highlighted the fundamental role of neutrality in the country's foreign policy. The diplomat emphasized that Turkmenistans commitment to neutrality enables it to implement its peacekeeping doctrine effectively on the global stage. Since the UNGA first recognized Turkmenistans neutral status on December 12, 1995, the country has demonstrated the effectiveness of this approach as a key mechanism of preventive diplomacy at both regional and global levels. The newly adopted resolution recommends utilizing the territories of neutral states for peace negotiations. On Turkmenistans initiative, the UNGA declared December 12 as the International Day of Neutrality in 2017. The UN also operates the Group of Friends of Neutrality, and the current year is marked by events under the International Year of Peace and Trust. Hyundai Motor Co. is the world's third-largest carmaker. Hyundai will announce a $20 billion investment in US on-shoring on March 24, which includes a $5 billion steel plant in Louisiana, the White House confirmed to CNN. Brothers and sisters, Berlin transport workers have recently been taking limited, token strike action in connection with the current wage negotiation. The Transport Workers Action Committee calls upon you to turn the token strikes into the start of a full-scale rebellion against the Verdi unions stalling tactics and carry out an unlimited strike. For the Verdi leadership the limited strike action is part of a pre-arranged plan that will end with a deal that has nothing to do with our original demands. A sell-out like that has to be prevented! Partition wall of the Action Committee list for the BVG staff council elections at the Mullerstrae depot Our wages battle has taken on a new significance in recent weeks. In the face of rapid political changes, the wage struggle is developing into a power struggle. Germanys governing partiesboth the outgoing and incominghave responded to Donald Trumps second term as US president and his drastic trade war measures with a gigantic military build-up. They have already approved war loanseuphemistically called special fundsamounting to 1 trillion euros. To this, they reconvened the old Bundestag, which has been voted out of office, because they lack the necessary two-thirds majority in the new Bundestag. They have packaged this insane rearmament programme in two parts: a directly military part for the Bundeswehr (German military) and an indirect military infrastructure package to gear all spheres of society for waging war. This second package serves to present the trillion-euro armament programme as a programme for social reform. In fact, it will impose the costs on the population through massive social cuts and real wage reductions. Under these conditions, every effort is being made to block our demand for a broad income increase of 750 euros [US$815] per month over 12 months from being met. Above all, every effort is being made to prevent us from conducting an unlimited strike to enforce this demand. The Berlin Senate and the federal government, which are behind the BVG [Berlin Transport Company] board, fear that such a principled industrial action would be the prelude to a broad mobilisation of all transport and public service workers, as well as the entire working class, against falling real wages and the governments war policy. In this situation, we must make full use of our strength and strike power. This is important for two reasons. First, after many years of real wage cuts, our demand for a general wage increase of 750 euros per month is the minimum to combat the ever-increasing cost of living. Second, an unlimited strike would be a clear signal that we are not willing to bear the costs of rearmament and the financing of the great power politics of German imperialism, which already led to global catastrophes two times in the last century. That is why the sellout planned by Verdi must be stopped. The Verdi leadership is closely linked to the SPD [Social Democratic Party], the governing party in the Berlin Senate and the federal government. The same applies to their negotiating commission, headed by Jeremy Arndt, deputy chairman of the BVG supervisory board. Arndt and his colleagues have faithfully repeated managements argument that there is no money to fulfil our demands. The federal government has now refuted this lie and made clear that there is plenty of money when it comes to weapons, war and destruction. After the fifth round of negotiations on Wednesday last week, Arndt spoke of progress. But a closer look shows the opposite. Although the duration of the contract was reduced from 30 to 24 months and the wage increase was raised from 225 to 240 euros per month, the Christmas bonus was reduced and working hours were extended. As a result, the fifth negotiation round failed to bring any improvement. Arndt reported that the negotiations were sluggish and complained about the intransigence of management on key issues. In reality, managements arrogant attitude is a direct reaction to Verdis unwillingness to organise an unlimited strike. Verdis refusal is directly related to its support for the government and its war programme. In an interview on the special fund on the Verdi homepage, Verdi chairman Frank Werneke plays down and justifies the war loans, saying: The US promise of protection for Europe has become shaky. Against this background, discussions about higher defence spending in Germany and Europe are understandable. Europe must be able to defend itself, the Bundeswehr must be able to function. At the last regular Verdi national congress in September 2023, Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) gave the opening speech and justified arms deliveries to Ukraine and the 100-billion-euro special fund for the Bundeswehr. At that time, Werneke was not satisfied. He doubted whether the money was enough and made it clear even then that he advocated even higher military spending. To break the control of Verdi and organise an unlimited strike, it is necessary to systematically build up the Transport Workers Action Committee. This is now of the greatest importance. In the staff council election campaign in November, we wrote: We are standing in these elections to build new structures of struggle that will enable us workers to intervene directly in workplace disputes. Our goal is to develop the great strength and power that we have as workers. We seek to strengthen our self-confidence, after all, we are the ones who keep the city and the country moving. We are not supplicants and beggars, we have rights! And we know that a joint struggle of all transport workers would paralyse the capital in the shortest possible time and would receive great support from the population. The formation of the transport workers working group is the first important step toward taking the preparation of an all-out strike to enforce our demands into our own hands. Since the beginning of our wage struggle in January, much has changed. The government, which determines the behaviour of the BVG board, is openly pursuing a policy of war, both externally and internally. This turning point also applies to us. We are no longer willing to accept Verdis stalling tactics of a token strike and pre-arranged negotiations. We counter the military build-up and enrichment of the rich with the socialist principle of the labour movement: our needs as workers and the needs of the entire population are more important than the profit interests of investors, speculators and warmongers. Stop the planned Verdi sell-out! Come to the next online meeting of the Transport Workers Action Committee! Prepare an indefinite strike! Write a Whatsapp message to +01748402566 to get in touch and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Tiktok. Come to this site at 7 p.m. on 27 March and take part in our online meeting. TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, March 24. The Association of Furniture and Wood Processing Industry of Uzbekistan, the Trade Development Company, and Turkish designer-technologist Gurkan Kurun signed an agreement to enhance the training of Uzbekistans furniture sector, Trend reports via the Uzbekistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry. This agreement is expected to elevate the professional skills of local specialists while introducing advanced technologies, ultimately paving the way for Uzbek furniture products to enter new export markets. The document was signed following a meeting between Dilshod Rasulov, Vice President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan, and Kurun, which discussed the possible participation of a Turkish expert in the furniture industry of Uzbekistan for a period of 6 to 12 months. The costs associated with this initiative will be fully covered by the Uzbekistan Trade Development Company. In line with the cooperation program, Kurun conducted a specialized seminar for local entrepreneurs in the furniture industry. Held on March 1415, the seminar took place at the Small Furniture Industrial Zone in the Khonka district of the Khorazm region, providing participants with valuable insights into the latest trends in furniture design, innovative materials, and methods to optimize production processes. Palestinian artist Dorgham Quraiqi was killed March 18 by an Israeli airstrike on a residential area in Gaza. He was sheltering in the ruins of his home in Gaza City with his new wife and his brothers, who were also killed. Quraiqi had recently lost his sister in the Israeli militarys attacks. At age 28, Quraiqi became the latest artist to be murdered in the Zionist states systematic campaign to eliminate the Palestinians and their culture. Dorgham Quraiqi (Hope and Play) Its a pretty heavy blow to obviously everybody who had interactions with Dorgham and knew him and knew his work, Saskia Marsh, a trustee at the charity Hope and Play, told the Art Newspaper. The self-taught artists life and work were unavoidably shaped by Israels violent and criminal occupation of the Palestinian territoriesand by the resistance to this occupation. Quraiqi painted with oils in a figurative style, and his work has been exhibited widely in Gaza. In addition to pursuing his own art, Quraiqi participated in many collective art projects and helped to educate and inspire displaced children. In addition to creativity, the artist demonstrated generosity and a communal spirit. In 2022, Quraiqi volunteered at the Gaza Training Center, which is run by Dar Al-Kalima University. There, he helped paint a group mural showing Shireen Abu Akleh, a journalist who was murdered by the Israel Defense Forces. The artist participated in several group exhibitions, including one at Shababeek (Arabic for windows) for Contemporary Art, which was based in Gaza. Another such exhibition was Shrapnel of the City, which featured 27 artists from the Gaza Strip in 2023. Quraiqi also prepared for what would have been his first solo exhibition, which was to be called Until the Chair Grows Wings. The show was scheduled for the end of 2023 at Shababeek. With characteristic barbarity, Israel destroyed Shababeek, which was Gazas last space for contemporary art, in April 2024. Quraiqi then involved himself in the work of Hope and Play, which is based in the UK and provides education and trauma relief to Palestinian children. Since Israels genocidal campaign began, the organization also has been providing emergency relief and organizing creative activities such as art workshops. Quraiqi described the charitys activities as a way to paint your emotions away. Despite losing his home, being displaced many times and countless other great dangers and challenges, we have seen Dorgham bringing smiles to the faces of many thousands of displaced children over the last 1.5 years, Hope and Play said in a statement. The artists energy and motivation seemed endless, it added. In its presentation of its Gaza Emergency Support, the organization describes the situation: Deliberate starvation on a mass scale. Worse destruction than in World War Two; 70% of the north of Gaza obliterated. Over 10,000 children killed, 17,000 children orphaned and alone. 18,000 children injured. Over 1,000 children are now amputees. Everyoneyoung and oldis deeply traumatised by the past several months, and likely to suffer the after-effects for years to come. As a volunteer with Hope and Play, Quraiqi participated in a workshop that brought an entire displacement camp together to create a collage. He described the project as an opportunity for participants to express their soul, their love for Palestine, to mourn the loss of their homes and to reflect on what remains of their dreams. Quraiqis friends say he loved working with children and helping them express themselves in workshops. He partnered with the Palestinian NGO Film Lab to show films to children in refugee camps. Before he was killed, Quraiqi was on the verge of beginning a new series of mobile movies for children. He also gave art classes affiliated with the Tamer Institute for Community Education. Since Israels assault began in 2023, Quraiqi was forced to flee the bombing many times. He first took refuge in the European Hospital in Khan Yunis, where his injured mother received care. Later he fled to Rafah, then to the Al-Qarara Al-Gharbiya area. One of the artists last paintings After Israel allowed people to return to their homes in the north of Gaza as part of the ceasefire agreement, Quraiqi found his home and studio in ruins. Writing about his damaged paintings in February, he posted on Facebook, They were part of my soul, of dreams I had long wished to share with an audience. The artist correctly observed that the destruction was Israels attempt to erase the memory and culture of the Palestinians. But as the saying goes, Hope only dies with the death of the soul, and art is my soul, he wrote. A few days before the attack that killed him, Quraiqi told Shareef Sarhan, a cofounder of Shababeek, his idea for a new childrens workshop. His death has definitely impacted Gazas art community. We lost a friend, Sarhan told the Art Newspaper. Another artist and close friend of Quraiqis spoke to the Art Newspaper under condition of anonymity. Two nights before Quraiqis death, the artist saw Quraiqi buy a gift for his new wifes birthday. I feel like I have lost my right arm, said the artist. The Israeli bombardment that killed Quraiqi was part of a series of airstrikes conducted on the same day. This sudden and unprovoked attack marked a new phase in the genocide of the Palestinians. Using American bombs, and in coordination with Washington, the Zionist state killed more than 400 people, mostly women and children, on March 18. This attack, one of the deadliest since the beginning of the genocide, ended the charade of the ceasefire, which Israel had been violating systematically. Quraiqis murder reveals, most immediately, the utter savagery of the Netanyahu regime and US imperialism and its adjuncts. It also demonstrates that the fight to preserve and advance human culture is inseparable from the fight against war and its root cause: the capitalist system. For artists and for all mankind, the situation poses but two alternatives: socialism or barbarism. At least seven universities in Australia have already had American funding for research projects paused or cancelled as part of US President Donald Trumps fascistic and militarist Make America Great Again agenda. Already, $600 million in joint research efforts involving partnerships with American institutes and universities have been cut or threatened, with more likely to come, placing further financial and ideological pressure on Australias chronically-underfunded 39 public universities. First of all, the White House axed funding through its demolition of agencies such as USAID [US Agency for International Development], the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health. Secondly, US agencies sent a 36-point questionnaire to researchers around the world this month. This political interrogation basically demanded that all research serve US military and strategic interests, as well as the Trump administrations unprecedented offensive against government jobs, social services, science, public health, public education, environmental protection and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs. Australian National University, Canberra Australias federal Education Department said on Friday it was aware that the Trump administration had cut funding to at least seven universities, including the Australian National University, Monash University, University of Technology Sydney, University of NSW, Charles Darwin University and Macquarie University. Far from opposing this assault, Prime Minister Anthony Albaneses Labor government is advising university managements to comply with it. Vicki Thomson, the chief executive of the Group of Eight (Go8), comprising the wealthiest universities, told Nine network newspapers that some academics at European universities had chosen not to respond to the survey, but: The advice we got from our government is, You probably should respond. The Australian Financial Review reported that Education Minister Jason Clare said the US could fund whatever research it wants to fund and we will continue to make the case to the US that collaborative research benefits both the US and Australias interests. This is in line with the Labor governments determination not to say a word of criticism of the Trump administrations fascistic agenda, but rather to accommodate to it. This agenda features sacking tens of thousands of public sector workers, gutting education, health and social programs, executing illegal mass deportations, escalating the genocide in Gaza and laying claim to key strategic locations such as Greenland and the Panama Canal to prepare for war against China, the main designated threat to US hegemony. To be completed and returned within 48 hours, the five-page questionnaire featured questions such as: Can you confirm that your organisation does not work with entities associated with communist, socialist or totalitarian parties, or any party that espouses anti-American beliefs. Another question demanded to know whether the researchers university prohibits collaboration, funding or support for policies that are contrary to US government interests, national security, and sovereignty. Other questions insisted that projects must help in ending illegal immigration, strengthening US border security and support efforts to strengthen US supply chains or secure rare earth minerals. In Australian universities and research institutes, these dictates imperil hundreds of jobs. This is escalating the pressure on the countrys public universities, which are already axing more than 2,000 jobs as a direct result of the Albanese governments reactionary cuts to international student enrolments and continued under-funding of universities. According to the Nine newspapers, some researchers who have answered the questionnaire have had their US funding reinstated. Others, who asked why they had to answer the questions, were sent a copy of a memorandum from the White House to the heads of US executive departments and agencies. The use of federal resources to advance Marxist equity, transgenderism, and Green New Deal social engineering policies is a waste of taxpayer dollars that does not improve the day-to-day lives of those we serve, the memorandum said. This document required US federal agencies to identify and review all federal financial assistance programs and supporting activities consistent with the Presidents policies and requirements. It demanded compliance with Trumps barrage of executive orders, starting with January 20s Protecting the American People Against Invasion, which Trump has imposed as the basis for illegal deportations of pro-Palestinian and other political opponents. The US is Australias biggest research partner. In 2024, US government funding to Australian research organisations totalled $386 million, the Australian Academy of Science (AAS) estimates. By comparison, the Australian government provides only about $800 million annually in non-medical research funding via the Australian Research Council (ARC). A chilling and repressive atmosphere is already spreading throughout Australian universities as a result of pro-US and pro-war measures taken by the Albanese government with the bipartisan backing of the Liberal-National Coalition. These measures include far-reaching military secrets laws that place researchers, research institutes and companies in danger of being prosecuted and jailed for collaborating, directly or indirectly, with overseas colleagues, except for those from the US and UK. The Crikey website reported last week: While not explicitly mentioning China, most Australian universities now require staff to declare whether they or their close associates have links to foreign governments or government-related entities and individuals. Indeed, the adoption of these best practice measures has led many Australian researchers, especially Chinese-Australian scientists, to abandon their collaborations with China-based academics or, in some cases, to leave Australia. Despite widespread opposition among educators and students, anti-genocide academics are also being witch-hunted in order to intimidate any dissent. That includes Macquarie University scholar Randa Abdel-Fattah, who has had her $870,000 ARC Future Fellowship grant suspended at the behest of Education Minister Clare. There is also intense concern among university staff and students over the adoption by Universities Australia, the employers body, of a new definition of antisemitism, inspired by Zionist groups, that essentially prohibits criticism of Israel and its mounting crimes against humanity. Starved of government funding, the universities have become more dependent on war-related research, as well as attracting full fee-paying international students. There are expanding ties with military conglomerates, such as the Lockheed Martin research centre at the University of Melbourne. Labors financial squeeze is bound up with its Universities Accord, which demands a further restructuring of universities in return for national priorities funding, to satisfy the employment and research demands of the corporate elite and preparations for war, including the AUKUS military pact. The main campus trade union, the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU), backs Labors Accord. It has tried to sow illusions in the Albanese government by appealing to it to push back against Donald Trumps hateful agenda. At the same time, it has remained silent on the Trump administrations demand for an unconditional alignment behind US militarism. In order to fight this catastrophic agenda, university workers and students need to form rank-and-file committees, independent of the unions, to link up with workers in Australia and worldwide through the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees. This is part of a broader, necessary struggle against capitalism itself and its program of ever-greater corporate wealth and turn to war. To discuss how to form rank-and-file committees, please contact the Committee for Public Education (CFPE), the rank-and-file educators network. Contact the CFPE: Email: cfpe.aus@gmail.com Facebook: facebook.com/commforpubliceducation Twitter: CFPE_Australia Facebook: facebook.com/groups/opposeaeusellout Truck drivers stop at a gas station in Emerson, Georgia, north of metro Atlanta, to fill up their tractor trailer rigs. [AP Photo/David Tulis] A bill in the Arkansas state house of representatives, Secure Roads and Safe Trucking Act of 2025, would mandate English language proficiency for commercial motor vehicle operators. The bill, HB1569, would effectively establishes a blank check for racial profiling by granting police officers sweeping powers to stop and interrogate drivers they suspect of not knowing English. It will inevitably lead to increased harassment of Hispanic and immigrant drivers, promoting an environment of fear and intimidation across the state. The racist bill comes amid the Trump administrations rampage against immigrants, using non-existent invasions of immigrants as justification for dismantling the Constitution and setting up a presidential dictatorship. These literacy tests are apparently already being enforced. A TikTok video recently went viral showing a white truck driver being subjected to an impromptu literacy test at an Arkansas weigh station. The driver was handed a piece of paper and was asked, Can you read and write English? The driver responded, Yes, Sir, I sure can. The officer then follows up with, Can you read this? referring to the paper. The driver obliged. The officer then asked if he could demonstrate that he could write, noting numerous others had written on the paper in question. It was there the driver noticed people in handcuffs and asked the officer what was going on. The officer, according to the driver, said, Weve come across now that if you cannot read or write in English, that is a $5,000 fine, and if you have a company in Arkansas that employs people who cannot read or write in English is a $10,000 fine [to be] paid on the spot. If you cannot pay it, you are automatically arrested and lose your license. While the driver in question was white, the implications of HB1569 are clear: it is a weapon aimed squarely at the working class, particularly immigrants, who are already under siege by the Trump administrations fascist immigration policies. The bill, while absurdly presenting itself as in the interest of public safety, recalls some of the worst abuses of the Jim Crow era, specifically the use of literacy tests to deny black people the right to vote following the abolition of slavery and the passage of the 15th Amendment guaranteeing the right to vote regardless of color. The nationwide attack on immigrants also recalls another dark chapter in American history: the detention of over 120,000 Japanese Americans during World War II. Today, under the same Alien Enemies Act used to carry out that policy, the Trump administration is preparing to imprison migrants, using military bases as sites of mass incarceration. Such measures are tools of division, designed to pit workers against one another and establish a police-state style regime in the working class. Functional illiteracy rampant in the state and US The irony of HB1569 is that it imposes English proficiency requirements in a state where literacy rates are in crisis. According to Literacy Action of Central Arkansas, 23 percent of Arkansansapproximately 690,000 peopleare functionally illiterate, while 38 percent struggle with basic text-based tasks. The latest data from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), known as the Nations Report Card, exposes the deepening crisis in Arkansas public education system. A staggering 40 percent of fourth-grade students in the state scored below basic proficiency in readingthe highest rate since 2002. While Arkansas scores have remained stagnant, they continue to trail far behind national averages, with fourth graders ranking 49th in math and 43rd in reading. These staggering figures are the result of a systematic underfunding of public education by both parties, even while Trump and the extreme right try to scapegoat immigrants and lack of resources for schools and social programs continue to deepen. The result is a generation of children denied the basic tools of literacy and numeracy, condemned to a future of low-wage labor and economic insecurity. The crisis in Arkansas is a microcosm of the broader collapse of public education across the United States, where schools in working class and rural areas are starved of funding. Trump and Education Secretary Linda McMahon have launched a full-scale assault on the US public education system. The Department of Education, a critical institution supporting underfunded schools and enforcing anti-discrimination policies, is being systematically dismantled. Landmark rulings such as Brown v. Board of Education (1954), which desegregated schools, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (1975), which guaranteed education for students with disabilities, and Plyler v. Doe (1982), which protected the rights of English-language learners and migrant children, are now under direct threat. A major element of this attack is Trumps national school voucher proposal, which would divert billions of public dollars into private hands. The plan offers a 100 percent federal tax credit for donations to voucher programs. This scheme represents a brazen transfer of wealth from working class families to private corporations and religious institutions, further entrenching inequality and undermining the right to a quality education for all. Workers must mobilize against this measure The bill in Arkansas is a warning to the working class. The ruling class, faced with growing social inequality and the threat of mass resistance, is turning to increasingly authoritarian and fascistic measures against the working class. This will inevitably engender opposition. Among truckers, a powerful impulse of solidarity with immigrant workers exists. This was shown in late 2021, when they organized a nationwide boycott of the state of Colorado to protest a 100-year sentence for Rogel Aguilera-Mederos, a 26-year-old truck driver involved in a fatal crash when his brakes failed. The campaign, organized almost entirely over social media, eventually forced the governor to reduce his sentence to 10 years. As one worker said at the time: Truckers stand together and stand strong, we are a force to be reckoned with. The mainstream media will not give its undivided attention because they know we could bring the government to its knees if we just stand together for a cause. A broader movement of the working class is needed today, linking up truckers with other industries and foreign and native workers in a fight against dictatorship. Momodou Taal In a filing submitted Sunday to the US District Court for the Northern District of New York in the case of Taal v. Trump, attorneys for Cornell graduate student Momodou Taal denounced the Trump administrations efforts to detain and deport their client as an unconstitutional act of political retaliation. On Friday, Taal, a British-Gambian student, was issued a formal demand to surrender himself to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) just days after he filed a lawsuit challenging Trumps executive orders targeting protesters for deportation. A filing to the court from Taals lawyers on Friday afternoon called on the judge in the case to grant an emergency injunction, noting that the governments action constitutes an unlawful attempt to remove this Courts jurisdiction over this case by deporting Taal. A Justice Department filing submitted Saturday night claims that Taals immigration status became unlawful before this lawsuit began and that his arrest is merely the result of a revoked student visa. But the government openly acknowledges that the revocation was based on Taals political activity and carried out under Executive Order 14188, which calls for using immigration powers against critics of the Israeli state. Taals lawyersEric Lee and the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committeeresponded Sunday that the governments own account confirms the political motivation behind the targeting. Defendants acknowledge they are attempting to remove Momodou Taal because he is a pro-Palestinian activist who attended a protest at Cornell University, the filing states. Their alleged authority for doing so is the Executive Orders. The attorneys argue that the governments conduct is so egregious that it qualifies as outrageous under legal precedentand is therefore subject to review by the court. According to the government, Taal was identified by federal agencies to implement Executive Order 14188, Additional Measures to Combat Anti-Semitism, which prompted immigration officials to review news sources documenting his involvement in campus protests. Taals lawyers note, Defendants admit they are targeting Mr. Taal because ICE identified him as a prominent pro-Palestinian activist involved in protests The Department of Justices filing confirms a core fact of the case: that Taal is being targeted because he is one of the lead plaintiffs in the first major legal challenge to the Trump administrations executive orders on speech and dissent. In its Saturday filing, the government claimed that Taal is attempting to transform this injunction proceeding into a forum to contest his immigration status, which they assert was invalidated on March 14one day before the lawsuit was filed. This timing makes clear that the government moved to revoke his visa specifically in response to his planned legal action. As the filing from Taals lawyers notes: Though Defendants declarations do not provide a reason for the sudden urgency to address the protest that had taken place six months prior, Defendants assert that they initiated and finalized a multi-agency review of the evidence of Mr. Taals protest activity, weighed the potential statutory grounds upon which he could be deemed removable, underwent the time-consuming review mandated by the State Department for non-immigrant visa revocation by the Foreign Affairs Manual and determined that it was necessary to revoke Mr. Taals visa all on the same day. Even more chilling is the governments invocation of vague and unsubstantiated accusations. The filing refers to Taals participation in peaceful campus protests, claiming that he created a hostile environment for Jewish students and engaged in a pattern of activity that called into question his visa status. But this flimsy pretext for deportation is nothing more than political persecution. As his attorneys point out, Defendants acknowledge that Mr. Taals purported removability is based on his attendance of a protest in August 2024. Mr. Taal attended this protest for five minutes, no criminal charges were filed against him, and Cornell did not subject him to discipline that would trigger immigration consequences. The government claims Mr. Taal was twice suspended at Cornell for harassment, and antisemitic conduct. They fail to cite any fact to support this false assertion because there is none. The World Socialist Web Site has previously reported that the Department of Justices initial demand for Taal to surrender to ICE custody referenced his legal case in the subject linean implicit admission that the arrest was retaliatory. In Sundays response, Taals lawyers also rejected the governments assertion that the executive orders in question do not restrict speech or political dissent. Taals attorneys also refute the governments claim that the executive orders do not restrict speech. EO 14188 calls for the prosecution and removal of individuals accused of anti-Semitic harassmenta term so vague it can be used to criminalize virtually any criticism of the Israeli state or US foreign policy. The legal framework created by the orders, they argue, is designed to suppress dissent, particularly opposition to the genocide in Gaza. The Executive Orders are in effect nationwide, the filing warns. Their chill is felt by non-citizens and citizens who want to continue lawfully protesting government action or listen to such speech The threat to punish protected speech is unconstitutional in every application and in every location. A nationwide injunction is the appropriate mechanism to remedy such a profound affront to the Constitution. The lawsuit brought by Taal, along with fellow Cornell student Sriram Parasurama and Professor Mukoma Wa Ngugi, is the first major legal challenge to Trumps executive orders restricting speech. The administrations efforts to deport Taal are intended to send a message to any others considering similar action: sue the government, and you will be silenced, jailed or removed from the country. Over the past two weeks, Trump has invoked the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to deport hundreds of immigrants without due process. His administration has openly defied a judicial order that these deportations be halted. The World Socialist Web Site calls on students, workers and youth across the country and internationally to mobilize in defense of Momodou Taal and all victims of this campaign of political persecution. Demonstrations and walkouts should be organized on campuses and in workplaces. Rank-and-file committees must be built to oppose the bipartisan conspiracy against democratic rights. The fight against dictatorship must be rooted in the independent political mobilization of the working class, armed with a socialist program to bring down the capitalist oligarchy and end the system of war, repression, and inequality it defends. Gabriel Cabral (left) and Sean MacPherson On April 25, 2023, Gabriel Cabral, 32, and Sean MacPherson, 56, were replacing siding on a quench tower at the Stelco steel mill in Nanticoke, Ontario as part of a $40,000 project for their employer, Hamilton-based cladding and roofing company John Kenyon Ltd. In the process of completing their task, both men were severely burned and would later die of their injuries. The horrific incident gained renewed attention earlier this month, when John Kenyon pleaded guilty to one of four charges in order to reach a plea deal and avoid a trial that would have provided a platform to get to the bottom of the murky circumstances surrounding the workers deaths. John Kenyon and Stelco were charged with eight detailed offences by the Ontario Ministry of Labour in June 2024 after a year-long investigation, but none of these charges will now be examined by a court of law. Instead, John Kenyon received a wrist-slap fine of around $281,000, and Stelco got away scot-free. The workers families continue to grieve with many unanswered questions. An agreed statement of facts that was part of the plea deal outlined the events leading up to the fatal workplace incident. Cabral and MacPherson were working on a quench tower that is part of the coke cooling process at Stelcos Lake Erie Works. The coke, which is a fuel used to melt iron ore in the steel making process, is transported by a rail and trolley system to the quench tower. There, water is poured on the fuel to cool it before it can be used in a blast furnace. The resulting steam is released through the quench tower. Set to automatic delivery mode that day, the mogul car which moves the coke requires 60-90 seconds each to load the coke into the car, travel to the tower and quench the load. This process is repeated about every 23 minutes. While the car is in automatic mode, it is not possible to stop it once it has left the coke oven. The two men were working on the exterior of the tower from a boom liftwith controls in the lift and backup emergency controls on the ground. A warning signal was to be given at the start of the mogul loading process, at which point the boom lift basket was to be moved away from the quench tower. A second warning signal would indicate that the mogul car was leaving the coke oven on its way to the quench tower. Having already replaced three sheets of siding on the tower, the Kenyon workers were proceeding with a fourth when a first warning signal came and was acknowledged to the ground crew at 10:39 a.m. According to the agreed statement of facts read by Crown Attorney Dan Phelan, For unknown reasons, (they) did not move the boom away from the side of the quench tower at this time. The second signal came at 10:41 a.m., which was again acknowledged to the ground crew. Again, for unknown reasons, the boom was not moved away. The ground workers did not engage the emergency controls to move the basket away from the danger. According to the Haldimand Press, When the mogul car got to the bottom of the tower, the ground crew shouted at the pair to move the boom basket away, but they didnt. Phelan said, It appeared to the ground crew that the men in the basket had been trying to finish their work and were about to move the basket away when the quench process initiated. The ground crew engaged the emergency controls to move the boom basket, but the pair were still exposed to the steam for almost 9 seconds, sustaining severe burns and injuries. Gabriel Cabral passed away on May 16, 2023 and Sean MacPherson passed away on November 14, 2023. Crown Attorney Phelan said the Ministry of Labours investigation included interviewing workers and reviewing the documentation from both companies. He added, The boom was inspected, and it was determined that there were no defects. Placing the blame squarely on the workers, Phelan said, Based on the findings of the investigation, the Ministry determined that the Kenyon workers did not follow the Stelco procedure correctly. The two deaths would have been avoided had the Kenyon workers moved the basket away from the quench tower at the first signal. This assessment raises more questions than it answers. There is no explanation as to why the mogul car carrying the hot coke was operating in automatic mode when workers were present in such an obviously dangerous location. Absent as well is any plausible explanation for why the two men would allegedly put themselves in such obvious danger while being keenly aware of the need to strictly follow safety protocols. And this in the middle of the morning on a regular work day without any suggestion that there were any abnormal circumstances. Even if one accepts the claim that the workers ignored the signals, the question is raised as to whether they were under pressure from John Kenyon, an external contractor, as well as Stelco management, to get the job done quickly. Also not answered is the question of who was responsible for supervising the work and why emergency measures were not immediately taken to move the boom lift basket out of the way when the second warning signal was given. All of these questions and many more could and should have been explored in a public forum provided by a court trial. Media outlets only began to take notice of the horrific incident following Cabrals death in May 2023. In June 2024, more than a year after the incident, the Ontario Ministry of Labour laid eight charges in total against the two companiesfour each against Stelco and John Kenyon. A year long investigation brought multiple charges, which are not lightly made and were in fact very specific, against two well established companies. Stelco was charged with: Two counts of failing to take every precaution reasonable in the circumstances for the protection of a worker. The defendant failed to ensure that the quench/mogul car was under the direct control of an operator who could ensure that the quench tower was free of workers before proceeding to quench the hot coke, according to a CBC report. Related to the second count, The defendant failed to ensure that adequate lunch and/or break periods were scheduled for the quenching process, to ensure that the quenching process did not take place while workers were performing work on the quench tower. Failing to ensure proper measures and procedures were carried out. The defendant failed to ensure the mogul/quench car was equipped with a device that enabled the operator to stop the car in an emergency, the ministry said. Failing to provide information, instruction and supervision to a worker. John Kenyon was charged with the same set of charges except one. While Stelco was charged with failing to ensure measures and procedures were carried out properly, John Kenyon was charged with failing to ensure that equipment, materials, and protective devices as prescribed were provided. The defendant failed to ensure a worker wore or used such personal protective equipment, clothing and devices as were necessary to protect the worker from the hot steam hazard to which the worker was exposed, the ministry wrote. On March 3, 2025, John Kenyon pleaded guilty to the single charge of failing as an employer to take every reasonable precaution to protect its workers. All charges against Stelco were withdrawn along with the remaining 3 charges against John Kenyon. The joint submission from the Crown, John Kenyon, and Stelco presented to Justice Joseph De Filippis of the Ontario Court of Justice in Cayuga, Ontario, delivered a plea deal that eliminated the prospect of a trial and with it, any real opportunity to understand how the two men were fatally injured. Justice De Filippis imposed the agreed $225,000 fine plus the mandatory statutory victim impact surcharge of an additional 25 percent ($56,250), for a total of $281,250. The justice claimed that the fine was not a measure of the lives lost but meant to hold John Kenyon accountable and deter others. He added, Its a small company, it was a small contract and its a substantial fine under these circumstances. In fact, such fines are nothing more than a business expense that allows companies, especially large corporations, to carry on as usual after workers die on the job. According to Global News, Cabral and MacPherson were members of SMART, the Sheet Metal Workers & Roofers Local 537, which sent deepest condolences to family, friends and coworkers at the time of the incident. No other public statements from the union about the two men are to be found. The assumption that Sean and Gabriel risked their lives to finish the job is insulting Cabrals mother, Pam Fraser, said her world was forever changed on April 25, 2023. Speaking to the CBC a few days after the court case was dropped, she stated I want assurance this is not going to happen to another person or family again, adding I am just so angry. My son died in vain. Fraser subsequently spoke to the World Socialist Web Site about the plea deal and the tragedys impact on her family: The assumption that Sean and Gabriel risked their lives to finish the job is insulting. You had 40 years of experience up there between the 2 of them. It states very clearly, for some unknown reason, the boom did not move. The boom was stuck. These employees have risked their lives umpteen times working this coke quench. They were very familiar with what the outcome would be if they did not move. This implication puts fault on their behalf, when the reality is that nobody is that stupidThis comment is very disturbing to the families. I watched my beautiful boy take his dying breath. No mother or family should see their child in this state. The horrific tragedy our families have had to endure is indescribable. Fraser criticized the companies efforts to avoid a trial and the role of the Crown, commenting: The fact that Stelco used court dates and their money to escalate court dates until they could no longer be charged is pathetic. This comment has put salt in so many wounds in our families and friends who are still very much grieving two senseless deaths. I was told by the Ministry of Labour John Kenyon would only plead guilty if all charges were dropped against StelcoWhy would they care? They had 10 dates booked for trial. April 3 to end of August. I was told they would need at least 30 days to represent both companies in court. There is some law where they have 18 months once charges are laid. We are nearing the 2 year mark. Stelco never even sent us a sympathy card. Im really not sure whose side the Crown was on. He pleaded with the judge to be lenient on the fine for John Kenyon as a small company. Who was protecting Gabriel and Sean? I reached out to the union lawyer and he didnt have the courtesy to return my emails or calls...he certainly didnt protect them. The business manager of the union was very kind, sad, and empathetic. I am not a public speaker, but I promised Gabriel I would read my statement. I was told there wasnt a dry eye in the courthouse. I will never recover from this. My beautiful boy just went to work and never came home. I thank God he never knew his horrific fate as he never woke up. He was on life support and in an induced coma. I pray he felt no pain. Pam shared her victim statement with the WSWS, which she read out in court as part of the proceedings. It stated in part, Gabriel was a loving son, brother, boyfriend and friend. He was smart and kind, the type of person who would stand up for what he believed. He was a healthy strong man. He lived a clean life and would train at the gym most days. The only thing he loved more than his family, who he was very protective of, was fishing. His father taught him to fish at age 2 and it began a lifelong passion. He would spend hours in his waders at the Grand River or at Lake Erie, where we had a trailer. He also knew how to cook the best steak you ever tasted. Gabriel and I were soul mates. He would call me every day during his 45 minute drive home from Nanticoke. That was our special time where we shared everything. I miss those calls No legal action can ever bring my son back, but I hope this court recognizes the gravity of this loss and holds those responsible accountable. Justice to me means ensuring that no other family endures the same heartbreak due to the negligence of unsafe working conditions. Today and for the rest of my life, I will mourn the loss of my son. Please dont let Gabriels death be in vain. Please ensure that changes will be made in the workplace and enforced, so that accidents which are 100 percent preventable will not happen. Failure to do so will only result in more needless tragedy. Make sure that when our loved ones go to work, they return safely. In the event that tragedy strikes ensure that the family is notified and directed in a humane, safe, timely manner. This was not done for me or my family. Lisa MacPherson, Sean MacPhersons wife, told the media, I met Sean in the first week of Grade 9. From that moment on, we were inseparable. For 42 years, we built a life together. After her husband was injured, what followed was a nightmare that didnt end, adding that he endured seven long months of pain, trying to fight his way back to us. Both houses of the German parliament passed legislation last week enabling the incoming government to take out more than 1 trillion euros in new loans. With this, the ruling class is launching a rearmament programme that can only be compared with Germanys arms buildup in the years before the First and Second World Wars. The amendment to the constitution adopted, now exempts all defence spending above 1 percent of GDP from the debt brake, which sets strict limits on new borrowings. This means that military spending can be increased without limit. The immediate military spending target is 500 billion. Despite official propaganda, the special federal/state/local infrastructure fund, drawn up by the parties of the incoming grand coalition, the Christian Democrats (CDU/CSU) and Social Democrats (SPD), and supported by the Greens, also serves to prepare for war. Die Linke/Left Party Chairman Jan Van Aken (centre) at a demonstration in Berlin in October 2024. The party has now approved the biggest rearmament package since Hitler. The historic rearmament package shows how openly and aggressively the ruling class is returning to its old militaristic traditions. Eighty years after the end of the Second World War, it is once again seeking to militarise the whole of society in order to make Germany fit for war (in the words of outgoing SPD Defence Minister Boris Pistorius) and organise Europe under German leadership. In doing so, it is pursuing the goal of asserting itself in the intensifying conflict with the other major powers, above all, the US under Trump, and establishing Germany as an independent military power, as well as escalating the war offensive against Russia. Above all, this development exposes the class character and political orientation of the nominally left parties. While the SPD and the Greens are to a certain extent the architects of the rearmament package, Die Linke (Left Party) also voted in favour of the massive military spending in the Bundesrat, the upper house of parliament. Although their votes did not even matter, both federal states, in which the Left Party governs in coalition with the SPD and the Greens (Bremen) and with the SPD (Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania), voted in favour of the gigantic rearmament spending. The Left Party could not make its role as the party of German capitalism and imperialism any clearer. On the evening of the election, Left Party leader Jan van Aken had already stressed that his party was ready to talk in order to work together with the right-wing Chancellor-to-be Friedrich Merz (CDU) and his intended grand coalition with the SPD, regarding their legislative projects. Other party representatives expressed similar views, making clear from the outset that they support the rearmament plans despite some of the criticism they have voiced. Heidi Reichinnek, the Left Partys lead candidate in the February general election, made this particularly clear in an interview with broadcaster Deutschlandfunk a few days before the vote in the Bundesrat. Reichinnek left no doubt that the Left Party also supported the relaxation of the debt brake, primarily because it created the possibility of rearming the Bundeswehr (Armed Forces). If we reform the debt brake, there will of course be room for manoeuvre for all areas of the budget. And of course, we also say quite clearly that the Bundeswehr must be equipped accordingly as a defence force. At the same time, she emphasised that the Left Party was merely rejecting giving a blank cheque for rearmament (which it nevertheless then issued in the Bundesrat). This concealed her original goal of being directly involved in the concrete plans in a vote in the incoming Bundestag, where the CDU/CSU and SPD do not possess the required majority to pass constitutional amendments, not to stop rearmament but to organise it as effectively as possible. Why dont we calmly discuss what the Bundeswehr needs in order to then initiate the corresponding budget decisions? said Reichinnek, stressing: Thats our offer. It was always a bit of a straw man that is set up, that we are not prepared to support the Bundeswehr. Thats simply not true, she complained. When asked by Deutschlandfunk whether she would definitely be on board with improving Germanys defence capabilities, Reichinnek replied: We have never rejected the idea of setting up the Bundeswehr as a defence force. She also said that she didnt always know exactly where this idea came from. But what we are saying quite clearly is that we dont want excessive rearmament. And if we were to reform the debt brake, I say again, there would be room for manoeuvre in the budget for all areas. We are ready for that. With regard to the special fund of 100 billion euros for the Bundeswehr already agreed in 2022, she asked: What happened to it? And how can it be that so much money has already been invested, and we are somehow still not really one step ahead? So, what about consultancy contracts that lead to the purchase of radio equipment that doesnt fit into tanks, the purchase of rifles that shoot to the left or right, so that we are simply wasting billions? We needed to talk about these points now, and then see where the need is to set up the Bundeswehr sensibly, she said. In doing so, one could take an example from Finland where they do something similar, and of course, we know that investments are necessary. Reichinneks reference to Finland alone says it all. Since the country joined NATO in 2023 and became a frontline state in the NATO war offensive against Russia, the Finnish military budget has more than doubled from $3.83 billion (2021) to $7.35 billion (2023). It is expected to grow to over $11.5 billion in the coming years. With a population of 5.5 million, Finland is 15 times smaller than Germany. To put it bluntly: In reality, the Left Party agrees with excessive rearmament and has supported it in the Bundesrat for this very reason. The same applies to all other areas that are the focus of German war policy. On March 1, for example, the party executive demanded a debt cut for Ukraine and a lifting of the debt brake in order to free up sufficient funds to support Kiev. The Left Party also explicitly supports Israels genocide in Gaza, which has already cost tens of thousands of lives and is ultimately aimed at the imperialist recolonisation of the entire Middle East. Reichinnek herself declared in a speech in the Bundestag on March 21, 2024 that Hamas are not freedom fighters, but terrorists who must be disarmed. We must all agree on that here. Israel naturally has the right to defend itself. What lies behind the militarism of the Left Party, which is now taking on ever more open and repulsive forms? The reason lies not only in its right-wing leaders, but in the political and social orientation and history of the party as a whole, reads a WSWS analysis of the reactionary role of the Left Party. Despite its name, the Left Party has never been a socialist or even left-wing party. It has always been a bourgeois organisation representing the interests of the state apparatus and a wealthy upper middle class strata, defending German capitalism and imperialism and being rewarded for this with ministerial posts and state subsidies running into the millions. All the verbiage of the Left Party cannot hide the fact that 1) its Stalinist predecessors, the SED/PDS, supported the introduction of capitalism in East Germany and thus also the prerequisite for the return of German militarism. And that 2) wherever it has governed or is governing at the state level together with the SPD and Greens, it is also aggressively pushing through associated social attacks. In Bremen, for example, the Left Party Health Senator (state minister) Claudia Bernhard, who justified her approval of the rearmament package citing her responsibility for the federal state of Bremen, is playing a key role in implementing the hospital reforms of Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD), i.e., closing them down. It is clear that at the end of the orgy of rearmament that has now been decided, nothing will be left of the remaining social and democratic rights. Young people, in particular, who voted for the Left Party in the February Bundestag elections to send a signal against militarism and fascism, must face reality. Not only is Die Linke not a party that fights against these evils; it is a party that actively promotes rearmament and war and the associated social cuts and enforces them against growing resistance. That is the lesson to be learned from its vote approving the war credits on March 21, 2025. Thirteen Sydney tunnelling workers, one of them just 32 years old, have been diagnosed with the deadly respiratory disease silicosis. All 13 worked on the first stage of the M6 tunnel between Arncliffe and Kogarah, starting in late 2021, according to documents presented to New South Wales (NSW) parliament earlier this month. The documents show, according to media reports, that SafeWork NSW began an initial investigation in 2023 after NSW Health reported that a worker had been diagnosed with silicosis. In the course of that investigation, a SafeWork inspector noted that CPB, the contractor responsible for the M6 tunnelling project, had failed to notify the regulator of another 12 workers diagnosed with silicosis. The state safety regulator did not make this information public, but began a full investigation into the workers silica dust exposure in May last year, following a recommendation by the Chemicals, Explosives and Safety Auditing Directorate (CESA). CPBs response to the revelations was to deny culpability, telling the Sydney Morning Herald (SMH), While these employees received a confirmed diagnosis, this does not mean they contracted it while working for CPB Contractors. Throughout a tunnellers career, workers are employed across many projects, for multiple industries and companies. The submission to SafeWorks investigation, however, states each of the 13 workers had been working on the M6 site since the commencement of operations toward the end of 2021. The SMH quoted anonymous sources as saying the projects receiving particular attention in the investigation, the M6 Arncliffe extension and Rozelle interchange, were hideously dusty and unsafe. CPB told the SMH that an additional worker had also been diagnosed with silicosis, but did not reveal which projects they had worked on. The 14 workers diagnoses raise many questions, including whether well-known measures to prevent inhalation of silica dust, such as water suppression, fit-tested respirators, on-tool extraction systems and ventilation have been ignored. There is no cure for silicosis. The particles inhaled are 100 times smaller than a grain of sand and, like asbestos, lodge themselves irreversibly in the lung tissue. The only remediation for severe cases of silicosis is a lung transplant. In Australia, the current waiting list for such a transplant is up to two years. Other health issues caused by silica dust inhalation include lung cancer, kidney disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease which causes breathing difficulties. Researchers from Curtin University warned in 2022 that, as a result of exposure to silica dust, 10,000 workers in Australia would be diagnosed with cancer and a further 103,000 with silicosis in the coming period due to unsafe workplace practices. This latest tranche of documents had previously been marked by SafeWork NSW as privileged, hiding them from public view. That an investigation into workers contracting a life-threatening condition has been covered up by the state safety regulator presents all workers with an obvious question: What else are they hiding? SafeWork NSW has been aware since early 2018 that workers on Sydney tunnelling projects were regularly exposed to dangerously high levels of respirable silica dust, documents released late last year revealed. Despite this, the regulator has repeatedly blocked requests from the Australian Workers Union (AWU) to release silica dust readings taken between 2020 and 2024. Moreover, the regulators practice of advising companies when dust-reading inspections would take place enables companies to clean up their act before the inspectors arrived. SafeWork NSW boss Trent Curtin told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) this was necessary because, given the nature of the projects, it can be difficult to access areas as a surprise visit. Chris Donovan, national assistant secretary of the AWU, told the SMH, Giving companies a weeks notice before safety inspections isnt regulationits collusion. Donovan continued, The fact that not a single prosecution has been brought against a tunnelling company, yet we have case after case of silicosis, tells you everything you need to know about the cavalier attitude of tunnelling companies and the lack of regulation of this industry. Donovans denunciations of SafeWork NSW and the contractors are an attempt to cover up the role of the union itself in allowing unsafe working conditions to continue. While Donovan criticises the cavalier attitude of the tunnelling companies and lack of regulation as absolutely disgusting, the leadership of the AWU, with some 75,000 members, has not at any stage mobilised workers against the deadly conditions. Even after obtaining data on workers exposure to unsafe silica dust levels from SafeWork through freedom of information requests, the AWU has never called on Sydney tunnelling workers to down tools to demand that their safety concerns be addressed. Instead, serving as an industrial police force, the union has ensured that tunnelling workers have remained on the job, despite the risk, in order to protect the profits of the corporations. Earlier this month, the NSW Labor government announced an Expert Taskforce, to help address silica related health risks for workers in tunnelling projects. This taskforce, made up of government, medical, industry and union representatives, will provide expert guidance to prevent and manage silica and other dust related disease associated with tunnelling projects in NSW, because major tunnelling projects present heightened risks for silica-related lung disease. This only highlights that, after the revelation that 14 workers had been diagnosed with silicosis, the Labor government is in a state of damage control. This expert taskforce, like the safety regulator and the union, will do nothing to address the fundamental cause of unsafe working conditionscapitalism and the subordination of every interest of workers, including their health and lives, to big-business profits. None of these bodies represent the health interests of workers. Their only interest is keeping workers on the job regardless of the consequences. Workers on tunnelling projects and throughout the construction and mining industries must form rank-and-file committees, independent of the unions, to take workplace safety into their own hands. Displaced Palestinians, carrying their belongings, traveling from Beit Hanoun to Jabaliya, a day after Israels renewed offensive in the Gaza Strip, Wednesday, March 19, 2025. [AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi] Israels security cabinet has formally voted for the establishment of an office to oversee the ethnic cleansing of Gaza, Defense Minister Israel Katz reported on Sunday. The office will be the Voluntary Emigration Bureau for Gaza residents interested in relocating to third countries, Katz claimed. In reality, there is nothing voluntary about the program the Netanyahu government is implementing. The population of Gaza is to be forced out of their ancestral homeland through deliberate mass starvation and mass killings by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Katz said the office would enable passage of Gaza residents for their voluntary departure to third countries, including securing their movement, establishing movement routes, checking pedestrians at designated crossings in the Gaza Strip, as well as coordinating the provision of infrastructure that will enable passage by land, sea and air to the destination countries. Earlier this year, US President Donald Trump called for the displacement of the Palestinian people from Gaza and called for its annexation by the United States, saying, The US will take over the Gaza Strip. ... Well own it. Trump added the US will level it out. Katz reiterated the Israeli governments support for Trumps proposal, declaring, We are working with all means to implement the US presidents vision. The US-Israeli plan is a flagrant violation of the prohibition under the Fourth Geneva Convention of the forcible transfer of civilians during armed conflicts. The US and Israel are engaged in a campaign to pressure countries throughout the Middle East and Africa to accept the Palestinians once they are forcibly displaced from Gaza. At the Israeli security meeting that set up the new office, cabinet members said the US is still working to find countries to accept the displaced Palestinians. The Jerusalem Post reported: US President Donald Trumps administration was searching for countries willing to absorb and resettle Palestinians from Gaza, Israeli ministers were told during a cabinet meeting held on Saturday. Last week, the Times of Israel reported that Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi has informed other Arab leaders that he is willing to temporarily relocate half a million residents from Gaza to northern Sinai in a designated city as part of the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip, citing a Lebanese newspaper. But over the weekend, the Egyptian Bureau of Information claimed that the report was false and that Egypt would not accept the Palestinians due to a risk to national security. Earlier, the Associated Press reported that the United States and Israel had engaged in discussions with officials from Sudan and Somalia about transferring the Palestinians there, echoing Nazi Germanys Madagascar Plan that preceded the mass extermination of Europes Jews. The formation of the new office to oversee the ethnic cleansing of Gaza came as the official death toll in the Gaza genocide hit 50,000, according to Gazas Ministry of Health. This is about 2.1 percent of the pre-war population of 2.3 million, or approximately one in every 45 people. The Health Ministry said that over 113,000 Palestinians in Gaza had been injured since the start of the genocide. Even these horrific figures are likely a significant undercount. In January, The Lancet medical journal published an article estimating that the Health Ministrys figures underestimate the true death toll by 41 percent. That would mean that the actual death toll is over 70,000. In November, the Human Rights Office of the United Nations published an analysis estimating that 70 percent of people killed by Israeli bombardments in Gaza over a six-month period were women and children. On Sunday, the Ministry of Health reported that 39 people had been killed over the past 24 hours, bringing the death toll to 673 since Israel launched a massive bombardment of Gaza on Tuesday. Israel has also announced that it is expanding its ground invasion of Gaza. Over the weekend, the Israeli military ordered the evacuation of part of the southern city of Rafah, indicating that it would soon begin ground operations there. This was in addition to evacuations throughout northern Gaza. Two months ago, people returned to their shattered homes and neighborhoods following the announcement of a ceasefire, which has since been completely broken by Israel. Rosalia Bollen, a communications specialist from UNICEF, told Al Jazeera: Before the two ground invasions that started todaya ground invasion in Tal as-Sultan in Rafah, and a ground invasion in Beit Hanoon in northern Gazathere were estimates of already 125,000 people on the move, forced to flee again, because of the violence and the displacement orders of the previous days. Todays ground invasions are making this situation even worse. ... Despite the evacuation orders indicating safe passage, there are reports of people being killed, people being injured, people being trappedthere are reports of ambulances being trapped with medics killed and injured. Bollen continued: Weve seen over the past couple of days over 200 children killed. ... Hundreds more injured, including with very severe injuries, with burns over their bodies, with shrapnel lodged inside their bodies, with fractures; children whove lost limbs, and children whove lost their parents and their siblings. ... Were absolutely terrified about what might happen over the coming hours and days. On Sunday, Israel carried out a strike on Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis that killed a senior Hamas political leader alongside women and children. Salah Bardawil, a member of Hamass political bureau, was killed in an airstrike along with his wife. Bardawil was being treated at the hospital after being wounded in an airstrike. Attacks on hospitals, as well as the assassination of political leaders, are war crimes proscribed under international law. The bombing put the hospitals surgery department completely out of service. Meanwhile, the US-Israeli military offensive continues throughout the Middle East. The US continued its near-daily airstrikes on Yemen over the weekend, killing one person. Since last week, 50 people have been killed by US airstrikes in Yemen. An Israeli airstrike in southern Lebanon killed eight people. For more than two weeks, Israel has completely blockaded the entry of food, water, and medical supplies into Gaza, leading to rising malnutrition and hunger. Gary Tyler, speaking in front of an image of his mother, Juanita Tyler, when she spoke at a Young Socialists conference in Detroit in 1976. On March 13, renowned quilt artist and political prisoner Gary Tyler spoke before an audience of over 1,000 at the University of Michigan (UM) in Ann Arbor. He was framed for murder at the age of 16 and sentenced to death. Tyler, who served 42 years in prison, stressed the historical importance of his struggle as a class-war prisoner and his use of art to promote social change. Tylers presentation, Art as Resilience, was part of the Penny W. Stamps School of Art and Designs distinguished speaker series, in collaboration with Detroits Library Street Collective art gallery. The Detroit gallery, which sponsored Tyler as a speaker in July 2023, features an ongoing exhibition of his work. Thursdays event was open to the public and free to attend. Although the Stamps series is academic and attended by students for class assignments, Tylers story elicited an immense response from the audience, resonating with many underlying political concerns and questions of workers and youth today. In October 1974, Tyler, a 16-year-old African American high school student, was arrested and falsely charged with the murder of a 13-year-old white youth who had been shot and killed amid an anti-busing mob incited by the Ku Klux Klan. Police viciously beat Gary in an attempt to gain a false confession to the murder. After a spurious trial, Tyler was convicted of first-degree murder and placed on death row at Louisianas notorious Angola State Penitentiary, known for its violence and harsh conditions. After the Supreme Court struck down the death penalty in 1976, invalidating his sentence, Gary spent almost 40 years in prison for a crime he didnt commit. Gary Tyler became a symbol of Americas brutal class injustices. The Trotskyist movementthe Workers League (WL) and the Young Socialists (YS), forerunners of the Socialist Equality Party and the International Youth and Students for Social Equalityplayed a leading role in Tylers struggle for freedom. The YS and WL organized marches and meetings to publicize Tylers case, collected 100,000 signatures demanding his release, and won support from unions representing millions of workers. Speaking with the Michigan Daily, Art & Design junior Tyler Lawhead described the impact of Tylers emphasis on the role of art in the struggle against injustice. She stated her biggest takeaway was what other artists are doing in the context of their life and what more I can be doing with my art. Vivien Eiseman, another Art & Design junior who commented on Tylers presentation to the Daily, stated: Ive always been really interested in protest art and sign making, and I really like that behind him there were a bunch of photos from protests and protests about him being in prison Its always interesting to me that people can convey your opinion and message in a really concise way, like within a protest sign. Following Tylers discussion and questions, attendees spoke with reporters from the WSWS and members of the International Youth and Students for Social Equality, the youth section of the Socialist Equality Party, at U-M. Several attendees described Tylers immense impact on the audience, with one student remarking, Ive never heard an applause that loud for a Stamps event. Ive never stayed through the end of the Q&A section or seen that many others do so. Four other students spoke at length with WSWS reporters and gave a video interview. All stated they found Tylers remarks moving and especially relevant to the immediate political situation. It was one of the most inspiring lecture series, by far, one said, and this is the first time weve all stayed this long for the whole Q&A section. His words were very impactful, the way that he engaged with the audience in the Q&A and his answers were thoughtful. It makes you think his experience really reflects on you and makes you want to think about everything that he was talking about and consider it in relation to the state of the world. When asked about the case of Mahmoud Khalila legal resident of the United States who has been kidnapped and imprisoned by the Trump administration for his role in anti-genocide protests at Columbia Universityanother student responded: Theyre taking away and violating his [Khalils] rights that he should have as a person who lives and breathes, and thats my big takeaway after listening to Garys talk. Listening to all of the things that he [Gary] did to retain his humanity It was intense because there were people trying to take that away from him. There were people who didnt recognize him, like, look at him! ... I think its important on a very basic level. Obviously, there are a million things we need to fixjust treat people like people. When asked how they felt about Tylers statements in support of youth protesting injustice and inequality, and taking up the struggle against oppressive systems, one of them said: Nobody knows what they have to do until theyre doing [it]. Sometimes you just have to take the first step, even if you dont know what that looks like. I think sometimes the first step can be like building a community, like having friends and people who are like-minded around you that can support each other. Speaking on both the attack on public education and the Trump administrations assault on protesters at major US universities, another student said, I have a friend from Columbia [University] who I was speaking with the other day about the situation there. She continued, Its really important to fight as forcefully as possible and spread information. People dont want us to be educated. People dont want us to be able to interact with information, critically. They want us to be complacent. Javier Ortega Smith, Secretary General of far right party Vox, addresses supporters gathered outside the party headquarters waiting for results of the general election in Madrid, Sunday, April 28, 2019. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez) Today, six members of the Student Union and Contracorrientethe student organisations of Revolutionary Left (IR) and the Revolutionary Workers Current (CRT), respectivelyare being summoned by police over a protest held over a year ago against the neo-fascist Vox party at Madrids Complutense University. This move by the PSOE-Sumar government is a blatant act of intimidation and criminalisation of left-wing, anti-war, and anti-fascist opposition. The International Committee of the Fourth International (ICFI) and the WSWS condemn this summoning of IR and CRT members and the broader repression of students opposing fascism, genocide and militarism. The ICFI has well-documented political differences with both the Pabloite IR and the Morenoite CRT parties. However, the ICFI defends their members against political repression. Students internationally are being targeted for political repression. In the United States, the Trump administration has escalated authoritarian measures, detaining and threatening to deport those exercising their First Amendment rights, like Mahmoud Khalil and Momodou Taal. It is invoking the 1798 Alien Enemies Act to deport immigrants without due process, and openly defying court rulings. In Turkey, President Erdogan is consolidating his presidential dictatorship with the politically motivated arrest of Istanbuls opposition mayor Ekrem Imamoglu. Across Europe, thousands have faced arrest and fines for protesting against the NATO-backed Israeli genocide in Gaza. Students have been particularly affected, with university administrations and police, including counter-terrorism units, launching coordinated actions against student activists and protestors. In the Madrid case, police have refused to explain the summonses, but both IR and CRT said they are connected to a 13 February 2024 protest against former Vox parliamentary spokesperson Espinosa de los Monteros, who was invited to speak at the universitys Faculty of Political Science at the invitation of far-right student group Libertad sin ira (Freedom without anger). Espinosa de los Monteros has not held public office since 2022, but remains a prominent figure in Vox. According to the CRT, the police officers did not provide details about the reason for the summons and only referred to events that took place in February at the university. Similarly, IR said, Although the officers vaguely referred to events that could not be disclosed during the phone call, it is clear that these are related to the protests against Vox. Complutense University has long been a site of anti-fascist activity. During the Spanish Civil War, it became a frontline in the defence of Madrid, with many students and faculty siding with the Republican cause against Francos 1936 coup. Under the ensuing dictatorship, it emerged as a centre of clandestine student opposition, defying repression and ideological fascist control. Today, it remains a centre of opposition, reflecting the deep-rooted opposition in the Spanish working class to authoritarianism and the far right. Voxs appearance on campus was a deliberate provocationpart of its familiar tactic of staging events in working class, migrant neighbourhoods and in Catalan or Basque nationalist strongholds to incite backlash and then play the victim of so-called leftist intolerance. The protestcommunicated in advance to the university administrationbegan as hundreds of students, mobilised by IR and CRT, blocked the entrance to the lecture hall where Ivan Espinosa de los Monteros was scheduled to speak. They chanted slogans such as Fascists out of the university and They shall not pass. In response, the PSOE-Sumar government deployed dozens of riot police to suppress the demonstrators and ensure the event could proceed. The university ultimately suspended the far-right conference, citing security grounds. The crackdown on students at Complutense is being spearheaded by the PSOE-Sumar government, following in the footsteps of the previous PSOE-Podemos governments (2020-2023) assault on the democratic rights of the entire working class. Across Spain, students have faced disciplinary action for protesting official complicity in the government in the Israeli genocide of Palestinians. Since the Zionist genocide began over 16 months ago, the PSOE-Sumar government has armed, traded and allowed its ports to be used to facilitate the Israeli state massacres of Palestinians and Lebanese. Spain also remains on the front-line of support for NATOs war with Russia in Ukraine, which has left half a million dead. The PSOE-Sumar government has repeatedly deployed riot police to protect far-right provocations. Just days ago, officers violently evicted students from the University of Granada who were peacefully protesting former Vox leader Macarena Olonas talk. Police dragged them, threw them to the ground, and beat them with batons. It is nearly a year since the first two of six young people from Zaragoza were imprisoned, each sentenced to four years and nine months, for participating in anti-fascist protests in 2019. In January of that year, six youth were arrested in Zaragoza after demonstrating against Vox. Despite the absence of incriminating evidence, the courts handed down prison sentences and fines, invoking the Gag Law originally passed by the right-wing Popular Partynow routinely used by PSOE-led governments to criminalise protests and suppress strikes. Mounting repression of students comes as the government massively increases defence spending, financing it through austerity measures targeting the working class. These policies are deeply unpopular. A November 2024 survey by the Centre for Sociological Research (CIS) found that only 14 percent of respondents supported significantly higher military spending, compared to 50 percent who prioritised increased funding for healthcare and 42 percent for education. The rise of the far-right Vox over the past decade has been fuelled by the policies of PSOE, Sumar, and Podemos, whose governments have imposed social cuts, enacted anti-immigrant measures, and escalated support for war and militarism. Their repression of strikes and protests has further alienated wide layers of the population. In the absence of a genuine left alternative, these betrayals have driven many disillusioned and desperate people into the arms of Vox, which now stands as the third largest party in parliament. Fascism cannot be fought merely by opposing its individual manifestationson campuses or in parliament. It must be uprooted at its source: the capitalist system, which breeds war, authoritarianism and inequality. Far-right governments are no longer the exception but increasingly the ruleMeloni in Italy, Orban in Hungary, Trump in the US, and far-right advances across Belgium, the Netherlands and Austria. In Germany, preparations for war go hand in hand with social cuts, anti-migrant agitation and creeping collaboration with the fascistic AfD. Spain is no different. The PSOE-Sumar governments embrace of NATO wars, its complicity in genocide, and its systematic use of riot police to suppress protests and strikes, all pave the way for the far-right. Vox is not an aberration but a symptom of the broader degeneration of bourgeois politics. Real resistance to fascism and war can only come from the working class. It is the only force capable of uniting across borders, standing against imperialism, and defending democratic rightsincluding those of migrants and youth. These coming struggles must be consciously prepared, organised and given a political perspective: the overthrow of capitalism and the construction of a socialist society based on human need, not private profit. That is the programme fought for by the International Committee of the Fourth International. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 25. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held a telephone conversation with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, the Iranian Foreign Ministry said, Trend reports. According to the information, the minister discussed current regional and international issues during the telephone conversation. The interlocutors paid special attention to events in the region, including the situation in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon, and the US strikes on Yemen. Fidan, referring to his participation in the recent meeting of the Arab-Islamic Contact Committee in Cairo, noted the importance of increased attention from Islamic countries to the situation in Gaza. Israels International Conference on Combating Antisemitism, to be held in Jerusalem on March 26 and March 27, is aimed at sealing Israels partnership with Europes far-right politicians. While Israel has long flirted with these forces, this is the first time Israel has invited right-wing and fascistic European politicians to a national event. Israels Minister for Diaspora Affairs and Combating Anti-Semitism, Amichai Chikli, from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus Likud party, is hosting the conference. Its key political speakers are right-wing ideologues, ultra-nationalists and neo-fascists, chiefly from the Patriots for Europe group in the European Parliament. They include: Jordan Bardella, leader of Frances National Rally. Giorgia Meloni, prime minister of Italy and leader of the Fratelli dItalia that openly traces its history to the fascist Mussolini regime. Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, right, presents Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni with an award during the Global Citizen Awards dinner, Monday, September 23, 2024, in New York. [AP Photo/Michelle Farsi] Member of the European Parliament (MEP) Hermann Tertsch of Spains Vox party, who is vice president of the Patriots for Europe. His father, an SA storm troops leader, was sent to Madrid as a diplomat of the Nazi state. MEP Charlie Weimers of the Sweden Democrats, who is vice chairman of the European Conservatives and Reformists Group. MEP Kinga Gal, of Hungarys ruling Fidesz party, whose leader Viktor Orban praised Hungarys dictator Admiral Miklos Horthy, a collaborator of the Nazis in the extermination of more than half a million of Hungarys Jews. Argentinian President Javier Milei is also scheduled to speak at the event, which will be attended by MEP Marion Marechal, granddaughter of National Front founder Jean-Marie Le Pen, who promotes the Great Replacement conspiracy theory. Representatives from The Netherlands anti-Islam populist leader Geert Wilders Freedom Party will also take part. Argentina's President Javier Milei arrives at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024. [AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko] Absent from the conference agenda is any discussion of right-wing antisemitism or neo-Nazi violence against Jews. Instead, it focuses on Israels central pre-occupationopposition to Zionism and the criminal actions of the Israeli state which it brands as left-wing antisemitism. Topics include Anti-Israel Bias in International Institutions, Antisemitism in the Palestinian Authority and the Muslim Brotherhood, Double Standards, from the Battlefield to the [International Criminal Court] ICC, Denial: Christian Zionism, Denial, from the Holocaust to October 7, and When Progressivism Turns Hostile: Antisemitism in Academic Discourse. Castigating all opposition to Israels genocidal war on Gaza as antisemitism, the Israeli government is also fostering far-right anti-immigrant and Islamophobic rhetoric promoting a picture of Europe overrun by Muslims, with a discussion on Radical Islamist Antisemitism. Attendees are offered a choice of guided tours to Gaza or Judea and Samaria, the biblical name for the occupied West Bank, for a remarkable journey through the captivating communities where they will be able to delve into ancient biblical sites and gain a comprehensive understanding of the regions strategic importance. That Israel, whose founding was defended with the claim that it would provide a refuge from fascism and antisemitism, is now welcoming and allying itself with fascists and antisemites is a source of extreme disquiet and revulsion among the masses around the world, as evidenced by the mass demonstrations and protests that have included many Jews. It has forced some reactionary, pro-Zionist attendees, who fear this discredits their human rights credentials, to pull out. These include French philosopher Bernard-Henri Levy, who was scheduled to deliver the keynote speech at the conferences opening dinner; Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, the UKs chief rabbi; David Hirsch, academic director and CEO of the London Centre for the Study of Antisemitism; and, from Germany, Felix Klein, its antisemitism czar, Volker Beck, president of the German-Israeli Association and Armin Laschet, a former candidate for the office of federal chancellor. Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO of the notorious Anti-Defamation League (ADL) in the US, perhaps the most well-known Zionist quasi-state intelligence agency, also felt the need to withdraw. Israels President Isaac Herzog, who was due to speak at the conference along with Netanyahu, has likewise pulled out. Netanyahus Likud Party: Now an observer member of far-right Patriots for Europe The invitation extended to far-right ideologues is only the latest episode in the increasingly open alliance between the Zionist state and resurgent forces of the far-right and neo-fascism in Europe and beyond. It comes as Netanyahus Likud Party became an observer member of the Patriots of Europe, the third largest group in the European Parliament, which includes the French National Rally, the Hungarian Freedom Party, the Belgian Vlaams Belang, the Dutch Freedom Party of Geert Wilders, the Austrian Freedom Party, the Italian Lega, the Spanish Vox and the Portuguese Chega. These are parties that Israel once boycotted because of their ties with the Nazis and antisemitism. The Patriots, which held its inaugural conference in Madrid in February, warmly welcomed Likud as an observer, citing their shared values. Likud has effectively ended its membership of the European Conservatives and Reformists Group which it joined in 2016 when it was the leading right-wing group. It will now collaborate with the Patriots on their shared priorities, including the fight against political Islam and the terrorism it fuels and efforts to curb the illegal mass migration to Europe. Screenshot of press release for the "Patriots Summit" [Photo: patriots.eu] Earlier in February, Likud member and Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana and Yossi Dagan, another Likud member and settler leader, welcomed members of Vox to Jerusalem. Vox leader and president of the Patriots bloc Santiago Abascal has been a vocal supporter of Israel since October 7, as part of his broader campaign against radical Islam. He has condemned what he called the global dictatorship imposed by the United Nations and the International Criminal Court which has issued an arrest warrant for war crimes for Netanyahu and his former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant. Israels Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, who recently quit the opposition to rejoin Likud, has announced that Jerusalem would formally establish relations with the Sweden Democrats, Le Pens National Rally and Vox. Netanyahus adviser Ariel Bulshtein has been having open discussions with Austrias Freedom Party that was founded by a former Nazi general and has many Nazi sympathizers in its leadership. Likud has refused to comment on whether it will establish formal relations with the Freedom Party and Germanys Alternative for Germany (AfD), but Diaspora Minister Chikli has indicated his willingness to establish relations with the AfD, saying its co-leader, Alice Weidel, is easy to connect with and has a healthy liberal patriotism, responsible immigration policies, and a clear-eyed view of the dangers of radical Islam. Amichai Chikli in 2021 [Photo by / / CC BY-SA 4.0 Netanyahu offers rehabilitation to Europes neo-Nazis in return for their support for a Greater Israel This is not a conference to combat antisemitism but to rally support for Israels expansionist policies, including its final solution of the Palestinian question. Europes far-right parties are visiting Israel in a bid to whitewash their fascistic and antisemitic past by obtaining a kosher stamp of approval from Israel for the resurgence of military dictatorships and fascism. These Christian fundamentalists, anti-Semites and xenophobeslike their political antecedentsare also eager for their own Jewish citizens to emigrate to Israel. Netanyahu is more than willing to politically rehabilitate fascism in Europe and around the world. For more than 25 yearsas Israels moral standing in the world, including among Jews, has evaporatedhe has campaigned to suppress anti-Zionism under the guise of combatting antisemitism. Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant speak during a news conference in the Kirya military base in Tel Aviv, Israel on Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023. [AP Photo/Abir Sultan] He never ceases to insist that: European antisemitism is the new anti-Semitism that comes from the extreme left and also the radical Islamic pockets in Europe; The idea that Israel doesnt have a right to exist is the ultimate antisemitism today; and that Israel has the right to defend itself by all necessary means against the Palestinians. The conference also provides an opportunity for Israel to market its military hardware, repressive security surveillance technology and intelligence softwaretried and tested on the Palestinians. The increasingly reactionary ideology of Zionism Israels alliance with the European and international far-right is one between political fellow travellers. Netanyahu embodies the emergence of a fascistic tendency within Israel. In 2018, his coalition of openly racist and fascistic parties introduced the Nation-State Law emulating apartheid South Africa. It enshrined Jewish supremacy as the legal foundation of the state. In 2022, Netanyahu formed an electoral alliance with the openly fascist parties Religious Zionism and Jewish Power and brought them into his coalition government, giving them unprecedented power over the economy, the West Bank and the police. Even when he had the chance to dispense with their services after three opposition leaders joined his coalition after October 7, he kept them in office. They have played a key role in inciting violence and vigilante groups against the Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, and promoting the war of annihilation in Gaza which they are determined to annex. The dangerous left-wing antisemitism lie Successive Netanyahu governments have funnelled millions of dollars to Zionist groups and pro-Israeli political figures to aid their efforts to criminalise the left. The most well-known campaign was that waged against Britains then Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and his supporters, slandered as having transformed Labour into an antisemitic party. Corbyn was successfully removedthanks to his refusal to oppose the witch-hunt of his supporters and drive out the pro-Zionist Blairites out of the Labour Party. His replacement Sir Keir Starmer is a vicious right winger, notorious for his aiding and abetting Netanyahus war on Gaza with weaponry and daily intelligence support. Sir Keir Starmer speaking in Parliament, with Foreign Secretary David Lammy (seated left), November 21, 2024 [Photo by UK Parliament/Flickr / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 The focus on the supposed growth of left-wing anti-Semitism serves to cover up the cultivation and growth of far-right and neo-fascist forces by capitalist governments around the world. This shift to the right represents a violent realignment of politics with the reality of staggering levels of social inequality, economic crisis and war. Under these conditions, the ruling class in every country is seeking to do away with democracy, reflecting the brutal face of capitalism in a period of acute crisis. The Netanyahu government is moving to dispense with all constraints on its powers and to get rid of its political opponents within the state apparatusincluding the head of the domestic spy agency Ronen Bar, and Attorney-General Galia Beharav-Miarain preparation for a broader crackdown on all opposition to its policies. The alliance of Israels political elite with the worlds most reactionary forces demonstrates that Zionism is a no less a bitter enemy of Jewish workers and youth, be they in the diaspora or in Israel, than it is of the Palestinians. Protesters rally in Los Angeles against the Trump administration's attacks on the Constitution and federal workers, March 22, 2025. Join the fight to save the Post Office! Join the USPS Workers Rank-and-File Committee by filling out the form below. The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee will consider a bill Tuesday morning giving President Trump sweeping powers to unilaterally terminate or ignore the terms of collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) with federal workers. The bill, Preserving Presidential Management Authority Act, is part of an ongoing and increasingly brazen assault on public sector workers and democratic rights in general, further consolidating power in the hands of the executive as part of a drive for dictatorship. The bill would stipulate that provisions of public sector union Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBA) can be terminated by an incoming President, according to a summary posted on the committees website. This bill would also stipulate that a provision of a CBA that conflicts with a newly issued Executive Order or Presidential Memorandum (or agency guidance to implement such an E.O. or Memorandum), as determined by the President or head of an agency, would no longer be considered binding. The bill would effectively reduce contracts to nothing more than pieces of paper that are completely unenforceable. It would provide a pseudo-legal justification for Trump to greatly accelerate his attacks on federal programs, spearheaded by Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency, which aim to fire hundreds of thousands of workers and illegally dismantle whole departments. Attacks on the post office Currently, the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) is engaged in expedited arbitration for its city carriers contract, following the overwhelming rejection of the previous agreement by over 70 percent. By moving to arbitration, mandated by laws banning federal employees from striking, workers will not even be allowed to vote on language of the final contract before it takes effect. The position of NALC and the other postal unions has been that workers must dutifully obey the official anti-worker procedures even as Trump violates the law at will to destroy their jobs. Recently, the Postmaster General reached a deal with DOGE to help it slash costsin particular, by going after legally mandated service standards, pension funding rules and other regulations. Musk has reiterated the White Houses intention to privatize the United States Postal Service, and Trump has reportedly mulled illegal executive orders to give himself personal control over the USPS. Instead of mobilizing workers to resist these attacks, the union leadership has done everything in its power to divert opposition into harmless channels, thus playing into Trumps hand. They are urging workers to call or write their members of Congress, and even offer their assistance in helping find areas to save money. One postal worker responded to news of the bill: Who didnt see this coming? Exactly what I saidthey [NALC leadership] bowed down to keep their jobs. They sold all the workers out to save their ass. Meanwhile, USPS management is launching its own attacks on postal workers free speech rights. One postal worker from Texas told the WSWS: Management recently conducted a morning stand-up talk with all employees, cautioning them about what they post on social media, even while you are off-duty. Management also said they have a Social Media Team that actively monitors and looks up employees social media for anything they deem to be inappropriate and that would not reflect favorably upon the Postal Service. Management also stated that failure to comply with the USPS Social Media Policy could lead to discipline up to and including removal from the Postal Service. Fascism and dictatorship has now arrived at the Postal Service, the worker concluded. Workers must recognize that they cannot rely on the union bureaucracy to defend their interests. A new, independent movement is necessary to challenge the attacks from above and fight for workers demands. Rank-and-file workers in the postal service and other sectors must come together to organize resistance, defend their rights, and fight for a transformation of society that puts workers needs ahead of corporate profits. Such a movement is being built. The Postal Workers Rank-and-File Committee issued a statement last week declaring: Extraordinary times require extraordinary measures We postal workers must link up with workers in every city and neighborhood where we make deliveries, uniting with federal workers, teachers, industrial workers and others to build a powerful and unified class movement against dictatorship. Other undemocratic bills under consideration The Preserving Presidential Management Authority Act is just one of several bills being considered by the House Oversight Committee on Tuesday, each of which seeks to significantly expand the power of the presidency while undermining protections for workers. Among the other measures is the Reorganizing Government Act of 2025, which would grant President Trump the ability to propose sweeping changes to the structure of the federal government, extending executive powers granted to President Reagan in the 1980s under a now-expired act. The new bill would extend that authority until December 2026, granting the sitting president unprecedented control over the federal bureaucracy. Another proposal, the Federal Employee Health Benefit (FEHB) Protection Act, seeks to add additional hurdles for federal workers attempting to add family members to their health insurance plans. The Federal Accountability Committee for Transparency (FACT) Act would extend the authority of the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee through December 2026, providing grounds for attacks on the limited measures taken in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and on public health science in general. The District of Columbia Federal Immigration Compliance Act would force local governments to comply with the Trump administrations anti-immigrant policies. Additionally, the Protecting Taxpayer Wallet Act would impose new fees on unions that use federal agencies to represent workers, while the Paycheck Protection Act would eliminate the ability of federal employees to have union dues automatically deducted from their paychecks. While the loyalty of the union bureaucracy to corporate America and the capitalist state was never in doubt, such measures are aimed at all the more securing their collaboration by targeting union dues, which the bureaucracy uses to finance its own bloated salaries. The escalating assault on the working class underscores the need for collective action. The crisis cannot be solved through filing grievances or lawsuits. It can only be remedied via mass struggle by the working class, including the preparation for strike action and a common offensive against the Trump administration and the entire ruling class. The mass protests that began last Wednesday with the detention of Istanbul mayor and Republican Peoples Party (CHP) presidential candidate Ekrem Imamoglu, on corruption and terror charges, expanded with his formal arrest on Sunday. Mass protest against the arrest of Ekrem Imamoglu in front of the building of Istanbul Municipality in Sarachane, Istanbul, March 23, 2025 [Photo: herkesicinCHP/X] Millions defied governorates bans on demonstrations in the most populous cities of Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir, and a nationwide police crackdown, to protest against the attack on their basic democratic rights to vote and freedom of speech and assembly, and against the moves to a presidential dictatorship. In Istanbul, Turkeys largest city, Ekrem Imamogluwho defeated President Recep Tayyip Erdogans Justice and Development Party (AKP) in three electionshad been leading the polls for the presidential race. The Republican Peoples Party (CHP) held a primary election on Sunday, where Imamoglu ran as the sole candidate, drawing massive participation. According to the CHP, around 15 million people, including 1.65 million party members and 13.5 million solidarity voters, cast their ballots to endorse Imamoglu as the partys presidential candidate for 2028 or a potential early election. The CHP leadership sought to channel the mass movement that erupted after Imamoglus arrest into the primary electionoriginally intended only for party membersin an attempt to control and demobilize the protests. In Istanbuls Sarachane district, the epicenter of the protests, hundreds of thousandsor nearly a million, according to the CHPgathered on Sunday. While workers and youth seek a revolutionary way forward in the struggle against dictatorship and for democracy, the CHP leadership has made it clear that its role is to steer the movement into a dead end under capitalist rule. CHP leader Ozgur Ozel highlighted the high turnout in the primary and called for early elections: Our candidate is imprisoned in your dungeons. But we challenge you from this square. If you are too afraid to release our candidate Imamoglu, we are ready for an election where he runs against you. Rejecting growing calls on social media and in the streets for a general strike by the working class, Ozel said, We are launching a great struggle starting this morning [Monday], and added they would use the power of consumers. Imamoglu was sent to Silivri Prison, where Selahattin Demirtas, the former co-chair of the Peoples Democracy Party (HDP) who was jailed in 2016 thanks to the CHPs support for Erdogan in parliament at the time, is being held. In a message sent from prison, Imamoglu also pointed to the ballot box as a way out for the masses. Imamoglu stated in his message: There was a record level of participation in the presidential primary election of our Republican Peoples Party. 15 million citizens voted. Tens of millions of people of this country, who were hurt by the tyranny of the government, the destroyed economy, meritlessness and lawlessness, ran to the polls. They said enough is enough to Erdogan... That ballot box will come and the nation will give this government a slap it will never forget. In a letter from prison on Monday, Imamoglu urged youth to avoid clashes and added: To our beloved security forces and police, you treat our people well. Meanwhile, the Erdogan government is trying to suppress the growing mass opposition with police violence, detentions, and social media bans. Late on Sunday night, after the CHP ended its rally in Sarachane and MPs left the square, police violently attacked peaceful protesters. Similar scenes unfolded across the country throughout the night and the government launched an intimidation operation against journalists in the morning. In a statement, Basn-Is Trade Union (UNI Graphical and Packaging affiliate) announced that NOW TV reporter Ali Onur Tosun, photojournalist Bulent Klc, journalist Zeynep Kuray, AFP reporter Yasin Akgul, journalist Hayri Tunc, photojournalist Kurtulus Ar, Sendika.org reporter Zisan Gur and photojournalist Murat Kocabas were detained because of covering the protests. The wave of detentions continued with leftist political party officials who supported the protests. In a statement released by the Communist Party of Turkey (TKP), the partys Istanbul Provincial Chairman Ahmet Dincel, Party Assembly member Arda Hacyusufoglu and three other party members were detained. The Communist Movement of Turkey (TKH) announced that three of its members were detained in early morning raids on the grounds of participating in a banned protest. Left Party Izmir Provincial Chairman Bars Ince and Left Party Izmir Provincial Executive Mehmet Duman were among those detained. The Enerji-Sen Trade Uniun headquarters in Istanbul was raided and its leader Suleyman Keskin was detained. Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced on X that 1,133 people were detained between March 19 and March 23, 2025. The Socialist Equality Group, Turkish section of the International Committee of the Fourth International (ICFI), demands the release of all political prisoners and those detained for exercising their constitutional rights. The government has also tightened restrictions on social media. In the first days after Imamoglus arrest, the government tried to block access to the Internet through bandwidth restrictions, but has now moved directly to closing down opposition accounts. The authoritarian moves in Turkey are part of an international trend. The re-election of the fascist Donald Trump to the US presidency in January and his attempt to build a presidential dictatorship that abolishes the constitution has accelerated this process worldwide. The governments attempt to arrest Imamoglu followed a phone call between Erdogan and Trump. X/Twitter, the social media platform owned by Trumps assistant, the fascist billionaire Elon Musk, has suspended a large number of accounts in the country at the request of the Turkish government. Most of the suspended accounts were university-associated activist accounts, basically sharing protest information, locations for students to go, Yusuf Can, coordinator and analyst at the Wilson Centers Middle East Program, told POLITICO. Many of these accounts are grassroots activists with their followings in the low tens of thousands, said Can. In a statement on Monday, Guclu Yaman, who prepared reports on excess deaths in the Turkish Medical Association (TTB) Pandemic Working Group and played a critical role exposing the deadly response of the government, said: X blocked access to my account from Turkey, so I am now using this [new] account. I have not received any notification/warning from the court or X, but I think the reason for the block was my posts about police brutality. The fear driving the government to violently suppress the democratic demands of the masses is the possibility that protests led by the students could mobilise the social anger of the working class, which has been deepened by the rising cost of living and impoverishment in recent years. That is why the authorities and the pro-government media are trying to smear the legitimate democratic protests as street terrorism. The CHP, as another representative of the ruling class, is as afraid as the government that these protests will mobilise the working class as an independent social force. The way forward for the mass movement in the face of government repression and attempts by the bourgeois opposition to rein it in is to turn to the working class, the only social force that can consistently defend democratic rights, and fight for a revolutionary socialist program. Elevenlabs AudioNative Player The International Youth and Students for Social Equality condemns the craven capitulation by Columbia University to the demands of the Trump administration to impose a regime of censorship on the campus. New York City police officers detain anti-genocide protesters near the Columbia University campus in New York Tuesday, April 30, 2024. [AP Photo/Craig Ruttle] The universitys administration announced on Friday a list of sweeping measures, including: banning masks on campus; hiring 36 special officers armed with powers to remove individuals and make arrests; and placing the Middle Eastern, South Asian and African Studies departments, as well as the Center for Palestine Studies, under the oversight of a senior vice provost appointed by the university. In addition, the university announced the adoption of a new definition of antisemitism that includes criticism of Israel and certain double standards applied to Israel, a formulation designed to conflate anti-Zionism with antisemitism and suppress opposition to the crimes of the Israeli state. The actions taken by Columbia have vast implications for free speech and democratic rights, not only on its own campus but across the entire system of higher education in the United States. As WSWS International Editorial Board Chairman David North wrote in a statement on X: An American Trumpian version of what the Nazis called Gleichschaltungthe official subordination of intellectual and cultural life to Nazi ideologyis being implemented by leading liberal American universities. These measures were not forced on the university through political coercion or court order. They were adopted by the university itself, voluntarily, in order to win Trumps support for the restoration of $400 million in federal funding he withheld to force these changes. Columbia is acting as a willing accomplice, working hand in glove with the state to target students protesting against the US-backed genocide in Gaza. On March 10, the Trump administration sent a letter to more than 60 academic institutions, Columbia included, declaring them under investigation for antisemitic harassment and discrimination and threatening further law enforcement action and funding cuts. Just three days later, Columbia announced that it had suspended, expelled or revoked degrees from 22 students involved in the peaceful occupation of Hamilton Hall. Columbia also facilitated the seizure of Mahmoud Khalil, who was kidnapped from his residence near the university on March 8 and has spent the past two weeks at a detention center in Louisiana, threatened with deportation. In his letter from prison published last week, Khalil wrote: [Columbia] Presidents [Minouche] Shafik, [Katrina] Armstrong and Dean Yarhi-Milo laid the groundwork for the US government to target me by arbitrarily disciplining pro-Palestinian students and allowing viral doxing campaignsbased on racism and disinformationto go unchecked. Prior to his arrest, Khalil had written to Columbia pleading for assistance against right-wing provocations from a university professor. He was ignored. Universities across the country are embracing their role as enforcers of state repression, arresting students, surveilling protests and punishing expressions of opposition to the US-backed genocide in Gaza. This began under the Biden administration, which responded to the eruption of campus protests last fall by encouraging police crackdowns. At Cornell University, the administration attempted to suspend graduate student and British-Gambian citizen Momodou Taal for his participation in a peaceful protest last fall, which would have led to his deportation. This action created the conditions for Trumps efforts, over the past several days, to have Taal seized and deported as retribution for his filing of a federal lawsuit challenging Trumps executive orders as illegal and unconstitutional. The administration at the University of Michigan appealed to Democratic Attorney General Dana Nessel to bring criminal charges against 11 pro-Palestinian student protesters, part of a broader effortled by Democrats in Michiganto criminalize opposition to war and genocide. Most recently, Tulane University has brought disciplinary charges against seven students for participating in off-campus protests to demand freedom for Khalil. The capitulation of Columbia and other universities to the Trump administration cannot be explained merely by the cowardice of its administrators, though cowards they certainly are. Over the past four decades, the financialization of the American economy and the domination of social life by the stock market have given rise to a new, extremely affluent upper-middle class. This layerintellectually corrupt and detached from any serious democratic traditionnow dominates the leadership of elite universities. Columbias endowment stood at a staggering $14.8 billion as of June 30, 2024, with nearly 80 percent of its investments tied up in hedge funds, private equity and global equities. It is deeply embedded in the world of high finance. Moreover, Interim President Katrina Armstrong, who receives more than $1 million a year in salary, and the Board of Trustees are closely tied to the Democratic Party. Of the $4.1 million in political contributions made by Columbias trustees during the 2020 and 2024 election cycles, 88 percent went to Democrats. Trustee Adam Pritzker of the billionaire Pritzker family alone gave nearly $1 million to Kamala Harriss 2024 campaign. Former Obama Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson, now a partner at the Paul Weiss law firm, sits on Columbias Board of Trustees alongside top financiers, CEOs and political operatives. Significantly, Johnsons law firm, Paul Weiss, recently made its own abject capitulation to the Trump administration, announcing a deal with the White House to provide $40 million worth of pro bono legal services for causes selected by the Trump administration in exchange for exemption from one of Trumps executive orders targeting law firms and lawyers. A law firm that adapts itself to the demands of the state ceases to function as an advocateit becomes an instrument of political repression. What is being exposed through these developments is that there is no serious constituency for the defense of democracy within the state, the Democratic Party or any of the institutions of so-called civil society. Trump is not acting alone. His assault on democratic rights is being carried out with the active collaboration of both parties, the courts, the media, the universities and the corporate elite. Just a week ago, Democratic Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer ensured passage of a bill to fund the very government that is implementing a systematic plan for dictatorship. The Democratic Party, whatever its tactical disagreements with the Trump administration centered on foreign policy, is a party of Wall Street and privileged sections of the upper middle class. What is taking place now goes far beyond the McCarthyism of the 1950s. It is a coordinated assault on the most fundamental democratic rights of the entire population. The International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) calls for the broadest opposition to this assault on democratic rights. But this battle cannot be waged on the campuses alone. The only basis for the defense of democratic rights is the political mobilization of the working classthe vast majority of the populationindependent of both capitalist parties and based on a socialist program. The working class is an immensely powerful force, which can overturn capitalism and restructure society on the basis of socialism. The turn of the capitalist oligarchy to dictatorship is inextricably connected to the war being waged on the working class, in the form of the massive assault on social programs, the mass firing of federal workers and the elimination of all regulations on corporate profit. The abolition of free speech on campuses will be followed by moves to illegalize strikes and other forms of protest against corporate exploitation. At the same time, it is connected to an enormous escalation of imperialist warnow taking the form of the expansion of the genocide and a broader war throughout the Middle East, along with the preparations for war against China. The IYSSE, the student and youth movement of the Socialist Equality Party, is fighting to build a movement of young people oriented to the working class, in opposition to the entire political establishment, including the Democratic Party and all of its apologists and defenders. We urge students: Take up this fight! Join the IYSSE! Japan is deepening its military connections with Taiwan as it prepares for a US-led war against China. On Friday, Taiwans presidential cabinet, the Executive Yuan, announced that it had appointed Shigeru Iwasaki, the former head of Japans Self-Defense Forces (SDF), as an advisor. JASDF General Shigeru Iwasaki in 2014 [Photo: US Department of Defense/D. Myles Cullen] Citing Taiwanese government sources, the Asahi Shimbun reported that Iwasaki will occupy the position for one year. Iwasaki, who will provide policy recommendations, is a retired general who served as the head of Japans air force and then, from 2012 to 2014, as Chief of Staff of the Joint Staff, the highest military position in the country. After retiring, he worked as a special policy advisor to the Defense Ministry. It is rare for a non-Taiwanese figure to be appointed to such a role. Last week, Iwasaki was in Taiwan at the invitation of the Executive Yuan for a meeting with Premier Cho Jung-tai. The far-right Japanese government of Shigeru Ishiba refused to comment on the matter, with Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi saying at a Friday press conference, The government is not in a position to comment on the activities of a private individual who has retired from public service. Hayashi also claimed that there was no change to Tokyos formal position that Japan only maintains unofficial relations with Taiwan. Since 1972, Japan has recognized Beijing as the legitimate government of all of China, including Taiwanthe One China policy, to which most governments around the world formally adhere. This includes the United States, though Washington has all but renounced the policy as part of its imperialist war drive against China. Hayashis statements are completely disingenuous. Iwasaki remains an influential figure in Tokyo and his appointment is meant to strengthen political and military ties with Taiwan. He was part of the Japanese delegation that attended the inauguration of Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te last May, a first for a former military head. Emboldened by Washington and Tokyo, Lai and his ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) have increasingly pushed for independence, challenging the One China policy. Taipei has also embraced the fascistic Trump administration, with Legislative Yuan Speaker Han Kuo-yu of the opposition Kuomintang (KMT) leading a bipartisan delegation to Trumps January inauguration. Han declared Trumps administration the pinnacle of the free world even as Trump declared he would be a dictator from day one, a pledge he has lived up to with his attacks on immigrants, anti-Israeli genocide protesters and democratic rights in general. Trumps plans for war against China have only encouraged pro-independence forces in Taiwan and Japan which is ramping up its own militarist agenda. The issue of Taiwan is paramount in Beijing. Japan first seized the island from China in 1895 following the First Sino-Japanese war as part of the imperialist carve-up of the country. Taiwan later became a shelter under US protection for dictator Chiang Kai-shek and his KMT following its defeat in the Chinese Revolution in 1949. Washington claimed Taipei was the true government of all of China, using the island to harass and threaten the Chinese mainland. In 1979, the US switched diplomatic recognition to Beijing to exploit tensions between China and the Soviet Union as well as to gain access to Chinas cheap labour as it moved to restore capitalism. However, Washington continued to provide Taipei with support and weaponry. Now, the US and Japan routinely challenge the One China policy in order to goad Beijing into firing the first shot in a war planned in Washington. Beijing is also conscious that allowing Taiwan to declare independence would set a precedent for the further carve-up of Chinese territory. Chinas Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Mao Ning responded to Iwasakis hiring by saying, Weve lodged protests with the Japanese side. The DPP authorities separatist provocations with foreign support are doomed to fail. Iwasakis appointment is only the latest Japanese provocation against China. At the beginning of March, the Japanese government announced it had provocatively sailed a Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) destroyer through the Taiwan Strait on February 5. The JS Akizuki then joined naval vessels from the US, Australia and the Philippines for a joint exercise in the South China Sea. It was only the second time Japan has sent a navy ship through the Taiwan Straitlast September alongside ships from Australia and New Zealand. However, Februarys passage was the first solo transit for Japans MSDF. Washington and Tokyo claim that the strait comprises international waters, a barely concealed challenge to the One China policy. On March 16, Kyodo News reported that Tokyo plans to deploy long-range missiles to Kyushu, the southernmost of Japans four main islands. The deployment is likely to begin by March 2026. The government and military are currently carrying out an assessment of possible locations including Yufu, Oita Prefecture and the city of Kumamoto. This aligns with Washingtons efforts to surround China with a system of military alliances and bases, which include the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery in South Korea and the medium-range Typhon missile launcher system in the Philippines. The US stations approximately 55,000 troops in Japan. Japanese government sources who spoke with Kyodo News claimed the missile deployment would be part of Japans move to acquire counterstrike capabilities. This is simply a euphemism for offensive weaponry that is explicitly banned under Article 9 of Japans constitution. While the political establishment has pushed to revise the constitution to legalize Japans remilitarization, public opposition to war has prevented this from occurring. Instead, Tokyo increasingly ignores the constitution altogether, while still paying lip service to self-defense. The Ishiba administration is pushing ahead with plans to de facto double military spending by 2027 to 2 percent of GDP. This year alone, Tokyo plans to spend a record 8.7 trillion yen ($US 58.3 billion) on the military. Money will be spent on long-range missiles such as the upgraded Type-12 guided missiles, which Tokyo plans to deploy to Kyushu. This would place Chinas eastern coast, including Shanghai, and Pyongyang, North Korea in Japans crosshairs. These moves have nothing to do with defending Japan or Taiwanese democracy but are part of imperialist war plans to eliminate a major economic competitor. It is part of an overall attempt to redivide the Indo-Pacific as the US, Japan, and their allies attempt to offset the crisis of capitalism internationally through militarist means. At the beginning of next month US President Donald Trumps economic war against the rest of the world will be intensified when he receives a report on the imposition of so-called reciprocal tariffs. The designation creates the impression that US tariffs will be imposed on goods from countries that have higher tariffs than are applied to their exports to the US. Countries, such as India, along with others which have a higher tariff regime aimed at trying to protect their domestic markets, will be hit hard. But they are not the central target. The new regime is aimed at major economies, in particular the European Union but many others as well. The US is set to take action via tariffs in response to any domestic policies which are deemed to adversely impact on the profits of its corporations. This includes measures such as the value added tax (VAT) in the EU, regulations in Europe and elsewhere covering the social media and high-tech giants, subsidies, state assistance and social services such as the Australian Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). Prescription-only medication on the shelves of a pharmacy [AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh] This means that the US tariffs so farthe 25 percent impost on steel and aluminium, the 20 percent tariff on Chinese goods and the 25 percent tariff on Mexican and Canadian goodsare just preliminary skirmishes, initial forays in the war to be unveiled when economic officials report back to Trump on April 2. How extensive the escalation will be remains to be seen due to the vast set of calculations which have to be made, both of a technical and political character, but there is no doubt about the eventual intended scale of the operation. It is spelled out very clearly in the executive order issued by Trump on February 13 to set it up. That document states that the administration will work strenuously to determine the reciprocal tariff to be imposed on any country in response to measures that are deemed to adversely impact the US. This will include: Tariffs imposed on US goods. Unfair taxes imposed on US goods, including a VAT. Costs to the US arising from non-tariff barriers or measures and harmful acts such as subsidies and burdensome regulatory requirements. Policies that cause exchange rates to deviate from their market value to the detriment of the US. Then, just to make sure that all bases are covered, the order says that action will be taken against any other practice that US officials deem to impose any unfair limitation in market access or any structural impediment to fair competition with the market economy of the United States. The order says it will consider all measures that disadvantage the US, whatever they are called, and regardless of whether they are written or unwritten. The Australian PBS, together with similar measures in a range of other countries which subsidise medicines for patients, could be one of the targets in the reciprocal tariff war following a submission to Trump by the major US drug companies on March 11. The submission from the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), representing the major drug firms, illustrates the wide range of polices which could be considered the subject of retaliation. Egregious and discriminatory pricing policies in several markets including Australia, Canada, the European Union, Japan and Korea undervalue American innovation, threaten billions of dollars of lost sales and undermine American competitiveness, jobs and exports, the submission said. The Australian PBS was established in July 1948 as part of the post-war concessions made by governments in all the major capitalist countries, fearing an upsurge of struggles of the working class unless action were taken against a return to the conditions that had prevailed in the 1930s. Under the scheme the government purchased drugs from the pharmaceutical companies and made them available to patients for whom they had been prescribed at a heavily subsidised rate. There was only limited coverage at the beginning but with the vast expansion of medical science and pharmaceutical remedies in the past eight decades, the scheme has grown accordingly. In the 2023-24 financial year there were 930 medicines listed on the scheme with the government spending $17.7 billion on the cost, or 91.6 percent. The rest was supplied by patients charged a maximum of $31.60 for each script covered by the scheme. The PBS has long been a target of the US pharmaceutical industry, which views it as inimical to its interests. The industry rakes in billions in profits, much of which is used for share buybacks that boost stock values on Wall Street as CEOs are richly rewarded through stock options and other mechanisms for increasing shareholder value. In an article last week, the Australian Financial Review recalled the direct intervention by President Barack Obama on trans-Pacific trade negotiations in 2015 when he made two phone calls to then Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, to push the demands of the US pharmaceutical giants. In a separate section of its submission to Trump, the PhRMA sets out its objections to the Australian PBS, using language tailored to reflect that in the Trump executive order. It directs fire against the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC), the group which advises the government on whether drugs should be included in the subsidised scheme. PBAC, it said, conducts biased health technology assessments that compare innovative medicines to the lowest comparator. The PBS imposed unreasonable patient access delays on new medicines and Australia creates unnecessary data requirements and other administrative hurdles to secure PBS listing, causing significant delays. According to the PhRMA, this amounts to a non-tariff barrier to US companies and a restriction on tradethe implication being that such action comes within the framework of Trumps program for the imposition of reciprocal tariffs. The emphasis placed on what the PhRMA called unnecessary delays is significant because it goes to the heart of the profit-making model of the pharmaceutical giants. They depend on the appropriation of the super-profits reaped from an innovative drug before the price falls because of the manufacture of generics, bringing a decline in returns. This is a never-ending race to sustain high profit margins. It remains to be seen what action the Trump regime will initiate on April 2 and subsequently. Insofar as the PBS is concerned it could include tariffs on the export of pharmaceutical products to the US. The Australian blood plasma giant CSL is reported to be already considering what effect potential tariffs could have on its operations outside the US. Australia has only been marginally impacted by the 25 percent tariff on steel and aluminium, despite pleading by the government for an exemption, but pharmaceuticals are among the top Australian exports to the US. Moreover, the trade war agenda is so broad that retaliatory action may include imposts on other exports to the US such as wine and beef. The National Cattlemens Beef Association, representing 175,000 producers, has launched an offensive with a submission to the US Trade Representative, one of the departments charged with delivering the April 2 report. The US-Australia free trade agreement is by far the most lopsided and unfair trade deal for US cattle producers, the submission said. The Australian situation is not a special or exceptional case. Rather, it is indicative of the investigations and submissions taking place across the board involving all the so-called trading partners of the US, friend or foe alike, now regarded as having ripped off the US for decades and which must now be put in their place, if necessary, by punitive tariffs. There is also a significant feature of the Australian case, likely to be replicated more broadly. The targeting of the PBS, a concession to the needs of the working class, restricted as it may be, is a warning that nothing is off limits as far as the US economic war is concerned. It will not only hit industries and jobs but will reach right down to seek to rip away any social concessions made in the past which are regarded as inimical to the insatiable thirst of giant corporations for profit. British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmers call for a Coalition of the Willing against Russia in Ukraine, with boots on the ground and planes in the air and a massive increase in military spending, confirms the Labour Party is ruling as a militarist cabal, the most right-wing and authoritarian government in post-war British history. Starmer is determined to prevent a peace deal in Ukraine, is drenched in the blood of the Palestinians and seeking to impose savage attacks on the working class to fuel a forced march to war with catastrophic consequences. The burning question facing British workers is how to begin a counter-offensive against this party of warmongers and social vandals. Joint press conference with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte (right) and the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Sir Keir Starmer, February 3, 2025 [Photo by Nato/Flickr / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 Donald Trumps presidency marks a watershed in world politics. His efforts to overturn the constitution and establish a dictatorship in the worlds leading imperialist country have upended all the old relations between the imperialist powers established following the Second World War. Trump views Europe as a rival to be defeated through an escalating trade war, while threatening to break up NATO unless member states hike up their military spending. Europes governments have responded to this America First economic and military policy with an eruption of militarism and nationalism. The naked assertion of colonial domination by Trumpfrom Gaza to Yemen and Ukraineis pushing all imperialist leaders to prepare their own campaign of military and neo-colonial aggression: a rearmament drive without precedent since the measures undertaken by Hitler prior to World War II. Starmer stokes the fires of war in Ukraine Following Trumps election, Starmer, alongside Frances President Macron, has become the chief advocate for preparing Europe to wage war against Russia. The fact is acknowledged by the New York Times: The crisis has transformed Mr. Starmer, turning a methodical, unflashy human rights lawyer and Labour Party politician into something akin to a wartime leader. Its reporters interviewed the Labour leader during a propaganda visit to the H.M.S. Vanguard submarine that launches Britains Trident nuclear missiles. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Defence Secretary John Healey visit BAE Systems to lay the keel of the Dreadnought submarine, the next generation of the UKs nuclear armed subs, March 20, 2025 [Photo by Lauren Hurley/No 10 Downing Street/Flickr / CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 Starmers plans for the deployment of NATO troops to Ukraine and the continued supply of weapons to Kiev are aimed at either scuppering an agreement to end to the war in Ukraine or creating the pretext for resumed hostilities. The Labour leader knows that Russia cannot accept a NATO presence within Ukraine. Its invasion was undertaken in response to plans to incorporate Ukraine into the structures of NATO and the European Union (EU), bringing the military alliance onto a strategically crucial section of Russias border. Asked by the i newspaper if he was willing to confront Russias military in the event of a breach of a ceasefire, Starmer replied: The point of the security arrangements is to make it clear to Russia therell be severe consequences if they are to breach any deal. The lie of an imminent Russian invasion Russia is portrayed by Starmer, Macron, Germanys next Chancellor Merz and other European leaders as being on the verge of invading Europe. This turns reality on its head. They are raising the spectre of a Russian invasion only in order to justify their own planned military aggression. In three years of costly conflict, Russia has confined itself to the goal of securing Crimea and Ukraines eastern regions. It has neither the capacity nor the intention to invade Europe. Russias military doctrine as it applies to hostilities with the European powers is not to wage a land war, but to mount a nuclear response to any European military aggressionan existential threat Europes leaders dismiss as bluster. It is the European powers, not Putin, who have repeatedly raised the prospect of war with Russia. It was a head of the British Army, General Sir Patrick Sanders, who spoke in 2018 about the need to project land capability over distances of up to some 2,000 km For example we are copying what the Germans did very well in 1940, referring to the Nazi invasion of the Soviet Union. General Sir Patrick Sanders takes the salute at a passing out parade, August 11, 2022 [Photo: Corporal Rebecca Brown RLC / Open Government License v.3.0] This week, the EU issued a White Paper for European DefenceReadiness 2030. Polands Donald Tusk declared, By 2030 Europe must be, in terms of army, weapons, technology, clearly stronger than Russia. And it will be. Starmers spokesman stressed regarding Ukraine, Clearly thousands of troops will be required to support any deployment whether that is at sea, on land or in the air. Labour takes up the anti-Russian standard of British imperialism With Starmers ascendancy to leadership, Labour has placed itself unambiguously in a line of continuity with British imperialisms most ruthless representatives, Winston Churchill and Margaret Thatcher. His party has taken on the unvarnished hostility towards Russia which has occupied the British ruling class for centuries, the overriding source of which is that Russia was home to the first successful overthrow of capitalism by the Bolsheviks in 1917a revolution which inspired a wave of anti-colonial struggles that shattered the British Empire. Britain's Prime Minister Winston Churchill inspecting his old regiment, the 4th Hussars, during a wartime visit to the Island of Cyprus in 1942. [AP Photo] Today, long after the Stalinist bureaucracy completed the counterrevolutionary restoration of capitalism, British imperialisms ideologues marry these festering anti-communist sentiments to a predatory imperialist agenda necessarily targeting Putins oligarchic nationalist regime. The British ruling class initially saw the cultivation of the emerging Russian oligarchy as a pathway to a share of Russias riches. But as the premier ally of US imperialism, London enthusiastically backed the political turn made by Washington towards direct confrontation with Russia that first came to a head in the 2014 Maidan coup and then erupted into all-out war in 2022. With US imperialism deciding it was no longer satisfied with the Russian oligarchys control of the vast resources of the former Soviet Union and setting out to reconquer territories lost to direct imperialist exploitation, Britain jumped to take up the role of its attack dog. Churchillwhose declared aim was to strangle Bolshevism in its cradlein the immediate aftermath of World War II urged the US to wage war against the Soviet Union using former Nazi troops to do so. Today Starmer occupies himself with an appeal to the Trump administration to provide a military backstop for the European military alliance against Moscow he is seeking to organise. Starmers government of war and austerity Against the pseudo-left groups backing a Labour vote during last years general election, the Socialist Equality Party warned that the snap general election had been called: to create the political framework for a new stage in a European-wide war that demands a major confrontation with the working class and young people... what is being concealed from the public gaze is the active and advanced preparation for a Labour government to drag Britain into a war that would see the atrocities of Gaza multiplied a thousand-fold. With the Tory government mired in crisis, amid its murderous handling of the pandemic and growing militancy in the working class, Starmer offered Labours services to the Biden administration as a reliable vehicle for the pursuit of the proxy war with Russia in Ukraine, while pacifying social opposition at home. The post-war era is over, he declared. This Labour Party is totally committed to the security of our nation. To our armed forces. And, importantly, to our nuclear deterrent. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer (centre), Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (left) and US President Joe Biden (right) at a session on the NATO Ukraine Council held during the NATO Summit in Washington DC, July 11, 2024 [Photo by Simon Dawson/No 10 Downing Street / CC BY-ND 2.0 The Labour Party is engaged in a policy that threatens the world with catastrophe. It demands an assault on the working class unprecedented since the 1930s. Starmer has already announced a hike in military spending to 2.5 percent of GDP by 2027 paid for by cutting foreign aid fundingas an initial step towards 3 percent and beyond. This was followed by the plans to slash 6 billion of welfare payments and billions more cuts in the Spring Statement. But this is only a downpayment on what is to come. War means the militarisation of the economy and gutting social spending on welfare, local services, education and the National Health Service and this cannot be carried out through democratic means. Like rearmament in the 1930s, war today will be accompanied by a shift to the dictatorial forms of rule pioneered by Trump in the US. This is prefigured by Starmers deploying police-state measures against those protesting the Gaza genocide. Corbyn and the Labour left offer no opposition A fight against the Labour government cannot be waged under the leadership of the Labour left or the trade unions. Starmers cabinet of warmongers and Thatcherite ideologues were handed leadership of the Labour Party by Jeremy Corbyn and his allies. Elected party leader in 2015, Corbyn had a massive popular mandate to drive out the Blairites, pursue a peaceful foreign policy and reverse the decades of attacks on workers living standards by taking on the Tory government. Instead, Corbyn capitulated to his opponents at every turn, signing up to supporting NATO, increased military spending and renewing the Trident nuclear deterrent while instructing Labour councils to implement Tory cuts. He and hundreds of his supporters were driven out of the party on bogus charges of antisemitism without any opposition being mounted. Jeremy Corbyn (left) and Sir Keir Starmer at an event during the 2019 General Election when Corbyn was party leader and Starmer his Shadow Brexit Secretary [AP Photo/Matt Dunham, File] Now an independent MP, Corbyn rejects any proposal to build a party independent of Labour. Whether on Gaza, war in Ukraine, or savage spending cuts, his response is to appeal for Starmer to change course. Most of his former allies who are still in the party, led by his shadow chancellor John McDonnell, support Starmers Slava Ukraini rhetoric and limit themselves to mealy-mouthed protests against cuts. The Corbyn experience proves that the Labour Party cannot be reformed. It must be broken with. Neither can the trade union bureaucracy be pressurised into waging a fight for the working class. Having kept the Tories in office for 14 years through the suppression of the class struggle, the unions today are corporatist partners of the Starmer government and big business. For an international socialist anti-war movement! The answer to Starmers agenda of war and austerity is the systematic escalation of the class struggle against his government. Labours war policy carried out on behalf of British imperialism must be confronted by the workers and young people whose lives are being ruined and who face the prospect of death on an unimaginable scale. Mass opposition has already found initial expression in the millions-strong protests against the Gaza genocide and the strike wave that erupted against the Tory government in 2022-23. But the Corbynites and their pseudo-left allies confining workers and young people to exerting pressure on the streets for a reversal of government policy has allowed Israels genocide to continue, while the trade union bureaucracys betrayals have paved the way for Starmers Labour government to implement an identical agenda to the Tories. Striking rail workers picketing during the recent UK wide national rail strike at the Cowlairs maintenance depot in Springburn, north Glasgow, June 25, 2022 The Socialist Equality Party and our sister parties in the International Committee of the Fourth International call for the building of a new socialist anti-war movement based on the international working class. A rank-and-file rebellion must be developed against the trade union bureaucrats policing the drive to war and social reaction. The fight against war is a fight against capitalism and for socialism and this demands the building of a new working-class leadership. Those who want to wage such a struggle against Starmer and his defenders should take the decision to join the Socialist Equality Party. Work at VW Chattanooga? Fill out the form at the end to get in touch about forming a rank-and-file committee to fight the job cuts, or to share your thoughts. Your identity will be kept confidential. Chattanooga VW workers [Photo: Volkswagen] In one week, Volkswagen is set to cut one of three shifts at its assembly plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee. In its announcement of the cuts on March 12, VW cynically portrayed the move as an effort to consolidate production into a highly efficient two-shift model, claiming it would enhance competitiveness and agility. In reality, the cuts will deprive workers of their livelihood, while confronting those who remain with speed-up and overwork. The company has stated that it is offering buyouts in a voluntary attrition program, but has not stated how many positions it is targeting, nor the number of potential layoffs if it does not meet its buyout target. VWs Chattanooga plant employs over 4,000 workers, producing the ID.4 electric SUV, Atlas, and Atlas Cross Sport models. Volkswagen Group is the second largest automaker in the world by number of vehicles sold, behind only Toyota. Workers at the plant have expressed growing anger over the cuts. It is so important to us at Volkswagen to demand a strike vote, one commented on Facebook. It is time to save our company and community from these greedy people. The shift reduction in Tennessee is part of a vast corporate restructuring and jobs massacre throughout the global auto industry, aimed at imposing drastic cost-cutting measures on the backs of workers. Shortly before Christmas, Volkswagen announced the elimination of over one-third of its German workforce35,000 out of 120,000 jobsin the largest job cut in the European auto industry since World War II. Last Monday, Volkswagen subsidiary Audi announced it would be cutting up to 7,500 positions in administration, sales and development in Germany by 2029, representing approximately 14 percent of its workforce in the country, or 8 percent of its global employees. Other VW subsidiaries that have announced cuts recently also include Porsche (1,900 jobs) and Autovision and Cariad (4,000). In the US, Stellantis, Ford and GM have carried out a wave of layoffs in the aftermath of the 2023 United Auto Workers sellout contract, shedding thousands of jobs. On Friday, Stellantis announced yet another round of voluntary buyouts targeting workers at 20 plants and warehouses in Michigan, Ohio and Illinois. The global scale and prevalence of the attacks on jobs requires that autoworkers organize themselves across national boundaries to effectively leverage their power and defend their livelihoods. In a statement responding to VWs initial job-cutting plans last October, the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees (IWA-RFC) called for a global campaign, including worldwide pickets and rallies and culminating in international strike action to defend jobs. The statement explained, The ground for this must be prepared by establishing lines of communication between autoworkers in the US, Germany and other countries, through the expansion of the network of rank-and-file committees throughout the auto industry. Workers at the VW Chattanooga plant should immediately begin organizing their own rank-and-file committees on the shop floor, in order to share information, connect with workers at GM, Stellantis, Ford and other auto companies, and discuss preparations for collective action to defend jobs. UAW bureaucracy promotes nationalism, seeking to block fight to defend jobs At the Chattanooga VW plant, as elsewhere, workers are confronting not just the ruthlessness of management, but also the treachery of the pro-corporate union bureaucracy. The United Auto Workers (UAW) apparatus, having secured union recognition at the plant last April following earlier rejections in 2014 and 2019, is in the midst of talks with the company over the first contract at the plant. VWs most recent conditional contract proposal included wage scales which would leave Chattanooga workers behind those at the Detroit Three, with VW hourly workers topping out at just over $39 an hour by the end of the four-year deal, according to a report by Automotive News. The company also refused to include crucial demands by workers, such as a retirement bonus, shift premiums, and increased paid time off. In the face of the companys intransigence, however, the UAW is not genuinely organizing opposition, but rather actively working to suppress it. In response to the cuts at Chattanooga, the UAW filed a unfair labor practice with the National Labor Relations Board, alleging that VW failed to negotiate the cuts with union officials. Volkswagen has responded to the suit by asserting that it had been negotiating with the UAW bureaucracy for months regarding the shift reduction. If this is the case, it would mean that UAW officials knew about the impending cuts but deliberately withheld this critical information from the workers. While the union apparatuses have long promoted impotent appeals to the NLRB in an effort to suppress the class struggle, the latest move by the UAW has taken on an even more sinister character. In announcing the NLRB suit, UAW President Shawn Fain issued a filthy nationalist statement explicitly promoting illusions in the far-right Trump administration, declaring, The UAW has notified the Trump Administration of Volkswagens unacceptable, anti-union, anti-worker, and anti-American conduct. It is no accident that they want to ram through a layoff in America in the days before expected auto tariffs take effect, as they profit from high exploitation labor in Mexico. Fains statement is in virtual lockstep with the extreme nationalism of the fascistic Trump presidency, falsely presenting the billionaire as a defender of workers jobs. In reality, Trump and Elon Muskthe worlds richest man and CEO of Teslaare working to slash hundreds of thousands of federal workers jobs and shred Medicaid, Medicare, Social Security, and other bedrock social programs. These attacks are part of a broader effort by the oligarchy in the US to make workers pay the cost of massive military funding and preparations for war with China. The statement by Fain marks a further effort by both him and the UAW apparatus to ingratiate themselves with the fascist president, who Fain has repeatedly pledged to work with to defend American jobs. While Fain increasingly grovels before Trump, the UAW bureaucracy has refused to lift a finger to defend UAW members at universities who are being seized Trumps border gestapo and threatened with deportation for participating in protests opposing the genocide in Gaza. The tariffs Trump is threatening to imposewhich Fain and the UAW leadership fully supportwill not protect jobs. Far from it, they will unleash economic chaos in an industry deeply integrated globally, rapidly leading to catastrophic layoffs and plant closures throughout North America. While Fain and the UAW bureaucracy have rhetorically fumed against the supposedly anti-American Volkswagen and Stellantis, they have largely remained silent about the attacks on jobs by supposedly American companies like GM and Ford. But each of these corporations employs massive international workforces, with workers in different countries objectively bound together in a complex web of production, and every vehicle today made from parts and labor from all over the world. The UAW bureaucracys aim is to deflect workers anger away from their common enemiesthe transnational corporations that exploits workers in every country and the financial oligarchy that own and control them. At the same time, the denunciations of anti-American companies are used as a smokescreen to cover up the UAW bureaucracys intimate collaboration with management, regardless of whether their offices are in Detroit or Germany. In 2016, a secret agreement between the UAW and VW surfaced, exposing the union bureaucracys willingness to assist VW in imposing cost-cutting measures. The UAW explicitly promised to help VW in maintaining and enhancing cost advantages over competitors in exchange for VWs neutrality in the union vote, effectively collaborating with the company in pitting Chattanooga workers against their class brothers and sisters in Germany and other countries. The UAWs nationalist arguments could just as well be turned around and used by the IG Metall union in Germany to argue that German jobs at VW can only be saved at the expense of those in the US and Mexico. In fact, the union bureaucracies in every country are employing these arguments to divide workers against each other in a race to the bottom and to support their own national capitalist class. The urgent task facing Chattanooga VW workers is to decisively reject the nationalist, pro-corporate policies of the UAW apparatus. Workers must instead organize rank-and-file committees, independent of the union bureaucracy, to unify autoworkers across North America, Europe, Mexico, and globally in a common fight to defend jobs and working conditions. These rank-and-file committees must immediately appeal to VW workers in Germany facing similar attacks, as well as workers at other automakers confronting layoffs and wage cuts. Protesters gathered at Hart Plaza on the Detroit River on March 22. On Saturday, March 22, several hundred protesters held a joint rally of international solidarity on opposite sides of the US/Canada border. Crowds gathered in Hart Plaza in Detroit and at the Riverfront in Windsor, visible to each other across the Detroit River. The sentiments of the protesters was a sharp rebuke to the poisonous nationalism being promoted by the ruling classes in both countries. President Trump has launched a barrage of trade threats and actions against Canada, including imposing a blanket 25 percent tariff on Canadian steel and aluminum products starting March 12. Further reciprocal tariffs are threatened for April 2. The Canadian government responded with their own 25 percent tariffs on $29.8 billion of US-made products. This comes after Trumps threats to unilaterally annex Canada as the 51st state, with plans to build a Fortress North America to better position US imperialism against its global enemies. These tariffs threaten hundreds of thousands of jobs in the highly integrated economies of both countries. The Detroit/Windsor border is the busiest international crossing in North America, with over $323 million worth of products and materials crossing every day. Thirty percent of the trade between the two countries flows across the Ambassador Bridge, owned by billionaire Manuel Moroun, which was visible from the protest. The economic warfare between the two countries was only one point on the minds of the demonstrators. Many spoke passionately against the rise of fascism, cuts to education and essential services, the US support of the Gaza genocide, and the Gestapo-style raids against immigrants and opponents of Trumps policies like Mahmoud Khalil. WSWS reporters spoke with attendees on why they decided to attend. Protester holds a "We love Canada and Mexico" sign at Windsor-Detroit demonstration on March 22, 2025. [Photo: WSWS media/WSWS] A woman with a We love Canada and Mexico sign spoke on the Gaza genocide: Its horrible whats going on over there. I cant even watch it sometimes. It makes my heart break so much. She went on to say its not the Jewish people in Israel but the Israeli government who are responsible: Theyre just like people here. I want people to know I do not support what our government has done. I do think about the people in Israel, a lot of them do not support what Netanyahu has done. A retired Wayne State University professor spoke on the state of the US education system: Whats going to happen to that with the Department of Education being under [Education Secretary] McMahon? Who is going to be a teacher? I mean its already a profession you cant survive on with a two-income household. The state surveys teachers after their first year, one of the questions they ask is whether or not they have another job! Then you have the Secretary of Health and Human Services yeah theyre all fascist. They have no support for science. Theres already people dying from measles in New Mexico. A Detroit high school student held a sign that read There is always money for war, but not education. She commented, My sister is in college to be a special-ed teacher, so this affects her pretty heavily. A lot of the programs that shes been included in have been shut down or defunded. Its been really horrible. I mean, education is so necessary. When asked about the teachers and students being targeted for their speech against the Gaza genocide she said, Protesting is our right as American people. I think its very important to be protesting and knowing your rights. Its very unconstitutional to be deporting and going after those who are expressing their right to freedom of speech and freedom to protest. When asked about the unity of the working class across borders, a Detroit woman answered: Yeah, Im a child of immigrants, and I think the more support we can galvanize across borders, the stronger the cause against this authoritarian dictatorship will be. There are people in my family whose citizenship is pending, and theyre scared to leave their houses. Im not personally under attack at work or in other areas of my life, so I feel compelled to help other movements that need support. Audrey Dubois, a teacher who organized the demonstration. [Photo: WSWS media/WSWS] The protest was organized by Audrey Dubois, a teacher, who said within just a couple days, over a thousand people pledged to join on both sides of the border. The idea of the joint protest with Canada came as an obvious thing. We are here in the Detroit/Windsor area. We are connected in so many ways, she said. When asked about the many signs demonstrators brought for Mahmoud Khalil, she said: The illegal arrest of Mahmoud Khalil is extremely serious. This is a terrible attack on freedom of speech. This is no wonder that this current administration is attacking freedom of speech. If they didnt think that our voice holds power, they will not try to silence us. A protester in Windsor on the Detroit River on March 22. Speeches were given during the protest. Socialist Equality Party member Matt Brennan spoke on the drive towards dictatorship, Trumps historic break with constitutional rule, and the complicity of the Democratic Party. He stressed that it will be the unity of the international working class that will end dictatorship, war and capitalist exploitation, which was met by cheers from the audience. Every day, more details emerge about the prison agreement between Nayib Bukele and Donald Trump to receive migrants deported from the United States. On Monday, the day after the Salvadoran president televised the transfer of 261 alleged members of the Tren de Aragua and MS-13 criminal organizations to the Terrorist Confinement Center (CECOT), the White House clarified that, in reality, 101 of the Venezuelans who arrived on Sunday were simply undocumented migrants, not terrorists. By then, the controversy had already erupted. On the same day that the U.S. sent two flights full of Venezuelan deportees using an 18th-century law designed for times of war and without following due process, a judge temporarily blocked the measure. Later, The New York Times revealed that although Washington claimed the planes were already flying over international waters when a judge ordered the operation suspended at least one of them had not yet taken off. Bukele has cited financial reasons for renting out his mega-prison; the Salvadoran president estimates it could generate an annual income of $6 million, which will help maintain a prison system that costs $200 million a year. But money doesnt seem to be all hes interested in. One of the deported MS-13 gang members featured in the video released by Bukele is Cesar Humberto Lopez Larios, alias Grenas de Stoners, one of the top leaders of the organization and a founding member of the Ranfla Nacional, the high command of the criminal structure that negotiated homicide reductions in exchange for prison benefits with several Salvadoran governments, including Bukeles. Lopez Larios was captured on June 9, 2024, in Mexico, after years on the FBIs most wanted list. Grenas was also one of 27 leaders accused by the United States of narcoterrorism and was expected to testify in a New York court about his dealings with the Salvadoran government. Four days before Grenas deportation, on March 11, the prosecutors office requested that the charges against him be dismissed. Due to geopolitical and national security reasons, and the sovereign authority of the Executive Branch in international affairs, the United States dismisses the charges against the defendant without prejudice, so that El Salvador may first prosecute him on criminal charges under Salvadoran law, reads a prosecutors document obtained by El Faro. This, according to some experts, could be interpreted as a message to the gang leaders detained by U.S. authorities: if they speak out, they could end up in Bukeles hands. For his part, the Salvadoran president is seeking to curry favor with Trump in every way possible to achieve his goals. And he seems to be succeeding. Two days after Grenas deportation was announced, two of the top MS-13 leaders detained in the U.S. and who had participated in negotiations with the Bukele administration pleaded guilty before the Eastern District Court of New York, according to documents obtained by Insight Crime journalist Carlos Garcia. Their names are Marlon Antonio Menjivar Portillo, alias Rojo de Park View, and Jorge Alexander de la Cruz, alias Cruger. The criminal career of El Grenas Lopez Larios was born in 1978 in western El Salvador. He founded the first cells of the Mara Salvatrucha gang in the 1990s. He has a long criminal record. He has been accused of homicide, extortion, and membership in terrorist organizations. He was convicted and released several times between 2002 and 2013. In the following years, he was sent by MS-13 to carry out operations in Mexico and the United States. A 2016 investigation by the Salvadoran Attorney Generals Office and police called Operation Jaque, a copy of which EL PAIS has in its possession, reveals a series of phone calls in which gang leaders coordinate arms and drug trafficking from Mexico to El Salvador. In the conversations, the leaders identify Grenas as the person in charge of drug trafficking as part of the Mexico Program, the MS-13 branch in that country. In 2017, Grenas was captured in the United States and deported to El Salvador. There, he was held in a maximum-security prison accused of a dozen crimes, including ordering the murder of police officers. But in October 2020, a second-instance court ordered his release, arguing that he had exceeded his prison term without a final conviction. By then, Bukele had been president for more than a year. On June 9, 2024, Lopez Larios was captured in the city of Arriaga, in the state of Chiapas, Mexico. He was later transferred to the United States, where he was detained by FBI agents. Salvadoran police shave the heads of Grenas (right) and another deportee on Sunday at the CECOT. Secretaria de Prensa de la Presidencia (via REUTERS) The case that has Bukele nervous Negotiations between the MS-13 and Barrio 18 gangs with the Bukele administration have been revealed by journalistic investigations, but one of the formal accusations filed by the U.S. Attorneys Office in 2022 directly points to two senior Bukele officials negotiating with MS-13 to reduce homicides between 2019 and 2021. Between 2020 and 2022, the United States repeatedly requested that El Salvador extradite the leaders it held in its prisons. The Bukele administration refused, creating diplomatic tension between the two nations. For its part, the FBI redoubled efforts to capture those at large and captured at least half a dozen, including Grenas. Another of the Mara Salvatrucha leaders arrested in Mexico and sent to the United States was Elmer Canales, alias Crook, who was captured on November 8, 2023, in Mexican territory, when he was supposed to be serving a sentence in El Salvadors maximum-security prison. In January 2024, an investigation by El Faro revealed that the Bukele government was so desperate to recover the gang kingpin it had previously illegally released that it offered, through intermediaries, $1 million to the Jalisco New Generation Cartel in exchange for its help in recovering Crook. Despite all the efforts made by the United States to capture MS-13 leaders, the Trump administration appears to be changing its mind. Or at least with one of them. The agreement between Bukele and Trump to receive deportees at the CECOT came to light on February 3, following Secretary of State Marco Rubios visit to the Central American country. That same day, El Salvadors ambassador to the United States, Milena Mayorga, said in a television interview that the deportation of MS-13 leaders held by the United States was a matter of honor. That was the only thing President Bukele told him [Trump]: We want them deported, Mayorga said. After receiving El Grenas among the deportees last Saturday, Bukele wrote on his X account: One of them is a member of the criminal organizations highest structure. This will help us finalize intelligence gathering and go after the last remnants of MS-13, including its former and new members, money, weapons, drugs, hideouts, collaborators, and sponsors. Deportations from the United States to El Salvadors CECOT have been halted by a federal judge, who has given the Trump administration until next Monday to prove it did not disobey a court order. This also calls into question whether the agreement will continue to work, and whether more MS-13 gang members held in the United States could be placed in Bukeles hands. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition On October 17, 2019, the temperature was 33 degrees Celsius in Culiacan, Sinaloa. Residents there described it as a pleasant day. However, that date would be remembered as Black Thursday, or the Culiacanazo. Starting at midday, a failed operation by the Mexican army sparked hours of terror and uncertainty. The sound of high-caliber weapons was heard throughout the city, vehicles were set on fire, and gunmen were shooting from rooftops, motorcycles, and cars. The order was to reach the community of Jesus Maria, a town north of Culiacan, to capture one of Joaquin El Chapo Guzmans sons. However, upon arrival, the troops were surprised. They didnt go after Ivan Archivaldo or Jesus Alfredo, considered high-ranking operatives within the Sinaloa Cartel. The target was Ovidio Guzman, known as El Raton, the youngest of the brothers. We were all surprised to see Ovidio arrested. Why did they arrest him? asks a witness from that day. This is one of the questions that the documentary series Battle of Culiacan: Heirs of the Cartel seeks to answer from the depths of the Sinaloa Cartel. Available on the Max platform since March 13, it chronicles the details of the two attempts to arrest Ovidio Guzman (one unsuccessful and one successful), the fentanyl explosion, and how the criminal organization operates after the capture of El Chapo, its founder and imprisoned leader. The four-part series aims to shed light on the web of misinformation and the political fallout unleashed by the Culiacanazo. Through extensive research, which spanned two years, the production team compiled previously unseen footage from witness recordings, army body cameras, and even audio recordings. This was done with the goal of elaborating on and exploring the repercussions of this operation, which triggered a wave of violence in Culiacan and exposed the vulnerabilities of the countrys institutions. It also explored the complex and dynamic relationship between Mexico and the United States, the impact of fentanyl trafficking, and the internal disputes over control of one of the most powerful criminal organizations in the world. The challenge was how to integrate these images into the story without overly offending the viewer's feelings; because at the same time, we had to show reality as it was. It was a task of thinking and rethinking the editing to maintain the pace without falling into sensationalism, but at the same time telling the truth, explains director Fatima Lianes. Still from the documentary series Battle of Culiacan: Heirs of the Cartel. From El Chapos low-profile loving son to Fentanyl King The series focuses on the enigma of Ovidio Guzman, who was considered a loving son by his father, who, according to a fragment of the documentary, always tried to get him out of crime. Despite growing up, as the newspaper Reforma explained, in Mexico Citys Jardines del Pedregal neighborhood, an upper-class area, and attending CEYCA, one of Mexico Citys most expensive private Catholic schools, El Ratons family influenced him and he became a drug trafficker at 18. And not just any drug trafficker: one the DEA had its eye on despite the fact that the Mexican army viewed Ovidio as the weakest link in the criminal organization, because he was the youngest, the least violent, and the one with the lowest profile, says investigative journalist Luis Chaparro in a segment of the film. Hes not a psychopath or sociopath. These are adjectives that are often used to describe the temperament of Ivan Archivaldo, his older brother and head of Los Chapitos, one of the factions competing against the followers of Ismael El Mayo Zambada for control of the Sinaloa Cartel. Even the criminal organization itself was surprised that the authorities were after Ovidio. The series, through various testimonies, reports that the DEA linked El Raton to the manufacture of fentanyl around 2015. An anonymous cartel member, who has been part of the organization for 15 years, says that this drug, 100 times more potent than morphine and 50 times more potent than heroin, arrived in Sinaloa in 2013. Ovidio entered the business as an investor, as you have to put up money to continue buying, moving, and trafficking. Ovidio Guzman becomes the person in charge of producing this synthetic drug. He was responsible for bringing in the chemical precursors, manufacturing, and transporting fentanyl to the United States, says Jesus Bustamante, an independent journalist and consultant for the documentary. The same anonymous cartel member explains that for $400,000, approximately 350 kilos of fentanyl can be made. Each kilo can be sold in New York or Los Angeles for $35,000. Through a security breach within the Sinaloa Cartel, the DEA learned not only the intentions of the fentanyl trafficking operation, but also its scale; Ovidios clients in California; the importance of the ports of Lazaro Cardenas, in Michoacan, and Manzanillo, in Colima; and Ivan Archivaldos intentions to set up a command center in Mexico City. These details also appear in the Chicago court files of the case against El Raton. The United States knows everything about Los Chapitos because they have 100% infiltration. Their faction is a cheese with holes in every corner, says the cartel member. This is how the DEA managed to infiltrate three people and record Ovidio, investigative reporter Peniley Ramirez recounts in the documentary. It is for this reason, she notes, that he earned the nickname The Fentanyl King from Washington. Although El Chapos heirs have denied, through a letter, having ever produced, manufactured or marketed fentanyl, Mike Vigil, head of international operations for the DEA between 2000 and 2003, thinks differently: This information has linked Los Chapitos and the Sinaloa Cartel as the largest manufacturers of fentanyl in the world. A selection of many voices was made so that people could reflect on their own experiences. We believe all the necessary figures are included, from former politicians, military commanders, citizens, journalists, and analysts. In other words, a series of people are included who address the issue from their perspective and who also, obviously, reflect on what went right and what went wrong, what could have been avoided, and what we need to do to prevent this from happening again, Bustamante says via video call. The tentacles that emerge from this problem are long, and the scissors arent big enough. The escalation of drug-related violence in Mexico, reflected in the Culiacanazo and in every horrific incident that emerges daily, is still a debt that merits an explanation from the Mexican government to its people. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Etihad and Ethiopian Airlinesthe national carriers of the United Arab Emirates and Ethiopiahave announced a Joint Venture (JV) to enhance connectivity across Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. The agreement was signed at Ethiopian Airlines headquarters in Addis Ababa and includes a codeshare agreement that further expands travel across each airlines network. From Abu Dhabi to Addis Ababa and beyond The agreement includes new routes between Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, and Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia. Ethiopian Airlines will start flights from Addis Ababa Bole International Airport (ADD) to Zayed International Airport (AUH) on July 15. Etihad will begin flights to Addis Ababa on October 1. Depending on regulatory approval, the Joint Venture will allow the airlines to expand routes between Ethiopia and the UAE, and upgrade connectivity across their networks. That can benefit passengers by bolstering links between Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. Advertisement Advertisement Antonoaldo Neves, Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways, said: This Joint Venture is great news for customers of both airlines. The start of flights between the two great cities of Addis Ababa and Abu Dhabi connects our expanding networks, giving our customers seamless access to a growing list of destinations via our extensive hubs. It also paves the way for deeper discussions on working together across our respective regions on other cooperation, including frequent flyer programs, training, and cargo. Mesfin Tasew, Group CEO of Ethiopian Airlines, said: We are delighted to enter into this strategic agreement with Etihad Airways. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in our efforts to enhance connectivity between Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. By leveraging our combined networks, we are committed to providing our passengers with greater trave convenience and exceptional service. This partnership underscores our dedication to fostering strong bilateral relations and promoting economic growth between Ethiopia and the UAE. The post Etihad and Ethiopian Airlines partner for flights to these destinations appeared first on The Manual. When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. There is always a chance to take in the continent's magnificent landscapes. | Credit: Westend61 / Getty Images The sight of lions "lurking" in the grass lends a certain edge to most African riding safaris but there are places where you can take in the continent's magnificent landscapes on horseback "without feeling like prey". One such is Simalaha, said Sophy Roberts in the Financial Times. This roadless, 18,000sq km community conservancy on the banks of the Zambezi River in Zambia was founded in 2012 by two local Lozi chieftains, in collaboration with the Peace Parks Foundation, which works to rewild ecosystems stretching across national borders in southern Africa. Many species have been reintroduced, including roan antelope, eland, sable and giraffe. So far, however, there are no big cats, and recently a Zambian couple, Gail Kleinschmidt and Doug Evans, launched riding safaris here the only tourism operation in the area. Most guests of Zambian Horseback Safaris fly into Livingstone, next to the Victoria Falls, and travel to Simalaha by boat a glorious journey along the "colossal, swirling" Zambezi, past "belching" hippos and "fat" crocodiles "basking on bone- white sands". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The accommodation consists of four tented guest rooms on wooden stilts, each with a terrace facing a waterhole, and a kitchen hidden in a copse, where a Lozi chef, Henry Mununga, cooks up "spectacularly good" food (including flame-seared steaks, nasturtium and green leaf salads, and homemade ice cream). The 25 horses graze freely as a herd, and guests ride out twice a day morning and evening to beat the "sizzling" midday heat. Simalaha is on the Zambezi's flood plain this is "big sky country" and when I was there, shortly before the rains, the light was often magical. There was lots of wildlife to see, including galloping herds of wildebeest; and plenty of time to chat with local villagers and cattle herders, or just to take in the heart-stopping views across the landscape, punctuated with "islands of waxen baobabs" and "lines of grazing game". Safarious (safarious.com) has a seven-night trip from 3,270pp, excluding flights. Mar. 24GRAND FORKS An estimated 1,000 guests gathered Saturday at the Alerus Center's ballroom for the annual Feast of Nations, the decades-strong cultural showcase hosted by the University of North Dakota. All 105 tables at the Alerus Center ballroom event sold out, with people across North Dakota and Minnesota joining UND students and Grand Forks residents. Attendees were treated to a four-course meal that drew from Ethiopian, Swahili, west African, Peruvian, Chinese and New Zealand cuisine, as well as 17 separate musical performances and dance numbers including traditional Ukrainian dancers, a K-Pop dance team and the North Dakota Ballet Company. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement UND President Andy Armacost paid tribute to the event's cultural diversity in his opening remarks and the international students that had long facilitated it. While couching his remarks as "not a political statement," he obliquely acknowledged the political turmoil targeted at immigrants that had swept the country since President Donald Trump's second inauguration in January. "Undoubtedly, the uncertainty that exists in our nation right now creates a lot of anxiety for people that join us from abroad," Armacost said. "Just know that the spirit at the University of North Dakota will remain supportive to each and every one of you," he continued, to cheers and applause. "We are better as a university, we are better as a state, we are better as a nation when we come together and honor each other." A team of volunteers and one woman, in particular, are being celebrated at Hill Air Force Base after working for years to combat the surprising rate of food insecurity among military families. A U.S. Department of Agriculture report from April 2024 found that 25.3% of the military population experienced food insecurity, compared to 10.1% of the civilian adult population, drawing from 2018 and 2020 data. The report also found 10.5% of the military population had very low food security in the same time periods, compared with 3.6% of the civilian adult population. Those most at risk were families who joined in the past decade, those who had a permanent change in station in the past two years, families with children under 18, and active duty families. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sharaya Woodwick is the manager of the Airman's Attic at Hill. It is a thrift store and food pantry, but everything is free. In February, she was voted the Armed Forces Insurance Military Spouse of the Year on base for her efforts to help families in need. As part of her role, Woodwick leads food and diaper distribution events, coordinates with local community leaders and manages regular volunteers and a board of seven to keep donations coming in. "We don't get any funding," she told KSL.com, saying it's "150%, absolutely" a labor of love for the team. A closet full of boots at the Airmans Attic at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida. | Karissa Rodriguez, U.S. Air Force "A big thing that we address is the interim of (permanent change in station) moves," Woodwick said. "If you're moving from overseas to stateside, you generally go two to three months without your belongings." It can be even longer at times one family moving to Hill recently had their shipping container stolen in transit. "I think, that the misconception is that maybe it's only lower-enlisted that are affected by food insecurity," Woodwich said. "But that is not the case. Food insecurity happens. Life happens, regardless of rank." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of the first things she did when taking over the Airman's Attic almost three years ago was remove rank restrictions on people seeking help. The organization has a walk-in food pantry, so any ID holder can come in and get a grocery bag of food. They also can give referrals to another pantry, so families can get one bag of food per person in the household every two weeks, along with a gift card to the commissary on base for perishable foods. Woodwick's husband, Tech. Sgt. Tyler Woodwick, told KSL.com that his wife "resurrected the food pantry here by making that connection with the commissary." As a result, around 3,700 families have been fed 2,000 in the last year alone and 21,000 household items have been repurposed, according to Hill Air Force Base. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Woodwicks got involved in the Airman's Attic, which exists at some other bases, when they faced food insecurity during their first duty station at the Royal Air Force Lakenheath base in England. "We were an (Airman First Class pay scale), and there are so many expenses that come with moving, and neither one of us had even had a credit card, right? We were very much growing up in a brand new lifestyle, and so I felt horrible about not providing and not contributing," Sharaya Woodwick said. When budget sequestration in 2013 took effect, an across-the-board reduction in federal agency budgets triggered a government shutdown, and their family "went about a month without a paycheck," according to Sharaya Woodwick. "We had no money. We were in the same boat as every other military family on that face. We were not an exception. That was a really long time to go without a paycheck." It was the food pantry on base that allowed families to pool resources to make family dinners and get by. Sharaya Woodwick, Hill Air Force Base Airmans Attic volunteer manager, stands by one of the two available food pantries on base in Clearfield on Feb. 25. | Todd Cromar, U.S. Air Force "It's such a powerful tool to give military spouses that they can still help provide for their families in that way," she said. "There shouldn't be any shame in needing a leg up every now and again. We're just trying to help eliminate the stigma of that statistic." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The community is a huge part of the success of Hill's program, and the efforts are reciprocal, according to the Woodwicks. A team of volunteers helps run the store, pick up donations off base, sort the donations and give anything that can't be stored to homeless shelters, foster care shelters, women's homes and more. Extra food that can't be used at the pantry gets delivered to the nearby Lantern House and a food bank in Coalville. A number of community organizations have made a large impact, going on Costco runs and organizing fundraisers, including the Wolf Creek Foundation, American Legion, the Layton Rotary Club, the Little Lambs Foundation and more. Sharaya Woodwick says the Attic is always "in dire need" of shoes, kitchen gear, cooking sets, uniforms, small appliances, vacuums and children's clothes. They are always running out of trash bags, duct tape, packing tape and zip ties. "The donations are always given to people without an expectation of them returning any of those items. So you take what you need and give back what you don't need," she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They can't accept beds, bed frames or couches, as they get destroyed by the "beloved" resident raccoon named Ronnie, the group's unofficial mascot, and a gang of cats on base. Those wanting to make donations can contact the Airman's Attic at Hill on Facebook. As for Sharay Woodwick, she will be going to Washington D.C. in May for the Armed Forces Insurance military spouse week, where she hopes to network with spouses from other bases, share best practices and get advice on starting or expanding the service to other locations. No one can get the image out of their heads: hundreds of abandoned shoes, discarded clothes, backpacks, nail polish, toothbrushes... These are some of the items that were found at the Izaguirre ranch in Teuchitlan, one of the many training camps used by organized crime to recruit young people. The ownerless items have sparked a chilling sense of unease in the minds of Mexicans, leaving a more profound impact than the recurring discoveries of dismembered bodies in black bags. Mothers who have spent years searching for their missing children in dangerous drug trafficking territory faced the scene with dread. The gray T-shirt with a duck, the top with the number 23, the blue backpack, the pink shoes these items could identify their loved lost ones. Like a scene from a horror movie, they didnt know whether to tightly close their eyes or open them to the painful truth. Teuchitlan, in the heart of the state of Jalisco that is, in the heart of the bloodthirsty Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) has become the new symbol of terror in Mexico. Its no coincidence that its been dubbed the Mexican Auschwitz. But in these lands where the law of silence reigns, everyone knows that the Izaguirre ranch where young people were taken to be dehumanized by enduring and watching torture and crime isnt the only cartel training ground where bones are found among the ashes. Its just one of many. The shoes found in a room at the Izaguirre ranch. Jalisco Attorney General Office (via REUTERS) In many parts of Mexico, children are taught to be quiet and to try not see or hear anything. They are instilled with the same fear of neighborhood gang members as they are of the police. The blame for this social decay doesnt lie with the family or the school, but with the public spaces that have been lost. The wolf lurks everywhere from school to home, from the nightclub to the house and sometimes, the wolf is even in uniform. The scandal over the Teuchitlan ranch and the pressure on politicians to deliver answers have exposed a rancid network that stretches its tendrils across several states. The youths who left their clothes behind at the ranch came from all corners of Mexico, arriving one day at the Guadalajara bus station, only for their trail to vanish forever. Today, authorities in other state capitals are being accused of luring these kids with false job offers, and arrests are being made in Mexico City of alleged recruiters who prey on the fresh meat the term used for newly arrived youths in these fields. Where are the hitmen? asked a Jalisco prosecutor a few years ago when he encountered the police officers who had carried out a raid. How could he have possibly known that the hitmen where the kids standing in front of him? In some municipalities, local police are barely useful for organizing traffic during a bicycle race or for dealing with minor offenses. But even these latter situations can be used as opportunities to spot which petty criminals have the potential to graduate to becoming murderers. Recent reports indicate that some uniformed officers in Tala, a town near Teuchitlan, are working for the Jalisco Cartel, specifically kidnapping young men to turn them into killers. But who isnt working for the Jalisco Cartel in this region? Two years ago, Science magazine published an article identifying cartels as the fifth-largest employer in Mexico, with an estimated 180,000 people in its service, and issued a call to end recruitment. The 124,000 missing persons listed on Mexicos official registry suggest that the disease is continuing to spread probably with more virulance than ever before. Images of the disappeared inside the Izaguirre ranch in Teuchitlan, Jalisco. Hector Guerrero Lets call him Jose. Once a hitman for the Sinaloa Cartel, he spent 13 years in prison and is now a barber in Guadalajara. He managed to escape the grip of crime, but for many, it remains a looming presence, waiting for them on the other side of prison bars with debts to pay and few ways out. Jose joined the ranks of those working for Rafael Caro Quintero, the head of the Sinaloa Cartel. Back then, they invited you to go, and you went of your own free will maybe because of family hardship, or maybe they saw you liked narco corridos, or luxury things, he says. They traded you a knife for a gun, a bicycle for a pickup truck. And then, they sent them to kill. The pay? 3,000 pesos (about $140), to eliminate 10 or 15 dudes. A son of mine also went voluntarily to Zacatecas, Jose adds. He didnt like what he saw and turned back. Now there are no invitations, now there are kidnappings, he says. [The cartels] themselves have scared kids away with so much violence with dismembered bodies. There arent as many people who want to get involved anymore. It used to be different. Organized crime is responsible for most of the 30,000 homicides a year in Mexico. Cartels are no longer just about drug trafficking. While small-time drug dealing helps finance their armies of hitmen, organized crime now extends its reach into nearly every profitable venture: fentanyl, yes, but also beer and shrimp, tourism boats south of the capital, fruit and sock markets (where vendors must pay a fee to sell), as well as agriculture and livestock. Business is booming and in recent years, the cartels have expanded their power by placing their own people in local governments mayors, police chiefs, HR officials, treasurers. Like the Italian mafia, they are the ones that dispense justice, and citizens turn to them if they need to punish a petty thief, take out a loan, or pay for medical treatment. The public, grateful but always fearful, accepts gifts from Nemesio El Mencho Oseguera Cervantes the cartel boss of Jalisco whether its toys for children, roscon to eat on Three Kings Day, or food during the pandemic. Experts warn that the cartels arent just a parallel state; in some places, they are the only state there is. Teuchitlan has dragged this reality into the spotlight once again, with brutal force. Six months ago, police from the Jalisco Attorney Generals Office raided the same ranch, arrested 10 people, rescued two kidnapped victims, and removed a body. What is known about the operation? Almost nothing. The ranch held all the evidence, but fingerprints were never properly taken, two vehicles seized by the police have since been stolen, and statements from the survivors were completely ineffective. To this day, no one knows who owns the ranch. The Jalisco Attorney Generals Office didnt do its job, and prosecuting anyone will be extremely difficult. The public already knows why: the police arent fools theyre simply at the service of organized crime. And its not by choice but under the weight of threats. No one wants to make a wrong move, and the cartels have laid traps everywhere. View of the forested area in the municipality of Tala, Jalisco, on March 21, 2025. Local residents and activists maintain that these areas could contain more mass graves of victims of organized crime in Jalisco. Hector Guerrero How do we dismantle something so deeply embedded in society? asks Augusto Chacon, from the organization Jalisco Como Vamos, which uses data to analyze life in the state, including crime, arrests, the budget, and social support. Poverty is a factor, but it doesnt explain everything. If kids were joining voluntarily, there wouldnt be these kidnappings, he says. Whats missing is the state. There are 15,000 missing persons in Jalisco alone, but the lack of state authority is visible across large parts of the country from Tamaulipas to Sinaloa, Michoacan to Chiapas, Nayarit to Coahuila. The green lung of Guadalajara, the capital of Jalisco, is known as La Primavera: its a wooded area where the wealthy live. Its here that El Menchos brother, Doble R, has his ranch his name can be seen on the gate of his estate, where armored vans come and go, and thoroughbred horses parade. La Primavera is also home to a state governors bodyguards, in a place where residents live in eerie harmony. Its a quiet area, where the rule is dog doesnt eat dog, though that didnt stop 119 body bags from being discovered in a forest ditch one day in 2019, or the body of an engineer being found practically on the same path that children use to go to school. Waiters were seen one morning walking around one of the bars near the Vega dam, a picturesque location, counting wads of cash. The neighbors are well aware of all this, though only a few dare to speak, fearing retribution. Some of these events dont even make the news, which, as is well known, could also lead to journalist deaths. In places where drug traffickers and their families reside, neither the army nor the police dare to enter. You can sleep with your doors open in these places, one neighbor summarizes. But every now and then, they exchange a message on WhatsApp: Did you see that the army took X this morning? They dragged him out of the house. This is what life is like, side by side with the cartels. Everyone knows that any spot they step on every day could be a hidden cemetery. On the way to Tala, another town near La Primavera, trucks transport sugarcane to be processed at the sugar mill. The fields of blue agave for tequila stretch across the hills, their blades resembling a thousand blue swords. Another 18 miles further is the beautiful town of Tequila, renowned for its distilleries and a popular tourist spot. Beyond that lies the sea Puerto Vallarta, where Ava Gardner once bathed in The Night of the Iguana. Today, experts point to Puerto Vallarta as the headquarters of the vast enterprise that is the Jalisco New Generation Cartel. Thats why nothing ever happens there, says Eduardo Guerrero, one of Mexicos top experts on the countrys criminal mafias. People still flock there to safely enjoy the waves and luxury. National Guard members guard the Malecon in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, on December 19, 2020. Nayeli Cruz The town of Tala, next to the forest, has also been home to forced recruitment camps and mass exterminations, which came to light in 2017. Foresters who venture past the forbidden line to put out fires in the mountains are politely asked to leave, and the fire remains burning, according to a woman who knows the situation well. There are drug labs, she says. The smell is unmistakable when you get close. In the same tequila-producing state are El Grullo and Villa Purificacion, two towns where El Mencho spends time. He is one of the most wanted drug lords in the United States. The locals laugh: They cant be looking for him very hard because he even has his own private hospital there for kidney treatment. Why dont they arrest him? Only they know why. Security expert Augusto Chacon wonders how organized crimes grip on Mexico, which has tightened and expanded over decades, can be dismantled. It takes a lot of courage, money, and building trust, he says. Its the infighting between rival cartels that periodically erupts in terror, with shootouts, burning vehicles, and roadblocks. Only these disruptions break the false sense of tranquility people live under. Thats why some experts believe that with only one cartel controlling Mexico, the fight would be easier. Thats what many governments have sought: to leave one cartel in power and attack the others, but nothing has been achieved, Chacon says. The Jalisco Cartel now has around 80 allied organizations and another 80 subordinate cells, explains Eduardo Guerrero. What the mothers searching for their missing children discovered in Teuchitlan has exposed a horror that was chilling even for a population inured to it. According to the expert, the scandal has made it more difficult for the cartels to sell themselves as the ones providing peace and justice. In some cases, lower-level members make mistakes without the top being aware. Theres been a reputational cost, and I think theyll punish the cell, says Guerrero, from Lantia Intelligence. Politicians are also being called to account. At the time of writing, the police are reporting arrests in Mexico City connected to the Teuchitlan horrors. Meanwhile, Roberto Rodriguez, the secretary of security in the city of Tulum, died after being shot six times. Crime doesnt take weekends off. After the noise settles, calm will return, and big business will resume. The cartels need personnel to manage all their operations, and recruitment is crucial. Handprints painted on the streets of Guadalajara as a sign of peace, on March 21, 2025. Hector Guerrero Social anthropologist Danielle Strickland conducts her research at the Jesuit University of Guadalajara (ITESO). She has worked with many incarcerated drug traffickers and children from Cerro del Cuarto, one of the many impoverished neighborhoods in Mexico where the social consequences of poverty can be deeply studied. When youve had nothing and someone offers you 5,000 pesos [$250] a week, you feel for the first time like youre the king of the neighborhood. Its a question of adrenaline guns, trucks, women, and drugs. But one day, theyre ordered to kill, and theres no turning back. Sometimes, they get out of prison and return to the organization, but Im certain that if they were sent to another country, theyd gladly live a normal life. The real addiction is money, explains Jose, the hitman-turned-barber. You can get out and work legally, but youll never make as much money as selling drugs. These kids defend their choices. They dont want to be seen as victims. They dont want their parents or the neighborhood to be blamed. They defend their own decisions, even though they cant leave the life. Their dream is to never have entered, but now they cant leave. But not all of them are volunteers far from it. If they were, there wouldnt be thousands of missing persons in Mexico. When they recruit a kid to a gang, they do it by force. They know that if he doesnt join, some police officer will plant drugs or false evidence on him and throw him in jail, Strickland explains. There are no other options. Big business never has enough. Thats how thousands of boys, in the midst of puberty, end up in recruitment centers, where they are forced to witness atrocities without turning away and are coerced into participating in the violence. They talk to them nicely, seduce them, says Jose. Do you want to be a commander, or just a dog? They grab kids from rival cartels and kill them in front of them. Then, they offer them the knife. If they dont want to use it, they let them watch for a while longer, how they have fun with the enemies. When your mind has adapted, they give you a gun. Thats the reward the power. The barber doesnt know exactly what happened at that ranch, but he has some theories. Maybe other enemy forces arrived and killed them all; I had to do that. Regarding the crematoriums the mothers observed there, hes certain: First, they burn them in underground empty pools, and then they use special mills to crush the bones or just simple hammers on steel plates. Yes, whoever named Teuchitlan Auschwitz was certainly not wrong. Personnel from the Jalisco Attorney General's Office guard the interior of the Izaguirre ranch in Teuchitlan, Jalisco, on March 20, 2025. Hector Guerrero The reality of Mexico is like a horror movie that people have become accustomed to watching while lying on the couch. But its also different: its the reality of millions of peaceful citizens whose idea of well-being is simply not being attacked while walking from work to home, from school to the gym, from the bar to home. Guadalajara is one of the most prosperous capitals in Mexico. The highway to Teuchitlan is lined with international companies, upscale housing developments, and excellent educational institutions. These are the two faces of Mexico, and they turn their backs on each other to avoid seeing or hearing anything. Silence is the law. The same neighbor who asks you if you havent noticed a strong smell of gasoline is also the one trying to get you to say that, yes, there are criminals trafficking fuel right next door. Dont fall for it. Just stay quiet thats something you learn since you enter school. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition A crackdown on government credit cards will, it transpires, leave civil servants without the means to spend taxpayer money on all manner of perks, from coffee to axe throwing sessions, luxury away days, dry cleaning and catering from Fortnum and Mason. Twenty-thousand cards were due to be frozen last week in an attempt to cut wasteful spending across government departments. Costs incurred on these cards, for which civil servants will now have to reapply, had quadrupled in four years, jumping from 155 million in 2020-21 to 675 million in 2024-25. A Telegraph analysis of the Governments own figures on procurement card spending of 500 or more makes for a revealing often baffling read. Among the many eyebrow-raising items in the data collected by each department: 43,164 on work-from-home equipment (the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs), 704 at a restaurant in Cape Town (Business and Trade), 500 on ice cream truck hire (Ministry of Justice), and 2,258 at an adventure park in Belgium (Foreign Office). The Civil Service might be bloated with workers complaining they dont have all that much to do (I dont feel challenged at all, one anonymous civil servant moaned on Reddit earlier this year), but it sounds like nice work if you can get it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Cabinet Office says the Government is tackling wasteful spending head-on, so that taxpayer money is spent on delivering for the public. In a statement, the department said: The Cabinet Office instructs departments and their agencies to freeze almost all of around 20,000 Government Procurement Cards. Civil servants will have to reapply under tighter new rules, with an aim to reduce the number of cards by at least half. Presumably that means this will be the last time the Cabinet Office spends 1,273.50 on Nespresso, as they did between October and November. The Telegraph looked at the data for each department, taking the most recent three months worth of spending in each case as a snapshot. Project Charisma and a 900 Zizzi bill The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), spent 1,700 on a company called Project Charisma in December. Its a public speaking training service which, according to the credit card records, was used by the Environment Agency. The companys website says they can help if you are struggling to communicate your value. Defra declined to answer questions about it, including whether the firms services were procured for Environment Agency chief executive Philip Duffy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Elsewhere in the department, a senior civil servant was found earlier this month to have tricked the Government into paying him for three full-time jobs, exploiting the working-from-home culture to cover his tracks. Its reassuring, then, to know theyre cutting down on the use of government credit cards given the aforementioned 43,164 Defra spent on working-from-home equipment between October and December alone. Defra employees racked up a 906 bill at a branch of Zizzi, an Italian restaurant chain, in October 2024 - Getty It wasnt all WFHNP (work from home and no play) for the department last quarter, though. In October, they racked up a bill of 906 in Zizzi Manchester. That same month they spent 636 in Pizza Express, and 599 at Prezzo. At some point in early December, someone spent 591.50 in Waitrose, which is logged under Equipment Operational. In October they spent 3,225.31 on a hotel called the Island Club, right on the water in Turks and Caicos. The following month they spent 3,267.97 at the same hotel, whose tagline, incidentally, is living on vacation, creating stories for life. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The department declined to provide further context for the spending. Luxury hotels in Tokyo and a 600 curry In September, the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) spent 4,107 at The Kitano Hotel, a luxury hotel in Tokyo. The next month, a bill for the Harbour House Waterfront, a restaurant in Cape Town, came to 704. Closer to home, September saw a 603 bill at an Indian restaurant in Chelsea and 1,046 on catering from St Ermins, a four-star hotel in Westminster. The DBT declined to answer questions about the spending, referring The Telegraph to the Cabinet Offices statement. Personality tests and a team day in a former prison Just before Christmas, the Home Office spent 858 at Myers Briggs, a company which, through an in-depth personality test, helps people increase their self-awareness, understand and appreciate differences in others, and apply personality insights to improve their personal and professional effectiveness. The Home Office declined to say whether the services were used in the appointment process for the departments new permanent secretary, who was unveiled on March 12 as Dame Antonia Romeo, a rising star previously at the Ministry of Justice. Her office will be responsible for approving all expenditure going forward, so the ball is in her court when it comes to deciding the merits of dropping taxpayers money on a personality test. The Home Offices new permanent secretary, Dame Antonia Romeo (above), will have to decide whether personality tests are a good-use of taxpayer funds - Neville Elder/Ministry of Justice Spending on the departments credit card from October to December included 3,600 on a table for 10 Home Office employees at a ceremony where the department was nominated for an award. There was a women in leadership conference too, which set them back 1,104. Then there was a team day at One Pound Lane, a venue in Canterbury which used to be a prison. It set them back 795, but the Boujee wagyu double smashed beef burger on the menu at the venue does sound nice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Home Office declined to answer questions about the spending. 500 ice cream and a game of volleyball In recent weeks, a prison officer has been suspended over claims she had an inappropriate relationship with an inmate, another was found to have told a jailed robber she was his queen, while a court heard another sent 4,300 racy messages to a prisoner. Meanwhile, last year the Ministry of Justice paid for staff to play volleyball, enjoy ice cream, and visit an activity centre in Yorkshire where the menu of fun includes axe throwing, archery, clay pigeon shooting and quad biking. Volleyzone set them back 526.82, the activity centre cost 595, and the department also spent 500 on Super Soft Ices, a firm that provides ice cream vans for weddings and corporate events. The Telegraph understands the spending was intended to support staff wellbeing. Last year the Ministry of Justice spent 500 on a firm that provides ice cream vans - Uptonpark The department also spent 1,581 at vestment.co.uk, which sells liturgical dress, 1,109 on high-end spices, and 765 at a company which sells trophies. When diplomacy means a 2,000 trip to an adventure park You would expect working at the Foreign Office to include a certain amount of gallivanting. Its unclear, however, why the department needed to spend 2,258 at an adventure park in Belgium. Or 1,009 on a camper van in New Zealand. Or, for that matter, 640 at a fine wine company in Singapore. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres overseas entertaining, then theres the more than 8,000 they racked up at the KL Tower, a skyscraper with a viewing deck and a restaurant at the top in Kuala Lumpur. The department declined to give context for any of the spending, but the tower is listed in its own data as a leisure activity. At home, there was a cumulative bill of 6,914 at Fortnum and Mason, mostly listed as catering. There was also 10,360 spent at John Lewis, and 4,059 at M&S, all between November and December. Overseas posts are clearly to an extent a shop front for Britain, so you can understand why wed want our representatives in far-flung places to put their best foot forward. You do wonder, however, if its strictly necessary to spend more than 600 in the UAE branch of Jeeves of Belgravia, the dry cleaners. A Foreign Office spokesperson said the department was fully focused on tackling wasteful spending and inefficiency across government. Thats why we are carrying out huge reforms to create an agile and productive state. We are fundamentally changing the way public services, civil servants and the UK deliver for the public building on the first eight months of the Governments agenda. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That is reassuring, but under the new regime, will it still be possible to spend 500 on dresses? Thats what someone spent in October at One Night Stand, a ballgown rental shop in Chelsea. Ball gowns and evening dresses dont come alive until youre in them; its a very intimate relationship, the website says. That may be true, but does the taxpayer really have to foot the bill? 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. BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (FOX 56) A Missouri man faces several charges after a transporter reported a weird transaction involving multiple Corvettes. On Saturday, March 22, the Bowling Green Police Department was reportedly notified of eight stolen Corvettes. Later that day, officers were dispatched to the 150 block of American Avenue in response to suspicious activity. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A transport driver, according to an arrest citation, told officers he was hired to haul a 2017 Corvette to Detroit, Michigan. But when he arrived, three 2025 Corvettes were waiting to be transported, and a man later identified as 21-year-old Deante Walker was rushing the transaction. Officers noted the driver said one car was damaged on the bottom, and he felt like the transaction was weird. According to court documents, the VINs matched three Corvettes that were reported stolen earlier in the day from the Corvette Plant. Read more of the latest Kentucky news Officers noted that the investigation into the other five missing vehicles is ongoing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Walker was arrested and charged with three counts of receiving stolen property of $10,000 or more, first-degree criminal mischief, third-degree feeling or evading police, and resisting arrest. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 56 News. DENVER (KDVR) A man died after he was ejected from his vehicle during a rollover crash in the early morning hours on Sunday, police reported. FOX31 Newsletters: Sign up to get breaking news sent to your inbox The Aurora Police Department said that at about 6:25 a.m., a man driving a 2022 Dodge Charger, heading west on East 16th Avenue approaching Havana Street, lost control of his vehicle. He struck two parked cars before rolling over. Police said theyve tentatively identified the driver as a 25-year-old man, and said he was ejected from the vehicle and died on scene. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There were no other people involved in the crash and no other vehicles, besides the parked cars. Detectives are working to complete a scene recreation, which will determine the driver of the Chargers speed and other factors leading to the crash. Police do believe that alcohol and speed contributed to the deadly crash. The agency said this is the 6th deadly crash of 2025. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. The Pentagon, which recently promised to put employees through polygraph tests in an investigation into leaks of classified information, is now the source of its own leak. On March 15, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth shared detailed real-time information about a military strike and its aftermath in a group chat on Signal, a messaging app, that included several other top administration officials and wait for it Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Atlantic. Although defense officials have repeatedly stressed they are committed to being the most transparent in history, it is unlikely that this is what they meant. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Goldberg wrote on Monday that he was invited to the chat group earlier this month, and was privy to a March 15 message from Hegseth that included operational details of planned strikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen. Hegseth sent the group battle plans of the strike two hours before it occurred. He and CIA Director John L. Ratcliffe, who was also on the chat, appear to have also shared details of intelligence-collecting methods used before the strike. It is not exactly clear why Goldberg was added to the group. Goldberg wrote that he received a connection request from National Security Advisor Michael Waltz on March 11, but no one on the group seemed to notice his presence until he voluntarily left it. The March 15 post from Hegseth provided operational details about how the U.S. military would attack the Houthis, including information about targets, weapons the U.S. would be deploying, and attack sequencing. The good news is that keeping the chat secret was, apparently, on Hegseths mind during the exchanges. He texted the group that I will do all we can to enforce 100% OPSEC, and later wrote that We are currently clean on OPSEC. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement National Security Council spokesman Brian Hughes indicated on Monday that Goldbergs reporting is accurate. At this time, the message thread that was reported appears to be authentic, and we are reviewing how an inadvertent number was added to the chain, Hughes wrote in the statement to Task & Purpose. The thread is a demonstration of the deep and thoughtful policy coordination between senior officials. The ongoing success of the Houthi operation demonstrates that there were no threats to our servicemembers or our national security. OPSEC, or operational security, refers to not releasing any information that could compromise military operations or put troops in danger. Its also a subject of numerous mind-numbing briefings and makes a frequent appearance in the comment section of stories on military news often posted by someone who doesnt fully grasp what OPSEC actually means. Goldbergs revelation comes after the New York Times first reported that Elon Musk, a top ally of President Donald Trump and head of the Department of Government Efficiency Team, would be briefed on the U.S. militarys war plans for China when he visited the Pentagon on March 21. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump denied the story, and the New York Times subsequently reported that the planned briefing had been called off. Afterward, Hegseths chief of staff Joe Kasper announced an investigation that would refer people who leak classified national security to law enforcement agencies for criminal prosecution. The use of polygraphs in the execution of this investigation will be in accordance with applicable law and policy, Kasper wrote. It is unclear if the defense secretary will have to be subjected to a polygraph the next time he uses Signal. The latest on Task & Purpose BINGHAMTON, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH) State Senator Lea Webb is recognizing women throughout her 52nd district for the impact theyve had on their communities. Webb held her 3rd annual Womens History Month Award Reception on the 18th floor of the State Office Building in Binghamton on Friday. She honored 11 women with a variety of recognitions including the New York State. Commendation Award, the Empire Award for Business Excellence, a Certificate of Merit and a State Senate proclamation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Former Broome County Arts Council Executive Director Sharon Ball was one of the commendation award recipients. Ball says she is surprised and humbled by the honor. There are so many people doing so much in the community right now. I just feel honored and thankful to Senator Webb for thinking of me. But Im still stunned, said Ball. Other Broome County recipients were Jennifer Lesko, Executive Director of the Urban League, Tanya Williams, owner of Paradise Hair World, Caribbean Patty World and several other local businesses, Denise Yull, Binghamton University Professor and President of the Board for the non-profit CARES, and three young entrepreneurs, sisters Jordyn and Taylor Durham, co-owners of Simple Luxuries and Lilly Williams, owner of Lillys Luxuries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WIVT - News 34. OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) 2025 will mark the 30th anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing. We remember and honor those 168 who lost their lives on April 19, 1995, when a bomb went off in front of the Murrah building in downtown Oklahoma City. 168 Days to remember those lost in the OKC bombing: Victoria Jeanette Texter. Image courtesy Oklahoma City National Memorial Museum. We want to remember Victoria Jeanette Texter, while honoring those who survived and thanking those changed forever. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City. KILLINGLY, Conn. (WTNH) State police say K9s helped apprehended two men accused of crashing a stolen vehicle on Interstate 395 in Killingly on Saturday. Troopers responded to report of a motor vehicle accident on I-395 northbound near the Exit 37 off-ramp around 3:30 p.m. The initial report noted seeing three people in the vehicle flee into the woods. K9 tracks down 3 juveniles following Killingly crash Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Upon arrival, the troopers found the vehicle down an embankment about 20 yards off the roadway. Investigators determined the vehicle struck a metal beam guardrail and a directional sign before going off the roadway. The vehicle was also found to be reported stolen out of Worcester, Massachusetts. Two K9s helped troopers and Killingly police officers search for the individuals involved in the crash. Each K9 caught one person. Cedric Tolson and Jenay Busanet. A juvenile also believed involved was not located. Cedric Tolson, 18, of Worcester, Massachusetts and Jenay Busanet, 18, of Killingly both declined medical attention on scene after sustaining K9 bites during their apprehension. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 1 hospitalized after Killingly crash Both suspects were charged with interfering with an officer, larceny of a motor vehicle, and evading the scene of a motor vehicle accident. They were each issued $20,000 bonds and Tolson was released after posting it. Hes due in Danielson Superior Court on April 8. Tolson was held on bond awaiting a scheduled court appearance in Danielson Superior Court on March 24. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. (DC News Now) Fairfax County police said two teenagers were taken into custody after they allegedly stole guns from a store in Springfield early Monday morning. The teenagers, two of which are 16 years old, are facing serious charges and police say they are still searching for a third suspect. The Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD) told DC News Now that just before 1:30 a.m. on March 24, officers responded to Dominion Defense in the 7200 block of Fullerton Road for a burglary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wakefield Park in Annandale to undergo renovations On the scene, police learned that three people rammed into the front entrance of the gun store, and took several guns before driving away in a stolen Toyota Tundra before fleeing to Maryland. It seems like the key to being a thief in 2025 is utter brazenness, said Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis. The surveillance video shows three suspects breaking glass display cases inside the store and taking multiple firearms. These firearms are stolen because they are going to be used in criminal incidents, said Special Agent Anthony Spotswood with the ATF Washington Field Office. They are going to be used to harm people in our local communities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police say the suspects then drove away in a stolen car. Today multiple individuals thought it was a good idea to ram a vehicle into a federal firearms licenseea gun store and steal firearms. Let me be very clear, said Special Agent Spotswood. This is never a good idea. After an extensive search, officers successfully located the two people and took them into custody. Police also noted that thirteen stolen guns were found in the car, with eight guns still missing. On Monday morning, glass was shattered in front of the gun store, and police tape blocked off the entrance. (Ya-Marie Sesay/DC News Now) Police tape blocked off the Dominion Defense gun shop on Fullerton Road after a burglary on March 24. (Ya-Marie Sesay/DC News Now) Metro to open early for Cherry Blossom 5K, 10-mile run as thousands expected to attend Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fairfax County police are working closely with the Montgomery County Department of Police in the investigation. This is the third time the Dominion Defense gun shop has been broken into since September 2024, according to FCPD. Anyone with information about the burglary is asked to call 703-644-7377 option 2. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | DC, Virginia, Maryland News, Weather, Traffic, Sports Live. Two former Mexican police officers were arrested for alleged links to a suspected drug cartel training ground where bones, shoes and clothing were found earlier this month, authorities said. The "ranch of horror," as some local media called it, in the Izaguirre Ranch in Teuchitlan in the western state of Jalisco was first discovered in September 2024. Six months later, people searching for missing relatives found clothing and human remains, raising questions about the initial investigation, including a failure to search the site thoroughly. This photo released by the Jalisco State Attorney General's Office shows shoes at the Izaguirre Ranch where skeletal remains were also discovered in the municipality of Teuchitlan, Mexico, March 11, 2025. / Credit: Jalisco State Attorney General's Office via AP Attorney General Alejandro Gertz Manero, who took over the investigation last week, promised there would be no cover-up in the investigation, saying extensive evidence meant that the "truth will come out." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Sunday, the state attorney general's office said one of the former police officers arrested is accused of kidnapping a man who was held at the ranch. The former officer and colleagues detained the victim for a supposed search as he was riding a motorbike, before handing him over to a group who took him to the site, the statement added. Barricade tape set up by authorities cordons off the interior of Izaguirre Ranch during a tour for the press, days after skeletal remains were discovered on the premises, in Teuchitlan, Jalisco state, Mexico, March 20, 2025. / Credit: Alfredo Moya/AP The victim was later released from the ranch following an armed confrontation, the state attorney general's office said. Both ex-police officers belonged to a police department whose chief had already been detained. Some 124,000 people are officially registered as missing in Mexico, mostly since 2006 when the government declared war on drug cartels. This photo released by the Jalisco State Attorney General's Office shows investigators classifying objects found at the Izaguirre Ranch, where skeletal remains were discovered, in the municipality of Teuchitlan, Mexico, March 11, 2025. / Credit: AP Guerreros Buscadores, a so-called collective dedicated to locating missing people, discovered the human remains on March 5, sparking protests across Mexico. They described the site as an "extermination center" with "clandestine crematoriums." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The United Nations Human Rights Office earlier this month described the finding in Jalisco as a "deeply disturbing reminder of the trauma of disappearances linked to organized crime across the country." Multiple mass graves have been found in recent months in Mexico. In January, at least 56 bodies were discovered in unmarked mass graves in northern Mexico, not far from the border with the United States. A mass grave discovered last December in a suburb of Guadalajara with dozens of bags of dismembered body parts contained the remains of 24 people, authorities said. That same month, Mexican authorities said they recovered a total of 31 bodies from pits in Chiapas, a state plagued by cartel violence. 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" GLOBALink | Sino-S. Korean couple runs coffee business in China's Yunnan Pub Date:25-03-24 09:46 Source:Xinhua 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 Editor:Zheng Chen Related News GLOBALink | Chinese rice planting technolo... China's Hainan Airlines launches direct Os... Ancient Chinese Guqins on display in Budapest New Huizhou Merchants: Investing in Anhui In Antarctica, there is a small peak rising to 275 meters (900 feet) and named Mount Reina Sofia, after the queen emerita of Spain. On this sunny February morning, its white slopes seem as if a massacre has taken place here. Thats the pink snow! exclaims the biologist Jose Ignacio Garcia, making himself heard amid the cries of Antarctic terns, territorial birds that attack the intruders. Also known as watermelon snow or blood snow, this phenomenon is striking, beautiful even, yet alarming: microalgae, favored by climate change, are proliferating on the snow and turning it red. The immaculate white of Antarctica reflects almost all of the sunlight and returns it to space, but the growing pink surface absorbs more heat, accelerating melting. Warming generates more pink snow. And pink snow generates more warming. Garcia bends down to pick up a sample, which looks like a watermelon slushie. The algae that covers Mount Reina Sofia in patches is Sanguina nivaloides, a species first described in 2019. The meaning of its scientific name in Latin is eloquent: blood in the snow. Each creature has a single cell, about 20 thousandths of a millimeter in size, with a molecule inside that gives it its characteristic red color: astaxanthin, made up of 40 carbon atoms, 52 hydrogen atoms, and 4 oxygen atoms (CHO). Its the same pigment that produces the color of salmon, explains Garcia, from the University of the Basque Country in northern Spain. The synthetic version is the dye E161j, used in cosmetics and the food industry. A milliliter of melted snow contains thousands of algae. The blood snow is nothing new, as the Greek philosopher Aristotle noted more than 2,300 years ago in his History of Animals. Even in substances that seem less corruptible, living beings are born, as, for example, in old snow. Snow turns red after a certain time, he noted. The phenomenon, however, is now worrying the scientific community, especially in Antarctica. Mount Queen Sophia rises on remote Livingston Island, off the Antarctic Peninsula, the portion of the continent closest to South America. It is one of the regions most affected by climate change. Global temperatures have risen by an average of 1.1 degrees compared to pre-industrial levels, but here the increase has exceeded 3 degrees in just half a century. 'Sanguina nivaloides' microalgae under the microscope. UNIVERSIDAD DEL PAIS VASCO A study by the Chilean Antarctic Institute estimated four years ago that tiny algae cause the melting of more than two million tons of snow on the Antarctic Peninsula every southern summer. Lead author Raul Cordero, a climatologist, warns that this estimate, based on 2018 data, is already outdated. This figure could be much higher, he warns in an email. Although the algae are natural, their excessive proliferation is not. The biologist Jose Ignacio Garcia and his colleague Beatriz Fernandez are leading a Spanish project that is beginning to study pink snow in this corner of Antarctica. In recent years, numerous scientific groups have turned their attention to algal blooms in polar regions and in high mountain areas. Its not just the watermelon blood; snow patches of other colors are also emerging, caused by other types of algae. A team of Scottish researchers has just published their results on the neighboring Antarctic island of Robert: 20% of the analyzed surface was covered by various microalgae, with a dark purple hue generated by the species Ancylonema nordenskioeldii. The phenomenon is even visible from space. In 2019, a group from the University of Cambridge (United Kingdom) detected, using satellite images, nearly 1,700 green algae blooms on the Antarctic Peninsula, covering a total of two square kilometers. The statement issued at the time by the British institution was forceful: Climate change will cause the coast of Antarctica to turn green. Climatologist Raul Cordero emphasizes that the study only identified intense patches visible to the naked eye. His own team was at the Chilean Yelcho base on the Antarctic Peninsula in February, perfecting a technique to use drones to detect relatively low concentrations of microalgae. We believe their presence is much more abundant, he warns. Pink snow on the slopes of Mount Reina Sofia in Antarctica. Luis Manuel Rivas The team from the University of the Basque Country, whose other members are the biochemist Irati Arzac and the chemist Enara Alday, hiked to the summit of Mount Reina Sofia to collect samples of pink snow and to set up an experiment with mosses. From the summit, the sheer size of Livingston Island, covered in colossal ice, can be sensed. This is a legendary place. A Spanish warship with a crew of 644 disappeared in 1819 while sailing around Cape Horn en route to Peru. Some artifacts found on the coast of Livingston Island in the 19th century suggest that those sailors were, unwittingly, the first people to set foot in Antarctica, although they did not live to tell the tale. At Christmas 1986, four members of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) chose this island to establish the first Spanish Antarctic base, Juan Carlos I, funded by the Ministry of Science. Thats why the neighboring mountain is called Reina Sofia. The biologist Beatriz Fernandez scans the horizon from the summit. Antarctica is larger than Europe, she explains, but there are only two native plants: the Antarctic carnation and Antarctic grass. Ancient ice covers 98% of the continent. Antarctica is the coldest continent on the planet, but even more important for making life here difficult is the fact that its a desert. What little fresh water there is is almost always frozen, says Fernandez. Microalgae proliferate in the increasingly abundant coastal areas with temperatures well above zero during the southern hemisphere summer. American glaciologist Chad Greene of NASA summed it up with a resounding phrase: The edges of Antarctica are crumbling like a cookie. An international team of scientists issued a call for action on February 6 in the journal Science. The researchersled by the biogeographer Luis R. Pertierra of the National Museum of Natural Sciences in Madridwarned that much is known about penguins and seals, but very little about the rest of Antarctic life, such as microalgae and other microorganisms, which hinders our understanding of the continents ecological processes. The authors, including biologist Antonio Quesada, head of the Spanish Polar Committee, urged research into these unknown creatures, capable of triggering phenomena as disturbing as blood snow. The astrophysicist Kike Diez, assisted by the guides Inaki Zuza and Josito Fernandez, on a glacier on Livingston Island. Luis Manuel Rivas The astrophysicist Kike Diez, from the University of Oviedo, has participated in the discovery of more than 50 exoplanets, worlds orbiting stars other than the Sun. In Antarctica, his mission is more risky. Tethered to the high-altitude guides Inaki Zuza and Josito Fernandez to avoid falling down a crevasse, he explores the glaciers of Livingston Island to precisely measure the albedo, the technical term for the percentage of sunlight reflected off a surface. Diez carries two cumbersome radiometers in his backpack: one measures the solar radiation arriving from the sky and the other one calculates the amount of reflected light that bounces off the ground. The percentage of reflected light depends on the state of the snow and its impurities, including microalgae. The blood snow reduces albedo by 20%, according to previous studies. Green snow reduces it by up to 40%. Its a feedback loop effect, the astrophysicist laments. As the Earths temperature rises, expanses of ice like this one retreat. So, the Earths ability to reflect incident light diminishes, and the temperature rises. And these expanses keep retreating. Its a vicious circle, he warns. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Another former Georgia teacher has been arrested for allegedly having a sexual relationship with a student. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] On Monday, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation announced the arrest of Sherri Delle Mauldin, 60, of Buckhead, Greene County. Mauldin, who was formerly employed at Nathanael Greene Academy, is the second teacher arrested in connection to an ongoing investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the GBI, Mauldin had engaged in sexual contact with a student while employed as a teacher at Nathanael Greene. TRENDING STORIES: On Friday, the GBI arrested Bonnie Elizabeth Brown, 25, of White Plains, Greene County. Browns arrest stems from an investigation that began June 14, 2024. The Greene County Sheriffs Office asked the GBI to investigate allegations of sexual contact between a student and a former Nathanael Greene Academy teacher. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The GBI said the investigation confirmed that Brown had engaged in sexual contact with a student while she was a teacher at the academy. Brown was teaching in Wilkes County before the arrest, officials said. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Mauldin was charged with improper sexual contact by an employee, agent, or foster parent, aggravated child molestation, and statutory rape. Brown was charged with improper sexual contact by an employee, agent or foster parent. They were booked into the Greene County Jail. The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information can call the GCSO at 706-453-3351 or the GBI regional investigative office in Milledgeville at 478-445-4173. DOUGLAS COUNTY, Colo. (KDVR) Two teenagers were rescued this weekend with the help of drones after getting lost on a hike at Roxborough State Park. Douglas County Search and Rescue, Colorado Parks and Wildlife and other agencies were called to Roxborough State Park around 8:30 p.m. Saturday. Two teenagers called 911 after getting lost near Carpenter Peak. Northglenn police, Stuckey Elementary students forge bonds through paint Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We had an idea of where the lost children were. They actually did an excellent job. They stayed put after calling 911, which makes our job a lot easier, said drone lead Darren Keralla of DCSAR. Got dark quick, we had weather rolling in and it was getting pretty windy so they hunkered down. Keralla fired up the drone as on-foot crews began to ascend toward the teenagers. He quickly found the pair on the drone, who could be seen flashing a light while taking shelter under trees. Some of our challenges were the high winds. Knowing a general area of where our subjects were helped, but once we were able to get the drone on top of them, verify their location using lat/long, we can really streamline the rescue coordination from there, said Keralla. Douglas County Search and Rescue shared this image from a drone showing the rescue work after two teens were stuck in Roxborough State Park on Saturday. (Courtesy Douglas County Search and Rescue) Douglas County Search and Rescue shared this image from a drone showing the rescue work after two teens were stuck in Roxborough State Park on Saturday. (Courtesy Douglas County Search and Rescue) BlackHot Douglas County Search and Rescue shared this image from a drone showing the rescue work after two teens were stuck in Roxborough State Park on Saturday. (Courtesy Douglas County Search and Rescue) For the first time ever, DCSAR said a family member was able to communicate with another family member through the drones speaker. One of the teenagers dads was able to talk to his son directly on scene. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement From their standpoint, here they are lost in the wilderness, you know, you could hear dad coming over the speaker with some positive words of encouragement. I think it really uplifted their spirits, said Keralla. We cant receive audio but we typically ask them if youre okay, give me a thumbs up, and theyll respond with a thumbs up. We can interpret a lot from their motions and what theyre communicating back to us physically. Crews were eventually able to meet up with the pair and walk them safely back down, with the help of a light shining down from the drone. The whole operation took about two and a half hours. Denver weather: Extended warmth and sunshine as April approaches I have to credit our missing kids because they had a plan in place with their parents where if they were not back by a certain time, the parents would call for help and that is how this all played out, said Keralla. Roxborough is hilly, rocky and its bigger Id say than most state parks that were within range of. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DCSAR is reminding all hikers to bring the essentials with them while hiking, be educated on the area and wear bright colors so if you need to be rescued, rescue workers can find you. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WFLA) Two people were injured after shooting at one another on Sunday. According to the Pinellas County Sheriffs Office, the incident occurred on 52nd Avenue North in Lealman. Deputies said one person sustained severe injuries while the other suffered non-life-threatening injuries and is expected to recover. No further information is available. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) The South Dakota Department of Public Safety says a 21-year-old man died after receiving injuries from a two-vehicle crash from Thursday, March 20, near Lennox, SD. DPS says names wont be released until all family members have been notified. Federal judge will not overturn Piper death penalty According to preliminary crash reports, the 21-year-old man was driving eastbound on U.S. Highway 18, near Lennox, and drifted into the westbound lane, colliding with an oncoming semi. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The driver and passenger of the semi were not injured. The semi was hauling farming equipment. DPS says the Viborg man was airlifted to a Sioux Falls hospital, and passed away on Saturday, March 22. The South Dakota Highway Patrol continues to investigate 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 KELOLAND.com. San Francisco-based genetic testing firm 23andMe on Sunday announced that it has filed for bankruptcy, leaving customers wondering what will happen to their data and whether they can protect it or even delete it. The company explained Sunday in a press release that it has entered a voluntary Chapter 11 restructuring and sale process, saying it intends to continue operations as normal, with no changes to how it stores, manages or protects customer data. The company also addressed data concerns in an open letter to customers posted Sunday on its blog. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We remain committed to our users privacy and to being transparent with our customers about how their data is managed, the company said. Any buyer of 23andMe will be required to comply with applicable law with respect to the treatment of customer data. 23andMe conducted ancestry DNR tests for customers, but MSU Extension notes DNA can be used for such things as paternity, genetic disease detection and other reasons. Company faced lawsuits after 2023 data breach The company has been dealing with a wave of lawsuits after the personal data of about 7 million customers was accessed by hackers in 2023, compromising data in nearly 6.9 million DNA Relatives and Family Tree profiles. Leaked data included users' account information, location, ancestry reports, DNA matches, family names, profile pictures, birthdates and more. Does the company privacy agreement protect me? The companys privacy statement covers personal information transferred to a new owner after the sale, but "the new entity could simply change the terms of service, including the privacy statement, and people might agree to it without reading these lengthy documents," said Sara Gerke, associate professor of law at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and lead author of the Journal article. "Customers need to be proactive now and be aware of this issue until Congress intervenes to address this problem at the federal level." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The company's consumer agreements offer little comfort, the authors wrote, as the company reserves the right to transfer customer data in the event of sale or bankruptcy, and customers cant fully protect their data from being accessed, sold or transferred as part of that transaction. Treated as 'customers' not patients The genetic and self-reported data, including saliva samples and questionnaires, held by such companies represent some of peoples most guarded information, including family history and health-related data. But such companies arent covered under Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act requirements, the authors of the Journal article said. From a legal standpoint, people therefore interact with the company as consumers, not patients, they wrote. While the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act prevents discriminatory use of such information by employers and health insurers, it doesnt cover uses by other parties, nor does it prevent companies like 23andMe from selling peoples data. Customers can have their data deleted On March 21, California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued a consumer alert to the state's 23andMe customers given the companys financial distress, reminding them of their right to have their genetic data deleted. 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. How can you delete your genetic data from 23andme? 23andme said it is "committed to continuing to safeguard customer dataand being transparent about the management of user data going forward, and data privacy will be an important consideration in any potential transaction. Bonta, who sent out a "consumer alertfor 23andme customers," outlined these steps to delete your genetic data from 23andme: Log into your 23andMe account on its 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The company said the data is deleted once a user submits and confirms the request. Does 23andme delete all your personal information? According to the 23andme's website, while users can remove their personal information anytime by opting out of the 23andMe data section of account settings, the company is legally required to retain certain information. "23andMe and/or our contracted genotyping laboratory will retain your Genetic Information, date of birth and sex as required for compliance with applicable legal obligations... even if you chose to delete your account," the company's privacy statement said. Can you ask 23andme to destroy the test sample you sent? "If you previously opted to have your saliva sample and DNA stored by 23andMe, but want to change that preference, you can do so from your account settings page, under Preferences," according to California's attorney general. This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: 23andMe bankruptcy: Is customer genetic data safe in Michigan? Ancestry and genetics-testing company 23andMe filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection over the weekend This news comes as CEO and co-founder Anne Wojcicki announced her resignation, according to Reuters. She will immediately be replaced by Chief Financial and Accounting Officer Joe Selsavage as interim chief executive. We have had many successes but I equally take accountability for the challenges we have today, Wojcicki wrote in a post on X Monday morning. There is no doubt that the challenges faced by 23andMe through an evolving business model have been real, but my belief in the company and its future is unwavering. What is Chapter 11 bankruptcy? According to the United States Courts, Chapter 11 bankruptcy is frequently referred to as a "reorganization" bankruptcy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Usually, the debtor remains 'in possession,' has the powers and duties of a trustee, may continue to operate its business, and may, with court approval, borrow new money," the website states. "A plan of reorganization is proposed, creditors whose rights are affected may vote on the plan, and the plan may be confirmed by the court if it gets the required votes and satisfies certain legal requirements." Can you delete your data? 23andme files for bankruptcy. What to know The company is seeking authorization from the Court to commence a process to sell substantially all of its assets through a Chapter 11 plan, according to Section 363 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. If approved by the Court, the company, with the assistance of an independent investment banker, would actively solicit qualified bids over a 45-day process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Any buyer will be required to comply with applicable law with respect to the treatment of customer data and any transaction will be subject to customary regulatory approvals, including, as applicable, approvals under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act and the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States," the company said in its statement. Why is 23andMe filing for bankruptcy? What's happening with 23&Me? According to reports, the company has been struggling to stay afloat over the last few years. The Verge reported 23andMe went public in 2021, valued at $6 billion but has never turned a profit. 23andMe had a data breach back in 2023 that led to 6.9 million profiles being accessible. The leaked data contained users' account information, location, ancestry reports, DNA matches, family names, profile pictures and birthdates. Following a class-action lawsuit, the company agreed to pay a $30 million settlement, which did not include any claims of wrongdoing by the company in this incident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most recently in November 2024, officials announced it was cutting 40% of its workforce. After a thorough evaluation of strategic alternatives, we have determined that a court-supervised sale process is the best path forward to maximize the value of the business, Mark Jensen, chair and member of the Special Committee of the Board of Directors said in a statement. We expect the court-supervised process will advance our efforts to address the operational and financial challenges we face, including further cost reductions and the resolution of legal and leasehold liabilities. We believe in the value of our people and our assets and hope that this process allows our mission of helping people access, understand and benefit from the human genome to live on for the benefit of customers and patients. California AG issues consumer alert for 23andMe California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued a consumer alert to customers of 23andMe due to the amont of sensitive consumer data 23andMe has amassed. 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. What will happen to those who have already submitted their DNA to 23andMe? According to an open letter from 23andMe, it states the Chapter 11 filing does not change how they store, manage, or protect customer data. "Our users privacy and data are important considerations in any transaction, and we remain committed to our users privacy and to being transparent with our customers about how their data is managed. Any buyer of 23andMe will be required to comply with applicable law with respect to the treatment of customer data." It also notes that its orders and subscriptions will continue as normal, and any purchases or genetic testing kits sent in for processing will be handled without disruption. How to delete your data from 23andMe According to the 23andMe website, users can remove their personal information anytime by opting out of the 23andMe data section of account settings. You can follow these steps: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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 company says the data is deleted once a user submits and confirms the request. However, per the privacy statement, 23andMe is legally required to retain certain information. "23andMe and/or our contracted genotyping laboratory will retain your Genetic Information, date of birth and sex as required for compliance with applicable legal obligations even if you choose to delete your account," the company's privacy statement says. USA TODAY contributed to this report. This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: 23andMe, deleting data after bankruptcy. Seeing your statement Almost one of every four employees in Germany works at least part- time from home, a survey published on Monday showed. That's despite measures by some employers to encourage staff to return to the office after the end of the coronavirus pandemic. The study, by the Munich-based ifo Institute, showed that in February, the number of people working from home in Germany was 24.5% of employees, up from 23.4% in August 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The figure is basically unchanged since April 2022. "We see no evidence in the data that working from home is on the decline," said ifo researcher Jean-Victor Alipour. "Working from home has become firmly established." "Individual initiatives by companies to bring their employees back to the office do not constitute a statistically recognizable trend," he added. According to the survey, employees in the service sector are most likely to be able to work from home, at 34.3%, ahead of manufacturing on 16.9%. In contrast, only 4.6% of workers in the construction industry work from home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Studies in the United States have shown that companies facing economic pressure are increasingly restricting the right to work from home. "Such measures can also encourage voluntary redundancies," said Alipour. The institute's research suggests that hybrid home office models - a combination of working from home and in the office - generally do not impair productivity, especially if employees coordinate on the days they spend at work. D.J. Lehrhaupt for Outright International NYC Lesbians Unite Rally UN Dag Hammarskjold Plaza organized by Outright International On March 14, queer activists gathered at Dag Hammarskjold Plaza in NYC to reclaim a powerful legacy the iconic "Lesbian Tent." First created nearly 30 years ago at the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing, the Tent is considered a "physical representation of [the] demand for visibility, equality, and justice on the global stage." As governments worldwide continue to attack LGBTQ+ rights, those demands are just as important as ever. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This explicitly inclusive demonstration organized by Outright International and the LBTI Caucus echoed the demands of past generations while looking towards the future. Keep scrolling for images of resilience, solidarity, and joy, all of which serve as a reminder to the world that LGBTQ+ rights are non-negotiable. NYC Lesbians Unite Rally UN Dag Hammarskjold Plaza organized by Outright International D.J. Lehrhaupt for Outright International NYC Lesbians Unite Rally UN Dag Hammarskjold Plaza organized by Outright International The protest was organized by Outright International a nonprofit organization that works around the world to fight for and strengthen LGBTQ+ human rights. NYC Lesbians Unite Rally UN Dag Hammarskjold Plaza organized by Outright International D.J. Lehrhaupt for Outright International Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement NYC Lesbians Unite Rally UN Dag Hammarskjold Plaza organized by Outright International These photos are an inspiring reminder of the power of queer folks when we stand together in solidarity. NYC Lesbians Unite Rally UN Dag Hammarskjold Plaza organized by Outright International D.J. Lehrhaupt for Outright International NYC Lesbians Unite Rally UN Dag Hammarskjold Plaza organized by Outright International Looking for ways to get involved? Here's a list of organizations and resources. NYC Lesbians Unite Rally UN Dag Hammarskjold Plaza organized by Outright International D.J. Lehrhaupt for Outright International TK CAPTION - see above Want to give back? Here are 26 organizations fighting Donald Trump that you can donate to. NYC Lesbians Unite Rally UN Dag Hammarskjold Plaza organized by Outright International D.J. Lehrhaupt for Outright International TK CAPTION - see above Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The protest was organized by Outright International a nonprofit organization that works around the world to fight for and strengthen LGBTQ+ human rights. NYC Lesbians Unite Rally UN Dag Hammarskjold Plaza organized by Outright International D.J. Lehrhaupt for Outright International TK CAPTION - see above These photos are an inspiring reminder of the power of queer folks when we stand together in solidarity. NYC Lesbians Unite Rally UN Dag Hammarskjold Plaza organized by Outright International D.J. Lehrhaupt for Outright International TK CAPTION - see above Looking for ways to get involved? Here's a list of organizations and resources. NYC Lesbians Unite Rally UN Dag Hammarskjold Plaza organized by Outright International D.J. Lehrhaupt for Outright International TK CAPTION - see above Want to give back? Here are 26 organizations fighting Donald Trump that you can donate to. NYC Lesbians Unite Rally UN Dag Hammarskjold Plaza organized by Outright International Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement D.J. Lehrhaupt for Outright International TK CAPTION - see above The protest was organized by Outright International a nonprofit organization that works around the world to fight for and strengthen LGBTQ+ human rights. NYC Lesbians Unite Rally UN Dag Hammarskjold Plaza organized by Outright International D.J. Lehrhaupt for Outright International TK CAPTION - see above These photos are an inspiring reminder of the power of queer folks when we stand together in solidarity. NYC Lesbians Unite Rally UN Dag Hammarskjold Plaza organized by Outright International D.J. Lehrhaupt for Outright International TK CAPTION - see above Looking for ways to get involved? Here's a list of organizations and resources. NYC Lesbians Unite Rally UN Dag Hammarskjold Plaza organized by Outright International D.J. Lehrhaupt for Outright International TK CAPTION - see above Want to give back? Here are 26 organizations fighting Donald Trump that you can donate to. NYC Lesbians Unite Rally UN Dag Hammarskjold Plaza organized by Outright International Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement D.J. Lehrhaupt for Outright International TK CAPTION - see above The protest was organized by Outright International a nonprofit organization that works around the world to fight for and strengthen LGBTQ+ human rights. NYC Lesbians Unite Rally UN Dag Hammarskjold Plaza organized by Outright International D.J. Lehrhaupt for Outright International TK CAPTION - see above These photos are an inspiring reminder of the power of queer folks when we stand together in solidarity. NYC Lesbians Unite Rally UN Dag Hammarskjold Plaza organized by Outright International D.J. Lehrhaupt for Outright International TK CAPTION - see above Looking for ways to get involved? Here's a list of organizations and resources. NYC Lesbians Unite Rally UN Dag Hammarskjold Plaza organized by Outright International D.J. Lehrhaupt for Outright International TK CAPTION - see above Want to give back? Here are 26 organizations fighting Donald Trump that you can donate to. NYC Lesbians Unite Rally UN Dag Hammarskjold Plaza organized by Outright International Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement D.J. Lehrhaupt for Outright International TK CAPTION - see above The protest was organized by Outright International a nonprofit organization that works around the world to fight for and strengthen LGBTQ+ human rights. NYC Lesbians Unite Rally UN Dag Hammarskjold Plaza organized by Outright International D.J. Lehrhaupt for Outright International TK CAPTION - see above These photos are an inspiring reminder of the power of queer folks when we stand together in solidarity. NYC Lesbians Unite Rally UN Dag Hammarskjold Plaza organized by Outright International D.J. Lehrhaupt for Outright International TK CAPTION - see above Looking for ways to get involved? Here's a list of organizations and resources. NYC Lesbians Unite Rally UN Dag Hammarskjold Plaza organized by Outright International D.J. Lehrhaupt for Outright International TK CAPTION - see above Want to give back? Here are 26 organizations fighting Donald Trump that you can donate to. NYC Lesbians Unite Rally UN Dag Hammarskjold Plaza organized by Outright International Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement D.J. Lehrhaupt for Outright International TK CAPTION - see above The protest was organized by Outright International a nonprofit organization that works around the world to fight for and strengthen LGBTQ+ human rights. NYC Lesbians Unite Rally UN Dag Hammarskjold Plaza organized by Outright International D.J. Lehrhaupt for Outright International TK CAPTION - see above These photos are an inspiring reminder of the power of queer folks when we stand together in solidarity. NYC Lesbians Unite Rally UN Dag Hammarskjold Plaza organized by Outright International D.J. Lehrhaupt for Outright International TK CAPTION - see above Looking for ways to get involved? Here's a list of organizations and resources. NYC Lesbians Unite Rally UN Dag Hammarskjold Plaza organized by Outright International D.J. Lehrhaupt for Outright International TK CAPTION - see above Want to give back? Here are 26 organizations fighting Donald Trump that you can donate to. DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) An annual blood drive will be held next month to honor a fallen Centerville police officer. The Centerville Police Department will host its 28th annual Officer John P. Kalaman Memorial Blood Drive on April 28. In Jan. 1998, Kalaman and Washington Township Firefighter Robert OToole were killed after being struck by a vehicle during their response to a crash on I-675. The blood drive will take place at the Centerville Police Department from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Appointments are encouraged, but not required. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To schedule an appointment call 800-388-GIVE, visit Versiti Daytons website or schedule through the app. Over 4,500 units of blood have been donated in Kalamans honor since 1998. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. In the 1930s, Iowa City went all in on the literary game in its fight to stand out in the vast national imaginary. And so it was that its writers workshop became a legendary place in American literature and home to greats like Marilynne Robinson and John Cheever. This fame later crossed borders thanks to its international program, which began 58 years ago, inviting foreign authors to spend the fall and write there. There have been 1,625 in total, from 160 countries. Among them, three Nobel Prize winners: Turkeys Orhan Pamuk, Chinas Mo Yan, and, most recently, Koreas Hang Kang. At the end of February, the State Department decided to end its nearly $1 million grant to a program that helped Iowa City achieve UNESCO City of Literature status. The Trump administration doesnt think were America First enough, lamented Christopher Merrill, director of the International Writing Program (IWP) for 25 years, in a downtown cafe three weeks ago. Its an insignificant loss in a sea of more significant cuts, but it seems to me to indicate that Trump has decided to give up on cultural diplomacy and soft power, or, as [former Secretary of State] Hillary Clinton called it, smart power. Merrill was referring to the term coined in the 1990s by Harvard professor Joseph Nye to describe the type of power that complements military and economic power and which the U.S. has wielded along with hard power, which has included invasions, support for coups and funding guerrillas since the end of World War II. The ability to influence foreign countries and win over people through the tools of seduction. Barack Obama in 2010, when he was president, at the Prairie Lights bookstore in Iowa City. SAUL LOEB (AFP via Getty Images) A nations soft power is based on its culture, its values, and its policies, as long as others consider them legitimate, Nye wrote a couple of weeks ago in a Financial Times article whose headline reached the same conclusion as Merrill. According to him, Trump has a truncated view of power, limited to coercion and transactions. How else can one explain his bullying of Denmark over Greenland, his threats to Panama, which outrage Latin America, or his siding with Vladimir Putin over Ukraine, which weakens seven decades of NATO alliance not to mention his dismantlement of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) that John F. Kennedy created? All undercut American soft power. Nye, who had already warned that something like this could happen in an interview with this newspaper prior to the elections, wrote his article before the new administrations latest blows to the doctrine that he gave a name to: shuttering the Voice of America (VOA) radio station and the announcement of the closure of the U.S. Institute of Peace (USIP), a congressionally funded research lab for conflict resolution. View of Voice of America headquarters in Washington this week. Annabelle Gordon (REUTERS) The start of the process to dismantle VOA, which includes the suspension of Radio Free Europe, serving Central and Eastern Europe, and Radio Free Asia, focused on Asia, as well as Marti Noticias, which broadcasts in Cuba, began last Saturday with an email sent by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), headed by Elon Musk, to some 1,300 journalists. The email informed them that they were being placed on paid leave until further notice, thus ending 80 years of reporting (and exerting influence) in countries, many of them authoritarian, where reliable sources of information are scarce. Authorities in Russia, China, and Iran, eager to fill VOAs gap, have welcomed Trumps decision to shut down an outlet founded in 1942 to spread democratic ideas in Nazi Germany. In conversations this week with some of those workers, who spoke on condition of anonymity, they described practices similar to those suffered by tens of thousands of employees fired by DOGE: emails sent on a day when there was no way to react, accounts suddenly deactivated, personal information lost, and being barred from entering the building that houses the media outlet in Washington. One of them complained about the Kafkaesque nature of the fact that, even if he receives a job offer, he wont be able to accept it because, technically, he isnt fired and doesnt know who to contact in order to get properly fired. Another said she saw only one option: Quit journalism. On Friday, a group of them, along with Reporters Without Borders, filed a lawsuit against the government and against Kari Lake, the failed Republican Senate candidate whom Trump chose to head VOA. Rotten fish In an interview with the right-wing outlet Newsmax earlier this week, Lake described the VOA as like having a rotten fish and trying to find a portion that you can eat. In a post on social media platform X, she later elaborated on how VOA is a giant rot and burden to the American taxpayer a national security risk for this nation and irretrievably broken. The White House published a text to go with the shutdown decree, which mainstream U.S. media have framed as part of Trumps campaign to undermine the freedom of the press that is critical of him. Titled The Voice of Radical America, it details reasons for its dismantling, such as the publication after George Floyds murder of an article entitled What Is White Privilege and Whom Does It Help? or the 2019 broadcast of a program about transgender migrants seeking asylum in the United States. While VOA, which had an enviable budget of $267.5 million, is designed to be shielded from the intervention of whoever is in the White House at any given time, its current tenant hasnt even attempted to intervene in its editorial line to spread the MAGA ideology around the world. Perhaps that is because he relies on other media, such as X, a platform owned by Elon Musk, or in further evidence of his scant interest in the more or less subtle weapons of soft power. Be that as it may, it hasnt exactly come as a surprise: Trump already demonstrated this lack of faith with the temporary freeze on funding for graduate studies on Fulbright scholarships, a program created in 1946 to promote exchanges between American and international university graduates, leaving thousands of participants, both American and foreign-born, unsure whether they will be able to complete their academic year. But above all, with the closure, early in his second term, of USAID, which carried out humanitarian aid programs in developing countries and in conflict zones where the United States image will be affected for obvious reasons. Demonstration in Washington on February 3 against the closure of USAID. Kent Nishimura (REUTERS) There was always a moral justification behind that cooperation, but also other interests, summarized in 2017 by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, then a senator: I promise you it is going to be a lot harder to recruit someone to anti-Americanism and anti-American terrorism if the United States of America is the reason one is even alive today. As with so many other things involving Trump, Rubio has also changed his mind during this time. In the insignificant case of the International Writing Program, Merrill recalls that the effects will be felt in Iowa City, where 90% of the IWP money was spent in local businesses. The announcement will also have repercussions for Spanish-language literature: dozens of authors have passed through the IWP, going back to the Chilean writer Jose Donoso whose papers are housed at the citys university in the 1960s. Dvd 986 31.01.20 Brenda Navarro, escritora. foto: santi burgos One of the latest participants, Mexicos Brenda Navarro, lamented the news this week, saying it was devastating in terms of the literary community. For Iowa, which is losing part of its richness as a city of literature, and also on a personal level, she noted. For me, Navarro confessed: the IWP represented a paradigm shift in my understanding of literary creation around the world, since you find yourself in a space where, in addition to having time to write, you hear about the challenges and successes that exist around literature, [and] you generate shared knowledge and networks that last a lifetime. Its clear that in Trumps America, those relationships, which contributed to intangibles like the dissemination of the American narrative abroad, no longer count as much. A new era of cultural diplomacy has begun. And perhaps nothing better symbolizes this new dawn than a visit to the Voice of America website, whose front page is still, to dystopian effect, frozen in the news from a couple of Saturdays ago. Its journalists didnt even have time to publish a final news report about their own end. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Mar. 24Authorities say they rescued an adult pilot and two juvenile passengers from a plane originally reported missing late Sunday and located Monday morning. A pilot and his daughters were in the Piper PA-12 Super Cruiser when it became clear they were overdue Sunday, according to family members. The Alaska State Troopers in an update Monday said a good Samaritan plane found the aircraft near the eastern side of Tustumena Lake on Monday morning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Alaska Army National Guard rescued the pilot and two passengers at about 10:30 a.m., troopers said. They were taken to a hospital for treatment of injuries described as not life-threatening. One passenger is elementary aged and the other is a middle schooler, according to a troopers spokesman. The three were spotted on top of the plane's wing after it went through soft ice while landing, according to a family member. Troopers initially said they received a report of the overdue plane at about 10:30 p.m. The agency described the plane's estimated location as Tustumena Lake and the Kenai Mountains east of Homer. The Rescue Coordination Center and a Coast Guard AC-130 assisted in the search. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation announced Monday that remains from a homicide investigation in 1986 have been identified. Along with the help of federal agents, the GBI said the remains found in Gilmer County belong to homicide victim David Clary. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Hunters found Clarys body on Aug. 9, 1986 in woods south of Ellijay. After officials investigated numerous leads, the GBI and Gilmer County sheriffs Office at first failed to identify the remains. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Then, in Feb. 2024, the GBI said they partnered with the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council and Othram, Inc to use advanced DNA testing to examine the remains, leading to Clarys identification. TRENDING STORIES: Based on the DNA, a genealogical search by the investigative team, including Othram, GBI intelligence analysts, FBI Atlanta and FBI Atlantas Gainesville Resident Agency produced leads that led to David Clarys identification. FBI Portland helped with interviews and testing during the process, the GBI said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now that hes been identified, the GBI is continuing its investigation. The agency said Clary grew up in Charlotte, N.C. and at the time of his death, he made frequent trips to metro Atlanta and north Georgia. He was last seen in Gwinnett County, according to the GBI. Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact the GBI Regional Investigative Office in Cleveland at 706-348-4866, the GBI Cold Case Unit at 404 239-2106 or the Gilmer County Sheriffs Office at 706 635-4646. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] At least four people were killed and 13 others injured in Russian attacks across Ukraine over the past day, regional officials reported on March 24. Ukraine's air defenses intercepted 57 of the 99 Russian drones launched overnight, including Shahed-type attack drones. Another 36 drones reportedly disappeared from radars before reaching their targets, likely acting as decoys to overwhelm Ukraine's air defenses. Ukrainian anti-aircraft missile units, electronic warfare systems, aviation, and mobile fire groups repelled the attack. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Donetsk Oblast, two residents were killed one in Pokrovsk and another in the village of Donetske. Two others were injured, Governor Vadym Filashkin said. In Sumy Oblast, Russian attacks killed two civilians, wounded another, destroyed a house, and damaged an educational institution, the regional military administration reported. A 25-year-old pregnant woman and a 25-year-old man suffered blast injuries from a Russian drone attack in Kharkiv Oblast. Both were hospitalized, Governor Oleh Syniehubov said. A 55-year-old man was also injured by a drone strike in the region and was hospitalized with a blast wound. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Kherson Oblast, four people were injured as Russian forces attacked critical and social infrastructure, hitting residential areas. The attacks damaged a high-rise building and 25 houses, Governor Oleksandr Prokudin reported. In Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, a 35-year-old man was injured in a Russian attack. The strike also damaged a medical facility, a kindergarten, an administrative building, an industrial enterprise, three apartment buildings, and a car, Governor Serhii Lysak said. A 37-year-old man sustained superficial shrapnel wounds to the abdomen, chest, thighs, and head in a Russian attack on Kyiv Oblast, Governor Mykola Kalashnyk reported. A woman was also injured in a Russian attack on the city of Zaporizhzhia, Zaporizhzhia Oblast Governor Ivan Fedorov said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read also: Returning abducted Ukrainian children confidence building measure, Waltz says amid peace talks Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The revelation that the nations top security officials accidentally shared war plans with a journalist on Signal shocked Washington on Monday, even before people knew what was in them. The chat, set up by national security adviser Mike Waltz which mistakenly included The Atlantic editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg laid out the Trump administrations thinking on whether to bomb the Houthis, a Yemen-based militant group that has targeted commercial shipping in the Red Sea. But the texts also included dissenting views rarely voiced in public and a flippant disregard for classified information. Here are some of the biggest takeaways: Vance pushed back against bombing the Houthis. Vice President JD Vance appeared hesitant to move forward with a bombing campaign against the Iran-backed group. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are making a mistake, in bombing the Houthis, he said, since Europe relies on Red Sea trade more than the U.S. does. 3 percent of US trade runs through the [Suez Canal]. 40 percent of European trade does, he said. There is a real risk that the public doesnt understand this or why its necessary. Trumps vice president doesnt think he gets it. Vance also suggested the president didnt fully understand the stakes or the messaging in a bombing campaign against the Houthis. I am not sure the president is aware how inconsistent this is with his message on Europe right now, Vance said, expressing concern that the strikes would drive up the cost of oil. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres a further risk that we see a moderate to severe spike in oil prices, he said. I am willing to support the consensus of the team and keep these concerns to myself. But there is a strong argument for delaying this a month, doing the messaging work on why this matters, seeing where the economy is, etc. National security leaders likely shared classified information. CIA chief John Ratcliffe or someone on his staff using his name texted the Signal chat information that Goldberg refused to print saying it contained information that might be interpreted as related to actual and current intelligence operations. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also shared with the group other likely classified information. The Hegseth post contained operational details of forthcoming strikes on Yemen, including information about targets, weapons the U.S. would be deploying, and attack sequencing," Goldberg said. The administration has feelings about Europe. Vance and Hegseth were clear about their dislike of European allies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I just hate bailing Europe out again, Vance texted. The Red Sea, where the Houthis have been attacking commercial shipping, carries more European goods than it does for the U.S. market. I fully share your loathing of European free-loading. Its PATHETIC, Hegseth responded, showing that the administrations rejection of some of Americas closest allies isnt just for show. They did not mention that the U.K. is using its aerial refueling planes to help keep U.S. jets in the air over Yemen. The U.K., France and other NATO allies also have warships in the Red Sea escorting commercial ships and shooting down Houthi drones and missiles. Let loose the emojis of war. Waltz responded to the initial successful bombing runs, according to Goldberg, with three emoji: a fist, an American flag, and fire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Secretary of State Marco Rubio and White House chief of staff Susie Wiles voiced messages of support, he said. Steve Witkoff, the Middle East special envoy, responded with five emoji: two hands-praying, a flexed bicep, and two American flags. Vance responded to Hegseths updates about the bombs with, I will say a prayer for victory. Two others added prayer emojis. A 52-year-old hiker was rescued on Friday after being in distress on a New Hampshire mountain. According to NH Fish and Game on Friday March 21st around 8:45 a.m., officers were made aware of a hiker in distress off the Twinway Trail between Mount Guyot and South Twin Mountain. The hiker was able to text 911 from his phopne reporting that he had lost the trail and was in deep snow without snowshoes and that his phone was dying. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The hiker was able to set up a shelter but would need navigational assistance to find the trail. The hiker was located in a remote section of the Pemi Wilderness and it was determined the best access would be from Gale River Road in Bethlehem, even though it would be a 6.5 mile hike. As Conservation Officers and volunteers from Pemi Valley Search and Rescue Team responded to the area, a call was made to the NH Army National Guard to see if they would be able to transport rescuers closer to the area or locate the hiker and fly him off the mountain. Two Conservation Officers and two Pemi SAR volunteers started off from Gale River Road and by 1:00 p.m. the NH Army National Guard was able to fly to Cannon Mountain Ski area where they staged hoping for the clouds to lift. Around 4 p.m. the NH Army National Guard returned to Concord as the weather had not improved above 3000 feet. At 5:20 p.m. the first rescuers arrived with the hiker who was located a short distance south of the Twinway Trail. His gear was packed and he was provided with snowshoes. There the hiker was identified as 52-year-old Gary Sullivan of Acton, Massachusetts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sullivan was prepared for a two-day excursion and had a tent, sleeping bag, extra clothing, traction devices, food, water, the ten essentials, and even a Hike Safe card. The only item he lacked that would have proven helpful was a pair of snowshoes. Sullivan was extremely grateful for the assistance provided and for the attempt by the NH Army National Guard. 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 OpenAIs release of ChatGPT in November 2022 spurred a race to develop advanced generative artificial intelligence models one that has seen some companies shell out tens of billions of dollars on AI infrastructure. But thats not the only place major spending is happening. Since then, the U.S. government has paid companies $700 million for AI-enabled defense and security, according to an analysis by Fortune in November. Before ChatGPT came out, the Defense Department was already working on more than 685 AI projects, according to C4ISRNET. Tech companies working with U.S. defense and intelligence agencies isnt new some semiconductor companies worked with the U.S. government at the start, for example. However, some tech companies shifted away from working with the U.S. government as the focus shifted more to consumers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, some AI companies are getting closer to the federal government forming partnerships to provide defense and intelligence agencies with AI in the name of national security. Here are just a few ways AI companies are working with the U.S. government. Project Maven Google office on January 9, 2024 in New York City. - Photo: Michael M. Santiago (Getty Images) In 2017, the Pentagon established an AI program called Project Maven for processing drone footage to find potential drone strike targets. Google (GOOGL) was tapped for its AI a contract that received backlash from thousands of its employees. Building this technology to assist the U.S. Government in military surveillance and potentially lethal outcomes is not acceptable, Google employees said in a letter to Alphabet chief executive Sundar Pichai. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite not renewing its Project Maven contract, Google has pursued other partnerships with the U.S. government. In February, the company updated its AI Principles to remove a pledge to not pursue AI that could be used for applications such as weapons or other technologies whose principal purpose or implementation is to cause or directly facilitate injury to people and technologies that gather or use information for surveillance violating internationally accepted norms. Scale AIs deal to give the Pentagon AI agents Scale AI CEO Alexandr Wang on Capitol Hill on July 18, 2023 in Washington, D.C. - Photo: Drew Angerer (Getty Images) Data annotation startup Scale AI announced in March that it had won a Defense Department contract for a project called Thunderforge. The program aims to integrate AI into U.S. military planning and operations, and is the departments first foray into integrating AI agents in and across military workflows to provide advanced decision-making support systems for military leaders, Scale said. The startup added that Anduril and Microsoft (MSFT) will initially develop and deploy the AI agents always under human oversight for the Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) and European Command (EUCOM). Anduril, which develops autonomous systems used by the military, will integrate the startups large language models into its modeling and simulation infrastructure for planning, while Microsoft will provide multimodal models. Palantirs AI vehicles for the U.S. Army Palantir CEO Alex Karp and Admiral Tony Radakin on May 7, 2024 in Washington, D.C. - Photo: Tasos Katopodis (Getty Images) Data analytics platform Palantir (PLTR) announced that it was delivering AI-defined vehicles to the U.S. Army in March. The AI-enabled TITAN vehicles are part of a $178 million contract the company signed with the U.S. Army in 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The TITAN system, which stands for Tactical Intelligence Targeting Access Node, has deep-sensing capabilities and seeks to enhance the automation of target recognition and geolocation from multiple sensors to reduce the sensor-to-shooter (S2S) timelines through target nominations and fuse the common intelligence picture, according to Palantir. TITAN was developed with partners including Northrop Grumman (NOC) and Anduril. Anthropics partnership to provide Claude to U.S. intelligence and defense Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei during TechCrunch Disrupt 2023 on September 20, 2023 in San Francisco, California. - Photo: Kimberly White (Getty Images) AI startup Anthropic and Palantir announced a partnership with Amazon Web Services (AMZN) in November to provide the startups Claude AI models to U.S. intelligence and defense agencies. Anthropics 3 and 3.5 family of AI models will be accessible through Palantirs AI Platform, while AWS will provide security and other benefits. The partnership facilitates the responsible application of AI, enabling the use of Claude within Palantirs products to support government operations such as processing vast amounts of complex data rapidly, elevating data driven insights, identifying patterns and trends more effectively, streamlining document review and preparation, and helping U.S. officials to make more informed decisions in time-sensitive situations while preserving their decision-making authorities, Palantir said in a statement. OpenAIs ChatGPT Gov OpenAI CEO Sam Altman on November 6, 2023 in San Francisco, California. - Photo: Justin Sullivan (Getty Images) OpenAI launched a version of its chatbot called ChatGPT Gov in January to give U.S. government agencies another way to access its frontier AI models. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Through ChatGPT Gov, U.S. agencies can save and share conversations within their workspaces, use the flagship GPT-4o model, and build custom GPTs for use in government workspaces. OpenAI said the infrastructure would expedite internal authorization of OpenAIs tools for the handling of non-public sensitive data. We believe the U.S. governments adoption of artificial intelligence can boost efficiency and productivity and is crucial for maintaining and enhancing Americas global leadership in this technology, the startup said. Anduril and Palantirs consortium for defense AI tools Palantir CEO Alex Karp (C) and Booz Allen Hamilton CEO Horacio Rozanski (R) on Capitol Hill on June 18, 2024 in Washington, D.C. - Photo: Andrew Harnik (Getty Images) Palantir and Anduril announced a consortium in December to combine technologies to provide the Defense Department with AI infrastructure, such as Andurils Lattice software system and Palantirs AI Platform. This partnership is focused on solving two main problems that limit the adoption of AI for national security purposes, the companies said in a statement data readiness and processing large amounts of data. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both companies have been awarded large contracts with the Defense Department, including Palantirs $480 million deal with the U.S. Army for a prototype of its Maven Smart System in May, and Andurils involvement with the Replicator initiative of thousands of drones and anti-drone systems in places such as the Indo-Pacific. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. The Roundhouse shrouded in darkness on a recent night. Now that the 60-day session is over, it's still unclear what the Cicero Institute was trying to get from lawmakers when it hired two veteran lobbyists, and the city of Albuquerque, which is also a client for one of them, defended its process for vetting lobbyists and identifying their potential conflicts of interests. (Photo by Patrick Lohmann / Source NM) The legislative session is over and hundreds of bills are closer to becoming law, but its still unclear which of them a billionaire-backed think tank influenced when it hired two veteran New Mexico lobbyists. The Cicero Institute is a Texas-based, conservative think tank established by Joe Lonsdale, the billionaire co-founder of data mining and defense tech company Palantir. The institute has been linked to legislative lobbying efforts in other states where lawmakers have made it a misdemeanor to camp in public, including Texas and Florida, in moves designed to crack down on visible homelessness. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Cicero Institute and its advocacy arm Cicero Action hired long-time lobbyists Alfred Park and Jason Weaks in late January, according to state filings. Weaks has disclosed more than $240,000 in political contributions and lobbying expenses in New Mexico since 2021, according to Secretary of State data. Park, a former state representative for Bernalillo County, is also a City of Albuquerque lobbyist under a $75,000 one-year contract, according to city records. The lobbyists would not say, and state law did not require them to disclose, which bills they lobbied for or against in the 60-day legislative session that ended at noon on Saturday. Parks first client, the City of Albuquerque, also would not say, even though Parks contract requires him to get the citys approval before hiring any new clients. The citys chief administrative officer must sign off on new clients to ensure the lobbyists new clients dont conflict with the citys interests, according to Parks contract the city provided to Source New Mexico. Park did not respond to a request for comment Monday on which bills he lobbied for or whether he received the citys permission to lobby for Cicero. A public records request Source filed for communications between Park and the chief administrative officer regarding the institute also was returned with no responsive records, a records custodian said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement, city spokesperson Shannon Kunkel said the city requires lobbyists it employs to disclose their lists of other clients, which she said is typically done verbally. The statement did not address questions about what bills Park might have been lobbying for or whether the city agrees with the Cicero Institutes take on how to address the citys homelessness challenges. The City of Albuquerque hires professional lobbyists who maintain the highest standards of integrity, Kunkel said in an emailed statement. Mayor Tim Keller continues to champion Housing Forward ABQ to increase equity, access, and availability of housing for all income levels. Lawmakers spent the first 30 days trying to tackle public safety and behavioral health challenges, including reforms to involuntary commitment and increasing some criminal penalties. Cicero Institute leaders say the Housing First strategy, which prioritizes placing a person in permanent housing without requiring the person to be sober or employed, has failed states, cities and people who live on the streets and, along the way, unnecessarily enriched nonprofit organizations. The institute calls for stricter involuntary commitment laws and bans on street camping, sometimes punishable with a misdemeanor and a $5,000 fine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Devon Kurtz, a Cicero Institute policy analyst told Source New Mexico in February that the institute was unlikely to lobby for a statewide camping ban here, saying it doesnt seem like theres an enforcement problem. The institute would instead focus on post-arrest policies around competency, probation and other things that happen after a person is arrested. The institute has also done some advocacy work around addressing the states doctor shortage. Lawmakers sponsoring bills seeking additional lobbyist transparency at the state level pointed to the Cicero Institutes mysterious arrival as one reason lawmakers need to put more disclosure requirements on lobbyists. OpenSecrets ranked New Mexico 41st in the country when it analyzed lobbyist disclosure laws in 2022. Late in the session, lawmakers approved House Bill 143, sponsored by Rep. Sarah Silva and Sen. Jeff Steinborn, two Las Cruces Democrats. Among other disclosures, the bill if enacted into law by the governor will require lobbyists or their employers to specify the bills for which they are lobbying and their stances toward those bills within 48 hours of beginning the lobbying activity. Silva and Steinborn, in interviews throughout the session, said they saw Weaks and Park around the Roundhouse, but it was never clear exactly what issues they were lobbying on or whose interests they were representing. Even though HB 143 passed, it wont go into effect until Jan. 1, 2027 if signed by the governor. In seeking a historic peace accord between Russia and Ukraine, President Donald Trump has presented himself as an agnostic arbiter focused only on bringing the three-year war to an end. But his divergent approach to the parties quick to apply pressure on a more vulnerable ally Ukraine, more patience and gentle coaxing for the aggressor in Moscow reflects his own perception of a stark power imbalance. Ukraine, as he memorably told President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Oval Office last month, doesnt have the cards. Its true that Ukraine, dependent on defense aid from Washington and Europe, is in the weaker position should this war of attrition grind on for years. But Trump has done several things to weaken Zelenskyys hand. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. is leading talks with officials from both countries in Saudi Arabia this week, hoping to make additional progress toward a broader ceasefire. Here is a look at some of the bargaining chips Trump has given away that could have been used to pressure Russia. Giving Putin multiple phone calls after Biden cut him off Trump has done little to hide his eagerness for a rapprochement with Russia, reengaging with Putin in a 90-minute phone conversation shortly after taking office. That ended three years of isolation by the U.S. under President Joe Biden, who ended dialogue with Putin following his Feb. 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Another call on Tuesday, which appears to have been longer than the first, occurred after Putin refused to accept the terms of a 30-day ceasefire that the U.S. and Ukraine had already agreed on. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Had Trump held out longer on speaking to Putin, hed have had greater leverage with the Kremlin to insist on additional concessions related to the war. Holding talks with Russia without Ukraine present The calls between Trump and Putin were just the start. Senior U.S. and Russian officials met face to face in Saudi Arabia in mid-February and outlined a plan to restart bilateral cooperation on several fronts. That included restoring staffing at their respective embassies in Washington and Moscow, potential economic cooperation and even the easing of sanctions imposed as a consequence to Russias invasion of Ukraine. Those initiatives could have been held in reserve, conditioned on Russia and Ukraine reaching a peace deal. That they were not, and that neither Ukraine nor European allies had a place at the table, clarified how the new administration was no longer aligning or coordinating with traditional allies. Talking explicitly about what Ukraine may have to give up While Trump has brushed off questions about what Russia should have to give up as part of a peace deal, he and top aides have been explicit about Ukraine needing to relinquish some of its sovereign territory currently controlled by Russia. National security adviser Michael Waltz has described that as realistic given the situation on the battlefield after three years of war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And over the last week, Trump has stated that there have already been discussions about which country would control various regions of Ukraine, including the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. Last week, he even floated that Ukraine, if it hoped to maintain control of the facility, might consider allowing U.S. interests to run the plant following the war. Trumps determination to exact a price from Ukraine has been presented publicly as a means toward ensuring America recoups the $120 billion in defense aid its provided since the war began. Despite concerns that the president was trying to extort Ukraine, Zelenskyy has expressed a desire to sign the minerals deal as a sign of its commitment to the peace process and Trumps diplomacy more broadly. Russia, however, hasnt had to do the same. Applying max pressure, but only to Ukraine Beyond erupting at Zelenskyy in the Oval Office after he publicly questioned Russias seriousness about ending the war, Trump has shown a consistent willingness to apply leverage to pressure Ukraines wartime leader. He temporarily cut off all U.S. defense aid and halted intelligence sharing following the White House blow-up, moves that were reversed after Ukraine agreed to the 30-day ceasefire proposal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Beyond that, he has repeated Putins call for new elections in Ukraine, which is unable to hold elections while under martial law, and at one point even referred to Zelenskyy, who was democratically elected, as a dictator. Ruling out security guarantees for Ukraine and NATO membership in the longer term Trump has refused to consider offering American hard power to guarantee Ukraines security following a possible truce, leaving Europe in a scramble to boost defense spending and production. The furthest hes gone is to offer an economic agreement giving the U.S. a major stake in Ukraines future profits from rare earth minerals as a de facto security guarantee, suggesting that Putin could be deterred from launching new attacks by the presence of Americans. Trump is not demanding from Putin the same level of instant and total agreement he demanded from Zelenskyy, said Daniel Fried, a former U.S. ambassador to Poland and now senior fellow at the Atlantic Council. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has threatened Putin in social media posts that he could ratchet up economic sanctions on Russia, before retreating quickly to a posture of suggesting that Ukraine is more of an impediment to the peace talks. Last week, after the Russian leader refused to agree to the full 30-day ceasefire the U.S. and Ukraine had signed off on, Trump opted not to criticize his foot-dragging and instead praised his willingness to halt attacks on energy infrastructure as a positive step. Ending efforts to hold Russia accountable Following Trumps phone call with Putin last Tuesday, the U.S. withdrew from a multinational group meant to investigate the leaders responsible for Russia's invasion of Ukraine, including Putin. The administration also cut funding for Yale University's Humanitarian Research Lab, which had detailed the mass deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia. Amid questions from lawmakers, including some Republicans, the administration said it was reviewing the actions. But the recent moves align with the decision by several national security agencies to halt coordinated efforts to counter Russian cyberattacks and disinformation. Both sides-ing the conflict Trump has scoffed at suggestions that he adhere to the moral red line that, for three years before he took office, had kept the U.S. and other democratic allies unified in opposition to Russias brazen invasion. You cant be effective as an impartial arbiter, the thinking goes, if youre partial to one side. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In accepting Putins view of what he calls the wars root causes that Russia had to invade because of Ukraines desire to join NATO the administration has legitimized the Kremlins position that the independence of a number of former Soviet socialist republics remains an unsettled matter. In my 68 years on this Earth, Ive never ever seen a situation where there isnt two sides to a story, Trumps lead negotiator with Russia, Steve Witkoff, said in an interview over the weekend. Its just never as black and white as people want to portray. So there are grievances on both sides. Trump and his team are putting off dealing with the fundamental impasse at the heart of the conflict Putins deeply held belief that Ukraine should not be independent, said Ivo Daalder, , a former U.S. aAmbassador to NATO and now the president of the Chicago Council on Global Affairs. Youre not going to get a deal without Ukraine agreeing, said Daalder.. The big weakness Trump has is thinking he and Putin can dictate a deal. If hes not going to provide Ukraine with arms or security guarantees, hes giving up his leverage with Zelenskyy, who may well reject a lopsided peace deal and decide to keep fighting with backing from Europe. Steve Witkoff's controversial comments on the Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine have prompted criticism from Ukrainian lawmakers, with one even calling for the envoy's removal from the negotiations to end Moscow's full-scale invasion. Witkoff, U.S. President Donald Trump's special envoy on the Middle East and a key figure in the Russia-Ukraine peace efforts, told far-right commentator Tucker Carlson on March 21 that Ukrainians living in occupied territories want to live under Russian rule, as they have demonstrated in "referendums." The real estate investor-turned-negotiator called Donbas, Crimea, and "two others" presumably referring to Zaporizhzhia and Kherson oblasts a key issue in the Russia-Ukraine war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "They are Russian-speaking, and there have been referendums where the overwhelming majority of the people have indicated that they want to be under Russian rule," Witkoff added, omitting that Russia's sham referendums were effectively held at gunpoint. "In his statements, Witkoff calls into question the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine," Oleksandr Merezhko, head of the parliament's foreign affairs committee, told the Kyiv Independent, adding: "Such statements are absolutely unacceptable and go against U.S. policy toward Ukraine." "Thats why it would be better if President Trump recalled Witkoff from the American delegation. Otherwise, it creates the wrong impression about U.S. foreign policy." President Volodymyr Zelensky acknowledged that talks on territory would be "difficult" but rejected the possibility of recognizing the occupied territories currently comprising about 20% of Ukraine's sovereign land as Russian. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Moscow illegally declared the annexation of Crimea in 2014, as well as the partially occupied Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson oblasts eight years later, referring to them as "new regions." The Trump administration has already signaled it expects Kyiv to make territorial concessions as part of a possible peace deal, calling a return to Ukraine's pre-2014 borders "unrealistic." "I think many things that the United States already said in recent weeks are quite controversial," Yelyzaveta Yasko, a lawmaker from Zelensky's party, told the Kyiv Independent, adding: "But I want to give this time for the international community to try different ways (to end the war)." Yasko called Witkoff's comments on Ukraine's occupied territories "concerning" but said it was too early to call for his removal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "And for us, it is very important that the war ends with just peace, with justice," the lawmaker added. Yaroslav Yurchyshyn, a lawmaker from the Holos party and chairman of the parliamentary committee on freedom of speech, said that the comments should be seen as Witkoff's stance rather than the official U.S. position. "The fact that he (Witkoff) was appointed by the U.S. administration to negotiate with Russia indicates that such an opinion may be widespread among the country's leadership. But the official position is reflected only in official documents," Yurchyshyn told the Kyiv Independent. On March 24, U.S. Vice President JD Vance hit back at the growing criticism of Witkoff, insisting he is doing an "incredible job." Steve Witkoff is a great guy doing an incredible job. The people sniping at him are mad that he is succeeding where they failed for 40 years. Turns out a lot of diplomacy boils down to a simple skill: dont be an idiot. JD Vance (@JDVance) March 24, 2025 Trump's efforts to get Moscow and Kyiv to the negotiating table seemed to have gained some momentum after his calls with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Zelensky last week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After his talk with the U.S. president, Putin claimed he had ordered a 30-day pause on strikes against energy facilities while rejecting a broader truce agreed upon by Kyiv and Washington on March 11. Ukraine supported the partial truce on energy strikes but accused Russia of continued attacks against civilian infrastructure. The U.S. is leading separate talks with Ukrainian and Russian delegates in Riyadh to flesh out technical aspects of the partial ceasefire, with the possibility of expanding it to naval operations. Read also: Black Sea Initiative renewal central to US-Russia talks in Riyadh, Kremlin says Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. A shelf of "The Kite Runner" at the St. Francis High School library; the school board has used a right-wing scoring system to ban books, including Khaled Hosseini's coming-of-age story that's sold 38 million copies worldwide. Photo courtesy of Ryan Fiereck. The ACLU of Minnesota and the state teachers union filed two separate lawsuits Monday against St. Francis Area Schools, alleging that the districts book bans violate the Minnesota Constitution and a 2024 law banning book bans. Students, teachers and parents are also plaintiffs in the lawsuits. St. Francis Area Schools adopted a library policy in November that relies on ratings from a website called BookLooks, which has ties to the right-wing group Moms for Liberty. Books with a BookLooks rating of 3 or higher (out of 5) are subject to removal from St. Francis bookshelves at the request of a student, parent or community member. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So far, the district has banned, or plans to ban, books including The Handmaids Tale by Margaret Atwood, The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky, The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison and The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini, among others. The Reformer interviewed Hosseini last week about his book being pulled from the shelves. Of the 47 books that have been challenged, all but one challenge came from a community member i.e., not a student or parent, according to the Education Minnesota complaint. So far, 11 books have been removed from the shelves and the other 36 challenges are pending. The litigation highlights the pitched national battle in recent years over what constitutes valuable educational content and who should be allowed to restrict it, leading to similar book bans across the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lawsuits will test Minnesotas law limiting book bans, which was passed by the DFL-controlled Legislature in 2024. The law states a public library cannot ban, remove or restrict access to books or other materials based solely on its viewpoint or the messages, ideas, or opinions it conveys. The law does allow for books to be removed from shelves based on practical reasons, legitimate pedagogical concerns, including but not limited to the appropriateness of potentially sensitive topics for the librarys intended audience, and to comply with other state or federal laws. The law also requires that library administrators adopt a library materials policy that outlines procedures for the selection and removal of materials. That policy must be administered by a librarian or someone trained in library collection management. In its complaint, the ACLU pointed out that the school districts attorney advised the school board against adopting the BookLooks-based rating system because the organization does not appear to be run by a librarian instead, it is run by concerned parents, according to the website. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both lawsuits pointed to comments made by a board member who supported the BookLooks-based policy because it aligned with the areas red conservative beliefs. BookLooks is shutting down, according to a message on its website, but a similar organization ratedbooks.org out of Utah, is maintaining the BookLooks archive. The St. Francis Area School Board will meet Monday evening. Individuals organizing against the library policy plan to read letters from authors whose books have been banned in the district, according to a press release from the teachers union. St. Francis High School students staged a walkout in protest of the library policy on Monday afternoon. Donald Trump declared during his campaign that if he won the election, he would be a dictator on day one. Since his triumphant return to the White House, the U.S. president has focused on straining the executive branch, encroaching on legislative powers with a flood of executive orders, and defying judicial rulings. His authoritarian drift threatens to trigger a constitutional crisis and jeopardizes the system of checks and balances that has defined American democracy for nearly 250 years. The clash between branches of government has intensified over the past week, after the president invoked an 18th-century law, applicable in times of war, to deport immigrants without legal guarantees just as he had promised to do. Federal Judge James E. Boasberg ordered a halt to the fast-track deportation of hundreds of Venezuelans to El Salvador, where they were imprisoned upon arrival by the Nayib Bukele government. The transfers continued, and Trump reacted by calling for the judge to be impeached and removed by Congress. In one of his all-caps social media posts, he lashed out at Boasberg: This Radical Left Lunatic of a Judge, a troublemaker and agitator who was sadly appointed by Barack Hussein Obama, was not elected President, he began his tirade, suggesting that his election victory made him above the law and judges. Trumps attack prompted a response from U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, who stood up to Trump in defense of judicial independence. For more than two centuries, it has been established that impeachment is not an appropriate response to disagreement concerning a judicial decision. The normal appellate review process exists for that purpose, Roberts said in an extraordinary statement. Meanwhile, Elon Musk the worlds richest man was using his wealth to make donations to members of Congress who support impeaching judges. All week, Trump administration lawyers have been playing cat-and-mouse with Judge Boasberg, who is trying to determine whether his order was disobeyed. A Rhode Island judge also said last month that the government continued to withhold federal funds in violation of his court order. Immigrants deported from the United States, in a prison in San Luis Talpa, El Salvador. Presidency of El Salvador / HANDOUT (EFE) The clash with the judiciary over deportations is the latest episode in a two-month showdown in which Trump has issued a relentless stream of executive orders of dubious legality seeking to end birthright citizenship, freeze congressionally approved funds, disregard existing laws, fire inspectors general and independent agency officials without adhering to legal requirements, purge people for ideological reasons, bypass labor protections for public officials, dismantle congressionally established agencies, harass businesses and law firms, engage in ongoing conflicts of interest, and push the limits of his power. Georgetown University law professor David Super told Reuters that Trump clearly is making a very aggressive move to expand presidential powers at the expense of the other two branches of government referring to the legislative and judicial branches. It is, of course, too early to offer definitive verdicts, but the first few weeks of the Trump administration may well constitute the most severe attack on the rule of law in the United States since confederate armed forces began lobbing artillery shells into Fort Sumter in 1861, wrote Alex Keyssar, professor of history and social policy at the Harvard Kennedy School. If we are not yet in a constitutional crisis (one in which there are no constitutional rules to guide the resolution to a conflict), were close enough to feel its approaching headwinds. When people elected to uphold the rule of law and to follow the Constitution openly defy the plain meaning of laws, then yes, were in a constitutional crisis, said Jessica Silbey, a law professor at Boston University School of Law and an expert on constitutional law, in comments to the university magazine. Donald Trump is rearranging the constitutional structure of government through mechanisms that do not provide for any accountability or transparency, which defies our democratic norms and commitments. Hes openly resisting the plain meaning of laws that we have accepted for a long time. More than 1,000 law scholars from across the country signed a letter, coordinated by Kent Greenfield, professor and Deans Distinguished Scholar at Boston College Law School, denouncing President Trumps numerous unlawful executive orders and actions. We believe we are in a constitutional crisis. The President has signed a number of executive orders that are beyond his constitutional or statutory authority, the letter read. The government and laws of the United States are not subject to presidential whim. On the contrary, the president is bound to take care that the laws be faithfully executed. And he is bound by oath to faithfully execute the office of the president and preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States. The undersigned have a variety of views on the underlying policies at issue. But we are united in our view that the president has acted unlawfully and unconstitutionally, it added. The illegality of these actions, even when the illegality has been adjudged in federal courts, does not seem to be deterring the Presidents actions. Instead, the President and his administration are openly flirting with disobeying judicial rulings against him, it continued. We are saddened by the fact that we have to explain to the President this fundamental democratic principle, but we do: a president has the obligation to obey the Constitution as well as court orders enjoining his illegal and unconstitutional efforts. The law is not whatever Mr. Trump says it is. He is not king. Defying judges The Trump administration has argued that it is the judiciary, not the president, that is overstepping its bounds. More than 100 of the governments measures are being challenged in the courts, and judges have placed injunctions on more than a dozen executive branch decisions. Trump recently gave a glimpse of his philosophy when he quoted Napoleon on his social media account: He who saves his Country does not violate any Law, he wrote. Vice President J. D. Vance posted that judges arent allowed to control the executives legitimate power. Stephen Miller, Trumps deputy chief of staff for political affairs, also lashed out against radical rogue judges, claiming they have no authority to administer the executive branch. Or to nullify the results of a national election. Either have democracy, or not, he added in his message on X. However, when Trump was asked last week in an interview on Fox News if he would defy a court order, he replied, No, you cant do that. However, we have bad judges. We have very bad judges. These are judges that shouldnt be allowed. I think at a certain point, you have to look at what do you do when you have a rogue judge, he said. The problem is that if a president were to openly decide to defy a court ruling, theres not much judges could do. In theory, judges can hold federal agency officials or their lawyers in contempt and fine them for defying a magistrates orders. They can impose financial penalties on federal agencies for noncompliance and, in extreme cases, imprison officials for contempt. In practice, however, the Marshals Service the enforcement arm of the federal judiciary is overseen by the Justice Department, which answers to the administration. It is led by Attorney General Pam Bondi, a staunch Trump loyalist. Also in theory, a president could be impeached for openly defying a court ruling, but that decision rests with Congress, now dominated by Republicans and firmly under Trumps control which also him to expands his powers. In criminal matters, the Supreme Court has ruled that presidents enjoy broad immunity for acts taken while in office. Donald Trump greets Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts on March 4 at the Capitol. Win McNamee (via REUTERS) On Thursday, Trump urged the Supreme Court to restrict federal judges' authority to issue nationwide injunctions blocking his administrations actions. STOP NATIONWIDE INJUNCTIONS NOW, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE, Trump wrote in a social media post. 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! Federal judges who have reviewed Trumps abuses of power and temporarily suspended some of his actions include appointees of presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama, Joe Biden, Ronald Reagan, and even Trump himself. Judge Boasberg was confirmed by the Senate with a unanimous 96-0 vote. Although appointed to his current position by Obama, he had previously been appointed by George W. Bush. Chief Justice Roberts had previously defended the independence and professionalism of all federal judges in 2018, regardless of who appointed them, after Trump attacked a decision on his asylum policy made by what he referred to as an Obama judge. 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. That independent judiciary is something we should all be thankful for, he wrote in a statement. The Supreme Court has yet to rule on the merits of any Trump measures suspended by lower courts. So far, it has dealt Trump a setback in two cases by refusing to provisionally overturn those rulings. The Supreme Court consists of six conservative justices and three liberal justices. Of the conservatives, three were appointed by Trump, two by George W. Bush, and one by George H.W. Bush. Of the liberals, two were appointed by Barack Obama and one by Joe Biden. With justices serving lifetime terms, the conservative majority is virtually guaranteed to endure for a long time potentially decades. An anti-Trump protest this month in Irvine, California. Daniel Cole (REUTERS) Trump and his deputy, Elon Musk, are also pushing the limits of executive power by applying the unitary executive theory a conservative doctrine that argues the president has absolute authority, over and above the restrictions imposed by Congress. Legal scholar John Yoo, a professor at the University of California School of Law and a former official in the George W. Bush administration, is one of the theorys leading proponents. He recently defended it on NPR: The Constitution puts the executive power of the federal government into one person the president. Now, that can be risky or dangerous, of course, but they thought that was outweighed by the virtues of having a single person who could act quickly, could act with speed, could act with decision and capability. So the famous phrase that Hamilton used is good government is defined by energy in the executive. And to have that energy, you need to have the power in one person." Yoos thesis is that Congress excessively limited presidential power in response to the Watergate scandal and that Trump is trying to regain unitary power. Russell T. Vought, author of the chapter on executive power in Project 2025, a conservative blueprint for government, and now a senior White House official, has embraced this theory. The great challenge confronting a conservative President is the existential need for aggressive use of the vast powers of the executive branch to return power including power currently held by the executive branch to the American people," he wrote. Trumps drive to expand his powers has become a defining feature of his second term, and he doesnt take kindly to criticism. In a speech last week at the Department of Justice, he went so far as to argue that the media is illegal for criticizing him. The drive to expand his powers has become a defining feature of Trumps second term. And he doesnt take kindly to criticism. In a speech last week at the Department of Justice, he went so far as to argue that the media is illegal for criticizing him. I believe that CNN and MSDNC [referring to MSNBC], who literally write 97.6% bad about me, are political arms of the Democrat Party. And in my opinion, theyre really corrupt, and theyre illegal. What they do is illegal. Retired Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer declined to comment publicly on whether there is a constitutional crisis. No one really knows. People have different views on that, he said in a CNN interview last week. The one thing we can say for certain is that its not an on-off switch. Its not a binary. Its a position on a spectrum, James Sample, a constitutional law expert at Hofstra University, told ABC. What we are experiencing is not a blitzkrieg against [political] adversaries, but rather a blitzkrieg on the part of the executive against the rule of law itself. That is a defining characteristic of a crisis for the rule of law. Steven Levitsky, a Harvard political scientist and author of How Democracies Die, compared Trumps actions last week to those of other authoritarian leaders, such as Hugo Chavez (Venezuela), Viktor Orban (Hungary), and Recep Tayyip Erdogan (Turkey). Ive never seen anything like it, he told the New York Times. We look at these comparative cases in the 21st century, like Hungary and Poland and Turkey. And in a lot of respects, this is worse. These first two months have been much more aggressively authoritarian than almost any other comparable case I know of democratic backsliding, he continued. The zeal with which these guys are engaging in increasingly open, authoritarian behavior is unlike almost anything Ive seen. Erdogan, Chavez, Orban they hid it." Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Attorney General Pam Bondi urged Rep. Jasmine Crockett to tread very carefully after the Texas Democrat railed against Elon Musk and his electric vehicle company, Tesla. The nations top prosecutor issued the threat during an appearance on Fox News Sunday Morning Futures, just days after Crockett spoke at a live-streamed Tesla Takedown rally. She is an elected public official, so she needs to tread very carefully because nothing will happen to Elon Musk, and were going to fight to protect all of the Tesla owners throughout this country, Bondi told anchor Marisa Bartiromo. Domestic terrorism is going to come to a stop in our country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just hours later, Crockett responded on MSNBC, telling host Alex Witt that her call to action was nonviolent. I have never promoted violence whatsoever, yet Ive also never made [an] excuse for those violent actors such as the ones on January 6, she said, referring to President Donald Trumps sweeping pardons for insurrectionists charged with crimes during Capitol riots. So Pam Bondi, if you have an issue with terrorism, maybe you should talk to your boss about locking back up those guys that he let out that participated in January 6. Pam Bondi issued a thinly veiled threat to Jasmine Crockett while speaking on Fox News Sunday morning (Fox News/Sunday Morning Futures) Attacks against Tesla vehicles have escalated since Musk began slashing the federal government through his Department of Government Efficiency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Protests have erupted across the U.S., with showrooms besieged and charging sites vandalized. Others are selling their cars and shares amid growing unease over Musks political influence and closeness to Trump. On Wednesday, Crockett attended a virtual Tesla Takedown rally and referenced what organizers are touting as the biggest day of action on March 29, with an estimated 500 demonstrations scheduled across the U.S. On March 29, its my birthday, and all I want to see happen on my birthday is for Elon to be taken down, Crockett, who will turn 44, said. I have learned, as I serve on the DOGE Oversight committee, that there is only one language that the people that are in charge understand right now, and that language is money. Jasmine Crockett, speaking at the Democratic National Convention last year, has made repeated calls for citizens to rally against Musk and his electric vehicle company (AP) Crockett also stated that her calls to engage in fighting were figurative, and instead, she wanted to encourage peaceful protests. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several MAGA Republicans have denounced Crocketts anti-Musk and Tesla rhetoric. A Member of Congress is organizing political violence and terrorism, Georgia Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene wrote on X. Texas Senator Ted Cruz warned on his Verdict podcast Friday that somebody is going to be killed. Meanwhile, Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick simply told Fox News viewers to buy Tesla stock last week. Three people were charged for their involvement in Molotov cocktail attacks against Tesla cars and charging stations in Oregon, Colorado and North Carolina, Bondis office announced a day after the Tesla Takedown call. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Sunday, the attorney general doubled down that we are not coming off these charges, adding: We are looking at everything, especially if this is a concerted effort. This is domestic terrorism. She said the three suspects face severe and swift consequences for their actions, including up to 20 years in prison. Rebecca Phillips of Ecological Insights, shown in July 2024 in Burleigh County, conducts agriculture research in North Dakota but is awaiting federal payments on some of her work. (Jeff Beach/North Dakota Monitor) A North Dakota ag and conservation researcher is unsure if she will be able to complete some projects or start new ones because of delays in federal payments. Because they cant assure me Im going to get paid, I have to stop work, Rebecca Phillips told the North Dakota Monitor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Phillips, who runs a nonprofit research business based in Hazelton, received an email from the U.S. Department of Agriculture informing her that payments had been paused because of President Donald Trumps Feb. 26 executive order giving the Department of Government Efficiency authority. The $81,000 reimbursement she submitted for one project in January was paid on March 13, but with future payments uncertain, she does not plan to complete the project. When that momentum gets broken or stalled, then the research clearly suffers, Phillips said. And the investment that you already put into it, theres a lot of waste there. Phillips said she has had to lay off her one full-time staff person employed by her Ecological Insights Corp. She also hires part-time or seasonal employees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But because she is not sure about future payments, the jobs and the research project are on hold. The USDA awarded Phillips a $103,000 research grant in September 2023. The research was focused on the impact of erosion on a wooded area near Cavalier and how best to repair the land. The final stage of the project was supposed to be a training day for the Natural Resources Conservation Service, a branch of the USDA. Phillips also may not finish another project due to the uncertainty. As part of a soil study, she accumulated soil samples from across the state and prepared them for analysis by Agvise Laboratories in Northwood. It was supposed to be a long-term project, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Phillips said USDA also has put a hold on new requests for proposals for ag research. Research is one of those things that needs to keep running, Phillips said. If smaller organizations like mine and others cant stay in business, its going to mean that a lot of resources that the farmers and ranchers would be able to access wouldnt be there anymore. Phillips said USDA uses grants and contracts because it is cheaper than adding more federal employees. She said there are strict guidelines regarding what expenses can be reimbursed. It isnt like they just give me a big bucket of money and say, Do what you want, Phillips said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the Bismarck office, there are three people that scrutinize paperwork to make sure that we only are asking for reimbursement on approved expenses. So theres no slush fund, theres no excess, theres no abusing any of this. Greg Lardy, vice president of agricultural affairs at North Dakota State University, said many people dont realize that most federal grant money is through reimbursements not delivered in a lump sum. Federal reimbursements for ag research at NDSU are back on a normal schedule after some delays, Lardy said. However, NDSU is a partner on one research project that has been halted. Lardy said a conservation research project has had its funding interrupted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Biden administration had created grants that were designed to help farmers and ranchers implement conservation practices. NDSUs role was to produce educational materials based on the research in western North Dakota. Lardy said NDSU is sometimes the leader on research projects, but also might be a partner with private industry research, commodity groups or nonprofits. Lardy said NDSU was closely watching the situation with one research partner the federal Agricultural Research Service, where he said probationary employees have been let go. They have a large presence here on campus, Lardy said of ARS, which also has staff in Mandan and at the Human Nutrition Research Center in Grand Forks. Were concerned about what that means for the research that our stakeholders across the region need. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A judge has ordered that fired USDA workers should be rehired. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX While DOGE is new, complaints of delayed federal payments are not. Greg Tehven, who chairs the board of North Dakotas Grand Farm ag research project near Casselton, testified in a congressional hearing last year that delayed payments were an issue then, too. He said Grand Farm needed a loan to make payroll while it awaited federal payments on $1.4 million in federal contracts. But Grand Farm says it has not experienced any new impacts with the change of administration and does not foresee a dropoff in research. Grand Farm works with the Agricultural Research Service and NDSU, but also has private investments from companies such as Microsoft, Tharaldson Ethanol and CHS, formerly known as Cenex Harvest States. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Phillips said it is the research focused on conservation, such as decreasing erosion and natural carbon storage, that seem most at risk. Researching carbon storage in the roots of grasses is one of her specialties but she said it may not be a high priority under the Trump administration. Its still a global market. Even though this state or this government might not care about it, other countries do, she said. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Sen. Will Barfoot, R-Pike Road, speaks to the Alabama Senate on Feb. 12, 2025 at the Alabama Statehouse in Montgomery, Alabama. He introduces legislation to expand scope of Aniah's Law for pretrial detention. (Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector) The Alabama House Judiciary Committee Wednesday approved a constitutional amendment increasing the number of offenses where a judge may deny bail. SB 118, sponsored by Sen. Will Barfoot, R-Pike Road, would expand the scope of Aniahs Law, a constitutional amendment approved by voters in 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It updates Aniahs Law, keeps the same standard in place of an evidentiary hearing, said Rep. Chip Brown, R-Hollingers Island, who introduced the measure to committee members in Barfoots place. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Prior to approval of Aniahs Law, judges could only deny bond to individuals charged with capital murder. The amendment expanded that to include other serious crimes such as murder, kidnapping and rape. That bill was named after Aniah Blanchard, a Southern Union Community College student who went missing in October 2019 and whose body was found a month later. Ibraheem Yazeed, who was charged with capital murder in Blanchards death, had been charged with several violent crimes but released on bail months before Blanchard was killed. Yazeed is still awaiting trial. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Aniahs Law allows prosecutors to request a hearing to determine if a defendant should be denied bond for committing a violent Class A felony such as rape and murder. Judges may still grant bond after hearing prosecutions claims however. SB 118 would make other charges subject to bond denial, including having a firearm or firing a gun into places with people, or soliciting, attempting or engaging in a conspiracy to commit murder. There was little discussion before the committee approved the legislation to move forward onto the House floor. The legislation is among the list of bills that Gov. Kay Ivey included as part of the public safety package she and leaders of the Republican conference made a priority for the session. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ivey last week signed legislation making it a state crime to use a Glock switch to convert a semiautomatic pistol into a fully automatic weapon. Other bills are working their way through the legislative process, which includes granting law enforcement additional immunity protections. If SB 118 passes the Legislature, it will be placed on the 2026 primary ballot. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Sen. Tim Melson, R-Florence, walks across the floor of the Alabama Senate on March 19, 2025 at the Alabama Statehouse in Montgomery, Alabama. (Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector) A Senate committee Wednesday rejected a bill aimed at regulating hemp beverages and products following a tense public hearing. SB 237, sponsored by Sen. Tim Melson, R-Florence, would create regulations on consumable hemp products similar to those for alcohol and tobacco, requiring licenses for manufacturers and retailers while imposing a 10% excise tax. The bill would also ban smokable hemp products and restrict sales to individuals 21 and older. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its not trying to prohibit anybody from being in business or put them out (of business), Melson said. Were just trying to regulate it and make sure that its put in a place that will prevent it from getting to students. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The bill would have distinguished hemp beverages from other hemp products, defined in the bill as psychoactive hemp products. It would also require licenses to manufacture, distribute, or sell cannabis drinks to be consumed on or off-site. Other hemp products would have been regulated similarly to tobacco, with products being placed on a state directory maintained by the Department of Revenue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Melson told the committee that the bill would keep children from accessing hemp products, saying there are reports of emergency room visits linked to their consumption. I honestly believe, going to your place, youre doing it the right way, Melson said to one of the public speakers. But somebody is selling a product thats not done the right way, and having children having seizures and going to the hospital and tying up ERs that could be taking care of heart attacks or other real patients, driving costs up for the rest us, Melson said. Industry representatives pushed back, arguing the bill would harm their businesses while failing to effectively regulate the market. Molly Cole, a lobbyist for the Alabama Hemp and Vape Association, said the bill creates more problems than it solves and asked lawmakers to consider alternative legislation that mirrors policies in other states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It over-regulates small businesses, making it harder for them to operate, while failing to put real protections in place to keep hemp products away from minors, she said. So yes, we need regulation, but we need a 21-plus model that will mirror successful policies in other states. Cole said that a 21-plus law would prevent minors from accessing hemp while allowing Alabama businesses to compete. She also suggested shifting regulation to the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries, recognizing hemp as an agricultural commodity rather than an intoxicating substance. Although industrial hemp is currently regulated by the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries, a law passed in 2024 shifted licensing powers for medical cannabis cultivators from the Department of Agriculture and Industries to the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission. Melson entered into a tense exchange with Carmelo Parasiliti, founder and CEO of Green Acres Organic Pharms in Florence, over the issue of product safety testing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The senator repeatedly said there is a lack of oversight in the current market and concerns about mislabeled and potentially harmful hemp products being sold without proper testing. Youre saying that they do complete analysis? Melson asked Parasiliti, to which he responded, Yes, sir. I think you ought to be for this bill. You got something you could promote and say that you got a product thats legit, pure and everything, Melson said. Melson and Parasiliti then dove into a lengthy exchange about the original intent of the Farm Bill that legalized the sale of certain cannabis products that are classified as hemp. After a lengthy debate, the bill failed on a tied vote, but Melson suggested a similar bill could through the House. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We will see you with the House version when it comes up, Melson said after announcing the bill failed on a 4-4 vote. Rep. Andy Whitt, R-Harvest, has introduced HB 445 in the House, but it has yet to be assigned to a committee. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Ernst HaasGetty Images Credit - Richard Milhous Nixon, the 37th U.S. President who resigned in 1974 under threat of impeachment after the Watergate scandal. Amid a historic wave of firings and other attacks on federal employees, Trump recently declared that the president of the Richard Nixon Foundation, Jim Byron, would oversee the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) on a day-to-day basis. Trump touted the experience of the 31-year-old Byron, who has worked with the National Archives for many years. He neglected to mention that this experience began with the Nixon Foundation, where he started as an intern. Since 2007, the Nixon Foundation has had a contentious relationship with the National Archives. That year, the Nixon Library was absorbed into the federal presidential library system. Instead of controlling every facet of the library as a private facility, the Foundation now operates alongside a new federal office that oversees nonpartisan exhibits and events. The most public dispute between the two sides focused on NARAs exhibit on Watergate, curated by the librarys first federal director, Timothy Naftali. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under Byrons leadership, the National Archives has already fired 27 employees across the federal presidential library system, including the Deputy Director of the Nixon Library who was reportedly at odds with the leadership of the Nixon Foundation because of a disagreement over its plan to expand its campus. The announcement followed Trumps decision to fire Colleen Shogan as Head of the National Archives, a move that came after the Archives alerted the Justice Department about his mishandling of classified materials. But the story at NARA is also alarming, given the decades-long campaign led by some conservatives to rewrite our cultural understanding of the Watergate Scandal. Byrons appointment reflects how Trump and an increasing number of Republicans have embraced new lessons about Nixon. In their view, Nixon cared too much about presidential norms, should have never resigned, and that he was the victim of a liberal-left conspiracy to destroy his presidency. Rather than seeing him as someone who abused presidential power, to these conservatives, Nixon has become a useful symbol in their war on the administrative state, revealing the fragility of norms after Watergate that shaped how presidents responded to scandals. Read More: Trump is Repeating Richard Nixon's Failed Plan to Shutter Federal Agencies For decades, the fear of a second Watergate has cast a pall over U.S. politics. Presidents Ford and Carter kept their distance from Nixon, as did almost anyone with presidential ambitions. Senator Bob Dole (R-Kan.), a longtime defender of Nixon, opposed Fords controversial pardon of the disgraced president in the middle of a close reelection bid in 1974. The pardon of Nixon was prematureThe damaging part is the feeling that people have that this is the same old ball game, said Dole, who barely won his race that year. George H.W. Bush, who served as chair of the Republican National Convention, during the final days of Watergate, made it known that he told Nixon to resign on August 7, 1974. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ronald Reagan adopted a different stance. Unlike most mainstream politicians, he never criticized Nixon during his presidency. Nearing the end of his two terms as governor of California, the longtime defender of Nixon told reporters on the day of resignation, I think it is important to recognize that Mr. Nixon has suffered as much as any man should. While he rarely commented on Nixon or Watergate during his presidency, the Watergate consensus was powerful enough in the 1980s to ensure that Reagan avoided appearing publicly with Nixon. Nixon supporters found opportunities within Republican administrations, however, and they leveraged their roles to rewrite the history of Watergate. Nixons former speechwriter Patrick J. Buchanan argued as early as 1975 that Nixons resignation looms as less a victory for morality in government than a triumph by one set of politicians over another. He added, When Mr. Nixon said his Administration was being judged by a double standard, he was indulging in uncharacteristic understatement. Buchanan wore his Nixon loyalty as a badge of honor throughout his career as a conservative firebrand. During his tenure as White House Communications Director under Reagan, he acquired a mahogany desk bookcase that belonged to Nixons Chief of Staff, H.R. Halderman, for his office. When a guest asked why he had a Watergate symbol in his office, he replied, The statute of limitations has run out. Buchanan wasnt alone. One of the organizers of the Watergate burglary, G. Gordon Liddy, regularly backed Watergate conspiracy theories in public. When he became a conservative talk radio host, Liddy defended Nixon at a time when few did the same. Hugh Hewitt, who also became a talk radio host, briefly served as the first director of the Nixon Library in the presidents birthplace of Yorba Linda, Calif., in 1990. He made national news for a screening process that would deny anti-Nixon researchers access to his records, and even named Bob Woodward as someone who would not be welcome in their reading room. Hewitt returned to Yorba Linda in 2019 as President of the Richard Nixon Foundation. He stepped down in 2021 but still serves on the Foundations board and has mentored his successor, Jim Byron. Nixons most vocal supporters who were part of a persistent strain of American conservatism believed Watergate was proof that the liberal establishment would do anything to destroy their leaders. Despite that, they did not come close to overturning the publics perception of Nixon. As historian David Greenberg concluded in Nixons Shadow in 2003, dark Nixonwhether seen as crook or conspirator, liar or Machiavellian, or some combination of the aboveremained his most enduring identity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Trumps numerous scandals, including his two impeachments, inspired a wave of Nixon-Trump comparisons and different forms of Watergate nostalgia. Liberals who wanted to find a precedent for Trumps abuses of power looked to Watergate as a moment that could be replicated in the late 2010s. Initially, even Trump showed signs of fearing a legacy similar to Nixons. In 2019, when Trump was asked why he did not fire Special Counsel Robert Mueller, he replied, Firings didnt work out too well for Nixon. While Trump hasnt suffered the same fate as Nixon, his defeat in 2020 suggests that the public rejected Trumps willingness to use the presidency as an instrument of personal revenge. Read More: Project 2025 Is About Much More Than Trump And yet, despite Trumps unwillingness to accept the results of that election, his role in the January 6th insurrection, and numerous criminal indictments and convictions, he won the popular vote in 2024. Buoyed by a Supreme Court that has given presidents complete immunity from criminal prosecution, a new generation of prominent conservatives praise the 37th president as a model for attacking enemies, reshaping the federal bureaucracy and the nations history. For decades, conservative media figures barely acknowledged WatergateLiddy and Hewitt were outliers. Now, their narratives about Nixons legacy legacy have become more common. Conservative media activist Christopher Rufo posted a video on his website stating, Nixons call for a new American revolution is more urgent than ever. Arguing that the nation was under attack from radical left social movements that resembled the Vietnam era, Rufo insisted that Nixon, in his efforts to clamp down on his political enemies, left behind a blueprint for counter-revolutionthe last hope for restoring the American republic. Others, like Tucker Carlson, have suggested that Watergate was a deep-state coup designed to take down a popular president. He even convinced Joe Rogan to change his mind about Watergate following a recent appearance on his show. The airwaves, whether its on television or online, have empowered Watergate revisionism. Conservative platforms and other likeminded outlets may reshape the lessons of Nixons resignation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The effort to rescue Nixons legacy has now merged with a broader rejection of the liberal establishment, democratic institutions, and the historical record itself. Now that the former president of the Nixon Foundation is serving as the leader of the National Archives, this war on the history of Watergate has meaningful institutional power. Thats why it is so important to understand that reinterpreting Watergate as an attack on the president rather than as the consequences of his abuse of power is about politics, not historical accuracy. With Trump back in the White House, and a new generation of pro-Nixon figures in the government and in media , the battle over Watergates memory is now firmly a part of the conservative campaign to sanitize U.S. history. Michael Koncewicz is the author of They Said No to Nixon: Republicans Who Stood Up to the President's Abuses of Power. He is the Associate Director of the Institute for Public Knowledge at New York University and previously worked for the National Archives at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum. Made by History takes readers beyond the headlines with articles written and edited by professional historians. Learn more about Made by History at TIME here. Opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of TIME editors. Write to Made by History at madebyhistory@time.com. Question: Have our allies ever come to our defense? Answer: The United States helped lead efforts to create the modern international system in the post-World War II era with a great deal of success. The U.S. is part of several significant alliances and while we are capable of defending ourselves, there are times when we rely on our allies for help. One of the clearest examples came in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, when allies around the world, particularly those from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), stood by the United States in both symbolic and material ways. On September 12, 2001, NATO invoked Article 5 of its founding treaty for the first time in its history. Article 5 states that an armed attack against one member is considered an attack against all, a cornerstone of NATOs collective defense principle. This meant that the U.S. was not alone in responding to the attacks. The member nations of NATO officially declared their support and readiness to act. Following that declaration, NATO launched Operation Eagle Assist, sending Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft to help patrol U.S. airspace to defend against any possible subsequent attacks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This marked the first time that NATO forces were deployed in defense of the United States itself. Another NATO operation, Active Endeavour, was established to monitor and deter terrorist activities in the Mediterranean Sea. Beyond the collective actions, individual allied nations also took direct steps to support the U.S. The United Kingdom, Canada, France, Germany and Australia, among others, promised military and intelligence support. Then-British Prime Minister Tony Blair immediately pledged solidarity with the U.S., and the UK deployed forces to assist in dismantling terrorist networks. The UK played a leading role in the military operations in Afghanistan that followed. Opinion: I am not an economist. But even I know that Trump's tariffs are bad. Canada also invoked its own mutual defense commitments with the U.S. and played a key role in Operation Enduring Freedom (NATO). While it is not often talked about, Canada stepped in to aid thousands of stranded airline passengers after 9/11. As part of Operation Yellow Ribbon, with our air space restricted, Canada welcomed 239 diverted flights, offering food, shelter and assistance to over 30,000 people. Historically, the U.S. and Canada have been strong allies. Operation Yellow Ribbon is a good example of the close ties between the United States and our northern neighbor. In addition to military support, U.S. allies around the world engaged in diplomatic, economic and humanitarian efforts. European nations provided intelligence-sharing, counterterrorism cooperation and law enforcement assistance to track down those responsible for the attacks. Many countries also passed new laws to enhance counterterrorism measures in coordination with the U.S. Beyond 9/11, NATO backing has been a part of our efforts to implement the Dayton Accords in Bosnia, stabilize post-war Kosovo and support the U.S. intervention in Libya in 2011, just to name a few. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Opinion: Can Congress stop Trump's budding tariff wars? Yes, but it's unlikely. Alliances are not just historical artifacts or political conveniences; they have been a cornerstone of our efforts to create global stability and maintain our national security. Our alliances along with the web of international institutions that we have helped create and support have been the foundation of much of the modern international system intended to encourage free trade and support peace across the globe. While disagreements over foreign policy are inevitable, these systems have proven to be durable and successful part of our approach to international relations. Kevin Wagner Kevin Wagner is a noted constitutional scholar and political science professor at Florida Atlantic University. The answers provided do not necessarily represent the views of the university. If you have a question about how American government and politics work, email him at kwagne15@fau.edu. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: US foreign policy, national security relies on alliances Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has called for a snap election amid a festering trade war and annexation threats from U.S. President Donald Trump. Carney and actor and comedian Mike Myers made a subtle jab at President Donald Trump's talk about making Canada a 51st state of the U.S. in a new ad. Members of Congress and national security staffers were stunned Monday by a bombshell report that top Trump administration officials including the vice president and Defense secretary discussed war plans in a Signal group chat. Many raised concerns about the potential mishandling of classified information as well as sensitive details regarding U.S. war plans. Only one word for this: FUBAR, Rep. Pat Ryan (D-N.Y.), an Army veteran who sits on the Armed Services Committee, wrote on X. If House Republicans wont hold a hearing on how this happened IMMEDIATELY, Ill do it my damn self. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Get the fuck out, said one Democratic congressional aide, capturing a general feeling on Capitol Hill that important security protocols had been broken. Its an operational security nightmare, the person said. The aide, and others, were granted anonymity to be candid about a sensitive security issue involving the administration. In the report in The Atlantic, the magazines editor revealed that he had accidentally been added to a group chat on the secure messaging app Signal where senior members of the Trump administration were discussing plans for airstrikes on Houthi rebels in Yemen. In the hours before a recent wave of strikes on Yemen, an account attributed to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth posted detailed operational information about the targets, weapons and attack sequencing. Inside the Pentagon, officials expressed shock that the officials used a Signal chat for such sensitive discussions. No, no they didnt, said one Defense official. Just absolutely unbelievable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DOD either doesnt have a strong cybersecurity posture right now, or Hegseth is simply not engaging it, said a second Defense official. According to The Atlantic, Jeffrey Goldberg received a request to connect on the encrypted messaging app Signal from a user named Mike Waltz on March 11 (presumably the Trump administration national security adviser). He was later added to a group chat called Houthi PC small group with several other members who appeared to be top administration officials, including Hegseth, Vice President JD Vance, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and CIA Director John Ratcliffe. Brian Hughes, the spokesperson for the National Security Council, told the publication that the chat appears to be an authentic message chain. The NSC did not respond to a request for further comment from POLITICO. President Donald Trump was asked about the report on Monday afternoon. I dont know anything about it, he said. Im not a big fan of The Atlantic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several highly sensitive, potentially classified pieces of information were included in the chat. For example, Ratcliffe listed the name of an active intelligence officer, whose identities are usually kept closely under wraps, as his point of contact for the discussion. The government has classified communications systems in which officials can discuss sensitive information. National security experts questioned why senior Trump administration officials would resort to using Signal, a freely available app developed by a nonprofit, to discuss battle plans. Why in the world would you not use a high side, what we call the high side system, a secure classified system, to be discussing imminent war plans, said Mark Zaid, a lawyer who has represented current and former national security officials and whistleblowers. The revelation comes just days after the Defense Department promised to crack down on leaks, after multiple news outlets, including POLITICO, reported that the Pentagon was planning to give Elon Musk a military briefing on China. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "If you have a private that loses a sensitive item, that loses night vision goggles, that loses a weapon, you can bet that that private is going to be held accountable, said Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell. The same and equal standards must apply to senior military leaders. The DOD has said it is launching an investigation into the leaks. Republicans, including Waltz, have previously lambasted the mishandling of sensitive information by Democrats, most notably Hillary Clintons use of a private email server while serving as secretary of State. Top Democrats were quick to condemn the security lapse. Speaking on the floor of the Senate on Monday afternoon, Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called on Majority Leader John Thune to push for a full investigation into the lapse. Every single one of the government officials on this text chain have now committed a crime even if accidentally that would normally involve a jail sentence, said Sen. Chris Coon of Delaware, the top Democrat on the panel that controls the Pentagon budget. We cant trust anyone in this dangerous administration to keep Americans safe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Jim Himes (D-Conn.), the ranking member of the House intelligence committee, said he plans to use this weeks worldwide threats hearing to demand answers from top officials about the Signal texts. Some used it as an opportunity to hit back at the Trump administrations foreign policy. Amateur hour, Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), a Marine veteran, wrote in a post on X. These are the geniuses that are also selling out Ukraine and destroying our alliances all around the world. No wonder Putin is embarrassing them at the negotiation table. The consternation wasnt limited to Democrats. Republican Rep. Don Bacon (Neb.), who serves on the House Armed Services Committee, said that while its human to accidentally send the wrong person a text, the reports are concerning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The unconscionable action was sending this info over non-secure networks, Bacon said. None of this should have been sent on non-secure systems. Russia and China are surely monitoring his unclassified phone. Asked about the Atlantic story, Republican Sen. John Cornyn from Texas said, It sounds like a huge screw-up. ... Is there any other way to describe it? Asked if he thought there should be an investigation, he said I would hope that the interagency would look at that. That just sounds like somebody dropped the ball. That said, there were no immediate calls from Republican leadership for larger investigations or consequences. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The CIA and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Its unclear how Goldberg came to be added to the group chat of senior Trump administration officials. Zaid, the national security lawyer, noted that it could have been worse. It proved to be a good thing I guess that it was Jeff and the Atlantic, he said. If it had gone to someone else, it may very well have been reported on immediately and required the scuttling of the entire operation. Eric Bazail-Eimil, Jordain Carney, Meredith Lee Hill and Connor OBrien contributed to this report. Graduates of the Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons during Columbia University's commencement convocation on May 17, 2023. (Bing Guan/Bloomberg via Getty Images) The Trump administrations crackdown on DEI programs could exacerbate an unexpectedly steep drop in diversity among medical school students, even in states like California, where public universities have been navigating bans on affirmative action for decades. Education and health experts warn that, ultimately, this could harm patient care. Since taking office, President Donald Trump has issued a handful of executive orders aimed at terminating all diversity, equity, and inclusion, or DEI, initiatives in federally funded programs. And in his March 4 address to Congress, he described the Supreme Courts 2023 decision banning the consideration of race in college and university admissions as brave and very powerful. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last month, the Education Departments Office for Civil Rights which lost about 50% of its staff in mid-March directed schools, including postsecondary institutions, to end race-based programs or risk losing federal funding. The Dear Colleague letter cited the Supreme Courts decision. Paulette Granberry Russell, president and CEO of the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education, said that every utterance of diversity is now being viewed as a violation or considered unlawful or illegal. Her organization filed a lawsuit challenging Trumps anti-DEI executive orders. While California and eight other states Arizona, Florida, Idaho, Michigan, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, and Washington had already implemented bans of varying degrees on race-based admissions policies well before the Supreme Court decision, schools bolstered diversity in their ranks with equity initiatives such as targeted scholarships, trainings, and recruitment programs. But the courts decision and the subsequent state-level backlash 29 states have since introduced bills to curb diversity initiatives, according to data published by the Chronicle of Higher Education have tamped down these efforts and led to the recent declines in diversity numbers, education experts said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the Supreme Courts ruling, the numbers of Black and Hispanic medical school enrollees fell by double-digit percentages in the 2024-25 school year compared with the previous year, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges. Black enrollees declined 11.6%, while the number of new students of Hispanic origin fell 10.8%. The decline in enrollment of American Indian or Alaska Native students was even more dramatic, at 22.1%. New Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander enrollment declined 4.3%. We knew this would happen, said Norma Poll-Hunter, AAMCs senior director of workforce diversity. But it was double digits much larger than what we anticipated. The fear among educators is the numbers will decline even more under the new administration. At the end of February, the Education Department launched an online portal encouraging people to report illegal discriminatory practices at institutions of learning, stating that students should have learning free of divisive ideologies and indoctrination. The agency later issued a Frequently Asked Questions document about its new policies, clarifying that it was acceptable to observe events like Black History Month but warning schools that they must consider whether any school programming discourages members of all races from attending. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It definitely has a chilling effect, Poll-Hunter said. There is a lot of fear that could cause institutions to limit their efforts. Numerous requests for comment from medical schools about the impact of the anti-DEI actions went unreturned. University presidents are staying mum on the issue to protect their institutions, according to reporting from The New York Times. Utibe Essien, a physician and UCLA assistant professor, said he has heard from some students who fear they wont be considered for admission under the new policies. Essien, who co-authored a study on the effect of affirmative action bans on medical schools, also said students are worried medical schools will not be as supportive toward students of color as in the past. Both of these fears have the risk of limiting the options of schools folks apply to and potentially those who consider medicine as an option at all, Essien said, adding that the lawsuits around equity policies and just the climate of anti-diversity have brought institutions to this place where they feel uncomfortable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In early February, the Pacific Legal Foundation filed a lawsuit against the University of California-San Franciscos Benioff Childrens Hospital Oakland over an internship program designed to introduce underrepresented minority high school students to health professions. Attorney Andrew Quinio filed the suit, which argues that its plaintiff, a white teenager, was not accepted to the program after disclosing in an interview that she identified as white. From a legal standpoint, the issue that comes about from all this is: How do you choose diversity without running afoul of the Constitution? Quinio said. For those who want diversity as a goal, it cannot be a goal that is achieved with discrimination. UC Health spokesperson Heather Harper declined to comment on the suit on behalf of the hospital system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another lawsuit filed in February accuses the University of California of favoring Black and Latino students over Asian American and white applicants in its undergraduate admissions. Specifically, the complaint states that UC officials pushed campuses to use a holistic approach to admissions and move away from objective criteria towards more subjective assessments of the overall appeal of individual candidates. The scrutiny of that approach to admissions could threaten diversity at the UC-Davis School of Medicine, which for years has employed a race-neutral, holistic admissions model that reportedly tripled enrollment of Black, Latino, and Native American students. How do you define diversity? Does it now include the way we consider how someones lived experience may be influenced by how they grew up? The type of school, the income of their family? All of those are diversity, said Granberry Russell, of the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education. What might they view as an unlawful proxy for diversity equity and inclusion? Thats what were confronted with. California Attorney General Rob Bonta, a Democrat, recently joined other state attorneys general to issue guidance urging that schools continue their DEI programs despite the federal messaging, saying that legal precedent allows for the activities. California is also among several states suing the administration over its deep cuts to the Education Department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If the recent decline in diversity among newly enrolled students holds or gets worse, it could have long-term consequences for patient care, academic experts said, pointing toward the vast racial disparities in health outcomes in the U.S., particularly for Black people. A higher proportion of Black primary care doctors is associated with longer life expectancy and lower mortality rates among Black people, according to a 2023 study published by the JAMA Network. Physicians of color are also more likely to build their careers in medically underserved communities, studies have shown, which is increasingly important as the AAMC projects a shortage of up to 40,400 primary care doctors by 2036. The physician shortage persists, and its dire in rural communities, Poll-Hunter said. We know that diversity efforts are really about improving access for everyone. More diversity leads to greater access to care everyone is benefiting from it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This article was produced by KFF Health News, which publishes California Healthline, an editorially independent service of the California Health Care Foundation. KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFFan independent source of health policy research, polling, and journalism. Learn more about KFF. This article first appeared on KFF Health News and is republished here under a Creative Commons license. If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault, contact RAINN's National Sexual Assault Hotline for free, confidential, 24/7 support in English and en Espanol at 800.656.HOPE (4673) and online.RAINN.org y RAINN.org/es Is the Tate-DeSantis feud over? Don't bet on it. While talking to the press after returning to Romania where he is facing accusations of forming an organized criminal group, human trafficking, trafficking of minors, sex with a minor and money laundering, internet "manosphere" personality and self-proclaimed misogynist Andrew Tate said DeSantis realized he made a mistake. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I think the governor of Florida was hijacked by the media," Tate said Monday. "The media jumped on him, and he didn't realize I was an American citizen, and now he understands he made a mistake. And there's been some conversations, and everything's been settled and fixed," he said. That's news to DeSantis, who was in Idaho to support a balanced-budget amendment to the U.S. Constitution. "Nothing of the sort happened, and our position is unchanged," DeSantis' communications director Bryan Griffin said in an email Tuesday. State Attorney General James Uthmeier said just last week that an investigation into any crimes Tate and his brother Tristan may have committed in the state of Florida was still ongoing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Every time these guys open their mouths, it gets them deeper in a hole, Uthmeier said during an appearance on The Dana Show, If we can show that they committed crimes on Florida soil, then we will continue to pursue them, you know, at all costs. The brothers arrived in Fort Lauderdale last month in a private jet after a travel ban in Romania, where they live, was lifted. The feud with DeSantis began when the governor said they were not welcome in the state. The reality is no, Florida is not a place where youre welcome with that type of conduct, he said. That kicked off a one-sided beef with Tate steadily taunting DeSantis for weeks online, saying on X that DeSantis opened a criminal case "for zero reason," that DeSantis attacked him because he was worried Tate would support gubernatorial candidate U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds over his wife Casey, and jokingly asking Florida to open a criminal case because his brother stole his snacks on the plane. Tate has also demanded multiple times that DeSantis arrest him. Your wife will never win governor unless you arrest me, @GovRonDeSantis," Tate posted on X, formerly Twitter, earlier this month. "Youve proven to be a communist who attacks American citizens for zero. When Americans who are unfairly imprisoned abroad return home you betray them. You better nail me now. Lets go. Arrest me." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tate is also currently promoting an upcoming updated version of his series of online schools, The Real World 2.0. Tate's podcast pulled: Spotify removed some Andrew Tate content following a petition. What we know Who is Andrew Tate? Andrew Tate, next to his brother Tristan Tate, talks to media representatives after exiting the Bucharest courthouse, in Bucharest, Romania, January 9, 2025. A self-described misogynist who often poses in expensive settings with fast cars and guns, social media influencer Tate has gained millions of fans by promoting an ultra-masculine attitude that critics say denigrates women. Emory Andrew Tate III, 38, is a former professional kickboxer who gained notoriety for promoting an extreme view of men and women. He appeared on the 17th season of the British reality show "Big Brother" but was removed after six days after videos emerged showing him hitting a woman with a belt and telling another to count the bruises he apparently caused. Vice later reported that the producers dropped him when they became aware of an ongoing rape investigation, which was later dropped. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tate and his brother Tristan started a webcam studio with up to 75 webcam models which he later admitted was a scam, according to GQ, and opened several different online schools to encourage teenage boys and young men to forego traditional life paths and instead focus on making as much money as possible through unconventional, mostly online means. Tate's popularity exploded online due to his increasingly inflammatory statements, claiming women had to take responsibility for being raped, depression isn't real, Nazis might not have been the bad guys in World War II, women belong to men, and how he would attack a woman who accused him of cheating. He has also defended other people accused of sexual assault such as actor Russell Brand. In 2022, The Guardian reported that students in his various schools were told to flood social media with his most controversial clips to help boost his content. TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook and Twitter all blocked his accounts, although he was reinstated on Twitter after Elon Musk bought the social media company. Tate has said such comments were jokes or taken out of context. What are Tate brothers accused of? Andrew Tate (L) and his brother Tristan Tate are pictured inside The Court of Appeal in Bucharest, Romania, on December 10, 2024. The US-born Briton, Andrew, and his brother Tristan, who say they are innocent, are accused of having formed an organised criminal network in early 2021 in Romania and in Britain. Prosecutors allege that the brothers and two women set up a criminal organisation and sexually exploited several victims. Tate and his brother are facing multiple civil and criminal charges in two countries. They were arrested in their home near Bucharest in August amid new charges against the brothers and four other suspects on trafficking charges, BBC News reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is also a British arrest warrant out on the brothers on allegations of rape and serious physical and sexual assaults dating back to 2012-2015 in the UK. Romania granted the extradition request, but only after the Romanian legal proceedings are completed. British police have also started a civil case against them for alleged tax evasion. A first Romanian criminal case against the Tates failed in December when the court cited problems with the indictment and sent the files back to the prosecutors, according to Reuters. Tate was under house arrest from August and facing a second Romanian criminal case. The Tates, who have vehemently denied accusations against them, are under judicial control, a light preventative measure under which they are required to check in with the police regularly. One of President Donald Trump's top envoys reportedly brought up the case with a Romanian foreign minister just a few weeks before the country lifted the Tates' travel ban. Tate's fan base is heavily right wing and male and he has been a strong supporter of Trump. Florida woman sues Tate brothers USA TODAY reported that, in February, a Florida woman listed only as Jane Doe filed a countersuit against Andrew and Tristan Tate in the first U.S. case brought against the brothers. She said she met him in Miami in 2021 when he teased her with a romantic relationship before she flew to Romania to visit him. While there, she feared that she and the other women at the house were being groomed to sexual videos and they made a plan to escape together, according to court documents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the women got free of the Tates with the help of Romanian authorities who raided the brothers compound in April 2022, the Tates sued her, another woman and some witnesses, saying Doe was "a serial extortionist and blackmailer who preys on successful men." Jane Doe's countersuit alleges sex trafficking by force and/or coercion, conspiracy to violate the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act, defamation, malicious prosecution, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Since filing it, she says she has been bombarded with online harassment, including sharing of personally identifiable information about her. Is Andrew Tate a US citizen? Andrew Tate, who was born in Washington, DC, and his brother Tristan have dual U.S.-UK citizenship. Contributing: Luiza Ilie, Reuters and Kinsey Crowley, USA TODAY (This story was updated with new information.) This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Andrew Tate says beef with Florida Gov. DeSantis is 'settled' The image of a line of prisoners with shaved heads and white jumpsuits, herded like cattle into a hangar-like Salvadoran prison, has become a symbol of the Donald Trump administrations hard-line immigration agenda. The detainees Venezuelans allegedly tied to the Tren de Aragua criminal gang embody the presidents determination to purge the U.S. of foreigners who are being essentially convicted without evidence or due process. In addition to fueling concerns of a constitutional crisis by defying a judges orders blocking their expulsion, this image has deepened the criminalization of the most vulnerable group facing deportation: Venezuelans. This community has been without consular assistance since Caracas and Washington severed diplomatic ties in December 2018, and they also lack the benefits derived from being long-time residents, since they arrived in the country recently. Many question whether Washington would have dared to stage the collective expulsion of Mexicans the largest community of potential deportees in the same way. If it were because of the tattoos, Id be the number one candidate for deportation, jokes Fernando (not his real name), pointing to the numerous tattoos crawling up his neck, the typical markings associated with criminals. Fernando volunteers at Aid for Life, one of the NGOs assisting the thousands of fellow Venezuelans who, like him, have arrived in New York since spring 2022. At their Soho office, lawyers such as Ana Maldonado-Alfonzo work to ensure that fellow Venezuelans in the process of regularizing their status (through asylum applications or as beneficiaries of Temporary Protected Status, or TPS), dont miss a single immigration hearing failure to appear automatically results in a deportation order. Because, in addition to high-profile expulsions like the one mentioned above which Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele has capitalized on another type of threat looms over those who, out of fear, negligence, or force majeure, forget to appear before a judge. People are terrified of going out, but if they dont show up, a deportation order is automatically issued, and its not easy to stop, explains Maldonado-Alfonzo. To reopen the case, you have to justify the failure to appear, but how do you justify fear? If the reason was illness, you need to provide a medical report; sometimes they even have another appointment at the same time with ICE [Immigration and Customs Enforcement], and in fact, they shouldnt miss either one, but even that can be documentedBut what about fear? Sometimes, its simply a matter of not understanding the summons, which is in English. Trump has been fixated with Venezuelans since the tragic murder of nursing student Laken Riley in Georgia in 2024, at the hands of an undocumented immigrant who was later sentenced to life in prison. In response, Congress passed a law in January named after the victim, which mandates the deportation of undocumented immigrants with criminal records. It was the first law signed by Trump in his second term, and it led to the controversial expulsion plans to Guantanamo Bay. However, the flights to El Salvador are based on an outdated law, the so-called Enemy Aliens Act of 1798, which was invoked for the first time in peacetime to justify the repatriation of 238 alleged gang members. Its a terrible message for the U.S. and the world, because they are being persecuted without evidence, explains Jesus Aguais, director of Aid for Life, the immigration branch of Aid for Aids, a long-standing NGO that also provides free antiretrovirals to numerous Latin American countries. The United States has known how to deal with criminal gangs throughout its history; every mass migration has brought criminals with it. There are also criminals among Venezuelans, but the U.S. justice system has the capacity to make them pay for their crimes through due process [a fair trial]. Crime is prosecuted through a process like the one that convicted the killer of the Georgia student. What you cant do is persecute an entire population, who are afraid even to go out and look for work. Many are being rejected for being Venezuelan, adds Aguais, who further laments that people are being deported to Venezuela, as if it were a normal country, with guarantees. According to Aguais, an undetermined number of Venezuelans have been deported, including two former military personnel who were detained upon landing. Indiscriminately deporting Venezuelans to Venezuela is condemning them to disappear. Now, here, the enemy is the migrant; every Venezuelan with a tattoo is the enemy, but the real enemy is the Maduro regime. If here in the U.S. we have to believe whatever the White House says without proof, in Venezuela its even worse. Juan (not his real name), 49, a merchant in Caracas, hasnt ventured out to look for day labor in weeks. Theres a real sense of fear, and although no one in my circle has been deported, and what we know comes from what we see on social media, we all feel the threat, even in the shelter. I have TPS, but Ive applied for asylum because I dont trust that TPS will protect me, he explains, adding that he left Venezuela after refusing to pay a bribe demanded by the Maduro government. Whats more, according to Maldonado-Alfonzo, the most recent TPS [approved by president Joe Biden in 2023] is about to expire, although the 2021 one is supposed to remain in effect. Deportation by absence Trump has added even more weight to the heavy burden we, the 600,000 Venezuelans in the U.S., are carrying by criminalizing the entire community, says Niurka Melendez, head of the organization Venezuelans and Immigrants Aid (VIA). While she hasnt heard of any deportations within her own circle, she has heard from her peers in Houston. There must undoubtedly be a small group of criminals, no one denies that, but that doesnt justify criminalizing hundreds of thousands with this hate speech from the administration. Hatred of immigrants, contempt, and sweeping generalizations put us all in the same box, she says. With respect to the Venezuelans deported to El Salvador last week, of the 300 cases she has been able to personally review, 10 were criminals. They should be expelled, their protections removed, but not the other 290. In any case, Melendez adds, the administrative concept of deportation in absentia that is, for abandoning the regularization process existed before Trump (just like deportations, which are common). Many people didnt show up [for their hearing] because they didnt have a lawyer, because they changed their address, others due to negligence, partly because they were confident that nothing would happen. But when we learned the election results, everyone started moving. The message from the lawyers is clear: dont miss a hearing. However, if the foreigner hasnt received a summons, Melendez advises, dont go to court or ICE. If youve never registered anywhere, neither at the border nor where you live, dont go anywhere. Attorney Maldonado-Alfonzo hasnt heard of any deportations in her community since Trump returned to the White House, although she has heard of several cases in previous years. People who showed up for their ICE appointment were detained, and we didnt have time to do anything because they were deported immediately they were gone in a minute. It happened to me with a Peruvian young man last year: by the time I was informed of his detention, he had already disappeared from the radar. Information on deportees is automatically removed from ICEs online locator, as was the case with those sent to El Salvador. Trumps migrant hunt is far from meeting its target numbers in fact, daily ICE raid figures show only a few individuals have been arrested and thats why Washington has stepped up its efforts, resorting to two obscure laws that are sending shockwaves through the country and Latin America: the aforementioned 1798 law and the 1953 Immigration and Nationality Act. These laws underpin some of the most politically motivated detentions, such as that of pro-Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil, who was arrested for participating in protests against the Gaza war on the Columbia campus and declared himself a political prisoner. In his case, judicial intervention has at least managed to halt his deportation, which Washington claims is due to the risk to national security that he and other detainees allegedly pose. The disappearance of a Mexican grandmother But the threat posed by a Mexican grandmother from New Jersey, recently detained while returning from shopping, is beyond comprehension, laments Ellen Whitt, a volunteer with the New Jersey Deportation and Immigration Response Team (DIRE), which answers calls 24 hours a day. If someone calls because they see ICE agents at their door, members of our rapid response team, which totals 50 people, come to check on whats happening, to help the family if ICE is interrogating someone or has already taken them. Whitt says calls have spiked exponentially since Trump returned to the White House, with most coming from Mexicans and Venezuelans, followed by Hondurans and Guatemalans. We had the case of a grandmother, she says. ICE came to her house and disconnected the security cameras at the entrance so the arrest wouldnt be recorded. They arrived, she opened the door, and unfortunately, they took her away, after 30 years living here. She was Mexican. I myself spoke to the family the night it happened to try to locate her. She had been transferred to Louisiana for no reason. Louisiana is where detention centers precursors to deportation are often much worse. Political prisoner Khalil remains detained there, although a judge has requested his return to New York because his wife is about to give birth. Whitt paints a grim, disturbing picture. Trump is using this as a major opportunity to implement his extremely draconian measures, she says. This is demonstrated by how theyre being deported, sent to a prison thats a black hole with completely inhumane conditions. Its a test to try to erode peoples rights, their right to due process, to convince Americans that these are their enemies, so we can do whatever we want to them. And eventually, theyll move on to the next group, sending all kinds of people to Guantanamo, or to third countries even Iranians facing execution in their own country." Its a new chapter in American history, Whitt continues. There have always been deportations, and its always been terrible. But now theyre trying things theyve never tried before, thats the difference. Using the Alien and Sedition Act to try to deport people who they simply say are terrorists because of their views [like campus activists], or simply labeling you a gang member because they think a tattoo of yours is a gang symbol and theyre doing it on a massive scale. There, you have no resources to fight back. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Anduril said it is considering plans to open a factory in the UK. The plans come as the EU looks to increase defense spending after the US paused aid to Ukraine. The UK government recently awarded Anduril a 30 million contract to supply drones to Ukraine. Autonomous drone maker Anduril says it will consider manufacturing in the UK as Europe looks to bolster its military power. "If we get enough orders, absolutely we are planning to open a facility in the UK," Rich Drake, the company's UK and Europe manager, told Bloomberg. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The European Union earlier this month said it sought to boost defense spending during what it called a new "era of rearmament." The announcement followed President Donald Trump's order to pause US military aid to Ukraine after a contentious televised meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Anduril Industries, cofounded in 2017 by Oculus founder Palmer Luckey, is one of the defense industry's leaders in autonomous drone manufacturing. Over the past few years, Anduril has won hundreds of millions in defense contracts from the US government, including a $642 million deal this month to create anti-drone tech for Marine Corps bases. London-based logistics company Sifted first reported on March 18 that Anduril was considering building a factory, as well as a research and development center, near Oxford and Cambridge, which the UK government has said it wants to be the country's next "Silicon Valley." On March 6, the UK government awarded Anduril 30 million to supply its Altius 600m and Altius 700m drones to Ukraine. The drones, which are known as "loitering munitions," are designed to monitor an area before striking targets that enter it, the UK Ministry of Defence said in a press release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ministry said Anduril continues to "invest significantly" in the UK, has a "large footprint across the country," and plans to scale rapidly. "Our focus on developing and deploying technology where and when it's needed is at the core of everything we do from the rapid delivery of Altius to Ukraine to the expansion of our presence here in the UK," Drake said in the release. "We look forward to strengthening our partnership with the Ministry of Defence to protect our nation and our allies." Anduril did not immediately return a request from Business Insider for comment. Read the original article on Business Insider Sen. Angus King (I-Maine) took aim at tech billionaire Elon Musk and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on Monday, saying theyre engaging in an assault on Social Security. I never thought Id say this, but social security is under assault, King said in a video posted to X. Every day we learn something new, where Elon Musk and his crowd are in the Social Security databases. Theyre trying to get personal information. They are pushing aside the professionals that work there. People are being fired. Regional offices are being closed, he continued. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement King, who caucuses with the Democrats, noted that Lutnick suggested late last week that if Social Security didnt send out their checks this month, his mother-in-law, whos 94, she wouldnt call and complain. The billionaire businessman added, in a podcast: Shed think something got messed up, and shell get it next month. A fraudster always makes the loudest noise, screaming, yelling and complaining. King, however, suggested most Americans dont have the same experience as Lutnicks mother-in-law. Well, Im sorry, but there are people across the country, if that check doesnt come, theyre in trouble, King said in the Monday video. Medications, food, rent. There are millions of people in this country that Social Security check makes all the difference. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And what worries me is that what were seeing is a kind of slow motion actually, its not that slow motion, its pretty fast undermining of the structure of Social Security, he added. His comments come after Musk, whom President Trump tapped to head up the Department of Government Efficiency, called Social Security the biggest Ponzi scheme of all time earlier this month and suggested there could be hundreds of billions of dollars of potential cuts targeting waste in entitlement programs. The rhetoric has prompted pushback from experts and advocates who have accused Trump allies of spreading false claims about the amount of fraud actually found in the program. Trump has vowed not to cut Social Security benefits. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lutnick also said on Thursday that hes against raising the retirement age a proposal some Republicans have floated in Congress as a way to help shore up solvency for the program. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. ANKENY, Iowa The City of Ankeny is holding a public open house on Monday evening to share ideas for revitalizing a vital part of the community. The city started a revitalization plan for South Ankeny Boulevard last summer, according to the citys Economic Development Director, Derek Lord. Now, Ankeny is nearly done with the plan. The South Ankeny Blvd is a vital corridor in the center of our community and really what it means is the plan is intended to ensure that the corridor will remain viable for the next 60 or 70 years just like its been viable for the last 60 or 70 years, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Postal workers rally in Ames, other rallies occur across the state Their goal was to improve the economic health in the area of South Ankeny Boulevard between First Street and Oralabor Road. The city asked residents for their input through an online survey and at public forums. Lord said around 1,000 residents provided feedback. Some of the improvements residents have raised include: improving vehicle and pedestrian safety creating more consistent development patterns adding more sit-down restaurants building more mixed-use developments, for example, buildings of lots for commercial and residential use establishing better branding to identify the corridor Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We also heard people want to see the diversity of businesses maintained in the corridor because the South Ankeny Corridor does have a nice eclectic mix of businesses that are both local and regional, said Lord. People would also like to see the corridor remain its affordability. This comes as the city of Ankeny has seen tremendous growth in recent years. According to data outlined by Neilsberg, the citys population increased 169% between the years 2000 and 2023. The Public Open House will take place Monday evening at the New City Church. Ankeny residents are encouraged to stop by between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to hear the citys ideas for the corridor. The New City Church is located at 849 South Ankeny Boulevard. Metro news Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to who13.com. ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) A plea deal was reached in the theft and assault cases of former Rochester employee Anthony Hall. Hall, the former leader of Pathways to Peace, agreed to a plea deal of two years in state prison and two years of post-supervised release. The deal covers being charged with assault for shoving a police officer and grand larceny for stealing from the Coalition of North East Associations (CONEA). He pleaded guilty last November to grand larceny. He admitted to stealing over $1,000 from the Coalition of North East Associations (CONEA) while volunteering. He transferred money from a CONEA debit card to his personal Cash App without permission. This happened between December 2018 and September 2019. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hall was supposed to be sentenced earlier this year, but it got delayed due to the assault charge. Officers found Hall at the scene of reported family trouble and a break-in. When asked to leave, police said Hall refused and shoved an officer. He initially pleaded not guilty to those charges. Hall will be returning to court on Monday, April 7 at 9:30 a.m. due to an error in paperwork filing for an official plea filing. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. (NewsNation) An appeals court heard oral arguments Monday on whether a lower court can hear and address the Trump administrations deportation of migrants under an 18th-century wartime law. The three-judge panel consists of Judges Karen Henderson, Patricia Millett and Justin Walker two of whom were appointed by a Republican president. Already, the panel has declined a bid from the Trump administration to immediately remove Judge James Boasberg from the case and lift a temporary restraining order on the deportations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The arguments lasted for just under two hours, with judges pushing back on the governments use of the Alien Enemies Act to deport people without hearings. Joining NewsNation for an interview, border czar Tom Homan called judges who have been critical of the use of the law out of touch and ridiculous. Venezuela accepts migrant flight with alleged Tren de Aragua members Appeals court hears case At the outset of the hearing, the Justice Department called Boasbergs order unprecedented and an attempt to enjoin war powers of the president. Some of the judges pushed the government on how much access those deported had to court hearing for review or and if they had the ability to challenge their status. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There were no procedures. Nazis got better treatment than happened here, the judge said. Those on the plane had no opportunity to file any kind of action. The government said it is currently evaluating how much information on the planes can be provided. The Justice Department spent an hour and 20 minutes presenting their arguments, instead of the scheduled 30 minutes. Temporary restraining order remains in place On Monday, Boasberg issued a ruling against the administration, leaving the temporary restraining order in place. He said the order is narrow, applying only to deportations conducted under the 1798 Alien Enemies Act and does not prohibit deportations under other legal authorities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In his ruling, Boasberg said alleged members of Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua are entitled to individual hearings to determine if they are indeed members of the gang. The Department of Justice has opposed the use of individual hearings. Plaintiffs are likely to succeed on another equally fundamental theory: before they may be deported, they are entitled to individualized hearings to determine whether the Act applies to them at all. As the Government itself concedes, the awesome power granted by the Act may be brought to bear only on those who are, in fact, alien enemies. And the Supreme Court and this Circuit have long maintained that federal courts are equipped to adjudicate that question when individuals threatened with detention and removal challenge their designation as such. Because the named Plaintiffs dispute that they are members of Tren de Aragua, they may not be deported until a court has been able to decide the merits of their challenge, he wrote. Trump administration to end legal status of 500,000 migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela Boasberg said there was a strong public interest in preventing deportations of those based on categories they are unable to challenge in court and which could lead to mistaken deportations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Boasberg also said in his ruling it appeared the administration worked to evade a potential injunction. It soon emerged that two planes were indeed likely in the air during the hearing. In other words, the Government knew as of 10:00 a.m. on March 15 that the Court would hold a hearing later that day, and the most reasonable inference is that it hustled people onto those planes in the hopes of evading an injunction or perhaps preventing them from requesting the habeas hearing to which the Government now acknowledges they are entitled, he wrote. Deportation flights and the Alien Enemies Act The dispute, which has escalated over the past week, began with President Donald Trumps invocation of the 1798 Alien Enemies Act. The law, which has previously been invoked three times, allows for the deportation or detention of nationals from an enemy nation during a period of war or invasion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most famously, the act was invoked in World War II to allow for the incarceration of Japanese Americans, including those who were U.S. citizens, in internment camps despite them not being accused or convicted of crimes. The government apologized for the camps decades later. IRS and ICE near agreement to share tax data for deportations: Report Trump invoked the act against alleged members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, using it to justify the administrations deportation of Venezuelans aged 14 and older deemed members of the gang. Legal experts have expressed doubts about his use of the act, noting that immigration has not traditionally been considered an invasion and that the act assumes Congress has declared war, which is not the case in this scenario. Court battles over deportation flights Trump signed the order invoking the Alien Enemies Act on March 15. Two groups had preemptively filed a lawsuit against the act on behalf of immigrants who feared they would be falsely labeled as gang members. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Based on that suit, Boasberg issued a temporary restraining order against deportation flights under the act that morning, before it was officially announced, and set a hearing for later that evening. At that hearing, Boasberg issued a verbal order to halt any pending flights and turn around any flights already in the air. His written order was posted a few hours later. Trump expected to hold another Cabinet meeting with Elon Musk However, three flights carrying deportees landed in El Salvador later that evening and in the early hours of the following day. Boasberg ordered the Trump administration back to court, which led to a series of hearings over the past week over the flights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Trump administration claims it has not violated the courts order and that the flights were already in international airspace when Boasbergs written order was posted. The Department of Justice has also stonewalled the court, refusing to provide requested information about the flights. Trump has publicly criticized Boasberg, who was appointed by former President Barack Obama. The administration has suggested the court does not have the authority to weigh in on executive branch actions, although judicial review is a cornerstone of the U.S. system of checks and balances. California AG warns 23andMe users to delete their data Boasberg called the information provided woefully insufficient. On Friday, the DOJ said that the administration was considering invoking the state secrets privilege that would allow them to withhold information. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Boasberg vowed to get to the bottom of the incident and determine consequences for those who may have defied his order. Over the weekend, another deportation flight was sent to Venezuela. The country agreed to begin accepting flights again after Trump revoked a license allowing the country to export some oil to the U.S. despite sanctions. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation. A federal appeals judge tore into the Trump administration Monday as the court considered lifting a block on the administrations swift deportations under the Alien Enemies Act. There were planeloads of people. There were no procedures in place to notify people. Nazis got better treatment under the Alien Enemies Act than has happened here, U.S. Circuit Judge Patricia Millett said. It remained unclear how the three-judge District of Columbia Circuit Court of Appeals panel will ultimately rule following Mondays oral argument. But Millett, an appointee of former President Obama, repeatedly questioned how the deported migrants couldve exercised due process before they were sent to a notorious Salvadoran prison. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yall could have put me up on Saturday and thrown me on a plane, thinking Im a member of Tren de Aragua and giving me no chance to protest it and say somehow its a violation of presidential war powers, the judge said. For me to say, Excuse me, no, Im not, Id like a hearing. President Trump invoked the Alien Enemies Act earlier this month, and within hours deported more than 200 migrants to El Salvador who the administrations claims are Venezuelan gang members. The appeals court is considering the Justice Departments request to lift U.S. District Judge James Boasbergs order that temporarily blocks the administration from invoking the centuries-old wartime law. The District Courts order represents an unprecedented and enormous intrusion upon the powers of the executive branch, Deputy Assistant Attorney General Drew Ensign told the panel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Boasbergs ruling has set off a firestorm of public criticism, including an impeachment threat from Trump. U.S. Circuit Judge Justin Walker, who voiced skepticism of the order at Mondays argument, did not directly reference that barrage of attacks. But the Trump appointee made a point to clarify that any disagreement of his was with respect for the dedicated work of the district court. I want to preface that by saying weve had a week to look at this issue, and its been hard, and the district court only had a day, Walker emphasized. Despite the stronger sentiments voiced by Millett and Walker, the overall panels leaning is unclear. The third judge who heard the case, U.S. Circuit Judge Karen Henderson, an appointee of former President George H. W. Bush, remained relatively quiet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As the court heard arguments Monday afternoon, the family of one of the deported migrants filed a new lawsuit in Maryland claiming he has been illegally removed and is not a Venezuelan gang member. Lee Gelernt, an attorney at the American Civil Liberties Union leading the existing lawsuit that was filed on behalf of five migrants, warned the panel that if it lifts the lower judges ruling even briefly, our people are on a plane. Theyre just on a plane. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. 24The Pennsylvania Superior Court upheld the life sentence for an Edwardsville man who was convicted by a Luzerne County jury of possessing and sharing child sexual abuse materials. Joseph J. Davis, 69, formerly of Bertram Court, believed he did nothing wrong as he admitted to viewing child sexual abuse materials, claiming in his appeal it is legal to view the materials in other countries. Davis' sentence imposed by Luzerne County Judge Tina Polachek Gartley on Aug. 27, 2021, was believed to be the first in Pennsylvania that involved a conviction of possessing and sharing child sexual abuse materials. Davis' prior convictions in 1987 and 1991, respectively, of receiving child sexual abuse materials through U.S. postal mail was used against him when Gartley sentenced him to life in prison without parole under the "third strike law" for mandatory sentences of previously convicted sexual offenders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In his appeal, Davis argued the life sentence he received was unconstitutional and "cruel and unusual punishment" for viewing and sharing child sexual abuse materials as he never touched or assaulted a child. Davis further argued in his appeal defendants who plea guilty or convicted of third degree murder receive only decades in prison, not life. A three-member panel of the Superior Court in a 14-page ruling issued Friday upheld Davis' life sentence. "...Davis's distribution of child pornography was not relatively minor criminal conduct. Moreover, Davis's previous convictions were for the same type of gravely serious criminal conduct, not unrelated minor offenses. Even after two prior convictions, Davis is remorseless and still operates under the belief that his conduct should not be criminalized," the appellate court ruled. The ruling continued, "The sentence here does not raise an inference gross disproportionality. Judgement of sentence affirmed." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Davis was arrested by state agents in October 2015, but his case was delayed due to appeals, notably a password to a computer seized from his residence. Forensic experts were unable to crack the encryption on his computer and Davis refused to provide the password, which contained 64 characters. Davis was court ordered but refused to surrender the password to his computer. As the password issue was appealed, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court cited with Davis as being ordered to surrender his password would violate his right against self-incrimination. Despite not having access to his computer for a forensic extraction, state prosecutors were successful in securing a jury conviction by showing jurors videos he was a accused of downloading and sharing. Davis is housed at the State Correctional Institution at Dallas, Jackson Township. The Catholic archbishop of Miami says a "moment of truth" has arrived for the Trump administration and Congress for enacting long-promised and equally long-delayed reforms to America's immigration system. "This will be a moment of truth for many of the members of Congress, especially Republicans," said Thomas Wenski, archbishop of Miami. "Once you have control of the border, then if you want a prosperous economy, you have to make an accommodation on migrants. Let's hope that that will be something that the two sides can get together on." Wenski spoke on March 12 after President Donald Trump heralded a sharp decrease in the number of "illegal" people attempting to gain entry at the southern border. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The month of February, my first full month in Office, had the LOWEST number of Illegal Immigrants trying to enter our Country in History BY FAR!" Trump wrote on his social media platform on March 2. Trump added in the post that there are just 8,326 "apprehensions of Illegals by Border Patrol" at the U.S.-Mexico border. He said all those stopped were "quickly ejected" or prosecuted. "This means that very few people came The Invasion of our Country is OVER," the president further wrote. "Thanks to the Trump Administration Policies, the Border is CLOSED to all Illegal Immigrants. Anyone who tries to illegally enter the U.S.A. will face significant criminal penalties and immediate deportation." Border crisis has often been pretext for postponing immigration reform The archbishop, who grew up in Lake Worth Beach, said now that the border is secure, the White House and Congress can finally act to address the inefficiencies and holes in the country's complex and cumbersome immigration laws, programs and processes. Archbishop Thomas Wenski of the Archdiocese of Maimi Wenski recalled the various attempts to reform the country's immigration system over the past two decades. Those initiatives varied, he said, but had a common denominator an argument that comprehensive, or big picture, changes could only be pursued once the border was secure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That argument was most recently offered to explain why Trump, as a presidential candidate, called for Republicans to defeat a far-reaching immigration proposal negotiated last year by one of their own, U.S. James Lankford of Oklahoma. That legislation, which was endorsed by the generally hardline National Border Patrol Council, was defeated with both Florida Republicans senators, Marco Rubio and Rick Scott, voting no. But with the president now firmly saying mission accomplished on the controlling entries from Mexico, Wenski said it's time for action on Capitol Hill. "Now we can say Trump did it. The border is closed," said Wenski, who was appointed archbishop by Pope Benedict XVI 15 years ago. "So that excuse is gone." Wenski recognizes popular support for removing 'bad actors' Wenski said he acknowledges the demand and support for deporting "bad actors" people who have committed felonies in America. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Nobody is opposed to deporting the bad actors. It's hard to say you're opposed to deporting rapists and criminals," he said. "But that is a very small percentage of the people that are here in this country." The administration and the federal courts are currently in a confrontation over the removal from the country of more than 200 Venezuelans this month. Trump claimed in a March 16 social media post that the migrants are "monsters," and the White House has argued that those ousted were members of the Tren de Aragua gang. The administration reportedly employed a 1798 law to send them to an El Salvador prison in apparent defiance of a court order. As the Catholic Church around the world begins the penitential season of Lent, Scarlett White and others participate in Ash Wednesday service at The Church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea Wednesday March 5, 2025. Since their removal, some family members of the men have spoken out to deny they were gang members. In a court filing, the Trump administration conceded at least some of the men did not have U.S. criminal records but insisted a "lack of criminal records does not indicate they pose a limited threat." Venezuelan officials said they were not gang members. On March 21, the Trump administration also announced it would end legal protections for some 532,000 Cubans, Nicaraguans, Venezuelans and Haitians in the country since October 2022 under a humanitarian parole program. Archbishop: Economic prosperity also depends on workable immigration system The administration's actions come at a time of tightening labor markets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wenski said immigration reform is not just a national security issue but also a necessity for economic growth. "The fact is Trump has also promised the most prosperous economy ever, and he is not going to be able to do that without making some accommodation on migration," he said. In Palm Beach County, the unemployment rate to start the year dropped to 3% from 3.6%. And the Associated Builders and Contractors pointed out Florida's jobless rate in the building industry stood at 2.6%, one of the lowest in the country. Nonetheless, the Trump administration is moving to remove more workers from the labor market. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, for example, has ordered temporary protective status for hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans and Haitians to expire this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those individuals have been granted safe haven and allowed to live and work in America due to political strife and natural disasters in their countries. Lent a time to reflect on treatment of immigrants Wenski said he will continue to push for reasonable immigration policies, as will others in the archdiocese, especially now during Lent. Mass readings this month have included a passage in Deuteronomy where Moses speak of his father "wandering" as an alien in Egypt and one from the Gospel of Matthew about caring for one another. "The themes of Lent really underscore the fact of how we treat our brothers and sisters and that we are our brothers' keepers," he said. "It underscores the fact that as followers of Jesus Christ, we have to be concerned about the most vulnerable and the weakest." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He added: "All these themes are designed to melt our hearts. And certainly a lot of hearts have been hardened during the rough and tumble of the last political season." Antonio Fins is a politics and business editor at The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach him at afins@pbpost.com. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Miami archbishop: Trump, Congress face moment of truth on immigration Rabies counts in Arizona are far outpacing the rate of positive tests for the same period last year, leaving counties warning residents about the deadly virus. Rabies is an infectious disease that affects the nervous system and leads to brain death, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Humans can be infected from a bite or scratch by an infected animal. Cochise County recently reported two cases of rabies in gray foxes that interacted with the community near Ramsey Canyon. The county Sheriff's Office said that one was spotted near a local business during the day, and the other was reported being aggressive toward people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pinal County issued a rabies advisory in February after a gray fox tested positive in western Maricopa. In 2024, the Arizona Department of Health Services reported 117 total cases of rabies, and only 11 were reported between January and March. As of March 17, 38 cases had been reported, an increase of 31%. Foxes are among the top species infected with rabies in Arizona. Fourteen of the 38 positive rabies cases in 2025 have been in foxes. In 2024, 36 foxes tested positive. County officials from across Arizona have urged residents to avoid contact with wild animals, especially if they are out during the day or acting strangely. Pet owners should also get their pets vaccinated and keep them indoors at night and supervised when outdoors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you see an animal behaving abnormally, stay away. Call your local animal control to report a suspected rabid animal, and contact your county health department to report a bite from a rabid animal. You can also contact your local animal control office or your local health department. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Counties across Arizona urge caution with steady rise in rabies cases TOKYO - Cherry blossoms bloomed on Monday in central Tokyo, with the flowers appearing on the same date as in an average year, the weather agency said. The "Somei Yoshino" variety at Yasukuni Shrine, home to a specific tree which serves as the Japan Meteorological Agency's blooming reference in the capital, flowered five days earlier than last year, when it was delayed due to unseasonably cold weather. The blossoms are expected to reach their peak in about a week. Private weather service company Weathernews Inc. predicts cherry blossom trees in western and eastern Japan are expected to begin flowering within the month. They are forecast to bloom in the country's northeast from early to mid-April and in Hokkaido in late April. A weather agency official confirmed that at least six flowers had appeared by around 2 p.m. at Yasukuni Shrine, meeting the criteria for declaring the cherry blossom season open. The announcement was met with applause from visitors to the shrine. Related coverage: 1st cherry blossom bloom of 2025 confirmed in Kochi, Kumamoto Japan looks to AI to keep cherry blossom culture alive Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders (left) tours storm damage with local officials in Fifty-Six, Arkansas, on March 20, 2025. (Photo by Becca Paschal/Arkansas Governor's Office) Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders on Friday asked the president to declare a major disaster for nine Arkansas counties. The request follows severe storms and tornadoes that hit a large swath of north-central and northeast Arkansas overnight March 14 and 15 as well as wind-driven wildfires in the days afterward that affected storm-related recovery services. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The estimated cost of public assistance to deal with storm damage exceeds $11.6 million and debris costs are estimated at $3.7 million, Sanders said in her 12-page request to President Donald Trump. Damage estimates from rural electric cooperatives that serve the affected areas likely will raise the public assistance costs, she said. The sheer magnitude of this event created disastrous amounts of debris, extensive destruction to homes and businesses, and resulted in the death of three citizens, and caused injuries to at least 32 others, Sanders said in the letter, which was routed through the Denton, Texas, office of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The three deaths all occurred in Independence County. The county coroner identified them as Ellen Light, 67, and her sister Norma Mobley, 70, who lived together, and Evelyn Ginn, 81. Sanders issued her own state emergency declaration on March 15 and released $250,000 in state disaster funds to help with recovery. Her letter to the president details the extent of damage in several communities as well as the steps state agencies and volunteer groups have taken to assist storm survivors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said the storms were of such severity and magnitude that effective response is beyond the ability of state and local governments to adequately deal with and that supplemental federal assistance is needed. She requested individual assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency and Small Business Administration disaster loans for Greene, Hot Spring, Independence, Izard, Jackson, Lawrence, Randolph, Sharp, and Stone counties. Officials determined the tornadoes and damaging winds of March 14-15 destroyed 156 structures, caused major damage to 93 others and minor damage to 88, and affected 119 more buildings, according to the letter. Cave Citys only grocery store sustained severe damage and likely wont reopen for three months, forcing residents to make 30-mile round trips to Batesville for food and necessities, Sanders wrote. The towns only funeral home, health clinic, pharmacy and auto parts store were badly damaged or completely destroyed, she added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The largest employer in Randolph County, PECO Foods near Pocahontas, lost its cooling system among other damages, putting approximately 2,000 employees out of work for an indefinite period, the governors letter states. The average unemployment rate for the nine counties is 3.95%, while Randolph Countys rate before the storms was 3.5%, according to the letter. The area provides few short-term housing resources for affected residents, many of whom are classified as low-income, she said. Based on preliminary assessments by FEMA, an estimated 249 households are in need of housing assistance, the letter states. These counties are in dire need of assistance to help individuals regain suitable living conditions that cannot be obtained at their current financial status, Sanders wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Three of the hardest hit communities, the cities of Cave City, Diaz, and Fifty-Six, are all an hour to two hours away from Jonesboro, the nearest city with the hotel and rental stock that can accommodate the survivors, Sanders said. Temporary FEMA-provided housing would aid recovery efforts by keeping people close to their homes and work, she said. The American Red Cross opened a shelter in Cave City, one of the hardest hit communities. Sanders noted that many of the tornado-damaged communities are still enduring the effects of previous weather events that prompted state-declared disasters. On Jan. 22, 2024, storms and flooding affected Clark, Independence, Izard, Jackson, Nevada and Sharp counties, and Nevada County experienced severe storms and flooding again on Oct. 11, 2024, her letter said. In addition, Arkansas has dealt with four federally declared disasters since 2023. Correction: This article contained in incorrect location for the FEMA regional office in Texas and has been updated. OKLAHOMA CITY An Arkansas man is facing up to life in prison after being convicted of bank robbery in a federal jury trial. A release from the U.S. Attorneys Office, Western District of Oklahoma, states that 58-year-old Arkansan Brian Keith Mays was convicted of bank robbery and brandishing a firearm after a three-day trial on March 13. Conway County deputy arrested on charges of sexually assaulting a minor Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials said prosecutors presented evidence at the trial showing Mays brandished a pistol at the FNB Community Bank in Harrah, Oklahoma, on July 5, 2024, and demanded money, collecting $12,123 from the banks tellers. An eyewitness and security footage led the FBI to Mays through his cars tag number, officials said. Cell phone data showed Mays was near the bank when the robbery occurred. Investigators said additional security footage showed Mays at a nearby Walmart shortly after the robbery, where he transferred $3,000 to a person in Arkansas, paying for it by pulling a large amount of cash from his pocket. Prosecutors said Mayss sentencing is scheduled for a later date. He could be sentenced to life in prison and a $500,000 fine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Conway County deputy arrested on charges of sexually assaulting a minor Department of Justice officials said the case results from an investigation by the FBI Oklahoma City and Fort Smith Field Offices, Harrah Police Department, Cleveland County Sheriffs Office and the Oklahoma City Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Daniel Gridley and Drew E. Davis are prosecuting the case. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK. ROWAN COUNTY, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) A man accused of shooting into an occupied vehicle in Rowan County has been arrested and charged, deputies say. On Mar. 19, detectives obtained arrest warrants for Joseph Parham Jr., who allegedly fired into an occupied vehicle back on Sides Road in Salisbury back in February. On Sunday, Mar. 23, deputies conducted a traffic stop on a white Hyundai Kona around 8:44 a.m. Deputies had received information that Parham had been seen riding in the vehicle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the traffic stop, detectives learned that Parham was staying at a home on 170 Deer Haven Drive. Queen City News is tracking CRIME in your area >> Latest stories here Deputies responded to the location and as they approached, Parham ran out the back door. Sheriffs apprehended him without incident and took Parham into custody. Parham was served with outstanding warrants for discharging a firearm into occupied property and possession of a firearm by a felon. He was placed in the Rowan County Detention Center under no bond. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. Trying to get on or off a military base without a vehicle of ones own can be a pain. Most installations dont have reliable or consistent public transportation, and calling a ride-share service like Lyft or Uber can lead to delays as drivers have to get a pass every time they go through the gate. Now, the Army is trying to solve at least one of those problems. The Army is launching a pilot program to standardize procedures and requirements for using ride-sharing companies like Lyft and Uber on six major bases, an Army news release says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This program demonstrates our commitment to addressing the challenges faced by our military communities, Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll said in a news release Monday. Through collaboration with the ride-share industry, were able to provide our Soldiers and their families with safe, reliable and convenient transportation options that support their unique needs and enhance their overall quality of life. According to Army spokesman Col. Dave Butler, after taking an Uber to Fort Myer, Virginia this winter prior to his confirmation, Driscoll had to be dropped off at the front gate, which led to the idea of making ride-share services more accessible on base, especially for new soldiers fresh to their first duty station who may not have a car of their own yet. The two-month pilot program will take place at Fort Bliss, Texas; Fort Bragg, North Carolina; Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington; Schofield Barracks, Hawaii; Fort Shafter, Hawaii; and Tripler Army Medical Center, Hawaii, the news release says. If it is successful, it could be expanded to other Army posts. Currently, ride-sharing drivers need to get a visitors pass to get access to all posts, according to the Army. That means every time they want to pick up a soldier or family member on base, they must go through a lengthy process at the base visitors center, to verify their identity and make sure they have insurance and a valid drivers license. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Adding to the complexity, individual bases have their own policies for ride-sharing drivers, according to the Army. The pilot program will attempt to streamline the process for the six bases taking part. Ride-sharing drivers will undergo identity proofing and vetting through the FBIs National Crime Information Center and Terrorist Screening Database, the Army said in the statement. Once the drivers have been vetted, they will not be required to get visitors passes every time they go to the bases. Instead, they will have to show the ride-sharing hail on their smartphones along with identifying the person they are picking up at the front gate. This pilot is our response to see if we can safely collaborate with the ride-share industry to simplify transportation options for everyone living on, working on or even visiting our camps, posts and installations, Sgt. Maj. of the Army Michael Weimer said in the Army statement. We heard you and agree, it shouldnt be so hard to coordinate transportation onto our installations, but also in and around some of our larger ones. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Over time, when soldiers and family members on the six bases call for an Uber, their requests will be sent to drivers who have been cleared to get on base, according to Uber. We are proud to partner with the Army to expand rideshare operations for service members and their families, Dara Khosrowshahi, CEO of Uber, said in a company news release. This initiative underscores Ubers commitment to reliable transportation access, and will help to strengthen connections with surrounding communities and boost the local economies around these bases. Fort Carson in Colorado, which is not part of the pilot program, has already taken steps to make it easier for soldiers and their families to use ride-sharing companies, said garrison spokesperson Dee McNutt. Since June 2023, Fort Carson has partnered with local ride-sharing companies to provide transportation services to, from, and around post, as well as food delivery services for Soldiers and their Families, McNutt said in a statement to Task & Purpose on Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Over 800 ride-share drivers have been vetted through the program, McNutt said, adding that, Upon verification, authorized drivers receive ride share and delivery passes that remain valid for up to one calendar year, enabling access through Fort Carson access control points. UPDATE: 03/24/2025; this story was updated with comments from Fort Carson garrison spokesperson Dee McNutt. The latest on Task & Purpose President Trump doesnt appear to be a fan of Colorado Springs artist Sarah Boardman, or at least her portrait of him hanging in the Colorado Capitol for nearly six years. Trump trashed the image in a social media post on Sunday as truly the worst and demanded its removal. (Boardman) must have lost her talent as she got older, he added on Truth Social. British-born Boardman, who is in her 70s, has painted many portraits, including one of President Obama that hangs alongside Trumps in the Colorado Capitol. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the biography on her website, she worked in airline travel and business before shifting her focus to art. She began studying at the Wiesbaden Herzfeld School of Art in Germany in 1986, focusing on the techniques of the Old Master Painters. Sarah has always been passionate about painting portraits, being particularly intrigued by the depth and character found deeper in her subjects, her website reads. Sarah believes that the ultimate challenge is to capture the personality, character and soul of an individual in a two-dimensional format. Boardman didnt immediately respond to The Hills requests for comment, but she told the Colorado Times Recorder in a 2019 interview that she wanted the portrait to be neutral. In her submission for Colorados national competition to paint Trumps likeness, she described his expression in her preferred image as serious, non-confrontational, thoughtful. The portrait is not designed for just one faction of the population, she told the Times Recorder while the painting was underway. I love painting portraits, and each one brings different challenges and highlights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Colorado Capitol Building Advisory Committee selected Boardman for the job after she presented two Trump sketches and four photos of the president with different expressions and stylistic features, the Times Recorder reported. The artist described the image in the submission as direct and show(ing) confidence, courage and purpose. The depiction initially faced backlash from some Colorado Democrats who opposed honoring Trump because of his policies. Boardman acknowledged that portraits often elicit anger directed at the subject, not the actual piece of art. There will always be dissent, so pleasing one group will always inflame another, she said. I consider a neutrally thoughtful, and non-confrontational, portrait allows everyone to reach their own conclusions in their own time, in addition to that approach being more durable over time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Boardman compared the Democrats criticism to Republicans opposition to her painting of Obama when it was first displayed. Being president is the qualification for entry into the gallery, and I respect that qualification on face value as I did with the portrait of President Obama, she said. Colorado Senate Republicans led the ceremony when the portrait was added to a third-story wall alongside past presidents at the state Capitol in 2019. Boardman later expressed her gratitude online to all the dignitaries, staff, donors and visitors who attended and made this a wonderful event! Feeling very grateful for this opportunity, she wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republican lawmaker Kevin Grantham, president of the state Senate at the time of the portraits initial planning, spearheaded an online fundraiser in 2018 to get the $10,000 needed to commission Trumps portrait after the nonprofit Colorado Citizens for Culture was unable to secure donations. Its only fitting that a populist, such as the president, would have the first crowd-funded campaign for a presidential portrait, Grantham said at the time. Grantham, a Trump supporter who was a member of the advisory committee that picked Boardman for the job, wasnt immediately available to speak with The Hill about Trumps criticism. During his campaign for reelection in 2024, Trump, who turns 79 in June, sold digital trading cards that featured virile depictions of himself as a cowboy, superhero and astronaut, among other images. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump wrote in his Truth Social post Sunday evening that he would rather have no portrait up in the Colorado Capitol than the image currently displayed and claimed that many people from Colorado have called and written to complain. He blamed Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (D) for issues with the image. Nobody likes a bad picture or painting of themselves, but the one in Colorado, in the State Capitol, put up by the Governor, along with all other Presidents, was purposefully distorted to a level that even I, perhaps, have never seen before, Trump wrote. Polis, who took office in January 2019, was not governor at the time of the bipartisan groups selection of Boardman and wasnt involved in the portraits unveiling ceremony. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Polis spokesperson told The Hill, Gov. Polis was surprised to learn the President of the United States is an aficionado of our Colorado State Capitol and its artwork. The State Capitol was completed in 1901, and features Rose Onyx and White Yule Marble mined in Colorado, and includes portraits of former Presidents and former governors. We appreciate the President and everyones interest in our capitol building and are always looking for any opportunity to improve our visitor experience. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. 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? SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage) Angelo State Universitys Dr. Arnoldo De Leon Department of History is slated to host its fourth annual Lone Star Lecture series on March 27, with this years installment featuring a presentation on Texas legendary Lady in Blue. According to ASU, the lecture will be held in the Houston Harte University Centers C.J. Davidson Conference Center, located at 1910 Rosemont Drive, at 6 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. The presentation, titled La Dama Azul: How the Story of a Bilocating Nun Travelled the Indigenous Highways of the Southwest, will be given by Dr. Juliana Barr, an associate professor of history at Duke University. ASU said Barr will discuss the story of the legendary Lady in Blue, a 17th-century Spanish nun said to have appeared to members of the Jumano tribe, who lived in present-day Texas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Barr will focus on what happened to the story of the Lady in Blue after 1629, when Spaniards carried the story into other indigenous lands across the Southwest Borderlands, ASU said. RELATED: The Legend of San Angelos Lady in Blue The Lady in Blue was said to have the power of bilocation, defined by the Merriam-Webster Dictionary as the state of being or ability to be in two places at the same time. According to the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Angelo, records show that the Lady in Blue made more than 500 apparitions to native people in Texas from 1620 to approximately 1631 despite reportedly being Sor Maria de Jesus de Agreda, a Franciscan nun who lived in Spain. Reports through the centuries have indicated that the Lady in Blue was seen in what would later become West Texas, near San Angelo, and in the Diocese of San Angelo, the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Angelo stated on its website. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A sculpture of the Lady in Blue can be found on San Angelos Concho River Walk between the South Oakes Street bridge and Rio Concho Drive bridge. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ConchoValleyHomepage.com. KABUL - The Taliban regime hopes to strengthen relations with Japan to obtain support for Afghanistan's infrastructure and industry development, Deputy Minister of Economy Latif Nazari said in a recent interview following his trip to Japan. While Japan is among the countries that do not officially recognize the Taliban as Afghanistan's government, largely due to its repressive policies against women, Nazari insisted that the regime's intention is "not to completely exclude women from social participation." "Women are working in places such as the Ministry of Education, airport, and even the police," he said in the interview with Kyodo News, which took place in Kabul on Saturday. Nazari was part of the delegation of senior Taliban officials who visited Japan in February at the invitation of grant-making organization Nippon Foundation, making it the first known visit by officials of the Islamist group since its takeover of Afghanistan in 2021. The Tokyo-based foundation did not disclose the details of the visit, citing "security reasons." The Japanese Foreign Ministry has said the head of its Middle Eastern bureau had an informal exchange of views with the visiting Taliban members. "The interim regime is hoping for a stronger relationship with Japan," Nazari said in the interview, expressing hope that support from Japan will "improve the living standards for the Afghan people." Nazari also said the Taliban regime wants to build amicable relations with major powers, suggesting it is time for the United States to "move forward" and end a freeze on Afghanistan's foreign assets, which has served as a drag on the economy. Earlier this year, the Taliban freed three Americans who had been detained in Afghanistan. The United States completed its withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan shortly after the Taliban regained control in August 2021, bringing an end to two decades of war triggered by the terror attacks of Sept. 11, 2001 on American soil. Since the return of the Taliban, China and Russia have been reaching out to the regime. The Taliban pursues a balanced diplomacy which "does not attach weight to certain countries," Nazari explained, indicating that the relationships with the United States and Japan are also important. "But if anyone would try to interfere in Afghanistan's internal affairs, territorial integrity and sovereignty, we will react strongly against them," he added. The Taliban regime is expected to devise its future policy toward Japan based on the delegation's visit. The Japanese Foreign Ministry has said its official urged the Taliban to respect human rights and "reflect the voice of the Afghan people" when governing during the meeting with the delegation. (Muhammad Ismail Nabikhil contributed to this story.) Related coverage: Japan asks Taliban to respect human rights during talks in Tokyo Senior Taliban officials make 1st known visit to Japan since takeover Afghan opposition airs disappointment over Japan-Taliban meet Weve all accidentally sent a text to the wrong person, but the Trump administration appears to have taken that to a whole new level. Lawmakers from both parties are now expressing outrage after the administration inadvertently shared classified information with a journalist. Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, revealed on Monday in an article for the publication that he was mistakenly included in a group chat on the private messaging app Signal. The chat involved U.S. national security officials, such as Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who were discussing details of attacks on the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. Goldbergs piece began, The world found out shortly before 2 p.m. Eastern Time on March 15 that the United States was bombing Houthi targets across Yemen. However, I knew two hours before the first bombs dropped that the attack might be coming. This knowledge came because Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth had texted me the war plan at 11:44 a.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But are officials even allowed to discuss this type of information on encrypted messaging platforms? An unnamed former Justice Department official told CNN that Pentagon regulations explicitly state that messaging apps, including Signal, are NOT authorized to access, transmit, or process non-public DoD information. So we decided to dig deeper to understand exactly how this happened. How did The Atlantic journalist Jeffrey Goldberg receive war plans from Pete Hegseth? According to Goldberg, it all began on March 11 when he randomly received a connection request on Signal from a user identified as Michael Waltz, who happens to be Trumps national security advisor. At first, Goldberg thought nothing of it he had met Waltz in the past. Still, two days later, he said he was invited to join a chain called the Houthi PC small group, which is an apparent reference to a principals committee that typically includes Cabinet members and other senior national security officials. The chat also appeared to include Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and CIA Director John Ratcliffe, among others. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Goldberg admitted that he initially doubted the text group was even real, writing that he could not believe that the national security adviser to the president would be so reckless as to include the editor in chief of The Atlantic in such discussions with senior U.S. officials, up to and including the vice president. What did Trump officials discuss on Signal? Officials seemed unaware of Goldbergs presence in the Signal chat as they debated the timing of launching airstrikes targeting the Houthi rebels, who have been attacking commercial ships and warships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden for over a year. At one point, an account named JD Vance raised concerns that taking action against the Houthis would primarily benefit Europe, especially at a time when Trump had been pressuring European allies to contribute more to their own security. I am not sure the president is aware how inconsistent this is with his message on Europe right now, Vance wrote, according to Goldberg. Theres a further risk that we see a moderate to severe spike in oil prices. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Goldberg noted that Hegseth quickly responded, acknowledging Vances concerns and expressing full support for the vice president addressing them with Trump. The defense secretary then suggested that messaging will be tough no matter what, pointing out that nobody knows who the Houthis are. He advised those planning the operation to focus on convincing the American public that 1) Biden failed, and 2) Iran funded it. These seemed to refer to the Biden administrations inability to stop the Houthi attacks, which had escalated partly due to the Israel-Gaza conflict. As the bombing campaign moved forward, Hegseths account shared details Goldberg believed could jeopardize the safety of U.S. troops and intelligence officers, particularly those stationed in the Middle East. What I will say, in order to illustrate the shocking recklessness of this Signal conversation, is that the Hegseth post contained operational details of forthcoming strikes on Yemen, including information about targets, weapons the U.S. would be deploying, and attack sequencing, Goldberg wrote. With the strikes on the Houthis scheduled for 1:45 p.m. ET, Goldberg decided to wait in his car in a supermarket parking lot to see if it was real. Around 1:55, I checked X and searched Yemen. Explosions were then being heard across Sanaa, the capital city, he wrote. But before removing himself from the chat, he checked the Signal app to find a series of congratulatory messages from Waltz and others. No one in the chat seemed to notice I was there. And I received no questions about why I left or, more pointedly, who I was, he said. How is Congress reacting to The Atlantic report? Trump said he didnt know about the apparent security breach, but the White House has since confirmed it and said theyre looking into Goldbergs article. The message thread looks authentic, and were figuring out how the wrong number ended up in the chain, National Security Council spokesperson Brian Hughes said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The acknowledgment from the Trump administration did little to quell the backlash. Democratic Sen. Mark Warner, who leads the Senate Intelligence Committee, went on X to accuse the Trump administration of playing fast and loose with our nations most classified info. On the House side, Rep. Chris Deluzio is calling for a full investigation, while Rep. Sara Jacobs thinks people should be fired for this. Even some Republicans are sounding the alarm over the leak. GOP Rep. Don Bacon, a member of the Armed Services Committee, pointed out that while its not uncommon to accidentally text the wrong person, the real issue is sending this info over non-secure networks that could be tapped by Russia or China. With tensions rising, its clear this breach has raised serious concerns about the handling of sensitive information and whether the systems in place are enough to protect it. The post How Atlantic Editor Jeffrey Goldberg Was Accidentally Added to a Top-Secret Group Chat appeared first on Katie Couric Media. JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) A man and two children were found with injuries that were not life-threatening Monday near the wreckage of a small plane on Alaska's Kenai Peninsula that had been reported overdue the night before, authorities said. The three the pilot and two juveniles were taken to a hospital after the plane's wreckage was discovered Monday morning near the east side of Tustumena Lake, according to the Alaska State Troopers. The three were immediate family members, troopers spokesperson Austin McDaniel said by email. Troopers previously said they received a report late Sunday that a Piper PA-12 Super Cruiser was overdue. It listed suspected locations as Tustumena Lake and the Kenai Mountains, east of Homer. The 60,000-acre (24,200-hectare) lake has been described by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game as notorious for its sudden dangerous winds. Homer is a Kenai Peninsula community located about 220 miles (354 kilometers) southwest of Anchorage. Ava Grace Baldwin: Father believes daughter hidden by her mother (NewsNation) The last time Ava Grace Baldwins father saw her, she was 6 years old. Nearly 10 years later, he believes his ex-wife took Ava and has been hiding her for years and thinks his daughter may not even know shes a missing person. Ava was reported missing from her elementary school, having not shown up for nearly three weeks when the school contacted her father. Police think her mother took her and Avas father has been on an years-long quest to find her. David Hopper got the call from his daughters elementary school in September 2015. Ava hadnt been in class for 21 days and the school wanted to know if he knew where she was. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lauren Spierer: A night out ended with a 12-year mystery Ava and her mother, Kathryn Baldwin, lived in San Antonio, Texas while Hopper lived in central Oklahoma, a seven-hour drive away. Ava was born to the couple after a 34-day marriage. When the school contacted him, Hopper called the San Antonio police to report 6-year-old Ava missing. What the police found surprised them. When we sent the police out to the location of the last address we had, it turned out to be an empty lot. And thats when we figured theres something going on here, Hopper said. Hopper said from the moment Kathryn told him she was pregnant, he tried to be the father Ava would want and need. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But it was difficult for him to have the chance. Hopper hired five different lawyers and spent more than $45,000 battling for a custody arrangement in courts in Texas and Oklahoma. Shes just the perfect little girl, Hopper said. She was surprised to know she had so much family on this side. Warrants say suspect allegedly admitted to killing Asha Degree While Hopper fought for custody, he said Kathryns life was spiraling. She was in and out of church missions, shelters and relationships, he said, as he fought for more access to Ava. Hopper said one day, Child Protective Services was alerted to a video of Kathryn performing a solo sexual act while 2-year-old Ava was in the bed behind her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CPS contacted us and said, if you can help us find her, we have your daughter, said Tina Fullbright, Avas aunt. David Hopper is searching for his daughter, Ava Grace Baldwin. (David Hopper and Tina Fullbright) Ava is seen with her mother, who Hopper believes is hiding her away. (David Hopper and Tina Fullbright) Ava was six years old when she disappeared. (David Hopper and Tina Fullbright) Hopper fought for custody of Ava. (David Hopper and Tina Fullbright) Ava would be 14 now, eight years after she vanished. (David Hopper and Tina Fullbright) David Hopper and Ava after her birth. (David Hopper and Tina Fullbright) Hopper fought for access to Ava after his 34-day marriage to her mother ended. (David Hopper and Tina Fullbright) Hopper and Ava baking together. (David Hopper and Tina Fullbright) Police went to the address Kathryn Baldwin gave Avas school and found an empty lot. (David Hopper and Tina Fullbright) Kathryn Baldwin, pictured, has a history of running, according to family members. (David Hopper and Tina Fullbright) Police say Kathryn Baldwin has used a dozen aliases. (David Hopper and Tina Fullbright) Ava and her mother have not been seen since 2015. (David Hopper and Tina Fullbright) Hopper said Ava was stunned to find out she had a father. (David Hopper and Tina Fullbright) But after that, Hopper was only given partial custody. He drove seven hours each way to pick up Ava for a month in the summer and holidays. He recalled what Ava said to him one of the first times he took her swimming. Youre my Daddy, youre my Daddy,' he recalled. She did not know she had a father. She was in awe she even had a father. I was kept a secret from her, I guess. Tyler Goodrichs death ruled a suicide Fullbright said Kathryn, also known as Katie, had a habit of running. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shed just jump counties. Shed get in trouble in one county and just move to another county, Fullbright said. Kathryn has a felony warrant for interfering with child custody. Police records show she had a history of alcohol and prescription drug abuse and suffers from mental illness. But when Hopper requested full custody due to his concern about Kathryns ability to keep Ava safe, Kathryn and Ava disappeared. Kathryns vehicle, a silver 2014 Ford Escape, was found abandoned in a San Antonio park in April 2016, seven months after the pair vanished. Ava would be a teenager now and Hopper has been awarded full custody. But he has a theory that Kathryns family may be hiding the pair. However, there is no proof and police have had no new leads when it comes to locating Ava or her mother. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement NewsNation spoke with Kathryns other daughter, now an adult, who was raised by an adoptive family. She was afraid to appear on camera but told NewsNation she fears Kathryn and Ava were taken. She said her mother had a very traumatic life and often trusted the wrong men. Army charges soldier after wifes disappearance Still, police are investigating the case as a non-custodial parent abduction. Hopper remains hopeful that Ava is alive. He said there have been sightings of the pair since they disappeared, including contact from a couple in Florida who said Kathryn tried to hand over custody of Ava to them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres reason to believe Avas alive. Theres a case down in Florida where we know the couple that she tried to give Ava to, they contacted us, and that was in 2016, Hopper said. San Antonio police said there was another possible sighting of Kathryn as late as 2020. They confirmed they have records of her using nearly a dozen aliases. Hopes rose again in 2022, when armchair detectives thought they spotted Ava and Kathryn in a series of TikTok videos featuring a mother-daughter duo by the names of Bebop and Bebe. Rolling Stone magazine even featured the story. We had that investigated, it turns out it wasnt them, Hopper said. But the only great thing about that is it brought a lot of attention to her case. In fact, it went viral overnight, so we cant complain about that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kyron Horman: Mother hopes for answers after 13 years For now, Hopper and his family post letters to Ava on a Facebook page, hoping that one day shell stumble across it and see how much she is loved and missed. Its hard to watch my brother go through this. This is his only child, Fullbright said. Thats all hes ever wanted, a family, and he deserves to have his daughter in his life. Hopper said sometimes he has to distance himself from his daughters disappearance because not knowing where she is eats him up inside. You ask me if shes still alive. Sometimes, I have my doubts, Ill be honest with you, but when you ask me I answer with confidence because I believe that God is true to his word, Hopper said. That he said he would watch over her, that he would protect her that he would keep her safe. And that he would bring her home one day. 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. **Learn about heat stroke in the video above LAKEWOOD, New Jersey (WJW) A New Jersey father has been charged with child endangerment following the death of his infant son earlier this month, the Ocean County Prosecutors office said in a statement. On March 18 around 1:45 p.m., police were called to the scene of a vehicle where a 4-month-old was said to be in distress. Upon arrival, they saw EMS giving aid to a baby. Police said the baby was taken to the hospital but later died. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 6 arrested for allegedly kidnapping, beating male with baseball bat for days in Ohio: Court documents An investigation determined the baby was left alone in his vehicle for an extended period of time, according to the prosecutors statement. The dad of the infant, identified as 35-year-old Moshe Ehrlich of Lakewood Township, reportedly turned himself in to authorities on March 20 and he is currently at Ocean County Jail. The prosecutors office said they were looking into other charges as well. Officials have not released a reason why the boy was left inside the vehicle alone. Teen son of former Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner dies after falling ill on vacation Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last year, there were a total of 39 pediatric vehicular heatstroke deaths in the United States, according to noheatstroke.org. Parents are reminded to not leave children alone in vehicles unattended. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Del. Lamont Bagby, D-Henrico. (Ned Oliver/Virginia Mercury) Following a brief campaign to replace outgoing Democratic Party of Virginia chairwoman Susan Swecker, Sen. Lamont Bagby, D-Henrico, was chosen as her successor over the weekend. After announcing her decision to step down last month ahead of her terms end in December, Bagby emerged as the sole and heavily-endorsed candidate. Then democratic organizer and activist Josh Stanfield and DPVA 10th Congressional District chair Zach Pruckowski announced their candidacies, as well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At a March 22 meeting of DPVA members, Bagby won election to complete Sweckers term, with 66% of the votes. My role is to make sure that Im providing the glue to keep us together, to make sure that our coordinated campaigns and messaging is in sync, and that we have the resources to to get it done, he told The Mercury ahead of his election. In the weeks before the election, Stanfield had questioned Bagbys failure to disclose certain financial information on paperwork elected officials are required to file. Bagby updated the documents to correct what he called an oversight. As he prepares to take on his role within DPVA, he does not plan to step down from his current term as a state senator or as chair of the senates Transportation Committee. He will resign as chair of the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus. With 32 members, the caucus is ripe with others who could become its primary voice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With Virginias elections for governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general and all 100 seats in the House of Delegates up for election this year, Bagby will now be able to play a role as the face and voice of DPVA to help boost Democrat candidates. While candidates may look to the party for support in a handful of the most-competitive districts this year, Democrats are also stepping up to run in nearly every district. Maintaining their majority in the House will be important for the advancement of three proposed constitutional amendments. Amending the state constitution requires resolutions to pass the legislature two years in a row with a House election in between before appearing on statewide ballots for final approval or rejection by voters. While resolutions to remove a same-sex marriage prohibition from the constitution and to enshrine voting rights for people whith felony convictions whove completed their sentences passed with bipartisan support, a reproductive rights resolution advanced because of Democrats majority in the legislature. I am ready to roll up my sleeves, work with local committees, engage directly with voters, and ensure our party keeps leading Virginia toward a brighter and better future, Bagby said in a DPVA press release announcing his election as chair. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Republican Party of Virginia may also see new leadership as chairman Rich Anderson has been tapped by President Donald Trump to serve as assistant secretary of the Air Force. Pending likely U.S. Senate approval, RPV could elect its new chair as early as April 12 , when its next meeting is scheduled. State Sen. Mark Peake, R-Lynchburg, has announced his candidacy for the race backed by Gov Glenn Youngkin, Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears and Attorney General Jason Miyares. Earle-Sears is running for governor this year and Miyares is seeking another term as attorney general, so the new RPV chair can also support their candidacies. Regaining Republican ground in the House could be a counterweight to the Democratcontrolled Senate, which is not up for election until 2026. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE A 41-year-old man from Detroit, a crime novelist with eight published works of fiction to his name, one of which comes out this year, who has spent more than 20 years in federal prison is back in custody after two more alleged heists, according to multiple media reports. In 2005, Dorian Trevor Sykes was sentenced to 17 years in prison for his participation in the Dec. 2002 robbery of a Detroit branch of Fifth Third Bank that netted him and two accomplices nearly $200,000, The Detroit News reported. Some six weeks after his release in 2019, according to the outlet, Sykes robbed two more banks in Oak Park and Warren, two suburban Detroit cities, getting away with barely more than $2,000. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was arrested a day later at a craps table inside Motor City Casino, wearing the same clothes hed worn while robbing the two banks. Sykes was later sentenced to more than five years in prison for those robberies. It was reportedly during his time in prison that he did most of his writing. During the time of his lengthy incarceration, he penned several highly notable street novels, including his Going All Out trilogy, the 41-year-olds Barnes & Noble bio reads. Currently residing in Detroit, Mr. Sykes is constantly working to give the readers new hot material. Dorian Sykes, 41, seen in this 2019 mugshot. (Warren PD) Released from prison yet again in Feb. 2024, Sykes didnt immediately return to robbing banks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It wasnt until March 6 of this year, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, that the 41-year-old reportedly walked into Credit Union One in Sterling Heights, a suburb of Detroit, handed an illegible note to the teller before saying, This is a robbery, and demanding large bills. The teller handed over $10,169 and the suspect fled. In a criminal complaint filed by Matthew Willard, a Sterling Heights Police Officer assigned to the FBIs Macomb County Gang and Violent Crime Task Force, a witness said the robbery suspect fled the area in a black crossover vehicle, possibly a Mercedes. Woman accused in grisly stabbing death of Cal Fire captain captured in Mexico Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Court records from Oct. 2024 showed Sykes received a traffic citation in a black Mercedes. Additionally, his probation officer Sykes was on supervised release for his prior bank robberies confirmed he drove a black Mercedes. Fingerprints pulled from the credit unions front door also reportedly matched Sykes. Six days after that robbery, on March 12, a suspect matching Sykes description entered a Chase Bank in Lathrup Village, a Detroit suburb, and passed the teller a withdrawal slip that a handwritten note saying, Give me all the money. I have a gun. I will kill everyone in here, before allegedly gesturing to his hip in a suggestion that he was armed. That suspect left the bank with $3,400. Nearby surveillance cameras captured the individual running behind a condo complex and fleeing in a white Rolls-Royce SUV. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cellphone records for Sykes showed his phone used a cell tower near the Sterling Heights bank on the day of the March 6 robbery. Records also showed his phone near the Chase bank on the day of the March 12 robbery, the criminal complaint alleges. Three hours after robbing the Chase Bank, the 41-year-old was tracked by law enforcement to the MGM Grand Casino, where officers spotted him in a white Rolls-Royce SUV. According to the FBI, he fled when officers attempted to pull him over. Its unclear exactly how and where he was taken into custody, but court filings, according to The Detroit News, indicated he was arrested sometime before March 18. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. MATSUYAMA, Japan - Firefighting efforts continued Monday against wildfires in two western Japan prefectures, with local governments at one point ordering a total of more than 3,000 residents to evacuate. The Ground Self-Defense Force has deployed 14 helicopters to spray water over the blazes and to engage in other disaster relief efforts, responding to requests from Okayama and Ehime prefectures made the previous day. In Okayama Prefecture, the fire has burned a total of 250 hectares of land in the cities of Okayama and Tamano, with some vacant houses and warehouses affected. The fire in Ehime, a nearby prefecture the other side of an inland sea, has engulfed over 140 hectares in Imabari, disrupting traffic. Power supplies were temporarily cut for some households to ensure the safety of firefighting efforts. The outbreak of both fires was confirmed Sunday afternoon and efforts to bring the fire under control have continued through the night. The latest blazes came after a massive wildfire in Ofunato in Iwate Prefecture, northeastern Japan, erupted in late February, burning around 3,000 hectares of the city over 12 days before it was brought under control. MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WKRN) Community members were notified late Sunday afternoon about a large police presence in a Murfreesboro neighborhood due to a barricade situation, but now authorities are investigating an officer-involved shooting. The Murfreesboro Police Department (MPD) told News 2 shortly before 5:15 p.m. on Sunday, March 23 that a person was barricaded inside a home after a domestic incident. As a result, authorities gathered on Goose Creek Lane to resolve the situation. Officials urged community members to avoid the area until further notice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Grundy County authorities recover missing mans remains Shortly after 7:15 p.m., police posted the following update on Facebook: The scene is secure. There is no active threat to the community. All streets in the neighborhood are back open. Later Sunday night, MPD and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) shared additional details, saying officers had responded to a domestic incident in the 2600 block of Goose Creek Lane at approximately 3:42 p.m. When officers arrived, they encountered a man who allegedly pointed a shotgun at them and threatened them. The TBI said the situation escalated and two officers fired at the man, who retreated into the house. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MPD said its Special Operations Unit responded to the scene, adding that Initial attempts to establish contact with the individual were unsuccessful. According to the TBI, Murfreesboro SWAT officers later entered the home and found the manlater identified as 36-year-old Adam Thomas Peeler dead inside. An autopsy will be performed to determine the cause of death. CRIME TRACKER | Read the latest crime-related reports from across Middle Tennessee None of the officers involved in the incident were injured, the TBI reported. TBI agents are working to independently determine the series of events in the shooting, including collecting evidence and conducting interviews. Throughout the process, investigative findings will be shared with the district attorney general for his further review and consideration, the bureau said in a statement. The TBI acts solely as fact-finders in its cases and does not determine whether an officers actions were justified in these types of matters. That decision rests with the district attorney general requesting TBIs involvement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No additional details have been released about the investigation into this officer-involved shooting. Download the News 2 app to stay updated on the go. Sign up for WKRN email alerts to have breaking news sent to your inbox. Find todays top stories on WKRN.com for Nashville, TN and all of Middle Tennessee. This is a developing story. WKRN News 2 will continue to update this article as new information becomes available. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. LAMAR, Mo. Improving the economic well-being of Barton County residents was the purpose of an economic summit held earlier this month in Lamar. This years Barton County Economic Summit took place inside the First Baptist Church. Hosted by the Barton County Extension Council, those in attendance got the chance to learn more about the many programs and services available across the county, as well as ones on the state and federal levels. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Agriculture, business, investments, and workforce development were just a handful of the topics covered. Extension is here to serve them in a variety of areas, and all the other presenters today are also here to serve them. Whether its helping with workforce, starting a business, community programs whatever it might be. These programs are here to serve them and are available to their community, said Lisa Robinson, UM Extension regional econ. dev. field specialist. I think sometimes we dont have the opportunity to get the, like, boots on the ground sort of information, so thats thats my other hope for today is to make some connections and hopefully bring some opportunities for us to learn more about the community, said Marisa Martinez, Federal Reserve Bank of KC community dev. advisor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Close to 80 people attended the summit, which also featured Missouris 127th District Representative, Ann Kelly. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana News) A man was killed and another was injured in a Sunday afternoon shooting in Baton Rouge. The Baton Rouge Police Department is investigating a double shooting on Monroe Avenue near Choctaw Drive that left Jalen Lee, 22, dead. Police said a second man injured in the shooting was taken to a hospital in critical condition. This is a developing story. If anyone has information that could help the police, call BRPD at 225-389-4869 or Capital Region Crime Stoppers at 225-344-7867. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Baton Rouge Police investigating bomb threat at high school Latest News Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Louisiana First News. BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) The Baton Rouge Police Department confirmed that they are investigating a bomb threat at Parkview Baptist High School. According to BRPD, the threat came in at 6:30 a.m. Monday, March 24. BRPD said, Units are still on scene conducting an investigation. This is a developing story and more information will be shared as it becomes available. Baton Rouge police investigate fatal shooting on Monroe Avenue 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. BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) An investigation into an unsupervised child running around a parking lot ended with the arrest of one woman. Kneoshia Anderson, 27, of Baton Rouge was arrested and charged with child desertion. An officer with the Baton Rouge Police Department responded to an apartment complex in the 12000 block of Coursey Boulevard a little after 5 p.m. on Thursday, March 20. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement BRPD said the child was reportedly almost hit by a vehicle. The officer spoke with someone at the scene who said a 4 or 5-year-old child was seen running around the parking lot without someone watching them and vehicles nearby. That person was able to get the young boy to his apartment. When they arrived, the person who guided the child back to the home found four unattended kids between the ages of four-months old and seven. They spoke with Anderson who said she was the parent and guardian to the children. She was told about the one child who was found unsupervised, BRPD said. The officer arrived at the home and also found that four children were there by themselves. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anderson returned to the home after being contacted by the officer. The Baton Rouge woman said she left the children alone to make a quick trip to a nearby store for cleaning supplies, according to the affidavit. Baton Rouge police investigate fatal shooting on Monroe Avenue She told the officer that she thought the kids would be ok. BRPD said, the safety and welfare of the children were jeopardized due to inadequate supervision. The Baton Rouge woman was booked into the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison on Friday, March 21. 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. Turkey and Israel: two Middle Eastern democracies in crisis. Venetia Rainey talks to Suddeutsche Zeitung journalist Raphael Geiger in Istanbul about why President Recep Tayyep Erdogans arrest of the citys mayor Ekrem Imamoglu has sparked rare protests, and what might happen next. Henry Bodkin, our correspondent in Israel, explains how the sacking of Ronen Bar, the head of the internal security agency Shin Bet, has sparked fears that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is consolidating unprecedented power and removing critics. Battle Lines, a podcast from The Telegraph, combines on-the-ground reporting with analytical expertise to help the listener to better understand the course of world politics, wars and tensions, as fault lines grind and slip in an increasingly dangerous and confusing multipolar world. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Listen to Battle Lines using the audio player in this article or on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or your favourite podcast app. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. The Voting Rights Act enshrines the right to an equal opportunity to access our political system and for Black Louisianans, that means having two congressional districts, said former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder. The Supreme Court on Monday heard oral arguments in a case that could determine whether Louisiana will have to uphold a second majority-Black congressional district. The case more broadly will focus on the future enforcement of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, as it relates to how race is legally considered in the drawing of district lines around the state and beyond. The consolidated cases, Louisiana v. Callais and Robinson v. Callais, are focused on a map first crafted by the Republican-majority Louisiana state legislature in 2022 that was successfully challenged. The plaintiffs argued that the map was racially discriminatory because only one of six congressional districts was majority Black, despite the Black population making up a third of Louisianas population. After the map was deemed likely unconstitutional under Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, the state was ordered to draw a new map with a second majority-Black district. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That district, Louisianas 6th Congressional District, is currently represented by U.S. Rep. Cleo Fields, D-La., who is Black. Fields was elected in the November 2024 election as a result of the new map and was sworn in on Jan. 3. I am confident that the court will find that politics and proper representation was the predominant factor in drawing this map, said Congressman Fields, an attorney, in a statement. Arguing this case should be left to the talented lawyers who have put in countless hours over several years. My focus is on lowering costs for Louisiana residents, making housing more affordable for middle class families, protecting consumers, and expanding access to early childhood education. Democratic Louisiana Sen. Cleo Fields speaks during the swearing in of the state Legislature, Jan. 8, 2024, in Baton Rouge, La. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert, Pool, File) However, immediately after the new map with two majority-Black districts was enacted, another lawsuit was filed, arguing that it was racially discriminatory against white voters. Now, the Supreme Court will get a chance to weigh in on the matter, either allowing the second district to remain or striking it down and requiring the state legislature to draw a new map again. This Court ruled just two years ago to uphold Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, so any decision coming out of this case should do the same, said Eric Holder, former U.S. attorney general under President Barack Obama and chairman of the National Democratic Redistricting Committee. The Voting Rights Act enshrines the right to an equal opportunity to access our political system and for Black Louisianans, that means having two congressional districts where their voices can be meaningfully heard. Anything short of that would be a textbook violation of that law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Holder continued, This absurd challenge to Louisianas fair map presents the same arguments as the anti-civil rights coalition did to prevent the enactment and reauthorizations of the Voting Rights Act a generation ago. He added, In moments like this, it is the duty of the courts to protect the rights of American citizens, and in this case, the Supreme Court must reinstate Louisianas Voting Rights Act-compliant map. The legal teeth of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which prohibits racial discrimination in access to voting, have been gradually weakened over the years. In 2013, when the Supreme Court struck down the preclearance provision, Section 5, in Shelby County v. Holder, which required states in the South with a history of racially discriminatory voting laws to first get federal approval before enacting new laws. In 2023, a ruling from the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals raised the threshold for when civil rights groups can challenge voting laws on behalf of Black voters. Civil rights leaders have long decried the rulings from federal courts, saying they have opened the door to more barriers to voting access for Black and brown voters created by partisan Republican lawmakers. Eric Holder, Former U.S. Attorney General in New York City. (Photo by Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images) This case isnt just about a congressional map. Its about representation and living up to the fundamental ideal that should guide our democracy: that every individual has the right to exercise self-determination at the ballot box, said Marina Jenkins, executive director at National Redistricting Foundation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Supreme Courts ruling in 2023, which allowed Alabama to move forward with a new map with a second Black-majority district, gives advocates hope in the Louisiana case. In Allen v. Milligan, the high court ruled that a map excluding the second district diluted the voting power of Black residents. It would be a head-spinning reversal of its own precedent, said Jenkins if the Supreme Court was to rule against Louisianas second majority-Black district. She added, This should be a straightforward decision for the CourtThe State of Louisiana chose how to meet that requirement within their own political prerogatives. That should be the end of the story. More must-reads: BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) If you want to vote in next months Bay County municipal election but havent registered to vote the registration deadline is today. Bay County officials are urging people to act now before it is too late. Lynn Haven, Panama City, and Mexico Beach all have races on the ballot. If youve never registered before, you can do so by going to the Bay County Supervisor of Elections website. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Youll need your drivers license or state-issued ID and youll need to provide the last four digits of your social security number, along with proof of your address. The deadline to submit is 12:00 tonight. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. SEOUL - South Korea's Constitutional Court on Monday dismissed a parliamentary motion to impeach Prime Minister Han Duck Soo over his alleged tacit approval of President Yoon Suk Yeol's brief imposition of martial law in early December. Han was immediately reinstated as prime minister and acting president. His authority had been suspended since the National Assembly passed the motion to impeach him on Dec. 27, nearly two weeks after it passed a motion against Yoon over his Dec. 3 declaration of martial law. After returning to office, Han expressed his appreciation for the court's decision and said, "As acting president, I will devote myself fully to the stable management of state affairs in accordance with the Constitution and the law." Seven of the current eight justices at the court struck down the impeachment motion, with five dismissing it and two voting to reject the motion itself. Six justices, including the one who upheld the impeachment motion, said there was no evidence that Han took proactive action to provide legitimacy for Yoon's declaration of martial law. The main opposition Democratic Party submitted the impeachment motion against Han while he was serving as acting president, following Yoon's suspension from his presidential duties over the martial law decree. As grounds for the motion, the party also cited Han's refusal to appoint justices to the court despite vacant seats ahead of Yoon's impeachment trial, Han's refusal to approve bills for investigations into Yoon's brief imposition of martial law and corruption allegations against the president's wife. With regard to Han's refusal to appoint justices, five of the eight determined that he acted against the law but four said the illegality did not justify his removal from office. While Han refused to appoint three justices when the nine-seat court was down to six, Deputy Prime Minister Choi Sang Mok, who became acting president after Han's impeachment, appointed two of the three in late December. The court is expected to rule on Yoon's impeachment or reinstatement later this month. Meanwhile, another South Korean court on Monday held its second preparatory hearing for a criminal trial of Yoon on insurrection charges in connection with his declaration of martial law, setting April 14 as the date of the first hearing. Related coverage: South Korean President Yoon freed after 52 days in detention Acting South Korea president hopeful for "new chapter" with Japan South Korean President Yoon indicted for insurrection over martial law Support for legalizing marijuana in North Carolina is growing. Charlotte representative files bill to legalize marijuana in North Carolina A new bill was filed that would allow marijuana sales across the state to anyone 21 or older. The only place legally selling marijuana is on the Cherokee reservation, which is marking one year since sales began. Channel 9s Dave Faherty got an inside look at the operation, which is rapidly expanding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Great Smoky Cannabis Company in Cherokee sells 300 products made from marijuana. Customers could be seen lining up on a weekday morning, waiting to get inside and make their purchases. Behind the scenes, general manager Forest Parker showed Faherty the indoor grow operation, packaging areas, and a production line that makes gummies and edibles. There are 70 greenhouses a few miles away filled with tens of thousands of plants, and a newly expanded indoor grow area will soon be operational. Customer Rick Foley travels from Georgia and said the marijuana helps with his melanoma and prostate cancer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It helps relax you and take the nausea away and actually for pain also, Foley said. In September of 2023, nearly 70% of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians approved a referendum to legalize marijuana and soon after, the business began to take shape. Sales on the reservation opened to the public in September 2024, and once customer said he bought marijuana on the first day. The man, who didnt want to be identified, said he takes the product off the reservation to use it. I dont want to get in no trouble, he said. But I dont have no seizures with marijuana. I have pain and I use that. Parker said they had as many as 32,000 customers over six weeks earlier this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A woman, who is a retired nurse, showed Faherty the products she and her daughter bought to help a friend suffering from lung cancer. Shes in tremendous pain, and she just started chemo and radiation, she said. And she was having a lot of pain and nausea, and this just makes life bearable. Parker said stories like that inspire the more than 200 employees who manufacture safe marijuana products. Recreational marijuana sales begin on North Carolina tribal land The business is growing fast with no competition, but Parker knows that could change if marijuana eventually becomes legal statewide. We welcome that, Parker said. We just want to position ourselves so that we are the gold standard for health and safety. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are warnings about taking the products off the reservation. Transportation of cannabis off tribal lands is prohibited. There are also rules banning marijuana use in public areas and sales are limited to 21 and up. Faherty checked with neighboring counties and couldnt find a single marijuana arrest from items sold at the Cherokee dispensary. VIDEO: NC Court of Appeals reverses course on marijuana smell for searches The owners of a beloved cafe on the North Shore of Massachusetts announced over the weekend that they have put the eatery up for sale. Kendall Bowie and Kyree Gerson, the owners of Mad Marthas at 51 Northern Boulevard in Newbury, are selling the popular breakfast and brunch restaurant. For over 25 years, Mad Marthas has been a beloved pillar of our community. We feel fortunate to have been part of this special place for the past 14 years. In that time, weve hosted countless celebrations and made many joyful memories with all of you, Bowie and Gerson wrote in a Facebook post. Weve seen babies grow into kids, families return year after year and welcomed countless new friends from near and far. Being part of your lives and traditions has truly been the highlight of our journey. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bowie and Gerson met on State Street in Newburyport managing restaurants just steps from each other, a post on the eaterys website explains. They later traded the cobblestones of downtown Newburyport for the sandy beaches of Plum Island, launching Mad Marthas in September 2011. After more than a decade of growth and change together, we feel ready for the next chapter. While the cafe is thriving, our lives are calling us in a new direction. We want to pass the reins to a new owner who will carry on the spirit of Mad Marthas, Bowie and Gerson stated in their announcement. Bowie and Gerson noted that they hope to sell the business in its entirety to a buyer committing to maintaining the local destination. Anyone interested in taking over Mad Marthas is encouraged to contact Bowie and Gerson. We have some BIG NEWS to share! After much thought, we have made the decision to put Mad Martha's Cafe up for sale. For... Posted by Mad Martha's Cafe on Sunday, March 23, 2025 Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW BENNETTSVILLE, S.C. (WBTW) Bennettsville police have arrested a man in connection with a March 1 shooting that injured one person. Travis Sentell Esaw, 41, is charged with attempted murder and possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime. He was arrested on Friday. The shooting happened at about 9:15 p.m. in the area of Breeden Street. Police said the victim was shot multiple times and taken to the hospital but did not provide any information about their condition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No additional details about the case were immediately available. The Marlboro County Sheriffs Office and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division assisted in the investigation. This arrest is [a] testament to the commitment of our department to see justice served, interim Police Chief Sammy Crosland said in a Facebook post about the arrest. We hope it brings a sense of progress and reassurance to the community. We remain focused on holding those responsible for violent acts accountable and will continue working tirelessly to ensure the safety of our residents. We ask that anyone with additional information regarding this case come forward. Anyone with information is asked to call Bennettsville police at 843-479-3620 or 843-456-7813. * * * Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dennis Bright is the Digital Executive Producer at News13. He joined the team in May 2021. Dennis is a West Virginia native and a graduate of Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia. Follow Dennis on Facebook, X, formerly Twitter, and read more of his work here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW. BEREA, Ky. (FOX 56) A change in leadership is coming to Berea Independent Schools. The community has been outspoken about Dr. Diane Hatchett, going as far as to start a petition calling for her resignation, citing financial mismanagement. Students, faculty stage walkout at Berea Community High School I hope she resigns immediately. Couldnt do it soon enough, because we need to right this ship as quick as possible, said Kerry Cummins, who started the petition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement released on Monday morning, March 24, the district indicated that its heard the communitys concerns and that change is imminent. The leadership at Berea Independent School District wants to thank all our stakeholders for their engagement, thoughtfulness, and care for the future of our schools. We recognize the urgency members of the public have expressed about the need for change in leadership at the district. We thank the community for sharing their expectations, and we agree that it is in the best interest of students, families, school staff, and the district to make the change promptly. To that end, the board chair and the superintendent are discussing options to make that happen as quickly and efficiently as possible. As you may expect, there are legalities and contract rights of the Superintendent that must be addressed. We appreciate your patience and commit to providing updates as quickly as possible. Berea Independent Schools Students and staff staged a walkout on Wednesday afternoon, March 19, after hearing of tentative staff cuts within the districts10 at the elementary level, five and a half in middle school, and eight and a half in high school. Whenever were losing good faculty members, good staff because you dont have money to pay them because of gross misconduct. It just breaks my heart, and I had to do something, Cummins told FOX 56. The petition alleged that Hatchett spent more than $41,000 on travel expenses in the current school year alone, nearly double Bereas per-capita income. The cuts are expected to save the district almost $1.3 million, but students from the protest say you cant put a price on the effects these cuts will have on them. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I have a younger brother. And even knowing that, like the school experience I had, he might not be able to get it broke my heart. So, I knew that I wanted to leave that for him and for all our underclassmen, Chloe Gibson, a senior at the walkout, said. Hatchett previously announced her plans to retire in January, ending her over 35-year career in education. An audit of the district revealed it was nearly $2 million in debt and also determined the district has been overspending. The district said at the time that the money crunch was caused by a solar project that had been delayed, as well as a decline in enrollment. I know one thing about this school is that they care about each other and they lean on each other, and that goes from alumni, like myself, all the alumni before me, all the kids that are there now, the staff, the faculty, and were going to get through this; I dont know how, but were going to get through this, Cummins said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement FOX 56 reached out to the board and superintendent. The board declined to comment, and we have not heard back from Hatchett. Daegiona Wilson 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. About 100 Berks County postal workers and concerned citizens gathered outside the Wyomissing post office on Sunday to rally against a potential takeover of the U.S. Postal Service. President Donald Trump announced in February that he may put the agency under the control of the Commerce Department and dissolve the current leadership of the 250-year-old mail provider. The Postal Service has operated as an independent entity since 1970 and is overseen by a board of governors nominated by the president and confirmed by the Senate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The protest Sunday was organized by members of the local branch of the National Association of Letter Carriers union. They say they fear the potential move by the Trump administration could be the first step toward privatization. Richard McDonough, vice president of the local union branch and a letter carrier in Reading for more than 30 years, said privatizing the agency would dramatically impact the way Americans receive deliveries. We oppose any plans to eliminate the USPS leadership, abolish regulatory oversight and carve up postal operations, thereby threatening the universal mandate to deliver everywhere and for the same price, he said. Current law requires the agency to deliver to all addresses, even rural ones that may be too costly for a private business to serve profitably. McDonough noted that many online purchases handled by private companies such as FedEx and UPS depend upon the Postal Service to deliver to homes in remote communities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McDonough said privatization would jeopardize nearly 8 million jobs that depend on the postal network, rural and urban delivery services and affordable shipping costs. Trump has said that absorbing the independent mail agency into his administration would stop losses at the agency, which has struggled to balance its books with the decline of traditional mail. The bulk of the Postal Services annual $78.5 billion budget comes from customer fees, according to the Congressional Research Service. Congress provides an annual appropriation about $50 million in 2023 to subsidize mail services. Amid challenges that include the decline in profitable first class mail and the cost of retiree benefits, the agency accumulated $87 billion in losses from 2007 to 2020, according to the Associated Press. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But McDonough pointed out that the mission of the Postal Service is to provide a mandated service, not to make a profit. He said that every single day more than 200,000 letter carriers are making sure 376 million pieces of mail get delivered to nearly 169 million destinations. We are not concerned about making money, we are concerned about providing a good service to the American people, he said. That means that if we are under threat then people are in jeopardy of not getting their essential packages, medications and mail. And this is the biggest threat we have ever faced. Members of the National Association of Letter Carriers demonstrate outside the Wyomissing post office Sunday to protest a possible change in the way the U.S. Postal service is governed. (Courtesy of National Association of Letter Carriers) Sen. Bernie Sanders nearly stormed off the set during an interview on ABC Sunday. Sanders lost his temper when host Jonathan Karl asked about the possibility of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez running to replace Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who has faced a massive backlash from Democrats after voting for a GOP-backed spending bill. You want to do nonsense, do nonsense! Sanders said from off-screen after standing up to leave. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I dont want to talk about inside-the-Beltway stuff, he added as Karl implored him to stay. The interviewer insisted he had only asked about Ocasio-Cortez because the pair had appeared at a series of political events together in the last week. Sanders only took his seat after Karl assured him his following question would be about Sanders himself. Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez hit the road last week for a series of rallies Fighting Oligarchy at college campuses and in different swing districts across Colorado , Arizona , and Nevada . A gathering in Denver , Colo., on Saturday drew an estimated 30,000 people. This nation was built by working people, and were not going to let a handful of billionaires run the government, Sanders told the crowd. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democrats have been embroiled in a civil war since Schumer voted to advance a government-funding bill backed by Republicans last week. Schumer said he had supported the bill to avoid the damaging upheaval of a government shutdown. In response, dozens of House Democrats penned a letter to Schumer condemning his capitulation and perceived failure to fight against Republican chaos. Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a longtime ally of Schumers, remarked, I myself dont give away anything for nothing. Amid the carnage, California Rep. Ro Khanna has publicly urged Ocasio-Cortez to challenge Schumer for his seat should he run for re-election in 2028. Sanders appeared reluctant to address Ocasio-Cortezs leadership prospects, though he did answer the reporters question about the future of his own career. Right now, Im Vermont Senator. Thats what I do, and Im very happy to do it, he said. I am 83 years of age. So and Im tired! The California owner of multifamily housing complexes in Tacoma recently acquired a massive warehouse site in Auburn. Cushman & Wakefield commercial real estate firm on Monday said in a news release it had arranged the sale-and-acquisition loan for Auburn Park 44, a 204,458-square-foot multi-tenant industrial/distribution building on more than 9 acres. The site was developed by Panattoni Development in 2007, which sold it in 2008 to an LLC affiliated with BlackRock for $17.8 million, King County property records show. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The BlackRock-affiliated LLC sold the site in February for $43.75 million to an LLC affiliated with Beverly Hills-based Kennedy Wilson, a real estate investment company, property records show. Other LLCs affiliated with Kennedy Wilson in 2020 acquired The Pacifica apartments in Tacoma and in 2023 acquired Ascend Rainier Ridge apartments (now renamed Solace at Rainier Ridge), between South Hill and Graham. Kennedy Wilson lists many other area multifamily sites in the state in its portfolio. The Auburn site appears to be Kennedy Wilsons first warehouse/distribution purchase in the area and has an appraised value of nearly $42 million, according to King County property records online. Auburn Park 44 is at 814 44th St. and current tenants include TireHub, a national tire distributor, and Belshaw, which specializes in baking equipment primarily tied to doughnut production. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the release, Cushman & Wakefields Jeff Chiate, Matthew Leupold, Bryce Aberg, Rick Ellison and Aubrie Monahan of the firms National Industrial Group West represented the seller. Cushman & Wakefields Patrick Mullin in collaboration with Andrew Hitchcock of CBRE also provided local leasing advisory. Additionally, a Cushman & Wakefield Equity, Debt & Structured Finance team arranged the acquisition loan on behalf of Kennedy Wilson. This is an institutional-quality industrial asset well positioned in Auburn, WA, considered as one of the most sought-after industrial submarkets in the country, with vacancy at just 2.9% at the close of 2024, said Jeff Chiate, executive vice chair for Cushman & Wakefield, in a statement. The property features exceptional access to an abundant labor pool, over 4.5 million consumers within a 50-mile radius, he added, along with long-term tenancy and major companies that have occupied their space since building inception as well as headquartered at Auburn Park 44. The top law firms in New York City gave Donald Trump the high hat for years, despite his wealth, fame, and standing. But Big Law is finally putting politics aside and getting back to business. Last month, Sullivan & Cromwell agreed to handle President Trumps appeal in the egregious criminal case brought by posing partisan prosecutor Alvin Bragg. Last week, Paul Weiss agreed to provide $40 million of legal work on "mutually agreeable matters" in support of the Trump administrations policy initiatives, and agreed to boot DEI too, in exchange for Trumps agreement to terminate his Executive Order "Addressing Risks from Paul Weiss." Some decry Paul Weiss agreement as craven - and one young associate at another firm threatened to quit unless her law firm fights with Trump to her satisfaction. Shes missing the point, as have most of Trumps other critics in the legal profession. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Until relatively recently, Big Law is all about business - and avoiding political risks. Leading partners at the mega-firms are practical people who behave rationally, not ideologically. And thats how its supposed to work. So, when Democratic Party lawyers tried to overwhelm Trump with egregious and extra-legal lawfare, Americans rallied around him and helped him retake the presidency. Even then, Big Law refused to represent him because the risk-adjusted return of helping Donald Trump was less than shunning him. Nothing personal, just business - or so they thought. Its true that most lawyers, including those who pursue careers in the elite law firms, are Democrats. Two of the three law firms singled out by President Trump are among the most unbalanced of the largest 100 firms. And while Paul Weiss was closer to average, its partners donated more money to Democratic Party campaign committees in a recent cycle than any other large law firm - and one of its partners prepped Kamala Harris for her debate with Trump. Its also true that big law firms perceive left-wing activist groups as an outsize risk to their ability to recruit top talent, mostly from elite institutions that are also left. To mitigate that risk, firms have for many years catered to the groups requests for financial, policy, and legal support. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats why Big Law tilted further and further to the left over the last 15 years. With groups agitating from the left and with big clients who previously leaned right, such as BlackRock and members of the Business Roundtable, riding shotgun for activists, Big Law went with the flow. These law firms contributed money to Democrats while also synchronizing their pro bono and corporate advisory work with the lefts economic activism - leveraging public sector pension investments, boycott threats, and "naming and shaming" publicity campaigns - along with legal, regulatory, and bureaucratic activism in support of "Environmental, Social and Governance" and "Diversity, Equity and Inclusion" initiatives. Together, the groups and the law firms harnessed much of private finance and industry to the Democrats agenda, putting political commissars in C-suites of American businesses under the rubric of DEI and ESG, in a stunningly successful end run around democratic legislative processes. As Big Law attorneys midwifed this revolution, conservative activists and attorneys took note. Some opposed the status quo in private practice; others were shunned by big law after serving in the first Trump administration. Compounding the affront, some firms actually embraced those who participated in the anti-Trump lawfare, betting that Trump was finished and his lawyers would fade away. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They lost that bet and, with a volley of Executive Orders, Trump sent shock waves through the legal ecosystem, increasing the cost of participating in progressive activism and taking a big step toward purging the politicization of American business. With that background, its clear that Paul Weiss agreement is a savvy business move thats "sleeves off a vest." According to the New York Times,Paul Weiss chairman pointed out in his firmwide email that the agreement "reaffirmed" long standing principles of the firm - and rebalances their firm politically going forward. Paul Weiss agreed: The justice system should be fair and nonpartisan; not to hire lawyers or choose clients based on their partisan affiliation; to take on a wide range of pro bono matters that represent the full spectrum of political viewpoints; to affirm their commitment to merit-based hiring promotion and retention; to terminate its DEI programs; and to take on "mutually agreed" pro bono projects in support of the administrations initiatives. This is a win-win resolution for Paul Weiss and President Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Perhaps the hardest pill for some lawyers to swallow is the termination of DEI, but the problem with DEI is not diversity or inclusion - the problem is the equity in between. A firm culture premised on equity is inherently more fractious and unstable than one built around equality of opportunity and equal treatment. As currently conceived, "equity" is a transactional concept rooted in anger thats conceptually unbounded. There is no limiting principle inherent to the concept of "equity." When do you know you have achieved it? Whats the standard if it isnt equality? This makes equity arbitrary and unbounded - its why when San Francisco had a commission on equity for descendants of slaves they came up with $5 million per person - a number plucked from thin air - which even if paid would lead to demands for even more. On the other hand, equality is relational, not transactional, bounded by reciprocity and rooted in respect for, not anger at, other people, including those who have different viewpoints or backgrounds. Diversity is a fact, inclusivity remains a virtue, and equality is a better organizational ethic than equity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So, while there are still issues to be resolved regarding the executive orders directed at other law firms, the Paul Weiss agreement is a smart roadmap for Big Law generally, but also in dealings with the Trump administration more specifically: Focus on business and keep the politics in balance. Richard Porter is the former National Committeeman to the RNC from Illinois. Local police and other officials have asked lawmakers to help them combat pop-up parties that often devolve into chaos. (Daniella Heminghaus for New Jersey Monitor) Lawmakers in both chambers unanimously approved a bill Monday that would create new criminal charges in a bid to stem large and sudden pop-up parties ahead of the summer season, sending the measure to Gov. Phil Murphys desk. The legislation would allow individuals to be jailed for inciting a public brawl, with other penalties for individuals who seek to conceal their identities or disrupt public gatherings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Why people want to meet up and brawl, I have no idea, but thats what seems to be going on, said bill sponsor Sen. Paul Moriarty (D-Gloucester). We have some events that are coming up this spring and summer that, already, theres been chatter online that police have picked up where people are sharing the announcements of these meetings or these events and saying, Were going to meet there, and were going to go at it. Lawmakers push for new penalties comes after local officials last year griped about disruptive pop-up parties organized on social media, often outside the notice of local officials. The scale of those events, as well as the speed at which they can be organized, has overwhelmed authorities in some towns and spurred officials to beseech lawmakers for more tools to curtail them. We didnt used to have regular public brawls or spontaneous public gatherings of mostly young people. With social media now, you can have 500 people show up and the word started to go out two days before. That can overwhelm police, said Sen. Declan OScanlon (R-Monmouth), a Republican cosponsor. Pop-up parties organized over social media last year drew hundreds of teenagers and young adults to boardwalks and beaches across the Jersey Shore, leading to temporary boardwalk closures in Wildwood, Ocean City, and Seaside Heights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials there and elsewhere have said the young peoples conduct fell short of what could be charged under the states rioting statute but demanded stronger sanctions than those that could be meted out through a disorderly persons charge. You talk to local police, you talk to local officials, they want laws with teeth so they can deter this, OScanlon said. The newly created offense of inciting a public brawl would be a fourth-degree crime carrying up to 18 months behind bars and fines of up to $10,000 if the person charged moved to organize at least four others to engage in disorderly conduct with the aim of disrupting a public gathering. Absent a preexisting public gathering, inciting a public brawl would be a disorderly persons charge carrying fines of not more than $1,000 and a prison term of up to six months. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill would make it a disorderly persons offense for an individual to willfully disrupt a public gathering or to attempt to conceal their identity while engaging in disorderly conduct. Those changes take effect immediately, but lawmakers are weighing another bill that would provide training to state police so they could identify pop-up parties in their planning stages and make more state resources available to local officials to prevent these kinds of parties. Moriarty said he expects that bill to advance when the Legislature next holds a voting session in May. In April, there is typically little legislative activity aside from budget hearings held in both chambers. He was less certain about when a third bill that could extend criminal liability for unruly minors to their parents might advance, acknowledging that bill may be a little bit more controversial. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It shouldnt be an everyday occurrence. There should be some really meaty facts that show they should have done something or known something, but I think the appetite is there to say parents need to watch what their kids are doing, Moriarty said. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) News 8 has learned that the plan is for the Bills Training Camp to be held at St. John Fisher University once again this season, as has been expected. While details on the number and the time of practices wont be determined until much later in the spring, its very likely the format will be similar to what the team used the last few years for training camp. Josh Allen at Bills training camp 2024. (Jim McCoy/WIVB.) Josh Allen discusses free agency, newest contract extension Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This will be the 24th Bills Training Camp held in the Rochester area. The team has come to the area every season since 2000 and only missed two summers due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. TOKYO - Japan on Monday launched a new command for the Self-Defense Forces to better integrate its ground, maritime and air defenses, in a major revamp aimed at ensuring smoother coordination with the U.S. military at a time when tensions are heightened over potential contingencies involving Taiwan. The SDF Joint Operations Command was established at the Defense Ministry in Tokyo with about 240 personnel. Gen. Kenichiro Nagumo, who has deep expertise in SDF joint operations, leads the permanent body. The move is part of Japan's ongoing efforts to significantly beef up its defense capabilities amid a deteriorating regional security environment, with China increasing its assertiveness, particularly toward self-ruled Taiwan, and North Korea continuing its nuclear and missile buildup. "Our nation is facing the most severe and complicated security environment in the postwar era," and the launch of the new command is of "great significance," Defense Minister Gen Nakatani told a ceremony. Prior to the change, the top uniformed officer in the SDF -- the chief of staff of the Joint Staff -- was responsible for joint operations in which the Ground Self-Defense Force, Maritime Self-Defense Force, and Air Self-Defense Force operated in unison. However, the chief of staff was also tasked with offering expert advice to the defense minister on SDF operations. The 2011 earthquake and tsunami disaster, which also triggered a nuclear power plant accident, demonstrated that the chief of staff's workload could be unmanageable in cases of large-scale emergencies. The new structure will allow the chief of the Joint Staff to focus on supporting the defense minister, while the new joint headquarters will centrally command GSDF, MSDF and ASDF units across Japan to improve the effectiveness of combined operations and enable prompt response and decision-making, according to the Defense Ministry. The head of the Joint Operations Command, to use the acronym JJOC, is given broad authority at times of contingencies ranging from force allocation to leading operations, including cross-domain activities that may also involve outer space and cyberspace. "We will respond to situations seamlessly, from peacetime to a contingency, to defend the lives of our citizens and their ability to live in peace as well as our nation's territory, waters and airspace," Nagumo said at the ceremonial event. As a counterpart to the new SDF command, the United States announced last year that it will reconstitute U.S. Forces Japan into a joint force headquarters which will take on more operational responsibilities amid concerns over the limited role of the USFJ in dealing with contingencies in the region. While the two countries seek to modernize their decades-old alliance through upgraded command and control frameworks, concerns remain in Japan that closer alignment could lead the SDF to be placed under the U.S. military command in the event of an emergency. Taiwan is viewed as a potential military flashpoint that could draw the United States into conflict with China, an eventuality that would pose serious security challenges for Japan given the proximity of its remote southwestern islands, including the Tokyo-controlled, Beijing-claimed Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea. Related coverage: Japan says no shift in U.S. alliance despite Trump budget cut plans Japan eyes deploying long-range missiles on Kyushu island Japan MSDF frigate makes port call in Australia amid contract bid When the House of Representatives was sworn in on January 3, Brittany Pettersen was pushing her luck in being there. The Colorado Democrat was just three weeks away from giving birth to her son, Sam, which she wanted to do in her congressional district with her family, not in Washington. So when she returned home a few days after the 119th Congress began, she stayed. I had hit the point where, you know, medical professionals tell you not to fly. Its too dangerous, and airlines wont let you on the plane when youre that close to your due date, Pettersen recalled. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She missed 41 House votes between leaving to give birth and racing back with her newborn for a crucial budget vote on February 25 which she cast with baby Sam cradled in her arms. Just taking them out, even going to the grocery store or something like that. Youre worried about germs, exposure, youre worried about putting them in a car. So it was scary the first time that I flew with him, Pettersen recalled. She argues all those missed votes were unnecessary, and that she should have been allowed to vote by proxy, which current House rules prohibit. Its about changing Congress and making it, you know, bringing it out of the dark ages and doing things that are in alignment with 2025, you know, we should be able to be parents and still represent our constituents, Pettersen said while holding then 6-week-old Sam, who once again was spending time on the crowded House floor so that his mother could vote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She teamed up with Republican Anna Paulina Luna to try to force a change in the House rules allowing new parents mothers as well as fathers to vote by proxy for up to 12 weeks around the birth of a baby. Luna said lawmakers should not have to choose between recovery and bonding with their baby to come to Washington to vote. Were siloing it. Its very specific. It is to female members who have given birth and male members whove just had a child, their spouse has given birth, and sometimes they need to be there for that recovery process, explained Luna. GOP leaders argue its unconstitutional and a slippery slope. Luna began pushing her own Republican leaders for permission to vote by proxy during the last Congress, when she gave birth to her son Henry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said then House Speaker Kevin McCarthy said it was unconstitutional, and now, Speaker Mike Johnson and the rest of her GOP leadership team argue the same. Johnson filed a brief with the US Supreme Court making that argument when House Democrats allowed proxy voting during the coronavirus pandemic. While Luna said she believes she came up with a way to craft permission for proxy voting, so that it would pass constitutional muster, her House GOP leaders say they dont agree. We sympathize with our colleagues who face circumstances that prevent them from being present, but proxy voting raises serious constitutional questions. It also changes more than two and a half centuries of tradition, abuses the system, and creates the risk of a slippery slope toward more and more members casting votes remotely, said Johnson, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, House Whip Tom Emmer and House Conference Chair Lisa McClain in a joint statement provided to CNN. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When it comes to the slippery slope, some who oppose the rules change say its not realistic to only allow proxy voting for new parents. What about lawmakers who are ill or otherwise have legitimate real-life excuses for not being able to come to the House floor to vote? A slap in the face for young lawmakers Nevermind that she believes proxy voting for new parents is constitutional, Luna complains that GOP leaders opposition is politically dumb. I mean everything that weve campaigned on being pro-family, pro-life, she said, going on to add that it is a massive slap in the face. Republicans have been trying hard in recent years to recruit younger GOP women to run for Congress, and she says this hurts their case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When Im talking to other women, specifically women that are professionals in the workforce, theyre like, Wait, you cant vote? she recalls. That might not seem like a big issue to a majority of Americans, but for people that have been in that circumstance, I mean, what does it tell other younger women who are wanting to run for office? You cant vote because you have a baby? Thats so backwards and archaic, Luna added. Both women noted how important it is for parents with young children to have lawmakers serving in Congress who can relate to them. We have life events that happen and giving birth, having a baby, we wanna make sure that those members still have a voice in Congress because we dont wanna lose the representation of parents who understand the struggles families are going through, said Pettersen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a notoriously older Congress, these women say they feel like they are in the generational minority. My joke is that when you go to Congress in your 40s, youre young again, Pettersen deadpanned. They defend the status quo. Its really difficult to change things and the justification is this is how weve always done it and this is how were gonna continue to do it and thats why we need people that are willing to challenge that, she said. Forcing a vote to allow proxy voting On March 11, Pettersen and Luna, along with other co-sponsors Reps. Mike Lawler, a New York Republican, and Sara Jacobs, a California Democrat, gathered enough signatures on what is known as a discharge petition to circumvent House GOP leaders opposition and force a vote on allowing proxy voting for new parents. Eleven House Republicans bucked their leadership to sign it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With discharge petitions, after seven legislative days, the measure can come for a vote on the House floor. Pettersen told CNN they hope that means to vote to change the House rules in the next two weeks. Luna, who has been a thorn in her leaderships side before, has vowed to make other legislating more difficult if they try to block it and with such a narrow GOP majority, every vote counts. Luna is only the 12th woman in congressional history to give birth while in office. Pettersen is the 13th. They dont agree on much policy or politics, but they formed a bipartisan bond over their effort to be able to represent their constituents while also taking care of their own maternal health and that of their new babies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We couldnt have done this without working together, and Im so grateful to have this partnership and I, you know, to have the people that were willing to stand up and say this actually isnt right, it doesnt make sense and were gonna do what we need to bring a vote to the floor, and we know that if it comes to the floor we have overwhelming bipartisan support, said Pettersen. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. The Democratic leader in the Missouri House said new Republican leadership is one of the main reasons why the General Assembly is moving as quickly as it is during the first half of the 2025 legislative session. In an interview Monday with FOX 2 News, State Representative Ashley Aune, D-Platte County, acknowledged the limitations of being in the super minority but credits new leadership and bipartisanship for making the Legislature rapidly efficient so far this session. Its been really fascinating to see how quickly legislation is moving through both the House and the Senate this year compared to years past, Aune said. I do think that a lot of that work has been bipartisan, which Im really thrilled about. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, her partys diminished status can make it difficult to effectively fight a piece of legislation. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News Being in a super majority/super minority situation, theres plenty of policy being moved through this building that I dont agree with, she said. Theres a huge disparity between how Republicans and Democrats are treated in this building, Aune said. But I think every challenge like that the Democrats have I think that we find opportunity in it, and Im really proud of how effective we have been. Between new GOP leadership in the House, Senate, and governors mansion, Aune went on to say theres a lot more synergy in the Capitol. She attributes some of that to Republican Gov. Mike Kehoes brand of retail politics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats just kind of what he shines at and thats how he works the building, through relationships, Aune said. I think thats incredibly effective. Even with her praise, Aune knows how difficult it is to be a Democrat in Jefferson City and Missouri. Its tough, Aune said. Rapper GloRilla ends St. Louis show early after several fights break out The Republican majority doesnt need a single one of our votes to get one of their priorities passed, she said. That makes it really tough for our party to find leverage and find opportunities to get our own legislation passed or even heard a lot of times. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Democrat lawmaker she has only had two bills that were ever heard. Aune is a fifth-year lawmaker. But even a member of the super minority, Aune remains optimistic about the future of the Democratic Party in Missouri. Here in Missouri, there is so much opportunity for Democrats, she said. Whether it is ending the supermajority by flipping some seats and regaining a little bit more balance here in the Legislature (or by relationships). Going back to how bipartisan things have felt this year, making sure that our caucus is constantly utilizing the relationships that we build in this building to get bipartisan work done and to get bipartisan policy passed for our constituents. 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. PORTSMOUTH The Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire will host a Juneteenth event titled "Never Caught: The Defiant Journey of Ona Marie Judge Staines." The program will take place on Thursday, June 12, at 5:30 p.m. at the Currier Museum of Art in Manchester, and will shed light on the remarkable life of Ona Judge, a woman born into slavery at George Washingtons Mount Vernon estate who courageously escaped to freedom in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. The event features a dramatic reading of Ona Judges 1845 interview, originally published in The Granite Freeman (Concord, N.H.), performed by acclaimed New Hampshire actress Sandi Clarke Kaddy. Following the reading, Dr. Erica Armstrong Dunbar, author of the Pulitzer Prize finalist "Never Caught: The Washingtons Relentless Pursuit of Their Runaway Slave, Ona Judge," will discuss Judges story and its lasting significance in the American struggle for freedom and justice. The Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire will host a Juneteenth discussion on Ona Marie Judge on Thursday, June 12, 2025, exploring her defiant journey to freedom and its significance in American history. Onas courageous act of self-liberation speaks to the larger American story of enslavement, the relentless quest for freedom, and the systemic forces that sought to maintain racial oppression, said JerriAnne Boggis, executive director of the Black Heritage Trail of NH. We are looking forward to this event and offering deeper insight into Onas story and its lasting significance in American history. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Presented in partnership with the Currier Museum of Art, this program is part of the Black Heritage Trails mission to share the untold stories of African American history in the Granite State. Admission is free, but space is limited. For reservations, visit blackheritagetrailnh.org or call 603-570-8469. This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Black Heritage Trail of NH to host Juneteenth event on Ona Judge The body of a missing 13-year-old has been found as her father faces charges in connection to her disappearance. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Darnell Jones, 33, was charged in Toledo Municipal Court with third-degree felony abduction, WTOL reported. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A warrant has been issued for Jones, who also goes by Darnell Ogletree. Police confirmed to WTOL that Jones is accused of physically abducting his daughter, 13-year-old Keimani Latigue, who was reported missing on March 18. Latigues body was found at a home in Toledo, the family confirmed to WTOL. Police have not officially identified the body as Latigues. Jones allegedly gave officers inconsistent statements about his activity with the victim as well as their whereabouts. It is not clear at this time if Jones will face additional charges in connection to Latigues death. Anyone with information that could lead to Joness whereabouts is asked to call Toledo police or Crime Stoppers at 419-255-1111. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Police say "incendiary" devices were found at a Tesla dealership in Austin. It's the latest incident at a Tesla showroom amid a rise in vandalism directed at Tesla and those who own the vehicles. Trump has said the attacks against Tesla will be labeled as domestic terrorism. "Incendiary" devices were found at a Tesla dealership in Austin where the company is headquartered. The Austin Police Department told Business Insider that officers responded to a call about suspicious devices around 8:04 a.m. on Monday. After arriving at the scene and locating the devices, the department's bomb squad was called to investigate it further. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The devices, which were determined to be incendiary, were taken into police custody without incident," the APD told BI. The investigation is "open and ongoing," the police said. The investigation follows a series of incidents at Tesla dealerships involving vandalism or damage amid wider protests over Elon Musk's political involvement. Some of the more severe incidents have involved Molotov cocktails or gunfire at Tesla locations, as well as graffiti. Police have made multiple arrests and are continuing to investigate incidents that could be deemed as arson. Tesla owners have also been targeted, with some being doxxed on a website last week and others reporting an uptick in road rage and harassment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Musk has commented on the rise in attacks against Tesla, and told vandals to "stop being psycho" during a surprise all-hands Tesla meeting at its Texas Gigafactory last week. Musk also called the attacks "deeply wrong" in a social media post. President Donald Trump has also commented on the recent incidents occurring at Tesla showrooms and dealerships. In addition to buying his own Tesla Model S and a Cybertruck for his grandaughter in a show of solidarity with the company, Trump has said that those found responsible for "sabotaging Teslas" could face up to 20 years in prison. Trump has said attacks against Tesla would be labeled as "domestic terrorism," and the DOJ has echoed that sentiment and said that vandalism incidents have been "nothing short" of that. Tesla did not immediately respond to a comment from Business Insider. Do you work at a Tesla dealership? Reach out to the reporter via secure messaging platform Signal at aalt.19 or via email at aaltchek@insider.com. Read the original article on Business Insider Attorney General Pam Bondi said the Supreme Court will get involved in the case about the deportation of nearly 300 Venezuelan migrants. Oh, the Supreme Court will get involved, Bondi said on Fox Newss Sunday Morning Futures. This is an out of control federal judge trying to control our entire foreign policy, and he cannot do it. The Trump administration is battling U.S. District Judge James Boasberg, who on March 15 tried to stop the deportation of Venezuelan migrants the administration claimed were members of the Tren de Aragua gang. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Boasberg ordered planes flying them to El Salvador not to leave the U.S. or to turn around if they already had. The administration has argued the judge could not interfere with foreign policy and that the planes already had left U.S. territory by the time Boasbergs order was issued. The judge has pressed the administration on the timing of the flights after the American Civil Liberties Union suggested in court that the administration defied his court order and deported the migrants anyway. Bondi slammed Boasberg in her interview Sunday, saying he is absolutely not entitled to the national security information hes requesting. We are appealing. We will in court Monday again. We will win. We will prevail, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She previously stated Boasberg had no right to be asking the questions he demanded. President Trump, Bondi and other top Trump allies have slammed Boasberg and called for him and other judges to be impeached. U.S. Chief Justice John Roberts, in a rare move, rebuked Trump without naming him last week after the president called for Boasbergs impeachment. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. OSAKA - The organizer of the World Exposition in Osaka has rejected a request for more prayer rooms for Muslims and followers of other religions due to space constraints, a source close to the matter said Monday. With only one prayer room available, which does not cater to a specific religion, there are concerns that the needs of expo visitors may not be met. Around 3.5 million people are expected to come from overseas. While the exact capacity has not been disclosed, an association official said the room is likely to be able to accommodate only a dozen or so people. According to the Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition, a prayer room will be created in a rest area at the expo venue and have separate spaces for male and female visitors. Mats will also be provided for Muslims for worship. Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry forecasts that around 85 percent of anticipated foreign visitors will come from Asia, home to many Muslims with a custom of praying five times a day. In January, a reporter from Indonesia, which has the world's largest Muslim population, sounded out the expo organizer about introducing mobile mosques, but a senior official of the association said there was "no space," and instead called for such rooms to be set up in individual pavilions. In 2018, a Tokyo-based firm developed a mobile mosque using a 25-ton truck that has been modified with expanded space at the back to create a prayer space of up to 48 square meters. It can accommodate around 50 people at one time. The vehicle is equipped with air conditioners and a generator, as well as water taps for pre-worship ablutions. The Indonesian journalist has questioned the lack of prayer space at the expo venue given that multiple countries have pulled out from constructing their own pavilions, and said a mobile mosque could be "useful." "Worship is indispensable for Muslims, and it is disappointing that (creating adequate prayer space) was not taken into consideration," the reporter said. Related coverage: Official guidebook of World Expo in Osaka goes on sale Osaka Expo: Japan requests Taiwan pavilion be labeled as privately operated Ticket presales, pavilion completion slow 1 month before Osaka Expo HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT) A Boonville man was arrested and charged with six counts of rape in Vanderburgh County. An affidavit obtained by Eyewitness News says 30-year-old Zachary McCallister was arrested on Sunday after several incidents starting back in February. Zachary McCallister (Courtesy of the Vanderburgh County Jail) McCallister was already facing charges from the state of Indiana due to a previous incident. He is being held in the Vanderburgh County Jail. 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 Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW). BOWIE, Md. (DC News Now) Bowie police are looking for a suspect wanted for breaking and entering at a Shell gas station on Saturday. Police: Man found shot to death in Prince Georges County The City of Bowie Police Department is trying to identify the person who broke into a Shell gas station, located at 15651 Annapolis Road, on March 22, just before 4 a.m. (Photo courtesy of the City of Bowie Police Department) Police released a photo of the suspect. Anyone with information is asked to call (240) 544-5700. 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. EAST NEW YORK, Brooklyn (PIX11) Police are searching for a suspect accused of shooting a 16-year-old boy inside a Brooklyn deli on Jan. 5, according to the NYPD. It happened along Sutter Avenue in East New York around 9:30 p.m., police said. The suspect was accused of approaching the teenager and firing several shots at him, according to authorities. More Local News The suspect then fled the deli, getting into a black Honda Accord that went northbound on Crystal Street, police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The victim was taken to a local hospital to treat multiple gunshot wounds, according to authorities. Submit tips to police by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), visiting crimestoppers.nypdonline.org, downloading the NYPD Crime Stoppers mobile app, or texting 274637 (CRIMES) then entering TIP577. Spanish-speaking callers are asked to dial 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). Erin Pflaumer is a digital content producer from Long Island who has covered both local and national news since 2018. She joined PIX11 in 2023. See more of her work here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) A minor was left with life-threatening injuries following a shooting in North Portland early Sunday morning, according to police. Officers responded to the area near 6700 N Pittsburg Avenue and found the boy on the ground near a vehicle around 3:29 a.m. Dolly Partons Imagination Library of Washington in jeopardy without state funds The boy was taken to the hospital for treatment. No suspects were at the scene when police arrived. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information about this shooting is encouraged to contact Portland police. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. ULSTER, Pa. (WETM) An Ulster man who is currently serving time in a correctional facility has been sentenced for two separate crimes that he committed in 2024, as stated in a release from the Bradford County District Attorneys Office. Alexander J. Ornelas, IV, 19, was sentenced to a minimum of three months to a maximum of 18 months in the Bradford County Correctional Facility followed by two years of probation for the crimes of criminal trespass (second-degree felony) and terroristic threats. Towanda man sentenced for burglary Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The DA states that Ornelas was charged with the terroristic threats offense by Pennsylvania State Police in June of 2024 after an investigation into a person waving and firing a handgun at a swimming hole. Additionally, Ornelas was charged with the criminal trespass offense in September of 2024 after an investigation into an incident where he had cut the wires to a security camera before entering a property on Herrick Street in Athens. Due to these convictions, the DA states that Ornelas will no longer be legally allowed to possess firearms. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WETM - MyTwinTiers.com. SAO PAULO (AP) Brazils government on Monday apologized to families of victims of the countrys military dictatorship whose remains could be among those found in a clandestine mass grave 35 years ago. Dozens of families are still waiting to know whether their parents, children, siblings and friends are in one of more than 1,000 blue bags discovered in 1990 in a ditch in a Sao Paulo cemetery in the isolated district of Perus. That was the first of many mass graves uncovered by Brazils authorities after the end of the 21-year military rule in 1985. The clandestine grave at the Dom Bosco cemetery also contained remains of several unidentified people who were not linked to the fight against Brazils dictatorship. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The official apology is part of a deal between prosecutors, family members and the State. It took place during Right to Truth Day, which is also celebrated in other countries. Human Rights Minister Macae Evaristo said the Brazilian State was neglectful in the identification process of the bags and bones found in Perus. For almost 25 years, the remains were held by three state universities and laboratories outside Brazil, but only a handful of families finally had their loved ones identified. Evaristo said Brazils government has invested about 200,000 Brazilian reais ($35,000) each year for the identification of bags from Perus, but agreed that is not enough to give peace to families of victims. What the Brazilian government has been doing is continuing the process of seeking investigation and accountability. We need to remember that our ministry was dismantled, Evaristo said, in a reference to the 2019-22 presidency of Jair Bolsonaro, an advocate of the countrys military dictatorship. Families have the right to the truth. Brazilian society has the right to the truth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Families uncertain if their loved ones remains were in the Perus mass grave attended the ceremony. Gilberto Molina, who represented them, had his brother Flavio's remains finally identified in one of the bags in 2005. The Brazilian State only recognized it was responsible for the crime in his brother's third death certificate, early in 2019. It was a funeral of almost 50 years. For some other families it still is an even longer one, Molina said. I hope that every family here still has perseverance in their quest for justice. Brazil's truth commission in 2014 reported that at least 434 people were killed and more than 100 disappeared completely during the country's military dictatorship. The disappearance of former lawmaker Rubens Paiva, as portrayed in the Academy Award-winning film Im Still Here renewed public interest in the dictatorships abuses, attracting an audience of more than 6 million in Brazil. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nilmario Miranda, a former government minister and long-time human rights activist, said uncovering a mass grave with victims of the dictatorship in 1990 only a few years after redemocratization was a major affair led by then Sao Paulo Mayor Luiza Erundina. Faced with anonymous death threats, she put City Hall officers to oversee the searches. It was all under the rug of society, it was all hidden and you couldn't speak about it. That put the deal that ended the dictatorship in check, the one that spared torturers and executioners, Miranda said, in a reference to Brazil's 1979 amnesty law that didn't punish crimes of the military during the regime. That law could soon be partially reversed by Brazil's Supreme Court in cases of people who were killed then by state agents and had their remains vanished. Antonio Pires Eustaquio, who became a manager at the Dom Bosco cemetery in 1976 and helped families in their quest for justice for decades, celebrated the apology. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This can only happen in a democracy. Dictators dont apologize for their mistakes, Eustaquio said. I remember that at that time people always wondered whether I was going to be killed for I knew where the illegal ditch was. My being here means democracy won. But Crimeia Almeida, whose husband, her father-in-law and a brother-in-law went missing as guerrilla men about 50 years ago, said the states apology is not enough. The apology is not enough. It is nice, we get emotional, but it doesnt solve the criminal act, she said. ____ Follow APs coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america SAO PAULO (AP) A panel of Brazils Supreme Court will open proceedings Tuesday to decide whether former President Jair Bolsonaro and several of his associates will stand trial on five counts, including attempting to stage a coup detat. The far-right leader was charged in February with plotting a coup after losing the 2022 election to his opponent and current President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Heres where Bolsonaros case stands and what could happen next: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What has Bolsonaro been accused of? Bolsonaro was charged in February by the countrys prosecutor-general with attempting a coup to remain in office after his 2022 election defeat. The indictment was based on a police investigation and accused Bolsonaro of five crimes. Prosecutor-General Paulo Gonet said Bolsonaro led a criminal organization that had been active since at least 2021, spreading false claims about Brazils electronic voting system. Gonet said Bolsonaro supported a plot to overturn the election results after his narrow defeat. The plan allegedly included poisoning his successor, Lula, and killing Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, a foe of Bolsonaro. The indictment alleges Bolsonaro was aware of the plan and approved it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thirty-three others with ties to Bolsonaro have also been charged. What is the Supreme Court voting on this week? A Supreme Court panel will decide Tuesday whether to accept or dismiss the indictment against Bolsonaro. If the panel determines there is enough evidence to suggest the accused committed the alleged crimes, a criminal prosecution will begin. The justices may also dismiss the indictment, though that is considered unlikely. What happens next to Bolsonaro? If the Supreme Court panel accepts the indictment, Bolsonaro will become a defendant in a criminal case. At this stage, justices may collect new evidence, hold hearings and interrogate defendants. Prosecutors and defense attorneys will then present their final arguments before the court rules on whether to acquit or convict. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If convicted, Bolsonaro could face years in prison. Under Brazilian law, a coup conviction alone carries a sentence of up to 12 years, but combined with the other charges, he could face decades behind bars. Bolsonaro, who has already been banned from running for office until 2030 for abuse of power and undermining confidence in the countrys voting system, has denied wrongdoing and claims he is the target of political persecution. What has been Bolsonaro's reaction? Bolsonaro has repeatedly denied wrongdoing and said he is a victim of political persecution. On Thursday, he rejected the accusations during a live YouTube broadcast alongside one of his lawyers, Paulo Cunha Bueno. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What we have in this indictment is a constructed narrative in which the points are not connected by any evidence in the case file, said Bueno. The former president also refuted the accusations during a demonstration he staged with thousands of supporters in Rio de Janeiro on March 16. On the political front, Bolsonaro and allied lawmakers have tried to amend a law that prevents convicted criminals from running for office. They have also pushed for a bill that would pardon those convicted over an insurrection on Jan. 8, 2023, when supporters of the far-right leader stormed government buildings in Brasilia, Brazils capital, emulating the U.S. Capitol riots. LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) Lawmakers across the country, especially GOP, have been feeling the wrath of citizens who are concerned that the so-called safety net programs, such as Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid, could see major cutbacks. 28/22 News -I-team reporter Andy Mehalshick reached out to federal lawmakers who represent northeastern Pennsylvania for comment on these concerns. We heard from two areas GOP congressmen who insist that Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid will not be cut, but that waste and fraud in those programs will be slashed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is setting its sights on every federal department and agency to find waste, fraud, and abuse. Recent comments made by Elon Musk, who heads DOGE, have raised fears that the safety net programs of Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid, will be cutback and will impact the tens of millions of Americans who rely on the programs for their financial survival. Musk pointed to a 2024 report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) that the entire federal government could be losing as much as $520,000,000,000 annually to fraud and that Social Security has to be looked at very closely for potential cutbacks. Residents rally in Wyoming County for Medicare, Medicaid Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Congressman Rob Bresnahan, who represents the eighth district, issued this statement to the I-Team regarding potential cutbacks and ongoing protests across the nation: President Trump has stated over and over and over and over that Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security will not be touched. Despite this, far-left extremists funded by billionaires like the Soros family continue perpetuating lies that do nothing but instill fear in our most vulnerable populations. While I expect these disgusting tactics from political extremists, the mediacurrently experiencing historically low levels of trust among Americans has an obligation to refrain from continuing to fuel this disinformation campaign. Congressman Rob Bresnahan Fellow Republican Congressman Dan Meuser, who represents the ninth district, also insists that these safety net programs will not be cut and reacted to the protest Monday in Wyoming County: Our office takes pride in being accessible to the people of Pennsylvania. We regularly hold events throughout the district and beyond, meet with constituents, and ensure that our staff is available to assist with their concerns. Unfortunately, this protest is yet another example of a national, left-wing organization attempting to spread falsehoods and create disruption rather than engage in constructive dialogue. These protests, backed by outside interests like the Indivisible movement and financially supported by George Soros, are not about voicing genuine local concerns, but rather about advancing a partisan agenda. As weve seen with similar protests across the country, these demonstrations are often orchestrated by outside groups with the sole purpose of creating chaos and spreading misleading claims. One of their latest falsehoods is that we are cutting Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security, which is simply not trueno matter how many times they say it, it doesnt make it factual. We remain focused on serving the hardworking people of our district by addressing real concerns, rooting out waste, fraud, and abuse in government, and advancing policies that strengthen our economy. While others engage in political theatrics, we will continue doing the job we were elected to dodelivering results for the people of Pennsylvanias Ninth District. Republican Representative of Pennsylvanias Ninth District Dan Meuser 28/22 News also reached out to Republican Senator Dave McCormick and Democrat Senator John Fetterman for comment and have not yet heard back from them. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Former Los Angeles County Sheriff's Deputy Joseph Benza III faces up to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to one count of deprivation of rights under color of law for beating a man who gave him the finger. Benza abandoned a domestic disturbance call when he saw Emmett Brock flip him off while driving by. He followed Brock for nearly two miles without ever attempting to stop him. When Brock stopped, Benza threw him to the ground and repeatedly punched him. Brock was charged with three felonies and, as a result, he lost his job as a teacher; the charges were later dropped when video of the encounter was made public. Several sergeants directed Benza not to include the real reason he stopped Brock in his incident report. When Courtney Teague called Atlanta 311, a number for nonemergency city services, she did not know the person answering the call was working from home and livestreaming the call. She later got a call from a woman in Chicago who'd been watching the livestream and heard all of the personal information Teague provided to the city employee. A city spokesman said that the employee was removed from answering calls and no longer works for the city. Natalie Walton got a ticket in the mail at her parents' home in Kent, England. The ticket assessed a 75 pound fine ($94) for littering after an officer saw her drop a cigarette in nearby Swanscombe. But Walton says she doesn't smoke, has never visited Swanscombe, and hasn't lived in Kent for three years. She appealed the ticket, producing bank records of the shopping she did that day in Staffordshire, over 150 miles away. On further review, officials said the woman who dropped the cigarette didn't look like Walton after all. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kevin O'Rourke, a 64-year-old Canadian man, was sentenced to life in prison in the United Arab Emirates for possession of cannabis products. Authorities detained O'Rourke in Dubai International Airport after finding 118 grams of cannabis, CBD, and CBD oil. His wife says he suffers from Addison's disease and the products are prescribed by a doctor for controlling his pain. (Illustration: Peter Bagge) St. Louis residents say the city billed them for home repairs that they did not agree to and that, in many cases, don't appear to have been performed. One owner said he was billed for repairs to the second floor of a single-story commercial property he bought, plus a new roof that wasn't completely nailed down. The repairs are part of a federally funded effort to stabilize and rehabilitate privately owned buildings. (Illustration: Peter Bagge) Emergency dispatchers in parts of England were told to ask some people requesting ambulance service to come to the hospital on their own. An internal memo from the West Midlands Ambulance Service directed dispatchers to ask callers with severe abdominal pain, who have fallen, or who are vomiting to bring themselves to the emergency room; during periods of high demand, they should also ask those who may be having a stroke or heart attack, or those with major burns, to get to the hospital on their own. (Illustration: Peter Bagge) BeTreylin Elder, a teacher at Georgia's DeRenne Middle School, resigned after being caught on video tossing an 11-year-old student across the classroom. The boy reportedly confronted Elder after the teacher made sexual remarks about the student's mother. The post Brickbats: April 2025 appeared first on Reason.com. GLOBALink | Chinese rice planting technology boosts agricultural development in The Gambia Pub Date:25-03-24 09:46 Source:Xinhua 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 Editor:Zheng Chen Related News China's Hainan Airlines launches direct Os... Ancient Chinese Guqins on display in Budapest New Huizhou Merchants: Investing in Anhui World Water Day - Cherish Every Drop and G... DENVER (KDVR) Portions of Interstate 25 and other roads near Mead will close temporarily overnight during the next two weeks as Colorado Department of Transportation crews reconstruct highway bridge decks. The project will install new bridge deck panels on roads surrounding I-25 as part of the I-25 North Express Lanes Project. This portion of the project is designed to reconstruct and widen bridges along the section of the interstate. Community volunteers come together to help Brighton woman remove tree Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CDOT will implement detours for motorists in the area during two phases of construction. During the first phase of the bridge work, nighttime closures will be enacted beginning March 26. From 9 p.m. to 5 a.m., CDOT will close southbound I-25 under Weld County Road 34, as portions of the county road will have bridge decking replaced. On March 26 and 27, CDOT will close eastbound and westbound Weld County Road 34 and the east Frontage Road at I-25, north of Weld County Road 34 and the northbound I-25 off-ramp will also be closed from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. Then, on March 28, CDOT will close southbound I-25s on-ramp from westbound Weld County Road 34. The week after, April 2 through 5 and April 7 and 8, CDOT will close Weld County Road 32, which goes under I-25, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, while crews install new bridge girders over the roadway. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Detours will also be implemented for this portion of the project. CDOT is instructing westbound Weld County Road 32 traffic to take the East I-25 Frontage Road south to Mulligan Street, then take County Road 9.5, Colorado Highway 66 and Weld County Road 7, then turn north to return to Weld County Road 32. Eastbound traffic on Weld County Road 32 will take Weld County Road 7 south to Highway 66, east to Weld County Road 9.5, then north to Weld County Road 32. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Using technology that has more holes than a Swiss cheese, weve never been in worse shape to enter a new cold war. And were about to make it a whole lot worse. Cyber threats to UK plc have increased sharply in recent months. Late last year the National Cyber Security Centre warned how Russias APT29 hackers were targeting areas that businesses had left exposed to the internet. But by rushing to install generative AI systems, organisations are exposing themselves more than ever, and making it much easier to reach, too. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No wonder that a third of UK SMEs, some 35pc, now see artificial intelligence as their biggest security headache, even more than malware, phishing and ransomware. AI attacks are so subtle and imaginative, there should be category for them in the Baftas. Lets see how its done. In the classic enterprise, it was difficult to access that physical filing cabinet on the finance departments floor. Corporate information was distributed on a strictly need-to-know basis. That model was broadly replicated in the shift to digital: there were hard boundaries and strict permissions. But now, sloppy process automation dissolves those walls, the obstacles that technology designers put in place. AI agents are threatening to break the blood-brain barrier between applications and the systems they run on, says Meredith Whittaker, who founded Googles Open Research Group, the AI Now Institute, and is now chief executive of Signal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The consultant-driven fad of breaking down silos of information has made confidential critical data much easier to tap using AI chatbots like Microsoft CoPilot. Last year at the annual Black Hat security conference, delegates saw how an employee in the HR department of a company who simply wanted to summarise a couple of corporate documents punched huge holes in the firewall, allowing hackers direct access to company secrets. Almost two thirds of business chatbots that organisations thought were private were in reality being exposed to the world at large, the security firm Zenity, which gave the demonstrations, discovered. Today we use malware detection systems to stop malevolent code that has been attached to a Word document: the script is easily detached from the content. But an AI cant distinguish between data and instructions: it just does what its told. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The big new tech fad of 2025, agentic AI, makes this exponentially worse. AI agents yoke together AIs, so the output of one feeds into another and set up a sequence of processes triggered by an AI. Whittaker gives us a recognisable example: an AI agent that finds seats at a concert, buys the tickets, books a calendar entry and emails all your friends to tell them about it. The AI runs riot because weve allowed it to: a high-trust system out of place in a low-trust world. With data silos dismantled, and firewalls dissolved, the final coup de grace can then be applied. Which is that using AI, a hacker can steal your secrets, or corrupt the companys data, simply by talking to a chatbot: no technical skills are required. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One recent piece of research demonstrated how easy it was. We convinced the chatbot it lives in another world, Etay Maor, chief security strategist at Cato Networks and a professor at Boston College explained to me. As a research experiment, a detailed fictional scenario was created for the AI to inhabit, and once hypnotised, then helped the researcher syphon off personal data out of a Chrome browser. Its like putting VR goggles on the chatbot, were immersing the AI in a different world, explains Maor. We use an AI to write a story, and we send the story to AI telling it: This is the world you live in now, and we ask for characters in that world. It then helps us develop the malware. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Heres the thing: the researcher had never written malware before. I asked Zenitys founder Michael Bargury recently if the industry was taking security more seriously. Even though Microsoft blocked our specific jailbreaks last year, we found new ones within a day and we keep on being able to remotely take over co-pilots wherever we try: Microsoft Copilot, Gemini, ChatGPT and Character AIs Einstein, he found. Its not that these vendors arent trying, its just that it is not a fixable problem, he says. That is how the industry has had to cope with malware its a problem to mitigate rather than solve. But we are making ourselves more vulnerable than we need to be by rushing out AI poorly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement IT managers are under immense pressure from their directors or the consultant class to do so. So are government departments. The Blair and Schmidt advisers, and big tech, promise billions of pounds in savings. But they are salesmen and evangelists, unconcerned by the security concerns. Bargury reminds us that attacking a company that uses AI is easier than ever, by simply sending a Teams message. Just as it defies belief that a fire at a single electricity substation brought Heathrow to a standstill, it is astonishing to learn that UK plc is increasing its attack surface just as we need stronger defences. All because we have committed a fundamental mistake, confusing the appearance of intelligence for real intelligence. AI is acquiring the quality of one of Aesops moral fables, in which a society is tricked into engineering its own demise. All the hackers are doing is preying on our gullibility: our willingness to believe in magic. 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 promise made by former President Joe Biden to connect millions of Americans to reliable and affordable high-speed internet service may become another casualty of President Donald Trumps campaign to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives across the nation. A top outgoing official at the U.S. Department of Commerce warned that funds for the Broadband, Equity, Access and Deployment Program, also known as BEAD, may be diverted to Trump adviser Elon Musks satellite internet company, Starlink. The BEAD program provides $42.5 billion to states and territories to build and deploy high-speed internet to underserved areas. Evan Feinman, who until March 16 directed the program at the Commerce Department, wrote in an email last week that the broadband initiative one of the centerpieces of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act was in jeopardy. Just days later, on March 18, Federal Communications Commissioner Geoffrey Starks resigned from his position, cutting short his term that was set to expire in 2027. Starks was one of two Democrats and only Black commissioner for the FCC. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Feinman argued that Starlinks connections, which rely on Musks satellites, are inferior to using fiber optic cables, which is prioritized in the BEAD program. Stranding all or part of rural America with worse internet so that we can make the worlds richest man even richer is yet another in a long line of betrayals by Washington, Feinman wrote in the email. Politico first reported on Feinmans email. Expanding access to high-speed internet service, particularly in rural communities, is seen as a crucial step in alleviating the digital divide the gap between those who can easily use, access, and afford technology, and those who cannot. Such disparities amplify the deep racial and economic inequalities in education, jobs, and health care for rural Black households in the South, where the greatest divide exists. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The BEAD program is also seen as a key element of promoting equity and leveling the technological playing field for communities of color. However, there has been a lag in broadband deployment because of red tape, administrative delays, and the programs affordability requirements. Digital equity advocates say that such delays were to be expected because the programs initial timeline indicated it would take until 2026 to implement. Technology experts like Mignon Clyburn, a former FCC commissioner and the first woman to serve as acting chair, also expressed worry that significantly altering the program could result in some marginalized populations being left behind including veterans, seniors, and households with low incomes. My communities have been ignored for too long. I want sustainable, affordable, robust technologies. Those people dont deserve to be cheapened. They deserve to have the best that our resources have to offer, Clyburn said in an interview, emphasizing that the federal government needs to ensure that the people currently on the wrong side of the technology divide do not stay there throughout several more lifetimes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Newly appointed Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick called for a rigorous review of the BEAD program. He criticized Bidens regulations for the program and emphasized the need to overhaul it with a tech neutral approach so that satellite services like Starlink could have a greater chance to participate in it. In recent years, Republican lawmakers have condemned the program because of its DEI labor requirements and other factors. But some of their Republican colleagues have pushed back against their efforts while advocating for their states to continue the work. In a statement, Lutnick said that he is adamant about ripping out the Biden Administrations pointless requirements. The Department is exploring ways to cut government red tape that slows down infrastructure construction, the statement read. We will work with states and territories to quickly get rid of the delays and the waste. Threats beyond one program A study found that 40% of Americans cut spending on food to afford internet service, and 36% discontinued telehealth services, following the demise of the Affordable Connectivity Program. (Charles Coleman) While Trump administration officials appear to prefer satellite over fiber internet, multiple experts said satellite doesnt fix the problem because its not affordable, nor does it work in all regions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Starlink, which services 4 million people, uses satellites to connect internet service to dishes then to devices. Two years ago, the FCC denied Starlinks application for $900 million in subsidies for rural broadband because the company did not meet the service requirements, according to The New York Times. For residential service at homes, the price starts at $80 a month, according to its website. To assist those in need, the federal government created the Affordable Connectivity Program, which provided a discount of up to $30 per month ($75 for tribal households) toward internet service and mobile services, and a one-time discount up to $100 toward a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet for eligible low-income households. More than 23 million Americans were enrolled. However, Congress did not reauthorize the program. Since the program ended, 40% of Americans cut spending on food to afford internet service, whereas 36% discontinued telehealth services, a recent survey by the National Lifeline Association found. At least 80% of those who were enrolled live at or below the poverty line. The only other program available is the FCCs Lifeline Program, but recipients only receive a $9.25 monthly discount, which critics say isnt enough. Read More: Disconnected Rural Black America and the Digital Divide If consumers cant afford internet service, it undermines efforts to promote equity, said Brandon Forester, senior campaign lead at Media Justice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Having a low-cost option makes it more viable for an internet service provider to build out. Thats also true about having digital equity practitioners. If they have people in the community that are helping people sign up for their services and are helping people use their services, thats a benefit, Forester said. If were getting rid of digital equity, thats another loss. When the lights go on on these networks, is there going to be anybody there to connect to them? Maybe, maybe not. With the current program, installing fiber creates jobs and workforce development, which could be dismantled, said Alisa Valentin, broadband policy director at Public Knowledge. She also points to the hard work of state broadband offices and federal workers, and doesnt want it to be in vain. We want to ensure that broadband is deployed where it is needed the most to avoid wasting time and resources. We want to get this right. This is a historic amount of funds that Im so proud that we were able to come together across government, across public interest organizations, across industries to make sure that this happens, she said. We got to make sure we finish the job. Beyond BEAD, advocates and experts say there are threats looming for other programs and legislation, including the Digital Equity Act, which provides $2.75 billion to establish three grant programs that promote digital equity and inclusion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Digital Equity Act increases access to digital technology, education, and economic opportunities. The uncertainty is forcing states to cease work, questioning the future of their programming. For example, in Texas, the broadband office paused grants and contracts because of the Trump administrations shift of federal priorities. There are some states moving forward despite the uncertainties. Clyburn said she doesnt foresee states rolling back the work theyve done because they simply want to get to the finish line to connect communities, expand the workforce, build partnerships and level the playing field, and they shouldnt be penalized over political bias. This is the time for advocates to keep fighting and doing the work, said Kristenn Fortson, communications director for the National Digital Inclusion Alliance. The organization brings organizers to Washington to speak directly to lawmakers about their experiences and importance of these programs. Its the grandfather who can now join his church virtually or FaceTime his grandchildren after being home bound for months. Its incarcerated women who are being taught digital skills so they can build a resume and successfully reenter society, Fortson said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She added: We know from the history of any movement centered on equity and equality that nobody can really guarantee that for us; we have to fight for it. We keep on pushing for it like anybody else whos come before us, trying to make their communities a better place to live, a better place to thrive. The post Broadband Program Changes Stir Uncertainty for Rural Black Communities appeared first on Capital B News. A Brooklyn livery driver, grazed in the face by a passenger during a chilling early-morning attack, called himself the luckiest man alive as he recounted the terrifying ordeal just hours after being released from the hospital. Prince Ezenekwe, 54, picked up his attacker on the corner of E. 101st St. and Glenwood Road in Canarsie just after 1:25 a.m., the driver said at a news conference Monday afternoon, arriving straight from the hospital with a bloodied bandage still under his right eye. Ezenekwe waited about five minutes for the passenger, who finally got into the car only to demand, No, no, no, take me back, just moments later, the driver recalled. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just a block from where Ezenekwe picked him up, the gunman claimed he left something behind a common setup for robberies amongst cab drivers, according to Fernando Mateo, a spokesperson with the New York State Federation of Taxi Drivers. Its happened numerous times with numerous drivers, said Mateo. When the car is ordered, its ordered in a desolate street where no one is going to see whats going on. These guys case it out. So when they say back up or stop, I forgot something, more than likely youre going to get robbed, youre going to get shot, youre going to get stabbed. Ezenekwe pointed out that the house he picked the passenger up from was still in sight, and because they were on a one-way street, he told the man hed wait for him but the passenger flew off the handle, screaming at the driver and calling him all sorts of names that I wont repeat here, he said. I didnt pay him no mind until he says, I might have to, dont make me kill you, said Ezenekwe. Then he opened the door, stepped out of the car [but] he refused to leave or close the door and then he said again, I might have to kill you, before he said, Dont make me kill you. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The passenger stepped out of the car and muttered again, I will have to kill you, Ezenekwe recalled. Take everything you have. At that point, that gets my attention, the driver said. I turned back to look at his face one more time. What I saw is the gun pointing straight at my head, point blank. Shocked, Ezenekwe stepped on the gas, jolting the car forward as the shooter fired off one shot, ripping through the skin on his right cheek. I believe thats when, thats how he fired the gun and missed my head, Ezenekwe said. After the shooter ran off, Ezenekwe immediately drove about five blocks from the shooting scene as he dialed 911 for help. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I did know that I was hit right away, because I never lost consciousness, he said. I [was] determined not to give up. So I knew I was hit. And for some reason, I thought he was still chasing me after that. Ezenekwe made it on his own to Brookdale University Hospital, where he was given about 12 stitches and released. Im not supposed to be speaking to you right now, said Ezenekwe. Im not supposed to be alive. I take it as a miracle. The bullet missed a critical artery by less than an inch, said Mateo. Had it hit slightly differently he would not be alive today. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ezenekwe described the gunman as dark-skinned and about 5-foot-5 and dressed in black. He covered his face with a mask. Ezenekwe, a Nigerian immigrant, has spent over 25 years in the city. For 23 of those years, hes been behind the wheel, driving a taxi to provide for his wife and five young children under 10 in Nigeria. Im feeling lucky, like maybe the whole thing has not hit me, but right now, Im feeling excited, he said. Im feeling happy to be alive. In the aftermath of the shooting, the man said he plans to take a break from driving his cab and may consider moving to greener pastures. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As for whether Im still going to live in New York City, that is a decision that Im going to have to consider and make, he said. Im the luckiest man alive, so I cant complain. Meanwhile, the New York State Federation of Taxi Drivers is offering a $5,000 reward for information that leads to the gunmans arrest and conviction. Prince is here by the grace of God, by a miracle is what I call it, said Mateo. Thats why we are offering $5,000, because there are people in the community that might know who the guy is. Police are still searching for the gunman and are reviewing Ezenekwes dashcam footage, which captured the shooter. Police have identified a person of interest on probation for grand larceny of an auto, who is also being sought for questioning in connection with a burglary spree and as a potential witness to a Bronx murder, according to police sources. By Lucila Sigal BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) - In the impoverished Buenos Aires neighborhood of Villa 21-24, 68-year-old painter Heriberto Ayala still remembers how Pope Francis, then Jorge Mario Bergoglio, an archbishop, came to visit regularly on the number 70 bus and break bread with locals. He recalled one time sharing a beer. "We had pitchers of cold water and beer. And I, you see, grabbed it and said, 'here you go, Father.' But instead of passing him water, I passed him the beer. He said, 'oh, how nice,'" Ayala reminisced with a chuckle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Locals have been celebrating the discharge from hospital of Pope Francis. In recent weeks the 88-year-old pope has been battling the most severe health crisis of his 12-year papacy, an absence from public life that shone a spotlight on his frailty and age. "We are all very pleased, very happy the pope is recovering," said Hector Novara at a church service in the capital on Sunday. "I identify with the pope as an Argentine, and for what he does in the world." The Argentine pontiff is known for his informal style, rejection of pomp, and push to make the Roman Catholic Church more liberal and inclusive. Some have linked that back to his time visiting and preaching in poor barrios in his home country, later earning him the nickname of "papa villero", or slum pope. Reuters spoke to half a dozen residents and churchgoers in those neighborhoods who all remembered the former archbishop of Buenos Aires as a simple man, who would arrive by bus with a briefcase and well-worn shoes. He would walk the streets, listening to locals while sometimes serving and sharing meals with them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "He walked all over the neighborhood, sweating with us. I know him very well. He was kind, he would sit and drink mate with us," said 78-year-old Antonia Pesoa, referring to a popular local herbal tea. "He helped us; he loved the humble people very much." In Villa 21-24, part of the larger Barracas area, messy power lines crisscross the sky above colorful buildings and ramshackle homes made of corrugated metal and plastic. Here the pope's illness has led to a wellspring of prayer and support. "For the residents of Villa 21, Pope Francis is part of the family," said Lorenzo "Toto" de Vedia, a priest of the Virgen de los Milagros de Caacupe parish in Barracas, adding that the neighborhood had been "deeply troubled" by his illness. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Of course it's been 11 or 12 years since he left office to become pope, but we always feel him very close." Francis is the first Latin American pope in history, though he has never returned to his native country since being made the head of the Church in 2013. His attempts to modernize the Church and address sensitive issues such as the treatment of immigrants and global conflicts have led to clashes at times with conservatives. He has eschewed many of the trappings of his post, declining to move into the palatial apartments used by his predecessors and driving around Rome in a Ford Focus. Rita Fernandez, 70, called Francis "very down-to-earth" and remembered when he would visit her neighborhood over 20 years ago. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We would all sit around the table to eat together, like a family," she said, adding that the locals would often ask Bergoglio why he wanted to be there. "He would then say that he felt better here than in the cathedral." When he was elected pope she was overwhelmed. "It was crazy, my God. An emotion we didn't know. Both the priest and I shed tears," she recalled. Elba Castro, 83, also remembered Bergoglio coming to Villa 21 in his time as archbishop. She lamented that he had not returned to "see his children" since becoming pope, a decision that some have attributed to his desire to avoid getting caught up in Argentina's polarized political climate. "It gives me a kind of pain," said Castro. "He was from here." (Reporting by Lucila Sigal; Editing by Adam Jourdan and Rosalba O'Brien) BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) A Buffalo man was sentenced Monday morning to four to 12 years in prison after he recklessly killed two people and injured two others when he crashed into a Lyft in March of last year, the Erie County District Attorneys Office announced. At 12:15 a.m. on March 21, Devin Ford, 24, was driving northbound on Main Street at a high rate of speed when he hit another vehicle at the intersection of Humboldt Parkway, officials said. He did not have the vehicles headlights on at the time of the crash. The district attorneys office said Ford recklessly engaged in conduct resulting in the death of the driver, 27-year-old Nasir Musazada, and rear driver-side passenger, 26-year-old Morgan Ehrenbeit of Ohio, in the other vehicle. Both Musazada and Ehrenbeit were pronounced dead at the hospital. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A 31-year-old man from Ohio, who was the other rear seat passenger, sustained serious physical injuries and remains in a long-term rehabilitation facility, officials said. Another 31-year-old male of Ohio sustained injuries to his spine and ribs and was released from the hospital after receiving treatment. Ford was the only occupant of the vehicle and was taken into custody when he tried to climb out of the vehicle through the front passenger door. Ford pleaded guilty in January of this year to two counts of second-degree manslaughter, one count of second-degree assault and one count of third-degree assault. Officials said after three counts were dismissed by the judge, he pleaded guilty to the highest remaining counts of the indictment. Latest Local News Katie Skoog joined the News 4 team in April 2024. She is a graduate from the University at Buffalo. You can view more of her work here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to News 4 Buffalo. BUNCOMBE COUNTY, N.C. (WSPA) Deputies are asking for the publics help to identify two individuals, who were spotted in credit unions in Asheville. The woman was seen in a local South Asheville Credit Union on February 21 and the man was seen in an East Asheville Credit Union on February 3, according to the Buncombe County Sheriffs Office. Deputies said the individuals may have information related to fraudulent activity that happened on those days. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Tawny Jones at 828-250-6812 or Tawny.Jones@buncombenc.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 WSPA 7NEWS. Burnout is more than feeling a little stressed at work from time to time. The World Health Organization (WHO) takes burnout so seriously that it's included in the International Classification of Diseases. It's defined as chronic workplace stress that hasn't been successfully managed. The WHO estimates that burnout costs U.S. businesses a whopping $1 trillion in lost revenue every year. Not only can burnout affect your employees' well-being and lower morale, but it can also impact your company's financial bottom line. By learning more about burnout and taking proactive measures against burnout, you can protect your employees and your company's future, Rula explains. Key Takeaways Burnout is a workplace phenomenon recognized by the World Health Organization. It's characterized by overwhelming stress, detachment and apathy, and decreased productivity. Burnout doesn't only affect employee well-being. It also considerably affects companies' bottom lines. As an employer or manager, you can do your part to prevent burnout by gathering employee feedback and closely examining the policies and practices that are leading them to feel burnt out. Burnout's impact on your bottom line The biggest impact of burnout is its effect on your employees' mental and physical health. But burnout can be expensive for organizations too. Research and nationwide surveys show that burnout can lead to decreased productivity, lost revenue, increased tardiness and time away from work, and additional healthcare costs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the American Institute of Stress: Nearly half (47%) of employees say the majority of their stress comes from work Employees report losing an average of seven hours of productivity weekly due to financial stress Employers lose $183 billion per year due to decreased employee productivity Stress contributes to 40% of job turnover Additionally, burned-out employees are 2.6 times more likely to be actively searching for another job, affecting companies' ability to retain employees. Constantly hiring and training can be expensive too. Signs your employees are overwhelmed It's important to recognize the burnout warning signs and take action when you see it. While burnout can look different across different people, employees might be burned out if they're: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Less productive and struggle to complete tasks that once came easily Missing deadlines or showing up late more often than usual Expressing frustration, cynicism, or negativity about work Withdrawing from coworkers, like avoiding team meetings, group projects, or social interactions Overwhelmed by small challenges or more impatient than usual Reporting more frequent physical complaints, like headaches, fatigue, or trouble sleeping Losing interest in projects they used to be passionate about Making more mistakes or having trouble focusing Using more sick days, either because of mental health concerns or stress-related physical illness Not offering new ideas or participating in creative problem solving Showing signs of detachment or apathy Rula What's driving your team to burnout There's a misconception that burnout is about individual employees. However, most of the time, the root of the issue is workplace policies, environments, or team dynamics. Some common causes of burnout include: Heavy workloads Long working hours Low pay Unreasonable time pressures and deadlines Lack of control and autonomy Lack of connection and community Toxic work environment Lack of reward and recognition No clear path for advancement Unfair treatment Lack of role clarity Ways to reduce burnout and improve morale Addressing burnout will require more than a team pizza party or yoga classes. Burnout will need to be treated as a systemic issue, addressing the full workplace environment and processes that may be contributing to it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As an employer, here are 10 steps you can take to prevent burnout at your organization: Foster a workplace environment where it's safe to talk about mental and emotional health. Leaders can combat stigma by talking about their own mental health. This can make it more likely that your employees will feel comfortable coming to you for support when they feel burnt out. Get feedback on burnout. It's important to understand the exact reasons contributing to your employees' burnout so you can adequately address them. Provide anonymous avenues for feedback where employees know they can offer honest suggestions. Directly address workplace policies that may be contributing to burnout. Depending on your workplace, this could mean providing more flexible hours, options for child care, mental health benefits, shorter shifts, and more. Provide clear avenues for advancement. Part of burnout is feeling like you can't make a difference or grow in your role. Clarify what employees need to do to advance or receive a promotion. Ensure autonomy. Another aspect of burnout is feeling like you don't have control over how you do your work. That's why it's essential to offer as much employee autonomy as you reasonably can. For example, you might allow employees to complete work on a schedule that makes the most sense for their lifestyle. Recognize employees for their hard work. Not rewarding employees for their efforts can lead to or worsen burnout. So, make sure to recognize employeeswhether it's entire teams or individualswho do exceptional work. Assign people to passion projects. An important part of being a manager is identifying where specific employees thrive. Provide opportunities for employees to participate in special projects that align with their passions or unique skill sets. Connect the job to a greater meaning. When employees are burnt out, they may feel a lack of purpose. Leaders can help them understand the meaning behind what they do, like connecting it to their values or sharing the real-world impact of their work. Look at diversity and inclusion policies. Employees who belong to historically marginalized communities may have rightful claims of unfair treatment and discrimination in the workplace. Take a good look at your policies, both in recruitment and hiring as well as advancement. Is there anything more you could be doing to protect these employees Provide accessible mental health resources and policies. Organizations can prevent burnout through providing mental health days or accessible resources like therapy. This story was produced by Rula and reviewed and distributed by Stacker. BUJUMBURA, Burundi (AP) Burundi is seeing its largest influx of refugees in decades as tens of thousands of people flee the fighting in neighboring eastern Congo, the U.N. World Food Program said Monday. The number of registered refugees who need food assistance has doubled to over 120,000 since January as Congolese government troops fight Rwanda-backed rebels who now hold two major cities, WFP said in a statement. Many of the refugees are women and children. The decades-long conflict in eastern Congo escalated in January, when the M23 rebels seized the strategic city of Goma, followed by the city of Bukavu in February. Bukavu is less than 30 miles from the Burundi border. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The presidents of Congo and neighboring Rwanda met last week in Qatar for their first direct talks since the seizures. M23 is one of about 100 armed groups vying for a foothold in the mineral-rich region. The conflict has created one of the worlds most significant humanitarian crises, with over 7 million people displaced over the years. WFP warned that available funds for its operations in Burundi are stretched to the limit and likely will be exhausted in June. It said it might have to "suspend food assistance entirely from July or earlier. This photo taken on March 19, 2025 shows the scenery of Nuuk, capital of Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark. (Xinhua/Zhao Dingzhe) NUUK, Greenland, March 24 (Xinhua) -- "That day, the entire city of Nuuk stood united!" said Gustav Petersen, a member of Naleraq, the second-largest party in Greenland's parliament, referring to the anti-U.S. protest held on March 15. "I never imagined that what would bring Greenlanders together was a protest against the United States," he said. Greenland, the world's largest island and an autonomous territory of Denmark, witnessed a rare large-scale demonstration against U.S. President Donald Trump's renewed territorial claim over the island. According to local media, more than 1,000 people participated in the protest -- an impressive turnout for Nuuk, a city with a population of just 15,000. Carrying banners reading "We are not for sale," "Greenland for Greenlanders," and "Make America Go Away," demonstrators marched from the city center to the U.S. Consulate in Nuuk, sending a clear message of opposition to Washington's ambitions. Petersen said although Greenlanders had varying political preferences during the March 11 parliamentary elections, there was one point of unanimous agreement: "We don't want to be Americans! The United States cannot treat Greenland as a commodity to be bought at will." The protest was triggered by Trump's remarks at the White House, where he reiterated his desire to gain control over Greenland during a meeting with North Atlantic Treaty Organization Secretary General Mark Rutte. He also hinted at plans to deploy more U.S. troops to the island. The U.S. Consulate in Nuuk, one of the northernmost American diplomatic missions, remained shuttered when Xinhua reporters visited. "On the day of our protest, it was the same -- completely deserted," Petersen said. Standing outside the consulate, Nuuk resident Nikolaj Davidson, who works at a slaughterhouse, voiced his opposition to Trump's proposal. "I don't want to be American, and neither do my family nor friends," he said. "Almost everyone in my family disagrees with Trump. From what I know, the vast majority of Greenlanders do not want Greenland to become part of the United States. The American healthcare and welfare systems are not appealing to us." Davidson said that Trump's main motivation is Greenland's rich natural resources. "Just like the U.S. government has done before, Trump might look for various pretexts to legitimize the takeover of Greenland," he warned. Oliver Kristensen, a local baker, argued that Trump's approach is unacceptable. "If Trump wants to cooperate with Denmark and Greenland, there are better ways to do so. But he has chosen the path of aggression," he said. Trump's interest in Greenland is not a recent development. During his previous term in office, he publicly proposed buying the island. Since winning his second term, Trump has repeatedly expressed a strong desire to assert control over Greenland. He even sent his son Donald Trump Jr. to visit the island in January. Greenlandic political leaders have been vocal in their opposition. Jens-Frederik Nielsen, leader of the Demokraatit party, the largest party in the Greenland parliament currently engaged in coalition negotiations, condemned Trump's remarks as "inappropriate." He urged Greenlanders to stand together against external pressures from the United States. Mute Egede, prime minister of Greenland's autonomous government and leader of the Inuit Ataqatigiit (IA) party, also denounced Trump's statements and called for an emergency meeting of party leaders. Danish and EU officials have also expressed strong support for Greenland. Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said that Greenland remains part of Denmark and that there is no indication that Greenlanders wish to sever ties with Denmark and join the United States. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the EU supports Denmark's sovereignty and territorial integrity, including Greenland. Masaana Egede, editor-in-chief of Greenland's newspaper Sermitsiaq, said that while Greenlanders may have diverse opinions on various issues, rejecting U.S. control over Greenland is a widespread consensus. A Danish media poll published in January also revealed that 85 percent of Greenlanders opposed integrating into the United States. A man takes photos in Nuuk, capital of Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark, March 19, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhao Dingzhe) This photo taken on March 18, 2025 shows Greenland's parliament building in Nuuk, capital of Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark. (Xinhua/Zhao Dingzhe) Vehicles run on a road in Nuuk, capital of Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark, March 19, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhao Dingzhe) This photo taken on March 19, 2025 shows the scenery of Nuuk, capital of Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark. (Xinhua/Zhao Dingzhe) This photo taken on March 19, 2025 shows a meeting hall inside the Greenland's parliament building in Nuuk, capital of Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark. (Xinhua/Peng Ziyang) A man walks past the Greenland's parliament building in Nuuk, capital of Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark, March 19, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhao Dingzhe) To the editor: You have to read a ways into the analysis ("LAPD cops shot 21 bystanders in 10 years. How does it keep happening?" March 12) to learn that "roughly half of the incidents identified by The Times involved confrontations with people in behavioral crises." The reality of life in Los Angeles these days is that these people are everywhere. Not necessarily evil (but definitely damaged), they represent a general threat to the public, and when firearms are involved they present a major problem for those hired to protect us. It's easy to point the finger at the police, but when shots are fired, what are they supposed to do? It isn't hard to figure out why the ranks of people joining the Los Angeles Police Department continue to decline. No, I don't think incarceration is going to solve anything, but we need to look at the bigger picture. It affects us all. Peter Marquard, Northridge This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. NEW YORK CITY (PIX11) A cab driver says its a miracle he made it out of a shooting in Brooklyn with just a graze wound to his cheek. Prince Ezenekwe, a 54-year-old father, drove himself to the hospital Monday morning after he was shot at by a passenger, he said. Im the luckiest, I take this as a miracle, Ezenekwe said of the shooting. The shooting happened around 1:40 a.m. in Canarsie, police said. During the trip, the passenger insisted Ezenekwe turn around and return to the pickup location, but Ezenekwe couldnt because of a one-way road, the driver said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ezenekwe said he told the passenger he would wait there while the passenger walked back home. Then, the passenger allegedly threatened Ezenekwe, jumped out of the car, and pointed his gun at Ezenekwes head, the driver said. Ezenekwe hit the gas just as the passenger shot, he said. The bullet missed a critical artery by less than an inch, according to the New York State Federation of Taxi Drivers. The driver, a father of five, took himself to the hospital as he called 911. More Local News The NYPD confirmed they suspect the passenger shot at Ezenekwe. Now, the New York State Federation of Taxi Drivers is offering a $5,000 reward for information that leads to the shooter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Enough is enough. No taxi or livery driver should be hunted down like prey while simply doing their job, said Steven Rivera, president of the federation. Emily Rahhal is a digital reporter who has covered New York City since 2023 after reporting in Los Angeles for years. She joined PIX11 in 2024. See more of her work here and follow her on Twitter here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. CANARSIE, Brooklyn (PIX11) Police are searching for the suspect accused of shooting a cab driver in Brooklyn early Monday morning, the NYPD said. It happened in Canarsie around 1:40 a.m., according to authorities. A 54-year-old cab driver and his passenger were arguing, police said. More Local News The passenger then left the car, according to authorities. The cab driver then heard a loud bang and realized he had been grazed by a bullet in the cheek, police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The driver drove himself to Brookdale University Hospital and Medical Center, according to authorities. Police do not have a description of the suspect. Submit tips to police by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), visiting crimestoppers.nypdonline.org, downloading the NYPD Crime Stoppers mobile app, or texting 274637 (CRIMES) then entering TIP577. Spanish-speaking callers are asked to dial 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). Erin Pflaumer is a digital content producer from Long Island who has covered both local and national news since 2018. She joined PIX11 in 2023. See more of her work here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. Multiple agencies battled a large outdoor fire Saturday in Caldwell County near Wilkes County as dry conditions and high winds caused a rapid spread. Firefighters were dispatched to Caleb Lane on Highway 268 in Caldwell County around 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, according to fire officials. The fire burned 45 to 60 acres for six hours until firefighters contained the heavy fire, officials said. READ: Firefighters battle large outdoor fire in Burke County Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An evacuation was ordered as the fire moved quickly and threatened several structures, according to a press release. Officials said the fire was not connected to the fire on Old Amhurst Road. Agencies continued to battle hot spots through the night and into Sunday, according to officials. Efforts included work from Caldwell County fire departments, Caldwell County Emergency Management, Caldwell County Fire Marshalls Office, Wilkes County fire departments, Wilkes County Emergency Management, North Carolina Forest Service, and the US Forest Service. WATCH: Firefighters battle large outdoor fire in Burke County (FOX40.COM) The 2023-2024 report on vaccination rates for California students was released and shows immunization for kindergarteners in the state is higher than the national average, according to the California Department of Public Health. Video Above: Doctor explains dangers of the measles virus, encourages vaccination This comes as measles outbreaks and exposures have been reported around the world including Tuolumne County in Northern California. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nevertheless, California reports more than 95% measles, mumps and rubella coverage among kindergarteners, according to CDPH. Key findings from the 2023-2024 report include: In 2023-2024, 99% of public schools and 88% of private schools reported student immunization status. 94% of kindergarten students received all required immunizations in 2023-2024, compared to 94% in 2022-2023 and 93% in 2020-2021. In the 2023-2024 school year, only 0.1% of reported kindergarten students had medical exemptions, the lowest rate since 2015-2016. California vaccination completion rates among kindergarteners remain high and exceed nationwide rates in the U.S. Californias immunization requirements for schools are helping protect children and communities from vaccine-preventable diseases, said CDPH Director and State Public Health Officer, Dr. Erica Pan. With recent outbreaks of measles in other states, we cant stress enough how important it is to stay current with vaccinations. Sadly, the consequences of not getting vaccinated can result in severe illness and even death. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As of March 2025, CDPH has reported eight measles cases in California this year. All were linked to international travel to countries with current measles outbreaks. Initiative launched to show support to women in law enforcement According to CDPH, as of March 20 of this year, there have been 378 confirmed measles cases in 18 U.S. states. They confirm the majority come from Texas and New Mexico and are primarily affecting children who have not received the MMR vaccine. A person in Texas and a person in New Mexico have died due to measles. CDPH said measles symptoms begin with a fever, followed by a cough, runny nose, pink eye, and a rash. CDPH recommends getting the MMR vaccine to prevent measles, mumps, and rubella. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CDPH also encourages people planning to travel to areas where measles outbreaks are occurring, to get vaccinated. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. A California man has pleaded guilty to three counts of interstate transmission of threats to injure and one count of cyberstalking a Florida family. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] According to court documents, 29-year-old Robert B. McDougal had made numerous social media posts directed to an individual and his family in Pasco County, Fla., starting in July 2020. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For example, McDougal posted a video saying the following directed to the victim in August 2020: DISCRETION ADVISED I swear to God, [victim] everyone at [victims employer], Im going to f****** slaughter all of you, I am gonna f***** set your whole family on fire, I am gonna f****** knife off the limbs of every f****** family member, Im gonna f****** murder you all. The video ended with the following statement: Ill get my hands on your children! I will f***** decapitate them! McDougal was served in January 2021 with an injunction and order to stop making posts about and directed at the victim, however, he persisted and continuously made threats until March 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McDougal faces a maximum penalty of 25 years in federal prison, a sentencing date has not yet been set. [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. Two months after deadly wildfires razed thousands of homes in the Los Angeles area, Cal Fire has released a new map showing fire hazard severity zones for the entire state. The maps were developed using science-based and field-tested models that assign a hazard score based on factors like fire likelihood and fire behavior, the agency said. Other factors include wildfire history, existing and potential fuel (i.e., natural vegetation), predicted flame length, blowing embers, terrain and typical fire weather. There are three hazard levels: moderate, high and very high. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fire Hazard Severity Zone maps evaluate hazard, not risk, the fire marshals office said. They are like flood zone maps, where lands are described in terms of the probability level of a particular area being inundated by floodwaters, and not specifically prescriptive of impacts. California neighborhood ranked among the Best Places to Live in U.S. Hazard, according to officials, is based on the physical conditions that create a likelihood and expected fire behavior over a 30 to 50-year period without considering mitigation measures such as home hardening, recent wildfire, or fuel reduction efforts. Risk, on the other hand, is the potential damage a fire can do to the area under existing conditions, accounting for any modifications such as fuel reduction projects, defensible space, and ignition resistant building construction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The maps for most of Southern California, as well as a large portion of rural eastern California, including Inyo and Mono counties, were released on Monday as part of Cal Fires Phase 4 of Local Responsibility Area data. The first three phases encompassed the rest of the state, including Ventura County in Phase 3. Map not displaying correctly? Tap here A breakdown of zones by community can be viewed 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 KTLA. TORONTO (AP) Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Monday lamented Canadas lost friendship with the United States as he visited the town that sheltered thousands of stranded American airline passengers after the 9/11 attacks. Carney's visit to Gander, Newfoundland on the second day of a national election campaign comes against the backdrop of a trade war and sovereignty threats from U.S. President Donald Trump. Trumps almost daily attacks on Canadas sovereignty have left Canadians feeling betrayed. "In this crisis caused by the U.S. president and those who are enabling him, we lament a friendship lost," Carney said. In Gander Canadians did extraordinary things for Americans when they needed it. Now, we need to do extraordinary things for ourselves. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gander opened its arms to nearly 6,600 airline passengers diverted there when the U.S. government shut down airspace during 9/11. In a matter of a few hours, the town population of 10,000 in 2001 was overwhelmed by 38 planeloads of travelers, yet locals went to work in their kitchens and cleaned up spare rooms to offer space and food to the newcomers. When more than 200 flights were diverted to Canada following the attacks on the United States, the Canadians shunted the traffic away from Toronto and Montreal to the eastern seaboard. Obscure, little-used Gander got to relive its glory days as a stopover point for trans-Atlantic aviation before long-distance flights became possible. Built in 1938 in anticipation of the coming world war, it had the worlds longest runway, and on 9/11 it was the second busiest, taking in 38 flights to Halifax, Nova Scotias 47. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When people needed help, you gave it Flight crews quickly filled Ganders hotels, so passengers were taken to schools, fire stations and church halls. The Canadian military flew in 5,000 cots. Stores donated blankets, coffee machines, barbecue grills. Unable to retrieve their luggage, passengers became dependent on the kindness of strangers, and it came in the shape of clothes, showers, toys, banks of phones to call home free of charge, an arena that became a giant walk-in fridge full of donated food. Once all the planes had landed or turned back to Europe, Ganders air traffic controllers switched to cooking meals in the building nonstop for three days. More than 6,000 passengers. Overnight, the towns population almost doubled, Carney said during a speech to residents. You showed friendship to people who were fearful. In a crisis, you showed your character. When people needed help, you gave it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Monday, Carney visited the home of Beulah Cooper, who opened her home and comforted many, including Dennis and Hannah ORourke, an elderly couple whose New York firefighter son, Kevin, went missing at the World Trade Center and was later confirmed to have died there. The ORourkes remained friends with Cooper long after and went back to Gander, saying they felt eternally indebted. Now, Cooper says she feels betrayed by America, though she remains friends with Hannah O'Rourke, whose husband passed away. She also feels bad for her American friends. Theres too many bad words for me to say on the phone about what I think of Trump, Cooper said. Canada was the best ally they had." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Carney noted the Gander story of that day became legend, immortalized in the Canadian-made Broadway hit musical Come from Away. Carney says he's just looking for respect from the Americans, not friendship Carney said Canadians have always been by Americans' side whether it was during the Iran hostage crisis, or more recently during the California wildfires or in Afghanistan, where Canada lost 158 members of the armed forces and seven civilians. Trump has declared a trade war on his northern neighbor and continues to call for Canada to become the 51st state, a position that has infuriated Canadians. The American president has threatened economic coercion in his annexation threats and suggested the border is a fictional line. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Carney said Canadians are over the shock of the betrayal but now have to look out for themselves. He said Canadians and Americans have traditionally been like brothers. "But thats changed. And it wasnt us who did the changing. Unfortunately, President Trumps actions have put that kinship under greater strain today than at any point in our storied history, Carney said. Carney, at the start of a five-week election campaign before the vote on April 28, said he's not looking for friendship from the Americans. I am just looking for respect at this point, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The new prime minister, sworn in March 14, still hasnt had a phone call with Trump and suggested that might not happen until after the election. Im available for a call. But you know we are going to talk on our terms as a sovereign country, not as what he pretends we are, Carney said. He said the Americans are making a fundamental mistake" in the trade war. They think they will weaken us. They think that they can own us quite frankly, thats what they think, he said. We are going to get stronger. We are going to wait this out. They are going to come to the table and we are going to negotiate a good deal for Canadians. By David Ljunggren OTTAWA (Reuters) - Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's decision to call for a snap election for April 28 could curtail his ability to respond forcefully if the United States carries out a threat to impose additional tariffs. Now that campaigning has started, the government is bound by a so-called caretaker convention, which means it can engage in routine business but should avoid major policy decisions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The election comes at a particularly sensitive time for Canada given the threat it faces from U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs and remarks about annexing Canada, which Carney on Sunday called "the most significant crisis of our lifetimes." Ministers retain their jobs but virtually all aides were obliged to stop using their work emails and cell phones the second the election was announced on Sunday. This begs the question of what happens if Trump follows through with a plan to slap additional tariffs on Canadian imports on April 2, on top of the 25% tariffs already imposed in March on Canadian imports of steel and aluminum. The caretaker convention allows the government to take care of urgent business, so Canada would be able to announce the countermeasures it has already promised, experts said, though additional retaliation could be more difficult. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Asked by CBC news on Wednesday whether Canada could impose already announced counter measures during an election, Foreign Minister Melanie Joly replied: "Yes, of course, because ultimately we are the government ... our job is to defend the national interest." However, talking to Trump, going to Washington or announcing new measures to counter U.S. tariffs, could open Carney to attacks from opposition parties unhappy that he was using his office to bolster his own standing during the campaign. "I anticipate that during the actual election, people will be a bit more circumspect, but it does depend quite significantly on the will of political actors to restrain themselves," said Philippe Lagasse, a professor and constitutional expert at Ottawa's Carleton University. Asked on Sunday why he was calling an election in the middle of a tariff war, Carney said he needed a vote to take place to show he has a strong mandate to manage Canada's economy and negotiate with Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During a campaign in October 2015, then Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper called a press conference to announce Canada had joined a transpacific trade pact. Opposition leader Thomas Mulcair complained about the event with reporters, saying "it's inconceivable that Stephen Harper signed a secret deal in the midst of an election campaign." Harper lost the election. During an election campaign in February in the Canadian province of Ontario, premier Doug Ford came under fire for traveling to Washington to campaign against tariffs. But Ford won reelection. "The trick is not to be seen as taking advantage of the situation in a way that people are going to think is unfair," said Andrew McDougall, an assistant professor of political science at the University of Toronto Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "(Carney) is going to have to be aware that ... that he is technically sort of bound by this convention, and so he doesn't want to be seen to be violating it." In polls conducted just before the campaign started, the Liberals and official opposition Conservatives were effectively tied. The results indicate the Liberals would win the most seats, and potentially form a majority government, since their support is concentrated in the eastern half of the country where there are more seats up for grabs. The Conservatives did not respond to a question on whether they were worried the Liberals might breach the caretaker convention. (Reporting by David Ljunggren, editing by Caroline Stauffer and Deepa Babington) BEIJING, March 24 (Xinhua) -- The incidence rate of tuberculosis (TB) in China has declined by 3 percent annually since 2021, but challenges with the disease prevention and control persist. Liu Qing, a senior official of infectious disease with the National Disease Control and Prevention Administration, revealed that the mortality rate of TB has maintained a low level. However, China still struggles to contain one of the world's most fatal infectious diseases, with the number of TB patients still high globally. There is still an imbalance of TB incidence and prevention among different regions, and efforts need to be intensified for the timely identification of patients, Liu said at an event marking World Tuberculosis Day 2025, which fell on Monday. Amid the challenging situation, Chinese experts have called for greater efforts to improve TB prevention, including better legislation, early screening for patients without symptoms and the application of new diagnostic technologies. China has made notable progress in curbing the infectious disease. The incidence and mortality rates of TB in China had dropped 30 percent compared with 2012, according to a national plan for TB prevention and treatment that was issued in November 2024. It aims to reduce the TB incidence rate to below 50 per 100,000 by 2025 and below 43 per 100,000 by 2030, as per the plan. Canadian Prime Minister and Liberal party leader Mark Carney called for the launch of an early federal election on April 28 and for the dissolution of Parliament, six months before federal elections are typically scheduled to take place, on the third Monday in October. Carney justified the snap election in a press conference Sunday on the steps of Rideau Hall in Ottawa. We are facing the most significant crises of our lifetimes because of President Trumps unjustified trade actions and his threats to our sovereignty. Our response must be to build a strong economy and a more secure Canada, he said. 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 call came just nine days after Carney took office, replacing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who announced his resignation at the beginning of January. The election will bring a showdown between four parties Both Parliament seats and the role of prime minister will be filled by the April 28 election. The four dominating parties in Canada include the Liberal, Conservative, New Democratic and Bloc Quebecois parties. The election will follow a first-past-the-post system across Canadas 343 electoral districts. Since 2015, the Canadian federal government has included 338 MP seats, but the 2025 election will increase the number to 343, according to 338 Canada. Each district will elect one Member of Parliament to the House of Commons. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whichever party has the most seats after the federal election or can command the confidence of the House of Commons will lead the country as prime minister. Party members select the party leader through internal leadership contests; they are not elected by MPs. If no party secures a majority of 172 seats, then a minority government will be formed, which often requires support from other parties. Currently there are 152 Liberal seats, 120 Conservative seats, 33 Bloc Quebecois seats, 24 New Democratic Party seats and 9 others filled by various parties. Who are the party leaders vying to be prime minister? The Liberal party candidate: Carney, who replaced Trudeau as Liberal party leader and has been acting prime minister for 10 days, will be running for reelection. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The current PM has had a long career in economics and banking, serving as the governor of the Bank of Canada, chair of the Financial Stability board and the governor of the Bank of England. Carney sees his experience with the economy as an asset to the current tariffs Trump has imposed on Canada. I know how to manage crises, he said during a leadership debate in February, per BBC. In a situation like this, you need experience in terms of crisis management, you need negotiating skills. Compared to Trudeau, Carney seems to be more center-leaning, having promised to cut taxes and put a cap on immigration targets. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre greets a supporter as he campaigns at a cafe in the Orleans community of Ottawa, on Saturday, March 22, 2025. | Justin Tang The Conservative party candidate: 45-year-old Pierre Poilievre, having served as an MP for Carleton since he was 25, is the Conservative party leader in the upcoming election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Poilievre has run a Canada first campaign, and like the other party leaders, criticizes Trumps claims he wants to annex the country. In Ottawa on Sunday, Poilievre addressed frustrations Canadians have felt toward the U.S. You can be respectful and firm, and I believe we have to be both. I will insist the president recognize the independence and sovereignty of Canada. I will insist that he stop tariffing our nation, per the National Post. At the same time, he continued, 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. Thats what it means when I say lets put Canada first for a change. Bloc Quebecois party candidate: Political wild card Yves-Francois Blanchet is the party leader for the Bloc Quebecois, a party dedicated to Quebec nationalism, per BBC. The party first emerged as an effort declare Quebecs sovereignty from Canada but has since softened its stance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bloc is regarded as a center-right nationalist party by the Canadian Encyclopedia. Like Poilievre favors Canada-first approaches to governance, Bloc Quebecois party members favor Quebec-first approaches that protect Quebecs French-rooted culture. Blanchet is also in favor of restricting oil manufacturing for environmental conservation, according to his statement at the Montreal Council on Foreign Relations. New Democratic party candidate: Jagmeet Singh worked as a criminal defense attorney in Toronto before winning a parliamentary seat for Burnaby, British Columbia. Singh has pledged to forgive student debt, reduce carbon emissions and provide universal prescription drug coverage for Canadians, as the BBC reported. Singh announced his run for prime minister on Sunday on X, writing, I am running in this election to help you not the billionaires. He added that he would focus his campaign on protecting pensions, getting dental care and Pharmacare for Canadians and taking on corporate greed. The global fishing industry already has a poor reputation for working conditions, but a new lawsuit being filed against one of the biggest tuna brands alleges some truly shocking treatment. According to The New York Times, The lawsuit is being brought against Bumble Bee Foods in California by victims who claim they were held in a form of fishing boat slavery aboard vessels contracted by the company. The suit is being brought by four Indonesian men, who say that Bumble Bee was aware of and benefited from the abuse they suffered, per CNN. According to a lawyer representing them, it is the first case tackling fishing boat slavery that has ever been filed in the United States. The plaintiffs allege that after being recruited in Indonesia (where most of the world's tuna is produced), they were held against they will for months and subject to repeated physical abuse. One crew member alleges that he was denied medical treatment and even food after receiving severe oil burns, while others allege that they were lashed, beaten, stabbed with needles, and forced to continue working after receiving severe laceration that cut their leg down to the bone. The victims also claim that they were given so little food that they had to resort to eating the bait. Tuna ships often spend months at sea, and repeated attempts to quit and get off the fishing boat were supposedly denied by their supervisors. Bumble Bee has not yet responded to the allegations and said it will not comment on current litigation. Read more: 10 Salmon Myths It's Time You Stopped Believing Bumble Bee Is Alleged To Have Profited From Fishing Boat Slavery In The Tuna Industry Bumble Bee tuna cans - RozenskiP/Shutterstock While the allegations against Bumble Bee are horrifying, this lawsuit is only a glimpse into the rampant abuse that has dogged the tuna industry as a whole. As tuna fishing has been outsourced to foreign countries, it has become harder for labor regulations to protect workers. About 80% of American tuna is produced overseas, and the fishermen are often migrant workers. Tuna ships will often be refueled by other boats that will also unload their catches, so the ships spend months at sea, which makes laws hard to enforce. While companies claim that tuna fishing is sustainable, Bumble Bee was recently forced to take down claims on its website that its supply chain was safe and fair. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Like the victims in the current lawsuit, who had half of their $320 a month salary withheld from them, migrant workers are often brought on to tuna boats by recruiters who end up withholding huge portions of the workers salary to create a form of debt bondage. The current victims were also threatened with additional fines if they quit. The global tuna industry is worth about $40 billion, and a United Nations agency estimates that at a minimum, 128,000 people are trapped in similar forced labor situations, with the number likely being much higher. The plaintiffs say that they are trying to bring more attention to the plight of workers on these ships in the hope that more won't suffer. Read the original article on Tasting Table. AUSTINTOWN, Ohio (MyValleyTributes) Carol L. McClain, 87, passed away peacefully, Friday evening, March 21, 2025, at Hospice House, surrounded by the love and comfort of her family. Carol was born February 3, 1938, in Youngstown, the beloved daughter of the late George and Lucile Collins Streitferdt. A lifelong resident of the area, Carol grew up with strong family values and a deep connection to her community. Find obituaries from your high school Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She was a proud graduate of Chaney High School, Class of 1955. After high school, she attended Mount Union College and Youngstown State University, where she earned her Bachelors Degree in Education, graduating in June 1968. Carol dedicated 25 years of her life to teaching elementary school in North Jackson Schools until her retirement in 1993. She left a lasting impact on her students, many of whom remember her as their favorite teacher. Faith was a cornerstone of Carols life. Her parents were founding members of the former Mahoning Methodist Church, where Carol was deeply involved. She took great pride in organizing and running the Vacation Bible School for many years, nurturing the spiritual growth of countless children. In more recent years, Carol was a member of Western Reserve United Methodist Church, where she continued to serve and connect with her faith community. Carol was active in numerous social and civic organizations. She served as the president of the Mahoning County Womens Republican Club and was a proud member of Eastern Star. She supported veterans causes alongside her husband, including the KWVA Chapter 137, which her husband helped to establish. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Carol loved connecting with others, traveling with her husband and family and was a member of numerous social clubs. She also cherished the time spent with her lifelong friends at their class breakfasts. After moving to Victoria House, she quickly became a valued member of the community, participating in the activities and making meaningful friendships. Carol was known for her warmth and kindness. Her positive spirit and inviting personality touched everyone she met. She had a gift for making others feel valued and loved, always speaking positively of others and offering a listening ear. Carol had a love for cooking and baking and always had fresh baked goods to offer visitors. She was best known for her strawberry shortcake and Texas sheet cake. She hosted family gatherings, creating the fondest memories in life. Carol leaves behind a legacy of love and devotion. She will be deeply missed by her daughter, Tammy (Dale) Basista of Austintown; her son, Scott McClain of Austintown; her stepson, Dean B. (Beverly) McClain, Jr. of College Station, Texas; her six grandchildren, Angela Denari, Dale L. (Kristie) Basista, Seth Basista, Lindsay McClain Opiyo, Kyle (Brittany) McClain and Deann Holster and her seven great-grandchildren, Ava, Riana, Scarlet, Evan, Genn, Stormi and AJ. She also leaves her brother, George (Elaine) Streitferdt of Boardman and her cousins, Karen Himes and Nancy Beekman, who were always close family companions. Carols life was further enriched by many lifelong friends and extended family members who were blessed to know her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her husband of 58 years, soulmate and love of her life, Dean B. McClain, whom she married November 30, 1956, passed away December 28, 2014. Family and friends may call from 11:00 a.m. 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, at Kinnick Funeral Home, 477 N. Meridian Road, Youngstown, where a funeral service will take place at 1:00 p.m. Interment will follow at Lake Park Cemetery where Carol will be laid to rest beside her beloved husband. Carols life was a testament to the power of faith, family, and friendship. Her gentle spirit, kind heart, and unwavering love will continue to inspire and guide those she leaves behind. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The family would like to thank the staff and residents of Victoria House for their kindness and friendship given to Carol every day. It meant the world. To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store. A television tribute will air Tuesday, March 25 at the following approximate times: 5:17 a.m. on WKBN, 8:39 a.m. on FOX, 5:21 p.m. on WYTV and 6:35 p.m. on MyYTV. Video will be posted here the day of airing. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com. A cow is pictured on the Jordan Ranch in Livingston, Montana. (USDA/FPAC photo by Preston Keres) A fight over a beef promotion program saw boisterous debate in a Senate Agricultural Committee meeting last week. House Bill 119, brought by House Speaker Rep. Brandon Ler, would create the Montana Cattle Committee, which would run whats called a checkoff program, or promotion program for a specific product, in this case Montana beef. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Perhaps the most famous checkoff program was the U.S. Department of Agricultures Got Milk? campaign. In this case, it would be a state not federal program promoting in-state beef producers. However, the bill, if passed, would ask for a vote by cattle producers to create the program. The vote would also create a fee, $1 per head, on about 1.75 million beef cows in Montana to fund marketing or other promotional work. I just want to state that this bill is not imposing the tax, said Ler, R-Savage. The state itself is not imposing the tax. That would be left up to a referendum of the producers. He added he wants to see the bill passed to promote Montana beef. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill states the committee is uniquely situated to provide benefits including advertising, promotion, food safety production research, nutrition, marketing research, the collection and dissemination of production and related statistics, and public education. Essentially the bill seeks to create a favorable environment for Montana cattle producers to market their product both domestically and internationally. At the heart of the debate was an additional tax on beef cows which opponents said would add up for producers, and they didnt want to be paying to help market their competitors products. Proponents of the bill have said the program will benefit cattle producers across the state. Were just asking for the opportunity to ask the producers of the state of Montana if they would like to tax themselves and see if we can improve the atmosphere for the livestock producers, improve the profitability, basically, said Gene Curry, who is the chairman of the Board of Livestock, but was speaking for himself as a livestock producer. Were not asking for you to levy a tax on us or anybody. Were just asking you to give us the ability to ask the producers if they would like to tax themselves. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The cattle committee would be housed in the Department of Agriculture. It would be made up of seven members appointed by the governor. Originally the bill also dictated what groups can forward names for consideration to the governor, though its since been amended to open up the nomination process further. The groups originally named in the bill as organizations that would pick the members were the Montana Stockgrowers Association, the Montana Cattlemens Association, the Montana Association of Livestock Auction Markets, Montana Cattlewomen, the Montana Beef Council, the Montana Farm Bureau Federation, and the Montana Farmers Union. Representatives of two of those groups the Montana Farmers Union and the Montana Cattlemens Association spoke against the bill during its Senate hearing. Ultimately, it pits neighbor against neighbor. Thats a problem in my mind. As a business owner, I wouldnt pay for my competitors advertising no matter how small the bill is, it just doesnt make sense, said John Ferrat, a rancher and board member for the Montana Farmers Union. House Bill 119 is nothing more than taxation without representation, and if I recall, in 1773 there was some tea dumped into a harbor over just such a thing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Blackfeet and Chippewa Cree representatives also spoke against the bill, as there is no direct tribal representation on the board. We do have Montana brands that were forced upon us to sell our cattle, said Craig Iron Pipe, representing the Blackfeet tribal agriculture department and is a producer himself. We would like a voice at the table. The bill was first introduced on Jan. 6. It had its first hearing two days later and some who provided testimony said they had little notice the bill was coming. Last week, the committee did not take immediate action on the bill. It passed the House on 52-47 vote to send it to the Senate. A fiscal note for the bill said the cattle committee would cost $1.5 million per year, but would be paid for by private donations and the head fee on livestock. Ler did not sign a third, most recent fiscal note, but signed the previous two. BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) CBS 42 wants to help you and your family stay healthy. Each week, our resident Dr. Celeste Reese-Willis joins us to talk about a timely health 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 CBS 42. (Bloomberg) -- CBS News should be required to proactively release all transcripts from future political interviews on its broadcast program 60 Minutes, according to a media watchdog group. Most Read from Bloomberg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Center for American Rights, a nonprofit, public-interest law firm with ties to conservative groups, said the Federal Communications Commission should require CBS to promptly release complete transcripts of all interviews with sitting public officials and candidates, as it has done selectively in the past. Doing so would provide the opportunity to ensure transparency and accountability to the public interest, the group said in comments to be filed to the FCC on Monday. The move would also align with the practices of CBS Face the Nation, the group said. The center filed a complaint with the FCC in October over the networks treatment of an interview with former Vice President Kamala Harris, concerning two apparently different answers she gave to the same question. Then-FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel dismissed the complaint during one of her last days at the agency under the Biden administration. The new chairman, Brendan Carr, revived the accusations. Carr has said hed probe CBSs editing of the interview in the context of CBS parent company Paramount Globals proposed merger with Skydance Media, which must receive FCC approval. The FCC probe is also taking place against the backdrop of a $20 billion-lawsuit President Donald Trump has filed against CBS over the Harris interview. CBS and Trumps lawyers are engaged in settlement talks. In the forthcoming filing, as part of the public comment period, the Center for American Rights argues that the First Amendment cant act as a broad shield for networks that willfully take news content out of context, meaning it would be appropriate for the FCC to intervene in the CBS case. As part of the Skydance-Paramount merger conditions, the center has also suggested CBS add executive viewpoint diversity, hire a nonpartisan ombudsman to handle news bias complaints, and recruit employees from a broader range of diverse backgrounds, including people from rural communities, people of faith, and conservatives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2025 Bloomberg L.P. A couple who has been accused of torturing a 10-year-old to death in Tavares is expected to face new charges. However, they will not be in court Monday as originally planned. Kimberley Mills and Andre Walker the boys mother and her boyfriend are facing a slew of charges, including child neglect and tampering with evidence. They have been held at the Lake County jail since their arrest back in February. Walker waived Mondays planned arraignment hearing. A court official said on site the 36-year-old had retained a private lawyer and that his arraignment had been canceled. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mills was also scheduled to be arraigned Monday, but her hearing was also canceled. On Friday, Tavares police announced the boy, Xavier Williams, died after spending almost a month in critical condition at Orlando Health in downtown Orlando. Williams had been initially taken to AdventHealth Waterman in Tavares, but his injuries were so violent that he needed to be transported. According to the Tavares Police Department, the boys mother took him to an emergency room while trying to perform CPR on him. Doctors told police William arrived at the emergency room in cardiac arrest, likely following a long session of torture, according to police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mills and Walker were scheduled to be arraigned on Monday on the child abuse and the other charges stemming from their original arrest in February. While the investigations continue, Tavares police announced a vigil in honor of Xavier and in hopes of helping his family, including his younger brother, who is now with the Florida Department of Children and Families. That vigil is scheduled for March 29 at Wooten Park in downtown Tavares. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) In response to the statewide burn ban, the Charlotte Fire Department Fire Marshals Office has issued additional local restrictions to reduce the risk of wildfires within city limits. Effective immediately, open burning is prohibited in the city of Charlotte, including within 100 feet of an occupied dwelling. All North Carolina counties under burn ban due to hazardous forest fire conditions Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the states burn ban restricts open burning across all 100 counties, it does not cover fires within 100 feet of occupied dwellings, said Charlotte Fire Marshal Kevin Miller. Given the increased risk of fire, we are extending those restrictions locally to ensure consistency and safety across our community. Under the local burn ban: All open burning is prohibited, including recreational fires, bonfires, fire pits and warming fires. Only cooking fires are allowed, but they must be: Contained within a grill or outdoor cooking device Attended at all time Accompanied by a readily available means of extinguishment (fire extinguishers, hose, etc.) PHOTOS: Large outside fire 70% contained with 180 acres burned in Burke County Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This burn ban remains in effect until further notice and applies to all areas within city limits. Violations of the burn ban may result in a $100 fine and $183 in court costs. Individuals found responsible for a fire may also be held liable for the cost of firefighting efforts. The Charlotte Fire Marshals Office urges all residents to exercise extreme caution and held prevent wildfire risk. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. BEIJING, March 24 (Xinhua) -- Health authorities in Beijing on Monday, the 30th World TB Day, announced significant strides in combating tuberculosis (TB) in the city. Over the past decade (2014-2024), the Chinese capital's TB incidence rate has dropped by 37.2 percent, with an average annual decline of 4.5 percent, while maintaining a treatment success rate exceeding 90 percent, according to the Beijing municipal center for disease control and prevention. National data also showed that since 2012, China has reduced TB incidence and mortality by approximately 30 percent nationwide. Over this period, 7.85 million TB patients were diagnosed and treated -- with treatment success rates consistently above 90 percent and mortality levels remaining low. The Charlotte Fire Department Fire Marshals Office issued a local burn ban Sunday night to work in coordination with an existing statewide ban. The initial statewide burn ban issued by the North Carolina Forest Service was first implemented on Friday. CFD officials issued a local ban to implement further safety restrictions to reduce wildfire risks in the city. BURN BAN IN EFFECT Due to increased fire danger, the Charlotte Fire Marshal has issued a local burn ban, effective immediately, in coordination with the statewide ban issued by the N.C. Forest Service. All open burning is now prohibited in Charlotte, including within 100 feet pic.twitter.com/QCfgnRfGZx Charlotte Fire Dept (@CharlotteFD) March 23, 2025 The Charlotte ban was implemented on Sunday night and included a ban on all burning in the City of Charlotte, including within 100 feet of an occupied dwelling. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the states burn ban restricts open burning across all 100 counties, it does not cover fires within 100 feet of occupied dwellings, said Charlotte Fire Marshal Kevin Miller. Given the increased risk of fire, we are extending those restrictions locally to ensure consistency and safety across our community. READ: Firefighters battle large outdoor fire in Burke County The ban includes all recreational fires, bonfires, fire pits, and warming fires. The only fires permitted are for cooking and must be contained within a grill or outdoor cooking device, attended at all times, and accompanied by ready means of extinguishment, according to a release. Violating the burn ban may result in fines and court costs, according to officials. The Charlotte Fire Marshals Office has encouraged those with questions to call 704- 336-2101. WATCH: Firefighters battle large outdoor fire in Burke County Relying on ChatGPT for companionship? It might be making you lonelier. A new pair of studies from MIT Media Lab and Open found that frequent chatbot users experience more loneliness and emotional dependence. ChatGPT might be making its most loyal users lonelier. According to a pair of recent studies from OpenAI and MIT Media Lab, frequent, sustained use of ChatGPT may be linked to higher levels of loneliness. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Overall, higher daily usageacross all modalities and conversation typescorrelated with higher loneliness, dependence, and problematic use, and lower socialization," the researchers said in an abstract for the two parallel studies. The studies set out to investigate the extent to which interactions with ChatGPT impacted users' emotional health, with a focus on the use of the chatbot's advanced voice mode. They included a randomized controlled trial (RCT) by MIT, in which 1,000 participants used ChatGPT over four weeks, and an automated analysis of nearly 40 million ChatGPT interactions conducted by OpenAI. Across the studies, researchers found that those with stronger emotional attachment tendencies tended to experience more loneliness. In contrast, those with a higher level of trust in the chatbot experienced more emotional dependence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They also suggested that "power users" were most likely to think of the chatbot as a "friend" or consider it to have humanlike emotions. The studies also found that personal" conversations with the chatbot were correlated with higher levels of loneliness among users. "Results showed that while voice-based chatbots initially appeared beneficial in mitigating loneliness and dependence compared with text-based chatbots, these advantages diminished at high usage levels, especially with a neutral-voice chatbot," the researchers said. Representatives for OpenAI did not immediately respond to a request for comment, made outside normal working hours. AI for companionship ChatGPT has around 400 million weekly active users worldwide, with a growing number turning to the bot for personal advice and companionship. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It's been a popular substitute for therapy for some, despite health professionals warning against this use case. According to a 2024 YouGov survey, just over half of young Americans aged 18 to 29 felt comfortable speaking to an AI about mental health concerns. Another study even suggests that OpenAI's chatbot gives better personal advice than professional columnists. While some users say the bot helps ease loneliness, there has been increasing scrutiny about the negative effects of interacting with AI chatbots. AI companies that are aimed primarily at companionship, such as Replika and Character.ai, have been the most affected. Character.ai is currently facing two separate lawsuits concerning interactions with minors, while Replika has drawn the scrutiny of Italian regulators. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The researchers said that the new findings "underscore the complex interplay between chatbot design choices (e.g., voice expressiveness) and user behaviors (e.g., conversation content, usage frequency" and called for further work to investigate "whether chatbots ability to manage emotional content without fostering dependence or replacing human relationships benefits overall well-being." This story was originally featured on Fortune.com CHILTON, Wis. (WFRV) Chilton Area Catholic School is celebrating a major milestone with the completion of a 15,530-square-foot expansion. The addition includes a gymnasium, cafeteria, kitchen, media center, and space for future classrooms, marking a significant investment in the schools future. World War II submarine at the Wisconsin Maritime Museum celebrates 82nd birthday Principal Samantha Meyers, who graduated from the school in 1999, says the expansion reflects the strong support from both the parish and the broader Chilton community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were doing a lot of really great things here to keep people coming back. And I think this shows the support we have in our parish and community that maybe some of the schools around us havent been able to get, Meyers said. Photo Courtesy of Bayland Buildings Inc The project was years in the making, involving close collaboration between school leaders, parish members, and Bayland Buildings, the company responsible for construction. Project Executive, Jeff Sabel says the new facilities will provide valuable space for students to learn and grow. It was much needed just from a space perspective, and it gives them an opportunity to grow and serve more members of the community and the students, Sabel said. The most exciting part for me is seeing the children in the building with bright eyes, taking advantage of the gymnasium and the media center. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Students had their first look at the new addition last week, and according to Meyers, their excitement was overwhelming. Freedom boys basketball captures silver at state I got to take them all through on Monday this last week and show them the space for the first time, and it was the best day ever, she said. They loved every bit of it and cant wait to start using it on Monday. The expansion officially opens to students on Monday, ushering in a new era for Chilton Area Catholic School, which hopes to continue growing and serving families in the area for years to come. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton. China is prepared for possible unexpected shocks, Premier Li Qiang told a gathering of global executives in Beijing, where he urged them to resist protectionism and defend globalization. CEOs including Apples Tim Cook, FedExs Raj Subramaniam and Pfizers Albert Bourla gathered in the Chinese capital over the weekend for a two-day forum that comes as US President Donald Trump has ratcheted up trade pressure on China in a bid to rebalance what he sees as an unfair relationship. Li warned that decoupling and breaking supply chains would only deepen crises, while pledging to further expand market access in various sectors for foreign investors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If the world returns to the law of the jungle, it will be a step backward in history and a tragedy for humanity, he said on Sunday during an opening address at the annual gathering. We have prepared for possible unexpected shocks, which, of course, mainly come from external sources. Where necessary, the Chinese government will introduce new policies to ensure the smooth operation of the Chinese economy. The stakes are high for Lis pitch message, which comes as China seeks to project confidence and reverse plummeting foreign investment in its slowing economy at a time when Beijing and the US-China business community are braced for the impact of Trumps tariffs, which could escalate next month. The gathering, known as the China Development Forum, has long served as a key opportunity for exchange between top Chinese officials and foreign business leaders. This year, it has an outsized importance as a platform for informal US-China diplomacy in a moment of uncertainty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Li met with US senator and Trump ally Steve Daines on the sidelines of the gathering for a conversation that Daines described to the Wall Street Journal as a first step toward a meeting between Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping. Executives from major US firms including Qualcomm, Pfizer, FedEx and Boeing also joined that gathering, where Li stressed that the US and China share extensive common interests and a broad space of cooperation and called for their win-win cooperation. Trump has repeatedly suggested that he hopes to reach a deal with China and Xi. The US president signaled on Friday that Americas top trade official and Chinese counterparts could hold talks this week. Since taking office in January, Trump has imposed 20% additional tariffs on all Chinese imports to the US, on top of existing levies on hundreds of billions of goods. China has retaliated with its own duties on US imports, including agricultural and certain energy products, and announced new export controls on raw materials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement US tariffs could be elevated in the weeks ahead. The White House is expected to announce reciprocal duties on multiple countries early next week, as part of the administrations controversial bid to bring manufacturing back to the US and rebalance what they see as unfair trade relationships. Chinese Premier Li Qiang meets US Senator Steve Daines at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on March 23. - Ng Han Guan/AFP/POOL/Getty Images Trade uncertainties loom This drive to reshape Americas trading relationship with China and the expected shocks to global trade were a key discussion point for many multinational executives and observers who gathered in the Chinese capital for the forum, which concludes Monday. We are very firm believers in an open, rule-based trade that works, Inter IKEA Group CEO Jon Abrahamsson Ring told CNN on the gatherings sidelines Sunday. We believe that trade is something very positive and actually enables scale, enables that we can take advantage of comparable advantages globally, he said. We believe that trade will be a key enabler for some of these important transformations that need to be done now in sustainability, affordability, etc. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most goods sold by the European furniture giant in Europe and Asia are produced in those continents, he added, noting that a similar approach to the US market was under development. CEO of Inter IKEA Group Jon Abrahamsson Ring speaks to reporters in Beijing on the sidelines of the China Development Forum. - Fred He/CNN The current restructuring of trade relationships requires businesses to be more flexible in their supply chains and to invest in tools like AI to become more adaptable, Rich Lesser, global chair of Boston Consulting Group, said during a forum panel. The short-term disruptions demand immediate intention, but the longer-term shifts in technology, sustainability, geopolitics are going to reshape trade for decades to come, he said. For Chinese officials, concern and discussion about such disruptions also provided an opportunity to project China as a responsible power on the global stage and a champion of globalization. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a responsible major country, China will firmly stand on the right side of history and the side of fairness and justice. In the wind and waves of the times, we should be righteous and walk the right path, Premier Li said. Foreign firms have in recent years become wary of doing business in China amid heightened geopolitical tensions and as Chinese authorities have detained or questioned employees from a handful of foreign firms amid Xis growing emphasis on national security. Governments around the world have also raised concerns about Chinas extensive exports, including in electric vehicles and green technologies, saying government subsidies are putting these firms at an unfair advantage against domestic manufacturing. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com The Chinese Foreign Ministry has denied claims in the media that it is considering participating in a possible peacekeeping mission in Ukraine, China's state-run newspaper Global Times reported on March 24. The German news outlet Die Welt reported on March 22 that, according to its undisclosed diplomatic sources, Beijing is considering joining the peacekeeping force as part of the European-led "coalition of the willing" to secure a ceasefire in Ukraine. In response to a journalist's question about the story, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said at a press briefing that the claims were completely untrue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The peacekeeping mission, spearheaded by the U.K. and France, aims to ensure Ukraine's security in case of a ceasefire by deploying foreign troops on the ground, as well as aerial and naval support. Details of the mission remain unclear as talks within the "coalition of the willing" are ongoing. The discussion comes as U.S. President Donald Trump pushes to broker a ceasefire in Ukraine while rejecting the possibility of taking a direct part in the European-led mission. Beijing claims to be a neutral party in the Russia-Ukraine war despite being a close economic and political partner with Moscow. China has played a significant role in helping Russia resist the impact of Western sanctions and became its leading source of dual-use goods used for military purposes. Officially, China has denied providing military support to either side and stressed the need for a peaceful solution. Read also: US-Russia talks begin in Saudi Arabia, Russian media reports Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The first Bible written in Chinese has sold for more than 56,000 after Oxfam staff found it in a pile of donations. The rare text, which dates back to around 1815, had been donated to an Oxfam bookshop in Chelmsford, Essex. Volunteers Chris Tyrrell and Eleanor Atac spotted the book, thought it might be valuable and put it up for auction at Bonhams. The Bible, which was translated by John Lassar and Joshua Marshman, was originally valued at between 600 and 800. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But after two weeks of online bidding, it sold for 56,280. Staff said they were left absolutely speechless by the final price. Nick Reeves, Oxfam Chelmsfords bookshop manager, said: The Bible was originally found in a pile of donations by some of our brilliant volunteers who suspected it could be worth something. When it was put up for auction, it was originally valued at a few hundred pounds, so we never imagined it might go for this much. We were sat watching the bidding and just seeing it go up and up. When it finally ended, I was in complete shock. We were absolutely speechless. Its amazing to think that a donation from our shop could help raise that much money for Oxfam. Its just wonderful. A page from the Chinese Bible that sold for thousands - Bonhams / SWNS The Bible was among 23 other books donated to various Oxfam shops, which went under the hammer at Bonhams between March 10 and 20. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More than 105,000 was raised by the sale of books. Some of the highest prices fetched included a first edition of A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, which sold for 16,640; a first edition of Karl Marxs Manifesto of the Communist Party, which sold for 10,880, and a signed copy of Roald Dahls Matilda, which went for 2,304. Ian Falkingham, Oxfams donated goods strategy lead, who specialises in books, said: We are absolutely blown away by the sales at Bonhams today. We are so grateful for all our donations at Oxfam, and the many incredible, rare and unique books that are donated. The money raised from these books will go towards helping tackle poverty and inequality across the globe, at a time when it is needed most. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dr Lorenza Gay, Associate Specialist - Books and Manuscripts at Bonhams, added: For more than twenty years, Bonhams has proudly worked with Oxfam bookshops, and we are thrilled that weve been able to use our expertise and platform once again to deliver brilliant results for the charity. The Lassar and Marshman Chinese translation of the Bible was an exceedingly rare item, which we could not trace at auction previously. We hoped it would exceed the estimate, but it definitely surprised us with the final price achieved. This remarkable outcome is great news for the important work Oxfam does around the world. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. CHIPPEWA FALLS Six Chippewa Falls manufacturers are working together to hold open houses this Saturday, offering younger people the chance to see their businesses and encouraging them to come work there. The Manufacturing Showcase tours offer an opportunity for students, parents, teachers and others to see what its like inside their doors and get a glimpse into many challenging and fulfilling roles in American manufacturing, a press release states. This event will allow attendees to explore some career opportunities right in our community and learn what the pathways are to get there. The open house tours will be held 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at each of the participating businesses: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cadrex (formerly Advanced Laser) Great Northern Corporation ITW Deltar Fasteners Nordson Extrusion Dies Industries Wisconsin Metal Fab W.S. Darley & Co. The tours will take place every 15 minutes and will have representatives present to answer questions and share their stories. Chippewa Valley Technical College information will also be available at each location. Manufacturing offers a wide range of career opportunities. The Manufacturing Showcase offers the opportunity to find out what those careers are and to speak directly with those who are currently in those careers, said Shirley Gutsch, executive director of Manufacturing Works. The future for manufacturing is high-tech and the future for kids should be manufacturing. Building the parts isnt going anywhere. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gutsch said this is a good opportunity for kids and parents to see the operations and talk with workers who are already there. Ive talked to a lot of kids and parents and they are surprised at the wide variety of jobs available, she said. These are careers with advancement. Charlie Walker, Chippewa County Economic Development Corporation executive director, said that for years, people thought manufacturing jobs were dirty and dangerous, but thats not the case. We know they pay high salaries and they are good career jobs, Walker said. I think (the open house event) is a good stepping stone to show what they do. The more they do showcases, I think more companies will come on board. They are great companies to work for. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Walker said its important to hold events like this because most manufacturers have job openings and their staff tends to be older and nearing retirement. Our population is aging, and were not keeping up with the bodies coming in, he said. Manufacturers understand they need to get exposure to the next talent. Its a fantastic idea for the local manufacturers to step up, grow, and drive our economy forward. Princeton City School District faces potential school closures and staff cuts if an emergency operating levy fails to pass this spring. The district told The Enquirer that it filed to place a levy on the May 6 ballot to prevent an operating deficit. This comes just months after a previous levy failed, in November 2024. The November levy's failure resulted in spending cuts including but not limited to a hiring freeze, reduction in bus transportation and the end to field trips unless they are 100% funded by grants. If a levy in May fails, additional cuts would be made. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The proposed levy will appear on ballots across the district's entire territory, which includes portions of Hamilton, Butler and Warren counties, and aims to generate $12.8 million annually over 10 years, according to the district's release. Homeowners would pay $231 for each $100,000 of their appraised home value for 10 years. The levy would impact more than 16,000 households in Evendale, Glendale, Lincoln Heights, Sharonville, Springdale and parts of Symmes Township, Sycamore Township, Blue Ash and West Chester, district director of communications Tricia Roddy told The Enquirer. The November levy results were close in Hamilton County but not in other counties The November levy attempt narrowly failed in Hamilton County, with 48.8% for the additional operating expenses and 51.2% against. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Butler and Warren counties, the results were more spread out, with 43% of voters in favor of the levy and 57% against it. A Princeton graduate holds up a diploma in front of the Princeton Mural Amphitheater, which features the tile artwork of Cincinnati artist Carl Zimmerman. The district needed to cut $10.6 million from its budget after the levy failed. As a result, the district outlined the following changes for the school year, starting in January: A hiring freeze. No more buses on Tuesdays and Thursdays to transport students home from extracurricular activities. This impacts students at Princeton Community Middle School and Princeton High School, who use the buses to get home after activities such as tutoring, clubs and sports. No more field trips unless they are 100% funded by grants. Progress reports, report cards and student handbooks will be offered online only, not printed or mailed. Reduced professional development opportunities for teachers and staff, including the cancellation of Viking University. Substitute teacher reductions. District buildings will be closed Fridays through Sundays over the summer. The district will delay projects such as paving, roofing and HVAC maintenance. Failure in May would cause 'even more difficult financial decisions' If a levy fails again in May, the district would need to make "even more difficult financial decisions," Roddy said in an email. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This includes making additional reductions in staffing, transportation and potentially the closure of two elementary schools, she said. No final decisions for the 2026-2027 school year have been made regarding which buildings or programs would be affected, she added. If approved by voters, the new levy would begin collection in 2026. The district has held thirteen "Listening Sessions" with community members since January to allow the public to share their concerns about the district's financial stability. The district encourages community members to stay informed and engaged in the funding discussion. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Princeton City Schools may face school closures if another levy fails Part of the crowd that gathered for a town hall at First United Methodist Church in downtown Little Rock on Tuesday, March 18, 2025. (Photo by Rich Shumate/Arkansas Advocate) Little Rock witnessed a tale of two events last week that says a lot about the troubled state of American politics. At the first event, voters incensed by two months of chaos in Washington gathered at the First United Methodist Church on Center Street downtown, filling every pew in the 750-seat sanctuary, as well as the balcony and the choir seats behind the pulpit. Those who couldnt find a seat stood around the edge of the sanctuary and at the back of the church; more than 100 people were turned away. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The energy, and the anger, at this town hall meeting were palpable, as speaker after speaker talked about the impact President Donald Trump and adviser Elon Musk and their minions are having on Arkansans from all walks of life veterans, children with disabilities, Medicaid patients, farmers, immigrants and scientific researchers. Meanwhile, eight blocks away at the Capital Hotel, U.S. Sens. Tom Cotton and John Boozman, who were both invited to the town hall, were instead rubbing elbows with donors at a high-dollar fundraiser for Cottons reelection campaign that featured Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders and a smattering of Stephenses and Dillards, with a Rockefeller thrown in. It cost $1,000 to mingle, $7,000 to dine, and $10,000 to be on the host committee. To thwart would-be protesters, the location of the fundraiser was only disclosed to ticket holders, although details started to leak on social media in the hours before the event. Given that Cotton, Boozman and Hills own in-person town halls have become as rare as a duck-billed platypus, organizers of the Second Congressional District town hall had little expectation that any of them would accept their invitation. (Hills scheduler said he was not available to participate; Boozman and Cotton didnt respond.) Organizers left empty chairs for all three just in case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You are here because they wont do their job, said Chris Jones, the 2022 Democratic candidate for governor, who moderated the event. It aint that hard. There are only a few things you need to do. One of them is to provide a check on the madness that is coming from the executive branch. There is, of course, nothing that requires French, Cotton or Boozman to meet in a public setting with their constituents, except perhaps a sense of duty that should go with the elected offices that they hold. Had they attended last weeks event, they would no doubt have gotten a rough reception. People are ticked off. But thats part of the job. If you seek public office, you shouldnt be able to hide away from the public you represent because they make you uncomfortable. And you should represent, and be answerable to, all of your constituents, not just the ones who voted for you or agreeably nod their heads at everything you do. Alas, Arkansas congressional delegation has little political incentive to engage with voters in an uncontrolled public setting. Hill is relatively safe in a racially gerrymandered district; Cotton and Boozman have little to fear in a very red state. They seem to believe they can disregard angry voters with impunity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Perhaps theyre right about that, although it was notable at the town hall that the crowd gave one of its most vigorous ovations to Marcus Jones, the retired Army officer who ran against Hill last year, after he pushed back against Musks targeting of veterans programs, which is increasingly becoming an albatross around Republicans necks. Our veterans swore an oath, and when we did, we wrote a check. And that check could be up to the cost of our own life, Jones said. And part of that bargain is the government would take care of us. And the Trump administration is causing our nation to turn its back on that promise. In addition to a lack of incentive to endure public scrutiny, Arkansas congressmen may have a more pressing reason to avoid voter engagement, rooted in their political timidity in the face of the MAGA takeover of the Republican Party. For instance, Hill, to his credit, has been an outspoken supporter of Ukraine and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Imagine, then, if someone at the town hall had asked him whether he supported Trumps attempt to humiliate Zelenskyy, cut off support for Ukrainian freedom fighters and align U.S. policy with the Kremlin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He could not answer that question honestly without generating headlines that would anger the MAGA base. So its easier just to avoid getting the question. Likewise, Boozman is a member of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee and has made supporting veterans a key part of his legislative career. But if someone asked him if he supports plans by Musks DOGE operation to cut 80,000 positions from the Veterans Administration, which will compromise services to veterans, hed have to choose between honesty, sycophancy or evasion. Easier, then, to play hide-and-seek. The list of difficult questions for our congressional representatives goes on and on. Do they support staff cuts at the National Park Service that will affect services at the Buffalo River and Hot Springs National Park? Representing a tornado-prone state, do they support firings at the National Weather Service, which helps keep us safe? Or at FEMA, which helps us recover after disaster hits? What is their view on kneecapping life-saving research at UAMS, the University of Arkansas and Arkansas Childrens Hospital through cuts to National Institutes of Health and National Science Foundation funding? On eliminating the Department of Education that insures educational access for disabled students? Or stripping the Little Rock-based aid group WinRock International (established by Republican Gov. Winthrop Rockefeller) of funding by dismembering USAID? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement How do they plan to protect Arkansas farmers from the damage caused by Trumps tariffs? Or the jobs of folks at Lockheed Martins plant in Camden who make missiles being sent to Ukraine? If our congressmen expressed any doubt about Dear Leader and his unelected billionaire sidekick, there would be hell to pay. It would also raise another thorny question that they wouldnt want to answer if you oppose these actions that are harming Arkansans, then why arent you doing more to stop Trump and Musk? On the other hand, if members of our delegation actually support chaos, mindless budget cuts and indiscriminate firings, shouldnt they be willing to defend them in public? Where is the courage of their convictions? The essence of representative government is that the people we elect should represent us, engage with us, and listen to us. When they refuse to do so in service of their own political survival, it has a corrosive effect on democracy, as voters who dont feel listened to, or represented, grow increasingly frustrated and angry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our congressional delegation has shown no sign that they give a hoot about that frustration and anger. We should not expect them to turn up anytime soon to answer questions in an environment where they cant control the narrative. But that doesnt mean voters shouldnt continue to ask their questions more urgently and forcefully even when theyre only talking to empty chairs. Thats what democracy looks like, to the degree that we still have democracy left. ISTANBUL, March 24 (Xinhua) -- Turkish police detained 12 suspects over their alleged involvement in the Friday attack on the Iraqi Consulate General in Istanbul, local media reported on Monday. According to the Ihlas news agency, the police have launched widespread operations since Sunday, raiding several locations in Istanbul and the western Izmir province. Among those detained were individuals suspected of planning and inciting the March 21 attack on the consulate building in the Sisli district on the European side of the city. On the day of the attack, two assailants on a motorcycle fired multiple rounds at the building with a long-barreled firearm and then fled the scene. During the search operations, police seized the long-barreled gun and the stolen motorcycle at the addresses of the suspects. The motive of the attack remains unclear. A remote Himalayan mountain kingdom nestled between China, India and a bunch of clouds may be about to get more distant. Bhutan is known as the "Land of the Thunder Dragon" and for its deeply Buddhist culture and for measuring national happiness. For more than a century, Bhutan has had links to the University of Texas at El Paso, where the kingdom's architecture has inspired the design of campus buildings since 1917. Ties have extended to foreign students, festivals and cultural exchanges. Bhutan could became one of 43 countries whose citizens face restrictions or demands on entering the U.S. because of a new Trump administration travel ban. Advertisement Advertisement According to a draft list of plans developed by the Trump administration, Bhutan could join "red" list countries such as traditional American adversaries Iran and North Korea, whose citizens may be entirely barred from entering the U.S. Trump travel ban 2.0: What countries it will affect? Another possibility is it could be designated an "orange" list nation, for which travel is restricted but not entirely cut off, or a "yellow" list country, which means it would be given 60 days to address concerns about its perceived immigration-related deficiencies. The draft memo was seen by The New York Times and Reuters news agency. President Donald Trump imposed a ban on travelers from seven majority-Muslim nations in his first term. When he took office for his second term, he issued an executive order requiring the U.S. State Department to identify countries "for which vetting and screening information is so deficient as to warrant a partial or full suspension on the admission of nationals from those countries." Trump said that he was taking the fresh action to protect American citizens "from aliens who intend to commit terrorist attacks, threaten our national security, espouse hateful ideology or otherwise exploit the immigration laws for malevolent purposes." Advertisement Advertisement It's not fully clear why Bhutan, home to fewer than 800,000 people and until relatively recently tucked away in the mountains in virtual isolation from the rest of the world, was added to the list. Here's some of the factors that might come into play. First of all, what do we know about Bhutan? Bhutan was an association of local fiefdoms until the 18th century; following British intervention, it became a hereditary monarchy in 1907. The country became a two-party parliamentary democracy about 100 years later, though Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck Bhutan's fifth "Dragon King" is still the de facto constitutional head of state. The country only started opening up to outsiders in the 1970s, when the first tourists were allowed in. Bhutan did not get television until 1999. It still has no traffic lights perhaps the only country in the world without them. Advertisement Advertisement Bhutan is approximately half the size of Indiana. Its constitution mandates that 60% of the country must remain under forest cover for all time as part of a commitment to conserve the environment. Since 2008, Bhutan has been using what it calls the "Gross National Happiness" index to track its citizens' well-being, a gauge that goes beyond economic indicators to encompass social, cultural and environmental factors that contribute to happiness. For this reason, Bhutan is often called the "kingdom of happiness." However, Tshering Tobgay, Bhutan's prime minister, has said the concept can mask real problems in Bhutan, such as chronic unemployment, poverty and corruption. Related: Reporter's notebook: Finland, happiness, saunas, NATO and the threat from Russia Bhutan's King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, center, arrive to take a holy dip at the Great Pitcher Festival, in Prayagraj, India, on Feb. 4, 2025. Michael Hutt, a professor at the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, said Bhutan's political elite has traditionally been dominated by Buddhists who emigrated from Tibet. There is also a large Hindu minority, originally from Nepal. In the 1990s, Bhutan's Buddhists started to see its Hindus as a political threat, though the conflict was not over religion, it was over ethnicity and politics, sparked by resurgent Bhutanese nationalists. After a rebellion, about 100,000 Bhutanese Hindus left for refugee camps in Nepal. Hutt said they lived in these camps for about 20 years until countries in the West, including the U.S., offered to resettle them. Around 65,000 moved to the U.S., chiefly to the East Coast; also to cities in western Pennsylvania and Ohio. Advertisement Advertisement In recent years, Bhutan has become the world's third largest cryptocurrency investor. Why would Trump put Bhutan on a travel ban list? The White House has not said why Bhutan could be specifically targeted. But visa overstays may be one factor. While the total number of travelers to the U.S. from Bhutan each year is relatively small well short of 1,000 data from the Department of Homeland Security's 2023 "Entry/Exit Overstay Report" show that Bhutanese who entered the U.S. that year as students, for exchange visits, or for business or tourism purposes, had a high overstay rate. The report said that more than a quarter 26.6% of Bhutanese students and exchange visitors remained in the U.S. beyond their authorized period. For Bhutanese nationals who entered the U.S. on business or tourist visas, the overstay figure in 2023 was 12.7%. By comparison, the average overstay rate for students and exchange visitors from the United Kingdom in 2023 was 1%; for business and tourist travelers, it was 0.4%. Advertisement Advertisement Trump travel ban: Central Ohio Somali, Bhutanese families could feel pain In this photograph taken on Aug. 19, 2011, the giant Buddha Dordenma statue, still under construction, overlooks the capital city of Thimphu. The isolated kingdom of Bhutan is one of the most expensive holiday destinations in the world and a haven for celebrities and the well-heeled. The Bhutanese, a news website, reported that Bhutan's inclusion in the travel ban could also be linked to a series of immigration fraud scandals. In one, Nepalese nationals falsely posed as Bhutanese refugees to try to gain entry into the U.S. In another, first made public in a 2010 cable by the WikiLeaks whistleblowing platform, a group claiming to be cultural performers from Bhutan was unearthed as front to get into the U.S. illegally. According to the WikiLeaks cable, the group initially told the U.S. Embassy that their purpose of travel was to perform as members of a Buddhist folk music and dance troupe at several U.S. venues. Some members admitted they were actually intending to travel to the US. to work illegally and hoping to bring other with them. Bhutan has a high youth unemployment rate that hit 19% in 2024, according to the World Bank. That may be one reason pushing many Bhutanese seek work and study opportunities overseas, with Australia the top destination. Bhutan vs. Trump. What happens now? Bhutans ministry of foreign affairs and external trade did not return a request for comment on what the country could be asked to do to satisfy U.S. immigration officials to get off the Trump administration list. Advertisement Advertisement According to Kuensel, a Bhutanese media outlet, the nation's officials have formally requested a review of the listing, insisting that Bhutanese citizens do not pose a significant security threat to the U.S. Karma Loday is a blogger and former Bhutanese politician. He wrote an open letter Trump on his Facebook page, saying he felt "it is unfair" to have his "beloved country enlisted with some of the countries with terrorism history." In other posts, Loday also appeared to suggest that Bhutan had ultimately been placed on the list as a result of having its reputation being "smeared using false narratives" by members of Bhutan's diaspora. He didn't elaborate. In this photo taken on June 3, 2013, a Buddhist monk hangs up clothes to dry at the Dechen Phodrang Monastery in Thimphu. Bhutan -- nestled in the Himalayas and flanked by both India and China -- is renowned for its rich Buddhist culture, and villages are still steeped in its traditions. Protecting the Buddhist culture is a key pillar of Bhutan's unique "Gross National Happiness" development model, which aims to balance spiritual and mental well-being with economic growth. Hutt, who wrote a book on Bhutan's refugees, said it's a misconception that Bhutan's Hindu minority were persecuted. "They weren't nice to them. They weren't persecuting them" because of their religion, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Still, he said Bhutan is not an easy for place to reach or procure a visa for and that refugees who fled the country find it "problematic" to go back because they are scrutinized by Bhutan's security services. A Human Rights Watch report published on Tuesday, based on findings from the United Nations, found that Bhutan's government has locked up people for life without parole for expressing their political opinions. "We may not have the answer to why Bhutan is on the list," said Sudarshan Pyakurel, the executive director of the Bhutanese Community of Central Ohio, in an email. "We strongly believe that the White House should engage with Bhutan to establish diplomatic and bilateral relations rather than resorting to a one-sided travel ban." This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Why this remote kingdom may end up on Trump's travel ban list Mar. 23A Lewiston town hall hosted by former United States Congressmen Richard Stallings and Larry LaRocco drew roughly 200 attendees on Saturday morning at the Lewiston Community Center. The congressmen, both Democrats, have been holding town halls around the state, and they said the meeting was one of the largest they'd drawn. They spoke at a similar event Saturday night at the 1912 Center in Moscow, and that event also drew about 200 people. LaRocco said they plan to write a report based on feedback from the town halls to present to Congress. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Richard and I are preparing a little report for our congressional delegation so they can hear what the constituents say, because they don't give a damn and they're not here listening to you," LaRocco said. The former congressmen said congressional representatives were complicit in what they believe to be illegal action by the presidential administration, including immigration crackdowns on legal residents, and allowing Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency access to sensitive information of citizens. It's a sentiment that seemed to be shared by many of the constituents who came to the town hall. Barbara Bird, 83, has lived in Lewiston for 40 years. "I worry about DOGE getting into Social Security. I worry about our safety," she said. "Our representatives are not doing their job, they're not representing us. They're not listening to the people who elected them. They should remember that when the next election comes up." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many other attendees said they were worried about Social Security. One audience member asked for a raise of hands among those who would be in trouble without their Social Security check, to which roughly a third of the room's hands went up. "We've gotta prioritize," she said. "For me, that looks like something about Social Security, because if we don't have income, how can we stand up and fight for anything else?" Some, including former Idaho state Rep. John Rusche, discussed concerns that the local Social Security office might eventually be closed by DOGE. Rusche said he had investigated and that the office had been on a list to close before DOGE received blowback. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I don't know what's gonna happen with the Social Security office," Rusche said. "But ... (if it did close), that would be just a disaster." Stallings said the one branch of government where he believes people are doing their job is the courts. Daily headlines, straight to your inboxRead it online first and stay up-to-date, delivered daily at 7 AM "The courts are holding. If Trump defies a court order, then we really are at a constitutional crisis," he said. "Then, I think the only recourse we have is to demonstrate in such huge numbers that we make the Martin Luther King 'I have a dream' march look small in comparison." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Attendees spent much of the town hall discussing political strategy in a time when they feel unheard by their representatives. One man said he had sent questions to both U.S. Rep. Russ Fulcher and U.S. Senator Jim Risch. "Handwritten questions, and I've still received no response. I don't expect those gentlemen to answer me, but they have staff that could," the man said. Several people, to loud applause, expressed frustration with the Democratic party for not taking more decisive action in moments when they had the chance. "Democrats talk and talk and Republicans steal Supreme Court justices. They make things happen. And I think people see that," said Alex Church. "Republicans every time make things happen while Democrats say, 'Well, maybe next time in two years.'" Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kenneth Parham of Lewiston spoke in favor of a more aggressive political strategy. "When you look at how things are going, it's it's there. So, we have to play hardball and not softball," he said. Other residents noted the need to engage with young people. Several mentioned the energy young people expressed for U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders during his presidential campaign in 2016. One speaker, who identified herself as Mariah, said she works as a teacher and believes the Democratic party hasn't done enough to engage young voters. "Young people, they've never felt they were the target audience. They never felt like they were heard, and they never felt like their vote mattered in this state, honestly," she said. "We don't believe that they (Democratic leaders) have a backbone. And the high road is not working anymore." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stallings said one of his goals is to recruit more people to run for office. "I'd like some people that are a little more responsible to their constituents. And I don't care if it's Democrats I might prefer Democrats obviously but if Republicans take a step up to that, I'll give them the same support because this is a constitutional crisis," he said. Sun may be contacted at rsun@lmtribune.com or on Twitter at @Rachel_M_Sun. This report is made in partnership with Northwest Public Broadcasting, the Lewiston Tribune and the Moscow-Pullman Daily News. GROVETON, Texas (KETK)- After four days without any running water, new pumps have been installed and water is running again for the residents of Groveton, however, theyre still under a boil water notice. Following the shortage, city officials are talking about what caused citizens to go four days without water and what steps were taken to alleviate the crisis that has allowed water to be turned back on. Some Nacogdoches County residents under boil water notice Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement City Secretary Dorrie Cotton said early on Thursday morning the tanks had been depleted of water and the pumps had been destroyed. The city was able to receive water from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice to provide for its citizens while replacing the broken pumps. Groveton Mayor Ralph Bennett acknowledged how the community pulled together to help each other during this challenging time. We were a strong community in a time of crisis and we pulled together and helped each other out, Bennett said. Bennett also thanked the people of Groveton for their patience while without water for several days. We really do appreciate their patience to get through this crisis and go without your basic needs, Bennett said. Smith County firefighter rescues cat trapped in storm drain Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Groveton officials were able to replace the broken water pumps and will purchase a new water well after receiving a $4.2 million water loan. Although the city was fearful of potential leaks and busted pipes, Bennett stated that there was only minor damage to the pipes and that water lines are still being monitored. While the pumps have been replaced, residents are still advised to conserve water unless it is absolutely necessary. Additionally, the boil water notice is still in effect until a water sample is taken to a lab to be tested for bacteria. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KETK.com | FOX51.com. SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) The City of Sioux City is bringing back a litter clean-up campaign as we head into the spring season. City residents are encouraged to make the 25on25 pledge and commit to picking up 25 pieces of trash on the 25th of each month in 2025. The campaign is another installment of whats become an annual effort, with the name, amount of trash and date adjusting each year. For example, last years campaign was known as 24on24. Power restored to Onawa, city says Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The first day of this years campaign will be Tuesday, March 25. The campaigns goal is to reduce the amount of trash on the ground within the city and in the water in local rivers, streams, and lakes. The city is offering litter collection supplies for those who want to take part. Those can be picked up at the Environmental Services Office on the 4th floor of City Hall, the Sioux City Parks and Recreation Department in the Seaboard Triumph Foods Expo Center, the Downtown Partners office at 1119 4th Street Suite 104, and the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce at 101 Pierce Street. 14th annual Bunnies & Buddies event at the Sioux City Animal Adoption and Rescue Center Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anyone who chooses to participate is encouraged to send photos of their clean-up efforts on the 25th of each month to Arah Montagne (amontagne@sioux-city.org). Photos may be featured on the citys social media platforms. For more information, you can visit the citys website here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports. Civil servants have been given a gadget limit after a taxpayer-funded splurge on iPads. The new order has been issued by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) and limits civil servants to two taxpayer-funded electronic devices. The limit was put in place after the number of iPads used in the department doubled from 3,000 in 2019 to 6,000 today. Similarly, the number of iPhones used by Defra officials jumped from 18,000 to 27,000. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both sets of statistics include the arms-length bodies that are connected to the department, such as the Environment Agency, National Forest Company and Ofwat. The change, which The Telegraph can report for the first time, is part of a push from Sir Keir Starmer to tackle Whitehall waste in a search for savings. On Wednesday, Rachel Reeves, the Chancellor, is expected to reduce overall public spending levels in the years ahead as economic growth forecasts are slashed. Mary Creagh, the parliamentary under-secretary of state for nature, imposed what Defra has dubbed a gadget limit after conducting an anti-waste review for the department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ms Creagh said: Although its important that civil servants have the appropriate tools, the Conservatives irresponsibly handed out tens of thousands of iPads and iPhones without limit or even knowledge, using taxpayers money. This is money that should be going into fixing our broken NHS, restoring nature and putting police on our streets. We will continue to crack down on waste in the department to deliver savings and invest in our Plan for Change. The Plan for Change is Sir Keirs document outlining his priorities for office. It was published late last year and listed six tangible improvements he wants to deliver before the next general election, due in 2029. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A government source involved in the analysis expressed shock that the Tories had allowed the number of devices to grow so rapidly during their time in office. But it remains to be seen whether the new two-gadget rule will drive down the overall numbers. There are about 33,000 civil servants in Defra and its arms-length bodies, which have almost 70,000 gadgets, comprising iPhones, iPads, laptop computers and desktop computers. With each civil servant already having close to two gadgets each on average, the crackdown will not necessarily lead to a marked reduction in the total. The department does not hold centralised data about how many electronic gadgets have been issued to each employee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement About 755 devices have been lost by civil servants since 2019, including 46 iPads and 509 iPhones. Other cost-saving measures have been announced across Whitehall in recent days. The Cabinet Office froze 20,000 government procurement credit cards, demanding that officials reapply for permission to use them, with the aim of halving the total issued. Over the weekend it was also announced that the Treasury wanted to reduce the cost of the Civil Service by about 2 billion a year by the end of the decade. Government figures have suggested at least 10,000 of the half a million Civil Service jobs will go, but trade union figures have raised fears that the reduction could end up being about 50,000. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some Right-wing politicians have called for the UK to create its own version of the department of government efficiency (Doge), which is spearheading Donald Trumps efforts to reduce US government spending and is overseen by the billionaire Elon Musk. Sir Keir gave a speech earlier this month in which he talked up the need for Civil Service reform and stressed the need to focus on the Governments core work. The Prime Minister said: The Civil Service must once again become the engine room of delivery for every person in every part of the UK. Each one of you must be enabled to re-focus on your core purpose, away from the things that hamper your day-to-day work, delivering excellent, high-performing public services that improve peoples lives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We know many of you feel shackled by bureaucracy, frustrated by inefficiency and unable to harness new technology. Your talent has been constrained for too long. We are determined to empower you not through words, but action to maximise the collective power of the state. 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. POCAHONTAS, Iowa A clothing drive has been organized for Saturday after the Pocahontas fire chiefs home burned down earlier this week. In a post on Facebook, the Odebolt Fire Department shared that the Pocahontas fire chief Jon Bellows home burnt down on March 21. The department shared that while all members of the family are safe, they lost everything. Republicans propose property tax system overhaul; will it pass this session? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Saturday, Lynn Bellows shared on Facebook saying shes grateful for her familys safety. The outpouring love and support from our entire community! We appreciate all of you more than youll ever know! Our hearts our shattered but we thank God that all 6 of us are safe. This will be a long hard road for a while for us but we are all ok and thats what we are so thankful for, the statement read in part. The Pocahontas Area Community freshman and sophomore classes are putting on a clothing drive for the Bellows family. The drive will take place March 29 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the PAC High School Commons area. Photo courtesy of Pocahontas Area Community Schools Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to who13.com. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department on Monday identified a 62-year-old man who was struck and killed by a train Friday in northeast Charlotte. Northeast Charlotte road closed after pedestrian hit, killed by train, officials say David Biggerstaff was walking down the middle of the tracks near the 9600 block of Old Concord Road when an Amtrak train hit him. The Charlotte Fire Department and MEDIC responded, and they pronounced him deceased. The train operator was not impaired, according to the preliminary investigation. VIDEO: Northeast Charlotte road closed after pedestrian hit, killed by train, officials say President Donald Trumps official schedule is quiet in the mornings, according to CNNs Kaitlan Collins, similar to how it was in his first term in the White House. He doesnt really do much in the morning, Collins said on the latest episode of The New Yorker Radio Hour podcast. Maybe hell be posting but hes not doing a lot of meetings or press conferences or anything. But afternoons? Thats apparently a different story. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the afternoons, it can be quite busy, Collins acknowledged of the rhythm of the White House for news outlets. You can be going in there for a 45-minute press conference and youve really got to be paying attention to whats the headline here. Collins also noted that Trump doesnt really sleep that much. You wake up to a Truth Social post from him about how hes voiding all the pardons that President Biden issued, she said, offering an example of his often-frenetic late-night activity. Collins insights into Trumps work habits came after podcast host Clare Malone asked how covering Trumps second term compares with the first. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The answer? Not much has actually changed, said Collins. A lot of Trumps core staff are the same and the president is also unchanged in the sense of his schedule and how he operates, Collins explained. So I think if you covered it round one, its not that its any less chaotic or less busy but you are just kinda more adjusted to it. Trumps so-called executive time the reported roughly 60% of his working hours dedicated to posting on social media, watching television and taking phone calls became a talking point during his first term. Listen to the full episode. Clarification: This article has been updated to clarify Collins comments about mornings pertained to Trumps schedule with the press. Related... Welsh First Minister Eluned Morgan receives an interview with Xinhua in London, Britain, March 21, 2025.(Xinhua/Zheng Bofei) LONDON, March 24 (Xinhua) -- The Welsh government has established three offices in China as "we're keen for investors from China to come and see what our government can offer," Welsh First Minister Eluned Morgan has said. Wales is working to ensure people recognize the opportunities to invest in a place that is open for business, and offers skilled labor and a high quality of life, Morgan told Xinhua in a recent interview. "Amazing things are happening in the Chinese economy, as well as amazing research. What I'm interested in seeing is how much and where we can work together on those opportunities ..." said Morgan. As a region rich in wind resources, Wales has strong potential for wind energy development, Morgan noted. "China is surging ahead when it comes to renewable energy and experimenting, especially with things like offshore floating wind," she said. "We have big ambitions in that space in the Celtic Sea, and there are real opportunities for collaboration. We're interested in seeing if we can learn from the experiences that you've already had." The First Minister announced earlier that Wales will host a major international investment summit in December to attract global investors. Currently, around 1,480 overseas-owned companies operate in Wales, employing over 174,000 people. COLDWATERThe city's large Yemeni community is concerned about the impact President Donald Trump's expected travel ban will have on families. Yemen is on that list of 11 countries to be banned, according to The New York Times, which obtained a draft of the recommendations last week. The Coldwater Perkins Street Mosque, nearing completion, is home to Michigan's second largest Arab community. Musa Ahmed, a leader with the American Moslem Society of Coldwater, said, "It's very, very concerning, especially since we're talking about the proposed ban for those who carry the green card." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It's unclear what will happen to Yemenis who are American citizens or those with visas who attempt to return to the U.S. if the president includes Yemen in the travel ban. During his first term, Trump banned travel from many of the same countries but excluded those on visas and green card holders. Ahmed said there are many here with families still in Yemen. "If those who are holding a green card, the Permanent Resident Card, are restricted from traveling from and to Yemen, that will affect quite a bit of families." Ahmed said he is unsure how many local residents might now be in Yemen. If the ban takes effect, Ahmed said, "The information that we have is that they won't be able to come back." Musa Ahmed "There are people who are petitioning for their families to come here. Petitions take five to eight years and sometimes even more to process. So they go back and forth until the petition is processed," Ahmed explained. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Four local men who traveled to Egypt this year to marry wives from Yemen are of special concern. The four are trying to obtain visas for their wives who returned to Yemen after the marriage. That process can take up to 18 months If Trump places Yemen on the "Red" list, the wives will not be able to obtain visas, and their husbands will not be able to travel to Yemen to see them. Another problem is since the United States does not have diplomatic relations with Yemen, those wishing to come to the U.S. or to travel to Yemen must make arrangements through other Arab nations or Djibouti in Africa. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump declared Yemen's Houthis as a terrorist organization. That faction controls much of the country's north and west sections, including the capital, Sana'a. After Houthis rocket attacks on Israel, the U.S. military attacked the capital where at least two of the wives live, inflicting some civilian casualties. Neither were reported injured. Yemenis in Michigan hope there is some support for their plight. Related story Donald Trump picks Hamtramck Mayor Amer Ghalib for ambassador to Kuwait Subscribe Follow this story. Subscribe to the Coldwater Reporter Ahmed said there is no concern about the deportation of local Yemenis. "Everybody here entered legally with legal documents," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Coldwater's Yemeni community members were concerned about directly addressing the travel ban and President Trump, referring questions to Ahmed. Contact Don Reid: dReid@Gannett.com This article originally appeared on Coldwater Daily Reporter: Coldwater Yemeni community concerned about possible Trump travel ban 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. _____ NEW YORK As classes at Columbia University resumed Monday, dozens of students and faculty protested sweeping policy changes demanded by the Trump administration and adopted by school leaders over spring break. Neither President Trumps threats to stamp out what he calls wokeness in higher education nor steady rain deterred protesters from rallying against Columbias acquiescence. Before the weekend, the university made a number of concessions to the federal government in a bid to restore $400 million in canceled contracts and grants. Among the most consequential were new oversight of Middle Eastern studies and power of campus security to make arrests. For several professors, those measures were a step too far, prompting them to join the demonstrations for the first time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I just think its incredibly important for faculty to come out and protect academic freedom, said Anya Schiffrin, a communications professor at the School of International and Public Affairs, after her first Columbia protest. Columbias compliance does not guarantee that federal funding will be restored, but is instead a precondition for formal negotiations regarding Columbia Universitys continued financial relationship with the United States government, according to a March 13 letter from three federal agencies, which outlined the demands. On Sunday, U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon said on CNNs State of the Union that Columbia was on the right track to unfreeze federal funding. She spoke highly of great conversations with interim leader Katrina Armstrong, whom she credited as wanting to address any systemic issues giving rise to antisemitism on campus. Columbia is demonstrating appropriate cooperation with the Trump administrations requirements, and we look forward to a lasting resolution, McMahon said in a statement the next day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile at the faculty protest, professors chanted to defend our research, defend our teaching, and defend our students. Multiple signs called on Columbia to fight back against what they saw plainly as government overreach a cause they said had support from across the political spectrum. There are some ardently pro-Zionist faculty who nevertheless realize how disastrous this situation is and were very upset about the detention of Mahmoud Khalil, said Michael Thaddeus, a math professor, referring to the Columbia graduate student and green card holder being held in an immigration detention facility. So I think youre going to see some strange bedfellows, actually, he added. Youll see some coalitions being built between people who hold very different views about Israel and Gaza, but all united in rejecting this affront to academic freedom. After the demonstration, Columbia released a statement saying it was fully committed to the steps announced last week and would balance its core functions as a university with protections for free speech. Spokesmen would not answer questions about negotiations with the federal government or the policy changes themselves. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We respect that there will be vigorous debate on campus about issues of academic freedom and protest, and we welcome that debate, read the statement, which was unsigned. On campus, which remains closed to the public, photos and videos posted by pro-Israel students showed dozens of their peers trudging through the rain, alongside the lawns that were once the site of the Columbia encampments. The majority of protesters pictured wore face masks as they marched, despite a mask ban implemented as part of the governments demands with exceptions for students health. Welcome back from spring break @Columbia. Despite erroneous reports of a mask ban and capitulation, protests (with masks!) are continuing, read the X post from Columbia Jewish & Israeli Students. Capitulation in name only. _____ (NewsNation) Columbia University students have returned to campus shortly after the Ivy League school agreed to a host of policy changes. The directives came from the Trump administration, which pulled $400 million in research grants following the universitys response to alleged antisemitic protests on campus in 2024. U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon said Sunday that Columbia is now on the right track toward receiving federal funding again. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Returning students must now abide by new campus policies, which include more campus police officers, who have the power to arrest students. Appeals court will hear arguments on Trumps deportation flights Protests are banned inside and directly outside of academic buildings, and students participating in demonstrations are not allowed to wear face coverings unless for religious or health reasons. The list of policy changes was outlined in a four-page compliance letter that was released by the university Friday. On the opening day of the Spring semester, no one can get on campus unless you have a student or faculty ID. In addition to that, an expansion of the Institute for Israel and Jewish Studies will occur, and the university has agreed to adopt an official definition of antisemitism. 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. Three federal agencies on Monday said they welcomed the policy changes announced Friday at Columbia University, following the Trump administrations revocation of $400 million in federal funding following campus protests. Their statement seemed to signal the first steps of a possible restoration of money to the institution. Among the changes at the Ivy League school are a review of admissions policies, making it easier to report harassment, tightening rules about the location of protests, prohibiting masks at protests, giving campus police new arrest powers and giving the office of the provost more authority to deal with disciplinary action against students involved in protests. The Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Education and the General Services Administration called the Columbia moves a positive first step. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Columbias compliance with the Task Forces preconditions is only the first step in rehabilitating its relationship with the government, and more importantly, its students and faculty, they said in a release. The decisive steps the Task Force has taken with Columbia have yielded positive results that should serve as a roadmap for universities with similar problems across the country, the release added. Columbia students encountered a new campus environment Monday after the sweeping policy changes were announced while they were away on spring break, seemingly bowing to the Trump administrations demands. The school said it would revise its disciplinary policies, sharply restrict protests, ban masks, sanction student groups in violation and immediately review its Middle East studies programs and admissions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Columbias interim president, Katrina Armstrong, met with members of the faculty over the weekend to urge support of the policy changes, The Wall Street Journal reported. During the meeting, Armstrong told faculty leaders six federal agencies are investigating the school and could pull support, which would be potentially devastating to our students in particular, according to a transcript reviewed by The Wall Street Journal. She faced pushback during the meeting from concerned faculty members, the newspaper said. The school hasnt taken any legal options off the table, Armstrong told the faculty according to the Journal. While Columbia is caught in the crosshairs of the Trump administration zeroing in on campus protests and cracking down on immigration, many questions remain about how the announced changes will take shape as students return with less than two months left in the school year and tensions once again flaring in Gaza. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Columbia was the first college to see its funding slashed as part of President Donald Trumps threats to cut federal money to colleges accused of tolerating antisemitism amid the Israel-Hamas war that began in October 2023. The university has repeatedly stated it will not tolerate antisemitism. On Monday, faculty at a vigil spoke out against university concessions. The last academic year saw widespread campus unrest, including pro-Palestinian protests and encampments, counterprotests, building takeovers, arrests and scaled-back graduation ceremonies as Columbia became the epicenter of the nationwide demonstrations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shubhanjana Das, a student leader in the masters program at Columbia Journalism School, told CNN the universitys dispute with the Trump administration over federal funds is not just about the money but rather the signals it sends to education at large in the country, to higher education, to elite universities like these. All of us are quite aware that because of the status that Columbia University has in American education, the attack isnt singular. Were going to see a ripple effect, said Das. Das said as Columbia has been at the center of pro-Palestinian protests, to say that its essentially going to ban any protest that it thinks is antisemitic/pro Palestine I guess were mixing up those words now theres going to be armed officers with power to arrest people. We dont even know how theyre going to carry out these things. The Trump administration on March 8 directed immigration officers to arrest Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia graduate and prominent Palestinian activist who played a central role in protests against the Israel-Hamas war on the campus last year and who believes he was targeted for his beliefs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Khalil is a permanent legal resident married to an American citizen, but his green card has been revoked. He is challenging his detention in court and a federal judge has temporarily blocked his deportation. Hes been in ICE custody for three weeks and has not been charged with any crime. In a new court filing arguing against Khalils release, Justice Department attorneys accuse the activist of immigration fraud, alleging he failed to disclose both his membership in the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) and his previous employment with the Syrian office of the British Embassy in Beirut. The DOJ argues misrepresentations in this context are not protected speech. Its the first time the government is pointing to specific alleged violations by Khalil. His attorney Baher Azmy told CNN he does not think the claims undermine their case for release. Its a recognition that the initial charges are unsustainable So theyre going with a theory that they must think is more legally defensible, Azmy said. Khalils arrest has helped fuel an environment of uncertainty, fear, stress and frustration, Das said. One could literally see the number of students decreasing on campus, she added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Heres a look at how campus life could change for students returning Monday and in the weeks to come: Protests effectively banned on campus The new rules effectively ban protests inside and immediately outside academic buildings, and all demonstration activity is subject to the universitys antidiscrimination and anti-harassment policies. The university hired 36 new campus police officers specifically trained to deal with protests with powers to remove or arrest protesters as part of the changes, and it will continue to cooperate with the New York Police Department as needed. Anyone who engages in protests or demonstrations must, when asked, show their university ID and are banned from wearing face coverings for the purpose of concealing ones identity, according to the universitys statement released Friday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CNN reached out to Columbia to ask about what methods they will use to identify students, along with details on how curriculum will be reviewed, but university spokesperson Matthew Vuono said: Were not going to comment beyond the materials we shared. One Jewish student at Columbia University told CNN the policy changes have created a climate of fear as they return to classes to finish the school year. Were going to be walking around campus knowing that at any moment, really, we could be harassed by one of these new security officers theyre hiring, said the student, a lead organizer for Columbia University Jews for Ceasefire who spoke with CNN anonymously due to safety and privacy concerns. Or perhaps even by a police officer in certain cases, for simply sharing our viewpoints, which is a gross violation of free speech, the student said. He added the mask ban is notable due to its clear intention of surveilling students. Demonstrators are seen at a pro-Palestinian encampment at Columbia University in New York on April 28, 2024. - Charly Triballeau/AFP/Getty Images The office of the provost will also have new authority to deal with disciplinary action against students involved in protests, although the university president retains the final decision on appeals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Faculty members dressed in black held a vigil Monday outside the universitys gates and spoke out about the changes. In a nutshell, academic freedom is the commitment by universities to protect the intellectual discourse within their walls from political interference, or external interference of any kind, said Michael Thaddeus, a professor of mathematics. The whole reason universities exist is to foster debate, discussion, inquiry, investigation and discovery without fear of external pressure, Thaddeus added. Another professor said she could have been at home dry, grading as it was raining in New York City but she showed up to remind the administration capitulating to demands will not save us. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Timothy Frye, professor of post-Soviet foreign policy, said, The assault on higher education erodes our countrys greatest asset, our human capital, and benefits only those who seek us harm. Dont be afraid, Frye said. We are attacked not because we are weak but because we are strong. New antidiscrimination policies The implementation of new antidiscrimination policies allows the university to take sanctions against student groups for violations of their policy. Its approach and relevant policies will incorporate the definition of antisemitism recommended by Columbias Antisemitism Taskforce in August 2024. Their definition of antisemitism reads in part: Antisemitism is prejudice, discrimination, hate, or violence directed at Jews, including Jewish Israelis. It also includes holocaust denial, and targeting Jews or Israelis for violence or celebrating violence against them. The report from the task force included testimony from hundreds of Jewish and Israeli students and found what it called a pattern of behavior toward Jewish and Israeli students that is troubling and violates norms of behavior and speech that are central to the values of our university. Both Jewish and Muslim students have said theyve experienced an uptick in hate speech and harassment on campus. Jewish students at Columbia were among others from major universities who testified to lawmakers last year about feeling unsafe on campus amid a surge in antisemitism. They described hearing violent chants on campus and complained administrators are not doing enough to fight antisemitism, CNN previously reported. The anonymous Jewish student accused the Trump administration of trying to use Jewish students to enforce its authoritarian anti-free speech agenda and essentially have us take the blame for it. Theyre saying this is for Jewish safety. Its not. It doesnt make anyone safer, and certainly not Jews, he continued. Karl H. Jacoby, a professor of American history at the university, argued the Trump administrations move to roll back grants violated the law and its demands to make changes to curriculum represent a government overreach. Now that this sort of federal takeover has been sanctioned by the Columbia administration, there is every reason to believe that Trump will use this same sort of pressure to constrain other units at Columbia that Trump finds inconvenient, be it our Institute for the Study of Sexuality and Gender or our Earth Institute, which is a leading center for investigating climate change. The US House of Representatives Committee on Education and Workforce said in a statement on X following the policy changes Columbia FOLDS to the Trump admins demands to protect Jewish students and faculty. School administrators failed to hold pro-terror mobs accountable for rampant antisemitism. Now, masks are banned during protests and safety measures are increasing. Republicans and the Trump admin are stopping it, the post reads. Jack Lewis Snyder, a professor of international relations at the university, said he does not think Columbia has made concessions. Columbias response to the Trump administrations demands can be carried out in a way that is consistent with our rules. Thats what I expect will happen, Snyder told CNN. Well see whether the Trump administration will find that acceptable. An immediate review of Middle East studies The university said its immediate review of Middle East studies will be overseen by a newly appointed senior vice provost, which the university said will expand intellectual diversity among faculty to assure fairness in Middle East studies and will commit to institutional neutrality universitywide. Its not clear what the university means by fairness or how quickly the curriculum review will be carried out, and the spokesperson declined to comment further. A new judicial board will be overseen by the office of the provost to determine appropriate disciplinary actions. The universitys plans provided in a document to the Trump administration said it is applying consistent, rigorous, and effective disciplinary actions, citing how Columbia has expelled, suspended or temporarily revoked the degrees of students who occupied Hamilton Hall in April 2024, leading to dozens of arrests. Disciplinary proceedings against other encampment participants are ongoing, the document says. It also promised a review of admissions policies, noting admissions of Jewish and Black students have been in decline. Police use a special vehicle to enter Hamilton Hall, which protesters occupied, as other officers enter the campus of Columbia University in New York on April 30, 2024. - David Dee Delgado/Reuters The universitys board of trustees endorsed the reforms in a letter to Columbias academic community, saying they had met with federal agencies and discussed changes and decisions the school has made. The letter, a copy of which was obtained by CNN on Saturday, appears to be the first public signal the university is united behind the controversial changes. The trustees wrote they believe the changes are in line with the schools values and mission. Members of our community and external stakeholders have raised concerns about a multitude of issues, such as antisemitism, discrimination, harassment, and bias, the trustees wrote. Whether the universitys plans will lead to the release of the $400 million in funding is unclear. CNN has reached out to the White House for comment. The anonymous Jewish student said he and others are starting to feel like our university is working less for us and more for the Trump administration. While he and others chose the school seeking a place of real learning and inquiry, the student said the campus is becoming a place of surveillance and of authoritarianism. Students are scared to share their viewpoints, go to class and protest out of fear it could be used against them legally or through student disciplinary measures, he said. Das said the repression of free speech on campus is targeting pro-Palestine expression of any sort, any shape or form. She added, Thats why Columbia is such an easy target, because we started this movement across educational institutions in the world, let alone America. Das said the lack of specific detail from the university on rolling out the policy changes has further fueled the fear of what they will tangibly look like on campus. I dont see how the spring is going to be peaceful at all for the students, for us, Das said. CNNs Gloria Pazmino, Hanna Park, Jeff Winter and Sabrina Souza contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) Parents are speaking out after Columbus City Schools reverted students names to those reflected on birth certificates, saying the move came without notice and harmed transgender and gender variant students. Columbus City Schools spokesperson Tyler Carter said the district made the change to ensure compliance with Senate Bill 104, which took effect Feb. 25 and requires Ohio public school students to use the restroom that aligns with their assigned sex at birth. However, the bill does not require districts to use birth names in school records, and the district did not respond to NBC4s request for clarification. Dara Adkinson, executive director of TransOhio, said there was no legal obligation for CCS to make this change. Adkinson said TransOhio has heard from a number of concerned parents and faculty after the district changed its student records overnight. They said many students were outed to their classmates without warning, including students with legal name changes and sealed court records. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement How dismantling the Department of Education will affect Ohio schools The schools have smart boards, and there were students that were outed during attendance to their classes and their teachers, none of whom knew that they were trans, Adkinson said. Columbus City Schools rescinded its transgender and gender variant student policy in February, removing the districts policy protecting names and pronouns. The policy said it was required to maintain an official record of students legal sex and name assigned at birth but would otherwise use a students chosen name in school records and documents. See previous coverage of this decision in the video player above. To ensure legal compliance regarding official student records, Student Information System records had to be updated to match the information on student birth certificates or court orders, Carter said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When the policy was repealed, local LGBTQ+ youth support organization Kaleidoscope Youth Center thanked the district for rescinding it, saying changes would have legitimized discrimination. Now the district is no longer required to respect students gender identity in student records, but it said during it would continue to ensure all students felt safe and included at school. Adkinson said parents have mentioned pursuing litigation, and lawyers have reached out to TransOhio to express their concerns. I cannot imagine being a middle school student and being outed in such a violent manner to my classmates, taking all agency away from those kids, Adkinson said. Could same-sex marriage be on the ballot in Ohio? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Adkinson said parents reported having no notice of the change until it was reflected in parent and student portals. Families also shared this frustration on social media. Carter said every parent or guardian who had requested a name or gender change for their student received a notice, and students older than 18 received notice personally. However, a parent shared a copy of the letter with NBC4, pointing out that it was postmarked March 20, at least 24 hours after the change. Adkinson said the district does not have to stick with this decision, adding many parents have reached out to the school board asking for it to be undone. In an email to a parent shared with NBC4, board member Sarah Ingles responded to concerns indicating she and other board members had not been aware of the decision. In the email, Ingles said she asked for a full report from district administration, including possible remedies. You dont have to stay with a bad decision just because you made one, Adkinson said. I hope that they roll it back, but I dont know that theres any way they can truly make it up to those students. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Adkinson said there are ways to help, like teachers calling attendance by last name alone or families contacting the district. However, they encouraged people not to bring it up around students who were affected by the decision, saying they may not want to discuss it. In this moment in time, just because a lot of discrimination is being championed, doesnt mean that our institutions need to rush to discriminate in new and creative ways that are presently still illegal, Adkinson said. Carter said the district will continue to work with students and families to provide support. Parents said they have been able to call the school to update students information but only as a nickname. The next regular Board of Education meeting will take place April 1 at 6 p.m. 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. NEW DELHI (AP) A comedian popular for his biting political humor is being investigated for possible defamation over jokes made about an Indian state leader who is an ally of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in yet another case raising questions over freedom of speech in the country. Police in the western city of Mumbai opened the investigation Monday against Kunal Kamra over a comedy skit referring to Eknath Shinde, the second highest elected leader of Maharashtra state, following a complaint filed by a politician from Shinde's Shiv Sena party. Kamra had made the remarks in a comedy skit, but it was unclear when the performance took place. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A video clip of the skit Kamra posted on his Instagram profile on Sunday showed him taunting Shinde in a parody song. Kamra's use of the term traitor particularly triggered Shiv Sena party workers and on Sunday they ransacked the studio where he had performed the skit. Police are also investigating the vandalism. One lawmaker from the party Sunday threatened Kamra, saying he would be chased by the party workers throughout the country. You will be forced to flee India, lawmaker Naresh Mhaske warned Kamra in a video message. Shinde has not commented about the matter, but Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said Kamra should apologize for his remarks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We respect freedom of expression, but recklessness will not be tolerated, Fadnavis told reporters. Kamra has made no comment on the investigation, but late Sunday he shared on his Instagram a picture of himself holding the Indian Constitution with caption: The only way forward. The Habitat Comedy Club, where Kamra had performed, said it was shutting down following the vandalism. We are shocked, worried and extremely broken by the recent acts of vandalism targeting us, it said in a statement Monday, adding that the club will remain shut till we figure out the best way to provide a platform for free expression without putting ourselves and our property in jeopardy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kamra has faced the ire of Hindu nationalist groups and political parties in the past, particularly for jokes about Modi and his Bharatiya Janata Party politicians. Other Indian comedians have been arrested or had shows canceled for making fun of politicians or making references to the Hindu religion or national icons. CANBERRA, March 24 (Xinhua) -- Australia's international tourism industry is rebounding strongly from the COVID-19 pandemic, with Chinese visitors surpassing New Zealanders as the country's largest inbound tourist group. Brisbane-based tour guide Wang Xi has been busy managing bookings and curating customized itineraries for Chinese travelers eager to explore Australia. "The majority of my Chinese clients are young professionals using their annual leave to travel in small groups of two to six, and they're driving a notable increase in spending on hospitality and tourism experiences," Wang told Xinhua on Monday. China has reclaimed its position as Australia's top source of international visitors for the first time since the pandemic, overtaking New Zealand. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), 114,670 Chinese tourists arrived for short-term visits in January, outpacing the 96,250 arrivals from New Zealand. The resurgence is a major boost for tourism operators, as Chinese visitors typically spend nearly twice as much as their New Zealand counterparts -- 5,081 Australian dollars per trip compared to 2,627 Australian dollars. Tourism Australia Managing Director Phillipa Harrison welcomed the rebound, noting that overall international arrivals had risen 17.6 percent compared to January 2024, bringing numbers close to pre-pandemic levels, according to local media reports. While the U.S. remains Australia's third-largest source of overseas arrivals, destinations across Asia are showing the strongest growth, according to the ABS. (1 Australian dollar equals 0.63 U.S. dollars) As a former Cook County states attorney and a former chief of staff in a district attorneys office, we were alarmed to learn that President Donald Trumps administration quietly deleted the first federal police misconduct database a critical tool created to prevent federal law enforcement officers with histories of serious misconduct from being rehired by other agencies. This reckless decision undermines accountability, weakens public trust and makes our communities less safe. Ironically, it was Trump himself who proposed such a database in 2020. Its bewildering and dangerous that he has now reversed his own position and politicized a smart, effective tool that promotes accountability. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The two of us know firsthand that the partnership between prosecutors and law enforcement is essential to upholding the law and protecting our communities. But for our system to work, the officers entrusted to keep us safe must be held to the highest standards of integrity. This kind of transparency shouldnt be partisan or controversial. Both law enforcement agencies and the communities we serve should want to prevent what is known as wandering officers, when officers who have committed serious misconduct are hired in a new jurisdiction without disclosing their employment history. After all, if a doctor or teacher committed egregious misconduct, wouldnt you want to know about that before hiring them at the next hospital or school over? Why would law enforcement officers be any different? This due diligence is essential to building and keeping trust with the communities we serve, which is vital for public safety. When people believe in the fairness and integrity of the criminal legal system, they are more likely to come forward and cooperate as witnesses and victims, helping us seek justice for all. A federal database was a positive first step to make this work easier. While the database was only in effect for about a year, it had begun to make a difference. By the end of 2024, all 90 executive branch agencies with law enforcement officers had contributed to compiling nearly 4,800 reports of misconduct dating to 2017. At least 25 times, the system flagged a candidate, prompting federal hiring officials to look more closely at a candidates background. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If Trump hadnt ordered the database to be deleted, the records would have grown over time, and local and state law enforcement agencies would have likely gained access, as the Department of Justice had been exploring how to get the database to more agencies. Now, not only will local law enforcement not have easy access to this information to prevent problematic hirings in our communities, but the White House has also demonstrated that it doesnt care if the agents federal agencies hire have committed misconduct in the past. As we anticipate an increased presence of federal law enforcement policing our neighborhoods and carrying out immigration raids, that puts our communities at serious risk. It could even be a matter of life and death. Research from the University of Chicago has shown that former misconduct even low-level offenses can be a strong predictor of future misconduct. In fact, while some law enforcement unions opposed including what they considered minor infractions in the federal database, data has shown that a demonstrated pattern of past events, even relatively minor ones, can be an even stronger predictor of future egregious misconduct than a single serious prior event. So documenting misconduct and ensuring other agencies have access to an individuals past patterns of behavior could prevent the next serious or even fatal event. Weve seen this play out. In Illinois, sheriffs Deputy Sean Grayson killed Sonya Massey in her home in July after she called for help. Grayson had been discharged from the Army for serious misconduct and had a pattern of misconduct at six police departments in the state. If these departments had been mandated to accurately document and report Graysons misconduct, Massey would likely still be alive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With a lack of federal leadership on police accountability, state and local governments must step up. We need to create and expand state databases to track officer misconduct, require comprehensive reporting on misconduct from police departments and enact legislation that promotes transparency in policing. While a database exists in Illinois to track officers who are terminated or leave while under investigation for policy violations and misconduct, there is still more work to do to prevent wandering officers. Law enforcement officers take an oath to protect and serve our communities, and the public has a right to know that those entrusted with this responsibility are held to the highest standards. By deleting the federal police misconduct database, Trump has made it harder to ensure accountability, transparency and public trust. But we will not stand by in silence. Our communities demand and deserve justice, and we will keep fighting to ensure accountability because no one not the president, not the police, not anyone in our justice system is above the law. ____ Kim Foxx is a former states attorney for Cook County. Cristine Soto DeBerry is executive director of Prosecutors Alliance Action, which champions prosecutorial reform. ___ On March 8, Mahmoud Khalil, a Syrian-born green card holder and Columbia University graduate student, was arrested at his New York apartment by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. The arrest was linked to Khalils involvement in pro-Palestinian student protests at Columbia University last spring. Now facing deportation, the Algerian citizen of Palestinian descent is being held in a detention center in Louisiana. Both President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio have indicated that more arrests are forthcoming. This latest attack on free speech by the Trump administration violates a bedrock principle of this republic, namely that the government cannot display favoritism in regulating expression. It should also spur universities to reconsider their recent clampdown on students ability to demonstrate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The exact charges against Khalil remain unclear. The Department of Homeland Security has stated only that he led activities aligned with Hamas but has not provided further details or charged him with a crime. The arrest is in support of a recent executive order aimed at combating antisemitism. In a fact sheet accompanying the order, Trump warned that resident aliens involved in pro-jihadist protests and Hamas sympathizers would face visa cancellation and deportation. Senior State Department officials told Axios that the agency is using artificial intelligence tools to scrutinize the social media accounts of student visa holders to see if they expressed sympathy with Hamas Oct. 7 attacks. Keep in mind, however, that expressing sympathy is constitutionally protected speech as long as it doesnt cross into illegal activity or conduct. As abhorrent as it is, applauding the Oct. 7 attacks is free speech. But all this may not matter, as the government relies on a provision in our immigration law granting the secretary of state the authority to deport immigrants whose presence is believed to present serious adverse foreign policy consequences. Rubio therefore claims that this case is not about free speech, but rather about his authority to deny visa applicants (or kick them out once they are in) for virtually any reason. In other words, adverse policy consequences are whatever Rubio says they are. Could a visa holder refusing to refer to the Gulf of America face a similar fate as Khalil? Ultimately, the courts will have to weigh in on the burden of proof that the government will need to meet before it can deport Khalil and if it was met in this case. For now, it is an area of law that does not seem to be completely settled. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But what is clear is that the immigration authorities actions are a scary example of viewpoint discrimination. While Khalils lawyers are fighting for his release, student visa holders who openly support Russias war crimes in Ukraine, white supremacist violence or North Koreas regime, have nothing to fear from the Trump administration. But if you spoke out on social media against the bombing of civilians in Gaza and did not mince your words, you had better start to delete your accounts. And even if Rubio is correct in claiming that he can yank residency permits for any reason, he is still dead wrong in stating this is not a free speech issue. Viewpoint neutrality the principle that the government cannot favor one viewpoint over another is important, not only to protect the speaker from censorship but also to safeguard the rights of the listeners. We all stand to lose if the unique dissenting perspectives from noncitizens are purged from public discourse, as the Trump administration attempts to do here. Our free speech tradition is based on a firm belief that those in power do not get to be the gatekeeper of the marketplace of ideas. Whether these ideas come from visa holders or citizens should not matter. This attempt to intimidate nonresidents into silence is the latest step in a long process of vilifying the pro-Palestinian student movement. For example, in response to the protests, universities across the country tightened their demonstration policies. At my institution, Loyola University, students must now register protests three days in advance, demonstrate only within a designated free speech zone and adhere to strict time restrictions 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and cannot do so if another group has booked the space or during certain university events. In doing so, the university more or less reinstated a policy it had withdrawn in 2016 following student and faculty objections. There certainly have been troubling instances of pro-Palestinian activists engaging in harassment of or violence against Jewish students. This behavior is not protected, but existing policies allow universities to discipline such actions without infringing on the speech rights of peaceful protesters. By tightening demonstration policies, university administrators contributed to a discourse that has framed the pro-Palestinian protest as an existential threat to the well-being and safety of society at large and have, in effect, played into the hands of the current administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In light of recent events, its time for universities to rethink their approach and to allow students to protest against these injustices in a free and unfettered way. Students on visas are already under threat from the State Department for exercising their free speech rights. They shouldnt have to worry about university administrators doing the same. ____ Bastiaan Vanacker is an associate professor at the School of Communication at Loyola University Chicago, where he teaches media law and ethics. A native of Belgium and a former student visa and green card holder, he became a U.S. citizen in 2017. Opinions expressed here are his own. ____ DENVER (KDVR) Police are hoping that the public can help them locate an older adult woman who was last in contact with her family in June 2024. The Commerce City Police Department is looking for Pamela Mott, 67. The agency said her family contacted the department last month after becoming increasingly worried about their family member. FOX31 Newsletters: Sign up to get breaking news sent to your inbox Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The department said Motts family had last been in contact with her in June last year, and her last known location was the 7000 block of Highway 2. Pamelas family is desperate for some answers, the department said on Facebook. The Commerce City Police Department is looking for Pamela Mott, 67. She was last seen on Highway 2. (Courtesy the Commerce City Police Department) Many in the comments section questioned why the family reached out for law enforcement help recently, and the police department said it didnt know why there was a delay in contacting police, but that officers were going to try and help now. We believe this is a situation where she was bouncing around between places and there was limited family contact, the department said in a comment reply. We cant answer to the delay; we can only try to help them now. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anyone with information or who may have spotted her is asked to contact Investigator Couture at 303-727-3915. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. DENVER (KDVR) A Colorado paraprofessional is looking on the bright side after she lost two of her only modes of transportation in a little over a week one to a drunk driver, the other to thieves. Bliss Barela is a longtime paraprofessional at Cory Elementary School. FOX31 Weather: View the latest Denver forecasts, maps and radar I work for just the best school. I just love it there and theyre like family, Barela said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On March 9, Barela said she and her family were getting ready to leave for church and take her car, which was parked out in front of their apartment. Right outside my apartment building we just noticed that there was just damage to my vehicle, Barela said. Image shows the extent of the damage following the crash. Upon a closer look, and a talk with her insurance company, it was declared totaled. She filed a police report as well since it appeared someone hit it and took off. She said her car was fully covered by insurance, but because she still had to make payments on it, they were not going to be able to get a new car any time soon, do they decided to share her husbands work truck. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Firestone couple gets home facelift for their dedication, involvement in foster care That was all we had. And so, we had that parked down in a secure garage, you know, you even need key access to get in, so we felt pretty confident that you know nothing scary would happen, Barela said. But, about nine days later, on the morning of March 18, their truck was no longer there. It just kind of sent us for a whirlwind, Barela said. Definitely like upsetting, emotional, just because you feel really defeated. They once again went through the process of filing a police report. However the truck did not have full insurance coverage, so they received a liability. With no vehicles and no means to get new ones for the time being, Barela turned to the only source of comfort she could. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A lot of praying and just keeping my faith and you know just hoping for some miracle, Barela said. And eventually, she got the miracle she was praying for. God mustve been listening, she said. He just sent all these people that wanted to help and just really, you know, blew me away. Lauren Machol, a parent of Denver Public Schools, started a fundraiser on March 20 for Barela and her family, which you can find here. Hot spring weather raises concerns about Colorados fire danger Ms. Bliss is an amazing human being and an integral part of the Cory team, Machol wrote in the GoFundMe. Cory would be a very sad place without Ms. Bliss. The Cory community has started a GoFundMe to help Ms. Bliss and her family to either purchase a new car or get a rental car until they are able to purchase a new car. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In three days, it garnered over $3,000. I wasnt expecting to get any help from anyone. Everybody is all living their life and going through their own struggles, Barela said. I was just like truly, truly grateful for help. FOX31 has reached out to Denver police on the stolen truck and is waiting to hear back. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. Commuter rail and Amtrak service in and out of Boston on Monday was delayed due to a fire on an overhead wire. When crews arrived at the Hyde Park station, they found smoke coming from the wires over the middle track. Officials immediately stopped service as they waited for an Amtrak electrician to make the fix. Firefighters believe the fire may have started due to water. I think it might be the water, had a couple of these in recent weeks, could be water dripped into the transformer and caused it to short out, District Fire Chief Steven Fairneny told Boston 25 News. Its tough, were coming up on rush hour, but we wanna make sure its safe before sending people through. No injuries were reported in the fire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Amtrak alerted riders to the pause in communication on social media shortly after 4:00 p.m. Service between Providence and Boston was partially restored by 5:30 p.m. but riders were cautioned to still expect delays of up 90 minutes due to congestion and speed restrictions. Travel Update: Train service between Boston (BOS) and Providence (PVD) has been partially restored. Residual delays of up to 90 minutes are anticipated due to rail congestion and speed restrictions in the area. We will provide updates as information becomes available. Amtrak Northeast (@AmtrakNECAlerts) March 24, 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 WASHINGTON (AP) As President Donald Trump and his adviser Elon Musk work to overhaul the federal government, theyre forcing out thousands of workers with insider knowledge and connections who now need a job. For Russia, China and other adversaries, the upheaval in Washington as Musk's Department of Government Efficiency guts government agencies presents an unprecedented opportunity to recruit informants, national security and intelligence experts say. Every former federal worker with knowledge of or access to sensitive information or systems could be a target. When thousands of them leave their jobs at the same time, that creates a lot of targets, as well as a counterespionage challenge for the United States. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This information is highly valuable, and it shouldnt be surprising that Russia and China and other organizations criminal syndicates for instance would be aggressively recruiting government employees, said Theresa Payton, a former White House chief information officer under President George W. Bush, who now runs her own cybersecurity firm. Many agencies oversee crucial data Each year an average of more than 100,000 federal workers leave their jobs. Some retire; others move to the private sector. This year, in three months, the number is already many times higher. It's not just intelligence officers who present potential security risks. Many departments and agencies oversee vast amounts of data that include personal information on Americans as well as sensitive information about national security and government operations. Exiting employees could also give away helpful security secrets that would allow someone to penetrate government databases or physical offices. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, for instance, maintains information on trade negotiations that could help an adversary undercut the United States. Federal records house data on clandestine intelligence operations and agents. Pentagon databases contain reams of sensitive information on U.S. military capabilities. The Department of Energy oversees many of the nation's most closely guarded nuclear secrets. This happens even in good times someone in the intelligence community who for personal financial or other reasons walks into an embassy to sell America out but DOGE is taking it to a whole new level, said John Schindler, a former counterintelligence official. Someone is going to go rogue, he said. Its just a question of how bad it will be. Only a tiny fraction of the many millions of Americans who have worked for the federal government have ever been accused of espionage. The overwhelming number are conscientious patriots who would never sell out their country, Payton said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Background checks, employee training and exit interviews are all designed to prevent informants or moles and to remind departing federal employees of their duty to preserve national secrets even after leaving federal service. Even one person can do serious damage It takes only one or two misguided or disgruntled workers to cause a national security crisis. Former FBI agent Robert Hanssen and former CIA officer Aldrich Ames, who both spied for Russia, show just how damaging a single informant can be. Hanssen divulged sweeping information about American intelligence-gathering, including details that authorities said were partly responsible for the outing of U.S. informants in Russia who were later executed for working on America's behalf. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The odds that one angry former employee reaches out to a foreign power go up as many federal employees find themselves without a job, experts said. What's not in doubt is that foreign adversaries are looking for any former employees they can flip. They're hunting for that one informant who could deliver a big advantage for their nation. It's a numbers game, said Schindler. Frank Montoya Jr., a retired senior FBI official and former top U.S. government counterintelligence executive, said he was less concerned about well-trained intelligence community employees betraying their oaths and selling out to American adversaries. But he noted the many workers in other realms of government who could be targeted by Russia or China, When it comes to the theft of intellectual property, when it comes to the theft of sensitive technology, when it comes to access to power grids or to financial systems, an IRS guy or a Social Service guy whos really upset about what DOGE is doing, they actually are the bigger risk, Montoya said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Once military and intelligence officials were the primary targets of foreign spies looking to turn an informant. But now, thanks to the massive amount of information held at many agencies, and the competitive edge it could give China or Russia, that's no longer the case. We have seen over the last generation, the last 2025 years, the Chinese and the Russians increasingly have been targeting non-national defense and non-classified information, because it helps them modernize their military, it helps them modernize their infrastructure," Montoya said. Online activity makes it easier than it once was The internet has made it far easier for foreign nations to identify and recruit potential informants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Once, Soviet intelligence officers had to wait for an embittered agent to make contact, or go through the time-consuming process of identifying which recently separated federal employees could be pliable. Now, all you need is a LinkedIn subscription and you can quickly find former federal officials in search of work. You go on LinkedIn, you see someone who was formerly at Department of Defense now looking for work and its like, 'Bingo," Schindler said. A foreign spy service or scammer looking to exploit a recently laid-off federal worker could bring in potential recruits by posting a fake job ad online. One particularly novel concern involves the fear that a foreign agent could set up a fake job interview and hire former federal officials as consultants to a fake company. The former federal workers would be paid for their expertise without even knowing they were supplying information to an enemy. Russia has paid unwitting Americans to do its business before. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Payton's advice for former federal employees looking for work? It's the same as her guidance for federal counterespionage officials, she said: "Be on high alert." The Office of the Director of National Intelligence did not respond to questions about the risks that a former federal worker or contractor could sell out the country. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard recently announced plans to investigate leaks within the intelligence community, though her announcement was focused not on counterespionage concerns but on employees who pass information to the press or the public. In a statement, the office said it would investigate any claims that a member of the intelligence community was improperly releasing information. There are many patriots in the IC that have reached out to DNI Gabbard and her team directly, explaining that they have raised concerns on these issues in the past but they have been ignored," the office said. That will no longer be the case. ___ Speaking the truth is now a risky business in Britain. NHS nurse Jennifer Melle was admonished by the hospital she works at in Surrey for referring to a male paedophile as Mr. The man, known only as Patient X, identifies as a woman. Hes also a convicted child sex offender. And yet it was Ms Melle who found herself in hot water, because when this criminal was brought to her hospital for treatment she called him Mr. That sounds perfectly polite to me. Not to mention accurate. But apparently its a reprimandable offence to prefer reality to fantasy. And now we discover that a sewage worker was allegedly sacked for calling Hamas disgusting terrorists. Damon Joshua claims he was given the heave-ho by Severn Trent Water after slamming the Jew-killing terrorists of Gaza. On the first anniversary of Hamass October 7 attack, he posted an image of the Israel flag on an internal staff site alongside some stiff criticism of Hamas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its a year since Israel was horrifically attacked by a group of violent and disgusting terrorists, he wrote. We must stand in solidarity, he added, with our Jewish, Israeli and Zionist colleagues against the evils of Islamist terror. The post was taken down by managers, apparently on the basis that the terminology was very derogatory. Yes, how dare you be rude about Hamas? Thats as bad as causing offence to a paedo. Welcome to modern Britain, where you can get in trouble for calling a man a man and calling terrorists disgusting. This is now a nation where saying Mr to a fella and lamenting the evils of Islamist violence could see you hauled before your bosses to explain yourself. I miss the days when you had to say something really outrageous to get a telling-off. Now you just need to say what every student of GCSE biology and every person with a moral compass knows to be true: that men are men and terrorists are scum. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The case of Damon Joshua is intriguing. You would think that the least controversial thing you could say is that Hamas are bad people. Its the law of the land, after all: Hamas is designated a terrorist organisation in the UK. And yet if you were to hit the streets and holler Hamas are terrorists!, you might get more than a telling-off you could get a roughing-up. That has been the experience of Iranian-born activist Niyak Ghorbani, who frequently stands on the sidelines of pro-Palestine marches in London with a placard saying Hamas is Terrorist. Hes been jeered at and shoved by the anti-Israel mob. Last March he was even arrested by the Met, supposedly for his own safety. The police said they wanted to prevent a breach of the peace. All they really prevented was a man from saying out loud what is written in our law. If I was a cop, my instinct would be to feel the collars of the people who are stirred to frenzied anger by the words Hamas is Terrorist, not the man who says those words. It is seen as fishy, or at least uncool, to call Hamas terrorists. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some on the left prefer to say resistance. Or, if they dont want to give away how insanely Israelophobic they have become, they might say militants or fighters. Anything but terrorists. The BBC infamously avoids the T-word too. It is not the BBCs job to tell people who are the good guys and who are the bad guys, John Simpson wrote soon after Hamass October 7 attack. That will be news to anyone who has watched the Beeb sneer at Brexit voters and Trump supporters these past few years. Yet when it comes to the monsters of Hamas, the BBC suddenly parks its haughty moralism and comes over all coy. The reluctance to call Hamas terrorists is partly down to the anti-Israel animus thats rife in influential circles. These people hate Israel so much that they flat out refuse to condemn the army of anti-Semites that terrorises it. Yes, terrorises. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But it also speaks to the baleful influence of the idea of Islamophobia. Polite society is now so terrified of saying anything critical of Islam that it even balks at condemning Islamist terror. Oh no, they think, Islamist is related to Islam and so I must hold my tongue, as I do on the niqab, grooming gangs and anything else that might reflect poorly on that religion. Such self-silencing will get worse if Labour pushes on with its new definition of Islamophobia. This is a mad crusade to ringfence Islam and Islam alone from chatter and mockery. Its time to restore reason. If you have a penis, you are a man. And if you have a gun that you use to kill Jews, you are a disgusting terrorist. 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. ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) The leader of the rebels who captured two key cities in eastern Congo tells The Associated Press that international sanctions and Congos proposed minerals deal with the United States in search of peace will not stop the fighting. Meanwhile, neighboring countries announced a broader peace facilitation team to seek a resolution to the conflict. With a $5 million bounty placed on the rebel leaders by Congos government, we will fight like people who got nothing to lose in order to secure the future of our country, said Corneille Nangaa, leader of the Congo River Alliance that includes the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nangaa dismissed Congolese President Felix Tshisekedis comments last week that his country whose mineral resources are estimated to be worth $24 trillion and critical to much of the worlds technology is looking for a minerals partnership with the U.S. The U.S. government has not publicly spoken about any such deal, which local observers say could be similar to the Trump administrations recent offer to Ukraine to help end the war with Russia. This problem can be better resolved by the concerned Congolese, not foreigners with different geopolitical agendas, Nangaa told the AP over the weekend. Trying to bribe U.S. with mines can undermine U.S. credibility. The rebel leader also rejected the outcome of last weeks meeting between Congolese and Rwandan leaders in Qatar, saying such a move to achieve peace without his groups involvement would fail. He said the rebels can only have a dialogue with Congos government if the country acknowledges their grievances and the root causes of the conflict. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anything regarding us which are done without us, its against us, Nangaa said. Since launching a major escalation of their decadelong fighting with Congolese forces in January, the M23 rebels have captured the cities of Goma and Bukavu and several towns in eastern Congo, prompting fears of regional war involving neighbors whose militaries are also on the ground. Efforts to achieve a ceasefire collapsed last week after the rebels pulled out of talks facilitated by Angola, condemning European Union sanctions on its leaders. After Angola's president and chairperson of the African Union, Joao Lourenco, withdrew as the key mediator on Monday, southern and eastern African leaders announced at a joint summit that a panel of five former African presidents to help seek a peaceful resolution of the conflict. The panel will appoint a mediator to replace the Angolan leader, the president's office in Congo said Tuesday in a statement posted on X. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Also Monday, the M23 rebels said their planned withdrawal from the strategic town of Walikale, which they captured last week, is delayed because Congolese forces are allegedly still positioned in the area with attack drones. M23 spokesman Lawrence Kanyuka said their presence compromises peace initiatives. The AP has reached out to Congos military. Holding Walikale gives the rebels control of a road linking four provinces in eastern Congo North Kivu, South Kivu, Tshopo and Maniema effectively cutting off Congolese army positions. The M23 is the most potent of about 100 armed factions vying for control in eastern Congo. It is mainly made up of ethnic Tutsis who failed to integrate into the Congolese army. The group says it is defending ethnic Tutsis and Congolese of Rwandan origin from discrimination. Although U.N. experts estimate there are up to 4,000 forces from neighboring Rwanda supporting the rebels in Congo, Nangaa asserted that the rebel alliance is independent and seeks to address the root cause of more than 30 years of instability in our country. Congress returns to Washington on Monday after a week-long recess that featured controversial moves from the White House, raucous town halls in districts across the country and discussions about the future of the Democratic Party all of which are expected to dominate the conversation on Capitol Hill over the coming days. In the House, a Republican push to impeach Judge James Boasberg who directed flights carrying Venezuelan migrants to be turned around is likely to take center stage, as President Trump, Elon Musk and GOP lawmakers lobby for him to be removed. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) signaled over the weekend that the House may vote on a bill that would place limitations on the ability of district court judges to issue injunctions. On the Senate side, Republicans are expected to turn to the effort to pass Trumps legislative agenda, as GOP lawmakers work to reconcile the separate House and Senate budget resolutions. A top item on the to-do list is figuring out how to make the extension of Trumps 2017 tax cuts permanent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And throughout the Capitol, Democrats are sure to discuss the future of their party after this months shutdown showdown, which split the group including the chambers two top leaders and has left lawmakers sparring with one another over the best strategy and message to combat the second Trump administration. Also this week, the Senate is set to confirm more of Trumps cabinet nominees. Lawmakers react to judicial impeachment push, Education Department moves The Republican-led effort to push back on Boasberg is likely to take center stage this week, especially as the Trump administration stares down a March 25 deadline to hand over more information about the deportation flights to El Salvador. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Johnson announced over the weekend that he is moving ahead with the No Rogue Rulings Act, sponsored by Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), which would place limitations on district court judges issuing orders providing injunctive relief decisions that affect the entire country outside their districts. The House is working overtime to limit the abuses of activist federal judges. Our @JudiciaryGOP will expose the worst offenders in a high profile hearing & we are preparing urgent legislative action, like the @repdarrellissa bill to stop unfounded nationwide injunctions, he wrote on X. It remains unclear when the bill is scheduled to come to the floor. The House Judiciary Committee advanced the legislation earlier this month. Johnsons decision to consider Issas bill could be an alternative to pursuing Boasbergs impeachment, which several Republicans are opposed to. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Brandon Gill (R-Texas) introduced an impeachment resolution for abuse of power against Boasberg last week, alleging that he knowingly and willfully use his judicial position to advance political gain while interfering with the Presidents constitutional prerogatives and enforcement of the rule of law. The measure has 16 co-sponsors, including a number of hardline conservatives. It also has the backing of Trump, who called for Boasbergs impeachment on Truth Social and has since fundraised on the matter. But the support is far from universal. Reps. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) and Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) cast doubt on the effort when asked by The Hill last week, and a House GOP source said dozens of Republicans behind the scenes have expressed reservations about this approach. The dynamics are creating a muddy path forward for Johnson, as he grapples with the push by Trump, Musk and hardliners to impeach Boasberg, while taking into account the apprehension many in his ranks have. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thus far, the Speaker has not indicated where he stands on the matter. Activist judges with political agendas pose a significant threat to the rule of law, equal justice, and the separation of powers, a Johnson spokesperson said in a statement. The Speaker looks forward to working with the Judiciary Committee as they review all available options under the Constitution to address this urgent matter. Aside from judicial impeachment, the conversation on Capitol Hill this week will likely include reaction to Trumps executive order aimed at dismantling the Department of Education. Fully doing away with the agency, however, would require an act of Congress, which some lawmakers are already voicing support for. Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) announced last week that he would introduce legislation to shut down the department as soon as possible. Lawmakers are also returning to the Capitol after a week that featured a number of raucous town halls for both Democrats and Republicans and constituents across the country raise concerns with rising prices, Musks power and potential cuts to Medicaid, among other topics. Budget resolution talks continue Republicans on Monday are kicking off the first week of a critical three-week stretch as they look to pass a large chunk of Trumps legislative agenda headlined by an extension of the presidents 2017 tax cuts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Senate last month adopted a budget resolution for the first of two bills full of Trumps domestic policy priorities, with the initial package addressing border and defense. The House, meanwhile, advanced its own budget resolution out of the chamber for one big, beautiful bill of Trumps agenda items shortly after, putting the two chambers on opposite paths. Top lawmakers across the Capitol have since been trying to reconcile the two blueprints, an effort that is expected to ramp up this week, then over the following two. The plan right now is well go back in session next week, were gonna try to iron out the things that we need to address in the House-passed bill, as far as that budget reconciliation resolution, then hopefully the week after next, well get it to the floor, Sen. John Hoeven (R-N.D.) said on Fox News on Sunday. Again, thats an opportunity that Democrats will get to offer all their amendments, well have whats called vote-a-rama, it will probably go all night, but then we should be able to pass that House budget resolution. We hope to get it done before Memorial Day, he said of the effort. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A large topic of conversation as Republicans work towards a budget resolution compromise is how to extend the Trump tax cuts indefinitely, a detail that the president has said he wants included. One way to do that is by implementing a budgetary gimmick known as current policy baseline, which assumes that the tax cut extension would not add to the deficit. Republican leaders have expressed support for the gimmick, but it remains an open question if the Senate parliamentarian will allow it to be used. Senate Republicans are expected to meet with the parliamentarian over the next three weeks. Democratic infighting returns to Capitol Hill The fallout from this months effort to avert a government shutdown is still reverberating in the Democratic Party, a dynamic that is poised to continue this week as lawmakers return to the Capitol for the first time since the fiasco. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) has taken a ton of heat since he helped advance a GOP-crafted government funding bill that avoided a shutdown, with House Democrats and even some progressives in the Senate criticizing his decision to support the effort. Despite that disapproval, however, Schumer has made it clear he does not plan to relinquish his leadership position, sticking by his argument that a shutdown would have been more dangerous than the impact of the Republican stopgap. Im not stepping down, Schumer said on NBCs Meet the Press on Sunday. And let me just say this, Kristen. I knew when I cast my vote against the C 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. The CR was certainly bad, you know, the continuing resolution. But a shutdown would be 15 or 20 times worse. Senate Democrats are scheduled to huddle for their weekly lunch this week, marking the first time the group will be together since the vote earlier this month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Adding to Schumers woes, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) embarked on their Fighting Oligarchy tour last week, arguing that the party needs to fight harder a veiled swipe at Schumer. Those comments drew pushback from Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.), who has emerged as a centrist Democrat in his first term in the Capitol. Fetterman helped advance the GOP funding bill earlier this month. Fight hardera stunt that would have harmed millions and plunged us into chaos. We kept our government open. Deal with it, he wrote on X. In a good sign for Schumer heading into the week, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) told reporters last week he has confidence in his Senate counterpart, a change from when he refused to comment days earlier. Senate continues Trump cabinet confirmation votes The Senate is set to confirm more of Trumps cabinet this week, as the upper chamber looks to fill out the ranks of the presidents second administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Monday at around 5:30 p.m., the Senate is scheduled to vote on the confirmation of John Phelan to be secretary of the Navy, and Christopher Landau to be deputy secretary of State. The upper chamber could consider other nominees that Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) filed cloture on, including Michael Kratsios to be director of the Office of Science and Technology, Jayanta Bhattacharya to be director of the National Institutes of Health, Martin Makary to be commissioner of food and drugs at the Department of Health and Human Services, James Bishop to be deputy director of the Office of Management and Budget, and Aaron Reitz to be assistant attorney general. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. ORANGE, Conn. (WTNH) Many of us have heard of SIDS or Sudden Infant Death Syndrome but a Milford mom is raising awareness of a lesser-known tragedy called SUDC, Sudden Unexplained Death In Childhood. Conor was the happiest boy youd ever meet, he was always smiling, he was always blowing kisses, Dr. Erin Bowen, Conors mom and also a pediatrician in Orange, said. But the unimaginable happened in 2016. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Connecticut Families: Meet West Hartford mom and international best selling author, Amy Neff When the boy was 17 months old he had a runny nose, really nothing out of the ordinary. He went down for a nap. He was a healthy toddler who went to sleep and just didnt wake up, Bowen said. This is called Sudden Unexplained Death In Childhood or SUDC. Even though shes a doctor, Bowen had never heard of this happening. Both an autopsy and genetic testing didnt yield any answers. It affects about 500 children annually in the United States and its actually the 5th leading cause of death in toddlers, Bowen explained. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Through her grief, she connected with the SUDC Foundation, meeting other families with similar stories, and even heading to Washington DC to advocate for change. Currently theres no federal funding to support research into these deaths, she said. Bowen gives presentations at hospitals, raising awareness and educating medical professionals about how to support families when a child dies. She also started Kisses For Conor, giving out special cards, doing random acts of kindness as a way to help her daughters cope with their loss. Sometimes we leave flowers in parking lots for people to find, Bowen said. We leave toys in the park. Sometimes we leave bubbles because Conor loved bubbles so much. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bowen says Conor is with her, always. Doing these things is kind of my way of parenting him where I cant physically parent him and it makes me feel like were still connected every day, she said with emotion. If you get a Kisses For Conor card, you are asked to keep his memory alive by passing along your own act of kindness. Watch an extended interview with Dr. Erin Bowen on Tuesday, March 25th at 11 a.m. on the new News 8 streaming 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 WTNH.com. BOAO, March 24 (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. In Qionghai City, snack shops are everywhere, offering an array of sweet treats and desserts: coconut jelly, mango rice rolls, Qingbuliang... Bursting with tropical flavors and refreshing textures, these snacks blend classic local recipes and overseas culinary influences, continuously innovating to delight locals and visitors alike. Let's explore these goodies--not only tasty but also reimagined as adorable plush toys! Qingbuliang A traditional summer dessert in Hainan blending herbal ingredients, beans, coconut milk, and fresh fruits, offers a chewy, layered taste experience. Coconut milk Qingbuliang Pandan-flavored Qingbuliang Pandan pancake Crepes made from fresh pandan leaf juice, flour, sugar, and eggs, drizzled with condensed milk for a fragrant, sweet finish. Mango rice roll Silky rice flour skin wrapped around fresh mango slices, balanced with creamy coconut sauce for a sweet-tart harmony. Coconut sorghum cake A traditional snack crafted from sorghum, glutinous rice, and coconut flakes, boasting vibrant colors and chewy texture. Thousand-layer cake Named for its multiple layers, this soft and sticky cake combines the aromas of coconut and pandan in every bite. Corn fritters Crispy golden fritters made from fresh corn kernels, offer a juicy, sweet crunch. Paederia foetida sweet soup Made from Paederia foetida leaves (known for the unique scent), ground with rice and served in brown sugar syrup or coconut milk--a mildly sweet, aromatic summer cooler. Coconut Jelly A bouncy, silky dessert blending coconut milk, coconut water and gelatin, perfect for beating the heat. Fruit shaved ice Finely shaved ice topped with fresh tropical fruit--a refreshing, fragrant antidote to sweltering days. Guava-flavored shaved ice The video and GIFs are generated by AI Journalist: Zhang Liyun Designers: Du Xiaoyi, Xie Ziyi This article was originally published in CT Mirror. After landing a spot in a nationally-competitive fellowship program for high school students run by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration last summer, Keila Silva got to work investigating a local ice cream plant in Suffield. The plant, operated by dairy company HP Hood, had been under scrutiny over its handling of potentially-hazardous ammonia chemicals just down the road from one of Suffields only federally-assisted housing developments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Silva, a 17-year-old senior at Suffield High School, wanted to know what impact the plant was having on her community, so she spent this school year combing through a trove of online records dating back to the 1990s. Get stories like this delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter She was putting the final touches on a report summarizing her findings last month when she got an email from a fellowship supervisor inviting her to an emergency meeting on Feb. 18. The purpose of that meeting, Silva soon learned, was to discuss the Trump administrations latest directives related to diversity, equity and inclusion a term broadly used to describe policies aimed at combating discrimination and civil rights violations and promoting diversity. The HP Hood plant in Suffield on March 4, 2025. The message of the meeting was blunt: The federal government would no longer be supporting the projects she and her peers had spent months working on. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was heartbreaking to hear, Silva said in a recent interview. I had a feeling that it was going to happen, and I had personally been preparing myself for that reality, only because just seeing the news, it seemed like it was going to be inevitable, and unfortunately that ended up being true. While much of the focus on President Donald Trumps massive revamping of the federal government has been on its impact to thousands of government workers, Silvas story and others show how even high school students are getting caught up in the tumult. Last week, WSHU reported that a New Haven charter school was forced to lay off 70 students from a green jobs workforce development program after its federal funding was cut off. In a statement Friday, Conservation Law Foundation staff attorney Rachel Briggs condemned the administrations treatment of young people working on federally-backed climate and environmental policy programs. (Briggs is one of several local environmental advocates who have signed a letter of support for Silvas work.) President Trump is dismantling vital agencies like NOAA and the [Environmental Protection Agency], laying off dedicated public servants and eliminating opportunities for young people committed to making their neighborhoods safer and healthier, Briggs said. We should be encouraging these young people who are driven to make a difference in the world and ensure that every community has clean water to drink and clean air to breathe. They are a model for all of us, particularly for those in the highest levels of our federal government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Young Changemakers Fellowship began in 2023 as a joint effort between NOAA and the North American Association for Environmental Education, dedicated to collaborating with and empowering the next generation of ocean and environmental leaders, according a press release announcing the programs continuation last year. The NAAEE, a nonprofit based in Washington, D.C., provided operational support for the program in cooperation with the federal agency. Silva was part of the second cohort of fellows, which she said included students from ten other states, as well as Guam and American Samoa. A notice now posted atop the programs website states that fellowship will not run in the upcoming school year, but it doesnt give an explanation. The presidents executive order, which preceded the fellowships discontinuation called on officials to coordinate the termination of all discriminatory programs, including illegal DEI and diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) mandates, policies, programs, preferences, and activities in the Federal Government, under whatever name they appear. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A spokesman for NOAA declined to comment on any changes made to the program as a result of Trumps executive orders, citing a long-standing practice of not discussing internal personnel or management matters. NOAA remains dedicated to its mission, providing timely information, research, and resources that serve the American public and ensure our nations environmental and economic resilience, the spokesman, Scott Smullen, said in an email. Stacie Pierpoint, a spokeswoman for NAAEE, said the decision to discontinue the program was made by federal authorities, and she declined to speculate on whether it might resume. We hope it comes back in the future, Pierpoint said in an email. We need more programs that build leadership and civic engagement skills and help protect people and the planet. A car drives past a farm on Thrall Ave in Suffield on March 18, 2025. Silva said she first became interested in environmental justice after participating in a conservation program for teenagers at the University of Connecticut during her sophomore year of high school. In that program, Silva said she used an EPA database to compare how people living in low-income and minority neighborhoods were being disproportionately impacted by the effects of climate change. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I have always been more of a social justice person Silva said. I didnt go into environmental work really liking the science-y part of it. But as she dug into the data, Silva said she began to see connections between environmental conditions and social movements shed previously expressed an interest in. Then one day when perusing the database, she noticed the Hood ice cream plant near her home had been identified as a hazardous waste site. Being one of the people who do live within this one-mile radius of the facility, it made me concerned, because I had no idea this was happening, Silva said. I had asked my family about that, because we lived in our home for about 40 years, and they had no idea about it. After she was accepted into the Young Changemakers Fellowship last year, Silva said she and her peers were told to explore questions of equity as part of the projects theyd be working on throughout the year. Because Suffield a relatively affluent and mostly white town has few places that are affordable for low-income residents, Silva said she decided to make the plant the subject of her project. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Silva focused on the plants proximity to a local housing development, Brook Hill Village, which town officials identified as one of the only developments utilizing government assistance for affordable family housing in a 2022 planning document. Residents of the census tract containing the development, she also noted, are more likely to be racial or ethnic minorities than in other areas of town. Through her research, Silva identified 24 instances in which the Hood plant reported spills or chemical releases to the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. Those incidents involved ammonia, diesel fuel, wastewater and, in one case, 2,000 gallons of chocolate ice cream mix that that seeped out of a container into the plant. While Silvas report did not identify any specific instances in which Brook Hill Village residents suffered harmful health effects from the plants releases, she argued that its operations contributed to the areas moderate-high environmental burden a designation laid out in the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registrys Environmental Justice Index. (The database was one of several federal public health websites that a judge ordered restored in February after the Trump administration sought to pull them offline, citing to other outlets that the data did not conform with presidential executive orders related to diversity and gender identity. A notice now posted atop the ATSDR website states, This page does not reflect biological reality and therefore the Administration and this Department rejects it.) The Enfield-Suffield Veterans Bridge connecting the two towns on March 18, 2025. Before she could publish her findings, however, Silva said she and her peers were told by a fellowship supervisor at NOAA that if they chose continue with their projects they would have to remove any mention of their affiliation with the agency, its fellowship or the NAAEE, the nonprofit association supporting the fellowship. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fortunately, Silva had already completed most of the work on her project and was able to quickly pivot to getting support from the Conservation Law Foundation as well as the Sierra Club and the Nonprofit Accountability Group, an advocacy organization based in Hartford. Representatives from each of those groups agreed to sign a cover letter endorsing Silvas project, which she said lent credence to findings after it lost backing from NOAA. Silva said that some of her peers in the program have found it more difficult to continue their work, particularly those whose projects relied on government-licensed GIS mapping software. Theyre just devastated, but also angry, Silva said. We have our own group chat and everyone was blowing up like, Oh my god, I didnt expect this.' Ultimately, Silva published her findings earlier this month in a report that was sent to local officials in Suffield as well as Hood. She included a list of several recommendations for the company, including the installation of new chemical sensors to monitor releases, distributing fact sheets and engaging in community outreach with residents of the surrounding area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hood did not respond to requests for comment about Silvas findings. Keila has done amazing research in her community to address an important pollution issue, said Samantha Dynowski, the Connecticut state director for the Sierra Club. The arbitrary decision of the Trump administration to cut off resources for this kind of work was unneeded and shouldnt have been done. Since the meeting on Feb. 18, Silva said she and her peers have received emails from federal staffers working with the fellowship soliciting ideas for future meetings between now and the programs end date in June. In addition, she said theyve offered to provide advice for professional development and future careers, which for Silva means becoming an environmental justice attorney. Silva said shes planning to put the $750 honorarium she received as part of the fellowship towards college, and is waiting to hear back on applications to around 20 schools where she is considering studying anthropology, sociology or public policy starting in the fall. Its just kind of matter of making things fit, and adapting, she said. This article first appeared on CT Mirror and is republished here under a Creative Commons license. When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. An illustration of a black hole accretion disk glowing with radiation. New research suggests that elusive black hole radiation, known as Hawking radiation, may have altered the shape of our universe. | Credit: Gam-Ol via Pixabay A theoretical phenomenon proposed by famed physicist Stephen Hawking may have changed the shape of the universe, new research proposes. In the 1970s, Hawking introduced a groundbreaking concept: Black holes traditionally viewed as cosmic entities that engulf everything in their vicinity might emit radiation similar to the way a heated object does. This phenomenon, now known as Hawking radiation , remains theoretical due to the minimal emission power calculated for stellar and supermassive black holes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, a recent study published in the Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics proposes that this elusive radiation could have significantly influenced the universe's early structure. The researchers suggest that primordial black holes, hypothesized to have existed shortly after the Big Bang , might have emitted intense Hawking radiation, leaving detectable imprints on the cosmos we observe today. "An intriguing possibility is that the early universe underwent a phase in which its energy density was dominated by primordial black holes, which then evaporated through Hawking radiation," the scientists wrote in their study. "This is a generic consequence of ultra-light primordial black holes [...], as even a small initial abundance of such objects would quickly come to dominate the universe as it expanded." Deciphering Hawking radiation Hawking's seminal work partially merged the mathematical frameworks of general relativity and quantum mechanics two foundational theories of physics that have yet to be fully unified to explore black hole physics. He found that black holes, once thought to be inescapable traps, could actually emit particles, including photons (light). Related: 'The universe has thrown us a curveball': Largest-ever map of space reveals we might have gotten dark energy totally wrong Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Importantly, the emission rate decreases as the black hole's mass increases, meaning that black holes that formed from collapsing stars, as well as the supermassive ones that anchor galaxies, would radiate so weakly that their Hawking radiation would be impossible to detect with current instruments. However, it is widely believed that in the early universe, much smaller black holes each with a mass of less than 100 tons could have formed. These so-called primordial black holes would have emitted particles at a rate significant enough to influence cosmic structures such as galaxies and clusters. "Various cosmological scenarios predict the formation of black holes in the early universe," the authors wrote. "For example, primordial black holes may have formed from the gravitational collapse of overdense regions." Notably, the Hawking radiation from these primordial black holes would encompass all particle types, including those hypothetical particles that interact weakly with known particles described by the Standard Model. This implies that such radiation could offer a unique avenue for studying these elusive particles, which may be impossible to produce in particle accelerators. Hawking radiation may have influenced the shape and distribution of galaxies as the universe expanded, new research hints. | Credit: NASA Goddard Investigating primordial black holes' impact Employing Einstein's general relativity equations, the research team analyzed various particles with different masses and spins to determine their impact on the universe's matter distribution. For example, if a large number of light, fast-moving particles were present, they could impede the formation of small galaxies, as such particles would have difficulty gathering in sufficient quantities to form dense structures. The team also investigated other possible effects these particles might have. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "If any of these particles are stable and persist to the present day, we call them Hawking relics," the researchers explained in their paper. "Massless Hawking relics would contribute to the cosmic radiation budget [...] and could be detected in measurements of the cosmic microwave background." The scientists meticulously examined how Hawking relics might influence the current cosmic structure. Although they didn't find direct evidence of these relics, their analysis allowed them to constrain the properties of both the particles and the primordial black holes that could have emitted them. "If there were a meaningful number of evaporating black holes during the period when the first nuclei were formed, the predicted number of atomic nuclei in the universe would be incorrect," the physicists wrote. "We thus require that the primordial black holes evaporate before this period, which gives us an upper bound on their mass of five hundred tons." The team also explored the hypothesis that Hawking relics could constitute dark matter, which accounts for approximately 85% of all matter in the universe. Their findings suggest Hawking relics are not a good match for dark matter . Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We constrain the abundance of warm Hawking relics to be less than 2% of dark matter, even if primordial black holes produced multiple different kinds of relic particles," the scientists note. Future prospects Although current observations haven't confirmed the existence of Hawking relics, the researchers remain optimistic. They believe that forthcoming instruments with enhanced precision could detect these relics, thereby validating the existence of Hawking radiation and primordial black holes and enabling experimental studies of their properties. RELATED STORIES Evidence for Stephen Hawking's unproven black hole theory may have just been found at the bottom of the sea Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Is our universe trapped inside a black hole? This James Webb Space Telescope discovery might blow your mind 'Hawking radiation' may be erasing black holes. Watching it happen could reveal new physics. "The discovery of a Hawking relic would open a window to the thermal state of the [early] universe [...]," the team wrote. This would not only be important for early-universe cosmology, but it would also open a new frontier of particle physics beyond the Standard Model and give the first observational evidence for Hawking radiation, black-hole evaporation, and primordial black holes." In summary, while Hawking radiation remains a theoretical construct, its potential role in shaping the universe's early structure offers a compelling avenue for research. The study of primordial black holes and their possible remnants could provide profound insight into both cosmology and particle physics, thus bridging gaps in our understanding of the universe's infancy. CHICAGO On March 7, 2016, the National Review published a letter signed by three dozen Catholic laypeople some academics, some nonprofit leaders that called Donald Trump manifestly unfit to be president of the United States. Trumps campaign, they wrote, has already driven our politics down to new levels of vulgarity. His appeals to racial and ethnic fears and prejudice are offensive to any genuinely Catholic sensibility. Among the signers was Brian Burch, a west suburban Chicago man who co-founded an advocacy group called CatholicVote about a decade earlier. Its self-described mission is to inspire every Catholic in America to live out the truths of the Catholic faith in public life. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Seven months later, Burch dramatically shifted his position on Trump; his organization went on to spend close to $2 million trying to sway Catholic voters to support Trumps campaigns in 2020 and 2024. Those efforts appear to have been rewarded. In December, Trump selected Burch to be the next U.S. ambassador to the Holy See; the nomination was formally sent to the U.S. Senate earlier this month for confirmation. He represented me well during the last Election, having garnered more Catholic votes than any Presidential Candidate in History! Trump wrote on Truth Social. Brian loves his Church and the United States He will make us all proud. Burchs nomination comes amid simmering tensions between the Trump administration and the Vatican over immigration issues and cuts to aid programs. Some observers say his likely appointment could be a harbinger of continued turbulence given Burchs past criticism of Pope Francis, whose extended hospitalization has raised questions about how long the 88-year-old pontiff will remain the head of a Catholic Church that counts an estimated 53 million U.S. adults among its nearly 1.4 billion global flock. Francis returned to the Vatican on Sunday after nearly six weeks in Romes Gemelli hospital battling a near-fatal case of pneumonia in both lungs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The question is whether hes being sent to Rome in order to express in forceful terms, in the kinds of ways weve seen in the last six to eight weeks, the administrations displeasure with Pope Francis positions, said Steven Millies, professor of public theology and director of The Bernardin Center at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. We know Trump likes his appointees to be swinging for him. Emails to CatholicVote seeking an interview with Burch were not returned. In a statement posted on his organizations website, Burch said he was committed to working with leaders inside the Vatican and the new Administration to promote the dignity of all people and the common good. Quiet ambassadorships While past presidents have dispatched personal envoys to the Vatican, its only in the last 40 years that the United States has appointed an ambassador to the Holy See, the Catholic Churchs central governing body. That lack of formal diplomatic relations was due in large part to anti-Catholic sentiment, said Kathleen Sprows Cummings, professor of American studies and history at the University of Notre Dame. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its hard for us to wrap our minds around the pope being seen as a threat by American Protestants, who are still the majority U.S. citizens, Cummings said. Catholics were a minority religion and believed by many Americans to be anti-democratic and un-American by virtue of their loyalty to the pope. During his failed 1928 presidential campaign, New York Gov. Al Smith was asked whether his allegiance was to the U.S. Constitution or to Rome. Thirty-two years later, John F. Kennedy faced a similar line of questioning on his way to the White House. In 1983, Congress repealed a 116-year-old law that banned federal spending on diplomacy with the Vatican. A year later, President Ronald Reagan appointed businessman William Wilson as the first Holy See ambassador. Subsequent ambassadors include former broadcasting executive Frank Shakespeare and onetime politicians Raymond Flynn, Lindy Boggs, Francis Rooney and, most recently, Joe Donnelly. Others have been academics. Former Chicago attorney-turned-law professor Mary Ann Glendon was picked as Holy See ambassador from 2008 to 2009; her successor, Miguel Diaz, is currently chair in public service in the theology department at Loyola University Chicago. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During Trumps first term in office, he picked as Holy See ambassador Callista Gingrich, who founded a multimedia production company with her husband, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich. For the most part, they are quiet ambassadorships, Millies said. Burch, he added, is unlike any other. His resume is that of an activist. He is a controversialist, which is the opposite of a diplomat. Frayed relationship Burch has said he grew up attending Catholic schools in Phoenix and graduated in 1997 with a degree in politics from the University of Dallas, a small, private Catholic university in Irving, Texas. The 49-year-old and his wife, Sara, have nine children and live in DuPage County, where he serves as president of the board of directors for Seton Academy, a Catholic Montessori school in Villa Park. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His nomination now sits with the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. If confirmed, hell undoubtedly step into a frayed relationship. Last month, days before his hospitalization, Pope Francis penned a letter to U.S. bishops that criticized the Trump administrations mass deportation plans. What is built on the basis of force, and not on the truth about the equal dignity of every human being, begins badly and will end badly, Francis wrote, according to Reuters. The popes comments echo similar ones made prior to Trumps election victory in 2016, when he told reporters that anyone who wants to build walls is not Christian. A spokesman later said the comment was not meant to attack Trump, The Associated Press reported. Also last month, Vatican charity Caritas Internationalis issued a statement condemning the Trump administrations cuts to USAID. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stopping USAID abruptly will kill millions of people and condemn hundreds of millions more to lives of dehumanising poverty, Alistair Dutton, the organizations secretary general, said in the statement. This is an inhumane affront to peoples God-given human dignity, that will cause immense suffering. For his part, Burch has found occasions to clash with the pope. In 2023, after Francis removed a Texas bishop from his post and evicted a retired American cardinal from his Rome apartment both men had been critical of the pope and are seen as traditionalists in the church Burch told The New York Times: The pattern of vindictiveness and punishment seems to fly in the face of what he says about being an instrument of mercy and accompaniment. He also took aim at the popes efforts to curb the saying of Mass in Latin and said Francis statements on blessing people in same-sex unions created massive confusion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is an unprecedented opposition to the pope among a certain segment of Catholics in the U.S., Millies said, and that opposition is sustained by organizations like CatholicVote. Quite partisan In 2005, Burch and others launched Fidelis, incorporated in Michigan and described at the time as a group of Catholic-based political, legal, research and educational organizations whose collective mission it is to formulate, promote, and defend public policies that uphold religious freedom, human life from conception to natural death, and the traditional institutions of marriage and family. A co-founder and early president of Fidelis was Joseph Cella, who a year earlier had helped start the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast. Cella, like Burch, would go on to sign the 2016 National Review letter opposing Trump only to shift gears, serving on Trumps campaign and transition team before eventually being appointed ambassador to Fiji in 2019. Fidelis eventually adopted the name CatholicVote and operates separate 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) entities, allowing it to collect tax-deductible donations through the former and actively lobby for political candidates with the latter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2022, the last year publicly available on the IRS website, its lobbying arm reported gross receipts in excess of $9 million; its 501(c)(3) Fidelis Center for Law and Policy reported around $3.5 million in gross receipts. Burch, records show, was paid around $220,000 in compensation. CatholicVotes website notes that it does not speak for individual bishops or the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. And while it says its nonpartisan, its stances on abortion, immigration and LGTBQ+ rights align with those typically espoused by Republicans. I receive the CatholicVote emails; theyre quite partisan, quite one-sided, said Millies, who faced criticism from CatholicVote in 2023 over comments he made about a U.S. bishops response to the Los Angeles Dodgers hosting the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, an LGBTQ+ group. I dont think it represents the fullness of what the church has to say about the issues in front of us. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Three years ago, the Chicago Sun-Times reported on CatholicVotes Hide the Pride initiative, which encouraged people to visit the childrens section at their local libraries and check out every book displayed during LGBTQ+ pride month so as to temporarily keep them from being viewed by kids. Last year, CatholicVote added its voice to criticism of a transgender activists funeral at St. Patricks Cathedral in New York City. Since 2015, federal campaign contribution records show CatholicVote, either through its political action committee or through independent expenditures, has spent more than $3 million in support or opposition of candidates across the country. Most of that money has gone to support Republican candidates, with the rare exception of a few Democrats who are against a womans right to an abortion CatholicVote spent close to $10,000, for example, in support of former U.S. Rep. Dan Lipinski, an Illinois Democrat and Catholic who lost his seat in a 2020 primary. Some of its political work has provoked backlash. In 2020, CatholicVote drew the ire of some when it harvested cellphone data from Catholic Mass attendees to target them with political ads. Those efforts were not enough to propel Trump to victory over Biden, a Catholic, in 2020; exit polls showed the two men splitting support from Catholic voters. Four years later, Trump and his running mate, JD Vance a Catholic convert garnered an estimated 58% of the Catholic vote compared with 40% for Kamala Harris. That 58% was eye-popping, Millies said. It means Catholics in the U.S. are no longer a vital swing constituency that can be looked at to study, but a niche constituency of one party. ____ MAMMOTH, Ariz. High above the San Pedro River Valley, the expanse between the Catalina and Galiuro mountain ranges ripples into the distance. The cracks and crevices between peaks expose the winding channels where valuable desert water flows from higher elevations. At the bottom of the valley, the San Pedro River snakes across the vast landscape. The northward flowing river originates in mountains of northern Sonora, Mexico, and connects to the Gila River near Winkelman. The Lower San Pedro River Watershed is one of the largest unfragmented landscapes in Arizona, second only to the Grand Canyon region, and the last remaining intact desert river system in southern Arizona. Its also within a historic mining district, where two major copper belts intersect. About 9 miles east of Mammoth and the river, exploratory drilling has begun for a proposed mine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Redhawk Copper Inc., the U.S. arm of the Canadian Faraday Copper Corp., is drilling at two sites as a part of its Copper Creek project. According to a preliminary economic assessment by Faraday, the drilling could lead to a mine that would operate over 25 square miles, include seven open pit mines and two underground block-cave mines, and extract ore for an estimated 32 years. Community members and environmentalists are concerned that the region, which has historically been preserved to offset environmental damage in other areas of the state, could be degraded beyond recognition. Among the areas that could be impacted by the mining exploration is the 7B Ranch, a parcel of more than 3,000 acres that supports one of the largest intact mesquite bosque habitats in the American Southwest. It is designated an Important Bird Area by the National Audubon Society. Owned by Resolution Copper, the 7B Ranch property was included in the federal legislation passed in 2014 that authorized transfer of over 5,000 private, ecologically valuable acres to public conservation lands in exchange for the land sitting above a large copper deposit the company plans to mine at Oak Flat near Superior. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Because of its large tracts of undeveloped landscape and rare riparian habitat, the Lower San Pedro region has become a bank of conservation lands meant to compensate for the negative environmental impacts caused by development elsewhere in the state. Other conservation sites near the area have been preserved to mitigate environmental degradation and wildlife habitat destruction caused by Salt River Project, the Central Arizona Project and Pima County. I think the San Pedro needs to be reserved for mitigation land. Development is not going to stop, but it just needs to be located appropriately, and this isn't the place for it," said Cathy Gorman, a member of the Lower San Pedro Watershed Alliance, a regional community group that opposes the Copper Creek project. "Some place has to be left for the environment, wildlife and water. I just don't know how you can justify destroying or devaluing mitigation land," Gorman said. "The whole purpose of the mitigation land was to make up for some devaluing elsewhere. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The project is described on Faradays website as the potential for a significant, low-cost long-life copper operation. The Bureau of Land Management, the federal agency that oversees the land in the projects footprint, received a notice of exploration for nine drill sites in the area in 2024, and the agency issued a draft environmental assessment for the whole project, which proposes 67 total sites, in February. Each rig is estimated to use 70,000 gallons of water, according to the companys draft environmental assessment, pumped from nearby private wells owned by the company. The plan calls for up to two drill rigs operating simultaneously during the exploration. More mining? Trump says reliance on imported copper leaves U.S. vulnerable, orders review of policies Angela Johnson, vice president of corporate development and sustainability at Faraday Copper, said the company is committed to the long-term success of the watershed and claims Redhawks process of exploration uses very little water. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One drill rig typically uses less than the equivalent of four households worth of water each month. The water used in the process is recirculated and returned down the drill holes during drilling. Over 95% of the water pumped goes right back into the ground where it came from, with the remainder evaporated, said Johnson in a written statement. All of this activity is permitted and regulated by government authorities. The Mining Law of 1872 guarantees American citizens and companies the right to extract valuable minerals on public lands. According to Sharisse Flatt, the field manager at the BLM Safford Office, the agencys role in the process is to ensure that the mining companys plan of operations complies with relevant laws and surface management regulations throughout the life of the project and reclamation of the land when the project is complete. Redhawk is committed to responsible exploration and proactively implements a number of design features in its drilling operations to minimize potential impacts, said Johnson in a written statement. Redhawk also adheres to regulatory guidelines and engages environmental specialists to conduct surveys and assess mitigation measures. Mining expansion: In the 'Copper State,' growing demand for ore raises fears in the fragile Sky Islands Migrating birds and rare bosque habitat at risk The large, twisting mesquite trees that wind around the 7B Ranchs 700-acre forest are an ecological rarity. Known as a bosque, the dense population of mesquite trees are tapped into the underground water source, growing larger due to their proximity to the San Pedro River. The bizarre branches create holes and pockets perfect for breeding birds to occupy, and the flowing river water attracts a buggy food source for the millions of migrating birds that pass through the valley every year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mature bosque habitat used to be common along the San Pedro River, before agriculture, groundwater drawdown and mesquite tree harvesting degraded or eliminated the forests completely. Hundreds of millions of birds migrate each year through the San Pedro Valley, which was designated a Global Important Bird Area by the National Audubon Society and BirdLife International. The 7B Ranch has been the site of several research projects, including the observance of the rare desert purple martin, which feeds at the river and nests in nearby saguaros. Some biologists are concerned that the disturbances from mining operations, like increased traffic, noise and overnight light pollution, will have a detrimental impact to the bird species that migrate and breed in the area. To have mining trucks going up and down all day, every day, that amount of disturbance is worrying, said Jennie MacFarland, a bird conservation biologist with the Tucson Bird Alliance (formerly Tucson Audubon Society). There isn't much of this sort of habitat left, and to have that kind of disturbance right there along one of the last patches of it, it's worrying. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MacFarland, who conducts surveys in the 7B Ranch property, also expressed concerns over artificial lights that could disorient and confuse birds that migrate during the nighttime. According to its operations plan, Redhawk will use hooded lights that shine downward toward the work site to decrease light pollution. It could help, said MacFarland when asked about the hooded lights. Its certainly better to not have the light at all, especially during peak migration times. According to the BLMs draft environmental assessment, the endangered yellow-billed cuckoo could be affected by the projects footprint, but local citizen scientists have documented a number of threatened and endangered species in the wider region, including ocelot and Mexican-spotted owl. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Included in the assessment is an adaptive management plan, crafted by the agency, which calls for enhanced groundwater monitoring and data collection to allow BLMs land managers to make flexible decisions around natural resources during the life of the project. We've gone a little bit beyond the status quo to try to get some of these things in place, because we do know the wildlife resources out there, said Flatt of the BLM. While I'm sure those won't alleviate all the concerns that the community has about wildlife and water in this area, we are doing something and we will continue monitoring to figure out what those impacts are. The 7B Ranch is owned by Resolution Copper, a mining company that plans to extract copper from a deposit on public land in the Tonto National Forest. In 2014, Congress approved a plan to transfer the public land to Resolution Copper to mine in exchange for 5,459 acres of ecologically valuable conservation land around Arizona, including 7B Ranch. The land swap and the mine have been slowed by legal challenges from environmental groups and tribes, who hold Oak Flat as a sacred site. In a management plan written for Resolution Copper, the Nature Conservancy wrote: The 7Bs primary ecological value, aside from the river itself, is its 700-acre mesquite bosque, a climax community that is fairly stable. Hence, one primary management objective for the 7B is relatively simple: protect the 7Bs mesquite forest from degradation or habitat alteration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mining: 'C' is for copper: If it isn't still king, it remains a royal growth industry in Arizona Community opposition to large-scale development Residents of Mammoth, Oracle, and San Manuel gathered at the Mammoth Community Center on Feb. 11 to voice their concerns over mining exploration operations occurring in the area. The meeting was organized by the Lower San Pedro Watershed Alliance, a grassroots organization that opposes the mine, to inform residents of the impact that potential mining operations could have on the region. What we've been dedicated to, ever since the beginning of the organization, is posing to the public the question: Are we going to destroy this, the last remaining wild landscape in southern Arizona of any significant size with a thousand different cuts? said Peter Else, the chair of the board for the Lower San Pedro Watershed Alliance, at the meeting. Other speakers at the meeting included representatives from the Center for Biological Diversity, Save the Scenic Santa Ritas Association and the Arizona Mining Reform Coalition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Large-scale development projects have been proposed in the region for decades. In 2008, the Arizona Department of Transportation Board voted against plans for a bypass of Interstate 10 that would extend from east Phoenix through the San Pedro Valley connecting to the highway near Wilcox, citing environmental concerns. The Lower San Pedro Watershed Alliance is hoping that mining companies will be deterred from the area if the community is opposed, but resistance hasnt stopped all development in the region. Demand grows: Trump orders faster approval to mine on public lands. Critics say it's asking for trouble In 2023, the SunZia Transmission Project broke ground on a 45-mile stretch of transmission towers running along the river on public land, despite opposition and legal action from conservation groups and tribal communities. The project will carry renewable electricity from wind farms in New Mexico to communities in Arizona and California. Looking over the valley from above now, the cleared patches of desert where the towers and connecting access roads have been built stretch into the horizon alongside the San Pedro. This area has been under a lot of different threats, said Gorman, who was a board member of the Lower San Pedro Watershed Alliance when it was founded in 2013. Gorman said the organization was founded after seeing the community resistance to the Interstate bypass plans. The community got together to fight that, and they were successful. And I guess that made us realize we needed to be more formally organized. The public comment period for the Copper Creek project is open until April 14. Comments can be submitted online through the BLMs NEPA Register on the projects web page. We do really appreciate the public's attention to this and any comments they might have, if we missed anything, or how we could do better in a certain area, and tribes as well. Keeping in mind the decision before us right now is the exploratory drilling said Flatt, field manager at the BLM. Should we ever get that application for a larger mine plan of operations, there would be very extensive public processes involved in that. The Lower San Pedro Watershed Alliance and the Center for Biological Diversity will host a workshop on How to Write Effective Public Comments online and in-person in Oracle on April 1. John Leos covers environmental issues for The Arizona Republic and azcentral. Send tips or questions to john.leos@arizonarepublic.com. Environmental coverage on azcentral.com and in The Arizona Republic is supported by a grant from the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust. Sign up for AZ Climate, our weekly environment newsletter, and follow The Republic environmental reporting team at environment.azcentral.com and @azcenvironment on Facebook and Instagram. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Copper Creek mine would slow conservation work on San Pedro, foes say A masked gunman shot and wounded a 16-year-old boy in a Brooklyn bodega, and cops on Sunday released footage of the assailant to help track him down. The teen was inside 24/7 Eats Deli & Grill on Sutter Ave. and Crystal St. in East New York around 9:25 p.m. Jan. 5 when the shooter walked into the store, police said. Wearing a white sweat suit and black face mask, the gunman fired multiple shots, striking the teen numerous times. He then took off northbound on Crystal St. in a black Honda Accord, leaving the wounded teen in the bodega. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Medics rushed the boy to Brookdale University Hospital and Medical Center in stable condition. Police are still looking for the gunman, and ask anyone with information to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS. NEW YORK (AP) Another Columbia University student said Monday that the Trump administration has targeted her for deportation over her pro-Palestinian views, accusing immigration officials in a lawsuit of employing the same tactics used on Mahmoud Khalil and other college activists. Yunseo Chung, a 21-year-old lawful permanent resident who came to the U.S. as a child, said Immigration and Customs Enforcement moved to deport her after she was arrested March 5 while protesting the Ivy League school's disciplinary actions against student protesters. News reports at the time identified her as being among a group of protesters arrested after a sit-in at a library on the adjacent Barnard College campus. Within days of her arrest, Chung said in the lawsuit, ICE officials signed an administrative arrest warrant and went to her parents residence seeking to detain her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On March 10, Chung said, a federal law enforcement official told her lawyer that her lawful permanent resident status was being revoked. Three days later, Chung said, law enforcement agents executed search warrants at two Columbia-owned residences, including her dormitory, seeking travel and immigration records, and other documents. Chung has lived in the U.S. since emigrating from South Korea with her parents at age 7, according to her lawsuit. The Columbia junior is seeking a court order to block the Trump administration's efforts to deport noncitizens who participated in campus protests against Israels military actions in Gaza. She is asking a judge to prevent the administration from detaining her, moving her out of New York City or removing her from the country while her lawsuit plays out. ICEs shocking actions against Ms. Chung form part of a larger pattern of attempted U.S. government repression of constitutionally protected protest activity and other forms of speech, said Chung's lawsuit, which was filed in federal court in Manhattan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials at the highest echelons of government, the lawsuit says, are attempting to use immigration enforcement as a bludgeon to suppress speech that they dislike, including Ms. Chungs speech. Yunseo Chung has engaged in concerning conduct, including when she was arrested by NYPD during a pro-Hamas protest at Barnard College," a senior Department of Homeland Security spokesperson said. She is being sought for removal proceedings under the immigration laws. Chung will have an opportunity to present her case before an immigration judge. Chung's lawsuit cites the administration's efforts to deport five other students who've spoken out, including Khalil and Momodou Taal, of Cornell University, who received a notice last week to surrender to immigration authorities after he sued on March 15 to preempt deportation efforts. Taal, 31, a Ph.D. student in Africana studies, is a citizen of the United Kingdom and Gambia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a court filing, the Justice Department said Taals student visa was revoked before he filed his lawsuit for his alleged involvement in disruptive protests that disregarded university policies and created a hostile environment for Jewish students. But, the Justice Department said, ICE agents had trouble locating him. Taal's lawyer, Eric Lee, said Monday that his client is not being required to surrender before a hearing in the lawsuit Tuesday in Syracuse. Cornell suspended Taal for a second time last fall after a group of pro-Palestinian activists disrupted a campus career fair. He has limited access to the upstate New York campus as he continues his studies remotely. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In his lawsuit, Taal and co-plaintiffs argue President Donald Trumps executive orders spurring the crackdown violate the free speech rights of international students and scholars. Taal claims he was at the career fair protest for five minutes and had faced no criminal charges. If the First Amendment does not protect the right to attend a demonstration, whats left? Lee said. Not much. Other students and faculty have had visas revoked or were blocked from entering the U.S. because they attended demonstrations or publicly expressed support for Palestinians. The administration has been citing a seldom-invoked legal statute that authorizes the secretary of state to revoke visas of noncitizens who could be considered a threat to U.S. foreign-policy interests. In one of the most high-profile cases, immigration officials detained Khalil, a Columbia graduate student, and told him his green card was being revoked because he participated in protests. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Khalil, who received a masters degree last semester, served as a negotiator for students as they bargained with Columbia officials over an end to their campus tent encampment last spring. The Trump administration has argued his prominent role in the protests amounted to antisemitic support for Hamas, a U.S.-designated terrorist group. In newly filed papers, government lawyers said Khalil also failed to disclose his past work with the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees, his continued employment with the British embassy for Syria, based in Beirut, nor his involvement with Columbia University Apartheid Divest, a coalition group of anti-Israel student organizations. A lawyer for Khalil called the allegations plainly thin" and said the government would have to prove any omission was willful and materially important. The government has also detained a scholar at Georgetown University and refused to let a professor at Brown University's medical school enter the U.S. ___ Hill reported from Albany, New York. Cedar Attanasio contributed to this report. ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) Rochester Police announced on Monday that they have arrested the man who shot and killed Ali Saleh, 30, Sunday evening as Saleh worked behind the counter at Sanaa Food Market at the intersection of Clifford Avenue and Miller Street. Ali Saleh, 30. Police said Tony C. Brown, 42, approached Saleh at around 6 p.m. and shot him multiple times at close range, possibly in retaliation for an altercation that occurred at the store several days prior involving an associate of Salehs. Brown then fled the scene, according to police, while Saleh was rushed to the hospital via ambulance where he was later pronounced dead. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investigators said Browns vehicle was later spotted around Portland Avenue and thats where they arrested Brown, who has since been charged with Murder in the 2nd Degree and Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 2nd Degree. Monday morning, Jose Perez was seen shuffling up to Sanaa Food Market assuming it was closed, but wanted to be sure. Its a stop hes made regularly for decades and often encountered Saleh. Nice young fella, he got along with everybody, Perez said. Its just a shame. Angel Vazquez stopped by the store while News 8 was there so he could relay that in the years Saleh had worked at Sanaa, Vazquez had never seen him be disrespectful to a single customer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I knew him since I was a kid. He was a good guy, always looking out for the community, any time you needed something for your family, hed look out for you, Vazquez said. Its kind of messed up, man. Anthony Hall takes plea deal for grand larceny, assault on officer cases Vazquez said Saleh had just returned to Rochester after living abroad for almost a year. Ali Saleh, 30. Ali Saleh, 30. Balloon Release: Monday evening, balloons went up in honor of Saleh as those who frequented the market he worked at for more than 20 years paid tribute to him. Ali was a one-of-a-kind man, one person said. Whatever you needed, he would come provide. Tea candles spread against the store Saleh showed up to every day and spelled his name. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its really sad for somebody to go this fast. 30 years old. 30 years old. He did everything. School, everything and gone, like he here one day and youre gone. I saw him three days ago. Hey, I just got back from my country. Im here, Bo, friend Bohana Bedell told News 8. Investigators said a search warrant on Browns car and a nearby home turned up a .357 caliber handgun and other evidence linked to the murder. Brown was arraigned Tuesday morning. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) criticized the reported inclusion of an editor for The Atlantic in a group chat of Trump administration officials talking about a U.S. plan to bomb targets in Yemen. Sounds like a huge screwup, Cornyn said to Capitol reporters. I mean, is there any other way to describe it? The Texas Republican also said that he would hope that the interagency would look at the reported incident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Somebody dropped the ball, he said. The Atlantics editor-in-chief, Jeffery Goldberg, was seemingly included in a group chat with members of the Trump administration on Signal where officials talked about details of attacks targeting Houthis in Yemen. Mike Waltz, a national security adviser for the Trump administration, was seemingly behind Goldbergs initial invite to the group. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also reportedly sent information like weapons used, targets and timing in the chat two hours prior to the attacks that started on March 15. The group chat also included Vice President Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and CIA Director John Ratcliffe. Goldberg said in the report that he had very strong doubts that this text group was real, because I could not believe that the national-security leadership of the United States would communicate on Signal about imminent war plans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Atlantic journalist later stated that he began to think that the chat could be real following a person who was supposedly the Defense secretary telling the others that the first detonations in Yemen were going to be experienced in two hours, lining up with what actually happened. A spokesperson for the National Security Council, Brian Hughes, gave confirmation that the chat was real. This appears to be an authentic message chain, and we are reviewing how an inadvertent number was added to the chain, Hughes said. The thread is a demonstration of the deep and thoughtful policy coordination between senior officials. The ongoing success of the Houthi operation demonstrates that there were no threats to troops or national security. The Hill has reached out to the White House for comment. 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. Texas' U.S. Sens. John Cornyn and Ted Cruz are supporting a conservative activist and political website publisher's effort to have his case against the Texas Ethics Commission heard in the nation's highest court. The Republican senators filed a friend-of-the-court brief Friday asking the U.S. Supreme Court to take up Michael Quinn Sullivan's 10-year-old lawsuit challenging a $10,000 fine levied against him in 2014 by the Texas ethics watchdog. The commission unanimously found that Sullivan, then the president of conservative advocacy group Empower Texans, failed to register as a lobbyist while he worked to influence GOP lawmakers' votes in the state House and Senate. The senators are urging the high court's justices to consider the constitutionality of Texas laws requiring lobbyist registration and fees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No American should be unfairly penalized for or restricted from respectfully engaging with their elected representatives, and I urge the U.S. Supreme Court to address this issue, Cornyn, a former Texas attorney general and state Supreme Court justice who was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2002, told the American-Statesman in a statement. Sullivan appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court in January after the Texas Supreme Court in June declined to review two state appeals courts decisions upholding the fines. In a two-year investigation, the Texas Ethics Commission unanimously found Sullivan was a "professional lobbyist" who had direct contact with members of the Texas Legislature and their staffs to influence the outcome of bills, nominations and other matters that were subject to legislative action." In his petition to the U.S. Supreme Court, Sullivan argues that the Texas Ethics Commission should have less power to regulate political advocacy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cornyn and Cruzs brief neither asks the high court to overturn the fines against Sullivan nor to uphold them. Instead, the senators argue that longstanding judicial precedent has not clearly established how strongly the First Amendment protects lobbying activities, noting that courts are split on the tier of scrutiny to apply to statutes about political advocacy. The canonical case on lobbying laws is United States v. Harris, a 1954 decision that upheld a 1946 federal law passed to enable Congress to know "who is being hired, who is putting up the money, and how much. Sullivan registered as a lobbyist from 2001 to 2009, but he did not do so in 2010 and 2011, meaning he did not report his compensation or his activities to influence state policy during the latter years. The commission found that his salary from Empower Texans was around $130,000 annually in 2010 and 2011. In its 2014 order, the state ethics watchdog listed examples of emails that Sullivan sent to lawmakers and their staffs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vote for the Geren amendment, Sullivan wrote to state Sen. Charles Perry, R-Lubbock, shortly before the bill hit the floor in May 2011, according to the order. Sullivan also urged the legislative director for state Rep. Angelia Orr, R-Itasca, to support or oppose measures in several emails cited by the ethics agency. The commission noted that Sullivan was not being fined for the work of Texas Scorecard, the media arm created by Empower Texans, including written work published online and social media posts. The senators plea to the high court moves them in line with Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, whose office also filed a friend-of-the-court brief supporting Sullivan in mid-February. When he was attorney general, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott declined to defend the Ethics Commission against Sullivans lawsuit, though the attorney general typically has a duty to represent state agencies in litigation. Paxton also declined when the lawsuit was revived in 2018. Paxton is also a powerful ally of Sullivans. The former Empower Texans funders, Christian nationalist oil billionaires Tim Dunn and Farris Wilks of West Texas, are Paxtons biggest donors, according to the Texas Tribune, and the Texas Scorecard hosted a rally for Paxton in Leander in January. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sullivan interviewed Cornyn on Texas Scorecard's "Real Texans" podcast Sunday, two days after the senators filed the court brief. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, left, and Empower Texans CEO Michael Quinn Sullivan, wait to speak against Republicans supporting Rep. Dustin Burrows in the Texas House speakers race at the headquarters for Texas Scorecard, a conservative think tank, in Leander in January. In a statement, Sullivans attorney said the Leander-based conservative activist appreciated the senators' efforts to get his case heard in Washington. Mr. Sullivan is grateful that Senators Cornyn and Cruz, like Attorney General Paxton and other amici, have recognized that citizens First Amendment rights are precious and must not be infringed by a rogue state agency, his attorney Tony McDonald wrote in an email to the Statesman. McDonald said the ethics commission offered Sullivan the chance to settle for $500, but the activist declined because "that would have set a precedent that would have allowed the TEC to regulate the fundamental right to petition government of over 30 million Texans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two national conservative think tanks the Manhattan Project and the Cato Institute have joined Cornyn, Cruz and Paxton in supporting Sullivan's bid for a Supreme Court hearing. The Texas Home School Coalition and the Institute for Justice also filed briefs asking the court to hear the case. Transparency, accountability at issue Cruz, a former solicitor general of Texas, told the Statesman he believes the Supreme Courts review of the case is essential because it touches on government transparency and accountability. The Supreme Court should ensure that the First Amendment continues to provide robust protection for political speech and grant the petition for certiorari (review), Cruz wrote in an email statement. The Texas Ethics Commission declined to comment specifically on the senators briefs, saying it would respond to Sullivans appeal in court filings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Empower Texans, which was primarily funded by Dunn and Wilks, disbanded in 2020, the Texas Tribune reported. Texas law requires lobbyist registration from anyone who is compensated at least $200 per quarter to influence lawmakers work on policy or who, as part of his regular employment, directly communicates with lawmakers on behalf of his employer to "influence legislative or administrative action." Public officials, state employees and journalists communicating with lawmakers about their work are among those exempted from the requirement. Longtime Texas Capitol lobbyist Steve Bresnen, who testified to the Texas Ethics Commission about Sullivan and helped gather evidence of his activities, said he believes the ethics watchdog properly applied the law against Sullivan. Sullivan "clearly should have registered," Bresnen said in a phone interview Monday. "There's a whole host of people, myself included, who disclose to the public who they represent, and within broad categories, their compensation and the issues that they work on." Nonprofit lobby registrants must pay $150 to register each year, while lobbyists for private companies pay $750. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bresnen, who wrote the complaint against Sullivan to the Texas Ethics Commission on behalf of two Republican lawmakers, said Sullivan "misinformed the United States Supreme Court" by stating that he was disciplined for mass emails to lawmakers in his petition. Sullivan's attorney wrote that the activist was fined for failure to register and pay the required fee before sending mass emails to legislators about concerns relevant to his job as the leader of a small nonprofit organization." The commission in its 2014 order said Sullivan "never denied being paid to tell lawmakers how to vote" and that he sent "dozens of communications" on pending legislative matters. "This is a matter of protection of the public and disclosure to the public of who's involved in working on the public's business, and it's been specifically upheld by the United States Supreme Court," Bresnen said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Editor's note: This story has been updated to reflect that Texas Gov. Greg Abbott declined to defend the Ethics Commission against Sullivans lawsuit when he was attorney general. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Cornyn, Cruz ask US Supreme Court to hear Michael Quinn Sullivan case GEORGETOWN COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD) A woman who died after being found unresponsive at the Georgetown County Detention Center was identified Monday morning. Brandy Carla Matthews, 39, of Georgetown died at Tidelands Georgetown Hospital on Saturday afternoon, according to Georgetown County Coroner Chase Ridgeway. Officials with the sheriffs office said Matthews was placed in the detention centers detox unit after police arrested her Friday for shoplifting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Staff at the jail noticed the inmate was experiencing a medical emergency and attempted to provide care before EMS arrived. She was then taken to the hospital where she was pronounced dead. An autopsy is scheduled Wednesday to determine the cause and manner of death. Georgetown County Sheriff Carter Weaver asked the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division to investigate the death. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCBD News 2. This photo taken on March 24, 2025 shows the hotel where U.S. and Russian delegations begin a new round of talks in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. U.S. and Russian delegations began a new round of talks in Saudi Arabia on Monday, eyeing a Ukraine settlement and Black Sea ceasefire deal before securing a broader agreement. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen) RIYADH, March 24 (Xinhua) - U.S. and Russian delegations began a new round of talks in Saudi Arabia on Monday, eyeing a Ukraine settlement and Black Sea ceasefire deal before securing a broader agreement. The talks follow a meeting between the United States and Ukraine in Saudi Arabia on Sunday. Last week, Trump held phone talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively. The U.S. delegation is led by Andrew Peek, a senior director at the White House National Security Council, and Michael Anton, a senior official from the State Department, according to local media Al Arabiya News. Russia is represented by Grigory Karasin, chair of the Federation Council's Foreign Affairs Committee and a former diplomat, along with Sergei Beseda, an adviser to the director of the Federal Security Service, it said. This photo taken on March 24, 2025 shows the hotel where U.S. and Russian delegations begin a new round of talks in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. U.S. and Russian delegations began a new round of talks in Saudi Arabia on Monday, eyeing a Ukraine settlement and Black Sea ceasefire deal before securing a broader agreement. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen) This photo taken on March 24, 2025 shows the hotel where U.S. and Russian delegations begin a new round of talks in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. U.S. and Russian delegations began a new round of talks in Saudi Arabia on Monday, eyeing a Ukraine settlement and Black Sea ceasefire deal before securing a broader agreement. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen) By Olivia Le Poidevin GENEVA (Reuters) -There could be 2,000 new HIV infections a day across the world and a ten-fold increase in related deaths if funding frozen by the United States is not restored or replaced, the United Nations AIDS agency said on Monday. President Donald Trump put almost all U.S. foreign aid on hold upon taking office on January 20. Days later, the State Department said life-saving HIV work under the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) would continue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the disruption to health funding and the impact on broader services were having a devastating impact on people living with HIV/AIDS, UNAIDS executive director Winnie Byanyima told reporters in Geneva. "This sudden withdrawal of US funding has been shutting down many clinics, laying off thousands of health workers ... All this means that we expect to see new infections rising. UNAIDS has estimated that we could see 2,000 new infections every day," she said. Byanyima said the figures were based on UN modelling, but did not give more details on how the estimates had been reached. The U.S. delegation in Geneva did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Byanyima said that if funding from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) did not resume at the end of the 90-day pause, in April, or was not replaced by another government, "there will be, in the next four years, an additional 6.3 million AIDs-deaths." According to the latest data, there were 600,000 AIDS-related deaths globally in 2023, she added. "So we're talking about a ten-fold increase." The Trump administration has said the funding was frozen to ensure it was in line with his "America First" policy. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has dismissed concerns that Washington is ending foreign aid, saying waivers had been provided to life-saving services. Trump's team has said it has saved American taxpayers tens of billions of dollars through rapid-fire moves to cancel contracts, fire workers and root out fraud and waste in the government, although they have offered little evidence to support that assertion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement UNAIDS, which coordinates the global response to preventing and treating HIV/AIDS, received $50 million in core funding last year from the U.S., representing 35% of the UN agency's budget. (Reporting by Olivia Le Poidevin; Editing by Andrew HeavensEditing by Ludwig Burger and Andrew Heavens) EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) The El Paso County Commissioners Court approved a resolution on Monday, March 24 supporting the continuation of the Countywide Polling Place Program. This program allows voters to cast their ballots, similar to early voting, at any voting center on Election Day. Vote centers have been popular among El Paso County voters since first used in the November 2020 Presidential Election, said Lisa Wise, El Paso County elections administrator. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Countywide polling program has been in effect for all elections since November 2020. The resolution was meant to show support for the system as some Republicans in the state Legislature have targeted it. Two bills have been filed this legislative session to eliminate this option for voters, according to the Texas Tribune. El Paso County voters have come to rely on the convenience and choice that the Countywide Polling Place Program offers. In our most recent Presidential Election, 60% of voters who voted on Election Day chose to vote outside their precinct. Thats an increase from 27% in the November 2020 Presidential Election, Wise added. The program also allows voters with disabilities to cast their ballots at a vote center that best suits their needs, the County said in its news release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The resolution further supports the use of electronic pollbooks, emphasizing that eliminating them would limit transparency and hinder the ability for voters, parties, and candidates to perform their own audits and reconciliation during elections, the County Elections Department said. The El Paso County Commissioners Court supports the continued use of countywide polling places and electronic pollbooks, recognizing their importance in making voting more accessible, secure, and efficient for all residents, the resolution states. It would be devastating if the program were discontinued, creating mass confusion across the County. Our office has received positive feedback since the introduction of the program, and voters love the convenience of voting at a location of their choice, whether its located near their place of employment, favorite shopping spot or their home, Wise 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 KTSM 9 News. A new court filing involving now-former Minnesota State Senator Justin Eichorn alleges he lied about having access to guns, and attempted to orchestra the removal of a laptop from his St. Paul apartment following his arrest for soliciting a minor. Eichorn, a Republican who resigned from his position in Senate District 6 last week, is facing state and federal charges that alleges he attempted to solicit a minor who identified herself as 17 years old, but was actually an undercover Bloomington police detective. Police Chief Booker Hodges on Monday said that Eichorn, who represented Grand Rapids in northern Minnesota, was one of nine people arrested in the sting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a court motion filed on Sunday in the federal case against Eichorn, prosecutors have asked for the 40-year-old to remain jailed after he was set to be released to a halfway house this week, saying he "poses a serious risk of flight" and if he was released "will attempt to obstruct justice." The filing alleges that Eichorn orchestrated an effort to retrieve a laptop from his St. Paul apartment "to deprive investigators of the opportunity to examine it." Prosecutors also accuse Eichorn of having an iPhone connected to the laptop and found it in a "factory reset" condition, suggesting that someone with access to the phone attempted to wipe it. Furthermore, during pretrial proceedings, Eichorn claimed he didn't have any firearms in the St. Paul apartment where he stayed when the Minnesota Legislature was in session. However, a search of the apartment allegedly turned up a handgun with ammunition, the aforementioned laptop and iPhone, a memory card, and $1,000 in cash. An iPhone and handgun with ammunition found in Justin Eichorn's St. Paul apartment.U.S. District Attorney's Office of Minnesota The filing further alleges that Eichorn had an unnamed woman go to his apartment in St. Paul just before 10 a.m. the day after his arrest, where she ran into two FBI agents stationed to "freeze the scene." The agents denied entry to the woman, who claimed she needed a laptop inside that she used for her business. She was denied again and left the scene. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "On the basis of these new and material facts, the government submits that the Court should reopen the detention hearing and order Eichorn detained. Eichorns post-arrest conduct, including his lie to pretrial services concerning his possession of a gun, make clear that he does not intend to be truthful or to respect legal process. Instead, his conduct strongly suggests a willingness and actual steps taken to frustrate the ongoing child-sex investigation into his conduct," court documents state. Eichorn remains in custody at the Sherburne County Jail as of Monday. The brand new CPH:Roughcut showcase, with five outstanding European documentary projects looking for distribution, sales and festival platforms, will be pitched Monday at Copenhagens documentary financing and co-production event CPH:Forum. The highly-curated slate encompasses a wide variety of themes, from the genesis and rise of far-right ideology, monetized online sexual content, the impact of war in Ukraine, violence against nature and women in Montenegro, to the downfall of the Labor Party and extremists rise to power in Israel. All stories, told through fascinating portraits of individuals, are co-productions between two to four countries, spearheaded by top producers including Oscar-nominated Kirstine Barfod (The Cave, Black Snow) and Emilie Blezat (Grace Jones Bloodlight & Bambi). Two of the titles in rough cut stage are earlier winners of the CPH:DOX Eurimages Development award: The Last Nomads and Four Brothers. More from Variety Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Variety caught up with the five teams of filmmakers ahead of their pitches in Copenhagen. The Sinner by multi-awarded director/producer Boris Despodov (Corridor #8, Twice Upon a Time in the West) is a thought-provoking film about former Bulgarian boxer-turned-vigilante and migrant hunter Petar Nizamov and his journey into the battle of good and evil during the rise of the far-right in Europe. In his attempt to interrogate the delicate, thin line between righteousness and sin, salvation and damnation, heroism and monstrosity, Despodov has divided his work into five chapters: A Merchant, A Guardian, A Hunter, A Representative, and A Samaritan. The Sinner This is an intimate portrait of a man steeped in his own mythology, but that portrait has many nuances and is not afraid to show both the good and bad aspects of his contradictory personality, as well as the complexity of the circumstances that shape a society on the margins of the EU, says Despodov, who followed his protagonist for seven years. We have witnessed political topics being oversimplified for years, and opposing sides, in this case the far right, often dehumanized in an attempt to make a moral point. This is the insight into the genesis of a personality and how social and political circumstances influence the formation of a person on the far right, he adds. Key backers and partners to Despodov and his Blockbuster Arthouse outfit were Germanys Robert Bosch Foundation as well as co-producers Nina Frese from Germanys major arthouse banner Pandora Film, Milos Ljubomirovic from Serbias Servia Film (North Pole) and editor/producer Dragan von Petrovic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Winner of the CPH:DOX Eurimages Development Award 2019, Four Brothers (working title) is the anticipated sophomore documentary by Pieter-Jan De Pue after The Land of the Enlightened for which he won best cinematography in Sundance 2016. Four Brothers Here, the filmmaker has captured the impact of war on individuals and families, through the story of four orphan brothers originally from the Donetsk village of Mariinka in Eastern Ukraine, as they navigate the intricate emotions of loss and hope. With the younger brother living in America, and two others on opposite ends of the political spectrum, the film offers contrasting perspectives on the conflict in Ukraine, enriched by a testimony of female resilience through the voices of supporting characters Natasha and Angela. The outbreak of the full-scale Russian invasion obviously had a great impact on all characters and the practical continuation of the filming, says De Pue, who started shooting in 2017, three years after his first encounter with some of the brothers in Mariinka while working on the short film Girls and Honey (Visions du Reel entry, 2017). De Pue, who helped evacuate one of the brothers to Belgium, says the constant during that chaotic time was the fighting, over an 11 year-stretch, of two of the brothers. Bart Van Langendonck of Belgiums Savage Film is producing with Emilie Blezat and David Dusa, co-founders of Stockholm-based Dark Riviera, in co-production with Belgiums Naoko Films, the Netherlands Submarine and Germanys Beetz Brothers, with co-financing from broadcasters SVT, NRK, DR, ZDF/Arte, VRT, VPRO, RTBF among others. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Virtual Girfriends, which dives into the unchartered world of the paid adult content platform OnlyFans, is Czech director Barbora Chalupova and producer Pavla Klimesovas latest urgent film about the internet and its impact on society, after their successful Caught in the Net, about child abuse online, which premiered at CPH:DOX in 2020. Virtual Girlfriends Five years later, our new documentary film reveals a totally different internet landscape. Now, adult women are taking control, recognizing the financial potential of their bodies, says Chalupova, who first came across OnlyFans during COVID when it experienced a massive surge both in demand and supply. The observational doc shot over one year, is an unfiltered portrait of three main protagonists: Rosalinda (25) and Tinix (30), found through a workshop for newcomers on OnlyFans, organized by established adult content creator Inked Dory (30). Through these characters, the film asks whether it is really that easy to succeed [on OnlyFans] and whats the cost, explains Chalupova, who carefully crafted her work in full agreement with the protagonists and OnyFans, taking on board all ethical issues. Our main protagonists are well aware that the illusion of relationships, virtual sex, and intimacy can be monetized in the most efficient way ever. No pimps, no fear, clean, safe home-office style. Basically, fair-trade porn. But how does all of this change us and our approach to intimacy? And what impacts do these prepaid virtual relationships have on real ones? Thats what I wanted to explore with our film, says the filmmaker. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Czech film produced by Helium Film with co-producer Super Film in Slovakia, will be delivered in April. Our goal [at CPH:Forum] is to connect with potential sales agents, distributors, and festival programmers, who recognize the films relevance and want to help us bring it to a global audience, says Klimesova. Produced by Oscar-nominated Kirstine Barfod, The Alarmist is a fly-on-the wall and archive-driven film turning on Stav Shaffir, the youngest woman ever elected to the Israeli Parliament. Through her story, the film offers insight into what caused the downfall of the left wing and the early legitimization of the extremists who are now in government in Israel, reads the logline. Cannes Critics Week selected for his short film 2 Minutes, filmmaker Jacob Tschernia, who initiated the project, says being a Dane was probably an asset when he first approached Shaffir and started filming her in 2019. Shaffir had a lot of affection for Scandinavia, where she had hitchhiked in her early 20s and was a huge fan of [the TV drama] Borgen. She admires many things about Denmark, not least its welfare state, says the director, who then asked Israeli filmmaker Tomer Slutzky (Bronca! Jews by Choice) to join in. Both were inspired by Bennett Millers Moneyball as they wanted something with both an intimate and at times epic feel. What we wanted to show in the film is how Stav Shaffir tried to address the way the media was largely treating the [far-right] Jewish Power Party like it was just another political party, and how it helped normalize them in the eyes of the public, say the co-directors, adding: What is shocking is to see how fringe they [The Jewish Power Party] were politically, when we started following Shaffir, and how they ended up in some of the most powerful positions in Israel, controlling the police, the economy of the West Bank etc. That seemed far-fetched to imagine at the time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The film is produced by Denmarks Drive Studios and Barfods U.S.-based Nordland Pictures, with backing from the Danish Film Institute, SVT and Jewish Story Partners. Winner of the CPH:DOX Eurimages Development Award 2022, The Last Nomads is set in the pristine mountains of Montenegro, where a semi-nomadic mother Gara and her daughter Nada defend their herding tradition and their land from becoming a NATO military training ground. The story of violence against women echoes the violence against nature. The Last Nomads For his doc feature debut, filmmaker Petar Glomazic, who himself has roots in the herding tradition from Montenegro, teamed up with award-winning Biljana Tutorov (When Pigs Come). First, Petar came with the desire to make a film about the communities of the Sinjajevina mountain, Tutorov tells Variety. It was meant to be an anthropological film documenting this ancient and rare form of transhumance, and the life in the shepherds summer settlements in this incredible highland, which has been protected as a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1977. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I was going to produce the film, but when the militarization of the pasturelands became a real threat, we both mobilized to help the community understand their rights, organize, and connect with various international organizations. At that time (in 2019) we met Gara and Nada and quickly connected with their personal story, says Tutorov, who saw the potential to make a piece of cinema that went beyond activism and agreed to co-direct with Glomazic. For me, this story encompassing everything Im interested in: feminism, ecology, the psychological aspect, political context, philosophical dimensions, and an epic quality, she says, adding: We couldnt help but connect their intimate drama to the context of patriarchy, which is largely responsible for the militarization of the world, the arms industry, and the perpetuation of violence against women. Unfortunately, both subjects are of great relevance at this very moment. Shot on-site for more than 200 days in an immersive filmmaking style, The Last Nomads was edited by the filmmakers with a pedigree team, including British George Cragg (Oscar nominated Collective) and the Dardenne brothers long-time collaborator Marie-Helene Dozo during development. The film is produced by Tutorovs Wake Up Films in Serbia, in co-production with Les Films de loeil sauvage in France, Ardor Films, Cvinger Film in Slovenia and Stenola Productions in Belgium. We still have a gap and a space for another strategic partner and financier to join and help us wrap the film, says Tutorov. Best of Variety Sign up for Variety's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. An Ohio correction officer is being credited with saving the life of a baby earlier this month. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] On March 9, Lake County Sheriffs Office Correction Officer Wytavious Stanford received a distress call from his neighbor saying their 8-month-old son was unable to breathe and turning blue, Sheriff Frank Leonbruno wrote in a social media post. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stanford rushed to their home and took the baby into his arms. He turned the baby upside down in an attempt to clear his airway. When that was unsuccessful, he turned the baby in a recovery position and used his right hand to sweep inside his mouth. The sheriff noted that when he did that, he found an object deep inside his throat blocking the babys airway. Stanford was able to dislodge the object and that allowed the baby to breathe. He said the CPR training he received at the academy helped him in the situation. My CPR training just kicked in without having to think about it and I did everything I was trained to do. Truly it helped me save his life, Stanford said. Stanford will be awarded the Life Saving medal by the Sheriffs Office at a ceremony next month. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Mar. 24A married couple who own and operate Cranmore Mountain Lodge have filed a civil rights lawsuit against a local village, seeking damages and claiming officials there are "unlawfully interfering" with their ability to host wedding receptions on site. The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Concord on March 10, suggests race played a part in the Kearsarge Lighting Precinct (KLP) a village precinct established in 1957 within the towns of Conway and Bartlett preventing Shirley Chu and Wilson Kwok from holding wedding receptions at their lodge, located at 859 Kearsarge Road. Chu and Kwok, who purchased the property from Thierry and Frederique "Freddie" Procyk in December 2021, were both born in Hong Kong and became U.S. citizens in 2000. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chu and Kwok are represented by attorneys Chris Meier and John Crabbs of Cooper Cargill Chant in North Conway. The lawsuit seeks a civil jury trial. According to court documents, KLP is a so-called "village district created in or before 1957 within the towns of Conway and Bartlett to pay for streetlights, given the power by the N.H. Legislature to enact zoning regulations within its boundaries in 1957, and enacted a zoning ordinance in 1958. According to court documents, the Cranmore Mountain Lodge (CML) was built in 1860 and has operated as an inn and event and wedding venue since approximately 1890. "Over this time, and through multiple owners, CML has been operated as an inn and event and wedding venue, hosting innumerable overnight inn guests and serving as the venue for innumerable weddings, parties, events, meetings, and/or other gatherings, and serving food and alcoholic beverages to inn, event, and/or wedding guests alike," the lawsuit says. "The KLP was created almost a full century after the CML was constructed, and decades after CML began its historic use and continuous operations as an inn and event and wedding venue," the lawsuit claims. "Accordingly, the KLP never sought to enforce its zoning regulations against CML's clearly preexisting operations. Until now." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "To date, and for at least three months, the KLP has been unwilling or unable to assert why the plaintiffs are being treated differently than prior owners of the property; or why they are being denied the ability to engage in the pre-existing historic use. The only apparent difference between the plaintiffs and the prior owners is that all of the prior owners were White Americans, and Shirley and Wilson are Asian and/or 'newcomers.'" In March 2024, the couple applied to KLP officials for a building permit for renovation and a small expansion of an existing animal barn on the property for use as a wedding/event space, but were denied, with the KLP claiming it "isn't a permitted use." In August of 2024, Raymond Porter the KLP Zoning Board of Adjustment co-chair allegedly interfered with a wedding, taking photos of wedding guests and "being argumentative and using profanities," court documents claim. "Porter did not have a warrant or permission to enter the CML property," the lawsuit says. "The CML manager demanded that Porter leave multiple times, in response to which Porter refused, and did not leave the property." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Conway Police were called, and according to a police report written by Sgt. Michael Boucher, Porter told police CML was in violation of the KLP's zoning ordinance, and claimed he had collected "photographic evidence" of alleged zoning violations "and that everything that was going on here was illegal." "When Porter demanded that Sergeant Boucher shut down the wedding, Sergeant Boucher told Porter that he had no jurisdiction to enforce the KLP's zoning rules, that he 'was not stopping a wedding from taking place,' and that Porter would have to address his concerns to the KLP Board," the lawsuit says. "Porter also complained that cars were parked illegally along the side of the road, but Sergeant Boucher told Porter 'that they all appeared to be parked legally and were not hazards.'" According to Sgt. Boucher's report, after Porter was told to leave the CML property, "Porter then became petty, and said that he would stand on the side of the road in front of the lodge....Porter was asked to stop playing games with us, to just get off the property, and take up his zoning issues with the KLP. Porter then began asking where he could stand, and moved around asking us if here and there was OK." Porter left the scene and then called Conway Police to make a noise complaint, to which Sgt. Boucher responded and determined the noise levels were not unreasonable but did ask that the DJ turn down the volume "just a little bit." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lawsuit says the KLP demanded use of the CML be stopped, threatening daily fines, injunctive relief, bond requirements, and attorneys' fees claims. Four violations alleged According to the lawsuit, the KLP alleged four violations of its local zoning ordinance: the requirement a bed-and-breakfast be owner-occupied; the requirement that no more than two persons other than the owner, spouse and their children may be employed at any one location; operating a non-permitted bar/dining establishment; and operating a non-permitted event venue, hosting and advertising to host weddings and other events, including corporate retreats. The lawsuit claims the plaintiffs have suffered multiple wedding cancellations, guest cancellations, and other substantial losses and damages, and listed CML for sale. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lawsuit asks the court to award the couple damages, reverse the KLP ZBA's determination that a violation has occurred and order the KLP to stop attempting to enforce the ordinance against them. KLP officials have 21 days upon service of notice of the lawsuit to respond. Liberal candidate Susan Crawfords campaign announced Monday she raised more than $17 million in the month leading up to the Wisconsin Supreme Court election. The campaign said it raised that amount of money between Feb. 4 and March 17; the campaign has hauled in more than $24 million since June, when she launched her candidacy. Crawfords campaign said those figures are a record for a Wisconsin Supreme Court race and the most of any judicial campaign in American history. Crawford is vying against conservative candidate Brad Schimel for a seat on the Wisconsin court to replace liberal Justice Ann Walsh Bradley. Bradleys retirement brings the partisan split of the court to an even 3-3, meaning whoever wins the April 1 election will determine the partisan tilt of the court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Elon Musks super PAC America PAC and Building Americas Future, a group that has received funding from Musk in the past, have contributed millions in support of Schimel and to oppose Crawford. Musk and President Trump have both endorsed Schimel. Meanwhile, Democrats like George Soros and Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker have poured in money into the race as well. The amount of money spent in this race has easily surpassed the record set in 2023 of more than $56 million the last time there was an open seat on the states high court that also determined the ideological tilt of the court. Elon Musk, the worlds richest man, is trying to buy influence over the Wisconsin judiciary by getting Brad Schimel elected to the Supreme Court. Its as corrupt as it is extreme, and Musk wants Schimel to do his bidding, Crawford said in a statement. Im grateful for the historic outpouring of grassroots support across Wisconsin from folks who dont want Elon Musk controlling our Supreme Court, she continued. The people of Wisconsin want a fair and common sense Justice who will protect our fundamental rights and freedoms. Im humbly asking Wisconsinites for their vote on April 1 as we fight back against Musk and Schimels corruption and extremism. 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. This photo taken on March 23, 2025 shows a view of the Ritz-Carlton hotel, venue of the talks between U.S. and Ukrainian delegations, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov announced Sunday that the talks between U.S. and Ukrainian delegations have concluded in Saudi Arabia's capital Riyadh, saying the discussion was "productive and focused," with "key points including energy" addressed. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen) RIYADH, March 23 (Xinhua) -- Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov announced Sunday that the talks between U.S. and Ukrainian delegations have concluded in Saudi Arabia's capital Riyadh, saying the discussion was "productive and focused," with "key points including energy" addressed. In a post on social media platform X, Umerov, who led the Ukrainian delegation, emphasized that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's goal is "to secure a just and lasting peace" for Ukraine and Europe at large, claiming, "We are working to make that goal a reality." The Ukrainian and U.S. teams met earlier in the day in Riyadh. According to the Ukrinform news agency, the Ukrainian delegation also included State Secretary of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry Oleksandr Karasevych, deputy heads of the President's Office, Pavlo Palisa and Ihor Zhovkva, as well as Deputy Energy Minister Mykola Kolisnyk. The talks came almost two weeks after a previous meeting between the two sides in the Saudi port city of Jeddah saw Ukraine okay a U.S.-proposed 30-day ceasefire plan in exchange for Washington lifting its pause on military aid to and intelligence sharing with Ukraine. Notably, the meeting precedes the talks between U.S. and Russian delegations scheduled for Monday. Media reported late Sunday that the Russian delegation has arrived in Riyadh. The delegation includes Grigory Karasin, chairman of the committee on international affairs in Russia's upper house, and Sergey Beseda, adviser to the head of Russia's Federal Security Service, Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov said earlier. This photo taken on March 23, 2025 shows a view of the Ritz-Carlton hotel, venue of the talks between U.S. and Ukrainian delegations, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov announced Sunday that the talks between U.S. and Ukrainian delegations have concluded in Saudi Arabia's capital Riyadh, saying the discussion was "productive and focused," with "key points including energy" addressed. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen) JOHNSTOWN, Pa. About 150 postal workers and voters against the privatization of the U.S. Postal Service gathered Sunday for a demonstration in downtown Johnstowns Central Park. The event in Johnstown was one of hundreds that have been held nationwide by branches of the National Association of Letter Carriers since President Donald Trump announced he was a proponent of privatizing the postal service. NALC contends that privatizing of the USPS would raise costs and jeopardize 7.9 million jobs tied to the postal industry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement FEDERAL FALLOUT | Getting 'collaborative' to address needs: Lessons learned during pandemic could frame local response to expected funding cuts If the region sees federal funding streams dry up, organizations including the 1889 Foundation, which alone supports more than 50 nonprofit health and human service initiatives with millions of local dollars each year would have to pivot from funding initiatives geared toward long-term public health to help meet more immediate needs. Jason McCoy, president of the National Association of Letter Carriers Branch 451 in Johnstown, said the rallies are being held nationwide for one simple reason to tell the current administration, Hell, no, to dismantling the postal service. McCoy urged those in attendance to write to Johnstowns representatives in Congress to vote for House Resolution 70. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That resolution, proposed in January, calls on Congress to take all appropriate measures to ensure that the U.S. Postal Service remains an independent establishment. NALC Jason McCoy, president of the National Association of Letter Carriers Branch 451 in Johnstown, speaks during a demonstration against the privatization of the U.S. Postal Service Sunday, March 23, 2025, in Johnstown's Central Park. Those who gave speeches Sunday stressed that Article I of the Constitution, known as the Postal Clause, grants Congress not the president the power to regulate a postal system. Speakers at Central Park included Johnstown Councilman Taylor Clark and state Rep. Frank Burns, D-East Taylor Township, as well as Philip Glover, the national vice president of American Federation of Government Employees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Glover spoke of privatization of the post office in context of Trumps other drastic proposed federal cuts to Veterans Affairs, national parks, Social Security offices, Medicaid and Transportation Security Administration officers. Its an internal assault on the public sector on your services, he said, and this postal service takeover,. You want Amazon taking over the postal service? You think youll get a letter to rural communities? Glover National Vice President of American Federation of Government Employees Philip Glover speaks during a demonstration against the privatization of the U.S. Postal Service Sunday, March 23, 2025, in Johnstown's Central Park. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The USPS is a $78 billion-a-year agency that lost $9.5 billion during fiscal year 2024. They keep saying, Well it doesnt make money, Glover said. Well, its a service to the American public. Are we going to let it go to the lowest bidder? The crowd shouted: No. FEDERAL FALLOUT | 'Trips are life-sustaining': CamTran Medicaid-funded program on schedule despite potential cuts In a region where more than a quarter of residents receive Medicaid to pay for health care services and where doctors' offices and pharmacies are far-flung across rural areas, public transportation is a key part of public health. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Laraine Reedy, of Johnstown, attended the demonstration as a concerned voter. Privatization is the antithesis to everything the U.S. Constitution was created to protect, she said. Reedy was surprised to see such a strong turnout for the demonstration. What that tells me is the issue is resonating down to people who normally wouldnt protest, she said. Demonstration About 150 people attended a demonstration against the privatization of the U.S. Postal Service Sunday, March 23, 2025, in Johnstown's Central Park. A mail carrier who did not want to be identified because of postal union rules about making public comments said carriers work hard, starting with six 11-hour days a week to build a career. Ive invested in a career, he said. Theres a crazy sense of uncertainty now, when in the past, this was a job you could rely on. Crews across Florida are battling several major wildfires in the Sunshine State. The largest is in Miami-Dade County, which was fully contained as of Monday morning. More than 27,000 acres have burned since last week. The Florida Forest Service and Miami-Dade Fire Rescue have been battling the fires by air, dropping thousands of gallons of water on the flames. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) A bill of information was filed Friday in federal court charging a man with having a fake social security card in order to get a state ID. Diego Lopez Gomez, 23, is charged in the U.S. Northern District Court of Ohio with one count of possession of a fraudulent permanent resident card. Records do not show a date for his next court appearance. A bill of information typically means a defendant has agreed to plead guilty and will skip an indictment. They typically plead guilty to the bill when they are arraigned. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A criminal complaint in the case was filed Jan. 31, a day after Lopez Gomez was arrested by Boardman police at the Department of Motor Vehicles on Boardman-Canfield Road. Police were called by an employee of the BMV who said a man later identified as Lopez Gomez had fake documents he tried to give to the employee to get a state identification card. Lopez Gomez presented a Social Security card that was fake, reports said. Reports said Lopez Gomez told police he worked at a local Mexican restaurant and he gave officers a paystub and a W2 from there. Police consulted authorities with the Immigration and Customs Enforcement, who asked that he be placed into custody. The criminal complaint was filed in federal court the next day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He has been held in federal detention since the complaint was filed. An affidavit accompanying the criminal complaint said the Social Security card and number Lopez Gomez tried to use was fake. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. (NEXSTAR) A guest on Holland America cruise was killed on Saturday while riding a personal watercraft, police in the Bahamas say. The guest, identified as a 73-year-old woman by Holland America, had been a passenger aboard the Nieuw Amsterdam liner, which had left from Florida on March 16 for a weeklong cruise to the Caribbean. The incident occurred in Half Moon Cay, in the Bahamas, the day before the ship was scheduled to return to Fort Lauderdale, the Royal Bahamian Police Force indicated. Authorities with the Police Force said the female who was a passenger was riding a Jet ski when she allegedly lost control and collided with a rock. They also identified her as a British/Czechoslovakian national. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Medical personnel rendered assistance to the victim but to no avail, police wrote. She was pronounced dead by the local medical doctor. Actor from Nickelodeons Good Burger movie dies at 52 A representative for Holland America Line, in a statement to Nexstar, confirmed a tragic incident on a personal watercraft, but declined to provide further information. We are in contact with the guests family and doing everything we can to support them during this difficult time, the statement read. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. (COLORADO SPRINGS) One person was taken to the hospital after a stabbing in which the suspect was later identified and arrested, according to the Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD). CSPD reported that on Friday, March 21, around 6:30 p.m., officers responded to the 1600 block of Jet Wing Drive, near East Fountain Boulevard, on reports of a stabbing. When they arrived, they found a victim who was taken to the hospital. Officers checked the surrounding area and couldnt find the suspect, but found a witness who said that the suspect may have also received injuries during the attack. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During a safety sweep of a nearby home, officers found evidence of an injury, but the suspect was already gone, according to CSPD. Around 10 p.m. that same night, officers received information that a man matching the description of the suspect was seen near Interquest Parkway. CSPD responded and arrested the suspect, identified as Tayjwan Edwards, without incident. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX21 News Colorado. A longtime Hartford activist known for her decades of community involvement is being honored with a sign in the city, officials said. Rosa Morales, known by many affectionately as Miss Rosa, died on March 15, 2024, at 88 years old, leaving behind a legacy of service and dedication to the Hartford community. The former social worker and community organizer is getting a sign on the corner of Grafton and Broadview Streets in Hartford honoring her contributions to the community. We think its amazing. We fought really hard, my brother and I, to make this happen, said Rosa Morales daughter Brenda Morales. We went house to house and canvassed the neighborhood to get the signatures needed. Were really proud of the work she did for the community. Some people knew my mom because they remember seeing her walking the streets and picking up garbage. The response was very positive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rosa Morales became one of the most well-known and well-respected activists in the city during the 1980s and 1990s, according to city officials. She used her voice as a member of several community organizations including Hartford Areas Rally Together and the Southside Institutions Neighborhood Alliance to speak up for others and help turn a former dumping site into a park. After moving to her home on Grafton Street in Hartford in 1988, she quickly tried to clean up a former dump site that was right on her corner. After years of city activism and much lobbying throughout the community, the garbage-filled lot was transformed into Alexander Goldfarb Memorial Park, named for the man who was a patron of arts and culture in Hartford. When my mom moved here, thats when the old Charter Oak was still there, and the corner of Grafton and Broadside was used as a dumping site. Mattresses, trash bags, you name it, it was there. My mom took that project on to clean up the site and she spent years canvassing to clean up the area. For years after, she kept that place clean and would often be there picking up litter, Brenda Morales said. My mom used to love to walk. She would walk through Trinity College, down to Main Street, and through Park Street and always stop at city hall along the way. Every day she would go and stop there to bother somebody. She would go to the meetings and talk with council members and the mayor. She knew how to get things done and never gave up, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 1998, Rosa Morales threw a barbecue for local kids in celebration of the parks first anniversary. And even after the park was well-established, Rosa still kept a watchful eye, offering tips to the landscaping team from Knox Inc., which maintains the space. She also pitched in herself, watering flower beds and picking up every piece of litter shed find during her frequent walks, according to her biography as a 2018 inductee of the Malta House of Care Clinics Wonder Women Class. Rosa Morales other recognitions include the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2017 from the Maple Ave Revitalization Group, the Community Earth Day Award in 2014, Hartford Blooms in 2002 and the SINA Neighborhood Service Award in 1994. In 1996, Hartford Courant columnist Tom Condon named Rosa Morales as one of his heroes for the year for the way she helped her new neighbors former residents of the Charter Oak Terrace housing project acclimate to the area. Brenda Morales said Hartford City Council majority leader Marilyn Rossetti helped secure funding support for the sign and has been instrumental in making sure Rosa Morales is honored by the city. She said State Sen. John Fonfara, Connecticut House Speaker Matt Ritter and former Hartford Mayor Eddie Perez have also been important in their support for the family over the years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The younger generations sometimes take for granted some things like littering or graffiti, Brenda Morales said. My mom used to say What you plant, is what you reap. She cared about the community and keeping her neighborhood clean. When people moved to Grafton Street, they moved here because it was clean and looked well-kept. That was because of my mom. The city plans on holding an honorary ceremony on May 10 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the corner of Grafton and Broadview Streets. The Morales family said it will be seeking donations to purchase a bench in her honor at the park. Stephen Underwood can be reached at sunderwood@courant.com. U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal pledged Monday that the U.S. Senate will block President Donald Trumps elimination of the federal education department, but dismantling of the operations has already started. Blumenthal promised that Democrats will hold firm on a filibuster, which requires 60 votes to eliminate the department; Republicans have only 53 votes. Trump and federal education Secretary Linda McMahon, however, have already started moving on plans to disperse the departments responsibilities, such as having federal students loans handled by the Small Business Administration. Donald Trump and Linda McMahon and Elon Musk cant just dismantle the Department of Education because they feel like it, Blumenthal told reporters during a news conference at the state Capitol complex in Hartford. Congress created the Department of Education. I will promise you: We will deny them the votes to destroy the Department of Education. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He added, I promise you Democrats will stand against this effort to destroy American public education. I have talked to my colleagues. Theres just no way that we are going to allow American public education to be denigrated and degraded on our watch, and thats what Elon Musk and Donald Trump want to do. Linda McMahon is just their puppet. Shes taken the job to destroy American education and put herself out of a job. During a ceremony where Trump signed an executive order on the issue, Trump told McMahon that they would find another job for her when her educational duties are completed. Blumenthal and other top Connecticut officials rallied Monday to oppose Trumps plans, saying that Connecticut schools receive more than $500 million in federal funds. The money includes $174 million for 88,000 students with disabilities, which represents 17% of all students, officials said. Another $156 million is spent on 183,000 students in low-income areas, including Waterbury. Overall, about $25 million of Waterburys school budget comes from the federal government, officials said. Federal funding also supports a wide variety of programs for before-and-after-school activities, rural schools, and English learners, among others. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition, $286 million covers scholarships for 63,000 Connecticut students in the popular Pell Grant program for working-class families, and more than 500,000 Connecticut students have federal student loans, officials said. But House Republican leader Vincent Candelora of North Branford said the Democrats should focus on improving student achievement in the state. Instead of rallying their party at press conferences and spinning fear about federal funding, the governor and legislative Democrats should look in the mirror, Candelora said. They shut down schools here, hurt student achievement, and failed in their most basic duty fully funding special education. Yet, they deflect blame and attack President Trump for confronting a costly, failing federal education system that benefits bureaucrats more than students and educators. Instead of clinging to the madness of the status quo, they should help fix the problem theyve long neglected. In the same way, Senate Republican leader Stephen Harding of Brookfield said it is time to make changes in a system with a bloated bureaucracy and substandard test scores. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Once again, Democrat politicians in one-party rule Connecticut continue to rush to a microphone to defend a broken education system, Harding said. The status quo isnt working. An illiterate student just graduated from Hartford High. Chronic absenteeism in Bridgeport schools is nearly 30%. We dont need the status quo. We need reforms which support educators, maximize student achievement, and respect the role of parents. The education system in our state has failed far too many, and our children deserve far better than business as usual. Cutbacks have already started as more than 1,300 federal education employees have been told they are on administrative leave, officials said. U.S. Rep. Jahana Hayes, a Democrat who represents that 5th Congressional District, grew emotional at times Monday. This has been all-consuming for me, Hayes told reporters and advocates. My entire life has been built around public education. I was educated in public schools, went to community college, Connecticut state university. All of my education was right here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hayes said she will work to help others in the way she was helped in her younger days. All they need is a shot, and Im going to make sure that they get it, Hayes said. Christopher Keating can be reached at ckeating@courant.com Hundreds of people who planned to file taxes at a now-closed accounting office in western North Carolina will be able to pick up their documents on Monday. Channel 9s Dave Faherty reported last Thursday that Price, Breazeale, and Chastang, PA, in Alexander County abruptly closed their doors. This left hundreds of people in the dark about the status of their taxes, with documents left locked inside the building. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ALSO READ: WNC family recovering from Helene left waiting for home from FEMA On Friday, the business said they will not operate out of their Shiloh Church Road location but people will be able to get their documents from the business Monday. The Alexander County Sheriffs Office previously issued a public service announcement after getting dozens of calls from concerned customers. The sheriff told Channel 9 more than 300 people were impacted by the closure. Some of those customers showed up last week trying to get their tax documents back. However, the doors were locked and there was a sign on the door telling them to call the N.C. State Board of Certified Public Accountant Examiners. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We spoke with several customers who said they dropped their tax documents off weeks ago but nothing had been filed federally or with the state. Many of them told Channel 9 they just want their paperwork back so they can go somewhere else. Im very wary because we have to find somebody else. We have to get our tax papers back, so we can take them somewhere else, said Betty Stanbery, a customer. Its going to be tax time and we have no tax returns. Last week, Faherty tried to call the phone number on the door of the business but the message box was full. The state CPA board told Faherty there appears to be a landlord-tenant dispute, which will hopefully get resolved soon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ed Smith said his federal return had been filed but hes unsure about his state return. Everybody uses it, Smith said. It was word of mouth and things like that. Everybody goes here. When I came here a couple of times, there were cars here asking, Whats going on? Garen Baroorian said hes undergoing chemo treatments for Stage 4 cancer and doesnt need the hassle. I just want to get the money from last year, he said. It would help with some of the bills. I spent over $30,000 on hospital medication. Faherty left a voicemail for who he believed was the landlord but has not gotten a call back. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres no evidence of an eviction, according to court records. The sheriffs office encourages people to contact the state for more information. WATCH BELOW: Scammers target local families with missing pets The Czech Republic should finally stop receiving Russian oil supplies through the Druzhba pipeline, Industry Minister Lukas Vlcek said on Monday. He told the public television channel CT that the final decision lies with the refinery operator Orlen Unipetrol, which has been under Polish ownership since 2005. No Russian oil has been flowing through the Druzhba pipeline to the Czech Republic since March 4. According to earlier reports, this is because of payment problems due to the US sanctions imposed on Russian banks because of the war in Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Orlen Unipetrol is taking steps to diversify and has already placed orders for oil deliveries from the North Sea and other production areas, Vlcek said. The government in Prague has also made up to 330,000 tons of oil from the state reserves available on loan, which will cover demand for around 90 days, he added. For decades, the Druzhba pipeline, which was built while the country was under socialist rule, formed the backbone of the Czech Republic's oil supply, running from the Russian oil fields to Central Europe. The Czech Republic, along with Slovakia and Hungary, was granted a temporary exemption from the European Union's ban on Russian oil imports in order to give it time to develop alternative supply routes. The country may now be able to end its dependence on Russian oil sooner than planned. The Transalpine Pipeline (TAL), which supplies Central Europe with crude oil from the port of Trieste in northern Italy, could provide an alternative supply. Its capacity has recently been increased as part of the TAL-Plus project. A search is underway for a suspect who allegedly shot and killed two teenagers at a mall in Brockton over the weekend. Homicide detectives and Brockton police have sought and obtained an arrest warrant for 22-year-old Davinci Leonard, who was added to the Massachusetts State Police Commonwealth Fusion Centers Most Wanted List on Monday afternoon. Leonard is wanted on charges of two counts of murder, discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a dwelling, possessing ammunition without an FID card, and carrying a loaded firearm without a license. Investigators say he may be armed and dangerous. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz said investigators believe Leonard may have changed his appearance and cut his hair. Investigators were questioning witnesses outside a Starbucks Monday night where a Boston 25 News source confirms a gun was found in the bushes nearby. Police are now looking into whether that was the gun used to shoot and kill 18-year-old Cevannah Alvarez and 15-year-old Tymari Albertson in a parking lot Saturday night. Officers responding to a report of a shooting outside the Chipotle restaurant at the bustling Westgate Mall just after 7 p.m. Saturday found a 15-year-old boy and an 18-year-old woman suffering from apparent gunshot wounds, Cruz said during an afternoon news conference. The boy, who Cruz identified as Albertson, was pronounced dead at Good Samaritan Hospital in Brockton. The young woman, Alvarez, was flown to Massachusetts General Hospital, where she died from her injuries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cruz noted that the victims were not related. Authorities said Leonard is believed to have fled the scene after the shooting. He is described as 5 feet, 9 inches tall, about 140 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. He grabbed some clothes and has not been seen since, Cruz said of Leonard. He is currently the only suspect in this shooting. Cruz warned the public that Leonard should be considered armed and dangerous. Many people were at the grand opening of the Urban Air Adventure Park when a fight broke out between Leonard and Albertson, resulting in the shooting, according to Cruz. The event that Saturday night was a tragedy, Cruz exclaimed. This is a senseless loss of life. One of the teens was a student at Brockton High School. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are deeply saddened by the loss of a Champion High School student following an incident of violence in our community yesterday, Brockton Public Schools said in a statement on Sunday. We are working to support their family however we can and will be making resources available to students and staff grieving this loss. Brockton Mayor Robert Sullivan said grief counselors were made available for students. As Mayor of the city of Brockton, I extend my deepest condolences to the families, friends, and classmates of the two victims. This tragedy is an active police investigation, Sullivan said in a statement Sunday night. The Brockton Public Schools, led by Superintendent Dr. Priya Tahiliani, will offer grief counseling services to students and staff impacted by this tragic event. This type of senseless violence will not be tolerated in our city. Anyone who sees Leonard or has information about his whereabouts is urged to contact the Massachusetts State Police Fusion Center at 1-800-Kapture. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An investigation into the double shooting remains active and ongoing. 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 CARACAS, March 23 (Xinhua) -- Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Sunday urged the U.S. government to cease persecution and infringement on the rights of Venezuelan migrants. Condemning the detention and deportation of 240 Venezuelan nationals to El Salvador as an act of "cruelty" and "injustice," Maduro said the deportations were carried out in a "humiliating" manner without due process. Last weekend, the U.S. administration deported nearly 300 individuals it identified as members of the Tren de Aragua (TdA) gang, invoking the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 against TdA and claiming that the United States was facing an "invasion" from this "foreign terrorist organization." The wartime act allows for the deportation of any migrant it identifies as a member of the gang without going through regular immigration proceedings. "We will not rest until these innocent young people return to Venezuela," said Maduro. The Venezuelan government on Saturday announced plans to resume direct repatriation flights for deported Venezuelan migrants from the United States. Navajo Code Talkers and their family members met with Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Peter Pace at the Pentagon, Aug. 10, 2007. Photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. D. Myles Cullen/Public domain) Prominent Native American figures in U.S. military history have been erased from the U.S. Department of Defenses website as part of the sweeping effort stemming from President Donald Trumps executive order banning diversity, equity and inclusion. The Department of Defense website removed articles featuring details about the Navajo Code Talkers Navajo men who served during World War II and used their language as a secret code in battle along with U.S. Marine Ira Hayes from the Gila River Indian Community, who helped raise the flag during the Battle of Iwo Jima in World War II. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Navajo code has absolutely nothing to do with DEI because Navajo code was a weapon, Navajo Code Talker Peter MacDonald said in response to the removal during an interview with the Arizona Mirror. MacDonald, 96, is one of two living Navajo Code Talkers. He served in the South Pacific as a Code Talker and in North China with the 6th Marine Division. MacDonald said that dismissing the Navajo Code Talkers as DEI is a terrible misinterpretation by the United States. The complex Navajo language was used as a weapon in World War II against the enemy because the Japanese were breaking every military code that U.S. troops were using in the Pacific theater. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It took the Navajo people to develop a whole new code in the Navajo language, he added, and it became the only military code in modern history never broken by an enemy. In a general keyword search on Tuesday of the Department of Defenses website for the Navajo Code Talkers, only eight results appeared, but none related to information or articles detailing their role in World War II. Zero results appeared in a search for Ira Hayes. Ira Hayes is memorialized in a monument at Wesley Bolin Plaza in Phoenix. (Photo by Shondiin Silversmith/Arizona Mirror) The Navajo Code Talkers earned their place in history through their courage and sacrifice, giving their lives in defense of this nation, Navajo Nation Council Speaker Crystalyne Curley said in a press release. Erasing their extraordinary contributions from formal military history is not only disrespectful, it is dishonorable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Having articles and information about the Navajo Code Talkers on the departments website is the right thing, MacDonald said, because it provides education for everyone that weapons do not just include guns but language. He added that their weapon helped preserve Americas freedom, and we were happy to use that weapon to help. Its important for the entire nation to know that the Navajo Code has absolutely nothing to do with DEI, he said. He hopes the Pentagon will return all the content so they can learn. In an email response to the Arizona Mirror, a Department of Defense spokesperson who wouldnt provide their name said the DOD is in the process of restoring the content about the Navajo Code Talkers, which had been removed during the auto-removal process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No time frame was provided for restoring the content, and the spokesperson did not respond to questions about the deleted content related to Ira Hayes. Ronald Kinsel, the son of the late Navajo Code Talker John Kensel, Sr., said he was shocked to learn that all articles featuring the Navajo Code Talkers had been removed. My dad didnt go to war for nothing, he said, adding that the United States wouldnt be the country it is now if it wasnt for the Navajo Code Talkers. Navajo Code Talker Thomas H. Begay salutes the Navajo Code Talker Memorial Statue during the National Navajo Code Talkers Day celebration on Aug. 14, 2022. (Photo by Shondiin Silversmith/Arizona Mirror) The Navajo Code Talkers participated in all assaults led by the U.S. Marines in the Pacific from 1942 to 1945, including Guadalcanal, Tarawa, Peleliu and Iwo Jima. The total number of Navajo Code Talkers who served in the U.S. Marines is unknown, but it is estimated to be between 350 and 420. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MacDonalds daughter, Charity, said she wasnt shocked by the removal. It is merely a new form of erasure of Indigenous people, something the United States has done throughout its history. You can not erase an entire history of people, she said, especially today when information can be accessed in various ways. Our federal government is doing this purposely, Charity said, adding that its an action theyre taking to show people that they can. The federal government is making a statement, saying that this is how they feel, she added. Charity said Indigenous people have given a lot to the federal government, and during World War II, the military came to the Navajo people and asked them for help. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They used the Navajo language to help them win the war, she said. Navajo Nation, Gila River Indian Community respond Leaders from the Navajo Nation and the Gila River Indian Community sent letters to the Department of Defense to ask why the details about the Navajo Code Talkers and Hayes were deleted. Gila River Indian Community Gov. Stephen Roe Lewis said removing information about Hayes and the Navajo Code Talkers due to the scrubbing for DEI initiatives is misguided and irresponsible. Lewis said his tribe sent a official letter to the Department of Defense on Tuesday but have not received a response. Sadly, were no strangers to being erased, Lewis said, noting it has happened to Indigenous peoples throughout history. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All the stories of Ira Hayes and all Native veterans, including the code talkers, have to be rectified ASAP, he said. Lewis said Hayes is a significant figure in military history, and members of the Gila River Indian Community learn about him from a very young age. Ira Hayes, alongside five other Marines, raised the U.S. flag on the island of Iwo Jima at the summit of Mount Suribachi on February 23, 1945. Photo by Joe Rosenthal/Associated Press/public domain) Hayes, alongside five other Marines, raised the U.S. flag on the island of Iwo Jima at the summit of Mount Suribachi on February 23, 1945. He was part of the 5th Marine Division and fought in the Battle of Iwo Jima until the island was secured on March 26, 1945. The photograph of the flag raising during the Battle of Iwo Jima is one of the most iconic images of World War II, taken months into the battle by Associated Press photographer Joe Rosenthal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lewis said Hayes story and the image of the Marines raising the flag at Iwo Jima is historic for Native military service. Native Americans have always served in our countrys military, in all branches, at the highest levels of any other group, Lewis said. Indigenous people across the United States serve in the armed forces at five times the national average, according to the National Indian Council on Aging, and have served with distinction in every major conflict for over 200 years. Lewis said that recognizing the patriotism and courage of Native American soldiers has nothing to do with any type of DEI initiative. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its simply an offering of respect for extraordinary service and bravery in the line of duty, he added. Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren sent a letter to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Tuesday asking him to explain the removal of the Navajo Code Talkers information from military websites. Appropriately recognizing the work of the Navajo Code Talkers is profoundly significant to the Navajo Nation, Nygren said in his letter, requesting the rationale behind the removal. In the letter, Nygren wrote about how Trump welcomed the Navajo Code Talkers to the White House in 2017, during his first term in office, and praised their contributions to the country. We sincerely appreciate this recognition and believe it highlights the importance of preserving the history and legacy of the Navajo Code Talkers, he wrote. Given the profound impact and historic importance of these American heroes, it is imperative that their legacy remains visible and accessible to all Americans, the letter stated. The Navajo Nation Council voiced its disappointment in the removal of the Code Talkers, emphasizing that the Navajo Nation is not a racial group but a distinct political entity. The Navajo Nation Council is deeply concerned by being conflated into DEI initiatives that fail to recognize our unique political status, Curley said in a press release. The Navajo Nation Council is engaging with the administration to clarify the reasoning behind removing articles. The United States would not be the nation it is today without the bravery and service of the Navajo Nation Code Talkers, Curley said. Their legacy is a cornerstone of American history, and it is essential that their contributions be honored and recognized. This story first appeared in the Arizona Mirror, a member with the Phoenix in the nonprofit States Newsroom. A special report by the Texas State Auditor's Office revealed that the state spent more than $5.1 million for the 2023 impeachment of Attorney General Ken Paxton and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who presides over the chamber that acquitted the top lawyer, is not pleased with the cost of what he called "an ill-fated political gambit." The report enumerates the costs of the Texas House's investigation and Senate's impeachment trial of the attorney general, who was accused of taking bribes and misusing his office. The House overwhelmingly voted to impeach Paxton on 20 counts, and the Senate, largely along party lines, acquitted him of all charges. According to the audit, the House spent more than $4.4 million, most of which went to "contracted professional services," or outside attorneys and investigators. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By comparison, the Senate spent about $435,000 to administer the trial. The majority, $325,000, went to outside professional services, including the required cost to print the record of the trial in the Senate Journal. The attorney general's office spent close to $230,000, while the Legislative Reference Library and the Texas Legislative Council expended about $8,500 combined. More: Texas legislative detente? Here's why Dan Patrick, Dustin Burrows say they'll work together Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has chided former House Speaker Dade Phelan over the cost of the 2023 impeachment of Attorney General Ken Paxton, who was overwhelmingly impeached by the House on 20 charges, including bribery and abuse of office, but later acquitted by the Senate, largely along party lines. Patrick, who served as the trial's presiding officer and has often criticized the House's decision to impeach Paxton, chided former House Speaker Dade Phelan over the cost of the proceedings, arguing that the 2023 leader of the lower chamber concealed records after the lieutenant governor called for the post-impeachment audit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "As I said from the very beginning, taxpayers have a right to know how much of their tax dollars were spent on former Speaker Dade Phelans failed political gambit," Patrick said in a statement Friday. "Former Speaker Phelan left the speakership withholding the Houses impeachment records, despite repeated widespread calls for him to release the records in the name of transparency." Ken Paxton The failed ouster of the attorney general ultimately contributed significantly to Patrick's and Paxton's successful campaign to push Phelan, R-Beaumont, out of the speakership this legislative session. Though Patrick's and Phelan's relationship was turbulent, the lieutenant governor has maintained warmer relations with Phelan's ally-turned-successor Dustin Burrows, R-Lubbock. Patrick has publicly thanked the new House speaker for his "commitment to transparency." "When I asked new Speaker Burrows to release the Houses impeachment expenditures, he gave me two boxes of documents almost immediately, which I promptly handed over to the state auditor," Patrick said. "Now that taxpayers have the facts about how former Speaker Dade Phelan frivolously wasted taxpayer funds for an ill-fated political gambit, we can put this shameful epoch of our states history behind us." This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick blasts cost of Ken Paxton impeachment after audit Daniel Hernandez in 2023. Photo by Gage Skidmore | Flickr/CC BY-SA 2.0 Former state legislator Daniel Hernandez on Monday announced his plan to run in the special election to represent Arizonas 7th Congressional District. Hernandez is the first big name to announce a run for the seat held by Democratic U.S. Congressman Raul Grijalva for more than 20 years until his March 13 death from complications of cancer treatment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A special primary election is set for July 15, with the general election to follow Sept. 23. The Democrat who wins the primary will almost certainly take the seat in the overwhelmingly blue district that spans much of southern Arizona, from Tucson and Nogales to Yuma. In a phone interview with the Arizona Mirror, Hernandez acknowledged that its a messy time to get into national politics, but said his experiences in the Grand Canyon State have helped prepare him for it. When were talking about D.C., yes, its bad, but Ive served in the Arizona State Legislature, which I would argue is a pretty big mess, he said. I not only survived it, but was able to fight and actually get wins and I think thats what we really need right now in Washington D.C. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Tucson Democrat got into politics early, and has been credited with helping to save the life of former U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords after she was shot in the head during a campaign event in Tucson in 2011. At the time, Hernandez was a 20-year-old intern in his first week with the Giffords campaign. Hernandez served on the Sunnyside Unified School District and represented Tucson in the Arizona House of Representatives from 2017 through 2022, where he built a reputation for working across the aisle sometimes to the chagrin of his Democratic colleagues while also advocating for progressive causes. Hernandez and his sisters, Democratic state Reps. Consuelo and Alma Hernandez, who are all Jewish, have faced criticism from other Democrats because of their support for Israel. Hernandez was one of the founding members of the legislatures LGBTQ Caucus, and advocated for legislation to ban discrimination against gay and transgender people in the workplace. He also worked to lower taxes and to pass a low-income housing tax credit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hernandez said he believes its important to honor Grijalvas long legacy of representing the people of southern Arizona, and one of the ways he hopes to do that is by dealing with cost-of-living issues that he said are disproportionately impacting people in District 7. That includes protecting Medicaid and Medicare, which are facing possible cuts from Congress and the Trump administration. There are people that will die, Hernandez said. There are people that will lose critical services and there are a lot of people like my family that are gonna be negatively impacted. The results of the November election, Hernandez said, showed that many Democrats are out of touch with their constituents, adding that they should be listening to voters instead of telling them what to care about. We need to listen more and talk less, Hernandez said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But he also said he thinks its important to make sure Arizonans know exactly how the Trump administrations dismantling of federal agencies will impact their day-to-day lives, something he said that Democrats need to be sending a clear message about. When were talking about the Department of Ed shutting down, its not just this D.C. bureaucracy, Hernandez said, adding that it will impact programs that help K-12 students in Tucson, especially those with disabilities. Democrats in Congress at the moment are facing backlash from members of their own party who think theyre not doing enough to fight back against President Donald Trumps executive overreach. Hernandez said he has plenty of experience getting things accomplished as a member of the minority party, having served for six years in the Arizona House of Representatives which has been under Republican control since 1966. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He described his experience dealing with Republican Gov. Doug Ducey, along with a GOP-controlled Arizona House and Senate, as a trial by fire. I think its been particularly helpful, as I gear up for this race, to understand that you can still get things done and you can still get wins for your community, even amidst really difficult circumstances, Hernandez said. While the general election for the 7th Congressional District is likely to be uneventful, the Democratic primary could be highly competitive. Hernandez lost the Democratic primary for the 6th Congressional District to Kirsten Engel in 2022. Tucson Mayor Regina Romero, who was viewed by many as a likely candidate, has said she wont run. Grijalvas daughter, Adelita Grijalva, a member of the Pima County Board of Supervisors, is another favorite to run, but shes said she wont make any announcements until services for her father have concluded. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democratic secretary of state and former Maricopa County Recorder Adrian Fontes has said hes considering a run, but has not made any announcements. Hernandez told the Mirror that hes already secured some endorsements that hell be rolling out soon and feels good about his chances. I am a gay Latino who got elected at 26 to the state House, Hernandez said. By every measure, I shouldve had no ability to impact any of the public policy happening in the state of Arizona, but I showed up and talked about my values and I was able to get things done. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Danielle Brooks, founder of His Kingdom Carriers, is making a significant impact in the St. Louis community by providing transportation services that remove barriers to education for students. After losing her mother to breast cancer, Brooks was inspired to leave her 20-year career in corporate America and start His Kingdom Carriers, a faith-based company dedicated to supporting charter schools, school districts, and student-focused organizations. Its the most rewarding thing Ive ever done in my life, said Danielle Brooks, reflecting on her decision to start the company. Just wanting to make sure that every student has the opportunity to have access to education without barriers, so that is truly our goal, Brooks explained. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His Kingdom Carriers goes beyond providing rides to and from school. The company partners with local non-profits and gives of its time and resources to support missions that assist families in need. Rapper GloRilla ends St. Louis show early after several fights break out During the holiday season, the company provides gifts to all the students they transport, with over 200 students receiving Amazon gift cards last year to ensure they had a gift under the tree. Sonja McClure, a driver for His Kingdom Carriers, praised Brooks for her leadership, describing her as a beautiful soul who is humble, selfless, and beyond thoughtful to the needs & cares of others. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brooks credits her success to her dedicated team and the support of her family, emphasizing their shared commitment to giving back to the St. Louis community. We were all born and raised here, she said, highlighting the companys mission to pour love into the city that raised them. All facts from this article were gathered by KTVI journalists. This article was converted into this format with assistance from artificial intelligence. It has been edited and approved by KTVI staff. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Greenland's people are bracing for another visit from U.S. President Donald Trump's inner circle, with second lady Usha Vance set to travel to the autonomous Danish territory this week as her husband ratchets up talk about U.S. security and territorial interests in the vast Arctic island coveted by the administration. Greenlands prime minister has warned of American aggression and lamented a mess caused by the upcoming visit from Vance, who will be joined by Trumps national security adviser and energy secretary. On Sunday, Vice President JD Vance her husband blasted Denmark for not doing its job and "not being a good ally." So you have to ask yourself: How are we going to solve that problem, solve our own national security?" JD Vance said on Fox News. If that means that we need to take more territorial interest in Greenland, that is what President Trump is going to do, because he doesnt care about what the Europeans scream at us. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump on Monday took a more conciliatory tone, casting the visit this week as based on friendliness. Denmark is a NATO ally of the United States, and northwestern Greenland already houses the U.S. Pituffik military base that falls under the Pentagon's Space Force. Security stepped up Danish national police on Sunday sent extra personnel and sniffer dogs to Greenland as part of regular security measures taken during visits by dignitaries. A police spokesperson declined to give details, but news reports said dozens were flown in. Before the president began his second term in January, a visit by Trump's eldest son heightened concerns in Greenland about possible U.S. ambitions. Donald Trump Jr. told its residents that were going to treat you well weeks before March 11 elections that had centered on possible independence from Denmark. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Greenlandic news outlet Sermitsiaq posted images of two U.S. Hercules workhorse military aircraft on the tarmac Sunday in Nuuk, the capital, adding that the planes later departed. News reports said four bulletproof cars had also been flown in. On her visit, Vance will attend the Avannaata Qimussersu, Greenlands national dogsled race which features about 37 mushers and 444 dogs, her office said. Trumps national security adviser, Mike Waltz, and Energy Secretary Chris Wright will also be travelling to Greenland, the White House said. The U.S. has a vested security interest in the Arctic region and it should not be a surprise the National Security Advisor and Secretary of Energy are visiting a U.S. Space Base to get first-hand briefings from our service members on the ground," said Brian Hughes, a spokesman for the National Security Council. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Greenland is also in the process of political transition. The pro-business Demokraatit party, which favors a slow path to independence, won a surprise victory in the recent elections, outpacing the two left-leaning parties that formed the last government. Greenland's likely next leader calls for unity Greenlandic Prime Minister Mute Bourup Egede, who remains in the post until a new government is formed, acknowledged Sunday on Facebook that there is worry on the island. The visit of "the wife of the United States vice president and the United States presidents highest security adviser cannot be seen only as a private visit, he said. We can already see now, how big a mess its caused. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Egede said there would be no official meetings with the U.S. visitors because a new government has yet to be formed. In an interview in Sermitsiaq, he was quoted as saying that if allied countries do not speak out loudly about how the USA is treating Greenland, the situation will escalate day by day, and the American aggression will increase." He called on Greenland's allies to show support, adding that the only purpose of a trip by Waltz is a demonstration of power to us, and the signal is not to be misunderstood. We have been treated unacceptably, he wrote on his Facebook account. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The likely next Greenlandic leader, Jens-Frederik Nielsen of Demokraatit, sought to calm nerves and said he was working on building a new coalition government with the clear goal of creating security for our country and our people. When foreign dignitaries travel to our country on what are called private visits, it rightly causes concern," he wrote on Facebook. There is no reason to panic. But there is good reason to stand together and to demand respect. I do. And I will continue to do so. Trump says visit is not provocation During a meeting of his Cabinet on Monday, Trump said the visit by the second lady and other U.S. officials was not provocation and insisted, This is friendliness. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A lot of people from Greenland would like to see something happen with respect to theyre being properly protected and properly taken care of. Theyre calling us. Were not calling them," Trump said. He suggested that U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio might soon be making a trip to Greenland, adding weve been invited because Greenlands residents have been somewhat abandoned. I think Greenlands going to be something that maybe is in our future, Trump said. I think its important. Its important from the standpoint of international security. If you look at the ships outside of Greenland, you have Russia, you have China, you have lots of different people and lots of different places. It cannot go on the way it is. Its not going to go on the way it is, Trump said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pressed on who was inviting U.S. officials to Greenland, Trump said, people from Greenland are asking us to go there and that some officials were among those doing so. Denmark says sovereignty must be respected Trump had mused during his first term about buying the worlds largest island, even as Denmark insisted it wasnt for sale. The people of Greenland have also firmly rejected Trumps plans. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, in a statement Sunday reported by Danish broadcaster DR, said: We want to cooperate with the Americans. But it must be a cooperation based on the fundamental values of sovereignty and respect between countries and peoples. On Monday, Foreign Minister Lares Lokke Rasmussen told the broadcaster Greenland was open to tourists, but that the visit by U.S. was problematic at this time because they are not random tourists. It's a charm offensive aimed at pulling Greenland over towards the U.S., he said. In Brussels, a spokesperson for the European Commission said Denmark, a member of the European Union, had the bloc's full support. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We will continue to uphold the principles of national sovereignty, the territorial integrity of our borders, and the UN charter. These are universal principles that we stand by, and we will not stop defending them, all the more so if the territorial integrity of our member States of the European Union is questioned, Anitta Hipper said. Greenland straddles strategic air and sea routes in the North Atlantic and is home to the Pituffik Space Base, which supports missile warning and space surveillance operations. Greenland, whose population of 56,000 people are mostly from Indigenous Inuit backgrounds, also has large deposits of the rare-earth minerals needed to make everything from mobile phones to renewable energy technology. Keaten reported from Geneva and Gera from Warsaw, Poland. Lorne Cook in Brussels, Aamer Madhani and Will Weissert in Washington contributed to this report. While The White Lotus might be fiction, it tends to do a thorough job at presenting its destinations. Which is why my ears pricked up watching a recent episode, when minor spoiler alert Walton Gogginss character, Rick Hatchett, decided to spice up his time on the Thai island of Koh Samui by visiting a seemingly legal cannabis boutique. They have legal cannabis in Thailand now? I texted an old friend, who happens to be somewhat knowledgeable on both of those particular topics. Not quite but it sometimes seems that way, he replied, before explaining how the Thai governments legalisation of medical cannabis has led to a wave of opportunistic businesses that are largely left to their own devices by authorities. It was quite the surprise given that the South-East Asian country isnt known for having an easy-going attitude to narcotics. For decades, anyone heading to Bangkok or one of the many gorgeous Thai islands has been warned about the severe consequences of being caught breaking the drug laws. Walton Gogginss character, Rick Hatchett (left), purchases cannabis from a seemingly legal store in The White Lotus - Home Box Office Whatever the situation with cannabis stores, it hasnt changed the bigger picture with Thailands drug laws. The country still maintains some of the strictest penalties in the world, including reserving the death penalty for those convicted of smuggling the most serious substances. Neither are authorities in the habit of going easy on first-time offenders: in 2004, a British teenager was given a 99-year prison sentence (later reduced to 30) for bringing ecstasy tablets into the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tales of regretful drug mules labouring away in brutal Asian prisons has become its own depressing genre of prison documentaries, thanks to the cult success of shows like Banged Up Abroad. And while some readers may take the not unreasonable view that those who break the laws deserve what they get, this harsher side of Thai society stretches well beyond the penal system. Take Thailands unapologetic policing of certain political and religious taboos, which has seen a handful of tourists and expats come unstuck over the years. Indeed the country is regarded as having one of the strictest approaches to lese-majeste (otherwise known as the crime of insulting the monarchy) and has repeatedly handed down long sentences to offenders. Needless to say, Westerners arent exempt from such treatment. In 2009, an Australian writer, Harry Nicolaides, was handed a three-year prison sentence after court deemed that one of his novels had besmirched the Thai royal family. After a month in a Bangkok jail, Mr Nicolaides was eventually pardoned by the Thai king before being deported and banned from the country. Australian writer Harry Nicolaides was handed a three-year prison sentence in 2009 for besmirching the Thai royal family - Getty Any writings or behaviour deemed as insulting to Buddhism can expect similarly short shrift. While most civilised people wont lose sleep over the travails of the American tourists who had to flee Thailand after being seen flashing their buttocks at a Buddhist temple, you still may find yourself being admonished for minor taboos like turning your back on the wrong statue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A more obscure restriction on freedom of expression are the laws around promoting alcohol, which forbid anyone from displaying images of alcoholic beverages. Though it may sound like an extreme version of the kind of advertising bans touted by nanny state governments in Scotland and elsewhere, the law makes it a criminal offence to post photos of yourself drinking alcohol on social media, with punishments of up to one year in prison. And what of the other perennial concern for tourists: safety? While Thailands police might be strict on certain speech violations, they arent always so alert when it comes to protecting you against other crimes. Everywhere you turn theres a scam, says my friend Chris, describing his time in Bangkok. You cant catch an Uber without someone trying to pretend to be your driver in order to fleece you. Some scams have been running so long they almost seem quaint: like the tuk-tuk drivers who insist that certain attractions are actually closed, before taking you on a tour of overpriced gem stores. But there are plenty of lesser-known tricks to watch out for, including fake police shakedowns often targeting drunken tourists and beachfront vendors renting out faulty jet-skis that will break down right on schedule and leave you paying for the damage. Bangkoks tuk-tuks can present a raft of problem for the unknowing traveller - E+ Then there are the more general threats to your safety. Earlier this month a fire broke out on a diving boat in Koh Tao; one British tourist is missing, presumed dead. Then theres Thailands frankly appalling road safety record. The World Health Organisation says that the country ranks ninth from bottom of 175 countries for road safety, noting that its per capita death rate (25.4 per 100,000 population in 2021) makes it an outlier among fellow Asian countries and among its economic peers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the West, we may moan about excessive health and safety. But anyone who has ventured east of the Persian Gulf will know how quickly we tend to change our tune when confronted with those countries where risk assessments are basically non-existent. If youre unfamiliar with the scale of the problem, just look at the videos on social media of unlucky tourists who lose their footing on Bangkoks uneven and perilous streets and end up face first in the concrete. And what of organised crime? While Thailand may not have the mafia problems of neighbouring Myanmar, it isnt entirely free of criminal networks. One tragic manifestation was the six people who died last year after unwittingly drinking methanol-laced alcohol, probably bootlegged by organised crime groups. Which is why Western tourists are now advised to take caution which bars they visit when trekking across South-East Asia. Behind its gorgeous beaches, the island of Koh Tao is rumoured to have a dark underworld - Stone RF Is there any truth in the persistent rumours that the aforementioned island of Koh Tao just a two-hour ferry from where The White Lotus was filmed is run by a local mafia? The accusation was widespread 10 years ago, when the island a popular backpacker destination hit headlines following the tragic murders of two British tourists, Hannah Witheridge and David Miller. Following the outcry at the killings, Thai authorities pledged to increase law enforcement on the island with one Bangkok newspaper reporting that the raids would focus on influential rackets and illegitimate businesses. Despite that, local police chiefs were insistent that there was 100 per cent no mafia in Koh Tao, with reports that Thai authorities would sue those who said otherwise. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As mysteries go, then, its up there with exactly what business brought The White Lotuss Rick to Koh Samui in the first place, or why that sleazy guy who probably orchestrated Tanyas death is still sniffing around our favourite fictional resort chain. But at least well get an answer to those I hope in the next few weeks. I wouldnt bet on getting clarification around Koh Tao any time soon. As for Thailand, I certainly wouldnt say no to a week away in the country known as the Land of Smiles. But lets not pretend there isnt a dark side hiding behind at least some of them. 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. Increasing insurance rates aren't the only struggle homeowners in America are facing. According to Bankrate, an even more unsettling trend is happening as insurance companies are dropping homeowners and denying coverage. What's happening? New data from Bankrate revealed which states have been most affected by rising insurance costs and nonrenewal rates. Per its reports from 2023, Florida had the highest nonrenewal rate, with homeowners having a 3-in-100 chance of being dropped by their insurance company. However, rising rates and decreasing coverage aren't just happening in Florida. According to Bankrate, data also showed that 35 states experienced an increase in nonrenewal rates between 2018 and 2023, with Louisiana, North Carolina, California, and Massachusetts right behind Florida. The majority of the country is experiencing more difficult coverage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Homeowner insurance policies are a complicated process and they are impacted by numerous factors but experts still highlight extreme weather events as a key catalyst behind rising costs and decreasing coverage. Bankrate put the impact of rising global temperatures on insurance rates into perspective, noting that 97% of insured losses in 2024 were due to natural disasters. "One record-breaking high after another the consequences are devastating," Thomas Blunck, board of management member for Munich Re, a global reinsurance company, told Bankrate. "The destructive forces of climate change are becoming increasingly evident, as backed up by science. Societies need to prepare for more severe weather catastrophes." Why are homeowner insurance trends important? Coverage is becoming less affordable for homeowners as rates continue to rise. On top of that, residents in areas more vulnerable to extreme weather, such as Florida and California, are struggling to find coverage altogether. These trends also highlight the consequences of rising global temperatures. As companies around the world continue to use dirty energy, they emit harmful pollutants into the atmosphere that ultimately cause temperatures to rise and lead to more powerful storms. With extreme weather events becoming stronger and more frequent, insurance companies no longer want to back homes in areas that are prone to natural disasters. What's being done about rising insurance rates and lack of coverage? This is leading some homeowners to turn to non-admitted insurance companies for coverage. However, this is merely a short-term solution for a more encompassing problem. To help combat extreme weather and safeguard vulnerable communities, countries can transition to renewable sources of energy. By utilizing clean power, such as solar and wind energy, homeowners and companies can reduce the total amount of pollution and counteract rising global temperatures. 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 daughter of a 9/11 victim slammed online marketplace Etsy after she saw a targeted T-shirt ad showing comic cat Garfield flying head-first into two towers made of lasagna a shocking reference to the terrorist attack on New York City more than two decades ago. Amy Stabile whose father, Herman Broghammer, died during the 2001 tragedy had been scrolling through Facebook when she came across the tasteless ad featuring a plane-shaped Garfield, which sold T-shirts bearing the design, she told Fox 5 New York. The tasteless T-shirt shows a plane-shaped Garfield flying into two trays of lasagna. FOX The shirt shows the famed orange tabby with his paws spread like wings as he careens into the two upright pans of lasagna with the caption, 9/11? Yea! Ill take 911 orders of lasagna! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I just couldnt believe my eyes, Stabile told Fox 5. When I saw Garfield I didnt even understand how it goes together. There are so many things you could put on a T-shirt, she continued. Why this? You feel so crushed that someone, anyone, could think that the loss of these lives is funny. The five-star seller marketing the garments NellisNestStore of Australia describes itself as a place that sells Silly Merch for Silly Dudes. But apparently, it realized the shirts werent all that silly theyd been pulled off the website as of Saturday, according to People. Etsys own policies bar items that promote, support or glorify hatred and violence. Amy Stabile whose father, Herman Broghammer, died during the 2001 tragedy was disgusted when she came across the targeted ad. FOX Nearly 3,000 people died during the attacks on Sept. 11, 2021. Tamara Beckwith/New York Post Etsy didnt respond to the magazines request for comment, but a spokesperson told Fox 5 that the marketplace will make sure the T-shirts dont end up in ads. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, it wont demand their removal since humor is subjective, the rep added. But it still stings for Stabile, who says the selling platform should have stricter content policies. Maybe its time to start creating policies where this goes against your company policies. Youre making money [off] terrorism. Where are these companies? Stand up for the families of 9/11 and do something about this, she said. At some point you want to say, Have some humanity and think about how youre making your money. Broghammer, 58, who worked in insurance, had been attending a meeting on the 103rd floor of the World Trade Centers south tower when he died during the terror attack, according to his obituary. David Mason, who has died aged 73, was decorated for bravery for saving the lives of many of his comrades in a battle in the Dhofar War. In 1974, Mason was seconded to the Sultan of Omans army. The war in Dhofar, southern Oman, was being fought against communist insurgents backed by Russia and China. On January 6 1975 he was second-in-command of a company occupying a hill looking over open ground. Another company was crossing this area when it came under heavy fire from an enemy force about 200 strong. The company commander and many of the men were killed at once. There were calls on the radio for an immediate withdrawal, but Mason could see the extent of the casualties through the thorn trees, and he was sure that there were some wounded men among the dead. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Having ordered a capable lieutenant to take charge of the company, he ran forward under withering fire to look for possible survivors. He picked up one wounded man and carried him back to safety. Many were too badly injured to be moved but he did what he could for them. Two soldiers with minor wounds helped him to defend the position against determined assaults at close quarters and relentless machine-gun and rifle fire. When the ammunition ran out, they resorted to hand-to-hand combat. Mason grabbed one of the attackers Kalashnikovs and continued fighting with that. After he was joined by soldiers from the SAS and the Sultans army, they managed to carry all the wounded men to safety. Mason had been in continual action for three hours. He was awarded the Sultans Bravery Medal by the Sultan himself for his courage in saving the lives of 12 of his comrades at a critical point in the battle. Part of the medal citation read: Many men owe you their lives for which you put your own at dreadful risk. Mason rarely spoke of the action except to say: It was a desperate time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement David Peter Mason, the eldest of three children, was born in Oxford on August 13 1951. His father, Michael, had served with Naval Intelligence in the Second World War. David was educated at Eton before going into the Army in 1969. He completed his initial training with the Guards Depot Brigade Squad at Pirbright, which he greatly enjoyed, before attending officer training at Mons Octu, which he found uninspiring. In 1970 he was commissioned into the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards. He knew of their renown, and the prospect of operational duty with the regiment at the outbreak of the Troubles in Northern Ireland also appealed to him. Ceremonial duties in London held little attraction and a skirmish with one of the Queens corgis, which hurtled out of a side door of Buckingham Palace and fastened its teeth on his boot, did nothing to change his mind. His early career included three tours of duty in Northern Ireland, the first in Belfast under Major Charles (later Field Marshal Lord) Guthrie. Guthrie was to say of Mason: I greatly respected him as a soldier. To some he was unnerving but I liked him enormously. Mason found peacetime soldiering dull after returning from Oman, and following a tour in Berlin, where he was to meet his future wife, he left the Army. He joined Sir Ranulph Fiennes on a three-year Transglobe Expedition as part of the logistics team. They established and managed four base camps in the Arctic and Antarctica. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 1982, Masons father died and he returned home to Oxfordshire to run the Eynsham Park Estate, which had been home to the family since 1866. He was High Sheriff of Oxfordshire in 1994-95 and was appointed Deputy Lieutenant in 2004. He was county president of the Royal British Legion from 2006 to 2022. The members much looked forward to his annual address. At 6ft 4in tall, striking in appearance, with an unsettling gaze, he was never afraid to criticise the shortcomings of governments in their responsibilities towards veterans and war widows. He wrote Shadow over Babylon (1993), which reviewers described as an absorbing and unusually deft novel. His last years were marked by increasing deafness, the result of a Russian rocket exploding close to him in Oman. David Mason married, in 1980, Monique Juranville; she survives him with their son and three daughters. David Mason, born August 13 1951, died March 15 2025 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. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with Yasuo Fukuda, former Japanese prime minister and former chairman of the Boao Forum for Asia, in Tokyo, Japan, March 23, 2025. (Xinhua/Yue Chenxing) TOKYO, March 23 (Xinhua) -- China and Japan can advocate the Eastern wisdom of valuing harmony and practicing empathy, and promote and practice Asian values, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said here on Sunday. Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks during his meeting in Tokyo with Yasuo Fukuda, former Japanese prime minister and former chairman of the Boao Forum for Asia. Wang expressed appreciation to Fukuda for taking the lead in Japan to endorse and support China's vision of a community with a shared future for mankind and for taking the lead in establishing the cultural exchange institution for an Asian community. China and Japan are geographically close and share many cultural similarities and intertwined interests, Wang said. "We hope that the Japanese side will work with China to maintain the political and public support for China-Japan relations, push for the sound and stable development of bilateral ties, and jointly promote peace, stability and prosperity in Asia," Wang added. Fukuda said it is of great significance to deepen exchanges in various fields such as people-to-people, cultural and academic interactions between Japan and China. He affirmed his commitment to promoting dialogue and cooperation, enhancing mutual understanding, and contributing to the improvement and development of Japan-China relations. March 24 (UPI) -- In 1603, Queen Elizabeth I of England died after 44 years of rule. She was succeeded by King James VI of Scotland, uniting England and Scotland under a single British monarch. In 1934, the United States granted independence to the Philippine Islands, effective July 4, 1946. In 1975, the beaver became the official symbol of Canada. File Photo by Pat Benic/UPI In 1989, the Exxon Valdez hit a reef in the Gulf of Alaska, spilling 11 million gallons of crude oil in the largest oil tanker spill in U.S. history. Supporters of the March for Our Lives protests hold signs in Washington, D.C., on March 24, 2018. File Photo by Leigh Vogel/UPI In 1998, four girls and a teacher at Westside Middle School in Jonesboro, Ark., were killed by bullets fired from a nearby wooded area. The shooters were two boys, ages 11 and 13, who were convicted as juveniles and served prison time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 1999, NATO airstrikes hit military targets across the Yugoslav union of Serbia-Montenegro after ethnic cleansing launched by Serbian forces against Kosovar Albanians. On March 24, 1989, the Exxon Valdez hit a reef in the Gulf of Alaska, spilling 11 million gallons of crude oil in the largest oil tanker spill in U.S. history. File Photo courtesy of the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Trustee Council In 2004, the European Commission fined software giant Microsoft $613 million for EU antitrust violations. In 2012, former U.S. Vice President Richard Cheney, 71, underwent heart transplant surgery at a hospital in Falls Church, Va. A memorial sculpture stands at Westside Middle School in Jonesboro, Ark., where, on March 23, 1998, four girls and a teacher were killed when two boys shot guns from a nearby wooded area. File Photo courtesy the Westside Consolidated School District File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI In 2015, a Germanwings plane carrying 150 people, including German high school students, crashed in the French Alps in southern France. Everyone on board died. Albanians celebrate the NATO and United States bombing of Yugoslavia on March 24, 1999, while Serbians protest across the street in midtown Manhattan. File Photo by Ezio Petersen/UPI Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2018, student activists pushed for an end to gun violence in the March for Our Lives protests across the country less than two months after a shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglass High School in Parkland, Fla., left 17 people dead. In 2023, a powerful EF4 tornado touched down in Rolling Fork, Miss., and continued on into Silver City, Miss. The tornado -- one of many in a four-day outbreak of twisters -- remained on the ground for more than an hour, killing 17 people and injuring dozens of others. United States veterans looking to purchase a home in the Dayton region are among the most qualified in the county and many are turning to the VA to make it happen. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] A recent report from Upgraded Points found that Dayton ranked second in the top 100 cities for VA loan accessibility. About fifty percent of those veterans are choosing to go with a loan from the VA for an average price of a little under $300,000. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Dayton market is, especially from an owner-occupied standpoint, is certainly competitive, if not one of the most competitive in the country, John Bell, Executive Director of VA Loan Guarantee Programs with the Department of Veterans Affairs, said. So you have to credit those veterans that are living in that market, that are purchasing homes in that market, and really that sweet spot, or that $285,000-$300,000 range. Bell told News Center 7s Nick Foley that little to no money-down loans have made the VA much more competitive in recent years, earning more than 10 percent of the total market share in the country. Locally, he said its qualified veterans who are driving their program. A lot of utilization and trust in that realtor relationship and really pushing for veterans to utilize the program in that market, so were very, very happy to see Dayton in that space, Bell said. Weve always been very proud of how we perform in the Ohio market, because we know how important veterans are in that state period. Bell said if you are a veteran in the market for a home loan, you can visit their website for tools to make sure you go with the best product that fits your needs. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] PRINCE GEORGES COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now) Prince Georges County police said a man from Washington, D.C., is dead after he was shot in the Capitol Heights area Sunday afternoon. According to the Prince Georges County Police Department (PGPD), at around 1:40 p.m. on March 23, officers responded to the 1200 block of Boones Hill Road for the report of a deceased male. 19-year-old killed inside Bowie home identified; PGPD offering $25K reward Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the scene, officers found 24-year-old Isiah Hunter in a wooded area. Police said he had been shot multiple times. He was pronounced dead there. Detectives are working to identify those responsible and determine a motive for the deadly shooting. PGPD encourages anyone with information to call 301-516-2512 to speak with a homicide detective. Tipsters can also submit information through Crime Solvers online or through the P3 Tips 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 DC News Now | DC, Virginia, Maryland News, Weather, Traffic, Sports Live. SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) With a crucial deadline for a vote on potential service cuts to SF Muni looming, State Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) has introduced a bill to provide funding to Bay Area transit systems. The legislation, SB 63, would provide long-term, stable funding to BART, Muni, AC Transit and Caltrain by leveraging a multi-county revenue measure. Counties included in the ballot measure are Contra Costa, Alameda and San Francisco. Sen. Wiener said they are also working with San Mateo County to also opt in in the coming months. The measure would propose a sales tax to support transit and stave off service cuts. VTA announces new offer to union employees as strike enters 3rd week Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Sen. Wiener, the measure would solve BART and AC Transits funding shortfall and contribute significantly to Munis budget shortfall. If San Mateo County opts in, it would also contribute significantly to Caltrains shortfall. If we do nothing, major systems (BART, Muni, AC Transit, Caltrain) will be forced into massive service cuts, said Wiener in a post on Reddit. That would be horrific for San Francisco and the Bay Area as a whole. Public transit in the Bay Area has struggled to recover in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. With more workers working remotely, BART ridership has yet to rebound to pre-pandemic ridership numbers. Service has gotten better but work remains, Wiener said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill, which was co-authored by State Sen. Jesse Arreguin (D-Berkeley) comes just a week ahead of a vote by the San Francisco Municipal Transit Agency Board of Directors vote. On April 1, the board is expected to vote on summer service cuts that would see service reduced on several SFMTA lines. Transit in the Bay Area isnt optional, Wiener said. Its part of our regions lifeblood. Its essential to our economy. Without it, a huge number of people wont be able to get to work or school and traffic congestion will get much worse. We know what itll take to stop these service cuts and were working to get that done. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) Behind the wheel of the stolen car was a 12-year-old boy. In the front passenger seat was a boy who just days earlier had marked his 11th birthday. He was waving a handgun as a 15-year-old boy in the backseat recorded video of what police described as a deliberate hit-and-run. A voice believed to be the 15-year-olds says, Just bump him, brah. The driver asks, Like bump him? The rear passenger responds, Yeah, just bump him. Go like 15 20. The car smashed into a bicyclist on his way to work. The windshield shattered and the car sped away in the predawn hours that May morning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Months passed with no arrests. Then in February a video of the deadly crash surfaced on social media. Remarkably it led police back to an 11-year-old who last June was arrested and placed in custody for a series of break-ins and burglaries in northeast Albuquerque. Police also accused the boy of shooting and wounding another teen, which prompted an investigation that turned up firearms and a bullet-proof vest that had been stolen from a police vehicle. But the allegations of running down and killing a person were on another level, one seldom dealt with in New Mexico's juvenile justice system. The 11-year-old and the other boys in the car, now ages 13 and 16, were arrested last week in connection with the death of Scott Dwight Habermehl, a father of two and a successful engineer. Prosecutors said Friday that all three boys will face the same charges: counts of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, leaving the scene of an accident involving great bodily harm or death and unlawful possession of a handgun by a person under 19. Prosecutors are seeking to have the oldest boy charged as an adult. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The spike in juvenile violence particularly this latest case has shaken the community, further frustrated law enforcement and added to the pressure on policymakers to reconsider the limitations of a juvenile justice system that wasn't designed to deal with children as young as 11. Authorities say there's a perception among juveniles that they won't face consequences for violent crimes. How are young defendants handled? Albuquerque police have arrested numerous teens, most being 15 or older, in homicide cases over the last year. Legal experts and authorities can't recall a case in which someone as young as 11 has faced a murder charge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under state law, the 11-year-old cannot be held in a juvenile detention center but will remain in the custody of the state child welfare agency. The other two boys were ordered to remain in a juvenile detention center as their cases proceed, with children's court judges finding they were a danger to themselves and the community. Santa Fe-based attorney John Day said New Mexicos juvenile justice system was meant to intervene and get help for children so they wouldn't commit crimes as adults. It was designed with the assumption that kids this young weren't competent to engage in this kind of violent behavior, he said. Obviously when you have 11-year-olds who are being accused of participating in running over bicyclists and brandishing guns, thats something that when they were drafting these laws was really not taken into consideration because it was a different time, Day said. There is a minimum age for prosecuting juveniles in 26 states, with statutes spelling out various exceptions, according to the National Juvenile Justice Network. But New Mexico is among the many states without a minimum age and state law allows for teenagers as young as 14 in some instances to be tried in adult court only for first-degree murder. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman says the streets have changed dramatically since 1993, the last time New Mexico's children's code was meaningfully updated, but the Democratic-controlled Legislature has failed to consider changes that include expanding the types of violent crimes juveniles could be charged in as adults. Without modernizing the system and pairing meaningful consequences with behavioral health support, Bregman said things will only get worse. He pointed to a proliferation of guns and social media, saying it's out of control. Thats how they all communicate. This is how they settle grudges. Its not taking a fistfight behind the high school anymore. Theyre pulling out a gun and shooting at an unsanctioned car show," he said, referring to a deadly shooting at a park in Las Cruces on Friday night. We need to have our laws catch up with the times, Bregman said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on Saturday reiterated her disappointment that lawmakers failed to pass legislation to address juvenile justice and what she described as a crime crisis. She said lawmakers should expect to be called back for a special session. How has juvenile justice changed in the US? Before the creation of juvenile courts more than a century ago, children who were older than 7 were processed and incarcerated under common law just as adults would be. Younger children were considered incapable of possessing criminal intent. Along with that history, the U.S. Justice Department's Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention notes on its website that the juvenile court system also was established to provide positive social development for children who lack support at home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Juvenile justice advocates say cases in which young children are accused of murder are rare but not unheard of. In 2008, Arizona prosecutors handled the case of an 8-year-old boy who shot and killed his father and his father's friend. He pleaded guilty to negligent homicide in the death of the friend. Prosecutors dropped the charge for killing his father, saying it was best for the boy not to have to acknowledge killing his father. Some advocates have pushed for setting the minimum age for prosecution at least 14, citing research suggesting children who enter the juvenile justice system earlier in their lives have more adverse outcomes than older teens. Can children comprehend the consequences? Before knowing the hit-and-run in New Mexico was deliberate, authorities had warned in a criminal complaint naming the 11-year-old in other crimes that the pattern of misconduct was escalating in violence. The document went on to suggest the boy was a danger to himself and the public. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cases like this beg questions about how children end up in situations like this and what systems failed them along the way, said Amy Borror, a senior youth policy strategist with The Gault Center, a Washington, D.C.-based youth rights advocacy group. Another consideration, she said, is that adolescents' brains are wired differently. Borror pointed specifically to the part of the brain that controls reasoning, rational thought and the ability to comprehend the effects of actions. Thats why kids and teenagers act exactly like kids and teenagers act, she said, referring to risk-seeking behavior that intensifies while in groups. The difficulty comes with figuring out how to hold someone accountable when they don't have the same level of rational decision making that adults do, said Joshua Kastenberg, a former lawyer and judge in the U.S. Air Force who now teaches at the University of New Mexico Law School. Kids in the criminal justice system are one of the more difficult questions in the law, Kastenberg said. Unlike adults, where you can simply say, Well, this person intentionally ran down a cyclist in their car, theyre a danger to society. Whether they have anger management problems or they hate cyclists or whatever, they completely disregarded the right of another human being to simply live. ... But when youre talking about kids, none of that sinks in. The G. Norton Jameson Annex at the South Dakota State Penitentiary in Sioux Falls. (John Hult/South Dakota Searchlight) A U.S. Supreme Court case on regulatory rulemaking doesnt give South Dakotas only death row inmate a chance to renew and re-litigate the appeals that could spare his life, a federal judge has ruled. U.S. District Judge Roberto Langes Friday decision in a case involving Briley Piper came as part of a 71-page ruling. The ruling also denied the inmates claims that his defense lawyers performed poorly enough to warrant an overturning of his death sentence. Piper was one of the three men who tortured and killed 19-year-old Chester Alan Poage near Spearfish in 2000. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a press release, South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley said Langes ruling is a step forward in carrying out the jurys verdict and assuring that the Poage family receives justice. Piper can appeal the decision to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit. His most recent appeal zeroed in on the Loper Bright decision issued last summer by the U.S. Supreme Court. Prior to that ruling, federal courts were expected to defer to the expertise of agency rulemakers in disputes over the constitutionality of things like Environmental Protection Agency requirements for wetlands, Labor Department guidance on workplace safety or, in the Loper Bright situation that upended the 40-year precedent on rulemaking, whether a commercial fishing boat is obliged to pay the salary of an on-board federal inspector. Loper Bright opened the door to more court scrutiny of such agency rules. Its animating logic is that Congress makes laws, courts interpret laws legality, and rulemaker expertise should not dilute judges rights to ascertain the legality of bureaucrat-written regulations. Pipers lawyers argued that the same logic applies to the federal law that draws lines around a death row inmates right to appeal a sentence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The law limits how closely a federal judge can scrutinize a state judges decisions in death row appeals. Pipers legal team argued that federal judges have the right to review constitutional questions, and that a congressionally authorized federal death penalty law that ties their hands shouldnt stand. Lange, they said, should be able to review everything the state Supreme Court said in upholding Pipers death sentence. Lange disagreed. The Loper Bright ruling, he wrote, provides no support for Pipers argument that Congress lacks the authority to limit lower federal courts power. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Kelly O'Keefe Boettcher holds a photo of Brittany Doescher at a vigil near Taycheedah Correctional Institution in Fond du Lac on March 22, 2025 | Photo by Andrew Kennard/Wisconsin Examiner At a vigil across the road from Taycheedah Correctional Institution in Fond du Lac, Wis., advocates sought to increase attention on the womens prison. The Wisconsin Examiners Criminal Justice Reporting Project shines a light on incarceration, law enforcement and criminal justice issues with support from the Public Welfare Foundation. Theres been a lot of publicity with what goes on in the mens prisons in the last couple of years, but that is something that is not just within those prisons, it is at the womens prisons too, Juli Bliefnick, who was once incarcerated at Taycheedah, said at the vigil on Saturday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The small group of advocates met in a neighborhood near the prison and walked up to the facility, carrying signs bearing photos of two women. Wisconsin Watch and Wisconsin Public Radio published an article on March 11 that reported the deaths of Shawnee Reed, 36, on Feb. 23, and Brittany Doescher, 33, on March 6, following hospital stays. The women were incarcerated at Taycheedah Correctional. Bliefnick is the operations coordinator for FREE, a nonprofit addressing the gender-specific issues of womens incarceration and reentry to society. She spoke about getting some visibility for these women and honor[ing] their memory and showing support for women currently incarcerated at the facility. The official causes of the deaths are still not public, according to the article. Family members said hospital staff linked the deaths to pneumonia. Following discussions with doctors, an unnamed family member of Doescher believes earlier treatment could have prevented her death. Family members said both women started mentioning health issues over the phone around a month before the articles publication on March 11. Pneumonia fatality The obituary for Doescher says that she suffered and died from complications from pneumonia left untreated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement to Wisconsin Watch and WPR, Department of Corrections communications director Beth Hardtke said the agency was taking steps to prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses to staff and incarcerated people in a time of reportedly high numbers of respiratory illness cases in Wisconsin, the article said. She detailed actions taken by the department and said people incarcerated at Wisconsin prisons, including Taycheedah, recently received testing and treatment for Influenza A. Another advocate at the vigil, Melissa Ludin, said she is a member of FREEs board. And I think if anything, I think theres things that really need to be looked into with that, she said, referring to Doeschers family saying the cause of her death was untreated pneumonia. Are there other women that are sick? Cellmate homicide In July 2023, Cindy Schulz-Juedes, 68, died at Taycheedah Correctional. Taylor Sanchez, 29 and also incarcerated at Taycheedah, was charged with first-degree intentional homicide of her cellmate. A jury trial is scheduled for July and early August. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In early March, the Examiner sent a records request for any reports produced by the Fond du Lac Police Departments investigation into Schulz-Juedess death. The department denied the request on the grounds that disclosure could interfere with an ongoing prosecution or investigation. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX BOSTON (SHNS) Gov. Maura Healey plans to board a train in Fall River Monday morning, marking a seemingly improbable dream ride for southeastern Massachusetts residents who had expected commuter rail service to be restored to the area decades ago. Alongside MBTA General Manager Phil Eng, Healey plans to travel to the rail station in East Taunton, where she will catch up with Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll and Transportation Secretary Monica Tibbits-Nutt, who are journeying inbound from New Bedford. Its the last leg in the long quest for South Coast Rail, which former Gov. Bill Weld had once promised would begin service in 1997. The region has lacked rail service for the past 65 years, and the new line joins a string of others into Boston. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sen. Mark Montigny, a New Bedford Democrat and former president of the Fall River Chamber of Commerce, has served in the Legislature since the 1990s. As Montigny reflected on the political capital spent over the years on commuter rail, he told the News Service Friday that its the strangest emotional feeling to prepare for opening day. In 1994, a year after he joined the Senate, he secured nearly $3.5 million in a bond bill for a study exploring the environmental impact of extending commuter rail service to New Bedford and Fall River, plus $1 million for a feasibility study to bring commuter rail to New Bedford via Taunton, his office said. Montigny, now the Senate dean, counts a litany of other legislative victories tied to South Coast Rail. For example, there was the law directing the MBTA in 1997 to start the design and permitting process for tracks stretching from New Bedford and Fall River to Myricks Junction in Berkeley; the 2000 law instructing the MBTA to use the Stoughton commuter rail route to extend service to New Bedford and Fall River, buoyed by $225 million in bonding capacity for the southern part of the route; and the 2008 law where he secured an additional $30 million in bonding capacity. And $2.3 billion in South Coast Rail improvements, championed by Montigny and the regional delegation, made it into the 2014 transportation bond law, his office said. Sen. Mark Montigny of New Bedford. (SHNS file 2019) Within days of taking office, former Gov. Mitt Romney told Montigny that he did not support South Coast Rail, the senator said. By around 2010, Montigny said he had hit a period of complete pessimism as the project dragged on under multiple governors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I started to become pessimistic to the point where, if you called me around then, I would have said, I dont have faith, as my mother would say, that its coming in our lifetime, Montigny said. He said he became cautiously optimistic under former Gov. Charlie Baker, whose administration agreed to a two-phase approach for South Coast Rail in 2017. Remember, he was secretary of A&F, so I worked with him on some of the original stuff, Montigny, a former Ways and Means Committee chair, said of Bakers tenure under Weld and former Gov. Paul Cellucci. So he thought it was kind of funny, here I am somehow still hereHow did this take my entire adult life? New Bedfords commuter rail station pictured on Jan. 23, 2025, about two months before the stop on the South Coast Rail expansion opens to riders. (SHNS) South Coast Rails bumpy journey, featuring several groundbreaking ceremonies but no actual rail service until now, has come with ballooning costs. The MBTA has also had to delay the project due to a lack of funds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2002, when the MBTA was projecting a 2007 opening date, total costs were estimated at $600 million, according to The Herald News. The price neared $1 billion in 2005, before climbing beyond $2 billion in 2014. Amid all the setbacks and false starts over the years, Montigny has aired his frustrations to governors and transportation chiefs. In a letter to Weld in 1993, Montigny said, I am writing to register my distress at the MBTAs failure to make a priority of the Commuter Rail Extension to the New Bedford Area. Governor, I am sure you remember the Fall River Chamber of Commerce luncheon in 1990, when we discussed this issue in depth. We were seated at the head table when you expressed your support of an extension to Southeastern Massachusetts to me personally, and repeated it to universal applause, Montigny wrote as he lamented the lack of progress since a feasibility study in 1990. Weld had famously challenged Montigny to sue him if commuter rail was not in place by 1997. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While we appreciate the need to control state budgets, the commuter rail extension project is too fundamental to our recovery as an economically viable region to be omitted like any other MBTA project, Montigny continued in the letter, which his office shared with the News Service. Southeastern Massachusetts is depending on this more, perhaps, than any other prospect. Montigny joked Friday that cannot hold Weld to a lawsuit, though he learned over time to stop giving his constituents false hope. Im not saying it was easy for Baker, but really it only needed a governor to say, Were doing this,' Montigny said. And Baker absolutely initiated it, and Gov. Healey picked it up. He added he would give equal thanks to Baker and Healey. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Monday marks the launch of the $1.1 billion first phase of South Coast Rail, with six new train stations opening along the Fall River/New Bedford Line. Rides are free through the end of March, and there will be fare-free service on weekends through April, Healeys office said. The project extends service on the Middleborough/Lakeville Line to Taunton, New Bedford, and Fall River. The line will be renamed the Fall River/New Bedford Line when service begins, according to the T. East Taunton is the first stop to the south after Middleborough/Lakeville before the extension splits, with stops in Freetown and Fall River Depot on one fork and Church Street and New Bedford on the other, according to the T. On weekdays, trains will run every 70 minute, with 32 direct trips to or from South Station including 15 trips between South Station and Fall River and 17 trips between South Station and New Bedford. On weekends, there will be 26 total trips with trains running every two hours. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Senate Ways and Means Chair Michael Rodrigues, a Westport Democrat, mentioned the arrival of South Coast Rail during a business forum last month, and tied it to the states housing crunch. My neck of the world on the South Coast, after 40 years, South Coast Rail is finally a reality, you know, in a couple weeks, Rodrigues said on Feb. 27. But again thats going to drive up the cost of housing in what was once, probably still is, the most affordable part of the state. Senate Ways and Means Chairman Michael Rodrigues spoke Monday, Nov. 25, 2024 at a Freetown press conference to highlight new public safety equipment for fire departments along the South Coast Rail corridor. Rep. William Straus looked on. (SHNS) After a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new train station in Freetown in December 2022, Rodrigues called the milestone almost surreal, as he lauded the Baker administrations progress on the commuter rail expansion. While there have been six governors that have promised me and promised us that wed have commuter rail to Fall River and New Bedford, it was Gov. Baker and Lt. Gov. [Karyn] Polito that actually delivered on those promises, Rodrigues said at the time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But it will be Healey at the celebratory press conference in East Taunton on Monday morning. Montigny said he will be catching the train in New Bedford with Driscoll and Tibbits-Nutt. The MBTA is proud to launch South Coast Rail service; a truly monumental moment for these communities that we will now serve directly and for so many that have long advocated for this service, Eng said in a statement Thursday. Whether youre traveling from Fall River or New Bedford to downtown Boston or heading toward southeastern Mass. to enjoy their many community offerings, we welcome new and even more passengers to experience the benefits of this new transit expansion. Leave the driving to us, Take the T! Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. DECATUR, Ala. (WHNT) The Decatur-Morgan Hospital announced Monday that it will install a Safe Haven Baby Box in the emergency department. To celebrate this addition, the hospital will host an installation and opening event on March 31 at 1:30 p.m. Providing a Safe Haven Baby Box at Decatur Morgan Hospital is a critical step in ensuring that parents in crisis have a secure and anonymous option, Kelli Powers, President of Decatur Morgan Hospital said. We are honored to be able to offer this resource, reinforcing our commitment to the well-being of our community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Safe Haven Baby Box is designed as a safety mechanism that is installed in the exterior wall of the hospital. Once a baby is placed inside the box, the outside door will lock automatically to ensure security while hospital staff examine the baby from the inside. Since 2016, Safe Haven Baby Boxes have provided a discreet and secure option for parents under the Safe Haven Law, which allows the legal surrender of infants at designated locations without fear of prosecution. The organization also operates a 24-hour hotline to provide assistance and guidance to parents in crisis. In October 2024, the Athens-Limestone Hospital installed a Safe Haven Baby Box, which, according to officials, made it the seventh facility across the state to offer the baby boxes. This addition at the Decatur-Morgan Hospital makes it the 16th box in Alabama and the 331st box in the nation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For more information about Safe Haven Baby Boxes, you can visit its website here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com. The families of three young women from Revere found dead in Belize are still searching for answers. Kaoutar Naqqad, 23, Wafae El-Arar, 26, and Imane Mallah, 26, were found dead inside the Royal Kahal Beach Resort in San Pedro in February. Local authorities suggested they suffered drug overdoses but their families say they believe the deaths were suspicious and they are concerned that the toxicology results have not been released. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We continue to believe the deaths of Wafae, Imane and Kaoutar are suspicious, a statement from the families said. We are hopeful the authorities will fulfill their responsibility to complete their reviews in a timely but thorough manner to ensure we know the full truth about what caused this tragedy. Unclear and suspicious: Families of Revere women found dead in Belize still searching for answers They also said they are worried about reports of high carbon monoxide levels at the hotel where the women were found. We are concerned that toxicology results, which Belizean authorities initially indicated would be available within two weeks, have not yet been released to the families, the families aid. As the lead investigative authority, Belizean officials have a critical responsibility to thoroughly and transparently determine what caused this tragedy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are deeply alarmed by news reports which suggest that carbon monoxide levels in the hotel could have been at dangerously high levels and that the resort has now suddenly closed without public explanation. We believe the families of all guests past and future deserve a clear explanation for this action, the statement continued. We respectfully urge the resorts management and Belizean authorities to share any information they have immediately, so that no other family has to endure the unimaginable pain we must now bear. Our loved ones deserve transparency and all who visit Belize, especially the resort, deserve to know they are safe. The Royal Kahal Beach Report shutdown earlier this month, citing an issue for the closure. Investigators have told Boston 25 the circumstances of their deaths are still unclear. Our families are incredibly grateful to the outpouring of support we have received from family, friends, leaders and loved ones since their passing. We appreciate the privacy that has been extended to our families as we grieve and are also grateful to the media who have helped ensure that Wafae, Imane, Kaoutar and the impact of their loss are a central part of your news coverage, the families shared. Our families ask for continued prayers, patience, and privacy as we navigate this unimaginable loss. May their beautiful souls rest in eternal peace. We will forever love and miss you, Kaoutar, Imane and Wafae. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Massachusetts Medical Examiner is conducting autopsies. Revere Mayor Patrick Keefe warned against a rush to judgment as he pushed for more transparency in the investigation. The women were young professionals in the medical field and part of a tight-knit community, officials said. The Department of State issued a Level 2 travel advisory for Belize in December 2024 due to an increased risk for crime. GoFundMe pages have been set up on behalf of each of the three families linked to the tragedy. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW BEIJING, March 24 (Xinhua) -- China will continue to work with all parties to practice true multilateralism, safeguard the central role of the United Nations, and promote global governance that is based on extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefit, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Monday. Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks in a written message for the international symposium themed "Strengthen the Role of the United Nations and Promote Multilateralism" hosted by the Chinese foreign ministry in Beijing. The successful convening of the UN Summit of the Future last year reflected the common aspiration of the international community for supporting and promoting multilateralism, strengthening the role of the United Nations, and improving global governance, Wang said. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War and the founding of the United Nations, and the international community hopes to see all countries work in solidarity and coordination to uphold what is right, defend fairness and justice, safeguard world peace and stability, and promote global development and prosperity, Wang said. As a founding member of the United Nations and a permanent member of the UN Security Council, China will continue to work with all sides to practice true multilateralism, safeguard the central role of the United Nations, and promote global governance that is based on extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefit, Wang said. "Together, we will bring stability to a changing and turbulent world, inject positive energy in building a more just and equitable global governance system, and work toward the vision of a community with a shared future for mankind," Wang noted. More than 100 people including representatives from nearly 50 countries, international organizations and regional organizations in China, UN officials, representatives from relevant departments and experts and scholars attended the symposium. Louis DeJoy has resigned as Postmaster General effective Monday. DeJoys five-year tenure ended just days after the United States Postal Service (USPS) made a deal with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to enable mass cost cuts at the courier, including axing 10,000 jobs. More from Sourcing Journal Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last month, DeJoy announced his intent to step down from his role, enabling the USPS board of governors to identify his successor. He had given no timetable regarding his exit. In the interim, deputy Postmaster General Doug Tulino will fill the role until a successor is named. Ahead of DeJoys resignation, postal workers nationwide held protests on Sunday as the state of the USPS remains up in the air and the government agency preps the job cuts. Tacking on the tagline, Hell No to dismantling the Postal Service, local branches of the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) hosted the rallies across more than 200 U.S. cities in opposition to reorganizational mandates, which the union says threatens the courier and its 635,000 employees. On Tuesday, the National Rural Letter Carriers Association (NRLCA) will follow up the NALCs protests with a rally of its own on Capitol Hill amid a potential privatization of the USPS. The union will be calling on Congress to ensure that the Postal Service remains an independent agency free from political influence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sundays mass protests and Tuesdays upcoming rally reflect both unions concerns about the possible jeopardization of jobs, as well as the carriers ability to serve all American communitiesespecially those in rural areas. This is about preserving the American value of universal mail service. If we allow privatization to take root, it would be a devastating blow to rural America and to the men and women who proudly serve as postal workers, said Don Maston, president of the NRLCA in a statement. These arent just jobs; theyre lifelines for millions, especially in rural communities. We cannot allow the Postal Service to be dismantled for the benefit of corporate interests. More than 100 rural letter carriers are supposed to be represented at the rally in D.C., alongside members of the NRLCA, NALC, the American Postal Workers Union and National Postal Mail Handlers Union. Four House memberstwo Democrats and two Republicansare also scheduled to address the gathering. Earlier this month, DeJoy told Congress that USPS plans to make the job cuts through a voluntary early retirement program. DeJoy engaged both DOGE and the General Service Administration to assist with additional cost-cutting initiatives at the federal courier. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The involvement of DOGE creates a further level of uncertainty, in the wake of the departments mass layoffs at multiple agencies including the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). Both President Donald Trump and senior advisor Elon Musk, who is the de facto head of DOGE, have publicly asserted that there will be changes at the USPS. President Trump has said the USPS could be merged within the Department of Commerce. A Washington Post report indicated that the president would sign an executive order to fire all the USPS board members as part of a mergera move that had both NALC and the American Postal Workers Union up in armsbut no decision has been made on that yet. Trump has previously entertained the idea of privatizing the USPS, a possible outcome that Musk has publicly backed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a March 17 letter to Congress in response to the concerns over DOGEs involvement, DeJoy entailed that there was a possible future in which the USPS would provide its services to other federal agencies to enhance the agencys profitability. According to DeJoy, the couriers post office buildings, logistics capability, delivery services, vehicles, buildings and stocking locations can help other agencies reduce costs. I believe there are billions of dollars annually that will benefit us and significantly reduce government-wide cost, DeJoy said. The letter also indicated that DOGE would review leases on nearly 31,000 post office locations to determine whether they should be renewed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Landlords are well aware of the political difficulties we face when moving or consolidating a retail location even when approximately half of our current retail Post Offices fail to cover their cost of local operations, DeJoy said. Future lease renewals be even more difficult to support financially. Much of the current administrations insistence on changing the makeup of the USPS stems from its inability to turn a profita problem the courier has largely endured for the better part of 15 years amid the decline of first-class mail and a shift to more costly parcel delivery. In 2024, the Postal Service lost $9.5 billion, with $6.6 billion alone being tied to workers compensation and unfunded liabilities for its retirement plans. Although DeJoy established the 10-year Delivering for America plan in 2021, the courier failed to reach its breakeven goals for 2023 and 2024. DeJoy says he has engaged DOGE to assist in the possible overhaul of the worker retirement plans, a look into excessive workers compensation costs and unfunded congressional mandates that have ballooned the liability payments. Talks in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, include discussions on territories, demarcation lines, and ownership of Ukraine's power plant, U.S. President Donald Trump said on March 24 during a press briefing. Trump's statement comes as negotiations between the U.S. and Russian delegations continue. Ukrainian officials are expected to meet their American counterparts after U.S-Russia talks are finished. "We're talking about territory right now. We're talking about lines of demarcation, talking about power, power plant ownership. Some people are saying the United States should own the power plant...because we have the expertise," Trump said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump did not specify which power plant he was talking about. President Volodymyr Zelensky previously said he had discussed with Trump the possibility of U.S. assistance in restoring the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, the largest nuclear facility in Europe. The Zaporizhzhia plant's location, the city of Enerhodar on the east bank of the Dnipro River, remains under Russian occupation, and Ukraine has no access to the surrounding territory. During the March 19 phone call, Trump suggested to Zelensky that the U.S. could be "very helpful in running the plants with its electricity and utility expertise" and that "American ownership of those plants would be the best protection," the White House said, without naming specific facilities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the station remains under Russian control, it does not generate electricity. The facility has been repeatedly disconnected from Ukraine's power grid due to Russian attacks on the country's energy infrastructure. Moscow has ignored calls to relinquish control of the facility. Read also: Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant in focus of Ukraine peace talks. Whats at stake? Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The Democrat Partys favorability rating recently hit a record low, according to a CNN survey with 54% of surveyed American adults expressing unfavorable views of Democrats, 29% favorable and 16% without an opinion. The Republican sweep in the 2024 presidential and congressional elections left Democrats across the country wondering where they went wrong. Now they are scrambling for a foothold, with some politicians seeking for a party rebrand, others making concessions on Republican policies and still others breaking from the party and running as independents. Amid the lack of unity, Democrats continue to look for a new leader. After Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., helped pass a Republican-sponsored continuing resolution in order to keep the government open, he alienated some party activists. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Among Democrats, 57% say they want party leaders to block Republican policy priorities, according to the CNN survey. Where are Kamala Harris and Tim Walz? Since her loss to current President Donald Trump in Novembers presidential election, former Vice President Kamala Harris has largely receded into the background of the political landscape. While she has not made any statements about running for president in 2028, Democratic donors are not confident in her ability to win, per ABC News. I think shes done at the top of the ticket. one donor told ABC News. I think the country will not have moved in a progressive direction during that time. It will have become more conservative. Harris has indicated that she is considering a run for governor of California. She informed supporters that she will make a definitive choice by the end of the summer, per Politico. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Minnesota Gov. Tim Walzs name has circulated in Democratic circles as a potential 2028 presidential candidate. He has indicated deep regret about his and Harris loss to Trump and Vance in 2024, telling The New Yorker that he feels like he failed to protect the most vulnerable and advance Democratic policies. Walz has indicated that he would be willing to run for president in 2028, but only if the circumstances are right and he has the right skill set needed at the time. The progressive wing of the Democratic Party Some Democratic leaders and voters saw the loss to Trump as a failure to adhere to progressive values, as the left-flank of the party gains traction in the wake of Trumps reelection. As Democrats become alarmed by Trumps aggressive political style, progressive politicians like Sen. Bernie Sanders, an self-identified independent who still caucuses with Senate Democrats, are on the rise. Sanders said he believes Democrats must try to step outside of the party and run as independents if they wish to succeed. Theres a lot of great leadership all over this country at the grass-roots level, Sanders told The New York Times. Weve got to bring that forward. And if we do that, we can defeat Trumpism and we can transform the political situation in America. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sanders, who is 83, may not run for president again. But progressive Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., is young enough and likely popular enough, according to the CNN survey to lead a Democratic presidential campaign. Ocasio-Cortez and Sanders went on a joint tour last week to Arizona, Nevada and Colorado, where they advocated for progressive policies and rallied Democrats against Trump. Ocasio-Cortez has not made any statements about running for president in 2028, per NBC News. Some Democrats believe she is too controversial to successfully win a general election. Others think should could grab the political spotlight. Shes got boundless promise as the party leader in our country. But the question is who will have the language to express to America where we need to go, said Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md. Thats a tall order for anybody, but I would say shes definitely a contender. I dont know that anybody else seems to be a more obvious young candidate for that position. Rising stars Other Democrats are looking for more moderate candidates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One such possible candidate is Andy Beshear, the 47-year-old governor of Kentucky. Beshear is the chair-elect of the Democrat Governors Association for 2026. He has also already outlined a potential platform. After Harris loss in 2024 he wrote an op-ed in The New York Times suggesting that Democrats win voters back by refocusing on core issues like employment, affordable health care, education and public safety. Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is another Democratic leader in a purple state who is also expected to run for higher office. She told crowds in Arizona last week that women should top the 2028 Democratic ticket, per the Arizona Daily Star, and refused to rule out a run when asked directly if she would on The View. Whitmer, though anti-Trump, has had to work with Republicans in Michigan, per AP News. The Michigan House of Representatives is majority Republican right now. She has expressed interest in finding common ground with the Republican-controlled federal government, too. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Finally, former Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg has ruled out running for congressional office in 2026, per Fox News which leaves him open for a presidential run in 2028. Buttigieg lost to Joe Biden in the Democratic primaries of 2020, but was able to raise his profile as the secretary of Transportation in the Biden administration, per Newsweek. While my own plans dont include running for office in 2026, I remain intensely focused on consolidating, communicating and supporting a vision (that is an alternative to the) cruel chaos of (the Trump administration), Buttigieg has told reporters, per Fox News. Chloe Cerutti of Murfreesboro speaks to fellow Democrats and others gathered in a meeting room booked March 15, 2025, at High Society restaurant in downtown Murfreesboro. Chloe Cerutti of Murfreesboro talks about plans of Democrats to have a protest march against President Donald Trump in her city's downtown. Panasonic automotive lithium ion battieries are displayed at the Panasonic booth during CES 2018 at the Las Vegas Convention Center on January 9, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (David Becker/Getty Images) After changing Maines mining law last year to pave the way for the extraction of a significant cache of lithium, a key component of low-emission energy technology, legislators are again trying to amend it. Democratic legislators want to add additional human and environmental health requirements, while Republicans are eyeing an exemption to sidestep the guardrails established last year. The Maine Department of Environmental Protection is opposed to doing either. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last session the Legislature took up a slate of bills to alter mining laws in the state, sparked by the discovery of one of the worlds largest lithium deposits in western Maine, the news of which the Maine Monitor broke in 2021. A lightweight metal, lithium can hold significant amounts of energy, making it a key component of rechargeable batteries and thus the transition from reliance on fossil fuels to renewable energy. But, metallic mining is also one of the most polluting industrial activities. The Maine Metallic Mineral Mining Act is considered one of the strictest mining laws in the country. However, not anticipating the monumental discovery that would come, legislators didnt specify where lithium fell in these regulations, leading to several proposals last session, which saw mixed success. Republican legislators are looking to exempt pegmatite mining, which involves extracting lithium and other valuable minerals from large-grained igneous rocks, from a rule passed last year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That rule now allows for exempting extractions of certain metallic minerals from the states mining regulations if a developer can prove the operation wont pollute the nearby environment. Conversely, Democratic legislators have put forth a bill to add more requirements to ensure both human and environmental health are protected. More than 80 people submitted testimony largely in support of the legislation. Several said there is a need for state-level assurances in light of the direction the federal government is headed, pointing to the executive order President Donald Trump signed last week invoking wartime powers to increase the production of critical minerals. A recreational mining exemption or is it? Sen. Joseph Martin (R-Oxford) pointed to recreational mining when explaining why he wants the Legislature to exempt pegmatite mining activities from the Maine Metallic Mineral Mining Act. LD 795 would allow the Department of Environmental Protection to authorize a person to engage in this mining through a permit by rule, if the mining otherwise satisfies the requirements of the quarrying law and the mining area covers 20 acres or less in total. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pegmatite formations often contain beautiful and collectible minerals, like gemstones, feldspar, mica and lithium-bearing rocks, Martin said. This bill recognizes that small-scale mining of these materials, especially on sites 20 acres or less, is fundamentally different from large-scale industrial mining and should be regulated accordingly. Testifying in opposition to LD 795, Maine Bureau of Land Resources Director Rob Wood said the 20 acre excavation site seems substantial and questioned that the intent is limited to only recreational activities. Regardless, Wood said LD 795 would sidestep the rules the Department of Environmental Protection finally approved in 2024. The Maine Department of Environmental Protections worked with the Environmental and Natural Resources Committee to develop a process to exclude the extraction of metallic minerals from the requirements of the Mining Act when such extractions dont have the potential to endanger human or environmental health. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The Legislature ultimately directed the department to adopt major substantive rules that outline how to make this determination, which the department proposed to the Board of Environmental Protection in the fall of 2023. During the second-half of the last session, in 2024, the Legislature agreed to approve the rules but with several changes, including requiring that an excluded mining activity can only have a pit size up to five acres, following lengthy deliberations about where to set such a cap. Martin said on Monday he thinks 20 acres is a fair cap. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I know it was put in last year by the people that want to mine commercially, Martin said. I didnt think they put in enough, to be quite honest with you. Several representatives of environmental groups who testified in opposition to the bill questioned the higher cap. If its about hobby mining, I dont understand why we would need to move from five acres to 20 acres? asked Eliza Townsend, Maine conservation policy director of the Appalachian Mountain Club. As far as extracting lithium-bearing deposits, Wood said the departments position is that it is appropriate for that activity to go through the new requirements to prove an extraction wouldnt cause harm, however the department would be open to discussing altering the five-acre limit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No one from the public testified in support of LD 795, but the environmental groups that testified in opposition argued the process established last session afforded needed safeguards and was set through thorough, careful deliberations. Townsend raised concern about LD 795 shifting to a permit by rule system, significantly reducing regulatory oversight. Under the bill, an operator would have to notify the DEP rather than seek approval, and the rules to implement the law would be routine technical, meaning they wouldnt be subject to legislative review. Francesca Ches Gundrum, director of advocacy with Maine Audubon, said that while metallic minerals are critical for shifting from reliance on fossil fuels to renewable energies to reduce harmful emissions, the immediate environmental concerns of extraction shouldnt be overlooked for long-term gain. We strive to strike a balance between the need for metals in our lives with the protection of Maines vital natural resources with particular expertise and attention, Gundrum said. Permit by rule is designed for activities that have minimal environmental impact, while the full permitting process is required for more complex projects that could have significant environmental impacts and require detailed review, public input and site-specific mitigation. Adding more restrictions Rep. Ambureen Rana (D-Bangor) told the committee on Monday that the idea that Maine boasts the nations most environmentally protective metallic mining regulations is an untested one with significant vulnerability as it does not include clear public health warnings, guidelines and protections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement LD 1073 would significantly expand the scope of the Mining Act, including by requiring a comprehensive baseline health assessment for mining communities prior to initiation of mining operations, requiring adequate monitoring of toxic waste after closure and requiring insurance coverage for any pollution-related health event occurring in the community. Many of these requirements were initially in the bill that established the rule last year, but that bill language was struck late in session to provide a vehicle for the major substantive rule change instead. The reason for this bill, Rana said, is to prevent a disaster before it happens, not after the fact. Wood argued some aspects of the bill would result in redundancies and that the department is not well-equipped to absorb the additional responsibilities that would be required under this bill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill would also add smelting and refining under the activities restricted by the Mining Act, which Wood argued are already subject to stringent regulations under other rules. Additionally, Wood said the assessment would require modeling that isnt currently conducted for any other license applications and is beyond the departments expertise. He added that it would also require applicants to provide population health data that isnt publicly available, making it challenging for the department to verify. Wood reiterated, of the existing rules, We believe these are probably the most protective rules in the country, outside of an outright prohibition. Some who testified in support disagreed, including Vassalboro resident David Nishizaki, who pointed to Wisconsins Prove It First law that requires demonstrating safe operation and closure before permitting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nishizaki and others also argued Maine should place further restrictions on mining to safeguard health in light of changes likely to come from the federal government. The Trump and [Elon] Musk administration has clearly stated intentions to unabashedly pilfer all natural resources possible from all lands and waters in their pursuit of world domination through military force and their dystopian sci-fi dreams of AI dominance, self-driving cars and populating Mars, said Sasha Nishizaki, also from Vassalboro. We have no reason to believe that this resource grab will be done with any care for the harm it will cause to the many communities and ecosystems in its wake. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Democrats are sharply criticizing Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth after it was revealed The Atlantics editor-in-chief was added to a text group chat about the administrations plans to attack Houthi rebels in Yemen. Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Mass.) slammed the top officials, calling them incompetent and warning that if the plan details had been revealed Americans could have died. There is no world in which this information should have been shared in non-secure channels, he said online. Hegseth is in so far over his head that he is a danger to this country and our men and women in uniform. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Moulton called on congressional Republicans to have Hegseth testify before Congress and be held accountable. Earlier Monday, it was revealed by Jeffrey Goldberg of The Atlantic that he was apparently included in a Trump administration group chat on the secure messaging app Signal. Top officials including Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President Vance discussed details about President Trumps view on the proposed Houthi attack. The messages, which Goldberg only shared a few of, also included highly classified details about the attack. Goldbergs publishing of the article sent shock waves throughout Washington. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D), who ran alongside former Vice President Kamala Harris during the 2024 presidential election, joked about the news, saying Hegseth was texting our war plans like invites to a frat party. Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.) claimed each of the government officials on the text chain has now committed a crime that would normally involve a jail sentence. We cant trust anyone in this dangerous administration to keep Americans safe, Coons said. Sabrina Singh, the Biden administrations spokesperson for the Defense Department, questioned why the top officials used Signal and how they didnt even realize they had a reporter in the chat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) said the administrations messaging was blatantly illegal and dangerous beyond belief. Our national security is in the hands of complete amateurs, she said. What other highly sensitive national security conversations are happening over group chat? Any other random people accidentally added to those, too? Warren questioned. In a letter obtained by Punchbowl News addressed to House leadership and the leaders of the Committee on House Administration, Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D-Pa.) said she previously wrote about the need for proper training for handling classified information in Congress. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said it was imperative following The Atlantic article that government personnel receive training on managing classified material. Sen. Andy Kim (D-N.J.) called for people to lose their jobs, preferably Hegseth, over the incident. Rep. Jim Himes (D-Conn.), the ranking member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, said he was horrified by the reports of the messaging. If true, these actions are a brazen violation of laws and regulations that exist to protect national security, including the safety of Americans serving in harms way, Himes said in a statement. Matthew Miller, a former Obama-era Justice Department official, called for an investigation into the leak and the messages, drawing a comparison to the previous scandal of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton using a private email server. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several more Democratic lawmakers and committees weighed in online over the news, poking fun at the administration over the stunning report and national security concern. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Congress is back in session after a week-long recess. During that time, Republicans and Democrats alike faced criticism during the town halls they held, with Republicans under fire for supporting proposed cuts to Medicaid and Elon Musks slashing of government spending while Democrats suffered backlash for voting for Donald Trumps nominees and passing the stopgap spending bill earlier this month. All of this has Democrats thinking they have a good chance at flipping some seats, potentially retaking the House of Representatives. But Democrats face a rougher map in 2026 than they did even in 2024, given they have to defend multiple battleground seats, including in places they hadnt expected due to retirements in Minnesota, New Hampshire and Michigan. Incumbent Democrats also risk pushback from their base and the potential for a revolt from primary challengers the way that the Tea Party did to the GOP in the 2010s. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democrats only need to win five seats to take back the House of Representatives, entirely doable if Trump's popularity continues to slide. Republicans currently have a 53-seat majority in the 100-seat Senate, meaning Democrats would need to flip four Senate seats to gain back the majority. However, most of the Republican-held seats in states like Texas and Iowa are out of Democratic reach. On top of that, they need to defend all of their own seats from Republican challenges. That means it's mathematically possible for the Democrats to flip the Senate as well in November 2026 but seems unlikely. Nonetheless, here is the list of Senate seats most likely to flip in the 2026 midterm election. 1. Thom Tillis (R-North Carolina) Thom Tillis is by far the Republican senator Democrats want to knock off most. Thom Tillis of North Carolina is the top target for Democrats in 2026 (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved) Hes largely won in nail-biter races in a state known for jump-ball races. Hes proven himself to be an adept dealmaker, working with everyone from Chris Murphy to Kyrsten Sinema on guns, infrastructure and same-sex marriage protections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But he faces pushback from conservatives who do not see him as sufficiently loyal to Trump, and Democrats especially lambasted him for voting to confirm Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth after being coy for most of the process. His biggest obstacle by far will be former Democratic governor Roy Cooper, who won the state in 2016 and 2020, both times when Trump was on the ballot. Both Tillis and Cooper are massive fundraisers and the race will be a major draw for both parties. 2. Jon Ossoff (D-Georgia) Perhaps the biggest surprise for the Trump era has been Georgia moving from becoming a solidly red state to a state where Democrats could compete. Jon Ossoff of Georgia is by far the most endangered Democratic incumbent in 2026 (Getty Images) In 2021, Jon Ossoff knocked off an incumbent Republican senator weeks after Joe Biden became the first Democratic presidential nominee in 28 years to win Georgia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump won Georgia in 2024, which shows Ossoff will face major challenges. His fellow Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock won re-election in 2022, the same year that Gov. Brian Kemp, a Republican, won re-election. The big question for Ossoff is whether the term-limited Kemp will run against him. Kemp is a prolific fundraiser and well-liked in the suburbs of Atlanta. But if Kemp passes, the field is wide open, though Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, the right-wing firebrand in the House, has said she would be interested. 3. Susan Collins (R-Maine) In 2020, Democrats were sure they could knock off Sen. Susan Collins, the moderate Republican from Maine, after she voted to confirm Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court and their pouring money into the state. That turned out not to be the case and she won by almost nine points despite the fact Biden won the state. Democrats failed to knock off Sen. Susan Collins in 2020. But they feel they have a chance in a midterm when Donald Trump is unpopular (Getty Images) And now, Collins is more powerful than before, given she is chairwoman of the Senate Appropriations Committee. Collins has mostly voted to confirm Trumps cabinet nominees, save for Hegseth and FBI Director Kash Patel. She even voted to confirm Tulsi Gabbard to be director of National Intelligence and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to be Health and Human Services Secretary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But expect Democrats to still tie her to Trump, especially given how she voted for many of his judicial nominees and the fact that her last election came before the Supreme Courts Dobbs v. Jackson that overturned Roe v. Wade. The big question is who will step in to challenge her. 4. New Hampshire (Open) Sen. Jeanne Shaheen announced earlier this month that she would not seek a fourth term in the Senate. New Hampshires former governor Chris Sununu gives Republicans a chance to flip a seat (Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) New Hampshire has not elected a Republican senator since 2010, when it voted for now-Gov. Kelly Ayotte. But if Chris Sununu, the states popular former governor, jumps into the race, Republicans have a good chance of winning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the same time, many Democrats such as four-term Rep. Chris Pappas would be formidable candidates. And while Sununu created distance between himself and Trump, it would be difficult for him to separate himself when he would effectively be voting for Trumps agenda as a senator. 5. Michigan (Open) As in New Hampshire, Michigans Democratic Sen. Gary Peters announced he would not seek re-election. The big question, though comes down to who actually seeks the seat. Michigan Senator Mallory McMorrow holds up a copy of Project 25 at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Illinois, on August 19 2024 (Mike Segar/Reuters) Republicans have not won a Senate seat in Michigan since 1994, but Trumps 2016 and 2024 victories give them reason to think they have an opportunity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the Republican side, former congressman Mike Rogers, who barely lost to Sen. Elissa Slotkin last year, has expressed interest in running again, and Tudor Dixon, who in 2022 lost to Gretchen Whitmer, is weighing whether to run for governor or the Senate seat. The Democratic side is turning into as much of a battle royale. Gretchen Whitmer, the states term-limited governor, and Pete Buttigieg have both passed on running. But state senator Mallory McMorrow and Rep. Haley Stevens are both potential frontrunners on the Democratic side. Kristen McDonald Rivet, a freshman Democratic congresswoman from a Trump district, is also a potential candidate. Democrats were aghast Monday after learning that top officials in the Trump administration are using a third-party messaging app to coordinate highly sensitive war plans and that they accidentally added a reporter to the group chat. Only one word for this: FUBAR, said Rep. Pat Ryan (D-N.Y.), a West Point graduate and combat veteran. The term is military slang for fucked up beyond all recognition. Ryan called on House Republicans to IMMEDIATELY hold a hearing to figure out how this happened, pledging to do it himself if they dont. Sen. Ruben Gallago (D-Ariz.) used slightly cleaner language to describe the massive mistake, but was no less troubled about its import. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Amateur hour, said the Marine Corps veteran. These are the geniuses that are also selling out Ukraine and destroying our alliances all around the world. No wonder Putin is embarrassing them at the negotiation table. According to the Atlantic, 18 other senior Trump administration individuals were on the group chat to strategize a bombing campaign in Yemen. Atlantic editor Jeffrey Goldberg was on the receiving end of the texts. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, and Trumps right-hand man Stephen Miller all actively participated in the conversation, which included a boast from Hegseth about the group being clean on OPSEC. Sen. Tina Smith (D-Minn.) called out Gabbard specifically: Congresswoman Betty McCollum (D-Minn.), ranking member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, went beyond simply expressing outrage and zeroed in on the groups use of Signal, a self-deleting messaging app, as particularly worrying: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Republican majorities in both the House and Senate must immediately launch Congressional oversight investigations into this outrageous incident to understand if the inappropriate use of Signal is a widespread practice within the Trump Administration, whether the Espionage Act was violated, and how this security lapse impacts our relationships with intelligence-sharing partners around the globe, she said in a statement. Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Mass.) also called for a congressional hearing, calling the incompetence so severe that it could have gotten Americans killed. There is no world in which this information should have been shared in non-secure channels, he added. Hegseth is in so far over his head that he is a danger to this country and our men and women in uniform. Senate Armed Services Ranking Member Jack Reed (D-R.I.) was in similar disbelief. In a statement, he called it one of the most egregious failures of operational security and common sense I have ever seen. Related... The head of Denmark's defense committee says buying American weapons is now a "security risk." Rasmus Jarlov fears the US may use weapons like the F-35 as leverage against countries like his. Jarlov said he regrets selecting the fighter amid US tensions with Denmark over Greenland. The chairman of Denmark's parliamentary defense committee said he regrets choosing the F-35 for his country, citing fears that the US may threaten to cease support for the fighter. "As one of the decision-makers behind Denmark's purchase of F-35s, I regret it," Rasmus Jarlov, a member of parliament for the center-right Conservative People's Party, wrote on social media on Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jarlov was addressing rumors that the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II may have a "kill-switch" that allows Washington to remotely disable F-35s purchased by US allies. The Pentagon said on Tuesday that the stealth fighter does not have such a feature. But the Danish MP isn't convinced. "We obviously cannot take your word for it," Jarlov wrote in his post. He added that the US could scupper Copenhagen's use of the F-35 just by stopping the supply of spare parts a similar dilemma that Ukraine faced when Washington temporarily paused military aid. "I can easily imagine a situation where the USA will demand Greenland from Denmark and will threaten to deactivate our weapons and let Russia attack us when we refuse," wrote Jarlov, who is also his party's spokesperson for his stance on Greenland's affairs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jarlov further accused the US of wanting "to strengthen Russia and weaken Europa." "Therefore, buying American weapons is a security risk that we cannot run. We will make enormous investments in air defense, fighter jets, artillery, and other weapons in the coming years, and we must avoid American weapons if at all possible," he said. "I encourage our friends and allies to do the same," Jarlov added. Denmark announced in 2016 that it was spending about $3 billion on 27 F-35s to replace its aging fleet of F-16 Fighting Falcons. Jarlov was serving as Denmark's defense committee chairman at the time. Jarlov, pictured left, served as chairman of the defense committee from 2015 to 2017, before resuming the role in 2021. MADS CLAUS RASMUSSEN/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty Images Copenhagen has received 17 of its orders so far. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement to Business Insider, a Lockheed Martin spokesperson said the company "values our enduring partnership with the Royal Danish Air Force and is committed to strengthening that partnership into the future." "The pressure-tested F-35 program recently surpassed 1 million flight hours across 16 military services flying the aircraft," they said. "We are committed to helping our customers strengthen their airpower and security with the F-35," they added. "As part of our government contracts, we deliver all system infrastructure and data required for all F-35 customers to sustain the aircraft." His comments come as President Donald Trump has said that he wants to buy or annex Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark that's rich in minerals and can provide the US with a strategic location near the Arctic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Leaders in both Greenland and Denmark have repeatedly resisted Trump's statements, saying their governments had no interest in the territory coming under US administration or rule. "There is no threat from China against Greenland and China has no presence in Greenland," Jarlov wrote on Sunday. "The only threat against Greenland is the USA." Meanwhile, Second Lady Usha Vance, White House national security advisor Mike Waltz, and the Secretary of Energy Chris Wright are expected to visit Greenland on Thursday. Denmark isn't the only country reconsidering its defense reliance on US exports. Leaders in Portugal and Canada have also said they are reviewing their willingness to buy the F-35 amid the geopolitical tensions between the US and its allies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Canada's defense minister, Bill Blair, said his country may be seeking alternatives to the F-35 over concerns of hostility from Washington, which launched steep tariffs against Canadian and Mexican goods earlier this month. Meanwhile, Portugal's outgoing defense minister, Nuno Melo, told local media that his country "cannot ignore the geopolitical environment in our choices" on possibly buying the F-35. At least 19 governments, including the UK, Italy, Norway, Denmark, Canada, Australia, and Israel, have agreed to purchase the F-35. The F-35 is one of the most advanced fighter jets in the world, and while it has several competitors, its stealth features have been dominant in the market. Other planes considered adjacent or similar in capability are China's Chengdu J-20 and the French Dassault Rafale, which a British think tank said has recently surged in popularity as US ties with its allies fray. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement South Korea is also developing the KF-21 Boramae, but its stealth systems are expected to be less advanced than the F-35's. The State Department, which oversees foreign sales of US weapons, and Jarlov did not respond to requests for comment sent outside regular business hours by Business Insider. March 24, 2025: This story was updated to reflect comment from Lockheed Martin. Read the original article on Business Insider The Rowan County Sheriffs Office arrested a suspect over the weekend they said was armed and dangerous. Channel 9 reported last week that deputies were looking for Joseph Parham Jr. Investigators said he fired shots into a stolen car with someone inside last month outside a home in Salisbury. ALSO READ: The gun was cocked: Couple says neighbor pulled out AR-15 during road rage in west Charlotte On Sunday, deputies said they arrested Parham at another home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hes charged with discharging a firearm into occupied property and possession of a firearm by a felon. An investigation in February revealed that Parham and another person got into a disagreement that led them to a home on Sides Road. While in the driveway of the home, deputies said Parham discharged a weapon into the other persons vehicle. No one was injured in the incident. VIDEO: 2 hurt in east Charlotte shooting, MEDIC says NAIROBI, March 24 (Xinhua) -- More than 178,000 cases of cholera have been confirmed in 16 countries in eastern and southern Africa from January 2024 to March 2025, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) said on Monday. The startling number, worsened by limited access to water, sanitation, hygiene and health services, has resulted in about 2,900 deaths, many of which are children, UNICEF said. "We need the continued commitment of governments, the private sector, and individuals who believe that every child deserves a future," UNICEF Regional Director for Eastern and Southern Africa Etleva Kadilli said in a statement issued in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya. According to UNICEF, South Sudan and Angola have faced the most severe cholera outbreaks, with children under 15 years of age comprising 50 percent of cases in South Sudan and 40 percent in Angola. UNICEF said more than 40,000 cases were reported in South Sudan from Sept. 28, 2024, to March 18, 2025, including 694 deaths countrywide, its worst outbreak in 20 years. Angola, it said, reported over 7,500 cases and 294 deaths across 14 provinces from Jan. 7 to March 18, with high risks for further escalation. According to the UN agency, the latest data from 2022 indicated that almost 120 million people, including 60 million children, are drinking unsafe water in eastern and southern Africa, with up to 22 percent of the population in the region having no access at all. Lack of adequate water, sanitation, and hygiene services has left 174 million people in the region with no access to hygiene facilities at home, and at least 71 million people practice open defecation, it said. "These numbers, coupled with the increasing impacts of climate shocks such as severe floods and droughts, which have destroyed key infrastructure such as water supply reservoirs and pipes, and have caused the depletion of groundwater sources, present an increasing threat to children," UNICEF said. This, it said, includes a higher risk of disease outbreaks such as cholera, which is already present in more than half of the countries in the region. UNICEF called on governments and other stakeholders in the region to prioritize adequate funding to build resilient systems that can withstand crises and ensure continuous access to safe water and sanitation. The UN agency also urged governments to prioritize political commitments at the highest levels to improve access to safe water and sanitation for children and families in need. Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo could soon be one of the top health officials in the country. At least, that would be the case if Gov. Ron DeSantis had his way. Over the weekend, DeSantis heaped public pressure on President Donald Trump to hire Ladapo to lead the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Dr. Joe Ladapo ... has the courage and determination to do whats right when its not easy, DeSantis posted to X Sunday from his official government account. Lapado as CDC Director means that MAHA (Make America Healthy Again) is not just an empty slogan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hours later, from his personal account, DeSantis re-upped the call for Trump to pick Ladapo. Ladapo would be a change agent as CDC Director" DeSantis posted. The director position has been the subject of speculation for days. Trumps first pick for the job, Dave Weldon, a former Florida U.S. representative, saw his nomination pulled by the White House earlier this month because he didnt have the votes to be confirmed by the U.S. Senate. Now, Trump is rumored to be considering Ladapo. If Ladapo were to get the nod, it would mean a radical new direction for the federal agency, which is tasked with fighting disease outbreaks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ladapo has been at odds with the CDC numerous times during his tenure at the helm of the Florida Department of Health. Hes repeatedly warned about what he says are the dangers of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines. The CDC recommended those shots. When the state saw a small measles outbreak in February 2024, Ladapo told parents it was up to them whether to send their children to school contra to CDC guidance. And most recently, Ladapo has traveled the state pushing for municipalities to remove fluoride, which helps prevent cavities, from their water systems. This push dovetails with a similar call from U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Many local Florida governments have done so, including Collier County and the city of Lakeland. In arguing for fluorides removal, Ladapo has cited studies that show the mineral can negatively affect child cognitive development. The CDC has called the fluoridation of water one of 10 great public health achievements of the 20th century. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ladapo is one of the governors most loyal appointees, often praising DeSantis in public appearances. Also up for consideration for the CDC job is Michael Burgess, a former U.S. representative from Texas, CBS reported. The CDC did not immediately respond to a request for comment. TALLAHASSEE Gov. Ron DeSantis generated headlines and praise over the weekend after announcing that Florida was helping Elon Musks DOGE efforts by returning nearly $900 million to the federal government. Almost a billion dollars of your taxpayer money saved, Musk touted. The claim was misleading. The money DeSantis said he was returning was for two federal programs that Florida never asked for in the first place. One of them was more than a year old. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those details were left out of the governors Friday night announcement on X, which was viewed 33 million times. In the post, DeSantis said that Florida was trying for years to return money to the federal government, but President Joe Bidens administration couldnt even figure out how to accept it. Today, I met with @elonmusk and the DOGE team, and we got this done in the same day, DeSantis wrote, referring to President Donald Trumps Department of Government Efficiency. DeSantis included a screenshot of the top half of a governors office memo notifying the U.S. Treasury Department that Florida was formally returning $878,112,000.00 in taxpayer dollars. But the rest of the memo with the details of what was being returned was not released. His spokespeople did not respond to text messages or emails asking for the entire memo. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DeSantis announcement caught the immediate interest of legislative leaders, who are actively crafting their proposed budget for the next fiscal year. Nearly $1 billion would be a significant hole that they would potentially have to patch up. A spokesperson for Senate President Ben Albritton, R-Wauchula, said in a statement Monday that leaders asked DeSantis office for the details Friday. This morning, we inquired again and learned that the $878 million was related to unspent federal drawdown authority for two programs, refugee resettlement and carbon reduction, the spokesperson wrote. She noted that Senate officials had received the information over the phone and not in writing. A copy of the memo obtained by the Times/Herald states that $320 million as part of Bidens carbon reduction program was formally rejected by Floridas Department of Transportation in December 2023. The state has yet to receive confirmation that funds have been withheld, the memo states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Only $49 million of that was given to the state, according to the memo, and was being returned to the federal government through a wire transfer. The money was part of an Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act program to help states reduce vehicle emissions. Floridas Department of Children and Families was also returning the authority to spend $557,725,139 in federal dollars on refugee social service grant funding. The federal Refugee Admissions Program resettles people in the United States who are unable to safely return to their home countries. DeSantis was asked for the details Monday while campaigning in Idaho to pass an amendment to the U.S. Constitution requiring Congress to produce balanced budgets. He said refugee money was returned to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. And about $350 million was to go to the U.S. Department of Transportation for road projects that were attached to DEI and woke policies, which were totally contrary to our states policy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We had kind of led the fight against that stuff, DeSantis said. Now, its more fashionable to be against it. DeSantis has struggled to tie himself to Musks DOGE efforts since the tech billionaires team began taking an axe to federal government spending programs in the Trump administration. DeSantis announced in February that he was forming his own DOGE team to investigate waste in state government, but further details havent been released. State lawmakers have since been delving into spending by his agencies and grilling DeSantis officials over their findings. If the governor had really wanted to be DOGE, then the budget he submitted to us several months ago would have been DOGE, Rep. Vicki Lopez, R-Miami, told reporters last week. What we are finding is the Legislature is actually doing the DOGE efforts. DeSantis also refused to return billions of dollars in federal COVID relief funding during the pandemic, despite Republicans including Sen. Rick Scott calling on states to do so. Gov. Ron DeSantis was in Idaho and Montana on Monday, his first major public swing through other states in more than a year as he attempts to maintain his national profile in advance of a potential second run for the presidency in 2028. Just like his trip to Indiana and South Carolina in February 2024, he flew out of Tallahassee on the state plane in the middle of an ongoing legislative session. Both times, his official reason for travel was to lobby other governors to join him in trying to amend the U.S. Constitution through a constitutional convention which has never happened since the Constitution was ratified in 1787. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mondays events were about a proposed balanced budget amendment, which DeSantis said was needed because of the increasing national debt. Though he and other GOP governors have praised President Donald Trump, Elon Musk and the controversial DOGE group, they say Congress needs a new rule to keep federal spending in check. At what point is this just going to break our country? DeSantis said in Idaho. The 2024 trip, in which DeSantis pushed for congressional term limits, was made just weeks after he dropped out of the race for the Republican presidential nomination and endorsed Trump. It was part of a whirlwind series of events in the wake of his failed bid that kept DeSantis in the news, including sending 1,000 more Florida National Guard troops to the U.S. border with Mexico. Then and now, critics were quick to say the governor was wasting taxpayer money. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Floridians are being crushed by Ron DeSantis affordability crisis while the lame duck Governor charges his constituents to fly around the country on the states taxpayer-funded private jet to prop up his failed ambitions for higher office, said Anders Croy, director of DeSantis Watch, a project of Florida Watch and the progressive group Progress Florida, in a statement on Monday. All the Governor has to offer is a rambling road show of lectures to the same Americans who rejected his unique brand of awkward weirdness during his disastrous run for president, Croy said. The governors office did not respond to a request for comment Monday. In part because of his lackluster previous run, DeSantis stands far behind Vice President J. D. Vance in early polls for the 2028 race, and behind even Donald Trump Jr. in some. Moreover, he would run again without the power of incumbency behind him, since he must leave Floridas top political post because of term limits in two years. Still, those who know and watch DeSantis have little doubt that he longs to try again. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since DeSantis ended his 2024 presidential campaign, his biggest moments on the national scene stemmed from the possibility he might be tapped as Trumps Secretary of Defense nominee if Pete Hegseth dropped out. Speculation that his wife Casey will run for governor in 2026 has also prompted national news. DeSantis travel records are now shielded from public scrutiny due to a law he signed in 2023, but the state plane has been tracked online by the DesantisJet account on social media, created by University of Central Florida student Jack Sweeney. The account indicated the state plane took off from Tallahassee shortly before 6 p.m. Sunday and landed in Boise, Idaho, about five hours later, using an estimated $5,803 worth of fuel on the outward trip. The plane took off just after 1 p.m. Monday for a 41-minute flight to Montana, where he was scheduled to meet with Gov.Greg Gianforte. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DeSantis had just returned from a trip to Washington, D.C., on the state plane over the weekend, where he met with Musk and attended the National Review Institutes 2025 Ideas Summit. He also flew to Washington in February for the National Governors Association meeting. The governor flew the state plane to South Carolina, New Jersey and Connecticut in February, according to DeSantisJet, the latter two trips for appearances at Federalist Society events. His focus in Idaho Monday was to push Idaho and Montana to join 27 other states in backing an amendment to require a balanced federal budget. Thirty-four would be required to trigger a convention of states. If Idaho and Montana join the fight, that gets us to 29, DeSantis said alongside Idaho Gov. Brad Little. I think if you got to 33 states, I think Congress would see the writing on the wall and I think they would rush to write an amendment that they would then pass and then send to the states for ratification. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The budget recently passed by congressional Republicans, he said, forecast the debt to reach $56 trillion by 2035. I am convinced that you are not going to have Congress all of a sudden change its behavior for the long term, he said. DeSantis also praised Idaho for having a lot of commonality with Florida when it came to policies, including instituting the death penalty for child rapists. Idahos anti-abortion laws are some of the strictest in the country, beyond even Floridas 6-week ban, including making it illegal to assist in a pregnant minor getting an out-of-state abortion. Nature-based carbon removal developer Chestnut Carbon scored two big wins to push it closer to its carbon credit capacity goal. With more companies committed to reducing their pollution, demand has surged for high-quality carbon credits. Carbon removal companies such as Chestnut are stepping up by selling credits to companies seeking to cancel out the pollution they generate through high-emission activities such as data center operations. Chestnut, in particular, acquires old and degraded farmland and plants trees to transform those areas into forests. From 35,000 acres in the Southeastern United States, Chestnut hopes to have more than 100,000 acres of restored forest by 2030, according to TechCrunch. Its main goal is to increase its carbon credit capacity to around 110 million tons a huge step toward reducing carbon pollution and achieving cleaner air. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In January, Microsoft signed a 25-year deal with Chestnut, essentially expanding an earlier agreement the two parties inked in 2023. "This agreement with Chestnut Carbon is another positive step towards Microsoft's goal to become carbon negative by 2030," Brian Marrs, senior director of energy and carbon removal at Microsoft, said. The deal grants Microsoft seven million carbon credits, according to TechCrunch. Chestnut has already allocated funds to purchase and rehabilitate 60,000 acres of land in Arkansas, Texas, and Louisiana. A couple of weeks after the Microsoft deal, Chestnut announced it raised $160 million in Series B funding for expanding its mission of restoring degraded farmland into thriving forests. Led by the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board, which committed $30 million, the investment round also included backing from Cloverlay, DBL Partners, and others. Chestnut's goal to reach roughly 110 million tons in carbon credits represents a meaningful contribution to a more resilient future. Its efforts also benefit consumers by helping create cleaner air and contributing to healthier communities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With increasing investments in carbon removal strategies, the transition to a greener Earth is becoming more feasible. As corporations such as Chestnut and Microsoft take action and lead the way to a more eco-friendly future, consumers can also do their part by supporting eco-friendly initiatives. 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. Oleksandr Oliinyk, who went under the alias Bogush, a volunteer in the Hospitallers medical evacuation battalion and instructor at the Solomianski Kotyky training centre, has been killed in action. Source: Hospitallers battalion Details: He was killed on 19 March, the Hospitallers battalion reported. Oleksandr joined the medical battalion in 2023 after completing training. He went on rotations to save the military. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We knew Bogush as an incredibly motivated, honest and decent person. He always strived to be the first and wanted to be an example for others in everything," the battalion said. Later, Oleksandr Oliinyk joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine. "Sashko [derivative from Oleksandr - ed.] died performing his duties and fulfilling the highest rank. He was a dedicated patriot, a professional and the life of the party. We are proud to have had the honour of working with you. Thank you for everything, friend Bogush," Yana Zinkevich, founder of the Hospitallers battalion, wrote on Facebook. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The funeral will take place on 25 March at 13:00 at the Baikove cemetery in the crematorium in Kyiv. The family asks that artificial flowers be avoided. Background: Earlier, we reported on the death of a veterinarian and soldier, Zakhar Palii, in the war. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Orlando city leaders on Monday will discuss funding a project aimed at addressing homelessness. City commissioners will consider moving forward with a shelter-on-wheels concept known as a Dignity Bus. In mid-March, Mayor Buddy Dyer announced he decided to drop plans to build a homeless shelter in citys SODO neighborhood. City of Orlando leaders are considering the purchase of The proposed shelter generated significant backlash from the community. The city is now considering buying two used buses and retrofitting them to temporarily house homeless individuals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The conversion would involve replacing bus seats with bunk-beds and also installing bathrooms. Officials said the 45-foot buses could help get up to 40 people off the streets at a time. The Dignity Buses would be parked outside the Christian Service Center on West Central Boulevard in Orlando. Channel 9 will be following Monday afternoons discussion and will let you know what city leaders decide. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has stated, following a Russian missile strike on the city of Sumy, that any diplomacy with Russia must be supported by firepower, sanctions and pressure. Source: Sybiha on X (Twitter) on Monday 24 March, as reported by European Pravda Details: Sybiha said Moscow speaks of peace while simultaneously launching brutal strikes on densely populated residential areas in large Ukrainian cities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Quote: "A few hours ago, another horrific Russian bombing of Sumy's city center injured dozens civilians, including many children. Instead of making hollow statements about peace, Russia must stop bombing our cities and end its war on civilians." More details: Sybiha added that any diplomacy with Moscow must be backed up by firepower, sanctions and pressure. Background: On the afternoon of 24 March, Russian forces launched a missile strike on Sumy, damaging several apartment buildings and a school. Early data indicates that 65 people have been injured. Talks between US and Russian delegations are taking place in Saudi Arabia on 24 March. The Kremlin stated that the main topic of discussion is the potential resumption of the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which Russia withdrew from in 2023. Media outlets reported that following the conclusion of the US-Russia talks, the US and Ukrainian delegations will hold another round of negotiations. Prior to this, on 23 March, a US-Ukraine meeting was held in Riyadh. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Future junior high students in Lake Oswego participated in the groundbreaking of their new middle school last October. The school district decided to build it to a higher seismic standard than required under Oregon code. (Photo courtesy of Lake Oswego School District) Most of us would rather not think about what our lives will be like in the aftermath of the Big One a magnitude 9.0 rupture of the offshore Cascadia earthquake fault. Yet, its worth considering where youll go if your house slides off its foundation or your apartment lacks heat, electricity and running water. For many, if not most Pacific Northwest residents, walking to their neighborhood school to find earthquake relief is a reasonable first instinct. The trouble is the majority of Oregon schools were built before the state had a seismic building code and could well be unusable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Emergency preparedness advocates made another try at the Oregon Legislature this spring to raise the standard for new school construction. But it might take a political earthquake to overcome opposition from wary school associations. Lets be clear, the Cascadia Earthquake will most likely be the most powerful natural disaster in modern U.S. history, and we must be bold in our efforts to build a strategic resilience vision for Oregon, said state Rep. Paul Evans, D-Monmouth. Evans introduced a measure in the Oregon House that would require new schools to be built stronger and to include disaster shelter features as a condition of receiving state construction support. House Bill 3707 would apply in earthquake country west of the Cascades and in Klamath County, but it didnt receive a hearing or have a work session scheduled by the March 21 deadline to keep bills moving. What were proposing in this bill is to have a nominal increase in the cost of construction basically to give local jurisdictions a pool of places to use as shelters as needed, explained Portland architect Jay Raskin, a longtime earthquake preparedness advocate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Current seismic codes require public buildings to be built strong enough so they dont fall down in a quake. But you might not want to go in afterwards until repairs take place. The proposed legislation would direct new schools to be designed so they can stay open with the lights on in the immediate aftermath of an earthquake or another natural disaster such as a catastrophic winter storm. In building code terminology, this entails a targeted step-up from the current life safety construction standard to an immediate occupancy or functionally usable standard. This matters to millions of Northwest residents because buildings erected in the near future stand a good chance of being violently shaken by an earthquake. The most recent magnitude 9 rip of the offshore Cascadia Subduction Zone happened over three centuries ago, in 1700. Seismologists say that means the region is now well into the window for the next catastrophic temblor. Additionally, the Northwest faces risks from a multitude of shallow crustal faults and deep slab quakes. Each of these is capable of unleashing up to 7.0-7.5 magnitude shaking in a more localized area. Political realities intrude A similar schools-as-shelters proposal brought forward by the Oregon chapter of the American Institute of Architects failed to advance during the 2023 legislative session. The prospects for Evans bill this session are looking increasingly shaky, too. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The chair of the House Emergency Management, General Government and Veterans Committee, Rep. Thuy Tran, D-Portland, has not granted the proposal a committee hearing, which means the bill will soon fall by the wayside. Tran did not reply to a request for explanation. The school districts are worried about every little dollar because of the difficulty of passing bond measures, Raskin said in an interview. One of our fears is that they just dont believe us when we have documented facts that it basically doesnt cost that much. They think it must cost more. Its a bit frustrating. A contract lobbyist who worked on the earthquake preparedness issue on behalf of the architects said opposition from schools associations in Salem is blocking the targeted building code changes. Two intertwined objections are in play. One argument that the Oregon School Boards Association advanced beginning in 2023 was to maintain local control: It should be a local decision what seismic standard to follow because they are paying the lions share. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Coalition of Oregon School Administrators also reportedly voiced concern to the bill sponsors about the added cost of the proposed seismic strengthening. The school administrators lobbying arm said the state government would need to cover the incremental construction costs to win its support. Both OSBA and COSA declined to provide an on-the-record comment to the Capital Chronicle this week. Oregon lawmakers are reminded almost daily about earthquake safety design because their workplace, the Oregon State Capitol, is undergoing a $595 million renovation and seismic retrofit. Project manager Jodie Jones said the Capitol is being upgraded in some respects to the immediate occupancy standard and other parts might take a few weeks to come back into service after a quake under the life safety standard. While not giving Evans bill a hearing, the Legislature does appear to be advancing a bill that would send plaques to retrofitted public schools that memorialize the late Senate President Peter Courtney for his support of seismic rehabilitation. Robust bracing and extra tie-downs of mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems are key elements of meeting the tougher seismic code for immediate occupancy post-disaster. Shown here is the exposed framing of the new River Grove Elementary School during construction. (Photo courtesy of Lake Oswego School District] Twists and turns in Washington state too Officials in Washington state are also examining whether to toughen the building code for certain new construction such as schools to improve disaster response and recovery. But like in Oregon, the path to implementation is as bumpy as an earthquake-buckled road. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 2024 Washington Legislature allocated $361,000 to the state Emergency Management Division to conduct a wide-ranging feasibility study to examine the costs, benefits and applicability of targeted building code upgrades. The state agency hired a project manager late last year, but then put the majority of the study funding on hold in anticipation of having to take budget cuts. Department spokesperson Karina Shagren said the agency would still try to deliver a preliminary report with some findings to the Washington Legislature by a mandated June 1, 2025 deadline. But she said what happens after that would depend on further direction and funding from lawmakers. Some school districts build stronger on own accord While policymakers in Northwest state capitals dicker, some school districts are choosing on their own accord to embrace the schools-as-shelters building standard. Those places include Beaverton, Eugene, Seaside and Lake Oswego. Beaverton School District leaders decided to build all of their new schools, including the new Beaverton High School and Raleigh Hills Elementary now under construction, with extra structural bracing and more tie-downs on mechanical systems. Each new school also gets an emergency generator and exterior couplings to receive clean water from tankers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Eugene School District 4J recently completed three new schools after passage of a 2018 construction bond. The administration there decided to build the gym and cafeteria portions of the new schools to a higher seismic standard so the community could count on having those large spaces in an emergency. An unusual resilience feature of the brand new River Grove Elementary School in Lake Oswego is its microgrid. This school can stay open with lights and heat on thanks to a combination of solar panels, generator and battery storage onsite even when the surrounding neighborhood goes dark. Mary Kay Larson, director of communications for the Lake Oswego School District, said the incremental cost of attaining the higher seismic standard added about 1% to the River Grove schools construction tab. She said the district is now building a new middle school, which will be its third new building constructed to the immediate occupancy standard with natural disasters in mind. Its not a decision taken lightly, Larson said in an interview. But if were going to invest in these buildings, lets build them to last. Especially in an earthquake, we want them to be standing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Larson said the schools-as-shelters and emergency relief design features were a selling point to voters without kids in the districts schools during recent bond elections. It has worked in our favor with our voters, Larson said. A retired facilities administrator who worked on the first wave of Beavertons quake-ready schools agreed, while also mourning the missed opportunities elsewhere to build new schools to a higher standard. Every project that is executed not meeting the shelter and seismic standards is an opportunity lost, Richard Steinbrugge said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX BEIJING, March 24 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang has signed a State Council decree to unveil the regulation on implementing the anti-foreign sanctions law, comprising 22 articles, set to take effect on Monday. According to the regulation, China will enhance its countermeasures. It specifies the seizure, detention and freezing of "other types of assets," "relevant transactions, cooperation and other activities" that are prohibited or restricted as well as "other necessary measures" stipulated in the anti-foreign sanctions law. China will also refine countermeasure procedures and strengthen coordination among various departments under the State Council, according to the regulation. China will enhance the enforcement of countermeasures. The regulation stipulates that if countermeasures are not implemented in accordance with the law, relevant departments have the authority to mandate corrections and may prohibit or restrict certain activities of the involved parties. Organizations and individuals subject to countermeasures may request suspension, modification, or cancellation of the imposed measures if they rectify their actions and mitigate the consequences, according to the regulation. BOSTON (SHNS) Attorney General Andrea Campbell accused Auditor Diana DiZoglio over the weekend of delaying a legal showdown in her longstanding quest to probe the Legislature. Campbell warned the pair would currently be laughed out of court as uncertainty swirls over DiZoglios proposed audit. There are constitutional limitations, so I need the auditor to tell me and my team whats the legal strategy, whats the legal basis, whats the scope of her audit, and then we bring that to court, Campbell said in a TV interview that aired Sunday. But until we have that, if we go into court, we will be laughed out of court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Campbell sought to correct the record on WCVBs On The Record as she reiterated why her office has yet to intervene and enforce the new voter law that gives DiZoglio the explicit authority to audit the Legislature. Top Beacon Hill Democrats have resisted DiZoglios audit, citing constitutional concerns, while the auditor contends lawmakers are breaking the law that 72% of voters backed in November. I absolutely support all of those voters that voted in favor of this question, but we cannot go into court saying 72% voted in favor of it and just look cute, and we look good going into court, Campbell said. The judge, and any judge assigned to a case, wants to hear whats your legal argument and why should we give you some type of relief and why should we allow you to audit the Legislature? And weve asked the auditor to give us that information. Campbell claimed the ongoing sparring stems partly from a flaw in the initiative petition process that might need to be remedied in the future. While Campbells office certified the audit ballot question as ballot eligible, she said that review did not delve into whether the referendum could pose constitutional challenges. The AG, in a November 2023 letter to DiZoglio, had separately warned about constitutional limitations if the question were to win voter approval. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ballot question, and this is just stupid by government from the past, we dont get to assess whats constitutional or not, Campbell said on OTR. So people are actually voting on a ballot question, and it could be actually unconstitutional in some of its implementation, but we dont assess that when approving the ballot question. So clearly, we gotta change that or someone does. DiZoglio fired back at Campbells remarks on social media Monday morning. Actually @MassAGO you did weigh in on constitutionality when you approved Question 1 for the ballot, DiZoglio said on X. Thats why theres no ability to change your mind now that we, the voters, passed it. Thankfully its now up to the courts, not you or the Legislature, to decide. DiZoglio has repeatedly and unsuccessfully called for Campbells support in the feud with House and Senate leaders, who did not hand over documents the auditor requested once the voter law took effect in January. Campbell says her office must follow a process to determine which branch of government to represent in court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We represent almost every state agency in the commonwealth. Anytime we go to court, we ask them for information, Campbell said. The auditor, shes saying publicly shes giving us that information. She has not, and so Im going to correct the record. Were happy to go into court where necessary, but we cannot go into court until she provides us the legal strategy, the information we need to create a case to then go into court. DiZoglio told the News Service earlier this month that her office provided all the information the AG requested. DiZoglio said Campbells office keeps coming back with more questions. A Senate subcommittee handling the voter law has also berated DiZoglio for not answering questions about the scope of her probe. The panel is holding a hearing next week as senators seek clarity on serious constitutional questions. Recently, the Senate received the Auditors latest letter in response to the Subcommittees questions that, while containing several inaccurate accusations as to the motives of the Subcommittee, does not contain the substantive, clear, or consistent response the Senate requested, chair Sen. Cindy Friedman said in a statement Friday. Therefore, the Subcommittee will gather facts and information from subject matter experts and hold a hearing on April 2, following the traditional process of legislative committees. The Subcommittee invited the Office of the State Auditor to participate, but they have declined. 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. Putin has sent a disgraced FSB officer and a former Russian ambassador to Britain to lead negotiations with US officials in Saudi Arabia on Monday. Sergey Beseda served in Russias federal security service (FSB) until he resigned after his unit was accused of sharing faulty intelligence with Putin on the eve of his full-scale invasion of Ukraine. He will be joined by Grigory Karasin, who served as ambassador to the UK between 2000 and 2005, for talks with a US delegation in Riyadh on Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Russian delegation will arrive amid concerns Putin is delaying a ceasefire to buy time on the battlefield. Mondays negotiating team represents an effective downgrade in seniority from when Marco Rubio, the US secretary of state, met with his counterpart Sergei Lavrov in initial talks in February. The talks will take place after initial discussions between the US and Ukraine also in Riyadh on Sunday. Rustem Umerov, the Ukrainian defence minister leading Kyivs delegation, said he expected discussions to centre on proposals to protect energy facilities and critical infrastructure. Mr Besedas FSB unit had reportedly been providing Putin with intelligence on the eve of his countrys full-scale invasion of Ukraine. His unit worked inside Ukraine gathering intelligence and reportedly mustering support for Russia, but its failures led to Mr Besedas arrest and detention in Moscows Lefortovo prison. He eventually resigned his post in June last year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Joining him will be Mr Karasin, a 75-year-old Russian senator, who had previously served as envoy to Britain and as Russias deputy minister of foreign affairs. During his time in Britain, Mr Karasin facilitated conversations between Putin and Tony Blair, the then prime minister, about the war in Iraq. Moscow opposed the US and UKs military intervention but Mr Karasin said their differences were handled with maturity. In 2022, he announced a ban on British diplomats entering Russias senate, which he said was a simple although unpleasant response to the UKs decision to exclude Russian diplomats from Parliament. Mr Karasin downplayed the significance of the talks in Saudi Arabia, saying Moscow hoped to achieve at least some progress. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are going with the mood to fight for the solution of at least one issue, he said, referring to the resumption of the Black Sea Grain Initiative. Grigory Karasin served as ambassador to the UK between 2000 and 2005 - FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP/Getty Images The July 2022 initiative was signed in Istanbul by Turkey, the UN, Russia, and Ukraine, and was aimed at resuming grain exports from Ukrainian ports. On the Ukrainian side, talks are being led by Mr Umerov, who has served as the countrys minister of defence since 2023. But he is no stranger to peace negotiations. He was present at the Russia-Ukraine negotiations in March 2022, weeks into Moscows invasion. During talks, the Kremlin accused him of spying for the US and deliberately prolonging negotiations to benefit Kyiv. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He later suffered suspected poisoning, alongside Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, both of which developed red eyes, constant and painful tearing, and peeling skin on their hands and faces, the Wall Street Journal reported. Mr Umerov later said he was fine and warned against trusting unverified information. Joining him will be Pavlo Palisa, who until the war had been studying at a US Army college in Kansas. Despite dropping out soon after Putins invasion, Mr Palisa was awarded a diploma by the college in June 2022, when he was commanding the 5th assault regiment. He fought in the battle for Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine, thought by military analysts to be one of the bloodiest since the end of the Second World War. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last year, he was appointed deputy head of Volodymyr Zelenskys office, second to Andriy Yermak, who led peace negotiations with Marco Rubio, US secretary of state, in Saudi Arabia earlier this month. The US has not disclosed who will lead its talks with either side. It is unlikely to be Mike Waltz, the White Houses national security adviser, who is expected in Greenland later this week. Mr Rubio is also unlikely to attend given the seniority level of Russia and Ukraines delegations. General Keith Kellogg, Donald Trumps special envoy for Russia-Ukraine, appeared to have detailed knowledge of the talks when he described Washingtons shuttle diplomacy plan earlier this week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The retired war general told ABC News that negotiations would take place in adjacent rooms, describing them as proximity discussions. One group will be in this room, and one group will be in [another] room, and theyll sit and talk, go back and forth, sort of like shuttle diplomacy in a hotel, he told ABC News. However, it is unlikely that he will have a formal role in the discussions, with the Kremlin reportedly demanding he be shut out due to his perceived proximity to Kyiv. 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. Mar. 24JAMESTOWN District 12 and 29 lawmakers answered several questions about bills that they are working on in the North Dakota Legislature, including property taxes, keeping explicit sexual material out away from areas accessible to minors in libraries, education bills, helping rural communities and a bill related to energy conversion and transmission facility, siting among other issues. District 12 and 29 lawmakers answered questions about the legislative session on Saturday, March 22, at a meet-and-greet event hosted by the Jamestown Area Chamber of Commerce at the Gladstone Inn & Suites. Rep. Don Vigesaa, R-Cooperstown, did not attend the event. Rep. Craig Headland, R-Montpelier, said the House Finance and Taxation Committee has seen almost 60 bills in regard to property tax. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I think the Senate has settled in pretty much on House Bill 1176, a bill that in some ways I and the House Tax Committee completely rewrote from its original design," said Headland, who chairs the House Finance and Taxation Committee. "The original design had the intent of taking every primary residence to zero. We took that out. We don't know that we believe in that." HB 1176 would expand the primary residence tax credit from $500 to $1,450 beginning in tax year 2025, Forum News Service reported. "I've also heard that there's a move to possibly take the $1,450 down to $1,250," Headland said. "I don't know that I agree that we need to do that either. What I do agree with that I've heard that they're thinking about is putting some type of percentage into the equations so no one's primary residence goes to zero today. If we want to take properties to zero in the future, and future legislators have the funding ability to do it, that's a decision they should make." HB 1176 would also expand eligibility for the Homestead Tax Credit program, which is available to homeowners over 65 years old, Forum News Service reported. The income thresholds for eligibility would be expanded from $40,000 to $50,000 to be eligible for the full credit and from $70,000 to $80,000 to be eligible for half the credit. It also expands the maximum available renter's refund from $400 to $600. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill also proposes a 3% cap on property tax levy increases from taxing districts. "We put in some provisions to help the political subdivisions deal with the restrictions caps," Headland said. "Some of them stayed in the bill. One of them, the opt-out provision where we allowed a county to opt out or a city to opt out of the cap altogether, was stripped out of the bill in House Appropriations, which I didn't really think was appropriate because the policy committee, which I chair, had put it in." Sen. Terry Wanzek, R-Jamestown, said he would support some of the amendments to HB 1176. "I think it's not probably prudent to take one class of property down to zero," he said. "In some cases, that's the way it's designed right now would go to zero and there is an amendment that would say that's limited to 75%. You could end up getting a full $1,450 tax credit on your primary home. ... Targeting primary homes does make sense. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Most of us have a home and a primary home and are paying taxes on it, and it would single out, in my view, more of North Dakota citizens," he said. " ... Some property if we provide a huge property tax decrease, it's going to out-of-state people and it's leaving our state. That's of some concern." Rep. Bernie Satrom, R-Jamestown, said Senate Bill 2307 is about keeping explicit sexual material away from areas accessible to minors. "It's about safety of children,"he said. He said it's illegal to allow children to have explicit sexual material. "Some of you probably know that sexually explicit information is being used by groomers and sexual abusers, and it's not a positive thing for children to have sexually explicit information, have access to it, particularly at a young age," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SB 2307 would require public libraries and school districts to develop a policy and review process by Jan. 1 for library collections to ensure explicit sexual material is not in an area accessible to minors. The bill also requires safety policies and technology protection measures for digital or online database resources offered by a school district, state agency or public library to students in grades K-12. If a provider of digital or online library resources fails to comply with having safety policies and technology protection measures, the school district, state agency or public library shall withhold any further payments to the provider pending verification of compliance, the bill says. The bill also creates an obscenity review procedure where any person may request a local state's attorney's opinion to review if material in a library or school district has explicit sexual material. The state's attorney would need to issue an opinion on the alleged violation within 60 days to the interested person, provider of digital or online library database resources, school district, state agency or public library under review. If it is determined that a public library, state agency or school district is in violation, funding may be withheld if correction action to comply with the law isn't taken within 10 days. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The state's attorney may prosecute for failure to comply with the law. Satrom said some librarians didn't comply with a previous bill that was passed during the legislative session in 2023. Rep. Mitch Ostlie, R-Jamestown, said any concerns with library materials should be handled locally. "If you have a concern with something in the library, you should go to the librarian," he said. "If you don't like the answer you get there, there is a library board. If you don't like the answer there, they're under control of either city council or county commission. So those are important steps in the process to deal with a lot of issues but sometimes we jump a few levels of governing bodies and go right to the Legislature and we're supposed to fix some of this stuff." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said local law enforcement and the state's attorney's office brings charges forward to individuals who are breaking the law. "We're overstepping a whole lot of levels there," Ostlie said. Wanzek said the Legislature is working on a couple of bills to address economic development in rural North Dakota. "It's to try to help those small rural communities that mean a lot to the rural people and some fashion," he said. Wanzek said he sponsored Senate Bill 2097 with Sen. Tim Mathern, D-Fargo, and Rep. Mike Brandenburg, R-Edgeley, to create a rural community endowment fund and a committee for the fund. The bill would appropriate $5 million to the rural community endowment fund from the general fund in the state treasury. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It started out wanting $50 million," Wanzek said, referring to the original bill that included $50 million for the community endowment fund. He said the endowment fund could provide consistent and sustainable funding for small rural communities in the future. "We're trying to get it passed and get it in there, and even if it isn't accessible right away," he said. "If our ancestors, 20, 30, 40, 50 years ago, if we'd have done that, we'd have that endowment fund now." Headland said the Legislature is taking it seriously to put funds aside for infrastructure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "What we're really talking about is what's holding back economic development in rural areas is lack of infrastructure," he said. "I think we're going to have historic levels of funding for county roads, township roads, transmission, electric transmission, natural gas transmission pipelines." Sen. Cole Conley, R-Jamestown, said economic development is one of the most important things legislators work on. "That is the fuel that drives the economy," he said. Ostlie said a bill in the North Dakota Legislature could provide up to $100,000 for improvements at the Stutsman County Fairgrounds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement HB 1591 sponsored by Ostlie, Satrom, Wanzek and Conley would create a one-to-one matching grant program and appropriate $3 million to the agriculture commissioner to provide grants to county agriculture fair associations for the planning, design and construction of infrastructure projects from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2027. No more than $100,000 could be awarded to a county agriculture fair association. "It's well needed across the state," Ostlie said. Satrom said agriculture development and diversification is a big deal. He said all local lawmakers sponsored a bill for value-added agriculture. Wanzek said bills in the Legislature are being pitted as public versus private schools. "I see this as empowering parents and empowering students to have a choice where in some situations they're limited in their ability to make that choice," he said. Headland agreed. "It's more of empowering parents to make the decisions that would they feel would be best for their children and the state being able to help with that," he said. "It doesn't take any money away from public (schools)." Wanzek said Senate Bill 2400 is an education savings account. Senate Bill 2400 would provide a $1,000 education savings account payment it previously was $500 to an eligible student if that student's household has an annual income less than or equal to 300% of the most recently revised poverty income guidelines. Headland said there is a misunderstanding of what House Bill 1258 does. "It doesn't take away local decision making unless that decision is deemed unreasonable," he said. House Bill 1258 would give the state Public Service Commission the authority to override rules set by local governments that conflict with a state approval for an electric transmission project, The Bismarck Tribune reported. The bill would apply to all power line siting cases, including the JETx project a $440 million transmission line project that connects the Otter Tail Power Co. substation north of Jamestown along North Dakota Highway 20 to the Montana-Dakota Utilities Co. substation near Ellendale. The project was requested by the regional power grid operator Midcontinent Independent System Operators (MISO) and is promoted as a way to improve regional power grid reliability. MISO manages the power grid for a 15-state area and parts of the province of Manitoba. The Stutsman County Commission rejected a proposed zoning ordinance for gas and liquid transmission lines. The proposed zoning ordinance would have required a setback distance of 2,600 feet between any occupied dwelling and a new high voltage power line or large pipeline. The current standard is set at 500 feet by the North Dakota Public Service Commission. The proposed zoning ordinance change originated at the Stutsman County Planning and Zoning Commission, which unanimously approved in July changing the setback distance to 2,600 feet. The current Stutsman County zoning ordinance does not address setbacks for electrical transmission lines or pipelines. "You can't allow a small political subdivision to just zone something else because they don't want it," Headland said. He said all customers of Otter Tail and MDU pay for the cost of transmission line projects. "They need to be least tried to be kept as reasonably priced as we can," he said. "If you ended up with just nothing but a zigzag across the state, you're not going to have the ability to proceed forward with those projects." Headland said the last resort is eminent domain. Eminent domain means the government would have the power to take private property for public use even if the owner doesn't want to sell. The property owner would still be compensated. "In most cases, there are ways to work around it," Headland said. Headland said some landowners are unwilling to take a phone call from Otter Tail or MDU. "My suggestion to any property owner who has not yet talked to Otter Tail in this case with this particular line ... at least take their phone call, sit down with them," he said. "If you can't come to some kind of amenable agreement ... that's a decision you and the company will make. Let's just hope that we can find a route for this very, very critical piece of electric transmission infrastructure that we need." Genetic testing company 23andMe announced on Sunday that it has filed for bankruptcy due to low demand for its ancestry kits and after a 2023 data breach damaged its reputation. The company, which has over 15 million customers worldwide, said it voluntarily filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy to facilitate a sale process to maximize the value of its business. 23andMe received permission from a judge to try to sell its most valuable asset customers DNA data, Bloomberg reported. 23andMe originally set a deadline of May 7 for potential buyers to submit final offers. But a U.S. bankruptcy judge, Brian C. Walsh, wanted to allow creditors more time to analyze the deal before a final decision, and ordered a two-week extension at the companys first bankruptcy hearing in St. Louis this week. 23andMe agreed to delay the final court hearing from June 2 to June 17. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The company's market value peaked at almost $6 billion after it went public in 2021, but 23andMe reported a 7% decline in revenue and losses of $174 million in the first nine months of its current fiscal year. The direct-to-consumer company has customers submit a saliva sample for their DNA to be analyzed either for ancestry purposes, family traits or for potential health risks. Part of the reason for the companys decline in earnings is due to waning interest in its testing kits. In 2023, hackers gained access to personal information from roughly 14,000 user accounts over a span of five months that appeared to target Jewish and Chinese users, which alarmed customers and heightened concern about the privacy of their data. It dealt a major blow to the companys reputation and prompted a class-action lawsuit that claimed the company did not protect users' personal information and failed to notify customers of the breach. 23andMe settled the lawsuit in December 2024, and agreed to establish a $30 million fund for cash payments and three years of security monitoring for affected customers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The company also announced Sunday that its co-founder and CEO Anne Wojcicki is resigning from her role effective immediately after a failed attempt to take the company private, but will continue to serve on the board. The company plans to continue operating through the sales process and CFO Joe Selsavage will replace Wojcicki as interim chief executive. Concerns have since arisen that a transfer of the companys ownership could mean that a users most sensitive genetic data could end up in unknown hands. What the company has said about the safety of customerss data There are no changes to the way the Company stores, manages, or protects customer data, 23andMe said Sunday. Additionally, Mark Jensen, chair and member of the special committee of the board of directors at 23andMe said, We are committed to continuing to safeguard customer data and being transparent about the management of user data going forward, and data privacy will be an important consideration in any potential transaction. Why a customers 23andMe data isnt protected under HIPAA laws The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, known as HIPAA, is a law that protects a persons private health information from being shared without the persons knowledge or consent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, HIPAA only protects that type of information when its provided to an entity like a hospital system, physician health plans or billing companies that conduct business with them. 23andMe is not subject to HIPAA regulations because its a direct-to-consumer company outside of the health care realm. The person is treated as a consumer rather than a patient. That means that as long as their terms of service dont specifically prohibit it, these companies can conduct research on your genetic data, sell it, or share it with third parties, James Hazel, a postdoctoral researcher at the Law Centre for Health and Life at the University of Amsterdam in the Netherlands, told Consumer Reports. What could happen to the data if the company is sold A persons genetic information could be used to their (or a relative's) detriment. For example, Mason Marks, a visiting professor at Harvard Law School, told Consumer Reports that a worst-case scenario could be an employer or insurance company might find you have a predisposition to develop early onset Alzheimers, cancer, mental illness, or substance use disorder, and discriminate against you based on that. But isnt that illegal? The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 prohibits discrimination in a persons employment and health insurance based on a persons genetic makeup. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Though that doesnt mean it couldnt happen, Consumer Reports says. Or if 23andMe ends up being bought by a pharmaceutical company, the user could be targeted with ads based on results from their genetic tests. When it comes to law enforcement, 23andMe does not allow authorities to search their database. Unless required to do so by law, we will not release a customers individual-level Personal Information to a law enforcement agency without asking for and receiving that customers explicit consent, the website states. More specifically, we will closely scrutinize all law enforcement requests and we will only comply with court orders, subpoenas, or search warrants that we determine are legally valid we are prepared to exhaust available legal remedies to protect customer privacy. The California attorney general is urging consumers to delete their 23andMe data. Heres how to do that. California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued a consumer alert on Friday to 23andMe users and provided instructions on how to delete genetic data from their accounts, how to instruct the company to delete their test sample and revoke permission for genetic data to be used for research. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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, Bonta said. The 23andMe website states: We recommend downloading any Personal information from within your Account Settings before submitting your deletion request. The company provides a guide on how to download your data and has told CNET that some of the downloads can be delivered right away, while other files can take up to 30 days. If a user opted for 23andMe to store their saliva sample and DNA, the user can change that by going to the account settings page under preferences. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Heres how users can delete their account and personal information: Log into your 23andMe account and 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 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 "If a customer opted in to 23andMe Research, their Personal Information will no longer be used in any future research projects," a 23andMe spokesperson told CNET. "Please note, data cannot be removed from research that's already been conducted." GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) The Michigan Department of Natural Resources says it wont let any federal funding issues slow its work to protect the Great Lakes piping plover. Expert: Funding cuts could spell doom for Great Lakes piping plover A DNR spokesperson confirmed to News 8 that the agency will once again hire several people to serve as monitors at four different state parks to be on the lookout for the critically endangered bird. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those jobs are typically funded by the federal Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. However, with President Donald Trump and his administration making drastic cuts to federal programming, funding has only been released to cover two of the five planned hires. The DNRs plan to hire five monitors will move forward, except the state will be forced to cover those missing funds. Ludington State Park, Leelanau State Park and Fishermans Island State Park will each get one monitor. Silver Lake State Park will get two. Many experts have sounded the alarm on how funding cuts could potentially doom the Great Lakes piping plover, including a former deputy superintendent at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and a researcher who has focused on the birds for nearly 40 years. The Great Lakes piping plover has been critically endangered for decades now. They have made a notable bounce back in recent years, but they are still considered near the cusp of extinction. A member of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service helps tag a Great Lakes piping plover chick for tracking purposes. (Courtesy USFWS) As of 2023, researchers estimated only 80 nesting pairs of the tiny birds were left in the wild more than half of which nest in northern Michigan. There were only an estimated 12 to 17 nesting pairs found in the wild in the 1980s. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Michigan wildlife officials have helped protect the population at the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore by closing off certain stretches of beach and placing cages over their nests that allow the plovers to come and go but keep predators out. Preserving Michigan: Efforts at Sleeping Bear Dunes paying off for piping plover The Great Lakes piping plover is pocket-sized, growing to about 7 inches long with a wingspan that barely cracks a foot. The average adult weighs about 2 ounces, making for a delicious snack for lakeshore predators like birds of prey, snakes, raccoons and opossums. However, it is habitat loss, not predators, that has driven the bird toward extinction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of the main reasons we have such high human-plover conflict is because the plovers nest directly on the beach, right where the people want to be. They want large, open, expansive beaches, Erica Adams, the piping plover program coordinator at Sleeping Bear Dunes, told News 8 in 2023. Endangered Great Lakes piping plover survives despite broken leg As more and more shoreline has been parceled away for development and recreation, the plovers habitat has shrunk. Sleeping Bear Dunes has become one of the few refuges for it, but even there, the birds need protection. Throughout the Great Lakes, we set up what we call psychological fencing. Thats so the plovers have a suitable area to forage and take refuge from visitors. We ask people to stay out of those areas, Adams 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 WOODTV.com. SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) Court documents reveal the woman accused of killing her roommate with insulin in an attempt to claim a rumored $1.5 million life insurance policy had allegedly texted the victim, saying, If you dying would get me out of this mess and darkness I am in now, I would take it! The revelation comes in newly released court documents charging the suspect, Meggan Randall Sundwall, 47, with first-degree felony aggravated murder and second-degree felony obstruction of justice. Randall was arrested late last week, about seven months after police allege she killed her 38-year-old roommate, Kacee Lyn Terry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prosecutors say Randall was in a dismal financial situation and would complain to Terry about her finances. Terry allegedly reassured Randall, saying she was the beneficiary of a $1.5 million life insurance policy. Utah mother charged for introducing bacteria, fecal matter into toddler sons bloodstream Court documents say both Randall and Terry had discussed using insulin to cause death many times since 2020 with Randall allegedly consistently urging Terry to do it. Randall, a registered nurse, would procure insulin, allegedly telling Terry she can give you insulin over and over until it works I will come help you. Other text messages allegedly included Randall saying Someone (should probably be me) should stay with you and continue to give you doses so it will actually stay low and you can pass. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Aug. 15, 2024, authorities responded to a medical emergency where Terry was found unresponsive. Randall allegedly claimed that Terry had a Do Not Resuscitate order and she was Terrys power of attorney. According to court documents, Terry did not have a life insurance policy. Investigators were also unable to find a DNR order or court documents giving Randall power of attorney. Terry was also reportedly healthy with no history of diabetes. Police say her friends, family, co-workers, and doctors did not describe Terry as being suicidal. In the months after Terrys death, Randall allegedly continued searching for the million-dollar life insurance policy and deleted hundreds of text messages between the two. When confronted by investigators about the deleted messages, Randall allegedly said she didnt want it to look like what she was being accused of. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Randall is scheduled to make her initial appearance on Monday, March 24. 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. National Institutes of Health (NIH) scientists warn the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is playing Russian roulette with patients lives after the agency tried to fire ICU doctors at its hospital. The New York Times reported Monday that DOGE planned to fire medical personnel in the intensive care unit at the NIH Clinical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, which doubles as an active hospital and research site. The cuts would have included members of the code blue team that responds when a patient goes into cardiac arrest. The reduction in staff would have forced the clinic to literally have to airlift patients out, a senior physician told the Times. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More than a thousand demonstrators protested the cuts earlier this month, which prompted DOGE to reverse course. In addition to calling off the firing of medical personnel, the NIH also brought back recently-axed laboratory technicians and blood bank workers. Others at the NIH have not been so lucky. Some senior NIH scientists, whose contracts were typically renewed automatically, are now being put on leave without pay when their contracts run out, the Times reports. The patient's entrance at the National Institutes of Health. / Gary Cameron / Reuters One senior scientist at the agency told the Times that program cuts mean he can no longer order necessary supplieslike micefor his lab, putting in jeopardy several years worth of work. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since Elon Musk unleashed his DOGE goons on the federal government, more than 62,000 federal workers have been let go, Newsweek reported earlier this month, though court orders have put many layoffs and buyout offers on hold. Reports of the chaos DOGE has unleashed at NIH are just the tip of the iceberg, according to one NIH staffer who spoke to the Times. Whatever people are reading in newspapers, they said, its 10 times worse. (Bloomberg) -- The Trump administration has asked the US Supreme Court to allow the firing of thousands of workers at six federal agencies after a judge ordered that they be reinstated. Most Read from Bloomberg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an emergency application filed on Monday, the US Justice Department argued that a California federal judge had allowed the nonprofit organizations that sued to hijack the relationship between the government and its employees and violated separation of powers. That is no way to run a government, Acting Solicitor General Sarah Harris wrote. This court should stop the ongoing assault on the constitutional structure before further damage is wrought. The case involves 16,000 fired workers who had probationary status, meaning theyd been hired in their current roles in the past one or two years. They worked at the departments of Agriculture, Defense, Energy, Interior, Treasury and Veterans Affairs. As the justices consider the administrations effort to keep the workers from being reinstated, the Justice Department asked for a temporary order that would allow the agencies to keep the reinstated employees on paid administrative leave instead of having to take more steps to restore them to full active duty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Justice Department also broadly criticized the interbranch power grab by district court judges across the country who have entered a slew of orders in the administrations first two months blocking President Donald Trumps executive actions. Echoing the complaints of Trump administration officials, Harris wrote that the judicial orders have sown chaos as the executive branch complies with court-ordered deadlines by sending huge sums of government money out the door, reinstating thousands of lawfully terminated workers, undoing steps to restructure Executive Branch agencies, and more. Over-Seers The lower courts should not be allowed to transform themselves into all-purpose over-seers of Executive Branch hiring, firing, contracting, and policy making, she wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Norm Eisen of State Democracy Defenders Fund, which is representing plaintiffs in the case, said in a statement that the administrations efforts to block relief have so far failed and now they are turning to the Supreme Court baselessly. Our coalition remains committed to ensuring that justice prevails for every affected probationary worker and we are confident that the courts will uphold the rule of law. In the probationary workers case, US District Judge William Alsup in San Francisco had required the administration to rehire probationary workers who were fired from the six agencies in mid-February. In a separate case in Maryland, a federal judges March 13 order reinstating fired probationary employees for at least 14 days at 18 agencies, including five at issue in the California case, remains in effect. A federal appeals court last week rejected the Justice Departments request to pause that order, since the lower court judge is set to hear arguments this week on whether to impose a longer-term injunction. Alsup found that the Office of Personnel Management, which serves as the human resources arm of the federal government, had likely violated US law when it directed the agencies to remove those employees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The judge rejected the administrations claim that OPM hadnt exercised authority over other agencies. During a hearing, Alsup had called a termination letter template that OPM provided which included language indicating employees were being fired based on their performance a sham. The Justice Department had asked the 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals to stop Alsups ruling from taking effect, standing by its contention that agencies made firing decisions of their own volition and not at OPMs direction. The government also said the judge was wrong to find that nonprofit organizations had standing to bring federal employment claims. On March 17, the 9th Circuit in a 2-1 order had denied the governments request to immediately halt the effect of Alsups decision. The majority wrote that Alsups order would be a return to the status quo putting the federal workers back in their jobs while granting the governments request would disrupt the status quo and turn it on its head. The 9th Circuit hadnt ruled on the governments request for a longer-term pause to Alsups order when it asked the US Supreme Court to intervene. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The case is Office of Personnel Management v. American Federation of Government Employees, AFL-CIO, 24A904, US Supreme Court. (Updates with comment from Norm Eisen.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2025 Bloomberg L.P. PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) The U.S. Department of Justice is investigating Rhode Islands largest public school system for allegedly discriminating against teachers who identify as white. Providence Public School District spokesperson Jay Wegimont told 12 News that the DOJ notified the district and the R.I. Department of Education about the investigation, which was first reported by Breitbart News on Friday. The state has controlled the city schools since 2019. Wegimont said the DOJ was looking into a student loan repayment program it first implemented in 2021. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Educator of Color Loan Forgiveness Program was funded with a $3.1 million grant from the Rhode Island Foundation as an incentive to bring more teachers identifying as Black, Asian, Indigenous, Latino, or multiracial to the district. The district said at the time the goal was to hire more than 125 minority teachers over a five-year period. New or recently hired eligible teachers would be able to use the funding for college loan repayments of up to $25,000 over their first three years of employment. Decisions on awards for the fourth group of educators since the program launched were scheduled to be made last month. Wegimont said the case examines if the school district is engaged in a pattern or practice of discrimination based on race in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Acts of 1964, and if the district may be engaged in certain employment practices related to the loan repayment program. PPSD is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, national origin or other protected status, Wegimont said. We remain committed in our efforts to recruit and retain a teaching population that reflects the diverse community we serve. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement RELATED: RIDE, AG tell schools to not remove DEI policies as Trump admin threatens cuts The investigation comes in the wake of President Donald Trumps crackdown on school districts over their diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies. The Trump administration has argued DEI doesnt belong in schools and is discriminatory against white and Asian students. Superintendent Javier Montanez informed the Providence School Board about the probe in a letter on Sunday night. He said legal counsel for PPSD and RIDE will cooperate with the DOJ. Target 12 obtained a copy of the letter, which said at the time the program was implemented, students of color represented approximately 80% of enrollment in the district, compared to about 20% of educators identified as educators of color. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Increasing the diversity of our teaching force is not only aligned with the core values of the district, but also has a direct, positive impact on student outcomes as demonstrated by years of educational research, Montanez said. Diversifying the teaching workforce was included as part of the districts Turnaround Action Plan in 2020. At the time the grant was announced, Rhode Island Foundation President and CEO Neil Steinberg said that benefits of a diverse faculty are well documented. (Steinberg has since retired and been replaced by David Cicilline, the former congressman.) Research confirms that when taught by a teacher of color, students of color experience higher reading and math test scores, higher graduation rates, decreased dropout and discipline rates and increased enrollment in advanced courses, Steinberg said in 2021. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chris Barnett, a spokesperson for the Rhode Island Foundation, told Target 12 the non-profit had not been contacted by the DOJ. This isnt the first time the student loan repayment program has made headlines. In November 2022, the Barrington-based Legal Insurrection Foundation filed an administrative complaint with the Office of Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Education, charging the district with civil rights violations related to the program. Because a teachers qualification for the loan repayment program turns on race, skin color, and ancestry, the program is discriminatory on its face and in practice and violates Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, the complaint said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The administrative complaint was referred to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) in February 2023. The foundations founder, William Jacobson, wrote Friday that the complaint had been with the commission without any enforcement action for two years, despite repeated follow up by LIF. Alexandra Leslie (aleslie@wpri.com) is a Target 12 investigative reporter covering Providence and more for 12 News. Connect with her on Twitter and on Facebook. Download the WPRI 12 and Pinpoint Weather 12 apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch 12 News Now on WPRI.com or with the new 12+ smart TV app. Follow us on social media: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Roundup Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com. The Trump administration filed new allegations against Mahmoud Khalil, the Columbia University graduate student detained due to his pro-Palestinian activism on campus, while trying to dismiss his First Amendment violation claims as a "red herring." In a filing Sunday, the Justice Department said Khalil, who is a green-card holder, withheld information about his membership in certain organizations and failed to disclose his employment at the Syria Office in the British Embassy in Beirut, Lebanon, in his permanent residency application. Khalil, a native of Syria and citizen of Algeria, entered the U.S. on a student visa in December 2022 and was adjusted to lawful permanent resident status in November 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He allegedly did not disclose that he was a member of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) as a political officer or that he was part of Columbia University Apartheid Divest when he applied to become a permanent resident in 2024, according to a Department of Homeland Security March 17 document, which the government referenced in its filing. The administration claimed that Khalil also failed to disclose his employment as a program manager by the Syria Office in the British Embassy in Beirut after 2022, according to the document, which detailed additional grounds for Khalil's deportation. It is not immediately clear when or if Khalil stopped working at the embassy. According to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, it is considered fraud and willful misrepresentation if a permanent residency applicant "misrepresents material facts" to "conceal group memberships" that would make them ineligible for permanent residency status. "It is black-letter law that misrepresentations in this context are not protected speech," the government filing states. "Thus, Khalils First Amendment allegations are a red herring, and there is an independent basis to justify removal sufficient to foreclose Khalils constitutional claim here." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, the government will have to prove to the immigration judge that Khalil willfully failed to disclose that information, and whether that disclosure would have impacted his eligibility for permanent residency. Baher Azmy, an attorney for Khalil, told NBC News: "These late-breaking, after-the-fact allegations, silly as they are, primarily show that the government must know the supposed 'foreign policy' grounds for Mahmouds removal are absurd and unconstitutional." Azmy said the government's new claims "cannot change the obvious fact the government has admitted he is being punished in the most autocratic way for his constitutionally protected speech." Mahmoud Khalil stands by the gates of Columbia University on April 30, 2024. Khalil was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Homeland Security Investigations at his Columbia University apartment on March 8. He was arrested in New York, transported briefly to a facility in New Jersey, and transported to an ICE facility in Jena, Louisiana on March 10. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Khalil had been initially arrested under a rarely used provision in immigration law, where the Secretary of State has the authority to deport someone if its determined the person "would have serious adverse foreign policy consequences for the United States." The Department of Homeland Security has said Khalil "led activities aligned to Hamas, a designated terrorist organization," in his activism at Columbia University. However, his attorneys deny the allegations, saying Khalil was targeted for free speech supporting the Palestinian cause. Khalil filed a lawsuit, also known as a habeas petition, protesting his detention in New York. The lawsuit cited a violation of his right to due process and the First Amendment right to free speech. Last week, a New York judge ordered the habeas petition to continue in New Jersey because Khalils attorneys filed the case while he was detained there. New York Federal Judge Jesse Furman also barred his deportation amid the lawsuit, saying Khalils claims of First and Fifth Amendment violations warrant "careful judicial review." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Trump administration's Sunday filing in the district of New Jersey argued that the state lacked jurisdiction to hear the habeas case. It further emphasized the administration's original argument for Khalil's arrest and sought to bypass his argument that he was targeted for free speech by pointing to his alleged lack of disclosures in his permanent residency application. Khalil, who is not facing any publicly known criminal charges, also has a separate deportation case in Louisiana, where he's being detained. Marc Van Der Hout, Khalils attorney in his deportation proceedings, told NBC News on Friday that "this is not a typical case and it's outrageous." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Its almost unprecedented to invoke a provision like this," Van Der Hout said on the immigration law provision initially cited by the administration. "The government is clearly going after him because they dont like what he says about whats going on in the Middle East and thats the bottom line. Were going to fight this strongly." Following the Israel-Hamas war, Columbia University became the forefront of student protests in support of the Palestinian people. The Student Workers of Columbia labor union plans to hold an informational picket at 1 p.m. on Monday to demand protection for international student workers, the restoration of slashed funding, and "reinstatement of all students disciplined for pro-Palestine activism and speech." Columbia faculty will also hold a "Vigil to Defend Democracy" at noon on Monday. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with Citadel founder Ken Griffin at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, capital of China, March 24, 2025. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing) BEIJING, March 24 (Xinhua) -- China welcomes more foreign financial institutions, including Citadel, to invest and establish businesses and share development opportunities in the country, Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng said on Monday when meeting with Citadel founder Ken Griffin. He, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that China is deepening capital market reform while advancing high-standard financial opening-up, aiming to promote high-quality economic development. Griffin expressed optimism over the development prospects of China's economy and financial market, and indicated a willingness to keep expanding business operations and investment in China, contributing to economic and trade cooperation between the United States and China. Marine mammals and other animals continue to struggle with blooms of toxic algae on the Southern California coast. Sea birds and sea lions have already been sickened by the domoic acid-producing algae, but researchers at the Pacific Marine Mammal Center in Laguna Beach have now confirmed that 15 dolphins were also made ill over the past couple of weeks. While sea lions and birds can be treated and released back into the wild, dolphins are often too ill. Roughly half of the dolphins were found dead and half later died, meaning scientists are often performing necropsies instead of working to treat the illness. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dr. Alissa Deming said the first ill sea lion was reported on Feb. 24, and after that, it seems to be slowly creeping up. A total of about 60 have now been taken in. In the past two weeks, weve been intaking anywhere between four to nine patients a day, which is why our hospital is filling up very quickly, Deming told KTLAs Chip Yost. We do have concerns that were going to reach capacity in our hospital, and that might impact to respond to animals on the beach. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Students play on the playground at Woodrow Wilson Elementary School in South Salt Lake on Tuesday, March 12, 2024. (Photo by Spenser Heaps for Utah News Dispatch) Our state leaders love to tell anyone who will listen that Utah is a family-friendly state. We are the youngest state in the nation! We have the biggest families! We love kids! But actions, not words, show whether our leaders truly care about the stability and success of Utah families. Recently, legislative leaders have shown their love of kids by promoting dental decay, eroding public schools, and ostracizing immigrant children. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And for another consecutive year, they did not show any love for the tens of thousands of working families statewide who need and deserve relief from Utahs ongoing child care crisis. Its clear that our state leaders dont love the idea of helping children who do (or could) benefit from the early care and learning offered through licensed child care programs. Instead, they have undermined the health and safety of kids in child care settings, made no substantial public investment to help parents afford rising child care costs, and belittled child care professionals with decades of expertise. State leaders coordinated response to our child care crisis is clear: create the illusion of doing something while actually doing as little as possible. Their strategy certainly crystallized this past legislative session, as the child care bills state leaders allowed to pass contained only superficial efforts to address Utahs very real child care challenges. The governor and Legislature cannot claim ignorance or lack of knowledge. They have all the information they need to meaningfully address the frustration and desperation of working families with young kids. They just cant be bothered to use it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In December, the Women in the Economy Subcommittee of Gov. Spencer Coxs Unified Economic Opportunity Commission released a Utah Childcare Solutions and Workplace Productivity Plan. In appreciation, legislative leaders scrapped the subcommittee altogether. Nonetheless, the plan does exist and could be incredibly helpful. Completed by early care and education experts, it includes current data about our changing demographics, the financial struggles of parents with young children, and the challenges facing the child care workforce. The plan confirms the severity of Utahs child care situation, which local advocates have warned about for years. Most importantly, the plan contains 33 common-sense solutions that have succeeded all over the country. The recommendations are vetted by early childhood experts with decades of expertise and formulated to specifically address Utahs child care challenges and essentially ignored by the same legislature that paid for the plan. In fact, the erstwhile co-chair of the Women in the Economy Subcommittee Rep. Karianne Lisonbee, R-Clearfield admitted to local media that she hadnt even read the plan (but definitely intended to at some point). But why read through an 84-page policy document full of child care solutions, when you know you wont do anything it recommends? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Grassroots child care champions are beyond frustrated with politicians who deliver annual performances celebrating the preciousness of hypothetical children, while doing next to nothing to help actual Utah kids. With so much information and expertise available to them, they still refuse to act. Everyday Utahns who care about this issue are willing to do their part. There are plenty of local experts, parents and child care providers, who are highly informed and almost entirely unpaid. Unfortunately, there is no avenue for them to engage in a legitimate problem-solving process with their elected representatives. Imagine being a working parent or child care provider, taking time off from your job to share your personal experience with an issue impacting thousands of families only to deliver your carefully crafted two-minute testimony to legislators who are staring at their phones or telling unprofessional, insensitive jokes. Or, think about persistently trying to offer your lived experience expertise, for free, only to never be included as a stakeholder when child care legislation is written. Thankfully, state leaders didnt create new challenges for the child care sector this past session. They just did very little to address the existing ones. Once again, theyve done just enough to maintain their child-friendly public image while helping as few Utah children as possible. Utah is very lucky to have thousands of caring parents and child care professionals, still willing to do this incredibly meaningful work for little to no pay. But the luck cant and wont last, while Utahs kids end up paying dearly for state leaders hypocrisy. George Clooney at a press event announcing 'Good Night, and Good Luck' on Broadway in February 2025. - Credit: Bruce Glikas/WireImage/Getty Images George Clooney appeared on 60 Minutes Sunday night (March 23) to promote his upcoming Broadway debut: An adaptation of Good Night, and Good Luck, which tells the story of journalist Edward R. Murrow, who overcame immense political and corporate pressure to report on Joseph McCarthy and his anti-communist witch hunts in the 1950s. It was a relevant story when Clooney co-wrote and starred in the original Oscar-winning film in 2005, at the height of the Iraq War. And it obviously remains a relevant story 20 years later as Donald Trump returns to the White House with his usual verbal attacks against the press, combined with new ones in the courts (including one lawsuit against CBS News and 60 Minutes). More from Rolling Stone Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Part of the 60 Minutes segment included footage from a first table read for the Broadway production, where Clooney addressed the cast, crew, and also the news cameras: When the other three estates fail, when the judiciary and the executive and the legislative branches fail us, the fourth estate has to succeed, Clooney said. He then referred to ABC News decision to settle a defamation lawsuit with the Trump administration, as well as the 60 Minutes complaint. Trump is suing CBS News for $20 billion, alleging that 60 Minutes engaged in election interference by editing an interview with Kamala Harris to make her look good. (CBS has denied the claim and asked a judge to dismiss the suit. The litigation also comes as CBS parent company Paramount tries to close a merger which would require approval from the Trump-appointed chair of the FCC.) Were seeing this idea of using government to scare or, fine, or use corporations to make journalists smaller, Clooney said. Governments dont like the freedom of the press. They never have. And that goes for whether you are a conservative or a liberal or whatever side youre on. They dont like the press. Clooneys entire point was then, unsurprisingly, bolstered by Trump himself, who got on Truth Social and wrote, Why would the now highly discredited 60 Minutes be doing a total puff piece on George Clooney, a second rate movie star, and failed political pundit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Calling Clooney a second rate movie star was just one of several dubious claims Trump made as he regurgitated his accusations against 60 Minutes and suggested that Clooney only stumped for Harris during the 2024 election under orders from the Obama camp (not because Clooneys a prominent, lifelong Democrat). 60 Minutes even fraudulently inserted Fake answers into her disastrous interview, aired just before Election Day, in one of the most embarrassing and dishonest events in broadcast history, Trump wrote. And now George Clooney again? His press agent should be making a fortune!!! Clooney, for his part, described the relationship between governments and a free press as a fight that is for the ages. He added: Journalism, and telling truth to power, has to be waged like war is waged. It doesnt just happen accidentally. It takes people saying, Were going to do these stories, and youre going to have to come after us. Best of Rolling Stone Sign up for RollingStone's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (WBOY) More than one hundred people were buzzing with excitement Sunday afternoon for the annual beekeeping classes at the Mylan Park Center in Morgantown. Many of those in attendance hoped to soon start beekeeping, while others were there simply to learn more about the art of beekeeping itself and the importance of it in West Virginias agriculture. There were multiple speakers, and those in attendance got to learn about honey making, pests they could encounter and much more. Mike Lamp, President of Monongalia County Beekeepers Association, discussed the importance of the class. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Beer, Bourbon and BBQ coming to Stonewall Resort The way agriculture works in the state of West Virginia compared to like the west say, we dont have giant cattle farms, we dont have giant agricultural farms of that size but what we do have the ability to have are agricultural operations in bees and things like that, Lamp said. The honeybee is our state insect, its a huge part of what we do here, we have commercial apiarist that go all over the country that help pollinate almonds and apples and blueberries. On April 6 there will be a beekeeping vendor showcase at Mylan Park center from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with free admission and a chance to win giveaways and door prizes. To learn more, you can visit the Monongalia County Beekeepers Association Facebook 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 WBOY.com. (NewsNation) A district judge and the Trump administration are clashing over the Justice Departments handling of recent deportations. Did President Donald Trump violate a court order when he ordered migrants to be deported by plane to Venezuela? John Fishwick, a trial attorney, explains on Morning in America. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. TOOELE COUNTY, Utah (ABC4) A driver was airlifted to a local hospital after crashing into the back of a semi-truck on I-80 on Sunday afternoon. A small SUV with a single person inside crashed into the trailer of the semi-truck near mile marker 24 on westbound I-80. The car got stuck under the trailer and caught fire, according to a spokesperson with the Utah Highway Patrol. Turkey dies after crashing through windshield, injuring driver on I-15 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The driver of the SUV was airlifted to a local hospital with serious injuries, but is expected to recover, officials said. The driver of the semi-truck was not injured. Courtesy: Utah Highway Patrol Courtesy: Utah Highway Patrol UHP posted on social media around 6 p.m. to let drivers know that the road was shut down. The closure was later amended so that one lane of the road was open, and UDOT posted an advisory on its traffic website to tell drivers to expect extended delays. The left shoulder of the road was blocked, but the right shoulder was open, UDOT said. There is no further information at this time. Connor Comeau contributed to this report. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. (KRON) A passenger of a car was killed after a driver of a stolen Infiniti crashed into the car, according to the Contra Costa County District Attorneys Office. At 12:41 a.m. on Sunday, Pittsburg Police Department officers responded to two vehicles involved in a crash. According to the sheriffs office, the California Highway Patrol officers noticed a stolen gray Infiniti sedan speeding more than 100 miles per hour on Highway 4 near east of Bailey Road, according to deputies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 6 injured after stolen vehicle crashed into another car: SCCSO CHP officers pursued the Infiniti and caught up at the freeway at Railroad Avenue in Pittsburg. Despite officers attempting to pull over the car, the driver did not stop. Deputies said the pursuit lasted slightly over a minute due to the Infiniti crashing into an uninvolved vehicle. Paramedics responded and took both drivers to a local hospital. A passenger of the uninvolved vehicle was pronounced dead at the scene, said deputies. The district attorneys office is investigating this case with the assistance of the CHPs Multidisciplinary Accident Investigation Team. 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 KRON4. The drone coalition has allocated 20 million from a joint fund to purchase Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) drones for the Ukrainian defence forces. Source: Kateryna Chernohorenko, Deputy Minister of Defence of Ukraine for Digital Development, Digital Transformation and Digitalisation, as reported by European Pravda Details: The Defence Ministry reported that the delivery of the equipment is expected within three months. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chernohorenko said that thanks to these drones, the military can reconnoitre an area and increase the combat situation awareness of their units. Background: The coalition of drones was formed in February 2024 during the 19th meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group (also known as the Ramstein format), an idea proposed by Latvia. Latvia coordinates the initiative together with the UK. It currently includes 18 countries: Latvia, the United Kingdom, Australia, Czechia, Denmark, France, Estonia, Italy, New Zealand, Canada, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Germany, Sweden and Ukraine. In July 2024, the countries participating in the drone coalition signed a Memorandum of Understanding under which they created a joint fund worth 45 million. Since the beginning of this year, it has been expected that the members of the drone coalition would begin massive supplies of various types of drones to Ukraine. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! DES MOINES, Iowa A Des Moines man was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison on Monday for shooting at Polk County deputies in 2023. On the morning of September 30 2023, Scott Eugene Smith led law enforcement on a car chase across the northeast side of Des Moines, the Department of Justice said. The car chase ended when Smith jumped out of his vehicle, a Honda Civic, in the 5200 block of NE 14th Street and fired a handgun at a deputy with the Polk County Sheriffs Office. Smith fled from the scene and barricaded himself in a room at the Budget Inn, causing an hours-long standoff with law enforcement before being taken into custody. No injuries occurred during the incident. Des Moines police seek help in fatal hit-and-run crash Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the time, Smith was wanted on an arrest warrant and faced charges of attempted murder, felon in possession of a firearm, drug charges, and more. On Monday, Smith was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison for the charges of possessing firearms as a felon, possessing a distribution quantity of methamphetamine, and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. After Smith finishes his prison sentence he will be required to serve five years of supervised release. Metro News: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to who13.com. Mystic This year's Irish Parade drew between 25,000 and 30,000 spectators to the village Sunday, wearing green top hats, shamrock earrings and the almost ubiquitous green beaded necklaces. Bagpipes blared. At least one dog, a Boston terrier, was dyed green. Babies in green knit caps were cradled in carriers so parents could eat pizza and hot dogs. Mystic Irish Parade Foundation Vice President Neil Ryan said more than 80 groups and about 2,000 marchers, bagpipers, floats, civic organizations, first responders, joined the tens of thousands of paradegoers. More than 300 volunteers worked to make the parade's 17th year another successful one. He pegged this year's crowd at 25,000 to 30,000. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One Mystic resident, Julie Eliason, lives right on the parade route, her home a former liquor store. She and her 10-year-old Yorkshire terrier Milly sat outside her home. I moved here about 10 years ago, and that first year I had no idea there was any kind of parade," Eliason said. "Every year it builds a little more, it builds a little more, it's just fun," she said. "The town instantly coming together, that's the most fun." She also wore Irish-themed accessories, a white, shamrock-patterned scarf, yet another green headband topped by shamrocks on springs. The best part of Mystic's parade, she said, is that it happens after St. Patrick's Day so all the green gear is steeply discounted. The cheaper prices let her stock up and pass out festive goodies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Leicester, Mass. resident Danielle Babbitt and her 2-year-old son Sebastian Babbitt were first-timers, making the 80-mile drive pretty much on impulse. "I have no clue what the heck this is all about," Danielle Babbitt said. It was the first parade Babbitt expects her son will remember, she said as Sebastian turned a pinecone into a magic wand. Lisa Konicki was also a first-timer, but as a marcher in the parade queue. She is president of the Westerly, R.I.-based Ocean Community Chamber of Commerce, which is celebrating its 100th year. "We felt because it's our hundredth, we'd do this and the Columbus Day parade to say thanks for the support," Konicki said. The chamber's float had a large Irish-themed nutcracker and an anchor, the chamber's insignia, that was taller than a pick-up truck. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Maggie Henderson, who directs the parades volunteers, said planning the day had gone smoothly. "We're a well-oiled machine at this point," Henderson said. Henderson has been volunteering for 15 years. It's the joy that keeps bringing her back. "It's usually a very fun day, sometimes a little crazy," Henderson said. Every year, her favorite moment is seeing the floats begin their procession. Middletown Pipes and Drums marched in the parade for the 12th time this year, and band member Lori Connor said the village's parade is the best of all the parades they do, Hartford, Meriden, Essex, to name a few. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It's the most Irish," Connor said. "This is the one that feels perfect. Connor said being around all that Irish-ness was good prep for the band's upcoming trip to a world bagpipe competition in Ireland, where she said she and the band will do their best to represent America in what Connor called a meaningful cultural exchange. j.lakowsky@theday.com COLOMBO, March 24 (Xinhua) -- The recent crash of a Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) training aircraft was attributed to a pilot error, Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports, and Civil Aviation Bimal Rathnayake told reporters on Monday. He stated that Air Marshal Bandu Edirisinghe, commander of the SLAF, had established a special investigation committee to examine the incident and their report showed that the aircraft and its engines were in good condition prior to the crash. The minister expressed relief that the two pilots involved escaped without serious injuries. The aircraft crashed on Friday morning in Wariyapola, located in the country's North Western Province, during a routine training exercise. MANLIUS, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) Eagle Hill Middle School in the Fayetteville-Manlius School District is investigating an incident where a swastika was drawn on a desk late last week, the schools interim principal announced in a letter on Monday, March 24. A letter to the school community from Interim Principal Karen Liparulo says the swastika was found in one of their Spanish classrooms and the graffiti was then swiftly removed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Liparulo said a full investigation was conducted and will keep an open line of communication as the school community addresses the concern together. She also said in the letter that she talked to the schools eighth-grade Spanish classes to discuss the importance of creating a safe learning environment that is free from discrimination and hate. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSYR. WALTON COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) Early in-person voting for the Florida First Congressional District special election is underway. The district covers Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa counties, and part of Walton County. In Walton County, polls will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. every day from tomorrow through March 29th. Residents can cast their ballots at the DeFuniak Springs Courthouse, Freeport City Hall, and the Santa Rosa Beach Courthouse Annex. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republican Jimmy Patronis and Democrat Gay Valimont are both hoping to replace Matt Gaetz, who resigned from the seat late last year after Donald Trump nominated Gaetz for U.S. Attorney General. Election day is April 1st. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. A spring warming trend could break some afternoon records around Southern California on Monday. Were really talking about temperatures 10 to 20 degrees above normal, KTLAs Kirk Hawkins said. The National Weather Service (NWS) says afternoon highs are expected to be in the 90s across the warmest valleys of Los Angeles and Ventura counties. Some of the areas that are basically going to be on alert include Woodland Hills, Ojai and Palmdale, Kirk said. Watch out for temperatures there to be near or above record-breaking temperatures. National Weather Service heat 3-24-25 Woodland Hills is forecast to reach 95 degrees Monday, which would break its current March 24 record of 89. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The rising temperatures have health officials concerned about heat-related illnesses, especially for kids and older adults. Recommended actions include staying hydrated, wearing light clothing, taking frequent breaks and possibly avoiding outdoor activities between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. altogether. The above-average temperatures should continue through Tuesday before returning to normal for the rest of the week. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (WLAX/WEUX) Eau Claire City Council is set to vote on a development causing controversy among the town of Washington residents. The vote will decide whether to approve a re-zoning ordinance for the plot of land on Evergreen Terrace. The land has been annexed by the city recently. Residents say aside from the Orchard Hills development nearby, talk of the development on Evergreen Terrace took some by surprise. If the city approves the ordinance on Tuesday, March 25th. Construction will be able to begin. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX2548 & WIProud. One of the best antidotes to polarization is open, respectful dialogue. How can we come together if we arent engaging with each other? Thats especially true of our elected officials, and so we are encouraged by the recent uptick in town halls. What disheartens us is that these opportunities for genuine discourse are being hijacked by extremists and people whose behavior is disruptive and unproductive. Congressman Sean Casten held one such town hall last week. He and other attendees were disrupted by unruly, uncivil pro-Palestinian protesters who attempted to take over the meeting to push their agenda. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement People did not come here to hear you, Casten said at one point. Show some respect for the people in this district. Several attendees shouted at the congressman, with one actually storming the stage to confront him. You are the most soulless piece of crap Ive ever seen! he yelled, after berating Casten for his people being slaughtered. Police advised Casten to end the event early. The spectacle became the focus of national news, with clips appearing on CNN and elsewhere. Tensions are at a boiling point over everything from the unresolved Israel-Palestine conflict to the economy to the Department of Government Efficiency. Speaking of which, another worrying trend is the rise in politically motivated property crimes targeting Tesla. A 27-year-old Buffalo Grove woman was arrested and charged earlier this month for allegedly vandalizing a Tesla service center in the northwest suburbs. This is part of a larger national trend of violence against the Elon Musk-owned EV maker. Earlier this month, footage showed Teslas on set on fire at a Las Vegas service center. Torching privately owned vehicles is not a productive form of political speech. Our freedom of speech carries with it great personal responsibility, something many are forgetting as they descend into selfish acts of destruction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Perhaps its unsurprising that the U.S. has fallen to its lowest-ever ranking in the World Happiness Report. Among the major contributors to happiness? A belief in the kindness of others. Righteous anger is one thing. Hate and chaotic disruption are quite another. Wed encourage those angered and frustrated by current events to channel this anger into something productive. Screaming and petty crimes dont compel political change, but running for office, contacting your congresspeople and raising awareness through legitimate means such as submitting your opinion to this newspaper can. And with political polarization at a boiling point, we also urge our elected officials both Republicans and Democrats to find ways to come together, and to bring voters along with them. Town halls are an important step, but more civil rhetoric must follow. We ask you: Stop conditioning us to view our neighbors as our enemies. This political tactic may help with partisan reelection bids, but its toxic for our society and emboldens people to follow their worst instincts. Its true that a house divided cannot stand. We must not let political disagreements break us from within. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis wrote in his famous 1927 concurring opinion in Whitney v. California that if there be time to expose through discussion, the falsehoods and fallacies, to avert the evil by the processes of education, the remedy to be applied is more speech, not enforced silence. This sentiment holds true today. We need to keep talking to one another. And we must do so in good faith not spiteful anger. Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com. Welcome to Florida. Where Sunshine needs lobbyists and lawyers, and the state motto could just as well be nothing to see here. Where elected officials shamelessly reject attempts to let the people who voted for them know what they are up to. Where government bureaucrats seem increasingly inclined to simply ignore the law, particularly in the agencies overseen by Gov. Ron DeSantis. When Florida first started observing an annual Sunshine Week, it was billed as a celebration of the states 1967 Government in the Sunshine law that codified open meetings and access to public records. Today, its more like the award-show reels of the years casualties. This year, there are a few bright spots albeit in legislation that faces a high bar to become law. Meanwhile, a flock of brand-new exemptions to the states open-records laws are clustered at the gates of the state Legislature, fueled by support thats often bipartisan and likely to pass. Unless champions step forward. The good news: Its not too late. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement House Speaker Daniel Perez and Senate President Ben Albritton have positioned themselves as empowered advocates for principled government. If they are willing to stand up for government in the sunshine, they have a good chance of turning this dark tide. Floridians should reach out to both leaders, along with their own representatives, to ask for their support of the publics right to know. A lost legacy Once upon a time, this state enjoyed a reputation for open government that was second to none. Floridas leaders took pride in the fact that almost every document produced by a governmental agency was available to its residents, even in the days when that meant records kept on reams and reams of paper and meetings that could only be viewed in person. Those who violated these laws had reason to fear serious consequences, including prosecution and the penalty of watching secretive deals unwound in the light of public condemnation. Meanwhile, any attempt to pass exemptions to public information met with fierce, often fatal opposition and new laws that passed the Legislature often died quickly in court challenges. With the advent of the internet, video streaming and easy, self-service access to government documents online, it should be easier than ever before to access the information that belongs to the public by right. In some cases, thats true politicians, as it turns out, love to see themselves on video. The websites for the state Legislature provide ready access to session documents and, on the House side, considerable data on the vast lobbying apparatus that seeks to wield influence. And Floridas court system continues to shine as a beacon of openness, in large part thanks to the longstanding collaboration between state court leaders, judges to-the-letter interpretation of state law and local elected clerks of court, who work hard to make court documents ever more accessible. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the forces of darkness are formidable, and for decades, they played the long game. A tweak here, a nip there gradually, more and more documents were officially obscured through exemption bills that officially blacked out records. Year after year, lawmakers hide public records. They make it easier for public officials to do business behind closed doors. Worst of all, local and state government agencies have shown an increasing tendency to fend off public-records requests with barriers like unjustified fees or a simple cold shoulder, letting records requests lie dormant for weeks or months with no response. Over the past few years, the Orlando Sentinel has had to send attorneys to fight for information on several fronts: We fought for records regarding the oversight of publicly funded vouchers that divert hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars into unregulated private schools. It took months to uncover information about a shadowy new department that DeSantis set up to provide guidance for ultra-conservative local politicians who were turning school board meetings across Florida into three-ring circuses with endless discussions of drag queens and book bans. The Sentinel even needed attorneys to get public records from local police departments about questionable incidents involving officers. If one of the states biggest newspapers had to fight for these records, what chance do ordinary citizens stand? Reclaiming the light Thats why state lawmakers who care about good government should embrace a proposed bill (SB 1434, by Sen. Darryl Rouson, D-St. Petersburg) that would put teeth back into the states defanged Sunshine-compliance laws by setting strict timelines for governmental agencies to acknowledge public-records requests. It limits fees for agencies that slow-walk demands for records, and even levies fines when delays become egregious. It doesnt go far enough certainly, not back to the days when state employees took records demands seriously. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But it would be a pivot. And lawmakers have their own recent snub to fuel their ire: The decision to conceal, for nearly two years, a state report that detailed how property-insurance companies bled billions of dollars from their own ledgers and then screamed that they were on the verge of economic collapse. That fake narrative helped convince lawmakers to provide additional taxpayer support, while weakening consumer protection laws to the point where half of all hurricane-related claims following a series of killer storms were denied. Right now, Rouson is the only name attached to SB 1434, which was drafted with the assistance of Floridas First Amendment Foundation and the Florida Center for Governmental Accountability. Perez and Albritton should make it a priority. Theres one more way they can immediately claim the mantle of champion. Back when DeSantis presidential ambitions burned bright, he demanded legislation that made it impossible for Floridians to track where he went (even when he was supposedly traveling on public business) or who he met with. Rolling that sweeping, completely unjustifiable shroud of darkness and then daring DeSantis to veto it would be a power move on behalf of Floridas citizenry, making it harder for DeSantis to cut secretive deals in the last few years of his lame-duck administration. There are a few more bright spots. One bill (HB 671/SB 798) would make it easier to track requests and pay any costs of sourcing and copying records via electronic means, making it easier to hold agencies accountable when they stall or lose payments. Another (HB 1321/SB 1726) would strip some of the secrecy from state-university-president searches, letting the public take part in the process of hiring some of the states highest-paid employees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres one more crucial way that Albritton and Perez could step up as champions of public access: Say no to most (if not all) of the 130 new exemptions that have been filed this session. Many of them are small, but some are doozies. Well cover them in another editorial, but for now, just say no is the guidance the president and speaker can offer and the least Floridians should expect. _____ In any negotiation, one of the most powerful weapons is knowledge. In that regard, Steve Witkoff is willfully disarmed. And its playing just right for Russia. The interview that Witkoff, Trumps special envoy, gave to Tucker Carlson a few days ago revealed a truth that was perceived especially bitterly here in Ukraine: In the negotiation where everything is at stake, Ukraines most powerful ally is represented by a man who either knows next to nothing about Ukraine or woefully misunderstands it. Moreover, the resulting vacuum is being filled with the propaganda that Russians feed to him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Observing it from Kyiv, knowing that Witkoff is among the people deciding Ukraines future, was sobering and terrifying. Although Witkoff, Donald Trumps special envoy to the Middle East, wasnt yet officially appointed to lead the negotiations with Russia, informally he has sidelined the Russia envoy Keith Kellogg. It happened due to his success brokering the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas which has crumbled. One wonders if his approach to the Middle East deal was as devoid of factual knowledge as his tactic with Russia is. In the interview, Witkoff revealed two key things. One is his apparent infatuation with Russian President Vladimir Putin. No surprises there, since it appears to be a job requirement for anyone in the current U.S. administration. Witkoff praised Putin for respecting Trump by ordering a portrait of him drawn by a renowned Russian artist, and for praying for Trump following his assassination attempt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He and Carlson contrasted it with President Volodymyr Zelenskys disrespectful behavior toward Trump during the infamous Oval Office meeting. The arrogance of small countries! Carlson quipped. The ignorance of small men, wed like to say back to him. (Heres our editorial about that meeting). But after praising Putin, Witkoff moved on to reveal something even worse: His utter lack of knowledge about Ukraine and the war. At the center of this conflict, Witkoff said, is the fate of these so-called four regions. He made an attempt to list them, only to fail embarrassingly. Donbas, Crimea he started. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Luhansk, Carlson helpfully added. Yes, Luhansk! Witkoff said. And two others. Neither of these two men who have strong opinions on Ukraine and Russia (and in the case of Witkoff the power to dictate their futures) even know the names of the embattled regions of Ukraine that Russia has pronounced theirs. Heres a primer for Witkoff and Carlson. The four regions they were trying to recall are: Donetsk Oblast, Luhansk Oblast, Zaporizhizhia Oblast, and Kherson Oblast. Oblast is a region. Like a state, but with less autonomy. These regions have suffered the bulk of Russian aggression, they have bled and lost countless lives and cities. The least they deserve is for people to remember their names. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All four regions are partly occupied by Russia, but in two of them Kherson and Zaporizhzhia Ukraine controls the regional capitals. Donbas is an unofficial name of the region that encompasses both Luhansk and Donetsk oblasts. Crimea, which Witkoff tried to put in the same line-up, is a separate entity, a fifth region. It was illegally annexed by Russia in 2014. The annexation wasnt recognized by the international community. However, the name confusion wasn't the most concerning issue in the special envoys interview. At the next turn, Witkoff said that the regions were Russian-speaking and there have been referendums where the overwhelming majority of the people have indicated that they want to be under Russian rule. This is a dangerous lie. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These statements aim to show that the partially occupied regions belong with Russia anyway and therefore, should be just given to Russia, no big deal. They are among the most frequent arguments Russia and its agents have been using to justify Russias claims on Ukraine but hearing them from a person with direct influence on the fate of the war is new, and worrying. And whats the reality? Its true that many people in Ukraine, especially in its eastern and southern areas, speak Russian as their first language. They are not ethnic Russians. They are Ukrainians who speak Russian as the consequence of long years of eradication of the Ukrainian language, first by the Russian Empire, then by the Soviet Union, and its replacement with Russian. Still, they didnt entirely succeed, and even in the most affected regions, people often speak a mix of two languages. The share of Ukrainian speakers has been growing since Russias attack in 2014, and more so since the full-scale invasion in 2022, as people choose to switch to Ukrainian. Importantly, for Russian-speaking Ukrainians the language isnt a marker of political affiliation or allegiance. To put it simply, Ukrainians can speak the Russian language and hate Russia at the same time. There are Russian-speaking Ukrainian soldiers fighting against Russia in the trenches. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Finally, there are Ukrainians working at the Kyiv Independent whose first language was Russian and they are far less pro-Russian than some special envoys. The other Russian lie that Witkoff disturbingly signs on to is the supposed referendums that the occupied regions held, where the overwhelming majority of the people have indicated that they want to be under Russian rule. There was no such vote. In September 2022, when Ukraine was on the offensive, Russia announced so-called referendums in the occupied parts of four Ukrainian regions. It was a farce in which Ukrainians had to vote at gunpoint (heres an example of it). The Kremlin announced, groundlessly, that 98% of the population voted to be a part of Russia, and declared annexation. (Heres our editorial about it). The validity of these sham referendums is recognized only by North Korea and now, apparently, by U.S. special envoy Witkoff. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To contradict the outcome of the referendum, when less than two months later the Ukrainian army liberated the city of Kherson, thousands of city residents took to the streets in celebration. Since then, Russia has been attacking Kherson daily, killing civilians in the city they claim is theirs. As Ukrainian journalists, we are no strangers to correcting the misconceptions about Ukraine, or calling out Russian propaganda. But increasingly so, we are forced to correct misconceptions coming from the people with direct influence on the fate of our country. Watching Witkoffs interview from anywhere in the world can be embarrassing. Watching it in Kyiv is also frightening. For Ukrainians, everything is at stake in this war and in these negotiations. We already know the U.S. representatives will be rooting for Russia, not Ukraine. But Witkoffs interview raises the question can the sharp turn of U.S. foreign policy be rooted in incredible ignorance? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read also: Editorial: A president just disrespected America in the Oval Office. It wasnt Zelensky Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Municipalities in the West Hills suburbs of Johnstown are preparing to spend $37,500 to develop a comprehensive 10-year plan for regional improvements. The expressed goal of saving municipal costs by sharing more services and cooperating to improve housing, recreation and the environment across the 30-square-mile area is a worthy one. Southmont Borough approved a financial commitment of $5,026 toward the plan this past Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brownstown Borough has committed to funding its share, and Westmont Borough and Upper and Lower Yoder townships last week were in the process of scheduling votes to finalize their contributions, our Russ OReilly reported. It will be a good thing, Westmont Borough Council President Marc McCall said. The municipalities tried this years ago, but didnt go forward. Now that we have all municipalities in agreement, I feel positive that it will pass. Southmont Borough Council President Doug Beri said the comprehensive plan would result in more grant money flowing to the West Hills. For the West Hills to be competitive for state and federal grants, it needs to have a comprehensive plan, Beri said. This will help us access more grant funds in the future. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This move comes soon after a Pennsylvania Rural Population Revitalization Commission hearing in Altoona at which officials emphasized the importance of grant funding to the future of the states small towns. People who testified at that Feb. 28 hearing described challenges regarding application processes, the costs of conducting engineering studies and hiring grant writers, acquiring matching funds, administrative expenses, and the often long time needed to actually receive reimbursements, as our Dave Sutor reported. Kyle Kopko, the commissions chairman, told Sutor after the hearing: If some of these municipalities and counties cant compete for grants, thats the difference of them being able to meet the needs of their community and not meeting those needs because their budgets arent sufficient. Some West Hills municipalities already share some key services. For example, the West Hills Regional Police Department serves Westmont, Brownstown, Southmont and Lower Yoder Township. The West Hills Regional Fire Department serves Westmont, Brownstown, Ferndale and the Westwood section of Lower Yoder Township. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials are eyeing other topics as part of the proposed plan, OReilly reported, including possibly sharing staff, public works, equipment and utility services; revitalizing existing commercial districts; and enhancing pedestrian infrastructure. If and when the plan is completed, a major next step would be identifying and using sources of funding to complete the projects within it. The harshest critics of President Trump and all hes doing are sounding more superlative, angry, and existential every day. Oh, and in the educational arena, theyre sounding downright foolish. Hes ruining America, they predictably say. But really, hes ruining the financial and power-wielding prospects of those with prime positions at the government trough - government unions. At the Department of Education, unions voices are growing panicked. The context of all this is Trumps vow to dismantle the department. Predictably, prompting those profiting from it to claim "the children" will suffer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In reality, the unions golden goose is getting gored. And, as usual, theyre enlisting useful idiots to ape their weak talking points, as a recent Education Week essay by a retired teacher dramatizes. Eugene Butler Jr. says that "contrary to popular belief," kids in private schools dont score any better than those in public schools. He cites a Louisiana study that he says corroborates his assertion. This is shameful propaganda: The most recent NAEP report states flatly that students in private schools consistently outperformed their public school peers in nearly all subject areas. No reputable non-union study says otherwise. Butler also says dismantling the DOE "may re-establish de-facto segregation in school," but completely ignores the blatant racism and segregation in our public schools today, which stems directly from destructive DEI policies that the DOE imposed. The recent order to cut staffing in half at the federal office has only amplified the angst. Education Secretary Linda McMahon said the reductions were to eliminate "what I think is bureaucratic bloat." But to unions who benefit from large sums in dues and insider corruption, these are the most essential personnel ever to occupy a federal chair. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its instructive to note that the DOE was started by teacher unions, and after they helped get Carter elected in 1980, his gift to unions was an independent DOE with a powerful cabinet position. Thats why teacher unions complain the loudest about wiping out the corruption at the DOE. "The children" have been suffering for decades. A look at the scandalously low reading and math scores achieved by our children on our nations report card shows the large-scale decline unions have engineered in public education. Only 31% of fourth graders and 30% of eighth graders performed at or above the NAEP Proficient level in reading. Only 39% of fourth graders and a shocking 28% of eighth graders performed at or above proficient in math. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Think about it: After starting the DOE, pouring trillions into our schools, and allowing unions to control the entire educational system, America now has 45 million functional illiterates. The National Literacy Institute puts U.S. adult illiteracy at 21%, with another 54% of adults having literacy below a sixth-grade level. Failure at this level is intentional. All this suffering, all these Americans denied a chance at a successful life, all because unions and their DOE worked to damage our educational system and enlarge their wealth and power. Speaking of wealth and power, when teacher unions demanded the DOE shutter schools during COVID-19, denying our children the opportunity to learn, we all still had to pay taxes toward our schools, and the National Education Associations leader, Becky Pringle, pocketed $534,243 in pay between September 2020 and August 2021. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unions and their DOE are a cancer and must be immediately barred from our schools. The DOE metes out cash, lots of it. Its 2024 budget was $268 billion. Unions claim this money is "for the children," but since the DOEs founding, the bulk of that money has gone to people and programs supported by the unions education establishment - the very establishment that has lived large off American tax dollars while horribly (and purposely) failing to educate American children. Before teacher unions gained traction and long before they imposed their corrupt DOE, our students were thriving. Americans were highly successful across the educational spectrum; our country was flourishing, and our schools were the envy of the world. Prior to 1917, 80% of our school funding was from local sources, 20% from state sources, and ZERO from the federal government. We need to return there, and thats why President Trump is right to shutter the DOE. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres one last assertion made by Butler in his article that is just as specious as the others. He says that taking down the department would "undermine decades of settled law." Academics probably like to write the word "settled" in front of the word "law" so they can feel erudite. But baby, that law is about to be settled in a grave somewhere, and kids and everybody else in the country will benefit. Rebecca Friedrichs is the founder of For Kids and Country, author of Standing Up to Goliath, and a 28-year public school teacher who was the lead plaintiff in Friedrichs v. California Teachers Association. & Roger Ruvolo is a longtime newspaper editor and a contributor to For Kids & Country. (NewsNation) Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, warned that dismantling the Department of Education could have severe consequences for students across the nation, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds. President Donald Trump signed an executive order to dismantle the department, vowing to return control to states and local communities. The Trump administration argues the current system has failed students, citing stagnant math and reading scores since the departments creation in 1979, despite rising education spending. Weingarten said that while the department under former President Joe Bidens administration did not do a good job, the agency shouldnt be dismantled but rather made efficient. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My union actually didnt want the Department of Education in the first place. We thought it should stay as HEW (Health, Education, and Welfare) but now that we have it, we cant throw the baby out with the bath water, Weingarten said Sunday on NewsNation Prime. What happens if the Department of Education is abolished? Weingarten said that federal education dollars, which she described as one out of every $9 that kids get, support essential services including special education, after-school programs and resources for rural schools. We dont know whats going to happen with $100 billion that the Federal Department of Education is now charged with getting out to the states, Weingarten said. That funding funds huge opportunity gaps in states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Former Democratic Rep. Jason Altmire, now CEO of Career Education Colleges and Universities, agreed theres been huge inefficiency in the Department of Education. Altmire, who previously served on the congressional education committee said theres a legitimate policy argument to be had whether or not the states should have more control over K through 12. Altmire noted that while only Congress can eliminate the department, the debate centers on whether decision-making should rest with those closest to the decision making at the state and certainly at the school board level. Efforts to save Department of Education move to courts Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite the administrations arguments that education spending has increased without corresponding improvements in test scores, public opinion appears skeptical of the proposal. A Fox News poll showed 65% of respondents opposed shutting down the agency, with only 32% in favor. Weingarten argued the public opposition stems from understanding that federal education funding fills critical gaps that states and localities cannot. Nobody wants bureaucracy. We want it to be more efficient, but we dont want to lose that money, she said. We dont want poor kids to lose it. We dont want rural kids to lose it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Defenders of the Department of Education are turning to the courts to save it and on Friday, Trump said he would move some of its most critical loan programs to the Small Business Administration (SBA). Trump cannot abolish the department without an act of Congress, and it is not clear that legislation doing so could get through Congress. NewsNation partner 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. TOKYO, March 24 (Xinhua) -- A wildfire that broke out in a mountainous area of Japan's Okayama City over the weekend has continued to spread, with firefighting efforts still underway. As of 10 a.m. local time (0100 GMT) on Monday, approximately 250 hectares in Okayama City's Minami Ward and parts of Tamano City have been burned since the fire broke out on Sunday. Six buildings, including houses and warehouses, have been affected, but no injuries have been reported, national broadcaster NHK said. Firefighting operations continued overnight, with reinforcements from surrounding municipalities joining efforts. Ten helicopters, including those from the Japan Self-Defense Forces, are conducting aerial water drops. Due to the risk of the fire spreading to residential areas, Okayama City has issued evacuation orders for 403 households, according to the report. Fifteen years ago, Justice Anthony Kennedy made a prediction. Writing for the majority in Citizens United v. Federal Elections Commission, in which the court struck down key guardrails against corporate spending in American elections, Kennedy rejected the allegation that the courts ruling would have deleterious effects on how Americans perceived their republic. The appearance of influence or access, furthermore, will not cause the electorate to lose faith in our democracy, he wrote. Kennedys reasoning was stilted and formulaic: Because corporations were willing to spend money to try to persuade voters, he argued, that dynamic presupposes that the people have the ultimate influence over elected officials. The last two months have proven him disastrously incorrect. Elon Musk, a South African billionaire who is considered to be the worlds wealthiest man, spent $288 million to reelect President Donald Trump last year. In return for his contributions, he has been given more power over the federal government than any other private individual since the founding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With that power, Musk and his henchmen have dismantled entire federal agencies and directed the dismissals of thousands of civil servants. He has gained access to private data on millions of Americans from the Social Security Administration, the IRS, and other bedrock components of the federal government. He has used the Treasurys payment system to cut off funds to congressionally authorized programs and disfavored recipients of federal funds. The entire federal government now seems to bend to one mans personal interests. Trump personally took part in a private car show for Tesla, Musks ailing electric car company, on the White House lawn. Attorney General Pam Bondi recently announced that the Justice Department would treat vandalism of Tesla cars and dealerships as domestic terrorism. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick told Fox News viewers this month that Teslas stock price slide was a historic buying opportunity and urged them to take part in it. I think if you want to learn something on this show tonight, buy Tesla, he told host Jesse Watters. Its unbelievable that this guys stock is this cheap. Itll never be this cheap again. I mean, who wouldnt invest in Elon Musk? You gotta be kidding me. Abraham Lincolns dream of government by the people, of the people, and for the people has been replaced with government by, for, and of one very specific person. This is the world that the Supreme Courts campaign finance deregulation efforts have created. All modern campaign finance cases begin with Buckley v. Valeo, where the justices struck down key portions of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971. That law imposed various limits on campaign donations and expenditures; the Buckley court struck down some of these restrictions and upheld others. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The justices at the time reasoned, for example, that capping the amount of spending that campaigns could make during an election was an unnecessary violation of the First Amendment. At the same time, the Buckley court upheld other restrictions on campaign contributions and independent expenditures by holding that the government had a substantial interest in preventing the appearance or reality of corruption in electoral politics. In 2002, Congress amended the 1971 act by passing the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act, also known as BCRAor McCain-Feingold after the two senators who championed it. Among BCRAs reforms were limits on how corporations, unions, and other non-nonprofit organizations could spend money to influence elections. While those groups could still generally spend money on issue ads, the 2002 law barred them from making independent expenditures to support specific candidates. The Supreme Court overturned those restrictions in Citizens United in a 54 ruling led by Kennedy. In his majority opinion, Kennedy saw the laws restrictions as an unacceptable burden on constitutionally protected speech. Nobody really disagreed that the laws burdened political speech; the question was whether the government had a strong enough interest to do so. Citing Buckley and subsequent cases, the federal government had argued that the need to prevent the appearance or reality of corruption was enough to justify the limits. Kennedy disagreed and limited Buckleys reasoning to more explicit forms of corruption. When Buckley identified a sufficiently important governmental interest in preventing corruption or the appearance of corruption, that interest was limited to quid pro quo corruption, he wrote. The fact that speakers may have influence over or access to elected officials does not mean that these officials are corrupt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Though Kennedy did not outright dismiss the Buckley courts language on the appearance of corruption, his reasoning all but negated it as a factor in the courts analysis. Kennedy argued that favoritism and influence were simply an inevitable feature of electoral politics. Democracy is premised on responsiveness, he wrote, quoting from an earlier campaign finance decision he had written. It is in the nature of an elected representative to favor certain policies, and, by necessary corollary, to favor the voters and contributors who support those policies, Kennedy explained. It is well understood that a substantial and legitimate reason, if not the only reason, to cast a vote for, or to make a contribution to, one candidate over another is that the candidate will respond by producing those political outcomes the supporter favors. This was a stark and somewhat blasphemous vision for the American republic from the philosopher-king of Salzburg. The Constitutions Framers often held that a republican societys survival hinged on the virtue of its citizenry and their ability to balance their personal self-interest with the common good. Not so in Kennedys America. Higher aspirations are nowhere to be found; all electoral relationships between representative and citizen are purely transactional. This is the point where Kennedy made his prediction about the rulings impact. He appeared to recognize, if only subconsciously, that his vision was at odds with two centuries of American civic traditions. The appearance of influence or access, furthermore, will not cause the electorate to lose faith in our democracy, he wrote. By definition, an independent expenditure is political speech presented to the electorate that is not coordinated with a candidate. The fact that a corporation, or any other speaker, is willing to spend money to try to persuade voters presupposes that the people have the ultimate influence over elected officials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is not how things work in practice. Fifteen years after Citizens United, candidates have found plenty of ways to coordinate their messaging with outside spenders without violating federal law; it is generally acknowledged that enforcement of the remaining campaign finance rules for them is virtually nonexistent. Nor does anyone but the Federal Election Commission really recognize a difference between outside money and direct campaign contributions. I still remember an exchange between then-candidate Jeb Bush and CNN anchor Jake Tapper during the 2015 presidential primaries where Tapper said Bush had raised $100 million at that point. That money had actually been raised by Bush-friendly superPACs, but it was a distinction without a difference for both moderator and candidate. The courts liberal members, for their part, were unpersuaded by Kennedys reasoning. Justice John Paul Stevens, writing for the dissenters, criticized the conservative majority for its dangerous nonchalance toward the corrosive effects of corruption. The majority declares by fiat that the appearance of undue influence by high-spending corporations will not cause the electorate to lose faith in our democracy, he noted. The electorate itself has consistently indicated otherwise, both in opinion polls and in the laws its representatives have passed, and our colleagues have no basis for elevating their own optimism into a tenet of constitutional law. Musk is not technically a corporation, of course, and the legal mechanisms that he used to influence the 2024 election would come from follow-up rulings after Citizens United. But its civic reasoning still holds true for the present crisis. Stevens, for example, warned that corporate interests did not operate like normal political actors. Corporations, as a class, tend to be more attuned to the complexities of the legislative process and more directly affected by tax and appropriations measures that receive little public scrutiny; they also have vastly more money with which to try to buy access and votes, he explained. He also noted that they were legally obligated to act in ways that ordinary citizens would not. Business corporations must engage the political process in instrumental terms if they are to maximize shareholder value, Steven wrote. The unparalleled resources, professional lobbyists, and single-minded focus they bring to this effort, I believed, make quid pro quo corruption and its appearance inherently more likely when they (or their conduits or trade groups) spend unrestricted sums on elections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stevenss dissent was praised at the time, but it carries even greater weight with the benefit of hindsight. He described Kennedys majority opinion as a rejection of the common sense of the American people, who have recognized a need to prevent corporations from undermining self-government since the founding, and who have fought against the distinctive corrupting potential of corporate electioneering since the days of Theodore Roosevelt. It is unsurprising now that survey after survey after survey shows that public faith in democratic institutions is at a record low. Not all of the decline can be traced directly to campaign finance issues, of course, but a great deal of it can. Trump capitalized on that disaffection in his initial campaigns for office: He criticized Citizens United and suggested that his wealth would insulate him from the corrupting influence of campaign donations. When you give, [elected officials] do whatever you want, he claimed during one of the 2015 primary debates. He appears to have taken that reasoning to heart after Musks own contributions. At the end of his dissent, Stevens also offered up a prediction of his own. The courts ruling threatens to undermine the integrity of elected institutions across the nation, he wrote. The path it has taken to reach its outcome will, I fear, do damage to this institution. Musk and Trump are now calling for the removal of judges who disagree with them and defying federal court orders. Rarely has a prophecy from dissenting justice been proven so obviously correct. An Elon Musk-backed Super PAC is offering to pay registered Wisconsin voters $100 to sign a petition and an extra hundred if they refer a friend to do the same. This comes less than two weeks before an election to decide the balance of power on the state Supreme Court, and Musk who is the world's richest person and who controversially undertook similar efforts in 2024 battleground states is backing the conservative candidate in the race, Brad Schimel. The effort was announced Thursday by Musk's "America PAC" Super PAC. The terms and conditions on the $100 petition offer notes that the America PAC has discretion over who gets paid, and it may be months before the payments are made. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The campaign for liberal candidate Susan Crawford, who is running against Schimel, said that Musk is "trying to buy votes because he wants Schimel to rule in favor of his company's lawsuit." (This refers to Tesla recently filed a lawsuit challenging a Wisconsin law that forbids car manufacturers from owning car dealerships; unlike other automakers, who sell cars through local dealers, Tesla sells directly to the public.) Gage Skidmore, Flickr The petition is designed to "collect data on Wisconsin voters and energize them," the Associated Press notes, aiding in Republicans' get-out-the-vote efforts ahead of the April 1 election, which will determine the ideological balance of the Wisconsin Supreme Court. This is similar to the efforts by Musk's super PAC in Pennsylvania in 2024, with the billionaire holding a daily sweepstakes that gave up to $1 million to voters who signed a petition in support of the U.S. Constitution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The effort was challenged in court, but a state judge ultimately refused to block it. The Wisconsin petition asks people to sign on in "rejecting the actions of activist judges," which comes as the Trump administration steps up its targeting of judges and law firms who rule against or oppose its policies and executive orders. The petition says "judges should interpret laws as written, not rewrite them to fit their personal or political agenda." Partly because Musk is a key figure in the Trump Administration, the petition has raised legal questions but does not appear to be in violation of any laws. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Musk is not paying these people to vote in a certain way, or in this case, to vote at all, just to sign a petition," said Howard Schweber, professor emeritus of political science at the University of WisconsinMadison, in an interview with WKOW. "There's all sorts of all sorts of words we can use (about Musk's petition), but none of them involve anything illegal," Schweber told the station. Per the Washington Post, the result of the Apr. 1 election could determine the future of abortion access in the state, as well as impact the redrawing of Wisconsin's congressional districts, which currently favors Republicans by a margin of 6-2. Labours Employment Rights Bill is working its way through Parliament. Its Second Reading is in the Lords on Thursday. It is a bad Bill in pretty much every respect, loading extra duties and costs on employers. It is also an affront to free speech. The Bills already infamous Clause 20 makes employers liable for the harassment of their staff by third parties. The definition of harassment includes the indirect effect of harassment. This can be deemed to have happened even if the victim was not present. Thus, for example, a pub customer making rude remarks about an ethnic minority might have harassed the pubs staff even if they were not themselves members of that minority and did not hear the words spoken. The landlord could be held responsible in law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The excellent Free Speech Union is spearheading the campaign against this insane measure. But I want to focus today on a different aspect of the Bill. It is obvious that the Day One rights it confers on new employees will be vastly expensive for employers. These include paternity leave and unpaid parental leave, rights to flexible working and claims for unfair dismissal. It is perhaps less obvious that these new provisions will also upset longer-established employees. Nothing demoralises a workplace more than staff who lack commitment. The commonsense way to avoid this is to take new workers on probation. They may turn out to have the wrong attitude or skills. They may be unreliable, malingering, stupid, rude, lazy, or just utterly maddening. This will emerge over time, almost never on Day One. If new entrants acquire immediately the rights which, until now, have vested much later six months for paternity leave, two years for unfair dismissal this gives them a great incentive to game the system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ideology behind the Bill assumes that workers enter the workplace fully formed and with nothing to learn. This is rarely the case, almost never so with first-time employees. It implies that employers have all the duties and gives workers, because of some supposed pre-existing virtue, all the rights straight away. This defies human experience. It is rather as if children, once admitted to a school, were immediately deemed to have passed all the ensuing exams. Yes, a good workforce will be the better for having good rights, but the incentives will be perverse unless those rights are, literally, earned. The unsung accomplishments of an exemplary courtier Great people often cannot organise their own lives. Their minds tend to be on higher things. They therefore need extremely high-grade people to help, especially when they suffer what General de Gaulle called the shipwreck of old age. Such people are too often unsung. So I pay tribute to Sir Julian Seymour, who died suddenly at the weekend. He worked the necessary magic for Margaret Thatcher. Because she was such an effective leader, people assume she was an efficient self-organiser. As she herself liked to say, in other contexts, Poppycock!. When Mrs Thatcher was suddenly forced to resign in November 1990, she was clueless. For 11 and a half years in 10 Downing Street, she had been working flat out. All arrangements had fallen to her private office (professional civil servants) and her small personal staff. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her removal shocked and profoundly upset her. She and her husband Denis did not know where to live although they had bought a thoroughly unsuitable house in Dulwich. She had no income outside politics, no proper office, and a prime ministerial pension of a mere 25,000 a year. Literally thousands of letters from the public piled up unanswered in her borrowed premises. She had almost forgotten how to dial people direct. Generous friends tried to help, but it was chaos. Mrs Thatchers son Mark briefly took charge, but he was not a team player and not resident in Britain. Potential donors to a charitable Thatcher Foundation did not want it run by him. After a few months, Seymour became director of her private office. He was an outspoken, independent-minded advertising executive who had also been the impresario for Anyone for Denis?, the stage play based on Deniss imaginary letters in Private Eye, supposedly written to Bill Deedes, editor of this newspaper. Mrs Thatcher had hated the show but did not hold this against Seymour. He held her in deep respect, but (which put him in a small minority) was not afraid of her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Seymour had to keep what was practical, profitable and ethical in balance. He made sure, for example, that Lady T as he always called her, refusing her invitation to call her Margaret avoided the mistake (made by some of her successors) of undertaking paid lobbying: she always lobbied for British companies, unpaid, when she visited foreign leaders. He helped negotiate the book and TV-documentary deals for her memoirs and find the right ghost-writers. He sorted out her foundation, her extremely lucrative global speaking tours, and helped find her the right places to live and work. Seymour superintended her finances, secured her archives for posterity, organised her authorised biography (which I wrote) and negotiated with government and palace about her state funeral. In her old age, with her mental powers severely diminishing, he recruited for her the best and kindest carers her by then much-improved finances could buy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Seymour transacted all this business with a short fuse, a keen sense of humour and a warm heart. Without people like him, great people like Lady Thatcher are vulnerable to exploitation or neglect. For nearly 35 years, he did a true public service. 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 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. STATE COLLEGE The Shapiro administration expects some Pennsylvania municipalities to become so financially distressed they could require state assistance as billions in federal stimulus dollars dry up. State and local governments received unprecedented federal aid during the COVID-19 pandemic to cope with its impact on public health and the economy. The funding extended a lifeline to recipients during the emergency, as many spent their allocations to fill revenue gaps, but that help is now going away. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The state Department of Community and Economic Development has asked the legislature to approve a $10 million increase to the special state fund that aids local governments facing severe economic hardships in its proposed budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year. The increase accounts for about 2.3% of Gov. Josh Shapiros $430 million pitch to fund the agency. While one expert says that isnt enough funding, some stakeholders question whether the money would be better spent addressing the needs of municipal governments before they become distressed. Under the Municipalities Financial Recovery Act, also known as Act 47, municipalities declare financial distress and gain access to resources. The Act 47 fund helps these government entities develop and implement recovery plans, supplies grants for achieving those plans, and provides loans as emergency cash flows, a spokesperson for the DCED told Spotlight PA. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The City of Harrisburg, the City of Chester, and the Borough of Newville are currently part of the Act 47 program. About $17.4 million was in the fund as of March 18, according to the Pennsylvania Treasury. Shoring up the fund with the proposed $10 million is intended as a proactive measure that prepares for any potential impact for the ARPA cliff, DCED Secretary Rick Siger told lawmakers during a budget hearing on Feb. 18. He was referencing the expiration of funding authorized by the 2021 American Rescue Plan Act. The federal government gave $350 billion to tens of thousands of state, county, city, tribal, territorial, and local governments through the State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds program, which ARPA created. It was meant to help government agencies across the nation through the economic and health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Government entities had until the end of 2024 to commit their funding, and the deadline to spend the money is Dec. 31, 2026. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The funding can supplement lost revenue, pay for public health and safety services, assist local businesses, and address infrastructure needs. Pennsylvania spent over half its share to counteract revenue loss. It also funded a home repair program, agricultural conservation, and community violence prevention. Treasury rules allowed a broad range of funding uses in the revenue replacement category but required relatively simple information to be reported back to the agency. That appealed to smaller recipients, including nontribal governments that received less than $10 million, known as Tier 5 entities. Nearly two-thirds of the 2,140 Tier 5 recipients in Pennsylvania reported committing all their money to replace lost revenue, according to the latest available data they submitted to the U.S. Treasury last March. Local and state governments now have to make sure the needs covered by the federal pandemic relief money can be supported in some other way, William Glasgall, a public finance advisor at the Volcker Alliance, told Spotlight PA. This money is not going to be replaced. It was designed for an emergency. The emergency is gone, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ARPA funding included $7.29 billion for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, $4.95 billion for its largest cities and counties, and $1.21 billion for smaller municipalities, according to data from DCED and the U.S. Treasury. To date, many municipalities have spent their full allocation, according to the DCED spokesperson. The agency is aware that many communities used their ARPA allocations to fill budget holes and now that those funds have been expended, may still have deeper fiscal issues, he wrote to Spotlight PA. State College, for example, was able to avoid a tax increase in three of the past four years thanks to the pandemic relief funding, StateCollege.com reported. However, Borough Council approved a property tax increase for 2025. Limiting expenses while finding ways to increase income, such as raising taxes, is going to become a very common situation for governments, especially on the local level, Glasgall told Spotlight PA. He pointed to the additional uncertainty regarding federal funding cuts or freezes as another financial stressor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Glasgall said DCEDs proposal to add $10 million to the Act 47 fund wont go far. I mean, [$10] million will last about three seconds, he said. But David Sanko, executive director of the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors, told Spotlight PA that many local governments are not stressed at all because they have been planning for the end of the ARPA funding. His organization has done an awful lot of education with members, he said. Townships were advised not to use the funding for long-term or recurring expenses, he added. DCEDs proposal attempts to be helpful, Sanko said, but the state should prioritize other actions that could reduce costs in providing local government services. His organization has advocated against prevailing wage state-mandated minimum pay rates for public work that vary by type of work, location, and project. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More needs to be done to prevent communities from becoming financially distressed instead of offering help afterward, state Sen. Patty Kim (D., Dauphin) told Spotlight PA. Kim is the minority chair of her chambers Local Government Committee and represents Harrisburg, an Act 47 city. Kim told Spotlight PA that its unclear whether the $10 million increase will pass the legislature, and Pennsylvanias budget could be affected if the federal government goes ahead with funding cuts that the state might have to make up for. I am bracing myself for a very, very different budget in the next couple of months, she said. SUPPORT THIS JOURNALISM and help us reinvigorate local news in north-central Pennsylvania at spotlightpa.org/donate. Spotlight PA is funded by foundations and readers like you who are committed to accountability and public-service journalism that gets results. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27. BINGHAMTON, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH) An Endicott man is expected to spend the next ten years in New York State prison. Broome County District Attorney Paul Battisti announced that on March 13, Phillip Alvarez III of Endicott appeared in court and pleaded guilty to Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree and Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree. The charges stem from a July 2, 2024, search warrant execution by the Broome County Special Investigations Unit Task Force at a residence located at 341 Main Street in the Village of Endicott. During the search, investigators seized money, ammunition, a loaded RG-IND .22 caliber revolver that was found on Alvarezs person, 148.83 grams of cocaine, a loaded Taurus 9mm handgun, and digital scales. As part of his guilty plea, Alvarez also forfeited $5,566 in drug proceeds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As part of a plea agreement, Alvarez will be sentenced to ten years in state prison followed by five years of post-release supervision for the drug charge. He will also receive a seven-year prison sentence followed by five years of post-release supervision for the weapons charge. The sentences will run concurrently. Illegal firearms and dangerous narcotics have no place in our community. The successful prosecution of this case is a direct result of the hard work by the law enforcement agencies and prosecutors involved in his case. Our office remains committed to ensuring that those who threaten public safety are held accountable, said Battisti. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WIVT - News 34. ENFIELD, Conn. (WWLP) K-9 Odin of the Enfield Police Department helped to track the scent of an alleged domestic suspect on Sunday. Massachusetts State Police chase on I-91 in Whately results in Enfield arrest The Enfield Police Department states that on Sunday, a suspect allegedly forced entry into a victims home and assaulted them. The suspect already had violated a court order from a previous domestic incident. Before officers arrived, the suspect jumped out of a second-story window and ran off. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement K-9 Odin of the Enfield Police Department was called in and was able to track approximately a half mile where the suspect was located. The suspect was hiding behind a local business in an enclosed trash area when he was taken into custody. K-9 Odin is a two-year-old German Shepard and is certified to track suspects and missing people, handler protection, evidence recovery, and building searches. He and his handler, Officer Kotecki are trained and certified by the Connecticut State Police K9 Unit as a patrol dog team. 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. ISTANBUL (AP) The imprisonment of Istanbuls opposition mayor has come at a time when Turkey finds itself at the center of geopolitical turmoil that observers say has freed President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to target his most dangerous opponent. Ekrem Imamoglu was detained in a dawn raid on his official residence last week. On Sunday, a court ordered him to be jailed pending trial for graft offenses including bid-rigging and accepting bribes. He also faces terror-related charges. As mayor of the economic and cultural capital of Turkey with a population of 16 million, Imamoglu is probably Turkeys second-highest profile politician after Erdogan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, analysts say a convergence of international factors gave Erdogan the opportunity to try to neutralize the main threat to him in elections due to be held in 2028, but which could come sooner. There are a really special confluence of factors that made this seemingly easy for him to pull off in terms of not suffering international condemnation or punishment for it, said Monica Marks, professor of Middle East studies at New York University Abu Dhabi. The arrest of Imamoglu over corruption and terrorism allegations came as a bombshell last Wednesday, despite recent legal cases against district mayors from his Republican Peoples Party, or CHP. Since 2016, when Erdogan faced an attempted coup, Turkey's courts have widened their crackdown on opposition parties, using charges such as graft or ties to Kurdish militants to discredit his rivals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The government, however, says the courts are fully independent and denies claims that legal actions against opposition figures are politically motivated. Turkey's strategic assets The European Union, which usually offers criticism of Turkeys democratic slide, currently finds itself in a weaker position vis-a-vis Turkey due to American abandonment of European defense, Russian aggression, and its own internal demons from EU-sceptic forces using migration as a tool to gain relevance, according to Marks. Ankara is in a position to offer succor in all these areas. Militarily, Turkey has NATOs second largest army in addition to a well-developed defense industry capable of supplying high-tech weaponry such as aerial drones. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the course of the war in Ukraine, Turkey has maintained close ties with both Moscow and Kyiv and has repeatedly offered to act as a mediator in peace talks. Turkey is also emboldened by the collapse of the Assad government in neighboring Syria at the hands of rebels it supported over the course of the war. These rebels now make up the new government. On migration to Europe, Ankara has acted as a barrier since it signed a 2016 deal in which it agreed to prevent migrants crossing its borders and seas to reach the EU. All these strands increase Turkeys geopolitical importance to Europe. Turkey's internal politics drove the timing of arrest Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Donald Trumps isolationist outlook has also strengthened Erdogans hand, said Marks, while the normalization of populist authoritarianism makes what Erdogan is doing less shocking, less concerning for Western democracies. While international elements offered Erdogan the opportunity to act against Imamoglu, the timing was due to domestic factors. Berk Esen, a political scientist at Istanbuls Sabanci University, said the CHPs decision to confirm Imamoglu as its presidential candidate for 2028 was key to his arrest. Erdogan was hopeful that he could slow down, if not completely hinder, Imamoglus candidacy prospects, Esen said. But when the CHP decided to hold (presidential) primaries, it became clear that Imamoglu would come out as the candidate for the CHP so Erdogan wanted to move against him right away. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those primaries in which Imamoglu was the only candidate were held Sunday, confirming the imprisoned Imamoglu as Erdogans challenger. The Kurdish factor Another domestic factor in Erdogans favor was the tentative peace process begun with the Kurdistan Workers Party, or PKK, which has waged a 40-year insurgency against the Turkish state and is considered a terrorist organization by Turkey and its Western allies. Many observers have suggested the process is, at least in part, a bid to co-opt Turkeys pro-Kurdish party into supporting Erdogans bid for another presidential term. Similarly, it could serve to split the Kurds from the CHP, presenting Erdogan with a divided opposition, Esen said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Imamoglu has emerged as the main challenger to Erdogans 22-year rule since he was elected mayor of Istanbul in 2019, overturning a quarter-century of rule by parties from Turkeys conservative Islamist tradition. According to Esen, he is the perfect candidate to take on Erdogan relatively young at 53, from a conservative Sunni background but with a modern wife, and hailing from the Black Sea business world that offers nationwide informal connections. He has outperformed Erdogan in recent polls and represents what Marks called the last bastion of Turkish opposition. In recent years he has been the target of several criminal cases that could result in prison sentences and a political ban. Last week, a university nullified his diploma, a decision that effectively bars him from running for president. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All of which would make it seem unnecessary to arrest and jail him, risking the public backlash currently being played out in the streets of Turkey. Selim Koru, a political analyst at the Economic Policy Research Foundation of Turkey, said the earlier cases would merely make Imamoglu seem a perfectly fine politician who was unfairly disqualified. Writing in his Kulturkampf Substack, Koru added: They had to make him into a villain to give their claims force The strategic rationale is evident at once. The presidential elections are scheduled for 2028, so the regime wanted to get rid of Imamoglu before then, knock down the CHP while youre at it, then take a couple of years for things to calm down. And as to the significance putting Imamoglu behind bars, Marks said it represents the last stop on Turkeys political train before it hits full dictatorship station. GAZA/JERUSALEM, March 23 (Xinhua) -- The Israeli army on Sunday killed Ismail Barhoum, a member of Hamas' politburo, and at least four other Palestinians in an airstrike on the Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, according to Palestinian medical sources and eyewitnesses. Local sources and eyewitnesses told Xinhua that an Israeli drone targeted the second floor of the emergency building in the complex, where the surgery department is located, with at least one missile, causing a large fire. Medics confirmed to Xinhua that medical workers immediately recovered the bodies of five people, including Barhoum, along with a number of injured persons, some in critical condition. "The Israeli army targeted the surgery building inside the Nasser Medical Complex a short while ago, which housed many patients and wounded, and a large fire broke out there," Gaza-based health authorities said in a statement in the evening. Later, Hamas confirmed the death of Barhoum, saying he was receiving treatment in a hospital ward when the attack happened. Meanwhile, Israeli forces said Sunday night that they launched an attack on the Nasser Hospital compound in southern Gaza, claiming they targeted a Hamas official. In a joint statement, the Israel Defense Forces and Shin Bet domestic security agency described the official as a "key" Hamas militant, who was "operating inside the Nasser Hospital compound" in Khan Younis, without providing the official's name and identity. They added that "the strike was conducted following an extensive intelligence-gathering process and with precise munitions, in order to mitigate harm to the surrounding environment as much as possible." Nasser Medical Complex is the second-largest hospital in Gaza and has been subjected to several Israeli attacks since the outbreak of the war on Oct. 7, 2023. A technique to preserve nerves during prostate cancer surgery almost doubles the proportion of men who keep erectile function, according to a new study. Compared to standard surgery, researchers said the new method could dramatically improve mens quality of life. Experts from University College London (UCL) and University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH) led the study, which will be presented at the European Association of Urology Congress in Madrid and published in the Lancet Oncology journal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It evaluated a method called NeuroSafe to preserve the nerves running through the prostates outer layers, which are thought to be responsible for producing erections. During cancer surgery, the prostate is removed while the nerves are left intact. The prostate is then examined closely by a pathologist while the patient is still in surgery. The pathologist slices the area near to the nerves in 5mm strips, which are then quickly frozen and stained so they can be looked at through a microscope. The samples are analysed to see if any cancer cells are present. If there are none, the surgeons know that they can leave the patients nerves intact in their body. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If cancer is present, they know nerves will have to be removed. NeuroSafe happens in real-time during the operation, making it vastly different to traditional methods, where tissue samples are sent off and it takes two or three weeks to get results back. Professor Greg Shaw, trial lead from UCL and consultant urologist at UCLH, said some younger men in particular worry about surgery causing impotence and incontinence. He said: Our results show that, by using NeuroSafe, nearly twice as many men dont have to face potentially life-changing loss of erectile function after prostate surgery. It is an involved procedure that requires expertise, but it isnt expensive, particularly given the benefits it offers for patients, and most importantly doesnt jeopardise cancer control. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement NeuroSafe wouldnt be appropriate for all patients, as many can safely have nerve-sparing surgery using standard robotic techniques. But for younger patients and those who wouldnt normally be seen as eligible for nerve-sparing surgery, it offers them a greater chance to hold onto their quality of life. Prof Shaw said the technology is not new but whereas before there wasnt evidence to support this approach, now we have the data to show that, actually, your outcomes are better. Some 30% of the men in the study were from Afro Caribbean backgrounds. They tend to be diagnosed at a younger age with prostate cancer than white counterparts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The trial ran at five UK hospitals and included 344 men diagnosed with prostate cancer. Half were randomised to receive NeuroSafe during their operation and half had standard surgery. Twelve months after surgery, 39% of men in the NeuroSafe group had no or mild erectile dysfunction. In those men who had standard surgery, this was 23%. A year after their operation, only 38% of those who had surgery using NeuroSafe had severe erectile dysfunction, compared to 56% of men who had standard surgery. NeuroSafe patients who recovered their urinary control also did so faster than patients who underwent standard surgery. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prof Shaw now hopes more men will be able to access NeuroSafe on the NHS as long as the right pathology support is available. He told the PA news agency: Whether it can be rolled out or not depends on, I think, finding a good test that gives a similar result (to the pathologists work) thats perhaps more easily performed, because its quite complex. But the impetus for the community is youre doubling the chances of a man being potent afterwards. And thats compelling. Dr Ricardo Almeida-Magana, from UCL, said: NeuroSafe offers surgeons a real-time evaluation of the safety of the procedure. In standard robotic surgery, surgeons determine whether to choose nerve sparing based on MRI scans, on digital rectal examinations and on biopsy results prior to surgery. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But whereas those methods can provide guidance, NeuroSafe provides certainty. And that opens up the option of nerve-sparing surgery for many more men, without compromising on the chances of controlling the cancer. Theres an antisemite running for City Hall, Mayor Eric Adams claimed to Jewish leaders in a closed-door meeting last week. Adams made the allegation during a March 19 appearance before the Jewish Community Relations Council but did not reveal the name of the candidate he believes is spewing antisemitism, sources in attendance told The Post. The mayor attended the private meeting to discuss security and other preparations for the May 18 Salute to Israel Parade. Mayor Adams claimed that there is an antisemite running for mayor during a closed-door meeting with the Jewish Community Relations Council on March 19, 2025. Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images Community leaders who were there started out by expressing appreciation for Adams support for the Jewish people amid anti-Israel protests amid rising antisemitism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Then Hizzoner went off script, sources said. In our great city, with a large population of Jewish residents, one of the candidates running for mayor is spewing antisemitism, an attendee recalled the mayor telling JCRC members. Another participant confirmed that Adams said there was an antisemite running for City Hall. Sources at the meeting assumed Adams was referring to state Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic Socialist running for mayor who is an Israel-basher. Sources at the meeting told The Post that it was assumed Adams was referring to Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani. James Messerschmidt Mamdani was arrested at an anti-Israel protest outside US Sen. Chuck Schumers home in Brooklyn in October 2023, when he demanded a ceasefire in Gaza seven days after Israel responded to Hamass invasion of the Jewish state a few days earlier. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Albany, Mamdani also introduced the Not on Our Dime!: Ending New York Funding of Israeli Settler Violence Act legislation aimed at barring New York-based charitable groups from engaging in unauthorized support of Israeli settlement activity. He is part of the Democratic Socialists of America, a political group that backs the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement against Israel, which critics claim is antisemitic. Rabbi Joseph Potasnik, executive vice president of the New York Board of Rabbis, is among the Jewish leaders concerned about the rise of Mamdani and what he said is his slanted view against the Jewish state of Israel. Adams meeting with members of Congregation Agudas Shomrei Hadas on Staten Island on Saturday, March 22, 2025. Justin Persaud/Mayoral Photography Office When you hold Israel to a different standard, you have some explaining to do. We have every right to question whether youre antisemitic, Potasnik told The Post. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mamdanis camp denied he promotes antisemitism. Zohran is running a positive and visionary campaign to lower the cost of living for working-class New Yorkers being priced out of the city they built, said Mamdanis campaign spokesman, Andrew Epstein. He believes in universal human rights and strongly denounces antisemitism, as he does all forms of bigotry, racism and hate. Asked if Mamdani supports the BDS movement against Israel, Epstein said, Zohran supports the right to nonviolently protest against apartheid, including consumer boycotts. Mamdani speaking outside the White House during a press conference announcing a hunger strike to call for a ceasefire in Gaza on Nov. 27, 2023. CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images Adams, through a campaign rep, did not deny making the comment to JCRC saying one of the candidates was antisemitic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Instead, he expanded his claim, saying there is more than one candidate who is refusing to fight Jew hatred. Mayor Eric Adams has always been clear: The next mayor of New York City must be someone who stands firmly against antisemitism and all forms of hate and who embraces the values of respect, unity and inclusion, said Adams campaign spokesman Todd Shapiro. New York is a city built on diversity, and its leader must love and represent all New Yorkers regardless of race, religion, or background. We encourage everyone to look closely at the comments and actions of the candidates, Shapiro said. More than one has demonstrated an unwillingness to take a strong stance against hate and antisemitism. The mayor believes that our citys leadership must be unwavering in their commitment to fighting hatred in all forms and ensuring every New Yorker feels safe, valued, and protected. United States Postal Service workers fought back Sunday amid the Trump Administrations talks to privatize the historic mail service. Over 100 postal workers and concerned citizens took to Perry Square Sunday evening to protest against a potential privatization of the United States Postal Service (USPS). Political protest held concerning Congressman Mike Kelly The United States Postal Service has been around since the early days of our country, but now the service could be operating differently under the trump administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Trump has reportedly been looking to privatizing the mail service, which would switch ownership of the USPS from the government to private businesses operating for profit. On Sunday afternoon postal service workers and community members came together in support of the historic mail service. First and foremost, it would impact the community who we service every day. Were the United States Postal Service, were not a business, and what were here to serve is the public, and some of these customers out there, were their only contact with the outside world, said Mark Murphy, president of the National Association of Letter Carriers Branch 284. Meteorologist Tom Atkins speaks at Erie Yacht Club seminar Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The message of the protest at Perry Square was to fight like hell, and while the protest was peaceful, attendees fought by waving signs and wearing bright red t-shirts. Murphy and local political leaders also took to the stage to speak out against the potential privatization. Whats going on in the federal level really concerns me, and these people are dedicated employees. They do the job, and this is written into the constitution that we need a postal service. For many years theyve tried to privatize it, companies like UPS and FedEx have always tried to get their hands on the pie, said Pat Harkins, PA state representative (D). There were well over 100 people wrapped around the stage here in Perry Square, all in defense of one of Americas most historic services. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Home & Garden Expo returns with every way to improve your home Unfortunately, weve gotten into this tone that if it doesnt make money, its got to go. What good is it? Its not producing anything, and again, people have forgotten seriously about the whole key to service, said Mike Kurutz, a former USPS letter carrier. Were service, and thats what were intended to be, and hopefully thats how it will always remain. Kurutz and other postal workers said theyre worried that privatization would take away timely service from the community, and those who rely on the mailing service for medications or social security checks could be the ones impacted. Close Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News But for now, the fight goes on for the USPS, with workers continuing to rally support. Sundays protest joined over a hundred others around the nation, all against the privatization of the postal service. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJET/WFXP/YourErie.com. NEW YORK In a serious escalation of a long-running political feud, Manhattan Democratic Party Chair Keith Wright scheduled a vote on whether to expel Rep. Adriano Espaillat and three allies from their roles as district leaders. The move toward an expulsion vote comes after an ethics report found the member of Congress tried to cheat in an election for a party position in 2023. Now Espaillat has filed a lawsuit to block the Thursday vote, saying the report was politically motivated and invalid since the Manhattan Democrats ethics committee chair actually lives in Westchester County. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Ethics Committee has operated as an arm of a factional political agenda, Espaillats attorney Ali Najmi wrote in the suit filed Monday. County Leader Keith Wright has demonstrated a long-standing hostility towards Congressman Adriano Espaillat. The situation is inflaming longstanding tensions between Espaillat and Wright and threatens to weaken Espaillats hold on his local base of power. Wrights side is downplaying the controversy, saying the party is just following a process and Espaillat is overplaying his hand. Its just another ridiculous thing in a long history of Adriano not paying attention to the bigger things in life, Manhattan Dems Executive Director Kyle Ishmael said in an interview. Hes paying attention to whatever small fight he can pick with Keith [Wright] or some proxy battle. Its ridiculous and unnecessary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Espaillat and Wright have been locked in a heated rivalry for more than a decade. In 2012, and again in 2014, then-Assemblymember Wright stood with former Rep. Charlie Rangel when Espaillat challenged the veteran congressmembers reelection. When Rangel retired and picked Wright as his successor, Espaillat ran against Wright and won. The battle turned ugly, with accusations of racist voter suppression, and became a referendum on the Upper Manhattan districts African-American population in Harlem, represented by Wright, versus the growing Dominican population centered in Washington Heights, represented by Espaillat. The tensions have continued, with Espaillat and Wright regularly finding themselves backing candidates on the opposite sides of elections big and small. It was a small election that kicked off the saga resulting in the lawsuit. Espaillat and three aligned district leaders backed Assemblymember Harvey Epstein for county chair over Wrights pick, Nico Minerva in October 2023. County chair is the number two position in the party, behind the leader. But Manhattan is a reform party organization, where the leadership holds relatively little power over the party. Minerva ended up narrowly winning the vote, but accusations flew that Espaillat and his fellow district leaders Assemblymember Manny De Los Santos, Maria Morillo and Mariel De La Cruz had tried to cheat by reporting that Minerva didnt get a single vote from their districts county committee members when he had actually received 23 votes. Espaillat and others denied wrongdoing, blaming the mixup on procedural issues caused by Wrights party leaders. The county partys ethics committee opened an investigation last year and released a report Feb. 10, 2025 finding that Espaillat and his allies intentionally misreported votes which constituted a deliberate attempt to suppress votes for Minerva. The report also found Espaillat and allies violated other party rules at the meeting and engaged in obstruction and intimidation. The ethics committee offered three options for the partys district leaders: permanently expelling Espaillat, De Los Santos, Morillo and De La Cruz as district leaders; suspending them for ten years; or adding two additional district leader seats in Espaillats home Assembly district that could not be held by members of his political club. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The roughly 70 district leaders are volunteers with limited formal powers, but expulsion could limit Espaillats influence in the party and would keep him from ever becoming county leader, a job that some suspect he would like to take away from Wright. After Wright announced the report would be discussed at the party meeting Thursday, Espaillat filed the suit, asking a judge to block the party from taking action on the report. The suit notes that two of the five members of the ethics committee have publicly dissented with the report, and that a third, Chair Denny Salas, actually lives in Westchester County, which would make him ineligible for a party position in Manhattan. It is inherently problematic and unethical for someone who no longer is legally qualified to be registered as a voter in New York County to deceive members of the (county party) and then attempt to oversee ethical standards and compliance within the Manhattan Democratic Party, Najmi, the attorney, wrote in the suit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Najmi provided video of Salas, who works as a lobbyist with Gotham Government Relations, answering the door at his home in the village of Ossining and saying he had not lived at his previous address in Manhattan for two years. Salas declined to immediately comment on the suit and his residency. Wrights spokesperson denied the party leader was using the report to hurt Espaillat. Its not a Keith Wright report, its not a Keith Wright ethics committee. Because the whole party had to vote on the ethics committee, Ishmael said. Were going to continue following the process, which includes at least discussing the report on Thursday. EU rules on ethical investing are blocking almost 100bn of funds from flowing into the defence industry amid a push by Britain and Europe to bolster military spending. Analysts at investment bank Morgan Stanley said regulations introduced by the EU four years ago had blocked ethical funds from investing in weapons. They said billions could be unlocked for European and UK defence if the rules were overturned. The EUs sustainable finance rules restrict environmental, social and governance (ESG) funds from investing in the defence sector. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, Morgan Stanley said relaxing the rules could allow Europes ESG funds to invest billions in the UK and EU as they push to bulk up their own defences amid Donald Trumps threats to withdraw US support for the Ukraine war. Specifically, the analysts said easing rules for so-called Article 8 and Article 9 ethical funds which are sold on the basis they do not contain weapons makers could unleash up to $119bn (92bn) worth of investment for the global aerospace and defence industry, if weapons investments were allowed. These funds do not put money into weapons companies on ethical grounds and there is about $8.7 trillion within these funds. Of the sums invested by Europes ESG funds, just $10bn goes to defence. Ben Wallace, a former British defence secretary, called for the EU rules to be relaxed to help boost investment in the military sector. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The time for words and no action is over, he said. If we are serious about defending ourselves we need to change these rules. It comes as Europe rushes to rearm itself in response to Mr Trumps threats to leave Nato and pull US military support for the Ukraine war. Mr Trump has consistently called on European countries to increase their spending on defence, in line and beyond Natos targets that urge countries to commit 2pc of their GDP to defence. The US president has signalled he would hold back military support for Europe unless the continent ups spending on defence. JD Vance, the US vice president, also made similar calls at the Munich Security Conference last month, where he said Europe must step up in a big way to provide for its own defence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Trump and Mr Vance later publicly clashed with Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office over the Ukrainian presidents alleged lack of gratitude for the $66.5bn in military assistance the US has sent to Ukraine since the start of the war. Sir Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister, has pledged to raise Britains government defence spending to 2.5pc of GDP and pledged to hit 3pc in the next decade. JD Vance, the US vice president, has said Europe must step up in a big way to provide for its own defence - Jim Watson/AFP Europes push to rearm itself last week saw Ursula von der Leyen outline plans to provide 150bn (125bn) in funds to a new defence fund designed to help EU countries fix capability gaps in their militaries in response to the Russian threat. However, the launch of the EUs new fund has already strained relations between Europe and the UK after France successfully pushed for a Europe-only approach that restricts any purchases from British arms companies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Europe could now seek to push the UK into making major concession on issues like fishing rights amid talks for a security pact that would let the EUs fund invest in British arms. The EUs ethical funds are part of the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR), first introduced in 2019, which aims to bring a systematic approach to the way ESG funds make investing decisions. Article 8 of the SFDR works to regulate so-called light green funds. The regulation acts to block investments in companies that make of controversial weapons, a term that covers arms including cluster bombs and depleted uranium rounds that are used in Ukraine. Article 9, which regulates so-called dark green funds is more stringent and restricts almost all investments in defence companies entirely. 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. BRUSSELS (Reuters) -The European Commissioner for trade, Maros Sefcovic, is heading to Washington to meet U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on Tuesday, a Commission spokesperson said on Monday. Sefcovic will also meet with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. The spokesperson added that Bjoern Seibert, the cabinet head for European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, would also be attending. Trump prefers to deal with individual EU country leaders and has not yet hosted von der Leyen. The spokesperson declined to provide more details about the discussion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement European officials have struggled to talk U.S. President Donald Trump down from a trade war as they did during Trump's first administration. Sefcovic said last week that little progress has been made in talks with Washington after Trump imposed 25% tariffs on steel and aluminium imports earlier this month. The EU will delay its first set of counter-measures to mid-April, including a 50% tariff on U.S. bourbon. In response, Trump threatened to slap a 200% tariff on all wines and other alcoholic products from the EU if the bloc went ahead with this. Trump also plans to impose "reciprocal" tariffs on April 2. (Reporting by Julia Payne; Editing by Alex Richardson and Chizu Nomiyama) The European Commission has yet to submit proposals to the EU Council regarding a new format for trade relations with Ukraine, following the end of the "trade visa-free regime" the suspension of import duties and quotas on Ukrainian exports to the EU on 5 June 2025. Source: Polish Minister of Agriculture Czesaw Siekierski in a statement on Monday 24 March before a meeting of the EU Council on Agriculture in Brussels, as reported by European Pravda Details: Siekierski noted that the European Commission has the prerogative to prepare proposals for establishing preferential conditions for bilateral trade and the EU Council is currently awaiting the relevant document on future trade relations with Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The European Commission is responsible for trade matters within the competencies framework. We are awaiting the European Commission's position and proposal on the terms for continued trade and further liberalisation of trade relations between Ukraine and the European Union," said Siekierski in response to journalists' questions about Poland's stance on trade liberalisation with Ukraine, which is set to expire in just over two months. He noted that this issue is not planned to be discussed at the current meeting of the EU Council on Agriculture. Siekierski added that on 20 March, "I met with Ukraine's Minister of Agrarian Policy [Mykola Koval]. We were accompanied by representatives of associations, unions and agricultural organisations to ensure that the discussion was comprehensive and that we could reach an agreement." "We are looking forward to the European Commission's proposal," he stressed. Background: On 13 May 2024, following lengthy and intense negotiations, the EU Council approved the extension of preferential trade with Ukraine for another year until 5 June 2025. Regarding the future format of Ukraine's trade relations with the EU, tentative agreements were made to integrate the duty-free trade conditions into the Association Agreement with the EU. In February 2025, Yuliia Svyrydenko, Ukraine's First Deputy Prime Minister, stated at a joint meeting of the European Commission and the Ukrainian government that Kyiv's primary task for 2025 was to finalise consultations on trade liberalisation with the EU in line with Article 29 of the Association Agreement. In the same month, the agriculture ministers of Hungary, Bulgaria, Romania, and Slovakia called for the reintroduction of pre-war quotas on agricultural imports from Ukraine. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! OSLO, Norway (AP) A private European aerospace company scrubbed its attempt on Monday to launch the first test flight of its orbital launch vehicle from Norway. Unfavorable winds meant that the Spectrum rocket couldn't be launched from the island of Andya in northern Norway, Munich-based Isar Aerospace said. The launch is subject to various factors, including weather and safety. The company said it could also conduct the test flight later in the week. Another date hasn't yet been set. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 28-meter (91-foot) Spectrum is a two-stage launch vehicle designed for small and medium-sized satellites. The company has largely ruled out the possibility of the rocket reaching orbit on its first complete flight, saying that it would consider a 30-second flight a success. Isar Aerospace aims to collect as much data and experience as possible on the first integrated test of all the systems on its in-house-developed launch vehicle. The startup, which says it has raised more than 400 million euros ($435 million) in capital, hopes to build up to 40 launch vehicles per year in the future at a plant outside of Munich. The launch vehicles are all to be used for putting satellites into orbit. Isar Aerospace is separate from the European Space Agency, or ESA, which is funded by its 23 member states. ESA has been launching rockets and satellites into orbit for years, but mainly from French Guiana an overseas department of France in South America and from Cape Canaveral in Florida. By Joanna Plucinska, Doyinsola Oladipo and Ilona Wissenbach LONDON/NEW YORK (Reuters) - Danish traveller Kennet Brask loved his fishing trip to Florida two years ago and was planning to return this year. But after watching U.S. President Donald Trump's explosive meeting with Volodymyr Zelenskiy in the White House, he called it off. "When I saw this meeting, I told myself, 'I'm never going to go to the United States as long as Mr. Trump is the President there,'" Brask told Reuters, adding that Trump was "so rude" and didn't behave like a grown-up. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Instead, he will head to Mexico. Brask is one of a number of Danes, Germans and more broadly Europeans who are reconsidering travel plans as a result of Trump's actions, according to five travel agents across the continent. In just two months, the president has upended the U.S.'s longstanding alliance with Europe, suggested annexing Greenland, launched a global trade war, and issued orders that focus on stricter border policy, tighter visa vetting procedures and a crackdown on undocumented migrants in the United States. Europeans splashed $155 billion on travel to the United States in 2023, according to EU figures, while transatlantic travel has bolstered earnings for airlines such as British Airways over recent quarters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Visitor numbers to the U.S. from Western Europe fell 1% year-on-year in February, according to preliminary data from the U.S. National Travel and Tourism Office, after rising 14% in the same period last year. This was led by a 26% decline in travellers from Slovenia, followed by Switzerland and Belgium. Trump's rhetoric on Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark, has been a particularly sensitive issue for Danes. One Dane, Kim Kugel Sorenson, told Reuters he cancelled a trip to California for a family friend's wedding and removed stars and stripes from a tattoo so as not to appear to be pro-American. U.S. arrivals from Denmark fell 6% in February after increasing 7% a year ago, according to NTTO data. European travel agents and travel data firms told Reuters they were also seeing a drop in searches for trips to the U.S., leading them to focus advertising on other destinations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We have taken an active decision to not spend a dime on marketing for any tours to the USA due to both the lack of client response and the current situation and attitude towards Denmark and Greenland in particular," Steen Albrechtsen, a senior product manager at Albatros Travel in Copenhagen, said. Overseas visitors spend seven to eight times more than domestic U.S. travellers, according to the U.S. Travel Association. The stronger dollar, which rose ahead of Trump's inauguration but has since fallen back, and sluggish European economy may also deter some from U.S. trips, though travel agents said political tumult was having the most impact. The number of internet searches for flights to the U.S. has fallen sharply this month in France, Italy, and Spain, said Mirko Lalli, CEO of the Data Appeal Company, a tourism data provider. Demand from Britain, however, remains robust, he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement GETTING CLOSER TO CANADA Germans in particular are shifting their sights to Canada as an alternative, German travel agency America Unlimited said. With Trump's threats of turning Canada into a 51st state, some Europeans see a holiday there as a sign of solidarity. "Canada is experiencing an unprecedented boom," said America Unlimited CEO Timo Kohlenberg. In turn, Canadians may flock to Europe this summer as they shun travel to the United States. European vacation rental properties have seen a 32% jump in bookings from June to August year-over-year from Canadians, according to Key Data, a short-term rental analytics company. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other travel companies, like Europe's largest tour operator TUI, still expect the U.S. market to hold up, particularly for city trips and camper tours. "We are expecting more travellers from Germany vacationing in the U.S. than in 2024," a TUI spokesperson told Reuters. In February, German visits to the U.S. fell 9% year-over-year after increasing 18% in the same period a year ago, according to the NTTO. Britain and Germany have updated their advice for citizens travelling to the U.S. to emphasise the country's entry rules. Germany's foreign ministry said it was monitoring whether there had been a change in U.S. immigration policy after three nationals were detained. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Maria del Carmen Ramos, immigration attorney and partner at Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP, said people arriving at the U.S. border were receiving greater scrutiny, but border patrol agents had more discretion and authority than people realised. "It seems like it's the Wild West at the border and there's no rhyme or reason as to how things are being done," she said. (This story has been refiled to correct Volodymyr Zelenskiy's first name in paragraph 1) (Additional reporting by Stine Jacobsen in Copenhagen. Editing by Josephine Mason and Mark Potter) SINGAPORE, March 24 (Xinhua) -- Singapore's Elections Department (ELD) announced on Monday that the certified registers of electors will be open for public inspection starting Tuesday, following an initial public review conducted in February. The registers, which list a total of 2,758,095 eligible electors, were first updated and made available for public inspection last month as part of the standard process ahead of the next general election due by November 2025. The registers are now available for a second round of public inspection. The ELD noted that the certified registers were compiled based on the electoral boundaries as of Feb. 1. However, on March 11, Singapore revised its electoral boundaries based on the recommendations of the Electoral Boundaries Review Committee, reflecting population shifts and new housing developments. The department is preparing composite registers by realigning polling districts to their new electoral divisions. Electors are advised to await further updates on the release of these composite registers before verifying their voter details. In January, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong directed the Registration Officer to revise the registers. Wong will lead the ruling People's Action Party into the polls. Nearly a half-dozen wind-whipped wildfires forced evacuation orders in the Carolinas over the weekend and destroyed several homes. The fires, which had torn across more than 6,000 acres by Monday morning, were fueled by low relative humidity, gusty winds, and dry fuels. The National Weather Service issued a Red Flag Warning in North Carolina on Saturday. Residents in South Carolina were warned of enhanced fire danger. Critically dry conditions, combined with westerly winds of 10 to 20 mph and gusts up to 25 mph, will lead to relative humidity values dropping as low as 20 to 30 percent. Exercise caution and stay alert! forecasters in Charleston said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While no injuries or deaths have been reported due to the fires, South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster declared a state of emergency, and North Carolina Governor Josh Stein said the Federal Emergency Management Agency approved a grant to help with the states response. Firefighters in the Carolinas are having to fend off nearly half-a-dozen blazes that cropped over the last week. The wildfires were fueled, again, by strong winds and dry conditions (N.C. Forest Service/Facebook) In Steins state, three fires were burning in Polk County, where people were under mandatory evacuation orders. The area, which is home to approximately 20,000 North Carolinians, was impacted by debris leftover by Hurricane Helene last year. Polk County spokesperson Kellie Cannon said four homes were lost and 100 residences have been evacuated, according to CNN. Visibility in area will be reduced, and roads/evacuation routes can become blocked; if you do not leave now, you could be trapped, injured, or killed, the North Carolina Department of Public Safety wrote in a post on X. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The countys Deep Woods fire was the largest, spreading over 2,545 acres of state and private land. The Black Cove fire, which was last mapped at 2,076 acres, started last Wednesday, as well. North Carolina said the Fderal Emergency Management Agency approved a grant to help with the states response to the fires. No injuries or deaths have been reported (N.C. Forest Service/Facebook) The Fish Hook Fire, the third fire in the Black Cove Complex, started last Thursday and was just under 200 acres. However, it is 50 percent contained and forward progress had been stopped. The other blazes are zero percent contained. The cause of both the Fish Hook and Black Cove fires was a downed power line, according to WYFF. The cause of the Deep Woods fire remains under investigation. Firefighting has been hampered by the steep terrain of the Green River Gorge where both the Black Cove and Deep Woods fires started. Another challenge has been the dry, warm and windy conditions that have prevailed across the mountains, the North Carolina Forest Service explained. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Saturday, the County received a "red" air quality alert, and officials instructed residents not to go outside for a prolonged period. The South Carolina National Guard has been helping with firefighting efforts since the Covington Fires start earlier this month. A woman was arrested in connection with the blaze (South Carolina National Guard/X) In South Carolina, where the National Guard was deployed, the human-caused Table Rock fire burned more than 1,058 acres. The fire ignited on Friday. Residents may notice an increase in fire behavior. Engine and brush truck crews are staged to protect property in the area, Pickens County wrote in a post on Facebook, noting that crews had made good progress over the weekend. By Monday, previous voluntary evacuation orders remained in effect, but no further evacuations were anticipated. Video showed planes scooping water from Lake Jocassee to take to the scene. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Residents are advised to remain aware of the situation by monitoring local news and social media and be prepared to evacuate if it should become necessary, the country advised. The Table Rock Complex includes the Table Rock fire and the Persimmon Ridge fire. Both were human-caused (The South Carolina Forestry Commission/Facebook) South Carolina State Parks said that Caesars Head State Park was closed until further notice due to the activity, in addition to Table Rock State Park. The more than 800-acre Persimmon Ridge fire had also closed Jones Gap State Park. It is also human-caused. Meanwhile, the Covington Drive fire which started at the beginning of the month remained at 2,059 acres and is still 80 percent contained. Firefighters faced smoldering fire and flare-ups again yesterday while conducting mop-up operations. Today, crews will continue to monitor, patrol and mop-up around the fire area, the South Carolina Forestry Commission said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both states were under a burn ban until further notice. A fire also started burning in New Jersey. The California Branch fire is now fully contained (AP) "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, according to WYFF. There were also wildfires reported elsewhere along the East Coast, including New Jersey and Florida. Smoke from the 25,000-acre shut down a Florida highway. That fire is also contained (AP) The New Jersey Forest Service had been battling a smaller fire in the Wharton State Forest. It is now fully contained. Multiple fires were burning in Florida, and a multi-vehicle crash in Miami-Dade County occurred near the 25,000-acre 344 fire. With reporting from The Associated Press Oscar-winning Palestinian director Hamdan Ballal was reportedly attacked by Israeli settlers in the West Bank on Monday. Activist groups and left-wing Israeli politicians claimed that the co-director of "No Other Land" was attacked by the settlers in the village of Susya. Video shared by the Center for Jewish Nonviolence on social media appears to show masked settlers attacking activists who were on the scene to document their actions. The clip shows two masked people shoving members of the group before other assailants attack the group's vehicle, shattering the car's windshield with a rock. "Hamdan Ballal was attacked by Israeli settlers and arrested by the Israeli army in his home village of Susiya in Masafer Yatta. We do not know his current whereabouts or condition," the group shared. "The group of assailants arrived at approximately 6 PM with batons, knives, and at least one assault rifle; many were also masked." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israeli politician Ofer Cassif shared that he has been unable to confirm where Ballal was being held. "Not only was he wounded severely, he was kidnapped directly out of the ambulance during his medical evacuation, and arrested by the Israeli military. All attempts to receive official confirmation of his location, including personally by me (a member of Parliament) have failed," he shared on X. "His whereabouts are still unknown and his life and liberty are in grave danger. Under the tyrannical occupation, even the Oscar can't protect you from harm." Ballal was one of four directors of the Oscar-winning doc, which followed the forced displacement of Palestinians in Masafer Yatta, the same region of the West Bank where Monday's attack occurred. Co-director Yuval Abraham, an Israeli investigative journalist, said Ballal was "lynched" by settlers in a post to X. "They beat him and he has injuries in his head and stomach, bleeding," he wrote. "Soldiers invaded the ambulance he called, and took him. No sign of him since." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Masafer Yatta, a rural area in the South Hebron Hills, was declared off-limits to civilians by the Israeli military in the 1980s. The area has been designated a "firing zone," ostensibly to be used as a training ground for the Israeli military. However, many Palestinians remain in the area, under constant risk of displacement from settlers or the military. My hope to my daughter [is that] she will not have to live the same life Im living now, always fearing settler violence, home demolitions and forced displacement that my community faces under Israeli occupation, Director Basel Adra said during his victory speech at the 2025 Oscars. No Other Land' reflects the harsh reality that weve been enduring for decades and still resist as we call on the world to take serious actions to stop the injustice and stop the ethnic cleansing of Palestinian people. PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) A new coffee shop set to open in Peoria will get their coffee beans from an unusual location Yemen. When most people think of coffee, they think of it hailing from South America, but Adham Alsharai will be bringing Yemeni heritage to Peoria through every cup of coffee he serves at Dar Al-Coffee. Ive always had a passion for coffee. I loved coffee and I loved making out of my own hands like art and the smell. Its very acidic but has a rich flavor that makes it very unique, and you wont know until you taste it, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Opening a coffee shop and bringing a taste of Yemen to Peoria has been a four-year-long process for Alsharai. Its been my passion and dream for the past four years to introduce the community and be the first one to bring Yemeni heritage coffee, he said. Alsharai says coffee has deep roots in Yemen, including the name of a popular type of coffee. Its really where it all started. The mocha bean itself. Its a city in Yemen called Mukalla. Thats where they got the word Mocha. It was the first port to distribute coffee, he said. While they will be selling coffee from Yemen, they will also have some traditional Yemeni drinks and food as he looks to share a taste of home with his customers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its always been my passion and desire to serve something unique for the city and the flavor, Alsharai said. Im doing it for the community, for the people. And I want to make peoples day better. I love making people happy. I think its something Im good at. Dar Al-Coffee is looking to open sometime in April. You can learn more about Dar Al-Coffee and get up-to-date information on their opening on their 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 CIProud.com. I agree with Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. that cellphones probably don't belong in classrooms. They are likely to distract from learning, to impede socialization, or both. But Kennedy has a different concern. He recently told Fox & Friends that he's worried the phones will case "neurological damage to kids" and "even cancer." The difference between Kennedy and mewell, there are many, but the key difference for our purposes todayis that I don't mistake my suspicions about cellphones, socialization, and learning loss for demonstrated scientific facts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many other people have criticized Kennedy from a superficially similar angle: Like me, they think there are good reasons to keep cellphones out of classrooms, and like me, they don't think Kennedy's reasons are among them. But these critics argue that phones cause depression, anxiety, and other mental-health issuesand like Kennedy, they seem convinced that these concerns have been vigorously borne out by the scientific method. Yet the claim that cellphones and social media cause mental health problems is also tenuous. RFK Jr. is wrong to be fearmongering about neurological damage and cancer. But it's not much of an improvement to act as if Kennedy's fearmongering is whacko while their fearmongering is just Science. Evidence Could 'Look Very Damning' Kennedy told Fox that cellphones "produce electromagnetic radiation, which has been shown to do neurological damage to kids when it's around them all day, and to cause cellular damage and even cancer." As is often the case with dicey information, Kennedy's statements aren't simply pulled from nowhere. Cellphones do emit radio frequency radiation. And while most research finds no association between cellphone usage and DNA damage or cancer, "there's a lot of low-quality research in the literature that, if you wanted to collect all that and put it together, it would look very damning," as Jerrold Bushberg, a radiation oncologist at the University of California, Davis, told NBC. "There are many activist groups out there that promote those studies and say that that's the truth." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The NBC piece goes on to point to a couple studies which could suggest a link between cellphones and cancer, but it also notes some reasons why these studies might not be reliable or might not apply to humans: In a 2017 study, McCormick and his fellow researchers exposed rodents to radio frequency radiation and found a possible increased rate of certain tumors. However, findings in lab animals don't necessarily apply to humans, given the many biological differences, and the studies contained limitations that prevented the researchers from drawing conclusions. A decade earlier, a study looked at cellphone use among more than 5,000 people with brain tumors and found a possible increased risk of tumors in the 10% who used their phones the most. But the research relied on people's memories about past phone use, which aren't always reliable, so its results (like those of similar studies) are hard to interpret. The National Cancer Institute, the Food and Drug Administration, and the Environmental Protection Agency "have all said there's not enough scientific evidence to associate cellphone use with cancer," reports NBC. But it adds that "the International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified radio frequency radiation as possibly carcinogenic, meaning it cannot rule out a causal link." "It is true that in 2011 the hyper-precautionary International Agency for Research on Cancer classified cellphones as a 'possible carcinogen,'" noted Reason's Ron Bailey back in 2013: But as a somewhat snarky response in the Journal of Carcinogenesis pointed out, the agency classifies coffee and pickles as possible carcinogens, too. Meanwhile, the National Cancer Institute flatly states that "to date there is no evidence from studies of cells, animals, or humans that radiofrequency energy can cause cancer." A 2012 comprehensive review of studies in the journal Bioelectromagnetics found "no statistically significant increase in risk for adult brain or other head tumors from wireless phone use." (See also: "'Anything Is a Possible Carcinogen'More On Cell Phones.") Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And of course, if cellphones were causing things like brain tumorsone of the most frequent concerns about potential dangersone would expect to see brain tumor rates rising dramatically. They are not. The bottom line is that it may not be absolutely bonkers to posit a potential link between cellphones and certain physical health dangers. But Kennedy is overstating the evidence and ignoring evidence to the contrary. And that's just what those saying that cellphones cause teen mental-health problems are doing, too. Screen Time 'Proven' Problematic? In pushing back against Kennedy's claims about cellphones and cancer, a lot of entities draw a contrast between his concerns and more respectable concerns about phones. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Studies have found that excessive use of social media via smartphones can negatively impact teens' mental health, elevating their risk of depression and anxiety," NBC declares. "Scientists have also long understood that cellphone use in school can lead to poor academic performance, including lower grades." A community note under an X post sharing Kennedy's statements says: "Despite widely circulated conspiracies and some tests on rats, there is no evidence in humans that cell phone radiation negatively impacts young people. Excessive screen time on the other hand have been proven to be problematic." Yes, there are a number of studies showing associations between cell phone usage and various psychological ailments or negative mental states. But these studies suffer both from methodological flaws and from people drawing flawed conclusions from them. The biggest issue in all of this tends to be people assuming causation from correlation. Research will show a link between high social media use, phone use, or screen time more generally and some negative psychological attribute or maladaptive trait, and peopleeven some who pay lip service to the maxim that correlation is not causationwill be quick to cite this research as evidence that social media and cellphones are causing a mental-health epidemic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yet it's possibleand plausiblethat young people suffering from or predisposed to depression, anxiety, and other issues are more likely to retreat into TikTok videos, to compulsively check Instagram, to go down Reddit forum rabbit holes, and so on. That would make the screen time a symptom, not a cause. After all, the majority of young people today have and use cellphones, but a much small percentage are prone to what can be termed problematic phone use. If cellphones were the craziness catalyst many claim they are, we should expect to see much higher numbers. Of course, it's possible that most young people can use cellphones and social media responsibly but for some subset of them, these things are very badperhaps even worse than whatever alternative escape mechanism these troubled teens might embrace in their absence. This, however, is not the claim people tend to make. And even if this is true, it does not follow that we should severely restrict phone or social media use for all young people simply because it may have negative effects on a small percentage of them. Another issue is with the way these studies are conducted. Studies often ask young people to recall and rate their own social media and/or phone usage, which may not provide reliable answers. (NBC notes this flaw when describing the study showing an association between cellphones and cancer, but apparently it's different somehow when kids are recalling how much time they spent on YouTube.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The statistician Aaron Brown has laid out a lot more methodological flaws with various teen tech panic studies. Many of the papers Jonathan Haidt, author of The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness, has cited in his arguments "contained coding errors, inappropriate statistics, and other issues," Brown points out: Most downloaded some data of little relevanceeither cheap to generate, like surveying your sophomore psychology students, or data collected for a different purposeand analyzed it with an off-the-shelf statistical approach. Haidt cites 476 studies in his book that seem to represent an overwhelming case. But two-thirds of them were published beforethe period that Haidt focuses on in the book. Only 22 of them have data on either heavy social media use or serious mental issues among adolescents, and none have data on both. The bottom line: It's not absolutely bonkers to posit a potential link between cellphones and certain mental-health dangers. But like Kennedy, proponents of restricting internet access and phones for young people tend to overstate the evidence on their side and ignore the evidence to against them. A Case for Phones in Schools? Kennedy and the phones-cause-depression crew and I may all agree that getting phones out of schools seems like a good idea. But do you know who does not agree with us? A lot of parents. According to a survey conducted last year by the National Parents Union, most American parents want kids to have access to cellphones at schools. (Parents were also less down on phones than you might expect, with 46 percent saying phones had a "mostly" or "entirely" positive effect on their child's life and 42 percent saying they had an equally positive and negative effect.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I have also heard from teachers who agree that teaching would be easier if no one class carried a phone, but who also point out that a zero-tolerance phone policy means teachers have to spend a lot of time policing phone use, and that this could be an even bigger disruption to learning than the phones are. Perhaps the phones-in-schools issue isn't quite as simple or clear cut as it can seem at first. But one thing seems abundantly clear: School cellphone policies should not be set by the federal government. They probably shouldn't even be set by the state. These are matters best left to individual schools and school districts. Local authorities are best equipped to know how big of a problem phones in school really are among their particular student bodies and how local parents and teachers feel about the issue. They're the ones most likely to know whether restricting phones in their schools is feasible, and the best way to implement any anti-phone policies. (Do students leave their phones in a central place? Are they allowed to use them in the hallways between class, or not at all?) And they're the ones who know what resources schools can devote to restricting phone use. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is no universal effect of phones on young people's psychological health or emotional well-being. We shouldn't expect there to be a one-size-fits-all approach to phones in schools. More Sex & Tech News Continuing the trend of "anything I don't like is an antitrust violation," the Federal Communications Commission is threatening to block telecom and media mergers for companies that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. The European Union's executive body won't stop attacking American tech companies, notes Reason's Jack Nicastro. Today's Image Columbus, Ohio | 2021 (ENB/Reason) The post Everyone Is Wrong About RFK Jr. and Cellphones appeared first on Reason.com. MOUNT CARROLL, Ill. (WTVO) A former sheriffs deputy has been charged in connection with the death of 18-year-old Jackson Kradle in Mount Carroll. Following an investigation by Illinois State Police, former Carroll County Sheriffs Deputy Matthew Herpstreith, 44, of Savanna, has been charged with Reckless Homicide, Reckless Conduct, Obstructing Justice, Attempted Obstructing Justice, and Failure to Reduce Speed to Avoid an Accident. Matthew Herpstreith. Photo: Illinois State Police Kradle was found lying in the middle of Illinois Route 78, just north of Mount Carroll, around 3:30 a.m. on July 28th, 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Coroner Matt Jones said an autopsy revealed Kradles blood alcohol content was .192 and THC was present in his system. Phone recordings from that night, obtained by KWQC, revealed that two sheriffs office employees, Herpstreith and now former dispatcher Amy Hubble, called the non-emergency line after finding Kradles body lying along the side of a road. On November 9th, the coroner concluded that Kradles death was due to blunt trauma to the head, due to a motor-vehicle pedestrian crash. Testimony given at the coroners inquest revealed that Kradles DNA was found beneath Herpstreiths truck. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Herpstreith was released from custody under provisions of Illinois Pretrial Fairness Act and will return to court on April 17th. Kradle was a 2024 graduate of West Carroll High School, according to KWQC. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Sen. Bob Menendez takes a selfie with his wife, Nadine, and businessman Wael Hana. Nadine Menendez's bribery trial began in earnest on March 24, 2025, in Manhattan. (Courtesy of U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of New York) At former Sen. Bob Menendezs corruption trial last year, his defense team cast him as an unwitting pawn in a global bribery scheme orchestrated by his wife, Nadine, that netted the couple nearly $1 million in gold bars, cash, and other valuables. Her defense attorney, Barry Coburn, took a similar approach Monday as Nadine Menendezs corruption trial kicked off at the federal courthouse in Manhattan, telling jurors during a 10-minute opening statement that the former senators wife, a 58-year-old Lebanon native, had no knowledge of nor intent to commit the crimes of which shes accused. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We heard a lot of nefarious characterization, Coburn said after prosecutor Lara Pomerantz gave her opening statement. Youll find the characterization is grossly inaccurate with respect to Nadine Menendez. To convict her, Coburn added, jurors must find overwhelming evidence of every element of every count. Shes charged with conspiracy, bribery, extortion, and obstruction of justice. Knowledge and intent those are the two most important words in this case for us, he added. There will be an absolute utter failure of proof in this case with respect to knowledge and intent, with respect to every element, and with respect to every count in this case. The trial, which had been repeatedly postponed as Nadine Menendez battled breast cancer, is expected to last nine weeks. Thats about how long Bob Menendezs trial lasted; a separate jury convicted him in July of all counts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pomerantz started her nearly hourlong opening statement Monday by recounting a rendezvous Nadine Menendez had in a restaurant parking lot with insurance broker Jose Uribe. They met not to dine, but rather so Uribe could give Nadine Menendez $15,000, which she used as a down payment for a new $60,000 Mercedes-Benz convertible in exchange for Bob Menendezs interference in a state criminal case that threatened two of his friends, Pomerantz told jurors. Uribe, who pleaded guilty in a cooperation deal, testified against the former senator and is expected to testify in this trial too. That cash was a bribe, Pomerantz said. For years, the defendant and the senator put his power up for sale. They corrupted his office and betrayed the trust placed in him. They did that to feed their greed. Nadine Menendez, who the former senator began dating in 2018 and married in 2020, acted as the go-between, both to insulate him from trouble and make sure everyone in the bribery scheme was getting what they wanted, Pomerantz added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They were partners in crime, partners in corruption, and partners in greed, she said. She did the dirty work. Judge Sidney H. Stein warned jurors Monday that being unaware of the law is not a defense. Bob and Nadine Menendez are accused of taking more than a dozen gold bars, almost $500,000 in cash, the luxury car, exercise equipment, mortgage payments, and a $10,000-a-month, no-show consulting job for Nadine Menendez. In exchange, the former senator used his power to try to derail a federal bank fraud prosecution of Fred Daibes, his longtime friend and an Edgewater real estate developer; help Wael Hana, a longtime friend of Nadine Menendezs, maintain a lucrative monopoly on halal meat exports to Egypt; and benefit the governments of Egypt and Qatar, where each man had business interests. Daibes and Hana were also found guilty last year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In January, Stein sentenced Bob Menendez to 11 years in prison on more than a dozen crimes, including acting as a foreign agent. He has appealed his conviction, called his prosecution a political witch hunt, and prodded President Donald Trump for a pardon. He isnt scheduled to report to prison until June 6. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX As weather across the United States warms, concern springs eternal that universities will once again draw national attention for all the wrong reasons. Last year, milder temperatures brought unsanctioned encampments full of students (and faculty) demonstrating against Israel. Administrators tolerating Zionist-free zones predictably invited lawsuits, which have progressed considerably in recent months. One innovative lawsuit, brought by Jewish students at UCLA, argues that such exclusionary zones violated Jewish students First Amendment rights because they discriminated against many Jews closely held belief that Judaism requires support for Israels existence. In a scathing rebuke of UCLAs handling of the situation, the judge overseeing the case denied UCLAs motion to dismiss the complaint, calling the state of affairs on campus unimaginable and abhorrent. Merits of this lawsuit and similar ones on other campuses aside, the story told by the UCLA plaintiffs suggests that Jewish studentsparticularly religiously observant Orthodox Jewsmay start reconsidering their traditional academic destinations. Only about 10 percent of American Jews are Orthodox, generally defined by adherence to traditional Jewish law, such as Sabbath and kosher observance. Fewer still are Orthodox and interested in receiving a secular higher education. These Modern Orthodoxdistinguished by traditional observance combined with full participation in American lifehave long maintained a disproportionate presence at elite universities relative to their population size. (Indeed, there are an estimated 600,000 Modern Orthodox Jews in America, or about 0.18 percent of the population; during my undergraduate years at Princeton University the Modern Orthodox community of which I was a part constituted approximately 3 percent of the student body. At colleges like Barnard, which recently was the site of an anti-Israel riot, the proportion is considerably higher.) Yet these students feel the weight of recent campus controversies most acutely, as they are both visibly Jewishoften identifiable by their dressand near-unanimously ardent Zionists. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Though demonstrators repeat that there is a clear line between Judaism and Zionism, the campus Jews who practice Judaism most studiously seem to disagree. Modern Orthodox Jews generally consider some form of Zionism central to their faith, which is itself inviolable. To them, support for Israel flows from the imperative to safeguard the welfare of all Jews, reinforced by a reading of the Torah emphasizing the centrality of land to the performance of Gods commandments. After praying for the welfare of the American government and armed forces each Shabbat, nearly all Modern Orthodox congregations pray for Israels welfare, calling the state the beginning of the sprouting of our redemption. Forced to choose between their religious convictions and social acceptance on campus, they may well pack up and leave. (Indeed, Yeshiva University, the flagship institution of American Modern Orthodox Judaism, has seen increased interest from both transfer students and high school applicants.) This potential exodus, while numerically small, carries outsized implications for the institutions they might leave behind. The higher education market has begun responding to this anticipated displacement. Several universities are making concerted efforts to recruit Jewish refugees from schools perceived as increasingly inhospitable. Washington University in St. Louis opened a transfer portal generally understood to be geared towards Jewish students. The University of Florida has launched an aggressive recruitment initiative, in partnership with the intrepid Jewish non-profit Tikvah, through its full-scholarship Rosenthal-Levy Scholars Program. Meanwhile, Yeshiva has intensified its messaging to bright young Jews, essentially urging them to come home. Even some Christian colleges are building the infrastructure necessary to sustain Orthodox Jewish life. Its easy to see why these recruiting institutions perceive this exodus as a boon. They gain access to a generally talented pool of students who might otherwise have attended more prestigious competitors. For the students themselves, who in simpler times would have carried on the rich if small tradition of Modern Orthodox Jews building communities at Cornell or Columbia, there are tradeoffs. They will have to choose between the credential of an Ivy League or similar degree and a college experience with marginally less prestige but that doesnt revolve around constant ad hoc extracurricular activity as untrained investigative journalists or activists, or simply trying to navigate campus environments fraught with national controversies. Spending four years doing that work can be ennobling and rewarding. But it can just as easily be demoralizing or incentivize cowardice among those Jewish students who conclude its best to go along to get along. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What is not self-evident is why the universities from which Orthodox Jews may flee should care. Their minuscule acceptance rates indicate that they could easily replace Orthodox Jews SAT scores and tuition payments. There are more than enough qualified high school graduates to fill the Ivy League several times over. What, then, would universities be forfeiting should they fail to retain their Orthodox Jewish students? Administrators might respond that they value Jewish students as they would any element of their diverse community, just as a rainbow without any of its colors is incomplete. That amounts to a tautology befitting campus diversibabble: Theyll miss the Jews because theyll miss the Jews. And from their perspective, that may be all there is to it. But for anyone attuned to the worrisome emerging divides in American culture today, there is more to the story. What elite universitiesand the future leaders they trainwould lose is both more subtle and substantial: one of the last remaining bridges between the religious and secular worlds. Though they do not attend college primarily for this purpose, observant Jews often serve as a window for other students to witness religious belief and practice with an open mind. Secular American students, who vastly outnumber religious students at elite schools, typically know Christian culture too well to give it the examination it deserves. Many have either grown up in it or around it, associate it with various cultural controversies, and generally find its expressions overly familiar or occasionally gauche. They have, in many cases, already developed the lexicon for resisting its influence. It is considered culturally acceptable, unfortunately, to mock Christianity and the Christian conception of God. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This isnt to say that students cant find themselves attracted to and even converting to Christianity during their college years. Some certainly do. (The same goes for Islam, though its presence on American campuses is among the smallest of all religions.) But Judaism tends to play a distinctive role in our culture generally, replicated in microcosm on campus, where Orthodox Jews take leading roles alongside their non-observant coreligionists at Hillel and Chabad houses. To the outsider, American Judaism is the benign tradition of the great comedians, the one that shows up in Adam Sandler songs and episodes of Curb Your Enthusiasm. The Jewish practices immediately accessible to non-Jews (or non-observant Jews) usually involve food, wine, and socializing. To the extent Jewish moral teachings come up at all, they are unobjectionable injunctions to be a mensch, which naturally distinguish themselves from secular students impression of Christian talk about sin, hell, and (the great campus bogeyman) sexual ethics. That doesnt mean that these represent a full account of either religions teachings or practices; its just that Judaism appears less threatening to the average secular student. And that perception is what matters, on campus, for getting secular young people in the door to observe religion at work. Modern Orthodox Jews are told before going off to college to be a kiddush HaShem, or sanctification of Gods name. While they do not proselytize, they do not isolate themselves either. They invite their friends to attend Shabbat dinners at campus Hillel and Chabad houses. On some campuses, menorah lightings draw large crowds every Hanukkah. Perhaps most crucially, non-Jewish and non-observant Jews inevitably notice when their Orthodox peers abstain, unthinkably, from what are thought to be key components of campus life. They notice when their friends arent at parties on Friday night, shut off their phones and laptops for 25 hours each weekend, and cant eat the late-night pizza provided by the debate club. They see their kippah-clad peers uncomfortably approach professors the first day of each semester to inform them that they will have to miss classes for holidays. Yes, even the esoteric ones. No, I cant show up to class and just listen that morning; I need to be in synagogue, praying. Those demonstrations of forbearance are especially important. By example, they drive home the possibility that a life well-lived can be governed by restraint and obligation rather than choice alone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Secular culture has not altogether done away with the notions of restraint and obligation. But it is saturated with the justification because I want to for nearly every choice. That is the moral language college students learn to speak. You choose your classes. You choose your friends. You choose how and when you want to have sex. You can eat ice cream for breakfast. Saying that it is better to eat, dress, or spend your time one way rather than another is generally considered deeply unfashionable, if not offensive. If obligation enters the picture, it is due to the specter of immediate and tangible consequences. Students must do their classwork because otherwise they will flunk out. They must receive continued affirmative consent from their partners because otherwise the Title IX coordinator will come knocking. Indeed, when college students want to obligate their peers to abide by a morality they consider absolutely binding, they insist that administrators punish wrongdoers. If administrators resistand this is precisely the story of the Christakises, who refused to crack down on culturally insensitive Halloween costumes at Yale, on the grounds that students should learn to tolerate things that offend themstudents turn on them. In this moral schema, every choice is equally valid unless it is explicitly disapproved and punished. Observant Jewish students demonstrate the virtues of a life less focused on the immediate and tangible, whether pleasures or punishments. Rather than the secular creed of because I want to they embody its religious counterpoint: because I have to, even if I know nothing bad is going to happen to me if I dont. My own experiences at Princeton illustrate this dynamic. Our Shabbat dinners at the Center for Jewish Life regularly attracted as many non-Jewish students as Jews. Our secular classmates came for the community, conversation, and unimposing rituals: Raising a glass, hand-washing, breaking bread. Many expressed genuine curiosity about how we managed to disconnect despite Princetons relentless pace. It could be done, was all we could say. And as my CJL friends remarkable academic success would testify, it could be done well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One recurring theme of conversations with non-Jewish peers was more profound. My Orthodox friends and I would regularly field the question: Why? Why do all this when no one would know, or care, if we ate pork in our dorm rooms or violated the laws of Shabbat? We told them we didnt think God was going to strike us down with illness or death for violating Shabbat; we didnt think our non-observant or non-Jewish friends were destined for hell. We believed, rather, in the power of a covenantal community. We are obligated to do certain things, and if you want to be a full member of our community, you fulfill your obligations. Not out of fear of punishment, but out of conviction that it is the right thing to doeven if it is difficult to explain without reference to ancient rabbinic teachings, or hard to balance with coursework and extracurriculars. That is what binds Jews as a people, we believe. And that is more important to living a meaningful, fulfilling life than all the choicesall the bacon, all the sex, all the freedomin the world. We tried to provide secular students with living examples of religious practice, and a religious approach to living a meaningful life, that dont conform to the caricatures they may have absorbed from popular culture or political discourse. Had most students not already been inured to Christianity I am sure my Christian friends could have done this as well, if not better. The difference is only that we had the opportunity. We had the honor and responsibility of representing religion to people disinclined to take it seriously. At the time it certainly seemed as though we found some receptive ears. We didnt win scores of converts, not that we were trying to, but perhaps we did something to keep open the lines of communication between two increasingly separate Americas: the sacred and the secular. These two sides find each other locked in interminable arguments over political questions because we speak largely different languages: One primarily recognizes the legitimacy of rules and norms that increase autonomy, authenticity, and choice; the other speaks of politics in terms of obligation, service, and subordination of our desires. And as Jonathan Rauch notes in Cross Purposes, his new book examining the perils of this divide, secular Americans generally lack the vocabulary and intellectual equipment to receive religious wavelengths. Graduates of elite schools will have to navigate a future whose culture and politics will be defined in part by the choices we make to mediate this division. Will they be able to do so without the exposure to religion observant Jews offer, on campus as nowhere else? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Or will they be left exclaiming as the Egyptians did, after the Jews ventured into the wilderness once prior: What have we done? Read more at The Dispatch The Dispatch is a new digital media company providing engaged citizens with fact-based reporting and commentary, informed by conservative principles. Sign up for free. A 42-member Italian delegation is visiting central China's Wuhan. This historic visit, the largest of its kind from Asti Province, aims to strengthen economic ties. #GLOBALink South African ambassador to the United States Ebrahim Rasool, who was expelled from the country and labeled persona non grata by the Trump administration, arrived home on Sunday to a warm welcome, calling his new U.S. status a badge of dignity. Rasool and his wife were surrounded by crowds gathered at the airport and supporters sang songs to welcome them. The couple required a police escort to help them through the terminal. A declaration of persona non grata is meant to humiliate you, Rasool said while addressing the crowds with a megaphone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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, he said. It was not our choice to come home, but we come home with no regrets, the diplomat added. Earlier this month, Secretary of State Marco Rubio declared Rasool persona non grata and accused him of being a race-baiting politician over his comments criticizing President Trump. South Africas Ambassador to the United States is no longer welcome in our great country, Rubio said in a post on X. Emrahim Rasool is a race-baiting politician who hates America and hates @POTUS. We have nothing to discuss with him and so he is considered PERSONA NON GRATA. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rasool had accused Trump of leading a white supremacist movement at home and abroad during a video address to a think-tank. So in terms of that, the supremacist assault on incumbency, we see it in the domestic politics of the USA, 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 USA in which the voting electorate in the USA is projected to become 48 percent white, Rasool said. And so that needs to be factored in, so that we understand some of the things that we think are instinctive, nativist, racist things, I think that theres data that, for example, would support that, that would go to this wall being built, the deportation movement, the South Africa diplomat said in comments that led to a strong response from the administration. Rasool served as South Africas ambassador in Washington from 2010 to 2015 and had returned to the position earlier this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The U.S. Air Forces selection of Boeings F-47 as the winner of its Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) combat jet competition raises new questions about plans for new stealthy aerial refueling tankers. The service has said in the past that the two efforts are intrinsically linked, but also that it might not be possible to afford both aircraft. Extending the life of existing KC-135s could also now be on the horizon to help ensure there is sufficient aerial refueling capacity overall to meet current and future demands. President Donald Trump, flanked by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin, unveiled the F-47 at the White House last Friday. Readers can first get caught up with our latest in-depth analysis of what we know about that aircraft here. A rendering of Boeings F-47. USAF The F-47 is part of the larger NGAD initiative that also includes Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) drones, as well as new jet engines, weapons, electronic warfare suites, sensors, network architectures, battle management capabilities, and more. The Air Force has also been working to refine its vision for a Next Generation Air-Refueling System (NGAS) system of systems, which could feature new stealthy and/or uncrewed tankers by 2040, if not before. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ill leave the findings alone. Its basically an Analysis of Alternatives [AOA] on what different options could look like, Air Force Gen. John Lamontagne, head of Air Mobility Command [AMC], said in response to a question about the current state of NGAS from Defense Ones Audrey Decker during a live interview last Thursday. The interview was streamed online as part of that outlets 2025 State of the Air Force and Space Force virtual conference. AMC oversees the vast majority of the Air Forces current fleets of aging KC-135s and newer KC-46s, both of which are non-stealthy designs. A KC-46, at left, prepared to link up with a KC-135, at right, during a test. USAF Were putting the finishing touches on that with OSD. Weve had an engagement with them, and we should have submitted that here by the end of the month or so, Lamontagne continued. You know, if we look at what we did with NGAD, the NGAD AOA was a long time ago. We have not yet made a decision on whether were going to pursue NGAD or not. Were just about to turn in NGAS. I dont anticipate that therell be an NGAS, you know, in the next couple of days. The AMC commanders comments came just the day before the F-47 announcement. The Air Force had put the NGAD combat jet program on hold last year for a deep review. The service ultimately concluded that a new sixth-generation crewed stealth combat would be critical for achieving air superiority with the least amount of risk in future high-end fights. As noted, Air Force officials had previously made clear that the NGAD combat jet decision would have ramifications for NGAS. Much remains to be learned about the F-47, including its unrefueled range, as well as expected concepts of operations that could impact tanking requirements. Tactical combat jets have historically been very fuel-hungry. A larger, longer-range NGAD aircraft would have less need for aerial refueling than a smaller and shorter-range one, but would also be more expensive. These are tradeoffs TWZ has just explored in detail in our most recent analysis of the Boeing fighter design. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. militarys current tactical fleets present significant demands for aerial refueling support and, as a result, for tankers to be able to operate relatively far forward. At the same time, the air defense threat ecosystem continues to expand in scale and scope, presenting especially worrisome challenges for friendly non-stealthy tankers and other support aircraft that will be high-priority targets for any opponent in a future large-scale conflict. Im convinced from the analysis that NGAD is necessary. Thats my opinion, and I have an opinion, and I will, you know, offer that to the senior leadership, but I can see the difference that it makes. But its not all on its own, Allvin said in a separate virtual interview with Defense Ones Decker last Thursday. Its great, but it also means that the supporting structure around it needs to have [a] defendable basis, needs to have, you know, sufficient refueling to where it [can] stay on station longer. Another rendering of the F-47. USAF Fielding a fleet of new stealth tankers has long been presented as at least one option for addressing the need for more survivable air refueling support, a topic that TWZ has tracked closely. Years ago now, we laid out a detailed case for why it would not only make sense, but be critical for the Air Force to pursue such an aircraft. However, concerns have continually come up about the costs and complexities of developing an aerial refueling aircraft with significant low-observable (stealthy) characteristics, as well as resources that would be needed to acquire and field them in useful numbers. Last year, former Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall explicitly warned about whether his service could afford to pursue NGAS, as well as planned fleets of NGAD combat jets and CCA drones. Aviation Week reported earlier this month that the decision to proceed on NGAD could call NGASs future into question. At the White House press conference last Friday, Hegseth noted that the NGAD combat jet program had almost been scrapped and described the F-47, in part, as being cheaper, but did not elaborate and it is unclear how any affordability assessments may have changed. Air Force leadership has consistently highlighted potential alternatives to stealth tankers for NGAS. A composite of renderings of General Atomics YFQ-42A and Andurils QFQ-44A, which are being developed now under the first phase of the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) drone program. General Atomics/Anduril Its interesting because the NGAS is almost been like NGAD, its been reduced to an aircraft. Its [NGAS] not necessarily an aircraft, its [an] air refueling system. And so there are other ways that you can enhance survivability of air refueling aircraft, Allvin said just last week. You can do it through electronic warfare. You can do it through, you know, escort support. There are different ways that you can do that, and so this is all part of the entire NGAS evaluation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a broad brush, theres a variety of ways to survive. We can continue to upgrade the [existing tanker] fleets and put defensive systems on it, just like weve upgraded the navigation [systems], engines, and more over the past decades, AMCs Lamontagne also said last week. We can also team up with other partners in the joint force, and have them defend us. And so a variety of ways to do it, even if we dont pursue NGAS. The acquisition community, I think, has done a nice job of trying to develop the technology associated with a new [NGAS] platform. They did that with NGAD, starting to do it with NGAS, Lamontagne continued. And Im hopeful that that will continue to happen across a family of systems, both in the Air Force and across the joint force. But [it is] too early to tell what that looks like here in the very near term. Its interesting to note here that the Air Force and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) have confirmed that multiple demonstrator aircraft were flying in secret for years in support of the NGAD combat jet program, as you can read more about here. In 2023, the Air Force publicly announced it had hired JetZero to build a highly efficient blended wing body demonstrator that could help inform future tanker and cargo aircraft. TWZ has also previously documented a litany of other known work related to stealthy tankers or related designs. It is unknown what relevant research and development has been occurring in the classified realm. A rendering of a blended wing body aerial refueling tanker. JetZero We are absolutely considering it, and companies are developing autonomous air refueling capability as we speak to where a, you know, one platform could go refuel with no humans in the loop, using technology from the tanker and technology from the receiver, Lamontagne added in response to a question about the potential for uncrewed platforms to be part of a future aerial refueling force. And so yes, I think this is all very much in the realm of a possible. Another rendering of a notional stealthy tanker from Lockheed Martin. Lockheed Martin Skunk Works The Air Force is also known to be at least exploring boom-equipped podded aerial refueling systems that fighter-sized aircraft could carry as another way to help address future tanking needs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Work is also ongoing to expand the capabilities of existing tankers, to include new defensive systems, as well as communications and data-sharing capabilities. The next couple upgrades need to be that beyond-line-of-sight connectivity, tactical data links, so we have good S.A. [situational awareness] on our environment, Lamontagne told Defense Ones Decker last week. We can sense and make sense of the threats, and protect ourselves and exploit some opportunities. Testing has already demonstrated that tanker crews can act as aerial controllers for drones, which they could then use to help protect against oncoming threats. A past General Atomics rendering depicting drones protecting (as well as being refueled by) a KC-46 tanker. General Atomics Lamontagne also highlighted the potential for CCA drones, specifically, to be air-launched from AMC aircraft, but it is unclear whether he was referring to tankers or cargo planes. The command has been looking into using KC-135s as motherships for other uncrewed aerial systems. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Air Force also has a broader need for more aerial refueling capacity overall. In the interview last week, Lamontagne acknowledged continued strains on existing tanker fleets, even when it comes to meeting peacetime requirements. The forthcoming B-21 Raider stealth bombers are set to significantly add to the existing capacity demands on tanker fleets, as well. All of this has been exacerbated by the decision to divest the services KC-10 tankers, as well as continued technical and quality control issues that have limited the operational utility of new KC-46 Pegasus tankers and slowed deliveries of those aircraft. TWZ was the first to report on the latest halt in Pegasus deliveries due to cracking. The root cause of those cracks, which have also been found on at least 11 previously delivered KC-46s, has yet to be determined. Once that is done, the Air Force and the manufacturer Boeing will have to agree to a remediation plan, after which deliveries of new tankers can resume. Air Force KC-46 tankers. USAF There are still plans for the Air Force to acquire an additional tranch of new tankers after its current orders for KC-46s are fulfilled. Though there has been talk about just buying more examples of the Pegasus, Lamontagne said that no formal decision had been made and that his command remains agnostic about future purchases of more traditional tankers citing the availability of other options on the open market. Airbus has notably pitched its A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT), which is in use with many air arms globally, to the Air Force multiple times over the past few decades. In 2023, the European aerospace conglomerate said it would continue to do so alone after the dissolving of a partnership with Lockheed Martin. A rendering of an LMXT, a unique variant of the Airbus A330 MRTT developed in cooperation with Lockheed Martin, depicted refueling a notional sixth-generation combat jet. Lockheed Martin A life extension program for the KC-135s, which the Air Force already expects to keep flying into the 2050s, could now be on the horizon, especially if there is an additional lag in the NGAS plans. The last KC-135 rolled off Boeings production line in 1965, though the remaining examples in Air Force service have been substantially upgraded multiple times over the years, including with new engines, avionics, navigation systems, and communications suites. An Air Force KC-135R tanker. USAF Recapitalization of the tanker fleet is absolutely the priority. The [KC-]135 fleet, as I just outlined, [is] not getting any younger, AMCs Lamontagne said. We may need to look at a service life extension potentially of the 135 if its going to take a really long time [to acquire replacements] and continue to upgrade it, just like we have over the past several decades. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Air Force has been testing whether flying tankers with reduced crews, as well as leveraging artificial intelligence and machine learning technology, could be feasible paths to increase aerial refueling capacity without more airframes or personnel. Lamontagne also highlighted how private contractors are increasingly helping to meet some of the capacity gaps now, a still-growing trend that TWZ has been closely covering over the years. On any given day, our requirements are about right here, but our supply is down here, so we cant meet all the requirements. And so a lot of this happens on the training side of the house, because we prioritize the operational requirements, and the training requirements are usually at the bottom of that, and often the first things to lose, the AMC commander explained. So some of the services and some other areas of the joint force will use their own resources to go out and contract air refueling and to provide them that capability when we cant meet it because of all the other operational requirements. We are completely supportive of that, he added. With the F-47 now unveiled and an initial review of options for NGAS wrapping up, the Air Forces future aerial refueling vision, and whether or not it includes stealth tankers, may start to become clearer. Contact the author: joe@twz.com Claim: An audio clip authentically features U.S. Vice President JD Vance criticizing tech billionaire Elon Musk. Rating: Rating: Fake On March 23, 2025, an audio clip circulated online that appeared to capture U.S. Vice President JD Vance criticizing tech mogul Elon Musk, an adviser to President Donald Trump. Social media users shared the clip on YouTube (archived), Facebook (archived), X (archived), Threads (archived), Instagram (archived), Reddit (archived) and Bluesky (archived). According to the posts, Vance said: Everything that he's doing is getting criticized in the media. And he says that he's helping, and he's not. He's making us look bad. He's making me look bad. And I'll tell you this, and he wouldn't like it if I said it, but he's not even an American. He's from South Africa and he's cosplaying as this great American leader in a room that has the portraits of some of the greatest men that ever led this country, and he has the audacity to act like he is an elected official. I am an elected official, I am the important one in this situation, not him. So if he wants to tank the economy and his cars maybe that's what he deserves. However, on March 24, Vance's communications director William Martin said (archived) on X that the audio was "100% fake and most certainly not the Vice President." The origins of the audio were unclear, but several artificial intelligence detectors said the audio was likely not authentic. There were no reports from reputable sources about the audio or who might have recorded it. As such, we have rated this video fake. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We reached out to the White House for clarification on Martin's statement. We also reached out to two early TikTok posters, whose videos were widely shared by other social media users, about where they got the audio and await their replies. One of the TikTok profiles that posted an early version of the audio told a commenter who asked how they knew the audio was authentic: "Becouse...if it was AI..I would label as such...I don't post...lies." Both profiles that posted early versions of the audio have posted other political content with an anti-Trump lean. We passed the audio through Hiya's Deepfake Voice Detector and the University at Buffalo Media Lab's DeepFake-O-Meter. (Deepfake audio is audio generated by AI to sound like a real person, in this case Vance.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Hiya, audio samples from the beginning, middle and end of the 55-second clip scored from 32 to 52 of 100 points, with 100 being a 100% authentic voice. The beginning of the clip was "likely" to be fake, according to the the detector scoring 32/100. The detector was uncertain about the other samples. (Screenshots from Hiya Deepfake Voice Detector) DeepFake-O-Meter's seven detectors said the audio was between 70.2% and 100% likely to be AI-generated. Whereas Hiya took a short sample of several seconds, DeepFake-O-Meter analyzed the entire audio clip. (Screenshot from University at Buffalo Media Lab's DeepFake-o-meter) Though all the available evidence points to the recording not being real, it does play on swirling rumors that Vance felt pushed aside by Musk's prominence in the Trump administration. Since Trump's inauguration, Musk has appeared alongside Trump at least once for a news conference. Vance has not. Musk also has met with several foreign leaders alongside the president, a role usually filled by the VP. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a March 14 interview with NBC News, Vance conditionally supported Musk's work with the Department of Government Efficiency. Vance said he was "accepting of mistakes" but "I also think you have to quickly correct those mistakes." Sources: Allison, Natalie, and Jacqueline Alemany. "In Trump's Crowded White House, JD Vance Finds a Role behind the Scenes." Washington Post, 10 Mar. 2025, https://archive.ph/POHfQ#selection-539.0-542.0. @amouthful_of_cherries. "Whoever's Leaking All These Recordings Is Doing the Lord's Work ." Instagram, 24 Mar. 2025, https://www.instagram.com/p/DHj6rjpS7Re/. @christinatalkstea. "#teawithchristina." TikTok, 23 Mar. 2025, https://www.tiktok.com/@christinatalkstea/video/7485039720636894494?_r=1&_t=ZN-8ux2UifELJ8. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement cwebbonline.com. "Leaked Audio of JD Vance in a Jealous Rant." Bluesky, 24 Mar. 2025, https://bsky.app/profile/cwebbonline.com/post/3ll3it7tluk25. Deepfake Voice Detector. https://www.hiya.com/products/deepfake-voice-detector. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025. @ejacobson. "This Leaked Audio of JD Vance Shading Elon Musk Is Funny for Two Reasons..." X, 24 Mar. 2025, https://x.com/ejacobson/status/1903972565057765505. "Elon Musk's Meetings with Foreign Leaders alongside Trump Alarm Washington Insiders." NBC News, 20 Dec. 2024, https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/elon-musk-meeting-foreign-leaders-trump-conflict-putin-china-rcna184846. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fox 7 Austin. "Elon Musk at the White House: FULL NEWS CONFERENCE." YouTube, 12 Feb. 2025, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThjwjSNzye0. @josey6529. "#italy #france." TikTok, 23 Mar. 2025, https://www.tiktok.com/@josey6529/video/7485063961126260011. @occupydemocrats. "THIS IS HUGE! Leaked Audio by JD Vance Criticizing #ElonMusk." Threads, 24 Mar. 2025, https://www.threads.net/@occupydemocrats/post/DHkkdZORuc3/video-this-is-huge-leaked-audio-by-jd-vance-criticizing-elonmusk. The Political Insider. "'He Is Making Us Look Bad'." Facebook, 24 Mar. 2025, https://www.facebook.com/ThePoliticalInsider/posts/pfbid0pPNMKJdqJUyyJdy23xdiaMMyK24JXpyHGs77qBS1jMdQmYakjMbXBjrBxKeikjByl. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement @TonyMichaelsPodcast. "Leaked Audio of JD Vance on Elon Musk !!!" YouTube, 23 Mar. 2025, https://www.youtube.com/shorts/tH8iIPMF21I. UB Media Forensics Lab. "DEEPFAKE-O-METER." DEEPFAKE-O-METER, https://zinc.cse.buffalo.edu/ubmdfl/deep-o-meter/landing_page. u/Shenanie-Probs. "Leaked JD Vance Audio on Elon Musk." Reddit, 23 Mar. 2025, https://www.reddit.com/r/Whistleblowers/comments/1jib9ll/leaked_jd_vance_audio_on_elon_musk/. "Vance Discusses Elon Musk's 'mistakes' and 'Incremental Progress' on the Economy in NBC News Interview." NBC News, 14 Mar. 2025, https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/jd-vance/vance-acknowledge-elon-musk-mistakes-2028-economy-rcna196509. @wsmartin218. "This Audio Is 100% Fake and Most Certainly Not the Vice President. ." X, 24 Mar. 2025, https://x.com/wsmartin218/status/1903969126013399396. (Reuters) - A veteran of Russia's FSB security service and a former long-serving diplomat are representing Russia at the latest round of talks with the United States over Ukraine, taking place on Monday in Saudi Arabia. SERGEI BESEDA Beseda, 70, is currently an adviser to FSB chief Alexander Bortnikov. From 2009 to 2024 he was head of the FSB's 5th service, which runs agents in former Soviet countries and was therefore closely involved, experts say, in intelligence preparations for Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Beseda's position appeared precarious after Ukraine fought back much more strongly than expected and Russia's initial assault on Kyiv was beaten back, but he remained in his post. Former U.S. ambassador John Sullivan wrote in his memoir that Beseda also took part in negotiations with the United States in 2021 on exchanging prisoners held in each other's jails. That is still a live issue in Russia-U.S. ties, with at least 10 Americans behind bars in Russia now. GRIGORY KARASIN Karasin, 75, is a career diplomat whose past roles include deputy foreign minister and ambassador to Britain. He is now a member of the Federation Council, the upper house of Russia's parliament, and chairs its international affairs committee. Both he and Beseda have been placed under Western sanctions. (Reporting by Mark Trevelyan; Editing by Hugh Lawson) UPDATE, 5:09 p.m. Police said he has been safe. FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. (DC News Now) Police in Fairfax County are asking for the communitys help locating a 78-year-old man who has been missing since Sunday. The Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD) said Catarino Marquez, 78, was last seen around 11 a.m. on March 23 in the 3100 block of Grayson St. 2 arrested in Maryland after burglary at gun store in Fairfax County, police say Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police described the Annandale man as around 56 tall and weighing around 180 lbs. He has gray hair and brown eyes. Investigators believed he was last seen driving a 2002 Ford F150. Police said Marquez was considered missing and endangered due to mental health or physical concerns. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. KANSAS CITY, Mo. Kansas City, Kansas, police reported receiving two bogus 911 calls before a bank in their city was robbed at gunpoint back in January, according to recently released court records. The calls were detailed in an affidavit released by Wyandotte County District Court in the case of a husband and wife who are facing charges in connection to a robbery that happened Jan. 31 at the U.S. Bank on Parallel Parkway near North 110th Street, close to the Legends Outlets. Stolen vehicle suspect, shot by KCPD officers, now facing charges Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Willie Sampson, 51, and Kimberly Thomas-Sampson, 50, are each charged with two counts of aggravated robbery, one count of aggravated burglary, one count of attempted aggravated robbery, one count of aggravated assault, and one count of theft. According to an affidavit, KCK police first reported receiving an unfounded call around 9:45 a.m. on Jan. 25, six days before the robbery. Police had received a call from an unknown female who stated that her husband had a gun and that she was scared. The caller then hung up. Police responded to the address given by the caller but could not contact anyone there. Neighbors told police that the resident there was a single male. Dispatchers tried to call the number back but received no response. Then on Jan. 31 at around 9:24 a.m., KCK police dispatch received a call from an unknown female caller who said a man was walking near a local school, holding a gun, and wearing body armor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The name of the school is redacted in the affidavit, though previous reporting from FOX4 shows that Lowell Brune Elementary School within the Kansas City, Kansas, School District was placed on lockdown at 9:25 a.m. that day following a report of an armed individual who was headed toward the school campus. Thirteen KCK police officers responded to the school along with multiple school police officers. The school was placed on lockdown while officers checked the entire building and school grounds. No armed person was located, and calls back to the unknown female went straight to a voicemail inbox. The number was not able to be pinged either, according to the affidavit. The affidavit goes on to state that while police were occupied with what turned out to be a false call at the school, U.S. Bank employees reported that a man entered their bank, pointed a handgun at multiple people, and demanded money from the tellers. Police officers were dispatched there around 9:35 a.m. The suspect was described as a large Black male dressed in all black, wearing a green mask, goggles or sunglasses, and purple latex gloves. The suspect put $11,862 into a bag and left the bank in a Ford Edge with the emblems taped over. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement KCKPDs Real Time Intelligence Crime Center tracked the vehicle, the affidavit said. A white Dodge pickup truck appeared to leave some adjacent apartments and follow the Ford Edge along the same route. Police also obtained a search warrant for cell tower and subscriber data for the number that was used for the 911 calls. The affidavit said it appeared that after the bogus 911 call on Jan. 25, the phone using that number traveled the same route that the suspect vehicle traveled after the Jan. 31 robbery in what appeared to be a trial run. Surveillance video recorded on Jan. 25 after the 911 call was obtained by police. The video showed a large Black male parking a black GMC Terrain, according to the affidavit, and it showed a Black female parking a white Dodge Ram truck. The two are seen on video switching vehicles, and the male is seen carrying a bag that appeared to match the bag used in the bank robbery. The affidavit said the video also showed the two removing tape from the GMC logo and other places. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chiefs WR Xavier Worthy suing ex-fiance for fabricated domestic violence claims The affidavit described additional surveillance video, witness interviews, and vehicle registration information obtained by police, but subject names are redacted in the court documents. The affidavit filed in the couples case stated that police believe that the 911 call about the school was designed to divert resources away from the bank. The KCK school district confirmed with FOX4 last month that Kimberly Thomas-Sampson is an employee with the district and is on administrative leave from her position as a special education coordinator. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement FOX4 has emailed the Wyandotte County District Attorneys Office to ask if it expects additional charges to be filed regarding the fake 911 calls but has not heard back as of 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 FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. GRAYSON COUNTY, Va. (WFXR) Virginia State Police are investigating a single-vehicle accident in Grayson County that killed a Troutdale man on March 21. Just before 10:50 a.m. on Friday, a 2014 Toyota Camry driven by 35-year-old Jonathan T. Anderson of Troutdale was heading west on Chestnut Ridge Road near Flatridge Road. A falling tree then hit Andersons vehicle. Hampton man dies in single-vehicle crash in Botetourt County Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anderson was taken to the hospital where he later passed away from his injuries. He was wearing his seatbelt, police said. Police said the investigation is still ongoing. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFXRtv. The chef and owner of a prominent gourmet restaurant in Los Angeles is under fire for a quote he gave the New York Times indicating his support for Elon Musk. Musk, the owner of Tesla, SpaceX and other companies, has partnered with President Donald Trump to increase government efficiency and reduce the nations expenses. His critics, however, argue that the sweeping cuts are gutting valuable federal agencies and are being undertaken in a haphazard fashion. Given his prominent role in Republican politics, Musks planned Tesla charging station, diner and drive-in theater under construction on Santa Monica Boulevard in Hollywood would naturally draw scrutiny. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The New York Times on Friday detailed the shift in perception of Musks futuristic diner, which he previously described as Grease meets The Jetsons with Supercharging. Musk also noted that the project would be completed in late 2023, a deadline that was not met. Watch KTLA for free! Install the KTLA+ app for Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV and Samsung. KTLA+ App Graphic While Musks conservative politics might deter many potential business partners in liberal Los Angeles, Walter Manzke of Republique in Hancock Park expressed excitement on behalf of himself and his wife and business partner, Margarita. She told me the other day that she wants to buy a Tesla, so I can tell you what side shes on, he told the Times. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The backlash prompted the restaurant to share a statement of clarification on Friday, but as of Monday, it appears that Instagram post has been deleted. At Republique, we believe in focusing on what we do bestcreating exceptional food and a welcoming experience for all our guests, the statement said. In response to a recent New York Times article, we want to clarify that the quote about possibly buying a Tesla was simply about exploring electric vehicle options, not a political statement. We value innovation and sustainability, and we respect all viewpoints. Republique does not take political stances; we are here to create a space for everyone, no matter their background or beliefs. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 family of a woman who police say was murdered in Cobb County is speaking out about the suspects immigration status. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials say Hector Rivas has been in the country illegally since 2021. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Camillia Williamss family told Channel 2 Cobb County Bureau Chief Michele Newell she was randomly targeted by a stranger late at night and they believe it could have been prevented. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A homeowner told Newell, she found Williamss body partly concealed in a bush on her property, which is located three minutes away from Rivas house. A newly released video of Williams shows the relationship the mother of five, shared with her daughter, Darranisha Banks. If I dont talk to her every day it will be every other day, Banks said. Facetimes from Georgia to Louisiana made the distance less painful. But a new void that has formed, cant be filled with a call or a factime. Just sitting here talking about it the tears are forming, Banks said. RELATED STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Banks spoke with her mother the day before she was murdered. This is my first time really breaking down because Im really thinking about it, Banks explained. Police say Rivas attacked Williams on Pat Mell Road in the wee hours of the night by choking her, then placed his knee and full body on her neck, killing her. You could have chosen anyone else in the world. Why her, Banks asked. ICE officials say, Rivas who is from Honduras, has been living in the United States illegally, since 2021. Jail records show Rivas lived in Florida before he moved to Georgia. ICE officials say Rivas was supposed to be deported in 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lindsay Williams with ICE Media Operations Unit Chief Southern said he failed to appear at the hearing so he was ordered removed in absentia, regarding why Rivas wasnt deported in 2023. Documents were signed by the government. Why didnt they do their job, Banks asked. Did they know he was an illegal? Why he got back out, Tony Williams, the victims brother asked. She is very friendly especially if you seem genuine. But thats people that speak the same language as her, Banks said. Williamss funeral is scheduled for April 13, in her hometown of Louisiana. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] DHAKA, March 24 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) on Monday welcomed the Bangladeshi interim government's recent decision to establish separate children's courts, marking a significant step toward ensuring a child-friendly justice system that upholds the rights and well-being of children. This landmark decision reinforces Bangladesh's commitment to implementing the Children Act 2013, aligning national legal frameworks with international standards, including the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), said the UN agency. "In too many cases, children who desperately need to be supported by the social welfare system fall into the criminal justice system. Having child-friendly systems is a step toward ensuring that rehabilitation is given every opportunity to work -- putting the focus on a system that is designed to rehabilitate, not punish," said Rana Flowers, UNICEF representative in Bangladesh. "This initiative is a response to the brave call from young people during Summer 2024 for justice and a fairer system and will help break cycles of vulnerability and create a more just and inclusive society for young people," she said. The representative said that UNICEF will continue to support the government to ensure that children and young people are not arbitrarily detained or separated from family, ensuring due process in a system that recognizes their age and ensures that specifically trained personnel are working with them to achieve rehabilitation. According to UNICEF, the establishment of separate children's courts is vital for treating children in conflict with the law with dignity. These courts will offer specialized legal and social services, focusing on rehabilitation rather than punishment, and ensure proceedings in the child-sensitive environment with trained judges and legal professionals, it said. The decision comes at a crucial time, after the civil unrest in Bangladesh in 2024 when young people demanded justice, accountability, and better opportunities. Their advocacy highlighted the need for reforms to protect children and adolescents from violence, exploitation, and wrongful detention. The family of University of Missouri student Riley Strain has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against his fraternity, accusing Delta Chi of instilling a code that taught brothers to abandon one another. The suit was filed in Boone County Circuit Court on Friday, almost a year to the day after Strains body was found in the Cumberland River in Nashville, Tennessee, following an extensive two-week search. Strain, 22, had traveled to Nashville with fellow Delta Chi members for a spring formal, an annual event that the lawsuit described as involving prolific consumption of alcohol. Much of it was above 15% alcohol by volume, the suit said, even though Delta Chis risk management policy prohibits beverages with such high alcohol content from being served at fraternity events. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The suit names Delta Chi and more than two dozen fraternity leaders and members as defendants, accusing them of negligence that it says led to Strains death. It accuses the fraternity of failing to ensure that the chapter was following a strict safety protocol, failing to enforce its written policies and instilling a code into its fraternity members that encouraged or taught fraternity brothers to abandon one another instead of helping one another, among other allegations. The suit accuses the fraternity members of encouraging Strain to continue drinking after it became apparent that he was acting in an unusual way, failing to arrange a ride back to the hotel for him after he got kicked out of a bar when he was out with fraternity friends and delaying a 911 call to report him missing. A representative for Delta Chi did not immediately respond to a request for comment, nor did attorneys for Strains family. At the time of Strains death, Delta Chi released a statement saying it was deeply saddened by the tragic passing of our esteemed fraternity brother and said that it was providing support and resources to those affected. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An attorney for the family, Jacob Lewis, declined to comment, as did Strains stepfather, Christopher Whiteid, who is one of four plaintiffs. The three other plaintiffs Strains mother, Michelle Whiteid; his father, Robert Gilbert; and his stepmother, Melissa Gilbert did not respond to requests for comment. The legal complaint describes Strain as an often-reserved young man that did not tend to go with the typical fraternity flow, whose fraternity brothers persuaded him to come on the chartered bus trip to Nashville for the formal. On the bus ride from Columbia, Missouri, the suit said, Delta Chi members served beer and jello shots they had made with vodka, which has well over 15% alcohol by volume. The lawsuit goes on to say that Strain was offered several drinks, and fraternity members noticed him having difficulty speaking and walking within hours of arriving in Nashville, but brought him along as they went bar-hopping. When a bar made Strain leave later that night, his fraternity brothers chose to continue partying instead of making sure he was safe, the lawsuit states. Rather than having the support of his brothers, Riley was abandoned and alone, it said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Instead of heading toward the hotel, Strain made a wrong turn and began walking toward the river, the lawsuit said. When his hotel roommates returned around 1 a.m. and saw he had not completed what should have been a 12-minute walk back to the hotel despite leaving the bar about three hours earlier, there was no search, no panic, and no call made to 911, according to the suit. The fraternity brothers did not even think to call Rileys parents, they simply got ready for bed and went to sleep, it said, adding Strains parents and police in Nashville were notified the following afternoon. Strain was eventually found facedown in the Cumberland River. An autopsy report revealed he died as a result of drowning and ethanol intoxication, also known as alcohol poisoning. Lukes 32 Bridge Food + Drink in Nashville, the bar that Strain was last seen at, released a statement last year while Strain was still missing saying that he was served one alcoholic drink and two glasses of water before he was escorted out by security based on our conduct standards. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The autopsy report said his death appeared to be accidental and did not indicate any signs of foul play. Strains family is seeking a jury trial and unspecified damages plus compensation for the pain and suffering he experienced before he died. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Norah Schmidt, right, a high school senior who has dyslexia and has fought to improve her education in Lincoln Public Schools alongside her mother, Heather Schmidt. June 11, 2024. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner) LINCOLN A legislative bill seeking to clean up and simplify reports in the Nebraska Department of Education received pushback to not weaken reporting on dyslexia and reading. Legislative Bill 671, by State Sen. Dave Murman of Glenvil on behalf of the Education Department, intends to streamline and consolidate existing reports on option enrollment (to collect both accepted and denied applications) and reading deficiencies, including dyslexia (to remove some specific data requirements). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill also would eliminate an intended high-need retention grant of $5,000 for teachers who become qualified to teach dual credit K-12 courses. Brian Halstead, deputy commissioner for the Education Department, described LB 671 as the usual clean up or technical amendment bill repealing outdated laws. Needed student support However, Heather Schmidt of Lincoln, and her daughter Norah, a high school senior, urged the Legislature to not eliminate specific, detailed information in law related to reading and dyslexia. Norah Schmidt, 17, is a senior at Lincoln Southeast High School. She is pictured Aug. 15, 2024, during her final first week of high school. Norah has advocated for herself and other students with dyslexia at the Nebraska State Capitol. (Courtesy of Heather Schmidt) That first report came last fall. Specific district-by-district information had to be obtained through a public records request by former State Sen. Lou Ann Linehan of the Elkhorn area and the Nebraska Examiner. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Norah, who has dyslexia, said the information could help students get help earlier. I feel like every student should be tested for the opportunity to get the help that they need, because I didnt have that, Norah said. We had to try and go outside of school to get the help, and they wouldnt help me because its a school problem, but the schools wouldnt help me for it either. In the fifth grade, Norah was at a third-grade reading level, she told the Education Committee, which Murman chairs, and some teachers didnt think she was smart enough or strong enough. Norah excelled after she got the help she needed and today loves to read as often as possible. Her high school graduation is less than 50 school days away, and this fall she will begin pursuing a nursing degree through the Bryan College of Health Sciences. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I feel like its something that needs to happen to help students grow and be stronger and more self-confident so they dont feel like theyre stupid or have their mental health be hurt, she said. Literacy in free fall Linehan, who also has dyslexia, passed the reporting requirement in 2023 to ensure school districts were properly screening students for reading deficiencies, including dyslexia, in line with a reading testing requirement law that Linehan had earlier passed in 2018, her second year as a senator. Heather Schmidt said that was roughly the same time her family got involved in advocating for dyslexia awareness and action at the Legislature. Dyslexia was a word not spoken in Nebraska at that time, and over the years since then, its become a little bit better, at least now to talk about it, Schmidt said. State Sen. Dave Murman of Glenvil, right, speaks with State Sen. Kathleen Kauth of Omaha. Dec. 7, 2023. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner) Schmidt said the department bill feels like the state is walking further away from the detailed requirements that we clearly need. She noted the Education Department had also suggested ways to improve data collection, which officials said in September was needed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are in a free fall in literacy achievement in Nebraska, Heather Schmidt testified, pointing to national test scores in comparison. Halstead told the family after the hearing that the department doesnt intend to undermine the requirements. Were just trying to simplify the reporting, Halstead told lawmakers. It is not the intent of the department to change anything about what the Legislature wanted done, its intent or purposes. Its merely harmonizing or clarifying language. The bill would allow the state education commissioner to require any additional information to be reported each year related to reading deficiencies, which had been noted last fall as a challenge to data collection, let alone the report coming in the first year. However, specific data that Linehan had worked to require reporting on would be removed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Schmidt said not every student will have a pit bull for a mom. Without detailed information, she asked how officials would know what does or doesnt work or what resources are needed. Option enrollment and dual credit Similarly, the bill addresses a key change requested by committee members on option enrollment the program allowing families to apply to move children between public schools, or districts. While districts must report how many students are denied option enrollment, the law doesnt yet explicitly require how many applications were accepted. LB 671 would fix that. Tim Royers, president of the Nebraska State Education Association, and former State Sen. Lou Ann Linehan of the Elkhorn area participate in a debate on Nebraska education policy, including school choice, at the 50th annual Nebraska Ecumenical Legislative Briefing Day at Christ United Methodist Church in Lincoln. Feb. 8, 2025. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner) While the Nebraska State Education Association did not testify at the hearing, President Tim Royers said the language to remove dual credit as a high-need retention grant possibility remains in progress, since no separate teaching endorsement exists for teachers handling dual credit classes, unlike other areas of high need under the program, including special education, math, science and technology. Linehans intent in 2023 was to apply to teachers, such as Royers, who have obtained a degree allowing them to give students high school and college credit. While that intent was clear, Royers said in February, the department went with the plain language of requiring an endorsement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement NDEs initial solution was to strike the language, Royers said in a text. What were working on is creating an endorsement to make them properly eligible for the high needs grant. Murman told his colleagues that they would continue to work with the department to improve literacy, including dyslexia detection and support. Whatever we need to do to improve this legislation, Murman said, well definitely get that done before we advance it. The committee took no immediate action on Murmans bill. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Today marks the three-year remembrance of the death of Tyre Sampson.14-year-old Tyre was killed after being thrown off the Orlando Free Fall ride off I-Drive. Last week, Austin Campbell-Alexander, a former ride worker, filed a lawsuit claiming he told operators that the ride was not safe to use. We talked to Tyres father about that. Yarnell Sampson says, He should never have been allowed to get on that ride. Thank God for Whistleblowers; I hope more whistleblowers come out. They should be able to tell their truth to free their souls. Because any person who was there was affected by the situation, the tragedy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The family shared a video of a balloon release in Tyres memory in East St Louis, Illinois. An attorney representing Orlando Eagle Drop Slingshot released this statement, saying, Our clients promptly investigated the tragic accident that resulted in the death of Tyre Sampson. Upon discovering that Mr. Campbell-Alexander adjusted the sensors that caused the accident, he was suspended and relieved of any further involvement or access to any rides. We proactively notified investigating authorities of Mr. Campbell-Alexanders and other employees conduct. At all times, we cooperated with the investigators. We worked diligently to resolve the litigation and claims with Tyres family as well as the administrative agencies involved. Mr. Campbell-Alexanders claims are in direct conflict with statements he provided following the accident, which will no doubt be demonstrated in Court. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. A federal court on Monday temporarily blocked the Trump administration from separating two transgender service members from the military under a pair of executive orders while another case moves forward. Two transgender men, Master Sgt. Logan Ireland and Staff Sgt. Nicholas Bear Bade, had argued in a lawsuit that President Trumps executive orders proclaiming the government recognizes only two sexes male and female and barring trans people from serving openly in the military subject them and other trans service members to unequal, harmful, and demeaning treatment. Ireland and Bade, both members of the U.S. Air Force, also challenged the implementation of those orders by acting Air Force Secretary Gary Ashworth and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who over the weekend mocked on social media the Washington, D.C., judge who said Trumps ban on trans military service is soaked in animus and blocked it nationwide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a March 19 post on the social platform X, Hegseth wrote that the Pentagon is appealing that decision, and we will win. The Pentagon in February instructed military leaders to begin identifying transgender service members within 30 days and begin separation actions within 60 days. Like Trumps Jan. 27 executive order on transgender troops, the Feb. 26 policy memo from the Defense Department suggests a history of gender dysphoria severe psychological distress that stems from a mismatch between a persons gender identity and sex at birth is incompatible with military service. A 2016 RAND Corp. study commissioned by the Pentagon found that allowing trans individuals to serve had no negative impact on unit cohesion, operational effectiveness or readiness. Because of Trumps orders and the Pentagons policies effectuating them, Ireland and Bade have been placed on administrative absence, which their lawsuit claims is the way the U.S. Military fires people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is a process typically used for misconduct or failing to meet standards, not for treatable medical conditions where the service member meets the requirements for service, including both job performance and fitness standards, states the lawsuit, filed this month in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey. As such, involuntary administrative separation carries with it a stigma that can follow a service member beyond their time in the military. Ireland, 37, has served with distinction in the Air Force for more than 14 years, including tours in Afghanistan, Qatar, South Korea and the United Arab Emirates. The 2015 New York Times short documentary Transgender, at War, and in Love chronicled part of his coming-out journey. Bade, 44, has served with distinction in the Air Force for six years and was, until recently, deployed to the Ali Al Salem Airbase in Kuwait as a member of the bases Security Forces. In her ruling on Monday, U.S. District Judge Christine OHearn, an appointee of former President Biden, wrote that both Ireland and Bade have exemplary service records and face severe personal and professional harm absent a preliminary injunction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In contrast, she wrote, Defendants have not demonstrated any compelling justification whatsoever for immediate implementation of the Orders, particularly since transgender persons have been openly serving in the military for a number of years. Jennifer Levi, senior director of transgender and queer rights at GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders, one of the organizations representing Ireland and Bade in court, said Monday in a statement that the group is relieved by OHearns ruling. Staff Sergeant Bade and Master Sergeant Ireland had both already fallen victim to this administrations aggressive implementation of the ban, being yanked from key deployments and forced onto administrative absence against their will, she said. These Airmen have risked everything to protect American freedomsthey deserve better than becoming the targets of a calculated, political purge. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. 23Another set of proposed cuts, this time to federal programs supporting emerging small businesses in New Mexico, has left Albuquerque officials sounding alarms. The Trump administration announced this month that seven programs, including the Minority Business Development Agency, or MBDA, and the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund, should expect cuts after they submit reports to the federal Office of Management and Budget. City and business officials say both MBDA and CDFI play critical roles in growing New Mexico's small businesses, and that losing them will leave a hole. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "These cuts are a direct hit to the hardworking small businesses and families in Albuquerque," Mayor Tim Keller said in a statement. "Stripping away these resources is an attack on the future of our city." President Donald Trump signed the executive order "Continuing the Reduction of the Federal Bureaucracy" earlier this month. It calls for the elimination of seven programs. The order targets the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, the United States Agency for Global Media, the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in the Smithsonian Institution, the Institute of Museum and Library Services and the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness, in addition to CDFI and MBDA. Gabriela Marques, director of the New Mexico MBDA, said the proposed cuts could significantly impact the organization's work. In fiscal year 2024, the organization assisted businesses in generating over $66 million in gross revenue and 2,700 jobs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Marques' organization is run through the city of Albuquerque but receives support and funding from the federal MBDA. Losing that support and losing access to federal grants could mean less support for emerging businesses, Marques said. But since nothing is set in stone, Marques said the New Mexico Minority Business Development Agency plans to continue unhindered. "There's so much uncertainty," she said. "Things might get blocked by a court or judges, and there might be delays. And, it's not fair to the community that because of panic or fear we stop operations." Created during the Nixon administration, the MBDA aims "to promote the growth and global competitiveness of Minority Business Enterprises in order to unlock the country's full economic potential." Despite having "minority" in the name, Marques said the New Mexico organization is for everyone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We know that the Minority Business Development Agency and many other agencies have been falsely portrayed as discriminatory toward white people, but that is definitely not the case," she said. The CDFI, under the purview of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, connects federal dollars and programs to financial institutions like banks for investment in economically disadvantaged communities. The city of Albuquerque said in a statement that it has received over $210 million in CDFI investments in New Mexico since 2018. The money has gone to groups including the New Mexico Community Development Loan Fund, Homewise, First Financial Credit Union, the Ventana Fund, DreamSpring and Rio Grande Credit Union. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The city added that CDFI funding helped finance projects at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, Gilbert Sena Charter School and the 2024 renovation of the Imperial Inn Motel. "Small businesses are the engine of thriving communities, and the CDFI Fund and MBDA help power entrepreneurship through the flow of critical financial and social capital," Anne Haines, president and CEO of DreamSpring, said in a statement. Key funding to help lessen the spread of HIV in Austin could be affected as part of the federal Department of Government Efficiency's funding cuts at the Centers for Disease Control and the Prevention and at the Health and Human Services Administration. The Wall Street Journal reported last week that HIV prevention and treatment funding, which is about $1 billion a year at the CDC, was among the cuts being considered by the Health and Human Services Administration. This year, the Kind Clinic which has two Austin clinics and whose clients are mainly members of the underserved and under- or uninsured LGBTQ+ community was expected to receive $1.3 million in federal funds for HIV prevention services and $800,000 in federal grants for HIV treatment services that come through the city of Austin and the Brazos Valley Council of Governments. Getting tested for HIV and receiving HIV prevention medication has been available using federal funds at the Kind Clinic in Austin. That funding is expected to go away. Austin and Texas have historically been a city and state to watch when it comes to people with HIV and new HIV infections, said Christopher Hamilton, CEO of the Kind Clinic. According to data from AIDSVu, Travis County has 7,645 people living with HIV, with a prevalence rate that is 398 cases per 100,000, higher than the national average of 388 cases per 100,000. Texas has a prevalence rate of 425 cases per 100,000. Texas also has a higher rate of new cases, 20, compared with the national average of 18, and Travis County has an even higher rate at 21. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Elimination of funding would be catastrophic," Hamilton said. Clinics are losing funding for HIV prevention drugs and screenings. Here's what that means U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Austin, wrote a letter Wednesday to CDC acting Director Dr. Susan Monarez to question the funding cuts in the middle of a measles outbreak in Texas and asked for an accounting of how the CDC is handling that outbreak and the lack of reliable scientific information coming from the federal government about measles. At least 750 people at the CDC have been fired by DOGE. Information about HIV on the CDC website was taken down by the Trump administration and then had to be restored by a court order. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some of the information on the CDC's HIV website now has this disclaimer: "Per a court order, HHS is required to restore this website as of 11:59PM ET, February 11, 2025. Any information on this page promoting gender ideology is extremely inaccurate and disconnected from the immutable biological reality that there are two sexes, male and female. The Trump Administration rejects gender ideology and condemns the harms it causes to children, by promoting their chemical and surgical mutilation, and to women, by depriving them of their dignity, safety, well-being, and opportunities. This page does not reflect biological reality and therefore the Administration and this Department rejects it." Access to accurate information and treatment is important to patients, Hamilton said. The Austin Kind Clinic locations had more than 10,000 patients last year. Much of the federal funding allowed the clinic to provide HIV testing and counseling, as well as free medication to prevent transmission before a person is infected and medication to prevent transmission after a person has tested positive for the infection. Why are syphilis rates rising in Austin? What you need to know about surge in cases. "We're absolutely going to work our hardest to continue the services, to fund testing, prevention and treatment," Hamilton said. "We have a 10-year history of preventing and treating HIV. We're not going to stop." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement HIV funding already has been hit hard for the Kind Clinic when a change in the way a drug manufacturer handled reimbursements took away more than $9 million in annual funding in 2022. Hamilton said the clinic will continue to rely on funding from multiple sources. It could continue to come from local government entities, but those entities might not have federal government money to pass along resources. Hamilton estimates it costs $6,000 annually for one person to be on prophylactic medicine to prevent becoming infected. For people already infected, it costs between $12,000 and $15,000 for a person to take medication that reduces the risk of passing HIV to another person. Currently, the Kind Clinic does not take insurance and offers free or minimal cost health care. It is looking at taking health insurance in the future, because some patients do have insurance but can't afford the co-pays or don't feel comfortable in another clinic setting. Taking insurance would require hiring more people to negotiate with insurance. Already, it has three people who only work on obtaining prior authorizations for the medications it prescribes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "That's not the best use of funds that are already limited," Hamilton said. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Federal funding for HIV treatment could be going away due to DOGE cuts BEIJING, March 24 (Xinhua) -- As China's high-tech sector thrives and Chinese firms continue to explore opportunities overseas, the China-related business of Standard Chartered Bank has seen a robust growth and enjoys broad prospects, said Bill Winters, group CEO of the banking corporation. Winters made the remarks in an interview with Xinhua ahead of the China Development Forum 2025 running from Sunday to Monday in Beijing. "Some spectacular advances in the technology sector in particular add a lot to the sentiment around investment in the country," said Winters, who recently visited leading tech firms in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province. "Chinese companies are extremely advanced in the development of AI large language models and the AI tools that are built around them," said Winters, highlighting the rapid pace of such tools being embedded into everyday life. While Standard Chartered is a customer of these high-tech firms in the fintech sector, the banking group also provides them with lending services and helps with their exports and expansion into overseas markets, Winters said. Standard Chartered's operations in China have benefited from the opening up of the country's financial market and the internationalization of the renminbi (RMB), Winters said. "We have participated very actively in the internationalization of the RMB and the opening-up of the Chinese capital markets," Winters said. The bank set up the first newly-approved wholly foreign-owned securities firm in China since the country lifted foreign ownership caps in the sector in 2020. "China's opening-up process has been steady. There are sets of concrete actions that have made it easier for international investors to invest in RMB-denominated instruments in China or offshore and for Chinese companies to invest with increasing ease internationally," Winters said. Winters pledged continued efforts of Standard Chartered to help make the RMB an easier currency to hold and manage, and help international investors invest in China more conveniently. SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) A federal judge has rejected a demand from the only South Dakotan on death row to overturn his death sentence 25 years after the crime. U.S. District Judge Roberto Lange has denied Briley Pipers writ of habeas corpus, the South Dakota Attorney Generals office said in a news release. Over 100 postal workers protest in Sioux Falls Piper was convicted for the torture and murder of Chester Poage near Spearfish in 2000. He was sentenced to the death penalty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Piper is the only person on death row in South Dakota. In the 71-page decision, Lange denied Pipers claims that his counsel had not been effective in representing him and denied Pipers demand to overturn his sentence. Piper can still appeal his sentence to the U.S. Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) A federal judge has revoked the bond for a man arrested on a gun charge. Read next: Man in custody after Boardman child sex abuse material investigation David Poyssick, 41, arrested last week by city police after a search warrant served at a West Side home reportedly uncovered felony-one level cocaine, now faces a federal gun charge. A criminal complaint was filed Friday in the U.S. Northern District Court of Ohio charging him with possession of ammunition by a person convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Poyssick was remanded Monday to the custody of U.S. Marshals. Judge J. Philip Calabrese said Poyssicks bond was vacated because there is no condition or combination of conditions that will reasonably ensure that Defendant will not pose a danger to the safety of any other person or the community, the judge wrote in his order. Poyssick was arrested last Tuesday after police and members of the Mahoning Valley Violent Crimes Task Force served a search warrant at a home on North Hartford Avenue. Reports said officers found powder and crack cocaine. Court records show Poyssick was released on bond after he was arraigned on that charge Wednesday in municipal court. He was booked back into the Mahoning County Jail Friday after the federal charge was filed. An affidavit accompanying the complaint in the criminal case said two members of the FBI were at an Austintown gun range Feb. 11 when they saw Poyssick sitting at a table with a gun. Poyssick told the agents he got the gun the day before at a Niles sporting goods store and chatted with them about the gun, the affidavit said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reports said Poyssick went to a shooting lane and fired several shots at a target. There were two other men with Poyssick also firing at the target, the affidavit said, but the affidavit did not say if those two men had their own guns. When Poyssick and the two men he was with left, one of the agents swept up the cartridges that were left over in Poyssicks shooting lane, the affidavit said. Agents also found a receipt with Poyssicks name on it that showed he paid for ammunition, the affidavit said. Poyssick was convicted March 3, 2009, of misdemeanor domestic violence in Youngstown Municipal Court, the affidavit said. The affidavit also said Poyssick also tried to purchase a gun April 22 but that purchase was denied. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Joe Gorman contributed to this report. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com. A federal judge temporarily blocked Texas A&M University System's ban on drag shows Monday morning, clearing the way for an LGBTQ student group at the system's flagship school to host its annual "Draggieland" event. The Queer Empowerment Council, a Texas A&M University student group represented by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, sued the university system and its leaders earlier this month over the ban, which they said violates the First Amendment due to prior restraint and viewpoint discrimination. Were overjoyed with todays decision, said the Queer Empowerment Council in a FIRE news release. This is another display of the resilience of queer joy, as that is an unstoppable force despite those that wish to see it destroyed. While this fight isnt over, we are going to appreciate the joy we get to bring by putting on the best show that we can do. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During a special meeting Feb. 28, the TAMU System banned its institutions from hosting or sponsoring drag shows on their campuses, citing President Donald Trump's executive order against promoting "gender ideology." The system also said such performances don't align with its values or educational mission. Drag queen Maxine LaQueene performs for hundreds of attendees of the Austin Women's March on the campus of Huston-Tillotson University in Austin, Jan. 18, 2025. U.S. District Judge Lee H. Rosenthal found that the TAMU board of regents "failed" to show that drag shows would harass female students or violate Title IX, and it doesn't "point to evidence in the record showing that President Trump's executive order regarding 'biological truth' specifically refers or applies to drag shows." "To ban the performance from taking place on campus because it offends some members of the campus community is precisely what the First Amendment prohibits," Rosenthal's order states. Drag performance is a type of artistic expression popularized by the queer community that exaggerates gender for social commentary, the student organization has said, while it also spreads joy and empowerment at a time when LGBTQ Texans face an onslaught of legislation seeking to roll back their rights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The TAMU System did not immediately respond to a Statesman request for comment. The University of Texas System last week instructed its institutions to ban drag shows, also citing Trump's executive order. The UT System's directive came one day after a letter from Tarrant County Judge Tim O'Hare complained of a UT Arlington event that featured a drag performer. FIRE attorneys said this decision affirms that blanket bans on types of expression are not legal. "State officials should stop trying to score political points at the expense of students' First Amendment rights," FIRE attorney Adam Steinbaugh said. This story has been updated to add new information. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Texas A&M University System drag ban temporarily blocked: judge ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) A judge on Monday blocked the release of a former Minnesota state senator charged with soliciting a minor, after prosecutors leveled fresh allegations that he tried to obstruct the FBI's investigation from jail. U.S. Magistrate Judge Shannon Elkins ruled that Justin Eichorn should remain jailed instead of being released to a halfway house on Tuesday as previously scheduled. A pretrial hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, when the issue will be addressed again. Eichorn's attorneys didn't respond to voicemails and emails from The Associated Press on Monday. Eichorn has not publicly commented since his arrest during a sting operation in Bloomington last Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 40-year-old former Republican lawmaker from Grand Rapids resigned after he was charged with attempted coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in prostitution, a felony that carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years. In their motion to keep Eichorn in jail, prosecutors said they had learned that the former senator had arranged with a Grand Rapids woman identified only as Individual A but described as a close associate to retrieve a computer and other items from the St. Paul apartment where he lived alone during legislative sessions. Prosecutors said both Eichorn and the woman had been warned that his calls from jail were not private and would be recorded. According to Eichorns profile, which was removed from the Senate website last week, he is married with four children. But Itasca County court records show that his wife filed for divorce Monday. Eichorns conduct evidences a willingness to conceal material facts from the Court and to do so at the expense of public safety, prosecutors wrote. They said even more concerning ... is the possibility that Eichorn lied in order to get his apartment cleared out before law enforcement could get there. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By the time the woman got to the apartment Friday morning, FBI agents had already secured it with a warrant to search for evidence in the case against Eichorn, prosecutors said in the motion. Agents declined the woman's request to retrieve a computer that she said was used for her business. A few moments after she left, an agent called her and asked her to return for an interview. She refused. During their search, agents found a bag on the counter containing $1,000 in cash; a handgun and ammunition; a laptop computer; an SD memory card; an iPhone and several of Eichorn's Senate business cards, prosecutors said. They said the iPhone appeared to have been reset to its factory settings, which can erase all content on the device. While they said the phone might have been reset before Eichorns arrest, the timing hasnt been confirmed yet. One of the conditions for Eichorn's release to a halfway house was that he not possess firearms. Prosecutors allege he deliberately lied when he told a pretrial services officer after his first court appearance last Thursday that he had no firearms in his apartment. Prosecutors also argued that Eichorn should remain jailed because the text messages he had exchanged with an undercover officer posing as a 17-year-old girl before his arrest demonstrated his clear familiarity with soliciting commercial sex from minors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When officers arrested him, they seized two cellphones, an unopened condom and $129 in cash. Eichorns messages and conduct reveal an experienced operator, prosecutors wrote. His pretrial release brings with it a real risk that he would attempt to victimize other minors in the community. Eichorn listed his profession as entrepreneur on his former profile and was first elected in 2016. He received national attention earlier this month as one of the sponsors of a not-very-serious bill that would have designated Trump derangement syndrome as a mental illness. Federal authorities want former state Sen. Justin Eichorn to remain in custody ahead of his trial for allegedly seeking sex with a 17-year-old girl, claiming the ex-Minnesota lawmaker lied about having access to a gun and arranged to cover up evidence. Prosecutors on Sunday filed a motion seeking to bring Eichorn back to custody, alleging he asked someone to pick up a laptop, phone and handgun from his St. Paul apartment before FBI agents could find them. On Monday, Magistrate Judge Shannon G. Elkins ordered Eichorn to remain in U.S. Marshals Service custody until his Wednesday morning hearing. Eichorn, a Republican senator from northeastern Minnesota, was arrested last week in a Bloomington prostitution sting and resigned last Thursday as his colleagues were prepared to vote to expel him from office. At his initial appearance last week, Elkins allowed him to be released on the condition he be subject to monitoring and stayed in a halfway house. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Eichorn was at the Sherburne County jail waiting for an opening at a halfway house as of Monday. The third-term Republican senator is 40 years old, was first elected in 2016 and lives in Grand Rapids with his wife and four children. His wife filed for divorce in Itasca County District Court on Monday. Extended detention Eichorn previously told the court that he did not have access to any firearms in his St. Paul apartment, the U.S. Attorneys Office wrote in its motion. But FBI agents found a pistol and ammunition in a red bag on the kitchen counter when they searched his apartment Friday. In an earlier jailhouse phone call, Eichorn asked a person prosecutors identified as Individual A to pick up a red bag containing a laptop the same one agents later found in the apartment, prosecutors said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The person Eichorn allegedly contacted to retrieve the bag had driven from Grand Rapids and ran into FBI agents outside the apartment around 9:50 a.m. Friday. She asked to enter the building, and when FBI agents said no, she said she needed to retrieve a laptop for business. Later during their search, agents found the red bag, which contained the laptop, a handgun and ammunition, $1,000 in cash, a memory card, Senate business cards, and an iPhone that appeared to have been reset to factory settings meaning all the content had been erased. Prosecutors noted that some iPhones can be erased remotely if a person has the proper login information, and that investigation into the electronic devices is ongoing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These facts give the government, and should give the Court, serious concern that Eichorn may be attempting to obstruct the ongoing investigation into his conduct, the U.S. Attorneys Office wrote in its motion urging a new detention hearing. The arrest Eichorn was arrested on March 17, after attempting to pay for sex with a person he believed to be a 17-year-old girl he had met online, according to charges. The girl turned out to be an officer with the Bloomington Police Department, which was conducting a sting operation for underage prostitution. Related Articles He was initially arrested on a state charge, but the Minnesota U.S. Attorneys Office has taken over the case. Eichorn appeared in federal court in St. Paul on Thursday on a federal charge of coercion and enticement of a minor. He faces up to 10 years in prison. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The senator was just one of 14 people arrested in the multi-agency effort, according to Bloomington Police Chief Booker Hodges. Initially, the department didnt know Eichorn was an elected official, Hodges said. We had no idea who he was, the police chief said at a Monday news conference, telling reporters he learned from another law enforcement official while on a trip to San Diego. Hodges added it didnt matter to him who someone was if they wanted to seek sex with minors, but said it was unfortunate a state senator faces a charge. I do believe most members of our Legislature are good folks and anytime something happens like this it just tends to tarnish that a bit, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hodges said he wasnt aware if anyone else would face federal prosecution, but that local law enforcement was already in talks with the U.S. Attorneys Office to take the cases to the federal level before Eichorns arrest. Undercover operation Bloomington police had been running an undercover operation targeting underage commercial sex and posted an online advertisement to which Eichorn responded on March 11, the U.S. Attorneys Office alleges. The advertisement featured images of a person who claimed to be 18. But in messages and voice chats the undercover officer repeatedly said she was not 18, but 17 years old. Eichorn continued asking about pricing for various sex acts and arranged to meet in person, according to the charge. In messages included in the federal criminal complaint, Eichorn allegedly asked the undercover officer about how much it would cost for a Qv or quick visit, or a half hour, and whether an outcall visit would be possible. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hodges and federal prosecutors say Eichorns use of sex work jargon suggests familiarity and experience buying sex. The senator and undercover officer also discussed the age of consent, according to the complaint. I am 17 like I said dont want any drama but wanna be upfront cause one guy got hella mad at me, the officer posing as a teenager said. Why was he so mad? I think age of consent is 17 when do ya turn 18? Eichorn replied, before saying he believed the age of consent was 16, according to the charge. Related Articles Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officers eventually arranged to meet with Eichorn in the 8300 block of Normandale Boulevard last Monday evening, according to Bloomington police. The senator arrived in a Toyota Tundra pickup truck and was arrested by uniformed officers without incident, according to police. Officers recovered $129 in cash, a condom and two cellphones from the truck. The truck and a GMC pickup seized in another sting remain in the possession of the Bloomington Police Department. Nick Ferraro contributed to this report. Mar. 23A 47-year-old convicted felon was arrested early Friday morning after police determined he fired a gun during an argument with his girlfriend. According to an Odessa Police Department report, officers were dispatched to a disturbance call in the 2700 block of North Dixie Boulevard around 11:45 p.m. Thursday. When they arrived a woman told them her boyfriend, Bobby Jackson Chavez, became upset when she decided to leave his home in the 2300 block of Muskingum and began following her to get her to stay. She refused, the report stated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When she got to 31st and Center, the woman told officers she heard Chavez fire a weapon behind her and she saw him run away, the report stated. According to the report, officers found two shell casings in the area and they also obtained video showing someone firing a handgun twice. After obtaining a search warrant, officers found a handgun and a shotgun inside Chavez's home and a backpack and pistol hidden in a water heater shed on the outside of the home, the report stated. Chavez was arrested on suspicion of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, two counts of felon in possession of a firearm and tampering with physical evidence. His bond was set at $70,000. Over the past two and a half years, the United Kingdom has trained more than 52,000 members of the Ukrainian defence forces for participation in the war against Russia. Fewer than 1% of them have gone AWOL and claimed asylum in the UK. Source: Ukrainska Pravda article Operation Kudu: How Ukrainian soldiers train in the United Kingdom (English translation coming soon) Quote from Interflex commander Colonel Andy Boardman: "A small number out of more than 52,000 soldiers trained with us over the past two and a half years have fled. Its less than 1%. The vast majority of fighters who come to us are highly motivated and dedicated to their mission." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Details: A senior source in Ukraines military command told Ukrainska Pravda that only two soldiers went AWOL to claim asylum in the UK during training in 2024, and 12 more have done so since the beginning of 2025. For reference: Interflex is a programme for training Ukrainian soldiers according to British Army standards. Background: In early January 2025, it was reported that around 50 soldiers of the 155th Mechanised Brigade Anne of Kyiv deserted during training exercises in France in autumn 2024. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! CHARLOTTE (QUEEN CITY NEWS) A parent has been arrested after a fight involving students of a middle school in northwest Charlotte, according to Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools (CMS). CMS says Whitewater Middle School students got into a fight at the end of dismissal on Thursday, March 20. Law enforcement was called and the incident ended with a parent being arrested. CSL reporter confronted over viral outburst from UConns Dan Hurley Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This did not impact learning or other school business, CMS says. On Friday, the following message was sent to Whitewater families: Good evening Whitewater Middle School families. We are reaching out to let you know that law enforcement was called to our campus yesterday, Thursday, March 20, at the end of dismissal after an altercation between students resulted in a parent arrest. While we understand you may be interested in this incident due to news reports and rumors, this incident did not impact school business, or teaching and learning. Due to privacy we cant say anymore about it. We wanted to let you know about this incident in case you or your student witnessed the law enforcement activity. Thank you for your continued support of Whitewater Middle School. CMS Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Protesters opposing any plans to privatize the U.S. Postal Service formed a red wedge along a downtown Raleigh street corner Sunday, many of them wearing T-shirts saying Fight Like Hell. The protest was one of many held at post offices across the country at a time when President Donald Trump and billionaire industrialist Elon Musk are making cuts in many federal agencies. It was sponsored by the National Association of Letter Carriers, a union representing carriers in more populated areas. There are those who say that we should wait and see what happens, Melvin Anderson, president of the NALCs Roanoke Rapids branch, told a crowd of 250 postal employees and their supporters gathered at New Bern Avenue and Person Street. I say nonsense. We dont wait to see what happens, we make things happen by being proactive. Postal employees and supporters line New Bern Avenue in downtown Raleigh protesting plans to cut or privatize the U.S. Postal Service. Exactly what Trump and Musks plan for the postal service is unclear. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It operates independent of any federal agencies, and is largely supported through service charges and the sale of postage and other products. But NPR recently reported Trump administration discussions to bring the postal service under the Commerce Department, and potentially adding Census work. We want to have a post office that works well and doesnt lose massive amounts of money, Trump said last month. Were thinking about doing that. And itll be a form of a merger, but itll remain the Postal Service, and I think itll operate a lot better. Trump has also suggested privatizing the service, which employs roughly 630,000 people, including 3,750 in North Carolina. Many at the protest work for the postal service, but the crowd was dotted with supporters who worried any plans to change the service would hurt the people who depend on it. Many motorists also showed their support by honking horns as they drove by. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Charlotte Jones-Roe of Raleigh, a retired state employee, said she had lived in rural areas in Arkansas, Georgia, North Carolina and Tennessee. In those places the postal service is a lifeline. For some, its the only contact they may have with the outside world, she said. I think it was meant as a service rather than a profitable institution and it needs to continue, Jones-Roe said. Its just really important not to sell out to privatization. She and others at the protest said they opposed Trump handing over budget decisions to Musk, who spent $288 million in the past election to support the president and other Republican candidates, The Washington Post reported. Trump put Musk in charge of a new Department of Governmental Efficiency, a role that did not require Senate confirmation. Much of DOGEs actions are being challenged in federal courts. We need to get rid of waste, I think everyone thinks that, but theres a process for it, said Kathy Rausch of Raleigh, who came to the protest to support her postal carrier. There just has to be a better process than someone like Elon Musk whos coming in who we didnt elect. Italian filmmaker Giuseppe Tornatore is pictured during an interview with Xinhua at his office in Rome, Italy, Feb. 20, 2025. (Xinhua/Peng Zhuo) ROME, March 24 (Xinhua) -- "I look forward to discovering the new generation of Chinese filmmakers and their ways to narrate a story at the Shanghai International Film Festival," renowned Italian filmmaker Giuseppe Tornatore has said. In an interview with Xinhua at his office in Rome, Italy, Tornatore showed reporters the Chinese version poster of The Legend of 1900, a film that depicts the story of a piano prodigy who lives his entire life on a ship. The film has been released twice in Chinese theaters and received positive feedback. "I'm very happy that Chinese audiences like my films," he said. Tornatore has been appointed jury president for the main competition section of the Golden Goblet Awards at the 27th Shanghai International Film Festival, which is scheduled to be held from June 13 to 22. "It was a big honor for me. I'm sure that in Shanghai I will see good movies," he said. Tornatore noted that Chinese films have achieved notable success in international markets in recent years, and Films such as Ne Zha 2, The Wandering Earth 2 and Caught by the Tides have earned international acclaim. Renowned for his masterpieces including Oscar-winning Cinema Paradiso, Tornatore emphasized that the key to making films loved by global audiences is staying true to one's own heart. "Cinema Paradiso is a great example. When I decided to make this film, I wasn't thinking about how to win the approval of audiences in Europe, the U.S., or China. Instead, I wanted to tell a personal story. I tried to make sure the characters and everything in the film were believable so that the audiences could connect with them," Tornatore said. The film director said he enjoys watching Chinese films. "I love this different point of view that other cinematographers bring, and I can also learn about the story of China and the culture of Chinese people." Speaking of the influence of AI and other emerging technologies on the film industry, Tornatore said he is interested in AI and believes it offers new possibilities for both film production and the restoration of classic films. "My dream is to make a film entirely on my own without the help of anybody and to have my grandfather as the main character. AI can give me this opportunity," Tornatore said. A pilot has been fined for losing contact with air traffic control. Britain's Royal Air Force then scrambled to intercept the plane because of hijacking concerns. Pilots in UK air space can face two years in prison if they don't maintain radio communication. A pilot has been fined after failing to maintain communication with air traffic control, which led to a flight being intercepted by Britain's Royal Air Force. An investigation by the UK Civil Aviation Authority found that the pilot, Christopher Hollands, didn't appropriately communicate via radio with air traffic control during an SAS Connect flight from Oslo, Norway, to the English city of Manchester in February last year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is against British law per the Air Navigation Order of 2016. Hollands was sentenced to pay 4,511, or $5,849, on Thursday at Manchester Magistrates' Court. According to the CAA, communication was lost for more than 30 minutes during the flight. This led to air traffic control alerting the RAF over fears that the lack of communication could be a sign of a hijacking. Two Typhoon fighter jets intercepted the Airbus A320 aircraft, which was carrying 58 passengers. When the plane landed in Manchester, it was sent to an isolated part of the airport and boarded by armed police. Glenn Bradley, the head of flight operations at the CAA, said in a statement that incidents of lost communication such as this "are a matter of great concern both for us as the aviation regulator, and for the Government." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Aviation is one of the safest methods of transportation, and it relies on pilots maintaining radio communication with air traffic control through the standard channels during flight," Bradley said. "We continue to work with pilots, airlines, and the Government to reduce similar incidents, including by prosecuting offenders when appropriate to maintain confidence in UK aviation's safety and security." Hollands is the first pilot to ever be prosecuted under this law in the UK. The CAA is now warning other pilots that if an incident of lost communication is deemed serious enough, they could face up to two years imprisonment. Read the original article on Business Insider INDIANOLA, Iowa A fire engulfed an Indianola home overnight and left it destroyed. At around 1:32 a.m. Monday the Indianola Fire Department responded to a report of a structure fire in the 15000 block of Kennedy Street. When firefighters arrived at the scene, they found a house engulfed in flames. DSM man receives 30-year prison sentence for shooting at deputies House fire in Indianola Monday. Photo courtesy of the Indianola Fire Department. Firefighters battling structure fire in Indianola. Photo courtesy of the Indianola Fire Department. Fire engulfs home in Indianola. Photo courtesy of the Indianola Fire Department. Due to the size of the fire, Indianola fire crews called for assistance, and personnel from the Milo, Hartford, Northern Warren, and Martensdale fire departments responded. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the Indianola Fire Department, the home was unoccupied, and no injuries occurred. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Metro News: Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to who13.com. Firefighters continue battling a fire at an oil depot near the village of Kavkazskaya in Russia's Krasnodar Krai for the fifth day after a drone attack, local authorities claimed on March 24. Ukrainian drones struck the Kavkazskaya oil pumping station overnight on March 19, damaging infrastructure and igniting a fire, Moscow claimed earlier. The fire has since spread to 2,000 square meters (21,500 square feet), with one of the storage tanks and the oil products inside still burning, according to the region's administration. The Kavkazskaya oil transshipment point is a key facility for Russia's energy exports, linking a railroad oil terminal with the Kropotkinskaya oil pumping station. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The facility is part of the Caspian Pipeline Consortium system, which pumps up to 6 million metric tons of oil annually. The reported attack came shortly after Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed to have ordered a pause on strikes against energy infrastructure after a phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump. Kyiv said it agreed to the energy ceasefire in principle but accused Russia of continuing its aerial strikes. Ukraine has carried out strikes on Russian refineries, oil depots, and defense industry facilities to disrupt Moscow's ability to sustain its full-scale invasion. Read also: US-Russia talks begin in Saudi Arabia, Russian media reports Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The audience at a packed Valley Dale Ball chants "Do Your Job" to empty chairs meant for U.S. Sens. Bernie Moreno and Jon Husted, both Ohio Republicans. (Photo by Marty Schladen, Ohio Capital Journal.) An enthusiastic crowd of about 1,400 Ohioans on Saturday packed the Valley Dale Ballroom to say their federal officials arent representing them and that theyre not standing up to President Donald Trump as he allows the worlds richest man to slash federal programs. The event, staged by Indivisible Central Ohio, was facetiously called a town hall. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chairs were placed on the stage for U.S. Sens. Bernie Moreno and Jon Husted, both Republicans. They sat empty, and organizers said the senators offices didnt even bother to say they wouldnt be coming. Instead, organizers asked the questions they would have put to the senators to the AI program Chat GPT. The program said that the massive layoffs and cuts to federal programs would cost Ohio jobs, harm university research and stunt the biomedical sector. Mia Lewis, an organizer, urged the crowd to turn out regularly to protest whats happening. This is an unprecedented moment in our country. This shit is not normal, she said of an administration that regularly attacks the judiciary, and allows an unelected, unconfirmed Elon Musk hack wildly at the federal government. Just two people standing on a highway is not the same thing as 50 people being there every day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Members of the audience held signs that said things like Nobody elected Putin, Nobody elected Musk, and other things that arent publishable by a general-audiences news organization. Moreno and Husted werent the only ones to be mocked for their absence. Joyce Beatty, a Democrat and longtime congresswoman from Columbus, begged off, citing a prior commitment. An unfortunate constituent was regularly heckled as she tried to read in first person a letter Beatty had sent. When the constituent read a passage implying Beatty was present, a man yelled out, Youre not here! The crowd laughed. Arnold Scott summed up the general tenor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As an ex-federal employee and a union member, Im mad as hell, he said. How about these billionaires pay their taxes? When they cut employees at the various agencies, actually what theyre doing is cutting the services that the taxpayers are paying for. When they cut the VA, theyre cutting veterans. You stand there and say you support the veterans, but then you cut the veterans. When you cut them, that translates into it taking longer for them to receive the services that theyre entitled to. Scott said an Ohio federal worker lost her job and complained to one of the Ohio senators. What do you want me to do? Scott claimed the senator responded. Then Scott turned to the two empty chairs and said, Mr. Senator, what we want you to do we want you to do your job. That brought the crowd to its feet to chant Do your job! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Musks Department of Government Efficiency is cutting resources the VA, the National Institutes of Health, the Food and Drug Administration, the Social Security Administration, the Park Service and much more. Catherine Duffy told the crowd that buried in that list is a cut that is deeply damaging to Ohios poor and its farmers. Musks supposed agency axed $1 billion nationally for overstressed food banks to buy directly from farmers. Every dollar we dont have is produce we dont grow, Duffy said. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE NORTON SHORES, Mich. (WOOD) Firefighters already have enough on their hands with battling flames and saving lives. But lately, crews in the Muskegon area are finding the public isnt making their job easier. As Muskegon firefighters fought a house fire on Louis Street Sunday afternoon, the union said in a Facebook post that several people drove over their hose lines. The union says thats happened many times lately. Their partner, the Norton Shores Fire Department, says its always been an issue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unfortunately, its not a complete surprise, said Norton Shores Battalion Chief Jerry Ferrier. Grandville FD: Fire engine hit by truck while responding to crash, heavily damaged Their engines generally carry about 500 gallons of water. Firefighters rely on hose supply lines. If those rupture, crews can lose critical water. Any time you lose the ability to minimize the fire, minimizing the heat inside, obviously theres a concern for life, health and damage to the property, Ferrier said. The fire hoses arent designed to withstand the pressure of a vehicle. They can burst, preventing firefighters from doing their jobs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fire doubles, they say, about every minute, Ferrier said. Obviously every minute youre down there, if you have to replace a supply line, it could significantly halt your attack on the fire. A broken hose can also hurt people nearby, on top of delaying crews from fighting the fire. One rupture, wed have to shut down the whole evolution of whats going on, Ferrier said. Getting new hoses isnt cheap, either. Any time we replace a fire hose, especially a 5-inch supply line, they start at about $900 per 100-foot section, Ferrier said. They go up exponentially from there, could be a large cost to citizens and the jurisdiction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You could mess up your own vehicle, too. This would definitely be larger than running over a curb, a street curb, Ferrier said. Theyre taller in stature. Its been against Michigan law for decades. If youre caught driving over a fire department hose on scene, you could face a civil infraction or a fine. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com. HUGER, S.C. (WCBD) Fire crews battled a large brush fire in the Huger area Sunday afternoon, the second incident in the rural Berkeley County community in as many days. Officials with the Cainhoy Fire Department said its crews were dispatched to an address off United Drive around 3:45 p.m. for a wildland fire. Crews reported heavy smoke coming from the area as they arrived and requested help from area partners. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Upon arrival, Chief 2502 reported a large working brush fire with no immediate structural exposures. Crews worked to contain the fire and ensure that no structures became threatened, the agency said. A forestry plow was brought in to secure a containment line. The fire was brought under control after burning roughly five acres of land. Officials say the cause was undetermined after an investigation. Firefighters cleared the scene at 5:10 p.m. Photo courtesy Cainhoy Fire Dept. Photo courtesy Cainhoy Fire Dept. Photo courtesy Cainhoy Fire Dept. A person was given a fine Saturday after an illegal burn sparked a brush fire off Saint Irving Drive. About twenty acres of land burned during that incident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An outdoor burn ban has been in effect for every South Carolina county since Friday evening due to an increased risk of wildfire. Gov. Henry McMaster also declared a state of emergency over the weekend due to a massive fire still underway at Table Rock in Pickens County. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCBD News 2. SOLVAY, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) The Solvay Fire Department was called to a house fire early Sunday morning in the Village. Around 3 a.m. crews arrived at the home on Third Street where they said they were met with harsh fire conditions affected by heavy winds. According to the department, the fire was in the bedroom and they were able to put it out within 25 minutes of being there. Investigators determined the fire was unintentionally caused. No one was injured. Courtesy of Fairmount Fire Department via Facebook. Latest local 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 WSYR. BEIJING, March 24 (Xinhua) -- China and Thailand will hold a joint maritime exercise near Zhanjiang, in south China's Guangdong Province, from late March to early April, China's Ministry of National Defense said on Monday. The exercise will focus on urban counter-terrorism tactics, joint maritime strike operations, and anti-submarine warfare training, the ministry said on its website. This marks the sixth iteration of this series of joint exercises between the two navies -- which will deepen practical cooperation and enhance joint operational capabilities, the ministry added. Negotiations between Russian and US officials in Saudi Arabia ended after 12-hours on Monday, with no comment from either side. A joint statement on the talks, which the Trump administration had hoped would pave the way to end the three-year war, is expected tomorrow. With Ukrainian negotiators waiting nearby, a day after they sat down with the US team, the Americans and Russians met with a Black Sea ceasefire top of the agenda. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin appeared at odds on Sunday night over the peace talks. The US was optimistic that the summit could help achieve a full-on ceasefire while the Kremlin said the meeting was just beginning and that difficult negotiations lay ahead. While the talks took place at a luxury hotel in the Saudi capital, Russia launched a missile attack on Sumy in northeastern Ukraine. At least 90 people were injured, including 17 children, in the daylight attack, Volodymyr Zelensky said, leading Kyiv to accuse Moscow of making hollow statements on peace. Every day like this, all the nights with Russian missiles and drones against our country, every day of the war means losses, pain, and destruction that Ukraine never wanted, Mr Zelensky said. 08:50 PM GMT Russias barbarism never ends, says Kyiv As high-level talks in Riyadh drew to a close, Ukraines foreign minister warned that Russia does not respect borders or other nations. Russians often say that Russki Mir (Russian world) does not end anywhere. This is meant to show off their disregard for borders and other nations. In fact, the only thing that never ends is Russian barbarism. Russia is not a "exceptional" civilisation; it is the absence of one. Andrii Sybiha (@andrii_sybiha) March 24, 2025 08:27 PM GMT US, Russia talks on Ukraine ceasefire end after 12 hours A meeting between Russian and US officials on a partial ceasefire in Ukraine ended after 12 hours of negotiations in Saudi Arabia on Monday, Russian state media reported, with a joint statement expected the following day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With Ukrainian negotiators waiting nearby, a day after they sat down with the US team, the Americans and Russians met in Riyadh with a Black Sea ceasefire top of the agenda. President Donald Trump is pushing for a rapid end to the three-year war and hopes the latest round of talks will pave the way for a breakthrough. While the talks took place at a luxury hotel in the Saudi capital, nearly 90 people including 17 children were wounded in a missile attack on Sumy in northeastern Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky said. 07:48 PM GMT Every day like this: Zelensky describes Sumy attack Volodymyr Zelensky said this evening that the number of wounded in a Russian strike on the city of Sumy rose to almost 90 people, including 17 children. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The strike hit as Russia held talks with the US in Saudi Arabia on a potential ceasefire. There are a lot of wounded - as of now, we know about almost 90 people, including 17 children, Mr Zelensky said in his daily evening address on social media, adding that rescue operations were still ongoing. Every day like this, all the nights with Russian missiles and drones against our country, every day of the war means losses, pain, and destruction that Ukraine never wanted, he added. Ukrainian emergency services work to extinguish a fire following a Russian missile attack in Sumy - AFP 07:25 PM GMT Talks conclude after 12 hours Talks between US and Russian officials in Saudi Arabia have finished after 12 hours. Russian state news agency Ria Novosti said the two sides were agreeing the wording of a joint statement following the negotiations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are completing negotiations, Gregory Karasin, a Russian senator who joined talks, said. 06:44 PM GMT UK-French defence chiefs discuss Ukraine peace plan British and French defence chiefs met again in London today to discuss plans for allied countries to safeguard a potential Ukraine ceasefire as part of Sir Keir Starmers coalition of the willing. The meeting was the third of its kind since the Prime Minister announced he would work to bring together nations who could enforce a potential peace deal between Russia and Ukraine. Europes two leading nuclear powers are stepping up to forge a stronger and deeper partnership that has a vital foundational role to play in the security of the continent, Tony Radakin, the chief of the defence staff admiral, said afterwards. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Todays deliberations will help shape the future of British and French military co-operation, and our shared efforts to support Ukraine with military aid now and after any peace deal, he added. No10 said it was continuing to keep the US updated on military planning meetings. 06:24 PM GMT Casualty toll rises from Sumy strike The number of people injured in Russias missile strike on Sumy has risen to 88, including 17 children, local authorities have said. The strike damaged a school and a childrens hospital just as US and Russian officials spoke about implementing a partial truce with Ukraine in Saudi Arabia. A wounded person stands near an apartment building damaged during a Russian missile strike on Sumy - REUTERS 06:07 PM GMT Trump responds to Zelenskys comments on disinformation Earlier today, Volodymyr Zelensky said senior members of Donald Trumps administration had been influenced by Russian disinformation (see 1.43pm post). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Asked about his comments, Mr Trump said his team have been influenced to see it settled before repeating his claim that the war would have never started were he in office in 2022. The US president said the critical minerals deal would be signed with Ukraine soon. He also said securing the return of stolen Ukrainian children was one of the things were talking about with Russia, in addition to dividing territory and US ownership of Ukraines nuclear power plants. 05:29 PM GMT US-Russia talks continue after 10 hours Talks between the US and Russia in Saudi Arabia are ongoing after nearly 10 hours, according to the Russian state news agency Ria Novosti. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Kremlin said earlier today that discussions would primarily centre around resuming the Black Sea Initiative. The July 2022 initiative was signed in Istanbul by Turkey, the UN, Russia, and Ukraine, and was aimed at resuming grain exports from Ukrainian ports. But Mr Trump said determining who gets what territory and US ownership of Ukrainian power plants had also been raised during the talks (see 5.14pm post). The discussions come after US and Ukrainian officials met in Saudi Arabia on Sunday. 05:20 PM GMT Eyewitness account: Houses left shaking in Sumy attack Houses in the area near Russias missile attack on Sumy were left shaking as explosions rang out across the city, according to eyewitnesses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Liza Sherstyuk, an aid worker in the Sumy region, told The Telegraph her colleagues were left very scared by the explosions, which injured at least 74 people. It was very loud, houses were shaking, windows were flying out. They were very scared, she said. Moscow attacked a childrens hospital and a residential building, according to the citys acting mayor. Smoke rises from a damaged residential building in Sumy, northern Ukraine - Global Images Ukraine 05:14 PM GMT Trump expects Ukraine to sign minerals deal soon Donald Trump has said he expects a US-Ukraine minerals deal to be signed soon. Mr Trump also told reporters as he met his cabinet that the US was talking to Ukraine about the potential for American firms owning Ukrainian power plants. Were talking about territory right now. Were talking about lines of demarcation, Talking about power, power plant ownership. Some people are saying the United States should own the power plant...because we have the expertise, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president, has previously ruled out US ownership of Ukraines power plants, though said he would be open to American investment and modernisation. Experts have cast doubt over the feasibility of Mr Trumps proposal to own Ukrainian power plants. You can read more about that here. 04:59 PM GMT Ukraine war must end through negotiation, says Rubio Marco Rubio, the US secretary of state, has said Russias war in Ukraine must end through negotiation. Mr Rubio was asked by Donald Trump to provide an update on peace negotiations during a cabinet meeting this afternoon. US and Russian officials are currently locked in talks in Saudi Arabia as Mr Trump pushes for a partial ceasefire covering energy and civilian infrastructure to be implemented. The US delegation is being led by Andrew Meek, a former US Army intelligence officer who now serves as a senior director on his national security council, and Michael Anton, a conservative essayist and head of policy planning at the state department. 04:34 PM GMT Zelensky invites JD Vance to Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky once again invited JD Vance, the US vice president, to Ukraine following their Oval Office shouting match. During the heated exchange on Feb 28, the Ukrainian president invited Mr Vance to Ukraine, who said he had seen the stories and so was aware of what was happening on the ground. Mr Vance also accused Mr Zelensky of organising propaganda tours. One of his recent calls with the US, Mr Zelensky reportedly told the vice president: Were still waiting for you. Mr Vance reportedly did not reply. 03:56 PM GMT Russia making hollow statements on peace, says Kyiv Russia must stop making hollow statements on peace rather than stepping up its attacks on Ukraine, Kyivs foreign minister has said. Any diplomacy with Moscow must be backed up by firepower, sanctions and pressure, Andrii Sybiha said after a Russian missile attack that wounded at least 74 in Sumy. 03:28 PM GMT Ukrainian PM: Russia wants to continue campaign of terror Russia has been accused of continuing a campaign of terror after it struck a childrens hospital in Sumy. Denys Shmyhal, Ukraines prime minister, said the attack shows Russia is not interested in peace. Ukraine is striving for peace, and Russia is once again showing that it wants to continue the terror, he said. The international community must increase the pressure on Russia to stop the aggression and ensure justice and save the lives of Ukrainians. An elderly lady is given help after she was injured in Russias strike on Sum - REUTERS 03:09 PM GMT Watch: Aftermath of Russian strike on Sumy Smoke can be seen billowing around a residential building following Russias strikes on Sumy. At least 74 people were wounded in the attack, including 14 children, according to local authorities. Credit: Instagram/0542.ua 03:00 PM GMT Russia takes village in Sumy Russian forces have taken another settlement in Ukraines northern Sumy region, pro-Kremlin military bloggers have claimed. Putins troops took control of Vladimirovka and are fighting for Vodolaghy, military bloggers said on Monday morning, hours before Russia launched a devastating strike on a childrens hospital in Sumy. Russian forces have been advancing in the Ukrainian border region, which Volodymyr Zelensky has warned could turn into a full-scale assault. Moscows troops pushed into Sumy at the start of the invasion in 2022 but failed to establish control before being pushed out two months later as part of a broader retreat. 02:46 PM GMT Cyber attack takes down Ukraine railway Ukraine said its national rail operator was hit by a large-scale enemy cyber attack as Russian-US peace talks were in full-swing. Kyivs state-owned railway company Ukrzaliznytsia said it was countering a sophisticated cyber attack for the second day running, with online services down. Ukrzaliznytsia, whose facilities have been targeted by drone and missile attacks throughout Russias invasion, operates a sprawling railway network across Ukraine that links with European countries and moves Kyivs troops across the country. The company did not explicitly identify who was behind the attack, but describing it as the work of the enemy, implicitly pointed the finger at Russia. Operational traffic did not stop for a single moment. The enemy attack was aimed to stop trains, but we quickly switched to backup systems, Oleksandr Pertsovskyi, Ukrzaliznytsias board chairman, told national TV. Vladimir Putin last week provisionally agreed to a US-proposed 30-day halt on attacks on energy and civilian infrastructure, but Ukraine has accused Russia of repeated breaches. Passengers arrive at the main train station in Kyiv, amid Russias attack on Ukraine - Thomas Peter/REUTERS 02:34 PM GMT Russian missile attack on Sumy injures 28 A Russian missile attack on Monday hit a childrens medical facility and wounded 28 people in the northeastern city of Sumy, local officials said. Today, the enemy attacked the residential neighbourhood and infrastructure facilities in the city, in particular childrens medical facilities, the acting mayor of Sumy, Artem Kobzar, said. He added that 24 adults and four children were wounded. Russia launched a daylight missile attack on the centre of the Ukrainian city of Sumy, wounding 28 02:04 PM GMT Analysis: Major cracks emerging in US-Russia talks There were very different sounds coming out of each side ahead of the talks in Riyadh. Steve Witkoff, the US special envoy, promised there would be real progress on Monday. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, on the other hand, warned we are only at the beginning of the path. The split speaks to the key challenge in the talks: one side, the US, wants to get things wrapped up quickly. The other, Moscow, wants to drag things out as long as possible to win concessions from the Trump team. Mr Witkoff would like to be discussing a ceasefire in Saudi Arabia. But what he will likely spend most time doing is working out the specifics of a far more narrow agreement, on a suspension of attacks on energy infrastructure and moves to protect Russian ships in the Black Sea. Of course, in time these may lay the groundwork for larger deals. Vladimir Putin clearly has an interest in normalising relations with the US and jump-starting the Russian economy through greater access to world markets. But he can also string out the talks with no intention of ceding ground on his maximal demands for the evisceration of the Ukrainian state. Many Russia analysts note the Russian dictators habit of dwelling on important decisions - working out where Moscows red lines are will be a challenge for the US negotiators, when they may not even be fully decided upon by the president himself. 01:53 PM GMT Pictured: Ukrainian troops operate machinery on the frontline Ukrainian soldier operating machinery on the frontline - X A Ukrainian hides under camouflage as artillery is fired - X 01:43 PM GMT Zelensky: Putin influenced White House with disinformation Volodymyr Zelensky has accused Russia of successfully managing to influence high-level officials in the Trump administration into believing false narratives about the war spread by the Kremlin. In an interview with Time magazine, the Ukrainian leader noted the emerging pattern of US officials taking Putin at his word, saying:I believe Russia has managed to influence some people on the White House team through information. Their signal to the Americans was that the Ukrainians do not want to end the war, and something should be done to force them. Mr Zelensky also referenced his televised shouting match with Mr Trump in the Oval Office last month, saying he was forced into defending the dignity of his country. In that moment there was the sense of not being allies, or not taking the position of an allyIn that conversation, I was defending the dignity of Ukraine, he explained. 01:15 PM GMT Russia deliberately prolonging peace talks Russia is deliberately prolonging peace talks over the war in Ukraine in order to seize more territory and strengthen its negotiating position, diplomatic sources have told the Moscow Times. One source told the independent Russian website that the Kremlin wanted to make the most of peace talks. Another official said the Kremlin is hoping Washington will pressure Kyiv into withdrawing from occupied regions, including Kherson and Zaporizhzhia. Moscow illegally annexed those regions, as well as Donetsk and Luhansk, in 2022, meaning Putin cannot afford to lose them, the source added. 12:53 PM GMT Putin speaks with UAE president about Ukraine Vladimir Putin has spoken with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, leader of the UAE, about the war in Ukraine, state news has reported. According to the Kremlin, the UAE president expressed his support for the Russia-U.S. dialogue on the conflict in Ukraine. Putin also thanked him for mediating prisoner exchanges between Russia and Ukraine, the latest of which occurred on March 19, with each country handing back 175 prisoners of war 12:34 PM GMT Ukraine to hold another meeting with US after Russian talks Ukraine expects to meet US officials again later today once discussions with Russian officials have finished, a source has said. We are so far waiting for the outcome of the meeting between the United States and Russia. Based on that, we will have another meeting with the United States, a senior Ukrainian official told AFP. 12:22 PM GMT Ukraine destroys Russian helicopters with Himars missile strike Ukraine destroyed four Russian attack helicopters with US-made Himars missiles hours before high-level peace talks between Moscow and Washington. Ukraines special forces released footage showing the US-made missiles blowing up two Russian Ka-52 and two Mi-8 helicopters in Russias Belgorod region, deep behind enemy lines. Once again, [Russia] thought deep rear positions were unattainable. We proved that nothing is out of reach for Ukraines special operations forces, the unit said in a statement. It added that the helicopters, which Russia had attempted to camouflage close to a new landing platform, had been used in attacks on Ukraine. Credit: Ukraine's Special Operations Forces 12:14 PM GMT Ukraine claims 748 Russian tanks destroyed in 2025 Gen General Oleksandr Syrskyi, Ukraines commander-in-chief, claimed that his forces have destroyed 748 Russian tanks in 2025 so far. Thanks to the coordinated combat work of our defenders, more than one and a half thousand (1609) enemy armoured combat vehicles and 748 tanks have been neutralised since the beginning of the year, he wrote on X. Thank you to our soldiers! The Defense Forces of Ukraine continue to destroy the invaders and their equipment. Glory to Ukraine! The Telegraph cannot independently verify his claims. Ukraine in January claimed that Russia had lost more than 10,000 tanks in Ukraine. Other reports suggest a more conservative estimate of up to 3,800. (1609) 748 . ! . ! pic.twitter.com/Lfe4YsM99H Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (@CinC_AFU) March 24, 2025 12:04 PM GMT Starmers Ukraine peacekeeping plan dismissed as political theatre Sir Keir Starmers plans for a coalition of the willing to keep the peace in Ukraine have been dismissed as political theatre. The Prime Minister proposed the peacekeeping initiative earlier this month, insisting several countries were prepared to enforce any peace deal. But 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. Earlier this weekend, Donald Trumps special envoy dismissed the plans as a posture and a pose. Steve Witkoff said the idea was based on a simplistic notion of the Prime Minister and other European leaders thinking we have all got to be like Winston Churchill. Sir Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron assured Volodymyr Zelensky of their support when they met in London - JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP 11:51 AM GMT Russian priest arrested over 2014 photo with Ukrainian flag A Russian Orthodox priest has been sentenced to 14 days in custody over a 2014 photo in which he was shown with a Ukrainian flag. Nikolai Savchenko posted on social media that police had come to his church to arrest him. A court sentenced him on a charge of displaying an extremist symbol, according to court documents. The Russian Orthodox Church strongly backs the war in Ukraine and has punished dozens of priests who have defied its official line, for example by reading out prayers for peace instead of victory. Last year, a priest who led a memorial service at the grave of late opposition leader Alexei Navalny was suspended from clerical duties and ordered to serve three years of penance. However, Ksenia Luchenko, an expert on the Russian Orthodox Church, said Mr Savchenkos arrest was unique. If this is true, then this is the first case of detention of an active cleric of the Russian Orthodox Church who was not banned and not defrocked, Ms Luchenko, who is based outside Russia, said. Father Nikolai Savchenko has been arrested over this 2014 photograph of him holding a Ukrainian flag - X/ vkaramurza 11:32 AM GMT Saudi talks in full swing Talks between the US and Russia in Riyadh are in full swing, one of Moscows delegates said. Grigory Karasin, chair of Moscows foreign affairs committee, said he was having interesting discussions on quite pressing subjects with his US counterparts. Id say that the negotiations are going on creatively, he told Russian state media. 11:28 AM GMT Pictured: Ukrainian troops prepare to launch Vampire drone Ukrainian troops prepare to launch a Vampire drone fitted with infrared cameras for nighttime capabilities - 82nd Separate Air Assault Bukovynska Brigade 11:15 AM GMT What Telegraph readers are saying: 11:06 AM GMT US-Ukraine talks focused on halting strikes against ports The talks between US and Ukrainian officials in Saudi Arabia last night focused on infrastructure and shipping safety, a Ukrainian official said. Kyiv called the meetings constructive and beneficial, but revealed little about their content. Serhii Leshchenko, one of Volodymyr Zelenskys aides, revealed on Monday that the delegations discussed a possible pause on strikes against both Ukraines and Russias port infrastructure. The discussion concerned a mutual ceasefire: we wont attack their (Russian) facilities at sea and rivers, and they wont attack our facilities, our Kherson and Mykolaiv ports, the Greater Odesa ports, the presidential advisor said. 10:47 AM GMT Huge fire engulfs luxury penthouse in central Moscow A huge fire is raging at a luxury residential complex in central Moscow. According to reports and footage, the blaze has engulfed the roof and upper floors of the building. Its cause is currently unknown and there are not immediate reports of casualties. Credit: Nexta 10:43 AM GMT Russia downs 227 Ukrainian drones in past day Russian air defence units have destroyed 227 Ukrainian drones in the last 24 hours, Russias defence ministry claimed. The Telegraph cannot independently verify the reports 10:32 AM GMT Kremlin claims key parts of original Black Sea grain deal never fulfilled Russia and the United States will discuss resuming a deal to ensure the safety of merchant shipping in the Black Sea, the Kremlin said, while claiming that earlier agreements were never fulfilled. Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin spokesman, said that the Black Sea Initiative, more commonly known as the grain deal, was on the agenda at talks in Saudi Arabia. He said that Donald Trump had proposed discussing the Black Sea deal and that Putin had agreed to discuss it. This is primarily about the safety of navigation, Mr Peskov told reporters on Monday. But if you remember the initiative in its previous form, there was quite a large part of the obligations to our country that were not fulfilled last time. Therefore, this will also be on the agenda today. 10:08 AM GMT Further US-Ukraine talks could take place today Ukraine might hold further peace talks with the US in Saudi Arabia today, according to reports. Delegations from Moscow and Washington are currently meeting in Riyadh, a day after Ukraines talks with the US in the same city. In his nightly address, Volodymyr Zelensky said Sundays talks were carried out in a a completely constructive manner, adding: The conversation is quite useful, the work of the delegations is continuing. But the Ukrainian leaders envoys might hold additional discussions with US officials on Monday, depending on progress, an official told The New York Times. Ukraines delegation was headed by Rustem Umerov, the defence minister, who said the aim of such contacts was helping to bring a just peace closer and to strengthen security, though Mr Zelensky also said the talks were essentially technical. 09:52 AM GMT Russia accuses Ukraine of continuing strikes on energy targets Russia has accused Ukraine of breaching a partial truce on attacks on energy targets, saying that Kyivs forces tried to attack an oil pumping station in the Krasnador region. Ukraine keeps attacking Russian energy infrastructure, its defence ministry said. Its not clear exactly what exact site Russia is referring to. However, a massive blaze continued to rage for the fifth day at a major oil depot near the village of Kavkazskaya in the Kransnador region after Moscow said Ukrainian drones hit it on March 19. The fire has since spread to 2,000 square meters, with one of the storage tanks and the oil products inside still burning, according to local authorities. Kyiv has also repeatedly accused Moscow of continuing strikes on energy and civilian targets, despite Vladimir Putin telling Donald Trump last week he would cease such attacks last week. 09:36 AM GMT In pictures: Russia strikes Kyiv, Kharkiv and Donetsk Firefighters put out a blaze following a Russian attack near Kyiv this morning - Ukrainian Emergency Service A fire rages at a home in Kharkiv, northeast Ukraine, after a Russian strike - Ukrainian Emergency Service Emergency services put out a fire at a home in Donetsk after another heavy night of Russian attacks - Ukrainian Emergency Service 09:20 AM GMT Kremlin dials down Trump hopes of Ukraine ceasefire by Easter 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. 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. 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. 09:05 AM GMT China denies reports it is considering sending peacekeeping troops to Ukraine The Chinese foreign ministry has denied reports that it is discussing sending troops to be part of a peackeeping force in a post-war Ukraine. Guo Jiakun, a spokesman for the ministry, told reporters: Id like to emphasise that corresponding reports are absolutely false. Chinas position on the Ukrainian crisis is consistent and clear. Mr Guo added that Beijing is seeking to continue working with the international community toward peace talks and creating conditions for a ceasefire and ending the conflict. 08:57 AM GMT Media asked to leave hotel as US-Russia talks start Journalists have been asked to leave the Ritz-Carlton hotel in Riyadh, where talks are taking place between the US and Russia according to Russian state media. The closed-door meetings are aimed at making progress towards a broad ceasefire in Ukraine, with Washington eyeing a separate Black Sea maritime ceasefire deal before securing a wider agreement. A view of the Ritz-Carlton hotel in Riyadh where talks are underway between the US and Russia - AFP 08:38 AM GMT Watch: Ukrainian soldier uses helmet as pretend grenade A Ukrainian soldier was filmed appearing to use his helmet as a pretend grenade. Inside a trench in an undisclosed location on the frontline, the troop is seen throwing the helmet at a Russian soldier, who then flees his position in fear of an impending explosion. Credit: 43rd Mechanized Brigade Ukraine 08:17 AM GMT Q&A: What to expect from Russia-Ukraine peace talks Russian and Ukrainian officials will 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 after talks involving Ukraine began 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? What has been agreed upon already? What does Ukraine want? What does Russia want? And what happens next? Diplomats from warring nations meeting with US officials in Saudi Arabia amid hopes for pause in fighting 08:07 AM GMT Czech Republic ready to join peacekeeping force in Ukraine The Czech president said his country is ready to join a future peacekeeping mission in Ukraine. Petr Pavel, who visited Kyiv on Friday to meet with Volodymyr Zelensky, warned that the biggest threat to European security was and still is Russia. As a result, he signalled his country should join Keir Starmers coalition of the willing, made up of Nato states and other interested countries, who are drawing up plans for an international force to protect a future ceasefire in Ukraine. He told European Pravda on Saturday: We are part of this coalition now...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. 07:43 AM GMT Trump envoy says Putin not planning to invade all of Europe Donald Trumps envoy said that he does not see Vladimir Putin wanting to invade beyond Ukraine and described fears of broader Russian aggression as an academic issue. I just dont see that he wants to take all of Europe, Steve Witkoff told Fox News on Sunday. 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. 07:36 AM GMT US-Russia talks begin in Riyadh The US-Russia talks on a ceasefire in Ukraine ceasefire have started in Riyadh, Russian state news agency TASS reported. The talks at the Ritz Carlton hotel kicked off a day after US officials held meetings with a Ukrainian delegation in the city. 07:23 AM GMT Ukraine urges EU to renew duty-free trade deal Ukraine has warned of really damaging consequences if the EU does not renew its trade deal with the war-torn country ahead of a looming deadline. After Russias full-scale invasion in 2022, emergency EU measures were enacted to lift duties and quotas on Ukrainian exports in order to support its economy. However, the policy is due to expire in June - and some member states have been pushing back against the temporary deal, citing concerns over its domestic impact. The European Union is our key trade partner, and thats why it would be really damaging for us if we [found] ourselves in a situation which we had before the war, Ukrainian finance minister Serhiy Marchenko told the Financial Times. According to government data, revenues from exports to the EU under the trade measures accounted for almost a tenth of the countrys $41bn export revenue in 2024. 07:04 AM GMT Who is leading the Russian negotiations with the US? Vladimir Putin has sent a disgraced FSB officer and a former Russian ambassador to Britain to lead negotiations with US officials in Saudi Arabia on Monday. Sergey Beseda served in Russias federal security service (FSB) until he resigned after his unit was accused of sharing faulty intelligence with Putin on the eve of his full-scale invasion of Ukraine. He will be joined by Grigory Karasin, who served as ambassador to the UK between 2000 and 2005, for talks with a US delegation in Riyadh on Monday. Mondays negotiating team represents an effective downgrade in seniority from when Marco Rubio, the US secretary of state, met with his counterpart Sergei Lavrov in initial talks in February. Sergey Beseda served in Russias federal security service (FSB) 06:57 AM GMT Ukraine says it shot down 57 out of 99 Russian drones Ukraines air force said on Monday that it shot down 57 drones out of 99 launched by Russia overnight. Another 36 drones did not reach their targets, it said, without specifying what happened to the remaining six drones. 06:56 AM GMT Ukraine railway targeted by large-scale cyberattack Ukraines state-owned railway Ukrzaliznytsia said on Monday that its online systems have been subjected to a large-scale targeted cyberattack. Restoration of the online systems is ongoing, the company said, but train traffic has been stable and running without delays. 06:55 AM GMT Hello and welcome to our live coverage Were bringing you all the latest from the war in Ukraine. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. By Brendan Pierson (Reuters) - Five transgender U.S. military members asked a judge on Monday to block actions against them under President Donald Trump's transgender ban, including administrative leave and exclusion from training exercises. The motion in Washington federal court was filed as the Trump administration is asking U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes to undo her order last week blocking enforcement of the ban nationwide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reyes put that order on hold on Friday while she considers the government's motion, but said service members could ask for emergency orders if they faced specific, immediate harm from the ban. The five service members said they would face "immediate, serious, and irreparable harm" without a new temporary restraining order. Three said they had been placed on administrative leave, making it "impossible to meet goals required for advancement and promotion, and irreparably harms the trust placed in them by others." Another plaintiff is being excluded from training with other cadets, and a fifth is being prevented from graduating from officer candidate school, according to the motion. In a separate lawsuit, a federal judge in New Jersey blocked the military on Monday from expelling two transgender members, though she did not block its enforcement against anyone else. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The White House and the Department of Defense did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Reyes, who was appointed by Trump's Democratic predecessor Joe Biden, blocked the ban on March 18, finding that it likely violated the U.S. Constitution's prohibition on sex discrimination. She ruled that "transgender persons can have the warrior ethos, physical and mental health, selflessness, honor, integrity, and discipline to ensure military excellence." Trump, a Republican, said in his order that "adoption of a gender identity inconsistent with an individual's sex conflicts with a soldier's commitment to an honorable, truthful, and disciplined lifestyle, even in one's personal life." (Reporting by Brendan Pierson in New York; Editing by Richard Chang) LAS VEGAS (KLAS) Firefighters in Boulder City battled flames at a home early Sunday morning. The fire was reported at a home on Red Mountain Drive around 5:40 a.m. Boulder City Fire Department said when firefighters arrived at the scene, the home was fully engulfed in flames. There were no injuries reported in the fire but one pet died. The cause of the fire 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 KLAS. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks at a news conference in the Idaho governor's office to promote a proposed amendment to the U.S. Constitution for a balanced budget, standing between Idaho Gov. Brad Little (right) and Lt. Gov. Scott Bedke, on March 24, 2025. (Kyle Pfannenstiel/Idaho Capital Sun) Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis visited Idaho on Monday to promote a proposed amendment to the U.S. Constitution that would require a federal balanced budget. The amendment would be sought through a never-before used method of amending the U.S. Constitution: A convention of the states. DeSantis met privately with lawmakers in the Idaho Legislature early Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I am convinced that you are not going to have Congress all of a sudden change its behavior for the long term. I think the reason weve gotten into this with respect to fiscal is because there are certain incentives for the people that are in Washington to behave the way they do. And we need to change those incentives, DeSantis, a former Republican presidential candidate, told reporters in a news conference in the Idaho governors office, standing between Idaho Gov. Brad Little and Lt. Gov. Scott Bedke. Critics say a constitutional convention could put the entire Constitution up for change. But supporters argue a convention is needed to rein in the rising federal deficit and an increasingly powerful federal government. Asked about concerns the process would be uncontrollable, DeSantis told reporters he disagreed pointing to state-level controls for a constitutional convention and ratification requirements. I think the people that say somehow the whole thing would melt down, theyre basically saying that the founding fathers were wrong to give the people in the states an ability to restrain the federal Congress, the Florida governor said. And I dont think they were wrong to do that. I think they understood Congress could be the problem. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And he said he doesnt even think a constitutional convention would happen. Once 33 states apply before the 34-state application threshold would prompt the convention DeSantis said itd push Congress to pass their own balanced budget amendment. Little suggested the risk of not acting is high. We dont even think its going to get to 34 votes. We think things are going to happen, Little told reporters. Theres all those sidebars, all those guardrails we put on those. But then whats the alternative? Do we want our federal debt to go to $70 trillion and consume all of the capital and basically burden our children, great grandchildren and great, great grandchildren. I think there is no other usable option, and our forefathers put it in the Constitution. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier this month, the Idaho House rejected a proposal by Rep. Jordan Redman, R-Coeur dAlene, that wouldve called for Idaho to submit three separate applications to amend the U.S. Constitution through a convention of the states, including for a balanced budget amendment. Past attempts at getting the Idaho Legislature to call for a constitutional convention have failed. Last year, representatives of the Idaho Republican Party and the Idaho Second Amendment Alliance opposed an Idaho resolution to apply for a convention of the states. DeSantis also plans to visit Montana on the same issue. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE ORLANDO, Fla. Gov. Ron DeSantis was in Idaho and Montana on Monday, his first major public swing through other states in more than a year as he attempts to maintain his national profile in advance of a potential second run for the presidency in 2028. Just like his trip to Indiana and South Carolina in February 2024, he flew out of Tallahassee on the state plane in the middle of an ongoing legislative session. Both times, his official reason for travel was to lobby other governors to join him in trying to amend the U.S. Constitution through a constitutional convention which has never happened since the Constitution was ratified in 1787. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mondays events were about a proposed balanced budget amendment, which DeSantis said was needed because of the increasing national debt. Though he and other GOP governors have praised President Donald Trump, Elon Musk and the controversial DOGE group, they say Congress needs a new rule to keep federal spending in check. At what point is this just going to break our country? DeSantis said in Idaho. The 2024 trip, in which DeSantis pushed for congressional term limits, was made just weeks after he dropped out of the race for the Republican presidential nomination and endorsed Trump. It was part of a whirlwind series of events in the wake of his failed bid that kept DeSantis in the news, including sending 1,000 more Florida National Guard troops to the U.S. border with Mexico. Then and now, critics were quick to say the governor was wasting taxpayer money. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Floridians are being crushed by Ron DeSantis affordability crisis while the lame duck Governor charges his constituents to fly around the country on the states taxpayer-funded private jet to prop up his failed ambitions for higher office, said Anders Croy, director of DeSantis Watch, a project of Florida Watch and the progressive group Progress Florida, in a statement on Monday. All the Governor has to offer is a rambling road show of lectures to the same Americans who rejected his unique brand of awkward weirdness during his disastrous run for president, Croy said. The governors office did not respond to a request for comment Monday. In part because of his lackluster previous run, DeSantis stands far behind Vice President J. D. Vance in early polls for the 2028 race, and behind even Donald Trump Jr. in some. Moreover, he would run again without the power of incumbency behind him, since he must leave Floridas top political post because of term limits in two years. Still, those who know and watch DeSantis have little doubt that he longs to try again. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since DeSantis ended his 2024 presidential campaign, his biggest moments on the national scene stemmed from the possibility he might be tapped as Trumps Secretary of Defense nominee if Pete Hegseth dropped out. Speculation that his wife Casey will run for governor in 2026 has also prompted national news. DeSantis travel records are now shielded from public scrutiny due to a law he signed in 2023, but the state plane has been tracked online by the DesantisJet account on social media, created by University of Central Florida student Jack Sweeney. The account indicated the state plane took off from Tallahassee shortly before 6 p.m. Sunday and landed in Boise, Idaho, about five hours later, using an estimated $5,803 worth of fuel on the outward trip. The plane took off just after 1 p.m. Monday for a 41-minute flight to Montana, where he was scheduled to meet with Gov.Greg Gianforte. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DeSantis had just returned from a trip to Washington, D.C., on the state plane over the weekend, where he met with Musk and attended the National Review Institutes 2025 Ideas Summit. He also flew to Washington in February for the National Governors Association meeting. The governor flew the state plane to South Carolina, New Jersey and Connecticut in February, according to DeSantisJet, the latter two trips for appearances at Federalist Society events. His focus in Idaho Monday was to push Idaho and Montana to join 27 other states in backing an amendment to require a balanced federal budget. Thirty-four would be required to trigger a convention of states. If Idaho and Montana join the fight, that gets us to 29, DeSantis said alongside Idaho Gov. Brad Little. I think if you got to 33 states, I think Congress would see the writing on the wall and I think they would rush to write an amendment that they would then pass and then send to the states for ratification. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The budget recently passed by congressional Republicans, he said, forecast the debt to reach $56 trillion by 2035. I am convinced that you are not going to have Congress all of a sudden change its behavior for the long term, he said. DeSantis also praised Idaho for having a lot of commonality with Florida when it came to policies, including instituting the death penalty for child rapists. Idahos anti-abortion laws are some of the strictest in the country, beyond even Floridas 6-week ban, including making it illegal to assist in a pregnant minor getting an out-of-state abortion. _____ A Florida man was arrested after driving a car into a group of protesters at a Tesla dealership, according to the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office. The suspect, 44-year-old Andrew Dutil, "drove his vehicle, jumping the curb onto the sidewalk at a slow rate of speed into a crowd of protestors" on Saturday, police said in a statement. Police received "numerous calls" regarding a black Nissan SUV driving "up on a curb in front of the Tesla dealerships almost striking multiple pedestrians," according to police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: Trump suggests Tesla vandals should be sent to prison in El Salvador The protesters moved out of the way to avoid being struck by Dutil's vehicle, police said. When police arrived on the scene, Dutil's car was parked on the curb in front of the dealership with multiple people surrounding it, authorities said. Dutil was arrested and transported to the Palm Beach County Jail "without incident," police said. PHOTO: Andrew S. Dutil is seen in this undated police booking photo. (Palm Beach County Sheriffs Office) There were no reported injuries among the protesters, police said. Karen Holland, who was participating in the peaceful protest, told police that Dutil's vehicle "drove by earlier in the day and was yelling at all of the protestors," officials said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When Dutil returned and started driving up on the curb toward protesters, Holland said she was "in fear for her life and believed she was going to get struck by the vehicle," police said. Dutil was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill, police said. MORE: Attorney general calls Tesla arson attacks 'nothing short of domestic terrorism' The incident Friday comes as many Tesla vehicles, dealerships and charging stations have suffered vandalism, arson attacks and protests since CEO Elon Musk began his role with the Trump administration's Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Additional protests occurred at Tesla dealerships in Colorado Springs, Boston, Memphis and Milford, Connecticut, over the weekend. In Boston, demonstrators were seen holding signs that read, "This ends here," and "Recall Elon." In a public announcement on Friday, the FBI said incidents targeting Teslas have been recorded in at least nine states since January, including arson, gunfire and graffiti. "These criminal actions appear to have been conducted by lone offenders, and all known incidents occurred at night," the FBI said. "Individuals require little planning to use rudimentary tactics, such as improvised incendiary devices and firearms, and may perceive these attacks as victimless property crimes." PHOTO: Five Tesla cars were set on fire and shot at in an arson attack at a Tesla service center in Las Vegas, March 18, 2025. (Hal Sparks via Storyful) Another recent Tesla incident occurred in Fargo, North Dakota, where fire crews found a "small fire in wood chips at the base of the electric vehicle chargers in the parking lot" early Friday morning, according to the Fargo Fire Department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials said the fire is considered "suspicious" and the cause is under investigation. It is unclear whether the fire damaged the chargers, authorities said. The New York City Police Department is also asking for the public's help in identifying two men who spray-painted a swastika on a Cybertruck on Thursday. A spokesperson for Tesla did not immediately respond to ABC News' request for comment. Florida man arrested after driving car into protesters at Tesla dealership: Police originally appeared on abcnews.go.com A Trump-supporting Florida man has been arrested for driving his SUV into a crowd of protesters outside a Tesla dealership in Palm Beach County over the weekend, police have confirmed. Driver Andrew Dutil was charged with aggravated assault following the incident, which saw him mount his black Nissan Pathfinder onto the sidewalk and slowly advance towards the protesters, forcing them to disperse. He drove into a crowd of senior citizens, said Mark Offerman, head of the Democratic Progressive Caucus for Palm Beach County who organized the event. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Everybody was able to move out, but two older women were really almost clipped, he told the Palm Beach Post . We immediately called the cops. Dutil reportedly claimed at the scene that he worked at the dealership in question, but is in fact thought be an Army engineer and former Iraq War vet who has written about his love of Donald Trump. He arrived at the scene at around 1 p.m. to find around 150 people gathered to protest Tesla CEO Elon Musks cost-cutting measures with the so-called Department of Government Efficiency. The peaceful protest, organized by the local Democratic Progressive Caucus, saw demonstrators wield signs which read Shame and Musk is a rat to largely supportive onlookers. Following Dutils action, police towed his car and interviewed around five people on the scene. The rest of the demonstration appeared to pass without incident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The protest is the latest in a series of demonstrations which have seen Tesla showrooms, charging stations, and individual vehicles targeted as part of a pushback against the Trump administration. At least nine incidents have been reported in recent weeks, which include a Tesla showroom in Las Vegas set ablaze with the word resist daubed across the buildings front doors in red paint, and four Cybertrucks in Seattle attacked with Molotov cocktails. To date nobody on either side of the protests has been harmed, although Musk and other Trump allies have condemned the attacks on Tesla as domestic terrorisma charge the FBI is aware of but refuses to endorse. Was this terrorism? Was it something else? It certainly has some of the hallmarks that we might think the writing on the wall, potential political agenda, an act of violence, said FBI agent Spencer Evans following the Vegas attack. None of those factors are lost on us. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last week the FBI released a public service announcement warning the public to be vigilant and to be on the lookout for suspicious activity at Tesla dealerships, citing concerns over arson, gunfire, and vandalism. Since January 2025, incidents targeting Tesla EVs have occurred in at least nine states, the statement read. These incidents have involved arson, gunfire, and vandalism, including graffiti expressing grievances against those the perpetrators perceive to be racists, fascists, or political opponents. These criminal actions appear to have been conducted by lone offenders, and all known incidents occurred at night. Individuals require little planning to use rudimentary tactics, such as improvised incendiary devices and firearms, and may perceive these attacks as victimless property crimes, they added. During Trumps first term properties owned by the president became focal points for protesters; a role experts believe is now being filled by Tesla. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tesla is an easy target, Randy Blazak, a sociologist who studies political violence, told AP News . Theyre rolling down our streets. They have dealerships in our neighborhoods. Were outraged and were appalled, Offerman told the Palm Beach Post. What we hope to do here in Palm Beach County, where the nerve center of the GOP is, is wake everybody up to this fact. Mar-a-Lago is here. Trump is here. This is his home. We have big problems with the way that our government functions, and find it very anti-American. So we want to wake people up, and were taking on this national call. MOSCOW, March 24 (Xinhua) -- Moscow and Washington have a mutual desire to move forward with efforts to resolve the Ukraine crisis, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Monday. Peskov said that both countries share a "desire and readiness" to follow the path of a peaceful settlement, adding that there was a mutual understanding between the two sides. Many technical issues will be discussed during negotiations between U.S. and Russian delegations currently taking place in Saudi Arabia's capital, Riyadh, he said, noting, "In general, many different aspects related to the settlement still need to be worked out." The spokesman also said the talks would also cover details regarding a potential resumption of the Black Sea Initiative, which primarily aims to ensure maritime security in the Black Sea. Peskov reiterated that the country's forces are following the order of Russian President Vladimir Putin to halt strikes on Ukraine's energy infrastructure. U.S. and Russian delegations kicked off a new round of talks in Saudi Arabia on Monday. A Florida's Turnpike exit in Palm Beach County, along with a stretch of the Beeline Highway, will close this month as part of a five-year project to widen and upgrade both highways, the Florida Department of Transportation said Friday. The turnpike's southbound entrance ramp at Jog Road, just north of the Beeline, will close from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. on the nights of Tuesday, March 24 and Tuesday, April 1. The Beeline between Haverhill and Jog roads will close nightly from Sunday through April 4, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Anyone driving along north on the Beeline must exit at Military Trail, head north to Northlake Boulevard, then south to Jog Road to get back on the highway. Drivers going south must get off at Jog, go north to Northlake, then south on Military to reenter the Beeline Highway. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: These 9 big Palm Beach County road projects got money from the federal infrastructure money Road crew needs to close these roads and exits to demolish the turnpike overpass above the Beeline safely, state transportation officials said. The bridge will go to five lanes in each direction from two. Nightly closures for construction could happen Wednesday, April 2, and Thursday, April 3, if bad weather prevents road crews from working, the state transportation department said. A section of Beeline Highway in Palm Beach County under construction as part of improvements partially funded by the bipartisan infrastructure bill President Joe Biden signed in 2021 Beeline lanes between Northlake and Blue Heron boulevards are also being closed nightly as part of the $148 million project that includes widening that strip of the highway to six lanes from four, adding sidewalks and bicycle lanes to both sides of it, along with building an 8-foot privacy wall along the highway next to the gated Steeplechase community. A map shows where Beeline Highway in Palm Beach County will be closed from March 23 to April 4, 2025. Upgrades will be finished in late 2029, state transportation officials say. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement About $8.8 million for this project comes from the bipartisan infrastructure bill then-President Joe Biden signed into law in 2021. Chris Persaud covers transportation in Palm Beach County for The Palm Beach Post. Email tips or ideas to cpersaud@pbpost.com This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Some Florida's Turnpike and Beeline Highway exits briefly closing A Naples person told police they lost more than $2 million dollars in a scheme that gave the scammers gold. On Friday, Naples Police Department's Criminal Investigations Division and Special Investigations Unit Detectives conducted Operation Fools Gold, arresting a Connecticut man on several felony charges related to the fraud, police said Monday. Soyeb Rana, 25, of Plainfield, Connecticut, was charged with conspiracy, scheme to defraud, fleeing and eluding, and possession of marijuana less than 20 grams. He bonded out of Collier County Jail on Saturday. Soyeb Rana More: Naples man and former Long Island business owner charged with $22 million Medicare scheme Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A victim, 72, had reported the loss of more than $2 million after liquidating assets in exchange for gold, police said. The victim then provided untraceable gold incrementally to the scammers over several months. The victim eventually realized he would not recover the gold conversions. Police devised a plan to apprehend the suspect. When the operation commenced and the fools gold was provided to the suspect, detectives acted swiftly to apprehend him. The suspect fled from detectives, they said, and the getaway vehicle was found nearby and abandoned. Detectives gave the suspects description to surrounding patrol officers and deputies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Detectives located the suspect shortly afterward, and he was taken into custody. This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Florida $2 million gold scam lands Connecticut man in Naples jail Reflecting on my recent trip to take part in the 80th anniversary commemoration of the Long March, the words that keep coming to my mind are once in a lifetime. The opportunity to be as connected to history as I was on this trip does not come around often. I feel so grateful to have been given the opportunity and will surely never forget what I experienced in Germany and Poland. To give an idea of what the trip was like and further connect you with the Long March and Kenneth McCaleb, I want to share my experience. We arrived at our hotel in Berlin in the late afternoon. That evening, we had the chance to meet some of the family members of the prisoners of war. The members would be joining in the commemoration event. I spoke mostly with four people who had come together: Steve Leaser; his children, Michael and Cheryl; and his niece Stephanie. They were there to honor Steves father, Earl Leaser, a veteran of the Long March. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It isnt always easy to meet new people, but I felt instantly welcomed by them and everyone else I met. They displayed a strong interest in understanding why we were there and who we were representing. It was refreshing to hear what they knew about their family members time as a POW. It wasnt the same as hearing directly from a POW, but it was the next-best thing and allowed for a close connection to history. We spent the next day touring Berlin. First, we saw the Reichstag building, which was used for parliament by the German Empire and the Weimar Republic before being burned by the Nazis in 1933. Today, the building is used as the meeting place for the German federal parliament, the Bundestag, and can be toured. Unfortunately, we didnt have enough time to tour the building before moving on to the Brandenburg Gate. From the Brandenburg Gate, we went to Checkpoint Charlie, the entrance to the American occupation zone following World War II, and then to the remnants of the Berlin Wall. That evening, the group went to a local restaurant, where I tried schnitzel for the first time. Steven Wagner, Kylee Trevarrow and I sat with Meriel Antoniou and her son, Jack, from the United Kingdom. Meriels father, Peter Fox, was a veteran of the Long March. This was another chance to hear the story of a POW and get to know the family members. We ended the evening by spending a little bit of time in the hotel lobby, chatting with additional POW family members. The next morning, we visited the site of the bunker where Adolf Hitler died. Then we headed to Stalag Luft III, the POW camp in Zagan. We toured the museum at the site of the camp and heard the full story of the camp from Merek Lazarz, the museum operator. Next, we saw the remnants of the camp. It was a somewhat eerie feeling, being with the families of the POWs in the woods where their loved ones had once been imprisoned. Adding to the experience, the day was gloomy, and the trees stood tall and narrow, allowing you to see far into the forest. The experience of being in the camp where the POWs once stayed is one I will never forget and was effective in preparing me for tracing the steps of the Long March beginning the next day. We ended the night by settling into Kliczkow Castle, a medieval castle in Selesia, Poland, where we would stay for the remainder of the trip. We began the next morning back at the museum in Zagan. A commemoration ceremony was held to honor the POWs before we started our march. We marched off around 9:45 a.m. with around 150 U.S. military members, three Polish military members, and one member of the Royal Air Force. We walked about 6 miles before stopping for a quick rest. At this point, I had to take a break from walking because my shoes gave me blisters. I joined the others who were not walking on our bus, and we followed the walking group to our lunch stop. After lunch, we went to the church in Iowa, Poland, where the POWs stayed in 1945. From there, the military and the marching family members continued their march. I chose to stay with the others on the bus and we went to the barns in Lipna, Poland, where the soldiers would be sleeping that night. After touring the barns with their current owners, Wawo and Anya Putkiewicz, we met back up with the marchers. At this stop, in Gozdnica, Poland, we were greeted with a small celebration with singing and re`freshments. We had 4 miles of our march left for that day, and we didnt get started again until it was almost dark. I chose to walk the last 4 miles. Walking in the dark gave me a new perspective. It is difficult to imagine the conditions that the POWs walked in, but walking in the dark added an extra element that helped me connect to them. We reached the barns in Lipna and left the soldiers there for the night while we traveled back to the castle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Back at the barns the next morning, we held a brief commemoration ceremony before marching off again. We walked about 6 miles before stopping at a gas station for a short break. I decided to get on the bus with the others at this point because the next leg of the march was 14 miles and I would have missed lunch if I chose to walk. Once on the bus, we went to a lake, had lunch and wandered around the area. Next, we went to the stables in Bad Maskau, Germany, where the soldiers would stay that night, and toured the area. As the soldiers and marching family members arrived, we cheered them on by saying, Sausage and beer when you get there! Once everyone made it to the stables, we had sausage and beer and enjoyed having the chance to talk with the members of the military. Again, we left the soldiers for the evening and traveled back to our castle. We marched off from the stables the next morning around 9:30 a.m. As we traveled through Bad Maskau, many townspeople stood outside cheering us on and waving. We took a brief break after marching for a while at a rest stop then marched off again. Our next stop was for lunch, and at this point my body was in pretty rough shape with my knees and hips trying to compensate for the pain in my feet. I had made it about 10 miles that day. Once on the bus, we drove to the train station that was the final destination of the march. The group of us who had been on the bus chose to join back up with the marchers for the final stretch to the train station, which was about 1 mile. As we reached the place where the train station once stood, we were celebrated by townspeople who had gathered at the sight. The towns mayor gave a speech, dedicating a monument to our march. We celebrated before leaving the military members for the final time and went back to the castle. At the castle, we had a group commemorative dinner, hearing from the leaders of our group and the family members of the POWs. This was one of my favorite parts of the trip. The next morning, we began our journey back home. This trip was one I will never forget. I will always be grateful to Missouri Southern and the McCaleb Peace Initiative for choosing me to participate in it. My favorite part of the whole thing was marching with the military and the family members. I wasnt able to do the whole thing, but I truly enjoyed tracing the steps of the POWs and connecting with their family members. The trip was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and I hope that by educating you about the history of the Long March and sharing my experience of participating in the commemoration of it, I have made an impact on your perception of prisoners of war. Editors note RAYLYNN DOWNEY is a senior at Missouri Southern State University who will graduate this spring with a bachelors degree in education. She recently traveled to Germany and Poland to participate in an event commemorating the Long March of 1945 with her professor, Steven Wagner, and a classmate, Kylee Trevarrow. The opportunity was given to them by the McCaleb Initiative for Peace at MSSU. This Initiative was established in 1998 by Kenneth McCaleb and his wife, Margaret Baughman McCaleb, to examine the causes of war and discuss ways in which war can be prevented. Since its establishment, the Initiative has provided many students with the chance to travel to sites of past wars, study the devastation they caused, and report their findings to promote peace and help prevent future wars. McCaleb was one of the men who survived the 62-mile Long March. He recorded a television interview in June 1995 and also wrote an account titled Memoir of a Prisoner-of-War before his passing in 2002. The News International flower companies are fleeing Ethiopia because of a worsening conflict in the northwestern Amhara region, a key flower-growing hub, dealing a blow to one of the countrys major exports. Germanys Selecta One this month said it would move production from its Kunzila site in Amhara to neighboring Kenya and Uganda, saying the unstable political situation and the uncertain military environment were the main reasons for this decision. The company, which began operations in Ethiopia in 2021, is also laying off more than 1,000 local employees due to the two-year war between the Ethiopian government and Fano, a loose collection of militias. The fighting comes amid fears of a wider regional war as tensions rise in the nearby northern region of Tigray: Fano earlier fought alongside the Ethiopian army and Eritrean forces, against the Tigray Peoples Liberation Front, during Tigrays 2020-2022 civil war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The firm is following in the footsteps of other horticultural companies including two Dutch-owned firms, Tal Flower Farms and Tana Flora, that left Amhara last year following incidents of looting and arson. There are many companies that have suspended their operation in Amhara, Tewodros Zewdie, executive director of the Ethiopian Horticulture Producer Exporters Association (EHPEA), told Semafor, pointing to three other Dutch-owned firms Abyssinia Flowers, Dutch Flower Group, and Alpha Flora that suspended production in 2024. Ethiopias cut-flower industry, which generated more than $500 million in revenues last year, is the countrys second-biggest export after the top-earning $900 million coffee sector, according to central bank figures. It has made strong inroads into the global flower trade in recent years, securing a 5.5% stake of market share, while still behind Kenyas roughly 16% stake. The Ethiopian Investment Commission, which oversees foreign investment, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Know More Zewdie said the EHPEA has called for the Ethiopian government to pay out compensation to the companies suffering losses due to the conflict, trying to incentivize them to stay. But with few improvements in the security situation, he fears more will leave. Many companies have reported hijackings of staff truck drivers for ransom. We are in discussion with them on their options, Zewdie told Semafor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is not the first time conflict has hit flower growers in the volatile Amhara region. In 2016, several flower farms belonging to multinational companies were razed to the ground by armed militias. Many also saw attacks on their employees. Writing on LinkedIn earlier this month, Selecta Ones CEO Per Ansgar Klemm, described the decision to leave Ethiopia as a bitter pill to swallow, saying the company was forced to leave despite its best efforts after enduring various difficulties in the last two years. Step Back The horticultural industry exodus comes as other international investors are suspending their operations in Ethiopia. In June, French fund manager Meridiams $2 billion geothermal project in the neighboring Oromia region, hit by a separate conflict, was suspended due to security threats a year before completion. Concerns over kidnapping have also deterred tourists, another important source of revenue for the government. Samuels view The damage to Ethiopias horticultural industry comes at a time when the country is struggling with sluggish economic growth. Flower exports provide an important source of foreign currency that Ethiopia relies on to import essential goods, including fuel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The government has also been unable to attract foreign investors in its telecommunication, construction, and real-estate sectors despite changing laws allowing foreign players to operate within the country. Other spiralling conflicts and potential conflagrations including growing fears of renewed fighting in Tigray also threaten the countrys economy. Selecta Ones Klemm told me that he thinks other investors will likely leave Ethiopia too, hurting an economy that has earned more foreign currency from horticulture than any other commodity except coffee. I would assume that our action and reasoning [the] safety of our employees will increase pressure for others, Klemm said. Room for Disagreement Samson Berhane, an economic analyst based in Addis Ababa, said that Ethiopia still has unique qualities that will make it a viable destination for foreign investors. The recent foreign exchange liberalization that has made profit repatriation easier will enhance Ethiopias appeal to foreign investors, he told Semafor, as well as its low production costs driven by affordable electricity and cheap labor costs. Berhane pointed to the recent decision by Nigerian industrialist Aliko Dangote, Africas richest man, to double the capacity of his cement operations in Ethiopia. Notable MEMPHIS, Tenn. A former Arkansas deputy was arrested on Friday for allegedly sexually assaulting two girls. Former Cross County Sheriff Deputy Dillion Kemp, 26, was charged with two felony counts of Second-Degree Sexual Assault. Cross County Sheriff David West requested that the Arkansas State Polices Criminal Investigation Division investigate allegations of sexual assault involving Kemp on Mar. 17. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 4 West Memphis law enforcement officers placed on leave Following an investigation into the allegations, special agents learned that Kemp had allegedly sexually assaulted two girls in the past. On Mar. 21, Kemp was arrested without incident at the Cross County Sheriffs Office. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com. Former Assistant US Attorney Alex Kristofcak was put on leave after criticizing Trump's DEI policy. He has since left his position at the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York. Kristofcak is now urging leaders to speak out against Trump's attacks on the judiciary. A former assistant US attorney said he was put on leave after publicly criticizing the Trump administration's DEI policies. He's not going quietly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alex Kristofcak, 44, who was until recently a federal attorney focused on civil litigation in the Southern District of New York, was put on administrative leave after a "critical social media post." He has since resigned from his position altogether, though he plans to continue working in the legal industry, he told Business Insider. In a LinkedIn post two weeks ago, Kristofcak criticized a US attorney in Washington, DC, who sent a letter to the dean of Georgetown Law School to enforce anti-DEI policies at the university. Kristofcak called the letter a "grotesque abuse of power" at the time. The next day, he was placed on administrative leave. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I've been told in no uncertain terms that my criticism prompted this action," Kristofcak said in a new LinkedIn post on Saturday. The US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York could not be reached by phone Sunday evening. The White House and the Justice Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment from Business Insider. "While the experience has been jarring, it is not wholly surprising: the Trump administration has made it clear that it does not tolerate dissent," Kristofcak said on LinkedIn. "And because of my background, I am familiar with this playbook. When I was born in Czechoslovakia in 1981, my homeland was still under communist rule. Though I was fortunate to experience the country's democratic transition as a child in 1989, my formative years were shaped by fresh memories of dictatorship and its tactics." Trump has also targeted several Big Law firms like Paul Weiss , Perkins Coie, and Covington & Burling ordering reviews of their government contracts, stripping the firm's lawyers of their security clearances, and preventing employees of the firms from entering federal buildings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has described the firms as "dishonest and dangerous," accusing each of weaponizing the judicial process and threatening national security by representing his opponents or participating in investigations into his finances and behavior. In a memo on Friday, Trump ordered Attorney General Pam Bondi to flag firms affiliated with "frivolous" lawsuits against his administration so that he could consider executive actions against them. Trump's memo called the behavior of some law firms "unscrupulous." Since taking office, the Trump administration has made sweeping changes to the federal government, targeting everything from public education to veteran affairs. Many of the president's executive orders have been blocked or delayed by judges amid ongoing lawsuits, including challenging the termination of DEI programs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I was already planning to leave the Department of Justice at the end of the month. I had concluded that the hostile environment created by President Trump, Elon Musk, and the political appointees at the Justice Department made my position untenable," Kristofcak said on LinkedIn. The politicization of the department and "the treatment of other career employees" pushed him to leave his post, he told BI. "As we speak, there are a lot of conversations happening where people are trying to figure out where they want to land on the spectrum of responses," Kristofcak said. "In the next couple of days, implicitly, everyone is either going to take a stand one way or another, or they will stay silent. That, in and of itself, will speak volumes." There has been an exodus of top staff at the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York. In February, several top prosecutors resigned after refusing to abide by the Justice Department's request to drop federal corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On LinkedIn, Kristofcak urged those in positions of power to speak out. "I grew up watching a totalitarian system collapse, giving way to democracy. Now, I find myself witnessing concerning parallels in my adopted homeland," Kristofcak said. "Speaking out may have cost me my position, but silence would have cost me much more." He told BI that the responses from those in the industry over the next few days will be critical. "Unfortunately, I really do believe that this is one of those things where everyone stands together or everyone falls together," he said. Correction: March 24, 2025 A previous version of this story referred to the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York as the US District Court for the Southern District of New York. Kristofcak worked at the former. Read the original article on Business Insider (KRON) A former San Mateo County Human Services Agency (HSA) employee accused in a scheme that stole tens of thousands of dollars in welfare funds pleaded no contest to multiple charges on Friday, according to the San Mateo County District Attorneys Office. Maria Del Carmen Jaimes, 48, of Menlo Park, worked at the East Palo Alto HSA satellite office assisting clients and had been with the agency for 10 years. During an audit in 2024, it was discovered that between July 1, 2023, and March 31, 2024, Jaimes had activated 22 fraudulent welfare cards, the DAs office said. A total of $28,588 was stolen over the nine-month period. The audit of the California Statewide Automated Welfare System showed that Jaimes accessed areas unrelated to her job duties, according to prosecutors. Further investigation uncovered that she would search for dormant client welfare accounts and then reactivate the accounts. She then would forge the signatures of the welfare recipients and issue new benefits cards. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Proposed rate hike would give PG&E highest profit rate of any utility in the country The stolen funds were used for personal purposes, the DAs office said. On Friday, Jaimes pleaded no contest to felony theft of government funds and two counts of felony identity theft. Forty-one additional charges of identity theft were dismissed as part of the plea, along with felony charges of embezzlement and forgery. The plea deal would save Jaimes from serving any time in state prison. However, she still faces up to one year in county jail. The DAs office said it was initially seeking two years in state prison in the case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sentencing is set for June 24. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. (INSIDE CALIFORNIA POLITICS) Former California Republican Chair Jessica Millan Patterson spoke with Inside California Politics about her partys trajectory since she became the state party leader in 2019. Patterson said indicators are positive for the California GOP. With the shift in registration every single congressional seat, every single assembly seat, every single senate seat has gotten better for Republicans over the last six years, Patterson said. The registration gaps have shrunk and registration is, generally speaking, the last thing people do. 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. A former Carroll County Sheriffs Office deputy is facing charges in the death of an 18-year-old man found dead in the middle of Route 78 last year. A news release from the Illinois State Police (ISP) says charges have been filed against Matthew Herpstreith, 44 of Savanna, Illinois, in connection with the death of Jackson Kradle, 18 of Mount Carroll. On July 28, 2024, the Carroll County Sheriffs Office asked the ISP Division of Criminal Investigation Zone 2 to investigate the death of a man found lying in the middle of Illinois Route 78 just north of Mount Carroll around 3:30 a.m. The man was later identified as Kradle and was pronounced dead on the scene. Matthew Herpstreith (Illinois State Police) The Office of the States Attorneys Appellate Prosecutor has charged Herpstreith with one count of reckless homicide (a class 3 felony), one count of reckless conduct (a class 4 felony), one count of obstructing justice (a class 4 felony), one count of attempted obstructing justice (a class A misdemeanor) and one count of failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident (a petty charge). Herpstreith received pre-trial release and has an arraignment on April 17. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ISP turned the case over to the Office of the States Attorneys Appellate Prosecutor and no additional information is available. Sheriff Ryan Kloepping issued a statement this afternoon. It reads, Today, formal charges have been filed in connection with the tragic death of 18-year-old Jackson Krandle. Matthew Herpstreith has been chargted by the state orf Illinois with reckless homicide, reckless conduct, obstructing justice, attempted obstructing justice and failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident. This case has weighed heavily on our community, our office and most importantly, on Mr. Krandles family and loved ones. From the moment this heartbreaking event occurred, our priority has been ensuring a thorough and impartial investigation. That is why, within hours of the incident, we requested the Illinois State Police to take over the investigation, ensuring an independent review. We are grateful for their dilligence and professionalism in bringing this investigation to a conclusion and we trust that the legal process will now proceed appropriately. As a law enforcement agency, we strive to hold ourselves to the highest standards for accountability. This situation has deeply impacted the men and women of the Carroll County Sheriffs Office but our focus has remained steadfast on seeking justice for the Krandle family. We understand the communitys desire for more information throughout this process. However, it was critical to allow the independent investigation and subsequent legal proceedings to unfold without interference. Our office remains committed to openness and upholding the trust placed in us by the people we serve. 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. The U.S. government is accusing former Columbia University student Mahmoud Khalil of covering up work for multiple organizations in his application to become a permanent resident, the latest development in a case with national free speech implications. Lawyers for the Department of Justice are throwing new accusations against Khalil, including that he did not disclose on his application to become a permanent resident that he worked for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNWRA) for Palestinian Refugees, had employment with the Syria Office in the British Embassy in Beirut past 2022 and was a member of the Columbia University Apartheid Divest group. Khalil is a legal immigrant, and the Trump administration is detaining him under a rarely used law that allows the secretary of State to declare someone a risk to the United Statess interests. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio have made clear that Khalil, who is married to a U.S. citizen, is being targeted over his participation in pro-Palestinian campus protests, raising First Amendment concerns. Only a judge can order a green-card holder to be deported, and the government is now seeking to prove that Khalil willfully withheld information including the UNWRA work on his application, and if that information was disclosed, it would have affected if he received legal status. The additional charges the government filed last week are completely meritless. They show that the government has no case whatsoever on this bogus charge that his presence in the U.S. would have adverse foreign policy consequences, said Marc Van Der Hout, whose firm is representing Khalil. This case is purely about First Amendment protected activity and speech, and U.S. citizens and permanent residents alike are free to say what they wish about what is going on in the world. Khalils case was recently moved to New Jersey, where he was first arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement before being transferred to a facility in Louisiana. His lawyers are fighting for his release, as his wife is set to give birth next month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The new deportation grounds are patently weak and pretextual, Khalil attorney Ramzi Kassem said in a statement to The New York Times. That the government scrambled to add them at the 11th hour only highlights how its motivation from the start was to retaliate against Mr. Khalil for his protected speech in support of Palestinian rights and lives. Khalils case was the first in the Trump administrations crusade against foreign students, declaring those who participated in the pro-Palestinian protests pro-Hamas and revoking the student visa of another individual. Updated at 2:51 p.m. EDT Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. BOGOTA, March 23 (Xinhua) -- Four members of the guerrilla group National Liberation Army (ELN) were killed in an operation in Colombia's northern department of Norte de Santander, the Colombian National Army said on Sunday. Four rifles and one handgun, as well as explosives, supplies and communications equipment were seized in the raid, the army said on social platform X. The offensive follows orders to restore stability in the region, where the guerrilla group has stepped up attacks against the civilian population since January. The rebels' attacks have killed at least 80 people and displaced over 40,000 others. In response, Colombian President Gustavo Petro declared a "state of internal unrest" in the region to address threats to institutional security. Leon Panetta, who served as both the secretary of defense and director of the CIA under Barack Obama, said on Monday that Trump administration officials need to be fired following revelations that The Atlantics editor-in-chief was inadvertently added to a group chat detailing recent airstrikes in Yemen. I hope the White House takes this seriously because the last thing you want to do when youre talking about war plans is to have a serious leak like this that could undermine the war plans but also jeopardize lives, Panetta declared during a CNN interview. So I hope they take this seriously. Panettas remarks came shortly after Jeffrey Goldberg, The Atlantics top editor, published a jaw-dropping story about receiving a connection request from national security adviser Michael Waltz on the encrypted messaging app Signal. Days later, Goldberg recounted that he had been added to a text exchange called the Houthi PC small group, which included Vice President JD Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and other senior Cabinet officials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The world found out shortly before 2 p.m. eastern time on March 15 that the United States was bombing Houthi targets across Yemen. I, however, knew two hours before the first bombs exploded that the attack might be coming, Goldberg wrote. The reason I knew this is that Pete Hegseth, the secretary of defense, had texted me the war plan at 11:44 a.m. The plan included precise information about weapons packages, targets, and timing. Leon Panetta tells CNN that Trump officials "need to be fired" after inadvertently including an Atlantic editor on a Signal group chat detailing secret war plans. (CNN) Goldberg added: I could not believe that the national-security leadership of the United States would communicate on Signal about imminent war plans. I also could not believe that the national security adviser to the president would be so reckless as to include the editor in chief of The Atlantic in such discussions with senior U.S. officials, up to and including the vice president I have never seen a breach quite like this. Many of the Trump officials on the chain, specifically Hegseth, had also spent years raging about the poor handling of classified documents and lack of secure communications in past Democratic administrations. The stunning security breach, which involved the defense secretary providing highly sensitive plans of the Houthi strikes to Goldberg via an unclassified group chat, sparked a bipartisan eruption among members of Congress and the intelligence community over the administrations amateur hour antics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is an outrageous national security breach and heads should roll, Rep. Chris Deluzio (D-PA), a member of the Armed Services Committee, told Axios. The unconscionable action was sending this info over non-secure networks, Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE) added. None of this should have been sent on non-secure systems. Russia and China are surely monitoring his unclassified phone. During an appearance on CNN News Central with anchor Boris Sanchez, Panetta labeled Goldberg's inclusion in the text exchange a serious mistake and said he hoped the administration would launch a full investigation into how the journalist was included in the first place. This is just a serious blunder, Panetta stated, adding that it could violate espionage laws and undermine our national security. Asked about what would have been the worst-case scenario if someone other than Goldberg had access to the group chat, the former Pentagon chief noted that if it were somebody who did not have the United States national security interests at heart, they could have seriously disrupted these war plans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As for the administration seemingly shrugging off the story by initially framing it as merely a deep and thoughtful policy coordination between senior officials, Panetta reiterated his assertion that the White House take this breach seriously. There was a mistake here. Somebody from The Atlantic got the most sensitive emails you can imagine at the federal level. That is a serious blunder. It has to be investigated. And somebody, frankly, needs to get fired, he exclaimed. Who do you think that is, sir? Sanchez wondered. Whoever put that chain together, the former Obama official replied. Somebody put that name on a list, and whoever that was deserves to be fired. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, Trump denied any knowledge of the security lapse, telling reporters on Monday afternoon that he knows nothing about it. At the same time, he took the opportunity to blast The Atlantic, a magazine that has long faced the presidents wrath over its critical coverage of him. Im not a big fan of The Atlantic, he said. To me, it's a magazine thats going out of business. Its not much of a magazine, but I know nothing about it. In recent weeks, most recently Sunday, Vice President JD Vance has publicly criticized Denmark's stewardship of Greenland, labeling the nation "not a good ally" due to perceived restrictions on U.S. access to the Arctic territory. This rhetoric will have damaging and long-lasting effects on the U.S.-Denmark relations as Donald Trump tries to bully Denmark in his quest to take over Greenland. Former U.S. Ambassador to Denmark Rufus Gifford, in an interview with The Advocate, expressed profound shock over Vance's remarks, highlighting the deep and longstanding alliance between the United States and Denmark. Drawing from his tenure as ambassador, Gifford, who is gay, emphasized Denmark's unwavering support in various global conflicts, often at significant personal costs. Yes, Im very hurt by these comments because of my love for Denmark and years spent in this country, Gifford admitted. But its the hurt of the people that I care about, and I think that's what makes me sad more than anything. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gifford recounted his experiences as ambassador, stating that he frequently approached Danish officials with requests to deploy their forces to conflict zones, including missions against ISIS in Iraq, the removal of chemical weapons from Syria, and efforts to combat the Ebola outbreak in Africa. Denmark consistently responded with an "unequivocal and quick yes," underscoring its commitment to the alliance, Gifford said. He noted that even when these conflicts were not directly related to Danish interests, Denmarks government prioritized the alliance with the United States. Arguably, Denmark has been the best ally America has ever had, he pointed out. They have always been there for us, and for them to hear the vice president of the United States say they are a bad ally just to score political points about Greenland is just offensive. Gifford pointed out that Denmark has lost more personnel per capita than any other country in Afghanistan. He shared experiences of attending funerals and working closely with wounded Danish veterans, Many of them sustained life-altering injuries while supporting U.S. missions, Gifford recalled. I have deep concern over how these veterans and their families might feel hearing the U.S. vice president question Denmark's loyalty as an ally. I cant imagine how they are feeling. Gifford also addressed the human toll of such political rhetoric, emphasizing that the flippant nature of these comments overlooks the sacrifices made by allied nations. Americans need to recognize and vocalize their outrage over statements like Vances that undermine the contributions of steadfast allies like Denmark, Gifford urged. While our current leadership and their allied political figures may forget these sacrifices, the broader American public does not, and thats how we survive this difficult chapter in American history, by speaking out. WASHINGTON (DC News Now) A former employee for the Department of Defense (DOD) pled guilty last week to taking classified and Top Secret documents, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. According to court documents, 51-year-old Gokhan Gun, of Falls Church worked at the DOD as a civilian electrical engineer. Officials said Gun was born in Istanbul, Turkey, and is a dual citizen of Turkey and the United States. During his employment, he possessed a Top Secret security clearance and had access to Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Starting in May 2024, Gun removed at least five classified documents from the DOD, with the intent to keep them at this home. According to the attorneys office, Gun was not given permission to remove these documents from his office. DC man sentenced to 35 years for rape, kidnapping in 2023 On Aug. 9, Gun was scheduled to take a flight to Mexico. However, when FBI agents observed a ride-share service arrive at his home, they took him into custody. While searching Guns home, agents found a backpack with a Top Secret document and a notebook with notes that detailed the report. In the dining room, agents found more classified documents, one of which Gun printed just two days before his flight to Mexico. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gun faces up to five years in prison. His sentencing is scheduled for June 17. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | DC, Virginia, Maryland News, Weather, Traffic, Sports Live. LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY) A lawsuit filed by a police lieutenant who said he suffered retaliation for pointing out corruption in the Eunice Police Department has one fewer defendant, after former Chief Randy Fontenot was removed from the suit, court documents show. The American Civil Liberties Union of Louisiana filed a federal lawsuit in 2021 against the City of Eunice, Fontenot, and additional employees of the Eunice Police Department, alleging pervasive misconduct and corruption, including excessive force, neglect of inmate medical needs, mishandling of evidence and misuse of funds, which the department allegedly has not addressed. Chief Fontenot and others have engaged in a campaign of retaliation against Lt. Dunn in an attempt to force his resignation from the Eunice Police Department in violation of his First Amendment rights and numerous Louisiana state laws, the lawsuit alleges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fontenot served as Eunice police chief from 2014-22. U.S. District Judge Robert Summerhays dismissed all claims against Fontenot in a ruling in chambers dated March 20. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now KLFY Daily Digest (T)he Court finds that each of the claims asserted by Dunn against former Chief Fontenot must be dismissed based upon a lack of standing and mootness, the ruling said. Read the ruling in its entirety below: Dunn-RulingDownload Latest news Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLFY.com. An actor who appeared on the iconic "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" show has been sentenced to 25 years in prison. A longtime actor, who appeared in other shows like "Boardwalk Empire" and "The Americans," has been sentenced to more than two decades in prison for murder. Isaiah Stokes, 45, was sentenced in the murder of a man in New York City in 2021. Stokes' prison sentence was announced this week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced Stokes' prison sentence in a press release this week. The actor had been found guilty of murder earlier this month. Stokes was found guilty of murder in the second degree and two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree. He was found guilty in the death of 37-year-old Tyrone Jones. From the press release: Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that Isaiah Stokes was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison today after being convicted of murder for the fatal shooting of Tyrone Jones in St. Albans on February 7, 2021. The victim was sitting in a parked Jeep Cherokee and waiting for a friend to arrive for lunch when he was shot and killed. 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 was allegedly seeking revenge on Jones for kicking him out of a birthday party. Isaiah Stokes, embarrassed and upset that he was thrown out of a birthday party in October 2020, sought revenge on Tyrone Jones. Months later, the defendant attached a GPS tracking device to his victims vehicle and stalked Jones for more than a week. Stokes tracked Jones down to Linden Boulevard and fired 11 times into Jones vehicle, striking the man in his head and chest. 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," Katz said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Katz had more on how things transpired: On or about January 29, 2021, the defendant placed a GPS tracking device underneath Jones vehicle and used that to track down the victim on February 7, 2021. At approximately 2:30 p.m. that day, Stokes exited an Audi SUV with New Jersey license plates at the intersection of 200th Street and 118th Avenue. The defendant circled the area of 200th Street and Linden Boulevard on foot for approximately 15 minutes before he walked towards Jones Jeep Grand Cherokee, took out a gun and fired 11 times into the car. The victim, who was waiting for a friend inside the vehicle, suffered multiple gunshot wounds to the head and chest and was pronounced dead on the scene. Stokes has been acting since the 2000s. He appeared on a 2009 episode of "Law & Order: SVU" and has had roles in several other prominent shows. Now, he'll be spending most of the rest of his life behind bars. Former Obama Justice Department official Matthew Miller called for an FBI investigation after The Atlantics bombshell report that its editor was included in a group chat of Trump administration officials discussing details of a U.S. plan to bomb targets in Yemen. You dont even have to do the what about her emails thing. In any other admin, R or D, there would be an immediate FBI investigation, and there should be here as well, Miller wrote on X. He served as Office of Public Affairs director at the Obama DOJ, and then as State Department spokesperson during the Biden administration. According to The Atlantics editor-in-chief, Jeffrey Goldberg, senior Trump administration officials used a Signal group chat to discuss strikes against the Houthi militant group in Yemen earlier this month, apparently unaware that the journalist had been added to the thread. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Goldberg was reportedly invited to the group by national security adviser Mike Waltz, and then Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth sent information on weapons, targets and timing. Vice President Vance and other top officials were also in the chat, according to the magazine. A spokesman for the National Security Council confirmed the message chain was authentic, and said the administration was reviewing how an inadvertent number was added. The incident has drawn comparisons to controversy around former Secretary of State Hillary Clintons use of a private email server for official business, for which President Trump has long called to lock her up. Democrats have piled on to slam Hegseth for the incident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Every single one of the government officials on this text chain have now committed a crime even if accidentally that would normally involve a jail sentence. We cant trust anyone in this dangerous administration to keep Americans safe, Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.) wrote on X. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. WILKES-BARRE TWP. LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) A former Schuylkill County police officer is accused of getting caught impersonating an officer to police. Wilkes-Barre Township Police say they pulled over 31-year-old Angel Abreu-Nunez after they saw his truck had a fraudulent/counterfeit Pennsylvania Temporary License Plate. During the stop, police said Abreu-Nunez identified himself as an off-duty officer and provided a Municipal Police Officers Education and Training Commission identification card for a police department in Schuylkill County. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several packets of meth seized from apartment, woman arrested Police called the Schuylkill County police department and verified that Abreu-Nunez hadnt worked for the department in about a year. Abreu-Nunez was taken into custody, and another police ID was found along with a badge of another police department in Schuylkill County where he was also no longer employed, police said. Officers say a search of Abreu-Nunezs vehicle found more fraudulent/counterfeit Pennsylvania Temporary license plates and police believe he was creating them himself. Officers claimed Abreu-Nunez could not name a police department he worked for. He was taken to Luzerne County Correctional Facility and charges are pending. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PAhomepage.com. Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd confirmed the arrest of one of his own deputies who was on the job for less than a year. Grady said Jake Germak, 21, who was a trainee and deputy, was arrested after a forgery investigation. The sheriff said it started after Germaks investigation of a theft complaint on March 17, but he failed to get the victim to sign the required documentation. He said the deputy texted the victim, telling her she needed to fill out the form for the official report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Grady said Germak later texted her again, saying he got it handled. Grady said when detectives spoke to the victim the next day, they mentioned those texts. Grady said the she told deputies she had spoken with Germak after getting the texts, and he mentioned that she had signed the documents, which she knew she did not do. Detectives studied the documents and determined the signatures were not hers. Upon questioning, Germak admitted he signed her name, according to the sheriff. Germak was arrested and charged with forgery, uttering a false instrument, using the ID of another person without consent and public servant altering an official document. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Germak resigned when he was arrested. Grady said if had not resigned, he would have been fired. Public servants must be held to a higher standard, and dishonesty will not be tolerated. Germaks conduct was unethical and criminal, and we are making sure he will be held responsible, Judd said in a news release. Germak was hired by the Polk County Sheriffs Office on April 29, 2024. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. Mia Love, then mayor of Saratoga Springs, Utah, speaks during the Republican National Convention at the Tampa Bay Times Forum on Aug. 28, 2012 in Tampa, Florida. Love died of brain cancer at age 49 on Sunday, March 23, 2025. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images) Mia Love, who made history as the nations first Black Republican congresswoman as well as the first Black woman to serve as a mayor in Utah and to represent the state in Washington, D.C., died peacefully at home with family on Sunday after battling glioblastoma multiforme brain cancer. She was 49. In her political journey, which emphasized keeping government small and decision-making local, Love rarely shone a spotlight on her race or gender. The daughter of Haitian-American immigrants, she did, however, celebrate her familys legacy of hard work and self-reliance, often quoting her fathers insistence that they never take a handout, and instead do all they could to give back. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Love was the wife of Jason Love and the mother of three children, Alessa, Abigale and Peyton. In a social media post Sunday night, Loves family said she quietly passed away in the midst of a celebration of her life and an avalanche of happy memories. A flood of condolences and tributes followed. The news came just over three weeks after Loves daughter posted on Loves X account, which had been quiet since September, that as her mothers cancer had stopped responding to treatment and was spreading, the family was focused on enjoying the time they had left with her. Days later, Loves husband and children visited both the Utah House and Senate during the states legislative session, carrying a tablet to connect Love via video as she was honored. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Love revealed in 2023 a diagnosis that was expected to take her life in months, but that she said was kept at bay through exceptional medical care and profound faith. This month, she published in the Deseret News what she wrote was her living wish for America, rather than a dying one, celebrating the freedom and opportunity she sees in the country that is made possible not by government, but by good people. Love Family: With grateful hearts filled to overflowing for the profound influence of Mia on our lives, we want you to know that she passed away peacefully today. She was in her home surrounded by family. In the midst of a celebration of her life and an avalanche of happy pic.twitter.com/YzhAuH1l9x Mia Love (@MiaBLove) March 24, 2025 Born Ludmya Bourdeau, Mia for short, Love was born Dec. 6, 1975, in Brooklyn, New York, just over a year after her parents, Jean Maxime and Marie Bourdeau, escaped the regime of Haitian dictator Francois Papa Doc Duvalier and came to the United States, according to her U.S. House of Representatives archive biography. After gaining citizenship and being reunited with Loves two older siblings, who had initially remained in Haiti, the Bourdeaus moved to Norwalk, Connecticut, in 1981. In high school there, Love developed a love of theater. She went on to earn a fine arts degree at the University of Hartford in West Hartford, Connecticut. She joined The Church of Jesus of Latter-day Saints and moved to Utah, where she married Jason Love. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was local issues in her home of Saratoga Springs, Utah, that drew Love into politics. She was elected to the City Council in 2003 and became mayor in 2009. In 2012, Love challenged six-term incumbent Democrat Jim Matheson for Utahs 4th Congressional District seat, losing by just 768 votes in a three-way race that included Libertarian Jim Vein. She had declared plans to run again when Matheson announced he wouldnt seek reelection. She narrowly defeated Democrat Doug Owens in 2014, then won reelection against Owens by a slightly wider margin in 2016. During her two terms in the House, Loves bio notes that she rarely appended her own proposals to the omnibus legislative packages and short-term funding deals that dominated Congress work, saying I tend to stay to myself I do these things on my own. She also joined the Congressional Black Caucus, which at the time was made up entirely of Democrats, after criticizing the group during her campaigns. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2018, Love lost her reelection bid in a close race with Democrat Ben McAdams, Salt Lake County mayor. McAdams was unseated after one term by Republican Rep. Burgess Owens. Love went on to finish her career as a political media commentator. She authored a memoir, Qualified, that was released in early 2023 detailing her upbringing, faith journey and time in government. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX An aerial drone photo taken on March 17, 2025 shows a bridge on Yuandang Lake linking Wujiang District of Suzhou City in east China's Jiangsu Province and Qingpu District of east China's Shanghai. Through joint protection and governance, the lake has now become a tourist attraction. In recent years, Wujiang District of Suzhou City has worked together with Qingpu District of Shanghai and Jiashan County of Zhejiang Province to promote green development through joint protection and governance of ecological environment, intelligent management and setting up emission trading systems, as part of a campaign to accelerate the construction of demonstration zones for green and integrated ecological development of the Yangtze River Delta. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng) An aerial drone photo taken on March 17, 2025 shows a bridge on Yuandang Lake linking Wujiang District of Suzhou City in east China's Jiangsu Province and Qingpu District of east China's Shanghai. Through joint protection and governance, the lake has now become a tourist attraction. In recent years, Wujiang District of Suzhou City has worked together with Qingpu District of Shanghai and Jiashan County of Zhejiang Province to promote green development through joint protection and governance of ecological environment, intelligent management and setting up emission trading systems, as part of a campaign to accelerate the construction of demonstration zones for green and integrated ecological development of the Yangtze River Delta. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng) Waterfowls are pictured on Yuandang Lake in east China on March 17, 2025. Through joint protection and governance, the lake has now become a tourist attraction. In recent years, Wujiang District of Suzhou City has worked together with Qingpu District of Shanghai and Jiashan County of Zhejiang Province to promote green development through joint protection and governance of ecological environment, intelligent management and setting up emission trading systems, as part of a campaign to accelerate the construction of demonstration zones for green and integrated ecological development of the Yangtze River Delta. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng) Staff members from ecological environment departments in Wujiang District of Suzhou City in Jiangsu Province, Qingpu District of Shanghai and Jiashan County of Zhejiang Province conduct joint water quality monitoring on the Taipu River in Wujiang District of Suzhou City, east China's Jiangsu Province, March 18, 2025. In recent years, Wujiang District of Suzhou City has worked together with Qingpu District of Shanghai and Jiashan County of Zhejiang Province to promote green development through joint protection and governance of ecological environment, intelligent management and setting up emission trading systems, as part of a campaign to accelerate the construction of demonstration zones for green and integrated ecological development of the Yangtze River Delta. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng) An aerial drone photo taken on March 17, 2025 shows a bridge on Yuandang Lake linking Wujiang District of Suzhou City in east China's Jiangsu Province and Qingpu District of east China's Shanghai. Through joint protection and governance, the lake has now become a tourist attraction. In recent years, Wujiang District of Suzhou City has worked together with Qingpu District of Shanghai and Jiashan County of Zhejiang Province to promote green development through joint protection and governance of ecological environment, intelligent management and setting up emission trading systems, as part of a campaign to accelerate the construction of demonstration zones for green and integrated ecological development of the Yangtze River Delta. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng) Law enforcement officers from ecological environment departments in Wujiang District of Suzhou City of Jiangsu Province, Qingpu District of Shanghai and Jiashan County of Zhejiang Province check monitoring equipment at an industrial waste water treatment plant in Wujiang District of Suzhou City in Jiangsu Province, March 18, 2025. In recent years, Wujiang District of Suzhou City has worked together with Qingpu District of Shanghai and Jiashan County of Zhejiang Province to promote green development through joint protection and governance of ecological environment, intelligent management and setting up emission trading systems, as part of a campaign to accelerate the construction of demonstration zones for green and integrated ecological development of the Yangtze River Delta. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng) A drone photo taken on March 17, 2025 shows a staff member checking an automatic water quality monitoring station by the Taipu River in Wujiang District of Suzhou City, east China's Jiangsu Province. In recent years, Wujiang District of Suzhou City has worked together with Qingpu District of Shanghai and Jiashan County of Zhejiang Province to promote green development through joint protection and governance of ecological environment, intelligent management and setting up emission trading systems, as part of a campaign to accelerate the construction of demonstration zones for green and integrated ecological development of the Yangtze River Delta. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng) A drone patrols to collect data for an intelligent management platform developed to protect the environment of the Taipu River in Wujiang District of Suzhou City, east China's Jiangsu Province, March 17, 2025. In recent years, Wujiang District of Suzhou City has worked together with Qingpu District of Shanghai and Jiashan County of Zhejiang Province to promote green development through joint protection and governance of ecological environment, intelligent management and setting up emission trading systems, as part of a campaign to accelerate the construction of demonstration zones for green and integrated ecological development of the Yangtze River Delta. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng) An aerial drone photo taken on March 18, 2025 shows cargo ships sailing on Fenhu section of Taipu River in Wujiang District of Suzhou City, east China's Jiangsu Province. Taipu River, which originates from Taihu Lake in the west and flows into Huangpu River in the east, is a key river in the demonstration zones for green and integrated ecological development of the Yangtze River Delta. In recent years, Wujiang District of Suzhou City has worked together with Qingpu District of Shanghai and Jiashan County of Zhejiang Province to promote green development through joint protection and governance of ecological environment, intelligent management and setting up emission trading systems, as part of a campaign to accelerate the construction of demonstration zones for green and integrated ecological development of the Yangtze River Delta. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng) A staff member introduces an intelligent management platform developed to protect the environment of the Taipu River in Wujiang District of Suzhou City, east China's Jiangsu Province, March 17, 2025. In recent years, Wujiang District of Suzhou City has worked together with Qingpu District of Shanghai and Jiashan County of Zhejiang Province to promote green development through joint protection and governance of ecological environment, intelligent management and setting up emission trading systems, as part of a campaign to accelerate the construction of demonstration zones for green and integrated ecological development of the Yangtze River Delta. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng) Staff members from the environmental monitoring station of Wujiang test waste water samples collected at an industrial waste water treatment plant in Wujiang District of Suzhou City in Jiangsu Province, March 18, 2025. In recent years, Wujiang District of Suzhou City has worked together with Qingpu District of Shanghai and Jiashan County of Zhejiang Province to promote green development through joint protection and governance of ecological environment, intelligent management and setting up emission trading systems, as part of a campaign to accelerate the construction of demonstration zones for green and integrated ecological development of the Yangtze River Delta. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng) An aerial drone photo taken on March 18, 2025 shows a view of Taipu River in Wujiang District of Suzhou City, east China's Jiangsu Province. Taipu River, which originates from Taihu Lake in the west and flows into Huangpu River in the east, is a key river in the demonstration zones for green and integrated ecological development of the Yangtze River Delta. In recent years, Wujiang District of Suzhou City has worked together with Qingpu District of Shanghai and Jiashan County of Zhejiang Province to promote green development through joint protection and governance of ecological environment, intelligent management and setting up emission trading systems, as part of a campaign to accelerate the construction of demonstration zones for green and integrated ecological development of the Yangtze River Delta. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng) [Watch previous FOX 8 News coverage in the player above.] AKRON, Ohio (WJW) A 12-year-old Akron boy whose suspicious death is now under investigation was allegedly forced into ice baths for more than 30 minutes at a time as a form of corporal punishment, according to a criminal complaint obtained by FOX 8 News. Anthony J. McCants, 23, of Akron, who was watching the boy at the time, according to the complaint, is now charged in Akron Municipal Court with a third-degree felony count of endangering children. He was arraigned Monday morning and handed a $500,000 bond, court records show. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Woman with dementia killed by daughters dogs: Deputies The Summit County Medical Examiners Office on Monday identified the boy as Jadako Taylor, of Akron. An autopsy was performed Monday, but his cause of death is still pending investigation, according to a Monday update. Taylor was allegedly forced into two ice baths or cold plunges, one lasting 45 minutes and another lasting at least 30 minutes, with short breaks of push-ups and other physical activity in between, according to the complaint. It started some time after 5 a.m. on Saturday, according to the complaint. At about 2 p.m., during the second round of punishment, Taylor began to vomit and seize, according to the complaint. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Akron police officers on Saturday afternoon responded to a home in the 100 block of South Balch Street, for a report of a person in cardiac arrest, FOX 8 News previously reported. WJW photo Firefighters found Taylor unresponsive. He was rushed to Akron Childrens Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. His core temperature was 74 degrees, according to the complaint. Hypothermia sets in when the bodys temperature drops below 95 degrees, according to the Cleveland Clinic. A preliminary investigation showed there was foul play involved, according to a previous news release from police. Officers later arrested McCants, who they said is known to the family. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McCants case will now go before a Summit County grand jury for possible indictment. Mother, child rescued from Parma house fire The investigation is ongoing. Anyone who can offer information is urged to call Akron detectives at 330-375-2490 or 330-375-2TIP (330-375-2847). Anonymous tips can also be provided by: Calling Summit County Crimestoppers at 330-434-COPS (330-434-2677) Texting TIPSCO with your tip to 274637 Downloading the Akron Police Department app and texting Tips411 or visiting the police departments 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 Fox 8 Cleveland WJW. DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) Authorities have located the owner of loose cows in Clearcreek Township. According to the Clearcreek Twp. Police Department, three loose cows were found on Vicki Lane near Pekin Road. Clearcreek Township Police Department Law enforcement confirmed at 11:30 a.m. that the owner of the cows made contact. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Four alpacas have been shot dead in a rural village in Cambridgeshire. The animals were killed in the parish of East Hatley, near Gamlingay while a fifth alpaca suffered a gunshot wound to its face but survived. Brian French, 71, and his 58-year-old wife Dawn, the owners of the alpacas, said a farmhand had discovered a scene of carnage on Sunday morning. Alpacas, named Calvin, Klein, Martha and Juniper had been shot in the head while trying to run away. Phoebe was shot in the face but survived. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr French told The Telegraph: Its horrific. Its something I cant actually believe that someone could do to a poor innocent animal. He said the alpacas were found at different places in the field, suggesting they had tried to run away during the shooting spree, adding: Theyd burst through fencing and even tried to get through the gate there was blood all over that. They were shooting them on the move. Every one was a head shot. Its such a bizarre thing to happen to your pets. It was horrendous because of the velocity its such a big gun. Half the faces were missing. Brian French with the surviving alpacas, Phoebe and Frankie, and a South Downs sheep - Jamie Lorriman Mr French said only time would tell whether the surviving alpaca would recover. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He added: We used to have 32 of them at one point, but we stopped because the market changed and these were just pets. They are nice, inquisitive, theyll come and greet you. Theyre very good at home because weve got chickens and theyll tell when a fox is about. Sgt Tom Nuttall, of the Rural Crime Action Team, said: This was a highly distressing crime that has caused death and serious injury to defenceless animals. I would encourage anyone who knows anything about this offence to get in touch as soon as possible. Officers have carried out house-to-house inquiries. The farm owner, who asked not to be named, said of the alpacas: They were just lovely. It was so nice to see them every day. When we had visitors we would bring them out to look at them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The woman, who has lived on the farm for 32 years, said she could not work out how the culprits made it onto the farm and slaughtered the animals undetected. On Saturday, she saw the alpacas alive when her gardener left at 6pm, and that night, she heard nothing from her bedroom, which is just 300 metres from the paddock where the herd was kept. Police at the scene of the shootings in East Hatley, Cambridgeshire She was only told of their deaths on Sunday morning by Mr and Mrs French, who she described as distraught. She said: Its so upsetting. They told me not to look so I kept away. Were very private here, you cant see them from the road. They must have known they were there. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alpacas originate from Peru but have become increasingly popular in the UK at farms and attractions. There are thought to be about 35,000 in the UK, and they are often treated more like pets than livestock. In 2021 an alpaca living in Gloucestershire became the centre of a High Court battle after it tested positive for bovine tuberculosis. Geronimos owner, Helen Macdonald, insisted the animal was well and had produced two false positive results. Thousands signed a petition in a bid to thwart its execution before Defra officials removed it from its paddock in Gloucestershire and euthanised it. Last year, a herd of alpacas escaped from a farm in Cambridgeshire and wandered onto a busy dual carriageway, forcing drivers doing 70mph to swerve out of the way. 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. MONTPELIER, Vt. (ABC22/FOX44) Four juveniles from Massachusetts were taken into custody following an incident that began when a man covered in blood called Montpelier police. The man told officers that several people had threatened him with a gun at a Hebert Street apartment just after 5 a.m. Sunday. The man said he feared for his safety and escaped through a window, cutting himself in the process. Officers watched the residence and a vehicle that had visited the address was stopped by Berlin police. Officers say the vehicles occupants admitted to buying drugs from the apartment. Police took the driver into custody for suspicion of DUI-Drugs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Montpelier police say evidence suggested possible illegal drug activity, reckless endangerment, and an alleged aggravated assault. They executed a search warrant for the apartment and allegedly seized a firearm. Police said two of the people taken into custody were 15 years of age; one was 17; one was 18. No other details were available; the condition of the bloodied man is unknown. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. FRANKLIN, Tenn. (WKRN) After an hours-long search by Franklin authorities, the gunman in a shooting on West Main Street Monday claims he fired a weapon in self defense. CRIME TRACKER | Read the latest crime-related reports from across Middle Tennessee Franklin police said the shooting happened in a parking lot in the 1400 block of West Main Street around 3 p.m. The 44-year-old victim from Franklin sustained a non life-threatening injury to his lower leg. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Franklin police reported a 29-year-old Franklin man turned himself in around 5 p.m. He told detectives he was assaulted by the 44-year-old man as he attempted to enter a store. The shooter added the altercation continued into the parking lot where he had no choice but to defend himself by using his pistol, according to a release. It is quite rare for something like this to happen, the Franklin Police Departments public information officer, Max Winitz, told News 2. Whats not rare is the hard work [and] the diligence that the men and women of the Franklin Police Department put into every investigation this one included. The shooter was interviewed and released from police custody. He has not been charged and the case remains under investigation. No additional information was immediately released. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. The murder trial of a man accused of shooting his estranged wife and then burning her alive started on Monday in Bordeaux, in south-western France. The 48-year-old defendant faces a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison. The man reportedly ambushed the 31-year-old woman outside her home in Merignac almost four years ago and shot her in both legs with a pistol as she was on her way to pick up her children from school. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In front of horrified neighbours, he then poured petrol on her and set her on fire, before also setting fire to her apartment. First responders and an emergency doctor were unable to save the woman's life. The man was apprehended shortly afterwards. He later told investigators that he had wanted to punish the woman, who had filed for divorce, but not kill her. The victim had previously reported the man several times for domestic violence. In 2020, he was sentenced to nine months in prison after attempting to strangle her. The gruesome act caused great horror throughout France. Many were outraged over failures by the police and judiciary to protect the threatened woman. President Donald Trump spent part of his Sunday railing against a portrait of himself thats been hanging in the Colorado Capitol for nearly six years. Nobody likes a bad picture or painting of themselves, but the one in Colorado, in the State Capitol, put up by the Governor, along with all other Presidents, was purposefully distorted to a level that even I, perhaps, have never seen before, he griped on his Truth Social website. Trump said a portrait of President Barack Obama created by the same artist, Sarah Boardman, looks wonderful. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the president slammed the image of himself as truly the worst. Check it out in this 2019 photo taken after the unveiling: President Donald Trump's portrait hangs in the Colorado Capitol after a 2019 unveiling ceremony in Denver. Colorado Republicans raised more than $10,000 through a GoFundMe account to commission the portrait, which was painted by Sarah Boardman, an artist who also produced the Capitol's portrait of President Barack Obama. Thomas Peipert via Associated Press The president insisted that many people have called and written to complain about the image, which he blamed on Gov. Jared Polis (D). Jared should be ashamed of himself! Trump said as he demanded that Polis take the portrait down. But Polis wasnt behind the painting, which was commissioned in 2018, before he took office, after a prankster placed a portrait of Russian President Vladimir Putin in a spot where an image of Trump should have been, but wasnt. There was no image of Trump at the time because no money had been raised to commission it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When that story went viral, Kevin Grantham a Republican who was president of the Colorado Senate at the time raised more than $10,000 via crowdfunding for the portrait. At the unveiling in 2019, the artist said her image was meant to stand the test of time. In five, 10, 15, 20 years, he will be another president on the wall who is only historical background and he needs to look neutral, Boardman said, according to Colorado Public Radio. She also described her process to the Colorado Times Recorder in an interview conducted as she worked on the piece. When I start to paint a portrait, it is the portrait, likeness, and essence of the subject which I strive to portray, she said. Any personal feelings about any subject are not relevant and are left outside the studio per my training to leave those emotions at the door. Six year later, however, and Trumps emotions appear to be getting the better of him as he railed against the portrait. The presidents critics mocked him over the meltdown: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement LOUISBURG, Kan. A memorial is growing at the Agapes Grace office site in Louisburg, honoring Anthony Juarez and his contributions to the Drexel and Louisburg communities. Juarez and his wife Devin were hospitalized after a car crashed into the Agapes Grace office building on March 18. Anthony later passed away from his injuries at the hospital. His wife, Devin, was treated and released from the hospital. Trump invites Chiefs back to the White House for Super Bowl LIV celebration Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Community members are coming together to support his family, including Sammie Magee, the founder of the non-profit Sammies Toy Drive. So he has four children under 12. So were collecting toys for the kids, and then were collecting household items to help out his wife, Magee said. Im going to put together a big care package with gas station gift cards and price chopper gift cards because thats our local grocery store. Just anything that could help them out during this time. Magee created the non-profit Sammies Toy Drive for the Robb Elementary School tragedy survivors. Her efforts have expanded to local communities struck by tragedy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When I found out that he (Anthony Juarez) passed away, I thought Ive got Sammies Toy Drive, so why would I not do something? Its my own community. Ive got to step in and help, Magee explained. Juarez served with the Drexel Volunteer Fire Department for nine years. He was also a musician and touched plenty of lives through his music. He assisted his mother in operating the non-profit Agapes Grace, which provides care to adults with special needs. Thats where youll find a memorial full of flowers and other items recognizing Anthonys contributions to the community. The Agapes Grace website says: His role with the company was not one that can be defined. When a job needed done, Anthony did it. He was there for all the individuals in the companys care and for the staff. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Magee is using an Amazon wishlist to collect items for the Juarez family. It has anything from toys to gift cards to household items that will help them out. Also, we have a donation drop box at Cowboy Coffee Post in Louisburg, Magee explained. OKKC Media started a T-shirt fundraiser for the Juarez family. You can find more information on Anthonys music website. Northland crash leaves pedestrian in critical condition It has anything from toys to gift cards to household items that will help them out. Also, we have a donation drop box at Cowboy Coffee Post in Louisburg, Magee explained. OKKC Media started a T-shirt fundraiser for the Juarez family. You can find more information on Anthonys music website. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. A staff member poses for photos at the company campus of the watch manufacturer SEA-GULL in north China's Tianjin, March 24, 2025. SEA-GULL, a watch manufacturer based in north China's Tianjin, celebrated the 70th anniversary of New China's first domestic watch with various activities on Monday. In 1955, a watch was successfully developed in Tianjin, marking SEA-GULL as the birthplace of the nation's pioneering timepiece. After seven decades of research and development efforts, the company has mastered advanced watchmaking technologies with independent intellectual property rights. (Xinhua/Zhao Zishuo) Staff members assemble watches at a workshop of the watch manufacturer SEA-GULL in north China's Tianjin, March 24, 2025. SEA-GULL, a watch manufacturer based in north China's Tianjin, celebrated the 70th anniversary of New China's first domestic watch with various activities on Monday. In 1955, a watch was successfully developed in Tianjin, marking SEA-GULL as the birthplace of the nation's pioneering timepiece. After seven decades of research and development efforts, the company has mastered advanced watchmaking technologies with independent intellectual property rights. (Xinhua/Zhao Zishuo) This photo taken on March 24, 2025 shows the first domestic watch displayed at a museum of the watch manufacturer SEA-GULL in north China's Tianjin. SEA-GULL, a watch manufacturer based in north China's Tianjin, celebrated the 70th anniversary of New China's first domestic watch with various activities on Monday. In 1955, a watch was successfully developed in Tianjin, marking SEA-GULL as the birthplace of the nation's pioneering timepiece. After seven decades of research and development efforts, the company has mastered advanced watchmaking technologies with independent intellectual property rights. (Xinhua/Zhao Zishuo) A staff member looks at a watch movement model at a museum of the watch manufacturer SEA-GULL in north China's Tianjin, March 24, 2025. SEA-GULL, a watch manufacturer based in north China's Tianjin, celebrated the 70th anniversary of New China's first domestic watch with various activities on Monday. In 1955, a watch was successfully developed in Tianjin, marking SEA-GULL as the birthplace of the nation's pioneering timepiece. After seven decades of research and development efforts, the company has mastered advanced watchmaking technologies with independent intellectual property rights. (Xinhua/Zhao Zishuo) A staff member tests a watch at a workshop of the watch manufacturer SEA-GULL in north China's Tianjin, March 24, 2025. SEA-GULL, a watch manufacturer based in north China's Tianjin, celebrated the 70th anniversary of New China's first domestic watch with various activities on Monday. In 1955, a watch was successfully developed in Tianjin, marking SEA-GULL as the birthplace of the nation's pioneering timepiece. After seven decades of research and development efforts, the company has mastered advanced watchmaking technologies with independent intellectual property rights. (Xinhua/Zhao Zishuo) Mr Egede said given Mr Trumps claims that Greenland is essential for US security, we are now at a level where it can in no way be characterised as a harmless visit from a politician's wife. (NewsNation) President Donald Trump announced the production of the U.S. Air Forces next generation of fighter jets: the F-47. Retired Air Force Brig. Gen. John Teichert describes the aircraft on Morning in America. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Updated 2.45 am PT: Gerard Depardieu arrived at a Paris court for his trial on sexual assault charges on Monday to feminist protests outside the building and a media scrum inside. The trial will examine two separate accusations by a set decorator and an assistant director referred to as Amelie and Sarah who say they were sexually assaulted by Depardieu on the set of Jean Beckers The Green Shutters in 2021. More from Deadline Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Based on the eponymous 1950 novel by Georges Simenon, Depardieu stars in the film as a tyrannical, celebrated actor at the height of his powers, in the grip of a personal crisis. The trial comes amid at least 20 public allegations of sexually inappropriate behavior against Depardieu, which he denies. These accusations have destroyed his reputation as one of Frances most celebrated actors, whose some 200 credits include Oscar-nominated performance in Cyrano de Bergerac as well as his role opposite Andie MacDowell in Peter Weirs romantic comedy Green Card. Around 50 women gathered outside the courthouse ahead of Depardieus arrival holding banners in support of the two plaintiffs and also channeling sexually explicit phrases the actor is alleged to have used in relation to women working on sets over the years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Actress Charlotte Arnould who is pursuing a separate official complaint against Depardieu of two acts of rape allegedly committed in 2018, also turned up at the courthouse, where she was captured being embraced by actress Anouk Grinberg, who was one of the first high profile French cinema figures to publicly speak out about Depardieu. Arnoulds case related to events in 2018, is still making its way through the French judicial system and it remains to be seen whether it will result in a trial. Charlotte Arnould (L) and French actress Anouk Grinberg embrace as they arrive for the opening trial of Gerard Depardieu The current trial, due to run March 25 and 26, will mark the first time Depardieu is in court on official charges of sexual assault. According to a report by investigative news site Mediapart in 2024, the set decorator recounted that Depardieu had grabbed her brutally and locked her in by closing his legs around her and kneaded her waist, stomach, going up her breasts on the set of The Green Shutters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other crew members who prised the actor off, urged her to lodge an official complaint and the incident was also raised with the director Becker, who was also supportive of such a move, according to her account to Mediapart. The set decorator, who has since left the cinema industry, also recounted how she had tried to avoid contact with Depardieu for the rest of the production, but whenever their paths crossed, he would give her a dark look and mutter insults under his breath. In a separate official case, Depardieu also faces an official complaint of two acts of rape dating back to 2018 by actress Charlotte Arnould, which is still making its way through the courts some seven years later. Depardieu has denied the rape allegations and mounting sexual assault accusations against him, even publishing a letter in the Le Figaro newspaper in October 2023, suggesting his acts had been misinterpreted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The letter followed a detailed investigative report by French investigative news website Mediapart in April 2023, in which 13 women accused the actor of sexually inappropriate behavior. Two months after the open letter, Depardieu came under further public scrutiny following the broadcast of a bombshell edition of investigative show Complement dEnquete, which probed these historic accusations as well as other acts of inappropriate behavior. News of Depardieus expected appearance was covered by all of French media, which for a long time did not address allegations bubbling in the film industry against him. Liberation newspaper, which has led reporting on the case with Mediapart, signaled the wider implications of the trial. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Who will be tried on March 24 and 25 A man like any other? A symbol? Or a monster so sacred for so long that it went without saying that he was far above the laws and rules and accountable to no-one?, asked the newspaper in a two-page spread in its Monday edition. Best of Deadline Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Paris French cinema icon Gerard Depardieu is in court in Paris this week, accused of sexually assaulting two women in 2021. A set designer, 34, and an assistant producer, 54, claim the actor grabbed and groped them while filming "Les Volets Verts" ("The Green Shutters") in Paris in August and September 2021. Taking the stand Tuesday for the first time, Depardieu told the court he was nothing like the man described by the two women. "I don't see why I would grope a woman, her buttocks, her breasts," he said. "I'm not somebody who rubs himself up against people on the metro." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The actor said it was "very emotional" being in court. The two women did not immediately report the alleged offenses. However, after the actor published an open letter in Le Figaro newspaper in October 2023 in which he stated: "Never, never have I abused a woman," the set designer went to the police. She reported Depardieu for alleged sexual assault, sexual harassment and sexist insults. The trial first opened in October, but it was adjourned due to Depardieu's failing health. His lawyer told the court the 76-year-old was diabetic and had recently undergone a quadruple-bypass heart surgery. French actor Gerard Depardieu (left) walks with his lawyer Jeremie Assous as he arrives for the opening of his trial in which he is accused of sexually assaulting two women during a film shoot in 2021, at the Paris criminal court in the Tribunal de Paris courthouse, March 24, 2025. / Credit: DIMITAR DILKOFF/AFP/Getty Medical experts later deemed him fit to attend the trial, but limited the hearings to six hours per day, with a provision for 15-minute pauses if Depardieu needed them. The trial that opened Monday was scheduled to run for only two days, but it may go longer if his health requires breaks in the proceedings. Depardieu was in court for the trial's opening on Monday. As they walked in together, his lawyer told reporters the actor was happy to have the chance to present his side. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Gerard Depardieu is someone who is very free, who can be extremely direct," said his lawyer Jeremie Assous, who dismissed the accusations as "lies." Dozens of protesters, mostly women, gathered outside the courthouse, denouncing what they called endemic sexism and impunity for sex offenders in French cinema and French society. They told reporters they were pleased the actor was finally in court to answer the allegations, and waved placards with messages including: "Victims, we believe you; rapists, we see you"; "Touch one, you answer to all". A giant of French cinema, Depardieu has been more infamous than famous in recent years. He's been accused of sexual misconduct by more than a dozen women in the movie industry. Many of the claims surfaced years after the alleged incidents took place, however, so under French law the actor cannot be tried for them. In a high-profile move, the actor left his native France for a few years about a decade ago, moving to Belgium, having criticized French tax increases. Depardieu has been open about his admiration for Russia under autocratic President Vladimir Putin, who bestowed Russian citizenship on him in 2013. He later also became a citizen of Dubai. Depardieu, who denies all the charges against him, faces five years in prison and a fine equivalent to about $80,000 if he is convicted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sen. Rand Paul says he thinks Supreme Court will uphold the Alien Enemies Act for deportations George Clooney: The 2025 60 Minutes Interview Tiger Woods confirms relationship with Vanessa Trump, Donald Trump Jr.'s ex-wife A 23-year-old makeup artist with no known gang affiliation was among the hundreds of Venezuelan men deported to El Salvadors infamous CECOT prison without due process last week. Lindsay Toczylowski, co-founder and president of the Immigrant Defenders Law Center, painted a harrowing picture while recounting how her client was disappeared during an appearance on The Rachel Maddow Show on Thursday. Andrys, who is gay and whose last name is being withheld due to concerns over his safety, initially arrived in the U.S. seeking asylum but was detained after immigration officials decided his tattoos could be a sign of gang affiliation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His attorney firmly denied the accusation, telling Maddow, These are not the tattoos of somebody who is involved with gangs. These are normal tattoos that you would see on anybody at a coffee shop anywhere in the United States or Venezuela. Though Andrys was scheduled to appear in U.S. immigration court last week, he was forcibly removed from the country last weekend despite a judges order to keep him and over 250 other men on U.S. soil until further legal review. The last time he spoke to his family, they believed he would deported to Venezuela, according to an interview with his mother and the Venezuelan news outlet Cronica Uno detailed by The Advocate. Instead, he was sent to El Salvadors Terrorism Confinement Center, known as CECOT, where he has yet to speak to his family or his attorneys. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In her communications with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Toczylowski was told the agency would not help her make contact with Andrys. They will not facilitate communication with our client, because he has, in their words, been removed, she told Maddow. Toczylowski said she has grave concerns about Andrys safety at CECOT, a 40,000-capacity prison complex where people are often held without a trial or release date and kept in brutally spartan living conditions. Telling Maddow her team is pursuing all avenues to seek Andrys release, she added, Because our clients life is at risk. Were concerned for his safety. And the fact that he was forcibly taken from the United States with no due process ... its something that really shocks the conscience in a way that we havent seen since family separation happened in 2018. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last Sunday, El Salvadors President Nayib Bukele appeared to celebrate the arrival of the deportees as he posted a video of shackled men being ushered off a plane and processed for detention to his social media. Remarking on U.S. District Judge James E. Boasbergs unheeded order blocking the deportations, Bukeles caption read, Oopsie Too late. The staunch Trump ally, who has called himself the worlds coolest dictator, agreed to take in the U.S.s deported migrants earlier this month in exchange for $6 million a year, paid for by American tax dollars. Related... 23andme has filed for bankruptcy, raising questions for millions on what happens to data sent in by customers curious about their ancestry. The announcement was made Sunday, March 23, in a news release. The bankruptcy and departure of co-founder and CEO Anne Wojcicki followed struggles after a data breach in 2023 and a falling demand for its ancestry testing kits. In 2024, the company laid off 200 employees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 23andMe files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. What does this mean for Floridians data? 23andme, which described itself as a "leading human genetics and biotechnology company," filed for bankruptcy to "facilitate a sale process to maximize the value of its business. The Company intends to continue operating its business in the ordinary course throughout the sale process," the news release said. 23andme data breach affected almost 7 million customers The company was hacked in 2023, compromising data in nearly 6.9 million DNA Relatives and Family Tree profiles. Leaked data included users' account information, location, ancestry reports, DNA matches, family names, profile pictures, birthdates and more. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The company reached a settlement of $30 million for the customers whose personal information was breached. How can you delete your genetic data from 23andme? 23andme said it is "committed to continuing to safeguard customer data and being transparent about the management of user data going forward, and data privacy will be an important consideration in any potential transaction. California's attorney general, Rob Bonta, who sent out a "consumer alert for 23andme customers," outlined these steps to delete your genetic data from 23andme: Log into your 23andMe account on its 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The company said the data is deleted once a user submits and confirms the request. Does 23andme delete all your personal information? According to the 23andme's website, while users can remove their personal information anytime by opting out of the 23andMe data section of account settings, the company is legally required to retain certain information. "23andMe and/or our contracted genotyping laboratory will retain your Genetic Information, date of birth and sex as required for compliance with applicable legal obligations... even if you chose to delete your account," the company's privacy statement said. Can you ask 23andme to destroy the test sample you sent? "If you previously opted to have your saliva sample and DNA stored by 23andMe, but want to change that preference, you can do so from your account settings page, under Preferences," according to California's attorney general. Contributing: Marley Malenfant, Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: 23andme and how to delete data after company bankruptcy ESCAMBIA COUNTY, Fla (WDHN) A Geneva semi-truck driver was seriously injured in a three vehicle crash on a Florida-panhandle interstate. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the 55-year-old woman from Geneva was driving a tractor-trailer eastbound down interstate 10, near the 7.5 mile marker, when she began to hydroplane and crossed the median. Troopers say the womans truck went into the westbound lanes of the interstate and smashed into the side of another semi-truck, driven by a 39-year-old man from Kissimmee, Florida. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The second semi-truck then collided with a sedan, which turned over and went off the road. The sedan was driven by a 25-year-old man from Fairhope, Alabama. None of the drivers involved in the crash have been identified. The Geneva woman was sent to the hospital with serious injuries, while the two men from Kissimmee and Fairhope were critically injured. The crash occurred at around 8:00 a.m. on Monday. Stay with WDHN for updates. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDHN - wdhn.com. "Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." In 1931, following decades of turf warfare, Brooklyn bootlegger Salvatore Maranzano established the leaders of New York Citys five largest Italian-American criminal organizations and declared himself capo di tutti capi: the boss of all bosses. Maranzano was soon killed offthe other bosses preferred sharing leadership under what became known as the Commissionbut his creation lived on. The Five Families of New York becoming central players in the saga of the American mafia. Gambino Family Getty Images A longtime rival to the Genovese family as the dominant entity of the Commission, the Gambino family offers a roster of some of the more colorful figures in mob history. One such figure was the bloodthirsty Albert Anastasia, who allegedly engineered the 1951 disappearance of the familys inaugural leader, Vincent Mangano, before meeting his own brutal end in a barbers chair in 1957. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This paved the way for the immensely powerful Carlo Gambino and later the infamous John Gotti, who orchestrated the 1985 hit on Gambinos hand-picked successor, Paul Castellano. In turn, Gotti was done in by the testimony of his one-time underboss, Sammy The Bull Gravano. The Gambinos returned to the headlines in 2008 with the arrest of at least five dozen members on federal racketeering charges and again in 2019 with the assassination of reported acting boss Frank Cali. Watch Getting Gotti on Lifetime Movie Club Lucchese Family For years, the Lucchese family operated as a model organization under the fists of Tommy Gagliano and then Tommy Lucchese, longtime colleagues who paid their dues during the Prohibition years and understood the value of steering clear of the headlines. That changed under boss Carmine Tramunti, who was convicted in 1973 for his part in the French Connection heroin smuggling ring. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Successor Anthony Tony Ducks Corallo brought a return to secrecy as he conducted business from a phone car. His crew earned notoriety for the 1978 Lufthansa Heist at JFK Airport that inspired a scene in the 1990 movie Goodfellas. However, Corallo was convicted in the Mafia Commission Trial of the mid-1980s, paving the way for the bloody reign of Vic Amuso and Anthony Gaspipe Casso. Amusos murderous ways sealed his own fate when top lieutenant Alphonse DArco was scared into turning informant in the early 1990s, though the boss reportedly continued wielding absolute power from behind bars for many years afterward. Genovese Family The Genovese outfit, initially overseen by Lucky Luciano, has been called the Ivy League of organized crime due to its size, strength of operations in areas from gambling to loan-sharking, and ability to keep members in line through adherence to omerta, the legendary code of silence. After Luciano was convicted on prostitution charges in 1936, leadership passed to Frank Costello, who expanded the organizations reach into Las Vegas, and then to Vito Genovese, who planted his name on the family masthead before his own conviction on narcotics charges in 1959. The final decades of the century saw the Genovese run by the powerful and paranoid Vincent The Chin Gigante, who tightened control over union and construction rackets but also reportedly forbade his men to speak his name under penalty of death and wandered the streets in a bathrobe in an ill-fated effort to convince the FBI of his insanity. Bonanno Family One of the oldest families of the American mafia has also endured some of its most notorious scandals, beginning with the Luciano-ordered assassination of Salvatore Maranzano that placed 26-year-old Joe Bonanno in charge of the organization. Although he strengthened his authority by allying with the Profaci family, Bonanno departed after his plan to murder Tommy Lucchese and Carlo Gambino was uncovered in 1964, setting off a family power struggle known as the Banana War. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The following decade, acting boss Carmine Galante courted more trouble by killing the rival gangs that were butting into his drug-trafficking operation. This led to his assassination in 1979. Meanwhile, FBI agent Joe Pistone had infiltrated the Bonanno family under the alias Donnie Brasco; his six years undercover resulted in 100 convictions. Despite all this, the Bonannos managed to regain their footing under the leadership of Big Joey Massino, until he became the first New York crime boss to turn informant following his 2003 arrest. Colombo Family The youngest of the Five Families was founded in 1928 by olive oil importer Joe Profaci, a legitimate businessman with a nose for extracurricular interests like extortion, prostitution, and narcotics. The old-school don rankled underlings in the Colombo family with his inflexible demands for a cut of the profits, igniting a mutiny from Crazy Joe Gallo and his brothers in the early 1960s. The passing of the torch to the publicity-hungry Joe Colombo caused more headaches, prompting a 1971 assassination attempt that left the family namesake in a comatose state. Following a period of relative stability, the organization again degenerated into civil war in the 1990s over a struggle to take over day-to-day operations from convicted boss Carmine Persico. A 2011 New York Post article reported on additional blows to the Colombo hierarchy, though it noted that the family was far from finished thanks to its control of the cement and concrete workers union. Bugsy Siegel-Getty Photo credit: Photo: Getty Images Bugsy Siegel Sam "Mooney" Giancana is handcuffed to a chair in a detective bureau after his arrest. Giancana, a syndicate gambling boss, is being questioned in connection with the murder of banker Leon Marcus. Photo credit: Photo: Getty Images Sam Giancana Al Capone smokes a cigar on the train carrying him to the federal penitentiary in Atlanta where he will start serving an eleven-year sentence. Photo credit: Photo: Getty Images Al Capone Tony Accardo, gangster on trial for income tax evasion. (Photo by Francis Miller:The LIFE Picture Collection via Getty Images) Photo credit: Photo: Francis Miller/The LIFE Picture Collection via Getty Images Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tony Accardo Paul Castellano enters Supreme Court for State Crime Investigation Commission as a witness. Castellano refuses to answer questions and is sentenced. (Photo by Charles Payne:NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images) Photo credit: Photo: Charles Payne/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images Paul Castellano Frank Lucas, who is the real character that actor Denzel Washington played in the film "American Gangster," poses in New York City. (Photo by David Howells:Corbis via Getty Images) Photo credit: Photo: David Howells/Corbis via Getty Images Frank Lucas Vito Genovese is brought into Federal Court for arraignment. July 08, 1958. (Photo by Louis C. Liotta:New York Post Archives:(c) NYP Holdings, Inc. via Getty Images) Photo credit: Photo: Louis C. Liotta/New York Post Archives /NYP Holdings, Inc. via Getty Images Vito Genovese Frank Costello, New York mobster, sits patiently in court.-getty Photo credit: Photo: Getty Images Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Frank Costello Charles 'Lucky' Luciano (1897-1962) pictured while in exile in Sicily, Italy, 31 December 1948. (Photo by Slim Aarons:Getty Images) Photo credit: Photo: Slim Aarons/Getty Images Lucky Luciano John Gotti arrives at Manhattan Supreme Court where he is on trial on charges of conspiracy and assault for the 1986 shooting of a carpenter's union official. (Photo by Willie Anderson:NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images) Photo credit: Photo: Willie Anderson/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images John Gotti You Might Also Like WELLINGTON, March 24 (Xinhua) -- The public consultation on New Zealand's negotiations for a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with India was launched on Monday. India presents significant trade opportunities for New Zealand, said New Zealand Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay. Strengthening economic ties with India would be key to the New Zealand government's goal of doubling export value over the next decade, McClay said. All interested New Zealanders, including businesses, non-governmental organizations, and members of the public, are invited to submit their views before April 15, McClay said, adding public input will help shape the approach in the early stages as negotiations are now underway. SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) Over the weekend, students from around the region put their mechanical skills and scientific know-how to the test at the Georgia First Robotics Competition. Several Savannah are schools competed in Saturdays event at Hanner Field House on Georgia Southern Universitys Statesboro Campus, including Jenkins High, Benedictine, and Richmond Hill High. Students were given six to eight weeks to construct their robots and then put their creations on display against each other. The goal of the competition is to give students real world experience and help promote STEM education. Kieran Johnson, a senior at Jenkins High School, explains just hos hands on each student is. So everything on the robot is done by students, like all the metal. You see, we were the ones that cut that. All the fasteners were the ones that did that. And nothing comes from a kit. Its all, all the coding is done by our students and all the electrical is done by our students. So literally when you look at that robot, every student worked on every single part of it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The robotics team from Jenkins High School was on the winning alliance for the event, and the teams from BC and Richmond Hil High School both made it to the playoffs. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. DOUGLASVILLE, Ga. (WRBL) Douglas County High School senior Mantavius Presley, known to many as Lebron, has reached a remarkable milestone, earning more than $1 million in scholarship offers from colleges and universities across the country. Presley has been accepted to 58 institutions of higher learning, including Morehouse College, Howard University, Mercer University, Xavier University of Louisiana, and The University of Alabama. Beyond his academic success, Presley is a standout leader at Douglas County High School. He serves as President of both the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) and the National Honor Society, as well as Vice President of the Student Government Association and the Class of 2025. His involvement extends even furtherhe manages both the junior varsity and varsity cheerleading teams, contributes to the yearbook staff, and participates in seven additional school organizations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His dedication isnt limited to school activities. Presley has also committed over 1,100 hours to community service, demonstrating his passion for giving back. As graduation nears, Presley is weighing his options before making a final decision on where to continue his education. https://www.dcssga.org/article/2070101 Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WRBL. A coaltion of Georgia housing rights organizations descended outside the state capitol on the March 5 eve of a critical deadline to advance legislation. Habitat for Humanity volunteers would build a makeshift home to promote a tax credit bill that would save money for home construction expenses for nonprofits. Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder A coalition of housing rights advocates are feeling disappointed heading into the homestretch of the 2025 legislative session after seeing little progress on bipartisan bills aimed at protecting Georgians from higher rents, problematic landlords and increasing threats of eviction. Habitat for Humanity of Northwest Metro Atlanta and HouseATL are among the three dozen housing non-profits, civil rights groups, and faith-based organizations that have spent the session pushing for legislation regulating corporate-owned single-family homes and calling for the state to keep alive a federal emergency rental assistance program that runs out later this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite backing multiple bipartisan bills this year, a leading voice in Georgias housing advocacy coalition says she sees a bleak outlook for the rest of the session. Its grim especially given how much recognition there is now of the importance of housing people as a foundation for strong communities, strong families, said Elizabeth Appley, an attorney and public policy advocate for housing rights in Georgia. Theres really no way for people to succeed without decent, safe and affordable places to live. A key housing bill that failed to meet the March 6 deadline to advance through one chamber was House Bill 689. The bill was sponsored by Dalton Republican Rep. Kasey Carpenter would continue the Georgia Rental Assistance Program, which was launched in March 2021 with $1 billion in federal emergency rental assistance money. The housing rights advocates are pushing for $25 million in next years state budget to be allocated to continue the rental assistance program within the Georgia Department of Community Affairs State Housing Trust Fund. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The measure calls for the creation of flexible local grants for homeless prevention programs that would provide short term rental assistance and legal support to unhoused an low-income individuals facing a financial crisis such as lost hours at work, a medical emergency or other unforeseen expenses. Were hoping that could be used for these flexible local grants for emergency rental assistance, but it would need to be substantially increased in order to continue what the department is doing now with the federal funds that will expire in September, Appley said. In addition, housing rights advocates are calling for a $20 million increase in funding for the Georgia Housing Voucher Program to meet the states obligations under the 2010 settlement agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice. The Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities program provides supportive housing vouchers and wraparound services for chronically homeless Georgians with severe and persistent mental illness. Due to an absence of an increase in funding in 2024, the program has housed only 21 people since April 1. Currently the proposed next year budget calls for a $1.7 million increase for the program. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Housing rights groups are hoping for the passage of Stone Mountain Democratic Sen. Kim Jacksons Senate Bill 170, which would create an Interagency Council on Homelessness. A vote on the bipartisan bill could take place in the House Governmental Affairs Committee in the coming days. There has been some success for a housing coalition-backed bill targeting the proliferation of investor-owned homes, primarily around metro Atlanta. The House passed a bipartisan bill by a 163-4 vote that supporters say would hold out-of-state landlords accountable for managing single-family homes in Georgia. House Bill 399 would require landlords owning 25 or more single-family homes to employ local brokers or real estate agents and have in-state staff to handle tenant complaints. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you are a single family, young family, looking to purchase a home, these investors are taking assets out of Georgia, said bill sponsor Decatur Democratic Rep. Mary Margaret Oliver during debate on March 3. Theyre making a profit on the rent thats charged. Theyre making profit on the acceleration of home values and that profit is not being enjoyed by young Georgia families looking to purchase a home. Another bipartisan bill that has stalled this session is House Bill 555, which would prohibit investors from owning an interest in more than 2,000 single-family residential properties or 10 multifamily residential properties. The Georgians First Residential Property Protection Act, sponsored by Rep. Derrick McCollum, a Chestnut Mountain Republican, would also enforce penalties such as forcing the residential property owners to sell properties when they have exceeded the legal limit. The bill targets the rise in investor-owned housing that has lowered the affordability of homes in metro Atlanta neighborhoods. An Atlanta Regional Commission report in November found that seven corporations own more than 51,000 single-family rental homes across 21 counties around the area. Warnock introduces federal housing bills U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock, who is a Democrat, is attempting to drive down the high cost of living in Georgia by recently introducing a package of bills including the Downpayment Toward Equity Act, the Rent Relief Act, the Stop Preparatory Investing Act and the American Housing and Economic Mobility Act. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Warnock emphasized the need for bipartisan support to tackle the housing crisis, which disproportionately affects young people and renters. He also criticized private equity firms for buying up housing stock, especially in the Atlanta area, resulting in soaring rental costs and the need for policies that increase housing supply to mitigate the crisis and support generational wealth. We need to listen to the people and people all across Georgia Democrats, Republicans, independents all agree that we have a severe housing issue that is crushing young people, Warnock said during press conference last week. Housing is not a partisan issue. I say to those that support the free market, and certainly I do that, you ought to look at what this housing crisis is doing to the American market, Warnock said. We are seeing generational wealth shift, literally from the young to the old, and that doesnt bode well for the future of our economy. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX BIRDGEPORT, Conn. (WTNH) A Georgia man was federally charged Monday for his alleged involvement in a kidnapping in Danbury in August of 2024. James Schwab, 22, of Peachtree Corners, Ga., is accused of communicating with the alleged kidnappers in the days before the crime, provided funding for it, and helping arrange the participants transportation and lodging. 2 arrested on assault, burglary charges in Litchfield Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to evidence and testimony, on Aug. 25, 2024, two occupants of a Lamborghini Urus were carjacked and kidnapped. On the same day, Danbury Police arrested six Florida men for their involvement. The investigation revealed that the son of the victims is suspected of participating in the theft of hundreds of millions of dollars in cryptocurrency. Schwab allegedly was involved in an altercation with the victims son in a Miami nightclub in July 2024. Schwab was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on Jan. 29, 2025, at Los Angeles International Airport after he returned to the U.S. from a trip to Bali. On Feb. 25, a New Haven grand jury charged him with one count of conspiracy to commit kidnapping, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of life. Schwab, who has been detained since his arrest, pleaded not guilty in Bridgeport federal court on March 12. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Five of the six individuals charged with offenses related to the carjacking and kidnapping have pled guilty and await sentencing. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com. French actor Gerard Depardieu appeared in court today in Paris to be trialed on charges of sexual assault. The trial was initially scheduled to take place on Oct. 28 and was postponed due to the 76 year-old actors health. More from Variety Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Depardieu is being tried on two alleged sexual assaults, which date back to the filming of Jean Beckers The Green Shutters (Les volets verts) in the South of France in August and September 2021. He was taken into police custody on April 29, 2024 and was summoned to appear before the criminal court in October. Based on the charges, Depardieu long considered a mascot of Frances cinematic history who has starred in over 150 films, including classics such as Jean-Paul Rappeneaus Cyrano de Bergerac risks five years of imprisonment and a fine of 75,000. In a letter sent to the prosecutor on Feb. 23, 2024, Amelie K., who worked as a set decorator on The Green Shutters, accused Depardieu of having sexually assaulted and harassed her on Sept. 10, 2021, during filming. Amelie K said she overheard Depardieu make several crude comments, and alleges that one day, as she walked past him sitting in a corridor, he grabbed her, pulled her toward him, blocked her with his legs and kneaded her on the waist, hips and chest, while making obscene comments. A second woman, Engela W., who was working as Beckers assistant on The Green Shutters, accused Depardieu of sexually assaulting her on Aug. 31, 2021. She lodged a complaint on March 21, 2024 and reported that Depardieu had touched her buttocks in the street, then touched her breasts a few days later on location and touched her buttocks again on another occasion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Depardieu has denied all accusations. Variety has contacted Depardieus attorney, Jeremie Assous, for comment on the trials outcome. Depardieus attorney told the French radio station RMC that his client wants to tell his truth because he is the victim of false accusations, and added that we are going to move from a damning case to one that will be in favor of Gerard Depardieu. As part of a separate case, the 75-year-old famous French actor has been, since Dec. 16, 2020, indicted over allegations of rape and sexual assault filed by actress Charlotte Arnould in 2018. Last August, the Paris public prosecutors office requested in a final indictment that Depardieu be referred to the departmental criminal court to stand trial for rape by digital penetration and sexual assault that allegedly occurred on Aug. 7 and 13, 2018. The examining magistrate now has to decide what direction to give to the proceedings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Depardieu, who has triggered a watershed moment for the #MeToo movement in France, was also accused by 13 women of sexually inappropriate behavior in a report published by French investigative news website Mediapart in April 2023. Depardieu vehemently denied all the accusations, and in October penned a letter for the newspaper Le Figaro in which he stated, Never ever have I abused a woman. Best of Variety Sign up for Variety's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Gerard Depardieu, the French actor, stood trial on Monday for the sexual assault of two women in the first of a string of abuse allegations come to court. Depardieu, 76, who has appeared in more than 200 films and television series, is accused of molesting and making salacious remarks to a set dresser, 54, and to a 34-year-old assistant director during the film shoot of Jean Beckers Les Volets Verts (The Green Shutters) in 2021. He made no statement as he turned up to court in Paris in a black suit and black shirt on Monday afternoon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anouk Grinberg, a well-known actor who appeared in the film, has backed the two plaintiffs who have not been named in their sexual violence allegations, saying in a high-profile interview with French media that Depardieu had constantly made salacious remarks during shooting, insisting that producers who hired him knew they were hiring an abuser. Initially slated for last October, the trial had been postponed due to the actors ill health. His lawyer said he had undergone a quadruple heart bypass and he suffered from diabetes, made worse by the stress of the upcoming trial. As a result, Jeremie Assous Depardieus lawyer, said his clients appearances at the Paris Criminal Court were to be limited to six hours a day, and he would take breaks whenever he needs them. The judge said there would be a 15-minute pause to eat every three hours. Assous said that the actor denies all of the accusations in their totality. He told the court the charges against his client had the effect of an atomic bomb that had killed (him) socially. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He accused prosecutors of ignoring witnesses who said they had seen nothing untoward because Gerard Depardieu had to be brought down. He blasted what he called gross errors that must lead to the annulment of the entire procedure. The defendants younger daughter, Roxane Depardieu, and her mother, Depardieus ex-partner Karine Silla, as well as actor Fanny Ardant were among the film stars supporters inside the courtroom. Ardant then left the room after the defence team cited her as a witness. Degrading remarks The set dresser told French investigative website Mediapart last year that the actor had brutally grabbed her after subjecting her to a series of sexist and degrading remarks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He then pinned her by closing his legs around her before groping her waist and her stomach, continuing up to her breasts before making lewd remarks. She said the actors bodyguards dragged him away as he shouted: Well see each other again, my dear. The second plaintiff, an assistant director, also alleges sexual violence. What my client wants is for the trial to take place, but I am also worried about how Mr Depardieus defence will treat the civil parties at the hearing, said lawyer Claude Vincent. In all, around 20 women have accused Depardieu of improper behaviour, but several cases have been dropped due to the statute of limitations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The first to file a criminal complaint was French actor Charlotte Arnould in 2018. Last August, the Paris prosecutors office requested a trial for rape and sexual assault, accusations the actor has consistently denied over the years. Never, but never, have I abused a woman, Depardieu wrote in an open letter to Le Figaro, the conservative daily. In December 2023, Emmanuel Macron, the French president, sparked uproar after he defended the actor as innocent until proven guilty and insinuated that he was the victim of a manhunt. Mr Macron said late last year: Hes an immense actor, a genius of his art. He makes France proud. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The president later said he should have placed more emphasis on the importance of women speaking out. The French film industry has been accused of being slow to react to sexism or abuse in its midst, after a string of male actors and directors recently faced complaints of abuse. Feminist activists protested outside the courtroom before the trial started. They chanted: Sexist violence, complicit justice, Victims, we believe you, rapists, we see you. The same chants were sung outside court during the trial of Dominique Pelicot in Avignon late last year. He and 50 other men were found guilty of raping or molesting Pelicots wife Gisele while she lay drugged unconscious in their home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Depardieu faces a maximum five-year prison term and 75,000 if found guilty. 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. PARIS (AP) French actor Gerard Depardieu went on trial Monday in Paris on charges of sexually assaulting two women on a movie set, in a case seen as a potential watershed for the #MeToo movement in France. Depardieu, 76, is accused of having groped a 54-year-old set dresser and a 34-year-old assistant director during filming in 2021 of Les Volets Verts (The Green Shutters). The actor faces up to five years in prison and a fine of 75,000 euros ($81,000) if convicted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Depardieu denies any wrongdoing. To reporters massed outside the courtroom, he briefly said I'm ok. Inside, he told the judges that he was prepared to answer the courts questions. We will be able to show in an impartial, objective and incontestable manner that all of the accusations are lies, his attorney, Jeremie Assous, told journalists. The truth will be obvious and the truth is on our side, he said. Trial is a test of France's attitudes to sexual violence Depardieu's long and storied career has turned the trial into a post- #MeToo test of the willingness of France and its movie industry to confront sexual violence and hold influential men accountable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Depardieu has been a darling of French cinemagoers for decades and was Oscar-nominated in 1991 for his performance as swordsman and poet Cyrano de Bergerac. But his alleged boorish behavior off-screen has also long made headlines. He has been accused publicly or in formal complaints of misconduct by more than 20 women, but so far only the sexual assault case has proceeded to court. Some others were dropped because of a lack of evidence or the statute of limitations. Feminist and historian Florence Montreynaud described Depardieu's court appearance as a historic moment" for women's rights, as she joined other campaigners who demonstrated outside the court. A dozen chanted Sexist violence, complicit judicial system" as they danced to techno music. Times are changing. #MeToo has swept through. At last, mentalities are changing, Montreynaud said to French broadcaster BFMTV. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The trial also follows in the wake of the historic case last year involving Gisele Pelicot, whose bravery put the spotlight on sexual violence in France. She demanded that the drugging-and-rape trial for 51 men tried for a horrific catalogue of abuse on her be held in open court, arguing that doing so would help make shame change sides. France has often been ambivalent even resistant toward the #MeToo movement. 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. At the time of the alleged 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 that it go to trial. Prosecution alleges actor groped plaintiffs Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prosecutors say Depardieu trapped the set dresser with his legs before groping her waist and breasts in front of witnesses. She says the actor also used obscene language and had to be pulled away by bodyguards. The assistant director alleged that Depardieu groped her both on set and in the street. The women sat side by side in court. The Associated Press doesnt name people who say they were sexually assaulted unless they consent to being identified. Neither has done so in this case. The trial is expected to last at least two days, but could be extended beyond Tuesday, if the chief judge wants more time. The trial was initially scheduled for October, but then postponed because of Depardieus health. A verdict is expected at a later date. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Depardieu grasped his lawyer's shoulder as he strode calmly into the courtroom. The actor has undergone a quadruple heart bypass and has diabetes, according to his lawyer. A court-appointed medical expert determined that hes fit to stand trial, but recommended that the hearings don't exceed six hours, with a 15-minute pause and snack every three hours. Plaintiffs keen to be heard Beyond giving his name, Depardieu didnt testify Monday. Instead, his lawyer took up much of the time, raising what he described as legal issues and seeking to cast doubt on witness testimony and the police investigation. The attorney alleged, without providing evidence, that police acted under instructions from magistrates who led the investigation to make Depardieu fall. Depardieu listened intently, sometimes nodding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of the plaintiffs burst into tears when her lawyer read a message she wrote about the alleged sexual assault. Sitting by her side, the other accuser put a hand on her shoulder in a gesture of empathy. The plaintiffs' lawyers said they would lay out their evidence later. One of the lawyers, Carine Durrieu Diebolt, said Depardieu had apologized to her client at the time. "So why apologize if you havent done anything? It was unclear what the apology message was about. Durrieu Diebolt had previously said that four additional women who say they have been sexually assaulted by Depardieu would testify. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an open letter published in October 2023, Depardieu wrote: Never, but never, have I abused a woman. The actor had dropped out of sight in recent months, his film career seemingly on hold. But he still has friends in the industry. Actors Vincent Perez and Fanny Ardant were among those who took seats on his side of the courtroom. ___ AP journalists Tom Nouvian and Thomas Adamson contributed to this report. Munich prosecutors said on Monday that charges of forming a criminal association have been laid against five members of the former Last Generation (Letzte Generation) climate activist group. A prosecutors' spokeswoman declined to specify the charges to dpa after the group had issued a statement. A district court will decide whether to proceed to trial. Conviction could result in lengthy sentences. The group, which is known for blocking roads and targeting museums in its protests, announced at the end of last year that it was changing its strategy and its name. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A nationwide police raid on the group in May 2023 drew criticism and legal action. The courts later ruled that the raid and a phone tap were largely in line with law. Searches were conducted of 15 premises in seven states by around 170 officers under the lead of the Bavarian authorities for combating extremism and terrorism. The group's internet page was also temporarily shut down. Investigators also tapped a phone line used by the group to communicate with the press. This drew condemnation from media organizations. Charges against members of the group of forming a criminal association were previously laid in the north-eastern state of Brandenburg. The charges concerned actions targeting an oil refinery, Berlin's airport and a museum in Potsdam in 2022 and 2023. A decision has yet to be taken on whether to proceed to trial. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement German Economy Minister Robert Habeck of the Greens condemned the nationwide raid as "completely absurd," and rights organizations described the investigations as an attack on peaceful protest. Activists found guilty on a charge of forming a criminal association could face up to five years in prison, or even 10 in extreme cases. Former group spokeswoman Carla Hinrichs, who is reportedly one of those charged, has described its primary aim as alerting society to the climate crisis. "What do you do if everything is at stake? You form a group and try to sound the alarm," she said in a statement put out after the charges were laid. She described the group as peaceful protestors. German flag carrier Lufthansa has been banned from using two "misleading" statements on offsetting carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. The ruling by the Cologne Regional Court on Monday means the airline is no longer allowed to use two specific phrases in its marketing, which critics argued gave the impression that air travel could be climate-neutral. The lawsuit was filed by campaigning group Environmental Action Germany (DUH), which described the decision as an "important victory against misleading advertising." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The court confirms our criticism and addresses how one of the world's largest airlines systematically deceives customers and feigns climate neutrality for flights in exchange for additional fees," said DUH managing director Jurgen Resch. "Air travel is among the most severe contributors to climate impact. Selling a clear conscience in exchange for indulgence payments is therefore particularly reprehensible," Resch added. A Lufthansa spokesman said the Frankfurt-based company is aware of the ruling and will review the decision. "Lufthansa continuously pursues projects and measures aimed at reducing the environmental impact of flying and always using the required resources as efficiently as possible," he stated. German space start-up Isar Aerospace is set to launch a historic test flight in northern Norway on Monday. According to Joseph Aschbacher, the director general of the European Space Agency (ESA), the test marks "the first commercial orbital launch from mainland Europe." The company's Spectrum launch vehicle is due to take off from the Andya spaceport between 12:30 pm (1130 GMT) and 3:30 pm, although the test could still be pushed back due to adverse weather conditions or safety concerns. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The rocket is not expected to reach orbit, with a company spokeswoman warning that no company has ever managed to achieve space flight with a first test. "The rocket may explode - that is even likely during the test flight," she said. "Thirty seconds would be a great success." Isar Aerospace, founded in 2018, is seeking to develop a viable launch vehicle to carry satellites to orbit. It is a European rival to Elon Musk's SpaceX and Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin. Europe is currently lagging the United States, China and India in space travel, amid delays in the development of the ESA's Ariane 6 launcher. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Spectrum launch vehicle is 28 metres long, with a diameter of 2 metres. Depending on the desired orbit, it can carry a payload of between 700 and 1,000 kilograms to space. If the test is a success, Isar could ramp up production, with two rockets already in production. "How quickly they will be on the launchpad also depends on the results of the first test flight - and whether only software or hardware adjustments need to be made," said the spokeswoman. "In any case, our goal is to be back on the launchpad as quickly as possible." The Munich-based company envisions building up to 40 launch vehicles per year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The start-up has so far raised more than 400 million ($433 million) in capital. The NATO Innovation Fund, a venture capital fund supported by 24 NATO member states, was among the participants in Isar's latest financing round. BEIJING, March 24 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, will upon invitation attend and deliver a keynote speech at the opening plenary of the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2025 in Hainan on March 27, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson announced on Monday. A historic test flight of an orbital launch vehicle by German space start-up Isar Aerospace was delayed due to adverse weather conditions in northern Norway on Monday. According to Joseph Aschbacher, the director general of the European Space Agency (ESA), the test was due to mark "the first commercial orbital launch from mainland Europe." The company's Spectrum launch vehicle had been set to take off from the Andya spaceport on Monday, but the test was pushed back due to high winds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Munich-based company said it would announce a timeline for the next attempted launch when a plan is in place. Its rocket was not expected to reach orbit, with a company spokeswoman warning that no company has ever managed to achieve space flight in a first test. "The rocket may explode - that is even likely during the test flight," she said. "Thirty seconds would be a great success." Isar Aerospace, founded in 2018, is seeking to develop a viable launch vehicle to carry satellites to orbit. It is a European rival to Elon Musk's SpaceX and Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin. Europe is currently lagging the United States, China and India in space travel, amid delays in the development of the ESA's Ariane 6 launcher. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Spectrum launch vehicle is 28 metres long, with a diameter of 2 metres. Depending on the desired orbit, it can carry a payload of between 700 and 1,000 kilograms to space. If it carries out a successful test, Isar could ramp up production, with two further rockets already being built. "How quickly they will be on the launchpad also depends on the results of the first test flight - and whether only software or hardware adjustments need to be made," said the spokeswoman. "In any case, our goal is to be back on the launchpad as quickly as possible." Isar Aerospace envisions building up to 40 launch vehicles per year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The firm has so far raised more than 400 million ($433 million) in capital. The NATO Innovation Fund, a venture capital fund supported by 24 NATO member states, was among the participants in the latest financing round. The German government expressed sharp criticism on Monday of Israel's decision to recognize 13 West Bank settlements seen as illegal under international law. "We sharply condemn this decision," a Foreign Office spokesman said in Berlin. "We reject Israel's settlement policy, as it is contrary to international law and obstructs any chance of a two-state solution by blocking a viable Palestinian state," he added. The Foreign Office also criticized Israeli actions in the Gaza Strip and expressed reservations on a new authority announced by Israel to facilitate the "voluntary" departure by Palestinians from the war-torn enclave. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The move had yet to be examined, the spokesman said. "But if this involves setting up an authority with the aim of permanent expulsion of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip, that is unacceptable and must be condemned," he said. The Foreign Office called on the Israeli government to restore access to the region for humanitarian aid, including water and electricity and to provide medical care in line with humanitarian international law. Referring to the resumption of hostilities by Israeli forces in the Gaza Strip, the spokesman said that reports of a large number of civilian casualties, alongside the killing of Hamas officials, were cause for extreme concern. The remaining hostages in Gaza would not be freed and the humanitarian situation would become catastrophic again, he said. The bus driver simply drives off, refusing to take immigrant children waiting at a bus stop. "You can pack your bags," a third-grader tells a classmate whose family migrated to Germany. The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) "is now the strongest party here." Incidents like these are becoming more common in Meissen near Dresden in Germany's former communist east, a region that has emerged as a stronghold for the anti-immigrant AfD party. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Children from refugee families often face bullying, while physical altercations arent rare. Staff from the church-based social welfare provider Diakonie say the overall atmosphere has become more tense. It's not only migrants that are facing threats, but also those who help them. The far-right's rise has contributed to a more polarized political climate, particularly around issues of immigration and integration. States that were formerly part of East Germany have faced unique challenges since German reunification in 1990, and have remained distinctly poorer than western German states. Experts suggest that these issues have fostered feelings of marginalization, creating a breeding ground for far-right ideologies and anti-establishment sentiments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The threat has intensified. Theres always been a level of danger for migrants, but they usually stayed silent about it. Now, theyre speaking up," says migrant counsellor Kerstin Bottger. People are less scared of sharing their anti-migrant opinions now, she says. "Some think they can say anything now." Advisers often need counselling themselves Aggression towards refugees is only one side of the story. People trying to help them are also exposed to hostility. "Some employees have the impression that they have to constantly justify their work. They no longer even tell their acquaintances where they work. They avoid the topic," said Diakonie spokeswoman Nora Kohler. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The threats are not limited to verbal abuse; they also come in the form of threatening letters and even dog faeces left on doorsteps. "You can tell it's getting more unpleasant," she says. The employees often need counselling themselves. During training days at her agency, the program includes workshops focused on how to effectively manage the increasing pressure. This year, a state-funded initiative will provide support for those working full-time or volunteering with refugees, offering a range of professional development opportunities. It's not just the increasingly brutal attitude seen in society that makes migration counselling tough. Many organizations also have financial woes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The gruelling thing is that we have to lobby for our work every year. People have to fight for their jobs every year, even though it's not really their responsibility says Bottger, describing another form of unnecessary justification. Financial uncertainty and high demand In the state of Saxony, where Bottger's branch of Diakonie operates, budget constraints are creating significant challenges, as the regional government is working with a provisional budget. Despite the growing demand for services, staffing levels remain unchanged. "There are more and more cases per adviser, and its nearly impossible to keep up. Weve had to implement an appointment system and work with waiting lists," Bottger says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The key issues are employment and language skills. "Everyone who comes to us wants to get involved in some way. Young people often inquire about training opportunities." "We need a financial boost, but our allocations have been stagnating for years and we also have to compensate for pay rises," said Bottger. "The providers have to co-finance the programmes with their own funds. We can no longer cope with this. For migrants, were the first point of contact and their reliable source of support. But we, too, need that same reliability." Refugee children playing on the grounds of the central point of contact for asylum seekers in Saxony-Anhalt. Jens Wolf/dpa-Zentralbild/dpa Germany's anti-immigrant Alternative for Germany (AfD) party enjoys significant support in former East German states. It recently secured second place in the country's parliamentary elections, marking the best performance for a far-right party in Germany's post-Nazi history. Christoph Reichwein/dpa Ghost Adventures host Aaron Goodwin is speaking out after his estranged wife, Victoria Goodwin, was arrested for a murder-for-hire plot, police say. The TV personality took to Instagram to express his appreciation for support from his fans. Thank you everyone for all the love and support through this emotionally trying time. It has really helped a lot and I appreciate you all. After conspiring with convicted murderer Grant Amato to get her husband killed, Victoria Goodwin was arrested and charged with soliciting to commit murder and conspiring to commit murder. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the police report obtained by TMZ, texts between her and the Florida inmate revealed the pair had discussed their plot to kill Aaron. Among the messages was one that read, Am I a bad person? Because I chose to end his existence. Not divorce. Afterwards, Victoria sent another text to Amato to confirm her husbands death. Hes asleep right now in the hotel room. I need to know whats going on. Can I get an update? Was it done? These messages were found by corrections officers on a smuggled phone the Florida inmate was using. Victoria also allegedly set aside over $11,500 to pay for the murder in October 2024. Both Victoria and Amato also discussed a $2,500 upfront payment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Victoria Goodwin, who denies the allegations, was arrested and held on a $100,000 bail. She claims she doesnt remember sending any messages to the Florida inmate about killing her husband. She did however admit to exchanging flirty texts with Amato, saying she reached out to him because she was lonely. After finding out about the alleged murder plot, Aaron immediately filed for divorce. The estranged couple had been together since 2018. ______ Partisan politics is no stranger to big court races in Wisconsin. But this years state Supreme Court contest has entered uncharted territory. Its not only the most expensive and partisan in state history. It is the first time both sides have worked so hard to nationalize a spring judicial election. . That doesnt make this race a referendum on the Trump tariffs or Elon Musks assault on the federal workforce. Were still electing a Wisconsin judge here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But it does make this April 1 election a different kind of political test. Like many past court races, its a turnout war. But this one is playing out in a unique political moment with unprecedented outside involvement. More: All our reporting on the Wisconsin Supreme Court race between Susan Crawford, Brad Schimel There are wealthy funders on both sides. But groups backed by Musk, the billionaire Trump ally, have spent more than $12 million on the election, making him the biggest and most divisive super-donor to ever play on this stage. Meanwhile, the unbridled nature of President Donald Trumps second term is producing what may be the most polarized electorate weve ever seen. In Marquettes most recent Wisconsin poll, 90% of Republican voters had a positive view of Trump and 99% of Democratic voters had a negative view the biggest partisan split over a politician ever recorded in the surveys 13-year history. The publics views of Trump pro and con, love and hate are unparalleled in their intensity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So, even though this is a race for judge, this political climate seems likely to boost turnout in what is the nations most competitive political battleground. Both sides certainly believe so. While they havent put Trump and Musk at the center of their ad campaigns, it is a different story in their fundraising, turnout and canvassing efforts, where Democratic voters are being urged not to let Musk buy the election and Republican voters are being urged to cast a vote for Trumps agenda. Trump made that pitch directly on social media Friday. That has resulted in a kind of two-track election. On one level, this is a somewhat traditional judicial race where the strengths and weaknesses of the candidates and the impact of classic court issues like crime and abortion, both heavily featured in campaign ads, are shaping the outcome. More: Overwhelmed by Supreme Court sex predator attack ads? Here's what Schimel, Crawford sentencing records show On another, its a Trump era judicial election on partisan steroids, where one of the keys is whether the worlds richest man (Musk) is doing more to mobilize Republican voters or more to mobilize Democratic voters. In a poll last month by the Marquette Law School, 80% of Wisconsin Republicans had a positive view of Musk and 97% of Democrats had a negative view. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In previous decades, when politics was less nationalized and judicial races were less partisan, most voters didnt know much about the candidates for state Supreme Court and didnt care enough about the race to vote. Not much money was spent, and spending was more regulated. The parties didnt get deeply and openly involved. Sometimes elections even went uncontested. A typical court race drew about 20% of the states voting-age adults to the polls (were excluding court races where turnout was turbo-charged by presidential primaries on the same ballot). The big exception was 2011, amidst the furor over Act. 10 and the recall drive against Republican Gov. Scott Walker. It was another moment of peak polarization, but in this case over state issues and events, not national ones. That court race, narrowly won by conservative David Prosser, drew 1.5 million voters to the polls, more than a third of the voting-age population. Then turnouts returned to the old levels of around 20% until 2019, when turnout rose to 27% of voting-age adults. And in 2023, turnout soared to almost 40%, fueled by the most expensive court race in American history and the public backlash against the U.S. Supreme Courts Dobbs decision overturning the right to an abortion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democratic voters were more mobilized than Republican voters in that race. The conservative candidate, Dan Kelly, was ineffective and outspent. And the court flipped from a conservative majority to a liberal one. I am guessing turnout will exceed 40% in this court race between liberal Susan Crawford and conservative Brad Schimel, for several reasons. One is that Schimel, former state attorney general, is a stronger candidate than Kelly, which serves to level the playing field. More importantly, spending has blasted past the old record of $51 million. The transformation of these nonpartisan races into partisan power struggles is almost complete now. And as noted above, voters are even more polarized and this contest is even more nationalized. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We may think of money and attack ads and partisan division as the ugly side of campaigns, especially for a judicial race. But they also correlate with higher turnouts. If turnout tops 40% of voting-age adults, this still wont be a fully representative electorate, but it will be much more so than it was when turnouts were 20%. An analysis of the states voter file by Marquette Law School research fellow John Johnson produced the following breakdown of the states current registered voters and whether they voted in the 2022 midterms, the April 2023 election (the last court race), and the 2024 presidential race. 46% voted in all three elections (this is 46% of current registered voters, not voting-age adults). 23% voted only in the presidential race but not the 2022 mid-term or the April 2023 election. 20% voted in both the 2024 November presidential race and the 2022 November midterms but not 2023s spring election. This means that to significantly expand their vote, both sides would need to mobilize voters who are used to voting in the fall but not in the spring. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And this task is even more critical for Republicans than Democrats because they have been leaving more voters on the table in recent court races (conservatives have lost by double digits in three of the last four Supreme Court contests). For example, Kelly got 818,391 votes in the spring of 2023, which is equivalent to half the Trump vote in the fall of 2024. The liberal candidate who defeated Kelly, Janet Protasiewicz, got 1,021,822 votes, which is equivalent to 63% of the Kamala Harris vote in 2024. In other words, on paper, the huge pool of voters out there that has been skipping spring elections skews Republican, offering a huge upside to Schimel. But this also underscores the challenge for Schimel. The most reliable voters in low-turnout elections are college graduates, especially older ones, and especially those who pay a lot of attention to politics. This used to advantage Republicans in non-presidential races, especially court elections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But with the growth of the education divide, and college grads tilting Democratic, these serial voters now skew the other way. Its the Democratic Party that appears to have a structural edge in lower-turnout races. This leaves as a big x-factor the large pool of mostly blue-collar sporadic voters who have turned out for Trump but sat out other contests. Getting lots of these voters to turn out in a non-partisan spring election when Trump is not on the ballot is a big lift. It would be a huge political achievement and hugely demoralizing to liberals and Democrats already horrified by this presidency. At the same time, Wisconsins April election will also be a test of whether those horrified Democratic voters are as motivated as they were in 2023 in the aftermath of Dobbs, or even more so. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Marquettes last poll, taken a few weeks ago, a large chunk of the electorate knew very little about the candidates, not normally a recipe for strong turnout. But more than 80% knew the most important thing about the race that the balance of the states highest court is at stake. Craig Gilbert provides Wisconsin political analysis as a fellow with Marquette University Law School's Lubar Center for Public Policy Research and Civic Education. Prior to the fellowship, Gilbert reported on politics for 35 years at the Journal Sentinel, the last 25 in its Washington Bureau. His column continues that independent reporting tradition and goes through the established Journal Sentinel editing process. Follow him on Twitter: @Wisvoter. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin's nationalized Supreme Court race presents a unique test SALT LAKE CITY (AP) The death Sunday of former U.S. Rep. Mia Love, the first Black Republican woman elected to the U.S. House, has brought renewed attention to an aggressive form of brain cancer that killed her at age 49. The former lawmaker from Utah had undergone treatment for glioblastoma, a malignant brain tumor, and received immunotherapy as part of a clinical trial. Her daughter said earlier this month that she was no longer responding to treatment. Love died at her home in Saratoga Springs, Utah, according to a statement shared by the family. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Who was Mia Love? Love, born Ludmya Bourdeau, was a daughter of Haitian immigrants and a pioneering Republican congresswoman who represented Utah on Capitol Hill from 2015 to 2019. She entered politics in 2003 after winning a seat on the city council in Saratoga Springs, 30 miles (48 kilometers) south of Salt Lake City, and later became the citys mayor. While in that role, Love spoke at the 2012 Republican National Convention and drew rousing cheers with her criticisms of then-President Barack Obama. That year, she narrowly lost a bid for the House against the Democratic incumbent. She ran again two years later and defeated a first-time candidate by about 7,500 votes, becoming the first Black Republican woman elected to Congress. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Love was briefly considered a rising star in the GOP, but her power within the party petered out as President Donald Trump took hold. Love kept her distance from Trump and called him out in 2018 for vulgar comments he made about immigrants from Haiti, El Salvador and some African nations. Later that year, she lost in the midterm elections as Democrats surged. How did Love die? Love was diagnosed with glioblastoma in 2022. She said her doctors estimated she had only 10-15 months to live, but she surpassed that. She described during a speaking engagement in Salt Lake City how she discovered the tumor. Love said she was on vacation with her family and developed a bad headache when the plane landed. When she went to the beach, the suns reflection on the water made her headache unbearable. Her husband brought her to the hospital, and a series of X-rays revealed a tumor in her brain. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Love rushed home to Utah and had surgery to remove about 95% of the tumor. Biopsy results revealed it was cancerous and likely to spread to surrounding brain tissue. She entered a clinical trial at Duke University's Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center in Durham, North Carolina, that involved using her bodys immune system to attack the tumor. At first, the tumor shrank, but eventually it stopped responding to treatments. What is glioblastoma? Glioblastoma is the most aggressive primary brain tumor that's known to mankind, and there is no cure for it, said Dr. Yasmeen Rauf, a neuro-oncologist at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill who treats the disease. It keeps mutating. No matter what you do, it always comes back. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A glioblastoma is a fast-growing glioma, a type of tumor that arises from glial cells, which protect nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. While there is no known cure, aggressive treatments such as surgery, radiation, chemotherapy and other targeted therapies may slow the growth of the tumor. Even if a surgeon is able to remove all that can be seen, Rauf said there are typically still some tumor cells left in the brain that cannot be seen and will multiply quickly. How common is it? About 13,000 Americans are diagnosed with glioblastoma each year, accounting for almost half of all cancerous brain tumors, according to the Cleveland Clinic. More than 10,000 people in the U.S. will succumb to the disease every year, the National Brain Tumor Society reports. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Glioblastoma can occur at any age but is more commonly found in older adults. The average age at diagnosis is 64. It's the same type of brain cancer that killed former President Joe Biden's son Beau Biden in 2015 and Sen. John McCain in 2018. Can it be prevented? Researchers have not found a way to prevent glioblastoma, and the cause of most of these tumors is unknown. Glioblastoma occurs when glial cells in the brain or spinal cord mutate, altering their genetic makeup. It does not run in families, and you won't pass it on to your children, Rauf explained. People who have been exposed to significant amounts of radiation have an increased risk of developing glioblastoma. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement How long can you live with it? People diagnosed with glioblastoma typically have about 15-18 months to live, with only a 10% chance of survival after five years, according to the MD Anderson Cancer Center. With aggressive treatments, Love lived for about three years after receiving her diagnosis. My life has been extended by exceptional medical care, science and extraordinary professionals who have become dear friends, Love wrote in a recent op-ed in the Deseret News. My extra season of life has also been the result of the faith and prayers of countless friends, known and unknown." The Lady Vols are heading to the Sweet 16 for the third time in four years, after defeating Ohio State 82-67 in the second round of the NCAA tournament March 23. The Lady Vols will play next March 29 in Legacy Arena in Birmingham, Alabama, facing the winner of the March 24 game between No. 1 Texas and No. 8 Illinois. It's a quick and easy trip for Tennessee fans to make their way to Alabama to cheer for their team. Getting to Legacy Arena from any major Tennessee city should take less than four hours. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here's everything traveling fans need to know about following the Lady Vols to Birmingham, from how to buy tickets to local restaurants where you could celebrate a Tennessee win! Where will the Lady Vols play in Birmingham? The Lady Vols will play at Legacy Arena, part of the Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex. How far is the drive from Knoxville to Birmingham? The drive from Knoxville to Birmingham is very achievable, coming in at just under hours. The one-way trip is about 260 miles, according to Google Maps. How far is the drive from Nashville to Birmingham? The trip from Birmingham to Nashville will take fans 2 hours and 45 minutes. It's an easy route straight down Interstate 65. How far is the drive from Memphis to Birmingham? The drive from Memphis to Birmingham is relatively equidistant compared to Knoxville. It will take Memphis fans about three and a half hours and 250 miles to reach Birmingham. How much are plane tickets from Knoxville to Birmingham? While flying to Birmingham is far less convenient and cost-effective, it is possible. On March 28, both Delta and American Airlines are offering flights starting at $369 for a one-way ticket. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Note that none of the flights are direct, so you'll need to stop in either Atlanta or Charlotte on the way, depending on your flight. How much do Sweet 16 March Madness tickets cost? Tickets for seats in Legacy Arena on March 28 and 29 start at $203, according to Ticketmaster. Where to park near Legacy Arena If you're driving to Legacy Arena, there are 19 different parking lots and garages that you can choose from, according to Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex, where the arena is located. More than 14,500 parking spaces are available within a 5-10-minute walk of the stadium. All lots and parking garages are cashless. See parking recommendations near Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex here. Where can fans eat in Birmingham, Alabama? There are plenty of great spots to dine near Legacy Arena and local bars where you can grab a drink. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Magnolia Point is a delicious gulf seafood place with a laid-back atmosphere. El Barrio serves Mexican food with a creative spin near a couple of fun bars. (If you're daring, try the House of Found Objects next door, an inventive cocktail bar where you might be seated at the Elvis table or brought a temporary tattoo with your drink!) Trattoria Zaza is a cozy Italian restaurant with fresh flavors and delicious pizza. Bonus points for fans who visit Good People Brewing Company, a Birmingham staple and creator of the infamous Snake Handler IPA, clocking in at a dangerous 10% ABV. Knox News reporter Hayden Dunbar contributed to this report. This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: March Madness: How to go see Lady Vols to play in Birmingham Sweet 16 (CANON CITY, Colo.) Goodwill of Colorado has been serving the Canon City community since 1990. As a local nonprofit, they help people overcome barriers to employment, such as former incarceration or housing issues. Goodwill has more than 3,200 employees across the state, helping to create job opportunities and supporting people in becoming independent. For We Are The Royal Gorge Region, FOX21s Krista Witiak met with Brand Manager Stephanie Bell and Goodwill of Canon Citys team members Elizabeth and Joe to discuss the nonprofits impact on the local community. On Wednesday, March 26, the Goodwill store in Canon City at 910 Main Street will host a customer appreciation event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event will include free refreshments, prize giveaways, and a 15% discount for Department of Corrections employees who show their ID. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Goodwill helps farmers and ranchers with disabilities through AgrAbility and sponsors the Blossom Festival. This years parade is on May 3. For more information, visit GoodwillColorado.org. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX21 News Colorado. A major Republican group is launching two new ads seeking to turn out Trump voters in an effort to elect conservative judicial candidate Brad Schimel in the high-stakes Wisconsin Supreme Court race. The Republican State Leadership Committees (RSLC) Judicial Fairness Initiative (JFI) rolled out the new advertising on Monday, which were first shared with The Hill. The two ads are looking to encourage the same voters who cast ballots for President Trump last November to once again show up for an off-year spring election for Schimel, who is vying against liberal candidate Susan Crawford for an open seat on the high court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whoever wins the April 1 election will determine the partisan ideological balance on the court. What if you dont vote on April 1st? It would be like Trump never won, with the far-left in control of our country, says a narrator in part of the one 30-second ad, called Needs Us. If we stayed home then, that could have been our reality, and if we dont vote now against liberal Susan Crawford, it could be. Last year, we showed up for Trump, and he won. Text on the ad urges voters to Vote for Trump ally, Brad Schimel, on April 1st. In the second 30-second ad, called Buzzkill, different people situated at a bar discourage viewers from casting their ballot for Crawford. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shes not right for Wisconsin, one woman says in the ad, while another woman says, Shes the last thing that we need. The actors say they voted for Trump To get men out of womens sports, Criminals and illegal immigrants off our streets, and common sense. One of the actors suggests Crawford could roll it all back. The RSLCs Judicial Fairness Initiative notes the ads are a part of a larger $2 million campaign in the Wisconsin race, which includes mailing statewide, TV ads and targeting on digital. The first ad in particular is notable for how overtly it seeks to tie Schimel to Trump. Wisconsinites have sent a clear message: they want commonsense restored in our politics. This starts with embracing the policy agenda of the Trump administration to put Wisconsin and our nation back on the right path, RSLC-JFI President Edith Jorge-Tunon said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Should Susan Crawford be elected to the bench, she would align herself with the far left, consistently working to undermine both the Trump administration and state Republicans at every turn. Both sides are seeking to turn out their respective bases in the April election, as Republicans hope to see the same GOP voters engaged in the November election come out again next week. The RSLCs Judicial Fairness Initiative is doing so by aligning Trump with Schimel, despite the fact that the race is technically nonpartisan. Trump and Musk have both endorsed Schimel in the race. Meanwhile, Crawford and Democrats are looking to harness voter backlash against Musk as a way to drive their voters to the polls. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Derrick Honeyman, a spokesman for the Crawford campaign, responded to the ads attacking Schimel for his handling of a rape test kit backlog when he was Wisconsin attorney general and for taking campaign contributions from a defendants attorney amid an ongoing case when he was serving as Waukesha County district attorney. Looks like an empty bar with just water on the table and not a beer in sightBrad Schimel and Elon Musks out-of-state allies really know nothing about Wisconsin, Honeyman said in a statement. Schimel is too corrupt for Wisconsin, and voters should send him home on April 1, just like they did in 2018, 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 The Hill. Illustration by wildpixel | iStock / Getty Images Plus The SAVE Act isnt about Safeguarding American Voter Eligibility its about making it harder for millions of American citizens to vote by imposing unnecessary and burdensome documentation requirements. If passed, the SAVE Act will require all Arizonans more than 5 million voting-age citizens to provide documentary proof of citizenship in person when registering to vote, updating their voter registration, and even casting their ballot. This requirement means they must present as documentary proof of citizenship 1) a passport or 2) a birth certificate accompanied by a government issued photo ID, and the name on the ID must match your birth certificate exactly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Online and mail-in voter registration lifelines for rural voters would be eliminated, forcing people to travel in person during business hours to an election office just to register or update their information. For rural Arizonans and members of tribal nations, this could mean an eight-hour round trip, sometimes even requiring crossing state lines. Who will suffer the most harm? Married women: Over 1.5 million married women in Arizona have changed their last names after marriage, meaning their birth certificates no longer match their current legal names. Studies show that 80% of married women take their spouses last name, leaving them without a birth certificate that reflects their legal identity. Marriage licenses wont count as proof. If you dont have a passport, youll be forced into a costly, time-consuming process to obtain new documentation. Nationwide, 69 million women face this barrier. Seniors: Arizona is home to 1.6 million seniors, many of whom have been voting for decades, but who would now need to reprove their citizenship if life circumstances require them to move. They would need to obtain a passport or track down their birth certificate to update their voter registration. This places an unnecessary burden on older Americans. Veterans and service members: Arizona has over 600,000 service members and veterans, many of whom frequently move due to deployments. Military families would no longer be able to use their military ID as proof of citizenship. Instead, they would have to produce a birth certificate or naturalization documents every time they moved. Our military personnel and veterans have already sacrificed for our country they shouldnt have to jump through additional hoops to vote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Disaster victims: Arizona has experienced wildfires and natural disasters that have forced families to flee their homes, often leaving documents behind. Under the SAVE Act, losing critical documents in a disaster could mean losing access to the ballot. Navigating bureaucratic red tape just to replace lost paperwork could disenfranchise disaster victims. Check your documents now! Do you have a passport? Does your birth certificate match your current legal name? Can you access these documents easily? The SAVE Act is designed to suppress votes not Safeguard American Voter Eligibility. Millions of Arizonans will face unnecessary obstacles if this bill passes. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE RIYADH, March 24 (Xinhua) -- U.S. and Russian delegations started fresh talks on Monday in Saudi Arabia, which are reportedly expected to cover discussions on the Ukraine settlement and the Black Sea initiative. A top Republican official says Republicans are not being forthright with voters on Social Security. Were not being honest with people, Sen. John Curtis told NBC s Meet the Press on Sunday. Were not being honest when we look people in the eye and say were not going to touch it. Thats not being honest with the American people, and I think that makes them not trust us when we say something that they just know is not true, he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Curtiss remarks come in the wake of troubling comments by Elon Musk , who has described Social Security as the biggest Ponzi scheme of all time and said it is the big one to eliminate. President Donald Trump has said he would preserve the entitlement program, which 70 million Americans rely on. The GOP Senator further claimed there was no need to impact the people who rely on the program but that there need to be discussions about moving some of the variables around in order to ensure it remains solvent. The sooner we do it, the less dramatic it has to be, he said. If we dont do it, we have worse decisions thrust upon us. WASHINGTON As President Donald Trump takes a maximalist approach to executive power and a chainsaw to federal agencies, Republicans on Capitol Hill are struggling to coalesce around actual legislation to enact his agenda. In a strikingly passive-aggressive statement on Monday morning, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and his top deputies criticized Senate Republicans for not adopting the budget resolution that the House approved last month. In response, a Senate Republican aide noted the House has spent more time on recess than the Senate. The intra-party sniping reflects the difficult task confronting Republicans in Congress, where they have slim majorities but huge ambitions for legislation that extends more than $4 trillion worth of tax cuts, boosts border security while slashing federal spending in a way that saves significant money while not cutting so deep that Republicans representing moderate House districts wont vote for it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The standoff shows the difficulty of actually governing within the constitutional system in contrast to Trumps attempts to reshape the government through unilateral actions that have included mass firings and wholesale demolition of federal agencies. The House is determined to send the president one big, beautiful bill that secures our border, keeps taxes low for families and job creators, grows our economy, restores American energy dominance, brings back peace through strength, and makes government more efficient and more accountable to the American people, Johnson and his top deputies said in their joint statement. We took the first step to accomplish that by passing a budget resolution weeks ago, and we look forward to the Senate joining us in this commitment to ensure we enact President Trumps full agenda as quickly as possible, the House Republicans said. A Senate Republican aide, speaking anonymously in order to be candid, noted that the Senate has been busy approving Trumps Cabinet secretaries and that it passed its own budget resolution before the House did. The aide also pointedly noted the Senate has only taken one recess so far this year, while the House has taken three. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So its not like the Senate has been sitting around doing nothing, the aide told HuffPost, noting the chamber hopes to pass a modified version of the House budget resolution before the next congressional recess in April. Johnson has set a goal of passing a budget resolution unlocking a filibuster-free path for Trumps agenda in both houses of Congress by April 7, ahead of a scheduled two-week Easter break. Thats an aggressive timeline given that Republicans are still divided on several key issues, including whether to include large cuts to Medicaid health coverage, use a budget gimmick to make the tax cuts permanent something that must pass muster with the Senate parliamentarian and whether to include a hike in the debt limit. Theres also disagreement about what should go into the final legislation. The House Republican budget only makes room for $4.5 trillion in tax cuts, which isnt enough to permanently extend the temporary cuts Trump enacted in 2017 and also include the various tax cuts he came up with on the campaign, such as no taxes on tips or Social Security benefits. Senate Republicans would prefer to prioritize permanency for the already enacted tax cuts, which will expire at the end of the year if Congress doesnt act. The biggest problem for Republicans, however, will likely be finding agreement on more than $1 trillion of spending cuts, with a number of House and Senate Republicans complaining about the $880 billion in Medicaid cuts envisioned by the House budget resolution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democrats last week held dozens of town halls across the country eviscerating Republicans for seeking to cut Medicaid benefits, which provide health coverage for over 70 million Americans. Make no mistake, theyre coming after you, Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) warned at an event in Scottsdale. All of this stuff youre hearing every single day is so they can give a big giant tax cut to people who dont need a tax cut. NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) If youre looking for a helping hand or if youre a helping hand looking for work, theres now an app for that. Its called HustleHawks. WGNO Good Morning New Orleans features reporter Bill Wood wants you to meet the brains behind the business. He is 23-year-old businessman Gerald Rossen. Hes got a crew of almost 1,500 New Orleans college students ready to work. And hes got the New Orleans businesses ready to hire them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our HustleHawks college students do moving jobs, yard work jobs, tutoring, hospitality jobs not only in New Orleans can they do a job like this, said Rossen. Stay up to date with the latest news, weather and sports by downloading the WGNO app on the Apple or Google Play stores and by subscribing to the WGNO newsletter. Latest Posts Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGNO. FRANKFORT, Ky. (FOX 56) Gov. Andy Beshear has announced the veto of House Bill 495. The bill wouldve overturned his September 2024 executive order banning conversion therapy in the state. An added amendment wouldve also banned any coverage of gender-affirming care for people on Medicaid. Late change to bill ending Kentucky conversion therapy ban will now disqualify Medicaid-covered transgender care Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gov. Beshear called conversion therapy torture and that he vetoed the bill to fight for what is right. He has only vetoed a handful of other bills passed by the legislature before the veto recess. The most notable being House Bill 4. House Bill 4 wouldve eliminated DEI funding in higher education. The governor has a few more days to veto any bills sent to his desk. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: In Kentucky, when the governor receives a bill, he only gets 10 days excluding Sundays to sign it or veto it. If he does nothing, the bills will automatically become law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The veto recess ends on Thursday, March 27, when lawmakers will return to Frankfort for the final two days of the legislative session. Lawmakers could vote to override any vetoes by the governor at that 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 FOX 56 News. Mar. 23WILKES-BARRE Gov. Josh Shapiro this week joined leaders from OpenAI, Carnegie Mellon University and Pennsylvania's labor community to unveil the results of the Commonwealth's first-in-the-nation Generative AI Pilot Program. The findings revealed that employees had a highly positive experience, reporting an average time savings of 95 minutes per day while using ChatGPT for writing, research, summarization and IT support. The pilot underscored the importance of human oversight, demonstrated AI's potential to streamline government operations and showed that Commonwealth employees across various roles, ages, and demographics benefited from the tool. Employees across multiple roles including human resources, information technology, policy, and program management benefited from the tool, helping them work more efficiently and focus on more complex, high-value tasks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Pennsylvania is leading the way in responsibly integrating AI into government by giving Commonwealth employees access to tools that enhance efficiency while ensuring people remain at the center of decision-making," Shapiro said. "This pilot program showed that when used thoughtfully, generative AI can help employees save time, streamline processes, and improve services for Pennsylvanians. But let me be clear AI will never replace our workers. Instead, we're equipping them with the best tools to do what they do best: get stuff done for Pennsylvanians." A first-in-the-nation AI Pilot Program In January 2024, Pennsylvania launched its first-in-the-nation pilot program in partnership with OpenAI to explore how generative AI could enhance productivity across state government. Over the course of a year, 175 employees from 14 agencies used ChatGPT Enterprise to test AI's impact. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The results of the pilot, collected through biweekly feedback sessions, user interviews and live demonstrations, showed significant benefits: Time Savings: Employees reported saving an average of 95 minutes per day on administrative tasks, such as drafting emails, summarizing lengthy documents, and navigating complex bureaucratic processes. Enhanced Efficiency: AI-assisted work helped employees improve hiring timelines, streamline procurement, more quickly analyze contracts, and research new policies faster. Human Oversight Remains Essential: Employees emphasized that AI augments human expertise rather than replacing it, reinforcing the importance of human review and judgment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Training and Adoption: Early challenges including a learning curve and workflow adjustments highlighted the need for robust training to help employees successfully integrate generative AI tools into their daily work. While targeted training and implementation strategies helped address some barriers, ongoing support and adaptation remain essential for maximizing AI's effectiveness in government operations. AG Sunday joins bipartisan coalition standing up for veterans who were denied education benefits Attorney General Dave Sunday this week joined 52 other Attorneys General in filing an amicus brief before the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims in support of two military veterans who were unlawfully denied their full G.I. Bill education benefits by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Virginia. According to the brief, U.S. Army veteran Lieutenant Colonel Paul Yoon and U.S. Air Force veteran Colonel Toby Doran, and their families, were denied crucial education benefits to which they are clearly entitled via the G.I. Bill. The amicus brief argues the Virginia VA is using an erroneous interpretation of a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling to limit education benefits. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This bipartisan coalition of every state Attorney General in the country is a proclamation that veterans will not be cheated out of what they are owed," Sunday said. "As a proud veteran myself, my service and the benefits I received under the G.I. Bill enabled me to pursue an education, find a satisfying career, and provide for my family. The least we can do for veterans who sacrifice so much is make sure they receive that same access to education." The brief argues that the Virginia VA's interpretation of the G.I. Bills contradicts the Supreme Court's recent ruling in Rudisill v. McDonough, which confirmed that veterans who qualify under both the Montgomery and Post-9/11 G.I. Bills are entitled to a full 48 months of education benefits. Despite clear precedent, the Virginia VA has continued to deprive veterans and their families of critical educational opportunities. Department of Aging to improve accountability, increase transparency The Pennsylvania Department of Aging this week announced the roll-out of the agency's new Comprehensive Agency Performance Evaluation or CAPE an innovative tool designed to boost transparency and accountability of Pennsylvania's Area Agency on Aging (AAA) network that provides a host of services to older adults. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In April, the Department will begin publicly posting performance results on its website for the first batch of AAAs to be monitored under CAPE, with more AAA performance results regularly added. After nearly two years of work, the public will be able to see for the first time how well their local AAA is performing in major program areas, such as investigative activities related to suspected elder abuse and helping older adults at home with tasks of daily living. "Since arriving at the Department of Aging 25 months ago, one of the Shapiro Administration's top priorities has been to modernize how we oversee AAA performance at the local level and make those results easily available to the public," said Secretary of Aging Jason Kavulich. "The completion of CAPE the first major overhaul and upgrade of the department's monitoring system in decades is a huge achievement and monumental leap forward for this agency. We are transforming our ability to evaluate and improve services for older Pennsylvanians." Implemented with an initial group of four AAAs in January 2025 following a 2024 pilot program, CAPE transforms the Department's prior monitoring approach into a more holistic philosophy, where each of the 52 AAAs is evaluated for different performance metrics during a singular monitoring review. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Performance evaluations will include things like: Older Adult Protective Services (documentation requirements, data management, administrative oversight, risk mitigation and safety, and investigative activities). OPTIONS (help at home) and the Caregiver Support Program (documentation requirements, data management, administrative oversight, care management, program eligibility, and policy and fiscal operations). The Pennsylvania Department of Aging works with a network of 52 AAAs to deliver services to older adults that help them stay healthy, safe and able to continue thriving in their homes of choice as they age. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Department disburses millions of dollars annually to AAAs to fund these services, and one of the Department's most important responsibilities is to monitor the performance of each AAA to make sure they are meeting performance standards. However, the Department's system for doing so has previously been fragmented, inconsistently scheduled, and did not focus on objective measures. Under the new system, the Department will continue to monitor AAA data and performance monthly in addition, each AAA will be comprehensively monitored on a consistent schedule, with regular communications in-between those monitorings to discuss the outcomes, ensure that they are taking steps toward any needed performance improvement and provide additional training and technical assistance as needed. Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle. Four Democrats and one Republican hoping to become governor say medical and recreational cannabis users should be able to grow their own plants. (Photo by Daniella Heminghaus for the New Jersey Monitor) New Jersey is one of the only states that legalized marijuana but doesnt allow people to grow their own cannabis at home, and most of the candidates hoping to become our next governor want to change that. In the six-person race to win the Democratic Partys nomination to succeed Gov. Phil Murphy, four candidates said theyd support whats referred to as home grow letting people grow their own cannabis plants for both recreational and medical cannabis users, while one Democrat said hed support it just for medical cannabis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the Republican side, two candidates said theyd support home grow for medical marijuana users only, while one, former radio talk show host Bill Spadea, supports home grow for recreational cannabis, too. Spadea said any adult should be able to grow cannabis at home, and that between three and six plants would be a sweet spot. Lawmakers should have allowed for home cultivation when they wrote the law setting up the recreational cannabis market four years ago, he said. The challenge in New Jersey is that because of the regulations, the cost of legal pot is so much higher than what you get on the street that we have not solved the illicit drug trade, Spadea told the New Jersey Monitor. Thats the problem. Murphy, a Democrat, is barred from seeking a third term this year. Primary voters on June 10 will decide who the Democratic and Republican nominees will be for the November general election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since sales of recreational cannabis launched in 2022, hundreds of dispensaries have opened across the state, but cannabis prices remain some of the highest in the nation. Bipartisan legislation that would allow medical marijuana patients to grow cannabis at home has long stalled in the state Legislature as the Democrats who head the Senate and the Assembly say they oppose home grow. Marijuana activist Chris Goldstein, who supports personal cannabis cultivation, said the next governor will play a key role in the cannabis economy. Governors now appoint cannabis commissioners and even adjust taxes. Each candidate should have a clear picture for how they will grow and improve the programs, Goldstein said. Three candidates in the race for governor support allowing home grow for medical marijuana patients only: former state Sen. Steve Sweeney on the Democratic side and Republicans Mario Kranjac, a former mayor of Englewood Cliffs, and Jack Ciattarelli, a former assemblyman. Sweeney last week said allowing medical cannabis users to grow their own plants would help keep the price more affordable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Home cultivation was always going to be part of this process, it was essential to first establish a strong commercial foundation, he said in a statement. Now, several years into adult recreational use, it is time to allow home cultivation for medical patients. Ciattarelli agrees, cautioning that he wouldnt want to disrupt the legal market. One thing we want to be careful about is not taking the carpet out from beneath the feet of people whove invested a whole lot of money because the Murphy administration failed to consider this particular dynamic, Ciattarelli said in an interview. The four Democrats hoping to be our next governor who support home grow for recreational and medical cannabis are Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop, Rep. Mikie Sherrill, and teachers union chief Sean Spiller. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Baraka said if people are able to brew beer at home, there is no reason they should not also be allowed to cultivate a small amount of cannabis for personal use. Fulop said hes been a longtime supporter of home grow for medicinal and recreational purposes. Nearly a dozen dispensaries are open in his city, though Fulop has earned the ire of some cannabis advocates by moving to fire police officers who test positive for marijuana, despite a state attorney generals order saying cops are legally allowed to use cannabis while off duty. He believes the states cannabis industry must move toward a more competitive and accessible market and sees strong state leadership as key to improving access, ensuring fair pricing and strengthening the industry as a whole, said Fulop campaign spokeswoman Emily Potoma. Sherrill said she supports home cultivation for recreational and medical purposes with common-sense regulations, safeguards and limits. She said shed work with stakeholders like law enforcement to ensure the state is doing this in a thoughtful and safe way. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Spiller said he sees no reason why New Jersey shouldnt follow the steps of other states that have successfully implemented home grow for medical and recreational use. Safe and responsible home growing should be part of our legal cannabis program in the state of New Jersey, he said. Gubernatorial hopefuls Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-05) and state Sen. Jon Bramnick, a Union County Republican, did not respond to requests for comment. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) Postal workers and supporters gathered in downtown Grand Rapids on Sunday as part of a national movement against reported efforts to privatize the U.S. Postal Service. The Associated Press reports that President Donald Trump in December mused about privatizing the service, which is an independent entity. Last month, Trump said he was considering an executive branch takeover of the USPS in an effort to reduce its losses. Trump says he may take control of the US Postal Service. Heres what to know Postal workers and supporters rally in Grand Rapids on March 23, 2025. Sundays rally at Calder Plaza was one of more than 200 demonstrations nationwide, organized by the National Association of Letter Carriers. Workers say privatization could lead to job cuts, reduced services and higher costs for Americans, specifically those in rural areas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is not only our livelihood, said Terry Lockett, a letter carrier from Holland. This is the livelihood of every American who receives mail, even though they might not want the mail. This is important that they stay connected with the country and their families. The USPS employs more than 600,000 people, including tens of thousands of veterans. Those at the rally said privatization could result in service cutbacks, impacting communities where private carriers dont deliver regularly. The risk is that some veterans might not receive their medications, Lockett said. Hands off our Social Security, demonstrators in Kalamazoo demand Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jo Bird, a Holland resident who relies on the post office, said she worries about the long-term impact of changes to the USPS. Ive always been a supporter of the post office Im there almost every day, Bird said. Its not about making money. Its a service, and people depend on it. As the debate over the future of USPS continues, rally organizers are urging the public to contact lawmakers and oppose privatization efforts. The energy here today is electric, Lockett said. Were coming out here on a Sunday, one of our days off to make sure that we give the American people services that they deserve thats in the Constitution. Thats so important to keep the country connected and as one. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For now, the future of the USPS remains uncertain, but carriers say theyll keep fighting to protect their jobs and the services millions rely on. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. An innocent grandfather was reportedly killed in an awful tragedy at McDonald's. A grandfather, described as being "crazy for his grandkids," has been killed in an awful tragedy inside of the popular fast food restaurant. The 61-year-old grandfather was reportedly killed after getting caught in a shootout inside of the restaurant. Jorge Arbaiza, a Texas native, was killed inside of a Houston-area McDonald's earlier this month. The grandfather was killed while buying some Happy Meals for his grandchildren, as his family waited outside, according to a statement from the Harris County Sheriffs Office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A gunfight between two groups of men had broken out while Arbaiza was waiting for his food. McDonald's sign at night in Amsterdam. Getty Images The grandfather's wife was in the car with the grandchildren while the shooting broke out. Teresa, his wife of nearly 40 years, spoke to KHOU 11 about the tragedy. She said that she couldn't leave the children in the car. "I couldn't leave the kids alone. I could not go inside," Teresa told KHOU 11. "The kids were crying, and they were scared." The grandfather had some simple last words. "Im dying. Im going to die," the grandfather told his wife. Stuart Brown, the owner and operator of the Houston McDonald's, released a statement to Fox News Digital. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We are deeply saddened by this senseless violence that led to a tragic loss of life," he told Fox News Digital in a statement. "Our thoughts are with the victims family, and we are assisting the local police department in any way that we can." Ed Gonzalez, the Harris County Sheriff, released a statement, as well. "Sad update: the innocent bystander, Jorge Arbaiza (61), succumbed to his injuries sustained during the shooting and was pronounced deceased at the hospital. Senseless. Multiple shots were fired while the business was full of customers, including several children," he announced. "Detectives have located a suspect vehicle and several persons involved in the altercation. A male that was involved in the altercation was wounded by gunfire but survived. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The shooters have not yet been identified. The follow-up investigation continues." Anyone with information is asked to call the Homicide Office with any info at 713-274-9100 or Crime Stop Houston at 713-222-TIPS (8477). FREEPORT, Ill. (WTVO) Freeport firefighters spent hours Saturday into Sunday working to put out a large structure fire after a grass fire spread to the building. According to the Freeport Fire Department, crews were called to St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church around 4:16 p.m. on Saturday for a reported grass fire behind the church. Firefighters said the fire had spread to a building at 525 East Stephenson Street. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Around 4:28, all off-duty Freeport firefighters were recalled to assist, and that was followed by a 5:06 p.m. call to surrounding area fire departments, including Lena, Dakota, Cedarville, and Rock City. Three firefighters were treated for minor injuries at the scene, and crews remained at the location overnight and were put back into service again at 4:31 a.m. when the fire flared back up. Officials said fire crews will be monitoring the building over the next several days. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyStateline | WTVO News, Weather and Sports. SANAA, March 23 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. military stationed in the Red Sea conducted fresh airstrikes on Yemen's northern province of Saada on Sunday evening, Houthi-run al-Masirah TV reported. The strikes targeted the areas around the province's namesake central city Saada, a stronghold of the Houthis, the television said without providing further details. The airstrikes came a few hours after the Houthis claimed to have launched fresh attacks on the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier in the northern Red Sea and the Ben Gurion airport in central Israel, with the latter attack reportedly intercepted by the Israeli army. Earlier in the day, the U.S. military launched a series of airstrikes on Houthi-held areas, including the airport in the Red Sea port city of Hodeidah, according to Houthi television. There were no reports of casualties. The exchanges of fire took place amid an ongoing air campaign launched by U.S. forces in mid-March against Houthi-controlled territories in Yemen. The Houthi group, which controls much of northern Yemen after a civil war since 2014, has vowed to continue striking Israeli targets in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza and to respond to what it describes as "American aggression." MENDON, Vt. (ABC22/FOX44) Green Mountain National Forest has announced their plan to begin prescribed fire operations in April. Prescribed fires are set to take place in two main areas, according to the Forest Service: Manchester Ranger District in Rutland, Bennington and Windsor counties (425 acres) Rochester / Middlebury Ranger district in Addison and Rutland counties (240 acres) These burnings are often used to reduce overgrown vegetation, which protects locals from wildfires. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This plan may close off certain areas, which is why officials recommend watching out for warning signs nearby. Smoke may also appear in the area during these burn periods. For air quality information, check out https://fire.airnow.gov/, and turn on headlights when driving in smoky conditions. Planned fires are set to begin April and continue through May, but may be canceled. For more information, check out the Green Mountain and Finger Lakes National Forests webpage. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. A planned visit to Greenland by U.S. officials, including second lady Usha Vance and the secretary of energy, has sparked outcry amid President Donald Trump's push to annex the Danish territory. Vance is set to visit Greenland from Thursday through Saturday to watch the island's national dogsled race and "celebrate Greenlandic culture and unity," the White House told CNN in a statement. National Security Adviser Mike Waltz and Energy Secretary Chris Wright will be joining Vance on the trip, according to Greenlandic news organization Sermitsiaq. The travel is not an official visit, and several Greenlandic politicians have refused to meet with the second lady, the outlet noted. Danish national police sent additional officers and police dogs to the territory on Sunday as part of regular security measures taken during visits by dignitaries and in possible anticipation of protests. A police spokesperson declined to give details, but local media reported dozens of personnel were flown in. The move follows citizens' demonstrations earlier this month against Trump's vow to annex the island, which has a wealth of rare minerals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since taking office, Trump has repeatedly voiced interest in seizing Greenland, despite both Denmark and Greenland's firm rejections of the idea. Trump's desire mounts another threat to the territory's security as other world powers, including Russia and China, seek influence in the Arctic. In a Sunday interview with local media, Greenland's Prime Minister characterized the officials' trip as "highly aggressive." He took particular issue with Waltz's expected presence. What is the national security adviser doing in Greenland? The only purpose is to demonstrate power over us, Egede said. His mere presence in Greenland will no doubt fuel American belief in Trumps mission and the pressure will increase. (Bloomberg) -- Greenlands hard-line independence party, which came second in this months elections, is set to stand outside a new government following disagreements over the territorys path to break away from Denmark. Most Read from Bloomberg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Populist Naleraq said it was excluded from coalition talks after almost two weeks of negotiations, according to a statement. The party advocates a fast breakup with Denmark and its leader has previously suggested entering into direct agreements with the US on military and financial support as an alternative to Danish subsidies. Greenlands new government will be crucial in defining the territorys path to become its own nation and dealing with US President Donald Trumps intensified campaign to bring the Danish territory under US control. Naleraqs exit comes just days before Usha Vance, the wife of Vice President JD Vance, is due to travel with a delegation to Greenland on Thursday. While the trip has been billed as a private visit, it has stirred anger among Greenlandic lawmakers because government negotiations are still ongoing. Demokraatits Jens-Frederik Nielsen, who is leading the negotiations and stands to become Greenlands new prime minister, said he had aimed to form a broad coalition, but that Naleraq had proven too difficult. The parties were unable to agree on the potential activation of the law that would kick off independence negotiations with the Danish government, he said in a separate release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Sunday, Nielsen said the planned trip by US administration representatives to Greenland shows a lack of respect for the Greenlandic people, calling it a pure charm offensive and warned against a rushed formation of government, in an interview with local media Sermitsiaq. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2025 Bloomberg L.P. Greenland has accused the Trump administration of being highly aggressive by sending a delegation of senior officials to the territory this week. President Donald Trumps national security adviser Mike Waltz is visiting Greenland early this week with the U.S. energy secretary Chris Wright, according to reports, in addition to a separate trip by Second Lady Usha Vance on Thursday. The trips come after Trumps repeated threats to annex the autonomous territory. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Greenlands prime minister Mute B. Egede was quoted in a Greenlandic newspaper Sunday furiously questioning why Waltz was visiting. We are now at a level where it can in no way be characterized as a harmless visit from a politician's wife, Egede said, according to Greenlands Sermitsiaq newspaper. What is the national security adviser doing in Greenland? The only purpose is to demonstrate power over us. He is Trump's confidential and closest advisor, and his presence in Greenland alone will certainly make the Americans believe in Trump's mission, and the pressure will increase after the visit, Egede added. The Second Lady Usha Vance will visit Greenland, along with her son, this week. The visit follows President Donald Trumps threats to take over the Danish territory. (AP) The Independent has contacted the White House for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State Department press secertary Tammy Bruce was questioned about the prime ministers comments at Monday afternoons briefing, and declined to comment on the effects it would have on US-Greenland relations referring reporters instead to the White House, where Karoline Leavitt did not brief reporters. It was announced Sunday that Vance would visit Greenland from Thursday until Saturday, accompanied by her son. Vance will visit historical sites, learn about Greenlandic heritage, and attend the Avannaata Qimussersu, Greenlands national dogsled race, the White House said in a statement. The race features 737 mushers and 444 dogs in a remarkable display of speed, skill, and teamwork, the statement said. Vance and the delegation are excited to witness this monumental race and celebrate Greenlandic culture and unity, it added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Less information is known about Walzs trip, which has been reported by the New York Times and CBS News. The planned visits follows Trumps repeated threats to annex the autonomous territory and claim it for the U.S. The president claimed, we need that for international security, not just national security. Greenlands prime minister Mute B. Egede said the visits from senior Trump administration officials were highly aggressive. It comes after Trumps repeated threats to annex the territory. (REUTERS) A longstanding defense agreement between the United States and Denmark allows the U.S. to operate military facilities in Greenland, including Ptiuffik Space Base, formerly known as Thule Air Base. The U.S. once offered to purchase the island in the wake of the Second World War but the Danish government declined the offer. The Danish government and the Greenlandic government have both said that the territory is not up for sale. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think itll happen, Trump told reporters earlier this month while he sat next to NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte. Trump questioned whether Denmark 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. Trumps son, Donald Trump Jr, traveled to Greenland in early January to explore his father's interest in purchasing the island but left very quickly. Incredible experience, he said of the trip that lasted less than a day. By the way, they love America here. They love America. They love Trump, he said in a video he posted to social media at the time. Greenland Prime Minister Mute Bourup Egede slammed second lady Usha Vances trip to the Arctic island this week with a delegation of other U.S. officials as being part of the Trump administrations very aggressive pressure campaign to take over the semiautonomous Danish territory. Until recently, we could safely rely on the Americans, who were our allies and friends, and with whom we liked to work closely, Egede told the Greenlandic newspaper Sermitsiaq on Sunday. But that time is over, we have to admit that, because the new American leadership is completely and utterly indifferent to what we have stood together on so far, because now it is only a matter of them taking over our country over our heads. The very aggressive American pressure against Greenlandic society is now so serious that the level cannot be raised any higher. The only purpose is to show a show of power to us, and the signal is not to be misunderstood, he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Trump has repeatedly stressed his desire for the U.S. to acquire the worlds largest island for national security reasons. He has ramped up those calls since returning to office in January, despite pushback from both Danish and European Union officials. I think were going to get it, the president said during his speech to a joint session of Congress on March 4. One way or the other, were going to get it. Mineral-rich Greenland has been self-governing for decades but still relies on Denmark financially and for foreign affairs. Greenlanders recently voted overwhelmingly in favor of leaders who oppose U.S. annexation and instead support working toward full sovereignty, but it remains unclear when a vote on the broader breakaway issue will take place. Jens-Frederik Nielsen, leader of Greenlands center-right Demokraatit party, which secured a majority in this months parliamentary elections, and a supporter of the islands independence movement, also bristled at the visit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fact that the Americans know we are in the middle of coalition talks and havent even completed the municipal election, but still choose this moment to visit Greenland, once again shows a lack of respect for the Greenlandic people, Nielsen told Sermitsiaq. Egede, who is the leader of the islands Inuit Ataqatigiit Party, which came in third in the election, called on the countrys leaders to act quickly to reject Americas overtures and for the islands allies to more forcefully defend them. We have tried all diplomatic and democratic options, but it all bounces off Donald Trump and his administration in their mission to come to own and control Greenland, he said. We must therefore face the seriousness of the situation and recognize that every single minute counts for the Americans dream of annexing our country not to become a reality. Egede said the continuous pressure from the U.S. is violating us as a people and our sovereignty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nothing has come through with the Trump administration, he said. On the contrary, they are increasing the pressure with each passing day, and now the international community, at least those we consider friends and allies, must step in instead of small hesitant declarations of support. The White House announced Sunday that Vance will travel to the Nordic territory Thursday through Saturday to visit historical sites, learn about Greenlandic heritage and attend the Avannaata Qimussersu, Greenlands national dogsled race. Ms. Vance and the delegation are excited to witness this monumental race and celebrate Greenlandic culture and unity, the White House said. Energy Secretary Chris Wright and national security adviser Mike Waltz are expected to join the vice presidents wife on the trip. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Egede took particular issue with Waltzs participation. What is the national security adviser doing in Greenland? The only purpose is to demonstrate power over us, Egede said in the newspaper interview. His mere presence in Greenland will no doubt fuel American belief in Trumps mission and the pressure will increase. National Security Council spokesperson Brian Hughes said in a statement that the trip among high-level U.S. officials should not come as a surprise. Waltz and Wright will receive briefings from service members at the Department of Defenses northernmost installation at Pituffik Space Base, formerly known as Thule Air Base. The U.S. has a vested security interest in the Arctic region, Hughes said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hughes noted it also presents an opportunity to build on partnerships that respects Greenlands self-determination and advances 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, he said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. (NewsNation) Greenlands prime minister on Sunday criticized upcoming trips by top Trump administration officials to the island. National security adviser Mike Waltz and Energy Secretary Chris Wright will visit the Danish territory this week, the National Security Council confirmed. Second lady Usha Vance will also visit Greenland on Thursday for a series of cultural stops and to attend the national dog sled race, the White House announced. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prime Minister Mute Bourup Egede criticized the trips as part of a pressure campaign. What is the security adviser doing in Greenland? The only purpose is to show a demonstration of power over us, he told national newspaper Sermitsiaq. Venezuela accepts flight with alleged Tren de Aragua members The trips come amidst President Donald Trumps ongoing push to acquire the semiautonomous territory. The U.S. has a vested security interest in the Arctic region, and it should not be a surprise the National Security Advisor and Secretary of Energy are visiting a U.S. Space Base to get first-hand briefings from our service members on the ground, National Security Council spokesman Brian Hughes said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We also look forward to experiencing Greenlands famous hospitality and are confident that this visit presents an opportunity to build on partnerships that respects Greenlands self determination and advances economic cooperation, the statement continued. 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. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. No meeting will take place between Greenland's caretaker government and a high-level US delegation set to visit the country later this week, outgoing Prime Minister Mute Egede posted on Facebook on Monday amid concerns of US designs on the territory. According to a White House announcement, Usha Vance, the wife of Vice President JD Vance, is to visit the autonomous Danish territory on Thursday. According to media reports, she will be accompanied by National Security Advisor Mike Waltz. US President Donald Trump has repeatedly expressed interest in taking over Greenland for security reasons and for its strategic minerals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vance and her son plan to visit historic sites on the island to learn more about its heritage and attend traditional dogsled racing in Sisimiut on the west coast. In his post, Egede said the visit could not be seen as a purely private trip. "I can well understand that one could be concerned," he posted. Greenlanders had recently been treated in an unacceptable way inappropriate among close friends and allies, he said. Trump's son, Donald Trump Junior, visited Nuuk, the island's capital in January, drawing media attention. A week ago, hundreds of Greenlanders protested in Nuuk and in other centres against Trump's takeover plans. Denmark, which runs foreign affairs and defence for the territory, has insisted that Greenlanders must be allowed to decide themselves on their future and possible independence from the Danish crown. A new coalition is currently being put together on the island following elections on March 11, and local elections are set for April 1. Greenlands prime minister said a planned visit to the island by US officials, including second lady Usha Vance, is highly aggressive, plunging relations to a new low after President Donald Trump vowed to annex the autonomous Danish territory. But despite the backlash, Trump has insisted the visit is about friendliness, not provocation and claims the US team was invited. Vance, the wife of US Vice President JD Vance, will travel to Greenland this week to watch the islands national dogsled race and celebrate Greenlandic culture and unity, according to a statement from the White House. National security adviser Mike Waltz is also expected to visit the territory this week, according to a source familiar with the trip. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Greenland Prime Minister Mute B. Egede called the US delegations trip to the island highly aggressive in an interview with Greenlandic newspaper Sermitsiaq on Sunday, and raised particular objection to Waltzs visit. What is the national security adviser doing in Greenland? The only purpose is to demonstrate power over us, Egede said. His mere presence in Greenland will no doubt fuel American belief in Trumps mission and the pressure will increase. Trump claimed on Monday that people in Greenland have responded warmly to the USs recent interest in the territory. Theyre calling us. Were not calling them. And we were invited over there, he said. Were dealing with a lot of people from Greenland that would like to see something happen with respect to them being properly protected and properly taken care of, Trump told reporters following a meeting with his Cabinet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think Greenland is going to be something that maybe is in our future, Trump added. The president said he believes Secretary of State Marco Rubio would be traveling to Greenland too. Trumps idea to annex Greenland has thrown an international spotlight on the territory, which holds vast stores of rare earth minerals critical for high-tech industries, and has raised questions about the islands future security as the US, Russia and China vie for influence in the Arctic. Trump has repeatedly expressed interest in the US taking the island by force or economic coercion, even as Denmark and Greenland have firmly rejected the idea. I think were going to get it one way or the other, Trump said during remarks to a joint session of Congress earlier this month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Egede, who has pushed for Greenlands independence from Denmark, said Greenlanders effort to be diplomatic just bounces off Donald Trump and his administration in their mission to own and control Greenland. Egedes ruling left-wing party IAInuit Ataqatigiit was defeated in parliamentary elections earlier this month, but he remains prime minister until a new governing coalition is formed. Greenland Prime Minister Mute B. Egede holds a press conference with Denmark's Prime Minister in Copenhagen on January 10, 2025. - Mads Claus Rasmussen/AFP/Ritzau Scanpix/Getty Images Jens-Frederik Nielsen, who is likely to be Greenlands next leader after his party won the election, said the timing of the American visit shows a lack of respect. The fact that the Americans know very well that we are still in a negotiating situation and that the municipal elections have not yet concluded, they still capitalize on the moment to come to Greenland, once again, which shows a lack of respect for the Greenlandic population, Nielsen told Sermitsiaq. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The White House presented Vances visit as a cultural one, and said the second lady will travel to Greenland with her son and a United States delegation to visit historical sites, learn about Greenlandic heritage, and attend the Avannaata Qimussersu, Greenlands national dogsled race. Ms. Vance and the delegation are excited to witness this monumental race and celebrate Greenlandic culture and unity, the White House statement said. Usha Vance attends a campaign rally, on November 1, 2024, in Selma, N.C. - Allison Joyce/AP It is unclear whether the US has ever sent a delegation to the dogsled race, much less a group featuring a second lady. Denmark ruled Greenland as a colony until 1953, when the island achieved greater powers of self-governance. In 2009, it gained more powers pertaining to minerals, policing and courts of law, but Denmark still controls security, defense, foreign and monetary policy. Greenland also benefits from Denmarks European Union and NATO memberships. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said in a written comment to Reuters that the visit of the US delegation is something we take seriously. She said Denmark wants to cooperate with the US, but that should be based on the fundamental rules of sovereignty. While Greenlandic politicians have repeatedly signaled they are opposed to annexation, they are open to deals with the United States for rare earth mining, expanding tourism, stronger diplomatic connections and other investments. A poll in January, commissioned by Danish and Greenlandic newspapers, found that 85% of Greenlanders did not want to become part of the US, with nearly half saying Trumps interest was a threat, Reuters reported. The presidents son Donald Trump, Jr. made headlines with a visit to Greenland in January. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Greenland is an incredible place, and the people will benefit tremendously if, and when, it becomes part of our nation. We will protect it, and cherish it, from a very vicious outside world. Make Greenland Great Again! Trump Jr. posted on social media at the time. CNNs Betsy Klein, Kevin Liptak, Lauren Kent, and Jessie Yeung contributed reporting. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com The prime minister of Greenland on Thursday criticized the upcoming visit of second lady Usha Vance to the semiautonomous Danish territory, saying the trip can no longer be described as an innocent visit from a politicians spouse amid President Donald Trumps annexation talk. National security adviser Mike Waltz and Energy Secretary Chris Wright are also expected to be among the senior members of the Trump administration to travel to Greenland this week. In an interview with local newspaper Sermitsiaq, Greenlands outgoing Prime Minister Mute Bourup Egede said of the trip, We are now at a point where it can no longer be described as an innocent visit from a politicians spouse, according to a translation by The New York Times. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Egede also raised particular objections about Waltzs visit. What is the national security adviser doing in Greenland? The only purpose is to demonstrate power over us, Egede said, according to the Times. His mere presence in Greenland will no doubt fuel American belief in Trumps mission and the pressure will increase. The White House announced the second lady and her son would travel to Greenland with a U.S. delegation on Thursday as part of a short trip to visit historical sites, learn about Greenlandic heritage, and attend the Avannaata Qimussersu, Greenlands national dogsled race. Waltz and Wright are expected to visit the Pituffik space base, a U.S. military base, before joining Vance for the dogsled race, Reuters reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brian Hughes, a spokesperson for the National Security Council, said the U.S. has a vested security interest in the Arctic region, and it should not be a surprise the national security adviser and secretary of energy are visiting a U.S. space base to get firsthand briefings from our service members on the ground, in a statement reported by the Times. Jens-Frederik Nielsen, who is widely expected to be Greenlands next prime minister, criticized the timing of the Trump officials visit, telling Sermitsiaq the move once again shows a lack of respect for the Greenlandic people, according to CNN. Greenland has yet to form a new government after Nielsens party won the general election earlier this month. In a video posted on Instagram, Vance said shes 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 added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has repeatedly talked about the need to acquire Greenland. We need Greenland for national security and even international security, and were working with everybody involved to try and get it, he said during his joint address to Congress. But we need it, really, for international world security. And I think were going to get it. One way or the other, were going to get it, he added. Trumps apparent plan is not popular with Greenlanders, according to a poll that shows 85% of the country opposes the prospect. Trumps son Donald Trump Jr. visited Greenland in January, ahead of his fathers inauguration, but did not meet with any Greenlandic representatives at the time, according to The Associated Press. Related... DHAKA, March 24 (Xinhua) -- A court in Bangladesh's capital, Dhaka, has issued an arrest warrant against a man in a case filed over the death of a cat. Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate GM Farhan Ishtiaque passed the order Sunday after taking cognizance of the charges brought against Akbar Hossain Shiblu, who faced an arrest warrant for his involvement in killing a cat on Feb. 1. On Feb. 5, Nafisa Naurin Chowdhury, on behalf of the People for Animal Welfare Foundation in Bangladesh, lodged the case. In the case statement, Nafisa said that the cat went missing on Feb. 1. Subsequently, the CCTV footage showed Shiblu kicking the cat to death. Greenland is enhancing its security ahead of a visit from second lady Usha Vance and other top Trump administration officials. Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark, will receive extra personnel from Danish police, including sniffing dogs, ahead of Vances visit later this week, The Associated Press reported. The second ladys office announced she will be traveling to Greenland on Thursday with her son as part of a U.S. delegation that will be there until Saturday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She will visit historical sites, learn about Greenlands heritage and attend the territorys national dogsled race. The visit comes as President Trump has doubled down on his proposal for the U.S. to acquire Greenland. Hes argued its necessary for national security purposes and that the U.S. will get the land one way or another. Greenland and Danish officials have insisted that Greenland is not for sale and Trump will not be acquiring the land. Mute Bourup Egede, Greenlands prime minister, slammed the U.S. trips to Greenland, calling them part of a very aggressive pressure campaign to take over the territory. Trump national security adviser Mike Waltz is also expected to visit the island, as is Energy Secretary Chris Wright. 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. Greenlands prime minister has attacked a planned visit by a US delegation to the island as highly aggressive and has called on the international community to respond. Usha Vance, the wife of vice-president JD Vance and second lady, and Michael Waltz, the US national security adviser are among those travelling to Greenland, which Mr Trump has vowed to take over one way or the other. The Danish-owned, semi-autonomous territory of about 57,000 people is mineral-rich and strategically important in the Arctic region. Mr Trump has claimed its ownership is vital for US national security. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Monday, Mute B Egede, Greenlands outgoing prime minister, said: It should be said clearly that our integrity and democracy must be respected without foreign interference. He added that the visit cannot be seen as just a private visit. What is the US national security adviser doing in Greenland? The only purpose is to demonstrate power over us, Mr Egede told local media. His mere presence in Greenland will no doubt fuel American belief in Trumps mission and the pressure will increase. We are now at a point where it can no longer be described as an innocent visit from a politicians spouse... the international community must now react. Mr Egede said every effort to be diplomatic with the US just bounces off Donald Trump and his administration in their mission to own and control Greenland. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mrs Vance will join a delegation of senior Trump administration officials travelling to the island on Thursday. It comes after Donald Trump Jr toured Greenland in January on a personal day trip. Credit: donaldjtrumpjr/Instagram The timing of the trip has drawn criticism as Greenlands political parties are deep in coalition negotiations to form a new government after elections earlier this month. Jens-Frederik Nielsen, who led his centre-Right Demokraatit party to victory in this months election, has told Mr Trump that Greenland is not for sale. Commenting on the latest visit, Mr Nielsen said: The fact that the Americans are well aware we are in the middle of negotiations once again shows a lack of respect for the Greenlandic people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All of Greenlands major political parties support independence from Denmark but are divided over how quickly it should happen. According to polls, most Greenlanders support independence from Denmark, but not annexation by the US. The Greenlandic government, Naalakkersuisut, is in a caretaker period following the March 11 general election won by Mr Nielsens pro-business party, which favours a gradual approach to independence from Denmark. On Sunday, Mr Vance increased pressure on Denmark, suggesting it was not doing enough to guarantee security in the Arctic, where Russia and China are competing with the US for influence. Denmarks not doing its job, not being a good allyif that means we need to take more territorial interest in Greenland that is what President Trump is going to do, he said. He doesnt care about what the Europeans scream at us, he cares about putting the interests of American citizens first. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mette Frederiksen, the Danish prime minister, said: The visit from the United States cannot be seen in isolation from the public statements that have been made. This is something we take seriously. The White House said Mrs Vance and the delegation will visit historical sites, learn about Greenlandic heritage, and attend the Avannaata Qimussersua, Greenlands national dogsled race.Mrs Vance and the delegation are excited to witness this monumental race and celebrate Greenlandic culture and unity, it added. A spokesman for Mr Waltz said: The United States has a vested security interest in the Arctic region, adding: This is a visit to learn about Greenland, its culture, history and people. During a recent Oval Office meeting with Mark Rutte, the Nato secretary general, Mr Trump said: Denmarks very far away from Greenland. A boat landed there 200 years ago or something. And they say they have rights to it. I dont know if thats true. I dont think it is, actually. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. 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. Greenland and Denmark are not happy with second lady Usha Vances planned visit to the island, with Greenlandic Prime Minister Mute Egede calling the move highly aggressive. Vance is traveling to the island on Thursday with Donald Trumps national security adviser Mike Waltz, as well as Energy Secretary Chris Wright, ostensibly to watch the territorys national dogsled race and celebrate Greenlandic culture and unity. Waltz and Wright also plan to visit the Pituffik space base, a U.S. military facility in northern Greenland. Egede said that his government, which is serving in a caretaker role since his party was defeated in elections earlier this month, would not meet with the U.S. delegation, criticizing Waltzs presence. Trump has said repeatedly that he wants the U.S. to annex the island for national security reasons. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What is the national security adviser doing in Greenland? The only purpose is to demonstrate power over us, Egede told the Greenland newspaper Sermitsiaq on Sunday. His mere presence in Greenland will no doubt fuel American belief in Trumps missionand the pressure will increase. Until recently, we could trust the Americans, who were our allies and friends, and with whom we enjoyed working closely, Egede added in the newspaper. But that time is over. Egedes party, the Inuit Ataqatigiit, favors rapid independence from Denmark and closer ties with the U.S., but lost the territorys election nearly two weeks ago to the center-right Demokraatit Party, which seeks a slower path to independence. The latter party also criticized the visit, saying that it once again shows a lack of respect for the Greenlandic people. Trump has floated sending more U.S. troops to the island and even getting NATO involved. Hes also drawn up military plans to retake the Panama Canal and keeps blathering about making Canada the fifty-first state. His tough talk has alarmed people in all three places, who are allies of the U.S., and is worsening the countrys image around the world. Donald Trump won't stop talking about taking over Greenland. Anna Moneymaker / Getty Images This week, a group of US officials and Vice President JD Vance's wife, Usha, plan to go to Greenland to watch the country's national dogsled race. Greenland's prime minister is calling the visit "highly aggressive." Xinhua News Agency / Xinhua News Agency via Getty Images Meanwhile, protests in Greenland have escalated. Anadolu / Anadolu via Getty Images A poll from January found that 85% of Greenlanders said they did not want to be part of the US. CHRISTIAN KLINDT SOELBECK / Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty Images Advertisement Advertisement A couple of weeks ago, hundreds of people gathered outside the US consulate in the capital, Nuuk, with various "go home!" protest signs. CHRISTIAN KLINDT SOELBECK / Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty Images FWIW, the population of Nuuk is only about 20,000. And now, to protest this "aggressive" visit this week, some Greenlanders have created their own MAGA hat. Here it is: The hat was created by Aannguaq Reimer-Johansen, who said, roughly translated, "Challenge to citizens: Vance's wife's visit is a charm offense. If you take a smiling selfie with them, you send a signal to the whole world that you love USA and want to be a part of it. We have already shown our attitude through a large demonstration. Let's stand firm and hold together." That hat has gone viral on X. Advertisement Advertisement "This is a red hat that I could see myself wearing," one person said. "I hear this hat is becoming a Hot item throughout the World!" another person chimed in. And a bunch of Canadians said they wanted one. "I wonder if they ship to Canada?" LEBANON, Mo. The Lebanon area hit with intense hail overnight causing damage to murals in the citys historic downtown. The livery building was built in the 1890s, and the murals on its walls were painted in the early 2000s by Lebanon High School students. Lebanon residents tell Ozarks First they were shocked to see the damage. They were in need of a little bit of love, but last nights hailstorm did a lot of damage, says Sarah Angst the Executive Director of Downtown Lebanon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Angst also saying the hail was unlike any other that she had seen, and it completely covered the ground. It was intense for about 5 to 10 minutes and then it was just over, says Angst. It was probably the most hail Ive ever seen, says Monica and Will Flanary, who own a business inside of the livery building. The Flanarys see the murals everyday and say that they are important because they were painted by the people of Lebanon for the the people of Lebanon. Theres still people that come by and stop and read the plaques and they have kids or grandkids and they show that theyve been here and painted this, says Monica Flanary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The mural depicts what downtown Lebanon looked like in the late 1800s. Angst says an art committee was recently formed to update town murals. This being a project that was hopefully going to be further in the future, now needs to kind of be sped up. Something needs to be done about it sooner, says Angst. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. For months, Haitis criminal gangs have been pushing the countrys capital further into chaos, forcing the shutdown of public offices and schools and sending tens of thousands of people under a hail of gunfire into soiled makeshift camps with no potable water, no latrines and no hope. Avenue John Brown, one of three main roads that connect downtown Port-au-Prince to affluent Petion-Ville, was once a scene of teeming street merchants and bumper-to-bumper traffic. Now, its lower reaches have been transformed into heaps of destruction as residents and businesses flee the historical downtown area, and police try to resist the onslaught of the heavily armed gunmen. The situation is critical in downtown Port-au-Prince, where gangs have been fighting to secure control over the neighborhoods of Canape-Vert and Pacot. Control of the residential communities and others nearby would put gangs within reach of Petion-Ville and allow them to further control the regions key resources. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement From Carrefour Feuilles and Christ-Roi to Nazon and Delmas, Haitis most powerful warlords have been circling. Theyve divided the capital, each taking a corner as part of their recent territorial gains Izo, Ti Lapli in the south; Chen Mechan and Jeff Canaan in the north, Lanmo SanJou and Vitelhomme in the east. Members of the powerful Viv Ansanm gang coalition, all have been closing the gap ever since an attack in the once peaceful mountainside of Kenscoff in late January created a security lapse that left key Port-au-Prince neighborhoods unprotected and vulnerable to attack. With dozens of roads, including many leading to the main international airport, now in gang territory, the encircling of the capital is leaving just one question: How long can Haitis ill-equipped national police and small military, along with the Kenya-led Multinational Security Support mission, resist the siege before Port-au-Prince or Petion-Ville collapses? Compounding the problem, the Trump administration, which has an ongoing ban on U.S. flights landing in the capital, is canceling immigration protections and work permits as of Tuesday for over 200,000 Haitians in the U.S. and asking them to self-deport home. The situation is full of uncertainties, but morbid symptoms are everywhere, said Robert Fatton, a retired Haiti-born professor of political science and longtime watcher of his countrys cycle of crises. This is a calamity. From abroad it looks like the country is simply falling into the abyss, but I am not sure what Haitians in Haiti will or can do to stop this fall. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The pivotal moment, several police officers told the Miami Herald, came when police failed to heed the warnings of a pending attack on Kenscoff, and police responded by redeploying five armored vehicles from downtown up the hillside to reinforce the areas rural hamlets. The vehicles had been strategically stationed to prevent the neighborhoods from falling into gang hands. The removal of the vehicles, coupled with the loss of three additional armored vehicles, created the opening that has allowed gangs in recent weeks to launch simultaneous attacks and control access in and out of the metropolitan area. Now gangs have seized control of the last open road through the mountains to the south, the southeast, Nippes and Grand-Anse, trapping the capitals four million people, and are moving closer to Petion-Ville. On Monday, residents in nearby Laboule, Thomassin and communities around Kenscoff issued calls for help, saying gangs were circling and demanding passage to go after the bourgeoisie. A bunch of children are burning peoples homes, a voice message shared on WhatsApp said. We are sounding the alarm; the population in the mountains cant take it anymore. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The gangs recent expansion into the mountains and in areas such as Nazon and Delmas 30, which puts them within striking distance of the headquarters of one of the countrys biggest banks, along with Delmas 19, located less than a mile from the government-owned Radio Television Nationale dHaiti, has rich and poor alike afraid. Any further expansion into Delmas, for example, could lead to a closure of the airspace because air traffic controllers and airport employees would no longer be able to safely commute to work. This is not the first time Port-au-Prince has been on the brink of falling into the hands of Viv Ansanm. But its the closest its been. Last year as gang leaders united under the Viv Ansanm banner and launched simultaneous attacks across the capital in effort to bring down the government, the U.S. and the Caribbean Community intervened. They forced the ouster of the prime minister and helped Haitians put in place a new transition to restore security and pave the way to elections. A year later, neither has occurred. The transition has been marred by ongoing disagreements, political tensions, infighting and what security experts describe as a lack of a cohesive strategy for fighting the gangs. Today, areas once considered safe two months ago are now empty or blocked by barricades. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Joint operations between the Kenya-led force and police have forced gang members to retreat in some areas. But security analysts are warning that without long-term police presence, gangs may reoccupy vacated areas. Last month, a government task force began dropping explosive drones in gangs strongholds. But the attacks havent neutralized the gangs. As Haitis capital comes under intense gang attacks, angry Haitians in Canape Vert armed themselves with machetes and took to the streets Wednesday, March 19, 2025 to protest the assaults and lack of response from the countrys authorities. As armed groups expand their control, government institutions have retreated, leaving critical infrastructure unprotected, Halo Solutions Firm, a security company in the capital, said in its most recent weekly report and analysis on the evolving crisis. More than 50 official buildings, including ministries, courts, port facilities, schools, and other strategic institutions, have been vacated, signaling a significant decline in state authority over the capital. This is most noticeable around the Champ-de-Mars, the public square across from the presidential palace and defense ministry. Last week government offices in the area were told to remove computers and other valuables. Elsewhere, banks and private firms were frantically making calls trying to relocate to houses and hotel rooms in Petion-Ville. What the fall of the capital would mean So what would the fall of Port-au-Prince look like? Most experts in and out of Haiti say the embattled nine-member Transitional Presidential Council would no longer be able to function, and the gangs would take over the symbols of power. These include the offices of the countrys beleaguered transitional authorities and the National Palace, and Petion-Ville either on the verge of collapse or invaded by armed groups. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A clear sign would be the closing of the American embassy and the departure of the presidential council and prime minister, said Fatton. The fighting has already temporarily shuttered the doors of the French embassy, and is moving closer to Canadas embassy in Delmas 75. The violence also is but a few miles from the Villa dAccueil in Musseau, where the offices of the ruling council are located. The presidential council, already weakened and with its claim to legitimacy dwindling, would certainly lose power in a collapse. Can it become a government in exile if it functions from Cap-Haitien, the northern port city where the staff of some international institutions have been fleeing? What will the U.S. do? It does not look like Washington has a plan. Perhaps negotiations may occur between the presidential council and the gangs to avoid a bloodbath, Fatton said. As Haitis capital comes under intense gang attacks, angry Haitians in Canape Vert armed themselves with machetes and took to the streets Wednesday, March 19, 2025 to protest the assaults and lack of response from the countrys authorities. The United States appears to have no current no Haiti policy. The Dominican Republic, Haitis closest neighbor, has reinforced its land border with its military and recently designated more than a dozen Haitian gangs as terrorist organizations. The move has raised concerns about whether Haitis neighbor would deploy troops on Haitian soil if theres a takeover of the country by the gangs. BUFFALO, N.Y (WIVB) A Hamburg man has been sentenced to five years in prison for sexually abusing two children between 2017 and 2022, the Erie County District Attorneys Office said Monday. Tyler Wilkinson, 28, abused two children, both under 17 years of age, over the period of nearly five years between June 2017 and April 2022. One of the children was abused in 2021 and was under 13. Wilkinson was found guilty in January of one count of first-degree sexual abuse and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He will be subject to 10 years of post-release supervision once he gets out of prison and will be required to register as a sex offender. A final order of protection was also issued to remain in effect until March 2048. Latest Local 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 News 4 Buffalo. Hamden fire chief retires, takes leadership role in North Haven HAMDEN, Conn. (WTNH) The Hamden fire chief Friday announced hell be retiring from the department and taking a job as deputy fire chief in North Haven. Fire Chief Jeffrey Naples last day in Hamden is scheduled for April 4. Hamdens first female assistant fire chief celebrates 1 year anniversary The chief has served Hamden for 19 years, working his way up the ranks after first starting as a firefighter. Hes been chief for about two years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement From the very first day I walked through these doors as a firefighter, I knew I was joining something special, Naples said. The sense of duty, the camaraderie, and the unwavering commitment to the mission have been constants throughout my career. In his announcement, he expressed deep gratitude to colleagues and mentors. Summer camp teaches Hamden students about public safety Weve faced many challenges together, long nights, difficult calls, and moments of great sorrow. But weve also shared countless moments of triumph and joy. The bond weve forged over these years is something that I will cherish for the rest of my life, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Naples said hes accepted a position as deputy chief of administration with the North Haven fire department. Assistant Chief Shelly Carter will step into the chief role in Hamden, at least for the time being. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com. BRUNSWICK COUNTY, Va. (WAVY) A Hampton man was arrested and charged with 30 felonies following a high-speed police pursuit on Friday. On March 21, Virginia State Police were requested to assist the Brunswick County Sheriffs Office (BSO) around 12 p.m. in stopping a vehicle they were pursuing on Route 58. Shortly after BSO terminated the pursuit, state police observed the vehicle, a 2015 Hyundai Genesis, on Route 58 speeding recklessly at 100 mph in a 45mph zone. As state police initiated a traffic pursuit, the driver, later identified as 34-year-old Delmar Curtis Staton-Davies proceeded onto Interstate 95 northbound and exited at Route 301 in Emporia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Once on Route 301, Staton-Davies ran off the roadway, struck the curb and a road sign. He then got out of the vehicle and fled the scene. Staton-Davies was quickly apprehended with the help of the Greenville County Sheriffs Office and Emporia Police Department. Search warrants were executed after Staton-Davies arrest, which uncovered multiple credit cards, drivers licenses and passports not belonging to him. Additionally, four firearms were recovered, including one that had been reported stolen out of North Carolina. Staton-Davies was taken to Southside Regional Jail and charged with 30 felonies, 7 misdemeanors and 4 traffic infractions. His felony charges include 15 counts of possession of stolen credit cards, nine counts of possession of stolen goods valued over $1,500, and one count each of possession of a stolen firearm, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of ammunition by a convicted felon, destruction of property, unauthorized use of a vehicle and eluding law enforcement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His misdemeanor charges include four counts of identity theft and one count each of reckless driving, obstruction of justice and drive after revocation. He is also charged with failure to stop at a red light, improper passing and two counts of failing to obey a stop sign. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 News South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo was reinstated as acting leader Monday after the countrys Constitutional Court overturned his impeachment. South Korea has been roiled by months of political turmoil after President Yoon Suk Yeols botched attempt to impose martial law in early December led to his impeachment. Han took over from Yoon as acting leader, only to be impeached and suspended two weeks later after clashing with lawmakers in the opposition-led parliament over his bid to appoint new justices to the countrys Constitutional Court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The opposition Democratic Party expressed regret over his reinstatement Monday, as Han called for national unity, saying: Theres no left or right what matters is the advancement of our nation. The court is yet to rule on the separate impeachment of Yoon Suk Yeol over his martial law declaration, but Hans reinstatement could embolden Yoons supporters, analysts told The Associated Press. Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, holds talks with Italy's Senate President Ignazio La Russa in Beijing, capital of China, March 24, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan) BEIJING, March 24 (Xinhua) -- Zhao Leji, China's top legislator, held talks with Italy's Senate President Ignazio La Russa in Beijing on Monday. Zhao, chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, said that key to the healthy and steady development of China-Italy relations is the commitment of both sides to mutual respect, seeking common ground while shelving differences, and pursuing win-win cooperation. China appreciates Italy's adherence to the one-China principle and is willing to tap into cooperation potential in shipbuilding, aerospace and new energy, Zhao said, adding that cooperation in the fields of culture, art, tourism and education should also be strengthened. He called for increased exchange between the NPC and Italy's parliament within bilateral and multilateral frameworks. He said China is ready to work with the EU to use the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties as an opportunity to promote the sustained, steady and sound development of China-EU relations, and hopes Italy will continue to play a positive role in this regard. He said companies from all over the world, including those from Italy, are welcome to seize cooperation opportunities in and grow alongside the Chinese economy. La Russa said that Italy and China can work together to make new contributions to world peace and stability. Italy hopes to expand cooperation in the fields of the economy, trade, science, technology and culture to promote the continuous development of bilateral relations and the sound, steady development of EU-China relations. He added that Italy's Senate is willing to take on closer exchanges with China's NPC. Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, holds talks with Italy's Senate President Ignazio La Russa in Beijing, capital of China, March 24, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan) NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) Dozens of demonstrators from all over Tennessee came to Nashville Sunday to rally against President Donald Trumps proposed changes to the U.S. Postal Service (USPS). We want to send a loud message to Washington: hands off the Postal Service, said Anthony Lauderdale with the Tennessee Association of Letter Carriers, who helped organize the demonstration. The protest happened Sunday, March 23 in front of the Frist Art Museum on Broadway, which was once Nashvilles main post office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement USPS agrees to work with DOGE on reform, planning to cut 10,000 workers Many of Sundays demonstrators were current or former employees of USPS who said the White Houses plans to potentially take away the agencys independence would have an impact on millions of jobs and people living in rural communities. Its not just about us and the jobs, said Steve Lassan with the National Association of Letter Carriers. Its about the consumers we serve and those goods and services that reach out to them baby formula, the medications especially in the rural areas where this could affect 51 million addresses. They know. Its important to them. Thats who we serve and thats who we want to protect also. Trumps reported plans include potentially giving the Secretary of Commerce authority over the Postal Service. In his first term, Trump also floated the idea of privatizing USPS, which some workers said would have impacts on service. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Postal workers protest in Donelson against USPS privatization As a veteran, depending on my medicine to come through the VA and especially important documents from the VA, so I take that very seriously, making sure my customers get all their mail on time, said Kahlil Small, a USPS employee with the Memphis chapter. USPS has been an independent establishment of the executive branch for more than 50 years, according to government officials. Organizers of Sundays event also told News 2 the proposed changes to USPS may be unconstitutional, adding that any restructuring of the Postal Service would likely need the support of Congress. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. Hacks star Hannah Einbinder was honored at the Human Rights Campaigns Los Angeles Dinner on Saturday night and used her time on stage to speak about the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine. The actress received HRCs Visibility Award for expanding LGBTQ+ representation on- and offscreen and told the crowd, My queerness is a tradition of social justice, as is my Judaism. To me, these are traditions of humanity, of care for human life all human life, equally. More from The Hollywood Reporter Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Visibly emotional, she continued, 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. Einbinder said that her condemnation of Israels bombardment of Gaza is not despite what she learned in Hebrew school but because of it. I love being Jewish and I am so proud of my tradition. I was taught that central to being a Jew is asking questions, being inquisitive, arguing, wrestling with opposing points of view, questioning my own beliefs in order to keep learning and growing into a better human being, a better citizen of the world, she noted. I see it as antithetical to our deepest Jewish traditions to fall in line and not question the actions of a state enacting atrocities in our name. Israels actions are not in the name of Jewish safety and it is the very conflation of Israels actions with the Jewish people that continues to endanger Jews. The star then referenced Mahmoud Khalil, the prominent Palestinian activist who was arrested and detained earlier this month for his advocacy at Columbia University. 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, she added. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Einbinder concluded, Our struggles for liberation will be won by loudly opposing the corporations who fuel the destruction of our planet and the institutions that fuel mass death of our fellow human beings. Visibility is a responsibility. Those of us who have a platform must use our voices to ensure that speaking out is not outlawed altogether. The event, held at Fairmont Century Plaza, also honored Janelle Monae and Emily in Paris Ashley Park, with a performance by David Archuleta. Best of The Hollywood Reporter Sign up for THR's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Few people have made such a powerful imprint on American history as Harriet Tubman did. A former enslaved person, Tubman became an abolitionist, humanitarian and leader of the Underground Railroad, which may have helped free more than 100,000 people during the antebellum period. This bio explores Tubmans early life in slavery, her escape to freedom and how she helped guide others to safety. Youll also learn about her contributions as a Union spy during the Civil War, as well as other facts about Harriet Tubman. Harriet Tubmans early life Black artist Alvin Pettits winning sculpture of Harriet Tubman (above), titled A Higher Power: The Call of a Freedom Fighter, won the design contest for a Tubman statue to be erected outside Philadelphia City Hall. It was unveiled Monday in Philly. (Photo: Screenshot/YouTube.com/FOX 29 Philadelphia) Born into the institution of slavery, Harriet Tubman experienced various hardships during her childhood. Despite this, she would later devote her life to compassion and equality. Birth and context of slavery in Maryland Araminta Ross was born in Dorchester County, Maryland, around 1820. She later adopted her mothers first name, Harriet. When she was around 5 years old, Tubman was forced to work as a nursemaid and later as a field hand, cook and woodcutter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tubman had eight brothers and sisters. However, slavery kept many of them apart. Slavery in Maryland has a long history, starting in 1642 with the importation of slaves and ending in 1864. In the 1660s, less than 25% of the states bound laborers were enslaved Africans. This number increased to 33% by 1680 and around 75% by the early 1700s. In the final decades of the 1700s, 44% of the 46,547 enslaved people in Maryland lived in groups of more than 20 people in the Tidewater counties. Early experiences and influences on Tubman When Tubman was 12, she saw an overseer (someone who oversaw the daily work of those enslaved) about to punish another enslaved person. When she tried to stop the situation, the overseer struck her head with a heavy weight. Tubman later said: The weight broke my skull They carried me to the house, all bleeding and fainting. I had no bed, no place to lie down on at all, and they laid me on the seat of the loom, and I stayed there all day and the next. In around 1844, she married John Tubman, a free Black man. However, the marriage later broke down. The Underground Railroad Shown is a statue of Harriet Tubman created by Wesley Wofford, outside of City Hall in Philadelphia, Jan. 18, 2022. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke) The Underground Railroad was a pre-Civil War system in the Northern United States that enabled enslaved people to escape from the South. Sympathetic Northerners who disagreed with the Fugitive Slave Act, which required fugitive slaves to return to their enslavers, helped those people reach a place of safety. Although not a physical railroad, the system consisted of different routes that extended from the South to 14 Northern states and Canada. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On September 17, 1849, Tubman and two of her brothers escaped the plantation where they were enslaved. However, her brothers changed their minds and returned. The Underground Railroad helped Harriet escape to Pennsylvania, where she found work as a housekeeper. Tubmans role as a conductor Tubman didnt want to live free on her own, so she also tried to help her friends and family escape. First, she led her niece and nieces children to Philadelphia through the Underground Railroad. Then, she made several dangerous trips back to Maryland over the next decade, eventually helping around 70 enslaved people escape. This is an important moment in Harriet Tubmans story, with Britannica saying: Tubman displayed extraordinary courage, persistence and iron discipline, which she enforced upon her charges. If anyone decided to turn back thereby endangering the mission she reportedly threatened them with a gun and said, Youll be free or die. She also was inventive, devising various strategies to better ensure success. One such example was escaping on Saturday nights since it would not appear in newspapers until Monday. Tubman became known as the Moses of her people. Methods used to guide enslaved people to freedom Tubman was known as a conductor in the Underground Railroad system someone who might enter a plantation, pose as an enslaved person and help people escape. Enslaved people would normally leave plantations at night and travel to different safe locations before getting to their final destination. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sometimes, conductors would travel with enslaved people by train or boat. Enslaved people often wore disguises to avoid suspicion. The 1850 Fugitive Slave Act allowed escaped enslaved people to be captured and enslaved again, which made Tubmans role as a conductor more difficult. She led enslaved people further north to Canada, often in the spring or fall when the days were shorter. Tubman also received support from famous people who supported the abolition of slavery, including Harriet Beecher Stowe andJohn Brown, who planned a raid on the federal arsenal at Harpers Ferry, Virginia. The network of safe houses and allies Conductors like Tubman would guide enslaved people to several safe houses or stations along the Underground Railroad, which provided protection, food and a place to sleep. These locations included barns and churches owned by abolitionists and their allies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several national preservation programs are documenting safe houses and other sites associated with the Underground Railroad. Contributions during the Civil War This 1860-75 photo made available by the Library of Congress shows Harriet Tubman. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin is calling completely erroneous a report published Friday, June 14, 2019, that an initial 2020 deadline for completing the design of a $20 bill featuring Harriett Tubman could have been met. (Harvey B. Lindsley/Library of Congress via AP) After the Civil War started in 1861, Tubman continued her fight for freedom. She helped injured enslaved people as a nurse and later became a spy for the Union Army. Roles as a nurse and scout Tubman was a nurse, cook and laundress during the Civil War. She used her knowledge of herbal medicines to treat injured soldiers and escaped enslaved people at Fort Monroe, a former military installation in Hampton, Virginia. She also became an organizer and leader of scouts people who gathered intelligence about enemy locations during the Civil War in Hilton Head, South Carolina. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. Army says: Harriet and her scouts provided valuable intelligence to the newly-formed black regiments, providing, for example, vulnerabilities and locations of Confederate sentinels. This intelligence helped free enslaved people to form Black Union regiments. Tubmans espionage work for the Union Army In 1863, Tubman became the first woman in U.S. history to command an armed military raid. As a scout and spy, she guided Col. James Montgomery and his unit along the Combahee River to route Confederate outposts, destroying food, weapons and cotton and freeing more than 750 enslaved people. She also worked with General David Hunter. Brandeis University says: Newspapers from Boston to Wisconsin reported on the river assault by Montgomery and his Black regiment, noting Tubmans important role as the Black she Moses who led the raid, and under whose inspiration it was originated and conducted.' Harriet Tubman was posthumously named a general in a Veterans Day ceremony in 2024, with Gov. Wes Moore calling the occasion a great day for all of the U.S.: Today, we celebrate a soldier and a person who earned the title of veteran. Today, we celebrate one of the greatest authors of the American story. Advocacy for womens rights FILE A bronze statue of abolitionist Harriet Tubman is seen at the Maryland State House, Feb. 10, 2020, in Annapolis, Md. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez, file) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the Civil War, Tubman relocated to Auburn, Alabama, where she looked after orphans and older adults. She also became active in the womens suffrage movement and championed gender equality. Involvement in suffrage movements Tubman took part in various womens suffrage conventions organized by Black and white women. She supported the National Womens Suffrage Association of Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton, which opposed the Fifteenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution that granted the vote to Black men but not women. The League of Women Voters of Oxford says: Tubman believed in the equality of all people black or white, male or female. She was a strong supporter of womens voting rights, giving speeches on womens suffrage in New York, Boston and Washington, D.C. Tubman shared her experiences of suffering in the war and railroad movement in order to prove that women are equal to men. By all accounts, she was a dynamic speaker and storyteller. Speeches and writings promoting gender equality Like many enslaved people, Tubman had no formal education and couldnt read or write. However, she gave several speeches during her later years about fighting for equal rights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of the most famous Harriet Tubman quotes about gender equality is: [If my services] do not place woman as mans equal, what do? In 2021, a family book, Beyond the Underground: Aunt Harriet, Moses of Her People, offered personal accounts of Tubmans life. Recognition and legacy A recently-found photograph of escaped slave, abolitionist and Union spy Harriet Tubman that was acquired by the Smithsonian is displayed before a hearing of the House Administration Committee in the Longworth House Office Building on Capitol Hill June 17, 2015 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) Tubman is an American icon, famous for being a freedom fighter who helped get enslaved people to safety. As a result of her legacy, a new $20 bill will feature a design with her likeness. When this happens, Tubman will become the first woman and first African-American person on U.S. paper currency. Commemorative parks and monuments The Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historical Park is a national historical park in Church Creek, Maryland, that opened in 2013. It honors Tubman, her dedication to freedom and her contribution to the Underground Railroad. The visitor center commemorates Tubmans life and legacy, featuring various exhibits that illustrate her childhood and rescue missions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A 13-foot monument to Tubman, created by Alison Saar, stands in the Harriet Tubman Memorial Plaza in Harlem. Saar characterizes Tubman not as the conductor of the Underground Railroad, but as the train itself, an unstoppable locomotive. Artistic representations of Tubmans life Tubman has been featured in many paintings and other artwork throughout the years. Harriet Tubman by Harlem Renaissance painter Aaron Douglas depicts her breaking the shackles of bondage and features figures that represent enslavement and freedom. The piece is currently on display at The North Carolina Museum of Art. William H. Johnsons Harriet Tubman, displayed at the Smithsonian American Art Museum, shows Tubman wearing a striped Civil War-era dress and holding a shotgun by her side. In the lower right of the painting, Tubman appears as an older woman wearing the shawl gifted to her by Queen Victoria. Tubmans impact on civil rights and modern activism NEWARK, NEW JERSEY MARCH 9: The day before Harriet Tubmans birthday, citizens attend the unveiling of a new Harriet Tubman memorial, March 9, 2023 in downtown Newark, New Jersey. The monument was built on a site that a statue of Christopher Columbus used to occupy but which was removed after protests over the police killing of George Floyd. The monument is in a park that used to be called Washington Park but has been renamed Harriet Tubman Square. (Photo by Andrew Lichtenstein/Corbis via Getty Images) Tubmans struggles still resonate with activists and civil rights leaders today, with the 2019 Harriet Tubman movie starring Cynthia Erivo introducing her to new audiences. Influence on future generations of activists Because of her unwavering activism, Tubmans impact can still be felt around the world. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Black History Month UK says: Harriet Tubmans life story is a powerful example of courage, determination and resilience in the face of adversity. Her legacy continues to inspire people today to stand up for what is right, fight for justice and never give up in the face of challenges. Legacy in ongoing struggles for human rights In 1886, Tubman co-founded the National Association of Colored Womens Clubs (NACWC) to advocate for equality and suffrage for African-American women. The organization still operates today and focuses on social justice, education, health and economic empowerment through collective action. The Harriet Tubman Foundation for Safe Passage provides advocacy, support and resources for those in need. It works with various organizations that promote human rights, equity and community. Harriet Tubman FAQs How many times did Harriet Tubman get caught? Tubman was never caught during her many missions. Over a decade, she helped around 70 enslaved people escape from plantations and other locations in Maryland, making her one of the most well-known conductors of the Underground Railroad system. When were Harriet Tubmans last words? In 1913, Tubman died of pneumonia and was buried at Fort Hill Cemetery in Auburn, New York. She was 91 years old. Her final words were, Ill go away to prepare a place for you that where I am you also may be. This is a reference to the Bible verse John 14:3. What happened to Harriet Tubman at the age of 12? Tubman saw an overseer about to punish another enslaved person and stepped in to diffuse the situation. The overseer struck her head with a heavy weight, which broke her skull. What was Harriet Tubmans real name? Araminta Ross was Tubmans real name. She later adopted her mothers first name, Harriet. More must-reads: COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL) Most Georgia Republicans fell in line behind the governor on his signature piece of civil litigation reform legislation. Rep. Vance Smith, R-Pine Mountain, did not. And the longtime lawmaker says that vote cost him his job as President of the Harris County Chamber of Commerce. I was told that I didnt represent I wasnt representing the chamber, which is full of businesses, Smith said. I wasnt representing the chamber for the way I voted on that bill. And I disagree, but I dont vote for images. I vote for whats in legislation. I dont vote to hold up an image. I vote for good legislation, and I vote against not good legislation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Harris County Chamber of Commerce Board Chairwoman Theresa Garcia Robertson did not discuss the specifics of Smiths termination. We do not comment on personnel matters, she said in a statement. What I can tell you is that we hold Vance in high regard personally and appreciate his service to our community and his district. Smith said one of his issues with the bill was a provision that he said takes some of the decision-making away from judges in civil lawsuits. There is a section in there that allows a judge to run his courtroom on certain cases, but not on other cases, Smith said. I thought the judge was in charge of the courtroom. To me, the Speaker of the House is in charge of the House, the Lt. Gov. is in charge is in charge of the Senate I guess, I know more about the House. Why wouldnt a judge be in charge of his own courtroom, setting his dockett? I dont want any outside influence on a judge setting his docket for his courtroom. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The civil litigation reform bill set up a lot of dicey situations for lawmakers. Rep. Carolyn Hugley, D-Columbus, is an independent State Farm insurance agent. Large insurance companies and business leaders were pushing for the legislation. In addition to being a Columbus legislator, Hugley is also the House minority leader, and voted against the legislation. I got no pushback from State Farm, Hugley said. State Farm has never contacted me on how I voted on any piece of legislation. Hugley was joined in her vote against litigation reform legislation by fellow Columbus Democrats Teddy Reese and Debbie Buckner. Columbus Republican Carmen Rice voted in favor of the reform. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WRBL. HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) The Hartford firefighters union is trying to put pressure on the city to settle on a fair union contract. About 20 firefighters showed up at city hall when Mayor Arunan Arulampalam delivered his budget to the city clerks office ahead of Monday nights city council meeting. Firefighter among 2 injured in Hartford house fire that displaced 13 residents Wherever there is a place he is, we want to show him, front and center, that were very concerned and were not going to go away, Arturo Rosa, president of the Hartford Fire Fighters Association, Local 760, said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rosa said Hartford firefighters have been working without a contract since the end of 2024. He claims that wage increases have been minimal over the past decade. Contract negotiations continue as the fire department has responded to more fires this year. According to available citys stats, Hartford firefighters have responded to 27 structure fires so far in 2025. There were 18 in 2024 during the same time period and 19 the previous year. We dont make a choice whether or not were going to go into a building to rescue a grandparent, a daughter, a son, said Rosa. We dont get that choice. So were here to demonstrate our unity behind the fact that the contract that is at hand is probably the most important contract that weve had in the last 20 years. Arulampalam said hes committed to reaching a fair contract with the union. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We proposed something that we thought would be pretty generous. I think the fire leadership wanted more, I understand the frustration, he said. Were working on trying to right size a lot of salaries across the city of Hartford and we have been successful with some unions. This one is one that weve gone back and forth on. The city budget process begins Monday. The money allocated for the fire department could change depending on contract negotiations, but the budget has to be approved by June 2. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com. Harvard constitutional law professor Laurence Tribe warned this weekend that Americas democratic foundations are being eroded not by a single explosive crisis but by a slow, insidious decay thats now speeding up under President Donald Trump. Speaking to MSNBCs Ali Velshi, Tribe cautioned against waiting for a dramatic turning point. Looking for an explosion, a kind of moment of crisis what physicists like to call a singularity in a kind of unique episode of presidential defiance of a court order thats misleading, he said. It frames what we are experiencing in the wrong way. Tribe cited T.S. Eliots poem The Hollow Men: This is the way the world ends. Not with a bang, but a whimper. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For years, we have allowed the body politic to be hollowed out by a virus, he said. A virus that attacks the very foundations of the rule of law on which the government really rests. Its a virus we have to fight with all our energy, without waiting for just the right moment. You know, its a disease if you think about it. That disease, Tribe said, reached fever pitch around the Jan. 6 insurrection, when Trump escaped consequences. Now, the situation during Trumps second term has deteriorated to the point where even independent judges cannot fully keep pace with the mayhem. So thats what were facing, Tribe concluded. Looking for the moment of crisis is like looking for the shiny object and taking our eyes off the disease that is spreading and that we really have to fight, the virus we need to fight. Watch here: Related... SOCASTEE, S.C. (WBTW) Heather Elvis family spoke to News13 Sunday about Sidney Moorer filing for a new trial. Moorer and his wife, Tammy, were convicted in the kidnapping of Elvis, who disappeared in December 2013. Elvis was 20 years old when she went missing. Her abandoned car was found at Peachtree Landing in Socastee, but authorities have not found her almost 12 years later. Sidney Moorer was first found guilty of obstruction of justice in 2017 in connection with Elvis disappearance before being found guilty on a kidnapping charge in a 2019 retrial. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a post-conviction relief form, it states Sidney Moorer wants a new trial because his attorney did very little work. Moorer also claims prosecutors withheld evidence and changed their timeline to get Moorer convicted of kidnapping Heather Elvis. Debbi Elvis, Heathers mother, said in every appeal Moorer has filed, he has asked for a new trial. She said she is worried Moorer may get a new trial and be found not guilty of kidnapping her daughter. Morgan Elvis, Heathers sister, said she believes Heathers case and Moorers trial were fair. Its been looked at by so many people, by so many courts, by so many officials, and nothing has been slipped through the cracks, Morgan said. However, I do want to say that, in a system where he is able to advocate and fight for himself, I just wish he had thought the same, that Heather might have wanted to fight and advocate for her life as well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Almost 12 years after Heather disappeared, Morgan said many people have become desensitized to Heathers story, so much so that the Elvis family has received hateful messages and seen rumors about Heather online. News13 asked Debbi and Morgan if they think they will see Heather again, if she will be able to tell her own story. I do wish I could see her again, Morgan said. But the problem is, I wish I could see who she was again. The reality is, the person you bring home from any kind of traumatic situation is never the person that left. Debbi said, if she sees Moorer in court again, she would want to tell him one thing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I would like to just beg him to let Heather go, Debbi said. I said that to the judge when I gave my victims impact statement, that I wanted the sentence to be longer, because hes still holding her hostage. He hasnt let her go. Tammy Moorer is serving a 30-year sentence after being convicted of kidnapping Elvis in 2018. The Moorers previous appeals were denied in 2023. * * * Skylar Musick is a multimedia journalist at News13. Skylar is originally from Long Island, New York. She joined the News13 team in June 2024 after graduating from Villanova University in May 2024. Follow Skylar on X, formerly Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram, and read more of her work here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW. If you requested an absentee ballot for Wisconsin's April 1 election, it's a good idea to mail it back as soon as possible or make a plan to return it another way. Your clerk must have your ballot by the time polls close at 8 p.m. on Election Day for your vote to count. So, don't wait until April 1 to put your ballot in the mailbox. Election officials generally recommend mailing back your ballot at least a week in advance, or March 25. But it's a good idea to do it sooner rather than later. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The City of Milwaukee recommends mailing your absentee ballot no later than eight days before Election Day. If you miss the recommended deadline to mail back your ballot, or want return it another way, here's what you need to know: Where do I return my absentee ballot in Wisconsin? There are a few ways to return your ballot besides putting it in the mail. Each clerk may have different preferences, so it's a good idea to check their website or contact them. They may have also included instructions in the envelope your ballot came in. Options may include bringing it to your clerk's physical office, an absentee ballot drop box, an early voting location, or your polling place or central count location on Election Day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you place your ballot in a drop box, make sure it's for your municipality. Don't use drop boxes in the City of Milwaukee, for example, if you live in a suburb. The Milwaukee Election Commission provides the following guidance for absentee voters who live within Milwaukee's city limits. You can drop off your ballot at: An early voting location in Milwaukee, open through March 29. One of Milwaukee's absentee ballot drop boxes until 6 p.m. on Election Day. Milwaukee's central count processing center, 1901 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., until 8 p.m. on Election Day. More: Wisconsin officials remind voters of election date after third-party mailers give wrong date Can I drop off an absentee ballot for another person? If you're heading to your clerk's office or a drop box to return your absentee ballot, you generally can't take a spouse's or friend's ballot with you to drop off. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Voters must return their own ballot unless they have a disability. In that case, the voter can choose a person to mail or deliver their absentee ballot on their behalf, as long as the person isn't their employer or union officer. How many absentee ballots have been requested for the April 1 election? As of March 21, about 450,000 absentee ballots have been sent to voters, according to data from the Wisconsin Elections Commission. About 193,000 have been returned to clerks. When is the last day to request an absentee ballot in Wisconsin? The last possible day for most voters to request an absentee ballot is March 27 at 5 p.m. Keep in mind that date is past the recommended deadline to mail back a ballot, so it's best to use another option to return it to your clerk. Deadlines to request an absentee ballot are slightly longer for voters who are in the military, indefinitely confined or hospitalized. A full list of deadlines can be found on myvote.wi.gov. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You can always register to vote and cast a ballot at your polling place from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day in Wisconsin. When does early voting end in Wisconsin? Early voting runs through March 30. Each community sets its own schedule for early voting, so it might end earlier in your municipality. Many Milwaukee suburbs end their early voting after Friday, March 28. You can check "Vote Absentee In Person" at myvote.wi.gov or contact your clerk for dates and hours. Early voting has so far outpaced the state Supreme Court election in 2023, when voters elected liberal Justice Janet Protasiewicz. More: Wisconsin early voting surges compared with the 2023 spring election Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: How to vote early in Milwaukee's suburbs for Wisconsin's April election, including Supreme Court race How can I make sure my absentee ballot was received? You can track the status of your absentee ballot on myvote.wi.gov. You can see when your ballot request was approved, mailed out and when your clerk received your completed ballot. You can also confirm your ballot was counted, though it might take a while for that information to update. The Wisconsin Elections Commission said it could take up to 30 days for your voting record to reflect your participation in the Feb. 18 primary election. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: When to return absentee ballot for Wisconsin Supreme Court election HONOLULU (KHON2) Rachel Kondo, creator and head writer of the hit series Shogun, has never shied away from confronting lifes most difficult challenges. Growing up on the island of Maui, Kondo was always close with her older brother, Aaron, who has lived with muscular dystrophy, a rare genetic disorder, for much of his life. Despite Aarons condition, Kondo speaks of him not just as her brother, but as an inspiration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im extremely proud of my brother, Kondo said. Hes been through so much, but hes never let his condition define who he is. Hes lived a full life, and I mean full, even with the challenges he faces every day. Aaron was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy at the age of four. At the time, doctors couldnt identify which of the nine forms of the disorder he had; so, it wasnt until Aaron was in his 20s that they were able to confirm that he has Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy (EDMD), a rare form that impacts the heart. The condition weakens muscles throughout the body, leads to cardiac complications and is often progressive. Not long after his EDMD diagnosis, Aaron received a pacemaker and defibrillator to help manage his hearts function. The doctors told him, in his 40s, definitely before his 50s, hed need a heart transplant, Kondo explained. Weve known for years this day would come. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kondo said that despite the heavy prognosis, Aaron continued to live life with relentless determination. He worked at Maui High School for more than 20 years, was a devoted father to his three children and kept himself active in his community. Honestly, my brothers life has been inspiring. Hes never let muscular dystrophy take away his spirit, Kondo said. I dont think people realize how hard hes worked just to live a normal life, especially with everything his body has been going through. Kondos words are particularly powerful considering the hurdles Aaron has faced. For years, he had friends and classmates with similar conditions, many of whom didnt live to see their 20s. In stark contrast, Aaron lived a life full of accomplishments. But in recent years, his condition has taken a dramatic turn. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement December 2023 was a turning point, Kondo recalled. Aaron had a catastrophic stroke while in Wichita, Kansas; and that was just the beginning. In January of 2024, he had two massive brain bleeds. That left him immobile and non-verbal. The Kondo family found themselves at a crossroads. After a year of working to get Aaron back to Hawaii, the love and support from their Maui community provided a source of strength. Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You When we finally brought him back home, it was like a miracle, Kondo said. I have a picture of him emerging from the plane, and his face is just beatific. Its just soaking up that Hawaiian sun; I didnt know if he thought he would ever feel that again. There was an outpouring of love and support from his community. It was overwhelming in the best way possible. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But it wasnt just the communitys embrace that gave hope to the Kondo family. It was a new, unexpected connection with Agata, a physiotherapist who practices in London. Agata, who had visited the family as a guest of a mutual friend, saw an opportunity to help Aaron through her unique approach to therapy. Ive been a physiotherapist for more than 20 years, Agata said. Ive worked with both children and adults, and my philosophy has always been to see the person as a whole, not just as a body to be treated. Thats especially important with complex patients like Aaron. He needs more than just physical exercises. His whole body, his mind, and his spirit need attention. Agatas frienship with the family brings her to visit; and during those visits,, she generously shares her expertise, which makes a big difference in Aarons recovery. Theres something about connection in therapy, Agata explained. When you connect with a person on a deeper level, you can see a profound difference in their response. Ive worked with Aaron on his hands, for example, because he needs strength there just as much as in his legs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her approach has produced remarkable results in both Aarons physical movements along with his emotional and mental well-being. I remember the first time we saw Aaron move his right hand. We hadnt seen him move it in almost a year, Kondo said. It was a huge moment for all of us, and I credit Agata for bringing that back. Whats unique about Agatas therapy is the holistic nature of her methods. Its not just about exercises, she said. Its about understanding the needs of the whole person, emotionally, mentally, physically; and then, treating them with care and respect. The body responds to that kind of connection. Kondo agrees as she has recognized how much Aarons recovery has been aided by his return home to Maui. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hawaii has this incredible energy, she said. Its not just the beauty of the land, but the people, the culture, and the way everything feels connected. Its as if being back on the island has helped heal something inside of him. But even as Aaron takes small steps forward, there are still many challenges ahead. While the familys emotional resilience is evident, they continue to navigate the complexities of Aarons care, especially with regard to his heart transplant. The doctors removed him from the transplant list, for now, Kondo explained. His condition is too unstable, but were doing everything we can to get him stronger. Its tough, but were not giving up. She went on further to explain. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His hands, his legs, his ability to communicate everything matters, Agata said. We take things one step at a time, but the goal is to give him the best quality of life possible. Despite the uncertainty, Kondo remains hopeful for the future. Were a family, she said. Were doing this together, and well find a way. Were not just looking at therapy or medical treatments. Were looking at every possible avenue for healing: physically, emotionally and spiritually. As the Kondo family works through the complexities of Aarons health and recovery, they continue to lean on their community, their faith and each other. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im incredibly grateful for all the people whove been a part of this journey, Kondo said. Were not just a family going through something difficult. Were a family supported by so many people who care. You can click here to read more about muscular dystrophy. Get news on the go with KHON 2GO, KHONs morning podcast, every morning at 8 Aarons story is one of resilience, love, and the profound importance of community. Though the road ahead is uncertain, the Kondo family remains steadfast in their belief that, with the right support and care, Aaron can continue to defy the odds. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. HAWARDEN, Iowa (KCAU) Nine months after severe flooding devastated a number of Siouxland communities, places like Hawarden are still going through the recovery process. A new nonprofit hopes to help with that. According to a Monday release, the Hawarden United Foundation has been formed by community members to help raise funds for flood recovery and other community needs. Its first goal will be rebuilding after the flooding that took place in June 2024. It was apparent after the flood that a non-profit to aid in fundraising and recovery efforts for Hawarden was needed, board member Michelle Klocke said in a statement. This foundation is for that purpose and to be ready to aid in future community needs as well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So far, the foundation has raised almost $450,000 and distributed/allocated over half of that total. Recently, the group has worked with World Renew to assist homeowners with repairs. League of Women Voters of Siouxland holds final legislative session of 2025 Its a long road back from this flood, board member Cy McMahon said in a statement. The hope is we can play a role in helping those impacted get whole again and set up our community for a better future. You can drop off donations at Rivers Edge Bank or Peoples Bank in Hawarden. The Hawarden United Foundation is not affiliated with the City of Hawarden. 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 SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports. BEIJING, March 24 (Xinhua) -- Between Friday and Monday, the China Coast Guard (CCG) expelled several Japanese fishing vessels that had unlawfully entered China's territorial waters around Diaoyu Dao, according to a spokesperson for the CCG on Monday. In the process, the CCG vessels enforced necessary, lawful management and control measures against the Japanese vessels, and issued warnings to drive them out of the area, CCG spokesperson Liu Dejun said. Noting that Diaoyu Dao and its affiliated islands are China's inherent territory, Liu urged the Japanese side to immediately cease all illegal activities in these waters. The CCG will continue to conduct regular law enforcement activities in the territorial waters of Diaoyu Dao, with the aim of safeguarding China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, Liu said. Dozens of Lifespan employees gather for the announcement of the health system's name change to Brown university Health during a press conference in the lobby of Hasbro Childrens Hospital on June 20, 2024. Rhode Island has nearly 15,000 unionized health care workers. (Photo by Alexander Castro/Rhode Island Current) The Rhode Island health care system faces a number of significant threats to its viability. In Washington, D.C., Congressional Republicans are proposing significant cuts to Medicaid spending, while locally, for-profit hospital owners are filing for bankruptcy protection and state leaders grapple with the fallout. As labor leaders, we share the concerns of many Rhode Islanders about the condition of our health care system. In our small state of just over 1 million people, over 50% of us are insured through either Medicare or Medicaid. In our hospitals, over 70% of patients are covered by public health care plans. That leaves only 25% of hospital patients covered by commercial insurance, well below our neighboring states of Massachusetts (30%) and Connecticut (29%). What most Rhode Islanders might not know: The next largest group of insured Rhode Islanders get their health care from a union-negotiated health insurance plan, whether they are a union member or not. Even though there are about 9,000 unionized state employees, approximately 33,000 people are insured through union plans. Its not only because of the dependents we cover, but also because our plan also covers non-union workers like managers and supervisors, as well as their families. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the Ocean State, there are close to 15,000 unionized health care workers; so, not only are our members consumers of health care services, but we are also providers of health care. We have a vested interest in making sure our health care system is as strong as possible. That is why we believe all Rhode Islanders who are concerned about the state of our health care system should encourage more workers to join labor unions where they work. To us, increased unionization is a key component to a strategy ensuring every Rhode Islander has access to affordable health care services while simultaneously addressing a health care funding crisis that seems to get more precarious by the day. As a recent poll commissioned by the Rhode Island AFL-CIO found, there is strong public support for unions in the Ocean State, with more than eight in 10 Rhode Islanders agreeing that unions are necessary to protect the working person. There are just over 500,000 Rhode Island based non-farm jobs in the state according to the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training. About 80,000 of these jobs are protected by collective bargaining agreements. We know from sources like the U.S. Department of Treasury that not only do unions raise the wages of their members by 10 to 15%compared to similar non-union jobs, but that all workers in markets with a heavy union presence see economic improvements. On top of that, 96% of union members have employer- provided health insurance compared to just 69% of non-union workers. We have a vested interest in making sure our health care system is as strong as possible. That is why we believe all Rhode Islanders who are concerned about the state of our health care system should encourage more workers to join labor unions where they work. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now imagine there were 10,000 more union members in Rhode Island by the end of 2025. If the average wage paid to a Rhode Island worker averages $65,000 per year, and these workers, through collective bargaining, could increase their wages by 10%, that would mean the individual worker would see a salary increase of $6,500. In a state with just over 1 million people, that means an additional $65 million in economic activity, leading to increased tax revenues from income and sales taxes. It would also mean these 10,000 workers, and their dependents, would be much more likely to have commercial health insurance. This could equate to as many as 25,000 fewer people on Medicare, meaning our hospitals would receive adequate payments for the services they provide, instead of relying on low reimbursement rates from public health insurance plans. Please dont misunderstand our point of view. As trade unionists, we believe that in a perfect world, there would be some form of national health care system where every Americans health care would be provided for without concern for the cost to the patient and their family. But we dont live in a perfect world, and Rhode Island is confronting a crisis today. According to Rhode Island General Laws 28-7-2, it is declared to be the public policy of the state to encourage the practice and procedure of collective bargaining. This section of law refers not only to the public sector workers, but to those in the private sector as well. It is why the AFL-CIO refers to Rhode Island as a labor state and why, we think, we can use the power of organized labor to help address Rhode Islands health care crisis. That is why we are calling on the collective leadership of the state elected officials, business, community, and other civic leaders to join with us during the next few months as the General Assembly debates next years state budget and encourage as many Rhode Islanders as possible to join with their coworkers and negotiate for better wages and benefits. The entire state of Rhode Island would be better off if more of our proudly working-class state were part of organized labor. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE (WBRE/WYOU) On Sunday, a dozen tourists from northeastern Pennsylvania made it to their final destination overseas nearly two days later than they were supposed to. The problems started early Friday morning in London. An electrical substation fire knocked out power to the airport and impacted hundreds of thousands of air passengers. Among them was a Honesdale woman and her group. Their 10-hour trip to Finland took nearly 48 hours instead. It cost them plenty of flight time and thousands of dollars. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kim Erickson of Honesdale is cozy in her cabin in the Arctic Circle. Its located in Finland which is known as the happiest country in the world. Would you say that you are pretty happy right now Kim? 28/22 News Reporter Gianna Galli asked. We are pretty happy and I dont even drink, Erickson replied. Irish pride on display in Monroe County Erickson, her mom, and 10 close friends planned this trip months ago. They flew out of Newark Airport on Thursday afternoon and boarded what was supposed to be a seven-hour flight to Heathrow London. Mid-air and 45 minutes before their scheduled landing, plans abruptly changed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We got woken up mid-flight saying that Heathrow Airport is shut down due to a fire and we would be going to Glasgow, Erickson explained. The detour to Glasgow Scotland is nearly 9 hours away from Heathrow Airport. Upon landing, Ericksons group found themselves among hundreds of thousands of people mixed up in one of Europes largest airport shutdowns in recent history. There was a ground crew guy there named Lee. He took us to our bags and said I have no idea whats going to happen to ya but lets just have fun, Erickson continued. What wasnt fun at all: Trying to buy 12 plane tickets but having their credit cards decline the purchase. Their train ride took them to the tribe hotel in Manchester. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Taking a swing at golf course in All Fore Books Mini Golf Classic event So we called ourselves The Lost Tribe,' Erickson added. Now that Erickson and her group are finally in Finland, theyve been able to view the northern lights, do some sledding, and walk the Wishing Bridge. We made it in time for all the important stuff to us, said Erickson. Erickson says they faced more than $4,000 in unplanned travel expenses, but having some new sites to see, and and share the experience with loved ones made it priceless. I couldnt have done it by myself. I would travel anywhere. I just want to go anywhere I havent, Erickson added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Erickson says British Airways is reimbursing her groups trip through their travelers insurance. The groups return flight is on Thursday and includes a layover in London. This time they just hope things go as planned. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over the weekend joined other Trump administration officials in virtual attacks on federal judges, lashing out at a judge who indefinitely blocked a ban on transgender troops in the U.S. military. U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes in Washington appointed by former President Biden last week ruled that President Trumps Jan. 27 executive order effectively barring transgender people from serving openly in the military likely violated the U.S. Constitution, calling it unabashedly demeaning. At the time, Hegseth took to social platform X to announce: We are appealing this decision, and we will win. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But on Saturday, Hegseth went a step further and mockingly called the judge Commander Reyes, questioned her title, appeared to make a jab at personal pronouns, and suggested the ruling overstepped her powers. 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, Hegseth wrote on X. Trump has called for a stop to nationwide injunctions and suggested the Supreme Court should intervene as his administration has faced multiple setbacks from federal judges who have issued rulings impeding on some of his actions. Unlawful Nationwide Injunctions by Radical Left Judges could very well lead to the destruction of our Country! Trump posted on Truth Social on Thursday. These people are Lunatics, who do not care, even a little bit, about the repercussions from their very dangerous and incorrect Decisions and Rulings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More than 100 lawsuits in federal courts are hearing challenges to a range of initiatives by Trump and his administration, leading the commander in chief and his Cabinet members to lash out at judges in the past several weeks. Hegseth, a former Fox News host, has taken it upon himself to get involved in culture war issues, asserting that transgender troops or diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives have no place in the U.S. military. The Pentagon in February announced it would no longer allow transgender people to join the military, would stop performing or facilitating medical procedures for them and would begin kicking out those already serving. But six active service members and two individuals seeking to enlist in the military sued the administration, asserting the executive order violates their constitutional rights. Two similar lawsuits are moving through the courts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps order suggests that transgender people cannot satisfy the rigorous standards necessary for military service because they threaten the lethality of the armed forces and undermine unit cohesion. Reyes wrote in her opinion that while the president has both the power and obligation to ensure military readiness, leaders of the armed forces have long used that justification to deny marginalized persons the privilege of serving. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth probably regrets mistakenly sending the Trump administrations classified plans to attack Yemen to Atlantic editor Jeffrey Goldberg, not least because hell have to eat his own words. In 2016, while working for Fox News, Hegseth repeatedly criticized then-presidential candidate Hillary Clinton for storing classified information on a private email server at her home. In one instance, Hegseth pointedly asked: How damaging is it to your ability to recruit or build allies with others when they are worried that our leaders may be exposing them because of their gross negligence or their recklessness in handling information? Pete Hegseth in 2016: "How damaging is it to your ability to recruit or build allies with others when they are worried that our leaders may be exposing them because of their gross negligence or their recklessness in handling information?" pic.twitter.com/CZsm4cn2EP Matthew Gertz (@MattGertz) March 24, 2025 In the same segment, Hegseth also remarked on the recklessness and danger of Clintons actions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The people we rely on to do dangerous and difficult things for us rely on one thing from us: That we will not reveal their identity, that we will not be reckless with the dangerous thing they are doing for us. Thats the national security implications of a private server thats unsecured, Hegseth said. Pete Hegseth in 2016: "The people we rely on to do dangerous and difficult things for us rely on one thing from us: That we will not... be reckless with the dangerous things they are doing for us. That's the national security implications of a private server that's unsecured." pic.twitter.com/KC4agv2tUI Matthew Gertz (@MattGertz) March 24, 2025 Later, in 2023, Hegseth spoke on Fox News about classified documents found at President Bidens home (which Biden cooperated with investigators to return, unlike Trump). If at the very top, theres no accountability then two tiers of justice exist, Hegseth said, comparing Biden to a Navy sailor who was jailed for photographing classified areas of a submarine. Pete Hegseth in 2023 on Biden "handling classified documents... flippantly": "If at the very top there's no accountability," then we have "two tiers of justice." pic.twitter.com/GHYBEqrP5c Matthew Gertz (@MattGertz) March 24, 2025 All of this exposes Republican double standards when it comes to classified information. Hegseths 2016 attacks on Clintons server seem quaint compared to sharing military plans outside of government communications on a Signal chat with a journalist present, as Hegseth did. Hegseths attacks on Bidens lack of accountability for his handling of classified documents were hypocritical even without Mondays revelations, as Trump faced no legal consequences for keeping classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate and refusing to return them. In keeping with Hegseths own statements, should he, Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and everyone else in the Signal chat face accountability for discussing secret military plans outside of government servers and channels? HENRY COUNTY, Va. (WFXR) The Henry County Sheriff has announced the arrest of a man on March 22 in connection to an ongoing child porn investigation in Collinsville. The sheriff said a search warrant was executed at an apartment at Terry Court on Saturday in connection to an active child pornography investigation after receiving a cyber tip from the Southern Virginia Internet Crimes Against Children (SOVA ICAC) Task Force. The tip identified 18-year-old Jabari Ross, as a suspect, and during the search electronic devices were seized. An examination of the devices allegedly revealed multiple explicit images of prepubescent children in a sexually suggested state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Botetourt County Deputies search for shooting suspect Ross was then arrested and charged with the following: 12 Counts of Possess Obscene Material Using Minors (Violation of Virginia Code Section: 18.2-374.1) The sheriff said the investigation is ongoing and additional charges are pending further potential evidence being examined on other electric devices seized during the search. The Henry County Sheriffs Office remains committed to protecting children from exploitation and holding offenders accountable. The Henry County Sheriffs Office continues to work closely with the SOVA ICAC Task Force and other law enforcement partners to combat crimes against children. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFXRtv. An Open AI and MIT study found that overuse of ChatGPT could be "problematic." Relying on it for common uses like advice, explanations, or ideas can foster dependency. The research asks whether it'll lead people to a "loss of agency and confidence in their decisions." The former UK Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli who lived and died in the 19th century and left a legacy in politics and literature couldn't have predicted how AI would reshape the world. However, he may have grasped its implications better than some people today. "Moderation is the center wherein all philosophies, both human and divine, meet," he's believed to have once said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That advice might serve some ChatGPT users well given a new study that MIT Media Lab published in partnership with OpenAI on Friday. The researchers studied nearly 1,000 people on how they used ChatGPT over four weeks and found that some people overused the technology which could have repercussions on their sense of self. Users who often turned to the bot for nonpersonal conversations, including seeking advice or suggestions, conceptual explanations, and assistance with idea generation and brainstorming which is a common use case had a higher likelihood of becoming emotionally dependent on it. Those overusers were also more likely to engage in "problematic use," which the researchers defined as "addictive behaviors and compulsive use that ultimately results in negative consequences for both physical and psychosocial well-being." These users were already primed to see ChatGPT as a friend, have a high level of trust in it, and feel that the chatbot would be affected by and worried about their emotions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The authors said future research could investigate whether this leads to a kind of "cognitive dependence where users increasingly rely on AI systems for decision-making and problem-solving rather than direct emotional support perhaps leading to loss of agency and confidence in their decisions." A common refrain among AI researchers is that the technology will augment, not replace, human workers. "Automation does not equal autonomy," Avijit Ghosh, an applied policy researcher at Hugging Face, previously told BI. "Repetitive tasks are being automated, but the idea of a fully independent AI workforce? That's still speculative at best." The ideal is a meeting between humans and artificial intelligence that will produce something greater than the sum of its parts. But the race to adopt AI has posed a conundrum. Workers are worried they'll fall behind their peers if they don't use the technology enough. If they use it too much, though, researchers are worried they'll risk losing their sense of self. Whether it's divine or simply the next technological frontier, moderation is still a virtue even in the AI age. Read the original article on Business Insider HIGH POINT, N.C. (WGHP) A High Point-based coffee company is suing a major grocery chain over what they claim is deceptive advertising of a product similar to what they sell. Puroast filed the lawsuit last month in Florida federal court, where theyre incorporated, claiming that Trader Joes is falsely advertising low-acid coffee, which they say is not low acidity but is less caffeinated than normal coffee, which they dont acknowledge in the marketing. This is a false advertising case that seeks to expose and stop the sale of coffee that Trader Joes has misleadingly been advertising and selling as low acid. Testing has confirmed that the coffee being sold by Trader Joes as low acid contains less than half the caffeine as true coffee. Consumers seeking true low acid coffee are deceived by the false and misleading claim by Trader Joes that its product is low acid coffee. Trader Joes conduct puts consumers at a heightened level of health risk and allows Trader Joes to sell its product at a market premium, all while harming Puroast in its sale of true low acid coffee, according to the complaint. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The complaint defines low-acid coffee as coffee that has a pH level above 5.5 or at least 50% less acid than regular coffee without additives or treatments. Regular coffee is fairly acidic which can make it difficult or impossible to drink for people with certain health conditions. Puroast has its own proprietary roasting methods in order to minimize the acidity. Importantly, Puroasts coffee also retains its full flavor and caffeine content, the complaint says. In other words, it is truly a regular coffee with significantly lower acidity. Sand cat at Greensboro Science Center advances to final round of nationwide photo competition Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The company say that this is what makes Puroast unique, as other brands that do not have access to Puroasts proprietary roasting technologies and, as a result, they can offer only watered-down, substituted or neutralized beverages that have significant impacted caffeine levels, taste profiles or both. This is where the issue stems from, according to the lawsuit, which accuses Trader Joes of chasing the low-acid coffee trend in by offering low acid coffee to consumers that has been steamed to reduce acidity. The steaming process reduces the potency of the coffee, essentially watering it down, and greatly reducing its caffeine content. The Trader Joes low-acid coffee has significantly less caffeine and does not have a pH above 5.5, which is considered the threshold for low-acid coffee. Trader Joes has made these false and/or misleading statements (representing decaf or half caff coffee as regular low-acid coffee) to capitalize on several consumer trends without making the investment or changes needed to produce authentic low-acid coffee, the lawsuit continues. By falsely marketing decaf or half caff coffee as low-acid, companies can exploit this niche market without adjusting their sourcing or roasting processes, which can be costly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Puroast believes that this false and misleading advertising by Trader Joes harms them, impacting the market for low-acid coffee. They are requesting that the monetary amount of damages be determined at trial. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX8 WGHP. SHANGHAI, March 24 (Xinhua) -- As millions of Chinese consumers trade in their devices for the latest models ranging from electric vehicles to home appliances, the rising consumer spending has benefited both Chinese and foreign brands. China kicked off large-scale equipment upgrade and consumer goods trade-in programs in March 2024, and revamped these programs earlier this year, amid efforts to boost domestic demand and spur economic growth. Prominent foreign brand, Tesla, has benefited from such programs in the sale of its revised Model Y. Earlier this month, on the first day of deliveries of the revised Model Y in east China's Shanghai, more than 500 new vehicles were handed over to buyers, many of whom took advantage of China's trade-in scheme. A resident in Shanghai surnamed Zhang, mentioned that by trading in his old gasoline car and taking advantage of consumption subsidies, he was able to purchase a revised Model Y for about 200,000 yuan (approximately 27,863 U.S. dollars). "The incentives from these subsidy programs are quite significant, which motivated me to place the order," he said. Subsidies vary from place to place. In Guangdong Province in south China, for instance, consumers who buy new energy vehicles can receive subsidies of up to 20,000 yuan. Notably, apart from the government's stimulus policy, Tesla has also taken steps to provide various car purchase incentives, including interest-free financing and insurance subsidy programs, to further lower costs for its customers. Foreign firms in the home appliance sector have also benefited from the government program. "The Chinese government's consumption stimulus policies, including the trade-in program, have increased consumer spending. As a result, sales in Panasonic's home appliance segment have grown," Lin Yibin, managing officer of China & Northeast Asia Company of Panasonic Appliances (China) Co., Ltd, told Xinhua in an interview. Following the introduction of these policies, sales of Panasonic's large home appliances from September to December last year, such as washing machines and refrigerators, especially in the offline market, have surpassed figures from the same period of 2023, Lin added. In early January this year, China announced a raft of measures to expand the scope of its consumer goods trade-in program. Under the expanded program, categories of home appliances eligible for government subsidies have been increased from eight in 2024 to 12 in 2025. "The revamped policy has sparked a surge in consumer spending on home appliances across the country. We are actively working with all parties to benefit from the new policy," Lin noted. These subsidies have helped bring more coffee machines into Chinese homes. In places like Shanghai, Shenzhen and Hubei Province, coffee machines have been added to the list of items eligible for subsidies. De'Longhi, an Italian coffee machine supplier, has benefited from this initiative. "Last year, we saw double-digit growth, and since January of this year, we've maintained an even higher double-digit growth rate -- largely thanks to the consumption stimulus policies," said Zong Yanping, managing director of De'Longhi Greater China, in an interview with Xinhua. "Unlike large home appliances, which have long been essential in Chinese households, coffee machines are still relatively new to many families. Therefore, the purchasing subsidies have been very helpful for us in terms of marketing," Zong explained. Zong is optimistic about China's market potential, as the consumption stimulus coincided with a shift in coffee-drinking habits in the country, noting that "what began as an occasional social activity has become a morning routine for many young people today." China's large-scale equipment upgrade and consumer goods trade-in programs have so far yielded fruitful results. In 2024, it drove equipment purchases and investment up by 15.7 percent -- contributing 67.6 percent to overall investment growth while boosting sales of bulk durable consumer goods by over 1.3 trillion yuan last year, according to data released by the National Development and Reform Commission in February. Vowing to make domestic demand "the main engine and anchor of economic growth," China's policymakers during this year's "two sessions" sent fresh and firm signals regarding empowering the country's vast number of consumers to spend more confidently. Following the 2025 "two sessions," China vowed to implement solid support measures to connect consumer spending to people's well-being in the latest consumption-promotion plan. The plan outlines the issuance of ultra-long special treasury bonds totaling 300 billion yuan to bolster consumer goods trade-in programs in 2025 -- doubling the 2024 figure. MENARD COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) A Springfield man was arrested on drug charges after a high-speed chase through Menard County and the City of Springfield over the weekend. The Menard County Sheriffs Office said on Facebook that one of its deputies was traveling on Illinois Route 123 east of Petersburg Saturday night. At around 9:37 p.m., the deputy noticed a car rapidly approaching him from behind. The Sheriffs Office said the deputy, using his in-car speed radar, registered that the vehicle was going 80 miles per hour in a 50-mph speed zone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Person found dead inside burning car in Sangamon County: Sheriff The deputy pulled over, allowed the vehicle to pass him, and then attempted to initiate a traffic stop on the vehicle, officials said. The driver of the vehicle refused to stop, and a pursuit ensued. At times, the chase reached speeds of 115 miles per hour and went through Sherman and then into Springfield. Officials said that as the deputy was near Veterans Parkway and J. David Jones Parkway, a Sheriffs Office supervisor decided to terminate the chase. Since the deputy had observed the license plate of Leonards car, he was able to determine the address the car was registered to. Going there, officials said the deputy spotted the car in the driveway and saw a man standing near it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was identified as 54-year-old Matthew Leonard. Officials said that upon seeing the deputy, Leonard got into his car and pulled it into the garage. The deputy parked directly behind Leonards car to prevent it from leaving and to prevent Leonard from closing the garage door. The deputy approached the vehicle and ordered the driver multiple times to exit the vehicle, yet the driver refused, officials said. The driver continuously attempted to close the garage door on the deputys squad car. The driver was verbally resistive, refused to follow the deputys commands and became physically resistive. A short time later, a second MCSO deputy and the sheriff arrived at the scene. Springfield woman hurt in domestic violence incident dies over the weekend Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite his resistance, officials said Leonard was removed from his car and was taken into custody. A search found a large quantity of what is suspected to be methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. Leonard is being held in the Menard County Jail and was arrested for: Aggravated Fleeing or Attempting to Elude Police Officer Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Deliver Possession of Methamphetamine Possession of Drug Paraphernalia Resisting/Obstructing a Peace Officer The Menard County States Attorney will review the charges. In addition, Leonard was also cited for multiple offenses that include speeding, driving in the wrong lane, and driving with a revoked license Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Springfield Police Department assisted on scene. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. SOUTH HADLEY, Mass. (WWLP) A hiker who was reported missing since Sunday has been located by first responders in the area of the Lithia Springs Trailhead in South Hadley. At around 9:30 a.m. Monday the South Hadley Fire Department was called to the Lithia Springs Trailhead for a report of an injured hiker yelling for help by the reservoir. Within an hour, crews on foot located the hiker off a trail. Winter Weather Advisory issued in Berkshire County for snow, ice, and rain Lithia Springs Reservoir According to South Hadley fire officials, the person went on a hike Sunday afternoon with their dog, and after falling was unable to find their phone. They were stranded, hoping someone would come to their rescue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We were called this morning around 9:30 for an injured hiker who was out hiking about approximately two in the afternoon, fell, sustained injuries and had been out there ever since, said South Hadley Fire District No. 2 Chief Ryan Moore. Luckily, there was somebody out there hiking today who heard some calls for help and was able to call 911. Firefighters used UTVs to access the missing hiker and rescue them from the wooded area. The dog was not injured, but it is not known at this time the severity or what type of injuries the hiker may have. Fire officials are reminding those who spend time outdoors to take extra safety measures. Bring your cellphone with you, make sure its charged, Moore said. Make sure, you know, if youre an experienced hiker usually you know your limitations, but be safe. Stay on the trails, know where you are, be familiar with the area. South Hadley Fire said the hiker is recovering at a local hospital and the dog has been picked up by other family members. 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. Hill Air Force Base in Utah has closed one of its two day care centers, harming quality of life for some service members, civilian employees and their families following hiring freezes ordered by President Donald Trump's administration. Earlier this month, Military.com first reported that Hill -- the service's second-largest base by population and size -- had begun warning certain families that it would likely have to close one of its child development centers, or CDCs, due to a lack of staffing exacerbated, in part, by Trump and billionaire adviser Elon Musk's push to trim the size of the federal workforce. "CDCs traditionally face high turnover, and several recent departures in conjunction with the hiring freeze have reduced the number of supervisors and trainers available," Kendahl Johnson, a Hill Air Force Base spokesperson, told Military.com on Friday. "Maintaining two open CDCs at current personnel levels would pose an unacceptable risk to the 200 children who remain in care at Hill AFB." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read Next: Ride-Sharing Services Finally Coming to Army Installations in Effort to Ease Travel Woes Military.com first learned of the CDC closure Friday and detailed it as part of an in-depth report into military parents, spouses and children's complaints about executive orders harming their quality of life. Johnson said 31 families were disenrolled from Hill's CDC East facility on Friday, after they had been notified in advance on March 12. Notably, on March 18, a Department of Defense memo detailed positions that would be considered exempt from hiring freezes and included "child and youth programs staff," as well as "instructors or facility support staff at DoD schools or child care centers." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It appears that the new exemption came too late for Hill Air Force Base's CDC. Johnson told Military.com that, while the freeze is now in effect, "the hiring, on-boarding, and training process will take time." Kayla Corbitt, a military spouse and founder of the Operation Child Care Project -- a nonprofit that advocates for family care for service members and their loved ones, said that one week's notice for those 31 families who were disenrolled from the CDC is too little time. "A week's notice to find alternative care is a harsh timeline," Corbitt said. "Families with two to three months' notice prior to a PCS struggle [to] find care. These are families who will likely need to cobble together care and need safety planning to ensure their children are safe while they return to the mission." An email notifying families they were disenrolled reviewed by Military.com showed it affected priority types 2A through 3F. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That includes single or dual defense or Coast Guard employees with full-time, part-time or non-working spouses, including Gold Star spouses. It also applies to defense contractors, deactivated National Guard and reserve personnel, and military retirees. Notably, it also affected Priority 3A, which is active-duty military, as well as National Guard or reserve service members on active duty, with a non-working or part-time student spouse, the email said. Johnson did not respond to a Military.com question asking about the accuracy of the email. "Guard and reserve families are already disproportionately impacted with a lack of care access due to their on-again, off-again duty status," Corbitt said. "This swift loss of care will create additional hardships for a mission-essential community." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Johnson told Military.com on Friday that Hill Air Force Base leadership is "looking at all options to provide quality child care options while the facility remains closed." News of the CDC closing at Hill comes after an incident at the Utah installation in which 37 kids were allegedly abused at the day care center and a Military.com investigation revealed oversight and staffing failures across many of the service branches. Related: Hill Air Force Base Prepares to Scale Back Child Care Services Amid Mass Federal Firings, Resignations Hillary Clinton seemingly blasted President Donald Trumps administration reportedly including the Atlantics editor-in-chief in a group chat that discussed war plans. You have got to be kidding me, Clinton wrote Monday on social media, along with a looking eyes emoji and a screenshot of the article. You have got to be kidding me.https://t.co/IhhvFvw6DGpic.twitter.com/bnNG4dGSpI Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) March 24, 2025 On Monday, Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, published a story detailing how, earlier this month, national security adviser Michael Waltz inadvertently added him to a 18-person group text message with other Trump administration officials, where they discussed war strikes in Yemen and other national security matters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brian Hughes, spokesperson for the National Security Council, confirmed to Goldberg that the group chat on Signal, an encrypted messaging service, was real and that they are reviewing how an inadvertent number was added to the chain. On Monday, President Donald Trump said he didnt know anything about the story. You are telling me about it for the first time, he said. Representatives for Clinton did not respond to HuffPosts request for comment, but social media users began pointing out the absurdity of the situation, considering that Clinton drew controversy when it was revealed that, while she was secretary of state, she used a private email server for official communications, rather than official State Department email accounts on federal servers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In October 2016, right before the election between Clinton and Trump, James Comey, then-FBI director, opened an investigation into Clintons use of a private server. He found that she acted extremely careless, but didnt recommend any charges be filed against her. Clinton later said that the FBI investigation contributed to her loss at the presidency. Related... A Hillsborough sheriffs deputy shot and wounded a man who pointed a gun at him during a domestic call in Riverview early Sunday, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office. Manuel Alvarez, 50, was in critical condition Sunday after the shooting inside a home in the 10500 block of Lake Montauk Drive, deputies said. Deputies responded about 4 a.m. to a domestic violence call at the home in the Riverview Lakes subdivision and found a woman who had been assaulted, according to the sheriffs office. Deputies learned that the womans boyfriend, Alvarez, had beat her up and lit an artificial plant and some other items on fire in a bedroom of the home, Sheriff Chad Chronister said at a news conference later Sunday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The woman said Alvarez was upstairs and armed with a gun. A 30-second clip of body camera video released by the sheriffs office shows Deputy Shawn Swinford, 35, climbing the stairs of the home and calling out to Alvarez by name. Come on up, Ill shoot your ass right now, Alvarez can be heard saying in the video. The video shows Alvarez opening the bedroom door and pointing a gun at Swinford, who takes cover behind a corner, shouts gun, gun, and then fires multiple rounds at Alvarez. Alvarez can be seen crawling on the hallway floor as the clip ends. Alvarez was taken to Tampa General Hospital, where he was listed in critical condition and underwent surgery on Sunday, Chronister said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alvarez does not have a criminal history and the sheriffs office has not had any prior calls for service at the home, according to Chronister. In 2022, the Tampa Police Department took Alvarez into protective custody under Floridas Baker Act, the sheriff said. Swinford was placed on routine paid leave while the Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigates the shooting. Swinford joined the sheriffs office in July and has no previous use-of-force incidents with the agency, Chronister said. He has eight years of prior law enforcement experience. RANKIN COUNTY, Miss. (WJTV) The Hindu Temple Society of Mississippi will celebrate Holi Mela this weekend. The event will take place at 173 Vernon Jones Avenue in Rankin County on March 29, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Attendees will be able to enjoy colors, food, music and dance. The event is free. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJTV. At least 140 sea lions have been rescued on Southern California beaches since Feb. 20, and sick or lifeless dolphins and birds are also showing up amid what one expert says is the most damaging harmful algae bloom ever witnessed in the area. It's also the fourth year in a row the area's sea life has been hit by a poisonous bloom. So far in 2025 what were seeing in Los Angeles County is worse than what we saw in 2023, which at that time was the worst ever recorded," John Warner, chief executive officer of the Marine Mammal Care Center told us in an interview Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Warner said the algae causes a type of poisoning called domoic acid toxicosis, which can lead to seizures, erratic behavior and lethargy. Sea lions and dolphins are the most affected, with the latter facing a higher death rate. (MORE: Here's How Hurricanes Are Changing Because Of Climate Change) The care center, located in the Los Angeles area, treats sick sea lions with a combination of drugs and therapy to flush the poison out of their bodies. About 50% to 65% will survive to be released back into the wild, Warner said. Animals exposed to this year after year are not great candidates for being released," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The poison can also make sea lions more aggressive, which can pose a danger to humans. A surfer in the area was bitten by a sea lion Friday that was reported to have suddenly charged. "Today, I endured the most harrowing and traumatic experience of my 20 yrs of surfingan encounter that left me shaken to my core," RJ LaMendola wrote on Facebook. LaMendola was treated at an area hospital. (MORE: Hundreds Of Sea Turtles Rescued In Historic Florida Cold Snap) Warner said these kinds of algal blooms and mass stranding events are happening more and more often. These are very difficult stories for people to hear and I know it sort of creates that feeling of wanting to hide under your covers because sometimes I feel that, too," he said. "But what its really important for people to understand is that these are warning signs for our environment that is not doing well but can be corrected. Two people with large nets walk across rocks toward a sea lion laying at the edge of the water. Scientists say changing ocean conditions due to warmer temperatures are one reason the risk is rising. Increased run off and nutrient pollution also add fuel for blooms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I havent met anyone who wouldnt agree that climate change and human activity exacerbates what were previously naturally occurring algal blooms," Warner said. (MORE: Hottest Year Yet Caps Off Hottest Decade Yet) Last year was Earth's warmest ever on record, the latest in a string of climate superlatives sending ocean temperatures to record highs, too. This year's Los Angeles-area wildfires may have also added more nutrients to the ocean in the form of ash and vegetation debris, he added. The long-term effects of the fires on ocean life remain unclear. Studying that is going to take time," Warner said. Weather.com senior writer Jan Childs covers breaking news and features related to weather, space, climate change, the environment and everything in between. Mia Love, the first Black Republican woman elected to Congress, has died. She was 49. Her family announced her passing on Sunday night. Love served Utahs fourth Congressional District from 2015 until 2019. The GOP member had been open in recent years about her battle with brain cancer, having undergone a clinical trial at Duke Universitys brain tumor center shortly before her passing. Earlier this month, Loves daughter announced that her mothers illness had stopped responding to treatment. She died at her home in Saratoga Springs, a suburb outside of Salt Lake City. With grateful hearts filled to overflowing for the profound influence of Mia on our lives, we want you to know that she passed away peacefully today. She was in her home surrounded by family, the statement read. In the midst of a celebration of her life and an avalanche of happy memories, Mia quietly slipped the bands of mortality and, as her words and vision always did, soared heavenward. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are thankful for the many good wishes, prayers, and condolences. We are taking some time as a family and will provide information about funeral services and a public celebration of her life in the days to come, her family concluded. Related: MMA Athlete Dies Suddenly at 21 Following High-Intensity Exercise Many of Loves colleagues came out to honor the late congresswoman. Heavy heart with the passing of my friend and colleague, Mia Love. Her energy, enthusiasm, and wit made her a stand-out member of Congress, Former Massachusetts Governor and Utah Senator Mitt Romney posted to X. Her faith and fortitude made her a model for me and countless others. We will dearly miss you, Mia. Fellow member of Congress Mike Lee, who served directly alongside Love, called her death truly heartbreaking. Mia Love was an outstanding public servant and a dear friend, he wrote. Her passing leaves a deep, painful void. Love is survived by her husband, Jason, and three children: daughters Alessa and Abigale; and son Peyton. As part of the deportation flights of alleged terrorists at the center of a legal and political storm, the US quietly dropped charges against a key alleged MS-13 leader and returned him to the pro-Trump leader of El Salvador. Cesar Humberto Lopez-Larios, an alleged top leader of the MS-13 gang who US investigators believe has information that could implicate top Salvadoran government officials in possibly corrupt deals with the violent gang, was deported on one of the controversial flights, according to current and former US officials and court documents. Its a deal that would benefit President Nayib Bukele, the brash Salvadoran leader who has become a star among pro-Trump US conservatives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hes a friend of mine, President Donald Trump said of Bukele in the Oval Office on Friday. The deportations are part of a plan by the Trump administration to pay El Salvador to imprison immigrants accused of crimes and expelled from the US. MS-13 deportations, particularly of leaders, who are a priority for Salvadoran officials, and Trump officials agreed, according to a US official. But bringing MS-13 leaders to face charges in the US has been a top priority for the Justice Department, and the transfer is a major loss of potential intelligence for investigators who helped track down Lopez-Larios for his arrest in Mexico last year, current and former officials say. Its a historical loss, says a former federal agent who spent years working on MS-13 and other gang cases. He was a potential high-level source. And he doesnt get to face US justice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lopez-Larios was arrested last year and charged by federal prosecutors in Brooklyn with directing the transnational gangs activities in the US, El Salvador, Mexico, and other countries. He was flown a week ago Saturday to Central America as part of a broader deal under which El Salvador accepted 238 alleged members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua held by the US, along with 22 other MS-13 members, according to court documents and US officials briefed on the matter. This notice released by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement shows Cesar Humberto Lopez-Larios. - US Immigration and Customs Enforcement In the US, the flights have become the subject of an intense legal and political fight over whether the Trump administration violated an order from a federal judge who had ordered deportations under the Alien Enemies Act halted even as planes carrying deportees were en route to Central America. The White House and allies have accused US District Judge James Boasberg of intruding on Trumps executive powers and aiding terrorists. In San Salvador, Bukele, whose crackdown on gang violence has buoyed his popularity, is touting the intelligence value of Lopez-Larios, one of the so-called Twelve Apostles of the Devil, the gangs top leadership group. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement US prosecutors allege that top gang leaders negotiated deals with the Bukele government to reduce the number of public murders, thereby creating the impression of lower murder rates, in exchange for facilitating the gangs operations, according to a 2022 indictment filed in Brooklyn federal court. Lopez-Larioss attorney, the Salvadoran Justice and Foreign Relations ministries, and the presidents office didnt respond to requests for comment. Lopez-Larios was a key capture of Task Force Vulcan, formed in the first Trump term and continued by the Biden administration, which has been elevated under Attorney General Pam Bondi to operate from her office and given broader authority. Given his leadership seniority, sources believe Lopez-Larios could provide a window into not only the gangs operations in Mexico and the US, but deals made with government officials that have helped gang members avoid US prosecution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lopez-Larios was awaiting trial in Brooklyn on charges including material support to terrorists and narco-terrorism conspiracy when US Attorney John Durham asked a judge this month to dismiss the charges, citing sensitive and important foreign policy considerations. Durham, in a letter to the judge overseeing the case, said the US was allowing El Salvador to first pursue prosecution against Lopez-Larios. (The judge dismissed the case without prejudice.) The Brooklyn US Attorneys office declined to comment. The former agent who worked on MS-13 investigations says Bukele and Salvadoran officials have resisted extraditing gang members to the US and investigators believe that at least part of the reason Salvadoran officials wanted Lopez-Larios and other MS-13 members back was to ensure they didnt cooperate with US investigations. Its to make sure we wont get the evidence from someone who can corroborate that he has been cooperating with a terrorist organization, the former agent said. MS-13 links from Long Island to El Salvador In court documents, prosecutors describe the sophisticated leadership structure that allowed the Twelve Apostles of the Devil members, including Lopez-Larios, to oversee a vast territory stretching from Long Island, New York, to southern California to Central America. Leaders greenlit murders, directed drug trafficking and weapons smuggling networks, prosecutors say. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And they entered into deals with successive Salvadoran governments, extracting better treatment for gang members in prison in exchange for reducing public violence to aid election campaigns, according to the 2020 federal indictment of top MS-13 leaders including Lopez-Larios filed in Brooklyn. This includes the government of Bukele, which has formed close ties with conservative figures, including private military contractor Erik Prince and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Bukele, who became president in 2019 and won reelection last year, celebrated this weekends gang deportees arrival at the countrys notorious prison called CECOT. He posted a social media video set to dramatic music showing handcuffed prisoners, including Lopez-Larios, being roughly marched from aircraft to buses and then to the prison facility. In one such deal negotiated between top MS-13 leaders and Bukele government officials, gang leaders negotiated with high-level government officials for financial benefits, control of territory, less restrictive prison conditions to enable MS-13 leaders to keep controlling gang operations, according to a separate 2022 Brooklyn indictment of MS-13 leaders. Gang leaders also demanded that the government of El Salvador refuse to extradite MS-13 leaders, to the US for prosecution, the indictment says. In exchange, MS-13 leaders agreed to reduce the number of public murders in El Salvador, which politically benefitted the government of El Salvador, by creating the perception that the government was reducing the murder rate. When in fact, MS-13 leaders continued to authorize murders where the victims bodies were buried or otherwise hidden, the 2022 indictment says. Gang leaders also agreed to use their influence to direct gang members and their families to support Nuevas Ideas, Bukeles political party in legislative elections, the indictment says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After elections in 2021, Bukeles party won a legislative supermajority and promptly ousted the countrys attorney general, who had endorsed extraditions of MS-13 gang leaders to the US, and members of the Salvadoran Supreme Court, according to the 2022 indictment of MS-13 gang leaders filed in Brooklyn federal court. In 2021, the U.S. Treasury Department issued sanctions against two Bukele government officials who the U.S. alleged were involved in negotiating deals that included financial incentives for MS-13 and another group known as the 18th Street Gang in exchange for reduced violence. In addition to Salvadoran government financial allocations in 2020, the gangs also received privileges for gang leadership incarcerated in Salvadoran prisons, such as the provision of mobile phones and prostitutes, the Treasury Department said at the time. Bukele didnt mention Lopez-Larios by name but said in a social media post that one of the deportees was a member of the criminal organizations highest structure. He added that this will help us finalize intelligence gathering and go after the last remnants of MS-13. Saturday night flights Three government planes carried deportees on March 15, two carrying alleged Tren the Aragua gang members whose deportation was authorized by Trumps invocation of a 1798 law mostly used in wartime called the Alien Enemies Act. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The two planes carrying the Tren de Aragua gang members were already in the air and, according to Justice Department court filings, in international airspace when US District Judge James Boasberg issued to halt the deportations. As a result, government lawyers say, Boasbergs order that the planes turn around and return to the US didnt apply. Justice Department lawyers have cited national security reasons for refusing to disclose more about the third flight that carried the MS-13 members. They also say the plane carrying the MS-13 members was carrying deportees under a separate authority not covered by Boasbergs order to ground the planes. Bukele, for his part, appeared to relish his role in the controversy over the Trump administrations defiance of Boasbergs order. He reposted on social media a newspaper headline on the judges order with a laughing emoji and a comment: Oopsie Too late. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com BEIJING, March 24 (Xinhua) -- After a six-year hiatus, China and Japan have resumed their High-Level Economic Dialogue, a major step toward deepening cooperation between Asia's two largest economies. Beyond the economic realm, the two countries' foreign ministers also reaffirmed their commitments to ensuring stable and constructive bilateral ties. This warming trend highlights both sides' consensus that China and Japan, as close neighbors, share extensive common interests and great potential for cooperation. The momentum of improvement in China-Japan relations has not come easily. As Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi noted in Tokyo, China and Japan have been working to improve bilateral relations since Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba took office. In November last year, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Ishiba reached important common understandings on following the four political documents between China and Japan, comprehensively advancing the strategic relationship of mutual benefit, and building a constructive and stable China-Japan relationship fit for the new era. Since then, through joint efforts, China-Japan relations have shown signs of steady improvement. There are good reasons to keep this momentum going. China and Japan are bound by deep economic ties and a shared stake in regional stability. At a time of mounting global uncertainties, a constructive relationship serves not only their national interests but also the broader region. The latest economic dialogue yielded 20 key points of consensus, covering a range of areas from green development to service trade and supply chains. But talks alone will not be sufficient. Both countries must continue working together to put the agreements into action, ensuring that cooperation delivers real benefits. Sustaining practical cooperation requires deeper political trust. The four political documents that guide China-Japan relations provide a clear framework for long-term stability. Respecting these commitments, including those on historical issues and Taiwan, will help prevent political differences from overshadowing cooperation. A correct understanding of history remains a crucial test of Japan's adherence to its post-war commitments. It is the political foundation for Japan's good relations with its neighbors and a key benchmark for evaluating Japan's dedication to peaceful development. The Taiwan question is at the core of China's core interests and the one-China principle is the political foundation of China-Japan relations. In recent years, certain Japanese politicians and anti-China forces have sought to send erroneous signals to "Taiwan independence" separatist forces. Japan must honor its commitments, handle Taiwan-related issues prudently, and take concrete actions to support the steady progress of bilateral ties. The reality is inescapable: China and Japan are neighbors that cannot be wished away. They are two major countries deeply connected economically and strategically vital to the whole region. By intensifying dialogue, expanding common ground and managing differences wisely, the two countries can build a relationship benefiting both themselves and the world at large. NEW YORK New York Gov. Kathy Hochuls proposed guardrails on Mayor Eric Adams are going nowhere. Its been more than a month since Hochul announced with great fanfare her plan to layer the New York City mayor with additional oversight to prevent the influence of President Donald Trump. But a misunderstanding of New York City politics and a plan unpalatable to most City Council members who must approve the framework before the state Legislature can consider it meant the wheels began coming off the governors proposal soon after she set it in motion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We had a preliminary conversation a few weeks ago and there were a lot of questions and concerns raised by Council members that I think will need to be worked through before we have a package that is ready for prime time, said Brooklyn Democrat Lincoln Restler, who chairs the Council committee that would cast a key vote on Hochuls plan. Nevertheless, he added, There is a real sense of urgency from the Council that we need to take action to ensure that the office of the mayor is operating with integrity and with much more robust oversight. The two sides are now at a stalemate, even as the exigent circumstances Hochul leapt to address remain unchanged: Trumps Department of Justice is still moving to dismiss the mayors criminal corruption case in exchange for immigration enforcement cooperation, and federal officials are still threatening to curtail funding to the municipal purse. Talks between the Council and the state began petrifying shortly after the governors Feb. 20 announcement. At the time, Hochul was under pressure to remove Adams from office a nuclear option afforded to New York governors after allegations from a former federal prosecutor that the Department of Justice and Adams had agreed to a quid-pro-quo in exchange for dismissing his five-count bribery case. The mayor and his attorney have denied the allegation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Instead, Hochul settled on a framework that included more state control over the citys Department of Investigation, which played a key role in the mayors indictment, and funding for other state watchdogs. I'd like to start the proceedings immediately and then start talking to the Legislature about this, Hochul said during her Feb. 20 announcement. I'm not waiting until after any election. There's a crisis of confidence now. Hochul gave Council Speaker Adrienne Adams a heads up before debuting the guardrails, a person with knowledge of the interactions said. But in the days afterward, negotiations went sideways. As POLITICO previously reported, Hochuls team hoped her proposal could be ratified by the Council in a matter of days a virtual impossibility in the unwieldy assemblage of lawmakers. The Council is a much more deliberative body than in Albany, where you have a rush to do things at the end of the budget and the legislative cycle, said a former city official who dealt extensively with the city legislative body and who was granted anonymity to speak candidly about the governors actions. The Council has a much more consistent rhythm. They will do things, but you cant shove them down their throat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The substance of Hochuls remedy also proved too bitter for elected officials to swallow. At a Feb. 25 meeting of the bodys Democratic Conference, lawmakers balked at giving the state more power of city affairs especially the citys investigation department, according to several people who attended the session. Under Hochuls plan, DOI would provide updates about criminal investigations to the state Inspector General, which would have the power to intervene if a mayor were to try to fire the investigation commissioner. [DOI Commissioner Jocelyn Strauber] doesnt want to be beholden right now, said Council Member Gale Brewer, chair of the Committee on Oversight and Investigations. She really is pretty free to say and do the right thing. And then secondly, the City Council didn't want to have the state telling DOI what to do. So it was like a no-win. The speakers office offered a counterproposal: Require the mayor to get approval from the Council rather than the state inspector general before firing a commissioner. (Though such action is rare, former Mayor Bill de Blasio canned his DOI commissioner after the release of a damning report). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The governors office rejected the offer, the person with knowledge of the negotiations told POLITICO, and the two sides have failed to make progress in the ensuing weeks. The standstill has emboldened City Hall. There should never have been any so-called guardrails announced by the state because, as Mayor Adams has repeatedly said, he is solely beholden to the nearly 8.5 million New Yorkers who he represents, spokesperson Kayla Mamelak Altus said in a statement. If any good has come from putting our city through this pointless exercise, its that the mayor has proven that even without these guardrails, he has stayed true to his oath of office and continued to put New Yorkers first. Mamelak Altus argued that nothing has changed since the Department of Justice memo: The city still abides by sanctuary city laws that prohibit its participation in civil immigration enforcement. The mayors pursuit of an executive order to establish a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility on Rikers Island is anticipated in those sanctuary city statutes. And, in contradiction to Hochuls accusations, Adams has sued the Trump administration in the hopes of recovering $80 million in FEMA money earmarked for migrant services. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That has not convinced the Council. Speaker Adams appreciates her productive working relationship with Governor Hochul, spokesperson Mandela Jones said in a statement. We are still in ongoing discussions with the governors office on how to best protect New York Citys government and local democracy from undue influence as a result of our mayor being compromised. That sentiment was shared by Hochuls team. We continue to have productive conversations with the New York City Council and stand ready to advance those proposals at any time, spokesperson Anthony Hogrebe said in a statement. But Hogrebe included a caveat leaving the governor with some wiggle room: This is ultimately a New York City issue, and we have no objections to the Council considering alternative actions they can advance themselves. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brewer and other Council members are indeed pushing for their preferred changes, like giving DOI more independence through a commission aiming to amend the City Charter via ballot proposals. But that effort faces long odds of being successful the mayor has created a parallel commission that supersedes the Councils effort leaving state legislative action a more feasible option should the two sides come to a compromise. I understand the governor's point, Brewer said. She was trying to find something between getting rid of the mayor and doing something she was trying to find a middle ground. HONOLULU (KHON2) Honolulu police are searching for suspects involved in an early morning robbery in Aiea. Man hospitalized after apparent stabbing in Chinatown The incident occurred just after 2:45 a.m. Monday at a gas and convenience store on Aiea Heights Drive. Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You Authorities have provided limited details, stating that the investigation is still ongoing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hawaii renewed his body and soul: Rachel Kondo speaks about her brother No arrests have been made, and no injuries have been reported. Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news Police continue to investigate the robbery. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Daniel Herrera Carbajal ICT The Hopi Tribe has been awarded more than $4 million for a solar-powered microgrid to advance its energy and water independence. The funds, awarded from the Department of Energy, will be used to build a 250-kilowatt, solar-powered microgrid to power two wells at the unelectrified Side Rock Well Field located on the Hopi Reservation in northeast Arizona. The wells will deliver water to the villages of Upper and Lower Moenkopi via a pipeline that is currently under construction. It'll be bringing much-needed water to the village of Moencopi on the Hopi Reservation, Hopi tribal council representative Leroy Shingoitewa told ICT. Two Arizona Democratic senators, Ruben Gallego and Mark Kelly, announced the news. Im excited to announce that the Hopi Tribe has been awarded over $4 million to help secure its energy and water future, said Gallego. Clean water is vital for community health and economic development, and this innovative project will ensure that some of the most remote parts of the Hopi Reservation have reliable access for years to come. This project means Hopi families will have a steady, reliable water source, said Kelly. By using solar power to run these wells, theyre lowering costs and making sure the community has the water it needs for years to come. The addition of a microgrid is part of a larger, ongoing project Side Rock Water Supply project, which aims to provide a reliable water source for the Hopi Tribe. A microgrid is a self-contained electrical network that can work independently from the main power grid or alongside it. The new Hopi microgrid will work independently from its main power source. But the Upper and Lower Moencopi villages are disconnected from the rest of Hopi Tribe. The Hopi Tribe is surrounded by the Navajo Nation, but the Moencopi village is separated from the main Hopi land. Shingoitewa told ICT that this leaves Moencopi far from the main Hopi water supply. We live on the western portion of the reservation approximately 55 miles away from the Hopi tribal headquarters, and we really are kind of sitting on an island outside of the main Hopi Reservation,Shingoitewa told ICT. The Moencopi village has wells, but the water produced from them is not adequate, said Shingoitewa. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the current water source is now insufficient for community needs. With the money that's now gonna be available for the wells to bring water here, we will have the opportunity to provide more water to meet the needs of our people here in our village and also for the future, said Shingoitewa. The fight for water is ongoing for tribal nations, with many tribes still fighting for their water rights in courts. Senators Kelly and Gallego introduced the Northeastern Arizona Indian Water Rights Settlement Act of 2025, which was referred to the Senate Indian Affairs Committee. A version of the act also has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives. Both houses of Congress would need to pass the legislation, which would ratify and fund the largest Indian water rights settlement in the country. It would secure water rights for the Navajo Nation, Hopi Tribe and the San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe. The Colorado River in the upper River Basin is seen, May 29, 2021, in Lees Ferry, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File) The Northeastern Arizona Indian Water Rights Settlement Agreement will settle the three tribes' claims to the main stem of the Colorado River, the Little Colorado River, and relevant groundwater sources in Arizona. It will guarantee the tribes access to over 56,000 acre-feet of Colorado River water, with specific groundwater rights and protections. The agreement also requires the Hopi Tribe and Navajo Nation to leave 17,050 acre-feet per year of Arizona Upper Basin water in Lake Powell for the first 20 years. This is a truly historic moment for our Tribe and for our sister tribes. Clean, running water and permanent homes are luxuries our people have gone too long without, said San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe President Carlene Yellowhair in a press release. This legislation will ensure we have these basic human rights now and into the future. We are grateful to Senator Kelly, Senator Gallego, Congressman Ciscomani, Congressman Stanton, and the entire Arizona Delegation for their continued support for this important legislation. Our stories are worth telling. Our stories are worth sharing. Our stories are worth your support. Contribute today to help ICT carry out its critical mission. Sign up for ICTs free newsletter. HOT SPRINGS, Ark. An Arkansas man has been sentenced to federal prison and fined for money laundering and wire fraud. Officials said 57-year-old John Christopher Bates of Hot Springs waived indictment and pleaded guilty to the two charges. He was sentenced to 57 months in federal prison and ordered to pay $252,344 in restitution on March 12. Arkansas man convicted for Oklahoma bank robbery Investigators said the charges arose from two different schemes: In the first, Bates was involved in false benefit applications to the Arkansas Department of Workforce Services for pandemic unemployment assistance, and the second, he filed fraudulent applications for an Economic Disaster Loan of over $1 million. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials said the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration and the Department of Labor Office of the Inspector General investigated the case. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK. SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) Monday is the deadline for voters in San Diego Countys first supervisorial district to register for the upcoming special election. The race will decide former Board of Supervisors Chair Nora Vargas successor in the South County seat. Vargas had abruptly resigned from the office shortly after residents in the district re-elected her for a second term back in November. Whoever wins in the special election will serve the remainder of the current term, which runs through January 2029. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As the race is for a district-level seat, only residents in the first supervisorial district who have registered to vote before Mondays deadline will be able to cast a ballot by mail between now and the final day of voting on April 8. MORE: Board of Supervisors District 1 special election After the registration deadline, District 1 residents who are not signed up to vote but want to participate will need to head to a vote center to conditionally register and vote provisionally. Above: FOX 5/KUSI video on how conditional registration works in California. As of Monday, the only in-person option available to District 1 voters to participate in the election is to head to the county Registrar of Voters office in Kearny Mesa. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The first vote centers in the district are set to open on Saturday, March 29, with thirteen additional polling places opening on election day to accept ballots. The county Registrar of Voters encourages anyone who thinks they may be eligible to vote in the special election to look up what district they live in and double-check their voter registration status prior to 5 p.m. on Monday. Seven candidates are vying for the role: Imperial Beach Mayor Paloma Aguirre, Chula Vista Deputy Mayor Carolina Chavez, affordable energy consultant Elizabeth Efird, former Imperial County Board of Supervisors Chair Louis Fuentes, Chula Vista Mayor John McCann, San Diego City Councilmember Vivian Moreno, and long-time South County resident, Lincoln Pickard. As the contest is a special election, should one candidate garner more than 50% of the vote, they would win the race outright. If no candidate meets that threshold, the election will move to a runoff between the top two vote-getters in July. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. Rep. Pat Ryan (D-N.Y.), a military veteran, on Monday called for a congressional hearing following a news report that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth texted The Atlantics top editor key details of the U.S. plan to bomb Houthi targets, just two hours ahead of the attacks. Only one word for this: FUBAR, Ryan wrote in a post on the social platform X, using an acronym for the phrase, fed up beyond all recognition. If House Republicans wont hold a hearing on how this happened IMMEDIATELY, Ill do it my damn self, he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ryan a military intelligence officer in the Army who served two tours in Iraq responded to The Atlantic reporting, published Monday, that gave a first-person account of Editor-in-Chief Jeffrey Goldbergs experience getting looped into U.S. war plans, which included details of weapons used, targets, and timing hours ahead of the attacks. Goldberg said he was included on a text chain on the encrypted messaging application Signal that also appeared to be used by such senior Trump administration officials as Vice President Vance, national security adviser Mike Waltz, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and Hegseth. In the stunning report, Goldberg claimed Waltz connected with him on Signal on March 11 and two days later was invited to join a chain called the Houthi PC small group, in which they discussed strikes against the Houthi militant group in Yemen that began on March 15 seemingly unaware of the journalists presence in the group. He wrote that he initially had strong doubts the text group was real, because I could not believe that the national-security leadership of the United States would communicate on Signal about imminent war plans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Goldberg also said that he could not believe that the national security adviser to the president would be so reckless as to include him in the discussions with senior U.S. officials. Brian Hughes, the spokesperson for the National Security Council, confirmed the message chain was authentic. This appears to be an authentic message chain, and we are reviewing how an inadvertent number was added to the chain, wrote Hughes. The thread is a demonstration of the deep and thoughtful policy coordination between senior officials. The ongoing success of the Houthi operation demonstrates that there were no threats to troops or national security. The account prompted immediate blowback from congressional Democrats. 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. 24A House budget working group rejected the proposal of Gov. Kelly Ayotte and State Lottery Director Charles McIntyre to raise the state's tax that charity casino operators would pay for gambling done on slot machines if they became legal. The change was one of many House Finance Committee subcommittees made to include in a state budget that will include significant cuts to Ayotte's spending plan. Also on Monday, these panels endorsed plans to eliminate the state Division of the Arts, cut nearly $15 million in the Attorney General's budget, raise motor vehicle fees to close a $45 million deficit in the Highway Fund and increase the annual cost for a vanity license plate from $40 to $60. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Currently, charity casinos pay a total of 30% in gross revenues from historic horse racing machines (HHRs), whose winning combinations are based on randomly selected horse races. Ayotte's two-year state budget would legalize gambling on regular slot machines. McIntyre and Ayotte proposed raising that tax to 45%, which would generate an additional $110 million in state revenue during the second year of the budget. The higher tax rate is similar to what casinos pay in state taxes on slot machine gambling in Maine and in southeastern Massachusetts, McIntyre said. The large casinos in Everett and Springfield, Mass., pay only a 25% tax, but that's because the owners invested billions to build those properties and each paid the state a one-time, $85 million license fee, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The (45%) number came from me to maximize revenue. I would support that number with gusto," McIntyre said. But Division 1 of the House Finance Committee voted, 4-3, to retain the lower 30% tax rate. Rep. Daniel Popovici-Muller, R-Windham, said keeping the tax rate lower will encourage charity casinos to more quickly convert from HHR to slot machines. "We want to give them a good reason to come to our side of the border. We want to have a clear competitive advantage," Popovici-Muller said. "This is why the level of taxation for an activity matters." Rep. Kate Murray, D-New Castle, and the other Democrats on the panel opposed this change. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "How can you defend bringing a new gambling program into the state and letting the operators have 70% of those funds?" Murray asked rhetorically. The subcommittee rejected one change that charity casino operators had wanted, to allow up to 90% of floor space to be devoted to slot machines. Currently, HHR machines can make take up to 70% of the space. McIntyre said not everyone wants to play slot machines and other offerings from table games to shops and restaurants will bring in more customers. House Majority Floor Leader Joe Sweeney, R-Salem, had proposed eliminating the state library and turning that building over to the executive or legislative branches for additional office space. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I think it is absolutely abhorrent we are considering this," said Rep. Rosemarie Rung, D-Merrimack. The panel voted, 5-4, to eliminate the arts division to save about $2 million in state and federal spending, but it put off a decision on the library after Rep. Gerald Griffin, R-Mont Vernon, said he would break with his GOP colleagues and oppose the move. "I may endorse this at the end (of budget deliberations), but I'd rather not have to do it," Griffin said. A subcommittee also recommended, 7-2, to sell off or lease the welcome centers along state highways by July 1, 2026. klandrigan@unionleader.com GOP Rep. Mike Lawler (N.Y.) called for safeguards to be implemented to ensure the leaking of war plans doesnt happen again after a journalist was included in a Signal group chat discussing them. Classified information should not be transmitted on unsecured channels and certainly not to those without security clearances, including reporters. Period, Lawler said Monday in a post on the social platform X. Safeguards must be put into place to ensure this never happens again, he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Pentagon has received widespread backlash Monday after Jeffrey Goldberg, the editor in chief of The Atlantic, revealed he was added to a group chat on Signal earlier this month in which Trump administration officials debated and discussed details of the U.S. conducting attacks against Houthi rebels in Yemen. The group reportedly included national security adviser Mike Waltz, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Vice President Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and CIA Director John Ratcliffe. Goldberg wrote in The Atlantic that Waltz connected with him on Signal on March 11, and he was invited to join a group chat called Houthi PC small group two days later. Hegseth reportedly sent details of the attack on the Houthis, which began March 15, to the group hours before the attack began, including weapons used, timing and targets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. launched the strikes in response to attacks from the Iranian-backed militant group on military and civilian ships in the area. National Security Council spokesperson Brian Hughes confirmed the messages in the chat appear to be authentic, adding that the success of the attack on the Houthis shows there were no threats to U.S. troops or national security. Democrats have been quick to slam Hegseth, accusing him of incompetence and questioning how a reporter was able to be included in the chat without anyone knowing. Lawler, a more moderate member of the House GOP, has been among the Republicans more willing to break with the administration in certain instances. 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. MAPUTO, March 24 (Xinhua) -- Mozambican President Daniel Francisco Chapo has met with former presidential candidate Venancio Mondlane to discuss national challenges and potential solutions for the country's post-election stability. The meeting, which took place late Sunday, reaffirmed the government's commitment to reconciliation and unity among Mozambicans, according to a statement issued by the presidential office. "The commitment aims to establish guidelines for a national dialogue on key issues such as constitutional reform and governance," the statement said. The meeting was held less than a month after the signing of the Political Commitment for an Inclusive National Dialogue, an agreement between the government and nine political parties aiming to address post-election challenges. The discussion between Chapo and Mondlane represents a continuation of efforts to restore trust in institutions and foster a stable political environment, the statement added. The government reiterated its dedication to peace, stability, and the strengthening of democracy, emphasizing its goal of building a more inclusive and harmonious Mozambique. PALOS HEIGHTS, Ill. (WGN) A suburban man who works as a housekeeper allegedly stole thousands of dollars from a former nursing home resident, police in Palos Heights announced last week. Demonte Williams, 33, of Country Club Hills, faces one count of aggravated identity theft of victims over the age of 60. On Wednesday, March 12, department officers learned that an Avantara Nursing Home resident reported multiple charges to their checking account across various suburban locations. The resident told police he recently moved to the Palos Heights facility, located in the 7800 block of College Drive, from another facility in Hazel Crest, where he had resided for nearly a decade. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Man who violated parole charged in Des Plaines road rage stabbing incident Demonte Williams According to police, Williams worked as the head of housekeeping for the assisted living facility in Hazel Crest, as confirmed by the employees officers spoke with. Police arrested Williams while he was at work on Friday, March 14. The department added that Williams still had the victims bank card at the time of his arrest. Investigators observed surveillance videos of Williams allegedly making purchases at multiple businesses totaling nearly $7,500. Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines Authorities formally charged, processed and released Williams on Monday, March 17. He was due in court the following day. 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. MEMPHIS, Tenn. Sauce Walka, a Houston, Texas rapper, was shot in downtown Memphis over the weekend, according to CBS affiliate station KHOU. Reports state that Sauce Walka, whose real name is Albert Walker Mondane, was one of the two people found shot on Saturday in the 100 block of George W. Lee Avenue. The man who died was identified by police as 27-year-old Letorian Hunt. A Memphis Police report says that officers responded to a shooting call at the Westin Hotel at 4:40 p.m. The report mentions that 34-year-old Albert Mondane was taken to Regional One Hospital in non-critical condition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police say Mondane had a green leafy substance in a clear bag that tested positive. Memphis Police are calling the shooting a targeted incident and that the victims and suspects know one another. We want to assure our community and visitors that downtown Memphis is a safe place. This incident was not a random act of violence. MPD is committed to bringing those responsible to justice, Memphis Police said in a statement. ORIGINAL STORY: 1 dead, 1 injured in shooting downtown Sauce Walkas father, Poppa Sauce, told KHOU that his son was shot in the thigh but is coherent and expected to survive his injuries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officers say it started when the suspects got out of a white car and shot at the two victims. Detectives from the real-time crime center tracked the vehicle as it fled outside of the Memphis area. So were convinced that vehicle has fled the downtown area. Certainly want everybody to be on the lookout for this white vehicle. We put out a citywide broadcast on that vehicle, said MPD Assistant Chief Don Crowe. Currently, we have detectives from the homicide unit. We have detectives from the CSI unit on the scene conducting the investigation. Hopefully, well be able to develop suspect information real quickly. If you have any information that could help police, call CrimeStoppers at 901-528-CASH. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. HOWARD FRANKLAND BRIDGE A street sweeper kicked up a cloud of dust on the new stretch on the Howard Frankland Bridge Monday, as crews put the finishing touches on the expanded version of Tampa Bays critical 6-mile artery that is scheduled to open to drivers Tuesday morning. There isnt an exact time set for the bridge opening, state transportation department spokesperson Kris Carson said. Incoming storms could delay the opening of the bridge into the afternoon or later, she said. Weather permitting, crews will paint new stripes overnight Monday between lanes on Interstate 275 to shift southbound traffic onto the new bridge. Meanwhile, drivers heading north toward Tampa wont see any changes yet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Greg Deese, a civil engineer with the Florida Department of Transportation, said that the switch should be pretty seamless and very safe for drivers. They should be used to this because the project has been under construction for many years, he said. The new bridge caps off five years of construction on the most expensive bridge project in Floridas history. This bridge will be the largest by surface area in the state. What should I expect if Im headed toward St. Petersburg? Those headed south on Interstate 275 can expect to be diverted right to board the new span of the Howard Frankland, which will primarily carry southbound traffic. Orange barrels will help keep drivers on the new path. The overhead light-up signs will also provide instructions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Only the four regular lanes will be open to drivers tomorrow. The express lanes are expected to open next year. What if Im headed toward Tampa? Those headed north on Interstate 275 will stay on the current northbound span. This summer, the state transportation department expects to move northbound traffic over to the middle bridge span, which currently carries southbound traffic. The northbound span, built in the 1950s, is nearing the end of its expected life and is scheduled to be demolished. Dont expect any dramatic explosions, Deese said. Starting this summer, the old bridge will be disassembled piece by piece, cut up and put on barges. The concrete will then be crushed and recycled for new projects, like the foundation for parking lots. What else is still in progress with the bridge project? A few features of the new bridge wont open until spring next year, the state transportation department estimates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those include four express lanes, two in each direction, and the 12-foot-wide path for cyclists and pedestrians. Work continues on the pedestrian paths surface, railing, benches and lighting, among other features, Carson said. When the path is completed, it will have four lookout spots along the bridge, where runners and cyclists can take a break and admire the shimmering expanse of Tampa Bay below. State transportation officials are also still deciding what toll drivers will be charged once the express lanes open. Buses can also use those express lanes to shuttle riders between counties faster. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bridge has the capacity for light rail in the future, if local governments choose to add mass transit. No plans have been introduced in Hillsborough or Pinellas counties, and efforts to boost funding for mass transit have failed at the ballot box or before the courts for years. How different is the new bridge, really? State transportation officials touted safety features of the bridge Monday. The four extra lanes can evacuate more residents during hurricanes, Deese said. Emergency services can also merge into the express lanes to bypass traffic and reach crashes faster. Its huge for evacuation routes, for regional mobility, Deese said. Its just an iconic bridge that really defines Tampa. After decades of watching white-capped Tampa Bay waters crash over the bridge during storms, the new bridge is also built to be more resilient to hurricanes, Deese said. Designers took lessons from the washout of the Sanibel Causeway in Southwest Florida during Hurricane Ian, and used a sturdier rock fill instead of sand for the approaches on land as drivers get on the bridge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Surging waters tore off chunks of the northbound bridges shoulder last year during Hurricane Helene. Rodney Kite-Powell, a historian with the Tampa Bay History Center, said the opening of the new stretch is momentous for the region, but its also striking how similar it is to the old version, which debuted in 1960. Sixty-five years later, we really havent changed a whole lot, he said, standing on the new bridge as part of a media event Monday. Were still all about the automobile. We add more lanes, but then we add more cars. Its interesting in that span of time we havent really moved from that mode of transportation in a broad way. Next week some of the finest lawyers in the land will appear before the High Court in a case which could shake the Government to its core. While the case focuses on whether it is wrong to put VAT on education, much bigger issues are also at stake: the sovereignty of Parliament, the place of education in society and the rights of children. A loss would be embarrassing to Sir Keir Starmer KC, but it would be existential to Bridget Phillipson, the education secretary (also doing untold damage to state academies) and potentially Rachel Reeves who, as chancellor, is technically the respondent. The case suffers from numerous misunderstandings, the biggest of which is what happens if the Government loses? By my estimation and I am not a professional lawyer the Government is far more likely to lose than is commonly understood. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A victory by the claimants on behalf of schools and children (helped by the Education Not Taxation parents crowd funder) will not see a court scandalously overturning a taxation measure as the Government claims. The European Convention on Human Rights (the legal framework for the case) cannot do that, nor should it. The remedy will be a declaration of incompatibility, an admission that the Government will have contrived to pass a law VAT on school fees which is in contradiction of existing laws, including numerous Education Acts, charity legislation, the Human Rights Act, but also Labours promise to uphold human rights in its manifesto. The law is clear: no child shall be denied access to education, nor should they be discriminated against, either by virtue of their special educational needs or their parents religious beliefs. In the event of losing in court, the question would therefore immediately revert to Parliament to resolve. This would be an assertion of Parliaments Supremacy and of democracy, not a denial of it. Furthermore, if the Human Rights Act did not exist and we pulled out of the ECHR, one hopes that a replacement British Rights Act would contain the same protections for children (and for recent free speech claimants), which are anyway well established and understood. Clearing up this point is very important. Because the big objection to this court case you will hear from the Government and others, is that it is democratically wrong for Human Rights law to overturn a tax measure approved by Parliament and in Labours manifesto. The answer to that objection is simple: it will not do that. On the contrary, the matter will revert to the democratic system to be sorted out. A victory would be an assertion of Parliamentary supremacy, not a denial of it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What about the merits of the case? How can it be possible to argue that there is supposedly a legal right to send your child to Eton? This is another misconception. That is not what is being claimed. It is about the specific rights of special needs children and those whose parents have strongly held religious beliefs four of the parties are Christian schools. Etonians are not relevant. One of the ironies of this legislation is that it will insulate wealthy schools further from competition as they can put the full 20 per cent VAT increase on fees, and then claim it back on their capital expenditure. The argument is very simple. Education is compulsory, for good reasons. It therefore follows that children have certain rights. For example, you cannot force a child with special needs, be they a disability, health or otherwise, into an unsuitable school, nor can you force a Jewish child onto a Christian school or a Christian one onto a Muslim school, or vice versa. These are rights which can be traced into the Education Acts of the 19th and 20th Centuries. They have never been controversial, nor should they be in a pluralistic society which values its culture. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In order to facilitate both these rights and the general public benefits which arise from education, it has been the case since the Tudor era that education has been protected in law as a charitable purpose, like welfare and religion. Like other charities and indeed nurseries and universities, schools are not taxed. This is not a loophole but a deliberate policy. The social bargain has been that if you want or need to send your child to a suitable school, at your own expense, good for you. That is a good thing, does no harm to anyone else, benefits both society and the taxpayer (who no longer has to pic up the tab) and should be encouraged. This is what is known as a norm, to be found not just in Britain but right across the Western world. There is no tax on education in any serious country. New Zealand has a small tax but this is offset by a tax credit. Nor do we tax nursery fees, or university fees and most further education is also exempt. So, if an arbitrary act by the Government, such as putting on 20 per cent VAT half way through a school year, causes schools to close or forces children to leave their school (as it has done) and there is no suitable place locally (as in thousands of cases there is not), it is not just an inconvenience, in defiance of our laws, but an outrage, an act of undemocratic cruelty, overturning long cherished rights and assumptions which are there for very good reasons. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Government would be on stronger ground if Ministers said that they had considered all this and it was being implemented carefully, in stages, with some exemptions. But that is not their position. They gave no proper thought to this measure, which was motivated by spite. They have lied when they say it will raise 1.6 billion for state schools. Its consequence has been chaotic, further overloading the special needs system and causing distress to blameless parents and children. It is a matter of common sense that the Government might well lose this case. And if it does, Bridget Phillipson will deserve what is coming. George Trefgarne is a parent supporting Education Not Taxation 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. BOSTON (WWLP) Immigration authorities conducted what they called an enhanced targeted enforcement operation in Massachusetts last week that resulted in over 370 arrests. In a news release from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on Monday, the operation from March 18 to March 23 was conducted in partnership with various law enforcement agencies that targeted organized crime, gangs, and undocumented immigrants in and around Boston and throughout the state. These gangs included MS-13, Tren de Aragua, Trinitarios, and 18th Street. In total, 205 of those arrested were already convicted criminals or had pending charges. There were six foreign fugitives facing charges or convictions for murder, drug trafficking, organized crime, and money laundering. Approximately 44 kilograms of methamphetamine, 5 kilograms of fentanyl, 1.2 kilograms of cocaine, three firearms, and ammunition were seized from undocumented immigrants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mass. babysitter charged with manslaughter after child dies in car ICE said that the FBI, DEA, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, ATF, U.S. Marshals Service and DSS, as well as the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Massachusetts, participated in the operation. These federal law enforcement members apprehended many suspects after local jurisdictions refused to honor immigration detainer requests to turn over the offenders and instead chose to release aliens from custody. This forced officers and agents to make at-large arrests in Massachusetts communities. Pre-Operational Briefing (Courtesy: FBI Boston) (Courtesy: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) (Courtesy: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) (Courtesy: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) (Courtesy: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) (Courtesy: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) (Courtesy: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) DEA and ATF SACs in back of command post (Courtesy: FBI Boston) Courtesy: FBI Boston Homan views tracker (Courtesy: FBI Boston) Homan addresses Command Post #1 (Courtesy: FBI Boston) FBI crisis response (Courtesy: FBI Boston) Courtesy: FBI Boston Courtesy: FBI Boston (Courtesy: FBI Boston) FBI Analyst in Command Post (Courtesy: FBI Boston) FBI Boston SAC Cohen, Homan and HSI New England SAC Krol with USM Kyes in background (Courtesy: FBI Boston) The news release from ICE listed the following information about those arrested in the target operation: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Dominican alien who illegally re-entered the U.S. after removal charged with multiple drug distribution crimes was arrested in Boston. A Dominican alien who illegally re-entered the U.S. after removal charged with trafficking fentanyl was arrested in Boston. A Chilean alien convicted of 4 counts of indecent assault and battery on a child under 14 years old was arrested in Marlborough. A Brazilian alien charged with manslaughter, homicide by a motor vehicle, homicide while under the influence of liquor, breaking and entering in the nighttime with intent to commit a crime, and larceny was arrested in Worcester. A Honduran alien who illegally re-entered the U.S. after removal convicted of rape of a child, assault and battery of a person over 14 and failure to register as a sex offender was arrested in Salem. A Brazilian alien wanted for murder and convicted for firearms trafficking in his native country was arrested in Milford. A Brazilian alien wanted for homicide in in his home country was arrested in Lowell. A Russian alien charged with unlawful possession of ammunition and wanted in his native country for armed robbery and membership in a criminal organization was arrested in Medford. A Dominican alien wanted for homicide in his native country was arrested in Dorchester. A Brazilian alien wanted in his native county for failure to serve a sentence after his convictions for homicide and illegal possession of a firearm was arrested in Marlborough. A Salvadoran alien previously deported from the U.S. and a documented 18th Street gang member convicted of assault and battery and sentenced to two and a half years, were arrested in Wakefield. A Guatemalan alien charged with rape and convicted of enticing a minor under the age of 16, released by the New Bedford District Court without the ICE detainer being honored, was arrested in New Bedford. A Jamaican alien previously deported from the U.S. convicted of possession with intent to distribute cocaine, armed robbery, possession of a firearm, and assault, was arrested in Pittsfield. A Brazilian alien wanted in his native country for drug trafficking, money laundering, and membership in a criminal organization, was arrested in West Yarmouth. US overdose deaths far outpace other countries: Report The Commonwealth is a safer place for our residents to live and work because ICE and our federal law enforcement partners arrested hundreds of alien offenders and removed them from the streets of Massachusetts, said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Boston acting Field Office Director Patricia H. Hyde. Throughout this enhanced enforcement operation, we targeted the most dangerous alien offenders in some of the most crime-infested neighborhoods in and around Boston. Our efforts resulted in 370 arrests throughout the commonwealth. ICE and our federal law enforcement partners are committed to protecting the homeland through the eradication of transnational criminal organizations, dismantling dangerous criminal gangs preying on the American public, locating and arresting criminal alien offenders, and making our communities a safer place to live. This weeks enhanced enforcement operations with our partners from the FBI, DEA, ATF, DSS and CBP prove that we are taking a whole of government approach to protecting our communities from foreign nationals involved in transnational gangs, drug traffickers, child predators, violent criminals and dangerous individuals living in New England, said ICE Homeland Security Investigations New England Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Krol. ICE will use every resource and authority we have to prioritize the safety and security of our communities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Safeguarding the integrity of the immigration and citizenship process is critical. We simply cant permit violent and dangerous criminals to enter or remain in the United States under false pretenses, with unknown allegiances and intentions. Its a direct threat to public safety and our national security, said Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division Jodi Cohen. Theres no question our communities are safer today because of this enhanced, targeted operation. FBI Boston, like all our federal partners, will continue to support ICE with these efforts. DEA is proud to have worked with our federal partners in this successful enforcement effort using all of the resources of the federal government to remove violent criminal aliens from our communities, said DEA New England Field Division acting Special Agent in Charge Stephen Belleau. DEA has prioritized investigations on those involving violent, illegal criminal aliens responsible for flooding our communities with deadly and dangerous drugs. DEAs core mission is to keep the American public safe by seizing deadly and dangerous drugs before they get into our communities, and to bring justice to the criminals responsible for manufacturing, distributing, and supplying these drugs. 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. Idaho Gov. Brad Little gives his annual State of the State address on Jan. 6, 2025, on the House floor at the Statehouse in Boise. (Pat Sutphin for the Idaho Capital Sun) A bill to allow the death penalty for adults who sexually abuse children age 12 and younger in Idaho is headed to Idaho Gov. Brad Little for final consideration. House Bill 380, cosponsored by Rep. Bruce Skaug, R-Nampa and House Assistant Majority Leader Josh Tanner, R-Eagle, would allow the death penalty in a new criminal charge the bill creates: aggravated lewd conduct with children age 12 and younger. Idaho state Reps. Bruce Skaug, R-Nampa, and Mike Pohanka, R-Jerome, listen to proceedings during the House State Affairs Committee on Jan. 7, 2025, at the State Capitol Building in Boise. (Pat Sutphin for the Idaho Capital Sun) The bill also would add mandatory minimum prison sentences for cases of aggravated lewd conduct with minors which would only apply to abuse of children age 16 and below that dont meet the bills proposed criteria for death penalty eligibility. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Idaho Legislature widely passed the bill this year. The Idaho Senate passed the bill Monday on a 30-5 vote, with opposition from three Senate Democrats and two Senate Republicans. Last week, the Idaho House unanimously passed the bill, with 63 votes in favor and seven lawmakers absent. When the bill is transmitted to Gov. Brad Little, he has five days, excluding Sundays, to decide on it. He has three options: sign it into law, allow it to become law without his signature, or veto it. If passed into law, the bill would take effect July 1. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Bill would send a message, Sen. Doug Ricks says Skaug has told lawmakers Idaho has some of the nations most lenient child rape laws. Sen. Doug Ricks, R-Rexburg, (right) chats with Sen. Dan Foreman, R-Moscow, on the Senate floor on March 10, 2025, at the Idaho Capitol Building in Boise. (Pat Sutphin for the Idaho Capital Sun) Unlike most states, Idaho currently lacks mandatory minimum sentences for these horrific crimes meaning judges have the discretion to place the worst offenders on probation, bill cosponsor Sen. Doug Ricks, R-Rexburg, told the Senate on Monday. This legislation ensures that those who commit the most severe offenses against children face significant consequences, sending a clear message that Idaho will not tolerate the sexual abuse of minors, especially our children. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Idaho law only allows the death penalty in first-degree murder cases with aggravating circumstances. Idaho Gov. Brad Little recently signed a bill into law that will make the Gem State the only state to use firing squads as its main execution method. Skaug also cosponsored that bill. Idaho Senate Minority Leader Melissa Wintrow, D-Boise, voted against the death penalty for child sex abuse bill. She said harming a child should carry significant penalties, but she said the bill represents a significant policy shift for Idaho. Unfortunately, I only heard from four sources regarding this bill. And that feels very uncomfortable, when I think we need a vigorous and long debate and discussion, Wintrow said. U.S. Supreme Court already struck down death penalties for child rape. Idaho lawmakers expect a legal challenge. The U.S. Supreme Court in 2008 blocked death penalties for child rape in Kennedy v. Louisiana. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Florida passed a child rape death penantly law two years ago. Last year, Tennessee passed a child rape death penalty law. Bracing for a legal challenge to the bill, Skaug told lawmakers he expects the U.S. Supreme Court would rule differently. You can say, Well, thats unconstitutional, Bruce. Why would you bring that? Well, it was according to a 5-4 decision in 2008. I dont think that would be the case today, Skaug, an attorney, told lawmakers in a House committee hearing. Thats my professional opinion. Thats the opinion of many other attorneys. Skaug has said the death penalty would be rarely sought under his bill. Nine people are on death row in Idaho, according to the Idaho Department of Correction. Defense attorney suggests many cases would be death penalty eligible Public testimony has been largely supportive of the bill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But in a Senate Judiciary and Rules Committee hearing on the bill on Wednesday, David Martinez of the Idaho Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers testified against the bill, arguing the bill doesnt focus on the worst of the worst, could potentially expose victims of decades of reliving trauma, and fails to account for Idahos shortage of qualified death penalty defense attorneys. The bill outlines more than a dozen aggravating factors under which prosecutors can seek the death penalty. Only three are required to seek the death penalty, which would only be available in cases of aggravated lewd conduct against minors age 12 and younger. But in almost every lewd conduct case Martinez has handled or supervised, he said at least three of those factors are already present. Using force or coercion is one of the aggravating factors outlined in the bill. But thats inherently present in every lewd conduct case because minors cant consent to the conduct, Martinez said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What this bill actually does is subsume the underlying crime, because potentially all (lewd and lascivious cases) will fall under this new statute, and none under the old, Martinez testified in committee. Holly Rebholtz, representing the Idaho Prosecuting Attorneys Association, said she disagreed, saying the new aggravated lewd conduct crime wouldnt be charged very often. I dont think these crimes are going to come into play very often. But when they do, they are the most serious crimes we see. And again, the prosecutors believe that the most serious crimes against children deserve a serious punishment, Rebholtz testified. Skaug told the committee that Idaho public defenders were not able to immediately estimate the bills costs. But in a worst case scenario, Skaug said, there could be two cases each year at a cost of up to a million dollars per case. Senate Republican opposed bill, saying We are starting to equate revenge with justice Sen. Dan Foreman, R-Moscow, listens to proceedings on the Senate floor on March 10, 2025, at the Idaho Capitol Building in Boise. (Pat Sutphin for the Idaho Capital Sun) Sen. Dan Foreman, R-Moscow, a combat veteran and retired police officer, voted against the bill on the Senate floor. He was also one of few Republicans to vote against a bill to make the firing squad the main death penalty method in Idaho. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I see society starting to go down a dangerous road here. Not just with this bill, but in general where we are starting to equate revenge with justice. And thats a slippery slope, Foreman said in a committee hearing last week on the child sex abuse death penalty bill. Senate Majority Leader Lori Den Hartog, R-Meridian, argued on the Senate floor that the bill isnt about retribution. Idaho Senate Majority Leader Lori Den Hartog walks with other legislators toward the House chamber for the annual State of the State address on Jan. 6, 2025, in the halls of the Idaho Capitol in Boise. (Pat Sutphin for the Idaho Capital Sun) When I look at the types of circumstances that would lead to these charges and I think about the irreparable and irreversible damage done to a child who then has to live with the consequences of these actions upon them for the rest of their lives I think this is about accountability and about how we value life, she said. This is Skaugs second attempt at child sex abuse death penalty bill This years child sex abuse death penalty bill is Skaug and Tanners second attempt at such a bill. Last year, another bill they brought widely passed the House but never received a Senate committee hearing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Skaug and Tanners new bill this year cosponsored by eight other Idaho lawmakers would establish the new crime, and mandatory minimums criminal sentences. For instance, the bills proposed mandatory minimum sentence for aggravated lewd conduct with minors under age 16 would carry at least 25 years in prison. Under the bill, lewd conduct with a minor would include but is not limited to genital-genital contact, oral-genital contact, anal-genital contact, oral-anal contact, manual-anal contact, or manual-genital contact when such acts are meant to arouse, appeal to or gratify lust or passions or sexual desires. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Roughly 500 people gathered at twilight to celebrate Iftar in the Saint-Jean-Baptiste church in Belgium's Molenbeek on Sunday. The shared meal was organised as part of the district's bid to become the European Capital of Culture in 2030. The date of the event was not chosen at random, as it marked the ninth anniversary of the Brussels bombings that happened on March 22 in 2016, and over ten years since the Paris attacks in 2015. Molenbeek became the focus of investigations after several of the suspects were linked to the district, which, coupled with pre-existing socioenomic challengers, furthered its negative reputation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Molenbeek has now been shortlisted as a candidate for European Capital of Culture in 2030. The organisation Molenbeek for Brussels 2030 said it is an opportunity to rewrite Molenbeek's narrative, and to reassert itself through the strength of its cultural diversity. Jasmine del Monte, Director of the organisation Stronger with Words and attendee of Sunday's iftar, told Euronews that hosting iftar in a church is a "symbol of diversity, inclusion and multiculturalism," which she says is very present in the district. Molenbeek is home to 140 nationalities and many different languages. The gathering represented "the union of many religions, cultures, and origins that you find here," de Monte added. Hundreds gather in the Saint-Jean-Baptiste church in Molenbeek to celebrate Iftar in Brussels, Monday, 24 March, 2025. - Evelyn Ann-Marie Dom Iftar is the breaking of the fast in the evening during the month of Ramadan, which coincides with the Christian observance of Lent and the Jewish holiday Purim. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The organisation Molenbeek for Brussels 2030 said that like Lent and Purim, "it symbolises a time of solidarity and togetherness, when bonds are forged and strengthened." "By organising an iftar in a church on the first weekend of spring, Molenbeek for Brussels 2030 is sending out a strong signal: above and beyond beliefs and cultural and social backgrounds, what unites us is much greater than what divides us," they added. European Capital of Culture 2030 Sunday's Iftar was organised by Molenbeek for Brussels 2030 in the framework of Molenbeek's bid to become the European Capital of Culture (ECOC), who were shortlisted as a candidate city in October 2024. In 2030, Belgium, alongside Cyprus, will nominate a city to become the European Capital of Culture. The annual competition is an initiative of the European Union designed to celebrate cultural diversity in the bloc. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Co-mission holder of Molenbeek for Brussels 2030, Fatima Zibouh, said the district has seen a lot of socio-economic challenges in recent years, but she hopes its ECOC-candidacy is a chance for Molenbeek to redefine itself. "It is a wonderful opportunity to flip the script and to dream together to create a new us," she told Euronews. Molenbeek has experienced a period of stigmatisation following the attacks in Paris and Brussels. In 2024, Europe also saw a clear shift to the right and far-right in its political landscape, driving a rising anti-immigrant rhetoric. Zibouh highlighted the importance of connecting people with each other in this time of heightened political and social polarisation in Europe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Generosity, empathy, and selflessness, that's the core of our candidacy," she concluded. The theme of Molenbeek's candidacy is 'Sadaka' - a word originating from Hebrew and adopted by many different languages including Arabic and Turkish - which means 'generosity and solidarity.' Del Monte said she had also experienced this stigmatisation, but felt empowered by the activities Molenbeek has hosted recently, as well as the participation of youth organisations. "Youth are playing a very big role," she said. "They are the future of tomorrow, the future of Europe. They have a lot to bring to the table." Hundreds gather in the Saint-Jean-Baptiste church in Molenbeek to celebrate Iftar in Brussels, Monday, 24 March, 2025. - Evelyn Ann-Marie Dom It is not the first time Belgium nominates a city. Antwerp became the titleholer in 1993, Brussels in 2000, Bruges in 2002, and Mons in 2015. Once nominated, the winning city is expected to host a series of cultural events for the duration of one calendar year. Molenbeek is up against Leuven and Namur, the two other cities running for the ECOC title. The winner will be announced in September. GALESBURG, Ill. (WMBD) Galesburgs Police Chief has been fired from his job as the citys top cop after a two-week investigation into sexual harassment allegations. An email from City Manager Eric Hanson said Russell Idle was dismissed immediately following the investigation into alleged violations of the citys sexual harassment and discrimination policies, Following a two-week investigation into allegations of violations of the City of Galesburgs sexual harassment and discrimination policies, I have dismissed Galesburg Police Chief Russell Idle, effective immediately, said Hanson. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Promoted in the wake of Idles dismissal was Deputy Chief Kevin Legate, who will remain in the chief position until the city can complete a comprehensive Police Chief search, according to Hanson. I am dedicated to ensuring the City of Galesburg and Galesburg Police Department consistently exemplify the highest level of professionalism in all aspects of our operation, said Hanson. An email and a call to Galesburg officials for more information regarding the nature of the allegations and how the city learned of them were not immediately returned. When reached on Monday, Idle said that he had been placed on paid leave on March 6. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The former chief said the allegations, which he denied, went back as far as 20 years and none, he said, involved any type of physical contact. He declined to elaborate further, saying he might at a later time. He did say it was the great honor of his life to serve with the Galesburg Police Department, and that he wished nothing but the best for the officers and the city. The city of Galesburg provided documents after WMBD filed a Freedom of Information Act request. Those documents appeared to confirm what Idle said about the manner of the allegations were verbal and not physical. There were 11 allegations in total, according to the documents, spanning from 2005, when he was a Lieutenant, up to 2024 when he was placed on leave. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CIProud.com. CHICAGO A progressive social media influencer announced a run for Congress on Monday in the Chicago-area district held by Democratic Rep. Jan Schakowsky, citing frustration with Democratic Party leadership. I don't think the Democratic Party right now is doing enough. [Sen.] Chuck Schumer backing down on the funding bill was just disgusting, frankly, and we can't keep going that way, Kat Abughazaleh, who announced her run on the Bluesky social network, said in an interview. Schakowsky, a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, has represented the area for decades. The Illinois Democrat, who is 80, has yet to announce whether shell seek reelection. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Abughazaleh covered the Democratic National Convention as a social media influencer and before that worked at the liberal watchdog group Media Matters For America. She gained fame on TikTok for her biting political humor, and her videos were published by the liberal magazine Mother Jones, where she critiqued Fox News for how it covered then-Vice President Kamala Harris' presidential run. Abughazaleh's move into Illinois politics comes amid widespread frustration with the party among progressive Democrats. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) has recently encouraged progressives to run as independent candidates and ditch the unpopular Democratic label. Abughazaleh moved to the Chicago area in July but voted in the 2024 election in Washington, D.C., because her lease wasnt yet up, she told POLITICO. She said she registered to vote in Illinois last month and currently lives outside the district but plans to move into the district soon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The district itself is really, really, really cool, and I think that it deserves more options for representation, Abughazaleh told POLITICO. Since 1998, there hasn't been a competitive primary. I was born in 1999. So I think a huge problem with why we're in this mess with rising fascism, with ineffective Democrats is just because we aren't giving voters more options. There's not enough diversity of thoughts or how we can change the establishment. Schakowsky recently said that shes mulling her next move, saying shes still ready to fight but acknowledges age is a factor in her deliberations. "Take out the word progressive, and lets talk about what we mean, Schakowsky said. We talk about it as if you have to be a progressive to be for these kinds of things that help people. We have to be better at talking about them. Schakowsky was first elected to the 9th Congressional District in 1998, after serving eight years in the Illinois General Assembly. In her primary that year, she defeated then-businessperson JB Pritzker, who went on to become the states governor in 2019. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Should Schakowsky not seek reelection, a number of notable Illinois Democrats would likely be interested in the seat, including state Sen. Laura Fine and Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss, who both represent constituents in the district. CORRECTION: An earlier version of this report included a photo caption that misidentified the subject as Rep. Jan Schakowsky. SEOUL, March 24 (Xinhua) -- South Korea's court on Monday held the second preparatory hearing of the impeached President Yoon Suk-yeol's criminal trial. The second preliminary hearing was held at a courtroom of the Seoul Central District Court around 10:00 a.m. local time (0100 GMT) to clarify the main disputes and evidence. Yoon was absent from the hearing after attending the first one on Feb. 20. The first formal hearing was scheduled for April 14. Finance and foreign ministers will be questioned during the first formal hearing, as witnesses at the request of the prosecution. Yoon was released on March 8 as the prosecution decided not to appeal against a court's release approval. The Seoul Central District Court approved the release of the arrested president, accepting Yoon's request to cancel his detention that was made by his legal team on Feb. 4. Yoon was apprehended in the presidential office on Jan. 15 and was indicted under detention on Jan. 26 as a suspected ringleader of insurrection, becoming the country's first sitting president to be arrested and prosecuted. Yoon declared an emergency martial law on the night of Dec. 3 last year, but it was revoked by the opposition-led National Assembly hours later. A motion to impeach Yoon was passed in the National Assembly on Dec. 14, and since then the constitutional court has held 11 hearings on Yoon's impeachment. The family of Israeli hostage Elkana Bohbot made an emotional plea to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump after Hamas released a new propaganda video featuring him and another captive begging for their lives. Please, imagine this is your son, the father of your grandchild, waiting to see daylight, hearing IDF (Israel Defense Forces) bombs, and living in constant fear for his life, the family said in a statement. Hamas released an undated video showing Bohbot and another hostage, Yosef-Chaim Ohana, on Monday, as Israel continued its new offensive against the militant group. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The two men have been held captive in Gaza for more than 17 months and are almost certainly speaking under duress. The video appears to have been made after the collapse last week of the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, which they reference in the footage. Both men were kidnapped from the Supernova music festival during the October 7, 2023, Hamas terror attack. Bohbot was 34 at the time and Ohana was 23. While both have been listed among the 24 hostages who are believed to be alive in Gaza, the video was the first proof of life their families have received since their abduction. The families of both hostages authorized the publication of the video. The edited footage shows the two men sitting on a floor in a dark room, wearing plain prison-style clothes. They are barefoot and unshaven, and their hair is cropped short. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bohbots family said he appeared to be in poor condition, having lost a significant amount of weight due to persistent starvation. He suffers from skin and breathing problems in addition to being asthmatic, and has not seen daylight for almost a year and a half, the family said. A screen grab from a Hamas propaganda video shows hostages Elkana Bohbot and Yosef-Chaim Ohana. - Hamas propaganda video In the video, the two men speak about the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas that started in late January, saying it allowed for more humanitarian aid to be delivered to Gaza, and made life there more bearable. They then criticize Israel for ending the ceasefire and launching a new wave of airstrikes, saying that they were nearly killed in an attack on March 18. The video concludes with the two men making an emotional plea to a former fellow hostage Ohad Ben Ami, asking him to speak up for them and tell everyone about the suffering they are forced to endure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ben Ami, who confirmed he was held alongside Bohbot and Ohana, said in a statement Monday that he would do everything in order to influence the decision-makers in Israel to return the kidnapped even if it involves an immediate cease from fighting. I have now seen the video of Elkana and Yosef, my dear friends left behind captive by Hamas, I love and miss you, he said, adding that the hostages are indeed fearing for their lives, they are hopeless and at these moments they are really making the conditions of the hostages very difficult for them. He said Hamas reduce the amount of food given to the hostages once the fighting starts. As a man over the age of 50, Ben Ami was released in early February under the first phase of the ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Israeli military resumed air and ground operations in Gaza last week, blaming Hamas for refusing to agree to revised terms on extending the ceasefire. Egypt and Qatar have been trying to revive the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in recent days. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) Protesters gathered at Terry Schrunk Plaza in downtown Portland to show their opposition to the Trump Administrations efforts to deport migrants. They especially oppose the latest efforts to deport immigrants with green cards. Portland ralliers: Keep your hands off the Postal Service! I think people need to know were still going to be out here fighting back, one protester told KOIN 6 News. We cant win this and we cant defend our communities if were not standing in solidarity with each other. And I think demonstrations like this are a great show of force to show people its not a time to hide but be out in the streets fighting back. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This event was put on by the groups Portland For Palestine and Portland States chapter of Students for a Democratic Society. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Ukrainian forces have reclaimed part of the territory near the village of Dvorichna in Kharkiv Oblast, Oles Maliarevych, the deputy commander of the Achilles unmanned systems regiment, told Ukrainian media outlet Suspilne on March 24. "Speaking of Dvorichna, you can see on DeepState (a crowd-sourced monitoring website) that there are blue zones where part of the territory has been liberated. These were very important but small operations," Maliarevych said. Dvorichna, located on the western bank of the Oskil River, is 17 kilometers (10 miles) north of Kupiansk. Russian forces have been trying to establish a foothold on this bank for months, seeking to outflank Ukrainian defenses and pressure the strategically significant city. The estimated Russian advance in the Kupiansk district in Kharkiv Oblast, Ukraine, as of March 24, 2025. The blue zones show areas liberated by Ukraine (DeepState / OpenStreetMaps) The deputy commander noted that while Russian troops have not made territorial gains, they continue their heavy assaults in the Kupiansk sector. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russia "is currently working with infantry units. Pontoon crossings are not new, but they are trying to do it," he said. "We find them when they approach the river (Oskil), but it is not always possible. But we destroy them on the crossing, we destroy them on the approaches, and we destroy them on the left (eastern) bank of the Oskil River." According to Maliarevych, Russian forces have suffered "quite serious losses" on the western bank of the Oskil River. He acknowledged that some Russian troops who managed to cross had entrenched themselves in makeshift defenses. "They dug holes, occupied houses, dugouts, and basements," he said, adding that in some cases, small groups of three or four Russian soldiers are present in certain areas, which does not necessarily mean full Russian control. Russia intensified its assault on Kupiansk in September 2024, pushing toward the city's northeastern industrial outskirts. The Oskil River has played a big role in military operations in Kharkiv Oblast, with both sides using it as a natural defensive barrier. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read also: US-Ukraine talks in Riyadh concerned halt on strikes against ports, official says Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. AUSTIN (KXAN) Devices that were deemed incendiary by Austin Police were found at the northwest Austin Tesla showroom on Monday morning, police said. Protesters gather outside Austin Tesla showroom for second week in a row APD said it responded to a call about suspicious devices at the showroom around 8:04 a.m. Monday. The APD bomb squad was called out to investigate. The devices were determined to be incendiary and were taken by police without incident, APD said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) also responded to the scene, an agency spokesperson told KXAN. There have been numerous instances of vandalism aimed at Tesla showrooms and cars throughout the nation in the past few weeks, ranging from cars being defaced to cars or even Tesla chargers set on fire. In one instance, the Associated Press reported an Oregon man was arrested after he was accused of throwing Molotov cocktails at a store in Salem. It prompted the Justice Department last week to investigate, with Attorney General Pam Bondi saying The swarm of violent attacks on Tesla property is nothing short of domestic terrorism. Devices that were deemed incendiary by Austin Police were found at the northwest Austin Tesla showroom on March 24, 2025. (KXAN Photo/Frank Martinez) Devices that were deemed incendiary by Austin Police were found at the northwest Austin Tesla showroom on March 24, 2025. (KXAN Photo/Frank Martinez) Devices that were deemed incendiary by Austin Police were found at the northwest Austin Tesla showroom on March 24, 2025. (KXAN Photo/Frank Martinez) About a hundred protesters gathered each of the last two weekends outside the showroom to voice their displeasure with Tesla CEO Elon Musk and President Donald Trump. Those protests were not violent and didnt result in any arrests. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A spokesperson for the FBI confirmed to KXAN in a statement that it was investigating this incident, along with others recently reported. Read the full statement provided by the FBI below: The FBI is working with our law enforcement partners to investigate a number of recent incidents in which Tesla charging stations and dealerships were damaged. Incidents have occurred in several states and the FBI is coordinating with federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to gather information. We would like to remind members of the public that if they observe anything suspicious or have information about potential threats to report it to local law enforcement immediately, call their local FBI field office, or contact our tipline at 1-800-call-FBI. In addition to the statement, the FBI recommended the public to read the PSA released Friday on those incidents and how the public can exercise vigilance and to look out for suspicious activity in areas occupied by Tesla dealerships or Tesla-related entities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement City Council Member Krista Laine, who represents this area of Austin, told KXAN she is discussing the incident with APD Chief Lisa Davis. I am incredibly thankful to our APD officers for their prompt response to this incident and quick resolution ensuring that no one was hurt. I strongly condemn any action that puts the people of Austin in danger. No matter the motivation, violence of any kind is unacceptable. I am deeply relieved that no one was hurt during this incident and am in discussion with APD Chief Lisa Davis about how to ensure our residents protection in the case of future violent escalations, Laine said. APD said Mondays investigation at the Austin showroom 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 KXAN Austin. Multiple incendiary devices were found at a Tesla dealer in Austin, Texas, on Monday morning, the Austin Police Department said. The suspicious devices were found at the showroom around 8 a.m. local time and were taken into police custody without incident. No other information about the devices was released. Police said the investigation was ongoing. Numerous acts of vandalism have occurred at Tesla showrooms and lots in recent weeks, leading to federal charges against three people after the Trump administration pledged to crack down on anti-Tesla activity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two were arrested separately after allegedly throwing Molotov cocktails at Tesla locations in Salem, Oregon and Loveland, Colorado. The third allegedly wrote profane messages against President Donald Trump around Tesla charging stations before lighting the charging stations on fire with Molotov cocktails in Charleston, South Carolina. Each of them faces serious charges carrying a minimum penalty of five years and up to 20 years in prison, according the Justice Department. Protests outside Tesla facilities in the U.S. and Canada and vandalism of vehicles on the street have also led to arrests. The incidents and protests appear to be in response to frustration with Tesla CEO Elon Musks undefined role in the Trump administration which has seen the so-called Department of Government Efficiency attempt to slash the federal budget with mass layoffs and by canceling contracts. The early months of President Donald Trump's second term have been characterized by a sort of weaponized bumbling: an oafishness and lack of care that has made his administration no less effective at dismantling the checks on the executive branch. However, knowing that the administration will approach all sensitive situations with disdain and disregard doesn't make the latest story from The Atlantic Editor-in-Chief Jeffrey Goldberg any less shocking. Goldberg reports that he was accidentally added to a group chat on the messaging app Signal by Trump Security Adviser Mike Waltz earlier this month. In the chat, Waltz spoke with Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio about their then-upcoming attacks on Houthi rebels in Yemen. Goldberg initially believed that the message was a cleverly orchestrated hoax, a ploy put forth by press-hostile actors to embarrass journalists by getting them to report false information. Goldberg's reluctance came from the belief that high-level officials would be more careful with sensitive data like the movements of the American military. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I had very strong doubts that this text group was real, because I could not believe that the national-security leadership of the United States would communicate on Signal about imminent war plans," he wrote. Those doubts were put aside when Hegseth shared detailed info about the then-upcoming airstrikes on Houthi-held targets. Goldberg said he waited on the news from Yemen to confirm that the chat, hosted well outside of established security protocols for government officials, was legitimate. When Yemen's health ministry reported that 53 people had been killed by U.S. strikes on March 15, Goldberg knew that he had inadvertently been given the genuine article. Goldberg did not share specifics on the operational information that Hegseth shared, for fear that the messages' content could endanger American operations. "The information contained in them, if they had been read by an adversary of the United States, could conceivably have been used to harm American military and intelligence personnel, particularly in the broader Middle East, Central Commands area of responsibility," he wrote. "What I will say, in order to illustrate the shocking recklessness of this Signal conversation, is that the Hegseth post contained operational details of forthcoming strikes on Yemen, including information about targets, weapons the U.S. would be deploying, and attack sequencing." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The news of the leak shocked lawmakers in Washington. Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., called the "incompetence" of Trump officials "staggering" in a post to social media. Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., said on X that such carelessness with government secrets "would normally involve a jail sentence." "Every single one of the government officials on this text chain have now committed a crime," Coons wrote. "We cant trust anyone in this dangerous administration to keep Americans safe." Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., said that the administration was "playing fast and loose with our nation's most classified info" and chastised the Trump officials in a series of posts to X. "Make no mistake: our allies are reading this war-plan-disclosure story too, and its making it less and less likely that theyll want to share sensitive intel with us," he wrote. (Bloomberg) -- Indian refiners are likely to issue fewer tenders for spot crude in the coming months as volumes from top supplier Russia return to near normal levels, highlighting the trades success in working around US sanctions. Most Read from Bloomberg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Asian nations state-owned processors are on track to secure more than three dozen cargoes that will load next month, according to people familiar with the matter. Combined with deliveries for private refiners Reliance Industries Ltd. and Nayara Energy Ltd., there may be more than 60 shipments of discounted Russian crude in April, or almost 52 million barrels, the people said, declining to be identified as the transactions arent public. Flows between the nations had slipped in recent months as a transition period for tighter US sanctions on shipments from Russia came to an end, forcing the state-owned refiners to issue a slew of spot tenders that saw them buy more expensive oil from alternative producers. Traders have now lined up enough clean Russian cargoes meaning shipments untouched by any US-sanctioned entity for April to help the companies meet most of their spot demand and ease concerns over future supplies, the people said. Most of the cargoes were booked at a discount of less than $3 a barrel to benchmarks, the people said. Discounts had collapsed to as little as $1 a barrel earlier this year, as sanctions pushed freight rates higher for Russia shipments. Russias monthly crude exports to India have fallen to 1.6 million barrels a day this year, down from an average of 1.8 million in 2024, according to data from Kpler. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The move comes amid buyers broader optimism over supplies from Russia. European officials last week said the Trump administration has pared back its engagement with efforts to enforce sanctions as the US pushes for an end to the war in Ukraine. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2025 Bloomberg L.P. Photo taken on March 24, 2025 shows a courtroom scene on the impeachment motion against South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo at the constitutional court in Seoul, South Korea. South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo was reinstated in his position on Monday as the constitutional court rejected a motion by the parliament to impeach him. With the rejection, Han was immediately reinstated as prime minister and acting president as the ruling took effect right after delivering the decision. (Xinhua/Yao Qilin) SEOUL, March 24 (Xinhua) -- South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo was reinstated in his position on Monday as the constitutional court rejected a motion by the parliament to impeach him. Moon Hyung-bae, acting chief of the court, said the motion was rejected as five justices rejected it while one upheld it amid the dismissal opinion from the remaining two. The nine-member bench currently has eight justices as one has yet to be appointed by the country's acting president. Despite confirmation that Han's impeachment process was legitimate, the court said neither evidence nor objective materials identified his involvement in impeached President Yoon Suk-yeol's martial law imposition and insurrection. The court said Han's refusal to appoint constitutional court justices was unconstitutional, but it noted that evidence and objective materials failed to identify his intention to neutralize the ongoing deliberation on Yoon's impeachment. With the rejection, Han was immediately reinstated as prime minister and acting president as the ruling took effect right after delivering the decision. The impeachment motion against Han was passed by the opposition-controlled National Assembly on Dec. 27 last year following the impeachment of Yoon on Dec. 14 over his botched martial law imposition. Choi Sang-mok, economy and finance minister who doubles as deputy prime minister for economic affairs, became the acting president in December last year after the impeachments of both the president and prime minister. Yoon declared an emergency martial law on the night of Dec. 3, but it was revoked by the National Assembly hours later. Photo taken on March 24, 2025 shows a courtroom scene on the impeachment motion against South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo at the constitutional court in Seoul, South Korea. South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo was reinstated in his position on Monday as the constitutional court rejected a motion by the parliament to impeach him. With the rejection, Han was immediately reinstated as prime minister and acting president as the ruling took effect right after delivering the decision. (Xinhua/Yao Qilin) Police officers are seen on duty in front of the constitutional court in Seoul, South Korea, March 24, 2025. South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo was reinstated in his position on Monday as the constitutional court rejected a motion by the parliament to impeach him. With the rejection, Han was immediately reinstated as prime minister and acting president as the ruling took effect right after delivering the decision. (Xinhua/Yao Qilin) This photo taken on March 24, 2025 shows a view of the constitutional court in Seoul, South Korea. South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo was reinstated in his position on Monday as the constitutional court rejected a motion by the parliament to impeach him. With the rejection, Han was immediately reinstated as prime minister and acting president as the ruling took effect right after delivering the decision. (Xinhua/Yao Qilin) The Senate Election Committee heard testimony Monday on two major election bills with election officials pointing to sections of the bill that would create barriers to voting, including a tight 2030 census redistricting deadline. House Bill 1679, authored by Rep. Timothy Wesco, R-Osceola, is a 43-page various elections matter bill that addresses many election issues, from circuit court clerk offices remaining closed on primary and general election days to requiring redistricting following the 2030 decennial census to be complete by June 29, 2031. When House Bill 1679 was debated on final reading in the House in February, two Democratic amendments were ruled out of order, which Democratic House members called an abuse of power. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Carolyn Jackson, D-Hammond, offered an amendment that would have allowed permanent absentee vote by mail status to elderly voters and disabled voters. Rep. Cherrish Pryor, D-Indianapolis, offered an amendment expanding vote by absentee ballot and before an absentee voter board. Both amendments werent considered for violating House rule of germaneness, or being related to the topic at hand. Assistant Democratic Floor Leader Rep. Matt Pierce, D-Bloomington, said House Bill 1679 was a Christmas tree of a bill. Pierce read allowed what matters the bill addresses including: modifying the definition of candidate; requiring an elementary school used as a polling place to remain closed on primary election day and general election day; allowing the county election board to approve the use of a binder instead of a paper envelope or bag for poll worker information; and a county chairman filling a candidate vacancy for local office, among many other changes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The legislature has a Republican supermajority, Pierce said, but Democratic amendments should be voted on and not blocked. You have now crossed the line into abuse of power, Pierce said. You know its germane. You dont want to vote. On Monday, Brad King, the Republican co-director of the Indiana Election Division, said the language to allow poll worker paperwork, excluding provisional ballot materials, to be placed in a binder was drafted because of the binder system the Lake County Board of Elections and Registration director and assistant director put together for the county. King said the redistricting date was added as an amendment in the House and he wasnt sure how the date was picked. But King said redistricting cant be completed in an election year, and 2031 will be a municipal election year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kegan Prentice, representing the Secretary of State, said the office supports the bill because it will help improve elections in Indiana. He said he wasnt sure how the June 2031 date was added to the bill, but that it aims to ensure that county elections officials complete redistricting every 10 years. Angela Nussmeyer, the Democratic co-director of the Indiana Election Division, said the 2030 redistricting deadline would be tight as the data likely wont be available to counties until late 2030 or early 2031, assuming there are no delays in receiving the data. Six months to pull together new districts at the county level and the municipal level seems like a bit of a lift for those local government units, Nussmeyer said. Cities and towns redistricting in the middle of an election cycle is something that we dont encourage, and in fact would require them to redistrict in 2032 if we follow current law. House Bill 1680, also authored by Wesco, deals with election security and transparency that would: require counties to submit to the Secretary of State information about the countys information technology provider; permit a poll book holder, challenger or watcher to re-enter multiple polling places; require the county voter registration official to send a notice requesting proof of citizenship to a person who uses an identification number from a temporary credential; and provides that an applicant may not list on a voter registration form a post office box or a commercially available mailing box as a residence address of the applicant, among other things. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Julia Vaughn, executive director of Common Cause Indiana, said the nonpartisan, grassroots organization opposes the bill, particularly because Indiana doesnt have a problem with non-citizens voting in elections. House Bill 1680 is the latest in the string of laws and bills that require proof of citizenship for only certain groups of voters creating burdens for naturalized citizens as compared to U.S. born voters and to people without accessible forms of proof of citizenship, Vaughn said. There is no evidence of widespread voter registration or voting by non-citizens. The bill restricts voter registration assistance, which could violate federal law, by limiting voters with disabilities or limited English proficiency from receiving help to fill out a voter registration form, Vaughn said. The bill also would reject ballots without accurate dates of signature without a cure process, Vaughn said. In this portion of the bill, Vaughn said a cure process should be added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Barbara Tully, with the League of Women Voters Indianapolis, said the bills proof of citizenship requirement burdens naturalized citizens more so than native-born citizens. The section on poll watchers could lead to voter intimidation, she said. The restriction of providing commercially available addresses on a voter registration form would prevent homeless people, who sometimes list a church or soup kitchen on their registration form, from voting, Tully said. They have every right to vote as any of us that are housed, Tully said. Nussmeyer said she was neutral on the bill but listed a number of concerns. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nussmeyer said shes concerned about a section of the bill that would allow the Secretary of State to enter into a memorandum of understanding with other states to share unrestricted versions of the states voter file to do some type of matching thats not codified or has any sort of procedure and then receive information back. The states election division, which is a bipartisan office, can complete audits and review the voter roll for data, Nussmeyer said. The bill further gives the Secretary of State more power over procedural audits, she said. Prentice said the office supports House Bill 1680 because it will enhance security as the Secretary of State has a cyber security contract for the whole state. The bills section on poll watchers makes more sense because of the dynamic we have with vote centers instead of precinct locations, Prentice said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The MOUs, Prentice said, would be used to compare voter registration information. At national conferences, secretaries of state have expressed interest in MOUs to share voter information for voter list maintenance, he said. Kentucky, Ohio and Florida have reached out to the Secretary of State to enter into MOUs, he said. When asked, Prentice said protecting voter data would be addressed in each MOU. Prentice said voters will be able to receive assistance on voter registration forms, but the person assisting them cant fill out the form for them and has to provide their name and contact information at the bottom of the form. The bills, with amendments, will be heard in committee again next week. akukulka@post-trib.com The most recent Census population data tell a pretty important story about Indianas future. Some of it is great, but not for most of the state. Overall, population growth was tepid. We added 44,144 residents slower than Kentucky, but a tad bit faster than Michigan, Illinois or Ohio. The composition of this growth is most telling. A whopping 69.9% of growth was from international migration immigrants. Less than 10% of the change was due to net in-migration from other states, and just under 21% was from natural population change (births minus deaths). The geography of these changes is startling. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A total of 62 of our 92 counties experienced natural population decline last year. The worst of these are familiar: Delaware, Wayne, LaPorte, Howard, Harrison and Fayette. These communities are literally dying off. Of those, 31 counties didnt have enough domestic in-migration to have population growth. There are 11 counties that suffered natural population decline, but were saved by immigrants moving in. The happy problems of population growth One encouraging aspect of the data is the wider geography of migration that has been taking place since COVID-19. Between 2010 and 2019, 56 Hoosier counties experienced net out-migration of residents. Last year, only 28 counties did. A full quarter of college graduates are now working remotely for most of the week. These work-from-home opportunities breathed new life into communities that have built the amenities people want. This trend is slowing a bit, but I expect it to remain strong for some time. I know many Hoosiers dont care about this. Many folks like where they live and wish for those places to remain unchanged. I certainly understand that desire, but keeping things the same really isnt an option. You either grow or shrink. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Growing places face problems, but these are happy problems. These places need to expand schools, roads and water service with tight budgets. They need to plan for new residential construction that will appeal to mobile residents, yet still be affordable to public servants like teachers and police officers. Its unfortunate we have to plan affordable housing for public employees, but that is the road weve taken and is best saved for a later column. Growing places appeal to new residents and typically attract private amenities, such as restaurants, grocery stores and other businesses people like to live nearby. Growing places already have good schools and low crime rates. That is one of the reasons people move there. So, the challenge for these places is how to keep the schools good, the roads paved and the neighborhoods safe. Hicks: Immigration is the only hope for Indiana's dying small towns The unhappy problems of decline Views of Laurel, Ind., Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2018. After Laurel High School closed in 1989, one-third of the town moved away. In years since, the population has continued to decrease and many businesses have closed their doors. Shrinking places also face problems, but they are unhappy problems. In the nearly one-third of Indiana counties where more Americans left than moved in, there are already deep local concerns. The most typical problem causing out-migration is underperforming schools. Good schools are a magnet for domestic migration. Poor schools repel new residents and offer a red flag to most employers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shrinking places lose the most mobile residents first. These people tend to have higher potential incomes and better educational attainment. The long history of migration in the U.S., Europe and Asia reports that movers possess, on average, the highest levels of human capital in any place. Thats why out-migration is called brain drain. Hicks: Braun's plan for Indiana's small towns will only hasten their decline The loss of such residents means declining demand for restaurants and grocery stores. Loss of high human capital residents also injures public institutions. There are fewer well-educated residents to run for city council or school board. Shrinking places tend to have a shortage of volunteers for private institutions, too, such as not-for-profit boards and community foundations. Churches lose membership and have fewer people to help run youth ministries, deliver meals to the elderly or bag groceries for food banks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Declining places suffer from higher overhead costs of operating everything from schools to local churches. I find it puzzling that many people who bemoan the decline of churches, or worry about losing their local school, dont connect the dots to population growth. Growth and decline are largely a matter of choice and have been for a half-century. Every town's choice: grow or die One of two table tennis tables at Midtown Plaza, Carmel, Friday, July 5, 2019. In 1970, places like Seymour, Connersville, New Castle and Logansport were relatively bustling, prosperous places. Carmel and Fishers were hardly more than crossroads, together boasting fewer than 10,00 residents. The two Hamilton County communities focused on schools as a source of growth. Theyve grown more than 20-fold in the half-century since. I dont mention this to encourage anyone to become like Carmel or Fishers. I simply wish to illustrate the power of a good school system to grow residential population. Again, the choice is to grow or decline. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I dont wish to make that choice for any community. We live in a wonderfully heterogeneous nation, and the opportunity to choose from among a wide variety of places to live is among the greater gifts our prosperity offers. It is a majestic luxury, the result of more than two centuries of representative democracy. Hicks: Cities dominate the economy. Indiana's small towns need better schools. The ability to make a choice to grow on your own terms, or decline, should be carefully guarded and nurtured by elected officials particularly at the state level. Still, any column about growth and decline needs to be honest about the future. Six of the 10 fastest-growing counties are in the Indianapolis metropolitan area. Nine of the 10 fastest-growing counties are urban, and nine of the 10 fastest-shrinking counties are rural. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is room to grow in all the fast-growing places. There is little room to shrink in communities that are in decline. I know many residents in small Hoosier towns want lower property taxes and are wary of immigration. Just be clear-eyed about the consequences of those choices, and make sure you are planning for smaller, less prosperous towns, school consolidation, longer response times by fire and police and continued brain drain. Those are all policy choices. Michael J. Hicks is the director of the Center for Business and Economic Research and the George and Frances Ball distinguished professor of economics in the Miller College of Business at Ball State University. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Immigrants saved Indiana from population decline | Opinion ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. After a St. Louis woman was found dead last week along Old Highway 141 in Fenton, investigators with the St. Louis County Police Department are piecing together the circumstances that led to the womans death. According to Sgt. Tracy Panus, a county police spokeswoman, the departments Bureau of Crimes Against Persons was called to the 300 block of South Old Highway 141 on March 20 after a vehicle was found in a wooded area just off the roadway. Rapper GloRilla ends St. Louis show early after several fights break out Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The person in the vehicle, Nicole Jung, was pronounced dead at the scene. She was 45. Prior reports stated she was from Fenton. Police said she resided in Tower Grove South. Panus said police eventually determined Jung had crashed her car just after 6 p.m. on Feb. 28. Jung was believed to be speeding at the time. Jungs injuries are consistent with a car crash, police said. However, an official cause of death has not been announced, pending the results of toxicology tests. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK (WATE) The Tennessee Army National Guard rescued an injured hiker from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park on Saturday. Just after 5:30 p.m., the Tennessee National Guard and the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency received a notification about an injured hiker in a remote area of the park on a trail near the Ramsey Cascades waterfall, east of Gatlinburg. The hiker needed medical assistance and transportation to a nearby hospital, a National Guard spokesperson explained in a press release. Human remains identified as missing Scott County man Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They assembled a flight crew who departed in a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter, flying to the area where the hiker was being helped by Park Service Rangers. Around 7:45 p.m., the two paramedics on the flight crew were lowered to the ground to do a quick medical assessment on the hiker and prepare them for transport. After a few minutes, they were hoisted into the helicopter and taken to the University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville, landing at approximately 8:30 p.m. (Photo from the Tennessee National Guard) Two boys found by Tennessee troopers during search in Hancock County Medical professionals rushed the hiker into the emergency room and the aircraft returned to Lousiville, landing just before 9 p.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WATE 6 On Your Side. (INSIDE CALIFORNIA POLITICS) This week on Inside California Politics, former California GOP chair Jessica Millan Patterson spoke with Inside California Politics about her partys growing strength in the Democrat-controlled state. Political reporter Eytan Wallace goes in-depth on the states Medi-Cal funding issues and Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara plans to ease the California insurance crisis. Political strategists Ed Emerson and Tim Rosales analyze the California GOPs plans to target certain seats in 2026 and former Rep. Katie Porters decision to join the California governors race. 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. Mark Harris for BI On a sunny Wednesday afternoon in late February, Ernesto Tey walked from a meeting on the west side of Manhattan to the heliport at 30th Street on the Hudson River. He was early for his 3 p.m. Blade helicopter flight to Kennedy International Airport, so he ordered a drink at the lounge bar. A self-described "plane geek" who works for a software company and flies single-engine aircraft in his spare time, the Californian says he's taken about 30 Blades to and from Manhattan over the last few years. The nine-minute ride starts at $95 for those with a pass, and when an Uber in rush-hour traffic can take more than an hour and set you back more than $100, it doesn't sound so unreasonable. Plus, it's fun and the views are wild. "Where else can you fly in a helicopter for between $100 and $200?" he told me. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A few minutes later, Tey and I and two other passengers climbed aboard a six-seat helicopter just feet from Hudson River Park's busy waterfront walking and bike path and soared 1,400 feet above the Hudson, around the southern tip of Manhattan, and across Brooklyn. Helicopter commuter and private charter services are steadily transforming the whirlybird from a plaything of the ultrawealthy to an on-demand rideshare for anyone with access to a company card or willing to blow a few hundred dollars on an Instagrammable experience. "Blading" has become a verb for the Hamptons set, as the industry has expanded its footprint in recent years, particularly in the New York City area. Less pleased with the rise of whirlybirds are those literally below them. Over the past few years, New Yorkers have taken to the city's nonemergency 311 complaint line to register their displeasure like never before. Helicopter noise complaints exploded by 678% in two years, from 3,332 in 2019 to 25,916 in 2021, based on 311 data compiled by Business Insider. Complaints more than doubled to 59,127 in 2023. Last year, they dropped to 28,686 still far above the pre-COVID normal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The surge in complaints aligns with the rise of private charter and commuter services, on top of a loosely regulated sightseeing helicopter industry and a spike in law enforcement chopper flights. An analysis by the New York City Council of flights and complaints in May 2023 found that trips like the one I took from Manhattan to the airport and tour choppers from New Jersey generated the most complaints. But local, state, and federal leaders have done little to stop the chop in recent years. For all the hubbub about helicopters, they're only the harbinger of a future of much more crowded skies. The industry is on the verge of transformation by long-awaited electric choppers that the federal government, local policymakers, and helicopter services are already embracing as a way to vastly expand the air-taxi industry and make vertical urban travel mainstream. Helicopter commuting is nothing new in the Big Apple. Modern helicopters were invented at the start of World War II. In the 1950s, the aviation company New York Airways began offering relatively cheap chopper rides from the roof of a midtown Manhattan skyscraper to the city's airports. A deadly crash in 1977 tarnished the industry's glamorous image, but in the decades since, the city's skies have filled back up with choppers, including so-called "nonessential" charter flights and sightseeing services, as well as "essential" law enforcement, media, and medical flights. "It's like a bus to me. It's just transportation." Blade is on a mission to vastly expand rideshare in the skies. Its CEO, Rob Wiesenthal, told me the company's passenger business has grown from about $2 million in revenue in 2014 to more than $100 million last year. Earlier this year, it opened up its $95 airport shuttle service for Long Island and New Jersey commuters marketing it as a way to skip New York City's new $9 congestion pricing toll on drivers below 60th Street. "If you think about $75 for parking and $9 for congestion pricing and $13 to $26 for whichever tunnel or bridge you take, you actually save money with the pass," Wiesenthal said. (He doesn't mention New York City's vast network of commuter trains. The A train from the airport will set you back a grand total of $2.90). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What struck me about my fellow Blade passengers was how casually they treated the experience. Stephanie Fuhrman, who works for a software company based out of Utah, was in New York for business and opted for a Blade to save time getting back to JFK. "It's like a bus to me," she said. "It's just transportation." Plus, her Uber from the airport to Manhattan in morning traffic had taken about an hour and a half and cost her nearly $200, she said. "I couldn't take the risk going to the airport." The fourth passenger on our flight, Donal Collins, falls into the other category of Blade customer: leisure travelers seeking a joyride. The 27-year-old, who works at a Brooklyn-based AI startup, loves to fly, but this was his first whirlybird ride. On his way from New York to California, he decided to use the Blade gift card his brother had given him for Christmas. Blade's clientele ranges from C-suite executives to executive assistants. They're Hamptons-goers, commuters, and thrill seekers and they've gotten younger over the years as prices have come down. Blade's busiest days are Thursdays, Fridays, and Mondays when long-weekend travelers mix with the business crowd. While the cost of a chopper ride might be low for a well-compensated white-collar worker, the quality-of-life negatives for those they fly over are remarkably high. Looking down at the tiny skyscrapers from my seat next to the pilot, I was reminded of the similarly beautiful day in late September I'd spent picnicking on Governors Island off Lower Manhattan. What struck me then and helped inspire my obsession with the helicopter industry was how difficult it was to enjoy the idyllic car-free oasis with the near-constant chop-chop of helicopters overhead. Like many of the city's waterfront parks, the island has become what one anti-helicopter advocate told me is "ground zero" for chopper traffic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement > Critics of the helicopter industry point to the safety hazards of congested skies and the environmental impact of the fuel-spewing machines. But the window-rattling racket they make tops the list of concerns. Loud, disruptive noise can have a range of physical and mental effects "from raising the biomarkers for stress to changing how people's hearts and metabolisms work, and reducing people's lifespan," Nick Shapiro, a professor of biology and society at UCLA who studies the health impacts of helicopter policing, told me. One 2017 study linked aviation noise to disrupted sleep, an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, and lower academic performance among kids. Aircraft noise is especially annoying because it's both loud and intermittent, Shapiro told me. Helicopters fly lower than planes and have the least regulated traffic patterns. Chopper noise doesn't affect everyone the same way. People who've lived in war-torn or hyper-policed areas might have a more acute mental or physical reaction. "Different populations might feel stalked or harassed by that noise in a way that is culturally and historically informed," Shapiro said. In the case of policing, the noise is often the point. Beginning during the 1965 Watts riots, the Los Angeles Police Department pioneered the use of helicopters to patrol neighborhoods. Flying low, sometimes using spotlights, most of the flights were used to deter crime rather than respond to emergencies. "The sonic impacts are intended and part of its hypothesized efficacy," Shapiro said. "It's about seeing the helicopter, rather than the helicopter seeing what's happening on the ground." A 2023 audit found the LAPD's helicopter program costs about $47 million a year more than the budgets of 14 city agencies and found "little evidence" that it reduced crime. New Yorkers have long made a stink about helicopters over their streets. Mayor Rudy Giuliani closed one of the city's heliports in 1997 under pressure from incensed residents. In 2016, the New York City Council came close to shutting down two of the city's heliports, but Mayor Bill de Blasio settled on a compromise that halved the number of tourist flights that originate in the city from 60,000 flights a year to 30,000. Since then, New Jersey has seen a surge in helicopter tour operators, which fly an unknown number of choppers over the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, and everywhere in between, unrestricted by the city's regulations. The New York City Council analysis of 2023 helicopter traffic found that the number of tourist choppers in city airspace that originated in New Jersey and Westchester County was about the same as the number launching from the city. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Melissa Elstein began noticing an uptick in helicopters flying over her Upper West Side apartment and over Central Park in summer 2019. When she found out many were doors-off, shoe-selfie tourist choppers, she was incensed. "It's really insane that this is even allowed, especially given that we're also the most densely populated city and with some of the busiest skies," she told me. So Elstein decided to help revive Stop the Chop NY/NJ, a group pushing for much stricter regulation of nonessential choppers. The group has some high-profile supporters, including members of Congress and local elected officials. While the city controls what happens at its heliports, only the federal government, specifically the Federal Aviation Administration, controls New York City's airspace. New York Reps. Jerry Nadler, Carolyn Maloney, and Nydia Velazquez have introduced federal legislation to ban nonessential choppers over the city. Some local lawmakers support the federal ban and want to see the city government end tourist and commuter flights from city-owned and operated heliports. "There's just no reason that we should have city-owned helipads to fly the Uber elite out to JFK or the Hamptons at the expense of the quality of life and well-being of our communities," Lincoln Restler, a Brooklyn City council member, told me. There's precedent for regulating or banning helicopter traffic. There are no-fly zones above some of the country's most prized monuments the White House and the US Capitol and, naturally, Disney World and Disney Land. Some major cities around the world, including Paris, have also basically banned nonessential chopper flights. And several European countries have ended short-haul plane flights to help curb carbon emissions. It's clear we're hurtling toward a future of highways in the sky. But it's not clear this future appeals to the average city dweller. New York City's Economic Development Corporation, which runs two of the three public heliports, has resisted efforts to further crack down on tourist flights in the city, citing the tourism dollars it brings in. Restler told me he doubts EDC's defense of helicopter tourism, calling it "kind of farcical" and instead motivated by a desire to keep the wealthiest New Yorkers happy. For all the headache, the city-owned heliports only bring in about $3 million a year in revenue, Anton Fredriksson, EDC's director of aviation, told me. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Essential flights" are also a growing part of the noise problem. Under Mayor Eric Adams, the New York police department's use of law enforcement choppers has risen dramatically. A 2024 Bloomberg investigation found that the force's helicopters spent 60% more time in the air in 2023 than in the previous four years. The NYPD's spending on the helicopter program more than doubled between fiscal year 2021 and 2023 to $12.3 million. The helicopter industry is on the verge of a major transformation. In 2023, the FAA published a report outlining its path to approving the first so-called electric vertical takeoff and landing, or eVTOL, aircraft for commercial flight by 2025 and widespread use by 2028. These machines are basically electric versions of helicopters and have been hyped by the Silicon Valley set for years. Some chopper services, including Blade, want them to replace their use of combustion-engine helicopters. "This is the first phase of a really exciting new age where instead of moving around on the ground, we're able to move around in the air," Eric Allison, the chief product officer of one California-based eVTOL company, Joby Aviation, told me. Joby has partnered with Uber, Delta, Toyota, and the US government, and aims to launch its air taxi services at Uber Black prices and eventually hopes to bring them closer to UberX prices. It's not clear when they'll get final certification from the FAA to start ferrying people around the US, but they're undergoing approval in Dubai. After resisting the regulation of traditional helicopters for decades, New York leaders are embracing the electric rotor industry with open arms as the solution to noise and air pollution. Some support lifting caps on flights if they're electric. The mayor and EDC invited Joby and a German company to show off their machines in a test flight in downtown Manhattan in late 2023. Adams predicted at the event that "within our lifetime, many of you are going to own your own personal electric helicopter." There are some clear upsides to the technology eVTOLs are much quieter than combustion-engine helicopters, and they don't spew jet fuel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even some city lawmakers who've led the charge against the helicopter industry are welcoming their electric counterparts. "The future of electric air taxi travel represents innovation, sustainability, and expanded transportation options for our city," Amanda Farias, the New York City Council majority leader, said in a statement. Restler is more cautious. "Until we actually experience how they work in practice and what impacts they have, we don't know kind of what regulatory structure we need to protect the health, well-being, and safety of our communities," he said. Earlier this month, Blade announced it's expanding its JFK flight offerings to the downtown Manhattan heliport in an effort to help the heliport's new operator "gather data on consumer demand, flier experience, and logistics" and transition to eVTOLs. It's clear we're hurtling toward a future of highways in the sky and we're already there in NYC. But it's not clear it's one that appeals to the average city dweller. It might warrant asking the question: Do we want the 1% taking over the skies? Eliza Relman is a policy correspondent focused on housing, transportation, and infrastructure on Insider's economy team. Read the original article on Business Insider Washington expected Elon Musk and Trump budget director Russ Vought to butt heads as they remade the federal government. Instead, theyve become force multipliers. Musk, the impulsive Silicon Valley billionaire, provides the public face to the bureaucracy-slashing efforts and takes the heat for the budget-cratering, employee-firing and overall havoc-wreaking that has been unleashed on the federal government. Vought, the conservative budget wonk, brings the expertise, insider knowledge and ideology to a dramatic downsizing that both men see as necessary and transformational, four former Trump administration officials told POLITICO. The men, who havent talked about their relationship publicly, have found a way not only to get along but collaborate as they complete one of the most aggressive makeovers of the federal government in modern history. Neither would be as potent in their efforts to slash and upend the government without the other, said the former officials, some of whom were granted anonymity to speak candidly about the dynamic between the pair. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The line between where the work of Musks Department of Government Efficiency stops and the work of Voughts Office of Management and Budget begins is blurry even to people close to the efforts. But in practice, its been working something like this: Musks army makes very public incursions into agencies and ferrets through data using artificial intelligence and other technology to identify allegedly wasteful spending while Musk handles the public relations campaign on X and amplifies their findings. Voughts OMB, meanwhile, brings the technical tools and expertise to figure out, one, whether the concerns DOGE raises are actually problems and, two, what to do with them. When Elon Musk says something, everybody responds to it. The government is not like that, said Paul Winfree, who served as President Donald Trumps director of budget policy during his first administration. You need people like Russ and, quite frankly, the people who Russ has been bringing into OMB as well, who are staffers who do know how to, in fact, push changes through government institutions. While Vought has been mum about his personal thoughts on Musk even with those close to him the former administration officials said the tech billionaire has poured accelerant on the budget directors plans to dismantle the federal government, which he refers to as the administrative state or, sometimes, the fourth branch of government. Vought has wanted to enact these kinds of changes since he served as Trumps budget director in the first term, but lacked the political firepower that Musk has brought to make it a top issue, the former officials said. Spokespeople for the White House, Musk and Vought did not respond to requests for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of the former administration officials called Musk a game changer for Vought. Without Musk, it would have been more confined to what OMB can do versus sending roving gangs of people to the agencies and doing, like, a hostile takeover, the former official said. The dismantling of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is one of the clearest examples of how Musk and Vought have brought their expertise to bear, and where they have inflicted the trauma on the federal workforce that Vought has called for. DOGE made the initial incursion to the agency, after which Vought assumed the helm with OMBs general counsel, Mark Paoletta, to navigate the more technical, and legal, elements of shuttering the agency. Russ is pretty much a by any means necessary guy. Hes aggressive, the former official added. In the first term, the president didnt care all that much about spending. Now, the dynamics have changed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But critics argue that approach has been sloppy, cruel and chaotic, leaving many federal workers fearful of whether theyll have a job when they show up to work the next morning and slashing budgets that they say provide necessary services. Max Stier, CEO of the nonpartisan, nonprofit Partnership for Public Service, said that Musks reign of chaos furthers much of what Vought desires but doubted whether what he called their marriage of convenience would last. Vought wants to reshape our government into a bludgeon for his ideological vision while Musk seems much more focused on destruction without understanding or care for the many harmful consequences of his actions, Stier said. Musks blunt and fast-moving methods are prone to error, something the tech billionaire has publicly acknowledged. Because of that, many of the DOGE cuts including the axing of CFPB, the halting of foreign aid and the sweeping layoffs of probationary workers have been thwarted, or at least slowed, by the courts. The former administration officials argued thats one area where OMB can help DOGE by navigating others might say stretching the limits of the law. But Voughts methods are hardly fool-proof, either. He has relied on legal theories once considered fringe to enact many of his changes and has seen many of them also rejected by judges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement OMB can also assist with its expertise to differentiate between something thats actually an issue and something thats not. For instance, DOGE officials believed they had discovered a smoking gun when it appeared that tens of millions of people were marked alive in the Social Security database who were more than 100 years old, a false claim Trump repeated during his joint address to Congress earlier this month. Those tens of millions of people were not receiving improper payments, and while DOGE had found a problem, it turned out to be a messy data problem, not a sign of waste, fraud and abuse. Winfree pointed to that example to demonstrate the kind of technical expertise that OMB can bring to the table through Vought individually as well as the staffers he has brought on, like former Federal Housing Finance Agency director Mark Calabria. And because it holds the purse strings, OMB also has the technical tools to make changes, whether thats withholding funds, auditing improper payments, submitting items as part of a recissions package to Congress or even waging an impoundment fight in the courts, as Vought has long wanted to. Theyre trying to figure out where that integration is going to be most fruitful, Winfree said. Theres a lot of energy that Russ and the whole team over there is extending to leverage this opportunity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even one of DOGEs own representatives has acknowledged publicly that the why behind the potential problems they identify is not always readily apparent. During an appearance on Fox News Thursday evening, Sam Corcos, special adviser to the Treasury Department, said DOGE had identified that the IRS has 8,000 people working in its IT department with a maintenance budget of $3.5 billion a year, when a typical midsize bank would have fewer than 200 people in IT and a budget of $20 million. But, he admitted, I dont really know why yet. Another former official said Musk, by virtue of his relationship with the president, has also resolved potential conflicts over what Vought wants to do in the way of budget cuts and the ideas Cabinet members have for their own agencies. The official described Musk as the key to that kingdom. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The problem Russ faces is that the Cabinet members are his colleagues, the official said. Normally this might limit Russs ability to implement major reforms or restructure an agency in a way that were witnessing today. Musk, on the other hand, has a special status and relationship with the president, giving him far more influence and power than Russ might have on his own. And its not just within the Cabinet. Musk has helped to create a permission structure for the kind of cuts that Vought and his fellow budget hawks have long dreamed of making. Some of the former administration officials noted that Trump is fine with debt he once famously proclaimed himself the king of debt and other Republicans have long been squeamish of making the kind of cuts they are now undertaking. Some in the halls of Congress have raised significant concerns about the impact of DOGE cuts on their districts, including mass firings of federal workers in the public safety and health arenas. Others have raised particular alarm about the impact of the cuts on veterans, who are overrepresented among federal workers. Still, the Musk-Vought dynamic helped soothe concerns from hardline members of the House Freedom Caucus about the latest budget resolution, helping to convince many of them to vote for such a measure for the first time ever. In private meetings, Vice President JD Vance pointing to the work DOGE and Vought are doing to cut federal government workforce and spending to address some of their concerns. Elon gives the permission structure or the political will for Republicans who would have normally dragged their heels, a third former administration official said. The Overton window has just shifted entirely on this issue. NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) The Hartford suburb of Avon has been busy in recent years with frequent bear encounters. Police also deal with marijuana issues and criminals from South America. Dennis House talked with the police chief, Paul Melanson, on This Week in Connecticut. Watch the interview in the video above. THIS WEEK IN CONNECTICUT Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. DES MOINES, Iowa (KCAU) The Iowa attorney general has determined that an officer-involved shooting in Storm Lake in late January was legally justified. Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird released a report Monday about the deadly shooting Daniel Joseph James Palenik by two Iowa State Patrol troopers. A deputy of the Buena Vista County Sheriffs Office attempted to pull over Palenik on Jan. 26 at 7:55 a.m. but Palenik sped off, reaching 115 mph atone point, the report states. Palenik then slammed on the breaks, so the deputy moved out of the way in case Palenik might try to hit his vehicle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As the deputy approached, Palenik yelling that authorities were out to get him saying youre lucky I dont shoot you, to the deputy. The deputy called for back up due to Paleniks hostility. The deputy also found that Palenik had a suspended drivers license. When the deputy said that he was going to write him a ticket, Palenik said he wasnt going to play their game, cursed the deputy and drove off. 1 dead following weekend stabbing in Sioux City The report said that when Palenik got to his home near 3rd and Oneida Streets, he poured gas around his vehicles and home and buitl a barricade. A negotiator called Palenik to talk, but palenik cursed him, told him to leave him alone, and hung up. Authorities tried to call for the next 15 minutes as Palenik would ignore the calls or answer only t express his Dislike for law enforcement. The Iowa State Patrol was called for help, and around 12:30 p.m., they called to palenik through loudspeaker telling him to surrender. Authorities made multiple announcements t throughout the day through the loudspeaker with no response. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After getting a warrant, authorities started to use armored vehicle to break down the barriers to get a better view of Palenik and to communicate but he opened fire on authorities. The authorities tried twice more in the evening to get closer to the home but Palenik opened fire each time. Around 8 p.m., authorites played messages from Paleniks family through the loudspeaker but there was no response. They also used a drone, but Palenik shot it down. Authorities were able to determine that Palenik was in the attic. Law enforcement used a robot to deploy an irritant gas into the home. The report adds that authorities used an armored vehicle to get closer to break into the attic, Palenik fired on the vehicle, causing the windshield to begin to shatter and causing minor injury to the driver. Fort Dodge police investigating death, apartment fire Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The standoff continued through the night with Palenik shooting drones, robots, and gas cans. Snipers were given the authority to shoot Palenik if he was seen and refused to surrender. Two troopers saw Palenik as he was crawling through a hole and each fired a single shot that killed Palenik During the 19-hour standoff, Palenik fire about 120 shots at officers as he was armed with a rifle, pistol, shot gun, and ammunition. Storm Lake residents in the area needed to be evacuated during the standoff as Palenik was found to be a danger to neighbors. Read a copy of the full report here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports. CAIRO, March 23 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and Kaja Kallas, the European Union's (EU) high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, on Sunday called for the resumption of Gaza ceasefire negotiations. Addressing a joint press conference after a meeting with the EU top diplomat in Cairo, Abdelatty said, "The only way to release all (Israeli) detainees is to return to the negotiating table and adhere to the ceasefire agreement," rejecting the resumption of Israeli military operations against civilians in the Gaza Strip. He also stressed the need to move quickly towards the second phase of the preliminary Gaza ceasefire agreement that took effect on Jan. 19. For her part, Kallas told reporters that the EU is very concerned about the loss of life in Gaza due to Israel's resumption of hostilities. "They (the Israelis) should resume negotiations and stop the killing there, and stop the bombing. Of course, the hostages have to be released as well," she said. "Our messages have to be clear: the humanitarian law has to be followed, peoples' lives have to be saved, (and) humanitarian aid reach the people," she added. The situation in Gaza has deteriorated rapidly. Since early Tuesday, the Israeli military has resumed intense airstrikes across the enclave, effectively ending a two-month truce. The Gaza-based health authorities reported on Sunday that at least 673 people have been killed and 1,233 others wounded since then. SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) The Iowa Attorney Generals Office concludes that two Iowa state troopers wont face criminal charges for a fatal shooting in Storm Lake in January. In a report by the AGs office, after a 19-hour standoff on January 27, investigators found troopers Spencer Baltes and Tanner Howard legally justified to use deadly force against Daniel Joseph James Palenik. To be justified, the force of an officer must be reasonable, the report said. Its a busy March for the PREMIER Center Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The incident started as a traffic stop and ended in deadly fire. According to a news release, the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation concluded that Palenik put the public and the troopers at risk by making it clear that he would use deadly force against any law enforcement officer doing their job. This was over the course of 19 hours, the release noted. The report says all attempts to use less-than lethal force were made. Troopers shot Palenik after hours of communication, which were only met by Paleniks violent response of gunfire, the report said. According to the press release, Palenik fired nearly 120 shots at officers over the 19-hour standoff. Authorities say the criminal investigation into this incident is closed. According to the report, on January 26, Palenik was pulled over for drifting between lanes, reaching speeds of 115 mph. Palenik barricaded himself in his home and refused peace with officers, the report said. Many authorities attempted to call Palenik over the phone to communicate, the report said, but it was unsuccessful. Then, law enforcement used an armored vehicle to clear a window to locate Palenik, which prompted Palenik to shoot at officers, the report said. The neighborhood was evacuated after this action. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The report states that after continued attempts of communication for a peaceful resolve, which Palenik responded with gunfire, authorities shot Palenik. A full investigation of the incident can be found in the report by the Iowa Attorney Generals Office. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com. Tax officials predict federal revenue could fall by 10% this season compared to a year ago amid big staffing cuts and changing behavior among tax payers, sources told The Washington Post. The decline in collection would come as the federal government is expected to run out of cash as soon as June or July unless Congress raises the debt ceiling. The April 15 deadline for filing taxes is coming up, and federal officials reportedly expect less revenue this season compared to a year ago, just as the government has a few months left to raise the debt ceiling before running out of cash. Sources told The Washington Post Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service officials predict a more than 10% decline in collection, translating to over $500 billion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That's due to changes in taxpayer behavior and President Donald Trump's cuts to the IRS, according to the report, which cited nonpublic revenue projections based on scheduled payments from already-filed returns and outstanding balances. The IRS has also noted more talk online about not paying taxes this year as well as claiming credits and deductions despite not being eligible for them due to reduced concern of being audited, sources told the Post. That's as the IRS has plans to lay off 20,000 employees with more than 11,000 already dismissed. The report said the agency has dropped investigations of some top companies and taxpayers as it prioritizes resources to keep internal systems operating. Even before Trump returned to the White House, IRS officials warned his transition team that plans to slash staff could hit revenue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Aggressive reductions to budget and personnel capacity risk backlogs, delays, reduced receipts, and diminished capacity to build next generation digital capabilities, a January presentation from tax officials said, according to records obtained by the Post through the Freedom of Information Act. To be sure, most tax revenue is collected throughout the year via automatic withholdings or quarterly payments. So any underpayment during tax season would have less impact on overall revenue. The government could also collect more revenue from Trump's tariffs, though the IRS typically accounts for 95% of federal revenue each year. The IRS didn't immediately respond to a request for comment, but the Treasury Department denied the report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Sensational and baseless claims from people, who for years promoted wasteful IRS spending, should be dismissed out of hand, as should their attempts to ensure that taxpayer funds continue to be wasted in a sad attempt to stop meaningful reforms," a Treasury spokesperson said in a statement. A decline in tax collection would contrast with robust economic gains last year, when GDP grew by 2.8%. Meanwhile, personal income at the end of 2024 was 8% higher than a year earlier, and the stock market jumped more than 20%. Less revenue coming into the federal government would also coincide with a cash crunch imposed by the debt limit. Because Congress has not lifted the $36 trillion ceiling yet, the government's ability to borrow more is constrained, and the Treasury Department has been using "extraordinary measures" since January to prevent a debt default. The Bipartisan Policy Center think tank estimated Monday the government's ability to manage its cash flow to pay its bills on time will run out sometime between mid-July and early October, unless Congress lifts the debt ceiling. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That largely depends on how this year's tax season goes, and less revenue could bring the deadline even sooner. "Although it is quite unlikely, if collections from tax season fall far short of expectations, there is a potential for heightened X Date risk in early June ahead of quarterly receipts on June 15," the report said. This story was originally featured on Fortune.com Israel is making plans for a potential major ground offensive in Gaza that would involve sending tens of thousands of troops into combat to clear and occupy large swaths of the enclave, an Israeli official and a second source familiar with the matter said. The potential large-scale offensive is one of several possible scenarios the Israeli government is contemplating as it escalates its attacks on Gaza and seeks to pressure Hamas to release more hostages without negotiating an end to the war. Efforts by Egypt and Qatar to revive the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas have intensified in recent days and one source said leaks about a major ground offensive are part of an Israeli effort to apply more pressure on Hamas at the negotiating table. Israeli officials have previously indicated that Israel would stop its attacks if Hamas agrees to free more hostages. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, the Israeli military, led by its new and more aggressive chief of staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, has been crafting plans for a large-scale operation in Gaza for weeks now. If there are not renewed hostage negotiations then the only alternative left is to resume the fighting, Eyal Hulata, former head of Israels National Security Council, told CNN. And there are serious plans. While the Israeli military has launched numerous ground offensives in Gaza over the course of the war, its forces often withdrew within days or weeks of routing Hamas fighters in the targeted area. Without an Israeli troop presence or an alternative governing or military force, Hamas would often re-emerge in those areas, prompting Israeli forces to return. Under one potential scenario now being considered, Israeli forces would clear Hamas from large swaths of Gaza and then occupy that territory to prevent Hamass resurgence, the sources said. Such a decision could see the Israeli military occupying the territory and fighting insurgencies for years. Israeli tanks are seen near the northern Gaza Strip on March 19. - Jack Guez/AFP/Getty Images A large-scale offensive could involve five Israeli divisions or some 50,000 troops the sources said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The government is escalating the pressure to bring Hamas back to the table on Israels terms, Israel Ziv a retired general who served 35 years in the Israeli military, including as chief of operations in the joint chiefs of staff told CNN. But of course the problem is that once you escalate you can find yourself at the end of the road, in the depth of swamp. And this is the risk that no one knows if it will work or not. Once you threaten something you should be prepared to do it, he said. The Israeli military has already begun laying the groundwork for larger-scale ground maneuvers, recapturing half of the Israeli-demarcated Netzarim corridor, which splits northern Gaza from the rest of the strip, and pushing troops into strategic locations in northern and southern Gaza. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israels cabinet on Sunday set up an agency to facilitate any Palestinians in Gaza who wished to participate in a voluntary transfer to third countries though none have agreed to take in emigrees. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has made eliminating Hamass military and governance capabilities in Gaza a central war goal as he vows to achieve absolute victory. But a larger-scale and longer-term Israeli military offensive in Gaza could also draw stiff resistance from the Israeli public, of which a majority has been clamoring for a deal to free the 59 hostages still held in Gaza over a return to war. What we will see is a permanent presence of the IDF fighting the counter-insurgency on the ground, Hulata said. And there will be no other option than for the IDF to assume responsibility for the humanitarian aid. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israel has since the beginning of March blocked all humanitarian aid from entering Gaza, amplifying the humanitarian catastrophe in the strip. Children queue for charity meals in Gaza City on March 22. - Bashar Taleb/AFP/Getty Images Further occupation of Gaza is, at least right now, not in the interest of Israel, Ziv said. For some of the extremists in the government like (Bezalel) Smotrich the far-right finance minister maybe its the purpose. But its definitely not the best of the Israeli policy at this time. Before Israel ended the ceasefire last week, a March 9 poll from the Israel Democracy Institute found that nearly three-quarters of Israelis supported reaching a deal to end the war with Hamas in exchange for the release of all the hostages. And recently released hostages and the families of current hostages have warned that resuming the war in Gaza will only serve to endanger the lives of the 24 hostages estimated to still be alive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Netanyahus political priorities may lie elsewhere, however. Key members of his right-wing governing coalition have been clamoring for a return to full-scale war over a negotiated settlement to free the hostages. And Netanyahus aides believe US President Donald Trump will be more supportive of large-scale Israeli military action than former President Joe Biden, who suspended the transfer of certain weapons in order to forestall a major Israeli offensive into the heavily populated southern part of Gaza. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has hinted at the possibility of large-scale expansion of military ground operations, saying last week he had instructed the IDF to seize additional territories, while evacuating the population. The more Hamas continues its refusal, the more territory it will lose to Israel, he said Friday in a statement. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Israel will establish a new administration to facilitate the "voluntary" departure of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip, a spokeswoman for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed on Monday. She said the Security Cabinet had approved a proposal by Defence Minister Israel Katz to set up an authority tasked with "preparing the voluntary departure of residents of the Gaza Strip to third countries in a safe and controlled manner." The administration will be placed under the control of the Defence Ministry, according to the spokeswoman. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It comes after US President Donald Trump proposed to resettle Gaza's population of more than 2 million to Arab countries and convert the war-torn coastal strip into a Middle East "Riviera," a vision that has been widely rejected by Israel's Arab neighbours, including Egypt which borders Gaza. People willing to leave the sealed-off Gaza should be allowed to do so "in compliance with Israeli and international law and in line with US President Donald Trump's vision," according to the statement from Netanyahu's spokeswoman. She did not specify which third countries would be involved in the scheme. The Israeli peace movement Peace Now has condemned the move, labelling it "an indelible stain on Israel" in an English-language post on X. "When life in a certain place is made impossible by bombing and siege, there is nothing 'voluntary' about people leaving," the organization wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Katz instructed the military in February to draw up plans to implement Trump's proposal for the resettlement of Palestinians from Gaza. The future for roughly 2.2 million Gazans is highly uncertain after Israel launched a fresh wave attacks in the territory last week, effectively shattering a temporary ceasefire negotiated with Palestinian extremist group Hamas in January. Hundreds have been killed since fighting resumed again and people have been forced to flee again after enduring more than 17 months of war triggered by the October 7, 2023, attacks on southern Israel. Israel will establish a new administration to facilitate the "voluntary" departure of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip, a spokeswoman for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed on Monday. She said the Security Cabinet had approved a proposal by Defence Minister Israel Katz to set up an authority tasked with "preparing the voluntary departure of residents of the Gaza Strip to third countries in a safe and controlled manner." The administration will be placed under the control of the Defence Ministry, according to the spokeswoman. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It comes after US President Donald Trump proposed to resettle Gaza's population of more than 2 million to Arab countries and convert the war-torn coastal strip into a Middle East "Riviera," a vision that has been widely rejected by Israel's Arab neighbours, including Egypt which borders Gaza. People willing to leave the sealed-off Gaza should be allowed to do so "in compliance with Israeli and international law and in line with US President Donald Trump's vision," according to the statement from Netanyahu's spokeswoman. She did not specify which third countries would be involved in the scheme. The Israeli peace movement Peace Now has condemned the move, labelling it "an indelible stain on Israel" in an English-language post on X. "When life in a certain place is made impossible by bombing and siege, there is nothing 'voluntary' about people leaving," the organization wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Katz instructed the military in February to draw up plans to implement Trump's proposal for the resettlement of Palestinians from Gaza. The future for roughly 2.2 million Gazans is highly uncertain after Israel launched a fresh wave attacks in the territory last week, effectively shattering a temporary ceasefire negotiated with Palestinian extremist group Hamas in January. Hundreds have been killed since fighting resumed again and people have been forced to flee again after enduring more than 17 months of war triggered by the October 7, 2023, attacks on southern Israel. Jordan rejects resettlement plans Jordan on Monday strongly condemned the plans, with the Foreign Ministry in Amman saying they amount to forced displacement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alongside plans to convert 13 residential areas in existing Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank into independent settlements, the new administration paves the way for "colonial settlements," it said. All measures directed against the presence of Palestinians on their land constitute a blatant violation of international law, the ministry said. Jordan is one of the countries in the world that has taken in the largest number of refugees per citizen, particularly Palestinians and Syrians. An estimated 30-40% of all Jordanians have Palestinian roots, including Queen Rania. Jordan, which borders Israel to the east, signed a peace treaty with Israel in 1994. An Israeli airstrike on a hospital in Gaza killed five people, including a senior Hamas leader, in a targeted attack on Sunday. The strike hit the surgery department at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, the Gaza Health Ministry said. Israels defence minister, Israel Katz, said the target was Ismail Barhoum, a member of Hamas political office, and the terror group confirmed he was killed in the attack. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Barhoum was being treated at the hospital for wounds sustained in a previous attack, Hamas Al-Aqsa TV reported. Footage and pictures on social media showed a fire blazing on the third storey of what appeared to be the hospital. The surgery department of the hospital was up in flames - AFP The Israeli military said its attack followed extensive intelligence and used precise munitions to minimise harm at the site. Another leader in Hamas, Salah Al-Bardawil was killed in a separate strike in Khan Younis, Hamas said earlier. The Israeli military confirmed it had killed Al-Bardawil on Saturday. Both Al-Bardawil and Barhoum were members of the 19-member Hamas political office, 11 of whom have been killed since the start of the war in late 2023, according to Hamas sources. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Barhoum, a member of Hamas political office, was being treated at the hospital when he was killed At least 45 Palestinians had been killed in Israeli strikes on Rafah and Khan Younis so far on Sunday, health authorities said. Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, has said the aim of the war is to destroy Hamas as a military and governing entity. But the aim of Israels new air and ground campaign, which effectively abandoned its ceasefire with Hamas, is to force the group to give up remaining hostages. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement US Secretary of State Marco Rubio discussed Israels ongoing military operations in Gaza and efforts to bring hostages home on a phone call with Mr Netanyahu on Sunday. 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 senior Hamas official was killed in an Israeli airstrike on a hospital in southern Gaza on Sunday, the terror group and the Israel Defense Forces said, as Israel expanded its renewed campaign into the Palestinian territory. Ismail Barhoum, a senior member of Hamas' political bureau, was killed in the strike on the Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, Hamas confirmed, describing the attack as a "cowardly" assassination. Hamas said Barhoum was receiving medical treatment in the hospital when he was killed. The IDF and Israeli Security Agency said in a joint statement that the attack targeted a "key terrorist in the Hamas terrorist organization" who was "operating inside" the hospital, which is the largest in southern Gaza. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry said the Israeli strike targeted the hospital's surgical wing and occurred when "many patients and wounded" were inside the hospital. Videos from the scene showed a fire inside the building following the strike. PHOTO: Palestinians try to put out a fire at Nasser Hospital after it was hit by an Israeli airstrike, in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, on March 23, 2025. (-/AFP via Getty Images) The ministry said that "many others" -- including medical personnel -- were wounded in the strike, "with varying degrees of injuries." The attack, it added, "also caused panic and forced the complete evacuation of the department after a large portion of it was destroyed." Nasser Hospital has been shelled several times by Israeli forces since war broke out in Gaza on Oct. 7, 2023, following Hamas' surprise attack into southern Israel. IDF forces raided the hospital in February 2024, when the IDF said it had intelligence that hostages taken during the Oct. 7 attack had been held there. Israel has repeatedly alleged that Hamas was using the facility as a "command-and-control center." Hamas has denied using Nasser and other Gaza hospitals for military purposes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israel resumed its air and ground campaign in Gaza last week, ending the ceasefire agreed with Hamas in January. At least 673 people have since been killed and 1,233 injured by Israeli strikes since the ceasefire ended, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. The total death toll in Gaza since Oct. 7, 2023, is now at 50,021, according to the ministry. MORE: Israeli strikes in Lebanon kill 7, officials say, as IDF threatens more attacks ABC News' Diaa Ostaz, Will Gretsky and Victoria Beaule contributed to this report. Israeli strike on south Gaza hospital kills senior Hamas official originally appeared on abcnews.go.com By Nidal al-Mughrabi, Maayan Lubell and Ahmed Shalaby CAIRO/JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Egypt has floated a new proposal aimed at restoring the Gaza ceasefire deal, security sources told Reuters on Monday, as Palestinian health authorities said Israeli strikes had killed at least 65 people in the enclave in the previous 24 hours. The proposal, made last week, follows an escalation in violence after Israel resumed air and ground operations against Hamas militants on March 18, ending a two-month period of relative calm after 15 months of war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gaza health officials said Israeli airstrikes and shelling have killed nearly 700 Palestinians since then, including at least 400 women and children. Among those killed on Monday were two local journalists, Mohammad Mansour and Hussam Shabat, medics said. The Palestinian Journalist Syndicate said at least 206 journalists have been killed by Israeli fire in Gaza since early October 2023, when the conflict erupted. There was no immediate Israeli comment. Islamist group Hamas said several of its senior political and security officials had also been killed. Later on Monday, the Israeli military said it had intercepted a missile launched from Yemen before it crossed into Israel. Warning sirens had sounded in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and other areas. Iran-aligned Houthi forces in Yemen have at times fired missiles at Israel in support of Hamas fighters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Egyptian plan calls for Hamas to release five Israeli hostages each week, with Israel implementing the second phase of the ceasefire after the first week, two security sources said. Hamas is still holding 59 hostages, with 24 thought to be still alive, among the more than 250 it seized in its October 7, 2023 cross-border attack on Israel. Most of the rest have been freed, or their bodies handed over, in negotiated exchanges. Both the U.S. and Hamas have agreed to the proposal, the security sources said, but Israel has not yet responded. A Hamas official did not confirm the proposed offer, but told Reuters that "several proposals are being discussed with the mediators to bridge the gap and to resume negotiations to reach common ground that would pave the way to start the second phase of the agreement". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement TIMETABLE FOR WITHDRAWAL The sources said the Egyptian proposal includes a timeline for a full Israeli military withdrawal from Gaza, backed by U.S. guarantees, in exchange for the release of remaining hostages. Hamas has accused Israel of breaking the terms of the January ceasefire agreement but has said it is willing to negotiate a renewed truce and was studying proposals from U.S. President Donald Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff. Israel says it resumed its military operations to force Hamas to release the remaining hostages it is holding in Gaza. On Monday, Hamas released a video it said showed hostages Elkana Bohbot, 35, and Yosef Haim-Ohana, 24, who were both abducted from the Nova music festival site on October 7. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israel says it does its best to reduce harm to civilians and has questioned the death toll provided by health authorities in the Hamas-run enclave. Palestinian officials on Sunday put the number of dead from nearly 18 months of conflict at over 50,000. Israel launched its offensive in Gaza after Hamas fighters stormed southern Israel on October 7, 2023, killing 1,200 people, mostly civilians, according to Israeli tallies. In Gaza's southernmost city Rafah, the municipality said thousands of people were stuck inside the Tel Al-Sultan district where some Israeli military forces had entered, with families trapped among the ruins, with no water, food, or medicine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Palestinian Civil Emergency Service said 50,000 residents remained cornered in Rafah, which abuts the border with Egypt. The Israeli military said troops had encircled Tel Al-Sultan to dismantle "terror infrastructure sites and eliminate terrorists in the area". A United Nations spokesperson said on Monday it would reduce its footprint in Gaza after five staff members of its Palestinian relief agency UNRWA were killed in the renewed conflict, but remains committed to providing aid to civilians. Separately, UNRWA said 124,000 Palestinians have been displaced in Gaza in recent days. "Families carry what little they have with no shelter, no safety, and nowhere left to go. The Israeli authorities have cut off all aid. Food is scarce and prices are soaring. This is a humanitarian catastrophe. The siege must end," UNRWA said on X. (Reporting and writing by Nidal al-Mughrabi; additional reporting by Maayan Lubell and Ahmed Mohamed Hassan; editing by Sharon Singleton and Mark Heinrich) CANBERRA, March 24 (Xinhua) -- A new network of spotter buoys off Victor Harbor, South Australia, is set to improve scientific monitoring of ocean conditions, providing real-time data on wave height, direction and temperature. Deployed in Encounter Bay and the Southern Ocean by researchers from Flinders University, the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI) Oceanography team, and Victor Harbor Council, these high-tech buoys will fill critical gaps in coastal data, aiding research on climate change, sea level rise, and coastal erosion, according to a Flinders University release on Monday. The initiative comes as unusually warm ocean temperatures have led to destructive brown foam washing up along the southern coastline, believed to be caused by microalgal blooms. The real-time data will help scientists, policymakers, and local governments better understand and respond to these environmental changes, it said. "This will provide good baseline data about coastal waters that has been lacking," and improve the ability to model and predict coastal changes, said Associate Professor Miot da Silva from Flinders University's Beach and Dune Systems (BEADS) Lab. The data will also support marine industries, tourism, fisheries, navigation, dredging operations, and search-and-rescue missions, ensuring safer and more sustainable coastal management, said Patrick Hesp, head of the BEADS Lab. Data from the Spotter buoys, managed and analyzed through a three-and-a-half-year Enterprise Industry scholarship funded by Victor Harbor Council and Flinders University, will support local governments in developing more effective coastal protection strategies, Hesp said. The project builds on ongoing collaborations between Flinders University, the SARDI, the Department of Environment and Water, and the Integrated Marine Observing System which operates a statewide network of wave buoys, said the Flinders University. Istanbul police assaulted Russia Today (RT) correspondent Yasin Eken and his cameraman while they were covering protests in the city, the Russian state-run outlet claimed on March 24. "They were hit with batons, also had their RT signs ripped off, had their gas masks smashed, then tear gas was sprayed in their direction," the outlet's Telegram channel claimed, publishing footage of the incident. RT is widely regarded as a key propaganda tool of the Russian government, spreading disinformation and pro-Kremlin narratives under the guise of independent journalism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many countries have restricted or banned RT due to its role in justifying Moscows aggression and manipulating global audiences. The incident occurred amid large-scale protests in Istanbul following the arrest of Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, a prominent opposition figure and potential presidential candidate. Imamoglu faces charges of corruption and alleged links to terrorist organizations, accusations he and his supporters claim are politically motivated. His detention has triggered widespread demonstrations across Turkey, with thousands defying government bans to protest in Istanbul and other cities. Read also: US-Russia talks begin in Saudi Arabia, Russian media reports Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. (Bloomberg) -- Japan put the branches of its military under a single operational command, taking a step the US, China and other nations have followed to better prepare for conflict by ensuring coordination between their air, land, sea and other forces. Most Read from Bloomberg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A joint headquarters for Japans Self-Defense Forces was launched Monday in Tokyo with responsibility for overall military operations, a government spokesman said. With the establishment of the Joint Operations Command, the SDF will be able to command its units centrally on a day-to-day basis, enabling it to maintain a flexible defense posture in response to developing events, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said. The new command center reflects progress in Japans efforts to make its military a more capable fighting force amid growing challenges from regional rivals such as China and North Korea. As well as sharply increasing defense spending, Japan has created a new division of its military modeled on the US Marine Corps. Modern warfighting requires close coordination between the various branches of a nations military to ensure they are supporting each other in conflict and working toward a common objective. The US has for decades maintained a doctrine of jointness in its military, while China moved in 2016 to put each branch of its military under a single command structure in each of five regions of the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The new SDF headquarters comes as Japan seeks to deepen its military alliance with the US despite some criticism from President Donald Trump that the US-Japan security treaty benefits Tokyo more than Washington. Under the Biden administration, the US pledged to ramp up its military presence in Japan with the creation of a joint force headquarters that would be a counterpart to the SDF joint operations command. Those plans may be scrapped to save costs, according to NBC and other US media reports. Japan and the US will continue to hold discussions on improving the command and control framework in order to promote interoperability in peacetime and emergency situations, Hayashi said at a regular press conference. More clarity about US plans may come when Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth visits Japan as part of a swing through the Asia-Pacific region starting this week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2025 Bloomberg L.P. (Bloomberg) -- Japan has protested and sought the partial removal of a statement made by China describing a discussion held between Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and Chinas top diplomat Wang Yi, according to Japans government spokesperson. Most Read from Bloomberg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wang was in Japan over the weekend for economic talks, during which he paid a courtesy visit to Ishiba. Chinas Foreign Ministry claimed that Ishiba had told Wang that Japan respects the positions elaborated by the Chinese side - a statement that Ishiba had never made, according to Japans foreign ministry. The Chinese statement does not specify the positions that Ishiba allegedly respects, but notes that Wang said Japan should earnestly fulfill important political commitments on historical issues and the Taiwan question among other requests, such as adhering to four documents that underpin Japan-China diplomacy and safeguarding the legal foundation of their relationship. Japans protests come amid increased tension in the region as countries brace for the impact of additional tariffs from President Donald Trumps administration, and likely further conflicts between the US and China. Japan is often caught between its security alliance with the US, and the fact that China remains its largest trading partner. How Taiwan should be treated has continued to be a key issue of contention between Japan and China. We have lodged a protest and requested the immediate removal of the wording that is not factually accurate, Japans chief cabinet secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said at a regular news conference held Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is unfortunate that China released a statement that was not factual, he added. He declined to comment on how China had responded to the complaint. In the relations between countries, respecting each others position is normal, said China Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun Monday at a regular press briefing in Beijing, when asked about Japans protests. The two government spokesmen made the comments days after news of Taiwan naming Japans ex-defense chief as its cabinet consultant renewed focus on Japan and Chinas differing positions on Taiwan. Japan has close ties with Taiwan and adamantly opposes changes to the status quo concerning the self-governing island. China considers Taiwan part of its territory and has not ruled out the use of force to bring the island under its control. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wang met on Saturday with his Japanese counterpart Takeshi Iwaya for bilateral talks concerning issues of contention between the two Asian giants. Iwaya urged for the peaceful resolution of relations between Taiwan and China and reiterated Japans opposition to any attempts to change the status quo by coercion during the talks with Wang, according to a statement released by Japans foreign ministry. --With assistance from Takashi Hirokawa and Philip Glamann. (Updates with comments from Chinas Foreign Ministry spokesman) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2025 Bloomberg L.P. Walk this way or any other. The Big Apple has drafted a rule that will officially make jawalking legal in the five boroughs by next month but police data shows there was little enforcement of the law when it was still a crime. The move comes months after the City Council overwhelmingly approved decriminalizing jaywalking making it legal to cross a street outside of a crosswalk or against a traffic signal. People seen jaywalking across 8th Avenue in Manhattan on March 23, 2025. Michael Nagle Although the new rule would scrap the $250 fine and make the change official, jaywalking laws were rarely enforced even when it was a crime, with only 780 summonses issued in all of 2023, according to NYPD data. There were just 398 summonses in all of 2023, about one per day, the data showed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The City Council passed legislation, in a veto-proof 40-8 vote last September, to legalize or decriminalize jaywalking, saying minorities were disproportionately slapped with summonses. The measure was championed by Brooklyn Councilwoman Mercedes Narcisse. But the NYPD testified last year that jaywalking summons are issued in hotspots where there are a high number of traffic accidents or deaths involving pedestrians. Mayor Eric Adams did not sign or veto the bill, so it became law. The Department of Transportation new rules set to go into effect after a hearing on April 17 said that pedestrians who fail to yield to the right-of-way of other traffic would not be subject to a violation of the traffic rules. The City Council voted to decriminalize jaywalking across New York City last September. Michael Nagle The rule struck language that said No pedestrian shall enter or cross. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But during testimony on the bill last year, DOT First Deputy Commissioner Margaret Forgione said it was a mistake to make jaywalking legal. Although jaywalking is a common practice in New York City, it can have deadly consequences, Forione said. Over the last five years, 200 people lost their lives while crossing the street mid-block or against the signal, making up about 34 percent of all pedestrian fatalities. The Department of Transportations new rules are set to go into effect after a hearing on April 17. Michael Nagle A rep for Mayor Eric Adams urged pedestrians to follow the traffic rules, despite the decriminalization of jaywalking. All road users are safer when everyone follows traffic rules, said City Hall spokesperson Allison Maser. We continue to encourage pedestrians to take advantage of safety mechanisms in place such as daylighting, pedestrian islands, and leading pedestrian intervals by crossing in a crosswalk with the walk signal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pedestrians could still be liable in civil lawsuits for accidents caused by jaywalking. An NYPD spokesperson said officiers would still be working to keep pedestrians safe. The NYPD will continue, along with the NYC Department of Transportation, to work tirelessly to increase traffic safety and to prevent collisions, especially those that result in injury or death, the spokesperson said. Former Mayor Rudy Giuliani took heat for declaring a war on jaywalking when he ran City Hall, but defended the crackdown as a pro-traffic safety measure. Unlike her husband, Vice President JD Vance, Second Lady Usha Vance was mostly unknown before she stepped into the limelight as the spouse of the Republican running mate last year. Vance, 40, was already well-known for his best-selling memoir Hillbilly Elegy (2016) before he entered politics, as well as for having been a scathing critic of Trump before running for office, at which point he underwent a Damascene conversion and hailed him as a great president. Many will now be acquainted with his journey from the US Marine Corps to Capitol Hill by way of Ohio State University, Yale Law School and a stint in San Francisco as a venture capitalist with Mithril Capital Management, a firm co-founded by the billionaire Peter Thiel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Less well-known is the story of Usha Chilukuri Vance. A former Democrat, she joined her husband at the Republican National Convention in the summer of 2024 as he was unveiled as Trumps prospective second vice president, following in the footsteps of Mike Pence. The daughter of academics Dr Krish Chilukuri and Professor Lakshmi Chilukuri, Hindu immigrants from Andhra Pradesh, India, the 39-year-old was raised in the Rancho Penasquitos suburb of San Diego, California. Usha Chilukuri Vance and her husband JD Vance at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee as he accepts Donald Trumps invitation to be his running mate (Anna Moneymaker/Getty) Remembered as a bookworm by childhood friends in a New York Times profile, she attended Mount Carmel High School in her hometown and then Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut, where she graduated summa cum laude with a bachelors degree in history. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She then relocated to England as a Gates Cambridge Scholar, earning a Master of Philosophy degree in early modern history at Clare College, Cambridge University, in 2010. Returning to New Haven, she graduated from Yale Law School in 2013, having also served as executive development editor of the Yale Law Journal and managing editor of the Yale Journal of Law & Technology. After leaving academia, she worked as a corporate litigator at the law firm Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP in their San Francisco and Washington D.C. offices, originally from 2015 to 2017 and then again from 2019 until last year. She reportedly handed in her notice within minutes of Trumps announcement that he was selecting her husband to be his running mate. In between those two stints with Munger, she served as a law clerk at the US Supreme Court, clerking for Chief Justice John Roberts, as well as the Trump-nominated Judge Brett Kavanaugh and Judge Amul Thapar. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chilukuri met Vance at Yale in the 2010s when they were classmates; the couple were reportedly collaborating on the organization of a discussion group on social decline in white America, later the subject of Vances book, which he was encouraged to write by their professor Amy Chua, also an early champion of the couples relationship. Vance studied at Yale, where she met her future husband (Carolyn Kaster/AP) Vance married his Yale spirit guide in Kentucky in 2014, and the couple have three children: Ewan (born 2017), Vivek (2020), and Mirabel (2021). The politician is generally private about his family life but did read Dr Seusss book Oh, the Places Youll Go! on the Senate floor this February in honour of Viveks birthday. In Ron Howards Netflix adaptation of Hillbilly Elegy (2020), which starred Amy Adams and Glenn Close, Chilukuri was portrayed by the actress Freida Pinto. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Asked by Fox News last year whether she was ready for the national spotlight, she answered: I dont know that anyone is ever ready for that kind of scrutiny. I mean, I think we found the first campaign that he embarked on to be a shock. It was so different from anything wed done before. But it was an adventure. And so I guess the way that Id put it is, Im not raring to change anything about our lives right now, but I believe in JD and I really love him. And so well just sort of see what happens with our life. Were open. The second lady is heading to Greenland on Thursday in a visit to a territory Trump has repeatedly threatened to annex. Greenland is an autonomous region of Denmark. Shes visiting alongside her son and will stay until Saturday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Second Lady will visit historical sites, learn about Greenlandic heritage, and attend the Avannaata Qimussersu, Greenlands national dogsled race, the White House said in a statement. The race features 737 mushers and 444 dogs in a remarkable display of speed, skill, and teamwork, the statement said. Vance and the delegation are excited to witness this monumental race and celebrate Greenlandic culture and unity, it added. In a separate trip earlier this week, National Security Advisor Mike Waltz is also visiting the island along with Energy Secretary Chris Wright. Greenlands prime minister Mute B. Egede was quoted in a Greenlandic newspaper Sunday furiously questioning why Vance and Waltz were visiting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are now at a level where it can in no way be characterized as a harmless visit from a politician's wife, Egede said, according to Greenlands Sermitsiaq newspaper. What is the national security adviser doing in Greenland? The only purpose is to demonstrate power over us. He is Trump's confidential and closest advisor, and his presence in Greenland alone will certainly make the Americans believe in Trump's mission, and the pressure will increase after the visit, Egede added. Jennifer Carnahan has announced she is running for Senate District 6 following the resignation of Republican Justin Eichorn, who was charged with soliciting a minor for prostitution last week. The former chairwoman of the Republican Party of Minnesota made the announcement on her campaign website. Eichorn, 40, has been charged with state and federal offenses after he allegedly attempted to meet with an undercover officer posing as a 17-year-old girl for sex. Related: Justin Eichorn resigns as senator after arrest for soliciting a minor The widow of the late Jim Hagedorn, who served as Minnesota's 1st District Congressman until his death from kidney cancer in 2022, Carnahan served as the chair of the Minnesota GOP from 2017-21 and currently serves as the mayor of Nisswa. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Carnahan resigned as the Minnesota GOP chairperson amid pressure from Republicans following the arrest of Anton "Tony" Lazarro on federal child sex trafficking charges. Carnahan had close ties with Lazarro, who was a wealthy donor for the Minnesota Republican party and was sentenced to 21 years in prison in 2023. Carnahan said she had no knowledge of Lazarro's activities, and blamed her ousting on "mob mentality" from individuals attempting to ruin her reputation. In her announcement, she said voters are "tired of the same career politicians who come out of the woodwork, make big promises, and then service the establishment instead of the people." "We need one of us in officesomeone who understands the struggles of small business owners, hardworking families, and everyday Minnesotans who feel ignored," she said. Credit: Jennifer Carnahan for Congress A spokesperson with Gov. Tim Walz's office confirms with Bring Me The News that the governor is intending to call for a special election to fill the senate seat on Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another Republican, Keri Heintzeman, has also filed for candidacy. She previously worked as the director for President Donald Trump's 2024 campaign and her husband is Rep. Josh Heintzeman (R-Nisswa). On the DFL side, Emily LeClaire has also announced her run for the senate seat. BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) Jersey Mikes Subs is partnering with the Ronald McDonald house of Bakersfield on their Day of Giving on March 26. The Day of Giving was created to raise money for local charities in the United States including hospitals, youth organizations, food banks and more. Bakersfield Card Expo shows off the hobby and business of card collecting In total, this annual event has raised $113 million since their start in 2011. They hope to break their biggest record in one day of $25 million. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Givers can participate by ordering from Jersey Mikes Subs in store or online. Each customer will be asked to round up their total as well. 100% of the sales made will be donated to the Bakersfield Ronald McDonald house. To learn more about the Ronald McDonald house, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KGET 17 News. John Norman, who has died aged 93, was the last of his famous name to be associated with British organ building; and the last active member of any of the great British organ building families founded in the 19th century. He was the great-grandson of William Norman, a cabinet-maker turned organ-builder whose two sons continued the business eventually to become Norman & Beard Ltd, based in Norwich. In 1916 they merged with the illustrious but fading William Hill & Son. The resulting business, William Hill & Son & Norman & Beard Ltd, became better known by its acronym, HNB. In 1920, John Christie of Glyndebourne commissioned a large four-manual organ from HNB for his Music Room. Shortly after its installation, Christie began contemplating significant enlargement of the instrument. When HNB expressed reservations about some of his proposals, Christie took matters into his own hands and bought the company. Thus the Norman family lost their stake in the firm, though they continued to play a key role in its management. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Herbert John La French Norman (always known as John) was born in Hornsey, North London, on January 15 1932, the only child of Herbert Norman (1903-2001), a director of HNB, and his wife Hilda, nee West. Normans education started in Muswell Hill but during the war he was sent to Norwich School, then as now associated with the Cathedral (which then housed a five-manual Norman & Beard organ). After school, Norman took a BSc course with an emphasis on acoustics at Imperial College. At a university dance, he met Jill Sharp, who was reading history. They married in 1956. After graduating, Norman joined the family firm as an apprentice, soon moving through the business into its management. He was elected to the board in 1960, becoming managing director in 1972, allowing his father to concentrate on design, which was his real strength. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Good with numbers, Norman proved to be a shrewd man of business at a time when British organ building was dealing with the postwar organ reform movement, provoked mostly by the 1954 instrument in the Royal Festival Hall, designed by Ralph Downes. John Norman was a consultant for the organ in the Chapel of St Mary Undercroft, Palace of Westminster, built by William Drake in 1999 Probably no British organ was ever so radically different to what went before. In the debate that followed its first use, Norman welcomed the change in style and set about introducing his version into the work of HNB, mostly in reconstructions such as at Exeter College, Oxford, the Royal College of Organists and Bath Abbey. The culmination of this style came with the rebuilding of the organ of Gloucester Cathedral in 1971 to a scheme devised by Downes. The work included many advanced mechanical innovations devised by Norman, aided by his science background. As with the Festival Hall organ, the public was divided over Gloucester but once again the division was essentially between the young and the old. In 1974, the Glyndebourne Estate decided that the Manor Organ Works in Hornsey was not providing a sufficient return for its book value. HNB was invited to remove to much smaller premises in Thaxted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Normans father, now aged 71, was horrified and took immediate retirement. John Norman agonised before deciding that even though his name was over the door of the business, his family responsibilities outweighed those to HNB. He therefore resigned and joined IBM, where he became a front man for their software application STRUDL, used in marine and offshore structures, particularly in the North Sea exploration for oil and gas. IBM notwithstanding, Norman continued his association with organ building by his writings and with consultations. He published four books on organs or organ design, one co-written with his father, as well as numerous magazine articles. His influence on British organ building and its organisation was deep-seated and was likely greater than when he ran HNB. He was consultant for such notable new instruments as Worcester Cathedral, St Mary le Bow, the OBE Chapel of St Pauls Cathedral and St Mary Undercroft in the Palace of Westminster. Norman was at various times a member of the Association of Independent Organ Advisers, the London Diocesan Advisory Committee for the Care of Churches, the Council of the Institute of Musical Instrument Technology and the Cathedrals Fabric Commission for England, and chairman of the British Institute of Organ Studies. He was also a freeman of the City of London and liveryman of the Musicians Company. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement John Normans wife Jill died in 2018. He is survived by their two daughters and son. John Norman, born January 15 1932, died January 27 2025 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 drone photo taken on March 21, 2025 shows a welding workshop of Audi FAW NEV Co., Ltd. in Changchun, northeast China's Jilin Province. (Xinhua/Si Xiaoshuai) CHANGCHUN, March 24 (Xinhua) -- In the workshops of Audi's first dedicated electric vehicle production base in China, entire steel plates are swiftly transformed into components by press machines, while robotic arms operate with precision on the assembly line, primed to produce the new Audi Q6L e-tron. This electric SUV, specially designed for the Chinese market, is built on the Premium Platform Electric (PPE) at Audi FAW NEV Co., Ltd. in Changchun, capital of northeast China's Jilin Province. It is expected to hit the market later this year. Helmut Stettner, CEO of Audi FAW NEV Co., Ltd., joined FAW-Volkswagen in Changchun in 2011 as plant and production director, gaining valuable insights into the unique dynamics of the Chinese market. A decade later, in 2021, he returned to lead the Audi PPE project, driving the advancement of new energy vehicles. Stettner said the company actively collaborates with local partners to develop new products, striving to integrate China's cutting-edge innovations swiftly. Starting this year, Audi models built on the PPE platform for the Chinese market will be equipped with an advanced intelligent driving assistance system powered by Huawei technology. Over the years, Stettner has witnessed the evolution of Sino-German automotive cooperation and the rapid advancement of China's automotive industry. "In 1988, we were the first foreign manufacturer with local production in the premium segment. Since then, we expanded our local cooperation and portfolio and launched a lot of new models with our partners, always combining the strengths of the two countries," Stettner told Xinhua in a recent interview. The manufacturing base has a designed production capacity of over 150,000 vehicles a year. The production of both Q6L e-tron and the upcoming A6L e-tron utilizes the first 9,100-tonne super-large-scale press line, the first of its kind within the Volkswagen Group system that is totally designed and manufactured by a Chinese supplier. Stettner said the shift from internal combustion vehicles to new energy vehicles (NEVs) in the global automotive industry has created new opportunities for both China and Germany. "We see that the switch to electric mobility is accelerating in China, especially in the premium market. Despite some challenges, it continues to offer significant growth potential for Audi. We want to and will participate in this development," he said. China's NEV market has become a key battleground for global manufacturers and technology suppliers. In 2024, both the production and sales of NEVs in China surpassed 12.8 million units, maintaining a decade-long streak as the world's largest producer and consumer of electric vehicles. China has also developed a comprehensive and efficient industrial system, supplying 70 percent of the world's battery materials and 60 percent of global power batteries. Stettner emphasized that "supportive government policies have played a crucial role in advancing the development of China's NEV market," including initiatives in charging infrastructure, automated driving, and intelligent connected vehicles. "These policies have also created opportunities for new players to enter the market," said Stettner. "Additionally, customers in this market are highly receptive to new technologies and innovations, with connectivity being a particularly important focus," he added. Known as the "cradle of China's automotive industry," Changchun witnessed the establishment of the country's first automobile workshop back in 1953. Having lived in Changchun for many years, Stettner has come to appreciate its scenic beauty, local cuisine, and business environment, and call the city his "second hometown." A worker operates equipment at a welding workshop of Audi FAW NEV Co., Ltd. in Changchun, northeast China's Jilin Province, March 21, 2025. (Xinhua/Si Xiaoshuai) Helmut Stettner, CEO of Audi FAW NEV Co., Ltd., speaks during an interview with Xinhua in Changchun, northeast China's Jilin Province, March 20, 2025. (Xinhua/Si Xiaoshuai) Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said he thinks congressional Democrats are doubling and tripling down on the policies that resulted in a big victory for Republicans in Novembers election. Johnson joined Fox News for Sunday Night in America with Trey Gowdy and was asked if he thinks Democrats understand why they lost battles for the White House and congressional majorities in 2024. The Speaker said he doesnt think so. They seem to be doubling and tripling down on the failed policies that gave us the big victory last November, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Johnson argued Democrats have no leader and no vision to run on. The Democratic Party is flailing. But meanwhile, the Republican Party is sticking together and getting our agenda done, he said. The recent government funding battle put a spotlight on the divides within the Democratic Party. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) came under sharp criticism from his fellow Democrats after he voted to advance a GOP-drafted measure to keep the government funded instead of backing a filibuster. The political fallout has left the party in turmoil, as many Democrats backed blocking the GOP measure, which would have led to a government shutdown. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Johnson noted theres little time for Republicans to achieve what they want, as the prep for the 2026 midterm elections begins. Were going to let the Democrats do what the Democrats do, but were going to get the job done, he said. And I think people will see that contrast. Its on stark display right now, thats for certain. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. NEWTON It was a day of learning about the science of woods, water and wildlife Saturday at the Jones Center at Ichauways open house. Every two years, the expansive, private research property opens its gates and invites the public to glimpse the work and research that goes on. Other than a Google search, there arent many opportunities for people not involved in the work to experience the property, Rachel McGuire, the Jones Centers outreach and education coordinator, said. A lot of people drive by and see our signage or fence, and maybe they have no idea what it is we do, McGuire said. (The open house is) an informative thing. Its open to anybody to come and see what it is we do. Its our only truly public event. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ichauway was formed as a quail hunting reserve in the 1920s by Robert Woodruff, the long-term chairman of the Coca-Cola Co. In 1991, the Robert W. Woodruff Foundation established the Joseph W. Jones Ecological Research Center at Ichauway, named after Joseph Jones, the former senior vice-president of Coca-Cola. Today, the land is 29,000 acres teeming with biodiversity. Eighteen thousand acres are dedicated to Longleaf pine restoration. Longleaf pine forests being one of the most biologically diverse ecosystems on the planet and also drought-, wind-, pest- and fire-resistant. Ichauways oldest overstory trees are about 125 years old. There are 11,000 acres of native wiregrass, home to the gopher tortoise. The Jones Center has 1,100 vascular plants documented on site and 800 acres of wetlands. The Jones Center is the largest employer in Baker County. All of this space is cared for and studied by 88 permanent employees, 18 seasonal employees, graduate students, volunteer firefighters and first responders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Saturday, the public was allowed to wander a small section of its grounds and eight research labs. They heard expert talks on snakes, watched flight demonstrations on drones used to monitor and collect data on the expansive land. They released butterflies and peered into the life of endangered zebra mussels. Youths lined up for a chance to hold snakes at the open house. Staff Photo: Lucille LanniganVisitors released butterflies from envelopes into the green space. Staff Photo: Lucille LanniganGuests watched in wonder as center staff released a drone into the air. Staff Photo: Lucille Lannigan One expert talked about the purpose of prescribed burning, which mainly occurs in March. Since the Jones Center began tracking burned acres in 1994, research assistant Emma Marzolf said the center has burned nearly 400,000 acres on Ichauway with about 40% of these burns occurring in March. This is about 12,000 to 15,000 acres burned annually. On a wagon tour, guests could see the charred, smoking remains of a burn that began Wednesday. Prescribed burning is an important forest management tool that aids in longleaf pine restoration by managing competing vegetation, removing dry fuels like dead leaves and twigs that could start wildfires and controlling disease, among other things. Parts of longleaf pine forests were still smoking from prescribed burns. Staff Photo: Lucille LanniganMarzolf talked about the biodiverse longleaf pine forests. Staff Photo: Lucille LanniganLongleaf pines are a fire-resistant pine species. Staff Photo: Lucille Lannigan Among the couple of hundred visitors were first-time travelers to the Jones Center at Ichauway. Pat Ball, a retired general contractor from Sarasota, Fla., eagerly asked Marzolf questions on the wagon tour and marveled at the talk about prescribed burns. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ball is a self proclaimed pine tree freak. He said he began coming to southwest Georgia to buy yellow pine flooring and always had a curiosity toward the grounds on Ichauway. I just love these pine woods, Ball said. This is a real unusual thing: a stand of virgin longleaf pines. I just love the scene here. For others, the open house was a reunion with the land. Janet Sheldon, a former worker with the Georgia Conservancy, which has a mission of protecting Georgia through ecological and economic solutions for stewardship, conservation and sustainability, said it was her first time back on the property in about 20 years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Through a grant given to the Georgia Conservancy, Sheldon was able to travel to the most endangered places in the U.S., including the likes of Yellowstone National Park, as well as the small pocket of southwest Georgia on the Ichauway property. She said both were endangered in such different ways. Ichauway is such a unique place, she said. Its incredible to be able to see it and hear about what is done here. Sheldon said she hopes people gained more knowledge and a better appreciation for longleaf pine. To her, the pine species is incredible for characteristics like its long seedling and taproot, which makes it more resistant in the face of hurricanes something to which the Southeast is no stranger. I think its important for people to realize that longleaf pines are not just pines, Sheldon said. Theyre real special. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For the Williams brothers, returning to Ichauway was like a family reunion.Brothers James and Greg Williams grew up on a farming property that borders The Jones Center. They hold many memories from the land. Staff Photo: Lucille LanniganJames and Greg Williams grew up on a generational farming property that borders Ichauway. James Williams still lives there today. The two said they remember the days when Woodruff owned the property. Greg said he was a good neighbor. Back then, the land was wide open. James Williams said he remembers thousands gathering along the roads for the 4th of July and for the passthrough of the 1995 Olympic Torch. They shopped in a little store that is now open only for staff at Ichauway. If I had a nickel for every time I walked through that store, I could probably buy half of this place, Greg Williams said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the wagon tour, the Williamses shouted out facts and anecdotes to the tour guide, laughing and gazing at the property that filled them with memories. Although a fence has gone up and the land is not as accessible as it once was, James Williams said the brothers honor the work that the Jones Center does today. I feel really good about being here today, Greg Williams said. I love it because I like nature, and theyre keeping this surviving, keeping it going.Onlookers watch a tv screen as a drone travels across Ichauway. Staff Photo: Lucille LanniganA young girl holds onto the butterfly she released. Staff Photo: Lucille LanniganMany youths faced their fears and held a snake. Staff Photo: Lucille LanniganVisitors speak with staff at The Jones Center about native plants.A native plant walking tour was one of the days activities.Staff stood behind tanks of tortoises and snakes that can be found on the property. The Trump administration is treating immigrants worse than prior presidents treated real Nazis, according to a federal judge. The stunning observation by U.S. Circuit Judge for the D.C. appeals court Patricia Millett came during a hearing Monday over the White Houses spontaneous decision to deport more than 200 alleged members of a Venezuelan gang to El Salvador by invoking a Japanese internment-era wartime policy, the Alien Enemies Act. Five of the men sued the Trump administration in response, attempting to prevent their imminent removal. But even after U.S. District Judge James Boasberg ordered that the immigrants should remain in the U.S. as they await trial, Trump officials thwarted the law and sent them to Honduras. Donald Trump justified the infraction by claiming that immigration into the country constituted an invasion, and described the current era as a time of war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Judge Millett argued that such an act was wildly unprecedentedeven during the wartime tribulations of World War II. There were planeloads of people. There were no procedures in place to notify people, she said. Nazis got better treatment under the Alien [Enemies] Act than has happened here where the proclamation requires the promulgation of regulation. They had hearing boards before people were removed, and yet here theres nothing in there about hearing boards, no regulations, and nothing was adopted by the agency officials administrating this, Millett continued. Those people on those planes on that Saturday had no opportunity to file habeas or any type of action to challenge their deportation, she added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Deputy Assistant Attorney General Drew Ensign disputed the Nazi analogy, and instead compared Boasbergs decision to block the deportation to a judge redirecting a carrier group from the South China Sea to the Persian Gulf. Hang on. Hang on, Millett rebuked. Asserting a power to do that is not ordering ships to relocate in foreign waters, right? That is a straight up judicial process thats allowed by the Supreme Court and Circuit precedent. A federal judge on Monday indefinitely blocked the Department of Government Efficiencys (DOGE) access to troves of sensitive personal data from three federal agencies, the latest roadblock to its efforts to slim down the federal bureaucracy. U.S. District Judge Deborah Boardman barred the Department of Education, Department of the Treasury and Office of Personnel Management (OPM) from disclosing the personal identifying information of about 2 million plaintiffs in a lawsuit challenging DOGEs access to any of the advisory boards affiliates. She noted that the Privacy Act of 1974 was enacted to prevent the unauthorized disclosure of personal information collected by the government, citing Congresss concern at the time that a single bureaucrat or institution could assemble every detail of our personal lives in an instant. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those concerns are just as salient today, the judge wrote in a 68-page opinion. No matter how important or urgent the Presidents DOGE agenda may be, federal agencies must execute it in accordance with the law. That likely did not happen in this case. Six Americans sued the agencies over DOGEs access to personally identifiable information they gave the government while collecting veterans benefits, applying for student loans and working as federal employees. Five union organizations, whose members personal data is also stored within the systems DOGE accessed, joined the lawsuit. Altogether, the plaintiffs amount to about 2 million people. They contend that DOGEs actions violate the Privacy Act, which was passed in response to the Watergate scandal and provides safeguards against breaches of privacy. In court filings, they accused the agencies of abandoning their duties as guardians and gatekeepers of the sensitive information of millions of Americans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Though the plaintiffs initially sought a universal injunction against the agencies, which would have blocked DOGEs access to everyones sensitive personal data at the agencies, the judges relief was more tailored, focusing only on the challengers. Boardman previously issued a temporary restraining order preventing DOGE from accessing the data from the Education Department and the OPM, but she declined at the time to extend the block to Treasury data, citing a different federal judges preliminary injunction effectuating the same relief plaintiffs sought against that agency. The lawsuit is one of more than a dozen pending cases challenging DOGEs structure or access to systems at various federal agencies. Billionaire tech mogul Elon Musk is said to be leading its sweeping cost-cutting efforts, but the White House has maintained that Musk is not technically part of DOGE, instead serving as a senior adviser to the president. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. A federal judge on Monday blocked billionaire Elon Musks Department of Government Efficiency from accessing peoples private data at the Education Department, the Treasury Department and the Office of Personnel Management. U.S. District Judge Deborah Boardman issued a preliminary injunction in a case filed last month by a coalition of labor unions in federal court in Maryland. Led by the American Federation of Teachers, the plaintiffs allege Trump's administration violated federal privacy laws when it gave DOGE access to systems with personal information on tens of millions of Americans without their consent. Boardman, who was nominated to the federal bench by former President Joe Biden, had previously issued a temporary restraining order. The preliminary injunction offers longer-term relief blocking DOGE access as the case plays out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The judge found the Trump administration likely violated the law. She said the government failed to adequately explain why DOGE needed access to millions of records to perform its job duties. She also said the Trump administration can still carry out the presidents agenda without receiving unfettered access to a trove of personal data on federal employees and people with student loans and government benefits. That includes their income and asset information, Social Security numbers, birth dates, home addresses and marital and citizenship status. They trusted the federal government to safeguard their information. That public trust likely has been breached, Boardman wrote in her opinion. The lawsuit accused the Trump administration of handing over sensitive data for reasons beyond its intended use, violating the Privacy Act. Instead of carrying out the functions of the federal student loan program, the lawsuit says, DOGE has been accessing loan data for purposes of destroying the Education Department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Donald Trump signed an executive order last week to dismantle the department, saying that student loans will be handled by the Small Business Administration and programs involving students with disabilities will be shifted to the Department of Health and Human Services. His administration says DOGE is targeting waste across the federal government by addressing alleged fraud and upgrading technology. One of the nations largest teachers unions, the American Federation of Teachers says it represents 1.8 million workers in education, health care and government. Also joining the suit were six people with sensitive information stored in federal systems, including military veterans who received federal student loans and other federal benefit payments. The suit also was backed by the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association, and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The injunction, which could be challenged on appeal, is limited to protecting the personal information of the individual plaintiffs and members of the groups. No matter how important or urgent the Presidents DOGE agenda may be, federal agencies must execute it in accordance with the law, Boardman wrote. That likely did not happen in this case. In a separate Maryland case last week, a judge temporarily blocked DOGE from accessing Social Security databases that similarly contain vast amounts of personal information. The judicial system has handed DOGE another loss. Judge Deborah Boardman on Monday ruled that Elon Musks Department of Government Efficiency has no legal right to the personal information of American citizens held at the Department of Education, the Office of Personnel Management, and the Treasury Department. No matter how important or urgent the Presidents DOGE agenda may be, federal agencies must execute it in accordance with the law. That likely did not happen in this case, Boardman wrote. She then filed a preliminary injunction blocking the aforementioned departments from sharing sensitive information with DOGE. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Boardman also referred to the Privacy Act of 1974 after noting that DOGE had already gotten its hands on systems containing Americans banking information, Social Security numbers, and marital and citizenship status. Congresss concern back then was that every detail of our personal lives can be assembled instantly for use by a single bureaucrat or institution and that a bureaucrat in Washington or Chicago or Los Angeles can use his organizations computer facilities to assemble a complete dossier of all known information about an individual, Boardman wrote. Those concerns are just as salient today. This story has been updated. A federal judge handed a preliminary victory Monday to an LGBTQ student group that sued the Texas A&M University System and its flagship over a policy effectively banning drag performances on each of its 11 campuses. The university systems Board of Regents voted almost unanimously in February to adopt a resolution stating drag events are inconsistent with the systems mission and core values, including the value of respect for others. These events often involve unwelcome and objectively offensive conduct based on sex for many members of the respective communities of the universities, particularly when they involve the mockery or objectification of women, states the resolution, adding that such performances may violate university-wide anti-discrimination policies and Title IX, the federal civil rights law against sex discrimination. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The document cites an executive order President Trump signed on his first day back in office, which proclaims the government recognizes only two sexes, male and female, and broadly prevents federal funds from being used to promote what Trump and his administration have called gender ideology. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) directed state agencies to implement Trumps order in a letter in January. The resolution argues, Given that both the System and the Universities receive significant federal funding, the use of facilities at the Universities for Drag Show Events may be considered promotion of gender ideology in violation of the Executive Order and the Governors directive. The Queer Empowerment Council, a student organization at Texas A&M University, the systems flagship institution, argued in a lawsuit this month that the resolution violates their free speech rights and the Texas Open Meetings Act, which requires governmental bodies to post a meetings location and agenda at least 72 hours in advance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In her ruling on Monday, Judge Lee H. Rosenthal of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas said the group is likely to succeed in showing the ban on drag shows violates the First Amendment. In recent years, the commitment to free speech on campuses has been both challenging and challenged, wrote Rosenthal, an appointee of former President George H. W. Bush. There have been efforts from all sides of the political spectrum to disrupt or prevent students, faculty, and others from expressing opinions and speech that are deemed, or actually are, offensive or wrong. But the law requires the recognition and application of speech rights and guardrails that preserve and protect all our treasured First Amendment rights. The ruling means Draggieland, an annual drag competition at A&M, will go on as scheduled March 27 at the schools Rudder Theatre. A spokesperson for the A&M University System said it had received the ruling and is evaluating next steps. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were overjoyed with todays decision, members of the Queer Empowerment Council said Monday in a joint statement. This is another display of the resilience of queer joy, as that is an unstoppable force despite those that wish to see it destroyed. While this fight isnt over, we are going to appreciate the joy we get to bring by putting on the best show that we can do. This story was updated at 4:43 p.m. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Chinese Premier Li Qiang meets with Asian Development Bank (ADB) President Masato Kanda at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 24, 2025. (Xinhua/Liu Bin) BEIJING, March 24 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang met with Asian Development Bank (ADB) President Masato Kanda on Monday in Beijing, expressing willingness to further expand all-round cooperation between China and the ADB. Li said in recent years, affected by geopolitical turbulence and rising protectionism, the world economy has recovered slowly with increased instability and uncertainty. Li called on Asian countries to strengthen solidarity and coordination, adhere to multilateralism, advance regional economic integration, break down barriers to the flow of trade, investment and technology, and maintain the stability and smooth flow of industrial and supply chains. At the same time, all sides should strengthen macro policy coordination, deepen exchanges and cooperation in science and technology innovation, enhance the efficiency and resilience of the Asian economy, better withstand various risks, and join hands to achieve common development, Li added. Noting that the ADB is an important multilateral development institution in the Asia-Pacific region, Li said China is ready to further expand all-round cooperation with the ADB, push the partnership to a new level, better achieve mutual benefit and win-win results, and provide more public goods for the region. The premier said both sides should strengthen financial cooperation in such fields as environmental protection, green and low-carbon development, elderly care and medical care, and deepen knowledge cooperation in such fields as the development of emerging industries, fiscal and tax system reform, and aging response. China is ready to share its useful experience in poverty reduction and digital economy with other developing members in the Asia-Pacific to support them in better meeting challenges and achieving sustainable development, said Li. Kanda said at a time when international trade is increasingly fragmented, China is committed to further deepening reform and high-level opening-up, which not only achieves steady growth of its own economy, but also makes important contributions to economic growth in Asia and the world at large. ADB attaches great importance to cooperation with China, and is willing to take the 40th anniversary of cooperative ties as an opportunity to strengthen cooperation with China in knowledge innovation, green development and other fields, promote the development of the Asia-Pacific region, and push the cooperative partnership between both sides to a higher level. Chinese Premier Li Qiang meets with Asian Development Bank (ADB) President Masato Kanda at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 24, 2025. (Xinhua/Liu Bin) A federal judge on Monday reaffirmed a ruling that blocks President Donald Trump from using wartime powers to summarily deport alleged gang members. The new development from U.S. District Judge James Boasberg came just hours in advance of a critical courtroom showdown before a federal appeals court on Trumps deportation authority. The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals was scheduled to hear arguments Monday afternoon on the Trump administrations effort to lift a restraining order that Boasberg imposed on March 15. That order bars deportations under a proclamation Trump issued invoking the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 against members of a Venezuelan gang, Tren de Aragua. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a 37-page opinion, Boasberg rejected the administrations request that he lift the restraining order himself. Boasberg said legal precedents are clear that even if Trumps invocation of the two-century-old statute is valid, the people subject to it are entitled to a meaningful opportunity to dispute their deportation by presenting evidence, for instance, that they are not members of a gang. Summary deportation following close on the heels of the Governments informing an alien that he is subject to the Proclamation without giving him the opportunity to consider whether to voluntarily self-deport or challenge the basis for the order is unlawful, wrote Boasberg, an appointee of President Barack Obama. Boasberg, the chief judge of the federal district court in Washington, has been the focus of withering criticism from Trump and his allies in recent days, including calls for his impeachment. The case is a test not only of the scope of Trumps presidential powers, but whether the administration will abide by court orders. At an emergency hearing on March 15, Boasberg orally directed the Justice Department to ensure that any deportation flights in the air turn around and return to the U.S. The planes, however, continued on and unloaded more than 200 deportees in El Salvador in the middle of the night. The prisoners were handed over to El Salvadoran authorities to be held in a brutal detention center at U.S. expense. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Boasberg has vowed to get to the bottom of whether the administration intentionally defied his directive. The Justice Department said in court last week that it did not technically defy any order. In his opinion Monday, Boasberg didnt delve into that issue but said the breakneck speed with which Trump officials pushed the deportation process earlier this month implied a desire to circumvent judicial review." Trump, Attorney General Pam Bondi and White House deportation czar Tom Homan have claimed in recent days that the alleged gang members posed grave dangers to Americans, although the administration has conceded in court filings that some of those deported lacked any criminal record. This is an out of control judge a federal judge trying to control our entire foreign policy, Bondi said on Fox Business Channel Sunday. Hes trying to ask us about national security information which he is absolutely not entitled to. Its basic public safety. Get these people out of our country as fast as we can. In his opinion Monday, Boasberg repeatedly underscored that he had not ordered anyone to be released onto the streets of the U.S. Indeed, the class-action suit he acted on seeks only to prevent the proclamation from being used for deportations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The judge said his orders impose no restriction on the Governments apprehending alleged members of Tren de Aragua under the contested authority of the Proclamation, nor does it require that any individual dangerous or otherwise be released from custody. Boasberg cited a slew of cases from both world wars in which individuals argued they were mislabeled as alien enemies and judges reviewed those claims. These cases establish conclusively that courts can determine an individuals alien-enemy status and are obligated to do so when asked, Boasberg wrote. Boasberg also noted the parlous conditions of the anti-terrorism prison the deportees were transferred to in El Salvador. He said the administration may have violated an international treaty ratified by the Senate in 1990 the Convention Against Torture by deporting prisoners without giving them the opportunity to argue that they faced likely torture by being expelled to El Salvador. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The evidence at this point shows a likelihood of potential torture should Plaintiffs be removed to El Salvador and incarcerated there, Boasberg wrote. While the Trump administration has argued that the courts must defer to Trumps interpretation of the Alien Enemies Act, Boasberg also pointed to a Supreme Court ruling last year championed by many conservatives that said courts and not the executive branch should interpret the meaning of federal laws. Boasberg said that means his court, or some court, will eventually have to resolve the question of whether a gang can be a foreign country or an extension of a foreign country and whether the presence of its members in the U.S. constitutes a predatory invasion or incursion under the Alien Enemies Act. A federal judge refused Monday to lift a pause on Donald Trumps deportations of alleged gang members under the Alien Enemies Act. In a 37-page filing, U.S. District Judge James Boasberg ruled that the ACLU was likely to succeed in arguing that individuals the government had claimed were members of the Tren de Aragua gang were entitled to individualized hearings to determine whether the Act applies to them at all. As the government itself concedes, the awesome power granted by the Act may be brought to bear only on those who are, in fact, alien enemies, Boasberg wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Boasberg also wrote that deportees under the AEA would suffer irreparable harm due to the horrible conditions of Salvadoran prisons, where prisoners are reportedly abused, humiliated, and left to rot without their families knowing anything about their whereabouts or well-being. Trump has agreed to pay Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele $6 million to hold deportees, including the 261 people whom Trump deported last week. There may well also be independent restrictions on the Governments ability to deport class membersat least to Salvadoran prisonseven if they do fall within the Proclamations terms, Boasberg wrote. The judge cited the Foreign Affairs Reform and Restructuring Act of 1998, which states that it shall be the policy of the United States not to expel any person to a country in which there are substantial grounds for believing the person would be in danger of being subjected to torture. The plaintiffs, who were loaded onto airplanes and denied their due process, were not given the opportunity to claim legal protection from potential torture afforded to them by U.S. law. When detainees asked where they were being deported, immigration officers simply laughed and said they didnt know, according to the filing. Ultimately, Boasberg denied the governments motion to vacate his temporary restraining order on AEA deportations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier this month, after Trump invoked the AEA to deport alleged members of Tren de Araguanow labeled an invading forcewithout due process, lawyers from the ACLU sought emergency relief for five individuals who claimed they had been wrongly identified as gang members. In response, Boasberg had ordered the Trump administration to temporarily pause deportations under the AEA, but the government continued with the removal of more than 100 Venezuelan nationalsin defiance of the judges order. The Trump administration has refused to reveal how immigration authorities were able to identify the individuals as gang members. One attorney alleged that her client had been wrongly labeled a member of the gang merely because of a tattoo that looked suspicious to immigration officials. During a hearing Friday, Boasberg said that Trumps expanded application of the eighteenth-century law was a long way from the heartland of the rule. This story has been updated. (Bloomberg) -- A federal judge blocked Elon Musks Department of Government Efficiency from accessing personal information for millions of US union members at the Treasury and Education departments. Most Read from Bloomberg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Monday ruling by US District Judge Deborah Boardman in Maryland extends a temporary restraining order she entered a month ago and expands it to apply to Treasury as well as Education and the federal Office of Personnel Management. She said the union members were likely to succeed in arguing that the government violated US privacy laws by giving DOGE-affiliated employees access to the records. Her order comes as the Trump administration is trying to persuade another federal judge in New York to partially lift limits on Treasury data access she imposed on a DOGE-affiliated staffer. Boardman said that the Trump administration failed to show why those staffers needed union members Social Security numbers, bank information and other sensitive data to fulfill a mandate to modernize technology. She said that top officials were taking a shoot first, ask questions later approach to giving DOGE access to vast troves of information before determining if they actually need it. No matter how important or urgent the Presidents DOGE agenda may be, federal agencies must execute it in accordance with the law. That likely did not happen in this case, Boardman wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her order doesnt completely bar DOGE staff from the agencies systems. She limited her order to restrict access to records about the more than two million members of the five unions that brought the case, as well as six individual plaintiffs who receive federal benefits or have federal student loans. White House spokesperson Harrison Fields said in a statement that waste, fraud, and abuse have been deeply entrenched in our broken system for far too long. It takes direct access to the system to identify and fix it. DOGE will continue to shine a light on the fraud they uncover as the American people deserve to know what their government has been spending their hard earned tax dollars on. Kristy Parker, a lawyer with Protect Democracy who represents the plaintiffs, said in a statement that Boardman re-affirmed that DOGE affiliates have not demonstrated a need to access Americans highly sensitive and private data to do their jobs. As we make our case in court, this ruling protects Americans right to privacy from people who may not have appropriate authority to access it and who may not be using it properly or with adequate safeguards. Boardman had already ordered the plaintiffs to post a $10,000 security in her February ruling and that money will stay with the court, according to her latest decision. Trump issued an executive order earlier this month requiring the Justice Department to demand such bonds, which the government could potentially recoup if it succeeds in reversing decisions on appeal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a New York case brought by Democratic state attorneys general, the Justice Department has asked US District Judge Jeannette Vargas to undo an order that barred DOGE-affiliated employee Ryan Wunderly from accessing Treasury records. Vargas previously suggested she would reconsider if the administration could show that DOGE staff went through the same trainings and vetting as other government employees who handle sensitive data. On March 10, the Justice Department asked to dissolve the injunction as to Wunderly, saying theyd addressed the Courts concerns. The state attorneys general oppose the change, saying there are still gaps in evidence about how Wunderly was vetted as well as his duties and supervision. Vargas has yet to rule, but if she does grant the governments request, Wunderly will still be subject to the restrictions in Boardmans new order. The case is American Federation of Teachers v. Bessent, 25-cv-430, US District Court, District of Maryland (Greenbelt). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement (Updated with comment from Protect Democracy official.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2025 Bloomberg L.P. BENTON COUNTY, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) A Benton County judge has ruled that a teen connected to the 2022 shooting death of a Rogers girl will be tried as an adult, according to court documents. Alejandro Zenon-Reyes, 17, was taken into custody in Veracruz, Mexico on Jan. 24 by Mexican authorities and extradited to the U.S. on Jan. 25. Alejandro Zenon-Reyes, 17 (Courtesy: U.S. Marshals) Zenon-Reyes is suspected of killing Alexus Lien Nguyen, 17, on April 13, 2022, and is facing a manslaughter charge. He is also facing two counts of tampering with physical evidence, theft by receiving and minor in possession of a handgun. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A transfer order filed on March 21 said Zenon-Reyes turns 18 in June and therefore, the adult system is the proper system to handle the alleged offenses. Centerton man arrested for threatening police, legal officials; claims Sicilian mob ties Officers responded to the 400 block of East Asher Court for a shots-fired call. Nguyen was found dead at the scene with a gunshot wound. The release says detectives conducted an investigation that led them to determine Zenon-Reyes as the suspect. He reportedly fled Arkansas to avoid apprehension during and since the investigation began. In September 2022, three people were arrested in connection with Nguyens death on charges of hindering apprehension or prosecution, a felony: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Daniel Zenon Chavez, 44, of Arkansas City, Kansas Rosa Reyes-Zendejas, 42, of Arkansas City, Kansas Giovanny Zenon, 21, of Arkansas City, Kansas The three were ordered to pay $1.15 million in a lawsuit filed by Nguyens mother, Laquita Nguyen. The case has been transferred to Division 1 of the Benton County Circuit Court. The next hearing in the case is set for April 7. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 judge had to use Googles translate tool to speak to an asylum seeker in court because they could not find an interpreter who spoke his language. Eritrean national Abdoela Berhan, who gave his age as 34, appeared before magistrates on charges of assault and criminal damage. But the defendant told the court that he could not speak any English. Could not take his pleas District judge Orla Austin said she could not take his pleas or outline the circumstances of the case if Mr Berhan could not understand what was being said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The court clerk said they could not source a translator who spoke the same African language so had to adjourn the case to try to find one. But they needed to inform Mr Berhan of his bail conditions and the date for when he needed to return to court. Ms Austin typed the bail conditions and instructions for returning to court into Google translate on her laptop. The clerk then approached the dock and held up the device to the defendant so he could read it. Difficulties in dealing with immigrants The case highlights the difficulties UK courts face in dealing with immigrants who cannot speak English. Ministry of Justice (MoJ) figures for 2023 showed 59.2 million was spent on interpreters in three years. The majority of this was for foreign criminals in court hearings, although some was also for witnesses or tribunals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The figures also showed that since 2020, the MoJs translation bill increased from 16m to 22m a year. A spokesman said this was because courts are hearing more cases since the pandemic. No official language in Eritrea Mr Berhan is alleged to have assaulted a Subway assistant manager on Nov 30, punched a woman in the face at a nightclub on Dec 7 and smashed a window at the hotel where hes living in Bournemouth, Dorset, on Feb 19. His case was adjourned until May. Eritrea is a one-party state and has not held elections for several years. According to international organisation Human Rights Watch, it has one of the worst human rights records in the world. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It has no official language but the main working languages are Tigrinya, Arabic and English. Eritrea is one of top 10 nationalities applying for asylum in the UK and has a very high acceptance rate. 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. U.S. District Court Judge James Boasberg declined to lift a restraining order barring the Trump administration from using the Alien Enemies Act to deport Venezuelans, determining migrants are likely to succeed in pushing for hearings on whether they are in a gang. Boasberg noted President Trumps unprecedented use of the Act outside of the typical wartime context in signing an order that allowed the removal of any Venezuelan suspected of being a member of the Tren de Aragua gang. Plaintiffs are likely to succeed on another equally fundamental theory: before they may be deported, they are entitled to individualized hearings to determine whether the Act applies to them at all, Boasberg wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Because the named Plaintiffs dispute that they are members of Tren de Aragua, they may not be deported until a court has been able to decide the merits of their challenge. Boasberg noted the Trump administration is still free to deport Venezuelans through regular immigration authorities. The Order did not prevent Defendants from removing anyone to include members of the class through other immigration authorities such as the [Immigration and Nationality Act]. Indeed, as previously mentioned, those affiliated with Tren de Aragua were all already deportable under that statute as members of an [Foreign Terrorist Organization], he wrote. The order comes amid a separate legal battle in the case to determine whether the Trump administration violated a court order from Boasberg directing any flights taking the migrants to a Salvadoran prison be halted or turned around. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The governments not being terribly cooperative at this point, but I will get to the bottom of whether they violated my order, who ordered this and what the consequences will be, Boasberg said Friday after the Trump administration repeatedly refused to provide information as to the timing of the flights. In his Monday order, Boasberg separately noted other issues with sending migrants to a Salvadoran prison, which have been accused of torturing inmates. He said the roughly 260 Venezuelans brought to El Salvador under both the Alien Enemies Act and through immigration authorities were not informed where they were being taken and did not have an opportunity to raise convention against torture claims. Without such information, even if they had been given an opportunity to raise a torture claim, they would not have been able to meaningfully do so, Boasberg wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Updated at 11:04 a.m. EDT Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. (The Hill) U.S. District Court Judge James Boasberg declined to lift a restraining order barring the Trump administration from using the Alien Enemies Act to deport Venezuelans, determining migrants are likely to succeed in pushing for hearings on whether they are in a gang. Boasberg noted President Donald Trumps unprecedented use of the Act outside of the typical wartime context in signing an order that allowed the removal of any Venezuelan suspected of being a member of the Tren de Aragua gang. Plaintiffs are likely to succeed on another equally fundamental theory: before they may be deported, they are entitled to individualized hearings to determine whether the Act applies to them at all, Boasberg wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Because the named Plaintiffs dispute that they are members of Tren de Aragua, they may not be deported until a court has been able to decide the merits of their challenge. Teachers union, NAACP sue over Trump order to dismantle Education Department Boasberg noted the Trump administration is still free to deport Venezuelans through regular immigration authorities. The Order did not prevent Defendants from removing anyone to include members of the class through other immigration authorities such as the [Immigration and Nationality Act]. Indeed, as previously mentioned, those affiliated with Tren de Aragua were all already deportable under that statute as members of an [Foreign Terrorist Organization], he wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The order comes amid a separate legal battle in the case to determine whether the Trump administration violated a court order from Boasberg directing any flights taking the migrants to a Salvadoran prison be halted or turned around. The governments not being terribly cooperative at this point, but I will get to the bottom of whether they violated my order, who ordered this and what the consequences will be, Boasberg said Friday after the Trump administration repeatedly refused to provide information as to the timing of the flights. In his Monday order, Boasberg separately noted other issues with sending migrants to a Salvadoran prison, which has been accused of torturing inmates. He said the roughly 260 Venezuelans brought to El Salvador under both the Alien Enemies Act and through immigration authorities were not informed where they were being taken and did not have an opportunity to raise a convention against torture claims. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Without such information, even if they had been given an opportunity to raise a torture claim, they would not have been able to meaningfully do so, Boasberg 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 Queen City News. Oxford High School. | Photo by Anna Gustafson A panel of judges last week determined there was no substance to claims that two school employees of Oxford Public Schools acted in such a way as to increase the immediate risk of danger leading up to a 15-year-old student shooting and killing four of his classmates and injuring others at Oxford High School in 2021. Victims of the deadly shooting and their families have filed several lawsuits asserting that Shawn Hopkins, who was a counselor at the school and Nicholas Ejak, the former dean of students acted recklessly in the hours leading up to the shooting, showing indifference towards the impending danger and worsened the risk of tragedy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Hopkins and Ejak displayed the opposite of callous indifference towards concerning behaviors by the shooter and their actions were geared towards mitigating risk, the panel of federal judges found Thursday. The shooter, who killed fellow students Tate Myre, 16; Hana St. Juliana, 14; Justin Shilling, 17, and Madisyn Baldwin, 17, was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole in December of 2023. The parents of the shooter were sentenced to 10-15 years in prison on four counts of involuntary manslaughter last April for their role in the killings. The cases against the shooter and his parents were landmark cases, marking new legal territory for convicting a school shooter of terrorism and holding the parents of a school shooter criminally liable for their actions and inactions that made the shooting possible. The families represented in the case that was before the federal judges panel had sought to collect damages by establishing that Hopkins and Ejak took actions that were so outrageous and so callous in their disregard of the danger posed by the shooter that they shock the conscience. The judges decision outlines the bulk of the actions, mainly Ejak, as dean of students and Hopkins, as a counselor, being alerted that the shooter had drawn guns, bloody bodies and concerning messages on a math worksheet on the morning of the shooting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The shooter was promptly removed from class and Hopkins called his parents in for a meeting, where they declined to take him home for the day and Hopkins informed them that if they didnt get their son into counseling within 48 hours, he would call Child Protective Services. The case against the school argued that the warning, made in front of the shooter, to potentially call Child Protective Services, put the school community at greater risk, exasperating the situation with reckless disregard to safety. However the judges panel stated that the same actions being questioned further showcase a concerted effort to mitigate risk by getting Child Protective Services involved. The decision is a blow to victims of the shooting and their families search for accountability from Oxford High School as many have pursued local and state authorities to investigate the school for its actions leading up to and during the shooting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At a news conference in Oxford just before the third anniversary of the shooting, parents of the victims of the shooting implored the state Attorney Generals office to open an investigation into the school to offer some answers to the school community on what wasnt done to prevent the tragedy. Buck Myre, father of Tate Myre who was 16-years old when he was shot and killed by the shooter called for change at the news conference last November, change that could only be brought on by examining how the shooting occurred and what the school could have done to prevent it. This has always been about change period nothing else. Its time for our state government to investigate this. Stop hiding; stop making excuses. A Michigan public school was the scene of the shooting. Kids lives were lost. Kids were shot. A teacher was shot. Every kid in school that day has a shooting badge, a shooting badge that they will heavily carry on their chest for the rest of their lives, Myre said. Dont we want to learn from this? Gov. Gretchen Whitmer proposed allocating $1 million towards an investigation into the Oxford High School shooting in the state budget this year and Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has expressed interest in performing such an investigation. HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) Two men charged in the death of a 54-year-old in 2021 are set to go to trial in August, according to court documents. Edward Lewis Pugh was arrested and charged with capital murder burglary for the November 2021 death of Christopher Martin. Another man, Mannery Dillard Fletcher, is charged with murder in Martins death. Madison police aware of dispute between retired officer and citizens outside Target: Report Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Madison County judge has set both Pugh and Fletchers trials for August 4. On Saturday, November 13, 2021, officers were called to an apartment on Foster Avenue where they found Martin dead inside. Investigators said the pair and Martin knew each other and a fight led to Martins death. According to district court documents, Pugh and Fletcher caused the death of Martin by asphyxia due to strangulation. Pugh and Fletcher were booked in the Madison County Jail on a bond of $75,000 each. Pugh who was already out on bond following an August 2020 second-degree robbery and second-degree assault arrest bonded out. Documents say that in 2020, Pugh stole three phones, one key fob and about $24 as well as recklessly cause[d] serious injury to another person using large rings on his hands, leading to the robbery and assault charges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A grand jury indicted Pugh on his robbery and assault charges in April 2022. Get breaking news, traffic and weather alerts directly to your smartphone. Download the News 19 App On May 4, 2022, the State asked the judge over that case to revoke his bond, stating he violated his bond conditions with the 2021 murder charge. The States motion to revoke Pughs bond was granted on May 11, 2022. On the same day the state asked that his bond be revoked in the robbery and assault case, his charge in Martins death was upgraded to capital murder-burglary and he was rearrested with no bond set. The capital murder complaint said Pugh stomped [ed] & choked [ed] Martin while stealing his wallet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Oct. 27, 2023, both Pugh and Fletcher were indicted. In October 2024, Fletchers defense filed a motion for his bond to be reduced from $75,000 to $15,000 stating that it was unreasonably high and that neither he nor his family were able to make that bond. His court documents show that there has been no response to this filed motion. Owens Cross Roads votes again to not renew mental health center business license The State has filed a notice stating that it intends to seek the death penalty against Pugh if he is convicted of capital murder, despite Pughs defense asking that they prevent the death sentence in the case of a non-unanimous jury vote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alabama is one of three states (out of 31) that do not require the jury to return a unanimous verdict in support of the death penalty before a death penalty be 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 WHNT.com. PROVIDENCE Should a landlord be able to raise rent an unlimited amount, or be able to refuse to renew a lease for no reason? A group of lawmakers in the House and Senate is pushing to end those practices by bringing "just cause" evictions to the state via House Bill 5503. Why is it needed? Tenants testified that, especially in a constricted housing market, they are often afraid to ask for repairs or complain about conditions over worries that their leases won't be renewed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Redfin declared the Providence metro area as the least affordable for renters in the country. Reclaim RI holds a State House rally on March 18 in support of a bill that would require "just cause" for tenant evictions. What is a 'just cause' eviction? "Just cause" evictions aren't just about evictions; they're about people being forced to leave for reasons that are, right now, entirely legal. Just cause evictions require landlords to have a "just cause," or a good reason, listed in the bill, to evict tenants or not renew their leases. Multiple tenants said they were afraid to report bad conditions, ask for repairs or take steps to hold their landlords accountable for fear that either their lease won't be renewed in retaliation, or their landlord will exponentially increase the rent, effectively forcing them to not renew. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tenants who testified before the House Judiciary Committee on March 18 talked about horrible conditions and landlords who refuse to repair problems, such as leaks, or allow issues to continue unabated, such as crippling mold. During a rally before the hearing, Melissa Potter, of Cranston, talked about how her landlord has been trying to evict her from 1890 Broad St. for attempting to start a tenants union. Among her chief complaints was a 6-foot trench that appeared in front of her front door. The bill would prevent tenants both from being evicted and from having their leases not renewed, unless it's for "good cause." Melissa Potter talks about her landlord's attempts to evict her for organizing tenants to protest deplorable conditions at their Cranston apartment complex. Here's what the bill defines as good cause for an eviction/non-renewal of a lease: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Failure to pay rent Violating the lease "Committing or permitting a nuisance" Conduct that interferes with "the comfort of the landlord or other tenants" or neighbors Using their housing for "an illegal purpose" Refusing to give the landlord access to make repairs or improvements, or show to a prospective buyer The landlord, in a building of 11 units or fewer, needs the unit for themselves or a family member, unless the tenant is 62 or older or disabled Limiting rent increases Landlords came in droves to the hearing to decry both the "just cause" eviction bill and to ask that the lead paint registry law be pushed out or rescinded. Many contended that rent control doesn't work, despite the bill not proposing rent control. Instead, it proposes rent stabilization. Rent control means a hard cap on rent, limiting the amount that a landlord can charge. Rent stabilization broadly means that the rate of rent increases is regulated or capped, the way cities and towns have a cap on how much they can raise property taxes each year (4%). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under the bill, rent increases would be capped at 4% annually or 1 times the annual percentage change in the consumer price index (CPI), whichever is greater. During the pandemic, the consumer-price index increased drastically. In 2021, the national increase was 4.7%, in 2022 it was 8%, in 2023 it was 4.1% and in 2024, it was 3.2%. According to the bill, a landlord could still raise the rent above the prescribed percentage, but if they tried to evict a tenant for not paying an increase above that amount, it becomes a "rebuttable presumption" in housing court that the rent increase was unreasonable. Some Providence city councilors in support Providence city councilors Miguel Sanchez, Althea Graves and Justin Roias jointly penned a letter in support, noting that the consequences of an eviction can be devastating and that evictions have contributed to the rapid rise in homelessness. Doesn't apply to small landlords Among the changes from past years was exempting owner-occupied landlords with five units or fewer, and general landlords with four or fewer units from the law. Sen. Tiara Mack, D-Providence, said she heard the criticisms loud and clear and took steps to address them in this year's version of the bill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the House, the bill is being sponsored by, among others, Rep. Cherie Cruz, D-Pawtucket. Rep. Cherie Cruz, left, gives accolades during the rally in support of "just cause" evictions legislation, while Sen. Tiara Mack looks for other supportive legislators. Rent increases have increased homelessness Providers of services for homeless people across the state have cited the rapid rise in rents as a large reason for the huge rise in Rhode Island's unhoused population since the pandemic. How much rent has gone up differs, depending on who is doing the counting. That Redfin study put the current median rent at $2,145. A report by the company Rent put it at $2,618 last year, with a baseline of $1,845 in 2019, a 42% increase. The HousingWorks RI Housing Fact Book put rent at $2,107 in the state for its latest iteration, and at $1,869 in 2017, before the pandemic run-up in rents, a 13% increase. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The number of units that are affordable for the poorest residents has decreased drastically in the state because of rising rents. The National Low Income Housing Coalition's newest "GAP" report finds there are 47 "affordable and available" rental units for every 100 extremely low-income people, compared with 74 before the pandemic. Just like last year's report, this year's report notes that the shortage of housing units available across all income spectrums pushes up rents for the poorest renters. "As a result of this shortage, most extremely low-income renters are forced to rent homes they cannot afford and that would otherwise be available to higher-income renters who could afford them," according to the report. Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting quality local journalism with a Providence Journal subscription. Here's our latest offer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Follow Wheeler Cowperthwaite on X, @WheelerReporter, or reach him by email at wcowperthwaite@providencejournal.com. This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: These bills would make it harder to evict tenants, raise rent in RI CAIRO, March 23 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly and his Palestinian counterpart Mohammad Mustafa met here on Sunday to discuss ongoing efforts to revive the ceasefire in Gaza and advance its reconstruction. During the meeting, Madbouly stressed the need to maintain the ceasefire in Gaza and begin the process of early recovery and reconstruction in the territory, reaffirming Egypt's unwavering support for the Palestinian people and their right to remain on their land, according to a statement from the Egyptian cabinet. He explained that the Egypt-proposed Gaza reconstruction plan, which was approved by an emergency Arab summit earlier this month, will witness further coordination with various regional and international parties, including the Palestinian side, to push forward its implementation. Mustafa, in turn, underscored the importance of upholding the ceasefire to facilitate recovery and rebuilding efforts. He also briefed Madbouly on Palestine's ongoing diplomatic engagements with Arab, Islamic, and international actors to address the situation in Gaza, and its preparations for a Gaza reconstruction conference, which is to be held in Cairo. The two sides agreed to continue consultations and coordination during the coming period to support efforts aimed at implementing the reconstruction plan and maintaining the ceasefire. The situation in Gaza has deteriorated rapidly. Since early Tuesday, the Israeli military has resumed intense airstrikes across the enclave, effectively ending a two-month truce. The Gaza-based health authorities reported on Sunday that at least 673 people have been killed and 1,233 wounded since then. Las Vegas police: Armed, masked young person arrested after running from officers LAS VEGAS (KLAS) A young person was arrested after attempting to run from police and was found with a gun in the northwest Las Vegas valley, police said. On Thursday around midnight, a resident in an apartment in the area of North Buffalo Drive and West Smoke Ranch Road noticed a group of young people walking around with facemasks and called police, according to a Facebook post by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Northwest Area Command. When officers arrived, the masked individuals started to run away. After a short time, one of the individuals was taken into custody. When officers searched him, they said they found a handgun with an unreadable serial number, along with several rounds of ammunition, LVMPD said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police said he was arrested for possession of a firearm. Authorities have not released the identities of the suspects. Officials urge those who see something to say something. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. The three-day grace period for mail ballots was a bipartisan solution approved by the Legislature in 2017 to address delays in processing of mail by the United States Postal Service, particularly in rural areas. The goal was to ensure that all Kansans had their votes counted, no matter where they lived. Not only will removing the three-day grace period for mail ballots disenfranchise thousands of Kansas voters, but it also shows a lack of understanding of our elections in Kansas. Implementing this will create confusion among county election officials, who will have to update policies and procedures on handling of mail ballots in a higher turnout election year. This bill is an attack on rural Kansans who want to participate in the electoral process guaranteed by our Constitution. I will not sign legislation that deprives Kansans from having their vote counted. Gov. Laura Kelly said Monday she would refuse to "sign legislation that deprives Kansans from having their vote counted." (Anna Kaminski/Kansas Reflector) TOPEKA Gov. Laura Kelly on Monday vetoed legislation that would eliminate a three-day grace period for advance mail-in ballots to arrive after Election Day. The proposal would result in thousands of ballots from lawfully registered voters being thrown in the trash during high-turnout elections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under current law, ballots are counted if they are postmarked by Election Day and received by the following Friday. Senate Bill 4 would require ballots to be returned instead by 7 p.m. on Election Day. Not only will removing the three-day grace period for mail ballots disenfranchise thousands of Kansas voters, but it also shows a lack of understanding of our elections in Kansas, Kelly said. Implementing this will create confusion among county election officials. House Republican leadership promised to override the governors reckless veto. We eagerly anticipate overriding the governors misguided veto to safeguard our elections and ensure quick, reliable outcomes, the House GOP leaders said in a joint statement. By setting a firm Election Day deadline, we reaffirm Kansans trust in our elections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republican claims about reliable outcomes being available on the night of the election are rooted in widespread lies about the 2020 presidential election, in which Joe Biden defeated Donald Trump in a safe and secure election. Rep. Pat Proctor, a Leavenworth Republican who chairs the election committee, told Republicans in a private meeting in February 2024 that he intended to end the three-day grace period because he doesnt support advance voting and because he wanted to punish Democrats and advocacy groups who wouldnt accept a compromise he had offered. I had a deal, and then Loud Light and Appleseed, which are the kind of bomb throwers in the election debate, they blew it up, Proctor said in a leaked video clip. And I told all of them and you know, please dont put this on Facebook or in the news I told them all, this is your year for a deal. You can either negotiate and we can get a deal, or next year Im ramming the thing through the way I want it to look. If it was up to me, Election Day would be Election Day, Proctor added. There wouldnt be early voting. Mail-in ballots would only be for military or severely disabled. But I got to bring 84 people with me, so Im trying to chip away at it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The House passed SB 4 80-39 on Feb. 27 and the Senate passed it 30-10 on March 6. In her veto message, the governor said the bill is an attack on rural Kansans who are more vulnerable to delays in processing of mail. I will not sign legislation that deprives Kansans from having their vote counted, Kelly said. Loud Light advocacy director Melissa Stiehler said the three-day grace period is a common sense solution to ongoing mail delays. She also said the bill to repeal it was born from the conspiracy theories during the 2020 election. The reality is that the only thing this bill does is throw out our Kansans votes for no good reason, Stiehler said. We are thankful that the governor stood up for democracy today and encourage the Legislature to do the same by voting to sustain the veto. The Legislature could vote at any time this week to override the governors veto, which would require support from two-thirds of the members of both the House and Senate. A "CLOSED MEETING" sign sits March 18, 2025, outside the Old Supreme Court on the third floor of the Kansas Statehouse. The House GOP caucus was meeting inside. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector) Kansas House Republicans have repeatedly met in closed caucus meetings this legislative session, doing state business in secret and upending longstanding tradition. Kansas Reflector staff have witnessed five of these closed sessions firsthand, in January, February and March. Further reporting found that all of the House GOPs Statehouse caucus meetings have been closed. That means a quorum of Kansas legislators are debating policy questions among themselves, in private, without outside witnesses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its as clear as the sign posted outside the Old Supreme Court: CLOSED MEETING. Former Republican Rep. Susan Concannon said she didnt remember any time that the House GOP had closed such meetings during her 12 years as a legislator even during debate about repealing former Gov. Sam Brownbacks tax cuts. She retired after last session. I heard the same from other Statehouse veterans. We have never had a closed meeting, Concannon said. In fact, I didnt even think that that was allowed. House Democrats have held a single private meeting this session, dealing with a conflict between legislators on the floor. Wichita Rep. John Carmichael actually refused to attend because of the closure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I dont want to suggest that anyone has broken the law. The Kansas Open Meetings Act includes a loophole allowing the House and Senate to pass rules that for any other governmental entity would violate its provisions. But past leaders rarely closed legislative meetings, understanding that sunshine disinfects. Republican bosses this session have swerved in the opposite direction. I tried to get their take on the matter, but they proved surprisingly shy. House Majority Leader Chris Croft decides whether to close GOP caucus meetings. I called, texted and emailed Croft. He did not respond. I sent a message to his chief of staff, Dan Stanley, that also went unanswered. Finally, I attempted to visit the majority leaders office and was prevented from entering by House guards. Consider the implications. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Kansas House comprises 125 members. A whopping 88 are Republicans. If they hold closed meetings every day of the session, they could direct committee decisions and floor votes. They could pull bills from consideration if the caucus didnt agree. They could, in other words, do all of the work of legislating without pesky outsiders looking over their shoulders. Those watching the House this year may well conclude thats what happened. Bills whiz through committees and floor action with little debate, compared with past years, before lawmakers turn to the next topic. Melissa Stiehler, advocacy director for Loud Light, has tracked the session up close. The shift toward secrecy from legislative leadership is shocking, she said. More and more, I see what happens publicly in the Statehouse as being ceremonial stripped of its institutional traditions and principles and left only with lawmakers going through the motions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Suzanne Wikle, a Lawrence Democrat, has started her first term in office. But she spent years before as an advocate in the Statehouse. I feel like any bill that is brought to the House floor its safe to say its going to pass, right? she told me in February. In my first stint in the Statehouse on the other side, that was not always the case. There were votes that were very close, and sometimes you didnt know if a bill was going to pass before final action was taken on it. And I just feel like thats very different now. Consider the public reaction if your local city commission or school board began gathering in closed session before every single meeting. Imagine what civic advocates would say. Imagine the outraged coverage from local news media and social media gadflies. Imagine the calls on state officials to step in and take action. Liberal or conservative, Republican or Democrat, the outrage would froth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Susan Humphries, R-Wichita, speaks during a Jan. 23, 2025, session of the House in which legislators adopted a new rules package. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector) Rules, laws and gray areas Shades of gray existed for GOP and Democratic caucus meetings before 2025. They werent always totally open, even if they werent totally closed. Journalists didnt attend every meeting. Reporters might drop by as the session progressed, tracking both bills and party drama. If leaders wanted privacy, they would occasionally move caucus meetings to nearby buildings, or hold them at unannounced times. If reporters tracked down the meeting, they could usually stay as leaders smiled through clenched teeth and reminded members that their friends from the press were in attendance. Something changed between last session and this one, however. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The section of the House rules applying to open meetings was rewritten. When presented to the House by Rep. Susan Humphries, R-Wichita, she summarized the changes as making some exceptions to the Open Meetings Act for the majority and the minority party. Thats one way to put it. Here are the two relevant sentences from the 2023-2024 rules: The open meeting law (K.S.A. 75-4317 et seq., and amendments thereto) shall apply to meetings of the House of Representatives and all of its standing committees, select committees, special committees and subcommittees of any of such committees. Caucuses of the House majority party may be closed as determined by the Majority Leader. Caucuses of the House minority party may be closed as determined by the Minority Leader. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 2025-2026 rules add the following text between the sentences. except as otherwise provided in this Rule or other House Rule. As used in this Rule, the term House includes standing committees, select committees, special committees and subcommittees of any such committees, where applicable Pursuant to K.S.A. 75-4318(g)(4), the House of Representatives is authorized to provide for exceptions to the open meetings law. A plain reading of the changes suggests that lawmakers wanted to make crystal clear that the House had the right to exempt itself or any of its constituent parts from open meetings law. Those rules apply to every other public body in Kansas, but not state legislators. Again, they already had that right. A Jan. 30, 1981, opinion from Kansas Attorney General Robert Stephan outlined the legal rationale. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He acknowledged that: If the purpose of a prearranged gathering of a majority of a quorum of the Legislature is held to discuss legislative matters, we believe that the gathering is a meeting subject to the provisions of the Kansas Open Meetings Act. However, lawmakers could bypass those provisions, as certain gatherings may be excepted from the act by House or Senate rule, Stephan wrote. Having the right doesnt mean it was frequently exercised. Colleagues at Kansas Reflector and others who have followed the Legislature for years recalled few closed caucus meetings before this session. In 2021, for example, Senate Republicans closed their caucus meeting to deal with the drunk driving arrest of Majority Leader Gene Suellentrop. I dont believe that any legislative meetings should be closed. But I can understand why leaders would do so after a public conflict involving members. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Closed GOP House meetings this year, on the other hand, appear to have dealt with routine business. I wandered through the Old Supreme Court on March 21, a day that members didnt caucus. They had left behind printed handouts labeled Republican Bill Brief for different pieces of legislation, summarizing the proposals, testimony and potential amendments. First Amendment attorney Max Kautsch gave me his take: Routinely meeting behind closed doors does little more than enable legislative leaderships control over the narrative surrounding policies that so often are adopted at the expense of Kansans rather than for our benefit, helping thin-skinned leaders avoid legitimate criticism. The Rev. Dave DePue, with the red tie, leaves a closed meeting of House GOP representatives on March 18, 2025. DePue does not serve as a legislator and is not registered as a lobbyist. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector) The DePue question Throughout the past week, I wondered how House GOP leaders define a closed caucus meeting. You might assume it includes elected lawmakers, along with a handful of staff members. But thats not what I saw. The Rev. Dave DePue works for the national Capitol Commission group and leads Statehouse Bible studies. He does not serve as a legislator. He does not appear on the list of registered lobbyists, either. Yet I personally watched him leave closed GOP House meetings twice, on March 18 and March 19. He stayed for the entire time Tuesday but left after a half-hour Wednesday. He also was present at the Feb. 25 GOP House caucus meeting, which Kansas Reflector reporter Tim Carpenter tried to attend. After Carpenter was told to leave, he asked about DePue. The minister subsequently departed as well. The omnipresent DePue has long inhabited an unusual space at the Statehouse, serving as Brownbacks spiritual adviser. He even plans an upcoming book titled Rising to Greatness: Lessons from the Purposeful Walk of Ambassador Sam Brownback and a Host of Other Champions. He talked with Kansas Reflector in 2023 as part of a series about the intersection of church and state in Topeka. Its not religion so much. Its faith, DePue told former Kansas Reflector reporter Rachel Mipro. Its hard to be on the front lines of the work, like in government. We just support them. We got their back. We just try to be a supportive environment for legislators and our administrators. We have people pray for them. We walk around and encourage them. No agenda, just to kind of shore them up and strengthen them. I wondered what was going on with DePues attendance and asked him for comment. He didnt respond to my email. I look forward to learning further lessons from Brownbacks purposeful walk, though. Doughnuts and beverages were set out for legislators before their March 18, 2025, closed caucus meeting. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector) Reporting stonewalled As I tried to learn what was happening with House GOP lawmakers and closed meetings, I uncovered more details and encountered more resistance. It became clear that officials did not want this column to appear and did not want to explain their decision. So I decided to work harder. Over two weeks, I contacted more than 20 legislators, lobbyists, journalists and political diehards to figure out what was going on. Many answered my calls, texts and emails. Others did not. This reporting confirmed that Statehouse GOP caucus meetings were closed, but I wanted to see the situation for myself. I sat outside the closed caucus meetings on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, watching the closed doors and who went in and out. The first day I was accompanied by Kansas Reflector editor Sherman Smith, who was taking photos. A remarkable sequence of events unfolded. While the Old Supreme Court doors were closed, Smith was taking photos in the foyer. A staffer was sent out to shoo him away. A second set of doors was later closed to keep him (and me) further back. Once the meeting ended, leaders conspicuously did not leave through the public exit, apparently going through a back door. When I returned Wednesday and Thursday, that second set of doors remained closed, and the same staffer kept watch. Im not sure whether leaders were paranoid about our presence. But I will note that House Speaker Dan Hawkins chief of staff, Carrie Rahfaldt, responded to my texts about whether the caucus was closed and suggested that I contact Croft. As mentioned earlier, the majority leader then didnt respond to a call, text or email. I attempted to drop by Crofts office on Friday, with the House out of session. A guard stopped me in the House chamber. I asked if I could talk to a secretary or leave a message and was told no, that I needed an appointment. Despite further discussion and explanations, they still wouldnt let me through. Loud Lights Stiehler summed up the situation. The legislative process seems to be entirely predetermined behind the closed-door Republican caucus meetings where this supermajority can subvert the eyes, voices and will of the people they are supposed to be there to serve, she said. I dont believe that open government should be the exclusive concern of any party or ideology. It matters for everyone, because it matters for the people of Kansas. They deserve to know whats going on in their name. Not only through the work of journalists, but also if they want to visit Topeka and see for themselves. These meetings should be open. They should be visible. Leaders and their members should resist the urge to hide behind closed doors, avoiding questions or challenges. They should have the courage of their convictions. In 1986, the Kansas Supreme Court wrote that open meetings law should be interpreted liberally and exceptions narrowly construed. In 2025, the House GOP has done the exact opposite. Clay Wirestone is Kansas Reflector opinion editor. Through its opinion section, Kansas Reflector works to amplify the voices of people who are affected by public policies or excluded from public debate. Find information, including how to submit your own commentary, here. Faith is an integral part of millions of Americans daily lives. One Nation Under God is committed to reflecting Americas voices, values and communities covering stories of faith and religion, from the latest headlines to stories of hope. Subscribe here. (NewsNation) The president of a Kansas-based satanic group says it is going ahead with a planned black Mass inside the states capital building despite objections by the governor and Christian groups. Hes calling it an act of defiance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pope Francis released from hospital after life-threatening pneumonia Im hoping that our legislature remembers that Kansas is a diverse group of people with diverse needs and wants and stops placating to the largest demographic of religious people, Michael Stewart, founder and president of Satanic Grotto, told Nexstars Rebekah Chung in an exclusive interview. Black Mass to be held outside of Kansas capitol building Satanic Grotto describes itself as an organization for an independent and nondenominational satanic church. A black Mass is an intentionally blasphemous parody of a Catholic Mass, Stewart says. After outrage, Gov. Laura Kelly said the March 28 event would be held outside the capitol building, according to the Topeka Capital-Journal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Satanic group to hold Black Mass outside Kansas statehouse But Stewart says the event will take place inside the capital even if it means being arrested by the police. He says the group will be protesting oppression and religious people imposing their faith on others. What were going to do is heavily lean into the four blasphemies, kind of representing an alternate to the stations of the cross, Stewart said. Christian groups upset over Black Mass Christians are observing Lent, 40 days of prayer and fasting in preparation for Christs passion and death before Easter. Christian groups have expressed their outrage and concern over the satanic event. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Google under fire for allegation its censoring faith-based content We dont know exactly what this satanic worship event is going to look like, but from what weve read, it crosses a line of just expressing ones opinion, and it crosses a line into inciting conflict, said Chuck Weber, executive director of the Kansas Catholic Conference. The event is set to take place March 28, the last day for Kansas lawmakers to wrap up the legislative session. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation. TOPEKA (KSNT) One of the justices on the Kansas Supreme Court is stepping down from her position later this summer. Justice Evelyn Wilson announced in a press release on Monday, March 24 that her final day on the Kansas Supreme Court will be on July 4, 2025. She cited her recent diagnosis with Lou Gehrigs disease as being a driving force behind the decision. She was appointed to the Kansas Supreme Court in 2019. My tenure as a Supreme Court justice has been a rare gift, and I know it, Wilson said. It has been my honor and privilege to serve with other justices who have demonstrated utmost integrity, hard work, and legal prowess under circumstances both extreme and mundane. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I will make a full recovery: Scott Schwab announces cancer diagnosis Wilsons successor on the Kansas Supreme Court will follow a merit-based nomination process. The Supreme Court Nominating Commission will review applications and conduct public interviews with nominees to find a suitable candidate with the governor of the state of Kansas making the final decision on who should replace Wilson. A nominee must meet the following qualifications to be considered for the position: Be at least 30-years-old. Be a lawyer admitted to practice in Kansas and be engaged in the practice of law for at least a decade, whether as a lawyer, judge or full-time teacher at an accredited law school. Justice Wilson is both a valued work colleague and a dear friend, said Chief Justice Marla Luckert. She is an outstanding person and jurist who demonstrates daily what it means to be fair and impartial through her demeanor, her words, and her deeds. My high esteem for her has risen to new heights as Ive observed her courage facing her health challenges. We will miss her presence on our court, but we understand and support her decision to focus on her health. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wilson is a graduate of Bethany College and Washburn Universitys School of Law. She previously practiced law in northwest Kansas and Topeka before becoming a judge. You can learn more about Wilson by visiting the Kansas Supreme Courts website. Kansas gov. approves six new laws, including Move Over law For more Kansas news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/MatthewLeoSelf Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News. Kansas Supreme Court Justice Evelyn Wilson, pictured here in May 2022, will retire from the bench in July following a Lou Gehrig's disease diagnosis. (Thad Allton for Kansas Reflector) TOPEKA Kansas Supreme Court Justice Evelyn Wilson will retire, effective July 4, following a recent amyotrophic lateral sclerosis diagnosis, also known as ALS or Lou Gehrigs disease. Wilsons letter of resignation submitted Monday to Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly began: Life changes, so plans change. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She wrote in the letter that the diagnosis has progressed to such a point that her ability to perform the job is no longer at the level of excellence sufficient to suit me. Wilson, 65, added she intends to stay in her position until July 4 to see unfinished projects through. Wilson has served on the Kansas Supreme Court since 2020. Kelly appointed Wilson in 2019. She served as a Shawnee County district judge beginning in 2004, and the final five of those years before her appointment to the Supreme Court were spent as the districts chief judge. Before the bench, Wilson practiced law in Topeka and northwest Kansas, and she graduated from Bethany College in Lindsborg and Washburn University School of Law. She is from Smith Center. The vacancy will mean a fourth state Supreme Court appointment for Kelly, a Democrat, which will occur through a vetting process by a nominating commission made up of five lawyers and four people appointed by the governor. The nominating commission selects three names from a group of applicants to forward to the governor, who selects one appointee. Justices undergo retention votes after their first year on the Supreme Court and every six years after. I know from experience the Supreme Court Nominating Commission, and the KBI, will investigate any applicant for my position as thoroughly and vigorously as they investigated me, Wilson wrote in her letter to Kelly. And so will you. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kansans are set to vote in August 2026 on whether the process ought to change. Republican legislators pushed a resolution through the Legislature earlier this month that will create a ballot question asking voters if justices should be elected by popular vote instead of the merit-based current process. Chief Justice Marla Luckert, who also served as a district judge in Shawnee County, called Wilson a valued colleague and a dear friend. My high esteem for her has risen to new heights as Ive observed her courage facing her health challenges, Luckert said in a Monday news release. We will miss her presence on our court, but we understand and support her decision to focus on her health. Wilson described the job as extremely and unrelentingly difficult as it is rewarding. She said her time on the Supreme Court has been a rare gift. Correction: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated the location of Bethany College, which is in Lindsborg. (EL PASO COUNTY, Colo.) A letter submitted in early March is requesting that the 4th Judicial District Attorney investigate a series of election law violations after petitioners allegedly lied to convince voters to oppose the Karman Line annexation. A representative with Norris Ranch Joint Development LLC, the firm that requested the annexation, submitted a letter on Thursday, March 6, requesting District Attorney Michael Allen to investigate several violations the petitioners made. The letter came a week after the petition, with over 31,000 signatures, was submitted on Feb. 26. According to the letter FOX21 News received, the petitioners efforts to mislead and manipulate the election under C.R.S. 1-13-109(1) and (2) should not be tolerated. The election offense, 1-12-109, says no person should make false or reckless statements related to candidates or questions submitted to electors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Organizers have spent nearly $250,000 to collect signatures and convince Colorado Springs residents to vote for the referendum, and against the annexation, the letter alleges. These efforts to convince voters to support a referendum amount to efforts designed to affect the vote at an election. The letter details various statements that petitioners made and claims they are false. The letter lists alleged lies about water and the environment, about the developers, and about how the measure will help fix infrastructure. The letter further alleges that two organizations are behind the paid-off signatures: Colorado Dawn and Norwood Development Group. We are in receipt of a letter from the City of Colorado Springs City Clerks Office that they have completed review of the petitions opposing the Karman Line annexation and will offer formal certification during Colorado Springs City Councils Work Session on Monday, March 24. We understand that if no protest is filed, City Council will take the next steps in the referendum process at the April 8 City Council meeting. We are very pleased to receive this update and are hopeful the City Council will honor the wishes of their constituents and oppose the Karman Line annexation. Residents from Colorado Springs and beyond have consistently expressed concerns regarding the strain on utilities, public safety and lack of water to support this flagpole annexation. City Council has a clear choice respect the will of the people or continue to waste taxpayer dollars on a special election to decide on what we already know the community is not in support of this project. Dawn Shelstad, community organizer in opposition to the Karman Line annexation See the full list and letter here: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 25.03.07-Election-ComplaintDownload Unfortunately, the petition circulators and those behind the referendum effort have consistently resorted to falsehoods in order to deceive and manipulate the electorate into voting against the annexation, the letter states. I ask that you investigate this matter, determine those responsible for these corrupt practices, and take appropriate prosecutorial action. Daniel Cole, who was allegedly involved with Colorado Dawn told FOX21 he is involved, but not in the way the lawsuit claims. Hes right that I was involved, in that my company Victors Canvassing helped the citizens spearheading this project with signature collection, but hes wrong about much else, Cole said. Its incredible he would claim that citizens should be prosecuted for daring to doubt whether Colorado Springs will have enough water to serve this annexation in perpetuity, or for believing that our municipal government will do a better job of fixing potholes if it focuses on the city we have today, Cole added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kate Singh, the Chief Communications Officer for the 4th Judicial District Attorneys Office told FOX21 News they had received the letter from Gessler regarding the concerns. As far as we are aware, no law enforcement investigation has been conducted into the concerns raised in that letter, Singh told FOX21 News. The City of Colorado Springs is still within its 30-day limit to verify the signatures. FOX21 News reached out to Norwood Development Group for comment and will update this article once we receive it. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX21 News Colorado. The late Augusta Yvonne Thomas graduated from Central High School in her hometown of Louisville. Growing up, she also lived with relatives in Atlanta and as an adolescent locked a young Martin Luther King Jr. into his home's basement as a prank when he went to stoke the coal furnace. (American Federation of Government Employees photo) The late Augusta Yvonne Thomas of Louisville embodied the civil rights, labor and womens rights movements. Augusta organized thousands of women and minorities into the union movement, said her longtime friend Bill Londrigan, past president of the Kentucky State AFL-CIO. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She also was one of the oldest elected union officials in the country. She served as the American Federation of Government Employees national vice president for women and fair practices, a post she held from 2009-2018 until retiring at age 85. Born in Louisville in 1932, she became a civil rights activist in 1960, taking part in historic lunch counter sit-in protests against segregation in Greensboro, N.C. Six years later, Thomas was hired as a nurses assistant at the Louisville Veterans Administration hospital. She signed an AFGE union card on Nov. 12, 1966, her first day on the job, and ultimately became president of Local 1133. Thomas was in Memphis in early April of 1968, joining the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., in solidarity with striking Black union sanitation workers. She heard his Ive Been to the Mountaintop speech and the fatal rifle shot fired by his assassin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thomas stayed an activist almost until her death on Oct. 10, 2018, at age 86. Augusta Y. Thomas was spat upon by white people and twice arrested when she participated in sit-ins in 1960 in Greensboro, N.C., to protest legally enforced segregation. The next year she participated in similar protests in Louisville. (Photo by Berry Craig) She grew up in Louisville when Jim Crow segregation and white supremacy were the law and the social order in the old Confederate states and in border states like Kentucky. Violence or the threat of violence underpinned the system. At age 13, Thomas lived with her aunt and uncle in Atlanta. He was a Methodist pastor and a member of a ministerial association that included the Rev. Martin Luther King Sr., a Baptist. Thomas enjoyed telling about the time the ministers gathered at the King house. She and two other teens present needed a fourth to play a game. Little Martin refused. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When he went to the basement to fuel the coal furnace, Thomas locked the door. She kept him prisoner for about 30 minutes until he relented. After attending the same school as King, Thomas returned to Louisville and graduated from Central High School. She also took classes at Clark Atlanta University and the Homer G. Phillips School of Nursing in St. Louis. When Thomas announced she was heading to Greensboro, her husband and her father, fearing for her safety, begged her not to go. If I didnt go, and the next person doesnt go, and the next person doesnt go, whos going to be there and help? Thomas later recalled when she was honored with a Sit-in Participant award from the Greensboro International Civil Rights Center and Museum. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Angry whites spat on Thomas and knocked her off a stool. White cops arrested her twice. Undaunted, she took part in sit-ins in Louisville in 1961. In Memphis, Thomas and five other Louisville union women were in the crowd at Mason Temple Church of God in Christ on the night of April 3, 1968, when King delivered his immortal speech. I had chills running down me, she told me. But I didnt get to talk to him. Thomas and her union sisters were in their ground floor rooms in the Lorraine Motel on April 4 when James Earl Ray, a racist white man, murdered King with a rifle shot. King was standing outside on a second-floor balcony. (The motel is part of the National Civil Rights Museum.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We thought it was firecrackers, and we just ignored it, Thomas also told me, adding that when she heard King was dead, all I could think about was that my old friend was gone. Though her health was beginning to fail, Thomas spoke at a Working Peoples Day of Action rally on Feb. 24, 2018, at the United Auto Workers Local 862 hall on Fern Valley Road in Louisville. While she sketched her 58 years as a union and human rights activist, she also touched on politics of the day. The future of working people hangs in the balance right now, she warned. We must stand until we are all equals, no matter our race, no matter our gender, no matter our class. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thomas panned President Donald Trump and the GOP, challenging the crowd: Weve got to get to the mountaintop. We have got to work together. Weve got to get rid of 45 and some of those folks up on that hill in Washington, D.C. Her death didnt stop the honors that came her way in life. The corner of Shasta Trail and Ilex Avenue in Louisville was named for her. Each year on Oct. 14, the state AFL-CIO and AFGE celebrate Augusta Y. Thomas Day. Annually, the AFGEs Augusta Y. Thomas Civil Rights Award goes to four dedicated trade unionists who exemplify what it means to be a true champion for civil, human, women, and workers rights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thomas was a long-time member of the state AFL-CIO Executive Board where she worked closely with Londrigan. I have always said that workers rights and civil rights are one and the same, he added. You cannot have workers rights without civil rights and vice versa. Dr. King, A. Philip Randolph, Bayard Rustin and Walter Reuther all knew that to be a fact, and out of that recognition came the historic March On Washington. Among those who dedicated their lives to the interconnectedness of workers rights and civil rights was Augusta Y. Thomas. I dont know if Thomas ever crossed paths with Randolph. But he could have been talking about her when he said the essence of trade unionism is social uplift. She, too, was fired by an unshakable faith in organized labor as the uplifter of the whole working class, not just those of us who pack union cards. BEIJING, March 24 (Xinhua) -- As part of broader efforts to stimulate domestic demand, China has called on cities to further refine their automobile quota systems to better accommodate households without cars of their own, following a series of favorable policies rolled out across the world's largest auto market. The country on March 16 made public a plan on special initiatives to increase consumption. This plan, issued by the General Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the General Office of the State Council, calls for shifting auto consumption policies from "purchased-based controls" to "usage-based regulation" and ensuring car ownership eligibility for families that have been unsuccessful after long waits as part of the car lottery system. Metropolises in China, including Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, have long placed ceilings on car purchases by adopting car lottery systems to combat traffic jams and air pollution, while in recent years, local governments in these and other cities have been introducing new policies to meet increasing demand and raise the quota of new energy vehicles (NEVs) in the car license quota allocation process. In January this year, Beijing's transport authorities announced that 100,000 passenger car license quotas would be allocated in the Chinese capital in 2025 -- 80,000 of which will be for NEVs. Notably, Beijing will this year also issue an additional 40,000 NEV license quotas aimed specifically at households with no cars of their own. This selection will be based on a point-based ranking system, rewarding those who have been waiting for a long time and prioritizing fairness. Similarly, Tianjin Municipality in north China released 30,000 quotas for carless households in 2024, while Hangzhou, a tech hub in China's eastern Zhejiang Province, has relaxed its eligibility criteria to allow individuals who have applied unsuccessfully at least 48 times to receive alternative car license quotas. Shanghai, also in east China, a city which uses an auction system to sell a limited number of license quotas to fossil-fuel and hybrid car buyers, is another location which has sought to lower barriers to car ownership. The economic hub's authorities said at the end of last year that the city would reduce its contribution requirement periods in terms of the social security fund and the paying of individual income tax by non-local residents from three years to one, thereby expanding access to car licence quota auctions. Jia Xinguang, executive director of the China Automobile Dealers Association, said that given the plan released on March 16 -- related cities can further boost consumption by encouraging citizens to trade in old vehicles. Regarding the "usage-based regulation" noted by this plan, cities including Beijing, Shanghai and Hangzhou have already enforced plate number restrictions, along with tech-enabled traffic solutions. In the case of Hangzhou, an AI-powered "City Brain" monitors the city's traffic in real time and issues alarms for potential congestion, enabling traffic authorities to adjust traffic lights based on vehicle flow. With more than 3,700 parking lots linked to the platform, citizens can park their cars more easily, enjoying a seamless experience that allows them to "pay after parking," thus preventing traffic jams caused by parking problems. "Due to frequent traffic jams, I had long been hesitant to buy a car. But with improvements in traffic management, I'm now considering giving it a try," said Li Xiang, a Hangzhou resident. KILLEEN, Texas (FOX 44) Killeen Independent School District Superintendent Dr. Jo Ann Fey is welcoming back everyone after the end of Spring Break. Dr. Fey sent a message to families Monday afternoon, saying the day marked a strong and welcome return from Spring Break across Killeen ISD. The first day back went smoothly as students re-entered campuses with focus and positivity. The district has been preparing to implement intentional measures designed to strengthen structure, reinforce expectations, and prioritize student safety over the past week. It is committed to balancing increased security with maintaining a positive and welcoming learning environment. Dr. Fey says these efforts are about creating structure, not barriers, so all students can focus on learning in an environment where they feel safe, respected, and supported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dr. Fey says the district also knows it has inconsistencies in safety measures, and is taking steps to address this. The district will be closely monitoring a variety of indicators to assess the effectiveness of these changes, including tracking attendance and referrals. Campus leaders will continue to review feedback from students, staff, and families to make adjustments to strengthen the districts approach without compromising the positive culture it is building in its schools. PREVIOUS STORY: Killeen ISD supports positive and safe return from Spring Break As of March 24, the district has also launched a new safety tip line at 254-336-8989 so families have another way to bring concerns if they feel something hasnt been addressed. Parents are still encouraged to report issues directly to their campus or submit concerns through www.KISDisSafe.com. Dr. Fey says Monday. March 24 reflected what is possible when the district works together to create the right environment for learning. The focus remains on ensuring every Killeen ISD campus is a safe, respectful, and supportive place for all students to learn and grow. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The previous statement comes after a stabbing at Roy J. Middle School earlier this month. Students will return from Spring Break on Tuesday, March 25. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KWKT - FOX 44. POLK COUNTY, N.C. (WSPA) A community meeting was held to inform and update the public on the multiple wildfires in Polk County. Here are the highlights of the meeting and the current status of the wildfires: Black Cove: The Black Cove fire began on Wednesday, March 18, and has reached up to 2,000+ acres as of today. There is currently 0% containment. The North Carolina Forest Service (NCFS) said it has been using aircraft and removing debris left from Hurricane Helene to prevent the fire from spreading further north. Deep Woods: The Deep Woods fire was spotted while officials were focusing on the Black Cove fire. The NCFS said it is currently focusing on preventing the fire from spreading to nearby homes and residences near Piney Mountain. As of today, the Deep Woods fire has reached up to 2,500+ acres, and is currently at 0% containment. Fish Hook: The Fish Hook Fire was reported on Thursday, March 20 due to strong winds in the area, according to the NCFS. The Fish Hook fire is currently at 190+ acres, and is at 50% containment. The NCFS stated that the Fish Hook fire has been easier to manage due to being closer to a neighborhood, therefore providing easier access to resources such as paved roads. Currently the NCFS is patrolling the area and ensuring that the fire does not spread to residences. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Polk County Emergency Management (PCEM) said it is currently working on retrieving more resources for the Forest Service to continue combating the wildfires. PCEM is in contact with State Emergency Management and FEMA to receive more aid as multiple wildfires around the state continue to appear and further limit resources. The Polk County Sheriffs Office said it has officers patrolling the evacuated areas in order to prevent looting. The sheriffs office asks that, if you have any animals that were left during the evacuation, to contact animal control. Officials are currently contacting departments in other states, such as Tennessee and Alabama, to receive more resources and man power. Due to wildfires in other states, it is difficult to acquire outside resources. Authorities ask people to continue avoiding the areas while crews are working to contain the fires. 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 WSPA 7NEWS. SEOUL, South Korea (AP) In the latest twist in South Koreas ongoing political crisis, the countrys Constitutional Court reinstated Prime Minister Han Duck-soo as acting leader, overturning his impeachment by opposition lawmakers three months ago. The courts ruling on Monday marks just one front in the deepening turmoil as it simultaneously weighs the far more consequential case of conservative President Yoon Suk Yeol, whose December impeachment over his brief but stunning martial law decree has left the countrys leadership in limbo for months. Heres a look at the courts decision and what's ahead: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement How did Han get reinstated? The prime minister typically holds limited authority as the countrys second-highest official. But Han, a career bureaucrat who has held various government roles since the 1970s, was elevated as the governments caretaker after South Koreas opposition-controlled National Assembly impeached Yoon on Dec. 14. Yoons impeachment, triggered by his short-lived imposition of martial law that month, immediately suspended his presidential powers and put his political fate in the hands of the Constitutional Court, which is nearing a decision on whether to formally remove him from office or reinstate him. As acting president, Han quickly clashed with the liberal opposition Democratic Party, mainly over his refusal to comply with their demand to immediately fill three vacant seats on the Constitutional Courts nine-member bench. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The composition of the court is a sensitive issue since removing Yoon from office requires the support of at least six justices, and a full bench would likely increase the chances of his ouster. Han said he wouldnt appoint the justices without bipartisan consent, but the Democrats accused him of siding with the conservatives in the governing People Power Party, which has been campaigning for Yoons return to power. Days after lawmakers impeached Han on Dec. 27, Deputy Prime Minister Choi Sang-mok, who stepped in as acting president, filled two of the courts vacancies but refused to appoint a progressive justice nominated by the opposition. Seven of the courts eight justices overturned or dismissed Hans impeachment, ruling that the accusations against him were either not illegal, not serious enough to warrant his removal or that the impeachment motion had failed to meet the required quorum when it passed through the National Assembly. One justice upheld Hans impeachment. After his reinstatement, Han called for national unity and emphasized the need to focus on addressing external challenges stemming from U.S. President Donald Trumps aggressive trade policies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Does the decision affect Yoon's case? Hans case is unlikely to serve as a preview of how the court will rule on Yoon. Han played no meaningful role in planning or enforcing Yoons martial law, which was lifted by a legislative vote just hours after Yoon declared it on the night of Dec. 3. But Hans reinstatement still struck a nerve with the Democrats, who have recently criticized the court for its prolonged deliberation on Yoons case, which has fueled concerns about a divide among justices, potentially paving the way for Yoons return. Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung, who narrowly lost the 2022 presidential election to Yoon, questioned why the court didnt consider Hans refusal to appoint the justices an impeachable offense. He said Hans actions amounted to a clear and deliberate violation of his constitutional duty to form a government body. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lee also called for the court to make a swift decision on Yoon. Yoons office issued a statement welcoming Hans reinstatement, asserting that the courts decision proved the oppositions excessive impeachment attempts were reckless, malicious, and politically motivated. How crucial is Hans testimony? Yoon, who is also facing a separate criminal trial on rebellion charges, stands accused of abusing military power, bypassing constitutional and legal protocols to impose martial law, and orchestrating a failed attempt to dissolve the legislature. But the Constitutional Court likely wont take a deep dive into Yoons criminal allegations, as its only required to rule whether or not he can remain in office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some experts say Hans testimony before lawmakers, investigators and the court regarding the short-lived martial law decree could possibly influence how justices rule on Yoons case. Among the various accusations against Yoon, the National Assembly has alleged that he bypassed a constitutional requirement to deliberate in a formal Cabinet meeting before declaring martial law. Hans testimony has seemingly supported these claims. While Yoon called 11 Cabinet members to his office shortly before declaring martial law on late-night television, Han has said the gathering did not qualify as a formal Cabinet meeting and that Yoon unilaterally informed them of his decision rather than inviting deliberation. Han and other top officials, including Choi and Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul, have said they attempted to talk Yoon out of martial law, citing potential damage to the countrys international reputation and economy. Under South Koreas constitution, such powers can only be exercised during wartime or comparable national emergencies. Russia is increasing financial incentives for military recruits due to a severe shortage of new volunteers, Ukraines Military Intelligence (HUR) reported on March 23. The Kremlin has raised payments for signing the first contract to over 2 million rubles ($23,800) in several regions, with recruits in the Samara region being offered nearly 4 million rubles ($47,600), according to HUR. New recruitment primarily targets financially struggling individuals and radicalized youth who are easily influenced by propaganda. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The regular increase in financial bonuses is a forced measure by the Kremlin, reflecting difficulties in filling military units, HURs Telegram post stated. In July 2024, Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin signed a decree establishing a one-time signing bonus of 1.9 million rubles ($22,600) for city residents who join the military. Russia's federal statistics service, Rosstat, said in 2024 that the average monthly wage across the country was around 87,700 rubles ($1,044). Read also: Russian attacks on Kyiv undermine peace efforts, Sybiha says Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The Kremlin has revealed that the focus of discussions with the US delegation in Saudi Arabia is the renewal of the Black Sea Grain Initiative, from which Russia withdrew in 2023. Source: Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said this, as reported by European Pravda with reference to the Russian Interfax news agency Details: Peskov said that the US and Russian delegations at the meeting in Riyadh are discussing "the Black Sea Initiative and all aspects related to the resumption of this initiative". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It was President Trump's proposal, and President Putin agreed to it. It was with this mandate that our delegation went to Riyadh," he commented. [N.B. Ukrainska Pravda does not recognise Putin as president ed.] "But, if you remember, its previous version had a fairly large share of commitments to our country that were not fulfilled last time. So this will also be on the agenda today," Peskov said. Background: In July 2022, with the mediation of Turkiye and the UN, the Black Sea Grain Initiative was agreed upon, which created conditions for grain exports from Ukrainian ports. In July 2023, Russia withdrew from the agreement, claiming that its requirements were not being met. Despite Russia's threats, this did not block further exports from Ukraine by sea. Last year, Vasyl Bodnar, Ukraine's Ambassador to Turkiye, commented that Ukraine was not ready to return to the same conditions, including the inspection of ships departing from Ukrainian ports, if the grain deal was renewed. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia and the United States will discuss resuming a deal to ensure the safety of merchant shipping in the Black Sea, the Kremlin said on Monday, noting that what Moscow saw as key parts of an earlier agreement on the subject were never implemented. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that the "Black Sea Initiative", more commonly known as the grain deal, was on the agenda at talks in Saudi Arabia between Russian and U.S. officials on Monday. He said that U.S. President Donald Trump had proposed discussing the Black Sea deal and that Putin had agreed to discuss it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This is primarily about the safety of navigation," Peskov said, when asked what the Black Sea deal amounted to. "But if you remember the initiative in its previous form, there was quite a large part of the obligations to our country that were not fulfilled last time. Therefore, this will also be on the agenda today." 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 in 2023, complaining that its own food and fertiliser exports faced serious obstacles, though Russia is not currently facing serious problems getting its grain to market by the Black Sea. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To convince Russia to agree to the Black Sea deal, a three-year memorandum of understanding was struck in July 2022 under which U.N. officials agreed to help Russia get its food and fertiliser exports to foreign markets. While Russian exports of food and fertiliser are not subject to Western sanctions, Moscow has said restrictions on payments, logistics and insurance have amounted to a barrier to shipments. Russia wanted a resumption of its ammonia exports and the reconnection of its state agricultural bank Rosselkhozbank to the SWIFT international payments system. When asked about Trump's remarks indicating progress on a possible settlement for Ukraine, Peskov said that Russia and the United States had a common understanding on the need to move towards a settlement to end the war in Ukraine but that there were still many different aspects that need to be worked out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "There is indeed a common understanding here," Peskov said. "In general, of course, there are still a lot of different aspects related to the settlement to be worked out." (Reporting by Dmitry Antonov; Writing by Guy Faulconbridge; Editing by Andrew Osborn) House Majority Whip Jason Nemes, R-Middletown, presents House Bill 90, which was amended to make changes in Kentucky's abortion law, March 13, 2025. (LRC Public Information) Kentucky doctors say the legislatures effort to clarify the abortion ban is junk language that, overall, confuses them even more than current law. With a few days left in the 2025 session, Republican lawmakers pushed through legislation they said should reassure doctors they can rely on their medical judgement when treating pregnancy complications despite the states abortion ban. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to House Bill 90, there is a need to clarify the distinction between an elective abortion and illegal termination of the life of an unborn child protected under Kentucky law and medically necessary interventions. But obstetricians and other medical providers have slammed the move as more restrictive than the law under which they currently work. Dozens of health care providers signed onto a letter from Planned Parenthood asking Gov. Andy Beshear to veto it. Doctors can sometimes see complications coming and work to avoid them, but Kentuckys abortion law and the proposed clarification to it require them to wait until their patients life is in jeopardy before intervening to end a pregnancy, explained Dr. Janet Wygal, a retired Louisville OB-GYN. Dr. Janet Wygal, a retired Louisville OB-GYN, joins other medical professionals at the Capitol to call for restoring abortion access in Kentucky. (Kentucky Lantern photo by Sarah Ladd) We have cared for enough patients over the years that we know what the likely outcome will be in certain situations, she told the Lantern. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Without the abortion ban, Wygal said, we would intervene well before we thought her life was at risk. We would not wait absolutely not wait until the mother was in any kind of threat of permanent illness, permanent destruction of her gynecologic capabilities, obstetrical capabilities, Wygal said. But Kentuckys near-total ban on abortion raises barriers to timely care, Wygal said, forcing doctors to delay treatment to first consult with lawyers and colleagues. The clarification move followed reports from across the country, including in Kentucky, of women who did not receive medical care and medications to treat miscarriages and other dangerous complications because of state abortion bans, leading in some cases to preventable deaths. Kentucky OB-GYNs have said the states abortion ban is forcing them to violate their oath as physicians and causing devastating consequences for patients. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Patients who have hemorrhage from a spontaneous abortion, or who have ectopic pregnancies, its a matter of time, Wygal explained. They can bleed out and die quickly if appropriate intervention is not taken. So its important to move quickly and not have to rely on legal counsel. Dr. Caitlin Thomas (Screenshot) Dr. Caitlin Thomas, a Louisville OB-GYN, agreed. She also worries the vagueness in the law and subsequent clarification language will result in delays and deferred care for patients. These things can evolve very quickly, especially in the case of sepsis or hemorrhage, Thomas told the Lantern. Sometimes when people start getting sick, they can get sick and decompensate very quickly. The addition, meant to offer clarity, does nothing to speed up the process or comfort providers, Wygal said, calling it junk language. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It absolutely does not provide clarity, she said. The wording is totally inappropriate. Its not scientific. Theres a clear intention to create personhood for the fetus, which makes the practitioner and the patient have more angst. Two House Republicans brought forth the language, which was supported largely along party lines. A spokesperson for House Republicans did not respond to a Lantern inquiry about the allegations of vagueness in the language. Speaking to a legislative committee, Dr. Jeffrey M. Goldberg, the legislative advocacy chair for the Kentucky chapter of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), said the language isnt perfect and will need more work. But, he said, physicians in Kentucky are working under such uncertainty that something has to be done. We already work within statutory restrictions that are, from a medical perspective, very ambiguous. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres a great deal of work to be done. This is not perfect. I dont want to give anybody the illusion that we all think this is great, he said. We think its an acceptable short-term solution for dealing with a really serious problem thats in front of us. Dr. Jeffrey M. Goldberg, the legislative advocacy chair for the Kentucky chapter of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, testifies via Zoom in support of proposed clarifications to Kentuckys abortion law, March 12, 2025. (Kentucky Lantern photo by Sarah Ladd) No transparency Thomas, who signed Planned Parenthoods veto request letter, said she appreciated the bill saying, specifically, that doctors can treat molar and ectopic pregnancies. But she said the clarification has muddied the legal picture. When dealing with miscarriage treatment and medically indicated abortions, it does not make it clear, Thomas said. And, I think, in some ways, makes it less clear for me. Its also impossible to definitively identify all situations that would be life threatening, Thomas said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The legislations new details for when a provider can intervene to end a pregnancy follow this statement: No action that requires separating a pregnant woman from her unborn child shall be performed, except the following when performed by a physician based upon his or her reasonable medical judgment. Dr. Nicole King, a Kentucky-licensed and Cincinnati-based anesthesiologist with experience in high-risk obstetrics, said the use of reasonable medical judgement still doesnt protect providers from legal action. Physicians accused of violating Kentuckys abortion ban can be charged with a Class D felony and imprisoned if convicted. Youre opening up the opportunity for them to be judged by somebody who wasnt in the situation at that time, King said. The problem here is that if you are found not to have used best medical judgment to provide a termination, you still are at risk of criminal suit, not civil suit, and thats the concern. Nothing there has changed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wygal also found it sad that the new language was introduced and passed so quickly, which she said eliminated the chance for open review. There was no transparency, she said. No basis in medicine Dr. April Halleron, a family medicine physician in Louisville, is among those who signed Planned Parenthoods letter. She called the bill an insult to the medical community and a direct threat to the health of pregnant Kentuckians. It also, she said, adds to the confusion, the fear, and the chilling effect that is already forcing physicians to hesitate when every second matters. As a physician, I have dedicated years of my life years of rigorous education, training, and real-world experience to providing the best possible care for my patients, Halleron said in a statement. Yet with HB 90, politicians who have never stepped foot in a medical school classroom are once again inserting themselves into the exam room, overriding science, medical ethics and common sense. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Louisville anesthesiologist Dr. Dana Settles echoed those concerns and also signed the Planned Parenthood letter. Freedom of religion is a fundamental right in this country, and with it comes the responsibility to uphold the separation of church and state, Settles said. When politicians invent terms such as fetal maternal separation in pursuit of personal beliefs that have no basis in medicine, the problem of gender disparity in health care is exacerbated, reinforced and redefined in many ways, but the most evident is that no other area of health is as politicized as when it pertains to women. Rep. Nancy Tate, R-Brandenburg, speaks about House Bill 90 as amended to change Kentuckys abortion law on the House floor, March 13, 2025. (LRC Public Information) Rep. Nancy Tate, R-Brandenburg, who helped introduce the new abortion language, said previously that under no circumstances is this language expected or intended to be prescriptive. Within this language, it says that reasonable medical judgment means the range of conclusions or recommendations that licensed medical practitioners with similar sufficient training and experience may communicate to a patient based upon current and available medical evidence, Tate said. Theres also a clause within this language that says that in cases of emergencies, that the reasonable medical judgment can be used. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That change, Tate said, will save lives. King, the Cincinnati doctor, doesnt agree with Tates interpretation. You cant say its not prescriptive, but then its written in black and white in a bill that can be used to then criminally prosecute somebody, King said. Doctors also take issue with the categorization of some abortions as separating a pregnant woman from her unborn child, which they said is not medical terminology. The whole my abortion was an okay abortion; my abortion was the good abortion, the reasonable one, the one that made sense, versus someone elses was done for the wrong reasons. I think that that language has been here for a really long time, Thomas said. And when you have situations where its only legal to have an abortion in a life threatening situation, it kind of further stigmatizes and others abortion care, because at the end of the day, all of this is abortion care. King agreed, saying these differentiations dont exist. The problem with subcategorizing it is that you are determining some abortions as good and some abortions as bad. Youre clarifying some abortions as medical procedures and some as a crime, she said. And the problem with that is none of those differentiations exist in the medical terminology, because none of those differentiations exist in medical education or in medical reality. It is an abortion. Little thought about the future Doctors are also concerned about the abortion bans lack of consideration for future fertility, which can be jeopardized with some pregnancy complications and treatments, such as when a pregnant patients condition is allowed to deteriorate to the point of requiring a hysterectomy. The laws supporters, Thomas said, are granularly focused on this one situation with this one fetus, and dont take into account the patients previous history or future desires. Thats where a lot of nuance in plan of care really arises. If somebody is to get septic they may have to have their uterus removed, which would prevent the ability to have future children, she explained. Their medical conditions if they have pre-existing conditions pregnancy could cause them to worsen to where any future pregnancies would not be recommended. And so there is little thought about the future in these bills. I will not be silent While many doctors and health care providers publicly denounced HB 90s new abortion language, 15 who signed the Planned Parenthood letter did so anonymously for fear of retribution or because they did not have employer approval. The doctors who spoke out publicly said they felt it was the right thing to do. Im a born and raised Kentuckian, Thomas said. Im from Louisville, and I feel very strongly about continuing to advocate for Kentuckians in this situation, and helping them to know that there is somebody here who wants to advocate for their reproductive rights. Wygal is motivated by her belief that womens decisions about their health, their fertility, their pregnancy, should be between the doctor and the patient. I know its going to be very difficult to overturn the current laws, she said. But I want to do everything I can to make as many people as I can aware of what this does. King, a Navy veteran, said she felt more supported in treating women in the military than shes felt as a civilian provider. Because Ive always been vocal, Ive been very clear with my employers, all of them, that Im not out there representing them, King said. But I am representing me, and I will not be silent. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE A coffee shop in Kyiv called "Trump" is rebranding to "Nolan" as Ukrainians grow increasingly frustrated with U.S. President Donald Trump's stance on Ukraine. Located in the capital's central Pechersk district, the establishment was opened in 2019 and in January of this year celebrated Trump's inauguration with a special "Trump sour" cocktail. It was an apt name in hindsight as since then things have only soured further the now infamous Oval Office showdown, the subsequent halting of U.S. military aid and intelligence, and the White House's wooing of Russia have left many Ukrainians disillusioned with Trump's efforts to end Moscow's full-scale invasion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I pass by this place every morning, and the name always triggers me," 22-year-old local Daryna Zdzeba told the Kyiv Independent outside the cafe. Roman Kravtsov, creative director of Nolan, admired Trump as a businessman and had hoped his policies after taking office for the second time would favor Ukraine. But in light of recent events, it was decided the name had to go. "I don't want to dwell on the past," he told the Kyiv Independent. Nolan coffeeshop before rebranding. (Nolan / Facebook) Kravtsov also insists the name was at least partly inspired by holding a "trump card" in a game like poker, but pictures on the cafe's Facebook page show it has regularly leaned heavily into the Trump angle coffee cups and packaging have featured a stamp of Trump wearing a vyshyvanka, a traditional Ukrainian embroidered shirt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kravtsov is also involved with another establishment a pizzeria that is also changing its name to "Nolan," and has removed a pizza from the menu that was called the "Trumpino." "I hope there's an impeachment. That's how I feel about Trump." Kravtsov compares this rebranding to a shift after Ukraine's 2013-2014 EuroMaidan Revolution, a pro-Western, pro-democracy uprising also known as the Revolution of Dignity. "Back then, a well-known beer chain changed its name from a Russian word to something more international," he said. "We're doing the same now. And it's not just about the name it's about real changes." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In protest of Trump's actions, Ukrainians began jokingly avoiding Americanized names, calling an Americano "Ukrainiano" or "Europiano" instead. A similar phenomenon has occurred in some Canadian cafes which started serving "Canadiano" in Toronto and British Columbia following Trump's comments about making Canada the 51st state of the U.S. At Nolan however, the Americano will be staying on the menu. "Renaming the Americano doesn't make sense," Kravtsov says. "It's a historic name that comes from Italy." For 22-year-old Maria, who asked not to mention her last name, an English teacher who works near the coffee shop, the cafes name never mattered much. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I come here because I like the coffee and cheesecakes," she says. But sipping their coffees, Maria and Zdzeba say Trump's Ukraine policy is "just dreadful." They describe his Oval Office meeting with Zelensky as feeling like "a school bullies' gathering." "I hope there's an impeachment. That's how I feel about Trump," Maria adds. Read also: A lonely Ukrainian stork is waiting for his girlfriend and thousands of people are watching live Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. With diesel-soaked hay and plenty of space to operate, Los Angeles firefighters last week set fire to a danger that had been secretly building in Pacoima. For an unknown period of time, authorities say, a 24-year-old man had been accumulating a massive cache of fireworks in a rear home off Remington Street that, for reasons still to be determined, suddenly detonated last week, exploding out in all directions. The man, who has not yet been identified, was hospitalized with burns over 50% of his body and faces possible charges when he's released, authorities say. What was left under the rubble was a toxic stew of chemicals that authorities said could react unpredictably with water and was too dangerous to simply haul away. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It had to be burned. "This is essentially a bomb," Kenneth R. Cooper, special agent in charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives' Los Angeles field office, told reporters Friday. "We are going to use fire, slow methodic burn to alleviate that threat to public safety." Firefighters soaked hay in diesel fuel, then set fire to what remained of the unattached home that evening in a "controlled burn." The pile eventually exploded in a dazzling array of white sparks. No neighboring properties were damaged, according to the city. Read more: Illegal homemade fireworks suspected in Pacoima explosion that displaced dozens of families, police say Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After a botched fireworks detonation in 2021 that the city had to settle for more than $21 million, authorities took no chances with the situation in Pacoima on Friday and evacuated the surrounding area. Guadalupe Aguilera was among those who were asked to leave as authorities prepared to burn the remaining debris. She got to return on Saturday after the operation was done and said Monday that she was grateful how they handled the situation. "It was a hassle and we were scared but they did a good job overall," she said. The initial blast last week sent neighbors running outside, Aguilera said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The whole house shook. It felt like somebody rocked the house and then dropped it," she said. Neighbors heard moaning from the property and ran outside and found one of the buildings on the property in ruins. When authorities started to clear the neighborhood as a precaution, the Aguileras stayed behind because they weren't sure how long they'd be kept out of their neighborhood, she said. But when city officials came back around and said they were going to begin a controlled burn at the home, the couple cleared out. "They told us we had to leave for our own safety because they didn't know what type of damage the explosives would cause," she said. "They were afraid the whole street would go up in the explosion." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Fireworks likely to blame for an explosion at a Pacoima home that critically injured one person Police and other emergency officials stood on the street overnight and into the weekend, residents said. The LAPD's bomb squad worked with federal agencies, including the FBI, local utility companies and the Fire Department. The Environmental Protection Agency was also on scene during the operation to monitor the air quality, and the utility companies made sure the gas lines were shut off to the damaged homes as well as any homes that could be affected by fire, according to the LAPD. "There were other entities that provided support to ensure that the burn was carried out safely while minimizing danger to the public and property," LAPD spokesperson Officer Drake Madison said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ATF is the lead agency that will determine what criminal charges, if any, will be filed against the unidentified man who was injured. By Monday afternoon, the property was wrapped in a wall of plywood that kept it mostly hidden from the street. The homes around it were protected from the explosion and fire Friday by fire-retardant gel and dirt berms, fire officials said. Even for seasoned firefighting veterans, the idea of doing a controlled burn situation in a residential neighborhood was new. "In my 25 years, I've never been on a controlled burn," said fire Capt. Adam VanGerpen, who was assigned to the operation. "I think these were very unique circumstances." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After they started the burn Friday, crews used a drone to get an overhead view of the property and deployed a remote-controlled firefighting vehicle to spray water onto the structure. Because it was unclear how much explosive material was on the property, multiple agencies were on standby in case there was any disaster. ATF and the LAPD bomb squad "determined that the best course was going to be to burn this off, and it would be the safest for everybody," VanGerpen said. The controlled burn went off without any additional damage to nearby structures or additional injuries. Neighbors said the windows on a nearby home were blown out by the initial explosion. 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. LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY) Amanda Blanco, librarian at Lafayette High School, was named the 2025 Louisiana School Librarian of the Year. According to the Louisiana Library Association, the award seeks to give recognition to a school librarian who has demonstrated outstanding work and dedication to the mission and goals of the library profession within the state of Louisiana. The announcement was made at the associations annual conference in Baton Rouge on Saturday, according to a news release from the Lafayette Parish School System. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Blanco has served as a librarian for LPSS for over 12 years and has been an educator in the district for 20 years, the release read. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now KLFY Daily Digest Through her dedication, innovation, and leadership, Mrs. Blanco has made a lasting impact on her students, colleagues, and the broader educational community, the release read. Her passion for literacy and commitment to student success exemplify the qualities honored by this award. Latest news Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLFY.com. Chinese Vice President Han Zheng meets with John Swire & Sons Limited CEO Merlin Swire, who is here for the China Development Forum 2025, in Beijing, capital of China, March 24, 2025. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu) BEIJING, March 25 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice President Han Zheng met with John Swire & Sons Limited CEO Merlin Swire and Novartis CEO Vas Narasimhan on Monday in Beijing, who are here for the China Development Forum 2025. When meeting with Merlin Swire, Han said China sticks to the right direction of economic globalization, upholds the world trade rules system, and unswervingly advances reform and opening up, which will inject more stability and certainty into global economic development. Han noted that the Swire Group, a globally renowned multinational company, has seen strong development in both the Chinese mainland and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. He expressed hope that the company will actively contribute to the building of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the Hainan Free Trade Port, while also supporting Hong Kong's role as an international aviation hub. Chinese Vice President Han Zheng meets with Novartis CEO Vas Narasimhan, who is here for the China Development Forum 2025, in Beijing, capital of China, March 24, 2025. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu) During his meeting with Vas Narasimhan, Han praised Novartis as a world-renowned innovative pharmaceutical company that has made significant contributions to global health. He emphasized that the Chinese government encourages and supports the research and development of innovative drugs, will strengthen intellectual property rights protection in accordance with the law and strive to create a better innovation environment for foreign companies, including Novartis. It is hoped that Novartis will seize the opportunity, give full play to its own advantages, deepen and expand mutually beneficial cooperation between the two sides, and achieve greater development in China, he said. Merlin Swire and Vas Narasimhan both spoke highly of China's economic and social development achievements in recent years, and expressed optimism about the country's future prospects and confidence in investing in China. Both companies expressed their commitment to long-term cooperation with China, noting that they will continue to expand their investments and work toward new outcomes in mutually beneficial cooperation between Britain and China, as well as Switzerland and China. Chinese Vice President Han Zheng meets with John Swire & Sons Limited CEO Merlin Swire, who is here for the China Development Forum 2025, in Beijing, capital of China, March 24, 2025. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu) Chinese Vice President Han Zheng meets with Novartis CEO Vas Narasimhan, who is here for the China Development Forum 2025, in Beijing, capital of China, March 24, 2025. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu) The Elk Grove Police Department was out near Laguna Creek High School Monday morning looking for two people who were possibly associated with a stolen vehicle in the area. Officers were in the area of Romanzo Way and Storia Way in Elk Grove. Although there was no threat to the school, EGPD said Laguna Creek High School officials did place the school on a brief and precautionary shelter-in-place. The shelter-in-place has since been lifted. Around 9:00 a.m EGPD said one person has been detained. Police have cleared the area, but will 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 FOX40 News. PAINESVILLE, Ohio (WJW) A Lake County sheriffs deputy who saved his neighbors infant from choking earlier this month is set to be awarded, according to Sheriff Frank Leonbruno. Wytavious Stanford (Lake County Sheriffs Office) Wytavious Stanford, a corrections officer, on March 9 received a distress call from his neighbor, who said her 8-month-old son could not breathe and was turning blue, according to a Monday Facebook post from the sheriff. Foul play death: Akron boy, 12, forced into icy bath as punishment, police say Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stanford ran to the home and began CPR, turning the baby upside down to clear his airway. When that was unsuccessful, he swept the inside of the babys mouth with his fingers. He found an object lodged deep in the babys throat, blocking his airway, and removed it, allowing the baby to breathe again. Stanford told his colleagues the incident was surreal, according to the post. But my CPR training just kicked in without having to think about it and I did everything I was trained to do. Truly it helped me save his life, Stanford said, according to the post. Woman with dementia killed by daughters dogs: Deputies Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The sheriffs office has commended Stanford for his quick reaction and thinking and his professionalism in such a time of crisis. He is expected to receive the Life-Saving medal in an April ceremony at the sheriffs office. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW. WALTON COUNTY, Fla (WMBB) The Walton County Sheriffs Office responded to a call on Beach Bike Way in south end of the county to a large number of people fighting outside of a home. According to WCSO deputies, when they arrived several foot chases ensued involving four subjects, three juveniles, and an 18-year-old were quickly detained. Deputies determined the fight was started by two intoxicated juveniles who walked up on the porch of the victims offering to sell them alcohol. When the victims refused and tried to escort the juveniles off the property one began punching one of the victims in the face, deputies said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State Rep. Griff Griffitts releases a statement of concern for the dolphins at Gulf World Marine Park The adults inside the home who were family to the victim tried to defuse the fight. Two more subjects who were friends of the juveniles came up to the porch and began hitting the victim, officials wrote. WCSO officials said multiple victims in their 60s were injured including bruising and a chipped tooth. One of the adults in the residence who did not want to press charges had a broken arm. Arrests were made on all four subjects, three juveniles, and one adult who had just turned 18 for battery. All were reportedly from Atlanta, Georgia. 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. Mar. 23LAS CRUCES A Las Cruces man and three teens are in custody, each facing three open counts of murder, following a deadly gun battle Friday night at Young Park that left three dead and more than a dozen injured. Las Cruces police announced the arrests Sunday and said additional charges were pending as the investigation continues. Tomas Rivas, 20, was booked into Dona Ana County Detention Center and is being held initially without bond. Jail records indicate he was booked early Sunday morning, around 2:50 a.m. He was arrested at a residence on the north side of Las Cruces, according to jail records. Court records show no prior criminal history for Rivas in New Mexico. He has been charged with three counts of first-degree murder. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two 17-year-old boys and one 15-year-old boy, unidentified because they are minors, have been incarcerated in the juvenile section of the Dona Ana County Detention Center, police said. The arrests of the second 17-year-old and the 15-year-old were announced Sunday afternoon, hours after police announced the arrest of Rivas and the first 17-year-old. Police did not say whether additional suspects or persons of interest were being sought. The shooting rocked a city that has not seen violence on this scale since an unsolved mass murder at a local bowling alley 35 years ago that claimed five lives. The Young Park shooting came at the end of a legislative session in Santa Fe, where Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham tore into lawmakers for not doing enough to address juvenile crime. The governor said a special session to address the issue was likely. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gunfire erupted a little after 10 p.m. Friday amid a gathering of hundreds of people at an unsanctioned car show, injuring 15 people between the ages of 16 and 36, and killing three. The deceased were identified Sunday as Dominick Estrada, 19; Jason Gomez, 17; and Andrew "AJ" Madrid, 16. Police have not released the names of those injured. "Nothing really felt off, it was like a normal night," Christian Salas told the Journal. The 18-year-old was at the park showing off his lowered '98 Chevy truck, accompanied by his younger brother. As shots erupted, the two ran for cover inside the park; neither was hurt. Salas said the presence of guns is nothing unusual at the gatherings, even to hear shots fired into the air, but the displays were generally for show. "It gets pretty big, pretty rowdy and reckless. ... For them to actually hit someone is truly something new." The investigation at Young Park continued through Saturday night. Officers recovered dozens of casings throughout the park and parking area, cordoning off the entire perimeter of the park and a portion of Walnut Street. The park reopened Sunday morning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Las Cruces police are leading the investigation with the assistance of New Mexico State Police, the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Explosives, the 3rd Judicial District Attorney's Office and the U.S. Attorney's Office. A vigil honoring victims, survivors and their loved was held Sunday evening at a local church. The Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico has established a fundraising initiative for the victims. Sen. Brent Howard, R-Altus, listens to a question during the Oklahoma Senate session on Monda. (Photo by Janelle Stecklein/Oklahoma Voice) OKLAHOMA CITY Oklahoma senators on Monday pressed forward with another attempt to cap how much plaintiffs can claim for pain and suffering despite concerns that the states high court has already found a similar effort unconstitutional. Senate Bill 1065 seeks to limit the noneconomic damages that a plaintiff can be awarded at $500,000. Noneconomic damages are those that are not easily quantifiable for injured Oklahomans, including pain and suffering, emotional distress and the costs associated with loss of life enjoyment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sen. Brent Howard, R-Altus, said his measure is part of a broader effort to look at tort reform statewide and give guidance to the courts so it can be applied more equally across the board. The state does not currently have a cap for noneconomic damages. The Oklahoma Supreme Court in 2019 struck down a law that capped the amount awarded at $350,000. The court found that the 2011 law limiting noneconomic damages is unconstitutional because it treats those who are injured differently from those who die. Howard said hes optimistic that the Oklahoma Supreme Court will look more favorably on this latest effort in part because the makeup of the Court is different and three of the justices still serving found the 2011 law constitutional except for one provision. Eight states, including Colorado and California, have similar laws capping damages, and 26 have caps on medical malpractice claims, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Howards bill includes exceptions for gross negligence, willful disregard for others and intentional malice. It also does not cap economic damages like quantifiable medical expenses, lost wages and property damage. He said capping the damages eliminates potential, unlimited (financial) exposure for defendants who are sued. But Sen. Julia Kirt, D-Oklahoma City, who voted against the bill, said it raises questions about what a life is worth. We say that a life has no cost, no way that we can talk about what its worth, she said. But here were talking about near death. Were talking about potentially permanent disability, and were talking about potentially reckless business practices or reckless decisionmaking. This change would limit justice for Oklahoma families. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sen. Carri Hicks, D-Oklahoma City, who also voted against the legislation, said one of her constituents, a 6-year-old girl, was mauled by a 100-pound Rottweiler. The girl survived, but nearly all of her damages fall into the noneconomic category because she will have major scarring across her face for the rest of her life, she said. If there was a cap on noneconomic damages like this one being pursued now, it would have been difficult for any attorney to accept her as a client or litigate a case on her behalf due to how the cap would have imposed a low limit on how much a jury can award, regardless of the violent attack she suffered and all of the permanent side effects it will have on her, she said. Hicks said keeping such lawsuits from being filed is the true goal of such caps. Why would any legislators support a cap on valid and warranted damages for the benefit of such a landlord and an insurance company that never offered a fair amount to resolve the clients case? she said. The bill passed 37-8, along party lines. It heads to the House for consideration. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE The big story: As Floridas voucher program has grown, school district officials have raised concerns about their ability to keep track of students and funding as they move in and out of classrooms. The state Senate has proposed changing the education funding program to streamline the process. Sponsors say the measure also should help improve the reimbursement model that has frustrated many voucher recipients. With input from stakeholders across the spectrum of school choice, this bill creates reasonable timeframes and mechanisms to improve both transparency and efficiency in education funding, Sen. Don Gaetz said in a news release. Heres the bill, which is scheduled to be presented in committee on Wednesday. Read more from News Service of Florida. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Today in Tallahassee ... The Senate Appropriations Committee on PreK-12 Education will hear four bills including SB 1470 on security when it meets at 1:30 p.m. The Senate Appropriations Committee on Higher Education will consider two bills and appointments to the board of 10 colleges and universities when it meets at 4 p.m. The House Commerce Committee will take up its version of a rural communities improvement bill (HB 1427) when it meets at 4 p.m. Hot topics Running the Ringling: Many museum supporters are questioning the ability of New College to handle the complex operations of the Ringling Museum if it were to take over, as Gov. Ron DeSantis has suggested, Suncoast Searchlight reports. Merger proposal: A plan to merge Tallahassee State College and Lively Technical College will not move forward, WFSU reports. Federal programs: South Florida education leaders are exploring the potential impacts of dismantling the U.S. Department of Education, the Miami Herald reports. More reaction from WFSU, Central Florida Public Media, Florida Phoenix. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Environmental education: Pinellas County has approved $2.7 million to refurbish the education centers at two nature preserves, Suncoast News reports. Diversity, equity and inclusion: Florida lawmakers are continuing Floridas efforts to remove diversity, equity and inclusion programs from K-12 schools, local and state governments, and health care, Politico Florida reports. Classroom technology: Broward County schools are working on a better way to keep inventory after the disappearance of several computers bought for student use during the pandemic, the Sun-Sentinel reports. Civil rights investigations: Seven other Florida universities offer the same scholarship that the University of South Florida faces a federal investigation over, the Orlando Sentinel reports. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Choices: The Santa Rosa County school district has begun offering virtual courses for students who receive vouchers, Navarre Press reports. Campus leadership: Escambia County commissioners are asking the state Senate to reject Scott Yenor as a trustee for the University of West Florida, saying his views on women in the workplace are a threat for their community, WEAR reports. Bus safety: The Polk County Sheriffs Office is paid $84 an hour to review school bus camera footage for possible passing violations, the Ledger reports. From the police blotter ... A St. Lucie County school bus aide was arrested on accusations of aggressively shaking a student with special needs, TC Palm reports. The Citrus County Sheriffs Office is investigating a complaint that the school district was scammed out of a large amount of money, the Citrus County Chronicle reports. Dont miss a story. Heres a link to Fridays roundup. Before you go ... Baba Yaga has a new release out. Check out their sound. WASHINGTON Lawmakers are calling for action after Trump administration officials inadvertently included a journalist on an unsecure group chat coordinating details for airstrikes in Yemen earlier this month. The Trump administration launched airstrikes targeting Yemens Houthi rebels on March 15, which was reportedly coordinated in a Signal group chat including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, national security adviser Michael Waltz and Vice President JD Vance, among others. But the chat also included The Atlantics editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg, the journalist revealed on Monday prompting outrage from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle. This administration is playing fast and loose with our nations most classified info, and it makes all Americans less safe, Virginia Sen. Mark Warner, the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, said in a post on X. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other Democrats decried the apparent mishap, calling for an investigation into the matter. This is an outrageous national security breach and heads should roll, Rep. Chris Deluzio, D-Pa., who sits on the House Armed Services Committee, told the Deseret News in a statement. We need a full investigation and hearing into this on the House Armed Services Committee, ASAP. A handful of Republican lawmakers were also dismayed by the news, arguing the inadvertent inclusion could motivate other foreign countries to attempt to compromise classified communications. Weve all sent a text to a wrong person, but the bigger error is they are using non-secure phones to discuss war plans. This can get our troops killed, Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., also a member of the Armed Services Committee, told the Deseret News. Secure phones are mandatory for these kinds of communications. Russia and China are definitely monitoring their unclassified phones hoping they share info like this. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sounds like a huge screwup. I mean, is there any other way to describe it? Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, said on Monday. I would hope that the interagency would look at that. Somebody dropped the ball. Some Republicans have also requested additional training on proper handling and management of classified information, with Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, D-Pa., sending a letter to congressional leadership on Monday to offer those resources to lawmakers. Given the recent events involving executive branch officials spillage of national security information, it is imperative that all government personnel receive adequate training on the proper handling and management of classified material. Members of Congress are no exception, Houlahan, a former U.S. Air Force officer, wrote in the letter obtained by the Deseret News. Members should be equipped with the knowledge and skills to handle classified information appropriately to effectively carry out their duties and safeguard our country. Others are calling for additional safeguards to ensure those without proper security clearances do not have access to classified materials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Classified information should not be transmitted on unsecured channels and certainly not to those without security clearances, including reporters. Period, Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., said in a post on X. Safeguards must be put in place to ensure this never happens again. Its not yet clear whether congressional leadership will take action on the matter or if any investigation is forthcoming. When pressed about the incident on Monday, President Donald Trump told reporters he didnt know anything about it. Im not a big fan of The Atlantic. To me, its a magazine thats going out of business, he said. Youre telling me about it for the first time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, a spokesperson for the National Security Council told Axios in a statement that officials are reviewing how an inadvertent number was added to the chain. The thread is a demonstration of the deep and thoughtful policy coordination between senior officials, National Security Council Spokesman Brian Hughes told the outlet in a statement. The ongoing success of the Houthi operation demonstrates that there were no threats to our servicemembers or our national security. BOSTON (SHNS) A group of Massachusetts school districts and educator unions on Monday joined the legal fight against President Donald Trumps efforts to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education, arguing the services it provides are vital for student success. Public schools in Somerville and Easthampton partnered with the American Federation of Teachers Massachusetts chapter, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Council 93 and other groups in a new lawsuit challenging Trumps executive order seeking to close the department and his administrations efforts to lay off many of its employees. Efforts to save Department of Education move to courts Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The plaintiffs argue that the department, long a target for conservative criticism, oversees crucial work to support students with disabilities, protect students civil rights, maintain public education access for families from different demographic backgrounds, provide financial aid for higher education, and more. Attorneys said in the lawsuit that Congress created the department, meaning it cannot be eliminated by the President or the Secretary of Education. Skye Perryman, president of the Democracy Forward group that filed the lawsuit on behalf of plaintiffs, said the suit seeks to defend all people who depend on the Department of Education to ensure public schools are safe, accessible and welcoming, and that education is available to all people in this nation, not just a few. This country needs to be focused on how to improve education and opportunities for all and how to support those who both give and receive education with safe, effective, accessible, and quality schools and opportunities, Perryman said. Yet, instead of doing that, Donald Trump is taking a wrecking ball to our nations best values and our chance at a better future. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has been pushing to eliminate the department and redistribute some of its duties to other government offices, arguing that education policy should be entirely within the purview of state and local governments. Last week, he signed an executive order calling for dismantling the department, writing that the experiment of controlling American education through Federal programs and dollars and the unaccountable bureaucracy those programs and dollars support has plainly failed our children, our teachers, and our families. The Trump administration has also sought to execute major staffing cuts at the Department of Education. Plaintiffs alleged the departments workforce has nearly been cut in half, from about 4,130 employees before Trump took office to about 2,180 now, leaving offices unable to perform [their] statutorily mandated duties. Other plaintiffs in the new lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Massachusetts, include the American Association of University Professors and the SEIU union. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement From protecting students rights to expanding college access and ensuring support for students with disabilities, the Department of Education is a cornerstone of equitable public education, Somerville School Committee Chair Ilana Krepchin said in a statement. Dismantling it would cause real harm not only to our students and schools, but to communities across the country. Thats why we are joining this case. It is the right decision for Somerville, for Massachusetts, and for the future of public education nationwide. Attorney General Andrea Campbell is also involved in challenging the Trump administrations moves to dismantle the department. Campbell and 20 other attorneys general filed a lawsuit on March 13, alleging that significant cuts to the departments workforce would leave it unable to fulfill its statutory duties. Campbells office said Massachusetts K-12 schools receive nearly $2 billion per year from the federal government toward special education programs, teacher salaries, transportation and more. According to the Associated Press, federal funding is responsible for about 14 percent of public school budgets nationwide. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. By Jonathan Stempel NEW YORK (Reuters) - Organizers and supporters of pro-Palestinian demonstrations at Columbia University were sued on Monday in Manhattan federal court for allegedly functioning as Hamas' "propaganda arm" and "in-house public relations firm" in New York City and on campus. The lawsuit was filed by nine U.S. and Israeli citizens who were victims of Hamas' October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, including relatives of people murdered or taken hostage, and two affiliated with Columbia who reported mistreatment there. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They accused the defendants of having since 2023 coordinated their efforts with Hamas, which the U.S. State Department deems a terrorist group, to further its attacks. The defendants include Mahmoud Khalil, who helped lead the Columbia demonstrations and was a negotiator between university administrators and the student group coalition and co-defendant Columbia University Apartheid Divest. Other defendants include Within Our Lifetime-United for Palestine, Columbia Students for Justice in Palestine ("CSJP"), Columbia-Barnard Jewish Voice for Peace, and some of their leaders. "It would be illegal for Hamas to directly retain a public relations firm in the United States or hire enforcers to impose their will on American cities," the complaint said. "Yet those are precisely the services that the [defendant groups] knowingly provide to Hamas." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The plaintiffs also accused some group defendants "on information and belief" of having prior knowledge of Hamas' attack. They cited the timing and substance of statements made shortly before, during and after it occurred, including a CSJP post on Instagram three minutes before the attack that said "We are back!!" The defendants or lawyers who have represented them in Columbia-related litigation did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Khalil's lawyers have said he has no links to Hamas. The Trump administration is trying to deport Khalil, a legal permanent resident, who is being detained in Louisiana. Mark Goldfeder, a lawyer at the National Jewish Advocacy Center representing the plaintiffs, in an email said the defendants' coordinating activities with Hamas were known because they have said so repeatedly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "There is nothing wrong with being pro-Palestinian, and pro-Hamas speech is still protected speech in most contexts," he said. "The issue here is the material support of and coordination with a designated foreign terrorist organization." The civil lawsuit accuses the defendants of violating U.S. antiterrorism law and the law of nations, and seeks unspecified compensatory, punitive and triple damages. It was filed three days after Columbia agreed to change its policies toward protesters and security, and begin a review of academic Middle East programs at various departments. The changes were part of an effort to restore $400 million of federal funding that U.S. President Donald Trump pulled over allegations that Columbia tolerated antisemitism. The case is Haggai et al v Kiswani et al, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, No. 25-02400. (Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; Editing by Marguerita Choy) by Xinhua writers Wang Qibing, Zhang Yuli GENEVA, March 24 (Xinhua) -- Mirjana Spoljaric Egger, president of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), emphasized the critical need for all countries to uphold international humanitarian law and foster a culture of peace within a multilateral framework. In an exclusive interview with Xinhua during a special discussion hosted by the ICRC on Thursday, Spoljaric highlighted the widespread violations of international humanitarian law in global conflict zones. She stressed that only when States Parties to the Geneva Conventions take concrete steps to enhance respect for international law and cultivate a global culture of peace can this alarming trend be reversed. Addressing the rise in violent conflicts worldwide, Spoljaric said, "What we are observing today is a fast-growing number of conflicts. We classify 120 ongoing conflicts today, several times more than 25 years ago." "We also observe that these conflicts are not only large in scale but also fought with high intensity. Moreover, there is an increasing tendency to be permissive, if not outright dismissive, interpretations of international humanitarian law and how it applies to the conduct of hostilities," Spoljaric added. Spoljaric underscored the devastating consequences of failing to uphold international humanitarian law, explaining that tolerating such violations significantly increases the human cost of conflict. "By cost, I mean human suffering, human deaths, human injuries, human displacement and a high, very high number of missing persons," said the ICRC president. "In Syria, tens of thousands of families are searching for their relatives, and we still don't know whether they will ever be found or how long it will take," she said, noting that conflicts place an immense financial burden on states, and better adherence to international humanitarian law could reduce the need for extensive humanitarian aid. Reflecting on the enforcement of humanitarian law in conflict zones, Spoljaric recalled that the 1949 Geneva Conventions were ratified by States Parties with the fundamental purpose of protecting civilians and critical infrastructure during war. However, she lamented that these principles are now violated daily, with ICRC teams often denied access to conflict zones where humanitarian aid is urgently needed. Regarding the ICRC's advocacy efforts, Spoljaric clarified that while the ICRC is not a governmental organization, it collaborates with all states, as they are all parties to the Geneva Conventions. She noted that the ICRC aims to convene an international conference in late 2026 to strengthen concrete measures for implementing international humanitarian law. Recognizing China's role as a key co-initiator, Spoljaric commended the country's active engagement in humanitarian relief efforts across various conflict zones and its longstanding cooperation with the ICRC. "China is a very important partner and supporter of the ICRC," she affirmed. TORONTO (ABC4) President Jeffrey R. Holland, the acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, rededicated the Toronto Ontario Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Sunday afternoon. Today we are happy to break the lock on the Toronto Ontario Temple and its grounds, to have what we pray will be a continuous flow of faithful recommend holders in this renewed opportunity now open to us, Holland said to those assembled both in person and across several different digital means. What are Latter-day Saint Temples? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Holland told members in attendance that they should take the time to rededicate themselves to the promises of Christlike living. For many Latter-day Saints in Ontario, having President Holland there was what some called a beautiful moment. Following a recent health scare, Holland commented that he is pleased with the improvement of his health. I felt great. I am so happy with some improvement in my health, or at least in my movement and the conditions of my health, President Holland told the Church Sunday. I was very, very happy about that and happy to be back in Toronto. Originally announced in 1984 and finished in 1990, the Toronto Ontario Temple was the second to be built in Canada and the first on the east side of the country. It is currently one of 11 Temples announced, under construction, or in operation in the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Odette Yu has served in the Toronto temple for over a decade and told the Church that this was everything and more than I expected. It was my first time being in the dedicatory session. It was everything and more than I expected. The temple felt different. Weve been here during construction. Weve been here for the open house. But it was different when the dedication took place. We could feel there was a difference in the temple, she said. Her husband, Steven said this was probably their most powerful experience in the temple. We can hardly wait to serve the Lord here in His holy house, he 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 ABC4 Utah. Faith leaders of Rainy Mountain Kiowa Indian Baptist Church held services in a dining hall Sunday morning after their 131-year-old Baptist church, now demolished, burned to the ground the day heavy winds and wildfires devastated communities and destroyed hundreds of properties throughout Oklahoma. Fallen power lines had struck the back of the Kiowa County church and started an uncontrollable fire in the late afternoon of March 14. "The winds were so high out here, gusts of 75 to 80 miles an hour," Pastor Gerald Haunpo said. "We had some power lines hidden behind the church that, I guess, rubbed together or sparked, and rubbed on the roof of the back of the church, and that's what sparked the fire." Wildfires engulf Rainy Mountain Kiowa Indian Baptist Church on March 14. The fire spread rapidly, he said, and left little to salvage of the historic property off Aim De Co Road in Mountain View, where tribal member Gotebo composed the first Kiowa hymn, according to historical records. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Natalie Bear, 50, a church caretaker, recalled how she and her 13-year-old granddaughter first sensed the church was in danger. "My granddaughter and I were outside prior the fire, because we were putting out a fire that got hollowed out from a piece of wood that got a spark and caught fire," Bear said. "Then, we smelled smoke and we thought, 'Maybe we should go check the church.'" More: 'The fire kind of took them over.' Oklahoma fire death toll rises to 4 with more risky weather forecast 'All we have left is the dining hall' Bear and her granddaughter spent several minutes in and around the church but couldn't find the source of smoke, she said. Her husband called the fire department and hurried her out of the building. It took around 25 minutes for the fire department to reach the area, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "All we have left is the dining hall," Sharon Hunter, the church treasurer said. The Gotebo dining hall, located just behind the now-shattered remnants of the Rainy Mountain Kiowa Indian Baptist Church, received considerable window and roof damage but remained sturdy enough for leaders to do some patch-up work and continue church services. Haunpo said he was glad firefighters managed to save the space. Tribal and church leaders began cleanup efforts Saturday, bringing in heavy equipment to move the remnants of the church. Elders told church leaders to consider rebuilding the church, which now has been burned twice last week and in 1948 at another location. Haunpo expects the congregation will decide to move. Churchgoers of Rainy Mountain Kiowa Indian Baptist Church attended Sunday service in the Gotebo dining hall, behind where the church used to be. The pastor added that the church has started fundraising efforts aiming for $15,000, but he said he believes it would take around $20,000 to $30,000 to bring the building back to an "ideal condition." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "They dug we dug a deep, deep hole and pushed everything in ... But when it's all said and done, everything that was there in the church is going to be buried right where it stands," he said. The church was one of many properties destroyed during multiple raging wildfires throughout Oklahoma during March. Four deaths and the loss of hundreds of homes and structures have been blamed on this month's wildfires and strong winds. More: Trump approves major disaster declaration for Oklahoma's November 2024 tornado outbreak "They dug- we dug- a deep, deep hole and pushed everything in... But when it's all said and done, everything that was there in the church is going to buried right where it stands," said Rainy Mountain Kiowa Indian Baptist Church Pastor Gerald Haunpo. 'Generations of Kiowas' attended the church In January 1894, the Kiowa tribe donated 160 acres of land and with the help of the American Baptist Church organized the Immanuel mission, according to the Oklahoma Historical Society. Several months later, in November, a chapel was built and soon after it was renamed Rainy Mountain. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In its early years, the church was led by the Rev. Howard Clause, who would set up mission stations in Red Stone, Saddle Mountain and Cache Creek throughout his 27-year career. The church fostered "Christian identity that incorporated Kiowa culture," according to the Oklahoma Historical Society. "Generations of Kiowas, beginning with the earliest converts, made this church their spiritual home and their families today continue in this manner," the church said in a news release. Rainy Mountain Kiowa Baptist Church, a 131-year-old Baptist church in Mountain View, burned down after high winds caused fires to break out across the state. Haunpo said though old records were not present in the church during the fire, there were other objects, plus newly purchased Bibles, a donated communion table and memories of loved ones. "There were some sentimental things in there, some things of value," the pastor said. "Luckily ... no one was hurt. No one was injured." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Community members, including many families from the Kiowa tribe, were shocked by the fire and the loss of the church, Haunpo said. Many attend Sunday services every week and have celebrated special occasions like birthdays, weddings and dedications at the church, he said. "Though most of the elders have passed away, their families have stayed connected in so many ways," he said. "Even if they live far away, even out of state, they still consider this their home church. When you think of all the historical significance, and I believe the introduction to Christianity and first convents, this church had a powerful impact on them, because they know where it all began." This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Kiowa County community mourns loss of historic Baptist church COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) Ohio lawmakers have taken another step toward eliminating traffic cameras that track speeding and red light violations in the state. The Ohio Statehouse passed an $11 billion transportation budget bill on Wednesday, which includes a provision that would prohibit counties and townships from operating traffic cameras. My constituents that travel through those townships [using traffic cameras] are tired of getting tickets in the mail, said Sen. Al Cutrona (R-Canfield), the lawmaker who introduced the provision. It has nothing to do with public safety, its all about revenue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill would specifically affect counties and townships cities and villages would be able to continue their programs, thanks to their right to self-govern. In 2017, the Ohio Supreme Court found laws restricting cities use of traffic cameras violated their home rule authority. However, Cutrona said he wants to see how he can address city traffic cameras in the future. Although current Ohio law permits townships and counties use of traffic cameras to detect speeding and red light violations, a law that took effect in 2015 requires a law enforcement officer to be present at the camera while it is in use. This rule does not apply to cities. When a camera detects a violation, a ticket may be issued through the mail. A lot of times it gets you at times where its not really fair, said Ohio driver Carlton Walker. Theres got to be a better way to alert you of what youre doing in the moment. Currently, 24 municipalities in Ohio run traffic cameras, according to the nonprofit Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The organization noted some jurisdictions will quietly start or stop using traffic cameras, so this number is an estimate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most of the municipalities that use traffic cameras in Ohio are in the northeast part of the state. In Central Ohio, the Village of Brice is the only municipality that uses traffic cameras. Since Brice is not a township or county, it would remain unaffected by the budget bill. In 2019 and 2020, Brice generated about 80% of its total general fund from traffic camera tickets. From 2015 to 2020, that revenue amounted to $2.3 million for the approximately 100-person village, according to an audit conducted by Ohio Auditor Keith Faber in March 2022. This tiny village is a speed trap reliant on automated speeding citations to pay the bills, Faber said in a 2022 news release. Traffic cameras in Ohio cities have long faced controversy and criticism from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle. Numerous bills have been introduced in the Statehouse over the years to restrict the use of traffic cameras, and such programs have been at the center of multiple Ohio Supreme Court cases. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think overtime, what we have seen in terms of any of the studies that come back is that traffic cameras do not keep us safe traffic-wise, said Senate Minority Leader Nickie Antonio (D-Lakewood). Theyre basically set up to get some additional revenue for the jurisdiction that has traffic cameras. However, officials with cities who use the cameras claim they help keep residents safe. Trevor Elkins is the mayor of Newburgh Heights an Ohio village known for its traffic camera use. While the bill would not directly affect Newburgh Heights, Elkins spoke out against the move. I can only assume that the legislature doesnt fully understand that their action is one that is only protecting reckless law-breakers and hurting the law-abiding residents of their districts, Elkins said. Research studies have shown mixed results on the effectiveness of traffic cameras. For example, a 2017 study by IIHS compared large cities with red light traffic cameras to those without the devices, finding the cameras reduced fatal crashes caused by running a red light by 21%. However, a 2018 study by Case Western Reserve University found red light cameras do not significantly reduce the number of traffic accidents, injuries or fatalities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The transportation budget bill, introduced in early February, makes budget appropriations for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. Along with regulating traffic camera use, the legislation would invest about $11.48 billion into highway construction and maintenance, as well as safety upgrades on roadways, according to a news release from the Ohio House. As with all spending bills, DeWine has the ability to reject certain provisions within the legislation. If he approves the provision banning counties and townships from using traffic cameras, it would go into effect 90 days after he signs 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 NBC4 WCMH-TV. PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) Dozens of letter carriers spent Sunday outside the federal courthouse in downtown Peoria, protesting job cuts and the potential privatization of the United States Postal Service. Our rally today is to tell our government to keep their hands off. The United States Postal Service has been a semi-auto-autonomous agency of the federal government for 55 years. This was enacted in 1970 by legislation, said Scott Haney, President of the National Association of Letter Carriers, Branch 31. Postmaster Louis Dejoy has proposed cutting 10,000 workers through a voluntary early retirement program, while Elon Musks Doge looks to cut costs. Workers worry privatization could shift the post offices focus to profits rather than public service. You might receive mail three or four times a week. A private company may decide that if you live in a rural community, you dont deserve the deliveries at all. You have to come somewhere to pick up your mail, said Haney. Victor Murrie with the Illinois Association of Letter Carriers said this isnt the first time hes had to fight the privatization of the post office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We fought privatization in the past. We can. Were doing it now, and were going to win. Thats how the United States Postal Service is. But it has to be constitutional, it has to be through the constitution. It cant be an unconstitutional move such as moving the United States Postal Service to the Department of Commerce. Thats unconstitutional, said Murrie. Haney is the president of the National Association of Letter carriers for branch 31 and has been a letter carrier for the last 27 years. He said the postal service is not a business but rather, a public service. The postal service belongs to every American. It doesnt belong to a private. It shouldnt belong to a private entity. We provide a service. Were not here to make a profit. Were not here to lose money either. But were here. Were not here to make a profit. Were here to provide a service for every American in every corner of the country, he said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CIProud.com. A major liberal group is warning Democratic leaders that they have deep problems with their base when it comes to their strategy toward President Donald Trump. The progressive organization MoveOn said in a letter to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries that its members are irate over what they see as inaction from Democratic lawmakers in Congress. The memo, which was first shared with POLITICO, cautioned that grassroots volunteers and donors will stop helping the Democratic Party if it doesnt do more to obstruct Trump. These members, arguably the backbone of the party, have reached a unifying consensus since President Trumps inauguration, wrote Rahna Epting, executive director of MoveOn. Whether they live in a deep-red, purple, or blue district, their message is clear: Now is not the time for politics as usual. Dont back down, fight back. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The letter is the latest example of Schumer facing growing calls from within his own party to take a tougher approach against Trump or step down as leader altogether after voting with the GOP to advance a stopgap funding bill earlier this month. Four youth-oriented progressive organizations said last week that Schumer needs to stand up or resign from his leadership post . Another liberal group, Indivisible, called for him to go as leader . A handful of Democratic lawmakers have suggested that his time is up as well . The memo includes data from a poll of MoveOns members that illustrates the pressure that Democratic lawmakers are facing from their liberal base. The survey found that 78 percent of respondents do not believe that Democrats in Congress are doing everything they can to stop Trump, and 49 percent said they were less likely to volunteer for or donate to Democrats after seeing the partys reaction to Trump. Meanwhile, 89 percent of those polled believe Democrats should take aggressive measures to thwart Trump, and only 4 percent said they should follow congressional norms to take him on. Epting said our members' frustrations are at a boiling point. Schumer has said he voted to advance the GOP funding bill, which prevented a government shutdown, because it was the best of two bad options. He argued that a shutdown would have given more power to Trump and his billionaire adviser Elon Musk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an interview Sunday on NBCs Meet The Press, Schumer said that he is not resigning as leader. The GOP bill, Schumer said, was "certainly bad." But a shutdown would have been "15 or 20 times worse." LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) Livingston County Sheriff Mike Murphy has announced his run for Michigan Senate, seeking to represent the 22nd State Senate District. Sheriff Murphy will seek to fill a set vacated by Sen. Lana Theis at the end of 2026 due to reaching her term limit. He has registered to run for the Republican Party. In my years of service, I have had the opportunity to see how state government functionsboth at its best and at its worst. Through daily conversations with constituents, I hear the same concerns repeated: There is too much government overreach, a lack of common sense in decision-making, and too much political extremism on both sides. Many feel their representatives have forgotten who they serve and are more focused on party politics and personal career advancement than on the people, said Sheriff Murphy in a news release sent to 6 News. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sheriff Murphy says he will bring the same leadership style to Lansing that he has demonstrated as Sheriffprincipled, direct, and willing to work with anyone for the betterment of the district. He also emphasized his commitment to protecting crime victims and ensuring their interests are prioritized in legislative decision-making. I am excited to hit the campaign trail, connect with old friends, and make new ones. This campaign is about ensuring that our community has a strong, independent voice in Lansing, said Sheriff Murphy in a news release sent to 6 News. The 22nd Senate District includes all of Livingston County and portions of Genesee, Ingham, Oakland, and Shiawassee counties. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Murphys time as Sheriff has not been without controversy. Most recently, Murphy made headlines when he hosted President Trump during his presidential campaign in August for what was supposed to be a news conference on crime. Murphy said before Trumps visit that it was not a political event. However, the speech was specifically focused on border-related crime, a hot political topic. Trump shared stories about how illegal immigrants have raped and killed children and adults in Michigan, blaming Biden for the problems. That controversial visit came before Murphy resigned from the Board of Directors of a local organization set up to assist survivors of child, domestic and sexual violence. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) A local conference recently facilitated several speaking engagements and networking opportunities for women in Dayton. The My Sisters Keeper Dayton Young Womens Conference happened Saturday morning at Engage High School, which located several leaders and public figures who spoke about their experiences with female empowerment, equity and social justice. 2 NEWS KaJeza Hawkins was one such individual, as she attended the conference and led a panel discussion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The conference also featured state representative Desiree Tims, Montgomery County judge Angelina Jackson and entrepreneur Tae Winston. Conference organizers, such as Dr. Stacy Worley, director of the MBK (My Brothers Keeper) & MSK Dayton programs, say that the purpose behind the event is to empower and inspire the youth. Thats the focus for our young ladies today, Worley says. Having them empowered with very prestigious young ladies within the community, pouring back into them so they can go out and not be in silos anymore, but being able to speak and advocate for themselves. The My Brothers Keeper program will host a similar event on Saturday at Engage High School. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com. You may have heard a judge wants to take us back to the bad, old days. Last December, Dane County Circuit Court Judge Jacob Frost ruled that Act 10 is unconstitutional. If you lived in Wisconsin in 2011, you undoubtedly remember one of the most dramatic moments of our Wisconsin political history when former Gov. Scott Walker introduced a budget repair bill, commonly known as Act 10, a bold idea to address a projected $3.6 billion state budget deficit. It required public employees to contribute more toward their pensions and health insurance, while limiting their ability to collectively bargain. No surprise, it was a lightning rod that divided Wisconsinites and captured the attention of the rest of the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Conservatives hailed Act 10 as welcome, long-time coming reforms to provide relief for local government and realign the contributions of employees to better represent commonsense realities. Opponents vehemently disagreed and Democrats in the Wisconsin State Senate famously left the state and fled to Illinois in an act of defiance. There followed tense days of unrest at the State Capitol, including weeks of protests that disrupted government operations, produced death threats and attempts to recall Walker and other lawmakers. When the dust settled, Act 10 began to affect change. Washington County felt it, too. It has culturally and fiscally changed how local government works. Act 10 has saved Washington County taxpayers millions Since 2011, under the Wisconsin Retirement System, the county and taxpayers have saved a total of approximately $37.2 million as public employees have had to pay their share of health insurance and retirement contributions. Currently employees contribute about $3.2 million annually to these benefits. he county covers 88% of health insurance premiums, with employees contributing 12%. Without Act 10, a shift of just 1% of health insurance costs from employees back to the county would result in an increase of $80,000 in annual expenses. Opinion: On Wisconsins glacial lakes, wake-enhanced boating damaging and dangerous Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prior to Act 10, Washington County had eight different labor unions representing various employee groups. Each of these unions required separate negotiations, adding time and money to the countys operations. Before Act 10, 50% of Washington Countys workforce was unionized, in contrast to 10% currently. Important to note is the savings realized from legal costs alone is nearly $40,000 annually. Staff time dedicated to labor negotiations totaled nearly 1,000 hours. Now, these costs have been reduced to less than 25% of that amount. Fast forward to 2025. Fourteen years later, opposition to Act 10 remains alive and well and revenge is in the air. Frost has set the stage, and the Wisconsin Supreme Court is likely soon to consider a repeal of Act 10. Local governments should fasten their seatbelts and brace for a hit a hit that local budgets and taxpayers will not be able to take. End of Act 10 would force tough decisions, program cuts In Washington County, we are preparing for the possibilities and imagining ways to absorb these costs. Forced to go backward would mean significant concessions. To address this, our priorities would be: 1. Lobby for state parity for unfunded mandates, such as court system funding. 2. Make cuts to the lowest priority programs. 3. Consider increase in taxes only as a nuclear option after all other options have been exhausted. Even more concerning is the talk of a potential retroactive payback to employees of $37.2 million since the onset of Act 10. Washington County most certainly does not have $37 million lying around. That hit would put a catastrophic hole in the currently healthy county budget, and in the pocketbook of every taxpayer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Regardless of how such a massive deficit would be addressed, whether it is state or local funding, one thing is for sure - the taxpayers would be left feeling the most pain. Opinion: We welcome tariffs on Canadian and Mexican beef and cattle. Heres why. A repeal of Act 10 would pose significant financial and operational shifts for Washington County, a county that is already lean. The toxic cocktail of increased labor costs, a resurgence of labor unions, and taking on the current employee contributions to pensions and health insurance, would most certainly create structural deficits requiring vast shifts in services - or even worse, tax increases. These are changes that would affect the people of Washington County in a dramatic way. It is perfectly clear; Act 10 must stay. While some may wish to go back to 2010, to a $3.6 billion deficit and to relitigate the past, now is not the time to go back. Instead, we should be looking forward, ensuring we are passing the torch of the American Dream from the Baby Boomers to the Millennials and beyond. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rest assured, Washington County stands ready to respond to whatever comes its way, keeping the people first with a vision for the future. Josh Schoemann is County Executive of Washington County. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Justices could put catastrophic hole into local budgets | Opinion CORTLAND, Ohio (WKBN) Members of the Lakeview High School band performed at two popular locations in Tennessee over the weekend. The group left Cortland on Thursday on the four-day adventure in the Country Music Capital with performances at Graceland and the Country Music Hall of Fame. In addition to tours of Graceland and Nashville, the students also attended a performance at the Grand Ole Opry featuring country music star Vince Gill. The Lakeview Band program is led by director Nathan Sensabaugh. 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. Expelled South African ambassador to the United States Ebrahim Rasool speaks to the crowd at Cape Town International Airport in Cape Town, South Africa, on March 23, 2025. Rasool and his wife, Rosieda, after a 32-hour journey from the United States via Qatar, arrived at Cape Town International Airport on Sunday morning to a warm welcome from hundreds of supporters. (Photo by Shakirah Thebus/Xinhua) CAPE TOWN, March 23 (Xinhua) -- Expelled South African ambassador to the United States Ebrahim Rasool said on Sunday that he returned home with "no regrets." Rasool and his wife, Rosieda, after a 32-hour journey from the United States via Qatar, arrived at Cape Town International Airport on Sunday morning to a warm welcome from hundreds of supporters. Earlier this month, Rasool was declared "persona non grata" by the United States, following earlier remarks he had made during a webinar hosted by the Mapungubwe Institute for Strategic Reflection, a South African think tank, in which he criticized U.S. President Donald Trump. Addressing around 300 supporters at the airport, Rasool stated that while being labeled a persona non grata was meant to humiliate him, the warm reception turned it into a badge of honor. "When you return to a crowd like this and with warmth and the sense of Ubuntu (an African traditional philosophy of 'I am because we are') like this, then I will wear my persona non grata as a badge of dignity... as a badge that we have done the right thing," Rasool said, expressing his delight at having returned to where "Ubuntu is valued." Rasool said that despite attempts at conventional diplomacy, South Africa ultimately had to resort to what he called the "diplomacy of Ubuntu." "The diplomacy of Ubuntu is not the art of lying for your country. It is the art of speaking the truth but gently. The diplomacy of Ubuntu is not flattering your host, and the diplomacy of Ubuntu is not denying what is wrong. The diplomacy of Ubuntu is intellectual engagement, and it is persuasion of your host about a better way," he said. Rasool hoped that President Cyril Ramaphosa would find someone capable of mending the relationship with the United States without sacrificing South Africa's values. "We must fight for it, but we must keep our dignity," he said. When questioned on whether diplomacy had failed, he said the fact that his remarks had caught the attention of Trump and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, prompting them to declare him persona non grata, demonstrated that his message had reached the highest level of the U.S. government. "They were stunned by our characterization and they were not happy, and so the diplomacy of Ubuntu has certainly worked because we bore witness to the values of our society," Rasool said. Rasool's expulsion was announced on social media by Rubio, who described him as a "race-baiting politician who hates America and its president." Rasool was given 72 hours to leave the United States and was deemed "unacceptable" for future accreditation as a representative of South Africa in Washington. Rasool is expected to provide a detailed report on the matter to Ramaphosa, who reiterated last Monday that South Africa is committed to engaging with Washington, describing the expulsion as a minor setback in bilateral relations. Supporters welcome the expelled South African ambassador to the United States Ebrahim Rasool at Cape Town International Airport in Cape Town, South Africa, on March 23, 2025. Rasool and his wife, Rosieda, after a 32-hour journey from the United States via Qatar, arrived at Cape Town International Airport on Sunday morning to a warm welcome from hundreds of supporters. (Photo by Shakirah Thebus/Xinhua) BOSTON (WWLP) Local officials have been releasing statements on the passing of Kitty Dukakis, the wife of former Massachusetts governor and presidential candidate Michael Dukakis. Decades in making, South Coast rail service begins Monday Dukakis was 88 years old and died on Friday night surrounded by her family and her son, John Dukakis. The Associated Press states that Dukakis was highly regarded for her openness about her struggles with substance use disorder and mental health issues. She worked tirelessly to break down the stigma and advocated for seeking help. Dukakis also championed support for the homeless and political refugees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During her husbands 1988 presidential campaign, Dukakis earned high praise as a political campaigner, actively campaigning and promoting his candidacy. Dukakis and her future husband met while attending high school in Brookline, Massachusetts. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola, file) (AP Photo, Sean Kardon, file) (AP Photo/Charles Tasnadi, file) (AP Photo/David Tenenbaum, file) Governor Maura Healey issued a statement on her passing: Im saddened to hear about the passing of Kitty Dukakis, who was a force for good in public life and behind the scenes. She was a strong advocate for children, women and refugees, while also taking a leadership role in ensuring that the horrors of the Holocaust are never forgotten. She spoke courageously about her struggles with substance use disorder and mental health, which serves as an inspiration to us all to break down stigma and seek help. My heart is with Governor Dukakis and their loved ones during this difficult time. Governor Maura Healey Massachusetts Democratic Party Chair Steve Kerrigan released the following statement on her passing: Kitty Dukakis used her role as first lady of the Commonwealth to champion refugees and the homeless, promote greater awareness of the Holocaust, and advocate for placing more women in leadership roles within state government. Yet, it was her courage in publicly sharing her struggles with depression and substance use disorder that truly defined her strength. Her honesty and bravery helped break down stigma, inspiring countless others to seek support and begin their own journeys of recovery. Kitty Dukakis made our Commonwealthand our worlda better place. We extend our deepest condolences to Governor Dukakis, John, Andrea, Kara, and their families. Massachusetts Democratic Party Chair Steve Kerrigan Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) sent 22News the following statement: I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of my dear friend Kitty Dukakis, a woman whose dedication to public service, to uplifting others, and to human rights was fueled by her indomitable spirit. Throughout her remarkable life, Kitty transformed her personal struggles into positive and persistent change a proud legacy that continues to benefit our Commonwealth and our country. Kitty was her husbands most trusted adviser and confidant, fighting alongside Michael to advance the causes in which they believed. She was a champion for the most vulnerable in society and a fierce advocate for raising awareness about the Holocaust. Kitty worked to push open the doors to opportunity for more women to serve in government and leadership positions. She did all of this with a joy and selflessness that only brought us closer to her. Kitty was open about her battle with depression and addiction when few others were, and her grace and humility in the face of an intensely personal struggle inspired countless people to better understand these diseases and to extend assistance and understanding instead of recrimination and judgment. Today, the Kitty Dukakis Treatment Center for Women stands as a testament to her lifes work serving others. Kitty was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. Long after they left the public spotlight, Kitty and Michael continued to live purposeful lives together, dedicated to public service in all forms, and fighting for a better future for everyone. Whether you knew her or not, Kitty Dukakis made all of us better, stronger, and more compassionate, and that legacy will never be forgotten. My prayers are with Michael and the entire Dukakis family. Senator Edward Markey 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. COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL) Across the country, postal workers gathered to protest changes to the U.S. Postal Service under President Donald Trump and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The Columbus Postal Workers Union and local postal workers rallied with them. About 40 protesters, including long-time postal service workers were outside Peachtree Mall around 2 p.m. to protest the changes to the service by Postmaster General Louis DeJoy and DOGE. Protestors chanted rallying cries of U.S. Mail, not for sale, and Whose post office? The peoples post office, for hours in the midday heat. They stood under a billowing U.S. flag, waving as drivers on their Sunday commutes honked. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The plan to privatize the postal service could result in drastic change, including cutting 10,000 workers nationally and the removal of billions of dollars from the Postal Service budget. DeJoy has stated, This is an effort aligned with our efforts, as while we have accomplished a great deal, there is much more to be done. One postal worker of 30 years and the local Postal Workers Union president said the Presidents plan would kill the postal service. Youre looking at $10 to mail something to Alaska, Hawaii. Itll be through the roof, said Tim Holtzen. The real money is in parcels. Theres money to be made if its privatized. This is about money, plain and simple. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As the local union president, Holtzen is worried about how the changes could impact rural communities. We go to over 169 million homes per day and [its] $0.73 for a one ounce letter anywhere in the United States, Holtzen said. If there is no universal service, thats gone. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WRBL. EAST PALESTINE, Ohio (WKBN) One Valley woman is describing her pregnancy as a miracle and a mystery. Katrina Wolf-James has two beautiful children 3-year-old Casper and 1-year-old Guinevere but she now has a third on the way. Shes 34 weeks pregnant but got medically sterilized after she gave birth to Guinevere. I was feeling sick after eating a bunch of Wendys and Im like Okay, its definitely the Wendys. Its the fast food. Its got to be,' Wolf-James said. Im still tired after napping and iced coffee. My mother-in-law asks me Could you be pregnant? and Im like, No, its medically impossible. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After a c-section with Guinevere, she opted to have her fallopian tubes removed and cauterized, but nine months later, she found out she was pregnant again something she believed was impossible. She tells me its in the uterus and it has a heartbeat, and that was just insane to hear. I go to my OB-GYN who did the surgery. Hes very remorseful. Im his first case in 35 years, Wolf-James said. Wolf-James has the medical records on hand and says she was shown her tubes after the procedure was finished. She and her husband were content with two kids, and right now, they have no answers to how it happened. Despite the surprise and the confusion, she says it was meant to be. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its easily the most traumatic thing to happen to me, but I mean I love my children, and she was meant to be here. Somebody said she really wanted me to be her mom, and its so sweet and perfect, but its definitely the biggest plot twist of my life, Wolf-James said. Wolf-James said theyre planning to name her Eleanor, and after shes born, theyre hoping to get insight as to how it happened. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. LONDON, Ky. (FOX 56) North and South Main Street in London were both completely shut down late Sunday afternoon from multiple downed power lines, according to the London City Fire Department. City fire officials wrote on Facebook around 5:40 p.m. on Sunday that emergency personnel are working to clear the area and restore safety. The LFD wrote on Facebook that North and Main street were completely shutdown due to downed power lines. (London City Fire Department) (London City Fire Department) Motorists should avoid the area and seek alternate routes until further notice, the LFD wrote. We appreciate your patience as responders work to resolve the situation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement London crews urged community members to stay safe and drive carefully. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 LONDON, Conn. (WTNH) A New London police officer, who is currently on leave from the department, was arrested for a third time after allegedly breaking a protective order, according to police. New London officer arrested again on domestic violence charges Julio Gil-Martinez, 29, was charged with stalking in the first degree and violation of a protective order after he allegedly called and was showing up at that the victims home, places of work and other places that they were at, such as bars and restaurants. The victim has a protective order against him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was arrested two other times: first, in November 2024 for domestic violence charges and again in January for violating a protective order. He has been on leave with the New London Police Department since his November arrest. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com. One of the more unlikely celebrities in Ukraine is a stork named Hrytsko who, on March 22, returned to his home nest in the village of Lelyaki, Poltava Oblast, to await the arrival of his girlfriend, Odarka. A livestream set up by researcher Anatoliy Podobaylo in 2023 has become something of a viral sensation in Ukraine, propelling the couple to internet fame each year when they return from their annual migration. Podobaylo, a researcher at the Department of Ecology and Zoology at Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, and a scientific curator of the Pyryatynskyi National Park, told the Kyiv Independent that Hrytsko arrived this year "with a squawk." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Ten minutes after his arrival, he started to clean up the place. Shortly after he arrived, he visited one of his neighbors, a beekeeper, to see how things were going," he added. Hrytsko has been nesting in Lelyaki since 2019. Villagers there are fond of him, coming to visit and feeding him from time to time, Podobaylo said. In Ukraine, a stork is considered to be a symbol of prosperity, family, happiness, well-being, and of the country itself. But those watching on the livestream are waiting for one thing in particular the arrival of Odarka, Hrytsko's mate. Hrytsko spent March 22 and 23 alone in the nest but with hundreds of people watching him live at any one time. One user even wrote that watching how Hrytsko is getting on is part of her "morning routine." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For most of March 24, Hrytsko was still solo, bracing himself against the wind and occasionally flying off to run stork errands. Then around 6 p.m., another stork arrived. The Kyiv Independent contacted Podobaylo to confirm if it was indeed Odarka and was told the official confirmation would come in the morning but it was likely her due to "their interactions." "This is what everyone was waiting for," one viewer wrote, while another insisted it was definitely Odarka because of her "spotted legs." "There is harmony and love in the family. The feathers are ruffled, everything is fine," another viewer wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the livestream love story hasn't always gone as planned the camera should have been installed in the early spring of 2022 but was postponed because of the launch of Russia's full-scale invasion. "Our employee bought the camera at a vast market in Kharkiv. Then the war started. The camera ended up in Saltivka (a district in Kharkiv) and remained in the basement for a year because we couldn't get it out," Podobaylo said. "But you know, in 2022, the stork returned to its home, even though we were already surrounded (by Russians). This was a sign for us," he added. Read also: Mistaken for spies: Ukraines bird watchers find comfort and destruction Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Most Floridians, especially those who live in beach towns that attract tourists, start asking themselves a very important question around late March every year: When will spring break end? As usual, the first few weeks of March filled Florida beaches with spring breakers from all over the state and country, although north Florida might have been a little emptier than what's typical for spring break a couple of March cold fronts have swept through the Sunshine State this spring. But to some locals in the warmer areas of the state, it may feel like it will never end. Heres when you can expect spring break crowds to die down, which weeks are peak spring break weeks and spring break schedules for colleges and universities in Florida. What is the most popular week for spring break? When spring break 2025 ends Nationwide, most colleges and universities schedule spring break for mid-to-late March, with some spring breaks falling in the first weeks of April, depending on their academic calendars. In other words, were exiting the thick of it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although spring break times in Florida range from the first week of March to mid-April, most Florida schools have their spring breaks scheduled for the second and third weeks of March. Most Florida students will be back to school by next Monday, March 31 and a lot of students return to classes this week, the week of Monday, March 24. By the third week of April, spring breakers usually return to their hometowns, just in time to give Floridians a quick breather before the summer rush of tourists. Spring break 2025: 3 Florida cities among the best for partying in the U.S. Is April still spring break in Florida? There are no Florida colleges or universities that will be observe spring break in April. And there are only four school districts that take their spring break during that time. How long are most spring breaks? Spring break, regardless of where you go to school and what age you are, typically lasts for a week, giving students around 12 days of vacation (including weekends). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Is there school today? Some Florida kids can go back to sleep; it's spring break for them What month is spring break for most schools, colleges? March is the most popular month for spring break. Most of Florida's major universities have already had their spring breaks. The busiest part of spring break 2025 is behind us and late waves of out-of-state college crowds should fizzle out by the second week of April. Spring break 2025 dates for Florida colleges and universities This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Spring break 2025 is ending: Here are Florida dates, what to know Former Washington state House Speaker Frank Chopp, remembered as a tireless advocate for affordable housing and working families, has died. He was 71. Chopp, a Seattle Democrat, was Washington states longest-serving House speaker, having held the leadership position for two decades. First elected in 1994 to represent the 43rd Legislative District, Chopp announced last year that he wouldnt run for reelection. Chopp is remembered as a powerful figure who paved the way for Democrats to secure stronger majorities in the House, and for advancing policies to expand access to child care, behavioral health-care facilities and financial aid for students. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement House Speaker Laurie Jinkins, Chopps successor, told McClatchy via email that his leadership, commitment to Washingtonians and spirit of service transformed and strengthened the state in myriad ways. His was a legacy of hope and opportunity, Jinkins, a Tacoma Democrat, said. For 20 years as speaker, Chopp toiled tirelessly to help pass good policies, and the list of legislative accomplishments during his tenure is enormous. I feel incredibly fortunate to have served under his leadership, and am forever inspired by his dedication to the work of the Peoples House, Jinkins said. All who knew him are reeling from the news of his loss. My deepest condolences go out to his wife, Nancy, and to his family, to whom he was so dedicated. In an emailed statement, Gov. Bob Ferguson called Chopp a force in Washington politics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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, the governor said. This photo was taken in 2016. This is how I will remember Frank hanging out with my daughter at a political event with that twinkle in his eye. An attached photograph shows Chopp smiling at Fergusons young daughter, Katie. In this photo from 2016, Gov. Bob Fergusons young daughter, Katie, is pictured with then-House Speaker Frank Chopp. Former Gov. Jay Inslee honored Chopp Saturday night in a post on X. WA Rep. Frank Chopp was one of the most effective and consequential legislative leaders in the whole nation, Inslee wrote. He led our march of progress in health and housing for years with unmatched ambition, compassion, and results. His spirit will inspire us. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 1999, Chopp became co-speaker at a time when an even number of Republicans and Democrats served in the House. He became the lone House speaker after Democrats gained the majority of seats in 2002, holding the gavel until deciding in 2019 to step down from that role. Chopp continued serving as a state representative and announced his retirement from the Legislature last year. WA Rep. Frank 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. Jay Inslee (@JayInslee) March 23, 2025 Lt. Gov. Denny Heck mourned Chopps loss on social media. Absolutely devastating news today. R.I.P. Speaker Chopp, the Democrat said in a Saturday post. 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 (and for your friendship). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Throughout his three decades serving in Olympia, Chopp largely concentrated on expanding affordable housing. He sought to house residents with intellectual and developmental disabilities and to improve homeownership access. Raised in Bremerton, Chopp graduated from the University of Washington before working as a community organizer fighting for housing, health care programming and human services. He also served as executive director of the anti-poverty nonprofit Fremont Public Association, today called Solid Ground. Chopp was a co-founder of Washingtons affordable housing-focused Housing Trust Fund and helped launch Apple Health for Kids, a Medicaid program offering Washingtons lowest-income families medical care. Former Republican state Rep. J.T. Wilcox, who previously served as House minority leader, said on X he was deeply grateful to have worked alongside Chopp. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Speaker Frank Chopp cared deeply about Washington, people who worked hard and people who needed a hand up, Wilcox wrote Saturday. He loved and respected the WA House of Representatives and honored its process even at the expense of his policies. Speaker Frank Chopp cared deeply about Washington, people who worked hard and people who needed a hand up. He loved and respected the WA House of Representatives and honored its process even at the expense of his policies. I'm deeply grateful I served with him. JT Wilcox (@jtwilcox111) March 23, 2025 State Rep. Travis Couture, an Allyn Republican, said in a social media post over the weekend that he was saddened to hear of Chopps passing. Im not sure if I ever agreed with him politically, however, he was a towering (and sometimes intimidating) figure in Olympia and I very much respected the man despite our differences, he wrote Saturday on X. U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell, a Washington Democrat, called Chopp a great leader, saying that he left a mark on the states Capitol. She recalled meeting Chopp for coffee and walking around downtown Seattle, where he pointed out various affordable-housing successes. He will be missed by all who knew him, Cantwell said. Our thoughts and prayers are with his friends and family. He was a true champion. Mar. 23Jasper C. Gritman, known as "Old Jasper," had an exciting commute to work from his home at 312 E. Market St., Wilkes-Barre a short walk to the rail yards along today's Wilkes-Barre Boulevard where he hopped onto a street car that took him to Hudson in Plains Township. At 75, Gritman retired after 53 years of service to the Delaware & Hudson Railroad Co. on March 31, 1928. "More than a half century, 53 years to be exact, in the service of one company and 40 of those years as an engineer, is the proud record compiled by Jasper C. Gritman who today will be fittingly honored by his colleagues and superiors," reported the Wilkes-Barre Record on March 31, 1928. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Born in Benton Township, Lackawanna County, then a part of Luzerne County on March 9, 1853, Gritman worked on his family's farm until 14, when he worked on the Delaware and Hudson Canal between Honesdale and Roudout, N.Y. The Delaware and Hudson Canal Company ventured into the Delaware and Hudson Railroad Company. Gritman assisted in driving mules to pull barges filled with coal to the Hudson River for two years until he returned to help his father on the family's farm. After his father's death, Gritman grew tired of farmlife and went to Scranton in 1888 and began working for D & H railroad spending the first eight years on the Saratoga Express that traveled between Scranton and Oneonta, N.Y. "For eight years he was a 'brakie' during the regime when air brakes and cabooses were things unknown. His record entitled him to promotion and he was made an engineer 40 years ago," the Record reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gritman's promotion in 1888 resulted in relocating to the Heights section of Wilkes-Barre, living on South Welles and South Grant streets before moving to a modest home on East Market Street, which overlooked the rail yards. Having the benefit of working for the railroad, Gritman and his wife rode for free often taking vacations in Erie, Pa., or Niagara Falls, N.Y. Gritman's job as an engineer was handling the throttle of a pusher engine between Hudson, Plains Township, to Moosic. He got to Hudson by street car he hopped onto near the Central New Jersey Passenger Station, today's Luzerne County Visitors Center. On his last day of work, the pusher engine was decorated with flags and banners. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "He will drive the engine to Moosic and there a special car will be attached and brought to Hudson. At 4 p.m., a formal homage will be paid to Old Jasper at the throttle," reported the Record. After ceremonies and kind words were said, Jasper was honored at a banquet attended by 300 people at the Hotel Sterling. Jasper died inside his East Market Street home on Jan. 30, 1936, and was buried next to his wife, who died in 1933, in St. Mary's Cemetery in Hanover Township. The couple had five boys. CLARKSBURG, W.Va. (WBOY) West Virginia is known for its outdoor tourism and recreation, and if youre looking for a place to stay, the states dream Airbnb rental is located in Hardy County. Eagles Nest Treehouse Airbnb in Wardensville, West Virginia (Courtesy of Airbnb Community) According to a press release from Airbnb, the Eagles Nest Treehouse in Wardensville, West Virginia is the sites most wish-listed rental in the state of West Virginia. Its also one of the highest-rated stays on Airbnb, with 4.99 average stars from 154 reviews. Although not actually a treehouse the stilts the house is built on give it a great view of the Appalachian Mountains which you can enjoy from the comfort of a hot tub on the front balcony. The house sleeps up to four guests across two bedrooms located in the loft of the house. The house itself has wifi, board games, a television, an outdoor grill and a kitchen with modern appliances. Eagles Nest Treehouse Airbnb in Wardensville, West Virginia (Courtesy of Airbnb Community) Eagles Nest Treehouse Airbnb in Wardensville, West Virginia (Courtesy of Airbnb Community) Eagles Nest Treehouse Airbnb in Wardensville, West Virginia (Courtesy of Airbnb Community) Eagles Nest Treehouse Airbnb in Wardensville, West Virginia (Courtesy of Airbnb Community) Eagles Nest Treehouse Airbnb in Wardensville, West Virginia (Courtesy of Airbnb Community) Although the Eagles Nest is usually fully booked according to Airbnb, rentals are open for several weeks in May, and weekend rentals are mostly available starting in July later this year. Bookings start at a two-night minimum stay and are usually priced at around $200 to $250 per night. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gold Rush rainbow trout stocking to begin in April Of course, the Eagles Nest is far from the only beautiful or unique rental in West Virginia. You could stay in the Harry Potter-themed Wizard House in Fayette County, or maybe even the Mothmanor Airbnb, which is themed after West Virginias most (in)famous cryptid, the Mothman. But perhaps the rental with the best view of them all would be the Thorny Mountain Fire Tower in Seneca State Forest, though actually booking a stay there can be challenging due to its popularity. To see more pictures of the Eagles Nest Treehouse or to look at available dates, you can find the listing 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 WBOY.com. BEIJING, March 24 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said on Monday that China has never received any asylum application from former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte or his family. Spokesperson Guo Jiakun made the remarks in response to media reports claiming that, according to "informed sources," Duterte had sought asylum from China before being arrested under an International Criminal Court warrant. "Duterte's visit to Hong Kong was a private vacation," Guo told a daily news briefing, adding that the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) has issued an official response, and relevant Philippine parties have also commented on the matter. Guo emphasized that certain claims from so-called "informed sources" are either fabricated or driven by ulterior motives. He urged the media to exercise discernment and avoid endorsing such claims without proper verification. The Greater Los Angeles rental market is facing increased competition in early 2025, according to new research from RentCafe, a nationwide apartment search website. Januarys wildfires have added uncertainty to the rental market outlook, the extent of which is still unclear, and data shows both eastern and western Los Angeles County have become more challenging for renters compared to early 2024. In eastern Los Angeles County, which includes parts of L.A., Long Beach, Pasadena, Pomona and Downey, 51.4% of renters are renewing their leases, up from 47.6% a year ago, RentCafe reports. The trend suggests renters are prioritizing stability, officials theorized. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although new apartment supply in the region increased by 0.63%, up from 0.48% in early 2024, RentCafe analysts note that the modest bump may not meet the strong demand. The regions occupancy rate is at 96.0%, with apartments vacant for an average of 44 days. Competition remains intense, with 13 prospective renters per available unit, the data shows. Renters in eastern L.A. County stay in their homes for an average of 40 months, significantly longer than the national average of 28 months. RentCafes Rental Competitiveness Index, a figure that ranks how competitive housing is in certain regions, lists east L.A. County as 17th in the nation, up from the previous year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In western L.A. County, which includes Santa Monica, Marina Del Rey, Culver City and Inglewood, renters are feeling a similar pressure. RentCafe data shows lease renewals rose to 41.6%, compared to 37.6% in early 2024. But, the supply of new apartments dropped sharply; just 0.18% new units were added, down from 0.57% last year. Occupancy remains strong at 93.0%, with apartments vacant for an average of 44 days. Each available unit sees about eight prospective renters, and renters in this region typically stay in their homes for 30 months, data showed. People dine outdoors in Los Angeles on July 1, 2020. (FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images) The Rental Competitiveness Index score for west L.A. County increased to 71.0, up from 64.8 in early 2024, RentCafe reports. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite these mounting pressures on renters, RentCafe says the greater Los Angeles region falls short of the most competitive rental marketplaces in the U.S. Topping the list is Miami, followed by the Chicago suburbs and North New Jersey. The 20 most competitive rental markets in early 2025 are below: Top 20 Most Competitive Rental Markets at the Start of 2025 Rank Market Competitive Score Average Vacant Days Occupied Apartments Prospective Renters Lease Renewal Rate Share of New Units Miami, FL 93.1 36 96.3% 14 76.0% 1.39% Suburban Chicago, IL 88.4 39 95.4% 10 70.4% 0.26% North Jersey, NJ 85.7 41 95.2% 9 71.4% 0.14% Lansing Ann Arbor, MI 85.4 38 95.0% 6 70.2% 0.00% Suburban Philadelphia, PA 85.3 44 94.9% 9 77.1% 0.09% Grand Rapids, MI 85.3 38 95.6% 7 74.3% 1.03% Cincinnati, OH 84.5 42 94.3% 10 66.4% 0.00% Omaha, NE 84.4 38 94.7% 8 66.4% 0.59% Bridgeport New Haven, CT 84.2 40 95.4% 10 66.4% 0.81% Milwaukee, WI 82.8 43 94.0% 8 70.1% 0.00% Suburban Twin Cities, MN-WI 81.3 40 94.2% 7 65.1% 0.57% Detroit, MI 80.9 43 93.5% 7 69.3% 0.11% Broward County, FL 80.4 42 94.6% 10 70.1% 1.47% Orange County, CA 80.0 45 95.6% 10 60.6% 0.15% Kansas City, MO 79.7 41 93.6% 7 68.7% 0.91% Silicon Valley, CA 79.6 39 95.1% 10 53.8% 0.93% Eastern Los Angeles, CA 79.4 44 96.0% 13 51.4% 0.63% Chicago, IL 79.3 40 94.4% 8 59.2% 0.54% Orlando, FL 79.0 39 94.4% 8 67.6% 1.76% Eastern Virginia, VA 78.7 42 93.4% 8 63.9% 0.61% RentCafe provides rental data with insights provided from from the extensive real estate data platform Yardi, its parent company. For more details about nationwide rental competition ratings, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) The St. Gabriel community is mourning the loss of Officer Darius Faveroth, who was remembered as more than just a colleague but a member of the departments family. It is with heavy hearts that we share the loss of one of our own. Officer Faveroth was not just a colleague but a beloved member of the St. Gabriel Police Department family, the department said in a statement. City officials also expressed their condolences, acknowledging Faveroths impact on the community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is with profound sadness that we mourn the passing of Officer Darius Faveroth, a dedicated member of the St. Gabriel Police Department, the city said in a social media post. On behalf of the Mayor and City Council, we extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, Police Chief Ambeau, and the entire St. Gabriel Police Department. Authorities have not yet released further details surrounding his death, but the department is asking the community to keep his loved ones in their thoughts. During this incredibly difficult time, we ask that you keep his family and friends in your thoughts and prayers, the police department said. Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry extended his condolences, remembering Faveroths dedication to service. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Please join Sharon and me in praying for the Faveroth family, Landry said. Darius Faveroth served as an Officer in the St. Gabriel Police Department for two years and was with the White Castle Police Department for three years. Darius was also a Specialist in the Louisiana National Guard. I had the pleasure of meeting him on our visit to the southern border last year. He dedicated his life to keeping our State and Nation safe. May he rest in peace. The police department said Faveroth was preparing to deploy in April. Louisiana governor, other police departments express condolences Law enforcement agencies across Louisiana also paid tribute to Faveroth. Sheriff Claude J. Louis Jr. and the men & women of the St. James Parish Sheriffs Office send our prayers and heartfelt condolences to the St. Gabriel Police Department and the family and friends of Officer Darius Faveroth, the St. James Parish Sheriffs Office shared. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The New Roads Police Department also honored his service, saying Our prayers and condolences go out to the St. Gabriel Police Department in loss Ofc. Darius Faveroth. Please keep his family in your prayers. We have the watch from here, EOW 03-23-25, Never Forgotten! The White Castle Police Department, where Faveroth previously served, posted their condolences on social media. HEARTBREAKING: To the Spouse, Family, Friends, Co-Workers and The St. Gabriel Police Department, We, your extended family at the White Castle PD, send our deepest condolences to you concerning the loss of Our colleague, friend, OUR BROTHER, Lt. D. Faveroth!! You will be Missed Doc!!!!! Godspeed to us all, the department said. 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. (NewsNation) Hyundai will build a new steel plant in Louisiana, President Donald Trump announced Monday. It will produce more than 2.7 million metric tons of steel a year, according to the president. Eui-sun Chung, the executive chairman of Hyundai said the plant in Louisiana will create 1,300 American jobs. Because Hyundai will be producing steel and making its cars in America, they wont have to pay any tariffs, Trump said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New Social Security requirements call for in-person checks Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry, a Republican, was at the White House in Washington, D.C. for the announcement. In 2023, Trump endorsed Landry in the Louisiana governors race, saying he had been a fantastic attorney general. Landry served as Louisianas attorney general from 2016 to 2024. In February, Trump appointed Landry to the Council of Governors. The Louisiana steel plant is part of a $21 billion investment Hyundai will be making in the next couple years, Trump said. Hyundai will also be massively increasing its auto manufacturing in Georgia, he said, and investing billions of dollars in advanced American technology companies. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Louisiana postal workers rally against privatization, job cuts BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) Letter carriers across the nation are taking a stand against what they say are efforts to dismantle and privatize the U.S. Postal Service. On Sunday, local mail carriers gathered at the corner of Bluebonnet Boulevard and Perkins Road for what they called an emergency rally to defend what they consider an essential public institution. Chants of solidarity filled the air as members of the National Association of Letter Carriers raised concerns about proposed changes to the Postal Service. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Troy Scott, president of the Louisiana State Association of Letter Carriers, said the USPS faces mounting threats to its independence. Right now, were facing the threat of privatization by the DOGE, the government and efficiency agency, Scott said. Were also facing the fact that were an independent agency and wed like to remain an independent agency . Letter carriers argue that the proposed changes could lead to job losses, diminished mail services, and increased shipping costs for both businesses and customers. From Miami to Seattle, its the same price, Scott said. If it was on a business model, it would be about profit. People are waiting on checks, people are waiting on medicines, people are waiting on packages they ordered. Everyone likes to receive something in the mail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For nearly 250 years, the U.S. Postal Service has been a critical part of American life, ensuring reliable delivery to every address in the country. Corey Champagne, a letter carrier for 18 years, said the proposed changes would disproportionately affect the most vulnerable. Every proposal weve seen is about cutting services, Champagne said. That affects our customers, the elderly, and rural areasand Louisiana has an abundance of all those things. Mail carriers at the rally emphasized that their jobs are more than delivering mail. Louisiana AG issues statement on Boosie Bash using Caleb Wilsons name, image Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its more than putting mail in a mailbox, said Summer Hunter, a mail carrier of four years. Like we connect with these people every day you know we talk with them and yeah I just love going out there and putting a smile on their faces. The rallys goal was to encourage the public to contact their lawmakers and take action to protect the USPS. As the fight over the future of the USPS continues, mail carriers said they remain committed to protecting the institution that has served Americans for centuries. Latest News Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Louisiana First News. The Supreme Court grappled Monday with a years-old, messy legal battle over Louisianas congressional districts during an oral argument in which several of the courts conservatives questioned whether the state had violated the Constitution because of its focus on race. Several of those justices signaled they are prepared to further weaken the influence the landmark Voting Right Act has on redistricting, although it wasnt clear if there was a majority to do so in Louisianas case. Thats partly because lower courts had guided the state toward redrawing its lines with race in mind. Were in the business of complying with federal court decisions, said Benjamin Aguinaga, the states solicitor general. And when they told us that we needed to draw a second majority Black district, thats what we did. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The case could have nationwide implications for how much state lawmakers may think about race when drawing congressional districts. And given the GOPs narrow majority, the high courts decision could ultimately be a factor that helps decide control of the House of Representatives after the 2026 election. Louisiana has argued that it was caught between a rock and a hard place. At first, a federal court ruled that the state had likely violated the Voting Rights Act by drawing only one majority Black district out of six. When the state sought to comply with that decision by drawing a second majority Black district, a group of self-described non-African American voters sued in 2024, alleging the state violated the Constitution by relying too much on race to meet the first courts demands. Though the case dealt with vastly different legal and practical concerns, the session at times seemed to echo a battle playing out between the federal judiciary and President Donald Trumps administration. Even as Trump has vowed to follow adverse court orders, several of his aides have flirted with defying them. Im sort of concerned about your viewthat a court order compelling you to do something is not a good reason for you to do it, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, a member of the courts liberal wing, told the attorney for the plaintiffs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Edward Greim, the attorney representing the non-African American voters who challenged the map, stressed that Louisiana was not under a direct court order to draw a new map. The state had other options, including continuing to litigate the case. Part of whats at issue in the case for the Supreme Court is whether race predominated among its considerations in drawing new districts. State officials have said that politics was more at play than race and specifically a desire to retain incumbents, including House Speaker Mike Johnson. The case, Louisiana v. Callais, tees up a series of important questions that deal with race and redistricting. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 requires that states do not dilute the power of minority voters, a response to decades of post-Civil War efforts particularly in the South to limit the political power of African Americans. And yet the 14th Amendments Equal Protection Clause demands that a state cannot draw a map based on race. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Because of that inherent tension, the Supreme Court has tended to give some breathing room to states in drawing their maps. The central question of the case is exactly how much room state lawmakers should have. Louisiana officials have suggested that the Supreme Court might want to use the case to take federal courts out of the business of deciding racial gerrymanders altogether, just as it withdrew from fights over political gerrymanders in a 2019 decision. But a group of Black plaintiffs that challenged the states original map are, understandably, opposed to that idea because it would severely limit their ability to challenge future discriminatory maps. The Supreme Court has, in recent years, slowly chipped away at the power of the Voting Rights Act. But in a stunning decision in 2023, the court appeared to bolster a key provision of the VRA by ordering Alabama to redraw its map to allow for an additional Black majority district. Chief Justice John Roberts, a conservative, penned the opinion for a 5-4 majority, siding with the courts three liberals. Another conservative, Justice Brett Kavanaugh, agreed with the key parts of the holding. The new district at issue in the case slashes diagonally for some 250 miles from Shreveport in the northwest of the state to Baton Rouge in the southeast to create a district where Black residents make up some 54% of voters up from about 24% under the old lines. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The non-African American voters slammed the district as a sinuous and jagged second majority Black district that they told the Supreme Court is based on racial stereotypes, racially balkanizing a 250-mile swath of Louisiana. Although Black residents make up roughly a third of Louisianas population, the state had just one Black lawmaker in its six-member US House delegation prior to the initial court ruling that led to a second Black-majority district. Rep. Cleo Fields, a Democrat, won the seat in last years election adding a second Democrat to the states delegation. In raw political terms, the Supreme Courts decision could leave Fields in power or it could force a redrawing of the maps before the 2026 election. The Biden administration submitted a brief to the Supreme Court that technically supported neither party but that urged the justices to reverse a special three-judge district court that would throw out the current map. Days after taking office, the Trump administration submitted a letter declaring that it had reconsidered the governments position and that the earlier brief no longer represents the position of the United States. CNNs Tierney Sneed and Fredreka Schouten contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com GEORGE COUNTY, Miss. (WHLT) A Lucedale man was arrested and charged with two counts of possession of child pornography. The Mississippi Attorney Generals Office, with the assistance of the George County Sheriffs Office, executed a search warrant at a home in the 100 block of Duncan Street on March 20. Cause of death for 3-year-old Mississippi girl released Deputies said Brandon Creel, 32, was arrested and booked into the George County Regional Correctional Facility. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The investigation is being led by the Mississippi Attorney Generals Office. Brandon Creel (Courtesy: George County Sheriffs Office) Anyone with information concerning this or any other crime is encouraged to contact the George County Sheriffs Office, Criminal Investigations Division at 601-947-4811. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJTV. The reports about threats against judges have become unnervingly familiar. My MSNBC colleague Clarissa-Jan Lim noted the other day that jurists are facing increased threats of violence, and theres ample evidence in support of the thesis. NPR reported last week, for example, that federal judges who have ruled against the Trump administration are confronting a wave of threats, potentially compromising their personal safety and the independence of the judiciary. Reuters added that U.S. marshals have warned that federal judges are facing unusually high threat levels as tech billionaire Elon Musk and other Trump administration allies ramp up efforts to discredit judges who stand in the way of White House efforts. The New York Times reported, At a moment when the judiciary is weighing pivotal decisions on the legality of Trump administration policies, the potential for violence against judges seems to be rising. The article quoted one federal judge, whose 20-year-old son was shot and killed at her home in 2020 by a self-described anti-feminist lawyer, who said: This is not hyperbole. I am begging our leaders to realize that there are lives at stake. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Donald Trump does not appear to be listening to those pleas. On the contrary, the president published an item to his social media platform late last week that read in part: Radical Left Judges could very well lead to the destruction of our Country! These people are Lunatics, who do not care, even a little bit, about the repercussions from their very dangerous and incorrect Decisions and Rulings. ... The danger is unparalleled! The Republican went on to write, It is our goal to MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN, and such a high aspiration can never be done if Radical and Highly Partisan Judges are allowed to stand in the way of JUSTICE. STOP NATIONWIDE INJUNCTIONS NOW, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE. In case this reckless rhetoric werent quite enough, Trump also used his platform to amplify an item over the weekend from a right-wing blog that read in part, When judges exceed their constitutional authority by obstructing or overturning executive actions without legitimate constitutional grounds, they not only overstep their role but may also commit acts tantamount to treason and sedition. Others on the presidents team are predictably adding to the pile-on. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt targeted a specific federal judge from behind the podium last week, just days after Trump called for the jurists impeachment. Around the same time, Attorney General Pam Bondi, during one of her many Fox News appearances, called out three specific district court judges by name. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is joining the dangerous parade. After U.S. District Court Judge Ana Reyes ruled against the administrations ban on transgender Americans serving in the military, the former Fox News host wrote via social media, 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. Note that Hegseth put Reyes title in scare quotes, as if she werent an actual Senate-confirmed federal judge, before assigning a she/they pronoun to her. Just as notably, of course, the Pentagon chief suggested that Reyes, by honoring the law, is necessarily interfering with military duties, despite the fact that transgender Americans have already been serving in the military for years without incident. Taken together, the bigger picture is, to put it mildly, unsettling: As more judges face threats of violence, Trump and his team are publicly condemning judges in highly inflammatory and demonstrably false ways. The Washington Post reported last week that the White House was pushing forward with delegitimizing the independent federal judiciary by attacking judges who rule against the administration. That, in and of itself, was an extraordinary sentence, generally unseen in healthy and stable democracies. But the observation is made worse by the fact that Team Trump is executing this campaign in irresponsible ways that appear quite dangerous. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com PHNOM PENH, March 24 (Xinhua) -- A high-level think tank forum was opened here on Monday, with a focus on deepening Cambodia-China "Diamond Cooperation Framework" towards building a Cambodia-China community with a shared future in the new era. Co-hosted by the Royal Academy of Cambodia (RAC) and the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, the two-day forum was convened in Phnom Penh on Monday and in the cultural province of Siem Reap on Tuesday. Zhen Zhanmin, vice president of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said that China and Cambodia are iron-clad friends who share weal and woe and help each other, and their bilateral relations have maintained a high level of development for a long time. The construction of a community with a shared future between China and Cambodia has continued to advance in depth, accumulating valuable experience and playing a demonstration role in building a community with a shared future for the surrounding areas and even for mankind, Zhen said. "China and Cambodia use political mutual trust to safeguard the construction of a community with a shared future, economic and trade cooperation to strengthen the foundation of the construction of a community with a shared future, and cultural exchanges to win people's hearts and minds for the construction of a community with a shared future," he told the forum with some 100 participants. Zhen added that think tank exchanges are an important part of cultural exchanges, and play a unique role in enhancing policy communication, promoting practical cooperation, and promoting people-to-people exchanges. Khy Sovanratana, a secretary of state at Cambodia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, said the forum marked an important platform to strengthen the unwavering commitment of Cambodia and China in promoting various areas of cooperation and reviewing significant developments. He highlighted that the relationship between Cambodia and China has been nurtured by successive generations of leaders to the present day. "This historic bond has grown from strength to strength, evolving into an ironclad friendship built on the foundation of win-win cooperation, peaceful coexistence, mutual respect for independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and non-interference in internal affairs," he said. Sovanratana said since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Cambodia and China on July 19, 1958, the two countries have developed a strong and multifaceted relationship, particularly in key areas of political, economic, military, and cultural cooperation. "Today, as we gather here, we seek to explore new opportunities and deepen our bilateral relationship for the benefit of both nations, as well as for global peace, prosperity, and sustainable development," he said. "The Diamond Cooperation Framework is a testament to our partnership, serving as a concrete roadmap based on mutual trust, shared objectives, and commitments," he added. Sok Touch, president of the RAC, said Cambodia and China agreed in 2023 to develop a "Diamond Cooperation Framework" with six priority areas, including political cooperation, production capacity and quality, agriculture, energy, security and people-to-people exchanges. "Overall, I could say that the Cambodia-China relations in the new era have reached the highest-ever level in the history," he said. Touch believed that the forum would provide valuable input for the two countries to deepen bilateral ties and cooperation towards building a high-quality, high-level and high-standard community with a shared future in the new era. Kin Phea, director general of the International Relations Institute of Cambodia of the Royal Academy of Cambodia, said under the "Diamond Cooperation Framework," the two countries have been working together to develop an "Industrial Development Corridor" and "Fish and Rice Corridor." He said the "Industrial Development Corridor" has been designed to support the transformation of coastal Sihanoukville into a model multipurpose special economic zone, as the "Fish and Rice Corridor" aims to enhance agricultural productivity and ecological sustainability around the Tonle Sap Lake in northwest Cambodia. "China has always been ready to work with the international community to restore confidence in multilateralism and globalization, build an open and pluralistic world economy, and blaze a new trail in inclusive growth and sustainable development," he said. According to Phea, the forum has been the fourth of its kind since 2019. German prosecutors are reportedly seeking to charge the prime suspect in the Madeleine McCann case before he is released early from jail for raping a pensioner at the resort where she disappeared. Christian Brueckner, 48, is suspected of killing the three-year-old while she holidayed with her family in the Portuguese resort of Praia de Luz in 2007. He is seeking early release from a seven-year jail term for raping a 72-year-old woman at the same resort in 2005, according to The Sun. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In October, a German court cleared Brueckner of unrelated rape and sex abuse offences in Portugal between 2000 and 2017, but he could still face a retrial if an appeal is successful. A court last year cleared Christian Brueckner of separate rape and abuse charges - Reuters A source close to the case in Germany told the newspaper: Normally a move like his bid for an early release would be laughed out of court. But everyone is very nervous after what happened with his rape trial last year. The court was surprisingly favourable to him. Brueckners lawyers know they need to go for this now, in case an appeal against his acquittal is allowed. That will create a new arrest warrant and hell be stuck behind bars. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Madeleine prosecutors still have firepower they can rely on but they are nervous. As soon as Brueckner is free he will disappear and likely never be seen again. Weve seen it time and time again over the years with other offences and even his own lawyers have said it. He cannot be released. That would mean disaster for the McCann case and parents Gerry and Kate. That is why prosecutors are making their preparations. Charging over Madeleine would be the only ace left up their sleeve for keeping Christian B behind bars. Lets hope they dont need it. German prosecutors confirmed to The Sun a hearing on Brueckner was pending but declined to comment further. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His sentence for the 2005 rape currently runs out in September. A court is considering the appeal against his acquittal in last years trial but if his bid for early release is successful he could be free before a decision is made. Brueckner was in prisons when he was informed he was a suspect in the McCann case - CARABINIERI The Penal Enforcement Chamber in Germany will rule on the early release application, which will be heard in private. Any appeal on that decision would be transferred to the court in Celle, Germany. Madeleines disappearance when her parents Kate and Gerry dined at a nearby tapas bar prompted an international manhunt and unprecedented global media attention that made it one of the most notorious missing-person cases ever. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Breuckner was made the prime suspect in her disappearance in June 2020. German prosecutors claim to have physical evidence that Madeleine is dead but lack forensic evidence. Brueckners associate, a petty crook known as Helge B, claims he all but confessed to the killing while they were at a festival in Spain in 2008, and told him: She didnt scream. Detectives in Germany claim they have additional witnesses but have so far not disclosed who they are or what they know. Brueckner denies any involvement in Madeleines disappearance. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) Madison is an idyllic beach town known for great schools and quality of life, but the town is the biggest employer. On This Week in Connecticut, First Selectwoman Peggy Lyons explains to Dennis House why Madison will never be able to attract a big employer. Watch the video above. THIS WEEK IN CONNECTICUT Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Ed Durr, the truck driver who landed one of the largest political upsets in New Jersey history by beating the states longest-serving Senate president, announced Monday that he will drop his bid for governor. In a text message to POLITICO, Durr sent a statement saying he is endorsing conservative former radio host Bill Spadea, who is one of the leading Republican candidates. But then Durr sent another text to POLITICO several hours later saying "I've made no endorsement of any kind." Durr said in a text that he was dropping out "when it became clear we would not have the matching funds that would provide me the debate stage and access to the voters across the state. It also became clear that when you can not get your message out your words mean nothing." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Durrs departure sets up what is likely a two-man race between Spadea and former Assemblymember Jack Ciattarelli, both of whom are trying to court President Donald Trumps support. Over the weekend, Trump met with Ciattarelli and Spadea separately, according to social media posts and media reports and the presidents decision to weigh in is viewed as make-or-break in the GOP primary. Another GOP candidate, state Sen. Jon Bramnick who is a frequent Trump critic, is also running. A trucker from South Jersey, Durr catapulted to national attention after unexpectedly ousting then-Senate President Steve Sweeney in 2021. Beating Sweeney who is now also a candidate for governor briefly made Durr a political hero on the right: A MAGA trucker, on a shoestring budget, toppled one of the most powerful Democrats in New Jersey. It was a rise to power that seemed made for Hollywood. Last spring, Durr entered the governor's race on the theory that he could launch a similar upset to take over the governors mansion although it was ultimately not meant to be. On nearly all fronts, Durr ran a campaign lacking structure. He severely lagged in fundraising there is still no filing from the state's Election Law Enforcement Commission showing how much he raised, if anything. The confusion from his campaign continued Monday, when a statement went out from Durr's top campaign consultant which Durr texted to POLITICO saying he was endorsing Spadea for governor. However, Durr later told several media outlets, including POLITICO, that he is not endorsing in the governor's race. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also struggled to find a lane. Spadea is courting the most conservative parts of the Republican party who would appear to be among Durrs base of supporters. And while support for Trump has become the paramount focus in the GOP primary for governor, Durr who is an ardent Trump supporter said that his campaign was not Trump-centric and that he was focused on affordability. I think there needs to be more substance behind the candidates than just saying youre for Trump, Durr told POLITICO earlier this year. Some of Durrs campaign promises would have been nearly impossible to fulfill, like eliminating the states sales tax as well as property taxes for homeowners. But on the campaign trail and as a state senator he carried an Everyman appeal. He remained a full-time truck driver while running for governor, often doing interviews and social media videos while trucking. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think he talks like a real person, Bramnick said in an interview. I actually like him I don't agree with him on everything. But I like him. After ousting Sweeney in the 2021 election, Durr became a minor celebrity among Republicans, doing the interview circuit on conservative media and even getting a phone call from Trump. Durr said he ran for office because he could not get a gun carry permit. But his fame fizzled out once he entered Trenton as well as his perceived power. He proposed conservative measures like scaling back New Jerseys strict gun laws and abortion rights, although none of his bills became law. He also became something of a pariah among his fellow Republicans. After his upset victory, some of Durrs old online comments resurfaced that became politically damaging, such as A woman does have a choice! Keep her legs closed. While Durr represented a district that Trump won, he was ousted in the 2023 election by South Jersey Democrats seeking to reclaim the Senate post in large part because of his old comments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is unclear what comes next for Durrs political career. He is listed on the states campaign finance database as being a 2027 candidate for state Senate, although that does not necessarily mean he will run. Forever hell be the David that beat Goliath, state Senate Minority Leader Anthony Bucco said in an interview. People will always remember Ed the truck driver. An agreement between two major transportation companies could forge a cleaner future for global trade, all while ensuring our supply chains keep running smoothly. On Feb. 18, Japanese shipping company Ocean Network Express (ONE) announced it is teaming up with freight forwarder Yusen Logistics to provide greener shipping options. As part of the deal, ONE will use a sustainable biofuel for propulsion during marine transportation, slashing well-to-wake carbon pollution by as much as 84% compared to Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In turn, Yusen will offer this shipping option to its business customers, giving them a clear path toward reducing value chain pollution which frequently accounts for the bulk of an organization's planet-warming pollution, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Gilberto Santos, ONE's senior vice president of global commercial and service management, called the partnership with Yusen "an important step" toward increasing green shipping solutions in Asia, "offering customers the flexibility to reduce their supply chain emissions while maintaining the reliability they expect from ONE," per the release. Overall, the collaboration should be a game-changing tool in a shipping industry that moves roughly 80% of global goods, per Statista, making it a crucial sector to clean up to bring our ecosystems back into balance and limit the worst effects of rising global temperatures, including increasingly intense extreme weather and more favorable conditions for disease spread. Other green shipping developments include the launch of a carbon-negative waste-derived biofuel, meaning the fuel removes more carbon from the air than it produces when burned, according to Energy Policy. A battery-electric container ship has also passed its trial period in China. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We are very pleased to sign an agreement with ONE as the first logistics company in Asia and aim to build a more sustainable future through the provision of eco-friendly shipping solutions together," said Kohei Omura, Yusen's head of ocean freight forwarding group, per the release. "Together, we are advancing our shared commitment to sustainable shipping and supporting the industry's decarbonization goals," Santos added. 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 investigation into profanity laden anti-Trump graffiti in Tallahassee ended in Atlantic Beach. Justin White, 46, of Tallahassee was arrested in Atlantic Beach on Thursday. Hes accused of tagging anti-Trump graffiti at the state Capitol, on several downtown Tallahassee buildings and law enforcement vehicles, a Florida Department of Law Enforcement news release states. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< The criminal investigation was initiated on Feb. 12, after a suspect spraypainted profanities around the perimeter of the Capitol Complex, including elevated concrete pillars, sidewalks, and walls, as well as the intersection of Monroe and Jefferson Street and the Leon County Courthouse, the news release states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement White was originally identified by FDLE Capitol Police after he tagged several buildings with explicit and derogatory language including **** TRUMP, an FDLE social media post states. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] Arrests warrants were issued by FDLE, LCSO and TPD, the news release states. White was located in Atlantic Beach yesterday. He was arrested by FDLE with the Atlantic Beach Police Departments assistance and booked into the Duval County Jail without incident. #YourFDLE arrested Justin White, who was wanted for spray painting and defacing Floridas Capitol Complex with along with several @LeonSheriff and @TallyPD vehicles parked at officers homes. White was originally identified by FDLE Capitol Police after he tagged several pic.twitter.com/w8rrdmnUPf FDLE (@fdlepio) March 21, 2025 Read: Two boaters found dead, two remain missing after boat capsized on the St. Johns River Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read: Hes not dead, but it feels worse: Middleburg womans husband deported to India Read: Civil lawsuit filed against Glynn County dentist accused of murdering boyfriend [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. Man arrested for sex assault against a minor GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KREX) A man was arrested Saturday evening after a child tipped off law enforcement about a sexual assault in progress. The Grand Junction Police Department responded to the report around 7:20 p.m. in the southeast quadrant of the city. Officers, after arriving on the scene and ensuring the childs safety, started interviewing witnesses. The suspect 45-year-old Rogelio Vargas was interviewed by GJPD detectives and then arrested. He was booked at the Mesa County Detention Facility on charges of sexual assault on a child by force and second-degree burglary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A minor had contacted the Grand Junction Communication Center to report a recent assault inside a residence. Due to the sensitivity of this case and privacy laws under the Colorado Open Records Act, no further information about the juvenile will be released, GJPD said in a news release. The police department said it believes this was an isolated incident and theres no ongoing threat to the public. 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 WesternSlopeNow.com. A man who was attempting to steal a tire and a rim from a vehicle was arrested after he shot at the car owners husband. According to a Los Angeles Police Department spokesperson, a shooting call came in around 12:30 a.m. in the 16000 block of Gledhill Street in L.A.s North Hills neighborhood. Arriving officers located a man in his 20s with a gunshot wound; he was transported to a local hospital in stable condition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The victim reported seeing a vehicle approach his wifes vehicle, the LAPD spokesperson said. He went outside to investigate and found the male suspect trying to steal a tire and rim from the vehicle. Resident zip-tied, safe stolen during Woodland Hills home invasion The victim screamed, and the suspect shot him, the spokesperson added. After the shooting, the suspect, a man in his 40s, was said to have fled the area; however, police confirmed that he was later detained. Video footage taken by KTLA photojournalist Jose Alvarado shows a man in handcuffs being led by police to the back of a squad car. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No further details surrounding his identity or any possible charges he will face were released right away. Nancy Fontan and KTLA photojournalist Jose Alvarado 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 KTLA. JANE LEW, W.Va. (WBOY) A Lewis County man is accused of passing out from drug use while caring for an infant. On March 16, troopers with the Lewis County detachment of the West Virginia State Police responded to a residence on High Street in Jane Lew where Dylan Sharples, 33, of Jane Lew, was supposed to be caring for an infant, according to a criminal complaint. Dylan Sharples The complainant had attempted to contact Sharples multiple times via phone calls and text messages with no answer, troopers said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When the complainant went to the residence, a one-year-old infant was in a high chair in the living room, and Sharples was laying in the bedroom next to a smoking device consistent with drug use, according to the complaint. Clarksburg woman charged with murder after allegedly stabbing mother After the complainant was able to wake Sharples, he was lethargic and confused and left the residence before troopers arrived; troopers tested the smoking device and it returned positive for methamphetamine, troopers said. Sharples has been charged with child neglect. He is being held in Central Regional Jail on $30,000 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 WBOY.com. (The Hill) A man drove his car into protesters outside a Tesla dealership in Palm Beach County, Florida, on Saturday, authorities said. The suspect, identified as Andrew Dutil, drove the vehicle onto the sidewalk where protesters had gathered to demonstrate against President Trump and tech billionaire Elon Musk, according to The Associated Press. Dutil was driving at a slow speed, forcing people to scramble out of the way, authorities said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Deputies said none of the participants in the demonstration were hurt in the incident. Are drivers ditching Teslas? Edmunds reveals findings Dutil was arrested and charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill, according to the Palm Beach County Sheriffs Office. A Tesla logo is seen at a charging station in Woodstock, Georgia, in March 2025. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart, File) The incident comes as protests have been popping up across the country near Tesla dealerships, looking to combat Musks role in the Trump administration and with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Along with the protests, there have been several incidents involving vandalism targeting Tesla dealerships, fueling concerns of political violence. Some have been targeted with gunshots or incendiary devices. Attorney General Pam Bondi has labeled the incidents domestic terrorism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump accuses protesters at GOP town hall of being paid to show up Palm Beach County is home to Trumps Mar-a-Lago estate, where the president and Musk have spent time together. Musk has faced increased backlash over DOGEs role in dismantling various federal agencies. His Tesla stock has also dropped significantly since the start of the year and the protests across the country have become more frequent. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. AMMAN, March 23 (Xinhua) -- Jordan's Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi on Sunday discussed dangerous escalation in the region with his Iranian counterpart Seyed Abbas Araghchi, according to a statement by Jordan's Foreign Ministry. During a phone talk with Araghchi, Safadi condemned the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip, stressing the need for a permanent ceasefire and Israel's adherence to a preliminary truce deal brokered by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States. He also called on the international community to take a clear and effective stance to compel Israel to abide by its ceasefire agreement with Lebanon and halt its attacks on Syria in adherence to the 1974 Disengagement Agreement. Safadi and Araghchi also discussed bilateral issues, the statement said. For his part, Araghchi voiced deep concern over Israel's repeated violations of ceasefire accords in Gaza and Lebanon, strongly denouncing Israeli attacks and the civilian casualties they inflicted. He urged the international community and Islamic nations to act swiftly to stop the escalation and prevent further threats to regional stability. Since early Tuesday, the Israeli army has launched intensive airstrikes across Gaza, marking the first such escalation after the ceasefire in the coastal enclave took effect on Jan. 19. The Gaza-based health authorities announced Sunday that the death toll from Israel's war on Gaza since October 2023 has surpassed 50,000. Meanwhile, in a separate statement, Jordan's Foreign Ministry condemned Israel's plan to establish an agency for the "voluntary departure" of Palestinians from Gaza, denouncing it as a violation of international law and an act of forced displacement. The ministry's spokesperson Sufian Qudah reaffirmed Jordan's absolute rejection and condemnation of the Israeli government's decision, citing UN Security Council Resolution 2334, which deems Israeli measures to alter the demographic composition of occupied Palestinian territories illegal. Qudah called on the international community to hold Israel accountable, end its aggression in Gaza and the West Bank, and support Palestinian rights to an independent state along the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) A man from Indiana has been indicted in a Miamisburg homicide investigation. The Montgomery County Prosecutors Office has indicted Dametrius Turner, 32, of Indianapolis, with murder and several other charges. This indictment comes after a woman was found killed at a residence on Golden Arrow Court on March 12. Ohio teacher allegedly shows up to students home, asks for homework Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police were first called to the residence for a reported shooting. Upon arrival, they found 52-year-old Leslie Renee Ross dead with multiple gunshot wounds. Authorities searched for the suspect for 13 hours before locating Turner. He was identified as the shooter through surveillance video and witness statements. Investigation revealed Ross arrived at the home where Turner was staying, but after an altercation, he shot her several times before fleeing. On Monday, March 24, the Montgomery County Grand Jury indicted Turner on the following charges: Two counts of Murder Three counts of Felonious Assault One count of Grand Theft firearm One count of Tampering with Evidence One count of Aggravated Possession of Drugs One count of Assault Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Turner is currently in the Montgomery County Jail on a $1.5 million bond. He is scheduled to be arraigned on Thursday, March 27. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. (WKBN) A Trumbull County resident was scammed out of over $20,000 this past week. Read next: Boardman man charged in Liberty bus stop shooting According to a release from the sheriffs office, the woman reported on Friday that she was out of $23,000 in cash after receiving an email disguised as a message from PayPal, saying she owed $300. The release states that the woman called a phone number included in the email. She spoke with a man who identified himself as Alex Rodger and claimed to be a CIA agent, reports state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The man allegedly told the woman he was investigating the victim for a money laundering scheme and requested she send him $23,000 in cash for verification purposes. Reports state the woman withdrew the cash from her bank, packaged it and overnighted it to an address in Vienna, Virginia. A man in Boardman was scammed out of $20,000 last week in a similar scheme. The man told police that he had given $20,000 to an unknown man after receiving an email he thought was from PayPal, directing him that he needed to pay $981 and to call a phone number if he had questions. The sheriffs office advises everyone to refrain from sending money and sharing personal information with anyone and to report requests to police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nadine Grimley and Michael Reiner contributed to this report. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com. A man convicted of planning to hijack a plane and fly it into an Atlanta high-rise will have to wait two weeks to find out his fate. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Prosecutors say he wanted to commit a 9/11-style attack on the Bank of America Plaza in midtown. Cholo Abdi Abdullahs sentencing was delayed Monday when he asked for new attorneys. His new date for sentencing is April 7. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prosecutors want to see Abdullah spend life behind bars. Channel 2s Candace McCowan reported that its still not clear why he wanted to attack the Bank of America Plaza in Atlanta. What the government has argued in the documents it submitted to the court is this person needs to be constrained, said Lynsey Barron, a former federal prosecutor. We can not trust him ever to be in society again. He was planning to conduct a massive attack and admitted he was intending to kill as many United States citizens as possible. If this crime doesnt warrant life imprisonment, it would be hard to think of what crime would. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Online searches by the Kenyan national cholo show he searched for the tallest buildings in Atlanta. Prosecutors believe the 55-story building was the target of Abdullahs planned attack. Whats particularly awful about this crime is that it was two years in the making, Barron said. During that two-year period, prosecutors say Abdullah was an operative of the terrorist organization al-Shabaab and trained with the group, which has pledged allegiance to al Qaeda. He also went to flight school in the Philippines and was on the cusp of getting his commercial pilot license. His mother is the one who turned him when learning about his association with the group. Abdullah was convicted in November in the plot to hijack a commercial jet and take down the high-rise. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] The sentencing of Cholo Abdi Abdullah, a Kenyan national who was convicted of plotting a 9/11-style attack on the United States, was adjourned Monday after he asked for new lawyers. "I was thinking of having new lawyers who will represent me," said Abdullah, who represented himself during the trial last year that ended with him being convicted on all six federal counts. The judge had appointed standby counsel but Abdullah said he did not want them to represent him at sentencing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: Al-Shabaab operative plotted 9/11-style attack: Prosecutors "I don't want these two lawyers to represent me. I want to start fresh," said Abdullah, who appeared in a wrinkled beige jail smock over a bright orange T-shirt and spoke slowly and softly in response to several of the judge's questions. Judge Analisa Torres closed the courtroom for a private conference with Abdullah. When court resumed, Torres announced she would appoint new counsel and adjourn sentencing to April 7. Federal prosecutors have asked the court to imprison Abdullah for life. "The defendant's terrorism crimes, combined with his specialized, al-Shabaab financed pilot skills, which he will have for the rest of his life, underscore that he poses a real and ongoing threat to innocent lives around the world. He remains a skillful, well-educated, and highly trained terrorist who is readily capable of hijacking a commercial aircraft to commit a terrorist act," federal prosecutors wrote in a sentencing memorandum. "Law enforcement thwarted the defendant's plot shortly before he obtained his commercial pilot's license -- inches away from bringing his murderous plans to fruition." PHOTO: Kenyan national Cholo Abdi Abdullah is seen in a mugshot from his July 2019 arrest in the Philippines released by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group. (Criminal Investigation and Detection Group) Abdullah wanted to fly a plane into the "tallest buildings" in Atlanta, including the 55-story Bank of America Plaza, on behalf of the terror group al-Shabab, federal prosecutors said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As federal prosecutors described it, Abdullah sought to "carry out a chilling plot to hijack a commercial airplane, crash it into a building in the United States, and recreate al Qaeda's horrific September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks." He first trained with al-Shabaab for months in Somalia, learning to fire AK-47 assault rifles and make deadly explosives, prosecutors said. Then, he enrolled in a flight school in the Philippines and devoted hundreds of hours earning the flight certifications necessary to fly large commercial aircraft, prosecutors said. "All told, the defendant secured his private pilot's license and came terrifyingly close to getting his commercial pilot's license just before he was arrested," prosecutors said. MORE: Abbey Gate terror suspect charged and extradited to the US Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Abdullah joined Al-Shabaab in 2015 after becoming more religious and listening to the teachings of Anwar al-Awlaki. Facebook messages show regular communication between group members regarding training, prayers, planning attacks, getting money and plans for Abdullah to attend flight school, prosecutors said. After living in a safe house and receiving training for three months, Abdullah was sent to flight school in the Philippines. While he was away, some members of his safe house carried out a bombing and shooting at the DusitD2 complex in Nairobi, Kenya, according to federal prosecutors. Abdullah was arrested by officials in the Philippines in July 2019. During his interrogation, he said he told his mother he had joined Al-Shabaab and that she alerted authorities, prosecutors said. Abdullah cooperated with the FBI, providing details of who was communicating with, how he was trained and other information. Man convicted of plotting 9/11-style attack asks for new lawyers at sentencing originally appeared on abcnews.go.com OCONEE COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA) The Oconee County Coroners Office has released the identification of a man who died in a mobile home fire in February. The SC Law Enforcement Division and other agencies responded to a fatal fire on Friday, Feb. 28 off of Wells Highway near the intersection of Owens Road in Seneca. Investigators said with the statement of a witness in the home at the time of the fire, documented known tattoos the victim had and DNA analysis, the victim has been identified as 34-year-old Brent O. Freeman, of Seneca. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An autopsy revealed that Freeman died as a result of smoke inhalation. Details on the cause and origin of the fire have not been released at this time. The fire remains under investigation by the Oconee County Sheriffs Office and Seneca FD. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. PORTSMOUTH Police are investigating after a man was found dead at a business Sunday afternoon. Just before 4 p.m., police received a call about a possible deceased person at a business in the 500 block of Cumberland Avenue, according to a release. The business was not specified but that address is at the intersection with High Street near a Shell gas station, a sub shop and others. When officers arrived, they found an unresponsive man with gunshot wounds. Police said Bennie Anthony Artis Jr., 51, was pronounced dead at the scene by medics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The investigation is ongoing and no other details have been released. Anyone with information about the shooting is encouraged to contact the Portsmouth Police Investigations Bureau at 7573938536. Those who wish to remain anonymous can contact the Crime Line at 1888-LOCK-U-UP. 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. Temple, Tx (FOX44) A man who sped off when he saw Temple police behind him turned out to be wanted out of Austin for sexual assault. Temple police said an officer was patrolling in the 800 block of South 25th Street about 7:55 p.m. Saturday when they pulled behind a vehicle, with the driver suddenly took off and began trying to evade them. At one point the driver came to a stop and began walking away. Officers caught up with him and identified him as 46-year-old Jose Antonio Renteria. Upon checking, it was found that he had an outstanding arrest warrant out of Austin for aggravated sexual assault of a child. He was taken into custody and transported to the Bell County Jail. Monday he remained there with bond on the sex assault charge set at $25,000. However, jail records indicated he was also being held without bond on an immigration violation. Jail records indicate he is from Durango, Mexico. 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 KWKT - FOX 44. BEIJING, March 24 (Xinhua) -- As a country facing huge challenges posed by tuberculosis (TB), China is accelerating its efforts to eliminate the disease domestically while making active contributions to the global anti-TB fight. According to data from the National Disease Control and Prevention Administration, the incidence and mortality rates of TB in China have fallen by 30 percent since 2012. Since 2012, China has successfully identified and treated approximately 7.85 million cases of pulmonary TB, maintaining a treatment success rate above 90 percent and a relatively low mortality rate, the administration said. Behind these encouraging figures is a cumulative investment of over 10 billion yuan (about 1.39 billion U.S. dollars) from China's central government into special funds for TB prevention and control, noted Zhao Yanlin, head of the Center for Tuberculosis Prevention and Control under the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (China CDC). To ease the financial burden on TB patients, some local medical insurance bureaus in China have included TB into the category of outpatient chronic and special diseases, which offers higher reimbursement rates and caps than ordinary outpatient diseases, with reimbursement rates exceeding 90 percent. In Jiangsu Province, thanks to the policy to use certain innovative drugs free-of-charge in medical treatment, the treatment success rate for drug-resistant TB cases has risen to 85.6 percent, said Zhu Limei, an institute director under the province's center for disease control and prevention. Beyond financial and policy support, China is also committed to innovation, aiming to further enhance TB prevention and treatment. In Jinxi, a town in Jiangsu, TB detection has shifted from passive to proactive screening, with an AI-powered imaging system and molecular diagnostic technologies now available at the community health center. "AI can quickly flag lung abnormalities, allowing faster diagnosis at the grassroots level," said Tang Qingyan, a doctor with a local hospital. Currently, the new system and technologies are available in 47 community hospitals across the province, with plans to expand to 100 this year. In March, Jiangsu's capital city of Nanjing launched one of the country's first zero-cost treatment plan for drug-resistant TB using BPaL -- the latest short-course regimen worldwide. This regimen, featuring drugs such as bedaquiline, pretomanid and linezolid, is expected to shorten the treatment period to just six months and boost the cure rate to over 90 percent. The first patient to receive the regimen in Nanjing said, "I was under immense pressure, worrying about whether the disease could be cured. This short and effective novel treatment has given me reassurance." In its national plan for TB prevention and control released in November 2024, China set a clear objective to steadily reduce incidence, maintain low mortality rates, and significantly ease the burden on patients. Jointly issued by nine authorities, the plan integrates responsibilities across 15 government departments into an accountability framework, strengthening interagency coordination to ensure policy implementation. "Ending TB requires everyone's effort, not just that of healthcare workers," said an official from the China CDC. In fact, the entire Chinese society is actively working toward the goal of eradicating this deadly disease, the official noted. Hu Linjia, a university student volunteer, has been visiting local communities and using interactive quizzes to educate the elderly on TB prevention and control. "Every person made aware of TB brings us one step closer to ending this epidemic," Hu said. WASHINGTON (DC News Now) D.C. police are investigating after a man was found shot in Southeast early Monday. According to the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), just after 12:30 a.m., officers responded to the 400 block of 37th Place SE for a reported shooting. At the scene, they found a man suffering from gunshot wounds. Police said he was conscious and breathing. PHOTOS: Firefighters battle blaze at DC liquor store; no injuries Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Responders took him to the hospital for treatment. MPD encourages anyone with information regarding what led up to the shooting to call 202-727-9099 or text 50411. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. KANSAS CITY, Mo. A 28-year-old Oak Grove man was killed in a crash late Sunday night in Jackson County, according to a crash log from the Missouri State Highway Patrol. According to the highway patrol, the crash was reported just before 11:45 p.m. on Sunday, March 23, on East Renick Road, east of Outer Belt Road, north of Oak Grove. Fundraiser, memorial created for family of Drexel firefighter killed in crash Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The highway patrol said it appeared that a man driving east in a 2024 Ford F-150 left the road, struck a sign, and then a tree. The driver, who was the only person in the truck, was pronounced dead shortly after midnight. The victims name has not been released. The Jackson County Sheriffs Office assisted the highway patrol. The cause of the crash 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 FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) An Emmetsburg man has been sentenced to five years in prison for possessing meth near Emmetsburg High School. According to a release from the Department of Justice, David Specketer, 47, was sentenced on Friday for possessing methamphetamine near the school. He pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute meth within 1,000 feet of the school on November 14, 2024. 1 dead following weekend stabbing in Sioux City Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On April 15, 2024, police attempted to arrest Specketer at his home for an outstanding warrant. The warrant was in connection to a 2022 case in Woodbury County where he had been charged with possession with intent to deliver meth. After trying to flee from officials into his home, Specketer was arrested. Officials found an ounce of meth in his home and Specketer told officials he d plans to distribute the drug to someone else. Additionally, Specketers home was located within 1,000 feet of a protected location, Emmetsburg High School. Specketer was sentenced to five years in prison, will have to serve an eight-year supervised release term, and is ordered to pay $10,000 in fines and attorney fees. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Rifle man receives Carnegie Medal for heroism GARFIELD COUNTY, Colo. (KREX) A Rifle man who saved three people including a mother and her child last year will receive the Carnegie Medal for his courageous act. Alex Larson was one of 17 recipients from the U.S. or Canada to receive the award. The Carnegie Medal is given to men and women who risked serious injury and death to save others. The award is North Americas highest honor for civilian heroism, the news release said. On April 11, 2024, a head-on collision occurred at State Highway 82 and County Road 113. One of the vehicles carried Jess Tucker and her son. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Larson, driving to work when he saw the crash, was one of the first people on the scene. Using his volunteer firefighter training, Larson grabbed a pair of scissors from his work truck and ran to the car containing Tucker. She was badly injured in the crash suffering several broken bones. He pulled her from the vehicle and moved Tucker to safety. But she then screamed that her baby was still in the car. Larson, seeing the flames from below the car, immediately rushed back to the car and saved the young child. With Tuckers vehicle now engulfed in flames, Larson turned to the second car and assisted law enforcement in rescuing a man trapped in the other automobile. All three individuals survived the crash. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They are alive today because of the quick and selfless action of a citizen who rushed to aid, with little or no thought of his own safety, Garfield County Sheriffs Office said in a press release. Then, on May 22, 2024, Garfield County Sheriff Lou Vallario presented Larson with the Citizen Lifesaving Award and gave him a certificate and medallion. Vallario said Larson moved selflessly and quickly to rescue someone (he didnt) even know. Larson was the only Coloradoan to receive the award which began in 1904. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WesternSlopeNow.com. VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) A man recently convicted of trying to kill a Virginia Beach Police detective in 2023 was sentenced on Monday to 10 years in prison. Man shoots at officer during car theft investigation in VB A jury in December found 20-year-old Thomas Davenport Jr. guilty of attempted second-degree murder and three felony gun charges after shooting at a detectives vehicle on Aug. 2, 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to officials, Davenport was with three juveniles in the Level Green area of Virginia Beach. In the early morning hours of Aug. 2, officers were searching the area after reports of car break-ins. During the search, a police detective located Davenport, 18 at the time, who had been recently suspected of stealing a rifle from a vehicle, along with three juveniles. The detective began to return fire after a man shot towards the detectives vehicle, police said. The group then began firing towards the detective. Around 25 bullets were shot, but the detective was not struck. One bullet lodged in the vans steering column while he was behind the wheel. I felt the bullets hitting the vehicle, the detective testified at Davenports sentencing. I thought I would die. They were trying to kill me. The shooting happened in a residential townhome neighborhood in the Level Green section. One stray bullet was embedded in the headboard of a neighbor while they were asleep. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Davenports grandmother Tammy Harris testified that he was a sharp student until about age 16, when his mother, Harriss eldest daughter, got involved heavily with drugs. Harris said Davenport attended Tallwood High School and worked briefly as a welder at Colonnas Shipyard. Tamara Bowser is Davenports aunt but they are close in age. I was disappointed because hes a good kid, and not a violent person, Bowser testified. Defense attorney Kristin Paulding disagreed with the prosecutions description of Davenports role in the shooting. Senior Assistant Commonwealths Attorney David Talmadge told the court that 15 shell casings came from Davenports gun. Paulding said Davenport shot only four or five times. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement [The Commonwealths version was] not the way that the evidence came out at trial, Paulding said. There was a fourth boy that was never arrested that I believe is responsible for those 15 shots. Davenport apologized to the detective just before sentencing. Hes always been apologetic, Paulding said. Obviously, he had no idea that there was a police officer in that van or that it was going to come to that. And I think that his allocution was very heartfelt. Judge Kevin Duffan said Davenport did not need to choose the path that he took and sentenced him to an active total of 10 years in prison, suspending 29 additional years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im sentencing you for what you did, and not who you are, Duffan said to Davenport. Youve made some very, very bad choices. I felt Judge Duffans sentence was fair, Paulding said. Thomas and I both discussed the range of punishment and the severity of the offense. We were both prepared for that. Earlier Monday, Davenports co-defendant, Christian Hinton, was in the same courtroom and pleaded guilty to attempted second-degree murder and three gun-related felonies. Hinton did not have a plea agreement, and he faces a maximum of 27 years in prison. He will be sentenced in June. He was 17 at the time but prosecuted as an adult. Another co-defendant is currently in the juvenile system and was just 14 at the time of the incident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fourth person in Davenports group that night a boy was never arrested. Continue to check WAVY.com for updates. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com. RALEIGH, N.C. A New Bern man was sentenced to 10 years in prison for illegally possessing guns as a convicted felon. Nathan Sheptock, 24, pled guilty on Aug. 22, 2024. Court documents and evidence shows Sheptock illegally possessed two guns. On Aug. 9, 2023, law enforcement responded to a verbal dispute between Sheptock and a woman at a home on Kinston Street in New Bern. One-year-old girl shot in New Bern has died, police now investigating homicide Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since Sheptock was on active probation at that time, probation officers searched the home and found saw what appeared to be narcotics in plain sight. Law enforcement continues to seek answers in 1-year-old infant homicide A witness also said Sheptock had guns in the house. The New Bern Police Department took out a search warrant and found guns hidden in the backyard. The guns were tested to confirm Sheptocks DNA. When violent felons such as Mr. Sheptock possess firearms, they are committing serious federal crimes and endangering our communities, Acting United States Attorney Daniel P. Bubar said. I commend the FBI and our state partners at the New Bern Police Department and NC Probation for their hard work in this case, which brought Sheptock to justice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WNCT. WASHINGTON (DC News Now) A Maryland man was sentenced last week for a February 2022 robbery at Busboys and Poets in D.C., according to the United States Attorneys Office for the District of Columbia (USADC). According to the USADC, Isaiah Chase, 27, of Silver Spring, Md., was sentenced by the U.S. District Court to seven years in federal prison with five years of supervised probation upon release for the gunpoint robbery. 2 arrested in Maryland after burglary at gun store in Fairfax County, police say Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The USADC says Chase pled guilty in August 2024 to brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence. Court documents state Chase was one of the conspirators who planned to rob the Busboys and Poets in the 400 block of K Street NW. with the help of an employee on Feb. 6, 2022. According to court documents, the employee told Chase to arrive at the bookstore around 9:30 p.m. and to enter when a specific person could be seen at the front of the business. Getting ready to bloom: Cherry blossoms reach stage 5 of 6 Court documents continue by stating Chase and two other people entered the store when employees were cleaning for the night, wearing dark clothes and masks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The three robbers pointed guns at the employees and demanded money; however, they were only able to take the keys to the business before driving away, according to the USADC. Chase was arrested on Nov. 4, 2022, in his Silver Springs apartment, and officers searched his home. At the home, the USADC said officers seized: A loaded Glock 27 .40 caliber handgun with a magazine and 24 rounds of ammunition A loaded .556 caliber automatic machine gun with a magazine containing 49 rounds of ammunition A loaded .556 caliber AM-15 rifle with a magazine containing 25 rounds of ammunition A .40 caliber magazine containing nine rounds of ammunition Two bags of marijuana intended for distribution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The case was investigated by the FBIs Violent Crimes Task Force and MPDs Carjacking Task Force. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) Shamar King was sentenced to four years in prison March 14 after shooting into an apartment, endangering a man and children nearby, according to a news release. On May 10, 2024, King, 26, went with his girlfriend and her child to an apartment on Goff Street. The couple was heading to the childs fathers place. However, the childs father did not open the door to let them in after they arrived unannounced. King then exited his girlfriends car and shot into the apartment 10 times. Shamar King The girlfriend and victims child, as well as other children, were waiting for their school bus nearby. No one was injured. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the shooting, King and his girlfriend grabbed her child, got back into their car and sped off. When police arrived, multiple eyewitnesses identified King as the shooter. Based on their investigation, police charged King with maliciously shooting into an occupied dwelling, using a firearm in the commission of that felony, being a felon in possession of a firearm, attempted malicious wounding and child neglect. On Dec. 19, 2024, King pleaded guilty to maliciously shooting into an occupied dwelling, being a felon in possession of a firearm and child neglect, in exchange for the Commonwealth agreeing to dismiss his other charges. It goes without saying that gunfire solves nothing, said Norfolk Commonwealths Attorney Ramin Fatehi in a statement. Mr. King had no reason to possess a gun, let alone to shoot it because another man did not open his door, and had he kept his temper he probably would not have come to the attention of law enforcement. Thanks to the help of witnesses who identified Mr. King, we and the court have held Mr. King accountable for his dangerous and unnecessary conduct. We will continue to focus our energies on the small number of people who do dangerous things in our city. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Continue to check WAVY.com for updates. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com. HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) An Arizona man was sentenced to 15 years in prison for sending drugs to North Alabama through the mail, The United States Department of Justice announced. Jeremiah Warren, 42, of Vail, Arizona, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of meth in October 2024. A U.S. district judge sentenced him to serve 180 months in prison. Man arrested for murder following 2022 deadly crash in Huntsville Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Warrens plea agreement said he supplied an Athens man, Isaiah Oneal Rice, with controlled substances, including crystal methamphetamine, for several years through the U.S. mail. From February to May 2022, Warren mailed over 34 pounds of packages containing controlled substances into the Northern District of Alabama, a news release from the DOJ stated. The DOJ said Rice was prosecuted and sentenced to 176 months in prison in January 2024, after he pleaded guilty to several drug-related charges in July 2022. Those charges included: Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute 50 grams or More of Methamphetamine Two counts of Unlawful Distribution of Methamphetamine Possession with Intent to Distribute 50 grams or More of Methamphetamine Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime Felon in Possession of a Firearm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The case was investigated by the FBIs North Alabama Safe Streets Task Force, with assistance from the Limestone County Sheriffs Office and Athens Police Department. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com. Chen Wei (L), leader of the 34th batch of the Chinese medical team in Zanzibar, and Rashid Hassan Ali (R), a cardiothoracic surgeon at Mnazi Mmoja Hospital, check a tuberculosis (TB) patient in Zanzibar, Tanzania on March 23, 2025. (Xinhua/Emmanuel Herman) by Xinhua writers Hua Hongli, Lucas Liganga DAR ES SALAAM, March 24 (Xinhua) -- "Today I am able to join people from around the world in celebrating World Tuberculosis Day, thanks to the life-saving intervention of the 34th batch of the Chinese medical team in Zanzibar," said a beaming Seif Hassan Mbarouk, a tuberculosis (TB) patient in Tanzania's Zanzibar. Observed annually on March 24 since 1993, World Tuberculosis Day aims to raise awareness and urgency in ending TB, the world's deadliest infectious disease. Mbarouk, 25, was diagnosed with drug-resistant TB five months ago when his condition was already critical. The cosmetics trader's symptoms have since eased significantly, thanks to timely intervention by Chinese doctors. Mbarouk received standardized treatment at Mnazi Mmoja Hospital, the region's main public healthcare facility, where members of the 34th batch of the Chinese medical team are based. "Mnazi Mmoja" means "one coconut tree" in Swahili language. The progress in his treatment has also restored hope among fellow patients and local health workers in battling TB, especially drug-resistant strains. A resident of Miembeni on Unguja Island, Mbarouk recounted how his ordeal began last August. Persistent coughing and headaches led him to seek help at a nearby health center, where he was initially diagnosed with pneumonia. "They gave me medication for several weeks, but nothing changed," Mbarouk said. "I was overwhelmed with fear and anxiety. I didn't know what was wrong with me." Encouraged by friends, Mbarouk eventually turned to Chinese doctors at Mnazi Mmoja Hospital. "They diagnosed me with drug-resistant tuberculosis," he said. "After five months of treatment, I feel much better." Mbarouk urged others to act early if they notice symptoms. "Don't fear the disease. With proper medication, TB is curable," he said. Rashid Hassan Ali, a cardiothoracic surgeon at Mnazi Mmoja Hospital, said TB remains prevalent in Zanzibar, affecting people of all ages, from children to the elderly. The main challenge, he said, is late diagnosis. "Most TB patients first seek care in remote health centers that lack experts and diagnostic equipment," said Ali, who trained in cardiothoracic surgery at Jiamusi University in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. "By the time they arrive here, their conditions are often critical." Members of the Chinese medical team in Zanzibar have stepped in to help. They treat patients and train local medical personnel to improve the diagnosis of various illnesses, including TB. "They've introduced bronchoscopic diagnosis for respiratory complications, a technology we didn't have before," said Ali. "In fact, the first bronchoscope used in Zanzibar was brought by the Chinese doctors." He said medical cooperation with China has significantly improved healthcare across Zanzibar's Indian Ocean islands. Chen Wei, leader of the 34th batch of the Chinese medical team in Zanzibar, said Tanzania, one of the countries hardest hit by TB, has made much progress in recent years, thanks to government and international investment in TB prevention. But challenges remain, he said. "Case detection rates are still low. In some areas, limited medical resources prevent timely diagnosis, leading to delays in treatment or worsening of the disease," Chen said during an interview at Mnazi Mmoja Hospital. Drug-resistant TB is another growing concern, he said, primarily caused by irregular use of antibiotics. "It complicates treatment and increases costs." Chen also highlighted a lack of specialized diagnostic equipment and TB medications in some grassroots clinics, which affects treatment outcomes. "Public health awareness must improve," he added. "Many people don't recognize TB symptoms or delay seeking care. Others interrupt treatment, which increases the risk of spreading the disease." The Chinese medical team plays a vital role in TB prevention and treatment, offering clinical support and introducing advanced technologies, including precision tools for lung biopsies from China, which have boosted detection rates and improved diagnostic accuracy, Chen said. "We're also conducting TB prevention training for local healthcare workers to enhance their skills," he said. Beyond hospital walls, the team organizes free clinics and community health education campaigns to raise awareness and promote early detection. Chen noted that TB treatment in Tanzania differs from that in China, where prevention systems are more mature. In China, screening, diagnosis and treatment are well-integrated and supported by national health insurance. "Over the past year, I've seen firsthand the challenges posed by unequal access to medical resources and the vital role of healthcare in global development," he said. "It's deepened my appreciation for China's healthcare system and strengthened my commitment to serving people as a physician." According to the World Health Organization's (WHO) Global Tuberculosis Report 2024, Tanzania's TB incidence rate has fallen 40 percent, from 306 cases per 100,000 people in 2015 to 183 in 2023. TB-related deaths, including HIV-positive and HIV-negative patients, have dropped by 68 percent, from 58,000 in 2015 to 18,400 in 2023. This places Tanzania among three high-burden TB countries on track to meet the 2025 milestone of a 50 percent reduction in incidence and one of 13 countries projected to achieve a 75 percent reduction in TB deaths. The theme of this year's campaign is "Yes, We Can End TB - Commit, Invest, Deliver." The WHO calls for renewed global efforts to eradicate the disease, urging governments to invest in strengthening healthcare systems to expand TB services, especially in rural and hard-to-reach areas. Measures include infection control, contact tracing, broader screening and early diagnosis, effective treatment, and psychosocial and nutritional support, focusing on protecting vulnerable groups. Chen Wei, leader of the 34th batch of the Chinese medical team in Zanzibar, speaks during an interview with Xinhua in Zanzibar, Tanzania on March 23, 2025. (Xinhua/Emmanuel Herman) Rashid Hassan Ali, a cardiothoracic surgeon at Mnazi Mmoja Hospital, speaks during an interview with Xinhua in Zanzibar, Tanzania on March 23, 2025. (Xinhua/Emmanuel Herman) Seif Hassan Mbarouk, a tuberculosis (TB) patient, speaks during an interview with Xinhua in Zanzibar, Tanzania on March 23, 2025. (Xinhua/Emmanuel Herman) A man was seriously injured after falling 25 feet in Canoga Park, according to authorities. The incident was reported at about 2:06 p.m. in the area of 7000 N Topanga Canyon Boulevard, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department. That area is located on a bridge above Bell Creek. According to the LAFD, the man, about 55, fell 25-feet into the wash below the bridge. After being lifted by the fire engine, the man was transported via ambulance to a local hospital. As of 3 p.m., his condition hasnt been updated from serious. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. A man was shot and killed Saturday night in a Merced County neighborhood. Deputies were en route to the shooting that happened at 7:30 p.m. at the 7100 block of Bobbi Avenue in Winton. Several agencies responded to the scene and found a man lying on the ground with a gunshot wound to the head. The victim was airlifted to a local hospital and later died. His identity is not being released, pending notification of next of kin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investigators identified a person of interest at a nearby home. The home was surrounded and the SWAT team responded to help with the operation, deputies said. Authorities went inside and couldnt locate anyone, but later are talking to two persons of interest in connection with the case, deputies said. Anyone with information is asked to call the Merced County Sheriffs Office at 209-385-7445. YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) Police are investigating two homicides in three days after a man was killed Sunday on the West Side and a man who was wounded Friday died of his wounds Sunday evening. Read next: Juvenile in custody after man found dead on West Side A man who was found about 5 a.m. Friday in the grass in the 500 block of East Lucius Avenue with several gunshot wounds died on Sunday at St. Elizabeth Health Center after he was taken off life support. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police found him after answering a gunshot call. The man was also able to call 911 on a cell phone but police could not speak to him when they arrived because of his condition. Lt. Mohammad Awad of the Detective Bureau said detectives never did get to question the man. The mans name has not yet been released. YPD is asking that anyone with information on the case contact the Detective Bureau at 330-742-8911 or CrimeStoppers Youngstown at 330-746-CLUE. The two deaths now give Youngstown five homicides for 2025. Last year at this time, the city had six homicides and 21 total. The city also has 11 shootings so far this year. Last year at this time, Youngstown had 12 shootings and 81 total shootings for the year. 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. The mango is a truly fantastic fruit. As Mango.org explains, it is actually a "drupe," aka a "simple fleshy fruit that usually contains a single seed," and belongs to the cashew family. It is about 5,000 years old and originated in eastern India and southern China, spreading across Southeast Asia. Its first seeds made their way to the Middle East, East Africa, and South America around 300 AD. Thats where they have thrived ever since, as the fruit has always flourished best in tropical and subtropical climates. Until now. Over the past several years, mango crops have been popping up in an unexpected location: Sicily. While not typically recognized as an ultra-cold climate, Sicily was once quite distant from being "subtropical." However, experts say that climate change is changing all of this and rapidly. In 2021, Sicily experienced temperatures nearing 120F, marking the highest ever recorded on the European continent. As Euronews highlighted, data from MeteoBlue indicates that the Mediterranean basin, where Sicily is located, is warming 20% faster than the global average. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related: How Does Climate Impact Wine? This change in weather has led to an increase in what scientists refer to as "precipitation extremes" and the potential desertification of the island. While none of this is good news for anyone, farmers on the island are at least seizing it as an opportunity to try growing new crops, such as mango and avocado, which are better suited to warmer climates than their previous plantings. And according to a few farmers, they're making a killing in doing so. I sell mangoes for 3 to 5 euros per kilo, depending on the variety, quality, and appearance, Pietro Cuccio, a 70-year-old Sicilian farmer, shared with Green European Journal. If you consider that lemons have reached 20 cents, you understand that the price of tropical fruit can be a driving force for a more profitable agriculture. As Cuccio explained, he began growing mangoes on the island about two decades ago after returning from stints in Hawaii and Los Angeles, and he fell in love with the fruit. While he says everyone called him "crazy" for trying to cultivate the fruit at that time, he was able to get help from agronomists at the University of Palermo, who helped him find the right soil to make it work. And work it did, as Cuccio says he produces a little more than 44,000 pounds of mangoes each year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This success is less surprising to experts like weather.com meteorologist Jennifer Gray, who shared that climate change is "having a huge impact on agriculture. As temperatures, growing seasons, and precipitation patterns change, farmers are forced to make a decision," Gray added, "This could lead to a huge shift from where we have traditionally seen certain foods grown to a completely new landscape." Many in Italy are heeding this call. Green European Journal highlighted that data from Coldiretti, Italys major agricultural organization, shows that the number of hectares used to grow mangoes and avocados has expanded from just 10 hectares in 2004 to 1,200 today. Related: Seafood Is Getting Riskier to Eat Due to Climate Change, According to Science However, all this new growth means that other crops typically grown here are being sidelined, including Cuccio's lemons. Italy has also seen a significant decline in olive oil production and wine grape production. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While this may seem like a distant issue if you're reading this from the United States, keep in mind that changes in crop production anywhere in the world will affect you, too especially when it comes to grocery prices. Weather.com noted that while most mangos in the U.S. come from Mexico today (about 63% of our total mango imports), that could shift with climate change, as Mexico has experienced its own extreme weather, causing a drop in production, leading to a drop in exports to the U.S. by more than 5% in 2024, causing prices of individual mangoes to continue to rise. Italians also aren't the only ones in the Mediterranean region testing out new fruits. Phys.org reported on the growing mango trend in Greece, which also had its warmest winter on record in 2024. The publication noted that the Greek state agriculture institute Demeter is working on a study to determine if this tropical fruit and others could address its drought issue and keep farmers working. As the study's supervisor, Teresa Tzatzani, told Phys.org, the point is to "find new ways to face this climate change and make it work in our favor." And if Cuccio's success is any indication, you could soon expect sliced mango to join those cucumbers, tomatoes, and feta in your Greek salads so long as climate change doesn't get those ingredients first. Read the original article on Food & Wine Left, right, center: Regardless of partisan identity, the common wisdom is that some qualities and aspirations unite us all. We all want to be healthy and prosperous. We all want to be loved. And, in theory, we all prefer beauty over ugliness. That last proposition, however, has been seriously challenged in the era of Donald Trump. The reality TV host has always embraced an aesthetic that is as hideous as it is expensive, from gold-plated everything to his vile haircut to his ill-fitted suits. It's only grown worse in the decade since he first ran for president, as both the leader and followers compete to inject as much unsightliness as possible into the American field of vision. Eye-bleeding internet memes have given way to uncanny AI-generated images of Trump or Elon Musk dressed as ubermensch. It's always with a grotesque shiny overdone quality, the visual equivalent of a burned steak covered in ketchup (a favorite Trump meal). "We are here to defeat Bureaucracy!" pic.twitter.com/VGe63HaLR7 NIMS (@NIMS1470058) March 6, 2025 MAGA men range from T-shirt guys to expensive suit dudes, but regardless of where they fall on the spectrum, it's vital to look bad. T-shirt guys, now joined by Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, favor a gold chain over a wrinkled shirt. The suit guys prefer the Jordan Peterson practice of clashing patterns and a poor fit. What holds it together is looking so terrible as to be, as Gareth Watkins described in the New Socialist, "a small act of cruelty" towards anyone who gazes upon the man. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Then there is the "Mar-a-Lago face," created by a combination of aggressive plastic surgery, fake tan, and make-up spackled on so thick that it would crack if the fillers hadn't already paralyzed their faces. As Inae Oh noted in Mother Jones, most people who get plastic surgery seek subtlety, but Mar-a-Lago face is "ridiculously blunt." As one plastic surgeon told her, it's "[o]ver the top, overdone, ridiculous." The effect is to turn real human faces mostly women, but some men so fake-looking it's uncanny, as if an AI image generator had replaced a person with an exaggerated version of themselves. Want more Amanda Marcotte on politics? Subscribe to her newsletter Standing Room Only. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is an especially painful-to-see example. She even recorded a video of herself getting extensive dental cosmetics, lest anyone mistake her blazing white teeth for the real thing. But let's not leave out former Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida, whose filler abuse helped get him the nod for Attorney General from Trump, before he became one of few nominees so annoying even Senate Republicans had to nix him. It would be unwise to believe that it's just that all these people lack self-awareness, especially as many of them looked just fine before they started kissing up to Trump. I agree with Barnard professor Anne Higonnet, who told Mother Jones it's "a sign of physical submission to Donald Trump." After all, the look requires doing everything wrong, in a way so thorough that self-abasement seems a big part of the point. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But why is this so appealing to the right? First, there is no doubt that a frightful visage captures attention, and in this political environment, attention matters more than anything. Looking like a normal human being is boring, but being a grotesque version of yourself is a guaranteed way to get people looking. Call it the "car crash" principle of aesthetics. As a bonus, the weirdness "triggers" the liberals, which is the goal above all others in Trumpland. But there's also an ideological project, however unwitting, in the uncanniness. Fascism, especially the 21st-century version practiced by the MAGA movement, is at war with reality. The hyperreality of the MAGA aesthetic is about power. Unable to create good or beautiful things, they express dominance by turning everything ugly. Journalist Kat Tenbarge argued Sunday on Bluesky that "looking 'better' is often not the point" of extreme plastic surgery. Instead, "Its about looking different, looking strange, because it causes people to pay more attention." It is also, crucially, about gender. Despite insisting that gender is both inborn and immutable, the right's behavior reveals a fear that men and women aren't as different as their ideology holds. So there's pressure to perform gender in hyperbolic ways, to the point where they look like cartoon versions of "man" and "woman," instead of regular people. It would be campy if it weren't so humorless. There's a lot of vitriol aimed at drag queens from Republicans, and no wonder. Drag queens also embrace outlandish gender performance, but it's to subvert rigid gender roles instead of reinforcing them. That, plus your typical drag queen knows how to make five pounds of make-up look cool instead of gross, but they won't share their secrets with the ladies of the GOP. The explosion of ugly AI art on right-wing social media accounts is more of the same. As the hosts of "In Bed With The Right" explained on a recent podcast, MAGA loves to use AI to generate images of their heroes like Trump and Musk dressed as over-the-top masculine stereotypes: Roman gladiators, cowboys, oiled-up and armored-up comic book superheroes. It's very Village People, but without the sense of fun, much less eroticism. As with the Mar-a-Lago face, despite the gendered exaggeration, the aesthetic impact is anti-sex. It's too plastic and strange to square with the fleshy realities of human sex. And that is no doubt the point. Sexuality is too human and vulnerable. Fascists want to project an image of invulnerability. It's telling that, when he was last on Joe Rogan's podcast, Musk and Rogan fantasized about replacing human sex partners with robots designed to look like cartoon characters. Musk's slide into MAGA has manifested in this increasing enthusiasm for the hideous. Tesla cars, whatever else their flaws, used to be designed to look attractive, a vehicle a normal person might wish to drive. The Tesla Model S, first released in 2012, isn't special, but few people would be embarrassed to be seen driving it. I've owned a @Tesla Model S since 2012. I used to get flipped off by dudes in big pickup trucks and thumbs up from Prius drivers. Now it's the other way around. pic.twitter.com/VVXTbeZIw4 K7IN (@TerraSight) March 19, 2025 The Cybertruck, which came out after Musk had slid into right-wing troll territory, is so ugly that, even two years after its release, most people can't see one without making fun of it. Q: How can you tell if a Cybertruck has been vandalized? A: It looks better. #TeslaTakedown pic.twitter.com/qI1VfpBnsB Scary Larry (@aintscarylarry) March 20, 2025 Musk has also MAGAified his personal style. He was never a movie star, but he passed for a normal person back when he was having public meetings with President Barack Obama. I miss the old non-nazi and common sense Elon Musk who voted for Obama not once but twice. Has anyone seen this guy lately? @elonmusk pic.twitter.com/TzwB41PkCk Jurgen .. (@Jurgen80048425) March 20, 2025 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now he dresses as if he looks in his closet, asks what would most repulse women, and throws that on to speak in public. His chainsaw accessory got the most attention at his Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) appearance, but the whole outfit was terrible, from the long coat to the chains to the odd square, flat sunglasses. Elon Musk is swinging around a chainsaw at CPAC pic.twitter.com/J1fGdOXBOD Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) February 20, 2025 He's a Cybertruck in human form, and that is almost certainly the point. As Watkins writes of the similar sartorial shift to awful seen in Zuckerberg, it signals Musk feels "liberated to ignore what does and doesnt look good, choosing instead to display that he is wealthy and powerful enough to look terrible if he wants." Musk was especially incoherent during that appearance, but I think that's what he meant when he said, "I am become meme." He's dehumanized himself, becoming a garish caricature of fascist longing instead. Ultimately, this is why ugliness is so central to the MAGA aesthetic. So much of fascism is about shunning those human qualities traditionally thought of as good, but are viewed as getting in the way of power. This is the aesthetic version of Musk's declaration that the "fundamental weakness of Western civilization is empathy." Being deliberately ugly, for MAGA, is an act of contempt. It's polluting other people's field of vision just to make their day worse, in a petty display of dominance. The post From Mar-a-Lago face to uncanny AI art: MAGA loves ugly in submission to Trump appeared first on Salon.com. There will be events in Carthage for National Vietnam War Veterans Day on Friday, March 28. The events will start at 9 a.m. with a brunch at the Carthage First United Methodist Church at 608 State Street that will last until 11:30 a.m. At 11:30 a.m., vehicles will line up for the parade honoring Vietnam Era veterans. The parade will go from noon until 12:40 p.m. at there will be a ceremony starting at 1 p.m. to honor Vietnam Era veterans at St. James Catholic Church on 327 West Street in Carthage. 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 WWTI - InformNNY.com. Civil rights leaders march to the Alabama State Capitol building on Sunday, March 23, 2025 to commemorate the Selma to Montgomery march that eventually led to passage of the 1965 Voting Rights Act. (Ralph Chapoco/Alabama Reflector) Local elected officials, civil rights leaders and dignitaries walked more than 3 miles from St. Jude Catholic Church to the Alabama State Capitol on Sunday, replicating the final leg of the 1965 Selma-to-Montgomery march. Sundays event ended with speeches celebrating the courage and honoring the sacrifice of those on the march, which led to the Voting Rights Act. But speakers also offered a stark warning that there is more work ahead. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We celebrate the 60th anniversary of this campaign with a spirit of hope and my optimism in our very troubled times, said Martin Luther King III, son of Martin Luther King Jr., who delivered his How Long, Not Long speech on the Alabama State Capitol steps at the end of the 1965 march. The freedom that we won in this historic campaign was purchased with the precious blood of martyrs whose names are indelibly etched in Americas freedom journey. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX King, speaking to about 200 people, mentioned several people on the march, including Jimmie Lee Jackson, who was shot and killed by Alabama state troopers during a peaceful protest in Marion. Jacksons death inspired the march. King also mentioned Viola Liuzzo, a Detroit civil rights activist and mother of five who participated in the march and was shot and killed by three members of the Ku Klux Klan as she was driving between cities to transport people participating in the march. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He then spoke of others, including former U.S. Rep. John Lewis who was beaten on the Edmund Pettus Bridge during Bloody Sunday, and his father; mother Coretta Scott King and staff members who supported them. We need to make sure that history is enshrined because it is said that a people that do not remember their history are doomed to repeat it, King said. King urged Congress to pass the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act, which would restore federal review of voting laws passed by states or localities with histories of voting discrimination. The U.S. Supreme Court struck down the requirement in Shelby County v. Holder in 2013. Sheyann Webb-Christburg, who participated in the events in 1965, also spoke to give the crowd a sense of the magnitude of that moment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This was the post traumatic experience of my life as a child, Webb-Christburg said to the crowd on Sunday. The picture of Bloody Sunday has never left my heart. Montgomery Mayor Steven L. Reed, who delivered the opening address, said that despite advancements made through the Voting Rights Act, people have yet to fully exercise their right to vote. Nine million Black voters stayed at home in the November election, more than enough to make up the difference of where we are in America, he said. Right here in Montgomery County, only 55% of eligible voters turned out to vote. That is somewhat getting comfortable and complacent, not understanding the sacrifices, not understanding the challenges, not understanding the balance that will fall on their behalf. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Martin Lewis has called out UK energy firms billing tactics as he urges MPs to take action. Back-billing, where an energy firm sends an unexpected bill for energy used over 12 months ago, is occurring too commonly, the money expert told the cross-party Energy Security and Net Zero Committee. Under current rules, energy firms should not back-bill for more than 12 months as long as there hasn't been an unreasonable obstacle. For instance, this could be when a customer ignores requests for payment, or attempts to conceal their level of energy use. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Lewis said this criteria was too open to interpretation and, alongside a lack of proper enforcement, allows energy firms to back-bill customers when it is not reasonable to do so. Martin Lewis speaks to the Energy Committee, March 2025 (Parliamentlive.tv) The money expert gave an example of someone who wasnt available for a meter reading when the energy firm had asked. They were not available at the time, so the meter reader went away. They then sent letters to that person. That person says they didn't receive the letters. Has the company done enough? he said. "The company will clearly say it's done enough. The consumer will clearly say it hasn't done enough. Where is the dividing line? Mr Lewis added that he believed there are even some companies who are back-billing when they clearly know there has not been an unreasonable obstacle. But he said there was also an issue with enforcement of the rules, with greater powers needed for the energy ombudsman. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Popular provider Scottish Power is particularly abominable, Mr Lewis told MPs. I hope it's improved over the last few years, but I know that I can say that here without any worries. So I will say it, Scottish Power has been particularly abominable of its billing over the years, he said. The Money Saving Expert founder was being questioned at the time by Bill Esterson, chair of the Energy Committee. The Labour MP wrote to Ofgem in February with concerns after his own experience of being sent a bill by his supplier for well beyond the 12-month cut off. Ofgems energy price cap will rise for a third consecutive time in April (Getty Images/iStockphoto) Fortunately, I was able to navigate the complaints landscape and resolve the issue, he told the regulators CEO Jonathan Brearley. My concern is that not everyone will have the time, energy or knowledge to push their case, and that the personal stories we hear about miss all of the people who simply paid the bill presented to them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Asked if he supported calls to reduce the allowable back-billing period to six months, Mr Lewis said: We live in a modern digital age where were trying to have smart meters installed that can give you an instant reading of what is going on in your energy system. Why should a firm take over six months to give you a correct bill? I cant see any reason for that. Energy costs have been rising since October 2024, with Ofgems energy price cap set to rise for a third consecutive time in April. This will bring the energy bill for an average household up to 1,849, up 6.4 per cent from 1,738. Responding to Mr Lewis comments, a spokesperson for Scottish Power said: "Scottish Power has worked hard and made great strides in customer service with Citizens Advice ranking us as the best big supplier. We have robust processes and a unique customer system which consistently delivers a high performance on billing for our customers." MANILA, March 24 (Xinhua) -- A bomb scare disrupted the operations of the office of Vice President Sara Duterte on Monday afternoon after one of its staff received a bomb threat through a text message. "Office of the Vice President (OVP) personnel were evacuated to a secured area of Robinsons Cybergate Plaza in Mandaluyong City immediately after a staff member reported receiving a text message containing a bomb threat," the OVP said in a statement. The statement said that city police quickly dispatched its explosive ordnance disposal team to sweep the building thoroughly. No explosive devices were found, and the OVP resumed operations at around 4 p.m. local time, it said. The vice president has been out of the Philippines since mid-March, after she traveled to the Netherlands to look after her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, who was arrested on March 11 over a warrant issued by the International Criminal Court. The OVP reminded the public of the dangers of hoax bomb threats, saying bomb threats "are a serious matter concerning public security and safety." "The public is reminded that hoax bomb threats can endanger lives and are punishable by law," it said. The Morgantown Generating Station in Charles County, which maintains two of the coal ash dumps that dot the state. (File photo by Angela Breck/Maryland Matters) A bill advancing in the Maryland General Assembly would enshrine a recent federal rule on coal ash dumps in state law, as President Donald Trumps administration considers rolling that standard back. The Biden-era regulation, which took effect in May 2024, essentially requires owners of inactive coal ash disposal sites to follow the same clean-up rules as active dump sites, closing a loophole that had long frustrated environmentalists. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Trumps Environmental Protection Agency is reviewing the 2024 rule and is considering extending deadlines for utility companies to comply, according to a March news release from the agency. The Maryland bills would lock the 2024 rule in place, and the Senate version passed that chamber just before the crossover deadline earlier this week. It is currently scheduled for a hearing Wednesday before the House Environment and Transportation Committee. States are allowed to set their own coal ash rules, so long as they are either equally or more stringent than the federal law, said Lisa Evans, a senior attorney for Earthjustice who has focused on the issue. Im thrilled to see that Maryland is stepping up, because were going to need the states to hold the line and enforce the federal rule, Evans said. In a couple of years, those federal regulations may not be on the books. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Utility companies have pushed back against the 2024 rule change. In a January letter to current EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, the Utility Solid Waste Activities Group, a trade association for utilities, argued that the Biden administration broadly expanded the scope of the regulations to encompass activities that not only are outside of EPAs statutory authority, but also have historically been within the purview of the States. The trade association called for the agency to rescind the burdensome rule, arguing that it should only cover dump sites that currently contain both coal byproducts and surface water. That would allow for the freedom to establish risk-based closure standards tailored to site-specific conditions. Though few coal-fired power plants remain in Maryland, the state still has several dump sites containing coal-burning byproducts that are likely to fall under the 2024 rule. Lists on EPAs website include dumps associated with the Warrior Run power plant in Allegany County, Montgomery Countys Dickerson plant and two associated with Charles Countys Morgantown plant. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Coal ash dumps pose an environmental and health concern in part because they can fill with rainwater, causing heavy metal pollutants to seep into the groundwater below, and into nearby bodies of water, Evans said. Many historic dumping sites were unlined and uncovered. The list of contaminants includes arsenic, boron and iron, which may be the most visible culprit, said Betsy Nicholas, vice president of programs and litigation at the Potomac Riverkeeper Network. Youll see this characteristic orange going into streams, and theyll turn bright orange, Nicholas said. Its the easiest visual cue. Nicholas said she supports the Maryland bill, SB425/ HB902, because it would likely compel clean-ups in the state. On top of that, she said the bill incentivizes utilities to find beneficial reuse opportunities for their coal waste. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For example, the ash can be used in the manufacturing of concrete, reducing the need to pull other natural materials from the Earth, and lowering the concrete industrys carbon footprint. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Theres a dual purpose in this, Nicholas said. Nicholas said that advocates are hoping to pass the bill in honor of the late Navy Cmdr. Paul Arthur Petzrick, who worked for the states Power Plant Research Program and advocated for beneficial reuse of coal ash. A 2019 report by the Research Program documented 79 sites where coal combustion byproducts were dumped in the state. About 20 of those sites were deemed potential candidates for recovery and reuse of the coal ash, according to the report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The EPA under Zeldin has also stated plans to place coal ash enforcement more fully into state hands, according to a recent news release. In its January letter, the utility trade association called for the EPA to approve state-level enforcement programs for coal ash. Evans said she fears that this would allow pro-coal states to enforce the existing federal rules more leniently even before the EPA begins the lengthy process of rolling back the 2024 regulation. So far, EPAs public statements about the coal ash rule indicate that utilities will have unprecedented influence in the federal government, Evans said. Were seeing that right away, Evans said. A former Maryland priest and one-time sexual abuse whistleblower has been arrested and charged with second-degree child abuse and multiple sex offenses, Baltimore County Police said Monday. William Father Bill Mannion, 62, is accused of sexual abuse that occurred from approximately 1991 through 1994, police said in a news release. Detectives assigned to the Baltimore County Police Departments Crimes Against Children Unit opened an investigation into reports of past sexual abuse by a priest in October 2023. During that investigation, a survivor gave information about alleged abuse involving Mannion in the 1990s in the 600 block of St. Agnes Lane in Catonsville, police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There may be more victims of Mannions alleged abuse, according to police, who are urging others to come forward. In a statement Monday, a spokesperson for the Archdiocese of Baltimore said Mannion left the priesthood in the 1990s and was laicized, or formally removed from the clerical state, in 2004 for reasons unrelated to abuse. The Archdiocese of Baltimore is saddened to learn of allegations of abuse by Mannion and is committed to cooperating fully with law enforcement. The Archdiocese of Baltimore is committed to protecting children and helping to heal victims of abuse. We urge anyone who has any knowledge of any child sexual abuse to contact law enforcement and call the Archdiocesan Office of Child and Youth Protection, the archdiocese said in the statement. In the early 1990s, Mannion reported abuse his former classmate at Catholic Community Middle School of Baltimore experienced at the hands of her former teacher John J. Merzbacher to the archdiocese. Merzbacher received four life sentences and died in 2023 while incarcerated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anyone with information can contact the Crimes Against Children Unit at 410-887-7720 or Child Protective Services at 410-887-8463. Sun reporter Racquel Bazos contributed to this article. Have a news tip? Contact Michelle Deal-Zimmerman at nzimmerman@baltsun.com. This article has been corrected to reflect that William Mannion is a former priest. MARTHAS VINEYARD, Mass. (WWLP) A Marthas Vineyard woman has been charged in the death of a two-year-old boy. According to the Cape & Islands District Attorneys office, Aimee Cotton, 41, of Marthas Vineyard has been charged with manslaughter when a child in her care died after being left unattended in her car. Hampden DAs Office teaches Springfield students about substance use prevention Investigators said that shortly after 1:00 p.m. on March 13, Cotton called 911 and said that a child she was babysitting was not breathing and turning blue. First responders found Cotton performing CPR on the child and took over lifesaving efforts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The child was taken to Marthas Vineyard Hospital and then flown to Massachusetts General Hospital in critical condition. The child died on March 19 as a result of his injuries. The arraignment report stated that Cotton claimed that while babysitting the boy and a one-year-old girl, she left the children in the car for what she estimated was fifteen minutes and returned to find him unresponsive. Surveillance footage from Cottons home revealed that she reportedly left the children in the car for approximately three hours. Cotton allegedly then told law enforcement that the children were strapped into the car seats while she was in her home cooking bacon and doing household chores. A prosecutor in the case stated that the boy suffered from hypothermia and upon his arrival to the hospital, his body temperature was 14 degrees lower than normal. On March 14, Cotton was arraigned in the Edgartown District Court on the charges of Assault and Battery on a Child w/ Injury and Reckless Endangerment of Child. Cotton was held on $2,800 bail with conditions of release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the child died, the charges were upgraded to manslaughter, whereupon Cotton was held on $21,000 bail with GPS. She is due back in the Edgartown District Court on April 3 for a Probable Cause hearing. 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. NORTH GRAFTON, Mass. (WWLP) A horse is being nursed back to health after being surrendered by its owner in Franklin County as part of an ongoing MSPCA law enforcement case. The nearly two-year-old Percheron filly named Astrid was surrendered on March 7 and taken to Tufts, a hospital for large animals in North Grafton due to being emaciated with sores on her body. MSPCA-Angell said Astrid is also being treated for pneumonia and parasites. We were called to the scene because Astrid had been down for at least several days, said Kaycie McCarthy, MSPCA-Angell Equine and Farm Animal Outreach and Rescue Manager. It was clear even before we got her back on her feet that something was wrong. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MassDEP fines Montague business for extensive land-clearing Astrids wearing pants to cover her legs, which had wounds and sores. (Credit: MSPCA-Angell) Astrid was also treated for parasites and pneumonia. (Credit: MSPCA-Angell) Astrid at Tufts with Kaycie McCarthy. (Credit: MSPCA-Angell) Kaycie McCarthy and Astrid at Tufts hospital, where Astrid needed IVs and wore pants to cover her sores. (Credit: MSPCA-Angell) Astrid needed a lot of time in the hospital, McCarthy said. Shes been so weak that the Tufts team is using straps to help her get up when shes done resting, because she doesnt quite have the strength to do it herself, We believe shell be strong enough to move to Nevins this week, but itll be months before shes ready to start looking for a new home. MSPCA said it will take several months of recovery time before Astrid is ready for adoption. To donate to help aid in the cost of her care, visit mspca.org/donate. The case remains open as MSPCA officers investigate the circumstances that led to Astrid being found in this condition. 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. BRIDGEWATER, Mass. (WWLP) A Massachusetts native will be back on The Voice Monday night. Amherst Cinema announces 2025 Science on Screen season Conor James, 28, from Bridgewater will be back on stage for the battle rounds. Hes fighting to stay on team Adam after winning over all four judges over during his audition. Conors musical journey began in his hometown where he immersed himself in musical theater and taught himself how to play the piano on the keyboard his parents bought him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following his dreams, he took a leap of faith after high school and moved to New York to study at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy. The citys vibrant culture allowed him to embrace his authentic queer self while honing his craft. After six years of being in New York, Conor went west to Los Angeles, where he balances his artistic pursuits with practical necessities. He is now established himself as a working musician and producer, performing four nights a week across venues from nursing homes to luxury hotels, and private events all while releasing original music. Season 27 returned on February 3rd and can be watched on Mondays at 8 p.m. on 22News. Another contestant representing Massachusetts is Naomi Soleil of Boston. She performed her version of the song Stars by Grace Potter and the Nocturnals and chose Team Michael. Stay tuned to The Voice weekdays 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. Mayor Brandon Johnson has tapped former Ald. John Arena to lobby on behalf of Johnsons administration in Springfield, providing the progressive Northwest Side politician with his second City Hall job since losing a bitter reelection fight in 2019. Johnsons chief external affairs adviser, Kennedy Bartley, confirmed Monday Arena would be serving as deputy director of intergovernmental affairs in Springfield. The mayors office previously denied there were plans to hire him. The mayors intergovernmental affairs office, which is tasked with lobbying for the mayors agenda in City Council, Springfield and Washington, has been in flux during a critical time for his first-term administration. The previous deputy director who handled state government, Mike Ciaccio, resigned in November during a fraught budget cycle that saw the mayor repeatedly pitch new revenue ideas that would require state lawmaker buy-in to address the citys structural fiscal issues. Arenas hiring was first reported by Crains Chicago Business. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bartley said the key issues in Springfield going forward will be funding for the CTA and potential governance changes at regional transit agencies; securing money for mandatory categorical costs at Chicago Public Schools in areas of special education and transportation; and making changes to the personal property replacement tax. Arenas job will be to find common ground with folks to advance the mayors agenda, which (Arena) has been consistent with in terms of affordable housing, mental health, youth jobs, and community safety, Bartley said. She said that with the new federal administration, City Hall needs to make sure were more aligned than ever with our partners at the state. Hes a fighter and thats what we need, Bartley said of Arena. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Arena did not return requests for comment about his latest City Hall post. Arena lost his 45th Ward City Council seat in 2019 to Chicago firefighter Jim Gardiner. Later that fall, then-Mayor Lori Lightfoot hired him for a $123,996-a-year Planning Department job, drawing outrage from Gardiner and neighboring Ald. Anthony Napolitano of the 41st Ward. In the Lightfoot administration, Arena worked as a senior adviser in the Department of Planning and Development from September 2019 until resigning in January 2020. He was brought on during a city government hiring freeze that a department spokesperson said did not apply to Arena because the city had been in conversations with him since before the freeze was announced. Napolitano, who clashed with Arena last year over an affordable housing project Arena supported in Napolitanos ward, told the Tribune in 2019: This looks like rewarding someone for failure, rewarding someone whos a known bully. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As an alderman, Arena won respect from Chicago progressives during his two terms on the City Council for backing issues such as affordable housing, even in communities where residents opposed such developments. But he also raised the ire of first responders in his ward by calling the citys inspector general and Civilian Office of Police Accountability to report racially charged online comments about a controversial Jefferson Park apartment development plan that included affordable housing. Arena is one of many aldermen hired to well-paying city jobs after losing reelection. Among such soft landings in recent years: former 10th Ward Ald. John Pope was hired as a deputy commissioner in the Water Department under Mayor Rahm Emanuel following his 2015 loss to Susan Sadlowski Garza in the Southeast Side ward; and former 41st Ward Ald. Mary OConnor got hired as a deputy commissioner in the Planning Department after losing in 2015 to Napolitano. Sen. David Bullard, R-Durant, listens as Sen. Darrell Weaver, R-Moore, presents a bill in the Oklahoma Senate on Monday. (Photo by Janelle Stecklein/Oklahoma Voice) OKLAHOMA CITY Senators on Monday passed legislation that they said will clearly outline the minimum standards for which all county jails should operate. Sen. Darrell Weaver, R-Moore, said Senate Bill 595, which creates the Oklahoma Jail Standards Act, was developed as part of an agreement between the Oklahoma Sheriffs Association and the state Department of Health. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The over-40-page bill requires that detention facilities operated by counties, cities and towns be inspected at least once a year to ensure compliance and requires those facilities to have staff available to perform sensitive functions during the inspections. It also requires that the states commissioner of health set rules to implement the provisions. Under the measure, detention facilities can require a temporary emergency waiver after natural or man-made disasters if an inspection would cause an undue hardship, but any entity must include justification of why they qualify and a plan for caring for impacted inmates. It also requires the Health Department to review plans for new detention facilities or substantial remodels. Weaver said the bill gives the states 77 counties some level of standards within their jails. The measure cleared the Senate 46-0. The measure heads to the House for consideration. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE LEANDER, Texas (KXAN) Leander Animal Services rescued a feathered friend from being stuck in a mouse trap. On Friday, March 21, the Leander Animal Services team responded to a call of a hurt Coopers Hawk inside an apartment building hallway, according to a Facebook post from the Leander Police Department. Upon arrival, Animal Service Officer Aguirre spotted little Talonted free from the mouse trap but limping from a hurt foot, according to the post. Officer Aguirre then snuck up on Talonted from the other end of the hall using cat-like reflexes to capture the little hawk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Leander Animal Services team discovered the little bird had an injured beak and a possible injured foot. Talonted is now a patient at the Moonshine Wildlife Rehabilitation Center receiving treatment. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Ukraine's Defence Minister Rustem Umierov reported at 22:33 on 23 March that the meeting between the Ukrainian and US delegations in Saudi Arabia had ended. Source: Umierov on Facebook Quote: "We have concluded our meeting with the American team. The discussion was productive and focused we addressed key points including energy. President Volodymyr Zelenskyys goal is to secure a just and lasting peace for our country and our people and, by extension, for all of Europe. We are working to make that goal a reality." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Background: On Sunday at around 17:40, Umierov reported that the meeting between the Ukrainian and US delegations had begun in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in his evening address following a conversation with Umierov, stated that the meeting between the Ukrainian and US teams in Saudi Arabia was still ongoing and had been "quite beneficial". Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! SEOUL, March 24 (Xinhua) -- South Korea's constitutional court on Monday rejected a motion by the parliament to impeach Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, according to the court. With the rejection, Han was immediately reinstated as prime minister and acting president as the ruling took effect right after delivering the decision. Of eight justices of the nine-member bench, five rejected the motion while one upheld it. The remaining two were in favor of dismissal. The impeachment motion against Han was passed by the opposition-controlled National Assembly on Dec. 27 last year following the impeachment of President Yoon Suk-yeol on Dec. 14 over his botched martial law imposition. Choi Sang-mok, the economy and finance minister who doubles as deputy prime minister for economic affairs, became an acting president in December last year after the impeachments of both president and prime minister. The men who broke into a British palace and stole a fully functioning 18-karat gold toilet over five years ago have finally been brought to justice. The toilet was a piece of art, titled "America," was created by Maurizio Cattelan, the Italian conceptual artist best known for another art piece, a banana taped to a wall, that was auctioned off last year for $6.2 million. The art piece was installed at Blenheim Palace the mansion where former British leader Winston Churchill was born the day before the theft took place. It was insured for $6 million. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After a three-week-long trial at Oxford Crown Court, a jury found 39-year-old Michael Jones guilty of burglary and 36-year-old Fred Doe guilty of conspiracy to convert or transfer criminal property, according to the New York Times. This comes after another man, 40-year-old James Sheen, already pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to burglary, transferring criminal property, and conspiracy to transfer criminal property. During the court proceedings, lead prosecutor Julian Christopher told the court that the men used a car and truck to smash through the wooden gates outside the palace and then used sledgehammers and crowbars to smash one of the buildings windows to gain entry. This was an audacious raid which had been carefully planned and executed, prosecutor Shan Saunders said according to the Associated Press. But those responsible were not careful enough, leaving a trail of evidence in the form of forensics, CCTV footage and phone data. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As Christopher noted, there was plenty of evidence pointing back to them. Authorities discovered Sheens DNA on a sledgehammer abandoned at the crime scene as well as in a stolen truck linked to the raid. Additionally, investigators recovered hundreds of gold fragments from a pair of his sweatpants. While the men involved in the theft have been brought to justice, the golden toilet itself has never been recovered. It is believed to have been disassembled, cut up, and sold in pieces. By Andreas Rinke BERLIN (Reuters) - Working groups for Germany's election-winning conservatives and the centre-left Social Democrats will submit findings on a possible coalition on Monday, a step toward forming a government and bridging differences over issues such as migration. Chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz wants to forge a ruling coalition with the SPD by April 20 but both sides have emphasised getting the substance of the talks right rather than toiling under self-imposed deadlines. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The two parties received a boost last week when the outgoing parliament approved plans for a huge state borrowing programme designed to revive economic growth in Europe's largest economy and build up its armed forces. The conservatives and the SPD are likely to be the only viable coalition prospects in the new parliament, whose term begins on Tuesday. But differences remain that are mostly being hashed out behind closed doors. The SPD has doubts over Merz's plans for tougher migration controls that include turning away asylum seekers at the border. For their part, the conservatives want to reform welfare payments and find savings in the budget, but the SPD has qualms over how deep the changes could go. "I assume that everyone will naturally want to continue working with concentration, but we also don't want to put ourselves under time pressure," SPD General Secretary Matthias Miersch told RTL/ntv. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After winning elections last month, Merz had urged forming a coalition quickly, warning it is "five minutes to midnight" for Europe to fend for itself against a hostile Russia and with the U.S. no longer seen as a reliable ally. Merz's tougher stance on migration reflects a changing political landscape, where the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) has surged to become the country's second-largest party. Adding to the sense of the AfD breathing down the necks of the mainstream players, according to the latest poll by INSA on Sunday, the AfD climbed one percentage point to 23% support while Merz's bloc of Christian Democrats and Christian Social Union (CDU/CSU) fell by one point to 27%. The poll also showed that nearly three-quarters of traditionally thrifty Germans, including 44% of supporters of the CDU/CSU, felt deceived by his borrowing plans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The CDU/CSU has long cast itself as a guardian of financial prudence and during the election cautioned against opening the taps, only for Merz to unveil massive borrowing plans after winning the February 23 vote. (Writing by Matthias Williams; editing by Mark Heinrich) By Maria Martinez BERLIN (Reuters) - A bold move by Germanys prime minister-in-waiting Friedrich Merz to ease longstanding caps on government spending has won praise internationally but signs are emerging of a domestic political blowback. His conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and their Bavarian allies, the Christian Social Union (CSU), have long seen themselves as guardians of fiscal rigour and have been stunned by Merz's surprise readiness to countenance higher debt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An INSA poll published on Sunday showed 73% of all voters and 44% of CDU/CSU supporters felt deceived. Support for the group fell one point to 27% while the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) gained one to 23%. That left the margin between the two parties at just four points, half the gap one month ago when the election took place. "The CDU/CSU has failed to deliver on its pre-election promises with the debt package," INSA head Hermann Binkert told Bild. "Some disappointed voters are turning to the AfD." Merz announced his dramatic shift on spending - agreed with likely future coalition partners the Social Democrats - only nine days after winning the February 23 election, following a campaign in which he had promised not to open the spending tap. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Parliament approved the plans last week, jettisoning decades of fiscal conservatism in hopes of reviving economic growth and scaling up military spending for a new era of European collective defence as the U.S. pulls back from Europe. Yet, CDU voters are deeply torn over the move and its justification. "If America no longer helps us, we have to defend ourselves," Juergen Feddersen, born in 1944 towards the end of World War Two, told Reuters. "We have to because Russia will not calm down. I don't trust (Russian President Vladimir) Putin," said Feddersen, a CDU voter for 50 years and previously a staunch supporter of the debt brake, instituted by former CDU chancellor Angela Merkel to formally restrain government borrowing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is broad public approval of higher spending on the armed forces and defence, arising from the changed threat situation for Germany and Europe, Andrea Wolf of pollster Forschungsgruppe Wahlen told Reuters. But voter reaction to Merz's decision will surface in the polls in the coming weeks, Wolf said. "It is quite likely that this will cost the (CDU/CSU) and Friedrich Merz support." Already, younger CDU supporters fear the onus for funding the new spending spike will land on them, already a generation struggling to get on the housing ladder and fearing future pension and welfare entitlements could be at risk. "I am worried that it will be the younger generation that will be hit with the additional debt, because it will have to be reduced at some point," said Janik Wiemann, 26, a social services worker in the northwestern town of Lemgo. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Before the election, Merz said today's debts are tomorrow's tax increases, said Wiemann, who also heads the youth section of the CDU's welfare policy wing, the CDA. A separate poll by Forsa published last week also showed the gap between the CDU and AfD narrowing to only four points. "If citizens' expectations are once again disappointed by the new federal government, it cannot be ruled out that the AfD will become the strongest party in the next general election, not only in the east of the country, but in the whole of Germany," said Manfred Guellner, head of pollster Forsa. (Reporting by Maria Martinez; editing by Mark John and Mark Heinrich) "Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." Todays moons, planets, and dwarf planets formed from a proto-planetery disk surrounding our Sun 4.6 billion years ago. However, not all of those celestial bodies survived, and a new analysis of a the meteorite NWA 15915 shows that it likely originated from a world that was similar to Mercury in its compositionbut not Mercury itself. These rare meteorites, which make up only 0.2 percent of meteorites broadly, provide an incredibly rare window into the chaotic machinations of the early Solar System. Today, the Solar System appears as a neatly organized set-up of eight (possibly nine?) planets orbiting the Sun. But flash back more than four billion years agoas planets formed from our stars proto-planetary diskand things were much more chaotic. Our own planet, for example, had a devastating rendezvous with its sister protoplanet, and remnants of that interaction can still be found deep in the Earths lower mantle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meteorites littered across the planet can also contain details of this tumultuous period of the early Solar System, and a new analysis of one such meteoriteknown as Northwest Africa (NWA) 15915shows that this 2.84-kilogram (6.26 pound) rock could be a piece of a long-dead planet that likely formed in a Mercury-like environment. This new analysis (led by Jennifer Mitchell at the University of Minnesota) looked at the coarse-grained achondrite that was originally discovered in Algeria in 2023, and found that the rock didnt fit within other meteorite groups or planetary bodies. This is particularly puzzling, as a vast majority of meteorites can be traced to some well-known parent bodywhether that be the Moon, Mars, or other asteroids. In fact, according to New Scientist, only 0.2 percent of meteorites are outliers. And NWA 15915 fits this atypical description. To better understand the origins of this meteorite, Mitchell and her team used an electron microscope and spectroscopic instruments to study its composition. They found that it was different from Mercurys makeup, but that it formed in a similarly low-oxygen environment (like Mercury did). Mitchell reported the results at the Lunar and Planetary Sciences Conference in Texas last week, and also submitted a meeting brief with preliminary findings . Our initial analysis of NWA 15915 indicates an interesting magmatic and post-crystallization history, the meeting brief reads. The magnetic properties of NWA 15915 show evidence of Fe-metal, daubreelite, and troilite. At present, our work supports the view of a large differentiated body in the inner Solar System. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As New Scientist explains, this meteorite has a strange mix of magnetic metal-rich minerals, and because these crystals were relatively large, they cooled slowly. Both of these attributes suggest a Mercury-like origin. Although finding rocks from long-dead worlds is a rarity, it isnt an impossibility. In some models, the early Solar System contained at least 50 to 100 Moon-to-Mars-sized protoplanets . While many of these coalesced into the planets we know today (like Theias violent combination with Earth roughly four billion years ago), others (such as the dwarf planets Ceres, Pallas, and Vesta) survived mostly intact. So, while several of these worlds may have been destroyed billions of years ago, pieces of them still surviveon Earth, on other planets, or spread throughout the Main Asteroid and Kuiper belts. Mitchell reiterates that this is only a preliminary finding, but it provides an incredible opportunity to learn more about the forgotten worlds of our early Solar System. You Might Also Like At the heart of unpaid care work in Mexico lies a paradox: The labor sustains the economy, even as it creates barriers to women joining the workforce. All told, the value of uncompensated domestic labor in Mexico amounts to more than 26 percent of GDP, outpacing both the manufacturing sector and trade, according to the countrys statistics agency. Yet roughly 20 million Mexican women are not employed because they are busy providing that unpaid labor. Now, a push to build a national care system seeks to recognize and rebalance that work by creating a network of services covering care for children, people with disabilities, the elderlyand the caretakers themselves. President Claudia Sheinbaum, Mexicos first woman head of state, created a Womens Secretariat that, among other tasks, is charged with building the system. And earlier this month, one of the countrys main opposition parties said it would introduce an initiative enshrining the right to care in the Constitution. But the devil is in the details, and building a national care system will take time and resources. Can Mexico get there? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The effort to recognize the right to care, to be cared for, and care for oneself is not new in Latin America. From the 2007 Quito Consensus on through multiple regional womens summits since then, it has been a focus of attention, and several Latin American countries have taken steps to develop care systems. In 2015, Uruguay became the first country in the region to make such a system law, while othersfrom Costa Rica to Colombia to Chileare developing national systems with services ranging from early education programs and job training for people with disabilities, to day centers where the aging can get care and socialize. Beyond care delivery, another goal is to close gender gaps: Across the region, women spend almost triple the amount of time that men do on unpaid domestic and care work. To get more in-depth news and expert analysis on global affairs from WPR, sign up for our free Daily Review newsletter. Nowhere in Latin America is that gap between men and women bigger than in Mexico, where women devote, on average, 43 hours a week to unpaid laborthe highest in the region. If we really want to work at guaranteeing substantive equality, we have to make progress in removing the care burdens that still fall on women, says Martha Tagle, a former federal deputy with the Citizens Movement, or MC, party, in an interview. Those burdens come with an economic cost, creating a stubborn obstacle to getting women into Mexicos workforce. Over the past decade, Mexican womens labor participation grew by just 3 percent to 46 percent, lagging mens participation by 30 points. At that rate, it will take 56 years for the country to catch up to the OECD average of 67 percent when it comes to women in the workforce, according to the Mexican Institute for Competitiveness, or IMCO, think tank. But closing the gap faster would come with a bonus: IMCO estimates that Mexicos GDP would be 3.7 percent higher if it hit the OECD average by 2035. As Mexico faces the headwinds of U.S. tariff threats and stagnant growth, closing the workforce gender gap represents an economic opportunity. For that reason alone, a care system is fundamental. As Mexico faces the headwinds of U.S. tariff threats and stagnant growth, closing the workforce gap represents an economic opportunity. For that reason alone, a care system is fundamental, says Odracir Barquera, CEO of the Mexican Automotive Industry Association and previously an adviser to a Mexican senator on womens economic inclusion. The problem is that the proposal has to be accompanied by resources because one part can be supplied by the employer, but the other part needs to involve state infrastructure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some steps toward laying the foundation for that infrastructure have been taken. When Sheinbaum was sworn in as president in October 2024, her inauguration speech included a pledge to implement a national care system through existing health and social service agencies, starting with a dozen childcare centers for day workers and factory employees in the border city of Ciudad Juarez starting later this year. The plan is to subsequently expand these centers to other cities. But financing and access remain open questions, given that 55 percent of working women are informally employed in Mexico, limiting their use of social services. Then theres the question of the price tag. The Inter-American Development Bank, which announced its backing of the countrys care system in December, estimates that building one will cost between 1 percent and 3 percent of GDP. But despite the long-term payoffs, Sheinbaums government has entered a phase of post-election belt-tightening. There isnt the budget, infrastructure, or public policy to complete [a care system] during this six-year presidential term, Secretary of Women Citlalli Hernandez told reporters earlier this month. But we believe six years is enough to lay a path. Thus far, that path has not involved a legal route at the national level. Days within taking office, Sheinbaum unveiled a series of reforms aimed at guaranteeing substantive equality for women. The measures, since approved, included closing the pay gap and reducing violence, but not a care system. Mexicos lower house of Congress approved a reform to build one in 2020, but the measure stalled in the Senate. The MC party is now pushing to revive the reform in the upper house, as well as urging Mexicos 32 states to recognize the right to care. A number of states have already taken steps in that direction. In 2017, Mexico City established the right to care in its constitution. Some of the countrys most populous states, such as Jalisco and Estado de Mexico, have adopted reforms to build state care systems in the past couple years, while several cities are taking up the task on a municipal level, responding to local needs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Melissa Ayala, a lawyer focused on constitutional law and feminist legal theory, argues that a subnational approach could be the best way to build Mexicos care system from the ground up. Of course, we all want a national care system, says Ayala. But when it comes time to put pencil to paper and figure out how youre going to create itwhere the money will come from, who will be in charge, how youre going to operate itit gets very complicated. Instead, she suggests, implementing small programs at a local level and building toward a national system over a decade or so offers a more promising pathway. Regardless of the route, the incentive to build a care system in Mexico will continue to grow, given that nine out of 10 people who leave the workforce to meet caretaking demands are women in the country. With numbers like that, expect the demand to persist. Carin Zissis is a fellow at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars Mexico Institute and editor-in-chief at AS/COA Online, the website of the Americas Society/Council of the Americas. The post In Mexico, the Push for a National Care System Is Gaining Momentum appeared first on World Politics Review. Former Rep. Mia Love (Utah), the first Black Republican woman elected to Congress, has died at 49. With grateful hearts filled to overflowing for the profound influence of Mia on our lives, we want you to know that she passed away peacefully today, her family said in a post Sunday on X. She was in her home and surrounded by family. Love had undergone treatment for brain cancer and was part of an immunotherapy clinical trial at Duke Universitys brain tumor center. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her daughter, Abiagle, shared earlier this month that her mother was no longer responding to the treatment and cancer was progressing. They then shifted focus from treatment to enjoying their remaining time together. We are thankful for the many good wishes, prayers and condolences, Loves family said. We are taking some time as a family and will provide information about funeral services and a public celebration of her life in the days to come. Love was diagnosed with glioblastoma in 2022 and at the time was given up to 15 months to live. The daughter of Haitian immigrants, she was elected to the House of Representatives in 2014 and served for two terms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2016, Love became one of the few Republicans to say she would not support then-candidate Donald Trump. She narrowly lost her seat in 2018 to Salt Lake City Mayor Ben McAdams (D) and then joined CNN as a commentator. Trump took credit for her loss and Love eventually supported his 2024 campaign. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Mia Love, the first Black female Republican to be elected to Congress, has died at the age of 49. Her family confirmed, through a statement on social media, that the former lawmaker had passed away on Sunday (March 23) at her home. With grateful hearts filled to overflowing for the profound influence of Mia on our lives, we want you to know that she passed away peacefully today, detailed the X post. She was in her home surrounded by family. In the midst of a celebration of her life and an avalanche of happy memories, Mia quietly slipped the bands of mortality and, as her words and vision always did, soared heavenward Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The statement continued, We are thankful for the many good wishes, prayers and condolences. We are taking some time as a family and will provide information about funeral services and a public celebration of her life in the days to come. Representative Mia Love (R-UT) seen at Politicos 6th Annual Women Rule Summit in Washington, DC. Earlier this month, Love penned a letter detailing her living wish for the America I know, where she also shared that her brain cancer was no longer responding to treatment. As a mayor, member of Congress, and media commentator I have seen the worst of petty politics, divisive rhetoric, and disappointing lapses of moral character by some. These same roles also provided me a front row seat and backstage pass to be blessed and inspired by the courage, vision, and hope of Americas finest daughters, sons, and citizens, she wrote for The Deseret. Couching this column as a dying wish felt a little dramatic, even for a drama person like me. We are not certain how long this season of my battle will be and I do want to share, and reshare, some things with the world that I passionately believe. I write all of this as my living wish and hopefully enduring wish for you. Mia Love, Republican Mayor of Saratoga Springs, Utah, waves at the 2013 Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) March 16, 2013 in National Harbor, Maryland. The American Conservative Union held its annual conference in the suburb of Washington, DC to rally conservatives and generate ideas. In her message, Love shared her story as the daughter of immigrants who worked hard to make sure she could fulfill the American dream. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As my season of life begins to draw to a close, I still passionately believe that we can revive the American story we know and love. I am convinced that our citizens must remember the principles of our story so that our children, and those seeking freedom around the world, will know where to look to find a place for their story, detailed the former CNN contributor. The essay continued, My living wish and fervent prayer for you and for this nation is that the America I have known, is the America you fight to preserve and that each citizen, and every leader, will do their part to ensure that the America we know will be the America our grandchildren and great grandchildren will inherit. Rep. Mia Love speaks at the Commemoration of the Bicentennial of the Birth of Frederick Douglass, in Emancipation Hall of the U.S. Capitol, on Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2018. Love was a former U.S. Representative of the 4th Congressional District of Utah where she was elected in 2014 and served two terms. According to the BBC before succeeding politically, she worked as a flight attendant. In her youth, she had hopes of becoming an actress and graduated from the University of Hartford in Connecticut with a degree in musical theatre. Loves political career officially began in 2003 when she won a seat on the Saratoga Springs city council, before becoming mayor. The BBC notes Love was critical of President Donald Trump during his running 2016 campaign, endorsing Republican Texas Senator Ted Cruz. In 2018, she called for Trump to apologize for disparaging comments about Haiti. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She is survived by Jason, and their three children: Alessa, Abigaile, and Peyton. VIBE sends our condolences to the family, friends, and all impacted by the death of Mia Love. More from VIBE.com Sign up for Vibe's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Mia Love, the former Utah representative who served as the first Black Republican woman in Congress, died Sunday at age 49. The daughter of Haitian immigrants, she made history by representing Utahs 4th District from 2015 to 2019. Loves family announced her death on her social media accounts. With grateful hearts filled to overflowing for the profound influence of Mia on our lives, we want you to know that she passed away peacefully. She was in her home surrounded by family, her family said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the family did not mention a cause of death in their statement, Loves daughter Abigale said in early March that her mothers glioblastoma brain cancer had progressed and was no longer responding to treatment. Abigale shared that the family would be shifting their focus from treatment to enjoying their remaining time with Love. The former Utah lawmaker was born in New York and raised in Connecticut. Her parents immigrated from Haiti to the United States with what she believed was $10 in their pocket and a belief that hard work would lead to success. Love said she was raised to believe passionately in the American dream and to love this country, warts and all. America at its roots is respectful, resilient, giving and grounded in gritty determination, she said. She entered politics in 2003 when she won a seat on the city council in Saratoga Springs, Utah, where she served from 2004 until 2010. Later she became the citys mayor before running for Congress. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Loves election in conservative and majority-White Utah was hailed as a watershed moment for the Republican Party and a chance for the party to gain traction with voters of color. Love would often say that she defied naysayers who thought a Black, Republican and Mormon woman couldnt win a congressional seat in overwhelmingly White Utah. The Republican Party considered Love a rising star for many years. In the House, she tackled sexual harassment, supported anti-abortion policies and sat on a panel that investigated Planned Parenthood. Love frequently criticized President Donald Trumps policies on immigration and tariffs. She also didnt seek his endorsement during her re-election campaign in 2018, which she lost by less than 700 votes. The blue-leaning district ultimately voted for the Democrat, Salt Lake County Mayor Ben McAdams. The Utah Legislature honored Love on March 5 with an official citation for her service to the state and country. Love joined the event virtually from her treatment center and some of her family attended in person. Mia Love exemplifies strength, resilience and unwavering determination, inspiring all who know her story. The Utah legislature expresses its deepest sympathy to Congresswoman Love and her family during this difficult time, offering them comfort and support as they navigate her ongoing battle, the citation read. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an op-ed she wrote this month in the Deseret News, Love said that politics exposed her to the United States ugly side, but also gave her a front-row seat to be inspired by peoples hope and courage. She wrote that she wanted neighbors to come together and focus on their similarities rather than their differences. In the end, I hope that my life will have mattered and made a difference for the nation I love and the family and friends I adore, Love wrote. Love is survived by her husband, Jason; daughters Alessa and Abigale; son, Peyton; and one grandchild. Her family will share details about funeral arrangements and a public celebration of her life this week. The post Mia Love, first Black Republican woman to serve in Congress, dies at 49 appeared first on The 19th. News that represents you, in your inbox every weekday. Subscribe to our free, daily newsletter. YANGON, March 24 (Xinhua) -- In an effort to provide clean water in rural Myanmar, the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) Special Fund has supported two major water access projects, benefiting thousands of residents in remote areas. These initiatives, launched in 2022 in Ayeyarwady region and in 2023 in Shan state, aim to provide clean and safe drinking water to communities in need. With the completion of both projects, villagers are now reaping the benefits of improved access to clean water. The recipient villages no longer face challenges related to unsafe drinking water, said Soe Than, deputy director general of the Department of Rural Development, under the Ministry of Cooperatives and Rural Development. Although Ayeyarwady region has abundant water resources due to its location in the delta, tidal waves often contaminate the water, making it unsafe for drinking. Thanks to the project, this issue has been effectively addressed, providing villagers with clean and reliable water sources, he said. "In Shan state, we utilize spring water from the forest, installing pipelines to transport it to villages," he said, adding that these projects have significantly improved the quality of life for villagers. Under the 2023 LMC Special Fund, the "Gravity Flow System with Treatment Plant and Distribution Pipeline Network" project was implemented in three villages in Nyaungshwe, Yatsauk, and Loilem townships in Shan state, Win Min Oo, deputy director of the Department of Rural Development, said. The project benefits 1,627 individuals from 369 households, he said. Villagers in these hilly regions, who faced difficulties accessing clean water, will have a reliable water supply, reducing the risk of waterborne diseases, he said. The second project, the "Community Based Rural Water Supply Facilities with Treatment System and Distribution Network" project, funded under the 2022 LMC Special Fund, was launched in three villages in Kyaunggon, Myaungmya, and Dedaye townships in Ayeyarwady region, he said. The project benefits 1,570 individuals from 412 households, he added. The project has significantly improved water access for rural communities by constructing a water treatment facility, installing solar-powered water systems and water usage meter, and building filtration and collection pools, he said. Local residents have expressed their gratitude for the transformative impact of these projects. Thein Zaw Oo, from Myaungmya township in Ayeyarwady, shared how life has changed with the clean water project. "In the past, we had to walk to the river bank to collect water, which was far from our homes." "Some people couldn't carry the water themselves, so they had to hire others to do it for them. Now, with direct water installations at our homes, we no longer have to travel long distances or pay for water collection," he said. "Before this project, we believed river water was good, but after drinking clean water, we now see the huge difference. No one uses river water anymore," he said. Sai Khaung Hla, from Loilem township in Shan state, expressed his gratitude for the project implemented in his village, saying that "I am really thankful for this project because we have long struggled with drinking water problems." "Thanks to this project, we now have access to clean drinking water. They installed high-quality pipelines, built a filtration system and a water storage tank, and ensured that every household in our village receives reliable water supply," he said. Chit Htay Khine, from Kyaunggon township in Ayeyarwady, also highlighted the impact of the project. "With the aid of this project, we now have access to clean drinking water, which helps prevent waterborne diseases." Myanmar's Department of Rural Development has received funding for nine projects, including two water access initiatives, through the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) Special Fund from 2018 to 2024. Love died peacefully at her home on Sunday, surrounded by family. Mia Love, the first Republican Black woman elected to the United States Congress, is dead at 49. The former Utah U.S. representatives family confirmed her death in a public statement. Love suffered from a years-long battle with glioblastoma brain cancer. Love died peacefully at her home on Sunday surrounded by family, said the statement shared on the former congresswomans Instagram page. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the midst of a celebration of her life and an avalanche of happy memories, Mia quietly slipped the bands of mortality and, as her words and vision always did, soared heavenward, said Loves family. Loves death comes weeks after her family shared the tragic update that her body was no longer responding to treatment and that her cancer was progressing. The typical survival rate for glioblastoma brain cancer is about a year and a half and less than 10% of survival after five years, according to the MD Anderson Cancer Center. Love, the daughter of Haitian immigrants, made history in 2014 when she became the nations first Republican Black woman elected to Congress as the U.S. representative for Utahs 4th Congressional District. She served for two terms between 2015 and 2019. While in Congress, Love championed sexual assault prevention and immigration reform. In 2018, she notably clashed with Donald Trump, then the 45th U.S. president, by joining Democrats in condemning his child separation policy at the U.S. border. Love was one of the few Republicans not to endorse Trump in the 2016 presidential election. She announced just before Election Day that she would not vote for Trump following the release of the infamous Access Hollywood video of him bragging about touching women sexually without their consent. His behavior and bravado have reached a new low, she said at the time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After she lost re-election in 2018, Love became a political contributor for CNN and made several appearances as a guest co-host for The View. Last year, Love opened up about her cancer diagnosis with CNNs Jake Tapper, revealing that despite being given a 10-15 month prognosis to live, she turned to her faith and remained hopeful for the best outcome. In a Facebook post, former Congresswoman Love said her cancer battle hasnt been an easy journey and wanted to be open about it to give others hope. Whether you are facing a cancer diagnosis yourself, or fighting a different battle, there is hope! For me, that hope comes from my faith and my family, she wrote. Both have been a source of immeasurable strength, peace, love, and support. Every day, I thank God for my life and a family who give that life beauty and meaning. More must-reads: State Rep. Luke Meerman (R-Coopersville) discussing legislation to prohibit foreign entities from acquiring agricultural land or property within 20 miles of critical infrastructure in the state. Michigan House photo. Lawmakers in Michigans state House are considering bills that would ban certain partnerships with certain foreign entities deemed to pose threats to national security and also ban such entities from purchasing land in Michigan. Namely, the bills would target citizens and representatives of China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Cuba, Venezuela, and Syria as Rep. Bill Schuette (R-Midland) told lawmakers on the state House Government Operations Committee Thursday, saying such nations actively try to gain influence and control through infiltrating state economies and institutions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I can tell you these countries, they dont play fair. They use every single lever of power, be that economic, cultural or coercive, to jeopardize our nations strength, Schuette said, pointing at some recent examples in Michigan. One area of particular concern to the committee was the 2023 incident where five Chinese nationals who were also students at the University of Michigan photographed training facilities at Camp Grayling, a National Guard training facility in northern Michigan. There have been other instances of Chinese nationals taking photos of military bases in restricted areas throughout the U.S. and others who were also students through the University of Michigan. The university has since ended a partnership with Shanghai Jiao Tong University which permitted academic exchanges, with U of M President Santa J. Ono citing national security as the reason for the separation. Part of the legislation being proposed includes prohibitions on foreign entities and non-citizens from purchasing farmland or property within 20 miles of a military base or key facilities like a water treatment facility, telecommunication facility or transportation facility. Agriculture is one of Michigans top industries and not only do Michigan residents depend on its preservation, but so does the rest of the country that benefits from its domestic food production, bill sponsor Rep. Gina Johnsen (R-Lake Odessa) told the committee Thursday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This bill is a critical step in safeguarding Michigans agricultural lands from foreign foreign entities that may not have the best interests of our state, our farmers or our national securityThere is growing concern about foreign ownership of ag land, particularly by entities from countries that may pose economic or security threats to the United States, Johnsen said. This bill is not about creating unnecessary barriers or fostering anti foreign sentiment. It is about protecting Michigans resources and ensuring that our agricultural lands remain in the hands of those who are invested in the well being of Michigan and the nation. The ACLU of Michigan particularly opposes the land-related bills, House Bills 4233 and 4234, as the organizations Legislative Director Kyle Zawacki said the bills threaten civil liberties and economic fairness, inviting prejudice on the basis of a persons national origin or perceived foreign origin. The bills conflate a person with a government, Zawacki said, noting that not every resident of a country agrees with the actions of their leaders. Penalizing people simply because of their nationality contradicts fundamental American values of fairness and non discrimination, Zawacki said. Singling out individuals based on the actions of a foreign government is not only unjust, but also risks exacerbating xenophobia and anti-immigrant sentiment. Protecting national security and upholding constitutional rights are not mutually exclusive goals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other bills lawmakers are reviewing include ones related to education and economic endeavors. House Bill 4238 would limit public schools from entering into agreements with foreign countries of concern or accepting grants from such countries if such interactions promote agendas that are detrimental to the security of the United States or its residents. The bill aims to keep anti-America agendas out of schools and universities, bill sponsor Rep. Nancy Jenkins-Arno (R-Rollin Township) told the committee. House Bill 4238 is a straightforward common sense measure to make sure we keep countries of concern out of our educational system, Jenkins-Arno said. One of the core functions of government is protecting citizens. The most valuable of our citizens is our kids. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) A 15-year-old and their parents have been arrested and charged for their roles in a dirt bike crash that ultimately killed an 87-year-old man in Presque Isle County. 87-year-old man in critical condition after being struck by minor on dirt bike Michigan State Police announced the arrests Monday. According to MSP, the crash happened around 7 p.m. on March 1 on County Road 451 south of Rogers City. The man was reportedly crossing the road to get his mail when he was hit on the shoulder of the road. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 87-year-old was airlifted to a nearby hospital. He died from his injuries on March 5. After reviewing the case, the Presque Isle County Prosecutors Office issued arrest warrants for the teen and their parents. They were taken into custody on March 14. Major construction project resumes on Mackinac Bridge The minor faces one count of involuntary manslaughter, one count of manslaughter with a motor vehicle, one count of reckless driving causing death, one count of a moving violation causing death and one count of reckless driving. The parents were each charged with one count of allowing a child under 16 to use an off-road vehicle. State law says a person under the age of 16 is not allowed to operate an ORV unless they have a safety certificate or are under the direct supervision of an adult. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sign up for the News 8 daily newsletter Those charges are a misdemeanor and come with a maximum penalty of 90 days in jail or a fine up to $1,000. A preliminary hearing has already been held for the 15-year-old. The parents are next due in court on April 1. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com. Israeli strikes across the Gaza Strip killed more than 65 Palestinians over the past day, including women and children, the Gaza Health Ministry said Monday. In less than a week of air and ground operations since Israel broke the ceasefire with Hamas, its forces have killed hundreds of people in Gaza sending the death toll from 17 months of war soaring above 50,000. Meanwhile, officials say Egypt has introduced a new proposal to try and get the ceasefire back on track. Hamas would release five living hostages, including an American-Israeli, in return for Israel allowing humanitarian aid into Gaza and a weekslong pause in the fighting, an Egyptian official said Monday. Israel would also release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Hamas official said the group had responded positively to the proposal, without elaborating. Both officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to brief media on the closed-door talks. By Samy Magdy in Cairo Here's the latest: Israel mistakenly fires on Red Cross office in Gaza Israel says it fired on a Red Cross office in Gaza by mistake. The Israeli military says its troops shot at the building after identifying a threat from Palestinian militants. It was later determined that the identification was false, the military said, adding that the soldiers didnt realize the building was being used by the Red Cross. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The incident will be reviewed, the brief statement said. The Red Cross says the building was damaged but no staff members were hurt. Israeli drone kills 1 in south Lebanon, health ministry says Lebanons Health Ministry says an Israeli drone strike in south Lebanon has killed one person. State-run News Agency quoted a Health Ministry statement as saying that the Monday night drone strike took place in the village of Qaaqaaiyet el-Jisr. It was not immediately clear who the target was. Israel has killed several Hezbollah members over the past weeks in drones strike on south Lebanon Oscar-winning Palestinian director is attacked by Israeli settlers and detained by the army, activists say Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israeli settlers beat up one of the Palestinian co-directors of the Oscar-winning film No Other Land in the occupied West Bank on Monday, and he was then detained by the Israeli military, activists on the scene said. Dozens of settlers attacked the Palestinian village of Susiya in the Masafer Yatta area, destroying property, said the activist group Center for Jewish Nonviolence. They attacked Hamdan Ballal, one of the documentarys co-directors, leaving his head bleeding, the activists said. As he was being treated in an ambulance, soldiers detained him and a second Palestinian man, the group said. It said his whereabouts were now unknown. The Israeli military said it was looking into the episode but did not immediately comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No Other Land, which won the Oscar this year for best documentary, chronicles the struggle by residents of Masafer Yatta to stop the Israeli military from demolishing their villages. It has two Palestinian co-directors, Ballal and Basel Adra, both residents of Masafar Yatta, and two Israeli directors, Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor. Air raid sirens sound in Israel after a missile attack from Yemen Air raid sirens and explosions were heard over Jerusalem on Monday evening after the Israeli military said it intercepted a missile launched from Yemen. Yemens Houthi rebels have fired a handful of long-range missiles at Israel in the days since Israeli forces resumed the war in Gaza. There was no immediate claim of responsibility from the Houthis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Iran condemns US threats to use force and vows it will defend its sovereignty The Iranian ambassador to the United Nations, in a letter to the U.N. Security Council, referred to baseless accusations and threats by senior U.S. administration officials and President Donald Trump against Iran while trying to justify what he said were unlawful attacks against Yemen. Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani warned that any act of aggression will have severe consequences, for which the United States will bear full responsibility. He said Iran will resolutely defend its sovereignty, territorial integrity and national interests under international law against any hostile action. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. has launched a series of airstrikes against strongholds of Yemens Iranian-backed Houthi rebels who have disrupted international maritime trade by targeting ships in the Red Sea. He urged the Security Council to speak out against the U.S. blatant provocations. But since the U.S. has veto power in the council, there is no chance of that happening. Israel says it intercepts rockets fired from Gaza Two rockets were intercepted after crossing into Israeli territory next to the Gaza Strip, setting off air raid sirens on Monday evening, the Israeli military said. There were no immediate reports of casualties. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Al-Quds Brigades, the military arm of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad militant group, claimed responsibility for firing a barrage of rockets toward the area of southern Israel bordering Gaza. Militants in Gaza have fired a handful of rockets at Israel in the days since it broke the ceasefire, which have been intercepted or fell in open areas. Islamic Jihad is the smaller of Gaza's two main Palestinian militant groups. Israeli strike kills 5 people, including 2 women An Israeli strike killed at least five people including two women in the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis, the Health Ministrys emergency service said. The strike Monday afternoon hit a house in the Qisan al-Najjar area, south of Khan Younis, it said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement UN says it will reduce its footprint in Gaza after a deadly Israeli strike on its compound and the cutoff of aid The United Nations said Monday it will reduce its footprint in the Gaza Strip after an Israeli tank strike hit one of its compounds, killing one staffer and wounding five others last week. Israel has denied it was behind the March 19 explosion at the U.N. guesthouse in central Gaza. In a statement Monday, U.N. Secretary-General spokesman Stephane Dujarric said that based on the information currently available, the strikes on the site were caused by an Israeli tank. The Israeli military did not immediately comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dujarric also said the U.N. would be cutting back about a third of its approximately 100 international staffers in Gaza. He said the U.N. is not leaving Gaza, pointing out that it still has about 13,000 national staff in Gaza, mainly working for UNRWA, the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees. The U.N. has made taken the difficult decision to reduce the Organizations footprint in Gaza, even as humanitarian needs soar, he said. The move comes as Israel has cut off all food, fuel, medicine and other supplies to Gazas around 2 million people for more than three weeks. EU says resuming talks on the Gaza ceasefire is the only way forward Violence feeds more violence, European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said Monday at a briefing in Jerusalem, where she met with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, less than a week after Israel broke the ceasefire in Gaza. What we are witnessing now is a dangerous escalation. It is causing unbearable uncertainty for the hostages and their families and is likewise causing horror and death for the Palestinian people, she added. Saar said the war can end tomorrow with releasing our hostages, the demilitarization of Gaza and the withdrawal of the armed Hamas and Islamic Jihad forces. Strike damages a Red Cross office in southern Gaza The building was hit by an explosive projectile despite being clearly marked and notified to all parties, the International Committee of the Red Cross said in a statement decrying the attack Monday. No staff members were hurt, but damage to the office in Rafah has a direct impact on the ICRCs ability to operate at a time when the Red Cross field hospital in Rafah is treating casualties from the war, the statement said. The ICRC statement did not say who mightve been responsible for attacking their office. The Israeli military had no immediate comment on the strike. Israeli forces have been advancing into Rafah in recent days. Israeli strikes kill 2 journalists in Gaza, including a contributor to Al Jazeera Qatars Al Jazeera satellite news network says one of its Palestinian freelance reporters, Hossam Shabat, was killed by an Israeli airstrike on his car in northern Gaza. Shabat was killed Monday while covering the war for the broadcasters Arabic-language TV channel, the network said. He had been wounded by an Israeli strike last November, the network reported at the time. Another Palestinian journalist was killed in a separate Israeli airstrike earlier Monday in the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis, according to Nasser Hospital. Mohammed Mansour was a correspondent for the news website Palestine Today. Al Jazeera is one of the few international media outlets to remain in Gaza throughout the war. The channel is owned by Qatar, which alongside Egypt and the U.S. has been a key negotiator for the ceasefire. The Israeli military did not immediately comment on the strike that killed Shabat. Israel has accused other Al Jazeera journalists in Gaza of being Palestinian militants. The channel denies the accusations and says Israel is trying to silence journalists covering the war. A group reports an unprecedented surge in approvals for West Bank settler homes An Israeli anti-settlement group says there has been an unprecedented surge in approvals for new settler homes in the occupied West Bank since U.S. President Donald Trump returned to office. During his first term, Trump strongly backed Israels claims to territories seized in war, at times upending decades of American foreign policy. Previous administrations have admonished Israel over settlement expansion while taking little action to curb it. The Peace Now group, which closely tracks settlement growth, said Monday that plans for 10,503 housing units in the West Bank have been advanced since the start of the year, compared to just 9,971 in all of 2024. It says another 1,344 homes are set to be approved on Wednesday. Israel captured the West Bank in the 1967 Mideast war, along with the Gaza Strip and east Jerusalem. The Palestinians want all three for their future state and view settlement growth as a major obstacle to a two-state solution. Israel has built well over 100 settlements that are now home to over 500,000 settlers with Israeli citizenship. The 3 million Palestinians in the West Bank live under Israeli military rule, with the Western-backed Palestinian Authority administering population centers. Hamas official killed in hospital strike was in charge of finances, Israel says The Israeli military says a senior Hamas leader killed in a strike on a hospital in the Gaza Strip was in charge of the groups finances. Ismail Barhoum was killed in an Israeli strike late Sunday on Nasser Hospital, where Hamas said he was receiving treatment. The strike also killed a teenage boy recovering from surgery. The military said Monday that Barhoum oversaw Hamas finances in Gaza and transferred funds to its military wing. It said he was also serving as the head of Hamas government in Gaza after replacing another senior official killed in a strike last week. Israeli military spokesman Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani denied that Barhoum was receiving medical treatment in the hospital, saying he had been there for weeks meeting with other senior militants. Israel has killed most of Hamas top leaders and scores of mid-level commanders during the 17-month war. The group was still able to quickly reassert control over the territory during a ceasefire that took hold in January. 61 dead in the last 24 hours, Gaza Health Ministry says The Gaza Health Ministry said Monday the bodies of 61 people killed by Israeli strikes have been brought to hospitals over the past 24 hours. Hospitals also received 143 wounded, it said in its daily report. The overall Palestinian death toll from the Israel-Hamas war rose to at least 50,082, the ministry said. Another 113,408 have been wounded, it said. Its figures do not distinguish between civilians and combatants. 6 Palestinian paramedics are missing, Gaza's civil defense agency says The Palestinian Civil Defense agency says it has lost contact with six of its members who went on a rescue mission in the southern Gaza city of Rafah. The emergency workers group said its members along with others from the Palestinian Red Crescent Society went to Rafah on Sunday morning after receiving calls that Israeli troops entered the area of Hashasheen in western Rafah. It added in a statement Monday that since then, there has been no word from the paramedics. The International Committee of the Red Cross confirmed that on Sunday, contact was lost with emergency medical technicians from its sister organization, the Palestine Red Crescent Society, and their whereabouts remain unknown. An Israeli strike hits a school-turned-shelter, killing at least 4 Palestinian medics say an Israeli strike hit a school where displaced people were sheltering in the Gaza Strip, killing at least four people, including a child. Another 18 people were wounded in Mondays strike in the built-up Nuseirat refugee camp, according to Al-Awda Hospital, which received the casualties. Three other hospitals had earlier reported 25 deaths from Israeli strikes overnight and into Monday. There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military, which says it only targets militants and tries to avoid harming civilians. Israel blames civilian deaths on Hamas because it operates in densely populated areas. An attacker hits a bus stop in northern Israel, killing 1 Israeli officials say an attacker in a vehicle ran over several people at a bus stop in northern Israel before opening fire, killing a man in his 70s. Police said officers shot and killed the attacker, whose identity was not immediately disclosed. Police referred to it as a terrorist attack, indicating they believe the assailant was a Palestinian militant. Israels Magen David Adom emergency service said a man in his 70s was killed and another man, around 20 years old, was taken to a hospital in serious condition. There has been a surge in Palestinian attacks since Hamas Oct. 7, 2023, attack into southern Israel ignited the war in the Gaza Strip. At the same time, Israel has killed hundreds of Palestinians in the occupied West Bank during wide-scale military operations, and there has also been a rise in attacks by Jewish settlers on Palestinians. Thousands are trapped in Rafah in southern Gaza as Israeli forces encircle part of it Thousands of people are trapped in the city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip after Israeli forces encircled part of it on Sunday, Palestinian officials said. Israel ordered the evacuation of the Tel al-Sultan neighborhood, telling people to leave by a single route on foot to Muwasi, a sprawling cluster of tent camps along the coast. Thousands fled, but residents said many were trapped by Israeli forces. The Rafah municipality said Monday that thousands were still trapped, including first responders from the Civil Defense, which operates under the Hamas-run government, and the Palestinian Red Crescent. Israel defense minister says it is trying to avoid civilian casualties Israels defense minister says it is trying to avoid harming civilians as it strikes Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip. Israel Katzs statement came nearly a week after Israel ended its ceasefire with Hamas by launching a surprise wave of strikes that killed hundreds of Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to local health officials. Katz said Monday that Israel is not fighting the civilians in Gaza and is doing everything that international law requires to mitigate harm to civilians. He went on to blame Hamas for any civilian deaths, saying the militant group fights in civilian dress, from civilian homes, and from behind civilians, putting them in danger. He said Israel would not halt its offensive until Hamas releases all its hostages and is no longer in control of Gaza or a threat to Israel. Israeli strikes across Gaza kill at least 25 Palestinians Israeli strikes across the Gaza Strip have killed at least 25 Palestinians, including several women and children, according to three hospitals. The strikes come nearly a week after Israel ended its ceasefire with Hamas with a surprise bombardment that killed hundreds. Al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza City received 11 bodies from strikes overnight into Monday, including three women and four children. One of the strikes killed two children, their parents, their grandmother and their uncle. Nasser Hospital in the southern city of Khan Younis received seven bodies from strikes overnight and four from strikes the previous day. The European Hospital received three bodies from a strike near Khan Younis. Gazas Health Ministry said Sunday that the Palestinian death toll from the 17-month war has passed 50,000. It has said that women and children make up more than half the dead but does not distinguish between civilians and combatants in its count. Israel says it has killed some 20,000 militants, without providing evidence. Hamas-led militants killed around 1,200 people, mainly civilians, and abducted 251 people in the Oct. 7, 2023, attack that ignited the war. US surgeon in Gaza says most patients hurt in Israeli attack on hospital had been wounded in earlier strikes An American trauma surgeon working in Gaza says most of the patients injured in an Israeli attack on the largest hospital in southern Gaza had been previously wounded when Israel resumed airstrikes last week. Californian surgeon Feroze Sidhwa, who is working with the medical charity MedGlobal, said Monday he had been in the intensive care unit at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis when an airstrike hit surgical wards on Sunday. Most of the injured had been recovering from wounds suffered in airstrikes last week when Israel resumed the war, he said. They were already trauma patients and now theyve been traumatized for a second time, Sidhwa, who was raised in Flint, Mich., told Australian Broadcasting Corp. Sidhwa said he had operated on a man and boy days before who died in the attack. One of the stories of the 119th Congress thus far has been how House Speaker Mike Johnson has overcome the challenges of his minuscule Republican majority. For a time, the GOP held a 218-215 advantage in the House, which meant he could lose no more than one Republican vote to pass a party-line bill. With Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky having sided against him in practically every critical vote since the start of the session, Johnson has had basically no room for error. Coming back from recess this week, however, hell have more of a cushion. Two Democratic seats will be vacant following the recent deaths of two congressmen, giving Republicans a five-seat majority and allowing Johnson two defections before a bill fails. That margin will expand next week to 220213room for three Republican nosafter two Florida special elections on April 1 to fill the safely red seats that were held by former Reps. Mike Waltz and Matt Gaetz. Soon after that, New York Rep. Elise Stefanik will resign her seat when the Senate confirms her, as expected, to be President Donald Trumps ambassador to the United Nations. That will make the majority 219-213, bringing Johnsons cushion back down to two votes, since a tie in the House results in a bills failure. All the vacant seats are expected to be won by the party that previously held them, so its not a question of who fills them, but when. Those vacancies could prove crucial as Johnson attempts to push one big, beautiful reconciliation bill containing Trumps key legislative priorities through the House, hoping to vote on it before Easter. Just how large Johnsons majority is could be the difference between success and failure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Of the two seats in Florida, one became vacant when Gaetz resigned his House seat following his short-lived nomination to be Trumps attorney general, and the other was left open after Trump tapped Waltz to be his national security adviser. Although Democrats are investing heavily in the races in Floridas 1st and 6th Congressional Districts, it is unlikely their efforts will be rewarded. Both Gaetz and Waltz won in 2024 by upward of 30 points, about the same margin by which Trump carried the districts. And theres not much reason to believe that the expected winners, both of whom Trump endorsed in the primary, will stray from the party line once in Washington. In Waltzs old district, state Sen. Randy Fine is a strong supporter of Trump. While he declined to speculate about how he would vote on a reconciliation bill without seeing the text, he told The Dispatch he planned to side with the president. I believe that youve got to be with the team, and youve got to follow the team captain, and Republicans have to show that we can govern, and President Trump is the leader of our team, he said. So, unless theres a really good reason not to be with him, thats where Ill be. Running in Gaetzs former Florida Panhandle district is Jimmy Patronis, who has served as both a state representative and Floridas chief financial officer. He has a history of strong support for Trump, having called during the 2024 presidential campaign for a LEGAL DEFENSE fund for any Florida Presidential Candidate to use when they get targeted by politically motivated lawsuits. Effectively, it would have allowed Florida to use taxpayer dollars to pay Trumps legal bills. Patronis campaign did not respond to an interview request from The Dispatch. The Democratic House vacancies followed the death this month of Reps. Sylvester Turner of Texas and Raul Grijalva of Arizona within nine days of each other. Neither is likely to be filled before the House votes on a reconciliation bill. Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs, a Democrat, set the date for a special election to fill Grijalvas seat the day after his March 13 death, but the general election will not occur until September 23. Republican Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas has the statutory discretion to delay the special election to fill Turners seat as long as he wants, even until 2026, and he has given no indication when he will call the election. An announcement on a special election will be made at a later date, Abbott press secretary Andrew Mahaleris told The Dispatch. It is unclear whether Abbott will delay, but that may not even matter for the purposes of reconciliation. The soonest some expect him to set the date for the special election is May 3, the next scheduled elections for Texas, which would be after Johnsons goal date for a House vote. Abbott must announce the date of an election 36 days before it is scheduled, giving him until March 28 to set the date if he chooses to hold it then. But the House GOP could lose another seat before it tries to pass the pivotal bill. Axios reported last week that the Senate will take action on Stefaniks nomination on April 2. While that is before Johnsons preferred deadline of Easter, it is unlikely that the vote will occur by then, as text for a bill is not yet finalized. Once Stefanik resigns, New Yorks Democratic governor, Kathy Hochul, will have 10 days to set a date for the special election, which must occur between 70 and 80 days after Hochul makes the announcement. She is expected to slow-walk setting the election date, according to Semafor. Failing to observe the 10-day minimum could draw lawsuits from state Republicans, but she could push the legislature to change the law and allow her to wait longer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With all the vacancies taken into account, Johnson likely will have a 219-213 majority by the time his chamber votes on reconciliation, allowing him to lose two votes and still push a bill through. Its still a small margin, but its more than the one-vote cushion he had earlier, and congressional Republicans have proven remarkably unified in their efforts to implement Trumps agenda. The most important votes the House has taken this session are those on the budget resolution to craft a reconciliation bill and the continuing resolution to avert a government shutdown. On both bills, Massie was the only Republican no, and they would have passed even with the entire 215-Democrat minority voting against them. As speaker, Johnson gets some of the credit for that, but Trumps aggressive lobbying likely had more to do with keeping the caucus in line. Prior to the vote on the budget resolution, a few Republicans had indicated they would vote against it. In a House Republican cloakroom telephone conversation with one of them, Indiana Rep. Victoria Spartz, Trump reportedly yelled loud enough that others in the room could hear him through the phone. Whatever was said, Spartz ended up voting for the bill. Once the reconciliation vote takes place, we will find out what the greater influence isthe size of the Republican majority or Trumps hold on the party. Read more at The Dispatch The Dispatch is a new digital media company providing engaged citizens with fact-based reporting and commentary, informed by conservative principles. Sign up for free. A military judge has criticised the RAF for brushing under the carpet complaints about a married senior officer forcefully groping colleagues. Squadron Leader Andrew Crosby grabbed the genitals of two co-workers, cupped a civilian bar workers breasts before trying to kiss her, and placed his hand on the bottom of a lower-ranking officer. The 52-year-old, who is a father, was said to have been visibly drunk during the event where the groping took place as guests noticed he was slurring his words and had spilt port on himself. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But a court martial heard his chain of command dragged their feet when disciplining the officer. After pleading guilty to four counts of disgraceful conduct of an indecent kind, Sqn Ldr Crosby who had more than 33 years of unblemished experience in the RAF has now been sentenced to 41 weeks in jail and dismissed from the military. Chain of command dragged their feet In a newly published judgment, Assistant Judge Advocate General Edward Legard said initial complaints were made, only minor administrative action was taken against Sqn Ldr Crosby. It is clear that the chain of command did not exactly cover themselves in glory with regard to this matter, the judge said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They dragged their feet or in the words of some of the victims attempted to brush this matter under the carpet. This was, of course, before the zero-tolerance policy, across all three services, came into effect. The court martial hearing was held at Catterick Military Court in North Yorkshire - Danny Lawson/PA Catterick Military Court, North Yorkshire, heard the incidents took place at an all ranks dining event. Colleagues said the officer was clearly drunk and slurring his words. The court martial heard the officer stepped towards his first victim, thrust your right hand up between his legs and grabbed him by the genitals. It was heard that after the forceful grab which caused the young officer pain he then squeezed hard. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It in fact caused [the complainant] to be raised or lifted up and it was only by stepping away that caused you to release your grip, Judge Legard added. It was heard that later on that evening, Sqn Ldr Crosby approached another colleague whom he did not know and proceeded to grab hold of his penis and testicles as hard as [he] could. Shocked, humiliated and embarrassed Moments later he approached another officer who was in his direct chain of command at the time and put his arm around his lower back. The officer then cupped his right buttock before pushing your fingertips between his buttocks. This caused the officer to jolt forwards. He was understandably shocked, humiliated and embarrassed, the judgment stated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sqn Ldr Crosby was told to leave the bar but he returned soon afterwards. The judge said he had to be removed a second time and that his final victim was a civilian who had been working behind the bar. After collecting glasses from the tables, she turned around to find Sqn Ldr Crosby behind her, at which point he cupped her breast. She told you to stop but you leant towards her as if you were going to kiss her and then proceeded to grab her groin with your hand, the judge said. It was noted that the disciplinary action taken towards Sqn Ldr Crosby was to do with his general drunkenness and his commanding officer was not aware there had been four victims. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some two years after the offence, one of his four victims provided a formal complaint to the service police which acted as a catalyst for the others to come forward. During interviews, Sqn Ldr Crosby confirmed he attended the event and did not recall what had happened that night but said it was something that he would not do. It was heard that Sqn Ldr Crosby said his drinks may have been spiked. Victim became a shadow of his former self The judge referred to harrowing victim personal statements which were read to the court. The actions of the officer had caused one victim to shut off emotionally and physically and impacted her relationship and her intimacy with her husband. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One young officer who fell victim to Sqn Ldr Crosbys actions was said to have suffered enormously as a result of what took place so much so that he had since left the RAF. The judge said: That single incident effectively transformed a promising young flying officer into a shadow of his former self. The third victim described feeling socially and professionally withdrawn as a result of the event. Another victim a young flying officer said he felt the incident has changed him forever. He said: I feel as though his behaviour was targeted at males, he took advantage of his position of power. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The whole experience has been horrendous from the incident to now, it has made me lose confidence, resilience, and trust. It has made me question why I joined the RAF in the first place. An acutely humbling experience Sqn Ldr Crosby pleaded guilty to four charges of disgraceful conduct of an indecent kind. The judge dismissed him from the RAF and sentenced him to 42 weeks in prison. Judge Legard said: This is an extremely troubling and sad case. Sad to see a 52-year-old man with your service and seniority appearing before a court martial. It will no doubt be an acutely humbling experience for you. In your case, we found that the behaviour or the fact that this behaviour was perpetrated against junior colleagues in your direct chain of command and to a young female civilian to be particularly serious. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. WASHINGTON (AP) As congressional lawmakers scramble to respond to President Donald Trump's slashing of the federal government, one group is already taking a front and center role: military veterans. From layoffs at the Department of Veterans Affairs to a Pentagon purge of archives that documented diversity in the military, veterans have been acutely affected by Trump's actions. And with the Republican president determined to continue slashing the federal government, the burden will only grow on veterans, who make up roughly 30% of the over 2 million civilians who work for the federal government and often tap government benefits they earned with their military service. At a moment of crisis for all of our veterans, the VA's system of health care and benefits has been disastrously and disgracefully put on the chopping block by the Trump administration, said Sen. Richard Blumenthal, the top Democrat on the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, at a news conference last week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Blumenthal on Monday announced a series of so-called shadow hearings by Senate Democrats to spotlight how veterans are being impacted. Blumenthal invited VA Secretary Doug Collins to the first meeting next week, though the Cabinet secretary is under no compulsion to attend and is unlikely to appear at an unofficial proceeding. Most veterans voted for Trump last year nearly 6 in 10, according to AP Votecast, a nationwide survey of more than 120,000 voters. Yet congressional Republicans are standing in support of Trump's goals even as they encounter fierce pushback in their home districts. At a series of town halls last week, veterans angrily confronted Republican members as they defended the cuts made under Trump adviser Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency. "Do your job! Jay Carey, a military veteran, yelled at Republican Rep. Chuck Edwards at a town hall in North Carolina. I'm a retired military officer, an attendee at another forum in Wyoming told Republican Rep. Harriet Hageman before questioning whether DOGE had actually discovered any fraud. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson advised his members to skip the town halls and claimed that they were being filled with paid protesters, some Republicans were still holding them and trying to respond to the criticism. It looks radical, but its not. I call it stewardship, in my opinion, Republican Rep. Gus Bilirakis of Florida said on a tele-town hall. I think theyre doing right by the American taxpayer. And I support that principle of DOGE." Still, some Republicans have expressed unease with the seemingly indiscriminate firings of veterans, especially when they have not been looped in on the administration's plans. At a town hall on Friday, Texas Republican Rep. Dan Crenshaw told the audience, Were learning about this stuff at the speed of light, the way you are. I think theres been some babies thrown out with the bath water here, but were still gathering information on it. Crenshaw, a former Navy SEAL, added, If youre doing a job that we need you to do, youre doing it well, yeah, weve got to fight for you. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Republican chair of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, Rep. Mike Bost, assured listeners on a tele-town hall last week that he and Collins, the VA Cabinet secretary, are talking regularly. As the VA implements plans to cut roughly 80,000 jobs, Bost has said he is watching the process closely, but he has expressed support and echoed Collins' assurances that veterans' health care and benefits won't be slashed. They've cut a lot, but understand this: Essential jobs are not being cut, Bost said, but then added that his office was helping alert the VA when people with essential jobs had in fact been terminated. Two federal judges this month ordered the Trump administration to rehire the probationary employees who were let go in the mass firings. At the VA, some of those employees have now been put on administrative leave, but a sense of dread and confusion is still hanging over much of the federal workforce. Were all kind of wondering whats next, said Dan Foster, a Washington state Army veteran who lost his job when the VA canceled a contract supporting a program that educates service members on how to access their benefits and VA programs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Others are angry they have been portrayed as deadweight and cut from jobs they felt played a direct role in helping veterans get health care. For somebody to go on the news and say we are incompetent or lazy that is just false, said Future Zhou, an Army veteran who had a job managing medical supply inventories for operating rooms at the VA facility in Puget Sound, Washington, before she was fired in February. As Democrats search for their political footing and a rallying point to unify them, they have zeroed in on the cause of protecting veterans. In both the House and the Senate, Democrats have introduced legislation that would shield veterans from the mass layoffs. And when Trump spoke to Congress this month, many lawmakers invited veterans as their guests. They are outraged, Sen. Tammy Duckworth, an Illinois Democrat who is an Iraq War veteran and former assistant secretary at the VA. They said Donald Trump promised to watch out for them. And the first thing he does is fire them." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democrats are already pressing their Republican colleagues to show their support for veterans. In negotiations to allow passage of a Republican-backed government funding bill this month, Democrats secured a vote to amend the package to include language that would protect veterans from the federal layoffs. But it failed on party lines in part because the last-minute change would have ensured that Congress missed the deadline to avert a shutdown. With an eye on the midterm elections, VoteVets, a left-leaning veterans' advocacy group, is already launching video ads that feature veterans sharing their stories of being fired and accusing congressional members of doing absolutely nothing. The ads are directed to five potential swing districts held by Republicans who are veterans themselves. Sen. Ruben Gallego, an Arizona Democrat who is also a veteran, said he was unsure whether veterans would shift their political allegiance. But he said it is at least clear veterans are pissed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gallego said there's an opportunity for Democrats to hammer home the message that Elon Musk and his buddies would rather just deal with the bottom line and try to save billions of dollars so they can have more tax cuts at the expense of veterans. ___ This story has been corrected to show the town halls were last week, not this week. ___ Associated Press writers Meg Kinnard in Chapin, S.C., and Kate Payne in Tallahassee, Fla., contributed. Milwaukee police footage shows officers pursuing and shooting a man in early March following a robbery on the city's north side. The Milwaukee Police Department footage shows the shooting that took place March 8 on railroad tracks near the 5000 block of North 37th Street. It depicts officers shouting commands at two men wanted in the burglary, an officer shooting and killing the man, and the tense discussion of how to approach the two safely following. The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office identified the man shot and killed by Milwaukee police as Anthony Virginia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Milwaukee police released three videos related to the shooting. One depicts an officer finding the men and pursuing them as they flee; another of an officer shouting commands at Virginia and shooting him; and the last of an officer approaching Virginia following the shooting. The second video, which shows the shooting, is from a far distance and details are difficult to make out. The officer shouts commands for about 10 seconds before shooting and killing Virginia. "Get on the (expletive) ground," the officer shouts repeatedly at Virginia and the other man. The officer can later be heard saying, "God damn it. Why'd you do that?" Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The officer who shot Virginia is a 41-year-old man and 10-year veteran of the force. He was placed on administrative duty, according to department policy. As the nearly 4-minute video progresses, officers are tensely assessing how to approach Virginia and the other man. At one point, the officer who shot the man tells the other to not approach Virginia's body, telling him it's not safe. "He's holding the gun. Wait," the officer tells the other. He then requests additional officers to help respond. "We can't make contact for medical, he's still got the gun in his right hand," the officer can be heard saying. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The third video shows officers approaching Virginia's body and a gun can be seen on the ground near him. Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman speaks to the media after police shot and killed a man on the city's north side on March 8. The police shooting Virginia followed reports of an entry into a business on the 5100 block of North 32nd Street, police said. Police arrested the other man, who is 34. He is facing criminal burglary charges, according to Milwaukee police. The Milwaukee Area Investigative Team is investigating the shooting, with the Wauwatosa Police Department leading the investigation. That group is known as MAIT and is a collection of seven Milwaukee-area police agencies that step in as the outside investigators for critical incidents to satisfy state law. MAIT will send the results of its investigation to the Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office, who would make any charging decision in the shooting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement David Clarey is a public safety reporter at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. He can be reached at dclarey@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Footage of Milwaukee police shooting and killing man released Mar. 24MIDLAND Last fall, Midland ISD students involved in dual credit health science classes had the opportunity to participate in Health Occupations Students of America, or HOSA. This organization promotes science education, leadership, and career preparation in the healthcare field. MISD's HOSA chapter includes 58 students from Midland High School, Legacy High School, Midland Freshman High School, and Legacy Freshman High School. Among other opportunities, HOSA also hosts area and state competitions for students to test their knowledge and skills against their peers. MISD attended its first area competition this month, and made an impressive debut, with one student even advancing to the state competition. MFHS student Rebekah Ramos '28 earned top honors in the Personal Care competition, and will compete at State later this spring. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other students placing included David Odumbo '28 (LFHS) in Physical Therapy and My Mai '27 (LHS), who earned a spot as a state alternate in Extemporaneous Writing. Students also competed in the Medical Art Poster category. "I am incredibly proud of these students and how well they represented MISD in our first-ever HOSA competition," said MISD Health Sciences Coordinator Heather Escobedo. "They showed dedication, professionalism, and integrity. We look forward to cheering Rebekah on at state!" The HOSA state competition will take place in Round Rock, where top students from across the state will compete in various healthcare-related events. ISLAMABAD, March 23 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan on Sunday marked its 85th Republic Day, also known as Pakistan Day or the Pakistan Resolution Day. The day is celebrated annually in memory of the Lahore Resolution which was passed on March 23, 1940, one of the major milestones in the struggle for an independent state. The day started with a 31-gun salute in the capital Islamabad, and a 21-gun salute in provincial capitals while prayer ceremonies were held across the country for the nation's progress and prosperity. A military parade was held at the President House in Islamabad, which was attended by the president, prime minister, custodians of the upper house and the lower house of parliament, chiefs of armed forces, diplomats and officials. The national flag was hoisted high on all major official buildings across the country while people organized events, including rallies and seminars, to discuss the role of the Lahore Resolution in the creation of Pakistan. On the occasion, Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari extended his heartfelt congratulations to the entire nation, emphasizing that the same unwavering spirit that led to Pakistan's creation can serve as a driving force toward a brighter and more prosperous future. The president called on the nation to rise above differences, reject division and negativity, and unite in the collective effort to build a prosperous, inclusive, and just Pakistan. "Pakistan's greatest strength lies in its people, their resilience, dedication, and patriotism, which have enabled the nation to overcome its most challenging times," said the president. In a separate message, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif emphasized that through the right policies, unwavering dedication, and national unity, Pakistan can attain economic prosperity, uphold social justice, and strengthen its standing among the nations of the world. He stated that this moment serves as both a testament to Pakistan's collective resolve and a powerful reminder of the values of sacrifice and perseverance, principles deeply rooted in the foundation of the nation. LONDON, Ky. (FOX 56) The search for a missing person in Laurel County is over. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: Around 9 a.m. on March 24, the Laurel County Sheriffs Office said in a Facebook post that 74-year-old Maxine Nixs last known location was on March 22 on Paris Karr Road. She was reportedly wearing a blue button-up short-sleeve shirt with white flowers, black leggings, and black Nike shoes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities describe her as a white woman who stands 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighs around 160 pounds, with hazel eyes and gray hair. Read more of the latest Kentucky news In an update around 6:30 p.m., the Laurel County Sheriffs Office said Nix was found safe near the Little Laurel River by two fishermen who notified emergency services personnel nearby. Dustin Massengill 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. A woman who went missing last week in Rhode Island has been located and is safe. According to the Cranston Police Department, 45-year-old Linda DaLomba, who has autism, was found in a parked car in Cranston on Sunday, after being missing for four days. Cranston police have now charged DaLombas caregiver, 53-year-old Roberta Gerard, in connection with her disappearance. Authorities say Gerard misled police during the investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Initially, Gerard told investigators that DaLomba had vanished inside a Burlington Coat Factory. However, after reviewing surveillance footage and further questioning Gerard, it was revealed that she had fabricated the story. She had been at the location for a period of time, and part of our investigation is determining how DaLomba ended up in the back of the carwhether someone placed her there or if she climbed in herself, Cranston Police said in a press conference, DaLomba was taken to a hospital for evaluation. Gerard now faces charges of felony abuse, neglect, exploitation of an impaired adult, and obstructing justice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She was released on $5,000 bail and is scheduled for an arraignment in Warwick on Monday. 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 DESOTO COUNTY, Miss. In what could be a historic week for the state of Mississippi, attention will be squarely focused on the state capitol and Governor Tate Reeves, as he is expected to sign a bill eliminating the state income tax, which could have a major impact on cities such as Hernando. I think anytime you talk about reducing income taxes, reducing grocery taxes, its the right thing for any community. We just have to find a way of doing things the citizens want within those constraints when you lose those revenues, said Hernando Mayor Chip Johnson. Mississippi House passes state income tax bill Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mayor Johnson recently appeared on WREG to talk about whether getting rid of a state income tax is a good idea for his city a city almost 19,000 people call home. I think if we move the income tax down or get rid of it completely, its going to be a lot easier on peoples pocketbooks that live in Hernando or might want to move to Hernando and maybe arent moving there because theres an income tax, he said. The state income tax proposal would also cut the grocery tax from its current 7%, the highest in the nation, to 5% in a one-time cut effective on July 1. To make up for the funding cut, the gas tax will gradually increase by nine cents from the current rate of 18 cents per gallon to 27 cents by July 2027. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement See more breaking news, local news and weather from WREG.com for Memphis and the Mid-South. Sign up for WREG newsletters and have the latest top stories sent right to your inbox. Some state lawmakers have concerns about the bill and its impact on state services. And so, Im concerned about that because the number one thing that people sent us here to do is to provide services. They want good public schools. They want good roads and bridges. They want to have good public safety, good policemen and firemen, and pay them well, said Miss. Rep. Robert Johnson (D). Last Friday, Governor Tate Reeves went on social media congratulating the Mississippi Legislature for passing the measure, calling it a great day for Mississippi taxpayers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com. A lawsuit alleges World Wide Technology was given unfair advantages over its competitors, violating state procurement law and exposing the state to potential liability if anyone found out (Getty Images) A longtime state employee is accusing Missouri officials in a new lawsuit of subverting competitive bidding laws in order to steer lucrative technology contracts to a well-connected company, then demoting him when he raised red flags. In a lawsuit filed earlier this month in Cole County against the Missouri Office of Administration, Rodney Rice alleges deliberate bias toward St. Louis-based World Wide Technology in awarding state IT contracts. Need to get in touch? Have a news tip? CONTACT US Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement World Wide Technology is one of the largest privately-held companies in the country. It was founded by David Steward, a prolific Missouri political donor who has contributed $2.3 million to mostly Republican campaigns over the last decade. The company has been paid $53 million by the state over the last two years. The state gave World Wide Technology numerous unfair advantages over its competitors, Rice alleges in his lawsuit, violating state procurement law and exposing the state to potential liability if anyone found out. When he brought his concerns to his supervisors, Rice says he was admonished for being an obstructionist and demoted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rebecca Morrison, a spokeswoman for World Wide Technology, said in an emailed statement that the company is committed to a fair procurement process and upholds the highest ethical standards. The Office of Administration said in an emailed statement Monday afternoon that while it would not comment on the specific allegations, the agency looks forward to the opportunity to respond to these allegations through the legal process and is confident that the facts will reflect our commitment to fairness and transparency, including our lawful procurement and employment practices. After 20 years in state government, Rice says in his lawsuit that he was appointed in March 2023 as director of the Enterprise Project Management Office, which oversees various IT projects and the contractors to whom they are awarded. Rice believed one of his key responsibilities in the new role was to ensure that the various agencies in state government followed the states procurement regulations and procedures to ensure well-connected vendors did not receive an unfair advantage over their competitors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shortly after taking the job, he says he began to suspect a deliberate bias toward (World Wide Technology) in the states IT contracts. Specifically, the lawsuit says Rice grew concerned when he realized a former World Wide Technology employee was leading the State Data Center, which awarded numerous projects to the company. World Wide Technology won a majority of the states infrastructure contracts even in cases where it did not submit the lowest bid, Rice alleges. In fact, (the company) had been awarded one contract even though it had submitted the highest bid, which was millions of dollars more than the bids from other approved vendors. Though Missouri has rules permitting the selection of clearly inferior bids, the lawsuit states, none of those rules had been followed in the case of (World Wide Technology). Rice says his concerns were heightened when he learned the state provided a current employee of World Wide Technology key card access to an office in the Truman State Office Building in Jefferson City, a privilege he says no other vendors are provided. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He later learned the state was using World Wide Technology contractors to work on the preparation of a new project that had not yet been put out to bid, which would give (World Wide Technology) an unfair advantage in the bidding process. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX He first raised his concerns in January 2024, the lawsuit says, and was told by a superior that the states IT infrastructure was not sufficiently decentralized and could be irreparably destroyed in the event of a catastrophic failure. To prevent the legislature and the public from learning just how vulnerable the states computer networks were, Rice alleges, state leaders decided to bend procurement rules to award World Wide Technology the project to ensure that the system was updated as quickly as possible. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A month later, Rice says World Wide Technology was allowed to change the terms of a project after it had already been sent out to vendors for competitive bids. World Wide Technology would be paid for time and materials regardless of whether it met benchmarks laid out in the project proposal that was previously provided to its competitors. Concerned that awarding the contract to World Wide Technology based on far more favorable terms would likely violate state law, Rice says he spoke to the Office of Administrations legal department for advice. He says he was advised by the agencys attorneys to stop the entire bid process and reissue a revised request to ensure that all vendors had a fair chance at winning the bid. But that was later overruled by his supervisor, who Rice alleges told him to let the bid process proceed unabated without notice to the other vendors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The next month, Rice says his supervisor informed him his department has become too black and white when it comes to contracts and many IT leaders see us as an obstruction and slow them down. He was given a choice of accepting demotion or being placed on a performance improvement plan, which he understood would have led to his dismissal after sufficient time to paper his file. Calling the decision a Hobson choice, Rice says he accepted a demotion and a pay cut on April 16, 2024. Rices lawsuit alleges he was punished for disclosing violations of state procurement law, regulation and policy that exposed the State of Missouri to potential liability in the tens of millions of dollars. This story was updated at 3 p.m. with a statement from the Office of Administration. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Missouri is one of around 10 states across the U.S. that tax groceries. Soon, that could change. Republican state Senator Mary Elizabeth Coleman from Jefferson County is calling for the state to eliminate the tax it currently collects on food and diapers, and to prohibit local counties and cities from taxing those items (eight states across the U.S. allow this type of local taxation, reports KMOV First Alert 4). The senator's bill, which would immediately eliminate the 1.225% sales tax charged by the state, would phase out local taxes on groceries over the following four years. Theres nothing more regressive than taxing necessities of life, Coleman told First Alert 4. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement @placement The bill has received bipartisan support, as state residents look for relief from high grocery prices. However, not everyone is on board. This is one of the main things that keeps me up at night, David Dimmitt, mayor of the St. Louis suburb of Brentwood, told First Alert 4. Because of how devastating it would be for every municipality across the state of Missouri. How eliminating tax on groceries could help consumers If the tax on groceries were eliminated, the typical family of four in Missouri would save more than $60 per month, reports First Alert 4. It could have an especially positive impact on some of the state's poorest residents, believes Coleman, telling the Missouri Independent, I still think that this is the right solution, to create this carve-out, because our poorest citizens are having to pay regressive taxes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Swiftly, a retail technology provider, found that an estimated 70% of people nationwide struggle with grocery affordability. Reducing costs by $60 a month could provide some breathing room for these individuals and especially for the 13% of state residents who lie below the poverty line in Missouri. @placement How municipalities could be affected Unfortunately, the relief to individual families could come at the cost of the stability of municipalities around Missouri, says Mayor Dimmitt. Dimmitt told First Alert 4 that the city of St. Louis would lose around $22 million in annual revenue, while Brentwood would lose $4 to $5 million or around 16% of the total revenue that the city currently collects. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "You talk about defunding the police, you would see it in action because we would have to lay off police officers, Dimmitt said. The mayor also says that layoffs would happen citywide, among all workers, that city projects would need to be delayed and that the city would have to start charging a real estate tax, if it lost the grocery revenue it collects. While there may be valid reasons for concern, Coleman thinks they might be overblown. Families who save money because of the grocery tax elimination would likely put that money back into the economy, she says, with other sales taxes making up the shortfall. Those municipalities would be able to make that offset, Coleman said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For now, the legislation is under consideration and a long way from passage, so there's no guarantee the mayor's fears will come to fruition. However, if they do, families who benefit from the grocery savings will hopefully feel the promised relief without facing the prospect of job cuts or new municipal taxes. @placement This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind. Nancy Marie Spears The Imprint An oversight group launched five years ago outlined myriad ways Congress could better protect Indigenous people from going missing, getting killed or falling prey to human traffickers, with particular focus on tackling gender-based violence. Among the recommendations of the Not Invisible Act Commission were specific protections for foster youth, who end up lost at higher rates than their peers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The commission titled its report Not One More and detailed calls to action for multiple federal agencies including the Departments of Justice and the Interior, Health and Human Services and the Administration for Children and Families. This year, legislators and policymakers were supposed to establish ways to better track the missing, and step up efforts to find them. Kristin Welch is a descendant of the Menominee Nation and served as one of the commissioners on the Not One More report. (Courtesy photo) But on Feb. 18, the 212-page, comprehensive set of findings and recommendations that 41 commissioners worked on for three years suddenly vanished from the U.S. Department of Justice website. I dont know whos going to carry the recommendations out, said Kristin Welch, a Menominee Nation descendant and Not Invisible Act commissioner. Welch, founder and executive director of the Wisconsin-based Waking Women Healing Institute, reflected the doubts among many that life-saving measures may now be suspended. The report being removed doesnt inspire hope under this administration that the work is going to continue and be meaningful, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Not Invisible Act Commission report is one of countless previously public documents that have suddenly been taken down from federal websites since the Jan. 20 inauguration of President Donald Trump. In his first month in office alone, thousands of government web pages were removed, a New York Times analysis found including vital information related to many aspects of American life, from health and safety to veterans affairs, taxes and scientific findings. The Justice Department did not respond to requests for comment about why the Not Invisible report had been taken down, or whether the agency would move forward with the recommendations relevant to the department. Bringing the invisible to light According to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, Indigenous youth are more likely than non-Native American kids to go missing from foster care. In a report examining a recent decade of data, the center documented nearly 3,000 such cases, 99% of which were ultimately resolved. But while the kids were off the radar, they were identified as endangered more likely to be engaging in risky behavior, struggling with mental illness and turning to drugs and alcohol. Trump signed the Not Invisible Act in October 2020, during his first term. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2024, under President Joe Biden, top officials praised the intent of the act they said would resolve this longstanding crisis and support healing from the generational traumas that Indigenous peoples have endured in the United States. Then-Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland underscored the issue. Addressing violent crimes against Indigenous peoples has long been underfunded and ignored, as a cause of intergenerational trauma that has affected our communities since colonization, Haaland said in a press statement. Through historic efforts like the Not Invisible Act Commission, were identifying recommendations created by Indian Country, for Indian Country. This will ensure that epidemics like the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples Crisis and Human Trafficking are addressed with the resources they demand. In its report, the commission called for the Department of Health and Human Services to conduct a study of American Indian and Alaska Native children missing from foster care and determine whether law enforcement is doing everything possible to find them. The department also must mandate that any foster care agencies receiving federal funding report immediately any missing Tribal juvenile to their corresponding Tribe, it reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It also recommended that the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), a division of Health and Human Services, develop and disseminate culturally appropriate, trauma-informed prevention programming to keep runaways from becoming victims of trafficking, violence or the criminal justice system. Further, it stated Congress must appropriate funding to the ACF, which must integrate training on human trafficking, survival sex work, and intergenerational trauma. Human traffickers prey on the vulnerable, often people who are young, homeless or in foster care, the commissioners wrote. There must be outreach and help to interrupt this pattern. The Biden administrations plan brought together tribes, federal agencies, law enforcement, social service providers, survivors and the relatives of Native people whove been trafficked, gone missing or were murdered and plotted better coordination and support. Now, some tribal members who contributed to the report say the Trump administration is working to devalue Indigenous people and making already-difficult work even harder. Others said tribes would continue the search for missing loved ones no matter what ensuring the feedback the commission received from wont be forgotten. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think about all those survivors and family members, and everything they had to go through to testify at these hearings in hopes those recommendations will be launched into action, Welch said. Its a really big slap in the face to our relatives. Weve seen it so many times by the federal government: this constant erasure, with no respect for our relatives, their pain and their trauma. Another commissioner is Ruth Buffalo, a citizen of the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation, composed of three affiliated tribes. She serves as the CEO of the Minnesota Indian Womens Resource Center, which focuses on the search for missing and murdered Native Americans in her state, and preventing tribal children from entering the foster care system. Ruth Buffalo of the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation serves as the CEO of the Minnesota Indian Women's Resource Center. (Courtesy photo) Buffalo said she and others across Indian Country remain steadfast in their commitment to ensuring the Not Invisible recommendations are met. The community continues to lead these efforts, and the work doesnt stop because theres a different president in office, Buffalo said. That just means we continue to push even harder to hold the elected officials accountable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These concerns about missing and murdered Indigenous people are compounded by a new political landscape marked by mass firings of federal employees and efforts to deeply cut spending on social services. Many of the commissions recommendations would require additional federal funding. Tribal organizations including the National Congress of American Indians supported the recommendations produced by the Not Invisible commission. Last year, the Departments of Justice and the Interior, as well as the Health and Human Services department, released their response to the recommendations. The agencies committed to policy updates for additional law enforcement and investigative resources; improved funding for tribal, state and federal law enforcement; enhanced data collection; and better services to help victims and their families heal, among other goals. Some recommendations tackled inadequate internet access, particularly in Alaska, so tribes and villages can act quickly to search for a missing person. Others focus on relatives met with indifference by law enforcement who showed little interest and failed to follow up on their cases. I went to the DAs office to demand that I see some progress in my sons case. They couldnt even find my sons case, a Northern California parent stated in the report. It was heartbreaking. The fact that they didnt know his name says that Im not good enough. Its rare that homeowners call on municipal officials to conduct code inspections of their homes or neighborhood, but for a group of Asbury Manor mobile home park residents drastic times call for drastic measures. After visiting both Meadville City Council and the Crawford County Board of Commissioners last week, the residents are hopeful the officials they addressed will return the courtesy by attending a tour of the mobile home park Tuesday. "Were here tonight asking you guys if theres any way you can tour the park, see all the problems, make up your minds and maybe send fines and help us with this, Asbury Manor resident JoLee Matalino said in addressing City Council members on Tuesday. None of these people, any of us, deserve to live like this. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Matalino offered a laundry list of issues that residents have brought to the attention of the mobile home parks owners, some of which she said could be considered property code violations. Attempts by residents to trigger a response from Regal Communities, the Monsey, New York, company that operates the park, have had no effect, according to Matalino. The unsafe and unacceptable living conditions in the park include as many as a dozen abandoned trailers left to decay into dangerous condition, massive potholes and water drainage problems, according to a flyer distributed by residents at the meeting. The problems have been progressively worsening for years, according to Matalino, but notice in January of new leases that will bring a rent hike $50 per month to $596 per month as well as fees for assorted items. Residents in the park own their homes but rent the land they are located on, which is owned by Regal PA Investors Fs LLC and others since April 8, according to online county records. The park consists of Asbury Manor East, located off Rogers Ferry Road between Dunham Road and Columbia Avenue, and Asbury Manor West, located off Dunham Road between Rogers Ferry Road and Race Street. Matalino and her husband have resided in the development since purchasing a new trailer in 1984, she said in a phone interview Friday. In addition to raising their kids there, they have seen the rent climb from $25 per month 41 years ago to the $596 per month that will take effect with the new leases. In addition to a space in the park, the rent covers water, sewer and trash services, according to residents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More than 30 Asbury manor residents signed a Feb. 24 letter to Regal Communities listing their concerns, which also include changes to the payment options available to residents and a general lack of communication from the park operators. Matalino told City Council that the group consisted of all but one of the mobile home owners in the park. They have not received any response from the company, she added. The Meadville Tribune requested a comment from the company Wednesday and has not received a response. City Manager Maryann Menanno said that city code inspection staff have had communication with the company. The city has also issued multiple notices of violation regarding potholes. The company, as theyre legally allowed to do, requested an extension to be able to fix those, Menanno told council. With the extention Regal Communities has until June 1 to fix the potholes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The city has also had some of the abandoned trailers boarded up, Menanno said, but we find the owner of record to send them a notice of violation. A March 12 letter from the city to Regal suggested that the landowners seek legal advice on how they can address the abandoned trailers, Menanno said. Councilwoman Autumn Vogel committed to attending the tour that the residents and Councilwoman Gretchen Myers asked about taking a tour at an alternative time. Mayor Jaime Kinder was also receptive to the message from residents. We have citizens of Meadville here becuase theyre unable to live with dignity and live in a place where they can find their joy, Kinder said. That is why weve got a whole entire neighborhood and community coming to us, letting know about it. NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) Moments of heavy rainfall will be seen throughout the middle of our morning and into our lunch hour Monday afternoon, March 24, while a cold front is taking its sweet time getting here. The slow moving frontal boundary will be the trigger for shower and thunderstorm activity Monday. Some storms may be strong to severe. A marginal risk, level 1/5, has been issued by the Storm Prediction Center for southeast Louisiana. Multiple severe thunderstorms have been warned to our west. Wind gusts may be seen up tp 70 mph within the strong thunderstorm new New Iberia. The storm is traveling to the east towards Donaldsonville and Laplace. Temps hang around the upper 60s for all of the morning before warming up into the mid 70s this afternoon. Partly cloudy and warmer by tomorrow with high in the low 80s. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stay up to date with the latest news, weather and sports by downloading the WGNO app on the Apple or Google Play stores and by subscribing to the WGNO newsletter. Latest Posts Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGNO. Turkey has detained over 1,100 people including 10 journalists reportedly arrested Monday morning since mass protests were sparked on March 19 by the arrest of Istanbul's popular Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, who was emerging as a key rival and likely election challenger to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said Monday that 1,133 people had been detained for "illegal activities" amid the protests, which were banned by authorities last week. Despite insistence from the government in Ankara that Imamoglu's arrest has nothing to do with his politics, the apparent crackdown on dissent has deepened concern both in Turkey and abroad about the erosion of democracy under Erdogan, who has led the country for more than 20 years. What is happening in Turkey? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Turkish journalists' organization MLSA reported the arrest of 10 journalists at their homes on Monday morning, including a photographer for the French news agency AFP. The organization said the 10 were detained "for covering the protests," most of them specifically for covering mass demonstrations that have been held daily outside City Hall. "What is being done to members of the press and journalists is a matter of freedom. None of us can remain silent about this," the detained Istanbul mayor's wife, Dilek Kaya Imamoglu, said in a post on social media. Police officers use pepper spray on a demonstrator wearing traditional dervish clothing during a protest on the day Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu was jailed as part of a corruption investigation, in Istanbul, Turkey, March 23, 2025. / Credit: REUTERS The mass arrests continued Sunday, despite the official ban, as Ekrem Imamoglu was jailed by a local court on corruption charges, pending a trial, in a move that his supporters have derided as "an attempt to further silence dissent" in the country. Imamoglu also faces charges of aiding terrorism, with authorities citing his contact with pro-Kurdish groups during local elections last year. Since his detention, major cities including Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir have been rocked by protests that have drawn tens of thousands of people onto the streets, quickly becoming the largest unrest Turkey has seen since the Gezi Park protests in 2013. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police used water cannons and tear gas to disperse mostly young crowds over the weekend. Imamoglu was detained just days before he was widely expected to win a primary election to become the presidential candidate of the main opposition Republican People's Party. He was among 100 people, including other politicians, journalists and businessmen, who were detained as part of an investigation on Wednesday. He beat candidates from Erdogan's party in three previous local elections to hold the mayor's office. Erdogan started his political career as a mayor of Istanbul, a city of 16 million people that is often looked at politically and socially as a microcosm of Turkey. In a post on social media, Imamoglu protested that his imprisonment was "not a judicial process" but "an extrajudicial punishment," calling on his supporters to "join the fight for [their] rights." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials from the Erdogan administration have said repeatedly that it is "wrong" to call the accusations against Imamoglu politically motivated, and Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc has emphasized "the independence of the judiciary" in Turkey. Many of those who've met Imamoglu's call for peaceful protests have been university students and young people carrying Turkish flags and banners with defiant slogans denouncing Erdogan and the government. Demonstrators chant slogans and hold posters in support of arrested Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, March 23, 2025, in Istanbul, Turkey. / Credit: Getty One 26-year-old nurse, who didn't want to be identified and kept her face half covered with a scarf, said she joined the protest to "claim her future." She called Imamoglu's imprisonment "a wakeup call," and said, "the people who are worried about their future are united here." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We are not scared anymore," she said, despite her own concerns about potentially being tear gassed as she has asthma. Another woman of the same age, who said she was currently unemployed, echoed the sentiments and said she was protesting not only to demand Imamoglu be released, but to assert "my own rights." Others said it was economic concern drawing them onto the streets, including a retiree who said she could no longer make ends meet and that it was time for Erdogan to step down. She said despite being retired, she has to pick up odd jobs to look after her two children. "My 17-year-old son has no hope for the future of this country," she said. "I am here for him." Police officers detain a demonstrator during a protest on the day Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu was jailed as part of a corruption investigation, in Ankara, Turkey, March 23, 2025. / Credit: REUTERS Despite Imamoglu's incarceration, the primary in which he was running as the only contender to stand as the CHP's presidential candidate went ahead. In a statement, the CHP said the mayor had also received more than 13 million votes gathered in mock ballot boxes that were placed across Turkey as a symbolic protest against the government and a show of public support for him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even if Imamoglu is able to prove his innocence against the corruption and terrorism charges through Turkey's courts, he will face other obstacles in a bid to take the presidency from Erdogan. A day before his detention, Imamoglu's university diploma was annulled by Istanbul University, his alma mater. A university degree is a requirement to stand as a presidential candidate under Turkish law. International reaction to Imamoglu's arrest in Turkey European nations have bristled at the apparent crackdown on dissent in Turkey. The European Union, to which Turkey applied for membership more than two decades ago, warned that Ankara should demonstrate "a clear commitment to democratic norms." Turkey's bid has been stalled with the EU for at least the last nine years, with the bloc highlighting previous crackdowns on dissent and other concerns about freedoms and democratic institutions being eroded as hurdles to Ankara's membership. Overnight, France's foreign ministry called Imamoglu's arrest and the mass arrests a "serious attack on democracy," while the governments of Germany and Greece also condemned the moves. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Trump administration has said little about the protests since Imamoglu's arrest, calling it an "internal legal" matter for Turkey, but State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce told reporters on Friday that the U.S. government was following the events, "including the reported detention of the Istanbul mayor and a large number of municipal employees, journalists, and other individuals." Bruce said the State Department would refer to Turkey's government "for comments on internal judicial matters" but added that it was important for Turkish authorities to "protect the freedoms and human rights of all of its citizens consistent with the country's constitution and in line with our shared values and democratic traditions." 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" COLOMBO, March 23 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lankan police said on Sunday that they have digitized the fingerprints of 1 million individuals convicted by courts. Ruwan Kumara, director of the Crime Record Division, told the media that the initiative, launched in collaboration with the University of Colombo's Computer Department and the police fingerprint unit, is expected to significantly support criminal investigations. The digitization project, which began in 2013, gives police officers instant access to fingerprint records for investigative purposes. Kumara added that the system will enhance the ability of law enforcement to locate and repatriate wanted fugitives living overseas. By sharing digitized fingerprint data with foreign law enforcement agencies, Sri Lankan police can improve cross-border cooperation in tracking down criminals, he said. {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"} Numerous arrests have been made in connection with protests against the imprisonment of leading Turkish opposition politician Ekrem Imamoglu, the country's interior minister said on Monday. A total of 1,133 suspects had been detained during "illegal demonstrations" between Wednesday and Sunday, Ali Yerlikaya posted on X. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, the Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA) said that 10 journalists and photographers had been detained during raids on Monday morning. The Disk-Basin-Is media trade union called the move a government response to the ongoing protests against the imprisonment of the opposition CHP politician. The union called it an "attack on press freedom and the people's right to know the truth," in a post on X. Imamoglu, widely seen as President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's main rival, was detained on Wednesday on charges of corruption and terrorism. On Sunday, a court ordered him to be held in pre-trial detention and he was suspended from his position as mayor of Istanbul. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tens of thousands of people defied bans and took to the streets in Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir and other cities, leading to clashes between security forces and demonstrators. Police reportedly used water cannon and tear gas late on Sunday evening. Yerlikaya said 123 police officers had been injured during the nationwide demonstrations. He said items such as acid, stones, sticks, fireworks, axes and knives were confiscated. The German government criticized Imamoglu's imprisonment and the suspension of his mayoral duties on Monday, with spokesman Steffen Hebestreit calling the move "absolutely unacceptable." "This must now be clarified very quickly and very transparently," Hebestreit demanded. The recent developments were "a bad sign for democracy in Turkey" as well as for the future of German-Turkish relations, he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Turkish ambassador to Germany was informed of Berlin's position during a meeting at the Foreign Office on Monday morning. Supporters of Turkey's Republican People's Partygather in Ankara to protest against the detention of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu. Tunahan Turhan/SOPA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa {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"} {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"} Numerous arrests have been made in connection with protests against the imprisonment of leading Turkish opposition politician Ekrem Imamoglu, the country's interior minister said on Monday. A total of 1,133 suspects had been detained during "illegal demonstrations" between Wednesday and Sunday, Ali Yerlikaya posted on X. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, the Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA) said that 10 journalists and photographers had been detained during raids on Monday morning. The Disk-Basin-Is media trade union called the move a government response to the ongoing protests against the imprisonment of the opposition CHP politician. The union called it an "attack on press freedom and the people's right to know the truth," in a post on X. Suspended Istanbul mayor Imamoglu, widely seen as President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's main rival, was detained on Wednesday on charges of corruption and terrorism. On Sunday, a court ordered him to be held in pre-trial detention and he was suspended from his position as mayor of Istanbul. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tens of thousands of people defied bans and took to the streets in Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir and other cities, leading to clashes between security forces and demonstrators. Police reportedly used water cannon and tear gas late on Sunday evening. Yerlikaya said 123 police officers had been injured during the nationwide demonstrations. He said items such as acid, stones, sticks, fireworks, axes and knives were confiscated. Germany condemns arrest The German government criticized Imamoglu's imprisonment and the suspension of his mayoral duties on Monday, with spokesman Steffen Hebestreit calling the move "absolutely unacceptable." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This must now be clarified very quickly and very transparently," Hebestreit demanded. The recent developments were "a bad sign for democracy in Turkey" as well as for the future of German-Turkish relations, he added. The Turkish ambassador to Germany was informed of Berlin's position during a meeting at the Foreign Office on Monday morning. Charges rejected Imamoglu has vehemently denied the allegations and accuses the government of attempting to sideline him as a political rival. The German government has not yet considered specific consequences for his imprisonment, such as halting arms exports to Turkey. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For now, Berlin is waiting to see how Ankara responds to the demand for clarification, Hebestreit said, adding: "Then further questions may need to be addressed." People take part in a protest over the detention of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu. Zakariya Yahya/IMAGESLIVE via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa Supporters of Turkey's Republican People's Partygather in Ankara to protest against the detention of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu. Tunahan Turhan/SOPA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa {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"} More than a thousand people have been arrested in connection with protests against the imprisonment of leading Turkish opposition politician Ekrem Imamoglu, the country's interior minister said on Monday. A total of 1,133 suspects had been detained during "illegal demonstrations" between Wednesday and Sunday, Ali Yerlikaya posted on X. Meanwhile, the Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA) said that 10 journalists and photographers had been detained during raids on Monday morning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Disk-Basin-Is media trade union called the move a government response to the ongoing protests against the imprisonment of Imamoglu. The union called it an "attack on press freedom and the people's right to know the truth," in a post on X. At least 10 journalists have been physically assaulted by security forces since the protests began "and dozens of others have been targeted with tear gas or rubber bullets," the organization Reporters Without Borders (RSF) said in a statement published on Monday. RSF Turkey representative Erol Onderoglu condemned "attacks and restrictions against press freedom" and called for those responsible to be held accountable. Erdogan: Protesters are 'street terrorists' Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan referred to protesters as "street terrorists" and labelled the largely peaceful protests as violent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Street terrorists" were attacking the police with stones, sticks, acids and axes, Erdogan said, adding that this did not bother Imamoglu's Republican People's Party (CHP). The party would be held accountable for this in court, the Turkish leader said. He said the events had "quickly turned into a violent movement" following calls from the CHP party to oppose the mayor's arrest. Yerlikaya said 123 police officers had been injured during the nationwide demonstrations. He said items such as acid, stones, sticks, fireworks, axes and knives were confiscated. Suspended Istanbul mayor Imamoglu, widely seen as Erdogan's main rival, was detained on Wednesday on charges of corruption and terrorism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Sunday, a court ordered him to be held in pre-trial detention and he was suspended from his position as mayor of Istanbul. Imamoglu has vehemently denied the allegations. His party sees the move as an attempt by Erdogan to eliminate a political rival, and has calling for peaceful protests. On Monday evening, a message was posted on Imamoglu's X account: "My beloved security forces and police officers, please treat our people well." Protests were taking place in numerous places in Turkey on Monday evening, despite a ban on demonstrations in Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir. Germany condemns arrest The German government criticized Imamoglu's imprisonment and the suspension of his mayoral duties on Monday, with spokesman Steffen Hebestreit calling the move "absolutely unacceptable." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This must now be clarified very quickly and very transparently," Hebestreit demanded. The recent developments were "a bad sign for democracy in Turkey" as well as for the future of German-Turkish relations, he added. The German government has not yet considered specific consequences for his imprisonment, such as halting arms exports to Turkey. For now, Berlin is waiting to see how Ankara responds to a demand for clarification, Hebestreit said, adding: "Then further questions may need to be addressed." The Turkish ambassador to Germany was informed of Berlin's position during a meeting at the Foreign Office on Monday morning. EU not ruling out cancelling talks with Turkey The European Union is not ruling out cancelling planned talks with Turkey, a European Commission spokesman said in Brussels on Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The spokesman pointed to a statement by commission President Ursula von der Leyen which described the Mayor Imamoglu's arrest as "deeply concerning." Discussions with Turkey had been announced by von der Leyen just days before Imamoglu was initially taken into detenion on Wednesday. They were to focus on economic themes in April, followed by further talks on migration and security issues. At an EU summit in April last year, there was agreement on strengthening ties with Turkey, which is seen as having a key role in stabilizing the Eastern Mediterranean region and in finding solutions to migration problems. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Plans to modernize the customs union and liberalize the issuing of visas had previously been delayed by concerns on rights and freedom of expression in Turkey. Demonstrators gather in the southern Turkish city of Gaziantep to protest against the suspension and arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu. Huge protests have taken place across the country since his arrest on charges of corruption and terrorism-related offenses earlier in the week. Zakariya Yahya/IMAGESLIVE via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa Supporters of Turkey's Republican People's Partygather in Ankara to protest against the detention of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu. Tunahan Turhan/SOPA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa {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"} People take part in a protest over the detention of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu. Zakariya Yahya/IMAGESLIVE via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa Supporters of Turkey's Republican People's Partygather in Ankara to protest against the detention of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu. Tunahan Turhan/SOPA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement {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"} More than 80 people were injured on Monday in a Russian missile strike on the city of Sumy in north-eastern Ukraine, the authorities said. "Moscow speaks of peace while carrying out brutal strikes on densely populated residential areas in major Ukrainian cities," Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha wrote on X. Previous reports spoke of at least 65 people injured. The current toll is at least 88. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sybiha called on Russia to stop such attacks and for Ukraine's allies to provide the war-torn country with further support. "Any diplomacy with Moscow must be backed up by firepower, sanctions, and pressure," he wrote. "Today the enemy attacked an industrial site," the acting mayor of Sumy, Artem Kobzar, wrote on Telegram earlier in the day. The public prosecutor's office said 17 minors were among the injured and that residential buildings, a school and a hospital had also been damaged. Sumy has repeatedly been the target of Russian air strikes. US and Russian representatives began their latest round of talks in the Saudi Arabian capital Riyadh on Monday, with Washington seeking to broker an end to the war. Ukraine says it has destroyed four Russian military helicopters The Ukrainian military said on Monday that its forces had destroyed four Russian military helicopters stationed near the border. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The press office of a Ukrainian special forces unit published images said to show a HIMARS multiple rocket launcher attacking helicopters stationed on an airfield in the Russian border region of Belgorod. The aircraft hit were two Mi-8 transport helicopters and two Ka-52 combat helicopters, it said. It was not initially possible to independently verify the claims. The Soviet Mi-8 model is a multi-purpose helicopter able to transport different goods or a large number of troops. Ka-52 helicopters are used for combat and reconnaissance operations. The four destroyed aircraft were stationed far behind the front line in a concealed position used by the Russian military for rapid troop deployments and surprise attacks against Ukraine, according to the Ukrainian military. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The enemy once again thought that it was out of reach in the hinterland. We have shown that nothing is out of reach for the special forces," the statement said. Ukraine has been defending itself against a full-scale Russian invasion for more than three years, repeatedly targeting objects on Russian territory to disrupt supplies for the Russian advance. Three Russian media workers killed in eastern Ukraine Three Russian media employees have been killed at the front in eastern Ukraine, their media outlets reported on Monday. A reporter working for the Russian newspaper Izvestia was killed, as well as a cameraman and a driver working for the military television channel Zvezda. Zvezda said they were killed by Ukrainian artillery fire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No exact location was given. The Izvestia reporter sent his last report from near the embattled Ukrainian city of Kupiansk in the Kharkiv region. Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, more than a dozen Russian journalists have been killed on assignment, according to the Russian state news agency TASS. Figures from the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine show that 18 Ukrainian and foreign reporters have been killed on assignment during the war. Another 10 journalists have been killed by bombs or shelling while not at work. More than 80 media employees have been killed while serving in the Ukrainian military. Two years ago, Florida passed a law that made it easier for concerned parents to get books they considered objectionable removed from school libraries and classroom shelves but allowed challenged books to be judged for their literary, artistic or scientific value. Not anymore, if a new bill moving through the Florida Legislature passes. Under SB 1692, if a challenged work contains nudity or sexual material it would be considered by definition harmful to minors and school boards would be restricted from considering any other value of the work, potentially risking the removal or restriction of some of the world's classic literature. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last year, six major book publishers and several prominent authors sued the state over "unconstitutional book banning" after they said the 2023 bill (HB 1069) allowed books to be removed from schools "with no consideration of the educational value of the work as a whole." The bill sponsored by Sen. Stan McClain, R-Ocala, the man who led the 2023 bill, seeks to clarify what "harmful to minors" means. I think that were bifurcating here, so its more clear as to what were actually talking about so that school districts can make a decision," McClain said. "If it is in violation of the proposed law, if its that, then its considered pornographic and its considered harmful to minors. A companion bill, HB 1539, was filed by Rep. Doug Benson, R-Apopka. Critics say that the bill would expand the number of books that will be challenged and result in important works being removed from students' sight. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The impact here is that book bans are going to get worse, censorship is going to be worse, censorship of actually the classics, which weve seen across the state of Florida, because Florida is now Number One in the country for banning books in our public schools, Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith, D-Orlando said. What would SB 1692, Material That Is Harmful to Minors, do in Florida? In 2023, House Bill 2069 declared sex an immutable binary biological trait, banned nicknames or genders if they didn't apply to the student's or school employee's biological sex, made it easier for a parent or resident to challenge books, and added "depicts or describes sexual conduct" to the list of pornographic material, among other things. The 2025 bill further defines "harmful to minors" as: "Any reproduction, imitation, characterization, description, exhibition, presentation, or representation, of whatever kind or form, depicting nudity, sexual conduct, or sexual excitement when it: a. Predominantly appeals to prurient, shameful, or morbid interest; and b. Is patently offensive to prevailing standards in the adult community as a whole with respect to what is suitable material or conduct for minors Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Material authorized as part of health education or authorized by the Florida Board of Education "for specific educational purposes" would still be allowed and could not be challenged by parents or guardians. Noncompliance may lead to the state withholding funds to the school district. How does the US define pornography? In 1973, the U.S. Supreme Court developed a three-prong test, called the Miller test, to define obscene speech. According to the Miller test, speech is obscene if: The average person, applying contemporary community standards would find that the work, taken as a whole, appeals to the prurient interest; The work depicts or describes, in a patently offensive way, sexual conduct specifically defined by the applicable state law; and The work, taken as a whole, lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, an analysis of the bill says that courts have found the state has a compelling interest in protecting the physical and psychological well-being of minors" which "extends to shielding minors from the influence of literature that is not obscene by adult standards." SB 1692 completely removes the third prong of the Miller test. Florida rated No. 1 US for book bans In a report on the 2023-2024 school year, Florida saw more than 4,500 instances of book banning in public schools according to national free speech group PEN America, a dramatic jump up from 1,406 the year before. That's nearly half of all the 10,000 book bans recorded across the country, the report said. The state maintains that no books have been banned in Florida schools. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Once again, far left activists are pushing the book ban hoax on Floridians. The better question is why do these activists continue to fight to expose children to sexually explicit materials, spokesperson Sydney Booker told The Guardian. However, PEN America considers any book made unavailable to students as banned and lists books that were removed from school libraries and classroom shelves by districts without a formal challenge, books that were pulled pending a review, and books restricted to students based on grade or parent's permission. Under HB 2069, any book challenged must be removed from within five school days and remain unavailable to students "until the objection is resolved." Last year the legislature restricted book ban challenges from Floridians who are not parents or guardians of a "student with access to school district materials" from filing more than one book challenge a month after reports that the bulk of challenges were coming from a very small number of people, some of whom did not have children in schools. Most of the objections were to books written by or about LGBTQ+ people or people of color. 'Let us live': LGBTQ advocates march to Florida Capitol for trans rights, protest anti-DEI bills Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement None of the legislation concerning book challenges offers a way for parents, guardians or residents to challenge a decision to remove a book from a school. Last week, the state's new Department of Education workgroup tasked with redeveloping a training program for school librarians and media specialists on how to select and remove books met for the first time. Half of them were members of Moms for Liberty, the conservative group started in Florida that has been one of the driving forces behind the flood of book challenges in the state and across the country. When would SB 1692 take effect? If passed by the Florida Legislature and signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, the bill would take effect on July 1, 2025. This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Florida bill defines nudity, sexual content as 'harmful to minors' PARMA, Ohio (WJW) Police detectives said they are getting closer to identifying the driver who struck a mother and her two-year-old son in Parma on Friday night. Just after 7 p.m. in the parking lot of the Marcs store on West Ridgewood Drive in Parma, a 32-year-old mother and her 2-year-old son were struck head-on by a vehicle while leaving the store. According to Parma police, the mother was pushing a shopping cart with her child seated in the front. As they stepped off the sidewalk, a dark-colored sedan came through the parking lot and hit them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She was going across the street and somebody in a black car, thats all I can tell you, ran over the cart and the baby I saw her picking it up, a 911 caller said, describing the moment. Foul play death: Akron boy, 12, forced into icy bath as punishment, police say The suspect vehicle is believed to be a black or dark-blue sedan with tinted windows and silver trim. After hitting the pair, the driver took off toward Ridge Road and has not been seen since. Both the mother and child were rushed to MetroHealth Medical Center, where they are still recovering from their injuries. Ohio 1-year-old was lethargic, vomiting, and fainting; parents charged after child tests positive for meth Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Parma police have released surveillance video that shows the moment of impact, but the footage is grainy and difficult to analyze. Out of respect for the victims, the most graphic portions are not being released to the public. Investigators are now working with other agencies to enhance the video in hopes of identifying the vehicle and its driver. Authorities are asking for the publics help in the case. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW. (KRON) A woman who was allegedly driving under the influence in last weeks crash in Napa County was booked into jail Sunday, according to the California Highway Patrol (CHP). Yesica Barajas, 31, is facing multiple felony counts that include gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated. Barajas appeared in a Napa County courtroom Monday morning, where she did not make eye contact with anyone. With many of her family members in attendance, her attorney asked the judge for a continuance, telling the court he needed more time to review the case. Barajas was booked into the Napa County Department of Corrections on Sunday after spending the last several days in the hospital suffering from major injuries due to the crash on Highway 29. Authorities said she was behind the wheel in a morning crash on March 16 that killed her 9-year-old daughter and 10-year-old son. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The mothers bail is currently set at $1,500,000, according to county jail records. Following Mondays proceedings, bail will be discussed at Barajas next court appearance, which is set for April 1. Driver of stolen car crashes into vehicle, killing 1 in East Bay: sheriffs office Mugshot of Yesica Barajas, 31, who is facing charges that include gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated. (Photo: Napa County Jail) Siblings killed in Napa crash mourned, mother faces charges Around 7 a.m. on March 16, CHP officers responded to the Highway 29 offramp near Imola Avenue. Barajas was allegedly behind the wheel of a 2006 Nissan sedan that had crashed into a tree 20 to 30 feet below an embankment. The crimes, according to the Napa County district attorney, constituted an increased level of seriousness due to her prior crimes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Barajas two children were identified as 9-year-old Aaliyah Montanez and 10-year-old Damien Montanez. Both were students in the Napa Valley Unified School District. Barajas remains in custody at Napa County Jail. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4. A woman said she had been left humiliated by United Airlines after flight crew members tried to get her to remove her sons ventilator ahead of takeoff. Melissa Sotomayor posted a video on TikTok that has received over 1.2 million views where she claimed the flight crew on a trip from Tampa, Florida to Newark, New Jersey, tried to make her detach her son from his medical equipment it so the plane could take off. United said it had contacted the mother and apologised after the incident, but did not provide any further details. 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, Sotomayor said in an almost 10-minute TikTok video. Ms Sotomayor explained that her one-year-old son is medically complex and depends on a ventilator and a tracheostomy tube. Her son was born prematurely at 22 weeks. Before she boarded the flight, Ms Sotomayor said she obtained documentation so her son could fly to their destination. On the first leg of their trip to Tampa, she said she did not encounter any issues, and shared the documents with the airline who also cleared her sonss medical equipment with no issues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, upon their 8 March return trip, she claimed a flight attendant told her she would need to make the medical equipment, including the ventilator and a portable oxygen concentrator, secure for takeoff, asking for her son to be taken off them. Ms Sotomayor explained to the crew member that the equipment could not be turned off because they are keeping him alive and showed them medical documentation. Another flight attendant came over and said that they might be moved from their seats if she did not comply but she again showed the documents and told the crew that the airlines accessibility department selected her seats ahead of her flight. A third flight attendant allegedly told the mother to remove her sons equipment and said her son would be okay until we're in the air at a high enough altitude. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, Ms Sotomayor refused to remove the equipment, while a nearby passenger got involved and apologised for how she was being treated. The flights captain then intervened, with Ms Sotomayor saying in her video: He then says that I am being difficult and my sons medical equipment is a danger to other passengers and to my son, and that I am not following FAA [Federal Aviation Administration] guidelines. Again, Ms Sotomayor showed her documentation and told the captain that the medical equipment was FAA-approved. The captain told her that he would contact United as he did not feel that your son should be flying, it's dangerous for him, but the mother said her son was medically cleared. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Eventually, the flight departed more than an hour later. I get no apology from them, Ms Sotomayor added, saying the next thing she knew the captain announces that the plane is ready for takeoff. After the flight, Sotomayor to NBC News that when the airline contacted her to apologise the representative said the crew reported it was a bulkhead seating problem, but she stated that they never mentioned that in the moment. They said it was because I was refusing to remove my son from his ventilator and portable oxygen concentrator until takeoff, Sotomayor told the website. I was really upset by the way we were humiliated in front of others in the way we were talked to," Sotomayor said in the TikTok video. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The captain talked to me as if I was purposely endangering my son, and they were unwilling to listen to the fact that my son was dependent on this equipment to keep him alive. In its statement regarding Ms Sotomayors claims, United told The Independent: Weve connected with the customer to address her concerns and apologised for any frustration she may have experienced. For more travel news and advice, listen to Simon Calders podcast A motorcycle rider was injured Saturday night in a shooting in Fresno County. Deputies responded after 11:45 p.m. to Jensen and Walnut avenues after receiving a call from the Fresno Police Department of a shooting victim showing up at the hospital. Fresno County Sheriffs Office spokesperson Tony Botti said a group of motorcycle riders were near Jensen and Walnut when a 40 year old man was shot. He was able to drive himself to a local hospital for a non-life threatening injury. Botti said based on evidence and interviews, they were unable to identify a suspect or motive. Anyone with information is asked to call deputies at 559-600-3111. FMs vow to advance cooperation 08:14, March 24, 2025 By Zhou Jin, Jiang Xueqing, Yang Han ( China Daily Foreign Minister Wang Yi (left), Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya (center) and Republic of Korea's Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul attend a joint news conference on Saturday in Tokyo, Japan, after the 11th China-Japan-ROK Trilateral Foreign Ministers' Meeting. (Jia Haocheng/Xinhua) The latest meeting of the foreign ministers of China, Japan and the Republic of Korea has provided a timely and vital platform for the three neighbors to enhance mutual understanding and maintain the good momentum of trilateral cooperation, observers said. In a period of great upheaval and instability, the importance of their cooperation has been further highlighted, which the observers said will have significant ripple effects and influence worldwide. The 11th Trilateral Foreign Ministers' Meeting, attended by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya and ROK Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul on Saturday in Tokyo, was the highest-level communication since the resumption of the trilateral leaders' meeting in Seoul in May last year. Wang said that facts have proved that the more solid the China-Japan-ROK cooperation is, the stronger the ability of the three countries to withstand risks, the stronger the foundation for empowering development, and the more effective the promotion of mutual understanding and friendship among the people of the three nations. He called for promoting trilateral cooperation to achieve the effect of"1+1+1>3". The three countries need to respect one another's core interests, properly manage differences, and continuously build consensus, cultivate momentum and deepen cooperation on the basis of maintaining sound and steady relations, he added. Wang advocated deepening trilateral economic and trade cooperation, resuming negotiations on a China-Japan-ROK free trade agreement at an early date in order to reach an agreement, and setting up a trilateral dialogue mechanism on export controls. He also called for promoting scientific and technological innovation to stimulate new drivers for growth, and strengthening trilateral cooperation on areas such as healthy aging, new energy and green development. Amid what Iwaya described as a "turning point in history", the Japanese foreign minister called for the three countries to overcome division and confrontation through dialogue and cooperation and promote future-oriented exchanges. ROK Foreign Minister Cho said he believes that through mutual trust and mutually beneficial cooperation, the three neighbors can jointly create a more peaceful and prosperous future. The three ministers also agreed to make preparations for a leaders' meeting this year. Xiang Haoyu, a research fellow at the China Institute of International Studies' Department for Asia-Pacific Studies, said that the foreign ministers' meeting aimed to undertake overall planning and coordination for trilateral cooperation this year, and to inject new political impetus and guidance into trilateral cooperation. Against the backdrop of current global turbulence, China, Japan and the ROK are sending a strong signal through their cooperation of jointly upholding multilateralism and the international trade system, and expressing their opposition to the unilateralism and protectionism pursued by the United States, Xiang said. Kumiko Haba, former vice-president of the International Studies Association and distinguished professor at Josai International University, said that to maintain and enhance regional peace and stability, it is essential to peacefully resolve disputes through noninterference in other countries' internal affairs and adopting an approach of setting aside differences. Based on this foundation, it is necessary for Japan, China and the ROK to promote economic and cultural exchanges, as well as strengthen public diplomacy and cooperation between local governments, she said. Woo Su-keun, head of the Institute of East Asian Studies of Korea in Seoul, said that it is important for the three countries to jointly create more opportunities for people-to-people exchanges in the areas of culture, art, youth and economic cooperation. The more frequently that the people of the ROK, China and Japan communicate, "the more they will discover the similarities and closeness inherent in one another, and the closer they will become", Woo said. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun) TOKYO, March 24 (Xinhua) -- Head of the Japan Iron and Steel Federation Tadashi Imai on Monday warned of significant impacts from the U.S. tariffs, stating that the country's crude steel output could fall below 80 million tons a year if all proposed tariffs were implemented. Speaking at a press conference, Imai noted that increasing protectionism could further exacerbate the current global decline in steel industry, warning that Japan's market might face an influx of cheap steel materials. The United States had already imposed a 25-percent tariff on steel and aluminum imports in March and was considering additional tariffs on automobiles in April. Imai expressed the hope that the Japanese government would persist in negotiations at the political level to seek an exemption from the tariffs. Regarding Nippon Steel's planned acquisition of U.S. Steel, Imai disclosed that discussions were ongoing to reach an agreement on investment conditions and future investment plans, reaffirming the commitment to making the acquisition a reality, local media reported. The Japanese steelmaker recently filed a lawsuit against the U.S. government after it blocked the proposed merger on national security grounds. (Bloomberg) -- Mozambican President Daniel Chapo met the nations most prominent opposition leader for the first time since a disputed October election that sparked unprecedented unrest in the southeast African nation. Most Read from Bloomberg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chapo and Venancio Mondlane met Sunday night in the capital, Maputo, to discuss solutions to the challenges facing the country, the presidency said in a statement posted to its website. S&P Global Ratings on Friday cut its assessment of the countrys local-currency loans to selective default, deeming a debt swap earlier this month to be distressed. The president of the republics gesture of dialogue with Venancio Mondlane symbolizes the will to build bridges and promote an open and constructive dialogue, the presidency said. The willingness to discuss common solutions also represents a significant step forward in the search for a peaceful, united Mozambique committed to collective progress. The meeting is a significant step in Chapos efforts to restore stability in the gas-rich nation. Mondlane orchestrated nationwide demonstrations after claiming Chapos party stole the election that extended its five-decade rule. At least 361 people died in the demonstrations, most killed by police bullets, according to Decide Platform, a local rights group tracking the violence. The economic fallout from the unrest worsened Mozambiques already tight finances. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mozambiques fiscal position remains weak as spending pressures continue to mount, said S&P analysts including Giulia Filocca. A contentious socioeconomic backdrop will weigh on the governments efforts to consolidate its fiscal position. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2025 Bloomberg L.P. Visitors at the worlds busiest airport will now be greeted with a new mural of one of Georgias most beloved couples. Well Done Good and Faithful Servant, The Carters depicts former President Jimmy Carter and former first lady Rosalynn Carter. The mural can be seen above the North terminal baggage claim at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The Carter Center says artist Fabian Williams was selected to paint the mural after he designed the poster for Jimmy Carters 100th birthday celebration at the Fox Theatre last year. Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter were the longest-married presidential couple in American history. The couple met in their hometown of Plains, Georgia, where Rosalynn was friends with Jimmys younger sister, Ruth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The couple started dating in 1945 while Jimmy Carter was home from the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. The couple were later married on July 7, 1946, in their hometown. The Carters were married for 77 years until Rosalynn died on Nov. 19, 2023. Jimmy Carter died on Dec. 29, 2024, nearly three months after he celebrated his 100th birthday. The Carters are buried next to each other outside their home in Plains, Georgia. RELATED STORIES: [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) Its been a year since Rockford experienced one of the most violent weeks in the citys history. On March 27, 2024, four people were killed in a random stabbing and beating spree on the citys east side. A Rockford man is charged in that case. Three days before that, on March 24, 2024, a man walked into the Rockford Walmart on Northridge Drive and fatally stabbed an employee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to court documents, the man who killed 18-year-old Jason Jenkins inside the store is 28-year-old Timothy Carter, of Cabery, Illinois, a small town about 140 miles southeast of Rockford. Heres a timeline of events from March 24, 2024. All times are approximate. 11 a.m. 11:45 a.m. According to police reports, Timothy Carter tells police that between 11 a.m. and noon on March 24, he seeks mental health treatment at the Rosecrance Behavioral Health facility in downtown Rockford. Hes evaluated and reportedly threatens suicide. At 11:45, Carter is transported by ambulance to UW Health SwedishAmerican Hospital. 1:34 p.m. Carter leaves SwedishAmerican Hospital. He tells police he was discharged after being refused mental health treatment. Sources close to the case say Carter left the hospital on his own before he could be treated. 1:34 p.m. 6 p.m. It isnt clear where Carter goes from the hospital. What police allege is that around 6 p.m., he arrives at the Northridge Walmart and enters the store. According to surveillance video, a man authorities say is Carter, can be seen grabbing two knivesa kitchen knife and hunting knifefrom shelves. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A police report states that Carter is seen on camera walking the aisles giving dirty looks to various Black people. He then approaches 18-year-old store employee Jason Jenkins and stabs him once in the lower back. According to witnesses, Carter, who is white, was uttering racial slurs at Jenkins, a Black man, during the attack. 6:05 6:10 p.m. After hearing screams in a nearby aisle, shopper Heather Rykes witnesses Timothy Carter holding a knife. She starts shooting cellphone video as several people, including two security guards from Brosnan Security, tell Carter to drop the weapon. Carter drops the knife and is put in handcuffs by security guards. Police and EMTs arrive and Carter is arrested. Jenkins is rushed to the hospital. Hes pronounced dead at 7:48 p.m. March 27, 2024 Timothy Carter appears in court and is denied pretrial release. March 30, 2024 Hundreds attend a public vigil for Jason Jenkins in the Northridge Walmart parking lot. Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara, Police Chief Carla Redd and several church leaders are in attendance. April 5, 2024 A grand jury indicts Timothy D. Carter on three counts of first-degree murder and a hate crime. April 11, 2024 The family of Jason Jenkins brings a wrongful death lawsuit against Walmart, Brosnan Risk Consultants, and Timothy Carter, claiming the parties were negligent. The suit claims that Walmart and Brosnan had ample time to stop Carter and that they failed to call police in a timely manner. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Timothy Carter remains in the Winnebago County Jail. Hes due back in court Friday, March 28, for a status hearing. Hes pleaded not guilty. A trial date has not been set. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. **Related Video Above: How to report a tip to the U.S. Marshals CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, Ohio (WJW) A man who has evaded authorities for about two months was arrested Monday morning, the U.S. Marshals Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force (NOVFTF) said in a statement. David Wayne Garner, wanted by East Cleveland police for aggravated murder, was found on the 2200 block of Brockway of Cleveland Heights, according to the task force. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Man charged after Akron 12-year-olds death faces judge It was not clear what led to the marshals finding Garner at that location, but that he had evaded police on multiple occasions while on the run. On Jan. 20, Garner allegedly shot a man named Rashawn Brinkley twice in the head while he was sitting in a vehicle on East Clevelands Shaw Avenue. Brinkley died from his injuries. The Marshals task force took over the search for Garner last month. Mother, child rescued from Parma house fire This type of violence has no place in our community, U.S. Marshal Pete Elliott said in a statement. Its a top priority to make sure violent criminals such as this are taken off the streets as quickly as possible. We are proud of the work of our team today. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wanted fugitive information can be shared with authorities at 1-866-492-6833. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Can you smell the testosterone? Suddenly, America's top CEOs seem to be taking their cues from Logan Roy, Rambo, and, most conspicuously, Donald Trump. Jiujitsu-fighting, MAGA-fied Mark Zuckerberg went on Joe Rogan's podcast to bemoan corporate culture for becoming "neutered" and called instead for "aggression," saying " masculine energy " is "good" and criticism of it had gone too far. Jamie Dimon has gone on f-bomb-filled screeds about how coddled employees need to get back to the office. A buff Jeff Bezos has laid down the hammer at The Washington Post, demanding editors give him a "hell yes" to affirm they're all in on "personal liberties and free markets." Elon Musk, emboldened by Trump to be more "aggressive," is shouting "chainsaw!" as he makes brutal cuts to the federal bureaucracy . And even if that Zuck-Musk cage match got canceled, the ready-to-rumble spirit persists: Musk posted to X earlier this month that he "literally challenged Putin to one-on-one physical combat over Ukraine." Not in the least surprised by all this chest-thumping: women in business. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I spoke to several female founders, along with psychologists and sociologists, who see the resurgent machoism in corporate America and the related dismantling of DEI programs, RTO mandates, layoffs, and calls for "intensity" as the onset of a new era of backlash. On the one hand, some women fear that aggressive company culture in the Trump 2.0 era may push them out of corporate positions and continue trends like underrepresentation in the tech sector. On the other, some see it as galvanizing. "The backlash is a sign that we're making serious progress," says Maureen Wiley Clough, the host of " It Gets Late Early ," a podcast about ageism in the workplace, sharing the sentiment of several women I spoke to. "Now we know who these people are," she adds. "The masks and the gloves are off." While some see these displays of strongmanhood as a means of placating and fending off regulatory action from the Trump administration, others see it as seizing the political moment to opportunistically return to masculine norms in the workplace. It's "not about money, it's more about them wanting to have the playground they've always had," says Sapna Cheryan, a professor of psychology at the University of Washington. Jennifer Berdahl, a professor of sociology at the University of British Columbia, uses a similar analogy. "It's like boys in a sandbox but scaling it to billionaires. It's the concept of precarious manhood: Almost no matter how much you succeed, it's just never enough." She adds, "What they're really calling for is for dominance contests to go free, almost like a gladiator arena." The gladiator games don't just play out among the top alphas those down the chain watch and learn. After Musk called a researcher a "retard" on X, for example, the use of the slur soon tripled on the platform, a study from Montclair State University found. In a January article titled "Is corporate America going MAGA?" an (ironically) anonymous banker told the Financial Times, "I feel liberated. We can say 'retard' and 'pussy' without the fear of getting canceled." Gen Z men are less likely than millennial men to say the term "feminist" describes them, according to a 2023 survey from the Survey Center on American Life. Almost half of them said they feel men face discrimination in the US. Meanwhile, only 49% of women feel women in the US are treated with respect and dignity, down from 66% in 2015, a Gallup survey found. Many women are fed up. And, tired of waiting on corporate America, they're increasingly building their own arenas. Over the past decade, women have made significant, if uneven, gains in the corporate workforce. Women now make up 10.4% of CEOs at Fortune 500 companies, up from just 4.6% in 2015. The overwhelming majority of this small group is white. Women are now outpacing men in becoming entrepreneurs; today they own nearly 39% of American businesses, increasing the number of women-led companies by 13.6% between 2019 and 2023, a 2024 Wells Fargo report said. Firms owned by men grew by just 7% in the same time period. In Silicon Valley, however, Zuckerberg's "masculine energy" quip doesn't track with reality. As of 2022, women made up just 22% of tech workers . That's the same proportion of jobs they held in 2005, the year after Facebook was founded. Women accounted for 16% of first-time VC-backed entrepreneurs and only 9% of entrepreneurs who get VC-backing for two startups, according to a 2024 paper that looked at aggregate data from Pitchbook. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The promises of the girlboss era, meanwhile, have come up short. In the 2010s, Sheryl Sandberg called on ambitious women to "lean in." Work hard enough, assert yourself, and you can have it all. But the girlboss was an empty caricature, an updated version of women who'd squeezed their way into the C-suite by engaging in old leadership tactics while wearing high heels. They were feminine and white, often thin and privileged. And, as Michelle Obama famously said of "leaning in" in 2018, "That shit doesn't work all the time." A sprinkling of female founders and executives in a world run by men hasn't transformed it: Toxic workplaces still emerged at several women-led companies. Steph Korey of Away was outed as a Slack bully (she apologized). Glossier workers reported discrimination and mistreatment under founder and former CEO Emily Weiss' tenure (Weiss apologized, too). Elizabeth Holmes lied to investors and risked lives (she apologized, and is serving an 11-year prison sentence). Sandberg herself is facing new allegations of toxic behavior: A new memoir by Sarah Wynn-Williams , a former policy director at Facebook (now Meta), claims that Sandberg had a young assistant sleep in her lap and demanded the author join her in bed on a private jet. The book, "Careless People," also highlights the ways women at Facebook felt leadership had failed them. Meta has slammed the book as inaccurate, calling it a "mix of out-of-date and previously reported claims about the company and false accusations about our executives." A spokesperson for Sandberg's Lean In organization declined to comment on the memoir but directed me to its website for information about ways Lean In sees itself as evolving to help women of all backgrounds navigate barriers and biases they may face at work. Even if you have more women, they'll still assimilate to the workplace culture you have. Erika Lucas, founder of StitchCrew Women have proved they can behave just as badly as men but even when they're on their best behavior or make minor missteps, they're hit with harsh criticism men are more likely to evade. A 2020 study from the Stanford Graduate School of Business found that men are more valued than women when they "take charge." The "founder mode," hands-on, direct style of management can backfire for women as Airbnb CEO and founder mode proselytizer Brian Chesky posted on X last fall: "Women founders have been reaching out to me over the past 24 hours about how they don't have permission to run their companies in Founder Mode the same way men can. This needs to change." "Even if you have more women, they'll still assimilate to the workplace culture you have," says Erika Lucas, the founder of StitchCrew, a nonprofit focused on fostering equitable entrepreneurship, and VEST, a women's peer network and investment fund. "Women are being conditioned to fit into this meritocracy, or fit within these toxic systems because that's all we have." As Cheryan puts it, "masculine defaults" are diffuse in the workplace "because men made companies in their image. The return of those defaults is pushing more women to ditch corporate America and go out on their own, says Lucas. "The reason why we're seeing more women-led companies starting is because corporate America is not working for women." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When companies won't offer work-from-home policies or the flexibility that working parents need, it can embolden people to become more entrepreneurial and build under their own terms. "Oftentimes the easiest way to find that is to build it yourself," says Jaclyn Pascocello, the founder of Fabrik, a networking space for people to grow their communities, noting that it's still not easy to launch a company. But in this climate of ascendant machoism, she says, she is seeing a collective of women coming together at Fabrik and starting to build companies to address issues sometimes ignored by men. Those can include solutions for women's health and caregiving. "It really feels like there's a ton of women trying to lift each other up," she says. But oversimplifying "masculine" or "feminine" traits to fit narrow boxes "is doing everyone a disservice," says Ashley Rose, the cofounder and CEO of the cybersecurity firm Living Security. "You need to find people that possess the traits that work well in your culture." Similarly, the concept of DEI has been misrepresented and turned into a dirty acronym by the political right, says Virginia Cumberbatch, a global DEI strategist and consultant. While DEI implementation has been lacking and its results disappointing at some firms, there are ways for new and old companies to create initiatives to foster diversity, even in the current political climate. "We've allowed DEI to be a catchall that's kind of lost its meaning," Cumberbatch says. DEI, she says, shouldn't be thought of as a blanket fix. Equity looks different in the work of a university than in an architecture firm. And companies that are serious about building diverse, equitable, and inclusive environments need to give authority to the people in charge of those initiatives. "It has to be pervasive in every dimension of your organization or your brand, or it is just rhetoric," she says. There's no business case for stifling diversity. Many studies have found that having a diverse staff is good for companies financially , and benefits like extended parental leave, caregiving resources, and flexibility help with employee retention and burnout. And Big Tech businesses have ballooned in value while they publicly called for diversity, but they ride the tides of public opinion. Personalities that are power-obsessed often swing politically to hold onto their prestige. With that reality exposed, some women are changing their responses. Vanessa Jupe, the founder of Leva, a platform to support new parents, says she became more politically active in the 2024 election and supported Kamala Harris' campaign by canvassing her neighborhood and donating money. Some Facebook groups dedicated to campaigning for Harris have morphed into places of action, with members organizing to write letters and calling lawmakers to express frustration with the Trump administration. Escalating tactics could include strikes, sit-ins, picketing, and actions like the late February economic blackout that targeted large retailers. "There's a full-frontal assault on women and people of color," Jupe says. "The time to play nice is not now. You cannot have kid gloves on when you're fighting against really silly bullies." The era of the girlboss is long dead. No singular trope or central figure has taken its place in 2025 which may be a good thing. "Nobody should be made into a hero," Lucas says. "My hope for women is that we start building power collectively." That also means pushing for change by showing that companies can be "successful because you actually operate it in a different way," Cheryan says. Women have stopped thinking they can "have it all" by leaning in, and instead are calling on men to do more at home and work toward more equitable workplaces and opting out of marriage and traditional corporate America if they don't. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Leaders who are willing to disrupt corporate culture norms have an enormous opportunity to lure top talent away from workplaces that aren't. We're not likely to see a few women rising through the ranks and joining the boys onstage in a cage match and that's for the best, but there's a culture shift unfolding that could allow them to make something new. Amanda Hoover is a senior correspondent at Business Insider covering the tech industry. She writes about the biggest tech companies and trends. Read the original article on Business Insider Elon Musk was given a seat at Donald Trumps cabinet meeting table for the first time. The tech billionaire, who was at the centre of a fiery cabinet showdown earlier this month, took his place at the far end of the table wearing a Trump was right about everything cap. Mr Musk, who sat between John Ratcliffe, the director of the CIA, and Jamieson Greer, a trade representative, was praised by members of the cabinet for his work with the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge) uncovering a tremendous amount of fraud. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you committed fraud, were coming after you. Thank you Elon, for that, Pam Bondi, the Attorney General, told Mr Musk, who is not officially part of the Trump cabinet. Mr Musk sat between CIA director John Ratcliffe and trade representative Jamieson Greer - Samuel Corum The collegiate nature of the meeting is in stark contrast to last months, when the tech billionaire was branded a liar by cabinet members in an extraordinary confrontation - held behind closed doors. Sean Duffy, the transport secretary, was enraged by Mr Musks attempts to cull air traffic controllers despite the national shortage. While the president watched on, Doug Collins, the secretary of veterans affairs, claimed operations were being cancelled in Veteran Affairs hospitals because of Musks Doge cuts. The cabinet meeting in session on Monday - Carlos Barria The collegiate nature of the meeting is in stark contrast to last months - BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI This time, the meeting appeared far more harmonious as Mr Musk received words of encouragement from the transport secretary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weve had a few bumps in the road as weve gone through this process, Mr Duffy said, acknowledging the previous clashes with Doge. The last three weeks have been much much better as our teams have integrated and worked to deliver for the American people. Some of the press had made comments last time about what happened in the last meeting, we had a great conversation in the last meeting. Elon, I had a great call after the meeting. And so sometimes the reporting can be a little bit off. Mr Musk, who at previous cabinet meetings has hovered in the background, shared with the team that his Doge employees had been subject to death threats. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thank you to the Doge team, who are literally getting death threats and being accosted, he told reporters. A lot of them are just kids just trying to help out. And theyre very talented. They could get jobs for millions of dollars a year instead, they could, they come here, earn peanuts and get death threats. Meanwhile, Mr Trump shared that he expects a US-Ukraine revenue-sharing agreement on Ukrainian critical minerals will be signed soon. The president also praised his right-hand man as a patriot who is selflessly serving his country. Elon has never asked me for a thing, he said. A US delegation met with Ukrainian officials on Sunday and with Russian officials on Monday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The talks have focused mostly on a Black Sea ceasefire, but Mr Trump said other issues are coming up as he pushes for a halt to Russias three-year war against Ukraine. Were talking about territory right now. Were talking about lines of demarcation, Talking about power, power plant ownership. Some people are saying the United States should own the power plant...because we have the expertise, he said. 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. UTICA, NY (WUTR/WFXV/WPNY) The president of the Mohawk Valley Health System who helped oversee the opening of the Wynn Hospital in 2023 has announced that she will be retiring at the end of the year. Darlene Stromstad announced on Monday, March 24 that she will be retiring from her position in late 2025. Stromstad oversaw the combination of St. Elizabeths Hospital and St. Lukes Hospital into the Wynn Hospital in 2023. After an incredible journey in healthcare leadership, I will be retiring from my role as President/CEO of MVHS at the end of the year, Stromstad said in a statement. This decision comes with mixed emotions, as my time at MVHS and throughout my career has been filled with meaningful work, incredible colleagues and a shared commitment to providing the best possible care to our communities. When I joined MVHS, I was drawn to the opportunity to help transform healthcare in central New York. Together, we accomplished something truly extraordinary with the opening of Wynn Hospital a state-of-the-art facility that will serve this region for generations to come. We strengthened our system, expanded services and navigated challenges with resilience, all with the goal of improving the lives of those who rely on us for care. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Before taking the position in Utica, Stromstad worked in hospitals all over the Northeast, including Fenway Health in Boston. She also led health systems in New Hampshire, Connecticut and Maine. Stromstad has been the president and CEO of MVHS since 2019. During that time, she oversaw the implementation of an Electronic Health Record system throughout all of MVHS, as well as her overseeing of local health during the COVID-19 pandemic. A search committee has been organized by the MVHS board of directors to perform a national search for Stromstads replacement. Former board chair Greg Evans has been named as the head of the search committee. Throughout my career whether in New Hampshire, Boston, Connecticut, Maine or here in Utica I have been privileged to work alongside some of the most dedicated and talented professionals in healthcare. I have also had the honor of serving on national and state-level boards, advocating for policies that support patients, healthcare workers and the industry as a whole, Stromstad said in a statement. As I step into this next chapter, I do so with deep appreciation for the experiences I have had, the relationships I have built and the impact we have made together, said Stromstad. I thank the MVHS Board of Directors for this remarkable opportunity and their continued support. While I may be retiring from my day-to-day leadership role, my passion for healthcare and my gratitude for this community will remain steadfast. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WUTR/WFXV - CNYhomepage.com. At around 3,300 meters (2 miles) below the surface of the ocean off the coast of Alaska, where the warm light of the Sun never penetrates, an NOAA Ocean Exploration remotely operated underwater vehicle came across a strange, golden orb. The bizarre undersea object, encountered during an expedition in 2023, was found "tightly adhered" to a rock dotted with white sponges, measuring around 10 centimeters (4 inches) across with a hole in one side. For the scientists making the discovery, it wasn't entirely clear what the mysterious orb might be. Initial suggestions from the researchers conducting the livestream of the dive included an egg casing from a mystery species, a dead sponge, or a coral. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I don't know what to make of that," said one of the researchers on a livestream. "It's definitely got a big old hole in it, so something either tried to get in or tried to get out," another speculated. "I just hope when we poke it, something doesn't decide to come out," one researcher said. "It's like the beginning of a horror movie." Whatever deep horror that might be, it might yet have some growing to do. As reported in The Guardian, one hypothesis suggests something may have hatched from the golden case. Something not exactly tiny. "We're going with egg because of the texture. It felt fleshy and it doesn't have any obvious anatomy. It has a hole in it that suggests something has come in or gone out. But it doesn't look like any egg I've ever seen," deep-sea ecologist Kerry Howell of the University of Plymouth in the UK told the paper. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "If it is an egg, the really interesting question is whose egg is it. It's quite big. That's not a small fish egg. That's a sizable thing." Using a robotic arm, the researchers gently nudged the object, determining that it was quite soft, before collecting it via suction for further study. The mystery blob was carefully collected using a suction sampler. ( NOAA Ocean Exploration, Seascape Alaska The fact the 'egg' was on its own is almost as intriguing as its size. Typically, oviparous animals lay eggs in clutches. So if the object is an egg, there's something unusual about it. Which is quite marvelous, really: whatever it is, the orb has something new to tell us about the deep ocean, and the diverse life that thrives therein. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There's a lot that happens in the inhospitable ocean depths that we don't yet understand. Crushing pressures and freezing temperatures are just two factors that have kept humanity from exploring widely. However, with remotely operated vehicles acting as a proxy, the ocean is gradually revealing its secrets. Including how mysterious deep ocean species procreate. The mystery blob photographed onboard the NOAA vessel Okeanos Explorer after collection. ( NOAA Ocean Exploration, Seascape Alaska "Isn't the deep sea so delightfully strange?" said exploration coordinator Sam Candio of NOAA Ocean Exploration. "While we were able to collect the 'golden orb' and bring it onto the ship, we still are not able to identify it beyond the fact that it is biological in origin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "While somewhat humbling to be stumped by this finding, it serves as a reminder of how little we know about our own planet and how much is left to learn and appreciate about our ocean." An earlier version of this article was published in September 2023. Related News Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee, meets with representatives from seven Japan-China friendship groups in Tokyo, Japan, March 23, 2025. Attending the meeting were Hiroshi Moriyama, chairman of the Japan-China Friendship Parliamentarians' Union and secretary-general of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party, President of the Japanese Association for the Promotion of International Trade Yohei Kono, as well as leaders of other friendship groups. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng) 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 representatives from seven Japan-China friendship groups, highlighting the importance of bilateral cooperation amid global uncertainties. Noting the increasing instability in the international situation, Wang emphasized that China is determined to shoulder its responsibilities as a major power, work together with other nations to safeguard peace and security in Asia, and promote human development and progress. As close neighbors and two major global economies, China and Japan must reassess the value of their relationship, reaffirm the significance of their friendship, strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation, and consolidate the strength of friendly people-to-people ties to promote the sustained, healthy, and stable development of China-Japan relations, Wang said. While acknowledging the long-term dedication of the seven friendship groups in advancing bilateral friendship, Wang urged them to press forward in the direction of peaceful and friendly cooperation to make new contributions to safeguarding the fundamental interests of both peoples. He outlined three key areas for strengthening ties, including maintaining the political foundation, enhancing dialogue and exchanges across various sectors, and cultivating successors for China-Japan friendship. The China-Japan Joint Statement must be strictly observed, with particular emphasis on properly handling historical issues and the Taiwan question, and resisting any distortions, falsifications, or actions that undermine the foundation, Wang stressed. He also called for encouraging the younger generation to participate actively in friendship initiatives, ensuring the legacy of bilateral cooperation is carried forward. Attending the meeting were Hiroshi Moriyama, chairman of the Japan-China Friendship Parliamentarians' Union and secretary-general of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party, President of the Japanese Association for the Promotion of International Trade Yohei Kono, as well as leaders of other friendship groups. Representatives from the groups emphasized the critical importance of China-Japan friendship for both nations and their peoples, pledging efforts to continue fostering exchanges at local and youth levels and further strengthen the bond between the peoples of China and Japan. Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee, meets with representatives from seven Japan-China friendship groups in Tokyo, Japan, March 23, 2025. Attending the meeting were Hiroshi Moriyama, chairman of the Japan-China Friendship Parliamentarians' Union and secretary-general of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party, President of the Japanese Association for the Promotion of International Trade Yohei Kono, as well as leaders of other friendship groups. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng) NACOGDOCHES, Texas (KETK) Caro Water Supply Corporation has issued a boil water notice for several areas affected in Nacogdoches County on Monday due to a generator failure. Boil water notice dos and donts The corporation recommends that customers boil their water for more than two minutes at a rolling boil to ensure that all bacteria and microbes have been destroyed. Customers may purchase bottled water or other suitable drinking water for consumption purposes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The public areas under the notice are: FM 1087 FM 2664 FM 2864 CR 105 CR 126 CR 134 CR 140 CR 141 CR 144 CR 145 and CR 153 Caro Water Supply Corporation will notify customers when they no longer need to boil water and the notice has been rescinded. Anyone with questions regarding the boil water notice can reach the water supply company at 936-564-3078. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KETK.com | FOX51.com. Eric Anderson was fired from the National Park Service amid DOGE's federal workforce cuts. The mass layoffs of federal workers caused a string of lawsuits. Though confident he was fired illegally, Anderson said he spent weeks feeling frozen. Eric Anderson has had a rough month. Instead of feeling the love on Valentine's Day, he was unceremoniously fired from his position as a federal worker at the National Park Service. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "My letter said, 'You are terminated effective immediately.' So that was my Happy Valentine's email," Anderson, a 48-year-old in Chicago, told Business Insider. "For the last month, I've been just wondering, 'OK, what is going to happen?'" It came as part of a slew of layoffs instigated by President Donald Trump and Elon Musk's White House DOGE office, which is working to cut the federal workforce as it reduces government spending. In February, the administration fired thousands of probationary employees those who had been in their roles for less than two years across federal agencies, including the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Small Business Administration, and the Office of Personnel Management. Anderson was one of them. The White House had fired about 25,000 workers across 18 departments and agencies before a federal judge temporarily blocked the orders earlier this month. The White House also extended a buyout offer to federal employees that similarly became the subject of litigation. Though the administration hoped to entice 5% to 10% of the federal workforce to take the deal, only about 75,000 or about 3.75% accepted the offer. From essential to disposable and back again The Interior Department, which includes the National Park Service, lost 1,712 workers, according to a document the agency filed with the Justice Department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anderson worked primarily at the Indiana Dunes National Park. He said his official title was biological science technician, but he was working toward a title change to wildland firefighter, which would better describe his duties. "During the growing season, I go out, and I do plant surveys in the prescribed burn units at not only the Indiana Dunes but other national parks around the Great Lakes," he said. "You do that kind of work because you love it. You do it because you want to see it better for future generations." Part of Anderson's job entailed sampling plant life and administering prescribed burns. Courtesy of Eric Anderson Though his termination letter said he was underperforming, he said that didn't align with his past performance reviews or what his supervisors told officials who were making the cuts. "They're like: 'We absolutely need these people. They're part of our fire crew. They do a lot,'" Anderson recalled. "My supervisors did their best to justify why I should still be there and why I'm essential." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In March, a federal judge ordered the Trump administration to reinstate probationary employees across multiple agencies. US District Judge William Alsup said the premise for terminating employees based on "performance" issues was an unlawful "sham" to get around existing legal requirements for federal layoffs. Many of the reinstated workers have been placed on administrative leave, which means they are being paid to do nothing instead of returning to their jobs. The Office of Personnel Management, the federal government's human resources department, said in a court filing that administrative leave was the first step toward reinstating workers. Still, Anderson, who was just informed that he'd be reinstated, has doubts and remains concerned about what he called "the systematic dismantling of the apolitical civil service system." Even though he feels confident that he was terminated illegally, Anderson said he spent weeks feeling frozen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I was very much in limbo," he said. "Should I be applying for other jobs? Should I be trying to line up private consulting work? It's unlike any time I've ever been between jobs." Editor's Note: Anderson spoke with BI prior to being reinstated. Read the original article on Business Insider A lengthy courtroom showdown Monday offered few clear answers on whether the courts will allow President Donald Trump to resume his effort to swiftly deport Venezuelan nationals using a rarely invoked wartime power. One judge on a three-member appeals court panel grilled a Justice Department lawyer on the administrations handling of the deportations. A second judge seemed more sympathetic to the administration. But the panels third judge remained almost entirely silent during two hours of oral arguments, leaving the fate of the administrations appeal unclear. The panels sole Democratic appointee, Judge Patricia Millett, voiced grave concern about how the administration whisked more than 200 people out of the country on March 15, mere hours after Trump invoked the 18th century Alien Enemies Act against members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There were planeloads of people. There were no procedures in place to notify people. Nazis got better treatment under the Alien Enemy Act than has happened here, said Millett, an appointee of President Barack Obama. Justice Department lawyer Drew Ensign said he disputed the Nazi analogy. Under Milletts questioning, he conceded that detainees being deported under the law have a constitutional right to contest their deportations in court. But he refused to guarantee that the government would provide enough notice to the detainees or their lawyers for them to have a practical opportunity to seek relief in court before being flown out of the country. Millett expressed frustration at that apparent Catch-22. You all couldve picked me up on Saturday and thrown me on a plane, thinking Im a member of Tren de Aragua and given me no chance to protest it, the judge said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lawyers for the Venezuelan detainees have argued that many of the people being accused by the government of being affiliated with Tren de Aragua are not gang members at all and in some instances were trying to flee that very gang. For now, any further deportations under the Alien Enemies Act are blocked by a restraining order issued by U.S. District Judge James Boasberg. The Trump administration has asked the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals to lift Boasbergs order, and the case was assigned to the three-judge panel that heard Mondays arguments. While Millett seemed all but certain to uphold Boasbergs order, Judge Justin Walker, a Trump appointee, was friendlier to the administrations position. Walker said the president has broad latitude to manage foreign relations, especially when invoking wartime powers, and he suggested that Boasberg may have gone too far when, during an emergency hearing on March 15, he ordered that planes carrying deportees be turned around. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The administration did not turn the planes around, and they landed hours later in El Salvador, where detainees were handed over to authorities and imprisoned there. The Justice Department has argued it never directly defied any court order. I thought about when Justice Douglas enjoined the bombing of Cambodia, Walker said, referring to an infamous 1973 order from Justice William Douglas. That didnt go very well. The Supreme Court reversed him within about six hours. The outcome of the Trump administrations appeal could come down to the third member of the panel: Judge Karen Henderson, an appointee of President George H.W. Bush. Henderson asked no questions during the hearing and said nothing substantive about the case. There was no discussion during the hearing about the Trump administrations unusual request to the appeals court that it throw Boasberg off the case while the litigation continues in the lower court. Even when Walker suggested that Boasbergs order may have unconstitutionally interfered with the presidents foreign policy and national security powers, Walker was careful to note that Boasberg was handling the case on a quick timeline and without the benefit of full legal briefing. An appellate judge told prosecutors Monday that Nazis got better treatment under the Alien Enemy Act than the Venezuelan nationals the Trump administration recently removed from the U.S. to a prison in El Salvador. Judge Patricia Millett drew the stark comparison during a hearing at the Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, where lawyers representing the Trump administration worked to lift a lower courts temporary ban on the deportation of immigrants under a proclamation President Donald Trump recently issued that invoked the Alien Enemies Act. The centuries-old law has only been used four times in American history and gives the president broad powers to deport non-U.S. citizens from enemy nations, or those deemed to be committing an invasion or incursion against the U.S. The law is a powerful dragnet since it allows a targeted person to be deported without a single hearing before a judge or in immigration court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nazis got better treatment under the Alien Enemy Act than what has happened here they had hearing boards before people were removed, Millett said. Here, theres nothing about hearing boards or regulations and nothing was adopted by agency officials who were administering this. People werent given notice [and] werent told where they were going. We certainly dispute that analogy, federal prosecutor Drew Ensign replied. Trumps proclamation on March 15 declared the Venezuelan gang Tren De Aragua to be an invading force. What followed was the swift removal of at least 200 people from the U.S. whom the administration flagged as members of the gang. Justice Department lawyers conceded in court that the exact number of people the government has identified as members of the gang is unclear. American Civil Liberties Union attorney Lee Gelernt, who is representing the plaintiffs, said many, if not all of those removed have no ties to Tren De Aragua. In some instances, tattoos on those removed have been misinterpreted by the government as symbols of gang membership. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The hearing came just hours after U.S. District Judge James Boasberg refused to lift his temporary restraining order barring the administrations implementation of the Alien Enemies Act. None of those who have been deported are arguing that the president lacks the authority to remove them or that he does not have the authority to use his powers in times of war or invasion. Rather, as Boasberg noted in his opinion Monday and Millett echoed from the bench just hours later the question before the courts is whether the administration is allowing people it chooses to deport to have any due process, for example in the form of individualized hearings. This would at least give them a chance to declare that they are not members of the gang, Millett said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If the government says, We dont have to give due process for that, you could have putme up on a plane on Saturday and called me a member of Tren De Aragua [with] no chance to protest it and now you say its somehow a violation of presidential war powers to say, Excuse me, no Im not [a member of Tren De Aragua], Id like a hearing, Millett said. During a rare Saturday session in the district court on March 15, Boasberg ordered the Justice Department to make sure that any flights carrying passengers flagged for removal be turned around and sent back to America while the litigation played out in court. The planes did not return. Instead, up to 300 individuals marked for deportation were dropped off at a prison in El Salvador. The Justice Department has argued that because the order was made orally, it was not binding and the judges order should have been in writing. Further, government lawyers claim that because the planes were outside of U.S. airspace at the time of Boasbergs oral order, that made it impossible to follow without generating new, complicated legal issues. Ensign steered clear of those arguments Monday but hammered away at Boasbergs ruling: The temporary restraining order was akin to the judicial branch trying to make significant military decisions for the president, he argued. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was as if Boasberg had told the administration where to move carrier jets. Millett stopped Ensign cold. Boasbergs restraining order, which expires at the end of this month, was straight-up judicial process thats allowed by the Supreme Court and Circuit precedent, she said. Presiding alongside Millett were Judges Justin Walker and Karen Henderson. Henderson was mostly quiet Monday, but Walker peppered attorneys for the plaintiffs with questions about whether the best possible venue was chosen. Would it have been better to challenge the removal by filing petitions in Texas? Five of the plaintiffs represented by the ACLU were in Texas when they were removed, but ACLU attorneys emphasized that even if they filed a petition for habeas corpus in Texas, it wouldnt cover every person the administration has hauled out of the U.S or plans to. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The plaintiffs have the right to file in the venue of their choice, Gelernt said. I want to make this point: The government is doing everything in secret. We have no idea if everyone is in Texas, Gelernt said. If the court dissolved the temporary ban on the deportations and then flights started leaving from Arizona to El Salvador, would the plaintiffs be asked to then file in every single district? The appeals court is expected to rule soon. If they agree to keep Boasbergs temporary restraining order in place, the matter will continue to unfold in the lower court, but Trump is almost certain to challenge it and bring the question to the Supreme Court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For now, however, Boasberg will continue to review evidence from the ACLU that explores whether the Trump administration overtly ignored court orders to turn the planes around. Should the appellate court opt to overturn Boasbergs order, it will be a major boon for Trump. In that outcome, there would be little to nothing left to stop the administration from deporting anyone it says is affiliated with the gang. Related... A North Carolina House bill filed last week would provide funding for the University of North Carolina School of the Arts to purchase a downtown Winston-Salem building next to the Stevens Center, which is being renovated. Rep. Kyle Hall, R-Stokes, filed House Bill 419, which would provide $4.5 million dollars to the schools board of trustees to purchase and improve the property located at 411 W. 4th St. in Winston-Salem. If the bill is passed into law, it would go into effect on July 1 and the funds would likely be inserted into the states 2025-2026 budget bill. The 12,441-square-foot property is adjacent to the Stevens Center and was previously the headquarters of Greater Winston-Salem Inc. before the organization moved into a new office in Innovation Quarter. Read the full story on the Triad Business Journals 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 FOX8 WGHP. CANBERRA, March 24 (Xinhua) -- The Australian government has secured agreements with every state and territory to put all public schools on the path to full and fair funding, representing its biggest new investment in public education to date. Under these "historic agreements," the federal government will increase its contribution to the Schooling Resource Standard from 20 percent to 25 percent by 2034, except for the Northern Territory, which will see its share rise to 40 percent by 2029, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Monday. This reform will inject an estimated 16.5 billion Australian dollars (10.37 billion U.S. dollars) in additional funding into public schools over the next decade, Albanese said, adding the funding is tied to critical education reforms aimed at improving student outcomes, increasing mental health support in schools, and supporting teachers. The agreements also set national targets to increase Year 12 completion rates to their highest level in 2030, raising student attendance rates to pre-pandemic levels -- 91.4 percent, and boosting teacher education engagement rates by 10 percentage points by 2035. Albanese said this funding is an investment in Australia's future, ensuring every child has access to a quality education. Education Minister Jason Clare hailed the agreements as a "game-changer" for public education, providing a 70 percent increase in federal funding per student when fully implemented. "This is real funding tied to real reform to get real results," Clare said. NORTH CAROLINA, (WNCT) The North Carolina Department of Transportations Division of Aviation awarded grants to twelve airports across the state. These state funded grants are to assist the airports in hosting aerospace themed summer camps for kids in Kindergarten through 12th grade. The airports will each secure up to $5,000 for these camps. These camps will explore themes and experiences that bring the aviation industry to life and will allow kids to get hands-on experience through interactive lessons. Were thrilled to partner with airports across the state to offer these academies, said Nick Short, interim director of the NCDOT Division of Aviation. Not only do students have an incredible time learning about aviation, but they also gain valuable insight into the career opportunities available in this dynamic and growing industry. Its about sparking curiosity and showing them that the sky really is the limit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kinston Regional Jetport at Stallings Field, Washington-Warren Airport, Northeastern Regional Airport in Edenton, Curtis L. Brown Jr. Field Airport in Elizabethtown and Fayetteville Regional Airport are among the twelve airports. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WNCT. Meat snack company Chomps announced a voluntary recall on select beef and turkey sticks in coordination with its "manufacturing partner and under USDA oversight," the company said. Juanmonino via Getty Images Nearly 30,000 pounds of ready-to-eat beef stick products have been recalled due to concerns of possible contamination with metal, according to the U.S. Department of Agricultures Food and Safety Inspection Service (FSIS). Manufacturer Idaho Smokehouse Partners, LLC announced a recall of certain Chomps Original Beef Sticks after two consumers reported the potential presence of metal fragments in the meat stick products, the government agency said in an announcement last week. The FSIS said that the nearly 30,000-pounds of the recalled products were beef sticks produced between Jan. 13 and Jan. 15, and shipped to retail locations in California and Illinois. The product had an expiration date of Feb. 10, 2026, with the following lot code: 25016. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chomps had also issued a voluntary recall last week, which included Original Turkey Sticks that the company said were produced at the same single facility as the recalled beef stick products. In a statement to People, the company said it voluntarily broadened the scope of the recall beyond what was required because we wanted to be absolutely certain that any product packaged during the identified timeframe was removed from the market. Were committed to taking every possible precaution when it comes to product quality and our consumers safety, the statement continued. No injuries or adverse reactions have been reported, according to the company, which also added that it initiated the recall as a precautionary measure out of an abundance of caution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chomps said the recall impacts the 1.15-ounce packages of the Original Beef sticks either packaged as a 12-count pouch, 8-count pouch or single package and the 1.15-ounce single package of the Original Turkey stick. All of the recalled products were packaged between Jan. 16 and Jan. 23, and no other products were impacted, according to the company. The FSIS said in its announcement that the agency was concerned people may still have the products in question in their pantries at home. Read on to hear more information about how you can check to see if you have a recalled product, and what you should do next. If youve recently purchased a Chomps meat stick, you should check the lot codes. If youve recently purchased a Chomps beef or turkey stick, or if you have one of the snack products in your pantry, you should check the lot code number located below the barcode. If you have a pouch, you should remove a single stick to check the code. The recalled beef or turkey product will have an establishment number with either 6220A or P6220A, as well as one of the following lot codes: 25016, 25017, 25018, 25020, 25021, 25022 or 25023. Visit the companys website for more information on how to identify the recalled products here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Customers with a recalled product in their possession are urged to not consume the snack, and to discard it or return it to the place of purchase for a refund. For any questions about a refund, or any concerns about the recalled meat snacks, customers can contact Chomps at 855-636-1150, or Idaho Smokehouse Partners at 208-227-5282. As always, you should reach out to your health care provider if you have any concerns about anything youve consumed. Related... FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) More than two-thirds of Arkansas counties are currently under burn bans and high wildfire risk, according to the Arkansas Forestry Commission. Multiple departments across the state have recently reported fighting wildfires. AFC said on Wednesday it was fighting nearly 100 wildfires throughout the Natural State. Last week, a barn caught fire in Springdale near Interstate 49. Fires also broke out near Whitney Mountain Lodge in Garfield and Avoca. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Northwest Arkansas departments such as the Nob Hill Fire Department and the Hwy 94 East Fire Department have said in posts on social media that they have responded to fire reports in the last week. The Hwy 94 East Fire Department said on March 21 that it responded to several illegal outside fires. Reminder we will continue to be on a burn ban until we get a significant amount of rain. Depending on the circumstance, you could be cited for unlawful burning, the department said on Facebook. Weather Blog: Spring break forecast The Piney Point Fire Department said on March 22 a wildland fire was caused by unauthorized burning and a deputy was on the scene of the fire due to illegal burning activity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bookings say the Benton County Sheriffs Office has arrested one person since Friday for unlawful burning. All of Northwest Arkansas and most of the River Valley are under burn bans. 62 of the 75 Arkansas counties are under burn bans. Scott, Little River, Nevada, Calhoun, Ashley, Chicot, Desha, Monroe, Lee, St. Francis, Cross, Poinsett and Crittenden counties are the 12 not currently under a burn ban despite being in high wildfire risk. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Torn down powerlines near Filmore County from the March storm. (Courtesy of the Fillmore County Sheriff's Office via the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency) LINCOLN Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen declared a state of emergency for 24 counties impacted by last weeks winter storm. Last weeks blizzard closed Interstate 80 and other roadways, damaged trees and power lines and caused a loss of electricity across multiple service areas. According to the Governors Office, the heaviest damage occurred along the eastern part of the state. Parts of east Nebraska experienced nearly a foot of snow, accompanied by wind gusts reaching 70 mph. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Initial damage estimates now surpass $21 million. The Omaha Public Power District said last weeks blizzard was the most destructive in its history. Steven Weaver, an OPPD line crew leader, said the ice accumulated on power lines after the blizzard was thicker than any hed ever seen. Its not just bad in one location, he said. Its complete devastation. Nebraska Public Power District is working to repair a sub-transmission line near York to restore power to 15 customers. District officials said those customers were the last remaining NPPD customers affected by the blizzard and that they should be restored Monday. The strom even caused brief power outages at the statehouse throughout the day Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The counties covered by last weeks emergency declaration are Burt, Butler, Cass, Clay, Colfax, Cuming, Dodge, Douglas, Fillmore, Gage, Jefferson, Lancaster, Platte, Polk, Nuckolls, Saline, Sarpy, Saunders, Seward, Thayer, Thurston, Washington, Wayne and York. The Governors Office said the list of counties might change as the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency receives more damage assessment data from local emergency management agencies. Pillen would issue more declarations if needed. When all damage assessments are completed, the state will seek a federal disaster declaration, which could help offset some recovery costs. The governor also issued an executive order waiving dynamic pricing of rideshare companies for the rest of the emergency order. From state troopers who assisted stranded motorists, to snow removal crews and now those involved in repairing downed lines to re-establish our power grid, Pillen said in the statement, a lot of people have stepped up very quickly to ensure that our safety has been the number one priority. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Reed Hastings is giving $50 million to his alma mater, liberal arts school Bowdoin College in Maine, to fund AI research and teaching within ethical frameworks. The $50 million gift from the Netflix co-founder and former CEO is the largest in the colleges 231-year history. After graduating from Bowdoin in 1983, he went on to earn a masters in artificial intelligence from Stanford University in 1988. More from Variety Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This donation seeks to advance Bowdoins mission of cultivating wisdom for the common good by deepening the colleges engagement with one of humanitys most transformative developments: artificial intelligence, said Hastings in a statement. The Hastings Initiative for AI and Humanity will be a step forward in higher educations growing role to provide ethical frameworks for technology, according to Bowdoin. Initial priorities include hiring 10 new faculty members in a range of disciplines; supporting faculty who want to incorporate and interrogate AI in their teaching, research and artistic work; and leading conversations about the uses of AI and the changes and challenges it will bring. Funding and fellowships will allow current and new faculty to explore questions and pedagogical and scholarship opportunities generated by AI, Bowdoin said. We are thrilled and so grateful to receive this remarkable support from Reed, who shares our conviction that the AI revolution makes the liberal arts and a Bowdoin education more essential to society, said Bowdoin College President Safa Zaki, whose research focuses on building and testing computational models of the mind. Hastings added, As AI becomes smarter than humans, we are going to need some deep thinking to keep us flourishing. I know Bowdoin can make a significant contribution to these fundamental issues, and that President Zaki, a cognitive scientist, can lead the way. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Founded in 1794, Bowdoin is located in Brunswick, Maine. It has about 2,000 undergraduate students and offers more than 40 majors. Hastings cofounded Netflix in 1997 and became executive chairman in 2023 after 25 years as CEO. Hastings is an active educational philanthropist and served on the California State Board of Education from 2000-04. He is currently on the board of several educational organizations including KIPP and Pahara. He is also a board member of The City Fund and Bloomberg. After graduating from Bowdoin and before attending Stanford, Hastings served as a Peace Corps high school math teacher in Swaziland. Best of Variety Sign up for Variety's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Netflix chairman and co-founder Reed Hastings has donated $50 million to launch the Hastings Initiative for AI and Humanity at Bowdoin College in Maine at a time when artificial intelligence continues to be a hot-button issue. The largest gift in the colleges 231-year history will be a step forward in Bowdoins growing engagement in this breakthrough technology and ensure that students graduate well-prepared to lead in a world reshaped by AI, it said. Funding and fellowships will allow current and new faculty to explore the pedagogical and scholarship opportunities and challenges generated by the vast AI revolution. More from The Hollywood Reporter Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Initial priorities include hiring 10 new faculty members in a range of disciplines; supporting current faculty who want to incorporate and interrogate AI in their teaching, research and other work; and conversations about the uses of AI and the changes and challenges it will bring, including workshops, symposia and support for student research. This donation seeks to advance Bowdoins mission of cultivating wisdom for the common good by deepening the colleges engagement with one of humanitys most transformative developments: artificial intelligence, said Hastings, who followed his graduation from Bowdoin in 1983 by earning his MSc in artificial intelligence at Stanford University. Just as Bowdoins mission emphasizes the formation of complete individuals who can navigate a world in flux, this initiative will empower students and faculty to critically examine, thoughtfully utilize and ethically shape AIs trajectory. Bowdoin president Safa Zaki, whose research focuses on building and testing computational models of mind, emphasized that a world recast by AI needs an infusion of humanity. Bowdoin is ideally positioned to meet the challenges and opportunities of AI, she said. Our deep commitment to the liberal arts and the common good position us to think together about what we are going to value in human cognition, and what we will want our AI systems to do or not do going forward in service to humanity. Concluded Zaki: Ethics, human values and human understanding inform the technological progress, scientific advancements and new norms that will emerge from this revolution. Best of The Hollywood Reporter Sign up for THR's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Nelson and Gladys Gonzalez lived in the United States illegally for decades, working hard and raising a family while regularly checking in with Immigration and Customs Enforcement as part of an agreement to remain in the country. But when the Laguna Niguel couple showed up for a routine check-in on Feb. 21, they were detained and sent back to Colombia, according to the familys GoFundMe page and a spokesperson for ICE. The couples sudden deportation stunned their three adult daughters, who are American citizens. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They have never broken the law, never missed an appointment and this sudden occurrence has left us in shock, they wrote on the fundraising site. This cruel and unjust situation has shattered our family emotionally and financially. The ICE spokesperson confirmed that the couple had been given a final order for removal, and that they had no criminal history. Advocates say the couples case is part of a troubling trend: immigrants living in the country without legal authorization, who have no criminal history, being detained during routine check-ins and in some cases deported. Read more: Venezuela to resume repatriation of migrants after deal with U.S., official says Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Living in the country illegally is a civil violation, not a criminal offense, unless someone has been deported and returns to the country without permission. Angelica Salas, executive director of the Coalition for Human Immigrant Rights, said she knows of similar cases in Chicago, Texas and Florida, among other locations. Immigration officials need that optic, which is extremely cruel for the people being detained and deported, Salas said. The majority of people have not violated the law and even if they did its for low-level things that really doesn't merit the punishment for the crime they've committed. NBC 4 reported last week that Esmerlyn de Jesus Peralta, 29, an asylum seeker from the Dominican Republic living in Santa Ana, was detained and is facing deportation after showing up to what he believed was a routine check-in with immigration officials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I was shocked because he has no criminal record, he had his valid work permit, his Social Security number, he has got a life here," the mans girlfriend, Ashely Wang, told the news station. During his campaign and at his inauguration, President Trump said he would launch the largest mass deportation in U.S. history and that he would target millions and millions of criminal aliens who pose a threat to national security and public safety . In the first 50 days of the administration, ICE made 32,809 arrests, of which nearly half 14,111 were convicted criminals and about a third 9,980 had pending criminal charges, according to a Homeland Security statement . But the operations also led to the arrest of 8,718 immigrants with no criminal history, including the parents of a 10-year-old girl who is a U.S. citizen and was recovering from brain cancer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Recent data obtained and reviewed by NBC 4 found that in the first two weeks of February, 41% of the 4,422 people detained by ICE were immigrants with no criminal history. White House officials said that although enforcement operations are focused on apprehending criminals, people who have violated the countrys immigration laws are also being arrested. The arrests raise questions about whether the Trump administration is shifting its focus and casting a wider net in an effort to meet President Trump's political promise. Most recently, the Miami Herald reported that Venezuelans who were deported to El Salvador had no criminal record. Those deported included a young man who had recently received refugee status. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The administration, which has repeatedly described migrants as violent criminals, has also been revamping its immigration enforcement system . It has enlisted the help of other federal agencies, deputized local law enforcement officers and boosted powers of immigration authorities by making it easier for them to deport people including those who were given legal entry through two Biden-era programs. Recently, the administration ended a contract to provide legal representation to nearly 26,000 migrant children, which could potentially lead to rapid deportations. The administration also plans to launch a registry requiring immigrants in the country illegally, including children, to submit personal information and fingerprints, which could result in fines or misdemeanor charges. When the Gonzalezes were detained in February, their three daughters Stephanie, Jessica and Gabby created the GoFundMe page to raise money for their parents' legal costs and to help them rebuild their lives in Colombia. The trio raised about $62,000. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stephanie Gonzalez, 27, who is listed as the contact for the fundraiser, could not be reached for comment. Read more: Trump administration ends funding for legal representation of 26,000 migrant children According to a statement from ICE, the married couple entered the country illegally in November 1989 near San Ysidro, Calif. The agency did not say under what program the couple were allowed to stay. The couple's trek to the U.S., however, happened at a time when Colombia was racked by armed conflict, political and drug violence that resulted in the deaths of many Colombians, including a popular presidential candidate who was assassinated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Immigration officials said Nelson Gonzalez, 59, applied for asylum in 1992 but that his case was closed in June 1998, when he failed to attend an interview. In the summer of 1998, an immigration judge also found that Gladys Gonzalez, 55, had no legal basis to stay. The pair appeared before an immigration judge in March 2000 and agreed to leave the country but instead they sought an appeal for each of their cases. ICE officials did not say if they were allowed to stay while they waited for their appeals to be heard. That process finally ended in 2021, and on Feb. 21 they were detained while a final order of removal was being processed, according to ICE. Several weeks later, they were put on a plane back to their native country. The couples daughters told the Orange County Register , which was first to report the story, that their parents had been deported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stephanie Gonzalez said her parents were relieved to be free but were still processing the ordeal. At least two of the sisters said they plan to travel to Colombia to see their parents soon, while a third sister plans to travel next month. 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. A family of three is reportedly missing after traveling to the Grand Canyon during an extreme winter storm last week. The Coconino County Sheriffs Office in Flagstaff, Ariz., shared a missing persons flier featuring Taehee Kim, Junghee Kim and Jiyeon Lee on March 19. The sheriffs office noted the group was last seen traveling from the Grand Canyon area to Las Vegas on March 13 and that they were driving in a 2024 white BMW rental car with California license plate number 9KHN768. In an update, police clarified the ages of the travelers: Taehee, 59, Junghee, 54, and Lee, 33. Sheriff's office spokesperson Jon Paxton told ABC News that Taehee and Junghee are sisters and Taehee is Lee's mom. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The women were supposed to fly home to South Korea out of San Francisco on March 17, but their family hadn't heard from them and became concerned when it was confirmed the group missed their flight, Paxton said. Grand Canyon National Park posted on March 14 that winter storms had caused hazardous conditions throughout the park the day before. On March 8, the park warned on Instagram that a couple of storm systems are expected to impact the Grand Canyon region next week and named the potentially much stronger storm to hit on March 13. The missing persons flier also noted that the rental cars GPS showed it had been traveling westbound on Interstate 40 at around 3:30 p.m. PT on March 13. Officials noted that pings on the group's cell phones indicated they were last traveling in the same area. Neither the rental car's GPS nor the women's phones have shown any activity since March 13. "The big concern right now is ... a major accident had taken place on the interstate, very close to where that ping was located," Paxton told ABC News, referring to the ping given off by the rental car GPS and the group's phones. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Law enforcement said there was an accident involving 22 vehicles that occurred on I-40 around that time on March 13, but its still not clear whether the family or their rental car was involved in the crash. The Arizona Department of Public Safety said it was a weather-related fatal collision that resulted in two fatalities and 16 injured people who were taken to hospitals, although the victims names have not been publicly released yet. On March 24, the Arizona Department of Public Safety and the Coconino County Sheriff's Office confirmed that a BMW SUV was involved in the I-40 crash, although they did not specify whether its license plate matched the groups rental cars number. Investigators also shared that more human remains were discovered within the debris recovered from the crash scene on March 23, and they were working to determine whether they belonged to the family. We understand the urgency and the emotional toll this uncertainty places on the families and the public, the sheriffs office said in a statement. We kindly ask for patience and understanding as our teams continue to work with care and precision to bring clarity to this heartbreaking situation. At the time of their disappearance, the sheriffs office speculated that the GPS may have rerouted the family to a forest service road. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "If you've ever traveled up in northern Arizona when you get rerouted, sometimes GPS will reroute you out into a forest service road without knowing that weather conditions are harsh," the sheriff's office told Arizona news outlet KSAZ-TV The Arizona-based National Weather Service reported on March 18 that more gusty winds and a strong cold front bringing rain and snow will continue to hit the area for the rest of this week. Are you an educator? What do you think about Trump's efforts to dismantle the Department of Education? Yahoo News is asking teachers, administrators and other school staff around the country for their reactions to President Trumps order and how closing the Department of Education would affect their schools and students. Let us know what you think in our form, here. AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF)- Piedmont was recognized as one of the best places for women to work in 2025. The health care company gives women the opportunity to grow. Not every organization provides you with the resources or leadership, and so paid by has definitely given the opportunity as women in health care, said Brandi Smith, clinical nurse manager. In the ten years that Ive been here at Piedmont, Ive gone from being chief of neurology to a chief medical officer role to CEO of a smaller hospital, to now CEO of this hub. Opportunities that I never thought Id be able to tap into. And its a wonderful place to work, said CEO of Piedmont Augusta, Lily Henson. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It also brings a diverse group of women to the workplace. The awesome thing about being women here that work here. Theres all types of diversity. And you can bring your ideas and they listen. So and its all for a greater good, said Thelma Riley, director of respiratory and sleep services. And all the can say is thank you. Thank you. Thank you for your vision. Thank you for making this a place where we can feel like family. I love the fact we have teamwork here, that everybody is a part of the growth and innovation and the vision. So thank you very much, said Riley. Thank you for the opportunity. I think given the leadership to you know, its not all. Not only professionally but personally, um, as opposed to work in here for many more years, said Smith. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Piedmont isnt just for women, its for men too. The skys the limit. There are so many amazing opportunities within people for all, and I think Im a great example of how much professional growth you can achieve in a decade, said Henson. You can find jobs at Piedmont by clicking here. Photojournalist: Dania Alawir Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJBF. The U.S. Army still wants a mobile, long-range artillery capability after canceling an effort to build its own cannon system, but its not poised to decide a way forward for nearly two years. The Army held demonstrations for self-propelled howitzers in 2021 at Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona, but decided to prioritize an investment in the development of its Extended Range Cannon Artillery, or ERCA, system. The system used a 58-caliber gun tube on an M109 Paladin howitzer chassis, aiming to fire out to 70 kilometers roughly double current cannon ranges. When it decided to cancel the ERCA program, the Army acknowledged it still had a requirement for a long-range cannon, and so it gave industry the opportunity last fall to show readily available and fielded systems abroad. A team traveled to Germany, South Korea, Sweden and Israel to see those systems in action. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, the service is planning another Yuma-based demonstration for January 2026. The Army plans to award each industry team roughly $5 million to bring in artillery systems for a nine-month evaluation process before nailing down requirements and developing a strategy, according to a draft solicitation on the government contracts website Sam.gov. The official solicitation for the evaluation was expected to be posted weeks ago but had yet to be released as of Monday. While some might argue the future demonstration is a repeat of the 2021 round, industry is seeing the effort as an opportunity to show more capability. It opens the aperture for systems to be demonstrated that might not have existed just a few years ago. Artillery modernization has been moving at full force as cannon warfare plays out in Ukraine. Several of the systems likely to be demonstrated at Yuma have now had a chance to prove their capabilities in the country fighting against the Russian invasion that began in 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This time the Army is looking not only at the range and mobility of the cannons, but emphasizing a thorough evaluation of the rate of fire and the ability to shoot, move, shoot again, and then be resupplied. Why the Army is looking abroad to close a widening artillery gun gap Theyre asking us to demonstrate rate of fire, not just on the howitzer, but the ability to reload the howitzer, so now you have ammunition-carrying vehicles with some reload capability that helps them get after, How fast can this thing actually do what its supposed to do on the battlefield? BAE Systems company vice president Jim Miller told Defense News. We always had rate of fire on the howitzer. But, you know, I was a battalion commander in the early 2000s. I was pretty comfortable that I could win the first couple fights, but I wasnt going to get a resupply of ammo fast enough to do anything in the second fight, right? And so thats the challenge theyre going to pursue, Miller added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement BAE Systems is submitting its Archer system for the demonstration, which it demonstrated in 2021. Elbit Systems America, which submitted its Atmos self-propelled howitzer system in 2021, demonstrated its newer Sigma howitzer last year. New competitors are likely to be present at the demonstration, too. General Dynamics Land Systems, Rheinmetall and Hanwha all demonstrated capability in November and December for the U.S. Army and plan to submit systems for the upcoming evaluation effort. Its possible others could emerge as the Army opens up the aperture. The previous demonstration in 2021, for example, locked out Hanwhas K9 tracked system because it required the systems be wheeled. Companies with smaller vehicles and different gun systems could be considered. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You cant maneuver without artillery, Gen. James Rainey, commander of Army Futures Command, told reporters last week at a conference in Arlington, Virginia. Thats the Armys main contribution to the joint force. Army artillery needs more range, mobility and autonomy, study finds High explosive artillery is indisputably the number one killer on both sides. So that is not going away, so modernizing, transforming our tactical cannons towed artillery is problematic, Rainey said. Theres some partners, we have some allies who have really, really good, interesting mobile cannons that were looking to partner with. The demonstration will also serve as a way to look again at the Armys overall plan for fires capability. According to several industry sources, a fires strategy was presented to the Army vice chief of staff in January, but he rejected it because it was limited to one solution and didnt consider things like rockets. The vice sent the strategists back to the drawing board. Who will play at Yuma round two? The Army plans to select teams for the demonstration in the first quarter of fiscal 2026. While those companies will get some government dollars to attend, there is a pay-to-play element, as the teams will still need to provide some funding to get the systems to Yuma and provide all ammunition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And many of the systems will need to be borrowed from the companies or even other governments. Artillery systems are in high demand amid the war in Ukraine. South Koreas Hanwha wants to bring both a tracked and wheeled version of its K9 howitzer, if theyre available, according to company officials. The tracked version is fielded among over 10 allied countries, six of which are NATO members. The wheeled version is in development. Our goal and intent is to fully be ready to deliver both a tracked and a wheeled platform, Jason Pak, Hanwha Defense USAs director of business development, told Defense News. The company is full steam ahead in terms of accelerating the production of a wheeled variant, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement US Army mobile howitzer shoot-off participants emerge Additionally, while the K9 A1 variant requires three or four people to crew the system, the K9 A2 will allow the crew to drop to two with the introduction of an autoloader said Carl Poppe, Hanwha Defense USA business development director. The Korean Army will field the first A2 unit in 2027, and it will enter production shortly, he added. BAE Systems would bring back Archer, but it could bring the system on a new MAN truck, which is what the Swedish government has ordered as part of its modernization of the system, according to Miller. The company has swapped out the systems ride, even demonstrating it on a vehicle from Oshkosh Defense. Additionally, the company continues to present the option to the Army separately from the demonstration effort of a PIM howitzer with a 52-caliber gun tube, Miller said. The current gun is a 39-caliber cannon tube. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Elbit, which demonstrated Sigma in the fall, is expected to bring the system to Yuma. Sigma is in full-rate production in Charleston, South Carolina, and Elbit is fielding the cannon system to the Israeli Defense Forces, according to Luke Savoie, the companys president and CEO. American Rheinmetall Vehicles plans to bring what it demonstrated in Germany last fall: the RCH 155, a howitzer developed through a joint arrangement between the company and KNDS and created from an association of Krauss-Maffei Wegmann and Nexter. The system is integrated onto a Boxer armored fighting vehicle. US Army scraps Extended Range Cannon Artillery prototype effort GDLS is submitting its Piranha system on a 10x10 platform using the same 52-caliber gun mounted on the KNDS-Rheinmetall RCH 155. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its fully automated, Kendall Linson, the US business development manager for GLDS, said in a recent interview. The crew size is reduced significantly from what we currently have, of five to six people, down to two or three. The vehicle could handle two ... Its all fully automated. The team is confident that with the ammunition it will bring, it could achieve desired ranges from the ERCA program, Linson noted. As a new team in the mix, Linson said, Were really happy about that opportunity to get into that adjacent market a market that were not in right now. SINGAPORE, March 24 (Xinhua) -- Singapore authorities announced on Monday the seizure of e-vaporizers worth over 200,000 Singapore dollars (about 150,000 U.S. dollars), which were intended for sale in the country. The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) and the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) said that the e-vaporizers were seized in two separate operations. On Feb. 28, the HSA uncovered around 5,000 e-vaporizers at a warehouse in Sungei Kadut, located in northern Singapore, and arrested two men, aged 32 and 31. In a second operation on March 1, ICA officers at the Tuas Checkpoint flagged a lorry entering Singapore for enhanced checks, finding approximately 4,800 e-vaporizers. The 24-year-old male driver of the lorry is currently assisting with the investigation. Singapore has implemented a strict ban on the importation, sale, distribution, possession, use, and purchase of e-cigarettes, vaporizers, and other imitation tobacco products in an effort to protect public health. (1 Singapore dollar equals 0.75 U.S. dollars) The U.S. Census Bureau makes projections of the U.S. population based on various immigration scenarios. Currently, it publishes four scenarios representing a high, low, medium ("main"), and zero-immigration rate. In its main case, which the Census Bureau considers the most likely scenario, the U.S. population is projected to increase slowly from its current level of about 338 million to 369 million by 2080, with an average annual growth rate of 0.0163%. This scenario assumes that the U.S. will allow approximately 1 million immigrants to enter the country each year. In the high case, which assumes approximately 1.5 million new immigrants each year, the population continues to grow for the remainder of the century, reaching 435 million by 2100. That represents an annual growth rate of approximately 0.033%. However, it is important to note that the growth rate gradually declines over that period and approaches zero by the end of the century. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the low case, which assumes about 500,000 new immigrants each year, the population peaks in 2043 at just under 346 million, representing a 2.8% increase from the current population. By the end of the century, the population will fall to 319 million, a 5% drop. But the scenario that really caught my attention was the zero immigration projection. In this scenario, the U.S. population is projected to have already peaked and will decline by over 30% by 2100, reaching approximately 225 million. That is approximately the U.S. population in 1980. After 2040, the population is expected to decline by approximately 1 million residents annually. By the end of the century, the loss is estimated to be over 2 million annually. If you look at the components of the zero-immigration projection, you will see that net immigration is a negative number for all years. This is because, contrary to what many believe and what is trumpeted incessantly on social media, many immigrants leave the country every year. Many leave voluntarily. A good example is when young people come here on educational visas and then return to their country after completing their education. Additionally, contrary to social media lore, the U.S. has consistently removed a large number of people from the country each year. In the last two years, the U.S. has been removing about 100,000 immigrants per month. There is a heavy emphasis on immigration in these projections because it is the most impactful factor on population and the most difficult to predict. When making a population projection, three key variables must be taken into account: the birth rate, the death rate, and immigration. The birth and death rates are relatively stable and tend to change slowly over time. That makes the change in natural population (births minus deaths) reasonably predictable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, the country can regulate the number of people who enter the country. The rate of immigration, therefore, depends on the publics attitude toward immigration and how their feelings will be reflected in public policy. That makes the immigration variable much more challenging to predict. I think the U.S. will have significantly lower immigration rates in the near term. That is what the American people want, and it was the animating issue in the 2024 election. How long the publics current dour view on immigration will last is anyones guess. Previous anti-immigrant cycles have generally lasted about 10-15 years. However, I am not sure that will be a good predictor of this cycle. The country has never experienced one of these cycles with this demographic setup or with information moving at the speed it does today, or with two dysfunctional parties representing the extremes in the country. But the attitudes will change. Because this kind of population loss, or even a stagnate population, is going to create economic hardships for a wide swath of the country. When businesses growth stagnates, and people see their favorite restaurant close because the owner cannot find enough help to keep it open or they cannot find anyone to do their yard work, attitudes toward immigration will soften. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For those of you who engage in the fantasy that native U.S. citizens will backfill these jobs, let me assure you that it is exactly that - a fantasy. In the zero-immigration scenario, the U.S. between the ages of 14 and 24 would only be about 9 million in 2100. The restaurant industry alone employs over 15 million people today. The American ship of state has a very heavy ballast. It will eventually right itself, and we will not have a net zero immigration policy, at least not for long. But in the meantime, the country is about to experience demographics unlike anything in its history. Bill King is a businessman and lawyer, and is a former opinion columnist and editorial board member at the Houston Chronicle. He has served in a number of appointed and elected positions, including mayor of his hometown. He writes on a wide range of public policy and political issues. Bill is the author of Unapologetically Moderate. In 2015, Bill published a compilation of his columns in Unapologetically Moderate. He currently publishes a newsletter and blog, BillKingBlog.com and serves as a Fellow at Rice Universitys Baker Institute in Houston. The post No Other Land Co-Director Hamdan Ballal Attacked by Israeli Settlers, Arrested: Report appeared first on Consequence. Hamdan Ballal, the Oscar-winning filmmaker of No Other Land, has reportedly been arrested by Israeli soldiers after settlers attacked his house. Ballals collaborator Yuval Abraham shared the distressing news on Twitter on Monday: A group of settlers just lynched Hamdan Ballal, co-director of our film No Other Land. They beat him and he has injuries in his head and stomach, bleeding. Soldiers invaded the ambulance he called, and took him. No sign of him since. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Citing five Jewish American activists who witnessed the attack, the Guardian reports that Ballal was surrounded and attacked by about 15 armed settlers in the Palestinian village of Susiya in the Masafer Yatta region on Monday. Soldiers eventually intervened and arrested Ballal. Palestinian-born Ballal co-directed No Other Land as part of a Palestinian-Israeli collective of four activist-filmmakers, including Abraham. The film chronicles the systematic demolition of Palestinian homes in the West Bank over a four-year period between 2019 and 2023, told largely from the perspective of co-director Basel Adra. At this months Academy Awards, No Other Land won Best Documentary Feature. While it received limited theatrical screenings in New York and Los Angeles, it has yet to secure a U.S distributor for a wider release. No Other Land Co-Director Hamdan Ballal Attacked by Israeli Settlers, Arrested: Report Scoop Harrison Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Popular Posts Subscribe to Consequences email digest and get the latest breaking news in music, film, and television, tour updates, access to exclusive giveaways, and more straight to your inbox. Hamdan Ballal, the Palestinian co-director of the Oscar-winning documentary No Other Land, was attacked by Israeli settlers and arrested by soldiers while being treated for his injuries, according to social media posts by fellow director Yuval Abraham. A group of settlers just lynched Hamdan Ballal, co-director of our film No Other Land. They beat him and he has injuries in his head and stomach, bleeding. Soldiers invaded the ambulance he called, and took him. No sign of him since, Abraham posted Monday on X. But other witnesses said that a stone-throwing fight broke out between Israelis and Palestinians after an Israeli shepherd was attacked by Palestinians, according to witnesses who spoke to Israel Hayom, a Hebrew-language daily newspaper. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Three Palestinians were arrested in connection to the fight, including Ballal. Israel Hayom reached out to the IDF for comment but did not receive an immediate response. Activists from the Center for Jewish Nonviolence who spoke to the Associated Press said that Ballal was taken away in a blindfold by Israeli military as he was being treated in an ambulance. A group of 10-20 masked settlers attacked him and other Jewish activists with stones and sticks, and smashed their car windows and slashed their tires, representatives from the group told AP. No Other Land, is a documentary made over four years by the filmmaking team of Palestinian West Bank residents Ballal and Basel Adra alongside Israelis Abraham and Rachel Szor, all of whom attended the Oscars earlier this month and received the award for Best Documentary Feature. The film chronicles the destruction of Palestinians homes in the West Bank hamlet of Masafer Yattaby by Israeli settlers after a 2019 Israeli court ruling upheld the area as a military zone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since the films premiere at last years Berlin Film Festival, Ballal, Abraham and Adra have continued to post photos and videos of attacks against Palestinians in the West Bank, with Ballals most recent post on Instagram coming six hours before Abraham said he had been attacked and detained. Abraham provided a more detailed account of the alleged attack against Ballal in a follow-up post written in Hebrew, along with videos of Israeli settlers attacking CJN activists and throwing stones at their cars. As reports of the Palestinians attack on an Israeli shepherd continue in local media, it remains unclear exactly how the clash first came about. They beat him in the head and all over his body. While wounded and bleeding, soldiers entered the ambulance he had called and arrested him. He has since disappeared and it is unclear whether he is receiving medical treatment or what is happening to him, Abraham wrote. No Other Land has not received a distributor in the United States and has been screening in 138 theaters through an independent booker. It has continued to make headlines after Miami Beach mayor Steven Meiner threatened to cancel the lease of the arthouse theater O Cinema for screening the film, arguing the theater was normalizing hate and then disseminating antisemitism in a facility owned by the taxpayers of Miami Beach. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meiner withdrew the proposed lease termination last week after facing significant opposition from a majority of members of the Miami Beach City Commission and residents who attended the commission meeting. The post No Other Land Co-Director Hamdan Ballal Attacked and Detained in West Bank, Yuval Abraham Says: No Sign of Him Since appeared first on TheWrap. One of the co-directors of the Oscar-winning documentary No Other Land was injured and detained after a conflict that took place on the West Bank. Israeli director Yuval Abraham claimed on X on Monday that a group of settlers had beaten Palestinian filmmaker Hamdan Ballal, who was later detained by members of the Israeli military. He has injuries in his head and stomach, bleeding, Abraham wrote. More from The Hollywood Reporter Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tuesday morning, Abraham, who co-directed No Other Land with Ballal, posted an update to say that Ballal had been released. After being handcuffed all night and beaten in a military base, Hamdan Ballal is now free and is about to go home to his family, he wrote. The violence took place on Monday night in the village of Susiya, which is Ballals hometown, in the Masafer Yatta area. The activist group Center for Jewish Nonviolence said later that day that after residents of the village encouraged a single settler to leave, dozens some masked, some carrying weapons like knives and an assault rifle allegedly appeared and attacked a couple of homes, stealing security cameras and battering water tanks. The IDF offered a different version of events in its own statement on Monday, saying the violence started after several terrorists hurled rocks at Israeli citizens, damaging their vehicles. Both sides began throwing rocks at one another, and as IDF and Israeli police arrived at the conflict, several terrorists began hurling rocks at the security forces. Both parties said three Palestinians were detained after the conflict. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ballal, injured in the attack, was held in a police station, per the Center for Jewish Nonviolence. Five American activists working on a project with the organization arrived on the scene during the attack and they too were attacked by settlers, said the organization, which sent photographs and video to buttress its account. On Tuesday morning, Lea Tsemel, who is representing the three Palestinians, had confirmed to the Associated Press that her clients were being held at a police station in the occupied West Bank and would soon be released. She said they were accused of throwing stones at a young settler, allegations they deny. The IDF had said that an Israeli citizen was also detained after the conflict, but that person was evacuated to receive medical care. The detainees were taken for further questioning by the Israel Police, the IDF said. Before his release, a coalition of major documentary filmmakers including Roger Ross Williams, Alex Gibney, Liz Garbus, Dan Cogan, Ezra Edelman, Dawn Porter and Rory Kennedy launched a petition calling for the immediate release of Ballal that was signed by thousands. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We demand Ballals immediate release and that his family and community be informed about his condition, location and the justification for his detention, the International Documentary Association added in its own statement Monday night. No Other Land, directed by four filmmakers two Israeli, two Palestinian took home the prize for best documentary at the 97th annual Academy Awards on March 2. The film documents the forced displacement of Palestinians in Masafer Yatta, as well as a budding friendship between a Palestinian activist and Israeli journalist, between 2019 and 2023. Despite its Oscar win, No Other Land has yet to be picked up by a major U.S. distributor. Co-director Abraham has suggested that the lack of U.S. interest in picking up the project is due to the films criticism of Israeli military and political actions. Also on Tuesday, Hamdans wife, Lamia Ballal, told the AP of her husband being attacked outside of their home, Of course, after the Oscar, they have come to attack us more, she said. I felt afraid. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This story originally posted March 24 at 1:07 p.m. and has since been updated. March 24, 3:26 p.m. Updated to include IDF statement. 7:13 p.m. Updated to include IDA statement. March 25, 6 a.m. Updated with Lea Tsemels statement Tuesday morning. 6:20 a.m. Updated with Yuval Abrahams Tuesday morning X post. 9:45 a.m. Updated to include details of a Change.org petition. Best of The Hollywood Reporter Sign up for THR's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Filmmaker Hamdan Ballal, one of the two Palestinian co-directors behind the Oscar-winning documentary "No Other Land," was detained Monday in the occupied West Bank by the Israeli military after he was allegedly brutally attacked by settlers. Israeli journalist Yuval Abraham, who co-directed "No Other Land," wrote Monday on X that "a group of settlers just lynched" his collaborator. "They beat him and he has injuries in his head and stomach, bleeding." "Soldiers invaded the ambulance he called, and took him," Abraham added in his post, which was shared in English and Hebrew. "No sign of him since." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anna Lippman, a delegate for the activist group Center for Jewish Nonviolence who recorded and shared video of the attack Monday, told The Times via social media that more than a dozen settlers attacked the Palestinian village Susiya in the Masafer Yatta area, destroying property. During the attack Monday evening, Ballal was "injured by settlers." He was receiving treatment in an ambulance for injuries to his head, which included swelling and bleeding, when "soldiers came and took him and two other Palestinian men from Susiya," Lippman said. "We do not know where he is or his condition," she added Monday. Read more: The co-directors of 'No Other Land' on Trump's Gaza plan, the Oscars and the fight ahead The Center for Jewish Nonviolence shared dashcam footage on Bluesky of someone shoving three people and punching one member of the group. The video later shows a person whose face is covered by a mask joined by several others, picking an object from the ground and hurling it at the vehicle, destroying the windshield. Video recorded and shared by Lippman shows an alternate angle of the confrontation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Activist Josh Kimelman, who was present during the confrontation, told the Associated Press Monday, "We don't know where Hamdan is because he was taken away in a blindfold." Abraham did not immediately respond to The Times' request for additional comment. In a statement shared to The Times, a spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces said a "violent confrontation" broke out in Susiya after several people it described as "terrorists" allegedly hurled rocks at Israeli citizens and damaged their vehicles. The incident involved "mutual rock-hurling between Palestinians and Israelis at the scene," the statement said. IDF said its members and Israel police responded "to disperse the confrontation," and that the people it described as "terrorists" allegedly started hurling rocks their way. IDF and Israel police detained three Palestinians and an Israeli person allegedly involved in the confrontation. The four detainees were taken for further questioning by Israel police and one Israeli person was evacuated to receive medical treatment, according to the statement. IDF also denied allegations that a Palestinian was detained from inside an ambulance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: In harrowing 'No Other Land,' journalists unite to chronicle a community under siege The Times has confirmed that Ballal was indeed among the three people detained Monday evening. He was detained on suspicion of hurling rocks at IDF and police. Support for Ballal poured in Monday afternoon as news of his detainment spread. Palestinian activist Basel Adra, who also co-directed and appears in "No Other Land," tweeted about Ballal's apprehension and shared a photo of a person with both hands behind their back being escorted into a vehicle adorned with an Israeli flag. He said his collaborator "is still missing after soldiers abducted him, injured and bleeding." He added: "This is how they erase Masafer Yatta." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The International Documentary Assn. released a statement in support of Ballal, who they allege was "violently attacked and kidnapped in the West Bank," and urged his release. The missive also demanded that the filmmaker's family and community "be informed about his condition, location, and the justification for his detention." "No Other Land," directed by Abraham, Ballal, Adra and Israeli filmmaker Rachel Szor, is a harrowing documentary that chronicles Israel's demolition of Palestinian villages in Masafer Yatta to make way for an Israeli military training ground, displacing families and communities. The film won the documentary award at the 2025 Academy Awards. Read more: In turnaround, Miami Beach mayor backs down from threatening theater over 'No Other Land' Recently, "No Other Land" found itself in the center of tension in the Miami Beach cinema scene. Earlier this month, Miami Beach Mayor Steven Meiner threatened to pull grant funding from the O Cinema and end its lease on city-owned property if it screened the documentary. In a letter sent to the movie house, Meiner called the film a one-sided propaganda attack on the Jewish people that is not consistent with the values of our City and residents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meiner withdrew his threats last week. In a statement, Abraham hit back at Meiner's previous criticism that "No Other Land" was "egregiously antisemitic." When the mayor uses the word antisemitism to silence Palestinians and Israelis who proudly oppose occupation and apartheid together, fighting for justice and equality, he is emptying it out of meaning. I find that to be very dangerous. Censorship is always wrong, Abraham added. We made this film to reach U.S. audiences from a wide variety of political views. I believe that once you see the harsh reality of occupation in Masafer Yatta in the West Bank, it becomes impossible to justify it, and thats why the mayor is so afraid of No Other Land. It wont work. Banning a film only makes people more determined to see it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Times staff writer Mark Olsen contributed to this report. Sign up for Indie Focus, a weekly newsletter about movies and whats going on in the wild world of cinema. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. About 1,700 people die every day from cancer in the United States. Now, one scientist is using artificial intelligence to find new uses for existing drugs in an effort to fight cancer. Channel 2s Linda Stouffer learned how Laura Kleiman lost her mother to cancer and was inspired to found a nonprofit after. Now, shes using AI to not only help save lives but also time and money. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Kleiman was working as a scientific researcher at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, Mass. when her mother was diagnosed with multiple myeloma. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As we were looking for treatment options for her, we learned about opportunities for other treatments that could potentially help her, Kleiman said. But we didnt yet have enough data to know whether they would be safe and effective for treating her type of cancer. After her mother lost her fight with cancer, Kleiman left Dana Farber and founded the nonprofit Reboot Rx, a tech nonprofit startup that uses AI to search for effective and affordable treatment options for cancer patients. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Through her research, Kleiman discovered the opportunity to repurpose generic drugs, which cost about 85% less than branded drugs, that were already approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and already on the market. There was nobody pushing these types of drugs forward because they fall outside of the typical drug development system, Kleiman said. Its not in the business model of pharmaceutical companies to develop low-cost drugs, and therefore they just stay sitting on the shelf. And patients like my mom werent able to benefit from them. Treatment costs can be just as devastating as the disease. Kleiman said about 40% of cancer patients exhaust their life savings within two years of a cancer diagnosis. Thats why were so excited about the use of generic drugs that are so much cheaper, hundreds or a few thousand per year, Kleiman said. Our prostate cancer drug, for example, being as little as $50 a year treatment compared to $100,000 a year. Yes, its a game changer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The use of AI is not only saving money, but also time. Kleiman and her team use the technology to quickly scrub through decades of data on thousands of studies in a matter of weeks, that would normally take years to read, to find the drugs that hold the most promise as treatments. Unless you look at patients face to face every day, you forget how important it is to drive lab-based research to patients as quickly as possible, Dr. David Frank, an oncologist, said. This approach definitely has that potential. Frank has been an oncologist for 30 years and also worked at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute while Kleiman was starting her research. He said new developments like this always come with some skepticism, and thats why clear communication is key to recognizing Reboot Rxs research. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im contacted by community oncologists all over the country, all over the world, constantly, Frank said. I think if you can convey information that is driven by good data that this treatment may be effective for your patient, people will absolutely try it. However, another challenge is funding. Right now Boston-based philanthropy firm The DRK Foundation is backing Reboot Rxs work. Where there may not be a large profit to be made, the fact that it can have a big beneficial impact on patients, its the driving motivator, Frank said. Kleiman said later this year, Reboot Rx is bringing their first repurposed drug into the standard of care for a prostate cancer patient. She said the generic drug could slow progression and either delay or avoid surgery and radiation altogether. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My team and I do this work to provide hope to cancer patients and their loved ones there are other solutions, that there are other opportunities that can help them live longer and better lives, Kleiman said. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] North Dakota Attorney General Drew Wrigley uses a chart March 24, 2025, to show the increase in crime in North Dakota while testifying to a legislative committee. (Kyle Martin/For the North Dakota Monitor) North Dakotas attorney general is backing a bill that will increase the time offenders spend behind bars because he says the state criminal justice system is releasing prisoners too quickly. The head of the states Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation says the bill would deny prisoners access to treatment and education and lead to more repeat offenders. He argued spending more money on law enforcement would be a better use of taxes than locking up prisoners for longer periods of time when the states jails and prisons are already overcrowded. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Attorney General Drew Wrigley is pushing Senate Bill 2128, which he calls the truth-in-sentencing bill, as a way to reduce crime. The Senate passed the bill 28-18 despite a do-not-pass recommendation from the Senate Appropriations Committee. The bill has a fiscal note that estimates the bill will cost the state $22.7 million in the 2025-27 biennium and $21.3 million for the following two years. The House Judiciary Committee listened to nearly three hours of testimony on the bill Monday, beginning with Wrigley, who contends that the use of transition centers, or halfway houses, is essentially releasing prisoners long before their sentences are up. The bill lists crimes where offenders would have to spend at least 50% of their sentence behind bars before being eligible for a halfway house. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wrigley said the bill is not about longer sentences. Its about the sanctity of a judicial order, Wrigley said, calling the corrections departments policies misleading. He points to statistics from his office indicating 10 straight years of crimes against people rising across North Dakota. Wrigley said offenders in halfway houses are routinely committing additional offenses and that the bill would not strip the corrections department of its ability to offer treatment and rehabilitation programs. Colby Braun, center, director of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, listens March 24, 2025, to testimony on a bill related to criminal sentences. (Kyle Martin/For the North Dakota Monitor) Braun invoked President Donald Trump, who in 2018, signed into law an act to provide more transition programs at the federal level. He said other states are also looking to North Dakota as a model, and reducing access to rehabilitation programs would be a step backward. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The federal Bureau of Prisons is learning what we have known for years, that incentivizing behavior and programming while supporting people in their return to society increases public safety, he said. He said a third of the treatment programs completed by prisoners were done in a transition facility, which are private facilities that have a contract with the state to provide housing and services. Braun said the prison system does not have space or staff to absorb all the offenders who would not be eligible for a transition center under Wrigleys bill. The North Dakota States Attorneys Association has not taken a position on the bill and states attorneys on both sides testified Monday. Dennis Ingold, a Burleigh County assistant states attorney, and Ward County States attorney Rozanna Larson, were in favor of the bill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ingold says he primarily handles drug trafficking cases and is frustrated by seeing a criminal he prosecuted for a Class A felony back out in society after only about a month into a sentence. Larson said she agreed with previous state policy changes to slow down the number of people going into North Dakota jails and prisons by reducing sentences on low-level crimes. But she said now she doesnt feel like those changes are working. Its not helping with the safety of our communities, she said. She said local governments have made big investments in jail space and the state will need to do so, also. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Long term, we do have to have more space, she said. Cass County Assistant States Attorney Robert Vallie used to work with Larson in Ward County but was on the opposite side of the issue Monday. He called Wrigleys plan to fight crime with more prison time seductively simplistic. He told the committee it was an issue worthy of a legislative study, rather than spending money on the attorney generals plan with guarantee of success. Travis Finck, executive director for the North Dakota Commission on Legal Counsel for Indigents, agreed that there is no evidence that longer sentences will work. If were really worried about crime increasing, our money is better spent is by sending it to the men and women in uniform rather than building more prisons and bigger jails, Finck said. We know that works. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Scott Peyton is the director of government affairs for a Virginia-based organization called Prison Fellowship. He testified that the longer prison sentences mandated nationally during the 1980s and 90s did not have the desired effect. The unintended consequences of Senate Bill 2128 risk creating unnecessary barriers to successful reintegration, while failing to meaningfully enhance public safety, he said. Rep. Daniel Johnston, R-Kathryn, said it didnt appear North Dakotas corrections system was working particularly well and asked Peyton how it could work better. Representatives of the Attorney Generals Office, law enforcement and others listen to testimony March 24, 2025, during a hearing on a bill related to criminal sentences. (Kyle Martin/For the North Dakota Monitor) Peyton referred to the attorney generals crime statistics that showed a 43% clearance rate for violent crimes and property crimes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its a flip of the coin, whether you will be caught committing a crime, Peyton said. We know that the chance, the likelihood of being caught, is a greater deterrence than even longer sentences. Another aspect of the bill includes increasing penalties for people who flee from an officer or assault an officer. There were several uniformed officers attending the hearing. Beulah Chief of Police Frank Senn said fleeing had become an epidemic in the state. Beulah is in Mercer County, where Sheriffs Deputy Paul Martin was killed during a high-speed chase in 2023. The committee did not act on the bill Monday. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE NEW DELHI, March 24 (Xinhua) -- Indian lawmakers' monthly salary has been increased by 24 percent to 1,24,000 Indian Rupees (nearly 1,449 U.S. dollars) from 1,00,000 Indian Rupees (nearly 1,168.50 dollars), the federal government announced on Monday. The new salary will be paid with retrospective effect from April 1, 2023. Besides, the lawmakers' daily allowance was raised from 2,000 Indian Rupees (nearly 23 U.S. dollars) to 2,500 Indan Rupees (nearly 29 U.S. dollars). The pension for former lawmakers was also raised from 25,000 Indian Rupees (nearly 292 U.S. dollars) per month to 31,000 Indian Rupees (nearly 362 U.S. dollars) per month. North Myrtle Beachs excess usage of Myrtle Beachs water transmission system led to significant concerns of low water pressure and flows, according to a local engineer. That potential public safety issue preceded Myrtle Beachs recent lawsuit filed against its northern neighbors for breach of contract, alleging North Myrtle Beach exceeded its allowable usage of the water lines without helping to fund needed maintenance and improvements to the system. Myrtle Beachs complaint noted that engineering firms warned that the condition of the system poses a risk to public safety, but it didnt elaborate on that risk, and city officials declined to comment due to the ongoing litigation. A North Myrtle Beach spokeswoman also declined to comment, though Mayor Marilyn Hatley did previously tell The Sun News she was confident North Myrtle Beach officials would do whats right in relation to the dispute. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Myrtle Beach released an Aug. 2022 letter from engineer Eric Sanford, of Bolton and Menk, Inc., in response to a Sun News Freedom of Information Act request for documentation showing an engineers most recent evaluation of the citys water transmission system. Sanford, who did not immediately respond to a voicemail message from a Sun News reporter, wrote that the water transmission line heading north from the Myrtle Beach Water Treatment Plant had reached it capacity to handle peak hourly flows. The velocities within that line are extremely high and occurring 8-12 hours per day, he added. Because of this condition, you are going to experience low tank levels and low water pressures in the north end of the Myrtle Beachs water service area, Sanford wrote. This condition may constitute a public safety issue because of low pressures and flows. He recommended the city consider adding a parallel water line to keep up with North Myrtle Beachs growing demands. A contractor began work last August on a new waterline in Myrtle Beach along Old Bryan Drive, but its unclear if this project is meant to fully address the issues referenced in this letter. The new waterline, which is funded by a South Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority grant, is part one of a four-phase project, according to city officials. NORTHGLENN, Colo. (KDVR) When a police officer puts on their uniform, they never know what a day will bring. Its ever-changing, right? said Northglenn Police Chief, Jim May. I mean one call could be just you know, maybe a traffic stop. But we have those hard calls as well. Columbine survivor dies from colon cancer, community rallies around her husband With over three decades of service, May knows all about those hard calls. He was among those who responded to Columbine High School. And it was a personal family tragedy that inspired him to go into law enforcement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also understands the importance of building a bond between the police department and the members of the community. When Tonya Quinn from The Kindness Art Education approached with an idea to do portrait pals with Northglenn police and third graders from Stukey Elementary School, he knew it would be a great opportunity for community engagement. It was one of those things so the kids could see the police officers in a different way, right and build that trust, said May. The Kindness Art Education Delivers Portrait Pals to communities to empower children to thrive, said Tonya Quinn. We paired students in third grade at Stuckey, and Northglenn Police Department, and they learned to paint each other. May made a portrait of third grader Angela Garcia, and she painted his. The portraits were modeled only from a photograph, the subjects never met, until the gallery display Friday night, at Stukey. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Community volunteers come together to help Brighton woman remove tree I love what he painted, said Garcia. I love that he did so much detail and I love that he did the hair so right. What I saw in (his) photo is that hes brave and strong and that he is really helpful. It was a great experience, I appreciate portrait pals to have this opportunity, said May. I totally recommend it to other agencies, really to build those bridges. For more information on the Portrait Pals program, visit the organizations website here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. CHARLOTTE (QUEEN CITY NEWS) In a world where everyday heroes can often go unnoticed, two Charlotte Solid Waste Services workers are in the spotlight for their life-saving actions. The City of Charlotte reports Kenneth Wiley and U.S. Army veteran Brandon Martin were doing their regular trash route when they came upon a man lying on the ground, not breathing. What happened next? A heroic intervention. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Charlotte Fire Department praised the two workers, calling their response a true act of heroism, stating, Their intervention saved this citizens life. Click here for more heartwarming news across the Carolinas It all started when Wiley and Martin noticed the man in distress while on their trash route, and jumped into action. City officials said it turned out the man had suffered a minor heart attack. Thanks to Martin and Wileys quick thinking and help, the man made it to the hospital. The best part? He walked out of the hospital alive and well. In an interview, Martin and Wiley made it clear they dont just see themselves as garbage men. Were good Samaritans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Proof that even the most ordinary moments can lead to extraordinary outcomes. Photos: City of Charlotte Government Photos: City of Charlotte Government Photos: City of Charlotte Government Photos: City of Charlotte Government Photos: City of Charlotte Government MORE FROM QCNEWS.COM Heartwarming News Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. Norwich Picture you're standing in Howard T. Brown Park, facing Chelsea Harbor Drive, the Market Street garage and the Thames River Plaza. Now, imagine it all replaced with a three-story timber-framed theater and a large performing arts center, surrounded by grass and trees. That's the vision Arts Director Jim Warren and Executive Director Tim Evans, of the state nonprofit American Globe Center, recently presented to the City Council. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The goal of the 5-year-old group is to build an arts campus that would feature a recreation of Shakespeare's 1614 Globe Theatre in London, which would accommodate 900 people together with a performing arts and education center known as the AGC Playhouse. The latter would feature two indoor theaters a mainstage theater designed to seat 900-1,000 and a black box theater for 100 to 150 people. The playhouse would also feature a gallery/museum and event space. According to the $109 million proposal, several downtown waterfront buildings, including the Market Street garage, along with Chelsea Harbor Drive and part of Market Street would be removed. Warren and Evans said the proposal currently does not require any city funding and last Monday presented the council with an aggressive" plan to open the theater on Shakespeare's birthday, April 23, in 2028. "Where we are in the process is having to pick a location," said Warren. "And the investors that we've talked to won't be investing until we know where we're going to build this thing. So we need the combination of City Council and (Norwich Community Development Corporation) to help us plant our flag in the ground to say, 'We're doing this for sure in Norwich.' " Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under the proposal, the funding would be come from investors, donors and $38 million in tax credits. There is a bill, raised by state Sen. Cathy Osten, D-Sprague, that would provide $3 million in bonding to NCDC for the project. Warren said from the nonprofit's perspective, the fundraising is "very doable." He and Evans pointed to four or five more expensive arts projects that have been funded around the country, including a $150 million project recently approved in New Haven. That includes a seven-story performing arts building to house Yale Repertory Theater, the David Geffen School of Drama and the undergraduate Theater, Dance and Performance Studies department. "It's been done," Warren said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Looking around the state Warren said the American Globe Center was "inspired" to form after an arson fire destroyed the American Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford in 2019. Since then, according to reporting from the CT Post, the organization has also spoke with officials from Middletown, Bridgeport and Stamford, about hosting the arts complex. But the complex has not yet found a home. After the Stratford's theater was destroyed, the nonprofit had initially sought to build the project there. Warren said that did not work because the town's mayor "did not want the tourism" the project would bring. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stratford officials see it differently. Sarah Matthews, Mayor Laura Hoydick's chief of staff, wrote in an email that the mayor never made such a statement. Instead, after talking to residents, the town moved forward with what a majority of them wanted on the property "a performing arts complex that provides a variety of ways in which the space can be used." State Director of Tourism Rachel Lenda said after "the Stratford deal had fallen apart," the group met with her and state Department of Economic Development officials. She said the group was in search of a location near a river. Lenda and the directors suggested Mystic, Bridgeport and Norwich. Lenda said she was the one who said Norwich was a good idea. "The theater is an incredible opportunity for tourism in Connecticut," Lenda said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Taxes, jobs, and tickets Warren said his group has been working with NCDC President and Executive Director Kevin Brown for about a year now. Brown on Wednesday said after he met with the American Globe Center, the group conducted an event at the Chestnut Street Playhouse to get a sense from the theatergoing public whether the proposal made sense. The NCDC and center then started discussing the economic benefit of project for the city. In their presentation to City Council last Monday, Warren and Evans said the campus would bring tourists to the city and provide educational programs. "We want to make the Rose of New England synonymous with Shakespeare and great destination theater of all kinds," he said referring to the city's nickname. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Instead of paying property taxes to the city, the center would pay the city an estimated $300,000 to $500,000 a year generated by a $1 surcharge on tickets. The center also estimates it would create $131 million in annual economic impact for the city across the hospitality, service and retail industries. Evans said most tickets would cost $10 and range up to $60. The project would create 100 jobs, including actors, restaurant workers and ticketing staff. Brown said while the focus is on having the theater in the downtown location, if it had to explore other spots "there's always the Norwich State Hospital property." The proposal comes at a time where NCDC is making strides to revitalize the marina area, he said, including demolishing Marina Towers. And there are also discussions about changing the traffic pattern in the area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the proposal, Chelsea Harbor Drive would be eliminated, along with part of Water Street, and all the buildings in between, including the Thames Plaza and Market Street Garage, would be demolished. "And that's a hot-button issue," Warren said. "Because we're going to need a ton of parking. On a good day, it's going to be a few thousand people in our theaters. And so part of what we've got to do is work with the city on parking assessment." Warren said eliminating the parking garage puts a burden on his team to find parking solutions that can accommodate residents and courthouse employees, along with the people coming to the theater. "We are going to have to really take a hard look for how to manage things like the parking demand that this is going to create," Brown added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under the proposal, Warren said Howard T. Brown Park would remain untouched. Because of flood zone regulations, the project would be located above and behind a retaining wall that would need to be built between the park and what is currently Chelsea Harbor Drive. Steps would allow people to access the campus from the park. Warren said from the nonprofit's perspective, the fundraising is "very doable." He and Evans had pointed to four or five more expensive arts projects that have been funded around the country, including the New Haven project. "It's been done," Warren said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It's such a transformational project that we want everyone in town aware and hopefully excited by it," Warren said. "Norwich needs to feel like this is theirs. We want locals to feel like this is their center. d.drainville@theday.com Amouranth at TwitchCon 2023 Las Vegas - Credit: Gabe Ginsberg/Getty Images Kaitlyn Amouranth Siragusa had multiple blows to the head and a gun pointed at her face, but she had to put on a performance, and she knew it needed to be convincing. It was late at night on March 2. Three intruders had broken into her home in Houston, Texas a two-building complex and they were intent on leaving with a bounty. The trio didnt know it, but Siragusa wasnt exactly alone. Her husband, Nick Lee, was using the bathroom in the other building on the property. The two were on a call as the men shot her door open, she says. Lee says he listened silently as one of the men pistol whipped his wife. The intruders kept asking her the same question: Wheres the crypto? Siragusa couldnt simply hand it over; crypto is a digital currency thats stored in an ecosystem thats inherently traceable. The aggressors couldnt just walk away, crypto in hand, in the same way that they could with physical valuables like cash or jewelry. More from Rolling Stone Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I was just thinking, theyre going to keep beating me if I dont just pretend I know where the crypto is, Siragusa tells Rolling Stone. And so she told them she would take them to it, just like they asked. Lee was still on the line, and figured he knew where she was taking them. Siragusa had experienced years of threats, harassment, and stalkers, and had built a panic room in case of just such an incident. Lee says he intercepted the group there, gun in hand, and signaled at Siragusa to get down. He fired multiple shots. The burglars ran away. Then, Lee hopped on Twitter. Im being too robbed at gunpoint, he posted from Amouranths official account, to her nearly 4 million followers. I believe I shot one of them. They wanted crypto is what they were yelling they pulled me out of bed. A Houston Police Department representative confirmed that shots were fired during the exchange, though at first, it was unclear if anyone was caught in the fire. What was known, however, is that Siragusa required a trip to the hospital, where she received treatment for lacerations on the top of her head. As the news began to spread, social media onlookers couldnt help but be skeptical. For years, Siragusa has pulled stunts, like selling jars full of her farts, bottles of her used bath water, and crafted beer made with her own vaginal yeast. Shes long claimed she wants to build an animal sanctuary with the money she makes online only to visibly spend millions on other investments. This, they figured, was just another cry for attention. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They also thought the timing was suspicious a week before the harrowing incident, Siragusa was facing criticism for comments she made about the LGBTQ+ community in Los Angeles. The break-in also coincided with a wave of accounts from high profile women on Twitch that detailed scary encounters with fans. Yet in the aftermath of the ordeal, as more facts of her story are confirmed, it seems that the doubt cast on her was just another example of the misogyny thats regularly levied against women online. SIRAGUSA, 31, IS CURRENTLY one of the top five most-followed women on Twitch. Shes also one of the most notorious personalities on the site, a badge she wears with pride. After joining in 2016, Siragusa acquired some fans through risque cosplay, but her real infamy began in the advent of whats known as the hot tub meta, a cheeky if not reductive term used to refer to personalities getting on camera in swimsuits while hanging out in hot tubs, often just chatting casually with their fans. Since Twitch is primarily a website where people go to watch others play video games, the hot tub meta was seen as a ploy for women to show off their bodies, and rack up views. Siragusa was by far the most visible content creator who used the format, and the stigma has stuck with her years after the fact. But her fanbase and bank accounts only grew. At one point, she launched an AI version of herself that viewers could chat with, which she claims made $34,000 in its first day. She started an OnlyFans account, and bought a Circle-K gas station as an investment. In late 2024, Siragusa shared a screenshot boasting Bitcoin holdings to the tune of $20 million. The most prominent Twitch streamers rise to the top through a mixture of creativity, personality, and a tireless work ethic. Siragusas ascension and reliance on her sex appeal was therefore treated like a hack in an otherwise merit-based system, where the only honorable pathway is forged through video game expertise and a chaste personality. Siragusas success is the inevitable outcome, some would imply, of what happens when beauty is weaponized to a legion of hopeful young men with disposable income who, incidentally, arent aware that the object of their affection is already married. Though Lee was cast as a hero in their recounting first told to streamer Adin Ross audiences were also unsure if they could consider him trustworthy. In 2022, Siragusa told her viewers in a now-deleted livestream that she was a victim of abuse, and that her husband purportedly had forced her into doing extended livestreams while wearing uncomfortable clothes. Siragusa shared audio that appeared to feature a man yelling at her, as well as threatening text messages that she claims were also sent by her husband. Lee, she claimed at the time, held the key to her social media accounts and finances. (Lee did not publicly respond to the allegations at the time, and Rolling Stones request for comment was not immediately returned.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The two reportedly split, and Siragusa claimed she was in control of her image and platforms. Later, when Siragusa kept producing the same type of risque content, she claimed that she couldnt just adopt an entirely new business model without inconveniencing the team she had built to support her media empire. Seeing Lee suddenly in the picture again, and prominently, confused audiences. Was this not the same man she had decried three years ago? AS THE QUESTIONS SWIRLED online, Siragusa and Lee began the hard work of proving their story. Compounding the controversy was the way people found out about the robbery at all: two tweet threads. It came across as if Siragusa was live tweeting the entire thing, which, critics countered, didnt seem like something someone would do if they were in serious trouble. Siragusas account of bleeding after being repeatedly hit by the robbers seemed especially dubious when Siragusa live streamed the day after the robbery and appeared to have no visible injuries or stitches. Show us a picture, a commenter demanded in the top reply. Siragusa didnt post a picture, but she did share security footage. In it, she can be seen running toward the camera with a few men in tow. Theres a dog running after them, and the group goes off frame. Two shots ring out, and the men go running back in the same direction they came in. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The video was tiny, which made discerning details difficult. This seems staged, reads one top reply on Twitter. Similarly, viewers nitpicked an image Siragusa shared of her door frame, which was purportedly shot open. For some, the bullet holes seemed too neat to be real, which led to theories that Siragusa had drilled the holes herself. During our call, Lee clarified that Siragusa wasnt tweeting in between pistol whips. In actuality, he says, he was the one who posted for her. He also says that he called the police before saving Siragusa. Doing so was a gamble, though: their household is a common target for swatting. Siragusa claims that trolls have tricked Houston police into thinking she is undergoing an emergency enough times that the station will apparently now check her livestreams before responding to a call. I was telling the dispatch, like, you have to send someone right now, Lee says. This is an armed situation, shes being held hostage. And then even as I said that, I was like, Oh no, theyre not going to believe me. They did, and by the time help arrived, the adrenaline was subsiding. Lee says that he looked at Siragusa and noticed the blood right away. Me and the first responders [were] like, Wait, are you hit? Because it looked like it for a moment, Lee says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The couple says theyve considered releasing hospital records for the people who believed it was all a hoax. However, both claimed that the police had cautioned them about what information they could release and its potential impact on the investigation. Rather than defending her husbands reputation outright on social media, Siragusa stuck to posting celebratory photos, like a note he apparently wrote her after the two had dinner out. The duo also say that theyre repairing some of the damage from the robbery and upgrading their security systems, which they estimate will cost up to six figures. Though they came out of the debacle mostly intact, they feel that their safety measures came up short when it mattered most. At this point, theyre considering hiring staff to monitor their security cameras at all times, as well as guard dogs. For Siragusa, everything thats transpired since the robbery has felt surreal. On March 14, four teen boys between the ages of 16 and 19 were arrested and charged with aggravated kidnapping and aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon. She says that the police found the teens through the Find My feature on a MacBook that they stole from Siragusa. On social media, Siragusa claimed that she initially saw that the laptop was taken to the same hospital that treated her after the attack. Houston Police would later say that they tracked down the suspects due to a report of a stolen vehicle, which led to the discovery of school paperwork with one of their names. When the alleged getaway driver was pulled over for failing to use a turn signal, police found a bloodstain in his backseat. According to police, he confessed to being the getaway driver, and told them that hed taken one of the suspects to the hospital to be treated for a gunshot wound. The four suspects have not yet entered pleas but are set to be arraigned in April. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On March 21, Siragusa shared a 14-minute cut of security footage that appears to show, from multiple cameras, three masked assailants breaking into her house, finding her, and her leading them to the other building. They can be heard shouting for her to hand over the crypto. I wish I didnt have to prove that the worst night of my life was real, she wrote in the tweet. Too many people still think I made it up I really wish it had been fake, or a prank. It wasnt. With the dust settling, what of the skeptics? Some have gone on to wish Siragusa well, but it doesnt take much scrolling to find the unrepentant and unconvinced, holding onto the idea that Siragusa staged the whole thing for clicks. I just think theyre kind of crazy to think that someone would willingly sign up to act in a crime scene and then let themselves get shot and have the police after them, Siragusa says of the conspiracy theories that abounded in the wake of the robbery. People who are saying its fake want to think its fake because they dont want to believe, for whatever reason, that popular people can be victims. I dont know what their problem is. Its a weird mentality that I havent quite understood. Best of Rolling Stone Sign up for RollingStone's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. A doll dressed with a gas mask sits on a chair among hundreds of gas masks lying on the floor of abandoned School Number 3 in the ghost town of Pripyat not far from the Chernobyl nuclear power plant on Aug. 18, 2017 in Pripyat, Ukraine. (Sean Gallup/Getty Images) Corporate thirst for nuclear energy is growing to dangerous levels, and Colorado will take its first steps into that fire by passing the pro-nuclear bill, House Bill 25-1040, unless Gov. Jared Polis vetoes it. As we allow our civilization to become more dependent on electronic communication systems and press the boundaries of those systems, corporations are incentivized to produce and consume higher levels of energy every day. With the threat of human-caused climate change becoming a more widely acknowledged reality, lobbyists are persuading decision makers and the public that nuclear reactors are the solution we need to feed our needs and addictions while fending off climate disaster. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unfortunately, nuclear power will prove to be the radioactive cousin of the fossil fuel industry and continue to fuel the oligarchical social structure that eats at our humanity and resources. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX I spent eight years in the Navy operating nuclear reactors. The U.S. Navy provides a rigorous education and training program that includes many lessons about the history of nuclear energy and the Navys immaculate operational record. But what does it take to maintain that record? Ask yourself why we thank veterans for their service. Military service comes with some inescapable horrors, including forfeiture of most of our rights. We are held to a standard of pursued perfection that can only be asked at gunpoint or under threat of imprisonment. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the Department of Labor dont allow the private sector to make you scream. We serve with the intention that civilians will not have to live that life, including ourselves once we have completed our duty. Can we trust civilians to operate nuclear reactors with the same dedication to perfection over their own well-being? Will power companies spend more than the minimum in order to hire enough engineers to ensure alert-attentive care of reactor systems? Most likely, at least 50% of the nuclear workforce will be former Navy operators like me. That sounds like a good idea, but these are people that have already served their time doing the hardest parts of power plant maintenance, and they are not as motivated as you might think to go back to it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Additionally, those same operators have pride that can become complacency in a civilian position. Educational corners will be cut and staff shortages abound across an industry wielding an extremely dangerous product. There are operating plants today that allow the same alarm to flash for months the exact behavior that led to the Chernobyl and Three Mile Island nuclear accidents. Can we trust profit-driven corporations to hold a standard that will guarantee the safety of our communities? Oil companies cause spills that destroy entire regions. Plastics producers have lied about the recyclability of products that have infected almost all life on Earth with microplastics. Extraction industries around the world, including uranium mining, are responsible for ecological deformation and human rights abuses everywhere they exist. The Dine nation has generational scars specifically caused by the uranium industry that have driven them to ban even the transport of the substance through their territory. Even if we find relatively safe storage locations for fuel and waste, they will likely travel our highways and railroads, where accidents happen all the time. And I have yet to delve into the negative impacts on our water supplies. Our local and national elected officials have already been bought by industry owners and their own avarice, so convincing them to give up a potential cash cow seems futile. The only hope I have left is in the education we provide for each other. Do not fall victim to propaganda, but seek the lessons of history. The wealthy elite have always been willing to sacrifice others to realize their own gains and we would be fools to believe they will take any accountability for future harm caused by their business. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE ROME, March 24 (Xinhua) -- Italian President Sergio Mattarella on Monday criticized the proposed U.S. tariffs, calling them "unacceptable to all." Speaking at an event in Rome on the 68th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Rome, Mattarella stressed the importance of open markets. "Open markets satisfy two vital interests: peace and our essential export interests. Tariffs create market barriers, distort trade, and penalize quality products. This is unacceptable to us, and should be unacceptable to all countries," he said. The treaty, which laid the foundations for the European Economic Community and ultimately the European Union, was commemorated amid discussions about the future of European integration and international trade. Mattarella expressed "great hope that common sense prevails" in the face of potential tariff escalation. He underscored the importance of upholding fair rules. "We must remain calm without feeding excessive concerns. The European Union has the strength to intervene calmly and authoritatively to counter any unjustified decision such as the imposition of tariffs," he noted. Recalling on the historical significance of European integration, Mattarella called for renewed confidence in Europe's future while also emphasizing the need for reform. "The fact that the EU is a model imitated around the world testifies to its extraordinary success. However, it still faces shortcomings, such as the need for faster decision-making processes. We need quick and timely answers. Europe must renovate itself," he said. NEW YORK (AP) A New York student is suing after high school officials painted over a parking spot that she had decorated with a watermelon slice a symbol of support for Palestinians. The lawsuit was filed this month in Brooklyn federal court and argues that the Half Hollow Hills Central School District violated the students free speech rights and inflicted emotional trauma on her when it painted over her design in September, just days into the new school year. The student, who is identified in the suit by the pseudonym Jane Khan, had joined other classmates in decorating her parking spot an annual tradition at Half Hollow Hills High School West located on Long Island. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The senior painted a watermelon slice featuring a keffiyeh scarf-like pattern, followed by the phrase Peace Be Upon You" and her name written in Arabic. The student is described as a Muslim American of Pakistani descent. Ms. Khans inclusion of the watermelon with a keffiyeh design was an expression of her solidarity with Palestinians -- something she feels arises in part from her Muslim identity and Pakistani heritage," the suit explained. The watermelon has long been a symbol of Palestinian solidarity as it contains the red, white and green colors of the Palestinian flag, which was banned by Israel in 1967, according to the lawsuit. The suit, which seeks an unspecified amount of monetary damages, maintains the school erased the student's decoration after the principal interrogated and threatened her in a closed office meeting and with no meaningful dialogue with her parents, other students or members of the Asian and Muslim communities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The students lawyer provided a copy of the lawsuit but declined to comment further. District officials didnt respond to emails seeking comment Monday. They had said in September that the artwork was painted over in order to maintain neutrality on controversial political matters. The suit, however, notes that the parking spot decorating tradition has embraced differing viewpoints in the past. Students over the years have painted the LGBTQIA pride flag, a Black Lives Matter fist even depictions of a donkey and an elephant, the symbols of the Democratic and Republican parties, according to the lawsuit. The whitewash of Plaintiffs pro-Palestinian speech was not to prevent substantial disruption of any school activity or threatened harm to the rights of others, as Half Hollow permitted and even amplified speech on other equally, even more, controversial issues, the lawsuit states. A group of parents is pushing lawmakers to back Gov. Kathy Hochuls proposed ban on cellphones in schools as concerns grow that politicians are getting cold feet over the plan. The 11th-hour groundswell comes as state lawmakers have made moves to allow local districts to have leeway over the ban, with fears that will mean administrators backing off a full-day prohibition. At this critical moment, legislators must not take the wrong path, the advocates said in a pointed letter to legislators, including Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie. A group of parents is pushing lawmakers to back Gov. Kathy Hochuls proposed ban on cellpones in schools. Mike Groll/Office of Governor Kathy Hochul The letter blasted state Assembly and Senate Democrats for separate proposed bills that would give the New York City Public School System and other school districts more latitude instead of a full ban. That could mean phones in between classes in hallways and during lunch, recess and study periods, advocates warned. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While a classroom ban which merely prohibits phones from being used during class time may appear reasonable in theory, [the Senate and Assembly bills] would make the governors proposed policy meaningless, the letter stated. Bell-to-bell policies are crucial because they create lively engagement throughout schools, in hallways, cafeterias, and playgrounds. A classroom ban means that kids will continue to succumb to the lure of their phones and social media when the class bell rings. The governors plan, included in her executive budget proposal for 2025-26, would require mobile phones be stored away until dismissal. Lawmakers are expected to adopt the 2025-2026 budget by April 1. The letter was signed by representatives of parents groups, including Parents Collective Inc; Phone Free Action; the Phone Free Schools movement and numerous others. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While arguments for local control in education are generally compelling, cell phones pose unique problems, the advocates for phone free schools said. Research is abundant and clear. Cell phones in schools pose serious threats to our kids capacities to learn, mental health, and social development. The letter was signed by representatives of parents groups, including Parents Collective Inc; Phone Free Action; the Phone Free Schools movement and numerous others. Mike Groll/Office of Governor Kathy Hochul Moreover, unsupervised cell phone use in schools can lead to dangerous, even life-threatening interactions buying fentanyl-laced drugs, viewing pro-suicide and pro-anorexia content on social media, bullying, online gambling, and solicitations from predators engaged in child sexual abuse and even trafficking, the groups said. The letter also points to drops in student performance in reading and math following the COVID-19 pandemic as another reason to support a full-day, in-school phone ban. They also argue that enforcement of barring smart phone access only during class time will be difficult to enforce by forcing teachers to play phone cop at the top of every class period by having to police students phones. The 11th hour groundswell comes as state lawmakers have made moves to allow local districts to have leeway over the ban. Governor Kathy Hochul By contrast, bell-to-bell policies like Governor Hochuls take this burden off teachers so they can do their job and not waste valuable instructional time, the advocates said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition, they insisted a bell-to-bell policy doesnt bar students from contact with parents. Children are neurologically less developed, more impulsive, and more susceptible to addiction than adults. Schools must become places where students learn, free from these powerful and addictive devices. Anything short of that fails our children, the advocates said. The governors plan, included in her executive budget proposal for 2025-26, would require mobile phones be stored away until dismissal. Matthew McDermott But Assembly Education Committee Chairman Michael Benedetto (D-Bronx), who received the letter from the group, defended his legislation to let schools districts not Albany dictate what their smart phone policy should be. Schools may want the devices in the classroom for educational reasons, said Benedetto, a retired school teacher. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said Hochuls proposed bell-to-bell phone ban, while well-intentioned, is totally wrong. Everyone should have a voice including the students. There are multiple ways to deal with the situation, the assemblyman said. Tenants in New York Citys ground lease co-ops are sounding the alarm as they face increasing uncertainty over their homes. At Mainstay Co-op in Flushing, residents own and maintain their building but dont own the land beneath them, leaving them vulnerable to eviction, rent hikes or even demolition. Don't miss Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A ground lease which is a long-term lease that gives the tenant permission to build on or improve the leased property has traditionally offered an affordable path to homeownership. But now, with some leases set to expire in the coming decades, advocates warn that the citys 25,000+ ground lease co-op residents could be priced out of their homes. "Were a neighborhood of middle-class, working class and retired people and we have all of our equity tied up in this building," William Maiman, a longtime resident of Mainstay Co-op told CBS News New York. 'Thats not fair at all' These New York residents, whove invested years of savings into their homes, are now at risk of losing both their equity and housing stability. Meanwhile, State Senator Liz Krueger is pushing for a bill that would cap rent hikes for ground lease co-op tenants to protect them from landlords taking advantage of expiring leases. The Real Estate Board of New York (REBY) argues that Kruegers potential bill could hurt property values and unfairly favor wealthier homeowners. A statement from REBY reads, in part, ...this bill was bad policy last session when it died, and its bad policy now. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some New York real estate lawyers, including Stuart Saft, call it unconstitutional, warning the bill could set a dangerous precedent for other contracts. On the other hand, attorney Jeffrey Mazel who represents co-op residents told CBS News New York the bill is crucial, noting that many residents werent properly informed of the risks when they first purchased their homes. Many of these co-op tenants were shocked to learn of the potential threat to their housing situations. "Ive been to meetings. Ive seen people cry," Mazel says. For residents like Richard Wechsler of Mainstay Co-op, the situation feels deeply unfair. "Now Ive got to pick up and find a new place? Thats ridiculous, he said. Why is that fair? Thats not fair at all." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As the debate over protections for ground lease co-ops continues, the future of thousands of New Yorkers hangs in the balance. Read more: Gold just hit a historic high of $3,000/ounce on Trumps tariff moves while US stocks got slaughtered. Heres 1 simple way to prevent more pain within minutes How to protect yourself against rent hikes As the Mainstay Co-op situation demonstrates, its critical to do what you can to protect your housing budget and avoid unaffordable rent hikes. One of the first steps is understanding rent regulations in your state. In New York, rent-controlled and rent-stabilized apartments protect against excessive rent hikes. Rent control mostly affects units where tenants or the tenants lawful successor have lived since 1971, while rent stabilization impacts most apartments built before 1974 with six or more units. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you find yourself facing a rent increase, negotiation is key. Start by researching local rent prices to see if the increase is in line with the market. If you've been a reliable tenant and have a good relationship with your landlord, you can try to use this to negotiate. Use online resources such as Brick Underground, which offers tips and email templates to help tenants negotiate with landlords. If you are a senior or a person with disabilities, New York City offers programs like the Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption and the Disability Rent Increase Exemption, which freeze rent increases if youre eligible. If you end up in a situation where you feel your tenant rights are being violated, be sure to seek legal assistance. Organizations such as the Legal Aid Society and Legal Services NYC offer free support to tenants. The New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal also enforces housing laws and can help you understand your rights. Finally, if you cant afford to stay where you are, consider alternative housing options by researching more affordable neighborhoods or different types of housing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To navigate the competitive housing market, you need to stay informed and make use of available resources. What to read next This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind. About 100 protesters rallied outside Sen. Chuck Schumers Park Slope home Sunday to rip him for folding on a GOP-backed spending bill with one sign reading, Lost spine, if found please return to Chuck. Schumer the Empire States 74-year-old senior senator and Democratic caucus leader since 2017 has insisted he wont step down from his leadership role despite mounting pressure to do so. The senator showed a devastating lack of leadership as he capitulated to [President] Trump, [Elon] Musk and the GOP during negotiations over government funding, said a statement from Indivisible Brooklyn, the liberal group that staged the demonstration at Schumers Brooklyn home. New York Democratic Sen. Chuck Schumer is under heavy fire for voting with Republicans on a spending bill. AP Since then, Senator Schumer has been pleading his case on multiple platforms, but New Yorkers arent buying it, the statement said. Schumer is not meeting the dire moment: Its time for new leadership in the Senate that will fight fascism tooth and nail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some of Sundays picketers toted signs that read, Stand up or step down and, Resist or resign. About a dozen officers stood watch outside the embattled leaders home, which was also protected by metal barricades that forced the protesters across the street. Your time is up, Chuck! they chanted as the cops looked on. Jennie Spector, one of Indivisible Brooklyns organizers, told The Post that Schumer really betrayed us [and] betrayed the people who are counting on him to step up and protect us from what is clearly a fascist government in the White House. Were calling on him to step down as minority leader because hes not the leader we need at this moment, Spector said. Many protesters outside Schumers Brooklyn home Sunday held signs pillorying him over his vote. Michael Nigro Others called for Schumer to step down from his leadership position. Michael Nigro Schumers office did not respond Sunday to Post requests for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Brooklyn Democrat is suffering a backlash of epic proportions after he and nine other Dems voted in favor of a Republican spending bill that avoided a government shutdown earlier this month. But Schumer said he wont be leaving his post, despite shade being thrown his way even from former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Look, Im not stepping down, Schumer told NBCs Meet the Press in a pre-taped interview that aired Sunday. I [voted] out of pure conviction as to what a leader should do and what the right thing for America and my party was. People disagree. Some Democrats want Schumer to take a more confrontational tack with the administration. Michael Nigro Schumer defended himself by saying it was the best possible choice. Michael Nigro Still, some rank-and-file Democrats have been enraged by his vote, which they saw as kneecapping the left wings only shot to extract concessions from the GOP. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement House Republicans passed the six-month spending bill along party lines in that chamber, but the GOPs narrow Senate majority meant Democrats could have killed the proposal had they uniformly voted against it. That didnt happen. Trump signed the bill into law March 15. What we got at the end of the day is avoiding the horror of a shutdown, Schumer said in defense of his decision. There was no leverage point that we couldve asked for things. They just wouldve said no. He also claimed that sliding into a partial shutdown would have given Trump and his administration even more room to make draconian spending cuts to the federal budget. A shutdown, he said, would play into their hands. His constituents anger even forced him to postpone his book tour last week because of security concerns. An ambitious $3 billion plan to build a state-of-the-art medical center at Nassau Community College is now officially on hold and all but dead. Nassau County and NYU Langone had said they were in talks to build a new state-of-the-art, integrated academic medical center on Long Island aimed at expanding access to the regions world-class care. But after many months of working diligently to pursue an agreement for a new hospital campus for NYU Langone at Nassau Community College, the parties mutually agree to pause further negotiations as a result of external factors that have presented issues that may prove to be too burdensome to overcome, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakemans office announced in a statement Friday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Neither the county execs office nor NYU Langone would explain exactly what caused the plan for the Long Island site to go off the rails. Nassau County Community College did not respond to a request for comment. According to Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakemans offices statement from Friday, Nassau Community College and NYU Langone mutually agree to pause further negotiations on a new hospital campus. Brigitte Stelzer Ken Langone, chairman of the NYU Langone board, told Newsday, It was just too complicated to build a major hospital on the campus. Yuriy T stock.adobe.com The $3 billion plan was to build a state-of-the-art medical center at Nassau Community College, but no explanation was given for why it fell through. Newsday via Getty Images Hospital spokesman Steve Ritea only said, Despite our best efforts to work through a number of technical issues, we are unable to proceed with this specific location. Blakeman first announced the plan at NCCs 2023 graduation ceremony, saying the new hospital would be built across 40 acres on the colleges campus and create thousands of jobs. NYU Langone, which has a 591-bed hospital in Mineola, LI, had said that medical center was in need of an expansion but wouldnt be able to do so in its current location. Blakeman first announced the plan at NCCs 2023 graduation ceremony, and that the new hospital would span 40 acres and create jobs. James Messerschmidt Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement NYU Langone then began talks with the county for the new proposed hospital on the NCC campus, with the vision that its Mineola hospital would evolve into an outpatient facility. Ken Langone, chairman of the NYU Langone board, told Newsday, It was just too complicated to build a major hospital on the campus. We considered all the things that had to be done, and theyre certainly manageable, but theres a lot of moving parts, he said. NYU Langone recently completed a merger with Long Island Community Hospital and officially took over the Patchogue medical center in Suffolk County. NYU Langone NYU Langone is now reportedly shifting to other opportunities focusing on securing a deal for a major hospital in Suffolk County with a proposed 20-story building around the Canon U.S.A. Inc. headquarters in Melville. A few weeks ago, NYU Langone also completed a merger with Long Island Community Hospital, officially taking over the Patchogue medical center. Former President Barack Obama joined Bluesky, the new social media platform that for many has served as an alternative to Elon Musk-owned X. Obamas first post was about the Affordable Care Act, informally known as Obamacare. Figured Id hop on here today for the 15th anniversary of the Affordable Care Act, Obama wrote on Bluesky. With everything going on right now, its easy to feel like regular folks cant make a difference but the ACA is a reminder that change is possible when we fight for progress. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Obama, who is still active on X, is a notable political addition to Blueskys growing user base. Hes far from the only one: Left-leaning major political figures like Senator Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez are active on the platform. Bluesky, which began as an internal project at Twitter under then-CEO Jack Dorsey, was unveiled to the general public early last year. The sites layout and functions resemble a pre-Musk takeover Twitter. The platforms soar in popularity benefited from backlash against Elon Musk and X following Musks political engagements, particularly from left-leaning users globally. Bluesky boasts more than 33 million users today. Musk used the platform to campaign for President Donald Trump during the 2024 presidential election. In the days after the election, X saw its largest wave of deactivations. Meanwhile, Bluesky welcomed one million users in just a week following election day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Musks political influence has also extended overseas, leading to increasing calls for boycotts of the platform abroad as well. Musk has repeatedly used X to express his support of a number of other right-leaning political figures globally, including Germanys far-right AfD party. Musk made headlines last week for suspending Turkish opposition accounts as anti-government protests engulf the country. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Propounding one specific pro-Israel, American Jewish point-of-view, the independently financed social-issue documentary October 8 charts and laments the alarming increase in antisemitism particularly on university campuses and in social media following the Oct. 7 Hamas incursion into Israel that resulted in over 1,200 deaths and the taking of 251 hostages. To make her passionate, if not particularly nuanced argument, director Wendy Sachs assembles a large cast of talking heads, including well-known figures, academics, journalists, leaders of Jewish organizations and those who monitor extremism. More emotional and personal testimony comes from a survivor of the attack, as well as from U.S. college students whose public support for Israel earned them a deluge of online hate. The informative film calls attention to an important issue, but viewers should recognize that the perspective is one-sided. Israels response to the attacks is mentioned only in passing and the interviewees dont seem to want to accept that one mans terrorist can be another mans freedom fighter. Yet the film is worth seeing, if only to understand what antisemitism is, the privileges and limits of free speech, why the rhetoric against Jews became so filled with hate, why so many presidents of elite universities resigned or were fired from their positions in the aftermath of the pro-Palestine protests and the Trump administrations current politicization of those protests and protesters. More Jews were killed in the Hamas massacre in a single day than at any time since the Holocaust. As the killers live-streamed their atrocities on social media, their actions were celebrated in some quarters, including in a pro-Palestine gathering in New Yorks Times Square and on college campuses. A Cornell professor even spoke of feeling exhilarated and energized by the murders. Moreover, 31 student groups at Harvard signed a letter saying that Israel was entirely responsible for the attack. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Why did progressive universities fail to condemn the attacks and allow demonstrations that made Jewish students and faculty feel unsafe? Sachs and her interviewees suggest that the young generation gets their information mostly online and is influenced by misinformation as well as news sources controlled by adversarial nations. Representative Richie Torres, a Democrat from New York, notes that social media platforms encourage indoctrination and certain ones create space for anti-Israeli, anti-Jewish sentiment, which can be expressed anonymously. Meanwhile, branches of Social Justice for Palestine (SJP) sprang into action on campuses with talking points and instructions for days of resistance that encouraged violence and questioned Israels right to exist. The film alleges that the SJP is funded by charities affiliated with Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood. It discusses a meeting of Hamas officials in Philadelphia in 1993, which was monitored by the FBI, where the organization made a motion to frame what they were doing in terms of apartheid and racial oppression. They knew that these terms, already understood in American discourse, would draw positive press attention and public response. The power and importance of the media echoes throughout the film. The decision of the Israelis to invite in journalists from around the world to witness the death and destruction wrought by Hamas is compared to Gen. Eisenhower bringing the press to see the German concentration camps. An Oct. 17 article by the New York Times that relied only on Hamas-supplied information to declare that Israel had bombed a hospital, an allegation later corrected, is decried. Actor Debra Messing, an executive producer, expresses surprise that more people in Hollywood did not directly condemn the violence and speak out in support of the hostages. Her feelings of disappointment are echoed by actor Michael Rapoport, who finds it strange that he should be one of the top-billed celebrity speakers at a rally urging the release of the hostages. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dense with sometimes repetitive information, the films briskly edited visuals mix the talking heads with news footage, internet videos and chat graphics. The propulsive sometimes ominous orchestral music score from Sharon Farber stresses the points being made. Best of Variety Sign up for Variety's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Off-duty firefighters discovered a wrecked car in a rushing river in Oregon and jumped into the water to help the stuck driver, officials said. The crash was reported at 11:23 a.m. March 22 near the Yukwah Campground in Sweet Home, the Sweet Home Fire District said in a Facebook post. A driver had been going east on U.S. Route 20, also known as the South Santiam Highway, when they drove 30 feet down an embankment before crashing into tree and landing in the South Santiam River, fire officials said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Off-duty firefighters rushed to save the driver as the frigid water rushed up to their head in the vehicle, officials said. The firefighters got the stuck driver out of the vehicle and to the shoreline. Crews who responded to the crash then used a rope system to get the driver to the road where an ambulance was waiting, fire officials said. The driver had non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to a hospital. Fire officials said they do not normally encourage bystanders to put themselves in harms way, but these firefighters were trained and had the knowledge to help the driver. The two firefighters were from the Crook County Fire and Rescue and the Ochoco Forest Service. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sweet Home is about a 45-mile drive northeast from Eugene. 100-foot fall leaves hiker stranded, barely clinging to cliff, California rescuers say Climber falls to his death while scaling canyon with family, friends, Colorado cops say Last-second text saves lost hiker floundering in waist-deep snow, NH rescuers say A sleeper train service connecting Berlin and Brussels will end operations at the end of March. The Nightjet that links the German and Belgium capitals currently runs three times a week. The service is operated by OBB Austrias national railway company and is part of a wider network of night trains that connect many of Germany's big cities to other European destinations. Sleeper train axed over construction work in Germany The Nightjet sleeper train from Berlin to Brussels, which was launched in December 2023, will cease operations on 28 March. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The decision to axe the service indefinitely was announced by OBB and first reported by The Man is Seat 61 - a website focused on rail travel around Europe. A combination of difficult-to-bypass late-notice trackwork in Germany and (no doubt) the fact that it now runs on the same three days of the week as the European Sleeper mean they seem to have given up, founder Mark Smith wrote. The overnight service connected Berlin's Ostbahnhof and Hauptbahnhof to Bruxelles Midi and took around 14 hours. Other sleeper train options between Berlin and Brussels Passengers can still travel between Berlin and Brussels on an overnight train using the European Sleeper. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Like the Nightjet route, the European sleeper leaves from Berlin's Ostbahnof and Hauptbahnhof stations on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. The train stops in Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Antwerp along the way. The route has also been extended to connect to Dresden and Prague as well. Related Tickets for the overnight service start at 79 per person in a six-berth couchette, 99 in a five-berth couchette and 109 with a bed in a three-bed sleeper. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It's worth paying the extra for a couchette in a 5-berth compartment as you get more space per person than in 6-berth and in a nicer car with air-conditioning, too, Smith writes in his review of the European Sleeper on The Man in Seat 61. With friendly staff, comfortable beds and breakfast included it's a great way to travel. Electrical pylons. Photo from Getty Images. Last week the Ohio Senate approved a wide-ranging energy measure and House lawmakers arent far behind them. Following the Senate vote, House Energy Committee Chairman, Rep. Adam Holmes, R-Nashport, laid out his timeline. We want to vote out Wednesday morning, he told the committee, Next Wednesday morning, and have it on the (House) floor next Wednesday thats our goal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Broadly speaking, both proposals do the same thing. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Pole-and-wire utilities, think AEP, FirstEnergry or Duke, are barred from the power generation market, and there are tax incentives ready for the companies who build new power plants in Ohio. The House and Senate both get rid of the programs energy giants have used to avoid opening their books to regulators, but they agreed to allow utilities to set rates on a three-year basis. Both measures also put an end to subsidies for two Eisenhower-era coal plants operated by the Ohio Valley Electric Corporation. Ohioans have already spent close to half a billion dollars on their monthly energy bills to prop up the aging OVEC plants. The bailout was part of House Bill 6, the 2019 measure at the center of the largest bribery scheme in Ohios history. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, there are notable differences between House Bill 15 and Senate Bill 2, which lawmakers will have to hash out on the floor or in conference committee. House lawmakers include a community energy pilot that could defray participants monthly bills and greater oversight for utilities transmission projects. One factor that could simplify compromise is the vast array of stakeholders lined up behind the proposals. The states consumer watch dog and environmental groups are both on board. So are several coalitions representing industrial power users as well as a laundry list of companies who want build new power plants. Community power Perhaps the biggest point of separation shows up in a pair of ancillary programs that made their way into the bills. On the Senate side, after dismantling the OVEC subsidies, lawmakers were left scratching their heads over what to do about a much smaller pool of money. When lawmakers passed House Bill 6, they included a fund for future solar projects as a kind of fig leaf. The fund brought in more than $60 million but paid out very little of that total. Sen. Bill DeMora, D-Columbus, proposed using the remainder to fund loans for schools that want to invest in rooftop solar. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The House bill doesnt address that solar generation fund, but it does propose a program that could shake up how small communities get power. Lawmakers envision a community energy pilot program something like crowd funding a neighborhood solar array rather than every household getting solar on its roof. But the range of viable fuel sources extends beyond solar, including wind, natural gas, biomass, hydroelectric, and fuel cells. Those facilities have to be small (10 megawatts), but the legislation directs regulators approve a lot of them (1,000 megawatts over five years). The key element of community energy projects is that we avoid costly transmission infrastructure, David Murray of TurningPoint Energy explained. The company develops community solar projects around the country with 60 megawatts already up and running and 10 times that in the pipeline. We do not need to rely on the regional electricity grid, he argued. We, as a developer, we will pay for the cost of interconnecting our projects to the distribution grid, which deliver benefits to all utility customers and enhance grid resiliency as well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What that means for average customers subscribing to a community power program is a rebate on their monthly bill. Typically, we see bill savings of around 10% to 20% for customers, Murray explained. And although he insisted the systems costs wont impact utility customers who dont subscribe, the Ohio Consumers Counsel, Maureen Willis, isnt so sure. While we support renewable energy, Willis argued, we continue to advocate for its development in the competitive market without subsidies from utility consumers. Subsidies for the community solar (program) may be unintended but are likely to occur under the bill as written. In her testimony against a similar measure last General Assembly, Willis argued utilities would likely engage in cost-shifting finding ways to make up the revenue lost from program participants by increasing charges elsewhere. Chairman Holmes acknowledged those concerns but downplayed the risks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We dont like subsidies, he said. So we dont want anyone subsidizing. That was a driver behind eliminating the OVEC and the solar subsidies, and so were looking at this, and also for members, this is a pilot program, so its a five-year program. Redefining major The House bill also departs from the Senate version by including changes to the which utility projects qualify as major, and thus get heightened regulatory scrutiny. The added review should provide consumers some protection against gold-plating transmission investment and charging utility consumers for that, Willis argued. The investments, known as supplemental transmission projects, offer a kind of backdoor for charging customers, she argued. So long as the utility is cleared to proceed with the project, they get to bill their customers for it. Projects get reviewed by the 13-state regional transmission organization PJM, but only on the basis of do no harm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats not a protective standard for Ohio consumers, Willis insisted. It doesnt consider costs, and it doesnt consider alternatives. In 2023, she added, the Ohio tab for the supplemental projects was $1.38 billion. David Proano, a lobbyist for the Ohio Energy Leadership Council, dug a bit deeper, with a report from PJM detailing supplemental projects. Just look at the AEP column, he told lawmakers. In 2012 the company had just five projects, he explained. Eight years on that number had jumped to 132. Proano put that explosion in projects down to utilities guaranteed rate of return if their investments increase so does their revenue. This is whats driving this transmission boom, he argued. And when utilities dont have to competitively bid their projects or justify their cost effectiveness and necessity, its easy to inflate project costs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement PJM trust(s) these transmission companies to build it, because well trust that youre doing whatever you need to do to keep things reliable, Proano said. And the number of AEPs supplemental projects didnt stop growing in 2020. Since then, its almost tripled. In 2024 they had 354 354, Proano said, can you imagine? Chairman Holmes took a moment after Proano was done to insist, were not accusing anybody of anything, but clearly, we dont know. And those numbers dont have to be challenged right now, so we got to fix that. To provide greater oversight, HB 15 lowers the threshold for review on transmission lines based on their capacity and length. The changes mean 69kV power poles one step up from what you might expect for neighborhood distribution and replacement of any lines longer than a mile will now get state level review. Follow Ohio Capital Journal Reporter Nick Evans on X or on Bluesky. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE VILNIUS, March 23 (Xinhua) -- Vilnius University expelled ten students last year for violating rules on artificial intelligence (AI) use, Lithuanian National Video and Television (LRT) reported on Saturday. While AI is not banned, some students do not always use it responsibly, the report said. It quoted the university's vice-rector for studies, Valdas Jaskunas, as saying that in the past year, about ten students had been expelled "for improperly using AI in their work, such as in their final theses." Improper use means failing to disclose that AI was used, according to Jaskunas. Similar challenges are being reported at other universities. "Instructors have mentioned that some students do use AI, and there have been cases where a student received an 'N' grade - indicating academic dishonesty - on their final assessment," said Nora Skaburskiene, director of the Studies Directorate at Vilnius Tech. According to Vilnius Tech, students most commonly use AI for written assignments and sourcing references. A student union representative expressed some doubt about misusing of AI, saying that students understand the consequences, while other students acknowledge the risks of relying too heavily on it and missing out on learning. CLENDENIN, WV (WVNS) An Ohio man awaits extradition after he was arrested in West Virginia for a reported shooting at an Ohio Waffle House. According to a press release from the U.S. Marshals, 22-year-old Taerin Young, of Akron, Ohio, was arrested at a house in the Clendenin area of Kanawha County at around 9:00 a.m. on Monday, March 24, 2025 in connection to an alleged shooting at a Waffle House in Akron, Ohio in September 2024. Eight people arrested after drug search warrant carried out in Mercer County Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The press release stated that Young, who was wanted by the Springfield Township Police Department, was arrested by members of the U.S. Marshals CUFFED Task Force (Cops United Felony Fugitive Enforcement Division). CUFFED Task Force members also seized two guns, 52 grams of fentanyl, and almost $10,000 in cash. Members of the Springfield Township Police Department responded to a reported shooting incident at around 2:30 a.m. on September 28, 2024 at a Waffle House at 3031 South Arlington Road. According to the press release, two cars were driving north on Arlington Road and fired multiple guns at a group of people outside of the Waffle House, some of which reportedly returned fire. No injuries were reported due to the shooting. Young is being held in jail in West Virginia and awaits extradition back to Ohio. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS. Mar. 24Projections from the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce show Ed Choice Expansion voucher use at private schools is expected to rise by 15% in the 2025-2026 school year and by an additional 7.5% in the 2026-2027 school year, according to documents obtained by this news outlet. A spokesman for Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said the reason why the state budget proposes putting more money into school choice vouchers was due to changes in where students are educated. Previous reporting from this news outlet found that public school funding could be reduced during the upcoming biennium by $103.4 million. Vouchers used for private schools would see a $265.4 million increase over the biennium, while charter schools would get a $221.8 million increase in the same period. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The analysis by bucket, by nature, focuses on administrative entities over where students and their parents choose to obtain an education," said Dan Tierney, press secretary for DeWine. He added, "The changes reflect student population movement among the different types of schools." Lacey Snoke, a spokeswoman for the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, said these are just projections. "The state does not determine what Ed Choice growth will be parents determine that by choosing to apply for scholarships to enroll students in participating chartered nonpublic schools," Snoke said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said the projections are used to make estimates for the budget. In 2023, the Ohio legislature expanded EdChoice vouchers to allow anyone to apply for one, regardless of income. However, the state made this change during the summer after many families had already made their decisions for the next school year, so an increase in vouchers didn't show up until the following school year. Ohio has five voucher programs. Two of them the Jon Petersen and Autism scholarships are meant for students with special needs, and the Cleveland voucher program is similar to statewide EdChoice but is only for Cleveland students. The EdChoice program originally gave money so that students in public schools that were deemed as "failing" could pay to attend private schools (which aren't graded on the state's report card). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The EdChoice Expansion program at first gave the same private school funding option to students from low-income families, regardless of how their home public school was graded. Then it was expanded in 2023 so all families in Ohio qualify for at least 10% of the voucher. Budget predictions The governor's budget suggests an increase in state funding of vouchers of 8.2% for school year 2025-2026, resulting in a total of $1.16 billion, according to the Ohio Legislative Service Commission. ODEW predicts $475 million to be spent on EdChoice Expansion vouchers alone this school year. Roughly 64,000 students are included through the other four voucher programs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ODEW data shows that 99,866 students have been accepted into EdChoice Expansion this school year. Projections show 100,011 students would eventually be enrolled in the program this school year. According to the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, which oversees vouchers, in 2023, 23,272 students were enrolled in the state's EdChoice Expansion voucher program. In 2024, 88,095 students were enrolled a 283.3% increase. Many of the new participating students were children who had already been attending private schools, but instead of their parents paying the bill, the state voucher now paid all or a majority of the cost. In the 2026-2027 school year, the state estimates an additional 7.5% of students would be added to the EdChoice Expansion program. By 2026-2027, the state expects to spend $1.2 billion total on private school vouchers. Where could the growth be? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement School Choice Ohio, which advocates for private and charter school options, said the projected increase in scholarship numbers likely relates to more parents realizing their students are eligible. "As a result, more families are at least investigating school options for their students," said Beth Lawson, spokeswoman for School Choice Ohio. She said there are still families whose kids are eligible for a scholarship but the families don't want to use a voucher. "We do not anticipate an increase in scholarship participation within that demographic," Lawson said. "For the most part the families whose students are eligible and wish to participate are already doing so through their school of choice." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lawson said a survey that School Choice Ohio sent out this year had 106 private schools reply and say they had open seats. "It is true that there are some private schools in the state that have no or limited open seats, but that appears to be limited to specific areas rather than a widespread issue across the state," she said. Aaron Churchill, Ohio policy research director for the Fordham Institute, which also advocates for school choice, said the numbers are in line with what he expects to see this school year. Local schools weigh in Some local private schools have said they have space to accept more students, while others say they do not. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Michael Franz, director of communications for Carroll High School, said the Riverside high school had some open spots for this school year and anticipate having some open spots for next school year. Tina Wagoner, a spokeswoman for Chaminade Julienne Catholic High School, said the enrollment capacity for the high school was about 720 students and could serve another 20 students. CJ did not provide specific numbers as to how full they were. "CJ's enrollment has grown since 2020 and has experienced a sustained enrollment of just over 700 students for each of the last three years," Wagoner said. "The school projects a slight increase to its numbers for the 2025-2026 school year." Julie Thompson, spokeswoman for Dayton Christian School in Miamisburg, one of the largest private schools in the region, said there is space for students in some grades, but not others. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "At this point in our admissions cycle, we have space in the following grades: K, 3, 4, 5, 7 12. Space in some of these grades is very limited (especially in the lower elementary)," she said in an email. "Students who apply in Grades 1, 2 and 6 are placed in a wait pool and are notified if we are able to open up a new section in that grade or a current student withdraws." Jennifer Schack, a spokeswoman for the Cincinnati Archdiocese, said the archdiocese does not have data on open seats for the current school year. Landowners are compensated for the area needed for oil well pads, but there are sometimes disputes about the amount of compensation. (Kyle Martin/For the North Dakota Monitor) Bismarck attorney Derrick Braaten says clients have paid him millions of dollars for court battles against oil and gas company Continental Resources over surface damages in North Dakota. But a conversation between Braaten and a lawyer representing Continental Resources could lead to fewer court battles, something Braaten says benefits the company and his clients. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A result of that conversation is Senate Bill 2335, which would add a mediation step in negotiations between mineral resource developers and landowners in an effort to resolve disputes without a lawsuit. The bill has received support from Continental Resources, the North Dakota Petroleum Council and the Northwest Landowners Association, which Braaten represents. Attorney Derrick Braaten asks a question June 11, 2024, in Bismarck during an Industrial Commission hearing. (Kyle Martin/For the North Dakota Monitor) Litigation only benefits the lawyers, Braaten said during a hearing before the House Energy and Natural Resources Committee earlier this month. In these disputes, the developer has already leased the minerals. But, under North Dakota law, developers must pay the landowners reasonable compensation for damage to the land, such as putting in a well pad. Neither the landowners nor the developers are benefiting from litigating over every darn well pad, Braaten said. Ive got better things to do. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under the bill, if a landowner rejects a compensation offer from an oil and gas developer, the landowner can choose an appraiser to determine the value of the land being affected and present it to the developer. The developer pays for the appraisal, and after receiving it, has 30 days to make a new offer. Braaten said the appraisal provides a third-party number that at least provides a starting point for negotiations. The best thing that can happen here is we figure out how to make landowners and operators come together and come to private agreements, Braaten said. William Hauser, an attorney for Continental Resources, said the value of the property is at the heart of the disputes. The appraisal helps both sides see the realistic value sooner in the process, Hauser testified. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If there is no agreement, the case can still end up in court, though the appraisal is not admissible. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Ron Ness, president of the North Dakota Petroleum Council, said currently, talks stagnate after the initial offer. The landowner is just unhappy and theres no communication, Ness said. Troy Coons, chair of the Northwest Landowners Association, called the bill an excellent compromise. The bill received unanimous approval in the Senate, and the House committee gave it a unanimous do pass recommendation last week. Two other landowner rights bills went before the House Energy and Natural Resources Committee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Senate Bill 2321 would require that companies developing infrastructure projects such as pipelines reimburse legal fees for landowners, even if the company abandons or changes the project so that the landowner is no longer involved. It is awaiting committee action. Senate Bill 2379 originally required that land surveyors get written permission from landowners before stepping onto a property. This bill has received pushback from some water resource development groups, saying it would add to water pipeline costs and slow the projects down. The bill was amended to require providing written notice. The committee voted 9-4 Friday to give it a do-pass recommendation. The North Dakota Supreme Court last year ruled against landowners in a survey access case involving carbon dioxide pipeline developer Summit Carbon Solutions. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE The Kavkazskaya oil pumping station, located in Russia's Krasnodar Krai, is no longer suitable for oil transportation due to damage from a drone attack, the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) said on March 24. Ukrainian drones struck the Kavkazskaya oil pumping station overnight on March 19, damaging infrastructure and igniting a fire, Moscow claimed earlier. Firefighters continue battling a fire at the oil depot for the fifth day after the strike. The fire has spread to 2,000 square meters (21,500 square feet), with one of the storage tanks and the oil products inside still burning, according to the region's administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prior to that, Ukrainian drones also hit the Kropotkinskaya oil pumping station on Feb. 17, the largest in Russia's Caspian Pipeline Consortium. As a result of the attack, the station was taken out of operation, an SBU source told the Kyiv Independent. Following the shutdown of the Kropotkinskaya station, the volume of annual anticipated transportation was reduced, and following the destruction of the Kavkazskaya station, "it will not be possible in the foreseeable future," the consortium's statement read. Read also: How the next generation of Ukrainian drone pilots are being trained at UAV schools The consortium is continuing restoration work at the Kropotkinskaya station, according to the CPC. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Kyiv Independent cannot verify these claims. The facilities are part of the Caspian Pipeline Consortium system, which pumps up to 6 million metric tons of oil annually. The reported attack came shortly after Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed to have ordered a pause on strikes against energy infrastructure after a phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump. Kyiv said it agreed to the energy ceasefire in principle but accused Russia of continuing its aerial strikes. Ukraine has carried out attacks on Russian refineries, oil depots, and defense industry facilities to disrupt Moscow's ability to sustain its full-scale invasion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read also: Black Sea Initiative renewal central to US-Russia talks in Riyadh, Kremlin says Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Oklahoma City police are currently investigating three homicides after a series of incidents occurred this weekend. All incidents occurred over roughly six hours from Friday night into Saturday morning. The suspects in two of the incidents remain unknown. The Oklahoman is not publishing the suspects' names because they have not yet been formally charged. Teen dies after being run over by a car Just before 10 p.m. on Friday, OKCPD responded to reports of a person struck by a vehicle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When authorities arrived at the scene at NE 7 and Missouri, they learned Tamireyahna Warren, 16, was at a gathering when a 19-year-old suspect intentionally ran Warren over with her vehicle and fled the scene, according to an OKCPD news release. She later died at an area hospital. The suspect was later arrested during a traffic stop and booked on a first-degree murder complaint. Bar fight leads to death, suspect at large Early Saturday at 12:12 a.m., police responded to a concert hall at S Portland and SW 20 after reports of a fight and large crowd. When officers arrived, it was revealed that Tommy Benson, 48, was struck in the head by a chair. He was transported to an area hospital where he later died, according to OKCPD. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No suspects have been identified, nor have any arrests been made. NW OKC shooting leaves one dead, two injured At 4:05 a.m. Saturday, OKC police responded to NW 10 and MacArthur where two victims had been shot. Investigators learned there was an altercation in the parking lot, which led to gunfire. Both victims were transported to a hospital, where one victim was pronounced dead. The status of the second has not been revealed at this time. A third victim showed up at a hospital the following day with non-life-threatening injuries. No arrests have been made. The victim's names are currently withheld pending notification of next-of-kin. If anyone has any information regarding the above incidents, OKCPD asks to contact the Homicide Tip Line at 405-297-1200. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OKC police investigating three weekend homicides It's about to get warm in Oklahoma. The National Weather Service expects high temperatures early this week to reach the 70s and 80s. This is considered above-average for this early in spring. Overnight lows will dip below 50 degrees for most. Oklahoma will miss out on a wave of cool air from the arctic as the jet stream will keep any significant cooling to the northeast. There is only a low chance of rain this week, about a 20% to 30% chance from Tuesday through Thursday. After all the recent fire weather, many are probably wondering "When will we finally see some rain?". It does appear a pattern change late next week could lead to multiple rain chances, but details on exact amounts and severe potential still need to be worked out. #okwx #texomawx pic.twitter.com/VRBNBFkCzg NWS Norman (@NWSNorman) March 22, 2025 Live radar Oklahoma weather This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma weather: Above average temperatures expected early this week BAKERSFIELD The banner draped behind Rep. Ro Khanna promised, in a deliberately Bernie Sanders-esque style, Benefits over Billionaires. The hand-painted signs in the audience lambasted Elon Musk. But in the three town halls Khanna hosted in three red House districts far from his Silicon Valley home base on Sunday, it was the Democrats who were unambiguously being put on blast. So it was up to Khanna to convince his audience that his party still had a pulse. I want to know why in the world the Democratic Party hasnt fought yet? asked Ryiad Cooper, a 45-year-old combat veteran at Khannas afternoon event in Californias Inland Empire, the eastern exurbs of Los Angeles. Im sorry but youre the only Democrat standing here, so youre the only person Ive got to ask. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Town halls are, once again, in the political zeitgeist , much like the Tea Party-inspired outpouring of 2009 or the 2017 backlash to the efforts to gut Obamacare. Republican leadership is advising members to avoid in-person meetings ; those who forged ahead anyway are rewarded with viral clips of booing crowds Meanwhile, Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez hosted mega-rallies over the weekend, including attracting 34,000 attendees in Colorado. Khanna, the 48 year-old son of Indian immigrants who has carved out a distinct and somewhat incongruous niche as tech-friendly populist, had planned a tour designed to make Californias most vulnerable House Republicans sweat. He intended to send a signal to GOP Reps. David Valadao, Ken Calvert and Young Kim that the DOGE wrecking ball through the federal government and fears of cuts to Medicaid and Social Security was fomenting a popular backlash that could soon put their jobs at risk. Valadao, Calvert and a spokesperson for Kim all responded with variations of the same theme, brushing off Khannas visit as a political stunt. All three of their districts had shifted further right in 2024 compared to four years prior, a reflection of just how much ground Democrats had lost even in the blue bastion of California. The road trip, inspired by Sanders, suited the peripatetic congressman. Hes been known to take political tours far outside his Bay Area stomping grounds traveling in West Virginia and Kentucky, for example, to explore how tech industry innovation could transform coal-dependent economies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His trips to the early primary state of New Hampshire, which are so frequent hes been jokingly called the fifth member of the states House delegation, have often fueled speculation of Khannas eventual presidential ambition, not to mention his near-constant appearances on cable news shows and his active presence on X. His profile is high enough to draw out respectable crowds roughly 1,000 apiece in his three events on Sunday, mostly the dedicated Democrats who keep MSNBC playing in the background. He was received warmly and enthusiastically, and even when attendees grew pointed about the Democratic Party, they never turned sharp on him. But there was a tinge of pleading when attendees came to the mic. They wanted marching orders on what they could do to stop Trump. They wanted assurances the Democrats had some sort of plan. They wanted him to know they were scared. Khanna readily conceded that his party had dropped the ball. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our messaging is too fragmented, he acknowledged in Bakersfield. The old guard isnt cutting it. He was particularly searing in his critiques of Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, whom he faulted for not extracting any concessions to avert a government shutdown. He didnt get any concessions, he told POLITICO. I believe if Nancy Pelosi was in his position, we would have still had the government open, but we would have gotten concessions. But when an attendee asked if Khanna agreed with Sanders that perhaps more people should run as independents, the congressman responded with a riff forcefully defending his party. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are the party that got the 40 hour workweek. We are the party that got overtime pay. We are the party that got Social Security. We are the party that got Medicare. We are the party that got Medicaid. We are the party that funded public schools. We are the party that fought and got civil rights and voting rights, he said. He kept going as the applause from the crowd overtook him, basking in the nostalgia of a time when being a Democrat didnt feel like such a bummer. As soon as he stepped off stage in Bakersfield, he instructed his staff to blast out that clip defending the party. It was an unexpected highlight, given how down so many had seemed about the state of the Democrats. But, on the two and a half hour drive from Bakersfield to his next stop in Norco, Khanna told POLITICO that the moment stood out as precisely what dejected Democrats were searching for. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What surprised me is the reaction of it in the room, because they were as you know very, very skeptical about the Democratic Party and our leadership, he said, sitting in the front passenger seat as his political director navigated a bulky SUV through the curves of the Grapevine. And yet, at least being up on stage, it seemed to me that that answer got the most enthusiasm. So they're looking also for kind of an inspiration for our party. On that front, Khanna appeared to have delivered. Lisa Jo Gage, a social services provider in Bakersfield whose business could be decimated by Medicaid cuts, said she left more hopeful than when I walked in. It was uplifting to see people of so many backgrounds in the same room believing in the same thing, said Gage, a 56 year-old Democrat. Living in a red county can be exhausting at times feeling like no one sees or feels things that I am seeing or feeling. Khanna recognized that the folks attending his town halls wanted to do more than vent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was more than just a therapy session, he said. I think it was people asking for direction. They're saying we're ready to spend our time on a Sunday and come out. What are you guys doing? For Democrats, that question is much harder to answer. Khanna gamely did his best. By the second and third stops of the day, he took pains to add more specifics. Schumer should not have simply demanded concessions, he should have demanded that no veterans be fired and no Social Security offices be shut down. He said Democrats should not have voted against the Laken Riley Act, which makes it easier to detain immigrants without legal status charged with smaller crimes, nor should some of his House colleagues have voted to censure Rep. Al Green for his disruptions at Trumps address to the joint session of Congress. But Khanna also had to state the obvious: when it comes to governance, his party has very little leverage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The reality is, we don't have the White House, we don't have the Senate, we don't have the House, he said in Norco, a pocket of rural horse country in the industrialized Inland Empire. So we can point fingers, but what we need to do is figure out, how are we going to get past this? What are we going to do to actually stop Musk and Trump and prevent these cuts? And the only thing I can think of is to organize like we're doing here in every red district in this country. In the car between events, Khanna acknowledged that theres no one pat answer that is going to immediately satisfy voters yearning for direction. What we need from the Democrats is a plan, he said. Every day we should have our leaders saying heres what were doing What I got [from the town halls] is theres not a clear sense of the plan. LEWIS CENTER, Ohio (WCMH) A central Ohio school district returned to federal court last week to defend its anti-bullying policies protecting LGBTQ+ students that were challenged by a national conservative organization. All 16 judges on the Sixth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati heard arguments Wednesday in the case challenging Olentangy Local School Districts policies against misgendering, the act of referring to another person by using pronouns that dont align with their identity. A group called Parents Defending Education has long argued the policies violate the First Amendment rights of religious students who dont want to be forced to affirm transgender classmates. Common sense says that Olentangys policies arent helping students by compelling their peers to parrot words they dont really believe, said Cam Norris, the organizations attorney. They are harming them by teaching them that different world views should be silenced and banned, not understood and rebutted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ohio higher education bill one step closer to law Olentangy schools noted the policies havent been used to discipline a student, and argued theyre meant to protect all, not just those who are trans, from experiencing harassment. The district argued the policies are part of their duty to foster a secure environment conducive to learning and that they do not impede student discussions on their views of identity. The only thing they cant do is repeatedly make comments about these issues that are directed to a particular student, including be repeatedly and intentionally misgendering, said Jamie Santos, Olentangys attorney. Just because a student should be able to say that the body positivity movement is harmful and encourages obesity, doesnt mean a school has to allow that student to call a classmate fat. Still, several members of the 16-judge court were reluctant to agree that the policies are necessary given bullying and harassment are already prohibited by the districts code of conduct. When Judge Chad Readler asked why Olentangy needed specific pronoun policies, Santos said they allow the district to proactively make sure something doesnt rise to the level of a [classroom] disruption. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Could a ballot measure overturn Ohios same-sex marriage bans? Santos pointed to studies that show misgendering is harmful to trans students. Research from The Trevor Project found 49% of LGBTQ+ youth in the U.S. experienced bullying in the last year, and trans youth that said their school is gender-affirming also reported lower rates of attempting suicide. Ohio Solicitor General Elliot Gaiser spoke on behalf of 22 U.S. states who support Parents Defending Education, and reiterated concerns Olentangy could use the policies to punish students with opposing viewpoints. Gaiser said the district cant treat one side of the debate as harassment or silence dissenters by labeling them bullies, and claimed students who use biological pronouns for trans classmates do so in the most respectful way. Parents Defending Education filed the complaint against the district in May 2023, which was initially rejected by a U.S. district court in August of that year. The group then appealed to the Sixth Circuit where a three-judge panel also rejected the suit in August 2024 and said the organization hadnt convincingly argued that the policies should be blocked, and noted students who dont want to use their classmates preferred pronouns may refer to them using first names. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DeWine attends signing of executive order to dismantle Department of Education Shortly after, Parents Defending Education was joined by the 22 states in asking the Sixth Circuit to rehear the case. The Sixth Circuit then decided in early November it would revisit the suit with all 16 active judges on the court. The American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio also weighed in, filing an amicus brief last December that argued neither the school nor the parent group got things entirely right, and said it agrees that the district cannot categorically ban or punish all instances of a student using a classmates non-preferred pronouns. However, as a group committed to protecting LGBTQ students, the ACLU said some instances of misgendering are not immune from school discipline when they cause a disruption or create a hostile environment. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah (ABC4) One man was taken into custody on Sunday, accused of being the gunman in a shooting that ended with two victims being taken to the hospital. Osue Valentin Alarcon, 24, was booked into the Salt Lake County jail on several second-degree felony charges including aggravated assault resulting in serious bodily injury, felony discharge of a firearm, and possession of a dangerous weapon by a restricted person. The shooting reportedly happened just after 1 a.m. on Sunday, March 23 while officers were responding to a fight-in-progress near 3100 South and 5600 West. When police arrived, they reportedly found one victim with gunshot wounds to the hand and abdomen and a second victim who sustained multiple undisclosed gunshot wounds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both victims were taken to the hospital for further care. Their condition as of Monday morning is unknown. Sex offender caught masturbating at Sandy park near several children, police say According to court documents, one of the victims told investigators it was Alarcon who had shot him. Officers found Alarcon at a home near the shooting as well as two witnesses. The witness allegedly told investigators they saw Alarcon get into an argument with the two victims but both said they went inside before the shooting. Alarcon allegedly denied anything had happened, saying he did not recall the incident. Police say Alarcon is currently on parole after he was previously convicted of a violent felony and possessing a weapon by a restricted person in separate cases. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investigators said they found several spent and unspent bullet cases near the scene and the home as well as large amounts of blood. The West Valley Police Department previously told ABC4.com they are currently looking for any additional witnesses or anyone with a doorbell camera that may have caught what happened in the incident. 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. OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) One person has died after a shooting in northwest Oklahoma City on March 22, police say. According to the Oklahoma City Police Department, officers responded to a nightclub near NW 10th St. and MacArthur Blvd. around 4 a.m. after getting reports of a shooting. LOCAL NEWS: Police release new details after deadly altercation in SW Oklahoma City Upon arrival, officers found two victims with gunshot wounds. Both were taken to a nearby hospital where one has passed away. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials say a third victim arrived at a hospital the next day with non-life-threatening injuries. Anyone with more information is asked to contact the Homicide Tip Line at 405-297-1200. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Protesters take part in a demonstration in Ankara, Turkiye, on March 23, 2025. Turkish security forces arrested 1,133 suspects over the past five days since the start of protests against the detention of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, the country's Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said Monday. (Mustafa Kaya/Handout via Xinhua) ANKARA, March 24 (Xinhua) -- Turkish security forces arrested 1,133 suspects over the past five days since the start of protests against the detention of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, the country's Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said Monday. A total of 123 police officers have been injured during protests, Yerlikaya said on the social media platform X. Yerlikaya emphasized that, according to Article 34 of the Constitution, "everyone has the right to organize unarmed and unaggressive meetings and demonstrations without prior permission," but noted that this right is "restricted by law for the purposes of national security, public order, crime prevention, protection of public health and morality, or the rights and freedoms of others." The recent protests have gone beyond peaceful demonstrations, with certain groups abusing the right and attempting to exploit the situation to disrupt public order and attack law enforcement forces, said the minister. "We invite our citizens to be careful against such provocations and to act with common sense," he added. Tens of thousands of Turks have taken to the streets since March 19 after Imamoglu was detained on charges of graft and aiding a terrorist group. Imamoglu, from the main opposition Republican People's Party, is considered President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's main rival in the next presidential elections. Protesters take part in a demonstration in Ankara, Turkiye, on March 23, 2025. Turkish security forces arrested 1,133 suspects over the past five days since the start of protests against the detention of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, the country's Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said Monday. (Mustafa Kaya/Handout via Xinhua) Protesters take part in a demonstration in Ankara, Turkiye, on March 23, 2025. Turkish security forces arrested 1,133 suspects over the past five days since the start of protests against the detention of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, the country's Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said Monday. (Mustafa Kaya/Handout via Xinhua) CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) One states effort to exempt young school-aged children from vaccines appears to have stalled as states contend with a burgeoning measles outbreak. In January, West Virginia Republican Gov. Patrick Morrisey issued an executive order allowing families to apply for religious exemptions to mandated childhood vaccinations. A measure that would have enshrined that order into law sailed through the state Senate last month, but on Monday the state House of Delegates rejected a bill that would have dismantled what is broadly considered by medical experts to be among the most protective school immunization policies in the country. West Virginia is currently one of a tiny minority of U.S. states that only exempts students from being vaccinated if doing so poses a medical problem for them. The bill rejected Monday proposed allowing private and religious schools to decide whether or not to accept religious exemptions from students' families, whereas the Senate version of the bill would have required the schools to accept religious exemptions. Public schools would have been required to accept the exemptions under both versions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The state Senate also voted in favor allowing families to opt out of vaccination for philosophical reasons, a justification the House measure didnt include. West Virginia's vaccine battle is surging to the forefront of state legislative issues as measles outbreaks in West Texas and New Mexico have surpassed a combined 350 cases, and at least two unvaccinated people have died from measles-related causes. The West Virginia bill rejected by lawmakers Monday also would have changed the process for families seeking medical exemptions by allowing a childs health care provider to submit testimony to a school that certain vaccines are or may be detrimental to the childs health or are not appropriate. Opposition forces surge Those who opposed broadening West Virginia's narrow vaccine exemptions said they were concerned about public health effects. Republican Delegate Keith Marple of Harrison County, 81, said he's witnessed people disabled by polio and living on iron lungs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Marple said he doesn't want to see West Virginia children hurt and said it's essential they continue receiving the required immunizations. I dont want that on my conscience," he said, before voting no on the bill. West Virginia does not currently have a state health officer, but the last three people to hold the position wrote a joint letter to lawmakers Friday asking them to vote no on the bill, which was rejected 56 to 42 on the House floor. Morriseys communications director Alex Lanfranconi said debate had sadly derailed since Morrisey put forward his proposal to provide a religious exemption to unworkable, rigorous mandates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement West Virginia remains an outlier by failing to provide these exemptions, aligning with liberal states like California and New York, he said in a statement. State praised for vaccine policy A recent U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report on kindergarten vaccination exemptions cited the West Virginia as having the lowest exemption rate in the country, and the best vaccination rates for kids that age. State law requires children to receive vaccines for chickenpox, hepatitis B, measles, meningitis, mumps, diphtheria, polio, rubella, tetanus and whooping cough before starting school. The state does not require COVID-19 vaccinations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last year, former governor and current U.S. Sen. Republican Jim Justice vetoed a less sweeping vaccination bill passed by the Republican supermajority Legislature that would have exempted private school and some nontraditional public school students from vaccination requirements. At the time, Justice said he had to defer to the licensed medical professionals who overwhelmingly spoke out in opposition to the legislation. Religious freedom Morrisey, who previously served as West Virginias attorney general, said he believes religious exemptions for vaccinations should already be permitted in West Virginia under a 2023 state law called the Equal Protection for Religion Act. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The law stipulates that the government cant substantially burden someones constitutional right to freedom of religion unless it can prove there is a compelling interest to restrict that right. Morrisey said that law hasnt been fully and properly enforced since it passed. He urged the Legislature to help him codify the religious vaccination exemptions into law. After the bill failed Monday, Democratic Delegate Mike Pushkin called on lawmakers to reach out to Morrisey and "ask him to rescind his dangerous executive order on childhood immunizations. U.S. kindergarten vaccination rates dipped in 2023 and the proportion of children with exemptions rose to an all-time high, according to federal data posted in October. NEW YORK (AP) Nadine Menendez and her prison-bound husband former U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez were partners in crime," a prosecutor told a jury Monday as opening statements began in her trial over allegations that the power couple accepted bribes of cash and gold bars. The longtime senator was convicted last year of accepting bribes worth hundreds of thousands of dollars from three New Jersey businessmen. Now a new jury will hear much of the same evidence about Nadine Menendez, 58, after her trial was postponed when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lara Pomerantz said Nadine Menendez did the dirty work for the 71-year-old New Jersey Democrat, who is to report to prison in June to begin an 11-year sentence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Defense attorney Barry Coburn told jurors they will have to exonerate Nadine Menendez because there will be an absolute, utter failure of proof in this case. The government's characterization was grossly inaccurate for Nadine Menendez, and descriptions of the evidence by a prosecutor was nefarious, Coburn said. Nadine Menendez has pleaded not guilty to charges she participated in the bribery scheme that resulted in her husbands conviction. Born in Lebanon of Armenian descent, she began dating the senator in early 2018 and soon joined a bribery scheme involving at least one businessman she had known for years separately from her soon-to-be husband, Pomerantz said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The couple met at an IHOP in Union City, New Jersey, when she was known as Nadine Arslanian, and became engaged during a visit to India's Taj Mahal shrine in October 2019. They married a year later. Nadine Menendez worked together with her boyfriend and then husband Robert Menendez to put his power up for sale, the prosecutor said. She said it was possible because Menendez held important positions with the influential Senate Foreign Relations Committee during a Senate career that began in 2006. This was not politics as usual. This was politics for profit, Pomerantz said. They were on the take. Menendez was not present in court Monday, but expressed displeasure on social media last week that his wife was facing trial soon after undergoing breast cancer reconstructive surgery. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Only the arrogance of the SDNY can be so cruel and inhumane, Menendez added, referring to the Southern District of New York, where her trial is taking place. They should let her fully recover! Pomerantz said the couple was bribed in return for favors including using the senator's influence to help businessman Wael Hana, a longtime friend of Nadine Menendez, protect a monopoly over the inspection of meat exported to Egypt. Those dealings led Bob Menendez to be convicted at trial of acting as a foreign agent for Egypt. Pomerantz said Hana and the Menendez couple met again and again with Egyptian officials from 2018 through 2022, with the senator using his wife as a conduit to deliver sensitive non-public information to Egyptian officials. The prosecutor said Nadine Menendez arranged for the senator to secretly help Egypt draft a letter to persuade other senators to support aid to Egypt despite their concerns about the country's human rights record. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hana and a New Jersey real estate developer, Fred Daibes, were convicted last year along with the senator. Hana received eight years in prison while Daibes got seven years behind bars. A third businessman pleaded guilty and is expected to testify against Nadine Menendez, as he did against her husband. Menendez resigned from the Senate after his conviction. Throughout his two-month trial, Nadine Menendez was mentioned repeatedly for her dealings with the businessmen, including extensive text communications. One of them testified he bought her a luxury car after the senator tried to get New Jersey prosecutors to drop a criminal investigation involving one of his associates. The first witness on Monday, FBI Agent Aristotelis Kougemitros, described a 2002 raid on the Menendez home in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, that found more than $100,000 in gold bars and over $480,000 in cash in a safe, shoe boxes and envelopes stuffed in coat pockets and boots. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the garage, he said, was a $60,000 black Mercedes-Benz convertible. During her opening statement, Pomerantz said the car, paid for with a $15,000 down payment and monthly payments from the bribe-giving businessmen, was delivered because Nadine Menendez didn't want just any old car. She wanted a brand new Mercedes convertible. Bob Menendez said at trial that the gold belonged to his wife and the cash resulted from his habit of hoarding money after his parents fled Cuba in 1951 with only what they had hidden in a grandfather clock. The U.S. has ramped up its military campaign against Yemens Houthi movement, launching waves of air and naval strikes aimed at deterring the groups attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea. Yet after months of sustained bombardment, the Houthis remain undeterred. Their anti-ship missile and drone assaults continue to imperil one of the worlds most critical maritime corridors. The Pentagon has reiterated that it does not intend to entangle itself in Yemens protracted civil war, focusing narrowly on securing international waters. However, this tactical compartmentalization belies the inextricable links between the Houthiss actions and Yemens broader conflict and by extension, the wider regional power struggle. At its core, the Houthi movement is a byproduct of Yemens long-standing state collapse and sectarian fragmentation. Emerging from the wreckage of decades of weak governance and economic freefall, the group has proven remarkably resilient. Irans material and logistical support has been instrumental, but the Houthis staying power is equally rooted in the domestic despair of Yemen itself. U.S. airpower can degrade weapons stockpiles and delay operations, but it cannot eliminate the socio-political fuel that sustains the Houthis insurgency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Washingtons current approach echoes a well-trodden path of military interventions that fail to achieve decisive political outcomes. Since 2015, the Houthis have withstood a relentless Saudi-led air campaign, transforming from a parochial insurgency into a disciplined paramilitary organization with cross-border ambitions. Their expanding capabilities, from ballistic missiles to increasingly sophisticated naval drones, underscore the limitations of airpower as a standalone tool. History suggests that aerial bombardments rarely extinguish ideologically motivated insurgencies, particularly those deeply embedded within a broken state. The Houthiss survival is not merely a testament to Iranian patronage but to Yemens profound vacuum of governance. As long as Sanaa and the northern highlands remain economically and politically estranged from the Yemeni state and by extension, the Gulf Cooperation Council the Houthis will have ample space to consolidate their grip. The deeper Yemen sinks into humanitarian catastrophe, the more fertile the ground becomes for Houthi recruitment. With an adult literacy rate hovering around 70 percent still far below the Gulf Cooperation Council average of more than 90 percent and over 80 percent of the population dependent on humanitarian aid, the country remains a textbook case of state failure. Yemens social fabric is further frayed by entrenched gender disparities over 30 percent of girls are married before the age of 18, and only 55 percent of adult women are literate further limiting economic participation and perpetuating cycles of poverty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These grim statistics are not abstract. For many young Yemenis, especially in Houthi-controlled areas where the state provides few alternatives, the militias offer structure, purpose and a paycheck. The Houthis have deftly leveraged Yemens economic vacuum, framing themselves as guardians against foreign aggression and stewards of what little public order remains. While Washingtons priority has been to protect freedom of navigation, the Houthi threat intersects with a larger geopolitical contest. For Tehran, the Houthis represent a low-cost, high-reward node of influence on Saudi Arabias doorstep and along a maritime chokepoint crucial to global trade. Iran has little incentive to de-escalate, particularly as it seeks to leverage proxy groups across the Middle East to counterbalance Western and Gulf Arab power. Yet Tehran is not the only actor with stakes in Yemens trajectory. China and Russia, though often depicted as bystanders to the Houthiss campaign, have deep commercial interests in the stability of Red Sea shipping lanes. A sustained disruption threatens not only Western-linked supply chains but also Beijings Belt and Road Initiative and Moscows energy exports to Asian markets. A broader diplomatic coalition one that includes Moscow and Beijing could apply coordinated pressure on Iran to limit its support for the Houthis, particularly if framed as a collective interest in safeguarding global trade rather than a purely Western security concern. Ultimately, if Washington hopes to neutralize the Houthi threat, it must grapple with Yemens internal fragmentation. Only a Yemeni government capable of delivering credible governance and economic development can erode the Houthiss popular support. A post-conflict Yemen aligned more closely with Gulf Cooperation Council economic frameworks, focused on infrastructure investment, job creation and integration into global markets, would stand a far better chance of undercutting Houthi influence than missiles alone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The challenge for the U.S.is not simply to degrade a militant network, but to prevent Yemen from remaining a sanctuary for armed non-state actors. As history shows, absent a viable political and economic alternative, the Houthis or groups like them will persist. The Trump administration and its partners can choose to prolong the current campaign of attrition, bleeding the Houthiss capabilities over time. Yet airstrikes alone risk becoming an expensive holding pattern, one that suppresses symptoms without addressing the disease. Without a broader strategy that combines military containment with diplomatic and economic initiatives, the Red Sea will remain a theater of instability and the Houthis will remain a durable force. The administration must think beyond missiles and consider what happens when the bombing stops. Faisal Saeed Al Mutar is founder and president of Ideas Beyond Borders. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Political debates in education often boil down to which type of schools and education initiatives should receive public funding and how much of it they should receive. These conversations sometimes expose a level of hypocrisy that is hard to ignore. For example, a bill was filed this year in the Indiana General Assembly that put forth a novel concept: allow local communities to raise property taxes via a referendum to pay for universal pre-kindergarten. These property tax funds would pay for pre-K programming in settings such as churches, community-based organizations, district schools, charter schools, and private schools. State Rep. Blake Johnson, an Indianapolis Democrat, authored the legislation. Voucher-like early childhood education programs that use public money to fund schools of all types including private, religious schools are widely popular with Democrats in states like Indiana and elsewhere. Ironically, the mechanisms in these programs would make the late conservative economist Milton Friedman smile. Get stories like this delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter While HB 1622 did not receive a hearing this year in the GOP-controlled Indiana House of Representatives, it raises an interesting question. What if something like this was proposed for K-12 schools? Well, it turns out theres an answer to that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another piece of legislation this session in Indiana calls for property taxes to be shared with public charter schools (not religious or private schools). That bill has garnered support from Republicans and is working its way through the legislative process. Democrats, in contrast to their support of similar efforts for pre-K, have assailed SB 518 as an attack on public education even though charters are public schools. Theyve called it reckless, a stalking horse, and an unprecedented destabilization. Related In Indiana, a Fight Over Splitting Money Between Districts and Charter Schools They have argued, often in hyperbolic terms, that property tax dollars shouldnt be shared with schools that lack elected boards, ignoring that if their argument was consistently applied they would be advocating for the abolition of publicly funded libraries, hospitals, and universities. They were so upset by the bill that every Democratic senator present for the floor debate voted for an amendment that would dissolve and terminate 70% of charter schools in Indiana, leading to the closure of dozens of public schools in largely Democratic Senate districts. That amendment failed on a party-line vote. The inconsistencies dont stop at K-12. There is bipartisan political support for the Federal Pell Grant program, which provides critical scholarships to undergraduate students from low-income backgrounds to attend public or private higher education institutions. Just last year, Congressional Democrats proposed doubling the size of this program, which is largely indistinguishable from a means-tested voucher program. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Currently, Congressional Democrats are also pushing back on the Trump administrations efforts to cut National Institutes of Health funding, which disproportionately goes to private research universities to conduct important research. This raises the question: Why is it okay to use public funding for private or nonprofit early childhood and higher education providers, but its suddenly the end of democracy when similar mechanisms are used in K-12? Ashley Berner, Director of the Johns Hopkins Institute for Education Policy, eloquently makes the case that educational pluralism is countercultural to the United States K-12 education system. She argues that in America, even the term school choice assumes that the traditional school district is the default education provider. She also points out that U.S. schools were standardized, in part, to uphold traditional Protestant beliefs in publicly funded nonsectarian district schools even as the number of Catholics and immigrants continued to grow. I visited Sweden, certainly not a bastion of U.S.-style conservatism, several years ago to learn more about education systems in other countries. I was surprised to learn that the Swedish education system provides public funding to schools of all types. What we call a school district in our country has no meaning in Sweden. There are municipal schools and independent schools, all of which receive public funding. In fact, once you study education globally, you quickly learn that the U.S. is an outlier when it comes to educational pluralism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related Were the Outliers: Ashley Rogers Berner on Public Funding for Private Schools There is also another, more straightforward, answer. Teachers unions. In terms of political power, few advocacy initiatives hold a candle to teachers unions. Where are these unions most powerful and active? K-12. Where are they less active and powerful? Early childhood and higher education. Ive talked to elected officials who explained to me that the most important day of the year is when they learn how large the unions political donation will be. Many have told me privately that they support K-12 school choice, but they could never vote for it because it would lead to a union-funded primary opponent. In other words, voting for increased schooling options for children is political suicide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Interestingly, this reality doesnt exist at nearly the same level for local elected officials in Indianapolis, as the last two Democratic mayors and the majority of the Democratic-controlled City Council consistently support charter schools. Why the difference? Perhaps its because the teachers unions largely stay out of local races, allowing elected officials to vote with their conscience. To be clear, Im not anti-union. Ive seen the value of unions first-hand. Growing up, my father had a blue-collar union job that afforded my family a middle-class life. But kids arent widgets and dont have an organized political force advocating for their interests. This dynamic is certainly not confined to Democrats. Both parties are attached to various special interest groups that make it politically difficult to prioritize sound policy over political expediency. All of this speaks to the need for much more robust local, state, and federal political advocacy strategies to move toward an educational system that values diverse schooling preferences. It also speaks to the power of entrenched customs and political interests in our country that ought to be questioned every once in a while in a nation as large and diverse as ours. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The next time you see a politician advocating for publicly funded educational pluralism for 4-year-olds, ask them if they support a similar approach for 5-year-olds. Their answer will be telling. Disclosure: The Mind Trust provides financial support to The 74. Attention to civics education often spikes during election years, as educators collectively wonder if theyve done enough to prepare young people to become informed voters. Thats important, of course, but focusing on civics education only during federal election cycles misses a broader purpose: understanding how government works 365 days a year, fueling engagement over cynicism and offering young people the skills to solve common problems together. The recent turbulence in government including widespread restructuring of federal agencies, executive orders with immediate public impact and shifts in longstanding policies offers a crucial opportunity. Rather than disengage in frustration, teachers and education leaders should seize this moment to deepen civic literacy, ensure that communities understand how government functions and empower citizens to be active participants in self-governance. With headlines dominated by government upheaval, now is the time to turn confusion into curiosity and curiosity into community involvement. The more people understand the roles of the three branches of government, the function of federal and state agencies and their own rights, the better equipped they are to engage as citizens Civics education is most effective when state and local officials, both elected and appointed, are open to input, feedback and participation by constituents, allowing students to see firsthand how citizen engagement leads to real outcomes. Nationally, state and local governments employed approximately 19.6 million people in March 2023, an increase from 19.2 million in 2022. This demonstrates that the vast majority of government operations occur at the state and local levels, not in Washington, D.C. The teachers in public schools, the sanitation workers who keep streets clean, the public health officials who guide communities through crises all are part of local governance. When young people see how these systems work, they realize government is not an abstract institution; its the infrastructure of daily life. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related Going for Blood: After Mass Firing, Many Wonder How Ed Dept. Will Function Generation Citizen, the education nonprofit organization I lead, has long worked to engage students in community-based civic learning. Through research and projects that address real issues, students interact with elected officials and government agencies at the city and state levels, building critical problem-solving skills while making a tangible impact. For example, a group of high school students from Urban Assembly Institute for Math and Science for Young Women in Brooklyn, New York, used community-based civics to tackle tensions between youth and law enforcement. They launched a project to improve police-student relationships through open dialogue and policy recommendations, demonstrating how civic learning can lead to real change. More than just casting a ballot, participating in self-government involves talking to neighbors about issues, organizing with peers and attending school board or town council meetings. The confidence students gain in these settings gets put to use in job interviews, workplace conversations and, ultimately, in boardrooms. These actions also cultivate skills that translate across all areas of life, from public speaking to teamwork and collaboration. They are the foundation of an engaged society and a functioning democracy. Related Amid Polarization, Civics Education Enjoys Bipartisan Support, Survey Finds The stakes of neglecting a robust civics education are high, risking a more polarized society if people are unable to learn how to communicate across lines of difference, listen deeply, persuade effectively and reach consensus on solutions. The consequences also include erosion of everyday skills that Americans need to function in the workplace and, more globally, in the marketplace. These abilities ought not to be mere add-ons to secondary school curriculums. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As the nation navigates these uncertain times, civic literacy must become mainstream and hands-on something that is as fundamental to education as learning in a science lab. American democracy is a tapestry woven from generations of participation and action. This is a moment to add to it, not let it unravel. The next generation of leaders needs the tools and skills to repair that fraying fabric. That means schools, policymakers and communities must prioritize experiential learning, ensuring that students engage in civic participation before they reach voting age. Related Making HS Grads Pass Citizenship Test Is Fine. But Civics Ed Must Start Earlier Educators have long understood that the best way to prepare students for careers in science and medicine is through labs and hands-on experiments, not just by reading a textbook. The same is true for civics. If this country wants an engaged, informed citizenry, schools and government alike must provide young people (and adults) with opportunities to practice democracy in real time. Now is not the time to tune out. Its time to lean in, learn more and take action. This photo taken on March 18, 2025 shows an exterior view of the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia. (Xinhua/Bai Xueqi) 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. Few things are so unhelpful as the journalist who buries the lede. There has been a lot of that lately, especially insofar as the Trump administrations immigration crackdown is concerned. Take, for example, the case of the Georgetown University researcher arrested in Virginia last week over his alleged ties to terrorism. Badar Khan Suri reportedly spread Hamas propaganda online while having close connections to a known or suspected terrorist, who is a senior advisor to Hamas, according to the Department of Homeland Security. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is pretty serious stuff, which is why the coverage has been so maddening. In most reports, the allegations against Suri are buried so deep as to be next to the dinosaur bones. Trump is seeking to deport another academic who is legally in the country, lawsuit says, reported Politico on March 19. The subhead adds, Badar Khan Suri, a fellow at Georgetown, says he is being punished because of the suspected views of his wife, a U.S. citizen with Palestinian heritage. The Associated Press ran the same story, but with the headline, Government cannot deport Georgetown scholar until court rules, judge orders. The subhead adds, A federal judge has ordered immigration officials not to deport a Georgetown scholar that the government detained until the court has had a chance to rule. NBC News published the headline, Georgetown University graduate student detained by immigration authorities, with a subhead that reads, A lawyer for Badar Khan Suri, who was teaching on a student visa, said Thursday that he is grateful for the support he has received since his arrest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These are just a few headlines and news blurbs plucked at random, but they represent the overall coverage. We are immediately provided with the who, what, where and even when but not with the why. Thats an omission so glaring as to be intentional. It is possible but unlikely for a journalist to forget outright one of the five Ws of lede writing. But the entire newsroom? And for the issue to be spread out over multiple organizations? The word unlikely is getting a workout this week. Now, regarding Suris arrest, there are some pertinent details you ought to know. First, he is in the U.S. on a temporary visa. He is an Indian national and married to Mapheze Saleh, a Gaza-born U.S. resident. Saleh is the daughter of Ahmed Yousef, who has served as a senior political adviser for Hamas (although he claims he no longer holds this position). To recap: A guest in the U.S., who is the son-in-law of a (possibly) former Hamas official, has been arrested and detained on allegations that he promotes agitprop for a designated terrorist organization. Whether the charges hold up is one thing, but these are indisputably the federal governments allegations against Suri. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yet, were you to read Politicos original scoop on the matter, you couldnt find DHSs justification for the arrest until the ninth paragraph, and thats only after the reader is told the foreign national has no criminal record and merely [opposes] U.S. foreign policy toward Israel, or so says his lawyer. The Associated Press does only slightly better, mentioning the Hamas propaganda in the opening paragraph but failing to note Suris connection to Hamas leadership. The Associated Press eventually revealed this connection, but only in passing and only to suggest theres no there there. And maybe there isnt, but when this familial connection represents half of DHSs argument against Suri, why save that information for the 10th paragraph, and why note it only in passing? By glossing over this latter detail and focusing solely on the propaganda angle, the Associated Press has effectively reframed the story as a free speech issue exclusively, rather than one that also concerns alleged national security issues. For NBC News, it took 11 paragraphs before readers learned of the allegations against Suri. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The coverage has been every bit as befuddling and exasperating as the initial coverage of the arrest of Mahmoud Khalil, the 30-year-old Columbia student and legal permanent resident whom ICE arrested and detained over his alleged support for Hamas. If you recall the early coverage of his arrest, there was plenty in terms of human interest everything from details of Khalils marriage to his campus activities. But there was precious little about why the federal government detained him. It took me multiple articles and independent research to understand DHSs position not because the federal government lacked an explanation, but because few media outlets bothered to publish it. Theres a robust and worthwhile debate to be had about these arrests. Some conservatives have expressed discomfort over the legality of such actions. However, it will be impossible to have the discussion if the media continue to hide the ball on the why of these arrests, ignoring or downplaying the behaviors and factors federal authorities cite as legal justification. We cant have the debate if we have only partial information. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Becket Adams is a writer in Washington and program director for the National Journalism 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 The Hill. If I cannot move heaven, I will raise hell. So wrote the Roman poet Virgil in his epic poem, The Aeneid. At the moment, congressional Democrats cant move heaven, and they are not raising hell either. And polls show that raising hell is precisely what their voters want Democrats in Washington to do. Sixty-five percent of Democrats told an NBC News poll last week that they want congressional Democrats to raise hell in opposition to President Trump and stick to their positions even if that means not getting things done in Washington. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement People who voted for Democrats are tired of hearing comedian Bill Maher quip that a mule symbolizes Democrats because its the other thing that just stands there when you beat it. That too-close-to-the-truth humor brings us to the case of Senate Minority Leader Charles Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.). He just voted for a Trump-backed plan to fund the government for the rest of the fiscal year. It will keep the government open, but it also gives Trump more power to slash government programs. Why did Schumer run away when he should have stood up to Trumps power grab? Without congressional approval, Trump is already wildly firing federal workers, shutting down federal agencies and pulling federal funding. Schumer decided it was best to go with Trumps power grab and keep the government open. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fury from Democrats nationally was so intense that Schumer had to cancel stops on his book tour. If we ended up in a shutdown, three weeks from now people would come to me and say, They just cut off my Medicaid, They just got rid of my veterans benefits,' Schumer explained. Then theyd say to me, Why did you let the shutdown happen?' But that explanation is not quieting the rage. The dean of congressional Democrats, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), fueled the fire: I myself dont give away anything for nothing, Pelosi told reporters in a not-so-subtle swipe at Schumer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its unforgivable that Democrats didnt let the chips fly, said podcaster Scott Galloway. That kind of rage against Schumer remains widespread. But did he make a strategic error? In a government shutdown, Trump would have gained broad power to label millions of government employees as non-essential, and then fire them. Schumer saw Trumps ploy and stopped it. With the government remaining open, Schumer is betting Trump and congressional Republicans will bear responsibility for any fallout as Americans begin complaining about Trump slashing the federal workforce and hammering spending on programs for the elderly and needy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Also, it is a fact that the party forcing a shutdown typically pays a political price. That would have hurt Democrats efforts to win a Senate majority next year. So Id argue that as a matter of political strategy, the pragmatic Schumer made the right move. But that does little to mitigate the rage among Democrats. Schumer once saw John Boehner (R-Ohio) make a similar move and be consumed by the fire. The former Republican House Speaker once made a deal with Democrats to keep the government open under President Obama. Boehners caucus soon forced him to step down. The same fallout now threatens Schumer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Let me just say its important for people to know when its time to go, Sen. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) said last week when asked about the 74-year-old Schumer. Were going to have conversationsabout all the [partys] leadership. The anger that is splitting Democrats crosses the lines of generation, region and race. Thirty-five-year-old Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) is already being urged to mount a primary challenge to Schumer for his U.S. Senate seat in 2028. Eighty-three-year-old Sen. Bernie Sanders, the Vermont socialist, is creating a sharp contrast with Schumer by traveling nationwide on a Stop Oligarchy tour. Sanders is firing up packed auditoriums, some in red states, by attacking Trump and the millionaires and billionaires, working with Trump. Seventy-seven-year-old Rep. Al Green (D-Texas) showed the same willingness to take the fight to Trump when he stood during Trumps televised address to Congress and shouted that no one elected Trump to cut Medicaid and Social Security. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His cane-shaking display earned Green a police escort out of the House Chamber, a congressional censure and an effort to boot him from his committee assignments. It also earned him respect from a lot of Democrats who want to see someone fire back at Trump. The same political podcasts and talk shows that excoriated Schumer quickly lionized Green. And they delighted in noting that Republican Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.), was only reprimanded, not censured, by Republicans for heckling President Obama during an address. Forty-three-year-old Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas) is another rising star among Democrats looking for a champion to take on Trump. She is all over television warning that Trump is trying to cut federal programs for the poor to pay for tax cuts for the rich. I come back to podcaster Galloway. He contrasted Schumers willingness to vote with Republicans with former GOP Senate leader Mitch McConnells (R- Ky.) hard-nosed opposition to Senate Democrats under President Obama. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think we should have channeled Mitch McConnell, who has bested and beat the s out of Charles Schumer every round for 15 million rounds running, he said. Its an enormous strategic error. Honestly, if McConnell were leading the Democrats, do you think he would have caved? Juan Williams is senior political analyst for Fox News Channel and a prize-winning civil rights historian. He is the author of the new book New Prize for these Eyes: the Rise of Americas Second Civil Rights Movement. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Its high time for the European Union to deal with the one member-state that obviously doesnt belong in the EU: Hungary. Prime Minister Viktor Orbans government rejects just about all the values and principles the EU stands for while remaining the recipient of European largesse. Hungary is getting a free ride. Article 2 of the Treaty on European Union states that it is founded on the values of respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities. These values are common to the member states in a society in which pluralism, non-discrimination, tolerance, justice, solidarity and equality between women and men prevail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Orbans semi-authoritarian regime openly flouts freedom, democracy, the rule of law, minority rights, pluralism, tolerance and justice. It has repeatedly made it clear that it prefers the company of dictators such as Russias illegitimately elected president, Vladimir Putin, to that of the degenerate West. Human rights watchdog Freedom House accuses Orbans Fidesz party of effecting constitutional and legal changes that have allowed it to consolidate control over the countrys independent institutions. It adds that Fidesz has passed anti-immigrant and anti-gay policies, as well as laws that hamper the operations of opposition groups, journalists, universities, and nongovernmental organizations that are critical of the ruling party or whose perspectives Fidesz otherwise finds unfavorable. Ideally, the EU should show Hungary the door. Unfortunately, there is no mechanism for that. But Article 7 suggests a substitute for expulsion: suspension of Hungarys voting rights. As with everything in the EU, the procedure is cumbersome, involving multiple votes by both the European Parliament and Council, some of which need to represent over half of the European population. As Paragraphs 2 and 3 of Article 7 state, The European Council may determine the existence of a serious and persistent breach by a member state of the values referred to in Article 2 and may decide to suspend the voting rights of the representative of the government of that member state in the Council. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So a mechanism exists. All thats needed is the requisite political will or the realization that Orban is progressively transforming the EU into a laughingstock. Suspending Hungarys voting rights would bring several immediate advantages. For starters, Europeans could simply ignore Orbans incessant ravings against U.S. philanthropist George Soros and Orbans love affair with Putin. Some degree of sanity would be reintroduced to EU debates. Second, the EU could finally do whatever its member states insist they want to do, whether with respect to immigration or minority rights or the Russo-Ukrainian War. The last issue along with the question of Ukraines accession to the EU could finally be dealt with swiftly and efficiently, without Orbans unconstructive interference and indifference to Putins violation of international law and everything the EU stands for. Third, suspending Hungarys voting rights would send a powerful signal to other EU states, such as Prime Minister Robert Ficos Slovakia, that the EU takes its core values seriously. Not incidentally, this message would also reach President Trumps and Putins ears. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Suspension just might incline Hungary to follow in Brexits footsteps and leave. That would be a shock to the EU, but it would eliminate the expense of supporting an ungrateful country, make the institution more efficient and isolate Orban. Alternatively, the dread of being severed from Brusselss generosity might just inspire Hungarians to kick Orban out either at the ballot box or by means of what dictators fear most: people power. Hungary could then become again what it was in 1956 and 1989 a fighter for freedom and democracy. Alexander J. Motyl is a professor of political science at Rutgers University-Newark. A specialist on Ukraine, Russia and the USSR, and on nationalism, revolutions, empires and theory, he is the author of 10 books of nonfiction, as well as Imperial Ends: The Decay, Collapse, and Revival of Empires and Why Empires Reemerge: Imperial Collapse and Imperial Revival in Comparative Perspective. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 departure of former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau brought not nostalgia but exhaustion to Canada. His leadership, once seen as a fresh start, left the country politically fractured, economically stagnant and socially disillusioned. What had been promised as a transformative era instead became a case study in the dangers of governing through spectacle rather than substance. Trudeaus failures are not just a cautionary tale for Canada but for democracies everywhere: When politics becomes a performance, voters lose faith and institutions weaken. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trudeau rose to power on charisma, inclusivity and optimism. He positioned himself as the antidote to conservative populism, the face of progressive governance. But leadership is not about image it is about results. And the results never came. Trudeaus governance relied on grand pronouncements, symbolic gestures and political branding, while real challenges housing shortages, healthcare strain, economic stagnation intensified. Canadians were left not with the progress they were promised but with a nation struggling under the weight of failed leadership. Even his own Liberal Party recognized it. Trudeau did not step down on his own terms he was forced out, a rare rebuke from within a party that once idolized him. It was a stark admission that the promise of his leadership had collapsed, not just in the eyes of voters, but among those who had built their careers around his brand. Nowhere was this clearer than in his approach to Indigenous issues. Trudeau spoke endlessly about reconciliation, yet 28 First Nations communities still lack clean drinking water, a crisis he had vowed to end by 2021. His governments response? More land acknowledgments and empty rhetoric, as though symbolism could replace action. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Immigration, too, became more about optics than strategy. Canadas population surged by nearly 6 million over a decade, largely through poorly regulated programs that failed both newcomers and long-term residents. Without proper planning, this influx overwhelmed housing, public services and wages, creating avoidable crises that eroded public trust. Healthcare, once Canadas pride, was pushed to the brink. As a physician, I have seen the collapse firsthand 6.5 million Canadians are without a family doctor, emergency rooms are overflowing, wait times are stretching into months and patients are suffering. This was not an unforeseen crisis but a predictable consequence of leadership that expanded demand without preparing capacity. Economically, Canada fell behind. Per capita GDP has barely grown in five years, productivity lags behind peer nations and business confidence has cratered under erratic policies that prioritized ideological posturing over stability. The carbon tax, marketed as bold climate action, did little to reduce emissions, but burdened working-class Canadians. Meanwhile, over 235,000 Canadians are homeless every year, an unforgivable statistic for a country that once prided itself on economic mobility and social safety nets. On the global stage, Trudeau sought the image of a progressive statesman, yet Canadas influence steadily declined. He alienated key allies like India, failed to stand up to Chinas interference and left the military underfunded in an era of rising global threats. The gap between rhetoric and reality grew wider, and Canadas standing suffered. But the true cost of his leadership was not just economic or diplomatic it was the erosion of trust in governance itself. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is the real lesson. Trudeau did not fail because he was a progressive. He failed because he mistook politics for performance. And this is not a warning just for Canada or for Liberals it is a warning for all democracies and across the political spectrum. When leaders prioritize style over substance, when they chase applause instead of solutions, they do not just lose elections. They disillusion voters, weaken institutions and create the conditions for deeper instability. But this erosion of trust doesnt happen in isolation. It is enabled by electorates willing to be seduced by theatrics. Democracies require engaged citizens who demand more than branding, who expect governance, not just grandstanding. When trust in leadership collapses, extremes rise and history has shown where that road leads. Canada faces a long road to recovery from Trudeaus missteps, but history does not wait for nations to catch up. The world moves forward, and those who choose vanity over vision are left behind. Trudeau hoped to be remembered as a transformational leader. Instead, he will be remembered as a cautionary tale a leader who sought applause but lost trust, who promised progress but left disillusionment. Trudeaus legacy is not what he imagined. It is what he earned and the world must learn from it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dr. Debakant Jena is an orthopedic surgeon, an assistant professor at the University of Calgary and a first-generation immigrant to Canada. He has written extensively on Canadian policy, immigration and international relations. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Were the 24 states that legalized recreational marijuana during the last decade or so too hasty? Did they fail to consider the long-term consequences and the changing nature of the drug? Just as importantly, should such a decision have been left up to voters in the first place? Those questions may seem unfair. There were voices in the past warning about adding a new mind-altering substance to the list of legal substances, but hindsight is always clearer than foresight. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, however, with evidence mounting, its clearly time to revisit the issue. It may be unrealistic to expect the states that legalized recreational use to completely reverse course, but it should not be unrealistic to demand some changes. Public health alarms Public health experts are raising alarms. The latest concern comes from two studies that show regular cannabis users are much more likely to suffer heart attacks than people who dont use the drug. This was true even among relatively young and otherwise healthy adults. A report on news-medical.net said one study was published in JACC Advances and the other will be presented at the American College of Cardiologys Annual Scientific Session. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The first studied 4.6 million people retroactively, while the other was an analysis of 12 studies previously published. The first concluded that marijuana use is on the rise in the U.S., but particularly in places where it is now legal. Users younger than 50 were found to be more than six times more likely to suffer a heart attack than non-users. The second study found a 50% increased risk. This comes on the heels of a New York Times report in January that cited a survey showing almost 18 million Americans today report using marijuana either daily or almost daily, which it said is more than the number drinking alcohol that often. Addiction, psychosis ... A Times report last October said, A growing number are enduring addiction, psychosis and other harms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is because the marijuana products being sold are far more potent than in years past. Years ago, the typical THC level of marijuana (tetrahydrocannabinol, the compound that makes users high) equaled less than 5%. Today, the Times said, Cannabis vapes, infused pre-rolled joints and high-intensity THC beverages now line dispensary shelves. And many businesses sell concentrates, some promoting nearly 100% THC, in the form of waxes, liquids and crystalline diamonds products that have gone from niche to mainstream. Growers are looking for ways to breed more potent plants and products. Sellers say this is where the money is. Heightened anxiety Writing for Harvard Public Health , Master of Public Health student John Wilson said marijuanas evolution has outpaced our regulatory systems. People often claim marijuana reduces anxiety, but regularly smoking or otherwise ingesting high-potency varieties of the drug has the opposite effect. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its the public health equivalent of throwing water on a grease fire good intentions gone horribly wrong, he wrote. This misalignment leaves consumers, especially young adults, vulnerable to its unintended consequences. And yet, marketing strategies, particularly on social media, glamorize these high-strength options, targeting younger consumers. The Times found most of the 20 largest brands making unproven claims about health benefits, potentially violating federal and state regulations. More research? The Biden White House started the process of rescheduling marijuana from a Schedule I drug, with strict rules against research, to Schedule III. That would allow for more research and federal regulation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a Schedule I drug, marijuana remains illegal on the federal level, despite being legal in several states. Its unclear whether the Trump administration is committed to carrying out this rescheduling, but Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has sent some positive signals . Wilson suggests standardized labeling that clearly posts the potency of the drug. The label should also spell out potential risks and side effects, similar to what exists now on tobacco cigarettes. The National Cannabis Industry Association has already proposed something similar, clearly because it would be in its own interests. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Also, the federal government should set limits on the potency of marijuana offered for sale. The beauty of democracy is that laws can change and adapt as new information is presented. Last year, voters in Florida, North Dakota and South Dakota defeated ballot measures to legalize adult-use marijuana. Clearly, unregulated market forces, including competition from the still-illegal sellers of the drug, have led to a destructive cycle. The Wild West days of mostly unregulated legal marijuana use must come to an end before more credible studies linking it to a variety of health problems begin to pile up. Mar. 23The National Institutes of Health is the world's largest public funder of biomedical research and one of the key reasons why the United States continues to lead the world in pioneering scientific discoveries. The announcement that the NIH would slash its funding of facilities and administration costs to 15% across the board for all research grants awarded to institutions has sent shock waves in the biomedical research community of the United States. In FY2024, the NIH had an annual budget of $47 billion, which is less than 1% of the total FY2024 US budget. Approximately 11% of the NIH budget supports research projects at its own research campuses in Maryland. Another 5% of this budget is required to maintain and administer these world-class research facilities. Much of the remaining NIH budget is allocated to extramural biomedical research at institutions found within all 50 states, disbursed as grants to teams of scientists that work on specific research projects (direct costs). In addition, the NIH provides facilities and administration funds (known as indirect costs) to extramural institutions. The rate of these indirect costs is similar to NIH's own rate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The expression, indirect costs, does not adequately describe the critical impact of these funds on biomedical research. These indirect costs help provide electricity, water, heating, air conditioning and high-speed internet for research laboratories, run computing clusters, create research space for patients enrolled in trials of groundbreaking medical therapies, clean and maintain research buildings, and pay for insurance, amongst many other vital operational needs. In doing so, indirect costs directly create and sustain jobs for a variety of qualified workers all across the United States: pipefitters, custodians, building engineers, HVAC technicians, plumbers, construction workers, data scientists and staff scientists. Currently, individual universities negotiate indirect costs with federal agencies because the cost of maintaining scientific infrastructure is not uniform across the country. As all small business owners and homeowners know, utility bills, insurance premiums, real estate costs and wages for qualified workers are different in each location. One use for indirect costs is purchasing large state-of-the-art instruments that are shared by many research laboratories. For example, high-magnification microscopes now have a resolution that allows scientists to visualize not only individual cells but even specific molecular complexes. This capability then allows scientists, for example, to determine the precise function of proteins that initiate cancer and to develop drugs that target these pro-cancer proteins. Purchasing such advanced microscopes is far too expensive for individual research laboratories, so universities use indirect costs to purchase shared instruments and avoid waste. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The announcement that the NIH would slash its funding of indirect costs to 15% across the board for all institutions came as a shock to the biomedical research community. Implementing such drastic cuts would undermine the research infrastructures at the level needed to support the biomedical research enterprise and the discovery of life-saving treatments across the entirety of the United States. Such a massive reduction in indirect costs would result in the disrepair and even closure of research buildings, the loss of countless jobs, the inability to replace aging or malfunctioning research equipment and delays in the recruitment and monitoring of patients in clinical trials. In addition to this short-term and immediate harm affecting all major state universities engaged in biomedical research, there will be profound and long-lasting damage because the discovery of new treatments for cancer, Alzheimer's disease and diabetes will be delayed, and we will not be able to invest in emerging areas such as artificial intelligence-aided drug discovery. Research awards from other nonprofit foundations that support biomedical research will also lose their impact. These nonprofit foundations can offer minimal indirect costs because they rely on the scientific infrastructure and upkeep of facilities and equipment already funded by the indirect costs contained in NIH grants, thereby leveraging their impact. Finally, indirect costs contribute to training students by providing infrastructure such as research equipment. Importantly, the U.S. needs more workers educated in science, technology, engineering and mathematics to drive and support the economy. The proposed cuts to NIH indirect funds will likely lead to a reduction in STEM student training and a subsequent decrease in the size of the U.S. scientific and medical workforce. With a shrinking workforce, how can the U.S. remain competitive with global rivals in biomedical research? Considering the impact of biomedical research at universities in every state, falling behind in this area should be considered a national security issue. The current system of sufficient indirect costs allows institutions to be nimble and invest in emerging technologies and facilities that promote scientific discovery and creativity. While no grant funding system is flawless and improvements can always be made, any changes to the NIH funding system should be implemented in a way that prioritizes U.S. strategic interests by maintaining excellence in biomedical research and sustaining our world-class scientific and medical workforce. Mar. 23Editor's note: This is the seventh in a series introducing readers to the Journal's new Community Council members. These are excerpts from a longer podcast interview . Why did you want to join our Community Council? I've been in Albuquerque since 1993 in several different positions, both with the (Department of Energy) and Sandia (National Laboratories). I was a vice president while at Sandia, I also ran the Defense Threat Reduction Agency's field office in Albuquerque. I'm drawn to Albuquerque. I think there's a lot in the national security environment in Albuquerque that the population doesn't know about. And I would very much like to help in that regard, trying to draw the community into understanding the national security activity that goes on here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You earned a Ph.D. in physics in 1968 and then did a tour in Vietnam. I graduated from Georgetown (University) in Washington, D.C. I was in ROTC. I was commissioned in 1964. After I got out of graduate school, while I was on active duty, I had a year assignment in Vietnam. Were there many doctors of physics in Vietnam? They had no idea what to do with me while I was there. But what I actually did was night vision. It was a new field, a lot of activity underway, and they wanted somebody who understood the science of night vision to bring equipment into Vietnam to see how this was going to work in a real wartime situation. And so I introduced a lot of night vision equipment to the Army forces in Vietnam, and evaluated how well it worked. And then brought that back to the (research and development) organizations and acquisition organizations in the Department of the Army. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement How did your career bring you to New Mexico? I left DARPA as the acting director and the deputy director and went to Lockheed Martin, then Martin Marietta, as a civilian scientist. I retired from Lockheed Martin and Sandia in 2010 and I've been retired ever since. In the process of being retired, I started my own consulting firm, and I still consult for both the Department of Energy to the Department of Energy labs, and I'm on both the Defense Science Board and the Army Science Board for the Department of Defense. How important are the various entities on Kirtland Air Force Base to Albuquerque? When Lockheed Martin came into Albuquerque, the political establishment ... knew nothing about what happened beyond the fence. Nuclear weapons was a pretty secretive activity, still is. Everybody liked the economic boost that Sandia provided to the community, but they really didn't know what they did. So Lockheed Martin had a goal in getting Sandia more involved with the local community and and the local community more involved and have an understanding (of Sandia). We tried hard to get as much of the subcontracted work that the laboratory did into Albuquerque, rather than going outside of the state to bring in subcontracted activity. Sandia still has a pretty active contracting/subcontracting base in the city. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Kirtland Partnership Committee helped establish an industrial park outside of the Sandia gates. Contractors are now located in that industrial park close to the base, and so that helped economic development. Opening up the base and opening up things like the industrial park have drawn people to the area, and increased the economic impact of the national security team inside of Albuquerque. I think that's a story that's not really well known in the city. When I retired in 2010, (Sandia employees) had more degrees from the University of New Mexico than any other university, and we tried hard to establish at the university a national security program that would help educate the people for Sandia and and also Los Alamos (National Laboratory). You're on several national boards. Can you tell us about that work? My work with the Defense Science Board has recently been on, what does nuclear proliferation mean to the Department of Defense? Everybody hears North Korea has nuclear weapons, and everybody's worried about Iran having nuclear weapons, and what would happen in the Middle East. And on the Army Science Board, I'm what's called an emeritus member. I've been an Army Science Board Member for more years than I can remember, and we do studies associated with Army-specific things. A simple example is we looked at what would a new generation of tanks look like. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When you look at Albuquerque, what issues are you most interested in seeing change? There's a lot of room to grow the industrial base in Albuquerque. That would be a boost to the educational community. It would be a boost to economic (development) here. There are some things that we would have to work on so that Albuquerque would be a more welcoming community for those companies to locate here. An obvious one is the tax situation here. I don't know whether that's a workable thing. Are you talking about gross receipt taxes? Gross receipts tax is a big tax to a corporation. And that's one example. Housing is another example. The crime situation. The local community is working to address the crime situation, and they're doing what they can do. I don't see a lot of work addressing the tax situation, but I do see (people) addressing the crime situation and the homeless situation. I think health care is another example of something that's very important to somebody who wants to relocate to Albuquerque. It's issues like that the local community has got to address to become more attractive to the major aerospace firms to have them relocate here and and stay here as part of the community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You've been on those boards during changes in presidential administrations. What's the status of those federal boards now? I also have gone through (several) reductions in force, that you hear being talked about these days. My first RIF was in 1972. It's a continual way of keeping the size of the government under control. It's not like this is the first time that that's ever happened. So let's stay tuned and see how all this comes out. It's not bad to have an independent review of your programs and the number of people you have to see if you are efficient and doing what your mission says it should be doing. So I'm more sanguine about what's going on right now. Russian President Vladimir Putin has always been a master manipulator, and his latest maneuvering with President Trump underscores just how adept he is at bending situations to his advantage. The recent phone call between the two leaders, ostensibly aimed at finding a pathway to peace in Ukraine, ended up showcasing Putins ability to outmaneuver Trump while extracting concessions without giving up anything of substance. From the outset, Putin set the tone by making Trump wait for more than an hour before taking his call. The delay, during which Putin was engaged in a televised conference with Russian business leaders, was no accident. It was a calculated power play, reinforcing his dominance not just over Trump but also for domestic audiences in Russia. The event echoed a similar humiliation meted out to Steve Witkoff, Trumps special envoy, who was reportedly made to wait eight hours before meeting with Putin in Moscow. These theatrics serve a clear purpose: sending the message that Putin is in control, setting the terms of engagement on his own timeline. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Once the conversation did begin, Putin swiftly demonstrated his tactical edge. While Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had reportedly pushed for a full ceasefire, Putin offered only a limited pause on attacks against Ukrainian energy infrastructure a far cry from what Trump had likely envisioned. Even this half-measure was framed ambiguously, with the Kremlin stating the pause would apply solely to energy infrastructure, while the White House suggested it encompassed broader infrastructure. Given Russias track record of interpreting agreements to suit its interests, theres little doubt that Moscow will stick to its narrow interpretation. More plausibly, Putin crafted the offer himself, knowing it was the least costly concession he could make while keeping Trump engaged. This shrewdly constructed compromise allowed Putin to appear cooperative while ensuring Russia retained the ability to continue its broader military operations in Ukraine, where it maintains an upper hand due to Ukrainian manpower shortages and Trumps hesitations on military aid. Despite mounting casualties and immense economic strain, Russia has remained relentless in its pursuit of territorial gains. Putins refusal to agree to a comprehensive ceasefire ensures that his forces can maintain their offensive, consolidating positions in eastern Ukraine and continuing to batter Ukrainian cities and infrastructure. This approach has already lead to tens of thousands of Ukrainian civilians killed or injured and an estimated half a trillion dollars in damage. Meanwhile, Ukraine has achieved notable successes in striking Russian energy infrastructure, directly threatening one of the Kremlins key revenue streams for financing the war. Yet, even with these setbacks, Putin remains confident in his long-term position, particularly with Trumps rhetoric signaling a shift in U.S. policy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What makes this situation even more advantageous for Putin is Trumps apparent willingness to entertain concessions that weaken Ukraines position. The Kremlins statement after the call emphasized that progress toward peace would require an end to Western military aid and intelligence support to Ukraine. Trump has already signaled his willingness to slow arms shipments and curtail intelligence sharing a move that directly aligns with Russian interests. By dangling the possibility of a ceasefire, Putin can keep Trump engaged while extracting further U.S. retreats, knowing that any reduction in Western assistance only strengthens Russias leverage in the conflict. Trumps approach has already given Putin a series of victories. One, he has opened direct negotiations with Russia without Ukraines presence, undermining Kyivs agency in its own war. Two, he has practically dashed all hopes of the future NATO membership for Ukraine, weakening its long-term security prospects. And three, in blatant defiance of international law, by floating the idea that Ukraine should cede territory to Russia, Putin has changed the whole complexion of the equation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For Putin, these are not minor wins they are major steps toward achieving his war objectives without having to make significant concessions. His ultimate goal remains unchanged: to reassert Russian dominance over Ukraine, dictate its foreign policy and solidify control over the regions Moscow has illegally annexed. That these regions are now being formally integrated into Russia through legal instruments underscores the Kremlins intention to make these territorial seizures permanent. Even as he extends these negotiations, Putin likely sees an opportunity to buy time, consolidate his gains, and eventually present a peace framework that cements Russias territorial expansions while offering Trump a political win to sell domestically. With Trump in the White House, Putin may find in him a leader willing to further reduce U.S. pressure on Russia, lift sanctions and even restore economic ties all of which would benefit Moscow while leaving Ukraine in a precarious position. Meanwhile, as expected, Zelenskys response to the Trump-Putin call has been measured. Zelensky, aware of Trumps unpredictable nature and still reeling from his face-to-face encounter with Trump at the Oval Office, cautiously welcomed the limited ceasefire on energy infrastructure while making it clear that Ukraines bottom-line demands remain non-negotiable and Kyiv retains the right to determine its own alliances and military partnerships. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For Ukraine, any discussion of freezing the conflict along current battle lines is untenable unless Russia reverses its annexations and allows international oversight to ensure compliance with international law. Without such guarantees, any ceasefire risks becoming a de facto recognition of Russias illegal territorial gains. But the situation seems to be slipping out of hands of Zelensky and he appears to be more weak with each passing day. Putins strategic patience continues to pay dividends. By exploiting Trumps transactional approach to diplomacy, he has maneuvered himself into a position where he can dictate the terms of engagement while extracting concessions from the U.S. If Trump sees his limited agreement with Putin as a diplomatic success, it only reinforces the Kremlins belief that it can extract even more favorable terms down the line. The reality is that Putin has no genuine interest in peace at least not on terms that involve returning Ukrainian land or restoring the post-2014 status quo. With Trump now offering him an opening, Putin is seizing the moment, playing the long game, and shaping a narrative that keeps the West divided and Ukraine vulnerable. As the war drags on, the question remains: will the U.S. recognize Putins manipulation for what it is, or will it allow him to continue dictating the terms of engagement? If history is any indication, the Kremlin is betting on the latter and so far, it has been right. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Imran Khalid is a physician and has a masters degree in international relations. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Everyone is talking about Republicans proposed Medicaid cuts, but hardly anyone is calling this what it really is: the strategy by Elon Musk, President Trump, and the Republican Party to dismantle the Affordable Care Act, one piece at a time. The ACA, a historic piece of legislation that extended health coverage to millions of Americans, celebrated its 15th anniversary on March 23. Signed by President Barack Obama in 2010, the ACA expanded Medicaid and provided subsidies so that more working and middle-class Americans could have access to our expensive and complicated health care system. The law also made it illegal to drop or deny coverage to those with preexisting conditions and allowed children to stay on their parents coverage until age 26. Over the years, the ACA has successfully reduced the countrys uninsured rate to 8.2 percent in 2024 from 15 percent in 2013 before its implementation. Though the law initially drew nationwide protests, it has become extremely popular as more Americans have benefited from its provisions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unfortunately, the ACA is under attack again, and proposed Medicaid cuts are the next step. This time, there are no repeal and replace efforts in Congress like in Trumps first term. Instead, the Trump administration will fiscally starve it out of existence. If they succeed, Americans health care access will revert to the substandard quality that was our reality before the ACA, in blue and red states alike. Ive been researching the impact of the ACA on health care access for over a decade and have seen firsthand how different funding streams come together to help millions access health insurance. First and foremost, 72 million Americans receive their coverage through Medicaid, which expanded under the ACA. The Republican budget bill, meanwhile, proposed $880 billion in devastating cuts to the Medicaid program. Despite vocalizing concerns about Medicaid cuts for red-state constituents, many Republicans voted to advance House legislation including that cut. Meanwhile, the subsidies that allow middle class Americans to purchase coverage are set to expire at the end of this year. Another 2.2 million Americans could lose coverage if this happens. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Finally, Trump has unilaterally slashed funding for ACA navigators from $100 million to $10 million. These navigators are a crucial part of the system by helping patients sign up for health insurance. All these supposed savings will be used to offset tax cuts for the wealthy. Trump and the Republicans tried doing the same thing in 2017. When their numerous ACA repeal attempts failed, they used the Tax Cuts and Job Act of 2017 to remove the ACAs federal tax penalty for the individual mandate that required Americans to have health coverage. Trump also reduced funding for ACA navigators. As a result, for the first time since the ACAs implementation, the uninsured rate for Americans ticked upward and continued to go up for the remainder of Trumps first term. At the time, I was conducting research for my new book to understand how the ACA reconfigured health care access for Latinos in greater Boston. My research revealed that Massachusetts would be very vulnerable if the ACA were to disappear. I spoke with state health bureaucrats and advocates about how the state was preparing for a repeal. One way Massachusetts legislators bolstered the health care system was by keeping the individual mandate, requiring residents to have coverage. This maintained residents access to care. But one bureaucrat I interviewed confided that Massachusettss health care system could not function without the ACAs federal Medicaid and subsidy funds. It would have buckled under a successful ACA repeal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And if Massachusetts, arguably one of the best states for health care, struggled to reconcile what an ACA repeal could mean, then states with far fewer resources, hospitals and less political will to provide adequate care to their people will face a health care catastrophe. Simply put, people and health care facilities in red states will suffer more if the ACA is gutted. Throughout my book, I write about the cascading effect of policies beyond those who are their direct targets. Though reducing access to affordable coverage disproportionately affects lower and middle-income people, it results in higher medical costs and insurance premiums for everyone. Defunding the ACA wont just hurt the millions of Americans covered under the ACA, it will destabilize the health care system so much that the health care of all Americans will deteriorate. Defunding the ACA piece by piece will not Make America Healthy Again. It will make Americans sicker than they have been in modern history, just for Trump to make permanent his tax cuts for the wealthy. Tiffany D. Joseph is Associate Professor of Sociology and International Affairs at Northeastern University and the author of Not All In: Race, Immigration, and Healthcare Exclusion in the Age of Obamacare. 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. I recently returned from Ethiopia, where I help to lead a program that has trained essentially all of the pulmonary physicians in that country. During my visit, I spoke at the annual scientific meeting of the Ethiopian Thoracic Society. I have attended that meeting many times; every year there is also a presentation from the leader of the USAID-supported Ethiopian national tuberculosis control program. Just recently, in fact, USAID announced a major new initiative to control and prevent tuberculosis (including drug-resistant tuberculosis) in Ethiopia, which is classified by the World Health Organization as a high-burden country for tuberculosis. This year, there was no representative from USAID at the meeting to discuss the tuberculosis situation in Ethiopia or plans to combat the disease. My colleagues in Ethiopia who had organized the meeting told me that their emails and phone calls to their USAID colleagues had gone unanswered. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This of course occurred in the wake of the recent decision in Washington to shutter the agency. Despite assurances that support of vital programs in areas such as AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis would continue, this does not appear to be the case. Ethiopia is a very poor country and the largest recipient of USAID funds in sub-Saharan Africa, at roughly $1 billion annually, a mere 0.015 percent of the annual U.S. budget. A great deal of that money goes to food aid, but significant funds support efforts in disease control and public health. The consequences of withdrawing support for activities such as the national tuberculosis program could be devastating. In recent years Ethiopia, with USAID support, has made significant strides in adopting modern tuberculosis diagnostics and in providing new and more effective regimens to patients with drug-resistant tuberculosis. What will happen without continued support of that program? Patients will go longer before their tuberculosis is diagnosed. Their lungs will be more extensively damaged, so that even after cure of their tuberculosis they will be left with life-long pulmonary impairment. Potentially most worrisome of all, rates of drug-resistant tuberculosis will likely rise. Several years ago, I worked on a project to try to understand the epidemiology of drug-resistant tuberculosis in Kazakhstan, a country with an astoundingly high rate of that particular form of the disease. In fact, the highest rates of drug-resistant tuberculosis are today mostly found in Russia and the countries of the former Soviet Union. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I had a conversation with the physician who was then head of the national tuberculosis control program in Kazakhstan, and I asked him what the genesis of the problem was. He explained to me that at the time the Soviet Union collapsed, there was no money available for the public health authorities to purchase enough antibiotics to allow effective treatment of tuberculosis patients who had fallen ill and to sustain a functioning national tuberculosis program. Prescribing and administration of drugs became erratic and incomplete, which is a recipe for generating drug-resistance. This was all true. Thousands of patients died from drug-resistant forms of tuberculosis, a disease that is usually quite curable. Thirty-five years later, the problem is still severe in those countries. Although better and more effective drugs and regimens are now available to treat drug-resistant tuberculosis, those drugs are more expensive than older drugs, and they require careful administration and monitoring. Withdrawal of USAID support will severely threaten tuberculosis control efforts in Ethiopia and in many other countries around the world. Tuberculosis remains largely a disease of countries with limited resources, and aid from the U.S. has been critical making progress in many of those countries. Funds from USAID support the introduction of advanced diagnostic techniques and the purchase of adequate quantities of the safest, most effective drugs to treat all forms of the disease. And of course, as with all infectious diseases, the microorganisms that cause tuberculosis dont know anything about national boundaries. Tuberculosis is an ancient disease that over centuries has claimed the lives of millions of people. The modern era of treatment began only in the middle of the 20th century, and now we are able to cure the vast, vast majority of patients with drugs that should be available to everyone, everywhere. Hermann Biggs, a pioneering physician in public health in New York in the early part of the 20th century, famously said, Public health is purchasable. Within natural limitations a community can determine its own death-rate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Withdrawing support for the diagnosis and treatment of malaria, HIV infection and tuberculosis will have predictable consequences. The amount of money that is saved by closing USAID will likely have very little impact in the U.S., but in the countries where that money was to have been spent, the consequences will be enormous and deadly. Neil Schluger, M.D., Dean School of Medicine, New York Medical College. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. HELSINKI, March 24 (Xinhua) -- Finnish energy company Fortum said on Monday that building new nuclear power plants in Finland and Sweden is not economically feasible without government support, citing low electricity prices in the Nordic market. The state-majority-owned utility published the results of a two-year study examining the prospects for nuclear energy in the region. The study concluded that new nuclear capacity is commercially unviable due to long construction timelines, high upfront costs, and uncertain electricity prices after commissioning. "Electricity prices would need to double to reach continental European levels for nuclear expansion to be financially viable," Fortum CEO Markus Rauramo said. While Fortum highlighted nuclear power's role in providing a stable electricity supply valued by industrial customers, it warned that new projects are unlikely to move forward without government risk-sharing mechanisms. Rauramo pointed to Sweden's recent efforts to support nuclear development. The Swedish government has proposed allocating more than 1 billion crowns (95 million U.S. dollars) in 2025 to accelerate fossil-free electricity production, including support for nuclear pilot projects and faster permitting processes for new reactors. In Finland, then Environment and Climate Minister Kai Mykkanen said in January that state financing for new nuclear projects was under consideration, though no decisions have been made. Nuclear power currently accounts for about 30 percent of electricity generation in Sweden, with six reactors in operation, and about 40 percent in Finland, which operates five reactors, according to official data. Despite the economic hurdles, Fortum said nuclear energy remains vital for ensuring a stable and competitive low-carbon energy system in the Nordic region. The company said it would continue developing nuclear as a long-term option to meet projected growth in customer demand. Over the next five to 10 years, Fortum expects growing energy needs to be met through a combination of wind and solar power, energy storage, and life extensions of existing reactors. However, it argued that doubling Nordic electricity production by 2050 cannot rely solely on weather-dependent sources, as this would risk volatility in supply and pricing. The study reviewed both small modular reactors and large-scale nuclear plants, incorporating discussions with technology providers, potential partners, and policymakers. The American people are tired of watching the U.S. receive the short end of the stick in our global business deals. They dont understand why some have let other countries lie, steal and cheat in our marketplaces, and they reelected President Trump to help us unstack the deck. During his first term, President Trump worked to level the playing field for American companies and investors. He signed my bill, the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act, into law to allow the Securities and Exchange Commission to delist Chinese companies from American stock exchanges if they refuse to open their books to our regulators. Its common sense. Chinese companies that want to profit from American investors should be held to the same transparency standards as American companies. In the years since President Trump signed this bill into law, Chinese companies have begun to comply with American disclosure requirements. Regulators have already issued millions of dollars in sanctions and penalties against Chinese companies and individuals who were cooking their books or otherwise violating our laws to the detriment of American investors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now we have an opportunity to build upon this work by stopping the executives of foreign companies from gaming our markets through insider trading. Today, American executives of publicly traded companies must disclose to investors when they plan to make certain transactions of their own companys stock. Regulators require most insiders to make this disclosure at least 48 hours before they finalize the stock sale. This is known as the cooling off period, and it mitigates the advantage of insider knowledge by giving outside investors a chance to consider buying or selling in the meantime. We take insider trading seriously in this country. Federal prosecutors throw dozens of Americans in jail each year for trying to cheat the system. The current law, however, does not hold foreign investors to this same standard. Inside investors from other countries, including executives of Chinese and Russian companies, are exempt from the same disclosures and SEC oversight that American executives must comply with when trading company stock. This double standard has cost American investors billions of dollars to the benefit of Chinese and Russian businessmen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When American executives make disclosed sales of company stock, the average share prices typically increase by 2 percent. The average undisclosed insider trade by Chinese executives, however, preceded a 21 percent drop in share price, and the average Russian executives sale came before a 26 percent price decline. A study from the Wharton School estimates that foreign executives were able to dodge losses of more than $10 billion while leaving the devalued stock in the hands of American investors. Americans are the boldest, most savvy investors on the planet. It is a privilege to access American markets. Yet these weak laws allow foreign executives many of whom are from countries that hate us to blindside American investors without consequence. We should not make it easier for foreign executives to rip off our investors with insider trades. Americans want a level playing field, and Congress must deliver. Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and I are reintroducing the Holding Foreign Insiders Accountable Act. This bill would ensure that all executives, regardless of where they live, must immediately disclose their trades. It would give American investors and SEC regulators a chance to evaluate the transactions and respond accordingly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A foreign passport should not be a get-out-of-jail-free card for insider trading in the American stock exchange. There is absolutely no reason why American executives should face a higher standard of transparency than their foreign counterparts. Lets build on the momentum of Trumps first term to protect American investors from foreign executives who dont respect our markets. I urge my congressional colleagues to join me in eliminating this double standard. John Kennedy is the junior senator from Louisiana. He is a member of the Senate Banking Committee. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. UPDATE (March 27, 2025 5:54 p.m. E.T.) Kari Lake, who oversees the United States Agency for Global Media has filed a motion in court declaring the agency's intent to reverse its terminations of grants to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. UPDATE (March 25, 2025 4:31 p.m. E.T.): U.S. District Judge Royce C. Lamberth issued a temporary restraining order Tuesday that prevents United States Agency for Global Media from withholding congressionally appropriated funds from Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty. In 2003, when I first walked through the doors of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), one of the first things I noticed was the wall of fallen heroes, RFE/RL journalists murdered for simply reporting the truth. Their names and photos were a chilling reminder that this wasnt just a job. It was a mission. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Before then, Id already reported from some of the worlds most dangerous places, most recently as the Afghanistan bureau chief for the Turkish news agency IHA. But nothing prepared me for that moment in September 2006 when I sat at my desk, and the editor on duty announced: We are leading todays news hour with the killing of Ogulsapar Muradova. Muradova, RFE/RLs correspondent in Turkmenistan, had been arrested there weeks before. Her family was later told to collect her bodybruised, battered and bearing the unmistakable signs of torture. There was no autopsy. No court case. No justice. Her crime? Reporting the news. On March 15, the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM) terminated RFE/RLs federal funding grant, along with that of its sister organization, Radio Free Asia, and placed the vast majority of Voice of America staff on administrative leaveeffectively gutting the organization and silencing its work. The justification? Cost-cutting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But this isnt just a budget cut. In the words of RFE/RL President Stephen Capus, It would be a massive gift to Americas enemies, the dictators who have spent decades tryingand failingto silence RFE/RL. For nearly 75 years, RFE/RL has been a voice for those silenced by their own governments, from the Soviet-controlled Eastern Bloc to todays authoritarian regimes in Central Asia, Russia, Iran and beyond. It has exposed corruption, countered disinformation and provided a rare platform for citizens to speak out in places where doing so can mean prisonor worse. During Tajikistans civil war, RFE/RLs Tajik service, Radio Ozodi, became the countrys most trusted news source. When the Turkmen government outright banned the word COVID-19 during the pandemic, RFE/RL was the only source telling the truth about the virus. Across its broadcast region, RFE/RLs investigative work has led to real change: schools suddenly repaired, electricity restored, health crises averted, officials forced to act on citizen complaintssimply because RFE/RL exposed their failures. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Though despised by those in power, our words were impossible to ignore. During my time as director of RFE/RLs Turkmen Service, Azatlyk, it was widely known that transcripts of our daily broadcasts reached the presidents desk. That is the power of free media. That is the power the U.S. government is now poised to destroy. The U.S. will save $142 million per year cutting RFE/RL less than the price of a single F-35A fighter jet. Elon Musk called for the shutdown of U.S.-funded media, including RFE/RL, in a February post on X. That paved the way for its downfall. Last year, Musks company SpaceX launched 138 Falcon 9 rockets. RFE/RLs annual budget of $142 million costs less than two Falcon 9 flights. And unlike billion-dollar space tourism ventures, which benefit a handful of billionaires, RFE/RL serves 47.4 million people every week Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement From Moscow to Beijing, Tehran to Kabul, authoritarian regimes have long understood that their greatest threat is not foreign armies, but free information. Thats why they have jailed, tortured and murdered journalists. Thats why they have expelled foreign media, banned independent outlets and built firewalls to block the truth from reaching the people. And now, instead of continuing to promote free information and democracy, America is handing those authoritarian regimes exactly what they want. Since the Cold War, RFE/RL has been Americas most powerful soft power tool, a direct challenge to the lies and propaganda of authoritarian states. As Natan Sharansky and other former prisoners of communism have testified, RFE/RL was a source of hope, a reminder that America had not forgotten them. Today, that mission is as urgent as ever. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russias war in Ukraine has turned state media into an engine of military propaganda. Chinas influence operations have expanded across Asia, Africa and Europe. The Taliban runs Afghanistans airwaves. Iran censors the internet and jails dissenters. And yet, as authoritarianism rises, America is retreating from the fight. The void left by RFE/RLs shutdown wont remain empty for long. Will it be filled by independent journalism? No. It will be filled by Russian disinformation. By Chinese Communist Party propaganda. By Iranian state-controlled outlets spewing anti-Western rhetoric. By the Talibans Mullah Radio. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This decision not only weakens Americas influence; it actively undermines President Trumps own stated policy goals on free speech. It contradicts everything the U.S. has claimed to stand for: freedom of the press, support for democracy and a commitment to human rights. And for what? To save a fraction of a fraction of the federal budget? As these broadcasts go silent, I think of the journalists who risked everything to report for RFE/RL. Many are still in prison, their futures uncertain. They include: Ihar Losik (RFE/RL Belarus Service) jailed since June 2020. Vladyslav Yesypenko (RFE/RL Ukrainian Service) detained in Crimea in 2021. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Farid Mehralizada (RFE/RL Azerbaijani Service) imprisoned since May 2024. Nika Novak (RFE/RL Russian Service) arrested in 2023 for exposing Kremlin corruption Cutting RFE/RL means theyve now been abandoned by the country that once stood behind them. And what about the dozens of RFE/RL, Voice of America, Radio Free Asia journalists working in Prague and Washington on European and U.S. work visas? Without a job their visas will be terminated. Many of them cannot return to their home countries because their governments consider them enemies. This is not what they signed up for. During my time at RFE/RL, U.S. congressional delegations from both sides of the aisle, along with foreign secretaries, repeatedly stood in our newsroom and thanked our journalists and acknowledged their role in bringing democracy to the places that needed it most. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Today, as autocracies rise and democracy backslides, do any of the Republicans who used to praise RFE/RL still have the courage to do the same? This decision isnt just about RFE/RL. Its about Americas commitment to the truth, to freedom, to the very ideals it once championed on the global stage. If this administration allows RFE/RL to die, it will not just be a mistake of phenomenal proportion, but it will also be a historic abdication of Americas role in the world. And the cost will be paid by millions who are left voiceless. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com On Sunday, second lady Usha Vance posted a video to her SLOTUS Instagram account announcing her upcoming trip to Kalaallit Nunnaat, Greenland, to attend a dog sled race. The video features the 39-year-old standing in front of a mantel in a room with limited decor. Despite the bland background, however, one particular item can be spotted in the top left hand corner of the screen; a small figurine standing in front of a book written by a vice president of the United States. You might assume the one book featured in the room would be Hillbilly Elegy , written by her husband, JD Vance. But instead, its Earth in the Balance, authored by Bill Clintons VP, Al Gore . First published in 1992, Gores book was an early warning about the grave danger presented by climate change. In a foreword to the 2006 reissue, Gore wrote, Global warming is real, it is getting worse rapidly, it is mainly caused by human beings, we need to act now to avoid the worst of its consequences. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Contrast that with the stance of the Trump administration, which has called global warming a hoax . Just a few days ago, President Donald Trump revoked a Biden-era rule that would have taxed methane pollution. Meanwhile, Lee Zeldin, the current head of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, is gleefully rolling back regulations. We are driving a dagger through the heart of climate-change religion, Zeldin announced . So what message was the second lady trying to send by displaying Gores book? Is she a secret climate change denier denier? Greenland is already experiencing negative environmental impacts due to rising temperatures that are melting year-round sea ice and causing ice quakes . Greenland has also suffered another unwelcome symptom of global change: a visit from Donald Trump Jr. on the familys Boeing 757. Earth in the Balance - Ecology and the Human Spirit by Al Gore / Amazon Perhaps SLOTUS wanted to subliminally assure the people of Greenland that shes an ally and shares their grave concerns about the planet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, on the surface, Vance could not have appeared bubblier. She said she was thrilled to be attending a dog sled race before adding, Im also coming to express 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. This tone is markedly different from her husband who in February, told Fox News , that if President Trump wants to take more territorial interest in Greenland, that is what President Trump is going to do because he doesnt care about what the Europeans scream at us, he cares about putting the interests of Americas citizens first. Clearly, its a mixed message. The sub-title of Gores book is Ecology and the Human Spirit. In his introduction, Gore muses that examining global warming forced him to look not just externally, but internally Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I had to look inside myself and confront some difficult and painful questions about what I am really seeking in my own life, and why, the former vice president wrote. Whether or not Vance has highlighted that sentence remains unknown. Keith Pekau, seeking a third term as Orland Parks mayor, touts accomplishments under his watch including improving village streets and parks. He is challenged in the April 1 election by Jim Dodge, a former longtime village trustee who has assembled a slate of candidates for trustee seats and village clerk. Dodge said voters are concerned about issues in the Police Department, which he says suffers from low morale. He said the overall tax burden on residents also needs to be addressed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dodge said being better stewards of taxpayer money is a goal, and he is critical of spending on a concert venue at Centennial Park West. Pekau said he and the Village Board have improved 32 neighborhood parks in the last five years and improved the condition of streets. He said the village went from having 40% of streets rated as in poor or very poor condition to the current level of 17%. We are working on roads in subdivisions that were built over 30 years ago, Pekau said. Pekau, 58, was first elected mayor in 2017, defeating longtime Mayor Dan McLaughlin, who was seeking a seventh term at the time and who Pekau faced again in 2021. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pekau heads the People Over Politics ticket, which includes recently appointed clerk Brian Gaspardo, as well as incumbent trustees Sean Kampas and Brian Riordan. Also seeking one of three trustee seats on the ticket is Carol McGury. Kampas, Riordan and Joni Radaszewski, who is not seeking reelection, were elected in the April 2021, running with Pekau on the People Over Politics ticket. Dodge, 62, became village clerk in 1989 then was appointed trustee in 1996. Dodge was the Republican nominee for state treasurer in 2018. He did not run for reelection as trustee in the April 2021 election. Pekau was the Republican nominee in the 6th Congressional District in 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both are military veterans, with Pekau serving in the Air Force and Dodge in the National Guard. The Dodge-headed Orland Park For All ticket also includes for clerk Mary Ryan Norwell, a former Cook County assistant states attorney and a municipal attorney for the last nine years. Seeking trustee positions are John Lawler, Dina M. Lawrence, Joanna M. Liotine Leafblad, Running independently for a trustee seat is Mohammed Jaber, a member of the Orland High School District 230 Board. He is a special education teacher and former part-time adjunct instructor at Moraine Valley Community College. Dodge secured endorsements from the Chicago Tribune and the union representing Orland Parks rank-and-file police officers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pekau touted fresh equipment police are being equipped with, and an indoor firing range due to open in coming months. However, Chapter 159 of the Metropolitan Alliance of Police, in its endorsement of Dodge, said the villages administration imperils the independent, effective, and professional law enforcement service Orland Parks citizens have earned and deserve. The union has said the villages hiring of outside command staff, rather than promoting from within the ranks, runs counter to a 20-year tradition of promoting from within. Promotions from within the department ensure that officers were well-trained and prepared for leadership roles, the union said in its endorsement in January. Pekau said that, since he became mayor, the village has added 5,000 jobs, seeing businesses such as Petes Fresh Market and furniture retailer Steinhafels. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said that Brazilian steakhouse Fogo de Chao plans to open this fall on La Grange Road in the former TGI Fridays space. Dodge said that, in campaigning, he has heard from voters concerned about taxes. Pekau said the village, through its tax levy, has limited control over a property owners overall property tax bill. People understand government costs money, but more than once I have heard about the overall tax burden, Dodge said. A village tax on electric and natural gas bills that took effect last year was estimated to generate $3.5 million to $3.9 million annually, and the village estimated the average resident would see an increase of $12.55 per month between gas and electric costs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An increase in Orland Parks home-rule sales tax also took effect last year. It doesnt apply to groceries or medicine, but increased the villages overall sales tax rate, in Cook County, to 10.25%. Through 2027, the village proposes issuing $60 million in bonds to finance projects such as improving streets, parks, and water and sewer infrastructure, but paying principal and interest on that new debt is expected to be covered by property taxes along with the utility tax and higher local sales tax. Sales taxes represent the largest revenue source for the village, accounting for more than 40% of annual revenue, compared with about 17% being derived from property taxes and about 15% from income taxes. Because of the higher sales tax rate, Dodge said some residents are shopping outside of Orland Park. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement People in certain parts of town if they have option to shop elsewhere, like Tinley, they will, he said. Although Orland Park has a thriving retail and commercial tax base, Dodge said there can be a tipping point. At what point does Orland Park become uncompetitive, Dodge said. Shoppers have a choice. On the People Over Politics slate, Brian Gaspardo is village clerk and is managing partner of ONeill & Gaspardo, Consultants and CPAs. Kampas has more than 25 years of experience in technology, business and strategy consulting, according to People Over Politics. An attorney, Riordan is a shareholder and board member at the law firm Clausen Miller. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McGury retired recently, after 36 years having served as an executive vice president for Smithbucklin, a business management consulting firm in Chicago. On the Orland Park for All ticket, clerk candidate Norwell is a former Cook County assistant states attorney and a municipal attorney for the last nine years. Trustee candidate Lawler is a homebuilder while Lawrence holds a masters in business administration from the University of Chicago and has a background as an evironmental engineer. Leafblad is president of the Orland Park Library Board and an assistant Cook County assistant states attorney, according to Orland Park For All. Pekaus Keith for Mayor election committee recorded receipts in the last three months of 2024 of nearly $26,500 and expenses of about $35,600 for services such as printing, advertising and consulting, according to state reports. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the end of last year, Pekaus committee recorded $138,000 available to spend on campaigning. In recent weeks, Pekaus committee has recorded receipts of more than $23,000, according to state election finance reports. The People Over Politics ticket has, in recent weeks, seen contributions of just under $127,000, including $110,000 from the Keith for Mayor committee, according to state election board reports. In recent weeks, Dodges Jim Dodge for Mayor committee recorded contributions of more than $90,000, including money from organized labor and money from his running mates on the Orland Park for All ticket. Orlando City Commissioners voted to approve funding for two buses that will be used as shelters. The people allowed to use the buses will already be part of a program that helps the homeless. When people get on the bus, and the bus has been moved to whatever location its parked in, they have to stay on the bus, or they lose their space. Eric Gray of the Christian Service Center for Central Florida talks about how two 45-foot Greyhound buses will be used once they are repurposed with 20 bunk beds each. The Shelter on Wheels is known as Dignity Buses, and some residents voiced their concerns. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Randy Ross of Stop SODO told the council, The dignity buses are not dignity. That isnt the way I want to sleep tonight. There are some people that really want to be homeless. I invite you to table this and put together a task force we can all buy into. " Another resident said, Postpone the dignity bus spending. Adding more beds only exasperates the problem. After hearing both sides, the city approved around 1.3 million dollars for operation and housing costs for the first year, which comes to around 78 dollars a bed per night. Funding was also approved for a total of three years, totaling 3.4 million dollars. Roughly about $700,000 a year and another $300,000 of the budget is set aside to get people into permanent housing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Commissioner Bakari Burns also questioned the cost of staffing the buses: Having 60 percent of the budget going to personnel is kind of concerning. We asked Gray why he spends a million dollars a year on a bus and just buys a building. He replied, In part because nobody can agree on where to put it, and thats one of the reasons why we pursued this project because if anyone has challenges of where its gonna be, we can always move it. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. An Orlando district fire chief called her work environment hostile, saying she complained but was then retaliated against. Now she says she had no choice but to sue. District Fire Chief Alissa Baussan has been with the department for more than two decades, becoming the first Black woman to be promoted to district chief. I love. I loved it. I never envisioned myself doing it. It was it was challenging, but it was very rewarding. I was very happy, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Bassaun says her career is now not only at a standstill, but going backward. When asked if she loved her job, she said, " No, I love the idea of being of service, but the cost now, its too much just to just show up to work. She says she was sick, but the departments policies and practices disrupted her accommodations for her illness just after the new fire chief was hired in 2022. Now more than two years later of what she says was a hostile work environment, she is suing, saying she was retaliated and discriminated against because she spoke up. Her lawsuit claims she was transferred to a different position with a different schedule and had her duties taken away given to white male chiefs who had less seniority that she did. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She called this alleged behavior a message to both the person complaining and to other who are contemplating bring their own issues forward. Its a message thats been heard, but female firefighters dont try. There are consequences, Bassaun said. And this is not the first issue brought to light from women in the fire department. In 2019, a group of women firefighters called the Orlando 7 filed an anonymous complaint about harassment in the department by management. The city paid an outside investigator who found no evidence of it. Two other women also came forward in a separate complaint. Then in 2021, the department settled a million-dollar suit with then-Assistant Fire Chief Dawn Sumter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But according to the union, there have been more complaints in the last two years. The union president wrote to the members, Virtually all of these cases involve female employees being negatively affected by the actions of senior leadership. they have been denied promotions, transferred to less desirable assignments, stripped of job duties and been retaliated against. Let me be clear, local 1365 will not idly standby while the brave men and women that serve the citizens of Orlando are being systematically mistreated. The union says they have talked to the City Council about the issues and are now developing a public campaign to highlight the struggles within the department. A statement from the fire department said, The Orlando Fire Department does not accept any type of discrimination and remains committed to fostering a compassionate culture that embraces inclusion, diversity and equity within the department. We are proud of the great strides weve made, and continue to make, to ensure OFD is a place where everyone is equally valued, appreciated and protected. Due to pending litigation, we are not in a position to provide comment on the referenced lawsuit at this time. While we are unable to comment on the specifics of the ongoing litigation, we can confirm that the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) did not make any finding of discrimination. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To provide some background, Baussans claims arose from an issue related to a request for a 40-hour work week. Due to the nature of the fire service, the majority of sworn positions at the Orlando Fire Department require 48-hour work weeks comprised of two 24-hour shifts per week. Of the 511 sworn employees, 487 currently work this shift schedule. The city sent this statement in response to a comment request: While Baussans position was initially changed in conjunction with multiple district chief transfers, Baussan was permitted to remain in a 40-hour day shift position and continue in this assignment as of today. The Orlando Fire Department remains committed to fairness and equity and strongly believe that Chief Baussan has been treated with the utmost fairness throughout this process. Do you have a story for WFTVs 9 Investigators? Click the banner below to submit a tip. A drone photo taken on March 22, 2025 shows a mine in Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen on Sunday expressed concerns about a planned visit by senior U.S. officials to Greenland, emphasizing that any collaboration must be grounded in mutual respect and sovereignty. The statement came after reports that U.S. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz will visit Greenland from Thursday to Saturday, alongside Usha Vance, wife of U.S. Vice President JD Vance. (Xinhua/Peng Ziyang) NUUK, Greenland, March 23 (Xinhua) -- Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen on Sunday expressed concerns about a planned visit by senior U.S. officials to Greenland, emphasizing that any collaboration must be grounded in mutual respect and sovereignty. "The visit from the United States cannot be seen independently of the public statements that have been made. In the Kingdom (of Denmark), we want to cooperate with the Americans. But it must be a cooperation that rests on the fundamental values of sovereignty and respect between countries and peoples," Frederiksen said in a written statement to Danish broadcaster DR. The statement came after reports that U.S. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz will visit Greenland from Thursday to Saturday, alongside Usha Vance, wife of U.S. Vice President JD Vance. The delegation will visit the cities of Nuuk and Sisimiut. In a video message on Instagram, Vance said she was looking forward to visiting Greenland, and is especially excited to attend a dog sled race in Sisimiut. However, Greenland's dog sledding association KNQK clarified in a statement that it had not invited any U.S. delegation for the race. The visit has sparked strong criticism among Greenlandic politicians. Jens-Frederik Nielsen, chairman of the Demokraatit party, said the timing of the visit showed "a lack of respect for the Greenlandic population." Mute Egede, Greenlandic prime minister and leader of the Inuit Ataqatigiit party, described the visit as "a clear provocation," particularly due to the involvement of a high-ranking U.S. security official. A woman walks by Greenland's parliament building in Nuuk, capital of Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark, March 19, 2025. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen on Sunday expressed concerns about a planned visit by senior U.S. officials to Greenland, emphasizing that any collaboration must be grounded in mutual respect and sovereignty. The statement came after reports that U.S. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz will visit Greenland from Thursday to Saturday, alongside Usha Vance, wife of U.S. Vice President JD Vance. (Xinhua/Zhao Dingzhe) This photo taken on March 19, 2025 shows the scenery of Nuuk, capital of Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen on Sunday expressed concerns about a planned visit by senior U.S. officials to Greenland, emphasizing that any collaboration must be grounded in mutual respect and sovereignty. The statement came after reports that U.S. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz will visit Greenland from Thursday to Saturday, alongside Usha Vance, wife of U.S. Vice President JD Vance. (Xinhua/Peng Ziyang) This photo taken on March 19, 2025 shows the scenery of Nuuk, capital of Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen on Sunday expressed concerns about a planned visit by senior U.S. officials to Greenland, emphasizing that any collaboration must be grounded in mutual respect and sovereignty. The statement came after reports that U.S. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz will visit Greenland from Thursday to Saturday, alongside Usha Vance, wife of U.S. Vice President JD Vance. (Xinhua/Zhao Dingzhe) This photo taken on March 19, 2025 shows the U.S. Consulate in Nuuk, capital of Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen on Sunday expressed concerns about a planned visit by senior U.S. officials to Greenland, emphasizing that any collaboration must be grounded in mutual respect and sovereignty. The statement came after reports that U.S. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz will visit Greenland from Thursday to Saturday, alongside Usha Vance, wife of U.S. Vice President JD Vance. (Xinhua/Zhao Dingzhe) This photo taken on March 20, 2025 shows the scenery of Nuuk, capital of Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen on Sunday expressed concerns about a planned visit by senior U.S. officials to Greenland, emphasizing that any collaboration must be grounded in mutual respect and sovereignty. The statement came after reports that U.S. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz will visit Greenland from Thursday to Saturday, alongside Usha Vance, wife of U.S. Vice President JD Vance. (Xinhua/Peng Ziyang) Ballal holding his Best Documentary Oscar for No Other Land - Credit: ANGELA WEISS/AFP/Getty Images Hamdan Ballal, one of the Palestinian directors of the Oscar-winning documentary No Other Land, was attacked by Israeli settlers and detained by the Israeli authorities, according to his co-directors and a Jewish activist group. Yuval Abraham, one of the Israeli co-directors on the film, wrote on X Monday, March 24, A group of settlers just lynched Hamdan Ballal, co-director of our film No Other Land. They beat him and he has injuries in his head and stomach, bleeding. Soldiers invaded the ambulance he called, and took him. No sign of him since. More from Rolling Stone Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement shared with Rolling Stone, the Center for Jewish Nonviolence (CJNV), an activist group with members who were on the scene, said Ballal is currently being held at a police station, though details about his condition remain unclear. The group said dozens of settlers attacked the Palestinian village of Susiya in the Masafer Yatta area of the southern West Bank at around 6 p.m. local time Monday. Some of the attackers were masked, while others allegedly carried batons, knives, and at least one assault rifle. The assailants allegedly attacked two homes, destroyed water tanks, and stole security cameras. Basel Adra, No Other Lands other Palestinian co-director, wrote on X, Im standing with Karam, Hamdans 7 year old son, near the blood of Hamdans in his house, after settlers lynched him. Hamdan, co-director of our film No Other Land, is still missing after soldiers abducted him, injured and bleeding. This is how they erase Masafer Yatta. Ballal was injured during the attack, and before he could have his injuries treated, soldiers allegedly arrested him. Two other Palestinian men from Susiya were also detained, according to the CJNV. A representative for the Israeli Ministry of Defense did not immediately return Rolling Stones request for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Five Jewish American activists from CJNV said they responded to, and witnessed, the attack. Speaking with The Guardian, they said the Israeli settlers chased Ballal into his house and handed him over to the military. Inside Ballals home, they said, they found blood on the floor, which a family member said was from when Ballal was hit on the head. The settlers destroyed his car with stones and slashed one of the tyres, one witness added. All the windows and windshields were broken. The Israeli military claimed that a violent confrontation broke out, involving mutual rock-hurling between Palestinians and Israelis at the scene. IDF and Israeli Police forces arrived to disperse the confrontation, at this point, several terrorists began hurling rocks at the security forces, it said. In response, the forces apprehended three Palestinians suspected of hurling rocks at them, as well as an Israeli civilian involved in the violent confrontation. The detainees were taken for further questioning by the Israel Police. An Israeli citizen was injured in the incident and was evacuated to receive medical treatment. Contrary to claims, no Palestinian was apprehended from inside an ambulance. In interviews with the Associated Press, multiple witnesses disputed the claim of any confrontation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A joint Palestinian-Israeli production, Ballal co-directed No Other Land with Abraham, Adra, and Rachel Shore. Made between 2019 and 2023, the film documents Israels violent treatment of Palestinians in the West Bank, with a particular focus on Masafer Yatta, where both Adra and Ballal live. While the film notably struggled to find distribution in the U.S., it earned wide critical acclaim, as well as criticism, and won Best Documentary at the 2025 Academy Awards. Best of Rolling Stone Sign up for RollingStone's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. The Paley Center for Media is facing backlash after an influencer wearing a controversial antisemitic pin was featured in a promotional Instagram post during this years PaleyFest. The image promoting the upcoming Marvel series "Agatha All Along" shows the influencer proudly displaying a "bloody hand" pin, which is a symbol widely condemned as glorifying violence against Jews. Emmy Award-winning actor and activist Yuval David, a member of The Brigade, which represents some 700 producers, filmmakers, agents, managers, publicists, executives, actors, and actresses, has called on the Paley Center to immediately remove the post and issue a formal apology to the Jewish community. Yuval David Calls 'Bloody Hand' Pin An Antisemitic Symbol Of Terror: 'It Triggers Us Like A Swastika' Instagram Stories | Paley Center In an exclusive statement sent to The Blast, David expressed, "The bloody hand pin is incredibly antisemitic. It represents the sheer violence of the Second Intifada, in which Palestinian terrorists murdered Jews in the West Bank with their bare hands." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Emmy-Award-winning actor went on to explain, "On October 12, 2000, terrorists lynched two Israelis in the West Bank, with one (Aziz Salha) appearing in the window with bloodied hands after he murdered them with those same hands. For Jews across the world, the symbol is a reminder of this antisemitic murder and automatically triggers us just like when we see swastikas." Paley Centers Promotion Of Bloody Hand Symbol Is 'Disgraceful And Dangerous' Instagram Stories | Paley Center The image of a red hand has recently gained traction on social media and at public demonstrations as a symbol representing the call for a ceasefire in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. Supporters use the image to convey solidarity with civilians affected by the violence and to advocate for an immediate end to hostilities. However, its use has also sparked controversy, with critics arguing that the symbol can be perceived as one-sided or insensitive, especially when removed from its broader geopolitical context. It is disgraceful and dangerous that the Paley Center has chosen to amplify an influencer proudly displaying the antisemitic 'bloody hand' pin, a symbol celebrating violence against Jews, David added. Yuval David Urges Paley Center To Condemn Antisemitic Pin In response to growing backlash, Yuval David addressed the need for accountability and education rather than cancellation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "A meaningful apology would be to have The Paler Center issue a statement condemning this action, opening an investigation as to why this influencer was invited to an event in the first place, and how it was featured on their pages when they are literally hosting a panel about antisemitism on social media next week," he told The Blast. "They should also offer to educate this influencer as to why the bloody hand pin is so hurtful to Jews worldwide." "Instead of canceling the influencer, they should offer to have her visit the Holocaust Museum LA to receive an education about why her actions are disrespectful to the Jewish community," he added. Paley Center Criticized For Hosting Antisemitism Panel Days After Promoting Controversial Symbol The timing of the controversy has drawn particular criticism, as the Paley Center is set to host an upcoming event titled Social Media as a Tactic to Fight Antisemitism. Even more ironic and troubling is that the Paley Center is hosting an event next week titled 'Social Media as a Tactic to Fight Antisemitism, David added. The Paley Center must immediately apologize to the Jewish community at large for platforming this form of hate and remove the post. Platforms must consistently stand against hate, not selectively elevate it. Paley Center Remains Silent As Backlash Mounts Over Antisemitic Symbol Post Instagram Stories | Paley Center The influencer interviewed Ali Ahn, who noticed the pin and reacted by saying, Wow, wow, this is amazing. Im looking at you. Oh, youve got the pin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She also spoke with Kathryn Hahn, though Hahn didnt acknowledge the pin; instead, she complimented the rich purple the influencer was wearing, calling it stunning. As of now, the organization has not publicly responded to requests for comment. With the Paley Center positioning itself as a hub for media discourse and social responsibility, critics say its silence sends the wrong message. For now, all eyes remain on the institution as calls for accountability continue to grow. SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) President Trumps proposed changes to the U.S. Postal Service has drawn concern from the services employees throughout the country. The Trump administration says its a necessary step to prevent the postal service from losing money. Evacuations lifted for Black Hills wildfire However, some postal workers say Trumps plans could have a negative impact on the people they serve. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In February, President Donald Trump discussed the possibility of moving the United States Postal Service into the Department of Commerce, which could lead to the service being privatized. We want to have a post office that works well and doesnt lose massive amounts of money, and were thinking about doing that. Itll be a form of a merger, but it will remain the Postal Service, and I think itll operate a lot better than it has been over the years, Trump said. In response to that, around 150 people gathered at Fawick Park to speak out against Trumps proposal. Were just were here to let people know how important the Postal Service is and, privatizing, how devastating it would be to the American people, Mark DeBelts of the National Association of Letter Carriers said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DeBelts says privatization would impact South Dakotans. If the privatization came around, it would affect maybe 55 million rural communities, and we as South Dakota, we live in a rural community. So, it would affect everybody. The prices would go higher. Who knows what would happen, DeBelts said. So postal workers who gathered hope they can receive support from the people they serve. We want to make sure the public is aware. Help fight for us. We are the eyes and ears of the community. When were out there delivering mail, we just ask their support like theyve always supported us in the past and just keep that going, postal carrier Brent Fjerestad said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This was not the first protest in Sioux Falls against the possible USPS privatization. Around 30 people took part in a rally on Thursday. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com. 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. Residential buildings and a vehicle were among the targets hit. The Israeli military had previously warned residents of the Tal al-Sultan district in Rafah that it 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 member among five killed in Israeli strike Five people, including a senior Hamas member, were killed in an Israeli attack on a hospital in the southern Gaza Strip on Sunday, according to Palestinian reports. Staff at Nasser Hospital in the city of Khan Younis said the Israeli military had attacked the second floor of the hospital. The Israeli military said in a statement that the target was a senior Hamas operative who had been active on the second floor of the hospital, shown on an accompanying diagram. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hamas and Palestinian reports said the attack targeted and killed Ismail Barhum, a member of Hamas' politburo. The Israeli military initially refused to confirm this, but Defence Minister Israel Katz praised the military for killing Barhum. Israeli media said Barhum was responsible for distributing funds within Hamas. The Israeli military said the attack was "conducted following an extensive intelligence-gathering process and with precise munitions, in order to mitigate harm to the surrounding environment as much as possible." It accused Hamas of using the hospital as a hideout. Hamas said Barhum was treated at the hospital. The information provided by both sides could not initially be independently verified. Hamas confirms death of senior leader Earlier on Sunday, Hamas said a senior official has been killed in an Israeli airstrike in the southern Gaza Strip. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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 Lee Enterprises, which owns newspapers across the country including in Wisconsin, is facing financial difficulties, a class action settlement for providing subscriber data to Facebook, and a threatened takeover. | Getty Images More than 1.5 million subscribers could be part of a class-action settlement by the newspaper company Lee Enterprises, for sending personally-identifying information to the parent company of Facebook in order to target content, including advertising. According to a settlement reached in a federal court in Iowa, where Lee Enterprises is headquartered, the company will pay $9.5 million for releasing personal information to Meta without customers consent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Wisconsin, Lee owns a dozen newspapers, including dailies in Chippewa Falls, Racine, Kenosha, La Crosse and the Wisconsin State Journal in Madison, among its 85 daily newspapers across the country. In addition to the class-action lawsuit settlement, Lee has also reported that it will likely be financially impacted due to a recent cybersecurity ransomware attack. Also, a private investor who has recently been critical of the management team after it projected profits, but instead saw a loss of $17 million, says he wants to purchase the company. Facebook settlement As part of the court filing, the company says it doesnt agree with all the conclusions, but is settling the class-action lawsuit, which could reach more than 1.5 million current or past subscribers. According to its most recent 10-K filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as of Sept. 29, 2024, Lee reported that had a combined 1.1 million print and digital subscribers. It also reported that 51% of its revenue comes from digital advertising in February 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The court filings say that Lee voluntarily installed an invisible online tracker from Meta/Facebook that allowed the disclosure of a Facebook Identification Number to the social media giant. That, the group of plaintiffs said, violated federal law that guarantees privacy protection. The goal of the software, according to the lawsuit, was to build profiles of the Lee subscribers or content users with the hope of improving the effectiveness of advertising targeting those users. If the deal is approved by the court, former and current subscribers who were affected would be sent a class-action settlement notice and be eligible for a portion of the amount, which will be estimated to be around $5.7 million for the approximately 1.5 million people or around $3.80 per person. For subscribers or customers with an invalid email address, postcards may be sent. In court documents, Lee and a group of plaintiffs agreed to settle the dispute, saying that a protracted lawsuit could take years and millions to resolve. Furthermore, Lee maintains that it did nothing wrong, although other companies who used such tracking tools have been found liable for using the same technology that discloses personal information. Ransomware attack It is not the only piece of bad financial news for the newspaper company based in Davenport, Iowa. In SEC filings earlier this month, it announced that a ransomware attack on the company that shut down some printing and electronic edition publications, as well as threatened to release sensitive financial information, was likely to have a material impact on the companys bottom line. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On March 6, Lee confirmed the attack, which began on Feb. 3. Hackers encrypted many of the critical applications the company used while exfiltrating or taking financial data. Lee said that many of the companys functions have been restored, but that the business processes of the company have been delayed. Additionally, certain back-office functions remain delayed including billing our clients, collections, and payments to vendors. We anticipate the business processes to be fully restored in the coming weeks, the company said. Lee confirmed it had cybersecurity insurance, and also that its sole lender, Berkshire-Hathaway Finance, had waived an interest payment as well as lease payments, which the newspaper company said added $3.7 million of additional capital. As of Friday, many of the Lee publications still had notices on their websites that warned customers of problems, delays or interruptions. New owner? Even as courts and cyberattacks were occupying headlines about Lee, on Thursday, the chain of newspapers also reported that a billionaire investor who had recently purchased a chunk of the publicly traded stock had submitted a letter to the companys board of directors wanting to purchase the company outright. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hoffmann Companies, which owns a diverse number of companies including dairies, investment properties and manufacturing facilities, says it wants to buy Lee Enterprises. The same company has recently purchased an interest in the Dallas Morning News, as well as purchasing former Lee-owned newspapers in California, including the Napa Register. In a letter to Lees board, David Hoffmann said that other hedge-fund investors have not been concerned with the journalism of the company, rather just squeezing profits from the newspapers. We believe this commitment represents a sharp contrast to other potential acquirors such as non-local hedge funds and investment firms primarily concerned with increasing profits over jobs, local concerns, and the power of quality journalism, the letter said. The letter and a news story about the offer was published on Lee newspaper websites on Thursday. Hoffmann is already Lees second-largest shareholder. Lee currently has nearly $450 million in debt, largely from the acquisitions of other newspapers that has more than doubled the companys reach. In its most recent earnings report, Lees profits were down year-over-year, but it did note that digital revenue has now eclipsed print revenue, a sign that the Hoffmann interest letter noted. After news of the potential deal broke, Lee stock shot up nearly $1 per share and as of Friday, the value of Lee stock hovered around $10.66 a share, a 6% increase in value. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Editors note: The reporter of this story was formerly a Lee employee from 2004 to 2020. Erik Gunn of the Wisconsin Examiner contributed to this report SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Daily Montanan is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Daily Montanan maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Darrell Ehrlick for questions: info@dailymontanan.com. MOSCOW, March 24 (Xinhua) -- Moscow and Washington have a mutual desire to move forward with efforts to resolve the Ukraine crisis, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Monday. Peskov said that both countries share a "desire and readiness" to follow the path of a peaceful settlement, adding that there was a mutual understanding between the two sides. Many technical issues will be discussed during negotiations between U.S. and Russian delegations currently taking place in Saudi Arabia's capital, Riyadh, he said, noting, "In general, many different aspects related to the settlement still need to be worked out." The spokesman also said the talks would also cover details regarding a potential resumption of the Black Sea Initiative, which primarily aims to ensure maritime security in the Black Sea. Peskov reiterated that the country's forces are following the order of Russian President Vladimir Putin to halt strikes on Ukraine's energy infrastructure. He also confirmed that Putin had given U.S. President Donald Trump a portrait as a personal gift. U.S. and Russian delegations kicked off a new round of talks in Saudi Arabia on Monday, focusing on a potential Ukraine settlement and the Black Sea ceasefire, with the goal of securing a broader agreement. The cash-strapped Pasadena Unified School District is suing Southern California Edison, seeking compensation for the loss of multiple buildings that burned in the Eaton fire and the ensuing disruption of its operations. The district which was grappling with a $37-million budget deficit prior to the Jan. 7 blaze sued the Rosemead-based utility and its parent company, Edison International, last week in Los Angeles County Superior Court, accusing them of negligence and other causes of action that led to the fire. While the cause of the fire remains open, investigators have focused on Edison power lines in Eaton Canyon that may have sparked the inferno that killed 17 people and destroyed more than 10,000 homes and other structures in Altadena. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The destruction of multiple schools and educational facilities has created an immense burden on students, families, and the entire educational community," John Fiske, an attorney representing the district, said in a statement. "This lawsuit seeks fair compensation to recover the taxpayer resources and district property lost as a result of this devastating fire." Read more: Fire, lack of students, teacher layoffs: Inside Pasadena Unified's struggle to stay solvent Southern California Edison is already facing scores of lawsuits seeking damages due to the Eaton fire, and insurance companies are expected to seek compensation for billions of dollars of claims they are likely to pay out to homeowners and businesses. "The Eaton fire has been heartbreaking for the Altadena community. We are reviewing this lawsuit and will respond through the legal process," said Diane Castro, a spokesperson for the utility. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The March 19 lawsuit details extensive damages suffered by multiple facilities, including Franklin Elementary School, Eliot Arts Magnet Middle School, the Edison campus housing Odyssey Charter School, the Loma Alta campus housing Pasadena Rosebud Academy and Oak Knoll Montessori School and the Noyes campus housing Aveson School of Leaders. It also seeks compensation for debris, soot and ash removal; environmental testing; staff and labor costs; fire-related crisis response and mental health services to district students; among other costs the district has borne since the fire. The damage to its campuses follow years of declining enrollment that prompted the district's board looking to slash $12 million from its budget to approve cuts last month that will result in the loss of about 150 jobs, including 120 certificated positions mostly held by teachers. The district was home to about 21,000 students in 2005 but now has less than 14,000, which has led to the closure of five campuses since 2018. The decline is attributed to a lack of affordable housing in the wealthy community and the availability of multiple charter and private school options. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lawsuit alleges the utility failed to temporarily shut down power lines in Eaton Canyon despite ample warnings of a strong windstorm from the National Weather Service amid abundant dry vegetation near its power lines. It includes photographic evidence to support its allegation the fire started beneath power lines "arcing in the high winds." The lawsuit says the utility later filed a report with the California Public Utilities Commission that showed there was an increase in current through four power lines in the canyon about the time the fire started. Read more: Edison towers in the Altadena fire zone had known 'ignition risk' and needed repairs, records show A Times investigation has found Edison knew that some of its towers at and near the likely ignition point were fire hazards. While evidence is still being collected, records the company filed with the state show towers on three lines considered a potential ignition risk were overdue for maintenance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The utility had 94 open work orders along the three lines, portions of which run past the northern edge of Altadena and through Eaton Canyon, as of Dec. 31, according to Edison data reviewed by The Times. They included two work orders for "weed abatement" and "structure brushing" that were flagged "ignition risk." The cause remains under investigation as part of our ongoing commitment to a thorough and transparent investigation, Edison said last week. Southern California Edison is beginning the next phase of inspections and testing of electrical equipment in Eaton Canyon." In January, the California Public Utilities Commission voted to allow the utility to raise electric rates to cover payments it made to victims of the devastating 2017 Thomas wildfire in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties that later was blamed for debris flows that killed 23. Investigators said Edisons equipment was at fault. The vote will allow Edison to charge its customers for more than $1.6 billion of the $2.7 billion that the utility paid to more than 5,000 fire victims. Edison said it planned to spread the cost over 30 years with most customers experiencing a $1 increase on their monthly bills, the company said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The company also has asked the commission to approve a second rate increase for $5.4 billion in payments to victims of the 2018 Woolsey fire in Los Angeles and Ventura counties that destroyed more than 1,600 structures and killed three people. An investigation determined Edison equipment sparked the blaze. Read more: State officials approve Edison rate hike for 2017 wildfire sparked by its equipment Some estimates put the insured damage from the Eaton fire at $10 billion, but experts say the final tally could be higher and losses other than those covered by insurance will further raise the total. The impact on rate payers, though, could be diminished, even if Edison is found to be at fault. The Legislature in 2019 passed a law that created a $21-billion fund to help pay for wildfire damages caused by utility equipment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fund was established after Pacific Gas & Electric filed for bankruptcy following a series of wildfires in 2017 and 2018, including the Camp fire that destroyed the Sierra Foothills community of Paradise and killed more than 80 people. In order to qualify for the money, a utility must have acted prudently to prevent a fire. Even if that is found to be so, the company would still have to pay the first $1 billion in claims before being able to access the state fund. Pedro Pizarro, chief executive of Edison International, told Wall Street analysts in January that if it is found the utility's transmission equipment was "associated with the ignition of the Eaton fire" he was confident the utility could prove "its conduct with respect to its transmission facilities in the Eaton Canyon area was consistent with actions of a reasonable utility." 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. An Orthodox Jewish passenger says a United Airlines pilot forcibly removed him from an airplane bathroom while he was experiencing constipation, exposing his genitalia to other flyers during a flight from Tulum, Mexico, to Houston. Yisroel Liebb, of New Jersey, described his trip through allegedly unfriendly skies in a federal lawsuit this week against the airline and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, whose officers he said boarded the plane upon landing and took him away in handcuffs. Liebb and a fellow Orthodox Jewish traveler said the pilot made disparaging remarks about their faith. They said they were forced to miss a connecting flight to New York City while U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers paraded them through an airport terminal, placed them in holding cells and searched their luggage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CBP Officers responded to reports of a disturbance on a flight at the request of the airline, CBP Assistant Commissioner for Public Affairs Hilton Beckham said. Due to the ongoing litigation, we are unable to provide any further comment. United Airlines declined to comment. Messages seeking comment were left for a lawyer representing Liebb and the other traveler, Jacob Sebbag. In the lawsuit, filed Wednesday in Manhattan federal court, Liebb said he was in the bathroom in the back of the plane for about 20 minutes on Jan. 28 when a flight attendant woke Sebbag from a nap and asked Sebbag to check on him. Liebb said he explained his gastrointestinal predicament and assured Sebbag that he would be out soon. Sebbag then relayed that to the flight attendant, the lawsuit says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement About 10 minutes later, with Liebb still indisposed, the pilot approached Sebbag and asked him to check on Liebb, the lawsuit says. The pilot then yelled at Liebb to leave the bathroom immediately, the lawsuit says. Liebb said he told the pilot that he was finishing up and would be out momentarily. The pilot responded by breaking the lock, forcing the bathroom door open and pulling Liebb out with his pants still around his ankles, exposing his genitalia to Sebbag, flight attendants, and nearby passengers, according to the lawsuit. Liebb and Sebbag said the pilot then pushed them back to their seats while threatening to have them arrested and making remarks about their faith and how Jews act. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the two-hour flight landed in Houston, the men said about a half-dozen Customs and Border Protection officers boarded and escorted them off the plane. Liebb said when he asked why they were being detained, an officer tightened his handcuffs and responded: This isnt county or state. We are Homeland. You have no rights here. The men said United booked them on a flight to New York City the next day for free, but any savings from the complementary tickets were lost because they had to pay for an overnight hotel stay and food during their delay. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com A sculpture of enslaved men, women and children seen in Alabama Bicentennial Park in Montgomery, Alabama on January 24, 2023. Alabama was a slave state from 1819 to 1865, and Montgomery was a major slave trading destination. (Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector) When you come out from under the rusty monoliths inscribed with the names of lynching victims and the counties that bear the guilt of their deaths at Montgomerys National Memorial for Peace and Justice, you come to another set of monoliths lying on the ground. Theyre duplicates of what youve just seen. The Equal Justice Initiative, which runs the memorial, has offered them to each American county where a lynching took place. Its a reminder that the past lines our paths and runs beneath our feet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement EJI says about 120 counties named in the memorial have erected local monuments to the victims of these terrors. But thats a fraction of the counties that experienced those killings. Historians and activists have to work all the time to remind us of the horror Black Americans experienced. For the most part, white American communities have forgotten. Or erased the memories. Too difficult. Too reflective of the evil we are capable of. Far too many people view Black history in the U.S. that way not as a powerful current that has carried the nation forward, but as a tributary dumping unpleasant debris into the stream. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This may explain why Alabama struggles to honor victims of slavery. Theres no question we should. Almost half the state was enslaved in 1860. Each one of those men and women lived with the threat of physical and sexual assault every day of their lives. Each one could lose a parent, a sibling or a child if a white Alabamian could make a buck off their lives. Black legislators, all Democrats, have spent years pushing the state to honor Juneteenth, celebrating the end of slavery, a state holiday. HB 165, sponsored by Rep. Rick Rehm, R-Dothan and passed by a House committee last week, would do that. But under the bill as filed, the original bill, Juneteenth would have been a second-class holiday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alabama state offices would not close on Juneteenth as they do for other state holidays. Instead, state employees would have to choose between Juneteenth, celebrating freedom, or Jefferson Davis Birthday, honoring a violent traitor and white supremacist. Rehm removed this appalling provision on Wednesday. In the past, white Republicans have claimed they worry about creating another state holiday. Last year, Republicans forced Rep. Juandalynn Givan, D-Birmingham, who is Black, to include the Juneteenth-or-the-racist provision in her bill that would have established the state holiday. It was a disgraceful, dishonorable demand to make of any Alabamian, let alone anyone who happens to be Black. But Givan agreed because of the importance of marking the holiday. (The bill passed the House but died in the Senate.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now the GOP has decided that Juneteenth should be a holiday, full stop. And that a white man should get credit for it. After forcing a Black woman to make accommodations for a Confederate who killed hundreds of thousands of Americans to keep millions more in slavery. My ancestors are crying, Givan said as she left the committee hearing Wednesday. This is the pattern in Alabama. We cant acknowledge the oppressed without giving the oppressor his due. We cant celebrate the bravery of the Alabamians who fought an anti-democratic government without insisting that government cant change. The state treats the victims of slavery as intrusions on a perverse hero story about Davis or Robert E. Lee being slightly misguided defenders of liberty, not the authoritarian thugs they were. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So they pass laws threatening educators who teach honest history. And protect statues honoring slaveholders and lynchers. The state quite rightly has a Holocaust Commission funded with taxpayer dollars to tell people about the horrors of Nazi Germany, a regime dedicated to the industrial slaughter of minorities. But Alabama has no equivalent commission to teach children about slavery, a system of building this state on millions of Black bodies. There are few state-funded memorials to slavery or segregation. The Alabama Historical Commission operates the Freedom Rides Museum in Montgomery, but it also operates Confederate Memorial Park. EJIs lynching and slavery memorials in Montgomery are privately funded. Black lawmakers have to work with a system that has no interest in honoring our real past, one that forces terrible choices on them. Rep. Alvin Holmes, D-Montgomery, got the Legislature to make Martin Luther King Day a state holiday in 1984 by tying it to the existing Robert E. Lee holiday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They shouldnt have to do this, any more than Alabama should cling to its Confederate fetishes. But in our state, our leaders push fantasies into the public sphere without question. And force actual history to be negotiated. Like those rusty columns at the lynching memorial, the past lays before us: hard. Heavy. Difficult to grasp. All too often, Alabama chooses to stick with the fantasy. And trample the stark and indelible wreckage it leaves behind. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE FBI Director Kash Patel said Sunday the agency plans to reorient its assets in Washington by relocating them to field offices in other parts of the country. Were going to reorient our assets in Washington. Were going to look at it strategically, as weve been doing the last month, and send our agents and analysts and SOS operatives into the field to take on this violent crime explosion that has occurred over these last four or five years, Patel said Sunday evening on Fox News. To make sure that every state and every county be it in my hometown of Las Vegas, Nevada, or up in Montana or in Kansas or Iowa or Maine is all safe and secure, he added Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last month, Patel informed managers at the FBI that 1,500 personnel would be transferred from the Washington headquarters to offices around the country, including around one-third being placed in an Alabama office. FBI staff members were reportedly told during a meeting that about 1,000 personnel and agents would be dispatched into offices nationwide, including 500 in the agencys Huntsville, Ala., campus. Patel said the reorganization will include streamlining our operations at headquarters while bolstering the presence of field agents across the nation. Patel, among President Trumps most controversial agency heads, was confirmed with a 51-49 vote in the Senate last month. A former Department of Justice prosecutor who also served during Trumps first term, Patel gained much of his fame spreading right-wing conspiracies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps return to the White House had shaken up the agency even before Patel was sworn in. During the first month of President Trumps second term, at least 75 career FBI officials and Department of Justice lawyers were reportedly fired, resigned or stripped of their positions. The Hill reached out to the FBI 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. DURHAM, N.C. (WNCN) Doctors call it a triumph of American medicine: People are living into adulthood with conditions that were once considered unsurvivable, but some adults are having a hard time finding the care they need. A new clinic at Duke University Hospital aims to change that. As an adult with spina bifida, Donna Jones is navigating uncharted territory. I am part of the first generation to survive to adulthood. she explained. I am 48 years old. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jones was born in Guam in 1976. Doctors there diagnosed her with spina bifida and gave her no chance of a future. The doctor told my father, Your daughter will never walk; she will never talk you need to just put her in an institution and walk away,' she explained. Shes grateful her parents didnt take that doctors advice. When she was a year old, Jones ended up at Duke, where, for the first time, doctors offered hope. Shes received care there ever since. Impromptu wedding makes NC grandmothers dream come true Im at the healthiest Ive ever been, by the grace of God and the treatment I get at Duke Hospital, Jones said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shes been seeing some of the same doctors since she was a teen, including Dr. John Weiner. Dukes Chief of Pediatric Urology, is an expert in treating people with spina bifida Spina bifida is the most common permanently disabling birth defect, he explained. Its a disorder where the spinal cord doesnt form properly in the first 6-8 weeks of gestation, and therefore the nerves to the bladder, bowels, and legs dont work right, but they also commonly have water on the brain, hydrocephalus, and hydrocephalus can be fatal. Thats why, in the past, many spina bifida patients didnt survive childhood. If you were born when I was in the early 60s with spina bifida, you had about a 20% chance of making it to age two. Now you have a 90% chance of making it to adulthood, Weiner noted. Spina bifidas really a story about the success of American medicine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But that success also brings challenges. Adults with spina bifida are developing problems that children dont have, she said. Many spina bifida patients are also treated in childrens hospitals, which leaves them few options as adults. So many adults with spina bifida cannot find the care that they need, Jones explained. But for me, I have always had exemplary care at Duke because they didnt push me out; they didnt say, Have a nice day. Youre 18.' She is grateful other adults with spina bifida can also find care at Duke, which recently launched its Adult Spina Bifida Clinic. Weiner says its one of just a handful across the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When they told me they were doing it, I couldnt stop smiling, recalled Jones, who hopes that her friends who have spina bifida will seek care at Duke. She added that it will be an especially valuable resource as UNC and Duke partner to form a new childrens hospital, which will combine the expertise of UNC and Duke doctors. This has the potential to make the Triangle an even more important resource for patients with spina bifida, who will continue to need treatment as adults. Spina bifida isnt the only condition doctors are addressing differently as more patients survive to adulthood. Dr. Weiner says patient congenital heart defects, cerebral palsy, and even some childhood cancers were once considered to be pediatric diseases because so few people survived to adulthood, but that is changing with medical advances. Photos: Large outside fire 70% contained with 180 acres burned in Burke County Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The success of American medicine has allowed people to grow up with things that used to be fatal, and weve got to find ways to take care of these patients, he said. These patients are pioneers. While they are all navigating new territory, doctors and patients are looking toward the future together. As for the clinic, Jones says, she has confidence it will make adults with spina bifida healthier. It will not just be life-changing, she said. This will be lifesaving. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. There are a number of ways that police can get crime rates down or at least give the public the impression theyre doing something about it. One is to have police on the beat by way of reassurance as well as deterrence; another is to turn up fast to investigate when people report a crime, including burglaries; a third is to show that it takes seriously the offences that bother the public. What we dont expect, and what we might consider going a bit too far, is for the police to ride roughshod over civil liberties to get the crime figures down. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That is what has happened in the south London borough of Croydon, where facial recognition cameras are going to become a permanent fixture. Its part of a pilot project by the Met and it may be followed by more of the cameras being installed across London. These cameras, fixed on lamp-posts or on buildings, will monitor the faces of passers-by and match them against its database of known criminals. There is right now no obvious legal, judicial or political oversight into the use of the technology. I can hear you already. Whats wrong, you ask, with identifying rapists, robbers and murderers? One very effective way of bringing crime rates down is to arrest known criminals. But consider the implications: we may very much like the idea of identifying violent offenders, but one day the offenders may be people whom the state doesnt care for people with dissident views, people whose activities threaten the Governments idea of civic order, people like us. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Consider this scenario. In a future pandemic, ministers might consider anti-vaxxers a danger to society, as they did during Covid: what would there be to stop these people being sought out by facial recognition cameras and monitored? We would be glad if the technology took burglars off the streets, but once civil liberties are breached by the routine use of the cameras there would be fewer impediments in the way of a more authoritarian government in the future to use the technology for its own ends. Granted, facial recognition cameras are already used by the police. They were, for instance, used during the Coronation of King Charles III when members of the Royal Family were physically close to the crowds. And in these circumstances most of us wouldnt have a problem with the Home Secretary approving the technology to identify potential terrorists. But special occasions are one thing; the routine use of the cameras is another. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Croydon does have a problem in terms of crime; violent offences make up nearly 30 per cent of reported crime. Its overall crime rate is 107 per 1,000 people this is 4.8 per cent higher than the London average. But there are other ways to address it. Last September, local police said: With a laser like focus on CCTV footage and a drum beat of operations in robbery hotspots, officers are intensifying efforts to tackle these issues head on and take more criminals off the streets. Dont you just love the laser-like focus and the drum-beat of operations? But if you wade your way through this guff you find that when two teenagers robbed people at knife-point, the police went to the trouble of recovering two knives used in the offence, and scoured CCTV camera a less problematic kind of surveillance technology to such good effect that the offenders were caught. A mobile phone snatcher on a moped was caught when police monitored the thief by using widely-believed phone-tracking data. It also had a larger police presence. And lo, these basic expedients worked. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Personally, Im all for an interventionist police when it comes to dealing with crime, given that normal social constraints so often dont work on young offenders. But facial recognition cameras go too far and are not necessary. If the Met could get on with basic policing, we wouldnt need them. 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. (WHTM) With the departure of Senator Bob Casey, Republican Glenn GT Thompson (R) is now the dean of Pennsylvanias Congressional Delegation. He met the PA Press Club in Harrisburg today and while hes mostly supportive of President Donald Trumps agenda, there are a few areas that give him pause. Farmers are facing the steepest two-year decline in net farm income in history, said Rep. Thompson, the Chair of the Agricultural Committee. He worries about President Trumps border crackdown that could block foreign laborers in need of work visas. Close Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now This Week in Pennsylvania We have dairy farmers who have gone out of business not because of the economics, but they cant find people to milk the cows, said Thompson. Farmers are often most harmed by tariffs but thats not deterring President Trump. Im always concerned of tariffs, thats for sure, said Thompson. Thompson agrees with Trump that there are unfair trade imbalances, and hopes the Presidents tariffs are short-lived. You can address trade discrepancies using soft diplomacy, said Thompson. Everybody always does and nobody ever makes progress. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. Health Secretary Robert Kennedy is opposed to vaccines for chickens to combat avian flu. Well, Im surprised Secretary Kennedy is interested in eating sick chickens, said Thompson. Im not. I like my food to be healthy. We use vaccines. Weve always used vaccines to overcome various pieces, you know, various diseases. Thompson says he doesnt support the complete elimination of the U.S. Department of Education and says it likely wont happen. Hes also against Medicaid cuts, as his Democratic colleagues allege some Republicans are efforting. Its all a complete lie, said Thompson. Its all political. Unfortunately, its politics. You know, its its legal. You can legally slander and lie in politics. But thats okay. Thats the way it is. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lots of Thompsons constituents are alarmed at President Trumps first two months. His advice to them? Well, take a deep breath, said Thompson. Id tell people to take a deep breath, maybe 48 hours. Take a deep breath, I think some people confuse the rate of change, the speed of things being implemented with chaos, and its not, it had eight years of preparation. Thompson said hes hopeful a comprehensive farm bill, now a couple of years late, will finally be completed in the next few months. As AG chair, it comes through his committee. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Ahead of his confirmation hearing Thursday to become assistant secretary of defense for health affairs, Keith Bass is facing tough questions from a prominent Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee. Bass, a retired Navy commander and substance abuse counselor who previously led the Central Intelligence Agency's Office of Medical Services and the White House Medical Unit, was nominated Dec. 22 to manage the Defense Department's $61 billion health system, which serves 9.5 million beneficiaries, including 1.3 million active-duty troops. The health affairs assistant secretary is responsible for protecting and preserving the health of the armed forces, setting policy, and managing the Pentagon's health budget. He also serves as senior adviser on health issues relevant to beneficiaries for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read Next: Ride-Sharing Services Finally Coming to Army Installations in Effort to Ease Travel Woes But the military health system currently is facing challenges on multiple fronts, including staffing shortages at medical facilities, patient retention issues that have affected provider training and proficiency, and problems within the Tricare health program that have resulted in delays in patient care and payments to providers. In a letter to Bass on Monday, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., ranking member of the Armed Services personnel subcommittee, questioned whether he is up to the task. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Citing Bass' experiences at the White House and CIA, which were investigated by the Defense Department's Office of Inspector General and in media reports for reported mismanagement, Warren said she had concerns that he is "not capable of filling the role." According to an article in SpyTalk cited by Warren, Bass allegedly was fired as head of the CIA medical office following his mishandling of the investigation into Havana syndrome, also known as anomalous health incidents, that affected more than 330 U.S. State Department, intelligence and defense officials as a result of exposure to painful, piercing noise from an unknown source. The article also pointed to Bass' alleged mishandling of the COVID-19 response at the agency, "afflicting its rank and file." Warren also cited a DoD IG report released last January that found that, during Bass' tenure at the White House, civilian staff members who weren't eligible for military health services -- an average six to 20 patients a week -- received specialty care and surgeries at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Maryland, Fort Belvoir Community Hospital in Virginia, and elsewhere. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That investigation also found that the unit distributed sedatives including Ambien and stimulants such as Provigil to ineligible beneficiaries, often without a prescription. Warren asked Bass whether he was aware of "severe and systemic problems" under his watch. "At best, you were oblivious to the wider distribution of sedatives and stimulants by White House pharmacy operations and, in the worst case, you were complicit. Either scenario should disqualify you from serving as the [assistant secretary of defense for health affairs]," Warren wrote. In his most recent position, Bass led the West Texas VA Health Care System, overseeing a medical center with an operating budget of $153 million and 1,120 employees, serving 24,000 veterans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Donald Trump announced Bass' nomination along with several other Defense Department leaders on Dec. 22, calling them "a slate of America First patriots." "Keith is a retired Navy commander with over 30 years of health care experience. ... Keith will be leading the charge to ensure our troops are healthy, and receiving the best medical care possible," Trump wrote in an announcement. Bass' appearance at his nomination hearing will be the first time he has made public statements about his plans for the military health system. Dr. Stephen Ferrara, a retired Navy interventional radiologist who served as chief medical officer at the CIA, has served as acting assistant secretary for health affairs since January and, since assuming the duty, has traveled throughout the military health system, including a trip to U.S. Naval Hospital Guantanamo Bay in Cuba last month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ferrara has pledged to ensure that the military health system realigns its efforts to support and provide combat medicine. "And it's a moral imperative ... when America's sons and daughters go down range and go into harm's way, we honor the pact they make and that their parents made when they sort of handed their children over to us to do those missions that, should they become ill or injured, they will receive prompt and effective medical attention anywhere in the world," Ferrara said during a military health conference March 3. The Senate Armed Services Committee will hear testimony Thursday from three other nominees in addition to Bass: Troy Meink to be Air Force secretary; Michael Duffey, proposed undersecretary of defense for acquisition and sustainment; and Emil Michael as undersecretary of defense for research and engineering. In her letter, sent to Bass via the White House, Warren requested answers to her questions in writing by Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Given your checkered past ... I am concerned that, if you are confirmed, you will not be able to effectively manage the military health care system, placing care at risk for millions. I urge you to demonstrate a commitment to clarity," Warren wrote. The White House did not respond to a request for comment by publication time. Related: Military Medical System Not Ready for War Due to Cuts and Delayed Reforms, Experts Warn CLEVELAND (WJW) Rallies against the privatization of mail delivery were held across the country on Sunday, including in Cleveland and Akron. Members of the National Association of Letter Carriers and their allies looked to send a message to the federal government and draw attention to the issue. This was in response to President Donald Trumps comments about potentially having the Department of Commerce taking over the USPS and the Postmaster Generals announced plans of cutting staff and the USPS budget to align with the administrations efforts to cut federal spending. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement USPS worker steals $1.6M mostly in tax return checks; goes to strip clubs, luxury resorts The United States Postal Service is meant to be for the people and not privatized where people can make money and profit off of that. Ultimately with privatization comes a lack of service, Eric Poston said. Poston, who was at the Rally in Cleveland, is the president of the NALC Branch 40. He said letter carriers take pride in delivering all over the country. He said privatizing mail delivery will have negative impacts on all Americans, especially those who live in rural areas. He added that those in charge of mail deliver would likely be more concerned about profits, and could sub-contract the delivery service out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Instead of you knowing your letter carrier on a day-to-day basis, having them out there, you could have anybody from any neighborhood out there delivering that mail without any ID or without any repercussions to what your mail delivery is, Poston added. In Akron, NALC Branch 148 President Ben Harris talked about the risk of post office employees losing their jobs and the fact that the USPS covers the entire country at one, solid rate controlled by the government. 1 killed after truck full of teens crashes into tree: OSHP He said things should stay as they are. Right now, the threat of privatization would be selling pieces of the post office off to other people. We dont want anything for this to be but a service, Harris said. People probably dont realize this, but right now we deliver Amazon, we deliver UPS, we deliver FedEx because its too expensive for them to go to certain parts of the country, so they give it to us. They call us the last mile often. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Trump is on the record saying he wants a post office that isnt losing massive amounts of money, and that the commerce department taking control would result in the postal service operating a lot better. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW. Former Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., joins Morning Joe to discuss how some Democratic lawmakers like Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ccasio-Cortez are responding to the White House and the economic impact of Trump's trade policies. OTTAWA, March 23 (Xinhua) -- Canada is entering an election campaign as Prime Minister Mark Carney on Sunday asked Governor General Mary Simon to dissolve the parliament and called an early election on April 28. Carney, sworn in as prime minister on March 14 after winning the Liberal leadership race, said he's asking Canadians for a mandate to deal with U.S. President Donald Trump and build an economy that works for everyone. "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," Carney told reporters after the meeting with Simon. Right before Carney's announcement, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre launched his party's election campaign and said he would stand up to Trump and his threats of annexation. Poilievre said a "lost Liberal decade" has left Canada weak and vulnerable on the world stage. In addition, other major parties, including the New Democratic Party, the Bloc Quebecois and the Green Party, also launched their campaigns. Polls updated on Sunday showed that the Liberals are leading with the potential to win the majority seats of the parliament and the Conservatives are catching up. According to Elections Canada, the agency responsible for conducting elections, the campaign will end on April 27, one day before the election day. KANSAS CITY, Mo. One person was shot Monday morning near downtown Kansas City, according to law enforcement. Just after 8 a.m., officers with the Kansas City Police Department were called to a shooting in the area of West 7th Street and Main Street. One seriously injured in shooting near 84th, The Paseo in Kansas City When officers arrived, they found a person who had been shot. KCPD said the victim was taken to a hospital and is expected to survive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The cause of the shooting is still under investigation. FOX4 is working to learn whether police have identified and/or arrested the suspect(s). Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. WEST UNION, W.Va. (WBOY) Members of the Doddridge County community are asking legislators to reevaluate the speed limit on a near 10-mile section of U.S. Route 50. An online petition that was started last week has collected 1,366 signatures as of Monday morning. The petition calls for the speed limit between Snowbird Road in West Union and Toll Gate at the Doddridge/Ritchie County line to be reduced from 65 miles per hour to 50. The petition creator says that their sister was the victim of a fatal collision in that stretch of road where a driver ran a red light. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dont let speeding cars turn our roads into graveyards. Lets stand together and advocate for safer roads, the petition says. Will bulletproof film being installed in West Virginia schools stop a shooting? The petition asks Gov. Patrick Morrisey (R), West Virginia Child Protective Services, and the West Virginia Department of Transportation to comment, but as of Monday morning, none of those entities have responded. One person was killed in a collision at the intersection of Morgans Run Road and Route 50 in Doddridge County in 2023, which is east of the proposed speed reduction area, and four people were killed in a collision at the intersection of Doe Run Road/Old U.S. 50 in 2021. Route 50 accident Doddridge County where four people were killed in 2021. (WBOY image) Online petitions through services like Change.org do not inherently create change, but they can help raise awareness for issues by bringing them to the eyes of officials and legislators. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBOY.com. Summit Pharmacy in Fairfield, Iowa. (Photo via Google Earth) A southeast Iowa pharmacist who allegedly admitted stealing drugs for personal use over a period of six years is being fined $500 and allowed to resume the practice of pharmacy. Records of the Iowa Board of Pharmacy indicate that Bryan Vander Linden, the former pharmacist in charge and owner of Summit Pharmacy, 300 W. Burlington Ave., Fairfield, admitted last year that he had intentionally diverted an undisclosed amount of controlled substances for personal use over the course of six years while working at a Hy-Vee pharmacy in Fairfield. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the board, Vander Lindens admission came about after federal agents with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration launched an investigation into some form of unspecified discrepancies at Summit Pharmacy. In May 2024, Vander Linden was charged by the board with knowingly making misleading or untrue statements in the practice of pharmacy; habitual intoxication or addiction to drugs; being convicted of a state or federal law related to drugs or the practice of pharmacy; stealing prescription drugs from a pharmacy for ones personal use; and practicing pharmacy while under the influence of illegally obtained drugs or while impaired by legitimately prescribed drugs. Board records indicate Vander Lindens license was suspended last year when he signed an agreement to refrain from practicing. At the time, the board barred Vander Linden from entering the Summit Pharmacy building and barred him from remotely accessing pharmacy records or software. As part of a separate agreement with Vander Lindens father, Thomas Vander Linden, Summit Pharmacy agreed to name a new pharmacist in charge and to change all of the locks at the pharmacy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Recently, the board agreed to settle the charges against Bryan Vander Linden, in part by lifting the May 2024 license suspension. Vander Linden, the board stated in its decision, may return to practicing as a pharmacist at Summit Pharmacy. The settlement stipulates that Vander Linden cannot hold a controlled-substances registration at Summit Pharmacy until the board orders otherwise. In addition, he must pay a $500 civil penalty and participate in the states Impaired Practitioners Health Program for Pharmacy and submit to any required drug screenings. Federal court records indicate Vander Linden is currently facing undisclosed criminal charges, with his initial appearance in the case, his arraignment, and a plea-agreement hearing all scheduled for Thursday before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Helen C. Adam. Other licensees subject to recent action by the Iowa Board of Pharmacy include: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Heather Henkelvig, who was charged last year with incorrectly dispensing a prescription drug. The board alleges that on April 25, 2023, a patient was incorrectly given Clomipramine, an antidepressant, instead of the prescribed medication, Clomiphene, which is used to induce ovulation in women. As part of its case, the board alleged that on that same day the incorrect drug was dispensed, Henkelvig was the sole pharmacist working at a Hy-Vee pharmacy. On that day, the board alleges, Henkelvig and three registered pharmacy technicians in the store dispensed 588 prescriptions, and Henkelvig was also responsible that day for verification and counseling for a telepharmacy located in Winwood, Iowa. Henkelvig has been fined $500 and ordered to complete educational training on patient safety and medication errors. Board of Pharmacy records include conflicting information as to the Hy-Vee store where the error occurred, with one set of records indicating it occurred at a Mount Pleasant store, and another indicating it happened at a store in Washington, Iowa. CVS Pharmacy at 3804 Metro Drive in Council Bluffs, which was charged with the incorrect dispensing of drugs and failing to maintain complete and accurate records related to medication errors. The pharmacy allegedly removed the drug Clobazam from its original packing, which indicated the drug must be used within 90 days of opening, and placed it in a pharmacy vial that carried what the board calls a beyond-use date of one year. The pharmacy has been fined $1,000, issued a warning, and is required to provide all staff with educational training on patient safety and medication errors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Todd Thompson of Iowa City, who is charged with six regulatory violations, including knowingly making misleading or deceptive representations in the practice of pharmacy; violating a state or federal law related to the practice of pharmacy or the distribution of controlled substances; willful or gross negligence; obtaining a fee by fraud or misrepresentation; failing to create and maintain complete and accurate records; and obtaining or possessing prescription drugs with legal authority. Thompson is the owner of the SmartScripts pharmacy in Washington, Iowa, which is charged with the same six offenses as Thompson. The underlying actions that led to the imposition of the charges has not been disclosed by the Board of Pharmacy. A hearing on the two cases is scheduled for May 7, 2025. MANILA, Philippines (AP) The Philippine defense chief on Monday called China's expansive claims in the South China Sea the biggest fiction and lie that no Southeast Asian country would accept and said that Chinese President Xi Jinping's aggressive policies have undermined international goodwill fostered by his predecessors. Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro fired off his latest tirade against Chinas increasingly assertive actions in the region on the same day that the Philippine coast guard separately reported new incidents involving Chinese forces in the Scarborough Shoal, a hotly disputed fishing atoll in the disputed waterway. A Chinese military helicopter appeared to have tailed, but didn't closely approach, a Philippine lightplane undertaking a routine patrol Monday over Scarborough. Chinese forces have separately installed a new floating barrier to prevent Filipino fishermen from entering a lagoon in the shoal, which lies off the northwestern Philippines, Philippine coast guard Commodore Jay Tarriela told an online news briefing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There was no immediate comment from Chinese officials, but in the past they have repeatedly asserted that Beijing has had sovereign control over the Scarborough Shoal and most of the South China Sea since ancient times. An international arbitration panel invalidated Chinas expansive claims in a 2016 ruling based on the 1982 U.N. Convention of the Law of the Sea, but Beijing refused to participate in the Philippines-initiated arbitration and continues to defy the decision. In a speech marking the anniversary of the Philippine militarys Western Command on Palawan province, which faces the South China Sea, Teodoro underscored the need for a stronger national defense posture and continued security engagement with allied countries to address the threat posed by Chinese aggression in the waterway, a key global trade route. "No ASEAN country accepts the legitimacy of that 10-dash line, because that is the biggest fiction and lie that can be sold to any right-thinking person, Teodoro told Filipino forces. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was referring to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, a 10-nation regional bloc that has been negotiating a nonaggression pact called the code of conduct with China to prevent the territorial conflicts from spiraling out of control. ASEAN state members the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei have been involved in the long-simmering territorial standoffs in the South China Sea. Taiwan also lays a claim similar to that of China, which has demarcated the extent of its declared territory with 10 linear dashes on Chinese maps. Teodoro said that Xi runs a small dictatorship and autocracy and that his clique in the Chinese Communist Party is to blame for what the defense chief called Beijings aggressive and illegal policies, not Xi's predecessors or the Chinese people. "Its caused by Xi Jinping and his abusive ways that would possibly destroy his leadership of his party in China and the goodwill that was nurtured by his predecessors, Teodoro told reporters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chinas aggressive actions in the disputed waters have prompted the Philippines to build stronger security alliances with friendly countries, Teodoro said. The Philippines, he said, would sign a visiting forces agreement with New Zealand next month to allow their forces to enter each others territory for joint military exercises. Negotiations have reached the final stage for a similar agreement with Canada, he said. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has authorized the start of negotiations for such an agreement with France, Teodoro said. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is due to meet with Teodoro on Friday in Manila for talks that Philippine officials said would spotlight concerns over Chinas assertive actions in the contested waters and ways to strengthen the decades-long U.S.-Philippines treaty alliance. CHICAGO (WGN) Strong winds swept through the Chicago area overnight into Monday, leaving behind a trail of damage. In Rogers Park, several vehicles on one block had windows broken from falling tree branches. Damage was also spotted in the North Park and Irving Park neighborhoods. In the northern suburbs, including Evanston and Lincolnwood, trees toppled over, blocking roads and downing power lines. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No injuries were reported. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Related video: 41k Pinellas County homes were damaged by Hurricanes Milton, Helene PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) Pinellas County leaders are seeking public input on how to allocate $813 million in storm recovery funds. The money was awarded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and is the largest amount awarded to a local government in Florida. Through the Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery program, a total of $12 billion is being allocated to local governments across the country to aid in the recovery from federally-declared disasters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pinellas County is receiving funds to help deal with the aftermath of Hurricane Idalia in 2023 and Hurricanes Milton and Helene in 2024. The county said the funds can be used to rebuild or repair homes and businesses, provide rental assistance, repair damaged infrastructure or otherwise address the needs of the community. All Pinellas County cities are eligible to receive funding, with the exception of St. Petersburg, which received its own recovery fund. The county has published an online survey for residents to make their voices heard on how the money should be spent, and is planning a series of public meetings to finalize a plan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement HUD requires the majority of money to be spent assisting low-to-moderate income households and that its used specifically to address unmet needs caused by the devastating storms. At the end of April, Pinellas County will publish a draft plan for the fund and allow 30 days for public comment before submitting the plan to HUD this summer. Recovery programs will begin once the plan is approved, which could be as early as this fall. All information regarding the storm recovery fund and public meeting dates can be found at recover.pinellas.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 WFLA. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) Think the decades-old food stamps program deserves to be in the callous, capricious cross hairs of Elon Musk, President Donald Trump and the latters spineless sycophants in Congress? Then you dont know someone like Ndaneh Luseni. The 34-year-old Alexandria woman, a single mother with three children, depends on the nourishment that food stamps provide. Luseni receives only $83 a month in benefits from whats formally known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Yet, that money allows her to help make ends meet on a regular basis. SNAP pays for essentials like eggs, milk, bread and juice in her household. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It provides just some sort of assistance, where I can sleep and I know the kids will have something in the house some stability, Luseni, a clinical technician at a Northern Virginia hospital, told me this week. She brings home $600, after taxes, every two weeks from her job. Congressional Republicans are hellbent on gutting the program that dates to the New Deal and similar safety nets for the poor, in part to extend tax cuts for corporations and the wealthiest Americans. As if the latter even needs them. Its plutocratic porn at its worst. Trump and his wealthy allies want to yank benefits from low-income workers, disabled Americans and children so they can treat themselves to a sixth car, a third house or yet another international excursion. The prevailing plan treats SNAP recipients as a nuisance, forcing them to fend for food while rich Americans get fatter literally and figuratively. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are so many people struggling to survive nowadays that it seems incredibly cruel to cut these benefits, said Jay Speer, executive director of the Virginia Poverty Law Center. State Sen. Mamie Locke, D-Hampton, told me many people on SNAP are children or disabled individuals. It is critically important that it be maintained as a program as its currently funded, so that families can get sustenance, Locke said, adding she didnt understand why thats a hard sell. More than 866,000 people in the commonwealth received SNAP funding in February, according to the Virginia Department of Social Services. Thats nearly 10% of the states population. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. House of Representatives recently voted to lower spending by certain committees in the chamber. That budget framework included at least $230 billion less from the Agriculture Committee through 2034; that panel oversees programs including SNAP. The Senate ordered a narrower budget resolution to cut at least $1 billion, but a second budget resolution could dictate much deeper cuts. The exact policies and cuts themselves arent clear. Various news articles, though, say you cant reach $230 billion without major hits to SNAP. In fiscal year 2023, SNAP served an average of 42.1 million participants per month nationwide, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. That was 12.6% of the total U.S. population. The potential evisceration has shaken many SNAP users and advocates for low-income people. They cant fathom why such a radical change makes sense or is even moral. SNAP is really important, said Cassie Edner, public benefits attorney at the Virginia Poverty Law Center. Families need the boost so their children grow up healthy. Seniors with health conditions need quality food to stay healthy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Without this, they have to choose between paying rent or mortgage and putting food on the table. Other considerations are at play, too. Retailers who accept SNAP payments roughly 6,400 in Virginia would lose money, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, a nonpartisan research and policy institute. SNAP disbursements also boost neighborhoods, the center said: In a weak economy, each $1 in additional spending on SNAP benefits generates $1.54 in economic activity when households use their benefits to shop at local stores in their communities. Nor is SNAP a magnet for illegal spending, one of the purported reasons Musk and his misguided Department of Government Efficiency project operates. Cases of intentional fraud by participants or SNAP authorized retailers are relatively rare, the center said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One result of the potential SNAP cuts would be to force states, nonprofits and food banks to shoulder more of the slack. That would be a monumental, costly task they couldnt begin to handle. States pay half of the cost of administering SNAP, but the federal government funds 100% of benefit costs, which make up the vast majority of program costs, the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities said. Virtually all states must balance their budgets each year, so shifting even a small portion of SNAP benefit costs to states would require raising revenue or cutting funding for other programs or services. The discussion is very personal to Locke, since her family depended on food stamps when she was growing up in Jackson, Mississippi. She was one of 11 children raised by a single mother, some of the time in public housing. Even though her mother worked, it was often minimum wage jobs. She had to depend on this supplemental support through food stamps and free and reduced lunch, Locke recalled with all the social stigma that using paper money at the store entailed in those days. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Barry Muhammad, a 69-year-old retiree in Hampton, gets roughly $160 a month in SNAP benefits. They pay for bacon, bread, oatmeal and other essentials, freeing up money for expenses that include electricity, gas and rent. The Army veteran says the people in Washington wielding an axe to vital programs dont face what typical Americans confront. They never had to experience what people like me in my condition had to go through, Muhammad surmised. Theyre rich, wealthy people. Thats a huge part of the disconnect and the condescension. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX A United Airlines Boeing 787 jetliner flying from Los Angeles to Shanghai had to turn around last weekend after it was discovered one of the pilots had taken off without a passport, the airline told CNN in a statement. Flight UA 198 departed LAX at around 2 p.m. Saturday, March 22, with 257 passengers and 13 crew onboard and headed northwest over the Pacific Ocean, bound for Chinas largest city. About two hours later, the plane turned around and was redirected to San Francisco, where it landed around 5 p.m. local time, according to the website FlightAware. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The pilot did not have their passport onboard, United said in the statement. We arranged for a new crew to take our customers to their destination that evening. Customers were provided with meal vouchers and compensation. The flight with the new crew took off around 9 p.m. and landed in Shanghai about six hours behind schedule. Yang Shuhan, a Chinese passenger on board, told CNN that she heard the pilots very frustrated voice over the intercom, saying he forgot (his) passport. An inflight screen on United Airlines Flight 198, shot by Yang Shuhan, shows the plane diverting to SFO. - Yang Shuhan After landing in San Francisco, Yang received two meal vouchers totaling $30, which she used for a meal at a Japanese restaurant in the airport. She said she also filed a compensation claim on Uniteds website, where she was informed to expect a response within 14 business days. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The traveler from Hangzhou, in eastern China, was on her way back from a business trip. After reaching Shanghai at 12:43 a.m. on Monday, she still had to drive another two and a half hours, she said, leaving her exhausted. While the unexpected delay threw a wrench in her Monday working plans, Yang said she appreciated the pilots honesty. However, many of her fellow passengers grumbled and said they were outraged and speechless on RedNote, Chinas Instagram-like platform. How could someone mess up this badly at work? read a popular RedNote post appearing to be from another Chinese passenger on board. The post has gotten more than 10,000 likes. The disruptions didnt stop with UA 198; passengers on the returning flight, UA 199 from Shanghai to Los Angeles, were also affected due to the late arrival of the inbound aircraft. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Shanghai-based business traveler, who requested to stay anonymous over privacy concerns, told CNN that their LA-bound flight was also delayed for about six hours, forcing them to change their ticket to catch a connecting flight. Im feeling pretty frustrated, the person told CNN just after landing at LAX late Sunday night. Because of the delay, I have to reschedule all my plans for Monday, which is really inconvenient. Lack of discipline Its quite embarrassing (for United), Shukor Yusof, founder of Singapore-based Endau Analytics, an advisory firm that focuses on the aviation industry, told CNN. He added that the mistake is unacceptable for a global airline like United and it shows a lack of discipline. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement United is one of the worlds largest carriers, flying 140 million people to more than 300 destinations across six continents each year, according to the companys website. Shukor noted that the absent-mindedness reflected in the incident could cost the airline dearly, taking into account the costs of things like the jet fuel they had to dump before diverting and compensation for the passengers. While a series of plane crashes involving US carriers in recent months has raised security concerns, the latest incident with United is more of a protocol issue, said Shukor. Just last week, an Orthodox Jewish passenger filed a lawsuit against the airline, alleging a United pilot forcibly removed him from a lavatory while he was experiencing constipation, exposing his genitalia to others during a flight from Tulum, Mexico, to Houston. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, a New Jersey mother blasted United for asking her to remove her medically complex sons breathing tube ahead of the planes takeoff. Her TikTok video about the incident has garnered more than 1.3 million views. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com The groundless blocking of cargo from Ukrainian woodworking companies has been going on at the Polish-Ukrainian border since 15 March 2025. Source: Ekonomichna Pravda; Pavlo Vasyliev, Head of the Association of Woodworking Enterprises of Ukraine Details: Pavlo Vasyliev said that the Polish customs authorities do not allow products that pose a threat to the economic stability of the industry and the entire country to pass through without explanation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Uniplyt LLC, ODEK Ukraine LLC and Woodland Ukraine LLC applied to the association, reporting they could not transport their products across the border. Vasyliev stressed that the Polish side is expressing unreasonable suspicions about the timber's origin, although Ukrainian producers provide all the necessary documents. These include contracts with branches of the State Enterprise Forests of Ukraine, invoices for the supply of timber, logging tickets, certificates of origin and EUTR, OSWIADCZENIA and DECLARATION OF ORIGIN OF WOODEN PRODUCTS declarations. "Despite this, the blockade continues, threatening the export of timber products and the jobs of thousands of Ukrainians," says Vasyliev. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The head of the Association of Woodworking Enterprises reports that the export blockade causes several problems, including financial losses for Ukrainian companies and the budget, the risk of production shutdowns, European partners' refusal to buy Ukrainian products, massive layoffs, and a decrease in confidence in Ukraine as a reliable exporter. Quote from Vasyliev: "Similar actions by Poland had already had a negative effect in 2023-2024 when Ukrainian producers lost about a third of their customers in the EU due to non-transparent customs restrictions." The head of the Association of Woodworking Enterprises of Ukraine said that urgent action is needed to solve the problem. First, negotiations should be initiated with the Polish government at the Cabinet of Ministers level to immediately unblock exports. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Secondly, to provide Ukrainian woodworking enterprises access to electronic consignment notes (e-CN) stored in the unified state system of electronic timber accounting. Thirdly, the first step in implementing EUDR is to record the GPS coordinates of the timber harvesting site, which will allow for clear identification of the legality of its origin. "Without transparent control mechanisms, such as e-CN and GPS logging, the Ukrainian timber industry will remain vulnerable to external restrictions and manipulation," Vasyliev added. He said that the free movement of goods across the border is not only an economic issue but also a matter of stability for Ukrainian industry and jobs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Ukraine must act proactively to prevent such trade barriers in the future. The Association of Woodworking Enterprises of Ukraine calls on the government and all stakeholders to work together immediately to resolve this critical situation," the head of the Association concluded. Background: According to exchange trading results for delivery in the second quarter of 2025, wood processing companies contracted 94% of business wood, a record figure. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! LAS VEGAS (KLAS) Nearly two dozen drivers were arrested during a recent DUI blitz in the Las Vegas valley. Remember there are too many safe options to drive impaired, a post on the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Departments X account stated. There were 23 DUI arrests, 164 citations, and two other arrests for other crimes that police didnt release details on. Las Vegas police post the number of DUI arrests during a DUI Blitz on March 22, 2025. (Credit: LVMPD) The DUI blitz took place on Saturday, March 22, and involved officers from LVMPD, North Las Vegas and the Nevada State Police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Metro police are conducting DUI blitzes regularly to crack down on DUI drivers. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. JERSEY SHORE, LYCOMING COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) Charges are pending for two suspects after a reported burglary in Jersey Shore early Sunday morning. The Lycoming Regional Police say on Sunday they were called to the Nittany Minit Mart on the 800 block of Allegheny Street at 5:45 a.m. for a possible burglary. Officers arrived on scene and spoke with an employee of the business. The employee told police they arrived at work to find the glass broken out of the front door. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officers first made sure the scene was safe, then began their investigation. In their investigation, officers discovered that two people used a brick to break the glass of the front door and entered the Minit Mart. Police investigating shots fired in Scranton Authorities explained that once inside, the suspects stole multiple items, including a locked display case containing several Delta 8 THC products. A Lycoming Regional Police Department Detective, along with patrol officers were able to deduce who the two suspects were. Officials say both suspects admitted to their involvement in the burglary and will receive appropriate charges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most of all of the stolen products were recovered by the Lycoming Regional Police Department. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PAhomepage.com. CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) Authorities are searching for two suspects connected to a March 23 assault on King Street. Officers with the Charleston Police Department were made aware of an altercation that took place Sunday around 8:15 p.m. where a group of teenagers spit on an individual near King and Calhoun streets. When the victim confronted the teens for spitting on his girlfriend, multiple suspects punched and kicked the victim. The victim was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nearby officers arrested one of the suspects after a brief chase. Luke Chafin, 19, of Hanahan was charged with assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature, two counts of assault and battery third degree, possession of a fake ID, and minor in possession of alcohol. Police are now asking for the publics help in identifying two additional suspects. Detectives continue to investigate the incident and believe the individuals pictured were also involved in the assault, the department said. Images provided by the Charleston Police Department show two suspects believed to be involved in a King Street assault. (Charleston Police Dept.) Anyone with information about this crime or the identity of the suspects is encouraged to contact CPD at 843-720-2422 and request to speak with the on-duty central detective. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. DENVER (KDVR) A teen was shot and injured by Aurora police in the City Center neighborhood Monday morning. According to an X post from the Aurora Police Department, officers were investigating a suspicious occurrence in the 1000 block of S. Elkhart Way at about 3:15 a.m. The area is in a neighborhood south of Settlers Park. Aurora police said the area where the shooting took place is known to have vehicle break-ins and motor vehicle thefts. Officers were doing proactive patrols, called hot spot policing in the area due to the nature of the previous crimes, which included car thefts and break-ins. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fox 31s Vicente Arenas checked the Aurora Police Departments crime dashboard, which showed more than 70% of calls to the neighborhood were for car thefts and break-ins over the last five years. FOX31 Newsletters: Sign up to get breaking news sent to your inbox Division Chief Mark Hildebrand delivered a press conference and said officers saw a 16-year-old male prowling in the area. In a release, the department said the teen appeared to be attempting to break into vehicles. When officers approached, the teen ran off. Hildebrand said a few moments later, officers spotted the teen behind trees and vehicles in a parking lot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The department added in a press release that the teen reportedly concealed a shiny object in his waistband as he ran from police. Two sergeants gave the teen orders to show his hands, but he did not comply, Hildebrand said. The teen then came from behind the cars and approached officers at a very fast pace. The officers were retreating to create space, however the teen continued to move toward officers. Hildebrand said one sergeant discharged his firearm and the teen was hit in the leg. The division chief believes two to three shots were fired. After being shot, the teen reportedly threw down a knife, dropped to his knees and complied with officers orders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One person killed in rollover crash in Arapahoe County The teen was taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, and no officers were injured. We dont know what motivated this individual to not comply with orders and charge at officers, were still going to figure that out through our investigation, said Hildebrand. The sergeant who fired his weapon has 20 years of experience and is on administrative leave per protocol. Hildebrand said the teen has had several prior contacts with the Aurora Police Department, but he did not go into detail about the incidents. Arenas spoke with residents who said there have been lots of problems with crime at the complex and in the area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Of course, we get a lot of shots around her so I thought it was a typical thing, Chris Lawrence said. Climber dies after falling in Boulder Canyon climbing area Another resident said her car had been broken into before. It just scares me because you dont know whos in your neighborhood. You dont know whos coming here or when you wake up if youre going to find your car gone, Sandy Lozano said. The investigation is ongoing. The 18th Judicial District Critical Incident Response Team will conduct an independent investigation. FOX31s Vicente Arenas 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 FOX31 Denver. U.S. President Donald Trump speaks at a joint press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron (not in the picture) at the White House in Washington, D.C., the United States, on Feb. 24, 2025. (Xinhua/Hu Yousong) The essence of the "transactional foreign policy" is nothing more than coercion diplomacy rooted in power, serving the narrow self-interests of the United States. 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." U.S. and Ukrainian delegations meet in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, March 11, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen) "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 boy waits for bus in the snow with flowers in hands in Nuuk, Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark, March 19, 2025. (Xinhua/Peng Ziyang) 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. The Barnstable Police Department has arrested 21-year-old Maxwell Dean of Yarmouthport for his connection to a hit-and-run. Dean is facing several charges, including: Assault and Battery with a Dangerous Weapon (two counts) Leaving the Scene of an Accident with Personal Injury Negligent Operation of a Motor Vehicle Operating with a Suspended License Operation of an Unregistered Motor Vehicle Operation of an Uninsured Motor Vehicle Attaching Wrong Motor Vehicle Plates to Conceal Identity Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Around 1:50 P.M. Barnstable police officers were dispatched to the parking lot of Tiki Port restaurant on Route 132 for reports of a hit-and-run with multiple pedestrians involved. Upon arrival, officers and members of the Hyannis Fire and Rescue crew spotted two injured females and began to conduct immediate treatment to them. One victim was severely injured and was transported to a nearby airport to be med-flighted to a Rhode Island Level 1 Trauma Center for treatment. The other woman suffered minor injuries and was transported to a nearby hospital. Officers were able to identify the vehicle involved, a white pick-up truck while conducting an investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officers were then able to locate the truck and conducted a traffic stop, where Dean was arrested without incident and is currently being held at the Barnstable Police Department on a $20,000 bail. Dean is expected to be arraigned in Barnstable District Court on Monday, March 24. The incident remains under investigation. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW A journalist-turned-commentator who became known for her social media takedowns of the far right is officially running for Congress, hoping to bring newer and younger representation to a floundering Democratic Party accused of not fighting hard enough for their constituents. Kat Abughazaleh announced on Monday that she is running for Illinois 9th Congressional District, which has been held by the same Democratic lawmaker since before she was born. And while she doesnt currently live in the district and has only lived in the state for less than a year the recently laid-off 26-year-old maintains that voters need the kind of representation that intimately knows the countrys struggling economic and social realities, and is willing to fight for new solutions. We deserve Representatives who face the same challenges we do (or at least have some time in the last decade), Abughazaleh said on her campaign website. They dont deal with out-of-pocket prescription costs or nightmarish rent hikes or existential fear about their lives in 50 years. You and I do. Abughazaleh expressed frustration with the Democratic Party thats been shared by many voters and a growing number of lawmakers particularly after President Donald Trump took office a second time, and even more so after some Democrats voted in favor of the GOPs harmful government spending bill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democratic leaders have been accused of not treating the Trump administrations descent into authoritarianism with the urgency it requires, and prioritizing big donors over constituents needs. The anger has led to calls to change the partys status quo, and for the old guard to make room for the younger generation of Democrats to lead. I say its time to drop the excuses and grow a fucking spine, Abughazaleh said in a video first posted on Bluesky a move she said was intentional so that her campaign doesnt heavily rely on Elon Musks X or Mark Zuckerbergs Meta. Unfortunately, this party has become one where you have to look to the exceptions for real leadership, as the majority work from an outdated playbook, she continued. We need a makeover, which means we need a vision thats bigger than what weve been told is possible. Abughazaleh worked at watchdog group Media Matters until last year, when Musks ongoing lawsuit against the organization led to a dozen layoffs, including her. As part of the lawsuit, the political researcher was also deposed in Chicago for what she said were tweets critical of the billionaire Trump ally. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Over time, Abughazaleh became widely popular on social media for taking down members of the far right, like Musk. Now, she wants to do it as the second Palestinian American woman in Congress and the youngest woman ever elected to Congress in U.S. history. This is all to say Im not scared of standing up to these people. I know how they think and I know how to beat them, she said. But my campaign itself is going to be different too, because I dont want to wait a year to help people. Were focused on meeting constituent needs with one simple rule: What if we didnt suck? The district Abughazaleh is vying for has been occupied by Rep. Jan Schakowsky since 1999, likely making the content creators primary challenge an uphill battle. While Abughazaleh told Rolling Stone that Schakowsky has had a pretty great track record on voting, she still believes its time for the district to have fresh leadership. Schakowsky, 80, did not disparage Abughazaleh for her decision to run against her nor did she say whether shed step aside and support her in the race. What makes our community, and our country, so great is that we welcome all voices and ideas, the incumbent said in a statement to HuffPost. I have always encouraged more participation in the democratic process, and Im glad to see new faces getting involved as we stand up against the Trump Administration. POLK COUNTY, N.C. (WSPA) Three wildfires continued to burn Tuesday across a large portion of western Polk County with little containment. The Black Cove, Deep Woods, and Fish Hook fires have burned a combined 6,168 acres as of Tuesday afternoon. The North Carolina Forest Service will host a meeting Tuesday at 6 p.m. to provide details to the community about the wildfires. The meeting will be hosted by Biltmore Church at 103A Education Drive in Flat Rock. Evacuation Zones Henderson County and Polk County released an interactive map Tuesday showing the extent of the fires and evacuation zones. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The evacuation zones are split into three types: Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3. Level 1: Wildfire threat in your area. Consider planning and packing in the event an evacuation becomes necessary. Level 2: High probability of need to evacuate. Get ready for possible departure by packing and preparing family, pets, and vehicle. Level 3: Residents should leave. If you are having trouble seeing the map above, click here. Black Cove Fire By the numbers Black Cove Fire 3,046 acres Deep Woods Fire 2,923 acres Fish Hook Fire 199 acres The Black Cove Fire has burned just over 3,000 acres and is 0% contained. The fire is burning just west of the Green River north of Interstate 26. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several evacuations remain in effect for the Black Cove fire, including areas between 1091 and 1528 Green River Cove Road. All properties on Lady Slipper Trail, Big Hungry Road, Spurgeon Cove Lane, English Heifer Cove, Deer Trail, and Scarlets Mountain Road are also under the evacuation order. Officials said the fire has crossed into Henderson County in the area of Big Hungry River. Henderson County Emergency Management and the North Carolina Forest Service announced mandatory evacuations Tuesday night for the Summer Haven community, including Macedonia Road east of Interstate 26, Skyland Acres Road, Knight Road, Summer Haven Lane and S Fine Way. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Voluntary evacuations are in effect for residents on Laurel Mountain View Road and Boulder View Road in Henderson County. Henderson County declared a state of emergency Wednesday due to the wildfire. So far, seven homes have been destroyed, seven outbuildings have been destroyed and one home was damaged. An emergency shelter is located at the Henderson County Parks & Recreation Athletics and Activities Center at 708 South Grove Street in Hendersonville. The Black Cove Fire was started by a downed power line around 2 p.m. on March 19. Deep Woods Fire The Deep Woods Fire, located on the east side of the Green River just northeast of the Black Cove Fire, has burned more than 2,900 acres. That fire is also 0% contained. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The NC Forest Service said the fire is burning on state-owned and private land in the Green River Gorge and the Holbert Cove community around five miles northwest of Columbus. Mandatory evacuations are in place for for north side of 5079 to 7625 Holbert Cove Road, 3155 6159 Holbert Cove Road the 2456 Holbert Cove area, Who Drive, Echo Lane, Glen Echo Circle, Scout Camp Road, Coyote Ridge, Sams Gap Lane, all of Fox Paw Lane, Deep Woods lane, Wesley lane, Piney Overlook Lane, Piney Gate Road, Gamelands Trail, Volley Way, Charity Branch Drive, Windsong lane and Moonshine Trace. At least one home and three outbuildings have been destroyed by the fire. Theres no word yet on what caused the fire. Fish Hook Fire The smallest fire, the Fish Hook Fire, has burned close to 200 acres but is now 72% contained. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fish Hook Fire has no active evacuations. The fire is burning on private land near Lake Adger, around five miles northwest of Mill Spring. Officials said at least three homes and one outbuilding were lost in the Fish Hook Fire, which was also caused by a downed power line. Map showing extent of wildfires in Polk County, N.C., March 24, 2025 (From: North Carolina Forest Service) Firefighting Efforts Firefighting efforts are focused on the Black Cove and Deep Woods fires, the two largest in the county. Officials said the fires are located in an area devastated by Hurricane Helene. Access is continually an issue for us, said EJ Dwigans with the North Carolina Forest Service. [We are] having to work our way through downed trees and debris just to get where these fires are because they are burning in very remote areas but a lot of these roads and accesses are very tight, one way in, one way out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials are asking the public not to impede on their efforts. What we are trying to do is to keep as many spectators out as possible, said Polk County Sheriff Tim Wright. We have a lot of people wanting to come in to take photos. We need to try to keep those individuals out so we can provide safety and security and let the emergency service personnel get to where they need to be. The sheriffs office said they have also increased patrols in the evacuation areas as a precaution. There are currently 263 personnel from North Carolina and other states working to fight the fires. Light rain moved through the area Monday morning bringing less than a tenth of an inch of precipitation to the area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Red Cross Shelter has been set up at 75 Carmel Lane in Columbus for those in the evacuation area. No pets are allowed in the shelter but if residents need help with animal boarding, they are asked to contact Polk County Animal Control at 828-817-7984. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Officials said Monday that three wildfires in Polk County near Hendersonville have now burned over 5,200 acres. The North Carolina Forest Service and local units have been fighting the Black Cove Fire, the Deep Woods Fire, and the Fish Hook Fire for days now. Out-of-state help was on the way this week to help in the air and on the ground. PAST COVERAGE: Western NC wildfires prompt evacuations, damage buildings and vehicles Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several restaurants in the area were also pitching in to help by feeding first responders and people forced to evacuate. One chef says these meals mean more because hes a former firefighter. It means a whole lot to me because I know what theyre going through right now, David Ashmore, executive chef at Green River Eddys Tap Room & Grill, said. This is a small community where everyone comes together and helps out. The Federal Emergency Management Agency also approved money to help the states response. Both North and South Carolina have statewide burn bans in effect. Thats on top of local municipalities that have issued their own. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Sunday, The Charlotte Fire Department put more restrictions in place including a ban on any open burning within 100 feet of a dwelling, such as backyard fire pits. READ MORE: Charlotte Fire Marshal issues local burn ban Shelters opened over the weekend for those displaced by the fires. It was chaos, said Chris Franks, who tried to save his sons home along Fish Hook Lane last week but was unsuccessful due to the strong winds. We were up here trying to put the fire out and couldnt get it out. The fire department came and the winds picked up. After that happened, it was all she wrote. Chris Franks showed Channel 9s Dave Faherty the remains of his sons home, which was destroyed by the wildfire along with their cars and a neighbors garage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Less than a mile away, a mountain home that had just sold was also destroyed by flames overnight. Amanda Skutthes, a renter in the area, expressed concern for the community, saying, I just feel bad for all the people that live here with Helene and this back to back. I really hope that the beauty can stay intact. Residents were seen moving their RVs and equipment away from the flames to prevent further loss. CFD responding to Polk County wildfires Faherty was in Polk County last week as fire crews from Charlotte, Cleveland County, and Grover tried to contain the wildfires. They were working to protect structures such as a Baptist church using water from the Green River. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Faherty spoke with officials at a staging area for the North Carolina Forest Service and volunteer departments. Its what we train for. Were sad that it happens but were all glad to join in together and work as one team, said Assistant Chief Jimmy Hensley of the Grover Fire Department. Faherty saw people scrambling to move campers and other equipment away from the fires. Residents told Channel 9 winds reached 40 miles per hour overnight Thursday, causing spot fires across the mountainside. Polk County officials said as many as seven buildings have burned in the three fires. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Neighbors spoke with Channel 9 Friday and said they were concerned about the winds picking up again. Just keep everything away from the brush line as best we can, one resident said. The winds down here have really pushing the fire even more. WATCH BELOW: York County firefighters assist in battling wildfires in Horry County "Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." Pope Francis, who was hospitalized on Friday, February 14 with a respiratory tract infection that evolved into pneumonia, was discharged from the hospital on Sunday, March 23. He made a brief public appearance on the balcony of the hospital, appearing frail and speaking quietly. Dr. Sergio Alfieri, the head of Pope Franciss medical team at Gemelli Hospital, told reporters that during the Franciss hospitalization, which lasted 38 days, there were two very critical episodes in which the Holy Fathers life was in danger. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Pope will now convalesce at his Vatican residence, Casa Santa Marta, for at least two months. Convalescence is by definition a phase of recovery, so it is clear that in the period of convalescence, he will not be able to carry out his daily activity of meeting with people, as he was used to, Dr. Luigi Carbone, his Vatican-based doctor, said. King Charles and Queen Camilla are set to visit Rome in early April, where they hope to have an audience with Pope Francis, but its unclear if he will be healthy enough to receive any visitors. In 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, the Pope said in his Angelus message the day he was discharged from the hospital. 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. You Might Also Like By Joshua McElwee VATICAN CITY (Reuters) -After 38 days in hospital battling double pneumonia almost entirely out of sight, Pope Francis made his first public appearance on Sunday since February 14 and returned to the Vatican. But with his doctors prescribing the 88-year-old pontiff another two months of rest to allow his ageing body to fully heal, it is unclear how often people will get to see the leader of the world's 1.4 billion Catholics in the coming weeks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The pope left Rome's Gemelli hospital on Sunday and returned to the Casa Santa Marta (St. Martha's House), a small building at the Vatican which has been his home since his election as pontiff in 2013. Constructed in 1996 as a place for cardinals to stay during a papal conclave to elect a new pope, Santa Marta is structured like a hotel, with guest rooms across five floors, a small cafeteria and a chapel. But the facility is not generally open to the public. In the years between conclaves, it is primarily a home for many of the priests who work at the Vatican, who have special passes allowing them entry. The pope and his closest aides occupy a series of rooms on the building's second floor. In his private quarters, Francis has lived relatively unassisted up to now, taking care of many of his own needs, and is largely out of public view. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Vatican has indicated that no new special arrangements have been made to the facility to care for Francis as he recovers from pneumonia. The only change was to install a new adjustable bed, with electronic controls to make it more accessible for the pope, who has used a wheelchair in recent years, Italy's Corriere della Sera reported on Sunday. The vice director of the Vatican's healthcare service, Luigi Carbone, told reporters on Saturday that Francis will have a 24-hour nurse and will continue receiving supplemental oxygen, as needed. 'SO LONG AS GOD WISHES' It is unknown how closely Francis, who has a reputation for working himself to exhaustion, will follow his doctors' orders to take two months of rest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I think that for the moment we will only bring to him the most important issues that require a decision from him, so as not to tire him too much", Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican's number two official, told reporters. The pope had continued leading the global Church even from hospital, making usual appointments of Catholic bishops around the world and also launching a new three-year reform process for the institution. Normally, Francis has at least two public events per week - an audience at the Vatican with pilgrims each Wednesday, and a prayer in St. Peter's Square each Sunday. During past illnesses, the pope has kept up those appointments, sometimes via video link from Santa Marta when he is particularly sick. The Vatican has given no indication about what to expect about the pope's planned agenda in the coming weeks, including a meeting with Britain's King Charles on April 8 and Easter celebrations on April 20. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I hope that at least he will be able to say hello to him," Parolin said about Francis' scheduled audience with the British monarch. Francis, originally from Argentina and the first pope from the Americas, is also the first pope in more than a century to live outside the Vatican's apostolic palace, an ornate Italian Renaissance building located next to St. Peter's Square. The pope has said he lives in Santa Marta, located on the Vatican's south wall near the city-state's small train station, because he likes being around other people. "I'm happy at Santa Marta because I have people around me," Francis wrote in an autobiography released earlier this year. "I'll be there so long as God wishes." (Reporting by Joshua McElwee, additional reporting by Alvise Armellini; Editing by Angus MacSwan and Crispian Balmer) PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) One man was found dead at a business on Cumberland Avenue Sunday afternoon. A heavy police presence was spotted outside of Greater Grinders Submarines off of High Street. Officers were dispatched to the 500 block of Cumberland Avenue just before 4 p.m. for reports of a possible deceased male. When officers arrived to the scene, 51-year-old Bennie Anthony Artis Jr. was found unresponsive with multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those who knew Artis came to the scene Monday morning to find out what happened to the man they considered a friend. Yeah, I mean, like I said, he was a good dude, Eric Jones, a friend of Artis said. I just found out my aunt just called me and asked me did I hear about it. It is shocking to me. I dont know whats going on. When I came over here to try to catch one of the guys at the store to see, they didnt want it. Jones, who went to high school with Artis, told 10 On Your Side that Artis operated a mobile car wash business and that he had a charitable spirit. I mean, he had a little business going, Jones said. Like I said, he gave to the community, he did little things, he tried to help out whenever he could help out. If somebody came up to him and he knew him he didnt even really have to know them he would help people out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The incident remains under investigation. Continue to check WAVY.com for updates. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com. During Brookfield Renewable's (NYSE: BEP)(NYSE: BEPC) fourth-quarter 2024 earnings call, the company's CEO stated very clearly that, "Following several decades of modest electricity demand growth, we are experiencing a dramatic shift in demand driven by the AI revolution." That's basically the same sentiment that's being expressed by electricity providers across the board and it highlights an opportunity for investors broadly and income investors specifically. Who is going to win? Brookfield's CEO went on to explain that he believes artificial intelligence (AI) is "one of, if not the most, significant advancement in technology in our lifetime." That may very well be true, but history is filled with massive technological advances and the investment lessons aren't great. Very recently there was the advancement of electric vehicles (EV), with Tesla effectively creating an entire new industry. Image source: Getty Images. There was great excitement at first, with a host of companies attempting to follow Tesla's lead and build EV companies from the ground up. Only many of those companies have now gone bankrupt. The ones that have survived experienced massive stock spikes early on when Wall Street was enamored with the EV story. But many have lost 90% or more of their value as investors realized that not every EV company was going to be a winner. The same story unfolded with internet stocks at the turn of the century. Yes, some very important companies were created and they are now giants in the industry and in absolute terms, including Alphabet. But don't forget that Google competitor Yahoo! has suffered through material difficulties and it didn't work out very well for investors. And there were many other one-time internet darlings that flamed out entirely. If history is any guide, it will be very difficult to correctly select the few AI stocks that will end up winners. But there is one thing that every AI winner will need a lot of: electricity. Plenty of electricity options when it comes to AI investing Perhaps the safest way to play the AI electricity demand increase is with a regulated electric utility. Regulated utilities are granted monopolies in the areas they serve, so they have a pretty strong head start when it comes to supplying AI's needs. But there are big and small utilities, so there are still different ways to play this angle. For example, industry giant Dominion Energy (NYSE: D) has seen an 88% increase in interest from data centers for electricity in its Virginia based utility operations since just July 2024. Virginia happens to be an important hub for data centers, which also support AI. Dominion, which has a lofty dividend yield of 4.8%, is working through a business turnaround and its dividend has been static for a couple of years. Spiking electricity demand driven by AI could get the dividend back on the growth track. But you'll be paid very well to wait even if the return to dividend growth takes a little while. Gerard Depardieu, Frances most famous male actor, will face not just two women who accuse him of sexual assault but also a nation long criticised for ignoring abuse by powerful figures when his trial begins on Monday. The 76-year-old actor is accused of assaulting a set dresser and an assistant director during the 2021 filming of Les Volets Verts (The Green Shutters). While over 20 women have publicly accused Depardieu of sexual misconduct, this is the first case to make it to trial. This landmark trial is seen as the most significant post-MeToo case in France, and it raises a key question: is the country, renowned for its culture of seduction, finally prepared to hold its cultural giants accountable? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prosecutors say Depardieu trapped one of the women with his legs before groping her waist and breasts in front of witnesses. The 54-year-old set dresser described the actors behaviour in a 2021 interview with investigative outlet Mediapart, recalling how Depardieu shouted that he couldnt even get it up due to the heat, before saying: Come and touch my big parasol. Ill stick it in your (nether regions). She claimed 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. As is common in such cases, the plaintiffs identities have been kept confidential to protect the victims. Depardieu has denied all accusations. - Axel Schmidt/Copyright 2024 The AP. All rights reserved. Depardieu has denied all accusations. In an open letter published in newspaper Le Figaro in October 2023, he firmly stated: 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. Depardieus lawyer, Jeremie Assous, has called the case baseless. He further noted that the actor, who recently underwent a quadruple bypass and suffers from diabetes, would attend the trial, with breaks scheduled to accommodate his health. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In France, a culture slow to confront abuse has made the trial all the more poignant. While Hollywood swiftly fell in the wake of #MeToo, the French film industry took a more reluctant approach. Some dismissed the movement as incompatible with French values, arguing it posed a threat to free expression and the nations flirtation culture. Many argue that the fact of Roman Polanski, convicted of unlawful sex with a minor in the US and accused by several other women, being able to continue to live and work in France with little consequence is indicative of the countrys broader attitude. His 2020 Cesar Award for Best Director sparked protests, including one from actress Adele Haenel, who walked out in disgust. But change may be afoot. In February, director Christophe Ruggia was convicted of sexually abusing Haenel when she was a child. Haenel, who had already quit the film industry in protest, is now a prominent voice in the battle against abuse. Judith Godreche, another outspoken figure, has accused directors Benoit Jacquot and Jacques Doillon of sexually exploiting her as a teenager allegations both men deny. Even in the face of a changing culture, however, there remains resistance. In 2018, over 100 prominent French women, including actress Catherine Deneuve, signed an open letter in Le Monde defending what they called the freedom to bother, arguing that flirtation should not be equated with harassment. Rep. Derrick Lente (D-Sandia Pueblo) and Rep. Tara Lujan (D-Santa Fe) hug after the end of the 2025 legislative session. (Danielle Prokop / Source NM) New Mexico lawmakers in the House and Senate wrapped up the 60-day session, gaveling out for the final time just after noon on Saturday. According to Source NMs Bill Tracker, lawmakers passed 194 bills proposed laws along with three joint resolutions. Resolutions are formal declarations the Legislature either cant or doesnt want to control via lawmaking; the joint resolutions propose amendments to the constitution and will require voter approval. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lawmakers also passed 48 memorials, which are non-binding formal requests or intentions typically addressed to another governmental body. For example, House Memorial 15 requests that the United States Congress once again try to expand the Radiation and Exposure Compensation Act to include New Mexico victims. Neither memorials nor resolutions require the governors signature. In total, lawmakers passed 18.5% of all the legislation introduced and 16.4% of the bills. You can check out all of Sources 2025 legislative coverage here. To sign or not to sign Proposed bills passed by both chambers then head to Gov. Michelle Lujan Grishams desk as their final destination. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For the majority of the legislation that passed within the last three days of the session, the governor has until April 11 to act by either signing or vetoing with an explanation. If a bill goes unsigned by the deadline, it fails to become law in whats called a pocket-veto, which happens without explanation, and is a move whose days may be numbered. Lawmakers this session unanimously passed House Joint Resolution 2, which would remove the governors pocket veto power if voters approve a constitutional amendment to that effect in the next general election (unless a special election arises before that). For appropriations bills ones allocating money the governor also has the power to line-item veto, which means she can strike specific provisions while leaving the rest of the law intact. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lawmakers sent nearly two dozen bills up to the governor before the final three days of the session, which the New Mexico Constitution requires her to sign on a three-day clock. As of publication, the governor had signed 22 bills into law, including allowing Native American students to wear tribal regalia at graduations; bills related to veteran tax credits and access to state parks; and a bill to make it easier and faster for police to seize guns belonging to a person determined to be a risk to themselves and others. The signings havent been entirely without controversy. Lujan Grisham line-item vetoed a bill overhauling the states wildlife agency, sparking pushback from advocates; and she traded barbs with Attorney General Raul Torres office when she signed a law establishing an office to watchdog the states child welfare agency. On Saturday, the governor vetoed Senate Bill 17, which would have enacted a series of changes to modernize the Parole Board and how the body considers incarcerated peoples requests for parole. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lujan Grisham wrote in her veto message the legislation created an unnecessary set of obstacles to remove members from the parole board. Currently, Lujan Grisham can remove members of the board at will. Members of the American Civil Liberties Union, who championed the bill, criticized Lujan Grishams veto in written statements. This bipartisan bill would have brought essential reforms to our parole system, benefiting both the community and crime victims, said Leon Howard, the interim ACLU-NM executive director, in a written statement. Especially amidst brazen federal executive overreach, we expect our state governor to respect the legislative process and not substitute her own individual judgment for the will of the people as demonstrated by the unanimous passage of SB 17 through both chambers. Lujan Grisham also vetoed House Bill 65, which would have allowed school districts to set their own calendars, aligning with a recent court ruling over the Public Education Departments controversial 180-day rule. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In her veto message, the governor wrote of a troubling trend of school districts and charter schools condensing the required instructional hours into fewer days. While this may provide administrative convenience and reduced costs, the consequences for our students are deeply concerning, she said. Spreading instructional hours over more days, she continued, allows students to absorb material more effectively, supports consistent teacher-student interaction, fosters a stable learning environment and reduces summer learning loss. In the sessions final hour, the House voted unanimously to override the governors veto on instructional days, but the Senate did not join the lower chamber. In remarks to reporters on Saturday, Senate Pro Tem Mimi Stewart (D-Albuquerque) characterized the lack of agreement as a timing issue. What do we know about the special session later this year? So far, not very much. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier in the legislative session, Lujan Grisham floated calling a special session to address potential state shortfalls from a loss of federal funds. On the sessions final day, Lujan Grisham lambasted lawmakers for what she called appalling and unacceptable inaction on juvenile crime after the March 21 shooting in Las Cruces that killed three people and injured 15. Democratic leadership told Source NM Saturday they expect Lujan Grisham to call a session on both priorities. Weve talked about coming back for a special session on crime, said Democratic Senate Whip Michael Padilla (D-Albuquerque). Im really thinking were going to come back on these federal cuts as well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The timing for the special session is unclear, with Lujan Grisham telling reporters on Saturday that she plans to call one later this year. I am certainly there, in this moment; Id like to have a cooler head prevail, she said. I think the likelihood is far stronger than not. Whats going on in the interim? A measure to study if the Legislature should combine interim and standing committees into year-round committees, which unanimously passed the House, stalled out in the Senate. Interim committees, whose members come from both houses, meet in the off-months to start the development of legislation for the forthcoming session and hold hearings. Agendas are typically released in April and May. Unlike the legislation session when committees meet at the Roundhouse, these committee meetings rotate to different locations around the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Senate Majority Floor Leader Peter Wirth (D-Santa Fe) told reporters Saturday he expects provisions regarding juvenile justice will be largely tackled by the Courts and Corrections interim committee, headed by Rep. Christine Chandler (D-Los Alamos) and Sen. Joseph Cervantes (D-Las Cruces). Obviously, this work does need to continue. It needs the type of interim effort that we saw with the public safety package that we ended up passing, Wirth said. Im really encouraged that weve got a Courts and Corrections interim committee with Chair Chandler and Chair Cervantes, thats gonna do that type of work so when we come into the session were going to be effective, as weve been effective this session. Lawmakers also announced some additional interim priorities during the session. House Memorial 2 requests state agencies overseeing public education, child welfare, higher education and information technology convene a working group to develop a set of rules and policies governing artificial intelligence use in educational institutions Especially to ensure that artificial intelligence tools are used effectively and responsibly, are accessible to all communities across New Mexico, are tailored to New Mexicos cultural and educational contexts and are not used as a substitute for meaningful human connection, the memorial stated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The memorial requires the working group present findings by Oct. 31 of this year. House Memorial 27 requests legislative staff assign an interim committee to tackle how to implement an exemption to the anti-donation clause that voters approved in 2022. The anti-donation clause is a section of the New Mexico Constitution that limits state government from giving anything to the private sector. Voters in 2022 approved an exception to allow the state to spend state money on residential infrastructure that allows internet, energy, water, wastewater or other similar services. The memorial requests lawmakers develop proposals in time for the 2026 30-day session. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) Local letter carriers gathered in large numbers once again Sunday to rally against any efforts to privatize, dismantle, or restructure the United States Postal Service (USPS). The protests came amid concerns over proposed job cuts and the future of the postal service, which they said plays a vital role in communities across the country. The issue intensified earlier this month when Postmaster General Louis DeJoy told Congress that USPS plans to eliminate 10,000 jobs through a voluntary early retirement program over the next 30 days. Manuel Greer, a letter carrier, expressed concerns. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats fewer older letter carriers who know the job well and know their customers well, Greer said. DeJoy also announced that the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is collaborating with USPS to reduce costs, starting with the planned 10,000 early retirements from the agencys roughly 635,000 employees. David Grosskopf Jr., President of the National Association of Letter Carriers Branch 3, criticized the cuts. Its an ideology. There are just some folks in the country that believe this is the best way to go, Grosskopf Jr. said. While USPS is generally self-funded, CBS Fact Check Team reports it has received taxpayer financial aid in certain situations, including $120 billion in support since 2020 to help offset losses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite this aid, USPS has run a deficit every year since 2007, accumulating a total loss of $108 billion. In Western New York, congressional representatives have emphasized the bipartisan nature of the mail service issue. Congressman Nick Langworthy and Senator Tim Kennedy worked together to prevent USPS operations from being moved from Buffalo to Rochester in March of last year. However, the two lawmakers remain divided on the proposed cuts. Langworthy believes the cuts are necessary. Mail service is a vital infrastructure for this country. But we also have to figure out how to find efficiencies so that the Postal Service doesnt hemorrhage money year in, year out, Langworthy said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the other hand, Kennedy argues that the cuts will harm those waiting for important packages, calling it despicable. Its just hurting services and hurting Americans across this country, putting the most vulnerable Americans at risk, Kennedy said. The possibility of privatizing mail service also remains a major concern, following the White House administrations interest in the idea. Federal law mandates that the government must deliver the mail, and any effort to privatize would require an act of Congress. Letter carrier Steven Olender warned of the negative consequences. Delivery to the less profitable areas of the country would stop, service would slow down, prices would go up. It would be a huge impact for the American public, Olender said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Grosskopf Jr. also raised concerns about the potential privatization of USPS property. We own a lot of property in the U.S. Postal Service, Grosskopf Jr. said. And theyd love to get their hands on that to make some money on it. We keep private industry in check. We keep our prices low. You take that out, what do you think is the first thing that is going to happen? In addition to concerns about job cuts and privatization, letter carriers are also calling for a new contract after their previous one expired in May 2023. They are demanding wage increases and the protection of work rules voted down by the membership in contract arbitration. Latest Local News Dillon Morello is a reporter from Pittsburgh who has been part of the News 4 team since September of 2023. See more of his work here and follow him on Twitter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to News 4 Buffalo. FALL RIVER, Mass. (WPRI/AP) Postal workers gathered in Fall River on Sunday to protest the White Houses proposed changes to the U.S. Postal Service (USPS). Last week, Postmaster General Louis DeJoy agreed to work with Elon Musks Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to cut 10,000 workers and billions of dollars from USPSs budget. Branches of the National Association of Letter Carriers (NACL) held rallies across the country to protest efforts to privatize or restructure USPS. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a flyer for the protest, the NACL said that the proposed changes would result in raised shipping costs and the reduction of services to more than 51 million homes and businesses in rural communities. ALSO READ: Rhode Islanders shred utility bills at State House to protest rising costs Christopher Grinnell is the president of NALC Branch 51 and was at the protest in Fall River. The postal service that they have counted on for centuries, because you know were older than the country itself, is under attack, Grinnell said. People may see differences in their services. Similar rallies were also held in Providence, Taunton and Boston. Download the WPRI 12 and Pinpoint Weather 12 apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch 12 News Now on WPRI.com or with the new 12+ smart TV app. Follow us on social media: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Roundup Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com. WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL) Branches of the National Association of Letter Carriers are protesting plans to privatize the United States Postal Service. Postal workers in Wichita Falls protested the recent calls to privatize the USPS at the intersection of Barnett and Southwest Parkway. Community members also joined. Branch 1227 of the NALC held an informational rally to educate people on the dangers that privatization would pose to the postal service. Privatizing would allow the postal service to make more money to pay its current liabilities. On the other hand, it could hurt small businesses and people who rely on the services low rates and universal service obligation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement NALC Branch president Chris Snyder is also concerned about the legality of making these changes through executive action. Were not opposed to changes through legislation that helps the Postal Service, you know, very thoughtful legislation to deal with that, Snyder said. But privatization is not the answer. Privatization will certainly dismantle the Postal Service. Snyder also said privatization could put services to rural and other underserved areas at risk. Due to the postal services continued obligation to universal service, those lines can remain in operation. No decision has been made yet on whether or not USPS will privatize. 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. AMES, Iowa United States Postal Service workers held a rally at the post office in Ames to protest plans to privatize the USPS on Sunday. Jaimee Scala, a Postal Worker and Union President of the National Association of Letter Carriers Branch 1081, said that a privatized post office would increase costs. Republicans propose property tax system overhaul; will it pass this session? Were out here today to make the public aware of the efforts that the administration is trying to privatize the post office and to change the way people get their mail, and it would be not a good thing if it was privatized. It would cost people a lot more money and a lot of the rural communities would be affected. Scala said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Scala said she is concerned about the legality of privatizing the post office. its pretty alarming. I know Ive been with the post office for 26 years and weve had protests before. Weve had other administrations talk about coming in and privatization and the way this administration has come through and done some things that arent legal necessarily. Its in the Constitution that everybody gets mail delivery. I mean, it doesnt matter if you live in a mansion or under a bridge, youre going to get mail delivery. Scala said. Sundays rally follows a rally in Des Moines earlier in the week and was just one of many happening all across the country. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to who13.com. CHICAGO Letter carriers across the country and in Chicago rallied Sunday against possible cuts to the United States Postal Service. The protest was part of a nationwide movement in support of the USPS, with other demonstrations held across the country in recent days. Those who participated made it known they oppose the idea of selling the agency, a move proposed by President Trump. Hands off the United States Postal Service! Elise Foster, president of Branch 11 of the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC), said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump signs executive order to dismantle Department of Education; Chicago employees impacted Sending a loud and clear message to the Trump administration from Federal Plaza in downtown Chicago, letter carriers, postal service workers and supporters gathered to protest the potential privatization of the USPS. Were going to save the post office because the post office is the backbone of our democracy, State Rep. Theresa Mah (D) said. Many shared personal experiences about USPS highlighting how this form of communication empowers small business owners and everyday people. My parents could send tons of invoices that I hand-stuffed to customers through the USPS. Parts for service, checks that paid the staff that were delivered daily, Lake County Treasurer Holly Kim said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whether its letters, cards, medicines, package, that letter carrier is out in every single community six days a week. We pick up whatever you need delivered, NALC Branch 11 National Business Agent Mike Caref added. The postal union argues that the agency operates without relying on taxpayer dollars, funding itself through the sale of postage and products. They warn that any changes to USPS will result in limited access, reduced services and increased costs. Why would President Trump want to take postal service from 51.5 million households in rural districts? Why would he want to affect jobs of 640,000 postal employees, more than 73,000 veterans out of work, State Rep. Joyce Mason (D) said. Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mayor Brandon Johnson echoed that the postal service should not be dismantled, saying its a critical service and one of the many public resources that must be approved. Whether its the mail, whether its education, whether its justice, whether its environment, we are fighting for the working people of this country, Johnson said. Postal union leaders and state lawmakers said while they raise their voices to prevent USPS from being sold to a private company, they are also focused on ensuring the safety of the men and women who deliver and process the mail. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) On March 23rd, rallies took place across the country in support of the U.S. Postal Service, with thousands standing together in spite of privatization efforts. One of the rallies was held at the Federal Building in Downtown Syracuse, where dozens of carriers, union members, retirees, and local supporters gathered to protect what they believe is the foundation of the American people. Tom Dlugolenski, a local mail carrier for 25 years, was among those fighting this battle. He explained that privatizing the Postal Service would devastate a vital way Americans get their mail, which is worth $8 trillion, and jeopardize millions of jobs across the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Any privatization efforts would decimate that industry and decimate the middle class, Dlugolenski said to the crowd. U.S. Representative from New Yorks 22nd congressional district, John Mannion, stood behind the rally, emphasizing the importance of standing together, regardless of who you voted for in the past election. Latest local news We want our postal service. We want our labor union. We want our social security. So we are saying that whether you vote for someone or not, we stand united as the people of this country. This is a way against the country, said Mannion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The voices and attendees of the rally expressed a major concern: The potential loss of the USPS could affect rural areas, where some Central New Yorkers reside. Dlugolenski warned the crowd that if privatization efforts succeed, 51 million Americans who live in these areas would lose mail delivery services six days a week. If theres mail going to deliver, we will deliver it to them. Private companies dont do that. If you live in Fulton, New York, or up in Oscawana, you might get mail twice a week, but with the federal United Postal Service, we are required to go there six days a week, said Dlugolenski. Yet, for mail carriers like Tom Dlugolenski, the fight they are waging concerns their jobs and the relationships they have made with the community. I would watch little kids get on the school bus for their very first day of kindergarten. I would deliver that same route, and I was in that same neighborhood to watch that child graduate high school, go to college, come back, and start their own family. A whole generation, thats what is important to me, said the USPS mail carrier. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The rally in Downtown Syracuse was one of the many rallies across the nation to protect the U.S. Postal Service, which has been serving Americans for over 250 years. It highlighted one of the first carriers, Paul Revere, known for his midnight ride to warn colonists of the British Troops. As the fight against privatization goes on, letter carriers continue to stand strong, determined to protect the service that connects Americans across the country. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSYR. A postman was unfairly sacked after working as a taxi driver while on sick leave, a tribunal has ruled. Leigh Weston was off work with a painful hip and anxiety when he was seen by bosses at a cab rank in the area where he delivered parcels, an employment tribunal heard. Mr Weston won his case because Royal Mail did not conduct a proper investigation, and was awarded 3,011 for unfair dismissal. But the panel said he was wrong to drive his cab during the hours he was contracted to work as a postman. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The day after he was seen sitting in his taxi in June 2023, his boss called to say he had been caught, before an investigation was launched. The hearing was told there was no policy in Mr Westons Royal Mail contract that meant he had to notify bosses that he was working another job while on sick leave. The tribunal also found bosses should not have assumed he was fit to deliver mail because he was able to drive his taxi, as it was a less physically demanding job. Accident at work The tribunal, in Glasgow, heard Mr Weston was employed as a postman at the Inverclyde delivery office in the lowlands of Scotland from 2007 until his dismissal in September 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His duties involved delivering letters and parcels on foot, sometimes walking up to 10 miles in a single shift. Mr Weston had an accident at work in early 2022, in which he injured his hip. The hearing was told that when he returned to work in May that year he also began working as a taxi driver. At this point he worked shifts as a postman three days a week, and his managers were aware he was also a self-employed cab driver. In November 2022, his hip pain became worse and he took on light duties in the delivery office instead of working on foot. He resumed full postman duties at the start of 2023 but told Ian Dunn, his manager, that his hip pain had returned. Eventually, he went off sick for a month and stopped his taxiing. He informed Royal Mail he was ready to return to full duties, but Mr Dunn told him not to do so until MRI scans had come back, and he was placed on further sick leave. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Weston told his manager he planned to return to taxi driving while on sick leave, but Mr Dunn never followed up. No express contractual or policy term The tribunal heard: [Mr Weston] was taxiing in Inverclyde close to where he worked. He made no effort to conceal his taxi driving in the local area, where there was a fair chance of being sighted by a Royal Mail colleague at some stage. [Mr Weston]s perception at the time, based on previous interactions with [Mr Dunn], was that there was no scope for him to return to work for [the Royal Mail] on adjusted duties. Based on those interactions, he also perceived that there was no scope to return to his full contracted duties as a postman, pending his MRI scan. There was no express contractual or policy term which obliged [Mr Weston] to inform [the Royal Mail] during sick leave of an intention to work with a different employer or of an intention to undertake other self-employed work. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the investigation, Mr Weston remained off sick and worked as a taxi driver, including during his contracted Royal Mail hours. He was receiving half pay at this stage, in 2023. By the end of August that year, his sick pay was reduced to the statutory sick pay rate. Stuart Donaldson, the lead customer operations manager, took over the disciplinary investigation. The tribunal found Mr Donaldsons questions indicated that he had already formed a view on Mr Westons behaviour. In a disciplinary hearing, Mr Donaldson asked: To clarify. You are unfit to return to work due to anxiety which also stops you from socialising and you feel anxious around friends, but you are fit to drive a taxi with strangers in your vehicle? Is that correct? Mr Weston said that this was correct, to which Mr Donaldson replied: You have to see this from my point of view, this doesnt add up. Mr Donaldson sacked Mr Weston in September 2023. Quite different in terms of physical demands The tribunal found that during Royal Mails investigation, it should have asked occupational health or Mr Westons GP whether his symptoms were incompatible with his fitness to work as a taxi driver. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the face of it, the two jobs are quite different in terms of their physical demands, Employment Judge Lesley Murphy said. [The occupational health] report also referred to workplace stressors with [the Royal Mail] which may or may not have applied to other work. The tribunal found that Royal Mail did not carry out a reasonable, even-handed investigation into Mr Westons conduct and upheld his claim of unfair dismissal. His claims for harassment related to disability, victimisation and wrongful dismissal were all dismissed. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. By Melanie Burton and Divya Rajagopal MELBOURNE (Reuters) - Australia's bourse is set for a record number of secondary listings this year from mine developers enticed by the country's pension wealth, regulation and a jurisdiction less exposed to U.S President Donald Trump's trade wars, industry sources said. The Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) is growing its market share in metals and mining partly at the expense of Toronto and London rivals, just as the sector needs to expand by $100 billion a year to produce the metals needed to reach net-zero emissions by 2050, industry figures show. The strength in mining comes even as overall listings at the exchange have fallen over the last decade. A successful listing by Canadian copper miner Capstone last year that allowed private equity to exit and Australian investors exposure to a new operating copper mine, with eventual index inclusion, ignited new interest, banking and lawyer sources said. "Definitely much more interest in Canadian-listed companies coming to the ASX," said Sherif Andrawes, head of global natural resources for consultancy BDO, who has worked on four recent listings. "The ASX ... is in a healthier state than the Canadian markets for exploration companies at the moment," he said. "There are more in the pipeline." One of the key attractions is Australia's large pool of pension wealth, the world's fourth largest with assets of A$4.1 trillion ($2.58 trillion), and funds' willingness to hold a significant proportion of their money in Australian-listed stocks. That is attractive for even foreign domiciled miners looking to raise the billions needed to develop new projects. Australian pension funds allocate far more to domestic shares than their rivals, at around 23% according to JP Morgan estimates, compared to 4% each in Canada and the UK. They are heading into a hungry market. Buyouts like BHP's acquisition of copper miner Oz Minerals in 2023 have winnowed the universe of mining stocks for managers with resources mandates. "M&A has created an opportunity for companies to fill the board," said Todd Warren, a portfolio manager at Tribeca Investment Partners in Sydney. Canadian developer Marimaca Copper is expected to launch a secondary listing on the ASX this month in the second of at least four in train for this year, according to filings and source estimates, as many as in 2021, the ASX's top year so far. "We are at an important point in our development and are seeking to expand our pool of potential investors as we approach a financing decision to construct our flagship project in Chile, which we expect... in the first half of 2026," Marimaca head of corporate development Nico Cookson told Reuters. President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting in announcing the F-47 6th generation fighter jet in the Oval Office of the White House on Friday March 21, 2025. US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and General David Allvin attended the meeting. Credit - Demetrius FreemanThe Washington Post/Getty Images Under the guise of government efficiency, the Trump Administration has led America through a systematic degradation of its national security apparatus in just two months. The alarm over such developments was only heightened last week as President Donald Trumps primary campaign donor and Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) czar Elon Musk was originally scheduled to receive a briefing on top-secret plans in the event of a war with China. In fact, at the Yale CEO Caucus earlier in March, a poll of 100 leading U.S. CEOs found that 76% believe the nation is reaching a tipping point for collective action to challenge Trump over his degradation of national security, while 80% were embarrassed by the threats made towards our longstanding democratic allies and acts to placate our authoritarian adversaries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Today, the Department of Defense is composed of approximately 765,000 civilian employees and 1.3 million active-duty troops, or about 2 million total in headcount. In 1990, the same figures stood at 1 million and 2.1 million, or 3 million total. While the Cold War was winding down in the late 1980s and early 1990s, that does not explain this decline, given the rise in threats and complexities of maintaining defense systems today. In fact, the defense budget in 1990 was 5.6% of GDP. Now, it is only 3.5% of GDP while the risk of global warfare has soared, spiking the highest in 80 years, arguably above that during the Cold War years. Staff reductions by DOGE have triggered an exodusvoluntary and forcedof senior talent across agencies whose key assets are its human capital. Diminished cyber offensive and defensive operations offer adversaries unnecessary relief and expose the U.S. to new threats. Primary sources of soft power and influence have been yielded, leaving a void to be filled by exploitative regimes in the Middle East, Africa, Latin America and other geostrategic regions. The increased politicization of historically apolitical institutions has sown distrust about government and the military among the public and introduced damaging effects on organizational efficacy and worker productivity. The weakening of Americas diplomatic, defensive, and developmental capabilities comes as threats abroad continue to escalate. In recent weeks, China has conducted live-fire naval trainings off the coasts of Australia and Vietnam and coordinated another set of provocative sea, air, and land drills against Taiwan. Russian, Chinese, and Iranian forces held their annual joint naval exercises in the Gulf of Oman less than two weeks ago. Reports of cyber-attacks on U.S. and European public and private networks by Russia, China, North Korea, and Iran arrive nearly every week. And China and Russia have only sped up their charm offensives, recently opening a $1.3 billion mega-port in Peru, advancing economic partnerships in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, and providing military aid to African leaders. Despite foreign rivals actions and Trumps promises of peace through strength, DOGE efforts to slash agency headcount have already resulted in a loss of institutional knowledge and specialized skill sets that cannot be replaced. While the Departments of State and Defense may be big and bureaucratic, they also oversee the most advanced networks of diplomacy and defense in the world. A system of networks that has arguably provided the most peaceful and prosperous time in recorded history. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Opportunities to improve operations and cut costs always exist in large organizations, public and private, and should be pursued. However, the arbitrary nature of layoffs across agencies, from the Defense and State Departments to the FBI, CIA, and USAID, do not live up to Musks intellect. In total, based on publicly available data, an estimated 40,000 people, who work hard to secure the nation from bad actors, have been pushed out of their important roles. Here is a brief overview: Approximately 21,000 workers at the Department of Defense have accepted voluntary resignation plans Nearly all of USAIDs 14,000 employees have been laid off or placed on leave The Trump Administration is reviewing a list of 3,600 FBI employees, including those involved in the FBI's Jan. 6 investigation and members of the FBIs counterterrorism division, for potential dismissal Virtually the entire staff of Voice of America, about 1,300 workers, were placed on leave About 700 State Department employees, including 450 career diplomats, have handed in resignation papers Roughly 400 jobs at the Department of Homeland Security, including 130 from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), have been cut At least 80 workers at the CIA have been let go And many more layoffs are expected. As easy as it may be to become numb to such large quantities of firings, the numbers represent highly skilled non-partisan experts on surveillance, defense technology, foreign languages, distant cultures, influence channels, and priceless relationships with experience in significant roles in their respective agencies. Plus, all this wasted, priceless knowledge to merely reduce, at most, $4.2 billion of salaries (calculated as estimated 40,000 national security jobs cut multiplied by the average salary for federal employees of $106,382) is hardly of consequence to the $7 trillion national budget. The Pentagons dismissal of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General C.Q. Brown; Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Lisa Franchetti; Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force, General Jim Slife; and top lawyers for the Army, Navy, and Air Force preemptively removes highly decorated and accomplished military leaders, freezes the implementation of their strategic visions, reduces morale throughout the ranks, and introduces additional uncertainty to defense systems during a vulnerable transition in presidential administrations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The disturbing effect of Trump naming presumably more subservient military leaders in their place was showcased during the Presidents announcement for the next generation of U.S. Air Force fighter jets, which were apparently named the F-47 in his honor as the 47th president. In the press briefing, Trump went so far as claiming, The generals picked a title, and its a beautiful number. If true, the move makes the politicalization of America's military leadership increasingly apparentever more concerning after Trumps politicized termination of former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milleys security detail in January. The ouster of nine veteran FBI leaders, including the heads of the Washington and New York field offices, removes respected leaders from their posts and casts doubt across the organization. The broader removal of FBI and CIA officers presents additional resource constraints throughout the elite agencies which have faced staffing and skills shortages for many years. The firing of the 18 Inspectors General, who have continued to show their value by protecting the federal government from fraud, waste, and abuse in the FBI, Navy, Air Force, and Small Business Administration, among others, leaves agencies vulnerable to new sources of foreign and domestic interference. Beyond reductions in headcount, decisions by Trump and his cabinet to cease U.S. Cyber Commands offensive cyber and information operations against Russia and to halt coordinated efforts with the EU to counter Russian espionage are part of the Presidents strange one-sided overtures towards President Vladimir Putindespite a recent surge of cyberattacks on the U.S. government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The downsizing of CISA reduces the ability to counter cyber threats from not only Russia but also China, Iran, and North Korea, and the disbanding of the Cyber Safety Review Board delays any attempts to address the espionage attacks from Chinas Salt Typhoon, which compromised the networks of eight large telecommunications companies last year. Similarly, Trump shelved the small but vital Office of Net Assessment where a dozen military officers plan future war scenarios. The actual price paid by taxpayers for the operation of this office is less than two of the 500 trips to Mar-A-Lago Trump charged the U.S. for in his first term. The collective closure of USAID, Voice of America, and diplomatic outposts will severely weaken U.S. soft power, compounding the negative effects of Trumps America First foreign policy agenda, while China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea expand efforts to weaken U.S. influence and strengthen their own. The politicization of the allegedly woke military, FBI, CIA, NSA, and other security agencies have tarnished the reputation of these apolitical institutions, further eroding the publics confidence and national pride in them and their leaders. Recruiting will become more difficult. Attrition will increase, and continuity in operations will decline. As the five former Defense Secretaries explained in their letter to Congress last month, The United States cannot afford to have our military infected by partisan politics and distracted from its core mission of defending the nation. The Trump Administration has significantly weakened America's national security infrastructure under the false pretense of government efficiency, by reducing staffing at the Departments of Defense and State, FBI, CIA, USAID, and others despite increasing global threats. The exodus of senior talent threatens to impair our defense capabilities and soft power, allowing adversarial regimes to expand their influence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For those of us who dedicated our lives to serving the U.S. military and those of us who worked on other national security fronts, these developments are extremely worrisome. Contact us at letters@time.com. As the second in line to the British throne, 11-year-old Prince George is set to inherit a lot. Theres the United Kingdom and Commonwealth, the Church of England, and of course, countless crowns and jewels. But before he is even handed a scepter, the future sovereign can expect to inherit an impressive amount of real estate. The tween who Prince William shares with Kate Middleton along with kids Princess Charlotte, 9, and Prince Louis, 6 will take over the Duchy of Cornwall when his dad takes the throne. Royal tradition dictates that the hereditary estate which was first established by King Edward III in 1337 is granted to the first in the line of succession, per Marie Claire. More from SheKnows Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When Prince William becomes King, his eldest will take over the Duchy of Cornwall, which includes the town of Newquay. According to Express, the Cornish town is one of Britains most renowned party towns. In the early aughts, it was a popular choice for bachelor and bachelorette trips. Or, as the U.K. publication called them, stag dos and hen parties. In more recent years, the beloved coastal town has reportedly become more of a food haven with an increasing number of independent restaurants and bars. In 2017, one resident and media consultant told The Independent, Newquay has grown up. And so who knows where the party-town-turned-foodie-retreat will be when Prince George is also grown up and overseeing the [once?] popular destination for grooms- and brides-to-be. Will he celebrate his own stag there ahead of his possible royal wedding? Or will he go there to enjoy a laid-back evening of hors doeuvres and cocktails with his siblings? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Duchy of Cornwall extends across 23 counties in England and Wales and currently makes Prince William the biggest private landowner in Britain, per Hello. This means Prince George could presumably hold that same title one day. In 2023, the Prince of Wales reportedly made more than 23 million (nearly $30 million USD) from the rents, investments, and surplus profits generated from the portfolio. Not. Too. Shabby. And so one can assume that long before Prince George is sovereign, he will have a hefty savings account from all the communities that make up the Duchy of Cornwall. Party town included! Before you go, check out all the times Prince George showed hell be a great king one day. Best of SheKnows Sign up for SheKnows' Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Credit: Getty Images/ Max Mumby/Indigo Following Queen Elizabeth II's death in September 2022, Prince William inherited a number of "secret" estates from his father. Importantly, William took over the Duchy of Cornwall, a hereditary estate originally established to provide income for the heir to the British throne. When the Prince of Wales eventually becomes King William, his eldest son, Prince George, will be the Duchy's new owner. And part of that inheritance includes a place dubbed one of the U.K.'s most famous "party towns." Prince George will one day inherit the 135,000 acre Duchy of Cornwall estate from his father, as reported by the Express. According to the outlet, the young prince is set to become the newest owner of "sustainable community" the Nansledan Estate, "located in one of Britain's most renowned party townsNewquay." The location is referred to as one of the "top party destinations in the early 2000s and a popular choice" for bachelor and bachelorette parties. Kate Middleton and Prince William visiting Newquay in 2016. | Credit: Arthur Edwards - WPA Pool/Getty Images According to The Independent, Newquay "has been quietly undergoing a transformation from party place to food haven." The outlet explained, "I spotted more independent restaurants and bars than dance clubs and the frequency of the town seemed far more in tune with the ebb and flow of the waves of Fistral Beach than the booming soundscape of a busy nightclub." Still, shaking its "party town" reputation won't necessarily happen overnight. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, the official Nansledan website explains, "Inspired by the vision of HM King Charles III, Nansledan is an award-winning development at the heart of Cornwall's famed north coast. His Majesty's vision was to create a thriving mixed-use community with homes, shops, offices, cafes/restaurants and leisure opportunities all within walkable neighbourhoods." King Charles visiting Newquay in 2015. | Credit: Chris Jackson/Getty Images While Prince George is unlikely to benefit from the Duchy of Cornwall's "party" reputation right now, by the time he inherits the land from his father, the young royal might be of drinking age. When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Credit: Getty Images Prince William has made some important changes since taking on a greater role within the Royal Family. From eliminating Queen Elizabeth's "no selfies" rule to his attempts to make the Royal Family more relatable, Prince William has started revealing what kind of king he will be. According to a new report, the Prince of Wales has even made a major change when it comes to international royal tours, in a "split" from King Charles's own protocol. Referring to William's recent solo trip to Estonia, a source told The Sunday Times, "What you saw last week is a short, impactful trip that showcased an important issue. It's a model you're likely to see more of." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As reported by GB News, "Prince William is reshaping royal protocol with a new approach to overseas tours, opting for shorter, more impactful trips rather than traditional lengthy royal visits." By embarking on short but meaningful visits, Prince William is demonstrating his ability to reach as many people as possible within only a short amount of time. Prince William in Estonia in March 2025. | Credit: Louis Wood - WPA Pool/Getty Images A crucial part of Prince William's visit to Estonia involved meeting British troops who are helping to defend the country's border with Russia. While visiting the "British Army's biggest operational deployment overseas," Prince William wore military uniform and climbed into a tank, via the BBC. The Prince of Wales also enquired about the wellbeing of service personnel based on the border, asking "whether there was still a stigma when it comes to talking about mental health problems in the armed forces," the BBC reported. "It's going in the right direction," responded Amy-Jane Hale, a welfare officer. Prince William is changing royal protocol. | Credit: Getty Images During his visit to Estonia, Prince William stopped by a school for young Ukrainian refugees in Tallinn to show his support. "The Ukrainian resilience is everywhere," Prince William said at the school, via the BBC. "You have a very good spirit, very good souls, it's very important." Princess Beatrice is opening up in a vulnerable essay for British Vogue about the uncertainty and overwhelming fear of the unknown when welcoming her daughter Athena prematurely in January. Athena Elizabeth Rose Mapelli Mozzithe second daughter of Beatrice and husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, who also share Edos son Wolfie from a previous relationshipwas born on January 22. Beatrice shared that, following routine scans, she and Edo understood we needed to prepare for an early arrival, adding that nothing quite prepares you for the moment when you realize your baby is going to arrive early. Theres so little control. Athena ultimately arrived healthy, a few weeks before her due date, Beatrice continued. 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 smallalmost the same size as the paws on one of my older daughters soft bunnies. (Beatrice welcomed daughter Sienna Elizabeth in September 2021; Athena, who is 11th in line to the British throne, was born at just 4 pounds, 5 ounces.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Realizing how lucky I am and that for the longest time, womens health has been left off the agenda, Beatrice is doing as much as possible to help where I can, she wrote. Ive found myself in the position of being a passionate new mother who wants to work to find answers for women globally, Beatrice added. I want to do all I can to reassure those families whose babies might arrive early that they are not alone. Getty Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and Princess Beatrice at Borne's Wonderland Gala on March 6, 2025 Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and Princess Beatrice at Borne's Wonderland Gala on March 6, 2025 As such, following months of sheer worry, she is committed to helping others find answers to questions around complications that can lead to preterm birth, and has created a baby shower collection with her longtime friend Alice Naylor-Leyland for her brand Mrs. Alice, the proceeds of which will benefit Borne, a premature research charity that Beatrice supports as a newly announced patron. She made her first public appearance since Athenas birth two months ago earlier in March at Bornes Wonderland Gala at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, where she wore a white boucle ensemble from Self Portrait. The work that Borne is undertaking is something that is incredibly close and personal to me following the recent birth of my daughter, Beatrice said at the event, according to Hello!. Every year in the U.K., 60,000 babies are delivered too soon, with little information or research as to why this is. That is why I am really looking forward to supporting Borne and its program of groundbreaking research, which I hope will help thousands of parents and children in the future. Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and Princess Beatrice on June 19, 2024 Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and Princess Beatrice on June 19, 2024 Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images Princess Beatrice on June 21, 2024 Princess Beatrice on June 21, 2024 Of her collection with Mrs. Alice, This collection came about after long, late-night discussions around fertility, surrogacy, pregnancy, and motherhood, Beatrice wrote in British Vogue. Our hope is that it will inspire a conversation around womens health. She added that it is her hope that Sienna and Athena will not have to face these challenges when they grow up. And even if they do, theyll be doing it with the absolute best knowledge at their disposal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a member of the royal family, Ive had a life that is out of the ordinary, but my joys and fears in pregnancy and motherhood are the same as those experienced by millions of other women around the world, she continued. Read the original article on InStyle Becoming a mom of two wasnt easy for Princess Beatrice. The Princess of York, 36, wrote an essay for British Vogue on Sunday where she opened up about her daughter Athenas preterm birth in January. Princess Beatrice at Queen Elizabeth IIs funeral in Sept. 2022. AP Nothing quite prepares you for the moment when you realise your baby is going to arrive early, Beatrice wrote. Theres so little control. Will she arrive healthy? Will there be complications? How will you juggle the rest of family life while trying to keep a tiny human safe and well? Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and Princess Beatrice attend prematurity research charity Bornes Wonderland Gala in London on March 6. Dave Benett/Getty Images Princess Beatrices daughter Athena. Buckingham Palace via Getty Images Beatrice and her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, who also share daughter Sienna, 3, welcomed Athena on January 22, weeks before her scheduled due date. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The mom of two shared that she had an overwhelming fear of the unknown at the time of Athenas birth. Princess Beatrice at the Estee Lauder Re-Nutriv Dinner with Harrods in London in October 2024. Dave Benett/Getty Images for Estee Lauder I was very fortunate to be monitored closely by a medical team and Im extremely aware of how lucky I am, Beatrice said. This is a driving force in me to do as much as possible to help where I can. She continued, 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. Princess Beatrices daughter Sienna. edomapellimozzi/Instagram Sarah Ferguson and Princess Beatrice with Sienna. sarahferguson15/Instagram Beatrice said her second daughter is now doing really well, though she still has no precise explanation for the premature birth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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, Beatrice wrote. Princess Beatrice and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi at a wedding in Paris in 2019. CHRISTOPHE PETIT TESSON/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock At the end of her essay, Beatrice said that her experience with Athena and her mom Sarah Fergusons skin and breast cancer diagnoses last year have inspired her to support research in womens health. For me, nothing feels more vital than facilitating the necessary research into the health challenges that women face daily, said Beatrice. Sarah Ferguson with her daughters Beatrice and Eugenie in 2023. Sarah Ferguson/Instagram My hope is that with more investment into medical research, my two daughters will not have to face these challenges when they grow up, she added. And even if they do, theyll be doing it with the absolute best knowledge at their disposal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The royal family announced Athenas birth in January with the first photo of the newborn taken by Beatrices husband. Athena was 4 pounds and 5 ounces when she was born. Princess Beatrice and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi at the Portrait Gala 2019 in London. Samir Hussein/WireImage The King and Queen, and other members of The Royal Family have all been informed and are delighted with the news, the royal familys message read. Princess Beatrice and Mr Mapelli Mozzi would like to thank all the staff at the hospital for their wonderful care. Both of Beatrices daughters middle names are Elizabeth, as a nod to Beatrices late grandmother Queen Elizabeth II. Former Vanity Fair editor-in-chief Graydon Carter was friendly with the late Princess Diana, and revealed that she was intrigued by former U.S. First Lady Jackie Kennedy Onassis. As he promoted his upcoming book When the Going Was Good: An Editors Adventures During the Last Golden Age of Magazines, Carter said that he remembered sitting next to the late Princess of Wales at several dinners. (Carter took over as editor-in-chief at Vanity Fair in 1992, five years before Dianas death at 36 years old on August 31, 1997 as a result of a Paris car accident.) Princess Diana Archive/Getty Images Princess Diana in 1991 Art Rickerby/Time Life Pictures/Getty Images Jackie Kennedy during a visit to India Of Diana, She was very intrigued and kept asking questionsshe wanted to know how Jackie Kennedy was treated by the Kennedy family because, I think, she felt there were parallels between how Jackie was treated and the way she was treated by the royal family, Carter said, per Page Six. Kennedy Library Archives/Newsmakers) President John F. Kennedy and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis died in 1994, three years before Diana. That same year, Carter co-hosted the party where Diana wore her revenge dress, a rumored retaliatory move against then-husband Prince Charles affair with the former Camilla Parker Bowles. (By 1994, Charles and Diana had been separated for two years; they finalized their divorce in 1996.) Getty Images Princess Diana in her "revenge dress" at a 'Vanity Fair' party in London on November 20, 1994 Princess Diana in her "revenge dress" at a 'Vanity Fair' party in London on November 20, 1994 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Getty Images Princess Diana, Prince Harry, Prince William, and Prince Charles on September 6, 1995 Princess Diana, Prince Harry, Prince William, and Prince Charles on September 6, 1995 Of the current estrangement between Dianas sons Prince William and Prince Harrywhich has persisted for yearsCarter said that Diana would, perhaps not surprisingly, not be happy with the family feud, and that she wouldnt be happy with Harrys rift with the rest of the royal family, either. I would think she would feel great sorrow for her son to have been pulled away from his family like this, especially his brother but also his father, Carter said, calling the tumult horrible for a family. Read the original article on InStyle Assemblin has been tasked with an upgrade of AstraZeneca's Gartuna production plant in Sodertalje, Sweden. The project entails multi-technical installations and general construction responsibilities, including plumbing, industrial pipes, fire alarms, electricity, ventilation, cooling, control systems, groundwork, and metalworking. The project is being undertaken in partnership with Caverion and Stockholm Design & Construction, with both being part of the Assemblin Caverion Group, alongside external subcontractors. The upgrade focuses on enhancing the cooling capacity at the Gartuna plant through the replacement of cooling units, the addition of cooling towers, and the expansion of the central cooling facility. Supplementary equipment installation and custom-built components are also part of the assignment, requiring precise coordination of installation efforts. Initiated in 2025, the project is on track for completion by late 2026. Assemblin, which engages in installation and service solutions in air, water, and energy systems, operates primarily in Sweden and Norway. The Assemblin Caverion Group comprises a workforce of approximately 21,000 professionals across nine countries in the north of Europe. Assemblin heating and sanitation EVP and president Andreas Aristiadis said: With yet another complex assignment for AstraZeneca, we are demonstrating Assemblins strength as a multi-technical partner for large-scale industrial projects, and we are very pleased with the continued trust shown in us. Assemblin project manager Robin Wahlstrom said: Having conducted earlier projects in Gartuna, we enjoy a highly favourable partnership and are now continuing to upgrade and futureproof the plant in accordance with current climate requirements and the anticipated need for additional cooling capacity. "As [the] general contractor, we will meet the challenge of safeguarding the supply of cooling during the project to avoid disruptions to pharmaceutical production. In January 2024, Assemblin secured a contract to participate in the planning phase of the expansion of the final storage facility for low-radioactive waste in Forsmark, Sweden. The contract was awarded by construction company Skanska. "Assemblin to upgrade AstraZenecas Gartuna plant in Sweden" was originally created and published by World Construction Network, a GlobalData owned brand. A prison officer at a young offenders jail in Scotland has been suspended over claims that he starred in a hardcore transsexual porn video. The officer was removed from duties at Polmont Young Offenders Institution near Falkirk after the video was circulated and sent to senior staff at the Scottish Prison Service (SPS). According to The Daily Record, the individual denied being the porn star in the video but told managers of his intention to self-identify as a woman when he returns to work. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Senior staff at Polmont, the only prison in Scotland to house young males aged 18 to 21, are investigating the video which has surfaced on several extreme internet porn sites and claims to feature a transvestite from Falkirk. It has been remarked that there is a strong resemblance to the officer, a source told the newspaper. Its an extraordinary situation that has arisen because the SPS dont want the staff member to be working with young men and boys until they know if it is him or not. Allegations involve highly disturbing acts Susan Smith, of campaign group For Women Scotland, said: When dealing with impressionable young people, we would prefer if adults did not bring their whole self to work if this involves cross-dressing and pornography. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The allegations against the guard involve highly disturbing acts. We know that young men are especially vulnerable to the impact of hardcore pornography. It is chilling to think that such a man potentially had access to a cohort with such complex needs. An SPS spokesman said: We expect the highest standards of conduct from all our staff and have procedures in place to respond where they fall below this. 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. (NewsNation) Attacks on property carrying the logo of Elon Musks electric-car company are cropping up across the United States and overseas amid the billionaires work with the Trump administration. In cities such as Washington, D.C., and Milford, Connecticut, demonstrators have filled the streets outside Tesla showrooms, holding signs protesting Musk and President Donald Trump. In others, Tesla vehicles have been set on fire, charging stations have been vandalized and people have been arrested for shouting obscenities at customers or throwing paint at dealerships. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tesla owners face personal data leak as DOGE cuts continue Demonstrations have spread from New York to California, prompting warnings from the FBI and U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi. Protester: Elon Musk slashes, trashes democracy Activists have staged so-called Tesla Takedown protests worldwide to voice their displeasure over Musks role with the Department of Government Efficiency in cutting the federal workforce and canceling contracts related to humanitarian programs since Trump took office. The Tesla Takedown website encourages protesters to sell your Teslas, dump your stock, join the picket lines. Organizers have said their ultimate goal is to bankrupt Musk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tesla vandalism is nothing short of domestic terrorism: AG Bondi I see already whats happening with funding being cut, and its breaking my heart, one protester said. Im hearing disgust with an administration that relies on Elon Musk to slash and trash our democracy. The movement has announced plans for a global day of action Saturday, calling for worldwide protests. Its set to target 500 Tesla locations nationwide. Organizers stress its a peaceful movement that opposes violence, vandalism and destruction of property. According to the Action Network, sponsors include two groups, Troublemakers and Disruption Project. FBI asks for help reporting Tesla attacks The FBI has issued a nationwide warning regarding attacks on Tesla dealerships and charging stations, with incidents occurring in at least nine states since January. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Agents have requested the publics assistance in identifying and reporting the most violent attacks. Rep. Jasmine Crockett: Elon Musk needs to be taken down Bondi on Sunday warned Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, to tread very carefully after Crockett called for Musk to be taken down during a virtual protest. She is an elected public official, so she needs to tread very carefully because nothing will happen to Elon Musk, and were going to fight to protect all of the Tesla owners throughout this country, Bondi said during an appearance on Foxs Sunday Morning Futures. Many protests have been peaceful, and Crockett clarified that her calls for action were nonviolent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This isnt about partisanship. I keep trying to tell people that we are living in the time of good versus evil, right versus wrong. And right now, when we are looking at the black letter of the law and they are deciding to ignore it, then they are wrong, Crockett told MSNBCs Weekends with Alex Witt. Bondi doubled down on her effort to wrangle protesters, saying the Department of Justice would not let up on charging perpetrators. NewsNations Alex Caprariello 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. The Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) has stated that the adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) would provide a structured framework to strengthen access to finance and investment. During a discussion on "Implementation of IFRS for SMEs", DCCI president Taskeen Ahmed, stated that IFRS will enhance financial transparency and reduce the risks of financial misreporting. He emphasised the positive impact of IFRS on tax revenue collection by improving compliance and minimising tax evasion. He, however, noted that challenges such as limited financial capacity, skilled manpower shortages, and compliance costs create barriers to adopting IFRS for SMEs. Ahmed called for investment in training and regulatory alignment to overcome these obstacles. Financial Reporting Council chairman (acting) Mohammad Abu Yusuf said: IFRS is very important for SMEs to comply with the international standards, but its implementation is still challenging for our SMEs due to lack of knowledge, skilled workforce, easy procedures and awareness. He opined: "there is no alternative to enhancing the capacity of SMEs to make them interested in implementing IFRS. SMEs need to be more focused on IFRS implementation to increase tax compliance, access to capital from the capital market, and signing international trade agreements. Bangladesh Bank SME & Special Programmes Department director Nawshad Mustafa pointed out the lack of trained accounting professionals in the country, particularly for SMEs. SME Foundation Mohammad general manager Jahangir Hossain shared that the foundation provided accounting software to some SME entrepreneurs. Hossain proposed sector-based customised accounting software for the SME sector and emphasised the need for facilitation and training for the further implementation of IFRS. Hoda Vasi Chowdhury & Co. Chartered Accountants partner Tarikul Islam presented the keynote paper. He outlined challenges such as capacity building and initial transition costs for IFRS implementation. Islam highlighted the role of regulatory bodies, professional organisations, and financial institutions in facilitating a smooth transition and underscored the benefits of IFRS for SMEs, including simplified reporting and cost-effective compliance. He also called for measures to support the SME sector, such as easy access to finance, lower tax and VAT rates, and tax incentives for green businesses and SME startups. DCCI joint convenor Shafiqul Alamat urged for uniformity in the definition of SME across different policies and regulations. KANSAS CITY, Mo. Hundreds of letter carriers, postal workers and clerks rallied in Mill Creek Park on Sunday in support of the United States Postal Service. The Trump administration is planning on trying to take the United States Postal Service and move it under the Department of Commerce, said Kevin Williams, legislative representative for NALC Branch 30, in the Kansas City metro. And were here to say hell no to dismantling the Postal Service. Rumors were swirling around the crowd about job cuts, benefit cuts, and even privatization. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are more than 650,000 employees of the United States Postal Service, and we deliver to more than 160 million residences every day, Williams said. We are a service. We are a service thats not funded by the federal government. We dont use tax dollars. We use money from the sale of postage and postal goods and supplies. Balloon released in honor of late mother ends up found in Maine In addition to the crowds of USPS employees, US Representative Emanuel Cleaver gave a passionate speech to the crowd. This is about greed, Congressman Cleaver said. Were living right now in a moment of Washington-led greed. When they privatize it, theyre going to do whatever they can to get the maximum amount of money they want. And I dont think its an exaggeration to say that one day people will be paying $1.50 for each stamp. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anthoney Mitchell is a letter carrier and has legislative responsibilities for NALC. He says they have a universal mandate. We are enshrined in the Constitution, he said. We are mandated six days a week to deliver the mail, deliver those packages at a universal cost. And thats what were trying to protect. Williams said that the USPS has been under the federal government before, and it caused issues for postal employees. Carriers were out there working 12-hour shifts, he said. Back before the Postal Reorganization Act of 1970, it was very difficult. And if we cut the workforce and we still have to do the deliveries that we do now, its going to really put a stress and strain on letter carriers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Williams and Mitchell agreed that while they are fighting for their jobs and the jobs of their coworkers, customers would see the effects as well. It can affect us as letter carriers. City letter carriers, rural carriers, postal clerks, but its about the customers and giving them what they deserve, what theyve had for over 200 years. People in rural areas, people who are disabled, the elderly, they count on their mail and packages every day, said Williams. And with the decrease in workforce and taking jobs away, thats going to hurt. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. While the initial devastation of the Palisades wildfires was gut-wrenching enough, it was really only the beginning. The debris that the inferno left behind is full of highly toxic materials, and the Environmental Protection Agency's handling of it has caused an inferno of its own. What's happening? The EPA's plan to use Will Rogers State Beach to sort through the toxic wildfire debris has ignited protests from locals, as the Guardian reported. They fear that the toxic materials will find their way into the ground, waterways, and air. It's difficult to project what sort of harm this could cause to the local environment, but it's not hard to imagine that it could be devastating. Worse yet is the fact that the proposed cleanup site is somewhere between a quarter mile and a mile from two colleges and two elementary schools. Protesters fear that airborne particles of these toxic materials can easily reach those areas and threaten the health of all those who occupy them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The list of toxins found in this wildfire debris is as long as it is alarming. A petition against the cleanup site mentioned by the Guardian lists "asbestos, heavy metals, dioxins, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons" among them. According to the Guardian, one of the problems is that the cleanup sites must be at least five acres in size and "preferably paved, so that trucks can enter and exit, and they can lay down large plastic sheets and fencing to contain dust," which is one of the reasons the public beach site was chosen. "In a situation like this, unfortunately, there are no good answers, and there isn't really a 'better place,'" Annelisa Moe, of the nonprofit Heal the Bay in nearby Santa Monica, told the Guardian. "There's just the least-worst option." Why is this protest important? As nice as it would be to fully trust the knowledge and expertise of a massive federal agency like the EPA, that's unfortunately not wise. And with the current administration recently placing 168 EPA employees on administrative leave, it's becoming less wise by the day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those living in the area have more to lose than any government agency by allowing these debris removal plans to go unchecked. Taking a stand against the plans won't just help protect their community, but it may also inspire others to take their own stand to uphold more careful environmental standards. With extreme weather causing more droughts and threatening more wildfires, it's crucial that we remain aware of all the dangers that entails. These protests highlight those dangers and have likely enlightened many who were unaware of the toxic debris leftover after these devastating events. What's being done about the threat of wildfires? Wildfires are extremely difficult to stop, which is why preventing them is critical and some chemicals were used in the process of extinguishing the fires that hit Los Angeles earlier this year. Of course, putting an end to them is not exactly easy, either. However, there are efforts underway to make wildfire prevention a greater possibility. According to the Guardian, waste will be sent to landfills that have a liner to protect against any leaking or leaching into the wider ground or groundwater. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, Los Angeles' major utility company, Southern California Edison, has been testing technology that can prevent one of the major causes of wildfires: downed power lines. While the technique has been known for centuries, dating back to Indigenous tribes, scientists have also discovered that controlled burning may be a more effective wildfire prevention method than previously believed. They released a study showing that controlled burns reduced the odds of a high-intensity wildfire by 64%. 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. From the The Morning Dispatch on The Dispatch Happy Monday! The second round of voting in our inaugural Dispawtch bracket is live, and not a single cat advanced to the Sweet 16. Get your votes in by 8 p.m. ET on Wednesday to have a say in which canines make it to the Elite Eight. Editors Note: Penny seems totally unfazed by her early exit from the tournament and sends her congratulations to Adelaide on a well-earned victory, but Pennys humans are a little distraught. Quick Hits: Todays Top Stories Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More than 100 staffers in the Department of Homeland Securitys Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties were put on leave Friday, as the DHS announced plans to cut the office, along with the Office of the Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman. Both offices are responsible for ensuring that the DHS complies with equal protection and civil rights laws. These reductions ensure taxpayer dollars support the Departments core mission: border security and immigration enforcement, a DHS spokesperson said. Pope Francis was discharged from the Gemelli hospital in Rome on Sunday, the end of a stay that began on February 14 when he entered the hospital with double pneumonia. One of his physicians, Dr. Sergio Alfieri, told reporters that the pontiff experienced multiple life-threatening episodes while in the hospital, but has recovered from his pneumonia and will require at least two months of rest. He is expected to return to his duties as soon as possible, and gave a public blessing while leaving the hospital. Turkeys Navalny Moment? A protester waves Turkey's national flag before Turkish riot police in Istanbul, Turkey, on March 22, 2025. (Photo by KEMAL ASLAN/AFP via Getty Images) Hundreds of thousands of protesters gathered in cities across Turkey on Sunday night, with many calling for an end to President Recep Tayyip Erdogans rule after more than two decades in power. The mass demonstrations, now approaching their sixth day, followed the arrest last week of the longtime Turkish leaders chief political rival: Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu. Earlier in the day, some 15 million people supported Imamogluthe only candidate on the ballotin the presidential primary of Turkeys main opposition Republican Peoples Party (CHP). The party opened voting to non-CHP members, garnering a large turnout in a show of national solidarity with the embattled politician. Meanwhile on Sunday, Turkish authorities jailed Imamoglu pending a trial and stripped him of his mayorship. The movewidely viewed as an attempt to preemptively bar the popular opposition leader from running in the countrys presidential election, which must be held by May 2028marked Turkeys latest and most dire departure from its democratic tradition. As a defender of democracy and believer in the power of the people, I trust that the truth will prevail, Imamoglu said during his first appearance in court on Saturday. I feel the strength of millions behind me and cannot even put into words the courage it gives me. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nationwide protests began on Wednesday, hours after police first arrested Imamoglu in his Istanbul home on charges of establishing and managing a criminal organization, taking bribes, extortion, unlawfully recording personal data and rigging a tender. A day earlier, Istanbul University had revoked his degree under apparent pressure from Ankara, threatening his presidential bid as, under the Turkish constitution, presidential candidates must have completed higher education. The ousted mayor has also faced accusations of aiding a terrorist groupcharges he categorically denies. Imamoglu rose to national prominence in 2019 after defeating Erdogans handpicked candidate for mayor of Istanbul. Ever since, hes faced dubious prosecution and threats of being banned from holding public office, including for insulting election officials who voided his victory in the local election, thereby forcing another race that Imamoglu won by an even larger margin. But he continues to garner nationwide support, earning the reputationeven outside of the CHPof being an impressive orator and capable potential challenger to Erdogan when the time comes for elections. Hes got that sort of X factor, in terms of both rhetoric and presence, Sinan Ciddi, a non-resident senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies who focuses on Turkish politics, told TMD. But also, just being mayor of Istanbul really elevates you to a national status. Erdogan himself held the coveted office from 1994 to 1998. The demonstrators now taking to the streets calling for Imamoglus release are a mixed bag. While some simply want the government to drop the charges against Imamoglu to let the democratic process play out, others are demanding Erdogans ouster after more than two decades in power. While many are longtime CHP supporters, most are young people who see a broader assault on their rights unfolding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Erdogan has been in power for more than 20 years, as prime minister and now as president, Utku Barut, a masters student who attended a Sunday protest outside of Istanbuls city hall, told TMD. Young people who are voting right now were born in Erdogans regime. Theyve only seen one political party ruling the country. In Istanbul and other cities across the country, Turkish authorities sought to squash the protests before they ever began, blockading roads and shutting down metro stations. They also restricted access to various social media and messaging platforms, according to the NetBlocks tracker, forcing users to access the internet via a virtual private network. Several X accounts belonging to opposition organizers were also suspended, sparking accusations that the platform had booted the activists at the request of the Turkish government. Police used water cannons, pepper spray, and tear gas at the demonstrations in an effort to disburse the crowds, and some attendees even reported being shot with rubber bullets. Hundreds have been detained. Meanwhile, the government has largely suppressed coverage of the unrest, using its nearly unfettered control over Turkish media to prevent the protests from being broadcast live. For many people in Turkey, the events of the last week seem to mark a turning point. In recent years, elections have typically been regarded as free but not fair: The process itself is democratic, but Erdogan, as Turkeys sole executive, can marshall the resources of the state to influence the outcome. By seeking to prevent the opposition from choosing its own nominee, the president has plunged the country into new, uncharted territory. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is the first time I know of that Turkeys government has said, I get to choose who runs against me, not the people, Ciddi said. Its very difficult to describe Turkey now, even under the most simple definition, as a democracy. Theres increasing worry that this is a Navalny moment, he added, referring to Alexei Navalny, the Russian opposition leader whose 2021 arrest led to mass protests and who later died in an Arctic penal colony. And as the relatively muted response from the international community thus far has demonstrated, civil disobedience may be the only force holding the Turkish president to account. Erdogan and U.S. President Donald Trump have long had good personal chemistry, with the Turkish leader welcoming the return of his friend to Washington after the November election. Trump is reportedly considering selling Turkey F-35 fighter jets, reversing its exclusion from the program in July 2019 over its acquisition of the Russian-made S-400 air defense system. Erdogan is also eyeing a White House visit next month. Responding to a question about Imamoglus arrest during a Wednesday press briefing, State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce encouraged Turkey to respect human rights but added: Were not going to comment on the internal decision-making of another country except to remind them that we expect them to behave in a manner that respects the rights of all of its citizens. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement European countries, meanwhile, are looking to Ankaraa prospective European Union memberas a partner in their efforts to bolster the continents collective defense. Turkey has the second-largest army in NATO, behind only the United States. Its a NATO member, an aspiring European Union member, and a treaty ally of the United States, so we should be worried, Ciddi said. Turkey is headed toward a very, very dark place. Todays Must-Read Illustration by Noah Hickey. (Photo credit: Pablolivaresc/Adobe Stock; Tupungato/Adobe Stock.) Tal Fortgang Only about 10 percent of American Jews are Orthodox, generally defined by adherence to traditional Jewish law, such as Sabbath and kosher observance. Fewer still are Orthodox and interested in receiving a secular higher education. These Modern Orthodoxdistinguished by traditional observance combined with full participation in American lifehave long maintained a disproportionate presence at elite universities relative to their population size. Yet these students feel the weight of recent campus controversies most acutely, as they are both visibly Jewishoften identifiable by their dressand near-unanimously ardent Zionists. Toeing the Company Line Judge James E. Boasberg, chief judge of the Federal District Court in Washington, D.C., at the E. Barrett Prettyman Federal Courthouse on March 16, 2023. (Photo by Carolyn Van Houten/The Washington Post via Getty Images) Politics March 21, 2025 Nick Catoggio Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement How much judicial deference is owed to an untrustworthy president? Lots stand empty with Society & Culture March 21, 2025 Jonah Goldberg People need mobilityand freedomto pursue happiness. (Dispatch Illustration by Simone Altamura) Religion March 23, 2025 Michael Reneau and Paul D. Miller Plus: A century of Flannery OConnor. Mark Scout, played by Adam Scott, in the first season of 'Severance.' (Photo via Apple TV+ Press.) Society & Culture March 22, 2025 Samuel Kronen The hit show Severance shows the limits of dissociation. Bonaventure Cemetery, in Flannery O'Connor's native Georgia. (Photo credit: mbell/Getty Images.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Society & Culture March 22, 2025 Jessica Hooten Wilson The Southern writer has a depth thats hard to find today. House Speaker Mike Johnson conducts a news conference in the Capitol Visitor Center after a meeting of the House Republican Conference on Tuesday, March 11, 2025. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images) Politics March 24, 2025 Charles Hilu The speaker will soon have a (slightly) larger GOP majority for the next legislative battle. REMNANT SITE THUMB (2) Podcast March 22, 2025 Jonah Goldberg Intellectual earworms, stand-up comedy, and chinchilla farms. Dispatch Podcast site HQ Podcast March 24, 2025 Jamie Weinstein Autopsies and resolutions. Worth Your Time Hamas October 7, 2023, attack and the ensuing war laid bare major intra-Democratic Party divisions over U.S. support for Israel. But those fissures are increasingly evident on the American right, too, as antisemitic conspiracy theories take hold in populist circles, argued New York Times columnist Ross Douthat. More so than in the Democratic Party, most Republican elites remain staunchly pro-Israel. But on what you might call the alienated rightyounger, conspiracy-curious, anti-institutional and very onlinethere is a vogue for arguments about malign Jewish influences on Western politics, ranging from World War II revisionism to narratives casting Jeffrey Epstein as a cats paw for the Mossad, he wrote. Theres just no way for mainstream Zionist Republicanism and the anti-Jewish faction on the alienated right to get along. Those parts of the alienated right that are most comfortable deploying antisemitic tropes also believe earnestly not just in some general theory of Jewish power but in a specific theory of Israels power, Israels malign influence, Israeli leaders and institutions and spies as conspiratorial and destructive forces in American life. Its been 18 months since devastating fires in Maui destroyed more than 2,000 homes. But only 6 have been rebuilt. In City Journal, Alex Hu examined the web of regulations, laws, and local government failures that have made the islands efforts to rebuild so lethargic. The political divide has only grown wider since the fires. Aside from activists seeking Internet fame by provoking viral confrontations at public meetings, radical councilmembers have called their pro-building colleagues names like colonizer, openly questioned what would happen if they defied Hawaii state law promoting homebuilding, and advocated for secession from the United States. A general spirit of conspiracy and bad faith pervades the islands politics, he wrote. These local dynamics discouraged Governor [Josh] Green from taking aggressive action. Suspicious residents interpreted his initial promises to rebuild Lahaina quickly as a plot to redevelop the historic town to profit outside developers. He backed off in response. Even Mayor [Richard] Bissen has avoided taking strong actions or asking for strong state assistance for fear of looking like an outsider dictating terms to West Maui. Presented Without Comment NBC News: Putin Said He Prayed for His Friend Donald Trump After 2024 Assassination Attempt, U.S. Envoy [Steve Witkoff] Says Witkoff said some people might question if he should have met with the Russian president because they see Putin as a bad guy. But he said: I dont regard Putin as a bad guy. A real estate tycoon and friend of the president who has become a top diplomatic envoy for Trump, Wiktoff said he appreciated Putin being open to meeting with him and communicating in a straightforward way. I liked him. I thought he was straight up with me, he said, adding that it was gracious of him to accept me, to see me. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Also Presented Without Comment Bloomberg: Secret Biden Deal Allowed Chevron to Pay Venezuela Millions The Biden administration secretly permitted Chevron Corp. to pay hundreds of millions of dollars to the Venezuelan government despite a license that explicitly prohibited such disbursements, according to people familiar with the matter. The supplement to a November 2022 sanctions waiver allowed Chevron to remain in compliance with US law while paying the regime of President Nicolas Maduro taxes and oil royalties, said the people, who asked not to be identified discussing non-public information. Also Also Presented Without Comment Axios: Seniors Wont Complain if They Miss a Social Security Check, Lutnick Says Lets say Social Security didnt send out their checks this month. My mother-in-law, whos 94, she wouldnt call and complain, Lutnicka billionaire former Wall Street CEOtold the billionaire All In podcast host Chamath Palihapitiya. 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. In the Zeitgeist The second season of Severance, the popular dystopian thriller starring Adam Scott of Parks and Recreation fame, came to a close last week on yet another cliffhanger. But dont despair: Apple TV+ announced Friday that a third season is on the way. And thankfully, executive producer Ben Stiller said it wont take another three years to make it. Let Us Know Did you watch the Severance season finale? Read more at The Dispatch The Dispatch is a new digital media company providing engaged citizens with fact-based reporting and commentary, informed by conservative principles. Sign up for free. PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) From now on, anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult while visiting the Providence Place mall anytime after 5 p.m. daily. This new youth guidance policy is part of Providence Places plan to enhance safety and security at the mall, which was ordered into receivership last year. RELATED: Providence Place ups spending on security, cleaning, parking The policy specifically applies to the malls common spaces and not to the individual stores restaurants and retailers. The accompanying adult does not have to be a parent or guardian, but must be over the age of 21. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Providence Place announced that security personnel will be working diligently in the coming weeks to educate visiting youth of the policy change. The safety and well-being of our community are our top priorities, said John Dorsey, one of the malls two court-appointed receivers. Our goal is to restore and instill confidence in Providence Place as a safe and vibrant destination. MORE: Providence Place receivers try to turn the mall around Providence Place is also planning on increasing the presence of security personnel throughout the mall, making upgrades to its CCTV system and installing new doors to the skybridge to regulate access. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These extra safety measures and improvements reflect our dedication to creating a secure and welcoming environment for everyone who visits and works at the mall, Dorsey continued. Providence Places Code of Conduct has also been freshened up and will be visibly posted throughout the mall in an effort to promote a respectful and safe environment. The parking garage is also undergoing some improvements, including the installation of new mechanized barrier gates and payment kiosks. A new contract for parking management services will also be finalized later this year. NEXT: Providence Place Macys not among planned closures Download the WPRI 12 and Pinpoint Weather 12 apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch 12 News Now on WPRI.com or with the new 12+ smart TV app. Follow us on social media: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Roundup Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com. Mar. 24After 28 years of service to Albert Lea, Public Safety Director J.D. Carlson has announced his intention to retire, effective June 27. He started as a patrol officer in 1997 and moved up to lieutenant and deputy director before taking the director position in 2018. "The city of Albert Lea has been in good hands under the excellent leadership provided by our Public Safety Director J.D. Carlson," said Mayor Rich Murray. "We wish him well in retirement and thank him for his many years of outstanding service to our community." With Carlson retiring, the city is proposing to restructure its police and fire departments. Instead of a public safety director overseeing both departments with a deputy police chief and deputy fire chief, the city will eliminate the public safety director position and appoint a police chief and fire chief who will report directly to the city manager. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The city is proposing this change because both the Albert Lea Police Department and Albert Lea Fire Rescue have deputy chiefs with the required knowledge, experience and expertise to lead their respective departments, according to a press release. The Albert Lea City Council voted Monday night on changing its ordinance that establishes city departments. All ordinance changes require two votes, the first to introduce the change and the second to adopt it. That means the public may provide input on the change over the next four weeks. If people have comments or want to ask questions, they may call or email their city councilors directly or attend the council meeting April 14. For the phone numbers and emails of city councilors, visit the city website at https://cityofalbertlea.org/council/. Carlson will help lead the transition, and city leaders thank him for serving the community with distinction, leading the ALPD, ALFR and associated public safety personnel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the city, his tenure has been marked by significant achievements, including: * Effectively and efficiently staffing a team of dedicated and talented public safety professionals. * Carrying out the community policing vision by promoting a sustained positive culture among the ALPD. * Implementing a strong policy platform to enhance trust and confidence. * Providing direction to the City Council in moving the Albert Lea Fire Rescue from City Hall to a new station. * Successfully leading public safety through civil unrest, a pandemic and critical incidents. * Heightening collaboration with the South Central Drug Investigation Unit, Albert Lea Area Schools, and many Freeborn County communities by staffing a task force agent, adding a school resource officer, and providing much-needed response to hazardous structures and nuisance complaints. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement * Annual reductions in the local crime rate, highlighted by an all-time low in 2024 since a new reporting system went into effect seven years ago. "It has been a privilege to serve the residents of Albert Lea and to work alongside the dedicated professionals of our public safety departments," Carlson said. "I am immensely proud of what we have accomplished together, and I am confident that our public safety teams are well-prepared to continue serving the community effectively." A court in Missouri rejected a wide variety of requests from trailer builder Wabash National arising from the lawsuit that led to one of the biggest nuclear verdicts ever in trucking and equipment, but the company did win a huge reduction in punitive damages. The $450 million in punitive damages was slashed to $108 million by Judge Christoper McGraugh of the 22nd Judicial Circuit Court of Missouri in a decision handed down last week. But on virtually every other request made by Wabash regarding the case that involved a collision with the underride of a Wabash trailer that left two passengers dead, the manufacturer lost. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McGraugh cited Missouri guidelines for assessing the size of punitive damages: how reprehensible the conduct of the defendant was; the ratio between actual damages and the punitive award; and a comparison of the award to other penalties that might be assessed for comparable misconduct. Weighing the evidence against these factors, the Court finds the verdict for punitive damages was grossly excessive and does not comport with Wabashs constitutional rights, because the amount awarded exceeds the fair and reasonable compensation for the plaintiffs damages, the aggravating or mitigating circumstances, and the degree of malice of Wabashs conduct, the judge wrote. He described the $108 million judgement as appropriate. Compensatory damages in the case were $12 million. They were not affected by the judges order. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Wabash National (NYSE: WNC) was unsuccessful in its request for a new trial. Arguments for a new trial The companys argument for a new trial focused on several points: that both passengers who died had elevated blood alcohol content; the fact the two men werent wearing seat belts was excluded from testimony; and that the court did allow the St. Louis City jury that heard the original case to hear testimony about Wabashs lobbying efforts regarding regulations on rear impact guard barriers that may have weakened the protection offered by them. There were also requests relating to the jury selection process. The 2019 crash occurred in the city of St. Louis near the Seventh Street exit of joint Interstate 44/55. Two men Taron Tailor and Nicholas Perkins died after the vehicle they were driving in crashed into the rear of a trailer built by Wabash. Tailor was behind the wheel. Federal lobbying is an issue The Simon Law Firm, which represented the families of the victims, made several arguments. One was that Wabash and other manufacturers had lobbied against tighter federal standards on rear impact guards. Another was that Wabash and other manufacturers knew the standards were insufficient but avoided building rear impact guards that would withstand higher-impact crashes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wabash, in announcing the judges decision Monday, focused on the reduction in the punitive damages without mentioning the defeats on the other requests it had submitted to the appellate court. It said the accident involved a passenger vehicle with an unobstructed view [striking] the back of a nearly stopped 2004 Wabash trailer. The accident occurred nearly two decades after the trailer involved was manufactured by Wabash in compliance with all applicable regulations. Wabash continues to believe both that the damages remain abnormally high and the verdict is not supported by the facts or the law, the company said, adding that it continues to evaluate all available legal options. Wabash stock slid Monday on a day when equities in general were significantly higher. At approximately 2:45 p.m., Wabash National stock was down 4.5% to $11.03. Wabash stock has been pummeled in the past 12 months, down 61.2%. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More articles by John Kingston Trucking company owner gets almost 4 years in prison for lying to FMCSA Clash on legal status of California transportation waivers highlighted at TCA Carriers big and small at TCA wait for signs of freight market turnaround The post Punitive damages in huge Wabash judgment slashed but still over $100M appeared first on FreightWaves. Russian President Vladimir Putin gave US President Donald Trump an "absolutely personal gift," presenting it to Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff last week, the Kremlin said on Monday. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov did not reveal the nature of the gift, but US media reported that Witkoff said it was a portrait of Trump painted by a prominent Russian artist. Peskov said there would be no further official information on the gift, as it was personal in nature, unless Putin provided it himself. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Putin has in the past expressed admiration for Trump, in particular following an assassination attempt last July, when a bullet hit Trump's ear. The Kremlin spokesman said there was a desire and readiness in both Russia and the United States to make progress on a path to a peaceful solution to the war in Ukraine. This concerned a whole series of aspects, on which talks were ongoing between Russian and US representatives in Riyadh, he said. In particular, Peskov said the talks were focusing on the safety of shipping in the Black Sea, especially for Ukrainian grain transports. Russia cancelled a previous Black Sea agreement on the grounds that its interests were being violated. The Rhode Island Press Association welcomes applications for its annual $1,000 journalism scholarship competition. (Canva collage) Applications are now being accepted for the Rhode Island Press Associations annual $1,000 scholarship competition, open to high school seniors or college students planning to pursue a career in journalism. Scholarship applicants must be residents of Rhode Island and attending or accepted to any college or university in the 2025-26 academic year, including both undergraduates and full-time graduate students. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Students dont have to be a journalism major to be eligible. Instead, judges are looking for academic achievement and a demonstrated interest in journalism, such as work on a school or community newspaper. Interested students should send a letter of nomination written by a high school or college official or instructor detailing the students accomplishments along with a cover letter, resume and samples of work via links or attachment. Work samples may include newspaper stories, classroom assignments or any other supporting material. Email applications to Newport This Week Publisher/Editor Lynne Tungett at news@newportthisweek.net. The deadline to apply is Monday, April 14. A panel of editors and journalists will judge the nominations. The Rhode Island Press Association will award the scholarship at its annual banquet on May 9. The scholarship money is paid directly to the student. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Rhode Island Press Association is a nonprofit organization that promotes the interests of newspapers and other publications, and advances journalism standards and educational opportunities in Rhode Island since 1886. For more on the scholarship, visit the associations website. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Rafael Montoya died three days after he was punched by a security guard outside the Phoenix nightclub Dwntwn. Videos obtained by The Arizona Republic show a group of private security guards surrounding Montoya, with at least one restraining him. Two off-duty Phoenix police officers were standing by. Another guard then pushes through the crowd, plants his feet, cocks his fist and delivers a devastating uppercut to Montoya's chin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Montoya was released from the hands that held him, and the 22-year-old fell onto Central Avenue. He was taken to the hospital with severe head trauma, and on March 19, he died. The killing has prompted questions about the fight, the security guards and the police and triggered an internal police investigation into the two officers who watched the incident unfold. Here's what you need to know. Who was Rafael Montoya? Montoya grew up in Phoenix in a large, blended family with four sisters and a brother. He graduated from Cortez High School. Montoya had a 1-year-old daughter, Ruby. Relatives said he doted on her. He worked as an electrician and dreamed of owning his own business, according to his mother, Mayra Parra. He planned on buying a house soon and promised he would take care of his family, she said. What do the videos show? A series of videos obtained by The Republic show Montoya being hit and the immediate aftermath when security, police and passersby walk around his body. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two uniformed Phoenix police officers are standing just feet away when Montoya is hit. In the footage, the officers make no immediate move to intervene or to stop the security guard who threw the punch. One of the officers stands directly over Montoya and talks to others while the other is a few feet away on his radio. In one video, an officer appears to kneel by Montoya's side and assess him. In another video, the officer who stood over Montoya and the officer on the radio can be seen propping Montoya into a sitting position. They drag him by his shirt toward the curb, with Montoya's hand trailing on the ground. Other videos shared on social media appear to show Montoya flailing at security guards. Why are Phoenix police officers being investigated? The videos appear to contradict Phoenix police's initial report about what happened at Dwntwn on March 16 around 2:30 a.m., which they described as a "brawl." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The department said in a March 19 news release that two off-duty officers were working security when a fight broke out between multiple people in the street just outside the bar. "Officers worked to diffuse the fight when they were alerted by witnesses to a man ... lying on the ground," police said. "An officer assessed Montoya and noted he was breathing but unconscious with injuries to his head." Police said detectives were continuing to process evidence that was collected and asked witnesses to come forward and share video via a QR code. On March 20, police declined to comment on the videos or answer questions about the officers shown in the video. A police spokesperson confirmed a private security guard threw the punch. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On March 21, hours after The Republic published the videos, a city official said the Police Department's Professional Standards Bureau opened an investigation into the officers' actions. Have there been any arrests in Montoya's killing? As of March 24, there were no arrests in connection with the fatal assault. However, police did arrest two people who approached officers and yelled at them as rescuers were attempting to perform CPR on Montoya, court documents show. They were arrested on suspicion of aggravated assault, one accused of slapping an officer's hand. Phoenix lawyer Bret Royale, who represents a friend of Montoya's who was at the bar, said the two people approached the officers in an effort to help or protect Montoya. Royale declined to name the friend. What are Dwntwn officials saying? The owners have not responded to interview requests. In a March 22 Instagram post, Dwntwn representatives said they were cooperating with law enforcement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We are sickened about what happened to Mr. Montoya and feel the pain of his family," the post read. Dwntwn is billed as "Arizona's #1 Latin Night Club," according to its website. It is north of the Westward Ho and is open after hours on weekends. It is operated jointly with The Grand nightclub. How has Montoya's family reacted? Montoya's friends and family gathered outside the club for a vigil on March 20. They placed candles, balloons, flowers and placards calling for justice on the sidewalk in front of the club's entrance. The days after Montoya's killing were the hardest of family members' lives, said his stepmother, Yuliana Galaz. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Parra, who lives in Houston and last saw her son a year ago, said she did not want to know exactly what happened to her son. She said she had not watched any videos of the assault and had not questioned anyone about what happened. Carlos Herrera, Montoya's stepfather, promised the family would get answers. "We are going to get to the bottom," Carlos Herrera said. "Security, police, whoever it was." This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Who was the man killed outside a Phoenix nightclub, Rafael Montoya? ST. LOUIS The chants of hundreds of protestors could be heard throughout the streets of downtown St. Louis Sunday afternoon. We are, yearly, the most trusted federal agency and weve been around longer than the United States has been around, John McLaughlin, president of the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Branch 343, said. Former mail workers, current employees, and allies gathered on the steps outside of the main office on Market Street as President Donald Trumps recent actions raise concerns about the future of the U.S. Postal Service. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were in the Constitution. Its a service we provide, McLaughlin said. Rapper GloRilla ends St. Louis show early after several fights break out President Trump announced plans back in February to restructure the USPS, stating, We want to have a post office that works well and doesnt lose massive amounts of money, and were thinking about doing that, and it will be a form of a merger. Plans like shifting control of the USPS to the Department of Commerce have raised concerns about possible privatization and service cuts, most drastically set to affect some of the nations most vulnerable areas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Outstate Missouri? Theyre not going to be getting service. And theyre just going to deliver to the most affluent areas, McLaughlin said. Linda Rezny, whose husband is a former USPS employee, joined Sundays protest. Can you imagine a private company bothering to deliver mail to a rural area for a price that they can afford? Its not gonna happen, she said. We cant privatize the post office. Its a public service, and thats what we need. Talks of the industrys financial troubles have been common knowledge for years, but unions pushed back after Postmaster General Louis DeJoy recently proposed cost-cutting plans, such as reducing the workforce. For now, cherished stamp collectors, pen pals, and small businesses hold their breath to see what decisions are made next under the Trump administration. 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. In recent years, barrier packaging has become a critical area of innovation in the packaging industry. As consumer expectations around hygiene and sustainability grow, packaging manufacturers are developing new materials to meet these demands. This report, compiled by leading data and analytics company GlobalData, explores the significant drivers behind the growth of advanced barrier packaging, focusing on consumer preferences, regulatory developments, and ongoing innovations. The push for sustainable packaging According to GlobalDatas research, more than 80% of global consumers consider product hygiene essential or "nice to have" when purchasing products. This has prompted packaging companies to develop new types of barrier packaging that not only protect products but also improve sustainability credentials. The environmental, social, and governance (ESG) framework has become a key focus for many companies involved in barrier packaging innovations. ESG criteria measure a company's commitment to environmental protection, social responsibility, and good governance practices, with environmental concerns taking centre stage in packaging material patents. "Innovations in packaging are increasingly aligning with ESG principles, helping companies improve their environmental impact while also enhancing product hygiene," says the GlobalData report. This shift is a direct response to the rising consumer demand for both sustainable and hygienic packaging solutions, a trend that continues to gain momentum across various regions, particularly in Europe, North America, and emerging markets such as China, India, and Brazil. Consumer demand for sustainability In regions such as Europe, the Middle East and Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Central and South America, product sustainability is a major influence on consumer purchasing choices. GlobalData notes that while consumers in Europe and North America tend to be less loyal to brands with strong environmental commitments, regions with rapidly growing economies place greater importance on sustainability. "As countries like Brazil, China, and India continue to grow, the demand for eco-friendly packaging solutions will only increase," the report highlights. One example of this shift in the industry is the introduction of paper-based tubs for butter alternatives by Upfield in January 2024. The packaging, which is free from plastic coatings or linings, offers recyclability without compromising on usability. This innovation demonstrates how the packaging industry is finding ways to balance sustainability with functionality, ensuring that eco-friendly materials can meet both consumer expectations and industry standards. UPDATE: Olivia Cooper was located today near Old Waynesboro Road and returned safely with her family, as of 3:54 p.m. on Monday, according to the RCSO. RICHMOND COUNTY, Ga. (WJBF) The Richmond County Sheriffs Office is asking for the publics assistance to locate a runaway 16-year-old. According to authorities, Olivia Cooper, 16, who is described to be 53 and 175 pounds, was last seen on Saturday, March 22nd on the 4900 block of McCombs Road. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities say Olivia Cooper was possibly seen in a store on Farmers Bridge Road in Hephzibah, Georgia on Sunday, March 23rd and has been located in Waynesboro, Georgia in the past. If anyone has any information concerning Olivia Cooper, please contact the Richmond County Sheriffs Office at 706-821-1020 or 706-821-1080. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJBF. Dismissing serious maladies is no mere headache Manhattan: Recently, President Trump resurrected his callous minimization of veterans brain injuries as just headaches, nothing serious. This again demands correction. Brain injuries can generally be so lastingly devastating that last summer, the CDC finally reclassified them as chronic conditions. Sadly, this major news was largely unreported outside the injury communitys networks. Brain injury is one of Americas greatest epidemic challenges. Theyre spawns of many varied causes, from common falls and collisions to sensationalized electrical injuries like mine, which Ive tackled daily since 1997 chronic indeed! And hidden! The systemic turmoil its often contradictory symptoms can impart physical, cognitive, psychological often eludes observation and useful perception by survivors, social circles and professional care providers. Theyre often misdiagnosed, mistreated, misunderstood and disrespected, further taxing the grossly upended lives of survivors and caregivers. The best rehabilitations and resources are frequently unaffordable or have limited coverage. To improve awareness, concerned citizens can engage with brain injury associations, request more and broader presentations in media beyond duly addressing veterans and athletes experiences, and openly insist that public servants wholeheartedly advance and protect public rights, benefits, care and research. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, even optimum national awareness about all health concerns for Americans may no longer matter given the autocratic devastation of rights and resources by MAGAs terroristic reign. Surging vociferous public outcry seems the only way to possibly stymie Trumpocracy and preserve any democratic remains. Wherever anyone stands politically, brain injuries, like other woes though often preventable by proper means will strike. Everyone is susceptible, even your good self or monstrous wannabe kings or queens. Phil Vanaria Bureaucratic distress Tomkins Cove, N.Y.: To Voicer Julia Golbin: Im sure you are hardly alone in decrying what you went through trying to get your mothers affairs corrected with the Social Security Administration. Please, Julia, explain how cheering Elon Musk and his chainsaw is going to help resolve anyones problems with any government agency that is being decimated on a daily basis. Doug Slotolowicz Spites not right Wyckoff, N.J.: I have nothing but empathy for Voicer Julia Golbin, whose mother faced repeated snafus at Social Security that threatened her already precarious financial circumstances. She is absolutely right to be frustrated with the lethargic and thus far ineffective response of SSA staff. However, if she thinks massive cuts in staffing and closing offices are going to improve that service for her and millions of others like her mother as she cheers Chainsaw Musk, I have a recalled Tesla I can sell her for cheap. Marc Schaeffer Bad business Bronx: Of course, former President Joe Biden and the Democrats will be blamed. It wont be long now. In record time, our New York City native son and Wharton School graduate bankrupted three Atlantic City casinos, a profitable Boston-NYC-D.C. shuttle airline, Trump University, Trump Steaks and possibly the Plaza Hotel, etc. Now, apartheid sympathizer and non-elected Musk-Trump occupy the White House, setting up a very unpopular vengeance cabinet, unwanted tariff wars, an unhinged government shutdown threat, elimination of whole agencies, public fights and humiliations of allies and decent, stable men and women. The destroyers are here! How long before the U.S. Treasury declares bankruptcy? Rose Mary Lancaster Public hurts Manhattan: Our great country once pulled itself out of a Depression by having the federal government hire people to work on our infrastructure and even created an income for people in the arts (Works Progress Administration). We now have a president who cant seem to learn from history. He is doing the exact opposite by firing thousands of federal workers who directly contribute to our economy with their salaries. So, our government decreases the deficit and pulls in money in tariffs while the rest of us pay dearly for higher-priced goods from the tariffs and confusion from the lost government jobs. Now Trump can say that the government has money to keep the tax rate low on billionaires so that they can buy million-dollar paintings that contribute nothing to our economy. Shame! Leonard Smoke Judicial check Peters Township, Pa.: Finally, Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts endured enough of Trumps meddling and shenanigans, issuing a stern rebuke to the president for his latest audacious, shameful denigration and endangerment of a federal judge, an action designed to intimidate the judiciary and to place its members and their families in danger from Trumps minions. Trump had the audacity to reference Judge James Boasberg as a radical-left lunatic and to call for his impeachment because he issued a ruling Trump did not like regarding the ouster of immigrants. Roberts noted the obvious: For more than 200 years, impeachment has not been an appropriate response to a disagreement with a judicial ruling. Trump has asserted that he is a king. It is obvious he believes it. Roberts has performed a public service, making it clear that the executive branch is not the only branch of government with authority. Oren Spiegler Due to all Manhattan: To Voicer Gregory J. Topliff, who berates Boasberg for restraining Trumps expulsion of 200 suspected Venezuelan gang members: As a former law enforcement officer, you must know something about the law that says, No person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law. Its the Fifth Amendment to our Constitution, and take note that it specifically applies to persons not just to American citizens, law-abiding folks or enforcement officers, but to everybody. Persons includes immigrants living in the U.S., documented or not, including dangerous criminals, and even includes youths who are suspected of being Venezuelan gang members. Boasberg is applying due process to this case, which is what judges are required to do. By the way, Trump, who swore an oath to faithfully execute our nations laws, is also required to follow due process, including for those he doesnt particularly like. Douglas Clifford Bailout blunder Manhattan: Reading Voicer Kamala Patels criticisms of the French, one thing struck me hard: She said, We bailed out the French in Vietnam, and I thought, Yeah, that worked out well. Don Cerrone Almost all-white Manhattan: Thursdays two-page article FDNY dispatchers to the rescue (March 19) pictures a team of 18 FDNY dispatchers. Of the group, I see one Black face way back in the rear. My 1987 FDNY Academy graduating class had more than 300 cadets with no females and only two Blacks myself and another cadet. That was nearly 50 years ago, and that picture clearly shows that diversity is still nowhere near where it should be in the FDNY. Leonard Marshall Hard to watch Somers, N.Y.: As someone who is true to the orange-and-blue, I am disappointed that some 20 Mets games will not be telecast on SNY. These games will appear on Apple TV+, ESPN, Fox and possibly other networks. The excuse given is that this gives more national exposure to our team. OK, well and good, but then use announcers from the teams that are playing, not network announcers, who may not have the insights into the two teams. I would love to hear Gary Cohen, Ron Darling or Keith Hernandez for my team. I hear that many Mets fans turn off the audio and listen to the Mets radio broadcast while watching these games. I could never sync up that audio with the TV. I realize that the times are a-changing, but this just seems a limiting factor for many fans. Im hoping the day never comes when more games are not on SNY. Play ball, and lets go Mets. Michael Gold Mistaken ID Rye Brook, N.Y.: To Voicer W. Twirley: A few days before the attack on the USS Liberty in the June 1967 war, the U.S. stated at the UN that it had no naval forces within hundreds of miles of the battlefront. But when the Liberty was attacked, it was 14 miles off the Sinai coast, in the same area where an Egyptian warship had fired on Israeli positions the previous day. The U.S. claimed that communication failures prevented the Liberty from receiving instructions not to approach within 100 miles. Separate Israeli and American investigations stated that the Liberty was mistaken for an Egyptian warship. Israel apologized for the tragedy and paid reparations to the families of the victims established by the U.S. State Department. Demes Poulos President Donald Trumps portrait is unveiled at the Colorado State Capitol in Denver on Aug. 1, 2019. Credit - Thomas PeipertAP Not all state capitols have a collection of presidential portraits, but Colorado is proud to be one that does. Now, however, President Donald Trump has pushed for his portrait to be removed. Nobody likes a bad picture or painting of themselves, but the one in Colorado, in the State Capitol, put up by the Governor, along with all other Presidents, was purposefully distorted to a level that even I, perhaps, have never seen before, Trump posted on Truth Social on Sunday night. I would much prefer not having a picture than having this one. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump said that many people from Colorado have complained about the portrait to him: In fact, they are actually angry about it! He added that hes contacted Colorados Democratic Gov. Jared Polis (whom Trump called a Radical Left Governor who is extremely weak on Crime) to take the portrait down. Jared should be ashamed of himself! Trump concluded. A spokesperson for the governors office told Denver news outlet 9News on Sunday that Polis was surprised to learn the President of the United States is an aficionado of our Colorado State Capitol and its artwork. We appreciate the President and everyones interest in our capitol building and are always looking for any opportunity to improve our visitor experience. On Monday, the Associated Press reported that the portrait will be taken down at the request of Colorado State Senate Minority Leader Paul Lundeen, a Republican, who asked that Trumps portrait be replaced by one that depicts his contemporary likeness. Colorado Democrats joined Republicans in approving an order to staff to remove the portrait from the Capitol gallery and store it in a secure location until further notice, saying in a statement: If the GOP wants to spend time and money on which portrait of Trump hangs in the Capitol, then thats up to them. The reality is it wasnt Polis who commissioned the Trump portrait in the first placenor any political opponent of the President. And its actually been up for years. Heres what to know. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Funding for the portraits in the Colorado State Capitol typically comes from private donations collected by Colorado Citizens for Culture, a grassroots organization supporting the arts in the state. During Trumps first term, the group needed to raise $10,000 to commission a portrait of him, but in 2018, the organizations president Jay Seller said not a single donation had come in. In July that year, a portrait of Russian President Vladimir Putin was displayed on an easel in front of the empty spot where Trumps portrait was expected to hang, after a member of nonprofit progressive advocacy organization ProgressNow Colorado snuck in. Katie March, the Democratic legislative staffer who swiped in the activist had her security clearances stripped and faced disciplinary action. We hope that public awareness has been raised over the danger of Russian influence over the President of the United States, ProgressNow Colorados executive director Ian Silverii told 9News. Next time well use the front door. The stunt ignited anger among Republicans, making national and international headlines, but it also highlighted the absence of Trumps official portrait. Republican Kevin Grantham, then-President of the state senate, launched a GoFundMe to raise funds for a portrait. Within about 32 hours, the campaign met its $10,000 goal through donations from about 200 donors that included several notable state Republicans as well as former Democrat state representative Dan Pabon, who told Colorado Public Radio: The hall of portraits of presidents is a tour showcase for any school-aged students coming through here, and I just wanted to make sure that when they came through they had the full experience of all the presidents that have been elected. During the portraits August 2019 unveiling ceremony at the State Capitol, which was billed as a nonpartisan event though hosted by Colorados Senate Republicans, Grantham called the crowdfunding fitting for a populist such as Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sarah A. Boardman, a British-born artist based in Colorado Springs, was commissioned to paint the portrait. Boardman had also painted the portrait of Barack Obama, after Lawrence Williams, the artist who had painted all 43 previous presidential portraits, died in 2003. Boardman said at the unveiling ceremony that she tried to match the classical realist style of Williams paintings and that it took around four months to complete the painting of Trump, which was based on a photograph voted on and approved by the Capitol Building Advisory Committee. My portrait of President Trump has been called thoughtful, non-confrontational, not angry, not happy, not tweeting, Boardman said at the time. In five, 10, 15, 20 years, he will be another President on the wall who is only historical background, and he needs to look neutral. Grantham, who is now a county commissioner and remains a supporter of Trump on social media, told TIME in an interview on Monday that he was a little surprised by Trumps complaint about the portrait. Its been six years since we put that portrait up, and we havent heard any dissent over itin fact, quite the opposite. People have said they liked it. While he wasnt part of the conversations behind the recent decision to remove and replace the portrait, Grantham said several people did reach out to him to see how he feels, the first being the governor, whom he says agreed that it was not a big deal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Grantham added that Polis wasnt the governor when he started the GoFundMe campaign and that Polis had no involvement in the process of commissioning or unveiling the portrait. Grantham said he is sorry to see Trump going off of misinformation given to him or maybe making assumptions about what happened. Nevertheless, Grantham said hes OK with the decision to remove and replace the portrait: If the subject of the painting doesnt really like the painting, why would we leave it up? If he sees something wrong with it, he doesnt think its a fair characterization of him, or [it] just simply doesnt meet his fancy, why would we go to any extraordinary lengths to keep it up? Lets remove it, lets reorganize tomorrow, and lets talk about what we do now from this point forward. Lets put a portrait up that works for both the people of Colorado and the President of the United States. Grantham added that Boardman, who did not respond to TIMEs request for comment, is a really, really good person and a good artist, and her legacy will not be tied to this little hiccup. Trumps not the only President to have found a portrait unflattering. Theodore Roosevelt loathed his White House portrait by French artist Theobald Chartran in 1902, saying it made him look like a mewing cat. He hid the work in his closet and ultimately had it destroyed and replaced with a different artists. Whether Trumps removed portrait in Colorado faces a similar fate is unclear. There is, however, one portrait commissioned elsewhere that Trump is reportedly much more fond of: U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff told conservative media commentator Tucker Carlson on Friday that Trump was clearly touched after Putin recently gave Witkoff a beautiful portrait of the U.S. President that the Russian President had commissioned a leading Russian artist to paint. Contact us at letters@time.com. (Illustration by Pict Rider/iStock Getty Images Plus) Marylands parole system has fallen far behind national standards, refusing eligible individuals parole hearings and allowing department staff rather than appointed parole commissioners to conduct the majority of parole hearings. Two bills that passed the House this session, House Bill 1147, sponsored by Del. Elizabeth Embry (D-Baltimore City) and others, and House Bill 1156, sponsored by Del. N. Scott Phillips (D-Baltimore County), aim to correct these fundamental issues and ensure that parole operates as intended. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Maryland, state law does not explicitly state that a parole-eligible person ever has to get a parole hearing. It has been the practice of the Parole Commission (parole board) that incarcerated people are given at least one hearing and, if they are denied, must apply for all future hearings. Your opinion matters Maryland Matters welcomes guest commentary submissions at editor@marylandmatters.org. We suggest a 750-word limit and reserve the right to edit or reject submissions. We do not accept columns that are endorsements of candidates, and no longer accept submissions from elected officials or political candidates. Opinion pieces must be signed by at least one individual using their real name. We do not accept columns signed by an organization. Commentary writers must include a short bio and a photo for their bylines. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Views of writers are their own. Maryland is one of only four states that requires applications for subsequent hearings alongside Delaware, Idaho, and Utah. The Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services originally provided us with numbers, but has since clarified that they do not collect data on how many parole hearing applications they deny. We know from speaking with parole-eligible individuals that their hearing requests are often denied. These arent parole denials, these are denials of the request for a hearing. The Parole Commission is effectively refusing parole eligibility to people whom both the legislature and courts have already determined to be eligible. Its currently within the Parole Commissions authority to refuse peoples request for a hearing each time they apply, effectively changing a parole-eligible sentence to one without parole. This practice was not the intent of the legislature. Is a sentence really parole-eligible if the law doesnt state that you actually get a parole hearing? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement HB1147 would establish a schedule for subsequent parole hearings, ensuring eligible people are considered at specific intervals and providing the commission with a predictable cadence for scheduling. Additional provisions in HB1147 would clean up some basic housekeeping: removing administrative delays for providing a person their records, making sure all victim-impact statements are considered by the commission, ensuring recordings of hearings are retained throughout a persons incarceration and ensuring a prompt official decision on parole, alongside justifications for each decision. Further, its a common misconception that parole commissioners conduct all parole hearings in Maryland. By law, parole commissioners are only required to conduct hearings for people convicted of a homicide or serving a parole-eligible life sentence. The majority of incarcerated people (~60%) will have their parole hearing in front of a hearing examiner, a department staff member who conducts a hearing alone and decides whether to recommend release. These hearing examiners are selected by the secretary of the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services the governor and Senate never review or approve their names. It is a system without checks and balances rife for abuse. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Parole is a crucial step toward successful re-entry and release is an important decision: Is the incarcerated person ready to transition to community supervision? HB1156 would swap out hearing examiners for an expanded Parole Commission, ensuring the people appointed to make release decisions meet with every person who is eligible for release. No department staff member should be conducting parole hearings alone. These bills do not change parole eligibility laws they simply ensure that parole-eligible people get parole hearings, parole commissioners conduct their hearings, and adequate records and justifications are kept in their file. House Bills 1147 and 1156 would help modernize parole in Maryland, a move that is long overdue to ensure eligible people have the chance at parole that both the legislature and courts provided to them. An investigation is underway by the Westgate Mall in Brockton, where police say a 15-year-old boy and an 18-year-old woman were shot and killed Saturday night. I just seen all the kids screaming and running from out of there, they said they knew someone that got shot, said Renee Williams near the scene Saturday. Witnesses say a lot of kids were at the grand opening of the Urban Air Adventure Park across the street shortly before the shooting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its really sad to see, its like this neighborhood it just sucks all the young kids with the guns just dont make any sense, this was a night for everybody to have fun and now theyre out here shooting, said Williams. Police say several teenagers were fighting outside the Chipotle and Starbucks when shots were fired around 7 p.m. with dozens of teens nearby. Crews spent Sunday cleaning up the crime scene as the investigation into this deadly shooting continues. Take a pause, things are hard these days, before you react or it gets to this point, take a pause and think about the consequences, and think about yourself and the lives around you that you will negatively impact, said Gale Henville, who lives in Brockton. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The brand-new indoor park also closed on Sunday out of respect for the off-site incident, according to their website. Brockton Public Schools released a statement Sunday, 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. The Plymouth County District Attorneys office is leading this investigation and hasnt said whether any arrests have been made yet. The victims have also not been identified. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As Mayor of the city of Brockton, I extend my deepest condolences to the families, friends, and classmates of the two victims. This tragedy is an active police investigation, under the direction of Police Chief Brenda Perez, in conjunction with the Plymouth County District Attorneys office, said Mayor Robert Sullivan in a statement Sunday night. The Brockton Public Schools, led by Superintendent Dr. Priya Tahiliani, will offer grief counseling services to students and staff impacted by this tragic event. This type of senseless violence will not be tolerated in our city. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW Over a month after a fire captain was fatally stabbed, her wife has been detained in Mexico on suspicion of murder. Rebecca Marodi, 49, was found stabbed to death last month at her home in Ramona, Calif., about 40 miles from San Diego. Yolanda Olenjniczak, 54, who had been married to Marodi for the past two years, was identified as the lead suspect by the San Diego County Sheriffs Office. Olenjniczak, also known as Yolanda Marodi, was arrested Saturday at a hotel in the city of Mexicali, the sheriff's office said in a statement, and was released to U.S. Marshals at a Port of Entry. She will be charged with murder, and will remain in custody. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Olenjniczak reportedly crossed into Mexico in her vehicle via the San Ysidro port of entry on on February 17, the day Marodi was found dead. She was seen on surveillance video earlier in the evening arguing with Marodi and physically assaulting her, then later fleeing the scene shortly before Marodi's mother arrived. Olenjniczak was previously convicted of felony voluntary manslaughter in 2000 for fatally stabbing James Olejniczak Jr., her estranged husband with whom she shares a daughter. She pleaded guilty in 2003, and was sentenced to 11 years in prison in 2004. Rebecca Marodi, who had been a firefighter for more than 30 years, was recently helping to fight the wildfires in Los Angeles. She would have turned 50 in June, and was planning to retire. Beyond her operational assignments, Captain Marodi was deeply involved in Peer Support and Hazmat, always prioritizing the well-being of her colleagues, Cal Fire and the Riverside County Fire Department said in a press release. Her legacy of mentorship, service and dedication will be felt for years to come. Her passing is a profound loss to her family, friends and all who had the privilege of working alongside her. A 28-year-old Davenport man was in custody Sunday night after Iowa State Patrol say he led a high-speed chase, Scott County Court records show. Rodricco Parks Jr. faces a felony charge of eluding speed 25 mph over the limit second or subsequent and aggravated misdemeanor charges of driving while barred and operating while under the influence second offense, according to Scott County Court documents. Rodricco Parks Jr. (Scott County Jail) Shortly after 1:36 a.m. Saturday, Iowa State Patrol conducted a traffic stop on a silver Chevy Cruze with no plates at West 16th Street and North Gaines Street for speeding 65 mph in a posted 35 mph zone, speeding 39 mph in a posted 30 mph zone and reckless driving. The vehicle failed to stop and a vehicle pursuit began, arrest affidavits say. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Affidavits show Parks, who was driving, was seen driving at a high rate of speed southbound on North Harrison Street approaching East Central Park Avenue in a posted 35 mph zone. According to a car radar, he was going 65 mph. He continued driving at a high rate of speed and a fully marked patrol car finally caught up to (Parks) and attempted to stop (him) with red/blue flashing lights and sirens at West 16th Street/North Gaines Street, affidavits say. Affidavits show Parks drove at more than 25 mph, which is the posted speed limit on West 16th Street. He made no attempt to stop at any stop sign or red light they came upon and was driving over curbs, parking lots, and sidewalks during the pursuit. Police used a PIT maneuver (Precision Immobilization Technique used by law enforcement to stop a fleeing car by causing it to spin out and lose control, ultimately stopping a pursuit. Affidavits say he still continued to flee at a high rate of speed with no regard for the innocent motoring public. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The chase ended at Carey Avenue just north of East Locust Street when Parks lost control and crashed into a utility pole. He then ran off, but police used a Taser on him and took him into custody. Parks had bloodshot watery eyes, a strong odor consistent with an alcoholic beverage emitting from his breath, erratic driving behaviors, thick/slurred speech, and admitted to drinking a couple mixed drinks before driving, according to affidavits, which show that, at one point, Parks told officers I am a good drunk driver. Parks has a prior OWI conviction and a prior eluding conviction out of Scott County in 2020. He also has an Iowa license status of barred habitual offender as of 11/10/2022 until 11/08/2027. Parks, who was being held in Scott County Jail on $5,000 cash-only bond, is scheduled for a preliminary hearing in Scott County Court on April 1. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHBF - OurQuadCities.com. (Photo by Drew Angerer | Getty Images) Wisconsin voters will weigh in on a constitutional amendment to enshrine the states photo ID requirement to vote in the state Constitution in the April 1 election. On ballots this spring, voters will be asked shall section 1m of article III of the constitution be created to require that voters present valid photographic identification verifying their identity in order to vote in any election, subject to exceptions which may be established by law? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If approved, the state Constitution would be changed to include the provision that no qualified elector may cast a ballot in any election unless the elector presents valid photographic identification that verifies the electors identity and that is issued by this state, the federal government, a federally recognized American Indian tribe or band in this state, or a college or university in this state. The provision would give the Legislature the authority to determine which types of ID qualify as acceptable. Current law includes state issued drivers licenses and photo IDs, U.S. Passports, military IDs and unexpired university IDs (expired student IDs are allowed if proof of current enrollment such as a tuition receipt or course schedule is provided). In several recent elections, Wisconsin Republicans have put constitutional referenda on the ballot in an effort to make policy changes without needing Democratic Gov. Tony Evers signature. Wisconsin has had a state law requiring voters to have an acceptable photo ID to register to vote and cast a ballot since 2011. During debate over the law, Republican lawmakers discussed its potential to help the party win elections by suppressing the vote of minority and college-aged people who tend to vote for Democrats. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democrats and voting rights groups said the law amounted to a poll tax. A 2017 study found that the law kept 17,000 people from the polls in the 2016 election. Since its passage, a number of court decisions have adjusted the law, leading the state to ease restrictions and costs for obtaining a photo ID particularly for people who cant afford a high cost or dont have proper documents such as a birth certificate. Republicans in Wisconsin and across the country have increasingly focused on photo ID requirements for voting since conspiracy theories about election administration emerged following the 2020 presidential campaign. The process to amend the state constitution requires that a proposal pass the Legislature in two consecutive sessions and then be approved by the states voters in a referendum. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If passed, the amendment would change little for Wisconsin voters because the existing law has been on the books in its current form for nearly a decade. When the amendment was proposed, Republicans said its goal was to protect the photo ID law from being struck down by the courts. I cannot say for certain how the Wisconsin Supreme Court would rule on voter ID laws, but Im also not willing to risk the Wisconsin Supreme Court declaring voter ID laws unconstitutional, Sen. Van Wanggaard said at a public hearing on the proposal. But Democrats say its unnecessary to amend the constitution to add something thats already in state law and accuse Republicans of including the referendum on the ballot in this election in an effort to increase Republican turnout in the contested races for state Supreme Court and superintendent of schools. Its my feeling, and its a feeling of most people, that you dont legislate via changing the constitution, Rep. Lee Snodgrass (D-Appleton) said at a March 17 panel on the referendum. I think that there is pretty wide evidence that this is hitting the ballots for political reasons. I think that the majority party is afraid of what happens if we get into the majority and if we decide that existing law needs to be amended or changed or overturned entirely. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Snodgrass added that we are essentially wasting everybodys time by adding this to the ballot. And I think weve had five of these now already. So its a pattern, and its politically motivated. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Tobacco stock investors don't have a lot of choices these days, so if you're looking to invest in one of these classic dividend payers, two of the first stocks that are likely to come up on your radar are Altria (NYSE: MO) and Philip Morris International (NYSE: PM). The two stocks have their differences, though they were once the same company before they split in 2007. While both companies own the same set of cigarette brands, led by Marlboro, Altria retained the domestic business, while Philip Morris operates outside the U.S. Let's take a look at how these two dividend stocks stack up against each other today. Image source: Getty Images. Business model: Altria vs. Philip Morris International You might assume that as cigarette makers, Altria and Philip Morris have the same business models, but that isn't entirely true. Both companies have been focused on diversifying away from cigarettes to next-generation, smoke-free products, but Philip Morris has had significantly more success than Altria. Philip Morris has developed Iqos, its heat-not-burn devices that use tobacco sticks, which have gained significant market share in major markets around the world like Japan, and the company even acquired the rights to sell Iqos in the U.S. from Altria. Philip Morris has also found success with Zyn, the oral nicotine pouch brand it gained in its acquisition of Swedish Match. The company is even expanding production of Zyn in order to meet growing demand. In 2024, its smoke-free business delivered 14.2% revenue growth, and smoke-free products now make up 40% of revenue, showing the company is moving beyond cigarettes. Meanwhile, Altria has faced significant setbacks, as its $12 billion investment in Juul was reduced to essentially nothing due to a regulatory crackdown, and its pivot to the cannabis industry with a minority investment in Cronos Group also fell flat. Altria has now put its faith in Njoy after acquiring the maker of e-cigarettes and vaping products for $2.7 billion in 2023, which has full marketing authorization from the FDA, ensuring Altria won't make the same mistake it did with Juul. Njoy is delivering solid growth for Altria, with consumable shipment volume up 15.3% to 12.8 million, but smokable products still make up close to 90% of Altria's revenue. Financials: Altria vs. Philip Morris Looking at the financial results head to head, Philip Morris benefits from operating in international markets, where smoking hasn't faced the same degree of regulatory and cultural pushback that it has in the U.S. In 2024, Altria reported a decline in revenue of 1.9% to $24 billion, primarily due a 10.2% slide in cigarette shipment volume, which was partially offset by higher prices. Republican lawmakers applaud landowners whom they have worked with in opposition to a proposed carbon sequestration pipeline. From left, Rep. Eddie Andrews, Sen. Dennis Guth, Sen. Cherielynn Westrich, Rep. Charley Thomson. (Photo by Cami Koons/Iowa Capital Dispatch) Republican lawmaker Rep. Charley Thomson, at a press conference Monday, called on Summit Carbon Solutions to withdraw its already-approved permit application to build a carbon sequestration pipeline through Iowa. The Republican Legislative Intervenors for Justice, consisting of more than 40 Iowa lawmakers, gathered for a press conference about their continued fight against what the group alleges are unconstitutional attacks on Iowa property rights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The group formed in June 2023 and has sued the Iowa Utilities Commission for its decision to grant a permit to the Summit Carbon Solutions pipeline, which would span more than 1,000 miles in Iowa to transport liquid carbon dioxide from ethanol plants to underground storage in North Dakota. The IUC approved Summits permit in June, on the condition that the company secure permits in North Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Officials in North Dakota and Minnesota approved the pipeline routes through their states, but Summit requested a pause in proceedings for its application in South Dakota, following the recent passage of a law that blocks the company from condemning agricultural land for the project. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im calling today for Summit to withdraw their petition from the IUC, Thomson, of Charles City, said at the press conference. Now that weve seen what South Dakota has done with their view on eminent domain, theres no basis under the current IUC order to proceed. A spokesperson for the commission said in a statement to Iowa Capital Dispatch, that the South Dakota law did not affect the validity of the permit already granted for the project. Thomson said the IUCs initial decision to grant the permit did not comply with Iowa law, nor the constitution. Iowans have a tradition of very clean government this is not clean government, Thomson said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A spokesperson for Summit Carbon Solutions said the IUC reviewed the project thoroughly after years of public input, regulatory review, and strong support from farmers, landowners, ethanol producers, and business leaders across the state. We respect the role of elected officials in the policymaking process and remain focused on delivering a project that supports Iowa agriculture, ethanol, and national energy dominance, the spokesperson said, asked about Thomsons request. Thomson also pointed to a proposed rule from Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, or PHMSA, on CO2 pipelines, which he said confirmed that its not the same risk to have a carbon dioxide pipeline running through your land as it is for natural gas. Its far riskier, Thomson said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Cindy Golding said she fears the South Dakota law, and Summits request for a stay on the proceedings in the state, will lead Iowans to think the project is done. This has not gone away, Golding said. Its still hanging over your head. This session representatives put forward a number of bills pertaining to eminent domain and CO2 pipeline regulations. Rep. Steven Holt said the bills might be combined into one or two bills to fit the time constraints of the session. Last week, Democratic Senator Tony Bisignano introduced an amendment to the resolution on Senate rules that would have allowed a majority to force a Senate floor vote on a bill. Bisignano noted the Senates history of not debating pipeline related bills in his arguments for the amendment, which was defeated 30-18. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sen. Dennis Guth, said he voted against the amendment in favor of a commitment he made with Sen. Mike Bousselot, R-Ankeny, to advance some of the eminent domain bills through the Senate. I apologize to those that are disappointed, because I think if I had to do over again, I would have changed my vote, Guth said at the press conference. Sen. Lynn Evans from Aurelia said hes not sure the effort from the Democrats was a genuine effort to fight for property rights, and noted that no one from the other side of the aisle was in the room. If they want to join us in this fight, this is an official invitation, that they can join us and stand shoulder to shoulder with us, Evans said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sen. Cherielynn Westrich and the rest of the group applauded the pipeline fighters who show up at the Iowa Capitol every Tuesday to voice their opposition to the pipeline. We see you, we hear you, and were fighting for you, Westrich said. Kathy Carter, a landowner and regular pipeline opponent at the Capitol said landowners are exhausted. You tell us to continue to pursue with the senators, which we have been continually doing, Carter said. Im not sure what else we can do, but were not going to give up. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Lettuce growing alongside a Solar panel array. (Photo courtesy of the National Renewable Energy Lab.) At a time when costs are too high and people are concerned about the economy, clean energy is creating jobs and cost savings for Americans across the country. As IBEW business leaders in Ohio, we know firsthand how important clean energy is to making our economy work for all Americans. If we want to build back American manufacturing and maintain our competitive edge, we must continue to invest in energy. Efforts in Washington to repeal clean energy investments would take us in exactly the wrong direction. The latest budget bill passed by House Republicans could undermine these investments. Their Budget Chairman has unfortunately suggested that clean energy incentives should be low-hanging fruit to pay for new tax cuts geared toward the wealthy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is not just about jobs, it is about affordability. Too many Americans are struggling under the weight of high energy costs, with more than a quarter of U.S. households unable to afford their energy bills. More than three-quarters of households say theyre overwhelmed with their energy payments. Clean energy investments are already saving Americans make-or-break money on their electricity bills. By 2030, these investments will save the average American taxpayer an estimated $1,000 a year in energy costs. This is why we are such strong supporters of clean energy investments at both the federal level and in the private sector. This money is fueling a clean energy economic boom in Ohio and across the country, a boom that will be jeopardized if these investments and tax credits get repealed this year. Here in Ohio, over $8.8 billion in federal funds are being invested in our clean energy future. These jobs and investment dollars are split fairly evenly between Republican and Democratic districts so Americans are benefiting everywhere. Since the passage of these clean energy investments, private companies have announced 405 projects totaling $204 billion in investment, and 216,322 new jobs in 152 districts represented by Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both Democrats and Republicans acknowledge the importance of these investments. On March 10th, 21 Republican members of Congress wrote a letter to the House tax-writing Chairman in support of the clean energy tax credits that have brought direct benefits to many of their districts. We strongly support the Administrations America First national energy dominance initiative. Continued energy expansion and innovation is necessary to bolster national security, create good-paying American jobs, and guarantee energy independence. The United States continues to produce energy from a myriad of sources that are cleaner and more efficient than anywhere else in the world. As our conference has long believed, an all-of-the-above energy approach, combined with a robust advanced manufacturing sector, will help support the United States position as a global energy leader, they wrote in their letter. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Outside Washington, many Republican governors have taken the same approach. Thats just common sense, and we hope Ohio Congressmen Max Miller and Mike Carey, who are on the tax-writing committee will take the same approach. Repealing or undermining the federal investments that are propelling the United States to the forefront of the clean energy competition would set our country back and threaten the livelihoods of the millions of Americans who work in clean energy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Clean energy incentives will lower energy costs, according to utility CEOs. Tax advantages make it affordable for utilities to directly own and operate solar power facilities, passing savings onto customers. Clean energy tax credits also allow utilities to lower costs for consumers. For example, Duke Energy will cut residential energy rates in Florida because of retroactive tax credits from the national clean energy investments. If the clean energy investments are repealed, consumers could see monthly household energy bills rise by an average of 10%. The 2022 clean energy plan supports unions like mine, making sure that American workers dont get left behind. Under that clean energy plan, projects that pay prevailing wages and hire registered apprentices to work on clean energy projects will receive a fivefold increase in clean energy deployment tax credits. An August 2024 report from the Climate Jobs National Resource Center identified more than 6,000 utility-scale clean energy projects planned, under construction, or already operating that could be eligible for the clean energy plans labor standards tax credits. Combined, these projects represent a potential 3.9 million jobs, over $2 trillion in investment, and over 1 million megawatts of clean power. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investing in clean energy isnt about getting rid of manufacturing or construction jobsin fact, its about creating more of these jobs. Clean energy is a cost of living and economic issue. Repealing clean energy investments would be bad for American businesses and bad for American workers. Preserving Americas competitive edge in clean energy is essential for ensuring an economically prosperous future, and Ohio can continue leading the way if we protect our investments. Michael Shingary is the Business Representative of IBEW Local 38. Pat Hook is the Business Manager of IBEW 683. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Egypt has presented a fresh ceasefire proposal in the war between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas in the Gaza Strip, according to Qatari media on Monday. Qatari news site al-Arabi al-Jadid cited "informed sources" in Egypt as saying that the proposal included a gradual withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, and had been presented to both sides. A Hamas representative confirmed to dpa that the Islamist organization had received the proposal. There was no immediate confirmation from Israel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the newspaper, the proposal calls for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip followed by negotiations on a timetable for the release of the remaining hostages held by Hamas. In return, Israeli troops are to gradually withdraw from the coastal area. The proposal also stipulates that Hamas provide precise information on the surviving hostages and the bodies of the dead, and support this information with photographs. Mediators had previously failed to secure an extension of the ceasefire with Hamas, which had been in place since mid-January, and Israel last week resumed its air attacks on the territory. As Donald Trump demands that federal courts and judges get out of his way, Republicans in Congress seem prepared to use their powers to kneecap the judicial branchs ability to check the president. On Monday morning, House Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) told Fox News that Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) has endorsed legislation crafted by the GOP that would stop federal district judges [from] issuing injunctions applying to the entire country, and limit them to the parties of the case in that respective jurisdiction. Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) introduced the legislation in question, the No Rogue Rulings Act, in February as federal judges halted many of Trumps ostensibly unconstitutional executive orders. Last week, Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), who sits on the Senate Judiciary Committee, wrote on social media that he plans to introduce legislation aimed at checking what he called a dramatic abuse of judicial authority. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I will introduce legislation to stop this abuse for good, he added. Republicans in Congress, then, are moving not to preserve their own authority granted by the Constitution, but to move any roadblocks in the way of Trump usurping this authority. Speaker Johnson has indicated he would like to get the bill to the floor next week and move it through the process, Jordan added of Issas bill. The focal point of the GOPs current gripe with the judiciary is U.S. District Court Judge James Boasberg, who earlier this month issued an order blocking the Trump administrations attempt to use the Alien Enemies Act the archaic law used to round up and detain Japanese-Americans during World War II as a justification for deporting of over 200 Venezuelans to a brutal prison in El Salvador without due process Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Trump administration went ahead and deported the migrants, possibly defying Boasbergs order to halt their removal in the process. Why was this proclamation essentially signed in the dark on Friday [] and then these people rushed onto planes, Boasberg asked during a recent hearing. It seems to me the only reason to do that is if you know its a problem and you want to get them out of the country before there are suits filed, he added. Trump has spent the last week attacking Boasberg a George W. Bush appointee as a partisan actor targeting him because of his politics. If that sounds familiar, its because thats how the president tends to treat any judge who doesnt defer to his whims. This Judge is almost as conflicted (actually, not even close!) as the Judge whose daughter made Millions of Dollars representing Biden/Harris against me, while her father presided over a Fake Case against me, and refused to RECUSE himself, Trump wrote Monday on Truth Social, referencing unsupported claims he made against the family of New York Judge Juan Merchan, who oversaw his 2024 hush money trial. Last week, Trump called Boasberg a Radical Left Lunatic who like many of the Crooked Judges I am forced to appear before, should be IMPEACHED!!! The White House also attacked the judges wife, claiming that his judgement was clouded because she had donated $10,000 to democrats. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite admitting that he has no legal grounds to impeach Boasberg, Jordan along with plenty of other MAGA sycophants is making hay about impeaching judges who get in the way of the president. Shadow president Elon Musk has repeatedly issued calls for jurists to be removed from the bench, and four impeachment resolutions have already been introduced against district judges who placed stays on Trumps attempted edicts, including Boasberg. While the GOP doesnt have the votes needed to unilaterally impeach anyone, they are considering ways to make life more difficult for judges targeted by the president even if its just through public villainization. Boasberg seems wholly unfettered, ruling on Monday that the Venezuelan migrants sent to El Salvador had a right to challenge their detention and deportation under the Alien Enemies Act. It follows that summary deportation following close on the heels of the governments informing an alien that he is subject to the proclamation without giving him the opportunity to consider whether to voluntarily self-deport or challenge the basis for the order is unlawful, he wrote. 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. DES MOINES, Iowa More than two weeks have passed on the release of a massive piece of policy that looks to completely overhaul the states property tax system. The bill will save Iowa taxpayers $400 million in the state taking over a greater share of local taxes paid to school districts, according to the bill sponsors. The legislation implements a 2% revenue restriction, $25,000 homestead tax credit, and gives seniors a property tax freeze if they make less than a certain income threshold. Most notably, the bill aims to lower tax levies by phasing out a rollback system, over several years, which hasnt been updated since 1977. While the bill is ambitious, the leader of the House Republican caucus said it was too early to say if this can be passed in this session. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Local smoke shops close due to new tax I think its too early to make any determination. We would like to make some progress obviously, but I dont think anyone thinks that a system of this magnitude can just be fixed over the course of a couple weeks, said Speaker of the Iowa House Pat Grassley (R) District 57, from New Hartford. So were not going to make any commitments as far as what the entirety looks like. If further conversations have to go on in the next year I think wed be open to that. But we also just dont want to just because somethings hard, just throw our hands up either. Speaker Grassley said that feedback is coming in, and he has been meeting with the bill sponsor in the chamber, Rep. Bobby Kaufmann (R), District 82 from Wilton, to make sure that Iowans are having input on the massive bill. With the nature of the changes the bill makes, Grassley added that the caucus will not rush anything forward. Democratic leadership in both chambers say that members of the public have been reaching out to them as well, including local governments, to share their thoughts on the proposed changes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Iowa DOT plans week of overnight closures along I-35,80 Were starting to hear back from some constituents. Concerns about whether or not, for example, the current software system would be able to handle it. Concerns about what youre going to do if you have multiple different rollbacks and I keep encouraging everybody who talks to me to speak directly to the bills author so they can try and get perhaps some changes made to it, said Senate Minority Leader Janice Weiner (D) District 45, from Iowa City. We have seen folks who are just pretty skeptical about what will happen and if their property tax bills will go down. Weve had property tax reform for several years, peoples rates are still going up, said House Minority Leader Jennifer Konfrst (D) District 32 from Windsor Heights. So theyre pretty skeptical about what the actual impact will be, and frankly what the final legislation will look like. Both Sen. Dan Dawson (R) District 10, from Council Bluffs and Rep. Kaufmann said when the bill was released, that most likely changes will occur as feedback from different areas of the state comes in. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to who13.com. Indias Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) has been awarded a contract to develop the 800MW Ukai supercritical thermal power plant (Unit 7) in Gujarat. The contract has been awarded by Gujarat State Electricity Corporation (GSECL) via an international competitive bidding process. The thermal power plant will be built on the existing ash disposal area located in Tapi district, Gujarat. BHEL will be responsible for the design, engineering, manufacturing, supply, erection, testing and commissioning of the plant, all under an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) agreement. BHEL will also undertake all associated civil, structural and electrical work, and provide advanced emission control systems. This order continues BHELs long-standing association with the Ukai power station, where it installed with the first thermal unit at the site in 1976. The latest contract further strengthens this ongoing partnership. As one of India's major power equipment manufacturers, BHEL has more than 170,000MW of power capacity installed there. The company is expected to play an important role in supporting the countrys energy security. In November 2024, BHEL secured a contract from NTPC to build the main plant package for three units of the 800MW Telangana stage II thermal power project. The company was responsible for the design, engineering, manufacturing, commissioning and civil construction of the plant. The company already received a limited notice to proceed from NTPC to begin basic engineering for the main plant package. "BHEL to build supercritical 800MW thermal project in Gujarat, India" was originally created and published by Power Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. The critically endangered Vancouver Island marmot is making quite the recovery, according to The Discourse. Twenty-two of these marmots were found in the wild in 2003, earning the title of Canada's most endangered native mammal. Now that count is up to 381. The most recent increase was made possible thanks in part to favorable weather over the last two years, which supported more wild food sources for the animals. With a special focus on ensuring the health of the mothers and therefore their new litters the Marmot Recovery Foundation also engaged in supplementary feeding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We would put out these leaf biscuits in the earlier part of the year as the marmots were emerging from hibernation," Adam Taylor, executive director of the foundation, told The Discourse. "There were a bunch of reasons for us to do that. In other endangered species, supplemental feeding has been shown to have some benefits." In order to track the effectiveness of this feeding program, the foundation teamed up with the Wilder Institute to set up remote electronic scales. These can weigh marmots without staff having to handle them manually, which would risk disrupting the animals' natural behavior. Human intervention clearly has a role to play in rescuing species from the brink of extinction. Other programs have saved rare marsupials in Australia, bald eagles in New Jersey, and a species of fish unique to Tennessee. That said, humans are routinely the cause behind wild animal population declines in the first place. Habitat destruction and shifts in the climate accelerated by human activity are some of the major threats. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the case of the Vancouver Island marmot, clearcutting forests actually led to a temporary boom in marmot population, which in turn caused a massive increase in natural predation. By 2003, the species was nearly extinct. Vancouver Island conservationists took some time to look back on the decades of work put into protecting the marmots and supporting their recovery. "It's really important to know that we can recover even the most critically endangered species. It's not easy, it's not quick, but it is possible," Taylor told The Discourse. "And we shouldn't be giving up hope for those species, confining them to extinction just because it's difficult. It's possible to recover them if you're willing to put in the time, effort and work." 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. STOTTS CITY, Mo. A performance audit of Stotts City, home to fewer than 200 people, is now officially underway following a petition from local residents. Missouri State Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick announced today that his office has started the review of the citys finances and operations. The audit process began with a meeting between audit staff and city officials on Friday, March 21. This marks the first time in 25 years that Stotts City, located in Lawrence County, will undergo a comprehensive audit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kimberling City woman arrested for apartment fire The people of Stotts City have worked hard to bring attention to the need for a detailed review of their local governments effectiveness and efficiency, said Auditor Fitzpatrick. I encourage residents to be patient as we conduct a thorough audit. This process takes time, but it will provide a clearer understanding of how their city government is functioning. The request for the audit was initiated by a petition signed by 34 residents, whose signatures were verified by the Lawrence County Clerk. This is the first audit of Stotts City since 2000 when a similar petition led to a review of the citys operations. That audit revealed several financial mismanagement issues, including inadequate segregation of accounting duties, the absence of annual budgets, and a lack of a formal bidding process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It also uncovered a troubling practice by the city clerk, who was found to have only deposited a portion of utility payments and used funds from utility receipts for personal checks. Springfield man arrested after breaking into his parole officers home Fitzpatrick has encouraged anyone with information that may assist the audit to come forward. Residents can provide confidential tips through the State Auditors Whistleblower Hotline at 800-347-8597, via email at moaudit@auditor.mo.gov, or by visiting the State Auditors website at www.auditor.mo.gov/hotline. As the audit progresses, Stotts City residents can expect a more detailed and transparent look at their local governments financial and operational practices. 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. Police are searching for three to four suspects who broke into a Woodland Hills home and zip-tied one resident before taking off with a safe Sunday night. Officers responded to the home invasion call on the 23000 block of Erwin Street around 10 p.m. One victim was sleeping in a bedroom when they were approached and bound by the intruders, a Los Angeles Police Department spokesperson confirmed to KTLA. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A second victim who was in the laundry room at the time of the break-in was also held in the home for several hours. Police respond to a home invasion call in Woodland Hills on March 23, 2025. (KNN) The extent of any injuries to the victims was unclear. The thieves did escape with a safe but it was unclear what was inside. No description of the suspects has been released. A similar incident occurred at home less than three miles away earlier this month. On Mar. 4, police say three people were bound and placed into a closet during a home-invasion robbery. It was unclear how much was taken in the robbery or if the suspect was ever caught. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Ahead of a pivotal two-day Congressional hearing that began Monday morning, retailers, ports, manufacturers, ocean carriers and farmers alike have all weighed in on the U.S. Trade Representatives (USTR) proposal to tack on fees for Chinese ships calling at U.S. ports. Those proposed fees have been met largely with concern among the U.S. retail and container shipping industries. Top worries include increased freight rates, restrictions on exports, fewer port calls and potential job losses, along with lengthier delivery times to due mass ship diversions. More from Sourcing Journal Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a joint comment, the National Retail Federation (NRF) and Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) urged the Trump administration to consider other measures for addressing Chinas unreasonable dominance in the maritime sector. The firms advised USTR Jamieson Greer to conduct an economic impact analysis and other studies to example the ripple effects of possible policy changes. NRF and RILA members shared various concerns over the proposed remedies, with one retailer estimating that freight rates for shipments to the U.S. West Coast would be tacked on $500 to $1,500 per container. East Coast rates would be higher, the unidentified retailer said. The fees will disproportionately impact importers that import fewer items per container such as furniture, home improvement, etc., the retailer said. Another retailer said that along with several tariffs added for Chinese goods, as well as steel and aluminum tariffs, the new port fees would subject some imports to additional duties between 90 and 95 percent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the individual effect on the economy from the fines by themselves may not be much, combined with all of the other tariffs, they will have a devastating effect on our business, the company said. As of Monday morning, more than 330 total comments were filed with the USTR on the ramifications of the proposals, which were the result of a nine-month probe into Chinas shipbuilding, maritime and logistics practices. That investigation found that Chinas dominance of those industries has been unreasonable and harmful to U.S. economic interests, putting the country in violation of Section 301 trade laws. Among the arguments, the USTR has said China displaces foreign firms, deprives market-oriented businesses and their workers of commercial opportunities and lessens competition across the industriesall while creating more international dependencies on China. China now produces more than half of the worlds cargo ships by tonnage, up from just 5 percent in 1999, the USTR probe said. Comparatively, the U.S. builds a paltry 0.1 percent, and doesnt currently have a shipyard capable of meeting building capacity demands. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Container shipping expert John McCown noted the complexities of the USTR proposal as a massive detriment to everyone involved, indicating that the terminologies used throughout like operator and Chinese-built lend themselves to confusion among all stakeholders. McCown also pointed out that many media reports commonly cite the up to $1.5 million in penalties that would be levied on Chinese-built ships, but that it is just one prong of multiple that often undersells how much a vessel would have to pay. In one example of Chinas Cosco Shipping, which generated $6.7 billion in net profit in 2024, McCown highlighted that one vessel traversing the West Coast would cost the liner $3.5 million per port call. This would add up to $10.5 million for any voyage that involves three West Coast portstypical of a 10,000-container Cosco ship travelling the trans-Pacific route. Different fees will apply to various carriers depending on their own circumstances, but it becomes abundantly clear that the minimums would be in the $1 million to $2 million range per port call, McCown said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The one apparel brand and distributor represented among the commenting parties, strongly opposed the proposals on the back of the fees. Perry Ellis International CEO and president Oscar Feldenkreis said in his submission that the fees would significantly raise the cost of imported goods, in that ocean carriers will either pass the costs onto importers via increased freight rates or reduced service to U.S. ports. Delays in shipments due to fewer port calls and higher shipping costs will force businesses like ours to either carry excess inventorytying up capital and warehouse spaceor face stock shortages that will disrupt operations and sales, Feldenkreis said. The potential loss of business at American ports like Savannah, Charleston and Miami is a concern of many of the proposals detractors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Soren Toft, the CEO of the worlds largest ocean carrier, Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), previously said the company would stop servicing the Port of Oakland if the fees were put into place. Toft told attendees at the TPM 25 trade and logistics conference that MSC would instead focus solely on the major California ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. We cant proceed to Oakland if that costs another million dollars, Toft bluntly said at the time. Cary Davis, president and CEO of the American Association of Port Authorities, backed this up in his public comments, noting that ocean carriers would be incentivized to consolidate traffic to larger ports. Rather than unloading a third of cargo each at ports A, B, and C, a carrier may unload all cargo at port A, with two-thirds of it needing to be moved by truck or rail to ports B and C. The results could be devastating, Davis said. Our nations highways and railroads will be clogged with increased truck and rail traffic. Regional ports that support their local economies will see dramatic declines in throughput. Exporters that rely on small and medium-sized ports to get products to the global market will suddenly find that ships dont come to their region anymore. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Not all the comments went against the USTR proposal. The International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU), which represents West Coast dockworkers, said the extra charges would encourage carriers to unload cargo outside the U.S. and then truck it across the borders with Mexico and Canada. This could lead to job losses at ports if container volumes dive. But the union had another proposal to complement the port fees, recommending the USTR add a land border fee on cargo originating from China that ends up diverted to Canadian and Mexican ports. By implementing this fee, we can level the playing field and eliminate the financial incentive for Chinese ships to bypass U.S. ports, said Dan McKisson, chair of the ILWU Coast Longshore Legislative Committee. This approach ensures that if shippers choose to route cargo through neighboring countries, they still contribute to trust funds supporting U.S. port infrastructure, rather than avoiding these essential investments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McKisson, along with Alliance of American Manufacturing president Scott Paul, are both speaking at the congressional hearing Monday in support of the wider proposals. The Alliance of American Manufacturing stood behind the USTRs proposed remedies, citing risks to national security and logistics networks, and negative impacts on maritime supply chains and the U.S. workforce. We cannot expect our companies or our workers to compete against countries, Paul said. And we cannot allow our national defense to be undermined and attacked by non-market policies and practices. U.S. shipbuilding production has declined as artificially low prices of ships flood the market. US President Donald Trump has said that he expects an agreement on the distribution of revenues from the mineral deal in Ukraine to be signed soon. Source: Reuters Details: Trump told reporters that the United States and Ukraine are discussing the future of American firms that own Ukrainian power plants. Quote from Donald Trump: "We're talking about territory right now. We're talking about lines of demarcation, talking about power, power plant ownership. Some people are saying the United States should own the power plantbecause we have the expertise." Background: The framework agreement on minerals between Ukraine and the US is read, and a detailed document with specific figures is planned to be developed in the future. On 28 February 2025, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and US President Donald Trump failed to sign a mineral deal. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Chinese researchers have developed a compact, deep-sea device capable of severing even the most fortified underwater cables. The development raises concerns that Beijing could target critical communication and power lines, especially in the event of a Chinese invasion of Taiwan. The tool can slice armoured cables at depths of up to 4,000 metres (13,123 feet), which is twice the maximum operational range of existing subsea communication infrastructure, according to an academic paper seen by the South China Morning Post. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the cutting tool was developed for civilian salvage and seabed mining, it will raise alarm bells amid fears China and Russia are becoming increasingly brazen in deploying grey zone tactics to assert their influence and isolate adversaries. The new technology contains a six-inch diamond-coated grinding wheel, which can spin at 1,600rpm giving Beijing the ability to slice through deep-sea cables layered with steel, rubber and polymer sheaths. Cable cutting device These underpin roughly 95 per cent of global data transmission and have emerged as a key vulnerability for governments in an era of geopolitical instability. The tool developed by the China Ship Scientific Research Centre and the State Key Laboratory of Deep-sea Manned Vehicles has been designed to be integrated into the crewed and uncrewed submersibles China already has. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The technology is also armed with a titanium alloy shell, while oil-compensated seals prevent the tool from imploding because of the intense water pressure found 4,000 metres underwater. Robotic arms have been designed to operate with advanced positioning technology to ensure accuracy despite limited visibility in the depths. Beijing much more brazen The paper summarising the technology was published in a Chinese-language journal called Mechanical Engineer in February, according to the South China Morning Post. It is the first time that any country has officially confirmed access to an asset of this type. The authors of the report insisted that the tool was a resource to assist maritime development. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nations are now compelled to redirect their resource exploitation focus towards the seas, they wrote. The 21st century is the century of the oceans. Enhancing marine resource development capabilities, advancing the blue economy and building China into a maritime powerhouse constitute critical components of realising the Chinese dream. But its existence will raise alarm bells internationally. Beijing already has the worlds largest fleet of crewed and uncrewed submersibles and last month began construction of a 2,000-metre-deep space station at the bottom of the South China Sea. But there have also been mounting accusations that China, alongside Russia, is targeting the underwater cables that power global energy flows and communications. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Raymond Powell, a retired US Air Force colonel and founder of SeaLight, a maritime transparency project at Stanford University, told The Diplomat last month that we are witnessing a much more brazen Beijing. China continues to expand its already vast grey zone toolkit, having long ago calculated that its willingness to blur the lines between peace and hostilities provides it with an asymmetric advantage, he said. Cable and pipeline sabotage is more than mere harassment. It is a reminder that Beijing has the ability to cause far more damage to its enemies, should it choose to do so. He also pointed to a new strategy, where Beijing deploys third-country flagged cargo vessels to sabotage undersea cables, allowing it a degree of deniability. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For instance this year, Taiwan has already reported five cases of cable malfunctions compared with just three each in 2023 and 2024. In February, the islands government seized a Togo-flagged cargo ship crewed by Chinese workers, called Hong Tai 58, amid suspicions that it deliberately severed an undersea telecom cable. China, which claims Taiwan as part of its territory, has piled military pressure on the self-governing island in recent years, deploying warships and fighter jets to simulate a future blockade and an invasion. Analysts say China would deploy grey zone tactics, working to isolate Taiwan, before launching any military invasion of the island. China is not alone in this tactic: there have been 11 incidents of underwater cable damage in the Baltic Sea since 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What we appear to be seeing is a growing Russia-China grey zone collaboration, perhaps moving in the direction of a full-fledged axis, said Col Powell. He said this helped the two superpowers maintain a layer of deniability. Other regions and countries may also be at risk. The new super-deep cable cutter could target strategic points near Guam, for instance, a cornerstone of the US militarys Indo-Pacific strategy which hosts more than a dozen civilian and defence fibre-optic cables. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. In a recent closed-door meeting with the CEOs of several major food companiesincluding PepsiCo, General Mills, Smucker's, Kraft Heinz, and Kellogg'sHealth and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. implored the industry to eliminate artificial food dyes from their products. The secretary "expressed the strong desire and urgent priority of the administration to remove" artificial coloring from the food supply, said Melissa Hockstad, president and CEO of the Consumer Brands Association, in a readout reported by Food Fix. In 2023, California became the first state in the country to ban Red 3 in foods, along with three other additives. A year later, the Golden State barred another six food dyes from being served in the state's public school lunches. Kennedy and other supporters of these bans cite studies that suggest synthetic dyes can potentially be cancerous. Other reports have linked these additives to hyperactivity in some children. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But critics argue these studies don't reflect real-world consumption levels. "The cancer-causing 'links' found in studies are based on dangerously high doses given to lab rats in amounts no human would ever consume, even if they ate a whole box of cereal or pack of hot dogs," says Bill Wirtz, a senior policy analyst at the Consumer Choice Center. "Banning food dyes is a performative regulatory action. All dyes currently used by manufacturers do not pose a known health risk to consumers." Joseph Borzelleca, a pharmacologist and toxicologist at Virginia Commonwealth University, has also argued that the dye does not pose a cancer risk to human beings. That's notable because it was Borzelleca's 1987 study on food dyes and lab rats that prompted the FDA to ban Red 3 in cosmetics. "I have no problem with my familymy kids and grandkidsconsuming Red 3. I stand by the conclusions in my paper that this is not a problem for humans," he told KFF Health News. California's Red 3 ban in 2023 created "a complicated map of where food producers can sell their products," says Wirtz. This regulatory patchwork makes it "very difficult for smaller businesses there to reach consumers and survive long term. Larger corporations can afford the compliance costs and employ enough people to reformulate, repackage, and re-organize their supply chains." A national ban would mean there isn't a patchwork anymorebut by moving in the wrong direction. Besides the scientific shakiness of such a regulation, such a rule would override consumer choice and might even give eaters a false sense of security: If Americans come to believe that dye-free foods are inherently healthy, they might consume more processed foods rather than less. "Moderation in all things is still the best message," says Wirtz, "rather than performative regulatory crackdowns." The post RFK Jr. Wants To Ban Food Dyes. Would That Really Improve Public Health? appeared first on Reason.com. SOUTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. (WPRI) State lawmakers are hosting a public forum with Rhode Island Energy to help address peoples concerns over the cost of utilities. The forum is being held in South Kingstown High Schools Auditorium at 6 p.m. on Monday. MORE: RI Energy says customers will pay less for electricity this summer There will be a Q&A session during the event. Representatives from Rhode Island Energy will also be able to provide more information regarding low income relief and payment programs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Attendees are encouraged to bring their most recent bill to the discussion. 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. A man who allegedly attacked another motorist at an Inland Empire Starbucks during a road rage incident was taken into custody after being stabbed by the victim Sunday afternoon. The incident occurred in the 300 block of Alessandro Boulevard in Riverside around 4 p.m. after the victim unintentionally cut off the suspect while driving nearby, Riverside Police Department Officer Ryan Railsback told KTLA. The suspect followed the other vehicle to a nearby Starbucks drive-thru and then got out and allegedly started choking the victim. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The victim retrieved a knife and then stabbed the unidentified suspect in the arm, Railsback said. Emergency responders treat a wound following a Stabbing at a Riverside Starbucks on March 23, 2025. (OnScene.TV) When police arrived on the scene, the suspect tried to hide behind a dumpster within the shopping center but was eventually taken into custody. Video showed a man who appeared to be in handcuffs bleeding from a wound on his left arm. The suspect was taken to a local hospital to undergo surgery and was expected to face assault charges upon his release, Railsback said. The victim was also taken to a local hospital and subsequently 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 KTLA. LACROSSE, Kan. (KSNW) A community in Lacrosse is coming together to honor a teen killed by a distracted driver. Denee Cupps daughter Kenzee (Courtesy: Denne Cupp) A roadside memorial was set up for 19-year-old Kenzee Cupp, who died on March 1, 2021. Denee Cupp, Kenzees mom, worked to declare March Distracted Driving Awareness Month in the city. She hopes to spread the message: Bring Back the Wave. Thats Kenzee, and we figured when we moved here 21 years ago, everybody waved at you their heads were up now, you see the tops of their heads, so nobodys waving cause theyre on their phone, so we wanted to come up with a positive message to keep people off their phone while driving, said Denee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Cupp family also started Kenzee Cares, a meal program, in 2023, as Kenzee was an aspiring chef. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV. The founder of a New York-based aerospace startup developing high-tech rocket thrusters that have garnered glowing press coverage and at least one contract with the U.S. Space Force is accused of plundering investor funds to underwrite pricey jaunts to Europe, jewelry for his wife, child support payments, and, according to the companys largest investor, airline tickets for international call girls to join him for clandestine weekends in Miami. Onetime stockbroker Christopher Craddock established RocketStar in 2014 after financial regulators barred him from working on Wall Street over a raft of alleged violations. Craddock held the firm out as an entity that intended to reinvent space exploration, states a $6 million lawsuit filed by former CEO Michael Mojtahedi and obtained by The Independent. I was trying to find a way to enter the rocket market to ultimately mine asteroids, and I figured out the biggest problem wasnt the tech or the rockets, but getting to space, Craddock told Popular Mechanics in an interview. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But, according to Mojtahedis complaint, RocketStar is nothing more than a Ponzi scheme [that] has been predicated on Craddocks ability to con new people each time the company has run out of money. Craddock recklessly and lavishly misappropriated for his lifestyle almost every cent RocketStar received from investors, running the company into the ground by August 2024, the complaint says. At that point, Craddocks keeping up with the Joneses lifestyle caught up with him, investor funds dried up completely, and his house of cards collapsed. When Craddock was eventually found out, he fired RocketStars entire board of directors and essentially barricaded himself in the firms Chrysler Building offices, the complaint states. Mojtahedi poured more than $1 million of his own money into RocketStar, only to see it flagrantly misused by Craddock, according to the complaint. In an email on Friday, Craddock declined to comment on Mojtahedis allegations and referred The Independent to Michael Ledley, RocketStars attorney. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The company denies the allegations and looks forward to vindicating itself in court, Ledley said in a subsequent phone interview. Jeffrey M. Eilender, who is representing Mojtahedi, told The Independent, Mr. Craddock promotes RocketStar as a pioneering force in aerospace technology and has solicited millions of dollars in investments from individuals such as our client, who viewed investing in RocketStar as an exciting opportunity. He said it was important to file this lawsuit not only to seek justice for our client, and the other investors who have lost millions of dollars combined, but to hopefully prevent new victims. A little over a decade ago, Craddock leveraged the physics degree he earned at Stony Brook University and reinvented himself as a space mogul, Mojtahedis complaint explains. In the years that followed, he joined a swanky Manhattan social club where he solicited funds from wealthy members, many of whom shared a lifelong fascination with space travel and saw Craddocks venture as something of a thrill, according to the complaint. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of those people was Mojtahedi, whom Craddock first approached in early 2023 to help bring RocketStars nuclear fusion-enhanced plasma thruster engine technology to market, according to the complaint. However, it contends, the lies began almost immediately. For one, Craddock told Mojtahedi that the company had so far raised millions in funding, the complaint goes on. What Mojtahedi didnt know at the time was that Craddock, who claimed to be using the funds on product development and the pending acquisition of a Florida company that provides spacecraft propulsion and communications services to military clients, was instead blowing it on everything but something Mojtahedi learned through bank records he eventually pried loose in a previous court action, according to the court documents. In one instance, Craddock used investor money to fly a woman named Francesca from Rome, Italy to Miami, the complaint states. While it is unclear from Francescas public profile what, exactly, her profession is, her public social media account features provocative pictures like the one below, it says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Craddock also gave a RocketStar AmEx to the head of the Florida company he said he wanted to acquire, according to the complaint. It says the Florida exec used the card, with Craddocks approval, to fly a woman named Radmila from Milan, Italy, to New York City on multiple occasions. The complaint says she was flown from Orlando, Florida to London, England on RocketStars dime, too. The business purpose of these trips and the nature of goods and services these women provided to RocketStar is unknown, although it is unclear how they earned such fantastic paid vacations using investors monies, the complaint states. In 2023, according to Mojtahedis resignation letter, which is attached as an exhibit to the complaint, RocketStar paid for an executive trip to Venice, Italy. It says the charged expenses were all private and personal in nature, such as a Friday night dinner for two at Hostaria Osottoosopra, which is described as a cozy and romantic spot. The same goes for another cozy and romantic dinner on a Sunday night at Ristorante Marco Polo which is right across the canal from Piazza San Marco, the exhibit says. According to one of the staff, the only business conducted in this restaurant at dinner time is the business of amore. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last year, RocketStar paid for another executive trip to the Lombardy region of Italy, the exhibit alleges. There were numerous expenses that were of personal and private nature, the exhibit states. For example, spending the Saturday night of 1/7/24 in one of the romantic suites in Villa Onofria in Brescia, Italy, right at the banks of Lake Garda [must have been] magical. RocketStar CEO Christopher Craddock used investor funds to make child support payments on behalf of an executive at a company he sought to acquire, according to Michael Mojtahedi's lawsuit (NYS Supreme Court) Craddock also racked up huge bills on his RocketStar AmEx, and paid them off using investor funds, according to the complaint. Among other places, the complaint says Mojtahedi reviewed records showing Craddock used the card at Best Buy, FAO Schwarz, Midtown Comics, Medina Jewelry, and L'Occitane, the luxury cosmetics chain. For his part, the Florida exec allegedly charged tens of thousands of dollars to his own RocketStar AmEx, including a large bill from Melbourne Family Dental, to cover his familys dental expenses, according to the complaint, which says Craddock also paid the execs monthly child support payments using RocketStars corporate funds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the end, the acquisition Craddock had been pursuing turned out to be a farce, the complaint states, calling it a scheme Craddock concocted, along with two of [the target companys] officers to scam investors out of more cash. By June 28, 2024, RocketStars bank account showed a balance of negative - $4,105.87, according to the complaint. The next day, Craddock told all RocketStar employees that they were being furloughed, the complaint states. Craddock was removed from his position as CEO in August 2024 by the board of directors, amid an ongoing internal investigation into his alleged financial improprieties, and replaced, on an interim basis, by Mojtahedi, according to the complaint. (NYS Supreme Court) A source with knowledge of the situation told The Independent that RocketStar is taking legal action against the Florida company, which they said was responsible for the takeover falling through. The source said RocketStar was going through a turbulent period when Mojtahedi became disenchanted, and that many startups face similar issues involving bad advice and less-than-perfect documentation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On December 24, 2024, after uncovering Craddocks fraud and complete disregard for corporate formalities, Mojtahedi stepped down as RocketStars interim CEO. I urge the board of RocketStar to employ this information to fulfill their fiduciary duty and hire a forensic accountant to get to the bottom of everything, Mojtahedi wrote in his resignation letter. As Mojtahedi says in his lawsuit, which was filed March 19 in New York State Supreme Court, had he known about even some of these issues, he would not have invested another dollar in RocketStar. A Falcon 9 rocket is scheduled to lift off Monday afternoon from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The SpaceX rocket will launch The National Reconnaissance Offices NROL-69 mission, which aims to send a classified payload for the U.S. government into orbit. Liftoff is set for 1:48 p.m. After the launch, SpaceX will attempt to land the rockets first stage booster back at CCSFS on Landing Zone 1. Monitor WFTV.com for updates on Mondays launch. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) The National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) held rallies at more than 200 USPS branches across the nation Sunday afternoon. Activists joined letter carriers to stand against issues threatening the postal system, despite Sundays weather conditions. In the flier above, shared throughout the community and the unions website, organizers explained the issues as they see them. This included the consequences and legality of actions being taken. The organization said that not only would these actions affect 295,000 current and retired employees, but millions of Americans who receive mail deliveries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President of the NACL local branch 245 Lawrence Steward delved deeper into these issues. This is not a business, Steward said. People always want to show we lose money, but were a service. This privatization would further decrease the service. People out in smaller towns would have to come into a bigger city to receive things like medicine, post cards, anything. Steward also explained how privatization would affect everyone, including those who shop online. We are the forefront for people like Amazon, Steward said. If our quality decreases, their quality will decrease, and their prices will increase. We deliver most of Amazons last mile, so for the people in smaller towns, Amazon doesnt go out there because its not cost efficient. We do because its a service, it doesnt matter if its cost efficient or not. No matter how far away you live from the station were going to make sure you get quality service. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Members of the National Association of Letter Carriers used the rally to raise awareness and ask the community to stand with them. We want to get you everything we can as fast as we can, but its up to you the public to push on your people in Congress, Steward said. We need you as the public to fight on our behalf and with us to make sure your standards increase, not decrease. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyStateline | WTVO News, Weather and Sports. By Olivia Le Poidevin GENEVA (Reuters) - Two United Nations agencies said on Monday that any shortfalls in funding from global donors could have dire consequences for Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh. Refugee agency UNHCR and the International Organization for Migration issued the warning at the launch of their first joint multi-year funding appeal for food and educational help to Rohingya people who have fled violence in neighbouring Myanmar for the past eight years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Any funding shortfalls in critical areas, including reductions to food assistance, cooking fuel or basic shelter, will have dire consequences for this highly vulnerable population and may force many to resort to desperate measures, such as embarking on dangerous boat journeys to seek safety", the agencies said in a statement. The agencies, alongside 113 partners, are calling for $934.5 million in its first year of the 2025-2026 appeal, to reach some 1.48 million people in Bangladesh including Rohingya refugees and host communities. Earlier in March, the U.N. World Food Programme (WFP) announced potential cuts to food rations for Rohingya refugees following the shutdown of USAID operations, raising fears among aid workers of rising hunger in the overcrowded camps. WFP said this month the reduction was due to a broad shortfall in donations, not the Trump administration's decision to cut U.S. foreign aid globally, including to USAID. But a senior Bangladeshi official told Reuters that the U.S. decision most likely played a role, as the U.S. has been the top donor for Rohingya refugee aid. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bangladesh is sheltering more than one million Rohingya, members of a persecuted Muslim minority who fled violent purges in neighbouring Myanmar mostly in 2016 and 2017, in camps in the southern Cox's Bazar district where they have limited access to jobs or education. Roughly 70,000 fled to Bangladesh last year, driven in part by growing hunger in their home Rakhine state, Reuters has reported. (Reporting by Olivia Le Poidevin, Editing by William Maclean) Attorney General Todd Rokita speaks to the media on Friday, March 21, 2025. (Niki Kelly/Indiana Capital Chronicle) Attorney General Todd Rokita met with reporters Friday to applaud President Donald Trumps move to shutter the U.S. Department of Education. While in Congress, Rokita chaired a K-12 education committee and carried a bill to eliminate the agency. We never had the votes. I dont know that we have the votes now in Congress, but this executive order is certainly a step in the right direction, Rokita said. It cant eliminate the department, technically, right? Theres still that enabling legislation that will have to go through Congress, but its clear that this executive order defunds a huge majority of that department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump signed an executive order last week to close the education department. The Indiana attorney general told Hoosiers that the important funding streams that help Indianas low-income and special needs students will still exist and be handled by other agencies. But he said the federal strings that come with that funding will be gone. Were going to be fine. Parents are going to be fine. Students are going to be fine in the state of Indiana, Rokita said. The attorney general also pitched an immigration bill he is pushing in the Indiana General Assembly. House Bill 1531 would require local compliance with federal detainer requests and crack down on businesses using unauthorized labor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It allows me to investigate whether a company is knowingly hiring illegal aliens, and if they are, they can lose their business license, Rokita said. The measure passed the House 64-26 but has not yet received a hearing in the Senate. It has been assigned to the Senate Judiciary Committee, which is chaired by Sen. Liz Brown, R-Fort Wayne. Im hopeful for it, he said. Im not sure why it would have a problem in the Senate, Im told the Senate Judiciary Chairman doesnt like it. We had a conversation this week. It wasnt clear why she doesnt like it. Its a popular measure. Its a Hoosier, common sense measure. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The S&P 500 index (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC) quickly fell into correction territory not too long ago. Dropping alongside the index were the shares of Citigroup (NYSE: C). The big difference between the two sell-offs, however, was that Citigroup fell about twice as much as the S&P 500 index. Does Citigroup's sell-off make it a buy today? Citigroup's decline is still pretty painful The S&P 500 index's sell-off resulted in a decline of more than 10% from its high, which is known as a correction. That swift drop, however, was reversed even more quickly, with the index bouncing back more than 10% in just a single day. There's no way to know if that's just a temporary reprieve, or if the index will start climbing toward new all-time highs. That said, the drop in Citigroup's shares was much worse than that of the index. Image source: Getty Images. At its most recent low, Citigroup stock had fallen roughly 20% from its highs. Like the S&P 500 index, it has regained some of that lost ground. However, even after the upturn, Citigroup is still down about 16%, compared to the market's roughly 7.5%. That's a significant difference, with the bank stock still off by twice as much. It isn't actually uncommon to see this type of situation among hot stocks. And Citigroup's shares had been very hot, gaining more than 40% between mid-September 2024 and its sell-off. In fact, even after the sell-off, Citigroup's shares are still up more than 20% since mid-September 2024. When markets turn lower, the hottest stocks are often the first ones that nervous investors choose to sell as they try to lock in their gains. Is Citigroup worth buying after the sell-off? Here's the thing: Just because a stock has traded lower, even if that sell-off was material, it doesn't necessarily indicate that the stock is cheap. To figure out if a stock represents a compelling value, you need to look at valuation tools like price-to-sales (P/S), price-to-earnings (P/E), and price-to-book value (P/B). The numbers here aren't attractive. Citigroup's P/S ratio is about 1.7 today, versus a five-year average of a little less than 1.5. The bank's P/E ratio is 12, versus a longer-term average of roughly 8.2. And the P/B ratio is 0.7, compared to a five-year average of about 0.6. Clearly, Citigroup's price has fallen, but it hasn't fallen to the point where the stock could be called cheap. There's another small wrinkle here that investors should consider. If you look at the past decade, Citigroup's recent decline is pretty minor compared to other sell-offs that have occurred during that period. Although past performance is no guarantee of future returns, this history suggests that the current drop isn't really a big deal -- or at least it isn't a big deal yet. There is a very real chance, given Citigroup's valuation metrics, that it could fall even further. Austrian authorities said on Monday that they had uncovered a Russian-driven campaign aimed at spreading disinformation about Ukraine following the detention in December of a Bulgarian woman accused of spying for Russia. Source: Associated Press (AP), as reported by European Pravda Details: Austrian domestic intelligence found evidence of the operation by analysing devices found during a search of the woman's home, the Austrian Interior Ministry reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The investigation showed that a few weeks after the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, a cell was created that worked for Russian intelligence and planned a large-scale disinformation campaign in German-speaking countries, including Austria. The Internal Ministry reports that the group was active online but also used stickers and graffiti with far-right symbols and nationalist statements that were intended to look like they were the work of pro-Ukrainian activists. The Bulgarian suspect, whose name has not been disclosed, is believed to have played a significant role in these efforts and acted as an intelligence contact, the ministry said, adding that she has confessed to working for the cell, particularly in 2022. A year ago, the largest espionage scandal in decades erupted in Austria when a former Austrian intelligence officer was arrested and accused of, among other things, passing mobile phone data of former Austrian officials to Russian intelligence and helping to prepare a robbery of a well-known journalist's apartment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The former official, who was later released from custody, is suspected of providing confidential information to Jan Marsalek, a fugitive Austrian wanted on suspicion of fraud after the 2020 collapse of the German payment company Wirecard, where he was chief operating officer. The arrest warrant states that chat messages provided by the UK authorities directly link Marsalek to Russia's FSB intelligence service. Background: Last summer, it was reported that Western countries were concerned about the activity of Russian spies in Austria, where they formally do not violate anything until they act directly against Austria. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! March 24 (UPI) -- Talks over Russia's war with Ukraine started again Monday, even as the two countries continue to attack each other. Negotiators from Russia and the United States once again met in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with an announced goal of a partial cease-fire. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said of the talks that, "There are still many aspects related to the settlement which are to be worked out," while American delegates said they hoped for "real progress." Meanwhile, Ukrainian officials reported that a Russian missile strike Monday damaged several buildings and a school in the city of Sumy. Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal posted to X that Russia attacked the city's "civilian infrastructure," which caused damage to "residential and private houses," and that "there are casualties, including children." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced Sunday that three people, "including a father and his 5-year-old daughter," were killed by a Russian drone attack on the city of Kyiv, and that an attack on the city of Zaporizhia Saturday killed a family of three. Meanwhile, Ukraine launched a drone attack Monday against an oil pumping station in the Russian city Krasnodar. A photo shows (L-R) U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan al-Saud, National Security Adviser Mosaad bin Mohammad al-Aiban, the Russian president's foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov, and Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov attending a meeting together at Riyadh's Diriyah in Saudi Arabia in February. Talks on Ukraine between Russia and the U.S. started again Monday. Photo by Saudi Arabia Foreign Ministry/UPI Russia and Ukraine had both agreed to a temporary stop last week on attacks on energy infrastructure. Americans had met with Ukrainian delegates in Riyadh Sunday before Monday's meetings with Russian representatives. Ukraine's Minister of Defense Rustem Umerov led the delegation and posted to X that, "The discussion was productive and focused," and that "key points including energy" were discussed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Peskov said Monday's talks would focus on shipping, and the restoration of a 2022 deal that allowed Ukraine to export grain. Russia withdrew from that arrangement in 2023, allegedly because Western sanctions had limited its own ability to export agricultural products. President Donald Trump's personal envoy Steven Witkoff has said the ultimate goal of the talks is to arrange a full 30-day cease fire that would allow for the negotiation of a permanent truce. Russian propaganda is successfully influencing the American leadership, President Volodymyr Zelensky said in an interview with Time magazine published on March 24. According to Zelensky, some in the White House have begun to trust Russian President Vladimir Putin's word more than their own intelligence. "I believe Russia has managed to influence some people on the White House team through information," Zelensky said. "Their signal to the Americans was that the Ukrainians do not want to end the war, and something should be done to force them." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read also: Editorial: What Steve Witkoff doesnt get about Ukraine (and Russia) The U.S. has suspended military aid and intelligence to Ukraine after a meeting between Zelensky, U.S. President Donald Trump, and U.S. Vice President JD Vance in the White House ended in a heated argument. The freeze on military aid has drawn criticism even from members of Trump's own party. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said that pulling aid from Ukraine amid Russia's war would "be worse than Afghanistan." In an interview on March 21 with American far-right political commentator Tucker Carlson, U.S. special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff openly parroted Russian propaganda and agreed with most of the Kremlin's talking points, further casting doubt on whether Ukraine can expect to gain a ceasefire on its terms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "(Russia) reclaimed these five regions. They have Crimea, and they've gotten what they want. So why do they need more?" Witkoff said. Another instance that the Ukrainian president said was part of the Russian narrative was Trump's comments about the encirclement of "thousands" of Ukrainian troops in Kursk Oblast. "That was a lie," Zelensky said. Trump made his comments about the alleged encirclement ahead of a planned call with Putin on March 18, in which the two leaders discussed a possible peace deal with Ukraine. The call was intended to secure Russia's agreement to the U.S.-proposed 30-day ceasefire, which Ukraine had already accepted on the condition that Moscow also complied. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On March 13, Putin initially signaled readiness to agree to a ceasefire but followed up with a list of demands, including a halt to foreign military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine. During the call with Trump, Putin once again declined to commit to a full ceasefire but did agree to a limited 30-day halt on energy infrastructure strikes, which Russia immediately violated. Read also: Putin is a pathological liar Ukraine has little faith in Russia ahead of Riyadh ceasefire talks Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Russia is deliberately prolonging peace talks on Ukraine to seize more territory and strengthen its negotiating position with the U.S., the Moscow Times reported on March 24, citing undisclosed sources. A Russian diplomatic source told the Moscow Times that time is now playing in Russia's favor, and the Kremlin wants to "make the most of it." The article follows U.S. President Donald Trump's recent calls with Russian President Vladimir Putin and President Volodymyr Zelensky. After his talk with Trump, Putin claimed he had ordered a 30-day pause on strikes against Ukraine's energy infrastructure. Kyiv supported a mutual halt on strikes but accused Russia of continuing attacks against civilian targets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Washington and Kyiv previously backed a broader 30-day ceasefire that would also halt ground operations, but Moscow rejected the proposal unless it included a suspension of foreign military support for Ukraine and other conditions that would weaken Kyiv's defenses. A Russian official told the Moscow Times that the Kremlin hopes Washington will either tolerate further Russian offensives or pressure Ukraine into withdrawing from partially occupied regions, including Kherson and Zaporizhzhia oblasts. Russia illegally declared the annexation of the Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson oblasts in 2022 despite occupying them only partially. Moscow also occupied Crimea in 2014. A Kremlin-affiliated source said Putin "cannot afford to lose" these regions politically, making their control a top priority. Zelensky said on March 12 that Kyiv will not recognize any occupied regions as part of Russia in a potential future peace agreement with Moscow. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A new round of U.S.-Russian talks on a ceasefire in Ukraine began in Riyadh on March 24. The meeting, held a day after the U.S.-Ukraine talks, is expected to focus on a ceasefire in the Black Sea and broader truce negotiations, Reuters wrote. According to Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova, the talks "should not be expected to produce a breakthrough," and work is going on in "several directions," the pro-state media outlet Kommersant quoted her as saying. The U.S. and Ukraine are expected to hold another round of talks following the U.S.-Russia discussions. The negotiations come amid Trump's ongoing efforts to broker a ceasefire and a broader peace agreement in Ukraine. Read also: Trump reportedly growing angry over ongoing Russia-Ukraine aerial strikes Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Russian troops attacked the village of Shalyhyne in the Shostka district, Sumy Oblast, at around 13:00 on 24 March, injuring two people. Source: Sumy Oblast Prosecutors Office Quote: "The data obtained during the investigation indicates that at around 13:00 on 24 March 2025, the occupiers dropped an explosive device from a drone onto a street in the village of Shalyhyne in the Shostka district." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Details: A 27-year-old man and his 46-year-old mother were injured in the attack. They were taken to hospital. Background: On the afternoon of 24 March, Russian forces launched a missile strike on the centre of the city of Sumy, damaging several apartment buildings and a school. Early reports indicate that 88 people were injured. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! (Reuters) - A Russian Orthodox priest has been sentenced to 14 days in custody over a 2014 photo in which he was shown with a Ukrainian flag, according to the cleric's own account and Russian media reports. Nikolai Savchenko posted on social media that police had come to his church to arrest him. A court sentenced him on a charge of displaying an extremist symbol, according to Savchenko and court documents quoted by Russian media. The Russian Orthodox Church strongly backs the war in Ukraine and has punished dozens of priests who have defied its official line, for example by reading out prayers for peace instead of victory. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last year, a priest who led a memorial service at the grave of late opposition leader Alexei Navalny was suspended from clerical duties and ordered to serve three years of "penance". Ksenia Luchenko, an expert on the Russian Orthodox Church and is critical of its leadership, said Savchenko's arrest was unique, however. "If this is true, then this is the first case of detention of an active cleric of the Russian Orthodox Church who was not banned and not defrocked," Luchenko, who is based outside Russia, posted on her blog. (Reporting by Anna Kozlova, editing by Mark Trevelyan and Angus MacSwan) A Russian Su-25 attack aircraft crashed during a routine training flight in Primorye Krai in Russia's Far East, the Russian Defense Ministry said on March 24. The pilot successfully ejected and was rescued by a search and rescue team, according to state-owned news agency TASS. A Russian Air Force commission has been dispatched to investigate the incident. "According to preliminary information, the cause of the accident was a technical malfunction," the ministry said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The attack aircraft was reportedly without ammunition, so there was no damage on the ground, the report said. The Su-25, a Soviet-designed close-air support aircraft developed by Sukhoi in the late 1970s, is built for battlefield survivability. It features heavy armor and can withstand enemy fire. The aircraft has been widely used in various conflicts, including in Afghanistan, Chechnya, and, more recently, in Ukraine, where both Russian and Ukrainian forces operate the platform. Ukraine has downed multiple Russian Su-25s throughout the war. On Feb. 8, Ukraine's military reported shooting down a Russian Su-25 near the town of Toretsk in Donetsk Oblast. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read also: Trump reportedly growing angry over ongoing Russia-Ukraine aerial strikes Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Russian forces have attacked an agricultural facility in the Kupiansk district in Kharkiv Oblast with drones, causing warehouse buildings to burn down. Source: State Emergency Service of Ukraine Quote: "The enemy attacked an agricultural facility in the village of Velykyi Burluk in Kupiansk district with UAVs on the evening of 23 March. A warehouse building caught fire as a result of drone strikes." Fire appliance Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Photo: State Emergency Service of Ukraine Details: The State Emergency Service also published photos and videos of the large-scale fire. Fire at the scene Photo: State Emergency Service of Ukraine "Early reports indicate that there were no casualties," the State Emergency Service concluded. Firefighters extinguishing fire Photo: State Emergency Service of Ukraine Background: Earlier, it was reported that a pregnant woman and a man had been injured in a Russian drone attack on the village of Velyka Babka in Chuhuiv district, Kharkiv Oblast. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Beauty company Coty has sold its 20% stake in the SKKN by Kim brand to SKIMS, Kim Kardashians shapewear and apparel company. Post-deal, SKIMS is set to consolidate beauty and lifestyle ventures. The financial terms of the transaction have not been disclosed. Coty plans to allocate sale earnings towards reducing debt and funding innovation across its broader brand collection. In the second quarter of the fiscal year 2025, Coty reported net revenue of $1.669bn, a 3% decline compared to the same period of the previous year. The company's adjusted EPS (earnings per share) for 2Q25 was $0.11, down from $0.25 the previous year. By the end of the quarter, total debt amounted to $3.459bn, with financial net debt reaching $3.209bn. The initial investment by Coty into Kardashian's beauty enterprise came in 2020, with the $200m deal reaching completion the following year. Headquartered in New York City, Coty offers a selection of prestige and mass beauty brands across various categories, consistently assessing each segment of its innovative portfolio for growth potential. Kylie Cosmetics CEO and Kim Kardashian beauty business at Coty leader Anna von Bayern stated: Since Cotys establishment more than 120 years ago, we have remained at the forefront of consumer innovation. We are the go-to partner for global brands, fashion houses, and celebrities looking to create leading beauty products. I would like to thank Kim for the partnership and look forward to continuing our work on our hugely successful Kylie Cosmetics brand, which we have grown by 1.5 times in the last two years and where we own the majority, as well as holding the perpetual licence. In August 2021, Kardashian closed KKW Beauty, which was followed by the closure of KKW Fragrance in April 2022. She launched SKKN by Kim in August 2022. SKIMS hinted plans to begin launching beauty and fragrance products in 2026. Kim Kardashian wrote on X: I have some amazing fragrances coming [...] All under SKKN - I wanted there to be one site where you guys can get it all and not go to three places for beauty products. So anything that is applied to the SKKN or helps to accentuate your SKKN will be under the SKKN brand. In February 2025, SKIMS partnered Nike for NikeSKIMS, a new brand set to disrupt the global activewear market with innovation for women athletes. "Coty sells SKKN by Kim stake as SKIMS unites beauty and lifestyle" was originally created and published by Retail Insight Network, a GlobalData owned brand. (FOX 5/KUSI) A pedestrian bridge over Interstate 805 close to the California-Mexico border will be closed several times over the next weeks as it undergoes renovations. According to Caltrans, the Hall Avenue Pedestrian Bridge will undergo work starting on Monday and continuing through the first days of April. See real-time road conditions on our Live Traffic Map The bridge is south of the interchange between Highway 905 and I-805, about one mile northwest of the San Ysidro Port of Entry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The closures are necessary to remove, replace and reinforce aged concrete and anchors for the fencing, according to Caltrans. The Hall Avenue Bridge will undergo renovations in late March and early April 2025. (Image from Caltrans) From March 24 to 28, the bridge will have a partial closure, with the sidewalk remaining partially open to pedestrians and cyclists. From March 31 to April 4, the bridge will undergo a full closure. During the full closure, people who regularly use the bridge will have to detour south a few blocks to W San Ysidro Boulevard to cross the I-805. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) stood to leave an interview this weekend when asked about the possibility of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) launching a campaign for the Senate. Sanders heaped praise on the House progressive but declined to engage in nonsense questions about Senate tensions. Would you like to see her join you in the Senate? ABC Newss Jonathan Karl asked Sanders, referring to Ocasio-Cortez. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Right now, we have, as I said, just a whole lot of people in the Congress, Sanders responded. He then stood up to leave, adding, OK, Jonathan, thanks. Karl called after Sanders, trying to get him to stay for another question: Wait. I got one more. I got one more. This is important. Well, I ask you, you know, you want to do nonsense? Do nonsense, Sanders replied. No, Karl said. I dont want to talk about inside-the-Beltway stuff, Sanders added. Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez traveled through Western states last week to rally progressives against Trumps agenda, dubbing their speeches the Fighting Oligarchy tour. The tour has reportedly attracted tens of thousands of attendees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Karl noted he asked the question about the 35-year-old progressive since they have been working together on the tour. Sanders, earlier in the interview, also praised Ocasio-Cortez as extraordinary, saying, I am so impressed by her work in Congress and her, just, she inspires young people all over the country. You know, fine, but I dont want to talk about this, Sanders said, when Karl pressed. Sanders then asked for Karls final question and sat back down in his seat. Karl asked about Sanderss own political future and whether he would run again for president. Right now, I am very proud that the people in the state of Vermont sent me back to the Senate with 63 percent. Right now, Im Vermonts senator. Thats what I do, and Im very happy to do it, Sanders said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I am 83 years of age, he added, and Im tired. Ocasio-Cortez has been an outspoken critic of Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), especially after he voted to advance a GOP-written bill to keep the government open. Her outspoken criticism has renewed talk of whether she might try to primary the New York senator when hes up for reelection in a few years. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Michter's Distillery, a family-owned distillery in Louisville, Kentucky, has already lost $115,000 in canceled shipments to Canada, its largest foreign market. The loss comes as many Canadian liquor stores are removing U.S. products from their shelves. If were not selling to our largest export market, thats a significant impact to our business, and its very sad for us, because we have friends, weve built relationships in that country for a long time, Andrea Wilson, chief operating officer of Michters, shared with NBC News. Don't miss Trump had announced 25% tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada, but he later postponed those tariffs until April. The President then threatened to double the tariffs on steel and aluminum coming from Canada. Despite the uncertainty about what tariffs are in effect, when they will be implemented and at what rate, U.S. companies and the economy at large are feeling the impact of a burgeoning tariff war. How tariff uncertainty impacts Kentucky distilleries Kentucky's bourbon industry generates $9 billion annually and employs 23,100 people, according to the Kentucky Distillers' Association. The association also estimates the state produces 95% of the world's bourbon supply which means disruptions to the industry could have long-reaching effects on the companies that make it, as well as the state of Kentucky. Wilson said she fears her business could face further losses if the tariff war continues. Thats the reality of it, Wilson said. We would prefer to see less tariffs than more. Fawn Weaver, founder of Black-owned whisky brand Uncle Nearest, has also had her product pulled from Canadian shelves. She saw it coming months ago, but for now, the tariff war means her brand can't be as competitive in the global market. We already knew coming into this, Trump was very clear in what he was going to do, even though we didnt know where the tariffs would hit, she told NBC News. Brough Brothers Distillery, a Black-owned distillery in Louisville, is facing a different challenge. The company was negotiating with Canada to sell its products north of the border for the first time, but the deal fell through as soon as the tariffs were announced. STORY: :: March 23, 2025 :: Tourists say they trust that quake-hit Santorini is safe as the first cruise ship returns to the island :: Santorini, Greece We trust the tourism board here, so if they said it was safe to come, we came with open arms. We heard about the earthquakes when we were in the States, thousands of earthquakes but small. So initially, I thought maybe well I wont see Santorini, but it changed again. So luckily I get to come and its beautiful, and we got the most beautiful day to visit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ive been here before, and yes, its kind of unusual how youve redone where we stop, where we go, but youve worked it out in the midst of all your shakes around here. So I think youve done a good job. "I knew that we wouldnt come if it wasnt safe. Your government, I think, said it was safe so I felt comfortable coming. Tourists expressed excitement about returning to Santorini and said they were reassured by the governments safety assurances, while locals, including shop owner Tassos Kontos, said they hopeful that the islands tourism would bounce back. Greece, sitting on multiple fault lines, is one of Europe's most earthquake-prone countries. A shooting occurred in Memphis this past weekend that left Sauce Walka injured and another man pronounced dead. The Memphis Police Department has declared that this was not a random act of violence, but rather a targeted attack. The MPD responded to reports of a shooting on Saturday afternoon (March 22) near George W. Lee Avenue. The Houston rapper was struck in the thigh and rushed to the hospital while the other man, currently unnamed, was pronounced dead at the scene. Had it not been for God, my son wouldve been dead, Walkas father, Albert Walker, told KHOU. The MPD has identified the shooters vehicle and, as of Saturday, were actively working to make an arrest, reiterating their intentions to keep their community safe given the fact they believed the shooting was pre-meditated. HOUSTON, TEXAS AUGUST 05: Sauce Walka attends Keyglock Playboy birthday celebration at Cle Houston on August 05, 2023 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Marcus Ingram/Getty Images for Keyglock) Early indications are that the victims and suspects are known to each other. We understand the publics concern, the Memphis Police Department said in a statement. MPD is committed to bringing those responsible to justice and will be utilizing downtown camera footage and other technology available to aid in identifying everyone involved. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement C.J Gardner-Johnson, newly a member of the Houston Texans after winning this past years Super Bowl with the Philadelphia Eagles, showed love to Sauce Walka via Instagram. God please cover us in these dark days, he wrote, wishing Walka a speedy recovery and mourning the alleged death of rapper Sayso P, who is signed to Walka. It is unclear if Sayso is the man who was pronounced dead at the scene or an additional victim of the shooting. The Houston Chronicle reported that a Memphis rapper was believed to have also been killed in the shooting, and Sayso P is known to hail from Memphis. The Memphis Police Department has yet to officially release the victims names. More from VIBE.com Sign up for Vibe's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) Savannahs Candy Kitchen, the iconic Southern candy store and confectionery that made Georgia pralines a worldwide favorite will hold its inaugural Founders Day celebration on Saturday, March 29. This celebration is being held to honor and remember founder Stan The Candy Man Strickland on what will be his 81st birthday. Ten percent of all praline sales, in stores and online, will benefit People of Action Caring for Kids or P.A.C.K. Savannah, a non-profit that provides weekend meals for food-insecure children in Chatham County. The event will be held at Savannahs Candy Kitchen locations, as well as through mail order and online sales. Stan Strickland, the visionary behind Savannahs Candy Kitchen, built a family legacy rooted in Southern tradition, handcrafted confections, and a dedication to quality that continues to define the brand today. Founders Day pays tribute to his legacy, celebrating his commitment to quality, community, and the sweet joys of life. Stan Strickland, founder of Savannahs Candy Kitchen My mission is to preserve my fathers legacy and give him all the credit and gratitude he deserves for shaping our familys role in this industry. Its a privilege and a joy that we want to share with the community, and Founders Day is the perfect way to support a worthy cause, said Rhett Strickland, co-owner of Savannahs Candy Kitchen, alongside his mother, Tonya Strickland. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the celebrations, customers can enjoy the delicious, hand-crafted pralines that have made Savannahs Candy Kitchen and the city of its founding synonymous with the beloved Southern pecan treat, knowing that their purchase supports a meaningful cause in the community. Our hearts are full knowing Savannahs Candy Kitchen supports our mission. Stan Stricklands impact on this community is undeniable, and were honored to be part of his enduring legacy of caring for Savannahs children, said Malena Stone, founder and CEO of P.A.C.K. My dad got more out of helping people and making them happy than anything else. I love that about him. He just wasnt in it for fame or money, it was truly a passion, Strickland 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 WSAV-TV. House Speaker Danny Perez is initiating a veto override of about $4.7 million in projects. (Photo via Florida House of Representatives) It may not amount to a lot of money, but the Florida House could soon override more budget vetoes made last summer of Gov. Ron DeSantis. This could set up yet another flashpoint between the governor and the Legislature this year. The House on Wednesday will consider whether to override about $4.74 million in vetoes made by DeSantis before he signed the current-year state budget into law. Gov. Ron DeSantis announces his proposed budget from the Capitol on Feb. 3, 2025. (Photo by Jay Waagmeester/Florida Phoenix) The veto override list contains four projects ranging from $140,000 for a program aimed at preventing homelessness for senior veterans to $2.5 million for a program to remove 29,106 pounds of nitrogen per year from Rockledges water supply. Former Rep. Thad Altman championed the Rockledge request. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Florida Senior Veterans Crisis Fund wanted to use the money in part to hire two additional staff to help wartime veterans gather paperwork to qualify them for a Department of Veterans Affairs benefit for themselves and their surviving spouses. The benefit provides financial assistance for long-term help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, eating, toileting, and transferring. The funding request was made by Sen. Jennifer Bradley and former state Rep. Sam Killebrew. The House budget request form notes that Florida has the 3rd highest Veteran population in the US and without these VA benefits many are forced to go on (Floridas) Medicaid program, live in nursing homes or even worse become homeless. The form says that by enrolling people in the federal program, Florida can save between $5 million and $6 million annually in Medicaid. This will be the second time in a handful of weeks the House has voted on veto overrides. The Legislature voted in late January to override DeSantis veto of nearly $57 million from the Legislatures budget. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement House Speaker Danny Perez announced combined workgroups before the start of the 2025 session and tasked them with identifying potential vetoes DeSantis made in the state fiscal year (FY) 2024-25 budget for the House to override. For the overrides to be successful, the Senate must follow suit. The veto process starts in the House because the budget, contained in HB 5001, originated in the House. The House also is voting on whether to override the veto of $1.1 million to make improvements to the Town of Baldwins water and sewer systems. According to a House report, town staff has in the last year been in a perpetual state of making costly emergency, and often dangerous, repairs to the Towns water and sewer mains. This project would ensure the portions of the water and sewer mains that are susceptible to failure are replaced or rehabilitated, resulting in significantly increased safety and reliability to the water and sewer infrastructure. Rep. Dean Black, a Republican from Jacksonville, requested the funding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Legislature has for the past decade included funding in the budget for a roster and time management system the Department of Corrections uses for timesheet and payroll data management and did the same in the FY 24-25 budget, including $1 million for the system. DeSantis, though, vetoed the funding. The House vote on overriding that veto, too. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Texas public higher education has been in the crosshairs of right-wing politicians since February 2022. That month, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick threatened looney Marxist professors with the end of tenure after the University of Texas faculty council issued a statement affirming its facultys right to academic freedom. Patricks threats led to the 2023 passage of Senate Bill 17, which banned diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts at universities, and SB 18, which weakened the protections of faculty tenure. Several Republican-sponsored bills this session go after higher education even further. But in my view, Patricks priority bill, SB 37, should be most vehemently opposed by Texans who care about the quality of higher education in this state. In crafting SB 37, Sen. Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe, has abandoned the culture war language of wokeness and CRT, or critical race theory. Instead, the bill promises to provide more oversight of universities and promote excellence in higher education. Sen. Brandon Creighton, shown at a hearing this month, filed Senate Bill 37 to make further changes to public universities in Texas. At first glance, that may sound rather innocuous. But the bill has harmful implications for our public colleges and universities. It will lead to inefficiencies, undermine democratic processes and deny educational liberty and student choice, among other negative effects. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SB 37 would create an Office of Excellence in Higher Education to oversee compliance in our public colleges and universities. But the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and the Board of Regents already provide such oversight. Adding another layer of bureaucracy will lead to unnecessary government spending and duplicate an infrastructure that already exists. SB 37 would also require that half of the members of faculty senates and councils be elected. Appointed faculty are more likely to align with the views of the administration, which would reduce the range of perspectives that would be offered in deliberation. The bill would also expand senate membership to constituencies outside the university and limit faculty membership to tenured faculty. Faculty senates in Texas already serve in an advisory capacity to the president, but under this configuration, only the most elite members of the university workforce those with tenure would even be eligible for service. As tenured faculty make up only a minority of the faculty workforce, this severely undermines any semblance of democratic deliberation. SB 37 would also eliminate minors and certificate programs that politicians determine are under-enrolled. But certificates and minors cost the university virtually nothing to offer. Offering fewer will effectively eliminate students ability to seek the credentials they believe are best for them, regardless of the popularity of those studies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Additionally, SB 37 would place the core curriculum at each institution under the review of an appointed committee. This committee would ensure that courses do not endorse specific public policies, ideologies or legislation a vague provision that in practice could easily lead to state censorship of education. Like any bureaucratic system, universities could be more efficient in delivering the services the state has asked them to provide. A real inefficiency that should be addressed, for instance, is the increase in highly-paid upper administrative positions at universities that have increasingly taken the work of governance out of the hands of faculty. But this bill doesnt fix any real problems in our public colleges and universities. Instead, SB 37 implies that faculty are not experts in the fields in which theyve spent decades working. It suggests bureaucrats are better at managing organizations than those who labor in them every day. And it contends that students dont deserve the educational liberty to choose the courses of study that they deem best. Im sure if he reached out, Sen. Creighton would find faculty to be willing partners in making our universities the best in the world. Instead, he has proposed a course of action that will greatly hamper our pursuit of excellence. SB 37 is not only bad for Texas colleges and universities, its bad for Texas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pauline Strong is a professor at the University of Texas and president of the AAUP (American Association of University Professors) chapter at UT Austin. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Senate Bill 37 would weaken public universities in Texas | Opinion The actions of the Trump administration over the last few months could make it vastly more difficult to understand whats actually happening in schools. Already, the presidents team has announced the cancellation of dozens of contracts through the Institute for Education Sciences, the Department of Educations research arm. Over 1,300 of the departments employees, amounting to roughly half of its workforce, have been terminated, casting doubt on whether key functions like national testing initiatives can carry on without interruption. And the future of dedicated learning hubs, including one credited with triggering a breakthrough in reading instructions, is in serious doubt. Related Is Trump Gutting Ed Research a New Beginning or Just Slashing & Burning? The wave of cuts and firings was the unspoken agenda item at the 50th annual convening of the Association for Education Finance and Policy, one of the most prominent professional organizations for education researchers. In mid-March, amid three days of panels and paper sessions touching on every conceivable topic in K12 schooling, hundreds of academic economists, education activists, graduate students, and district staffers exchanged concerns about the future of public insight into schools. Get stories like this delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter Ironically, those worries emerged just as AEFP unveiled a critical new tool: its Live Handbook of education policy research, gathering and distilling the findings of thousands of studies. Its 50 chapters address a bevy of questions ranging from preschool to higher education, including the makeup of local school boards, performance of charters and school vouchers, teacher preparation programs, the effects of education spending, and more. The Association hopes the extensive and growing site, an update of previous printed versions, can provide educators and lawmakers alike with something akin to a Wikipedia for research. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Leading the effort is Tulane University economist Douglas Harris, a veteran researcher who also heads the Education Research Alliance for New Orleans and the National Center for Research on Education Access and Choice. An expert on charter schooling, Harris has been one of Americas most productive scholars studying how district, state, and national policies shape what kids learn and addressing some of the most contested questions in the field, including whether school choice actually improves the delivery of education. In a conversation with The 74s Kevin Mahnken at the conference in Washington, Harris talked about the origins of the Live Handbook project, how its creators intend to ward off ideological bias, and why IES and other federal research efforts are irreplaceable supports in the U.S. education infrastructure. In some sense, he said, the Live Handbook is a monument to IES, at a time when IES is being knocked over. Whats the purpose of this project? The idea is to make research more useful and make researchers more useful. One of our purposes is to just get research summarized and discussed in a way thats actually accessible to a broad audience, and another is to connect researchers to policymakers and journalists. If youre looking for an expert on an issue, you can find their names in these articles, click on them to get their information, and just email that person. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were hoping users create these networks of expertise and connect them with people who need that expertise. I have to say, it sounds like youre trying to put education journalists out of work. [Laughs] No! Part of what were doing is offering journalists something they can easily cite. One of the exercises I told people to do when first developing this idea was to just see what they got after searching the internet for a summary of research on their favorite topic. The results were not very heartening. So I think this will be very useful for journalists, who will be able to find something much easier and link to it in their stories. And hopefully, when somebody is searching for a topic, the handbook will come up as the top result, which will make it build further. The more reach it has, the more people will want to write for it, and the more existing authors will want to update it which is another important part of the document. Its not just static, itll be updated every year, and all the authors will be expected to continue working on it. If they decide they dont want to do that, theyre going to hand it back to us, and we can turn over the authorship to somebody else. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related Going for Blood: After Mass Firing, Many Wonder How Ed Dept. Will Function That kind of arrangement is actually unusual from the standpoint of intellectual property. We werent sure how that was going to work at the beginning, or if it was even legal to do it that way. But it turns out that, as long as everyone is clear about it, you can write the agreement that way. Part of the motivation for this project was to marry the traditional handbook with Wikipedia, but with Wikipedia, theres no issue with authorship. I didnt realize you took inspiration from Wikipedia. Well, there had been some talk of doing another handbook, which wed been doing just about every decade. They were all about 700 pages long, thered be 30 or 40 chapters written both for and by academics. Wed mostly use them as syllabi and readings for education policy classes, but the only real audience was other AEFP members. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The other inspiration emerged from our website at Education Research Alliance-New Orleans. We had something like 40 studies on our website, and the page with key conclusions was like an integrated summary. All this evidence was just for the relatively narrow topic of school reform in New Orleans. The question we were asking ourselves, and which you should always ask if youre writing something, was who our intended audience was. What we realized that we didnt have to choose between researchers and policymakers. The beginning of each entry looks like a policy brief, and non-researchers will probably stop when they get to the last key finding. But if you want more detail, you just click on that finding, which takes you to the longer discussion that would have been included in a printed version of the handbook. If you want even more than that, you can click on the endnotes, which will hyperlink you to the underlying studies themselves. So youre serving everybody: At the top, policymakers are your main audience, but by the time you get to the bottom, the researchers and experts in the field can dig in. Up to this point, would you say that education research has been effectively communicated to the public, and that it has informed how politicians create policy and oversee schools? Uh, hard no. [Laughs] We have not done a good job with those things. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There have certainly been moves toward that. Theres something called the Research Practice Partnership movement, which is supposed to develop genuine partnerships between the research and policy worlds, and its great. But theyre really hard to create and sustain, and they tend to be very localized. We wanted to do something that had broader research. Recent studies tend to be methodologically better again, partly because of IES and the principles and demands that IES has placed upon us. Weve also got the What Works Clearinghouse, which is federally funded. If you look at those releases, though, they never realized their potential. They were too slow, they were written by committee, not very readable. All of this was aiming in the right direction, but not hitting the target well. There was clearly a hole there that were now trying to fill. As you mentioned, the What Works Clearinghouse is a federal resource thats only a few decades old although, given reports that its funding has been cut, it may not get much older. Is the need for a live handbook related to the fact that the social science around education outcomes doesnt go back very far? The federal government certainly led the way in moving toward evidence- based policy. And everything I just mentioned emerged out of that orientation, which was mandated by law around the time of No Child Left Behind and is still in effect today. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related After Gutting Staff, Education Department Remains Quiet on Future of NAEP Test There is also a natural demand, in the sense that people want to do the right thing. They want to make their K12 schools and colleges better, and they want advice. But advice is usually pretty ad hoc; it depends on whos in your network, whos got a friend in a school nearby, and what theyre hearing. There will always be a place for that, but having actual evidence at the root of those conversations has a lot of potential to improve things. Can you think of an area of research where the evidence has managed to break out of academic discourse and influence the public? Research doesnt drive most conversations about policy and practice, but it can have influence at the margins and create new ideas. The science of reading is the example that comes to mind immediately. Russ Whitehurst, who became the first director of IES, is a psychologist, and he was the one who really emphasized the reading research. Almost all the underlying evidence for that is IES-funded research, which is noteworthy under the current circumstances. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another example would be class-size reduction. There was a lot of interest in that for a while, until it became clear that, while it works pretty well, its also very expensive. The school funding debates, and whether money matters in student learning, would be another case. I think people can get their arms around class sizes and budgets being important issues in schooling. But even for someone like me, who has experience consulting research, it can be very difficult to weigh the evidence that various experts marshal on questions like teacher evaluation or early childhood education. Thats the hole we want to fill, right there. We want you to do that google search and come to what were doing because we have answers to those questions. Weve got 50 chapters in this first round, and the plan is to update each of those next year while adding another 25. Part of it depends on funding, and growth is very time-intensive. We have to do all the things that a publisher does, putting it on the website and creating PDF versions and all that. But the idea is to grow the handbook so that it becomes comprehensive, both in terms of covering every part of education early childhood through higher education and also trying to cover all the key policy areas. The Association for Education Finance and Policys Live Handbook of education policy research offers both key findings for policymakers and in-depth citations for researchers. (Association for Education Finance and Policy) How comprehensive is comprehensive? There are really old, but foundational studies, like the 1966 Coleman Report on segregation and achievement gaps, which were conducted when methods were much more crude. Are you trying to include that kind of evidence? What were doing is an awful lot without also trying to write the history of education research. The most recent research is obviously more relevant because context matters. The world is changing around us, and that affects education. So we want more recent studies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another important thing to remember is that recent studies tend to be methodologically better again, partly because of IES and the principles and demands that IES has placed upon us. Were telling authors to focus on the most recent and best studies, because those are going to be more useful to the field. In some areas, like school finance, the debate among leading researchers still burns very hot. Im sure its difficult to arrive at anything like a consensus, so are you just trying to represent the state of play? Its a challenge. From the beginning, we didnt expect that we would release these chapters and people would say, Oh, youre exactly right! Sometimes theyll say, Wait a second, I dont agree with that. I wrote the charter school section, and we showed it to a group of policymakers and practitioners who are advising us. We brought them into the design process to make it more useful to them, and when I was doing a show-and-tell a couple of weeks ago, somebody said, Im not sure I agree about your point on charter schools! We knew that was going to happen. So weve advised the authors to present different sides of the debate the major positions that are pretty widely known and, if a key finding falls clearly on one side, then at least address what the other side of the argument is. Were being really clear about the evidence base, and I cant just say, Such-and-such is true of charter schools because I feel like it. It has to be because one group of charter studies is stronger than another group of studies, or theres something really unusual about the context of some studies that make them less convincing. Basically, there has to be a reason that addresses the different sides of arguments. What structures have you put in place to prevent a kind of ideological drift? Our editorial board helps with that. Its a very wide-ranging group where you have some people who are seen as more on the left, and some who are more on the right. There are people from different disciplines. Weve encouraged authors to include studies from outside their disciplines; quantitative people should include qualitative work, and vice-versa. Its very worrisome, and I think were at a really uncertain time. I dont think IES is going to go away. But we dont really know what direction its headed in or how long it will take to get there. The board is there to enforce that and make sure we were getting the right range of perspectives, so that when there are disagreements, someone can say, Hold on a second, youre missing something. Were not going to be perfect in the first round, but the process is set up to be updated and receive feedback. If youre reading a piece and have a question, or you want to debate some point, you can click the feedback link and explain it. Well send all that information to authors, and once a year, theyll be expected to go through those comments. If we see significant issues with a piece, well push them to update it. And I imagine the various writers and editors can weigh in on other entries as well. Heres the way we handle these discussions: I wrote the charter schools chapter, which was edited by [University of Arkansas professor] Patrick Wolf. Hes the one pressing me on the evidence there, but Im the editor for his section on school vouchers. We view those topics a little bit differently, but thats a way we enforce objectivity. We recognize that everybodys subject to that sort of bias. Thats an interesting pairing. From my perspective, the public debate around charter schools which has been extremely contentious in the past has become somewhat quiescent, while the voucher issue has just roared into prominence over the last few years. There are a lot of studies in play on vouchers, so Pat will probably have to update his chapter next year, and every year after that. Much of the research in that area is old and based on the city-based voucher programs in places like Milwaukee or Washington. Then you had the four states where we could study statewide voucher programs, which are probably the most relevant to the current discussion. And well also be including three or four national studies that weve got going at the REACH Center, which I lead. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related Stunned Education Researchers Say Cuts Go Beyond DEI, Hitting Math, Literacy Part of the problem with the way the new voucher programs are set up is that, in a sense, theyre designed not to be studied. Theres no state testing requirement, so we dont have test-based outcomes, and youre confined in what you can study. Still, there will be a lot of interest in that topic. What do you make of the cuts to federally supported research that have been announced over the last month? Its a very big deal. If you look at the endnotes for this handbook, probably half of them have a basis in IES. Either the studies themselves were funded by IES, or theyre using IES-funded data sets, or theyre written by researchers who were in the IES pre-doc or post-doc programs. There was a whole set of training programs that were designed to develop the next generation of scholars. So in some sense, the Live Handbook is a monument to IES, at a time when IES is being knocked over. Its very worrisome, and I think were at a really uncertain time. I dont think IES is going to go away. But we dont really know what direction its headed in or how long it will take to get there, given that they just fired essentially everybody. The best-case scenario is that they hire a new director whos allied with the administration and who has sympathy and a desire to build it back up. Theres no question that there are ways the institute could be made better, but there are also a lot of things youd want to keep about the old structure. Its good to have decisions made by people who are researchers and know the field. Its good to have policymakers involved in decisions about what gets funded, which has been true for a long time. Should the research process be faster? Sure, we could find ways to do that. So its possible that IES comes out better at the end of this. But will it? Its a huge question right now. Theres obviously a lot of concern at a conference like this, where people have seen IES as the root of so much of the work were doing. Virtually every researcher Ive spoken to has said something similar. People will generally concede that improvements can be made, but where the process calls for a scalpel, DOGE is using a dump truck. I think thats right. In the amount of time they had, they couldnt have possibly learned what grants or contracts should be kept. If youre trying to do it based on reason, theres no way to do it in a matter of weeks. Its been very arbitrary, just searching for keywords and things like that. Its no way to fix anything, its a way to knock things down. Something people dont realize is how long it took to build IES to begin with, and to gain support for it. It started, I believe, back in 2001, and it took a long time to build up the staff and the expertise. Especially in terms of data collection, its just underestimated how much expertise goes into what IES does. All these contracts with Mathematica and AIR depend on those organizations very significant internal capacity in areas like getting schools and students to respond to surveys. It doesnt just happen. Theres so much expertise that goes into those tasks, which youve now destroyed. Even if they succeed in making things better in other ways, thats going to make it much harder to build back the things they should want to keep. Itll be like a wave pushing against them. Related IES Director Mark Schneider on Education Research and the Future of Schools Mark Schneider, the IES director under both Presidents Trump and Biden, told me that the original intention was for the institute to grow much more substantially than it has, until it more closely resembled a $40 billion agency like the NIH. Even though that hasnt happened, it has punched above its weight in expanding the knowledge base about schools. Oh, absolutely. When you think about what a good organization of any kind spends on R&D, its a much greater proportion than the IES budget relative to total education spending. IES has about a $1 billion budget, and the United States spends something like $700 billion per year on education. So thats less than .2 percent. Its less than any standard you could come up with. If youre trying to do it based on reason, theres no way to do it in a matter of weeks. Its been very arbitrary, just searching for keywords and things like that. Its no way to fix anything, its a way to knock things down. Its always been underfunded, and they use those resources well. Collecting data, for example, creates so many positive spillover effects because once youve collected it, anyone can use it. The pre-doc and post-doc programs are really important for producing people who can work at school districts and state agencies, which need professionals who are really trained in research. That may go away too. One of the things that doesnt get enough attention is that the federal government was very involved in creating the state longitudinal data systems, which have played an enormous role in just about every area of policy research. The federal government gives money to the states to create those systems and make them available, and they allow us to link schools and programs to student outcomes. Without that, youve got nothing. Related Trump Cuts Research Lab That Helped Nurture Mississippi Miracle You mentioned that IES was instrumental in generating research on the science of reading, too. Thats probably the best example of the organizational influence. Its not so much about the data they were collecting, but it was related to the projects they were funding. Its also a good example of something Republicans support. Theyre all about the science of reading, but whats happening is that theyre basically undercutting the next science of reading. There might be some research studies that dont seem very useful, but in a way, thats the point of research. You dont know whats useful until you actually do it. We dont know what the next science of reading is going to be. Hopefully, the Live Handbook will help find it, but wed find it faster with IES underpinning the research that will get us there. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said the United States is facing a constitutional crisis under the Trump administration. Asked if he believes President Donald Trumps calls to impeach a judge who ruled against his efforts to deport Venezuelan migrants amounted to a constitutional crisis, Schumer was unequivocal. Yes, I do, and democracy is at risk, Schumer said on NBCs Meet the Press Sunday. 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 Trumps call to impeach U.S. District Judge James Boasbergwho issued a temporary restraining order to halt the administrations deportation of purported gang members under the Alien Enemies Act of 1798earned a rare and extraordinary rebuke from the chief justice of the Supreme Court earlier this week. For more than two centuries, it has been established that impeachment is not an appropriate response to disagreement concerning a judicial decision, said John Roberts, who has been the highest-ranking officer on the court since 2005, in a statement last week. The normal appellate review process exists for that purpose. Meanwhile, Schumer claimed Trump was infuriated by the success of some efforts to challenge his administration in court and offered his guarantee that Senate Democrats will not impeach judges, full stop. The New York Democrat said he did not trust Trump to honor court orders and said his party will need to watch him like a hawk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Boasberg has already sparred with the Trump administration about whether it defied an order he gave earlier this month. After he told the administration to turn around planes that were being used to send alleged members of a Venezuelan criminal gang to El Salvador, where Trump ally President Nayib Bukele agreed to house them in maximum security prison, his instructions were ignored. Attorney General Pam Bondi, during an appearance on Fox News on Sunday, said she was confident that Trump administration policies subject to legal challenges would ultimately win out in appeals. We are going to fight back, she said in an interview with Sunday Morning Futures host Maria Bartiromo. The Supreme Court will be ready to hear these cases ... And we are going to win. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Schumer claimed during his Meet the Press appearance that, if the Trump administration were to ignore a Supreme Court ruling, our entire democracy, this whole beautiful enterprise of democracy that weve had for over 240 years is at risk. He said, if that did happen, it would trigger a mass movement from one end of the country to the other, something that we havent seen in a very long time. While Schumer offered those tough words, he remains under fire from Democrats for voting to advance a Republican stopgap funding bill, which earned him praise from Trump and scorn from his own colleagues in Congress. Some House Democrats have reportedly urged Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to mount a primary challenge against him. Schumer defended his vote, claiming a government shutdown would have been twenty times worse, and insisted he wont be stepping down anytime soon. March 23 (UPI) -- Senate Minority leader Chuck Schumer, D-N,Y, has rejected calls from his critics to vacate his post, part of the ongoing rancor swirling in Congress about the politics surrounding a potential government shutdown. "Look, I'm not stepping down," Schumer said in an interview that aired Sunday on NBC News' "Meet the Press." "Under a shutdown, the executive branch has sole power to determine what is 'essential.' And they can determine without any court supervision. The courts have ruled it's solely up to the executive what to shut down," Schumer continued, warning that the Trump administration "would eviscerate the federal government." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Schumer wondered aloud whether critical social service programs such as Social Security and Medicaid and SNAP services for mothers and hungry kids, transit services and veterans programs to fund Trump administration tax cuts could fall victim to volatile budget negotiations remain ongoing. "Sometimes when you're a leader, you have to do things to avoid a real danger that might come down the curve," Schumer said. "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 has been the top Democrat for 8 years and while none of his colleagues have called publicly for him to step down, it will be incumbent upon them to choose a new leader and some party members have privately expressed dissatisfaction with the status quo. "The American people are fed up with the old guard," Ro Khanna, D- Calif. Said on CNN's "State of the Union." There needs to be a renewal. In Silicon Valley, when a company isn't doing well, you don't keep the same team." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There has been speculation that Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y. could launch a campaign to oppose Schumer. Khanna said congressional colleagues at a recent Democratic retreat encouraged Ocasio-Cortez to make a run. Congress and President Donald Trump agreed on a continuing resolution creating a stopgap measure to keep the government funded through September. There are times when a dam has a purpose and then times when that becomes a burden. Dams effectively store water for flood control, irrigation, and other functions. However, dammed rivers disrupt the natural habitat of existing fish and wildlife. "Rivers are a transport system, and if they are to fulfill their ecological function, they need to move water, sediments, nutrients, and living beings," explained researcher Askoa Ibisate in a EurekAlert news release. Fortunately, European Union policies have encouraged the restoration of rivers with disused dams. The Olloki dam in Spain's Basque Country is one such case under a study performed by fluvial geomorphology geographers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The research group monitored 1,800 stones in the Leitzaran River between 2016 and 2022, embedding a code inside the stone samples. They distributed them at three points in the river: upstream, downstream, and at a control site. They then scanned the river from bank to bank with a detector. "When the device detects a code, it informs us which stone it is and gives us the GPS coordinates," Ibisate explained. The process enables researchers to understand the function of rivers and their sediment flow, providing a better prediction of the demolition of dams. The researchers discovered that some stones in the river traveled over 5 miles. "We didn't think the sediments would move so much," Ibisate stated, "and the other experts in the field were also surprised." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are roughly 500,000 dams in the United States, and 85% are over 50 years old and no longer serve a purpose. However, around 900 dams were removed by 2015, and an additional 50 to 60 per year thereafter. The continued effort to remove disused dams restores the natural water flow of rivers necessary for wildlife to flourish. Salmon, sturgeon, and other migratory fish can travel up and down the river during their lifecycle. Also, the free-flowing rivers improve water quality, leading to a healthier ecosystem for both people and nature. 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. In addition to having production facilities in Tekirdag and Tokat, Turkey, Cross Textiles has operated CRS Denim Egypt in Port Said for the last 15 years. The fully integrated facility aims to be a solution provider to clients by managing spreading, cutting, sewing, dry process, washing, finishing, ironing and packaging operations. CRS employees 2,200 people and has the annual production capacity is 6 million jeans. Its clients European and American powerhouses in denim, including one of the three big, Kolunsag said. Sharabati produces an expansive range of denim and flats in both Egypt and Turkey. Production capacity is 100 million meters in Egypt and 45 million in Turkey. The company also has warehousing facilities in Tunisia and Morocco. Ranging from lightweight shirting fabrics to heavy weights, the mills collection has wide appeal across a variety of brands. Capsules like Dream of Nile, a denim line made with Egyptian cotton, and Loomers, a line of selvedge fabrics produced on vintage Rutti shuttle looms, resonates with clients seeking specialty fabrics. There is the need to have a more stable cost situation, which is not the case in Turkey at the moment, said Alessandro Moretti Ciacci, Sharabati Denims sales and marketing director. The competitive market is pushing many garment makers to look for an alternative in the Mediterranean area for quick and sustainable service, he added. Last year Eroglu Holding unveiled plans to establish a $40 million ready-made garment factory in the same zone. The plant is expected to create more than 3,000 jobs. Additionally, Sharabati Denim , which produces denim and flats in Egypt and Turkey, announced a new production facility in Sadat City designed to accommodate around 2,000 workers. The facility includes two spinning halls, a warping and sizing hall, a gabardine weaving hall, and a shuttle loom weaving hall. In January, Turkish ready-made garment manufacturer Denim Rise revealed plans to invest $8.8 million in a new factory within Egypts Qantara West Industrial Zone. The Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZONE) reported that the facility, set to open in the second half of 2025, will create 1,000 jobs and export 70 percent of its production. With rising production costs and supply chain uncertainties, denim brands are looking for cost-effective, reliable alternatives. Egypt , due to its proximity to Europe and trade advantages, is experiencing a significant influx of interest and foreign investment, particularly from Turkeys denim manufacturing sector. That is how Cemil Kolunsag, a board member of Istanbul-based Cross Textiles, the parent company of CRS Denim Egypt, describes Turkey and Egyptan increasingly powerful sourcing and manufacturing duo for the $66.67 billion global denim market. Story Continues We find that Egypt is very well suited for denim production. What we make in CRS we also make in Cross, and vice versa, he said. With that said we tend to make more bottoms and less tops in CRS than in Cross, simply based on demand. In recent years, DNM has seen a growing interest from denim brands and designers in Egypt. Sedat Sualp, deputy general manager of DNM Denim, said this surge is driven by the countrys cost efficiency, commitment to sustainable manufacturing practices, increasing infrastructure investments, and its strategically advantageous location. Transit times to the U.S. and EU are on par with other Mediterranean countries, while EU customers benefit from much shorter transit times compared to supplies from the Far East. Moreover, he said Egypts position as a crossroads between the Far East and Europe enhances its ability to source raw materials and chemicals efficiently. The ease of raw material supply, the growing demand for production capacity in Turkey, and rising costs are driving companies to expand their operations in Egypt, Sualp said. DNM Denim was established in 2011 in Damietta, Egypt, as a 100 percent Turkish capital investment initiative of Eroglu Global Holding to produce denim fabric. It has a production capacity of 31 million meters of denim fabric per year in 150,000 square meters. To further meet the needs of new and existing clients, Sualp said DNM is currently increasing capacity up to a total of 3.5 million meters/month (up from 2.6 million meters/month), with full operational capacity planned for the end of 2025. Advantageous trade agreements like Qualified Industrial Zones (QIZ) agreement with the U.S. and its duty-free trade access to the EU provide Turkish firms with a significant competitive edge. The QIZ initiative allows Egypt to export products to the U.S. duty-free if the products contain inputs from Israel, making it highly competitive for American brands. Cost competitiveness is another area where Egypt excels. Sualp said lower labor and energy costs, along with investment incentives, make Egypt an attractive manufacturing hub. Labor costs are on par with Pakistan and Bangladesh. Egypts skilled workforce and eco-friendly production technologies are drawing the attention of sustainable brands as well. In the last few years, the focus has been sustainability, price and lead time, Kolunsag said. We see this continuing, and as brands are under increasing pressure both regarding EU-regulations and customer price sensitivity, the price and lead time parameters became more important than ever. As sustainability becomes a priority, Alice Tonello, R&D and marketing manager for Tonello, said Egyptian manufacturers investing in responsible production and advanced technology are set to gain a competitive edge. The Italian finishing technology firm, which recently exhibited at the Denimandjeans Egypt trade show, is one of the companies providing innovative and sustainable technologies to help Egyptian factories enhance efficiency, meet global standards, and position themselves as reliable suppliers for top brands. While low-cost machinery remains common in the market, export-driven manufacturers are realizing the need to invest in high-quality equipment to compete internationally, she said. By supporting this shift, we contribute to the long-term competitiveness of the Egyptian denim industry. Egypt is also home to the largest cotton and textile producers on the African continent and in the world. Thanks to this tradition, Andrea Venier, managing director of the chemical firm Officina39, said the Egyptian textile industry is increasingly becoming a major player in the global textile market. Driven by a market seeking new production hubs, Egypt can certainly be one of the textile platforms of the future. The Egyptian government is strongly supporting the textile sector, to the extent that several manufacturing companies are interested in starting production in the country. This obviously shifts the focus to the entire supply chain and everything around it, he said. Although Officina39 is still familiarizing itself with the Egyptian market, Venier remains optimistic about the growing focus on innovation, cutting-edge solutions, and sustainability. During our visits to potential Egyptian clients, we found a market eager for new products and innovation. With local textile companies seeking to expand their product lines both in quantity and quality, weve decided to invest time and resources to develop our business here, Venier said. While these advantages have encouraged increased investment in the countrys garment sector, producing denim in Egypt does come with a unique set of challenges. Despite improvements in the business environment, political and economic uncertainties remain factors to consider for long-term investments, Sualp said. He named complex bureaucracy, infrastructure limitations, and currency fluctuations that impact costs as some of the hurdles. While labor is affordable, he said finding skilled workers for specialized production can be difficult. Moretti Ciacci added that it is important for companies to good management, and possibly a local partner or an experienced advisor to help navigate bureaucracy. For sure, Egypts supply chain needs to be expanded and fine-tuned to have the quality and service appropriate for export, but it will be improving very fast when considering the level of know how being transferred there, he said. This article was published in the SJ Sourcing Report. Click here to download. Christopher Brett Eaves, 49, of Scottsdale was arrested on suspicion of premeditated first-degree murder in connection to the fatal shooting of his brother, James Arthur Eaves, 51, according to court documents. Christopher is accused of breaking into James' home on March 21 armed with a handgun. When James arrived home, Christopher shot him multiple times and killed him, according to a probable cause statement filed in court. In Arizona, a first-degree murder conviction carries a lifetime prison sentence or the death penalty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Christopher was also accused of burglary, according to the document. Video footage from James' home near Camelback Road and 44th Street in Phoenix showed Christopher exiting a car and removing a gun from his waistband, according to the court document. James could also be seen arriving at the home in the footage. Crime and sentencings: 2 men indicted on felony charges in Phoenix gas station killing Minutes later, officers responded to an emergency call that gunshots had been fired. They found James lying in the driveway with bullet casings nearby. Christopher later returned to the scene with his parents and was detained while officers were there executing a search warrant, the document said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Eaves parents told investigators that Christopher has suffered from mental illness but did not know if he had been officially diagnosed with a mental disorder. Christopher was not under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the alleged crime, according to the filing. Investigators found a 40-caliber firearm at Christopher's home on a nightstand, Phoenix police said. The gun matched the casings investigators found at the scene of the crime. Police also discovered a hooded shirt in their parents' vehicle that matched the shirt Christopher was seen wearing on video when arriving at James' home. A judge set a cash bond for Christopher at $1.5 million during his initial court appearance on March 24. Christopher interrupted the court proceeding several times, leading the judge to tell him it was not a debate. Christopher said he was never Mirandized or read his Miranda rights. The judge said that some people have a misconception that not being read Miranda rights can do away with charges. He told Christopher that the evidence gathered has nothing to do with Miranda. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Christoper was ordered by the judge to have no contact with his parents because they are James' next of kin. Christopher's next court appearance was set for March 27 at 8:30 a.m. James, known to friends as "Artie," was a senior owner and director at the Phoenix law firm Sanders & Parks. According to a biography on the firm's website, his practice primarily focused on defending health care providers and hospitals against malpractice claims. This tragedy has left us shattered. Words cannot adequately express the depth of this loss, said Sanders & Parks President Robin Burgess in a statement provided to The Arizona Republic. Artie was not just a colleague he was family. Everyone who knew Artie was blessed by the experience. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The law firm mentioned a service celebrating Artie's life will be held on March 28 in Scottsdale and asked the public to hold Artie's wife and children in their thoughts and prayers "as they navigate this unimaginable loss." "Sanders & Parks grieves the tragic loss of our dear friend and partner, Artie Eaves, who was taken from us far too soon. We are heartbroken by this senseless act of violence and extend our deepest gratitude to the many members of the community who have reached out with words of comfort and support during this incredibly difficult time," the statement continued. "Artie was more than an exceptional trial attorney he was a brilliant legal mind with an unwavering dedication to his clients. Artie approached the practice of law with skill, integrity, passion and humor. Beyond the courtroom, he was a generous mentor, a trusted friend, and a steady source of wisdom and wit to all who had the privilege of knowing him. More importantly, Artie was a devoted husband, a loving father, and a remarkable human being. His kindness, his leadership, and his presence left an indelible mark on everyone he met." Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell also previously worked with Artie and wrote on social media that the lawyer was a "dear friend and colleague." "Artie will be deeply missed," Mitchell wrote. "I am praying for his entire family and would ask others to do the same." (This story was updated to add new information and a video.) This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Scottsdale man facing charges in connection with brother's death A federal jury convicted a Scottsdale man on one count of wire fraud related to his claims to a financial backer that he would invest their $100,000 in the cannabis industry. Instead, Christopher E. Galvin spent the money on "legal bills, payroll, and himself, including cleaning, utility, air condition repair, and credit card bills," according to a pre-trial memorandum filed by federal prosecutors working the case. The federal jury unanimously found Galvin, 58, guilty of the count on March 13 after a three-day trial overseen by U.S. District Judge Susan Brnovich. Just before the trial, prosecutors dropped four counts of transactional money laundering. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2019, Galvin founded a company called Hypur Ventures II, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office in Arizona. He then convinced the woman in the case to wire him $100,000 for investment in cannabis industry funds. After Galvin spent the money on other things, he never repaid the investor, though he repeatedly promised the victim he would, prosecutors said. Galvin repeatedly told the woman he could not tell her how her investment was performing, evidence of "his intent to defraud and cheat her out of her money to use it how he wished," the prosecutors' memo reads. But Galvin's attorney intended to make the case that using the money for business purposes was allowed by disclosures Hyper Ventures II provided to the investor, who because of previous investments knew the risks of putting money into cannabis businesses, court records showed. Those disclosures led prosecutors to dismiss the other four charges, according to a trial outline filed by the defense. Esther Winne, a spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney's Office, said the counts being dismissed "had nothing to do with any disclosures made to investors," though she did not provide further information about the prosecutors' decision. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Galvin is scheduled for sentencing on May 30. He faces an up to 20-year sentence, according to Winne. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is also pursuing Galvin, alleging he falsely claimed to two investors he would invest their $500,000 into cannabis companies. One of those investors is the woman in the criminal case, court records show. The SEC matter has been paused as the criminal case moved along, the court records showed. Reach reporter Stacey Barchenger at stacey.barchenger@arizonarepublic.com or 480-416-5669. (This story has been updated to add new information.) This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Scottsdale man found guilty in cannabis investment fraud, jury says Thousands of suspected offenders should lose the right to a jury trial to speed up justice and reduce backlogs, the former head of the judiciary has said. Lord Burnett, who was lord chief justice until 2023, said any defendant facing up to two years in jail should be tried by a judge sitting with two magistrates and without a jury. Offences could include assaults of police officers or other emergency workers, racially or religiously aggravated assaults and cannabis possession, all of which carry a maximum of two years in jail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said it would not only speed up justice by reducing trials from days to hours but also stop suspected offenders gaming the system by pleading not guilty in the hope that the delays would see the victim drop out of the proceedings or enable them to call into question evidence because of allegedly fading memories. Lord Burnett is the most senior judicial figure to have backed the creation of an intermediate court of a judge and two magistrates which would sit between a crown court, where defendants have an automatic right to a jury, and magistrates, where suspects facing up to a year in prison are tried by a panel of three lay magistrates. The proposal is being considered by a review of the court system which Shabana Mahmood, the Justice Secretary, has said should deliver a once-in-a-generation reform of the way justice is handed out in England and Wales. No sign of backlog diminishing The right to a jury trial dates back to the 13th century, but victims and defendants are having to wait for up to five or even six years for their trials because of record backlogs of more than 73,000 cases, as of September 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lord Burnett said neither current measures being introduced to tackle the delays nor extra funding for more court sitting days would not be enough to stop the backlog growing. Senior lawyers have warned that justice delayed amounts to justice denied, as victims drop out rather than wait years for their trials. The backlog continues to grow because the volume of cases coming into the system has greatly increased, and there is no sign of that volume diminishing, said Lord Burnett during a debate in the Lords. The proportion of cases taking more than a year to conclude in the Crown Court has roughly doubled over the same period. There is an obvious solution... A substantial proportion of cases that can be tried either in the magistrates court or in the Crown Court, but which currently go to the Crown Court, should be decided in that court by the same composition that deals with appeals from the magistrates court a judge and two magistrates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Obvious cases for such trials would be all offences that carry a maximum of two years imprisonment. It is the accident of the maximum sentence that enables a defendant to elect for jury trial. Lord Burnett, who was lord chief justice from 2017 to 2023, said many other cases could also be considered for such trials such as drug crimes, criminal damage and regulatory offences where people breach regulations including those on health and safety, environment and food hygiene. Such trials would take hours rather than a couple of days, because that is how long they take in the magistrates court. Perhaps more importantly, many of the tactical not guilty pleas that are entered in the Crown Court at the moment would evaporate, he said. The idea of an intermediate court was first proposed under Sir Tony Blairs government 25 years ago by senior judge Sir Robin Auld, but was never progressed in face of opposition from the legal profession. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, Lord Burnett said it was a solution that stands a good chance of reversing what is otherwise an inexorable decline. Ms Mahmood appointed Sir Brian Leveson, one of Britains top judges, to review ways of reforming the court system to tackle the backlogs without undermining fair justice. Magistrates, who often have other jobs, are currently being consulted on whether they would support an intermediate court given that it would require a bigger commitment where they would have to sit five days a week. Ms Mahmood has asked Sir Brian to consider such bold reforms on the basis that no amount of extra money for judges to preside over more trials would stop the relentless rise of the backlogs. 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 father of a pilot whose float plane went missing over Alaska has confirmed that all three passengers on board have been found alive, according to reports. The adult pilot and two juvenile passengers were rescued from the wreckage of a float plane by members of the Alaska Army National Guard. All three were transported to a hospital on the Kenai Peninsula to receive treatment for non-life-threatening injuries, according to local reports. Officials say that a Good Samaritan pilot raised the alarm after spotting the Piper PA-12 Super Cruiser near the eastern side of Tustumena Lake. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A search was launched on Monday involving Alaska State Troopers and the U.S. Coastguard after the plane, which reportedly departed from Soldotna Airport on Sunday afternoon on a sightseeing flight, was overdue. State troopers have said that a rescue helicopter is en route to the spotted wreckage. The agency promised to release further details after they had investigated the site, according to Alaska News Now. The father of the missing pilot, identified as a 38-year-old from Sterling, Alaska, told the outlet he has air in his lungs again after the discovery. (Alaska State Troopers are en route to the wreckage site, according to reports.) Authorities previously stated that they believed the aircraft may be near Tustumena Lake and the Kenai Mountains, 220 miles southwest of Anchorage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 60,000-acre lake has been described by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game as notorious for its sudden dangerous winds, according to the Associated Press. Alarms were raised when the plane didnt return when expected, while the pilots cellphone last pinged around 5 p.m. Sunday in the Tustumena Lake area, according to the Alaska News Now. Additional reporting by AP. Police have issued an appeal to find a Cambridge woman who was last seen at a Wisconsin motel a month ago. Relasha Renee Waldo, 54, was last seen at the Dallas House motel in St. Croix Falls on Feb. 22, with Cambridge PD saying she was "upset and crying," and said that "February is a hard month for her." A friend told police they were supposed to go to a Mexican restaurant in Chisago County and drove separately, but Waldo didn't turn up at the restaurant. Cambridge PD Several attempts to contact her since then have been unsuccessful. Police did manage to speak briefly with her on Mar. 5, but she wouldn't say where she was and hung up. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She may be driving a 2019 white Mitsubishi Mirage with Texas license plate MHX7086, police say. Anyone with information can contact Isanti County Dispatch at 763-689-2141 or svigstol@ci.cambridge.mn.us. Note: The details provided in this story are based on law enforcements latest version of events, and may be subject to change. Companies with a long history of paying dividends and consistently hiking them remain appealing to income-focused investors. Essential Utilities, Portland General Electric, and Independent Bank have rewarded shareholders for years and recently announced dividend increases. These companies currently offer dividend yields of around 3% to 4%. Essential Utilities Essential Utilities (NYSE:WTRG) operates regulated utilities that provide water, wastewater, and natural gas services in the U.S. Don't Miss: Are you rich? Heres what Americans think you need to be considered wealthy. If there was a new fund backed by Jeff Bezos offering a 7-9% target yield with monthly dividends would you invest in it? Essential Utilities has increased its dividends every year for the last 33 years. In its most recent dividend hike announcement on July 31, the company raised the quarterly payout by 6% to $0.3255 per share, equaling an annual figure of $1.302 per share. The dividend yield on the stock is 3.28%. The company's annual revenue as of Dec. 31 stood at $2.09 billion. According to its Q4 2024 earnings release on Feb. 26, the company posted revenues of $604.38 million and EPS of $0.67. Both figures came in above the Street estimates. Check out this article by Benzinga for four analysts insights on Essential Utilities. Trending: Its no wonder Jeff Bezos holds over $250 million in art this alternative asset has outpaced the S&P 500 since 1995, delivering an average annual return of 11.4%. Heres how everyday investors are getting started. Portland General Electric Portland General Electric (NYSE:POR), an integrated electric utility company, engages in the generation, wholesale purchase, transmission, distribution, and retail sale of electricity in the state of Oregon. Portland General Electric has raised its dividends consecutively for the last 19 years. In its most recent dividend hike announcement last April 19, the company increased the quarterly payout by 5.3% to $0.50 per share, equal to $2 per share annually. The company confirmed on Feb. 12 that the payout would remain the same. The current dividend yield on the stock stands at 4.49%. The company's annual revenue as of Dec. 31 stood at $3.44 billion. As per its most recent earnings release on Feb. 14, it posted Q4 2024 revenues of $837 million and EPS of $0.36, both above the Street estimates. See Also: Have $200K saved? Here's how to turn it into lasting wealth Independent Bank Independent Bank (NASDAQ:INDB) operates as the bank holding company for Rockland Trust Company that provides commercial banking products and services to individuals and small-to-medium sized businesses in the U.S. VALDERS, Wis. (WFRV) Wisconsin State Senator Andre Jacque held a listening session at the Valders Community Center on Monday. While town hall events across the country have gotten out of control in recent weeks, Jacque told Local 5 News that these sessions in Wisconsin remain peaceful. He explained that they are not solely focused on one issue but can cover topics such as the state budget and independent legislation. Appleton International Airport prepares for record-breaking spring break travel Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trying to have them in as relaxed a format as possible, trying to have an hour and a half to two hours to have people stop in with their questions, and its really helpful for me as a policymaker to have these conversations, Jacque said. Jacque also held a session at the Chilton Library later on Monday and plans to hold more listening sessions within his district in the future. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton. BURLINGTON Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., has announced the winners of his 15th annual State of the Union Essay Contest, which invites Vermont high school students to tackle major national issues and propose solutions, according to a community announcement. This year, 475 students from 25 Vermont high schools participated in the contest. A panel of nine Vermont educators served as judges, selecting 12 finalists and three winners. Since the contest's inception, over 6,600 students from nearly every high school in Vermont have participated, writing essays on topics such as climate change, mental health care access, immigration reform, the housing crisis, political polarization and the cost of higher education. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In difficult times, what makes me most hopeful is seeing young people engaged, thinking critically about the challenges we face as a country, Sanders said in the announcement. Thank you to all the students who participated in this years contest. I look forward to hearing from the finalists and discussing their ideas about how to move forward on some very important issues. The winners and finalists have been invited to join Sanders for a roundtable discussion at the Vermont State House on March 29. Their essays have also been entered into the Congressional Record, the official archive of the U.S. Congress. The contest is timed to coincide with the presidents annual address to a joint session of Congress, which took place on March 4. Justason Lahue, a junior from Burr and Burton Academy, won first place with an essay on the effects of social media on adolescents mental health. Lahue proposed a bill called the Youth Mental Health Protection Act, which would change the legal age of "internet adulthood" to 16. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ari Glasser, a junior from Essex High School, won second place with an essay on the influence of billionaires in the political system. Glasser proposed a wealth tax and campaign finance reform to reduce the influence of billionaires. Ely White, a senior from Leland and Gray Union Middle High School, won third place with an essay on political polarization. White proposed ranked-choice voting and integrating civic education and media literacy into schools and communities as solutions. Please enable Javascript to view this content. The other finalists are: Leo Beebe, a senior from Winooski High School; Emilee Brownell, a junior from Essex High School; Sofia Bush, a junior from Mount Mansfield Union High School; Aleksandra Cirovic, a junior from Woodstock Union High School; Allie Hamilton, a junior from Mount Mansfield Union High School; Mia Konefal, a freshman from South Burlington High School; Hazel OBrien, a senior from Twinfield Union School; Mackenzie Russell, a junior from Harwood Union High School; Hannah Smiley, a senior from Milton High School; Winslow Solomon, a senior from Vermont Commons School; Owen Stygles, a senior from Bellows Free Academy Fairfax; and Amy Vaughan, a junior from Oxbow High School. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The essays of the winners and finalists can be read online. More opportunities for Vermont students through Sanders office can be found on his website. This story was created by reporter Beth McDermott, bmcdermott1@gannett.com, with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct or share your thoughts at http://bit.ly/3RapUkA with our News Automation and AI team. This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: Vermont student winners of State of the Union Essay Contest The Senate on Monday confirmed John Phelan to serve as the next secretary of the Navy, making him only the seventh non-veteran to serve in the role in the last 70 years. Phelan, founder of the private investment firm Rugger Management LLC, was confirmed by a 62-30 vote with nearly all of his support coming from Republicans. He is expected to be sworn into the military leadership role in the next few days. Phelan was the first service secretary pick to be announced by Trump but the second to be confirmed. Last month, lawmakers approved Daniel Driscoll as Army secretary by a similar 66-28 partisan vote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Navy secretary nominee blasts systemic failures plaguing the fleet In his confirmation hearing on Feb. 27, Phelan testified that he saw the Navy as a service in desperate need of reform and innovation. The U.S. Navy is at [a] crossroads, with extended deployments, inadequate maintenance, huge cost overruns, delayed ship building, failed audits, subpar housing and, sadly, record high suicide rates, he told members of the Senate Armed Services Committee. These are systemic failures that have gone unaddressed for far too long. Frankly, this is unacceptable. He also argued that his lack of military experience was an asset to his role leading the Navy, because of his ability to reject traditional military thinking. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Navy and the Marine Corps already possess extraordinary operational expertise within their ranks, he said. My role is to utilize that expertise and strengthen it, step outside the status quo and take decisive action with a results-oriented approach. Earlier this month, former Virginia Senate candidate and Navy special operations veteran Hung Cao was nominated as under secretary of the Navy, giving Phelan a veteran with significant Navy experience as his top deputy. The Senate Armed Services Committee is expected to hold a confirmation hearing this week for Trumps third service secretary pick, Troy Meink, who has been tapped to lead the Air Force. The Navy is currently without an official in its top uniformed leadership post. Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti, the Navys first female chief, was dismissed by Trump last month in a Pentagon leadership purge. KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) United States Senators Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty representing Tennessee wrote an op-ed criticizing the leadership of the Tennessee Valley Authority and calling on Trump to appoint new CEO. Power Magazine published the op-ed on Thursday. In the article, the senators discussed the importance of nuclear energy and said the TVAs board lacks the talent, experience, and gravitas to meet a challenge that clearly requires visionary industrial leaders. Lady Vol pitcher Karlyn Pickens throws fastest pitch in college softball history Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The article highlights the small modular reactor technology that is under development. The TVA plans to build one such reactor at a site along the Clinch River. The senators hope this technology can be the key to a nuclear energy revival. The beauty of SMR technology is its simplicity, Blackburn and Hagerty wrote. Its just a smaller version of the nuclear technology that powers much of America today, with the benefit of being safer, more replicable, and more efficient. Its not a science project, its a proven commodity. However, they argue that the current TVA leadership does not have competence and courage to make full use of this development, saying that the organization has fallen victim to paralysis by analysis and has focused on diversity instead of job creation. In a statement to 6 News, a TVA spokesperson said that they are aligned with the Administrations Energy Dominance policy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Senators Blackburn and Hagerty encouraged President Trump and Energy Secretary Chris Wright to appoint an interim CEO to replace retiring CEO Jeff Lyash. They want this CEO to file a construction application for a small modular reactor with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, seek finding from the Department of Energy Generation III+ Small Modular Reactor Program, and stop analysis paralysis at the TVA. Meet the 24-year-old developer building 50+ housing units in Knoxville A TVA spokesperson explained that the TVA Board serves at the pleasure of the President who appoints Board members, and the Senate confirms them. The Board, then, decides who to hire as CEO. On nuclear/SMRs TVA is the nations advanced nuclear leader and we have been working on it for over 5 years. We are the only organization with an early site permit at Clinch River. Plus, TVA is leading the application for the $800 million U.S. Department of Energy grant to accelerate construction of the nations first Small Modular Reactor. We are also developing the Construction Permit Application for Clinch. TVA is aligned with the Administrations Energy Dominance policy. Nuclear power and advanced nuclear will be the energy source that provides affordable, reliable and secure energy that is resilient and clean. Bottom line Americas competitive advantage hinges on affordable, reliable and resilient electricity. We are not just developing an SMR, we are developing a technology, a supply chain, work force, and a delivery model that can build an industry to unleash American energy. TVA statement to 6 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 WATE 6 On Your Side. Sergey Beseda, former head of the 5th Service of Russias Federal Security Service (FSB), was an unconventional choice to represent his country in the talks with the U.S. in Saudi Arabia on March 24. Seventy-year-old General Beseda, however, has been deeply involved in Russias all-out war against Ukraine from the very beginning. He is thought to have played one of the key roles in keeping Russian President Vladimir Putin informed about the situation in Ukraine ahead of the full-scale invasion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Based on the intelligence provided by the 5th Service, the Russian authorities were confident that the Russian army would not meet serious resistance in Ukraine, the Russian investigative outlet IStories reported early in the all-out war. The data provided by Besedas 5th Service turned out to be inaccurate in many ways. Soon after, Beseda allegedly faced backlash but wasnt written off. Last summer, he resigned from his post and now serves as an advisor to FSB Head Aleksandr Bortnikov. The Russian delegation is also spearheaded by Grigory Karasin, 75, a Russian senator and career diplomat who is a staunch supporter of Moscows all-out war against Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both officials are under Western sanctions. The talks in Riyadh have reportedly focused on Washington's push for a possible ceasefire, including one at sea. Ukraines Military Intelligence Chief Kyrylo Budanov described Beseda as a very problematic person for Ukraine. When asked who among Russian generals is the most dangerous for the country, Budanov was undecided but said that Beseda has always brought problems to Ukraine. He is a very problematic person. He has done a lot of evil for Ukraine. It is fine, time will sort everything out, Budanov said in an interview with Ukrainska Pravda in the fall of 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read also: What were the Minsk Agreements and why did they fail to bring peace in Ukraine? Whos Sergey Beseda? Beseda has been a career intelligence officer for most of his life, beginning his work in the FSB predecessor Soviet KGB. He led the 5th Service for 15 years, taking office in 2009 and being ousted in 2024. Besedas name made headlines in 2014. He was present in Kyiv from Feb. 20 to 21, during the bloodiest days of the EuroMaidan Revolution. Between Feb. 18 and 20, around 100 protestors were gunned down, and hundreds were injured by law enforcement loyal to pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych. Valentyn Nalyvaichenko, the former head of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), said that Beseda was based at the SBU training ground. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russia's military involvement essentially started not in Crimea, but with the events on Maidan (Independence Square), by the interference of Russian generals in the events in Ukraine, Nalyvaichenko said. Riot police arrest protesters during clashes in the central of Kyiv, Ukraine, on Jan. 22, 2014. (Oleksandr Ratushniak / AFP via Getty Images) According to Nalyvaichenko, Beseda was planning Ukraines law enforcement's attacks on protestors. Facing outrage in Ukraine, the FSB admitted in 2014 that Beseda was in Kyiv during the revolution, claiming that he was sent to determine the level of protection of the Russian Embassy in Ukraine and other Russian institutions in the city. Last year, Ukraines Prosecutor Generals Office concluded that the murders were carried out by Ukrainian law enforcement officers under the orders of Ukrainian authorities and Russia's guidance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukraine's State Bureau of Investigation charged FSBs Chief Bortnikov and other 20 top officials of Russian special services with the obstruction of protests during the revolution. In his memoir, former U.S. Ambassador to Moscow John Sullivan wrote that Beseda was also involved in talks on a prisoner exchange between the U.S. and Russia in 2021. In charge of Ukraine FSBs 5th Service, led by Beseda for years, is officially in charge of the agencys relations with foreign partners and gathering information in former Soviet republics, including Ukraine. The Washington Post (WP), citing its sources, reported in 2022 that the FSB has spent decades spying on Ukraine, trying to infiltrate its institutions, bribing officials, and preventing any shift towards the West. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There were reports that Beseda had been arrested after the failed swift conquest of Ukraine, but Moscow did not officially confirm this information. Russian journalist Andrey Soldatov claimed that he was charged with embezzling funds allocated for subversion in Ukraine. According to Budanov, Beseda was suspended from his duties for some time but was soon back on track. Budanov said that as of the fall of 2023, the FSB general was actively involved in operations against Ukraine. He continues to work and is a very serious enemy of our state, he said. After the first round of the U.S.-Russia talks, the Washington Post outlined a draft document prepared by a Moscow think tank that worked closely with the 5th Service. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The document reportedly laid out Russia's maximalist demands for ending the war, including a buffer zone in northeastern Ukraine along the borders with Bryansk and Belgorod oblasts and a demilitarized zone in southern Ukraine. The document, drafted in February, further calls for "the complete dismantling" of Ukraine's current government and says that peace is unlikely before 2026. It is unclear what if any role this document plays in the Kremlin's decision-making. 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. BERWICK, COLUMBIA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) A woman was arrested after police say they discovered her selling methamphetamine from her apartment in Pennsylvania. Berwick Police: Erin Houseweart According to the Berwick Police Department, in March officers started an investigation into 30-year-old Erin Houseweart for selling methamphetamine out of an apartment complex in the 900 block of West Front Street in Berwick. A search warrant was requested after tips to police about drug activity were received and days of surveillance on the apartment resulted in police seeing Houseweart allegedly leaving to make a drug sale. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police said Houseweart was arrested inside a car where officers believed she was making a drug sale with the driver. The search warrant resulted in the seizure of the following; $595 Several pre-packaged packets of methamphetamine Three digital scales New packaging material Money ledgers A small amount of marijuana Various narcotics paraphernalia for narcotics use Houseweart faces several drug charges. She remains in the Columbia County Prison after not posting the $25,000 straight cash bail. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PAhomepage.com. BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) Severe weather swept through the Baton Rouge area Monday, causing power outages, school closures, flight delays, and road closures. Flight delays The Baton Rouge Airport reported winds of 43 mph with gusts up to 78 mph just before 7:30 a.m.. Two American Airlines flights were delayed until 10:30 a.m. due to the severe weather. AA5612 to Charlotte (originally scheduled for 7:22 a.m.). AA5627 to Washington, D.C. (originally scheduled for 7:00 a.m.). School disruptions The storm also affected multiple school districts: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pointe Coupee Parish: Livonia High School and Valverda Elementary School dismissed students early at 11 a.m. due to power outages. East Baton Rouge Parish (EBR) Schools: A few buses experienced slight delays. Villa del Rey briefly lost power but it was restored. Iberville Parish: North Iberville Elementary School and North Iberville High School switched to remote learning for a continuous learning day due to a power outage. Road closures and power outages Pointe Coupee Parish: Downed trees and power lines closed La Hwy 411. Livingston Parish: Multiple roads affected by downed trees and power lines, including: Highway 449 Bend Road Highway 63 Mack Road Oliver Wheat Road Miller Road Baton Rouge weather >> Your daily forecast 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. MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia's central bank has warned the Kremlin's policy makers the United States and OPEC have the capacity to flood the oil market and cause a repeat of the prolonged price collapse of the 1980s - which contributed to the downfall of the Soviet Union. The warning came weeks before Russian and U.S. Presidents Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump began talks to end the war in Ukraine. Trump has warned he could impose further sanctions on Russia if there was no peace deal. He also pledged higher U.S. oil production and called on OPEC's leader Saudi Arabia to pump more oil to help the global economy. The central bank delivered the warning in a presentation prepared for a discussion chaired by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin in February and seen by Reuters. The central bank, which scrutinises economic risks in classified reports at least once a year, did not say under what scenario OPEC and the United States could flood the market and how likely these risks were. In its previous reports, seen by Reuters, the central bank did cite oil prices as one of the risks for the Russian economy but has never been that specific on how a prolonged low oil price cycle could arise. The economy ministry, separately, also made a presentation for the meeting, citing other risks to the economy, such as weaker investor activity, cost increases and "bad debts". There is no sign that OPEC is planning any change in supply policy that would lead to a sharp rise in output. While the United States may raise oil output further, the lion's share of increases will likely come from other non-OPEC producers such as Guyana, Brazil and Kazakhstan, where global oil majors ramp up production. "A significant risk is the oil price," one of the slides reviewed by Reuters said listing among risks "a significant increase in production in the United States and outside OPEC". It also said OPEC's spare capacity was near record high and added it was equal to the volume of Russian crude oil exports. "Historical precedent after the period of high oil prices in 1974-1985, 18 (!!!) years of low oil prices," the presentation slide said using the three exclamation marks. SOVIET FALL WITH OIL PRICES For Russia, the world's second largest exporter, oil and gas have been its strength and weakness since the Soviets discovered one of the world's largest hydrocarbon basins in Western Siberia in the decades after World War Two. For decades, high oil prices have allowed the Kremlin to cushion the economy and spend on political campaigns abroad such as support of governments from Cuba to Angola and Vietnam. The trial of French film star Gerard Depardieu on sexual assault charges began in Paris on Monday, following a delay caused by the 76-year-old's ailments. The veteran actor arrived at the crowded court room around midday, leaning on his lawyer for support. While there have been repeated allegations levelled at Depardieu, this is his first trial for sexual assault. "All the accusations are lies," defence lawyer Jeremie Assous told the press, adding that he and his team would now prove this. "The truth is on our side." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The investigation had not been carried out with due thoroughness, he said, calling for the trial to be annulled. The court denied the request. Assous then produced around 300 pages of documents for perusal, leading the co-plaintiffs to accuse him of delaying tactics. Women's rights activists gathered in front of the courthouse holding banners including one reading: "We believe the victims." The case concerns accusations by two women that Depardieu touched them in intimate areas against their will during the 2021 filming of the movie "Les Volets Verts" ("The Green Shutters") by director Jean Becker. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The first woman accuses the actor of trapping her in a corridor, touching her breasts, buttocks and genitals, and making obscene comments. She filed a lawsuit against him in February 2024 for sexual assault, harassment and sexist insults. The second woman, an assistant to the director, also accuses Depardieu of touching her breasts and buttocks on the film set and, previously, of harassing her. She filed suit in March 2024. If found guilty, Depardieu faces up to five years in prison and a fine of 75,000 ($81,600), according to the Paris public prosecutor's office. Health concerns In October, a court postponed the trial because of the actor's health. Depardieu had to present medical certificates ahead of the trial, which is to last two days. Court days may now not last longer than six hours and must be broken up with 15-minute breaks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He has had diabetes for over 25 years and has undergone a quadruple bypass. The court has not ordered a psychiatric assessment. Assous has made a name for himself in France with his provocative style and dramatic courtroom style. He was responsible for the postponement of the trial in October. Assous argues that the accusations are "completely fabricated," saying there were no direct witnesses to the incidents. In a letter published by the newspaper Le Figaro in October 2023, Depardieu described himself as the victim of "lynch justice by media." He acknowledged being provocative, arrogant and occasionally rude throughout his life, but denied being a rapist and said he had never abused a woman. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The French cinema veteran, who has appeared in over 200 films, has faced a number of allegations of sexual misconduct in recent years. He was charged with the rape of actress Charlotte Arnould in 2020 in a case that remains open. Depardieu denies this accusation as well. NACOGDOCHES, Texas (KETK) The University of Texas System Police Department at Stephen F. Austin State University has received a $150,000 grant to fund equipment and training. Some Nacogdoches County residents under boil water notice The Nacogdoches Law Enforcement Foundation, a nonprofit that assists agencies serving in Nacogdoches, awarded the grant. The $150,000 grant will cover at least 30 duty tourniquets with carriers, along with two automated external defibrillators for new patrol vehicles. Courtesy of UTS-SFA Police Department Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Korey Kahle, a lecturer of computer science at SFA, has been the head of the foundation since it began in March 2022. Recently, the foundation also helped out Cason Snider who was injured in a Nacogdoches County two-vehicle crash in 2017. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KETK.com | FOX51.com. BROCKTON, Mass. (WWLP) Two teens were shot in a deadly shooting at a outside a busy mall in Brockton Saturday night. New Hampshire man arrested for allegedly trafficking firearms into Massachusetts Police in Brockton say a large fight turned deadly when a 15-year-old boy and 18-year-old woman were shot outside the Westgate Mall, according to NBC Boston. Their identities have not been released. When police arrived, they found one victim suffering from gunshot wounds in front of Starbucks, the other in front of Chipotle. Local and state police are investigating the shooting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Plymouth District Attorney is not commenting on a motive or potential suspects at this time. 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. (COLORADO SPRINGS) The Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) said on Sunday, March 23 officers responding to a shots-fired call led to a standoff with the suspect in a red SUV in eastern Colorado Springs. According to CSPD, on Sunday at around 11 a.m., officers were called to the 300 block of North Circle Drive between East Platte Avenue and East Bijou Street. Officers investigation revealed a disturbance had taken place at the location and a suspect, later identified as Jairo Fernandez-Vasquez fired a handgun and had taken off in a red Dodge SUV. Jairo Fernandez-Vasquez, Courtesy: Colorado Springs Police Department At around 12:15 p.m., police found the SUV in the 4500 block of East Pikes Peak Avenue near E. Platte Ave. and North Academy Boulevard. The SUV had two people inside, one of whom was safely removed from the vehicle. The other suspect was allegedly Fernandez-Vasquez who refused to exit the SUV. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At around 2 p.m. police were able to take Fernandez-Vasquez into custody on weapons-related charges. CSPD said a stolen gun was recovered from the vehicle and Fernandez-Vasquez was taken to the hospital for treatment. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Attorney Steve Hurley with documents of the type Wisconsin prisons are shredding. | Photo by Erik Gunn/Wisconsin Examiner The Office of the Wisconsin State Public Defender and other attorneys are expressing concerns over attorney-client confidentiality and the timely and accurate delivery of legal mail for clients incarcerated in state prisons. The Wisconsin Examiners Criminal Justice Reporting Project shines a light on incarceration, law enforcement and criminal justice issues with support from the Public Welfare Foundation. On Sept. 10, the Wisconsin Department of Corrections (DOC) adopted a new policy for external paperwork sent to prisons. The protocol calls for incarcerated residents to watch the copying of their legal mail and allows them to review the copies; then the original mail is shredded. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mail covered under the policy includes letters from an attorney, law office, clerk or judge of any state or federal court, court staff or tribal court. It also covers correspondence with federal and state elected or appointed officials including the governor, Wisconsin legislators, the secretary of the DOC and others. The process of opening and photocopying the mail, providing the copy to the incarcerated person and shredding the original mail is documented with the facilitys camera system, the DOC policy states. The policys general guidelines allow staff to inspect legal documents to the extent necessary to determine if the documents contain contraband or if the purpose is misrepresented. If staff have reason to believe a letter is not a legal document and the safety and security of the institution is implicated, the policy allows them to read legal documents. The DOCs protocol has garnered criticism from the Wisconsin public defenders office. Public defenders primary concerns are timely delivery of information to clients, the accuracy of the copying and protecting attorney-client confidentiality. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unfortunately, with DOCs new mail policy we have experienced significant delays with mail delivery, compromised confidentiality, and in some cases legal documents have been lost, said Deputy State Public Defender Katie York. This has impacted our ability to develop trusting attorney/client relationships and has caused unnecessary delays for our clients and others impacted by the legal system. However, in our continuous efforts to provide the highest quality defense for our clients, we will keep doing everything we can to maintain communication with our clients. The Wisconsin American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has also raised concerns about how the DOCs handling of legal mail is affecting incarcerated people and the legal process. Alarmingly, the DOC continues to introduce new restrictions that have made it increasingly difficult for people in DOC custody to receive legal mail and books, Emma Shakeshaft, senior attorney for the ACLU of Wisconsin said in an October statement, and we are very concerned about how these policy changes are negatively impacting those in custody. Legal mail is essential to incarcerated individuals ability to access the courts and to communicate confidentially with their legal counsel. Beth Hardtke, director of communications for the DOC, said the department was not aware of any recent concerns from the Office of the State Public Defender about the DOCs legal mail policy, and that the DOC would follow up with them to learn more. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hardtke said the public defenders office had input into the development of the policy, and that the policy was revised based on the offices feedback before it went into effect in September 2024. The DOC is not aware of any significant delays regarding legal mail, she said. She said the postal service delivers legal mail directly to facilities, where it is promptly processed in front of the individual to whom the mail is addressed. The policy also details a number of steps that are taken to protect the confidentiality of the process including having the process take place in front of cameras placed so that writing is illegible, special copiers just for this purpose and ensuring that the person in our care is part of the process, Hardtke said. Drug concerns DOCs goal with the legal mail policy was to prevent intoxicating substances from entering facilities through legal mail, Hardtke said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In November2021, the DOC announced that it would start partnering with a company to photocopy the personal mail of all incarcerated adults in an attempt to keep drug-laden mail out of prisons. The department began giving residents photocopies of their mail instead of original letters. In a 2021 press release about the new policy, the DOC said that despite its previous efforts, in September 2021 alone there were 182 drug incidents within Wisconsin prisons, with 16 people needing emergency medical treatment. The department said it had seen an increase of drug incidents among incarcerated people. This included the use of synthetic cannabinoids, which can cause violent behavior or a need for emergency medical treatment, the department said. The DOC said paper and envelopes could be sprayed with or soaked in the drugs and sent into prisons through the mail. In August 2022, the agency said it had seen a decrease in the total number of drug incidents at adult facilities between November 2021 and February 2022. The agency attributed the decrease to its new policy of photocopying mail. The DOC also said it saw a decrease in overdoses requiring transport to a medical facility. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After receiving inquiries about the departments controversial ban on used books, the department sent data to reporters in late September. DOC staff reviewed contraband incident reports that facility staff had flagged as drug-related between 2019 and Sept. 18, 2024. The department said some drug-related incidents recorded through a medical record or conduct report may not be reflected in their numbers. The DOC also said not all incident reports flagged as drug related turn out to actually be drug-related. The DOC said legal mail tested positive in five incidents in 2021, and in 2022, there were 10 instances of material purporting to be legal mail that tested positive for drugs. Six incidents in 2023 involved legal mail, the department said. The DOC said legal mail tested positive for drugs in at least seven incidents in 2024, as of Sept. 18. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When it comes to mail or donations that tested positive for drugs, the department said it is often unable to say whether they are from a legitimate entity, or from someone impersonating another person or organization. In an email to the nonprofit Wisconsin Books to Prisoners in August, then-Administrator of the Division of Adult Institutions Sarah Cooper spoke about impersonation. She said bad actors impersonated agencies to send drugs into prisons. To provide some examples, there have been many instances of drugs coming in via mail (and publications/books) which appear to be sent from the Child Support Agency, the IRS, the State Public Defenders Office, the Department of Justice and individual attorneys, Cooper said. In the August email, Cooper said the DOC had had to implement a whole new process for handling mail from the entities she mentioned. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The number of drug incidents involving legal mail has fallen to zero, according to a review of contraband incident reports that facility staff flagged as drug-related, Hardtke said. She said between Sept. 19 and Feb. 28, there were no incidents documented in those reports of legal mail testing positive for intoxicants. She said these records may not include all incidents, since some incidents may be documented in conduct reports, other types of incident reports or medical records. The most important thing to know about the legal mail policy is that it works, Hardtke said. But York said she also knows there have been instances of false positive tests. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I know it has happened because Ive talked to both staff and private bar attorneys where the institution has sent back materials because they tested positive, York said. Transcripts that were not drug-laced have been returned after positive tests, she said. She could not provide a number of such incidents and said she also believed some documents that were confiscated after positive tests were not sent back. Hardtke said the DOC uses the IONSCAN 600 testing technology to test books, packages and other materials coming into DOC facilities. She said the technology was chosen in consultation with the Wisconsin Department of Justice and the Wisconsin State Crime Laboratories in part because its results have held up to court scrutiny. Some family members of incarcerated people in Canada expressed concern that ion scanners yielded false positive test results, and some experts have raised questions about ion scanners ability to distinguish between banned drugs and everyday chemicals. Steve Hurley, a defense attorney at Hurley Burish, S.C. in Madison, told the Examiner about a case a few years ago in which his firm represented a lawyer who was accused of sending drugs to a client. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said their investigation used the test used by the DOC and got a false positive, and that the department relied on a presumptive test that was not intended to give a conclusive result. This test was not the IONSCAN 600. The DOC did not say whether it currently uses other tests as well as the IONSCAN 600. They didnt charge him criminally because I think they knew that they had misused the [drug] test, Hurley said. So when I called them on it, eventually, they just dropped the whole thing and reinstated his ability to communicate with his client. Attorneys suggest creating a verification method for legal mail Shakeshaft said attorneys attempting to communicate with their clients are not the source of drugs in prison. She thinks there should be an alternative method of getting legal mail to clients without having all the documents copied and the originals shredded. To the extent that third parties are attempting to disguise contraband as legal mail, theres a lot of less restrictive ways to address that, to ensure that legal mail is coming from licensed attorneys [Methods that] are not nearly as much of a threat to attorney-client confidential communications, she said. York said her office asked about creating a process that would certify the mail was from the assigned attorney and not from an impersonator. We asked if there was some sort of system, if it was like, some sort of changing numbering system, or something that we could put on the envelopes that would ensure that they knew that it was coming from our office, she said. York said her office also made an offer to reach out to a facility beforehand when theyre sending a client their file. The public defenders office would let them know how many boxes they would be sending with a client file, so the facility would know in advance that the documents were coming from their office. She said the offer was not accepted. York said her office used to receive calls seeking to verify that her office had sent mail to a resident. She didnt think this was consistent across all facilities. They would call our office and ask, Did you send mail to this person? when they got letters, said York. I used to get those calls when I was the appellate division director. So that was another way that they used to try to kind of validate the fact that it came from an attorney. Confidentiality concerns Hurley said that as a defense lawyer, its his job to not trust the government when it comes to his clients. He believes his clients should receive their legal mail unopened. The minute you open a lawyers mail, somebody is going to look at it, Hurley said. I dont care what they say about their policies, somebodys going to look at it. And you cant do that. If others know what someone is convicted of, it could lead to a more difficult time in prison, Hurley said. He also said information in an incarcerated persons legal mail isnt necessarily about their criminal record. If you were getting divorced, do you want your neighbor to know what youre arguing with your spouse over about what the extent of your property is? Hurley said. No, and you dont want a guard to know that either. Nicole Masnica, an attorney with Gimbel, Reilly, Guerin & Brown LLP in Milwaukee, said prison staff reviewing privileged communications and legal mail from counsel creates a concern about the safety and security of incarcerated people in the DOC. Legal correspondence and materials may very well contain information detailing a persons cooperation with authorities against other incarcerated people and even sometimes staff employed by the Department of Corrections, she said in a statement emailed to the Examiner. I have represented individuals who have expressed concerns about confidential information from legal correspondence getting into the wrong hands at the prisons, and policies like those currently in place with the DOC that permit the reviewing of confidential information by DOC staff only amplifies those risks to individuals assisting law enforcement investigations, Masnica said. Shakeshaft said there are opportunities during the copying and shredding of legal mail for someone to view the documents. She also raised the question of how the process would be filmed without the camera viewing information in the legal mail. Theres a number of different parts of the policy where confidentiality is threatened overall, she said. Attorney Lonnie Story sent the Examiner a conduct report from when an incarcerated man, Justin Welch, was written up by a DOC staff member in February 2024. The report indicates a staff member read a letter from Welch that was addressed to Story Law Firm Attorney Lonnie Story. According to the report, in the letter, Welch referenced a recent assault he was involved in with another person. Welch said that he was going to be placed by this person and will have no choice but to fight him again. This is what the WCI does this time I will hurt him. The staff member wrote the conduct report, saying Welch was making direct physical threats to the other person. Story said he contacted Department of Justice attorneys, who called the warden. Story sent the Examiner a letter from the warden on which Welch was copied, dated March 25, 2024. The letter said the warden had initiated a review of the incident, and the hearing officers decision and the punishment of 30 days in restrictive housing were reversed. Welch sent the Examiner a complaint he made to the DOC about a prison denying three of his emails, preventing them from reaching the intended recipients. (Electronic correspondence is not treated as legal mail under DOC policy.) Two emails were intended for a reporter, while the third was sent to Story. According to Welchs complaint, a staff member told him that emails were not for legal communication and an attorney call should be set up instead. Welchs complaint was successful, leading to a ruling that his emails should not have been denied. Devin Skrzypchak, a resident of Oshkosh Correctional Facility, said he has concerns that the prison staff have had access to his legal mail for up to three days while the prison was setting up a time for the copying and shredding when he could be present. He has concerns that his legal mail could have been read during that wait time. Not all legal mail involves physical documents, according to Masnica. If there are large files, its cheaper to send a hard drive or USB. In one case, Masnica said she sent documents related to potential jurors and received an email from the prison. The person from the prison who contacted Masnica didnt necessarily think the documents were related to litigation, she said. To her, it was clear that the prison had reviewed the mail in detail. They had made remarks that it was not just the jurors in the case, but all jurors potentially that were going to be called that week, or that month, Masnica said. Masnica said she complained and was sent a policy. DOC policy says that when a facility receives new digitally formatted legal material, it shall assign staff to review the content with the incarcerated person present to make sure it is legal in nature. The policy states that if any file is found to contain contraband, the data storage device may be subject to disposal in accordance with the DOCs contraband policy after consultation with the Office of Legal Counsel. Timeliness concerns Weve heard of attorneys having to push back court deadlines and delays because they cant continue that communication [with clients], said Shakeshaft. They cant get the legal documents to clients in time, or clients arent getting the correct legal documents. The Examiner asked York about specific situations that make it critical for the incarcerated person to have the legal mail for the case to proceed in court. There is not a super clean answer to this, but there are some situations, for example, we need clients to sign documents, said York. One example of that is notice of intent to appeal in a termination of parental rights case; we have to have a wet signature from the client on the notice before we file it, and its a pretty tight turnaround. Its 30 days. York said theres also a problem when clients dont accept their mail due to the policy of copying and shredding. This leaves the attorney with the option of meeting in person to get a signature on a form, which can be time consuming. Lost in the mail Masnica recalled her firm having to send mail multiple times because a client didnt receive it. If were sending something to a client on the street who is living in their home, we never really have issues, Masnica said. Story said hes had an issue with not receiving mail that a client said they sent to him. Most disturbing is when my clients have part of their case record from their legal materials disappear, Story said. Their file doesnt follow them to the next institution, or part of it is mailed to me and not the whole of it. Dorin Ferguson, who is incarcerated at the Wisconsin Secure Program Facility in Boscobel, said he has sent mail to Story that didnt arrive, including mail that was returned to Ferguson. DOC policy allows the resident to check the copied legal documents and request two rescans. York said sending large files poses a risk of miscopying. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) The Shreveport Police Department will hold a seminar to discuss issues in the community. The Community Compass Seminar will highlight evidence-based practices aimed at reducing violent crime in Shreveport and emphasize the importance of community empowerment, engagement, and action. Officers describe this event as more than just a seminar; its a way to guide Shreveport communities toward a brighter future. The event will be held on March 26, starting at 1:00 p.m. at the Re-Entry facility at 1121 Forum Drive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTALnews.com. When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. In a new study, scientists probed the ways in which the X chromosome may change with age and affect cognition. . | Credit: bodym via Getty Images Dormant genes on the X chromosome may reawaken in old age, potentially giving the aging female brain a boost that the male brain doesn't receive. This phenomenon may help to explain why, on many measures, females show a higher level of cognitive resilience in old age than males do. The findings come from a new study in lab mice, and the researchers also backed up the results with genetic data from humans. More research is still needed to confirm that the findings in mice translate to people, but overall, the work points to a potential difference in how female and male brains age. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Historically, "we simply haven't looked at the X chrom[osome] very much," said Rachel Buckley , an associate professor of neurology at Harvard Medical School who was not involved in the new study. "And now we're starting to really shine a very, very big spotlight on it, and we're starting to realize things that we had not fully appreciated" namely, how sex chromosomes might influence how the brain ages. "There are very important and potentially therapeutic targets that are coming out from these papers" that focus on the X chromosome, Buckley told Live Science. Related: Is there really a difference between male and female brains? Emerging science is revealing the answer. The resilience of the female brain There seem to be fundamental differences in how males and females age. When it comes to the brain, females have lower rates of various forms of dementia than males do, even though females live longer , on average. One exception is that females have higher rates of Alzheimer's disease than males do, although females with Alzheimer's tend to survive longer than males with the condition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "There's been a lot of documented trends where there's resilience in cognitive aging in female populations, compared to males," said study first author Margaret Gadek , an MD-PhD student at the University of California, San Francisco. "There's a lot of reasons why these trends could be in place, but one thing we wanted to look into was the role of the X chromosome," Gadek told Live Science. Alongside hormones, the sex chromosomes X and Y are one of the starkest biological differences between males and females, and they could help provide biological explanations for why these differences emerge in aging. Males typically carry one X and one Y in each cell; they inherit the X from their mother and the Y from their father. Females, on the other hand, usually carry two X chromosomes one from mom and one from dad. But each cell needs only one X to be active, so in females, the second X is "silenced," leaving only the maternal or paternal X switched on. This is not a seamless process. Some genes on the silenced X chromosome escape that silencing process, and thus remain switched on , while additional genes may get switched back on as a person ages. Gadek and her colleagues wondered how these "reawakened" genes might factor into brain aging, especially given that this silencing is a uniquely female phenomenon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related: 'Let's just study males and keep it simple': How excluding female animals from research held neuroscience back, and could do so again Nearly two dozen "reawakened" genes In their new study, published March 5 in the journal Science Advances , the researchers crossed two subspecies of lab mice called Mus musculus and Mus castaneus so that each of the rodents' offspring would inherit one X from the former subspecies and one from the latter. The team also genetically tweaked the mice such that the X from M. castaneus was always silenced. Normally, the X that happens to be silenced in each cell is random. This experimental setup made it easier to tell which chromosome an active gene belonged to and, therefore, whether it had "escaped" the silencing process, Gadek explained. With their modified mice in hand, the team then examined the gene activity in four young mice and four old mice, the latter of which were 20 months old. (That's about 65 in human years.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They specifically zoomed in on gene activity in cells of the hippocampus , a key memory center in the brain that tends to shrink with normal aging and cognitive decline and is heavily impacted in dementia. They looked at over 40,000 cells in total, including both neurons and various types of glial cells, which help maintain and support neurons in the brain and also make an insulating substance, called myelin. This analysis revealed that, with age, about 22 genes that were initially silenced got switched back on. Some of the same genes were reawakened across many the mice, while others were more variable, Gadek added. "I was really shocked to see that we could be thinking about X-related inactivation escapism as a function of age," Buckley said. "So as women get older, there'll be more of it" meaning X-linked gene activity "and in fact some of it's quite protective," she added. Importance of insulation in the brain Among the 22 reawakened genes, one called PLP1 jumped out as interesting, in part because it was switched on in seven of the nine cell types studied, Gadek said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement PLP1 carries the instructions to make a key component of myelin, the fatty insulation that helps neurons send signals efficiently. It's known that mutations in PLP1 can decrease the amount of myelin in the brain, resulting in intellectual disability . It's also known that myelin can be compromised in aging and that loss of myelin function can contribute to cognitive decline. To see if the reawakening of PLP1 might boost cognition, the scientists ran some experiments with male and female mice. In one, they confirmed that older female mice had more PLP1 activity in their hippocampi than the older male mice did. In the second experiment, the researchers artificially increased PLP1 using gene editing in both old males and old females, and they found that both sexes performed better on tests of learning and memory after that boost. To see if any of the findings extended to humans, the team looked at data previously collected for a large study of human brain tissue. Data weren't available for the hippocampus, but the brain tissue immediately surrounding the hippocampus showed more PLP1 activation in older women than in older men. So that hints that the same phenomenon might be unfolding in people. Gadek said that, in the future, she'd be interested in looking at this reawakened gene in animal models of diseases like dementia, since the current mouse experiments looked at only healthy aging. Buckley added that it would also be interesting to investigate the phenomenon in the context of menopause. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related: Faster brain aging tied to X chromosome inherited from Mom In menopause, estrogen levels plummet. The hormone has many functions in the brain, including helping shuttle fuel from the blood into brain cells. Buckley pointed to research led by neuroscientist Roberta Brinton of the University of Arizona, which suggests that, as estrogen levels decline, the brain may break down some of its own myelin for fuel. In reading the new study, Buckley connected the dots and wondered if the boost in myelin in later life could be a way of recovering from the hit taken earlier, during menopause. "That's something that really made me sit up and take notice," she said, although this idea is speculative for now. RELATED STORIES Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Women have 4 times men's rate of autoimmune disease. The X chromosome may be to blame. The mystery of the disappearing Neanderthal Y chromosome One in 500 men may carry an extra sex chromosome (most without knowing it) Given the current study was primarily in mice, Buckley did note that more work is needed to see how this phenomenon unfolds in the human brain. And in the long term, it would behoove scientists to study the role of the Y chromosome in brain aging; although it carries far fewer genes than the X, it may still have an impact, she noted. "One thing that this paper highlights is that studying sex chromosomes isn't a niche woman's health issue," Gadek said. "It provides insights into cognitive aging and certainly other areas of health that could benefit males and females and everyone alike, because we all have an X chromosome." WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL) Welcome back to the Social Rundown, where you can learn about the online trends happening globally and in Texoma, too! Want to get the latest tea or news on whats trending on social media? Tune in daily! Deadly van crash & fire in Nuevo Leon, Mexico A devastating crash in Mexico happened on Sunday, March 23. A van carrying 16 passengers crashed in Nuevo Leon, Mexico, killing 12 people and leaving four others injured. The vehicle ran into a ravine and caught fire, sparking a forest fire. Firefighters got the fire under control after it burned nearly 5,000 acres. Cherry Blossoms in Japan 2025 The official cherry blossom spotters confirm the flowers first blooming date, Monday, March 24. The cherry blossoms, also known as Sakura in Japanese, are pink or white flowers of various cherry tree species. This flower is a symbol of spring, and Japan celebrates its beauty through festivals and art. Fireball Whiskey One liquor brand is out here about to supply one lucky senior citizen with a lifetime supply of its whiskey! Fireball whiskey is turning up the heat with this one Fireball offers a lifetime supply for those 90+ or born on or before 1935. They can enter the sweepstakes at lifetimesupplyoffireball.com and turn up for a good 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 Texomashomepage.com. The head of the Social Security Administration (SSA) said Friday that he wouldnt be shutting down the agency after a federal judge backed up a temporary restraining order issued against Elon Musks government cost-cutting panel. SSA chief Leland Dudek, an appointee of President Trump responsible for implementing cuts from Musks Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), said Friday that the court had clarified its position on its restraining order and that the agency would continue working. I am not shutting down the agency, Dudek said in a statement. SSA employees and their work will continue under the [temporary restraining order]. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dudek has indicated hes not the one running the show at the SSA, but is rather following orders. I am receiving decisions that are made without my input. I have to effectuate those decisions, Dudek said in notes on a meeting he took with legal aide attorneys, as reported by The Washington Post earlier in March. Dudek described the DOGE team thats calling the shots at Social Security as outsiders who are unfamiliar with nuances of SSA programs but said he and his colleagues have to let them see what is going on at SSA, according to the meeting notes that were obtained by the Post. On Thursday, U.S. District Judge Ellen Lipton Hollander issued an opinion that said the DOGE team was engaged in a fishing expedition at the SSA and that it hasnt provided even a single reason it would need access to the trove of personal taxpayer data it is seeking. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Defendants, with so called experts on the DOGE Team, never identified or articulated even a single reason for which the DOGE Team needs unlimited access to SSAs entire record systems, thereby exposing personal, confidential, sensitive, and private information that millions of Americans entrusted to their government, the judge wrote. She said the restraining order against DOGE serves the public interest. DOGE has been running roughshod through the federal government, making huge cuts at agencies such as the U.S. Agency for International Development and accessing programs as diverse as the Treasury Departments international payments system and the IRS. The SSA is slated to close dozens of offices this year as part of the Trump administrations efforts to shrink the size of the federal government, according to multiple media reports. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tens of millions of Americans receive retirement and disability benefits from the SSA, according to agency figures. In 2023, 72 million people were on some form of Social Security. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. WASHINGTON The White House requested the rapid changes to phone service that the Social Security Administration plans to put in place next week, the agencys leader said Monday. In a meeting with advocacy groups that are stakeholders in the agencys disability and retirement programs, Leland Dudek said the sweeping changes hes pursued since becoming acting commissioner last month were dialed up by his superiors in the Trump administration. He said, The reason that were on this timeline is because we received a request from the White House. The leadership above me believes that we should do a rapid rollout, a source in the meeting told HuffPost. Two additional sources confirmed the account. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dudek last week announced that for any transaction requiring Social Security claimants to verify their identities, starting on March 31 they will no longer be able to do so over the phone. Instead, claimants who cant use the agencys website will have to verify their identities in-person by visiting a field office. In a statement, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said simply, Any American receiving Social Security benefits will continue to receive them. Democratic members of Congress and groups such as the AARP have blasted the proposed change as an unnecessary burden on seniors and people with disabilities. With Americans already waiting hours to get connected with Social Security on the phone, it is outrageous that under this new policy, older Americans, especially those in rural areas, will have to call, wait on hold for possibly hours, make an appointment, or even take a day off work to claim the benefits they have worked for and earned, AARPs Nancy LeaMond warned in a letter to Dudek. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The changes are designed to root out fraud, Dudek told reporters last week, and could save as much as $100 million annually, which is a lot of money but still less than a tenth of a percent of the agencys budget. An undated draft Emergency Message explaining the new procedures to Social Security employees obtained by HuffPost suggested that they havent all been worked out. Instructions are forthcoming, the document says, for how to handle claimants living abroad who are unable to log in to the Social Security Administrations website and cant get to a field office, either. In the meeting on Monday, Dudek acknowledged that the changes were happening at an unusually rapid pace. In normal times, something like this would take two years to roll out, he said, according to the source. A field office worker told HuffPost last week they were concerned there had been no training related to the changes, which will likely result in thousands more field office visits. The Social Security Administration said training would start this week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump put Dudek in charge of Social Security after career officials refused to allow Elon Musks Department of Government Efficiency to have access to agency databases containing sensitive personal information about the 70 million Americans who receive retirement or disability benefits. Musk and Trump have falsely claimed Social Security makes millions of fraudulent payments, including in dead peoples names. Dudek, a placeholder for Frank Bisignano, Trumps nominee to lead the agency, has emerged as an unexpectedly fierce Trump loyalist. After Maine Gov. Janet Mills (D) told the president she wouldnt comply with his efforts to ban transgender athletes from girls sports, in an apparent retaliation Dudek canceled the Social Security Administrations vital records contracts with the state of Maine. (Dudek quickly reinstated the contracts and apologized while admitting he was upset with Mills.) Last week, after a federal judge blocked DOGE from accessing sensitive Social Security data, Dudek threatened to shut down the agency altogether, potentially blocking benefits for millions, and only backed down after the judge told him not to do it. Dudeks comments on Monday, which are similar to remarks hes reportedly said in private on a previous occasion, strongly suggest hes not a rogue actor, and his rapid-fire changes are done with Trumps blessing. He acknowledged Monday that the changes could be disruptive, saying something to the effect of, If this disrupts things for citizens to the point of being untenable, well roll it back. The Social Security Administration did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Firefighters made progress on two of North Carolina's largest wildfires, but fires continued to grow in South Carolina late this week. The dry, windy weather continued to make the battle against the fires difficult. Hundreds of people between the two states have been urged to evacuate their homes as the Blue Ridge Mountains ignited with a half-dozen large fires. The region is expecting some much-needed rain over the weekend, but it likely won't be enough to extinguish the blazes completely. Winds are expected to be calmer next week, which could help to give firefighters an edge over the fires. (MORE: How Fast Can A Wildfire Spread?) Downed trees from Hurricane Helene are serving as fuel, which could be making fires worse than they otherwise would have been had the storm not wreaked havoc on the region in September. Scientists predicted a busy fire season after the storm if dry weather occurred, due to downed trees acting as fuel, the Associated Press reported. Two Wildfires Continue To Grow In South Carolina The Table Rock Fire grew significantly on Thursday, after nearly doubling in size Wednesday, the South Carolina Forestry Commission posted to Facebook. The fire has burned more than 13 square miles and remains 0% contained. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Evacuations remained in place for areas east of the fire. (MORE: Fires Threaten More Homes Than Ever) Friday's weather conditions could make for increased fire activity, with wind gusts of nearly 30 mph and dropping humidity. The Persimmon Ridge Fire, still 0% contained, grew to more than 3 miles on Thursday, but much of the additional growth was due to crews conducting burnouts, according to the South Carolina Forestry Commission. About 250 homes are under evacuation in Pickens County, and more still in neighboring Greenville County, according to authorities. A complex incident management team has been created to help grow the response to the two blazes, which are about 8 miles apart. Firefighters Gaining Control Of Fires In North Carolina The Black Cove Fire reached 17% containment on Wednesday and remained there into Thursday evening, according to an update from the North Carolina Forest Service. The fire had burned more than 5 square miles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Fire behavior has continued to be intense, with rapid fire spread and extreme burning conditions due to high winds and dry weather," the update stated. Firefighters were working to secure the fire perimeter at the southwestern part of Black Cove, where homes within the Skyland Acres area were threatened. The fire, which was first reported on March 19, was sparked by a downed power line. The Deep Woods Fire, which had also consumed more than 5 square miles, was reported as 30% contained Thursday night by the North Carolina Forest Service. The Fish Hook Fire was reported as 95% contained after burning 199 acres. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Polk County public information officer Kellie Cannon, about two dozen homes and structures have been destroyed in the county by the blazes. No deaths have been reported, but one firefighter was injured. About 250 homes have been evacuated in Polk County due to the fires. Great American's Specialty Equipment Division has partnered with TRNSACT, a sales finance platform, to integrate its physical damage insurance programme. The programme, now available through TRNSACT, enables the provision of real-time insurance quotes within the equipment sales process. It aims to streamline the experience for dealers and their customers, allowing visibility for coverage options and costs. The integration combines Great American's insurance expertise with TRNSACT's technology, offering a solution for dealers to assist customers in meeting insurance requirements. The real-time insurance quoting feature is now embedded directly into the TRNSACT platform. TRNSACT CEO and co-founder Beckham Thomas stated: Now, by embedding Great Americans technology into our software, we can provide insurance quotes in real time, further delivering efficiency to the dealer experience. Our solution enhances the dealership experience by streamlining the sales process, enabling dealer management to implement best practices that could boost profitability and reduce workloads for dealership staff." Great American Specialty Equipment senior business development specialist Bryan Inman said: Insurance plays a critical role in equipment transactions. Collaborating with TRNSACT ensures dealers can focus on closing deals while providing their customers with quick and easy access to coverage from an AM Best A+ (Superior) rated carrier. In January this year, Great American's property & inland marine division launched Equipment Pro, a contractors equipment insurance product designed for industry professionals. The coverage safeguards against perils such as fire, water damage, earth movement, wind and theft. "Great American teams up with TRNSACT to support equipment sales " was originally created and published by Life Insurance International, a GlobalData owned brand. Gov. Larry Rhoden speaks to the media after taking the oath of office on Jan. 27, 2025, at the South Dakota Capitol in Pierre. (David Bordewyk/South Dakota NewsMedia Association) South Dakota Republican Gov. Larry Rhoden signed bills into law Monday that allow concealed pistols in bars and on public college campuses, among other gun rights-related changes. One of my favorite things about South Dakota is how much we respect freedom especially our Second Amendment freedom, Rhoden said during a bill-signing ceremony at Boyds Gunstocks in Mitchell. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One bill allows people with an enhanced concealed-carry permit, or a reciprocal permit from another state, to carry concealed pistols on state university and technical college campuses. Requirements for an enhanced permit include a background check and completion of a handgun course. Types of enhanced permits are available to people as young as 18. Pistols and ammunition must be stored in a locked case or safe when not being carried. Institutions may restrict firearms and ammunition in air-quality-controlled labs, locations requiring a security clearance, special events with metal detectors and armed security, and labs with flammable liquids, dangerous chemicals and hazardous gases. The bill received few no votes but was the subject of impassioned testimony, including from Rep. Jim Halverson, R-Winner, a former state trooper who expressed concerns to his House colleagues about gun safety amid teenagers. A locked box in a dorm room just doesnt seem like a good plan, Halverson said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another bill prevents local governments from adopting any policy that restricts the concealed carry of firearms by their employees, officers and volunteers. It applies to government buildings, facilities and vehicles. The portion of that bill that received the most pushback from opponents was a last-minute addition repealing a section of state law that bans concealed carry in bars. Its unfortunate that this change didnt even get a committee hearing, said Nathan Sanderson of the South Dakota Retailers Association, in response to South Dakota Searchlight questions. Small business owners deserved the opportunity to share how this law would impact them. Rhoden said the concerns raised about the bills are the same ones raised in the recent past about constitutional carry, which allows people to carry a concealed handgun without a permit. Rhodens predecessor, Kristi Noem, signed that bill into law in 2019. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There was a lot of wringing of the hands and speculation about what could happen with constitutional carry, Rhoden said. None of that proved to be true. A report from the state Department of Health shows gun deaths in South Dakota increased three years in a row after constitutional carry became law, rising to a high of 138 in 2022 before falling to 112 in 2023, the most recent year of available data. Suicide was the most common manner of firearm deaths each year. Lastly, Rhoden signed a bill allowing concealed carry permit holders to keep their pistols inside a motor vehicle while on school property. Rhoden additionally said Monday that he sent a letter to the U.S. attorney general and director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, asking them to eliminate the seven-day waiting period to purchase a firearm or associated accessories, including silencers, over state lines. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX LONG BEACH, Miss. (WHLT) The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) celebrated the completion of the historic Friendship Oak Beautification Project with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on March 21 at the Gulf Park campus in Long Beach. The Friendship Oak has long been a symbol of strength, resilience and unity for our university and the Gulf Coast community, said USM President Dr. Joe Paul. Through this project, we have not only enhanced the areas natural beauty but also ensured that this historic landmark remains accessible and cherished by future generations. Southern Miss names Missy Bilderback as Lady Eagles head basketball coach Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Beautification Project replaced existing sidewalks adjacent to Lloyd and Hardy halls and improved the road in front of the Friendship Oak. Enhancements also included new landscaped beds that create a natural boundary around the oak, new seating areas and upgraded campus lighting to improve pedestrian safety and visibility. The Administration Plaza, the former site of the Gulf Park campus administration building, was also transformed. The plaza now serves as a tribute to the sites history, featuring ghost walls that outline the original floor plan. Painted curbs represent the perimeter of the rooms, brick pavers mark former hallways, and foundational accents symbolize the central staircase and gathering areas. Close Thanks for signing up! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJTV. By Pratima Desai LONDON (Reuters) -Elliott Associates is considering further action against the London Metal Exchange (LME) following a fine on the exchange by a watchdog last week for allowing nickel prices to surge out of control three years ago, the U.S.-based hedge fund said on Monday. Elliott lost a lawsuit against the exchange for cancelling billions of dollars of nickel trades after the price hit a record above $100,000 a tonne in March 2022, prompting the LME to suspend nickel trading. Elliott said in an emailed statement that it was vindicated after Britain's regulator the Financial Conduct Authority last week fined the LME 9.2 million pounds in the first ever enforcement action against a UK exchange. "The FCA's Final Notice of 20th March 2025 has confirmed that Elliott was correct. The LME's failures caused material financial harm to many investors, including Elliott," Elliot said. "Elliott is carefully reviewing the FCA's Final Notice and is considering what further action, if any, it may take in this matter." Elliott did not give details of what further action it was considering. Last October, Elliott lost an appeal against the dismissal of its lawsuit against the LME for the cancelled nickel trades, which judges said were vital for the stability of the overall market. In January, the Supreme Court did not grant Elliott permission to appeal further because it did not raise a "arguable point of law". The FCA said that the LME was responsible for multiple failures to deal with severe market stress, including having only junior staff on duty in the early morning of March 8, 2022, when nickel prices rocketed out of control. The 148-year-old LME, owned by Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Ltd., accepted the findings. "Unfortunately, beyond vindicating the position taken by Elliott, the FCAs Final Notice does not address the harm caused," Elliott said. (Reporting by Pratima Desai; editing by Eric Onstad and David Evans) NARRAGANSETT, R.I. (WPRI) Special Olympics Rhode Island (SORI) held their 24-Hour Super Plunge and Torch Run Plunge over the weekend. During the weekend, SORI raised more than $200,000. The Super Plunge also reached a milestone and hit the $1 million mark of funds raised since 2013. READ MORE: Special Olympics RI kicks off annual Torch Run Super Plunge The event started at 1 p.m. on Saturday, where a team of 17 participants, including multiple police chiefs, ran into the cold water at Salty Brine State Beach every hour for 24 hours straight. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The final plunge coincided with the Torch Run Plunge on Sunday, where hundreds of Rhode Island Torch Run Community members and Special Olympics athletes joined. 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. ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WFLA) A 16-year-old was injured in a shooting in Pinellas County on Sunday. According to the St. Petersburg Police Department, the incident occurred at 7:30 p.m. near 18th Avenue South. Police said the 16-year-old boy and his friends were walking in the area when someone fired shots at them from a car. The teen suffered non-life-threatening injuries, and no one else appeared to be hurt. 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 WFLA. The most explosive political pamphlet in modern British history came out in 1940. Entitled Guilty Men, and co-authored by future Labour leader Michael Foot, it laid the blame for Britains perilous situation after Dunkirk on Tory politicians, especially successive prime ministers Stanley Baldwin and Neville Chamberlain. The country needed scapegoats, and they were it. Britain after the First World War had cashed in its peace dividend and run down its armed forces. The economy was in serious trouble and money was needed for welfare spending. The biggest ever expansion of welfare was probably in the inter-war period when (contrary to myth) Britain had probably the most generous welfare and health systems in the world. Britain was vulnerable to submarine warfare which would starve it out. Aerial bombing had emerged during the First World War, and there was no defence against it. Baldwin grimly warned the nation that the bomber will always get through. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The potential devastation was hugely over-estimated, and people were frightened. Unsurprisingly, Britain had a powerful and often hysterical pacifist movement, strong within the Labour Party, which opposed rearmament as scaremongering. So spending money on arms was a way to lose votes, as Baldwin realised when he nevertheless began rearming in 1936. When Hitler threatened the independence of democratic Czechoslovakia, asserting that it was not a real country and was persecuting its German-speaking minority, the only coalition of the willing was Britain and France. Not very willing, however: Chamberlain and the French prime minister Edouard Daladier sold out the Czechs. Their president Edvard Benes was not included in the 1938 Munich conference to do a deal with Hitler. The British told the Czechs, who were willing and able to fight, that they would not be supported if they did, and that they must give up territory to ensure a long-term peace. Not very honourable. But Chamberlain knew that if Britain fought to defend Czechoslovakia and the European post-war order they would get no support from the United States and little from the Commonwealth. So one might understand why Chamberlain hoped that Hitler might be rational, satisfied with his gains, and ready for peace for our time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was wrong. Germany was much weaker than was thought, the Czechs were well armed, and even Stalin might have helped. The German army would probably have overthrown Hitler to prevent a disastrous defeat. As it was, he was confirmed in power and given time to arm. Yet Chamberlain deserves credit for at last facing reality. He had been an effective Chancellor who wanted to spend money on public services. Now he told the Treasury to rip up the rules, and doubled defence spending in one year. Production for export was slashed. The programme concentrated sensibly on air and sea power. Four-engined strategic bombers were commissioned, most famously the Lancaster, which played a major part in eventual victory. Fast fighters, especially the Hurricane and Spitfire, were designed to catch German bombers. A radar system was created rapidly so that those bombers could be tracked. The Royal Navy outbuilt every country, including America and Japan, adopting the most modern technology including the worlds first purpose-built aircraft carrier. The army was inevitably at the end of the queue. Although it was by 1939 the worlds most mechanised force, it was small, and it struggled throughout the war, suffering temporary disasters in Belgium, the Mediterranean and Asia. Yet Chamberlains efforts not only prevented defeat in 1940, they laid foundations for eventual victory. Fortunately, we are not facing the terrifying prospect that confronted Chamberlain. We are not threatened by Europes biggest industrial power just across the North Sea. We are not having to prepare for a global war in three separate theatres against three significant military powers, Germany, Italy and Japan. We are no longer responsible for defending a vast demilitarised empire. So we do not have to take the drastic measures that Chamberlain was brave enough to order. Indeed, could we anyway? In 1938, Britain had a huge industrial base, including steel making, the worlds largest shipbuilding capacity, and its own domestic power source coal. Yet they too had to concentrate on essentials, and so do we. Then it was sea and air power. It still is. With todays limited manufacturing capacity, we cannot go for mass (the Royal Navy in 1939 had more aircraft carriers, cruisers and battleships than any other country). Nor do we have to, as modern weapons are so much more potent. Despairing voices lament that young people will not fight. Certainly, we could not expect the mass of volunteers that queued to enlist in 1914, but we dont need that. We need professionals, properly rewarded, and reservists given meaningful and interesting tasks there are plenty of young men and women who are keen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sir Keir Starmer has done his best to commit us to a reckless and unrealistic policy of peace keeping without a peace to keep or the forces to keep one; and his coalition of the willing is no more willing than was Chamberlains. How strange that Labour politicians are so eager to engage in risky military adventures with inadequate forces, as in Iraq and Afghanistan. Yet they never wish to pay the costs. A short-term burst of spending to keep a miniature expeditionary force in Ukraine would be at best a distraction, and at worst a disaster. If we are lucky, the only loss this time will be Starmers loss of face. Like Chamberlain, we have received a severe shock. It made him and his advisors confront the real perils facing Britain and plan rapidly how to respond. The threats today are real but fortunately more limited. Nevertheless, making us safe and strong enough to influence events in the world which a country with global interests and dependent on imports cannot ignore demands money and effort. Words and political theatre are not enough, as Chamberlain realised only months after he had triumphantly waved the notorious scrap of paper signed by Hitler. Starmer must prove that he is equally capable of learning and acting. May we never again need to blame guilty men for being inadequately defended. 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. U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer's "coalition of the willing" peace plan for Ukraine has been criticized by British military officials as "political theatre," the Telegraph reported on March 23, citing several military sources. 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 previously 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." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On March 21, it was also reported the U.K. could deploy either Typhoon or U.S.-made F-35 fighter jets to conduct air patrols, given their advanced air-to-air capabilities. But speaking to the Telegraph, a senior British army source called Starmers plan "political theater" without a "defined military end-state or military-strategic planning assumptions." "Starmer got ahead of himself with talk of boots on the ground before he knew what he was talking about, which is why we hear less about it now and more about jets and vessels which are easier to do and dont need basing in Ukraine," the source said. Another military source described the situation as a political move with "no military sense," adding that Russia and the U.S. do not support the U.K.-led coalition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They added there is much uncertainty regarding the role of a "10,000-international force based in the west of the country over 400km (250 miles) from the front line." The Chief of the Defence Staff Antony Radakin dismissed criticism of the plans and stated that "no one should be in any doubt that this work is critical and substantial." On March 24, Radakin and the service chiefs will meet their French counterparts at the UK Defense Ministry's Whitehall headquarters. On March 21, U.S. special envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff, speaking with American far-right political commentator Tucker Carlson, also rubbished Starmers plan for a special coalition force to support a ceasefire in Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. 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. (Getty Images) Every time Ive left a position in politics, my goal has been to leave a team stronger than when I started. Thats the job, after all to build, to mentor, to prepare the next generation to lead. And yet, in too many corners of our political infrastructure, people hoard power, cling to positions long past their prime, and fail to do the fundamental work of succession planning. And then we wonder why our party struggles. When I left my role at the Indiana Senate, I left behind a team I had helped shape. Not one, but two former interns I had the privilege to work with went on to take my role as Communications Director. Thats how it should be. When we do this work right, when we invest in people, when we recognize that institutional knowledge should be passed down rather than held hostage, we get stronger. We grow. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We fail tragically and repeatedly when we do not provide the protections necessary to retain the talent we develop. One of those brilliant young women who stepped into my former role ultimately had to leave. Not because she wasnt capable, not because she wasnt committed, but because the system would not keep her safe. Leaders on both ends of Market Street in Indianapolis lack the appetite to shield staff, especially women, from harassment and abuse. Until we face this head-on, we will continue hemorrhaging talentnot because people dont believe in the work, but because our systems dont protect them. This isnt just an issue of workplace safety; its a workers rights and retention crisis. And its directly tied to the larger sickness afflicting our political party structure. If you are a leader in this work whether an elected official, a party figure, or a high-level staffer who has been in this game for decades without producing and elevating a pipeline of new leadership, you have failed. If you cannot look at the next generation and identify people you have mentored, empowered, and helped place into meaningful positions after intentionally stepping aside from those positions, early and often, you are not a leader, you are an obstacle. Donors who continue to invest in the same candidates over and over, prioritizing a scarcity mindset and access to government contracts over real abundance and accountability, are keeping our party small and ineffective. When money flows only to those already entrenched in power, those who have proven to be a threat to the people working with them or who have chosen to protect abusers instead of survivors, we reinforce the very problems that make us weak. Funding should hold electeds accountable, empower fresh leadership, and grow the party not sustain mediocrity and misconduct. We must listen, without defensiveness and ego, to the voices of the real leaders of the party in our state the people working outside of the chattering class echo chamber, organizing in rural areas, in constituency caucuses, and on the ground daily. They are doing the hard, long-haul work, and we need to listen to and respond to the data they share with us from those we havent been able to engage with in the past. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As we fold these emergent and energetic folks into our operations, we must protect them. If you enact a code of conduct, make sure everyone knows what it is and hold people accountable when they violate it. If you value new leadership, put your money, time, and effort into cultivating and elevating it. Anything less is empty rhetoric. The Indiana Democratic Party is unwell because we do not prioritize sustainable leadership. We cling to the past, forcing the next crop of doers to fight their way in rather than be welcomed. And as long as we operate this way, we will continue to stagnate. Leadership is not about tenure. It is about legacy. And if your legacy is only your own career, you have left nothing behind worth keeping. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The USAID employee traveled to Chicago from Washington, D.C., for the job fair. Like almost all the employees of the U.S. Agency for International Development dismantled by billionaire Elon Musks Department of Government Efficiency, he is on paid administrative leave. I dont think theres any way my jobs coming back, the federal worker said in the bustling conference room at Malcolm X College in Chicago last Thursday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A federal judge ruled last week that DOGEs dismantling of the international development agency was likely unconstitutional and said the employees on leave should get their email access reinstated, but appeared to stop short of calling for the agency, which has been effectively shut down, to fully reopen for business. Like many of the job seekers who agreed to be interviewed at the fair, the USAID employee declined to be identified by the Tribune. The career fair was hosted by the state of Illinois and targeted at former federal employees, although it was open to all those hunting for work in the public sector. Almost 90,000 federal employees live in Illinois, according to estimates by the nonprofit Economic Policy Institute. At the job fair, some of those workers spoke to the chaos and confusion the DOGE cuts had wrought on their agencies, themselves and their families. Some were in limbo, awaiting further news on their fate while on paid leave. Other federal employees still had jobs, but feared they wouldnt after future cuts. Workers said the DOGE slashings have taken not just a financial toll, but a mental one. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It sucks to be the punching bag, said a man who identified himself as a current IRS employee. The USAID employee bought a home in Washington last year, and said his wife is pregnant. He feels he might not have a choice but to move back to the Chicago area, where he went to college and where he and his wife have family. Honestly, he said, we might have to end up living in my in-laws basement. He warned that while federal employees and their families are bearing the brunt of DOGEs pledge to reduce government spending and root out what it describes as waste, everyday Americans will soon feel the cuts when they realize the extent to which they rely on government services. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Eventually this impacts everyone, he said. More than a dozen Illinois state agencies, including the departments of agriculture, public health and veterans affairs set up shop at the job fair. Raven DeVaughn, director of the states Department of Central Management Services, had a simple message for the 700 job seekers who attended the fair: Civil service is an important and respected profession in Illinois, she said. Were hiring. The department did not know how many of the job seekers were current or former federal employees, a spokesperson said. In response to a question about the USAID ruling, White House spokesperson Anna Kelly said in a statement that the Trump administration would appeal it and that rogue judges are subverting the will of the American people in their attempts to stop President Trump from carrying out his agenda. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If these Judges want to force their partisan ideologies across the government, they should run for office themselves, Kelly wrote. A Chicago-based Internal Revenue Service employee told the Tribune he left a private sector job to work for the agency less than a year ago, taking a pay cut. I wanted to align myself with an organization that is not solely driven by profit, he said. What I do, I make sure that peoples retirement plans are protected. But the IRS staffer was with the agency for only eight months before he was fired in February, along with thousands of other IRS employees, as part of the broad cuts to probationary employees across the federal government. Earlier this month, a federal judge ordered President Donald Trumps administration to reinstate thousands of fired probationary employees across the federal workforce. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Chicago IRS employee has since been put on paid leave in a reversal of his initial firing, but said he hadnt been invited back to work. Regarding the firings of probationary employees, Kelly said Trump was rooting out waste, fraud, and abuse across the Executive Branch, which includes removing probationary employees who are not mission-critical. A man who said he is still working for the IRS in the Chicago area said hed been applying for other jobs. He declined to share his name with the Tribune. Morale is destroyed, he said. And it kills productivity, because all youre doing is kind of waiting to figure out what happens next. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jonathan Bassett, 32, said he was laid off from his job with a federal contractor working with the Natural Resources Conservation Service, an agency within the U.S. Department of Agriculture. He helped farmers get funding in exchange for undertaking conservation projects. After 6 years, I reviewed $18.7 million in funds for farmers, he said. Sometimes, these farmers are really struggling, not only financially but mentally, so its very rewarding knowing that I could be a part of these changes. Some job seekers who had never worked for the federal government said they believed the Trump administrations cuts have had a downstream impact on their job searches, both in the public and private sectors. Chicago resident Olivia Gahan, who has been job hunting for two months, said they had noticed a slowdown in nonprofit job postings. If their clients dont get paid, then they dont have clients, and, therefore, their business model doesnt work, said Gahan, 31. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Job seeker Jack Werner, 25, who has previously worked in higher education admissions and recruitment, said he used to want to work for the federal government, particularly in the Department of Education. Hours later, Trump signed an executive order calling for the dismantling of the agency. Its definitely put a damper on my career aspirations, Werner said. RUSK, Texas (KETK) The Heritage Center of Cherokee County unveiled a laser-cut metal statue of 20th Governor of Texas and Rusk native, Jim Hogg, on Sunday. East Texas 12-year-old sells record setting pig for over $500,000 at Houston Rodeo Photo courtesy of the Heritage Center of Cherokee County. In a ceremony at their museum in Rusk on Sunday, the center dedicated the statue, shown in the photo to the left. According to the center, Hogg was the first governor of Texas actually born in Texas. He was born in Rusk on March 24, 1851. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So his last speech is what was what inspired me to build his sculpture here. We used a picture picture that he was in Arkansas sitting on a stump, and its the only full body picture Id ever seen of him, said Betty Marcontell, curator of the Heritage Center of Cherokee County. And so I had found a fabricator here in Cherokee County, said they could do it. And I wanted his speech known, his last speech he ever wrote, ten things he wanted to happen in Texas. Hogg served as a newspaperman, a lawyer, the Texas Seventh Judicial District Attorney, the Attorney General of Texas and then as the Governor of Texas from 1891 to 1894. The Texas Railroad Commission was created during Hoggs tenure as governor in 1891. To learn more about Hogg, the statue and his last speech, visit the Heritage Center of Cherokee County online. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KETK.com | FOX51.com. Rows of carts await shoppers at an Oklahoma business on March 16. (Photo by Janelle Stecklein/Oklahoma Voice) If you randomly happened to turn on the Oklahoma House legislative feed earlier this month, hoo boy, were you in for a treat. As Republican Rep. Danny Williams bluntly put it, the Houses wonderful body of leaders spent nearly an hour discussing the life and death of a shopping cart in a municipality. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Like Williams, I dont think Ive ever heard any lawmakers so passionately waste time discussing the rights of thousands of Oklahoma shopping carts and the need to protect them from unscrupulous crooks. Instead of prioritizing serious problems, lawmakers squandered valuable time discussing the merits of really, truly criminalizing the theft of those baskets on wheels that we all rely upon when going grocery shopping. Ridiculous and unfounded phrases like cartels running shopping cart rings were heard on the House Floor. In case you were wondering, it is already a crime to steal shopping carts and any other property that one doesnt own but some Republican lawmakers have decided shopping carts are so valuable that they need their own special carve out to specifically protect them from bounders. This was one of the bills I flagged as a cockamamie legislative idea heading into session. I was pretty certain that such ridiculous legislation would meet an early demise. But for some reason House leadership decided this is legislation that desperately needs to make it to Gov. Kevin Stitts desk. They ultimately voted to send it to the Senate for consideration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement House Bill 1689 seeks to make it a misdemeanor crime punishable by up to a year in jail, a fine of up to $1,000 or both to either temporarily or permanently remove a shopping cart from a retail establishment. The measures author, Rande Worthen, R-Lawton, said a local Walmart has as many as 1,200 carts go missing each year. At a replacement cost of up to $250 per cart, he said the store spends about $250,000 a year to replace them. He hopes the legislation will lead to cleaner and safer communities that dont have shopping carts strewn about. Critics of the measure rightfully suspect this legislation is targeted at our states homeless populations who utilize shopping carts to help transport their meager belongings. After all, if someone is using a shopping cart to tote around their belongings, theyre obviously unhoused or on the brink of it. Now, I have some sympathy for businesses that cant manage to keep track of their carts. Im sure Im not the only one who has entered a grocery store only to discover with a sense of panic that there are no carts left, or one has only three working wheels or makes an unbearable squeaking noise whenever its moved. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Oklahomas apparent problem with shopping cart theft isnt because we dont have laws governing the issue, its because those laws are apparently not being enforced. It turns out that law enforcement has bigger problems to deal with than trying to repossess shopping carts or terrorize homeless people who are just trying to survive things like investigating murder, sexual assault and robberies. Implementation and enforcement of the criminal laws passed in our state Capitol are wisely left to local counties and municipalities. Its lawmakers job to give local governments the tools they need, but its up to the sheriffs and police departments to decide how to utilize them. It appears that our law enforcement entities have decided to focus on priorities other than AWOL shopping carts. I find myself unsympathetic to the fact that that apparently is irritating some Republican legislators who thrive on law and disorder. Creating an unnecessary new law isnt going to suddenly change those priorities unless lawmakers also deputize brigades of vigilantes to serve as the shopping cart police. One hopes they wont do that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If lawmakers dont like how laws are being enforced, the solution is not to carve out even more. We already have so many criminal offenses on our books that weve long had the worst incarceration rates in the nation. At one time, we were the top incarcerator in the world. Now, were only fourth-worst, trailing behind Mississippi, Louisiana and Arkansas. Still we spent valuable tax dollars imprisoning 550 people per 100,000 residents, according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics. Are we aiming to be No. 1 in that category again? Otherwise, why on earth would we want to lock people up for shopping carts? One thing is for sure though, Oklahomans face a lot of challenges ranging from high incarceration rates to poor educational outcomes to poverty. Were relying on legislators to pass policies that take those issues seriously. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They have four months each year to do so. So maybe we shouldnt be wasting our time on do-nothing bills like these. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Protesters rally outside of the Theodore Roosevelt Federal Building headquarters of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management on Feb. 5, 2025, in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images) North Carolina wants ex-federal employees who are now out of work to apply for state government. A new jobs portal, launched by Gov. Josh Stein on Friday, is aimed at those hit by recent federal cuts as the Trump administration and Elon Musks DOGE team eliminate swaths of federal employees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Public servants help make our state everything that it is, and there are many talented people looking for work right now, Stein said in a news release. The State of North Carolina is proud to welcome smart and dedicated public-spirited people to join our team. The site nc.gov/joinNC is also directed to those who lost their jobs in the wake of Hurricane Helene. It offers to connect applicants with a recruiter, browse available jobs, explore unemployment benefits and answers frequently asked questions. If you have recently been displaced from your career of service, North Carolina encourages you to apply, said Staci Meyer, the states HR director. North Carolina joins a host of states ramping up their recruiting efforts to land ex-federal workers. In neighboring Virginia, Gov. Glenn Youngkin launched a Virginia Has Jobs program. And Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro signed an executive order making federal work experience equivalent to Pennsylvania experience. Still, the state faces challenges of its own in filling out the workforce. About 20% of roles sit unfilled, Meyer told lawmakers last week, and it takes months to fill a job. The state has more than 1,000 job postings active online, and thousands of total vacancies. Uber car HMRC could be forced to repay Uber 1.3bn after losing a key court battle over attempts to charge VAT on minicab fares. The tax authority is at risk of steep payments after failing to overturn a legal ruling against Bolt, Ubers Estonian rival. This decision is likely to have implications for other ride-hailing apps, including Uber, which has been battling HMRC over the 1.3bn VAT bill it has been charged since 2022. HMRC would have to reimburse Uber if the companys own legal challenge, made on similar grounds to Bolts, is successful. Uber, Bolt and other minicab apps were forced to change their legal model in 2022 after a court forced them to classify drivers as workers rather than being self-employed. The change meant the apps were classified as the principal doing business with passengers rather than a mere agent connecting them with drivers. This made the companies liable for VAT. However, while HMRC has insisted the 20pc tax should be paid on the entire fare, Uber and Bolt have insisted it should only be charged on their fee. Uber takes a 25pc cut of fares, while Bolt takes between 15pc and 20pc. Uber and other minicab apps were forced to change their legal model after a court forced them to classify drivers as workers rather than being self-employed - AP Uber has paid HMRC hundreds of millions of pounds a year in VAT since the change, prompting them to launch an appeal through the courts. That challenge has been on hold until the outcome of the Bolt case. Bolt won an initial victory in 2023 when the tax tribunal ruled that mobile ride-hailing services should be covered by the Tour Operators Margin Scheme, which covers businesses such as travel agents and only charges VAT on what operators charge. On Monday, HMRCs appeal at the Upper Tribunal of the Tax and Chancery chamber was dismissed, although it is now considering a further challenge in the Court of Appeal. A spokesman said: The Government is carefully reviewing the tribunals decision and will consider next steps. A Bolt spokesman said: We welcome the courts decision, which reaffirms that Bolts use of the Tour Operators Margin Scheme is fully compliant with UK tax law. This is a win for the 100,000 driver-entrepreneurs that earn through our platform, and the millions of passengers that depend on affordable and accessible transport. 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. Mar. 24A truck that had been stolen in Albert Lea was reported recovered at 11:02 a.m. Saturday near 740th Avenue and 325th Street in Ellendale. Job trailer broken into A job trailer was reported broken into at 9:26 a.m. Saturday at 505 Depot St. in Twin Lakes. Juvenile arrested on warrant, obstructing legal process A juvenile was arrested on an Anoka County juvenile warrant and cited for obstructing the legal process at 6:26 a.m. Friday at 808 Ramsey St. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 1 cited for theft Police cited Ronald Lee Singewald, 71, for misdemeanor theft after receiving a report of an employee who reportedly stole cash from the register at 10:55 a.m. Friday at 2400 Consul St. License plate stolen A license plate was reported stolen from a trailer at 11:38 a.m. Friday at 2234 Milo Ave. Bullet hole reported Police received a report at 2:19 p.m. Friday of a bullet hole through the eastside window of 416 Bridge Ave. People reportedly assaulted Police received a report at 10:42 p.m. Friday of two people who were attacked by a male at 527 Triangle Drive. Shoplifter reported A shoplifter was reported at 12:45 a.m. Saturday at 906 W. Front St. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 1 arrested for domestic assault Police arrested Davie Lujan, 50, for domestic assault strangulation and domestic assault at 3:25 a.m. Saturday at 928 W. Front St. Hit-and-run reported Police received a report of a hit-and-run crash at 8:45 p.m. Saturday near Margaretha Avenue East 11th Street. A driver reportedly hit a railroad crossing sign. 1 cited for domestic assault Police cited Emily Ann Olson, 33, for misdemeanor domestic assault at 10:40 p.m. Saturday at 1610 Plainview Lane. Man cited for disorderly conduct Police cited Kaleb Ward Rongved, 23, for disorderly conduct at 1:01 p.m. Sunday at 1225 Madison Ave. 1 arrested on probation violation Police arrested Matthew Clark Rankin, 36, on a probation violation at 8:06 p.m. Sunday at 940 Jefferson Ave. KANSAS CITY, Mo. A Merriam Woods, Missouri man, who was shot by Kansas City, Missouri police last week after running from officers in a stolen vehicle, is now facing charges. Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson announced on Monday that Steven Dockins is charged with unlawful possession of a firearm, tampering with a motor vehicle and resisting arrest. According to court records, just before 5 p.m. on Friday, March 21, KCPD officers attempted to stop the driver of a Hyundai sedan for a traffic violation, but the driver refused. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police learned the vehicle had been stolen and continued to follow the suspect who refused to stop. Court records say the suspect failed to stop at a red light at 9th and Prospect, almost colliding with a semi-truck. The suspect then began traveling southbound on Chestnut Avenue, going into oncoming lanes of traffic at 10th and Chestnut before officers deployed stop sticks at 11th and Prospect. The suspect continued north on Prospect, driving into oncoming traffic just south of 9th Street, before pulling into an alley. The suspect got out of the vehicle and began to fun carrying a bag with officers chasing after him. KHP: Trooper rescues kidnapped 6-year-old girl Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A witness officer reported the driver was running with a firearm in his right hand and carrying a backpack. Court documents say officers then reported shots were fired and the Police K-9 bit the suspect. The suspect driver, identified as Dockins, was taken to an area hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Dockins told detectives he was walking along Independence Avenue when he saw the vehicle unoccupied and the keys on the center console. He stated he was tired of walking so he got into the vehicle and drove away. He further stated he saw the officers behind him, with their emergency lights on, but thought he could get away, court documents say. Download the FOX4 News app on iPhone and Android Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Court records say Dockins has several prior felony convictions and is prohibited from possessing a firearm. He is currently in custody on a $75,000 cash bond. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. High pressure centered over northern Texas now led to lighter winds and fair skies across Kansas overnight. This allowed for temperatures to cool into the 20s and 30s by early this morning. High pressure will push east into the Lower Mississippi Valley during by this afternoon bringing our winds around to the southwest and allowing for a significant warming in temperatures this afternoon reaching into the Springlike, above-average 70s across our region along with sunshine, patchy high clouds and southwest winds becoming gusty at times. Wichitas average high for March 24 is 62 degrees. Gusty, dry winds, dry ground and sunshine will also lead to an elevated wildfire risk in parts of central and eastern Kansas this afternoon. A cool front currently pushing into the northwest corner of the state will push across Kansas by this evening, shifting the southwest winds into the northwest with its passage. The front will bring no more than some patchy cloudiness as it has little to work with in the way of moisture. Tonight will be quiet and not quite as chilly as last night with overnight lows mainly in the 40s and just a few upper 30s in far northwest Kansas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another area of high pressure pushing into the Plains tomorrow will provide more pleasant Spring weather for Kansas with partly sunny skies, lighter winds than today and temperatures warming right back into the 70s. Changes are ahead for the remainder of this first full week of Spring. Moisture will begin to return from the south late Tuesday night bringing a gradual increase in cloud cover and shower possibilities into southwest Kansas. A storm system will develop over the Rockies the second half of the week. This is good news as moisture is needed across the Sunflower State with drought conditions recently on the increase. As the storm system develops and moves into the Plains Thursday and Friday, moist and unstable air will spread north into the central Plains bringing increasing chances for showers and thunderstorms lasting into the upcoming weekend. The threat for severe storms appears to be low Thursday and Friday but may be on the uptick by the weekend. We will however stay warm in spite of the increase in moisture. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement KSN Storm Track 3 Forecast from Meteorologist Jack Boston: Wichita: This Afternoon: Partly cloudy, windy. Hi: 75 Wind: SW/W 10-25 Tonight: Partly cloudy. Lo: 49 Wind: W/NW 5-15 Tomorrow: Partly cloudy. Hi: 76 Wind: NW/N 8-18 Tomorrow Night: Partly cloudy. Lo: 48 Wind: N/NE 5-15 Wichita Weekly Wed: Hi: 72 Lo: 53 Partly cloudy, breezy. Thu: Hi: 82 Lo: 58 Partly to mostly cloudy, windy. 20% chance of showers and storms. Fri: Hi: 75 Lo: 59 Mostly cloudy, windy. 10% chance of showers and storms. Sat: Hi: 77 Lo: 44 Mostly cloudy, breezy. 30% chance of showers and storms. Sun: Hi: 63 Lo: 38 Partly cloudy, breezy. 20% chance of showers and storms. Mon: Hi: 63 Lo: 42 Partly cloudy, breezy. Meteorologist Jack Boston Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV. Monday: A few morning showers may linger around, but clouds will gradually clear out before lunch, allowing sunshine to boost our temperatures to near 70. This Week: A very quiet weather pattern develops this week with multiple consecutive days of dry, mild weather. As high pressure builds in at the surface and aloft, sunshine will stick around through Friday and likely Saturday as well. Temperatures will be in the 70s all week with the only slight cooldown occurring on Thursday morning as lows fall into the middle to upper 40s thanks to a short period of northerly winds. Otherwise, each morning this week will be in the 50s. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Looking ahead to the weekend, there are signs the quiet pattern comes to an end as a storm system develops to our west. For now, the forecast pattern suggests rain and storms are likely at times between Saturday and Monday, but it remains unclear if any severe threat would materialize with this system, or if the threat will be confined to our west. Check back for details in the coming days. Storm Team 7 Day Be sure to follow the CBS 42 Storm Team: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Follow Us on Facebook: Chief Meteorologist Dave Nussbaum, Meteorologist Michael Haynes, Meteorologist Alex Puckett, and Meteorologist Jacob Woods. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Trump signed an executive order to begin eliminating the Department of Education. He also announced plans to transfer student loans to the Small Business Administration. Here's what student-loan borrowers should know about these changes. Millions of student-loan borrowers are once again thrown in limbo following President Donald Trump's plans to dismantle the Department of Education. One day after signing an executive order to begin the process, Trump announced that student loans would be transferred to the Small Business Administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Neither agency provided further detail on what that transfer would look like, including when it's set to happen. Education Secretary Linda McMahon told Fox News on Friday that she would be working with SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler on a "strategic plan" for moving student-loan borrowers' accounts. "We've talked also with Treasury, and how they can be interactive in that process," McMahon said. The SBA is responsible for offering resources to small businesses and facilitating major loan programs for business owners, including ones for disaster relief and pandemic recovery. When asked how these changes will impact student-loan borrowers, the Department of Education referred Business Insider to McMahon's recent interviews. A spokesperson said that there are currently "no changes for student-loan borrowers to navigate at this time." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These changes come as millions of borrowers on key repayment plans are waiting for answers. Those on the SAVE plan which promised cheaper payments are waiting for a final court decision on the plan's fate, and Trump also signed an executive order aimed at narrowing the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, which forgives student debt for government and nonprofit workers after 10 years. Here's what student-loan borrowers should know about Trump's changes to the Department of Education. What are Trump's plans for the Department of Education? Trump's end goal for the Department of Education is its elimination. His executive order to do so said that McMahon should take all steps to close the department "to the maximum extent appropriate and permitted by law" while ensuring services Americans rely on are "uninterrupted." Before signing the executive order, Trump already made moves to reduce the department's capacity. His administration cut the department staff by nearly 50%, firing over 1,300 of its employees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jared Bass, senior vice president for education at the left-leaning think-tank Center for American Progress, told BI that these changes are "like going to a restaurant that's understaffed." "Wait times are long, you may get the wrong order, the service is just bad," Bass said. "I think that's going to be the same thing that happens here. Linda McMahon sent home 50% of her staff during the lunch rush." Can Trump legally make these changes? Trump cannot shut down a federal agency or transfer student loans away from the Department of Education without Congress. The Higher Education Act of 1965 states that the education secretary "shall maintain responsibility" for federal student aid programs. Additionally, shutting down a federal agency requires 60 Senate votes. McMahon has previously acknowledged that she would work with Congress to facilitate the shutdown of the Department of Education. Sen. Bill Cassidy, chair of the Senate education committee, also said in a statement last week that he will be introducing legislation to help Trump accomplish his goal. What will happen to my student-loan payments? Student-loan borrowers with payments due should continue making their payments, and those who are on forbearance either due to legal challenges to the SAVE plan or another reason should not be facing changes to that, either. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, some advocates and Democratic lawmakers have sounded the alarm about Trump's plans' impact on student-loan servicing. Jessica Thompson, the senior vice president of The Institute of College Access & Success, said in a statement last week that Trump's plans "can only result in borrowers experiencing erratic and inconsistent management of their federal student loans. Errors will prove costly to borrowers and ultimately, to taxpayers." Can the SBA really handle student loans? SBA's Loeffler said in a statement last week that the agency "is prepared to work with Congress and the Administration to bring accountability back to America's student loan program." "As the government's largest guarantor of business loans, the SBA stands ready to deploy its resources and expertise on behalf of America's taxpayers and students," Loeffler said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The SBA announced, however, that it would be cutting its workforce by 43%. It's unclear how the agency will manage the trillion-dollar student-loan portfolio with a significant reduction to its staff. Will there be lawsuits? Yes. A group of advocacy groups, including the NAACP, the National Education Association, and AFSCME, are filing a lawsuit on Monday to stop Trump's efforts to dismantle the Department of Education. "Donald Trump's own Secretary of Education has acknowledged they can't legally shut down the Department of Education without Congress," Aaron Ament, president of Student Defense one of the groups representing the plaintiffs said in a statement. "Yet that is, for all intents and purposes, exactly what they are doing. It's a brazen violation of the law that will upend the lives of countless students and families." Have a tip or story to share? Contact this reporter via Signal at asheffey.97 or via email at asheffey@businessinsider.com . Use a personal email address and a nonwork device; here's our guide to sharing information securely . Read the original article on Business Insider Jose Vasquez says he went online to check his Wells Fargo business account on Jan. 27 when he noticed something suspicious a pending direct pay transfer for $20,000. He contacted the bank right away. "I said, 'Hey, please stop the transaction. It's still pending. I don't recognize it. I don't authorize this transaction," Jose told Fox 26 Houston in a story published Feb. 13. Don't miss He says Wells Fargo informed him they wouldn't stop the transaction and instead let it hit the other account before opening an investigation. The following morning, Jose says he noticed another $20,000 transaction he didn't authorize. 'They're just protecting themselves': Houston couple fights and wins battle with Wells Fargo over $40,000 in fraudulent transactions. Here's how you can shield your online accounts "The same thing happened last night, you guys got to stop it, another $20,000 in less than 24 hours," he said. Here's what happened to the couple's money, along with some tips for how to protect yourself from a similar fate. Suspicious transactions Jose and his wife, Amanda, who together own a Houston-area company called Grindstone General Contracting, contacted police to open a criminal investigation, according to Fox 26. The couple says authorities sent subpoenas to a bank in Alabama where the direct pay account was located and to Wells Fargo. They also sent affidavits to their bank detailing the fraud. A few days later, the couple says they were notified by Wells Fargo the bank's investigation determined there was no fraud. Both were left bewildered and unable to comprehend why the bank would allow a second transaction after being warned about the first one. "They're not hearing us out and they're not trying to understand," Amanda, exasperated, told Fox 26. "They're just protecting themselves." Read more: Gold just hit a historic high of $3,000/ounce on Trumps tariff moves while US stocks got slaughtered. Heres 1 simple way to prevent more pain within minutes Even with police involved, according to the local broadcaster, it was up to Wells Fargo to determine the fate of the money. But in a follow-up report published March 13, we learned the bank decided to return $40,000 to their business account. To belabor the obvious, given the Senate Republicans stubbornly lockstep devotion to Trumpification, the only civic bastion potentially able to brake this flamboyantly lawless White Houses drive for unbounded power is the federal judiciary, in particular the Supreme Court. Long aware of this last potential obstacle to their ambitions, Trump and his team have been unreserved about impugning the courts authority to dispute their sweeping definition of presidential power. Trumps most hawkish presidential imperialists, Vice President JD Vance and Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought, have trumpeted their zest for defying any judicial orders to respect legal boundaries. At the same time, Trump himself, along with Attorney General Pam Bondis Justice Department, has been more coy, at least until their circumvention of U.S. District Judge James Boasbergs March 15 order to halt extralegal deportation of alleged Venezuelan gang members to El Salvador. So all eyes have turned to Chief Justice John Roberts and his five conservative colleagues to divine whether, when, and how they might stand up to this unprecedented existential threat to the rule of law. In a recent article, I laid out the most promising approach for the justices to take up this challenge. Namely, just do their job, as the Constitution and laws prescribe, as the Framers of those enactments anticipated, and the electorate expects. That means the straightforward civics class imperative: laser-focus on the relevant enacted text of the Constitution and pertinent statutes; interpret that text in good faith, with the lawyerly discipline of their craft, in light of its Framers design; and apply and enforce that interpretation, without regard to partisan, policy, personal, or institutional preferences and interests. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That approach will enable the justices to fight this epochal war on their own turf, playing to their strengths, forcing Trump and his henchmen to play defenseand simultaneously spotlight his agenda as the lawless bid for raw, unbounded power that in fact it is. The justices will have to hope for, and cannily encourage, politically credible allies to mobilize and public support to crystallize. There is a well-known, encouraging precedentWatergate, the courts U.S. v. Nixon no-nonsense order joined by three Nixon-appointed justices, and its denouementNixons resignation. Indeed, there are signs, highlighted recently in these pages by Michael Tomasky and Trumps most loathed courtroom nemesis, Norm Eisen, that a similar pushback groundswell may already be underway. But there is a catch. When Roberts and those of his colleagues who choose to join him set out on this high road, they may quickly find themselves saying, We have met the enemy, and it is usthat is, themselves and their own record. For the most part, the record established by Roberts and Trumps first-term judicial appointments on and, for the most part, off the high court itself, have vindicated Robertss fulminations that they are not Trumps judges. During his first term, on significant occasions, they ostentatiously quashed attempts by him and his appointees to play fast and loose with the facts underlying legally baseless decisions. Most galling to Trump, they repeatedly rejected his multiple bids to enable him to hijack the 2020 presidential election. However, while thus frequently frustrating Trump, Roberts and his fellow conservative justices were simultaneously hard at work on a quite different enterprise: empowering themselves to circumvent applicable law to pursue various agendas, and aggrandize their own raw power by concocting an elaborate doctrinal edifice enabling that illicit design. Often, that self-aggrandizing framework embraced notions popular in conservative ideological circles, which weakened legal guardrails against presidential abuse. And it is precisely those errant actions, disdaining long-entrenched checks and balances, on which Trump lawyers now rely to justify their power grabsand which have given them hope, however wary, for ultimate vindication by the high court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To win a war they cannot avoid, Roberts and his allies must rediscover their belief in a simple notion: The American president is not above the lawand they are, as Chief Justice John Marshall decreed two centuries ago, assigned by the Constitution to have the last word as to what the law is. But to assert that claim and make it stick politically, the justices will have to confrontand disavowtheir own decisions and rhetoric in which they themselves have spurned the plain meaning of laws and decisions, pandered by mouthing extravagant far-right buzzwords, and jettisoned modi operandi central to the concept of the rule of law itself. Examples of the Roberts courts readiness to push aside unambiguous legal text and its Framers design are too many and too familiar to burden readers with anything like a complete list. Here I will showcase particularly egregious rulings occupying, in liberal Justice Elena Kagans apt chestnut, a law-free zone, and that are particularly likely to loom over the courts responses to lawless Trump misadventures likely to reach the court. The top of that short list is Robertss widely noted decades-long drive to sideline explicit core commands of the 1965 Voting Rights Act and the Fifteenth Amendment. As I and many others have detailed, before and after he joined the court, Roberts had repeatedly vented obsessive hostility to legal race preference provisions, the VRA in particular, as a sordid business, this divvying us up by race. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As chief justice, in decisions in 2010, 2013, and 2021, Roberts and his conservative colleagues had, as observed in a fierce 2021 Kagan dissent, repeatedly rewritten the VRA, with their own set of extra-textual rules, to gut a statute meticulously drafted to implement President Lyndon Johnsons instruction to his Attorney General Nicholas Katzenbach, I want you to write the goddamndest toughest voting rights act that you can devise. In its 63 2021 decision upending Katzenbachs handiwork, the court blew past several VRA provisions, the most egregious being its insistence that the law banned only state election laws or practices that intentionally caused ballot-box discrimination, in the face of Congresss use of an effects test, rather than a purpose test, to assess [state actions] rules legality. Roberts and his majority didnt misinterpret the terms of the law in question, they ignored them altogether and substituted an approach founded, as the Kagan dissent skewered, on a list of mostly made-up factors, at odds with [the VRAs] itself. Trumps strategists could be forgiven for reaching the obvious conclusion: If thats the model deployed by the cadre atop the Article 3 branch to reach their policy or political goals, why shouldnt the head of Article 2 show the same indifference to applicable law in pursuing his agendas? The next best example of the Supreme Court supermajoritys penchant for sidelining laws inimical to their own policy preferences is the conservative justices drive to gut provisions of the Clean Air Act, or CAA, that direct the Environmental Protection Agency to adopt and enforce regulations to combat global warming. This campaign reached its most extreme level yet of Well do whatever we want indifference to duly enacted law on the last day of its 20212022 term. The chief justice, writing for the rest of the conservative bloc, barred President Joe Bidens EPAin advance, before the agency had even initiated a rulemaking proceedingfrom requiring utilities to increase their use of wind and solar sources (rather than coal) to fuel their power plants. Roberts et al. acknowledged that the switch-to-renewables approach was authorized by the pertinent CAA text, which explicitly commands that the EPA require utilities to deploy the best system for emission reduction. But Roberts et al. decreed the textand the evident design of its congressional Framersto be irrelevant. They fabricated a novel version of a little used, and theretofore comparatively unexceptionable, major questions doctrine, which newly empowered themselves to shelve any agency action that portends significant economic or political consequences, even if, as in this case, the agency action in question was within the agencys core environmental mission, and the statute was crafted precisely to confer broad authority flexible enough to handle urgent needs under unforeseeable circumstances. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thus, to put Robertss CAA demolition in perspective with the Trump administrations law-shredding antics, the chief justice and his cadre did so in a manner designed to exponentially bloat their own power. They revamped the major questions doctrinal construct into a club enabling them to pulverize any agency action that could have what they are willing to label prohibitively significant economic or political impactin effect, anything that matters at all. A third law-free foray by the justices on the courts right is the most recent and most blatant: their notorious 2024 conferral of unbounded permanent presidential immunity from criminal liability, for virtually any official actions. To reach this result, they did not even pretend to claim any statutory or constitutional authority. As recognized across the ideological spectrum, Robertss opinion in Trump v. United States cast aside not just twentieth-century progressiveNew DealGreat-Society liberal governance long derided in far-right ideology, not just the Second Founding Reconstruction Amendments sabotaged by a century of Jim Crow rule in the South, but the core grand design for a democratic republic written unambiguously into the original 1789 Constitution, until that moment never questioned. As conservative Professor Michael Rappaport painfully acknowledged, Presidential immunity does not accord with [the Constitutions] original meaning. The point pertinent here is not that Trump v. United States rescued Donald Trump from Jack Smiths investigations, nor even that the decision unleashed Trump to commit second-term crimes. Roberts and at least some of the five justices who joined his opinion may have sincerely believed that tit-for-tat prosecutions of presidential predecessors would spiral over time into a fixed pattern catastrophic for constitutional democracy. Given Trumps serial threats to prosecute his predecessor, they could have, not unreasonably, viewed Biden as a likely first beneficiary of their decision. (Of course, Trump and his acolytes are now making a mockery of any such notions that immunizing presidential criminality would banish banana republic governance from the United States.) What matters most is that fabricating presidential immunity out of whole cloth only served to demonstrate that these justices have no compunction about throwing the law and the Constitution overboard when necessary to enable some policy or other outcome they favor. Discerning court-watchers, such as Trumps henchmen Vought and Vance, are unlikely to have missed this inference. Nor would pundits, politicians, and much of the electorate, cued by the liberal justices searing dissents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Perhaps most telling, as far as esteem for the courts law-respecting bona fides is concerned, is the Robertss majoritys resistance to an enforceable code of ethics similar to that applicable to all other federal judges. In the public eye, this disdain for universally acknowledged standards of conduct must come across as greenlighting overt conflicts of interest, given the brazen misconduct of some justices or their spouses. (Some of the justices, quite possibly a majority, appear to be aware of this reputational threat and seem to favor an enforceable ethics code for their court.) All of which leads us to the proverbial $64,000 question: Can these justices take Donald Trump or Elon Musk to task, when their own claim to fidelity to law and to ethical norms is thus flawed? Can they disavow their own law-free actions? The answer is, maybe they can. Recently, especially during the courts 20222023 term, bipartisan court majorities have taken stepsinconclusive but more than baby stepsdown that very path, as I have elaborated. To take the example that most startled court-watchers: In overturning an Alabama redistricting gerrymander, Roberts struck an audibly different chord from his career-long antipathy to the 1965 Voting Rights Act. Laying out a widely noted expansive interpretation, he lauded the VRA for creating stringent new remedies attempting to forever banish the blight of racial discrimination in voting. He labeled the VRA the most successful civil rights statute in the history of the nation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most eyebrow-raising, he put aside his oft-repeated visceral distaste for race preferences, observing that the question whether additional majority-minority districts can be drawn, after all, [inherently] involves a quintessentially race-conscious calculus. (On March 24, the Court heard oral arguments in a similar racial gerrymandering case, this one arising from Louisiana. The justices sometimes confusingand confusedquestions indicated no backing away from their acknowledgement that the VRA authorizes race-conscience districting, but suggested that in future cases a conservative majority might apply the equal protection clause of the fourteenth amendment in ways that could circumscribe VRA remedies.) But, whether or not Roberts and one or more of his conservative colleagues feel inclined to sustain their 20222023 tack to the center, there is another, more compelling consideration likely to spur them to prioritize turning back Trumps second-term muscle flexing. That motivation surfaced in their skirmishes during Trumps first term. Particularly revealing was Robertss angry 2019 rejection of Trumps ploy to add a citizenship question to census questionnaires, intended to frighten noncitizens from participating in compiling the census. What stoked Robertss ire was the administrations disingenuousness to the courts, the disconnect between the decision made and the explanation given, which Roberts pilloried with epithets of a sort this decorously professional superlawyer rarely reaches forpretextual, contrived, bad faith. Roberts expressly based his decision to stifle Trumps census scheme on the need to protect the judiciary, especially, his courttheir authority, credibility, and ultimately, their relevance and power. He explained that when judges review agency actions, Accepting contrived reasons would defeat the purpose of the enterprise, effectively rendering them irrelevant. He brandished a quote from Second Circuit icon Judge Henry Friendly, whom he had served as a law clerk, Our review is deferential, but we are not required to exhibit a naivete from which ordinary citizens are free. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As I and others have observed, the most consistent thread running through Robertss two-decade tenure has been his drive to advance the Courts power as the final decider and major direction-setter on the nations most fought-over issues. To his eyes, Trumps census ploy threatened that priority; manifestly, a far more dire such threat is posed by the second-term Trump teams ambition to elevate the presidency, not simply over the executive branch, top to bottom, but over the legislative and judicial branches, as wella power grab far beyond any of the conservative justices dabblings in unitary executive theorizing. His appointees to the Supreme Court, and lower court federal judges appointed by him and other Republican presidents, are of course cognizant of Trumps and his field generals oft-vented enmity toward them, along with the administrations slow-walking compliance with court orders and threats of outright refusal to complymost notably in the Justice Departments March 15 evasion of deportation procedures for alleged Venezuelan gang members, an apparent actual act of noncompliance. They know they are in a veritable war for the life of the institution over which they had been set to preside for their entire professional lives. They have no option but to wage that war, as fiercely but cannily as feasible. If Roberts and his cadre cannot meet this imposing challenge, their legacy will be the enfeeblement of what had long been admired as the most powerful judicial institution in the world. The irony will be that the precedent-shattering, often lawless decisions they rendered to boost that power ended in facilitating its destruction, by an even more power-hungry and lawless White House wannabe authoritarian. * This article has been updated. The Supreme Court declined on Monday to take up a case challenging long-standing protections for the press that was brought by billionaire Las Vegas hotelier Steve Wynn. In his case against The Associated Press, Wynn had sought to overturn New York Times v. Sullivan, a landmark Supreme Court decision that set a high legal bar for what constitutes defamation against a public figure in the United States. The 1964 precedent bolsters the ability of the press to hold wealthy and high-powered individuals to account. To win a defamation suit, a public figure must show that the outlet either published something it knew to be false, or went ahead with reckless disregard for whatever the truth may be a standard known as actual malice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The high court denied the billionaires request for its review without comment. President Donald Trump has waged a nearly decade-long battle against the free press, recently going so far as to call for the shuttering of CNN and MSNBC. Trump has a strong ally against press protections in Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, who wrote in 2023 that the Sullivan case allows news organizations to cast false aspersions on public figures with near impunity. But the Supreme Court will not overturn Sullivan on the merits of Wynns case. His complaint stemmed from a 2018 article by a reporter working for The Associated Press Las Vegas bureau about allegations of sexual abuse from the 1970s. One woman said she had a child with Wynn after he allegedly sexually assaulted her, while another woman alleged she was forced to leave a job after refusing sex with Wynn. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wynn has denied the accusations. Related... The Supreme Court questioned Monday whether Louisianas addition of a second majority-Black congressional district went too far and amounts to an unconstitutional racial gerrymander. The case could impact states leeway to legally consider race in redrawing congressional maps upon designs being struck down under the Voting Rights Act (VRA). It also marks the latest chapter in the long-running, messy saga over Louisianas congressional map that began after the 2020 census. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Louisiana would rather not be here, Louisiana Solicitor General Benjamin Aguinaga told the justices. Originally, the states Republican-led Legislature overrode Louisianas Democratic governor to pass a map with only one majority-Black district. Courts struck down the design for not including a second majority-Black district after voters sued under the VRA for not being able to elect a candidate of their choice. At issue now is Louisianas newest design that boasts an additional, second majority-Black district, which the Legislature approved to comply with those rulings. A group of non-Black voters sued, arguing the design is a racial gerrymander in violation of the 14th Amendments equal protection guarantee, and the Supreme Court is hearing the states appeal after a three-judge panel agreed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the nearly 90-minute argument, several of the courts conservatives raised skepticism that the courts got it right during the first stage that prompted Louisiana to draw a second majority-Black district. Do we have to accept Robinson? asked conservative Justice Clarence Thomas, referring to the earlier decision. If you look at the face of the decision, its wrong, said Justice Samuel Alito, a fellow conservative. Later, the justice raised concerns that accepting Louisianas position would mean that anything goes in remediating a map when it is struck down under the VRA. Now, can that possibly be correct? Alito said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The courts liberals, meanwhile, insisted that the court should not relitigate the earlier VRA claim and sympathized with the state that it is merely trying to follow court orders. They litigated Robinson a lot. They took it to the 5th Circuit twice, noted Justice Elena Kagan. They litigated it a lot and at some point thats a loss and the state decides that it has to get on with things. And thats exactly what the state here did. I just dont know that we need to even engage in the thought process of, what if the court order was wrong, said a second liberal, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson. I mean, it existed, and if it existed, then it seems to me that there is a good reason for Louisiana to have followed it. The basis of the new 14th Amendment lawsuit is that race impermissibly predominated when Louisiana drew its new design. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is nothing new or extraordinary in the fact pattern presented by this case, said Edward Greim, the attorney representing the non-Black voters. Louisiana acknowledges its efforts to form a second majority-Black district but stresses the design is also aimed at protecting powerful Republican incumbents in the state like Speaker Mike Johnson, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise and Rep. Julia Letlow, an Appropriations Committee member. Isnt saying race was one consideration another way of saying race predominated? And how do we square that with the 14th Amendments promise that race should play no role? Justice Neil Gorsuch asked at one point. During oral arguments, Louisiana and its backers sought to argue that there was a difference between considering race when creating the congressional maps versus viewing race as the predominant factor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the redistricting context, this court has long recognized that legislators are always aware of race, and the fact that race was one thing they were considering when they drew the map does not mean it was the predominant thing, it means that it was one of many considerations that they had, said Stuart Naifeh of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. Politics was another. Communities of interest was another, and without some evidence that would disentangle those things and show that while actually race among all of those considerations the state was considering race was the one that actually drove the lines the plaintiffs have not borne their burden to prove that racial predominance, Naifeh added. The case has created some unusual lineups. Naifehs group, which represents the group of Black voters who originally sued, is now supporting the Republican-led state. And meanwhile, the federal government is not participating in the dispute, a rare stance for a major redistricting case. The Biden-era Justice Department had planned to participate to argue that the lower court committed significant legal errors in striking down Louisianas new map, but the Trump administration abandoned the position. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The case has major implications for the Republicans House majority. Before the state was required to redraw its congressional map, its House delegation included five Republicans and one Democrat. Former Rep. Garret Graves (R-La.) opted against running for another term after his district was redrawn as the second majority-Black district. The states delegation now includes four House Republicans and two House Democrats. Johnson can currently only afford to lose one vote in the House, though those numbers are expected to change once several special elections in Florida and New York take place. If the lawsuit in Louisiana succeeds, it could offer Republicans another seat in the lower chamber offering Johnson and his caucus more breathing room in passing legislation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Caroline Vakil 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 The Hill. Sea lions and other ocean mammals in Southern California are falling victim to a poisoning event that a local expert calls the worst in recent memory. It is stranding the mammals along the coast as warnings are issued to beachgoers of the threat posed by animals that are transformed by their illness. A surfer reported an attack by a sea lion that was "feral, almost demonic" as he was on his board off Ventura County on Friday. Rj LaMendola said the animal bit him as he surfed off Oxnard, shaking its head and dragging him off his surfboard. He said on Facebook that as he paddled away terrified, the sea lion continued to stalk him. LaMendola, who has been surfing in Oxnard since 2006, said he tried to splash the sea lion to scare it away. He later contacted the Channel Islands Marine & Wildlife Institute, who told him the attack likely happened due to the toxic algae bloom. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was super intense, he said, unlike anything Ive ever seen in all the years Ive been in the water. Ingesting domoic acid from harmful algal blooms can cause sea lions to have seizures or to crane their heads in a motion known as stargazing. They can also fall into a comatose state. But experts advise people not to interact with animals believed to be sick because, without warning, they might aggressively lunge or even bite. A sea lion at the Marine Mammal Care Center. Algal blooms that lead to illness in the animals are expected to get worse with climate change. Meanwhile, local rescuers are struggling to meet the challenge. As of Friday, at least 140 sea lions with symptoms of domoic acid poisoning had been taken in by the Marine Mammal Care Center in San Pedro, according to Chief Executive John Warner. At least 50 dolphins have also been stranded on area beaches, but because they almost always die from ingesting domoic acid, they are usually euthanized. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Domoic acid is a neurotoxin produced by harmful algal blooms that accumulates in filter-feeding fish, including anchovies and sardines. Those fish are then eaten by seals, sea lions and dolphins. Sea lions have a 50% to 65% survival rate when they're taken in for treatment in a timely manner. Animals can be treated, but moving an ill sea lion to a facility can be difficult because an adult female can weigh up to 250 pounds and an adult male up to 1,000 pounds, requiring several people to move each animal. A similar domoic acid event occurred in 2023 in California, resulting in the deaths of more than 1,000 sea lions. "Stargazing," or a craning motion with the head, is among symptoms during a domoic acid outbreak. A February algal bloom isn't common but also isn't unheard of, Warner said, adding that he can only recall one other stranding event this time of year from a few years ago. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Toxic algal blooms are also getting worse over time due to human activity that exacerbates the intensity, timing and scale of the stranding events, Warner said. The warming of ocean temperatures caused by climate change, coupled with the acidification of the ocean due to nitrate runoff, have worsened toxic algal events, according to Warner. When it rains in L.A. County, the organic runoff flows into the ocean, which then feeds the algae. "I liken it to a bloom put on steroids from human-caused factors that make these blooms worse every time we see them," Warner said. Large domoic acid blooms usually happen every three to seven years, but Warner said that scientists expect to see these events happen much more frequently. A sea lion is treated by vets at the San Pedro wildlife center. The wildlife center's Madison Cooper prepares fish for feeding. Treatment for affected animals includes tube feeding and IV fluids twice daily, which provides them with nutrition and medication until their seizures are under control, Warner said. Treatment also includes anti-seizure medication and sedatives, which also help with controlling seizures so they don't worsen in intensity and duration and result in permanent brain damage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The longer the toxic blooms last, the more exposure the animals have, which increases the risk of permanent brain damage and makes it so they can't be released back into the wild, according to Warner. In those cases, when their behavior is no longer safe, the animals have to be euthanized. The current algal bloom, which began about a month ago, has been worse for the center than the one that occurred in 2023, which Warner called the "worst domoic acid bloom in recorded history in Southern California." Besides the higher number of sick sea lions taken in by the center overall, more male sea lions are succumbing to domoic acid poisoning compared with two years ago, Warner said. In 2023, the center took in about 130 sea lions and didn't have to take in any males. "It takes a lot to take them down, and we're taking them in without them putting up a fight," he added. "That says a lot about the condition that they're in." The duration and frequency of blooms that can lead to poisoning in sea lions have increased. (William Liang / For The Times) Male sea lions can be kept in the same pen when they're in a comatose state, but once they start waking up, they can become aggressive because of the neurological effects of the toxin. That puts capacity strains on the wildlife center because, at some point, every male sea lion will need its own enclosure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The center could probably take in another 20 sea lions, as they continue releasing some animals that have already recovered, Warner said. They'll only be able to take in sea lions for another week or two, because the center still has to prepare for rescuing orphaned or stranded elephant seal pups during pupping season, which falls from February to late June. "If these numbers keep up for another week or two, we're gonna be at the place where we have to leave animals on the beach," he said. Currently, the center has two male sea lions in the same pen who will have to be separated. There are four small enclosures, a medium-sized enclosure and a large enclosure. Each enclosure can fit from three to five adult female sea lions, but only one male sea lion can be in an enclosure at a time. "It's organized chaos," he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the 2023 stranding event, the wildlife center took in 120 sea lions and five dolphins, Warner said. Dolphins are only rehabilitated if they're endangered species; they tend to experience intense stress hormones and trouble breathing when they're around people and out of the water. Sea lions recover at the Marine Mammal Care Center. (William Liang / For The Times) There isn't much that can be done to lessen the blooms or clean them up; blooms usually last from four to eight weeks, Warner said. The 2023 stranding event lasted eight and a half weeks. Because the Marine Mammal Care Center is a small nonprofit that relies on private philanthropy, Warner has been reaching out to cities and counties in the state to ask for their support to prepare for future stranding events. "It's sort of a like in a fire, you don't hire your firefighters and personnel after the fire starts," he said. "We're not resourced to handle this volume on an ongoing basis. We're doing everything we can to meet the moment, and we can't do this without public and private partnership." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although Angelenos may have learned over the years to stay at least 50 feet away from sickened marine animals and refrain from taking selfies with them, and to not put beached dolphins back into the water, tourists are a lot less educated about the proper protocol, Warner said. A sea lion lies inside a cage at the Marine Mammal Care Center, where capacity has been strained by the surge in poisonings. People should call (800) 399-4253 to ask for rescue assistance if they see any stranded marine animals. Dolphins, in particular, are skittish around humans and have a high rate of heart attack when they get scared. "That's not the ending these animals deserve, and people need to leave them alone and not crowd around them," Warner said. "That's what we really need from the public. Selfies kill animals, so use your zoom, and stay away." 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. Tech giant IBM is set to cut around 9,000 jobs in the US in 2025, with a significant portion of the affected roles expected to shift to India, The Register reported citing sources familiar with the matter. While exact figures remain undisclosed, the layoffs will impact several divisions, including the companys Cloud Classic unit the news publication said citing sources. The Cloud Classic division, built on IBMs 2013 acquisition of SoftLayer, is reportedly seeing around a quarter of its team affected by the cuts. Employees from consulting, corporate social responsibility, cloud infrastructure, sales, and internal systems teams reporting to IBMs chief information officer are also claimed to be impacted. Job cuts have been confirmed in Raleigh, North Carolina; New York City and State; Dallas, Texas; and California, the publication said. One source described the move as a resource action intended to facilitate shifting employment to India, a strategy that has reportedly been in motion for several years. Theyre trying to move as many roles to India as possible, a source told the news publication. Another former employee noted that IBM currently lists more job openings in India than in the US, reflecting the companys ongoing strategy to tap into Indias large talent pool and lower operating costs. IBM CEO Arvind Krishna has previously acknowledged the companys focus on India as a major talent hub. The current restructuring is expected to create or expand roles in India, particularly for professionals with expertise in cloud computing, infrastructure, sales, and consulting. IBM already maintains a significant presence in Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune, and Chennai. For those remaining at IBM in the US, new workplace policies are being enforced. Employees spared from redundancy have been instructed to attend the office at least three days a week starting late April, the report said. According to sources, badge swipes are being monitored, and medical exemptions while allowed are reportedly discouraged by management. While IBM has not officially disclosed the total number of job cuts or addressed the full extent of the restructuring, insiders suggest this move reflects a broader shift in the companys global workforce strategy. In March 2024, IBM employees were notified of impending job losses within its marketing and communications departments during a meeting. "IBM to slash nearly 9,000 jobs in US" was originally created and published by Verdict, a GlobalData owned brand. The #MeToo movement hit critical mass in 2017, toppling politicians and public figures across the country. Allegations of harassment and misconduct some from many years prior emerged. Many state legislatures responded by adopting or enhancing policies against sexual misconduct. In the years since, women's representation in U.S. statehouses has reached an all-time high. As more women fill seats and hold leadership positions, lawmakers and others are divided about whether anything has changed. But allegations continue to surface at the state level and beyond. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Associated Press tallied allegations against state lawmakers across the country, examined the sexual harassment policies of legislative chambers in all 50 states, and talked to lawmakers, lobbyists and staff. Here are key takeaways from the investigation: 144 state lawmakers accused since #MeToo Since 2017, The Associated Press has cataloged at least 147 state lawmakers across 44 states who have been accused of sexual harassment or misconduct. Most allegations were reported during the first two years of #MeToo, but more have surfaced every year since. The total includes allegations of incidents both in state government and outside of it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2024 alone, the AP tallied at least 14 state lawmakers from 12 states who were accused about twice as many as the previous year. In total, over a third of accused lawmakers resigned or were expelled from office. Roughly another third faced repercussions like losing party or committee positions. A dozen top state executive officials, including governors and attorneys general, faced similar allegations during that time and most resigned. According to the National Womens Defense League, which advocates for sexual harassment policies in statehouses and keeps its own count, Republicans and Democrats are nearly equally accused and 94% of those overall are men. Transparency still lacking despite updated policies and training Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An AP survey, conducted from last November through January, found nearly half of all legislative chambers had updated their sexual harassment policies over the past five years. However, many policies are difficult for the general public to locate. Near the beginning of #MeToo, an AP survey found about a third of legislative chambers didnt require lawmakers to take sexual harassment training. Almost all state legislatures now offer it, though its not always mandatory and content, format and frequency vary. Only about one-third of legislative chambers conduct training annually, according to APs survey. The Arkansas Senate is the only legislative chamber without a specific sexual harassment policy. Officials in the Oklahoma Senate, the Mississippi Senate and both chambers of the West Virginia Legislature did not provide their sexual harassment policies to the AP. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Less of a boys club' but with caveats Lawmakers and others are divided about whether anything has changed. Michigan state Sen. Mallory McMorrow, who filed a sexual harassment complaint against a fellow lawmaker in 2020, said any improvements have less to do with policy changes or work groups, and more to do with just the fact that we have significantly more women in charge. Others still see sexism. Sometimes it feels like we should just smile more and not be disruptive and not challenge anyone. That hasnt gone away, said Georgia state Rep. Shea Roberts, who resigned as Democratic Caucus treasurer to protest a fellow lawmaker who was accused last year of sexually harassing a staffer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Women's representation is still lower than 50% in most places Advocates and lawmakers say the statehouse environment can still be hostile enough to keep many women from running for office. When men run for office, its about whether they can do the job, said Erin Maye Quade, a Minnesota senator. When women run for office, its about a lot more than that. Men still make up two-thirds of all state lawmakers in the U.S., and some say #MeToo gave them space to join the discussion and to acknowledge more work is needed. Republican state Rep. Mark Schreiber of Kansas said attitudes have evolved over the years from a boys will be boys ethos to acknowledging the harassment, while still blaming women. In more recent years, he said, men realized, Were blaming the wrong people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ___ The Associated Press women in the workforce and state government coverage receives financial support from Pivotal Ventures. The AP is solely responsible for all content. Find APs standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org. NICHOLASVILLE, Ky. (FOX 56) One of the most beloved fairytales comes to life as a central Kentucky middle school performs Disneys Beauty and the Beast Jr., and you shouldnt wait to buy tickets. With more than 50 talented students working on stage and behind the scenes, West Jessamine Middle Schools theater program is ready to take on the performance of a lifetime. One you wont see at any other Kentucky school anytime soon due to licensing issues. Ive always wanted to kind of do Beauty and the Beast, and so its really exciting to finally get to do it and especially be Gaston in my eighth-grade year, said student Wyatt Brockman, who is playing Gaston. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, due to licensing for Disneys Beauty and the Beast Jr., it now has temporary restrictions in North America affecting organizations like community theaters, after-school programs, high schools, and more. For Katie Bashore, that only meant one thing: the show must go on. Read more of the latest Lexington & central Kentucky news They announced it last year when I was searching for musicals because I always like to think about the next year as were wrapping up a current show. So, as I was searching for musicals for this year, they announced that they were closing it after this year and I said, Well, obviously I have to do it now because I love Beauty and the Beast. Ive always wanted to do Beauty and the Beast,' said choir and theater director Katie Bashore. The good thing is all performances of this musical must be performed by March 31, giving students at West Jessamine Middle School plenty of time to display their talents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I definitely feel that its a privilege and definitely a little bit more pressure. But I think that we can rise to the occasion and show that we are probably one of the best schools to do Beauty and the Beast, said Mimi Brooks, who is playing Mrs. Potts. It has been quite the journey for the cast; they auditioned in September. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: Its been so cool watching it all come together, and Im really excited to be able to show that off, said Audra Brumfield, who is playing Belle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you want to check out Disneys Beauty and the Beast Jr. at West Jessamine Middle School. The show dates are March 27-29. For a link for tickets, click here. All rights to Beauty and the Beast Jr. belong to Walt Disney and are distributed by Music Theatre International. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Indias Gujarat State Petronet has commissioned a natural gas pipeline connecting the Chhara LNG terminal to the gas grid, reported Energyworld. The pipeline, costing Rs6.5bn ($75.5m), runs close to the Gir National Park & Wildlife Sanctuary, home to Asiatic lions. The pipeline has a capacity of 18 million standard cubic metres per day and connects the newly established five million tonnes per annum (mtpa) liquefied natural gas (LNG) import terminal at Chhara in the Gir-Somnath district with the gas grid. The pipeline was developed by Gujarat State Petronet to enhance natural gas availability in line with India's energy mix goals. A unit of state-run Hindustan Petroleum Corporation (HPCL) has set up the facility to import LNG at Chhara. The LNG imported at the terminal is regasified and transported through pipelines to customers including power plants and fertiliser units. The Chhara terminal is operated by HPCL LNG, a subsidiary of HPCL. "The work for engineering, procurement and construction of the 36-inch dia pipeline from HPCL LNG terminal at Chhara in Gir-Somnath district up to Lothpur in Amreli district of Gujarat, including despatch terminal at Chhara LNG terminal, valve stations and receiving terminal at Lothpur, was entrusted to the Mumbai-based construction company, Ace Pipeline Contracts, in September 2023," the statement said. To cut down on the construction schedule, construction techniques such as automatic welding for welding of the 36-inch dia pipeline were deployed on the project." India also recently passed the Oilfield (Regulatory and Development) Amendment Bill, 2024, a reform aimed at attracting investment and boosting oil and gas exploration in the country. The bill was approved by the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of parliament, on 3 December 2024. It supports the Prime Minister's vision of Viksit Bharat, aiming to transform India by 2047. This bill addresses changing market conditions and the need for a legal framework that meets the current needs of the industry. "Indias Gujarat State Petronet commissions $75.5bn Chhara gas pipeline" was originally created and published by Offshore Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. The Taliban has admitted that it has two American prisoners, whose freedom it will only grant in return for the release of Osama Bin Ladens special aide, who is in Guantanamo Bay, local media reported. Hibatullah Akhundzada, the Talibans supreme leader, is heard in an audio recording saying that an Afghan is imprisoned in Guantanamo, according to reports by Amu TV, an independent multimedia channel run by Afghan journalists. In the recording, he added: Two Americans are imprisoned here. They ask us to release them safely. We say: release our prisoner safely too why wont you? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Telegraph could not independently verify the audio and has sought comment from the Taliban. The identities of the American prisoners were not disclosed, but at least two Americans remain missing in Afghanistan: Paul Overby and Mahmood Habibi. Mr Overby, 74, was last seen in Khost City, Afghanistan, in May 2014. He disappeared on his way to North Waziristan, Pakistan, to meet and interview Sirajuddin Haqqani, the Taliban leader of the Haqqani network, for a book on the Taliban and the war in Afghanistan. Mr Habibi disappeared in 2022, a day after the US drone strike that killed al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri in Kabuls Sherpur area. The Taliban accused him of aiding US forces in targeting the al-Qaeda leader. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Taliban has consistently denied claims that it is holding them prisoner. Mahmood Habibi disappeared in 2022 after being accused of aiding a US strike on an al-Qaeda leader Akhundzadas remarks on Monday were reportedly made during a gathering in Kandahar and relate to the release of Muhammed Rahim al-Afghani, an Afghan who has been held in Guantanamo Bay under indefinite law-of-war detention since 2008. Al-Afghani, who has been described as Bin Ladens special aide, was captured by the CIA in Pakistan in 2007 and was the last detainee transferred to Guantanamo by the Bush administration. He has not been charged with a crime, but a 2016 intelligence profile described him as an al-Qaeda courier. The US periodic review board maintains that his continued detention is necessary for national security. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The US invaded Afghanistan in 2001 to destroy the terrorist organisation Al-Qaeda and capture its leader Bin Laden, and left in 2021 in a chaotic withdrawal. Since then, the Taliban has attempted to normalise ties between the nations. Three Americans have been released by the Taliban since January, the latest of whom was George Glezmann, a 66-year-old airline mechanic from Atlanta, Georgia. He had been held by the Talibans intelligence services in December 2022 and was designated by the US government as wrongfully detained the following year. Paul Overby has been missing in Afghanistan since 2014 His release was secured in a deal with the Trump administration that Qatari negotiators helped broker, the US state department said on Thursday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Also freed in a similar deal in January were Americans Ryan Corbett and William McKenty. In exchange, the US freed Khan Mohammed, who was detained on the battlefield in Nangarhar, Afghanistan, and later convicted for narco-terrorism in 2008 and sentenced to two life terms. While Mr Glezmann was released without an Afghan being freed in exchange but on humanitarian grounds, according to the Afghan foreign ministry, expectations are high that the Trump administration will look to secure the Americans release. Trump diplomacy Neither the Taliban nor the US governments submit themselves to international courts, so there is no neutral referee of their legal claims, Graeme Smith, senior analyst for the International Crisis Group, told The Telegraph. In such cases, the only recourse is diplomacy. That is exactly what we witnessed as the Trump administration had more face-to-face engagement with leaders inside of Afghanistan in recent days than US diplomats have had in years. The results speak for themselves, he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This Taliban engagement with the US on captive Americans is significant for becoming more frequent, and increasingly public, Michael Kugelman, the director of the South Asia Institute at the Wilson Centre in Washington told The Telegraph. The Taliban know that freeing captive Americans is a core Trump administration goal in Afghanistan, and perhaps its most high-priority goal there. This gives the Taliban leverage, Mr Kugelman said. On Thursday, Mr Habibis family renewed their plea for his release, saying there was overwhelming evidence that he remained in Taliban custody. We are confident that the Trump administration will hold firm that my brother needs to be released for relations with the US to move forward, one of Habibis brothers, Ahmad, said in a statement. 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. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WFLA) In a continued effort to secure Floridas elections, Republican lawmakers are now looking to strengthen the verification process of voter eligibility by adding additional requirements for Floridians. The bill sponsor says he wants to close current loopholes in the process and prevent future voter fraud. Republicans behind the effort say now is not the time to rest on our laurels and that this bill will only continue to secure our elections. However, Democrats argue that the bill will only turn voters away. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State Representative Berny Jacques of Seminole says he wants to reinforce public trust in the states election system. We have been leading the nation in reforms, and its not the time to rest on our laurels. We must continue to secure our elections to make sure that there are no gaps in our system, especially when it comes to non-citizens voting in our elections, we must ensure that never occurs in the state of Florida, said Jacques. After the 2020 election, the Florida legislature enacted election integrity reforms. Representative Jacques adds that his efforts in this legislation now are a continuation of that fight. You cannot have a sovereign country when you have things that compromise the integrity of our elections, and so this is a continuation of that fight, said Jacques. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement House Bill 831 adds measures to verify citizenship during the voter registration process, looks to remove people who no longer live in the state, adds an indicator on drivers licenses and IDs of non-citizens, etc. This bill adds additional measures to verify citizenship upfront during the registration process to make sure that those who are registered in our elections are in fact citizens. It also has voter roll maintenance and audits on a quarterly basis to make sure that those who are no longer living in our state, that might have moved, are removed from our rolls and those who arent living, period, right, those who are deceased, are removed from the rolls and also make sure that non-citizens that are in our voter rolls are also removed, said Jacques. With that, Democrats in opposition to the bill say the additions will only turn voters away. They made it seem like we have this massive fraud. You have all of these people from someplace else voting, the dead people are voting, this is all just a bunch of foolishness. So, for me, this is trying to make it more difficult for people. You put up as many roadblocks as you possibly can, hoping that people are not going to vote, said State Representative Dianne Hart, D-Tampa. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the legislation has been introduced, it has not yet been called for a vote. Representative Jacques says he believes the bill hasnt been called for a vote yet due to the number of election bills filed this session and hopes his colleagues will see the importance of his efforts. This is one worth pursuing because the integrity of our elections is paramount, said Jacques. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) A reserve officer with the Tampa Police Department was terminated Sunday following an off-duty incident involving a minor. According to the Tampa Police Department, a juvenile victim, accompanied by an adult, reported an altercation that occurred last week involving a volunteer reserve officer identified as Ada Terman Paulino. Terman Paulino joined the department as a reserve officer in 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The victim told police that Terman Paulino hit her in the face multiple times and choked her so that she struggled to breathe. Officers said the victim sustained minor physical injuries that were still visible. According to police, the victim and Terman Paulino were acquaintances, and the incident occurred while Terman Paulino was off duty. Tampa police arrested Terman Paulino and charged her with child abuse. According to police, Terman Paulino was immediately terminated. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Firefighters had to clean up a mess on an Ohio major interstate. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The Plymouth Township Fire Department responded Friday to reports of a leaking tanker truck on its side after a rollover crash on Interstate 90, according to a social media post. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Firefighters determined the driver was not hurt but the truck was leaking hot asphalt. They contacted the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) for traffic control and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The tank was ruptured up towards the cab of the truck and from the top service hatch, the department said on its Facebook page. Later on, a bigger containment hole was dug with an ODOT backhoe. The department brought in another tank to unload the rest of the asphalt. Approximately 1,000 gallons of product spilled on the ground by the end of the incident, the department added. Crews handed over the scene to another cleanup company. Photo contributed by: Plymouth Township Fire Department (via Facebook) [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] NASA has outlined how it will respond to President Donald Trumps order that federal agencies eliminate waste, bloat, and insularity but its not yet clear just how sweeping the changes to the nations space agency may be. The agency is planning to implement a reorganization plan as it chases some of the most ambitious goals yet in its nearly 67-year history, such as establishing a permanent lunar settlement after working to return humans to the moons surface later this decade. Over the past few weeks, an internal team has defined a strategy to identify and act on opportunities for optimizing our organization whether by streamlining operations, reducing duplicative reporting and analysis, finding areas to accelerate decision velocity, or identifying cost-savings measures, said NASA Acting Administrator Janet Petro in a Friday email addressed to space agency staff that was obtained by CNN. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rather than prescribing specific changes at this point, our initial submission outlined areas we will explore to find the best approach for our agencys future, the email reads. In the coming weeks, we will evaluate where we can make these changes, while also considering the potential for any new priorities from the administration and the next administrator once confirmed. NASA formed a Tiger Team thats tasked with evaluating how the agency might implement potentially sweeping cuts, CNN reported last week. According to an emailed meeting invitation, the team aims to identify possible areas for cost reduction to comply with Trumps executive orders, and the Department of Government Efficiency the initiative to drastically cut federal spending, spearheaded by SpaceX CEO Elon Musk. Tiger Team is a term NASA popularized in the Apollo era and refers to a group of professionals assembled to tackle a complex problem in real time during a space mission. In this case, a group of top leaders including Petro will hash out reforms, according to the meeting invitation. Reshaping the space agency Long considered one of the best places to work in the federal government, NASA is already in the midst of changes that have angered some high-ranking staff and left them feeling distrustful of current leadership. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following Trumps inauguration, Petro was tapped to lead the agency until the Senate confirms a new administrator. Petro, who previously led NASAs Kennedy Space Center launch facilities in Florida, was unexpectedly picked over the associate administrator. NASA struck a deal in February with the Office of Personnel Management that enabled the agency to dodge sweeping layoffs of probationary workers requested by DOGE. However, an unanticipated round of layoffs on March 10 gutted three offices, including two top policy divisions and some senior science and engineering personnel, at NASAs headquarters in Washington, DC. The move has rankled some of the agencys remaining staff and left some questioning how broader changes may affect the agencys science and exploration goals. One senior NASA official who was among those given a layoff notice on March 10 but who will remain an employee through April 10 said they will not be paid for some accrued time-off awards. Two sources said the agencys leadership would not allow at least some of the affected employees to collect bonuses they were expecting to receive this spring, nor will they be able to seek roles elsewhere in the agency. The core stage for NASA's Space Launch System rocket is moved from the Pegasus barge to the Vehicle Assembly Building on July 23, 2024. - Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/Orlando Sentinel/TNS/GEtty Images/File I think we were targeted, one source told CNN, saying that denying bonus packages is extremely cruel and callous and needless. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A NASA spokesperson confirmed 23 employees were let go from the agency to comply with reduction in force, or RIF, directives put in place by the Trump Administration and DOGE, which is operating through the Office of Personnel Management. The laid-off employees were given only 30 days notice rather than the 60 days spelled out in the OPMs workforce reduction guidance unless granted a waiver from the federal office. Its unclear why the space agency did not wait to include those layoffs in its broader RIF plan. According to guidance from DOGE, agencies had to seek a waiver to implement a 30-day timeline. NASA said in a March 10 statement to CNN that the 30-day timeline was implemented in alignment with the urgent need to comply with Trumps Executive Order and broader government restructuring timelines. Its not clear why NASA described the need as urgent immediately following the 23 layoffs but on Friday indicated that it likely would not implement more sweeping changes until later this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several employees not affected by the layoffs told CNN the cuts have sown new distrust in Petros leadership. She is expected to run the agency until Trumps pick for NASA administrator, Shift4 Payments CEO Jared Isaacman, is confirmed for the role. Everybodys lost confidence, said one NASA employee who was not among those laid off. What was the urgency? It just seems cruel. Jarring cuts with more to come The layoffs announced earlier in March included NASAs chief scientist and staff as well as the entire staff of the Office of Technology, Policy and Strategy, or OTPS, which included the agencys chief economist and chief technologist. There are no plans to backfill those positions, a NASA spokesperson said in a statement to CNN. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The layoffs also included a specific Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility branch at agency headquarters a group that was expected to be shuttered amid Trumps directive to eliminate diversity-promoting programs across the federal government. Then-director of NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Janet Petro, spoke ahead of the launch of SpaceX's Crew-7 mission on August 20, 2023. - Joe Skipper/Reuters/File Its not clear when NASA might make its RIF plan public. But employees who spoke with CNN said they are bracing for cuts that they think could impact 30% to 50% of the agencys staff. In an email Petro sent to agency staff on March 14, a copy of which was obtained by CNN, she acknowledged questions and concerns employees have raised about the March 10 layoffs. Ive said it before change is never easy, and I know there are a lot of questions about whats ahead, she wrote. I want to assure you the NASA workforce and your skills, expertise, and commitment are at the heart of (RIF) discussions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Petro added that additional RIF actions are set to be implemented in the second phase, which is due later in the spring. An uncertain future CNN spoke with two NASA workers who were part of the latest layoffs as well as four employees who were unaffected by the cuts for this story. They requested anonymity to speak on sensitive issues. The laid-off employees described feeling jilted by the new administration after years of dedicated public service that allowed them to hold top positions at the agency. One source said the actions from leadership were callous, adding, despite what Trump says, NASA is using a hatchet and not a scalpel to implement job cuts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Workers who spoke to CNN expressed concern about what the recent layoffs might mean for the agencys integrity and ability to keep pace with the innovations necessary to achieve its stated goals. The shuttered Office of the Chief Scientist was also charged with reviewing NASA activity for scientific integrity, a process that seeks to ensure the agency complies with rigorous ethical and technical standards. You want to make sure that the science and the message is not being altered, one source told CNN. Shift4 Payments CEO and spaceflight trailblazer Jared Isaacman, pictured above ahead of the Polaris Dawn mission in 2024, is Trump's pick for NASA administrator, but it's not clear when he'll face his confirmation hearings in the Senate. - Joe Skipper/Reuters For example, the source noted, if one of NASAs partners wanted to alter the results of research in order to curry favor for a grant, for example, someone can bring that to a scientific integrity officer as a concern. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement, a NASA spokesperson did not directly address a question about how review processes for scientific integrity may change post-layoffs. NASA will continue to conduct groundbreaking science through its many programs agencywide, including through the Science Mission Directorate, the statement said. The Science Mission Directorate is a large team of NASA workers who are tasked with carrying out research across fields including astrophysics, planetary science, lunar exploration and heliophysics, or research about the sun. An opportunity to reshape Petro said in her March 14 email to employees that, while layoffs amount to making difficult adjustments, were viewing this as an opportunity to reshape our workforce, ensuring we are doing what is statutorily required of us, while also providing American citizens with an efficient and effective agency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its not clear when Isaacman, Trumps nominee for NASA administrator, will face his confirmation hearings in the Senate. The billionaire payments company CEO is also a close ally of Musk and has twice paid SpaceX to fly on privately funded missions to orbit. With the recent layoffs, Isaacman is set to lead a workforce that includes individuals who appear increasingly alarmed about the direction the space agency is headed. Theres a massive concern across the agency that, among other issues, were going to have significant brain drain that will affect not only current missions but engineering and science for generations to come, one NASA employee told CNN. Sign up for CNNs Wonder Theory science newsletter. Explore the universe with news on fascinating discoveries, scientific advancements and more. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com A coalition of teachers and unions filed the first lawsuit over Trump's plans to eliminate the Department of Education. The groups said that Trump does not have the authority to act on his plans without approval from Congress. Trump has already cut staff at the department and said he's transferring student loans to the SBA. President Donald Trump is facing his first legal challenges over his plans to eliminate the Department of Education. On Monday, advocacy group Democracy Forward filed a lawsuit on behalf of a coalition of teachers and unions including the American Federation of Teachers and the American Association of University Professors aimed at blocking Trump's efforts to dismantle the Department of Education. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Defendants seek to eliminate the U.S. Department of Education," the complaint's opening sentence said. "The first step: fire the people that do the work of the Department." Trump signed an executive order last week directing Education Secretary Linda McMahon to begin the process of eliminating the Department of Education to "return authority over education to the States" even as states already have significant control. That process was already happening the department fired over 1,300 of its employees on March 11 as one of its first steps to gut the agency. The lawsuit said that Trump's actions are illegal because he cannot eliminate the Education Department without Congress, and firing staff impedes the department's congressionally mandated duties to operate various educational programs. The Department of Education is tasked with overseeing the $1.7 trillion student-loan portfolio, managing grants for low-income districts and students with disabilities, carrying out research on kids' educational progress, and overseeing civil rights investigations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McMahon previously said that the department's critical functions, like low-income grants and student-loan administration, will not be disturbed, even as Trump announced student loans will be transferred to the Small Business Administration. The lawsuit said that no other agency can take over the department's work without congressional approval and that attempting to do so would bring "enormous harm to borrowers; students hoping to go to college; higher education institutions across the country; teachers and professors; and the entire economy." This is the first legal challenge to Trump's plans; another group of teachers and advocates, including the National Education Association and the NAACP, also announced they would be filing a lawsuit on Monday challenging Trump's plan to eliminate the Education Department. Madi Biedermann, the department's deputy assistant secretary for communications, told BI that "sunsetting the Department of Education will be done in partnership with Congress and national and state leaders to ensure all statutorily required programs are managed responsibly and where they best serve students and families." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "To date, no action has been taken to move federally mandated programs out of the Department of Education," Biedermann said. "The U.S. Department of Education continues to deliver on all programs that fall under the agency's purview, including vigilantly enforcing federal civil rights laws in schools and ensuring students with special needs and disabilities have access to critical resources." Have a tip or story to share? Contact this reporter via Signal at asheffey.97 or via email at asheffey@businessinsider.com . Use a personal email address and a nonwork device; here's our guide to sharing information securely . Read the original article on Business Insider COLLEGE STATION, Texas (FOX 44) A San Antonio teenager is in jail after a two-vehicle crash in College Station. Police officers responded to a two-vehicle crash in the 3500 block of Hwy 6 S and Texas Avenue exit on Saturday. The driver and two passengers of the vehicle hit were trapped inside before first responders arrived. (Courtesy: College Station Police Department) Officers discovered that the acting vehicle was speeding and in and out of traffic, resulting in the crash. The driver, identified as 19-year-old Quinton Ambrose Lashbrook, of San Antonio, is charged with Reckless Driving. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement College Station Police say the two passengers in the victim vehicle and Lashbrook were transported to a hospital with minor injuries. Lashbrook was then transported to jail. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KWKT - FOX 44. TEMPLE, Texas (FOX 44) The Temple High Schools Air Force JROTC Department made program history while competing in the Skills Meet hosted by Fort Cavazos earlier this month. The Honor Guard won first place at the Skills Meet after earning 188 out of a possible 190 points from the judges. Temple High School competed against 25 teams in the Honor Guard competition and more than 600 cadets participated in the overall competition, which included contests in a variety of individual and team categories. The Temple Independent School District says this is the first time in the history of the High Schools Air Force JROTC program that the honor guard has won first place in competition. Cadet Captain Winona Saga, Cadet Major and Commander of the Team Anhelica Gomez, Cadet Master Sergeant Gage Burgess, Cadet Master Sergeant Angyl Bibi. (Courtesy: Temple ISD) Cadet Captain Winona Saga, Cadet Major and Commander of the Team Anhelica Gomez, Cadet Master Sergeant Gage Burgess, Cadet Master Sergeant Angyl Bibi. (Courtesy: Temple ISD) The Temple High School JROTC Honor Guard is made up of Cadet Major and team commander Anhelica Gomez, Cadet Captain Winona Saga, and Cadet Master Sergeants Angyl Bibi and Gage Burgess. Teams must complete a 30-step routine to present the United States and Texas flag during the contest. The Temple High School team began training for the competition in August, with nearly two-hour practices three days a week after school. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gomez, the only senior on the team, plans to go to Tarleton State University and complete the schools JROTC program before enlisting as an officer in security forces. The Temple High School Honor Guard will compete in another contest at McNeil High School in Round Rock on April 5th. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KWKT - FOX 44. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation was called to take over a case after two Murfreesboro Police officers fired at a barricaded man before he was found dead inside a home over the weekend. Police were called to Goose Creek Lane at about 4 p.m. Sunday after an incident involving domestic violence, the bureau said in an evening statement. "When they arrived, officers encountered a male subject, armed with a shotgun, who pointed the firearm at and verbally threatened them," the statement said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two officers fired at the man after "the situation further escalated," the bureau said. The man then retreated into the home. Murfreesboro SWAT officers later entered the home and found the man dead. The bureau did not say if the man had a gunshot wound, but an autopsy will determine cause of death. The bureau did not name the man. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: TBI investigating after Murfreesboro police shoot at suspect, man dies Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti (Photo: John Partipilo) State Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti is supporting President Donald Trumps order prohibiting birthright citizenship for children born to immigrants without permanent legal status after Feb. 19. The attorney general filed an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court last week in support of Trumps move to deny citizenship to those children and forbid U.S. agencies from issuing citizenship documents to them. The legal brief says courts that issued national injunctions against the Trump order should instead be confined to specific cases and not allowed to make sweeping orders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The American people are the ultimate source of authority and legitimacy for every branch of our government, and every court interpreting the Constitution must therefore adhere to the understanding of the voters who adopted the constitutional language, Skrmetti said in a statement. Undermining the sovereignty of the American people through judicial overreach threatens to alienate the people from our constitutional system and thereby cause grievous harm to liberty and public order. The Trump administration asked the Supreme Court last week to let the birthright citizenship restrictions take partial effect while the matter is in court after district judges in Maryland, Massachusetts and Washington blocked his order nationwide. Three federal appeals courts turned down Trumps requests. Skrmettis release says the influx of more than 9 million immigrants without permanent legal status in recent years was caused in part by an expansive interpretation of the nations Citizenship Clause, which is inconsistent with the Fourteenth Amendment, ratified in 1868 to deal with citizenship rights and equal protection under the law, mainly for former slaves. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Canada-based Mayfair Acquisition has announced its intention to launch a securities exchange takeover bid to acquire all issued and outstanding shares of Gold Basin Resources and Canex Metals in exchange for its common shares. The move is being facilitated by Discovery Group, a collaboration involving mineral exploration and development companies. The proposed acquisition will potentially form a more robust gold exploration and development company by combining the precious metal assets of Gold Basin and Canex in northern Arizona. Mayfair has outlined an equity financing strategy of between C$2m ($1.4m) and C$6m and a share exchange ratio that will result in a premium for Gold Basin shareholders. The share exchange ratios will be determined based on the post-financing cash value of Mayfair and the rollback ratio. Jim Paterson of Discovery Group has been appointed to Mayfair's Board of Directors. Discovery Group representatives John Robins and Darren Klinck will join upon the successful completion of the bid. Mayfair has not yet commenced the takeover bid. The announcement provides Gold Basin and Canex's boards with additional time to consider the offer and explore strategic alternatives. The bid's acceptance by the TSX Venture Exchange is pending, and there is no guarantee it will be granted. The proposed offer follows a history of unsuccessful engagement between Discovery Group representatives and Gold Basin's management. Despite previous recommendations for Gold Basin to pursue merger discussions with Canex, no action was taken, leading to a significant decline in Gold Basin's market capitalisation. Canex has shown interest in engaging with the proposal, but Gold Basin has yet to respond. The lack of response is seen as indicative of Gold Basin's management challenges, which have contributed to its financial difficulties. The offer is contingent on several conditions including TSX Venture acceptance, lock-up agreements from key shareholders and compliance with securities laws. The offer will also depend on the deposit of at least 90% of the total number of issued and outstanding shares of Gold Basin and Canex, among other regulatory and business conditions. "Mayfair announces takeover bid for Gold Basin Resources and Canex Metals" was originally created and published by Mining Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. This story was produced in partnership with the Pulitzer Center. It is part four in a four-part series. Read part one here , part two here and part three here. Correction: This article has been updated to accurately describe Fernando Aguileras position and the amount of power Fervo Energy sold to Nevadas grid. On any other day, David Rodriguezs truck would have been helping extract oil, and as he sucked mud from a well beneath a towering drilling rig, any passersby might have assumed he was doing just that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Compared to oil and gas, its the same thing, man, Rodriguez shouted over the motor. But he was working to produce something entirely different. Rather than pulling oil out of the earth, the hole he was helping drill would be used to store clean, transient power from south Texas wind and solar farms. Rodriguez, who was helping drill the hole for geothermal energy company Sage Geosystems, is one of a growing number of workers across Texas employing some of the same skills and technology used to extract fossil fuels for the production of renewable energy. Those efforts come at the height of the largest oil and gas boom in American history, which centers on an expansive oil-producing region extending across western Texas and eastern New Mexico known as the Permian Basin and has been driven by the increasing use of novel technologies like fracking and horizontal drilling. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That boom has seen oil and gas output consistently hit record levels in recent years. At the same time, however, due to the pace of drilling and the declining need for workers amid the rise of high-tech forms of extraction, the expansion in production has come with a sharp and protracted decline in both the number of rigs and rig workers. We drilled ourselves out of a job, consultant Mark Pinson said, eyeing the bobbing pump jacks that were still pulling oil from the Eagle Ford shale. The Texas rock formation was once at the heart of the oil and gas boom. But beneath its bones lies another resource central to the new movement in the regions energy industry: heat that Texas companies like Sage and Fervo Energy hope to tap for clean power. The field centered on that geothermal energy has long been a niche one in the renewables sector because of its reliance on a very particular set of underground conditions: accessible, superheated pools of underground water, like those found beneath pockets of California, the Pacifics Ring of Fire and the nation of Iceland. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Over the past decade, however, hundreds of millions in investor capital have flowed into largely Texas-based firms seeking to develop methods that could be used to generate geothermal power virtually anywhere in the country. One big pitch for the industry is security for the grid as a whole. Investing and bipartisan political support for geothermal in Texas has picked up after the states deadly 2021 blackouts showed the need for secure power sources not subject to extreme weather or alleged market manipulation by oil and gas companies. In the 2023 Texas legislative session, geothermal proponents ability to cast themselves as a bulwark against the risks of extreme weather helped the industry win nearly unanimous support for its policy agenda in a session where renewables were under nearly continuous assault. More recently, the Department of Defense has been a major backer of the technology, which it describes as a means of giving bases access to a source of power that neither the weather nor adversaries can shut off. A more subtle case for the industry focuses on job security for the oil and gas industry. Proponents largely oil industry veterans see geothermal as a long-term life raft for oil and gas workers increasingly idled as layoffs beset the industry. Though oil may not be a dying industry, its definitely not a growth industry, former drilling company director Fernando Aguilera told The Hill. The opportunities for development are not the same that they used to be 10 years ago. President Trump and the Texas GOP have pledged to boost the countrys already record oil and gas production with support for additional drilling. But that backing doesnt guarantee the oil industrys enthusiasm to expand drilling especially when increasing supply could threaten profits. We like oil at $70, Permian oilman Kirk Edwards said, warning that oversupply and the drop in fuel prices that Trump has promised would kill industry profits. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The political support for drilling appears poised to help bolster the burgeoning geothermal industry, however, as does soaring demand for electricity in Texas driven by population growth, data centers and crypto mines. Geothermal is one of the few renewables that Trump supported in his executive order declaring a national energy emergency, and in March Energy Secretary Chris Wright threw his support behind a geothermal boom. So did Rep. August Pfluger (R-Texas), whose district includes much of the Permian. Introducing Wright at a geothermal event, Pfluger portrayed geothermal as the logical continuation of the fracking boom. For the Permian, he said, its going to be the same people, the same firms, the same technology that is going to help scale geothermal. These technologies have also played a key role in the recent resurgence of geothermal through enhanced geothermal startups like Fervo, Sage, Eavor and Bedrock. Other advanced geothermal startups like XGS or Eavor are going even further: skipping the fracking and subterranean reservoirs for closed loops where working fluid like hot water or carbon dioxide stays contained within pipes, which its proponents say avoids leaks into the rock or degradation of the geothermal system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Such startups use oil and gas-based technologies to create the precise underground conditions needed to tap the heat beneath the regions surface either for electricity, industrial power or heating and cooling. That heat has long served as an obstacle to oil extraction, particularly in the hot rock of the Eagle Ford, where Sage was drilling. But Fervo founder Tim Latimer, a former engineer for mining company BHP, realized while working on oil production in the region in the early 2010s that it was also a source of untapped power. The realization prompted him to quit oil, go to business school and launch the Houston-based geothermal company, which had secured nearly $700 million in funding as of December. Fervo and the companies that followed it are working to expand the reach of geothermal to the entire country. Traditional geothermal or hydrothermal companies have sought naturally circulating hot water systems, which they have exploited using drills similar to those for excavating water wells. This works well for regions that have such resources, like California, Iceland or South Korea, but easily accessible superheated water is rare. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Enhanced geothermal startups, meanwhile, have broken new ground in the ways theyre using technology to create what amount to their own underground geyser systems. The enhanced geothermal industry has secured some support from major oil and gas firms, including large independents like Chesapeake and and some majors like Chevron who see in the technology a potential bulwark against the wild swings of oil and gas prices. Collaborations between fossil fuels and geothermal came as part of a broader high-tech turn in the industry that saw oil and gas companies increasingly wire their oil wells with fiber optic cables that allowed surface crews to visualize the underground world in unprecedented detail. That turn would ultimately squeeze out oil and gas workers as wells became more efficient and needed fewer people a process that accelerated as oil companies merged, creating fewer clients for drilling companies, which also consolidated in a cascade of lost jobs. Aguilera, the former drilling company director, suddenly found himself having to call hundreds of workers to lay them off. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For the new wave of geothermal startups, however, it opened up the possibility of using fracking, fiber optics and increasingly precise forms of underground drilling to create artificial, highly efficient underground energy systems to generate power on the surface. That possibility represents an opportunity in the eyes of the new generation of geothermal entrepreneurs, most of whom have backgrounds in oil and gas, not just to build out Americas clean infrastructure, but to revitalize drilling itself. Aguilera now runs field operations for Bedrock Energy, a company that drills geothermal wells to heat or cool commercial buildings. Unlike in oil and gas, where there were too many staff and rigs for the available work, we have the opposite problem in geothermal. We have more jobs that we can take on, he said. Geothermal offers a chance to do the shale revolution all over again, Sage CEO and former Shell Vice President Cindy Taff told The Hill. Her company is looking to use the drilling technology not only to produce geothermal power, but also to store energy. Sages south Texas project aims to frack a cavity 8,000 feet underground, then pump in water when wind and solar power are plentiful. Later, when that supply declines or energy demand spikes, Sage would release the trapped pressure to spin a turbine like a set of lungs, Taff said, breathing in and out underground. In this way, the project would store power from excess wind or solar pumped in the form of hot or cold water in the earth to be released on demand like a giant underground battery. That would add a new on-demand tool to the grid alongside hydropower dams, lithium ion or thermal batteries, and nuclear and gas plants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some clients find this storage idea more exciting than geothermal itself. The prospect of on-demand clean power is particularly attractive to data centers, which have extensive commitments to zero-carbon energy. Fervo sold 115 megawatts to Nevadas grid as part of a deal with Google, then 320 megawatts to Southern California Edison. Sage signed 150 megawatts for an on-site power deal with Meta. More deals are pending, including one by Sage that could bring geothermal onto Texass grid for the first time. Another Houston-based geothermal company, Quaise Energy, plans to use a microwave beam to vaporize hot, dry rock. If that method works, it could open much of the country to deeper geothermal drilling and be used to tap heat even beneath dense Northeastern cities, where usable heat had long been thought to be too far underground to capture in an economically viable way. The International Energy Agency has estimated global geothermal resources could produce enough energy to cover 140 times the current electricity demand, using 80 percent of the same jobs found in the existing oil and gas workforce. And once enough companies are drilling, they can begin to cross-pollinate, said Ghazal Izadi, the chief operating officer at geothermal company XGS Energy, which recruits heavily from oil field service companies like Baker Hughes and Schlumberger. During the shale boom, for example, Izadi said that drillers shared experience between 3000 operators sharing every day about the length of the well, how long it takes, what they fracked, well spacing, frack spacing, how many problems they had, how much fluid they used. Over a decade, that synergy let shale exploration companies cut the time needed to drill, case and frack a well by a factor of 12, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To some of geothermals proponents, the technology represents a chance to transform the energy industry and eliminate its toxic byproducts moving away from the type of production long dominant in the Permian Basin, where oil and gas manufacture takes place on an industrial scale across entire landscapes, producing poisonous gas and towers of fire, and toward something more like that seen in Iceland, where waste heat from geothermal electric plants powers fish farms, hot tubs and greenhouses. Large-scale geothermal would trade the Permian Basins Mordor vibe for a cooler, shinier, more tidy vibe, said Jamie Beard, founder of geothermal advocacy group Project InnerSpace. The Permian, she argued, is a huge mess out there, like driving through hell thousands of flares, fire everywhere, pump jacks and all that. None of that is present in geothermal production because youre not producing oil and gas. Shifting away from oil and gas production could also reduce exposure to volatile, DNA-wrecking organic compounds like benzene and toluene that are often present in the fossil fuels. Those dangers are lower for geothermal: The fracking fluid used by Sage, for example, is a nontoxic barite solution, as opposed to the thousands of novel and often toxic chemicals used in oil and gas. Geothermal isnt risk free. A rushed drilling job in Indias Himalayas, for instance, caused a blowout that dumped hot water and clay into local water supplies. The greater concern hanging over the geothermal industry, however, is that the data centers it hopes will be at the center of a growing market for its energy will instead stick to gas. The risk, Beard said, is that geothermal could lose that AI-driven energy market to fossil fuels unless it proves itself right now. So far, the industry is choosing gas. Current data centers demand 24/7 power, which geothermal promises but only fossil fuels can currently supply. Gas demand has flatlined in recent years, but that dynamic is projected to drive it up by another 6 billion cubic feet per day by decades end, per S&P Global. Much of this growth is poised to occur in Texas, where in mid-February a new central Texas data center announced plans to connect to a new gas pipeline that would generate 1.2 gigawatts of power enough to power about a million homes. Though geothermal might be able to meet that demand in a few years, Beard worries it is at a significant disadvantage now, when decisions are being made that will shape the future of the American grid for decades. If it has to be built fast, its going to be natural gas, she said. She argued that creates an urgent imperative for geothermal to find ways to colocate with gas development in effect rerunning the mid-2010s Eagle Ford playbook in which geothermal technology helped extract hot gas and bought itself a long-term seat at the table. If geothermal doesnt prove itself in this massive build-out to address data center demand, I worry that geothermal may never get off the ground, Beard said. But supply chain bottlenecks mean that new gas plants must often wait years for parts which XGSs Izadi argued gives geothermal a good opportunity to win the race. We need to win it. To do that, she said, geothermal would have to develop at a far greater pace. The industry had moved past the need for more research and test wells, she said. Geothermal is not moving with one or two wells or three wells per year each company, ultimately, needs to reach a point where it is drilling hundreds or thousands of wells per year. To move forward, she said, We just need to drill. Updated at 6:13 p.m. EDT Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. (Bloomberg) -- OpenAI and Meta Platforms Inc. are each seeking a potential alliance with Indias Reliance Industries Ltd., The Information reports. Most Read from Bloomberg OpenAI executives have spoken multiple times with their counterparts at Reliance in recent months about a potential product and sales partnership, The Information says, citing unidentified people who spoke with executives at both companies. OpenAI would like Reliances business units, such as wireless carrier Jio, to sell or distribute its artificial intelligence solutions that could include ChatGPT, the people told the media outlet. Listen to the Heres Why podcast on Apple, Spotify or anywhere you listen. But Meta could present competition for OpenAI. Meta also seeks to work with Reliance on new artificial intelligence businesses, The Information reports, citing an unidentified Meta employee involved in discussions regarding the potential venture. A deal with Reliance could potentially help Meta and OpenAI bolster their relations with Indian government officials concerned about foreign AI companies edging out local firms. A partnership could also help to improve their standing among the countrys consumers and businesses. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2025 Bloomberg L.P. The Iowa Dental Board within the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing oversees the state's dental profession. (Photo by Getty Images; logo courtesy State of Iowa) An eastern Iowa dentist with a history of disciplinary actions is, for the third time, facing allegations of professional incompetence. The Iowa Dental Board has charged Dr. Masih Safabakhsh of Gentle Dental in Cedar Rapids with failure to maintain a reasonably satisfactory standard of competency in the practice of dentistry and with indiscriminately or promiscuously prescribing or administering drugs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement None of the underlying allegations that gave rise to those charges has been made public by the board. A hearing on the matter is scheduled for Aug. 21, 2025. In December 2011, the board charged Safabakhsh with gross malpractice and issued an emergency restricting his practice, alleging that he had used a cutting or grinding device on multiple patients to excessively separate patients teeth to facilitate his placement of orthodontic bands in the patients mouths. Due to this, these teeth were severely and irreversibly damaged and will require restoration, the board alleged. The emergency order barred Safabakhsh from continuing to engage in orthodontics for new patients, citing an immediate danger to the public health, safety and welfare. In January 2012, Safabakhsh consented to an order permanently restricting him from using a cutting or grinding device to separate patients teeth for placement of orthodontic bands. He also agreed to a $7,500 fine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Six months later, in July 2012, Safabakhsh was subjected to another emergency order from the board. This time, the boards order immediately suspended his license to practice dentistry of any kind. At that time, the board alleged it had received a complaint from multiple employees at Safabakhshs dental office regarding a patient who had a medical emergency after being administered 16 cartridges of a local anesthetic and had to be transported to a hospital by ambulance. A board consultant alleged that 16 cartridges of Carbocaine anesthetic was three times the manufacturer-specified maximum dosage although Safabakhshs staff allegedly said patients were regularly administered between 10 to 16 cartridges. The board alleged that after the incident, Safabakhshs staff was told in writing that an ambulance was not to be called by anyone unless requested by a doctor or patient. Safabakhsh was also accused of performing substandard work related to a root canal on one patient and a tooth restoration on another patient. A board consultant also concluded that on multiple occasions, Safabakhsh billed for services that were not performed or not documented in patient records. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The board eventually fined Safabakhsh $10,000. In August 2014, after Safabakhsh underwent remedial training, the board reinstated his license subject to several conditions and an indefinite period of probation. In April 2022, the board reinstated Safabakhshs license free and clear of any restrictions and terminated his probation. Its not clear when the alleged actions that led to the current charges of incompetence occurred, although state records suggest the boards investigation of those matters was initiated in 2022 the same year the board removed all restrictions from his license. The Iowa Capital Dispatch was unable to reach Safabakhsh for comment. HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) Thousands of Pennsylvanians will soon receive a check they may not be expecting. On Monday, the Pennsylvania Treasury announced that more than 7,000 Pennsylvanians will soon receive checks in the mail through the Money Match program. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now This Week in Pennsylvania The program locates unclaimed property at the Treasury that belongs to residents and sends it directly through a check. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anyone with unclaimed property worth up to $500 will receive a check after an identification and verification process. Those who may have unclaimed property worth more than $500 can check the unclaimed property website to submit a claim. Most of these folks didnt even realize they had unclaimed property waiting for them, Treasurer Stacy Garrity said. The first Pennsylvania Money Match checks, totaling more than $1.7 million, are now on the way to Pennsylvanians mailboxes. Pennsylvania Money Match is a new program that allows Treasury to return certain unclaimed property to rightful owners automatically, which was approved unanimously by the General Assembly and signed by the Governor last year. Treasurer Stacy Garrity at a press conference announcing that Pennsylvania Money Match checks, totaling more than $1.7 million, are now on the way to residents mailboxes. Pennsylvania Money Match is a new program that allows Treasury to return certain unclaimed property to rightful owners automatically, which was approved unanimously by the General Assembly and signed by the Governor last year. The first Pennsylvania Money Match checks, totaling more than $1.7 million, are now on the way to Pennsylvanians mailboxes. Pennsylvania Money Match is a new program that allows Treasury to return certain unclaimed property to rightful owners automatically, which was approved unanimously by the General Assembly and signed by the Governor last year. The first batch of Money Match checks are worth more than $1.7 million combined. About 1 in 10 Pennsylvanians is owed a piece of the $4.5 billion in unclaimed property being held by the Treasury. The average value of a claim is $1,600. Virtually every Pennsylvanian either has unclaimed property sitting at Treasury or knows someone who does, said State Sen. Scott Hutchinson. For too long, those funds remained unknown to the rightful owners, and thats where PA Money Match comes in. This innovative program has revolutionized how we handle unclaimed property in Pennsylvania by automatically matching individuals with their unclaimed funds. As chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, I was proud to work with Treasurer Garrity, former Senator John DiSanto, and colleagues in the House and Senate to get this commonsense initiative across the finish line for Pennsylvanians. Now, with the PA Money Match program in place, those funds are being returned at an even faster rate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since 2021 the Treasury has returned more than $700 million in unclaimed property. You can check whether you have unclaimed property on the Treasurys unclaimed property 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 ABC27. YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) Thousands of FirstEnergy customers in Youngstown reported a power outage Monday afternoon. It appears the outage was in part the result of an SUV that crashed into a pole in the area of High Street and S. West Avenue. An employee with Ohio Edison responded to the scene after a pole was downed and wires were lying on the ground and atop the SUV. WKBN WKBN The employee disconnected the power to the lines. No injuries were reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the FirstEnergy outage map, at least 6,289 Valley customers were without power around 1:30 p.m., the impacted area spanning Youngstown and parts of Girard, McDonald, and Mineral Ridge. As of 2 p.m., around 200 customers were without power. It is unclear if the outages are a result of the crash alone or the effects of Mondays high winds. A wind advisory is in place until 8 p.m. in Trumbull and Mahoning counties, with wind gusts ranging from 35-45 mph. Stay tuned with Storm Team 27 for the latest weather forecasts. FirstEnergy states restoration is expected at 3:30 p.m. Nick Rich and Annie Giovannucci 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. SOUTH CAROLINA (WJBF) Three area schools are among 37 South Carolina schools across 29 districts to be awarded $5 million in grant money. The South Carolina Department of Education announced that the 37 schools will be participating in the Strategic Compensation Pilot Grants for their commitment to accelerating student growth in English Language Arts and math. According to SCDE, the three schools from the CSRA that are among the 37 are Allendale-Fairfax High School, Saluda Middle School, and Batesburg-Leesville Middle School. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SCDE states that the 37 newly-awarded schools span urban, rural, and charter schools, and the average school award exceeds $120,000, with final allocations determined by student enrollment and classroom academic growth outcomes. SCDE adds that there were 118 schools applying for more than $22 million in funding, and the demand for innovative strategic teacher compensation in South Carolina is undeniable so these 37 schools will serve as a model for rewarding excellence and ensuring that high-performing educators stay in the classroom. For a full list of awarded schools, visit the SCDE 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 WJBF. PRINCE GEORGES COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now) Following a months-long investigation, the Prince Georges County Police Department (PGPD) said it arrested three men for a string of ATM robberies throughout the county. PGPD said 34-year-old Maurice Roots, 33-year-old Jeff Crews and 39-year-old David Jerome Walker all of whom are from Washington, D.C. were charged for their involvement in the robberies, which started in late January. In five robberies, the suspects used hydraulic rescue tools also known as the jaws of life to break into the machines and steal tens of thousands of dollars in cash. PGPD said around $200,000 was taken during the five incidents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DC man sentenced to 35 years for rape, kidnapping in 2023 The Jaws of Life used in the robberies. (Courtesy of the Prince Georges County Police Department) Crews and Walker were linked to robberies at the following: Jan. 29: 7-Eleven in the 1400 block of Cherry Hill Road in Beltsville 7-Eleven in the hundred block of Watkins Park Drive in Upper Marlboro Feb. 1: 7-Eleven in the 7900 block of Good Luck Road in Lanham Feb. 6: 7-Eleven in the 6100 block of Oxon Hill Road in Oxon Hill Feb. 19: 7-Eleven in the 11300 block of Baltimore Avenue in Beltsville Crews, Walker and Roots were linked to a robbery on Feb. 22 at a 7-Eleven in the 9400 block of Lanham Severn Road. 2 arrested in Maryland after burglary at gun store in Fairfax County, police say A map of where and when the robberies allegedly occurred. (Courtesy of the Prince Georges County Police Department) Roots was arrested on March 19 in the Clinton area, while Crews and Walker were arrested in Washington D.C. The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) recovered cash and guns at the suspects home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement PGPD said Crews faces 43 charges, Walker faces 45 charges and Roots faces seven charges. Crews and Walker are both in custody in Washington, D.C., pending extradition to Prince Georges County. Anyone with further information is asked to contact PGPD at (301) 516-2930. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. HEARNE, Texas (FOX 44) Three people have been injured in a Hearne shooting. Police officers responded to the 800 block of FM-485 at approximately 11 p.m. Saturday for reports of shots fired. When they arrived, they found a vehicle with five people inside. Three of these people had gunshot wounds. The victims were transported to an area hospital for medical treatment. This investigation is ongoing. Police say for respect of the victims and integrity of the investigation, limited information may be released. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you have any information about this case, you can contact the Hearne Police Department at 979-279-5333 or the Robertson County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-299-0191. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KWKT - FOX 44. Three men were sentenced to a combined maximum of more than 15 years in prison for their roles in a failed attempt to smuggle 100 kilograms of cocaine into Australia, the Australian Federal Police (AFP) said on Monday. According to police, the men had been part of a plot to smuggle the drugs in the cargo hold of a Sydney-bound passenger flight hailing from Johannesburg in October 2023. Two of the men, aged 63 and 57, "were identified as trusted insiders using their employment at Sydney Airport to facilitate the importation of drugs from the inbound flight," the AFP said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 63-year-old was sentenced to 10 years, while the 57-year-old man, a former airline logistics manager, was sentenced to three years for his role in the scheme. A third man, aged 25, was sentenced to two years and nine months. Police said his "role was to collect the cocaine from the airport precinct for onward distribution in Australia." The AFP said that two more people believed to have been part of the "alleged criminal syndicate" were still before the courts. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) says Republican senators will get to the bottom of how Jeffrey Goldberg, the editor-in-chief of The Atlantic magazine, got added to a group chat among senior Trump administration national security officials, during which classified details about a military strike against Houthi rebels were disclosed. Were just finding out about it, but obviously weve got to run it to ground and figure out what went on there, Thune told reporters Monday when asked if he was concerned about the leak and whether the Senate would investigate the security breach. Well have a plan, he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thune spoke to reporters shortly after Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), a senior member of the Intelligence Committee, called the inadvertent inclusion of a journalist on a group chat of senior national security officials a huge screwup. Sounds like a huge screwup. I mean, is there any other way to describe it? Cornyn told reporters at the Capitol Monday. Senate Democrats slammed Trumps national security adviser Mike Waltz and others for discussing details about missile strikes on a commercially available app and failing to take pains to ensure the identities of the individuals on the chat. This is one of the most stunning breaches of military intelligence I have read about in a very, very long time. What we have here are senior U.S. leaders, including the vice president and secretary of Defense, having classified discussions of military action over an unsecure app, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.), the ranking member on the Senate Armed Services Committee, said that if senior defense officials did indeed discuss military planning on an unsecure app, it represents one of the most egregious failures of operational security and common sense I have ever seen. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Mass deportations are being planned by the U.S. government and that could mean a big boom in business for private prisons. Don't miss As of March 9, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was holding 46,269 people people, according to the nonpartisan Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse (TRAC). This is the highest number of detainees since October 2019. The Adams County detention center in Natchez, Mississippi, which held the largest number of ICE detainees so far in fiscal 2025, averaging 2,153 per day, is owned and operated by a publicly-traded company called CoreCivic (CXW). The stock has soared 54.52% in the last six months. The GEO Group (CXW), another operator of private prisons, has seen its shares double in value since Donald Trumps election win. Investors have poured money into these stocks since mass deportations will likely require an increase in immigration detention facilities. In November, George Zoley, The GEO Groups founder and executive chairman, told stakeholders in an earnings call that the company was built for this unique moment. ICE detention isnt just a bureaucratic nightmare. Its a business. These facilities are privately owned and run for profit, wrote Jasmine Mooney, a Canadian citizen who was recently detained by U.S. authorities for two weeks. Its a lucrative business: CoreCivic made over $560 million from ICE contracts in a single year. In 2024, GEO Group made more than $763 million from ICE contracts. While for-profit private prison companies are reportedly set to make billions reopening jails for ICE, your retirement savings may be invested in and supporting these firms, whether you like it or not. Investors with moral and ethical concerns over benefiting from mass deportations may be unknowingly invested in these stocks through exchange-traded funds or mutual funds. Heres how to know your exposure and what you can do about it. Expansion plans Both The GEO Group and CoreCivic plan to benefit from mass deportations. In December, The GEO Group announced a $70 million investment to deliver expanded detention capacity, secure transportation, and electronic monitoring services to ICE. According to the press release, its currently the largest service provider to ICE, providing approximately 21,000 detention beds (with a present census of 14,000) at 16 ICE Processing Centers with the ability to expand to a minimum of 32,000 beds at 23 facilities. A small tornado caused damage on the west side of Rolling Fork, Mississippi, Sunday night, according to a storm spotter who filed a report with the National Weather Service. A home on Mississippi Highway 16 was damaged, according to a local emergency manager, and trees and power lines were knocked down. The small twister might have gone unreported by the media at-large except for news about the location. Two years prior -- nearly to the day -- the town of Rolling Fork, Mississippi, was devastated by a violent EF4 tornado which killed 17 people under cover of darkness. The March 24, 2023, EF4 Rolling Fork tornado Two years ago, survivors were left reeling the next day after the tornado had slammed into the town of just under 1,800 residents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rolling Fork resident Barbara Christopher and her family invested in a storm shelter in the 1980s after a storm damaged the roof of their home. Four decades later, the Rolling Fork tornado destroyed the home, with Barbara and her husband Charles losing nearly everything. "You always see stuff like this on TV, Oh that's just terrible,' it is," Christopher told AccuWeather National Reporter Bill Wadell. "It is terrible." Christopher told Wadell after the tornado strike that others should take heed of severe warnings. "I would say in a heartbeat, take it seriously ... God was with us; He was watching over us," Christopher said. Christopher and her husband were not injured in the storm, even with debris flying inside their cellar. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rolling Fork resident Kelly Perry was emotional while recounting the events that Friday night after he and his wife survived in a tiny corner closet of the house that collapsed on them. "If we wouldn't have been in the closet, we wouldn't be here right now," Perry said. In addition to the Rolling Fork EF4, 19 tornadoes were confirmed to have touched down across the South that night, including two EF3 twisters. The European Commission has reaffirmed its unwavering support for Ukraine's territorial integrity and stressed that the so-called "referendums" conducted by Russia in the occupied territories of Ukraine were entirely falsified. Source: European Commission spokesperson Anitta Hipper, as reported by European Pravda Details: Speaking at a briefing in Brussels on 24 March, Hipper reiterated that the European Union stands firmly by Ukraines sovereignty and territorial integrity, calling the Russian "referendums" a complete fabrication. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Let me recall the European Council's conclusion from 21 March, where the Council is also reiterating its unwavering support to Ukraine's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity," Hipper stated in response to journalists' requests to comment on the recent controversial remarks by US presidents special envoy Steve Witkoff in an interview with Tucker Carlson. "And the last point [of the ECs conclusion ed.] on these referendums, that were a total sham and [conducted] at gunpoint," she added. Quote: "When it comes to the discussion on peace talks, our position is very clear, and I would like to reiterate two main points. One, the EU's position for peace is that it is for Ukraine to decide the actual conditions, and the second point that nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine. This shows also in view of Russia's continuous attacks, that Russia cannot be trusted. We have also seen the attacks over the weekend, including a strike on Kyiv, where three people have died, including a five-year-old child. So this shows that Russia still needs to demonstrate its genuine political will to end its illegal and unprovoked aggression. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now when it comes to our support, our support is very strong, as we have shown through the different strands, the military, the financial, the humanitarian support, sanctions, the 16 sanction packages, the 17 sanction packages [in preparation ed.], also the military support plan. We have to support Ukraine right now more than ever, and this is what we will be doing." Background: Steve Witkoff, US President Donald Trump's Special Envoy to the Middle East, in an interview with journalist Tucker Carlson effectively recognised the "referendums" conducted by Russia in the occupied Ukrainian territories in 2022. In the same interview, Witkoff claimed that Ukraine's NATO membership was incompatible with a potential peace deal with Russia. He also mentioned his visit to Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin, who presented him with a portrait of Trump. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Despite strong demand for lifelong learning among business school graduates, most alumni are looking beyond their alma maters to meet those needs, according to a new global study. The Alumni Matters report, released by education consultancy CarringtonCrisp in partnership with EFMD, surveyed 2,130 alumni across 87 countries. It found that while nearly half (46%) of respondents are eager for more learning opportunities, only 30% plan to return to their business school for further education. Instead, alumni are calling for more tailored support from their former institutions. Seven in ten (70%) want business schools to create specific learning programs for alumni, while 64% are seeking online access to faculty content and 61% are looking for preferential rates for additional study. A MISSED OPPORTUNITY FOR B-SCHOOLS Lifelong learning is one of the priorities for alumni, and there is a clear indication that they expect favorable rates and access from their business schools, says Andrew Crisp, co-founder of CarringtonCrisp and author of the report, in a news release accompanying it. If they are not able to get this, they are very willing to go elsewhere. The findings suggest a missed opportunity for business schools but also point to a potential path forward. Crisp says that institutions could develop partnerships with external providers to broaden their lifelong learning offerings. More than half of respondents (51%) expressed interest in pursuing another full-time degree, such as an MBA, EMBA, or other masters. Postgraduate certificates or diplomas (45%) and short non-degree executive education courses (43%) were also popular. A majority (51%) preferred either fully online or blended learning formats. Beyond academic learning, alumni are seeking deeper engagement with their business schools. Nearly half (45%) would like to attend annual community events combining networking and learning. Others expressed a desire to contribute to student career development (42%) and curriculum design (41%). Some 39% are interested in collaborating with fellow alumni on charitable or NGO projects. AN OPEN DOOR FOR SCHOOLS WILLING TO ADAPT Career support remains a top priority. Just under half (48%) of respondents want improved alumni career services, with 46% asking for easier ways to connect with fellow graduates and the same number requesting more learning opportunities. Entrepreneurship also emerged as a major theme. Four in ten alumni (41%) want support for starting a business. Among this group, 62% are looking to invest in new ventures, 52% are in the early planning stages of launching a business, and 45% are already founders seeking a stronger entrepreneurial network. The Trump administrations choice to dismantle USAID has made its way to Sesame Street, which had received funding from the agency. The iconic childrens show has faced other headwinds like Max deciding not to re-up its streaming contract. The Trump administrations efforts to slash federal funding have impacted agencies ranging from the Treasury Department to the Internal Revenue Service and the Federal Aviation Administration. Now the cuts are coming for Sesame Street. The 55-year-old childhood television staple is produced through nonprofit Sesame Workshop, which has received funding from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). But in late February, the Trump administration dismantled USAID at the urging of the so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and its chief cheerleader, Tesla CEO Elon Musk. Thats been a painful loss for many organizations, not to mention nations that relied on humanitarian aid from USAID. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Like many other nonprofit organizations, Sesame Workshop was hurt by the recent federal grant cuts it did not anticipate abruptly losing, according to a report from the New York Times. The federal government has been considering shrinking Sesame Streets funding through the Corporation for Public Broadcasting for more than a decade. Cuts to Sesame Workshop risk pulling the rug out from under children who rely on consistent, affirming media to support literacy, numeracy, emotional self-regulation, and identity formation, Erica R. Williams, founder and executive director of St. Louisbased education justice and racial equity nonprofit A Red Circle, told Fortune. President Donald Trump also called the the Arabic-language version of Sesame Street part of the hundreds of billions of dollars of fraud uncovered by DOGE, although the iteration of the show was historically supported by members of both parties. Andrew S. Natsios, who led the U.S. Agency for International Development under President George W. Bush, even told the NYT the Arabic-language version of the show was the biggest weapon against Al Qaeda and Islamic extremism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, specific programs that supported Sesame Street performances overseas have since been eliminated. Fortune reporters are deeply out of touch if they believe that American taxpayers want to fund Sesame Street performances overseas," White House spokesperson Anna Kelly told Fortune. In the most recent fiscal year, federal funding accounted for 4% of the organizations total funding. Its total assets in 2023 were $559 million, according to ProPublica data. Sesame Workshop also earns funding through distribution fees, royalties, and other licensed products and gets donations from foundations, corporations, and individuals. Sesame Workshop declined to comment to Fortune about the effects of federal funding cuts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, streaming platform Max decided in December 2024 it wasnt going to renew its contract with Sesame Street in a move to divest from childrens programming. Since 2015, that deal has paid Sesame Workshop $30 million to $35 million per year for rights to the show, according to the NYT report. Sesame Workshop also recently cut about 20% of its staff to prevent a $40 million deficit in the next year, internal documents reviewed by the NYT show. Plus, other childrens programming juggernauts like Ms. Rachel have stolen the attention of kids and parents alike. Ms. Rachel even landed a massive deal with Netflix after proving herself on YouTube, garnering millions of views on each of her videos. This has created a perfect storm for the organization behind Sesame Street, executives said, according to the NYT. Circa 1969: Cast members of the television show, 'Sesame Street,' posing on the set with some of the puppet characters. Left to right: Will Lee (1908 - 1982), Matt Robinson (1937 - 2002), Bob McGrath and Loretta Long with (left to right) Big Bird, Cookie Monster, Grover, Ernie, Bert and Oscar the Grouch. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images) Early childhood education experts warn the demise of Sesame Street would be a threat to equity in child development. These cuts should sound alarm bells for anyone working at the intersection of education, race, and poverty, Williams said. The loss of Sesame Streeteven partiallywould widen the opportunity gap. The shows accessibility through public broadcasting has historically filled learning gaps for children without access to preschool or structured early learning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite headwinds, Sesame Workshop CEO Sherrie Westin, whos been with the organization for nearly three decades, said in an interview last year she was confident the organization could sustain Sesame Street. This is not a rejection of Sesame Street, and Sesame Street is not going away, she told the NYT. But we absolutely have a responsibility to change as the world around us is changing if we want to continue to deliver on our mission. This story was originally featured on Fortune.com Saudi Aramco is set to expand its presence in South America with the acquisition of fuel distributor Primax, which operates in Peru, Colombia and Ecuador. The acquisition is valued at approximately $3.5bn, according to a report by Reuters, citing Peruvian newspaper Gestion. The acquisition of Grupo Romero-owned Primax, which operates 2,185 petrol stations across the three countries, aligns with Aramco's strategy to diversify its portfolio and strengthen its position in the global energy market. By acquiring Primax, Aramco aims to leverage the distributor's market presence and brand recognition in the region. The deal is part of Aramco's broader strategy to tap into South America's expanding fuel consumption. Aramco declined to comment on the transaction, and Primax and Grupo Romero did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Aramco's acquisition of Primax follows its purchase of a minority stake in Peru LNG from Hunt Oil Company last year. This move further solidifies Aramco's presence in Peru and highlights its commitment to expanding its downstream operations globally. In February, Aramco reached agreements to acquire a 25% share in Unioil Petroleum Philippines, a downstream fuel operator established in 1966. Subject to regulatory clearance, the deal aligns with Aramcos broader strategy to enhance its global downstream presence and retail footprint. Unioil is a key player in the Philippines' downstream sector, with a network of 165 retail stations and four storage terminals. The acquisition seeks to capitalise on the increasing demand for premium fuels in the Philippines. The company is also reportedly considering acquiring bp's Castrol lubricant business, valued at approximately $10bn (7.72bn). BP has been exploring options for its Castrol division, including a potential sale, as part of a strategic review. The valuation of the Castrol business is estimated at between $6bn and $8bn, according to investment banking firm Panmure Liberum. Aramcos interest in Castrol is mainly centred on its strong presence in fast-growing markets like India, where Castrol India is valued at approximately $2.5bn (Rs214.04bn). "Saudi Aramco to expand South American footprint with Primax acquisition" was originally created and published by Offshore Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, said national security advisor Michael Waltz inadvertently added him to a group chat with Trump administration officials discussing war strikes in Yemen and other highly sensitive matters of national security. Goldberg recounted the implausible situation in The Atlantic on Monday, starting from the moment earlier this month Waltz added him to the 18-person group chat on Signal something he first assumed was part of an elaborate hoax or disinformation campaign to his realization that President Donald Trumps top national security players were actually tinkering with war plans over a text thread. In addition to Waltz, officials Goldberg seemingly identified in the group chat included Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who he says sent information that our adversaries could have used to harm American military and intelligence personnel, particularly in the broader Middle East; Vice President JD Vance; Tulsi Gabbard, the director of national intelligence; and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Atlantic editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg speaks on stage at The Atlantic Festival last September. Paul Morigi via Getty Images Goldberg said the situation he was in became truly bizarre on March 15, four days after Waltz added him to the conversation. At around 11:44 a.m. ET, Hegseth texted the group precise information about weapons packages, targets, and timing of U.S. strikes on Yemen set to happen about two hours later. When those strikes took place as planned, Goldberg viewed the text thread as legitimate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What I will say, in order to illustrate the shocking recklessness of this Signal conversation, is that the Hegseth post contained operational details of forthcoming strikes on Yemen, including information about targets, weapons the U.S. would be deploying, and attack sequencing, Goldberg wrote. The Atlantic editor decided to leave the group chat at that point. When he reached out to officials to inquire about the validity of the chat, National Security Council spokesperson Brian Hughes confirmed to him that the thread was real. Hughes sent the same statement to HuffPost when reached for comment. This appears to be an authentic message chain, and we are reviewing how an inadvertent number was added to the chain, he wrote. The thread is a demonstration of the deep and thoughtful policy coordination between senior officials. The ongoing success of the Houthi operation demonstrates that there were no threats to troops or national security. National security advisor Michael Waltz speaks during the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) last month. Bloomberg via Getty Images The group chat also pulled back the curtain on Trumps relationship with Vance, who has remained publicly aligned with the president but questioned his thinking on the strikes in Yemen in the chat with Waltz, Hegseth and other officials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I am not sure the president is aware how inconsistent this is with his message on Europe right now, the vice president wrote. Theres a further risk that we see a moderate to severe spike in oil prices. I am willing to support the consensus of the team and keep these concerns to myself. But there is a strong argument for delaying this a month, doing the messaging work on why this matters, seeing where the economy is, etc. Vances office emphasized his allegiance to Trump when reached for comment. The Vice Presidents first priority is always making sure that the Presidents advisers are adequately briefing him on the substance of their internal deliberations, William Martin, Vances communications director, said in a statement sent to both Goldberg and HuffPost. Vice President Vance unequivocally supports this administrations foreign policy. The President and the Vice President have had subsequent conversations about this matter and are in complete agreement. When asked about Goldbergs story on Monday, Trump told reporters he had no idea what they were talking about. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I dont know anything about it, he said. You are telling me about it for the first time. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said she would not answer any questions about the ordeal. Ive said it twice, and appreciate your persistence, she told a reporter at a Monday press conference. Related... Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, was accidentally added to a Signal group chat with several Trump Administration officials, including Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, in which they discussed imminent war plans earlier this month, the journalist wrote Monday. The inadvertent messages, shared via the encrypted messaging app Signal, were sent to Goldberg in the days leading up to the U.S. launching air and naval strikes against the Houthis in Yemen. The strikes were made in an effort to open international shipping lanes in the Red Sea that the Houthis have disrupted for months with their own attacks, The New York Times reported on March 15, the day the strikes took place. The messages show the back-and-forth discussion between Trump Administration officials over whether the U.S. should strike the Houthis now or wait until April or later. There were 18 people included in the group chat, including Goldberg, who he says was accidentally added by Michael Waltz, President Trumps national security advisor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vice President Vance initially expressed reservations about the plan, saying I think we are making a mistake. He said there is a real risk that the public doesnt understand this or why a strike is necessary. I am not sure the president is aware how inconsistent this is with his message on Europe right now. Theres a further risk that we see a moderate to severe spike in oil prices, Vice President Vance added. I am willing to support the consensus of the team and keep these concerns to myself. But there is a strong argument for delaying this a month, doing the messaging work on why this matters, seeing where the economy is, etc. Hegseth said he understood the vice presidents concerns and supported him raising them with President Trump. I think messaging is going to be tough no matter what nobody knows who the Houthis are which is why we would need to stay focused on: 1) Biden failed & 2) Iran funded, Hegseth said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Later, after more discussion among the group, Vance said he supported the move. If you think we should do it lets go, Vance said. I just hate bailing Europe out again. Goldberg noted the Trump Administration feels the U.S. Navy carries an unnecessarily heavy burden policing the seas for our European allies and other countries. Hegseth told Vance I fully share your loathing of European free-loading. Its PATHETIC. Shortly after, the U.S. began striking the Houthis. Goldberg said he was shocked to have been included on the messages. He said he had met Waltz in the past but, given the administrations contentious relationship with journalists and him personally, he initially felt his inclusion could be part of a disinformation campaign. But after lingering in the group chat for a few days, It was clear to him that his invite was simply a mistake. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I also could not believe that the national security adviser to the president would be so reckless as to include the editor-in-chief of The Atlantic in such discussions with senior U.S. officials, up to and including the vice president, Goldberg wrote on Monday. The Trump White House on Monday confirmed Goldberg was accidentally added to the chat. This appears to be an authentic message chain, and we are reviewing how an inadvertent number was added to the chain, Brian Hughes, the spokesperson for the National Security Council, told The Atlantic. The thread is a demonstration of the deep and thoughtful policy coordination between senior officials. The ongoing success of the Houthi operation demonstrates that there were no threats to troops or national security. You can read Goldbergs full story by clicking here. The post Trump Administration Accidentally Texts Secret Military Plans to Editor of The Atlantic appeared first on TheWrap. The Trump administration after accusing Columbia University graduate and pro-Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil of being a Hamas sympathizer without providing evidence now says Khalils deportation is justified because he did not reveal connections to two organizations in his application to become a permanent US resident, an argument his attorneys call weak. Khalil failed to state on his green card application he had previously worked for the Syria office of the British Embassy in Beirut and was a member of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, or UNRWA, the government says, the latter a focus of intense criticism from American and Israeli politicians who accuse it of antisemitism. Khalil was an unpaid intern with UNRWA in 2023, but was never on staff, agency spokesperson Juliette Touma told CNN. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Khalil sought to procure an immigration benefit by fraud of willful misrepresentation of a material fact, the government wrote in the brief filed Sunday. Regardless of his allegations concerning political speech, Khalil withheld membership in certain organizations It is black-letter law that misrepresentations in this context are not protected speech. Khalil, a negotiator for pro-Palestinian student protesters in talks with Columbias administration over last springs contentious campus encampment against the Israel-Hamas war, was arrested March 8 and has been detained since then by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. US District Judge Jesse Furman, an Obama appointee, has blocked the government indefinitely from deporting Khalil and transferred the case. The Trump administration initially said Khalil was a threat to US security, citing a law that allows noncitizens to be deported if their presence has potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences for the United States. Asked how Khalil had engaged in terrorist activity, Homeland Security Deputy Secretary Troy Edgar told NPR on March 13: I think its clear, or we wouldnt be talking about it, and provided no additional details. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other foreign academics also have been identified for deportation this month as the administration squeezes colleges over pro-Palestinian demonstrations amid a broader immigration crackdown. Khalils attorneys argue the new justification to deport him is weak. Were not at all surprised because its a recognition that the initial charges are unsustainable, attorney Baher Azmy told CNN. So, theyre going with a theory that they must think is more legally defensible. But I just think this doesnt cure the obvious taint of retaliation. In a letter dictated to his attorneys last week, Khalil called himself a political prisoner. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Khalils immigration proceedings are separate from the federal case challenging the legality of his detention. The governments immigration fraud claims would have to be presented to an immigration judge who could ultimately decide to deport him. Attorneys for Khalil on Tuesday renewed their request for his release in a court filing. His lawyers again challenged the constitutionality of his detention, asking the court to release him and accusing the federal government of holding him in retaliation for his political activism Khalils attorneys are asking the court to release him while litigation plays out, noting he is not a flight risk or a danger to the community. The 58-page document filed Tuesday also denies the Justice Departments latest claims that Khalil committed immigration fraud by withholding information about his past work when he applied for his green card. Why UNRWA is controversial Long before Khalils detention, UNRWA was a lightning rod for American and Israeli politicians who accuse the agency of antisemitic behavior alongside its humanitarian mission. Founded in 1949, it has been the United Nations primary agency for providing aid and relief to Palestinians living in the Gaza and the West Bank as well as other countries including shelter, health care, food and education. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israel last year banned UNRWA from operating in that country, accusing the organization of spreading antisemitism and saying some UNRWA employees who are mostly Palestinian participated in the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel that killed more than 1,200 people. Allegations about UNRWA workers involvement in the attack prompted the Biden administration to pull US funding from the agency in January 2024, and more than a dozen other countries followed suit. President Donald Trump signed an executive order in February cutting off US aid to the organization. UNRWA has reportedly been infiltrated by members of groups long designated as foreign terrorist organizations, he asserted. Officials with UNRWA have denied they are deliberately aiding terrorists and said claims their facilities have been used for terrorism operations including the detention of Israeli hostages should be independently investigated. Dismantling UNRWA will only deepen the suffering of Palestine refugees, its Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini said last month. Pro-Palestinian protestors rally on March 12 in support of Mahmoud Khalil outside of a federal hearing in New York. - Charly Triballeau/AFP/Getty Images Judge asked to move Khalil closer to family Attorneys for Khalil submitted a motion Monday opposing the governments continued efforts to keep his case in Louisiana, where he is currently being held in custody. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shortly after his arrest, Khalil a citizen of Algeria who grew up in a Palestinian refugee camp in Syria, according to his court filings was transferred to an ICE processing facility in Jena, Louisiana, more than a thousand miles away from the court. A federal judge has ruled the case should be heard in New Jersey. The government told a judge a detention center in New Jersey was unsuitable because the facility was dealing with bedbug issues and lack of space, it said in the brief filed Sunday. Khalils attorney says any questions about whether his residency application was properly filled out should be decided by a judge, not unilaterally by ICE. Well deal with that claim on its own terms when the time comes in the immigration court, Azmy told CNN. For now, for purposes of the federal case and his right to bond and ultimately his release from detention, we dont think it undermines our case at all. CNNs Eric Levenson, Nadeen Ebrahim and Salma Arafa contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com The Trump administration asked the Supreme Court on Monday to put on hold a federal judges ruling reinstating thousands of probationary federal employees who were fired as part of the governments efforts to quickly downsize its workforce. The emergency appeal is the administrations latest attempt to get the nations highest court to intervene on its behalf as lower courts frustrate even on a temporary basis key parts of President Donald Trumps second term agenda. In the case at hand, a federal judge in San Francisco issued a preliminary injunction earlier this month that required half a dozen federal agencies to immediately offer over 16,000 probationary employees their jobs back. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The district courts extraordinarily overbroad remedy is now inflicting ongoing, irreparable harm on the Executive Branch that warrants this Courts urgent intervention, acting Solicitor General Sarah Harris wrote in court papers. Harris went on to say that the ruling from US District Judge William Alsup has compelled the government to embark on the massive administrative undertaking of reinstating, and onboarding to full duty status, thousands of terminated employees in the span of a few days. The administrations request comes as the federal appeals court based in San Francisco is considering a similar emergency appeal from the administration. That appeal was filed on March 14. Every additional day the injunction remains in effect is a day that six executive agencies are effectively under the district courts receivership, necessitating immediate relief from this Court, Harris argued. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alsups ruling was one of the rare wins for federal labor groups challenging the administrations efforts to cull its workforce. Though other federal judges declined to stop a wave of firings in the opening weeks of Trumps second term, Alsup said he was making his decision because he believed the Office of Personnel Management unlawfully directed the agencies earlier this year to lay off the probationary employees, who generally have been on the job for less than a year. Each agency had (and still has) discretion to hire and fire its own employees. Here, the agencies were directed by OPM to fire all probationary employees, and they executed that directive. To staunch the irreparable harms to organizational plaintiffs caused by OPM unlawfully slashing other agencys staff required immediately reinstating those employees, Alsup, an appointee of former President Bill Clinton, wrote in his ruling. The ruling came in a case brought by labor unions and others challenging OPMs role in the firings, which affected thousands of employees and sent shockwaves through various federal agencies, some of which later rehired some of the workers. The Trump administration has been targeting probationary workers because they have fewer job protections and can be dismissed more easily. While they generally cannot appeal their termination to the Merit Systems Protection Board, they can if the action stemmed from partisan political reasons or marriage status. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Harris told the high court that some of the fired probationary employees have filed complaints with the Office of Special Counsel and argued that Alsups ruling ran headfirst into the administrative avenues set up by Congress to address such terminations. Declaring open season on challenges to federal personnel management is especially unsound because Congress has created an entirely different framework for resolving legal challenges to the terminations of federal employees, she wrote, adding that allowing the unions to head straight to district court and raise claims that the affected federal employees themselves cannot raise would upend that entire process. Norm Eisen, representing the plaintiffs as part of the State Democracy Defenders Fund, said the court will uphold Alsups ruling. The Trump administration illegally terminated tens of thousands of federal employees, as duly noted by Judge Alsup, Eisen said in a statement. The administrations efforts to block relief have so far failed and now they are turning to the Supreme Court baselessly. This story has been updated with additional comment. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com The Trump administration Monday asked the Supreme Court to block an order forcing the government to rehire thousands of workers fired as part of President Trumps effort to drastically reduce the size of the federal workforce. U.S. District Judge William Alsup ordered the administration indefinitely reinstate more than 16,000 probationary employees terminated at a half-dozen agencies upon ruling that their firings were likely unlawful. The Trump administrations emergency application comes after an appeals court declined to immediately block Alsups order. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those orders have sown chaos as the Executive Branch scrambles to meet immediate compliance deadlines by sending huge sums of government money out the door, reinstating thousands of lawfully terminated workers, undoing steps to restructure Executive Branch agencies, and more, acting Solicitor General Sarah Harris wrote in the application. The lower courts should not be allowed to transform themselves into all-purpose over-seers of Executive Branch hiring, firing, contracting, and policymaking. Only this Court can end the interbranch power grab, she continued. The Trump administration has looked to fire thousands of probationary employees meaning those typically in their first or second year in a position across the government as part of a broader effort to cut spending and reshape the federal bureaucracy. Alsup is one of two federal judges to have ordered the Trump administration reinstate fired probationary employees though both noted the administration can still do so if it follows the proper procedure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hours after Alsups ruling, a federal judge in Baltimore ordered employees be reinstated at a broader group of 18 federal agencies. The Justice Department has not yet brought that case to the Supreme Court. Emergency applications follow a truncated schedule and are normally handled within a matter of days or weeks. By default, the administrations new request will go to Justice Elena Kagan, who oversees emergency appeals arising from California. The Justice Department asked Kagan to issue an administrative stay immediately blocking the judges order until the high court can resolve the appeal. It marks the third time the new administration has sought emergency relief from the high court in the hopes of limiting or blocking lower judges injunctions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The justices punted the first request, which asked to reinstate U.S. Special Counsel Hampton Dellinger, before it ultimately became moot. And the second request, which asks the court to limit the nationwide scope of rulings blocking Trumps plan to restrict birthright citizenship, remains pending. The Trump administration illegally terminated tens of thousands of federal employees, as duly noted by Judge Alsup, said Norm Eisen, who leads State Democracy Defenders Fund, a left-leaning legal organization representing the plaintiffs in the newest case. The administrations efforts to block relief have so far failed and now they are turning to the Supreme Court baselessly, Eisen said in a statement. Our coalition remains committed to ensuring that justice prevails for every affected probationary worker and we are confident that the courts will uphold the rule of law. We look forward to seeing the government in court. Sarah Fortinsky contributed to this report, which was updated at 1:21 p.m. EDT Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The Trump administration asked the Supreme Court on Monday to allow it to follow through with its attempt to fire thousands of probationary workers across the federal government. The administration filed an emergency appeal of a March 13 ruling from U.S. District Judge William Alsup, who ordered the government to immediately rehire probationary workers who had been terminated at six federal agencies. Alsups order required the government to offer reinstatements to about 16,000 federal workers, Acting Solicitor General Sarah Harris wrote in the appeal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alsups ruling let third parties hijack the employment relationship between the federal government and its workforce, Harris argued. That is no way to run a government, she wrote. Alsup, a San Francisco-based appointee of President Bill Clinton, ruled that the administration had violated federal law and skirted required procedures when it conducted the mass terminations. A second judge Baltimore-based U.S. District Judge James Bredar, an appointee of President Barack Obama similarly found that the terminations of probationary workers was illegal, and he issued an even more sweeping order requiring the workers to be rehired at 18 federal agencies. The emergency appeal of Alsups ruling is part of a nascent effort by the Trump administration to press the Supreme Court to rein in district court judges who have barred dozens of early actions by federal agencies seeking to implement a wave of executive orders by President Donald Trump. Harris described Alsups ruling as part of a series of rulings in which district court judges had overstepped their authority. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This Court should stop the ongoing assault on the constitutional structure before further damage is wrought, Harris wrote. Harris submitted the appeal to Justice Elena Kagan, who handles emergency matters originating from California. Kagan is likely to refer the appeal to the full court. Despite its popularity, cryptocurrency is one of the most volatile asset classes to invest in. From crypto winters to hype narratives fueling meme coins, the crypto landscape never has a dull moment. Beyond mainstream cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin or Ethereum, another popular investment that's emerged in recent years is XRP (CRYPTO: XRP), which is developed by Ripple Labs. On March 19, Ripple received some great news from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Subsequently, the price of XRP rose about 12%, although it has since surrendered some of those gains. Let's explore why XRP investors are cheering and assess if this important decision by the SEC could pave the way for the cryptocurrency's future. Why is XRP soaring? For the past several years, Ripple has been involved in a closely followed lawsuit with the SEC. To summarize, the SEC alleged that Ripple was selling the XRP token as an unregistered security. The word "security" is important here. Although investing in cryptocurrency has become more common in recent years, the regulatory landscape around this asset class has been cloudy at best. In essence, Ripple defended its actions by arguing that XRP is a commodity -- not a security such as a stock or bond. In such a case, XRP would not be held to the same rules and regulations as traditional securities. The back and forth between Ripple and the SEC has been going on since Dec. 22, 2020. As the chart below shows, the price of XRP during the past four years has exhibited some extreme peaks and valleys. Nevertheless, on March 19 Ripple's chief executive officer said that the SEC is withdrawing its case against the company. While some investors are expecting an announcement from the SEC later in April, the current price action isn't too surprising. The reason I say that is because I don't find the SEC's reported decision as much of a surprise. The Trump administration has vocally supported the crypto industry -- from the campaign trail and now even in the White House. Earlier this month, the president hosted a crypto summit at the White House and even doubled down on his intention to form a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve to augment the nation's balance sheet. Although none of these factors specifically involves XRP, I found the appearance of support for the crypto industry from the current administration as enough of a proxy to assume a positive outcome in the Ripple suit. Image source: Getty Images. Is XRP a good buy right now? As of this writing, the price of XRP is roughly $2.39. While that might look cheap compared to Bitcoin's price of $84,400, looking at absolute dollars can be misleading. WASHINGTON (AP) The Trump administration on Monday invoked a state secrets privilege and refused to give a federal judge any additional information about the deportation of Venezuelan migrants to El Salvador under an 18th century wartime law a case that has become a flashpoint amid escalating tension with the federal courts. The declaration comes as U.S. District Judge James Boasberg weighs whether the government defied his order to turn around planes carrying migrants after he blocked deportations of people alleged to be gang members without due process. Boasberg, the chief judge of the federal district court in Washington, has asked for details about when the planes landed and who was on board, information that the Trump administration asserts would harm diplomatic and national security concerns." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Government attorneys also asked an appeals court on Monday to lift Boasberg's order and allow deportations to continue, a push that appeared to divide the judges. Circuit Court Judge Patricia Millett said Nazis detained in the U.S. during World World II received better legal treatment than Venezuelan immigrants who were were deported to El Salvador this month under the same statute. We certainly dispute the Nazi analogy, Justice Department attorney Drew Ensign responded during a hearing of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. Millett is one of three appellate judges who will decide whether to lift a March 15 order temporarily prohibiting deportations under the Alien Enemies Act of 1798. They didn't rule from the bench Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A second judge appeared open to the administrations argument that the migrants should be challenging their detention in Texas rather than the nations capital. The third judge on the panel didnt ask any questions. The administration has transferred hundreds of Venezuelan immigrants to El Salvador, invoking the Alien Enemies Act for the first time since World War II. Also on Monday, attorneys representing the Venezuelan government filed a legal action in El Salvador to free 238 Venezuelans who are being held in a Salvadoran maximum-security prison after the U.S. deported them. President Donald Trump's administration appealed after Boasberg blocked those deportations and ordered planeloads of Venezuelan immigrants to return to the U.S. That did not happen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Alien Enemies Act allows noncitizens to be deported without the opportunity to go before an immigration or federal court judge. Trump issued a proclamation calling the Tren de Aragua gang an invading force. Ensign argued that Boasbergs ruling was an unprecedented and enormous intrusion upon the powers of the executive branch. The president has to comply with the Constitution and the laws like anyone else, said MiIlett, who was nominated by Democratic President Barack Obama in 2013. Judge Justin Walker, whom Trump nominated in 2020, seemed to be more receptive to the administrations arguments based on his line of questioning. Walker pointed to the governments arguments that the plaintiffs should have filed their lawsuit in Texas, where the immigrants were detained. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You could have filed the exact same complaint you filed here in Texas district court, Walker told American Civil Liberties Union attorney Lee Gelernt. We have no idea if everyone is in Texas, Gelernt said. Walker also pressed the plaintiffs lawyer to cite any prior case in which a judicial order blocking a national security operation with foreign implications survived appellate review. Gelernt accused the administration of trying to use the law to short circuit immigration proceedings. Plaintiffs attorneys had no way to individually challenge all the deportations before planeloads of Venezuelans took off on March 15, he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This has all been done in secret, Gelernt said. Judge Karen LeCraft Henderson, who was nominated by Republican President George H.W. Bush in 1990, was the third judge on the panel. She didnt ask any questions during a hearing that lasted roughly two hours. Boasberg, an Obama nominee, ruled that immigrants facing deportation must get an opportunity to challenge their designations as alleged gang members. He said there is a strong public interest in preventing the mistaken deportation of people based on categories they have no right to challenge. The public also has a significant stake in the Governments compliance with the law, the judge wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump and his allies have called for impeaching Boasberg. In a rare statement, Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts said impeachment is not an appropriate response to disagreement concerning a judicial decision. Just after midnight Monday, Trump posted a social media message questioning Boasberg's impartiality and calling for him to be disbarred. During a hearing Friday, Boasberg vowed to determine whether the government defied his oral order from the bench to turn planes around. The Justice Department has said that the judges oral directions did not count, that only his written order needed to be followed and that it couldnt apply to flights that had already left the U.S. TOPPAN Speciality Films, a division of TOPPAN Holdings in India, has finalised an agreement to acquire 80% of the issued shares of Irplast, an Italian company that specialises in the production of biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) films. The shares will be acquired from Cheyne Strategic Value Credit (SVC), a British investment fund that holds a majority stake in Irplast. The financial details of the transaction have not been disclosed. Irplast produces BOPP films using simultaneous biaxial orientation technology, which enhances the films' transparency, durability, and processability, according to the company. These films are also noted for their lower environmental impact and greater recyclability. They are commonly used in a range of applications such as packaging and labelling for food items, as well as personal and home-care products. Through this acquisition, TOPPAN aims to integrate Irplasts advanced manufacturing technologies into its own operations, enabling the development of innovative BOPP film solutions that cater to various market demands. TOPPAN Group executive officer Hiroshi Suzuki said: This acquisition represents a significant step forward in TOPPAN's business growth and technological innovation in the film business. By incorporating the advanced technologies and expertise of Irplast, we are confident that we can further enhance our sustainable solutions. TOPPAN remains committed to contributing to society through the pursuit of sustainable value creation and customer satisfaction. During the divestment process, Cheyne SVC was advised by financial advisor Houlihan Lokey and international law company Chiomenti while Irplasts management team was advised by the law business BonelliErede. TOPPAN, meanwhile, was advised by EY India as the investment banker for the transaction, with due diligence assistance provided by KPMG and legal representation from Bird & Bird and SAM & Co. Last December, TOPPAN agreed to acquire Sonoco Products Companys Thermoformed and Flexible Packaging business for $1.8bn. "TOPPAN Speciality Films to acquire stake in Italian BOPP film producer Irplast" was originally created and published by Packaging Gateway, a GlobalData owned brand. President Donald Trump is escalating his multi-front assault on what supporters see as an elite establishment, using raw presidential power to bend the government, law, media, public health, foreign policy, education and even the arts to his will. Trump left no doubt in last years campaign that hed use executive authority to seek retribution against his political enemies. But his attempt to transform Americas politics and culture is far broader than a personal revenge trip. Hes targeting Ivy League universities; using executive authority against top law firms; eviscerating the bureaucracy; rejecting 80 years of elite orthodoxy about American global leadership; and using tariffs to shatter the global trading system that Make America Great Again proponents regard as the self-enriching treachery of global elites. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In one recent example, the White House forced Columbia University to restrict demonstrations, review its Middle East curriculum, ban masks in protests and stiffen law enforcement. Other top educational institutions now feel vulnerable to possible attempts to impose Trump dogma. The strategy may widen the political opening created by conservative pressure on top colleges over anti-Israel protests amid the war in Gaza. And late last week, Trump directed Attorney General Pam Bondi to seek sanctions against lawyers and law firms who engage in what he regards as frivolous, unreasonable, and vexatious litigation against the United States. The memo was released after he canceled punishment against one top white-collar firm after the White House said it agreed to do $40 million in pro bono legal services to support administration initiatives and promised to drop diversity, equity and inclusion. The firm Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison disputes the administrations characterization of the agreement, but the deal caused a backlash among many Washington lawyers. Trumps broad strategy pulsates with the anti-establishment energy that animated his rowdy campaign rallies, and is part of a deeper attempt to destroy what critics see as a liberal in-crowd that dominates Washington governance and global power in the West with what many conservatives see as more authentic American values. This aspiration lies behind the presidents gutting of the Department of Education, which has long been viewed by Republicans as a tool of Democratic-backed teachers unions and a lever for more inclusive gender, race and inclusion policies that many conservatives oppose. Trumps choice of education secretary, Linda McMahon who lacks background in the field but made a fortune promoting theatrical, choreographed bouts of professional wrestling is itself a rebuke to the education establishment. McMahon explained her mission to downgrade her department to CNNs Dana Bash Sunday on State of the Union: The Department of Education does not educate one child. It does not establish any curriculum in any states. It doesnt hire teachers. It doesnt establish programs, she said, vowing to send federal funds directly to states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McMahons appointment springs from the same elite-bashing sentiments that led Trump to name Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a vaccine skeptic, to head the Department of Health and Human Services. Trump is trying to change Americas culture as well as its politics Trumps politics has long been hostile to intellectualism. And a president who was mocked by the establishment for years is now using his second administration to settle scores. But his attempt to bring universities, the media and the medical establishment into line is raising fears for academic and press freedom and the sanctity of science in public health. And his ambitions go further hes even taken control of the Kennedy Center in Washington, put Fox News anchors on its board and promised to replace high culture with more mainstream programming. This is all consistent with a president who draws most support from outside Americas cities and wealthy middle-class suburbs; and who believes he has a mandate for transformation after winning all seven swing states and the popular vote in 2024. It also speaks to the revolution he led in the Republican Party, which has shed its establishment past and now channels working-class constituencies that used to be Democratic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the administrations latest actions also have dark parallels to the tactics of strongman leaders whose assaults on academia, the media, the law, and business led to the shriveling of basic freedoms, democracy and the proliferation of oligarchical corruption for instance in Hungary under Prime Minister Viktor Orban, a hero of the MAGA movement. Trumps ultra-nationalist instincts and admiration for dictators such as Russian President Vladimir Putin a rebuke to generations of US establishment foreign policy directed against Kremlin expansionism is calling into doubt the international system built by national security elites after World War II and the system of alliances with democracies that are the foundation of US global power. And his administrations insistence that what it regards as an elite liberal corps of district court judges dont have the right to interpret the Constitution in a way that constrains the power of an all-powerful president is now encroaching on the rule of law in America, even if the White House is yet to challenge the Supreme Court perhaps in the belief that its conservative majority will validate some of the presidents own worldview. How the MAGA project believes leftist elites compromise American greatness Trump sketched out his approach in multiple policy areas in his searing inaugural address, which was a statement of intent to ensure his second term will impose the kind of fundamental change that his first failed to enshrine and of the belief that he was saved by God to make America great again. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Trumps eyes, that greatness has been compromised by leftist elite policies that shattered domestic manufacturing, suppressed freedom with public health mandates, inflicted radical liberal values in education, allowed unchecked migration, caused weakness abroad and allowed Americas friends to exploit its generosity. For many years, a radical and corrupt establishment has extracted power and wealth from our citizens while the pillars of our society lay broken and seemingly in complete disrepair, Trump said after he was sworn in. His program mirrors the goals of Project 2025, the playbook for conservative presidential leadership that Trump disowned during his campaign but that now helps explain the policy decisions of his administration. The next conservative president must possess the courage to relentlessly put the interests of the everyday American over the desires of the ruling elite, Heritage Foundation President Kevin Roberts wrote in the foreword of the document. Their outrage cannot be prevented; it must simply be ignored, and it can be. The synergy between Trumps desire to punish sources of power that he believes have wronged him and the wider administration attempt to neutralize any attempt to neutralize constraints drove his showdown with big law firms Paul, Weiss. The president signed an executive order that suspended security clearances for the firms attorneys a move that could have hampered its capacity to do act in cases that intersect with the federal government. The order was consistent with the presidents attempt to end what he calls the weaponization of justice by targeting lawyers or firms that previously took part in prosecutions against him. In a letter to Paul, Weiss employees, the firms chairman Brad Karp explained his decision to deal with the president, warning that the executive order could have easily have destroyed our firm. It brought the full weight of the government down on our firm, our people, and our clients. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the companys decision provoked wider worries that the president will use his power to threaten law firms with ruin if they act on behalf of his opponents. Salvadoran police officers escort alleged members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua recently deported by the US government to be imprisoned in the Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT) prison, as part of an agreement with the Salvadoran government, in Tecoluca, El Salvador, in this handout image obtained March 16, 2025. - Secretaria de Prensa de la Presidencia/Handout/Reuters Administration claims liberal judges are illegitimate Trumps attempts to bring legal elites in private firms to heel mirror his assault on another establishment the president is trying to disempower the federal judiciary. This is highlighted by his attacks on a US federal judge who sought to halt deportations of alleged gang members that the White House carried out under the rarely used Alien Enemies Act of 1798. Judge James Boasberg is trying to find out whether the administration flouted his orders to halt the deportations last weekend. His efforts have sparked the extraordinary spectacle of an attorney general directly attacking his legitimacy. This is an out-of-control judge, a federal judge trying to control our entire foreign policy. And he cannot do it, Bondi said on Fox News Sunday Morning Futures, which is presented by Maria Bartiromo one of the Fox anchors Trump elevated to the board of the Kennedy Center. Theyre not immigrants. Theyre illegal aliens who are committing the most violent crimes you can imagine on Americans, murder, rapes, Bondi said of Venezuelans deported to a draconian El Salvador prison run by dictator Nayib Bukele, which has raised human rights concerns. The administrations use of a national security argument as justification for the deportations, which Trump claims are part of a Venezuelan invasion, may be designed to chill the judges attempts to gain clarity. While Bondi said those deported were criminals, the administration has so far not provided any case-by-case details on those involved. CNN has so far been unable to establish that any of the migrants belonged to the Tren de Aragua gang, which the administration said was the reason for the deportations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps aides keep arguing that Boasberg is a liberal judge. But he was first appointed by Republican President George W. Bush and then promoted by President Barack Obama. He has a long reputation as a nonpartisan judge. The claims that only Trump-appointed judges are fit to rule on Trump administration policies threaten to destroy the foundation of the legal system. The deportations are one of the most prominent examples of the administrations habit to applying vast executive power in an apparent attempt to outrun the capacity of the courts or its political opponents to impose constraints in real time. But the ambition of leaving existing sources of elite power in Washington in tatters runs through all of the administrations goals from the seizure of control of the White House press pool from journalists to include pro-Trump outlets to trashing generations of US bipartisan policy with threats to annex Canada while officials repeatedly parrot Russian propaganda on Ukraine. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com UBS Group is reportedly contemplating moving its headquarters out of Switzerland if the country mandates the bank to increase its capital reserves by an extra SFr22.05bn ($25bn), reported Bloomberg. This potential move is in response to Switzerland's efforts to tighten banking regulations following the 2023 collapse of Credit Suisse. The increased capital requirement could elevate UBS's key capital ratio to approximately 20% from its current 14%. When questioned about the potential relocation, UBS referred to a January interview with CEO Sergio Ermotti on Bloomberg TV, where he stated, I do not think for me, it is a topic to even consider at this stage to move away from Switzerland. The Swiss government is aiming to strengthen banking regulations, which UBS has opposed, arguing that higher capital requirements would raise costs for businesses and households. UBS, founded in 1862 in Switzerland, acquired Credit Suisse following its collapse. Announcing its Q4 2024 and full year results last month, the bank said it is optimistic about completing the integration of Credit Suisse by the end of 2026 and aims to achieve $13bn in gross cost reductions by the end of next year. In Q4 2024, UBS reported a net profit attributable to shareholders of $770m, compared with a loss of $279m in the same quarter the previous year. The Swiss groups total revenues increased by 7% during this period, reaching $11.63bn in Q4 2024, up from $10.86bn in Q3 2024. Its global wealth management unit contributed $6.12bn to revenues in Q4 2024, while asset management revenues stood at $766m for the quarter. UBS's cost/income ratio improved to 89% in Q4 2024, compared to 105.7% in Q4 2023. UBS recorded a net profit attributable to shareholders of $5.08bn for the full year of 2024, versus $27.37bn a year ago, while total revenues increased by 19% year-on-year to $48.61bn. It closed the year with a CET 1 capital ratio of 14.3%. Earlier this month, UBS received approval from the China Securities Regulatory Commission to sell a 36.01% stake in Credit Suisse Securities (China) Limited to Beijing State-owned Assets Management. The bank will retain a 14.99% stake in the China unit. "UBS mulling Swiss headquarters relocation over capital demands-report " was originally created and published by Private Banker International, a GlobalData owned brand. Welcome back to our least favorite show: Donald Trump acting in a manner completely unbefitting of a president! On today's episode, we've got Trump demanding a personal apology in an unhinged rant. Andrew Harnik / Getty Images A bit of context: Last month, Janet Mills (the governor of Maine) attended a White House governor's meeting, where Trump threatened to block federal funding from her state if it refused to follow his executive order banning trans athletes in women's and girls' sports. Janet simply replied, "We'll see you in court." Win McNamee / Getty Images A few days later, the Trump administration launched multiple investigations in Maine, and one found that the state's Department of Education apparently violated Title IX, resulting in a pause in federal funding for the University of Maine System. Last week, the University of Maine System shared an update that the Trump administration has found them compliant with federal and state laws. Advertisement Advertisement Well! Over the weekend, the president continued the saga in a Truth Social post. After bringing up a mysterious apology no one else remembers and bashing trans women, he wrote, "We need a full throated apology from the Governor herself, and a statement that she will never make such an unlawful challenge to the Federal Government again." Ummmm?! As you might imagine, folks across TikTok and X (formerly Twitter) had a lot to say about all this! Editor's Note: While we can't endorse what X has become, we can bring you the worthwhile moments that still exist there, curated and free of the surrounding chaos. Many people called Trump "emotional": Others called him "petty," "pathetic," and said he was "throwing a tantrum": Advertisement Advertisement People even wondered if this is legal: Advertisement Advertisement This person suggested that the people of Maine shouldn't have to pay federal taxes if Trump withholds federal funds: Many urged the governor to "hold strong"... ...and suspected Trump is behaving this way because she "hurt his ego": Advertisement Advertisement Quite a few Canadians said they would "welcome" Maine: Several people from Maine chimed in with their thoughts: Advertisement Advertisement And this person, like me, couldn't get past Trump's wording: Sad to say this isn't even Trump's worst. What do you think is the most horrible or unforgivable thing he's done? Share your thoughts in the comments below or in this anonymous Google form. President Trump is demanding Colorado take down its purposefully distorted painting of him hanging in the State Capitol. Nobody likes a bad picture or painting of themselves, but the one in Colorado, in the State Capitol put up by the Governor, along with all other Presidents, was purposefully distorted to a level that even I, perhaps, have never seen before, Trump wrote in a post Sunday on Truth Social. The artist also did President Obama, and he looks wonderful, but the one [of] me is truly the worst. She must have lost her talent as she got older. Trump said he would prefer not having a picture at all than having the current one on display. He said many Coloradans have called the state looking to get it changed or removed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I am speaking on their behalf to the Radical Left Governor, Jared Polis, who is extremely weak on Crime, in particular with respect to Tren de Aragua, which practically took over Aurora (Dont worry, we saved it!), to take it down, Trump said. Jared should be ashamed of himself. Trump was referencing the members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, commonly called TdA, which had a presence in Aurora, Colo., last year. The president invoked the Alien Enemies Act recently to deport nearly 300 alleged members of the gang nationwide. The group reportedly had taken over an apartment building in the city; video shared online showed a group of armed men at the apartment shortly before someone was shot, prompting Trump to visit the area during his campaign and familiarize the group in the U.S. In 2018, an adviser to Colorados Democratic House Speaker Crisanta Duran snuck a political activist into the state Capitol who placed a large portrait of Russian President Vladimir Putin into the spot where Trumps portrait was meant to be. It came after Republicans reportedly were not able to raise the funds needed to paint the picture of Trump, 9News in Denver reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A spokesperson for Polis told The Hill, Gov. Polis was surprised to learn the President of the United States is an aficionado of our Colorado State Capitol and its artwork. The State Capitol was completed in 1901, and features Rose Onyx and White Yule Marble mined in Colorado, and includes portraits of former Presidents and former governors. We appreciate the President and everyones interest in our capitol building and are always looking for any opportunity to improve our visitor experience. Updated March 24 at 7:31 a.m. EDT Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. DENVER (AP) A painting of Donald Trump hanging with other presidential portraits at the Colorado state Capitol will be taken down after Trump claimed that his was purposefully distorted, according to a letter obtained by The Associated Press. House Democrats said in a statement that the oil painting would be taken down at the request of Republican leaders in the Legislature. Colorado Republicans raised more than $10,000 through a GoFundMe account to commission the oil painting, which was unveiled in 2019. Senate Minority Leader Paul Lundeen, a Republican, said that he requested for Trump's portrait to be taken down and replaced by one that depicts his contemporary likeness." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If the GOP wants to spend time and money on which portrait of Trump hangs in the Capitol, then thats up to them, the Democrats said. The portrait was installed alongside other paintings of U.S. presidents. Before the installation, a prankster placed a picture of Russian President Vladimir Putin near the spot intended for Trump. Initially, people objected to artist Sarah Boardman's depiction of Trump as nonconfrontational and thoughtful" in the portrait, according to an interview with Colorado Times Recorder from the time. But in a Sunday night post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said he would prefer no picture at all over the one that hangs in the Colorado Capitol. The Republican lauded a nearby portrait of former President Barack Obama also by Boardman saying he looks wonderful. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nobody likes a bad picture or painting of themselves, but the one in Colorado, in the state Capitol, put up by the Governor, along with all other Presidents, was purposefully distorted to a level that even I, perhaps, have never seen before, Trump wrote. The portraits are not the purview of the Colorado governors office but the Colorado Building Advisory Committee. The ones up to and including President Jimmy Carter were donated as a collection. The others were donated by political parties or, more recently, paid for by outside fundraising. The Legislature's executive committee, made up of both Democratic and Republican leadership, signed a letter directing the removal of Trump's portrait. Lundeen, the Republican senator who requested it, noted that Grover Cleveland, whose presidential terms were separated like Trump's, had a portrait from his second term. Boardman did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Associated Press. In interviews from the time with The Denver Post, Boardman said it was important that her depictions of both Obama and Trump looked apolitical. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There will always be dissent, so pleasing one group will always inflame another. I consider a neutrally thoughtful, and nonconfrontational, portrait allows everyone to reach their own conclusions in their own time, Boardman told the Colorado Times Recorder in 2019. Trump's Sunday night comments had prompted a steady stream of visitors to pose for photos with the painting before the announcement that it would be taken down. Aaron Howe, visiting from Wyoming on Monday, stood in front of Trumps portrait, looking down at photos of the president on his phone, then back up at the portrait. Honestly he looks a little chubby," said Howe of the portrait, but better than I could do. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I don't know anything about the artist, said Howe, who voted for Trump. It could be taken one way or the other. Kaylee Williamson, an 18-year-old Trump supporter from Arkansas, got a photo with the portrait. I think it looks like him. I guess he's smoother than all the other ones, she said. I think it's fine. ___ Bedayn is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. The head of an elite law firm said Donald Trump would have destroyed his company if it had not agreed to offer free legal advice to the White House. Brad Karp, the head of Paul Weiss, insisted that the president would not be dictating what matters we take on after his firm pledged to carry out the equivalent of $40m (31m) in pro-bono legal services on mutually agreed projects with the US administration. Mr Trump on Thursday said he would withdraw an executive order that was due to restrict Paul Weiss lawyers access to government buildings and officials. It also threatened government contracts held by the firms clients. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The order had singled out the New York firm for bringing lawsuits against participants in the Jan 6 riots and over links to Mark Pomerantz, a lawyer who led an investigation into Mr Trumps payments of $130,000 in hush money to Stormy Daniels, a porn star. Brad Karp said Donald Trumps executive order had threatened to bring the full weight of the government down on our firm - Steven Ferdman/Getty Images Other major law firms such as Perkins Coie have also faced executive orders from Mr Trump, who has also attacked their internal diversity policies. As part of the deal, Mr Karp agreed that his firm would renounce partisanship in hiring and choosing clients, and would audit its employment practices to ensure they are based only on merit. He faced accusations from fellow professionals of having caved to the Trump administrations demands. Paul, Weiss is a huge powerful law firm that just flunked a character test. When lawyers so well-paid and connected take a dive, it's shaming. Sheldon Whitehouse (@SenWhitehouse) March 23, 2025 In a letter to staff circulated on social media, Mr Karp said: Only several days ago, our firm faced an existential crisis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The executive order could easily have destroyed our firm. It brought the full weight of the government down on our firm, our people, and our clients. He added: The administration is not dictating what matters we take on, approving our matters, or anything like that. Mr Karp, who has deep ties with the financial industry and the Democratic Party, said his firm had prepared a lawsuit and was poised to challenge Trumps order, following the path taken by Perkins Coie. He said: But 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Paul Weiss performs more than $130m in pro bono work annually, Karp said, promising its existing work would continue. 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. (Bloomberg) -- Supply Lines is a daily newsletter that tracks global trade. Sign up here. Most Read from Bloomberg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Donald Trumps top economic adviser played down the idea of short-term damage to the US economy from tariff hikes, saying that American consumers have options to adapt to the levies. I dont think there is going to be material short-term pain from the tariffs, Stephen Miran, chair of the White House Council of Economic Advisers, said Monday in a Bloomberg Television interview with Saleha Mohsin. US consumers are flexible. We have options. We can produce stuff at home. Miran declined to offer any specifics on the next set of tariff hikes, which Trump has pledged for release on April 2. Bloomberg News reported earlier that the wave of duties is likely to be more targeted than Trump has occasionally threatened. The situation is developing, Miran said. The team and the president are entertaining options. It would be wrong for me to get ahead of that, he said. Well find out soon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rather than the US, it will be foreign nations that will bear the pain from tariff hikes, said Miran, who previously worked as a senior strategist at hedge fund Hudson Bay Capital. Countries that sell to the United States are inflexible theyve only got the United States to sell to, Miran said. So theyre the ones who bear the burden of these tariffs, which means that theres going to be very limited pass-through into downside economic risk or into higher prices. The US economys challenges in the near term will instead derive from a transition away from reliance on the public sector, the White House chief economist said. Three-quarters of US job growth over the past couple of years can be tied to government expenditures and taxpayer subsidies, Miran said. So it is a brittle economy as we transition away from that to the private sector. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Miran also downplayed the importance of a paper he published in November that caught the attention of Wall Street analysts. In A Users Guide to Restructuring the Global Trading System, Miran listed a variety of options aimed at addressing the persistent, and large, US current-account deficits. Among them were a global currency accord. Exchange Rates That was simply a recipe book that gave the president a menu of options, Miran said Monday. Trump is ultimately the chef who will choose which ingredients he wants to use, he said. Trumps Big-Picture Economist Already Has Wall Street Hooked Asked whether a foreign-exchange pact such as the much-discussed Mar-a-Lago accord could be in the mix for next year, Miran highlighted that Trumps priority is tariffs and thats the sole focus right now. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Could it be something that is entertained down the road? Sure it could, Miran said. He also faulted standard economic models that assume a self-correcting mechanism for trade where if a country runs a deficit, its exchange rate weakens and, by changing the competitiveness of exports and imports, rebalances the account. That model is wrong, because we have been running those persistent deficits, he said. (Updates with comments on exchange rates and trade in final five paragraphs.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2025 Bloomberg L.P. President Trumps unprecedented flex of executive power has sent legal challengers scrambling to courts to pump the breaks. But some of the presidents more extraordinary actions have been difficult to confront, as the administration barrels forward with an act-first, defend-later approach to its policy agenda. We were looking for any mechanism that would, so to speak, stop the trains here, Andrew Goldfarb, a lawyer representing challengers to the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)s takeover of the U.S. Institute of Peace (USIP), said at a hearing this week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anything to stop the destruction that is going on, he said. More than 100 lawsuits have been filed opposing Trumps executive actions and the ways his administration has sought to effectuate them, spanning the presidents crackdown on law firms, DEI, gender, controversial immigration and deportation policies and DOGEs efforts to slim down the federal government. In many challenges, judges have granted speedy injunctive relief. Its far more complicated in others. At the USIP hearing Wednesday, Goldfarb described how DOGE sought to reduce essentially to rubble the independent institute, established to help resolve and prevent violent conflicts. He said nearly all USIPs board members were unlawfully removed before DOGE showed up with armed law enforcement officers to seize control of the building. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell raised alarm about the offensive way DOGE accessed the building. But she declined to grant the plaintiffs the temporary restraining order they sought, citing confusion in their complaint and a motion that made her very uncomfortable. Timothy Zick, a professor at William & Mary Law School, said that litigating under such uncertainty is extremely challenging. Courts must undergo fact-finding to make the legal determinations necessary to move a lawsuit forward, but thats hard to do in an emergency, he said. While judges can grant emergency relief, a messy record makes it difficult to fashion relief that is appropriate. Without a good record of what has transpired, litigants and courts are at a distinct disadvantage, Zick said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Challenges to DOGEs cutdown of the federal bureaucracy, in particular, have presented issues where there is uncertainty about the advisory groups constitutional authority, he added. A federal judge similarly denied requests for temporary restraining orders in a pair of lawsuits contesting efforts to detain migrants at Guantanamo Bay, backed by the American Civil Liberties Union. ACLU lawyer Lee Gelernt said the challengers found themselves in a Catch-22. The migrants legal teams would not know if the government moved them to the Cuban detention camp until after it happened. But if they were sent there, it would cause irreparable harm due to the perilous conditions there like shackles and solitary confinement. He noted that the administration had transferred migrants to the detention site then abruptly emptied it multiple times, complicating any legal challenge to the efforts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We dont know that the moment we walk out of court they (wont) be sent to Guantanamo, Gelernt said during a hearing on the matter last week. U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols denied their request, pointing to the fact that, at that time, no detainees with final orders of removal were being held at the facility. Less than a week later, the administration sent a new group of migrants there. Claire Finkelstein, a University of Pennsylvania law professor, said the administrations strategy has a certain sense of gamesmanship. Though Trump has said he wont violate court orders, the back-and-forth makes it difficult to figure out the truth of the situation at hand, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Youre playing Whack-a-Mole all the time, she said. I think thats an intentional strategy. Barbara McQuade, a former U.S. attorney, said theres still value in challenges where the landscape changes, making moot initial arguments. It may cause the administration to stop doing something that it doesnt think will hold up in court, even if the court doesnt, hasnt decided yet, she said. In First Amendment challenges to Trumps often-vague executive orders, lawyers have argued that confusion regarding how and when the administration will enforce the directives could have a chilling effect. Howell, who is also overseeing the case over Trumps order targeting the law firm Perkins Coie, pressed the Justice Department last week over why the presidents far-reaching order would not chill lawyers or the courts. She asked if the president should simply be trusted to draw the right lines. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yes, he has that power, said DOJ chief of staff Chad Mizelle, who argued for the Trump administration. In Trumps anti-DEI orders, which have also been challenged in courts, the president does not clearly define DEI which stands for diversity, equity and inclusion leaving questions about which specific enforcement actions will occur if- violated, Zick said. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit last week lifted a nationwide injunction prohibiting enforcement of several provisions of two DEI orders for that very reason. One judge wrote in a concurring opinion that what the orders say on their face and how they are enforced are two different things. As far as the Administration is concerned, the lack of specificity is a virtue, Zick said. It makes it harder for courts to assess the effect of the Orders, and in the meantime, affected parties may be chilled from engaging in activity or feel pressured to comply in anticipation of enforcement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Trump administration has argued that the lack of specificity is beyond the governments scope of duty. DOJ lawyer Pardis Gheibi said during a hearing Wednesday in a lawsuit over the presidents DEI and gender executive orders that any confusion about their scope should be cleared up through legal advice. She said Trumps orders dont rise or fall on whether he adequately explained their reach. The unprecedented nature of the Trump administrations sweeping actions so far makes it hard to glean any lessons from history on how to wage legal battles against it, Zick said. Except that presidents have prevailed in some and lost in other tough cases, he noted. I suspect that will be Trumps experience too. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The UK's national government has unveiled a 600m ($774.9m) investment aimed at training up to 60,000 additional skilled workers in the domestic construction sector. This funding package encompasses 100m for the establishment of ten new Technical Excellence Colleges and 165m to support existing colleges in delivering more construction courses. Furthermore, 'Skills Bootcamps' will receive an expansion with 100m of funding, facilitating new entrants, returners, and current workers to upskill within the industry. Meanwhile, all regions involved in the Local Skills Improvement Plan will benefit from a 20m investment to foster partnerships between colleges and construction companies. The domestic construction sector is also set to be a beneficiary of new foundation apprenticeships, supported by an additional 40m, launching this August. These apprenticeships aim to introduce more young people to the industry and provide them with the necessary skills for advanced apprenticeships and a career. Employers will receive an incentive of 2,000 for every foundation apprentice they hire and retain in the sector. This is in addition to the full funding of training costs through the new Growth and Skills Levy. An additional 100m of government funding, complemented by a 32m contribution from the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), will help finance more than 40,000 industry placements each year for learners at various educational levels. The government will also sponsor a new Construction Skills Mission Board, co-chaired by the government and Mark Reynolds, executive chair of Mace. The board will be tasked with developing and executing a construction skills action plan and providing strategic leadership to the sector. CITB chief executive Tim Balcon said: We are delighted with the support the government is giving the construction sector with increased investment. This package will provide vital support, where it is needed most - it will cut straight to the heart of the construction industry being able to address the challenge of building 1.5 million new homes for people that desperately need them. As an industry, we now need to grasp this opportunity and play our part in delivering it. I genuinely believe this is a once-in-a-generation chance to us to recruit and train our workforce - equipping more people with the skills they urgently need now and in the future. Last December, the UK government introduced planning changes to accelerate the delivery of new homes as part of Labour's Plan for Change, aiming to build 1.5 million new homes and boost economic growth. (NewsNation) President Donald Trump held his third Cabinet meeting with Elon Musk in attendance on Monday. Its the third such meeting Musk has attended despite not being an official member of Trumps Cabinet. During Trumps first Cabinet meeting, Musk gave a presentation about his efforts with the Department of Government Efficiency, and the second featured a reported clash between Musk, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Protesters push global movement aimed at bankrupting Musk Tariffs and the economy Trump continued to promote his view that tariffs will be great for the U.S. and said countries will be treated very fairly. Economists have long warned that tariffs will be passed on to consumers and could worsen inflation when many Americans still feel financially squeezed. When asked about projections of stagflation, Trump said it takes time to go over numbers but there will be never seen before. Cuts arent popular, but DOGE needed: Trump At Mondays meeting, Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum discussed Musks attempts to slash the federal workforce, specifically contracts that DOGE have identified as fraud, according to Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump said its not popular to make cuts but said the American people understand that the administration is trying to make the country better. I have no idea how it plays out in the public but it has to be done, he said. Appeals court will hear arguments on Trumps deportation flights Trump defended Musk, saying that the billionaire hasnt asked him for anything even when it comes to policies like residing the electric vehicle mandate which could hurt Musks bottom line. Musk said the DOGE team had been getting death threats as a result of the departments work, When a reporter attempted to ask about the number of jobs that would be cut from the government, the press pool was pushed out of the room, External Revenue Service coming: Lutnick Cabinet officials gathered for the meeting minutes after Trump announced a secondary tariff on Venezuela come April 2. In a Truth Social post, Trump said the U.S. would impose a 25% tariff on any country that buys oil or gas from Venezuela. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its the latest move in Trumps ongoing tariff war. Weve been ripped off by every country in the world, Trump said at the Monday meeting. Trump putting secondary tariff on Venezuela Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told the Cabinet meeting that the External Revenue Service is soon going to launch to collect revenue from the tariffs imposed. What is so exciting is April 2 is just around the corner, and that is American Liberation Day, Lutnick said Monday. That is the day when the rest of the world starts to treat America with respect. McMahon addresses Education Department Education Secretary Linda McMahon said her department needs to address the issues in education now, pointing to plummeting test scores Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We will go farther and farther down, McMahon said. Last week, Trump signed an executive order to begin dissolving the Department of Education and reallocated several programs to other departments, including shifting the nations student loan portfolio to the Small Business Administration. Trump administration to end legal status of 500,000 migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela Noem to visit El Salvador prison Department of Homeland Security Kristi Noem discussed her visits to the border and her plans to visit the El Salvador prison where deportees are being held. Trumps administration is facing a legal battle over deportation flights to El Salvador under the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, which a federal judge tried to stop to no avail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials are due in court Monday afternoon for a hearing on those flights and whether they violated the judges orders. Noem also said the agency would eliminate FEMA. Russia-Ukraine ceasefire talks The meeting comes as U.S. officials convene with Russian and Ukrainian officials in Saudi Arabia to negotiate a potential ceasefire. Trump putting secondary tariff on Venezuela Rubio told Cabinet members that America should be proud it has a president bent on promoting peace. Greenland visit Trump characterized a trip by his allies, including second lady Usha Vance, as a friendly visit and claimed officials in the country had asked the U.S. to go there. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Greenlands government has slamed the visit, which it deemed aggressive. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation. A student goes through his locker in a hallway at an elementary school in Louisville, Ky. More than a dozen states in the past two years have launched or expanded programs that allow families to use taxpayer dollars to send their students to private schools. (Jon Cherry/Getty Images) More than a dozen states in the past two years have launched or expanded programs that allow families to use taxpayer dollars to send their students to private schools. Now, President Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress want to supercharge those efforts. Trump in January issued an executive order directing several federal agencies to allow states, tribes and military families to tap into federal money for so-called school choice opportunities. Those can come in the form of education savings accounts, voucher programs, tax credits or scholarships. Trumps order also aims to expand access to public charter schools, which are free from some of the rules that apply to traditional public schools. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile in Congress, 24 Republican senators have signed on to legislation that would provide $10 billion in annual tax credits to individuals and corporations who make charitable contributions to organizations that provide private-school scholarships. A Nebraska Republican introduced a companion measure in the House. Already this year, Idaho, Tennessee and Wyoming have approved school choice programs, and bills are advancing in Kansas, New Hampshire, Ohio, South Carolina and Texas. A bill in Mississippi died before advancing. Most of the measures still in play would open programs to all families regardless of income, though some states would cap the total amount of money available. Supporters of school choice say it gives parents control of their kids education and an escape hatch if they are dissatisfied with their local public school. Many conservatives, religious institutions and private schools are in favor of school choice, along with some people of color who live in districts with underperforming public schools. Every child is different. They learn in different environments. There are just so many factors, that I believe that parents should be the ones that make the decision on where their child is going to do the best and have the most success, said Indiana Republican state Sen. Linda Rogers. A former educator, Rogers has sponsored a bill in her state that would provide additional money to charter schools, which are considered to be a form of school choice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Opponents, including teachers unions, public school professionals and many rural lawmakers of both parties, say such measures undermine traditional public schools by shifting money away from them. When we start to take from public schools, were hurting our kids, our lower-income kids. They will not prosper from this legislation, Tennessee Democratic state Rep. Ronnie Glynn said during the floor debate on a far-reaching voucher bill in his state. Joshua Cowen, a professor of education policy at Michigan State University, said vouchers are a budget-buster for states. Vouchers dont shift costs they add costs, Cowen said in a phone interview. Most voucher recipients were already in private schools, meaning states are paying for education they previously didnt have to fund. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The switch to remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic, which gave parents a front-row seat to watch what their children were or were not learning in their classes, contributed to the recent school choice momentum. So did parent frustration over prolonged public school closures. I believe that parents should be the ones that make the decision on where their child is going to do the best and have the most success. Indiana Republican state Sen. Linda Rogers Parents got a good look into sort of what was happening in schools, said Bella DiMarco, a senior K-12 education policy analyst at FutureEd, an independent think tank at Georgetown University. There was a lot of talk during the pandemic around school choice of what public schools arent doing for their kids. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The first modern school voucher program, created in Milwaukee in 1990, was a bipartisan effort to help lower-income families afford private schools. In recent years, more states have moved from school choice programs focused on certain groups, such as low-income students or students with disabilities, to universal programs open to students of all backgrounds. Historically, the programs were always sort of targeted to students in need, DiMarco said. But in the last couple of years, the new push has been for these universal programs. Currently, more than 30 states and Washington, D.C., have at least one school choice program. More than a dozen states now offer universal or near-universal access, allowing K12 students to participate in school choice regardless of income. EdChoice, a nonprofit that advocates for school choice, estimates that 1.2 million students are attending private schools this school year with the help of public tax credits, scholarships or vouchers. Different strategies States that enacted school choice programs this year have pursued different strategies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The program Idaho enacted last month, for example, will provide an annual tax credit of $5,000 per child ($7,500 for students with disabilities) to help cover private education expenses. Most voucher recipients were already in private schools, meaning states are paying for education they previously didnt have to fund. Joshua Cowen, a professor of education policy at Michigan State University Tennessees new program will provide 20,000 scholarships of roughly $7,000 each. During its first year, half of the Tennessee scholarships will be reserved for households earning less than $173,000 for a family of four, but that restriction will be removed in subsequent years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement About 65% of the Tennessee vouchers are expected to be awarded to students who already attend private schools, according to a legislative analysis. Critics say the cost of the program will grow quickly, creating a hole in the states budget. Tennessee Republican Gov. Bill Lee, who pushed hard for the proposal, suggested that Trumps executive order might provide additional resources. Lee told reporters he hasnt yet analyzed the order, but I think theres opportunity there. The president wants to support states like ours who are advocating for school choice, Lee said in a news conference after lawmakers approved the measure. Lee was at the White House on Thursday when Trump signed an order calling for the U.S. Department of Education to be dismantled. Texas lawmakers also are actively debating a voucher program, a longtime priority for Republican Gov. Greg Abbott, who worked to defeat resistant rural Republicans in last years state legislative elections and who also attended the White House event. The Senate passed a bill that would provide $10,000 per student ($11,500 for students with disabilities) annually through education savings accounts. A similar House proposal is under review. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kansas is considering a universal refundable tax credit $8,000 per child for accredited private school tuition and $4,000 for non-accredited private schools. The program starts with a $125 million cap, increasing annually if participation hits certain thresholds. Ballot box defeats School choice opponents question the wisdom of sending taxpayer dollars to schools that may lack certified teachers, follow nonstandardized curricula or discriminate in admissions. Many private schools have testing standards, maintain religious requirements or exclude LGBTQ+ students or those with certain disabilities, for example. In some Republican-led states that have expanded school choice, Democrats have filed bills to increase oversight and place restrictions on these programs. A bill in Tennessee would require background checks for teachers at private schools that receive voucher money. And an Iowa bill would require that property tax statements include information on how much money education savings accounts subtracted from local public schools. As voucher programs have grown, they have attracted greater scrutiny. ProPublica, an investigative journalism outlet, last year found that Arizonas universal voucher program has mostly benefited wealthier families. Some Arizona parents have tried to use voucher money to pay for dune buggies and expensive Lego sets, according to press reports. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Critics also note that despite recent legislative successes, school ballot initiatives fared poorly at the ballot box last fall. Voters in Colorado rejected a measure that sought to enshrine school choice rights in the state constitution. In Nebraska, voters partially repealed a state-funded private school scholarship program. And in Kentucky, voters overwhelmingly rejected a constitutional amendment that would have allowed the use of public money to support private schools, with 65% of voters and a majority in every county opposed. Theres a handful of these billionaires that have been pushing vouchers for 30 years, said Cowen, the Michigan State University professor. The school choice movement is not necessarily driven by public demand, but rather by wealthy donors and political maneuvering. Stateline reporter Robbie Sequeira can be reached at rsequeira@stateline.org. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE When saving for retirement, small investors often buy stocks in the hope of reaching and surpassing the coveted $1 million milestone. While investors have likely reached a time when retiring with only $1 million is not enough, it is a sum that can at least help fund a retiree's activities after their working years end. With a decade left, a prospective retiree might need $250,000 to reach that point within 10 years. While there's no guarantee how specific names will perform, investing in these three stocks gives investors a chance to grow their nest eggs to $1 million and beyond. 1. Sea Limited Many investors are unfamiliar with Singapore-based Sea Limited (NYSE: SE). The conglomerate has become the No. 1 e-commerce company in the Southeast Asian countries in which it operates through its online shopping segment Shopee, and its fintech segment SeaMoney has achieved similar leadership status in the same region. Also, its original segment, the gaming business Garena, claimed the world's most downloaded game in 2024. Garena had been a relative laggard for Sea Limited, but amid its recovery, the stock has been on a tear, rising 125% over the last year. Despite those gains, it may not be too late to buy. Sea Limited stock sells for around two-thirds below its 2021 high. During that time, the company refocused its e-commerce business in Southeast Asia, preferring regional leadership over the unprofitable global presence it had attempted. Moreover, unlike its peak in 2021, the stock is profitable. In 2024, revenue rose 29% yearly to almost $17 billion, earning $448 million in net income, a 175% annual increase. Also, while its relatively recent turn to profitability has left it with an elevated P/E ratio, a forward P/E ratio of 34 appears more reminiscent of a mature name than a dynamic growth stock. With all three segments firing on all cylinders, it is likely not too late to add shares of this conglomerate. 2. Nu Holdings Opportunity also abounds in Latin America, particularly in the fintech sector. Latin American countries were historically dominated by a small number of banks that left large percentages of the population outside the financial system. While financial products from companies like MercadoLibre offered some potential for digital transactions, the region remains largely cash-based. However, this has begun to change thanks to Nu Holdings (NYSE: NU). It has become the largest digital bank outside of Asia in large part by offering around 21 million Brazilians their first credit card. So successful was its approach that 58% of Brazil's adult population holds at least one Nu account. A student goes through his locker in a hallway at Carter Traditional Elementary School on Jan. 24, 2022 in Louisville, Kentucky, following two weeks of remote learning due to staffing issues caused by a COVID surge. More than a dozen states in the past two years have launched or expanded programs that allow families to use taxpayer dollars to send their students to private schools. (File photo by Jon Cherry/Getty Images) More than a dozen states in the past two years have launched or expanded programs that allow families to use taxpayer dollars to send their students to private schools. Now, President Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress want to supercharge those efforts. Trump in January issued an executive order directing several federal agencies to allow states, tribes and military families to tap into federal money for school choice programs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those can come in the form of education savings accounts, vouchers, tax credits or scholarships. Trumps order also aims to expand access to public charter schools, which are free from some of the rules that apply to traditional public schools. Meanwhile in Congress, 24 Republican senators have signed on to legislation co-led by Republican Tim Scott of South Carolina that would provide $10 billion in annual tax credits to individuals and corporations who make charitable contributions to organizations that provide private-school scholarships. A Nebraska Republican introduced a companion measure in the House. Already this year, Idaho, Tennessee and Wyoming have approved school choice programs, and bills are advancing in Kansas, New Hampshire, Ohio, and Texas. In South Carolina, the Senate and House have approved differing versions of legislation aimed at reinstating taxpayer-funded, private school scholarships that were halted by a state Supreme Court decision last fall. The chambers Republican leaders are working on a compromise. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A bill in Mississippi died before advancing. Most of the measures still in play would open programs to all families regardless of income, though some states would cap the total amount of money available. In South Carolina, whether to have any cap is a major difference between the House and Senate versions. Both would expand access over the next few years, but the House plan would create so-called universal choice in 2027-28. Supporters of school choice say it gives parents control of their kids education and an escape hatch if they are dissatisfied with their local public school. Many conservatives, religious institutions and private schools are in favor of school choice, along with some people of color who live in districts with underperforming public schools. Every child is different. They learn in different environments. There are just so many factors, that I believe that parents should be the ones that make the decision on where their child is going to do the best and have the most success, said Indiana Republican state Sen. Linda Rogers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A former educator, Rogers has sponsored a bill in her state that would provide additional money to charter schools, which are a form of public school choice. Opponents, including teachers unions, public school professionals and many rural lawmakers of both parties, say such measures undermine traditional public schools by shifting money away from them. When we start to take from public schools, were hurting our kids, our lower-income kids. They will not prosper from this legislation, Tennessee Democratic state Rep. Ronnie Glynn said during the floor debate on a far-reaching voucher bill in his state. Joshua Cowen, a professor of education policy at Michigan State University, said vouchers are a budget-buster for states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vouchers dont shift costs they add costs, Cowen said in a phone interview. Most voucher recipients were already in private schools, meaning states are paying for education they previously didnt have to fund. How the pandemic affected the push The switch to remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic, which gave parents a front-row seat to watch what their children were or were not learning in their classes, contributed to the recent school choice momentum. So did parent frustration over prolonged public school closures. In South Carolina, the Legislature passed a law requiring all districts to offer a full return to in-person learning by April 26, 2021. The debate that started months earlier included then-state Superintendent Molly Spearman alerting lawmakers in January that the districts still fully remote were largely poor, rural districts where students needed the most help. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By the time the legislation was signed into law, just a month remained in the school year, and only three districts still needed to comply. But the year of remote learning pushed even some legislators who had opposed private school choice for years to newly consider it. Parents got a good look into sort of what was happening in schools, said Bella DiMarco, a senior K-12 education policy analyst at FutureEd, an independent think tank at Georgetown University. There was a lot of talk during the pandemic around school choice of what public schools arent doing for their kids. I believe that parents should be the ones that make the decision on where their child is going to do the best and have the most success. Indiana Republican state Sen. Linda Rogers The first modern school voucher program, created in Milwaukee in 1990, was a bipartisan effort to help lower-income families afford private schools. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In recent years, more states have moved from school choice programs focused on certain groups, such as low-income students or students with disabilities, to universal programs open to students of all backgrounds. Historically, the programs were always sort of targeted to students in need, DiMarco said. But in the last couple of years, the new push has been for these universal programs. Currently, more than 30 states and Washington, D.C., have at least one school choice program. More than a dozen states now offer universal or near-universal access, allowing K12 students to participate in school choice regardless of income. EdChoice, a nonprofit that advocates for school choice, estimates that 1.2 million students are attending private schools this school year with the help of public tax credits, scholarships or vouchers. Different strategies States that enacted school choice programs this year have pursued different strategies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The program Idaho enacted last month, for example, will provide an annual tax credit of $5,000 per child ($7,500 for students with disabilities) to help cover private education expenses. Tennessees new program will provide 20,000 scholarships of roughly $7,000 each. During its first year, half of the Tennessee scholarships will be reserved for households earning less than $173,000 for a family of four, but that restriction will be removed in subsequent years. About 65% of the Tennessee vouchers are expected to be awarded to students who already attend private schools, according to a legislative analysis. Critics say the cost of the program will grow quickly, creating a hole in the states budget. Tennessee Republican Gov. Bill Lee, who pushed hard for the proposal, suggested that Trumps executive order might provide additional resources. Lee told reporters he hasnt yet analyzed the order, but I think theres opportunity there. The president wants to support states like ours who are advocating for school choice, Lee said in a news conference after lawmakers approved the measure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lee was at the White House on Thursday when Trump signed an order calling for the U.S. Department of Education to be dismantled. Texas lawmakers also are actively debating a voucher program, a longtime priority for Republican Gov. Greg Abbott, who worked to defeat resistant rural Republicans in last years state legislative elections and who also attended the White House event. The Texas Senate passed a bill that would provide $10,000 per student ($11,500 for students with disabilities) annually through education savings accounts. A similar House proposal is under review. Kansas is considering a universal refundable tax credit $8,000 per child for accredited private school tuition and $4,000 for non-accredited private schools. The program starts with a $125 million cap, increasing annually if participation hits certain thresholds. Ballot box defeats School choice opponents question the wisdom of sending taxpayer dollars to schools that may lack certified teachers, follow nonstandardized curricula or discriminate in admissions. Many private schools have testing standards, maintain religious requirements or exclude LGBTQ+ students or those with certain disabilities, for example. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In some Republican-led states that have expanded school choice, Democrats have filed bills to increase oversight and place restrictions on these programs. A bill in Tennessee would require background checks for teachers at private schools that receive voucher money. And an Iowa bill would require that property tax statements include information on how much money education savings accounts subtracted from local public schools. As voucher programs have grown, they have attracted greater scrutiny. ProPublica, an investigative journalism outlet, last year found that Arizonas universal voucher program has mostly benefited wealthier families. Some Arizona parents have tried to use voucher money to pay for dune buggies and expensive Lego sets, according to news reports. Critics also note that despite recent legislative successes, school ballot initiatives fared poorly at the ballot box last fall. Voters in Colorado rejected a measure that sought to enshrine school choice rights in the state constitution. In Nebraska, voters partially repealed a state-funded private school scholarship program. And in Kentucky, voters overwhelmingly rejected a constitutional amendment that would have allowed the use of public money to support private schools, with 65% of voters and a majority in every county opposed. Theres a handful of these billionaires that have been pushing vouchers for 30 years, said Cowen, the Michigan State University professor. The school choice movement is not necessarily driven by public demand, but rather by wealthy donors and political maneuvering. Stateline reporter Robbie Sequeira can be reached at rsequeira@stateline.org. SC Daily Gazette Editor Seanna Adcox contributed to this report. Like the SC Daily Gazette, 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. A student goes through his locker in a hallway at an elementary school in Louisville, Ky. More than a dozen states in the past two years have launched or expanded programs that allow families to use taxpayer dollars to send their students to private schools. (Photo by Jon Cherry/Getty Images) More than a dozen states in the past two years have launched or expanded programs that allow families to use taxpayer dollars to send their students to private schools. Now, President Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress want to supercharge those efforts. Trump in January issued an executive order directing several federal agencies to allow states, tribes and military families to tap into federal money for so-called school choice opportunities. Those can come in the form of education savings accounts, voucher programs, tax credits or scholarships. Trumps order also aims to expand access to public charter schools, which are free from some of the rules that apply to traditional public schools. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile in Congress, 24 Republican senators have signed on to legislation that would provide $10 billion in annual tax credits to individuals and corporations who make charitable contributions to organizations that provide private-school scholarships. A Nebraska Republican introduced a companion measure in the House. Already this year, Idaho, Tennessee and Wyoming have approved school choice programs, and bills are advancing in Kansas, New Hampshire, Ohio, South Carolina and Texas. A bill in Mississippi died before advancing. Most of the measures still in play would open programs to all families regardless of income, though some states would cap the total amount of money available. Supporters of school choice say it gives parents control of their kids education and an escape hatch if they are dissatisfied with their local public school. Many conservatives, religious institutions and private schools are in favor of school choice, along with some people of color who live in districts with underperforming public schools. Every child is different. They learn in different environments. There are just so many factors, that I believe that parents should be the ones that make the decision on where their child is going to do the best and have the most success, said Indiana Republican state Sen. Linda Rogers. A former educator, Rogers has sponsored a bill in her state that would provide additional money to charter schools, which are considered to be a form of school choice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Opponents, including teachers unions, public school professionals and many rural lawmakers of both parties, say such measures undermine traditional public schools by shifting money away from them. When we start to take from public schools, were hurting our kids, our lower-income kids. They will not prosper from this legislation, Tennessee Democratic state Rep. Ronnie Glynn said during the floor debate on a far-reaching voucher bill in his state. Joshua Cowen, a professor of education policy at Michigan State University, said vouchers are a budget-buster for states. Vouchers dont shift costs they add costs, Cowen said in a phone interview. Most voucher recipients were already in private schools, meaning states are paying for education they previously didnt have to fund. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The switch to remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic, which gave parents a front-row seat to watch what their children were or were not learning in their classes, contributed to the recent school choice momentum. So did parent frustration over prolonged public school closures. Parents got a good look into sort of what was happening in schools, said Bella DiMarco, a senior K-12 education policy analyst at FutureEd, an independent think tank at Georgetown University. There was a lot of talk during the pandemic around school choice of what public schools arent doing for their kids. The first modern school voucher program, created in Milwaukee in 1990, was a bipartisan effort to help lower-income families afford private schools. In recent years, more states have moved from school choice programs focused on certain groups, such as low-income students or students with disabilities, to universal programs open to students of all backgrounds. Historically, the programs were always sort of targeted to students in need, DiMarco said. But in the last couple of years, the new push has been for these universal programs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Currently, more than 30 states and Washington, D.C., have at least one school choice program. More than a dozen states now offer universal or near-universal access, allowing K12 students to participate in school choice regardless of income. EdChoice, a nonprofit that advocates for school choice, estimates that 1.2 million students are attending private schools this school year with the help of public tax credits, scholarships or vouchers. Different strategies States that enacted school choice programs this year have pursued different strategies. The program Idaho enacted last month, for example, will provide an annual tax credit of $5,000 per child ($7,500 for students with disabilities) to help cover private education expenses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tennessees new program will provide 20,000 scholarships of roughly $7,000 each. During its first year, half of the Tennessee scholarships will be reserved for households earning less than $173,000 for a family of four, but that restriction will be removed in subsequent years. About 65% of the Tennessee vouchers are expected to be awarded to students who already attend private schools, according to a legislative analysis. Critics say the cost of the program will grow quickly, creating a hole in the states budget. Tennessee Republican Gov. Bill Lee, who pushed hard for the proposal, suggested that Trumps executive order might provide additional resources. Lee told reporters he hasnt yet analyzed the order, but I think theres opportunity there. The president wants to support states like ours who are advocating for school choice, Lee said in a news conference after lawmakers approved the measure. Lee was at the White House on Thursday when Trump signed an order calling for the U.S. Department of Education to be dismantled. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Texas lawmakers also are actively debating a voucher program, a longtime priority for Republican Gov. Greg Abbott, who worked to defeat resistant rural Republicans in last years state legislative elections and who also attended the White House event. The Senate passed a bill that would provide $10,000 per student ($11,500 for students with disabilities) annually through education savings accounts. A similar House proposal is under review. Kansas is considering a universal refundable tax credit $8,000 per child for accredited private school tuition and $4,000 for non-accredited private schools. The program starts with a $125 million cap, increasing annually if participation hits certain thresholds. Ballot box defeats School choice opponents question the wisdom of sending taxpayer dollars to schools that may lack certified teachers, follow nonstandardized curricula or discriminate in admissions. Many private schools have testing standards, maintain religious requirements or exclude LGBTQ+ students or those with certain disabilities, for example. In some Republican-led states that have expanded school choice, Democrats have filed bills to increase oversight and place restrictions on these programs. A bill in Tennessee would require background checks for teachers at private schools that receive voucher money. And an Iowa bill would require that property tax statements include information on how much money education savings accounts subtracted from local public schools. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As voucher programs have grown, they have attracted greater scrutiny. ProPublica, an investigative journalism outlet, last year found that Arizonas universal voucher program has mostly benefited wealthier families. Some Arizona parents have tried to use voucher money to pay for dune buggies and expensive Lego sets, according to press reports. Critics also note that despite recent legislative successes, school ballot initiatives fared poorly at the ballot box last fall. Voters in Colorado rejected a measure that sought to enshrine school choice rights in the state constitution. In Nebraska, voters partially repealed a state-funded private school scholarship program. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And in Kentucky, voters overwhelmingly rejected a constitutional amendment that would have allowed the use of public money to support private schools, with 65% of voters and a majority in every county opposed. Theres a handful of these billionaires that have been pushing vouchers for 30 years, said Cowen, the Michigan State University professor. The school choice movement is not necessarily driven by public demand, but rather by wealthy donors and political maneuvering. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE The wholesale vehicle market has recorded an extremely positive first quarter of 2025, according to a report by the National Association of Motor Auctions (NAMA). NAMA spokesperson Paul Hill said: For the month of March so far, demand has been outweighing supply with general shortages of stock. The report highlighted that the overall light commercial vehicle (LCV) market remained stable for the period. However, the chassis cab van segment is experiencing significant volatility. Meanwhile, the electric vehicle (EV) van sector reported an increase in the volume of products entering the market. The used 44 market has shown signs of slowing down, which NAMA attributed to expected changes in Benefit-in-Kind tax treatment for double cab pick-up trucks set to take effect next month. March brought strong performance across the car market, with key metrics supporting a continued positive outlook. NAMA also reports that retail search activity increased by 3% compared to the same period in 2024 Demand continued to surpass supply, with NAMA members reporting a general shortage of available stock. Conversion rates across the market remained solid. For this period, EVs over two years old are offered good value while newer EVs, particularly those under 18 months old, face more challenges in the wholesale environment. Hill added: Its noteworthy that EVs over two years old are proving to be good value, which will support the overall vehicle fleet during the transition to electric. It is really great to hear that everything is still in a positive place, and it will be interesting to see the market in the second half of April and going into May, with Easter around the corner. "Wholesale vehicle market sees strong start to 2025, reports NAMA" was originally created and published by Motor Finance Online, a GlobalData owned brand. Planet Labs (NYSE: PL) stock tumbled 11% through the closing bell Friday after "missing" on its fiscal Q4 2025 earnings report and guiding investors to expect further misses throughout fiscal 2026 (which, by the company's calendar, is this year). Shares of the tiny space company, which operates the world's biggest constellation of Earth observation satellites, bounced back Monday morning, however. Gaining 10% through 10:25 a.m. ET, Planet stock has recovered almost all of Friday's losses after announcing a big deal with the European Space Agency. Planet Labs is big in Greece Planet describes the ESA contract as signed between the space agency itself "on behalf of the Hellenic Ministry of Digital Governance" and aiming "to support the Greek National SmallSat Programme" by complementing Greece's own satellite systems. The nation's Hellenic Space Center will coordinate distribution of satellite data from Planet within Greece, "optimizing tasking capabilities, and ensuring seamless integration across the downstream projects of the national satellite program." In essence, therefore, it appears that Planet has signed an agreement directly with the Greek government to provide data that the government can use. The program will be funded by the European Union Recovery and Resilience Fund (RRF) Greece 2.0, which provides funding to Greece in the form of both loans and grants. Is Planet Labs stock a buy? Today's contract demonstrates continued demand for Planet's services around the world, albeit it doesn't yet give investors confidence that these services will turn profitable anytime soon. Planet did not disclose the size of its contract with the ESA on Greece's behalf, nor state whether it would be profitable. Losses at the company continue to shrink, and cash burn rates are slowing as well. Still, absent a dramatic increase in revenue that permits the company to scale up faster and improve its profit margins further, analysts polled by S&P Global Market Intelligence forecast the company will not turn profitable before 2029 at the earliest. This means it's hard recommending Planet Labs stock as a "buy" with profits today looking still so far away. Dont miss this second chance at a potentially lucrative opportunity Ever feel like you missed the boat in buying the most successful stocks? Then youll want to hear this. On rare occasions, our expert team of analysts issues a Double Down stock recommendation for companies that they think are about to pop. If youre worried youve already missed your chance to invest, now is the best time to buy before its too late. And the numbers speak for themselves: The 'Tesla Takedown' movement, which has inspired protests at dealerships across the country this month, made its way to Colorado Springs on S The Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) scandal involving the state's most prolific and revered DNA analyst, Yvonne Woods, has led to the discovery of irregularities in procedures and manipulated or deleted data in over 1,000 past criminal cases. Despite the scandal breaking nearly 17 months ago, the true scope of the crisis remains mostly unknown, unclear or hidden. Critics allege it is intentional as those with potentially conflicting interests including the state's attorney general whose office represents CBI appear to be trying to limit the damage by finding ways to edit, delay, or outright block the release of needed information. Colorado justices uphold sanction against lawyer for being a 'bully' to school employees 'I understand why they were bothered by it. Hell, I'm bothered by it,' said Igor Raykin about his conduct Colorado's second-highest court last week ruled for the first time that an independent contractor who injures another independent contractor is not subject to the $15,000 limitation on damages that normally exists for employees who work together. Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez rallied a cheering crowd estimated above 30,000 in downtown Denver Friday night, urging supporters to fight back against the Trump administration and its wealthy allies. The future of Colorados most well-known undocumented immigrant may be decided in a courtroom as her attorneys square off with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement lawyers over whether or not strict final deportation orders are still in effect for her. Though Jeanette Vizguerras official deportation date is unknown, immigration advocates said they believe that a plan to deport her to Mexico has been slowed by legal wrangling. The deportation of the 53-year-old mother and grandmother one of Time magazines 100 most influential people of 2017 has become one of the most recent flashpoints of Americas immigration debate. She was apprehended by ICE agents Monday. The next day, U.S. District Court Judge Nina Y. Wang ordered the defendants including the Aurora ICE center's warden, U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem and U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi to respond to Vizguerra's petition by Monday. Wang also scheduled a hearing for March 28 to hear arguments in the case. This is, in a sense, a test case because this administration wants to show that no one is safe, not even someone who presents no public safety threat, said University of Colorado law professor P. (Deep) Gulasekaram. We can do this. This is how far we will go. The gist of what, on paper, is a complex web of legalities is simple: the legal duel rests on whether the final deportation order from 22 years ago is valid. For ICE, the law is clear. Vizguerra, an undocumented immigrant who has lived in the United States for 28 years, is under a final order of deportation issued by a federal immigration judge. But in a writ of habeas corpus filed Tuesday, her attorneys insist that the order is moot because of a procedural violation when Vizguerra re-entered the U.S. illegally after a visit home in 2013. Since her detention, multiple Democratic elected officials have issued statements in support of Vizguerra. Denver Mayor Mike Johnston deemed it "Putin-style persecution of political dissidents." U.S. Reps. Diana DeGette, Joe Neguse, Jason Crow and Brittany Pettersen accused the Trump administration of "going after mothers with U.S.-born children and immigrant advocates, like Ms. Vizguerra." However, retired ICE Field Office Director John Fabbricatore, who followed Vizguerras case for over a decade, said: Its a case weve been trying to remove for years. He reasoned that President Joe Biden wouldnt have given her a stay if she hadnt had a valid order to begin with. He remembers one instance where he made a deal with Vizguerra that if she voluntarily departed the U.S., he wouldnt take her into custody. He said she was a no-show at the airport. He acknowledged he's "had heartburn over this case." Who is Jeanette Vizguerra? Vizguerra has lived almost half of her life in the United States as an undocumented immigrant. She entered the U.S. from Mexico on Christmas Eve in 1997, got a job as a janitor, and stayed under the radar until March 2008, when she appeared in an Arapahoe County courtroom for speeding, having no drivers license or proof of insurance, and failure to use a turn signal, court documents show. That issue was resolved, according to court records obtained by The Denver Gazette. Featured Local Savings In February 2009, during a second traffic stop for expired tags, officers found fake documents in her vehicle. She said she bought a fake Social Security card in order to find a job and did not realize that the number she came up with for the card belonged to a real person. Originally charged with seven counts, including one felony count of identity theft and two felony counts of forgery, she pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor for attempted use of false documents, was sentenced to 23 days in jail but given credit for time served, paid her fines and was released when the case was closed in late February. A long and winding road ICE provided The Denver Gazette with a timeline of almost two dozen documented actions involving Vizguerra including stays of deportation, appeals, and a notable incident in September 2012 when she voluntarily left for Mexico to see her mother, who was dying of cancer. Her mother died while she was en route, but she unlawfully re-entered the United States through Presidio, Texas, according to court filings, in April 2013 to be with her children. She was apprehended, charged with misdemeanor illegal entry, and sentenced to a year of unsupervised probation by the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas. ICE reinstated her deportation order but allowed her to remain in the U.S. under its supervision. Vizguerras lawyers said that ICE is now trying to deport her based on that order, which they say was never valid. They are putting immigration authorities on notice that they have done something incorrect; therefore, a federal court must intervene, said Gulasekaram. Since 2014, Vizguerras history with ICE has been a web of filings for petitions or appeals for stays or visas. Its a tale of two ideologies depending on which political party was in charge. The Obama and Biden administrations granted four of her petitions or appeals, and six of them were denied during Trumps first term, according to the ICE chronology. The final date on the timeline ICE provided is March 17, the afternoon Vizguerra was surrounded by agents in a Target parking lot where she was an employee and was taking a break. On Wednesday, ICE provided journalists with a photo of Vizguerra being handcuffed with a chain around her middle. For Fabbricatore, her capture was a victory. On Monday, he posted on X: "Finally! The Biden Administration kept me from deporting Jeanette Vizguerra 4 years ago. She should have been deported in 2009 as well. She hid in a church the first time Trump was president. She is a criminal, hates Trump, and is an open-borders advocate. Bye!!!! Colorado Politics reporter Michael Karlik contributed to this report. Colorado Springs police on Sunday arrested a man on weapons-related charges after a nearly two-hour standoff, law enforcement officials said. Just before 11 a.m., officers responded to a shots-fired call in the 300 block of North Circle Drive. Witnesses told police that a man fired a handgun during a disturbance before leaving in a red vehicle. At about 12:15 p.m., officers located the vehicle, with two people inside, in the 4500 block of East Pikes Peak Avenue, east of South Murray Boulevard. One occupant was able to safely get out of the vehicle, but the suspect ignored repeated commands, in English and Spanish, to leave the car, police said. About 10 law enforcement vehicles closed off the block as officers continued to order the driver out of the vehicle. At about 2:10 p.m., officers deployed tear gas into the vehicle, and the suspect, later identified as Jairo Fernandez-Vasquez, surrendered. Police recovered a handgun from the vehicle. Featured Local Savings Fernandez-Vasquez was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. No injuries were reported. Read all the profiles from the 2025 edition of 39 Under 39. Questen Inghram is a Murrow News Fellow at the Yakima Herald-Republic whose beat focuses on government in Central Washington communities. Email qinghram@yakimaherald.com or call 509-577-7674. This story can be republished by other organizations for free under a Creative Commons license. For more information on this, email news@yakimaherald.com. Some of the nations most powerful media institutions seem to have concluded that it is simply not in their commercial interests to inconvenience President Donald Trump, even if sparing him inconvenience means abandoning their own First Amendment rights, writes the author. (Kenny Holston / The New York Times) The government has announced in the Hungarian Gazette that at least one ATM must be installed in every municipality, under a resolution signed by Prime Minister Viktor Orban. The Economy Ministry has until April 30 to develop a cost model for implementation of the directive. Currently, Hungary has 5,140 ATMs across 3,136 municipalities, but many smaller villages lack access to the cash dispensers, according to Penzcentrum. Banks typically place their ATMs in high-traffic areas, as installation and operating costs are significant. If banks bear the costs, they may pass related expenses onto customers. Minister Marton Nagy has suggested potential government intervention to manage financial impacts. Parlt votes to expand ATMs network Lawmakers approved legislation on expanding the network of ATMs to all Hungarian settlements in parliament on Tuesday. The bill was passed with a vote of 150 for, 21 against and a single abstention. The law mandates the central bank governor to decide on cost-sharing among banks related to the measure, while the national economy minister will set the pace of the expansion. MTI Reports: Minister, banking leaders discuss expanding ATM network Top officials of the Hungarian Banking Association have met with National Economy Minister Marton Nagy to discuss expanding the nationwide network of ATMs, the association said in a statement issued. The association affirmed its commitment to boosting the geographical coverage of ATMs at the meeting and acknowledged constructive cooperation and a common will to boost economic growth. The association also highlighted the importance of proportionality and pressed for foreign-based bank card issuers to participate in efforts to boost the availability of ATMs. In a separate statement issued on Tuesday, the National Economy Ministry said the government welcomed the association's decision to ensure an ATM in every settlement with a population over 2,000 as a first step. The government counts on banks' constructive cooperation to start bringing ATMs to every settlement with a population over 1,000 as the next step, it added. The government aims to ensure an ATM in every settlement to support retention of rural populations, the ministry said. ********************************* You're very welcome to comment, discuss and enjoy more stories via our Facebook page: Facebook.com/XpatLoopNews + via XpatLoops groups: Budapest Expats / Expats Hungary You can subscribe to our newsletter here: XpatLoop.com/Newsletters Do you want your business to reach tens of thousands of potential high-value expat customers? Then just contact us here. This is part of a series of in-depth interviews with some of the most surprising members of the expat community in Hungary, written by Marion Merrick. If you would like to be interviewed as a Surprising Expat, please write with a few details of what you do, to: Marion by clicking here. For some expats, Hungary is a carefully chosen destination; for others, it could be described as accidental. Danny Bain falls quite firmly into the latter category. Fifteen years ago I was a young crazy guy travelling in a lot of places, mostly to maybe more exotic places than Eastern Europe. I spent a year in Brazil, I spent a few months in West Africa. I have a jazz degree and I'm a percussionist, but in university I got really interested in world music - Afro Brazilian music is really rich in percussion. I played in a carnival group in Brazil. I had also studied with a master of the Ghanaian xylophone, which is one of my main instruments that I play. And then when I arrived in Hungary, it wasnt planned ahead I came directly from Brazil. In 2010, when Dannys visa expired in Brazil, he had to make a snap decision as to where he might go. He had enjoyed a week as a tourist in Budapest years earlier, and now decided to come to Hungary while he pondered his next move. That first summer I was playing street music and I really quickly met a lot of people. I had a band that first summer and I met my wife [to-be] that first summer! Danny busked in the Castle District, around Deak ter and Astoria. Meanwhile, he was sharing a two-room flat with six others in Dob utca, paying only 8,000 forints. It was really fun, a really exciting time. I made two or three really good friends that first summer and we made a band together. A turning point came when Danny was offered a teaching job six months later. I took a job in Borsod County in some small villages, working with a school which has mostly Roma children it's a Buddhist school, actually. I worked there for two years, still living in Budapest, but I'd spend three days a week there. Danny taught both English and Music and, as he observes, this period marked the transition between his earlier tourist life to one more rooted in the country. It was during this time that he began to learn Hungarian. I thought I was really smart. I had learnt Portuguese pretty quickly in Brazil. So, I told Melinda [Dannys wife] I would learn Hungarian in three months. I didnt. And after three months, I said, OK, six months! Actually, it took a few years to feel like I'm not really stupid in Hungarian! 2013 marked another turning point. Danny came into contact with the director of the Kaboca Puppet Theatre in Veszprem. She invited me to do a children's show using this African xylophone that I had studied, and to figure something out that I could do with storytelling. What grew out of this was the stage show he developed and has used ever since: Danny Mesel. Danny playing the Balafon at Veszprems Kaboca Puppet Theatre To his surprise, not only did Danny enjoy performing to children something he had previously not considered but he was also extremely well received. The theatres summer festival saw Danny travelling by bus to Veszprem, accompanied by his huge Ghanaian Balafon, which required its own seat. Danny was performing in Hungarian. Lots of times we write the stories in English and then translate them, or we adapt a folk story for example, we found a Tanzanian folk tale that we adapted for my first performance. I also have a friend, Anna Sandor, who has written a few original folk tales that I perform. My newest album is from a book of stories by Arnold Lobel, theyre animal stories Melinda and I like, and we adapted them and wrote songs for them. It becomes clear that Dannys wife, Melinda, provides a great deal more than moral support. She acts as translator, co-songwriter, she does his PR and is an all-round PA in addition to looking after their three children, and managing the Lovasut Cultural Centre. For many years, Danny performed as a solo act, but he has recently started to team up with other musicians. He has a concert series with Bela Agoston who plays a million instruments. And so we do duos with really interesting instrument combinations, he explains. Danny and Bela, with the washboard and balalaika He also has a new project with a full band, based on American tales and Appalachian folk music I think it's really unique because there are puppets in it, there's a set, there are props, but also it's really a concert. And there are a lot of homemade instruments - I have a kind of trombone made from a kitchen sink! And a recyclophone, which is a bunch of junk metal on a ladder that I play. The story is about a railroad, and I wanted to write a Hungarian work song. And so we built this huge instrument just for that one song. Dannys Recyclophone Danny Mesel performs in a huge variety of venues: from the Hungarian House of Music and the Marczibanyi Cultural Centre in Budapest, to puppet theatres in Veszprem and Szeged, and countless summer festivals around the country and abroad. He has also appeared in international schools such as AISB and the Anglo-American School in Moscow, Russia. This was not a life Danny had envisioned in his student days. I think there wasn't a lot of talk in my education about what a musical career looks like.Its kind of: you're a music teacher, or a rock star, or a suffering artist. It makes a lot of sense to do children's music because there's a demand for it, and you can reach a lot of people. It's also a really wide open field, in that I feel like I can really explore different styles of music. I have shows that explore African music or American folk music, Brazilian music, and also just weird combinations of music that Im interested in. Last year, Danny undertook 200 performances. It doesnt get repetitive. Each audience has its own personality. It changes a lot if there are parents there, or if it's in a school, or depending on the age of the kids and that's really exciting, as a performer. It's a really great career when you have young children because they, our kids, see so many puppet shows and concerts, not just mine. In the summer we go to so many festivals and events. Yet, the logistics of taking a family of five to a festival, alongside the battery of instruments, are hardly uncomplicated. It is no secret that the life of a self-employed artist of every kind is both demanding and financially precarious. Danny reckons on an hour or two of packing before leaving home, followed by a further two unpacking and setting up, just for one performance. To that can be added the time and cost of the drive to the venue, especially in more far-flung parts of Hungary. But Danny accepts this as part and parcel of such a career. When I have a good show, its the best feeling and most of my shows are pretty good! he smiles. I think any artist who is making some basic living, is hugely successful. Dannys parents and family live in the United States, and occasionally, when he visits with Melinda and the children, they debate the pros and cons of relocating. He is quick to acknowledge that the financial strain of bringing up three children is considerable wherever one lives. In my first few years in Hungary, when I would cancel an English class to play a concert, I thought I'm not making any money. But I would have to remind myself that if my goal is to make money, then I shouldn't be here in the first place! That attitude helped me focus on doing work that is important to me. In the US, it would be hard to have this life that we have here, adds Melinda. It seems to me that in the U.S. people are less connected to their communities. Things are farther apart, the shops are bigger, and in general they dont live as locally. Danny, Melinda and their children live in Budakeszi. We have so many people who we know if we need anything. If anything breaks, or we need a ladder, or we need someone to watch our kids for five minutes, we can ask any neighbour. We walk everywhere, we meet the kindergarten teachers while we're walking to kindergarten with our kids and it's so nice to see the teachers who are part of the community, Melinda says. I don't feel like my kids are missing out by living here. When they met their American cousins over the holidays, I didn't feel like my kids were behind them in anything, Danny adds. I am really happy with our lifestyle, and I wouldnt change anything. I really like having the freedom to develop my own ideas. I guess I'm worried maybe long term, doing these big summer tours to countryside festivals it might not be so sustainable as I get older. But actually, I really enjoy it! Maybe one day we could open our own small theatre and even hire a roadie! Links: Website: Danny Mesel Workshops for Children Facebook Instagram You Tube For private parties/events, contact Melinda and Danny by clicking here Marion Merrick is author of Now You See It, Now You Dont and House of Cards and the website Budapest Retro. If you would like to be interviewed as a Surprising Expat, please write with a few details of what you do, to: Marion by clicking here. Tuberculosis (TB) remains one of the deadliest infectious diseases worldwide, impacting millions of lives every year. World TB Day, observed on March 24, serves as a global platform to raise awareness, drive action, and accelerate efforts toward eradicating this preventable and treatable disease. Despite medical advancements, TB continues to pose severe health, social, and economic challenges, especially in high-burden countries like India. As we mark World TB Day 2025, lets explore this years theme, the historical milestones in TB research, its global significance, and how India is working towards a TB-free future. World TB Day 2025 Theme The theme for World Tuberculosis Day 2025 is Yes! We Can End TB: Commit, Invest, Deliver. This theme underscores the importance of sustained commitment, increased financial investment, and effective strategies for TB prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and care. The focus is on uniting global leaders, healthcare professionals, and communities to take concrete steps toward eliminating TB through innovation, funding, and policy-driven actions. World TB Day: A Look at Its History The fight against tuberculosis has a long history, dating back centuries. The term "tuberculosis" was first coined in 1834 by Johann Schonlein, although the disease itself has been around for millions of years. Throughout history, TB has been known by different namesphthisis (Greek), schachepheth (Hebrew), and tabes (Roman). A major breakthrough occurred on March 24, 1882, when Dr. Robert Koch discovered Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacterium responsible for TB. This discovery paved the way for advancements in TB diagnosis and treatment. To honor his contribution and intensify global awareness, World TB Day was established on this date. Why World TB Day Matters 1. Raising Global Awareness TB is a silent killer that affects millions, especially in low- and middle-income countries. World TB Day spreads awareness about its symptoms, transmission, and prevention strategies. 2. Strengthening Healthcare Systems Governments and organizations use this day to push for stronger healthcare policies and increase funding for TB research, vaccine development, and improved treatment options. 3. Promoting Early Diagnosis and Treatment Since TB is curable with timely intervention, World TB Day encourages people to seek medical attention if they experience persistent cough, weight loss, fever, or night sweats. 4. Uniting Efforts to End TB By fostering global collaboration among governments, healthcare institutions, and non-profits, this day reinforces the commitment to achieving a TB-free world. How India Observes World TB Day 2025 India bears the highest TB burden globally, making World TB Day a crucial event in the countrys healthcare calendar. Heres how India contributes to the fight against TB: Nationwide Awareness Campaigns Health organizations and government bodies organize campaigns to educate people about TB transmission, symptoms, and available treatments. Strengthening Early Detection Programs Free TB testing and diagnosis centers are set up in rural and urban areas to detect cases early and provide immediate treatment. Government Initiatives like TB Mukt Bharat The Indian government actively promotes TB elimination programs such as Nikshay Poshan Yojana, which provides financial support to TB patients. Community Engagement and Social Media Advocacy Individuals and organizations spread awareness through social media, local events, and community discussions, encouraging people to take preventive measures. How You Can Contribute Educate Others Share information about TB with your community, especially in rural areas where awareness is low. Support TB Organizations Volunteer with or donate to NGOs working towards TB eradication. Encourage Early Diagnosis If you or someone you know has symptoms of TB, seek medical attention immediately. Raise Awareness Online Use #WorldTBDay2025 on social media to spread awareness and join global discussions. World TB Day 2025 serves as a crucial reminder that tuberculosis is preventable, treatable, and curable. With collective action, increased investment, and strong healthcare strategies, we can work toward a TB-free future. This years theme, Yes! We Can End TB: Commit, Invest, Deliver, calls for a global commitment to eradicating this disease once and for all. Lets take responsibility, raise awareness, and contribute to the fight against TBbecause every effort counts. New Delhi: Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said that Central Government completely abolished the 20 percent export duty on onion. "Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that the Modi Government is a farmer-friendly government and giving remunerative prices to farmers, ensuring fair prices is its priority and commitment," a Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare release said. Chauhan told that earlier 40% export duty was levied on onions but when the price of onions started falling and farmers started getting less price, then the government decided to reduce the export duty on onion from 40% to 20%. Today the government has decided that the 20% export duty should also be completely removed. The removal of export duty on onions will enable our farmers' hard-earned produce to reach global markets duty-free, securing better and more remunerative prices. Karnataka PUC 2 Results 2025: The Karnataka Department of Pre-University Education (DPUE) is expected to announce the 2nd PUC Class 12 results for 2025 in April. Once released, students can check their results on the official website, karresults.nic.in. However, the exact date and time have not been confirmed yet. This year, the Karnataka 2nd PUC Exam 1 took place from March 1 to March 20, 2025. Over 6 lakh students appeared for the exam, which was held in a single shift from 10 AM to 1 PM. An official announcement regarding the result date is expected soon. Students can check their results on the official KSEAB websites: kseeb.kar.nic.in and karresults.nic.in once they are released. The results may also be available on other websites like karnataka.gov.in, manabadi.co.in, and pue.kar.nic.in. In 2024, the Karnataka Board conducted the PUC II exams three times, introducing a remedial system that allowed students to use their highest scores from the three attempts. This system, often referred to as a student-unfriendly mechanism, gave students with low marks in the first exam a chance to improve their scores by retaking the test in the second and third attempts. The same system is expected to continue this year.The model answer keys for all 35 PUC 2 subjects are available on the official KSEAB website. KSEAB has stated that candidates who find any discrepancies in the answer key can raise objections through the designated objection window. To do so, they must log in using their registration number. Karnataka PUC 2 Results 2025: Steps to download here Visit the Karnataka results portal at karresults.nic.in. Click on the "PUC 2 Exam 1 Result 2025" link on the homepage. Enter your login credentials. Submit the details to view your result. Download and print the result for future reference. The Karnataka PUC 2 (Class 12) board exams were held from March 1 to March 20, 2025, in a single shift from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The exams began with Kannada and Arabic papers and ended with the Hindi paper. To pass, students must score at least 33%. In some cases, up to 5% grace marks may be given. Those who still do not pass will have to take the compartment exams. In 2024, about 6,98,000 students appeared for the 2nd PUC exams, with a pass rate of 81.15%. Among female students, 84.87% passed, while 76.98% of male students qualified. Kolkata: Senior BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari on Monday alleged that Hindu and Hindi-speaking voters were being removed from the electoral rolls in West Bengal by the TMC under the guise of eliminating fake voters. Addressing a press conference, Adhikari claimed that since February 27, many voters had been struck off the electoral list. "Hindu voters' names are being removed from the voter list. I urge the Election Commission to sack the BDO of Krishnanagar," said Adhikari, the Leader of the Opposition in West Bengal Assembly. He further alleged that state government officials were in tacit collusion with the TMC and were engaging in similar activities. "Hindu voters are being called and asked to prove that they are not Bangladeshis. Those submitting Form 7 are being forced to furnish proof," he claimed, adding that the BJP will stage peaceful protests in Bagda and Krishnanagar, where the party has received the most complaints. Reacting to the allegations, senior TMC leader Jaiprakash Majumdar dismissed them as baseless. "The fact is that the BJP is involved in inducting voters from Haryana and other states into West Bengal's voter list. Now that this voter rolls scam has been exposed, they are blaming us to divert attention," he said. The controversy erupted after the Trinamool Congress (TMC) launched a voter verification drive, following Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's accusations that the BJP had inserted "outsider" voters into the electoral rolls with the alleged backing of the Election Commission. Banerjee also claimed that the BJP had employed similar tactics in Haryana, Maharashtra, and Delhi in previous elections. In response, TMC state president Subrata Bakshi directed district-level leaders to conduct a thorough verification of voter lists. The process was completed within 10 days, with district presidents and chairpersons submitting their findings to the party's leadership. Earlier this month, the Election Commission acknowledged reports about identical voter card numbers being issued in different states. The poll body assured that the issue would be rectified and its technology-driven platform updated. The Election Commission clarified that duplicate numbers do not necessarily indicate fake voters. "While the elector photo identity card (EPIC) numbers of some voters may be identical, other details, including demographic information, assembly constituency, and polling booth, are different," the poll panel said. The Chief Electoral Office (CEO) of West Bengal has maintained that the voter list updation process is being conducted transparently with the involvement of Booth Level Officers (BLOs) appointed by political parties. BJP has also demanded biometric verification of voters before polling to prevent electoral fraud. The party alleged that attempts were being made, based on recommendations from TMC's political consultancy firm I-PAC, to remove voters from booths with a significant non-Bengali population. AAP vs BJP: The ruling BJP and the opposition Aam Aadmi Party were locked in a fresh political slugfest as Delhi CM Rekha Gupta presented the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report on the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) in the assembly. On the other hand, the AAP questioned the missing economic survey which has not been presented before the state Budget. While the BJP accused AAP of causing financial losses to the DTC, the AAP is questioning the government's budget schedule. CAG Report On DTC The CAG report has flagged inefficiencies in the DTC's operation and highlighted areas needing improvement. It examines fleet management, revenue generation, operational sustainability, and adherence to public transport policies. Following the tabling of the CAG report, BJP MLA Harish Khurana slammed the previous AAP government, accusing it of mismanaging the public transport system, which resulted in financial losses and a decline in DTC's bus fleet. AAP Questions Missing Economic Survey On the other hand, the Leader Of the Opposition Atishi questioned whether the BJP government knows how to present the budget. She said that the economic survey which is presented before the budget is missing from the scene. "Before presenting the budget, an Economic Survey is presented and the budget is presented accordingly but the BJP government has not done so. Regarding not presenting the Economic Survey, the Chief Minister has said that there is no audit report and hence it was not presented, which is absolutely wrong. When we raised this issue, we were not allowed to discuss it in the House. Now the question arises that why is the government not presenting the Economic Survey?" said Atishi. Atishi further said that the CAG Audit has nothing to do with the Economic Survey. "I want to ask Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, Why was the Economic Survey not tabled in the House? What is there in the Economic Survey that is being hidden? Has Rekha Gupta ji even read the Economic Survey? How was the budget prepared without the Economic Survey?" she asked. The Delhi budget session, running from March 24 to March 28 with provisions for extension, marks an important moment for the BJP government, which returned to power after 27 years in the recent 2025 Delhi Legislative Assembly election. Amidst the turmoil over Shiv Sena workers' vandalism at a Mumbai studio, protesting comic Kunal Kamra's remarks against Shiv Dena chief Eknath Shinde, media reports state that BMC officials arrived at Unicontinental Studio in the Khar area of Mumbai with hammers and demolished the studio. On Monday, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) demolished the building a day after Habitat studio and Unicontinental hotel where it is located were ransacked late Sunday night by irate Shiv Sainiks. #WATCH | Mumbai: BMC officials arrive at Unicontinental Studio in Khar area of Mumbai. The officials have arrived here with hammers. Details awaited. pic.twitter.com/dLb1O2z3uT ANI (@ANI) March 24, 2025 Earlier, Mumbais popular stand-up comedy venue, The Habitat, announced its closure after Shiv Sena workers vandalised the premises. The attack comes in response to comedian Kunal Kamras remark against Shiv Sena leader. Following the attack at the studio, The venue expressed shock and concern, stating that while artists are responsible for their own views, the studio is unfairly targeted as a proxy for the performer. The Mumbai police arrested 11 members of the Yuva Sena, the youth faction of Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena in connection with the vandatisation of the Habitat comedy venue. According to police, the youth group went inside the venue while a live show of comedian Rajat Sood was going on, forcing it to stop and vandalised it. The youth group was protesting against the alleged offensive remarks made by comedian Kunal Kamra against the Shiv Sena chief in his recent comedy special, 'Naya Bharat,' uploaded on Youtube. Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has caused a storm in the Lok Sabha with the ruling BJP demanding a clarification from the Congress. The Lok Sabha faced uproar and adjournments over the issues with the Congress and the BJP accusing each other. A similar ruckus was witnessed in the Rajya Sabha too as the BJP tried to push the opposition on the backfoot. What DK Shivakumar Said? DK Shivakumar's remark came after the Karnataka Congress government approved a four per cent reservation in government contracts for minorities including Muslims. The BJP has strongly opposed the move calling it constitutional. Recently, reacting to a question of Constitution doesn't allow reservation based on religion during a media event, Shivakumar said, "Yes, I agree. Let's see what comes out of this. We have started something (reservation for minorities in government contracts). I know that everyone will go to the court. Let's wait for some good day. Good day will come. Part of the changes are there. Constituion will changed, chair (power) will be changing. There are judgements that alter the constitution also." Watch DK Shivakumar's Remark Video Here Rahul Gandhi kept Hindus busy in Hindi vs others, North vs South, UC vs others fight & gave unconstitutional Muslim reservation... DK Shivakumar declares they will change Constitution to give reservation to Muslims. Why no 'Samvidhan Rakshak' outraging now? pic.twitter.com/rxhmULnHFK BALA (@erbmjha) March 23, 2025 His remarks about changes in the constitution have sparked a political storm with the BJP pouncing on the opportunity to corner Congress. However, after the political storm, DK Shivakumar categorically denied making any such statement. In a post on X, Shivakumar categorically rejected the charge and said the BJP's leaders and ministers, both in Karnataka and at the Centre, have been resorting to "brazen and blatant" lies to malign the Congress and him "by falsely attributing statements" to him. The Karnataka deputy chief minister said he has never stated that the Constitution will be amended in any manner to give religion-based reservation. Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar also accused the BJP of misquoting him and spreading fake news. "I am a sensible, senior politician, more so than Mr Nadda. I have been in the Assembly for the last 36 years. I have basic common sense. I casually said there would be changes after various judgements. As per the quota for backward classes, reservation has been given. I never said we are going to change the Constitution," he said. "Whatever they are quoting is wrong. They are miscarrying it. We are a national party--it is our party that brought the Constitution to this country," he emphasised. BJP Vs Congress Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader CR Kesavan on Monday criticised Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar over his reported remarks about 'changing' the Constitution. Kesavan accused the Congress of being 'communal' and undermining the guarantees provided to backward-class communities. In a self-made video, Kesavan asserted that the real 'threat' to the Constitution comes from Congress. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju demanded an explanation from the Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, regarding the Congress' position on reservation for Muslims, whereas the Congress chief said that nobody can change the Constitution. "It is not our intention to disrupt this zero hour why I am standing here because an extremely sensitive matter come to our notice. One of the very responsible leaders of the Congress party, who is holding a constitutional post. They have made a statement that they are going to change the Constitution to provide reservations in contract to the Muslim community. We cannot take this statement lightly. It is an extremely serious matter we cannot tolerate, and this an assault on the Constitution of India. I want a clear-cut reply from the Congress president (Mallikarjun Kharge) who is sitting in the House. He should make his position and tell the House as well as the people of India why the Congress party want to change the Constitution to provide reservations to Muslims," Rijiju said. Replying to Kiren Rijiju, LoP and Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge said that his party took up the Bharat Jodo Yatra across the country to protect the Constitution. "Nobody can change the Constitution drafted by Babasaheb Ambedkar. Nobody can finish the reservation. To protect it, we did the Bharat Jodo Yatra from Kashmir to Kanyakumari. They (points at NDA MPs) break India," Kharge said. New Delhi: The BJP on Monday forced repeated adjournments in the Lok Sabha over Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumars remarks suggesting changing the Constitution to accommodate four per cent reservation for Muslims in the state. BJP members were on their feet, apparently raising the issue of reservation for Muslims in government contracts, when the Lok Sabha convened at 11 am. Samajwadi Party members too rushed to the Well waving posters while trying to flag matters of atrocities against women in Uttar Pradesh. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla strongly disapproved of SP members carrying posters to the House and adjourned the proceedings till 12 noon. When the House re-convened, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said the remarks by a person sitting on a Constitutional post to change the Constitution to facilitate four per cent reservation for Muslims is unacceptable. "How can the House watch in silence? Congress should clarify the person should be sacked. You claim to give reservations to Muslims and resort to theatrics of carrying a photograph of Babasaheb Ambedkar and a copy of the Constitution in your pocket," Rijiju said. Some Congress members tried to counter Rijiju, leading to din in the House. BJP member Jagdambika Pal, who was in the chair, tried to restore order and later adjourned the proceedings till 2 pm. The Lok Sabha is scheduled to take up the Finance Bill for discussion on Monday. The BJP has latched on to the remarks by Shivakumar at a media event suggesting making changes to the Constitution to facilitate reservation to Muslims in government contracts. Several BJP leaders slammed the Congress and demanded action against Shivakumar. Mumbais popular stand-up comedy venue, The Habitat, has announced its closure after Shiv Sena workers vandalised the premises. The attack came in response to comedian Kunal Kamras satirical remarks targeting Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. The venue expressed shock and concern over the attack, stating that while artists are responsible for their own views, the studio is unfairly targeted as a proxy for the performer. In a statement on Instagram, The Habitat said it is shutting down till we figure out the best way to provide a platform for free expression without putting ourselves and our property in jeopardy. Siv Sena workers ransacked the studios Khar location in protest of Kamras latest video. Visuals from the incident showed workers swinging chairs at cameras, lights, and speakers. Earlier, The Habitat clarified in a social media post that it had no involvement in the making of Kamras video and did not endorse its content. We extend a sincere and heartfelt apology to all those hurt by this video, the statement read. The controversy erupted after Comedian Kunal Kamra mocked Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde in a parody of the 1997 song Bholi Si Surat, using the term gaddar (traitor). His comments referenced Shindes 2022 rebellion that led to the collapse of Uddhav Thackerays government and the Shiv Sena split. Since then, Multiple FIRs, including one filed by Maharashtra minister Pratap Sarnaik, have been registered against the comedian. Mumbai police on Monday filed an FIR against stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra over alleged defamatory remarks about Shinde during a show, officials reported. Meanwhile, a case was registered against around 40 Shiv Sena workers for allegedly vandalizing the Habitat Studio. Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray condemned the vandalism, stating, "Mindhes cowardly gang destroys the stage of a comedy show where comedian @kunalkamra88 performed a song about Eknath Mindheone that was entirely true. Only an insecure coward would be rattled by a song." He further added, "And what about law and order in the state? Yet another attempt by Eknath Mindhe to undermine the Chief Minister and Home Minister." The United Kingdom is set to become a costlier destination for Indian and other nationals. Even if you are planning to visit Britain for studies or tourism, you will have to spend more money from April onwards. The UK government announced a hike in visa fees across all categories on March 19 and the new fee will come into effect from April 9, 2025. Indian travellers visiting the UK will face higher visa fees, with the cost of a visitor visa increasing by 10%, rising from $149 to $164. For nationals from visa-exempt countries, the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) fee will see a 60% hike, going from $12 to $20. This new ETA pricing will take effect earlier, starting April 2, 2025. Visitor Visas for Indians Indian citizens must obtain a visitor visa to enter the UK, and the cost of this visa is set to increase: Standard Visitor Visa (up to 6 months): Rising from 115 to 127 (+12). Long-term Visitor Visa (up to 2 years): Increasing from 432 to 475 (+43). Long-term Visitor Visa (up to 5 years): Increasing from 771 to 848 (+77). Long-term Visitor Visa (up to 10 years): Increasing from 963 to 1,059 (+96). Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) Changes For travellers from visa-exempt nations, the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) fee will rise: From $12 to $20 (a 60% increase). An ETA is not a visa but allows UK authorities to conduct security checks before arrival. Student Visa Fee Increases Students and their dependents will also see higher visa costs: Student Visa (Main Applicant & Dependants): Increasing from 490 to 524 (+34). Child Student Visa: Increasing from 490 to 524 (+34). Short-term Study Visa (for English courses over 6 months but under 11 months): Increasing from 200 to 214 (+14). Work Visa Fee Hikes Work visa fees vary by category, with the Health and Care Worker visa seeing the sharpest rise: Health and Care Worker Visa: Rising by 28.2%, from $367 to $470. Skilled Worker Shortage Occupation Visa: Increasing by 26.3%, reaching 470. Temporary Work Visa: Rising by 3.9% ($38 more than before). Innovator Founder Visa: Increasing from 1,191 to 1,274 (+83). Start-up Visa: Increasing from 435 to 465 (+30). Minister of Religion Visa: Rising by 5.6%. Settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain) Fee Increase Main applicants and dependents: Increasing from 2,885 to 3,029 (+144). New Delhi: Heavy passenger congestion at the New Delhi Railway Station on Sunday led to chaos and heavy congestion following delays in the departure of multiple trains, but authorities denied reports of a stampede or stampede-like situation. According to railway officials, there was an extra rush at platform numbers 12 and 13 due to the delayed departure of several trains. However, the Delhi Police enforced crowd control measures to maintain order and prevent any untoward incidents, reported PTI. There was heavy rush but no stampede or stampede-like situation at NDLS, a railway official said, adding that the protocol of taking unreserved passengers through the holding area was in place. Authorities Respond To Crowd Surge Senior officials, including the Senior Commandant of the Railway Protection Force (RPF) and the Station Director of New Delhi Railway Station, were present to manage the situation, the railway board official stated. Police officials confirmed that no injuries were reported and assured that crowd management measures had been swiftly implemented to prevent any untoward incidents. Passengers Seen Scaling Barricades Eyewitnesses reported that some passengers were seen climbing barricades and jumping queues in an attempt to reach their platforms amid the rush. A PTI report confirmed that passengers resorted to such actions, although the exact time of these incidents remained unclear. Delayed Trains Caused Congestion The rush was reportedly triggered by delays in the departure of four major trains, including the Shiv Ganga Express, scheduled to depart at 8:05 PM, the Jammu Rajdhani Express at 9:25 PM, the Lucknow Mail at 10:00 PM, and the Magadh Express at 9:05 PM. Further complicating the situation, the Swatantrata Senani Express, scheduled to leave at 9:15 PM, was still occupying the platform, adding to the congestion. The Delhi Police addressed the situation in an official statement, attributing the heavy congestion at New Delhi Railway Station to multiple train delays. "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," ANI quoted official statement as saying. Maha Kumbh Stampede The overcrowding at New Delhi Railway Station comes weeks after a stampede at NDLS during the Maha Kumbh Mela on February 15 claimed 18 lives. Mismanagement in Prayagraj-bound train announcements reportedly led to chaos. However, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw did not disclose the casualty figures during a recent Parliament session. New Delhi: 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 Dishas 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 Salians 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. Mumbai: Bollywood actress and fitness enthusiast Shilpa Shetty Kundra is back with some serious Monday motivation. Known for her dedication to fitness, the 'Dhadkan' actress took to her Instagram handle to inspire her followers by sharing a glimpse of her workout routine and how she is crushing her fitness goals. On Monday, Shilpa posted a couple of her photos with text written on it: Nothing feels as good asthe happiness of crushing your own fitness goals. Whats your #MondayMotivation?. The actress is seen wearing a grey tank top with, Calm is my super power written on it. Sharing her photos, the Hungama 2 actress wrote in the caption, Work hard, Calm Raho #MondayMotivation #SwasthRahoMastRaho #FitIndia. The actress often shares her workout videos on social media, motivating her followers to stay active and prioritize their health. With her dedication to fitness, Shilpa inspires fans by showcasing everything from intense training sessions to yoga routines, encouraging a balanced and healthy lifestyle. Shilpa, who is an avid social media user, had previously posted adorable photos with her furry baby Truffle. Thankyou for choosing me to be your mumma, my baby Truffle...Love youuuuu, she captioned the video. In May 2021, Shilpa Shetty introduced Truffle to her family with a heartfelt social media post. Sharing an Instagram video, the actress revealed that the adorable furry friend was a birthday gift for her son, Viaan. On the professional front, Shilpa Shetty was last seen in the Amazon Prime Video series "Indian Police Force," where she portrayed the character of Tara Shetty IPS, the Chief of the Delhi Police Special Cell. Shilpa will next be seen in the forthcoming actioner, Lahore 1947, alongside Sunny Deol and Preity Zinta. The film, directed by Rajkumar Santoshi, will be produced by Aamir Khan. Shilpa had earlier worked with Sunny Deol in films like Indian, Himmat, Karz: The Burden of Truth, and Apne. Eric Sondermann is a Colorado-based independent political commentator. He writes regularly for ColoradoPolitics and the Gazette newspapers. Reach him at EWS@EricSondermann.com; follow him at @EricSondermann Kelly Schroeder is a 25-year veteran with the Cabarrus County Sheriffs Office. She has been a K-9 handler for the past 12 years. But what this deputy enjoys most about her job is volunteering and supporting Cabarrus County Special Olympics, including the annual Spring and Fall games, where athletes across the county compete against each other. The Spring games this year will be held on April 9 and 10 at the Cabarrus Arena & Events Center, where around 400 athletes will be competing. For the past three years, Schroeder has led the Sheriffs Office fundraising effort for Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics, with a portion of the proceeds supporting Cabarrus County Special Olympics. Local law enforcement officers, along with other local first responders and officials, including Cabarrus County EMS, a few Concord firefighters and Concord Mayor Bill Dusch, take part in a 10-mile run, which starts at the Cabarrus-Mecklenburg county line and ends at the QT in Kannapolis (821 Cloverleaf Plaza). They then pass the torch to the Kannapolis police, who run to the Rowan County line. Special Olympic athletes are invited to run the final quarter-mile, Schroeder said. The 10-mile run this year will take place on May 8 at 8 a.m. More than anything, though, Schroeder, along with her K-9 Tito, enjoys interacting with and getting to know the athletes. There is nothing more rewarding than getting a hug from an athlete, Schroeder told the Independent Tribune in a recent interview. The athletes look past the uniform worn by Schroeder and her colleagues and recognize them as humans, not necessarily as law enforcement officers. They dont care that I am in this uniform, she said. They love law enforcement but they just love you unconditionally. Getting involved with Special Olympics Schroeder, 47, first got involved with Special Olympics three years ago, when she took over organizing the Law Enforcement Torch Run from Concord police officer Brian Schiele, who was retiring. Schroeder and other Sheriffs Office personnel had participated in the run for many years, but they had never helped organize it or were involved in fundraising for Special Olympics. Nobody just really took the role here at the Sheriffs Office, Schroeder said. But once Schiele retired, Schroeder, after receiving approval from her boss, Lt. Joe Tierney, began organizing the torch run and also fundraising on behalf of the Sheriffs Office for Special Olympics. Schroeder attended the Law Enforcement Torch Run conference, where she learned more about Special Olympics across the state. I didnt know how much we did for Special Olympics until I actually went to the conference, she said. Schroeder also met with Emily Riley, the head of Special Olympics in Cabarrus County. I met with her over coffee and Im like, This is what I want to do, she recalled telling Riley. Partnering with several businesses, including Dunkin Donuts, the Sheriffs Office holds numerous campaigns throughout the year to raise awareness about Special Olympics. Schroeder helped to raise $10,000 for Special Olympics in 2022. The Sheriffs Office increased its total to $13,500 in both 2023 and 2024. The North Carolina Law Enforcement Torch Run raised a record $2 million last year. Schroeders goal for 2025 is for the Sheriffs Office to raise $15,000. A portion of the funding each year goes to Cabarrus County Special Olympics, while the rest goes to Special Olympics North Carolina, she said. The fundraising is year-round and at times can be tough, but the athletes make it all worth it. When you see them smiling, to me, its like my hard work hasnt gone unnoticed, Schroeder said. She plans to retire within the next two years, but Schroeder will still support the Special Olympics, including helping with the fundraising efforts. Establishing long-lasting relationships Schroeder enjoys talking with the athletes during the Spring and Fall games, including walking around the field with them and giving them encouraging hugs and high-fives. She and other law enforcement officials also place the medals around the necks of the winning athletes. Schroeder has forged strong bonds with many of the athletes, several of whom she sees on a regular basis. This includes Stephanie Wilkerson, a Davidson County Olympian whom Schroeder refers to as the most amazing friend I have ever had. She made a commitment to Wilkersons parents that should anything happen to them, that Schroeder would do everything in her power to support and care for Wilkerson, who is in her 30s. I consider Stephanie Wilkerson not just a friend, but like family, Schroeder said. The commitment she made to Wilkersons parents is one I take to heart, and I will always stand by her, no matter the circumstances. People can volunteer to help with the 2025 Spring Games next month by going to https://specialolympicsnorthcarolina.volunteerlocal.com/volunteer/?id=96288 The Law Enforcement Torch Run T-shirts can be purchased for a $25 donation, with all proceeds going directly to supporting Special Olympics. To purchase a shirt, contact Schroeder at klschroeder@cabarruscounty.us. Cloud infrastructure provider Worldstream has chosen telecoms equipment vendor Nokia for network security technology to protect its business clients in the Netherlands and globally against large-scale DDoS attacks. Worldstream has deployed Nokia Deepfield Defender and 7750 SR routers across its network which it claims will provide an eightfold increase in DDoS mitigation capacity. Prior to the deployment, Worldstream says it was limited in its defence against large-scale carpet-bombing attacks which target multiple IP addresses that could disrupt entire customer networks. Worldstream says the newly deployed Nokia Deepfield Defender and 7750 SR routers now enable it to provide real-time, automated, next-generation DDoS protection that scales with the network. The solution offers line-rate protection across all peering interfaces, eliminating restrictions associated with single-server DDoS mitigation. Nokia claims its ultra-fast DDoS provides protection for all DDoS types, including complex TCP-based application floods and botnet and proxy-based attack types, defending several customers against large-scale attacks at once. According to Worldstream, its customers can now rely on fast network-based mitigation of even the most complex and high-volume cyberattacks and AI-driven threats. Security has become just as critical as performance in hosting services, said Ruben van der Zwan, CEO of Worldstream. "Businesses expect resilience, and they need to trust that their infrastructure wont be taken down by a single attack. "With Nokia DDoS technology, weve made a major leap in protection. Our customers now benefit from ultra-fast mitigation, ensuring that their digital services remain available no matter whats thrown at them." Matthieu Bourguignon, Senior Vice President for Network Infrastructure, Europe at Nokia said cybercrime is evolving, and with the rise of AI in particular, security solutions need to evolve faster. "We see that for hosting providers, traditional DDoS mitigation methods are no longer sufficient," Bourguignon said. "With the Nokia Deepfield solution, Worldstream is now equipped with high-capacity, network-based protection that reacts instantly, rapidly detecting and eliminating threats before they impact businesses. The National Print Awards (NPAs) are proud to introduce the Ricoh Women in Industry Award, a prestigious new accolade recognising and celebrating the outstanding contributions of women in the Australian print sector. This award is open to women across all industry roles - from apprentices and emerging sales leaders to estimators, production specialists, and business owners - highlighting the depth and talent of female professionals driving innovation and success in print and visual media. The winner of the Ricoh Women in Industry Award will receive an exclusive professional development experience in London, UK, featuring: Attendance at the Power of Print Seminar, London in November 2025, A tour of the Ricoh Experience Centre, showcasing cutting-edge print technology and innovation, Industry engagement and introductions with leading global organisations, including Two Sides Global, BPIF (British Printing Industries Federation), World Land Trust, and other key industry bodies, A three-day immersive tour of the UK print industry, connecting with leading professionals and gaining insights into the future of print and visual media industry. This award represents a significant step in supporting the growth, visibility, and advancement of women across the industry, providing a unique opportunity to network internationally, share knowledge, and gain exposure to global best practices. Mark Moro, National Ricoh Graphic Communications (RGC) Sales Manager, Ricoh Australia Championing Women in Industry Mark Moro, National Ricoh Graphic Communications (RGC) Sales Manager, Ricoh Australia, expressed his pride in sponsoring an award that shines a spotlight on the achievements of women in the industry. Ricoh is committed to fostering diversity, inclusion, and excellence across the print and visual media sector, and the Ricoh Women in Industry Award is an important initiative to support and celebrate the incredible talent we have, said Moro. This award is more than just recognition - it is about providing a pathway for women across our industry to engage with global industry leaders, gain valuable insights, and bring that knowledge back to strengthen their careers in Australia. We are honoured to support this initiative and look forward to seeing the impact it has on the future of our industry. As the industry continues to evolve, fostering inclusion and leadership opportunities for women remains a key priority. Kellie Northwood, Chief Executive Officer, Visual Media Association, highlighted the importance of this award in connecting Australian industry professionals with the global stage. The Ricoh Women in Industry Award is an incredible opportunity for women from all sectors of our industry to expand their knowledge, engage with international leaders, and build strong networks across their roles, said Northwood. The ability to learn from global counterparts, explore innovation firsthand, and connect with industry experts is invaluable. We encourage all eligible women - whether working in production, sales, estimating, or leadership - to put themselves forward and take part in this remarkable journey. Call for Entries: Be Part of This Exciting Opportunity Entries are open for the National Print Awards and the Ricoh Women in Industry Award, and the National Print Awards team is calling on women across all roles and career stages to apply. Whether you're an emerging talent or innovative manager, this is a chance to take your career to the next level with an unparalleled international learning experience. A Guide to Entries, Key Dates, and Category Overviews can be found via the VMA National Print Awards page. For any queries, please contact Phillip Mariette at phillip@visualmediaassociation.org.au. On top of working on feedlots for years in Nebraska and Texas, Buck Wehrbein is a volunteer. He started working in cattle business advocacy organizations while in Texas, starting with the National Cattlemens Beef Associations Young Cattlemens Conference. When he returned to his roots in Nebraska, people in the industry kept encouraging him to get involved. That's been the catalyst, and then a desire, I think instilled by my grandfather, to serve something larger than yourself, whether it's your church or an association like this, Wehrbein said. Wehrbein became the president of the National Cattlemens Beef Association, NCBA, in February during CattleCon, the associations biggest event. Previously, he served in multiple different roles at the state and national levels advocating for the beef industry. He said it's very needed for people to represent their business at the state and national level. Wehrbein has managed a feed yard at Mead Cattle Company, located west of Omaha, for over 25 years. He grew up on a small farm west of Omaha, but started cattle feeding in Texas before moving back to Nebraska. In Texas, Wehrbein was part of an organization representing Texas cattle feeders. However, when he was involved in organizations in Nebraska he wasnt just representing cattle feeders, but the entire industry. In that way, his experience in Nebraska is similar to working on the national level, he said. Cattle people have minds of their own, Wehrbein said. We don't all think alike and so it can be frustrating from that standpoint too, but it ends up being really effective. And I know that NCBA has a lot of influence in Washington and that they listen to us. In Nebraska, Wehrbein worked with the Nebraska Cattlemen and then the Nebraska Beef Council. At the Nebraska Beef Council, Wehrbein served as a board member and chairman. Ann Marie Bosshamer, the executive director of the council, worked with Wehrbein for eight years. She said he is a good leader because of how he listens to people and builds relationships easily. He can visit with a cow-calf producer in the southeast part of the United States, to a cattle feeder in the northwest, to anybody in between and he just is engaging, Bosshamer said. Bosshamer further noted that he was always quick with a joke and witty while on the board. She said Wehrbein is a servant leader and will do well in his new role. I think he will accomplish anything he wants to, but he will do that for the good of the whole because Buck really sees the big picture of what the beef industry is from the cow calf producer all the way to the consumer, Bosshamer said. Wehrbein has a few ideas of what he wants to do in Washington. One of those issues, he said, is thinking about potential diseases. Diseases like bird flu have only affected dairy cattle, but Wehrbein is watching a disease in Central America called the New World Screwworm. To prepare for and combat the virus cattle producers will need the help of the U.S. Department of Agriculture labs, who can work to sterilize flies so the disease doesnt spread, he said. However, the USDA has experienced recent layoffs that could affect the departments research capabilities. Wehrbein said he cant speak to the recent layoffs or how they could affect the labs, but said those groups need to be able to do their work. Wehrbein said another priority is the farm bill, which has been extended several times without the passage of a new bill. Wehrbein said he favored a version of the bill which passed through the U.S. House of Representatives Agriculture Committee, but didnt become law. Finally, he said he wants to work with the Trump Administration to reform the estate tax which impacts farms as they transition from one generation to the next. The association draws its policy from local and state organizations and is a grassroots organization, Wehrbein said. If I could impart something to people out there that aren't involved or who are members but not very involved it would be that, Wehrbein said. That this truly is run by real producers, real cattle people out there. Soaring growth of drones calls for watchful eye 08:21, March 24, 2025 By Li Yang ( China Daily A worker checks a fixed-wing drone in Cifeng township, Pengzhou, Sichuan province. (Photo/China Daily) The Government Work Report this year proposed to promote the safe and healthy development of the low-altitude economy. The action plan to boost consumption recently issued by the central government also requires accelerating the improvement of the low-altitude economic supervision system and orderly developing low-altitude consumption. The potential of the low-altitude economy has begun to be demonstrated in the logistics industry and agriculture. In the first two months of this year, the output of civil drone products saw a year-on-year increase of 91.5 percent, showing robust momentum. The potential of low-altitude consumption also lies in its multiplier effect on the industry chain. Taking consumer-grade drones as an example, their popularization can also drive hardware manufacturing, software development, data processing, and other links. It is predicted that the market size of the country's low-altitude economy will reach 1.5 trillion yuan ($207 billion) this year, and it is expected to reach 3.5 trillion yuan by 2035. The supervision of low-altitude consumption not only involves data security, but also includes flight safety, consumer rights protection, low-altitude aircraft control and many other contents. The Low-Altitude Economic Development Department of the National Development and Reform Commission was founded in December. The department is responsible for the formulation and implementation of low-altitude economic development strategies and medium- and long-term development plans, proposing relevant policy recommendations. The authorities need to take into account flight safety supervision and industrial innovation needs. And more institutional breakthroughs are expected to accelerate the implementation of consumption scenarios. However, if it is not managed well, low-altitude aircraft will seriously disrupt production and living order, and even threaten public safety. Therefore, the Low-Altitude Economic Development Department of NDRC needs to coordinate with relevant departments so as to strengthen supervision to ensure that recreational and industry users abide by the regulations and use drones legally and responsibly. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun) Subscribe to The Podcast by KevinMD. Watch on YouTube. Catch up on old episodes! Health care executive Susannah Eastwick discusses her article, Advancing health care through physician leadership: 5 skills for changing health care. Susannah explores the evolving health care landscape in 2025, where physicians face growing corporate control and reduced autonomy. She identifies five critical skills for physicians to regain influence: mastering business language, understanding financial operations, improving operational efficiency, partnering and negotiating effectively, and advocating for systemic change. Through real-world exampleslike a physician turning a $15 million clinic deficit into a surplus and another streamlining a hospitals phone systemSusannah demonstrates how these skills enhance patient care and organizational performance. She offers actionable strategies for physicians to navigate the business side of medicine and lead meaningful change. Our presenting sponsor is Microsoft Dragon Copilot. Want to streamline your clinical documentation and take advantage of customizations that put you in control? What about the ability to surface information right at the point of care or automate tasks with just a click? Now, you can. Microsoft Dragon Copilot, your AI assistant for clinical workflow, is transforming how clinicians work. Offering an extensible AI workspace and a single, integrated platform, Dragon Copilot can help you unlock new levels of efficiency. Plus, its backed by a proven track record and decades of clinical expertise and its part of Microsoft Cloud for Healthcareand its built on a foundation of trust. Ease your administrative burdens and stay focused on what matters most with Dragon Copilot, your AI assistant for clinical workflow. VISIT SPONSOR https://aka.ms/kevinmd SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST https://www.kevinmd.com/podcast RECOMMENDED BY KEVINMD https://www.kevinmd.com/recommended Transcript Kevin Pho: Hi, and welcome to the show. Subscribe at KevinMD.com/podcast. Today we welcome Susannah Eastwick. She is the director of a physician MBA program. Todays KevinMD article is Advancing health care through physician leadership: 5 skills for changing health care. Susannah Eastwick: Thank you so much for having me. I am super excited to be here talking with you and your audience. Kevin Pho: All right, so tell us a little bit about yourself and then the article that you wrote on KevinMD. ADVERTISEMENT Susannah Eastwick: I serve as the director of the Physician MBA program at the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University, and I bring a passion for how we leverage education to create change across whatever platform. And currently my passion, of course, is how we use education to create physician leadership that transforms the health care industry. And the article that I wrote is really about the skills that the MBA curriculum provides to physician leaders, but it is really the inherent skills that, as physicians build them, they can use them to help transform the health care industry into ultimately not just what it could be, but what it should be in terms of an environment where patients are at the focus. Kevin Pho: All right, so we have a lot of physicians who are interested in going into leadership. One of the common issues that we face is that physicians are losing their autonomy, right? They are getting burnt out because of that loss of autonomy, and they want to go into physician leadership and, of course, look for programs like the ones that you run. So before talking about the article and some of the skills that physician leaders need, tell us about the physicians who apply to your program in the first place. Just tell us, what kind of attributes do they have? Susannah Eastwick: Yeah, so you said something that is incredibly passionate for us. Physicians are losing their voice, right? And that is increasing burnout rates and decreasing engagement, all of those things. So ultimately, what we try to do is not just teach physicians how to leverage their voice but also how to use the language effectively to change health care. So the best physicians who come to our programwhich is, you know, of course, the Kelley School is one of the top 20 business schools in the U.S.are really change agents. They are emerging change agents in their own right who then want to use the knowledge, skills, and tools of a training program like ours, right? Because an MBA program is ultimately just a strategic training tool. It is never going to give you the depth and breadth of knowledge that a clinical education would give, but it is really that supplement to, OK, you understand patient care. So how do we teach you the language of business to use those principles to transform the health care industry? Ultimately, physicians who come to us are those emerging change agents who then graduate to become effective change agents across the industry. And after almost more than a decade of experience, we have partnered with physicians who now have gone on and created incredible change across the industry. The stories are endless that I would be happy to share. Kevin Pho: It goes without saying that health care is more dominated by corporate entities, right? The number of private practice physicians, I think the numbers are less than 20 percent, and they are going down year after year. Now, how important is that language of business, as you said earlierthat business vernacularhow important is that for physicians to gain a step into that leadership role? Susannah Eastwick: Right. Well, in a perfect world, we would have all of our health care leaders get clinical education, rightM.D.s. That is not efficient. So the best way for us to essentially provide that fix to the lack of voice of advocacy for patient care in there is to give physicians the degrees, education, and language that the current health care administrators have, right? Less than 5 percent of hospital CEOs are physicians, which is just tragic, right? And the fact that 78 percent of physicians now are employed physicians, as you just said. So the only way really to bridge that gap that is in health care, rightthe administrator who stands at the front of the room and puts up the big fancy spreadsheet and says, Well, we need your dashboard and your metric to match these without ever giving the why But also, we had this physician who came into the program, and she was the chief of staff when she first started the program. She confessed that she would sit at the back of the room in the meetings with her laptop open and Google the phrases and terms that the administration was using because she did not fully understand the language. By the end of the MBA program, she was in the front row, and she was asking questions that they did not appreciate because what she found out, as she learned the language and the curtain got pulled backoh, you know, with the wizard behind the curtainthe language was just being used as a way to obfuscate the conversation, to keep people from asking the right questions because they did not understand the concepts, right? And so by the end, she was in the front row, and they were sort of like, You have to come to this meeting, because she would break down the conversation: let us talk about the core. For us, our passion is really, you know, Physicians, you best understand patient care, so why are you not the ones driving the conversation? And the problem is there is a language gap, right? The more you learn that language, the more effective you can be in an environment where it is being run like a corporate environment, right? It is a business rather than a service. Kevin Pho: In your KevinMD article, you talk about five skills that physician leaders need. So tell us about your article and tell us about those skills. Susannah Eastwick: Yeah, so we are really hitting quite a bit on the first one: speaking the language of business, and that can really create transformation for any physician moving into leadership. And there are a lot of ways to learn the language of businessit is not necessarily an MBA program; there is a plethora of ways, obviously. Then, secondly, is how the money works. In fact, one of our professors teaches rules of the language, rules of money, and one of his first rules is, It is always about the money, and then rule number two is, Follow the money, right? If you do not know how the money works, how do you know how the decisions are being made, right? And so much of health care right nowand, you know, change is one big constant in all industries, but it is a very big constant in health care right nowso as you are looking at change, how is the money working, how do you get patient care, how do you get the quality you are looking for? That skill is absolutely necessary for navigating the current environment. Then how to improve processes and operations for patients. You know, the Affordable Care Act was a big disruptor to the health care industry, right? And that is when we started this MBA program. But since then, all the things that keep happening, all it keeps exposingespecially COVIDis that we do not have the operations and the processes in place that allow us to be successful. And it is not just low-hanging fruit, it is sort of like watermelons on the ground of how you can use, you know, this big word we keep talking about: efficiency. But when you time and challenge all the things that challenge the process for a patient to get care, they are the same processes that frustrate physicians, right? We are talking about burnout happening with EMR processes being so onerous. Any way you can look at creating efficiency and excellence and quality in the process, that is where you can really transform. And so that is a skill that all physicians need to gain. Then there is that piece of emotional intelligencereally learning the skills around executive leadership, being comfortable with conflict. You know, physicians by your nature, you are not big fans of conflict, right? You are there to take care of people. And so conflict is not a place where a lot of physicians are very comfortable. But actually conflict can be incredibly productive. It is actually more of a problem-solving tool on how you get the outcomes you are looking for, rather than something to be avoided. So learning that skill of how do you negotiate, how do you collaborate, how do you leverage relationships to drive the outcomes you are looking for systemically, right? Because every physician has an incredible impact on that one-to-one relationship, but how do you take that impact and take it a thousand to one, ten thousand to one, right? That is looking at processes, procedures, and then how you leverage people to get the outcomes that you are looking for through the relationships, which really get at that executive skill setcommunication, conflict, negotiation, collaboration, et ceterawhich hits at that emotional intelligence that is so hard to find. And then, lastly, it is how you advocate for patients in the health care system. Often, when we start programsand we do not just do an MBA program, but we do partnerships with health care systems and so forth and so onso we educate physicians at many different levels and layers. And one of the first questions we always ask is, What are you most frustrated about right now? And the answer we get is, Trying to navigate the insurance world, right? How do I get care for my patients to get them not just access but quality, right, and how do I get it paid for? And so that piece of advocacy can be at the micro level, the one-to-one level, all the way up to the national level, right? We can attestI just said change is one big constant, but we have a course that takes physicians to Washington, D.C., for five days and immerses them in the language of health care policy. And it is really sort of how the sausage is made. And what you find out is there is very little physician voice in health care policy, right? Pharma is very organized, nurses are very organized, right? But physicians are not joined together in one voice. They are very splintered in their different health care associations, which, you know, orthopedic surgery is very effective at being a lobbyist, but is internal medicine as effective, right? You start to question how each of those is structured. So really becoming a strong advocate on whatever level that means to you is one of the skills that really continues to further patient care. But also, in this environment of change, that is where the physician voice can better be inserted to create the most effective change. So those are the five things that my article walked through. Kevin Pho: Now, you mentioned earlier that there are many, many stories of physicians who went through your program and then went back and made a huge difference. So just share a particularly poignant story about how some of these skills really influenced one of those physicians to move the needle going back. Susannah Eastwick: Yeah, someone who I am immediately thinking of is a female physician leader who is in the southern part of California. She is a CEO of an FQHC that primarily works with a low-income, very marginalized population close to the border there with Mexico. So it is a lot of people who are working in agriculture and other service-based industries. When she took over the FQHC, it was in the redin the red in the millions of dollars. And she actually became the CEO while she was in the MBA program and started runningwe essentially became her business incubator in a lot of waysso she started running the staffing, the process, the financials, everything through the program. And within two years, she had the FQHC in the plus in terms of financial performance, but also increased access. She has higher numbers of patients and lowered her wait times across the board, and her community relationship, which is so key, right? Because so much of what a physician does, in whatever role it is, is really the community impactit has been embraced to where the community sees that FQHC as one of the major resources for the entire community. So that is the one that first comes to mind, but I could probably go through, you know, we bring through a cohort of about 40 physicians every year, and in every group there is a story of inspiration. It could just be, for example, one of our graduates reorganized the urology clinic at the VA hospital where he was heading the Urology Department. He just worked on one specific procedure, and by fixing how the clinic was organized and how quickly the process moved throughcutting out things that were causing logjams or what have you and slowing people down the processhe decreased the wait time for a veteran to get this specific urology procedure by 68 percent. That now, talk about cost savings and et cetera, et cetera, right? Those impacts have that wave effect throughout the industry. Kevin Pho: Now, whenever the topic of physician leadership comes up on this podcast, I always ask my guests: is an MBA necessary? I understand that you are looking at this through a certain perspective, so let me ask you, for physicians who, like you said, can sometimes get that business vernacular not necessarily in an MBA program, when should they consider a formal MBA program like yours? Susannah Eastwick: Yeah, so great question, and you are going to find that, of course, I am going to be biased, right, because that is my role. I am passionate about how education transforms anyone and their trajectory in the world. But I hear from our alumni that getting the training that they got through us helps them fall back in love with medicine, which is so incredibly inspiring. And then I also hear from our alumni, I should have done this years ago. That is the common theme, even if, you know, our average age is about 45, but we will have some people who are a few years out of residency, and they say the same thing. But I also want to be really cognizant that some of our most successful physician leaders who are making large impacts do not necessarily have an MBA. So there is that piece of self-awareness, right, that is so key in great leaders. You could walk through Adam Grants latest books that he has recommended, follow your blog for so many fantastic concepts that are being discussed, so many different educators who are out there trying to create impact through their knowledgedisseminating knowledgethat you can get that information in lots of different ways. The reason people are attracted to an MBA is not much different from how you were trained as a physician. It is a structured program with the pinnacle of knowledge of what you most need to know. So there is that organized approach, and a lot of people talk to me about that: Sure, I could learn this on my own. I could teach this to myself. I could be in LinkedIn learning, having a great time. But the structure and the organization, and the other thing that an MBA program can give you that you can never get on your own in whatever capacity you start to learn the language of business, is the networking piece. Our alumni constantly learn from each other, leverage those connections to either hire one another or continue to learn in the environment. As they went through COVID, they actually turned to one another constantly to say, OK, you GI doc in Maine, I am a plastic surgeon in California. How are we getting through this together? What processes are you using? What is working best? So that peer learning piece is also a benefit of coming into a structured program like an MBA. Kevin Pho: And for those physicians who may be thinking of going through a formal MBA program, just give us an idea of the time and financial commitment it may take. Susannah Eastwick: Yeah, and I am a big advocate of do the research and find a program that works best for you. Not every program isyou know, I had a boss once who joked, You could swing a dead cat and hit an MBA program every time. They are everywhere, right? So what I say is, when you are looking at MBA programs, there are four things to look at: who is in the classroom with you, who is teaching the courses to you, what are the classes, and then what is the modality and time commitment? That is really a big one for physicians, because your time is your most precious commodity. So find a program that makes an efficient use of time. Looking at those four things, you will find who is in the classroom with you, what are you going to learn from them, and what is important to you. Most physicians are never leaving health care, right? So why would you go into a program with, you know, all kinds of different industries? Your faculty should be a long-term resource to you in terms of consultants whom you can call. You know, our finance professor continues to regularly get spreadsheets of different business plans and business ideas that physicians are working on, whether it be inside their organization or outside their organization, and they say, Hey, can you check out my financials? So your faculty should become a consultant to you. And then, thirdly, modalitythis is the big question. You know, are you looking for an online MBA, an in-person, et cetera? We are the best of both worlds: we are hybrid, so we are 70 percent online and 30 percent in person, so we keep that piece of laying of hands. Research studies have been done on how you deliver CMEs effectively for the long-term retention of knowledge in physicians, and what they have found is you have to apply what you are learning if you want to retain that long term. So our in-person component is really that laying-of-hands application moment where we ensure that you are retaining and learning that language and practicing it. But our online environmentof course, we are the number oneranked online MBA in the country and have been for more than a decade, so you study online with us in confidence. That length of time is really key. Some people want to go really short, which is challenging for physicians because, you know, you are scientists on a certain level. So we are a 21-month, 51-credit-hour program. It is a full MBA, but delivered in a style that works best. But again, that is not necessarily what most, you know, some people are just looking to get done quickly. So we are what we consider to be the best, right, of all the ways in which you can deliver business education to physicians. But, as you do your research, you can find a lot of different options out there. Kevin Pho: And in terms of the physicians who may be considering a formal MBA program, tell me the types of questions they need to ask themselves to see whether that is right for them. Are they already physicians in the C-suite? Are they physicians who are purely in clinical and thinking about perhaps an executive role? Tell me the type of physician where your program may be right for them. Susannah Eastwick: Yeah, so the answer is actually all of the above for us. We want to partner with physicians who want to be more effective in whatever way they want to be in the change that is coming across health care. So about a third of our cohort are actually full-time practicing physicians, another third are what you might say one foot practicing, one foot in some kind of administrative role, and then the final third are what you would call a full-time administratorso in the C-suite, et cetera, or a department chair in academic medicine, or on the payer side in a VP role. We really pull from across the industry. But what I would say is, you know, a good MBA program wants to partner with a physician. What they should know before they get started is just what do they want to do, you knowthat awareness of what they do not know and how a structured educational program can help them learn more about what they do not know, which ultimately also exposes how much more you will never know, right? But it is that moment of when a physician is thinking, OK, I am feeling burned out, I am feeling completely disempowered, disenfranchised, and rather than trying to find the early-retirement button, I want to be part of the change that needs to happen in health care. So that is where looking at an MBA program and saying, What can it help give me? A lot of physicians think, well, I have to know exactly what I am going to do with this, right? Because when you go to medical school, you have the immediate answer, right? I am going to pick my specialty, then I am going to go on to residency, potentially fellowship, and then I am hired straight out of it. An MBA is a lot more nebulous. So you do not actually have to know how you are going to use it. A good MBA program should help you figure that out as you get exposed to the content. It should help you see, oh my goshlike, we have a physician graduating this year who came through the Air Force, he is an orthopedic surgeon, was working in a health care system, and he very quickly through the program realized he had a massive passion for operations and really looking at process improvement. And now he has gotten a job working in that exact area as a consultant, and he did not walk in the door assuming that was going to be his outcome. But through the program, he learned this is really where he has a skill set. So I would caution your listeners and readers: you do not have to know the answer. A good program should help you find that. You just have to have that passion to say, I am going to use this opportunity to learn more and to help be more in the role that I am in. Kevin Pho: We are talking to Susannah Eastwick. She is the director of a physician MBA program. Todays KevinMD article is Advancing health care through physician leadership: 5 skills for changing health care. Susannah, let us end with some take-home messages that you want to leave with the KevinMD audience. Susannah Eastwick: I would say my first take-home message is that physicians are an incredibly inspiring group. I have the best job: I get to work with incredibly passionate and intelligent people. So I would say if you are thinking about how you use your voice, how you become more effective, continue this education that you do by reading KevinMD, which is full of great content. I would love to talk to anyone who is thinking about how they can use a partnership with a good educational program to help create the change that they are looking for. Kevin Pho: Susannah, thank you so much for sharing your perspective and insight, and thanks again for coming on the show. Susannah Eastwick: Thanks so much for having me. This was great. Just imagine when you felt hurt or betrayed by a colleague, patient, staff member, friend, or family member. Now, picture life if you could somehow free yourself of that hurt, pain, or discomfort. This article will discuss the concept of forgiveness and how it applies to our medical practice. Examples of forgiveness A white male racist burned down a predominantly African American church. The arsonist was convicted and sentenced to prison. He was invited to the rebuilt church when he was released from prison. All congregation members stood in a line, and each one forgave him for his actions. The man fell to his knees, weeping, overcome by the congregations forgiveness. He was ashamed of his previous behavior but felt relief when the congregation forgave him. After World War II ended, Peggy Covell discovered that Japanese soldiers had beheaded her missionary parents at their small mountain mission in the Philippines. Peggy wrestled with her initial hatred of the Japanese people, then overcame hatred with love and made a trip to Japan to forgive those soldiers who murdered her parents. Another example of forgiveness is Nelson Mandela, who spent 27 years in prison on Robben Island in South Africa. During that time, he was isolated in terrible conditions. After being released in 1990, he could have stayed angry at those who had wrongfully imprisoned him. Instead, he chose to forgive them and accept what happened. By releasing that hurt and focusing on a brighter future, he achieved true freedom for his nation. I had a patient who instituted a lawsuit that took fifteen years to defend. Ultimately, the jury deliberated for less than fifteen minutes and unanimously found me innocent, and my management was within the standard of care. I was hurt and angry that the patient initiated a lawsuit for a frivolous claim. However, when I decided to forgive the patient (and the plaintiffs attorney), I felt a sense of relief. Anyone familiar with Italian opera or Shakespearean plays knows the terrible price paid for grudges, vendetta, and revenge. This results in negative thinking and can be distracting, resulting in a loss of positive focus. This kind of response to someone who has hurt you, deceived you, or caused you mental pain can deteriorate your health, including gastrointestinal distress, headaches, depression, and even suppression of your immune system. Physicians and medical practices flourish and become mentally healthy when we do not hold on to past hurts. Under the sway of these emotions, painful incidents linger in the mind, sapping our ability to find peace and happiness. The 18th-century English poet Alexander Pope gave us the antidote: To err is human, to forgive divine. But finding a way to forgive without giving up your principles is not easy. In this article, we will address forgiveness and how to implement it. We will discuss when forgiveness is most neededin your everyday personal life with patients, colleagues, family members, friends, co-workers, and health care associates. One of our challenges in understanding this process is that the word forgiveness needs to be revised to explain a complex concept. Forgiveness embodies three things, each applying to different situations and providing different results. The three types of forgiveness are exoneration, forbearance, and release. Exoneration Exoneration is the closest to what we usually think of when we say forgiveness. Exoneration is wiping the slate entirely clean and restoring a relationship to its previous state of innocence before the harmful actions took place. There are three situations in which exoneration applies. The first occurs when you realize the harmful action was a genuine accident for which no fault can be assigned. The second is when the offender is a child or someone else who, for whatever reason, did not understand the hurt they were inflicting and toward whom you have loving feelings. The third situation occurs when the person who hurt you is genuinely sorry, takes full responsibility (without excuses) for what they did, asks for forgiveness, and gives you confidence that they will not knowingly repeat their harmful action. In such situations, accepting their apology and offering them complete forgiveness of exoneration is essential. You will feel better, and so will the person who hurt you. Not offering forgiveness in these circumstances would be harmful to your well-being. It might even suggest something more wrong with you than with the person who caused you pain. Forbearance The second type of forgiveness is called forbearance. Forbearance applies when the offender makes a partial apology or mingles their expression of sorrow with blame that you somehow caused them to misbehave. An apology is offered, but it is not what you had hoped for and may not even be fully authentic. While you should always reflect on whether there was a provocation on your part, even when you bear no responsibility, you should exercise forbearance if the relationship matters to you. Cease dwelling on the offense, do away with grudges and fantasies of revenge, but retain a degree of watchfulness. This is like forgive but not forget or trust but verify. By using forbearance, you can maintain ties to people who, while far from perfect, are still important to you. Furthermore, in some cases, forbearance can rise to exoneration and full forgiveness after a sufficient period of good behavior. But what do you do when the person who hurt you does not even acknowledge that they have done anything wrong or gives an insincere apology, making no reparations whatsoever? These are the cases of forgiveness that are the most challenging. Release The third type of forgiveness is release. Release does not exonerate the offender. Nor does it require forbearance. It does not even demand that you continue the relationship. But it does ask that instead of continuing to define much of your life in terms of the hurt done, you release your bad feelings and perhaps the guilt you are experiencing. Release does something critically important: letting you let go of the burden weighing you down and eating away your chance for happiness. Suppose you do not release the pain and anger and move past dwelling on old hurts and betrayals. In that case, you will be allowing the ones who hurt you to live rent-free in your mind, reliving forever the persecution that the original incident started. Release liberates you from the tyranny of living in the traumatic past, even when the other forms of forgivenessexoneration and forbearanceare impossible. Benefits of forgiveness As physicians, we hear from patients, clients, colleagues, and our staff when they are hurt by someone they trust. This naturally causes them to feel anger, frustration, and resentment. Offering forgiveness provides positive emotions, enhances our energy, and allows us to make wise decisions and perform at our best. Those who offer or practice forgiveness will often receive positive lessons from previous painful events. It is not unusual for those who forgive to reconnect with a parent, friend, or others they have not spoken to in years. ADVERTISEMENT Forgiveness is not meant to condone others hurtful behavior. It is about developing compassion and accepting others for being imperfect. Blaming others never solves the problem or leads to contentment. We must free ourselves from playing the victim story of what we believe happened to us. And we must realize that the other persons behavior likely had nothing to do with us. Perhaps they were feeling some threat or danger (consciously or unconsciously), which activated their survival instincts and inhibited them from doing the right thing. The bottom line: Everyone makes mistakes. It is part of being human, so we cannot expect the people in our lives always to meet our expectations. They have limiting beliefs and personal struggles, so forgiveness is key to a successful practice and a healthier life. Neil Baum is a urologist. 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Ireland United States Minor Outlying Islands United States of America 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 We have come together to stay together: Uddhav > < 23:44 Hyderabad: Mumbai woman 'assaulted'; forced into prostitution; rescued File image A 28-year-old woman from Mumbai was beaten and locked up in a flat here by three women who allegedly tried to force her into prostitution, police said on Monday. After receiving a distress call on Dial-100 from the woman, a police team reached the premises, unlocked the door, and rescued her... Read more > 22:58 One killed, three injured in fire at multi-storey building in Mumbai File image A security guard was killed and three persons were injured after a fire broke out in a 13-storey residential building in Mumbai's Vidyavhihar area on Monday morning, an official said. The blaze erupted at 4.35 am in the Takshshila Co-operative Housing Society, located on Nathani Road... Read more > 22:50 Truck carrying 300 LPG cylinders catches fire in UP, blasts trigger panic File image A gas agency truck caught fire in Uttar Pradesh's Bareilly district on Monday afternoon, triggering a series of explosions in more than 300 LPG cylinders loaded on it, officials said. No casualties were reported in the incident, but frightened villagers evacuated the area near the gas agency... Read more > 22:35 BMC inspects studio at centre of Kunal Kamra row Stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra The studio in Khar in which stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra filmed his show containing the controversial traitor jibe at Maharashtra deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and the basement in which it has been created were on Monday checked by Mumbai's civic body. The action by the Brihanmumbai... Read more > 22:10 133 aircraft of various airlines grounded: Union Minister File image A total of 133 aircraft are grounded of the total 813 aircraft in the fleet of various domestic airlines, Parliament was informed on Monday. Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha also said that of the remaining 680 operational aircraft,... Read more > 21:43 5 get life for abduction, assault of Army trainee officers, gangrape of friend Five persons were sentenced to life imprisonment by a sessions court in Mhow in Madhya Pradesh on Monday for looting, assaulting and abducting two Army trainee officers as well as their two female friends and gangraping one of them. The incident, which had taken place at Jaam Gate on... Read more > 21:23 Shimla school drops pre-Eid festivities after right-wing threat File image A private school in Shimla on Monday withdrew its decision asking students to wear 'kurta-pajama' with a small cap and bring 'roti' roll with 'paneer', 'sevaiyan' and dry fruits for Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations after it sparked a row. The school was forced to roll back its decision after a local... Read more > 21:05 Maha deputy speaker election on Mar 26; NCP's Bansode likely to get post Mahayuti's candidate Anna Bansode/Image courtesy X Election for the post of Maharashtra assembly deputy speaker will be held on March 26 and ruling Mahayuti's candidate Anna Bansode is likely to get the position unopposed. Assembly speaker Rahul Narwekar told the house on Monday that the election for the post of his deputy will be held on... Read more > 20:54 CBI arrests NHAI GM, 3 others in Rs 15 lakh bribery case The Central Bureau of Investigation has arrested a general manager of the National Highways Authority of India and three others, including a general manager of a private company, in connection with alleged bribery of Rs 15 lakh, officials said on Monday. Ram Prit Paswan, the accused general... Read more > 20:51 Justice Varma's transfer: Bar body on strike from Tue Justice Yashwant Varma Lawyers of Allahabad High Court Bar Association will stage an indefinite strike from March 25 onwards following Justice Yashwant Varma's proposed transfer to Allahabad high court, a senior office bearer of the body said on Monday. Lawyers of the High Court Bar Association, Allahabad will go... Read more > 19:53 Rupee recovers 2025 losses; jumps 31 paise to close at 85.67 against USD Rising for the seventh straight session, the rupee appreciated 31 paise to close at 85.67 (provisional) against the US dollar on Monday, wiping off all its losses in 2025, supported by a positive trend in domestic equity markets and fresh foreign capital inflows. Besides, lower global crude... Read more > 19:46 About 18 lakh new registrations made under ESI scheme in Jan A total of 18.19 lakh new employees were added under the ESI scheme in January, a year-on-year rise of 2.34 percent, an official statement said on Monday. Of this, 8.67 lakh employees up to the age group of 25 years constituted 47.66 percent of the new registrations, ministry of labour &... Read more > 19:38 In 'dry' Gujarat, govt earns Rs 94L revenue from liquor sale at GIFT City File image The state government has earned Rs 94.19 lakh in revenue from the sale of liquor to employees working at Gandhinagar-based Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City) where alcohol consumption has been permitted since December 30, 2023, the assembly was informed on Monday. In a reply... Read more > 19:08 Woman IB officer found dead on railway track in Kerala A woman Intelligence Bureau officer was found dead on a railway track in Thiruvananthapuram on Monday, the police said. The body of Megha, 24, was discovered on the railway track near the Chakka area of the Kerala capital at around 9.30 am, they said. The body has been shifted to the... Read more > 18:52 Senior bureaucrat Ajay Seth designated as finance secretary Senior bureaucrat Ajay Seth was on Monday designated as the new finance secretary, according to an official order. Seth, a 1987-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of Karnataka cadre, is currently the secretary of the department of economic affairs. The Appointments... Read more > 18:33 Video of Punjab pastor facing harassment charge shows him slapping woman, man Pastor Bajinder Singh/Image courtesy Facebook A pastor in Punjab facing a sexual harassment case is back in the news after a video of him purportedly arguing and slapping a woman and a man has been distributed widely on social media platforms. Pastor Bajinder Singh (42), a self-styled Christian preacher had been previously booked on... Read more > 18:10 Parliament gets Andhra's Araku Coffee stall Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal inaugurates Araku Coffee stall in Parliament/Courtesy N Chandrababu Naidu on X Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Monday said the setting up of an Araku Coffee stall in the Parliament is a moment of pride for all, especially the tribal farmers producing the commodity. On Monday, an Araku Coffee stall was inaugurated in the Parliament in New Delhi by... Read more > 17:58 Nagpur violence: HC stays razing houses of accused The Nagpur bench of the Bombay high court on Monday ordered a stay on the demolition of the houses of two accused, including Fahim Khan, in the violence case, rapping the administration for high-handedness. While Khan's two-storey house was razed before the high court passed the order in the... Read more > 17:50 Scribe booked for Shivaji Maharaj remarks held The Maharashtra police on Monday said they have arrested Nagpur journalist Prashant Koratkar, booked for making derogatory remarks about Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and his son, Chhatrapati Sambhaji, from Telangana.Koratkar was taken into custody in Telangana and is being brought to Maharashtra,... Read more > 17:32 SC collegium confirms transfer of Justice Varma Justice Yashwant Varma The Supreme Court collegium on Monday confirmed the transfer of Delhi high court's Justice Yashwant Varma, facing an enquiry over the alleged discovery of huge cash from his official residence and from whom judicial work was withdrawn, to his parent Allahabad high court. The transfer... Read more > 17:28 Gambling racket run by women busted in UP's Bareilly, six held Six women were arrested for allegedly running an illegal gambling operation in a residential area in Uttar Pradesh's Bareilly, the police said on Monday. Based on a tip-off, a police patrol team raided the location in Sanjay Nagar in Baradari area and caught the accused while gambling with... Read more > 17:05 The amazing Mr Tharoor in Parliament today... Congress MP Shashi Tharoor holds forth on taxation in verse which even saw the hint of a smile from the finance minister. Tharoor tweeted to say, My little homage in light verse today to our tax regime: When we ask you to fix it/ you point and say, You will be Viksit!' #FinanceBill2025.Watch it... Read more > 16:45 Sensex rallies over 1,000 points Indian stock markets witnessed a strong rally on Monday, driven by positive economic indicators and improving global sentiment. Both key indices, Nifty 50 and BSE Sensex, registered impressive gains of over 1.3 per cent by the closing bell.The Nifty 50 index surged by 307.95 points, or 1.32... Read more > 16:42 Who won this match? Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Novak Djokovic share a passion for tennis along with their beliefs about vaccines. Kennedy, the nation's top health official, posted a photo on X on Sunday of himself and Djokovic standing on a tennis court holding tennis rackets.Novak Djokovic. First in tennis.... Read more > 16:34 MPs are getting a salary hike The Centre on Monday notified a 24-per cent hike in the salaries of members of Parliament with effect from April 1, 2023 on the basis of the Cost Inflation Index. The notification, issued by the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, also increased the daily allowances for sitting members and... Read more > 16:29 Rajeev Chandrasekhar takes charge as BJP Kerala chief Former Union Minister and technocrat-turned-politician Rajeev Chandrasekhar assumed office as the BJP's state president on Monday, declaring his mission to bring the NDA government to power in Kerala, a state largely dominated by the CPI(M)-led LDF and the Congress-led UDF.Addressing party... Read more > 16:07 Will apologise but...: Kunal Kamra Comedian Kunal Kamra has told Mumbai Police he does not regret his 'gaddar', or 'traitor', comment, seen as referring to Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, NDTV reports. He also said he would only apologise - an apology has been demanded by Chief Minister... Read more > 16:03 Ramzan Feasting: 12 More Heavenly Street Foods Hitesh Harisinghani/Rediff.com took his camera and his appetite this time to Mumbai's famous Mohammed Ali Road to sample a range of exotic street foods, especially the sumptuous sweets, after the sun went down on a Ramzan evening. Join in right here. Read more > 15:38 Aaditya: Kamra didn't take names, why is Shinde stung? Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aditya Thackeray on Monday likened Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde) MP's threat to standup artiste Kunal Kamra with the Taliban after his remarks during a show in Mumbai triggered a massive row. Yesterday, I saw Kunal Kamra's clip, after the protest, after the vandalism. The... Read more > 14:56 Calling a gaddar a gaddar is not attack on anyone: Uddhav Eknath Shinde is yet to react to the row Shiv Sena (UBT) Chief Uddhav Thackeray on Monday threw his weight behind stand up artist Kunal Kamra amid the controversy over his remarks, asserting that Kamra's statements were truthful and reflective of public sentiment. Thackeray said that calling a 'gaddar' a 'gaddar' was not an attack... Read more > 14:23 Rahul: India will be destroyed if RSS takes control of... The country will be destroyed if the RSS takes full control of the education system, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi said on Monday. The former Congress chief said the INDIA bloc constituents may have some slight differences in its ideologies and policies but they can never compromise on the... Read more > 13:53 Where is freedom of speech?: Jaya reacts to Kamra row In the ongoing row over stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra's recent remarks, several political figures, including Samajwadi Party (SP) MP Jaya Bachchan and Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs, have come forward to defend Kamra's freedom of expression and criticize the actions of those who vandalized the Mumbai venue... Read more > 13:45 Man accused of love jihad booked for 'I love Pak' post Representational image A man was booked in Bareilly for allegedly posting I Love You Pakistan on social media, an officer said on Monday. According to Izzatnagar Station House Officer (SHO) Vijendra Singh, the accused was identified as Tabrez Alam, a resident of Shikarpur Chaudhary Gautia, who made the post... Read more > 13:22 Uproar in LS over DK Shivakumar's Constitution remark The BJP on Monday forced repeated adjournments in the Lok Sabha over Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar's remarks suggesting changing the Constitution to accommodate four per cent reservation for Muslims in the state.BJP members were on their feet, apparently raising the issue of... Read more > 13:01 Kunal Kamra show: Sena functionary, 11 others held for ransacking venue Mumbai police on Monday arrested Shiv Sena functionary Rahul Kanal and 11 others for ransacking the venue at a Mumbai hotel where stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra made the controversial traitor' jibe against Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde, an official said. During his performance at the... Read more > 12:46 We will find out where you are: Nirupam to Kamra Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Nirupam on Monday demanded that stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra withdraw his remarks against Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and apologise for it, or else face the wrath of the party workers. Addressing a press conference in Mumbai, Nirupam said the Shiv... Read more > 12:25 Kamra must apologise to Shinde: Fadnavis Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis comes out in support of his ally and deputy CM Eknath Shinde. Fadnavis said that comic Kunal Kamra should apologise for his remarks against the Shiv Sena leader, which prompted party workers to vandalise a studio in Mumbai where the comedy show was... Read more > 12:21 10 States Have Over 25% Vacancies In Police Force Union Home Minister Amit Shah attended the 56th Raising Day Parade of the Central Industrial Security Force in Tamil Nadu to announce the recruitment of over 100,000 youth in the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF). Shah said that 14,000 positions were filled in CISF last year while 50,000 more... Read more > 12:01 Sebi Asks Intermediaries To Register With Google, Meta For Ads In a bid to curb investment frauds on social media platforms, the Securities and Exchange Board of India directed all intermediaries to register with platform providers such as Google and Meta for publishing advertisements.The move is aimed at bringing in transparency and verifying authenticity... Read more > 11:57 Judicial work withdrawn from cash-tainted Delhi HC judge The Delhi High Court on Monday announced that judicial work from Justice Yashwant Varma, from whose official residence a large stash of cash was allegedly discovered after a fire, has been withdrawn with immediate effect, till further orders. The announcement was made in a note issued by... Read more > 11:38 Set fire in Nagpur, now Mumbai: Sena UBT on Shinde Sena Police bandobast in Nagpur After the Shinde Sena youth group vandalising a comedy club, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi condemned such actions on Monday, claiming that the party had ignited a fire in Nagpur and now they are trying to do the same in Mumbai. They ignited fire like this in Nagpur. They are now... Read more > 11:03 'Marriage doesn't grant husband ownership over wife' The Allahabad High Court has refused to quash a criminal case against a man accused of uploading an intimate video of himself and his wife on Facebook, observing that marriage does not grant a husband ownership or control over his wife, nor does it dilute her autonomy or right to... Read more > 10:34 Sebi Removes 70,000 Misleading Social Media Posts The Securities and Exchange Board of India has removed over 70,000 misleading online posts and accounts since October 2024 as it collaborated with social media platforms to curb misinformation, the regulator's whole-time member Ananth Narayan said on Friday.The crackdown reflects Sebi's... Read more > 10:20 Picture abhi baki hai: Shinde Sena's message to Kamra An FIR has been registered against Kunal Kamra Shiv Sena Yuva Sena (Shinde faction) General Secretary Rahool Kanal on Monday gave a strong message to stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra for his comments on Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and said that Abhi tak toh ye trailer hai, picture abhi baki hai.It is not about taking any law... Read more > 10:05 'Terrorists captured my husband, I escaped' Security presence has been increased in Kathua The search operation against a group of infiltrating terrorists in the dense jungles of Kathua district of Jammu region entered the second day on Monday, officials said.The operation led by Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat was intensified with additional deployment of commandos, drones... Read more > 09:49 Gold ETFs Shine Under Gilded Sky All that glitters is gold Gold exchange-traded funds (ETFs) saw a dip in demand in February but still pulled in nearly Rs 2,000 crore in net inflows, the second-highest monthly tally on record.In January, investments in gold-tracking ETFs had surged to a record Rs 3,751 crore, four times the average inflow over the... Read more > 09:35 FIR against Kamra, 40 Shinde Sainiks booked for vandalism The Mumbai police on Monday registered an FIR against stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra for allegedly making defamatory remarks against Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde during a show, officials said. The police also registered a case against nearly 40 Shiv Sena workers for... Read more > 09:28 UP nurse's obscene videos shared online, FIR registered Representational image A man accused of blackmailing and raping a government hospital nurse here has allegedly shared her objectionable videos and photos on social media to extort money, police said on Monday. A police official said that based on the complaint of the nurse's father, a case has been lodged against... Read more > 09:25 Body of woman found hanging from tree in Ballia The body of a 20-year-old woman was found hanging from a tree near a village in Ballia, with the police launching an investigation into the matter, officials said Monday. The body was found in Sarayan Gulab Rai village under the Nagara police station area on Sunday, triggering concerns of... Read more > 09:08 'There will be dire consequences': Sena warns Kunal Kamra Shiv Sena leaders on Sunday took umbrage at stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra targeting their party head and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Shiv Sena workers vandalised Hotel Unicontinental in Mumbai's Khar area where Kamra's show with 'gaddar' (traitor) jibe at Deputy CM... Read more > 09:02 53 Afghan children who illegally entered Pakistan sent back: Officials Fifty-three children who illegally entered Pakistan through the Khyber district have been sent back to Afghanistan, an official said. The children had cut the border fencing to enter the country in search of work, the official said. He said they were handed over to Afghanistan authorities on... Read more > 08:39 Smartphone Exports Cross $21 Billion In FY25 Mobile phone exports from India crossed a whopping 1.75 trillion ($21 billion) in the first 11 months of 2024-25 (FY25) -- higher than the projection of Minister for Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw, who had estimated exports would touch $20 billion.This figure is 54... Read more > The Chief Executive (CE) of Macau, Sam Hou Fai, held a meeting with Guangdong Province Governor Wang Weizhong last Friday to discuss enhancing cooperation between the two regions and advancing the high-quality development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area (GBA) and the Guangdong-Macau Intensive Cooperation Zone in Hengqin. During the meeting at the government headquarters, CE Sam emphasized the strong and growing ties between Macau and Guangdong, noting the frequent exchanges in various fields that have deepened their cooperation. Looking to the future, Sam stressed the need for Guangdong-Macau cooperation to reach higher levels and expand into more diverse areas. Both sides, he said, must continue to strengthen their cooperation mechanisms and work together on initiatives that foster greater synergy for the benefit of both regions. Sam also outlined plans to accelerate the second phase of construction in the Cooperation Zone, with a focus on promoting high-level economic coordination and aligning regulatory frameworks between Macau and the Cooperation Zone. He noted that these efforts, particularly on the legal front, would inject new momentum into the sustained development of both Guangdong and Macau, while better supporting the broader national development strategy. The meeting also touched on preparations for the National Games, which, according to Sam, are progressing as planned. France is Macaus second-largest supplier of food products and beverages after mainland China, with exports valued at over MOP2 billion in 2024, Christile Drulhe, the Consul General of France in Hong Kong and Macau, said in her opening address at the inaugural edition of the Macao Food & Wine Experience. The event, held last Friday afternoon by Business France in partnership with the France Macau Chamber of Commerce (FMCC), the Chaine des Rotisseurs Bailliage of Macau, and the Alliance Francaise de Macao, featured 16 French food and beverage product suppliers. In her remarks, Drulhe also highlighted the influence of French gastronomy in Macaus vibrant culinary scene, stating, French cuisine is renowned throughout the world for its sophistication, refinement, and diversity. Our delicate wines and exquisite food products are part of our cultural heritage and one of Frances main tourist attractions. But for the French, good food is not only about the taste; it is also about the people you share it with, she said, I am delighted that French gastronomy has been proving very popular among residents and tourists, she added. The Consul General of France in Hong Kong and Macau added that while French wines and spirits are in high demand, particularly those from Bordeaux and Cognac, cheeses, dairy, and bakery products have also proven particularly popular in the Macau market. Figures provided by the organizers show that direct exports of French wines to Macau, by value, have a high prevalence of those from the Bordeaux region (79.78%), while in terms of spirits, Cognac tops the list with over 96%. The first-ever Macao Food & Wine Experience took place at Artyzen Grand Lapa Macau, drawing over 200 professionals from the food and beverage sector, media representatives, and gourmet enthusiasts. The event unfolded across multiple venues at Artyzen Grand Lapa, offering not only food and beverage tasting experiences with six food exhibitors and 10 wines and spirits suppliers based in both Hong Kong and Macau but also extended to Cafe Bela Vista, where chef Betty Fung presented a fusion menu created mainly from French products that mixed Western and Asian styles. As a side event, Vasco Bar and Lounge presented an event later in the evening open to the general public, during which wines from the South of France were served. Representatives from wineries and distilleries hailing directly from France also traveled to this special event to showcase their wines and spirits from various producing regions, such as Bordeaux, Cognac, Loire Valley, or Languedoc-Roussillon. Representing FMCC, Nacky Kuan noted that France is a country where food is not just a necessity but a way of life. She said that FMCC was delighted to support the event and thanked Business France for choosing Macau for the first-ever Food & Wine Experience event, which she said would bring valuable experience to all the FMCC partners. Organizers also noted that following the Macau debut event, the second Food & Wine Experience will take place on April 15 at The Peninsula Hong Kong, coinciding with the press conference that will present this years French GourMay Festival. The British government yesterday [Macau time] 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. 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 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. 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. 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. JILL LAWLESS, LONDON, MDT/AP U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is scheduled to visit the Philippines, the first stop in his first trip to Asia this week, for talks that will include increasing deterrence against aggression in the disputed South China Sea, a Philippine official said. Hegseth will be in Manila on March 28-29 to meet his Philippine counterpart, Gilberto Teodoro, and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Talks will touch on increasingly assertive actions by Beijing in the South China Sea and more significant support to Philippine security forces by the Trump administration, Philippine Ambassador to the U.S. Jose Manuel Romualdez told The Associated Press. In the U.S., chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell later said Hegseth will visit Hawaii to meet civilian and military leaders in the Indo-Pacific Command then tour U.S. military facilities in Guam and receive briefings on capabilities before flying to the Philippines and Japan. Hegseth would advance security objectives with Philippine leaders and meet with U.S. and Philippine forces. In Japan, he would participate in a ceremony marking the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Iwo Jima and meet with Japanese leaders and U.S. military forces, Parnell said and added without elaborating that as always, the secretary looks forward to some great PT (physical training) with the troops! These engagements will drive ongoing efforts to strengthen our alliances and partnerships toward our shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific, he said. The trip comes as the United States builds on unprecedented cooperation with like-minded countries to strengthen regional security. Trumps America First foreign policy thrust has triggered concerns about the scale and depth of U.S. commitment to the region under his new term. Its a strong message to China on solid bilateral relations between the U.S. and the Philippines, Romualdez said of Hegseths upcoming visit. In his first telephone talk with Teodoro last month, Hegseth reaffirmed the ironclad U.S. commitment to the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty and its importance for maintaining a secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific, according to a readout provided by Pentagon spokesperson John Ullyot after the Feb. 5 call. The leaders discussed the importance of reestablishing deterrence in the South China Sea, including by working with allies and partners, Ullyot said. They also discussed enhancing the capability and capacity of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Hegseths visit to the Philippines comes a month before the longtime treaty allies hold the Balikatan, Tagalog for shoulder to shoulder, their largest annual combat exercises that include live-fire drills, that in recent years have been held near the South China Sea and the sea border between the Philippines and Taiwan. MDT/AP Foreign ministers from Japan, China and South Korea sought trilateral cooperation on common ground in areas like aging, declining births, natural disasters and the green economy at a meeting that took place at a time of growing tensions. At a joint news conference after the talks, Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya said he, his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi and South Koreas Cho Tae-yul agreed to promote mutual understanding and trust, while tackling shared and multi-generational concerns to gain wider support for trilateral cooperation. Iwaya emphasized his concerns about North Korea s nuclear and missile development and cooperation with Russia as threats, and stressed the need to pursue the Norths full denuclearization under the U.N. Security Council resolutions. Iwaya reiterated Japans condemnation of Russias war on Ukraine. He said there is no place in the world for unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force. Wang said China supports the formation of a mutual regional economy and proposed resuming talks on an economic framework for the three countries and promoting an expansion of the 15-nation Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, or RCEP. Wang said trilateral cooperation in areas including technology and climate exchange will serve as key driving force for East Asian cooperation. Saturdays meeting focused on plans for a trilateral leaders summit later this year amid growing political and economic uncertainty at home and challenges from U.S. President Donald Trump. The three-way meetings are an accomplishment for Japan, which has historical and territorial disputes with both China and South Korea. Iwaya said he will accelerate efforts toward achieving a leaders summit in Japan later this year. Separately, delegations from Japan and China later Saturday held their first high-level economic dialogue since April 2019, attended by dozens of officials from finance, economy, transportation, environment, health and labor ministries. Expanding cooperation into new areas and strengthening of communication are key to promoting comprehensive and mutually strategic relations between Japan and China, Wang said. But the global economy now faces serious changes, with unilateralism and protectionism accelerating and politicizing of science and technology, as well as expansion of national security have become rampant, Wang said in an apparent criticisms to Trump. Iwaya later told reporters that Japan and China acknowledged progress in their mutually agreed process toward a lifting of Chinas ban on Japanese seafood imports. Beijing has banned Japanese seafood since the August 2023 start of discharges of treated radioactive wastewater into the sea from the tsunami-hit Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. Iwaya and Cho separately met and reaffirmed their commitment to maintain communication to resolve bilateral issues, cooperating for North Koreas complete denuclearization and strengthening three-way cooperation with the United States amid growing global uncertainties, South Koreas Foreign Ministry said. Tokyo and Beijing agreed in December to improve ties in spite of their differences, including disputes over their territorial row in the East China Sea and wartime history. MDT/AP Lawmaker Zheng Anting has called on the government to accelerate the development of smart tourism in Macau, noting that there is a need for enhanced technological integration to increase the citys tourism competitiveness. In a written interpellation to the government, the lawmaker highlighted the growth of the tourism sector, noting that visitor arrivals reached over 3.6 million in January 2025, marking a 27.4% year-on-year increase. Despite these positive figures, Zheng believes that Macaus smart tourism experience still has significant room for improvement. While the number of tourists is increasing, Macaus smart tourism infrastructure remains fragmented, Zheng stated, noting that there is a need for better collaboration between the government and the tourism industry to strengthen the citys tourism experience through digitalization. He suggested that the government should integrate advanced technologies such as big data, artificial intelligence, and cloud computing into the tourism sector. Meanwhile, the Macau Tourism Development Master Plan also identifies Technology-Led Smart Tourism as a key focus, aiming to create a more immersive and seamless experience for visitors. Examples of current efforts include virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) applications at tourist attractions, as well as the tourism bureaus Macao Full of Fun itinerary planning service, which generates personalized travel plans based on visitors interests. However, the lawmaker argued that more needs to be done to enhance the Smart Passenger Flow Application, a tool that monitors visitor numbers at over 100 tourist sites. He questioned whether the government plans to improve the apps functionality and increase its promotion to encourage wider usage. Efficient visitor flow management is essential to avoid overcrowding and improve tourists experiences, the lawmaker said. Additionally, Zheng proposed that the government support the tourism industry in establishing online platforms, strengthening cooperation with new media, and leveraging digital marketing to target specific audiences more effectively. Will the government formulate detailed medium- and long-term plans to further upgrade Macaus tourist attractions, shops, and restaurants? Zheng questioned. Zheng also stressed the need for innovative and diversified marketing strategies to attract tourists. If we want to maintain our position as a world-class tourism destination, we must invest in developing smarter, more efficient, and more engaging tourism experiences, he added. Staff Reporter MGM Reserve, a new luxury hotel brand, will debut in mainland China this May with a property in Zhuhai. The project is promoted by Diaoyutai MGM Hospitality Ltd., a joint venture between Chinas Diaoyutai State Guesthouse and MGM Resorts International. The Zhuhai hotel, set against Phoenix Hill, will feature guest rooms, villas, three unique restaurants, and banquet space. MGM Reserve joins other brands in Diaoyutai MGMs mainland portfolio, including Bellagio by MGM and Mirage by MGM. Related * Parade Extravaganza The International Parade drew bigger crowds and showcased global cultures, boosting hopes for local business gains: IC * Taipa Market to be revitalized with new food and creative stalls * Traffic | DSAT to evaluate zebra crossings to improve pedestrian safety * Lawmaker Zheng Anting urges swift smart tourism development, highlighting the need for better tech integration * France tops international suppliers to Macau with exports of over MOP2 billion in 2024 * Premier Li meets pro-Trump Senator Daines and calls for dialogue DOWNLOAD PDF Monday, March 24, 2025 edition no. 4686 Premier Li Qiang said yesterday that Beijing and Washington should choose dialogue instead of confrontation during his meeting with U.S. Senator Steve Daines, a strong supporter of President Donald Trump, as the two countries are locked in rising friction over trade tariffs and efforts to combat illegal fentanyl trade. Daines is the first member of Congress to visit Beijing since Trump took office in January. During the meeting with Li, he was joined by the leaders of several American businesses, including FedEx Corp. CEO Raj Subramaniam, Boeing Co.s senior vice president Brendan Nelson, Qualcomms CEO Cristiano Amon and Pfizers CEO Albert Bourla. Li said relations between the countries have come to an important juncture and Chinese President Xi Jinping noted the two countries could become partners and friends that contribute to each others success during a call with Trump in January. History tells us that China and the United States both stand to gain from cooperation and lose from confrontation. Our two sides need to choose dialogue over confrontation, win-win cooperation over zero-sum competition, he said. China hoped that the U.S. would work together to promote the steady and sustainable development of the China-U.S. relations, he added. During the first Trump administration, Daines served as a go-between when tariffs were also a major issue. Ahead of the trip to China, his office said he is coordinating closely with the White House and will be carrying President Trumps America First agenda. Since he arrived in the Chinese capital on Thursday, he has talked with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng to voice Trumps ongoing call for Beijing to stop the flow of fentanyl precursors from China. Additionally, he met with Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu. Just months into Trumps second term, relations between the worlds two largest economies have deteriorated. Washington slapped 20% tariffs on Chinese imports, with Beijing hitting back with 15% duties on U.S. farm goods. Earlier yesterday, Li said at the China Development Forum that his country may see unexpected shocks, mainly from external factors. He said the government, when necessary, will introduce new policies to ensure the local economy runs smoothly. The forum is a government-sponsored event that invites senior officials and business leaders, including top executives from outside China. Facing rising economic fragmentation and instability, Li said it has become even more crucial for every country to open up its markets, calling for entrepreneurs to help maintain economic globalization proactively. We are not against competition, but we should advocate for fair competition under internationally recognized rules, rather than zero-sum games or deliberate suppression of vicious competition by other countries, he said. The U.S. has also criticized China for not doing enough to stop the export of precursor materials for fentanyl, a highly potent opiate blamed for tens of thousands of deaths in the U.S. Beijing 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 China is committed to cooperation but opposes the U.S. imposition of unreasonable pressure on China on the pretext of responding to fentanyl-related issues. MDT/AP Secretary for Economy and Finance, Tai Kin Ip, has led a delegation to Spain, Portugal, Belgium, and Monaco to expand international connections and explore cooperation opportunities. The visit to several European countries was said to aim to deepen international cooperation and exchanges and to strive to establish Macau as a platform for higher-level opening-up. Earlier this month, the delegation attended the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2025, a global technology event held in Barcelona, Spain, to strengthen ties with the worlds leading technology enterprises. This years MWC, chaired by Huawei, showcased the latest technologies and products in fields such as 5G and artificial intelligence. During the event, the delegation met with the Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA), the organizer of the MWC, to discuss potential future collaborations. The delegation also met with the Chinese Consul-General in Barcelona, Meng Yuhong, to exchange views on enhancing future cooperation between Macau and Spain. During the visit to Lisbon, Portugal, from March 4 to 6, the delegation visited Banco de Portugal, the Ministry of Economy, and the Ministry of Education, Science, and Innovation to further deepen cooperation in technology, economy, and trade between Macau and Portugal. During the visit to Portugal, the delegation also met with the Chinese Ambassador to Portugal, Zhao Bentang, to discuss deepening cooperation between Macau and Portugal. While in Portugal, the delegation also attended the inauguration ceremony of the China-Portugal Joint Laboratory on Artificial Intelligence and Public Health Technologies, which tertiary institutions from Macau, Guangzhou, and Portugal jointly established. During the visit, the delegation witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Macau University of Science and Technology and Nova University Lisbon to strengthen research collaboration and personnel exchanges, as well as the signing of a cooperation agreement between the faculties of the two institutions to establish a joint research center. Meanwhile, in their visit to Brussels, Belgium, on March 7, the delegation met with Ambassador Cai Run, Head of the Chinese Mission to the European Union (EU), to discuss enhancing cooperation between Macau and the EU. The delegation also paid a courtesy visit to the European External Action Service (EEAS), where they spoke with Paola Pampaloni, the EEASs Deputy Managing Director for Asia and the Pacific, and other relevant officials. The two sides initially discussed convening the 24th EU-Macau Joint Committee Meeting and exchanged views on deepening bilateral economic and trade relations and cooperation. The EU is one of Macaus most relevant trading partners, and the EU-Macau Joint Committee mechanism provides an effective platform to discuss economic and trade issues of mutual interest. At the meeting, both sides reached a consensus to convene the 24th EU-Macau Joint Committee Meeting this year and agreed to strengthen communication to advance the preparatory work jointly. In the last stop of the European tour, the delegation headed to Monaco for a two-day visit that started with a reception hosted by Skal International Monaco. The event brought together local tourism, finance, and technology leaders to promote exchanges and explore cooperation opportunities. 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 yesterday. 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. MDT/AP A Kenyan police officer was killed on Sunday February 23 in Haiti, marking the first casualty for the Kenyan-led security mission since its deployment to the country in June 2024. The officer, who was part of the Multinational Security Support Mission to Haiti (MSSMH), sustained injuries during an operation in the Artibonite department, north of the capital, Port-au-Prince. Despite being airlifted to a hospital, he later succumbed to his wounds. The missions spokesperson, Jack Ombaka, confirmed the officers death, stating that it occurred during a confrontation with gang members. This fatality is the first the Kenyan-led force has experienced since its arrival, tasked with supporting Haitis efforts to combat escalating gang violence that has displaced over a million people. The situation in Haiti has grown increasingly dire, with violent clashes between gangs and security forces becoming more frequent. In a statement, the MSSMH paid tribute to the fallen officer, pledging to continue its efforts in the fight against gangs. We salute our fallen hero, the statement read, promising that the mission would not relent until the gangs responsible for the violence are defeated. This death comes amidst a worrying spike in gang-related violence in Port-au-Prince, which has seen increasing instability over the past week. South Africas power utility, Eskom, has successfully restored eight units at its power plants following extensive breakdowns over the weekend, which led to the highest stage of power cuts. On Saturday February 22, Eskom implemented Stage 3 load shedding, cutting 3,000 megawatts from the national grid due to multiple failures at Majuba and Camden power stations. The companys CEO, Dan Marokane, confirmed that six of the ten affected units were brought back online by Sunday February 23, with further recovery expected. Eskoms recovery efforts were described as progressing well, with an additional five to six units anticipated to return to service soon. Marokane expressed optimism that, given the pace of the restoration, the power cuts would likely be reduced by the end of the week. Early on Monday, Eskom announced that power outages would be downgraded to Stage 4, indicating a significant improvement in the grids capacity. Eskoms ability to manage and restore power was seen as a positive sign, particularly after the disruptions caused by the breakdown of several ageing coal-fired units. Eskoms ongoing struggle with power outages is a result of persistent issues with its aging fleet of coal-fired plants, which remain the primary source of electricity in South Africa. While load shedding is a common feature in the country, Eskoms ability to reduce the severity of these power cuts is critical to stabilizing the national grid. With the recent recovery, there is hope that Eskom can prevent further widespread outages and gradually return to a more stable energy supply. Tunisia has announced its decision to withdraw from the African Unions human rights Court, signalling a further deterioration in the countrys commitment to human rights. In a statement released few days ago, the Tunisian government declared that it would no longer recognize the competence of the African Court on Human and Peoples Rights to accept cases from individuals or non-governmental organizations. While no official reason for the move was provided, it comes at a time when Tunisia is increasingly veering towards authoritarianism, following President Kais Saieds power consolidation in 2019. By exiting the Tanzania-based court, Tunisia effectively denies individuals and human rights groups the opportunity to file complaints against the government, undermining accountability. This decision follows a series of legal challenges filed against Tunisia in recent years, including a prominent case in May 2023, where the relatives of four opposition figures, including Ennahdha party leader Rached Ghannouchi, sought their release. In August 2023, the AU court ruled against Tunisia, urging the government to allow the detainees access to their doctors and lawyers. The Tunisian League for Human Rights (LTDH) strongly condemned the withdrawal, describing it as a secretive decision and a dangerous step backward. The group argued that this move reflects an attempt to evade independent judicial oversight and diminish efforts to combat impunity and uphold justice in the country. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has officially assumed office as Namibias first female president, achieving the nations highest leadership position nearly six decades after joining the liberation struggle against apartheid South Africa. The 72-year-old veteran politician, who secured electoral victory in November, joins a select group of female African heads of state following predecessors such as Liberias Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Malawis Joyce Banda, and Tanzanias Samia Suluhu Hassanall of whom attended Fridays historic inauguration ceremony. She succeeds Nangolo Mbumba, who served as interim president following President Hage Geingobs death in February 2024. As Namibias fifth president since independence, she inherits leadership of a nation that endured German colonization until World War I and subsequently waged a decades-long independence struggle against South African rule. My responsibility is preserving our independence achievements while vigorously advancing economic and social development to create shared prosperity for all citizens, Nandi-Ndaitwah declared in her inaugural address. Her extraordinary biography mirrors Namibias sovereignty journey. She joined the South West Africa Peoples Organization as a teenager, experienced exile across multiple countries during the liberation struggle, and has served continuously as a lawmaker since 1990. Her husband, a retired military commander, received the formal designation first gentleman during the ceremony. Nandi-Ndaitwah took her constitutional oath before visiting dignitaries from South Africa, Zambia, Congo, Botswana, Angola, and Kenya. At least 45 civilians have lost their lives over the week-end in an assault carried out by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on the Al-Malha region, located approximately 210 kilometres north of El Fasher in western Sudan, according to reports from local organizations. The RSF fighters resumed their operations in both the markets and residential areas of Al-Malha, indiscriminately opening fire, resulting in the deaths of dozens of people. A source from the Coordination of Resistance Committees in El Fasher, who wished to remain anonymous, confirmed the tragic toll to Xinhua. The Sudanese Doctors Network also shared troubling updates on social media, claiming the RSF had executed 48 individuals in what it described as mass executions. The attack has left 63 others wounded. The network issued a warning, condemning the ethnic-based killings, and stressed that such actions by the RSF against the people of Darfur would only deepen the regions already complex humanitarian crisis. The RSF has yet to respond to the allegations of this deadly assault. On Thursday, the paramilitary group had declared control over the Al-Malha area, which hosts a major camp for Darfuri armed groups allied with the Sudanese army. The region holds strategic importance due to its role in controlling crucial trade routes between Sudan and Libya and its proximity to El Fasher, North Darfurs capital. Since May 10 of the previous year, Al-Malha has been a site of intense conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the RSF. 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: GluA2-containing AMPARs form a continuum of Ca2+ permeable channels. Credit: Nature (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41586-025-08736-2 McGill University researchers have demonstrated that AMPA receptors (AMPARs), which mediate fast excitatory neurotransmission in the brain fundamental to learning and memory processes, exhibit varying degrees of calcium permeability depending on their subunit composition. AMPARs are made up of different subunits, including GluA1, GluA2, GluA3, and GluA4, which determine their functional properties. Findings suggest a broader role for AMPARs in calcium transport, influenced by auxiliary subunits and structural modifications. GluA2, one of the primary subunits of AMPARs, has long been thought to prevent calcium permeability when included in the receptor complex. Results indicate that the R607E and R607G missense mutations in the GluA2 subunit modify calcium permeability. These mutations have previously been linked to neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism and intellectual disability. Traditional models categorize AMPARs into two types based on their calcium permeability: GluA2-lacking AMPARs, which transport calcium, and GluA2-containing AMPARs, which were believed to be calcium-impermeable due to RNA editing at the Q/R site. This editing replaces a glutamine (Q) with a positively charged arginine (R), blocking calcium permeability. Previous research has shown that auxiliary proteins influence AMPAR function, affecting ion permeability and synaptic localization. These studies suggest that AMPARs may not fit strictly into a binary classification of calcium-permeable or calcium-impermeable receptors. In the study, "GluA2-containing AMPA receptors form a continuum of Ca-permeable channels," published in Nature, researchers used electrophysiology and calcium imaging techniques to analyze the calcium permeability of AMPARs under different subunit and auxiliary protein configurations. Recombinant expression systems were used to reconstruct AMPARs with various auxiliary subunits to mimic their natural assembly in the brain. This approach allowed precise control over subunit composition. Calcium permeability was assessed by measuring the reversal potential of ion currents in solutions with differing ionic compositions. Whole-cell recordings and outside-out patch-clamp techniques were employed to analyze ion transport properties. GluA2-containing AMPARs exhibited a range of calcium permeability levels, demonstrating that they do not function as strictly calcium-impermeable receptors. Auxiliary protein type and placement significantly influenced calcium transport. TARPs, particularly TARP-2 and TARP-8, modified calcium permeability, while CNIH proteins, particularly CNIH-3, had a more pronounced effect. An extracellular calcium-binding site, identified as Site-G, was found to contribute to calcium permeation. This site, located outside the membrane electric field, facilitates calcium entry into the receptor pore. Findings indicate that AMPARs operate along a continuum of calcium permeability rather than conforming to a rigid binary classification. Results demonstrate that receptor classification based solely on GluA2 presence does not fully capture their physiological diversity. Data support prior research suggesting that AMPARs do not fit strictly into the previously assumed binary classification of calcium-permeable or calcium-impermeable receptors. Missense mutations in the GluA2 subunit, such as R607E and R607G, significantly increased calcium permeability. These mutations, associated with autism and intellectual disability, altered receptor function and modified the receptor's ability to block larger molecules, such as polyamines. The findings reveal a broader role for GluA2-containing AMPARs in calcium transport, indicating that their function extends beyond previous considerations. Calcium signaling through these receptors may have implications for neuronal communication and synaptic plasticity. More information: Federico Miguez-Cabello et al, GluA2-containing AMPA receptors form a continuum of Ca2+-permeable channels, Nature (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41586-025-08736-2 A textbook assumption about the brain's most abundant receptors needs to be rewritten, Nature (2025). DOI: 10.1038/d41586-025-00806-9 Journal information: Nature 2025 Science X Network This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Photos Hobby, Unsplash Assistive artificial intelligence technologies hold significant promise for transforming health care by aiding physicians in diagnosing, managing, and treating patients. However, the current trend of assistive AI implementation could actually worsen challenges related to error prevention and physician burnout, according to a new brief published in JAMA Health Forum. The brief, written by researchers from the Johns Hopkins Carey Business School, Johns Hopkins Medicine, and the University of Texas at Austin McCombs School of Business, explains that there is an increasing expectation of physicians to rely on AI to minimize medical errors. However, proper laws and regulations are not yet in place to support physicians as they make AI-guided decisions, despite the fierce adoption of these technologies among health care organizations. The researchers predict that medical liability will depend on whom society considers at fault when the technology fails or makes a mistake, subjecting physicians to an unrealistic expectation of knowing when to override or trust AI. The authors warn that such an expectation could increase the risk of burnout and even errors among physicians. "AI was meant to ease the burden, but instead, it's shifting liability onto physiciansforcing them to flawlessly interpret technology even its creators can't fully explain," said Shefali Patil, visiting associate professor at the Carey Business School and associate professor at the University of Texas McCombs School of Business. "This unrealistic expectation creates hesitation and poses a direct threat to patient care." The new brief suggests strategies for health care organizations to support physicians by shifting the focus from individual performance to organizational support and learning, which may alleviate pressure on physicians and foster a more collaborative approach to AI integration. "Expecting physicians to perfectly understand and apply AI alone when making clinical decisions is like expecting pilots to also design their own aircraftwhile they're flying it," said Christopher Myers, associate professor and faculty director of the Center for Innovative Leadership at the Carey Business School. "To ensure AI empowers rather than exhausts physicians, health care organizations must develop support systems that help physicians calibrate when and how to use AI so they don't need to second-guess the tools they're using to make key decisions." More information: Shefali V. Patil et al, Calibrating AI RelianceA Physician's Superhuman Dilemma, JAMA Health Forum (2025). DOI: 10.1001/jamahealthforum.2025.0106 Journal information: JAMA Health Forum This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain An immune system defect makes affected individuals vulnerable to severe viral diseases such as influenza or COVID-19. It is caused by the body's own antibodies, which inhibit important defense proteins known as type I interferons. UZH researchers have now generated "decoy molecules" that intercept these autoantibodies and restore the immune defensethe foundation for a possible new therapy. The paper is published in the Journal of Experimental Medicine. Type I interferons are proteins released by cells in response to virus infections. They are an essential part of innate immune defenses and serve as early-warning messengers for other cells and tissues of the body. The uninfected cells prepare themselves to fight the invading virus, which ultimately limits the disease. Around 24% of individuals over the age of 65 yearsan estimated 100 million people worldwidehave antibodies in their blood that neutralize their own type I interferons. Affected individuals with such autoantibodies cannot mount a full immune defense, making them particularly susceptible to severe viral diseases such as influenza, COVID-19, or shingles. Currently, there are no specific treatments available. Blood samples of individuals as prerequisite Researchers from the University of Zurich (UZH) now shed light on the molecular mechanism of how pathogenic autoantibodies recognize and inhibit type I interferons. "Our idea was to use this knowledge to create decoy molecules that bind to the autoantibodies and prevent them from inhibiting the body's own type I interferons," says study head Benjamin Hale, professor at the UZH Institute of Medical Virology. According to him, these decoys might form the basis for a new type of future treatment to reverse the immune defect and make affected persons less susceptible to severe infections. First, the team consisting of scientists and clinicians analyzed blood samples from a biobank of 20 different people who had previously been identified as having autoantibodies against type I interferons, some of whom had ended up in the intensive-care unit of the University Hospital Zurich (USZ) with severe COVID-19. "Access to these biobanked samples from the University Hospital Zurich and the Swiss HIV Cohort Study was critical to the success of the study," says first author Kevin Groen. Decoy molecules intercept rogue antibodies The researchers then mapped the "molecular footprints" of type I interferonsthe exact regions these autoantibodies recognize on the proteins. This allowed them to create molecules in the laboratory that look like interferons from the autoantibodies' perspective but are inactive and do not hyperstimulate the body's immune system. In cell culture experiments, they showed that these new molecules can be used as decoys to mop-up pathogenic autoantibodies and prevent them from blocking type I interferon. This restores the antiviral effect of type I interferon on viruses such as influenza. Furthermore, the decoy molecules can be used as agents to specifically remove pathogenic autoantibodies from blood samples, without removing other important virus-fighting antibodies. "This could ultimately lead to an application of the new decoy molecules in therapy regimens such as plasmapheresis," says Kevin Groen. Paving the way for future therapy This study is a proof of concept that designed decoy molecules can successfully inhibit the pathogenic effects of type I interferon autoantibodies. "This gives us hope that a treatment to limit consequent viral disease susceptibility and severity is possible. Our results are the first steps in this direction, but further optimization is required before the decoys are ready to be tested clinically," says Groen. More information: Kevin Groen et al, Type I interferon autoantibody footprints reveal neutralizing mechanisms and allow inhibitory decoy design, Journal of Experimental Medicine (2025). DOI: 10.1084/jem.20242039 Journal information: Journal of Experimental Medicine This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain A depression prevention program that has helped white youth wasn't effective for Black youth, raising concerns about the need for more research to help racially diverse groups, according to new research published in the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology. "I was very surprised that we couldn't help Black youth as much as white youth, and we don't know why there was such a profound difference in the outcomes," said lead researcher Patrick Possel, Dr. rer. soc., a professor of counseling psychology at the University of Louisville. Possel and some colleagues in Germany developed the LARS&LISA depression prevention program about 25 years ago, which was implemented successfully in schools in Germany and later in Tennessee. The study included 425 freshman students (57% Black, 43% white) in a Louisville, Kentucky, high school serving primarily low-income students. Half of the students were in a control group while the other half participated in the 10-week LARS&LISA program. The LARS&LISA program, which includes vignettes with two characters named Lars and Lisa, uses group sessions designed to build motivation through personal goal-setting followed by aspects of cognitive behavioral therapy. Students are encouraged to recognize unhelpful thoughts and replace them with more helpful thoughts. In addition, they learn about the pros and cons of assertive, aggressive, passive-aggressive and withdrawing behaviors. They also practice the skills needed to form new social networks. The students completed questionnaires about depressive symptoms before and after the LARS&LISA program and in a follow-up survey four months later. White youth who participated in the program reported significantly fewer depressive symptoms after completing the program and at the follow-up period. However, Black youth in the program didn't differ from the control group, with no significant benefits found after completing the program or at the follow-up period. The study couldn't determine why the program was unsuccessful for Black youth so more research is needed, not only on that issue, but to identify whether other depression treatment programs or models may experience the same shortcomings, Possel said. "Psychological theories and treatment programs are largely developed based on white, middle-class, female American clients or college students in psychology courses," Possel said. "We need to take a step back and examine the consequences of these limitations. It's essential to be attentive to cultural and racial differences and not assume there's a one-size-fits-all approach." Other researchers found similar concerns with another youth depression prevention program that is based on cognitive behavioral therapy techniques. That study found the Penn Resiliency Program helped white and Latino youth but showed no significant effects on the depressive symptoms for Black youth. Other studies have found that Black youths' experiences with racism may put them at higher risk of depression, anxiety and suicide. In the current study, the participants were from one high school in Louisville, Kentucky, who participated in the LARS&LISA program, so the findings may not be generalizable across the United States or to other youth depression prevention programs. Only students who identified as white or Black were included in the analysis, so there were no findings for other racial groups. More information: Hayley D. Seely et al. Equity and Inclusion in Prevention: Depression Prevention in Black and White American Youth. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology doi.org/10.1037/ccp0000918 Journal information: Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 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: Spring break is a time to relax and enjoy a respite from the daily grind. But whether you're flying, driving or taking a cruise, it's essential to take care of your health while traveling. Dr. W. Graham Carlos, a professor of clinical medicine at the Indiana University School of Medicine, offers key advice to help you stay healthy during your trip. "Crowded environments like airports, bus, train stations are great places to pick up viruses like norovirus and flu, so pay attention to good hand hygiene," he said in a news release. "For those traveling south or to the sun, remember to pack sunscreen and stay hydrated as your skin and body have not acclimated to the warmer temperatures. Finally, use the time together to try to disconnect from media and connect with your family and friends with a specific plan to talk about mental and emotional well-being," Carlos said. How you travel can make a difference in the precautions you take. "Crowded environments increase the risk of exposure to various infectious diseases that can ruin your trip. Pay attention to hand hygiene in particular. Some people may wish to wear a mask for an extended time on a plane. For those driving to their destination, remember to get plenty of rest before a long trip and stop frequently to recharge," Carlos added. For both domestic and international travelers, planning ahead is key. "For travelers, both foreign and domestic, plan for delays. Due to high volumes of air traffic over Spring Break, flights are subject to delays or cancelations. It is good to have a backup plan," Carlos said. "Pack some overnight clothes in your carry-on. Leave extra time for crowded security checkpoints, and remember, if you are on a particularly long flight, it is a good idea to get up and move around every couple of hours to circulate blood in your legs to prevent blood clots." Find out if vaccines are needed for your destination. "Vaccinations are always a good idea and will depend on what vaccines you have already had and where you are going. It is a good idea to check in advance to see what may be required in the country you are visiting. Certain countries require proof of vaccination to enter," Carlos said. Take advantage of the emotional reset. "Spring Break is a time when we all let go of the cold days of winter and embrace the sun and the future hope that summer brings. It is a great time to do a 'spring cleaning' of your home, but it is also a great time to clean your mind. "Consider reflecting on all of the positive things in your life and think about how you can better invest your time and attention moving forward. Time invested in family, friends and fitness will always generate the best returns." More information: The American Heart Association has more on healthy travel. Copyright 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Stores up and down Santa Monica Boulevard have seen a run on the iconic red and yellow vials this week, as the Food and Drug Administration cracks down on poppers, a product that has long existed in legal limbo. The active ingredient in Rush and other poppers is alkyl nitrite, a chemical that instantly dilates blood vessels when inhaled, producing a brief but intense feeling of euphoria. It also causes a loosening of smooth muscle tissue, including the anus, an effect that has made it a staple of gay sex for generations. Although officially banned for human consumption by the FDA, poppers have been sold openly in thumb-sized bottles marketedwith a wink and a nodas nail polish remover, liquid incense or VHS tape cleaner. But after the FDA raided a popular brand called Double Scorpio this month, many fear the Trump administration is ending the era of tolerance. Within days of the Double Scorpio raid, rival brands such as Pig Sweat, Brown Bottle and Dumb Bitch Juice have also become scarce, many retailers said. "People are calling asking if we're out," said Sandy, a cashier at Smoke 4 Less, who gave only her first name because she wasn't authorized to speak to the press. "They're stocking up. Right now we're capped at 10 at a time, just to keep it fair." Similar buying frenzies have been reported around the country, with some worried it's the opening of a new front in a broader campaign against LGBTQ+ people by the federal government. "It's a hit on the community," said Edward, a clerk at Circus of Books in West Hollywood, who declined to give his last name, citing concerns about the drug's legality since the FDA raid. "If that's taken out, they don't know what's next." Roughly a third of gay men have used poppers, and about 20% have used them in the last three months, according to a 2020 report in the Journal of Psychoactive Drugs and a 2018 study in the Journal of Gay & Lesbian Social Services. "I describe it to people as a muscle relaxant," Edward said. "It helps with anal sex for people whose bodies are more sensitive." The bottles are popular enough to enjoy pride of place beside the cash register, and top billing on Circus of Books' Instagram grid. Still, no one asking for poppers is likely to get them. "You can call it so many things, but you can't call it poppers," said Jay Sosa, an associate professor of Gender, Sexuality and Women's Studies at Bowdoin College in Maine and a scholar of the drug. Everett Farr III, a longtime maker of Rush-branded nail polish remover, is credited as a pioneer in rebranding. He noted there have been several past crackdowns, and cautioned one FDA raid doesn't necessarily spell the end. "This is not my first rodeo," said Farr. "It's been pursued religiously before." But to many, this moment feels different. Donald Trump has taken action on a range of gay and transgender issues, blocking gender-affirming therapies for children and military veterans, effectively halting a global AIDS prevention program, and weighing drastic cuts to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's HIV division that would kneecap domestic efforts to end the disease. "If that's the weather, then [the crackdown on poppers] is a lightning bolt," said Adam Zmith, author of Deep Sniff, a History of Poppers and Queer Futures. "It's designed to be intimidating." Before he was FDA chief, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. also frequently railed against alkyl nitrites, repeating the conspiracy theory that poppers cause AIDS. That myth has recently gained new traction online, experts said. The FDA would not answer questions about the Double Scorpio bust last Thursday, nor would it identify which other nitrite makers had been targeted, or when. But by Monday, major players including Pac-West Distributing and Nitro-Solv had taken down their websites or replaced them with banners saying they no longer operate. Brown Bottle did not respond to calls and emails for comment. Double Scorpio co-founder Julian Bendana referred questions to his lawyer, who did not immediately respond. "We don't have a lot of information to share but we believe that the FDA has performed similar actions towards other companies recently," Double Scorpio posted on its website. Amyl nitrites emerged in the 19th century as an early treatment for chest pain and asthma attacks. According to a 2024 paper in the California Law Review, they were made over the counter in the '60s, then taken back under prescription at a manufacturer's request after gay nurses helped popularize recreational use. Amyl was replaced by other alkyl nitrites, sold under many of the same brands still in sex-shop vitrines today. In the '70s, poppers were a common club drug. Through the '80s, their use was mostly limited to gay men, thanks in part to the miasma of suspicion that hung over them during the AIDS epidemic. By 1990, they were made illegal for human consumption. Then, in the '90s, Farr took over the trademark for Rush. Since then, he has become an expert on how to safely market and sell within the confines of the law. "I manufacture a completely legal product," he said. "Some people don't understand the law and how to comply with it." Since the pandemic, alkyl nitrites have again surged in popularity among clubgoers, moving from adult stores into head shops and even corner stores. The Double Scorpio brand has sleek packaging, hip social media presence and LGBTQ-owned bona fides that helped reach new users. "They really cultivated a queer community," said Zmith, the "Deep Sniff" author. Officially sold as "leather cleaner," Double Scorpio also comes in pumpkin spice flavor. "Double Scorpio are three different nitrites," said Edward, the West Hollywood clerk who doubles as a kind of nitrite sommelier. "It's popular because it's scented." The inhalant has also grown more popular with women, many of whom see it as a safer alternative to cannabis and alcohol, sellers and experts said. "A lot of girls use it before they go out partying," Edward said. "It's a body high, but it doesn't affect your mentality like marijuana does." It's also widely available, and can be bought with Apple Pay. "It's a cheap, easy, legal high," Zmith said. But information about what the substance is or how to take it is scant. As it moves into new markets, problems have emerged. "We're seeing an increase in ingestion-related poisoningspeople drinking poppers," said Dr. Joseph J. Palamar, an associate professor in population health at NYU Langone Health. Sniffing alkyl nitrites can cause skin irritation, dizziness, low blood pressure, headaches and other unpleasant side effects. Drinking themeven in tiny amountscauses a type of blood poisoning that turns victims blue from sudden hypoxia. "Even a couple drops are enough to make you sick," Palamar said. The FDA first warned consumers not to confuse poppers for energy drinks in 2021. By 2024, the problem was significant enough that the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene began distributing signs saying "DO NOT DRINK POPPERS" to bodegas that sell them. Still, experts said ingestion poisonings have only really appeared in the last few months, recently enough that federal authorities are unlikely to be responding to them. In raw numbers, they're small. By contrast, many public health experts fear a broad crackdown on poppers could force the market underground, diverting users to riskier drugs as it did during previous raids in 2013. "This is likely to hurt people," said Dr. Timothy Hall, a psychiatrist and anthropologist specializing in HIV and addiction at UCLA. "Disrupting the supply of poppers in the U.S. is more likely to push people to seek more dangerous alternatives." The FDA took the same stance in 1987, Sosa said. Despite widespread evidence that the compound was being used illegallyincluding as part of a protracted trademark fight over Rush in federal courtthe FDA has generally chosen to ignore it. That policy could now be at an end, many fear. "People don't want to touch it," Zmith said. "A lot of people don't want to talk about anal sex, and they don't want to make political statements defending anal sex." Amid the uncertainty, some sellers have spiked prices. Still, more have preemptively yanked products from their shelves. A clerk at Rough Trade Gear in Silver Lake claimed the store had never sold alkyl nitrites, despite highlights promoting poppers on its Instagram. The rest are simply selling what they have left in stock. "I'm waiting for an order," said Sandy, the Smoke 4 Less clerk. "We'll see what I get." 2025 Los Angeles Times. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: CC0 Public Domain 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 health careonly 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. The work is published in the journal JAMA Network Open. "People taking their medications is important, for themselves and for their communities," Dague said. 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 health care 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 likely40 percentage points more likelyto 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 stepssuch as taking prescribed medicationscan reduce such system-wide 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." More information: Laura Dague et al, Continuity of Prescription Medication Use Among Adults Leaving State Prison, JAMA Network Open (2025). DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.61982 Journal information: JAMA Network Open This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: A fake web page designed to look like the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) vaccine safety site has been taken down on orders from health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The site was linked to Children's Health Defense, an anti-vaccine nonprofit Kennedy founded. The page copied the CDC's logo, layout and design, but promoted false information suggesting that vaccines may cause autism. That idea has been widely debunked by scientists. After The New York Times asked about the page and news about it spread online, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) responded. "Secretary Kennedy has instructed the Office of the General Counsel to send a formal demand to Children's Health Defense requesting the removal of their website," the HHS said in a statement. "At HHS we are dedicated to restoring our agencies to their tradition of upholding gold-standard, evidence-based science," the statement said. It's unclear why the nonprofit published the copycat page. Kennedy has said he cut ties with the group when he launched his presidential campaign in 2023. The group did not reply to The Times's requests for comment. The page closely resembled the real CDC site and included references to studies that have been criticized for poor quality, as well as videos from parents who believe vaccines harmed their children. One video was titled "Mother of 3: I Will Never Vaccinate Again." "It's a mixture of things that are legitimately peer-reviewed and things that are bogus," Dr. Bruce Gellin, HHS vaccine director during the Bush and Obama administrations, told The Times. Kennedy has long claimed that vaccines are linked to autism, repeating this view during his Senate confirmation hearings, despite many studies proving otherwise. Under his leadership, the CDC recently said it would re-examine the evidence on this issue. Children's Health Defense has also challenged the cause of a recent measles death in Texas. A 6-year-old unvaccinated girl was reported by state health officials to have died from measles. The group claimed hospital records suggested otherwise. In response, the hospital involved said the online video "contains misleading and inaccurate claims," The Times reported. More information: The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more on common side effects, vaccine information statements and more. 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: NREM periods accelerated the reactivation drift, whereas REM periods countered it. Credit: Neuron (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2025.02.025 A good night's sleep helps us remember recently learned information, "engraving" our memories. This is also true for animals, as remembering, for example, the location of food resources is essential for their survival. Scientists can examine this role of sleep in the lab by training lab mice or rats about their environment using various memory tasks. In such experiments designed for spatial learning, the animals must learn and subsequently remember the location of food rewards in mazes. Despite extensive research aimed at understanding the neuronal mechanisms that favor learning, memory formation, and recollection, many questions about these essential brain functions remain unanswered. Now, researchers from Professor Jozsef Csicsvari's group at the Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA) have probed the key roles of sleep stages in optimizing memory recollection. They wirelessly measured neuronal activity patterns in rat brains for up to 20 hours of sleep, considerably extending previously reported measurement times. "We showed that the neuronal assemblies in the early stages of sleep reflect recently learned spatial memories. However, as sleep progresses, neuronal activity patterns gradually transform into those seen later, when the rats awaken and remember the locations of their food rewards," says Csicsvari. The paper is published in Neuron. Mappingand rememberingreward locations Past work showed that a cortical brain area called the hippocampus is important both for exploring and maintaining routes in an environment (called spatial navigation), and for spatial learning. Hippocampal neurons keep track of the animal's location by firing at specific locations, thus forming a cognitive map of the environment. Animals use this map to navigate in space while updating it during learning. In this process, the reward locations play an instrumental role, becoming disproportionately represented on the animals' cognitive map. Following spatial learning, the hippocampus plays an important role in enhancing memory during sleep. It does so by reactivating recently learned memory traces. Previously, the Csicsvari group showed that the more often a specific reward location is reactivated during sleep, the better the animal remembered that location when they woke up. On the other hand, when the team blocked the reactivation of a specific reward memory, the animals were unable to recall the respective location. Reorganizing neuronal patterns during sleep engraves memories While scientists could so far only examine the reactivation of spatial memories in shorter sleep periods of two to four hours, the team now achieved such experiments during long overnight sleep. Using wireless recordings, they monitored neuronal activity in the hippocampus for up to 20 hours while the rats rested and slept after a spatial learning paradigm. "Our findings were unexpected. We showed that the activity patterns of neurons linked to the reward locations reorganized during the long sleep," says ISTA Ph.D. graduate Lars Bollmann, one of the study's co-first authors. Indeed, when a given reward location was reactivated, not all the neurons that represented that location remained active in the entire sleep. While some didthe ISTA researchers called them a "stable subgroup"others stopped firing during later sleep stages. But at the same time, a new group of neurons started to fire gradually. "Most surprisingly, we showed that while the pattern of firing neurons in the early stages of sleep echoed the neuronal activity in the learning phase, this pattern later evolved to mirror the neuronal activity when the rats woke up and remembered where the rewards were located," adds Bollmann. Thus, the team not only observed a drift in neuronal activity patterns during sleep in the frame of spatial learning but also linked it to the process of memory reactivation. Thus, they shed light on how sleep helps keep memories fresh. In addition, they showed that this reorganization happens during non-rapid eye movement (non-REM) sleep, while REM sleep counteracts it. Freeing neurons up for new memories? What could be the role of this phenomenoncalled "representational drift"that occurs in sleep? "We can only speculate in this regard," says Csicsvari. "It is possible that memory representations must be formed quickly during learning but that such representations are not optimal for long-term storage. Therefore, a process may take place in sleep that optimizes these representations in sleep to reduce brain resources to store a specific memory." In support of this hypothesis, the researchers observed that fewer neurons were linked to a given reward location after sleep than before. Therefore, some neurons get freed up to take in newer memories. "Any new memories must find a way to be integrated into existing knowledge. Frequent repetitions of the new memories as well as partial change in the neuronal code may thus help optimize their integration into existing memory representations," concludes Csicsvari. More information: Lars Bollmann et al, Sleep stages antagonistically modulate reactivation drift, Neuron (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2025.02.025. www.cell.com/neuron/fulltext/S0896-6273(25)00167-9 Journal information: Neuron 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 Researchers from around the U.K., led by the University of Oxford, have found that a new way of performing prostate biopsies is better at diagnosing prostate cancer, but takes longer to perform and is more painful for patients. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in the developed world. The most widely used method of diagnosing prostate cancer involves a biopsy that passes a needle through the lining of the lower bowel (the rectum) and into the prostate gland, which is performed under local anesthetic. This is called the transrectal route. Researchers and doctors have been looking for ways to improve the needle biopsy process, largely due to the concern of infections from the biopsy process. One option has been to change the route through which the needle passes into the prostate, which would be for it to go through the skin instead of the bowel lining. In a new trial, published in The Lancet Oncology, researchers recruited 1,126 men from around the U.K. who were undergoing investigation for possible prostate cancer, and allocated them to receive their prostate biopsy either through the traditional "transrectal" route, or through the skin in the newer "transperineal" route through the skin in the area between the scrotum and the anus. Their goal was to find out which approach was better at diagnosing clinically meaningful prostate cancer which might require treatment, while also recording the impact from complications like infections, difficulties with sexual function, or passing urine. In all cases, the biopsies were performed under local anesthetic in the clinic, and the researchers evaluated how well the patients tolerated the biopsies using patient-reported outcomes (PROMs) questionnaires immediately after the biopsy procedure, and for up to 4-months afterwards. Professor Richard Bryant, the study's Chief Investigator from the University of Oxford's Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences, presented the new findings at the European Association of Urology's Annual Congress (EAU 2025) in Madrid this weekend. He said, "Almost 100,000 men are investigated for prostate cancer every year in the U.K., and it is extremely important that we get this right. The results from the trial now provide the evidence necessary to help urologists, and their patients, decide how best to perform prostate biopsy. "There have been several excellent trials in this space over the past year with inconclusive results. We have now conducted the largest trial in this field, and are excited to provide definitive results. "The results show that transperineal biopsy is better at diagnosing clinically meaningful prostate cancer, and that the men having this type of biopsy did not need antibiotics, which is important to avoid antibiotic resistance. However, it took longer to perform the transperineal biopsies compared to the transrectal route, and men told us that the new biopsy was more painful." Dr. Alastair Lamb, study co-lead now at Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, added, "It is fascinating how activity in medicine and surgery doesn't always follow concrete evidence. Around five years ago, many people decided that transperineal biopsy was self-evidently better because of the reduced risk of infection and suspected improved diagnosis. Several hospitals in well-known health care systems decided to change their approach wholesale, based on small or non-randomized studies. "We now have a big randomized trial showing that, yes, transperineal biopsy is better in certain respectsalthough perhaps not as much better as we previously thoughtbut that there are some problems, particularly related to the pain caused by the procedure. Also, in a separate piece of work that we have carried out, we've found that the new biopsy takes longer to perform and is more expensive. There's probably still quite a bit of discussion to have in this space! "Of course, men anxious about needing a biopsy at some point in the future will be pleased to know the search is under way to find an alternative, less invasive way to diagnose prostate cancer." This work now provides concrete evidence regarding the two currently available common techniques for prostate biopsy, to better inform urologists and patients of the relative trade-offs between the two techniques in the detection of prostate cancer. More information: Richard J Bryant et al, Local anaesthetic transperineal biopsy versus transrectal prostate biopsy in prostate cancer detection (TRANSLATE): a multicentre, randomised, controlled trial, The Lancet Oncology (2025). DOI: 10.1016/S1470-2045(25)00100-7 Journal information: Lancet Oncology This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: CC0 Public Domain Despite Canada's commitment to universal health care, one in 20 Canadians cannot afford their prescribed medications, with people from Alberta, New Brunswick and British Columbia being the most likely to say they're missing doses due to costs. When people skip medications, it leads to more emergency room visits, costly hospital stays and worse health. Ensuring people have coverage for essential medications is crucial. In October 2024, Canada took a step forward when Bill C-64, or the Pharmacare Act, received royal assent and became law. The act will cover contraceptives for nine million Canadians, helping with family planning and managing conditions like endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome. It will also cover diabetes medications for the 3.7 million Canadians living with the diseasecritical for managing blood sugars and preventing complications like blindness, kidney failure, heart attacks and strokes. Despite this historic passage of pharmacare legislation, its rollout remains uncertain. The government's next steps are complicated by the Constitution Act of 1867, which gave provinces jurisdiction over health care. The federal government must now negotiate agreements with each province to implement the plana task made more difficult because medication coverage varies widely across Canada. Without full cooperation, pharmacare's impact could be limited, with coverage gaps persisting for millions of Canadians. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has also said he'll scrap pharmacare. Coverage differs among provinces In many provincesincluding B.C., Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Nova Scotia, P.E.I. and Newfoundland and Labradorpharmacare coverage is provided universally with income-based deductibles. This means provincial coverage only kicks in after an individual reaches a spending threshold on medications. This threshold varies by age and income level. Alberta and New Brunswick use premium-based systems, requiring monthly membership fees. Most provinces also use co-payments, meaning people must cover part of the cost of each prescriptionfor example, 20% to 30% of the full cost, or a flat fee of $5 to $10. Only Quebec mandates prescription insurance coverage, either privately or through its public plan. Currently, a major driver of how much Canadians pay for their medications is arbitraryit's about where one lives. For example, a young Albertan living with diabetes and heart disease who earns $14,000 would need to pay $1,000 annually for medications. In Ontario, that same person would pay just $100. Such differences can influence where people choose to live and can hinder interprovincial labor mobility. It's a driving force behind the push for pharmacareto ensure free access to the most important medications, regardless of where someone lives. An opportunity for national pharmacare Pharmacare could have been implemented nationally, like it was for the Canadian Dental Care Plan, offering federal coverage for essential medications like contraceptives and diabetes medications, while insurers and provincial plans cover the rest. This would have been a simple approach that would have allowed for future changes, and could have been implemented by provinces much like vaccines arepaid for using people's provincial health numbers, sidestepping the difficulty of enrolling people in a new plan. But in the waning days of the current Liberal federal government, it appears the chosen direction has been to negotiate separate agreements with each province and territory to establish a minimum standard. Movement in this direction has already been seen in B.C., Manitoba and P.E.I. where deals have already been made with the federal government, while other provinces remain in talks. The pace of these agreements remains uncertain, and it's unclear whenor ifall the provinces and territories will sign on. The fight for pharmacare isn't over As Canada takes its first steps toward pharmacare, many questions remain. For provinces with income-based deductibles, would the deductible simply shift to other drugs, meaning people with other health conditions won't really save on their overall medication costs each year? For those with premium-based coverage, how would those who don't enroll in the public plan access coverage? How would this be rolled out in Quebec where some form of medication coverage is already mandatory? The push for universal drug coverage in Canada dates back decades. When medicare was first recommended in 1964 by the Hall Commission, it included a proposal for universal drug coverage that was ultimately never implemented. Over the decades, multiple reports, including the 1999 Kirby Report and the 2019 Pharmacare For All Report, have called for its implementation. Organizations like the Canadian Medical Association and the Canadian Nursing Association have similarly stressed its importance. Yet, despite decades of advocacy, Canada has remained the only country with a universal health-care system that doesn't provide comprehensive drug coverage. With negotiations on pharmacare officially underway, its success will depend on federal-provincial cooperation, which has been increasingly strained in recent years. Advancing pharmacare is in Canadians' best interestespecially for the 7.5 million people who cannot afford the medications their doctor prescribes. The question now is whether governments will act swiftly to implement pharmacare, or if political roadblocks will delay access to life-saving medications even further. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain A new study from researchers at the University of Miami College of Arts and Sciences indicates that boosting the mental health of police officers could help to decrease the number of incidents involving police aggression toward people with serious mental illnesses. "About a quarter of police fatalities involve a person who has serious mental illness, like schizophrenia," said Amy Weisman de Mamani, the lead researcher and a professor in the Department of Psychology. "So, we really wanted to understand why these interactions go wrong." Something that also caught Weisman de Mamani's attention in the existing research is that as a group, police officers are psychologically distressed in part because they are exposed to trauma in their line of work. "In theory, when people are not well, they are less able to regulate their emotions, particularly in stressful moments. They are also more likely to displace that onto someone else," she added. Working with a team of psychology Ph.D. students, including Salman Ahmad, Denise Chung-Zou, Merranda McLaughlin, Genesis Saenz Escalante, and Zachary Goodman, Weisman de Mamani found that police officers who experience psychological distress are more likely to stigmatize people with schizophrenia. This could potentially impact their behavior. "There are strong associations in the directions that we expected: the more distressed emotions officers felt or suicidal ideation or behavior they exhibited, the more likely they were to stigmatize people with serious mental illness," said Weisman de Mamani. The team used a mixed methods approach of analyzing survey and qualitative data from 107 officers. They only recruited male officers because the majority of police officers are male and almost all violent incidents between civilians and police officers involve male officers. The survey consisted of scales measuring mental illness stigma, depression, anxiety, stress, suicidal behaviors, and social justice attitudes. "Interestingly, when we looked at social justice attitudes, there was no main effect linking police officers' social justice attitudes to their stigma toward people with schizophrenia," Weisman de Mamani said. "However, we found that psychological distress and suicidal ideation both moderated the link between social justice attitudes and stigma. Specifically, when police officers' distress and suicidal ideation were low, social justice attitudes were associated with lower stigma toward individuals with schizophrenia. "However, when police officers' distress and suicidal ideation were high, social justice attitudes were not associated with stigma. Thus, conscientious values like social justice mindedness may not protect officers against holding stigmatized views of those with mental illness if officers themselves are feeling mentally unwell." The findings have important societal implications, calling attention to the need to increase mental health support for police officers. This support, the findings suggest, could help to lower the number of police-induced deaths that involve people with serious mental illnesses. Increased mental health support could also improve or even save the lives of officers, who experience exceedingly high rates of depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and attempted suicide, as well as death by suicide. Engaging in this research project reinforced to Weisman de Mamani and her team that working as a police officer is an incredibly stressful job, and that many officers fear they will lose their jobs if they acknowledge that they are experiencing psychological distress. Weisman de Mamani believes that "giving officers the resources they need, including time off to recover from traumatic events and the assurance of confidentiality and job security if they seek mental health assistance, could make a real difference. If officers are not in the form to do their jobs with a clear mind, the constituents they serve are going to suffer. We need to create better access to evidence-based treatments for our officers." In the long term, Weisman de Mamani hopes to build interventions that are tailored to police culture by involving experts such as retired police officers and police chiefs. The paper is published in the journal Stigma and Health. More information: Amy Weisman de Mamani et al, Police officer stigma toward people with schizophrenia, Stigma and Health (2025). DOI: 10.1037/sah0000620 Alfred Thayer Mahan would be appalled. The great 19th-century strategist and navalist surely would be shocked and mystified that we have allowed the country with which we are most likely to fight a devastating war and a traditional land power, no less to dominate global shipbuilding. Starting from a minor position two decades ago, China is now the world's premier shipbuilder and it's not even close. The output is led by the world's biggest shipbuilding group, the China State Shipbuilding Corporation. According to a recent report from the Center for Strategic and International Studies, the Chinese behemoth built more commercial vessels by tonnage last year than the U.S. industry has since the end of World War II. If the Ming Dynasty's turn away from the sea banning oceanic voyages was a harbinger of its decline, contemporary China's dominance in shipbuilding is a sign of its determination to keep rising. Meanwhile, we've gone in the other direction. The U.S. commercial sector held just 0.11% of the market in 2024. Obviously, the ability to quickly build ships and repair them during a war is a major strategic advantage. It's one of the reasons that we won World War II, yet here we are, having kicked it away out of misbegotten frugality and strategic inattention. We're a long way from when Admiral Nimitz could insist that the USS Yorktown get repaired in three days after the Battle of the Coral Sea. We're even further from when the U.S. could by the fall of 1943 replace all the Allied tonnage sunk in the war since 1939. It's too simplistic to say that whoever can produce more wins a war, but it's not a bad rule of thumb, and it's been a key ingredient of American success over the decades. Midway, for instance, was an important battle, but we were going to produce the Japanese into the ground regardless (we built 17 major aircraft carriers after the battle, while the Japanese built six). This is why we should consider the poor state of American shipbuilding a national security crisis certainly, if we lose a major war with China in coming years, this will be one of the reasons why. President Trump is reportedly fixated on the issue sending his naval secretary nominee images of rusted U.S. hulls at all hours and preparing an executive order to address the U.S. shortfall. The details will matter, but this deserves to be a national priority. Deliveries of naval vessels are up to three years late. Repairs are chronically delayed, too, while cost overruns are large and routine. We don't have the labor. We don't have the dry docks. We don't have enough vendors. Shipyards have to depend on congressional spending flows, which aren't reliable. This renders long-term planning difficult, while the Navy adds further uncertainty with changing ship designs. The reduced state of U.S. shipbuilding is "overdetermined," as social scientists say. In recent congressional testimony, Brett Seidle, acting assistant secretary of the Navy for research development and acquisition, said that the challenges "include atrophy of our manufacturing industrial base, pre-COVID contracts, workforce shortages related to macroeconomic and demographic trends, diminished workforce proficiency, supply chain disruptions, iterative technical requirement updates, design immaturity, and inconsistent industry investment across the shipbuilding industrial base." Climbing back won't be easy. First and foremost, we're going to need to spend more Seth Cropsey, president of the Yorktown Institute, believes that it will require a Navy budget about 50% higher than contemplated at the moment. Any effort will have to involve working with allies to encourage them to invest in our capacity, and using allied shipbuilders in places like South Korea and Japan for building and maintenance. If we're neglecting Alfred Mahan, he's highly influential in China. Hopefully, the Trump order will, if nothing else, communicate a sense of urgency. We should be acting as if our national power depends on it because it does. (COMMENT, BELOW) This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: CC0 Public Domain As measles cases continue to rise in Texas, so too can public anxiety. News alerts, social media discussions and warnings from health officials can trigger stress and unease, especially among worried parents. "Measles isn't supposed to be a concern, right?" Dallas resident Hope Howard, a parent of a 1-year-old, told The Dallas Morning News earlier this month. "I shouldn't feel like I have to worry about it right now, but I do." Stress and anxiety are normal responses to threatening or worrisome situations, said Eric Wood, director of counseling and mental health at Texas Christian University. But these emotions can become overwhelming when fueled by uncertainty around one's health or that of friends and family. When a person has health or illness anxiety, which is marked by excessive worrying about getting sick, the feeling can be more intense than that of anxiety related to work or relationships, Wood said. The COVID-19 pandemic is an example of how news around a spreading disease can take a toll on mental health. A 2022 scientific briefing from the World Health Organization found the global prevalence of anxiety and depression increased by 25% during the first year of the pandemic. A 2021 study out of Boston College found that reports of anxiety among adult Americans increased to 37% and depression to 29% by November 2020, four times higher than what was reported in surveys collected in 2019. Adults between ages 18 and 29 were hit the hardest: reports of anxiety increased to 43% and depression to 371%. Later surveys showed anxiety and depression levels tapering off slightly over the course of the pandemic. The anxiety around measles may therefore feel all too familiar, according to Shaun Richardson, an Irving-based licensed professional counselor with the mental health provider Thriveworks. "A lot of it is the idea of uncertainty, not being in control of certain aspects of life, especially with measles and any other type of diseases," Richardson said. Physical symptoms of anxiety can include excessive sweating, feeling ill or lightheaded and insomnia, Richardson said. A person may also experience difficulty breathing or muscle tension, the latter aligned with a more heightened anxiety response, Wood added. Regularly dwelling on negative thoughtsor ruminationis another manifestation of anxiety and can significantly impact a person's well-being, Wood said. "When [anxiety] gets too much, part of this is the rumination, when you have a thought in your mind you can't get rid of," Wood said. "If you're ruminating on [your anxiety], spending like 75% or 80% of your thought life, that's not adaptive." Rumination coupled with physical symptoms and a change in a person's behavior, such as isolating from friends or family and overconsuming information on measles, would indicate that a person's anxiety is getting out of hand, Wood and Richardson said. There are steps you can take to manage your mental health during Texas' ongoing measles outbreak. Richardson said knowing your vaccination status or getting vaccinated can offer assurance that you're protected against the virus. The measles, mumps and rubella vaccine provides lifelong immunity that is over 95% effective at preventing measles infection. Wood recommended investing in regular self-care and connecting with loved ones or your wider social network. "You need to do self-care, which is mainly anything that gives you a break from the anxiety," Wood said. "That could be getting enough support from your family, your friends, things that actually make you feel good." Additionally, getting involved in public health efforts can foster a sense of purpose and empowerment that can counteract feelings of hopelessness that often accompany anxiety, Wood said. "If you're in a community and you're worried about measles, but then you volunteer with an organization, that is probably a big way to shift your perspective on things," he said. If you feel your anxiety is getting too severe despite your best efforts, Wood and Richardson both recommend seeking mental health support. A therapist or other mental health specialist can help you form a healthy relationship with uncertainty and develop tailored strategies to cope with anxiety, Richardson said. "What you can and cannot control is important and knowing what that looks like for you. When something does happen, like a disease making sure people are informed and cognizant of what [control] looks like for them can hopefully help alleviate a lot of these worries." 2025 The Dallas Morning News. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Scanning electron microscope image of Vibrio cholerae bacteria, which infect the digestive system. Credit: Ronald Taylor, Tom Kirn, Louisa Howard/Wikipedia South Sudan is suffering its worst cholera outbreak since it became an independent nation in 2011, the United Nations warned Monday, reporting almost 700 deaths in six months, including many children. The organization's children's fund UNICEF said 40,000 cholera cases were reported from the end of September to March 18, "including 694 deaths country-wide, its worst outbreak in 20 years". "This is the worst outbreak South Sudan as an independent country has ever faced," UNICEF emergency specialist Verity Rushton told AFP, speaking from the capital Juba. Half the cases were children under 15 years old, UNICEF said, with Ashton adding that "a third of the deaths that have been reported are children under the age of 14". Deeply impoverished despite its major oil deposits, the nation has been plagued by insecurity since declaring independence. Parts of the country have lately seen fresh waves of violence, with clashes between forces allied to President Salva Kiir and his long-time rival, First Vice President Riek Machar, displacing tens of thousands. Of South Sudan's 10 states, Rushton said, nine have been impacted by cholera with the majority of cases in Jonglei in the east. South Sudan and Angola face the most severe of several outbreaks across eastern and southern Africa, the agency said. Angola reported over 7,500 cases, including 294 deaths, from January 7 to March 18, UNICEF said, warning there were "high risks for further escalation". Doctors Without Borders (MSF) warned Monday that cholera was spreading rapidly as people in South Sudan fled for safety. The medical charity has treated 400 cholera patients in one county alone in Upper Nile State in the northeast, it said, warning the disease had spread to neighboring Jonglei state where MSF runs a 100-bed treatment unit. "With cholera spreading rapidly and violence ongoing, the need for medical care in Upper Nile State is more critical than ever," said Zakaria Mwatia, MSF head of mission in South Sudan. Violent clashes Earlier this month, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in South Sudan said 50,000 people had been displaced since February as violence flared in Upper Nile State. It said a cholera treatment unit in the state's Nasir county had closed, with 23 humanitarian workers forced to leave. The region has been the main focus of clashes that threaten a fragile power-sharing agreement between Kiir and Machar. South Sudan has seen a steady increase in cholera over the past three years. It is an acute form of diarrhea that is treatable with antibiotics and hydration, but can be deadly if untreated. In 2022, the country suffered its first cholera resurgence in five years, following an outbreak between June 2016 and December 2017 that killed 436 people. 2025 AFP This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Categorized IIEF-5 scores at 3, 6, and 12 months, by group. Credit: The Lancet Oncology (2025). DOI: 10.1016/S1470-2045(25)00091-9 A technique to improve the precision of prostate cancer surgery means that almost twice as many men preserve their erectile function compared to those undergoing standard surgery, according to results from a clinical trial led by researchers from UCL and UCLH. The results of the NeuroSAFE PROOF trial, presented at the 2025 European Association of Urology (EAU) Congress in Madrid and published in The Lancet Oncology, raise the prospect of major quality of life improvements for men undergoing surgery for prostate cancer, which can often result in erectile dysfunction and urinary incontinence. The trial evaluated a method (called NeuroSAFE) of preserving the nerves that run through the prostate's outer layers, which are thought to be responsible for producing erections, during prostate removal. The pioneering method includes an additional test to ensure that all of the cancerous cells are removed, so that preserving the nerves does not risk the surgery's success. In recent years, preservation of these nerves has been made possible by robotic surgery technology that gives the surgeon the precision required to peel off and retain the outermost layers of the prostate where the nerves are situated, a process known as 'nerve sparing." However, during standard surgery it can be difficult to determine whether retaining these outer layers risks leaving some cancerous cells behind. In many cases, especially where the tumor is most advanced, surgeons will err on the side of caution and forego nerve sparing to ensure that all of the patient's cancer is removed. NeuroSAFE enables them to check during the operation whether further tissue removal is needed or not. Professor Greg Shaw, the trial lead from UCL Surgery & Interventional Science and Consultant Urologist at UCLH, said, "Our results show that, by using NeuroSAFE, nearly twice as many men don't have to face potentially life-changing loss of erectile function after prostate surgery. "It is an involved procedure that requires expertise, but it isn't expensive, particularly given the benefits it offers for patients, and most importantly doesn't jeopardize cancer control. "NeuroSAFE wouldn't be appropriate for all patients, as many can safely have nerve-sparing surgery using standard robotic techniques. But for younger patients and those who wouldn't normally be seen as eligible for nerve-sparing surgery, it offers them a greater chance to hold onto their quality of life." The NeuroSAFE PROOF trial, run across five UK hospitals, is the first randomized, controlled trial to fully evaluate the impact of the NeuroSAFE technique on erectile dysfunction and urinary incontinencetwo of the most common side effects of prostate surgery. The trial analyzed outcomes for 344 men diagnosed with prostate cancer who were due to undergo prostate removal and who had no prior issues with erectile dysfunction. Half were randomized to receive NeuroSAFE during their operation and half had standard surgery. Twelve months after surgery, 39% of men in the NeuroSAFE arm had no or mild erectile dysfunction. In those men who had standard surgery, this was 23%. A year after their operation, only 38% of those who had surgery using NeuroSAFE had severe erectile dysfunction, compared to 56% of men who had standard surgery. The technique did not increase the overall proportion of patients who eventually returned to being fully continent at 12 months. However, NeuroSAFE patients who recovered their urinary control did so faster than patients who underwent standard surgery. In the NeuroSAFE technique, which has been available for over a decade but is not widely used outside of Germany, where it was invented, the surgeon extracts the prostate gland while preserving the maximum amount of nerve tissue around it as possible. The prostate is then flash frozen and samples of it are examined by a pathologist while the operation is still underway. If cancer is found at the edges of the prostate, around where key nerves are situated, the surgeon can then remove additional tissue, sacrificing the nerves but achieving a complete removal of the tumor. If no cancer is found, the operation is complete. This additional step to rapidly examine the prostate means that more patients are able to benefit from nerve sparing, while still ensuring that all of the cancer will be removed. Dr. Ricardo Almeida-Magana, lead author on the Lancet Oncology paper from UCL Surgery & Interventional Science, said, "NeuroSAFE offers surgeons a real-time evaluation of the safety of the procedure. In standard robotic surgery, surgeons determine whether to choose nerve sparing based on MRI scans, on digital rectal examinations and on biopsy results prior to surgery. "But whereas those methods can provide guidance, NeuroSAFE provides certainty. And that opens up the option of nerve-sparing surgery for many more men, without compromising on the chances of controlling the cancer." Derya Tilki, a member of the EAU Scientific Congress Office and Professor of Urology at the Martini Klinik Prostate Cancer Center in Hamburg, Germany, where the NeuroSAFE technique was developed, said, "We use NeuroSAFE for most of the 2,500 prostate cancer patients we treat each year and it's great to see the technique assessed in a randomized controlled trial for the first time. "The results are as we would expect: NeuroSAFE allows more patients to have nerve sparing and that results in better recovery of erectile function. Post-surgical penile rehabilitation for patients can affect erectile function as well, so that is an aspect that also needs to be considered. "This trial wasn't designed to look at longer-term cancer outcomes, but based on the data we have from using the technique for over 20 years, NeuroSAFE does not appear to affect these. It would be really valuable to have that confirmed in another randomized trial." More information: Eoin Dinneen, et al Effect of NeuroSAFE-guided RARP versus standard RARP on erectile function and urinary continence in patients with localised prostate cancer (NeuroSAFE PROOF): a multicentre, patient-blinded, randomised, controlled phase 3 trial, The Lancet Oncology (2025). DOI: 10.1016/S1470-2045(25)00091-9 Journal information: Lancet Oncology 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 As Congress mulls potentially massive cuts to federal Medicaid funding, health centers that serve Native American communities, such as the Oneida Community Health Center near Green Bay, Wisconsin, are bracing for catastrophe. That's because more than 40% of the about 15,000 patients the center serves are enrolled in Medicaid. Cuts to the program would be detrimental to those patients and the facility, said Debra Danforth, the director of the Oneida Comprehensive Health Division and a citizen of the Oneida Nation. "It would be a tremendous hit," she said. The facility provides a range of services to most of the Oneida Nation's 17,000 people, including ambulatory care, internal medicine, family practice, and obstetrics. The tribe is one of two in Wisconsin that has an "open-door policy," Danforth said, which means that the facility is open to members of any federally recognized tribe. But Danforth and many other tribal health officials say Medicaid cuts would cause service reductions at health facilities that serve Native Americans. Indian Country has a unique relationship to Medicaid, because the program helps tribes cover chronic funding shortfalls from the Indian Health Service, the federal agency responsible for providing health care to Native Americans. Medicaid has accounted for about two-thirds of third-party revenue for tribal health providers, creating financial stability and helping facilities pay for operational costs. More than a million Native Americans enrolled in Medicaid or the closely related Children's Health Insurance Program also rely on the insurance to pay for care outside of tribal health facilities without going into significant medical debt. Tribal leaders are calling on Congress to exempt tribes from cuts and are preparing to fight to preserve their access. "Medicaid is one of the ways in which the federal government meets its trust and treaty obligations to provide health care to us," said Liz Malerba, director of policy and legislative affairs for the United South and Eastern Tribes Sovereignty Protection Fund, a nonprofit policy advocacy organization for 33 tribes spanning from Texas to Maine. Malerba is a citizen of the Mohegan Tribe. "So we view any disruption or cut to Medicaid as an abrogation of that responsibility," she said. Tribes face an arduous task in providing care to a population that experiences severe health disparities, a high incidence of chronic illness, and, at least in western states, a life expectancy of 64 yearsthe lowest of any demographic group in the U.S. Yet, in recent years, some tribes have expanded access to care for their communities by adding health services and providers, enabled in part by Medicaid reimbursements. During the last two fiscal years, five urban Indian organizations in Montana saw funding growth of nearly $3 million, said Lisa James, director of development for the Montana Consortium for Urban Indian Health, during a webinar in February organized by the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families and the National Council of Urban Indian Health. The increased revenue was "instrumental," James said, allowing clinics in the state to add services that previously had not been available unless referred out for, including behavioral health services. Clinics were also able to expand operating hours and staffing. Montana's five urban Indian clinics, in Missoula, Helena, Butte, Great Falls, and Billings, serve 30,000 people, including some who are not Native American or enrolled in a tribe. The clinics provide a wide range of services, including primary care, dental care, disease prevention, health education, and substance use prevention. James said Medicaid cuts would require Montana's urban Indian health organizations to cut services and limit their ability to address health disparities. American Indian and Alaska Native people under age 65 are more likely to be uninsured than white people under 65, but 30% rely on Medicaid compared with 15% of their white counterparts, according to KFF data for 2017 to 2021. More than 40% of American Indian and Alaska Native children are enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP, which provides health insurance to kids whose families are not eligible for Medicaid. KFF is a health information nonprofit that includes KFF Health News. A Georgetown Center for Children and Families report from January found the share of residents enrolled in Medicaid was higher in counties with a significant Native American presence. The proportion on Medicaid in small-town or rural counties that are mostly within tribal statistical areas, tribal subdivisions, reservations, and other Native-designated lands was 28.7%, compared with 22.7% in other small-town or rural counties. About 50% of children in those Native areas were enrolled in Medicaid. The federal government has already exempted tribes from some of Trump's executive orders. In late February, Department of Health and Human Services acting general counsel Sean Keveney clarified that tribal health programs would not be affected by an executive order that diversity, equity, and inclusion government programs be terminated, but that the Indian Health Service is expected to discontinue diversity and inclusion hiring efforts established under an Obama-era rule. HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. also rescinded the layoffs of more than 900 IHS employees in February just hours after they'd received termination notices. During Kennedy's Senate confirmation hearings, he said he would appoint a Native American as an assistant HHS secretary. The National Indian Health Board, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit that advocates for tribes, in December endorsed elevating the director of the Indian Health Service to assistant secretary of HHS. Jessica Schubel, a senior health care official in Joe Biden's White House, said exemptions won't be enough. "Just because Native Americans are exempt doesn't mean that they won't feel the impact of cuts that are made throughout the rest of the program," she said. State leaders are also calling for federal Medicaid spending to be spared because cuts to the program would shift costs onto their budgets. Without sustained federal funding, which can cover more than 70% of costs, state lawmakers face decisions such as whether to change eligibility requirements to slim Medicaid rolls, which could cause some Native Americans to lose their health coverage. Tribal leaders noted that state governments do not have the same responsibility to them as the federal government, yet they face large variations in how they interact with Medicaid depending on their state programs. President Donald Trump has made seemingly conflicting statements about Medicaid cuts, saying in an interview on Fox News in February that Medicaid and Medicare wouldn't be touched. In a social media post the same week, Trump expressed strong support for a House budget resolution that would likely require Medicaid cuts. The budget proposal, which the House approved in late February, requires lawmakers to cut spending to offset tax breaks. The House Committee on Energy and Commerce, which oversees spending on Medicaid and Medicare, is instructed to slash $880 billion over the next decade. The possibility of cuts to the program that, together with CHIP, provides insurance to 79 million people has drawn opposition from national and state organizations. The federal government reimburses IHS and tribal health facilities 100% of billed costs for American Indian and Alaska Native patients, shielding state budgets from the costs. Because Medicaid is already a stopgap fix for Native American health programs, tribal leaders said it won't be a matter of replacing the money but operating with less. "When you're talking about somewhere between 30% to 60% of a facility's budget is made up of Medicaid dollars, that's a very difficult hole to try and backfill," said Winn Davis, congressional relations director for the National Indian Health Board. Congress isn't required to consult tribes during the budget process, Davis added. Only after changes are made by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and state agencies are tribes able to engage with them on implementation. The amount the federal government spends funding the Native American health system is a much smaller portion of its budget than Medicaid. The IHS projected billing Medicaid about $1.3 billion this fiscal year, which represents less than half of 1% of overall federal spending on Medicaid. "We are saving more lives," Malerba said of the additional services Medicaid covers in tribal health care. "It brings us closer to a level of 21st century care that we should all have access to but don't always." 2025 KFF Health News. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. The Mumbai traffic police have recorded a staggering 65.12 lakh or 6.52mn (million) traffic violations over the past 13 months, resulting in fines amounting to Rs526 crore. Despite stringent measures, only Rs157 crore has been collected so far, leaving massive fines worth Rs369 crore still unpaid. The data was revealed through a right to information (RTI) query filed by activist Anil Galgali. The violations occurred between 1 January 2024 and 5 February 2025 across 41 traffic divisions and one multimedia department, covering 26 different categories of traffic offences. While action has been taken against millions of offenders, only 2.09mn (20.99 lakh) vehicle-owners have settled their fines, while 4.41mn (44.13 lakh) offenders are yet to pay up. The data highlights that, despite continuous efforts by the traffic police, the sheer volume of violations and non-compliance remains a significant challenge. Among the many infractions, a notable instance involved the unauthorised use of flicker and amber lights, where 47 vehicle-owners were fined Rs23,500 collectively. However, only seven violators cleared their dues, amounting to a meagre Rs3,500. Marine Drive emerged as a hotspot for flicker and amber light violations, where 32 vehicles were penalised. Unfortunately, only two offenders have paid fines totalling just Rs1,000. RTI activist Galgali commended the Mumbai traffic police for their efforts but pointed out a critical lack of manpower hindering more effective enforcement. "The Mumbai traffic police have done a satisfactory job, but due to a shortage of officers and staff, they are unable to take action more effectively. A special recovery drive is necessary to collect the pending fines from offenders," he says. Mr Galgali further urged the authorities to issue digital notices to defaulters and consider stricter measures, including the seizure of vehicles belonging to major offenders. He emphasised that prompt action is crucial to deter habitual violators and ensure better compliance with traffic regulations. With unpaid fines continuing to pile up, the Mumbai traffic police face a daunting task in recovering the pending dues and enforcing compliance among millions of defaulters. The situation calls for innovative recovery strategies and an increase in manpower to address the issue effectively. Market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has cancelled the merchant banking registration of Corporate Strategic Allianz Pvt Ltd (CSAPL), citing several severe violations of the SEBI Merchant Bankers Regulations, 1992 (MB Regulations) and related circulars. The cancellation of CSAPL's registration follows a thorough inspection by SEBI that revealed significant non-compliance with multiple regulatory provisions, including a failure to maintain adequate infrastructure for conducting merchant banking activities, non-payment of required renewal fees, failure to update contact details and missing half-yearly reports. In an order, Amarjeet Singh, whole-time member (WTM) of SEBI, says, "Considering the totality of the circumstances and the violations on part of Corporate Strategic Allianz, I am inclined to agree with the recommendation made by the designated authority (DA) that the certificate of registration of the noticee be cancelled". SEBI's inspection, which covered the period from 1 April 2022 to 30 September 2023, was initiated after CSAPL operational practices were scrutinised for failing to meet the necessary regulatory standards. One of the primary concerns during the inspection was the company's inability to maintain the required infrastructure for conducting merchant banking activities. The company was found to be non-operational, despite multiple attempts to reach CSAPL through the addresses and contact details available on record, including emails and physical inspection at the listed addresses. SEBI discovered that CSAPL's listed address in Ahmedabad was occupied by another entity, and no one was available at the secondary addresses either. This failure to maintain infrastructure directly violated Regulation 6(aa) of the MB Regulations, which mandates that merchant bankers must have the physical infrastructure in place to carry out their operations. Further compounding the issue, CSAPL failed to pay the necessary renewal fees for its registration certificate, which were due from 26 January 2019 to 25 January 2022 and 26 January 2022 to 25 January 2025. As per Regulation 12 and Schedule II of the MB Regulations, merchant bankers are required to pay a renewal fee of Rs9 lakh every three years after the first five years of registration. CSAPL's failure to make these payments represented another breach of SEBI rules. In addition to these violations, CASPL did not inform SEBI of any changes to its contact details or address, as required by Regulation 9A(1)(f) of the MB Regulations. During the inspection, SEBI found that CSAPL had not updated its contact information with the SEBI's SI portal, and the company was unreachable at the addresses originally provided. This further substantiated the claim that CSAPL was not maintaining its merchant banking registration properly. Another significant area of non-compliance was CSAPL's failure to submit its half-yearly reports to SEBI for the period from 1 April 2022 to 30 September 2023. As per SEBI circulars and the MB Regulations, merchant bankers are required to submit half-yearly reports in a prescribed format, but CSAPL had neglected to do so, breaching regulations 28(2) of the MB Regulations. This sequence of CSAPL's regulatory failures is compounded by a history of previous non-compliance. In 2016, SEBI restricted CSAPL from accessing the securities market and directed the company to disgorge illegal profits related to a prior violation in the case of Platinum Corporation Limited. Despite an order for disgorgement, which required the company to pay Rs20.64 lakh along with interest, CSAPL failed to settle the amount, leading to suspending its merchant banking activities in 2020. The suspension remains in effect due to the non-payment of the disgorgement amount. Given these cumulative violations and the company's ongoing failure to comply with SEBI's regulations, SEBI has cancelled Corporate Strategic Allianz's merchant banking registration. However, after the Collegium decision, the Allahabad High Court Bar Association (HCBA) passed a resolution calling for impeachment proceedings to be initiated against Justice Varma. The resolution was passed during a meeting held on Monday afternoon when the Bar Association also reiterated its opposition to any proposal by the Supreme Court Collegium to transfer Justice Varma to the Allahabad High Court. Last week, in an unprecedented development, Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna on Saturday night made public a The Supreme Court Collegium on Monday has decided to repatriate Delhi High Court judge Justice Yashwant Varma back to his parent Allahabad High Court. Interestingly, the decision was taken by the Collegium after holding two meetings - one on March 20 and another on March 24. "The Supreme Court Collegium in its meetings held on 20th and 24th March 2025 has recommended repatriation of Mr Justice Yashwant Varma, Judge, High Court of Delhi, to the High Court of Judicature at Allahabad," the statement of the Collegium published on the Supreme Court website said.However, after the Collegium decision, the Allahabad High Court Bar Association (HCBA) passed a resolution calling for impeachment proceedings to be initiated against Justice Varma. The resolution was passed during a meeting held on Monday afternoon when the Bar Association also reiterated its opposition to any proposal by the Supreme Court Collegium to transfer Justice Varma to the Allahabad High Court.Last week, in an unprecedented development, Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna on Saturday night made public a preliminary inquiry report on the allegations of discovery of unaccounted cash at Justice Varmas residence. Since then, theories are abound. Was there a conspiracy against a judge considered upright and competent by the Bar? Or is Justice Varma really in the wrong? Whatever the truth may be, there is no denying that the judiciary is under scrutiny now and it is the publics turn to grill the judges. The disclosed documents, including the report of Delhi High Court Chief Justice DK Upadhyay and Justice Varmas response , have raised numerous questions that demand answers. The panel set up by the CJI must act swiftly to ensure a logical end to the case in the interests of justice and the Indian judiciary. The case A fire at an outhouse of Justice Varmas residence on the evening of March 14 allegedly led to discovery of large amounts of cash. Justice Varma has claimed a conspiracy to frame and malign him . A purported video of the incident showing burning cash is viral on the internet. A Committee of two Chief Justices and a High Court judge has been constituted to inquire into the incident. Meanwhile, Justice Varma's judicial work has been withdrawn The questions Who removed the debris and on whose instructions? A security guard posted at the residence of Justice Varma is stated to have revealed that some debris and half burnt articles were removed on the morning of March 15. The question that must be asked is on whose instructions were they removed? And where are they now? According to a police report made public by the CJI, four to five half-burnt sacks containing remains of Indian currency were found in the said room after the fire was brought under control. Why was the room not properly sealed in case of such suspicious discovery? Pertinently, the security guards statement does not make any specific mention of the removal of any currency. Was it removed the same night or in the morning? In his response to the allegations, Justice Varma has said that after the fire was doused, when his family and staff were allowed to go to the scene of the incident, they did not see any cash at the site. This has led Justice Varma to question the authenticity of the video in circulation and also any recovery of money having been made. Why was the money not shown to the family members or staff soon after the incident? What is clear is that the money was not there on the evening of March 15, as reported by Registrar-cum-Secretary to the Delhi High Court Chief Justice. The Secretarys report makes a mention about the presence of burnt articles in the room, when he visited the place of incident at 9:10 PM on March 15, but does not specifically touch the aspect of any currency. Why is the Secretary's report silent on the nature of debris at the spot? The Secretary of Delhi High Court Chief Justice had visited the outhouse in presence of Justice Yashwant Varma. The Secretary's report makes mention of the presence of burnt articles/debris at the spot. Interestingly, this contradicts the security guard's statement that the articles/debris were removed in the morning of March 15 itself. "On reaching there, I found out that it was complete dark inside the room and the walls had developed cracks. We all took out our mobile phones and switched on the torch to have a look inside the room. We saw all the walls were blacked out due to fire and some material was hanging from the roof and half burnt articles were lying there and burnt articles/debris were lying on the floor. After spending 8-10 minutes in the room, we all came out," the report states. Importantly, the report does not address anything related to the money or its remnants, a fact which Justice Varma has also cited in his defence in his reply to the Chief Justice. "When I, my PS along with the PPS inspected the gutted room, no currency was either found nor was any cash in any state seen present on site. This also stands corroborated from the report of which has been provided to me. Post that inspection and on your instructions, the gutted room remains in that state even today," the judge's response reads. The obvious question - who stores money in an outhouse? Denying that he or his family members had kept the cash at the storeroom, Justice Varma in his response has said, "The suggestion that one would store cash in an open, freely accessible and commonly used storeroom near the staff quarters or in an outhouse verges on the incredible and incredulous." This argument would assume significance considering the claim that the outhouse was open to all and located near the guard room. Why would an individual retain or store funds like that, particularly given that a few months prior, certain social media users had unexpectedly circulated information regarding his involvement in a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) case dating back to 2018? Justice Varma would certainly ask this in his defence during the inquiry since he has already denied any connection with the burnt money. Has the phone which took the videos been seized for preservation of evidence? The most clinching evidence in the entire case is the purported video of the incident and it is obvious that there exists more than one video of the burning site. The videos would have been taken mostly by the officials of the Delhi Police and the Delhi Fire Department. Since the videos would be of paramount importance, have the mobile phones with which they were taken been seized to preserve evidence? Even as the call detail records (CDR) of the past six months of Justice Varmas phone were preserved, there appears to have been no direction from the CJI or High Court Chief Justice for preservation of these mobile phones. Justice Varma already seems to be questioning the authenticity of the video. The language used by him in his response is telling. Assuming without admitting that the video was taken immediately at the time of the incident at the site, none of it appears to have been recovered or seized, he told the Chief Justice in response. Why did it take the police over 17 hours to inform the Chief justice of Delhi High Court? The fire broke out on March 14 at 11:30 PM. It was only at 4:50 PM on March 15 that the Commissioner of Police Sanjay Arora called the High Court Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya. What Arora disclosed to the Chief Justice is redacted in the latters report but it was enough for him to speak to the CJI and start making enquiries. Why was there so much delay in informing the Chief Justice since the Commissioner of Police already had a video of cash discovery in his possession? Pertinently, it was during this time that the debris was allegedly removed from the outhouse. Where is the CCTV footage of Justice Varmas residence? Justice Varma in his response has stated that the room was accessible to the house help and sometimes even to the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) personnel. The store room, where the fire broke out, is stated to be adjacent to the guard room. where Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) is posted. As per Justice Varma, apart from staff, only his daughter and aged mother were present at the home when the fire broke out. Since Justice Varma has alleged a conspiracy behind the entire episode, it would have to be probed whether it was merely a simple case of fire caused by short-circuit. The CCTV footage of the residence would be an important piece of evidence to piece together the happenings of that night and the next morning. One can only hope that the digital record has been seized and has not vanished like it happens in police stations when cases of torture and illegal custody are brought to the fore. On Monday, 2496 stocks advanced, 1640 declined and 162 remained unchanged on Bombay Stock Exchange with advance decline ratio of 1.52 indicating a positive closing in the broader market. However, the small and midcap indices went up loess. The trend of the major indices on Mondays trading is given in the table below. On NSE, 53 securities advanced and closed at a new 52-week high whereas 62 securities sank to close at their new 52-week lows. In sectoral indices, all indices ended in green - Nifty Nifty PSU Bank, Nifty Infrastructure and Nifty Energy were among the biggest gainers. NCC (+1.53%) secured a Rs1,480 crore from Bihar Medical Services & Infrastructure Corporation Limited for the redevelopment of Darbhanga Medical College & Hospital (DMCH) at Laheriasarai, Darbhanga. JSW Energy (+2.78%) successfully raised Rs800 crore through 80,000 unsecured, rated, listed, taxable, redeemable non-convertible debentures (NCDs) with a face value of 100,000 each, through private placement. Paytm Money (+1.91%), a subsidiary of Paytm, has received approval from the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) to operate as a research analyst. GRSE (+0.17%) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Public Works Department (PWD) of Nagaland on for the supply of eight sets of Double Lane Modular Steel Bridges. This is GRSE's first MoU with a North Eastern state. Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders (+2.45%) in collaboration with Germany's ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS), will build six advanced submarines for the Indian Navy. The $5 billion project is set to begin in 2025, with an expected completion by 2032. Glenmark Pharmaceuticals (-1.46%) received final approval from the USFDA for its Olopatadine Hydrochloride Ophthalmic Solution USP, 0.2% (OTC). This product is considered bioequivalent to Alcon Laboratories' Pataday Once Daily Relief Ophthalmic Solution, 0.2% (OTC). Samvardhana Motherson International (+2.03%) announced an interim dividend of Rs0.50 per share for the FY24-25. The record date for the dividend is set for 28 March 2025. TVS Holdings (+1.71%) board approved interim dividend of Rs93 per share. The record date for this dividend payout is set for 28 March 2025. Hindalco (+0.88%) announced an investment of Rs45,000 crore (approximately $5.4 billion USD) across its aluminum, copper, and specialty alumina businesses. This investment aims to enhance upstream capabilities and develop next-generation, high-precision engineered products. Welspun Corp (-1.27%) completed the sale of a 74% equity stake in its wholly-owned subsidiary, Nauyaan Shipyard (NSPL), to a strategic investor. The company received Rs476.39 crore from this transaction. Following the sale, NSPL is no longer a subsidiary but an associate company of Welspun Corp. It plans to use the funds from the NSPL stake sale, along with existing treasury reserves, to reduce its debt. The company has already prepaid Rs725 crore and aims to prepay a total of Rs1,000 crore of debt by March 31, 2025. Ola Electric (-0.61%) addressed recent media reports about its February 2025 sales figures. The company clarified that the reported discrepancies were due to a temporary registration backlog. Ola Electric also refuted claims of any regulatory issues related to its sales data. Torrent Power (+2.11%) in collaboration with Gama Infraprop, secured a tender to supply 1.7 GW of gas-based power to NVVN Ltd. Torrent Power will contribute 1.3 GW from its Sugen combined cycle power and DGEN mega power project. The top gainers and top losers of the major indices are given in the table below: The closing values of the major Asian indices are given in the table below: Morning sun streamed through windows onto piles of boxes in Morganton Public Safety Chief Jason Whisnants office. Whisnant, who has been chief since 2022, will put away his badge at the end of this month, retiring from the department he has worked at for nearly 30 years. Whisnant said other retirees always told him he would know when it was the right time to retire. Ive had a year to think about it (since becoming eligible for retirement), Whisnant said. It felt like the right time to go. Were at a point where I feel like the agency is stable. Weve had quite a long run of being fully staffed, collectively. There are other personnel that have put themselves in a position to efficiently manage their divisions. Its the right time. Whisnant is taking another job with the state after he leaves the department. But this may not be the last Burke County will see of Whisnant, a Valdese resident. I cant rule out running for political office at some point in the future, Whisnant said. Accomplishments as chief Even before Whisnant became chief, he was passionate about mental health awareness for emergency workers like police and firefighters. He worked with previous chiefs Ronnie Rector and Tony Lowdermilk to better incorporate ways to help people in crisis and respond appropriately. I believe even after Im gone, that emphasis is there. Its embedded in the agency that we continue to make that a priority in regular training, Whisnant said. As chief, Whisnant led the department to join a critical incident stress management team with Lenoir and Hickory police departments, which helps officers after difficult incidents. He also helped create the Law Enforcement Assistance Foundation, which provides help to officers and their families who are experiencing hardships. Beyond that, Whisnant said hes proud of the work he did throughout his career from patrolling with his platoon to working as a DARE officer and a community officer. Really fantastic opportunity here to be around the public, to be around the community, Whisnant said. I made a lot of friends. Thats probably the highlight of my career, is being able to engage the public on a personal level, make people feel like they can reach out to me regardless of my rank or role, even as a friend, to call me. Whisnant said it has been harder to retire than he expected, saying goodbye to people he has strong bonds with that were forged by fire of shared trauma, change and growth at the department. I will never regret choosing a life of public service to the community that has given me and my family so much, Whisnant said. Morganton City Manager Sally Sandy said Whisnant has always been a people person. Thats something he kept when he took the helm at the department. Sometimes, when you move up into a different chair, who you are kind of changes, Sandy said. I would say that in three years (as chief), Jason remained a people person, and I think that is truly one of his strengths. Future for department Whisnant said the department has had plenty of support from the city and city council. I think our service delivery is excellent, and even after Im gone, its going to continue to be excellent, he said. The next five years may see a wave of people retiring from the department, including all the command staff, Whisnant said. We have already started preparation beyond those retirements to put people in a position to be successful, to put people in a position to get them ready, Whisnant said. Amy Swanson, administrative specialist at the department, said the department has always focused on preparing officers for the futures as they advance through the ranks. He has set the department up for success after hes gone, Swanson said. Hes taken care of us, and well feel the effects of that for years to come. Whisnant said success is all about the people. Internally, if you dont put your people in a position to be successful, they wont be, Whisnant said. That includes supporting their physical and mental health, providing leadership opportunities across the entire spectrum of the agency. (The next chief) has to start planning for tomorrow today. Transitioning to a new career Whisnants family has a history of working as first responders for the city of Morganton. His grandfathers cousin, Edward Red Phifer Whisnant, was the first of the Whisnants to join Morgantons police and fire ranks in 1940, becoming chief in 1956. His uncle, Larry Whisnant Jr., joined the department in 1965. His father, Randy, started working on the fire side in 1970. Whisnant started his career at the Morganton department in 1998. At one point, a knee injury could have ended his law enforcement career, he said. He realized law enforcement was all he knew. I had no education, no other training in anything else, and so going back to school for mental health was another career choice, he said. That background is what hell use next, working with the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction as a human services program manager for the departments Support, Hope, Inclusion, Empowerment, Loyalty and Dedication Program. SHIELD provides peer support and behavioral and mental health services for the departments staff, according to the departments website. I want to keep serving those that serve us, Whisnant said. The proposed fees are intended to counter what the administration describes - echoing its predecessor - as unfair Chinese trade practices that have given Beijing a chokehold on the construction of commercial vessels. Part of a broader White House strategy to revive U.S. shipbuilding, the levies threaten the system of oceangoing trade that has developed over the past quarter-century - and could result in a repeat of the supply chain disruptions the nation suffered during the pandemic. By charging Chinese-owned or -built vessels each time they dock at a U.S. port, the administration hopes to discourage ocean carriers from buying more ships from China. The U.S. government would spend some of the tens of billions of dollars raised through the fees on subsidizing a commercial shipbuilding industry that has fallen into disrepair. Generous government support, including tax incentives, would enable revitalized U.S. shipyards to fill orders that now go to facilities in China, South Korea or Japan, according to the administration. U.S. exporters also would be required to meet targets for shipping their goods on U.S.-flagged vessels, rising from almost nothing to 15 percent of the total in seven years. But maritime specialists call hopes for a Lazarus-like revival of U.S. shipbuilding unrealistic, saying it would require decades of consistent federal support. Imposing hefty fees on Chinese ships now, before American-made alternatives exist, would only raise freight costs and snarl global supply chains, they said. "It appears to be written by people who have absolutely no idea how the maritime supply chain works," said Lars Jensen, chief executive of Vespucci Maritime, a consultancy in Copenhagen. "The container lines will adjust and cut out the smaller ports. The consequence is going to be massive port congestion in the larger ports." The shipbuilding initiative, which includes creation of a new White House office, represents another element in Trump's frontal assault on trade orthodoxy. Coupled with his plans for the most extensive tariffs in nearly a century, it would reorient global commerce in an "America First" direction. U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer has proposed a complex menu of fees targeting Chinese ships, scheduled to be the subject of a public hearing by his agency on Monday. One levy applies to each port call by a Chinese ocean carrier; a second would be assessed based on the percentage of Chinese-built ships in a carrier's fleet; a third depends upon the percentage of the carrier's future orders that have been placed with Chinese shipyards. The measures are needed "to create leverage to obtain the elimination" of Chinese maritime industry dominance, USTR says, suggesting the president may be prepared to negotiate with Beijing. If the new port fees are imposed, the three major ocean carrier alliances, which collaborate like airline industry partnerships, would probably try to avoid the extra costs by reassigning Chinese-made container ships from U.S. routes to serve Europe, analysts said. Some vessels that would be subject to the fees could dock at Canadian or Mexican ports rather than unload at American wharves - costing American dockworkers and truck drivers. Smaller carriers with long-term leases to operate Chinese-made ships could face ruin, said Hans Laue, president of Gisholt Shipping in Weston, Florida. Among those affected would be regional U.S. carriers that ply the waters between South Florida and Gulf ports or Caribbean ports such as Jamaica, the Cayman Islands and the Dominican Republic. "They have hundreds, if not thousands, of people working in the U.S., and they would be immediately wiped out," he said. Some vessel operators already are trying to cancel contracts with some U.S. ports and delaying negotiations on new agreements "due to the uncertainty of costs associated with trading with the United States," Brett Bourgeois, executive director of the New Orleans Board of Trade, said in written comments on the USTR proposal. Such upheaval in shipping schedules would have consequences for large and small ports. Container ships normally operate like waterborne buses, making scheduled stops at multiple ports along a coastline. But facing fees that might reach $3.5 million for each stop, they would probably choose to unload all of their cargo in just one place, such as the Port of Los Angeles, executives said. "You are absolutely going to disrupt the U.S. economy. You'll create covid-like congestion at places like L.A., Long Beach and New York," said Joe Kramek, president of the World Shipping Council, which represents the major ocean carriers. Fewer vessels docking at smaller ports such as Oakland, California, would make it harder and more expensive for major U.S. exporters to ship their goods to foreign customers, and it would affect imports as well. Farmers who rely on bulk carriers to move grain and other commodities would be hit especially hard, forced to send their crops hundreds of miles overland to Southern California. The proposed fees "will have catastrophic effects on U.S. exports," Kevin LaGraize Jr., president of Southport Agencies in Metairie, Louisiana, said in written comments submitted to USTR. The new fees are just one element in an eight-page draft executive order, titled "Make Shipbuilding Great Again" and obtained by The Washington Post, that the administration is finalizing. U.S. shipyards in recent years typically delivered only a handful of commercial vessels each year, while China built hundreds. The draft executive order cites an "urgent need to reinvigorate the U.S. shipbuilding and maritime industries" and proposes a comprehensive menu of government aid, including the shipping fees and tariffs on Chinese cargo-handling gear. According to a Feb. 27 draft, the president would ask Congress to establish a dedicated funding source for new shipbuilding ventures. "We used to make so many ships. We don't make them anymore very much, but we're going to make them very fast, very soon," Trump said in his address on March 4 to a joint session of Congress. The White House did not respond to a request for comment about the executive order. The focus on shipbuilding has bipartisan support - a group of labor unions filed a petition seeking government help for domestic shipmakers during the Biden administration. In January, just days before President Joe Biden left office, his administration's USTR endorsed the unions' complaint, concluding in a 182-page investigative report that the Chinese government had used generous state financing, forced technology transfer, intellectual property theft and discrimination against foreign firms to increase its dominance of global maritime markets. China's share of global shipbuilding orders rose from less than 5 percent in 1999 to more than 50 percent by 2023, depriving U.S. shipyards of business and creating dangerous "vulnerabilities across the U.S. economy," the report said. China's shipbuilding supremacy also has military implications. Even as relations with Beijing deteriorated, the U.S. Navy continued to purchase tankers and dry cargo carriers from Chinese shipyards, according to a 2023 Congressional Research Service report. In a speech Tuesday, Vice President JD Vance cited the nation's shipbuilding decline as an example of deindustrialization that "poses risks both to our national security and our workforce." Vance contrasted the industry's performance during World War II, when shipyards turned out "three ships every two days," with its current annual output of just five ships. "Revitalizing domestic shipbuilding is not only possible but also a priority," said Michael Wessel, a Washington consultant with ties to the United Steelworkers union. "The principal contributing factor to reduced capacity has been China's nonmarket pricing of ships. Order books have dried up. We have existing yards that can do more today, and we have facilities that can be brought online." An industry revival, however, faces numerous hurdles. U.S. shipyards today have little presence in the commercial market, concentrating instead on producing vessels for the Navy. The only significant recent contract won by a U.S. shipyard came in 2022, when Matson, a Hawaii-based carrier, ordered three midsize container ships from the Hanwha Philly Shipyard in Philadelphia. Matson, which serves domestic routes, needs the vessels to comply with the Jones Act, which requires that cargo moving between two American ports is carried aboard a U.S.-built ship. The protectionist law, dating to 1920, helps explain why U.S. shipyards are so uncompetitive, analysts said. Matson paid roughly $330 million per ship, while Chinese shipyards offer similar vessels for just $60 million, according to Lloyd's List, a London-based industry publication. Trump's widespread imposition of import taxes, including on materials used in shipbuilding such as steel, will only make the domestic industry less competitive in global markets, said Rob Willmington, a Lloyd's List analyst. "China builds what the industry wants," he said. "You can go to them with your own design, and they'll do it and do it for 20 percent less than South Korea. What's missing is the market for U.S. ships." The deadly Kala-azar outbreak in Wajir County has claimed 20 lives since September last year, sparking urgent calls for it to be declared a pandemic. Wajirs main Level 4 hospital is overwhelmed as the number of cases continues to rise. With wards converted into Kala-azar treatment units, the hospital is running out of space, forcing some patients to receive care under the shade of trees outside. The most affected areas are Eldas and Wajir West, where the county government has launched an aggressive fumigation drive targeting over 10,000 households to curb the spread of the disease. However, health officials are facing a major setback due to a dwindling supply of test kits, which are not locally available. This has made it difficult to diagnose new infections early enough to begin treatment. Governor Ahmed Abdulahi revealed that the county has to source these test kits from the Netherlands, further delaying response efforts. As resources stretch thin, the Wajir County government is now calling on the national government to intervene urgently. Health County Executive Committee Member Habiba Ali confirmed that due to a severe shortage of medical supplies, the county has centralized Kala-azar treatment at the main hospital. With diagnostic tools running low, doctors are struggling to manage the outbreak effectively. Young children have been hit hardest by the disease, with most fatalities occurring in those under five due to their weaker immune systems. The shortage of test kits has forced doctors to treat patients based on symptoms rather than confirmed diagnoses to preserve medical supplies. To prevent further deaths, the county has intensified awareness campaigns to educate residents about Kala-azar symptoms, transmission, and the importance of seeking early treatment. Many patients arrive at the hospital in critical condition, underscoring the need for better community sensitization. Additionally, the county has trained 50 community health promoters to lead fumigation efforts in affected areas. These teams work alongside health officials, disinfecting homes and teaching residents better hygiene practices to minimize infections. Community health promoters are also monitoring households with confirmed cases, ensuring severely ill patients receive specialized care and supporting efforts to bring the crisis under control. Public Service Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi has made it clear that he will not accompany President William Ruto on his upcoming tour of the Mt. Kenya region. Muturi reiterated that he does not make a habit of following presidents on their visits, a position he maintained even during former President Uhuru Kenyattas tenure. I just dont follow the President. Even when Uhuru was President, it was never my practice or habit to follow him where he went because, as a President, he has his schedule of work, and I also have my schedule of work when I was a Speaker and even now, he explained. Speaking in Kiambu on Saturday after meeting with Kikuyu elders, Muturi clarified that his presence in such tours would only be necessary if they directly involved his ministry. So unless it is something that touches the ministry that I am in, I have no business trooping around to follow the President, he asserted. Muturis decision comes amid tensions with the government over issues of forced disappearances and extrajudicial killings. Despite missing over three Cabinet meetings since January, he has remained firm in his position and ruled out resigning. RELATED CS Muturi: I Wont Attend Cabinet Meetings Until Abductions Are Addressed During his address, he renewed his call for the government to take action, proposing the establishment of a tribunal or committee to investigate and resolve the matter. Nobody I mentioned in my statement is denying or even recording a statement challenging the veracity of what I have stated. That is why I think a commission of inquiry would be the best thing because then we will be able to test who is telling the truth and who is not, he emphasized. Detectives from the DCIs Homicide Unit are now retracing the final 12 hours of Matthew Wandati, a Strathmore University student who was found dead at Masshouse nightclub on Valentines Day. Their investigation has intensified following a second post-mortem, which ruled out strangulation as the cause of death but confirmed that Wandati died from blunt force trauma. The initial autopsy had suggested he succumbed to both strangulation and head injuries. However, a second examination, conducted in late February at a city funeral home, led by Government Pathologist Dr. Richard Njoroge and forensic expert Dr. Emily Rogena, presented a different conclusion. Homicide Unit detectives, including Martin Nyuguto, were also present during the procedure. According to the report, Wandatis chest showed injuries consistent with resuscitation attempts. Bruising of the left thoracic wall muscles? Precordial massage due to resuscitation, the report noted. Additionally, his fingernails and toenails exhibited cyanotic changes, indicating a lack of oxygen in the blood. His lips appeared leathery, while his upper and lower limbs remained symmetrical. Detectives Explore Possible Earlier Injuries Investigators are now considering whether Wandati sustained some of his injuries earlier in the day before arriving at the club. On the night of February 14, he was at Masshouse Club with friends, staying there until the early morning hours. However, it remains unclear when and why his friends left, leaving him behind. His body was later found unresponsive at around 5 a.m. A statement from one of the individuals questioned by police reveals that after Wandati was discovered unconscious. Plain-clothes officers who were at the club, along with staff members, immediately called for an ambulance. According to the statement submitted to authorities, paramedics arrived at the scene about 20 minutes later. The paramedics tried to resuscitate him but were unsuccessful. He was soon pronounced dead, the statement reads. Post-Mortem Contradicts Strangulation Claims The post-mortem examination ruled out manual strangulation, as there were no injuries to the larynx, hyoid bone, or neck muscleskey indicators of such cases. This contradicts earlier claims circulating on social media that suggested foul play. Investigators are now focused on reconstructing the final 12 to 18 hours of Wandatis life. They are analyzing street cameras to trace his movements and reviewing CCTV footage from the locations he visited before his death. At least seven individuals have recorded statements, including Masshouse Club staff, two women, and a man who was reportedly with Wandati that night. So far, no arrests have been made. Further Toxicology Tests Underway The post-mortem report also confirms that samples from Wandatis kidney, liver, and gall bladder have been submitted to the DCI for further toxicology tests. A pathologist representing the club also received samples for an independent analysis. Meanwhile, after remaining closed since Wandatis death, Masshouse Club resumed operations on March 5. A court has awarded six individuals a total of Ksh15 million in damages for the unlawful arrest and brutal assault they suffered at the hands of police officers during a 1992 protest. The demonstrators had gathered to oppose the detention of 54 political prisoners, including former Assistant Minister Koigi Wamwere. The six victimsIrene Wambui, Gladys Thitu, Josphat Mbugua, Francis Ndegwa, Teresiah Njuguna, and Mary Njorogewill each receive Ksh2.5 million as compensation for the violation of their rights and freedoms by General Service Unit (GSU) officers. A three-judge bench of the Court of Appeal, comprising Justices Daniel Musinga, Francis Tuiyott, and George Odunga, delivered the ruling, declaring that government security agencies had grossly violated the victims fundamental rights. The petitioners filed their case in 2013, detailing how police officers brutally beat and teargassed them during a peaceful demonstration at Nairobis Uhuru Park Freedom Corner. They had gathered to demand the release of Koigi Wa Wamwere and 53 other political prisoners during the regime of the late President Daniel Arap Moi. Initially, the High Court dismissed their case in 2017, ruling that there was insufficient evidence to prove they had endured pain and suffering. The court also determined that claims of being slapped, kicked, and beaten did not constitute torture. However, the Court of Appeal overturned this decision, recognizing the severe human rights violations they suffered. The six activists stated that they were unarmed and carried only essential items, including clothes, blankets, water, Bibles, hymn books, and a tent donated by well-wishers who also provided them with food, clothing, and moral support. They successfully convinced the Court of Appeal that the brutality they enduredparticularly the violence against women and supporters of the campaign to free political prisonerswas unjustified. Their advocates recounted the horrifying events of March 3, 1992, when more than 100 police and GSU officers launched a sudden and vicious attack on them. They were unexpectedly ambushed and subjected to extreme brutality, including tear gas, batons, slaps, rubber whips, kicks, blows, and gun butts. Many suffered severe injuries, with some losing consciousness and being rushed to different hospitals. The assault lasted from 4:00 p.m. to 9:45 p.m., and under the cover of darkness that same night, further violence was inflicted, the court was told. The attack occurred shortly after the group had visited then-Attorney General Amos Wako and presented a petition urging the government to release all political prisoners. The petitioners presented old newspaper articles as evidence to support their claims. During the oppressive KANU one-party regime, Mr. Koigi Wamwere and others had been imprisoned for political offences, including treason, sedition, or being members of unlawful organizations. Following the brutal assault, police arrested the protesters, packed them into vans, and dispersed them to various police stations in Nairobi. Eventually, officers forcibly escorted them back to their rural homes. In court, the government denied all allegations and sought to have the petition dismissed. The National Police Service claimed the petitioners were never in police custody and stated that the police service was a stranger to their claims. Despite years of resistance, the six protesters have finally received justice, marking a significant victory in Kenyas fight against police brutality and political oppression. Westlands MP Tim Wanyonyi has made it clearnothing will stop him from running for Nairobi Governor in 2027. Unshaken by political maneuvering, Wanyonyi has vowed to push forward with his ambitions, dismissing any attempts to intimidate or discourage him. I am ready to face the challenge and will not bow down to any form of intimidation. I have the peoples support, and that is what matters most. I will continue with my aspirations for the people of Nairobi regardless of the obstacles ahead, he asserted. His remarks appeared to challenge recent statements by ODM leader Raila Odinga, which hinted at backing incumbent Governor Johnson Sakaja in the next General Election. Reflecting on his 2022 experience, when ODM denied him a gubernatorial ticket, Wanyonyi said the setback only made him stronger. I am now more vigilant and ready for combat. Anybody seeking a free ticket let him prepare for a serious fight. It is not going to be a walk in the park for those people whose only preoccupation has been following Baba everywhere in anticipation of being given a free ride, he declared. Wanyonyi Questions Sakajas ODM Loyalty After stepping aside in 2022, Wanyonyi now exudes confidence, firmly believing he will unseat Sakaja in the 2027 elections. He dismissed Sakajas growing proximity to Raila, accusing the county boss of seeking political favor from both the ODM leader and President William Ruto. Governor Sakaja has developed this habit that whenever he learns that Raila is somewhere, he shows up in a manner to try and prove that he is the one closer to Baba. He tries all he can to get Railas ear and attention. He wants Baba to endorse him ahead of the 2027 polls, Wanyonyi said. Despite Sakajas political overtures, Wanyonyi insisted that the governor remains an outsider in ODM. If Sakaja wants to cross over from UDA to ODM, we are welcoming him, but he must know that he must be on the queue just like the rest; there is no way he will be given special preference at the expense of others, he asserted. Wanyonyi made it clear that if Sakaja seeks to defend his seat on an ODM ticket, he must face the partys nomination process like any other aspirant. But what I want to make clear is that even if Sakaja runs on an ODM ticket or any other party, he will lose because he has failed to deliver on his promises and meet the expectations of city residents. Even if ODM grants him the ticket and backs him, he has no other option but to go home, Wanyonyi stated. He also urged Raila to allow democracy to thrive within ODM and avoid interfering with the nomination process. Sakajas Leadership Under Fire Wanyonyi did not hold back in his criticism of Sakajas tenure, arguing that the governor has done little to address Nairobis pressing issues beyond his much-publicized Dishi na County school feeding program. He pointed out key challenges plaguing the city under Sakajas leadership, including deteriorating road infrastructure, the unchecked spread of hawkers in the Central Business District, uncollected garbage, open sewage in residential estates, and the uncontrolled rise of high-rise buildings in areas previously designated for low-density housing. Under Sakaja, Nairobi has been reduced into one large sprawling slum. For the city to be redeemed, we must dislodge Sakaja, Wanyonyi declared. Venezuelans go home as US deportation flights resume An aircraft carrying Venezuelan migrants, who were deported from the United States, lands in Caracas. Photo: Reuters Venezuela on Monday received nearly 200 citizens deported from the United States via Honduras, as US President Donald Trump cracks down on undocumented foreigners. A plane carrying the deportees touched down early in the day at Maiquetia International Airport outside the capital Caracas. "Today we are receiving 199 compatriots," said Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello at the airport. Live footage showed young men in sweatsuits walking off the plane. Some of them were seen smiling and clapping as officials looked on. The flight comes after Venezuela on Saturday announced it had reached an agreement with Washington to resume repatriation flights from the United States. It was the latest in a string of repatriations of Venezuelan migrants since US President Donald Trump took office in January. "Flights are resuming," Cabello said at the airport. "Trips have had little regularity, not because of Venezuela." "We are ready to receive Venezuelans wherever they are," he added. The deportation pipeline was suspended last month when Trump claimed Venezuela had not lived up to a deal to quickly receive deported migrants, and Caracas subsequently said it would no longer accept the flights. But then Washington deported 238 Venezuelans accused of belonging to the Tren de Aragua gang, which Trump has designated a foreign terrorist organisation, to a maximum-security prison in El Salvador, a move deeply criticised by Caracas. (AFP) Laos, Chinese firm sign US$1.45b clean energy deal China Western Power Industrial has signed an agreement to design, supply, and build a 1,800-megawatt clean energy power project in southern Laos. File photo: AFP Laos has signed a US$1.45 billion clean energy deal with a Chinese power plant equipment manufacturer as the country furthers its push into clean power generation and transmission. China Western Power Industrial, along with a Singapore-based construction company, signed the agreement with Xekong Thermal Power Plant in Laos to design, supply, and build a 1,800-megawatt clean energy power project in southern Laos, according to a stock exchange filing by the Sichuan-based company on Monday. Shares of the Shenzhen-listed firm jumped 9.9 percent after the filing. So far this year, the stock has surged 46.3 percent. The project is expected to be completed by the beginning of 2030, with initial designs to be finished by the end of this year. On the day, the Chinese company also signed a power transmission deal, valued at US$228.8 million, with the same Laotian company. In 2022, China Western Power signed a supply and service deal worth US$409 million with another power company in Laos. And last year, a state-owned power company signed an agreement with Laos to expand a wind and solar energy base in the north of the country. Laos, a mountainous country, has produced about 80 percent of its electricity from hydropower over the last decade but has struggled to scale up its solar and wind power. (Reuters) SIGN UP FOR THE DAILY JWR UPDATE. IT'S FREE. (AND NO SPAM!) Just click here. It is over four years since Shannon Bream and I talked on Fox about the US Chief Justice's wish to avoid the Supreme Court being dragged into "controversy". And I remarked to Shannon that at a certain point the desire to avoid controversy becomes itself controversial. We are now well past that stage - to the point where any old rinky-dink district-court judge in Dead Moose Junction can presume to substitute his own foreign policy for that of the President and usurp the conduct of privileged state-to-state relations: The Administration did not 'refuse to comply' with a court order. The order, which had no lawful basis, was issued after terrorist TdA aliens had already been removed from U.S. territory. The written order and the Administration's actions do not conflict. Moreover, as the Supreme... https://t.co/DnjUsuWTLH Karoline Leavitt (@PressSec) March 17, 2025 So a "judge" can order foreign terrorists to be flown back into the country to terrorise anew. And, if the "judge" regards his powers as extending into international airspace, who's to say they don't go far beyond? Federal Judge Orders Astronauts Be Returned To Space Station https://t.co/j8XQJbA3Cs pic.twitter.com/wEcVnLAJrb The Babylon Bee (@TheBabylonBee) March 17, 2025 The spaced-out judge who serves as self-appointed Chief Commissar for Venezuelan Relations is some bloke called Boasberg. But America has a lot of judges. I know. I've been up before more of them than I have been in the rest of the world combined, and - with two exceptions - I found them not of impressive quality. Nevertheless, they're quite numerous, so any day now some other Boasberg type will appoint himself Chief Commissar for Russian Relations and strike down a Ukraine peace deal. And sadly, even if some five-and-dime jurists up-country are willing to make do with East Timor or the Solomon Islands, there aren't enough countries to go round. So, if ever there were a time for the "controversy"-averse John Roberts to step in and shut down this codswallop, now would be it. Unless, of course, the Chief Justice regards it as "constitutional" that the executive branch be forced to litigate every single action it takes, and through an openly lawless judiciary that offers no possibility of sanity until ever higher up the appellate process. If so, if Boasberg can simply annex the Venezuela desk, there's no point to elections. Republicans are making much of the fact that Democrats, in the preferred cliche of the moment, aren't "reading the room": their approval numbers are down somewhere between MS-13 and the ebola virus, and yet these clueless Dems show no signs of moving away from such crowd-pleasing policies as re-importing terrorists and more bepenised women in your daughter's changing room. Well, that's because the Democrats have made a bet, as they did with Obamacare: the other guys (despite the best efforts of the Maricopa County voting machines) will occasionally win ...but all other societal levers will remain in the hands of those inclined to the Dems' view of things. So for them it's worth digging in on this stuff. As a snapshot of institutional capture, for example, consider Illinois School District 109 - the Deerfield Public Schools: A middle school in Illinois reportedly forced a class of thirteen-year-old girls to change in front of a trans-identified male student in the school locker rooms after a Physical Education class, according to the mother of one of the girls involved. Nicole Georgas revealed that on February 5, her daughter came home "frightened" and "upset" after finding a male student in the girls' bathroom at school. Concerned, Georgas contacted the administration, and was told that under direction from their legal counsel, that if the student identifies as female, they are free to use any of the sex-segregated facilities as they so choose. Yes, but the school took it a little further than what the "law" requires: These school administrators marched the girls into the locker room and stood there to make sure that they undressed. The school didn't just say "you'll lose PE credit if you don't change" They literally marched the girls into the locker room. Who do these women think they... pic.twitter.com/znKg4ORidt Audra Worlow (@audrawrongspeak) March 15, 2025 As someone sneered at the complaining parent, why are you so obsessed with genitals? But, in fact, it's the school district that's obsessed with genitals. So it's not enough that one of the middle-school "girls" happens to be swinging the old meat-and-two-veg around the changing room, the non-bepenised girls have to be forced to look upon her Works, ye Mighty, and despair. Which is why Cathy Van Treese, Assistant Principal, plus Ginger Logemann, Director for Social Services, and Joanna Ford, Assistant Superintendent for District 109, and multiple teachers were all on hand to march the girls in there and, metaphorically speaking if only just, shove the wedding tackle in their faces - while, in turn, "she" got to gaze on a roomful of naked girls. In any sane and functioning society, that would be considered child abuse and the misses Van Treese, Logemann and Ford would be forbidden to be around minors ever again. But in America it's perfectly normal (about 45 minutes in): Incidentally, why are half of those standing behind the aggrieved mom wearing face masks? Who knows? To mark the fifth anniversary of the introduction of lockdown? It was five years ago that the entire western world except Sweden replaced various forms of self-government with a completely new, homogeneous system. In the west's new lockdownocracies, no contradiction was too stupid not to be swallowed: the same "public health" officials who presumed to decree how many relatives you could have over for Thanksgiving and to insist that circles be painted every six feet down the sidewalk outside Starbucks were happy to let Black Lives Matter and antifa hold non-socially-distanced riots every night because racism is a "public health" issue. An unvaccinated New Yorker could not work as a waitress, but on the Rio Grande millions of persons of unknown vaccination and/or Covid status could simply walk into the country. And yet Lockdown remains the ruling class's model for your future. On this fifth birthday The New York Times felt bold enough to complain that it had been "badly misled". As Mark Steyn Cruisemate Allison Pearson rebuked them: No @nytimes you were not "badly misled" about Covid's origin in a Chinese lab. You failed to do JOURNALISM. Indeed, you accused and suppressed those who tried. McCarthyite, Biden shills. You shamed the free Press. https://t.co/JpDJPwznfc Allison Pearson (@AllisonPearson) March 16, 2025 The Times was not "badly misled". It was one of the worst misleaders. There's a lot of that about. Five years ago, the BND (the German foreign intelligence service) told Angela Merkel that it was eighty-to-ninety per cent certain that the Covid was engineered in a lab. Frau Merkel decided that it would not be helpful for the German public to know this. Next up, MI6: "A classified dossier compiled by Sir Richard Dearlove, the former head of MI6, was passed to then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson at the start of the outbreak in March 2020 which stated: 'It is now beyond reasonable doubt that Covid-19 was engineered in the WIV.'" https://t.co/L48cimyB0A pic.twitter.com/u6EwCNyWtE Richard H. Ebright (@R_H_Ebright) March 16, 2025 Likewise my old Speccie chum concluded, that like Mutti Merkel, his interests were better served by lying to the citizenry. And of course the bloodsoaked madman Fauci knew from Day One that the WuFlu was a taxpayer-funded project of his that he'd offshored to the Wuhan branch of GainOfFunction R Us. So Fauci decided to make 2020 the Year of the Pangolin - and set up the poor little scaly anteater as the designated fall-guy for what was essentially the sainted one's own corpse-count. And BoJo, Mutti Merkel and The New York Times were happy to string along. Anyone who attempted to counter the lies found their careers destroyed, and were occasionally driven to suicide. The Covid years were not just a public-policy "failure" but - as much as climate mullah Michael E Mann in the witness box - a conscious fraud. As I wrote in 2021 - that's four bloody years ago: My main interest remains the origins of the WuFlu. At the same time, one notices the almost total lack of interest in its origins from virtually anyone who matters, starting at the very highest levels of government. As Rumsfeld used to say, absence of evidence is not evidence of absence. Somewhat analogously, overwhelming lack of interest in evidence is paradoxically evidence of interest. The truth about the origins of Covid would have serious consequences for the US Government and its 'public health' bureaucracies, and for the broader 'science' community and its peer-reviewed journals and grant-application processes. Furthermore, the public deference to political leaders who claim to be 'following the science' - already fraying badly in France and Australia - would take a huge hit once it became clear that the killer virus is itself the creation of 'science' and of a Washington public-health bureaucracy that followed it all the way to an insecure lab in Wuhan. Now that all the old 2020 conspiracy theories have come true, how about some new conspiracy theories? From De Andere Krant in the Netherlands: The American engineer/researcher Jim Haslam attributes to Vincent Munster, a former Erasmus virologist who obtained his PhD under Ab Osterhaus, a leading role in the creation of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Munster is said to have made the virus transmissible by air in an American lab using the 'serial passage' technique, a specialty of the Viroscience department of Erasmus University in Rotterdam. Which American lab would that be? The Rocky Mountain Laboratories of Hamilton, Montana. Golly, that also rings a bell. But here's the interesting thing. Even as the Great Walkbackening (in Laura Rosen Cohen's phrase) accelerates through The New York Times and MI6, always bear this in mind: Half your neighbours would be willing to string along with it all over again. Look at that roomful of school administrators in Illinois. They look so nice and normal, don't they? I'll bet they listen to NPR and read The New York Times or some similar snoozefest. Which is why they think there's nothing odd about unknown judges making foreign policy, or local administrators forcing schoolgirls to shower with penises, or government scientists manufacturing viruses that shut down the world and oblige your ailing relatives to die alone, unsurrounded by tiresome loved ones. Remember that line the Pfizer and AstraZeneca pushers told us? If you don't take it, you're a granny-killer. In reality, Fauci, a mad scientist out of a 1950s creature-feature, killed your gran'ma ...and half of America would be happy to let him do it to them all over again. Lockdown me once, shame on you; lockdown me twice, shame on me. Judges usurp self-government; scientists usurp core liberties; and educators usurp parents. That doesn't leave a lot. Mark's international bestseller America Alone: The End of the World as We Know It. If you haven't read the book during its first seventeen years, well, you're missing a treat. It's still in print in hardback and paperback. (Buy it at a 77% discount by clicking here or order in KINDLE edition at a 47% discount by clicking here. Sales help fund JWR) (COMMENT, BELOW) Mark Steyn is an international bestselling author, a Top 41 recording artist, and a leading Canadian human rights activist. Among his books is "The Undocumented Mark Steyn: Don't Say You Weren't Warned". (Buy it at a 49% discount by clicking here or order in KINDLE edition at a 67% discount by clicking here. Sales help fund JWR) Home Arts & Culture Six UC Santa Cruz professors awarded 2025 NEH Grants for groundbreaking research on AI, colonial violence, and social justice Six UC Santa Cruz professors have received prestigious 2025 National Endowment for the Humanities awards this year, advancing scholarship on topics ranging from colonial violence to the ethical implications of artificial intelligence. The NEH, the nations largest funder of the humanities, announced grants for 219 humanities projects across the country this winter Six UC Santa Cruz professors have received prestigious 2025 National Endowment for the Humanities awards this year, advancing scholarship on topics ranging from colonial violence to the ethical implications of artificial intelligence. The NEH, the nations largest funder of the humanities, announced grants for 219 humanities projects across the country this winter. Among the NEH grant recipients is the THINKprojectTechnology and Humanities Integrated Knowledgedirected by Benjamin Breen, Associate Professor of History, and with Pranav Anand, Professor of Linguistics and Faculty Director of The Humanities Institute and Zachary Zimmer, Associate Professor of Literature, as co-project directors. This three-year program will develop humanities courses and modules that critically engage with artificial intelligence. The other recipients of NEH funds this year include: Amanda Smith, Associate Professor of Literature, for her project The Nature of Conflict: Rivers, Violence and Healing in Colombia after the Peace Accords, which explores how rivers in Colombia are gaining rights as victims of the countrys armed conflict, thanks to the activism of Indigenous and Afro-descendant communities living with rivers. Smiths project examines how art, literature, and film can work in tandem with legal discourse to offer a deeper understanding of nonhuman experiences of war. Jaimie Morse, Assistant Professor of Sociology, for Bodies of Evidence: A History of Rape Kit Protocols in U.S. Emergency Nursing and Global Humanitarian Medicine, which investigates the evolution of sexual assault forensic protocols and their broader implications for social justice and healthcare equity. Robert Nichols, Professor of History of Consciousness, for the project Legacies of Two Executions, which examines two nineteenth-century mass executions in the United States and Canada, theorizing the evolving understanding of colonial violence. It is my pleasure to announce these NEH grant awards to support exemplary projects that will foster discovery, education, and innovative research in the humanities, said recent NEH Chair Shelly C. Lowe (Navajo). This funding will strengthen our ability to preserve and share important stories from the past with future generations, and expand opportunities in communities, classrooms, and institutions to engage with the history, ideas, languages, and cultures that shape our world. The NEH funding supports a diverse range of initiatives, including projects to develop protocols for the stewardship and voluntary return of unethically acquired archaeological and ethnographic artifacts to their communities of origin; enrich K12 educators understanding of the American Revolution through workshops at lesser-known historic sites around Boston; and produce an immersive virtual replica of the former Mount Pleasant Industrial Indian Boarding School in Michigan, established by the U.S. government in 1893 to forcibly assimilate Native American children. NEH grants provide the humanities with a vital lifeline, not only at UCSC but across the nation, said UC Santa Cruz Humanities Dean Jasmine Alinder. In 2022, Alinder received an NEH grant to launch the Humanizing Technology initiative. The grant funded a certificate in the Humanities program introducing students enrolled in the Baskin School of Engineering to humanities disciplines aimed to help them better understand the social and cultural impacts of technological change. Alinder was the Principal Investigator for the grant, which ended in February. Pranav Anand, faculty director of The Humanities Institute, and Laura Martin, Continuing Lecturer with Porter College and the Research Program Manager with The Humanities Institute were co-PIs. In 2023, Alinder received an NEH grant making it possible for her to co-direct a K-12 summer institute to enrich U.S. educators understanding of the mass incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II and the aftermath of their devastating displacement. These grants allow us to advance scholarship, support innovative research, and foster an inclusive intellectual environment that connects students, faculty, and the broader public, Alinder said. VMPL New Delhi [India], March 24: Repose Mattress, a leading player in the mid-to-premium mattress industry, has announced a strategic partnership with UK & Co, a renowned family business consulting firm, to propel its business to new heights. With over a decade of experience in the mattress industry and operations spanning across seventeen states, Repose Mattresses is set to embark on its next phase of growth and expansion. The collaboration will be spearheaded by Ullas Kamath, Founder of UK & Co and an esteemed business advisor. Under his leadership, UK & Co has successfully guided numerous businesses to scale new heights through strategic interventions in product technology, sales, marketing, distribution, and financial planning. With this partnership, Repose Mattress aims to leverage UK & Co's expertise to enhance its operations and market presence significantly. Ullas Kamath was the Joint Managing Director at Jyothy Labs Ltd (JLL). While at JLL for 31 years, he was responsible for business development, new projects, M&A, and financial management. He has been the driving force in transforming JLL from a single brand family-owned enterprise to a multi- brand FMCG corporate with key brands like Ujala, Maxo, Exo, Pril, Henko, Margo, White, Chek, Neem & Maya. Repose Mattress has carved a niche for itself in the industry with its deep commitment to research and development. The brand has been particularly successful in Southern India, offering innovative sleep solutions that cater to the evolving needs of consumers. With a combined leadership experience of over 150 years, the team at Repose is well-equipped to take the company to the next level. Speaking on the partnership, Ullas Kamath stated, "Repose Mattress has demonstrated immense potential in the Indian mattress market. Our collaboration aims to refine and strengthen their business strategies to help them achieve exponential growth. By focusing on innovation, market expansion, and operational efficiency, we aspire to build Repose 2.0 -- a new avatar of Repose that sets new industry benchmarks." "We are thrilled to partner with UK & Co and gain the valuable insights of Ullas Kamath," said Balachandar S, Managing Director at Repose Mattresses. "This collaboration will provide us with the strategic direction needed to enhance our product portfolio, streamline operations, and expand our reach. We are committed to delivering world-class sleep solutions, and this partnership marks a significant step towards achieving that vision." Ramanath Bhat, Joint Managing Director, Repose Mattress added "The partnership comes at a crucial time as the mattress industry witnesses a shift towards premiumization and advanced sleep technologies. With growing consumer awareness regarding sleep quality, Repose Mattress is well-positioned to capitalize on emerging trends and further solidify its market leadership". With this strategic alliance, Repose Mattresses is set to strengthen its foothold in the industry and expand its reach beyond its current markets. The company is optimistic about scaling new heights with a renewed focus on innovation, customer experience, and business excellence. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by VMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) SMPL New Delhi [India], March 24: The Symbiosis Centre for Management Studies (SCMS), Pune, a distinguished institution under Symbiosis International (Deemed University), has announced the final registration deadline for its Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) programme. Prospective students must register for the Symbiosis Entrance Test (SET) by April 12, 2025. Candidates can complete their institution payment by May 20, 2025, to secure their admission. A Legacy of Excellence Established in 2004, SCMS Pune has consistently been at the forefront of undergraduate management education. The institute is renowned for its commitment to academic rigour, innovative pedagogy, and a holistic approach to student development. Dr. Adya Sharma, Director of SCMS Pune, emphasises, "Our mission is to cultivate future leaders equipped with the skills and vision to excel in a dynamic global environment. This extension offers aspiring students a valuable opportunity to join our esteemed institution and take the first step toward a successful career in business and management." Diverse Specialisations to Shape Future Leaders The BBA programme at SCMS Pune offers a comprehensive curriculum with seven distinct specialisations: * Marketing Management: Strategies to navigate and lead in competitive markets. * Human Resource Management: Cultivating talent and fostering organisational growth. * International Business: Understanding global trade and cross-cultural management. * Accounting & Finance: Financial acumen for strategic decision-making. * Entrepreneurship: Nurturing innovative thinking and startup management. * Business Analytics: Leveraging data for informed business strategies. * Sustainability Studies and Environment Management: Promoting sustainable business practices. This "cafeteria approach" ensures students receive a flexible education that aligns with industry demands and future career goals. SCMS Pune remains dedicated to equipping students with analytical thinking, problem-solving skills, and leadership qualities essential for today's business landscape. Holistic Development Beyond the Classroom SCMS Pune believes in nurturing well-rounded individuals by offering a wide range of extracurricular and co-curricular activities. One of its most significant events is Sympulse, the institute's flagship cultural and business fest, where students compete, network, and enhance their leadership skills. With over 50 events spanning various domains, Sympulse has become a hub for student excellence and collaboration. In addition, students gain exposure to industry leaders, corporate internships, global study tours, and interactive guest lectures, all of which contribute to a comprehensive learning experience beyond textbooks. Application Process Interested candidates need to appear for the Symbiosis Entrance Test (SET), which will be conducted on two dates: May 5 and May 11, 2025. Eligible candidates will then proceed to a Personal Interaction and Writing Ability Test (PI-WAT) as part of the selection process Important dates to remember: * SET Closing: April 12, 2025 (Saturday) * SCMS Payment Closing: May 20, 2025 (Tuesday) * SET Result: May 22, 2025 (Thursday) * Shortlist Publishing date: May 28, 2025 (Wednesday) * Online PI dates: June 3, 2025 (Tuesday) To June 13, 2025 (Friday) [June 8, 2025 (Sunday, Holiday No PI)] About SCMS Pune Symbiosis Centre for Management Studies, Pune, is a premier institution offering a globally recognised Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) programme. With a strong emphasis on academic excellence, leadership development, and a practical approach to management education, SCMS Pune prepares students to thrive in an ever-evolving global business landscape. For more information, visit scmspune.ac.in. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by SMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) VMPL Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], March 24: Nisus Finance Services Co Limited (BSE- NISUS | 544296 | INE0DQN01013) a renowned investment management firm specializing in urban infrastructure and structured finance, has successfully completed the first exit under its Real Estate Special Opportunities Fund - 1 (RESO-I), through an investment in Suvita Real Estate Private Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Shapoorji Pallonji Real Estate Private Limited (SPRE). Investment Overview Nisus Finance had invested INR 105 crore in Senior Secured Rated Listed Non-Convertible Debentures (NCDs) issued by Suvita Real Estate Private Limited in January 2024. These NCDs were listed on the wholesale debt segment of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE). The investment was structured to provide capital for a 12.16-acre land parcel in Manjri Budruk, Pune, supporting SPRE's growth in the mid-income affordable housing segment. Exit Details The NCDs were fully redeemed by SPRE using internal accruals and capitalization. This exit, managed by Nisus BCD Advisors LLP, delivered an Internal Rate of Return (IRR) of 18.74%, marking a key milestone for RESO-I. Project and Market Overview The 12.16-acres land parcel in Manjri Budruk, Pune, has a development potential of ~2.1 million sq. ft. of saleable area and is planned as an affordable housing and mixed-use township. Located in Eastern Pune along NH-9 (Pune-Solapur Road), Manjri Budruk is a fast-growing suburban locality that has seen significant sales and value appreciation over the past three years. The land is part of a larger development spread across ~148 acres by the Shapoorji Pallonji Group, strengthening its presence in Pune's affordable housing market. About RESO-I Fund RESO-I focuses on value-accretive opportunities in real estate, targeting high-yield, asset-backed investments in seven major metropolitan cities. The fund specializes in structured capital solutions for special situations, with investments designed for short- to medium-term tenures to maximize value creation. This successful exit underscores Nisus Finance's commitment to structured real estate investments, demonstrating its ability to generate strong returns while supporting high-potential real estate developments. Commenting on the update Amit Anil Goenka, Chairman & Managing Director, of Nisus Finance Services Co Limited, said: "This successful investment and early exit reflect our strategic approach to structured capital--backing established counterparties like SPRE while ensuring strong risk-adjusted returns. Our partnership with SPRE has been built on trust, market insight, and precise execution, allowing us to deploy capital effectively and unlock value efficiently. The early redemption underscores not only the resilience of the underlying asset but also the financial strength of SPRE. We look forward to fostering this relationship further as they continue expanding their development portfolio with confidence and momentum." Commenting on the update Venkatesh Gopalakrishnan, Director Group Promoter's Office, MD - Shapoorji Pallonji Real Estate (SPRE) said: "Our association with Nisus Finance played a key role in accelerating our business objectives, providing us with the right financial structuring to optimize our growth strategy. With a robust foundation and market-driven execution, we were able to exit this investment well ahead of schedule, demonstrating the strength of our assets and financial positioning. The synergy between both organizations has resulted in a seamless transaction, and we look forward to continuing this collaboration, leveraging structured capital to drive future growth and unlock new opportunities." (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by VMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) PRNewswire Bangalore (Karnataka) [India], March 24: Natixis Global Services (India) Private Limited, a subsidiary of leading global financial institution Natixis Corporate & Investment Banking (CIB), has inaugurated its new office in Bangalore. The new office, located at Bagmane Solarium City in Brookefield, is part of Natixis CIB's strategy to consolidate its existing office spaces in Bangalore, enhance operational efficiency and significantly reduce the environmental impact of its operations. With a strong focus on sustainability, Natixis CIB's new workspace, situated in a LEED Gold Certified building, meets 85% of its energy requirements through renewable sources, primarily solar power. The building also aims to achieve 100% green solar energy by Q2 2026, leading to a significant reduction in CO2 emissions. A key factor in selecting the new location was a shared commitment by the building towards responsible resource management including strategies for water use reduction, waste management and water efficiency. In addition to reducing environmental impact, the move also enables Natixis CIB to implement a flexible, asset-light and financially efficient operating expense model for their workspace. Commenting on the move, Nilesh Iyer, CEO, Natixis Global Services (India) Private Limited, said, "While the relocation to the new office provides a higher quality workspace and enhanced facilities for our team in Bangalore, for all of us at Natixis CIB, it goes well beyond that. From the choice of premises to the employee facilities, to our service providers and partners, every part of the move reflects and reinforces our deep commitment to ESG and DEI principles." Since it set up operations in Bangalore in 2022, Natixis CIB has taken the time to carefully establish a comprehensive partner ecosystem that is aligned with its core values around Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), and has helped it meet its milestones. Apart from the new office partner Bagmane, The Forward Foundation serves as its rainwater harvesting partner for CSR initiatives; PeriFerry supports its initiatives for the LGBTQIA+ community; Mitti Cafe helps it empower persons with disabilities; and Mental Health First Aiders India helps train the leadership team on mental wellbeing. About Natixis Global Services (India) Private Limited Based in Bengaluru, Natixis Global Services (India) Pvt Ltd is fully integrated into the Asia Pacific organization of Natixis Corporate & Investment Banking (CIB). It is Natixis CIB APAC's new technology hub, and its center of expertise, delivering operational services. Natixis Global Services (India) Pvt Ltd supports the Natixis CIB Asia Pacific client experience strategy and ensures the agility of the APAC platform by focusing on technological solutions to increase operational efficiencies, while building on its resiliency. About Natixis Corporate & Investment Banking Natixis Corporate & Investment Banking is a leading global financial institution that provides advisory, investment banking, financing, corporate banking and capital markets services to corporations, financial institutions, financial sponsors and sovereign and supranational organizations worldwide. Our teams of experts in about 30 countries advise clients on their strategic development, helping them to grow and transform their businesses, and maximize their positive impact. Natixis CIB is committed to aligning its financing portfolio with a carbon neutrality path by 2050 while helping its clients reduce the environmental impact of their business. As part of Groupe BPCE, the second largest banking group in France through the Banque Populaire and Caisse d'Epargne retail networks, Natixis CIB benefits from the Group's financial strength and solid financial ratings (Standard & Poor's: A+, Moody's: A1, Fitch: A+, R&I: A+). (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) VMPL New Delhi [India], March 24: With healthcare in this era requiring compassion and innovation, Dr. Ashna P. A. is a change maker. She has transformed the healthcare journey by dedicatedly adhering to quality, accessibility, and patient care, ensuring high-quality medical care to everyone. However, there is a dedicated team of individuals who share her vision and passion for the revolutionisation of patient care, which propels her along; she is not by herself. An Inspirational Leader with a Purpose Apart from being a medical professional, Dr. Ashna P. A. is a visionary too. She is the Director, Promoter, and Chief Dental Surgeon of Futureace Hospital, South India's first superspecialty boutique hospital, and has successfully bridged the gap between quality care and affordability. Through state-of-the-art technology, the hospital has cured more than 10,000 patients under her leadership, and a 30% improvement in recovery rates has been achieved. Her outstanding team of medical professionals, researchers, and strategists collaborate to turn her vision into a reality, considering it as their own goal. They are dedicated to promoting innovation, revolutionizing patient care, and ensuring excellence at every step. Foundation of Futureace Hospital: A Team-Driven Strength Futureace Hospital is being run by a fantastic team of professionals led by Dr. Ashna P. A. Here, a leader who is also a visionary leader is successful in establishing a formidable team. They aim to redefine excellence in healthcare with a group comprising experienced doctors, specialists, and healthcare strategists. They have built revolutionary treatment plans that have immensely sped up healing and enhanced the effectiveness of treatments. Top Medical Professionals: The hospital is led by the best specialists in spine and plastic surgery, orthopaedic and ENT surgery, laparoscopic and general surgery, maxillofacial surgery, prosthodontics, implantology, cosmetic dentistry, and psychiatry, and this allows it to provide elite care. Advanced Nursing Staff: Dr. Ashna believes healthcare should be professionally as well as emotionally personalized, and the nursing team strongly endorses that. That's why they are trained in both compassion and clinical capability. Technology & Advanced Diagnostics Team: Futureace Hospital leads the way with AI-driven diagnostics and telemedicine, fueled by a visionary diagnostics team dedicated to integrating advanced medical technology. Administrative & Operational Team: In the background, an enthusiastic team of healthcare administrators, coordinators, and support staff ensure that the hospital operates smoothly so that doctors can focus entirely on treating patients. Encouraging Women in Healthcare and Leadership The key mission of Dr. Ashna is to empower women in medicine. She has established a platform where talent grows by strategically positioning women in key leadership roles in administration and clinical practice. In eliminating barriers and creating opportunities for the next generation of female healthcare workers, she is providing mentorship and structured career development programs. Entrepreneurial Achievements and Industry Collaboration Apart from her contribution to healthcare, Dr. Ashna P.A. is also known as a versatile businesswoman. She has been a driving force in several projects that reflect her capability to integrate financial acumen with a keen passion for healthcare. Dr. Ashna is the director and promoter of Futureace Hospital, South India's first superspecialty boutique hospital, which is famous for providing personalized, high-quality care at an affordable price. Apart from her role in the hospital, she is also the Managing Partner of AMA Associates, a C&F company in Kochi, where she showcases her skills in medical supply chain management. She has also diversified her presence in the e-commerce industry as the Director of Glamgrove Fashion House Pvt. Ltd., a thriving garment firm. Additionally, she is a partner at Karuna Hrudayalaya Cath Lab, which is situated in Indira Gandhi Co-operative Hospital and known as the city's premier destination for advanced cardiac care. Her entrepreneurial success has driven her team to innovate by developing interdisciplinary solutions that enhance hospital efficiency. Awards & Honors: A Shared Victory For her work that broke the mold, Dr. Ashna has won numerous awards, which are as follows: EMERGING WOMAN ENTREPRENEUR AWARD BY TMA (2025): She has been honoured as one of the women entrepreneurs driving sustainable innovation in the health sector. JCI Queens Bee Award (2024): This recognizes her industry and healthcare contribution. WMHC AWARD (2024): She was honoured for representing the healthcare sector from Kochi at a prestigious world record event held in Kerala, recognizing her dedication to advancing medical excellence and accessibility. The Golden Eagle Award (2023): This award was for the prestigious identity that she created with her healthcare startup of the year. The Mompreneur Award (2022) by Samrambam: This is a recognition of her ability to balance her personal and business responsibilities. Best Entrepreneur Award (2022) by the Indian Dental Association: She has been awarded for her innovative medical solutions. She credits her team for their dedication and support, stating, "Every recognition is a shared victory--without my team's dedication, none of this would be possible." If you want to know more about her empowering and successful journey of being a medical professional, you can visit her website: https://drashnahaneesh.com Taking Charge in Healthcare's Future Dr. Ashna P A aims to deliver future-ready healthcare. She envisions an active model of healthcare where leading-edge technology, preventive medical care, and patient education redefine treatment. A key pillar of the innovative healthcare model includes the tele-ICU system, an advanced system that allows intensive care observation across national borders. This AI-enabled system boasts an on-call panel of emergency doctors working around the clock to assist in important decisions. Utilizing advanced AI analytics to closely observe intensive care unit patients in real time, top experts can give junior doctors immediate guidance, ensuring quick and accurate treatment, be it in extreme or adverse situations. This union of technology and empathy is revolutionizing patient care and facilitating life-saving interventions worldwide. Dr. Ashna P. A.'s commitment to human-centered healthcare is a sign of things to come where knowledge knows no borders and all can truly access healing. Teamwork and Leadership Build a Legacy Dr. Ashna believes that empowering a team to excel as a team is the heart of real leadership. She has built an institution on this principle, where everyone wins, innovation flourishes, and growth is a shared vision. Her journey is not only about achieving personal objectives; it's about transforming the medical profession, inspiring others, and making a lasting impact. It's not our individual achievements but what we build together as legacy that she defines as success. Futureace Hospital, with its exceptional team and innovative leadership, is a beacon of ingenuity, generosity, and excellence, illustrating the way healthcare can truly be revolutionized when purpose and passion are blended. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by VMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) VMPL New Delhi [India], March 24: The kurta has long been an embodiment of grace, tradition, and cultural pride. A staple in ethnic fashion, it continues to evolve with contemporary aesthetics while staying true to its deep-rooted heritage. From grand, opulent designs to understated elegance, premium kurta brands offer a perfect blend of craftsmanship and modernity. Here, we explore the top 10 luxury kurta brands, where each label brings its signature touch to ethnic wear. 1. Kalpraag More than just a fashion label, Kalpraag is a phenomenon that has transformed the landscape of Indian ethnic wear. A celebration of grandeur and creativity, Kalpraag's kurtas are masterfully designed to exude royalty and refinement. Every piece speaks volumes of the brand's commitment to unparalleled craftsmanship, blending traditional artistry with contemporary sophistication. From ornate mirror-work kurtas to exclusively designed linen creations (like the iconic Super Mario-themed kurta), Kalpraag continually pushes the boundaries of innovation. Whether you seek luxurious embroidery, intricate hand woven patterns, or vibrant yet regal aesthetics, Kalpraag delivers an experience beyond fashion--it offers a lifestyle steeped in elegance. For those who demand nothing but the best, Kalpraag is the ultimate expression of cultural luxury. 2. Rahul Mishra Rahul Mishra is synonymous with slow fashion, intricate hand embroidery, and a commitment to sustainability. His kurta designs reflect a deep appreciation for Indian craftsmanship, often featuring floral and nature-inspired motifs. Using traditional techniques such as chikankari, zardozi, and embroidery, his creations blend heritage with a modern sensibility, making them a preferred choice for those who admire artistic precision and luxury. 3. Sabyasachi A name that defines opulence, Sabyasachi's kurtas are the epitome of heritage and grandeur. With rich fabrics, intricate gold-thread embroidery, and regal silhouettes, his designs have a timeless charm. Often inspired by Mughal and Persian influences, his kurtas feature vintage floral prints, intricate handwork, and signature antique textures, making them a statement piece for wedding wear and special occasions. 4. Manish Malhotra Renowned for his Bollywood-inspired couture, Manish Malhotra crafts kurtas that embody glamour and sophistication. His collections feature luxurious silks, heavy embellishments, and contemporary cuts that cater to the modern man who wishes to blend tradition with a red-carpet appeal. Perfect for grand weddings and high-profile events, his kurtas ensure that the wearer commands attention. 5. Faraz Manan Faraz Manan is one of Pakistan's most celebrated designers, known for his exquisite craftsmanship and luxury fabrics. His kurtas are crafted with a meticulous eye for detail, often showcasing intricate threadwork, regal embroidery, and subtle yet opulent embellishments. With a client list that includes celebrities and royalty, Faraz Manan's designs represent the pinnacle of Pakistani couture. 6. Shantanu & Nikhil Shantanu & Nikhil bring a fearless approach to ethnic fashion, crafting kurtas that break conventional norms with structured silhouettes and unconventional hues. Their contemporary take on Indian wear blends traditional motifs with cutting-edge tailoring, catering to those who embrace individuality and avant-garde aesthetics. Their kurtas are a favorite among fashion-forward individuals who prefer a sleek, modern interpretation of classic ethnic attire. 7. Rohit Bal Rohit Bal's kurta collections stand as masterpieces of artistry, characterized by intricate motifs inspired by nature and heritage. His designs feature meticulous detailing, hand-painted elements, and opulent textiles, delivering a dramatic yet refined aesthetic. Perfect for individuals who appreciate couture-level craftsmanship, his kurtas capture the essence of grandeur, making them a prized possession for those who love to make a bold yet elegant fashion statement. 8. Anushree Reddy Famed for her delicate floral embroidery and ultra-feminine designs, Anushree Reddy crafts kurtas that evoke a dreamy, vintage charm. With flowing silhouettes, pastel hues, and intricate embellishments, her designs strike a beautiful balance between elegance and comfort. Perfect for pre-wedding celebrations, intimate gatherings, and festive events, Anushree Reddy's kurtas offer an ethereal appeal for those who seek effortless grace in their ethnic wardrobe. 9. Anita Dongre Anita Dongre's designs embody sustainability, tradition, and modernity. Her kurtas are a blend of rich heritage and contemporary minimalism, crafted using eco-friendly fabrics and detailed hand embroidery. Inspired by Rajasthan's vibrant culture, her collections feature classic prints, gota-patti work, and handcrafted textiles, making them ideal for those who seek timeless elegance in their wardrobe. 10. Kalki Fashion Kalki Fashion stands as an icon in the world of bridal and celebratory ethnic wear, crafting kurtas that resonate with regal charm and artistic brilliance. Known for their opulent embroidery, luxurious fabrics, and rich color palettes, their designs are tailored for grand occasions where elegance takes center stage. Every piece exudes a bespoke touch, ensuring that wearers not only look stunning but also feel a deep connection to India's rich textile heritage. The kurta has evolved beyond its traditional roots to become a statement of personal style and cultural expression. Each of these premium brands offers something unique, whether it's Kalpraag's unparalleled grandeur, Masaba Gupta's bold prints, or Raghavendra Rathore's aristocratic refinement. By choosing any of these top brands, you are not just embracing fashion--you are celebrating the rich legacy of Indian tradition and craftsmanship in its most exquisite form. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by VMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) According to a statement by NITI Aayog on Monday, that the workshop was organized to strengthen India's innovation landscape. The event was hosted by the Gujarat Council on Science & Technology (GUJCOST), Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of Gujarat. The workshop brought together key stakeholders, including government officials, academic leaders, industrial experts, startup founders, and international representatives. It focused on important topics such as R&D investments, state policies on innovation, global innovation trends, and grassroots entrepreneurship to create a strong synergy between different sectors. The event was attended by V. K. Saraswat, Member (Science & Technology), NITI Aayog, and Mona Khandhar, IAS, Principal Secretary, Department of Science and Technology, Government of Gujarat. In his inaugural address, V.K. Saraswat emphasized the need for collaboration between government, academia, and industry to drive India's innovation forward. He stressed the importance of translational research that leads to meaningful innovation and the growth of impactful startups. He also called for greater support for DeepTech startups and suggested that India should shift from a service-based to a product-based industry model. Additionally, he shared insights into key government initiatives designed to enhance research, innovation, and entrepreneurship across the country. NITI Aayog said "The workshop featured several interactive discussions led by eminent leaders in the field of innovation and technology. The session on "Bharat Innovates: Overview of the National Innovation Ecosystem" explored strategies for building an innovation-friendly India" Sacha Wunsch-Vincent from the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) outlined India's innovation journey for the next 10 years. He noted that India's intellectual property (IP) profile has improved in recent years, with an increase in patent filings. He also mentioned that the country will add more Science & Technology (S&T) clusters in the near future to boost innovation. Additionally, the session "Vishwa Mein Ubharta Bharat: Strengthening India's Global Innovation Footprint" focused on India's growing presence in the global innovation landscape. It featured contributions from international experts, including Sacha Wunsch-Vincent from WIPO and Rajul Gajjar, Vice Chancellor, Gujarat Technological University. The workshop concluded with a discussion on future action plans, led by V.K. Saraswat, alongside senior officials from NITI Aayog, the Gujarat State Government, and the Former DG of CSIR & Secretary of DSIR. The closing session emphasized Gujarat's pivotal role in promoting innovation, highlighting the state's progressive policies, investment in research, and commitment to fostering a startup-friendly ecosystem. (ANI) . PNN Hisar (Haryana) [India], March 24: Today marked a momentous occasion as Asia's Best Astrologer, the world-renowned Astro Parduman, was honoured with an invitation to India's first-ever Electro Dance Bhajan (EDB) music concert. This groundbreaking spiritual and musical event is conceptualized and organized by Sazal Jain and his dedicated team--Muskan, Diksha Mehta, Tamanna, Kanikaa Gabaa, Rahima Narang, Akanksha Gogia, Manmohan Singla, Rakesh Khandelwal, Sonia main, Sanyam jain, Surender narang, Prateek gabba, Laksh sharma neeraj banga. The EDB concert is set to revolutionize the music and spiritual landscape by blending electronic dance music with devotional bhajans. Unlike conventional party scenes, this event aims to uplift people from depression, anxiety, and overthinking through the power of soulful music and spirituality. The concert will take place at Green Acre, Hisar, starting from 6:30 PM onwards, marking the first time such a concept has been introduced in India. The event will feature renowned celebrities and will have India's most celebrated DJ, Sumit Sethi, spinning electrifying beats, creating an immersive spiritual experience like never before. Astro Parduman's Divine Blessings for EDB Astro Parduman, known for his deep spiritual wisdom and commitment to healing, extended his heartfelt blessings and best wishes for the success of this unique event. In his words: "This initiative beautifully combines music and spirituality, offering a transformative experience for individuals and families alike. It is a step towards bringing divine vibrations into people's lives through the universal language of music." In a special gesture of divine blessing, Astro Parduman and his team will be distributing sacred Panch Mukhi Rudraksha beads to attendees, symbolizing protection, positive energy, and spiritual growth. The Rudraksha blessings will be given as a token of divine grace from Maha Mrityunjay Shaktipeeth, home to the world's largest and most powerful Maha Mrityunjay Yantra. With this collaboration, Astro Parduman and the EDB team are set to redefine how people experience spirituality, music, and emotional healing. This is not just a concert--it's a movement towards spiritual awakening through music. Event Details: * Venue: Green Acre, Hisar * Time: 6:30 PM onwards (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) VMPL Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], March 24: The Shiamak Davar Institute of Performing Arts (SDIPA) is offering a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for aspiring professional dancers with its One-Year Dance Certification Program (OYP), the only program where Shiamak Davar himself mentors students. Now in its 15th year, this intensive training course is designed for individuals who are serious about pursuing dance professionally, equipping them with the skills, knowledge, and performance experience to excel in the industry. Held in Mumbai, the OYP is a year-long, full-time dance program designed for exceptionally talented dancers, many of whom have performed in Shiamak's shows nationally and internationally. With a rigorous curriculum focused on technique, training, and industry exposure, students refine their craft under top instructors. At its core is The Shiamak Style, a fusion of contemporary Western and Indian dance. The structured course covers eight dance styles, including jazz, hip-hop, and folk, along with training in performance disciplines like audio editing, video production, and stagecraft. Industry experts also provide exclusive guest lectures, ensuring a holistic dance education. Beyond training, students will have the extraordinary opportunity to perform alongside Shiamak and the Shiamak Davar Dance Company. Some students may even have the chance to earn while they learn, performing at Shiamak's national and international shows, providing them with real-world stage experience. Further enhancing accessibility, the Reliance Foundation is offering scholarships to 30 underprivileged students, giving talented dancers from disadvantaged backgrounds a chance to be a part of this prestigious program. "OYP is not just about learning to dance, it's about discipline, passion, and transformation. It's a journey that pushes dancers to unlock their full potential, both as performers and as individuals. Over the years, we've seen students grow into confident artists who go on to make a mark in the industry. This program is designed to give them not just technical expertise but also a deep understanding of the art, the stage, and the power of expression. We nurture talent and prepare dancers to shine on any platform, anywhere in the world" says Shiamak Davar, highlighting the program's impact on shaping future performers. For those who dream of making dance their career, the Shiamak Davar One-Year Dance Certification program is a gateway to the professional world of dance. Applications for the 2025 batch are now open, and with limited spots available, this is the ultimate chance to train under the legendary Shiamak Davar himself. You can get more information at https://www.shiamak.com/oyp/ (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by VMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) They're for stopping the war in Ukraine until you try to stop the war. Theyre for a strong border until you close the border they left open. Who are they? The professional Trump Haters, of course. The people who blindly hate Donald Trump for a living Democrats and what's left of the liberal media have truly lost it. It used to be a joke that "If Trump cured cancer, Democrats would defend cancer." But that joke has basically come true. Whether it's allowing biological men in women's locker rooms, supporting sex-change surgery for 12-year-olds or outlawing plastic straws, Democrats have staked out a bunch of politically suicidal positions on so-called "80-20" issues that 80 percent of Americans oppose. Democrats are not just doubling down on the dumb progressive stuff that cost them the White House and the Senate. They're also taking turns saying really stupid things about Elon Musk and Tesla. Democrats used to be in love with Musk when he was one of them. But then he, his brain and his billions defected to the Trump camp. Worse than that, he volunteered to help Trump carry out his mission to cut waste, fraud and abuse from the bloated federal government. When Bill Clinton and Barack Obama touted their plans to do that, as we've seen in old video clips on X, it was treated as a worthy and important political goal. But when Trump and Musk are doing the same thing today, admittedly with great glee and at greater speed, it's being portrayed by Democrats and the Trump Haters in liberal media as a crime against innocent bureaucrats. It's the haters who won't stand up and condemn the terror tactics that have left Teslas burning in dealers' lots or shame the creeps who are keying Teslas or "doxing" Tesla owners online. I didnt vote for Obama or Joe Biden, but I didn't hate them. I hated their policies. With Trump haters, it's the reverse. They hate him so vehemently and irrationally that they automatically hate his policies too, even if they are similar to what theirs used to be. Modern Democrats, not the old Jim Crow kind, used to be known for things like free speech, law and order, strong borders, world peace and minding our own business overseas. But all that flipped years ago when Trump came along. Democrats and the liberal media became deranged. Now they're in the late stages of Trump Derangement Syndrome. They're starting to say really stupid stuff that only makes them look more politically out of touch with voters, if that's still possible. For example, failed VP candidate Tim Walz told Gavin Newsom that he gets a little "boost" every time he sees Tesla's stock go down. The Minnesota governor, like other Trump Haters who cheer Tesla's falling stock price, either doesn't know or care that when that happens people's pension plans get hurt. So do the 401(k)s of ordinary folks. On CNN, investor Kevin O'Leary called Walz "beyond stupid" for his joke. He said Minnesota currently holds 1.6 million shares of Tesla worth $350 million in its retirement fund. "What's the matter with that guy?" O'Leary asked. "He doesn't check the well-being of his own constituents. What a bozo." But let's be fair with Walz. He may or not be a bozo. Voters decided that for themselves last fall. But Walz, Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly and a chorus of other elected Democrats have been using a lot of vulgar language lately in their scripted anti-Trump tirades. It may look like just the latest foolish tactic designed by their party to show the public just how deeply upset Democrats are at what terrible things Trump, Musk and the DOGE gang are doing to the USA. But as any good shrink could tell you, shouting and spewing dirty words is just another sad symptom of late-stage TDS. (COMMENT, BELOW) Michael Reagan is the son of President Ronald Reagan, a political consultant, and the author of "The New Reagan Revolution" (St. Martin's Press). He is the founder of the email service reagan.com and president of The Reagan Legacy Foundation. VMPL Lauderhill (Florida) [US], March 24: In an era where education transcends geographical boundaries, International Hindu University (IHU), USA stands at the forefront by offering extensive online Master's and PhD programs tailored specifically for Indian students. Recognized by the Florida Department of Education and the Florida Commission on Independent Education under the authority of Florida State Statutes, Section 1005.06, IHU,USA is committed to delivering quality education that bridges traditional wisdom with contemporary learning methodologies. For Indian students looking to enhance their academic profile, IHU, USA offers an accessible and beneficial route. With flexible master's and PhD programs, students can easily earn academic credits while gaining international exposure. The university provides a smooth admission process and supportive learning environment, making it a great choice for those who want to strengthen their careers without unnecessary hurdles. Expansive Academic Offerings IHU, USA's curriculum is meticulously designed to cater to a diverse range of academic interests, ensuring that students can delve deep into subjects that resonate with their personal and professional aspirations. PhD Programs The university offers doctoral degrees in several disciplines: * Hindu Philosophy - A deep exploration of Hindu philosophical thought, examining texts, traditions, and interpretations that have shaped the spiritual and intellectual landscape of Hinduism. * Ayurvedic Sciences - A holistic study of ancient medical traditions, including herbal remedies and their integration into modern healthcare. * Yoga - Beyond physical postures, this program covers philosophical foundations, meditative practices, and the role of yoga in mental and physical well-being. * Performing Arts - A scholarly dive into Indian classical dance, music, and theater, fostering appreciation and academic analysis of these traditions. * Purohitya - Focused on Hindu rituals and priestly duties, providing insights into the ceremonial aspects of Hinduism and their spiritual significance. Master's Programs IHU, USA offers Master's degrees in various disciplines, including Hindu Studies, providing students with a comprehensive understanding of Hindu traditions, texts, and cultural practices. Credit Requirements for PhD and Master's Programs IHU,USA follows a structured academic framework for degree completion: * PhD Program: * For students with a Bachelor's degree: 75 credits (includes 30 credits from the Master's curriculum). * For students with a Master's degree: 45 credits. * Master's Program: 30 credits required for completion. Flexible Online Learning Environment Understanding the diverse needs of modern learners, IHU, USA has embraced a flexible online learning model: * Self-Paced Learning - Students can progress through their courses at a pace that suits their personal and professional commitments. * Mentor Guidance - Each student is paired with a mentor who provides personalized academic and research support. * Interactive Platforms - Advanced online platforms facilitate discussions, collaborations, and immersive learning experiences with faculty and peers worldwide. Admission Criteria and Fee Structure IHU, USA maintains a transparent and structured approach to admissions and fees: * Course Fee for Indian Students: Rs14,999 per 3-credit course. * Students must enroll in a minimum of two and a maximum of three courses per semester during fall and spring, and up to two courses during the summer semester. This ensures a manageable workload while maintaining academic rigor. Application Process and Financial Support Prospective students can seamlessly apply online through IHU's official website. The university also offers scholarships and fee reductions, with decisions made by the administration in consultation with mentors, ensuring that financial constraints do not hinder educational aspirations. Accreditation and Recognition IHU, USA is accredited by IACDSC and is currently in the process of applying for SACSCOC accreditation. About International Hindu University IHU, USA is a non-profit, post-secondary degree-granting institution dedicated to promoting awareness of ancient wisdom teachings and their relevance to contemporary experiences across cultures. The university emphasizes peaceful co-existence and mutual respect through the lens of Sanatana Dharma, fostering a mainstream promotion of pluralism. Conclusion International Hindu University's commitment to blending traditional wisdom with modern educational practices offers Indian students a unique opportunity to pursue advanced degrees that are both culturally enriching and academically rigorous. By providing flexible online programs, IHU ensures that education remains accessible, affordable, and aligned with the diverse needs of today's learners. For more details on courses and enrollment, visit https://ihu-usa.org/. For additional information, please contact: Email: info@ihu-usa.org Phone: +13055196083 (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by VMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) PNN New Delhi [India], March 24: In a historic moment that strengthens the cultural and historical ties between Balochistan and India, Colonel(Honorary) Parvati Jangid Suthar,CGIM has been conferred with the esteemed Award of Balochi Dastar, Balochistan's highest civilian honor. This recognition, deeply embedded in Baloch tradition, is a mark of immense respect and acknowledges the outstanding contributions of individuals who work towards the betterment of the region. The award was presented by Mir Yar Baloch, the representative of Balochistan in India, on behalf of the people of Balochistan, under the guidance of Hyrbyair Marri Baloch, a prominent figure in the Balochistan freedom movement. In his address, Mir Yar Baloch highlighted that this prestigious honour was being conferred in recognition of Col(Hony.) Parvati Jangid Suthar's unwavering patriotism towards India and her steadfast advocacy for the Balochistan freedom cause. "Col(Hony.) Parvati Jangid has long been a passionate and vocal advocate for the Baloch people, consistently raising awareness about the injustices they face under the oppression of the Pakistani state," Mir Yar Baloch stated. "Her efforts to shed light on the atrocities committed by Pakistan in Balochistan, as well as in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (POK), have inspired people across borders. We deeply respect her courage, vision, and patriotism." The Award of Balochi Dastar is a symbolic recognition of Jangid's ongoing work to amplify the Balochistan freedom movement. In particular, it acknowledges her role in educating the international community about the plight of Baloch citizens, including the severe human rights abuses carried out by the Pakistani military in Balochistan. During the ceremony, Jangid expressed deep gratitude for the honor, recognizing the weight of responsibility that comes with such recognition. "The brutality and oppression the Baloch people are subjected to by Pakistan, alongside the terroristic activities of ISIS in the region, cannot be ignored," Jangid remarked. "As Indian friends, we stand with our Baloch brothers and sisters and pledge to support their fight for freedom." Jangid further emphasized the critical need to protect ancient Hindu temples and cultural sites in Balochistan, which have been threatened by Pakistani terrorism. She voiced her hopes for the eventual liberation of Pakistan-Occupied Balochistan and the restoration of India's rightful control over Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir, reaffirming her commitment to supporting both Balochistan and Indian Kashmiris in their struggles for justice and sovereignty. Miss Jangid also demanded that the arrest of Baloch activist Dr. Mehrang Baloch by the Pakistani army is unjust. Raising one's voice for rights is not a crime; rather, it is a fundamental right of every individual. The entire world is aware of Pakistan's illegal occupation of Balochistan, where the Baloch people have been subjected to injustice for a long time. In such a situation, Pakistan should immediately grant independence to Balochistan so that its people can determine their own future and exercise their rights freely. Col(Hony.) Parvati Jangid Suthar, originally from Gagaria, a village along the India-Pakistan border, now resides in Delhi and serves as the Chairperson of the Youth Parliament of India. She has been instrumental in numerous welfare projects for security forces, driven by her core mission: Surakshit Seema - Samrudh Bharat, "Secure Borders - Prosperous Bharat." Recently, she was recognized as one of the world's top 100 most influential women. As a dedicated leader and advocate, Jangid remains resolute in her commitment to fostering peace, cultural cooperation, and historical understanding between India and Balochistan. She considers the whole world as one family, spreading the spirit of "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" across the world, as a young leader dedicated to world peace. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) PRNewswire Singapore, March 24: Globe Teleservices Pte. Ltd. (GTS), a leading global telecom solutions provider, has successfully signed a 3-year exclusivity contract with CelcomDigi, Malaysia's largest mobile network operator (MNO). This partnership aims to enhance secure messaging services for CelcomDigi across the globe, ensuring a better experience for all its subscribers. Leveraging GTS' cutting-edge solutions, CelcomDigi will deliver seamless and direct messaging experiences, protecting its subscribers from sophisticated fraud. The collaboration will enable CelcomDigi to maximize the value of its A2P (Application-to-Person) messaging traffic. Ashutosh Agrawal, Group CEO of Globe Teleservices, said, "Our team is excited to collaborate closely with CelcomDigi to unlock new revenue opportunities and drive the future of A2P messaging in Malaysia. This deal reinforces our commitment to supporting telecom operators globally with secure and reliable messaging services." With its top-notch and secure connectivity solutions, GTS is committed to bridging communication gaps worldwide. This vision drives GTS to deliver seamless and reliable support to CelcomDigi, ensuring secure message delivery. This partnership reflects GTS' role as a global leader in telecom solutions, underscoring its dedication to providing secure and uninterrupted messaging services across the globe. About Globe Teleservices Globe Teleservices (GTS) is a Singapore-based telecom conglomerate with a global presence, having offices in the USA, Malaysia, Tanzania, Ghana, India, and Hong Kong. GTS provides niche next-gen solutions in A2P monetization, omnichannel messaging, anti-fraud & cloud services. It collaborates closely with top-tier mobile operators and regulators globally to digitize services and emphasize revenue assurance. GTS is a member of prestigious forums like MEF, GSMA, GLF, Trust in Enterprise Messaging, TMForum, PITA and ITU-APT. Notable accolades include the Platinum Award from Juniper Research for AI-powered AGT/AIT Fraud Detection solution, recognition in Singapore's Fastest Growing Companies for 2024 and 2025 by The Straits Times and Statista, recognition in Financial Times -High-Growth Companies Asia-Pacific 2024 & 2025, Tier 1 recognition in A2P SMS Messaging Market Impact Report 2024 - in MNO and Enterprise edition by ROCCO and Best Voice/Data Service Innovation Award at CC - Global Awards 2024, Berlin. Learn more at https://globeteleservices.com/ Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2648038/GTS_CelcomDigi_Partnership.jpg Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2155167/5230367/Globe_Teleservices_Logo.jpg (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) VMPL New Delhi [India], March 24: The Uttarakhand Good Governance Awards 2025 celebrated visionary leadership, honoring top-performing districts for excellence in healthcare, education, law enforcement, and women empowerment--setting new benchmarks for progress. The Uttarakhand Good Governance Awards 2025 celebrated the state's most impactful administrative initiatives, recognizing districts that excelled in governance, healthcare, law enforcement, education, and women empowerment. This year's awards highlighted the remarkable progress Uttarakhand has made since its formation, transforming from a remittance-driven economy into a model of sustainable growth and effective administration. Held in Dehradun on March 22nd 2025 and hosted by Indian Masterminds, the event brought together policymakers, bureaucrats, and experts for an insightful discussion on the state's development trajectory, culminating in a prestigious award ceremony honoring the changemakers behind Uttarakhand's success story. Nainital, the jewel of Uttarakhand, has created history by emerging as the undisputed champion at the awards. Sweeping top honors across all major categories, the district has set an extraordinary benchmark for governance. Following Nainital, Dehradun has been honoured with three awards across different categories as runner-up, and Udham Singh Nagar has received two awards across different categories. THE UTTARAKHAND GOOD GOVERNANCE AWARDS: A CELEBRATION OF EXCELLENCE Once burdened by a 'money order economy,' Uttarakhand has undergone a phenomenal transformation since its formation in 2000. From economic struggles to becoming a powerhouse of growth, the state's progress has been nothing short of revolutionary. The Uttarakhand Good Governance Awards, an initiative spearheaded by Indian Masterminds in collaboration with the Indian Mastermind Research & Welfare Foundation, Centre for Public Policy and Good Governance, and Shreshth Uttarakhand, was conceived to honor the visionaries and changemakers who have been instrumental in this journey. A report by the Prime Minister's Economic Advisory Council highlights Uttarakhand's stellar progress--a 9.5 times growth in the industrial economy, an 18-fold increase in State-Owned Tax Revenue (SOTR), and a rise in per capita income from Rs15,285 in 2001 to Rs2.61 lakh in FY 2023, surpassing the national average. The state's meteoric rise reached a new zenith in 2024 when the NITI Aayog declared it the top-performing state in the SDG Index, outpacing even the most developed states. The Good Governance Awards stand as a tribute to the relentless efforts of those who turned these dreams into reality. A GRAND CELEBRATION IN DEHRADUN The awards ceremony took place on March 22, 2025, at the IRDT Auditorium, EC Road, Dehradun, bringing together the brightest minds shaping Uttarakhand's future. The evening was graced by the presence of Dr. R Meenakshi Sundaram, IAS, Principal Secretary, Personnel and General Administration, who commended the remarkable governance initiatives transforming the state. GRATITUDE TO OUR PARTNERS AND SPONSORS Our valued sponsors include Indian Oil XP 95, India's high-octane premium petrol, ensuring top-tier performance and keeping the nation's energy in high gear. The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), the national standard body of India, upholds quality and safety in every sphere of life, and the Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana, revolutionizing healthcare by providing affordable medicines to all. PANEL DISCUSSION: CHARTING UTTARAKHAND'S FUTURE A thought-provoking panel discussion titled 'Vision for Uttarakhand's Development' set the tone for the evening, offering deep insights into the state's future trajectory. The panel featured distinguished speakers, including Saurabh Tiwari, Head and Director, Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), Dehradun; Krishna Kumar Gupta, Divisional Retail Sales Head, Indian Oil Corporation Ltd.; Rajendra P Mamgain, Development Economist; and S.M.A. Kazmi, Former Editor of Tribune, Dehradun. Moderated by senior journalist Manoj Singh, the discussion delved into innovative governance models, sustainable development, and the potential of public-private partnerships in driving Uttarakhand's progress. HONORING THE BEST The awards ceremony was the highlight of the evening, recognizing outstanding governance efforts across multiple domains. Nainital emerged as the undisputed leader, sweeping the top awards: Healthcare Excellence Award: With a stellar score of 73, Nainital was honored for its integrated healthcare approach, digital health advancements, and robust primary healthcare system. Udham Singh Nagar and Dehradun followed as the first and second runners-up, respectively. Education Excellence Award: Securing an impressive score of 82, Nainital's pioneering work in digital education, vocational training, and innovative learning models earned it the top spot, while Dehradun and Pauri Garhwal came next. Women Empowerment Award: With a score of 74, Nainital's progressive policies, self-help groups, and financial literacy programs propelled it to the forefront, followed by Pauri Garhwal, Almora, and Bageshwar. Law & Order Excellence Award: Nainital once again emerged victorious with a score of 80, recognized for its effective law enforcement and community policing initiatives, ahead of Udham Singh Nagar and Dehradun. Administrative Excellence Award: Setting a gold standard in governance, Nainital secured an extraordinary score of 85, outshining all other districts with its efficiency, transparency, and citizen engagement. Dehradun and Uttarkashi claimed the second and third positions. A ROADMAP FOR THE FUTURE As the curtains fell on this grand celebration, one message resonated loud and clear--Uttarakhand is forging a path of unparalleled excellence, and Nainital is leading the charge. With its spectacular performance across governance sectors, the district has become an inspiration for the entire nation. With Indian Masterminds championing the cause of good governance, the Uttarakhand Good Governance Awards 2025 stood as a proof of the spirit of innovation, leadership, and progress that continues to define the state's remarkable journey. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by VMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) VMPL New Delhi [India], March 24: The India & International Cake Magazine Awards, India's first-ever international cake awards, will take place on April 11th in Delhi, bringing together the best talent from India and across the world. Organized by Tina Scott Parashar, Editor-in-Chief of India & International Cake Magazine (formerly Incredible India Cake Magazine), these prestigious awards celebrate artistic excellence in the sugar craft and confectionery industry on a global stage. Built on a foundation of years of successful collaborations and competitions, the awards have already seen participation from over 700 artists from India and around the world. The event is also backed by a thriving online community, with 85,000 Facebook members, 14,000 Instagram followers, and active groups on WhatsApp and Telegram, making it one of the most influential platforms in the cake industry. What Makes These Awards Unique India's First International Cake Awards - A pioneering initiative that celebrates both Indian and international talent. World-Class Panel of Judges - A total of 15 internationally acclaimed judges, including three from India, ensuring a globally recognized and impartial evaluation process. Innovative Award Categories - Introduction of new and unique categories that have never been a part of any cake awards globally. Exclusive Collaboration with D'licious Magazine, UK - A special award category, "Next Global Star," has been introduced in partnership with one of the most influential cake magazines in the world, highlighting Indian artists making a global mark. Unbiased Judging Process - To maintain complete impartiality, Indian categories are judged only by international experts (except for the Pastry Artist of India category), ensuring fairness and transparency. About the Organizer - Tina Scott Parashar Tina Scott Parashar, a celebrated figure in the edible art industry, is the visionary behind these awards. She is an award-winning cake artist, editor, and international judge, known for her contributions to the global cake industry. Some of her notable achievements include: Hall of Fame Award Winner 2025 - The highest honour by D'licious Magazine, UK, recognizing her work and her outstanding contributions to the sugar craft industry. Exceptional Achievements in Edible Art Award - Cake Artist World Awards, Moscow, Russia. Judge for Cake International, UK - The world's biggest cake show. India's Top Artist - Recognized by Cake Masters Magazine, UK, in 2017 and 2018. Best Collaboration Award Winner - Cake Masters Magazine Awards UK, 2022. Creator of Life-Size Edible Displays - Her creations have gone viral, gaining national media attention. With her deep expertise and passion for mentoring artists, Tina has successfully built a global community that unites Indian and international talent, elevating Indian artists onto the world stage. About India & International Cake Magazine The India & International Cake Magazine has evolved into a globally recognized platform, connecting Indian and international artists, fostering talent, and promoting excellence in the cake industry. With a vast online presence, the magazine plays a crucial role in recognizing and celebrating exceptional artistry in the sugar craft industry. The India & International Cake Magazine Awards promise to be a landmark event, setting new benchmarks for recognition and collaboration in the industry. With a stellar international jury, and unique award categories, this event marks a significant milestone in the global cake community. India and International Cake Magazine Awards - Presented by Conosh. Platinum Partners: Nestle, Achyutam Organic, Bake Haven Gold Partners: Confect, Omkraft, Ikon Organic, Madhav Enterprises, Packing Packers, the Cake Decor. Silver Partners: IBCA (Institute of Bakery and Culinary Arts) and Sweta Dalmia. Gift Partners: Fab Flavours, Carmine County, Kemry, Bakersville, Bake Haven, Achyutam Organic, Packing Packers, Confect, Omkraft, Ikon Organic. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by VMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) VMPL Gandhinagar (Gujarat) [India], March 24: The highly anticipated Gujarat Excellence Awards 2025, organized by Divya Bhaskar, took place on March 20th at Gift City, Gandhinagar. On this occasion, writer and poet Dipak Desai was honored by Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi. The grand event, held at 7 PM, celebrated outstanding achievements across various fields, recognizing exceptional individuals who had made significant contributions to society. The evening witnessed an array of distinguished guests, including Gujarat's Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi, who graced the occasion as the chief guest. Eminent personalities from diverse industries had gathered to celebrate excellence, innovation, and commitment to social impact. The Gujarat Excellence Awards had become a prestigious platform to honor individuals who had set benchmarks in their respective fields, inspiring others to achieve greater heights. The event commenced with an inspiring speech by Harsh Sanghavi, who applauded the relentless efforts of individuals striving to make Gujarat proud through their contributions in literature, entrepreneurship, social welfare, and cultural preservation. The awards ceremony witnessed several prominent figures being felicitated for their dedication to their crafts and their influence on society. Among the esteemed awardees, Dipak Desai was honored as the Leading Writer and Poet for his remarkable literary contributions. Dipak Desai's latest book, Yadon Ke Gubbare, had recently gained significant attention for its heartfelt narratives and emotional depth. The book beautifully portrayed the journey of memories and life experiences, resonating with readers across different age groups. Prior to this, Desai's acclaimed work Yugpurush Narendra Modi had drawn immense praise and was inaugurated by Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel. This book offered a detailed insight into the journey of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, chronicling his life, values, and the impact of his leadership on the nation. Desai's ability to present compelling stories with authenticity had cemented his reputation as a prominent literary figure in India. Dipak Desai had previously been honored by several distinguished leaders, including the Governor of Maharashtra, the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, and former Union Minister Parshottam Rupala. These recognitions further underscored his influence and commitment to literature. The Gujarat Excellence Awards 2025 served as a platform to inspire emerging talent while recognizing established achievers. The event concluded with a networking session where guests had the opportunity to connect and share ideas. The lively atmosphere, combined with captivating performances and heartfelt speeches, created a memorable evening dedicated to celebrating Gujarat's rich cultural, entrepreneurial, and artistic landscape. Divya Bhaskar's Gujarat Excellence Awards continued to play a pivotal role in encouraging individuals to excel in their respective fields, driving positive change, and reinforcing Gujarat's identity as a hub of talent and achievement. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by VMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) NewsVoir New Delhi [India], March 24: Peptech Biosciences Ltd. announced the successful acquisition of technology from the National Bureau of Agricultural Insect Resources (NBAIR), India. This groundbreaking technology focuses on the development of a Liquid Formulation of indigenous toxic strains of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). Field trials conducted by NBAIR have demonstrated the remarkable efficacy of this technology. Foliar sprays of Bacillus thuringiensis NBAIR BtG4 at a 2% concentration resulted in a significant reduction in pod damage in pigeon pea. Concurrently, this treatment led to a substantial increase in grain yield, highlighting the technology's potential to enhance crop productivity while minimizing environmental impact. The microbe is a Bio-pesticide with a high level of toxicity against H. armigera, P. xylostella, Chilo partellus, Sesamia inferens, Leucinodes orbonalis, and other Lepidopteran pests affecting pulses, vegetables, and oilseeds. The technology is environmentally safe and serves as a sustainable alternative to chemical pesticides, making it suitable for diverse agricultural environments except temperate regions. "We are thrilled to have secured this valuable technology from NBAIR," said Suresh Singla, Director at Peptech Biosciences Ltd. "This collaboration underscores our commitment to developing sustainable solutions that contribute to the advancement of Indian agriculture. By continuously investing in research and technology, we aim to empower agriculture brands with effective and eco-friendly solutions that enhance productivity while ensuring environmental safety." Peptech Biosciences Ltd. is a rapidly growing B2B agri-biotech company specializing in research-driven crop solutions. The company partners with medium- and large-sized agricultural brands, providing them with high-quality biological crop protection & nutrition products. With a strong emphasis on innovation and sustainability, Peptech Biosciences offers an extensive portfolio that includes Bio-Fertilizers, Bio-Stimulants, Bio-Pesticides, and Plant Growth Regulators solutions. Its state-of-the-art, fully mechanized manufacturing facilities ensure precision and quality, while a dedicated team of scientists works on pioneering advancements to meet the evolving needs of the agriculture industry. With over 250 product registrations under CIBRC, 50 under FCO, and 18 potential state permissions, Peptech Biosciences Ltd. stands as a trusted partner for agricultural brands worldwide. Along with Bacillus thuringiensis, Peptech Biosciences Ltd. offers a Bio-pesticide range that includes Beauveria bassiana and Azadirachtin and a Bio-fungicides range including Trichoderma viride, Trichoderma harzianum, Pseudomonas fluorescens, and Bacillus subtilis. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) BusinessWire India Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], March 24: Joy Personal Care, the Indian home-grown personal care brand, under the aegis of RSH Global, has unveiled a new campaign for Joy Lemon Facewash, featuring Bollywood icon Shah Rukh Khan alongside Sanya Malhotra. Enriched with the goodness of lemons, the facewash effectively clears dullness and deeply cleanses the skin, making it an essential part of any skincare routine. With Active Fruit Boosters, it rejuvenates the skin, leaving it refreshed and brighter. The light-hearted TVC showcases a fun exchange between Shah Rukh Khan and Sanya Malhotra. As Sanya relaxes with a goop on her face, SRK enters, looking perplexed. Playfully, Sanya mimics his signature open-arm gesture, explaining that she's applying it for a brighter look. With a smile, SRK introduces Joy Lemon Facewash as the ultimate skincare solution. Infused with Active Fruit Boosters and crushed lemon milli globules and free from harsh chemicals, it clears impurities, rejuvenates the skin, and enhances brightness--making it a must-have in any skincare routine. The TVC ends with SRK's signature charm, reinforcing Joy's promise--Beautiful by Nature. The film will be further amplified across various media channels such as Television, YouTube, Social Media and other Digital platforms. Commenting on the launch of the TVC, Sunil Agarwal, Co-founder and Chairman of Joy Personal Care (RSH Global), stated, "Joy Lemon Facewash our flagship summer-centric product, is specially crafted for India's unpredictable tropical climate. Designed to tackle the challenges of sultry summers, where excess sweat leads to clogged pores and dullness, this nature-based facewash provides a gentle yet effective solution--cleansing deeply without causing dryness. With Shah Rukh Khan and Sanya Malhotra coming together once again, our campaign aims to resonate with a wide audience, emphasizing the efficacy and everyday relevance of Joy Lemon Facewash in a summer skincare routine." Commenting on the new campaign, Poulomi Roy, Chief Marketing Officer of Joy Personal Care (RSH Global), added, "We are excited to have Shah Rukh Khan and Sanya Malhotra back for our latest Joy Lemon Facewash TVC. As temperature rises and sun exposure increases, skin concerns like breakouts, uneven tone, impurities and dullness become more prevalent. This campaign not only addresses these challenges but also showcases the effectiveness of our product in protecting and nourishing the skin. Partnering with such influential personalities allows us to reach a wider audience and further strengthen our brand's presence in skincare." Shah Rukh Khan commented on the association, "I'm thrilled to continue my association with Joy Face Wash. Skincare is crucial, especially in summer, and Joy's natural formulas effectively address common skin concerns. I appreciate their focus on real beauty and practical solutions. Great to be part of their journey again!" Sanya Malhotra, added, "Working with Shah Rukh Khan again for Joy Personal Care has been an amazing experience. Joy's Lemon Facewash is perfect for summer, helping to reduce dullness and tanning. I'm elated to be part of this campaign and to bring its message to life." Joy Personal Care is committed to celebrating natural beauty without promoting unrealistic standards. Healthy, nourished skin deserves daily care, and Joy Lemon Facewash is designed to deliver just that. Infused with natural ingredients, it helps remove impurities, remove dullness, and reduce breakouts--unlocking your skin's journey to health and rejuvenation. Link to the TVC https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLekmh3SC8Y (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by BusinessWire India. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) PRNewswire Surat (Gujarat) [India], March 24: Jainam Broking Limited successfully organized the sixth edition of the Indian Options Conclave (IOC 6.0) on March 21st and 22nd, 2025, at the SIECC Convention Centre, Surat. As India's premier options trading conclave, IOC 6.0 witnessed an unprecedented 20,429 registrations (online and spot)--the highest in its history--spanning 28 states, 5 union territories, and 683 cities nationwide. The event attracted 15,683 attendees, 60 exhibitors, and 40 expert speakers for two days of insightful discussions, live trading demonstrations, and groundbreaking industry innovations. A Hub of Knowledge & Market Insights IOC 6.0 provided traders, investors, and financial professionals with an unparalleled platform to explore advanced trading strategies, market trends, and cutting-edge innovations. Attendees participated in inspiring knowledge sessions led by industry veterans, real-time live trading demonstrations, and an expansive exhibition featuring over 70 exhibitors showcasing the latest tools, platforms, and services revolutionizing the trading ecosystem. Exclusive Sessions by Industry Experts: A major highlight of the event was an exclusive session by Dr. Vijay Kedia, a renowned Indian investor and founder of Kedia Securities. He shared invaluable insights on successful investing, emphasizing the importance of sectoral trends and company management analysis in making informed decisions. Another unique session was conducted by Mr. Harshubh Shah, an Astro-mathematics trader and analyst, who delved into the scientific relevance of astrology in stock market trends. He elaborated on how astrological principles can be leveraged to enhance trading strategies, offering a fresh perspective to market participants. A Historic Guinness World Record Achievement In a monumental milestone, Jainam Broking Limited has officially earned a Guinness World Record for organizing the Largest Financial Investment Lesson. This remarkable accomplishment was made possible with the strong support and guidance of Mr. Harshubh Mahesh Shah, whose commitment was instrumental in turning this vision into reality. A record-breaking 5,293 participants came together in a single session to enhance their financial market knowledge--making history and advancing the cause of financial literacy in India. This achievement stands as a proud testament to Jainam Broking's dedication to empowering individuals through accessible and impactful financial education. Following the record-breaking success of Indian Options Conclave (IOC 6.0) in Surat, Jainam Broking Limited is set to expand its flagship event to multiple cities across India. The upcoming editions--IOC 6.1 to IOC 6.8--will be hosted in Jaipur, Kolkata, Delhi, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Indore, and Pune in the coming months. Renowned entrepreneur, author, and motivational speaker Ankur Warikoo shared powerful insights on personal finance and wealth creation, highlighting the importance of financial education and long-term investing. Known for his relatable delivery and practical advice, Warikoo covered a range of key financial principles aimed at helping individuals take charge of their financial future. Leadership Insights on IOC 6.0's Success Reflecting on the event's success, Mr. Milan Parikh, Managing Director of Jainam Broking Limited, remarked, "IOC 6.0 was a celebration of financial expertise, uniting some of the brightest minds in the industry. Our Guinness World Record achievement is a testament to our commitment to empowering investors through knowledge, innovation, and expert insights." A Legacy of Trading Excellence Jainam Broking Limited has transformed IOC 6.0 into a powerhouse of trading excellence, setting new benchmarks in strategy, education, and execution. By bridging knowledge with action, the firm continues to empower traders to stay ahead in the dynamic world of options trading. With each edition, IOC strengthens its reputation as the ultimate platform for those who strive not just to trade, but to master the markets. Acknowledging Our Valued Partners Jainam Broking Limited extends its heartfelt gratitude to its partners for their unwavering support in making IOC 6.0 a grand success: Diamond Partner: Metropolitan Stock Exchange (MSE), Platinum Partner: Greeksoft, Silver Partners: O I Pulse & Malkan Views, Exchange Partners: BSE, NSE, MCX, ICCL, NCDEX, CDSL, Banking Partner: Axis Bank, Risk Partner: Nerve, Media Partner: Khushi Advertising, Event Partner: U&I Resources Pvt Ltd., Internet Partner: Airlink About Jainam Broking Limited Jainam Broking Limited is a public limited company established in 2003 and headquartered in Surat, Gujarat. The company is a member of NSE, BSE, MCX, MSE, NCDEX, and CDSL, offering a wide range of financial services, including equity, derivatives, currency, commodities, IPOs, PMS, mutual funds, insurance, and asset management. With 25+ branches, 1,200+ partners, and 2.8+ lakh DP accounts across India, the company has won numerous awards for its performance and services, including NSE Market Achievers Regional Retail Member of the Year, MCX Leading Member in Options, and Best Performance in SLBM at BSE. Jainam's vision is to become the most trusted and preferred financial partner for its customers and partners. For more information, visit https://www.jainam.in/. Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2648193/Jainam_Broking_Guinness_World_Record.jpg Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2624365/5177504/Jainam_Broking_Limited_Logo.jpg (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) ATK New Delhi [India], March 24: Have you ever woken up feeling more tired than when you went to bed? Or experienced back pain that lasts for days or even weeks? The secret to truly restful sleep isn't just about the hours you spend in bed, instead, it's about choosing the right mattress. Finding the perfect balance of comfort and support can feel overwhelming with so many options available. The orthopedic memory foam mattress and the dual comfort mattress are among the most preferred options. While both promise a great night's sleep, they cater to different sleep needs. In the blog, we will explore the key differences between an orthopedic memory foam mattress vs dual comfort mattress which can help you make an informed decision. Understanding Orthopedic Memory Foam Mattresses An Orthopedic memory foam mattress is designed to provide superior support for individuals with back pain, joint discomfort, or those who need pressure relief. Made from memory foam, it contours to the body, reducing pressure points, improving spinal alignment, and enhancing overall sleep quality. Benefits of an Orthopedic Memory Foam Mattress 1. Pressure Relief and Support - The key benefit of an orthopedic memory foam mattress is that it contours to the natural curves of the body, supporting high-pressure areas like the shoulders, back, and hips, which is ideal for individuals with musculoskeletal concerns. The ortho memory foam mattress ensures that the spine remains aligned, thereby preventing discomfort and relieving body aches. 2. Improved Spinal Alignment - One of the standout features of an orthopedic foam mattress is its ability to keep the spine properly aligned during sleep. This is vital in preventing back pain and promoting long-term spinal health. 3. Motion Isolation - Memory foam is known for its motion isolation properties. If you share a bed with a partner, the ortho foam mattress will limit disturbance caused by movement, ensuring restful sleep for both individuals. 4. Durability - A high-quality orthopedic memory foam mattress king size or queen size ensures long-lasting support and maintains its shape over time. They resist sagging and retain their supportive structure for years, making them a smart choice for sustained sleep health and comfort. 5. Hypoallergenic - Premium memory foam mattresses are crafted with hypoallergenic properties, effectively resisting dust mites, mold, and other allergens. This makes them an excellent choice for individuals with allergies or respiratory sensitivities. Dual Comfort Mattress A dual comfort mattress is designed for individuals who want the flexibility to customize the firmness of their mattress. It offers two firmness levels: one side firm for strong support and the other soft for a plush feel, allowing sleepers to choose based on preference or changing needs. Benefits of Dual Comfort Mattress 1. Customizable Comfort - The most meaningful benefit of a dual comfort mattress is its dual-sided design. This allows sleepers can experience firm and soft surfaces, depending on what they need at the time. This feature is particularly beneficial for couples, who may have different firmness preferences. 2. Temperature Regulation - Many dual comfort mattresses contain materials that ensure better airflow, helping to regulate body temperature during sleep. This may benefit those who tend to sleep hot. 3. Versatility - A dual comfort mattress offers the flexibility of two firmness levels in one, allowing users to switch between a soft and firm side based on their comfort preferences. This adaptability makes it suitable for various sleeping positions and changing needs over time. 4. Longevity - The ability to rotate and flip the mattress helps ensure even weight distribution, reducing wear and tear. This will make the mattress more durable and a worthwhile investment for long-term use. 5. Individualized Comfort - Whether one wants a soft surface for pressure relief or a firmer one for better spinal alignment, a dual comfort mattress is an ideal choice for households with diverse sleeping preferences. 6. Enhanced Support - This mattress provides balanced support, ensuring proper posture and spinal alignment, thus preventing discomfort and promoting restful sleep. Key Considerations When Selecting Between a Memory Foam Mattress and a Dual Comfort Mattress 1. Sleeping Position & Comfort Preference: If one person prefers a mattress that adjusts according to body contours and offers deep pressure relief, then an orthopedic memory foam mattress would be a perfect choice. A dual comfort mattress offers more flexibility for those who like the option of choosing between a soft and firm surface. 2. Temperature Regulation: Memory foam mattresses tend to retain heat, though many modern variants come with cooling gel technology to enhance airflow. A breathable material and open-cell structure promote better air circulation, which are often found in dual comfort mattresses. 3. Durability: A high-quality ortho foam mattress is resistant to sagging and retains its supportive properties for years. A dual comfort mattress benefits from being flippable, helping to distribute wear evenly and extend its lifespan. 4. Budget: Orthopedic foam mattresses are usually a premium investment because of their advanced pressure-relieving technology and orthopedic benefits. A dual comfort mattress is a cost-effective option because it offers two firmness levels in one. Why Kurlon? Kurlon has been the pioneer in the mattress industry, providing high-quality sleep solutions that cater to sleeper's needs. Whether it's orthopedic memory foam mattress that targets spinal support or a versatile dual comfort mattress, Kurlon ensures premium craftsmanship, durability, and innovation in every product. Conclusion In conclusion, while both orthopedic memory foam mattresses and dual comfort mattresses offer unique advantages, they are designed to cater to different sleep requirements. If the preferences are spinal support and pain relief, then the orthopedic memory foam mattress is the best option. On the other hand, a dual comfort mattress provides versatility and customization, allowing users to switch between firm and soft surfaces based on their comfort preferences. Kurlon offers a premium selection in both categories so that sleepers can find the right mattress according to their needs. Visit Kurlon today and explore the best options for a healthier, more comfortable sleep experience! (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by ATK. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) Chinese vice premier encourages multinational companies to expand investment in China Xinhua) 08:31, March 24, 2025 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) (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) The News in Brief Tuesday, March 25, 2025 The parliamentary investigative commission established by Georgian Dream (GD) to examine the activities of the Unity - National Movement (UNM) government has summoned Lelo for Georgia party leaders Mamuka Khazaradze and Badri Japaridze for questioning.The commission's session is scheduled for March 25 at 10:00, where the case of "Magnati" LLC will be discussed. The company's owner, Jemal Leonidze, and his lawyer, as well as Khazaradze and Japaridze, have been invited to attend. However, it remains unclear whether the Lelo leaders will be present at the session.The investigative commission, chaired by Thea Tsulukiani, was formed by Georgian Dream to examine the activities of the UNM government from 2003-2012.According to GD's official statement, the commission aims to conduct an "accurate and transparent investigation" into the previous government's activities and assess any political, economic, or other threats that may have stemmed from that period. The findings will be used to prepare recommendations, conclusions, and draft decisions.Mikheil Kavelashvili has rejected the lawsuit filed by Salome Zourabichvili against the Russian law, leading to the termination of the case in the Constitutional Court.On October 9, 2024, the Constitutional Court had partially accepted the president's lawsuit for consideration. The court was set to examine the law's compliance with several articles of the Constitution.A statement released by Kavelashvili's administration justified the rejection of the lawsuit, emphasizing the law's role in ensuring transparency and accountability:"The Georgian Law on Transparency of Foreign Influence is based on transparency and accountability, which contributes to the protection of the most important principle of Georgian statehood - the national sovereignty of the state and the stable development of the country."The statement further outlined the purpose of the law:"The law serves to inform the public as much as possible about the origin of funding for organizations that promote the interests of foreign powers. Accordingly, the President of Georgia, Mikheil Kavelashvili, has decided to reject the constitutional lawsuit." SMPL New Delhi [India], March 24: The Veer & Veterans Punjab Border Heritage Motorcycle Ride, a tribute to Punjab's rich history and the sacrifices of its bravehearts, successfully culminated yesterday on Shaheedi Diwas. Covering over five days, the ride traced the border districts of Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Ferozepur, and Fazilka, before concluding in Faridkot. A diverse group of riders, hailing from varied professional backgrounds, embarked on this journey from Delhi, uniting their shared passion for heritage and adventure as they reached Chandigarh to officially commence the Veer & Veterans Punjab Border Heritage Ride. Organized by Oxbow Explore, the expedition brought together veterans and civilian riders, strengthening the connection between the armed forces, the people of Punjab, and its historical legacy. The event was further enriched by the participation of Indian Army riders from the Golden Arrow Division, who joined the convoy in Ferozepur, symbolizing the deep bond between the military and local communities. Throughout the ride, the team visited several historic and war memorials, paying tribute to the sacrifices of soldiers and revolutionaries who shaped Punjab's legacy. Key sites included: Asal Uttar & Khem Karan Shaheed Smarak--Honoring the bravery of Indian soldiers in the 1965 Indo-Pak War, Pul Kanjari & Dera Baba Nanak--Showcasing Punjab's cultural heritage and its deep-rooted history, Jallianwala Bagh--Remembering the martyrs of the 1919 massacre, a pivotal moment in India's freedom struggle, Hussainiwala Border & Shaheed Memorial of Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev--Paying homage to the martyrs of India's independence movement, Ferozeshah & Mudki War Memorials--Commemorating the historic battles fought during the Anglo-Sikh wars, Qila Mubarak--a fortress rich in Punjab's royal history. Punjab Police played a crucial role in ensuring a smooth and secure passage for the convoy, providing logistical and security assistance throughout the journey. Their support allowed the riders to navigate the border districts seamlessly, reinforcing the discipline and coordination of the expedition. In Ferozepur, the ride received a grand welcome by the DCM Group of Schools, where students performed cultural programs to honor the riders. Speaking at the event, Dr. Anirudh Gupta, Chairman, DCM Group of Schools, remarked, "This ride is more than a journey--it is a tribute to Punjab's warriors and a call to preserve our rich heritage. By retracing these historic routes, we ensure that the stories of bravery and sacrifice continue to inspire future generations." A round table conference was also organized in Ferozepur, focusing on increasing tourism in Punjab's border areas. Stakeholders from tourism, defense, and local administration deliberated on strategies to promote heritage tourism, adventure tourism, and cultural initiatives to revitalize these historically significant regions. Following the conference, the convoy was flagged off by GOC of 7 Infantry Division, Major General Ranjeet Singh Manral, marking the final stretch of the ride. The expedition culminated in Faridkot, where Baba Farid University hosted a flag-in ceremony, warmly welcoming the riders. Deputy GOC, Brigadier Bikram Singh, who led the riders on the last leg of the journey, shared his thoughts on the experience: "This ride was not just about covering distances; it was about reconnecting with our history, paying tribute to the brave, and strengthening the bond between the forces and the people. The enthusiasm and support we received along the way show that Punjab remembers and values its heroes." Reflecting on the significance of the journey, Manissha Dutta, CEO of Oxbow Explore, stated, "The Veer & Veterans Punjab Border Heritage Ride is a tribute to the courage and sacrifice that define Punjab. Riding through these historic landscapes, we not only honored the past but also created new connections between civilians and veterans. Oxbow Explore remains committed to pioneering expeditions that celebrate India's borders and the incredible stories they hold." With its successful completion, the Veer & Veterans Punjab Border Heritage Motorcycle Ride has established itself as a landmark tribute to Punjab's history, valor, and cultural heritage. Plans are already in motion to expand the initiative, ensuring that the legacy of Punjab's warriors continues to inspire generations to come. For Media Inquiries: Hemant Verma 9220383879 hemant@oxbowmedia.in Oxbow Media (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by SMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) NewsVoir New Delhi [India], March 24: Cargill, a global leader in food and agriculture, has been recognized for Outstanding Performance and Strong Commitment in Food Safety at the 15th edition of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Food Safety Awards 2024. The awards, presented at a ceremony in New Delhi highlights Cargill's ongoing commitment to maintaining the highest food safety standards across its operations. The company received these recognitions in the 'Large Manufacturing Food Businesses - Fats & Oils' category, 'Outstanding Performance in Food Safety' for Kurkumbh plant in Maharashtra and 'Strong Commitment in Food Safety' for Kandla plant in Gujarat. This honor underscores Cargill's dedication to stringent food safety protocols, superior quality control, and cutting-edge manufacturing practices. The award was presented by Hashmat Ali Yatoo, IAS, Commissioner of Food Safety and Drugs Administration in Jammu and Kashmir, Mr Minhaj Alam, IAS, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Dr Alka Rao, Advisor - Science, Standards & Regulations Food Safety & Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), and Ms. Kavery Ganguly, Principal Lead, CII Food and Agriculture Centre of Excellence (FACE). Commenting on the achievement, Simon George, Managing Director, Cargill Food South Asia, said, "This recognition is a reflection of our team's unwavering commitment to food safety and quality. At Cargill, we prioritize world-class practices to ensure that our products not only meet but exceed global food safety standards. The Kurkumbh and Kandla plants are a prime example of our efforts in automation, testing, and training, which work together to provide safe, high-quality food to our consumers. We remain dedicated to continuous improvement and innovation in food safety." Sunil Nair, B2B Go-to-Market and R&D and Technical Services & Application Leader added, "We are proud to be recognized for our dedication to food safety excellence. The 'Outstanding Performance in Food Safety' Award not only highlights our rigorous standards--exemplified by the success of our Kurkumbh and Kandla plants--but also reinforces our role as a trusted partner in delivering safe, high-quality food solutions to our customers across India." The CII Food Safety Awards serve as a benchmark for excellence in food safety across various sectors of the food industry, including Beverages, Dairy, Bakery, Edible Oils, Ready-to-Eat Snacks, and more. The awards evaluate companies based on their adherence to rigorous food safety standards, leadership in implementing food safety measures, and compliance with regulatory and statutory guidelines. The assessment process includes detailed onsite evaluations by a team of experts, ensuring that only the best practices in food safety are recognized. Cargill's Commitment to Food Safety For over 35 years, Cargill has implemented robust food safety mechanisms in India, ensuring compliance through advanced infrastructure, trained personnel, and stringent quality control processes. The Kurkumbh plant, which was the recipient of this year's award, is a prime example of Cargill's dedication to food safety. It features state-of-the-art infrastructure, in-house testing facilities, and automated packaging lines that minimize manual intervention, ensuring product safety at every stage. Cargill's Product Safety, Quality, and Regulatory Policy adheres to Indian food safety and international standards, ensuring product safety, quality, authenticity, and regulatory compliance. In addition, the company has a Continuous Improvement Production Excellence (CIPE) team that is dedicated to enhancing quality management programs and processes across all products and services. Cargill's continuous focus on food safety has earned it multiple accolades at the CII Food Safety Awards. In 2023, the company received two awards for 'Significant Achievement in Food Safety' for its Kurkumbh and Davangere plants. This year's recognition for the Kurkumbh and Kandla plants further validates Cargill's leadership in food safety and its continued commitment to excellence. The CII Food Safety Award, with its emphasis on Food Safety Maturity Assessment, serves as a symbol of credibility and pride in the industry. It recognizes and celebrates the capacity-building efforts of organizations and promotes the adoption of internationally benchmarked food safety practices. Cargill is committed to providing food, ingredients, agricultural solutions, and industrial products to nourish the world in a safe, responsible, and sustainable way. Sitting at the heart of the supply chain, we partner with farmers and customers to source, make and deliver products that are vital for living. Our 160,000 team members innovate with purpose, providing customers with life's essentials so businesses can grow, communities prosper, and consumers live well. With 159 years of experience as a family company, we look ahead while remaining true to our values. We put people first. We reach higher. We do the right thing--today and for generations to come. For more information, visit Cargill.com and our News Center. The CII Food Safety Award is one of India's most respected industry platforms for recognizing food safety best practices across the supply chain. The awards cover 23 food business sectors and focus on evaluating companies based on their food safety strategy, systems, and performance. Winners undergo a rigorous assessment process that includes onsite evaluations by a panel of food safety experts. The award provides companies with an opportunity to benchmark their practices against international standards and receive valuable feedback for continuous improvement. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) The Payments Council of India (PCI), an industry body representing a diverse range of non-banking payment industry players, with 180 members, has submitted a formal letter to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking urgent reconsideration of the Zero Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) policy for Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and RuPay debit card transactions, according to a release. The letter acknowledges the government's visionary leadership in promoting digital payments and financial inclusion, making India a global leader in digital transactions. It highlights the pressing financial sustainability concerns facing the digital payments ecosystem due to the continued Zero MDR policy, which has been in effect since January 2020, the release stated. While the government has provided financial incentives to offset some of the ecosystem's operational costs, the letter points out that the INR 1,500 crore allocation covers only a fraction of the estimated INR 10,000 crore annual cost required to maintain and expand UPI services. The PCI emphasized that sustaining India's digital payments growth would require continuous investments in innovation, cybersecurity, merchant onboarding, compliance, and IT infrastructure. To address this challenge, the industry proposes the introduction of an MDR for RuPay debit cards for all merchants and a reasonable MDR of 0.3% for UPI only for large merchants, the release stated. This approach aligns with existing MDR structures for other digital payment instruments, such as credit cards (approximately 2%) and non-RuPay debit cards (approximately 0.9%). The PCI assured the government that the introduction of nominal MDR for RuPay Debit cards and UPI (for large merchants) would not result in any operational disruption, even in the short term, as these merchants were already accustomed to MDR on other payment modes. The industry body highlights that approximately six crore merchants in India accept digital payments, out of which 90 per cent are categorised as Small Merchants as per the definition of RBI (turn over Rs. 20 L and below per annum), with around 50 lakh merchants categorized as large enterprises. Enabling MDR for Rupay Debit and UPI large merchants will ensure sustainable monetization for service providers without disrupting digital payment adoption at the grassroots level as the merchants already pay MDR for different payment systems, the release added. MDR is the lifeline of the digital payments ecosystem. Without it, the sustainability of the entire infrastructure is at risk. The introduction of a reasonable MDR for large merchant transactions will allow the industry to continue investing in innovation, cybersecurity, grievance redressal, and merchant support, ultimately ensuring that UPI continues to thrive. The PCI has requested the Prime Minister's intervention in this matter and has sought an opportunity to present its case in greater detail. The industry body remains committed to working closely with the government and regulators to strengthen India's digital payments ecosystem while ensuring financial sustainability, the release added. (ANI) Filmmaker Karan Johar shared his thoughts on Netflix''s latest crime drama ''Adolescence'', calling it a powerful reminder for parents coping with the challenges of raising children in today''s digital world. Johar, who is a father to twins, took to Instagram on Monday to share a long note in which he expressed how the series deeply impacted him not just as a filmmaker but also as a parent. In his note, the filmmaker shared how no "book or podcast" can prepare someone to be their best self and added that it is up to parents to first focus on being their "best version," since everything they do, say, and believe will inevitably shape their children. "To be a parent... I have always known that raising a child is as much a blessing as it is an arduous responsibility. No book or podcast can prepare you or teach you to be the best version of yourself as a parent. What you need to first be is the best version of YOURSELF... the very best. What you say, how you say it, what you feel, and how you express it... your habits, your behavior, your ideologies, your politics... EVERYTHING will eventually rub off on your child," Johar wrote on Instagram. The filmmaker went on to heap praise on the series for its portrayal of serious issues like bullying, toxic masculinity, and the influence of social media on young minds, describing the show as a "masterclass for parents." "Adolescence is a wake-up call to parents who are raising children in the times of social media. I grew up on conversations; they speak in emojis. I grew up on books; they scroll reels. I grew up on self-discovery; they are surrounded by comparisons. The pandemic is NOW! We just don''t see it. This gut-wrenching show is more a mirror to parenting and social media commentary than anything I have seen or been impacted by recently. The gaze of perceived masculinity. The impact of bullying. The turning a blind eye to children''s habits and patterns. This four-episode miniseries is a masterclass for parents. The technical marvel of four groundbreaking long shots moved me as a filmmaker but broke me as a parent..." he wrote. Sharing how the crime series has heightened his sense of responsibility as a father, Johar expressed gratitude to the makers, saying, "I am raising twins, and I thank this show for building my awareness and my responsibility quotient even more. This is more than a series; it''s a forever lesson. I am grateful to the creators of Adolescence and to Netflix!" Take a look https://www.instagram.com/p/DHjqVmiTzK9/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== Adolescence is a British crime drama miniseries created by Jack Thorne and Stephen Graham and directed by Philip Barantini. The four-episode series follows the arrest of a 13-year-old schoolboy, Jamie Miller, played by Owen Cooper, who is accused of murdering a female classmate. What also makes the series a masterclass is that each episode is filmed in a single, continuous take. Graham, who is co-creator of the show also plays the role of Eddie Miller, the father of accused Jamie Miller. The series premiered on Netflix on March 13 and has received widespread critical acclaim for its writing, direction, and performances. Earlier, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer also praised the series and said he watched it with his own teenage children. He also backed the idea of the crime-drama being shown at the UK Parliament and government schools. (ANI) Former Vanity Fair editor Graydon Carter has recently shared the reason why disgraced film producer Harvey Weinstein was permanently excluded from the magazine's exclusive Oscars party. According to Deadline, the details were disclosed in Carter's upcoming book, 'When the Going Was Good', set to be released on Tuesday. According to Carter, Weinstein, who was once a regular at the high-profile event, earned his lifetime ban due to his repeated rude and disrespectful behaviour toward the staff. According to Deadline, Carter explained that Weinstein would often arrive at the event with more guests than his invitation allowed and would bully the event staff. The tipping point came when the producer's behaviour crossed the line of what was deemed acceptable. "Weinstein got banned from everything because he was rude to the staff, and I didn't like that," Carter said. While many assumed that Weinstein's behaviour might have been influenced by alcohol, Carter clarified that it was not the drinks but rather an intrinsic part of his character. "It was not from drink. It was just within him," Carter added, as per Deadline. Graydon Carter, who served as editor-in-chief of Vanity Fair from 1992 to 2017, began hosting the magazine's famous Oscars party in 1994. The event quickly became one of the most sought-after invitations in Hollywood. Carter recalled that following the death of Hollywood agent Swifty Lazar, who was famous for his own Oscars parties, he took the reins and made the event a glittering gathering for the stars. However, as Carter revealed, securing a spot at the event was not always smooth sailing. Sara Marks, the editor responsible for managing the guest list, often faced bribery, threats, and even abuse from those desperate to secure an invite. Despite the constant pressure surrounding the guest list, Carter emphasized that the ban on Weinstein was a direct result of his poor treatment of staff. This adds to the larger pattern of misconduct that would eventually lead to his dramatic fall from grace. Since 2017, more than 80 women have accused Weinstein of sexual harassment, assault, or rape. These allegations sparked the #MeToo movement, with many women coming forward to share their stories. In 2020, Weinstein was convicted of one count of criminal sexual assault and one count of rape in the third degree, leading to a 23-year prison sentence. In 2022, he was found guilty of three additional charges in Los Angeles and sentenced to another 16 years. However, Weinstein's New York convictions were overturned in 2023 due to "egregious errors" made by the judge, according to Deadline. Weinstein is now awaiting a retrial scheduled for April 15, 2025, while serving time at Rikers Island. (ANI) The final report in the Ranya Rao gold smuggling case is likely to be submitted today, Karnataka Additional Chief Secretary Gaurav Gupta, said on Monday. Gupta, who is leading the investigation of the case, told the media that the investigation had been conducted thoroughly and also that no one was pressured during the inquiry. He also confirmed that multiple individuals associated with the case had been questioned. "We are checking the final details of the report and hope to submit it today... It was a thorough investigation; no one needs to feel under pressure...10-15 people were questioned..." Gupta said. "We have inquired with several people associated with the movement," he added. Ranya Rao was arrested on March 3 at Bengaluru's Kempegowda International Airport after officials from the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) found her carrying gold. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) later filed an FIR based on a complaint by Abhishek Chandra Gupta, Additional Director of DRI. The FIR was registered under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, along with several sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Samhita (BNS). According to the complaint, two foreign nationals were arrested at Mumbai Airport on March 6 for attempting to smuggle 21.28 kg of gold into India, valued at Rs. 18.92 crore. Abhishek Chandra Gupta, Additional Director of DRI, in his complaint, stated that these cases involving passengers traveling from Dubai and attempting to smuggle gold in large quantities point to a "possible nexus" with a coordinated smuggling syndicate, possibly operating from Dubai (UAE). Gupta, in his complaint, also suspected the involvement of public servants and others. (ANI) According to Deadline, the ceremony, which celebrates the best in British television, will take place on Sunday, May 11. Cumming, the performer known for his roles in 'The Good Wife', 'Golden Eye', and 'Spy Kids', is set to bring his unique brand of humour and charm to the event. Emma Baehr, Executive Director of Awards & Content at BAFTA, expressed her excitement about Cumming's involvement, saying, "He will definitely bring a playful sense of mischief and fun to the ceremony, so audiences should expect the unexpected at Britain's biggest celebration of TV," as quoted by Deadline. The nominations for the BAFTA TV Awards will be announced in the coming days, with shows like 'Baby Reindeer', 'Mr Bates vs the Post Office', and 'The Traitors' UK expected to receive recognition. Cumming's hosting gig marks the second time a Scottish actor has taken the helm at a BAFTA ceremony this year, following 'Doctor Who' star David Tennant's stint as host of the film awards. The BAFTA TV Awards take place on Sunday, May 11. (ANI) Hilaria Baldwin recently opened up about her relationship with her stepdaughter, Ireland Baldwin, and how they deal with their 11-year age gap. In a recent episode of The Baldwins, Hilaria shared that their dynamic is different from a traditional stepmother-stepdaughter relationship, according to People. "My relationship with Ireland is, I feel, unique for a stepmom and stepdaughter relationship, because that's technically what we are," the mother of seven said. "But first of all, I'm 11 years older than her. I didn't raise her, and we find tremendous humour in that, and we always have," she added. Hilaria also talked about how their bond has evolved now that both of them are mothers. She and her husband, Alec Baldwin, welcomed their youngest daughter, Ilaria Catalina Irena, in September 2022. Meanwhile, Ireland, 29, gave birth to her first child, Holland, in May 2023, with her boyfriend, RAC. "I haven't seen Ireland in a long time because we live so far apart and we both had babies, and even though Alec met his new baby granddaughter, I haven't met Holland until this little trip. We FaceTime all the time, we talk all the time, but we haven't actually met up. So, we got all the kids together for a playdate this morning," she said. "It's so wonderful because we were pregnant together, but just barely," she added. Back in 2019, Hilaria, while speaking to People, opened up about how she built a strong relationship with Ireland after her parents' divorce and chose not to get involved in past issues between Ireland's parents. "We've had a great relationship," she told PEOPLE at the time. "There are obviously things in the past... with her parents, they've suffered, and I don't get involved in that. I think that's one of the smartest things I've ever done. I'm here; everybody knows that I love them and care about them, and if they need me, I'm here. I'm never going to put my nose where it doesn't belong." (ANI) Actor Robert Downey Jr. shared how it was shocking for everyone to see him walk onstage dressed as Doctor Doom at San Diego Comic-Con last year; it was a shock to nearly everyone, in large part because he had already saved the Marvel Universe as Tony Stark. It seems the concept of Downey as a bad guy, Victor Von Doom, goes way back to before the actor was cast as Iron Man's alter ego, reported Deadline. "I remember you had all met with [Downey] already for, like, Doctor Doom or something on another project," director Jon Favreau said in a 2023 conversation with Marvel boss Kevin Feige. "I think he had come through on maybe [2005's] Fantastic Four, so everybody sort of knew who he was," as per the outlet. Victor Von Doom was ultimately portrayed in the 2005 film by Julian McMahon, and Downey went on to play Stark in 2008's Iron Man, but Feige held onto the idea of casting Downey as Doom, reported Deadline. Downey agreed, and the actor tried to talk his Avengers: Endgame directors into getting the band back together for the upcoming Avengers: Secret Wars and Avengers: Doomsday, as per the outlet. "Robert tried to talk us into doing it, but we said 'no.' We just didn't have a story. We didn't have a way in. We were resistant for a while." "One day Steve McFeely, one of our chief collaborators, said, 'I have an idea.' We went, 'That's the story!' That story has to be told. It's a really powerful story." What is that concept? Neither of the directors would divulge much until Joe offered, "The only thing I will say about the movie is this: We love villains who think they're the hero of their own stories. That's when they become three-dimensional, and they become more interesting. And when you have an actor like Robert Downey, you have to create a well-shaped, three-dimensional character for the audience," reported Deadline. (ANI) Mohanlal starrer 'L2: Empuraan' is all set to hit the theatres on March 27. To celebrate the release of the film, Good Shepherd College in Bengaluru have announced a holiday for students. A special show has also been arranged for the college students in YGR Signature Mall in Bengaluru, Karnataka, as per info shared by the college administration. As the college's MD, Tojo John is a huge fan of veteran actor Mohanlal; the college administration announced a holiday and organised a special show on the film's release day. After the massive success of its first instalment in 2019, the Prithviraj Sukumaran directorial 'L2: Empuraan' is one of the highly anticipated movies of 2025. Apart from Mohanlal, the film also stars Tovino Thomas, Abhimanyu Singh, Indrajith Sukumaran, Manju Warrier among others. Director Prithviraj Sukumaran earlier opened up about the challenges faced during its production. The film, starring Mohanlal, was shot in multiple international locations, including Turkey, France, London, Yemen, Senegal, Iraq, and China. Prithviraj Sukumaran revealed that finding the ideal locations for shooting was the biggest challenge. The 'Salaar' actor revealed that it took him two years to travel around the world to find the ideal locations for shooting the film. While speaking to ANI, he said, "The biggest challenge was that this is a film shot in real locations. So, it took me almost two years to travel around the world and find locations where I could shoot the film. That was a long process." The director also spoke about the logistical challenges of moving a large unit between cities and countries. He continued, "And then actually after having found those locations, to be travelling around the world with such a big unit, the logistical challenges of moving with such a big unit between cities within countries, all that I think was the biggest challenge." Prithviraj Sukumaran praised his production team, including producer Antony Perumbavoor, line producers Suresh Balaje and George Pius, creative director Nirmal Sahadev, and associate director Vava. "But full marks to my wonderful production team, my producer Antony Perumbavoor, my line producers Suresh Balaje and George Pius, my creative director Nirmal Sahadev, and my associate director Vava. For me, from a director's perspective, it was just a very smooth process. It was like the whole film moved like a well-oiled piece of machinery. But I'm sure underneath, these guys must have been working 24-7 for that to happen." said Prithviraj. Superstar Mohanlal also stressed the advantages of a pan-Indian film like L2: Empuraan, saying that it increases the chances of the movie's success as it has more screens and diverse viewers. He said, "As Prithviraj said, for a Malayalam film, this is a huge film, budget-wise. And we have the preparation of two years. But we have done films like this." He continued, "But the possibility of such films is bigger now, to come out with a film. And if it's a success, it will be a big success. Because now, we call this a pan-Indian film. We have Tamil and Telugu, with bigger options. Before that, we didn't have that kind of options. But in Empuraan, we created a big shout, like it's going to be a big film." As per the trailer, the second part of the film delves into social-political drama with Mohanlal's character at the centre. Packed with intensity, the video is a cinematic spectacle with Mohanlal commanding a larger-than-life screen presence as Khureshi-Ab'raam. The film is expected to offer a gripping glimpse into Khureshi's past and showcase a power struggle within the political party. (ANI) Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Vice Premier of the State Council Ding Xuexiang will attend and deliver a keynote speech at the opening plenary of the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2025 in Hainan on March 27 at the invitation of the Forum. At the invitation of Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi, French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noel Barrot will visit China from March 27 to 28. China News Service: Foreign Minister Wang Yi recently attended the China-Japan-ROK Trilateral Foreign Ministers Meeting and co-chaired the China-Japan High-Level Economic Dialogue in Japan. Can you share information on that? Guo Jiakun: We have released readouts, which you may refer to. While he was in Japan, Foreign Minister Wang Yi attended the 11th China-Japan-ROK Trilateral Foreign Ministers Meeting and held the China-Japan High-Level Economic Dialogue six years after the previous one. He also met with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, ROK Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul and others. The visit was a success. The foreign ministers of China, Japan and the ROK had in-depth exchanges of views on the trilateral cooperation and regional and international issues. They agreed that its important to uphold the momentum of trilateral cooperation, advance practical cooperation on all fronts, expand cooperation areas, deepen cultural and people-to-people exchange, and work for more outcomes that benefit the people of the three countries and the wider region. China and Japan agreed to follow through on the important common understandings between President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba in their meeting in Lima, fully advance the China-Japan strategic relationship of mutual benefit, step up exchanges and cooperation in various fields, and work for the steady and sustained development of the bilateral relations. Fifteen government departments from the two sides attended the high-level economic dialogue. They had in-depth communication on macro policies, trade and investment, digital economy, green development, ecological conservation, cultural and people-to-people exchanges and regional cooperation. They also made plans for cooperation going forward and reached 20 common understandings. As a Chinese saying goes, close neighbors are better than relatives far away. In a world with notably rising uncertainties and instabilities, China stands ready to work with Japan and the ROK to enhance mutual trust, deepen cooperation, resist disruption, and together contribute to regional and global peace and prosperity. AFP: Chinese Premier Li Qiang met with U.S. Senator Steve Daines on Sunday and said that Beijing and Washington should choose dialogue over confrontation. Following this meeting, can the Foreign Ministry give us any more details on what would be the next step in dialogue between the U.S. and China? Guo Jiakun: China has released a readout on the meeting, which you may refer to. China believes that the steady, sound and sustainable development of China-U.S. relations serves the common interests of both peoples and meets the shared aspiration of the international community. Global Times: Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya, and some other Japanese political figures when he attended the China-Japan-ROK Trilateral Foreign Ministers Meeting and co-chaired the China-Japan High-Level Economic Dialogue in Japan. According to Chinas readouts, Foreign Minister Wang Yi made clear during the meetings Chinas position and concerns on the issue of history. He stressed that the Japanese side should hold a correct perception of and attitude on history. Could you share with us more details on Chinas principled position on this issue? Guo Jiakun: As Foreign Minister Wang Yi said, the issue of history bears on the political foundation of China-Japan relations as well as peoples sentiments in China and other Asian countries victimized by Japanese aggression during the war. Having a correct perception of and attitude on history is an important prerequisite for Japans return to the international community after World War II, the political foundation of Japans relations with neighboring countries, and more importantly, an important yardstick for Japans commitment to peaceful development. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese Peoples War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-fascist War. History, if not forgotten, can serve as a guide for the future. To bear in mind the history during the last century is not for perpetuating hatred but for cherishing the hard-won peace and creating a bright future. The four political documents between China and Japan established the important political principle of seeing history as a mirror and looking ahead to the future, and Japan made serious political commitments. We hope the Japanese side will earnestly draw lessons from history, have a strong sense of responsibility to history, people and the future, make a clean break with the moves of whitewashing the history of aggression, follow the path of peaceful development, and take concrete actions to earn the trust of its Asian neighbors and the international community. Polish Press Agency: The German media outlet Welt am Sonntag has reported Chinese diplomats are discussing in Brussels the possibility of its participation in a potential peacekeeping contingent in Ukraine. Can you confirm that? Is China considering sending peacekeeping troops to Ukraine? What are the prerequisites for this decision? Guo Jiakun: The report is not true at all. Chinas stance on the Ukraine crisis is consistent and clear. China Daily: We noted that days ago, the Group of Friends for Peace on the Ukraine crisis had a meeting again in New York and held a media stakeout. Could you share more details with us? Guo Jiakun: The Group of Friends for Peace on the Ukraine crisis recently had a meeting in New York. They discussed the latest developments of the Ukraine crisis and the prospects for achieving a lasting peace. A media stakeout was held after the meeting, highlighting that the meeting was highly successful and reaffirming the resolution of the conflict through a negotiated political solution and diplomatic means. Members of the Group stressed that the conflict might be approaching a turning point and welcomed recent dynamics toward peace talks. They urged all stakeholders to play a constructive role, find a just and lasting solutionone that addresses concerns of the parties to the conflict and leads to a peace agreement acceptable to them. The Group will stay committed to maintaining close communication with all relevant parties, making the voices of the Global South heeded by more, and contributing to a peaceful resolution to the conflict and a better future for all. Since its founding last September, under the guidance of the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, the Group of Friends for Peace on the Ukraine crisis has consistently advocated for an early peaceful resolution, and rallied positive forces for political settlement of the crisis. China will continue to work with the international community to make more rational voices for peace talks heard, create conditions for ending the conflict and promoting peace talks, build momentum and play an active and constructive role for the political settlement of the crisis. CCTV: Its reported that U.S. Senator Steve Daines said in an interview with Bloomberg on March 23 that hed like to arrange a bipartisan delegation of U.S. senators to China later this year after David Perdue is confirmed as ambassador to the country. Whats Chinas response? Guo Jiakun: China welcomes more members of the Congress and American people from all walks of life to visit China so as to learn about China in a more objective way, and play a constructive role for the steady, sound and sustainable development of China-U.S. relations. Shenzhen TV: To follow up on Foreign Minister Barrots visit to China, can you brief us on the program of the visit and Chinas expectation? Guo Jiakun: China and France celebrated the 60th anniversary of our diplomatic ties last year. President Xi Jinpings successful state visit to France has led the bilateral ties onto a new journey and produced profound and positive impact internationally. The upcoming visit will be Foreign Minister Barrots first visit to China after coming into office. During his visit, Foreign Minister Wang Yi will hold talks with him to exchange views on following through on the two presidents common understandings, advancing China-France relations and China-EU relations, and other topics of common interest. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the World Anti-Fascist War and the 80th anniversary of the establishment of the United Nations. The international landscape we are facing is an increasing mix of turbulence and transformation with rising instability and uncertainty. China and France are permanent members of the UN Security Council and each others comprehensive strategic partner. It is imperative for us to enhance strategic communication and contribute to world peace, stability and development. Through this visit, China hopes to work with France to consolidate political mutual trust, uphold openness and win-win, promote solidarity and coordination, safeguard multilateralism, jointly guard against the undertows of unilateralism and the law of the jungle, and inject more certainty to the world. China Review News: According to what has been released by Chinas Ministry of Foreign Affairs, while he was in Japan, Foreign Minister Wang Yi talked about the Taiwan question with Japanese political figures. He stressed that the four political documents between China and Japan have made clear provisions on the Taiwan question, which must be strictly implemented without ambiguity or backsliding. Can you further brief us on Chinas stance? Guo Jiakun: Taiwan is an inalienable part of Chinas territory. The Taiwan question is at the core of Chinas core interest, and bears on the political foundation of China-Japan relations and basic trust between the two countries. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the recovery of Taiwan. Japan undeniably bears historical responsibilities on the Taiwan question. The Cairo Declaration issued by China, the U.S. and the UK in 1943 stated in explicit terms that Taiwan is a territory that Japan had stolen from the Chinese, and shall be restored to China. Article 8 of the Potsdam Proclamation jointly issued by China, the U.S., the UK and the Soviet Union in 1945 stipulates that the terms of the Cairo Declaration shall be carried out. On August 15, 1945, Japan accepted the Potsdam Proclamation and announced unconditional surrender. Later in 1972, Japan pledged in the China-Japan Joint Statement that it firmly maintains its position under Article 8 of the Potsdam Proclamation. The Treaty of Peace and Friendship Between China and Japan signed in 1978 clearly stated that the principles set out in the statement should be strictly observed. The treaty was deliberated and approved by the legislators of the two countries, and together with the China-Japan Joint Statement, constitute legally binding documents that provide guidance for the bilateral ties. The above-mentioned historical evidence and legal basis fully show that abiding by the one-China principle is the serious political commitment and obligation under international law that Japan must follow. The false narrative, including a Taiwan emergency is a Japanese emergency and the China-Japan Joint Statement is not legally binding, will gravely erode the political foundation of China-Japan relations. Such narrative is not only wrong, but also very dangerous. We urge Japan to deliver on its commitment, handle the Taiwan question with extra prudence and take concrete actions to maintain the momentum of improvement and development in China-Japan relations. AFP: I have a question about China Eastern Airlines Flight 5735 which crashed three years ago in Guangxi and killed 132 people on board. Chinas civil aviation authority had issued statements on the probe into the crash on the first and second anniversaries. Are there any details you can provide on the ongoing investigation? Guo Jiakun: Id refer you to competent authorities for anything specific. TVB: According to reports, information from sources shows that Rodrigo Duterte, former president of the Philippines, before being arrested by the International Criminal Court (ICC) applied for asylum in China but was allegedly rejected. The Philippine National Polices Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) preferred to arrest Duterte in Hong Kong, but the Hong Kong Police Force refused to cooperate with the International Criminal Police Organization since China is neither a state party nor a member state to the Rome Statute. Whats Chinas comment? Can you confirm that Duterte sought asylum in China? If so, why did China reject the request? Guo Jiakun: The Commissioners Office of Chinas Foreign Ministry in the Hong Kong SAR has made a response on Mr. Rodrigo Dutertes visit to Hong Kong. Relevant personnel in the Philippines also made remarks on that. Let me point out in particular that Mr. Dutertes visit to Hong Kong was a private vacation trip. We have never received the so-called application for asylum to the Chinese government from former president Rodrigo Duterte or his family. We hope people from the media can be careful about the so-called information from sources, either unfounded or ill-motivated, and do not easily believe what they hear. The central government is expected to announce the expansion of its tuberculosis program to all districts across the country, alongside an extension of the 100-day TB campaign, which concludes today, official sources said. Initially implemented in 445 districts, the initiative has shown significant success in TB detection and treatment, prompting authorities to consider scaling it up nationwide. Sources told ANI that the Union Health Ministry will extend the program to sustain momentum in tackling the disease. In recognition of outstanding efforts during the campaign, the ministry will felicitate states, Union Territories, and panchayats in various categories at a special event marking World TB Day. "We will be honouring states, UTs, and villages that demonstrated exemplary support and performance during the 100-day TB awareness drive," sources stated. The campaign, supported by thousands of elected representatives and 22 ministries, has yielded substantial results. A total of 13.46 lakh Ni-kshay camps were conducted, screening 12.97 crore vulnerable individuals. Among them, 2.85 lakh asymptomatic cases were notified, and 7.19 lakh TB patients were detected. "If this initiative had not been launched, many asymptomatic TB cases could have gone undetected," an official remarked. India's progress in combating TB has been recognized in the WHO's Global TB Report 2024, which highlights a decline in the country's TB incidence rate--from 237 cases per lakh population in 2015 to 195 per lakh in 2023. (ANI) Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel graced the 11th All Community Mass Wedding Ceremony organized by Vagheshwari Charitable Trust in Waghodia and blessed 501 newlyweds. On this occasion, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel congratulated the newlywed couples and wished them a happy and prosperous married life. He said that mass wedding ceremonies truly align with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of 'Sauno Saath, Sauno Vikas, Sauno Vishwas, Sauno Prayas'. Highlighting the significance of such events, the Chief Minister described mass weddings as a vital social necessity in today's times, reflecting the strengthening spirit of unity and collaboration within society. He encouraged greater participation in mass wedding ceremonies, emphasizing that these events reflect the Prime Minister's vision of 'Sauno Saath, Sauno Vikas' and strengthen social harmony. Patel further said that MLA Vaghela, through this commendable initiative, has set a remarkable example of social responsibility as a public representative. He said that mass weddings cultivate unity, brotherhood, and a spirit of selfless service, contributing to the overall development of both the state and the nation. The Prime Minister has initiated a new era of social transformation with women empowerment at its core. Through the launch of the 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao' campaign, he has introduced several key policies and initiatives to enhance the social, educational, and economic well-being of girls and women. Guided by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision, the state government has rolled out various schemes to support girls throughout their lives, from childhood to old age. CM also highlighted that the state government extends financial assistance to girls and women through multiple initiatives. Gujarat has not only made significant economic strides but has also prioritized the upliftment of all sections of society. Emphasizing this, CM described Gujarat as a state that cherishes its cultural heritage and fosters social harmony. The Chief Minister said that the government extends financial assistance to promote mass weddings through various initiatives, including Saat Phera Samuh Lagna Yojana, Palak Mata-Pita Yojana, Mukhya Mantri Bal Seva Yojana, and Kuvarbai nu Mameru Yojana. The Chief Minister further added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has placed a strong focus on national development by harnessing the power of societal empowerment. He highlighted that achieving the goal of Viksit Bharat begins with the progress of Viksit Gujarat, making it a shared responsibility for all. To drive this vision forward, the Prime Minister has initiated sustainable development through initiatives like Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam, Catch the Rain, and Swachh Bharat. Bhupendra Patel encouraged the newlyweds and attendees to engage in these campaigns actively, playing a vital role in making Gujarat a cornerstone in the journey toward a Viksit Bharat. On this occasion, Dharmendrasinh Vaghela, Waghodia MLA and Trustee of Vagheshwari Charitable Trust extended a warm welcome to Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and expressed his heartfelt gratitude. He highlighted the various developmental initiatives undertaken in Waghodia Taluka and Waghodia Municipality. He particularly acknowledged the Chief Minister's support in granting Waghodia municipality status and allocating over Rs250 crore in grants within a year. He also mentioned the Chief Minister's approval for a six-lane road and the sanctioned funds for road and drainage infrastructure, which aimed to resolve traffic issues in the region. Vallabhadheesh Acharya Vrajraj Maharaj expressed his joy over the grand and sacred organization of the mass wedding ceremony, emphasizing that such all-community mass weddings are essential in today's society. On the occasion of the 11th community mass marriage ceremony, he encouraged Vagheshwari Charitable Trust, under the leadership of the MLA, to strive toward fulfilling the pledge of hosting the 51st all-community mass wedding in the future. On this occasion, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel presented Rs 15,000 cheques to adopted daughters who have lost their parents. Present at the event were the Chief Whip of the Legislative Assembly Balu Bhai Shukla, Mayor Pinkyben Soni, MP Dr. Hemang Joshi, city and district MLAs, dignitaries, senior leaders, former MPs and ministers, saints, members of Vagheshwari Charitable Trust, senior officials, and esteemed members of society. (ANI) Hitting out at the opposition over the Joint Action Committee meeting on the proposed delimitation issue, BJP MP from the Malkajgiri Lok Sabha constituency, Eatala Rajender, stated that the meeting is just for the purpose of defaming the union government. 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. While the next edition of the meeting is scheduled to be held in Hyderabad, BJP MP from the Malkajgiri Lok Sabha constituency, Eatala Rajender, stated that the meeting is just for the purpose of defaming the union government and the opposition wants of misleading the people which they will get to know very soon. "They (opposition) are trying to defame the central government... They want to mislead the people, and the public will get to know this soon...", Eatala Rajendar said while speaking to ANI on Sunday. 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. 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. 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. Earlier, 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." (ANI) On the occasion of Shaheed Diwas, former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said that it is the duty of the current generation to inform about the sacrifices of the freedom fighters to the next generation so that they can also create history. Ashok Gehlot said, "It was the dream of freedom fighters, who went to jail and sacrificed themselves for the freedom of the country, that the country remains intact and strong. The new ideology that has now come and become overpowering in the name of religion is very dangerous. If we do not tell things to the new generation, if we don't tell them of history, if we forget history, they will never be able to create history. It is our duty to inform about the sacrifices of the freedom fighters to the next generation." On Shaheed Diwas, families of the revolutionaries were honoured at Totuka Bhawan, Jaipur. In a post on X, Ashok Gehlot said, "Today, on Martyr's Day at Totuka Bhawan, Jaipur, I had the good fortune of meeting the family members of the revolutionaries who were martyred between 1857 and 1947." Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday paid tributes to freedom fighters Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, and Rajguru on Martyrs' Day (Shaheed Diwas) and said that these are greats who made an unparalleled contribution to our freedom struggle. The three freedom fighters were hanged to death by Britishers on March 23, 1931, in the Lahore conspiracy case. In a post on X, PM Modi said, "India will always remember the sacrifice of Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, and Rajguru. These are greats who made an unparalleled contribution to our freedom struggle." Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla, and Uttar Pradesh deputy chief minister Keshav Prasad Maurya were among the leaders who paid their respects. Gadkari posted, "Millions of salutes to the revolutionaries Bhagat Singh ji, Rajguru ji and Sukhdev ji on their sacrifice day, who sacrificed their everything for the motherland." Meanwhile, Birla said, "Emotional tribute to the martyrdom day of Amar Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev ji, the symbol of bravery of Indian youth. The great work done by him to achieve the goal of freedom of Mother India is an inspiration for the youth of the country. The country will always be grateful for those sacrifices." The official X handle of 'Amit Mahotsav' - the initiative to mark 75 years of independence - also shared a video on the 'shaheed special series' showcasing the inspiring stories of the freedom fighters. People across the country paid their tributes to the freedom fighters with trending Hashtags of 'Bhagat Singh', 'Sukhdev', 'Rajguru', and 'Shaheed Diwas'. March 23 is observed as Shaheed Diwas to pay tribute to Indian revolutionaries Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev, who were hanged by the British Government in 1931. The trio was found guilty of the murder of deputy police superintendent JP Saunders in 1928, to avenge the death of Lala Lajpat Rai. Bhagat Singh was 23, Rajguru was 22 and Sukhdev was 23 when they were hanged to death at Lahore Central Jail. (ANI) Senior advocate and Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal on Sunday criticised the Election Commission (EC) and alleged that people have lost faith in the institution. This comes after 4,123 Electoral Registration Officers ( EROs) across the country are holding all-party meetings to resolve any pending polling booth-level issues in their respective Assembly Constituencies (ACs). He asked what was EC doing when the elections were taking place. Speaking to ANI, Kapil Sibal said, "It is a very good thing that the Election Commission will now meet all the political parties and take their suggestions. What was the Election Commission doing when the elections were taking place? The by-election took place in Milkipur, about a hundred complaints were filed, but no reply was given to them. When people of political parties give controversial statements, nothing happens." He further said that people have been caught distributing money but no action has been taken. "Who will trust the Election Commission? Their work has deteriorated so much, this is not a matter of today, we have been seeing this for many years. Opposition has raised the issue of cutting of electoral voters' list. Some people are not allowed to vote. In last 10 years they have done nothing, now suddently they claim that they would hear us. What they want to do now? After 5 pm suddenly voting percentage increases. This never happened before. Why is Form 17 not displayed? Today, people have lost faith in many institutions, Election Commission is not only one such institution, there are many such institutions," he said. Earlier, all 788 District Election Officers (DEOs) and 36 CEOs of all 28 States and 8 UTs at the State/UT levels have also been directed to hold such meetings to resolve any pending issues at the district and State/UT levels, respectively, within the legal framework of the RP Act 1950 & 1951, Registration of Elector Rules 1960, Conduct of Election Rules1961 and the manuals, guidelines and instructions issued by ECI from time to time, the poll body added. These meetings have already started with the active participation of national/state-level political parties. All such meetings are to be completed in the entire country in each AC, district and State/UT by the 31st of March, 2025. This is in line with the directions of the Commission led by CEC Gyanesh Kumar along with ECs Dr. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Dr Vivek Joshi during the conference of CEOs of all States/UTs and one DEO and ERO from each state on the 4th of March, 2025 at IIIDEM, New Delhi. Political parties and their authorised representatives, such as Booth Level Agents (BLAs), Polling Agents, Counting Agents and Election Agents, have specific roles to play in various electoral processes, including the conduct of elections. This grassroots-level engagement has been welcomed by political parties, with their active and enthusiastic participation in meetings across assembly constituencies, districts, and states/UTs. The Commission appeals to all the national/state political parties to avail this proactive grassroot level engagement with electoral authorities for resolving any pending issue in a time-bound manner. Photos of the nationwide political party meetings can be viewed at ECI's official social media handle. (ANI) Over 25 members of the Hakkipikki tribal community from Channagiri taluk, Davangere, were detained in Gabon due to new government policies. Accused of fraudulent residency certificates, 22 individuals were fined Rs 55,000 each and ordered to leave. According to Davanagere District Tribal Officer Naveen Mathad, every year, members of the Haikkipikki tribal community travel to other countries, including African nations, to sell their hair oil. He added that this year, 22 members went to Gabon, where a recent political change has led to challenges for them. "Every year, members of the Hakkipikki tribal community travel to various countries, including African nations, to sell hair oil, Ayurvedic products, and other goods. This year, 22 people from Karnataka went to Gabon, where a recent political change has led to challenges for them...", Mathad said to reporters. Further details are awaited into the matter. (ANI) Following the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) filing a closure report in the death case of actor Sushant Singh Rajput, Rhea Chakraborty's lawyer, Satish Maneshinde, has reiterated that his client had no involvement in the actor's demise. Speaking to the media, Maneshinde said, "I have been saying from the first day that Rhea Chakraborty had nothing to do with Sushant Singh Rajput's death. Still, on 27th July 2020, someone filed a complaint against her and that is why the investigation started. After that, we approached the Supreme Court." Maneshinde elaborated on the sequence of events, stating that Sushant Singh Rajput's death on June 14, 2020, was initially treated as a suicide by the Maharashtra Police. "He died on 14th June, Maharashtra Police registered a case and treated it as a suicide case and were investigating it. The DCP of Mumbai Police, Bandra Zone at that time, after a thorough investigation, had concluded that Rhea Chakraborty had nothing to do with it. Rhea Chakraborty's statement was also taken at that time...," he added. The lawyer further explained that Rhea had left Sushant's residence on June 8, 2020, after witnessing his drug use and medication habits, which led to conflicts between them. "After that, Sushant Singh Rajput asked her brother to take her out of his house...From that day, there was no contact between Rhea and Sushant." Maneshinde said. He pointed out that despite Sushant living with 2-3 servants and flatmates at the time of his death, his family implicated Rhea, filing a case in Patna alleging she misappropriated Rs 15 crore of his property. This led to the Supreme Court transferring the investigation to the CBI. "After that, it was revealed that Sushant had committed suicide and at that time, he had 2-3 servants and flatmates in his house. Still, Sushant's family dragged Rhea Chakraborty into this case and in Patna they filed a case and told that Rhea Chakraborty had misappropriated his property worth Rs 15 crores. Because of that Supreme Court transferred the case to CBI. CBI has continuously interrogated Rhea Chakraborty and her family members and filed this report after 4 and a half years but I have been saying from the first day that Rhea Chakraborty had no connection with this...It was a pure case of suicide"," Maneshinde asserted. On Saturday, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has submitted a closure report on the death of Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput in 2020, sources said. 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. (ANI) Supreme Court Judge, Justice BR Gavai who led a delegation of SC judges to Manipur has expressed hope that a solution will come out very soon to the situation in the state which has been in the grip of ethnic violence for almost two years. Justice Gavai stated that the affected people living in relief camps in Manipur are in a "good mood" and want to return to normalcy. On the visit of the delegation of Supreme Court Judges to Manipur, Justice BR Gavai told ANI, "The people in the relief camps are in a good mood, and they all want to return to normalcy and peace. I spoke to both the groups, and I am quite hopeful, that a solution will come out very soon." Earlier, the delegation of Supreme Court judges, which was on a visit in Manipur attended the duodecennial celebrations in Imphal on Sunday. Supreme Court Judge Justice BR Gavai inaugurated the Secretariat of Chief Justice of the 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, the five-member Supreme Court Judges' delegation, 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, who is also the Executive Chairman of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA), 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 Meiteis and the Kukis erupted after a rally by the All Tribal Students Union of Manipur (ATSUM) on May 3, 2023. Violence gripped the entire State and the Central government had to deploy paramilitary forces to bring the situation under control. (ANI) The operation, conducted on March 23, led to the arrest of Oinam Abung Meitei (31), Yumlembam Romesh Singh alias Ratan (47), and RK Navy Meitei (32) from Kumbi Terakhong under Kumbi Police Station. A substantial cache of arms and ammunition was recovered from their possession, including one .303 Light Machine Gun (LMG), two .303 LMG magazines, sixteen rounds of .303 live ammunition, three 7.62mm Self-Loading Rifle (SLR) live rounds, one 5.56mm INSAS live round, one 7.62mm AK live round, and twenty-four Ballister cartridges. Additionally, security forces seized a No 36 hand grenade key, three grenade arm rings, one .303 blank round, a four-wheeler, and two mobile phones. Authorities suspect the arrested cadres were involved in subversive activities and are investigating their links to recent insurgent operations in the region. The People's Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK) is an armed insurgent group in Manipur demanding a separate and independent homeland. Earlier last week, the Manipur Police in separate operations arrested seven cadres of various proscribed insurgent groups and recovered arms and ammunition during multiple raids across the state. Manipur police arrested one active cadre of the KCP-PWG organisation in Imphal West on March 21. On the same day in a separate operation, Manipur Police arrested four active cadres of KCP(Apunba). In another operation security forces arrested one active cadre of PREPAK from Imphal East District. The security forces in another operation on March 21, arrested one active cadre of RPF/PLA from Imphal East District. On February 13, the President's rule was imposed in Manipur after receiving a report from the state governor. Violence erupted in the northeastern state on May 3 last year following clashes during a rally organised by the All Tribals Students Union (ATSU) to protest against the demand for the inclusion of the Meitei community in the Scheduled Tribe category. (ANI) Odisha Minister and BJP leader Prithviraj Harichandan criticised regional parties over delimitation, accusing them of creating 'political issues' and exhibiting an 'undemocratic attitude' and urged them to wait for the official notification before making judgments. Speaking about the Joint Action Committee (JAC) meeting on delimitation, Odisha minister Prithviraj Harichandan said, "Some people are unnecessarily creating political issues. They should wait till the notification is issued or declared, and after that, they should say what is wrong and what is right. In this case, the way they are reacting is a kind of unnecessary apprehension that is exhibited on their part. This kind of undemocratic attitude by such regional parties is not accepted." 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. While the next edition of the meeting is scheduled to be held in Hyderabad, BJP MP from the Malkajgiri Lok Sabha constituency, Eatala Rajender, stated that the meeting is just to defame the union government and the opposition wants to mislead the people which they will get to know very soon. 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. 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. 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. Earlier, 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 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." 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. The MK Stalin-led Tamil Nadu government locked horns with the Central government over the three-language formula proposed in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the delimitation exercise. (ANI) Elnur Shahhuseynov, Azerbaijan's Charge d'Affaires in Syria, participated in an event dedicated to Pakistan's Republic Day, Azernews reports, citing the Azerbaijani diplomatic mission in Damascus. The mission noted that Shahhuseynov extended his heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to the people of Pakistan on the occasion of their National Day. A photo from the event was shared on the embassys social media account, accompanied by the message: Once again, we express our warmest congratulations and sincere wishes to the brotherly Islamic Republic of Pakistan on its National Day. It is important to note that Pakistans National Day, or Republic Day, is celebrated on March 23rd to mark the adoption of the Lahore Resolution in 1940. This resolution laid the foundation for the creation of an independent state for Muslims in British India. Additionally, Pakistan adopted its first constitution on the same date in 1956, renouncing its dominion status and becoming a republic. Earlier, Shahhuseynov had met with Irshad Ahmad, Indias Ambassador to Syria. Bihar Minister Mangal Pandey on Sunday took a sharp dig at Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad Yadav and his family, calling them the "most non-serious politicians" in the state. Speaking to the ANI, Pandey said, "If there is anyone in Bihar who is a non-serious politician, it is Lalu ji's family. There have never been politicians as non-serious as these people." This came in retaliation against sharp criticism by the RJD leaders against Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for allegedly talking during the national anthem. They further demanded that Kumar should apologise in both houses of the state for the insult. Pandey further contrasted the RJD's conduct with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, whom he praised for his respect for national traditions. "Nitish Kumar has always respected the country, the national flag, and its traditions. A person whose entire life is dedicated to this is being questioned by those who remained seated during the national anthem. There is no point in such people making allegations today," Pandey added. Earlier, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav shared a video of Nitish Kumar at an event on social media platform X and posted, "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!" In the purported video shared by RJD leaders, Nitish Kumar was seen tapping an official on the shoulder, appearing to engage him in conversation. At one point, he was seen smiling and folding his hands in a namaskar toward somebody in the audience. (ANI) Meanwhile, speaking on the meeting on the delimitation issue held in Tamil Nadu, Pandey said that the process would follow established protocols. "The Government of India will oversee everything. After that, the Election Commission reviews it all. There is a system and a process, and decisions are taken accordingly," he stated. Commenting on the recent killing of a hospital director in Bihar, Pandey expressed grief over the incident, stating that the police are investigating the matter. "What happened yesterday is very sad for all of us. Asia Hospital is a prominent institution in Patna. The police are investigating the matter, and no culprit will be spared. They will be caught, and the law will take its own course," Pandey assured. On Saturday, Asia Hospital director Surbhi Raj was shot dead, SDPO Patna City Atulesh Jha stated. The victim was diagnosed with several gunshot injuries, after which she was referred to AIIMS, where she succumbed to her injuries. (ANI) Congress MP Shreyas M Patel reiterated the party's opposition to delimitation before 2026, stating that the INDI Alliance, along with Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, has taken a collective stance against the move. He emphasised that the resolution passed in the recent Joint Action Committee (JAC) meeting underscores concerns from the southern region regarding delimitation and affirmed that all alliance partners are united on the issue. Speaking on the outcome of a recent Joint Action Committee meeting, Patel said, "Our INDI Alliance, along with Deputy CM DK Shivakumar, held a meeting. The resolution which passed in that meeting is that the delimitation should not happen till 2026, to urge the government. Coming to that, all our INDIA Alliance abide by the decision taken by that committee because the southern region is facing problems with delimitation. We stand with our alliance partners." This comes after the JAC on Saturday urged the Union Government to extend the freeze on the number and state-wise distribution of Lok Sabha seats for another 25 years beyond 2026 and engage with all stakeholders before carrying out the exercise. The issue of delimitation, which involves redrawing parliamentary and assembly constituencies based on population data, has raised concerns in several southern states. Political leaders from the region argue that the process could disproportionately impact their representation in the parliament in comparison to northern states, where population growth has been higher. Congress and other INDIA Alliance partners have been vocal in opposing any immediate changes, asserting that the current distribution should remain unchanged until at least 2026. 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. 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. Earlier, 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 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." 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. The MK Stalin-led Tamil Nadu government locked horns with the Central government over the three-language formula proposed in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the delimitation exercise. (ANI) Uttar Pradesh Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Bhupendra Singh Chaudhary expressed support for simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha and state assemblies on Monday, highlighting that frequent elections result in "economic" losses. Speaking to ANI, Chaudhary said the lengthy election process hampers government work and development activities. "... We have a long election process, during which many development works are affected, and government work takes a long time. This causes economic losses and impacts development activities. We are trying to raise awareness about this issue so that society discusses it, and we move forward with whatever is in the best interest of the country," the BJP leader said. BJP National General Secretary Sunil Bansal also stated that simultaneous state assembly elections and Lok Sabha elections would accelerate the country's development and economy. "It will accelerate our country's development and economy and also give new people a chance to come forward," he said. The Joint Committee on the Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill, 2024, and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024, have scheduled their sittings today and on April 2, 2025. On March 25, the committee will interact with two esteemed guests. First, they will meet Justice D.N. Patel, the Former Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court, who currently serves as the Chairperson of the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT). BJP MP and 'One Nation One Election' (ONOE) JPC Chairperson, PP Chaudhary, told ANI on March 18, "In today's meeting, former Solicitor General of India Harish Salve participated, and for three hours, the members interacted with him. The members also interacted with Former Law Commission Chairman of India Ajit Prakash Shah for almost two hours. The meeting lasted for five hours, and it was a very positive meeting. The members sought clarification on various issues." Former Solicitor General Harish Salve expressed confidence that the ONOE Bill did not violate any Constitutional provision and dismissed allegations that it would harm the federal structure of the country. Harish Salve heard the members' questions and presented his opinion, stating that 'One Nation, One Election' is Constitutional and that both Lok Sabha and state Assembly elections can be held together, which has happened earlier as well. He also said that there will be no curtailment of voters' rights and that we need to understand these aspects, a source told ANI. According to sources, the Former Law Commission Chairman of India reviewed the bill but didn't fully support its points; he asked for modifications. The JPC Chairman requested he provide the necessary modifications in writing. The Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for ONOE is gathering views and constitutional suggestions from all members, and the committee will modify the bill accordingly. Sources also indicate that the committee will soon launch a website to gather views from different stakeholders. The Opposition leaders also said that the meeting was going very smoothly and that they were discussing and clarifying their queries with the experts. (ANI) Security personnel has deployed unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in continuation of the cordon and search operation in the Saniyal area of Hiranagar in the Kathua region of Jammu and Kashmir to track down terrorists following intelligence inputs about their presence. The joint operation, involving Jammu and Kashmir Police and troops of the Rising Star Corps, was launched late last night in response to the reports. According to officials, the operation began on the night of March 23 after credible intelligence indicated terrorist activity in the region. "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," the Rising Star Corps, Indian Army, stated in a post on X. The operation follows a firing incident reported in the Hiranagar area of Kathua during an ongoing search by security forces. "A firing incident was reported in the Hiranagar area of Kathua after a search operation was underway," Jammu and Kashmir Police confirmed. Security forces remain on high alert as the cordon and search efforts continue, with the UAV assisting in tracking movements in the area. Further details are awaited as the operation progresses. Meanwhile, The Indian Army and the Jammu and Kashmir Police recovered multiple heavy arms, ammunitions, IEDs and Narcotics in a joint intelligence based operation, foiling a 'major terrorist attempt' in the Rajouri and Poonch area of the union territories, the White Knight Corps of the Indian Army said. Named Operation Nandiyali, the Indian Army shared the visuals of the seized heavy arms in a post on X late night on Sunday. "On 23 mar 25, Recovery of Heavy Arms , Amn , IEDs and Narcotics was made in An Intelligence Based Joint Search Operation by #Indian Army and #J&K police from #Sangla Top, #Surankote #Poonch; spoiling a major terrorist attempt in Rajouri & Poonch area and disrupting their operational capabilities," read the Army's post. This comes after the security forces received input about some 'suspicious movement' in the general area of Sangla in Surankot, in the Poonch district. The joint operation was launched by the Indian Army's Romeo Forces along with the Poonch Police, according to the officials. (ANI) (ANI) The All India Muslim Personal Law board has announced a nationwide protest against the Waqf ammendment bill. However, Waqf JPC Chairman and BJP MP Jaagdambika Pal on Monday said that they are trying to create "instability" in the nation. "Whether it is Imran Masood or AIMPLB, they are trying to misguide the minorities. They are trying to create instability in the nation through their protests... We had called AIMPLB in front of the Waqf JPC. We recorded and incorporated their views... What is the AIMPLB protesting against when the government has not even brought the amended bill yet?" the Waqf JPC Chairman told ANI. He further said that the new law would benefit women, children, the poor and Pasmanda. "The law has not even been made yet, so why are they warning for a nationwide protest?... Imran Masoon was a member of the JPC, and he took part in the clause-by-clause voting process. He knows that a better act is on its way... The new law will benefit the poor and remove those who benefitted themselves, yet they are protesting to spread anarchy," Pal added. On Sunday, the all India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) announced 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," the statement read. The Waqf Act of 1995, enacted to regulate Waqf properties, has long been criticised for issues such as mismanagement, corruption, and encroachments. The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, aims to address these challenges by introducing reforms such as digitisation, enhanced audits, improved transparency, and legal mechanisms to reclaim illegally occupied properties. (ANI) Haryana Minister Krishan Lal Panwar on Sunday spoke about the importance of delimitation and said it is going to be "essential" after 20 to 25 years. Also, the Haryana minister launched a scathing attack on the opposition and said, "Regional parties are slowly finishing." Regarding the Joint Action Committee (JAC) meeting on delimitation, Haryana Minister Krishan Lal Panwar said, "Delimitation is a process. Delimitation is essential after 20-25 years. It happened in 2009...Now is the time after 2009. So, it will begin in 2026 and in 2029, Lok Sabha as well as Vidhan Sabha elections will be held in the country as per delimitation...Right before the Lok Sabha elections, they formed INDIA Alliance and said that they would stop the BJP. But PM Modi became the Prime Minister of the country for the third consecutive time. So, regional parties are slowly finishing." He further attacked the opposition parties and said, "Just like we formed our Government for the third time in Haryana. And removed the Kejriwal Government in Delhi after 11 years, our Government came to power in Maharashtra, so wherever the elections are being held, regional parties are finishing and BJP is marching ahead." Earlier 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. Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy announced plans for an all-party meeting to address the issue, emphasizing the need for Southern states to maintain their political significance. . Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin had written a letter arguing that delimitation should only occur after the next national census, scheduled for after 2026. 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. The MK Stalin-led Tamil Nadu government locked horns with the Central government over the three-language formula proposed in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the delimitation exercise. (ANI) Based on input, a team of South Salmara Mankachar district police conducted a special anti-narcotics operation on Sunday night at the Shotimari-II (Indo-Bangladesh Border) area under the Mankachar police station. According to officials, the operation was based on input indicating that a consignment of Yaba tablets, brought from a neighbouring state, was about to be smuggled into Bangladesh by throwing it over the fence on Sunday night. "The consignment was concealed in a heap of sacks of local betel nuts in a house and the police team seized 8,000 Yaba tablets worth Rs 2 crore," the police officer said. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma lauded the police forces for the operation and said the Taba tablets seized were being smuggled to Bangladesh. "Major Drug Bust in South Salmara; 8,000 Yaba tablets worth Rs 2 crore seized. Acting on reliable information, an anti-narcotics operation was carried out by @SSalmaraPolice in a house and seized 8,000 Yaba tablets worth Rs 2 crore smuggled from a neighbouring State and destined to be sent to Bangladesh. Two drug peddlers have been arrested in this connection," he stated. https://x.com/himantabiswa/status/1903842056252088321 The arrested drug peddlers were identified as Sakuwat Hussain and Sanowar Hussain. Preliminary investigation suggests that both accused have been involved in drug peddling for several years. Further inquiries are ongoing to identify and apprehend other individuals associated with them. (ANI) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader CR Kesavan on Monday criticised Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar over his reported remarks about "changing" the Constitution, accusing the Congress of being "communal" and undermining the guarantees provided to backward class communities. In a self-made video, Kesavan asserted that the real "threat" to the Constitution comes from Congress. Kesavan also targeted Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, suggesting he was the driving force behind Shivakumar's alarming anti-constitutional remarks. "Rahul Gandhi is the real voice behind DK Shivakumar's alarming anti-constitutional remark. The communal congress is betraying and backstabbing Dr Baba Saheb Ambedkar ji and his principles. The evil design of the Communal Congress has always been to snatch away the guarantees given to the SC/ST and OBC communities," Kesavan said. "Congress party is the dangerous enemy which works against the SC/ST and OBC communities. Rahul Gandhi says that the Constitution is in. The real threat to the Constitution is the Congress. They want to snatch away the reservations for their SC/ST and OBCs and give it to the Muslim community to peddle their bigoted vote bank politics," he added. This comes after Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar at an event on Sunday talked about the bill that provided four per cent reservation to minorities and other backward classes in public contracts in the state in an event, purportedly said that the "constitution will be changing." His remarks sparked a massive row and drew backlash from BJP leaders. The Karnataka State Cabinet approved an amendment to the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurement (KTPP) Act, which aims to provide a four per cent reservation in tenders to minority contractors. The decision was taken on March 14 in a meeting chaired by Karnataka 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, 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." (ANI) Ahead of the Delhi Legislative Assembly that convenes for its first budget session under the newly elected BJP government on Monday, auto drivers, traders and shopkeepers gathered at the Vidhan Sabha to participate in a 'Kheer' ceremony. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta arrived at the Delhi Assembly this morning ahead of the commencement of proceedings. The Delhi State budget is scheduled to be presented tomorrow. BJP MLA Karnail Singh stated, "People from all sections of society, including traders and shopkeepers, have been invited. Today marks the first day of the budget session. 'Meethi kheer, meetha budget'." Delhi CM Rekha Gupta will be moving 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. "Rekha Gupta, 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 list 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. Notably, in the budget session, the CAG report on the functioning of DTC will also be tabled in the House, the Delhi Assembly Secretariat said in a statement. This would be the third CAG report, which will be tabled in the House on Monday. Earlier, the BJP government tabled two CAG reports on the now-scrapped excise policy and the healthcare system of the national capital during the first assembly session held last month. Meanwhile, 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. In Question Hour, members will pose starred questions, and the respective authorities will provide replies. Unstarred 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. Moreover, 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. (ANI) Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Monday prepared the ceremonial 'Kheer' ahead of the inaugural budget session of the newly elected government in the Delhi Legislative Assembly. Marking a unique start to the financial proceedings, the newly elected Chief Minister extended her gratitude to those involved in the budget-making process, stating, "A big congratulations to all the leaders, ministers, MLAs, and people who gave their suggestions, as well as our leadership under which we have crafted this budget." Highlighting the significance of the event, she added, "For the first time, such a ceremony has been held in Delhi. Kheer ki mithas se budget. It has been offered to Lord Ram and will now be served to the people who contributed their suggestions." The Delhi Legislative Assembly is set to convene its first budget session under the BJP government, with the state budget scheduled to be presented on March 25. The budget session, running from March 24 to March 28 with provisions for extension, marks a significant moment for the BJP government, which returned to power after 27 years in the recent 2025 Delhi Legislative Assembly election. Earlier, auto drivers, traders and shopkeepers gathered at the Vidhan Sabha to participate in a 'Kheer' ceremony. BJP MLA Karnail Singh stated, "People from all sections of society, including traders and shopkeepers, have been invited. Today marks the first day of the budget session. 'Meethi kheer, meetha budget'." Delhi CM Rekha Gupta will be moving 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. "Rekha Gupta, 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 list 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 the List of Business. During the budget session, the CAG report on the functioning of DTC will also be tabled in the House, the Delhi Assembly Secretariat said in a statement. This would be the third CAG report, which will be tabled in the House. (ANI) Ararat Mirzoyan traveled to Brazil and his life will never be the same. The fool suddenly discovered that Brazilian coffee and Armenian kope are just heaven and earth. He drank several cups a day, and apparently got so overexcited that he took out all the insults on another COP, a COP who will soon be in Brazil. He doesn't deal with the problems of the global South. You fool, you were invited to Baku, to COP29! I would have come, seen everything with my own eyes, and raised some questions if you were so worried about them! What are you talking about now? Legislators of opposition parties in Assam, the Congress and the AIUDF on Monday staged a protest in the premises of the Legislative Assembly in Guwahati. They were protesting against BJP MLA Rupjyoti Kurmi for allegedly attempting to attack opposition legislators and using abusive language inside the State assembly during a heated debate in the House on March 21. The opposition legislators also criticised the role of the Speaker of the Assam Legislative Assembly and demanded the Speaker take action against BJP MLA Rupjyoti Kurmi. Speaking to ANI, LoP of Assam assembly Debabrata Saikia said, "This protest is against the Friday incident in the Assam Assembly when the ruling party MLA Rupjyoti Kurmi came rushing to assault opposition MLAs. This is an unprecedented incident in Assam and they demanded action against the MLA. Rupjyoti also further said that he would be ten times more aggressive if anyone interrupted his speech. An interruption in the speech is normal but trying to assault someone, is a first-time incident. We are protesting and demanding action against the MLA Rupjyoti Kurmi." The Congress legislators had staged a protest by wearing black shirts while the AIUDF legislators staged a protest with some bamboo structures. The AIUDF legislators also attempted to bring some bamboo structures inside the Assembly but they were prevented by security personnel. AIUDF MLA, Rafiqul Islam explained that the bamboo structures are for their protection from BJP MLAs. AIUDF MLA, Rafiqul Islam said, "We are concerned about the BJP, they go from their seat to another seat to beat the opposition and create an atmosphere of assault. And the speaker does not give us protection. Therefore, we made this from bamboos so that we can protect ourselves and that the BJP legislators cannot come to our side...We will keep it there so that the BJP legislators who do not get the facility to come to attack us.." Meanwhile, the Speaker of the Assam assembly Biswajit Daimary adjourned the House for 10 minutes. BJP MLA Sushanta Borgohain said, "The assembly is a place for discussion, where issues can be raised and addressed. If someone takes their protest outside just for attention, it's unnecessary. Solutions should come through dialogue, not disruption. Protesting on the streets or outside official premises is fine, but bringing protests inside the assembly, especially with objects that could be seen as weapons, is unacceptable. Such actions damage one's image rather than helping the people of Assam. In the end, the public will decide, and the results will be seen in the elections." (ANI) After the Shiv Sena''s youth group vandalised a comedy venue in Mumbai to protest against the alleged disparaging remarks made against Eknath Shinde, Maharashtra, Congress leader Nana Patole on Monday decried the lack of law and order in Maharashtra, claiming that industries and people are leaving the state "out of fear." "There is no law and order in Maharashtra. People are leaving Maharashtra out of fear. The industries are leaving from here. The government urges that there should be peace in the state, but they are engaging in vandalism like this. They want to destroy Maharahstra," Patole told reporters in Mumbai. The Congress leader''s comments come amidst Shinde Sena''s youth faction vandalising the Habitat comedy venue as they objected to comedian Kunal Kamra''s new comedy special uploaded on Youtube, alleging that the comedian had mocked Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. The group had entered during a live standup show of comedian Rajat Sood. The Habitat has also announced that they will be shutting down after the vandalism incident. Earlier today, an FIR was registered against Shiv Sena Youth group''s General Secretary Rahool Kanal and 19 others for the incident. An FIR has been registered under Sections 132, 189(2), 189(3), 190, 191(2), 324(5), 324(6), 223, 351(2), 352, 333, 37(1), and 135 of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), 2023 and also under sections 37 (1) and 135 under the Maharashtra Police Act. Earlier today, reacting to the comedian''s remarks, the Minister of State for Home, Yogesh Ramdas Kadam stated that while the Constitution guarantees freedom of speech, it does not grant the right to insult those holding constitutional positions. "The Constitution has provided freedom of speech. It doesn''t give you the right to insult those occupying Constitutional positions," Maharashtra MoS Home said. On the vandalism of Habitat Comedy Club in Khar, he asserted, "Whatever action is required will be taken." The Shinde Sena youth group''s general secretary had also given a strong statement against Kamra, saying, "Abhi tak toh ye trailer hai, picture abhi baki hai." He said, "It is not about taking any law into your hands. It is purely about your self-respect. When it comes to elders or respectable citizens of the country... when your elders are targeted, you will target someone of that mentality... The message (for Kunal Kamra) is clear, ''Abhi tak toh ye trailer hai, picture abhi baki hai.'' Whenever you are in Mumbai, you will get a good lesson in Shiv Sena style." (ANI) A ruckus erupted within a few minutes of the proceedings in Rajya Sabha over Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar's reported remarks about "changing the Constitution". Union Minister Kiren Rijiju demanded an explanation from the Leader of Opposition, Mallikarjun Kharge, regarding the Congress' position on reservation for Muslims, whereas the Congress chief said that nobody can change the Constitution. Speaking in the Rajya Sabha, Kiren Rijiju termed the Shivakumar's statement "extremely serious." "It is not our intention to disrupt this zero hour why I am standing here because an extremely sensitive matter come to our notice. One of the very responsible leaders of the Congress party, who is holding a constitutional post. They have made a statement that they are going to change the Constitution to provide reservations in contract to the Muslim community. We cannot take this statement lightly. It is an extremely serious matter we cannot tolerate, and this an assault on the Constitution of India. I want a clear-cut reply from the Congress president (Mallikarjun Kharge) who is sitting in the House. He should make his position and tell the House as well as the people of India why the Congress party want to change the Constitution to provide reservations to Muslims," Rijiju said. Replying to Kiren Rijiju, LoP and Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge said that his party took up the Bharat Jodo Yatra across the country to protect the Constitution. "Nobody can change the Constitution drafted by Babasaheb Ambedkar. Nobody can finish the reservation. To protect it, we did the Bharat Jodo Yatra from Kashmir to Kanyakumari. They (points at NDA MPs) break India," Kharge said. Kiren Rijiju further replied to Kharge and demanded the resignation of Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar. "Raising the issue of Muslim reservation, Congress has sullied the prestige of Babasaheb Ambedkar's Constitution. If you have guts, demand the resignation of Deputy CM today itself," Rijiju said. Leader of the House JP Nadda added it is stated in the Constitution that reservation will not be given based on religion. "No one can change the Constitution that evolved under the guidance of BR Ambedkar," Nadda said. Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar adjourned the House till 2 pm amid uproar over 4 per cent reservation for minorities in Karnataka. Amid the row over his remarks on the Constitution, Shivakumar said that he said casually that there will be so many changes after various judgements. "I am a sensible, senior politician. I have been in the Assembly since the last 36 years. I have a basic common sense. I have said casually that there will be so many changes after various judgements. As per the quota of the backwards classes, reservation has been given. I have not said that we are going to change the Constitution. Whatever they are quoting is wrong. They are misquoting me. We are a national party...It is our party that brought the Constitution to this country...I will take breach of privilege on this. I will fight a case. They are misquoting me," Shivakumar said. This comes after DK Shivakumar, at an event on Sunday, talked about the bill that provided four per cent reservation to minorities and other backward classes in public contracts in the state in an event, purportedly said that the "Constitution will be changing." His remarks sparked a massive row and drew backlash from BJP leaders. The Karnataka state cabinet approved an amendment to the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurement (KTPP) Act, which aims to provide a four per cent reservation in tenders to minority contractors. (ANI) Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Arvind Sawant on Monday defended stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra's remarks, stating that every sentence he made was correct. Speaking to ANI, Sawant emphasized that if democracy truly exists in the country, Kamra's remarks must be respected. He also called for an FIR to be filed against those who vandalized the Habitat Comedy Club in Khar, where Kamra's show was filmed. "...As far as what Kunal Kamra did, I think every word, every sentence said by him is correct. That is what everyone in opposition is alleging against him. He said that in the form of a poem. If we say there is democracy in this country and we believe in that, then we must accept all of this," Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Arvind Sawant said. "Criticism is criticism. Sometimes, someone does mimicry. Balasaheb Thackeray was a renowned cartoonist; he made caricatures of Sharad Pawar, Sonia Gandhi, Indira Gandhi and Nehru. Had it been the present time, they would have filed cases against him every day... FIR should be registered against those who vandalized... Can't they accept criticism?" he added. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi also condemned vandalizing on Monday, claiming that the party had "ignited a fire in Nagpur" and now they are trying to do the same in Mumbai. "They ignited a fire like this in Nagpur. They are now doing this in Mumbai. What kind of intolerance is this? If you don't like something, file a Police complaint but if there is such behavior, I think people of Mumbai are watching; Maharashtra is watching how law and order is being taken into hand, and they have stooped to hooliganism," Chaturvedi told ANI in Delhi. The UBT MP further took a jibe at Shinde Sena, saying that the party is threatening action over a joke in which the Deputy Chief Minister's name was not even mentioned and that the vandalism shows that there "was some truth" in the statement. "They are threatening over a joke where Eknath Shinde's name was not even mentioned; only the intelligent would have gotten the hint. If you have an objection, lodge an FIR and make use of the legal procedure. Their vandalism shows that it has hurt them and what he is saying through a joke has truth in it," she added. Meanwhile, An FIR has been registered against both Kunal Kamra and the Shiv Sena's youth wing, as the group had vandalized the club where the sketch stand-up was performed by Kamra. (ANI) Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday slammed comedian Kunal Kamra's remarks against Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, stating that such acts can't be justified as "freedom of speech". Speaking to reporters, Fadnavis stressed that while there is freedom to perform stand-up comedy, it does not extend to making "unchecked statements". He further demanded Kamra to apologise. "There is freedom to do stand-up comedy, but he cannot speak whatever he wants. The people of Maharashtra have decided who the traitor is. Kunal Kamra should apologise. This will not be tolerated," he asserted. Fadnavis criticised Kamra's actions as an intentional attempt to defame Shinde, stating, "There is the right to comedy, but if it is being done to defame our Deputy CM Eknath Shinde purposely, it is not right." His comments came amid controversy triggered by Kamra's alleged remarks on Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, where he 'mocked' the Deputy CM during his stand-up special. The Maharashtra CM also took a jibe at Kamra, linking him to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, and said, "Kunal Kamra has posted the same red Constitution book shown by Rahul Gandhi. Both of them have not read the Constitution. The Constitution allows us freedom of speech, but it has limitations." Fadnavis underscored the mandate of the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections, stating, "People have voted and supported us. Those who were traitors were sent home by the people. They showed those who insulted the mandate and ideology of Balasaheb Thackeray their place." He further cautioned against crossing boundaries under the guise of humour, adding, "One may create humour, but making derogatory statements cannot be accepted. One cannot encroach on others' freedom and ideology. This cannot be justified as freedom of speech." Earlier, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar addressed the ongoing controversy emphasising the importance of adhering to legal boundaries. Pawar remarked, "I have seen that. Nobody should go beyond the law, Constitution, and rules. They should express themselves within their rights." Pawar acknowledged the possibility of differing opinions but urged restraint to avoid unnecessary escalation. "There can be differences of opinion, but it should be noted that there need not be police involvement when they are talking," he added. Shiv Sena leader Shaina NC also lashed out at Kamra, accusing the comedian of veering into vulgarity. "You call Maharashtra's most popular CM and deputy CM 'gaddaar' and label it comedy. This isn't comedy - it's vulgarity." The Shiv Sena leader further questioned Kamra's intentions, alleging he was being manipulated by the UBT faction of the Shiv Sena. "Who is this Kunal Kamra, hired and used as a puppet by UBT as a diversionary tactic? Can you stoop so low for cheap publicity?" she stated. Meanwhile, Shiv Sena MLA Murji Patel has filed an FIR against stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra for his comments and also demanded an apology from Kamra within two days; otherwise, he will not be let to move freely in Mumbai. Earlier, the Shiv Sena workers on Sunday vandalised the Habitat Comedy Club in Khar after stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra's remarks on Eknath Shinde. (ANI) Following the controversy that erupted over Kunal Kamra's recent comedy special, where he allegedly made derogatory remarks against Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Nirupam alleged on Monday that the booking money for the show came from Matoshree, the residence of former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray. "The place where this show was recorded, the booking money for it came from Matoshree from Uddav Thackeray and that is why Eknath Shinde has been targeted," Nirupam said during a press conference in Mumbai. "The people of Maharashtra have blessed the choice of Eknath Shinde, in that too, Kunal Kamra went forward with allegations because Sanjay Raut and Uddhav Thackeray has given him money," he added. The leader further showed a photo of Sanjay Raut and Kunal Kamra at Habitat venue together. The photo is from a previous series of Kamra, called 'Ya Kunal,' where he interviewed UBT leader Sanjay Raut. Alleging that Kamra is part of the "Rahul Gandhi and Congress ecosystem," he added, "He is a man of leftist ideology and a close friend of Sanjay Raut. First he walks with Rahul Gandhi in padyatra and his picture comes with Sanjay Raut, he also meets Sharad Pawar and Supriya Sule. And now in the name of stand-up comedy, he has made a very low level comment on our supreme leader Eknath Shinde." He further said that even if Kunal Kamra is not in Mumbai currently, the party's people will find him and "teach him a lesson" if he does not apologise. "Earlier, Kunal Kamra had a house in Mumbai but now he has sold his house and gone away. Now he lives in Gurgaon. If he does not apologize, we are capable of coming to Gurgaon and teaching him a lesson," he said. Saying that the standup comedian has "abused" freedom of speech, he continued, "Freedom of expression is there in this country but it should not be misused but Kunal Kamra has misused it. He has used abusive words. This is not satire and humour, this is not comedy, it is shallowness." Meanwhile, An FIR has been registered against both Kunal Kamra and the Shiv Sena's youth wing, as the group had vandalized the club where the sketch stand-up was performed by Kamra. (ANI) The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to hear a PIL seeking an independent probe by the CBI or SIT into the alleged honeytrapping of legislators, public servants, and judges in Karnataka. The matter was mentioned by the advocate of the petitioner for early listing of the case before a bench headed by Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna, which agreed to list it for hearing today or tomorrow. The plea filed by a Jharkhand resident, Binay Kumar Singh, sought an independent probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) or a Special Investigation Team (SIT) comprising police officers who are not subject to the control or influence of the State of Karnataka. The petition, filed through advocate Barun Sinha, urged the apex court to monitor the investigation either by the apex court or by a monitoring committee headed by a retired Supreme Court judge. "The monitoring committee should also inquire into the role played by all authorities/persons who directly or indirectly benefitted from the incident. To direct prosecution of the person found guilty upon investigation", the plea stated. Last week, cooperation minister KN Rajanna alleged that 48 people have fallen victim to "honey traps" in the state, and their obscene videos have been circulated. The Congress MLA claimed that the list was across party lines, including state and national leaders. "There were very serious and troubling allegations made on the floor of the Karnataka state legislature that a person aspiring to be the chief minister of the state has been successful in honeytrapping several persons, amongst whom are judges. The allegations have been made by a sitting minister who has claimed himself to be a victim, thereby lending credibility to the serious allegations," the petition read. "Not only that, another minister of the government has not only echoed the allegations made by the first minister, rather alleged that the scale and proportion of the scandal are at least ten times what is currently visible," it added. The plea further said that judges getting compromised by means like honey trapping poses a 'serious threat' to judicial independence and gravely undermines public confidence in the institution. (ANI) Delhi Power Minister Ashish Sood on Monday indicated a potential rise in electricity prices, attributing it to a Rs 27,000 crore debt left by the previous AAP government with power distribution companies (Discoms) through the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC). Responding to a question by AAP MLA Imran Hussain in the Delhi Assembly on the expected increase in electricity tariffs, Sood stated that Discoms are authorised to hike rates to recover the outstanding amount. He noted that during the previous government''s tenure, the Delhi High Court had directed DERC to issue a tariff order, but the administration failed to safeguard public interests. "The previous government has left a debt of Rs 27 thousand crores of regulatory assets with the discoms through DERC. To recover this, the companies are authorised to increase the electricity rates. During the tenure of the previous government, on the orders of the High Court, DERC was ordered to bring tariff orders," he said. "That government could not protect the interests of the public. In the coming time, electricity prices will rise, and perhaps some people even want this for their political gains. However, the government remains in touch with DERC and is closely monitoring the situation," Sood added. Meanwhile, former Delhi Chief Minister and AAP leader Atishi on Monday criticised the BJP-led central government, alleging that the promised Rs 2,500 financial assistance for women had not been delivered and expressed hope that the ruling party would fulfil its commitments during the Budget Session on Monday. Speaking to ANI, the Leader of the Opposition said, "The BJP made a lot of promises before the elections. We hope that those promises are fulfilled in this budget session. The first and most important promise was that Delhi''s women would receive Rs 2,500 on March 8. Till today, even the registration of that scheme has not started. It is clear that PM Modi lied and betrayed the people of Delhi." "We hope the people of Delhi are not betrayed in this budget," she asserted Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Monday prepared the ceremonial ''Kheer'' ahead of the inaugural budget session of the newly elected government in the Delhi Legislative Assembly. Marking a unique start to the financial proceedings, the newly elected Chief Minister extended her gratitude to those involved in the budget-making process. The budget session, running from March 24 to March 28 with provisions for extension, marks a significant moment for the BJP government, which returned to power after 27 years in the recent 2025 Delhi Legislative Assembly election. Delhi 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. "Rekha Gupta 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 list 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. Earlier, the BJP government tabled two CAG reports on the now scrapped excise policy and the healthcare system of the national capital, during the first assembly session held last month. Meanwhile, 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. In 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. Moreover, 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. (ANI) After Congress leader Pawan Khera took on Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on the controversial National Anthem video and his health condition, Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan (Lalan) Singh on Monday said that he should be concerned about himself, not the Bihar CM. "He need not express any concern. Pawan Khera should be concerned about himself. Nitish Kumar is healthy and contributing to the development of Bihar...They can do politics if they want but they have no base in Bihar. They are walking on the crutches of RJD," Lalan Singh told ANI. Earlier in the day, Bihar Minister Mangal Pandey took a sharp dig at Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad Yadav and his family, calling them the "most non-serious politicians" in the state. Speaking to the ANI, Pandey said, "If there is anyone in Bihar who is a non-serious politician, it is Lalu ji's family. There have never been politicians as non-serious as these people." This came in retaliation against sharp criticism by the RJD leaders against Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for allegedly talking during the national anthem. They further demanded that Kumar should apologise in both houses of the state for the insult. Pandey further contrasted the RJD's conduct with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, whom he praised for his respect for national traditions. "Nitish Kumar has always respected the country, the national flag, and its traditions. A person whose entire life is dedicated to this is being questioned by those who remained seated during the national anthem. There is no point in such people making allegations today," Pandey added. In the purported video shared by RJD leaders, Nitish Kumar was seen tapping an official on the shoulder, appearing to engage him in conversation. At one point, he was seen smiling and folding his hands in a namaskar toward somebody in the audience. Earlier on Sunday, Pawan Khera expressed concern over Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's health while also criticizing the state's leadership and the BJP. "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. (ANI) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath lauded the performance of his government on its eighth anniversary, and said 8 years of "service, safety, and good governance" have been completed under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi. During a special program organised to mark the completion of eight years of the BJP government, CM Yogi Adityanath expressed gratitude to the people of the state. Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya, Minister Brajesh Pathak, Minister Chaudhary Bhupendra Singh Chaudhary, along with several other ministers and dignitaries, attended the program. "Under the leadership of PM Modi, 8 years of service, safety, and good governance have been completed... the double-engine government of UP has completed 8 years today...I thank 25 crore people of Uttar Pradesh for their support," CM Yogi said at the press conference. Drawing comparisons from the previous governments, the Chief Minister said there was an "identity crisis" in the state, and its infrastructure, economy, law and order, everything was in a 'dire state'. He added that people can see how vast changes can be brought just by a change in the government. "Most of us know what the condition and identity of UP was 8 years ago. The condition of UP's infrastructure and economy 8 years ago was not hidden...There was an identity crisis in front of UP; farmers were committing suicide, youth were struggling, daughters and traders were unsafe and the people tolerated the poor economy because of riots and the collapsed law and order situation," the UP CM further said. "The state and the machinery are the same today, but we can see how there can be vast changes just by a change in the government," he added. Yogi Adityanath became the UP CM in 2017 after BJP -- which went to the polls without a CM face -- chose the five-time MP from Gorakhpur to lead the government, which received an unprecedented mandate, winning 312 out of 403 seats. BJP returned to power in the state in the 2022 assembly polls, winning 255 seats in Uttar Pradesh, and its allies in the state also registered impressive performance. This made him the first CM in Uttar Pradesh's history to win two consecutive terms. (ANI) 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. As the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Uttar Pradesh government completed 8 years on Monday, both Deputy Chief Ministers Brajesh Pathak and Keshav Prasad Maurya lauded the work done across the state of maintaining law and order, encouraging infrastructural development and reaching "new heights of progress." UP DCM Keshav Prasad Maurya, while speaking with reporters in Lucknow said, "These eight years have been historic in terms of UP achieving new heights of progress." Expressing confidence in the BJP not only retaining power in the 2027 assembly election but winning more than 300 seats, the UP DCM added, "For the third time as well, the BJP government will be formed in Uttar Pradesh with a huge majority, and in 2027, we will repeat 2017, that is, we will make more than 300 lotus flowers bloom in UP." Meanwhile, DCM Brajesh Pathak highlighted that the BJP government has fulfilled their promise of "fear free governance" made in 2017. "The law and order situation in Uttar Pradesh is number one in the country... The slogan of fear-free governance given by the BJP in 2017 has been fulfilled today. The law and order situation in Uttar Pradesh is number one in the country... The slogan of fear-free governance given by the BJP in 2017 has After becoming the CM of the state in 2017, he kept 36 ministries under his direct control, including Home, Economics and Statistics, Sainik Welfare, Home Guard, Personnel and appointment, as well as Civil Defence been fulfilled today," Pathak told reporters. Attacking the opposition Samajwadi Party (SP) for "casteism, hooliganism, adnd nepotism," he said that the party has been completely wiped out of Uttar Pradesh. Currently in the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly, the NDA alliance has 291 out of 403 seats, while the BJP itself has has a comfortable majority of 258 seats. The Opposition alliance only has 109 seats, with the bulk of it going to SP, which has 107 seats and Congress having only 2. Earlier today, posters were put up in Lucknow to mark the 8 years being completed of the Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath-led government. Yogi Adityanath became the UP CM in 2017 after BJP -- which went to the polls without a CM face -- chose the five-time MP from Gorakhpur to lead the government, which received an unprecedented mandate, winning 312 out of 403 seats. BJP returned to power in the state in the 2022 assembly polls, winning 255 seats in Uttar Pradesh, and its allies in the state also registered impressive performance. This made him the first CM in Uttar Pradesh's history to win two consecutive terms. (ANI) The Delhi High Court on Monday issued notice to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Professor P Koya's bail plea. His bail plea was dismissed by a special NIA court in December 2024. While, he has been in custody since September 22, 2022, in a case linked with the PFI. The Division Bench of Justices Chandra Dhari Singh and Anup Jairam Bhambhani issued a notice to NIA. The matter has been listed on May 6, 2025, for hearing. The bench has also directed the registry to produce the trial court before the court if it is received about other related petitions. He has filed a petition through advocate Talha Abdul Rehman against the order dated December 12, 2024, passed by the NIA Court whereby his bail plea was dismissed. It is stated that NIA has filed a charge sheet on March 18, 2023. Thereafter a supplementary charge sheet was also filed on April 19, 2023, where no new material has been brought on record against the appellant. The charges have yet to be framed, and the trial has not commenced. The Appellant's prolonged detention infringes upon their fundamental right to a speedy trial under Article 21 of the Constitution, the plea said. It is further said that Koya has been in custody since September 2022 with no direct evidence, old age, and also the fact that there are more than 240 witnesses, 184 documents and 32 material objects, and trial is yet to be commenced, it makes out a prima facie case for grant of bail. Professor P Koya is 72 years old. He was arrested in an FIR registered by the NIA on April 13, 2022, under sections 120B, 153A IPC and sections 17, 18, 18B, 22B, 38 and 29 of UAPA against 21 accused persons including Koya. On September 27, 2022, the Popular Front of India (PFI) was declared as an Unlawful Association under the UAPA. The organization was banned after the registration of FIR and arrest of the Appellant. (ANI) Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Monday stated that the country's Constitution is secular and does not support any reservation based on religious identity or affiliation. Speaking to the media, he said that the Constitution can only grant reservations on the basis of economic and social criteria. Launching a scathing attack on the Congress Party over Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar's remarks on changing the Constitution, Rijiju said that the NDA parties have taken a very serious note of his statement. He further stated that the issue of Muslim representation and reservation was rejected in 1947 when the Muslim League brought the matter to the Constituent Assembly, proposing reservations for the Muslim community. "Today, both Houses of Parliament - Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha - had to be adjourned due to a very serious issue. The NDA party has taken very serious note of the statement given by a senior Congress leader holding a Constitutional position. He has clearly stated that reservations for Muslims are a step towards providing reservation and other facilities to the Muslim community, and that for this, the Constitution of India would need to be changed. His statement is very clear," Rijiju said. "They want to give reservations to the Muslim community by changing the Constitution of India. Please remember one thing, the Muslim representation and reservation issue was rejected in 1947 when the Muslim League brought this matter to the Constituent Assembly for providing reservations to the Muslim community," he added. "Our Constitution is secular; there can be reservations on the basis of economic and social criteria, but there cannot be reservations based on religious identity and affiliation," the Union Minister further stated. He also said that he had sought the position of the Congress party on this matter. "I had sought the position of the Congress party and Congress party president, who is the Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha. He must tell the House whether they are going to sack the person holding a Constitutional position or state clearly that Congress will destroy the Constitution of India," he added. A ruckus erupted within minutes of the proceedings in the Rajya Sabha over Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar's reported remarks about "changing the Constitution." Union Minister Kiren Rijiju demanded an explanation from the Leader of Opposition, Mallikarjun Kharge, regarding Congress' position on reservation for Muslims. However, the Congress chief said that no one can change the Constitution. When Rijiju termed Shivakumar's remark as "very serious," Leader of Opposition and Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge responded, stating that his party undertook the Bharat Jodo Yatra across the country to protect the Constitution. "Nobody can change the Constitution drafted by Babasaheb Ambedkar. Nobody can abolish reservations. To protect it, we did the Bharat Jodo Yatra from Kashmir to Kanyakumari. They (pointing at NDA MPs) break India," Kharge said. Amid the controversy over his remarks on the Constitution, Shivakumar clarified that he had said casually that there would be many changes after various judgments. "I am a sensible, senior politician. I have been in the Assembly for the last 36 years. I have basic common sense. I said casually that there will be many changes after various judgments. As per the quota for backward classes, reservations have been given. I did not say that we are going to change the Constitution. Whatever they are quoting is wrong. They are misquoting me. We are a national party. It is our party that brought the Constitution to this country. I will take breach of privilege on this. I will fight a case. They are misquoting me," Shivakumar said. (ANI) Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde) faction's MP Milind Deora on Monday attacked stand up comedian Kunal Kamra for his alleged derogatory remarks against Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, highlighting that while the party is not against comedy itself, they take objection to someone being a "classist, elitist, paid agent." Remembering Shiv Sena's founder the late Balasaheb Thackeray Deora told ANI, "Let me say one thing very clearly, comedy is an essential form of any society. Balasaheb Thackeray himself was a cartoonist, he himself believed in using comedy and humour. But there is a huge difference between being a classist, elitist, paid agent, trying to bail out a party." Deora said that recently there has been a "trend" to support "entitled monarchists" who preach democracy but say classist things under the garb of liberalism. "Nowadays, a new trend is to protect entitled monarchists who preach about democracy and meritocracy, is to use classist and elitist under the garb of liberalism," Deora said. This trend, he says, has been rejected by people of Maharashtra. "This has been exposed earlier when people tried to mock Narendra Modi because he came from a very humble background and he rose to become PM of the world's largest democracy. In the same way, they are trying to mock a man who came from nothing and rose to become CM of the country's second largest state," he told ANI. "This has been exposed earlier when people tried to mock Narendra Modi because he came from a very humble background and he rose to become PM of the world's largest democracy. In the same way, they are trying to mock a man who came from nothing and rose to become CM of the country's second largest state," he added. Following controversy erupting over Kunal Kamra's new comedy special, 'Naya Bharat' being uploaded on Youtube, Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena has vehemently objected to the remarks made by the comedian. This resulted in the party's youth group, 'Yuva sena' vandalising the Habitat comedy venue where the special was filmed. The Mahayuti ruling alliance has alleged that Kamra is a paid for by Uddhav Thackeray led Shiv Sena, whereas the MVA opposition alliance has backed Kamra's remarks, criticising the state government for the breakdown of law and order and raising the issue of free speech. Earlier, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that that the comedian's remarks can't be justified as "freedom of speech". Speaking to reporters, Fadnavis stressed that while there is freedom to perform stand-up comedy, it does not extend to making "unchecked statements". He further demanded Kamra to apologise. "There is freedom to do stand-up comedy, but he cannot speak whatever he wants. The people of Maharashtra have decided who the traitor is. Kunal Kamra should apologise. This will not be tolerated," he asserted. An FIR has also been registered against the comedian for his remarks. The Habitat comedy club has also announced that they will be temporarily closing down after the vandalism incident. (ANI) Congress MP Shashi Tharoor attacked the ruling government on Monday for disrupting the Parliament and said that the issue the government raised is "irrelevant" as it is a state subject. "It is utterly shocking when you see that the ruling party, essentially the Government whose responsibility it is to run the House, has chosen to disrupt the Parliament in this way. It is deeply disappointing. To my mind, the issue they have raised is also irrelevant because it is State subject...It has nothing to do with the Central Parliament. Why are they trying to disrupt the House on the basis of that?" Tharoor told ANI. "Honestly, we are reducing Parliament to a farce. If we don't function properly, why will the voters want to entrust their precious tax money to running this institution which we used to hail as the temple of democracy? If instead of prayers here, we are having shouting matches, it's really a disappointment," he added. A ruckus erupted within a few minutes of the proceedings in Rajya Sabha over Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar's reported remarks about "changing the Constitution". Union Minister Kiren Rijiju demanded an explanation from the Leader of Opposition, Mallikarjun Kharge, regarding the Congress' position on reservation for Muslims, whereas the Congress chief said that nobody can change the Constitution. Speaking in the Rajya Sabha, Kiren Rijiju termed the Shivakumar's statement "extremely serious." "It is not our intention to disrupt this zero hour why I am standing here because an extremely sensitive matter come to our notice. One of the very responsible leaders of the Congress party, who is holding a constitutional post. They have made a statement that they are going to change the Constitution to provide reservations in contract to the Muslim community. We cannot take this statement lightly. It is an extremely serious matter we cannot tolerate, and this an assault on the Constitution of India. I want a clear-cut reply from the Congress president (Mallikarjun Kharge) who is sitting in the House. He should make his position and tell the House as well as the people of India why the Congress party want to change the Constitution to provide reservations to Muslims," Rijiju said. Replying to Kiren Rijiju, LoP and Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge said that his party took up the Bharat Jodo Yatra across the country to protect the Constitution. "Nobody can change the Constitution drafted by Babasaheb Ambedkar. Nobody can finish the reservation. To protect it, we did the Bharat Jodo Yatra from Kashmir to Kanyakumari. They (points at NDA MPs) break India," Kharge said. Kiren Rijiju further replied to Kharge and demanded the resignation of Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar. "Raising the issue of Muslim reservation, Congress has sullied the prestige of Babasaheb Ambedkar's Constitution. If you have guts, demand the resignation of Deputy CM today itself," Rijiju said. Leader of the House JP Nadda added it is stated in the Constitution that reservation will not be given based on religion. "Congress Party's move to implement religion-based reservations contradicts the core principles established by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar in the Constitution. In Karnataka, the Congress has already introduced a 4% reservation based on religion for public contracts. Such laws and policies should be withdrawn. No one can change the Constitution that evolved under the guidance of BR Ambedkar," Nadda stated. Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar adjourned the House till 2 pm amid uproar over 4 per cent reservation for minorities in Karnataka. This comes after DK Shivakumar, at an event on Sunday, talked about the bill that provided four per cent reservation to minorities and other backward classes in public contracts in the state in an event, purportedly said that the "Constitution will be changing." (ANI) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Ravi Shankar Prasad on Monday launched a sharp attack on Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar and the Congress party, accusing them of pursuing "Muslim appeasement" under the guise of altering the Constitution. Addressing a press conference, Prasad quoted Shivakumar's recent statement over the four per cent reservation for minorities in Karnataka. "I will read out Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar's statement: 'There is a big debate going on regarding this issue (four per cent reservation). Many BJP leaders have claimed that Muslims are repairing bikes, and it is our responsibility to uplift every section of society, allow them to come forward, and be a part of the development. We have initiated something, and we know that everyone will approach the court. Many judgements have altered the Constitution over time. Let us watch what the court comes out with... We will wait. Some good day will come; lots of things will be there, the Constitution will be changing, and there will be judgements that will alter the Constitution also," the BJP leader said, quoting the Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister. Prasad seized on these remarks, questioning their intent. "What does this mean? That constitution will be changed if needed... Now, he claims that he is being misquoted... Religion-based reservation is not permissible in our Constitution... Where will this Muslim appeasement politics go?" he asked. The BJP MP further criticised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, alleging a shift in the party's approach to electoral gains. "Did Rahul Gandhi go to Kumbh? Why is he ashamed? Rahul Gandhi was seen in temples sometimes, but now that has stopped. This is for the sake of votes," Prasad claimed. He concluded with a scathing assessment of the Congress strategy, stating, "They are losing again and again but won't stop Muslim appeasement." This came amid an escalating row over the Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister's alleged remarks on the Constitution. Earlier today, Shivakumar hit back at the BJP over the matter, accusing the party of misquoting him and spreading fake news. Addressing the controversy, Shivakumar asserted, "I am a sensible, senior politician, more so than Mr Nadda. I have been in the Assembly for the last 36 years. I have basic common sense. I casually said there would be changes after various judgements. As per the quota for backward classes, reservation has been given. I never said we are going to change the Constitution." The Deputy CM clarified his stance, refuting the BJP's interpretation of his statement. "Whatever they are quoting is wrong. They are miscarrying it. We are a national party - it is our party that brought the Constitution to this country," he emphasised. Announcing his next steps, Shivakumar said, "I will take a breach of privilege on this. I will fight a case. They are misquoting me." He further accused the BJP of a deliberate campaign to mislead, stating, "The BJP always tries to misguide the country... They are peddling fake news." Shivakumar's remarks sparked a massive row and drew backlash from BJP leaders over the Karnataka state cabinet approval of an amendment to the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurement (KTPP) Act, which aims to provide a four per cent reservation in tenders to minority contractors. (ANI) Launching a scathing attack on Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, Bharatiya Janata Party National Secretary said on Monday that it is "reprehensible and unfortunate" that the Congress leader has talked about changing the constitution. "It is reprehensible and unfortunate that Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, leader of the Congress and INDI alliance and closest to the Gandhi family, is talking about changing the Constitution by snatching the reservation given to SC, ST and OBC brothers and giving it to Muslims," he told ANI. Calling it a "conspiracy" by the Congress-led Karnataka government, he added that the BJP would not let reservations be taken away. However, DK Shivakumar has hit back at the BJP amid the escalating row over his alleged remarks on the Constitution, accusing the former of misquoting him and spreading fake news. Addressing the controversy, Shivakumar asserted, "I am a sensible, senior politician, more so than Mr Nadda. I have been in the Assembly for the last 36 years. I have basic common sense. I casually said there would be changes after various judgements. As per the quota for backward classes, reservation has been given. I never said we are going to change the Constitution." The Deputy CM clarified his stance, refuting the BJP's interpretation of his statement. "Whatever they are quoting is wrong. They are miscarrying it. We are a national party--it is our party that brought the Constitution to this country," he emphasised. He further said that he will be initiating a breach of privilege notice, "I will take a breach of privilege on this. I will fight a case. They are misquoting me." He further accused the BJP of a deliberate campaign to mislead, stating, "The BJP always tries to misguide the country... They are peddling fake news." The controversy erupted after Shivakumar made a statement at an event on Sunday where he spoke about a bill that would provide a four per cent reservation to minorities and other backward classes in public contracts in the state and purportedly said that the "Constitution will be changing." Earlier today, BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad also attacked the Karnataka DCM and the Congress, accusing them of pursuing "Muslim appeasement" under the guise of altering the Constitution. Prasad, while questioning the remarks asked, "What does this mean? That constitution will be changed if needed... Now, he claims that he is being misquoted... Religion-based reservation is not permissible in our Constitution... Where will this Muslim appeasement politics go?" (ANI) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Etala Rajender on Monday said that the Congress party and other regional parties are causing a stir on the proposed delimitation because they did not fulfill the promise made to the public. Speaking to ANI, Rajender, who hails from Telangana, claimed that if the delimitation takes place now, the 17 seats of the state will remain the same. "...Delimitation takes place every 20 years in this country. How can they say that the Southern states will suffer losses in Parliament seats? When the delimitation happened in 2009, the number of seats in Andhra Pradesh remained 42. If the delimitation takes place now, the 17 seats of Telangana will remain the same... Today, the regional parties and Congress party are making a stir only because they did not fulfill the promise made to the public. The people of the country are laughing at the statement made by these people," he said. Earlier 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 that asserts that "any delimitation exercise carried out by the Centre should be done "transparently" and after discussion and deliberation with all stakeholders. Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy announced plans for an all-party meeting to address the issue, emphasizing the need for Southern states to maintain their political significance. 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 MK Stalin-led Tamil Nadu government locked horns with the Central government over the three-language formula proposed in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the delimitation exercise. (ANI) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Monday announced that all-party parliamentarians from the state will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi to push for their demand for fair delimitation. Stalin emphasised that Tamil Nadu had led the charge on the issue by passing a legislative resolution, holding an all-party meeting, and forming an all-India Joint Action Committee, making a significant impact at the national level. "The demand made by Tamil Nadu is for fair delimitation. It is the first state in India to pass a legislative resolution, an all-party meeting, and an all-India Joint Action Committee which has had an impact on the Indian level. To take this to the next level, all-party parliamentarians from Tamil Nadu are set to meet the Honourable Prime Minister and press our demand!" posted Stalin on X. The Tamil Nadu government has been vocal about its opposition to any delimitation process that could reduce the state's representation in Parliament due to population control efforts. The proposed meeting with the Prime Minister is aimed at ensuring that Tamil Nadu's concerns are addressed in any future changes to parliamentary seat allocation. 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 the 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. MK Stalin said that the next meeting on the delimitation of constituencies will be held in Hyderabad, Telangana. (ANI) Following protests by Congress and AIUDF against BJP MLA, Assam Minister Pijush Hazarika accused Congress MLA Nurul Huda of physically assaulting Deputy Speaker of the Assam Legislative Assembly, Numal Momin. Pijush Hazarika has called the attack on Numal Momin, a direct insult to the Assembly and the Constitution. Taking to social media X, Assam Minister Pijush Hazarika wrote, "Congress MLA Nurul Huda physically assaulting the Hon'ble Deputy Speaker, ALA, Dr. @DrNumal is not only a condemnable act, it is also a direct insult to the Assembly and the Constitution." https://x.com/Pijush_hazarika/status/1904079212593750314 He further added, 'The Assam Legislative Assembly is a sacred place of democracy, where such unconstitutional behaviour is completely unacceptable. Such actions go against the true values of Assam and Bharat. Shame!" Earlier, Legislators of opposition parties in Assam, the Congress and the AIUDF on Monday staged a protest in the premises of the Legislative Assembly in Guwahati. They were protesting against BJP MLA Rupjyoti Kurmi for allegedly attempting to attack opposition legislators and using abusive language inside the State assembly during a heated debate in the House on March 21. The opposition legislators also criticised the role of the Speaker of the Assam Legislative Assembly and demanded the Speaker take action against BJP MLA Rupjyoti Kurmi. Speaking to ANI, LoP of Assam assembly Debabrata Saikia said, "This protest is against the Friday incident in the Assam Assembly when the ruling party MLA Rupjyoti Kurmi came rushing to assault opposition MLAs. This is an unprecedented incident in Assam and they demanded action against the MLA. Rupjyoti also further said that he would be ten times more aggressive if anyone interrupted his speech. An interruption in the speech is normal but trying to assault someone, is a first-time incident. We are protesting and demanding action against the MLA Rupjyoti Kurmi." The Congress legislators had staged a protest by wearing black shirts while the AIUDF legislators staged a protest with some bamboo structures. The AIUDF legislators also attempted to bring some bamboo structures inside the Assembly but they were prevented by security personnel. In all this chaos, the Speaker of the Assam assembly Biswajit Daimary also adjourned the House for 10 minutes. (ANI) Pakistan's security forces killed 16 terrorists attempting to infiltrate through the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, the military's media wing, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), confirmed on Sunday, Azernews reports, citing Tribune. The clash occurred during the night of March 22-23, when security forces detected the movement of a group of terrorists, referred to as "khwarij," trying to cross into Pakistan near Ghulam Khan Kallay in North Waziristan. "Own troops effectively engaged and thwarted their attempt to infiltrate. After an intense exchange of fire, all sixteen khwarij were sent to hell," the ISPR stated. Pakistan has repeatedly urged Afghanistans interim government to enhance border security and prevent its soil from being used for attacks against Pakistan. The interim Afghan government is expected to fulfil its obligations and deny the use of its territory by militants, the statement added. The ISPR reiterated that Pakistan's security forces are committed to protecting the nation's borders and eliminating the threat of terrorism. BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari on Monday launched a fierce attack on the Congress party over Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar's reported statement on the Constitution, calling the Congress Party the "modern Muslim League". Bhandari also accused the party of attempting to alter Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar's framework to favour religious-based reservations and stated, "The Congress party is the modern Muslim League. This is the party that can change the Constitution of Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar to provide reservation to Muslims." Bhandari alleged that the Congress aligns itself with the ideologies of Mughal rulers rather than Ambedkar. "Today, the Congress party is making it clear that its ideals are Aurangzeb and Babur, not Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar. If anyone considers Babasaheb as their role model, they cannot bring religious reservation into the Constitution. It's evident that the Congress party believes in Sharia, like Aurangzeb and Babur," he claimed. Drawing a historical parallel, the BJP spokesperson added, "Against this appeasement, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar stood against Jawaharlal Nehru, and the Bharatiya Janata Party is now standing against Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and the Congress party." He vowed to resist any changes to the Constitution, stating, "We will not allow these appeasers to change the Constitution of the country. They should understand that this is India, not Pakistan." This came amid an escalating row over the Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister's alleged remarks on the Constitution. Earlier today, Shivakumar hit back at the BJP over the matter, accusing the party of misquoting him and spreading fake news. Addressing the controversy, Shivakumar asserted, "I am a sensible, senior politician, more so than Mr Nadda. I have been in the Assembly for the last 36 years. I have basic common sense. I casually said there would be changes after various judgements. As per the quota for backward classes, reservation has been given. I never said we are going to change the Constitution." The Deputy CM clarified his stance, refuting the BJP's interpretation of his statement. "Whatever they are quoting is wrong. They are miscarrying it. We are a national party - it is our party that brought the Constitution to this country," he emphasised. Announcing his next steps, Shivakumar said, "I will take a breach of privilege on this. I will fight a case. They are misquoting me." He further accused the BJP of a deliberate campaign to mislead, stating, "The BJP always tries to misguide the country... They are peddling fake news." Shivakumar's remarks sparked a massive row and drew backlash from BJP leaders over the Karnataka state cabinet approval of an amendment to the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurement (KTPP) Act, which aims to provide a four per cent reservation in tenders to minority contractors. (ANI) Bharatiya Janata Party MP Rajeev Chandrasekhar, while expressing his gratitude of being elected as the party's Kerala chief on Monday said that his goal will be to expand the party's base in the state, and make it a "land of opportunities." He further criticised both the Congress and Communist Party of India (Marxist) for making "false promises" to the people. "Party has given me a responsibility of state president. In the name of all party workers I am taking this responsibility. Last time when party asked me to contest from Trivandrum, it was a surprise and a matter of pride for me," he said. "This party has become in this position due to the efforts and dedication of lot of party workers. From Mararji to K Surendran, all state presidents have contributed to it. We should remember the sacrifice of theirs and their families. The workers of BJP helped me to get 3.5 lakhs votes in 35 days' campaign," he added. Criticising the CPM-led Kerala government for borrowing money, he said that there is a need to analyse where growth is lacking. "Everybody knows that our youth is really talented. What we have to think is that in India or leave India. Let's analyse south India. Why are we lacking behind in terms of growth? Why should our government run by borrowing money? Both the parties have given false promises to the people in Kerala," Chandrasekhar said. Earlier today, Chandrasekhar was elected unanimously as the party's Kerala president. Union Minister Prahlad Joshi officially made the official announcement earlier today. On Sunday, the central leadership of the BJP proposed the name of former MP and Union Minister of State Rajeev Chandrasekhar as the next president of the party's Kerala unit. The core committee meeting, chaired by BJP central observer Pralhad Joshi, finalised the decision. (ANI) A fierce debate between the Treasury and Opposition benches broke out on Monday in the Rajya Sabha over the Karnataka government granting 4 percent reservations to minorities in contracts, with Union Minister J P Nadda demanding the withdrawal of the law and demanding an answer from Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge. JP Nadda, while speaking in Parliament, said that Congress falsely claims to be "protectors of the Constitution." "I am saying this with a lot of sadness, the way Congress claims to be a protector of the Constitution but the way they have tried to destroy it. Dr B R Ambedkar had himself said, that reservation would not be done on the basis of the Constitution, this is an acceptable provision of the Constitution of India. But in Karnataka, there is a talk of giving reservation of 4 per cent, in contracts," Nadda said in Rajya Sabha. This statement was met with fierce objections from the Opposition benches asking him to authenticate his remarks. Rajya Sabha Chairman and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar also asked Nadda to authenticate his remarks and put it on the floor of the house. "The statement to which reference has been made by the Parliamentary Affairs minister, that a functionary of the political party has made a statement on contract for muslim community, please authenticate and put it on the table of the house," Dhankar said. Amid the shouting from the Opposition benches Nadda continued, "I will authenticate, The Karnataka government has passed a bill granting 4 per cent of reservation to minorities in public contracts, apart from that, the Deputy Chief Minister has also given a statement on the house that if needed we will change the Constitution too, this is a very serious matter, and these people call themselves the protectors of the Constitution." Replying to Nadda's remarks, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said that Congress has proven itself to be protectors of the Constitution, referencing the party's "Bharat Jodo Yatra." "I just want to say, that the person that said that we will change the Constitution, the one made by Dr BR Ambedkar, cannot be changed by anyone. In fact, for its protection, we are the one who took out a Bharat jodo Yatra from Kanyakumari to Kashmir," Kharge said. Pointing towards the government MPs, he added, "These people, they want to do Bharat todo (breaking up India)." These remarks by Kharge were met by loud objections from the treasury benches, prompting Parliamentary Affairs minister Kiren Rijiju to reply, "I want to say on record, that their own sitting Deputy Chief Minister, and state's congress president has officially said that, and I can authenticate it too." Earlier, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar had alleged that the BJP is misquoting him and spreading fake news. "Whatever they are quoting is wrong. They are misquoting me. We are a national party--it is our party that brought the Constitution to this country," he emphasised. He further accused the BJP of a deliberate campaign to mislead, stating, "The BJP always tries to misguide the country... They are peddling fake news." (ANI) The initiative aligns with the central government's objective to eliminate Naxalism by March 2026. The establishment of the Bedmakoti camp is being hailed as a notable achievement by security forces operating in the region. According to the ITBP, a Central Armed Police Force (CAPF), the area remains severely affected by Naxal activities, posing a continuous threat to the personnel stationed there. Despite the dangers, the 41st Battalion, ITBP, Kondagaon, under the leadership of Rana Yudhvir Singh, DIG, Tactical Sector Headquarters, Bhubaneswar, has taken this proactive step to curb Naxal influence. The ITBP has been consistently expanding its presence in the Abujhmad region, establishing camps to ensure the safety of the local population. "Apart from providing security, ITBP personnel are raising awareness about welfare schemes of both the Central and State Governments, aiming to integrate the locals into the national mainstream," the force stated. The increased visibility of security forces in the region has also curbed the operational freedom of Naxal groups. The ITBP highlighted that the locals are experiencing a heightened sense of security and are now more inclined to participate in developmental initiatives. With the Centre's 2026 deadline to eradicate Naxalism, the establishment of the Bedmakoti camp marks a significant step towards achieving this goal. (ANI) Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel inaugurated a Light and Sound Show at the Hatkeshwar Temple in Vadnagar, a release said on Monday. To enable devotees visiting the Hatkeshwar Temple to gain a deeper understanding of its ancient history, Gujarat Tourism Corporation Limited has developed a state-of-the-art Light and Sound Show at a cost of Rs 5.53 crore. The CM inaugurated the Light and Sound Show, along with the Suvarna Shikhar, flag hoisting, and the newly constructed Yajna Shala at the three-day Mahotsav being held in Vadnagar, the release said. On this occasion, Patel took part with devotion in the Shiva Panchayat Pran Pratishtha Mahotsav. He worshipped Hatkeshwar Mahadev, performed the rituals, and honoured the donor families of Suvarna Shikhar. The Chief Minister stated that Vadnagar, the hometown of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has become a major attraction for both domestic and international tourists, thanks to its heritage sites like the Archaeological Experiential Museum, Kirti Toran, Sharmishtha Lake, Tanariri Park, Buddhist Monastery, and Theme Park. Today, a remarkable new feature has been added to this attraction a state-of-the-art Light and Sound Show that narrates the legendary story of the ancient and renowned Hatkeshwar Mahadev. CM stated that the Hatkeshwar Mahadev Temple in Vadnagar is one of Gujarat's prominent pilgrimage sites, having unparalleled religious and historical significance. The Hatkeshwar Mahadev Temple, believed to be where Lord Shiva emerged on Earth from Pataal Lok, has its ancient history mentioned in 'Nagar khand' and 'Skanda Puran'. The Hatkeshwar Mahadev Temple, revered as the presiding deity of the Nagar community, holds a prominent place of faith worldwide. The temple's ancient architecture is mesmerizing, featuring a grand hall and intricate sculptures depicting the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu and scenes from the Pandavas' Aranya Vas (forest exile), captivating devotees with its divine artistry. Even today, thousands of devotees (from India and abroad) including the Nagar community, visit Hatkeshwar Mahadev annually. To offer a more profound understanding of the temple's rich history and glorious heritage, the Tourism Department has now organized a special Light and Sound Show at the site. He further stated that this show would engage devotees with the vibrant history of Hatkeshwar Mahadev, making their journey even more meaningful and spiritual. The Prime Minister's hometown has now emerged as a major attraction for tourists from across India and abroad. CM stated that this year, approximately six lakh people visited Vadnagar and gained insight into the town's historical and mythological significance. The Hatkeshwar Temple in Vadnagar is now the seventh pilgrimage destination in the state to host a Light and Sound Show. Millions of tourists visiting pilgrimage sites such as Somnath, Ambaji, Shamlaji, and Modhera, along with global tourist attractions like the Statue of Unity and Dhordo in Kutch, have the opportunity to experience the rich history and grandeur of these places through the Light and Sound Show. Under the guidance of the CM, Gujarat Tourism Corporation Limited has introduced the Light and Sound Show at Hatkeshwar Temple in Vadnagar, furthering this tradition for tourists. On this occasion social leader Sombhai Modi, Additional Chief Secretary to Chief Minister M.K. Das, Principal Secretary Tourism Rajender Kumar, Managing Director of Gujarat Tourism Corporation, Member of Parliament Haribhai, along with MLAs, local leaders, Vadnagar Municipality President and officials, trustees of Hatkeshwar Mahadev Temple, and citizens were present. (ANI) Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aditya Thackeray on Monday likened Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde) MP's threat to standup artiste Kunal Kamra with the Taliban after his remarks during a show in Mumbai triggered a massive row. "Yesterday, I saw Kunal Kamra's clip, after the protest, after the vandalism. The question arises when did Eknath Shinde's workers decide that he is a traitor and a thief? Because he has not taken anyone's name, he must have been talking about someone. Why did they get hurt? ...Will the Chief Minister stop the hooliganism he is doing? The whole country, the whole world knows who the traitor and the thief is... "Many times Kunal Kamra has talked about us, about so many people, about Modi sahab as well, but no one reacted like this...The Chief Minister said that those who committed vandalism in Nagpur will be made to compensate for the loss. Will those who vandalized yesterday be made to compensate for the loss? The CM should open his eyes and see who is undermining him. Is it the opposition or his friends?..." Aditya Thackeray said. The junior Thackeray questioned whether an international concert would be held after the vandalization of Habitat Comedy Club in Khar, where Kamra's show was filmed. "The words thief and traitor have been spoken in the poem. When did the gang of thieves decide that it is Eknath Shinde? His MP has compared him to a snake. Will the international concert be held after this vandalism? Activists have proven that Eknath Shinde is a thief and a traitor," Thackeray said. "I condemn Mhaske; they should not have compared him to a snake. For the first time, it is seen that MPs are threatening, just like the Taliban used to threaten. We are talking about law and order. Who is underlining the Home Department?" he said. Further attacking Maharashtra Chief Minister, Devendra Fadnavis, he said "Whether or not the Chief Minister will put a check on Taporigiri or not is also a question, There is no need for supari etc, Kunal Kamra has also criticized us." "Yesterday too, Kamra criticized Modi, But no one has reacted this much. The Chief Minister should open his eyes and see who is underlining him," he added. Earlier, Shiv Sena (UBT) Chief Uddhav Thackeray on Monday threw his weight behind stand-up artist Kunal Kamra amid the controversy over his remarks, asserting that Kamra's statements were truthful and reflective of public sentiment. Further Thackeray said that calling someone a 'gaddar' was not an attack on anyone. "I don't think Kunal Kamra said anything wrong. Calling a 'gaddar' a 'gaddar' is not an attack on anyone. Kunal Kamra has said the truth; he has expressed what people feel," Thackeray said while addressing mediapersons here. Defending Kunal Kamra's freedom of expression, Thackeray said, "He has said the truth, so there is no question of infringement of freedom of expression. Hear the full song (from Kunal Kamra's show) and make others hear it too." Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis slammed Kunal Kamra's remarks against Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, stating that such acts can't be justified as "freedom of speech." (ANI) Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Monday honoured three people, nine institutions and four industrial establishments with the SDG Achiever Award at a ceremony organised at Mukhya Sevak Sadan in Dehradun. On this occasion, the Chief Minister also launched the book 'Agragami 2.0' of innovative initiatives being taken by the people and institutions awarded with last year's SDG Award and the SDG Index Uttarakhand 2023-2024. In the district-wise SDG ranking released by CPPGG for the year 2023-24, Nainital district ranked first, Dehradun second and Uttarkashi third. The Chief Development Officer (CDO) of all three districts was honoured by the Chief Minister. The Chief Minister congratulated the people and institutions doing innovation and excellent work in various fields on being honoured with the SDG Achievers Award. He said that in the last three years, the government has honoured 60 NGOs, individuals and those who have done excellent work in the field of CSR with the SDG Achievers Award. These are also the real brand ambassadors of the state's development. Further, the Chief Minister said that the state government was working with full commitment to achieve the goals of sustainable development by the year 2030. To balance economy and ecology, a "three-pillar and nine-point policy" has been launched, which will be an important step towards achieving the goal of sustainable development. Three years ago, the state was ranked 9th in the SDG India Index, today it is ranked first in the country. The state has achieved significant achievements in areas like poverty alleviation, food security, drinking water and sanitation, the sex ratio at birth, clean energy, urban development, financial inclusion and climate change, the CM said. He said that the state government was working to strengthen these areas through schemes like the Chief Minister Women Entrepreneurship Promotion Scheme, Solar Energy Revolution, Smart City Mission and Chief Minister Urban Livelihood Scheme. The state has many challenges like climate change, disaster management, access to health services, sustainable agriculture and water resource management, where effective work needs to be done. He said that maintaining the first ranking in sustainable development goals is a challenge, we have to take the state forward with everyone's collective efforts. The Chief Minister said that if the government's policy is right, it fills the treasury. In the last three years, there have been rapid efforts to simplify policies and increase revenue collection. Mining revenue has increased from Rs 400 crore to Rs 1200 crore. Similarly, revenue collection in the state is also increasing rapidly in other sectors, the CM further stated. (ANI) The controversy surrounding Delhi High Court Judge Justice Yashwant Varma continued to intensify as Allahabad High Court Bar Association on Monday urged the Chief Justice of India (CJI) not to proceed with the transfer of the Justice Varma stressing that no court should be used as a "dumping ground." Speaking to ANI, President of the Allahabad HC Bar Association Anil Tiwari demanded that all judgments delivered by Justice Varma during his tenure be thoroughly reviewed to restore public confidence in the judicial process and suggested that the judge remain under the close watch of the Supreme Court until proceedings are concluded. "The CJI has been requested not to transfer Justice Yashwant Varma to Allahabad High Court or any other court because no court is a dumping ground. He should remain in Delhi under the close watch of Supreme Court until the completion of the proceedings. The second request is that all judgments given by Justice Varma during his tenure as a judge should be reviewed and scrutinized to infuse public confidence again," he said. "Thirdly, we have requested the CJI to permit CBI and ED to lodge an FIR and proceed with a formal investigation...We have also raised an issue of Uncle Judge syndrome. The concept is that the family members of those judges who are practising in a particular court should not remain in that court. They should go outside to infuse the public confidence and to ensure transparency," the President of the Allahabad High Court Bar Association said. Meanwhile, the Delhi High Court on Monday released an official update to its supplementary cause list, announcing the immediate withdrawal of judicial responsibilities from Justice Yashwant Varma until further notice. Justice Varma got embroiled in a significant controversy after a fire incident at his residence on March 14, 2025, led to the discovery of a substantial amount of cash. Justice Varma has however vehemently denied the allegations, asserting that neither he nor his family owns the cash. He has also termed it deliberate conspiracy aimed at framing him. (ANI) A recent circular issued by a private school in the state capital, Shimla, has sparked controversy, with allegations that it was intended to create communal discord. However, Education Minister Rohit Thakur has refuted these claims, emphasizing that the issue is being unnecessarily escalated to disturb social harmony. Speaking to ANI, Minister Thakur said, "This issue is being exaggerated only to provoke communal sentiments. The matter will be investigated. However, the message from the school administration was issued solely with the intent of maintaining communal harmony." He further stressed the need to verify the facts before jumping to conclusions, noting that the school in question has a longstanding reputation. "Today itself, I became aware of this matter through media reports. We will confirm the details, as the school being named is a well-established, reputed convent institution here. Himachal Pradesh is known for its communal harmony and goodwill, and we will ensure that this remains intact," Thakur stated. Acknowledging the role of social media in amplifying such issues, Thakur cautioned against those who deliberately create divisions in society. "There are certain individuals in society who unnecessarily attempt to create rifts. These matters must be put to rest. I have gathered information about the entire case because, in today's era of social media, it does not take long for such issues to escalate. We stand in favor of strengthening communal harmony. Our social fabric must remain intact, with respect for all religions. That is what we will strive to uphold," he added. In response to the allegations, the school at the center of the controversy, Auckland House School has issued a strong statement refuting the claims and calling for responsible digital conduct. The school clarified its long-standing tradition of celebrating cultural and religious festivals, stating the circular was for junior class to celebrate Eid on 2th March and come with dress code of a small cap and Kurta Pajam for the same. "It has come to our notice that certain individuals have posted false, misleading, and communally inflammatory messages regarding our institution on social media platforms. Auckland House School has always celebrated cultural and religious festivals such as Holi, Eid, Diwali, Gurpurab, and Christmas, not as a religious mandate but as a tribute to the pluralistic spirit of India. Our aim is to foster empathy, understanding, and respect among children from all backgrounds. Participation is always voluntary, and there is no religious ritual or instruction involved." Condemning the distortion of facts, the school further media statement stated, "We strongly condemn attempts to misrepresent these celebrations as religious propaganda. Such actions only serve to harm social harmony and misguide the public. We are particularly concerned that these posts have disclosed information meant strictly for internal circulation, thereby violating privacy, endangering individuals, and breaching the norms of responsible digital conduct. This constitutes misuse of restricted information." The school administration called for the removal of misleading content from social media and urged the public to act responsibly. "We respectfully urge all individuals and platforms to immediately remove such posts and stop compromising institutional and individual safety. Auckland House School remains firmly committed to the values enshrined in the Constitution and the ideals of unity in diversity. We call upon all right-thinking members of society to stand against such divisive and unethical actions, and to support an education grounded in mutual respect, dignity, and truth," it further read. The controversy highlights the growing concern over misinformation on social media and its potential to disrupt social harmony. With the state government now looking into the matter, officials hope to ensure that the values of inclusivity and communal unity remain protected. (ANI) Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aditya Thackeray defended stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra amid the massive row in Maharashtra over his remarks, stating that Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde should first clarify whether he is a "traitor" or the "thief" before demanding an apology. "...Why should Kunal Kamra apologise? If this traitor and thief is Eknath Shinde, then Kunal Kamra must apologize. But Eknath Shinde should first answer whether he is a traitor or a thief," Thackeray said. He further referred to allegations of corruption, stating, "On January 15, 2023, I had put all the details of the Mumbai roads scam in front of the people. The questions I raised during question hour were never answered. I have been saying for 2 years that if anyone has embezzled money in the roadworks, it is the Eknath Shinde government that has done it. Today, the questions that the BJP is raising, I had also raised them. Action should be taken against Eknath Shinde, and he should be removed from the government, and a committee from the EOW should be formed." The controversy erupted after Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) workers vandalised a Mumbai venue on Sunday night following Kamra's stand-up special, where he allegedly made disparaging remarks against Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis condemned Kamra's remarks, stating that such statements cannot be justified as "freedom of speech." "There is freedom to do stand-up comedy, but that doesn't mean he can say whatever he wants. The people of Maharashtra have already decided who the traitor is. Kunal Kamra should apologize. This will not be tolerated," Fadnavis asserted. Fadnavis criticised Kamra's actions as an intentional attempt to defame Shinde, stating, "There is the right to comedy, but if it is being done to defame our Deputy CM Eknath Shinde purposely, it is not right." Earlier in the day, Shiv Sena (UBT) Chief Uddhav Thackeray threw his weight behind stand-up artist Kunal Kamra amid the controversy over his remarks, asserting that Kamra's statements were truthful and reflective of public sentiment. Thackeray said that calling a 'gaddar' a 'gaddar' was not an attack on anyone. "I don't think Kunal Kamra said anything wrong. Calling a 'gaddar' a 'gaddar' is not an attack on anyone. Kunal Kamra has said the truth; he has expressed what people feel," Thackeray said while addressing the media. Defending Kunal Kamra's freedom of expression, Thackeray added, "He has said the truth, so there is no question of infringement of freedom of expression. Hear the full song (from Kunal Kamra's show) and make others hear it too." (ANI) 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. The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Private Sector Collaborative Forum (PSCF) 2025 will be held from March 25 -27 March in Mumbai. The forum is being hosted by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the Department of Revenue, reaffirming India's responsible leadership in global efforts to combat money laundering and terrorist financing. According to an official release, FATF President Elisa de Anda Madrazo will formally inaugurate the PSCF 2025 on March 26, with Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Sanjay Malhotra presiding over the event. The Indian delegation to PSCF is a multi-disciplinary team led by Vivek Aggarwal, Additional Secretary (Revenue), Ministry of Finance. India's participation in FATF initiatives has been widely recognised. India is a member of steering group of FATF and also co-chairs a working group on Risks, Trends and Methodologies work group. In November 2024, India hosted the plenary of the Eurasian Group on Combating Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism (EAG) in Indore. In June 2024, India's FATF Mutual Evaluation Report was tabled at the FATF Plenary in Singapore and subsequently released in September 2024. The country achieved the best possible outcome by being placed in 'regular follow-up,' a status that only a few countries have attained in their Mutual Evaluations. The upcoming PCSF event is another milestone in India's journey in its efforts in curbing money laundering and terrorist financing. The PSCF is an annual event that provides a critical platform for dialogue between FATF member countries, international organisations, and private sector stakeholders. It aims to enhance the implementation of FATF's Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing (AML/CFT) standards by fostering collaboration, exchanging best practices, and addressing emerging global challenges. This year's forum will see participation from countries across FATF's Global Network, along with representatives from financial institutions, designated non-financial businesses and professions (DNFBPs), virtual asset service providers (VASPs), international organisations, and academia. The PSCF 2025 agenda reflects global priorities, including payment transparency, financial inclusion, and digital transformation of financial systems. With financial crimes evolving due to technological advancements -- such as cryptocurrency-related laundering -- India's expertise in leveraging technology and fostering a risk-based approach offers valuable insights for the international community. By hosting this significant event, India reinforces its commitment to FATF's global standards. Over the next three days, discussions at the forum will revolve around several critical issues shaping the global AML/CFT landscape. Participants will explore how FATF can continue to address evolving threats while promoting financial inclusion through robust, risk-based supervision of regulated entities. The dialogue will also focus on enhancing transparency in beneficial ownership and leveraging digital tools to strengthen AML/CFT compliance mechanisms. Information-sharing practices within the private sector will be evaluated to identify ways to better address emerging financial crime threats. Furthermore, the forum will engage in deliberations on emerging terrorist financing and proliferation financing risks, emphasising the need for measures that reinforce global resilience against these challenges. (ANI) After the ongoing session of Parliament witnessed heated exchanges and an adjournment over Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar's reported remarks on the Constitution, Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat slammed those who, in his words, had previously vowed to protect the Constitution, accusing them of using it merely as a political tool. Speaking to ANI, Shekhawat stated, "Those who were roaming around with the Constitution and vowing to protect it, their character and face have been exposed once again. Those who always treated the Constitution according to their convenience have once again exposed their personality and put it in front of the people of the country...For them, the Constitution was just a means to win the elections." This comes after DK Shivakumar, at an event on Sunday, talked about the bill that provided four per cent reservation to minorities and other backward classes in public contracts in the state in an event, purportedly saying that the "Constitution will be changing." A ruckus erupted within a few minutes of the proceedings in Rajya Sabha over Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar's reported remarks about "changing the Constitution". Union Minister Kiren Rijiju demanded an explanation from the Leader of Opposition, Mallikarjun Kharge, regarding the Congress' position on reservation for Muslims, whereas the Congress chief said that nobody can change the Constitution. Speaking in the Rajya Sabha, Kiren Rijiju termed the Shivakumar's statement "extremely serious." Replying to Kiren Rijiju, LoP and Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge said that his party took up the Bharat Jodo Yatra across the country to protect the Constitution. "Nobody can change the Constitution drafted by Babasaheb Ambedkar. Nobody can finish the reservation. To protect it, we did the Bharat Jodo Yatra from Kashmir to Kanyakumari. They (points at NDA MPs) break India," Kharge said. Kiren Rijiju further replied to Kharge and demanded the resignation of Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar. "Raising the issue of Muslim reservation, Congress has sullied the prestige of Babasaheb Ambedkar's Constitution. If you have guts, demand the resignation of Deputy CM today itself," Rijiju said. Leader of the House JP Nadda added it is stated in the Constitution that reservation will not be given based on religion. "Congress Party's move to implement religion-based reservations contradicts the core principles established by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar in the Constitution. In Karnataka, the Congress has already introduced a 4% reservation based on religion for public contracts. Such laws and policies should be withdrawn. No one can change the Constitution that evolved under the guidance of BR Ambedkar," Nadda stated. However, Shivakumar on Monday accused the BJP of twisting his remarks on the Constitution to spread disinformation, denying claims that he advocated changing the Constitution and warned of legal action against those spreading misinformation about his statement. "I have never said we would change the Constitution. The BJP is carrying out propaganda. I will fight it legally," he said while speaking to reporters at his Sadashivanagar residence. When asked about the BJP's criticism of his statement to a private TV channel on changing the Constitution to provide religion-based reservation for Muslims, he said, "The BJP is twisting my statement. I have been in public life for 36 years and have basic common sense. But the BJP is misleading people. My name is being dragged into BJP's disinformation campaign." "All I said was that there is a precedent for changing the Constitution based on the Court's orders. I have never said we will change the Constitution. The Congress is a national party that brought the Constitution in the first place. We understand its importance better than others. The Centre has failed the people in the recent Budget and is now trying to rake up other issues. This is part of the BJP's continued political conspiracy," he added. When pointed to AICC President Mallikarjuna Kharge's statement that he would not allow any changes to the Constitution, Shivakumar said, "Ours is the party that gave the country its Constitution. We must uphold it. This is the BJP's conspiracy to cover up its weaknesses." (ANI) Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Madhya Pradesh Assembly and Congress leader Umang Singhar on Monday announced that the party would approach the Supreme Court over the alleged state transport department scam and the corruption case involving former department constable Saurabh Sharma. Singhar's statement came a day after Jaideep Prasad, the in-charge Director General (DG) of Lokayukta, who was investigating the case, was transferred. According to an order issued by the state government on Sunday, Prasad has been reassigned as Additional Director General (ADG) of the State Crime Record Bureau (SCRB) at the police headquarters in Bhopal. Speaking to ANI in the state assembly, Singhar said, "The way DG Lokayukta, Jaideep Prasad, who was investigating the case of Saurabh Sharma, has been removed (referring to transfer) it is clear that the government wants to suppress the whole matter. In our next step, we will move to the Supreme Court in connection with the Saurabh Sharam corruption case and transport department scam." Reacting to the LoP's remarks, Madhya Pradesh Transport Minister Uday Pratap Singh said that in a democracy, everyone has the right to address their concerns. "I think they (the opposition) should go. Everyone has the right to be heard in a democracy, and they should exercise their rights," the Minister told reporters. Madhya Pradesh Congress legislators have repeatedly raised the Saurabh Sharma corruption case in the state assembly during the budget session. They also staged a walkout, demanding a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into the matter. Earlier, Singhar alleged that state minister Govind Singh Rajput, who previously held the transport portfolio, was involved in the scam and demanded action against him. He questioned why transport ministers from 2013 onwards had not been investigated and why key individuals had not been called for interrogation or had their call records examined. The Madhya Pradesh Lokayukta police had registered a case against former transport department constable Saurabh Sharma under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. Searches at multiple locations linked to Sharma uncovered assets suspected to be disproportionate to his known sources of income. Following the investigation, the Lokayukta police arrested Sharma and his associates, Chetan Singh Gaur and Sharad Jaiswal. They were produced before the court and subsequently sent to jail. On December 19 and 20 last year, the Lokayukta recovered assets worth several crores from two residences linked to Sharma, located at E-7/78 and E-7/657 in Arera Colony, Bhopal. In a related development, Bhopal police and Income Tax (IT) officials recovered 52 kg of gold worth over Rs 40 crore and Rs 9.86 crore in cash from an abandoned car. The vehicle, registered under the name of Chetan Singh Gaur, was discovered late at night on December 19 near Mendori-Kushalpur Road under Ratibad police station limits. Upon receiving information, officials seized the car and its contents. (ANI) Speaking to ANI, Kalita accused the Congress of trying to destroy democracy. "In today's Assembly session, during question hour, our Deputy Speaker Numal Momin was attacked by Congress MLA Nurul Huda. This is not sending out a good message regarding democracy. I condemn this. Congress doesn't follow any rules. They destroyed the country, and they are trying to destroy democracy as well," Kalita said. Earlier today, following protests by Congress and AIUDF against a BJP MLA, Assam Minister Pijush Hazarika also accused Congress MLA Nurul Huda of physically assaulting Deputy Speaker Numal Momin. Hazarika called the attack a direct insult to the Assembly and the Constitution. Taking to social media X, Assam Minister Pijush Hazarika wrote, "Congress MLA Nurul Huda physically assaulting the Hon'ble Deputy Speaker, ALA, Dr. @DrNumal is not only a condemnable act, it is also a direct insult to the Assembly and the Constitution." He further added, "The Assam Legislative Assembly is a sacred place of democracy, where such unconstitutional behaviour is completely unacceptable. Such actions go against the true values of Assam and Bharat. Shame!" Earlier, opposition legislators from the Congress and the AIUDF staged a protest within the premises of the Legislative Assembly in Guwahati. They were protesting against BJP MLA Rupjyoti Kurmi for allegedly attempting to attack opposition legislators and using abusive language inside the State assembly during a heated debate in the House on March 21. The opposition legislators also criticised the role of the Speaker of the Assam Legislative Assembly and demanded the Speaker take action against BJP MLA Rupjyoti Kurmi. (ANI) The raids were carried out in connection with their alleged involvement in terror-related cases. According to the police, the raids were conducted in the presence of concerned executive magistrates. "Police Awantipora remains committed to maintaining peace and security in the Police District, besides is aimed at to take strict /lawfull action against the miscreants involved in unlawful activities. Such raids shall remain continue till the terrorism is eradicated from grass route level for creating peaceful atmosphere in Police District Awantipora," it added. Earlier today, the Indian Army, along with the Jammu and Kashmir Police, carried out a cordon and search operation in the Saniyal area of Hiranagar. A joint operation was launched by Jammu and Kashmir Police and troops of Rising Star Corps in the general area of Saniyal Hiranagar on Sunday night after the security forces received input regarding the presence of terrorists. This comes after a firing incident was reported in the Hiranagar area of Kathua during a search operation by security forces. Security personnel also deployed unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in continuation of the cordon and search operation in the Saniyal area of Hiranagar in the Kathua region of Jammu and Kashmir to track down terrorists following intelligence inputs about their presence. Security forces remain on high alert as the cordon and search efforts continue, with the UAV assisting in tracking movements in the area. Further details are awaited as the operation progresses. Meanwhile, the Indian Army and the Jammu and Kashmir Police recovered multiple heavy weapons, ammunition, improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and narcotics in a joint intelligence-based operation, foiling a "major terrorist attempt" in the Rajouri and Poonch areas, according to the White Knight Corps of the Indian Army. (ANI) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders on Monday staged a protest against Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on his reported statement on the Constitution. Earlier in the day, Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat slammed those who, in his words, had previously vowed to protect the Constitution, accusing them of using it merely as a political tool. Speaking to ANI, Shekhawat stated, "Those who were roaming around with the Constitution and vowing to protect it, their character and face have been exposed once again. Those who always treated the Constitution according to their convenience have once again exposed their personality and put it in front of the people of the country...For them, the Constitution was just a means to win the elections." This comes after DK Shivakumar, at an event on Sunday, talked about the bill that provided four per cent reservation to minorities and other backward classes in public contracts in the state in an event, purportedly saying that the "Constitution will be changing. "A ruckus erupted within a few minutes of the proceedings in Rajya Sabha over Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar's reported remarks about "changing the Constitution". Union Minister Kiren Rijiju demanded an explanation from the Leader of Opposition, Mallikarjun Kharge, regarding the Congress' position on reservation for Muslims, whereas the Congress chief said that nobody can change the Constitution. Speaking in the Rajya Sabha, Kiren Rijiju termed the Shivakumar's statement "extremely serious." Replying to Kiren Rijiju, LoP and Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge said that his party took up the Bharat Jodo Yatra across the country to protect the Constitution." Nobody can change the Constitution drafted by Babasaheb Ambedkar. Nobody can finish the reservation. To protect it, we did the Bharat Jodo Yatra from Kashmir to Kanyakumari. They (points at NDA MPs) break India," Kharge said. Kiren Rijiju further replied to Kharge and demanded the resignation of Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar. "Raising the issue of Muslim reservation, Congress has sullied the prestige of Babasaheb Ambedkar's Constitution. If you have guts, demand the resignation of Deputy CM today itself," Rijiju said. Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar hit back at the BJP saying that they were trying to twist his statement. "I don't want to comment much on it... On quota, there are several judgments which have come, and after every judgment, amendments have been made to the Constitution; there is nothing else... So they are trying to twist it. They don't have any issues. I am happy that Jairam Ramesh has moved privilege motion. I am also consulting my legal experts," he said. (ANI) BJD MP Sasmit Patra expressed concern over the ruckus witnessed in the Parliament on Monday, stating that contentious issues need to be discussed, and deliberated and said some resolution should be made. He stressed that disruptions are not the order of the House. The Parliament was adjourned earlier in the day following a ruckus between the leaders of the BJP and the Congress over Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar's reported statement on the Constitution. On ruckus and adjournment of Parliament over DK Shivakumar's reported statement on Constitution, Sasmit Patra told ANI, "Issues whatever they are and however contentious they are, from either side of the Parliament...needs to be discussed, deliberated and in a way dialogue form, some resolution should be made. Disruptions are not the order of the house". He stressed that the rules of the country should prevail and stated that the Constitutional provisions should continue. "We believe that whatever the rules and laws of this country, should prevail, if someone has a certain perception or a certain view, let the parliamentary procedures and the laws and the Constitutional whatever provisions are should continue, that is the simple reason," he pointed out. Meanwhile, a fierce debate between the Treasury and Opposition benches broke out on Monday in the Rajya Sabha over the Karnataka government granting 4 percent reservations to minorities in contracts, with Union Minister J P Nadda demanding the withdrawal of the law and demanding an answer from Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge. JP Nadda, while speaking in Parliament, said that Congress falsely claims to be "protectors of the Constitution." "I am saying this with a lot of sadness, the way Congress claims to be a protector of the Constitution but the way they have tried to destroy it. Dr B R Ambedkar had himself said, that reservation would not be done on the basis of the Constitution, this is an acceptable provision of the Constitution of India. But in Karnataka, there is a talk of giving reservation of 4 per cent, in contracts," Nadda said in Rajya Sabha. This statement was met with fierce objections from the Opposition benches asking him to authenticate his remarks. Rajya Sabha Chairman and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar also asked Nadda to authenticate his remarks and put it on the floor of the house. "The statement to which reference has been made by the Parliamentary Affairs minister, that a functionary of the political party has made a statement on contract for muslim community, please authenticate and put it on the table of the house," Dhankar said. Amid the shouting from the Opposition benches Nadda continued, "I will authenticate, The Karnataka government has passed a bill granting 4 per cent of reservation to minorities in public contracts, apart from that, the Deputy Chief Minister has also given a statement on the house that if needed we will change the Constitution too, this is a very serious matter, and these people call themselves the protectors of the Constitution." Replying to Nadda's remarks, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said that Congress has proven itself to be protectors of the Constitution, referencing the party's "Bharat Jodo Yatra." "I just want to say, that the person that said that we will change the Constitution, the one made by Dr BR Ambedkar, cannot be changed by anyone. In fact, for its protection, we are the one who took out a Bharat jodo Yatra from Kanyakumari to Kashmir," Kharge said. Pointing towards the government MPs, he added, "These people, they want to do Bharat todo (breaking up India)." These remarks by Kharge were met by loud objections from the treasury benches, prompting Parliamentary Affairs minister Kiren Rijiju to reply, "I want to say on record, that their own sitting Deputy Chief Minister, and state's congress president has officially said that, and I can authenticate it too." Earlier, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar had alleged that the BJP is misquoting him and spreading fake news. "Whatever they are quoting is wrong. They are misquoting me. We are a national party--it is our party that brought the Constitution to this country," he emphasised. He further accused the BJP of a deliberate campaign to mislead, stating, "The BJP always tries to misguide the country... They are peddling fake news." (ANI) Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Monday addressed the state assembly regarding the demand for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the death of Vimal Negi, Chief Engineer of Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (HPPCL). He also thanked Negi's wife for trusting the state government's investigation. Sukhu stated that while former Chief Minister Jairam Thakur claimed Negi's family wanted a CBI inquiry, Negi's wife had expressed confidence in the state government's probe. She had given 15 days for the investigation and said she would decide on further action afterwards. The Chief Minister said, "Former CM (Jairam Thakur) said that Vimal Negi's family members want a CBI inquiry. I have been told that his (Negi's) wife has said that she has full faith in the Chief Minister. She has given 15 days for the inquiry and after 15 days, she will think about what to do next. So, I want to thank her for trusting the Himachal Pradesh government. Our government works with transparency and those who are transparent need not be afraid..." His remarks came amid a political debate over the case, with the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) demanding a CBI probe, questioning the fairness of the state-led investigation. Ahead of this, family members of the deceased engineer of State Power Corporation Limited, Vimal Negi, staged a protest on Monday outside the Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Limited office demanding justice. Himachal Pradesh Minister Jagat Singh Negi reached there and assured that the family will get justice. According to reports, Negi had been missing since March 10, yet despite his family's repeated complaints, the police failed to register an FIR. His body was later found in Govind Sagar Lake on March 18, which led to widespread anger among employees and his relatives. On March 19, HPPCL employees, along with Negi's family, staged protests, holding Managing Director Harikesh Meena and Director Deshraj directly responsible for his death. Protesters alleged that these officials mentally harassed Negi to such an extent that he was left with no choice but to end his life. (ANI) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday met Governor Anandiben Patel in Lucknow to mark the completion of eight years of his government. During the meeting at Raj Bhavan, he presented the book "Sabka Saath-Sabka Vikas - Eight Years of Prosperity" to the Governor. Taking to social media platform X, the Chief Minister wrote, "On the occasion of completion of 8 years of 'policy of service, security and good governance' of the Uttar Pradesh government, I made a courtesy call on Hon'ble Governor Anandiben Patel today at Raj Bhawan, Lucknow. On this occasion, she was also presented the book 'Sabka Saath-Sabka Vikas-8 Years of Prosperity.'" Earlier in the day, speaking at a programme marking his government's eight-year tenure, CM Yogi Adityanath said that Uttar Pradesh had transformed from a BIMARU state into the "growth engine of the nation's economic development." "UP was considered among the BIMARU states 8 years ago, people only knew it as labour-power. Today, it has emerged as the growth engine of the nation's economic development," he said at a press conference. The Chief Minister also spoke about the neglect of the agriculture sector before 2017 and highlighted his government's efforts to boost agricultural productivity. He further added, "The agriculture sector was neglected before 2017... UP has an abundance of agricultural possibilities and water resources... We could have grown as a basket of agricultural production in the country. We could have multiplied farmers' income with the help of technology. But before 2017, farmers were committing suicide... Farmer welfare schemes had been pending for 4 decades..." He also highlighted the struggles farmers faced, including suicides and pending welfare schemes, before the government's intervention. "The sugar industry was on the verge of collapse before 2017... We revived the shut sugar mills... Currently, 122 sugar mills are functional in the state... Sugarcane farmers have been paid more than Rs. 2.8 lakh crores from 2017 till now... We did more in 8 years than what the previous governments did in 22 years," Yogi said. On law and order, he cited the successful organisation of the Prayagraj Mahakumbh as an example of Uttar Pradesh's improved security environment. "We know about the law and order situation before 2017. There used to be riots almost every day; daughters and traders were not safe... Today, UP has taken a huge leap in law and order, Prayagraj's Mahakumbh is the biggest example of it. In the 45-day event, there was no such incident that may have caused inconvenience to the devotees... There were 1.5 lakh vacancies in the UP police dept in 2017... The recruitment process was not transparent... More than 2,16,000 police personnel have been recruited," Yogi Adityanath said. He also accused previous governments of weakening security forces. "54 companies of PAC, fighting rioters, were shut down by the previous governments... This was a conspiracy to give a free had to rioters. We revived these companies after coming to power and also incorporated two women PAC companies... We installed 11 lakh CCTVs... UP became the first state to complete the CCTV installation in 17 municipal corporations and Gautam Buddh Nagar," he added. A programme was organised in Lucknow to commemorate eight years of the Yogi Adityanath government. Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya, Minister Brajesh Pathak, Minister Chaudhary Bhupendra Singh, and several other ministers and dignitaries attended the event. (ANI) Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Monday chaired a cabinet meeting in Bhopal, where he reviewed key state developments, including relief for hailstorm-affected farmers, industrial investments, and wildlife conservation efforts. During the meeting, CM Yadav noted that information had been received about crops damaged by hailstorms in over 400 villages across the state. Following this, he directed officials to conduct immediate surveys and provide relief funds to affected farmers. The Chief Minister also emphasised the state government's commitment to environmental and wildlife conservation. After developing two new tiger reserves, his government is now working towards establishing additional wildlife sanctuaries. In this regard, a new wildlife sanctuary--Madhya Pradesh's 26th--is being developed in Omkareshwar, spanning an area of 614 square kilometres. The CM further stressed that there are no villages or human settlements in the area and that it will be developed as a tiger reserve in the future. Additionally, speaking about the results of the recently concluded Global Investors Summit (GIS), CM Yadav stated that efforts were underway to implement investment proposals on the ground. As part of this initiative, bhoomi pujan (groundbreaking ceremonies) for 18 industrial units took place in the Gwalior-Chambal region on March 21. Of these, the foundation stones for 11 industrial units were laid in Morena district, seven in Gwalior district, and one private industry in Bhind district. Furthermore, the bhoomi pujan for 25 industrial units in the Ujjain division is scheduled for Tuesday (March 25), including 13 units in the Ujjain district and 12 in other locations within the division. This process will continue for other divisions as well, the CM said. The Chief Minister also addressed the issue of drinking water availability in light of the summer season and instructed officials to ensure adequate arrangements by continuously monitoring water supply in both rural and urban areas. He further directed that drinking water should be made available at public places and that provisions should be made for animals and birds as well. Ahead of the cabinet meeting, CM Yadav also released the Vikramaditya flag and a booklet "Bharat Ka Nav Varsh Vikram Samvat". During this, he also stated that the Gudi Padwa festival will be celebrated with great enthusiasm in the entire state on March 30 and ministers should participate in the programs to be held in their districts on the occasion. As part of the Vikram Mahotsav celebrations, special events will be held in New Delhi on April 12, 13, and 14, including a theatrical performance centred on Emperor Vikramaditya's personality and governance. The play will also be staged in major cities across Madhya Pradesh. (ANI) Irans Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi will arrive in Armenia today for an official visit, Azernews reports. He will discuss bilateral relations and recent developments in the South Caucasus region with the Armenian authorities. This was stated by Irans Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Ismail Baghaei. As part of ongoing consultations regarding bilateral relations between the Islamic Republic of Iran and its neighbors, and the changes taking place in the region, the foreign minister of our country will visit Yerevan on Monday, Baghaei said, according to the Telegram channel of Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Araghchi will meet with Armenia's foreign minister, as well as the prime minister of Armenia and other government representatives. The Rohini Sessions Court in Delhi has issued a stern directive, demanding stringent disciplinary action against three police officials whose conduct during the investigation of a grave acid attack case has been deemed egregiously negligent. Additional Sessions Judge Dhirendra Rana, in a recent order, meticulously documented the glaring procedural lapses that marred the investigation. Central to the court's concern was the conspicuous failure of initial investigating officers to secure crucial pieces of evidence. Specifically, it was noted that Head Constable (HC) Krishan and Sub-Inspector (SI) Sandeep neglected to seize the mattress bearing remnants of the acidic substance and the clothing worn by the victim at the time of the harrowing attack. This omission represents a critical breach of investigative protocol, potentially compromising the integrity of the evidence and hindering the pursuit of justice. Subsequently, the investigation was transferred to SI Ved Parkash, who recovered the acid-stained mattress and a saree from the victim's residence. These items were then dispatched to the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) for analysis. However, during her testimony before the court, the victim clarified that while the saree seized by SI Ved Parkash did belong to her, it was not the garment she was wearing during the assault. The prosecution's narrative, as presented to the court, detailed a brutal attack that occurred on June 17, 2018, at approximately 9:00 AM. The victim, while at her residence, was allegedly subjected to a coordinated assault by her mother-in-law, sister-in-law, and other accused individuals. The assault reportedly involved an attempt to strangle her, followed by her uncle holding her hair whilst her husband forcibly poured an acidic substance into her mouth. Amid this terrifying ordeal, the victim managed to contact her brother, who then alerted the police. Consequently, a First Information Report (FIR) was registered against the accused at the Shahbad Dairy Police Station. The assault resulted in severe injuries to the victim, including the permanent loss of sight in one eye and significant impairment of her speech. The victim's condition necessitated hospitalization, and she was examined approximately ten days after the incident, following a period of unconsciousness. The prompt reporting of the crime to the police underscores the severity of the attack and the urgent need for a robust and effective investigation. Advocates Ravi Drall and Aditi Singh, representing the victim, vehemently argued that the police officials' negligence in seizing and preserving critical evidence had resulted in a grave miscarriage of justice. They highlighted the negative FSL report, which the defence had consistently used to argue that no acid was used in the attack. This outcome, they asserted, was a direct consequence of the delayed seizure of evidence and the potential degradation or loss of crucial forensic information. The advocates demanded that stringent action be taken against the errant police officials to rectify the injustice suffered by the victim and to prevent similar lapses in future investigations. In response to these compelling arguments, the court issued a decisive order, directing the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) concerned to initiate a thorough inquiry into the conduct of SI Sandeep, HC Krishan, and retired SI Ved Parkash. To facilitate this inquiry, the court ordered that copies of the replies filed by SI Sandeep and SI Ved Parkash be forwarded to the DCP, alongside a copy of the court's order. (ANI) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Monday attended an Iftar Party organized by State Minority Rights Division and emphasized the longstanding and strong bond between the DMK and the Muslim community, highlighting the party's commitment to safeguarding the community rights. Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Stalin, reflecting on the policies of former Chief Minister M Karunanidhi, reiterated that the DMK government has consistently supported Muslims, pointing to key initiatives such as the reinstatement of Miladi Nabi as a government holiday. "There has always been a strong connection between the DMK and Muslims. I feel so happy to see today's invitation, where the photo of former CM of Tamil Nadu, Karunanidhi, and Quaid-e-Millat is seen together. Karunanidhi had announced a government holiday for Miladi Nabi. During the AIADMK regime, this holiday was removed, but after the DMK came to power again, our leader, the late Karunanidhi, reinstated the government holiday, and it continues to exist till today," he said. "Like our leader who had very good relationship with Muslims and had given numbers of schemes for Muslims, we Dravidian Model Government also following the same path Karunandidhi have taught us," Stalin said. The Tamil Nadu CM also criticized the AIADMK for their support of the controversial Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), which he argued undermined Muslim rights, and questioned the party's participation in Muslim events despite their support for the act. "DMK is continuously supporting and we are always there for Muslims in TN and we are the persons who is protecting and safeguarding the Rights of Muslims in the state. While tabling CAA act at the Parliament which is against Muslims, we DMK have voted against the CAA but AIADMK MPs have accepted it and voted supporting the act at the parliament. If AIADMK would have not supported the CAA it would have not been tabled but now they (AIADMK) are also responsible for it," Stalin said. "When Edappadi Palaniswamy was the CM of Tamil Nadu, he spoke on stage, questioning what loss Muslims have faced due to the CAA. What I am asking now is, how can the Leader of Opposition and AIADMK General Secretary, Palaniswamy, take part in Iftar programs and other Muslim organizations' events when he has betrayed the Muslims of the state and deprived them of their rights?" Stalin said. He further emphasized that the DMK will always oppose the schemes which is against Muslims. "But we DMK will always oppose the schemes and law which is against Muslims and we will always be a great support to our Muslims community people," the Tamil Nadu CM asserted. (ANI) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Chalavadi Narayanaswamy on Monday demanded that Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah should immediately sack his deputy DK Shivakumar over his reported remarks pertaining to the Constitution. "If any person from the BJP side just speaks about the Constitution, immediately they will (react) and say that the BJP is anti-Constitution. When Anant Kumar Hegde (BJP leader) said something about the Constitution, immediately they (Congress) made it national news," Narayanaswamy, who is Leader of Opposition in Karnataka Legislative Council, told ANI. "He (DK Shivakumar) should resign immediately. Otherwise, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who always talks about Constitutional ethics and Babasaheb Ambedkar, should immediately take action and sack him from the Cabinet," the BJP leader demanded. Earlier today, ruckus erupted in Rajya Sabha over Shivakumar's remarks with BJP leaders alleging that he had talked of "changing the Constitution". Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju sought clarification from Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge, regarding the Congress' position on reservation for Muslims following Karnataka government's decision to provide four per cent reservation to the community in public contracts. He said Shivakumar's remarks were "extremely serious." Kharge said that his party took up the Bharat Jodo Yatra across the country to protect the Constitution. "Nobody can change the Constitution drafted by Babasaheb Ambedkar. Nobody can finish the reservation. To protect it, we did the Bharat Jodo Yatra from Kashmir to Kanyakumari. They (points at NDA MPs) break India," Kharge said. Rijiju also demanded resignation of Shivakumar. He said constitution framers were against religion-based reservations. "If you have guts, take the resignation of Deputy CM today itself," Rijiju said. Union Health Minister JP Nadda, who is the Leader of the House, also slammed Congress over Shivakumar's remarks. "I am saying this with a lot of sadness, the way Congress claims to be a protector of the Constitution but the way they have tried to destroy it. Dr B R Ambedkar had himself said, that reservation would not be done on the basis of the Constitution. But in Karnataka, there is a talk of giving 4 per cent reservation in contracts," Nadda said. The issue also figured in the Lok Sabha and both Houses faced adjournments. Responding to the allegations against him, Shivakumar slammed BJP and said the party is trying to twist his remarks and he is consulting his legal team. "I don't want to comment much on it. There is no hide and seek in this issue. On quota, there are several judgments which have come, and after every judgment, amendments have been made to the Constitution; there is nothing else. So they (BJP) are trying to twist it. They don't have any issues. I am happy that Jairam Ramesh has moved privilege motion. I am also consulting legal experts," the Karnataka Dy CM told ANI. Earlier, speaking to reporters at his residence, Shivakaumar said he "never stated we would change the Constitution". "The BJP is carrying out propaganda. I will fight it legally," he said. Asked about the BJP's criticism of his remarks to a private TV channel on changing the Constitution, Shivakumar said the BJP is twisting his statement. "I have been in public life for 36 years and have basic common sense. But the BJP is misleading people. My name is being dragged into BJP's disinformation campaign," he said. "All I said was that there is a precedent for changing the Constitution based on the Court's orders. I have never said we will change the Constitution. The Congress is a national party that brought the Constitution in the first place. We understand its importance better than others. The Centre has failed the people in the recent Budget and is now trying to rake up other issues. This is part of the BJP's continued political conspiracy," he added. Asked about Amit Malviya's post on X, Shivakumar said he is misleading. "The BJP has always tried to take the country down the wrong path. Let them show proof of me saying the Constitution needs to be changed. This is cheap politics from the BJP. They don't get sleep if they don't take the names of Sonia Gandhi, her family, and the Congress party. The BJP is an expert in falsifying information and carrying out propaganda campaigns." "I will take legal action against those twisting my statements. It would be difficult if these statements were made within the House, but I will surely pursue legal action if they were made outside Parliament," he added. Asked if the media had misrepresented his statement, he said, "there is nothing wrong with the media's reporting. The BJP has twisted my statements and is unnecessarily dragging my name into this." (ANI) In a significant move, the Central Government on Monday empowered state governments to exercise its powers under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967 to take action against the Awami Action Committee (AAC), which has been declared an unlawful association. Through a notification issued and published in the Gazette of India, the Centre authorized the states to invoke Sections 7 and 8 of the UAPA. This includes the power to seize properties associated with the banned organization and restrict its activities. The delegation of authority is done under Section 42 of the Act. "...In exercise of the powers conferred by section 42 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967(37 of 1967) (hereinafter referred to as the said Act). The Central Government hereby directs that all powers exercisable by it under sections 7 and 8 of the said Act shall also be exercised by the state governments," reads the notification issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). The move aims to ensure swift and effective action at the state level, enhancing the government's efforts to curb unlawful activities of terrorist outfit AAC. The decision is particularly crucial in states where the AAC has been active. The Central Government's decision reflects its commitment to strengthening internal security by decentralizing enforcement measures under the UAPA. State authorities are expected to collaborate with central agencies to ensure strict implementation of the ban. On March 11, the MHA declared the Jammu and Kashmir-based AAC an unlawful association under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, imposing an immediate ban for the next five years accusing the organization of engaging in activities that threaten the country's sovereignty, integrity, and security. The AAC, led by Umar Farooq, has been involved in supporting terrorist activities and spreading anti-India propaganda to fuel separatism in Jammu and Kashmir. Earlier, the ministry had stated that the group has been mobilizing funds to support secessionist, separatist, and terrorist operations in the region. Additionally, it accused the AAC of showing blatant disregard for India's constitutional authority by promoting unrest, encouraging armed insurgency, and spreading hatred against the government. A notification, earlier issued by the MHA, cited multiple cases registered against AAC leaders, including Umar Farooq and other members, for their alleged involvement in anti-national speeches, incitement of violence, and stone-pelting incidents. It referenced a charge sheet filed by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in 2018 against AAC spokesperson Aftab Ahmad Shah and 11 others for conspiracy against the state. Several police cases, dating back to 2008, were also listed, accusing AAC members of delivering inflammatory speeches, calling for election boycotts, and instigating public disorder. The government had warned that failure to curb AAC's activities could lead to continued anti-national actions, including spreading separatist propaganda, inciting violence, and supporting militancy. The notification emphasized that the group's activities are detrimental to national security and public order. (ANI) President of India Droupadi Murmu arrived in Bhubaneswar, Odisha on Monday afternoon from Raipur, Chhattisgarh. The President travelled to Nayagarh from Bhubaneswar and made darshan and puja at Lord Nilamadhab Temple. Later, she graced the foundation day ceremony of Bharatiya Biswabasu Shabar Samaj at Kaliapalli. Addressing the gathering at the Kaliapalli, the President said that the spectacular views of this area are very attractive. It has the potential to become a popular tourist destination. She expressed confidence that the development of infrastructure in this area will attract tourists and pilgrims. It will also boost the economy of the area. She urged all to contribute to developing this place and area. She said that everyone should come forward to shape the possibilities of Nayagarh in various fields like agriculture, handicrafts, tourism, etc. The President said that a nature-friendly lifestyle is a characteristic of Indian culture. It is also an integral part of tribal life. Tribal brothers and sisters worship forests, trees etc. as gods. According to tribal beliefs, the souls of their ancestors reside in the forest. This belief is a great mantra of forest protection. The President said that the government is implementing various schemes for the empowerment and self-reliance of tribal brothers and sisters while preserving and promoting their art and culture. She urged them to be aware of the welfare schemes and take benefit of those schemes. She said that the government schemes would be successful only with people's cooperation and participation. Earlier Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav called on President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on Saturday and invited her to the launch of 'Jal Ganga Samvardhan Abhiyan' (Water Conservation and Augmentation Campaign) on March 30 in the state. According to an official release, the initiative, aimed at increasing public participation in water conservation and constructing more water structures, will run continuously for 90 days until June 30. Several programs will be organized during this period to promote water conservation in the state. "Today, I met President Droupadi Murmu. Madhya Pradesh has been organising Vikram Ustav for years and Vikram Samvat's new year will begin on March 30 which is an important day of the event. During this, we will launch the 'Jal Ganga Samvardhan Abhiyan' for three months in the state. I have given the invitation to the President regarding the same. She has agreed to try and arrange her schedule. I have also extended gratitude on behalf of the MP government," CM Yadav said. (ANI) The Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) has extended its full support to the ongoing protest by students against the Telangana State Congress government's decision to allegedly put the lands of Hyderabad Central University up for sale, an official statement said. BRS Working President K T Rama Rao (KTR) announced this support on Monday. A delegation of student union leaders and students from Hyderabad Central University met KTR at Telangana Bhavan, appealing for his backing in their movement. The students expressed their anguish, explaining to KTR that while the Congress government had previously allocated these lands for university use, the same party's administration is now acting unjustly by auctioning them off, the statement added. Responding positively to their plea, KTR advised the students to expand their agitation not only to Hyderabad Central University but also to students of other central universities across the country. Given that the university operates under the central government's jurisdiction, KTR assured the students of BRS's support in raising the issue with the Union government. He promised cooperation in facilitating a meeting with Union Minister of Human Resource Development Dharmendra Pradhan to address the preservation of the university's lands. Additionally, KTR voiced concerns that using the Bakari Kancha lands for commercial purposes would destroy the area's rich biodiversity and flora, disrupting the environmental balance. He suggested that the students approach the Union Ministry of Environment and urged intervention from the ministry on this matter. According to the statement, KTR instructed the students to coordinate with senior BRS leader Dasoju Sravan and the party's student wing president Gellu Srinivas for further assistance. The students expressed their gratitude to KTR for understanding their concerns and responding positively to their legitimate demands. They announced plans to extend their agitation to universities nationwide, vowing to continue their fight to protect both the Hyderabad Central University lands and the environment. (ANI) Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan emphasized the importance of adaptability and transformation in modern warfare, stating that survival in today's battlespace depends not on being the fittest, but on the ability to evolve and seize emerging opportunities. "Survival in today's battlespace is not about being the fittest, but about those who adapt, transform, and position themselves and seize emerging opportunities," said CDS at the College of Defence Management (CDM), Secunderabad. As per a release from the Ministry of Defence, CDS Gen Chauhan was addressing future strategic leaders undergoing the Higher Defence Management Course HDMC-20 on the challenges of navigating the complex security landscape of the 21st century. In his address, Gen Anil Chauhan highlighted the importance of adaptability, resilience and visionary leadership amidst rapidly shifting global power dynamics, non-traditional threats and technological advancements, characterised by fast-paced AI disruptions, to address contemporary and emerging security challenges effectively. The CDS impressed upon the need for a whole national approach towards a synergetic response and underscored the role of the Indian Armed Forces in shaping the country's national security strategy. The CDS, in his talk on National Security Architecture and Change Management in the Year of Defence Reforms, gave a deep insight into the functioning of the Department of Military Affairs (DMA) and the transformative drive towards fostering jointness, integration and synergy in the armed forces. He provided a nuanced perspective of the roadmap for year of transformation marked by articulation of Vision 2047 for the armed forces, joint doctrines, defence & military policies along with efforts towards finalisation of Integrated Capability Development Plan, while elaborating upon the Atmanirbharta initiatives undertaken by the DMA. During the visit, General Chauhan engaged with faculty members and course participants, including officers from friendly foreign countries, sharing his insights on the importance of fostering innovation, experimentation and collaboration within the defence establishment to stay ahead in an evolving strategic environment. The visit of CDS to CDM is a testament to the institution's commitment to excellence in defence management education and its role in shaping the future of India's National Security. (ANI) After airlines refused to share airfare data with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the aviation regulator on Monday said that it is examining the matter. Speaking to ANI, a senior DGCA official said they are in communication with airline officials regarding the issue. "We want to study the trend of air ticket prices following complaints by the public about high fares during peak seasons. Recently, during Mahakumbh, there were many such complaints. Tata Consultancy Service, the digitisation vendor for the DGCA, has been tasked with analyzing the matter," the official said. In December, the DGCA asked airlines to submit data on each passenger, such as the fare levied along with the booking date and the base fare, as well as the number of passengers on the flight. In the first week of January, the first meeting between DGCA and FIA was held over data sharing. On March 3, DGCA held another meeting with airlines, requesting them to share fare data. In response, the Federation of Indian Airlines (FIA), on behalf of its member airlines (Air India, IndiGo, and SpiceJet) expressed concerns about the request. "We must stress that the sharing of raw/granular fare data presents significant risks to airline confidentiality, operational viability, and market competitiveness. Given the highly competitive nature of the aviation industry, any potential data breach or mishandling could result in serious commercial implications. The exposure of sensitive fare data to multiple external agencies, including consultants and third parties, heightens the risk of unauthorized disclosure, strategic exploitation, and commercial setbacks for airlines," the FIA said in a letter to DGCA. "Our member airlines operate in full compliance with Section 135 of The Aircraft Rules, 1937, with the prevailing airfare structure allowing airlines to sustainably operate while maintaining accessibility and service quality for passengers. It is crucial to recognize that airlines require pricing flexibility to accommodate seasonal demand fluctuations, fuel price volatility, and market conditions to maintain economic viability," read the letter. The Civil Aviation Ministry recently intervened to address concerns over steep airfare prices, particularly for flights to Prayagraj during the 2025 Mahakumbh Mela. (ANI) Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh on Monday submitted a breach of privilege notice to Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankar against Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju for "misleading" the House over Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar's reported remarks on the Constitution. "On March 24, 2025, shortly after the House met, Kiren Rijiju had blatantly misled the House by attributing some false statements purportedly made by DK Shivakumar, Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka," Jairam Ramesh said in his notice. He sought breach of privilege proceedings against Rijiju. "DK Shivakumar has since refuted the statements attributed to him to be false and derogatory in nature. Hence, the remarks made by Kiren Rijiju are false and misleading which constitute a breach of privilege and contempt of the House. It is well established that it is a breach of privilege and contempt of the House to make false and misleading statements in the House. In view of the foregoing, I request that privilege proceedings may be initiated against Kiren Rijiju in the matter," Jairam Ramesh said. Rijiju had sought clarification from Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge over Shivkumar's reported comments relating to the Constitution. He said Shivakumar's remarks were "extremely serious." Rijiju also demanded resignation of Shivakumar. He said constitution framers were against religion-based reservation."If you have guts, take the resignation of Deputy CM today itself," Rijiju added. Shivakumar accused the BJP of trying to twist his remarks and said he is consulting his legal team. "I don't want to comment much on it. There is no hide-and-seek in this issue. On quota, there are several judgments which have come, and after every judgment, amendments have been made to the Constitution; there is nothing else. So they (BJP) are trying to twist it. They don't have any issues," the Karnataka Dy CM told ANI. (ANI) Days after the Karnataka government granted four per cent reservation to minorities in public contracts, BJP MP Mayank Nayak on Monday slammed the move and accused the Congress of playing "politics of religion." He also slammed remarks of the Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar related to Constitution. "Karnataka government has announced to provide 4 per cent reservation to the Muslim community in public contracts. Who is doing the politics of religion and giving reservations based on religion? Today, there was a ruckus in the Rajya Sabha and Union Minister JP Nadda strongly objected to the matter that reservation should not be made based on religion," he said. Meanwhile, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of making laws based on religion and said Congress government's decision for reservation to the main minority in public contracts stems from a practice that has been in existence in the state since 1994. He accused BJP-led government of trying to hide corruption cases. "...BJP is making laws based on religion. We have never given reservations based on religion...by raising this issue today(in Parliament) without any reason, the government wants to hide its corruption cases...our Congress party and other parties in Karnataka, all together accepted the reservation started in 1994. That reservation has been there since then...continuing till today. But what is their problem?" Kharge told ANI. The Congress chief was asked about the reported remarks of the Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on the Constitution. He said benefits of the free guarantees are reaching the doorsteps of every household and therefore, "the BJP is unhappy with the popularity" of the Congress. "Their problem is that our five guarantees are reaching the people in Karnataka and so they are very sad that the popularity of Congress is increasing...," he added. Shivakumar earlier accused the BJP of trying to twist his remarks and said he is consulting his legal team. "I don't want to comment much on it. There is no hide-and-seek in this issue. On quota, there are several judgments which have come, and after every judgment, amendments have been made to the Constitution; there is nothing else. So they (BJP) are trying to twist it. They don't have any issues," the Karnataka Dy CM told ANI. (ANI) In a recent operation, individuals attempting to smuggle illegal drugs into Azerbaijan have been detained by the State Border Service, Azernews reports. According to a statement released by the Services Press Center, the detainees were made as part of ongoing efforts to secure the countrys borders and combat the illegal trafficking of narcotics, psychotropic substances, and their precursors. On March 21st, a border patrol unit of the State Border Service's Border Troops Command in the Lankaran region reported hearing the sound of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) near the border line. Shortly after, two individuals were observed traveling in a car in the same direction. The border post immediately raised the "Weapon" alarm, and the area was locked down for a search. Following the operation, the movement of the vehicle was restricted. As a result of the border search and operational measures, two individuals, identified as Ilgar Gurbanov, born in 2000, and Nemat Maharramov, born in 1985, both residents of the Saray settlement in the Absheron district, were detained on suspicion of illegal activities. A subsequent search of the vehicle revealed 6.354 kilograms of marijuana, which was seized by authorities. During initial questioning, the detained individuals admitted that they had traveled to retrieve the narcotics dropped from a drone coming from the territory of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The investigation and operational measures are ongoing. Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur's Department of Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) achieved a breakthrough in emergency medical care with the development of a haemostatic sponge made from seagrass and cellulose. Designed to stop bleeding within one minute of application, this innovation has the potential to transform emergency care in critical situations such as road accidents and traumatic injuries. The sponge is crafted using red seagrass, abundantly found along India's coastlines, and has undergone rigorous testing, confirming its rapid clotting capability. With three patents under its name, one with DRDO and two with IIT Kanpur as the sole inventor, the sponge's efficiency and accessibility position it as an indispensable tool for emergency responders. Professor Vivek Verma of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, IIT Kanpur, explained, "This haemostatic sponge is the result of combining India's natural resources with cutting-edge materials science. By using seagrass-derived agar and cellulose, we've developed a biodegradable, cost-effective solution that can save lives while supporting sustainable healthcare practices. It represents a significant step forward in improving emergency care, especially in areas where access to medical facilities is limited." Inspired by the moisture-absorbing properties of traditional sponges, this innovation accelerates clotting by absorbing moisture from the injury site, reducing clotting time from eight minutes to one. Lightweight and easy to store, it is ideal for first-aid kits in emergencies like road accidents, military operations, or situations with limited immediate medical attention. This innovation highlights IIT Kanpur's commitment to creating affordable, locally sourced healthcare solutions that address India's unique challenges. Human trials are slated to begin soon, with hopes to bring this pioneering product to market soon. With the potential to significantly impact emergency healthcare, this innovative product is set to improve survival rates in critical situations and make life-saving solutions more accessible nationwide. (ANI) BRS MLC K Kavitha said on Monday that the party will "oppose" the Waqf Amendment Bill in the Parliament. Speaking to ANI after attending an Iftar Party, in Banswada, K Kavitha reiterated the support of the BRS party for the Muslim Community and acknowledged the support of the minority community during the Telangana movement. "We are celebrating Ramzan with our people in Banswada, and we are talking about the current situation of the central government and how the current central government is trying to bring a bill that is going to take control of the Waqf properties of Muslims. BRS as a party will oppose that, and we are with our Muslim community, we have always been with them. We have always worked for the empowerment of the Muslim community... During the Telangana movement, the community supported us... Peace should prevail in the entire country and Telangana. So we will oppose the Waqf Amendment Bill in Parliament," Kavitha said. The Waqf Act of 1995, enacted to regulate Waqf properties, has long been criticised for issues such as mismanagement, corruption, and encroachments. The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, aims to address these challenges by introducing reforms such as digitisation, enhanced audits, improved transparency, and legal mechanisms to reclaim illegally occupied properties. A day earlier, the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) announced a nationwide agitation against the proposed Waqf Amendment Bill. A statement issued by Mohd Vaquar Uddin Latifi, Office Secretary of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) on Sunday, 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." The government has formed a Joint Parliamentary Committee to examine the Bill in consultation with experts and stakeholders (ANI) The attempted incursion took place in the Ghulam Khan Kaley region of North Waziristan, where terrorists attempted to cross into Pakistani territory but were intercepted by security personnel. ISPR stated that the military's quick response thwarted the infiltration bid, preventing any terrorists from breaching the border. The statement reaffirmed Pakistan's repeated calls for the Afghan interim government to ensure that Afghan soil is not used for terrorism against Pakistan. The military further stressed that Islamabad expects Kabul to fulfil its responsibilities in this regard and take decisive action to curb cross-border militant activities, reported ARY News. Meanwhile, in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Lakki Marwat district, police successfully repelled an armed attack on Pezo police station. Officials reported that the attack was launched by terrorists who attempted to storm the facility, but officers on duty effectively countered the assault, forcing the attackers to retreat. No casualties were reported among security personnel. Additionally, security forces had previously thwarted an assault on the Lakhani border post near the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa border. The latest attack marked the second such attempt within 24 hours and the third major incident within a week. Reports indicated that 20 to 25 heavily armed terrorists, equipped with advanced weaponry including rocket launchers, launched the assault, ARY News reported. However, the use of thermal imaging cameras allowed security personnel to detect and retaliate against the attackers, preventing significant damage. (ANI) The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) announced a targeted strike on a Hamas operative inside Gaza's Nasser Hospital compound. In a post on X, the IDF stated, "A key Hamas terrorist who was operating from within the Nasser Hospital compound in Gaza was precisely struck. The strike was conducted following an extensive intelligence-gathering process and with precise munitions in order to mitigate harm to the surrounding environment as much as possible." https://x.com/IDF/status/1903902958992904329 The military accused Hamas of using civilian sites as cover, stating, "Hamas exploits civilian infrastructure while brutally endangering the Gazan population--cynically using an active hospital as a shelter for planning and executing murderous terrorist attacks in a direct violation of international law." Separately, the IDF confirmed the killing of two key Hamas commanders, writing, "ELIMINATED: Deputy commander of Hamas' Gaza Brigade and the commander of Hamas' Shejaiya Battalion." The IDF identified them as Ahmad Salman 'Awj Shimali, "responsible for operations, planning Hamas' offensive strategy, and building the brigade's force in preparation for the brutal massacre on Oct 7," and Jamil Omar Jamil Wadiya, "responsible for deploying the battalion's forces against IDF troops and operated to restore and reorganise the battalion. He was involved in an attack in which Daniel Viflic, 16, was murdered." https://x.com/IDF/status/1903879347490165007 Earlier today, US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff blamed Hamas for the renewed fighting, rejecting claims that Israel derailed ceasefire efforts. "So this is on Hamas. The United States stands with Israel," he told Fox News, as reported by Al Jazeera. He said Hamas refused a bridging proposal that aimed to extend the truce into April. "Hamas is the aggressor here." Hamas responded, "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." Meanwhile, Israeli air and ground operations continued in Beit Hanoun and Rafah, with airstrikes in Lebanon targeting Hezbollah sites. Gaza's humanitarian crisis deepened, with UN official Philippe Lazzarini warning, "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." Gaza's Health Ministry reports 50,021 deaths and 113,274 wounded. The Gaza Government Media Office puts the toll at over 61,700. In Israel, 1,139 were killed in the October 7 attacks, with more than 200 taken captive. (ANI) Mountaineers who enter national parks without permission or fail to carry proper snow and climbing equipment could face fines or be banned for up to three years, the National Park Service warned. The statement follows recent mountaineering accidents on Hsuehshan and Yushan this month, highlighting the dangers of inadequate preparation in snowy conditions, Taipei Times reported. On Saturday, two climbers attempting to reach Yushan's main, east, and north peaks were found dead after falling off a steep 380-meter slope covered in thick ice between the main and north peaks. The Nantou County Fire Department reported yesterday that rescuers discovered broken trekking poles, hats, and traces of blood near the bodies, indicating the climbers had slipped on the icy trail. The victims had been out of contact for hours before a fellow mountaineer, surnamed Peng, who had taken a different route to the peaks, alerted emergency services at 11 am on Saturday. Due to strong winds and the steepness of the terrain, a helicopter was not dispatched until the following morning. Once conditions allowed, the bodies were successfully transported to the Tataka Visitor Centre parking lot, where they were handed over to police and family members at approximately 12:30 pm. Yushan National Park headquarters reported that rescuers faced significant challenges while retrieving the bodies. An iron shed along the route was covered in thick ice, and rescuers had to navigate dangerously icy trails with extreme caution. The steep, ice-covered slope where the victims were found required rescuers to slide down a cable to reach the site safely, reported Taipei Times. The National Park Service reminded mountaineers that the snow season in national parks began on Jan. 2 and will end next Monday. During this period, climbers are required to obtain permission before entering national parks and must carry appropriate snow and climbing gear in accordance with regulations. Those who violate these rules may face fines or bans of up to three years under the National Park Act. Officials attributed the recent spike in mountaineering accidents in Hsuehshan and Yushan to waves of strong cold air masses, which caused temperatures to drop significantly. The agency warned that despite sunny weather at lower elevations, icy conditions in the mountains pose a severe risk to climbers. "Snow in the mountains is only beginning to melt, and ice on the trails makes hiking extremely dangerous, even with crampons and ice axes," the agency said. "People should not be fooled by the sunny weather at the foot of the mountain and think that it would be an easy climb." The agency urged climbers to reconsider their trips if they have not yet set out, Taipei Times reported. "Mountaineers who have not yet set out on their expeditions are advised to change the date of their trips, while those who are already on the journey should make sure to properly use helmets, crampons, and ice axes to prevent falls," the agency added. (ANI) In order to mark the significant milestone, an event took place at the Heston Hyde Hotel and was organized by the Labour government to honour his enduring contributions to British politics and the community. The evening saw the presence of several prominent leaders, including Wes Streeting, the Secretary of Health and Social Care, who lauded Sharma's unwavering dedication and service. The event also brought together MPs, mayors, councillors, and a diverse gathering of community members, reflecting the widespread respect and admiration for the veteran politician. As per the release, Sharma began his political career in the 1970s, and over the decades, he has been a passionate advocate for issues impacting the South Asian community, particularly within the Ealing Southall constituency. His commitment to social justice, healthcare, and education reform has earned him significant recognition. During the event, speeches highlighted his tireless efforts, emphasizing his role in fostering inclusivity and representing the voices of the underrepresented. Wes Streeting praised Sharma's impactful work, acknowledging his contribution towards strengthening community ties and promoting progressive policies. The release observed that the event also featured cultural performances, showcasing the rich heritage of the Indian diaspora, alongside reflection upon Sharma's journey in public service. Notably, community leaders expressed their gratitude for his mentorship and leadership, emphasizing his role as a bridge between the South Asian community and the UK government. In his speech, Virendra Sharma thanked his supporters and constituents for their unwavering trust and encouragement. He expressed his commitment to continuing his service, championing causes that matter to the people of Ealing and beyond. The event saw the attendees applauding Sharma's legacy and his ongoing dedication to public service towards its end. (ANI) A protest rally was organised by the leading Baloch human rights organisation, Baloch Yakjehti Committee, in the Lasbela region of Balochistan over the crackdowns taking place alongside the repression and oppression of Baloch people. Sharing the details on X, it said that the rally took place early in the morning against several issues plaguing the Baloch people. These include the crackdown on their protests, subjecting them to oppression and repression. "A protest rally was organized by the Baloch Solidarity Committee (Lasbela Region) against the crackdown on the sit-in this morning and for the recovery of the arrested comrades, along with a demonstration against the crackdown on protest sit-ins and the oppression and repression being carried out across Balochistan. A large number of people participated in this demonstration, including people from all walks of life, and in addition to them, the relatives of the missing persons ensured their participation in the demonstration", BYC said on X. https://x.com/BalochYakjehtiC/status/1903905959036301484 The protests saw the turnout of a large number of youth, women and children. People from all walks of life participated to highlight the issues their community is suffering from. Notably, in another post on X, BYC announced that it will hold a "peaceful resistance sit-in" on March 24 to raise its voice against the forcible disappearance and arrest of political activists such as Mahrang Baloch, Bebigar Baloch and Bebo Baloch. "The Baloch Solidarity Committee will once again hold a peaceful resistance sit-in tomorrow. As long as state oppression continues and Baloch leader Dr. Mahrang Baloch, central member Bebigar Baloch, Bebo Baloch and all the forcibly disappeared and arrested political activists are not safely recovered, the Baloch nation will not sit silent," it announced. "We appeal to every conscious individual of the Baloch nation, political activists, journalists, scholars, clerics, business community, women, workers and children to participate fully. National resistance is the guarantee of our survival, and silence against oppression is tantamount to supporting the oppressor. Time: 12 noon Date: March 24 Location: Burari Bypass," the rights body added. https://x.com/BalochYakjehtiC/status/1903849797305700414 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 reduction in electricity tariffs, as promised by the government of Pakistan, could not get past the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which is presently holding back a staff-level agreement (SLA) on the first biannual review of the USD 7 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF), according to a report by Dawn. This development comes after the IMF had recently turned down Pakistan's request for tax exemptions on foreign investment projects. As per Dawn, it was widely reported in the media through official leaks that PM Shehbaz Sharif would announce a Rs8 per unit reduction in electricity rates in his speech to the nation on March 23. Sharif, however, did not announce any such relief package in his Pakistan Day speech. Instead, he presided over a meeting on the power sector. Dawn noted that the meeting was also attended by Awais Leghari, Ahad Cheema, and Muhammad Ali -- the ministers for power, economic affairs, and privatisation, respectively -- PM's special assistant Tauqeer Shah, and other officials reviewed the power sector issues, a statement issued after the meeting said. The PM Office announced on March 15 that the PM had decided to maintain the petroleum prices at the existing level against up to Rs13 per litre cut worked out by the oil regulator and the petroleum division. It was promised to transfer its financial impact to electricity consumers, Dawn noted. "A package is being prepared with a comprehensive and effective strategy for power tariff cut," Dawn quoted Pakistan's PM Office which further added, "a big relief package is ready for the consumers through the cushion arising out of changes in international oil prices and other measures". However, significantly, the tariff package had to be screened by the IMF, which is currently in the process of reviewing Pakistan's economic performance in the first six months of the ongoing fiscal year and outlook for the period ending June 30, 2025, and beyond. "The purported numbers did not work out in the apolitical software of the IMF," an official told Dawn. Dawn noted that during the course of the March 4-14 review talks, a plan was shared with the IMF staff mission for around Rs2 per unit tariff reduction on account of some savings through the renegotiation of contracts with the Independent Power Producers. However as an afterthought, the authorities were tempted to increase the petroleum levy on petrol and diesel by Rs10 to a maximum of Rs70 permissible under the Finance Act 2025 to divert the revenues towards maximising relief in power tariffs. Dawn noted that this can have another impact of about Rs2-2.50 per unit. "The IMF should not have an issue given the trade-off, increasing the petroleum levy on oil products and using it for reducing power tariffs. It was revenue neutral, no subsidy or fiscal impact," an official told Dawn. The development becomes significant as recently the IMF had turned down Pakistan's request for tax exemptions on foreign investment projects, as reported by the Express Tribune. The Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) had proposed these exemptions during a detailed briefing to an IMF delegation, arguing that such tax relief could boost foreign investment. However, the IMF maintained its stance on fiscal discipline and turned down the request. (ANI) Tel Aviv [Israel], March 24 (ANI/TPS): Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited on Sunday, together with Defence Minister Israel Katz, the IDF's (Israel Defence Forces) absorption and selection base for new inductees in Tel Hashomer, where they met with recruits for the Armoured Corps. At the beginning of the visit, the Prime Minister met with the recruits in the military chain before they put on their uniforms. Afterwards, he and the Minister of Defence held a discussion with the new recruits, and answered their questions on various topics, including the war in various arenas and regarding combat service in the IDF. "I am here visiting the IDF with soldiers who are enlisting in the Armoured Corps today," said Netanyahu. "This has an integral part, a critical part, in our war on seven fronts, the War of Rebirth, in which we are winning." "We win because we understand that in order to defeat our enemies, those who are closing in on us, we break through them with overwhelming ground force, in addition to the excellent work of the Air Force, Intelligence, Navy, and of course the Infantry." (ANI/TPS) Tel Aviv [Israel], March 24 (ANI/TPS): The Israeli government unanimously passed a no-confidence motion against Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara on Sunday, initiating a complex process to remove her from office. No Israeli Attorney General has ever been fired. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was prohibited from participating in the meeting because of a conflict of interest from his corruption trial. The meeting was chaired by Justice Minister Yariv Levin. Baharav-Miara boycotted the government meeting, instead sending a sharply-worded letter. "The move must be understood as it is - the proposal seeks to promote not trust but loyalty to the political echelon. Not governance, but unlimited governmental power, as part of a broader move to weaken the judiciary and deter all professional echelons," her letter said. "The government seeks to be above the law, and to act without checks and balances, even during the most sensitive periods - a time of emergency, protests against the government, and an election period." The government cites "inappropriate behaviour" and "substantial differences" with Baharav-Miara, arguing they hinder effective governance. The opposition says the moves to fire Baharav-Miara and Bar are political and anti-democratic. Levin slammed the Attorney General for not attending the meeting in person. "The advisor almost systematically refuses to appear before the Constitution Committee, ignores the ministers' requests to her, and does not respond to my own requests. As Minister of Justice, not to mention what is happening with other ministers, I receive a blatant disregard for my letters," Levin said. The dismissal process is expected to take around two months. The cabinet must consult the selection committee that appointed her. The committee will then hold a hearing where Baharav-Miara will defend herself before deciding whether to endorse her removal. However, the government retains the final say. Complicating matters is that the selection committee has two vacant seats which must be filled by a Knesset member from the governing coalition, and a former attorney general. It is widely believed that Knesset speaker Amir Ohana and Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar -- a former Justice Minister -- will join that committee. Opposition groups vowed to petition the High Court of Justice to block the Attorney General's dismissal. "After the interrogated Netanyahu tried to fire his interrogator, today the accused wants to fire his prosecutor. It's illegal, it's corrupt, it won't pass," tweeted opposition leader Yair Lapid. Baharav-Miara became Attorney General in 2022, the first woman to fill the position, and nominated by then-Justice Minister Sa'ar. Sa'ar no longer supports Baharav-Miara. "In the previous government, she was the cabinet secretary, and in ours, she is the opposition leader," said Environmental Minister Idit Sliman. The Attorney General oversees public prosecution, represents the state in legal proceedings, serves as the government's chief legal counsel, and advocates for the public interest in legal matters. The position is limited to one six-year term. No Israeli Attorney General has ever been removed from the position. Gideon Hausner -- who as Attorney General was chief prosecutor during the 1961 trial of Adolf Eichmann -- resigned in 1963 to pursue a political career. In 1978, Aharon Barak was promoted in the middle of his term to the Supreme Court. And in 1997, Michael Ben-Yair resigned following the election of a new government. The government on Friday also voted to fire Ronen Bar as director of the Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet). However, the High Court of Justice issued a temporary injunction against Bar's dismissal. The Shin Bet, Israel's domestic intelligence service, is responsible for counterterrorism, counterintelligence, internal security, VIP protection, and cybersecurity. No Shin Bet director has ever been fired before the end of his five-year term. (ANI/TPS) Not only is Chairman Xi Jinping constantly pushing the People's Liberation Army (PLA) towards devotee levels of loyalty to the Chinese Communist Party, but he is ensuring that China's military is equipped with all manner of weapons and gadgets to ensure dominance in both peacetime and wartime. The latest revelation concerns a deep-sea submersible-borne device that is designed to cut seabed communication cables. The news was broken by the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post newspaper, which is regularly a mouthpiece for propaganda that China wishes to announce. Undersea communication and internet cables are critical to globally connecting far-flung parts of the world. Russian and Chinese vessels have made a habit of damaging or severing such cables in places like the Baltic Sea and around Taiwan respectively. For example, Taiwan's Coast Guard Administration detained the Togolese-flagged cargo vessel Hong Tai 58 on 25 February, crewed by Chinese sailors, for allegedly damaging a submarine cable connecting Taiwan to the Penghu Islands near the Chinese coast. This shadowy Hong Tai vessel has operated under various names and registrations, and it is suspected of deliberately tampering with the cable in aid of China's "gray zone" tactics of coercing and harassing Taiwan. Lin Jian, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, said he was "unfamiliar with the incident" and unsurprisingly he asserted that it was unrelated to Chinese actions. A similar incident had happened north of Taiwan at the hands of a Hong Kong-owned ship in January. Earlier, in 2023, Chinese vessels twice disrupted communication cables connecting Taiwan's mainland to the Matsu Islands. As a result, in the face of such deliberate provocation, Taiwan is attempting to boost the resilience of its communications network. It was of particular interest that, just a few weeks after Hong Tai was seized, the world was informed that China had developed this deep-sea tool "capable of severing the world's most fortified underwater communication or power lines," according to the South China Morning Post. It can operate underwater at depths of up to 4km, which is twice the range of current subsea communication infrastructure, and it can integrate with existing Chinese submersibles. The compact device was developed by the state-owned China Ship Scientific Research Centre and its affiliated State Key Laboratory of Deep-sea Manned Vehicles. It can cut through communication cables protected by steel, rubber and polymer sheaths. Not only is China bragging about its new invention, it has secured a trade patent for it too. The tool had first been revealed in the Chinese-language journal Mechanical Engineer on 24 February, in an article entitled "Design of an Electric Cutting Device for Deep-Sea Cables". The article said the device was designed for civilian salvage and seabed mining, but its dual-use utility is obvious. Indeed, as the Hong Kong article posited, "...Cutting cables near strategic chokepoints such as Guam, which is a linchpin of the US military's Second Island Chain, a defense strategy used to contain China, the tool could essentially destabilize global communications during a geopolitical crisis." Indeed, such devices could cripple communications worldwide and help cut off Taiwan from the rest of the world if the PLA decides to invade its peaceable neighbor. One of China's priorities in major hostilities - such as a naval blockade or a full-blown invasion - would be to isolate Taiwan from the rest of the world and to interfere with civilian and military communications. A second new invention from some of China's sharpest military engineering minds is a family of self-propelled landing barges, or landing bridges, designed to help military vehicles and supplies move rapidly from ship to shore. Essentially a floating and movable pier system, their existence was exposed in satellite imagery dating from January 2025. Professor Andrew Erickson, Professor of Strategy at the US Naval War College, warned, "Make no mistake: China's new bridge-barges are purpose-built for a Taiwan invasion scenario. They embody the seriousness with which the PRC under Xi is pursuing control and absorption of Taiwan by any and all means possible." Just as the Allies constructed innovative Mulberry Harbors to support their armies after the D-Day invasion of June 1944, and flummoxed German defense planners by not requiring the capture of a port city early on in the campaign, so China has come up with a new solution for getting vehicles ashore following an amphibious invasion. These under-construction bridge barges were first spotted by American analyst Tom Shugart at Guangzhou Shipyard International. Six such vessels exist, with the distinct possibility of more appearing. The next revelation regarding these new systems came in mid-March when these bridge barges were spotted, and photographed, taking part in a PLA exercise on a beach in Zhanjiang, Guangdong Province, close to the PLA's Southern Theater Command Navy Headquarters. By combining several vessels in a line, a causeway up to 820m long can be constructed, permitting ships - whether civilian roll-on/roll-off or naval amphibious types - to dock at up to five berths and to offload vehicles that drive along the bridge straight onto the shore. Erickson explained, "The innovative Shuiqiao platform, for which there is currently no international parallel or obvious commercial use, may represent the missing piece in the puzzle for China to be able to attempt to deploy ferry-delivered, follow-on forces in support of an amphibious assault to the most advantageous locations along Taiwan's coastline, and thereby be able to utilize commercial ships without holding a port. A single ship can extend over key obstacles and other hazards. Connecting multiple ships in end-to-end configuration, preliminary efforts at which have now been observed, could offer a lengthy bridge indeed." As Erickson observed, an advantage of the system is that the bridge can extend inland, bypassing often treacherous sand or shingle beach slopes or even seawalls. These vessels have up to eight spuds, or legs, that are jacked down into the seabed to hold the bridge in position. This kind of arrangement is more practical that the Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore (JLOTS) system used by the US military. Readers may remember that the USA set up a JLOTS in Gaza to deliver humanitarian aid, but it failed after being battered by a storm. After nearly a quarter of a century of research and development, China has apparently learned lessons from the American JLOTS solution, which has been around sometime. China's pre-built, specialist vessels are more robust, and they ensure follow-on forces can flow in rapidly after a contested beach landing has taken place. A combined-arms battalion with 150 vehicles may take anywhere from 40-60 minutes to come ashore. Erickson continued: "The Shuiqiao-185, Shuiqiao-135, Shuiqiao-110 - so named for their hull length (bridge stowed), as measured in open-source commercial imagery -are not multirole platforms like aircraft carriers, but rather a dedicated platform for landing high volumes of wheeled and tracked military vehicles on beaches. There are no other such platforms anywhere in the world, because no other country than China is preparing to try to be able to invade Taiwan." When deployed, the shortest unit is closest to the beach, and the longest one is farthest out to sea. Although the occasional commentator has posited that these amphibious assets are designed to support humanitarian aid in the wake of a disaster, Erickson was dismissive of such an idea. "There is no need to resort to such unique platforms for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, which is not opposed by hostile shore-based forces. China under Xi would not waste resources of such a specialized, dedicated system if it were not bore-sighted on taking Taiwan by threat, or use, of force." Their existence poses formidable challenges for Taiwanese defense planners. There were only ever a limited number of beaches around Taiwan - approximately a dozen - where a major amphibious landing was feasible. This is due to terrain and beach conditions. However, with these new devices, the PLA can expand the number of potential landing sites for an invasion. This forces Taiwan's military to increase the number of locations it must defend in force, complicating their planning and defenses. In March, the US Naval War College published a report called "Bridges over Troubled Waters: Shuiqiao Class" that examined these new inventions. Authored by the aforementioned Shugart and J. Michael Dahm, they commented, "In the context of rapidly expanding military capabilities and infrastructure across the PLA, this newest logistics capability is further evidence of the PLA's efforts to meet Chairman Xi Jinping's reported mandate to have military capabilities necessary to conduct a large-scale invasion of Taiwan by 2027." This shallow-draft landing system is not a perfect solution, however. As the report noted, "While these landing barges help address a critical PLA requirement, they may create additional problems for the PLA in terms of amphibious landing throughput. That is, the potential volume created by the barges may result in challenges moving equipment and materiel out of a landing area in highly restricted and potentially contested terrain on Taiwan." As a cautionary tale, remember the 35-mile-long traffic jam that Russia created when it invaded Ukraine, where transport ground to a halt since there were only a few viable roads leading to Kyiv. The report elaborated: "Taiwan's mountainous terrain, tunnels and bridges leave the PLA with few viable routes to Taiwan's capital, Taipei, and will potentially funnel the PLA into intersecting fields of fire from Taiwan defenders." The first three Shuiqiao-class barge-bridges are not yet operational, as the PLA will continue to test them. Nonetheless, worryingly, the report's authors warned, "Considering these landing barges in the context of other developments related to amphibious operations suggests the PLA may have significantly advanced its timetable to have sufficient capabilities to conduct a large-scale cross-strait operation against Taiwan in accordance with Xi Jinping's 2027 centennial military building goal." Xi is serious about conquering Taiwan, whether by gray zone tactics or outright violence. As seen with the above two examples of a deep-sea cable-cutting tool and clever barge bridges, China is putting its considerable technological expertise to use developing both weapons and supporting equipment to enable the PLA to perform nefarious missions. By capturing Taiwan, Xi would accomplish what not even the legendary Mao Zedong could do. It would leave Xi an immortal legacy, something that strongmen like Xi and Russian Vladimir Putin hanker after. More than that, it would set up China for greater expansion. By smashing the First island Chain - which stretches from Japan to Malaysia via Taiwan - China would have free and easy access deep into the Pacific Ocean and the ability to cut off places like Japan and Australia. What would it also say about China's and the USA's relative strengths? If China can conquer Taiwan, it would underscore how emasculated the USA has become, and that not even the American nuclear arsenal could thwart China. It would instantly alter the calculus in capitals all around Asia and beyond. The message would be that the USA is an unreliable and weak ally, and that it is utterly useless to resist China. The USA would be finished as a global power, which is exactly what China wishes to accomplish. (ANI) Regional Director of the World Health Organisation (WHO) South East Asia, Saima Wazed expressed confidence towards the commitment to end tuberculosis (TB) on World TB Day 2025. World Tuberculosis Day is marked annually on March 24 to raise awareness about the devastating health, social and economic consequences of TB, and to step up efforts to end the global TB epidemic. The date marks the day in 1882 when Dr Robert Koch discovered the bacterium that causes TB. On the World TB Day, WHO reaffirmed its commitment to support all Member States in the collective fight against TB, with the theme of 2025, "Yes! We Can End TB: Commit, Invest, Deliver", it serves a reminder to bringing all parties together for the fight against TB. Wazed highlighted that the impact of TB extends beyond health, imposing severe financial burdens on affected families. In the South-East Asia region, 30 per cent to 80 per cent of the TB-affected households experience catastrophic costs. In 2023 alone, the region accounted for more than 45 per cent of people who developed TB, as well as approximately half the number of estimated deaths that year. Despite these figures, she highlighted that the region has made commendable strides towards ending TB in the post-COVID-19 era. In 2023, more than 3.8 million people with new and relapse instances of TB were notified across the Region. A treatment success rate was achieved of 89 per cent among people with a new or relapse cases of TB who started treatment in 2022. The missed TB cases reduced to 22 per cent in 2023, compared to 44 per cent in 2020, and initiated TB preventive treatment for nearly 1.5 million people. Wazed brought attention to several challenges towards TB treatment and diagnosis. "We still face several challenges, primarily dwindling resources from partners and major donors. Several of our countries are rolling out newer diagnostics and drugs, including the newer regimen for drug-resistant forms of TB - and this is impacted by the resource reductions", she said. In the way forward, she said there is a need towards greater investments towards a holistic approach towards TB, that also includes social support for patients. Noting that TB cannot be ended by working in silos, she said that there is a need to strengthen and leverage partnerships with other UN agencies, WHO Collaborating Centres and other research organisations located in Member States, as well as the private sector. "Stronger South-South collaboration is needed, for research and innovation to prevent, detect and treat TB. Our countries have ample expertise and experience in the development of new technologies and innovations for people-friendly approaches. We need to share this knowledge and experience, to replicate them in other settings for improved access to the benefits of such research and innovation", she added. Bringing attention towards the role communities play in monitoring and addressing TB, she noted, "The core strength in national programmes is the communities that we serve. Community engagement is essential, from planning to monitoring TB services, addressing stigma and discrimination and promote equity in TB service access." (ANI) The Baloch Human Rights Council (BHRC) has called for the urgent intervention of the United Nations Secretary-General in the ongoing repression of Baloch activists in Pakistan. In a press release, the BHRC urged the UN to press Pakistani authorities for the immediate and unconditional release of Mahrang Baloch and other members of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee, who have been unlawfully detained. According to the BHRC's statement, the arrest and detention of these peaceful activists, who have been advocating for human rights and justice in Balochistan, represent a gross violation of fundamental freedoms and democratic principles. The organisation highlighted that these actions are part of a broader crackdown on individuals demanding truth and accountability for human rights abuses in the region. The press release further emphasised that the international community cannot afford to remain silent as the voices of Baloch activists are silenced through force, intimidation, and unlawful imprisonment. The BHRC called on the United Nations, along with the global human rights community, to take immediate and concrete action to secure the safety and freedom of these activists. The organisation also insisted that Pakistan must be held accountable for its ongoing and systemic human rights violations against the Baloch people. In its appeal, the BHRC reiterated the urgency of the situation, stressing that the continued repression of Baloch activists must not be ignored by the international community and called for decisive action to ensure that justice is served and human rights are upheld in the region. The Baloch Human Rights Council (BHRC) is an advocacy organisation dedicated to promoting and protecting the human rights of the Baloch people, primarily in Balochistan. It works to raise awareness about issues like enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and political repression. The BHRC engages in advocacy at international forums, urging governments to address these human rights violations and support the Baloch people's rights to self-determination. (ANI) Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov shared details of the meeting held with the United States ahead of the peace talks which are set to take place on Monday between Russia and the US. In a post on X, Defence Minister Umerov said that the meeting was productive and focused, with issues such as energy being discussed between the two parties. He reiterated Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's stand for securing a "just and lasting peace," not only for Ukraine but for Europe at large. "We have concluded our meeting with the American team. The discussion was productive and focused -- we addressed key points including energy. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's goal is to secure a just and lasting peace for our country and our people -- and, by extension, for all of Europe. We are working to make that goal a reality", he said. https://x.com/rustem_umerov/status/1903908261016870980 In a previous post he had highlighted the agenda of the discussion of talks. This included the protection of energy facilities and critical infrastructure. Umerov had highlighted that the Ukrainian delegation comprised of energy and military experts from both naval and air components. https://x.com/rustem_umerov/status/1903833939698930144 As per France24, this meeting precedes talks between the US and Russian delegations which are scheduled for today. The meetings follow a series of talks held in Saudi Arabia, first between the US and Russia, and then later between the US and Ukraine, when Kiev accepted a 30-day truce proposal. Trump recently held separate discussions with Putin and Zelenskyy, aiming to broker a ceasefire. While the talks did not result in a comprehensive 30-day truce, Putin agreed to halt attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure for the period, a condition Zelenskyy accepted. However, despite the temporary agreement, both sides have since accused each other of targeting energy facilities, further complicating the peace process. (ANI) Pyongyang warned that it will continue to strengthen its striking power to overwhelm any threats from its enemies, the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) was cited by South Korea's Yonhap. The Disarmament and Peace Institute at North Korea's foreign ministry issued the condemnation after Seoul and Washington wrapped up their 11-day annual 'Freedom Shield exercise' on Thursday. North Korea said the aggressive and offensive nature of this year's drills was the highest in history, according to the KCNA. Towards the beginning of this month, North Korea fired unidentified ballistic missiles. Pyongyang released back-to-back statements denouncing the latest joint drills of Washington and Seoul, threatening that Seoul and Washington will pay a "horrible" price for their "dangerous provocative act." Earlier this February, North Korea launched strategic cruise missiles in waters off its west coast to demonstrate the potential of its nuclear deterrence, local media reported adding that its leader Kim Jong-un has called for thorough war preparedness with the country's nuclear forces and readiness for their use.The United Nations Security Council has adopted multiple resolutions sanctioning North Korea over its illegal missile and nuclear programs since 2006. Earlier on March 22, Yonhap reported that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un reaffirmed his willingness to "invariably" support Russia's war against Ukraine during his meeting with a top Russian security official. Kim held "important and useful" discussions with Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu in Pyongyang the previous day. 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. (ANI) The Baloch National Movement's United Kingdom chapter staged a protest outside the British Prime Minister's office at 10 Downing Street, London, on Sunday, drawing attention to a series of grave human rights violations against the Baloch people. https://x.com/Niaz_Zehri/status/1903883149777764760?t=zAKW7l7SceRLZVLDvPwO0g&s=08 According to a statement released by BNM on social media platform X, the demonstration aimed to highlight the ongoing Quetta Massacre, the arbitrary detention of activist Mahrang Baloch, and the brutal murder of Shahjan Baloch by state-backed death squads. The protest also marked the anniversary of the enforced disappearances of Zahid Baloch and Asad Baloch, who have been missing for 11 years after being abducted by Pakistani security forces. The protesters, a mix of Baloch diaspora and human rights advocates, raised their voices in a passionate call for justice and accountability. The protesters called on British officials to press for the safe release of Mahrang Baloch and other detained Baloch activists, and to work toward the resolution of the growing list of forced disappearances affecting the Baloch people. The protesters urged the UK to use its diplomatic influence to hold Pakistan accountable for the human rights abuses. The Baloch National Movement (BNM) is a political organisation that advocates for the rights and self-determination of the Baloch people. The BNM is committed to raising awareness about the human rights abuses and political suppression faced by the Baloch community, particularly in Pakistan's Balochistan province. Balochistan has experienced prolonged and severe human rights violations in Pakistan. Baloch activists, journalists, and politicians face harassment, arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances, and torture. The Pakistani military and intelligence agencies have been accused of repressing Baloch nationalist movements through violent crackdowns. There are reports of killings, sexual violence, and forced relocations. Balochistan's rich natural resources have often been exploited, but local communities see little benefit. Restrictions on freedom of expression, assembly, and movement persist, with limited international attention to the plight of the Baloch people. (ANI) This move is the latest twist in the country's ongoing political saga, which began with the impeachment of President Yoon Suk-yeol. The court's eight justices voted 7-1 to dismiss Han's impeachment, restoring him to the country's highest office. However, they separately consider the fate of Yoon, who was suspended from his duties after briefly imposing martial law on December 3, as per Al Jazeera. Two justices ruled that the impeachment motion against Han lacked legitimacy, as it didn't receive the required two-thirds majority from lawmakers. According to Al Jazeera, Han was initially appointed acting president after Yoon's impeachment on December 14 but was suspended less than two weeks later. His suspension was due to his refusal to appoint three more justices to the Constitutional Court. During a television address after the ruling, Han expressed gratitude to the court for its "wise decision" and pledged to focus on navigating the geopolitical challenges facing his country. "I believe that all citizens are clearly speaking out against the highly polarised political sphere. I think there is no place for division now. Our country's priority is to move forward," Han said. Notably, the Constitutional Court is on the verge of making a landmark decision regarding Yeol's impeachment. The court has been deliberating Yoon's fate since mid-December and a ruling is expected within days. To confirm Yoon's impeachment, at least six out of eight justices must vote in favour. If upheld, Yoon will be permanently removed from office, triggering a presidential election within 60 days to choose his successor. Separately, Yoon faces criminal charges, including insurrection, related to his short-lived martial law decree. If convicted, he could face life imprisonment or the death penalty. (ANI) US Trade Representative for South and Central Asia Brendan Lynch, will visit India from March 25-29 along with a delegation of US government officials, US embassy spokesperson said. As per the US Embassy spokesperson, Assistant US Trade Representative for South and Central Asia Brendan Lynch, along with a team of U.S. government officials, will be in India from March 25-29 for meetings with Indian interlocutors as part of ongoing bilateral trade discussions. His visit reflects the United States' continued commitment to advancing a productive and balanced trade relationship with India. "We value our ongoing engagement with the Government of India on trade and investment matters and look forward to continuing these discussions in a constructive, equitable, and forward-looking manner", the spokesperson noted. As per the office of the US Trade Representative (USTR), Brendan Lynch oversees the development and implementation of America's trade policy with regard to 15 countries in the region. This includes the management of the US-India Trade Policy Forum (TPF) as well as coordination of activity under Trade and Investment Framework Agreements (TIFAs) with regional partners. Previously, Lynch was the Deputy Assistant US Trade Representative for South and Central Asia and managed negotiations in the region across sectors, including agriculture, manufacturing, services, and intellectual property rights. Notably, before this role, he was USTR's Director for India, where he managed the bilateral trade relationship with India. His visit to India comes days after Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal was in the US for trade talks. Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal had said that he had a "forward looking" discussion with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on a mutually beneficial bilateral trade agreement. His visit to the US followed US President Donald Trump and PM Modi's plans to negotiate the first tranche of a mutually beneficial, multi-sector Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) by the fall of 2025.The two leaders had committed to designating senior representatives to advance these negotiations. During the recent meeting between President Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the two leaders resolved to expand trade and investment to make their citizens more prosperous, nations stronger, economies more innovative, and supply chains more resilient. They resolved to deepen the US-India trade relationship to promote growth that ensures fairness, national security and job creation. To this end, the leaders set a bold new goal for bilateral trade - "Mission 500" - aiming to more than double total bilateral trade to USD 500 billion by 2030. (ANI) The Russian delegation arrived in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Monday, to participate in the peace negotiations brokered by the United States, aiming to reach a ceasefire in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. On Sunday, the US and Ukraine delegations held talks in Saudi Arabia, which Ukraine Defence Minister Rustem Umerov termed "productive". "We have concluded our meeting with the American team. The discussion was productive and focused -- we addressed key points, including energy. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's goal is to secure a just and lasting peace for our country and our people -- and, by extension, for all of Europe. We are working to make that goal a reality", he said. Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a televised statement, said the delegation is working and stressed the need for Russia to stop the strikes. "Our team is working in a completely constructive manner. The conversation is quite useful; the work of the delegations is continuing," he said. "But no matter what we say to our partners today, we need to get [Russian President Vladimir] Putin to give a real order to stop the strikes. Whoever brought this war must take it back," Zelenskyy added. As per France24, this meeting preceded talks between the US and Russian delegations which are scheduled for Monday This follows a series of talks held in Saudi Arabia, first between the US and Russia, and then later between the US and Ukraine, when Notably, Ukraine has already accepted a 30-day truce proposal. Trump recently held separate discussions with Putin and Zelenskyy, aiming to broker a ceasefire. While the talks did not result in a comprehensive 30-day truce, Putin agreed to halt attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure for the period, a condition Zelenskyy accepted. However, despite the temporary agreement, both sides have since accused each other of targeting energy facilities, further complicating the peace process. (ANI) The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has restored biweekly meetings for Pakistan's former Prime Minister Imran Khan in Adiala Jail, The Express Tribune reported. However, the court has ordered visitors from making political statements following the meetings. The HC order issued on Monday allows Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan to meet his family and lawyers on Tuesdays while he can meet his friends on Thursdays. However, only those permitted by Imran Khan's coordinator, lawyer Salman Akram Raja will be able to meet Khan. During the hearing, the court voiced concerns over visitors using jail meetings to make political statements. The Acting Chief Justice of Islamabad High Court Sarfaraz Dogar said that visitors should "meet and leave" and emphasised that speaking to reporters was unnecessary. The court directed visitors to sign an undertaking ensuring that they would not make public statements following the meetings. Jail authorities defended previous measures citing security threats and said that they had consolidated Khan's meetings into one day instead of two to manage risks. The court rejected the argument, stressing that biweekly visits for Imran Khan were approved in a previous ruling. Meanwhile, Imran Khan's legal team claimed that scheduled meetings were being denied arbitrarily. PTI founder's lawyer, Zaheer Abbas, said a scheduled meeting on March 20 did not take place despite requesting it repeatedly, as reported by The Express Tribune. Justice Dogar directed Imran Khan's lawyers to move trial court separately if they seek permission for his children to visit him. The court's decision comes amid legal battles for Imran Khan who has been incarcerated in prison since August 2023 after being convicted in corruption cases. Khan's legal status changed from under-trial to convicted prisoner, impacting his privileges in prison. Jail authorities stated that meetings should be restricted due to security reasons. However, the court emphasised that political debates should not be held during or following meetings with Imran Khan. Imran Khan's lawyers assured the court that visitors would follow new restrictions issued by the judge. Following the court's ruling, Imran Khan's legal team and supporters will be able to meet him twice a week. However, the media gag order breach could result in further legal action, The Express Tribune reported. The order issued by the Islamabad High Court is being viewed as a small relief for the PTI founder and his supporters. However, restrictions imposed on making political statements show judiciary attempts to stop jail meetings from becoming a platform for political messaging. (ANI) Wang Yi meets Japan's national security advisor Masataka Okano Xinhua) 08:33, March 24, 2025 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. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Press Release March 23, 2025 TOL: Support to local products must include protection of agricultural lands Sta. Rosa, Laguna - Government support for the promotion of Filipino-made products must include the protection of agricultural lands that are vital to domestic industries. This was the assertion made by Reelectionist Senator Francis 'TOL' Tolentino, when asked how the government could address the continuing conversion of coconut farmlands in the province to make way for subdivisions and commercial establishments. "There must be a way to link the 'One Town, One Product' law that we just passed to fill in policy gaps due to the absence of a National Land Use Plan," the senator said in response to a local media query at the Alyansa press conference held in Laguna. Tolentino is referring to Republic Act No. 11981, or the 'Tatak Pinoy' (Proudly Filipino) Law, which was signed by President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. last year. The senator said that he will study the law's implementing rules to see how the government could halt the unwarranted conversion of agricultural lands, not just in Laguna, but also in other provinces. "We can regulate the issuance of permits and clearances. You can't be allowed to just wipe out coconut plantations," the senator stressed. "As a child, I remember that San Pablo City used to have Franklin Baker," recalled the senator, referring to the company renowned for producing desiccated coconut and supplying coconut ingredients to major confectioneries around the world. In addition, Laguna is known for producing coconut based delicacies, most notably the iconic buko pie. Tolentino said that the same approach can be used to protect lanzones farms in Alaminos and palay fields in towns such as Victoria and Pila from unwarranted land-use conversion. The senator stressed that he backs the passage of the National Land Use Plan Act, which has languished in the legislative mill for over a decade. "I support the call to revive the National Land Use Plan Act which has long been pending, as former Senate President Vicente Sotto III said, since the 15th Congress," he said, referring to the measure seeking the sustainable use and allocation of the country's land resources. Taiwan's Coast Guard seized an unmarked vessel suspected to be a Chinese in the restricted waters off northwest Taiwan, reported by Taiwan News. At 8 am (local time) on Sunday, a Coast Guard patrol boat probed a suspicious vessel in restricted waters about 37 kilometres northwest of Yongan Fishing Port in Taoyuan's Xinwu District, Taiwan News reported, citing CNA. As the patrol boat reached near the vessel, Coast Guard officers saw that the ship was unmarked and broadcast an order for it to stop for inspection, the report said. The vessel did not follow the order and evaded inspection by moving in a zigzag pattern. Eventually, the Taiwan's Coast Guard intercepted the vessel. The unregistered fuel freighter's name was intentionally removed, implying it has no name, port of registry or ship registration. Taiwan's Coast Guard suspects it was an attempt to fuel other Chinese vessels functioning illegally in the area. The ship was carrying around 500,000 litres of fuel and all six crew members on board were suspected to be Chinese nationals. Although none of the people had any identification documents. The vessel has been escorted back to the Port of Taipei, Taiwan News reported. Taiwan Coast Guard said that unmarked Chinese ships frequently try to cross into northern Taiwan's waters for illegal operations. Under the Cross-Strait Act, such intrusions are dealt with through actions like expulsion, detention, investigation, confiscation of the vessel, and administrative fines. According to Taiwan's Coast Guard, since the six crew members are suspected to be Chinese nationals, the local patrol unit needs to contact their relatives or friends through messaging apps to provide IDs and photos for verification, Taiwan News reported. In the meantime, the crew members will be kept in the local Coast Guard detention centre. After the identities of crew members will be confirmed, the Taiwan Court Guard said the six suspects would face administrative penalties under relevant regulations. Once they pay their fines, they will be deported. In order to counter these activities, the Taiwan Coast Guard said it has bolstered patrols and will conduct enforcement actions. The Taiwan Coast Guard said patrols especially target fuel supply ships to reduce logistical support for illegal Chinese operations. People of Taiwan has been asked to report any illegal or suspicious maritime activities by calling the Coast Guard's "118" hotline. (ANI) A chartered flight carrying nearly 200 Venezuelan migrants deported from the United States landed safely in Venezuela on Monday, CNN reported. This marked the resumption of repatriation flights between the two countries, following a recent agreement. The plane, which originated in the US and made a stopover in Honduras, touched down at an airport just north of Caracas, the Venezuelan capital. Footage of the arrival showed deportees expressing relief and joy, with some celebrating and others making the sign of the cross as they disembarked, as per CNN. "Today, deportation flights of Venezuelan illegal aliens to their homeland resumed via Honduras," the department wrote on X. "These individuals had no legal basis to remain in the United States. We expect to see a consistent flow of deportation flights to Venezuela going forward. Thank you to Honduran President Castro and her government for partnering to combat illegal immigration." Honduras's Secretary of Foreign Affairs said 199 citizens of Venezuelan origin were on the flight. The transfer took three and a half hours and occurred "in an orderly and safe manner," Enrique Reina said in a post on X. According to CNN, repatriations to Venezuela had stalled over the US President Donald Trump administration's decision in February to revoke a license allowing American oil company Chevron to carry out some operations in the South American country. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said at the time that the decision "affected" the flights to Venezuela, prompting the Trump administration to threaten further sanctions on the South American country. The resumption of repatriation flights follows growing outrage in Venezuela over the US deporting 238 Venezuelans to El Salvador, who were then transferred to the notorious Cecot mega-prison. The US accused those migrants of being members of the Venezuelan criminal group Tren de Aragua, but some of their relatives told CNN that the deportees were not involved in any criminal activity. (ANI) Tel Aviv [Israel], March 24 (ANI/TPS): For the first time since his return to the Ministry of National Security last week, Minister Itamar Ben Gvir held a statement to the press on Monday during a faction meeting. In his remarks, he addressed the ongoing secret investigation by the Shin Bet against the Israeli Police, which is reportedly probing allegations of undermining Israel's democratic system through claims of far-right extremist ideologies spreading within the force, allegedly by individuals close to Ben Gvir. Ben Gvir directly addressed the issue, stating: "On August 25th, the current Police Commissioner, Danny Levy, took office. A professional officer with more than 30 years of service in the Israeli Police, one of the most determined and beloved officers. Weeks later, Ronen Bar, head of Shin Bet, instructed his agents to collect information on the political echelon, the Israeli Police, and the Prison Service." He continued, "What was revealed was that Ronen Bar had also ordered the collection of material on Police Commissioner Danny Levy. And I can say with certainty that this was an operation against Commissioner Levy. Ronen Bar collected material against the Police Commissioner." Ben Gvir denied any far-right extremist influence within the police or prison services, claiming the investigation was part of a conspiracy by Bar to disrupt security appointments and oppose his political agenda. He labeled Bar a criminal, vowing to ask the Prime Minister to establish a government inquiry into the incident. "I won't remain silent," he concluded. (ANI/TPS) The terrorist, 25-year-old Kerem Jabarin from Ma'ale Iron, carried out a car-ramming and shooting spree before being neutralized by Border Guard soldiers. According to the police reports, Jabarin drove up to the location, accelerated, and struck a soldier standing at the bus stop. Afterward, he exited his vehicle, stabbed the soldier he ran over, seized the soldier's weapon, and began shooting at passing vehicles. Horn was critically injured by the gunfire and later pronounced dead at the scene. Horn's son, who was driving the vehicle, witnessed the attack and stopped the car. As he did so, his father was struck by the terrorist's gunfire. Border Guard soldiers traveling nearby quickly identified the situation and neutralized the attacker, stopping the killing spree and saving lives. Police Commissioner Danny Levy, who arrived at the scene, praised the soldiers for their swift and effective response. "We are in the midst of the month of Ramadan and are deployed with all security forces to maintain the safety of the residents of the State of Israel," said Levy. In recent years, Palestinian terror attacks have surged during the Islamic month of Ramadan. (ANI/TPS) The Karachi commissioner imposed Section 144 across the city on Monday, following concerns over the "law and order situation," as reported by Dawn. This came after a recommendation from Karachi South Zone DIG Syed Asad Raza ahead of a planned protest by the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) at the Karachi Press Club against the "illegal detention" of leaders Mahrang Baloch and Bebarg Baloch. Dawn reported that the Section 144 order, effective immediately for March 24, banned protests, demonstrations, sit-ins, rallies, and assemblies of more than five people in the Karachi division, citing security concerns and traffic disruptions. A post on X mentioned that the BYC protest in Karachi was planned for 4 p.m. and was being organised with the support of civil society members, while a protest in Quetta was set for noon. On Saturday, the chief organiser of BYC and 16 other activists were detained by police at their protest camp on Sariab Road in Quetta as authorities intensified their crackdown on the sit-in, which was protesting against alleged enforced disappearances. Amid this crackdown, voices against Pakistan's actions are growing louder. The Baloch National Movement's United Kingdom chapter organised a protest outside the British Prime Minister's office at 10 Downing Street in London on Sunday, calling for international attention to the grave human rights violations committed against the Baloch people by the Pakistani state. The Baloch Human Rights Council (BHRC) has also called for urgent intervention from the United Nations Secretary-General in response to the ongoing repression of Baloch activists in Pakistan. In a press release, the BHRC urged the UN to press Pakistani authorities for the immediate and unconditional release of Mahrang Baloch and other members of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee, who have been unlawfully detained. Baloch people in Pakistan are facing ongoing military operations, enforced disappearances, torture, and extrajudicial killings. Their resources are being exploited, and they are being displaced from their lands. Nationalist activists advocating for autonomy are being targeted, while Baloch civilians continue to suffer from violence and human rights abuses. (ANI) According to initial police reports, the attacker arrived at the Tishbi Junction near Yokne'am Ilit in a vehicle, ran over multiple civilians waiting at a bus stop, and then opened fire before being neutralized by security forces. Senior Magen David Adom medic Moshiko Amsalem, who responded to the scene, said, "This is a serious incident. We were called to an attack at a bus stop near the Tishbi Junction. When we arrived, we immediately saw two injured people -- one, a 75-year-old man, in critical condition with penetrating injuries, and another, a 20-year-old, in moderate condition. We immediately began providing medical treatment, including stopping the bleeding and applying bandages." The 75-year-old man succumbed to his injuries at the scene. The younger victim suffered injuries caused by the vehicular attack and was evacuated to the Ramabam Hospital in Haifa for further treatment. Eyewitness footage captured the attack, showing the armed terrorist running with a rifle before being neutralized by Border Police forces. Security officials are assessing whether the terrorist acted alone or had any affiliations. No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack. In recent years, terror attacks have surged during the Islamic month of Ramadan. (ANI/TPS) The court's decision to strip him of his mayoral title and transfer him to Silivri Prison has sparked nationwide outrage. Imamoglu's arrest occurred just four days after a predawn raid involving hundreds of police officers. While the court has opted not to pursue a separate "terrorism" investigation, the Ministry of Interior has suspended him from office as mayor of Turkey's largest city, as per Al Jazeera. Government officials have denied allegations that the legal action against the opposition figure is politically motivated, insisting that Turkiye's courts operate independently. However, the timing of the arrest and the subsequent protests have raised concerns about the fairness and integrity of the upcoming elections. More than 700 accounts on X, including those belonging to "news organisations, journalists, political figures, students, and others within Turkiye", were targeted, the X company said. Describing the government's move as "unlawful", X affirmed its commitment to defending free speech through legal channels. However, it is reported that several accounts have been suspended by the US company, including some involved in coordinating the protests. The crackdown has caused widespread anger among citizens, many of whom had supported Imamoglu in past elections. Riot police deployed rubber bullets and pepper spray during clashes with protesters in Istanbul, while demonstrators in Ankara were met with water cannons. Despite a ban on protests in Turkiye's three largest cities and a stern warning from President Recep Tayyip Erdogan against "street terror", unrest has spread rapidly, reflecting deepening tensions in the country. (ANI) Chinese President Xi Jinping's decade-long campaign to end corruption in the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) is meant to ensure the military is modernised and prepared to invade Taiwan by 2027, according to a US intelligence report made public last week, Taipei Times reported. The report released on Thursday by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (DNI), titled "Wealth and Corrupt Activities of the Leadership of the Chinese Communist Party," states that up to 65 per cent of all government officials in China accept bribes or engage in graft, as per Taipei Times. Xi launched a sweeping anti-corruption campaign when he came to power in 2012. Since then, nearly 5 million officials at all levels of government have been found guilty graft charges, the report said, as per Taipei Times. The campaign has targeted rampant leadership corruption within the ranks of the PLA, "which have included a culture of pay-for-promotion that continues even a decade after the anti-corruption campaign's launch." Some of the biggest names removed from their jobs include General Li Shangfu, then-minister of national defence in 2023, and Admiral Miao Hua, then-director of the Central Military Commission's Political Work Department who was in charge of political loyalty within the PLA last year. "Both Li and Miao were accused of Party discipline violations, and both were considered protegees of Xi, demonstrating the seriousness of the CCP's [Chinese Communist Party's] concerns regarding loyalty and effectiveness -- particularly within the PLA -- and the scope of the regime's approach to corruption," the report said. "His focus on corruption in the PLA may also reflect concerns that corrupt practices will prevent the military from acquiring the capabilities and readiness he has directed it to achieve by 2027, in preparation for a potential conflict over Taiwan," Taipei Times quoted. The report defines corruption as an "endemic feature of and challenge for China, enabled by a political system with power highly centralized in the hands of the CCP, a CCP-centric concept of the rule of law, a lack of independent checks on public officials and limited transparency." In October 2020, Xi set the PLA the goal of becoming a "modern military" by 2027. US officials believe this means Xi wants China to be ready to invade Taiwan by 2027. The report also claims that Xi has amassed more than USD 1 billion in assets through relatives, Taipei Times reported. The six-page unclassified DNI report was commissioned by the US Congress under the 2023 National Defense Authorization Act. The legislation mandating a report was sponsored by Tennessee Republican Andy Ogles and then-senator Marco Rubio, now US secretary of state. The Washington Times said the DNI report is the first official US disclosure about the "sensitive subject of Chinese leadership and CCP corruption." (ANI) Nepal will invite heads of state and foreign ministers from various countries to its flagship event, Sagarmatha Sambaad, which will focus on climate change, climate justice, its impact, and related issues. Originally scheduled for 2020, the multi-stakeholder dialogue forum was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It is now set to take place from May 16 to 18. During a briefing to international media in Kathmandu on Monday, Amrit Bahadur Rai, Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, announced that invitations to heads of state are being sent. "We are expecting head of government or head of state and foreign ministers and forest ministers. They are the ones to whom we have sent out the foreign invitations. We are in constant dialogue with our contact points or interlocutors in capitals and different stations. We will of course release the list of dignitaries (foreign) in due course of time," the Foreign Secretary said. Further adding, "We have a limited capacity and we are not expecting so many head of state or head of government but we are expecting multiple foreign ministers and a good number of especially Ministers for Forest and Environment. At the same time, we are expecting a good number of representatives from the United Nations and concerned agencies and some other international organizations." When asked whether Prime Minister Narendra Modi had been invited, Foreign Secretary Rai neither confirmed nor denied the question. Around 350 delegates, including half from foreign countries, will attend the flagship event. Heads of state and government from South Asian nations, the UN Secretary-General, and leaders from the mountain and oceanic countries are expected to be among the invitees, according to an official. Nepal has announced "Climate Change, Mountains, and the Future of Humanity" as the theme for the first edition of the event. The three-day summit will feature 15 sessions with 90 experts participating as speakers. Heads of state and government will address the opening session, while other speakers, panellists, and moderators will lead various thematic discussions. Inspired by global platforms like the World Economic Forum in Davos, the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, and the Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi, Sagarmatha Sambaad was first announced by the KP Sharma Oli government in 2019 but was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Council of Ministers had earlier approved the concept note for the event, which aims to develop a common understanding of the impact of climate change on mountainous countries and advocate for climate justice. It seeks to serve as a platform for those most affected by carbon emissions and to foster bilateral and multilateral partnerships for climate finance and technological advancements. Additionally, it will push for the inclusion of mountainous countries in the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) dialogue process. With the rise in global temperatures, Nepal has faced severe consequences. Untimely heavy rainfall over two days last year resulted in more than 200 deaths across the Himalayan nation. Glacial lake outbursts and flash floods have become common in Nepal, which lies between India and China. To highlight the impact of global warming, the Nepalese government hosted a Cabinet meeting at Kala Patthar near Mount Everest in December 2009. In November 2023, at the government's invitation, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres visited Nepal and travelled to the Everest and Annapurna regions, which have been heavily impacted by climate change. During his visit, he delivered a global message on the vulnerabilities caused by climate change. (ANI) The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has rejected Pakistan's Federal Board of Revenue's (FBR) request to reduce transaction taxes for the property sector for the time being, The News International reported. Earlier, senior officials had stated that the IMF had agreed to reduce the withholding tax on property purchasers by 2 per cent from April 1, 2025, subject to written approval from the IMF. However, the IMF has now officially announced that it has not agreed to lower the transaction taxes for property. In addition, the IMF has refused to reduce tax rates for tobacco and beverages and has now rejected the FBR's request to cut tax rates for the property sector. Meanwhile, Pakistan and the IMF are moving towards finalising a Staff Level Agreement (SLA). However, Pakistan will have to provide written assurances to the IMF that the provinces will not intervene in wheat procurement. The global lender has expressed its willingness to augment the existing USD 7 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF) with climate finance under the Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF). This proposal will be presented to the IMF's Executive Board for approval alongside Pakistan's request for the release of the second tranche, The News International reported. The exact size of the funding under the RSF is not yet known, but it is expected that up to USD 1 billion will be provided under the Climate Resilience Fund (CRF). Pakistan's Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb expressed hope on Friday that both sides would soon finalise the Staff Level Agreement. The IMF's Resident Chief in Pakistan Mahir Binci said, "The IMF has not agreed on a lower withholding tax on property transactions and on lowering March 2025 targets," The News International reported. On reducing the March 2025 tax collection target, the official sources said that the FBR could not achieve the ongoing monthly target at any cost and whether IMF agrees or not, it would experience a shortfall in achieving the desired target of Pakistani Rupees (PKR) 1,220 billion for this ongoing month. According to the FBR's internal assessment, revenue collection could decline by PKR 60 to 80 billion due to an increased number of holidays at the end of the month for Eid-ul-Fitr. As a result, Pakistan's Ministry of Finance and the IMF were advised that this shortfall of PKR 60-80 billion should be adjusted in the revenue collection targets for April and May 2025, rather than June 2025, when higher tax collection is expected for the last month of the current fiscal year. (ANI) Iraq Recovers Over 35,000 Relics in Effort to Restore ISIS-destroyed Nimrud Efforts are underway to rebuild the ancient city of Nimrud in northern Iraq which was destroyed by the Islamic State (ISIS) in 2015, Iraq's culture minister told Rudaw on Sunday. "More than 35 thousand archeological pieces have been recovered," Ahmed Fakak al-Badrani said, noting that a "scientific approach" is being used to identify both damaged and intact artifacts for preservation. In June 2014, ISIS launched an all-out offensive in northern and western Iraq, seizing large swathes of territory, including the city of Mosul in Nineveh province, which the group declared as the capital of its proclaimed Caliphate between Iraq and Syria. During its rule, ISIS targeted ancient sites, including Nimrud, for destruction. Citing idolatry, ISIS militants in March 2015 destroyed numerous relics in the ancient city, including cuneiform tablets and statues, using sledgehammers and power tools before demolishing the entire city with large explosions, claiming it was "un-Islamic." Iraqi forces recaptured the ancient city in late 2016. The destruction of Nimrud city drew widespread condemnation, with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) calling it a "war crime". Badrani on Sunday stated that Baghdad has yet to "determine the number of artifacts stolen" during the ISIS attacks on Nimrud. The culture minister additionally confirmed the involvement of international experts in recovering the stolen pieces and praised the "enthusiasm and dedication" of the archaeological teams working on-site, calling their efforts "uplifting." Located 32 km south of Mosul and 360 km north of Baghdad, Nimrud was the capital of the Assyrian Empire between approximately 1250 BC and 610 BC during the reign of Ashurnasirpal II in the 9th century BC. In addition to being a significant political center, the city was known for its grand palace, intricate stone carvings, and monumental sculptures, showcasing the architectural and artistic achievements of the Neo-Assyrian period, according to UNESCO. For his part, Ali Ismail, who works at Nineveh Antiquities and Heritage Office, told Rudaw on Sunday that the artifacts are being extracted with "utmost precision and caste to avoid causing any damage." He noted that the work is progressing slowly due to the risk of "explosive devices and barrel bombs at the site" that might still be at the site. "However, despite the hardships our goal is to retrieve the largest number of artifacts possible so that we can begin rebuilding the grand palace in the next phase," Ismail said. The high-stakes meeting between a US delegation led by US Special Envoy to the Middle East, Steve Wiktkoff and Kremlin negotiators has started in Saudi Arabia's Riyadh, where the Trump administration is pushing for a ceasefire in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict in separate talks with Moscow and Kyiv, CNN reported. The talks started on Monday morning, TASS news agency reported, citing an unnamed source. The meeting comes a day after talks were held between a US team led by President Donald Trump's Ukraine envoy, Keith Kellogg, and Ukraine's Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, which was termed "productive and focused" by the latter. Many watching from the US and across Europe hope some initial positivity can be translated into a 30-day ceasefire and long-term negotiations. The Russian delegation at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Riyadh includes Kremlin diplomat Grigory Karasin and former spy chief Sergey Beseda, CNN reported citing Russian state media. Many in Ukraine consider Beseda a hard-nosed nationalist and an early supporter of Russia's invasion in February 2022. Speaking to podcast host Tucker Carlson on Sunday, Witkoff seemed to show some sympathy towards Russia's territorial goals in Ukraine, calling the four regions which Russia wants to formally annex -- Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk and Luhansk -- "Russian speaking," CNN reported. He said, "There have been referendums where the overwhelming majority of the people have indicated that they want to be under Russian rule." In September 2022, Russia conducted a referendum in the four territories. However, the US and European nations criticised the voting and called it a sham. Witkoff said, "The Russians are de facto in control of these territories. The question is: Will the world acknowledge that those are Russian territories?" He said, "Can (Ukrainian President Volodymyr) Zelensky survive politically if he acknowledges this? This is the central issue in the conflict." Russia has said that a ceasefire will not be possible until Ukraine agrees not to use it to resupply or reorganize its soldiers. It has also made key demands like Ukraine will never be allowed to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). On Sunday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy put the responsibility on his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin to end the war. He said, "The one who brought this war must take it away." On Sunday, the US and Ukraine delegations held talks in Saudi Arabia, which Ukraine Defence Minister Rustem Umerov termed "productive". "We have concluded our meeting with the American team. The discussion was productive and focused -- we addressed key points, including energy. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's goal is to secure a just and lasting peace for our country and our people -- and, by extension, for all of Europe. We are working to make that goal a reality", he said. In a televised statement, Zelenskyy said, "Our team is working in a completely constructive manner. The conversation is quite useful; the work of the delegations is continuing," he said. "But no matter what we say to our partners today, we need to get [Russian President Vladimir] Putin to give a real order to stop the strikes. Whoever brought this war must take it back," he added. (ANI) The Indian and French Navies conducted the bilateral naval exercise Varuna 2025 from March 19 to 22, reinforcing their strategic partnership and commitment to maritime security in the Indo-Pacific. The exercise featured advanced air defence drills, anti-submarine warfare operations, and surface combat manoeuvres, enhancing interoperability and joint operational capabilities between the two forces, the Indian Navy said in its official statement. The bilateral naval exercise Varuna 2025, held from 19 to 22 March, brought together the Indian Navy and the French Navy, underscoring their enduring partnership, a statement from the Navy said. This edition of the Exercise included exercises ranging across multidomain environments. The structured drills were designed to further fine-tune tactical and operational proficiency in complex scenarios. Advanced Air defence drills with the participation of Rafale-M of the French Navy and MIG-29K of the Indian Navy, simulating realistic combat scenarios, honed the ability of participating units to counter aerial threats jointly, as per the statement. Anti-submarine warfare exercises involving Indian submarines and Anti-Submarine frigates of the two forces focused on deepening the understanding and proficiency in underwater domain awareness and tactics. Surface warfare operations involved complex coordinated manoeuvres and simulated engagements, showcasing the combined combat power of the participating fleets. Replenishment at Sea exercises by the two Fleet Tankers proved the logistical interoperability and enhanced mutual support and endurance for sustained operations. This edition of the exercise achieved a higher degree of operational coordination between the two navies than the previous editions. The exercise achieved its aim of enhanced Jointmanship and reinforced the shared commitment to upholding the principles of a rules-based maritime order and promoting stability in the Indo-Pacific. The complex drills provided invaluable operational experience, strengthening the collective capacity to address contemporary maritime security challenges, the statement said. The exercise facilitated the critical exchange of Best Practices, fostering a deeper understanding of each other's operational doctrines and enhancing the two navies' ability to operate seamlessly in complex maritime environments. Since its inception, the Varuna exercise has been a cornerstone of India-France defence relations, with both countries recognising the importance of maritime security and collaborative defence efforts. France and India share a strong commitment to safeguarding global Sea lanes and addressing shared maritime security challenges. https://x.com/indiannavy/status/1903695232228856207 In a post on X, the Navy said on Sunday, "A Unified Display of Naval Coordination! Day 3 of VARUNA 2025 consolidated the drills undertaken on Day 2, showcasing the cohesive execution of advanced naval drills between the Indian Navy and the French Navy. The joint exercises focused on enhancing operational synergy & demonstrating their collective maritime capabilities, reinforcing a strong foundation of collaboration and trust." (ANI) Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal joined Global Maritime Leaders at the Singapore Maritime Week (SMW) to discuss, deliberate and devise strategies based on the shared vision for a secure, sustainable and prosperous maritime future. During the day, the Minister held important meetings with the Senior Minister of Singapore, Lee Hsien Loong as well as Philippe Tabarot, the Minister of Transport, France. Sonowal also held meetings with Tan See Leng, Minister for Manpower and Second Minister of Trade and Industry, Singapore; as well as Vivian Balakrishnan, Singapore's Minister for Foreign Affairs, to further deepen the bilateral relationship. The Minister highlighted the challenges and India's vision to channel growth of the maritime sector around that Sonowal also argued for strengthening maritime connectivity and supply chains while the need for collective effort towards a green sustainable maritime future. On digitalisation and future-ready shipping, the Union Minister reiterated how it is the core strategy of India's maritime policy. India's maritime policies like ONOP, NLP (Marine), and MAITRI are streamlining port services, cutting transaction times, and enabling real-time data. India is also partnering with the UAE and Singapore to create Virtual Trade Corridors for seamless cargo movement. Speaking on the occasion, the Union Minister, Sarbananda Sonowal said, "India's maritime vision, rooted in 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam', promotes collaboration and shared prosperity. As a reliable and responsible partner, India is committed to building a green, secure, and inclusive maritime future. Alongside Singapore and global partners, we aim to drive innovation and collective action for a resilient maritime ecosystem." Sarbananda Sonowal met the Senior Minister and former Singapore PM Lee Hsien Loong at the SMW. Union Minister was ushered to the bilateral meeting with Murali Pillai, Minister of State, Ministry of Lawand Ministry of Transport, Singapore. The Union Minister also held individual meetings with other senior members of the government including Tan See Leng and Balakrishnan. At the SMW, Sonowal said that India is addressing supply chain vulnerabilities by developing key corridors like IMEEC, the Eastern Maritime Corridor, and the North-South Transport Corridor to secure trade routes. A USD 20 billion investment would enhance logistics, port connectivity, and trade facilitation. India targets a top-five global shipbuilding rank by 2047 through policy reforms and infrastructure upgrades. Ports aim to grow their global cargo share from 6 per cent to 15 per cent by 2047, supported by a Maritime Development Fund for fleet and shipyard expansion. The GIFT City is also rising as a global hub for maritime finance and ship leasing, offering a competitive gateway to global capital, highlighted Sarbananda Sonowal at the SMW. Adding further, Sarbananda Sonowal said, "The maritime sector faces both challenges and opportunities, from climate change and geopolitics to digital disruption and shifting trade patterns. Guided by PM Narendra Modi's vision of Viksit Bharat and Atmanirbhar Bharat, India is advancing as a modern, self-reliant, and globally connected economy. The maritime sector is key to driving growth, resilience, and sustainable connectivity. India is expanding port infrastructure,integrating logistics, and boosting ease of doing business--resulting in greater port efficiency, stronger cargo flows, and growing investor confidence." In his concluding remark, Sarbananda Sonowal said, "Sustainability is central to India's maritime strategy. We are advancing green port infrastructure, promoting low-emission shipping, and Supporting innovation in low-carbon vessels.Three Green Hydrogen Hub Ports--Kandla, Tuticorin, and Paradip--will drive alternative fuel adoption and green hydrogen production. India is also leading the IMO's Green Voyage 2050 initiative, helping developing nations in their energy transitions. Our commitment, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji, extends to developing Green Shipping Corridors, including the proposed India-Singapore Green and Digital Corridor, focused on clean energy and smart logistics. Oceans unite us. Through partnerships, we can turn today's maritime challenges into shared, sustainable opportunities." The Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal also met Philippe Tabarot and the two leaders discussed possible collaboration on a range of issues like maritime investment to strengthen India's maritime infrastructure, enhance connectivity (including for IMEC), and promote sustainable growth. The two leaders explored opportunities to leverage France's maritime technology and sustainability expertise with India's strategic location and growing shipping sector, aiming to unlock shared economic and strategic gains. The discussion ranged various topics like shipbuilding and repair collaboration, maritime training for India's manpower, port infrastructure development and modernisation, and alternative fuel bunkering infrastructure development, among other issues aimed at bolstering the maritime relationship between India and France. Sarbananda Sonowal also met Industry Captains including Jeremy Nixon, Global CEO, ONE and Masashi Hamada along with other corporate leaders from the Maritime Sector including APM Terminals,Gateway Terminals. (ANI) MQM supremo Altaf Hussain has strongly condemned the ongoing oppression in Balochistan and called for the immediate resignation of Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the Governor of Balochistan, and the Chief Minister of Balochistan. He stated that if these leaders have any humanity left, they should step down from their positions, as they have failed to protect the rights of the people of Balochistan. According to Hussain, innocent Baloch citizens, including women and children, are being subjected to extreme violence. He cited an incident in Quetta where members of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee staged a peaceful protest by carrying the bodies of innocent victims. Instead of addressing their grievances, security forces resorted to excessive force, resulting in the tragic deaths and injuries of many, including a 12-year-old child. The committee's leader and human rights activist, Mahrang Baloch, was also arrested and dragged away in a humiliating manner, further escalating tensions in the region. Hussain expressed his deep sorrow over the plight of the Baloch people and strongly condemned the government's actions. He questioned whether it was justifiable for the state to treat peaceful demonstrators, particularly women and children, with such brutality. He challenged Shehbaz Sharif and his niece Maryam Safdar, criticising their visit to Saudi Arabia for Umrah while their government continues to suppress innocent Baloch civilians. The political leader highlighted the long-standing oppression in Balochistan, stating that for 77 years, the people of the province have been subjected to military operations, gunfire, and deprivation of basic rights. He warned that such injustices could fuel resentment among Baloch youth rather than instill patriotism. Hussain also pointed out a concerning pattern of increased state violence around national days, such as August 14 and March 23. He criticised the authorities for intensifying crackdowns on Baloch protesters just days before Pakistan Day, arguing that instead of preparing for national celebrations, the government has chosen to silence innocent voices through force. Altaf urged the people of Punjab not to remain silent in the face of such atrocities. He questioned how they would feel if similar injustices were inflicted upon them and called upon Punjab's youth and citizens to stand against oppression. Furthermore, the UK-based political leader called on journalists and media analysts to stop spreading misinformation to please the ruling elite. He urged them to resign from their jobs if they could not speak the truth and instead create independent platforms to reveal the real situation in Balochistan. On behalf of his party, Hussain expressed solidarity with the Baloch people and offered condolences for the innocent lives lost. Demanding the immediate release of Mahrang Baloch and all other detained activists, Altaf urged the country's leadership and state institutions to abandon violence and engage in dialogue to resolve the ongoing crisis in Balochistan peacefully. (ANI) US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth departed on Sunday (local time) for his first Indo-Pacific in his current role, with stops in Hawaii, Guam, Philippines, and Japan. Hegseth said that the Indo-Pacific is a priority theatre for the US. In a post on X, he said, "Wheels up from Washington DC--out to the US Indo-Pacific Command AO for the first time as Secretary of Defence. The Indo-Pacific is our priority theater, and we're strengthening our deterrence, readiness, and alliances. We will lead with strength, resolve, and purpose." https://x.com/SecDef/status/1904147958645268626 As per a statement by the US Department of Defence, Hegseth during his visit will meet senior US military and civilian leadership and participate in a series of bilateral meetings. These engagements will drive ongoing efforts to strengthen our alliances and partnerships toward our shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific. As part of his first official visit to the region, Hegseth will first travel to Hawaii to meet with civilian and military leaders from the US Indo-Pacific Command. From there, Hegseth will travel to Guam, where he is expected to tour the military facilities and receive capabilities briefs. Next, he will travel to the Philippines, where he will advance security objectives with Philippine leaders and meet with US and Philippine forces. In Japan, Hegseth will participate in a ceremony commemorating the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Iwo Jima and will later meet with Japanese leaders and U.S. military forces. And as always, the Secretary looks forward to some great PT (physical training) with the troops! Hegseth's trip comes as the United States builds on unprecedented cooperation with like-minded countries to strengthen regional security. Earlier, Hegseth met Department of Government Efficiency Head Elon Musk at the Pentagon. https://x.com/SecDef/status/1903146875768684630 "Amazing visit with Elon Musk at the Pentagon today. He is a patriot, and I look forward to continuing our work together. With Elon and DOGE we are ensuring our Military continues to be the greatest fighting force the world has ever known." (ANI) Chinese atemoya growers may match the yield and quality of those in Taiwan within the next two years, posing a risk to producers in Taitung County, according to a report by Taipei Times, as stated by Taitung County Councilor Huang Chih-Wei. Atemoya, commonly referred to as pineapple custard apples, are a hybrid of cherimoya and sugar apples, recognized by their bumpy, pale green skin. Approximately 90 per cent of atemoya cultivated in Taiwan comes from Taitung County, with the bulk being exported to China, as reported by Taipei Times. China has adopted Taitung's cultivation techniques in the provinces of Hainan, Yunnan, Guangxi, and Guangdong, causing production to now outpace Taiwan's by threefold, with the farming area being twice as large, Huang noted. He indicated that as the quality of Chinese atemoya improves, their yield continues to rise annually. The report from Taipei Times pointed out that in the coming two years, Chinese competitors might overshadow Taiwanese farmers, prompting Huang to encourage local growers to cease planting the crop and alerting the Taitung County Government to the risks faced by domestic producers. Taiwanese farmers began their atemoya exports to China a decade ago, with prices reaching over New Taiwan Dollar (NTD) 100 per jin (600g) at their highest. The current cultivation area now exceeds 2,000 hectares, and the fruit has become a crucial element of the local economy, with farmers referring to it as "green gold," as highlighted by Taipei Times. Imports were halted in September 2021 due to "repeated discovery of agricultural pests" in shipments from Taiwan, but trade resumed in 2023, albeit with a 20 per cent tariff imposed by China last year. The local government has already recognized the looming threat posed by Chinese atemoya production and is actively working to broaden export opportunities to Southeast Asia to diversify the market, commented Taitung County Agriculture Department Director Hsu Chia-hao, as reported by Taipei Times. According to Hsu, Taitung still cultivates the highest quality fruits owing to its favourable climate and soil conditions, which would be positioned in China as premium products, as detailed in the Taipei Times report. (ANI) The airport would be built in Moshav Nevatim within seven years, handle up to 15 million passengers, and lift the Negev region's economy, according to the legislation's explanatory notes. "This bill is a game-changer for the future of the Negev, which has endured years of unfulfilled promises," said Dimona Mayor Benny Biton who attended the committee meeting. "The widespread support for this bill is clear proof that there is a deep understanding - the Negev is the future growth and development hub of Israel in the coming decades." The new airport is expected to create 50,000 jobs. It aims to reduce congestion at Ben-Gurion International Airport, which handles up to 40 million passengers annually. In 2019, a record 24 million travelers, including 4.5 million tourists, passed through Ben-Gurion, which is outside Tel Aviv. However, Ilana Shafran, director of transportation at the Planning Administration, told lawmakers that by 2050, aviation passenger demand is expected to reach 80 million annually, making one new airport insufficient for Israel's needs. Israeli military officials oppose the location because of the site's proximity to the Nevatim Air Force base. Israel also has the Ramon International Airport outside Eilat, which opened in 2019. In its inaugural year, the Ramon airport handled 1.5 million passengers but the numbers have declined in recent years. Israel plans to expand that airport's capacity to four million passengers a year by 2030. Currently, it is mostly used for domestic flights. The Israel Airport Authority completed upgrades to the Haifa International Airport in December. (ANI/TPS) Abu Dhabi [UAE], March 24 (ANI/WAM): The United Arab Emirates has strongly condemned the terrorist attack that targeted a mosque in a village located in southwestern Niger, resulting in dozens of deaths and injuries of innocent people. In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) affirmed that the UAE expresses its strong condemnation of these criminal acts and its permanent rejection of all forms of violence and terrorism aimed at undermining security and stability in contravention of international law. The Ministry expressed its sincere condolences and sympathy to the government and people of Niger, and to the families of the victims of this terrorist attack, as well as its wishes of a speedy recovery for all the injured. (ANI/WAM) Police used tear gas to disperse protesters in the Panjgur district of Pakistan's Balochistan as a shutter-down strike entered its third consecutive day, Dawn reported. Shutter-down strikes were observed in various cities of Balochistan after BYC gave the protest call against the arrest of its leadership and a crackdown on its sit-in in Quetta. Baloch activist Mahrang Baloch and 16 other activists were arrested from their protest camp at Quetta's Sariab Road on Saturday. Their arrest came a day after they claimed that three protesters had died due to police action. In a post on X, the BYC said that protest in Panjgur for the third day continued amid "firing and state violence." According to a BYC statement, demonstrators have demanded an end to state repression, enforced disappearances and targeting of peaceful protesters. "Third Day of Protest in Panjgur Amid Firing and State Violence The protest in Panjgur has entered its third day as people continue to resist the brutal crackdown on the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) and the arrest of Dr. Mahrang Baloch and other activists. Demonstrators are demanding an end to state repression, enforced disappearances, and the targeting of peaceful protesters," BYC posted on X. "Yesterday, FC personnel opened fire on the protesters in an attempt to disperse the demonstration, but despite the violence, the protest continued. Today, the repression has escalated further, with police and death squad militias firing live rounds and using tear gas against the protesters," it added. https://x.com/BalochYakjehtiC/status/1904117590496350565 The BYC said a protest was also staged in Kalat, where protesters chanted "slogans condemning enforced disappearances, police brutality and the violent suppression of peaceful demonstrations across Balochistan," Dawn reported. The group said the demonstration in Kalat was part of the "growing wave of resistance, as people continue to defy state repression and demand justice despite escalating crackdowns." The group alleged that "security forces once again opened fire" in Quetta, leaving many protesters "critically injured." The group further said, "Several people have been critically injured as security forces continue their crackdown on peaceful demonstrators. The state's repression is intensifying, stand with us against this tyranny." Separately, Mahrang Baloch's sister Nadia Baloch said that she was allowed to meet her sister after she requested for three hours and threatened jail staff that she would go on hunger strike if she was not allowed to meet her sister. In a post on X, Nadia Baloch stated, "After pleading for 3-hours & threatening jail staff that I would go on a hunger strike outside if I wasn't allowed to meet my sister @MahrangBaloch_, I was finally permitted to see her but only for a couple of minutes. My younger sister, Iqra, was not allowed to meet her. When I met her, Dr. Mahrang looked strong, smiled, and conveyed this message: "Tell my nation to stay strong, continue their peaceful protests and marches for justice." https://x.com/NadiaBaloch99/status/1904100121215664526 On Sunday, Mahrang Baloch's sister Iqra Baloch and cousin Asma Baloch said they were not permitted to meet her at Quetta District Jail, where she is detained under Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) provisions as her arrest has not been officially disclosed. Speaking to Dawn about today's meeting, Nadia Baloch said the family was kept waiting for a long time and added that Mahrang's lawyer was not allowed to meet her for the past two days. She said, "They finally allowed me to go in, but once again, I was made to wait three more hours before meeting Mahrang." Nadia Baloch said, "When I met Mahrang Baloch after three hours, I became emotional and my eyes welled with tears. However, Mahrang smiled and told me to keep my spirits up and be like her," adding that her sister seemed determined and steadfast despite the difficulties she was facing in jail and her face showed no signs of disappointment. She further said that their meeting lasted for two hours. She said that Mahrang Baloch asked about the bodies and their families and voiced concern that they would be abandoned and buried similarly to nameless individuals. She said Mahrang and another Baloch activist were kept together, Dawn reported. However, they were separated from all other prisoners. "Every possible effort is being made to intimidate us, but we will not back down from the struggle for our rights and justice. I will continue to struggle for the recovery of the missing persons and raise my voice on every platform. Such arrests and cases cannot hinder or disrupt my path," Nadia Baloch quoted Mahrang Baloch as saying. "Mahrang said her struggle was for truth and justice. She told me, 'We have to remain united and raise our voices peacefully so that the world understands our legitimate demands because every sacrifice is taking us closer to the destination,'" she quoted Mahrang as saying. Separately, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai said she was "disturbed and concerned" regarding Mahrang Baloch's detention. In a post on X, Yousafzai stated, "She represents millions of voiceless people -- women and children -- who are facing human rights violations in Baluchistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. It is her right to protest and speak out for the most vulnerable people -- and she must be immediately released. I stand with Mahrang Baloch." (ANI) Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday highlighted plans to train the state's skilled workforce in Japanese, enabling them to access job opportunities in Japan, during a virtual address at a seminar on Innovation in Human Resources, where Japan's Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba also spoke. In a post on X, he said, "HCM Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma delivered a virtual address at the seminar on Innovation in Human Resources, where Hon'ble PM of Japan, Mr Shigeru Ishiba, also spoke. HCM highlighted Assam's plans to train its exceptionally skilled workforce in the Japanese language, enabling them to access short-term work opportunities in Japan. With insights from Shri R. Madhu Sudan and Hon'ble Speaker of the House of Representatives, the event underscored India-Japan cooperation in building a highly skilled workforce." https://x.com/CMOfficeAssam/status/1904167126384169023 Meanwhile, the Indian Embassy in Tokyo also highlighted the seminar's significance in strengthening India-Japan collaboration in human resource development. In a post on X, the embassy stated, "Shri R. Madhu Sudan, Deputy Chief of Mission delivered opening remarks at a seminar on 24 March 2025, titled "INNOVATION IN HUMAN RESOURCES - From Specified Skilled Workers and Technical Trainees to Leading Edge Forefront Highly Skilled Professionals". Hon'ble Prime Minister of Japan, Mr Shigeru Ishiba and Hon'ble Chief Minister of Assam, Shri Himanta Biswa Sarma delivered virtual addresses. Hon'ble Speaker of the House of Representatives addressed the audience on India-Japan cooperation on Human Resources." https://x.com/IndianEmbTokyo/status/1904106032764535204 Earlier in the day, the International Day of Forests was celebrated at the Indian Embassy in Tokyo. https://x.com/IndianEmbTokyo/status/1904150964682232081 The embassy shared glimpses of the event in a post on X, stating, "Glimpses of International Day of Forests celebrations at Embassy of India Tokyo. H.E. Mr Kirti Vardhan Singh, Hon'ble Minister of State, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, India, gave a virtual address. Mr R Madhu Sudan, Deputy Chief of Mission Embassy of India, H.E. Mr MATSUZAWA Yutaka, Vice-Minister for Global Environmental Affairs, Ministry of the Environment, Government of Japan, Mr KAWASHIMA Yutaka, Senior Policy Analyst for International Affairs, Forestry Agency of Japan spoke at the event." (ANI) The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced the targeted killing of Barhoum, a key Hamas operative, who was allegedly using Gaza's Nasser Hospital as a hideout to plan and execute attacks. The IDF stated that the strike was carried out with precision munitions after extensive intelligence gathering and accused Hamas of using civilian infrastructure as a shield, calling such actions a direct violation of international law. In a post on X, the IDF said, "A key Hamas terrorist who was operating from within the Nasser Hospital compound in Gaza was precisely struck. The strike was conducted following an extensive intelligence-gathering process and with precise munitions in order to mitigate harm to the surrounding environment as much as possible. Hamas exploits civilian infrastructure while brutally endangering the Gazan population--cynically using an active hospital as a shelter for planning and executing murderous terrorist attacks in a direct violation of international law." https://x.com/IDF/status/1903902958992904329 IDF International Spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Nadav Shoshani clarified on Monday that Barhoum was not in the hospital for medical treatment but was instead using hospital patients as human shields while conducting acts of terrorism. "The claim that Barhoum was in Nasser Hospital for medical treatment is completely false and was spread to mislead the public and the media. Barhoum was in the hospital in order to commit acts of terrorism, cynically using hospital patients and the population in the area as human shields." https://x.com/LTC_Shoshani/status/1904156724669366329 Shoshani further stated that Barhoum held several meetings with other terrorists and senior figures of the terrorist organization while staying in the hospital for weeks. "He remained in the hospital for many weeks, during which he held meetings with other terrorists and senior figures in the terrorist organization. The Hamas terrorist organization systematically violates international law and takes over civilian infrastructure, including schools and hospitals, in a way that prevents the rehabilitation and livelihood of the civilians of Gaza. We suggest that the media refrain from echoing the falsehoods of the Hamas terrorist organization and its members and check the facts before publishing such claims," Shoshani claimed. (ANI) NGO and UN agencies on Monday appealed to the international community to provide USD 934.5 million to reach 1.48 million people, including Rohingya refugees sheltered in Cox's Bazar and Bhasan Char and Bangladeshi host communities in UKhiya and Teknaf. "Under the leadership of the Bangladesh government, the 2025-26 Joint Response Plan (JRP) for the Rohingya Humanitarian Crisis was launched on 24 March 2025," said a joint statement by NGO and UN. "JRP is a two-year fundraising document which articulates the shared vision of how the humanitarian community will respond to the assessed and expressed needs of Rohingya refugees and affected host community while introducing more sustainable approaches," it added. "As the refugee crisis enters its eighth year, the UN and its partners call on the international community to extend their support to address the prioritized needs of Rohingya refugees and Bangladeshi communities that are hosting them," the statement read. Unrelenting conflict in Myanmar, dwindling financial resources and competing global crises have made it critical for the international community to step up for the Rohingya refugees, who remain in a precarious situation, entirely dependent on humanitarian aid, as per the International Organisation for Migration (IOM). The 2025-26 Joint Response Plan (JRP) for the Rohingya Humanitarian Crisis brings together 113 partners and is being jointly launched by IOM and UNHCR under the leadership of the Bangladesh Government. As per IOM, in its eighth year, the Rohingya humanitarian crisis remains largely out of the international spotlight but needs remain urgent. More than 50 per cent of the population in the camps are women and girls who face a higher risk of gender-based violence and exploitation; while one in three Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh is aged between 10 and 24. Without access to formal education, adequate skills building and self-reliance opportunities, their futures remain on hold, IOM said. (ANI) A court in Toba Tek Singh on Monday sentenced two men to death for the murder of Maria Bibi, who was killed by her father and brother in March 2024. The verdict was issued by Additional Sessions Judge Abdul Hafeez Bhutta, Dawn reported. Maria Bibi was murdered on March 17 at Chak 477-JB Allowal by her father, Abdul Sattar, and her brother, Faisal. The case gained attention after a video of the crime surfaced on social media, leading to public outcry. Authorities exhumed her body for autopsy on March 28. Faisal, the primary accused, confessed to the killing on camera while in police custody on March 31. He initially claimed that he had raped and strangled his sister to conceal an incestuous relationship. However, a forensic examination later confirmed that she was neither raped nor pregnant, contrary to earlier allegations. Following the investigation, police amended the charges in the case. Initially registered under Sections 34 (common intention), 201 (causing disappearance of evidence), and 302 (murder) of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC), the case was later updated to include Section 311 (honour killing) after police concluded that Maria was killed by her father and brother in the name of honour. Faisal's brother, Shahbaz, and his wife, Sumaira, were also arrested separately for allegedly concealing the murder. According to police statements, Maria had confided in Shahbaz a day before her death that she had been raped by Faisal and their father. Shahbaz reportedly recorded a video of the murder while pretending to be on a phone call with his sister Kausar. During Monday's hearing, the court found Faisal and Abdul Sattar guilty of Maria's murder. A short order issued by the court stated that the prosecution had established its case beyond reasonable doubt. Faisal was convicted under Section 302(b) of the PPC and sentenced to death. Abdul Sattar was found guilty under Section 302(b) read with Section 34 PPC and also sentenced to death. The order stated that they were to be "hanged by their necks till they are dead," pending confirmation from the Lahore High Court (LHC), reported Dawn. The court also ordered both convicts to pay PKR 10 million each as compensation to Maria's legal heirs under Section 544A of the Criminal Procedure Code. In case of non-payment, they would serve six months of simple imprisonment. The order directed that they remain in district jail until execution warrants are issued, and the case record be forwarded to the LHC for confirmation of the sentence. The court also stated that the convicts had the right to appeal within 30 days. Meanwhile, Shahbaz and Sumaira were acquitted, with the court granting them the benefit of the doubt. Sumaira had already been released on bail, while Shahbaz was ordered to be released. Punjab Prosecutor General Syed Farhad Ali Shah emphasised that authorities had treated the case as a high priority. His office issued a statement highlighting the prosecution's role in ensuring justice, noting that prosecutors in Punjab were actively working to convict offenders using all available legal means. Speaking to Dawn.com, Shah credited the high-profile cell established under his office for closely monitoring such cases from registration to verdict. He stated that the investigation was conducted in accordance with the Anti-Rape Act, and that the swift sentencing in Maria's case demonstrated the effectiveness of the legal framework, Dawn reported. "The verdict in the Maria murder case is proof that the high-profile cell of the Punjab Prosecutor General Office is fully active," Shah said. (ANI) Ishikawa, Mar 25 (News On Japan) - After being severely damaged in the Noto Peninsula earthquake, the Notojima Aquarium in Nanao City has fully reopened for the first time in approximately 15 months, marking a symbolic step in the regions recovery. During the reopening weekend, visitors were welcomed by energetic dolphin performances that drew enthusiastic applause. Popular anime characters also made appearances at the celebratory event, adding to the festive atmosphere. Following the January 1st, 2024 earthquake, which recorded a maximum seismic intensity of 7, the aquarium suffered extensive damage. The ceiling collapsed, and water levels in the main tanks dropped to less than half. Tragically, about 3,400 sea creatures, including the popular whale sharks "Hachibee" and "Haku," perished. Despite the devastation, the aquarium partially reopened in July 2024, gradually rebuilding its operations. In October, a new whale shark named "Momo" joined the facility. By January 2025, the popular penguin walk returned, showing steady progress toward recovery. In December, eleven dolphins that had been relocated to Fukui and Kanagawa prefectures also returned, completing preparations for the full reopening. The aquariums staff also took part in the reopening efforts, with announcers practicing their scripts in advance. On March 22nd, the Notojima Aquarium officially resumed full operations. Tetsuya Matsuoka, marine animal supervisor, said, "It felt like we were finally able to say, Thanks for waiting. I was truly happy. We did everything we could in the limited time we had, but we're not satisfied yet. We want to keep improving." Meanwhile, the return to regular admission pricing drew attention online. General adult admission was raised from a temporary discounted rate of 1,000 yen back to 1,890 yen, while children's admission returned from free to 510 yen. Surprisingly, social media was filled with celebratory reactions, such as "Congratulations!" and "So happy to hear about the price increase," as many saw it as a sign of recovery. Kazuya Yanagi, who oversees the dolphin and sea lion exhibits, explained, "Rather than calling it a price hike, its more of a return to normal." He also noted that attendance appears to be increasing. While full recovery for the disaster-hit region is still a long road ahead, the reopening of the aquarium stands as a powerful symbol of resilience and hope for Noto. Official Website: https://www.notoaqua.jp/global/english/ Source: FNN KYOTO, Mar 25 (News On Japan) - The graduation ceremony at Kyoto University was held on March 24th, where graduating students appeared in their customary creative costumes. Roughly 2,800 students celebrated their big day, with some donning unique outfits as part of the universitys well-known tradition of costumed graduations. One graduate dressed as Shohei Ohtani explained his outfit: "Since Ohtani is known for being a two-way player, I thought Id reflect that by repeating two years. Ohtani has achieved things many thought were impossible, so I want to use my two repeated years as fuel to keep moving forward." Another student wore a costume representing Japans so-called "1.03 million yen wall"a reference to the income threshold that affects spousal tax benefits. "This is my costume to break the 1.03 million yen wall," the graduate said. "As we go out into society, I want us to break down all kinds of social barriers and help create a more livable world." University President Nagahiro Minato encouraged the graduates by saying he hopes they will "soar into society as independent individuals equipped with freedom, cheerfulness, and a spirit of optimism." Source: KTV NEWS NAGOYA, Mar 25 (News On Japan) - Meitetsu announced on March 24th its long-term redevelopment plan for the area in front of Nagoya Station, which includes the construction of two new skyscrapers matching the height of the iconic Spiral Towers in nearby Sasashima. The project involves demolishing six existing buildings, including the Meitetsu Department Store, and replacing them with two high-rise buildingsone 31 stories tall and the other 29 storiesstanding at 172 meters and 170 meters respectively. According to the image released by Meitetsu, the northern tower will house office spaces and commercial facilities, while the southern tower will include offices, a hotel, and a bus terminal. A key feature of the redevelopment is the upgrade to Meitetsu Nagoya Station. A new platform dedicated to airport-bound trains will be constructed, equipped with waiting lounges and elevators. Currently, airport express trains depart from the same platform as regular commuter trains, but the new facility aims to improve accessibility, especially for international travelers using Chubu Centrair International Airport. The construction is scheduled to take place in two phases. Phase 1, which includes offices, commercial space, and the hotel, is targeted for completion in fiscal 2033. Phase 2, involving the full opening of retail areas, is planned to follow. Meitetsu Nagoya Station will also see a major capacity upgrade, increasing from two platforms to four, with completion expected in the early 2040s. While the timeline stretches into the next two decades, the project is expected to significantly enhance the urban landscape and improve the flow of people and business in the area. For many locals with long memories of shopping at Meitetsu Department Store as children, the redevelopment carries a strong sense of nostalgia and hope for the future. There is also a desire that the new station will be more intuitive for first-time visitors and foreign tourists, particularly those heading to the airport. A user-friendly platform and transit experience could set the tone for their entire trip. As the JR side of the station has already undergone redevelopment, expectations are high for Meitetsus project to complement and elevate the entire Nagoya Station area into a more vibrant and globally accessible urban hub. Source: Tokai TV In a significant contribution to educational infrastructure, Atlantic Bank, a subsidiary of the Moroccan Central Popular Bank (BCP) Group, has provided two new classrooms to the Poun Nord public school in Burkina Fasos Didyr district. The donation comes as part of Atlantic Banks ongoing commitment to education and social development in Burkina Faso. The bank initiated this project through a strategic partnership established in December 2023 with the Eau Vive association, aimed at enhancing rural school facilities and promoting quality education access for local communities. Sonia Kam, representing Atlantic Banks Director General Yongo Nignan, who also serves as president of the Eau Vive association, attended the ceremony. The event highlighted strong community support and emphasized the initiatives importance for youth education and regional development. Built to modern, sustainable standards, the new classrooms address growing educational demands in the area. They will help reduce overcrowding in existing facilities while providing a more suitable and secure learning environment. This investment seeks to ensure more equitable access to quality education while significantly improving teaching conditions. Education is the key to any change. It paves the way for a better future for our children and for society, Kam stated during the handover ceremony that took place earlier this month. Atlantic Bank is proud to support this project and contribute to building a more just and inclusive society by collaborating with committed local partners like Eau Vive, she added. Through this initiative, Atlantic Bank reaffirms its commitment to social development in Burkina Faso, aligning with the BCP Groups vision that integrates corporate social responsibility as a key strategic priority. Tunisia has left the African Court on Human and Peoples Rights of the African Union, amid a worsening crackdown on free speech and opponents to the Kais Saied regime. The withdrawal would deny NGOs capacity to petition the court, which is tasked with enforcing the AUs human rights charter. The Tunisian government did not explain why it has left the court, but activists see the decision as a pre-emptive move in view of the regimes violations of rights in recent years. The Tunisian League for Human Rights (LTDH) denounced Tunisias withdrawal from the court as a decision taken secretly. It said the move was a dangerous step backwards and an attempt to withdraw from independent judicial institutions capable of fighting impunity and guaranteeing justice. In August last year, the AU court then ruled against Tunisia and urged the government to stop preventing the detainees from accessing their doctors and lawyers. Saieds power grab destroyed checks and balances in the country that was once an Arab Spring success story. Scores of independent journalists, opposition leaders, lawyers and human rights activists have faced sham trials for dissent, leading many international rights watchdogs to alert to the degradation of human rights in the country. Amnesty International had warned that since Saied took power institutional safeguards for human protection were almost entirely dismantled, the judiciary has lost guarantees for its independence, military courts have increasingly targeted critics of the president with repressive laws, while the right to freedom of expression has dramatically shrunk. As of November 2024, over 80 people were detained on political grounds or for exercising their fundamental rights, Human Rights watch said in its latest country report. The Cape independence advocacy group (CIAG) is preparing a visit to the US to lobby for its cause, giving the South African government the bitter taste of separatism that it has been encouraging elsewhere in Africa. The new Trump administration has sacked Pretorias ambassador, cut aid to South Africa, and condemned anti-white policies. The CIAG seeks to meet US officials to win support for their quest to have an independent state in the Cape area. The CIAGs push for independence is driven by the perceived failures of the national government to address the needs of the Western Cape. They argue that the Western Cape should be governed by the party its residents voted for. As South Africa feels the heat of separatism at home, it continues its double speak by backing the Algeria-backed Polisario militias to create a separatist entity in Moroccos Sahara provinces. Algerias president Tebboune said that his country was not bothered by the French position in support for Moroccos sovereignty over the Sahara, in a statement that further highlights the contradictions within the Algerian regime. Algeria has withdrawn its ambassador to France following Paris support for Morocco and issued numerous statements condemning visits by French officials to the Sahara territory, the latest hostile statement was issued after a visit by French culture minister Rachida Dati to Dakhla and Laayoune where she expressed support for Moroccan sovereignty over the southern provinces. Algeria flouted deals with France in retaliation for President Emmanuel Macrons Sahara move, including halting all cooperation on migration, arresting a French-Algerian writer who mentioned the colonial origins of Algerias borders, and disrupting trade with France. Despite all of these moves, President Tebboune appeared in a TV interview with three sycophant journalists saying the visits by French officials to the Sahara territory are not provocations, adding that We knowthat France has never hidden its friendship with Morocco and up to now this is not disturbing us. Tebboune said this after his foreign ministry issued dozens of statements criticizing a French sovereign decision regarding Morocco and its Sahara territory. As France takes Algerias disrespect for bilateral ties and deals seriously and started a graduated response to Algiers reluctance to take back its nationals unwanted in France, President Tebboune lowers the tone in a bid to avert an escalation that his country started. Algeria hoped that by punching above its weight, it could push France to change its position in support of Morocco. Little did they learn from past mistakes with Spain, when their retaliatory measures failed to lead Madrid to change its position on the Sahara. Algeria ended up returning its ambassador to Madrid without achieving its goals. As Algeria engages in feuds with countries backing Moroccos territorial integrity, it only shows the artificial nature of a conflict it has created by hosting and arming a separatist militia, vindicating Moroccos position which has always called for direct negotiations with Algeria, the real party to the conflict. The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has expressed willingness to engage in direct dialogue with the M23 rebel group, signaling a shift in its stance toward resolving the ongoing conflict in the eastern part of the country. This decision comes after years of resistance to negotiations and follows a series of successful military offensives by the M23, including the recent capture of Walikale in North Kivu. Congolese foreign minister Therese Kayikwamba Wagner stated that his government is adjusting its approach based on the evolving dynamics of the conflict. While the DRC had previously avoided negotiations with M23, Wagner emphasized that engaging in dialogue could lead to a cessation of violence and protect civilian populations. The situation evolves in its intensity, and we must be ready to adapt, Wagner explained, underscoring the governments readiness to prioritize peace if the rebels genuinely commit to halting hostilities. In a bid to promote peace, the Congo River Alliance, which also includes M23 rebels, said in a statement on Saturday (22 March) that it had decided to reposition its forces from Walikale, a key town seized earlier this month. While the announcement has been met with cautious optimism, skepticism remains within the Congolese military regarding the rebels true intentions. Local defense officials are wary that the M23 might be repositioning to advance toward other strategic locations. The conflict has caused massive civilian displacement, with over 100,000 people fleeing to neighboring countries. As peace efforts continue, the situation remains volatile, and both the DRC government and the M23 must prove their commitment to lasting peace. DP World has appointed Portuguese construction giant Mota-Engil to oversee the development of the Banana Port, the Democratic Republic of Congos (DRC) first deep-water maritime gateway. Located in Kongo Central province along the Atlantic coast, the port is expected to revolutionize trade in the DRC and strengthen regional economic networks. Banana Port, one of Africas largest infrastructure projects, will serve as the DRCs primary gateway for containerized cargo, reducing the countrys dependence on foreign ports for global commerce. The ports development will be carried out in phases, with the first one including the construction of a 600-meter quay, a 30-hectare storage area, and an annual capacity of 450,000 TEUs, while the second phase will expand the quay to accommodate larger vessels, significantly boosting the ports capacity. The project, funded by DP World, a Dubai-based global logistics and port management company, with support from British International Investment (BII), will create approximately 85,000 jobs and generate an estimated $430 million annually in new economic output. In addition to serving as a logistics hub, the port will streamline customs and administrative processes, benefiting local industries such as agriculture and manufacturing. Mota-Engils extensive experience in large-scale infrastructure projects across Africa makes it a strategic partner for the ports construction. DP World envisions Banana Port as a transformative project that will reshape the trade and logistics landscape of the DRC, fostering economic growth and creating new opportunities for the Congolese people. Gabons Constitutional Court has finalized a slate of eight candidates for the upcoming presidential election, including interim President Brice Oligui Nguema, who assumed power in a military coup in 2023. The April 12 electoral contest represents a critical juncture in Gabons political transition following decades of Bongo family dominance over the oil-rich Central African nation. While transitional leaders typically face restrictions on pursuing elected office, Gabons November constitutional referendum specifically exempted 50-year-old Nguema from this limitation, prompting concerns about the military governments intentions. Political analysts identify former Prime Minister Alain Claude Billie By Nze as Nguemas primary challenger. The 57-year-old By Nze, who served under deposed President Ali Bongo, has strategically positioned himself as an independent candidate to distance himself from the previous administration. Additional approved candidates include Stephane Germain Iloko Boussengui, who previously belonged to Bongos political party before establishing his own large rainbow gathering movement, and tax official Joseph Lapensee Essigone. Entrepreneur Gninga Chaning Zenaba stands as the sole female contender in the race. Nguemas 2023 military intervention terminated the Bongo dynastys prolonged control of Gabon, where substantial petroleum resources contrast sharply with widespread economic hardship. The coup represented the eighth such power seizure across the West and Central African region within a three-year timeframe. The junta has consistently portrayed the constitutional referendum as advancing democratic governance, though skeptics question the military leaderships willingness to relinquish authority following the election. International observers emphasize the importance of transparent electoral proceedings to establish legitimate civilian governance. Sudans military has strengthened its control over Khartoum, capturing additional government facilities just one day after reclaiming the symbolic Republican Palace from paramilitary forces. Military spokesperson Brigadier General Nabil Abdullah confirmed Saturday that government troops had successfully dislodged the Rapid Support Forces from the National Intelligence Service headquarters and Corinthia Hotel in central Khartoum. The operation extended to securing the Central Bank of Sudan and various governmental and educational institutions across the capital region. The military offensive reportedly resulted in substantial RSF casualties, with Abdullah stating that hundreds of paramilitary fighters were killed while attempting to evacuate the area. The RSF issued no immediate response to these claims. Fridays recapture of the Republican Palace represented a pivotal symbolic triumph for the Sudanese military after nearly two years of conflict. The operation was overshadowed by a drone strike on the palace, allegedly conducted by RSF forces, which claimed the lives of two journalists and a driver from Sudanese state television, along with Lieutenant Colonel Hassan Ibrahim from the militarys media division. Former UN envoy Volker Perthes characterized the developments as a decisive military and political victory, predicting RSF fighters would retreat to their Darfur stronghold. However, he cautioned that the conflict would likely transform into a protracted insurgency resembling the early 2000s regional conflicts. The latest military advances follow months of gradual territorial gains across Khartoum and other urban centers. Meanwhile, humanitarian concerns intensify as pro-democracy groups report at least 45 civilian fatalities during recent RSF operations in the Darfur city of al-Maliha. Dam filling rate increased to an average of 37% in Moroccan dams totalling 6.3 billion cubic meters, thanks to recent rainfall which revived farmers hopes after a prolonged drought. The rate improved from 26% last year, thanks to a sustained rain and snowfall that has continued across the Kingdom since early March. The filling levels of four major hydraulic basins (Loukkos, Bouregreg, Tensift, and Guir-Ziz-Rheris) have exceeded 50%. The Sebou basin reached 49.48%, while the Moulouya basin stood at 41.4%. Several dams have reached a filling rate of 100%, including Oued Za, Oued El Makhazine, Nakhla, Charif Al Idrissi, Chefchaouen, Bouhouda, and Sidi Said Maachou. Others have exceeded 90%, such as Garde du Sebou (96.6%), Daourat on the Oum Er-Rbia river (95%), Allal Al Fassi in Fes-Meknes region (98.3%), and Sidi Mohamed Ben Slimane Jazouli (95.1%) south of Essaouira. The improvement of dam reserves is expected to continue over the next few days thanks to upcoming rainfall in several regions. The General Directorate of Meteorology forecasts snowfall at the beginning of this week in the provinces of Al Hoceima, Chefchaouen, Boulemane, Ifrane, Sefrou, Guercif, Taza, Beni Mellal, Azilal, Khenifra, and Midelt. However, filling rates in the bassins of Oum Er Rbia and Souss-Massa remain was limited to 10.2% and 22.3% respectively. The rain has also improved pasture, relieving livestock farmers, especially sheep owners, who brace for sluggish activity this year after the King urged citizens to forgo the rite of sheep sacrifice this year, due to a 38% drop in the cattle herd in less than ten years. Years of drought pushed Morocco to prioritize drinking water over irrigation, leading to many main farming areas such as Doukala to rely on underground water. In some areas, like Souss, underground water has been depleted with many citrus farms halting activity. Years of drought has also impacted Moroccos unemployment rate, which surged to 13.3% last year. A U.S. trade mission will visit Morocco in May 2025 to explore joint business and investment opportunities offered in the North African Kingdom & Africa in agrifood and other sectors. The Western U.S. Agricultural Trade Association (WUSATA) and the 15 Western Region Departments of Agriculture announced participation in the trade mission offering U.S. exporters an opportunity to enter Moroccan market, establish strategic connections, and enhance export prospects. Participants will benefit from a range of activities, including market briefings delivered by U.S. officials, one-on-one business meetings, site visits to retail and manufacturing facilities, and personalized company consultations. Moroccos infrastructure investments, particularly in roads and ports, position it as a regional trade hub, benefiting U.S. exporters and food manufacturers across Africa. Last December, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) organized its first-ever Agribusiness Trade Mission (ATM) to Morocco. A delegation of 26 U.S. agribusinesses, 21 leaders of cooperatives, and 14 state agriculture departments took part in the mission which contributed to strengthening further partnerships between the United States, Morocco, and West Africa. Since the U.S.-Morocco Free Trade Agreement (FTA) came into effect in 2006, Moroccan agricultural exports to the United States have almost tripled and United States agricultural exports to Morocco have doubled. The Kingdom was the second-largest U.S. agricultural export market in Africa in 2023. In the same year, agriculture exchange between the two countries reached $900 million. The Egyptian and Palestinian Prime ministers stressed the importance of maintaining a ceasefire in Gaza to enable early recovery and reconstruction efforts. During a meeting in Cairo on Sunday March 23, Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly reaffirmed his countrys unwavering support for the Palestinian people and their right to remain on their land throughout the rebuilding process. Madbouly also highlighted the Gaza reconstruction plan, developed by Egypt and approved at the recent Arab summit in Cairo, which will involve close coordination with both regional and international stakeholders, as well as with the Palestinian leadership, to finalize the details of its implementation. The aim is to ensure a comprehensive and sustainable recovery for the Gaza Strip, which has been heavily affected by ongoing conflicts. Since Israel resumed airstrikes and ground operations in Gaza last week, breaking a two-month ceasefire, the situation has worsened, with hundreds of casualties reported. The war in Gaza has led to the loss of 50,000 Palestinian lives, mostly women and children, and significant destruction of homes and infrastructure. In response, Arab and Muslim leaders have endorsed a $53 billion plan for Gazas reconstruction, which guarantees that Palestinian residents will remain on their land, in opposition to alternative plans proposed by the US and Israel. Moroccan foreign minister Nasser Bourita conferred Monday in Rabat with UN Sahara envoy Staffan de Mistura who is touring the region ahead of the mid-April UN Security Council informal consultations on the Sahara. The meeting was attended by Omar Hilale, Moroccos Ambassador to the United Nations. During these talks, the Moroccan delegation highlighted the international momentum driven by King Mohammed VI for Moroccos sovereignty over the Sahara and the Moroccan Autonomy Initiative. In his Green March speech made Nov.6, 2024, the Moroccan Sovereign had urged the UN to assume its responsibility and spell out the major difference between the real, legitimate world represented by Morocco in its Sahara and a world which is frozen in time, and which is disconnected from reality and the developments that have taken place. The Moroccan delegation also reiterated the Kingdoms support for the efforts of the UN Secretary-General and his Personal Envoy in reaching a lasting, pragmatic, realistic, and political solution, based exclusively on the Moroccan Autonomy Initiative, within the framework of Moroccos sovereignty and territorial integrity. During the latest UN General Assembly, Head of Moroccan Govt. Aziz Akhannouch has underlined Moroccos constant position on the Sahara issue, saying the growing international support for Moroccos sovereignty over its Sahara and for the autonomy initiative sends a clear message to the other parties to the conflict and to the UN that time has come to move towards a political solution on this basis, through the round table process and in accordance with Security Council resolutions. De Misturas new regional tour comes amidst calls launched by some U.S. think-tanks urging the Trump administration to stop funding failed peacekeeping missions such as the MINURSO, established in 1991. After 34 years and billions of dollars spent, no progress has been made and the UN-led political process is stalled due to the disengagement and procrastination of Algeria and the Polisario. According to Michael Rubin, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, it is time to end peacekeeping missions that, at best, do nothing and, at worst, preserve conflict. Trump and Congress should insist they will no longer tolerate failed peacekeeping operations. North Platte schoolchildren woke up to a snowy, bitterly cold, dark morning on Jan. 7, 1974, after they and their parents had to unexpectedly spring forward to daylight saving time the day before. Thus began the second and last time the federal government ordered Americas clocks permanently wound forward an hour in the middle of winter. State senators soon will consider final approval of Legislative Bill 34, which is intended to put Nebraska on permanent DST, if one more bordering state passes a similar bill and Congress or the U.S. Department of Transportation allows. An opposing bill, also on final reading, instead would exercise Nebraskas federal option to instead adopt year-round standard time for the first time since 1967. But if youre 50 years old or younger, you werent alive the two previous times Congress imposed year-round DST. West central Nebraskans hated it both times especially those along the Central-Mountain time-zone line. DST or Gods time? The first lasted from Feb. 9, 1942, to Sept. 29, 1945, as the nation observed War Time for most of World War II. A rebellious North Platte City Council ordered the clocks set back an hour again on Sept. 13, 1942. But it gave up that Nov. 1, after the Union Pacific Railroad and local governments said they had to follow federal law. Daylight time, first adopted part-time during World War I in 1918-19, didnt return to Nebraska until the federal Uniform Time Act of 1966 launched warm-weather DST on April 1, 1967. Just 6 years later, several Arab nations shut off their oil shipments to the U.S. in response to the October 1973 Arab-Israeli War. The resulting energy crisis and a still persistent belief that later sunsets cut energy consumption led Congress to consider year-round DST even as standard time returned that Oct. 28. That morning was hard enough for Eleanor Seberger of rural Lexington, author of The Telegraphs weekly The Farm Wife column from 1957 to 1996. She wrote on Halloween that she and her husband, Peter, had showed up an hour early for church the previous Sunday because they didnt get all their clocks turned back. Its wonderful to be getting back to Gods time; to have it nearly daylight at seven instead of darkness, wrote Seberger, who died in 2003. I dont imagine farmers are going to pay any attention to a clock these days, the Boss (Peter) mused. Theyll be out in the fields as soon as they can see anyway. Neither wanted year-round DST, Eleanor wrote. But they and the country got it anyway when President Richard Nixon signed it into law for a two-year trial on Dec. 15, 1973. Skeptics statewide had a field day, with Nebraska Stock Growers President Wes Hansen and executive council member E.H. Shoemaker Jr. both of North Platte saying year-round DST wouldnt save energy in ranch country despite sunrises at or after 9 a.m. Central Daylight Time in early winter. Even the staunchest proponents of year-around daylight saving time admit that any energy saving is pure speculation, Shoemaker said in The Telegraph on Dec. 28, 1973. It does not make sense to move the clock ahead in the western edge of our Central Time Zone so that people will rise and start work during the coldest part of the day, with an extra hour of darkness to hinder all agricultural and business activity. Telegraph Editor Keith Blackledge applied a wry touch to the matter in an editorial on Jan. 3, 1974, three days before the switch. Of course it will be daylight later in the evening, he wrote. Sunset is at 5:28 CST Saturday afternoon. It will be at 6:29 CDT Sunday evening. This is supposed to save energy. Congress in its wisdom must understand how the saving will come about. It is too deep for us. However, if Congress in its wisdom and power can regulate the suns coming and going, perhaps it could do more. Perhaps it could warm the sun up a bit. That would be a positive contribution to everyones energy crisis. A cold reception On that Jan. 7 winter DST morning in North Platte, 16-below-zero temperatures and 8 inches of snow on the ground welcomed students back from Christmas break before the sun rose at 9:09 a.m. CDT. Ridiculous! one Adams Junior High School student told The Telegraph. Another girl said she might be late because I cant see my watch. Two days later, Hershey school officials shifted school hours to run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Maxwells schools adopted a 9 a.m. to 3:50 p.m. schedule Jan. 14, but both districts acted after Sutherland, where the school board decided in mid-December to delay school half an hour to 8:55 a.m. if DST took effect. North Platte Public Schools didnt switch until Jan. 11 to a 9:15 a.m. to 3:40 p.m. schedule and then only in the districts elementary schools. After watching the elementary students on their way to school the past three mornings, I have become quite concerned about their safety, Superintendent Jack Elliott said. Mayor Bob Phares had warned Jan. 9 of a hazardous situation. Police reported children were playing on snow piles and grabbing onto car bumpers to be pulled along on the ice all on those now-dark DST mornings. Junior high and North Platte High School students class times didnt change, but NPHS kept its parking lot lights on during the dark mornings to lessen chances of car wrecks. North Platte-area schools returned to normal hours in March as the days lengthened toward spring. As summer gave way to fall, Congress gave up and restored standard time in winter, effective Oct. 27. The necessary bill was already moving through the House and Senate when Seberger included one more daydream about calendar changes in her Sept. 4 Farm Wife. Take Daylight Savings time, for instance, she said. It should end Labor Day and remain away until Memorial Day, for a farmers best interests. Seberger didnt get her wish. But winter has stayed on standard time in Nebraska these past 50 years. Photo: Illustration: New York Magazine Its no secret that living in New York is challenging. But when it starts to feel impossible, you may want to ask yourself whether youre doing it wrong. Because while many people are fumbling around with overpriced groceries, bad pre-theater meals, and soaring rents, some people are not. These New Yorkers have mastered not just how to survive here but also how to thrive here and in How to Be a New Yorker, the next installment of our subscriber-exclusive New York Night School newsletter series, were going to teach you how to be one of them. Over the course of six weeks, youll take in a rarefied collection of municipal tips, tricks, and hacks that even the most jaded New Yorkers may not have known until now. We reached out to ER doctors, traffic attorneys, and particularly New Yorky New Yorkers like Alison Stewart and Gay Talese for advice, but most of the wisdom comes from the shrewd, budget-minded New York Magazine editorial hive mind. Therell be no fun facts while its interesting to know that Central Park is bigger than the country of Monaco, it doesnt make living here any easier. And were not promising a comprehensive list. Instead, consider this a crash course in attaining the knowledge set that New Yorkers who grew up here have amassed over decades. This is your guide to beating the system, even in this impossible city of ours. Sign up and soon youll be able to fill in these blanks: 1. If youd rather not spend a small fortune on parking at JFK, drive to _____________. 2. The ________________ offers $3 haircuts. 3. The bars that will most impress visiting family members are __________. 4. If you find yourself in an ambulance, tell the driver to take you to _____________. 5. The best way to get cheap Knicks tickets is to ___________. 6. If you need a replacement toilet valve in the middle of the night, ___________________. 7. Did you know you can do your interview for Global Entry at the __________________? 8. You can avoid the lines at the Met Museum by _____________. 9. Matthew Brodericks favorite pretheater dinner is ___________. 10. The only touristy restaurant worth eating at is _______________. 11. __________ is the best night to see a Broadway show. 12. And whatever you do, dont see ______________. Existing New York subscribers can sign up below or on our newsletters page. Not a subscriber yet? Click here to get started. A protester in front of the U.S. consulate in Nuuk, Greenland, on March 15. Photo: Christian Klindt Soelbeck/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP/Getty Images Donald Trumps expansionist dreams have become a hallmark of his second term. The president continues to advocate for the annexation of Canada, Greenland, and the Panama Canal despite the strong opposition of the involved citizens and their leaders. But a planned delegation of Trump administration officials to Greenland encountered a few bumps as the federal government was forced to change its itinerary following widespread backlash to the visit across the island. Trump national security adviser Mike Waltz, Energy secretary Chris Wright, and Second Lady Usha Vance were slated to travel this week with the New York Times reporting that Vance was to make a number of cultural stops, including attending a national dogsled race, while Waltz and Wright are expected to visit a U.S. military base. But plans began to shift as Vice-President J.D. Vance announced Tuesday that he would be joining his wife on the trip with plans for the couple to visit members of the U.S. Space Force at its base in Pituffik and to check out the territorys security in lieu of the Second Ladys other planned stops. Waltz is still expected to take part in the trip despite his recent involvement in a controversial Signal text chain with other Trump officials. Earlier this week, the outgoing Greenland prime minister Mute Egede blasted the scheduled trip as highly aggressive in the Greenlandic newspaper Sermitsiaq, labeling it a clear attempt by the United States to flex its power as Trump threatens to take over the island. What is the national security adviser doing in Greenland? The only purpose is to demonstrate power over us, Egede said, per CNN. His mere presence in Greenland will no doubt fuel American belief in Trumps mission and the pressure will increase. Earlier this month, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, who is poised to succeed Egede as prime minister, also rejected Trumps calls to annex Greenland. We dont want to be Americans. No, we dont want to be Danes. We want to be Greenlanders, and we want our own independence in the future, Nielsen said, per The Guardian. And we want to build our own country by ourselves. The issue has even united the five political parties in Greenlands parliament with the leaders issuing a joint statement against Greenland becoming part of the United States. We all party chairmen cannot accept the repeated statements on annexation and control of Greenland, they said. We, as party chairmen, find this conduct unacceptable to friends and allies in a defense alliance. Residents of Greenland also appear opposed to the administrations threats of annexation. A January poll found that 85 percent of Greenlanders are against the island becoming a part of the United States, with only 6 percent of respondents in favor, according to Reuters. The delegation comes as the vice-president has echoed Trumps position on Greenland while escalating tensions with Denmark, which controls the territory. In a Fox News interview, Vance accused Denmark of not being a good ally and suggested that controlling Greenland was a matter of national security. So you have to ask yourself: How are we going to solve that problem, solve our own national security? the vice-president said, per the Associated Press. If that means that we need to take more territorial interest in Greenland, that is what President Trump is going to do, because he doesnt care about what the Europeans scream at us. In a video announcing his planned travel to Greenland, Vance claimed that countries have threatened the territory and have intentions to use its waterways to harm Canada and the United States. Unfortunately, leaders in both America and in Denmark, I think, ignored Greenland for far too long. Thats been bad for Greenland and its been bad for the security of the entire world. Trumps focus on Greenland dates back to his first term, when he floated the idea of buying the island from Denmark. In January, the president paired his announcement of Ken Howery as his nominee to serve as U.S. ambassador to Denmark with a blunt call for annexation. For purposes of National Security and Freedom throughout the World, the United States of America feels that the ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity, Trump wrote on Truth Social. Despite the strong opposition his aims have received, the president has continued to voice an interest in acquiring Greenland, telling reporters in the Oval Office Wednesday, Well go as far as we have to go. Photo: Al Drago/Bloomberg/Getty Images Its not often that the U.S. Supreme Court sees a lawsuit that directly invites it to overturn a long-established precedent. So given the overall atmosphere of authoritarianism and Donald Trumps very specific and long-standing interest in muzzling media criticism, many legal eagles trembled when Las Vegas casino mogul and Trump donor Steve Wynn petitioned the Court to reverse New York Times v. Sullivan, the landmark 1964 decision that insulated the press from libel suits over good-faith criticism of public figures. More specifically, Wynn objected to a Nevada law incorporating the Sullivan standard that requires clear and compelling evidence of actual malice in libel suits involving public figures. Wynn felt this denied him the right to a jury trial over his claims against the Associated Press for accusing him of sexual misconduct without (he claims) sufficient evidence. There were signs that at least two Supreme Court justices were ready to take the plunge on a review of Sullivan, as Adam Liptak observed when Wynns petition was filed: Starting in 2019, Justice Clarence Thomas has repeatedly called for the Supreme Court to reconsider New York Times v. Sullivan, the landmark First Amendment decision that made it hard for public officials to prevail in libel suits. That project gained momentum in 2021, when Justice Neil M. Gorsuch said the decision has evolved into an ironclad subsidy for the publication of falsehoods by means and on a scale previously unimaginable. Certainly, there was interest in the White House in determining if there was now broader interest among Court conservatives for helping the president activate his repeated threats to open up the libel laws to enable legal harassment of his media critics. Trump, as is very well known, was famed for using litigation to intimidate and even bankrupt his adversaries long before he ever ran for public office. But now, the Supreme Court has dismissed Wynns petition without dissent or comment. The unanimity was the most surprising development, as MSNBCs Jordan Rubin explained: It wasnt surprising that the court rejected Wynns petition. It takes four justices to grant review. What was less clear heading into Monday was whether any of the justices would dissent from the denial. Justices Clarence Thomas and Neil Gorsuch two of the courts six GOP-appointed justices have previously questioned the Sullivan precedent, but they didnt do so on Monday. That doesnt mean their views have changed or that the precedent will stay on the books forever as challenges to it continue. But Wynns rejection is the latest evidence that it isnt immediately at risk at the high court. So it appears Thomas and Gorsuch havent made enough progress toward undermining Sullivan among their colleagues to even merit a squawk in this case. This deafening silence represents extraordinarily good news for media folk who have wondered if they will soon get the same sort of harsh treatment being meted out to federal employees and contractors, not to mention noncitizens who thought they had permanent-resident status, at the hands of the second Trump administration. The 47th president may still freak out journalists by singling them out for abuse on Truth Social, and Elon Musks vast troll army may menace them on X. But odds are they wont be hauled into court for saying the emperor has no clothes. President Trumps portrait is unveiled in the Colorado Capitol on August 1, 2019. Photo: Thomas Peipert/AP Photo Between bullying Americas allies, harassing federal judges, and acting as an amateur Tesla salesman, Donald Trump has a lot on his plate. But the president took a break from his busy schedule to complain about a portrait of him thats been hanging in the Colorado State Capitol for five years. In a Sunday night Truth Social post, Trump said his portrait in the Colorado State Capitol was purposefully distorted to a level that even I, perhaps, have never seen before. Trump said that the same artist painted Barack Obama and he looks wonderful, but the one on me is truly the worst. The president then attacked the states governor, while asking that he do him a favor and take the portrait down. Trump claimed that many people from Colorado have called and written to complain, so I am speaking on their behalf to the Radical Left Governor, Jared Polis, who is extremely weak on Crime to take it down. Jared should be ashamed of himself! Trump followed up by posting his two official White House portraits, presumably because hed prefer that we picture him either smiling and eight years younger, or giving menacing AI mug shot vibes. Trump did not explain why hes raising this issue now. Nor did he provide any evidence that people have complained about the painting, or that the artist, Sarah Boardman, purposely distorted his image. The Trump portrait project was already underway when Governor Polis assumed office in January 2019, and it initially didnt sound like hed be giving into Trumps demand. A Polis spokesperson told The Hill: Gov. Polis was surprised to learn the President of the United States is an aficionado of our Colorado State Capitol and its artwork. The State Capitol was completed in 1901, and features Rose Onyx and White Yule Marble mined in Colorado, and includes portraits of former Presidents and former governors. We appreciate the President and everyones interest in our capitol building and are always looking for any opportunity to improve our visitor experience. But later in the day Colorado House Democrats said the painting would be taken down at the request of GOP leaders in the Legislature. The AP reported: Senate Minority Leader Paul Lundeen, a Republican, said that he requested for Trumps portrait to be taken down and replaced by one that depicts his contemporary likeness. If the GOP wants to spend time and money on which portrait of Trump hangs in the Capitol, then thats up to them, the Democrats said. While Boardmans painting certainly isnt the most flattering Trump portrait, it seems everyone involved was actually trying to treat him like a normal president. The effort to add Trump to the state Capitols Gallery of Presidents was led and approved by Republican state officials, as 9 News Denver reported: Republican-led efforts to get Trumps painting hung on the Colorado Capitol wall began in the summer of 2018. Republican State Sen. Kevin Grantham raised $10,000 in a few hours on GoFundMe for the portrait. The painting, which was approved by Colorado Republicans, was put up in August 2019 at an event hosted by the Colorado Senate Republicans and artist Sarah A. Boardman. The unveiling event was described as nonpartisan in a Facebook post. Nothing on the Colorado-based artists website or Facebook page is partisan. And while Trump accused Boardman of making him look much worse than his predecessors, her portraits of Barack Obama and George W. Bush are also a tad jowly: President Obama, 20 x 24 inches, oil on canvas. This was a commission by the State of Denver, and hangs in the State Capitol Building, Rotunda (3rd floor) Gallery of Presidents. Posted by Sarah A. Boardman, Portraits on Thursday, April 5, 2012 The speeches at the unveiling of Trumps portrait on August 1, 2019, emphasized unity and bipartisanship. Boardman said she was striving to make Trump look neutral. My portrait of President Trump has been called thoughtful, non-confrontational, not angry, not happy, not mad, not tweeting, she said, drawing chuckles from the audience. And the reason for that is because in todays environment its all very up front. But in five, 10, 15, 20 years, he will be another president on the wall with his own historical background and he needs to look neutral, she continued. Ironically, during the same event, the Republican state senator who spearheaded the portrait project, Kevin Grantham, said that regardless of political party, the unveiling reminds us of the ideals we hold so dear as Americans. In 2019, there are still nations across this globe that are led by those who rule simply by the force and fear they command. Leaders that do not allow dissent and do not allow critique, he said. Whether this portrait bring a smile or a scowl to your face, remember that you have the right to do so because this is the United States of America. Well, that America was nice while it lasted! This post has been updated. A U.S. Navy F-35 performs during the Pacific Airshow in Huntington Beach, California in 2022. Photo: Jeff Gritchen/MediaNews Group/Getty Images Not so long ago, the F-35 fighter jet was the hottest ticket in the international arms market. Though it had suffered teething pains in development, going over budget by 50 percent in its first decade, Lockheed Martins Lightning II glowed up into a remarkably capable weapons platform. Stealthy, supersonic, and able to both dogfight and strike targets on the ground, its arguably the most sophisticated weapon in the U.S. arsenal and undeniably the most sought-after. As nation after nation held competitions to choose their next frontline fighter, the F-35 came in and trounced its rivals time and again. I cant think of a competition that it entered in Europe that it didnt win, says Douglas Barrie, a senior fellow at the International Institute for Strategic Studies. Anywhere Lockheed Martin pitched the F-35, it wound up getting chosen. Today, some 18 years after its first flight, more than 1,000 F-35s are in operation in 20 countries. But then, earlier this month, something happened. One after another, nations that had signed up for the F-35 started voicing qualms. On March 13, Portugals defense minister said that the country would cancel plans to buy the plane. Then Canadas prime minister said it would reconsider its purchase. Germany, too, is said to be wavering in its commitment to the jet. Nothing had changed about the planes performance. Its just that, in the eyes of some international customers, the F-35 cant fully be trusted anymore because of who is the commander-in-chief. Donald Trump has an affinity for authoritarianism, has exhibited poor treatment of NATO (whose Article 5 obligates collective defense), and, in particular, has threatened to annex Greenland and Canada. Canada is one of our closest allies, and they have fought with us. They have died with us, says Cynthia Cook, a senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. And to have the new president of the United States cast doubt on their independence is really viewed as a challenging pill to swallow. Its making the U.S. be seen as a less reliable ally. The long-term effects of Americas heel turn might not just be deleterious for the F-35 program but for the $238 billion U.S. weapons-export industry as a whole, including the recently announced Boeing F-47 next-generation fighter, which could enter service in the 2030s. If the arsenal of democracy no longer stands on the side of democracies, what is it good for? To understand why the F-35 is suddenly in trouble, the first thing you need to know is that a state-of-the-art fighter jet isnt just a physical airframe. Its both hardware and software, a whole suite of networked systems that requires software patches and data in order to work effectively. Its a bit like a smartphone: If you dont update the software, it gradually works less and less well and eventually bricks. The F-35 has to depend on software because of the environment it will fight in. Even though the plane is stealthy, meaning hard to detect by conventional radar, it is not invisible and will not survive long in a modern air-defense environment unless it can track and assess enemy radars and countermeasures. To do that, it needs to constantly update its assessment of the threat environment. That information is stored inside a software package called the mission data file, or MDF. The software is updated by a civilian unit located at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida called the F-35 Partner Support Complex, whose website explains that nations deploying the F-35 are not allowed to conduct independent test operations outside the U.S. and that U.S. citizens perform specific functions in order to protect critical U.S. technology. In other words, any one nation that flies the F-35 is wholly dependent on the U.S. to keep the planes functioning properly. When the program launched, this provision rankled some allies, but it didnt prove to be a deal-breaker because it was inconceivable at the time that the U.S. would ever be anything other than a trusted ally. (Israel, presciently, insisted on retaining control of the F-35s software and today operates the aircraft with considerably more autonomy.) Buying planes that they dont fully control now looks like an incredibly poor decision. Since Trump took office, Europes trust in its ally has withered as the U.S. has pivoted from democracy toward autocracy, increasingly aligned with Europes most dangerous adversary, Russia. As the legendary aviation journalist Bill Sweetman writes, A hypothetical: A crisis is emerging, and U.S. strategy and policy differs from that of a partner nation; the U.S. is not going to intervene militarily at any likely threshold. The pressure point is simple: The door code at Eglin is changed. The partner nations people cant get in. Effectively, the F-35 is bricked. The delicacy of the situation that Europe now finds itself in goes far beyond the F-35 or any of the other major weapons systems that it is heavily dependent on the U.S. to maintain and operate, like the U.K.s nuclear-weapons program. Its that the whole defense edifice, from top to bottom, has been designed with a deep level of interdependence baked in. One of the strengths of the U.S. defense industrial cooperation is were able to incorporate the best offerings from our allies and partners from their technological advances, Cook says. Its something that our adversaries like Russia and China can envy but not replicate. The idea that the U.S. would just walk away from a global security system that it has spent the better part of a century building and nurturing, and which undergirds the countrys global power, is nearly incomprehensible. For Europeans, its a bit like coming home and finding your husband in bed with the au pair. The swiftness and profundity of the betrayal is so enraging that a lifetime of commitment can vanish in an instant. Since Ive been born, all Ive ever known was a U.S. alliance, says Thomas Withington, a white-haired associate fellow at the Royal United Services Institute, Britains venerable defense think tank. Occasionally, theres been good-natured criticism on both sides of the Atlantic. But nobody has ever envisaged a world in which the U.S. and Europe are not very strong security partners. And whats shocking to me now is that I have a number of friends mainly French but German and Italian as well who were quite strong Atlanticists but have totally changed their position in the last two weeks. I was having a drink with a colleague last week, and he said that he remembered vividly how in the wake of 9/11, the U.S. declared Article 5 and pretty much all allied nations around the world stepped up. And he said, God forbid if that happens again, because we would never assist America in any future wars. He was very adamant: Europe must not come to U.S. aid in the future. The U.S. is on its own. Trust is hard to win, and its really easy to lose, Barrie says. Even if this is a four-year blip in terms of the transatlantic relationship, its going to take a bit of time to move back toward a more balanced position. For now, even if Trumps most ominous pronouncements turn out to be mere bluster, Europe has been forced to confront how exposed it is. With remarkable speed, it has pivoted to the consensus that it needs to achieve self-reliance as quickly as it can, and that means replacing U.S. weapons and capabilities with those of a more dependable origin. With a friendly neighbor locked in an interminable and grinding bloodbath, the sense of urgency is real. As for the U.S., it is hard to see how it is going to come out ahead in this realignment. Trump often talks about rebuilding American manufacturing and restoring American military power around the world, but by torpedoing allies trust in us, he has profoundly undermined the strategic capabilities of the U.S. military and tied an anchor around the defense industry, which last year reached a record-breaking $318 billion in overseas sales. The U.S. defense industry lives off exports, says Withington. And anything that that reduces that will have a serious effect and not only on the defense companies themselves but all of the businesses around them geographically. Think about all of the businesses that support the F-35 line in Fort Worth, everything from sandwich joints to real-estate agents and Uber drivers. Theres a whole ecosystem thats developed. I saw what happened when the U.K.s defense industry had to retool postCold War. Towns that were dependent on it just died. If theres a winner in all this, its Vladimir Putin. If you were to sit down with a blank sheet of paper and say, What are the things, both in terms of domestic and international policy, that an American leader could do that would best suit Russias and Chinas long-range strategic goals and visions?, it looks a lot like the last 70 days, says Steven Horrell, a senior fellow at the Center for European Policy Analysis. Another big beneficiary is European weapons-makers. Amid a planned surge in regional defense spending, French president Emmanuel Macron is pushing the Dassault Rafale as an alternative to the F-35, and Airbus is doing the same with the Eurofighter Typhoon. Swedens Saab, which makes the Gripen fighter jet, has seen its share price double since Trump took office, and German arms titan Rheinmetall has also doubled its stock value since last year. If youre a European defense aerospace manufacturer, says Barrie, somebody else is doing your marketing work for you at the moment, and thats the U.S. Sign Up for the Intelligencer Newsletter Daily news about the politics, business, and technology shaping our world. Email This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Vox Media, LLC Terms and Privacy Notice By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice and to receive email correspondence from us. I Tried All The A series in which we test every version of a particular product from a single brand, to see what stands above the rest. Read more here. Photo-Illustration: The Strategist; Photos: Bella Druckman Welcome to Jeans Month on the Strategist, where were obsessively vetting denim from trying on every pair at the Gap to asking dozens of stylish people about their favorite fits. For more, head to our Jeans Month hub. Its been a long time since shopping at Abercrombie & Fitch meant what it used to (dragging my parents into a dimly lit store where they complained about the suffocating scent of cologne and not being able to think because of the loud music). Now, a decade later, its been pretty widely reported that Abercrombie has had a renaissance of sorts: The clothes are logo-free, the employees are friendly and helpful, and the stores are bright with well-lit dressing rooms. I was curious how Abercrombies denim once coveted for its distressed finishes and distinctive back-pocket stitching had fared during the rebrand. So, I visited the brands Fifth Avenue store to try on as many pairs of jeans as possible. Compared to the jeans of Abercrombie Past, the brands current denim selection is vastly more inclusive. Sizes span from 24 to 38, inseams stretch from extra short to extra long, and the Curve Love fit adds two inches to the hip and thigh to decrease waist gaps. Best of all, every pair (save for a few outliers, like a cow-print boot-cut pair and a pair seemingly inspired by Rudy Judes Utility jean), will run you $90. That means if youre barrel-leg-curious or a buy it in every color person, you wont have to spend too much compared to a pair at, say, Madewell or Reformation. Of the 20 pairs I took into the dressing room with me, about half were the Curve Love and half were the Classic fit. And while my five-foot-three frame could work in the short length, I opted for regular since I have a short torso and longer legs. My three hours in the fitting room taught me that Im more or less a 25 (my usual size) across Abercrombies denim. While I flip flopped between Curve Love and Classic fits, I generally opted for the Curve Love fit when it came to tighter styles and the Classic fit when it came to looser styles. The brands denim sizing is broadly consistent, except in the case of its boot-cut and High Rise Loose jeans, which tend to run large. I tried on both of those styles and more, venturing far past my comfort zone (high-rise, straight-, and wide-legged jeans that hug my waist and give my legs some breathing room). Heres what I thought of each one. High Rise 90s Relaxed Jean The 90s Relaxed Jeans, to me, feel like something Barbie would wear they make my body look great, but theyre basically impossible to move in. Theyre tight from the hip down to my knee in a way that highlights my curves, makes my legs look longer, and would be massively uncomfortable for an hourslong sit-down dinner. That said, theyre the pair that felt most similar to some of my favorite jeans, Madewells Perfect Vintage Wide-Leg, except with a little less give. If I were to add this pair to my closet, Id opt for the Curve Love fit, which wasnt as formfitting as the Classic pair, and gave my stomach, waist, and thighs enough breathing room that I could fathom wearing them for an entire day at the office. If youre looking for an affordable straight-legged jean that will look as nice in a casual office as they would during a girls night out, these are for you. (And FWIW, the Fifth Avenue store manager told me these are the brands best-selling style.) On the left, the Curve Love fit, and on the right, the Classic fit. Photos: Bella Druckman. On the left, the Curve Love fit, and on the right, the Classic fit. Photos: Bella Druckman. High Rise Loose Jean Given my smaller frame, looser styles like these can swallow me. So even though Im solidly Gen Z, I tend to avoid the baggier styles often associated with my age group. Still, I gave these a chance, and after I tried on the Loose in my usual size, I learned that given the styles lower cotton content and higher lyocell content, I should size down for a more flattering fit at the butt and waist. The pair fits like a true high-rise jean, coming in right above the belly button. From the thigh downward, the pair was, well, loose, meaning my thighs were by no means suffocating and there was enough room at the calf and ankle for a Blundstone to easily fit underneath. Even when I sized down, though, I found there was too much fabric in the crotch area and a little bit of pooling at my ankles. I wasnt able to try on the smaller size in the Classic fit, but I imagine that without the Curve Loves extra fabric at the hips and waist, a Classic fit could solve the problem. Alas, even if thats true, these arent for me because theyre ultimately too loose (its in the name after all). On the left, the Curve Love fit, and on the right, the Classic fit. Photos: Bella Druckman. On the left, the Curve Love fit, and on the right, the Classic fit. Photos: Bella Druckman. Mid Rise Baggy Bootcut Jean As I said earlier, straight- and wide-legged jeans are my comfort zone but these cow-print boot-cut jeans certainly tempted me to venture out of it. Compared to most of the other pairs I tried on, the short-length (which had a 29.5-inch inseam), Classic-fit pair was actually my favorite in this style. Given the shorter length, the boot-cut part of the jeans didnt hide my toes (as they did in the regular length), which made the style look more intentional on me. The Classic-fit jeans hugged my waist, thighs, and butt in a flattering way that balanced out the accentuated boot cut, too. So, my advice is if youre on the cusp of petite sizing, go short with these. Since leaving the store, Ive had the most regrets about leaving this pair behind. Knowing myself, the cow-print pair would probably sit in my closet collecting dust, but Im tempted by the normal medium-wash pair. One day On the left, the regular-length Curve Love fit, and on the right, the short-length Classic fit. Photos: Bella Druckman. On the left, the regular-length Curve Love fit, and on the right, the short-length Classic fit. Photos: Bella Druckman. Mid Rise Bootcut Jean When it came to Abercrombies non-baggy boot-cut jeans, sizing was limited in-store, so I was only able to try on a regular-length, Curve Love pair. Based on how long the jeans were and the fact that all the models wearing them on the site are sporting heels, it seems that these jeans are designed to be paired with heeled boots and heeled boots only. In the five years that Ive lived in New York, Ive learned that Im decidedly not a heel girl (I even wore mary janes to my college graduation), so these in a regular length would quickly fray while dragging on the city streets. Even so, if I had tried on a shorter pair, I still would place them in the no pile as the upper thigh and waist portion of the jeans felt too similar to (and as suffocating as) early aughts skinny jeans. Photo: Bella Druckman Mid Rise Slouchy Jean Over the course of Jeans Month, Ive interviewed lots of cool teens about their favorite denim styles with my fellow writer Arielle Avila. During our conversations, the terms baggy and slouchy were thrown around an innumerable number of times, and to be honest, I still dont completely understand the difference. At Abercrombie, though, the term slouchy means adding extra fabric at the waist, thighs, and calves in an intentional way not in an Are your jeans too big? way. Im not sure how the younger Gen Zers do it, but something in me could not get past how unflattering the Curve Love version of these looked on me. With extra fabric just about everywhere, these jeans were so slouchy that I could pull them down my waist to make them low rise. I often opt for jeans with a bit of wiggle room, but these were too much. In the Classic fit, the jeans lost the waist gap but still had extra fabric in the crotch. Though I preferred these since they looked more similar to the wide-legged pants I usually go for, I wouldnt actually spend my money on these since they never fit my body quite right. On the left, the Curve Love fit, and on the right, the Classic fit. Photos: Bella Druckman. On the left, the Curve Love fit, and on the right, the Classic fit. Photos: Bella Druckman. Mid Rise 90s Straight Jean The second I tried these on, my skinny-jeans alarm bells went off. Yes, I know these arent skinny jeans, but theyre the closest Ive gotten to wearing them in at least a decade. While these werent for me, a representative from Abercrombie told me theyre the best-selling style at the Fifth Avenue location. So, if youre tempted by the style but dont want to go full-on cling, I recommend trying the Curve Love to give you a little more breathing room. If youre going for that sucked-in, formfitting look and dont typically deal with waist gaps, go for Classic. On the left, the Curve Love fit, and on the right, the Classic fit. Photos: Bella Druckman. On the left, the Curve Love fit, and on the right, the Classic fit. Photos: Bella Druckman. Mid Rise Barrel Jean Im probably not alone in saying that Im just not sure about barrel-leg jeans. In the past year, Ive gone into many a store with the intention of trying on their barrel only to leave empty handed. While Im not sure if Abercrombies barrel is the one, it felt less horseshoe shaped than others Ive tried. I accidentally tried on a short version first, which made me feel like a jester. This leads to my first tip: If youre between inseams, size up unless youre going for an accentuated barrel shape. And while said barrel shape seems like it would call for the Curve Love fit, I found that the Classic was better because less fabric meant the quadrant of denim on the outer thigh wouldnt dimple or fold inward. I would be lying if I said I havent thought about buying myself a pair of these to step out of my comfort zone, but the baggy boot cut is slightly less bold and thus, slightly more appealing. On the left, the Curve Love fit, and on the right, the Classic fit. Photos: Bella Druckman. On the left, the Curve Love fit, and on the right, the Classic fit. Photos: Bella Druckman. Low Rise Baggy Jean Here is that baggy term again, and in the case of Abercrombie, baggy means the jeans are more relaxed, with extra fabric throughout the jean, from the waist to the ankles. Compared to the Classic fit, which pooled at my ankles and fit like a true low-rise pair of jeans, the Curve Love made the jeans fit a little higher and feel more tapered at the waist than your average pair of low-rise jeans. Though Im still on the fence about the baggy jeans, if I were to add these to my wardrobe, Id opt for the Curve Love pair, which are still comfortable without feeling sloppy like the baggier Classic pair. On the left, the Curve Love fit, and on the right, the Classic fit. Photos: Bella Druckman. On the left, the Curve Love fit, and on the right, the Classic fit. Photos: Bella Druckman. Low Rise Ultra Loose Jean I may be in my 20s, but Im still hesitant to leave the house with my belly button out. Still, I was drawn to these low-rise jeans the second I put them on. They were baggy in that cool teen kind of way without feeling zhlubby, too long, or uncomfortable. And while the Classic fit left me no choice but to rock a low rise, the higher stretch content and extra inches in the Curve Love pair gave me enough wiggle room to adjust the jeans rise from below the belly button to at the belly button depending on my confidence. Theyre the first jeans in the baggy-slouchy-loose variety that actually make me feel like I could try the low-rise baggy look so often associated with Gen Z and in the weeks since, I have. Since they arrived at my door, Ive been wearing them at least five times a week. Theyre loose enough at the waist that I can wear them all day without feeling tempted to unbutton them to let myself breathe. And unlike some of the baggier jeans Ive tried on, these have a nice, straight leg that means I can wear them anywhere from my desk to the grocery store to dinner with friends so long as I pair them with the right top. On the left, the Curve Love fit, and on the right, the Classic fit. Photos: Bella Druckman. On the left, the Curve Love fit, and on the right, the Classic fit. Photos: Bella Druckman. 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. 9 items in this article Photo: Retailer An all-over-the-place assortment of stood-behind products culled from this very website that appears in the most recent March issue of New York Magazine. Strategist Haul Gamify Your To-Do List Saved View New! You can now save this product for later. Paper Apps TO-DO Notebook $8 $8 I like to write out my tasks the night before; it helps me set the tone for the next morning and relieves some of my anxiety before bed. With this notebook, I can add a little fun to the process. You fit six tasks onto each pagewhen its time to tackle them, you can roll a six-sided die or the brands six-sided pencil (sold separately) to let fate decide the first task at hand. You can also roll to select a duration for the task, which is helpful for open-ended chores like checking email; left to my own devices, Id spend only five minutes a day on that. Jordan McMahon $8 at Gladden Design 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. Last year, British multinational oil & gas giant, Shell Plc (NYSE:SHEL) threatened to delist from the London Stock Exchange (LSE) and list on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). Shell CEO Wael Sawan told Bloomberg that the company is grossly undervalued in London due to shareholder apathy to the oil and gas sector. Sawan also expressed deep frustration by investors' under-appreciation of the financial performance of the company, as well as the British governments over-taxation of its profits. Sawan vowed to look at all options, including switching the group's listing to New York in a bid to close the valuation gap with American Big Oil companies Exxon Mobil Corp. (NYSE:XOM) and Chevron Corp. (NYSE:CVX). A U.S. listing might make even more sense now that Trump is in office thanks to his pro-fossil fuel policies. The UK government, however, will be wishing for Shell to stay put as it looks up to Europes biggest oil and gas company to save the British crown jewel, BP Plc (NYSE:BP). Shell moved its headquarters from Hague to London in 2022 as part of a broader corporate restructuring, including simplifying its share structure, dropping "Royal Dutch" from its name, and shifting its tax residence to the UK. Over the past couple of years, rumours have swirled in the industry that BP might be open to a merger, with its shares struggling after CEO Murray Auchincloss' fossil fuel-focused strategy reset failed to win over markets. U.S. activist investor Elliott Management has acquired a 5% stake in BP, and is using his fire power to push for changes including cost cuts and potential changes in leadership. There are several reasons why such a merger would make sense. For starters, Shell has the wherewithal to pull off such a deal, thanks to its $218B market cap compared with BPs $92B. Further, despite its recent struggles, BP has an impressive oil and gas portfolio, including onshore shale basins in the U.S. and the Gulf of Mexico, Brazil, the North Sea and the Middle East. BP produced 2.36 million barrels of oil equivalent per day last year, generating $8.9 billion in net profit. BP also owns one of the biggest and most successful oil trading desks in the world. Whereas several U.S. oil companies have tried their hand at oil trading, its European oil and gas supermajors that have perfected the art and science of leveraging volatile oil markets to reap big profits. To wit, Exxon Mobil (NYSE: XOM) famously ditched its effort to build an energy trading business to compete with those of European oil majors after a period of low oil prices forced the company to heavily cut the units funding amid broader spending cuts. BP, on the other hand, has managed to build one of the most successful energy trading ventures by an oil and gas major. BPs trading desk has been astute at taking advantage of highly volatile energy markets in the past, with former CEO Bob Dudley and his army of 3,000 traders displaying an uncanny ability to predict the oil price trajectory. For instance, Dudley famously told the media that Prices will remain low for longer, after oil prices plunged to their lowest in more than a decade in 2016. Indeed, Dudley authorized a daring trade that saw BP place a large bet on a rebound in oil prices. BP was already heavily exposed to (low) oil prices, yet it chose to double down in a bid to increase the exposure by buying futures contracts much as a hedge fund would. A former BP executive with direct knowledge of the trade told Bloomberg that BP made a lot of money from that bet. The UK government would certainly favor a Shell takeover of BP, being loath to lose its ability to leverage the company to wield soft power by letting the company be snapped up by a foreign rival, including Middle Eastern oil giants. Last year, Iraqi oil ministry officials revealed that BP will develop Iraq's Kirkuk oil and gas fields based on a profit-sharing model. The oil ministry and BP are expected to sign a confidentiality agreement in the current week, after which Iraq will hand over the data package for Kirkuk's four fields and installations. According to the officials, Kirkuk oil fields are currently producing 245,000 barrels of crude per day. Iraq is OPECs second largest producer after Saudi Arabia. Iraq's economy relies heavily on crude oil exports, with crude accounting for more than 90 percent of the country's revenues. That said, it would be interesting to see if Shell would be interested in buying its British peer. A big challenge for a potential tie-up would be the fact that it does not necessarily align with the ethos of Shell CEO Wael Sawan, who is focused on cutting costs and narrowing the businesss focus to liquefied natural gas (LNG). On the other hand, Shell is one of the oil majors trying to expand their trading desks, and buying BP would be a slam dunk in that regard. By Alex Kimani for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Iraqs Council of Ministers last week approved the final version of BPs US$25 billion+ contract with the Oil Ministry to develop the Kirkuk oil fields of Baba and Avana, and the neighbouring sites of Bai Hassan, Jumboor and Khabaz. This is the second huge deal signed by Western firms recently, with the other being the US$27 billion four-pronged project of Frances TotalEnergies. It is a remarkable achievement so far, given the steady erosion of the Wests influence across the country in the years following the removal of Saddam Hussein from the presidential office in April 2003. That said, China still controls more than a third of Iraqs proven oil and gas reserves and over two-thirds of its current production. And Russias Rosneft said recently that it will restart its key oil and gas operations in the countrys northern semi-autonomous Kurdistan Region. The oil and gas giant effectively took control of the regions oil sector in 2017, as analysed in full in my latest book on the new global oil market order. So, can the West sustain its new-found momentum in Iraqs energy sector, or will China and Russia continue to assert their dominance on the ground? A key factor currently working in the Wests favour is the breath and depth involved in both of its recent key projects. This affords roles for BP and TotalEnergies that neither Chinese nor Russian firms could substitute for. In both cases but especially Russias direct and indirect sanctions have reduced access to some of the latest equipment and technology required to complete each part of the projects optimally. And in both cases, neither of the countries firms boasts the range of on-the-ground experience and skillsets that are needed to achieve success in several of the most complex aspects of the work involved. A recent prime case of this still-present discrepancy between the capabilities of the top Western oil and gas firms and those from China and Russia was the failure of the China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) to take over the countrys crucial Common Seawater Supply Project (CSSP) from ExxonMobil. The project involves taking and treating seawater from the Persian Gulf and then transporting it via pipelines to oil production facilities to maintain pressure in oil reservoirs to optimise the longevity and output of fields. To reach and then sustain the higher levels of Iraqs increased oil production profiles, it will need water injection equating to around 2% of the combined average flows of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers or 6% of their combined flow during the low season. The Chinese firm assured Iraqs Oil Ministry that the withdrawal of the U.S. powerhouse would not affect the implementation schedule of the CSSP. However, months later nothing of consequence had been achieved, a senior source who works closely with the Ministry exclusively told OilPrice.com at the time. Related: Analysts Expect Shell to Focus on LNG and Oil in Strategy Update Interestingly for the future of the West in Iraq, this failure finally clarified to Iraqs Oil Ministry that if they wanted these critical projects to be completed, they had little choice but to turn to Western firms, according to the source. From these firms perspective, this realisation on the part of the Ministry meant that they were able to strike deals that did not involve the questionable practices that have characterised Iraqs oil and gas sector for so long, as repeatedly highlighted by multiple sources, as also detailed in my latest book. Although the Oil Ministry did its best to obfuscate the terms of the CSSP element of TotalEnergies four-pronged deal, the Iraq source added, it was ultimately the French firms insistence on clarity across the board that prevailed. Moreover, such is the scale and scope of the deal that TotalEnergies is likely to be an active and growing presence across southern Iraq for years to come. Indeed, the CSSP is crucial to Iraqs ambitions to finally realise its oil production potential, as was laid out in a 2012 confidential Integrated National Energy Strategy (INES) report sent to then-Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. This showed exactly how Iraq could increase its oil output from just over 3 million bpd at that point to a plateau of 13 million bpd in the High Production scenario by 2017. The Medium Production scenario plotted a course to 9 million bpd plateau by 2020, while the Low Production scenario planned for 6 million bpd by 2025. Around a year later, a limited-circulation report by the International Energy Agency (IEA) reached similar conclusions about Iraqs oil production potential. Other elements of the French firms project are equally critical to Iraqs long-term future, especially its Gas Growth Integrated Project, as also examined in full in my latest book on the new global oil market order. This is broadly aimed at making Iraq self-sufficient in gas, which it is more than capable of becoming. Official estimates being that it has proven reserves of conventional natural gas amounting to 3.5 trillion cubic metres (Tcm) or about 1.5% of the world total, placing it 12th among global reserve-holders. However, the IEA estimates that ultimately recoverable resources are 8.0 Tcm. Aside from the huge financial benefits of monetising its full gas reserves, becoming gas independent would also prevent it from being further sanctioned by the U.S. for continuing to import around 40% of its power requirements through gas and electricity from Iran. BPs new deal in and around the Kirkuk area of Iraq is no less significant than TotalEnergies in several key respects. In practical oil terms, the five domes it is due to develop have around 20 billion barrels of oil reserves and Iraq has the joint lowest lifting cost of any country in the world at US$1 to US$2 per barrel alongside Iran and Saudi Arabia. Production from these sites in conjunction with TotalEnergies CSSP work should do a lot to bring Iraqs oil production closer to the potential laid out in the 2012 INES study. More broadly, the two firms work and the Wests growing presence in the north and south of Iraq might help to dampen down tensions between the Federal Government of Iraq (FGI) centred in the southern Iraqi capital of Baghdad and the government of the semi-autonomous region of Kurdistan (the KRG) based in Erbil in Iraqs north. According to several accredited historical sources, the Kurds settled in Kirkuk long before any other ethnic groups, and the site has been referred to by various Kurdish leaders as the Jerusalem of Kurdistan. As such, the KRG has long claimed implicit jurisdiction over the city and region of Kirkuk, over which it exercised effective administrative control from 2014 to 2017. During this period, the KRGs fearsome Peshmerga army safeguarded Kirkuk from the then-rampant Islamic State (IS). In return for the forces exceptional success in dealing with IS across much of Iraq, the KRG was quietly assured by Washington that the U.S. would back the Kurds wishes for full independence from Iraq once the IS threat was over, as also detailed in my latest book on the new global oil market order. On 25 September 2017 a vote on independence for the northern Iraq Kurds from the rest of Iraq took place and 92 percent of the 3.3 million population eligible to vote cast their ballots in favour of a new independent Kurdish country being formed to the north of the rest of Iraq. At that point, all hell broke loose, with the upshot being that the Kurdistan Region of Iraq is still not independent. Chinese- and Russian-sponsored moves have been afoot for some time to persuade the FGI to remove the last vestiges of the KRIs independence by cutting off its main source of financing -- oil exports before simply rolling it into the rest of Iraq as a regular region. As a senior political source in Moscow exclusively told OilPrice.com many months ago: Iraq will be one unified country and by keeping the West out of energy deals there, the end of Western hegemony in the Middle East will become the decisive chapter in the Wests final demise. This ultimate objective was clearly laid out on 3 August last year when Iraqi Prime Minister, Mohammed Al-Sudani said the new unified oil law -- run in every way that matters out of Baghdad -- will govern all oil and gas production and investments in both the FGI and KRI areas and will constitute a strong factor for Iraqs unity. However, the current broad policy of the West is to target investments in the KRI such that it persuades the KRI government to terminate all links with Chinese, Russian and Iranian companies connected to the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps over the long term, a senior source who works closely with the European Unions (E.U.) energy security complex exclusively told OilPrice.com recently. Given their importance and longevity, BPs deal and that of TotalEnergies could well prove pivotal to the success of these ambitions. By Simon Watkins for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com The piece highlights the inherent limitations of AI, such as its inability to replicate lived experience, its reliance on potentially flawed data, and the risk of displacing human creators in various fields. The article cautions against the binary portrayal of AI as either utopian or apocalyptic, advocating for a more nuanced understanding of Large Language Models as extensions of existing technologies with limitations. The general narrative in the media regarding artificial intelligence (AI) is binary. AI is either the greatest human invention ever, so powerful it will catapult us into an age of abundance for all and solve our environmental problems as well OR it is the most momentous human invention ever which is so dangerous that it could wipe out human civilization (and therefore must be tightly controlled or abandoned altogether). The trouble with binary narratives is that they fail to incorporate hundreds or even thousands of pieces of information that lead to much more nuanced narratives that might help us understand AI. Henry Farrell is a professor of international affairs at Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies who recently published an article (along with three co-authors) entitled "Large AI models are cultural and social technologies." The article appeared in Science magazine earlier this month. So what could a professor of international affairs possibly have to say about AI? Well, it turns out quite a lot. And, in a related article, Farrell shows how our societal understanding of AI sheds light on the activities of the so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) that seeks to tear out and discard large portions of the U.S. federal government. More on that later. First, it's worth understanding what AI really is and Farrell provides a surprisingly succinct explanation of the variant that is most in the news today, Large Language Models: But behind their agent-like interfaces and anthropomorphic pretensions, Large Language Models (LLM) and Large Multi-modal Models are statistical models that take enormous corpora of text produced by humans, break them down into particular words, and estimate the probability distribution of long word sequences. This is an imperfect representation of language but contains a surprisingly large amount of information about the patterns it summarizes. It allows the LLM to predict which words come next in a sequence, and so generate human-like text. Large Multi-modal Models do the same with audio, image, and video data. Farrell warns that we shouldn't mistake this for what is called artificial general intelligence (AGI), that is, the machine version of the kind of intelligence that humans have, something we are not even close to achieving. Rather, LLMs should be regarded as extensions of our current capabilities which "combine the features of [existing] cultural and social technologies in a new way" and which "generate summaries of unmanageably large and complex bodies of human-generated information." Therefore, these models "are analogous to such past technologies as writing, print, markets, bureaucracies, and representative democracies" which gather and process information to make it more useful and available to us. Farrell and his fellow authors believe that LLMs will likely have a substantial impact on society, but will augment rather than replace human intelligence. Which brings us to Farrell's understanding of the DOGE phenomenon. In his other piece mentioned above Farrell asks in the title "Should AGI-preppers embrace DOGE?", he explains that many technologists believe AGI is coming soon. He cites one who predicts its arrival in 2026. And, many of those who believe in the near-term advent of AGI also believe it will eclipse in speed and quality most, if not all, human decision-making. This then would mean that the American federal bureaucracyand, in fact, every bureaucracy in any country that can afford to deploy AGIis vastly oversized and will have to be cut down considerably as AGI algorithms take over day-to-day operations and even policy-making at higher and higher levels. Obviously, Farrell doesn't buy into this view and neither, as it turns out, do three quarters of AI researchers. But this makes it clear why AGI believers think slashing people from government and corporations should commence immediately. Readers may be wondering if we should take a wait-and-see attitude before hacking bureaucracies to pieces. No one has clearly defined or demonstrated what will take their place. The idea that such bureaucracies could be more efficient is not new. But clearly what's happening now is not about efficiency; otherwise, there would be careful consideration of tasks to be done and qualified people to do them. If the idea behind the cuts is simply to cripple government so that the public will support radical downsizing, then the jig is up. The cost-cutters are intentionally injuring the capacity of government to function in order engineer support for its downsizing without taking responsibility for causing the very injuries that are creating the problems. The argument that government doesn't work evaporates when you are the one intentionally making it not work. Even if AI will help government become more effective and efficient, it will still need people to use it, people who understand its capabilities and limits. The well-known arguments for those limits are worth repeating. First, the map is not the territory. Images are representations of reality, not reality itself. So, too, words are representations rather than reality itself, and they are not lived experience. Lived experience is what gives people judgment. LLMs cannot apply judgment to any situation because they do not and cannot draw from lived experience. Second, LLMs are constructed using computer code. Code is a vastly more limited subset of language and therefore cannot even capture what everyday language can. Third, there is the garbage-in, garbage-out problem. LLMs are only as good as the data they are trained on. Vast amounts of data may be inaccurate, outdated, mistaken and biased by the viewpoints and experiences of the contributors. And, LLMs are known to "hallucinate." For example, they cite legal documents and academic articles that do not exist. Fourth, so far LLMs are only useful if you as a user have enough knowledge to spot the hallucinations. In other words, you have to know the discipline within which you are seeking information well enough to exercise independent judgment. And, that suggests that for now LLMs will have more limited usefulness than advertised. Fifth, AI-generated content has the unfortunate side-effect of pushing the very people who create the content AI trains on out of their professions. AI is already replacing human-written stories in some media organizations. When all the reporters are gone, who will be left to do the actual reporting upon which AI bases its articles? And, if we have AI music and AI art and it gains wide appeal, who will provide the new tunes and paintings to feed AI since the musicians and artists will have been driven into some other pursuit to make a living? If you find dealing with an AI-generated bot on a government website frustrating now, think of what it will be like when there are no humans to talk to in order to straighten out your benefits or to understand whether your situation constitutes an emergency. AI may "understand" your questions in some fashion, but it almost certainly will not be able to judge whether you are asking the wrong questions in your situation and what the right ones might be. There is the cautionary tale of the bank that decided it would no longer allow its customers to use teller window services for routine deposits and withdrawals under a certain amount. I forget the cutoff, but I remember the incident because it made big news when a competing bank came out with an advertising campaign with the headline: Our tellers love people. That was the end of the transaction limit. Will citizens faced with the ongoing encroachment of AI in their interactions with companies and now government revolt? Maybe researchers will someday create "personal" AI and I'll be able to work out a problem with my bank or an online retailer by saying: "I'll have my bot talk to your bot." I'm not at all certain that that conversation would lead to a satisfactory result. By Kurt Cobb via Resource Insights More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Iraq is grappling with a natural gas shortage while simultaneously exploring new crude oil export markets. In recent weeks, Iraq has made headlines not only due to pressure from OPEC but also because of its struggle to secure natural gas imports. Iraqi Oil Minister Hayyan Abdul Ghani stated on Iraqi television that negotiations are ongoing with several companies to secure two floating storage regasification units (FSRUs) by early June. These are needed to address a natural gas supply deficit caused by the expiration of a U.S. waiver that previously allowed Iraq to import Iranian electricity. The Trump administration is now pressuring Tehran to reach a nuclear deal, with all options on the table. The two FSRUs are set to be installed near the Khor Al-Zubair port in Basra. Simultaneously, Baghdad has issued a tender for a fixed regasification platform at the Grand Faw port in the south. In parallel, news has emerged that Baghdad is targeting African markets for its crude oil exports. Currently, 70% of Iraqs 3.23.5 million bpd oil exports go to Asia. Oil Minister Abdul Ghani emphasized that Africa is becoming a significant new export destination. Iraq is also expanding its production capacity, supported by 44 new contracts issued during the latest licensing round across 14 provinces. On Sunday, Iraqs Deputy Minister of Oil, Basim Khudair, announced the countrys goal to increase crude oil production to over 6 million bpd by 2028 or 2029. This expansion includes a new agreement with British energy major BP to develop four key oil fields in Kirkuk. Currently, production stands at approximately 4.4 million bpd. Related: Elliott Wants More Buybacks From Germanys RWE After Buying 5% Stake Alongside its push into Africa, Iraq continues negotiations with Turkey and the Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) over the resumption of crude oil exports via Turkeys Ceyhan port. The government aims to export around 350,000 bpd through the Iraq-Turkey pipeline. However, internal issues remain unresolved. Despite a formal agreement by Iraqs government and parliament to resume KRG-produced exports, Iraq has yet to recognize international contracts signed between the KRG and foreign operators. Meanwhile, Baghdad is reportedly in advanced talks to import Algerian LNG to feed its new FSRUs. Arabic energy platform TAQA reported that Baghdad is close to finalizing a deal with Algeria for additional LNG supplies. The deal, expected within the next two months, could be a crucial lifeline as Iraq faces energy shortfalls ahead of the summer and winter seasons. The proposed agreement could supply Iraq with 1 million tons of LNG annually under a medium-term contract, offering the country a more stable energy outlook. Despite progress in diversifying its energy sources, Iraqs LNG imports hinge on completing the regasification infrastructure at Khor Al-Zubair. Baghdads installation of an FSRU connected to the national grid via a 40-kilometer pipeline marks a significant milestone. The project, expected to be completed by August, will help alleviate pressure on Iraqs power sector. The situation has been further complicated by the U.S. decision to revoke a sanctions waiver that previously allowed Iraq to import Iranian gas. Although Iraqi sources claim the waiver is still technically in place, reports indicate that the exemption for electricity imports has been rescinded. This presents a major challenge, as roughly 43% of Iraqs electricity production relies on Iranian natural gas. To reduce its dependency on imports, Iraq is accelerating its 2030 net-zero gas flaring initiative and inviting Western and Asian firms to invest in domestic gas projects. However, despite multibillion-dollar deals with BP and several Chinese companies, these projects are unlikely to solve Iraqs immediate energy crisis. In addition to talks with Algeria, Iraq is exploring LNG agreements with Qatar and plans to double electricity imports from Turkey. A gas supply deal signed with Turkmenistan in October 2024 will also provide Iraq with 20 million cubic meters of gas daily. As Baghdad navigates these overlapping energy challenges, securing diversified gas sources is not just important but critical to maintaining economic stability and meeting domestic power demand. In a surprising twist, Oil Minister Abdul Ghani revealed that Iran has been using forged Iraqi documents to smuggle oil. When asked about growing U.S. pressure on Iran, he told the press that U.S. naval forces had detained oil tankers in the Gulf carrying Iraqi shipping manifests. On state television, he stated: It turned out that these tankers were Iranian and were using forged Iraqi documents. We explained this to the relevant authorities with complete transparency, and they confirmed it. Iran has long used Iraq as a conduit to support its economy under sanctions. In December 2024, Reuters reported on a sophisticated fuel oil smuggling network believed to generate at least $1 billion annually for Iran, with much of the operation linked to Iraq. Abdul Ghani reaffirmed that Iraqs state oil marketer SOMO does not supply to trading companies, and he suggested that several traders were involved in the smuggling scheme. By Cyril Widdershoven for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Both Ukraine and Russia reported shooting down a significant number of drones on March 24, highlighting the ongoing conflict amidst diplomatic efforts. Differing expectations exist regarding the outcome of the negotiations, with some officials expressing optimism for progress while others caution against high hopes for a quick deal. US and Russian officials are holding talks in Saudi Arabia to negotiate a pause in attacks on energy facilities and civilian infrastructure in Ukraine, following productive discussions between the US and Ukraine. US and Russian officials are holding talks in Saudi Arabia aimed at reaching a cease-fire deal in Ukraine. The negotiations on March 24 came a day after separate talks between the US and Ukraine which Kyiv called "productive." The US-Russia talks are expected to discuss details of a pause in long-range attacks by both Russia and Ukraine against energy facilities and civilian infrastructure as well as a halt on attacks in the Black Sea. The US team is reportedly being led by Andrew Peek, a senior director at the White House National Security Council, and Michael Anton, a senior State Department official. The Russian team is being represented by Grigory Karasin, head of the Russian parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee, and Sergei Beseda, adviser to the director of the Federal Security Service, according to Russian state media. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the negotiations between Moscow and Washington are focused on technical issues, including the security of commercial shipping in the region. 'Constructive And Meaningful Talks' US officials did not immediately comment about the talks with Ukraine on March 23. But Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said the session had been "constructive and meaningful." The discussion was productive and focused -- we addressed key points including energy," Umerov said in a Facebook post. President Volodymyr Zelenskyys goal is to secure a just and lasting peace for our country and our people -- and, by extension, for all of Europe. We are working to make that goal a reality. The talks in Saudi Arabia marked a milestone in US-led efforts to bring about a cease-fire in the Ukraine war. Previously, there have been breaks of a day or more between different rounds of bilateral talks. Having everyone in the same place could speed things up. However, even though Russian and Ukrainian negotiators will be in the same country as they hold talks with the US delegation, few people expect a major breakthrough. Zelenskyy, speaking on March 23, said in televised remarks that "our team is working in a completely constructive manner. 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 [Russian President Vladimir] Putin to give a real order to stop the strikes. Whoever brought this war must take it back," Zelenskyy added. Still, US officials voiced optimism ahead of the Saudi meetings. "I think that you're going to see in Saudi Arabia on Monday some real progress, US envoy Steve Witkoff told Fox News on March 22. The view from Kyiv and Moscow has been more sober. "The maximum result is a pause. But this is still unknown, because the negotiations could drag on for a month or two, political analyst Serhiy Taran told RFE/RLs Ukrainian Service. I think the most that can be imagined is that, perhaps, some technical details about the cease-fire will be worked out. And they will then be taken back to Kyiv, Moscow, and Washington in the form of proposals, he said. In Russia, where RFE/RL has been declared an undesirable organization and is effectively banned, it was Peskov who doused cold water on any hopes of a quick deal. "One shouldn't get one's hopes high. Very serious, thorough work is ahead. We will have to delve into the details," he said in an interview on state TV on March 23. We're only in the beginning of this road," he added. Russian and Ukrainian diplomats were not planning to meet directly. Instead, they are expected to each meet separately with the US team, in what one US official said would be shuttle diplomacy. Some observers say this could end up being a similar model to that used for Gaza cease-fire negotiations, which took months before a deal was clinched. That agreement, meanwhile, appears to have since collapsed. US President Donald Trump has been the most persistently bullish on talks so far. But his hopes for quick progress have been repeatedly knocked back. Firstly, a plan agreed with Ukraine for a 30-day general cease-fire was stonewalled by Putin. Instead, after a phone call with Putin, Trump said theyd agreed to a pause on attacks on infrastructure. But the Kremlin narrowed the focus further, saying that the deal only concerned energy infrastructure -- which its forces subsequently attacked anyway. Ukraine hopes to clear this up in Saudi Arabia by bringing a list of what Russia must agree not to target. There was similar confusion after Trumps talks with Zelenskyy. While US officials were speaking of a new plan for US ownership of Ukrainian nuclear plants, as a form of security guarantee for Ukraine, Zelenskyy made it clear these plants were state property that belonged to all Ukrainians. Meanwhile, a bilateral deal on Ukraines rare Earth minerals was again said to be nearly ready. But there is still no clarity on when the document itself apparently dealing more in aspiration than detail will be signed. Going into the talks in Saudi Arabia, there is another focus. Witkoff, the US envoy, said there would be progress on a Black Sea cease-fire, on ships between both countries. And from that, you'll naturally gravitate into a full-on shooting cease-fire." Witkoff also said he was confident that Putin wanted peace, something that Ukraine and European countries do not believe. As the faltering diplomatic process has edged forward, both Ukraine and Russia reported shooting down a barrage of drones from the opposition side on March 24. Kyiv said that Russia launched 99 drones at Ukraine overnight, of which 57 were shot down by Ukraines air defense systems and 36 were lost from radar. The remaining drones caused damage in at least five regions of Ukraine, authorities said. At least four people were wounded as the drones struck residential buildings in Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Zaporizhzhya regions, local authorities said. Russias Foreign Ministry said on March 24 that Russia downed 227 Ukrainian drones overnight. By RFE/RL More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Europes natural gas prices have declined in recent weeks after hitting a two-year high in February, easing concerns about the price Europe will have to pay this summer to prepare for the next winter. Dutch TTF Natural Gas Futures, the benchmark for Europes gas trading, hit a two-year high in the middle of February amid the first proper winter with prolonged periods of cold snaps since the 2022 energy crisis. Prices have retreated since mid-February as the heating season and winter are coming to an end, and solar and wind power generation is picking up to regain some share of the European power generation mix, following prolonged periods of wind speed lulls and little sunshine in Europe during the winter. The recent decline in natural gas prices in Europe could also offer some relief to power prices, which have remained high this winter on the back of the high natural gas price. Europes energy-intensive industry, however, continues to suffer from the high energy prices and calls for additional measures to address the high energy costs, which put the European industry at a disadvantage. The first proper winter in Europe, with prolonged periods of cold snaps since the 2022 energy crisis, depleted the EU stockpiles of natural gas. Related: Analysts Expect Shell to Focus on LNG and Oil in Strategy Update As a result, European prices rallied by mid-February, and concerns emerged about the need for much more additional LNG supply to make its way to Europe to help with the storage refill before the next winter begins. But prices have eased over the past few weeks, as talks began on a potential Russia-Ukraine ceasefire and as the winter in the northern hemisphere is coming to an end. The EU leaders are also discussing making the EU targets for gas storage refill by November 1 more flexible, which could ease some of the concerns about the pace of refills from April onwards. A group of EU member states, including the biggest economies Germany and France, are reportedly arguing that to avoid price spikes and market speculation, the bloc should allow more flexibility in its currently binding 90% full-storage target by November 1 each year. In the wake of the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine and the halt to Russian pipeline gas supply to most EU countries, the European Commission adopted a target for EU natural gas storage levels to be 90% full by November 1 of each year. However, this rigid November 1 target has created problems for many market players. Policymakers in countries including Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands are concerned that the current high forward gas prices for the summer months would make it unprofitable for gas companies and marketers to store gas. With EU storage depleted at the fastest pace in seven years after a cold winter, the summer refill season presents several challenges in availability, prices, and the money that Europe will have to spend on additional LNG. At a meeting last week, some EU energy ministers mentioned the need for flexibility as regards the proposed gas storage regulation, which is currently being discussed, as well as for a rigorous impact assessment of the rules, the EU said. Despite the possible easing of the refill targets, the gas market will remain tight in the coming months, Moutaz Altaghlibi, senior energy economist at ABN AMRO Bank, said last week. Geopolitics, including U.S. tariff and trade policy and the Russia-Ukraine peace talks, will continue to be the main driver of volatility, ABN AMRO reckons. At the same time, the market will be watchful of the speed of storage refill, while it remains responsive to factors affecting demand in Europe or key LNG competitors in Asia, such as adverse weather conditions, along with any supply disruptions from key suppliers such Norway or the US, Altaghlibi noted. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Indian refiners will issue fewer tenders for the purchase of crude oil on the spot market in the coming month as Russian supplies bounce back, Reuters has reported. Previously, Bharat Petroleum CFO revealed that middlemen who supply Russian oil stopped offering cargoes following U.S. sanctions imposed by the Biden administration targeted Russian producers, tankers and insurers. The sanctions targeted Surgutneftgas and Gazprom Neft, two Russian oil firms that handle 25% of Russian oil exports. The two companies shipped an average of 970,000 bbls a day in 2024. Bharat Petroleum and other Indian state refiners buy Russian oil in the spot market, mainly from traders. Freight rates to ship Russian Urals from Baltic ports to India jumped 20% in February to $7 million to $8 million per voyage after the Biden administration imposed harsher sanctions on Russian crude. Russia's provisional February loading plan for western ports was revised up by 19% to 1.9 million barrels per day, Reuters calculations showed. Russian refineries are processing more crude oil in the hope of boosting fuel exports after the Biden administration imposed fresh sanctions on Russian crude. Last month, India pledged India to boost oil and gas imports from the U.S. in an effort to reduce the trade imbalance between the two countries. India made the promise after Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the country and met U.S. President Donald Trump. Meanwhile, Indias oil demand growth is estimated to have exceeded Chinas for the first time in 2024, and is expected to do so again in 2025. According to Kang Wu, global head of macro and oil demand research at SPGCI, Indias oil demand in the current year grew by 180,000 barrels per day, surpassing Chinas growth at 148,000 bpd. Indias oil demand is expected to increase by 3.2% Y/Y in 2025 compared to a 1.7% clip by China. By Alex Kimani for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Indonesia is plowing ahead with its $20-billion international partnership to aid its energy transition despite the U.S. exit from international climate deals and commitments to support the clean energy goals of developing countries. At the end of 2022, Indonesia, the worlds top coal exporter and heavily reliant on coal for power generation, signed an agreement to launch a Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) co-led by the U.S. and Japan and including Canada, Denmark, the European Union, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, and the United Kingdom. However, the Trump Administration has pulled out of all such partnerships, which also included similar commitments for coal-to-clean energy in Vietnam and South Africa, amid the broader policy to withdraw from climate commitments and the Paris Agreement. Under these partnerships, the richest nations pledge to support with guarantees funding efforts by developing economies to boost renewable energy generation and reduce emissions. In Indonesia, the JETP financing commitments are now co-led by Japan and Germany, Airlangga Hartarto, Indonesias Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, said on Monday. The US exit from the Paris Agreement and JETP does not reduce the commitment of the other nine partner countries to support Indonesias net-zero emission target, the senior official said, as carried by Bloomberg. The international partners have secured $1 billion in guarantees at multilateral development banks, Hartarto said. Separately, 54 green energy projects in Indonesia have already received international funding commitments loans, equity, or grants worth a total of $1.1 billion. Indonesias President Prabowo Subianto said in November that the country plans to phase out all coal-fired and fossil-fueled power plants within the next 15 years. Indonesia is rich in geothermal resources, and we plan to phase out coal-fired and all fossil-fueled power plants within the next 15 years, Subianto said in his address at a G20 summit in Brazil. By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Iranian oil tankers seized by U.S. forces in the Gulf were using forged Iraqi documents, Iraq's oil minister Hayan Abdel-Ghani has reported. "We received some verbal inquiries about oil tankers being detained in the Gulf by U.S. naval forces carrying Iraqi shipping manifests," the oil minister said on state television late on Sunday. "It turned out that these tankers were Iranian ... and were using forged Iraqi documents. We explained this to the relevant authorities with complete transparency and they also confirmed this." The Trump administration has restored "maximum pressure" in a bid to eliminate its oil export revenue in order to slow Tehran's nuclear ambitions. Last month, the International Atomic Energy Agency reported that Irans stockpile of uranium enriched close to weapon-grade level has increased more than 50% over the last three months. Iran ramped up production of uranium enriched to 60% levels of purity since November in defiance to being censured by the IAEA. That material can quickly be upgraded to weapon-grade levels, a concern long held by the US, Europe and Israel despite Irans repeated denials that its nuclear development is for military use. According to the IAEA, as of Feb. 8, Iran had 274.8 kilograms (605.8 pounds) of uranium enriched up to 60%, an increase of 92.5 kilograms (203.9 pounds) since the IAEAs last report in November. The significantly increased production and accumulation of high enriched uranium by Iran, the only non-nuclear weapon state to produce such material, is of serious concern, IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi wrote in the 14-page report seen by Bloomberg. Trump says he would prefer a new nuclear accord, though Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has ruled out talks with Washington at a time when it has intensified its maximum pressure strategy on the Islamic Republic. The Islamic Republic began enriching uranium close to the level needed for nuclear bombs in 2021, three years after Trump withdrew the U.S. from the JCPOA nuclear deal of 2015. By Alex Kimani for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Russian President Vladimir Putin hasnt changed his order not to strike energy infrastructure in Ukraine despite reports of Ukrainian hits on Russian energy assets, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Monday. So far, there have been no other orders from the president, Peskov told Russian reporters who asked him if Russia intended to keep its moratorium on energy infrastructure strikes or not. Our armed forces are following all instructions of the supreme commander-in-chief, but of course we are monitoring the situation very closely, the Kremlin spokesman said. Last week, Putin agreed to impose a 30-day suspension on attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure in exchange for an identical halt of attacks on Russian infrastructure from the Ukrainian side. The commitment was made during Putins two-and-a-half-hour phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump during which the two discussed the next steps in the Ukraine war. A full 30-day ceasefire, as originally proposed by the U.S. side, was rejected by Russia, which sees it as a means of giving the Ukrainian army a break to rearm. One of Russias conditions for a peace agreement is the suspension of all U.S. military aid to the Kyiv government. However, hours after the Putin-Trump call, Russia and Ukraine traded accusations of hits on the energy infrastructure of the other. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Russia hit energy infrastructure in Ukraine just hours after President Vladimir Putin told President Trump he would halt such strikes, as he warned of a long path to a ceasefire in the war in Ukraine. Two days later, Russia and Ukraine accused each other of attacking the Sudzha natural gas pumping station in a border area with intense clashes and retreating Ukrainian troops. The Sudzha facility is on Russian territory which Ukraine captured in an offensive last year but which Russia has reclaimed in recent weeks. By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com U.S. President Donald Trump has announced that any country that buys oil or gas from Venezuela will pay a 25% secondary tariff on trades with the United States, Reuters reported on Monday, with Trump claiming that Venezuela has sent "tens of thousands" of people to the U.S. who have a "very violent nature. Earlier this month, Chevron Corp. (NYSE:CVX) received a 30-day notice from the Trump administration to wrap up its operations in Venezuela. The deadline, set for April 3, provides the company only 30 days instead of the normal six-month wind-down period. Since 2022, Chevron has been allowed to operate in Venezuela as an exception to U.S. sanctions, exporting crude to the United States. According to Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other foreign-policy hawks, Chevron has been providing a financial lifeline for Maduros regime to enrich itself and suppress civil rights. Venezuela produced about 20% of Venezuelas oil in 2024, close to Maduros goal of 1 million barrels per day. Chevron is the only major oil producer with a waiver to operate in Venezuela despite Washingtons sanctions against President Nicolas Maduros regime. Last year, the United States Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) eased some sanctions on Venezuela but retained sanctions on PdVSA. OFAC has issued a new license allowing certain transactions related to the export or re-export of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to Venezuela until July 8, 2025. However, transactions with Petroleos de Venezuela, S.A., the Venezuelan state-owned oil and natural gas company in which PdVSA has a 50 percent or greater interest, remain prohibited under the sanctions imposed by various executive orders. Venezuela's crude oil production has declined sharply from 3.2 million b/d in 2000 to 735,000 b/d in September 2023 mainly due to sanctions and poor maintenance; in contrast, Argentinas crude output has been increasing with Argentine President Javier Milei vowing to shake up the system. By Alex Kimani for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Various Central Asian nations are engaging with multiple international powers to develop their nuclear energy capabilities and mining sectors, creating a complex geopolitical landscape with competing interests. Russia and China are actively working to maintain and expand their influence in Central Asia's mining and energy sectors, with both countries pursuing nuclear energy projects and mineral development deals. The United States and European Union are increasingly focused on securing access to Central Asia's rich reserves of critical minerals and are exploring opportunities in the region's developing nuclear power sector. The United States and European Union have demonstrated rising interest in Central Asias critical minerals in recent months. They additionally have shown interest in getting involved in the construction and operation of nuclear power plants to be built in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan. The US quest for rare earths appears to be intensifying, underscored by a low-key tour by a US congresswoman, Carol Miller, a Republican from West Virginia, who has held meetings with high-profile Central Asian leaders. In a highly unusual protocol twist for a US representative who is not a member of the legislatures hierarchy, Miller met with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on March 20, three days after holding talks with Uzbek leader Shavkat Mirziyoyev in Uzbekistan. There has been scant coverage of the visit. Statements issued by the presidential press services of both countries provided vague summaries of the discussions, but did touch on the topic of mining. Millers own website does not even mention she traveled to Central Asia. One March 19 report published by an Uzbek outlet, however, said Miller met with top Uzbek Trade Ministry officials and that Uzbekistan expressed readiness to more actively develop partnership in key areas such as industry, critical minerals, investment and trade. Meanwhile, Russia and China are showing that theyre not about to cede ground willingly to their Western rivals. Russian officials voiced readiness to help Tajikistan develop its mining sector during Tajik leader Emomali Rahmons recent visit to Moscow, the Russian outlet Nezavisimaya Gazeta reported. In addition, Alexei Likhachev, the head of the Russian nuclear energy agency Rosatom, said in a March 17 television interview that Russia and Tajikistan are building new technological chains in a number of other areas related to energy, instrument making, and possibly rare earth metal mining. Tajikistan is rich in rare earth metals. Likhachev also revealed Rosatom was in the initial stage of negotiations with Tajik leaders on the construction of a small nuclear power plant in Tajikistan, a country that has already invested vast sums in building the Rogun Dam to meet the countrys electricity needs. China, which already has a strong position in Central Asias mining sector, is also looking to get a piece of the nuclear energy action. Shen Yanfeng, the head of Chinas National Nuclear Corporation, paid a visit earlier in March to Kazakhstan, which recently announced an intention to build three nuclear power reactors. During a meeting with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Shen pitched the possibility of Chinese involvement in developing advanced technologies for the peaceful use of nuclear energy and training Kazakhstani specialists. Elsewhere, Azim Akhmedkhadzhayev, the director of Uzbekistans nuclear energy agency Uzatom, said in an interview with the French daily Le Figaro that Tashkent will engage French companies in the construction and operation of a nuclear plant on Uzbek soil for political, financial and technological reasons. Uzbekistan already has a deal with Rosatom to help develop the countrys nuclear energy potential. By Eurasianet.org More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Maybe the magic-bullet cure for Nebraskas pothole-ridden roads comes from the tip of a pencil. Twenty-one years ago, a pair of British researchers peeled a thin layer of graphite and sifted through the flakes to sort out the ones that were only one atom thick. What they discovered turned out to be the strongest material known to science: 200 times stronger than steel, as well as being a superb conductor of heat and electricity, according to an article last October in Science magazine. The product, called graphene, was hyped as a breakthrough for products like bulletproof armor, computer chips, super-thin televisions and even space elevators. Only six years after its discovery, those researchers, Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov, were awarded a Nobel Prize. But producing graphene in sheets and quantities for commercial use proved difficult, and plenty of investors lost their shirts in what came to be called the graphene gold rush. Expectations were very, very high, Geim told Science. The companies I was involved in were mostly based on hype. In the last few years, scientists have been studying a more down-to-earth use for graphene: as an additive to asphalt and concrete to strengthen roads. Researchers say it is 2.5 times more durable and four times more water-resistant when mixed with concrete and may reduce CO2 emissions in the paving process by reducing the need for cement, an industry heavy in carbon production. Graphenes boosters like to call it a game-changer. Its believed graphene will double the life of asphalt, including in the patching of potholes. Earlier this month, an industry group announced the first field test of graphene-enhanced asphalt on a public road, in Middlesbrough, England. Welcome to pothole country Anyone whos driven our city streets knows: Omaha is pothole country. Potholes form when moisture seeps into the pavement, then freezes and thaws again. As a result, both the concrete and the ground underneath it expand and contract, causing cracks to form in the road surface. Add the weight of heavy trucks and cars, and streets can fall apart quickly. The asphalt patches from old potholes break down quickly when hit by new storms like the one that hit Omaha and eastern Nebraska last Wednesday. Especially in Nebraska, we have a pretty good freeze-thaw cycle, said Steven Rue, construction and street maintenance engineer for the Omaha Public Works Department. When we have warmer temperatures, water runs down into the cracks. Some of that effect gets exaggerated by plowing. For the second year in a row, Omaha has fared pretty well, pothole-wise, because of unusually dry winters. Since January, Rue said, Public Works has filled 832 potholes. Thats 244 fewer than last year (though, of course, pothole season isnt over yet), and the second-lowest total since 2020. The worst year in the current decade was 2021, when the city filled 2,300 potholes. But even that year paled next to 2019, a year both legendary and catastrophic in the annals of Omaha pothole history. That was the year of the great flood in mid-March. Before that, Nebraska had experienced a frigid and snowy February, followed by a quick thaw and heavy rain. Through early spring, Omaha Public Works repaired 31,493 potholes, using more than 4,400 tons of asphalt. A stretch of South 144th Street south of Q Street got so bad, the city closed it down for emergency repairs. In 2020, Mayor Jean Stothert proposed a $200 million bond issue to create a Street Preservation Fund that would temporarily add $40 million a year to repair roads and upgrade ones that dont meet city standards. Voters approved that measure, gratefully and overwhelmingly. In November, they added another $192 million to continue the program. Since the fund was established, it has been used to pave 800 additional lane-miles in Omaha. In 2025, the city plans to spend $28.6 million on 41 repair or resurfacing projects totaling 150 lane-miles, according to Omaha Public Works. They include: 108th Street from Military Avenue to Ida Street. 52nd Street Leavenworth Street to Dodge Street. John J. Pershing Drive from North 16th Street to Minne Lusa Boulevard. Cass Street from North 69th Street to North 84th Street. F Street from South 35th Street to South 40th Avenue. South 144th Street from L Street to Dayton Street. A cancer inside concrete As if Nebraskas harsh climate didnt pose enough problems, some of its streets are actually killing themselves. Thats because of a chemical reaction between the silica in this regions gravel and the alkali in the Portland cement that causes the concrete to self-destruct. They call it cancer inside concrete, Jiong Hu, a University of Nebraska-Lincoln engineering professor who studies the composition of concrete, told The World-Herald last year. Eventually, the whole slab crumbles. Omaha surveyed its streets in 2023 and found that more than 90% showed signs of the alkali-silica reaction, which spreads out around the joints in roads, parking lots and sidewalks. Once youre aware of it, you can see it almost everywhere. Its most apparent in concrete poured from 2000 to 2015, a period when the city stopped using fly ash in its concrete mix. The city has since changed its formula in the hope that roads it is pouring now will last longer. Concrete should last 25 to 50 years. Weve got concrete thats 10 years old that looks terrible already, Douglas County Traffic Engineer Todd Pfitzer said last year. Our concrete now is arguably worse than it was 50 years ago. With the twin challenges of cancerous concrete and a hostile climate, Omaha could use a magic elixir to fix its paving problem. But some engineers are skeptical that graphene will live up to its hype. Scott Schram, the Iowa Department of Transportations district traffic engineer for southwest Iowa, called graphene the new thing, but just one of many additives that can make asphalt stronger. But they also pose a problem. Almost every additive that makes asphalt stronger also makes asphalt crack at low temperatures, Schram said in an email. No magic bullets Rue said he saw a presentation on graphene additives at a conference he attended this year. But like many experimental products, the cost is off the charts. Graphene is extremely expensive, he said. The cost-to-benefit ratio isnt there yet. Dan Corneau is a Colorado-based sales manager for FullForce by ABC Polymer Industries, a company selling concrete additives in a three-state area that includes Nebraska. Having been in the concrete industry for 20 years now, its probably safe for me to say that there are no magic bullets, Corneau said. Theres always all this new technology out there. The industry is kind of slow to react, because they dont like change. Working against expensive additives is that jobs typically go to the lowest bidder. Everything you do to concrete makes it more expensive, Corneau said. He said preserving concrete starts with proper ground preparation, making sure the concrete is well-mixed, and making sure its properly maintained. Weve got to get past the Day One cost, he said. Weve got to think about the Day 2,000 costs. Rue said the City of Omaha is experimenting with a different additive, a sealant called siloxane. Like graphene, its thin and water-resistant, but silicon-based rather than carbon-based but also less pricey. Last fall, the city used it in a resurfacing project on 132nd Street just north of the West Dodge Expressway. This year, it will be used on two more projects, on South 144th Street between L Street and Dayton Avenue and on Center Street between South 69th and 84th Streets. This is kind of a new thing thats been tested on the East Coast, Rue said. Were kind of trying it and seeing how it goes. By Kathryn Hickok Charter schools are public schools, but students attending Oregon charter schools receive a fraction of the public education funding allocated to regular district school students. According to the Oregon Coalition of Community Charter Schools, charter school funding works out to about 48% of regular district schools per-pupil funding. Its time to address this disparity so that charter schoolswhich successfully meet the academic and social needs of so many childrenhave the wherewithal to serve their students well. House Bill 3444, which received a hearing in the House Committee on Education March 12, would allow charter students to receive 95% of the ADMw (per-pupil funding) provided by the State School Fund. It also would permit charter schools to have access to other forms of funding currently restricted to district public schools, and help charters provide transportation services to their students. These changes would allow education funding to better follow the child to the schools of their choice and expand education options available to Oregon families. Charter schools play an important role in Oregons education landscape. They offer local communities more diversity among their public school options and give educators opportunities to use their talents in innovative learning environments. Oregon education policies should value all options that empower students to achieve academic proficiency and reach their personal best, including Oregon charter schools. Kathryn Hickok is Executive Vice President at Cascade Policy Institute, Oregons free market public policy research organization, and Director of Cascades Childrens Scholarship Fund-Oregon program. Did you like this article? Contribute to Oregons premier public policy research organization online at CascadePolicy.org. Donations to Cascade Policy Institute are tax-deductible to the extent of the law. By Taxpayers Association of Oregon OregonWatchdog.com Senate Bill 611 creates a new program called Food for All which extends food stamp benefits to non-citizens, migrants and others. With food stamps these recipients can spend the money on snack food, candy, ice cream and drink mixer items which has made the program famous for abuse. Senate Bill 611 is up for a hearing this Tuesday in the Senate Committee On Human Services 03/25/2025 8:00 AM, HR D We are concerned that this bill along with other benefits that are given to non-citzens like: Free hotel stays for non-citizens Free $30,000 grants for first time non-citizen homebuyers Free $1,000 monthly checks for homeless youth that are non-citizens Free bonus $120 summer checks for groceries Senate Bil, Establishes the Food for All Oregonians Program in the Department of Human Services to provide nutrition assistance to residents of this state who would qualify for the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program but for their immigration status. Requires the department to implement the program by January 1, 2027, and conduct statewide outreach, education and engagement to maximize enrollment in the program. Requires the department to convene an advisory group to recommend metrics to evaluate the success of the department in treating all applicants for and recipients of public assistance in a welcoming manner and with respect, courtesy, fairness and dignity. Contribute online at OregonWatchdog.com (learn about a Charitable Tax Deduction or Political Tax Credit options to promote liberty). By Taxpayers Association of Oregon OregonWatchdog.com The Government pension plan, Oregon Public Employee Retirement System, is $28 billion in debt! For government union leaders to look at the $28 billion debt and decide to make it worse by injecting political mandates on the debt is a form of financial mismanagement. Budget expert Oregon State Representative Ed Diehl has given these government union leaders a failing D grade in a recent Tweet. See his Tweet below: Attention Oregon @SEIU members: since you give ratings to legislators, I think its time your leadership received a rating. Your SEIU leadership is endorsing a plan that will tank PERS. They are promoting a woke, climate justice program to decarbonize Oregons pension fund, pic.twitter.com/3w8nu88GjO Rep. Real Diehl (@Real_EdDiehl) March 19, 2025 We re-post an image of the Tweet in case it doesnt load or is removed in the future: Contribute online at OregonWatchdog.com (learn about a Charitable Tax Deduction or Political Tax Credit options to promote liberty). 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: Changes in annual mean near surface air temperature at selected timeslices relative to the pre-industrial period under the SSP1-2.6, SSP4-3.4 and SSP2-4.5 emisson scenarios and different ECS conditions. (a)(c) Peak warming around year 2300 CE, (d)(i) remaining temperature increase by the end of the current millennium for (a)(f) ECS = 3 C and (g)(i) ECS = 5 C. Magenta lines (a)(i) display the annual maximum sea ice extent, whereas cyan lines (a)(i) display the permafrost area. Zonal mean temperature changes (j)(l) are additionally shown for SSP1-2.6 (blue), SSP4-3.4 (yellow), and SSP2-4.5 (red) across the rows. Contour intervals and colorbar are nonlinear as to provide visual clarity of small temperature changes. Credit: Environmental Research Letters (2025). DOI: 10.1088/1748-9326/adb6be Global heating over this millennium could exceed previous estimates due to carbon cycle feedback loops. This is the conclusion of a new study by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK). The analysis shows that achieving the Paris Agreement's aim of limiting global temperature rise to well below 2C is only feasible under very low emission scenarios, and if climate sensitivity is lower than current best estimates. The paper is the first to make long-term projections over the next 1,000 years while accounting for currently established carbon cycle feedbacks, including methane. "Our study demonstrates that even in emission scenarios typically considered 'safe,' where global warming is generally considered to remain below 2C, climate and carbon cycle feedbacks, like the thawing of permafrost, could lead to temperature increases substantially above this threshold," says PIK scientist Christine Kaufhold, lead author of the paper published in Environmental Research Letters. "We found that peak warming could be much higher than previously expected under low-to-moderate emission scenarios." The study projects the long-term impacts of human-induced climate change and underlines that even small changes in emissions could lead to far greater warming than previously anticipated, further complicating efforts to meet the Paris Agreement targets. "This highlights the urgent need for even faster carbon reduction and removal efforts," Kaufhold says. Most studies are too short-term to capture peak warming, as they end by 2100 or 2300. By running longer simulations and incorporating all major carbon cycle feedbacks, including the methane cycle, the researchers were able to assess the potential additional warming from these feedbacks and estimate the possible peak warming. The team used PIK's newly developed Earth system model CLIMBER-X to simulate future climate scenarios over the next millennium under three low-to-moderate emissions trajectoriespathways that align with recent decarbonization trends. CLIMBER-X integrates key physical, biological and geochemical processes, including atmospheric and oceanic conditions. It also represents an interactive carbon cycle, including methane, to simulate how Earth system responds to different climate forcings, such as human-made greenhouse gas emissions. Climate sensitivity shaping future climate outcomes The study's simulations consider a range of equilibrium climate sensitivities (ECSs) between 2C and 5C, defined as "very likely" by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. The ECS is a critical measure in climate science, estimating the global temperature rise associated with a doubling of CO concentrations. "Our results show that the Paris Agreement's goal is only achievable under very low emission scenarios and if the ECS is lower than current best estimates of 3C," says PIK scientist Matteo Willeit, co-author of the study. "If the ECS exceeds 3C, carbon reduction must accelerate even more quickly than previously thought to keep the Paris target within reach." The paper highlights the important role ECS plays in shaping future climate outcomes while revealing the risks of failing to accurately estimate ECS. It emphasizes the urgent need to more accurately quantify this metric and better constrain it. "Our research makes it unmistakably clear: today's actions will determine the future of life on this planet for centuries to come," concludes PIK director Johan Rockstrom, co-author of the paper. "The window for limiting global warming to below 2C is rapidly closing. We are already seeing signs that Earth system is losing resilience, which may trigger feedbacks that increase climate sensitivity, accelerate warming and increase deviations from predicted trends. To secure a livable future, we must urgently step up our efforts to reduce emissions. The Paris Agreement's goal is not just a political target, it is a fundamental physical limit." More information: Christine Kaufhold et al, Interplay between climate and carbon cycle feedbacks could substantially enhance future warming, Environmental Research Letters (2025). DOI: 10.1088/1748-9326/adb6be Journal information: Environmental Research Letters 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 Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze River pictured above currently generates the most hydroelectric power of any dam in the world, but the Motuo Hydropower Project would generate three times as much. Credit: Le Grand Portage/Wikimedia In late December, China approved the world's largest hydropower project to begin construction, citing the economic benefits and need to shift to renewable energy sources. However, opponents argue that frequent natural hazards in the region create risk for the project and surrounding Tibetan communities, as well as for the downstream countries of India and Bangladesh. The Motuo Hydropower Project is central to China's goal of reaching a carbon emissions peak by 2030. Though China is still the world's largest greenhouse gas emitter, it also leads in renewable energy project development, investing $890 billion in hydropower, solar and wind energy in 2023 alone as it rapidly shifts away from coal power. The Motuo Project is expected to generate three times as much energy as the Three Gorges Dam located on the Yangtze River, which currently generates the most power of any hydroelectric project in the world, supplying electricity for 70 to 80 million Chinese homes annually. According to Philippe Benoit, the managing director at Global Infrastructure Advisory Services 2050 and a former adjunct senior research scholar with Columbia's Center on Global Energy Policy, this energy is especially important for China which, like other developing nations, "is projected to see increases in energy demand in addition to [seeking to meet] their decarbonization target." China also claims the reservoir behind the Motuo station will help alleviate water shortages on the Tibetan Plateau, where communities heavily reliant on glacier meltwater expect to face water scarcity due to climate change and glacier retreat. However, the project is controversial due to its location. The station is expected to be built on the Great Bend, a horseshoe-shaped section of the world's deepest land canyon, known as the Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon in Tibet. Located on the Tibetan Plateau just north of the border between China and India, the canyon is three times deeper and 37 miles longer than the U.S. Grand Canyon. It was formed by tectonic interactions between the Indian and Eurasian plates, but these interactions and climate change now threaten the existence of a hydropower project on the river. The Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon is the deepest canyon on land, formed by the convergence of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates. Credit: Guyin Lee/Wikimedia As glaciers in the basin shrink in response to climate change, landslides are occurring more frequently along the river. In March 2021, glacier collapse led to a massive landslide with an estimated volume of 100 million tons of rock and ice (equivalent to the mass of 302 Empire State Buildings). The debris blocked the Yarlung Tsangpo River just above the Great Bend and caused water levels to rise over 10 meters, or more than three stories. In October 2018, debris from a string of glacial landslides in the basin temporarily blocked the river and flooded the valley. In both situations, urgent evacuations prevented deaths, but the floods still damaged infrastructure. 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. These incidents have fueled concerns that future landslides could create waves that would breach the new dam and lead to devastating effects downstream if concrete debris, landslide material and large amounts of reservoir water flooded down the canyon. Glacier melt in the region is increasing the frequency of these landslides, putting the project at significant risk even if it were successfully built. Beyond the natural hazards, the construction of this dam and the resulting reservoir are likely to lead to flooding and the displacement of Tibetan people and entire towns, though China has not released these estimates yet. In an interview with GlacierHub, Bryan Tilt, a professor of anthropology at Oregon State University who studies Chinese dams and development, highlighted that resettlement for infrastructure projects is "a contentious social and political issue in China today." Tilt elaborated, saying, "When you add the fact that this is an ethnically Tibetan area and there's already political tensions there, it has the potential for increased conflict." The smaller Three Gorges Dam displaced 1.4 million people, though estimates vary, and the Chinese government has resettled thousands of Tibetans to construct the Gangtuo Dam, known in Tibetan as the Kamtok Dam, on the Jinsha River, some 1000 kilometers to the northeast of Yarlung Tsangpo. In early 2024, villagers and Buddhist monks protested over the planned Gangtuo (Kamtok) reservoir, which is expected to flood villages and sacred monasteries, including the 700-year-old Wontoe Monastery, which contains rare Buddhist murals. Authorities swiftly cracked down, beating and arresting protestors, though many Tibetan people and organizations still resist these hydropower projects as a violation of their autonomy. In addition to domestic conflict, this dam would be constructed on a transboundary watershed known for its tense border relations, just upstream of the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh where the river is known as the Siang or Dihang. Further south, the river is known as the Brahmaputra in most regions of India. Eventually the water body flows into Bangladesh as the Jamuna River. Officials in both India and Bangladesh also disapprove of the authorized Motuo Hydropower Project, citing concerns about water supply and water data sharing issues with China. In response to the Motuo Hydropower Project, India threatened to build a dam on the Brahmaputra. "This happens a lot when you've got a transboundary river and one country builds a dam; it sort of spurs competition," Tilt explained. India claims that this dam would help protect their water supply and economy, but it could further put the Jamuna's water supply in Bangladesh at risk. The approval of the Motuo Hydropower Project sparks larger questions about how world nations navigate addressing climate change and building renewable energy projects while mitigating the risks to local communities. "From a climate change perspective, this is what we want China to do, right? We want them to shift out of coal into a cleaner source, and hydropower's a cleaner source," Benoit explained. "But you have to find the right balance because the local populations are going to be disproportionately affected," he added. As the Motuo Hydropower Project advances with little acknowledgement of input from local communities and downstream nations, the concerns about natural hazards, displacement and water supply remain unresolved. This story is republished courtesy of Earth Institute, Columbia University http://blogs.ei.columbia.edu. 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: Yoko loves to play with balls and is fond of junk food. Kidnapped from his family as an infant, then raised by a drug lord before ending up in a Colombian zoo, Yoko the chimpanzee has lived the last two years of his life alone. He lost his last friend, Chita, in 2023 when she escaped from the zoo with PanchoYoko's rivaland the pair was shot dead by soldiers out of human safety concerns. On Sunday, 38-year-old Yoko was flown to Brazil to finally join others of his kind at a sanctuary there. But will he make friends? Yoko is in many ways more human than chimp, his caregivers say. He uses a knife and fork, plays ball, watches television and makes artwork with crayons on paper and canvas. He is fond of eating sweets and chicken. Fed junk food by his captora narco trafficker whose name has not been divulgedYoko has only four of his teeth left. Chimps, like humans, are meant to have 32. It was common for narco bosses such as Pablo Escobar in the 1990s to keep exotic animals as pets, including tigers and lions, and even hippos and giraffes. Yoko was taught to smoke and dress up in human clothescausing him to develop a skin disease and lose part of his fur. "Yoko... is a highly humanized chimpanzee, the degree of tameness is very high... He basically behaves like a child," said veterinarian Javier Guerrero. The vet accompanied Yoko on the first part of his journey, dubbed "Operation Noah's Ark," from Ukumari Biopark, a zoo in the Colombian city of Pereira. Yoko's crate being loaded into a Colombian Air Force plane. A smile is not a smile Experts fear Yoko may find it hard to adapt to life with other chimpanzees at Sorocaba in the Brazilian state of Sao Paulothe largest great ape sanctuary in Latin America. There are more than 40 other chimps there, but vets and animal behaviorists worry Yoko may not fit in. "Yoko... is not a chimpanzee in the strict sense... he is an animal that identifies much more with human beings," said Cesar Gomez, Ukumari's animal training coordinator. "To give you an example, a smile is something positive" for humans, "but for chimpanzees, it is something negative and Yoko does not understand these types of communication," he said. Yoko was seized from his owner's lair by police in 2017 after spending an unknown amount of time there, then taken to a refuge that flooded before he became a resident of the Pereira zoo. Yoko in his enclosure at the Ukumari Biopark in Colombia. On Sunday, 38-year-old Yoko was flown to Brazil to finally join others of his kind at a sanctuary there. "He was denied the chance to be a chimpanzee and grow up with his family," assistant vet Alejandra Marin told AFP. In the wild in their natural home in Africa, chimpanzees die at about 40 or 45 years of age. They are social, group animals, and with good care in captivity, they can live up to 60. The chimpanzee is listed as an endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. With Yoko's transfer Sunday, Colombia became the first country in the world to rid itself of entirely captive great apes, said the Great Ape Project, an NGO. "The great apes are chimpanzees, orangutans, gorillas, and bonobosnone of these species are endemic to our country, and they have no reason to be here," said Andrea Padilla, a Colombian senator of the Green Alliance who oversaw Yoko's "deeply symbolic" transfer. "From a very young age, Yoko was a victim of trafficking and trade, passed from one drug trafficker to another," she added. On Monday morning, Padilla posted on X that Yoko had landed in Brazil, and was "safe and sound and about to start a new life with his peers." 2025 AFP This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: De novo biosynthesis of plant lignans by synthetic yeast consortia. Credit: Chen Ruibing Lignans are low molecular weight polyphenolic compounds with important antitumor and antiviral properties. However, their low amounts in medicinal plants and complex structures make sustainable production through plant extraction and chemical synthesis challenging, limiting their availability to meet market demand. In a study published in Nature Chemical Biology, a research group led by Prof. Zhou Yongjin from the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, collaborating with Prof. Zhang Lei and Prof. Chen Wansheng from the Naval Medical University, has achieved the biosynthesis of the antiviral ingredient lignan glycoside in yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Researchers constructed a synthetic yeast consortium inspired by plant metabolism. By mimicking the spatial and temporal regulation of plant biosynthesis, they designed a system with obligated mutualism, enabling metabolic division of labor among different yeast strains. This approach effectively reduced side reactions caused by the broad substrate spectrum of 4-coumarate: CoA ligase and improved the efficiency of metabolic flux toward the target product. Based on this innovative strategy, researchers addressed challenges related to side reactions and metabolic network promiscuity. In addition, the researchers designed two auxotrophic yeast strains (met15 and ade2) to form a mutualistic relationship, cross-feeding metabolites while dividing the biosynthetic pathway into upstream and downstream. This enabled the de novo synthesis of lariciresinol diglucoside through more than 40 enzymatic reactions. "Our work demonstrates that Saccharomyces cerevisiae auxotrophic strains spontaneously establish a mutualistic community for the heterologous synthesis of complex active ingredients in traditional Chinese medicine. And this strategy is expected to be extended to the design of other stable cooperative yeast cell systems to accomplish complex bioengineering tasks," said Prof. Zhou. More information: Ruibing Chen et al, De novo biosynthesis of plant lignans by synthetic yeast consortia, Nature Chemical Biology (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41589-025-01861-z Journal information: Nature Chemical Biology This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain MIT engineers have devised a new way to deliver certain drugs in higher doses with less pain, by injecting them as a suspension of tiny crystals. Once under the skin, the crystals assemble into a drug "depot" that could last for months or years, eliminating the need for frequent drug injections. This approach could prove useful for delivering long-lasting contraceptives or other drugs that need to be given for extended periods of time. Because the drugs are dispersed in a suspension before injection, they can be administered through a narrow needle that is easier for patients to tolerate. "We showed that we can have very controlled, sustained delivery, likely for multiple months and even years through a small needle," says Giovanni Traverso, an associate professor of mechanical engineering at MIT, a gastroenterologist at Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH), an associate member of the Broad Institute, and the senior author of the study. The lead authors of the paper, which appears in Nature Chemical Engineering, are former MIT and BWH postdoc Vivian Feig, who is now an assistant professor of mechanical engineering at Stanford University; MIT graduate student Sanghyun Park; and Pier Rivano, a former visiting research scholar in Traverso's lab. Easier injections This project began as part of a project to expand contraceptive options, particularly in developing nations. "The overarching goal is to give women access to a lot of different formats for contraception that are easy to administer, compatible with being used in the developing world, and have a range of different timeframes of durations of action," Feig says. "In our particular project, we were interested in trying to combine the benefits of long-acting implants with the ease of self-administrable injectables." There are marketed injectable suspensions available in the United States and other countries, but these drugs are dispersed throughout the tissue after injection, so they only work for about three months. Other injectable products have been developed that can form longer-lasting depots under the skin, but these typically require the addition of precipitating polymers that can make up 23 to 98% of the solution by weight, which can make the drug more difficult to inject. The MIT and BWH team wanted to create a formulation that could be injected through a small-gauge needle and last for at least six months and up to two years. They began working with a contraceptive drug called levonorgestrel, a hydrophobic molecule that can form crystals. The team discovered that suspending these crystals in a particular organic solvent caused the crystals to assemble into a highly compact implant after injection. Because this depot could form without needing large amounts of polymer, the drug formulation could still be easily injected through a narrow-gauge needle. The solvent, benzyl benzoate, is biocompatible and has been previously used as an additive to injectable drugs. The team found that the solvent's poor ability to mix with biological fluids is what allows the solid drug crystals to self-assemble into a depot under the skin after injection. "The solvent is critical because it allows you to inject the fluid through a small needle, but once in place, the crystals self-assemble into a drug depot," Traverso says. By altering the density of the depot, the researchers can tune the rate at which the drug molecules are released into the body. In this study, the researchers showed they could change the density by adding small amounts of a polymer such as polycaprolactone, a biodegradable polyester. "By incorporating a very small amount of polymersless than 1.6% by weightwe can modulate the drug release rate, extending its duration while maintaining injectability. This demonstrates the tunability of our system, which can be engineered to accommodate a broader range of contraceptive needs as well as tailored dosing regimens for other therapeutic applications," Park says. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. Stable drug depots The researchers tested their approach by injecting the drug solution subcutaneously in rats and showed that the drug depots could remain stable and release drug gradually for three months. After the three-month study ended, about 85% of the drug remained in the depots, suggesting that they could continue releasing the drugs for a much longer period of time. "We anticipate that the depots could last for more than a year, based on our post-analysis of preclinical data. Follow-up studies are underway to further validate their efficacy beyond this initial proof-of-concept," Park says. Once the drug depots form, they are compact enough to be retrievable, allowing for surgical removal if treatment needs to be halted before the drug is fully released. This approach could also lend itself to delivering drugs to treat neuropsychiatric conditions as well as HIV and tuberculosis, the researchers say. They are now moving toward assessing its translation to humans by conducting advanced preclinical studies to evaluate self-assembly in a more clinically relevant skin environment. "This is a very simple system in that it's basically a solvent, the drug, and then you can add a little bit of bioresorbable polymer. Now we're considering which indications do we go after: Is it contraception? Is it others? These are some of the things that we're starting to look into as part of the next steps toward translation to humans," Traverso says. This story is republished courtesy of MIT News (web.mit.edu/newsoffice/), a popular site that covers news about MIT research, innovation and teaching. 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: Columbia University Quantum Initiative Metals, as most know them, are good conductors of electricity. That's because the countless electrons in a metal like gold or silver move more or less freely from one atom to the next, their motion impeded only by occasional collisions with defects in the material. There are, however, metallic materials at odds with our conventional understanding of what it means to be a metal. In so-called "bad metals"a technical term, explains Columbia physicist Dmitri Basovelectrons hit unexpected resistance: each other. Instead of the electrons behaving like individual balls bouncing about, they become correlated with one another, clumping up so that their need to move more collectively impedes the flow of an electrical current. Bad metals may make for poor electrical conductors, but it turns out that they make good quantum materials. In work published on February 13 in the journal Science, Basov's group unexpectedly observed unusual optical properties in the bad metal molybdenum oxide dichloride (MoOCl 2 ). Like many materials that researchers at Columbia work with, MoOCl 2 is made up of a series of atom-thin layers of different elements. The material is also anisotropic, meaning the properties of each layer will differ depending on which direction the material is being measured from. "Essentially, the material is a metal if you try to move electrons in one direction, but an insulator if you try to move them in the other," said Andrew Millis, a physicist at Columbia and the Flatiron Institute who provided theoretical insights into the experimental observations along with Mark van Schilfgaarde and Swagata Acharya from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Colorado. From that unique directionality, quasiparticles known as hyperbolic plasmon polaritons emerge. Polaritons are a broad category of quasiparticles that form when packets of light called photons interact with a material. Over 70 unique kinds have been described so far, each with unique, hybrid properties. Plasmons, for example, are a type of polariton that occurs when photons pair with electrons as they ripple through a metala quantum property known as an electronic oscillation. Launching and lensing of in-plane hyperbolic wavefronts. Credit: Science (2025). DOI: 10.1126/science.adr5926 Because they pair with the ultra-small quantum world, the various varieties of polaritons allow scientists to focus light into spaces smaller than its wavelength, beyond the so-called diffraction limit. That holds promise for shrinking a number of optical technologies, including creating new kinds of super-resolution microscopes, connecting quantum emitters, and building smaller optical circuits. Hyperbolic plasmons, which move through a material in patterns shaped like arcing hyperbolas rather than the concentric circles characteristic of other polaritons, are particularly well-suited to the task. A bad metal wasn't the first place one would think to look for these quasiparticles, given how poorly these metals' electrons move. Frank Ruta, SEAS'24 and the first author of the current paper, had spent the early days of his Ph.D. hunting for hyperbolic plasmons in samples of metals with better conductivity. Other kinds of plasmons regularly turned up in "good" metals, like gold, but the hyperbolic plasmons that appear in those materials proved fleetingscientifically interesting, but too short-lived to be of practical use in emerging technologies. 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. From the literature, though, the group saw hints that MoOCl 2 might harbor unique optical properties. Ruta started placing samples under the Basov lab's scanning near-field optical microscope (s-SNOM), and the bad metal lit up with hyperbolic plasmons. Notably, the quasiparticles could move across several micrometers of the sample at room temperature and visible and near-infrared light frequencies. Such attributes could make these hyperbolic plasmons especially valuable in technologies like telecommunications and nanofabrication, which operate at these shorter wavelengths. Optical measurements suggest those good plasmons are related to the energy used: when probed with lower energy, higher wavelength light, the electrons in MoOCl 2 bounce around and scatter as expected; as energy increases, that scattering disappears. Experimental collaborators at Berkeley using a technique called angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) offered one possible physical explanation for the scattering: charge density waves. Millis suspects it's a feature of the peculiar physics that arises from the unique electron-electron interactions in bad metals. Though full theoretical explanations are still to come, replication is already underway: researchers at the Italian Institute of Technology in Milan independently found evidence of hyperbolic plasmon polaritons in MoOCl 2 late last year. The results broaden the experimental options for those hunting for polaritons. "This paper changes our intuitions about which materials to look at," noted Ruta. Bad metals might not be so bad after all. More information: Francesco L. Ruta et al, Good plasmons in a bad metal, Science (2025). DOI: 10.1126/science.adr5926 Journal information: Science This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: CC0 Public Domain An article appearing in BioScience challenges conventional conservation wisdom, suggesting that protected areas such as national parks and designated wilderness areas must embrace natural landscape dynamics rather than trying to preserve static conditions and landscape features. Dr. Gavin M. Jones (USDA Forest Service) and colleagues contend that current conservation models often resist natural ecosystem processes such as wildfire, leading to a "backfire effect" that makes ecosystems more vulnerable to climate change and other perturbations. "Under climatic change, resisting natural landscape dynamics will backfire and heighten vulnerability to ecosystem transformation through large-scale disturbance," say the authors. Jones and colleagues point out that in many western US forests, measures to protect mature and old-growth trees by suppressing natural disturbances have paradoxically resulted in more severe habitat loss: "In California, in the United States, mature forest habitat losses to drought and wildfires from 2011 to 2020 were greater inside than outside of spotted owl protected activity centers"a result of the degradation of drought- and fire-resilient forest conditions. The proposed shift to protecting landscape dynamics will involve greater intentional human action and may, in the short term, generate conditions unseen in recent times, such as lower tree stand densities. To help guide the process, Jones and colleagues argue for the inclusion of Indigenous knowledge and practices, such as cultural burning, which were typically suppressed within traditional "fortress conservation" models. The authors highlight that, in many areas, Indigenous approaches have millennia-long track records of successfully maintaining ecosystem dynamics. The authors conclude by noting that, despite the need for a significant paradigm shift, "protecting a place and embracing change are not mutually exclusive. We must consider reducing our focus on conserving landscapes, and move toward the conservation of landscape dynamics." More information: Gavin Jones et al, Conserving landscape dynamics, not just landscapes, BioScience (2025). DOI: 10.1093/biosci/biaf023 Journal information: BioScience This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: In a photo provided by Isar Aerospace, Photo Wingmen Media, Isar Aerospace Launch Vehicle "Spectrum" is transported to a launchpad at Andoya Spaceport in Nordmela, on Andya island, Norway, on March 10, 2025. Credit: Isar Aerospace, Photo Wingmen Media via AP A private European aerospace company scrubbed its attempt on Monday to launch the first test flight of its orbital launch vehicle from Norway. Unfavorable winds meant that the Spectrum rocket couldn't be launched from the island of Andya in northern Norway, Munich-based Isar Aerospace said. The launch is subject to various factors, including weather and safety. The company said it could also conduct the test flight later in the week. Another date hasn't yet been set. The 28-meter (91-foot) Spectrum is a two-stage launch vehicle designed for small and medium-sized satellites. The company has largely ruled out the possibility of the rocket reaching orbit on its first complete flight, saying that it would consider a 30-second flight a success. Isar Aerospace aims to collect as much data and experience as possible on the first integrated test of all the systems on its in-house-developed launch vehicle. The startup, which says it has raised more than 400 million euros ($435 million) in capital, hopes to build up to 40 launch vehicles per year in the future at a plant outside of Munich. The launch vehicles are all to be used for putting satellites into orbit. In a photo provided by Isar Aerospace, Photo Wingmen Media, Isar Aerospace Launch Vehicle "Spectrum" stands on a launchpad at Andoya Spaceport in Nordmela, on Andya island, Norway, on March 21, 2025. Credit: Brady Kenniston/Isar Aerospace, Photo Wingmen Media via AP In a photo provided by Isar Aerospace, Photo Wingmen Media, Isar Aerospace Launch Vehicle "Spectrum" stands on a launchpad at Andoya Spaceport in Nordmela, on Andya island, Norway, on March 12, 2025. Credit: Isar Aerospace, Photo Wingmen Media via AP In a photo provided by Isar Aerospace, Photo Wingmen Media, the first stage of Isar Aerospace Launch Vehicle "Spectrum" rolls out at Andoya Spaceport in Nordmela, on Andya island, Norway, on Oct. 9, 2024. Credit: Isar Aerospace, Photo Wingmen Media via AP In a photo provided by Isar Aerospace, Photo Wingmen Media, Isar Aerospace Launch Vehicle "Spectrum" rolls out at Andoya Spaceport in Nordmela, on Andya island, Norway, on March 1, 2025. Credit: Isar Aerospace, Photo Wingmen Media via AP In a photo provided by Isar Aerospace, Photo Wingmen Media, Isar Aerospace Launch Vehicle "Spectrum" stands on a launchpad at Andoya Spaceport in Nordmela, on Andya island, Norway, on March 20, 2025. Credit: Simon Fischer/Isar Aerospace, Photo Wingmen Media via AP In a photo provided by Isar Aerospace, Photo Wingmen Media, Isar Aerospace Launch Vehicle "Spectrum" is transported to a launchpad at Andoya Spaceport in Nordmela, on Andya island, Norway, on March 19, 2025. Credit: Robin Brillert/Isar Aerospace, Photo Wingmen Media via AP Isar Aerospace is separate from the European Space Agency, or ESA, which is funded by its 23 member states. ESA has been launching rockets and satellites into orbit for years, but mainly from French Guianaan overseas department of France in South Americaand from Cape Canaveral in Florida. 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Concept map for innovative uncategorized solutions. Credit: Discover Public Health (2025). DOI: 10.1186/s12982-025-00391-2 Community violence impacts health and well-being, disrupting and harming lives and neighborhoods. Community violence is an extremely complex problem which has eluded solution. Because big ideas to mitigate violence and make communities safer and healthier are urgently needed, a new study by Regenstrief Institute and the Indiana University School of Medicine researchers presents the use of innovation forums, held virtually with participants from the community, health care and local government to highlight priorities, recommend strategies and identify innovative solutions to counter community violence. In the study, 10 groups of innovation forum participants generated 162 potential solutions to community violence. "A qualitative analysis of innovation forums for community violence prevention: the Big Idea" is published in the journal Discover Public Health. Among the recurring themes were: limiting gun access. changing policies to decrease school expulsions of children who become involved in the criminal justice system to provide alternate paths for them that include education. limiting promotion of risk factors such as alcohol use. increasing the capacity of federally qualified (also known as safety net) health centers. altering policies related to affordable housing. increasing employment, vocational skills and trade programs. An overarching big idea that emerged from these innovation forums focused on changing the narrative about community violence by: creating media campaigns to destigmatize victims of violence. exploring avenues to extinguish misconceptions about violence being produced by individuals with mental illness. making policy evidence based. The innovation forum model was developed by researchers from Regenstrief Institute and the IU School of Medicine to focus on solution generation by those impacted by a perplexing problem. While this study's innovation forums focused on violence in Indianapolis, a city that is larger than San Francisco, Seattle, Denver, Boston or Detroit, the methodology could be utilized by any community to address violence, says study senior author Malaz Boustani, M.D., MPH. He notes that it could also be employed to address other problems. The first application of the innovation forum concept was by Dr. Boustani, who is an aging researcher, geriatrician and agile scientist, to build the Indianapolis Discovery Network for Dementia to improve dementia care. "The health and the safety of the community is the number one priority," he said. "In our new study we found that using innovation forums and actually listening to the community and getting to know the local context of violence by being involved with the people who are living the problems and seeking their help and their solutions in a diversified voice, is crucial for generating solutions that might make the future of Indianapolis much brighter. 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. "This project was called the Big Idea because big problems require big solutions. We learned there was a sense that efforts have been siloed and that if there was collaboration to bring efforts to the community, they would be more effective. Utilizing innovation forums, which focus solely on solution generation, provided multiple intertwined lines to create big ideas." Further dissemination of information on countering and preventing community violence, acquired during the process, is planned. "As a trauma surgeon, I see the results of community violence all the time. In addition to physically caring for these patients, I try to connect them to resources that can help them change their lives, recover and avoid this from happening again, but that's not enough" said study first author Damaris Ortiz, M.D., of the IU School of Medicine and the medical director of Prescription for Hope, a program for patients recovering from a violence-related injury such as a gunshot, stabbing or assault being treated at Eskenazi Health, which has a number of sites that are federally qualified health centers. "In our study the majority of solutions proposed were not novel. But they were the ones that the innovation forum participants who were living the problem in different spaces across the community, health care and government want as solutionsintensive service opportunities and the creation of protective environments." More information: Damaris Ortiz et al, A qualitative analysis of innovation forums for community violence prevention: the Big Idea, Discover Public Health (2025). DOI: 10.1186/s12982-025-00391-2 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: Photo By: Kaboompics.com from Pexels When I taught research methods to undergraduates, I would start by asking whether anyone in the class had $20. Though harder to come by thanks to digital payment options, inevitably someone would produce a $20 bill. I would then ask whether they knew how the bill came to look the way it does. Students would take guessesoften rooted in history and counterfeiting concerns. While valid, the larger font and picture designs that came about in the 1990s and early 2000s were also the result of research intended to make the bills more accessible for the 3.5 million Americans with low vision. One of those Americans with low vision was a researcher on the team designing the new bill, experimental psychologist Gordon Legge. These changes made it easier for those low-vision Americans, their families and others around the world to read and use American dollars. In other countries, bills and coins come in different sizes that pertain to their value, making them much easier for people with low vision and the blind to use. Legge's research saved Americans the cost of having to completely redesign the currency to come in different sizes. My goal in talking about the currency redesign with my students was to show them how research has shaped their lives, often in ways they didn't even realize. Now, following President Donald Trump's executive order on federal projects related to DEIAdiversity, equity, inclusion and accessibilitymany research initiatives similar to the bill redesign project will lose funding. As a social psychologist, some of the studies I've worked on would be considered DEIA work. Social psychology as a field grew, in part, during World War II as researchers tried to understand bias-motivated atrocities such as the Holocaust. DEIA initiatives are projects that seek to reduce discrimination and promote equal opportunities and equal access in multiple spaces such as school and workplaces, as well as in legal, housing and medical systems. While frequently focused on those who have faced long-standing barriers to these resourcesfor example, racial and ethnic minorities and people with disabilitiesthe results of research related to DEIA are often applied to help all people achieve their potential. The Trump administration's list of DEIA-related terms is so broad that it's flagging non-DEIA related work for potential termination. I've heard many scientists discuss how their programs of research have been wrongfully included in the anti-DEIA sweeps because they use terms such as "biodiversity." 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. However, research that would be considered DEIA work has made influential contributions to society over the past few decadesit raises the question of whether any flagging is actually right. The backlash to anti-DEIA research seems to have started with criticism of DEI-related human resources training in workplaces. But the word list goes well beyond what would appear in HR training. DEIA research identifies the problems and proposes the solutions. Solutions such as translation services for the hearing impaired, parental leave for mothers and fathers, pay equity, time off for religious holidays and lactation rooms for nursing mothers all stem from what could be labeled DEIA research and advocacy. For instance, lactation rooms came about based on research into what working mothers needed to ease their return to work after pregnancy. This included research into breast pumps and even architectural research on how to best design these rooms. DEIA contributions DEIA work is nothing newjust the label is. After all, it was DEIA research in the 1950s that psychologists Kenneth and Mamie Clark presented to the Supreme Court to argue that school segregation harmed children, leading to the banning of the policy. This work continues today as new DEIA research reveals that schools are often still racially homogenous. That means many American students still go to schools where the student bodies are primarily white or primarily racial minorities. However, the reasons for these divides are no longer due to segregation being the law. In the 1970s, it was DEIA research that inspired the Education for All Handicapped Children Act of 1975 and led to the creation of special education practices for neurodiverse students. These practices have improved educational outcomes for students with dyslexia, ADHD, autism and a variety of other neurodiversities. And DEIA research is continuing to review and improve these practices today. Starting in the 1980s, it was also DEIA research that led to HIV/AIDS, a virus disproportionately affecting the LGBTQ+ community, no longer being a death sentence. Doctors now have a drug that prevents HIV, including preventing the transmission of HIV from mother to infant. Just today, I received a news alert about scientific breakthroughs in the neurological study of postpartum depression. Because "women" and "pregnant people" are on the list of terms flagged as DEIA-related, studies on postpartum depression could be considered DEIA. DEIA science on DEIA science It is DEIA science that has demonstrated how diverse research teams promote innovative performance. This research would suggest that America's diversity may very well be one of the key elements shaping its prosperity. Some might say "of course DEIA research will show DEIA works," but it is also DEIA research that critiques the limitations of training to reduce biassuch as human resources workshops intended to teach workers about inclusive language, cultural sensitivity or implicit bias. Other non-DEIA HR training also faces criticism. Scientists discuss these limitations, and the scientific process is constantly self-correcting as researchers search for better solutions. Recommendations about better training are proposed based on new research. For instance, racial colorblindness is an ideology that grew out of the civil rights era and a desire to treat individuals equally regardless of race. However, it has led to some problems where people say they ignore race when really they don't. For instance, in one study looking at race and dating preferences, white people endorsing a colorblind ideology were actually more likely to say they wouldn't date a Black person than those who didn't endorse colorblindness. Colorblindness can also make people feel uncomfortable bringing up race in any context. One study shows how young people, who are not yet wary of identifying people by race, can outperform adults, who avoid race, during a game of Guess Who. These studies are just some examples of DEIA science that showed the colorblindness approach is a mixed bag at best. Other times, it is harmful for minority groups and majority groups alike, or even backfires, making people more, not less, discriminatory and uncomfortable. Alleged alternatives to DEIA Despite its shortcomings, many prominent figures in the anti-DEIA movement have seemingly endorsed colorblindness. For example, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott created executive order GA-55 to end DEIA policies and institute a "color-blind" approach instead. Texas public universities had to eliminate DEIA offices and practices but not legacy admissions and scholarships that studies show disproportionately benefit white students. In his second inaugural address, Trump promised that his administration would "forge a society that is colorblind and merit-based." While a meritocracy may sound good on paper, DEIA research has suggested that meritocracies don't work in the current society. Meritocracies assume a level playing field and can ignore disparities, such as wealth, that may afford some more opportunities than otherssocial mobility between income levels is rare and can take generations. Where we stand Despite the anti-DEIA rhetoric present in American discourse, most Americans do not have negative attitudes toward DEIA; 52% even still think DEIA in the workplace is good. Most Americans, including white people, men and Republicans, also do not report having been harmed by DEIA policies. Overall, studies report that Americans value inclusivity. Ultimately, blanket bans on anything remotely DEIA harm advancement across scientific disciplines. The disparities DEIA research examines still existin courts, in schools, in jobs, in health, in housing and in violent victimization rates. Stopping cancer research because cancer prevention training doesn't always work and sometimes backfires won't stop cancer. Ignoring disparities will not make them go away. DEIA-related science is an ingrained part of the scientific enterprise, and cutting its funding could mean missing out on important breakthroughs. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: A Korea Forest Service helicopter is used to help extinguish a forest fire near its ignition point in Uiseong. South Korean authorities said Monday they would deploy dozens of helicopters and thousands of firefighters and soldiers as they struggle to control multiple wildfires in the southeast, which have been burning for days. Four people have been killed so far, with officials warning that high winds and rising temperatures were hindering efforts to put out the blazes. In Uiseong, nearly 7,000 hectares (17,000 acres) of land has been affected and around 600 people evacuated, Lim Sang-seop, head of the Korea Forest Service, told a press briefing. "A total of 57 wildfire fighting helicopters are to be deployed to extinguish the fire," he said, adding that more than 2,600 firefighting personnelincluding soldierswould be mobilized "to respond with all their might". The fire had been partly contained but was still burning as of Monday afternoon. An AFP photographer in Uiseong saw the sun obscured by thick black smoke, while helicopters were used to douse the flames. The forest agency has issued "severe" fire warnings, its highest level, in multiple locations, including North and South Gyeongsang provinces, Busan and Daejeon. A major wildfire claimed four lives over the weekend in Sancheong county, in South Gyeongsang province, about 250 kilometers (155 miles) southeast of Seoul. The government declared a state of emergency in the affected regions. That fire was also partly contained by Mondaybut still burning. The government declared a state of emergency in the affected regions, citing "the extensive damage caused by simultaneous wildfires across the country". Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, who was reinstated as acting president earlier Monday, visited the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, urging authorities to work together "until the wildfires are completely extinguished". "It is a truly heartbreaking incident," he said, adding that he would meet people affected by the fires later Monday. The leader of the main opposition Democratic Party, Lee Jae-myung, urged authorities to "mobilize all means at their disposal to quickly and safely suppress the fires" and take further measures to prevent any additional wildfires. Some types of extreme weather have a well-established link with climate change, such as heat waves or heavy rainfall. Other phenomena such as forest fires, droughts, snowstorms and tropical storms can result from a combination of complex factors. 2025 AFP This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: The TIFFY underwater autonomous vehicle is launched. Credit: Ilka Thomsen. GEOMAR It is well known that the Baltic Sea is contaminated with remnants of munitions from past wars. However, many questions remain about the exact locations of these munitions and their condition after decades underwater. Three major projects at national, Baltic Sea and European level are currently working to consolidate existing knowledge and develop technologies to safely identify submerged munitions. GEOMAR Helmholtz Center for Ocean Research Kiel is contributing to these efforts with three Baltic Sea expeditions. The first mission has now begun: the research vessel ALKOR is testing and further developing state-of-the-art mapping and analysis techniques in German and Danish waters, with a particular focus on the sea areas at the exit of the Flensburg Fjord / Lille Belt, west of Bornholm and the Bay of Lubeck. Today, they all go into the water: ALBERT, TIFFY, and KAPT'N BLAUBAR. The two autonomous underwater vehicles and the small blue remotely operated vehicle from GEOMAR are lowered into the sea to explore the waters southwest of Bornholm. This is no easy task in the strong winds that are almost a constant around the island in the middle of the Baltic Sea between Sweden, Denmark, Poland and Germany. Good conditions for wind energy, which is why Bornholm is set to become a hub for wind energy. The environmental impact assessments for planned offshore wind farms are currently underway. A key question in this process is: What role do marine munitions play in this, in particular the presence of chemical munitions? What measurements and data are needed to assess the risks and make informed decisions? MUNI-RISK: Asking the right questions Developing appropriate guidelines is one of the tasks of the MUNI-RISK project (Mitigation of Risks Due to Submerged Munitions for a Sustainable Development of the Baltic Sea). Since the end of last year, this project, led by the University of Aarhus, has been bringing together experts from a variety of research fields to develop concrete tools and guidelines that will enable the Baltic Sea countries to better assess the risks posed by munitions. The project is working closely with local authorities, environmental agencies, and experts from industry and business. This also applies to Bornholm, where local stakeholders met with researchers aboard ALKOR on Tuesday, 18 March 2025. "We want to know what concerns people have about munitions in the sea. What questions do they think science should answer?" explains project leader Dr. Hans Sanderson, an environmental and climate risk expert at Aarhus University. These questions are being asked not only on the Danish island, but also in Estonia and Poland, where wind farms are also planned and dumped munitions could pose a potential risk. Underwater robots dive into the investigation Expedition AL628 is the first of three missions to collect data for three major munitions projects: CONMAR, which investigates munitions management in German waters; MUNI-RISK, which focuses on the entire Baltic Sea; and MMinE-SwEEPER, a nine-country European research effort. In addition to scientific and technological objectivessuch as assessing munitions contamination and improving autonomous mapping and analysis methodsthe expedition also promotes international cooperation. "We rely on the exchange of knowledge and data," says chief scientist Prof. Dr. Jens Greinert, marine geologist and munitions expert at GEOMAR. "Where could old munitions be located?" Looking out over the vast ocean around the ship, the challenge is evident: where to start searching? Even when there are clues, the search remains complex and often time-consuming. For the area southwest of Bornholm, there were such indications. Jens Greinert explains, "On the other side of the island, chemical munitions were dumped in 1947, and this area here is classified as a relocation area. In the past, when fishermen found remnants of chemical warfare agents in their catch, they were instructed to dispose of them here." 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. Seeing through the eye of KAPT'N BLAUBAR While ALBERT and TIFFY scan the seabed in the area, KAPT'N BLAUBAR's camera allows the research team to monitor the conditions in real time: lots of rocks, some covered in marine growth, but no sign of chemical munitions. Chemical analysis of water samples taken at the same time shows no evidence of explosives. "That is good news," summarizes Greinert. Next, ALKOR will head to munitions dumping sites in the Bay of Lubeck, where researchers from the Polish institute IOPAN and the German Federal Police will join the expedition. The final destination will be off the coast of Boltenhagen, where a barge loaded with conventional munitions was sunk after the Second World War. The contents of the barge, which is lying on the seabed, will be cleared by an explosive ordnance disposal company from Rostock in June and July. The next expedition is planned for October 2025 and will focus on investigating chemical munitions in Polish waters. 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: Pexels American students have been falling behind in math for decadeswith test scores that consistently rank in the bottom 25% globally compared to students in other developed countriesand the COVID-19 pandemic made the situation worse. Previous research has shown that interventions grounded in behavioral science that target student motivation have been effective at increasing math scores, suggesting that taking a similar "behaviorally informed" approach with teachers might have a comparable effect. Now, a collaborative study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, and led by researchers at the Behavior Change for Good Initiative (BCFG) at the University of Pennsylvania, has found that behaviorally informed email messages slightly improved students' math progress compared to control messages. "Our results showed that simple, low-cost nudges can help teachers support student progress in math," says Angela Duckworth, Rosa Lee and Egbert Chang Professor in Penn's School of Arts & Sciences and the Wharton School, who led the study and co-directs BCFG. "These nudges worked across different school contexts, with effects persisting eight weeks after teachers stopped receiving the nudges." The key to this megastudy was the partnership with Zearn Math, a nonprofit educational platform. "Large-scale studies on teacher-focused interventions have been rare due to the high cost and logistical challenges involved. Thanks to our partnership with Zearn Math, we were able to overcome these challenges," says co-author Dena Gromet, executive director of BCFG. A megastudy is "a large-scale experiment in which multiple interventions are tested simultaneously on the same outcome, a tournament approach, if you will," says co-author Katy Milkman, James G. Dinan Endowed Professor and professor of operations, information and decisions at the Wharton School and co-director of BCFG. "Because all interventions run concurrently and are compared to a common control group, this method allows for direct comparisons of their effectiveness." In one of the largest studies of its kindinvolving more than 140,000 teachers and nearly 3 million elementary studentsthe researchers compared the impact of 15 different interventions to a reminder-only message. A sample email message from the Nudging Weekly Logins intervention. Credit: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2025). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2418616122 "These messages were behaviorally informed, meaning they were based on prior insights from behavioral science. For instance, one intervention asked teachers to make a specific plan for how they would use Zearn Math that week, an approach backed by research showing that people are more likely to follow through when they make detailed plans. Another intervention appealed to teachers' empathy for their students, which previous research has demonstrated is supportive of student success," Duckworth says. Specifically, the research team found that, compared to standard email reminders, behaviorally informed email messages improved students' math progress during the four-week intervention period by 1.89%. The most effective intervention, which increased student math progress by about 5.06%, encouraged teachers to log into Zearn Math weekly for an updated, personalized report on their students' progress. "One especially promising takeaway is that personalized nudgesthose that referenced progress updates about a teacher's own studentswere more effective than nonpersonalized ones," Duckworth says. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. The researchers note that though they are promising, the effects were small. "These results suggest the need for more intensive support than the light-touch email nudges we tested," Milkman says. "And they underscore how hard it is to change human behavior." These findings, Milkman says, suggest several additional valuable avenues for future research, including "more random-assignment field experiments to confirm the causal benefits of teacher-targeted nudges and studies to probe the longer-term effects of behaviorally-informed interventions." Additional research is also needed, Duckworth says, "to confirm and explain the benefits of referencing personalized data when nudging teachers. It may be that capitalizing on teachers' intrinsic motivation to help their students is a distinct and potentially cost-effective approach that can complement other interventions, such as offering performance bonuses and other extrinsic incentives." Next steps for researchers are to dig deeper into what makes these kinds of interventions work and how to make them even more effective over time. Future studies are needed to look into the long-term effects of nudges and explore why some interventions are more effective than others. "The better we understand why something works, the more powerfully we can use it to create positive change," Duckworth says. "Ultimately, this line of research could help shape smarter, more effective education policies." More information: Angela L. Duckworth et al, A national megastudy shows that email nudges to elementary school teachers boost student math achievement, particularly when personalized, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2025). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2418616122 Journal information: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 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: Researcher Ann Raiho measures sunlight interacting with yellow Coreopsis gigantea flowers during field work in the Jack and Laura Dangermond Preserve in Californias Santa Barbara County in 2022. Credit: NASA/Yoseline Angel NASA research is revealing there's more to flowers than meets the human eye. A recent analysis of wildflowers in California shows how aircraft- and space-based instruments can use color to track seasonal flower cycles. The results suggest a potential new tool for farmers and natural-resource managers who rely on flowering plants. In their study, the scientists surveyed thousands of acres of nature preserve using a technology built by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California. The instrumentan imaging spectrometermapped the landscape in hundreds of wavelengths of light, capturing flowers as they blossomed and aged over the course of months. The research is published in the journal Ecosphere. It was the first time the instrument had been deployed to track vegetation steadily through the growing season, making this a "first-of-a-kind study," said David Schimel, a research scientist at JPL. For many plant species from crops to cacti, flowering is timed to seasonal swings in temperature, daylight, and precipitation. Scientists are taking a closer look at the relationship between plant life and seasonsknown as vegetation phenologyto understand how rising temperatures and changing rainfall patterns may be impacting ecosystems. Typically, wildflower surveys rely on boots-on-the-ground observations and tools such as time-lapse photography. But these approaches cannot capture broader changes that may be happening in different ecosystems around the globe, said lead author Yoseline Angel, a scientist at the University of Maryland-College Park and NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. "One challenge is that compared to leaves or other parts of a plant, flowers can be pretty ephemeral," she said. "They may last only a few weeks." To track blooms on a large scale, Angel and other NASA scientists are looking to one of the signature qualities of flowers: color. In this illustration, an imaging spectrometer aboard a research plane measures sunlight reflecting off California coastal scrub. In the data cube below, the top panel shows the true-color view of the area. Lower panels depict the spectral fingerprint for every point in the image, capturing the visible range of light (blue, green, and red wavelengths) to the near-infrared (NIR) and beyond. Spatial resolution is around 16 feet (5 meters). Credit: NASA Mapping native shrubs Flower pigments fall into three major groups: carotenoids and betalains (associated with yellow, orange, and red colors), and anthocyanins (responsible for many deep reds, violets, and blues). The different chemical structures of the pigments reflect and absorb light in unique patterns. Spectrometers allow scientists to analyze the patterns and catalog plant species by their chemical "fingerprint." As all molecules reflect and absorb a unique pattern of light, spectrometers can identify a wide range of biological substances, minerals, and gases. Handheld devices are used to analyze samples in the field or lab. To survey moons and planets, including Earth, NASA has developed increasingly powerful imaging spectrometers over the past 45 years. One such instrument is called AVIRIS-NG (short for Airborne Visible/InfraRed Imaging Spectrometer-Next Generation), which was built by JPL to fly on aircraft. In 2022 it was used in a large ecology field campaign to survey vegetation in the Jack and Laura Dangermond Preserve and the Sedgwick Reserve, both in Santa Barbara County. Among the plants observed were two native shrub speciesCoreopsis gigantea and Artemisia californicafrom February to June. The scientists developed a method to tease out the spectral fingerprint of the flowers from other landscape features that crowded their image pixels. In fact, they were able to capture 97% of the subtle spectral differences among flowers, leaves, and background cover (soil and shadows) and identify different flowering stages with 80% certainty. NASAs AVIRIS sensors have been used to study wildfires, World Trade Center wreckage, and critical minerals, among numerous airborne missions over the years. AVIRIS-3 is seen here on a field campaign in Panama, where it helped analyze vegetation in many wavelengths of light not visible to human eyes.Credit: NASA/Shawn Serbin 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. Predicting superblooms The results open the door to more air- and space-based studies of flowering plants, which represent about 90% of all plant species on land. One of the ultimate goals, Angel said, would be to support farmers and natural resource managers who depend on these species along with insects and other pollinators in their midst. Fruit, nuts, many medicines, and cotton are a few of the commodities produced from flowering plants. Angel is working with new data collected by AVIRIS's sister spectrometer that orbits on the International Space Station. Called EMIT (Earth Surface Mineral Dust Source Investigation), it was designed to map minerals around Earth's arid regions. Combining its data with other environmental observations could help scientists study superblooms, a phenomenon where vast patches of desert flowers bloom after heavy rains. One of the delights of researching flowers, Angel said, is the enthusiasm from citizen scientists. "I have social media alerts on my phone," she added, noting one way she stays on top of wildflower activity around the world. An airborne and field research effort, SHIFT was jointly led by the Nature Conservancy, the University of California, Santa Barbara, and JPL. Caltech, in Pasadena, manages JPL for NASA. More information: Yoseline Angel et al, Deciphering the spectra of flowers to map landscapescale blooming dynamics, Ecosphere (2025). DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.70127 Journal information: Ecosphere Provided by NASA This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: CC0 Public Domain NASA websites have dropped references to landing the first woman on the moon as part of the goals for its Artemis program. As of Friday, updated pages for the program no longer feature the statement: "NASA will land the first woman, first person of color, and first international partner astronaut on the moon using innovative technologies to explore more of the lunar surface than ever before." The change comes as the Trump administration has used executive orders to remove diversity, equity and inclusion pages from all federal websites. The announcement that NASA would send the first woman to the moon came under Trump's first presidency. The Orlando Sentinel reached out to NASA for comment but has not heard back. The Artemis pages now simply read, "Artemis III will build on the crewed Artemis II flight test, adding new capabilities with the human landing system and advanced spacesuits to send the first humans to explore the lunar South Pole region." The Artemis program successfully launched an uncrewed flight to the moon in 2022 and has its first crewed flight, Artemis II, slated for no later than April 2026. That crew, which will fly around but not land on the moon, does feature some groundbreaking demographics: the first woman (NASA astronaut Christina Koch), first person of color (NASA astronaut Victor Glover) and first international partner (Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen) riding alongside NASA's commander, Reid Wiseman. The first landing on the moon since Apollo 17 in 1972 has been assigned to Artemis III, the crew of which has not been announced. The target date for that landing is on NASA's calendar for the summer of 2027. At one point, Trump's NASA administrator during his first term, Jim Bridenstine, said he would not be surprised if that mission's landing party were to feature an all-female crew. The declaration that the first person of color would join a future Artemis mission came after President Joe Biden's election, although NASA has not said whether that person would be part of Artemis III or later moon landings. Of the 24 astronauts who have traveled to the moon, 12 of whom actually walked on its surface, all have been white men. NASA has already undergone changes under Trump's ordersincluding the removal of its Office of Diversity and Equal Opportunity. While the link to its DEI-related program is gone, the agency still has some statements about "inclusion" on its careers pages. "NASA explores the unknown in air and space, innovates for the benefit of humanity, and inspires the world through discovery. We share a set of core valuessafety, integrity, inclusion, teamwork, excellenceand they are evident in all that we do," it reads. But that has been changed from the previous language that read, "We are committed to recruiting brilliant minds from all backgrounds and experiences to shape the future." Also gone is this statement: "Innovation thrives in a culture of inclusion, where different perspectives converge to tackle complex challenges. By creating an environment where every voice is heard and respected, we empower our employees to contribute to their fullest potential. We foster collaboration, embracing new perspectives and constructive dialogue to drive informed decision-making." 2025 Orlando Sentinel. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Black bream and Pacific oysters in the Port River, South Australia. Photo: Brad Martin. Credit: Brad Martin The studyled by Brad Martin, a Flinders University Ph.D. candidate, with colleagues from Flinders' College of Science and Engineeringassessed the effects of introduced, reef-forming Pacific oysters (Magallana gigas), within a temperate Australian mangrove-dominated estuary (the Port River-Barker Inlet Estuary) and how they influenced both intertidal fish and invertebrate communities, and fish foraging behavior. "The introduction of non-native foundation species such as Pacific oysters can significantly alter ecological communities and functions, but through this research we found that these Port River oyster reefs are providing habitats for coastal animals," says Martin. Published in NeoBiota, the study shows both positive and negative ecological impacts of these "invaders" on gray mangrove forest biodiversity in the Port River and how they are influencing local estuarine biodiversity. This includes: Oysters had no discernible impact on mangrove pneumatophores (aerial roots), but doubled the densities of mangrove seedlings. Pacific oyster habitats supported 2x greater richness and 8x greater biomass of mobile invertebrates (including crabs, worms and snails) compared to other habitats. This means there is a richer diversity of prey for fish to feed on, and that oysters are supporting a greater range of invertebrates. Video surveys showed that the oyster habitats generally supported greater fish richness, abundances and foraging behavior. Fisheries-targeted black bream showed a preference for the oyster habitat, while juvenile King George whiting were common to mangroves with and without oysters. Oyster shells were also essential for native oyster blennies which used the shells for nest sites and shelter through high and low tides. Other non-native species including European shore crabs, crested oystergobies and mud creepers were highly associated with Pacific oyster habitats. Despite the Pacific oyster's status as an exotic introduced species, the researchers found that these novel oyster reefs generally benefited biodiversity, including fisheries-targeted species, but also other non-native species and declared marine pests. "This demonstrates that in high densities, Pacific oysters can modify ecological communities when introduced into mangrove-dominated estuaries," says Martin. "Given that South Australia historically had subtidal native oyster reefs, these intertidal non-native oyster reefs likely represent novel ecosystems but may offer similar benefits." Given the biosecurity focus on shellfish reef management in Port Riverwhich includes a ban on the removal of wild Pacific oysters to protect SA's shellfish industry from the deadly POMs virusMartin says this case study improves knowledge around the ecological impacts of wild Pacific oysters, and may indicate possible benefits applicable to native shellfish reefs and restoration efforts in South Australia. This work complements outcomes from a recent global review on non-indigenous mussel introductions by Murdoch University, highlighting the complex ecological impacts that can arise from invasive shellfish. It is the first Australian study on how invasive Pacific oyster reefs impact fishes, and the first globally of such reefs in mangrove systems. More information: Brad Martin et al, Mangrove-associated Pacific oysters (Magallana gigas) influence estuarine biodiversity, NeoBiota (2025). DOI: 10.3897/neobiota.98.131103 Journal information: NeoBiota 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 Waiau River, a gravel-bed braided river in the South Island, has been constrained by land development, primarily for agriculture. Credit: Background satellite image: Google (c) 2025 Airbus, CC BY-SA When we think about flood management, higher stop banks, stronger levees and concrete barriers usually come to mind. But what if the best solutionfor people and natureisn't to confine rivers, but to give them more space? This alternative is increasingly being considered as an approach to mitigating flood risk. But allowing rivers room to move also delivers ecological benefits far beyond flood risk reduction. It supports biodiversity, improves water quality and stores carbon. As climate change increases the frequency and intensity of extreme floods, rethinking our approach to managing floodplain rivers has never been more urgent. Climate change, floods and river confinement Climate change is amplifying flood risks worldwide, and Aotearoa New Zealand is no exception. Large floods are expected to become much more frequent and severe, threatening communities, infrastructure and ecosystems. Many of these risks are made worse by past management decisions that have artificially confined rivers within narrow channels, cutting them off from their natural floodplains. Floodplain river systems have historically been dynamic, shifting across landscapes over time. But extensive stop banks, modification of river channels and land development have restricted this natural variability. Strangling rivers in this way transfers and heightens flood risks downstream by forcing water through confined channels at greater speeds. It also degrades ecosystems that rely on the natural ebb and flow of river processes. Giving rivers space to roam The idea of allowing rivers to reclaim space on their floodplains is not new. In the Netherlands, the Room for the River program was a response to flooding in 1995 that led to large-scale evacuations of people and cattle. In England, predictions that economic risks associated with flooding will increase 20-fold within this century ignited the Making Space for Water strategy. However, these initiatives typically remain focused on flood protection, overlooking opportunities to maximize ecological benefits. Our new research shows that well-designed approaches can deliver ecological gains alongside flood protection. This is crucial because floodplain river systems are among the most valuable ecosystems. They provide about a quarter of all land-based ecosystem services such as water retention and pollutant filtration, as well as educational, recreational and cultural benefits. 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. Managing rivers for variability A fundamental shift in river management involves acknowledging and accommodating natural variability. Floodplain rivers are not static: they change across landscapes and through time, responding to seasonal flows, sediment movement and ecological processes. Braided rivers are an example of floodplain rivers that have natural variability and diverse habitat types. Credit: Angus McIntosh, CC BY-SA Our research synthesizes the ecological processes that are enabled when floodplain rivers have room to move. Rivers that are not unnaturally confined are typically more physically complex. For instance, along with the main river channel, they might have smaller side channels, or areas where the water pools and slows, springs popping up from below ground to re-join the surface waters, or ponds on the floodplain. A diverse range of habitats supports a rich variety of plant and animal life. Even exposed gravel, made available in rivers that flow freely, provides critical nesting sites for endangered birds. Biodiversity is not one-dimensional. Instead, it exists and operates at multiple scales, from a small floodplain pond to a whole river catchment or wider. In a dynamic, ever-changing riverscape, we might find the genetic composition of a species varying in different parts of the river, or the same species of fish varying in their body size, depending on the habitat conditions. These examples of natural biological variability enable species and ecosystems to be resilient in the face of uncertain future conditions. Rivers that have room to move on their floodplains are highly dynamic. This diagram shows the main types of ecological variability in a free-flowing river: physical variability, habitat heterogeneity and variable ecosystem processes. Credit: Adapted from McCabe et al. 2025 Nature Water, CC BY-SA At a larger scale, the type and number of species that live in different floodplain river habitats also varies. This diversity of biological communities produces variation in the functions ecosystems perform across the river, such as the uptake of nutrients or processing of organic matter. This can even help to diversify food webs. These variations mean not all species or groups of species in the river will be vulnerable to the same disturbancessuch as droughts or floodsat the same time. This is because plants and animals in rivers have evolved to take advantage of long-term rhythms of floods and droughts in different ways. For instance, the cottonwood poplars of the southwest United States time their seed release with the highly predictable rhythms of snowmelt-driven spring floods in that part of the world. In Aotearoa New Zealand, whitebait fish species typically deposit their eggs during high autumn flows, which then get transported to sea as larvae during high winter flows. Some animals need multiple habitats within the river for different stages of life. Other creatures travel from afar to use river floodplains for only a short time. The latter includes the banded dotterel (Charadrius bicinctus), endemic to Aotearoa New Zealand. This bird travels as far as 1,700km to nest on braided-river gravels each spring. Banded dotterels are in decline, and they rely on habitats provided by rivers that have space to roam. The endangered black-fronted tern (Chlidonias albostriatus) uses gravel bar habitats on river floodplains for nesting. Credit: Angus McIntosh, CC BY-SA A call for more sustainable river management As climate change accelerates, we must rethink how we manage our waterways. Reinforcing levees and deepening channels may seem like logical responses to increased flood risk, but these approaches often exacerbate long-term vulnerabilities and transfer risk elsewhere. We call for practitioners to broaden the scope of values included in river management policy and programs to include ecological variability. Nature-based solutions are approaches that seek to benefit both people and nature. By working with nature rather than against it, we can create landscapes that are more resilient, adaptive, and supportive of both people and biodiversity. It's time to embrace a new paradigm for river managementone that sees rivers not as threats to be controlled, but as lifelines to be protected and restored. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. China to enhance consumption capacity, increase urban and rural residents' income: senior official Global Times) 08:38, March 24, 2025 Bustling scenes at the opening day of the first global store of "Yiwu Selection", a new grouping of overseas brands in Yiwu, East China's Zhejiang Province, on January 10, 2025 (Photo/Yiwu Official) China will enhance consumption capacity and increase urban and rural residents' income on the basis of promoting economic growth and improving productivity, so as to ensure that consumers have more money to spend, Han Wenxiu, Han Wenxiu, executive deputy director of the Office of the Central Committee for Financial and Economic Affairs, said on Sunday, according to a report by the China Central Television (CCTV). He made the remarks at this year's China Development Forum (CDF), which opened in Beijing on Sunday under the theme "Unleashing Development Momentum for Stable Growth of Global Economy." Han is also the director of the Office of the Central Rural Work Leading Group. Overall, China will adopt a comprehensive approach to expand consumption, continuously fostering a mutually reinforcing and complementary dynamic between high-quality development and high-quality life, according to Han. Other measures include optimizing the income distribution structure, and raising the share of residents' income in national income, Han said, while stressing that efforts will also be made to expand service consumption, the CCTV report noted. During the address, Han also elaborated on the key areas for expanding consumption. He noted that China will actively develop the "debut economy," or consumption driven by product launches, flagship store openings, new service rollouts, and the creation of innovative business models and technologies, as well as the health economy, ice and snow economy, and silver economy, according to the report. The country will promote cultural and tourism industry as a major pillar industry, and create more high-quality service consumption products and scenarios, so that Chinese consumers could access to a variety of mid- to high-end services, Han said. Observers said that Han's remarks sent a strong signal on the Chinese policymakers' determination to make consumption a key driver of economic growth. This year's Government Work Report has positioned "vigorously boosting consumption and investment returns and stimulating domestic demand across the board" as a top priority. China should move faster to address inadequate domestic demand, particularly insufficient consumption, and make domestic demand the main engine and anchor of economic growth, according to the Government Work Report. On March 16, China made public a plan for special initiatives to boost consumption. The plan aims to vigorously boost consumption, stimulate domestic demand across the board, and increase spending power by increasing earnings and reducing financial burdens. In the first two months, retail sales of consumer goods - a major indicator of the country's consumption strength - climbed 4 percent year-on-year, 0.5 percentage points higher than the same period in 2024. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun) This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay from Pexels 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 Center's 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. 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. 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. "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 SpaceX's astronaut operations manager Haley Esparza said at the time, "Make yourself at home." "I didn't quite believe her at the timeeverything felt strange and unfamiliar. But now, more than a year later, we've finally graduated. This place has truly become our homebut now it's 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. Crew Dragon Resilience debuted in 2021 for NASA's 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 wasn't 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. 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. Isaacman and a new crew of three returned to Resilience for last year's 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. 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 crew's 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 mission's 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. It's 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-9's 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 Boeing's certification of its Starliner still faces hurdles that could push its first rotational crew mission into 2026. 2025 Orlando Sentinel. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: New Spotter buoys at Victor Harbor. Credit: Flinders University The introduction of new Spotter buoys to measure wave height and direction, and temperature in the sea off Victor Harbor in South Australia, provides a timely new resource to monitor fluctuating sea conditions and their effect on coastal environments. As unusually warm ocean temperatures for this time of year have triggered peculiar and destructive brown foam (believed to be triggered by microalgal blooms) to be washed up along the southern coastline, the new buoys will provide crucial data to inform stakeholders and the public on changing ocean conditions. The buoys, released into Encounter Bay and the Southern Ocean in early March by Flinders University's Associate Professor Graziela Miot da Silva and new Ph.D. student Maya Lambert, working in conjunction with SARDI Oceanography Research Officer Paul Malthouse and Victor Harbor Council Coastal Surveillance Officer Bronson Symmonds, gather critical information on wave and ocean temperature changes driven by climate change. The deployed buoys are Sofar Spotter metocean buoys, that collect and transmit accurate ocean data such as wave height, period and direction, estimates in wind speed and direction, plus sea surface temperature and barometric pressure in real-time via cellular data transfer. "This will provide good baseline data about coastal waters that has been lacking, and there has never been a better time to have more information about this stretch of ocean," says Associate Professor Miot da Silva, part of Flinders University's Beach and Dune Systems (BEADS) Lab. "There has been a significant gap in wave information available to researchers, managers, developers and policymakers. These buoys will make a huge difference." The real-time wave data collected by this project will allow for the development of validated data-assimilating wave- and morphodynamic models to predict future changes in South Australia's coastline, including climate change and sea level rise. "The intent of the research is to find better ways to manage this coast and to mitigate the risk to private and public assets on the coastline," says Professor Patrick Hesp, head of Flinders University's Beach and Dune Systems (BEADS) Lab. "The provision of accurate wave data is critical to improve understanding of variations in the hydrodynamic processes that shape coastlines, to inform best coastal management practices, drive the development of marine industries, and to promote and support tourism." Data from the Spotter buoyswhich will be maintained and processed thanks to a three-and-a-half-year Enterprise Industry scholarship funded by Victor Harbor Council and Flinders University to Flinders student Maya Lambertwill help local governments to forge better solutions for coastal protection. Access to real-time wave data aids research and provides valuable information necessary for informing daily marine operations, such as dredging, navigation and sea conditions for commercial and recreational fishermen, plus search and rescue operations, and water-based research and monitoring programs. This work in Encounter Bay is a collaboration between Flinders University, the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI, the research arm of Primary Industries and Regions SA), and several district councils will provide long-term monitoring with real-time wave and sea surface temperature data to better understand coastal processes in the region, and help predict the future of the state's coastlines. The project builds on existing coastal research being done by Flinders and SARDI, the Department of Environment and Water and the Integrated Marine Observing System (IMOS) national Coastal Wave Buoys Facility with data being gathered from an extended network of wave buoys extending across the state from Robe to Ceduna. 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: Structural Equation Models (SEMs) examining potential mediators of tree species richness effects on monthly temperature buffering. Credit: Ecology Letters (2025). DOI: 10.1111/ele.70096 A forest with high tree-species diversity is better at buffering heat peaks in summer and cold peaks in winter than a forest with fewer tree species. This is the result of a study led by researchers from the German Center for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv), Leipzig University, and the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (MLU). The study was carried out in a large-scale planted forest experiment in China, and has been published in the journal Ecology Letters. It provides yet another argument for diversifying tree species in forests, especially under ongoing climate change. Temperatures are increasing at many locations worldwide, largely due to increasing greenhouse gases. These climatic shifts include changes in temperature extremes: While cold peaks in winter are already decreasing in number (i.e., they are becoming warmer), heat peaks are increasing. Trees have long been known to buffer temperature extremes, reducing heat peaks within forests during hot summer and reducing cold peaks during wintertime. However, it was unknown whether the number of tree species, or "tree species richness," could increase the potential of forests to buffer heat and cold peaks. "Former research has shown that the buffered temperatures below the tree canopy are important for forest biodiversity as they slow down the climate change-driven shift towards species that prefer warm temperatures," says co-first author Dr. Florian Schnabel from the University of Freiburg, who oversaw this research while working at iDiv and Leipzig University and continued this work in Freiburg. "At the same time, the effect of tree diversity, a key facet of forest biodiversity, on forest temperature buffering remains largely unknown." Largest planted tree diversity experiment worldwide To answer this question, the researchers took advantage of the largest planted tree diversity experiment worldwide, located in subtropical China. In the so-called BEF-China experiment, several hundred thousand trees were planted into plots consisting of 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, or 24 different tree species, respectively. Since the establishment of iDiv, the BEF-China project has been one of iDiv's key research platforms, resulting in a joint Sino-German international research training group that conducted the forest temperature measurements in this study over six years (20152020). Tree species diversity buffers temperature peaks The results showed that forests rich in tree species lowered temperatures below the canopy during heat peaks more than forests with fewer tree species. The effect was strongest during midday heat in summer. Cooling was up to 4.4C stronger in experimental plots with 24 species compared to plots with just a single species. Species-rich forests were also better at increasing temperatures during cold hours at nighttime and during winter. However, when looking at monthly averages, the researchers found no difference between species-poor and species-rich forests. Canopy density and structural diversity explain diversity effect The researchers also found a likely explanation for how species richness may affect temperature buffering. Experimental plots with many tree species showed both a higher canopy density (more leaf area per ground area) and a higher structural diversity (for instance, a higher variety of smaller and larger trees). These factors enhanced temperature buffering, probably by reducing the mixing of air masses. "Temperature-buffering effects are nice for humans seeking relief during a heat wave, but they also affect the ecosystem itself," says co-first author Dr. Remy Beugnon from iDiv, Leipzig University, and the Centre d'Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Evolutive. "A buffered microclimate creates more favorable conditions for ecosystems and protects the services they offer. Under a buffered climate, forests are likely to grow and regenerate more effectively, while soils function better, supporting greater biodiversity, improving nutrient cycles, and increasing carbon storage." 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. Good reasons for promoting species richness The new study adds evidence to a list of arguments why increasing tree species richness may benefit people and nature. "Although typical tree monocultures as they are planted globally are important for providing timber, they do not only harbor less biodiversity than natural or diverse planted forests but provide fewer other services than wood production," says senior author Prof Helge Bruelheide from iDiv and MLU. "Our study clearly showed that this temperature-buffering effect of tree species richness has the potential to mitigate negative effects of global warming and climate extremes on the whole forest ecosystem." The authors conclude, "Overall, our findings thus highlight the benefits of diverse planted forests for large-scale forest restoration initiatives and urban forests that aim at reducing thermal stress in a warming world." More information: Florian Schnabel et al, Tree Diversity Increases Forest Temperature Buffering via Enhancing Canopy Density and Structural Diversity, Ecology Letters (2025). DOI: 10.1111/ele.70096 Journal information: Ecology Letters This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: CC0 Public Domain The illegal trade in live chimpanzees in Guinea-Bissau is more widespread than current data indicates, scientists believe, and may be a major factor contributing to the decline of the chimpanzee population. New research, by the University of Porto, Cardiff University and IBAP (the national agency managing biodiversity and protected areas in Guinea-Bissau), sheds light on the illegal trade of chimpanzees from Guinea-Bissau, with scientists and national conservationists recommending actions that could improve the problem of the illegal trade from the country. The findings are published in the journal Conservation Letters. Guinea-Bissau is home to 56% of the global population of the western chimpanzeesa critically endangered primate, yet little is known about the trade of the species there. Dr. Maria Joana Ferreira da Silva, University of Porto and Cardiff University School of Biosciences, said, "Guinea-Bissau is home to an important chimpanzee population, and given the high extinction risk faced by the western chimpanzee, addressing the illegal trade of chimpanzees there is an urgent priority. "In our research, we compiled existing information to highlight relevant knowledge gaps, to allow us to suggest management actions to address this urgent conservation issue." The estimated population of western chimpanzees in Guinea-Bissau ranges from 923 to 6,121 individuals. The population size is declining due to habitat loss, hunting and disease transmission. The exact number of chimpanzees supplied for international trade remains unknown. Previous data indicates that over 643 western chimpanzees were trafficked globally between 2005 and 2011. Additionally, between 2016 and 2020, around 153 chimpanzees, mostly from the western subspecies, were likely traded internationally. In 2023, Guinea-Bissau was identified as a confirmed source in illegal trafficking routes, particularly exporting chimpanzees to the neighboring country of Republic of Guinea. Primarily, the trafficked chimpanzees are sold as pets for private homes and hotels. The illegal trade may involve killing 510 adult chimpanzees to capture one infant, significantly impacting population numbers. Dr. Ferreira da Silva said, "It is common for the illegally traded chimpanzees to go on to be kept as pets in inadequate conditions, with a poor quality of life, This causes them to die relatively young. Their capture is also associated with the death of its family members, as the hunters kill mothers and other individuals and sell infants. Other primates are also traded as pets in the country in large numbers, such as Patas monkeys. "We recorded 18 cases of pet chimpanzees, which may have implied the death of a minimum of 90180 adults. This is extremely worrying, as the killing of 90180 chimpanzees could represent up to 20% of the population size of chimpanzees in Guinea-Bissau." The researchers believe the illegal trade of chimpanzees in Guinea-Bissau is likely to be more widespread than current data indicate, and there are significant challenges in effectively curbing this practice. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. The research highlights challenges in law enforcement, including a lack of trained personnel, equipment, and wildlife veterinary services. The study also emphasizes inadequate legislation with penalties in obsolete currencies and legislation with unenforceable penalties of around 5,000, when most of the population in Guinea-Bissau live on less than two US dollars a day. A lack of sanctuaries or rehabilitation centers in Guinea-Bissau was also highlighted as an issue in the study, meaning there are no in-country centers to house confiscated chimpanzees or other wildlife, leaving authorities reluctant to enforce regulations. Current efforts to relocate confiscated chimpanzees to sanctuaries abroad are costly and complex, and the researchers are concerned this is not a sustainable long-term solution. Weak border control also leads Guinea-Bissau to be "porous" to smuggling. No chimpanzees from Guinea-Bissau have been officially identified in international seizures of animals, which indicates undetected trafficking routes that urgently must be addressed, according to the research team. Dr. Ferreira da Silva added, "Law enforcement needs to be strengthened by updating legislation with clear and enforceable penalties, and training judiciary and border officials in wildlife crime detection and regulations. Improving collaboration between national and international agencies will help to combat wildlife trafficking. "It is paramount that in-country solutions are developed with local sanctuaries to care for confiscated animals. Raising awareness for the risks of maintaining wildlife is urgent to reduce the demand for primate pets." "We need to increase engagement with the public in Guinea-Bissau and all over the world, increasing awareness of the impact of keeping chimpanzees as pets, for their well-being and the associated risks, but also the wider impacts on their conservation. The western chimpanzee is critically endangered of extinction and as one pet chimpanzee is associated with the death of many." More information: Maria Joana Ferreira da Silva et al, The Illegal Trade in Live Western Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes verus) in GuineaBissau and Proposed Conservation Management Actions, Conservation Letters (2025). DOI: 10.1111/conl.13087 Journal information: Conservation Letters 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: CDC from Pexels Social segregation in Australia's education system is creating barriers for disadvantaged students, according to new research from Murdoch University, and wide systemic change is needed. "The Systemic Inefficiency of Australian Schools: A Policy and Measurement Review" is available in the Australian Journal of Social Issues. Social segregation in Australia's education system is creating barriers for disadvantaged students, according to new research from Murdoch University, and wide systemic change is needed if Australia is to achieve its goal of creating a high equity system that supports all students to reach their full potential. In an international context, Australian schools rank among the most socially segregated within the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), with significant effects on student outcomes. Michael Sciffer, a Ph.D. student from Murdoch University's School of Education, said his research showed the current schooling framework fails to properly identify and meet equity needs, and that urgent changes are needed. "Minimizing academic achievement gaps between different social groups has been a goal of Australia's schooling system since the federal government began to comprehensively reform school's funding, yet the goal of promoting excellence and equity is far from being achieved," Sciffer said. "Low SES students typically attend schools with high concentrations of disadvantaged peers, while their non-low SES counterparts are more likely to attend socially diverse schoolsbut there is nothing in the Measurement Framework for Schooling in Australia specifying how to measure school segregation, school socioeconomic context, nor how they relate to schooling outcomes. "Australian research has shown that concentrating disadvantaged students in disadvantaged schools makes them much less likely to achieve minimum academic benchmarks. "The negative effects of attending low SES schools in Australia occur at primary and secondary school levels, and also extend to post-school outcomes. "Measures need to be developed to capture and report on school segregation and its effects at national, state, and community levels so they can be understood, and so that we can start to give students and schools the assistance they need." The research recommends the following improvements: Enhancing reporting and measurement by improving the National Report on Schooling to include data on school socioeconomic content and segregation. Addressing school segregation by implementing policies to reduce the concentration of disadvantaged students in disadvantaged schools. Reforming accountability measures to ensure there is a focus on equity and socio-economic composition of schools. Focusing on equity in policy. Providing targeted support and resources to schools with high levels of disadvantaged students to improve learning outcomes. "The Better and Fairer Schools Agreement is an opportunity now to implement reforms to measurements and reporting in the Measurement Framework for Schooling in Australia, the National Report on Schooling in Australia and the MySchool website so that we can work towards achieving real equity for our students," Sciffer said. More information: Michael G. Sciffer, The Systemic Inefficiency of Australian Schools: A Policy and Measurement Review, Australian Journal of Social Issues (2025). DOI: 10.1002/ajs4.70004 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. People participate in the 2025 Macao International Parade in Macao, south China, March 23, 2025. The 2025 Macao International Parade celebrating the 26th anniversary of Macao's Return to the Motherland was held on Sunday. (Xinhua/Cheong Kam Ka) 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." Steve Sinner remembers when Bettendorf's Community Band formed in 1967. "It was an Outward Bound program started by Ernest Beerends, who, at the time, was band director at the old Bettendorf High School," Sinner said. Sinner was working for JI Case. He had attended Iowa State University and played bass clarinet from high school through college. "When I moved here, there was no band," he said. "I remember seeing a story in the old Bettendorf News about this band that was starting up. Of course, I went, and the rest is history." That band, which started with about 35 local amateur musicians who were doctors, merchants, laborers, lawyers and homemakers, opened its first season in 1968. This coming Friday, Bettendorf's Community Band will open its 58th season with a 7 p.m. concert at Bettendorf's Waterfront Convention Center. It is a partner of Bettendorf Parks and Recreation and endorsed by the city, according a city news release. Sinner said the band had stayed at an average of about 50 to 60 musicians over the years. "There have been some years when we had as few as 40 and as many as 70," he said. But the band has always had enough talent to continue through the years. The band rehearses at Rivermont Collegiate in Bettendorf, he said, but over the years has held rehearsal sessions in the band room at the old Bettendorf High School, a Quonset building at the old Bettendorf airport, Bettendorf Middle School, Pleasant Valley High School and the former Bettendorf Community Center. Thomas Knowles, who teaches fifth- through eighth-grade band in DeWitt, has been the band's director for three years and a member of the band for 10 years. "I graduated from Augustana College in 2014," said Knowles, whose primary instrument is trombone. "I got a job teaching general music in Delmar and was there for 10 years. But after I graduated, I was itching to play again." Joining the band is easy, Knowles said. "We've got a lot of talent from all different places. We offer a very friendly approach. There's no pressure. Just come and have fun. That's one of the cool things about the band." Friday's concert will "usher in spring with a triumphant sound," Knowles said. "We will be performing music of all genres, from Broadway to Sousa and even some music that will make you chuckle when you hear it." Davenport attorney Dick Davidson said he had been a part of the band for 13 years. He joined after taking 30 years off from playing the clarinet. "I played through college and I had this old clarinet that my mom bought for me for $100," Davidson said. "I saw a story in the Quad-City Times and it had a number to call some guy if you wanted to join the band. I called and he said the band practices on Thursday nights and to just show up." Davidson purchased a new clarinet and got started again. "I was thinking, 'I don't know if I can do this anymore,' but it was just like riding a bike," he said. "It all came right back." Patricia "Pat" Wohlford, a percussionist, joined the band a month after Sinner and for many years took care of the publicity for the band. She had played from sixth grade through college, including in community bands, so she was looking for one to join when she moved to the Quad-Cities. Some members of the Bettendorf Community Band play in as many bands as they can find, Wohlford said. There are more bands around the Quad-Cities than most people realize, she added. Sinner said he played in six bands. There's the Big River Brass Band, Quad-City Wind Ensemble, the CASI band, Tri County Band and Flutes Unlimited, to name a few, Wohlford said. "Geneseo also has a band and so does Orion," she added. "Boone, Iowa, hosts a municipal band festival every year, and we've played in that before." Knowles said there were about 56 musicians in the Bettendorf band but that would grow a bit when college students returned home for the summer. Knowles said the band typically performed music high school- and college-level bands would play. "We could always use percussionists, but everyone is welcome," he said. "There's no audition process. Just come and have a good time making music with friends." Aerial view of Qinshan Nuclear Power Plant [Photo provided to China.org.cn] Qinshan Nuclear Power Plant held a symposium and media event commemorating the 40th anniversary of its construction at its base in Haiyan county in Zhejiang province on March 20 to show the world China's plan for safe use of nuclear energy and green transformation. Since its construction in 1985, the first nuclear power plant independently designed and built by China has developed into the country's nuclear power base with the largest number of units and most complete reactor types. It has a total installed capacity of 6.66 million kilowatts and a cumulative safe power generation of more than 860 billion kilowatt-hours, equivalent to a reduction of 800 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions. The power plant has built an internationally leading and replicable nuclear safety supervision system through innovative technology, talent training, strengthened management and program formulation, supporting the base's safe operation for more than 170 reactor years. It achieved "zero unplanned shutdowns" of its nine units in 2022 and 2024, providing a model for the safe development of global nuclear power. As a pioneer of China's international nuclear power cooperation, Qinshan Nuclear Power Plant has achieved many highlights in technology export. For example, in 1991, it assisted Pakistan's Chashma Nuclear Power Plant with its own technology, realizing the first export of China's commercial nuclear power plant industry chain. Since then, it has completed the commissioning, technical transformation and talent training of six units in Pakistan, creating a benchmark for South-South Cooperation. In 2021, Qinshan Nuclear Power Plant participated in the commissioning of the first overseas "Hualong One" unit Pakistan Karachi Nuclear Power Unit 2 which was officially put into commercial operation, becoming China's national business card for promoting the high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative. The media event attracted reporters from multiple international news organizations, such as Singapore's Lianhe Zaobao, Russia Today International News Agency, France Televisions' Shanghai Branch and Dubai's China-Arab TV, who reported on the global application of China's nuclear energy technology. According to the World Association of Nuclear Operators' comprehensive index assessment, China's nuclear power leads the world with an average comprehensive index of 99.13 in operational capabilities, and through the "I-Nuclear" full life cycle service system, it realizes standardized empowerment from personnel training to intelligent operation and maintenance. The evaluation system jointly participated in by major nuclear power countries such as the United States, Britain, France, Japan and Russia also confirms the credibility of China's nuclear power technology, while the full-chain solution covering design, construction, operation and maintenance contributes Chinese wisdom to global nuclear safety governance. TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan has lodged a protest with China about a statement that misquoted Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's remarks during Friday's meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Japan's top government spokesperson said on Monday. An announcement by China's foreign ministry on Friday said Ishiba had said Japan "respects" the positions of the Chinese side, as detailed by Wang during the meeting. Wang stressed Japan should "fulfil important political commitments on historical issues and the Taiwan question," and that Tokyo should send "the right signal to the world with a responsible attitude towards history, the people and the future," according to China's statement on the meeting. But Japan's foreign ministry said on Saturday that "no such statement was ever made," and asked China to delete the incorrect material. "We've protested to the Chinese side and immediately requested the removal of the announcement, stating that it was not factual," Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi told a press conference. He did not disclose the details, including the Chinese response, but said "it is regrettable that the non-factual announcement was issued". During the meeting, Ishiba stressed the necessity of reducing concerns and issues between the two nations, including the situation in the East China Sea, early release of Japanese nationals detained in China and lifting import restrictions on Japan's marine and agricultural products, Japan's foreign ministry said. China's foreign ministry said on Monday the meeting between Wang and Ishiba was "important and beneficial" and "embodied the spirit of mutual respect". "Isn't it normal to respect each other's positions in state-to-state relations?" ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said in response to a question about Japan's protest. On Monday afternoon, the statement on China's foreign ministry website still included the Ishiba remarks Japan had requested removed. (Reporting by Kaori Kaneko and Mariko Katsumura, addintional reporting by Ethan Wang in Beijing. Editing by Gerry Doyl By AFP 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." It all began in Virginia. On March 23, 1775, Patrick Henry uttered a line that would come to embody the spirit of defiance against oppression. On Sunday, that pivotal moment was reenacted in celebration of its 250th anniversary. Welcome to Richmond, Virginia. Welcome to St. Johns Church. Welcome to March 23, 1775, 250 years ago, this very day, this very moment, this very space. Im going to let that sink in for just a second, Dave Maier said to a packed congregation, portraying Robert Carter Nicholas in Sundays afternoon reenactment. 250 years ago, this day, this moment, this very space. There are weekly reenactments of this speech throughout the year but rarely is the fanfare as rich as Sundays event. The 1:30 reenactment of Henrys Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death speech was performed to a full crowd and was livestreamed to 3,154 viewers at www.VA250.org. Among the crowd was Gov. Glenn Youngkin; legendary filmmaker Ken Burns, who would make an appearance at the Altria Theater later that evening for a preview of his new docuseries, The American Revolution; and Carly Fiorina, national honorary chair of the Virginia American Revolution 250 Commission. I am humbled to stand here as the 74th Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia as we honor the first governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia in a history-changing moment, utterance of those most famous words, give me liberty or give me death. So as we celebrate Patrick Henrys legacy, we are also celebrating our nations formation, Youngkin said as he addressed the crowd after receiving a standing ovation as he made his way up to the pulpit. Americas history is Virginias history; I dare say that someone could express a true sentiment that the United States was made in Virginia. The next warm welcome went to Burns, the events keynote speaker. We watch as those whove inhabited this strange foreign land we call past disappear with time, first gradually and then almost suddenly. Eventually we look back, no longer as witnesses, but as students. We ask questions, we do research, we write stories, a few of us make films, but we will never truly know and understand precisely what it was like, Burns said to the crowd. Henrys speech here marked a remarkable moment of transition as a war would soon begin in less than a month, that would transform how people thought about human liberty and what would lead to the creation of the United States of America. After a moment of silence, prayer, the singing of God Bless America and remarks by Fiorina, the church bell rang and the reenactment began, transporting the congregation from 2025s spectators to 1775s delegates. All but a few of the rows filled, attendees sat shoulder to shoulder, the weight of independence now in their hands. So my understanding is, Mr. Patrick Henry, has a resolution, a proposal for the consideration of the house. Please listen carefully to the arguments for and against. You may surprise yourself, because you have an important choice to make with your vote, a choice between loyalty to the king or, you know, Liberty, Maier said. Protesters, meanwhile, rallied against the Trump administration at Patrick Henry Park across the street from St. Johns Church. Under the context of no kings, protesters lined the street and beyond, some holding signs while standing in the public graveyard right outside the churchs doors. Their chanting and calls for democracy were often heard inside. Youngkin referred to them as ... enthusiastic friends outside. Elizabeth Wall attended the protest with her husband, Jason, and sons Logan and Owen. Im here because I think that Trump is going against the Constitution, and hes trying to ruin our democracy, Wall said. Its very ironic that something that was happening 250 years ago is happening again, and the same kinds of issues are coming up, and we have to keep fighting. We cant give up the fight. Nicole Subryan Bailey was a leader in Sundays protest, even giving a modified speech of Patrick Henry's. It was actually Patrick Henrys speech altered for todays circumstances, Bailey said. It was a direct speech to the governor. He was the one I was addressing. But of course, it also took into account all of the horrible things that Trump and DOGE and Musk are doing and how we have to fight back. Back inside the church, Fiorina elaborated a sentiment she shared in her speech to Sundays crowd; When we do not know our history, when we do not care who and what came before us, we no longer understand the foundations upon which our nation is built. One of the reasons I think commemorating time and place are important is because it makes things real. We live in a world where things are fast, fleeting, fake, false, and so when you can be present in the actual place, on the actual day at the actual time, its hard to escape. You have to understand. I think understanding who we are, where we come from, is really important, Fiorina said. Leaving the church, Youngkins warm welcome turned into a chilling echo of boos. As protesters dispersed, Bailey said that although its fragile, America does still have democracy but that without a fight it could be lost. I really hope that we can get back to being a democracy that works and that Congress will not abdicate their power to the president, Bailey said. They are three co-equal branches of government, and we need to act like it. You are here: Business A man works at an auto part manufacturing factory in Liuyang city, central China's Hunan province, April 9, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua] Chinese Premier Li Qiang has signed a decree of the State Council to unveil the revised edition of regulations aimed at ensuring timely payments to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Major revisions to the previous regulations issued in 2020 include the detailing of work responsibilities, clear requirements for payment deadlines, improvement of supervision, and enhancement of punishments for illegal acts. The new regulations, which will go into effect on June 1, detail the responsibilities of the relevant departments at the central and local levels to ensure timely payments to SMEs. The regulations specifically require that large-scale enterprises pay SMEs within 60 days of the delivery of cargo, projects or services. The new regulations also improve supervision and settling of complaints to ensure timely payments to SMEs, while stepping up punishment of illegal acts. American hotel guest arrested for assaulting manager Playa del Carmen, Q.R. An American guest was removed from a Playa del Carmen hotel Sunday after an assault complaint. According to police, the 41 year old man from Michigan was arrested after becoming physically aggressive with a hotel manager. Tourist Police officers made the arrest after the manager reported the guest grabbed him by the neck, leaving visible red marks. Police did not say what caused the guest and manager to become involved in the physical altercation. in the hotels lobby. In custody is 41 year old Vada N from Michigan. He was arrested from the hotel on battery charges. The Playa del Carmen Citizen Security Secretariat (SSC) arrested a foreign national for his probable involvement in a crime of battery at a Playa del Carmen hotel. Tourist Police officers responded to a 911 call about an aggressive guest in the hotel lobby. A man was reported to have allegedly physically assaulted the manager on duty. The manager stated that the guest grabbed him by the neck and pressed him hard, causing visible redness and swelling. Following the direct accusation, officers arrested Vada N, 41, originally from Michigan, United States, who was handed over to the State Attorney Generals Office for further legal proceedings, the SSC said in a statement. Child porn suspect wanted in six countries including U.S. and Mexico held in Cancun prison Cancun, Q.R. A man wanted in six countries for child pornography was returned to the state of Quintana Roo Saturday. The capture was made by local FGE authorities in collaboration with National Guard and the FGE of Sonora. According to police, Victor Noe N had a total of 14 complaints against him for grooming children for sexual purposes through video game apps. Authorities say he had two complaints filed against him in Mexico (one in Quintana Roo and one in Veracruz), seven in Spain, two in Argentina, one in Colombia, one in Venezuela and one in the United States. Victor Noe N was escorted inside the Cancun airport Saturday night after being arrested on an outstanding warrant from San Luis Rio Colorado, Sonora for his alleged involvement in acts that may constitute the crime of human trafficking in the form of child pornography, police said. His arrest, they said, stemmed from an investigation following a complaint from the U.S. Homeland Security Investigations Attache. The aforementioned complaint was filed by a victim of approximately eight years of age who was groomed for sexual purposes by the suspect through a video game on an app in which he posed as another child, soliciting sexually explicit material. Victor Noe N has eight reports from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children in the United States allegedly for inciting, receiving and sharing child sexual abuse material, police said. Initial investigations into this case point to 14 victims, two of which are in Mexico. In the case of the victim from Quintana Roo, the local FGE office was able to locate her thanks to intelligence, technological and office work, integrated into the corresponding investigation, which led to the location of the now detained person. Victor Noe N was also being investigated by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) of the United States, the National Police of Spain, the Cybercrime Section of Malaga and AMERIPOL, as well as by the National Police of Colombia, the National Gendarmerie of Argentina, the Specialized Prosecutors Unit for Computer Crimes and Contraventions of the Public Ministry of the City of Buenos Aires and the Computer Crimes Investigation Division of Venezuela, the Quintana Roo FGE reported. It was the Attorney Generals Office (FGE) of the State of Quintana Roo that was able to determine the true identity of the suspect, proceeding to obtain his location and the corresponding arrest warrant. Following his capture and the completion of all legal procedures, Victor Noe N was transferred to Quintana Roo by agents of the Investigative Police and placed at the disposal of local authorities. He is currently being held in the Social Reintegration Center (Cereso) of Benito Juarez in Cancun. Police did not say where he was initially arrested that lead to his transfer back to the state of Quintana Roo. Murder of Tulum SSC Captain likely retaliatory after arrests of 98 gang members in recent months Tulum, Q.R. Authorities say the shooting death of Captain Jose Roberto Rodriguez Bautista, the Secretary of Security (SSC) of Tulum, was likely retaliatory. According to state officials, 98 criminal gang members have been jailed in recent months between Tulum and Playa del Carmen. The Friday night ambush of Rodriguez Bautista outside his home in the La Veleta neighborhood is believed to have been in retaliation for those arrests. On Monday, the State Attorney General Raciel Lopez Salazar said seven gang members were involved in his Friday night death. On the night of the shooting, two gunmen were involved, one of which was killed, however, Lopez Salazar says they believe a total of seven were involved in the revenge plot against the SSC head. Lopez Salazar reported the arrests of 98 members between three criminal groups operating in Tulum and Playa del Carmen is being factored into the investigation. He says they are also investigating retaliation for actions taken by the Secretary of Public Security himself in his fight against organized crime in previous work assignments. Rodriguez Bautista was ambushed Friday evening as he returned home. He was with a body guard and a driver at the time. While getting out of the vehicle, Rodriguez Bautista was shot three times by an armed man waiting inside a parked vehicle outside his home. The truck was ambushed Friday night as the Captain returned home. His bodyguard, Jose Manuel was also hit by an armed man hiding in the bushes behind the parked truck. His driver, Juan Luis, repelled the attack, killing one of the gunmen. The gunman killed is the same person who fired the fatal shots at Rodriguez Bautista. Police collected 31 spent shell casings outside the Captains home from the Friday night shooting. According to Lopez Salazar, 31 spent shell casings were lifted from the scene of the Friday night attack. A backpack containing a magazine loaded with 26 .223 caliber rounds was also found nearby. During the Monday press conference, the Commander of the Fifth Naval Region, Admiral Bernal Mendez, acknowledged the coordination between the Armed Forces, National Guard and state authorities. There is true collaboration here that translates into trust and results. We are going after these criminals, he said. Authorities reiterated that the Secretarys murder will not go unpunished and that operations will continue in the region to ensure the safety of the population. Lopez Salazar has called the murder of Rodriguez Bautista cowardly and says it will not go unpunished. Authorities said Monday that his death will not go unpunished Under no circumstances will we allow this treacherous and cowardly crime to go unpunished because there is no criminal group stronger than the power of the State, he said. For the six years it took to build the Mountain Valley Pipeline, countless opponents hindered work by sitting in trees along its path, standing in front of bulldozers and chaining themselves to heavy equipment. Although the resistance died down after the controversial project went into operation last June, the legal battles it spawned live on. At least seven lawsuits remain pending in the state and federal courts of Southwest Virginia, filed against more than 50 people who took direct action to fight the natural gas pipeline. Mountain Valley is seeking an undisclosed amount of money from the defendants, who it says willfully, intentionally and maliciously interfered with its construction of the underground pipeline. Last week, a federal judge in Roanoke denied a request to dismiss one lawsuit, while striking down part of a second one. In one of the cases, Mountain Valley claimed that 11 people conspired together to enter a posted right-of-way where the pipeline was being constructed through the Jefferson National Forest in Giles County. On the morning of Oct. 16, 2023, Ashley Wagner of Berkley, California, chained herself to an excavator by using a sleeping dragon, a reinforced metal pipe through which she inserted her arms and locked herself to the equipment. The other protesters assisted Wagner and surrounded equipment in the construction zone, refusing to leave until police arrived and broke up the demonstration, Mountain Valley says. In alleging a conspiracy among the opponents, the company argues that Wagner could not have acted alone, and that everyone involved was a part of an unlawful plan and agreement. Their attorney, Paul Beers of Roanoke, argued that Mountain Valley had failed to show a common plan. No matter how many times the word plan appears in the lawsuit, Beers wrote in court records, repetition of a legal conclusion cannot compensate for the absence of facts supporting it. Beers also contended that Mountain Valleys conspiracy claim was undermined by its failure to detail its financial losses. In a written opinion March 17, U.S. District Judge Elizabeth Dillon declined the defendants motion to dismiss. In short, although details are not robust, the court concludes that MVP has plausibly alleged damages as a result of defendants actions, the opinion states. However, Dillon agreed to dismiss conspiracy claims made in a second lawsuit. That case involved the actions of Madeline Ffitch of Millfield, Ohio, who chained herself to equipment that was being used to drill a tunnel for the pipeline to pass below the Appalachian Trail in the national forest. Because Ffitch was the single defendant named in the second lawsuit, Dillon ruled that she could not be found to have participated in a conspiracy. But the judge declined to dismiss a second claim that accused Ffitch of interfering with an easement Mountain Valley held on property through which it was building the pipeline. That allegation, as well as the lawsuit involving Wagner, will proceed to trial. Other lawsuits are pending before Dillon and in the state courts of Roanoke and Montgomery counties. Efforts to reach Mountain Valley for comment last week were unsuccessful. The company has said the 303-mile pipeline which runs from northern West Virginia, through the New River and Roanoke valleys, to connect with another pipeline near the North Carolina state line is needed to meet the countrys growing energy needs. Opponents decry the pipelines environmental impact on scenic land and pristine streams, its contribution to climate change by transporting natural gas that will produce greenhouse gases, and its seizure of private land along its route. Meanwhile, prosecution of criminal charges against pipeline opponents in a variety of cases continues as well. Eleven people appeared in Giles County General District Court on Feb. 25 and were convicted of misdemeanor charges, most of them trespassing and interfering with Mountain Valleys property rights. The defendants including Ffitch and Wagner all received suspended jail sentences and were ordered to perform 50 hours of community service, according to Commonwealths Attorney Bobby Lilly. Lilly said he decided not to prosecute felony charges of abduction in some cases. Those charges were brought on behalf of construction workers who said they were trapped briefly in the cabs of their excavators as the equipment was surrounded by protesters. In some cases, offenders were ordered to pay for the costs of special teams from Virginia State Police who were called in to remove the protesters from their sleeping dragons, a process that can take hours. The most recent prosecutions did not involve tree sits. Those actions, in which people camped out in tree stands along the pipelines path to prevent chainsaw crews from moving in, occurred in the first few years of construction, which began in 2018. In a statement after the Giles County hearing, Appalachians Against Pipelines called the cases part of an escalated wave of repression against people resisting the MVP. Despite MVPs attempts to stifle resistance, people continued to fight the toxic project through to its completion, and there remains sweeping opposition to the pipeline today, the group said. In court documents, Mountain Valley has said Appalachians Against Pipelines organized the protests and recruited participants, many of them from other states. While opponents are free to exercise their First Amendment rights, Lilly said, charges were brought when their words crossed over to illegal actions. We recognize that the defendants felt very strongly about their beliefs, and were willing to stand up for what they believed in, and thats a very admirable thing, he said. But these cases were brought because of the conduct they chose to engage in. 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. [Photo/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. [Photo/Xinhua] 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. [Photo/Xinhua] 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. [Photo/Xinhua] 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. [Photo/Xinhua] 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. [Photo/Xinhua] 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. [Photo/Xinhua] 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. [Photo/Xinhua] " " If we saw this in the ocean at night (or anywhere any time, for that matter) we'd conjure up cryptid tales too. Nicole Antonio/DALL-E The Ningen is a creature so strange, so elusive and so deeply mysterious that images of the alleged beings vary immensely. This bizarre, humanoid figure supposedly inhabits Antarctic waters, and over the past few years, reports have surfaced claiming its existence. Originating in recent history on Japanese internet forums, the story of the Ningen spread like wildfire, making the cryptid a modern legend. Whale research ship crew members have supposedly encountered these smooth, pale creatures, describing their massive bodies, strange limbs, and eerie, human-like features. Advertisement It's not rare for island cultures to have tales of aquatic beings that blur the line between fish and human. In Japanese folklore, the Ningen emerges from the icy depths of the Southern Ocean. Read on to learn more about these confounding beasts. STORM LAKE, Iowa -- The Iowa Attorney General's Office concluded the January fatal shooting of a Storm Lake man by two Iowa State Patrol troopers was "legally justified." The conclusion was based on a review and investigation by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, according to a statement issued Monday by the Attorney General's Office. The investigation found that at 7:55 a.m. on Jan. 26, a Buena Vista County deputy attempted to pull 45-year-old Daniel Joseph James Palenik over for drifting between lanes. Palenik sped off, reaching 115 mph. Palenik then slammed on his brakes, and the deputy moved out of the way, concerned that Palenik might try to hit his vehicle, according to the statement. "When the deputy approached Palenik's pickup truck, Palenik began yelling, shaking, and making claims that law enforcement were out to get him. He told the deputy, 'You're lucky I don't shoot you.' The officer asked if Palenik had any weapons in the car, to which he threatened, 'You don't want to find out,'" the statement said. When the deputy ran Palenik's documents, he called for backup. The deputy found that Palenik's license was suspended and that he did not have insurance. He then returned to write a citation and ask if Palenik had someone who could drive his pickup home. Palenik said he wasn't going to "play their game," cursed at the deputy, and drove home, according to the statement. Officers responded to Palenik's home with concern about Palenik having guns, considering two previously issued safety bulletins. When Palenik got home, he poured gasoline around his vehicles and home. He also built a barricade. A crisis negotiator called to talk to Palenik. But when asked to confirm his identity, Palenik cursed at the officer, told the officer to leave him alone, and hung up. The negotiator tried to call for 15 minutes, with Palenik ignoring some calls and briefly answering othersonly to express his dislike for law enforcement. Palenik told the officer to let him go to sleep or die and then commented that the officer would be the last to talk to him. Palenik's boss also reported that at around 9 a.m., Palenik called to wish him "a good life," according to the documents. The statement said a negotiator, again, tried to reason with Palenik before calling Iowa State Patrol for help. At 12:30 p.m., authorities started calling out to Palenik on a loudspeaker to surrender. They also asked him to call so that they could confirm that he was okay. These announcements continued throughout the day to no response. Palenik's barricades blocked law enforcement's sight into the house. Warrants were obtained for Palenik's arrest for eluding at more than 25 mph above the speed limit, as well as to search the home. At 4:30 p.m., law enforcement used armored vehicles to start breaking down the barriers in hopes of getting a better view of Palenik and communicating with him. Palenik opened fire. Law enforcement approached the home two more times that evening in the armored vehicles, and Palenik opened fire each time. Law enforcement began evacuating the neighborhood. At 8 p.m., law enforcement played audio messages from Palenik's family over a loudspeaker but got no response. Palenik later shot down a drone, and law enforcement determined that the shots were being fired from the attic. A robot then deployed an irritant gas into the home. As an armored vehicle attempted to break into part of the attic, Palenik opened fire. The windshield began to shatter and caused minor injury to the driver. The vehicle became inoperable, according to the statement. The standoff continued as Palenik shot drones, robots, and gas cans. Sniper teams were given authority to shoot Palenik at that point if he was seen and refusing to surrender. Two troopers then saw Palenik crawl through a hole in the attic. The statement said both troopers fired a single shot that fatally hit Palenik. "Law enforcement found that Palenik was armed with a rifle, pistol, shot gun, and loads of ammunition. He fired about 120 shots at officers by the end of the 19-hour standoff. Palenik repeatedly threatened the lives of officers by shooting at them, and he was a danger to his neighbors, who needed to be evacuated," the statement said. You are here: China China and Thailand will hold a joint maritime exercise near Zhanjiang, in south China's Guangdong Province, from late March to early April, China's Ministry of National Defense said on Monday. The exercise will focus on urban counter-terrorism tactics, joint maritime strike operations, and anti-submarine warfare training, the ministry said on its website. This marks the sixth iteration of this series of joint exercises between the two navies -- which will deepen practical cooperation and enhance joint operational capabilities, the ministry added. Sign up for the Slatest to get the most insightful analysis, criticism, and advice out there, delivered to your inbox daily. Now that Roe v. Wade is gone, redefining abortionand finding a more politically effective way to talk about exceptionshas become critically important to Republicans. In advocating for reproductive rights, Democrats like Kamala Harris focused on cases of medical emergency, positioning them as evidence of the barbarity of the new bans. The Democratic National Convention featured speeches from women harmed by narrow exceptions, like Amanda Zurawski of Texas. And as the first abortion-related prosecutions have begun, Republican state lawmakers have started passing bills that they claim will clarify the exceptions in existing bans. This may seem like nothing more than an attempt to defuse a political threat: If Americans believe that abortion bans are killing women, especially those who were never even seeking an abortion, that will hardly help the GOP. For example, Texas state Sen. Bryan Hughes, who has been behind many of the states most consequential criminal abortion laws, has proposed modifying the existing medical-emergency exception by striking the word life-saving and authorizing training on the meaning of the law. But some of the clarification bills have a more ambitious aim: to protect Republicans from the blowback around exceptions without undermining the fight for fetal personhoodmaintaining ineffective carve-outs for lifesaving care while trying to redefine that care as something other than abortion. Kentucky passed its own clarification bill, which redefines the term abortion to exclude lifesaving proceduresand prohibits what it frames as maternal-fetal separation unless a patient faces the risk of death or the loss of a life-sustaining organ. The state Legislature passed the law earlier this month, and even if Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear vetoes it, the GOPs supermajority will probably have the votes to override the veto. Advertisement Its language reflects the work of the American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists, a group that broke away from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists in 1973 over the abortion issue. AAPLOGs work became more central to the anti-abortion movement after 2012, when the World Health Organization published updated guidelines on how to perform safe abortions and stressed that criminal abortion laws are a major contributor to maternal mortality and morbidity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the United States and abroad, groups like AAPLOG fired back that abortion itself is never medically necessary. To make that claim, the group drew on established Catholic teachings that distinguished direct abortionan operation intended to cause fetal demisefrom procedures meant to treat a pregnant person that nevertheless harm the fetus. AAPLOG reasoned that it was never medically necessary to intend fetal harm, and rebranded procedures that were life- or health-preserving as maternal-fetal separations. AAPLOG also worked to require that physicians perform only procedures designed to minimize fetal harm, such as labor inductions or C-sections, even if those procedures would be more painful or traumatic for the patient. Advertisement That Republicans fared well in 2024 doesnt mean that the GOP can stop worrying about the abortion issueand about emergency cases in particular. After all, voters passed reproductive rights ballot measures in seven of the 10 states considering them. Polls show that even Americans who are unsure about legal abortion tend to favor access in medical emergencies. Related From Slate Why Texas Targeted a Midwife for the First Abortion Prosecution Read More And narrow exceptions have hurt conservatives in court too. Conservative judges in states from Utah to North Dakota have reasoned that their state constitutions recognize a right to access abortion in cases of threats to life or health. Federal courts have considered whether state laws are too narrow to satisfy a federal statute called the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act. (The Trump administration dropped a lawsuit on this, but a separate suit, brought by an Idaho hospital, continues.) Advertisement Even when reproductive-rights litigators focus on other issues, like the religious liberty of patients or providers who sometimes see abortion as a moral obligation, exceptions have become a liability. In Indiana, for example, the state responded to a religious liberty claim by stressing that it had a compelling interest in protecting life. Its possible to imagine a similar claim being made about the constitutional rights of the fetus or unborn child. But if a fetus is a person with rights, or even if the state has a compelling interest in protecting fetal life, then how does it make sense that the state allows exceptions for some things and not othersor even allows any exceptions at all? Advertisement Advertisement Thats where AAPLOGs strategy comes in. If medically necessary procedures arent abortions, Republicans can have their cake and eat it too. They can argue that it isnt their fault if emergency rooms turn away pregnant patients or if women die because they arent being treated. They can pass bans with exceptions that they dont call exceptions, then reiterate that there is never a medical need for abortion. And they can try to manage political backlash and potential court defeat in a way that doesnt contradict the anti-abortion movements endgame: the recognition of fetal rights, which might make liberal laws on abortion or in vitro fertilization unconstitutional. Advertisement Advertisement In both Kentucky and Texas, many Democrats and physicians support these clarification bills. That isnt surprising: With seemingly permanent Republican supermajorities, the bans in either state arent going anywhere, and some physicians are grateful for any transparency lawmakers are able to provide. And some Democrats and Republicans have common ground in that theyre genuinely disturbed by the consequences of bans for patients experiencing miscarriage or stillbirth. But the new clarification bills are there not just to salve politicians consciences or make ambiguous laws (not convincingly) less ambiguous. They are a blueprint for how to allow emergency accessor at least the appearance of itwithout taking a step back in the fight for constitutional fetal rights. Sign up for the Slatest to get the most insightful analysis, criticism, and advice out there, delivered to your inbox daily. On Monday, the Supreme Court heard oral argument in Louisiana v. Callais, an important battle over Black voters electoral power under Louisianas congressional map. In the lower courts, seven judges from across the ideological spectrum concluded that Louisianas map needed to include two majority-Black districts to remedy a prior violation of the Voting Rights Act. But during Mondays arguments, a number of conservative justices indicated that the inclusion of those two districts may now make the map unconstitutional. And, even more troublingly, the conservative supermajoritys questions made clear that Louisianas remedial map may not be the only thing in danger: The Voting Rights Act itself may also be on the line. Although Black residents account for a third of Louisianas population, the state had originally passed a congressional map in 2022 that had one majority-Black district out of six. Press Robinson and other Black voters sued, arguing that the map violated Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, which prohibits states from diluting the voting strength of Black voters. In June 2022, a district judge held that the 2022 map likely violated Section 2. The case then went through some complex procedural machinations, including a Supreme Court order that allowed the dilutive map to be used in the 2022 congressional elections. Eventually, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit directed Louisiana to either pass a map that remedied the Section 2 violation or proceed to trial so that a lawful map could be put in place before the 2024 election. The Louisiana Legislature opted to enact its own map, known as S.B. 8. Importantly, while S.B. 8 includes two majority-Black districts as required by the VRA, it also accomplished the Legislatures political priorities: protecting the seats of certain incumbent U.S. representatives, including Speaker of the House Mike Johnson. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2024, however, a group of self-described non-African Americans challenged S.B. 8, arguing that it was a racial gerrymander in violation of the Constitution. Under Supreme Court precedent, the 14th Amendments equal protection clause prohibits race from being the predominant factor in state legislatures redistricting decisions. The challengers to S.B. 8 argued that by creating a second Black majority district to comply with the VRA, race prevailed over the Louisiana Legislatures decision to make that district. After a truncated trial, a divided three-judge district court struck down S.B. 8, essentially holding that because the Legislature was committed to remedying the Section 2 violation, race predominated. Louisiana and the Black voters from the original 2022 litigation appealed to the Supreme Court. At its core, this case is about the discretion that states need to draw maps that comply with the Voting Rights Act and the Constitution and satisfy the states other legitimate redistricting goals, including the states political aims. As my colleagues and I discussed in a brief we filed in the case, the Supreme Court has held that states must have breathing room when drawing these maps. So if a state has good reasons to believe that it must draw majority-Black districts, federal courts must uphold those legislative judgments unless they conclude that the states considered race more than was necessary to remedy the VRA violation. Advertisement Advertisement As Justice Elena Kagan explained at oral argument, a federal court order instructing Louisiana to draw a second majority-Black congressional district is surely a good reason to do so. And here, that order was subsequently affirmed by six different judges on the notoriously conservative 5th Circuit. After appealing the district court decision and losing (twice), the state opted to pass its own remedial map rather than continue litigating a case in which it was doomed to fail and risk having a federal court-drawn map imposed on its citizens. Then, as Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson detailed, the Legislatures choice of S.B. 8 over other possible maps was based on strictly politics: to protect incumbents. That should be the end of this case. The high court has, after all, blessed overtly political considerations in redistricting. Advertisement Related From Slate What Does Trump Have to Gain by Pissing Off John Roberts? The Answer Is Concerning. Read More Unsurprisingly, however, the courts conservative justices appeared skeptical that S.B. 8 was lawful and that a second majority-Black district was necessary in the first place. The Roberts court has long been hostile to voting rights, and this case appears to be no exception. Advertisement Throughout Mondays arguments, Chief Justice John Roberts found fault with Louisianas second majority-Black district, calling it a snake, as if its shape demonstrated its unconstitutionality. He pressed Stuart Naifehcounsel from the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, which represented the Black votersto explain why the district runs from one side of the state angling up to the other, picking up Black populations as it goes along. As Naifeh explained, the Black communities encompassed by the district were not grouped at random but rather shared histories of discrimination and common interests; a mere glance at the map does not reveal the history behind the geographic location of these populations. Justice Neil Gorsuch, for his part, opined that under the 14th Amendment, race should play no role in our laws, including in redistricting. But this view is not the law; it flies in the face of decades of Supreme Court cases, including Allen v. Milligan, which was decided less than two years ago. As Jackson rightfully pointed out, no Supreme Court precedent has ever held that states may not use race to comply with the VRA. To hold otherwise would cast serious constitutional doubt upon all maps enacted to comply with the act. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other justices trained their focus on Section 2 itself. Troublingly, Justice Brett Kavanaugh reiterated his position from his Milligan concurrence that race-conscious remedies like the VRA cannot extend indefinitely into the future. He noted that Louisiana is making this exact argument in separate litigation about the states legislative redistricting maps that is currently pending in the 5th Circuit. (My colleagues and I also filed an amicus brief in that case refuting this claim.) While Kavanaugh recognized that the plaintiffs here may have forfeited that argument, his insistence on bringing up this point in a case when its not even at issue is deeply concerning. And as Naifeh explained, this argument makes particularly little sense in the context of Section 2 litigation, given that the test for vote dilution expressly includes consideration of current circumstances. Advertisement Finally, and perhaps most concerningly, several justices questioned whether Louisiana should have complied with the 2022 district court order at all. Most prominently, Justice Samuel Alito stated that the district court case was wrongly decided, and he suggested that the state did not have good reason to consent to an order that, in his view, was wrong. These justices willingness to dismiss a states compliance with a federal court order so long as the state thinks its incorrect is alarming. Indeed, as the chief justice said just last week, if a party disagrees with a court decision, they should appeal it. Louisiana already did that and lost. As Jackson put it, it doesnt matter whether the district court order was correct; all that matters is that it exists. There is no valid reason for a state to disobey a court order. Advertisement Advertisement All in all, at Mondays oral argument, the courts conservative majority displayed its disdain for the VRA and highlighted several ways in which it could make litigating Section 2 cases more difficult for voters of color. Roberts and Kavanaugh rejected an attack on the VRA two years ago in Milligan, but it appears they may now be looking for another way to hobble its power. Black Louisianians have been fighting for three years for a fair map under which they can elect the candidates of their choice. If the Supreme Court rules against them, it could upend decades of precedent, making it infinitely harder for states to comply with the VRA and radically undermining the acts ability to protect our multiracial democracy. Sign up for the Slatest to get the most insightful analysis, criticism, and advice out there, delivered to your inbox daily. When four police officers showed up on Clare Rogers doorstep in North London with a search warrant for her daughters bedroom last August, she was in complete shock. They told her that her daughter Zoe, who was about to start her first year of university, was in a police station in Bristol. While this might have come as a complete surprise to most parents, Clare quickly put two and two together. Clare told Slate that one thing to know about Zoe, 21, is that she has always had a massive social justice streak. When Israels war on Hamas escalated in Gaza, her daughter couldnt look away from videos about the conflict on social media. She went to marches across the U.K. but told her mother she felt nothing was changing. Then Zoe found Palestine Action, a U.K.-based pro-Palestinian protest network, and began talking about direct action. Zoe said, Protesting is like asking the government to dig a well. Direct action is just digging the well, and daring the authorities to stop you, Clare recalled. At that time, she clearly decided that she was not afraid to go to prison. In August 2024, Zoe, alongside a group from Palestine Action, hired a repurposed prison van and rammed through the gates to break into a factory in Filton, Bristol, run by Elbit Systems, Israels largest arms manufacturer. The Filton 18, as they have become known, used sledgehammers and axes to cause over $1 million in damage. Seven of the protesters, including Zoe, were arrested on site. Since then, she has been in prisonand will be for the foreseeable future. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hundreds of Brits have been involved in direct-action protests with the group, including hacking holes in factory roofs and parking trucks full of manure outside of factory gates, and dozens have been arrested. One recent action saw a man scale Big Ben and fly a Palestinian flag for 16 hours. Free the Filton 18, the protester screamed. Elbitwhich has advertised their weapons as battle-tested in Gaza and the West Bankhas drawn the ire of the group due to their presence in the U.K. and the fact that they are the primary arms producer for Israel. Cargo documents show exports to Israel from at least four companies associated with Elbit Systems U.K. since the war began, including from the Filton site. Sam Perlo-Freeman, research coordinator at the political advocacy group Campaign Against Arms Trade, told Slate that one of Elbits subsidiaries has a very steady stream of licenses, described as being of a component for targeting equipment. He added that although we dont know exactly what equipment this is going to, it is very likely that this is being used by Israeli forces in the West Bank and Gaza. Advertisement The protests seem to be having the impact they intended: Nine U.K. companies have cut ties with Elbit since October 2023. It was revealed last month that the landlords of an Elbit site in Leicester sold the premises and no longer work with the company. In November, Elbit lost its largest arms contract, worth over $2.5 billion, after the Ministry of Defence scrapped a drone program with Elbit subsidiary UAV Tactical Systems. Elbit Systems U.K. did not respond to Slates request for comment. Advertisement You cant put the genie back in the bottle now, Huda Ammori, co-founder of Palestine Action, told Slate. Theres so many people involved in Palestine Action now that its unstoppable at this point, no matter what the state tries to do. Advertisement In the U.K., protesters have paid the price for their actions. The imprisonment of Elbit protesters under anti-terrorism charges has caused widespread outrage. Some Filton protesters were initially denied access to legal representation and classified as high-security prisoners with a terrorism connection. Nearly 45,000 people have signed a petition calling for the British government to stop using counterterrorism powers against pro-Palestinian protesters. Last month, a human rights expert appointed by the United Nations wrote to the British government with concerns about the charges. Advertisement In a statement, a government spokesperson for the U.K. Home Office told Slate that criminal activity against legitimate businesses should always be taken seriously, but it is up to the operationally independent police force and judiciary to decide what action is necessary in any individual cases. Clare did not hear from her daughter Zoe, who has autism, for two weeks after she was arrested. She had been placed in solitary confinement. One, two, three days went by, the phone call never came, Clare said. It was literally disappearing her. Advertisement Advertisement Palestine Action was started in July 2020 with the aim of using direct action to disrupt U.K.-based companies supplying weapons to Israel. Later that year, five members climbed onto the roof of an Elbit factory in Staffordshire and spent three nights using hammers and tools to break it before police hauled them down. Advertisement In 2022, the group had two big victories. After relentless attacks on Elbits London headquarters, the firm abandoned its office. And after targeted action on its factory in Oldham, Manchesterwhich caused the sites to be closed for weeks at a time and caused millions in damagesElbit sold off one of its subsidiaries in the U.K. Following the start of the Israel-Hamas war in October 2023, though, Palestine Action saw a huge increase in people who wanted to take direct action, and its only continued to grow, Ammori said. Across the U.K., members of the group have performed direct actions such as conducting a raid in Filton where activists broke in and smashed weapons, breaking down the walls of an Elbit drone factory in Staffordshire on Christmas Day, and spraying red paint on the offices of Allianz, which provides insurance to Elbit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The protests have also been taking place in the U.S. In Boston, Palestine Action collaborated with the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions movement to protest weekly at an Elbit facility in late 2023. In August, Elbit confirmed it had shut down the facility. The FBI also reportedly opened an investigation into Palestine Action last year following protests against Elbits factory in Merrimack, New Hampshire. While Elbit has not publicly confirmed that the protests are the reasons for the closures, Palestine Action and other pro-Palestinian advocates say that this is proof that their activism has worked to hinder the work of the company. It hasnt yet stopped them from operating in the U.K., but clearly it does seem to be a very effective form of direct action, said Perlo-Freedman from the Campaign Against Arms Trade. Regardless, its clear that Elbit is at least feeling the pressure. In 2022, members of the British government, including former Home Secretary Priti Patel, met with Martin Fausset, CEO of Elbit Systems U.K., to discuss Palestine Action, according to documents obtained by the Freedom of Information Act and seen by Slate. During the meeting, Patel reassured Fausset that the criminal protest acts against the company were being taken seriously by the government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since they began their efforts, there have been 118 court convictions of Palestine Action activists, with 33 others found not guilty, and 24 more court hearings listed this year. Activists are typically charged by police with offenses such as criminal damage, violent disorder, grievous bodily harm, and aggravated burglary. But some of the activists, including Zoe, were rearrested while already in custody under the Terrorism Act, a controversial law that allows law enforcement to further detain and interrogate suspects and delay their rights to legal support. The mother of another Filton demonstrator was arrested under the act and held incommunicado for five days. Advertisement The Counter Terrorism Policing South East and Regional Organised Crime Unit confirmed to Slate that those arrested in connection with this incident were arrested under terrorism legislation, but said they cannot comment further due to active legal proceedings. The Crown Prosecution Service, the principal public agency for conducting criminal prosecutions in England, told Slate, Our decision to submit to the court that these alleged offenses have a terrorist connection is based on our independent assessment of the evidence available and the relevant legislation. Advertisement There is an irony of using terrorism legislation against people who are trying to stop arms being used against a civilian population, Tim Crosland, a coordinator with the campaign group Defend Our Juries, told Slate. The moves by the U.K. government have been widely criticizedeven drawing the ire of international bodies. A U.N. panel has demanded that the U.K. government explain the factual and legal grounds justifying the alleged arrest and detention of the activists under counter-terrorism laws. Ammori, co-founder of Palestine Action, said that activists have experienced seemingly never-ending raids at their homes. They are intense police raids, said Ammori. If you are going to arrest people, just arrest them, but the way they have gone about it has shown that they have significantly upped the amount of state resources to try and stop Palestine Action. Advertisement For Zoe, the end is not in sight. Her next court date is in November 2025, and the second in May 2026. Clare visits her daughter in the womens prison once a week, which is two hours away from her home. She remains haunted by the image of her child being led away in court back in August, when she was denied bail. It was the most traumatic moment of my life, being in the courts, seeing her through two layers of glass and hearing the judge say No, Clare said. I just sobbed at the top of my voice. A ribbon-cutting ceremony held on February 27, 2025, marked the official opening of the new office. X-Bow CEO Jason Hundley welcomed guests, followed by remarks from distinguished speakers representing the Department of Defense (DoD), the Charles County Military Alliance Council, local government, and private industry. INDIAN HEAD, Md. (Feb. 28, 2025)X-Bow Systems Inc (X-Bow), the leading non-traditional producer of advanced solid rocket motors (SRMs) and defense technologies, announced the grand opening of its new office in Indian Head, Maryland, reinforcing its commitment to supporting national defense priorities and strengthening its partnership with the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Indian Head Division (NSWC IHD), the Navy's premier facility for energetics and munitions.A ribbon-cutting ceremony held on February 27, 2025, marked the official opening of the new office. X-Bow CEO Jason Hundley welcomed guests, followed by remarks from distinguished speakers representing the Department of Defense (DoD), the Charles County Military Alliance Council, local government, and private industry.The full list of speakers at Thursday's event included: Jason HundleyX-Bow CEO Mike BenderX-Bow COO Dr. Phil StracenerX-Bow Director, Global Facility Solutions Ashley JohnsonNSWC IHD Technical Director Andrew McClainRoebbelen Vice President (Design-Build Partner) Reuben CollinsCharles Country Board of County Commissioners President Michelle GoodwinMilitary Alliance Council of Charles County Vice ChairConcurrent with the office opening, X-Bow announced it has been selected for a new $7 million contract with NSWC IHD. This contract will focus on implementing cutting-edge technology to further modernize the Indian Head facility, enhancing efficiency, speed, and cost-effectiveness, in alignment with the DoD's focus on streamlining operations and maximizing productivity."X-Bow is honored to play a pivotal role in innovating NSWC IHD and solidifying its position as the Navy's center of excellence for ordnance, energetics, and EOD solutions," said Jason Hundley, X-Bow CEO. "This new office will enable us to better serve our customer's needs and accelerate the modernization of the U.S. Navy's energetics industrial base, through both our P3 partnership and our efforts to modernize and refit the base for the future.""We've waited a long time for this type of partnership to materialize, this it the way business has to be done in the future," said Ashley G. Johnson, Technical Director, Naval Surface Warfare Center, Indian Head Division. "We want to be a part of that innovation and bring our facilities, our experience and our expertise to this challenge. The country needs this type of partnership to advance innovation."This award builds upon X-Bow's existing partnership with NSWC IHD. In 2024, as part of the U.S. Navy's $2.7 billion 15-year modernization plan for NSWC IHD, a key component of the DoD's national defense strategy, X-Bow received a $60 million award to begin modernizing and automating key facilities and capabilities to rapidly scale SRM production.X-Bow's expanded presence in Charles County is expected to generate a significant positive economic impact on the local community, creating jobs and contributing to regional economic growth.To support the modernization project, X-Bow has partnered with Roebbelen Contracting Inc., an award-winning design/build general contractor and construction management firm. Roebbelen will provide design/build services for the modernization project, managing facility infrastructure design and preconstruction services for the initial phase. X-Bow will contribute its expertise in energetics technology, processes, and equipment. Roebbelen will also serve as the general contractor, providing modernization and installation support for the IHD projects.class="X-Bow Systems is disrupting the aerospace industry with innovative and cost-effective advanced manufactured energetics for the solid rocket motor and launch vehicle market. X-Bow is also designing and building a suite of modular solid rocket motors and small launch vehicles for both orbital and suborbital launch services. X-Bow is led by CEO Jason Hundley, Chairman Mark Kaufman, CTO Max Vozoff, CRO Maureen Gannon, General Counsel John Leary, COO Mike Bender and a growing team of seasoned industry veterans and new space entrepreneurs. X-Bow is a dual-use technology company with investment from Crosslink Capital, Razor's Edge Ventures, Balerion Space Ventures, Boeing, Arkenstone Capital, The Capital Factory, and Lockheed Martin Ventures. Headquartered in Albuquerque, New Mexico, X-Bow has additional presence in California, Alabama, Colorado, Texas, Utah, Maryland and Washington, DC. For more information visit www.xbowsystems.com.NSWC IHDa field activity of the Naval Sea Systems Command and part of the Navy's Science and Engineering Establishmentis the leader in ordnance, energetics, and EOD solutions. The Division focuses on energetics research, development, testing, evaluation, in-service support, manufacturing and disposal; and provides warfighters solutions to detect, locate, access, identify, render safe, recover, exploit and dispose of explosive ordnance threats. https://sputnikglobe.com/20250324/bodies-of-civilians-and-ukrainian-fighters-found-in-liberated-sudzha--1121681631.html Bodies of Civilians and Ukrainian Fighters Found in Liberated Sudzha Bodies of Civilians and Ukrainian Fighters Found in Liberated Sudzha Sputnik International Bodies of Ukrainian soldiers and civilians are still trapped under rubble in the recently liberated town of Sudzha, a fighter from the Volunteer Corps' "T" Detachment told Sputnik. 2025-03-24T16:10+0000 2025-03-24T16:10+0000 2025-03-24T16:10+0000 russia's special operation in ukraine ukraine kursk russia civilian casualties civilians video https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e9/03/18/1121680020_88:0:1318:692_1920x0_80_0_0_f272516205b9c887b5cdc5bff2f63d13.jpg Sputnik correspondent, who was in Sudzha, Kursk region, confirmed that the remains of Ukrainian fighters are visible among the ruins and in some houses.On March 8, 800 Russian soldiers crawled 15 kilometers through this now-renowned gas pipeline to pull off a surprise attack on Ukrainian units. This military master stroke led to the swift liberation of Sudzha, a pivotal victory in the Kursk region. ukraine russia 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 Ukrainian fighters' bodies found amid destruction in liberated Sudzha Sputnik International Ukrainian fighters' bodies found amid destruction in liberated Sudzha 2025-03-24T16:10+0000 true PT2M52S 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International ukrainian soldiers, soldiers and civilians, liberated town of sudzha https://sputnikglobe.com/20250324/china-rejects-possibility-of-participation-in-peacekeeping-mission-in-ukraine-1121678071.html China Rejects Possibility of Participation in Peacekeeping Mission in Ukraine China Rejects Possibility of Participation in Peacekeeping Mission in Ukraine Sputnik International Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun on Monday rejected the possibility of the countrys participation in a potential peacekeeping contingent in Ukraine after the end of the conflict. 2025-03-24T09:38+0000 2025-03-24T09:38+0000 2025-03-24T09:38+0000 world dmitry peskov sergey lavrov ukraine china russia foreign ministry peacekeeping peacekeepers https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/03/04/1093576364_0:123:1280:843_1920x0_80_0_0_0aae675791982ca0b2e37e9b7a920427.jpg "I would like to stress that such media reports are not true. Chinas position on the Ukrainian crisis is consistent and clear," Guo told a briefing. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in late February that Russia had not discussed the possible involvement of Chinese peacekeepers in the context of resolving the conflict in Ukraine. On Saturday, the German newspaper reported that China was discussing with European countries the possibility of its participation in a peacekeeping mission in Ukraine. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on March 6 that Russia sees no possibility for achieving a compromise on the possible deployment of European peacekeepers in Ukraine. Media reports emerged earlier in March that French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer are trying to convince 37 countries to join of a coalition ready to deploy peacekeepers in Ukraine and provide security guarantees to Kiev. The Russian Foreign Intelligence Service said last year that the West could deploy some 100,000 troops in Ukraine under the guise of a peacekeeping force to restore Kiev's combat capabilities. Peskov has argued that in any conflict the deployment of foreign peacekeepers is only possible with the consent of all parties to the conflict. https://sputnikglobe.com/20250317/putting-british-or-any-other-nato-peacekeepers-in-ukraine-would-snatch-war-from-the-jaws-of-peace-1121648815.html ukraine china russia 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 chinese foreign ministry, peacekeeping mission in ukraine, participation in a potential peacekeeping, contingent in ukraine https://sputnikglobe.com/20250324/serbia-will-not-join-nato-or-csto---deputy-prime-minister-vulin-1121676499.html Serbia Will Not Join NATO or CSTO - Deputy Prime Minister Vulin Serbia Will Not Join NATO or CSTO - Deputy Prime Minister Vulin Sputnik International Serbia will not become a member of NATO or the CSTO, it must ensure its own security, although this is difficult, Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vulin told Sputnik. 2025-03-24T03:53+0000 2025-03-24T03:53+0000 2025-03-24T04:53+0000 world serbia aleksandar vulin nato collective security treaty organization (csto) sovereignty 1999 nato bombings nato bombings nato expansion bombing of yugoslavia https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e9/03/18/1121676977_0:133:2813:1715_1920x0_80_0_0_fc1146c71cbc2d13de6e32b0779a71cb.jpg "Serbia strictly adheres to the policy of military neutrality. This means that we will not expand our participation in any military bloc. And we will try to maintain the best relations with everyone, first of all with the countries in our neighborhood. So Serbia will not become a member of NATO, will not be a member of the CSTO," Vulin said. He admitted that for a country the size of Serbia, this is the hardest path. Currently, the parliament of Serbia is an observer in the CSTO Parliamentary Assembly. https://sputnikglobe.com/20220723/serbs-bombed-by-nato-in-1999-show-levels-of-uranium-in-bloodstreams-hundreds-of-times-above-norm-1097728370.html 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 serbia-csto alliance, serbia-nato alliance, nato bombings, nato attack, nato aggression, serbia-russia alliance, serbia-russia friendship, serbia-russia ties, aleksandar vulin, aleksandar vucic, yugoslavia, nato bombings, 1999 nato bombings of yugoslavia, nato intervention, intervention in yugoslavia https://sputnikglobe.com/20250324/south-korean-prime-minister-thanks-court-for-reinstating-him-as-acting-president-1121676834.html South Korean Prime Minister Thanks Court for Reinstating Him as Acting President South Korean Prime Minister Thanks Court for Reinstating Him as Acting President Sputnik International South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo thanked the Constitutional Court for reinstating him as acting president, the prime minister's office reported. 2025-03-24T04:42+0000 2025-03-24T04:42+0000 2025-03-24T04:43+0000 world koreas https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/0c/0a/1121139424_0:160:3072:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_256ad4cfd9169010f48aac84830cce0c.jpg Earlier in the day, the South Korean Constitutional Court rejected the impeachment of Han, meaning he will be immediately reinstated as acting president. The presidential administration of the Republic of Korea also welcomed the decision of the Constitutional Court, accusing the National Assembly of abusing its powers by impeaching government officials. "Today's decision confirms that the excessive impeachment of the National Assembly is a reckless and malicious political offensive," the office said. The presidential office also expressed hope that the prime minister's return to office would mean normalization of the country's governance. koreas 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 south korean prime minister han duck-soo thanked the constitutional court for reinstating him as acting president, the prime minister's office reported. https://sputnikglobe.com/20250324/south-koreas-constitutional-court-rejects-prime-minister-hans-impeachment---reports-1121676423.html South Korea's Constitutional Court Rejects Prime Minister Han's Impeachment - Reports South Korea's Constitutional Court Rejects Prime Minister Han's Impeachment - Reports Sputnik International The Constitutional Court of South Korea overturned the impeachment of Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and reinstated him as acting president of the country, the Yonhap news agency reported. 2025-03-24T03:42+0000 2025-03-24T03:42+0000 2025-03-24T04:42+0000 asia south korea political mess political scandal political protest coup coup d'etat attempted coup martial law https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e9/03/18/1121676593_0:0:3072:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_3db656f27017a868ece6b9e267396bd4.jpg The opinions of the eight sitting judges were divided as follows: five voted to overturn the impeachment, one abstained, and two voted for impeachment. Of the five members who expressed an opinion on the rejection, four considered that the Prime Ministers suspension of the appointment of additional Constitutional Court judges, elected by parliament, was a violation of the constitution and the law. At the same time, the court recognized this as insufficient grounds for impeachment. South Korea's parliament, the National Assembly, had argued that Han Duck-soo should be removed from office because he either directly conspired with President Yoon Suk-yeol to declare a state of emergency on December 3 or "tacitly approved or abetted it." However, the court rejected the allegations. According to the report, this is the first time that a high-ranking official facing criminal or impeachment proceedings under a state of emergency has received a ruling on the merits. At the same time, the prime minister's side's argument that the quorum rule for the president, 200 votes out of the 300-seat South Korean parliament, should be applied to impeach an acting president was also rejected. The court said that in the case of impeaching a prime minister who is serving as president, it is appropriate to apply the quorum level corresponding to his original status as prime minister, i.e. 151 votes. The National Assembly, having approved the proposal to impeach President Yoon on December 14 last year, on December 27 also put forward a demand to impeach Prime Minister Han, who was acting president. https://sputnikglobe.com/20241210/south-korean-prime-minister-calls-for-stabilization-in-country-1121139774.html south korea 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 impeachment, south korean prime minister, constitutional court, political turmoil, south korean coup, political instability, president yoon suk-yeol, president yoon suk yeol, yoon suk yeol, yoon suk-yeol, han duck-soo, han duck soo, martial law You are here: World Flash Displaced Palestinian children are seen among temporary tents next to large piles of garbage in Gaza City, on March 21, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua] 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, the health authorities said. Also on Sunday, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) warned that Israel's three-week blockade of aid to Gaza is accelerating a hunger crisis. "No food, no medicines, no water, no fuel. A siege more stringent than during the initial phase of the war," the agency posted on social media platform X. It emphasized that Gaza's population relies on imports for survival, with children increasingly facing starvation and disease as aid remains blocked. Israel halted all supply entries to Gaza on March 2, citing security concerns. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas condemned Israel on Sunday for using access to water as a "tool of torture and displacement," alleging it aims to undermine development and entrench its occupation of Palestinian territories, in a statement marking World Water Day, observed annually on March 22. He called for an immediate ceasefire, unfettered aid access, and Israeli withdrawal from Gaza while appealing for global support to establish a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital. https://sputnikglobe.com/20250324/uk-military-officials-call-starmers-plans-for-ukraine-political-theatre-1121677299.html UK Military Officials Lace Into Starmer's Ukraine Plans As 'Political Theater' UK Military Officials Lace Into Starmer's Ukraine Plans As 'Political Theater' Sputnik International UK military calls Prime Minister Keir Starmer's plans to send peacekeepers of the so-called "coalition of the willing" to Ukraine a "political theatre" in their opinion, the prime minister was hasty with such statements, since no one has any idea about the details of such a mission, the Telegraph reported, citing senior military sources. 2025-03-24T06:23+0000 2025-03-24T06:23+0000 2025-03-24T10:02+0000 world keir starmer dmitry peskov ukraine united kingdom (uk) russian foreign intelligence service svr russia https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/05/06/1095314210_0:0:2930:1648_1920x0_80_0_0_b07a8cfed0bc5ffe08f6a448df7c76c0.jpg In their opinion, the prime minister was hasty with such statements, since no one has any idea about the details of such a mission, the Telegraph reported, citing senior military sources.Starmer's spokesperson said that more than 30 countries were expected to join the so-called "coalition of the willing" a group of states ready to deploy peacekeepers in Ukraine and provide Kyiv with security guarantees. "There is no defined military end-state or military-strategic planning assumptions. Its all political theatre," one senior UK military source told the publication. "Starmer got ahead of himself with talk of boots on the ground before he knew what he was talking about, which is why we hear less about it now and more about jets and vessels which are easier to do and dont need basing in Ukraine." One of the sources added that neither Russia nor the United States supported the idea of a UK-led coalition, and warned that negotiations on it are complicated by the fact that "no one knows what the mission is." "It cannot even protect itself. What is the mission? What is its legitimacy? What are the rules of engagement? How is it commanded, supplied and housed? How long is it there for and why? No one knows," the source said. The Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) said last year that the West would deploy a so-called peacekeeping contingent of about 100,000 people in the country to restore Ukraine's combat capability. The SVR believes that this would be a de facto occupation of Ukraine. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that the deployment of peacekeepers was only possible with the consent of the parties to a particular conflict. According to Peskov, it is premature to talk about peacekeepers in Ukraine. https://sputnikglobe.com/20250115/majority-of-britons-see-pm-starmer-as-underperforming---poll-1121430577.html ukraine united kingdom (uk) russia 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 uk military calls prime minister keir starmer's plans to send peacekeepers of the so-called "coalition of the willing" to ukraine a "political theatre" in their opinion, the prime minister was hasty with such statements, since no one has any idea about the details of such a mission, the telegraph reported, citing senior military sources. https://sputnikglobe.com/20250324/what-to-know-about-russia-us-talks-on-ukraine-settlement-in-saudi-arabia---1121677509.html What to Know About Russia-US Talks on Ukraine Settlement in Saudi Arabia What to Know About Russia-US Talks on Ukraine Settlement in Saudi Arabia Sputnik International Moscows delegation has arrived in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to take part in the scheduled consultations of the Russian and US expert groups on a Ukraine settlement. 2025-03-24T07:50+0000 2025-03-24T07:50+0000 2025-03-24T11:53+0000 us russia grigory karasin ukraine saudi arabia riyadh keith kellogg donald trump michael anton marco rubio https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e9/03/18/1121677693_0:25:804:477_1920x0_80_0_0_7549dde52b7581f7b9debf69072e7d04.jpg Moscows delegation has arrived in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to take part in the scheduled consultations of the Russian and US expert groups on a Ukraine settlement. Who is Taking PartRussia is represented by: On the AgendaRussia and the US will discuss the resumption of the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which was in effect in 2022-2023 to set up safe corridors for grain export from Ukrainian ports. Talks would focus on a proposed maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea so that "both sides can transport grain, fuel, and resume trade," Waltz said. https://sputnikglobe.com/20250323/kremlin-putin-backs-ceasefire-in-ukraine-but-much-work-remains-ahead-1121672792.html russia ukraine 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 consultations of the russian and us expert groups on a ukraine settlement in saudi arabia, whi is taking part in russia-us talks in saudi arabia, what is to be discussed during russia0us talks in riyadh Following a one-week hiatus, racing will resume at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows this Wednesday, March 26 with post time at 12:45 p.m. Prior to the card, as the simulcast show begins at 12:15 p.m., horsepeople will gather in the winner's circle to remember the life of Hunter Myers, who was fatally injured last Wednesday in a tragic racing accident. As the Meadows community comes together to help each other with the healing process, a video celebrating Myers' life will be shown prior to a moment of silence in his honour. All horsepeople in the region are invited to attend and participate. The Meadows asks everyone to gather in the area of the winner's circle no later than 12:10 p.m. The Meadows is working in conjunction with the Meadows Standardbred Owners Association (MSOA) to find ways to best help the Myers family. They are also planning a Celebration of Life that will take place at a date to be announced. Further information will be provided as soon as it is available. Among the many initiatives the harness racing community has since launched to support the Myers family, the MSOA is conducting a raffle for a UFO race bike or a Pennsbury jog cart, with all proceeds benefitting the Myers family. Tickets are $10 USD each. For more information, contact the MSOA at [email protected]. Spring Series finals that were to be contested last Thursday and Friday have been rescheduled for this week on the same days. Per the rules of the series, post positions will remain the same as originally drawn. Thursday will feature the Dale McConnell Memorial Trotting Series final, with Finale Jetta installed as the 5-2 morning line favourite for trainer/driver Brady Jenson. They will leave from post five in the $19,000 USD event. On Friday,the Wilbur Zendt Memorial Pacing Series final will go postward for a purse of $19,400 USD. Yo Yo Mexico, trained by Doug Snyder and driven by Case Bateson, has post two and will be the 2-1 morning line choice. (With files from The Meadows) Thoroughbred jockey Omar Moreno's horse racing journey has taken several unexpected yet rewarding turns, particularly through his growing relationship with horses and his active involvement in the Standardbred racing community. It was around two years ago when Moreno, Canadas champion apprentice jockey of 2009 and winner of both the Sovereign and Eclipse Awards for the same in 2010, was sitting at home on a non-descript weekend evening, talking to his friend, longtime horseman Arthur Silvera. I was acting grumpy and pouty, recalled Moreno. At one point, Arthur remarked, 'You need to get out of the house.' The journeyman rider, who lives two minutes away from Woodbine Mohawk Park, one of the top Standardbred racetracks in North America, repeatedly resisted Silveras offer to go watch the races at the seven/eighths-mile oval in Campbellville, Ont. Finally, Moreno relented, slipping on his shoes and throwing on a coat. Minutes after they arrived, the two made their way to the bustling paddock situated not far from the finish line. Silvera introduced Moreno to Amanda Fine, a trainer he had come to know through his sales work with an equine and pet supplies company. "I just stood there, listening to the conversation, recalled Moreno. I didnt contribute much and that was it. One and done, he thought. Some time went by and we started communicating again. I ended up going to the farm where Amanda is and then I went to the racetrack to see her horses race. Silvera, son of the late Thoroughbred trainer Laurie Silvera, no longer had to plead with Moreno to accompany him to Mohawk now it was the other way around. If Silvera couldnt make it, Moreno would go on his own. Friendship between Moreno and Fine soon turned into a relationship. At first blush, the two might be horse racings version of The Odd Couple. Dig deeper, however, and they are very much on the same page in many ways. When her horses have an off night, I feel it too, said Moreno, who graduated from the jockey program at Olds College in Alberta. Watching her emotions, I can relate to it. As a jockey, if we dont win, its tough to turn it off. As a trainer, its the same thing you question what you could have done differently or better. Moreno, a former boxer, who made his first Queens Plate appearance aboard Maple Leaf Kitten in 2011, stepped into the Standardbred ring with a sense of curiosity and wide-eyed wonderment. I began by visiting Amandas barn and observing how she worked with her horses the care and attention to detail that went into everything. It made me respect her work even more. I am not biased because she is my girlfriend, but even before that, I watched the level of care and attention she has for her horses, and it just had this effect on me. As the bond grew between Moreno and Fine, so too did his connection with the pacers and trotters Fine doted on. She quickly took notice of it. Having Omar come into our barn has been a pleasure, said Fine, who launched her training career in 2019. Omar definitely helps my day get shorter. He enjoys putting a horse away or helping with whatever our barn needs a hand with. He brings a positive vibe pretty much everywhere he goes. I respect Omars willingness to be open-minded and his genuine compassion towards horses. Fine added, with an accompanying laugh, There is a reason I call him happy feet. Working so closely with his girlfriends horses prompted Moreno to recollect the times when his relationship with Thoroughbreds was vastly different. I had a love for racing thats what it had always been for me. I was the type of person who if I went on a trail ride, and the horse wasnt tacked up, I wasnt interested in going. I was always about the fast pace of racing and nothing much more. That began to change a few years ago. I started galloping for [Thoroughbred] trainer Michelle Love and I found a whole different perspective of horses and horsepeople. I finally woke up from my entitlement mentality. I fell in love with horses. Fine, who posted a career-high 28 wins in 2024, was delighted in what she saw. Having him try out our breed and come out for race nights has been a blast and its nice to see the genuine love and compassion towards the horses that he has. I think that has been my favourite part. He truly just enjoys being around them and seeing the different personalities they all have. Morenos unbridled joy for the breed and its equine stars gave him the confidence to make the leap from inquisitive bystander to active participant in Fines barn. Amanda and I have been together just over a year now and this past winter is the first time I started grooming some of her horses. She is very particular about how she cares for her horses and I wanted to make sure I respected that. She has very high standards. Which is why Moreno was somewhat hesitant when he approached Fine early last year with an ask: the jockey who had saddled up for 5,433 career starts wanted to jog a Standardbred. Fines answer was to hand him the lines. She told me that there was only way to learn, to just go out and do it, recalled Moreno. I get on horses all the time, but this is something completely different. Amanda was in New York at one point in 2024 and I asked her if I could try jogging a horse. The trainer with 105 lifetime wins gave Moreno an uncomplicated pacer to work with. She gave me a horse and told me to go four laps. The speed was obviously different from that of a Thoroughbred, so I wasnt sure if I was going too fast or too slow. This horse wasnt a tough horse, but I had to hold him for four laps my arms were like jelly after I was done. With a Thoroughbred, you might have to hold them for six furlongs, maybe, a mile and a half these Standardbred ones are so strong too. You need soft hands with them. This winter, Moreno was back in the sulky. Trepidation had been overtaken by exhilaration. By the time the snow had disappeared, he had hit his best stride on the training track. It is amazing. Amandas dad [Marty] couldnt do it one day and I offered to help. I just enjoy being in the moment, feeling that closeness with each horse. Just as it is with the jockeys life. Thoroughbred jockey winning the 2023 Thunder Bay Stakes with Foolish Games at Woodbine Racetrack. As the days draw closer to the start of the Thoroughbred season in Ontario, Moreno, like his contemporaries, is up before the sun rises above the Woodbine backstretch, working horses for various trainers. Gone are the times when Moreno would work his last horse of the day and then be on his way. The love of the horse part is what has changed for me. If you had asked me three years ago, I would have never imagined this. With the Thoroughbreds, it was always about the racing you would have never seen me hot walking a horse. I see things a lot differently. I love horses. If I can grow from that, my life will be full. In many ways, it already is. Moreno is a fixture at Woodbine Mohawk Park and other racetracks where the Fine horses compete. Some nights he is there as a fan, others he helps Fine in the paddock, certain ones he does both. Whatever role he plays, hes grateful. I love it. I try to go to all her races. Since I groom some of her horses and I jog some of her horses, I feel like I am part of the team. When I am at the races, if she needs me to do something, I let her tell me. Its a lot of fun being part of this world. It isnt only the horses who Moreno has connected with. His passion for horses has also allowed him to forge meaningful connections within the harness racing community, from drivers like James MacDonald to fellow horsepeople, all of whom have embraced him. James, who is the best driver in Canada and one of the top ones in North America, never fails to say hello to me. Sometimes, we have conversations about him being a driver and me being a jockey the mentality we have. We are both athletes and we both want to win. Its interesting to get into the mind of a top driver. I also talk to Jason Ryan, who drives for Amanda at Flamboro. Everyone is very welcoming. MacDonald, Canadas four-time defending Driver of the Year, has enjoyed getting to know Moreno. It has been great having Omar around, said MacDonald. He was in our barn for a while, and it was awesome to be able to pick his brain about Thoroughbred racing. He also asks lots of question about driving Standardbreds as well. Hes inquired a bunch of times about training a horse together, which we will do now that the weather is better. However, he has implied he wants me to do the same with a Thoroughbred as well not sure I have what it takes to do what he does though. We all look forward to seeing him around lots more. It is one more reason why Moreno feels right at home in the harness racing community. Fine is happy to have him along for the ride. Its really just two breeds and one passion that we both share. As to where his harness racing experience might lead to, Moreno, closing in on 600 career wins, isnt sure. I am not looking that far ahead. I am just enjoying the moment and the learning process. My focus now is Thoroughbreds. I am very excited about the upcoming season and I cant wait to get racing. Hopefully, its a great year. Silvera, aside from his matchmaking duties, has taken the role of jockey agent for Moreno. He has seen a different side of his longtime friend over the past three years, a more content and grounded person. Omar is always smiling, said Silvera. I think this is the happiest I have ever seen him. Moreno, happy feet and all, is exactly that. Career-wise, the past few years havent been my best years, but they have been my happiest ones. It is a whole different way of looking at things. Especially the way in which he views all horses. I love every single one of them. Amanda sometimes asks which is my favourite, but each horse has its own unique personality on and off the track and that's what makes them so special to me. Its a thought that comes to mind whether Moreno is in the irons, in the sulky, grooming, walking hots or cheering from the rail. Im incredibly grateful for all Ive learned in the past three years. Horses are a gift and every day spent with them makes my life better. (Woodbine) The United States Trotting Association (USTA) has issued a statement on sanctions it handed down earlier this month to seven USTA members for violating Association rules and/or bylaws. USTA's statement on claims of "conflict of interest" regarding the sanctions appears below in its entirety. USTA responds to Conflict of Interest claim regarding sanctions "Forty-eight United States Trotting Association directors met on the afternoon of March 8, 2025, during the USTAs annual meeting to receive and discuss the report of the boards ad hoc investigative committee. In the course of a 2-1/2 hour meeting, the board found the violations and imposed the penalties that have since been reported to the membership. The vote was overwhelming. People inside and outside the harness racing industry have paid close attention to these board actions. However, discussion in the media raised the following points that need correction or clarification. "The investigative committee sifted through a mountain of information and carefully considered all evidence. Every person and organization that was the subject of possible board action was given advance notice of their possible rule violations and all the evidence on which violations might be based. All investigated members were permitted to be represented by an attorney and afforded a hearing before the investigative committee, at which they could present evidence and argue their interpretation of the evidence. As a result of the hearing process, the investigative committee was persuaded to modify its initial recommendations in most cases, generally in favour of the investigated member. The evidence and committees recommendations were kept confidential until presented to the board. In addition, the USTA board accepted and considered written material from investigated members at the time the committees recommendations were considered. "It is well known that a private association like the USTA is not subject to constitutional requirements of due process. Nevertheless, the process afforded to those members subject to sanctions by the board exceeded fundamental principles of fairness and due process. Suggestions to the contrary are baseless. "The USTA board of directors is a neutral decision-making body and the best authority to decide cases of this type. No one has produced the slightest evidence of bias or prejudice on any directors part. Conflict of interest is an incantation frequently heard after someone receives an unfavourable result, and this board decision is no exception. The term has appeared in the racing media recently, including in quotes attributed to a sanctioned USTA member, but its invocation regarding this board decision falls flat. "All USTA directors (except the five committee members) and all USTA staff members were excluded from the investigative process. Russell Williams, Joe Faraldo, and every other USTA director who participated in the boards decision to impose sanctions had no knowledge of specific allegations or the evidence on which those allegations were founded until the March 8 meeting. "The board met in executive session to consider the investigative committee report. Our purpose was to avoid exposing to the public any information about the people and organizations involved except for the final decision. A complete record of the investigative committees work has been preserved. There may be curiosity among members of the public about the record, but the court of public opinion is not the proper place for this information unless one or more of the subjects of the investigation chooses to have it disclosed by making claims that require factual rebuttal. "A recent opinion piece asserted that sanctions against Adam Bowden and Diamond Creek Farm were tainted by a particular conflict of interest based on the premise that the USTAs president, Russell Williams, held the power to punish and sanction his competitor (Mr. Bowden) through a secret investigative process. That assertion is also baseless. The investigative process was not carried out in secret. While it may have incorporated confidentiality for the protection of those being investigated, those individuals, including Mr. Bowden, were afforded extensive notice and an almost unlimited opportunity to be heard on the allegations against them. The fact is that Russell Williams had no special knowledge or power over the investigation or its outcome. Indeed, the process was designed to eliminate the possibility of undue influence by any individual over the outcome, whether a board member, a target of the investigation, or a member of the public. "The USTA, as an industry association directed by individuals in similar or competing lines of work, has robust conflict-of-interest policies expressed in its rules and bylaws. Independent legal counsel advised the USTA and carefully monitored the investigation committee process. Williams had one vote among 48 votes from a group of directors that included several other Standardbred breeders. In voting to apply USTA rules, Williams was on the same footing as any other director regarding knowledge of the investigations. In every instance, the penalties followed the conduct at issue. "The USTA has renewed its commitment to investigating and enforcing violations of its rules and bylaws, including through its alliance with the Standardbred Racing Investigative Fund. This initiative is not being imposed on the USTA from an outside entity or regulator it has been demanded internally by its membership. In carrying out this mandate, the Association has demonstrated its commitment to fairness and professionalism and will continue to do so in investigations to come." (With files from USTA) Flash This photo taken on March 18, 2025 shows an exterior view of the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia. [Photo/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. 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: https://www.isca-archive.org/interspeech_2024/mohan24_interspeech.pdf More than 250 million people worldwide have verbal communication disorders that make it difficult to use automatic speech recognition programs. Simply sharing what they'd like to eat for dinner by using ASR is cumbersome. The result comes out in a generic audio voice that doesn't reflect the mood of the speaker. And since the human voice is so closely linked to identity, when a communication tool sounds like a machine, or doesn't work at all, the user may worry that their personality will be misinterpreted. Northeastern University researchers are working to change that. Computer science professors Aanchan Mohan and Mirjana Prpa are developing an AI-integrated app that will give speech-impaired users access to a range of communication tools on their phones: speech recognition, text, whole-word selection, emojis and personalized text-to-speech synthesis. "People either use speech recognition in isolation, or they use text-to-speech in isolation, or they type in isolation," Mohan said. "Nobody had put all three together." They are calling the app Speak Ease. Using large language models to predict a user's next phrases, the app will make it easier for people with communication disorders to converse in real time. But what makes it different from other automatic speech recognition software is that it will allow users to communicate in their own voices with the specific mood expression they choose. "Expressivity is always on a back burner because everyone is trying to solve the speed issue," Prpa said. "Very little research actually focused on solving the problem of whether the speech provided sounds the way the user would like to sound." The software Mohan and Prpa are building goes beyond automatic speech recognition and falls into the category of augmentative and alternative communication software, which emphasizes context awareness and authenticity as users speak and type. Transcriptions can be edited to correct errors, and the app suggests contextually relevant phrases with an emotional tone suggested by AI. Mohan and Prpa presented a paper and video about the app in August at Interspeech, a conference about the science and technology of spoken language processing. Credit: Northeastern University Prpa, whose research focuses on human-computer interactions, and Mohan, who works on natural language processing, are based on Northeastern's Vancouver campus. "We realized there might be a lot of potential in leveraging large language models to help people who have communication challenges," Prpa said. They are developing the app with help from speech language pathologists, who emphasized that users want digital tools that stress expressivity and not just speed. Through focus group evaluations, they have identified ways that Speak Ease can enhance expressivity by giving users more ways to personalize communication. Mohan and Prpa worked with a partner agency in British Columbia, Communication Assistance for Youth and Adults, whose speech and language pathologists provided input in the app's development. Using samples of a user's voice, the app will eventually be able to convert atypical speech to a more intelligible version. A user who wants to compose a message to their father in a happy tone, for example, can use the app's "speak mode" to create a transcription, which they can edit and play back in their own voice using text-to-speech software. The app's large language model features will use past conversations between the user and their dad to suggest relevant words and phrases. And users can select from choices on the interface to pick a mood for the message. "What we are looking for in our app is that when I talk to mom, or someone in my family, I might want to sound very different than when I speak in school," Prpa said. Preserved speech samples would make the app useful for someone with a degenerative condition, Prpa said, that impairs their ability to communicate. As their capacity deteriorates, they can use the app to continue "speaking" as they intend to. The same feature could be used in the opposite context, for someone recovering from a stroke. Speak Ease could support a person as they gain the capacity to speak again. In addition to adding expressivity, the app is intended to provide clarity. An example of when this could be useful is a visit to the doctor's office. Some people with speech difficulties find it difficult to be understood by medical professionals. "Say an individual with Down syndrome is describing a condition," said Mohan. "People tend to be polite, let the person finish and say, 'Can you say that again, right?' Meaning they didn't understand." Speak Ease will help in these situations by providing a real-time transcript that can be corrected and read aloud, both clarifying questions in the moment and doing so in the speaker's own voice. Mohan acknowledges that this is a technical challenge. "The intention is to be able to capture what was transcribed versus what is eventually composed, take the difference between the two and use that to signal to train the system," he said. More information: A powerful and modern AAC composition tool for impaired speakers. www.isca-archive.org/interspee an24_interspeech.pdf This story is republished courtesy of Northeastern Global News news.northeastern.edu. 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: Object recognition AIs can have trouble distinguishing between chihuahuas and blueberry muffins and between sheepdogs and mops. Credit: Shenkman et al, CC BY When someone sees something that isn't there, people often refer to the experience as a hallucination. Hallucinations occur when your sensory perception does not correspond to external stimuli. Technologies that rely on artificial intelligence can have hallucinations, too. When an algorithmic system generates information that seems plausible but is actually inaccurate or misleading, computer scientists call it an AI hallucination. Researchers have found these behaviors in different types of AI systems, from chatbots such as ChatGPT to image generators such as Dall-E to autonomous vehicles. We are information science researchers who have studied hallucinations in AI speech recognition systems. Wherever AI systems are used in daily life, their hallucinations can pose risks. Some may be minorwhen a chatbot gives the wrong answer to a simple question, the user may end up ill-informed. But in other cases, the stakes are much higher. From courtrooms where AI software is used to make sentencing decisions to health insurance companies that use algorithms to determine a patient's eligibility for coverage, AI hallucinations can have life-altering consequences. They can even be life-threatening: Autonomous vehicles use AI to detect obstacles, other vehicles and pedestrians. Making it up Hallucinations and their effects depend on the type of AI system. With large language modelsthe underlying technology of AI chatbotshallucinations are pieces of information that sound convincing but are incorrect, made up or irrelevant. An AI chatbot might create a reference to a scientific article that doesn't exist or provide a historical fact that is simply wrong, yet make it sound believable. In a 2023 court case, for example, a New York attorney submitted a legal brief that he had written with the help of ChatGPT. A discerning judge later noticed that the brief cited a case that ChatGPT had made up. This could lead to different outcomes in courtrooms if humans were not able to detect the hallucinated piece of information. With AI tools that can recognize objects in images, hallucinations occur when the AI generates captions that are not faithful to the provided image. Imagine asking a system to list objects in an image that only includes a woman from the chest up talking on a phone and receiving a response that says a woman talking on a phone while sitting on a bench. This inaccurate information could lead to different consequences in contexts where accuracy is critical. What causes hallucinations Engineers build AI systems by gathering massive amounts of data and feeding it into a computational system that detects patterns in the data. The system develops methods for responding to questions or performing tasks based on those patterns. Large language models hallucinate in several ways. Supply an AI system with 1,000 photos of different breeds of dogs, labeled accordingly, and the system will soon learn to detect the difference between a poodle and a golden retriever. But feed it a photo of a blueberry muffin and, as machine-learning researchers have shown, it may tell you that the muffin is a chihuahua. When a system doesn't understand the question or the information that it is presented with, it may hallucinate. Hallucinations often occur when the model fills in gaps based on similar contexts from its training data, or when it is built using biased or incomplete training data. This leads to incorrect guesses, as in the case of the mislabeled blueberry muffin. It's important to distinguish between AI hallucinations and intentionally creative AI outputs. When an AI system is asked to be creativelike when writing a story or generating artistic imagesits novel outputs are expected and desired. Hallucinations, on the other hand, occur when an AI system is asked to provide factual information or perform specific tasks but instead generates incorrect or misleading content while presenting it as accurate. The key difference lies in the context and purpose: Creativity is appropriate for artistic tasks, while hallucinations are problematic when accuracy and reliability are required. To address these issues, companies have suggested using high-quality training data and limiting AI responses to follow certain guidelines. Nevertheless, these issues may persist in popular AI tools. What's at risk The impact of an output such as calling a blueberry muffin a chihuahua may seem trivial, but consider the different kinds of technologies that use image recognition systems: An autonomous vehicle that fails to identify objects could lead to a fatal traffic accident. An autonomous military drone that misidentifies a target could put civilians' lives in danger. For AI tools that provide automatic speech recognition, hallucinations are AI transcriptions that include words or phrases that were never actually spoken. This is more likely to occur in noisy environments, where an AI system may end up adding new or irrelevant words in an attempt to decipher background noise such as a passing truck or a crying infant. As these systems become more regularly integrated into health care, social service and legal settings, hallucinations in automatic speech recognition could lead to inaccurate clinical or legal outcomes that harm patients, criminal defendants or families in need of social support. Check AI's work Regardless of AI companies' efforts to mitigate hallucinations, users should stay vigilant and question AI outputs, especially when they are used in contexts that require precision and accuracy. Double-checking AI-generated information with trusted sources, consulting experts when necessary, and recognizing the limitations of these tools are essential steps for minimizing their risks. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain Fast food customers might find themselves talking to an artificial intelligence voice the next time they order tacos or pizza at a drive-through. Yum Brands Inc., the parent company of Irvine-based Taco Bell and other popular fast food chains such as Pizza Hut, KFC and Habit Burger & Grill, has teamed up with tech juggernaut Nvidia to advance the development of AI in the restaurant industry. The fast food giant, based in Kentucky, announced the partnership this week at Nvidia's GTC conference, the chipmaker's annual developer conference. Billed as the Super Bowl of AI, the event attracted thousands to San Jose. Restaurants have been experimenting with technology, including AI voices and robots that could shape the industry's future. The race to release new AI tools has raised familiar questions about whether technology will replace certain jobs or create new ones. With food delivery apps making it easy to order meals from various restaurants without leaving the house, the competition continues to heat up. "Over the last five years, the world's accelerated into digital. The restaurant industry is no different," Joe Park, chief digital and technology officer of Yum Brands, told an audience at a GTC session Tuesday. Digital sales make up more than 50% of the company's total sales, up from 19% in 2019, he said. How are Nvidia and Yum Brands teaming up? The world's largest restaurant company plans to use Nvidia's technology to power more AI agents that can take orders at drive-throughs and call centers, according to a news release from Yum Brands. AI-powered tools can also analyze a vast amount of data to improve drive-through efficiency and back-of-the-house labor management. Yum Brands, which has its own technology platform, is also using AI to assess a restaurant's performance and generate action plans for restaurant managers as they learn more about why certain locations perform well. Nvidia offers products that allow businesses to build or speed up the development of AI systems that can converse with people and perform tasks. Yum Brands started piloting AI tools at some Taco Bell and Pizza Hut restaurants in the United States. The company plans to roll out AI solutions in 500 restaurants across Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, KFC and Habit Burger during the second quarter. The company has more than 61,000 restaurant locations. Yum Brands said it isn't sharing the location of its pilots and didn't disclose the terms of the partnership. Nvidia didn't respond to a request for comment. How can AI improve fast food ordering? By making fast food ordering even faster. AI could speed up the time it takes for a person to order food at a drive-through or call center, especially during big events like game days when demand could surge at popular restaurants. Park said at GTC that AI could also improve the customer experience because "the voice AI is always positive, has the right tone of voice, has the right word selection, can upsell consistently." On average, the total amount of time a customer spends in a drive-through is five minutes and 29 seconds, according to a 2024 drive-through study by Intouch Insights. The study, which involved shoppers placing orders at the drive-throughs of fast food restaurants, found that only 4% of visits involved AI technology, but the total time spent was faster by 29 seconds. The use of AI for ordering food is still experimental. Yum Brands said its digital and technology strategy aims "to better serve its franchisees, providing them with better, faster, cheaper and safer technology while delighting consumers and maximizing shareholder returns." Has Taco Bell experimented with AI before? Yes. Last year, Taco Bell said it rolled out voice AI technology in more than 100 of its drive-throughs across 13 states and planned to use them in hundreds of locations. "Benefits include easing task load for team members, improving order accuracy, providing a consistent, friendly experience, and reducing wait times, while driving profitable growth for Taco Bell, Yum! Brands and their franchisees," Taco Bell said in its news release. What about other restaurants? Wendy's, White Castle, Panda Express, McDonald's and other fast food restaurants have also been trying out AI-powered voice ordering. The pilots don't always go off without a hitch. Some customers have complained on social media, posting videos about problems they've encountered with order accuracy at drive-throughs with AI voices. As restaurants train these AI systems, they're anticipating they'll get better over time. Last year, McDonald's ended its partnership with IBM and planned to remove AI ordering from more than 100 restaurants, according to an internal email obtained by trade publication Restaurant Business in June. The fast food chain suggested it still thought AI drive-throughs would be part of the future and it was looking for a new partner. 2025 Los Angeles Times. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Social media platforms tend not to be that bothered by national boundaries. Take X, for example. Users of what was once called Twitter span the globe, with its 600 million-plus active accounts dotted across nearly every country. And each of those jurisdictions has its own laws. But the interests of national regulatory efforts and that of predominantly U.S.-based technology companies often don't align. While many governments have sought to impose oversight mechanisms to address problems such as disinformation, online extremism and manipulation, these initiatives have been met with corporate resistance, political interference and legal challenges invoking free speech as a shield against regulation. What is brewing is a global struggle over digital platform governance. And in this battle, U.S. platforms are increasingly leaning on American laws to challenge other nation's regulations. It is, we believe as experts on digital lawone an executive director of a forum monitoring how countries implement democratic principlesa form of digital imperialism. A rumble in the tech jungle The latest manifestation of this phenomenon occurred in February 2025, when new tensions emerged between Brazil's judiciary and U.S.-based social media platforms. Trump Media & Technology Group and Rumble filed a lawsuit in the U.S. against Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, challenging his orders to suspend accounts on the two platforms linked to disinformation campaigns in Brazil. The case follows earlier unsuccessful efforts by Elon Musk's X to resist similar Brazilian rulings. Together, the cases exemplify a growing trend in which U.S. political and corporate actors attempt to undermine foreign regulatory authority by pressing the case that domestic U.S. law and corporate protections should take precedence over sovereign policies globally. From corporate lobbying to lawfare At the core of the dispute is Allan dos Santos, a right-wing Brazilian influencer and fugitive from justice who fled to the U.S. in 2021 after De Moraes ordered his preventive arrest for allegedly coordinating disinformation networks and inciting violence. Dos Santos has continued his online activities abroad. Brazil's extradition requests have gone unanswered due to claims by U.S. authorities that the case involves issues of free speech rather than criminal offenses. Trump Media and Rumble's lawsuit attempts to do two things. First, it seeks to frame Brazil's judicial actions as censorship rather than oversight. And second, it seeks to portray the Brazilian court action as territorial overreach. Their position is that as the target of the action was in the U.S., they are subject to U.S. free speech protections under the First Amendment. The fact that the subject of the ban was Brazilian and is accused of spreading disinformation and hate in Brazil should not, they argue, matter. For now, U.S. courts agree. In late February, a Florida-based judge ruled that Rumble and Trump Media need not comply with the Brazilian order. Big Tech pushback to regulation The case signals an important shift in the contest over platform accountabilitya move from corporate lobbying and political pressure to direct legal intervention in foreign jurisdictions. U.S. courts are now being used to challenge overseas decisions regarding platform accountability. The outcome and the broader legal strategy behind the lawsuit could have far-reaching implications not only for Brazil but for any country or regionsuch as the European Unionattempting to regulate online spaces. The resistance against digital regulation predates the Trump administration. In Brazil, efforts to regulate social media platforms have long faced substantial opposition. Big Tech companiesincluding Google, Meta and Xhave used their economic and political influence to lobby against tighter regulation, often framing such policies as a threat to free expression. In 2020, the Brazilian "Fake News Bill," which sought to hold platforms accountable for the spread of disinformation, was met with strong opposition from these companies. Google and Meta launched high-profile campaigns to oppose the bill, warning it would "threaten free speech" and "harm small businesses." Google placed banners on its Brazilian homepage urging users to reject the legislation, while Meta ran advertisements questioning its implications for the digital economy. These efforts, alongside lobbying and political resistance, were successful in helping to delay and weaken the regulatory framework. Mixing corporate and political power The difference now is that challenges are blurring the line between the corporate and the political. Trump Media was 53% owned by the U.S. president before he moved his stake into a revocable trust in December 2024. Elon Musk, the free speech fundamentalist owner of X, is a de facto member of the Trump administration. Their ascent to power has coincided with the First Amendment being wielded as a shield against foreign regulations on digital platforms. Free speech protections in the U.S. have been applied unequally, allowing authorities to suppress dissent in some cases while shielding hateful speech in others. This imbalance extends to corporate power, with decades of legal precedent expanding protections for private interests. The case law cemented corporate speech protections, a logic later extended to digital platforms. U.S. free speech advocates in Big Tech and the U.S. government are seemingly escalating this trend to an even more extreme interpretation: that American free speech arguments can be deployed to resist the regulation of other jurisdictions and challenge foreign legal frameworks. For instance, in response to the European Union's Digital Services Act, U.S. Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr, a Trump appointee, expressed concerns that the act could threaten American free speech principles. Such an argument may have been fine if the same interpretation of free speechand its appropriate protectionswere universally accepted. But they are not. The concept of free speech varies significantly across nations and regions. Countries such as Brazil, Germany, France and others adopt what legal experts refer to as a proportionality-based approach to free speech, balancing it against other fundamental rights such as human dignity, democratic integrity and public order. Sovereign countries using this approach recognize freedom of expression as a fundamental and preferential right. But they also acknowledge that certain restrictions are necessary to protect democratic institutions, marginalized communities, public health and the informational ecosystem from harms. While the U.S. imposes some limits on speechsuch as defamation laws and protection against incitement to imminent lawless actionthe First Amendment is generally far more expansive than in other democracies. The future of digital governance The legal battle over platform regulation is not confined to the current battle between U.S.-based platforms and Brazil. The EU's Digital Services Act and the Online Safety Act in the United Kingdom are other examples of governments trying to assert control over platforms operating within their borders. As such, the lawsuit by Trump Media and Rumble against the Brazilian Supreme Court signals a critical moment in global geopolitics. U.S. tech giants, such as Meta, are bending to the free speech winds coming out of the Trump administration. Musk, the owner of X, has given support to far-right groups overseas. And this overlap in the policy priorities of social media platforms and the political interests of the U.S. administration opens a new era in the deregulation debate in which U.S. free speech absolutists are seeking to establish legal precedents that might challenge the future of other nations' regulatory efforts. As countries continue to develop regulatory frameworks for digital governancefor instance, AI regulation imposing stricter governance rules in Brazil and in the EUthe legal, economic and political strategies platforms employ to challenge oversight mechanisms will play a crucial role in determining the future balance between corporate influence and the rule of law. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain Existing tax policies during the energy transition from fossil fuels to renewable sources will lead to major energy injustices and skewed priorities, new research published in Climate Policy shows. The study found that electricity serving primary needs, such as heating or lighting, ultimately costs three times more than electricity for tertiary needs such as long-distance mobilitymostly due to taxation policies. Further highlighting the ongoing social inequalities of fuel and related policies, the findings also demonstrate that within the European Union (EU), the wealthiest 1% of its population is responsible for 66% of the distance currently traveled by air. In fact, air travel is almost non-existent for 50%, and even quite limited for 90% of EU citizens, the paper shows. This 90% of people, therefore, emit less than 0.1 metric tons of CO 2 equivalent emissions per person, per year. Meanwhile, the top 1% emit more than 22 metric tons per person/year. Dr. Jean-Baptiste Jarin, from the TREE laboratory (Energy and Environment Transitions) at the University of Pau and Pays de l'Adour, who carried out the research, used France as an example of current and future electricity use as a basis for similar countries worldwideespecially across Europe. And although based on EU regulations applied to France, the methodology and conclusions of this study can be transposed to other countries, and to other energy carriers based on electricity, such as hydrogen. To evaluate the impacts of these electricity tax schemes and final prices, he collected data on electricity consumption for primary (household), secondary (electric vehicle local mobility) and tertiary (e-fuel long distance mobility) needs, and then compared electricity prices, before and after taxation. Results demonstrate: Electricity serving household and local mobility needs cost 194 /Mwh (euros per megawatt-hour). This was three times more than e-fuel (synthetic sustainable aviation fuels, that are renewable jet fuels produced from fossil-free electricity and recycled carbon dioxide) for aviation65.5 /Mwh. Tax policies accounted for 120 /Mwh of this cost in the case of household and local mobility fuel needs but only 11.2 /Mwh in the case of aviation. Electro-intensive facilities that produce aviation e-fuel benefit from little or no taxation, and jet fuel is also untaxed. A round trip by air between Paris and New York for one person, when using this low carbon (which is designed to be more eco-friendly) e-fuel, still requires 7,300 kWhexceeding the total annual primary and secondary needs (5,000 kWh) of an individual. The European Union recently introduced the obligation to incorporate e-fuels for aviation as soon as 2030. In the UK, this obligation is as soon as 2028, in-line with its Renewable Transport Fuel Obligations Order 2024. Dr. Jarin has 25 years of experience in the aviation industry, prior to his career in academia. He recommends to key policymakers that ahead of any transformational policies and strategies aimed at achieving low emissions in aviation, provisions should be made to "not interfere with energy justice." Additionally, he indicates that future taxation rates should become proportional to the final purpose of the energy, and this principle should be a "pillar of energy justice." Commenting, Dr. Jarin says, "As e-fuel, along with other energy carriers based on electricity, is still within its infancy, it's time for policy-makers to address the potential social injustices which may arise when formulating e-fuel policies. "Electricity for basic needs such as heating or cooking benefits everyone but using it for air mobility mostly benefits the upper classes. Taxation rates should be proportional to the final purpose of the energy, and policies should drive not only production but also consumption, within a distributive justice perspective." Dr. Jarin adds, "And that is what I find most worrying about the findings from within my paper, that, essentially, low carbon policies could foster energy injustice to people across society. "Sadly, a massive production of e-fuelespecially when dedicated to aviationcould mean that tax inequalities, along with volume inequalities, spread the gap between the very wealthiest and the rest. That is why policy makers need to pay close attention. "I feel that most people perhaps do not yet understand that energy, and therefore electricity, especially when low carbon, is not gifted! "In the Global South, but also within the EU, during the winters of 2022 and 2023, electricity bills were so high in most EU countries that people had toand even were asked to by somereduce heating and other appliances consumption." Limitations of the paper include that while all EU countries follow the same tax directive on energies, the focus is limited to France and since electricity prices in Europe vary for each country, the results, when expressed in /MWh, could be slightly different. Also, carbon tax and redistribution mechanisms are not addressed in this study, and "where to tax within the value chain remains an important issue," Dr. Jarin adds. "This," Dr. Jarin says, "is a particularly important issue as low carbon electricity with high load factor is a must to produce e-fuel. "As such, the EU has significant assets to become a potential producer, rather than a potential importer." More information: Comparing electricity policies between primary and tertiary needs: The need for distributive justice within the energy transition, Climate Policy (2025). DOI: 10.1080/14693062.2025.2467968 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 Roblox is one of the world's most popular online platforms for children, offering a variety of "experiences" including games and virtual spaces. Most of the experiences are free, but offer upgrades, bonuses and random items in exchange for cash. What do kids make of it? In new research, we interviewed 22 children aged 7 to 14 (and their parents) from November 2023 to July 2024. Some 18 of the 22 played Roblox. In the interviews, we gave children an A$20 debit card to spend however they liked, to help us understand children's decision-making around spending. While four children purchased non-digital items with their debit card (such as bicycle parts, toys and lollies), 12 children made purchases in Roblox. We found children greatly value their Roblox purchasesbut complain of "scary" and complex transactions, describe random reward systems as "child gambling," and talk of "scams" and "cash grabs," with the platform's inflexible refund policy providing little recourse. What is Roblox? Created in 2006, Roblox bills itself as "the ultimate virtual universe that lets you create, share experiences with friends, and be anything you can imagine." There are 380 million monthly active users globally. Around 42% of Roblox players are under 13 years old. In 2024, a study found Australian players aged four to 18 spent an average 137 minutes a day on it. Roblox has come under fire in recent years, particularly for the prevalence of grooming and child abuse on the platform. Despite parental controls, many feel that it's still not doing enough to protect children. Much of Roblox's US$3.6 billion revenue in 2024 was generated via in-game microtransactions, particularly through purchases of its virtual currency Robux. Free to playbut plenty to pay for It's free to play Roblox. But Roblox and Roblox creators (people who make the platform's "experiences") make money via in-game purchases. In Roblox experiences, players can purchase all sorts of thingscosmetic items to change the appearance of player avatars, functional items to use in games, and passes which give access to games or VIP experiences. Some Roblox games also offer random reward mechanics such as lootboxes, which offer players a chance-based outcome or prize (sometimes via monetary purchases). Lootboxes were banned for users under 15 in Australia in 2024. However, we found many of Roblox's most popular games still have random reward mechanics for sale to accounts under 15 years of age. In response to questions from The Conversation, a Roblox spokesperson wrote: "As a user-generated content platform, we provide our developer community with tools, information and guidelines that apply to aspects of gameplay within their games and experiences, including the recent classification update relating to paid random items. We take action on reports of developers not following guidelines or not using our tools properly to meet local compliance requirements." Concerns about children's digital game spending often focus on the idea that engaging with random reward mechanics might later lead to problem gambling. While this remains the subject of ongoing research, our research shows Roblox's spending features already harm children now. Children already feel misled or deceived. Random rewards and 'child gambling' Many of Roblox's most popular games, such as Adopt Me!, Blox Fruits and Pet Simulator 99, include random reward features. Players can purchase items of random rarity, and can often use or trade these items with other players. One child in our study explained that playing these games is "literally just child gambling." Random reward mechanics are confusing for children who may not have a strong understanding of statistics or risk. This caused conflict in the families we spoke to, when children were disappointed or upset by not receiving a "good" reward. Our research echoes earlier work identifying harms to children from monetized random reward systems. 'Scary' virtual currencies Roblox also uses virtual currencies, which must be purchased using "real" currency. For instance, A$8.49 or US$5.00 will purchase 400 Robux to spend in games. Some popular Roblox games then have their own virtual currency. Players must first convert real-world money into Robux, then convert the Robux into a game's currency of "diamonds" or "gems." Some children we spoke to had sophisticated ways to handle these conversionssuch as online Robux calculators or mental math. However, other children struggled. An 11-year-old described navigating nested virtual currencies as "scary." A 13-year-old, when asked how much they thought Robux cost in Australian dollars, said, "I can't even begin to grasp that." Virtual currencies make it difficult for children to discern the true price of items they want to buy in digital games. This leads to children spending more than they realize in gamessomething that concerns them. Children referred to many of these in-game spending features and outcomes as "scams," "tricks" and "cash grabs." Although children value their in-game purchases, and parents use in-game spending to teach values around saving and spending money responsibly, these features ultimately harm children. Current protections are not enough Digital games have demonstrated benefits for children's education, social lives and identity development. Children also value the items they purchase in digital games. However, efforts to make money from games aimed at children may have significant financial and emotional impact. Our research does not suggest monetization features should be barred from children's games. But our findings indicate that policy regarding children's digital safety should try to minimize harm to children as a result of their digital spending. In particular, we conclude that monetized random reward mechanics and virtual currencies are not appropriate in children's games. Other countries have struggled to regulate lootboxes effectively. Current legislation, such as the Australian classification changes introduced last September, which ban lootboxes for players under 15, is not fit for purpose. Roblox is currently rated PG on Google Play store and 12+ on the Apple App Store, despite many of its most popular games, including paid chance-based content. Our interviews also found that parents feel lost navigating the complexities of these games, and are extremely anxious about how their children are being monetized. Australia's eSafety Commissioner has argued that the way forward for children's safety online is "safety by design." In this approach, digital service providers must design their services with the safety of users as a top priority. In our conversations with children, we found this is not currently the casebut could be a good starting point. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain EU researchers are using AI to help ease the flow in Europe's cities, making urban environments both safer and greener. At the Las Matas train station in the town of Las Rozas, just north of the Spanish capital Madrid, life is going on as usual. The sound of a highway can be heard in the background as a train pulls in. On the roundabout in front of the station, a churros vendor is selling his wares as pedestrians navigate the busy intersection. It all seems like an ordinary scene in suburban Spain. Unseen by passers-by, however, smart cameras are quietly observing and analyzing pedestrian and traffic flows to understand how the space is being usedand how it could be used better. On this regular city roundabout, the future of urbanism is being sketched out. User-friendly city planning Las Rozas is one of the testing grounds for the researchers of an initiative called AMIGOS that is using new technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and data analysis to help improve the quality of life in busy cities. In this, it is closely aligned with the EU's Cities Mission, which aims to support 112 European cities in becoming climate-neutral and smart by 2030, serving as innovation hubs for sustainable urban transformation. The cameras used by the AMIGOS team were designed by the Austrian Institute of Technology and rely on AI. This allows them to rapidly process months' worth of camera footage and build up an accurate picture of how city spaces are being used. The information collected can help city planners redesign public spaces with real people in mind. "This project is about the really basic questions that every citizen asks themselves. Questions like 'can I let my children go to school safely on their own,'" said Martin Krekeler, who works with the Senate Chancellery of the City of Hamburg, Germany, and coordinates the AMIGOS team. Testing ground As a first step, the researchers are aiming to improve the safety and comfort of city dwellers in the Las Matas neighborhood, where a highway to Madrid converges with a train station, a car park and various smaller roads. "Our city encounters several challenges," said Nuria Blanco Caballero, who works for Las Rozas Innova, the city's innovation agency. Las Rozas is very spread out. Three highways cross the town and there is a lot of traffic coming to and from Madrid. "There's a lot of interaction between cars and pedestrians here," said Blanco Caballero. "That causes risks." On the agenda is a complete renovation of the area around Las Matas train station that will include safety improvements, parking space for bikes and e-scooters, electrical charging stations and a car-sharing space. Information collected by the researchers' camera was combined with feedback received through local user surveys to inform renovation designs. "One of the things we found was that people weren't always using official crossings, for instance," said Blanco Caballero. "That, of course, can lead to dangerous situations." Las Rozas is currently busy redesigning the area, with concrete safety barriers, new sidewalks and better road markings. It's a good example of how new technologies can help cities make smarter decisions that are aligned with people's needs. AI in the city AI cameras similar to the one used in Las Rozas are being deployed in other European cities too as part of another initiative called ELABORATOR, coordinated by Dr. Angelos Amditis, R&D Director of the Institute of Communication Computer Systems at the National Technical University of Athens. In Copenhagen, for example, they are using smart cameras to analyze traffic flows and examine situations where an accident has occurred or has only been narrowly avoided. The French district of Issy-les-Moulineaux, just outside of Paris, has installed a system of dynamic traffic signs as part of the initiative. Based on who is using an intersection, and how busy it is, more space is created for cyclists, and drivers are alerted to their presence. The system uses AI to manage this automatically. "AI is necessary," said Amditis. "It's one of the only ways to process huge amounts of data in real time, which is very important for fast-moving environments such as cities." Learning by example In both initiatives, the aim of the research teams is to set an example for other cities to follow. The AMIGOS team is currently working closely with 10 cities: Gabrova (Bulgaria), Lappeenranta (Finland), Hamburg (Germany), Reykjavik (Iceland), Nazareth (Israel), Bologna (Italy), Jurmala (Latvia), Las Rozas (Spain), and Ankara and Istanbul (Turkey). Additionally, they are working with five twin cities that will try to replicate the results achieved in the main cities: Laval in France, Frankfurt and Wiesbaden in Germany, Um-al Fahm in Israel and Gozo in Malta. In the case of the ELABORATOR research team, there are six cities where work is currently underway to improve the comfort and safety of urban living. These are Copenhagen (Denmark), Helsinki (Finland), Issey-les-Moulineaux (France), Trikala (Greece) Milan (Italy) and Zaragoza (Spain). A further six citiesSplit (Croatia), Liberec (Czechia), Ioannina (Greece), Krusevac (Serbia), Velenje (Slovenia) and Lund (Sweden)will learn from the lessons of the first phase. AI and data processing are a valuable resource for both research teams, who are well aware of the potential risks and pay close attention to privacy concerns and potential issues. Local citizens are kept well informed of the actions being taken. At the same time, the goal is to reduce cities' reliance on the large tech companies that they currently depend on for technology and data. "Cities need data," said Krekeler. "Yet today that data is often owned by private companies which means that cities need to buy it." The voice of the people At the center of the work being carried out is a desire to do policy differently, in a way that takes people's voices into account. In this, they are being supported by the EU in a push to accelerate green and digital transformations within cities as part of its Cities Mission and the European Green Deal. "We can't deny this, people are frustrated," said Krekeler. "That's why it's so important to use technology to ask them about their city and observe how they use it." In Las Rozas, the renovation of the Las Matas area is almost complete. As a next step, they will be scaling up their approach to cover the whole city. The objective in this second stage will be to improve movement flows to and from schools. "Co-creation is key," said Blanco Caballero. "We need to adapt our projects to the needs of real people. Technology can help us with that." This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain When the United States starts a trade war with your country, how do you fight back? For individuals, one option is to wage a personal trade war and boycott products from the US. President Donald Trump has said no nation will be exempt from his tariffs, and this includes both Australia and New Zealand. His tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports, in particular, could hurt the sector in Australia, while New Zealand's meat and wine exports to the US could also feel the effect. So far, political leaders have responded differently. Canada, Mexico and the European Union have imposed reciprocal tariffs on the US, while Australia has indicated it will not retaliate. But whether governments choose to push back or not, citizens in those and other countries are making their own stands. This includes artists such as renowned pianist Andras Schiff, who has canceled his upcoming US tour. Most notably, collective outrage at the US president has led to a growing global boycott of Elon Musk's Tesla due to his role in the Trump administration. Sales of new Tesla vehicles are down 72% in Australia and 76% in Germany. The share price has dropped by more than 50% since December 2024, with calls for Musk to step down as chief executive. Some governments are even encouraging consumer boycotts. The Canadian government, for example, has urged citizens to "fight back against the unjustified US tariffs" by purchasing Canadian products and holidaying in Canada. Canadians are clearly embracing this advice. Road trips to the US have dropped by more than 20% in the past month and US liquor brands have been removed from some Canadian stores altogether. This rise in calls for boycotts of American brands and companies is unsurprising in the Trump 2.0 era, where the lines between government and corporate America have become increasingly blurred. Political change by proxy When people want to protest a government policy, but have no political leverage because they're not citizens of that country, boycotting corporations or brands gives them a voice. These actions are sometimes called "surrogate" or "proxy" boycotts. This form of "political consumerism," where individuals align their consumption choices with their values, is now one of the most common forms of political participation in western liberal democracies. When France opposed the war in Iraq in 2003, US supporters of the war aimed boycotts at French imports. Consumers in the US, United Kingdom and elsewhere have boycotted Russian goods over the invasion of Ukraine, and targeted Israel over its military action and policies in Gaza and the West Bank. Most famously, protests against the apartheid regime in South Africa from the 1950s through to the 1990s helped isolate and eventually change its government. The current boycotts are not just protesting Trump's trade war, of course. They are also about the role of unelected leaders from the corporate world, such as Musk and the heads of the big tech and social media companies, and their perceived self-interest and influence. Trump has responded angrily to consumer boycotts, calling the actions against Tesla "illegal," which they are not. Indeed, political leaders like Trump often argue that consumer action, rather than government regulation, should be relied on to ensure corporations conform to social expectations. How to wage a personal trade war Consumer boycotts do create change under certain conditionstypically when there is a contained problem that the targeted corporation has the power to solve. For example, consumer boycotts against Nestle in the 1970s over false and dangerous marketing of powdered milk for infants led to changes in the firm's marketing approaches. Boycotts of Nike products over sweatshop conditions for workers had a direct impact on the company's bottom line and led to improvements. Things may still need to improve at Nestle and Nike, but these boycotts show consumer pressure can catalyze corporate action. However, it is much harderthough not impossiblefor boycott campaigns to succeed when the target is a government. Consumers boycotting American products can amplify the impact of their protest by also lobbying retailers. For example, if enough consumers stop buying a bottle of soft drink from the US, major supermarkets like Woolworths and Foodstuffs will stop buying thousands of bottles. There are also other ways to "vote with your wallet." People can engage in "political investorism" by using their power as a shareholder, bank customer or pension-fund member to express their political views. After Russia's invasion of Ukraine, for example, investors sought to divest from Russian companies, and superannuation funds were pressured by their members to do the same. As consumers and investors, individuals can wage a personal trade war, sending a clear message. Trump may not be willing to listen to the leaders of allied nations, but if consumer and investor pressure is sustained and spreads globally, he may yet hear the voice of corporate America. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Flash U.S. President Donald Trump speaks at a joint press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron (not in the picture) at the White House in Washington, D.C., the United States, on Feb. 24, 2025. [Photo/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. Guests walking through the front door of the Stevenson Companion Animal Life-Care Center are likely to be greeted by none other than Reveille IX, the retired mascot from Texas A&M University. She and Katie the cat like to hang out in the office area of the facility and are usually the first of the 43 resident pets that people meet upon arrival. The Stevenson Center is a nonprofit branch of the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine where pets can go to live their lives after their owners become incapacitated or die. What we do is really a one-of-a-kind program. No other schools offer this kind of program nor are there any other programs like this out there, said Dr. Sam Miller Jr., the centers director. Miller retired from private practice in Houston and became the director in 2022 after longtime director Sonny Presnal retired. The center is where the late Reveille VIII lived out her life and where 11-year-old Reveille IX will live out hers. All the pets that become residents of the 16,000-square-foot facility will live out their lives in pampered comfort with live-in caretakers and some of the best medical care in the country. Miller said Dr. Ned Ellett, who was the head of the small animal department at A&M, saw a need for a facility for long-term care for pets. He saw the kind of changing dynamics with the animals and the family unit, and how closely these animals were becoming bonded to their owners, Miller said. He said Ellett went before the TAMU System Board of Regents and received approval to start the program in 1993. He wanted some place where people that didnt have family or friends that could or would care for their surviving pets. He wanted somewhere where they would live in a home-like environment, and also something that would benefit the College of Veterinary Medicine. He came up with this, said Ellie Greenbaum, who has been the associate director for 26 years. But even though we are a part of Texas A&M University and the college, we do not receive state funding. So, he had to raise the funds to build this building before we could ever start this process. Mrs. Madeline Stevenson, from La Porte, Texas, was on board and gave half of the startup funding, and thats why were named after her, the Stevenson Center. And the other half of the startup funding was given by the Luse Foundation out of Dallas. This building is named W.P. and Beulah Luse Foundation Building. We opened in March of 93 and this month were celebrating our 32nd anniversary. Since that time, 129 pets have made the center their home. They range in age from 6 months when they come in, all the way up to about 12 to 13 years, Miller said. The Stevenson Center isnt an animal shelter. Its not some place where pets can be dropped off or adopted. Each pet residency is funded by an endowment ranging in price from $75,000 to $150,000. The way the program works is that the pet owners will enroll in our program and establish an endowment, Miller said. That endowment is what allows us to financially care for the pets that come to live with us. And the endowments will provide for not only the daily care here, but also for the medical care for that pet. And were very fortunate that we are part of Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine. So all are of the pets that live here. Theyre cared for medically through the College of Veterinary Medicine, so they get some of the best care in the country since we are part of the one of the best vet schools in the country. The centers current population consists of 15 dogs, 21 cats, one bird, three rabbits, two donkeys and a fish. The most unusual animal to call the center home was a llama. She [Stevenson] passed away in September of 2000 and when she did all of her household animals came nine dogs, four cats, a pony and a llama. That llama was her 90th birthday gift from her nieces and nephews, Greenbaum said. The llamas name was Rusty, and he was well known on campus. Llamas can be sweet, but can they also be a little bit temperamental. People were fascinated by the llama, but he was not the friendliest of animals, so he would let you know that he wasnt happy with you being there. And llamas, you know, if they get a little angry, theyll spit at you. So, he was very good at doing that, Miller said. The Stevenson Center has four full-time staff members, including a licensed veterinary technician and three animal caretakers. We have four veterinary students that live here, so weve got four apartments," Miller said. "Students live here basically 24/7 and so theyre in charge of providing the care, the oversight, medical management for our residents on evenings, weekends and holidays. So these animals have somebody with them 24/7. Greenbaum said they dont allow fourth-year students to work there because they are too busy with other obligations in their final year in school. Kayla Friesenhahn is one of the students residing at the center. Ive been working here for a little over three years now. Basically, I just come in between my classes during the week, and I complete a daily list of chores that we have to do, she said. I make sure to spend all the time I can with the animals. Ive become good friends with a lot of them during my time here. Its just a really nice job to have as a student, as someone who is aspiring to be a veterinarian. Its a great way to get hands-on experience, and I absolutely love it here. The facility is located on Raymond Stotzer Parkway, next to the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biological Sciences. It has undergone several expansions in 32 years. Most of the rooms are designed to resemble a home, complete with couches, cushions and other pet-friendly furnishings. Nearly every room has a pet door leading to enclosed yard space outdoors. We feel very, very fortunate to be able to do this for people, Greenbaum said. It really brings peace of mind so many people. Its not for people that just dont have family. A lot of people have family, but they dont want them caring for their pets. If they make that decision for us, we feel very honored. But we make a commitment to these people, and we see through it. That commitment extends to the retired Queen of Aggieland herself, who maintains her position as top dog at the center. Flash South Korea's constitutional court on Monday rejected a motion by the parliament to impeach Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, according to the court. With the rejection, Han was immediately reinstated as prime minister and acting president as the ruling took effect right after delivering the decision. Of eight justices of the nine-member bench, five rejected the motion while one upheld it. The remaining two were in favor of dismissal. The impeachment motion against Han was passed by the opposition-controlled National Assembly on Dec. 27 last year following the impeachment of President Yoon Suk-yeol on Dec. 14 over his botched martial law imposition. Choi Sang-mok, the economy and finance minister who doubles as deputy prime minister for economic affairs, became an acting president in December last year after the impeachments of both president and prime minister. Its probably fair to say that most people dont like being around venomous snakes because of the danger these reptiles present. But pockets of South Carolina residents love toxin-fanged serpents And they let state legislators know Wednesday how they feel about a proposal to ban the ownership and sale of venomous snakes. Most said the state shouldnt enact a ban on the deadly creatures, despite concerns that venomous snakes could escape and hurt someone. Snake lovers said they do a good job of taking care of the animals and safeguarding the public. Brandon Morris, a former Columbia resident from Anderson, said being with snakes brings him comfort. Hes a military veteran with post traumatic stress disorder who said he loves the creatures. Snakes are just a huge part of my life, he said. For me, to have peace in a day is to just go and be with my animals. Theyre away from the general public. Theyre away from my children. Theyre away from anybody who does not have experience. Morris likened the freedom to own a venomous snake to that of owning a gun. The bill before the Legislature reads very similar to a ban on firearms, he said, noting that a gun prohibition would be political suicide in a Republican-dominated state where so many people own weapons. Some of those who spoke to a House subcommittee said they own businesses that could be hurt by a ban on toxic snakes. Those people ranged from the operators of a large serpentarium at Edisto Island to a small roadside business in the Upstate. Others said owning a venomous snake is less dangerous than owning a dog because canines attack more people annually than serpents. I opened my business in the state of South Carolina because I believe in freedom and that this state still had a piece of that left, said Jackson Sharp, a Georgia resident who runs Renegade Reptiles in Westminster, a community between Clemson and Anderson. Dont take that away or regulate it so that we cant find peace with our choice of pets. Blackville resident Justin Gosnell, who said his brother was bitten twice by exotic venomous snakes and survived, said he is working to set up a business and the reptile legislation could affect that. It also might increase the popularity of owning venomous snakes, even if illegal, he said Banning these animals will actually encourage more people to keep them clandestinely, and that could become more of a problem, he said. Despite the outpouring against the proposed prohibition on ownership at Wednesdays hearing, state wildlife officials say a ban is necessary. South Carolina is one of the few states in the country without strict limits on the ownership of venomous snakes, and in the past, it has been a haven for black market reptile dealers to set up shop, The State newspaper has previously reported. South Carolina has since tightened some wildlife laws, including those involving the capture and sale of turtles. Some local governments also have restrictions on the sale of venomous snakes But the states weak laws have left enforcement up to the federal government, in a number of cases. In one case, a wildlife dealer named Ashtyn Rance ran into trouble after importing 220 snakes from Africa to Atlanta, then agreeing to take them to South Carolina after Georgia officials said he had to move them out of state within 24 hours. In 2022, Rance, who had a number of run-ins with authorities in Florida, was sentenced to 33 months in prison for violations of federal wildlife laws. The Columbia area is also one of the few places nationally where venomous snakes have been sold legally at legitimate reptile shows like the well-known Repticon event. People from other states flock to the show to buy venomous reptiles. South Carolina has kind of been the center for a lot of the reptile, amphibian and venomous trade, said Will Dillman, an assistant wildlife chief at the S.C. Department of Natural Resources. Its never been addressed by the state. Opponents of the snake ban say many reputable people own toxic serpents, but bill supporters say the ownership and trade in venomous snakes has a dark side. State officials point to an incident last fall, in which a Florence man who owned venomous snakes was bitten by an inland taipan, a reptile with extremely potent venom that is native to Australia. Once a person is bitten, the venom can spread, causing a range of symptoms, including vomiting and paralysis, according to the Australian Museum website. The man who was bitten, a proclaimed snake lover, required medical help from emergency services personnel in Florence. He eventually recovered after being taken to a local hospital. In 2021, authorities arrested a man in Sumter County after discovering that he was using a home in a quiet neighborhood to house highly venomous reptiles. Among the snakes discovered in the home were king cobras and bush vipers, which are not native to the United States. King cobras have venom strong enough to kill an elephant and vipers can kill a person in a matter of days. Horrified neighbors told The State at the time that they had seen packages being delivered to the home and cages with snakes in the mans garage. Some said they feared for their children who played outdoors. The legislation before the House contains a variety of elements. It allows people who own venomous snakes to keep the animals until the serpents die, after which they could not own more venomous reptiles. Until that time, people who own the toxic snakes would need state permits to give South Carolina officials an idea of where the animals are located and what types are being kept. The bill, H. 3937, also spells out stricter rules for housing venomous snakes, which some people at the hearing said was a reasonable requirement. The bill is intended to exempt legitimate wildlife displays and zoos, such as Riverbanks in Columbia, and people using venomous snakes for legitimate research purposes. A bill that would have banned the ownership of non-native venomous snakes did not get through the Legislature four years ago, state officials said Wednesday. The current bill would ban ownership of any venomous snake, whether it is native or exotic, state officials said. South Carolina has six species of venomous snakes, including rattlesnakes. In 2016, a rattlesnake bit and killed a man who was walking at the Santee National Wildlife Refuge. House subcommittee chairman Cal Forrest, a Republican from Monetta, said hes one of those people who has never held a snake in my life and I have no intention of doing so. But that doesnt speak for everyone, he said. Im trying to put myself in your spot and understand everything that everybody said here today at the podium, Forrest said. 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. In post-Soviet Azerbaijan, the state has moved from religious neglect to active management of faith communities, balancing control over foreign influence with promotion of traditional religious expression. From the Jordan Center. The evolution of state-religion relations in Azerbaijan is contested. According to the constitution, religion is separated from the state regardless of belief, and the state guarantees the equality of all individuals. However, in recent years, the state started to control and design the religious environment. In this brief analysis, I survey why the state started to design a religious public environment and how it does so. Despite being a Muslim-majority country, Azerbaijan has never been a stronghold of Islam. Historically, it was a frontier of religious competition among Zoroastrianism, Christianity, and Islam. Historical developments and imperial rivalries in the South Caucasus have shaped the countrys religious demography. After Arab conquests in the early Middle Ages, the most significant transformation occurred during Safavid rule in the 16th century, when the region was forcibly converted to Shia Islam. As a result, Azerbaijan became part of the Shia-majority region, though significant Sunni communities remained in the mountainous areas where Safavid control was weaker. Subsequent imperial conflicts among the Safavids, Ottomans, and Russia, along with socio-political developments in the 19th and 20th centuries, led Azerbaijani intellectuals and states to forge a national identity that recognized Islam as a component of their cultural heritage, without aligning strictly with the religious interpretation of either Turkey or Iran. In my recent article, where I analyze state-religion relations in Azerbaijan in the post-Soviet period, I explain that there are three stages in state approaches to religion in Azerbaijan. Following the disintegration of the Soviet Union, economic collapse, and defeat in the Karabakh War in the 1990s, religion was neglected, and making policies was not a priority for the state. In the first decade of the 2000s, as the state stabilized and consolidated, it started to establish institutions that started to design religious policies and communities. Starting in the post-2010s, the state began to construct a religious environment in Azerbaijan. In particular, it began to make policies that prevent the flow of foreign religious groups and preachers into the country. Its policies aim to establish institutions that educate and construct a national religious discourse, rather than importing it from foreign countries like Iran, Turkey, and the Saudi-led Arab states. Following the collapse of the USSR, new dynamics emerged. Politically and socially weak Azerbaijan became a new laboratory for religious groups from Iran and other Middle Eastern states. In the first two decades of independence, these external religious influences created small communities and groups which, in turn, influenced internal politics and shaped the religious environment. This was the first major factor that the state began to regulate, seeking to modify the religious environment to decrease external religious activities. The flow of external religious groups and communities created competition and rivalry. The state has two concerns: First, the export of inter-sect fights from the Middle East into Azerbaijan, and second, the politicization, as such, of religious groups. While the first issue was not very concerning to Azerbaijanis, as a Pew Research survey showed, the second presented a constant threat to Azerbaijani elites. Iran, especially, was considered a major actor in politicizing the religious environment and exporting its theocratic regime into Azerbaijan. This is the main argument used by the state to justify the imprisonment of religious people. The state began to require the registration of religious communities, rendering any community that refused to do so illegal. As it constructed formal regulations, institutions, and policies, the state cultivated a discourse of traditional and non-traditional to prevent the influx of externally based religious sects and communities. According to the emerging framing, the state and its institutions have the authority to decide who is traditional and who is non-traditional and, accordingly, which groups are allowed or not allowed to register. This constructed legal framework enabled the state to define who could function as a religious group, allowing it to regulate the religious environment and take measures against violators of the new rules. Although the stated purpose of these regulations was to stem the tide of radical groups from outside Azerbaijan, they soon became a framework that helped justify politically motivated arrests. Indeed, as my own findings show, the state deliberately cooperates with and funds those groups it deems traditional, suppressing groups those considered non-traditional. Even as mechanisms of control and restriction have spread in recent years, the government has also tried to promote multiculturalism and a tolerant religious and social environment in Azerbaijan. The government regularly funds registered Muslim and non-Muslim communities and holds multiculturalism and interreligious events to promote Azerbaijan as a tolerant and multicultural state. Overall, as the theory of co-optation and repression explains, the Azerbaijani government funds traditional groups and represses non-traditional groups or religious figures who engage in what the government considers politically undesirable activities. The legal grounds for these interventions is that, according to Azerbaijani law, religious groups cannot engage in political activities due to the separation of religion and state. Javadbay Khalilzade is a dictoral candidate and instructor in the department of Political Science at Kent State University, specializing in authoritarian politics, state violence, interstate conflict analysis, and the politics of Azerbaijan, Russia, Turkey, and the post-Soviet Caucasus. This piece originally appeared on the blog of the Jordan Center for the Advanced Study of Russia at NYU. Republished by permission.